Military: Letter from James R. Herbert (Civil War POW) to Sister; Charles Co. Maryland 

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Shannon Kennedy.
<WeRkennedy@aol.com>

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Letter from James R. Herbert to his sister Martha when he was a prisoner
during the Civil War.  He was from Charles County also, son of Jeremiah
Herbert (Allens Fresh area).  James Herbert signed up for the Confederate
side and was in the Maryland 2nd Infantry Regiment, Company B (see The
Maryland Line in the Confederate Army by Godsborough)  He speaks of his
brother, William, who was in the same unit and was killed in battle later.
John Kelly, the writer of the diary was his brother in law.

January  15, 1863

Dear Sister,
I take this opportunity in writing you a few lines, Martha I am sorry to say that I am a
prisoner at this time.  I was taken at Strasbuge hospittle on the 21st of December, I am
now at Winder hospittle in Richmond, I expect to stay here until I am exchange. I expect
to be exchange in three weeks time. Martha I have seen a very hard time of it. We have
not even had a tent for four months to put our heads in. We have been sleeping out on the
ground at the time. Martha when you answer my letter direct it to Rod Wotsson Richmon 
Va,
and he will know where I am you can just ask him to send it to me.  Our bitallion is now
station in the valley near New Market. I left it on the 11 of this month.  We have been
at most march to death the last two months. I want you to write and let me know how
everything is going on over there with all of the negros has left or not. I heard that I
was drafted, I want you to let me know how everything is going on.

Marthaan Kelly and my Self has written home three or four times and has never heard 
from there yet.  Billy is very well he was when I left him.  How was Mary when you heard 
from her?

I must now close my letter by bading you farewell. Give my love to all of my friends.
Does Mrs Wiggs still live there give my love to her and tell her I miss her a great deal
for mending my own clothes I have them to mend my self. They seem to think over here 
that we will have ??? in three months time.

Goodbye I trust in thy Lord that I may live to see you all once more.

Goodbye

I remain your affectionate Brother.

James R. Herbert