Franklin County: Joseph B. Sweigart to His Cousin,
July 24, 1862
Summary:
Sweigart tells his cousin that his regiment is close to Richmond and will attack
it very soon. He also describes the atrocities that the rebels have committed
and discusses a family matter.
Cousin
July the 24 1862
Verginia
Dear Cousin
I received your civil
and
welcome
letter and was very glad indeed to hear from you all. We are within 30 miles of Richmond and
expect to attack the Rebels at Richmond in 4 or 5 days. i think there will be some
fighting
done
there but our cause is just. i
must be done and am bound to see it
through. the Rebels are worse
than
[page ]
a set of heathens. they take our men and pin
them up against
trees with their bayonettes
and fire upon our hospitals where the sick are. And they have fired on several
of our flags of truth and when it
comes to that [unclear:
roust
] i think it is time to do
something it raises my blood
every time i see such things. i
have seen more than i ever
expect to see and more than ever i want to see again.
general pope has given orders to take every
[page ]
thing we want of the farmers and we will do so. i think the rebels will not get
much on the ground. We have
gone over that [unclear:
ought to have been
]
done
sooner and the rebels supply would not be so great when
ever we had to [unclear:
return
] Why the rebels got their supplies by that is over and though the war is not over yet and i think 1 year will not end it but i am bound to see it As far as i can.
uncle david said that all was right. he doesn't
think hard at all of [unclear:
you
]
at all. he will lend you the money if he doesn't come home till august. he has promised again that time his discharge. i am in a hurry.
you must excuse bad writing. i can not write
much this time. i will write
more next time. write soon.
J. B. Sweigart
