February 19, 1865
Title
February 19, 1865
Subject
From George Murray to his parents, dated 19FEB1865. Out in the breastworks, but were not engaged. Received new colors, but the men don't like them because they have no bullet holes. New recruits coming in and receiving large bounties-army is being ruined by bounty jumpers. Asks for a hat and stockings. Notes that there are three large chapels at the camp. In ink on folder stationary, stained and creased, hole in the center fold. "Hope" at top.
UNIT ASSOCIATION: 114th PA Infantry
-Information provided by the courtesy of the National Park Service
UNIT ASSOCIATION: 114th PA Infantry
-Information provided by the courtesy of the National Park Service
Description
Headquarters Army of Potomac Feb 19th /65
Dear Mother & Father.
I received your letter of the 12th a few days ago but as I had not time I could not answer it but as I have got a few spare moments today I thought that I would improve them by writing to you. Your letter found me in good health. We was out in the breastworks but we were not engaged as they never put us in a dangerous position. We have what we call Headquarter fight that is we always manage to leave when they get engaged. The wheather is getting better down here now it is almost like spring. We have got a new set of colors but the men do not like them as well as the old ones as they are not so pround of them for they have no bullet holes in them you ought to see the old ones the union has very nearly seceded from the stripes a solid shot or some(thing?) very nearly carried it out. We are getting a lot of recruits but we do not think much of them as they all got large bounties and enlisted in this regiment for they thought it would not have to go to the front but they would soon spoil this regiment if they keep on enlisting in this regiment they will get sold because if they fill it up it will have to go to the front. I suppose you saw an account in the paper of the great fire down in the lower part of the city and of a family by the name of Waer suffering so badly from it that man has got a son a drummer in this regiment, he got a furlough for ten days his mother two or three of his sisters and two brothers have died or are expected to die soon. This bounty system is a very poor plan in the last fight on the left the fifth Corps broke it was all owing to these bounty jumpers it is just ruining the army as no regiment with many of them is good for anything. I wish you would send me a kossuth hat and another pair of stockings by mail the hat I want to wear when I am off duty 6 7/8 is the size the whole regiment wears them when they are off duty but I have told you all that I know at present. Write soon. Give Chappy a big kiss for me.
Your Son
George Murray
P.S. We have got three large Chapels here one at headquarters one in Camp and the Christian Commission has one near the Station.
-Transcript provided by the courtesy of the National Park Service
Dear Mother & Father.
I received your letter of the 12th a few days ago but as I had not time I could not answer it but as I have got a few spare moments today I thought that I would improve them by writing to you. Your letter found me in good health. We was out in the breastworks but we were not engaged as they never put us in a dangerous position. We have what we call Headquarter fight that is we always manage to leave when they get engaged. The wheather is getting better down here now it is almost like spring. We have got a new set of colors but the men do not like them as well as the old ones as they are not so pround of them for they have no bullet holes in them you ought to see the old ones the union has very nearly seceded from the stripes a solid shot or some(thing?) very nearly carried it out. We are getting a lot of recruits but we do not think much of them as they all got large bounties and enlisted in this regiment for they thought it would not have to go to the front but they would soon spoil this regiment if they keep on enlisting in this regiment they will get sold because if they fill it up it will have to go to the front. I suppose you saw an account in the paper of the great fire down in the lower part of the city and of a family by the name of Waer suffering so badly from it that man has got a son a drummer in this regiment, he got a furlough for ten days his mother two or three of his sisters and two brothers have died or are expected to die soon. This bounty system is a very poor plan in the last fight on the left the fifth Corps broke it was all owing to these bounty jumpers it is just ruining the army as no regiment with many of them is good for anything. I wish you would send me a kossuth hat and another pair of stockings by mail the hat I want to wear when I am off duty 6 7/8 is the size the whole regiment wears them when they are off duty but I have told you all that I know at present. Write soon. Give Chappy a big kiss for me.
Your Son
George Murray
P.S. We have got three large Chapels here one at headquarters one in Camp and the Christian Commission has one near the Station.
-Transcript provided by the courtesy of the National Park Service
Creator
George Murray
Date
February 19, 1865
Files
Collection
Citation
George Murray , “February 19, 1865,” Slaughter-Murray Papers, accessed April 17, 2026, https://slaughtermurray.umwhistory.org/items/show/58.