Francis M. Perry, Michigan Sharpshooters
“…And now about Brother Eli you asked some questions. I did not see him fall nor did I hear him speak after he was hurt nor did I see him after he went into the fight” Francis M. Perry, before Petersburg, 27 miles from Richmond, June 21 1864
Before Petersburg, 27 miles from Richmond
June 21/64
Dear Parents
I read your kind letter of June the 10th in day time and one from Janet also dated June the 10 and now starting to ans(wer) them as I have bought a couple of sheets of paper and envelopes. I tell you we have had some awful hard fighting here before Petersburg. Our Regt. charged 2 (?) on open fields the last time. they lost – all of our Regt – except 120 men 142 were taken prisoner.
John and Brown and my self are all right yet – only John is sick and back with the cooks about a ¼ mile to the rear. And now about Brother Eli you asked some questions. I did not see him fall nor did I hear him speak after he was hurt nor did I see him after he went into the fight – we went into the fight side by side but when he fell we were separated and I have not seen him since. The Boys that carried him off the field said he talked some for a while and then said he did not want to later. He sent word to me once or twice but I did not get the word until he was taken to Wash. And if I had got the word I would not got away for I tried as it was.
I am glad that you have got the likenesses that he sent home we will get ours taken the I chance we have. We were told of them when we were at Warrington station but our clothing was taken out so I did not draw but $6 dollars and that I need and Eli drawed $12 dollars and when he was wounded he had about 9 or 10 dollars in his Duffel but some one took it our for they do such things down here and as for clothing we lost all going into the fight – and we drawed clothes the other day. I have a pair of Pants – 2 shirts a pair of socks. and that’s all I have drawed since we joined up and I am not going to draw any over what is allowed us which is 42 dollars a year.
Eli had from the 30th of April up to the 14 of May owing him. As soon as we’re paid again I will send you all I have to spare but I don’t expect we will get paid for a long time for we are in the field and as for clothing I don’t carry any thing except what I wear and that is a pair of Pants and a blows and shirt – I pair of socks and pair of shoes and a cap.
Captain Dicey came to the Regt. the other day but he has gone to City Point and he left his things with me so I have plenty of clothes to put over me he will be back some day I think. Eli had a whole suit on when he was wounded but perhaps they were taken. but I must stop I will send Frank and Ormy 25 apiece as Frank asked for some. Get them what they want for the forth of July.
This is from your obd son. F.M. Perry PS I read a letter from Abby a little while ago. This is all the change I have for the boys.
Francis M. Perry Civil War Letters: Biography | April 29, 1863 | May 7, 1863 | July 1863 | Oct. 25, 1863 | June 21, 1864