[Letter]: 1864-06-26 from Joseph to Mother

1864 June 26 from Your boy Joe (Sickel Barracks Hospital Alexandria) to Mother re: received her letters of June 21 and 22. He sent her a bundle which contains his dress coat which he has not worn since he left Brandy Station, a blanket he got at White House, a shirt and in pocket is a watch he picked up May 12th from battlefield at Spotsylvania [fought May 8-21, 1864 as 2nd major battle of Gen. U.S. Grant’s 1864 Overland Campaign] - says he promised it to Amelia, a little black book is from the place where he was wounded - Cold Harbor [northeast of Richmond along Totopotomoy Creek, Gen. U.S. Grant faces Gen R.E. Lee in a two week May 31-June 12 engagement which was Civil War’s most dramatic and decisive battle], he made the wooden ring from a gun stopper he picked up at the “Potomoy” Creek. Got a letter from the regiment saying that they are well, no fighting and had some rest. The 2nd Sergt. was killed the day after he left when wounded. Would have sent Mother more money but didn’t get all his pay. Sorry sister is unwell. If it is as hot there [Beverly] as here [Alexandria] it is hard for anyone to get well that is sick. At end of week returns to regiment as they will be glad to have him back for they say that since he and Johnny Wilson have been gone, they have had rough times. From your boy Joe. [added] “Mother will you give this to Jack Mack, tell him that I would have sent it sooner but this is the first time that I have been payed since I got it, another 25 is for my boy. [Letter written with pencil and very faint, yellow envelope cancelled 3 cent stamp from Alexandria VA June 26, DUE 6 addressed in blue ink to Mr. William Richardson Beverly Burlington Co. New Jersey]