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https://micivilwar.com/authors/paddock-byron-d/
Regiment: 1st Michigan Light Artillery
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Robert E. Lee
Hd Qrs Battery F 1st Mich Lt Arty
New Berne N. C. April 13th 1865
My Dear Hattie.
The battery left the front in
the 8th inst and arrived here the 9
th.
We are comfortably quartered in Barracks
formerly occupied by a NY Battery. My Hd
Qrs are in a very comfortable house. Our mess
has purchased a cook stove and we are living
very well for soldiers. As yet I hear nothing
of my muster out papers but am patently waiting
their arrival. My eyes are getting worse and
I am anxious to get where they can be operated
on soon. On the 8th we recd the news that
Richmond and Petersburg had been captured
and yesterday that Lee and his army
had surrendered. The dispatch was read
and an order issued that any man found
on the streets after half past four PM
sober
would be arrested. I pride myself on
strictly obeying orders but failed to do so
that time although most every person promptly
obeyed and got intoxicated as soon as possible
Last evening drunken officers on horseback
were riding into the barroom of the
Gastin Hotel to drink and out again
into the streets making night hideous with
their orgies. It may be a proper way
of celebrating great events but I have my
doubts of it. Yesterday I recd commission
for Wood and McCruster but hear nothing
of the vacant majerity being filled.
Should not accept it were it now sent me.
In one hour a grand National Salute will
be fired from all the forts and Gunboats
at this place in honor of the glorious
news. I have now no doubt but that
peace will soon be declared and that
the brave soldiers that have been spared
will return to loved ones at home.
Your letter of April 3d I recd also yesterday
taking it all in all it was a day of good
news. I am sorry to hear that Jay Crippen
is acting so badly and hope that he may
yet change his course and become a better
man. His poor wife right indeed to be pitied.
I have just had a letter from my brother
Brunie. He and family are in very good health.
He tells me that soon after the war broke
out William sent a man south to invest
a large amount of funds in cotton expecting
to get it north and realize a large profit.
But the man was captured and killed
by Guerillas and his cotton lost.
He kept it to himself until very lately when
his wife heard of it and
as women cant keep
a secret it leaked out.
Darling I expect that you
together with many other young ladies are
rejoicing over the prospects of a speedy term
ination of the war. And we soldiers too
are equally anxious to have peace proclaimed
for I expect that I am not the only one who
has a dear one whom he is anxious to see
again. I know not where to tell you
to write me and shall be forced to be
deprived of your ever welcome letters until
I know when and where I am going.
As ever yours dear girl.
Byron
