Envelope addressed to Miss Mary E. McCalmont, Walker, Centre Co. PA and postmarked New York, April 5. Envelope has a picture of the Flag of the War of 1812 and reads, "The Father of his Country, Left it to his children, STAND BY IT!
April the 5th 1862, Newburn, Craven County, Camp Franklin
Much Respected Friend,
Yours of the 20th came to hand this forenoon and you may be sure I was glad to hear from an old friend. Well, Mary, we have had some rough times since I left home but it has pleased god to keep me safe from harm through all our difficulties so far. We are expecting a fight here every day. We heard that the Rebels were coming down to retake Newburn but I think they will have considerable trouble before they get to town for we have about 600 countrebands at work making batterys and rifle pits and you know that the Neuse River runs to the left of the town and the Trent to the right. The gun boats have taken their position in each river and that they can throw shells to meet from each side and about a dozen 64 pound seige pieces in the middle so they will think Old Nick is to pay.
Newburn is a very pretty city. It is very old, there is no very stylish houses in town but General Burnsides has his quarters in the nicest one. There is hardly a White Female in town. I saw a nice one the other. She looks about as sweet as Rachel Beck. There is no end to Negrows. They think the Yankees came down to free them. They live like Kings in their massas houses. The government has employed about 900 of them. They pay them 8 dollars a month. Each of them has "United States Service" printed on cloth and pinned on their hats. They are very sassy of it.
Mary you had better think we had a hard time of it the day of the battle. We landed about 18 miles before below the battle ild. Captain Bermet of the Cassoe R took one of his guns off the boat and _____ with his sailors. our Regiment being of that boat, we had to drag it by hand all day. When we got _____2 miles of the enemy's batterys we stopped for the night. [As I am drumming for the guards, I must close and go and beat the call as it is 9 o'clock, so good night]
Next morning at daylight the pickets was driven in by those of the enemy and the orders were given to fall in in line of Battle. Ours, the 2nd brigade under General Reno, were ordered to flank them on their right. We got on the Railroad and went down and took our position on the left of the Railroad and opened fire on them and they returned it pretty sharp. Our regiment was ordered to lay down in a little hollow. We would load and run up to the top of the hill and fire and go back and load and so on. Pretty soon, Whiz came a bomb shell and struck a pine tree top right over our heads and cut it off and down it came on our heads. We lay there about 4 hours when Gen. Reno came along and says 'What Regiment is that?' when one of the boys sung out, 'The Bloody 51st'. 'Well up, my heartys, and charge on that battery'. No sooner said than done for up jumped the boys and on they went yelling like mad men over stumps and fallen trees. When Sessesh saw that, they gave us one parting shot and began to make themselves scarce. We could see their white haversacks flying through the woods. We only got about 200 prisoners but their dead and wounded lay thick around in the battery, some without legs and arms and some with thier heads knocked off. The smallest tree had 5 or 6 bullets in it so you may think we had hot times of it.
Well, Mister John, how does you get along these times. I suppose you still have a Nation of Rachel Becks and I tell you i was glad to hear that Aly Hoy was well for I felt anxious about him not hearing anything about him since I left. The regiment is falling in to take a tramp through town but I think I will not go for I did not get much sleep last night. The roses and peach trees are all out in bloom. We live on sweet potatoes and fresh fish. I make a first rate cook.
Maggie, I am afraid you'll hurt yourself writing, you should not exert yourself so much. It is bad for your constitution. I want you to write more the next time. I must close for it is almost time for preaching. Our Chaplain preaches in a very nice Presbyterian Church every Sabbath. Send me one of your papers, if convenient, and oblige a friend.
Nothing more at present but ever remaining your friend, John James Elder
If you think worth while to answer this, direct to me, Co. G, 51st regt. P.A. Genl Burnsides Expedition, via Fortress Monroe. Excuse bad writing. The song enclosed we found in the rebels barracks opposite the fort. (No song sheet was found in the envelope in my position)
Notes on persons mentioned in letter:
Mary E. McCalmont, daughter of William Scott and sister to John and Maggie (Margaret Laird McCalmont). She was unmarried and at home at this time.
Rachel Beck-First cousin of Mary, John and Maggie.
John James McCalmont-brother to Mary, obviously at home at this time.
Maggie-Margaret Laird McCalmont, my 2nd great grandmother.
John James Elder-writer of the letter, probably a friend from Centre County, PA. He addresses William Scott McCalmont's children who are living at home in this letter.