American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-03-15
ARMY CORRESPONDENCE,
CAMP LOWELL, VIRGINIA,
-. March 5tfr. 1855.

CAMP LOWELL, VIRGINIA,
.--.-- -. March 5tfr,e1S65. 4.
EDITOR CITIZEN: Dear ,Sr:-Think-
ing that perhaps your readers may have a
curiosity to know what VIC are doing in
this part of Uncle Sans farm. Since
writing my last | again write you. We
are still alive, and ready for our allow
ance of the good things that are portion
ed out to us about which shall leave
you to judge for yourself, about quality
aud variety. But one thing we do not
get our allowance of, and that is our mail;
we get one out of every five letters that
our friends at home write, and in many
instances, have been opened before VIC get
them. A few weeks ago there was some
inquiry, made among the men in the bat
talions, in regard to money being repeat
edly taken, but caunot tell by whom it is
taken, and where well. In Go. l, there
has been strict inquiry made, and the
rusult was, that our company alone, lost
1928 in about three months; query, where
has it gone. And what makes the mat
ter look SO bad against Mr.. somebody is
this: a number Of letters come to the men
and the money is minus. Iappeal to you,
as a friend of the soldier, for advice
Shall we continue sending letters home,
and our relations and wives don't receive
them regularly, and when we ask remit
tauce of money to have it piliered on the
way, seems hard. I am not stating any
thing but what any member i'll company
| will certify to, if necessary. | think it
is shame, and a disgrace, that we are
used so; deprived of our only comfort
our letters,-because somebody's fingers
are so formed, that things will stick to
them. | do not blame any body for want
ing money; but | do wish they would
leave the poor soldiers money alone, for
our sakes, if not for theirs. And if mon
ey is their object, why not enlist, and they
can get it honorably.
Since | last wrote yon, there has an af-
fair happened that will forever be stain
on the name Of one who was a good sol
dier; but is now numbered with the dead.
1t appears a sergeant in Co. NJ, 18Th N.
Y. Cavalry, was posted with a few men
as guards, near the residence of Nj.
Nelson, near our camp, 1t appears he
left his post, and went to the gentleman S
house, and after abusing the father, he
proceeded into the house and made inde.
cent advances to his daughter, which she
resented, the fiend struck her blow on
the head which felled her to the floor,
and while in a state of insensibility, he
accomplished his desires, and left. In
formation was sent to camp and the SER
geant was placed under arrest, and taken
to Alexandria, Tor trial, by court martial,
and found guilty, His sentence was
death by shooting, which was executed
last friday, I'D of this month";. The pco-
pie are wealthy, an in good standing. 1t
will be warning to others in future. We
have stirring times here at present. We
are in mud to the eyes, and plenty Of it.
We have had, since l last wrote, three
deaths in this command; they were cav,
airy boys; but as we are all here togeth-
er, under one command, | call it ours. |
do not know of any news of much i'm
portance. l shall close by wishing you
good night and pleasant dreams,
l remain, &c,
Truly yours,
II. S. SYpHAX,
IT