3rd Vermont Infantry
Correspondence
William Messenger
April 3rd 1863
Camp near White Oak Church Va.
Dear Sister,
I though I would write & let you know I got my box last Monday alright. It had been
opened at Division Headquarters to see if there was any Contraband Goods in it but
there was nothing taken out. I have had some good bites out of it. Everything was tiptop.
The Doughnuts went bully. We had Brigade Review the 1st day of April & we have a
Corps Review this afternoon. It is said that 3rd & 6th Corps are today here this
summer & the reat of the army to go some where else, but I don't know.
The Paymaster has come & we shall get payed off soon. I can not send home to much as
I want to, for I have bought me a watch. I find I need one as much here as to home &
more when I am on guard.
I had a letter from Abby last night, was swell, told mther was cmgin down there this
week.I'll send you a ring made out of Laurel Root, it will color up good after you wear it
a while.
Goodby write soon,
Will
William Messenger wrote this letter addressed to his sister Emma Messenger, Springfield Vermont.
William O. Messenger
3rd Vermont Infantry Co. A
William Died of His wounds @ Cold Harbor Va. 6/6/64
Courtesy of Mark Miller, a collector and great-grandson of Stephen P. Chase, 86th New York Infantry