MCWL_103: Hills Point Camp Pickett near Washington NC July 30,1863: George W. Gould to his mother

Hills point           Camp Pickett

Near Washington N.C. July 30^th, 1863

Dear Mother

you will see by this that we have changed our place of residence once more we are now about one hundred and fifty miles from Newbern by water and thirty by land. we came here on the fourth we started the third and got to Washington on the morning of the fourth and immediately started for this place which is about eight miles from W. it is a dreary lonesome place there is not a house in sight of our camp and none nearer than half a mile.

It is situated on a high point of land about 30 feet above the water it is  very healthy here being situated as it is on the river but that is all there is to it I can’t say I like it here it is to [sic]  lonesome for me it will do well enough or anyone that likes to be retired there is no danger of our neighbors troubling us here unless the wraps should hapen [sic] to come down and make us a visit and we are pretty well provided for a defence [sic] should they come we have got a breast work all around our camp excepting one side and that is protected by the river and gunboats we have three pieces of artilery [sic] of twelve pound calibre [sic] and I think we could hold against a pretty good force we are doing picket duty here three companies of us there are two more about four miles from here and the rest of the regiment are at Newbern.

There is nothing new in this department that I know of though there is good news from the Army of the Potomac it does seem as though things look a little brighter just now in a few more such victories as we have had lately and I should think the rebels would begin to think they were pretty well whiped [sic] but I suppose they will hold out as long as they can hold one place. I want you to write me if you have heard from James recently and if you know whether he is drafted on this call or not I see by the papers that they have had some pretty bloody work at the north on account of this draft I am sorry to see there is not patriotism enough there to help sustain the union I should have thought that the late victories would have sent a thrill of joy to the hearts of the people there and they would have been willing to turn out to a man and helped to close up this war but there is too many copperheads there for that I see is just the worst time they could take to rise if it had been when our side was being defeated I should not thought strange of it but we must take things as they come but they may as well yield for they will have to the government of the United States has got to be sustained and the time has come when we got a government or else there is not halfway work about it, every man refuses to do this at this time is a traitor to his country and ought to be branded as such. I received your letter with Willies photograph and a very glad to have it so I can look at him and I should like the rest of the children with yours and Fathers if it is convenient for you.

But I must close this time hopeing [sic] this will find you all well as this leaves me I remain your affectionate son

George W. Gould

PS please give my love to Father and the children and receive a large share yourself write often and I will try and do the same though I have had a good deal do since I have been here

George