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THBPrivate David W. Moser, 199th Pennsylvania Volunteers, Civil War Archive
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6270 Este Ave.
Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States
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LiveJun 9, 2017 - Jun 10, 2017
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Archive of 35 letters written by private David Moser, 199th Pennsylvania Infantry, from various locations including Philadelphia, Dutch Gap, VA, Richmond, Burkville Station, and Appomattox Court House, dating from September 1864 through June 1865. The group also includes an 1865 letter that soldier Edwin Rickert sent to his sister, Sarah Moser. David Moser was Pennsylvanian German and spelled many of his words phonetically.
David Moser was born in Scranton, PA in 1834 and died in 1929. Late in the war, he mustered into the 199th Pennsylvania Regiment on September 24, 1864 and served until its end. His regiment originally mustered into service at Philadelphia in September and October of 1864 for one year. It joined the Army of the James in October at deep Bottom Landing and was assigned to the 1st brigade, 1st division, 24th corps. Awestruck by the maginitude of men, he wrote, I have seen more men since I am down hear than I thought was in the world (Camp Catvalinlar [Cadwalader, Philadelphia], September 30, [1864]).
Moser and the regiment's position was on the extreme right of the line on New Market road, and erected substantial breast works. They saw little action, sometimes seeing dirt or dark tunnels more than they did the enemy. Heavy cannon fire reminded them that the enemy was still nearby. He wrote home, They are sending shells here every day but it don't amount to much. I go to work at 12 o'clock at night and quit at 8…the Johnnies is to sleep every time we got to work and if they was awake they could not hurt us [as it is] only about 50 yards before we get in the tunnel…thare was some heavy firing on our left some thisland off yesterday but what it amounted to I cant tell but I hope the Joneys cum out on the short end and I think they did (Dutch Gap, VA, November 3, 1864). Shortly after it went into winter quarters with the army and thoroughly drilled and disciplined until moving to Richmond. It served trench duty there until March 1865 and participated in the Appomattox Campaign from March 28 to April 9, 1865. It shared in the final assault on the works of Petersburg April 2, 1865, as a part of Foster's division, which captured Forts Gregg and Alexander. After the fall of Petersburg, it followed in pursuit of Lee's retreating army to Burkesville and thence to Appomattox, losing two killed and one wounded in the skirmish at Rice's station April 6, and two killed and eight wounded near Appomattox on April 9th. Moser wrote, I was not in that fight as I was on picket, but I was in on Sunday last and it was mighty hot for awhile but we got old Lee and his whole army surrounded…he surrendered his whole forces in this place...I believe that all the fighting is over and the war and everything will soon come rite (Camp near Appomattox Court House, VA, April 11, 1865). After Lee's final surrender it moved to Richmond, where it mustered out on June 28, 1865.
Moser's letters detail many of the regiment's activities beginning at Camp Cadwalader in Philadelphia. From Dutch Gap, he described tunneling and canal work as well as picket duty, camp life, and activities near Petersburg. He spoke of dealing with hungry prisoners and, more importantly, his pursuit of Lee and engaging with his men at Appomattox. He also discusses the devastating effects of war on the citizens of Richmond and his sorrow over the assassination of his Commander in Chief. Additional transcriptions of Moser's letters are available at cowans.com.
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Some transcriptions with Moser's German dialect phonetic spelling mostly corrected include:
a.) Camp Catvalinlar [Cadwalader, Philadelphia], Sept. 28, 1864, in part: we all cum hear on Monday…we don't know what they [are] going to do with us. Thay had so many new recruits here that they cant hardly tent all them. We cant tell what company or Regt we will go in or anything …there was a retreat of old soldiers cum here last night and they say that we ill se no fighting…they cum from Petersburg. Thay are a good many Scranton and Hyde Park boys in the regiment and they say the war will soon be over and I hope so…D. W. Moser.
b.) Camp Catvalinlar [Cadwalader, Philadelphia], Sept. 30, [1864], in part: …we was in the barracks the first night and yesterday hay give us our tents…I cant tell you anything about the city. It was night when we cum down…thay march us through part of the city…what I [had] sen of it I like it first rate…we don't see any thing but soldiers here. There was a regiment left this camp this morning…they thought to get us in and send us off under another captain but we said that we would wait till the captain would come that we enlisted under and they let us stay. There is a great many men in this camp and more coming with every train…I have seen more men since I am down hear than I thought was in the world…D. W. Moser…direct Camp Cadwalda, Philadelpha, 214 Regt. P. V. [soon to be transferred into the 199th.]
c.) Cabins Farm [Chapin's Farm] in front of Richmond, Oct. 29, 1864, in part: …I hirt that your brother edwin was wis in 3 miles of our camp…and I went along our lines and I found him…he says he likes soldiering first rate…he is fatter then I ever seen him…he says the Johnnies is very close to him. I can see them walking around…he said that thare was 15 of them come in our lines last night. They give them up and said that they wont fite no more…they had a big fight down here on Thursday but our Regt was not in it…our men is at the same place as they was before the fight but I hope that Grant's army has got some ground…it was only done to give him a chance…D. W. Moser.
d.) Dutch Gap, Va., Nov. 3, 1864, in part: …I left camp on Thursday last and cum here to work…we are mining. Thare was 12 men sent out of our regiment to trivia a canal to let the water in Butler's Canal. We are triving this tunnel. They are going to going to block it up…to let the river in…so our gun boats can go up the river after the Johnnies. We have a safe place to work when we are at workout when we are going [to] start it aint any too safe but they cant hit us only with shells and a man can see them come and get out [of] the way. They are sending shells here every day but it don't amount to much. I go to work at 12 o'clock at night and quit at 8…the Johnnies is to sleep every time we got to work and if they was awake they could not hurt us [as it is] only about 50 yards before we get in the tunnel…I stay into [my[ tent away from them in the daytime…thare was some heavy firing on our left some thisland off yesterday but what it amounted to I cant tell but I hope the Joneys cum out on the short end and I think they did…D. W. Moser.
e.) Dutch Gap, Va., Nov. 20, 1864, in part: …I seen in your letter that your brother John was drafted. Ket me know if he…got a substitute…I am sorry to hear that anyone should be drafted but if they want men they must draft if they don't volunteer. You said…that there was some talk about a draft in Hyde Park…let it come I am not afraid this time. I was very glad to hear that Thos. Houser sent you a mess of quail…tell him a should like if he sent me a mess. Thare is plenty here but they wont let me shot them and if they [did] I could not with this gun they give me. I was very glad to hear that old Abraham was reenlisted and hope it will bring the Joneys all rite again…D. W. Moser…
f.) Dutch Gap, Va., Dec. 3, 1864, in part: In this you will find a little piece of wood that was about 70 feet underground in the canal…this morning just after coming out of the mines I set myself down to answer your kind…letter…there was some heavy firing heard on the direction of Petersburg…or as they call it Bermuda Hundred…it lasted all day and part of last night…I seen that Dan Bry was drafted but you did not say whether he went or…whether he skedaddled which I will believe he will…tell This Houser to give you the list of drafted men of Hyde Park…so I can see who is drafted…I was some surprised that I was not drafted but I think they took me name out of the box…thare was another call for 5 hundred thousand men and if that is the case I will have a chance to tray a ticket yet and if not I will be contented as I am here…I am willing to due my duty as a soldier…I believe that is the best plan for a soldier as he has a great many more fiends the if he don't and [he] has to stand some punishment. For my part I have not had a man…say a cross word to me since I come in the army…tell McCann I said he should not be too hard on a soldier's wife in selling you your winter's meat and I hope you will get some cheap…D. W. Moser.
g.) Dutch Gap, Va., Dec. 11, 1864, in part: …before I left they was all ordered out to have a fight and I watched from 8 o'clock to half past 10 to see how they made out. Thay was fiting purty sharp bout our regiment was in the breast work in our camp, but they had fired no gun at that time, but they was fighting all day…Sam says that they whip the Joneys and took 150 prisoners…but I seen a man that seen 50 prisoners come to Butler's headquarters…D. W. Moser. Much more on their winter quarters. h.) Dutch Gap, Va., Dec. 25, 1864, in part: "…I will tell you what I heard 2 Rebs say yesterday that cum in our lines. I seen them. They come into a cook house where me and my buddy was getting our super. It was in my body's company cook house where they come in. They said here we are. We come over to have Christmas diner with you boys and we are glad of it…I asked them if there was anymore over there that didn't want diner and they said that there was and they said that their regiment would soon be all over to see us as they would not fight again as their regiment is most all drafted men…D. W. Moser."
i.) Camp near Appomattox Court House, Va., April 11, 1865, in part: …I am still in the land of the living yet and in the best of health and spirits…we was in a fight on Sunday last [battle before Lee's surrender at Appomattox]…I got out safe and…so did all the Hyde Park boys…tell George Bratfurt wife that he is all rite…we left camp in front of Richmond on the 27th of March and went to Hatcher's Run in front of Petersburg…..there was was till the 2 day then the fight took place…the bits had a hot time of it, but they was all safe that was foam Hyde Park…only Fred Jones…was wounded in the shoulder and David Jones out of Company I lost his rite leg. He is a brother of Marchal Jones…I seen him at the hospital after his leg was taken off. I was not in that fight as I was on picket, but I was in on Sunday last and it was mighty hot for awhile but we got old Lee and his whole army surrounded…he surrendered his whole forces in this place…I should have wrote sooner but we could not get any male off and I am not sure if I can get this off for a few days…I believe that all the fighting is over and the war and everything will soon come rite…D. W. Moser.
j.) Burkesville, Va., April 19, 1865, in part: …I cant tell when we will stop as we are moving back towards Richmond…whether we stop thare I cant say but there is some talk of it. We had a hard march and I am very tired and we stopped to rest this afternoon we got a mail and I guess I can send this…the Rebels is played out in…Old Va. and I think they will soon [be] all over and I hope so. We are all in god health…D. W. Moser, Co. G, 199 Regt P. V. 1 Briage, 1 Division, 24 Corps…
k.) Richmond, Va., April 29, 1865, in part: …I am in the middle of the city since yesterday…I am not sure what we are going to do. There was about one company sent out of our brigade…they say that we are here to go round the houses to see how bad the folks is off and see that there is none [that] gets support from our government only them that is really in need of it as most all the people wants to live off Uncle Sam…there is a great many hard up in this city…money is good for nothing. I have seen women with silk dresses this morning go to the commissary to get their rations off Uncle Sam and I seen many a one that looked to me as if they needed something to eat. Even some of the Rebel officers gets their rations here. It is hard but I cant pity them much but I pity the women and children…we got good news from Johnson…they say he has given up and if he has peace will soon come…we get some very sour faces here but…most of the people seem glad to see the Yankee soldiers…we are stationed in a house here…it has been some kind of a store so you see that I got in a house to live at last. I have a good chance to see the city of Richmond…I cant enjoy myself as I could at home. I don't like these Rebels as well as I do the people up north…I don't believe they will keep us very long any more…D. W. Moser.
l.) Richmond, Va., May 5, 1865, in part: …I am more tired of soldiering than I had been at anytime as the war is over. It seems to me…we ought to be at home…we have not heard anything yet but a solider is not to know anything any how…I told you I was in the city but I am back with the company…I did not like the job they had for us. It was to go and visit the poor and see whether they was in need of rations from Uncle Sam…had to write a good deal and I thought I was not fit for the job and so I told them that I could not write and I got clear…I did not like the city…it is a nice well…you told me that that girl that sent her love…was a Copper Head…tell her that I said that as soon as the…soldiers…come home…we all was thus an Copper Head. You say that you was sorry that I was so lousy, but I got rid of all my animals since we come to this place…I had to throw everything away on the march, my woolen blanket…overcoat and knapsack. All I own…is 2 pair of trars and 2 shorts, 1 pr pants…one blouse…a cap and shoes…they are all near wore out…D. W. Moser. Moser's German dialect phonetic spelling has mostly been corrected. Light stains, else VG
m.) Richmond, Va., May 18, 1865, in part: …I seen in your letter that you would like to have one of old Lincoln's pictures but you was afraid to buy it. You can due just as you please…as I should like to have it as well as anybody…you can get one and if you do get a good one and be sure and not get fooled and buy somebody else's picture…as they might have some one else's but you had ought to know as you have seen all the rest of them pictures…I cant see what made you ask me whether you should get one as I never said no when you want anything in the house and you are house keeping alone this year…so do as you see fit as I am satisfied what ever pleases you…there was one company out of our Regt at Corps headquarters…the news they brought was that all one year men was to be sent home and discharged…I cant believe it…but there is one thing I will stay no longer in this Lousey state through till October …Virginia is Lousey all over for as soon as a man thinks he has no more lice and in a day or so he will be full again. I thought I was clear of them several times but in a day or so I…found out that I had a body guard with me…it is good to have a body guard in war time and I will discharge them when I get out of the service…D. W. Moser.
n.) Richmond, Va., June 7, 1865, in part: …I thought I would be on my way to Philadelphia before this time but we are still here…and I cant tell anything about our getting away…I sometimes get so mad that I get a swearing at these officers as they got their rolls wrong and I believe that they don't want to get them rite as some of them is afraid that they cant work or is too lazy to work and they get a big pay here but I hope it will soon play out…some of them is in a bad fix so as they are not fit to go to their families as they are not sick and not well in some places but I hope that it will all come to daylight before long…I have learned somethings since I am lout as i seen in this few months more than I ever seen. I learned just enough to know what a bad officer is in the army…I myself cant complain…but I had to swallow many a thing that I thought tasted pretty bitter…I will tell you that I had quite a time with my body guard [lice] but I believe I got boys over them as I cant find any of them for about 1 week and I think I am all rite. You had ugh to see me work trying to get rid of them…D. W. Moser.
o.) Richmond, Va., June 11, 1865, in part: …I will tell you a little about a Grant review we had yesterday or was to have. The 24 Corps was to have a great review in Richmond and on the other side of the city…the whole corps marched out and went in the city and then it commenced to rain and it rained so fast as we all got ringing wet and we got within about a 1/2 mile to the place where we was to have our review and them we all turned around and come back again…all our fun was spoiled. If ever there was a lot of men that got a wading we did…we was like drowned kites and all our cloths is wet yet but I have a dry suite to put on…David W. Moser.
Typical folds and toning of the letters, all lack their original envelopes.Condition
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