Letter written by George W. Pearl, private in the 117th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Company C and F, to his father and mother of Clinton, New York, from Camp near Fort Ripley, March 20, 1863

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PAGE IMAGECamp near Fort Ripley (Fort Ripley, Maryland)
March 20th/63.
Dear Father (Pearl, George A.) & Mother (Pearl, George A. (Mrs., Marcia C.)) (Pearl, Marcia C. (Mrs. George A. Pearl))

I recd your ever kind and
welcome letter of the 11th
last eve just before going to
drill. It was with anxiety I
waited to hear the order too (to)
(break ranks march) and
peruse its contents. I am well
and was glad to hear you
were the same. There is a report
that we have not been mustered
(as a Regt) into the United
States
service (United States Armed Services) and that we
are going to move to Staten
Island (Staten Island, New York)
in a month or so
We were only mustered at
Rome (Rome, New York) by the Adjutant G. S.
Latimore (Latimore, James M. (Adjutant)) nor did we stop
at Albany (Albany, New York) to be inspected
by the Surgeon Gen. If we

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had been I dont believe that
1/2 if not 2/3 would have bore
inspection. So you see that
they cant keep us here but
nine months from the time
we came here, unless the Gov (Seymour, Horatio (Governor))
turnes (turns) us over for a longer
period. Col. Pease (Pease, William R. (Colonel)) has gone
home on a furlough and the
report is that part of his
business is to go & see the
Gov about it. I hope it is so
But it is only a report and
may not be so. But I do
know that we have not
been mustered into the U.S.
service (United States Armed Services) by a U.S. mustering
Officer, and can not muster
us in now. I suppose the
Democrats think they are some
on getting up a nigger Regt (Colored Regiment)
The dollar came safe to hand
I did not think about it being

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so near the first of Apr if I
had I should not have sent for
any should not have been disappointed
if you had not sent
any. My two lbs of tobacco are
all gone used the last last,
Wednesday night. Mother that
sucatash (succotash) was pretty good
although we did not have any
butter to put in it I recd a
letter last Monday from Uncle Meed (Meed (Uncle))
stating that you had
been out to Earlville (Earlville, New York)
I have had to get my boots
tapped. John Ernst (Ernst, John) is off from
duty and does the tapping &
mending for the Batt.
I (1) pair of boots ware (wear) out very
fast on the toe the soil is sandy
a (&) soapy. John (John) wanted me to ask
you for him where Dutch Fred (Fred)
was. No more this time.
Give my love & respects to all

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enquiring friends and save
a good share for yourselves
Write soon

From your Son G W Pearl (Pearl, George W.) P.S.

The tent (Tent Family) family send
their best respects. We had
some beef steak and baked
potatoes for dinner
I send a letter with this
Addie (Pearl, Adaline C.) can put in my
desk for me. Father (Pearl, George A.) I wish
you would have yours Mothers and
Yours G W Pearl (Pearl, George W.)
Addie (Pearl, Adaline C.) s liknesses (likenesses) taken and send
them to me