1865 Civil War Letter 4th NH Infantry Officer & Battle of the Crater Veteran
1865 Civil War Letter: 4th NH Infantry Officer & "Battle of the Crater" Veteran. B, 4th New Hampshire Volunteers. Recipient: His brother, Charles Gay (1st NH veteran), Nashua, NH.
Date: August 5, 1865 (Written just 18 days before muster out). Location: Raleigh, North Carolina (Post-war Occupation Duty). "Bloody 4th" at The Crater. Gay was a battle-hardened veteran who served nearly the entire duration of the war.Wounded in Action: Gay was wounded on July 30, 1864, at the Battle of the Crater (Petersburg, VA). During this engagement, the 4th NH held a desperate position on the right of the explosion, subjected to a terrible enfilading fire. Regimental Heroism: That day, the 4th NH entered the fight with only 200 men; they lost 50 (including Gay).
Their regimental colors were riddled with 55 bullet holes and the staff was shot in two twice-a testament to the intensity of the fire Gay endured. Final Promotion: This letter is signed as 1st Lieutenant, written during the final weeks of his service before his promotion to Captain and final muster out on August 23, 1865.Camp 4th New Hampshire Vols. I have just received yours of the 30th and as I have nothing else to do I thought I would try and answer it.
I would rather stay here until spring than not if I could content myself but there is but little going on here. There is to be a trot this afternoon between two horses of our regiment - a two mile heat best two in three to saddle.
I think it will be a slim affair as one of the horses was taken sick this morning. I suppose before you get this you will see the boys that has been discharged from my company who is Berry, Montgomery, & another one that you did not know. I was owing Albert C. Montgomery twenty-five dollars each and I told them that I thought that Jim Wright would cash them for them [and] if he would not, to take them to you. They would discount five dollars on them.What is Joe Carter doing since he got back? He is the same old Joe. The last time I saw him he had not altered a might from what he was before the war.
I don't think of anything more to write about this time so I will close wishing you all pleasant dreams. I remain as ever yours, &c &c. My regards to Martha Gay. Letter Highlights: The "Waiting Game" of 1865. In this 2-page letter, Lt.Gay reflects the restless transition from soldier to civilian. The "Same Old Joe":A humorous mention of Private Joseph Carter Co. Gay notes that despite the carnage of the war, Joe hadn't changed a mite.
The "Trot":Describes a horse race ("two mile heat") between regimental horses to pass the time in camp. The 10th Corps: Includes a mailing note referencing the 10th Corps being "played out" (disbanded), confirming his awareness of the army's dissolution. Condition: Excellent for its age. Original ink is dark and highly legible.
Expected fold lines from mailing. Minor toning consistent with 160-year-old paper. (Please see high-resolution photos for detail). Joseph Carter, including service dates, promotion records, and wound reports. Civil War letters from the summer of 1865 are "time capsules" that capture the shift from combatant to civilian. Paired with Gay's history as a Crater casualty and the mention of his long-time comrade, this is a must-have for New Hampshire collectors or Siege of Petersburg specialists.