Ekings, Thomas, fl. 1862-1864 to his friend

Writes from camp near "White Oak Chapel" that he wishes he had been sent to Philadelphia for the wound he received at Manassas. However, if he had, he would not have been able to fight at the Battles of Crampton Pass and Antietam. Says he has fought in every one of his regiment's engagements and survived. Writes, "It seems wonderfull that I am still in the Land of the living after going through what I have. I have seen instances of New Recruits going into their first fight and manny [sic] of them were killed. Says, "the reverse at Fredericksburgh [sic] was a heavey blow to us. It has had a bad effect on our Army, it has shaken the confidence of both Officers and men in Burnside. And the facts that have come to light of the eneficiancey [sic] of the leading men at Washington has a discouraging effect on our boys. He now believes that "this war is not to save the countrey but to satisfy the ambition of our Generals who are jelous [sic] enough of each other to cut each others throats if by so doing they can gain praise for themselves..." States he feels that General George McClellan is the only man who can lead the army to victory. Describes the Union's defeat at Fredericksburg, Virginia, which has caused many men to lose their enthusiasm. Mentions going to see his relatives in the 132nd Pennsylvania Regiment. His brother has been put in command of the Company of the 23rd. States he is unhappy about this because he lost one brother and does not "wish to lose another." Includes an embossed seal in the upper left hand corner.