Painter, Heber (1841-1900) [to his sister]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02016.028 Author/Creator: Painter, Heber (1841-1900) Place Written: Batchelder's Creek, North Carolina Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 27 January 1863 Pagination: 4 p. ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Discusses the unreliability of the news at camp. He has received word that the mail is in New Bern and hopes it will put an end to rumors of the war ending. States that the rebels want to retake New Bern and Wilmington and capture General Foster. Painter assures his sister that he is not the least bit worried about the rebels. Writes that the rebels fear Burnside and are ignorantly unaware that other generals are "whiping them as soundly on other portions of their confederacy." He mentions that the men do a fair amount of foraging when not on picket duty. Writes that his regiment is considered to be very efficient and "filled with fine able bodied men."
Discusses news that Wilmington has fallen, but deems the news improbable as the last expedition of Union soldiers had just left the previous day under the command of Foster. Reassures his sister to not worry if she doesn't hear from him for long periods of time, as there is no regular mail service at his camp. Recipient inferred from content.
Before joining the service, Painter was a trained printer from Danville, Pennsylvania. He was mustered as a private into F Company of the 58th Pennsylvania infantry on 8 October 1861 and transferred to I Company on 1 March 1862. While in I Company, he was promoted to Sergeant and eventually mustered out on 21 January 1866 as First Lieutenant. Painter also held a post as Quartermaster's clerk, and performed freedman duties shortly after the war ended.
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