Phelps, Diton (fl. 1861-1864) to his mother
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.49.11 Author/Creator: Phelps, Diton (fl. 1861-1864) Place Written: Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 23 November 1862 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20 x 26.6 cm. Order a Copy
Writes about the preacher at camp. Comments that he is a good man but is not very smart. Says that he went to the preacher last night and was given a prayer book. States that he reads a chapter in the testament out loud every night before retiring. Reports that Captain Daniel Bradbury is to be court marshaled tomorrow for leaving his post while on picket duty. He has heard that the Captain might have to hand in his resignation. Assures his mother that she does not need to worry about him wasting his money on liquor, as he has never spent a cent on it in his life. Describes an older gentleman dying in his tent from drinking. Writes that he "died in his quarters from the effect of drinking so much poisoned whiskey. He had been on quite a [drain] for the past week & Thursday night he was taken to bleeding to the stomach & died Friday night, he drank so much it eat through his stomach."
Diton Phelps enlisted as a private on 15 May 1861. He mustered into "F" Co. PA 35th Infantry. He was mustered out on 11 June 1864 at Harrisburg, PA.
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