Politics and War

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Politics and the progress of the War were of great interest to Peter. He mentioned them in most of his letters. He expressed his conflicting sentiments about the war effort.

Peter commented on rumors or items he read in the newspaper. Sometimes he predicted what the Union or Confederate army might do next.

Peter reported on troop movements. Following his promotion to Sergeant and as the war progressed, Peter provided more detailed reports.

Usually Peter's writing demonstrated pride and support for the Union cause. However, he expressed sympathy for the Southern civilians who had been harmed, especially children, and decried the horrors of war.

He noted that Confederate soldiers engaged in the same activities around camp that he and his fellow soldiers enjoyed.

On return to Fredericksburg months after the battle, he saw the town in ruins and watched the occupying Confederate soldiers on the banks, noting:

'It seems so strange to me that we can approach one another so close without danger and soon we shall be trying to take one other's lives and engaged perhaps in a terrible battle.'

Many letters expressed longing or prayers for peace, but by December 30, 1863, he wrote:

'Oh, we all hope for peace this winter. But the soldiers have suffered and endured so much through the folly of Rebels, they all unite one another saying that there can be no peace until every vestige of rebellion is swept from the face of the earth...'
'The feeling is far different from what it was last winter. Then they wanted peace on any terms, but it is not so now.'

Peter reported on Lincoln's and Grant's activities, and their grand reviews of his regiment. Numerous references are made to high- ranking officers, including Meade, Burnside, Garrard, Ayres, Sykes, Rosecrans, and Casey.

He noted that 'Gen. Warren was so drunk he could hardly set on his horse...I was told by old soldiers that all of our Generals get beastly drunk to get up their courage.'

In his last letter, before disappearing in the Battle of the Wilderness, he wrote: 'I am afraid before you hear from me again there will be a hard battle fought with the [Army] of the Potomac, but wherever I may be placed I shall try to do my duty....'

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