William H. Broughton a resident of Portland, Maine and only 16 years old writes home to his father on October 8^th, 1862. 

·         “We have had nothing to eat but hard bread and fresh meat, for three weeks.  The fresh meat
played the deuce with the men; there was no salt.  The Officers have entered a complaint, we
are in hopes to get something else.  Our Corps had to go out on review last Friday to be viewed
by the President and others, all our Regiment could muster was 507 men, the rest are sick.”

·         “I have had Indian pudding quite a number of times.  The boys (Captain and Lieut. Winters)
went out and got some corn, they then got a sardine box and punched holes through it.  They
then take the box in one hand, the corn in the other, and go to work grating meal.”

·         “The 7^th Maine is going home to recruit up, only 65 men of that regiment come out of the Battle
of Antietam, they now number 98 men, Generals Smith and Franklins say they have had glory
enough and shall not fight any more until they recruit up.” 

The letter is written in dark ink and if you like letters from very young soldiers here is one for you!

#HB41ME - Price $110

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