Anson Mortimer Norten Johnson, age 22 years, 6 foot 1
inch
tall, dark complexted, blue eyes, black hair, a farmer by
occupation, born in New York enlisted on September 20, 1861
at Pitcher, New York in Company "B", 76th New York Volunteer
Infantry and mustered in as a private, for a term of three
years on October 4, 1861 at Cortland, New York. He was killed
at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863. Anson died without a wife or
children. He was the son of Nathaniel Johnson who married his
wife October 24, 1830 or 31, at Whitesborough, New York and
they had one other son Albert J. Johnson born Dec. 1833. In
1876 his father was living in Long Fork, Howard County,
Nebraska. This letter was found in his father's pension
application at the National Archives, Washington, D.C.
Headquarters of the 76 N.Y.S.V.
Camp Near Gilford Station, Va.
June 28th /63
Dear Mother
It is with pleasure that i seat my self down to write
you A few lines to let you no that i am well at preasant and
i hope these few lines Will find you the same I recieavd your
kind letter last knight and was glad to hear from you and
hear you was well and no man hurt yet nor we haint bin in eny
fight Since the fight at Chanslersville I saw Morris Backwell
When We Was on the last march they had him in A fight and
lost thair colonel they dont no Wheter he was kiled or not
When We Was on A march last weeak our colonel was taken sick
and he Got a liaf of abesents and Went to Washington and he
Was apointed provost Marshall of D.C. and the boys are glad
that he is gon the Major has taken command and the boys are
Well pleased to think he aint coming back eny more you ask me
if I had hurd eny thing from Albert I haint hurd from him
since the battle at Chanslersville and i dont no Whether he
is dead or alive and if you hear from him before I do please
Let me no Whare he is and if he is alive or not this is all
at preasant and you must write as soon as you get this from
you son
Anson Mortimer Norten Johnson
In this Army
The letter was accompanied by an illustrated poem published
by Charles Magnus, No. 12 Frankfort St. N.Y. The illustration is of a
Union Regiment with mounted officers, flags flying charging up a hill
amidst bursting cannon shells. The soldiers are wearing knapsacks and
the western high black hats.
Advertisement at bottom of page Purchase MAGNUS ORNAMENTAL
AND GLORIOUS UNION PACKET, made up from an endless Variety of Scenes,
each Packet will gratify yourself and gladden the hearts of Friends at
home.
Mother,
Is The Battle Over ?
"Mother, is the battle over ?
Thousands have been slain, they say,
Is my father coming ? - tell me,
Have our soldiers gained the day ?
Is he well, or is he wounded-
Mother, do you think he's slain ?
If you know, I pray you, tell me,
Will my father come again ?
Mother, dear, you're always sighing,
Since you last the paper read,
Tell me why you now are crying,
Why that cap is on your head ?
Ah! - I see, you cannot tell me,
Father's one among the slain,
Although he loved us very dearly,
He will never come again."
"Yes, my boy, your noble father
Is one number'd with the slain;
We shall not see him more on earth,
But in heaven we'll meet again.
He died for the Union's glory,
Our day may not be far between,
But I hope, at the last moment,
That we all shall meet again."