Dated “Henniker, Jan 14 1863. Post marked “Henniker” w/ 3 cent Washington stamp. Addressed to “Qr M Sergt. Geo. M Wilkins / 16^th Regt. N.H. Vols. / Gen. Banks Expedition / New Orleans / LA.” 4pp. In ink on lined paper, 5” x 8. Exhibits fold-marks, else VG plus & entirely legible.

A resident of South Thomaston, ME, a shoemaker by trade, 19 “year old Oliver S. Pillsbury enlisted as a private and was mustered into Co. “D”, 3^rd Mass. Rifles, 4/19/1861, and was discharged for disability, 7/23/1861. On 8/11/1864 he re-enlisted and was mustered as a private into Co. “E”, Mass.  1^st Battery Heavy Artillery, and was mustered out 6/28/1865.

Mustered in August 1864 for one year, his second unit,  Co. “E” of the 1^st Battery of Heavy Artillery served garrison duty at Ft. Warren and was mustered out, June 28, 1865.

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This letter to a brother from an earlier marriage--Geo. M. Wilkins, Qr Sergt., 16^th NH Vols.--was written while Pillsbury was a civilian, following his discharge from the Third Mass., prior to his second enlistment in First Battery 1^st Mass. Heavy Arty.

A highly articulate writer, Pillsbury wishes his brother well, expresses his hopes and fears for the upcoming Banks expedition in Louisiana, expresses confidence in Gen. Ben Butler, and details the comings and going various Army friends in common--many of them in fairly poor shape.

“I hope the Banks expedition is to accomplish great things. We were not pleased to learn its destination but still there is a great field of labor open to it there. Gen. Banks may be an improvement on Gen. Butler but I don’t believe he will be. By the was Gen. Butler has just reached home. His speeches in N.Y, Boston & Lowell were perfect stunners to Pro Slavery. Don’t know yet what position he is to have. I am hoping the Government will hand over to him the job of taking Richmond. He is my forlorn hope [and a pretty forlorn hope he turned out to be!]  I pray that we may have not have another slaughter in that direction without some good results.

We have but reverses of late anywhere. What a miserable scrap that was at Galveston. Capture such a place and leave a handful of men to be butchered and capture in turn. That won’t put down the rebellion very soon I think.

We get noting of late from Charles. Suppose communication is cut off. Have recd. Nothing for 4 weeks. We larn that Joshua Odway died of his wound last Thursday at Wahsinton. He was a a good soldier and died heroically.

Alva merrill goes to the Potomac tomorrow to see his son who is sick. Also to try to obtain the body of Alphonso Wood. Driggs is spending a few weeks at home. Looks rather worn. Harden got home last week. His wound is pretty severe. Robt. D. Rice also reached home last week. He is used up but will probably recruit. I suppose the 11^th Regt. Was reduced at least 200 men by the Fredericksburg Battle.

There are no indications of a movement of the Army of the Potomac at present, The expectation is that an attack is to be made on Charleston soon. The celebrated “MONITOR”  has gone to the ocean’s bottom. What a pity this is, just at this time. Our fortune is all of a piece.

Politics run pretty high. It is hard telling who will run at this time. The ____ are much elated at our reverses. The 17^th Regt. Is at a standstill. Don’t know what we shall do with it. We are waiting orders. I think pretty strongly of taking L.D. Mason’s place at Washington. Sahll go next week if I do. The Gov. holds back……

Yours Truly / Oliver Pillsbury

Sharp, well written New England home front / soldier letter. Invites further research.  [jp][ph:L]

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