Dear Brother

I received your welcome letter a couple of days ago but as I had not received the 2nd Shirt I thought I would not write untill it came.       I am glad you enjoyed yourself while on your late visit to Trenton.  I never spent such a Christmas and New Years before and hope that the War will be over by next Christmas Yesterday the Express Boxes came for the Regiment and the three drummers that first put up with me each received a Box from home and we have been living high since then.  Eating chickens Mince Pie, Cake and Homemade Bread.  We eat so much that last night we could not help it for it is seldom we get anything but Fat Pork and Hard Tack.  We opened al the Boxes and took out what ever we wanted and you would of laughed to of seen us.  We just made up our minds to have one good meal if we never got another, and we did.  I thought that there was Fifteen Dollars due me in Bank but maybe it has been drawn out.  I had $55.00 there.  First I drew Five and then Annie Drew $25.00 and I gave Joe a check for $15.00 and that is all I remember of but maybe Eddie has drawn it for something so you need not mind it and I will not put any more in the Bank."Charly" I do not beleive I will get Home this Winter as they are not giveing any Furloughs except to some who gets Dispactches of thier Folks.  I am glad to hear that Joe is doing something.  he never writes to me. I do not think that the rebles can stand it much longer if Sherman and Thomas gaines a few more victorys like the last ones.  I hope that the present year may see the close of it.  I think they had better send old Butler back to New Orleans for he is no good in the Field.  The "Mercury" came duly to hand for which you have my thanks.  I set up half the night reading it.  give my love to Aunt Ann and Family and take a large portion for yourself.  Hopeing to hear from you soon again I remain Your Affectionate Brother Geo W. Fox P.S. "Charley" when you send anything again please put 2nd Corps on.  also direct your Letters thus: Geo W. Fox Co E, 8th New Jersey Vols 2 Corps Washington D. C. By putting the Corps on I get it sooner I just found it out

Geo

Camp 8th New Jersey Vols near Petersburg Va Jan 19th/[18]65

Dear Brother

I received your welcome letter last evening and was glad to hear from you again and also at the same time I got the "Mercury" for which I am much oblige for.  I am enjoying good health and hope this may find you the same.  I have not heard from Trenton for a month and I dont suppose they even think of writeing.  You are the only one of all my relations that ever writes to me and if I live to get home again I shall not go to see any of them.  I should think that Uncle Charles would write once in a while but he never wrote me a letter.  I wrote to him about a year ago but he did not answer it so I thought I would not trouble him again.  The rest of my Tent mates receive letters  from all thier folks and I expect they think I have a nice lot of relatives, and they think about right. I think we will stay here untill Spring now and dislike to leave our good quarters but if it would help to finish the rebellion I would be willing to go all winter long for I am so awfull tired of this soldering  We hardly have a moments rest now for we are out drumming al the time for Reviews, Drills, Dress Parades & c  Last night we received the news of the capture of Fort Fisher and such cheering I never heard befor.  We did not get the particulars and I will anxiously waite for the "Mercury"  I think that the rebles are in a bad way as they come in our lines every night and tell a most pitifull tale.  The weather is cold and cloudy and looks like a storm.  I am glad that you are not old enough to be drafted and hope that the war will be over before you are.  We have been expecting the Pay master for a week back but have not heard anything of him yet.  There is 4 months pay due us and I dont know how some of the soldiers familys do to live as everything is so high but the Goverment dont seem to care and I dont beleive we will get payed untill after Febuary and then there will be Six months and an instalment of Fifty Dollars due me but I hope we will be payed before then Give my love to Aunt Ann and the Girls.  I will now close hopeing to hear from you soon again I Remain Your Affectionate Brother Geo W. Fox How about Poor old "Butler" everyone here seems to be satisfied

Write Soon again, G.

Camp 8th N. J. Vols near Petersburg Va Jan 30th 1865

Dear Brother

I received your letter in due time and was glad to hear from you again.  I hardly  know what to write as things are so dull around here.  There is nothing going on at all excepting Drills Dress Parades & c.  The weather has been awfull cold for the last two or three days but we have had no Snow of any account this Winter.  There is a good many going home on furloughs at present.  They issued an order from Head Quarters that no furloughs would be given unless in case of Sickness at Home of some of the Family and there must be a great deal of sickness by the way the Soldiers get letters stateing that some one of thier Family is sick. We have been expecting the Pay Master for the last week but our Chaplain told me that he would not be here untill March and then pay us Six Months Pay. Charlie I wish you would send ($1.50) one dollar and fifty cents to the True American Office for me for 3 months subscription for the Daily True American.  Enclosed you will find the note and Envelope so you can just put the money in and put a stamp on it and put it in the Post Office.  I am out of writeing paper and wish you would send me some also some Stamps  Send it the same as you did before  Take my money to get it with I dont like to trouble you so but I cannot get any paper down here worth writeing on. I am enjoying good health and hope this may find you the same.  Give my Love to Aunt Ann and the Girls and take a large portion for yourself. Hopeing soon to hear from you again I Remain Your Affectionate Brother

Geo W. Fox Co E 8th N. J. Vols 2nd Corps

Write Soon again

Trenton Feb 22nd 1865

Dear Brother

I arrived in Trenton all safe and sound and will be on to Newark on Friday.  As soon as you receive this please send me ($50) Fifty Dollars by Mail.  Direct your letter Mr G W Fox No 20 Washington St Trenton N. J. Answer right away as I am entirely out of money. All are well

From your Affectionate Brother Geo W. Fox

Camp 8th Regt. N. J. Vols near Hatchers Run VA March 14th/[18]65

Dear Brother

Its with pleasure I take my pen in hand to state to you that I am safe back in Camp. Everything looks natural as ever and I found the boys all in good spirits as they all think that this Spring will finish the War. You would be surprised to see the numbers of Rebles that come in our lines every night.  Last night there was 95 came in and there is more or less come in every night. Every-thing looks bright for an early settlement of this unhappy war but we may be mistaken only Time can tell but I hope for the best and that our army may continue to be victorious.  I am in good Health only a little Home Sick but that will soon pass over as I am used to being down here in this forsaken country. There is thousands of recruits arriving every day and some of them are awfull sick allready of War.  I pity them for I know just how they feel. Charlie I do not go to see about Sammys money as my face was so bad all the time after you left but I am in hopes that I shall be home soon again and I shall attend to it the first thing. Charlie dont forget to send me the Mercury as I would be lost without it.  give my Love to Aunt Ann and the Girls I must clos4 as it is near Drill Call.  We have plenty of Drumming to do this fine weather.  As soon as our Chaplain comes back from furlough I will send you Fifty Dollars.  Hopeing soon to hear from you and hope this may find you in good health

I Remain Your Affectionate Brother Geo W. Fox Co E 8th Regt N J Vols

Camp 8th N. J. Vols Near Hatchers Run Va. March 27/[18]65

Dear Brother

I received your welcome letter last evening and was glad to hear that you where well. Since I last wrote we have had quite a fight with the rebles.  Sometime during Friday night or early Saturday morning the rebles attacked our works at Fort Sedggwick or as it is better known as Fort Hell adn they drove our troops back and kept posession for 4 hours when our troops charged and recaptured the works and killing and capturing a large lot of rebles.  about eight oclock they began to fire in front of our Camp and soon there was a severe fight going on in our front which resulted in nether side gaining anything  We captured the Reble Picket line and they all appeared to be glad to get into ur lines.  Our Regiment lost one killed and several severlly wounded.  The 120th N. York, 11th Map and 11th N Jersey lost quite heavy they are in our Brigade.  Everything is quite again except an occasional picket shot. I dont think we will be idle long.  We are getting lost of Recruits and they all wish they where back home again.  There is a going to a hard fight here before long and poor fellows I pity them and am glad that I have no Brother out in the Army  Charlie dont for my sake think of enlisting for you cannot imagine what they have to go through.  Theya re thought nothing of by the old troops or officers. Enclosed I send you a Check for ($50) Fifty Dollars. I am glad you got my money changed for Interest notes. Give my love to Aunt Ann and the Girls also to all enquireing Friends.  I Recd. the papaer from Chalie Dennesson and was looking for a letter from him as I wrote last.  I Received a letter from Eddie the other day  All was well in Trenton.  I Received the Mercury in due time for which you have my thanks. Enclosed is one dollar for which please get me postage stamps for & send in your next letter. I allso dend you my Picture it is not a good one for it looks so grum.  I will now close hopeing soon to hear from you again I Remain Your Affectionate Brother George W. Fox Co E, 8th N. J. Vols P.S. Charlie dont forget the Postage Stamps for I am out. 

George

Camp 8th N. J. Vols April 9th 1865

Der Brother

General Lee has just surrendered his Army to Genl. Grant. We jave been fighting every day this week and Lee kept retreating and to day he found he was surrounded Every one is crazy with joy to night.  Such cheering and Cannons fireing Bands playing I never heard before He surrendered this afternoon (Sunday) at 4 oclock.  I am well.  I will close as I have to hurry to get this in the mail.   Write Soon.

From Your Affectioante Brother Geo W. Fox PS my Love to all.

Camp 8th N. J. Vols near Burkoville Station Va April 16th [18]65

Dear Brother

It is with pleasure that I have an oppertunity of writing you a few liones.  I wrote you a few lines last sunday just after Lee Surrendered which I suppose you received in due time. I have just received the Mercury and Hearld last of the 9th also a paper from Charlie Dennison.  When you write let me know the directions of him for it has been so long since I wrote I have forgot where to direct his Letters to Well Charlie we have at last whipped old Lee and his Army.  Such a day as last Sunday was I never saw before.  It appeared as if the Army was crazy.  Every one was so glad and such hurrahing I never heard before. We layed on the Battle Ground untill Monday night and then we started back through a heavy rain to this place.  We do not expect to lay here long but where we will go to it is hard to tell.  The men do nothing but talk of comming Home and if you where to hear somd of them you would think they where going to start the next morning. Last night we heard that Lincoln, Seward and his Son where killed in Washington but hrere is so many reports going around now I beleive none but waite paitently for the Mercury and then I see the news.  We get no papers only wht come in the Mail and it comes very irregular.  I dont think we will stay around Virginia mcuh longer as ther is no rebles in arms here now  Where we will go to is hard to tell.  Some say that Johnston has surrendered to Sherman but I dont see anything in the papers about it.  He might as well for he will ahve to soon. Give my Love to Aunt Ann and the Girls take a large portion for your self and I Remain Your Affectionate Brother Geo W. Fox P.S. I ahve not heard from Trenton for some time.  I received your Letter and Postage Stamps all right  Dont forget to give me Chas. Dennissons Direction.  I used to direft his letter somewhere in New York the place where he worked. 

George

Write Soon Hurrah for GRANT Hurrah for Jersey

8th Regt N. J. Vols on the Road to Richmond Va. May 3 1865

Dear Brother

I received your letter jsut as we broke up Camp and I have not had an oppertunity to write before We left Camp yesterday about 3 oclock P.M. and we are now within 23 miles of Richmond  We are ordered to Manchester Va  I t is opposite Richmond on the other side of the James River.  I do not know how long we will stay there for I hear that we are going to Alexandra near Wahington which all think is the case.  We expect to be hoime this Summer likely before the 4th of July.  All of the men think we will spend the 4th Home.  I hope so but I fear we will not get ther as soon but I think that we will not have to build any more Winter Quarters. Everything is Home now amongst the Troops.  I will have to close as we only have 10 minutes to write. Hopeing this may find you all well as it leaves me I close.

From Your affectionate Brother Geo W. Fox Co E 8th N. J. Vols 2nd Corps

I will be Home Soon

Camp 8th N. J. Vols near Fredricksburg Va May 10th 1865

Dear Brother

We left Camp at Burksville last Tuesday week and are now about 5 miles from Fredricksburg on our way to Alexandria. We have marched all the way and have not had enough hardly to keep us alive. I want you to send me Five Dollars ($5.00) as soon as you get this letter. We expect to reach Alexandria by Sunday night.  We have all ready marched 130 miles and have 60 more to go yet.  We passed through Richmond Va. last Saturday  I am well except my feet are sore and I am Hungry  We have marched so fast that the wagons could not keep up to us with our Rations. As soon as we get to Alexandria I will write. Send me the Five Dollars with-out delay. We expect to be Home by the 4th of July. From Your Affectionate Brother Geo W. Fox Co E 8th N J Vols Lend me a $5.00 Treasury Note as State Banks will not go here 

Geo My Love to All

Camp 8th N. J. Vols Near Washington D. C. May 16th/[18]65

Dear Brother

I received a Letter from you last night and one tonight also the Mercury.  The Five Dollars came all right for which I am much oblige as I was greatly in need of it. We arrived here Saturday afternoon after a long and tiresome march of Two Hundred miles and we where out of Rations some of the time on account of the Wagons not getting up in time but we where all in good spirits for we knew that we where going where we would get plenty.  We are now encamped on a high hill right opposite Washington. We expect to be Reviewed in a few Days.  as soon as we get some new Clothes and get a little cleaned up.  We have a large Creek running at the foot of the hill and we have a fine time washing. None of us can tell when we will be Home  We hear all sorts of Rumors but I shall waite with the greatest patience for the happy day to come.  I received a letter from Eddie to night.  All well in Trenton. Give my Love to all  It is getting dark and I will have to stop Hopeing soon to be with you all

I Remain Your Affectionate Brother Geo W. Fox

Write Soon

Camp 8th N. J. Vols near Washington D. C. May 23rd 1865

Dear Brother

I wish you would send me Five Dolls more as soon as you get this  Our Paymaster is not going to pay us off untill we get mustered out and I want to get a few things.To day is the grand Review of our Army and I expect it will be a grand affair.  We leave Camp at 7 oclock a.m. and I dont expect will be back befor 7 to night.  I will have to close as it is allmost time for us to leave.  Send me a Green Back.  Hopeing soon to see you I Remain Your Affectionate Brother Geo W. Fox P.S. Charlie this is all the money I will need till I come Home 

Geo

Camp 8th New Jersey Vols near Washington D. C. May 31st 1865

Dear Brother

Your Letter with the money enclosed came to hand in due time for which I am greatly oblige for.  We so not know when we will leave for Jersey.  Some Regiments have all ready left our Division for Home.  They are mustering out the Troops first whose time expires before the 1st of October but there is an order I beleive now to make no difference.  All Regiments are buisey making out thier papers and squareing up thier Book.  They are trying to get all the troopes home by the comming 4th of July. Yesterday we where out on another Review and I hope it will be the last for it is about played out  We want to get Home and not be fooling around here Every Genl. that comes around here must have a review.  Yesterday it was only a Corps Review, We where Reviewed by Hancock and about 500 wimon from Washington. The weather is awfull Hot and I feel like every thing else but writeing so you will have to excuse me this time. Give my Love to all. From Your Affectionate Brother George W. Fox Write Soon P.S. I received the Mercury this morning 

Geo.

Camp 8th N J Vols near Washington D. C. June 22nd 1865

Dear Brother

I received you Letter in due time but I have been waiting for something to transpire to write about untill I have at last come to the conclusion that I would write and let you know that I am well if nothing else.  We know no more today when we will get Home than we did the first day we came here.  We hear all kinds of rumors and I have come to the conclusion not to beleive any more.  The Goverment has used us about as mean as they could and are still doing so.  No one at Home could beleive how we are living  We get wore food than we ever did before and less of it.  Our Division Hospital is full of Sick and they are dying at the rate of six and seven a day.  Here is one incident that has happened this week that I know off  a man in Co "c" of our Regt. he got so bad that he could not walk they sent him to the Div. Hospital  He grew worse and his friends sent word to his folks.  A man who lived a neighbor to him came  here a week ago, saw the condition he was in, so he tryed all a man could to get him home so as he could have some care took of him, but it was all in vain for they would not let him go and yesterday he died.  This is one of the many cases that happens here every day.  What the Goverment thinks God only knows.  Men who have left happy homes to come out here to go through all the dangers of this kind of life and then to die after al is over is hard.  We are doing no duty except daily drill in the burning hot sun of 4 hours  If they dont discharge us soon there will be few left by the end of the Summer.  The Food we have to eat is enough to kill a man.  Instead of giveing us fresh Bread and some vegtiables they feed us on old Hard Tack that has been baked 3 or 4 years ago and Salt Beef that has been in pickle for the same period.  If they would pay us we could get fresh Bread but they wont do that and the men now have 6 months due them.  How thier Familys live at Home is strange to me.  I am in good Health and hope I may remain so.  You need not look for this Regt. yet a while for I see no signs of us comming.  I have not heard from Trenton for three months.  Give my love to Aunt Ann and the Girls.  Charlie when you send the mercury put 1/2 Day sheets of writeing paper in it for I am out.

From Your Affection Brother Geo W. Fox

Write Soon

Camp 8th New Jersey Vols near Washington D. C. June 27th/[18]65

Dear Brother I wish you to send me Five Dollars as soon as you received this as I am in want of some money very bad.  Our Rations are as scarce as ever and half the time we have to go to bed hungry.  We have no idea when we will get Home but you need not look for us untill the last as I expect that will be our luck.  I wrote to you last week.  My Love to all.

From Your Affectionate Brother George W. Fox

P.S. I hope you spend a Happy Fourth.

Camp 8th N. J. Vols Near Washington D C July 1st 1865

Dear Brother

Your welcome Letter came duly to hand also the Five Dollars for which I am much oblige. Today has been an exciting one around here.  Last week the War Dept. issued an order for the discharge of more troops but we where not count in it and we are to be kept for how long we do not know but there is an order now in for us to move and we are to go somewhere around Harpers Ferry for what purpose we cannot tell and the way things look now we will not get discharged for sometime to come.  There is the greatest time around here amongst the Regiments that have to stay that I ever saw and this morning the 105 Penn and the 7th New Jersey Regiments came out on the Parade Ground and stacked thier armes and say they will not do any more duty as thier time is out now the War is over and they want to be discharged.  I should not be surprised if all the Regiments does the same tommorrow.  They are not to be blamed as they have fought for Four Years and now want to get Home the same as the rest. We are nearly starved to death and the Regiments have now Six Months pay due them.  What they want to keep us for I cannot tell. The men say they have fought to free the Niggar and have got themselves in bondage. The People at Home expect that about all the troops have been discharged but they will soon find out for the men swear that they will march to Washington and go Home with out orders.  What they will do it remains to be seen  If they bring Regulars to take thier arms and do duty there will be blood split and they cannot get troops enough to subdue them for they are determined to have thier Rights. I am well but am allmost roasted it is so warm and how they expect men to march to Harpers Ferry a distance of 60 miles this hot weather.  It will kill about half of them.  The cars run right by there but they are going to make us march it.  I will stay untill I get payed and then I am comming Home wether discharged or not for I am not a going to be used like a infernal niggar longer.  If the Goverment foes back on me I am intitled to go back of them.  All Prisoners, Deserters and everything else is discharged and now we are getting punished for fighting so good. Give my Love to Aunt Ann and Family.  I dont expect that Joe or Eddy wants to hear from me as they never write so I wount trouble them any more

Write Soon

From Your Affectionate Brother Geo W. Fox

P.S. The 1st Delaware & a New York Reg. have just stacked armes

Good News Home

Camp 8th N J Vols near Washington D. C. July 8th/[18]65

Dear Brother

Last night Orders came for Our Regiment to make out our muster out papers and as soon as we get them made out we start for Trenton N. J. which I expect will be a week or ten days.  You never saw such a time as there was in the Regiment the Boys was so glad that they cheered untill they where so hoarse they could not speak loud.  Charlie come to Trenton when we come.  I cannot tell the day now but I will try to let you know.  Hopeing to see you in a few days

I Remain Your Affectionate Brother Geo W. Fox

Charlie write as soon as you get this & send me 1/2 Doz 3 cts. Stamps HURRAH FOR TRENTON

P.S. I do not know for certain wether we will go to Trenton or Newark.  I will try and let you know in time.

Camp 8th N J Vols Near Washington D. C. July 13th 1865

Dear Brother

This Being my last Letter it will be a Short one at that.  We have allmost all our Muster out Papers made out and expect to leave our Camp for Home next Tuesday or Wendsday.  I am well and in good spirits and hope soon to be with you. We go to Trenton.  Good Bye for a few Days.

From your Affectionate Brother Geo W. Fox

P.S. I think we will get off Tuesday 18th for certain and get in Trenton Thursday sometime.

G.

Trenton N J Aug 23rd 1865

Dear Brother

I have made arrangements to get Samuel affairs settled and it Requires you to be present to sign your name.  It cannot be sent on as it would required a amount of trouble so if you can come on as soon as you get this we can soon have it all settled.  You can come on at night and go back at 9.30 the next morning. Come on for certain.

From your Affectionate Brother George W. Fox

Trenton Oct 4th/[18]65

Dear Brother

I expect you think that I have forgot you by my not writing but I have been putting it of every evening expecting to hear from Sammys affairs, but as yet I have heard nothing definite.  The Office here is closed and I have to write to New York, which I am agoing to do tonight so I expect to hear from them next week. We are all well at present and hope this will find you and the rest the same There is nothing of importance going on here  We have plenty of work at the Shop now as the Weather has got quite cool and tonight is cold enough for an overcoat. I saw Eddy tonight  He is now in the Band at the Barracks and has things very good. The Good Will Boys are making great preparation for thier Excursion to Phila. next Monday week. Harry Bodin has went in partnership with Murphy & Becthel and have bought Scotts Binary out. Jack Gordon is working for them. Give my Love to Aunt Ann and the Rest not forgetting Yourself.  I must close as it is Bed time.  Hopeing to hear from you soon

I Remain Your Affectionate Brother George W. Fox

No 24 Washington St Trenton N. J.

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