ALS
3 p.
1863 December 22
John Booker, Kinston, North Carolina, letter to Chloe Unity Blair
After observing that letters from home bring him great pleasure, John Booker
chastises his cousin for not writing sooner. He notes that "Flem" Gregory has
been ill, but is recuperating. Then he launches into a complaint that energizes
the letter: Captain John Herndon is too "lazy" to grant the soldiers in his
company furloughs, even though it is Christmas time, and even though the men are
not doing anything, not even picket duty. So discontented are the soldiers that
many say they will not re-enlist. John Booker claims that he opposes desertion,
but that the wealthier men who paid substitutes to serve in the army should have
to join, while veteran soldiers should receive furloughs. Angered at the
inequality, John exclaims, "this is a rich mans war an a poor mans fight." He
ends his letter by observing that Memory Inman, another member of the D Company,
is heading home to get married.
