Civil War letter, 4 pgs., approx. 5" x 8", dated at Bergen, NJ, Nov. 28, 1862, from H. Fitch, to his son, William Y. Fitch, a soldier in the 21st New Jersey Infantry (a 9 months Regiment, which fought at the Battle of Fredericksburg). 

Includes the original cover (envelope), posted at New York City, with NEW-YORK postmark and #65 3c rose tied by a fancy Star of David in ornate circle fancy cancel. Addressed to "William Y. Fitch, Co. C, 21st Regt. N.J.V., Vinton's Brigade - Howe's Div'n. - 6th Corps, Left Grand Division, Army of Potomac, Washington, D.C., or elsewhere". 

William Y. Fitch was mustered into Co. C, 21st NJ Infantry on Sept. 15, 1862, and was discharged for disability at White Oak Church, VA on Dec. 21, 1862, shortly after the Battle of Fredericksburg.

Great content, including commenting on the Army's delay in crossing the Rappahannock River at Fredericksburg and of obtaining pontoon bridges to do so; of the town being heavily fortified by rebels, and of President Abraham Lincoln meeting with Gen. Burnside, which was an indication of something big to happen soon. More good content. 

Includes: 

"Dear Wm., 

We have not heard from you by letter since yours of 12th Inst. from New Baltimore. But we heard by Mr. Vreeland, who left you on the 15th, that you was sell. And again a letter has been received from Lieut. Jones, written on the 23d, while your company were at Acquia Creek, guarding a wagon train, which said that the boys were all well, and I suppose you may be included in 'the boys'. Therefore, although we know you must have had very hard marching during that dreadful rainy weather, and fear you may have been destitute of provision, and must have had very uncomfortable lodgings on the wet ground, yet we rejoice to believe that notwithstanding all, you are well. Still we are very anxious about you, and fear your rheumatism must be much worse this wet weather.

Yesterday was Thanksgiving day, and although our dinner was about as usual on such occasions, yet I can assure you, if your place at the table had not been vacant, we should all have enjoyed the dinner & the occasion much more than we did. In fact, we felt almost guilty in indulging our appetites, when we knew not but you were at the moment hungry, or at least satisfying your hunger (as was most likely) with hard crackers & raw pork. 

But never mind, Dear Wm., keep up good courage, 3 months today, have already passed since you were sworn in, just one third of your time, and although you will undoubtedly have many and severe trials & privations & dangers yet to pass through, still the time will after a while drag on & finally expire. We all expect you to keep up good pluck to the end, and all pray God to preserve through it all & restore you at last to us in safety & in health...

I see by the papers that there is still delay about the army crossing the Rappahannock at Fredericksburg, owing to delay in arrival of pontoon bridges, and in repairing or rebuilding the docks at Acquia Creek & the Railroad from there to Falmouth opposite Fredericksburg. Also that the enemy have been reported in large numbers on the opposite side of the river, to oppose the crossing, until this A.M. it is said no enemy are there except a picket guard. I also see that the President visited Genl. Burnside at Acquia Creek day before yesterday, from which is inferred that there is to be active work soon, and some important movement, perhaps unexpected. You are still about Stafford C.H., I see, in the rear of the army.

I have not been as prompt, as I intended, in sending your papers, but I will send you today a weekly Tribune, which contains a good deal of reading matter, and by the time you have read it through, will send something else. 

The Common Council of Hudson City are going to send, in a few days, a man on to your regiment, with some things for the Company which went from there, and Mayor Van Reypen says he will put in a small package for you. Therefore we shall send you a vest and a pair of red flannel drawers for your rheumatism & perhaps a little smoking tobacco, and some knit-night-caps which the girls have been knitting for a few of the boys..."

The letter is in Fine-Very Fine condition. The cover is opened a bit rough at the left edge. 

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