Discontent and Deserters

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Discontent was a constant topic of Peter's letters, despite conflicting emotions of patriotism and pride. He reflected on fellow soldiers' discontent, describing disease, death, and harsh conditions and treatment.

Deserters were also discussed frequently, some by name, and their punishments noted. Peter wrote that he was tempted to desert but would be caught.

Examples of his statements on soldier discontent and desertions include:
-'I wish I was safely back home again... I don't see the fun in a soldier's life...Tell the folks we are most starved and froze to death....It has been so cold we could not write for shivering...'

-'There has been some desertions...They are going to brand deserters...Them that goes is most sure to get catched and brought back...I should be hunted as a deserter in a few days...'

- Tomorrow is going to be a sad day, there is going to be a couple of deserters shot....We had another execution in our Division about Christmas, it was a deserter....'

-'The most sickening sight I ever saw...Awful to see those shells and cannon to work at the destruction of human life...'

-'Oh, the dead and the cries of the wounded made me feel sick enough of war to never see any more of it.'

-'The men are all sick and tired out and see no use of fighting anymore...I and Fletch stood ready to go anywhere but either one of us would of rather been somewhere else...'

-'Our men are dwindling away day by day very fast. It seems hard to see them die so here when they might be sent home...I made a coffin for one of my tentmates...'

-'If I had only known that they want a going to draft, I should have been home this day and with my loved ones...'

-'The prisoners have turned out 2 or 3 times in large bodies to claim their rights as soldiers...They are deprived of all liberties and their rations have been reduced by one half.'

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