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.'
| B a t t l e s | T h e m e s | ||
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| 1862-12-19.......Camp on Potomac Creek, sketch of Fredericksburgh made during bombardment, Tom to General Hospital 12-19-1862s.htm |    | d: u: |
| 1863-01-30.......got box she and Julia sent, can not get it to Tom, remitant and typhoid fevers, pay, Fredericksburgh relics 01-30-1863s.htm |   | d: u: |
| 1863-04-26.......tramp to Falmouth and Fredericksburg ruins, Rebel soldiers fishing in Union uniforms, graybacks and yellow bellies, pack 8 days rations, her living with strangers 04-26-1863s.htm |   | d: u: |
| 1863-06-07.......no letter from Col which was his hope of getting home, no one allowed to leave, how much are provisions and rent for paddy hole, where is George 06-07-1863s.htm |   | d: u: |
| 1863-07-12.......ring for Ida, rumor exchange soon, George, Utica Herald, picnic, she was cheated on stockings pay, Fletch photo, Bill Jones, Co A surrender, surrounded 07-12-1863s.htm |   | d: u: |
| 1863-07-16.......Ida sick again, sorry he told Fletch why she called for him and he told parents, Otto Gulick, Capson factory, money, Mary Myers 07-16-1863s.htm |   | d: u: |
| 1863-07-24.......feels bad his folks treated her with disrespect, one room upstairs, her living so poorly, Joey steps and night society, Ida ring, no houses, George drafted? 07-24-1863s.htm |   | d: u: |
| 1863-09-03.......papers George not drafted, Sarah Graff, Mr. Place, mean women Washington, Philip Smith, Bill Sweatfager, Bill Dagwell, Charles Milburey, Brother Henry 09-03-1863s.htm |   | d: u: |
| 1863-09-08.......Lieut furlough, deserters to be shot, detached corps, Ben Chapman, Michael Keating, Phil Smith and Andy, Washington women, caught something, Tom, Sarah 09-08-1863s.htm |     | d: u: |
| 1863-10-31.......moving 4 weeks, shoes no soles wet feet, Dagwell, sold picture 50 cents, 250 conscripts, 146th great name no praise at home, Gen Garrard loved, Battle Bristow Station 10-31-1863s.htm |   | d: u: |
| 1863-12-20.......no locations, Bealton Station? cold, exposure, hungry, buying bread, tent with fireplace,sent 2 letters since crossed Rapidan, afraid she is cold in old house, Tom letter 12-20-1863s.htm |   | d: u: |
| 1863-12-25.......got paid, sending $50 for Christmas, all buying at sutlers, bed of boughs, got paints, James Handwright, Steve Lent, hopes peace in New Year 12-25-1863s.htm |   | d: u: |
| 1864-01-11.......says Dec 11 but probably Jan 11, scans are Dec 11 1863, guard duty railroad no sleep 48 hour shifts, will not reenlist, Bill [Morey?], James Handwright, Edic 12-11-1863s.htm |   | d: u: |
| 1864-03-21.......Stewarts Cavalry anticipated raid, Navy application, Mr. Hart, Lotty, father, heavy cannon, referenced enclosed Daily Chronicle clipping poem Soldiers Letters, Ford theater 03-21-1864s.htm |     | d: u: |