The William Fitting Collection

William Fitting was born 16 April 1838 in Dauphin Co., PA. He enlisted as a corporal April 22nd 1861 in Company G, 6th Pennsylvania Reserves, (35th Infantry). William was eventually promoted to Sergeant, because he signed the majority of his letters as such. William’s regiment (but not necessarily his company G) participated in the following battles during his service up until his death at the Battle of Fredericksburg, VA December 13th, 1862. These letters are provided to us courtesy of Julie Wollard Trout.

Camp Clover, August 6, 1861

[August] 6th, 1861Camp Clover Friends[,] I take this opportunity to let you no that I am well at present, & hope this will find you all the same. We left Washington City last Week & we have Encampt. at Camp Clover that is Ten Miles from...
Camp Pierpont, October 14, 1861

Camp Pierpont, October 14, 1861

Camp Peir Point Oct 14th 61Fairfax Co., VA Friend George Dear Sir, I take this opportunity to let you know that I am Still alive yet & do not Expect to get Killed in this woar I got this likeness taken this morning and he could not take a...

Date Unknown, After June 1862

To Draft the men that is If the will not Enlist. You will find that to be the Case Before long - But they can onely take one young man out of a family So you ar all right you can tell them that you have one fighting Brother In the army now. You Will...

Camp Pierpont, March 1, 1862

Head-Quarters 6th Pennsylvania Regiment Co. G. Camp Pier PointMarch 1st 1862 Friend George I received your letter last Night & was glad to hear from home. This was the first letter that I receivd from you in Three Weeks. I would have...

Camp Pierpont, January 8, 1862

Camp Peir Point Jan 8th/62 Friend GeorgeI take this opportunity to let you know that I am well at present & hope this will find you all the same I Received your kind letter last ,Week, & was glad to hear from home. & further I Must give...

Camp Pierpont, December 23, 1861

Head-Quarters 6th Pennsylvania Regiment Co. GCamp Peir PointDec. -23d 1861 Friend George I take this opportunity to let you know that I am well at present & hope this will find you all the same. & further I let you know that we hat a...

Camp Pierpont, November 19, 1861

Headquarters 6th Regt. Co. GCamp Pier Point 1861Nov 19th Friend George Dear Sir, I take this opportunity to let you no that I am Still in the land of the living, & am getting along fine. I received a letter from you last ,week, & was...

Catlett's Station, April 25, 1862

Camp Near Catlett Station VA April 25 / 62 Friend George I take this opportunity to Inform you that I am Still in the land of the liveing yet, & hope to remain their for Som time. George I Receivd your letter Wednesday Evening and was glad...
Camp Pierpont, November 9, 1861

Camp Pierpont, November 9, 1861

Nov. 9thHeadquarters Langly,6th Reg’t Co. G Camp Pier point 1861 Friend George, I have not received a letter from you for three weeks. Why is it that you do not write to me. but it may be that your letter was lost, our mail was lost for Three d...

Camp Tennally, September 16, 1861

Sep 16/61,Camp Tennelly Friend GeorgeI take this opportunity to let you no that I am well at present, & further I let you no that the boyes hat a fight lasts week they shot 81= men of the Enemy they ar fine looking men I tell you the Enemy has...