Private William Beninger
6th Pa HA, Co. H

The letter was from Pvt. William Beninger, of Company H, 6th Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery as he writes to his sister, Miss Maria Beninger, of Burell, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. The 1865 letter was in the original envelope (not mailed; probably carried privately or sent under separate cover, such as in an express package. The letter was 4 sides of neatly written standard-sized stationery, and was very clean and legible. Pvt. Beninger writes from Fort Bennett VA, Jan. 2, 1865, 22 army corps, 1st brigade, 2d Battalion, Arlington Heights:

"I this afternoon seat my self to communicate to you a few lines in answer to yours which I received a few minutes a go. It found me well and hearty and I hope when those few lines reaches you it will find you and all the rest well and enjoying the comforts of life & etc. I am glad to hear that there is so much sleighing a doing you can enjoy your selves behind a horse and old sleigh. The weather is not so cold it looks for rain here now. I think that letter that was rote to Mr. B was rote to some person else I could not see it.

"I found what was in that can on new years eve they was good I made one tin ful git out of sight. I don't want any thing of clothing __ I think the goes will do me this winter and I have plenty of clothing to do me to spring. And for grub I can do better with the money it only costs about 25 cts a day you know that there is aples and peir and cakes and so and they are tempting when a fellow is hugnry I spend every cent of my bounty before I will go hungry.

"I don't want any box for fear of moving and then they are more trouble then they are worth. I have no news to right I rote all a letter the other day. Papa can make a jumper and sleight hold him @ etc. Nothing more at present but reamins yours truly Wm. Beninger. My respects to all inquiring friends. We ant drilling any to day but I will tell you why Lou J. H. Cline is on fatigue duty Lu Drury is on picket Capt. Leslie was officer of the day yesterday and last night and on little __ so he don't feel for drill. Cline does all the drilling he is a man to and has friends in the congress. Capt Leslie can't go home with the company he will haft to go on the train be hint as a head of it the men does more swearing about him that a little hell will never it its own to it gits him I guess will leave him alone now."

There is another signature, the unit designation, and a short postscript as well.