The following letter was written by 22 year-old William A. DuBois who served in Co. A, 22nd Regiment New York State Militia for 100 days in the summer of 1863.
On July 1, 1863, the 37th and 22nd New York regiments marched into Carlisle to help defend the town and Carlisle Barracks. Later that evening, Confederate cavalry under Major General J.E.B. Stuart shelled the town and burned the barracks in the Skirmish of Carlisle. Both units were emergency 30-day regiments from New York assigned to the 4th Brigade, 1st Division, Department of the Susquehanna under the command of Major General William F. “Baldy” Smith. The 4th Brigade officially consisted of three New York National Guard regiments—the 11th, 22nd, and 37th. While the 22nd and 37th moved forward into Carlisle, the 11th New York State Militia remained stationed closer to the Harrisburg defenses.
William’s letter describes the movements of his regiment from Harrisburg to Carlisle and the defense of the town. It is quite similar to one I transcribed in August 2024 by James C. Cresson of Co. D, 32nd Pennsylvania Volunteers. See—1863: James Clarence Cresson to his Uncle.
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Addressed to Mrs. Abram DuBois, 13 West 11th Street, New York
Carlisle [Pennsylvania]
July 3rd 1863
Dear Mother,
Bill just received a letter from Kittie dated June 29th. From what she said I should judge you were rather worried about us. While we were at Bridgeport opposite Harrisburg, there was no danger but since we have been here, we have passed safely through some danger.
We were ordered from Bridgeport last Tuesday to be gone for two or three hours in light marching order. We had a brush with the enemy, none of us being injured—that is, of our regiment. There were four or five of the 37th injured. We were then marched nearly back to Bridgeport when the order was countermanded and after a few hours sleep, we started for Carlisle. It was a hard, forced march to Carlisle. Many of the men dropped out before we reached there and came on the next day. If you look on the map, you will find that from Harrisburg to Carlisle is a good walk for one day with very little sleep which we had along the road.
In reaching Carlisle, we had dinner which was given by the town. It was very acceptable and showed that they appreciated our aid to drive back the rebels. After our dinner, we were marched out of town about a mile to support a Pennsylvania Battery. We had not been there long when we heard cannonading and in looking found that the rebels were shelling the town. We were ordered back to Carlisle and Capt. Otis’ Company was ordered to remain in a house opposite where the rebels were firing but remained on the ground floor in case the rebels should make a charge on the house and the rest went upstairs and put their muskets through the shutters and were ready to pick off those at the guns. We did not fire as we were afraid they would find our position and shell it. 1
We did not get much sleep as we were in the qui vive all the while. Some of the 37th and citizens of the place were injured and the rest frightened to death. I felt very sorry for them. The rebels have retreated and may or may not attack us again. Gen. Smith, on receiving a flag of truce to surrender the place, sent back the answer, “Shell and be damned.” All the way to Carlisle we were received splendidly. People stood by the gate and gave us things to eat.
I will write tomorrow when I have more time. I should not be surprised if we moved tomorrow to some other place. We are all well and enjoying ourselves. I had the colic the other day but are now in good condition. Goodbye, — Wm. A. [DuBois]
1 Baldy Smith’s militia force consisted of roughly 1,000 men. When J. E. B. Stuart’s horse artillery opened fore from the eastern outskirts of town, the regiment was positioned in Carlisle’s center near the Market Square and along Main Street supporting the 1st Section of the Philadelphia Light Artillery. Because the streets proved a dangerous place to be when the shells began to drop into the town, most of the men were ordered to take shelter in the nearby brick houses while the artillery dueled.
Alfred (“Curly”) Mead, a veteran of Co. F. 55th Illinois Infantry (courtesy of Laura Mead Varner)
Alfred Mead came with his parents to McDonough county, Illinois, in 1841, and settled in Walnut Grove township. He was born October 8, 1839, in Macon City, Missouri, and is a son of Nathan and Nancy (Hand) Mead, natives of New York state. Alfred Mead was married November 26, 1865, to Ruth Holcomb, of Plymouth. Four children have blessed this union—Frank, Eva, George and Mabel.
“Mr. Mead is an ordained minister of the Methodist Episcopal church and was on the circuit two years. He is now, church trustee and Sabbath school superintendent. He is prominent also in county and town affairs, being at present, one of the board of county supervisors, and has served upon the city board seven years, being chairman one year, and seven years school director. He has always been in sympathy with the republican party and is an earnest advocate of the cause of temperance, favoring prohibition. He enlisted during the war of the rebellion, in October, 1861, in Company F, of the 55th Illinois infantry, and served three years. He acted as wagon-master of the 15th army corps, and participated in the battles of Shiloh, Russell House, siege of Corinth and Colliersville. He is the owner of considerable real estate in Prairie City. Has been in business the most of the time since 1867, and is now handling a general stock of merchandise.” [Source: McDonough County GenWeb]
These letters were made available to me for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent by Laura Mead Varner who sent them to me with the following statement, “Our family had letters from my g-g-grandfather Alfred Mead, 55th Illinois infantry. I have photos of the letters but the originals where donated to an Abraham Lincoln museum in Springfield, IL…- Laurie
Letter 1
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
October 26th 1862
Dear Mother,
It is with pleasure that once more I take up the pen to write you a few lines to let you know I am getting along well. In the first place, I am enjoying the very best of health and having as much fun as my physical strength will admit of. To tell you the honest truth, I have some of the greatest times that I ever had in my life but still it is not home. But it seems like home to me now. I have no reason whatever to complain for I have good health and plenty to eat and plenty to wear and a good place to sleep where I stay now. We have a room in a brick house with good bunks in it. It is a place the rebel officers slept in when they were here.
I heard a sermon today at the 2nd Presbyterian Church. It was from a man from the North that is here to look after the welfare of the soldiers and to bring books for them to read this winter. I am glad of that.
I received my coat and other things that you sent me and I am very thankful to you for them. The berries were soured by the time they got here but I guess a good stirring will bring them back to their former state. I gave Giles half of the blackberries.
I was at the regiment yesterday. Also this afternoon. The boys are all well and in the best of spirits. I expect the folks at home thinks that the boys in the Army are sober and homesick, but how bad they are fooled. They are the gayfullest set of men you ever saw. I expected to have got a letter from Jeanette today but was disappointed. But hope I shall get one tomorrow as a boat has just come down. As I was sitting in my bunk the other day, I commenced penning a few lines in honor of the old flag so I composed several verses in a few moments. So thought as there was room for me to write a letter to you and leave them in it, I would do so.
Well, as I have not got anymore room, I will close for this time hoping to hear from you soon. I remain your ever true son, — Alfred
I have no stamp and no money that will get them so I will have to send this without. It is not the way I have of doing business but can so no better now.
There is a flag more dear to me
Than houses, land, or money
A flag for which affliction dear
Flow sweet as milk or honey
This flag has sheltered you and me
Oh long may it wave
And we will fight until we die
This glorious flag to save
But when our flag did shine so bright
And we’ll but tell her story
A rebel traitor from within
Has tried to break her glory.
We’ll down, down with the traitor
Who dares to do this thing
We’ll run them from our shores
We’ll peace and comfort bring.
I think Old Abe has done the thing
That will bring them to their senses
And if they do not head to him
He will take away their wenches.
The rebels they are very wroth
And say they will use dirk
And every officer they get
They will put them at hard work.
Old Abe he says you’d better quit
Your forces will get no bigger
While we can rally from the North
Enough to take your nigger.
And when the war is ended
And the deadly strife is o’er
We will return to our homes
And leave to war no more.
Then we’ll have some good old times
we’ll all go heart in hand
When the battles we have won
And saved our glorious land.
This was composed by Curly and I will send it to you so you can see how sharp he is getting. But I have not got my machine in order yet for writing poetry. As this is the first I have tried it, you can have it for half price. I guess it will work after I get it well oiled. So you must receive this as the first of my grindering but this grist is mostly brand. I will have to get a bolt so as to separate the brand from the flour. And it was written when it was so dark I could hardly see the lines and could not follow them.
Letter 2
Huntsville, Alabama
March 26th 1864
Dear Sister,
I have been waiting so long for a letter that I have just made up my mind to wait until it came (wise conclusion). I cannot tell reason but I do not get any letters from any source. The last letter that I received from you was dated February 25th. You see that has been some time ago. I have never been so long a time without letters before since I have been in the service.
I composed a few verses the other day while I had nothing else to do and I will send them to you in the shape of a letter. I have seven more verses that I will send you in my next. I will send you Gen. Herman’s photograph in this. I will send you Col. Smith in my next. Remember that I will want them if I get home. There cannot be a better likeness of Gen. Sherman than this. — Alfred
The Veteran Volunteers
What is that I hear a coming
It is the Veteran Volunteers;
Coming at their country’s drumming
For to meet the Southerners.
Welcome true hearted soldiers, welcome
We will greet you with a shout;
We love to hear your brave one telling
Three years more; we’ll see it out.
It shows a true and gallant heart,
For our country and our cause:
Although tough it was hard to part,
With those that’s bound by nature’s laws.
But while you leave your friends and home,
Those dear ties are ne’er forgotten;
Neither do you come alone,
To fight and die in the land of cotton.
Know that these verses are not very good but you must consider the source from whence they came. Generals Sherman and McPherson arrived here today. They are welcome visitors.
I could not find an image of Henry but here is an Ambrotype of William Hewitt who also served in the 12th New Jersey Infantry. (John Banks Collection)
The following letters were written by Henry C. Derrickson (1845-1864), the son of Isaac Derrickson (18xx-1850) and Sarah [Moore?]. Isaac and Sarah were living in Marietta, Ohio when Isaac died in 1850.
Henry enlisted in Co. G, 12th New Jersey Infantry on 12 August 1862, mustered in on 4 September 1862, and transferred to Co. 136, 2nd Battalion of the Veteran Reserve Corps (VRC) in March 1864. He died at the US Military Hospital in Trenton on 20 June 1864 “from the effects of stabs inflicted” (murdered) and was buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Philadelphia. A surgeon named James B. Coleman filed an affidavit certifying that he attended Henry and stated that he died from the effects of a stab in the left lung received about two weeks previous to his death.” Another surgeon, A. M. Kelway,” claimed the attack took place on the night of June 9th, 1864 and that he lingered until the night of June 20th 1864. Henry was on detached service at the Provost Marshal’s office in Trenton at the time. According to the Pension file, Henry was “not to blame in any respect” for his death.He was “wantonly attacked in front of his rendezvous without any apparent provocation.”
Probably Homicide—At 10 o’clock on Saturday night a controversy arose between some soldiers and others in Trenton about a boquet, when one of the soldiers named Derrickson, was stabbed by a man named McEllis, and doubts are entertained of his recover. McEllis and a companion named Jones were arrested, and bail was refused for the former. Another of the soldiers named John Smith, who has but one arm, having lost the other at Gettysburg, was also severely cut in his remaining arm. The scoundrels who committed the outrage were lodged in jail. [Newark Daily Advertiser, Monday, June 13, 1864]
In his letters, Henry frequently mentions his Uncle John and Aunt Hannah, presumably siblings. They were John Lavery (1818-1868) and Hannah Lavery (1825-1878). John was a dentist in Philadelphia.
Douglas & Stanton Hospitals, Washington D. C.
Letter 1
Mrs. Sarah M. Derrickson, C/O Mr. John Lavery, No. 1004 Pine Street, Philadelphia
Stanton Hospital, Washington D. C.
May 10th 1863
Dear Mother,
It is with pleasure that I will send you a few lines to let you know how I am getting along. I am getting better slowly. I am a good deal better than I was the last time that I wrote. I have got a very good appetite and can eat very well and I am getting so that I can get about.
I received a paper yesterday that my brother sent me with a note in it and I have got my four months back pay and I would like some of you to come and see me . If you can’t come yourself and get the money, I do not like to send it in a letter for fear I lose it. The head doctor’s name is John A. Lidell.
Excuse me for this short letter for I am not able to write myself. Give my love and best respects to Uncle John and Aunt Hannah and keep a good share for your own dear self. No more but remain your true and affectionate son, — H. C. Derrickson
So goodbye until we meet again in the flesh or with the pen. Direct as before.
Written by L. Wright, Head Nurse
Letter 2
Stanton Hospital
May 15th 1863
Dear brother,
I take the opportunity to write these few lines to let you know that I am getting better fast as I can. I received your letter dated the 8th and I was very sorry to hear that Mary was sick abed. But I hope that she is better by this time.
We had a very hard battle [at Chancellorsville] and there [were] a great many wounded in my company. My Captain and 1st Lieutenant was wounded—captain in the hand and lieutenant in the side. And I heard that my 2nd Lieutenant was killed but I [don’t] know it for certain. But I hope not.
The young man that brought my boots down to me was wounded but I don’t [know] where he was wounded. They promoted a Major out of the 6th New Jersey and he was killed in the fight.
My writer went home a week ago. He lives in Harrisburg but I don’t know where to direct the letters to but I will find as soon as I can and write to him. I did not like to see him go away for he seen that I got everything that I wanted and he took good care of me while he was here.
This is the best hospital that you can find. They are very clean and neat and the best of all, you get plenty to eat and you can get whatever you want if you ask for it. Tell mother if she does come to see me, I would like her to bring me two dark shirts. I didn’t think of it when Uncle John was here. My old ones is wore out.
I will now close my letter by saying goodbye. No more at present. You must excuse my bad writing for I am weak. I send my love to you. Give my best respects to Mary and Mother and Hanna and John and all the family and also to all of my enquiring friends. Good[bye]. No more at present. Write soon and let me know how you all are. The head doctor’s name is John A. Lidell
Letter 3
Washington
May 19th 1863
Dear Brother,
I take this opportunity to write these few lines to let you know how I am getting [along]. I think I will be able to go out next week if I don’t get no worse. I am glad to hear that Mary got well. I received your two papers today and the note. Tell Mother to send me my black hat and send me some small writing paper and some envelopes but don’t direct them. If you send them by express, send it by Adams [Express].
I haven’t had my [boots] on my feat till today and i tried one on and it fit very well. The reason I haven’t had them on, I had very sore feet. I think they are a good pair of boots. I think they will wear well. Tell Mother I haven’t eat all of my apples and oranges [and] lemons yet.
Write when you send the [hat]. It will be brought to [me] from the office. I will bring my short letter to a close. No more at present.
Give love to Mary and Mother and all the family. From your loving brother, –Henry C. Derrickson
[To] John L. Moore
I wrote to Mr. Featherer
I would like you to send me a good pencil.
Letter 4
August 23, 1863
Dear brother,
I take this opportunity to write these few lines to inform you that I am well and I hope these few lines will find you the same.
I left the Camp Convalescent on the 20th and I got to the regiment on the 22nd. We had to march about twenty miles after we got off of the cars. We was encamped about twenty miles from Warrington, way out in the woods. It does very well—all but the water and it ain’t fit to drink. I don’t think we will stay here long for they don’t stay longer than a week in a place. They keep moving all the time.
I don’t know what i can do about that money. I was sent away before we was paid off. They are paying off in the Corps but I don’t know when he will get to our regiment but if I can get it, I will send it to you if I can, if it will be in time to get the store.
I answered your last letter but I didn’t get no answer before I left. But I told Jesse Peterson if any come for me, to send them to me. They didn’t send him away—his head was too bad yet.
I will close my letter. No more at present. Give my love to Mother and Hanna and Uncle John, Mary and Jake and Mary and yourself also, and all of my inquiring friends. From your brother Henry C. Derrickson
To John L. Moore
Direct your letter to Co. G, 12th regiment, New Jersey Vols., Washington D. C. or elsewhere.
Tell Mary Moore that i would like her to send me a glass of beer, and don’t forget to send me what she promised me she would.
Letter 5
[Louden Mills near Rapidan River, Virginia]
Monday 21st [September] 1863
Dear Brother,
I take this opportunity to write these few lines to inform you that i am well and I hope these few lines will find you enjoying the same health. I received your kind letter dated the 18th last night and I was glad to hear that you were all well and Mother and Uncle John and Aunt Hanna also. And tell them that I am well.
Everything is still here yet. The rebs advances their picket line every night but General Hays took some of [our] sharp shooters out last night and drove them back. I went on picket Saturday night and we was relieved last night. We could see the rebs’ picket line plain. We was supporting a battery [for] two days.
Dear brother, I don’t know what it [will] be here yet if we advance on them, I think it will be something like the Battle of Fredericksburg fight. Here is where Pope was defeated last July but we will do our best.
Dear brother, they don’t show no quarter for deserters here. We had two shot in our division last Friday. One of them had his father there. It was hard to see them. They had to put eight loads in him before they could kill him. The two first shots, one went through his cheek and his shoulder. It knocked him over but he jumped up and pulled the cap off of his eyes and looked it either one was killed. He was kicking. He begged for them not to shoot no more but that was no use. It was too late then. [unsigned] 1
1 The two deserters were Edward Elliott and George Layton of the 14th Connecticut. Edward was a 22 year-old draftee, and George was a 20 year-old substitute who sometimes used aliases such as George Joy or Charles Eastman. The 14th Connecticut was brigaded with the 12th New Jersey (2nd Brigade) of the 3rd Division in Hays’ 2nd Army Corps. A more graphic detail of the execution of these two men can be found in a letter written by Edward H. Wade of Co. F, 14th Connecticut, datelined from Louden Mills near Rapidan River, Virginia, on Sunday, September 20, 1863 (see Letter 3)—1863-64: Edward H. Wade to Ellen Nancy Wade.
Letter 6
Co. G, 12th N. J. Vols., Encamped at Robison [Rapidan] River
October 1st 1863
Dear Brother,
I take this opportunity to write these few lines to inform you that I am well and I hope these few lines will find you and all the rest of the folks well. I received your letter last night and I was glad to hear from you. I wrote to Mother.
Today I have been out on picket for two days but I think that we will be relieved this afternoon and go back to camp again. There is some talk of getting paid off when we get in camp. Jesse Peterson is back again and I will get what he owes me. Tell Mother that I don’t want anything at this present time without we go into winter quarters.
Tell Mary that theres some jumping [?] rum down here for the officers all got drunk and got to fighting among themselves. The Captain of Co. D was a goin’ to whip our Lieutenant and he reported him. I don’t know how they will make out about it.
I will close my letter. No more at present. Give my best respects to Mary Moore and your wife Mary, and Eliza and Jake and you also. Please write soon as you can.
From your loving brother, — Henry C. Derrickson, Co. G, 12th N. J. Vols., in camp near Robinson [Rapidan] River
To John L. Moore
Letter 7
[Bull Run, Virginia]
October 17th 1863
Dear brother,
I take the opportunity to write these few lines to let you know that I am alive and well and i hope these few lines will find you the same.
Dear brother, we were in the fight on the 14th and 15th [Bristoe Station]. The rebs opened on us on the march. We was the rear guard. That was on the 14th. But we was too much for them and that night we fell back to Bull Run and the next afternoon we had it again and we drove them again. We hadn’t many wounded or killed. Lieut. [James T.] Lowe was wounded through both legs. We lay now at Bull Run.
Dear brother, I will close my letter. I will write more the next time. Give my love to Mother and Aunt Hann and Uncle John and also Mary and your own Mary and Eliza and Jake and you also. From your brother, — Henry C. Derrickson
To John L. Moore
Letter 8
[Douglas Hospital, Washington D. C.]
November 6, 1863
Dear Brother,
I take this opportunity to write these few lines to inform you that I have been sent to the hospital. I took a cold a wading those runs. I am getting better now but I can’t eat anything. John, I would like you to send me $5. I haven’t got no money. I had $6 stole from me since I come to the hospital. I would like you to send it in your next letter.
John, I can’t write much this time. Give my love to Mother and Uncle John and Mary Moore, and Mary, your wife also, and Jake and you also. I will close. From your brother, — Henry C. Derrickson
Direct your letter to Douglas Hospital, Washington D. C.
To John L. Moore
Write soon as you can.
Letter 9
Philadelphia [Penn.]
Monday, November 9th 1863
My dear brother,
Your letter dated the 6th I have just received and I feel very sorry to hear that you are sick. I hope you are not seriously ill. Mother is well [but] she is worried very much about you. I told her I thought you was better. The folks are all well, Mary, myself, and all and we all send our love to you and hope these few lines will [find] you getting better.
Enclosed you will find the $5 you sent for. I would like to have hold of the person that took your $6. I would punch his head. Look sharp or else you will lose something else. If you want anything, don’t forget to write to me and let me know.
Everything is dull here. Nothing stirring. I hope you will get better. Mother will go to Jersey sometime this week, I guess. Tell me in your next letter if you are confined to your bed. Write to me soon as you get this letter. Tell me where your regiment is now. Do you likethe hospital that you are in? Do they use you well?
My dear brother, I will now close my letter so goodbye for a while. We are all well and all send our love to you. No more at present. From your loving brother, — John L. Moore, No. 2, Kinsley Place, back of 247 South 6th St., Philadelphia
To Henry C. Derrickson
Letter 10
[Market Street Hospital, Newark, New Jersey]
November 12, 1863
Dear Brother.
I take this present opportunity to write you a few lines to inform you that I have been sent to a Jersey hospital. We arrived here today. We got in Philadelphia at 1 o’clock last night. I’m gaining in health. I wrote to Mother today. We are in Market Street Hospital at Newark, New Jersey.
John, if you sent that money that I sent for when I was at Washington, I wish you would write to the post master in the hospital and tell him to send the letter back again. John, I haven’t time to write much at present. Give my love to all.
Direct your letter to Market Street Hospital, Newark, New Jersey, Ward 10. I would like you to see Mother. I didn’t tell her what Ward I was in. Write soon as you can. From your brother, — Henry C. Derrickson
To John L. Moore
Letter 11
U. S. A. Hospital at Newark, New Jersey
Wednesday, January 6, 1864
Dear Brother,
I take this opportunity to write you these few lines to inform you that I feel very well and I hope that these few lines will find you the same and all of the rest. I received your welcome letter today. I am very sorry to hear that you are sick but I hope that you will get well again soon.
Tell Mother that my rooster crowed before I got to Newark and that is the last I have saw of him. Tell her that I haven’t got shut of all of my chickens yet.
We had a very good dinner here on New Years Day and they had one on Christmas too. The ladies of Newark gave it to the hospital.
John, I will see Mother. I will take the watch when I get paid if I get what I think I will. I will take it if it suits me. I am very glad to hear that you have been doing well in your store and I hope that continues so. I think myself that it will be better for you to move in back soon for you can be there all the time.
I have put in for a furlough but I don’t know whether I will get it or not but I will try. I put in for one for 30 days.
Dear brother, I will close my letter. No more at present. Give my love to all of the folks and to Mary. Also you and all of my enquiring friends also.
From your brother, — Henry C. Derrickson
To John L. Moore
Come in out of the draft soon as you can.
Letter 12
U. S. A. General Hospital, Newark, New Jersey
February 5, 1864
Dear brother,
I take this present opportunity to write you these few lines to inform you that I am well and I hope that these few lines will find you and all the folks well also.
Dear brother, I received the bundle on the 3rd all right. We had a military ball on the night of the 3rd and we had a big thing. It broke up in a mob fight with citizens. We fought for about 15 minutes. Some of the boys got black eyes but we got the best of them. They was two to one of us.
John, it is dangerous to travel this town at night as soldiers specially. I want to get something to defend myself soon as I can get some money to get it and then they may come as fast as they please. I didn’t get hurt much the other night. I got one of my knuckles drove in and a kick under the neck but he got the returns for it as quick [as I could] give it to him. 1
John, I will close my letter. No more at present. Give my love to Mother and Aunt Hanna and Uncle John, and Mary your wife also, and also to yourself and all of my enquiring friends.
From your brother, — Henry C. Derrickson
To John L. Moore. Write soon if you please.
1 Newark, New Jersey was home to strong anti-war sentiment, led locally by newspapers like the Newark Daily Journal, edited by Edward N. Fuller. Peace Democrats frequently criticized the Lincoln administration. Street-level brawls increased early in 1864 when veteran regiments returned home on furloughs.
Letter 13
Newark, New Jersey
March 11, 1864
Dear brother,
I take this present opportunity to write you these few lines to inform you that I am well and I hope that these few lines will find you and all of the folks the same. I received your letter dated the 8th and I was glad to hear that Aunt Hanna was better.
John, I am here yet in Newark. I think we will get paid off next week and I will come home then. The small pox is getting better now and I don’t think there will be any danger if I come home. If Mother thinks that there is any danger, I won’t come. That will be the only chance that I will get to come home very soon.
John, I will take that watch if you can spare the money when I get paid if it suits me.
I close my letter. No more at present. Give my love to Aunt Hanna and Uncle John and Mary your wife, and Mother and you also. And tell Mary Moore that I want to see her when I come home the next time.
From your brother, — H. C. Derrickson
To John L. Moore
Letter 14
U. S. A. General Hospital, Newark, New Jersey
April 12th 1864
I take this present opportunity to write you these few lines to let you know that I am well and I hope that these few lines will find you the same. I received your letter dated the 10th today. I am very sorry to hear that Harry was sick but I hope that he is better by this time.
The weather has been very bad here for three or four days. John, if you do come down here, you can get board from 75 cents to $1 a day. The fare from Philadelphia to Newark is $3 and some cents. I would like to see you very much.
John, I think we will be sent away from here next week but I don’t know where to. John, come if you can this week or the forepart of next. I will take that watch and I will pay you next payday for certain and you get that dog for me. Bring him down with you. I don’t care how large he is. The larger the better.
Give my love to Mother and Aunt Hanna and Mary your wife. Also Eliza and all of my enquiring friends. You must ask Mary Moore id anybody runs after her in the street now.
Write soon as you get this letter and let me know when you will come down here to see me and we will go to [New] York together and we’ll get one of those things that does your soul good before I leave. I have been a little sick and I suppose you know in what way.
From your brother, — Harry C. Derrickson
To John L. Moore. Let me know soon as you can. Write soon.
Letter 15
Trenton, New Jersey
July 4th 1864
Friend Moore,
Esteemed friend, I have made out Henry’s account with the United States and sent them to Washington as the Law directs.
You will have to make application to the “second auditor” for his Bounty and Back Pay. I would advise your mother to give it to some reliable Pension Agent to collect. They understand the business.
I regret very much that your mother is so poorly. Advise her to come up and stay with us a while. It shan’t cost her a cent. She appears to me almost as dear as a mother. May God bless and comfort her in this her hour of trial and sadness. I sympathize with you all and believe me that I shall ever remain your warmest friend.
I think that Harry has a blanket and some other articles here. Whatever is her, I will keep and you can get the articles at any time.
You did right in telling me all about your circumstances. I honor you for it. I am going to Washington tomorrow and return in a few days. So let me hear from you again. May God bless you all. Remember me to Mrs. Derrickson & her brother.
Emanuel Cave was born in August 1838 in Ohio. In 1861, he married Susan Bender (1842-1922). Shortly after his marriage, he enlisted in the Union Army. He served as a private in Co. H of the 69th Ohio Infantry Regiment between 1861 and 1865. This regiment saw extensive action in Tennessee and Georgia, including the Middle Tennessee (or Tullahoma) Campaign and the Atlanta Campaign. After the war, Cave returned to his family in Ohio. He died in Pickaway County, Ohio on May 15, 1916.
In the Texas Civil War Museum
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Directed to Mrs. Emanuel Cave, Circleville, Pickaway county, Ohio
Camp 69th Ohio Vols.
Near Atlanta, Georgia
August 24, 1864
My Dear Wife,
Your kind and affectionate letter of the 17th has just been received and I will not delay one moment in replying. My surprise can hardly be imagined when I read of the death of your sister. I could not think any better of my own sister than I did of her. She was good and kind, and I can hardly realize that she is no more. But we ought not to complain at the will of the great Dispenser of us all. We must submit to His decrees. Death is the destiny of us all, and sooner or later, it is sure to overtake us. It behooves us all, therefore, to be ever ready, for we know not the hour when we may be summoned to the bar of a just God.
I am pleased to learn that you are again well and trust that you may so continue. My own health was never better, and my courage has never faltered for I hope and firmly believe that we will soon be reunited and live to enjoy the society of each other for many years—that many years of unalloyed happiness will be ours, and that the brightness and joy of the future will more than repay us for the sad, long months we are now spending apart. Let us both hope and believe that the present trial is for our mutual benefit and so live that when they are all passed, we can point back to this time as the incentive that led us on to the enjoyment of such happiness as we never before experienced. I am satisfied that it will make me a wiser and a better man; and that will have taught me to appreciate the blessings of home, and the affection which you bestow upon me.
The photograph was duly received. I told you so in my last. We are still in the same position and are not doing much of anything. Both armies are at present pretty quiet—occasionally shelling each other. Atlanta is regularly shelled from two or three different points and occasionally we notice a fire in the city. Considerable quantity of hot shot have also been thrown into it.
Your letters are the source of much pleasure to me and are read with a feeling of joy that cannot be explained.
Write to me often—oftener if possible that you ever have, and again I must ask you to try and feel that after this “cruel war is over,” all will yet be well.
Don’t feel uneasy about me. Ii is unnecessary to “borrow trouble.” If it does come, it will be time enough to grieve then. I will write again in a few days. Respects to all friends and much love to you. Affectionately yours, — Emanuel Cave
The following letter was written by Dr. Edward William Murphy (1802-1877), a prominent physician who pioneered advances in obstetrics. He patented an inhaler in 1848 that delivered chloroform through a mouthpiece to numb a patient during childbirth. In the 1850s he gave a series of lectures on the principles and practice of midwifery.
Dr. Murphy’s Chloroform Inhaler, ca. 1850
Dr. Murphy’s letter asks a fellow physician to use whatever influence he might have to elevate his son, Edward Horatio Murphy (1842-1864) who has recently enlisted in the service of the United States, from an ordinary “clod-hopper” enlisted man to an officer. Muster Rolls reveal that Edward enlisted on 16 December 1863 at Buffalo, New York, to serve as a private in the 27th Independent New York Light Artillery. At the time of his enlistment, he was described as a 5′ 7″ common “laborer” with blue eyes, brown hair, and a fair complexion. He was never promoted. He died a private at City Point, Virginia on 6 September 1864, a victim of disease.
The New York City physician to whom Dr. Murphy addressed his letter was Dr. Gunning S. Bedford (1806-1870). Dr. Bedford was the nephew of Gunning Bedford who was an aide-de-camp to George Washington during the revolution. After the war, the elder Bedford was a framer of the Constitution of the USA and the first Attorney General of Delaware. Later, President Washington appointed him as the USA Judge for the District of Delaware. The younger Bedford distinguished himself in the practice of medicine. In 1836, after his medical education and two teaching appointments, he developed an extensive and lucrative private practice in New York City. From 1840 to 1862 he was a founder and professor of midwifery at the University of New York medical department. There he founded the first obstetric clinic in America. It was estimated that over 10,000 poor patients a year were treated free of charge at his clinics.
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Directed to Gunning S. Bedford, 66 Fifth Avenue, New York, postmarked London
41 Cumberland Street, Bryanston Square
March 19, 1864
My dear Dr. Bedford,
I am about to make a request which I trust you will be able to grant because if do, I know that you will willingly do so.
A son of my, Edward Horatio Murphy, went out to Canada in May 1863 intending to be a farmer. We did not hear from him for some time but have just now received a letter announcing the appalling fact that he has enlisted in the service of the United States. It came upon us like a thunderbolt and of course makes me very anxious. He is now at Washington in the Camp Barry going through the necessary drill and it occurred to me to write and ask you to assist me in endeavoring to improve his position.
I presume you have many influential friends in Washington and if any of these would say a word in his favor, his officers might perhaps take care to treat him less roughly than the “clod-hoppers.” They will find him an extremely well conducted young man and perfectly temperate. As to his merits as a soldier, they are to be found out. I do not know how promotion is managed in your services but of course I should rather see him an officer than a common soldier.
Did Dr. Miller 1 of Chicago give you the late edition of my work? If so, I hope you like it. I have just got a glance at yours and was greatly surprised and pleased to find in how many points we are agreed—especially about “meddlesome midwifery.”
Pardon this troublesome note and believe me very faithfully yours, — Edward W. Murphy
1 “Dr. Miller” may have been Dr. De Laskie Miller (1818-1903), a prominent Chicago obstetrician and medical educator who published influential works on obstetrics in the 1860s.
Willie wrote the letter to his mother, Henrietta (Dey) Parshall
William (“Willie”) Henry Parshall was born on February 25, 1845, in Lebanon, Ohio, to William F. Parshall and Henrietta Dey. His father was a banker who owned $10,000 of real estate and $25,000 of personal property in 1860. Parshall grew up and attended school in Lebanon.
He enlisted in the Union army on May 29, 1862, and mustered in as a private in Co. B of the 73rd Ohio Infantry. He mustered out on September 20, 1862. He returned to the Union army a year later, serving in the 4th Ohio Infantry from August 1, 1863, until February 15, 1864. He enlisted for a third time on March 25, 1864, mustering into the Co. B, 79th Ohio Infantry. He mustered out on July 26, 1865.
Parshall and his parents moved to Walker, West Virginia, after the war. Parshall worked as a merchant, and by 1870, he owned $1,000 of personal property. He married Harriet Davis in Brooklyn on February 25, 1881, and they had three children, two of whom survived: Henrietta, born in October 1882; and Dora, born in March 1900. Parshall worked as an office clerk, and the family rented their home in Brooklyn. Harriet died on June 17, 1901. Parshall lived with his daughters in Brooklyn until his death from “Chronic Nephritis” on August 26, 1911. [Source: Biographical Sketch lifted from John L. Nau II Center for Civil War History, University of Virginia, who holds 12 of Parshall’s Letters]
I have only transcribed one other letter and one diary fragment by other members of the 79th OVI. These include:
I received your last letter written from Portland, Maine, day before yesterday. I should have answered it yesterday but they had us moving nearly all the day. Then in the afternoon, there was some pretty heavy fighting on both our right and left and heavy skirmishing in our front. You will see that we are in the centre. There is the 4th Corps on our left, and the 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, and 23rd Corps on our right. There is also cavalry on both flanks.
We laid out on the right flank of the line for three days and were then moved back here. We were on the extreme right of the army. It was a good long ways around there. The 23rd Corps was then on the extreme left. We moved around there to support Jeff Davis’ Division of the 14th Corps. It was to advance on the railroad and try to take it. It did not go, however, while we were there. The 23rd Corps relieved us and we moved to the line of works just behind us. While we laid there, the men would go out in squads on new entrenchments. We advanced the line about two hundred yards nearer the enemy. We commenced the works in the night and threw up enough dirt to shield us from the rebel shells and shot if they should take a notion to play on us.
Sorry to hear that Pa has been sick again. I do hope that he will soon get over these attackes. I hope that when this reaches you, both of you may be in good health. Have you heard from Laura lately? I have written her two letters now since I have been out and have not received any answer. I don’t think that I shall write soon again. It has been about a month since I wrote the last letter to her. If she don’t want to write to me, she need not. I shall not write to her again. If she knew how anxious I am to hear from her and all the rest of the family, she would write to me. But if she thinks it is any trouble to write to me, she need not do it for I don’t want to put her to any trouble.
Are Pa and yuo well? I had a letter from Grandpa and Lewis the other day.
We drew soft bread this morning—the first I have tasted or seen in ninety-eight days. That is the length of the campaign. It tasted real good.
Well, I must close as my messmate has got supper ready. Write soon and often to your affectionate son, — Willie
Co. B, 79th Regt. O. V. I., Chattanooga, Tennessee
I could not find an image of Silas but here is a CdV of Daniel Jameson who served as a private in Co. F, 75th New York Infantry (Photo Sleuth)
Silas C. Doolittle was born on August 14, 1843, in Butler, New York, to Loren Doolittle (1790-1860) and Phebe Worth (1805-1872). His father was a lawyer who owned $550 of personal property in 1860. Doolittle grew up and attended school in Wolcott, New York, and by 1860, he was working as a farmer.
He enlisted in the Union army on September 21, 1861, and mustered in as a private in Co. H of the 75th New York Infantry on November 26. According to his service records, he was 5 feet, 6 inches tall, with light hair and light eyes. The regiment spent most of the war stationed in Alabama and Mississippi. The army transferred the men to Virginia in 1864, and they took part in the Third Battle of Winchester, the Battle of Fisher’s Hill, and the Battle of Cedar Creek. He voted for Abraham Lincoln in the election of 1864, explaining that, “as long as I am trying to put down Treason in the field, I cannot countenance it at the Polls.”
He later declared that he “want[ed] to see those southern traitors humbled like dogs and then banished from the country as being too false to live among civilized people.” He fiercely opposed African American enlistment, insisting in March 1865 that “it is an insult to U.S. soldiers to put the uniform on Orang-ou-tangs.” He became a regimental musician on November 19, 1864, and he mustered out in Savannah, Georgia, on August 31, 1865.
Doolittle moved to Michigan after the war, and he married Julia M. Foster on January 12, 1867. They had at least four children: Frank, born around 1868; Elsie, born around 1870; Loren, born around 1875; and Carrie, born around 1880. By 1870, he was working as a mason in Dowagiac, Michigan, and he owned $800 of real estate and $500 of personal property. He applied for a federal pension in February 1893 and eventually secured one. They moved to Wayne, Michigan, in the early 1900s, and he died there on April 22, 1911. [Source: Quoted from Letters Home, Silas C. Doolittle, John L. Nau, III Center for Civil War History]
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Camp Arnold
Pensacola [Florida]
August 7th 1862
Dear Brother,
It has been a long time since I have heard from you & I thought I would write & put you in mind of it. There has nothing of importance transpired here since I wrote last.
August 14th. I commenced this a week ago but have been busy doing guard & fatigue duty but have now a resting spell of about a week.
Silas’s letter includes this sketch he drew of a Marine.
There is a part of Commodore Porter’s Mortar Fleet and part of Commodore Farragut’s here also & they keep coming in every day. They are coming to drill their Marines & recruits. The steamer Harriet Lane was in here the other day but she has gone out in pursuit of a strange craft in the Gulf. The Harriet Lane is the prettiest craft I ever saw. She is the flag ship of Farragut’s fleet.
Day before yesterday was the hottest day I ever saw. The thermometer stood at 124o in the shade. I was on guard the same day on Post No. 14. A fellow in our company on No. 9 was affected so by the sun that he had to give up & was very sick & a fellow on No. 10 dropped down on his post and was picked up for dead but was finally brought to and is getting better.
Our Colonel [John A. Dodge] has gone to Key West for his health & we expect him on the next steamer. Our regiment & Billy Wilson’s [regiment] don’t agree very well. They are jealous because Gen. [Lewis G.] Arnold gives us the most praise. The other day some of our boys and some of the 6th [New York Zouaves] got in a row down to the springs. A lot of our boys went down there & also some of theirs and they kept coming until about half of both regiments were there. But the guard turned out [and] stopped the row so there was not much bloodshed. 1
There was a deserter come in our picket lines last night from Mobile. He states that the rebels are leaving Mobile.
I am going to send $10 in this letter. I sent one with five about two weeks ago. The mail closes now & I am in a hurry and I must close but will write again in a day or two. Please write as soon as you get this and let me know how you are getting along. Give my love to Mother and the rest of the family. Yours truly, — Silas Doolittle
1 Billy Wilson’s 6th New York Zouaves, many of them former firemen from NYC, had a reputation for drunkenness, theft and dereliction of duty. These “roughs” were as likely to pick a fight with Union men and Confederate soldiers.
Colonel Billy Wilson (seated at middle) with several members of his regiment.
Harry’s sketch of a Powhatan sailor—perhaps a self portrait?
The following letter was written by Henry (“Harry”) Hamilton Tyson (1846-1915), the son of Daniel Tyson (1803-1899) and Louisa Jane Robertson (1815-1897)—formerly of Covington, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, but relocated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the late 1850s. A family history informs us that Henry enlisted on 9 June 1862 in the US Navy and shipped aboard the Sloop of War Saratoga. He was later transferred to the US Frigate Powhatan—the flag ship for the West Indian Squadron under Admiral Porter. He participated in the capture of Fort Fisher in January 1865 when the Powhatan was disabled and sent to the Navy Yard. He was discharged at Boston on 25 September 1865 and returned to Philadelphia where he engaged in the milk business. He married Clara Virginia Alward in 1875.
In his letter, he refers to his older sister Lydia Tyson (1838-1912) and addresses his letter to his older brother Jonathan (“John”) Knight Tyson (1840-1918) who enlisted in Co. L, 2nd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery on 15 February 1864. Prior to his enlistment Jonathan was employed as a milk man in Philadelphia.
The USS Powhatan
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Fortress Monroe
November 23rd [1864]
Dear Brother,
I received your letter & was very glad to hear that you was well. I expect you seen a good bit of sport when you was up North. Did any of the girls ask about me? Did Lydia Williams say anything about my leaving home so mysterious? I will tell you some of these days the reason I shipped.
Oh yes, you spoke about being at Hampton Roads the other day. I came ashore all dressed up in style expecting to see you but alas! you had vamoosed when I got ashore. I would have given anything to have seen you in your soldier clothes.
I wrote to several young gals on the old route but I won’t mention any names. I was struck when I heard you had enlisted. I guess you don’t get your fried oysters & lemonade where you are now. Oh yes, we had a concert on board a few days ago—it was pretty good.
How long have you enlisted for & did you get any sugar? I hope you did. When you write home, send my best love to all the old folks at home. How does Mother & Father & Lydia look? Do they look worried any?
I am now sitting at my mess chest a writing. The Boys are coding me by saying, “Give my best love to her, Harry,” and blowing out the candle. John, take good care of yourself and look out for the lead pills [bullets]. No more at present, so take an affectionate love from your brother, — Harry Tyson
This letter was written by Sergt. Fenton W. Smith (1839-1864) of Co. G, 12th Michigan Infantry. Fenton, an English emigrant, enlisted at Augusta, Michigan on 19 December 1861 and died of disease at Little Rock, Arkansas, in 10 May 1864. Fenton’s parents were George and Eliza (Burgess) Smith of London, Monroe county, Michigan. He wrote the letter to James “Webster” Childs (1826-1882), a Washtenaw county civil leader and politician who served two terms in the Michigan Legislature and then in the Michigan Senate.
Smith’s letter formally petitions his well-connected acquaintance to intercede with the Governor on his behalf and secure a commission. The letter also reports on prisoners taken near Middleburg, Tennessee, where they were assigned to guard the railroads. It was written only one week before Confederate General Earl Van Dorn launched his attempt to seize the stockade and blockhouse near Middleburg, fortified and held by the 12th Michigan.
[Editor’s Note: The photocopy of this letter was sent to me for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by Janet Buchanan, a descendant relative of the Childs family.]
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Middleburg, Tennessee
Middleburg, Tennessee
December 18th 1862
Webster,
I once more take my pen in hand to write you a few lines this pleasant morning in December. It has not been long since I wrote to you but I have been think[ing] of another plan to get a commission if it is not too late and your friend’s plan is this, if it will work and I think it will, my friend Webster, if it will not be too much trouble to you. If you will write to the Gov. Blair and see if he will give your friend a commission as Second Lieutenant or First Lieutenant in some of the new companies that are being raised or that are goin’ to be raised in the state now. If he will, I will try and get all the men I can for the company if the Gov. gives me a commission in some of the new companies that are being raised, it will clear me from my regiment that I am in now. The Gov. can give me a commission for a new company or regiment other a company that is goin’ to be raised without Col. Graves’ recommending at all.
My friend Webster, I am willing to fight till the last rebel or traitor is shot but i think I ought to have a small reward as a Second or First Lieutenant in some of the new companies. If there is a chance for me and if Col. [William H.] Graves would do the fair thing with me, he would recommend me for a 2nd Lieutenant in my own company for I always have been true and faithful to the Government & my country’s cause ever since this unholy war broke out and always done my duty and I have fought for my country’s cause in 3 bloody battles 1 and I think that the Governor will give a commission in some new company or some that are goin’ to be raised—that is, if it will not be too much trouble to you, Webster, to try the Governor about it for me.
I am very thankful to you for what trouble you have been [through] for me before for me and if I get a commission, I will try & pay you for all your trouble, my friend Webster.
My health is very good at this time. I hope these few lines will find you enjoying the same good blessing to you all. I do not forget you all in my prayers that God will be with you all & I do not forget the prayer meeting and oh, may God be with you & prosper you all and the blessed Sabbath School too. How I do wish I could enjoy these blessed privileges with you once more with you all. I hope you will all remember your friend in your prayers that I may live a good Christian life in all the tumults of war. I think of you all often during the day and about all my friends.
We are at Middleburg yet but how long we will stay is more than I can tell. We are taking prisoners every day round Middleburg. We have very fine weather here now, some of the time. We have had about 3 inches of snow & the citizens tell me that it is the largest snow that they have had had for five years. The weather is very changeable now. Some of the time it will be very fine and sometimes it will rain two or three days to a stretch. Oh, then what mud.
We have not been paid yet. Well, I must close for this time. Excuse all mistakes and bad writing. Give my best respects to all and write soon. May God be with you all. It is now about day light so good morning to you all. I wish you all a Happy New Year & hope this war may soon be brought to a close. May God speed the time. From your friend, — Sergt. Fenton W. Smith
To my friend Webster Childs
1 The three bloody battle would have been Shiloh, Iuka, and Metamora.
Amos’ headstone at Washington, Beaufort county, North Carolina, with surname misspelled.
These letters were written by Amos J. Hockensmith (1833-1863), the son of Samuel Hockensmith (1786-1854) and Mary Lydia Mellott (1790-1853), and the husband of Martha Hollenshead (1833-1918). Amos wrote the letters while serving as a private in Co. H, 158th Pennsylvania Drafted Militia to his wife and children back home in Hustontown, Fulton county, Pennsylvania. During the American Civil War, this sparsely populated, rural farming community was dominated by anti-war Democrats. Very few local men volunteered for service and when the draft was instituted, the local population actively resisted and evaded enrollment officers.
Amos and Mary had been married for ten years and were the parents of two girls, Mary Alice (b. 1855) and Clarissa Elmira (b. 1858), when he was mustered into the service of his country on 4 November 1862. He died of disease on 7 May 1863 at Washington, North Carolina. The hospital surgeon claims he was admitted on 24 April 1863 suffering with Rubella and Erysipelas. Another report claims he had the measles.
It is with pleasure that I now am able to write you a few lines to let you now that I am well at the present time and hope when you get these few lines that they will find you all enjoying the same blessing of God, the Giver of all good gifts.
I received your letter on Wednesday stating that you was all well which I was glad to hear. It seemed a good while to hear from you. I would like to come home to see you all but it is no use to think about coming yet for a while. But as soon as they start the furloughs again, I will come home to see you all. I can’t tell for certain whether we will stay here this winter or not yey. There is so many reports about leaving here and I expect there is there too. Captain Sikes, he started to Fulton county on the first of the week with about 25 men of the 127th Regiment to hunt up the drafted men that has run off and them that never reported. Them that is taken, they will have to serve the nine months out after they are taken into some fort with ball and chain and then drummed out of the service and branded with the letter “D” on their cheek.
It is very warm here today and muddy too. The company is all middling well at this time. There is some sick and they are gone to the hospital. I like it very well here on camp at the present time. I like it a great deal better now than I did at first. We can’t get out to town anymore without a pass from the Colonel. If they do go, they are sure to be fetched back in under the police guard. There is some of them nearly all the time there. Last Friday night, there was about three hundred started to go home. They went up to the guard and the most of them stopped but still the next morning there was about 50 men a missing [and] but very few of them that has come in yet.
I think I must bring my letter to a close so as I have a very poor place to write. I am now a writing on my haversack. I want you to write soon. I remain your husband until death. Amos Hockensmith
To Martha Hockensmith
Letter 2
Headquarters of Camp Suffolk, Virginia
The 158th Regiment of Infantry, Company H, Pennsylvania Volunteers
December 21st, 1862
Dear wife,
It is with pleasure that I now take up my pencil in hand to write you a few lines to let you know that I now am well at this present time and hope when these few lines comes to hand that they will find you all well and enjoying good health at this time.
We got here to this camp safe on last Wednesday at 7 o’clock in the evening. We was marched right into the woods and there we had to stay without tents. We just laid down on the ground and slept till morning. Now we have got our tents up and we sleep very warm in them. It is not cold here now. There has not been any snow here this winter yet. We got on the steamboat at Washington on Monday and landed at Norfolk on Wednesday about 2 o’clock and then got on the cars again and landed at Suffolk at about 6 o’clock that evening and then marched to camp that night.
The way we came—we left Camp McClure [near Chambersburg, Pa.] on Friday the 12th and landed at Baltimore on Saturday morning the 13th and left there at 3 o’clock and landed at Washington at 10 o’clock that night and stayed there till Monday at 2 o’clock and then left and got on the steamboat and traveled about 200 miles to Norfolk and then it is 21 miles to this place.
I am now about 400 miles from home now at this time. I can’t tell how long we will stay here. There is now at this place about four thousand regiments at the place now and there is about 12 thousand more men to come in yet at this place. They had a little skirmish about 30 miles from this place on last Friday week. We whipped them back and there was several killed on both sides.
I hope to get home towards spring to see you all. If I had a knowed it that they would a fetched me away here, they would a had a good time a getting me here, I think. I would a come home to seen you and the children before they would a got me here. I want you to get along a well as you can. I know that you think it a good while to see me but I think it longer to see you than you to see me. I want you to write soon. I wrote home to you on last Sunday. I don’t know whether you got it or not. So nothing more at present but remain your loving husband. — Amos Hockensmith
To Martha Hockensmith
Letter 3
Norfolk, Virginia
January 1st 1863, the first day of the year.
Dear Companion of my days that has been and will forever be as long as life shall last,
I am now in the City of Norfolk, Virginia, in the Methodist Church. Put up there is twenty-two of the 158th Regiment here now. Our regiment left Camp Suffolk on last Sunday morning and we had to go along with our baggage to take care of that. We have very good times here now at the present time. I expect we will go to North Carolina to stay there till spring. This place was taken from the rebels some time ago. There’s some rebels here yet but not many and what is, they have to keep very quiet.
I am now at this time enjoying good health and hope that when you get these few lines, they will find you all at home enjoying the same blessings of good gifts. Unto Him we must look for our health and strength in this our day of trial. I long to hear from you all at home once more. This is the 4th letter that I have wrote to you. I wrote one in Camp McClure, one in Washington, one in Camp Suffolk, and one now and I haven’t received no letter from you since about the 8th of last month.
We had got on the ship yesterday to go to join our regiment in New Bern, North Carolina, but it was crowded too much and we had to get off again and come on shore till we get transportation to our regiment. I expect we will leave here in a day or two. There is three of us here that belongs to our company—Robert Campbell, Benjamin F. Wibble, and William McDonald. I haven’t very much to write now at this time but I hope that this war will soon be over. They are about compromising—the North and the South. The rebels that is in this town, they was locked up in jail now and they will be kept there.
I want you to write to me as soon as you get this. So nothing more at the present time but remain your affectionate husband until death, — Amos Hockensmith
To Martha Hockensmith.
Direct your letters to Fortress Monroe, Company H, 158th Regt. Pa., in the care of Col. D. B. McKibbin
Letter 4
Newbern, North Carolina
January 7th 1863
Dear wife,
It is with pleasure that I now write you a few lines to let you know that I am well at this time and hope that these few lines will find you all well when you get them and enjoying the same blessings of God, the giver of all good gifts.
I received your letter on the third of this month stating that you was all well but Clarissa which I was very sorry to hear but I hope when you get these few lines that Clarissa will be well enough again.
Since I received your letter, I have traveled about two hundred and fifty miles. I landed at my regiment last evening about dark. They was very glad to see me again. Isaac [Hollenshead] and Baltzer [Mellott], they are both well. I want you to tell Jacob Stevens that I never sold that sole leather to him and I don’t thank him for using it up either for them boards that he got of me. Me paid him for making the boots and then there was 25 cents on the work that I done for him. He promised to keep that sole leather for my own use. I want him to pay you for 6 lb. of sole leather or else I will know the reason why he will have it to pay for I didn’t promise Truax more than 5 bushels of wheat either.
The country around here is very poor. The land is nothing but sand. I wrote home on the 1st of this month to let you know where I was at that time. I don’t know how long we will stay here. We are under marching orders now at the present time. We mayn’t stay here one day and we may stay here a week or two weeks. It is hard for me to tell when we will leave here.
I think I will keep that wagon. If he would a took me up when I wanted him to take it, he might a had it at that time, but now he can’t get it.
I want you to write as soon as you get this letter. So farewell for the present. I remain your husband until death, — Amos Hockensmith
To Martha Hockensmith
Direct your letter to Washington D. C., 158th Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry, in the care of Capt. Sipes, D. B. McKibbin, Colonel Commanding.
Don’t take no pay from Jacob Stevens unless he pays you two dollars.
Letter 5
Newborn, North Carolina
[January 16, 1863]
Dearly beloved wife,
It is with pleasure that i now seat myself down to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well at this present time and hope that these few lines will find you all well and enjoying ditto good health. I received your kind and affectionate letter yesterday stating that you was all well which I was glad to hear. It seems to me a great while from the time that I get one letter until I get another but still we are a great many miles apart at this time. At the least calculation, we are about eight hundred miles apart at the present but there is always a way provided to hear from one another.
You wrote to me to write to you to let you know how I like to be in camp. I just like it middling well. We are used very well so far. We get plenty to eat. We get crackers and bread, potatoes and rice and beans, and molasses and coffee and pork beef and cod fish and sugar. And we get some tea in the bargain.
About you hearing that we had likend all to be drowned, it is all false for there was no danger of being drowned.
This is the 16th of January, 1863. There is three months of our time up now. Today there is some talk about us getting our pay in a few days. I hope only it will be such good news for I need some money at the present time. My postage stamps is pretty near done.
Newbern, North Carolina, I think it is a very unhealthy part of the country to be in. There is a good many sick now at this time but none so bad. The land is very poor here. It is nothing but sand. The water is very poor too. If we would have good water, there would not be as many sick, I don’t believe.
I wrote a letter to you on the first of this month and one the seventh, and now this one on the 16th. I have only received four letters from you since I have left home. Whether you don’t write or whether I don’t get them, I can’t tell.
I haven’t very much more to write to you at the present time. I feel very bad and sorry that I can’t get home to see you all. I would come and see you if I could get away from the army. I think of you and the children every hour in the day. You are all the time on my mind, let me be doing what I will. You are first on my mind. I hope to get home when my time is out to see you all again. I want you to write soon and let me know how you are all a getting along. So nothing more at present but remain your unworthy husband until death. — Amos Hockensmith
to Martha Hockensmith
Direct your letter to Newbern, North Carolina, Company H, 158th Regiment Pa. Infantry, in the care of Col. D. B. McKibbin
Letter 6
Camp Newbern, North Carolina
February 16th 1863
Dear wife,
It is with pleasure that I now seat myself down to write you a few lines to let you know that I now am well at this time and hope that when these few lines comes to hand, that they will find you all well and enjoying the same blessings of God, the giver of all good gifts.
My weight when I left home was 145 and I now weigh 165 pounds. I am well and hearty at this time. I took sick on the 26th of December and I was in the hospital tent until the 6th of this month. The doctor said I had a small attack of the typhoid fever and also had the bronchitis too but now at this time I am enjoying a good health as ever I had. You, my dear wife, will think it hard for not writing to you that I was sick, but the reason I didn’t was this—that you would be uneasy about me all the time and fret yourself more than would be of any use for. You must forgive me this time.
The weather here is very warm. It is as warm here now as it is there in June. Some nights it is that warm that we have to sleep with[out] any covers on us at all. We had one snow here this winter. That fell on the 3rd of this month. It fell about four inches deep, but in two days it was all gone.
Our Colonel, he is gone to Washington for a few days but we don’t know what he is gone there for. He said that we was the best drilled regiment in the brigade. He told us to mind our officers well and he thought that he would be able to bring us some good news when he got back. It is the opinion of the men of this regiment that he is gone to Philadelphia to see if he can’t get us in there as provost guards to guard the city. The Colonel don’t like to stay here. He is sick and tired of this place, but for my part, I would sooner stay here than to go there.
They was looking for a big battle to be fought about the middle of last month. They did throw some few shells in one of the New York regiments one night and wounded some five or six of them and then they left and they hant ventured baxck since. There is about sixty thousand soldiers encamped close around this place now. There was about twenty thousand that went out on an expedition in under General Foster. They attacked the rebels at Hollyocksville [?] and drove them back.
I got a letter from Jacob W. Clevenger on last Friday and they was all well at that time. I wrote to you on the 7th and on the 16th and on the 23rd of January and I wrote one on the 2nd of his month and you stated in your letters which you wrote on the 4th and one on the 19th, and one on the 25th of January, and you wrote one on the 1st of this month which letters I got all and was glad to hear that you was all well but sorry to hear that you had not got any of the letters that I had wrote to you. The mail from this place did not go for three weeks when we first came here and that, I expect was the reason you did not get my letters.
I think the time very long to see you, dear wife and my lovely children, but the time is slipping along very fast with me here. We have four months of our time in today. I would like to come home the last of March and help to move but that thing is impossible for me to do. You know that I would have been at home before this time if I could a got away. George and Obediah will help to move you down if you let them know when you move. I know that you think the time a great deal longer than I do. It don’t slip along as fast with you as it does with me.
We haven’t got our pay yet but the paymaster says he lows to pay us off this month. I only wish he would for I have only got six cents anymore about me. So nothing more at this time but remember your unworthy husband until death. Write as son as you receive this. — Amos Hockensmith
To Martha Hockensmith
Direct your letter to Newbern, North Carolina, Company H, the 158th Regiment Pa. Infantry, in the care of Colonel D. B. McKibbin
Letter 7
Camp near Newbern, North Carolina
February 25th 1863
Dear and well beloved wife,
It is with pleasure that I now seat myself down to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well at this present time and I hope that when you get these few lines that it will find you, my dear wife and children, enjoying the same blessings of God. Unto Him we must look for our health and strength. I hope that the time will soon pass away that I may get home to you, my beloved, again. The time seems long to me. The last of the month our time will be half out. The last half of our time I hope will slip along as well as the first. I will be satisfied, I think, that if we stay here there will be no danger of our ever getting into a battle. I think that we are to be left here [until] our time [is] out by what I can find out.
I like this camp better as any place that we have been encamped yet. This is the fourth place that we have been encamped at and I like this one the best.
I received your kind and affectionate letter today and I hasten with greatest of pleasure to answer it. I would have wrote sooner but I was waiting for an answer to my last letter. I received the letter that you wrote on the 2nd of this month but the one you wrote on the 8th of the month, I have never got yet. But I still think that I will get it yet. The money would come very good to me just now. I haven’t as much money anymore as will pay the postage on a letter any more.
The sun shines very hot here today. I am a sweating now while I am writing. I received a letter today from my brother Samuel. They was all well, Michael Mellott is married at last. The frogs hollers so much here that I can’t hardly write for them. The people here have got their oats sowed already. The apple trees is out in blossom now at this time. Isaac is well at this time. Baltzar Mellott is well. The regiment is all well but a few of them. There has been only about eight deaths since we have been here.
I wish our time was out so I could get to come home to you again. I long to see you again. There is hardly an hour passes away in a day but what I think about you and the children. I hope and pray God that they will come to a compromise before spring. The talk here now is that [they] are trying to compromise the war now in Washington. There is a flying report has been a going through camp for some time that we will get out in May. I only hope that it may be so for I would like to be at home before harvest to take care of any grain myself and to be with you again. When you move, I want you to take that lock off the door that belongs to us and don’t leave my things there that belongs to us if you can help it.
We have got none of or pay yet but I think that we will soon get our pay before very long. If I was out of this place and my time was out, there is no man’s thousand dollars would take me back to the army again—I mean as a substitute. It would take that and more to entice me to go back to the army and leave you my dearly beloved companion. I don’t think that we will ever get in a battle while we stay here.
Direct as before to the same place. Write soon to me, — Amos Hockensmith
To Martha Hockensmith
Letter 8
[Camp near Newbern, North Carolina]
February 26th 1863
Dear wife and companion of my happy days,
It is with pleasure that I now seat myself down to write you a few lines today again, to let you know that I am well at this time and enjoying good health and I hope that you and the children is all well at this time when you receive these few lines.
I received your letter today that you wrote on the 8th of this month and the money and the stamps were all right. It will come very good to me. I received the one that you wrote on the 15th yesterday stating that you was all well which I was glad to hear, It take a letter about seven days to go from here home to you if it don’t get miscarried at some post office.
John W. Stevens is well and hearty. Jacob F. Saltkeld is all well here at this time. Abel Brown is still in the general hospital in town but he is getting better. William McDonald is still in town in the hospital yet but he is getting better.
It is raining here today. There is a great deal of wet weather here this winter but there has been no snow here this winter—only one since we have been encamped at Newbern. Isaac Hollenshead got a letter from home today and they was all well when the letter was wrote. I wish my time was out so I could get to come home to see you but the time slips along with me. We will soon have half of our time in and then it will seem to go a great deal faster.
I haven’t very much more to write today and I must bring my letter to a close. Write soon and let me know all the strange news that there is in Taylor Township. So farewell for the present. I remain your unworthy husband until death, — Amos Hockensmith
To Martha Hockensmith, Mary Alice and Clarissa Elmira Hockensmith
Letter 9
[Editor’s Note: Written during the Confederate attack on Fort Anderson (Battle of Deep Gully) near New Bern, North Carolina, the letter provides a firsthand account of the military activity surrounding the engagement, including cannon fire, Confederate advances, the capture of Union prisoners, and the strength of the Union defenses.]
[New Bern, North Carolina]
March 15th 1863
Dear Wife,
It is with pleasure that I now seat myself down this Sunday morning to let you know that I am well at this time and enjoying good health and I hope that when you get these few lines, that they will find you all well and enjoying good health.
I received a letter from you last night which was wrote on the 23rd of February stating that you was all well and I got a letter that you wrote on the 1st of March on last Thursday and I seated myself down and wrote you an answer to that one then and now I want to write you few lines more.
Yesterday the cannons was a firing all around us. The rebels, they are a going to try to take this place from the Union troops. The rebels yesterday took about four hundred of our men prisoners. They cut them off from the main body of their army and they are a going to try to take the place again. But when they get in here, they will have to fight hard as they have ever done in any battle yet if they take this place. This place is too well fortified for them ever to take.
In our five days march this last week, in the five days we marched about one hundred miles and we all stood the march very well. I got along very well, only I got very stiff. When I sat down, I would have to try two or three times to get up. My feet, they got very sore.
I would like to see you my dear wife again. It seems very long to me since I have seen you. We have this day five months of our time in and if God spares my unprofitable life till four months more, that time will soon slip away. The time with me here slips along very fast. The sun here today shines very hot. The peach trees here is out in full bloom. They have got their oats sowed here in this country about one month ago.
We have not got any of our pay yet but I think that we will soon get our pay. There is sixty-eight dollars due us now at this time. I think the time very long to see you and the children and the rest of the friends. I know that you and the children think the time long to see me and I think the time just as long to see you as you do to see me. But as long as I keep well and hearty, I can get along very well.
The reason that I did not write to you before that I was sick I knowed that you would fret yourself more about me as you would beed to do. I haven’t very much more to write. I will have to quit writing at this time for I have got to start on another march within fifteen minutes and so these few lines must lay here in camp till I get back again, if I am spared to get back.
Amos Hockensmith
To Martha Hockensmith, Mary Alice Hockensmith, Clarissa Elmira Hockensmith.
Letter 10
Newborn [New Bern], North Carolina
March 23rd 1863
Dear and affectionate wife,
It is with pleasure that I now seat myself down to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well at this present time and hope that these few lines will find you and the children all well and enjoying the same blessings of God, the giver of all good gifts. I received a letter that you wrote on the 1st of this month and one you wrote on the 5th and one you wrote on the 8th stating that you and the children was all well which I was very glad to hear.
I know that you and the children thinks the time long to see me but if I am spared to get home to you again, the Secesh there can’t call me a coward for not serving my country. I wouldn’t be in them fellers places that deserted their companies and run off—not for a thousand dollars, for they will be called cowards and everything else for not fighting for their country.I am going to stay my time out and then I can come home like a man and think that I have done my duty.
I would like to have been at home to helped you a moved if I could a got there. I know that you could have got along a great deal better. I know that you had a heap of work to do at that time.
You wanted to know how I got my washing done. I wash my clothes myself so far. Whenever I put on clean clothes, I go up along the Noose [Neuse] River and strip my dirty clothes off and then put on my clean clothes and then I wash my clothes before I ever go back to camp. I never keep any dirty clothes in my tent. I have two clean shirts now besides the one I have on. I washed my pants last week and patched them myself. There is some in the regiment that is too lazy to wash their own clothes and they go very dirty.
I want you, my dear wife, to along the very best way you can till I get home and keep in good heart and don’t fret yourself about me for if I keep my health, I can get along here very well, but not near so well as if I could be at home with you and the children.
There is a strong talk here that the drafted men will get home in May, the same time that the nine-months volunteers [and] that Governor Curtis is doing his best to get us clear at that time. I haven’t very much to write so nothing more at present but remain your husband until death. Write soon and let me know all the news. Direct as before. — Amos Hockensmith
Isaac is well and hearty. Battsen is well and hearty. Thomas C. Mellott is well and hearty.
Letter 11
[Camp near New Bern, North Carolina]
April 1863
Dear wife,
It is with pleasure that I now seat myself down in my tent to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well at this present time—only one of my legs below the knee has been sore for about six days back and it don’t seem to get much better. I can’t walk only with a cane. I hope that when these few lines comes to hand, that they will find you, my dear wife and children, well and enjoying good health.
The boys started on another expedition last night. They will be gone three days and then they are coming back to camp again. It is very lonesome here when they are all gone. The men, when they was out on the last expedition, the artillerymen got three killed and seven wounded and killed two horses. They silenced the reb’s cannon and there was a river to cross and our men could not get over and they retreated back to camp. They heard afterwards that they killed about three hundred rebels in the fort.
I want you to try and get along the best way you can till I get home. I hope that I will get home again to see you all. It is my desire to get home and I don’t want you to fret yourself too much about me for I get along very well here so far when I am well. I think that we will move closer home before long and it might be to Washington. I can’t hardly tell for certain yet but I know that we will leave this place for the 4th of May the regiments has t give up their teams and the quartermasters time runs out. That is what makes me think that we will be moved north. I don’t keer [care] for I am a getting tired of staying so long in one place. I expect that they will keep moving us if they do start once. Part of the way to Roanoke Island and keep us there a while and them nove us further on north and stop at some other place and stay. If we do go to Washington, we will go as provost guards to do duty there. That is the talk in camp now.
The niggers here has more privilege here than a white man. They can go where they please and a white man can’t for he must have a pass wherever he wants to go to. There is a great many niggers around this place. Abel Brown, he was out here to camp today from the hospital in town. He is getting some better. He is trying to get his discharge. He come out today to get the captain to sign some papers for him but the captain wasn’t here and he could not get anything done. The rest of his papers, he has got them all fixed up. All he wants now is the captain’s name to some of his papers.
William McDonald, he has got his discharge long ago and if he met with no accident on his way home, he is there long ago. John Correll, he is in the hospital in town. He took the fever and ague. George Dishong, he is in the hospital in town too. He had the measles and they took him into town. There has been several taken into town with the measles of this regiment. I am a little shy of them for I don’t want to get them while I am in the army for as soon as they know that there is one a taking them, they will send him right off to town to stay there till they get well of them.
I think that I will have to bring my letter to a close for this time. I send each one of my girls a little book in this letter with their names marked on them. So nothing more at present time. Write soon. I remain your unworthy husband until death. So farewell for this time. — Amos Hockensmith
