The following letters were written by Calvin Thomas Crane (1839-1905), the son of John Calvin Crane (1807-1895) and Emiline D. Burt (1809-1893) of Berkley, Bristol county, Massachusetts. He wrote the letters to his sister, Sarah (“Sallie”) E. Crane (1844-1920). A younger brother, Levi Lankton Crane (1842-1928) is mentioned in the letters. Levi later served in Co. C, 22nd Massachusetts Infantry until he received a leg wound at Fredericksburg which led to his discharge for disability.
According to military records, Calvin enlisted as an ordinary seaman at New Bedford on 20 May 1861 and he was mustered out of the Navy on 15 March 1862. He served first on the receiving ship USS Ohio and then was assigned to the USS Massachusetts. He was described as standing 5’11” tall, with blue eyes, chestnut hair, and a ruddy complexion.
According to Calvin’s headstone inscription, he only served in the US Navy in 1861-62 but he remained a mariner. He eventually became a ship’s master and was captain of various vessels, including the schooner M. M. Merrimon of Taunton, Massachusetts. He was married to Charlotte M. Burt of Berkley in 1870.
The 1864 letters included in this post reveal that Calvin served for a few months during the summer of 1864 as an assistant to the sutler of the 104th Pennsylvania Infantry while they were on Morris Island in Charleston Harbor. It appears that he would have stayed longer but became so ill that he decided to return to Massachusetts.
Letter 1
Off Brooklyn Navy Yard
February 23, 1862
Dear Sister,
Have been within two hundred miles from you and have not heard a word from Berkley yet and have laid here 9 days now and possibly may as much longer and if possible, please write a few lines. Luther got a word or note from John last week that if we were to be paid off, I should be at home by the latter part of the week and you ought to have wrote for father wrote to me that we would not be discharged. But we shall. But how soon I do not know. It may be this week. All that is wanted is the money.
There is plenty of rows on board caused by liquor and 6 men are in irons for drunkenness. The officers do not do the first thing for our good with the exception of Capt. Godfrey who is ridiculed by the rest for his interest in the “Boys.” We have not had a bit of fresh meat or vegetables since we have been here. Wormy rice and flour are served out to us twice a week. I will [not] write anymore about our troubles—they are too numerous to mention. But the end is ahead.
Last Friday they got a stove which is very comfortable to what it was. I am very anxious to hear from home and hope you will write so that I can get a letter this week. Direct as heretofore to Naval Lyceum. I have sent two letters to Levi. The answers will come to Berkley. Please keep them.
I have nothing more to write but hope you will write soon. From your brother, — Calvin T. Crane
to Sallie E. Crain
P. S. Excuse this pencil writing.
Letter 2
New York
Sailor’s Home
February 27, 1862
Dear Mother,
I am agoing to write this letter to you as I have written to Father & Sarah without getting an answer although in the first place I did not ask them to write. We got released from the ship yesterday about noon after striping ger to a “gauntling.” We got in a fret before we left on account of a story that we were to be put on board the North Carolina to wait until pay day as there was not a man that wanted to go there. After we left the ship at the earnest request of the officers, we gave three cheers for the ship and then three for Capt. Godfrey with a good heart.
Most of the Taunton boys came to this place. It is under the care of the Seaman’s Friend Society and carried on as a first class hotel. Board [is] $4 per week or 60 cents per day and it is a very good place—no liquors—prayer in morning—grace at meals—and all conveniences. Luther and myself room together.
It is snowing nicely now. We have not suffered but very little with the cold since we came in yet. Do not expect to get paid off until next week. It may be—cannot tell yet. You had better write. You will probably get this Sunday and if you send a letter to Taunton early Monday, I will get it Tuesday morning. Direct it to New York, Sailor’s Home, 190 Cherry Street to Calvin T. Crane. You may have forgotten who to direct one.
I heard that John G. went to the depot twice last week after me and my things. He was disappointed but some time within a month I shall be happy to see him and the red wagon. You need not be afraid of my going in the Navy. It is hard to be in this large place without money where there is so good chance to spend it. If I thought that Father had more than two cents, I would send for some but will try and get along without any. I am going to try to fat up before I get home and not look so craney as I am now.
Get some mince pies ready for I shall make great havoc amongst pies when I do get home. Don’t forget to write. Let Sarah write a little (as she must be greatly fatigued in writing so much) but not much.
From your son, — C. T. Crane
To all hands—the cook especially.
Letter 3
Brooklyn
January 17, 1864
Dear Sister,
It is just a week ago today since I left the quiet little town of Berkley to come to the great city. I can hardly realize it—times goes very fast. I will give you an account of my travels thus far.
l left Assonet at 6 o’clock that evening and soon got to Fall River. Went and saw Oliver and John. Left there at 815 o’clock. The ice was 6 inches thick all around the boat when we started and did not get out of it until we got down to the Bristol Ferry. Got to Newport at half past 9 o’clock, half an hour behind time. It was quite rough on the beach but did not disturb my slumbers at all. We cane into ice about 35 miles from New York and arrived there at 11 a.m. There was a guard of soldiers with some 36 deserters and bounty jumpers that were being taken back to the army. They were a hard-looking set.
As soon as I got here, went up and found Capt. White without any trouble. Went over and saw my men and made all arrangements that we could. I am to have $40 per month, time to commence as soon as I get there, and to get there the best way I can. There is a vessel going down there the last of this week with sutler’s goods and I am to go in her if nothing happens to the contrary. This $40 is for 4 months and then it is it be raised. They want me to try and be able to “run the 52 Penn. Regt.” by myself after that time. I am rather impatient to get down there and make a beginning. I am stopping aboard of the “Oaks Ames” at the request of Capt. French although he is at home now on business.
Yesterday went up to Dr. [Henry Ward] Beecher’s Church to hear him. I wish you could have gone. It was a splendid discourse. The text was the last clause of the 9th Verse of the 6th Chapter of Matthew: “Hallowed be thy name.” It was delivered in his own peculiar style which I cannot explain. At times you could have heard a pin drop so intense was the feelings of the people. At other times bursting into laughter at his witty remarks. He is very poetic in his imagination.
You must collapse your crinoline to about one-third of the largest size as that is the style in the city. You would hardly know that there was any hoops at all on, to look at the most gented ladies. Dark velvet bonnets with some dark blue ones are worn most. Don’t you think that I am getting to be quite observing to tell you so much.
I have been up and had my head examined at Fowler & Wells. They told me things just as I know them to be. They said that “my love of home and parents was very large as well as firmness that secrecy was very small—that I would make a good farmer or teacher, but that a trade would not suit.” I have a book, or chart, which explains everything about my head. Said that I though a great deal of the ladies but that you know is not so.Â
It is a rainy, disagreeable night out now. I shall write again before I sail which I think will be the last of this week. Give my love to father and mother and all enquiring friends and reserve a share for yourself. Tell Levi as soon as I get settled I will write to him. I do not think of anything more to write. Tell mother that I have got one shirt. It cost $3.50—cheap at that.
I will bid you good night and not write any more now. From your brother, — C. T. Crane
Letter 4
Morris Island
Feb 3d 1864
Dear friends at home,
As I must write before i get a letter, I commence one tonight which will be some time before it can go.
I left New York at half past one o’ clock p.m. in tow of the Steamer Atlantic on the Schooner E. R. Bennett the 24th with the wind to the southward, and cloudy but not very rough. But the next day it breezed up some and made it quite rough. And Thursday morning at two o’clock a.m., we got off the light boat off Port Royal all right with a smooth passage for the season. You would laughed to have seen me feeding the cattle as I worked my passage down as cattleman. It would have been almost impossible for me to have got down any other way. But Mr. Eager gave me a letter to the man that shipped the cattle to give me a chance to work my way down and although they had men engaged, he put me in as extra man. The captain tried to make some objections, but he—that is, Mr. Starr—made it all right, so along I came, ate my meals in the cabin, and slept in the hold with the rats which were as thick as you can imagine. I slept one night with my boot in my hand and thrash that awhile, then go to sleep and rest until they waked me up, then thrash again, and so on, but lived through it.
Thursday about 9 o’clock, cast anchor off Port Royal harbor and went ashore and was disappointed in the look of the place. The sand is just like a deep snow all around. It is mostly built up by the war but a few houses of the old planters are there. Sutlers and storekeepers make the most show. Got my pass and transportation and then had to look up a chance to go up to Morris Island. Got aboard of the Steamer Mary Benton about 10 p.m., slept on some logs until morning, and got to see who were my fellow passengers. Found there were some 52 Darkies [coming] to join the 54 Mass. Regt from Vermont. Got up to the island about 10 a.m. at high water so as to cross the bar, went down to see Mr. Webb—the one I was to report to. Found him without any trouble and went to work that afternoon.
The island is like all southern coast—low and sandy, but it is quite lively now. They are firing at the rebels all the time, night and day. Tuesday night a blockade runner ran in and got in as far as Fort Moultrie and got aground, and the next morning as soon as the fog lifted, three moniters and Wagner, Gregg, and other batteries opened on her and kept up a fire all day—and the rebels firing too. They have knocked the steamer into a “cocked hat.” They think no more of that here than we would of going to Taunton although there was one killed, and several wounded on our side.
The weather has been quite warm. In fact, as warm as summer with us. But today it is very much cooler with the wind to the westward. The work is not hard that I have to do—the same as any shopkeeper has to do. We board with the Quartermaster and a Capt. & Lieut. of the 104 Regt. Penn. Vol. and the living is par excellent with milk and the best of coffee and all kinds of preserves, fresh meat, soft hack, and everything that is good.
I got one meal down to Port Royal. It was a cup of tea and two biscuits and they charged me 25 cents. Got a very good breakfast on the Mary Benton for 50 cents but everything is dear out here. Butter 45, potatoes 4 cents per pound, and everything in proportion.
You will please direct letters to me in care of H. M. Webb, Sutler to the 104 Regt. Penn. Vol. Morris Island, S. C. and as soon as you can conveniently. I wish, Sallie, you could come down here this evening and go up on the sand hill just back of our tent and see how splendid it looks to see the tents all lighted up and to hear the band playing and to look off in the harbor, and see the calcium light that is on the Ironsides. It is a pleasant position. I do not know of anything more to write tonight, but will close and retire to my bed which is a mattress such as I lost in the “Ames” and two boxes under it and sleep like a major. Write all the news and oblige your brother and son, — C. T. Crane
Letter 5
Morris Island
April 17, 1864
Dear Sister,
I received your long letter a week ago yesterday but not in time to answer it by that steamer and have been too busy until now to write an answer. I will give you a description of my writing desk. It is a barrel with a board across the head and Frank Leslie’s [newspaper] on that. Then for a seat, I have a camp stool with a board across that to make it high enough and you will have a complete writing desk for this country.
You may think that “Order addressed to this office” dies not receive as prompt attention as yours but the fact is that I have been full of business for the last week. We have been moving camp which was hard work for us to pack up everything, then to move our tent. We have a large, splendid (for this country) building 24 by 16 and 8 feet high fitted up in store style. We moved our camp about a mile to a healthier location and shall probably move down to Beaufort within a short time as all the white troops are to leave the department with the exception of some 6 regiments and the rest to be Colored regiments. The regiments that leave here go to Yorktown and “On to Richmond” by way of James River. It looks as if it was going to be dull this summer in this department. But if we go to Beaufort, it will be pleasanter than here. You may tell my maternal not to worry about me. I am only a little spleen and am not afflicted with none of those aches that you mentioned.
I can congratulate you on your school’s being out now. You have had a tedious time of it. I know you can look back after it is all past and it does not look half so hard, and will wonder why you was so perplexed about such little things. That little item, I presume, is gone with the accustomed velocity as all items do with you but never mind. There is plenty of greenbacks in the country.
I think that Berkley is about played out to put such men or lunatics as Oliver French in as school committee—a man that is afraid of his own shadow. I have not found out who the veterans are in Berkley yet. Is Bradford Hathaway in Berkley yet or is he gone back to the 7th? He went away with Capt. Williams into New Orleans. From there he got to Providence and was there when I came south. I should think William Warren was spreading himself considerable in buying a horse. There must be plenty of horses in the neighborhood now. Everything must be very high at home now. They are almost as cheap here as there now. Butter is 55 cent, cheese 25, raisins 35 cents, other things in proportion.
I may possibly see Drises White when we go down to Beaufort. I will try to see him. The draft may have taken place but I do not think that there will be any.
Levi is very tardy about writing. He is my debtor for a letter which is due some time. Am very obliged to Bessie for her kind regards. Send mine in return. “But do not see the point” that you spoke of as it is very uncertain that we shall stay in any place long. I would like to see William Henry. Could set him agoing into a fighting mood in a short time by stating facts. Give my respects to all the girls. And you will oblige your friend and brother, — C. T. Crane
Dear parents. As I am writing to Sarah and have some blank room, will write a few lines to you. The weather is very cool down here for the season of the year. Today is a fine day but the sand is blowing like a snow storm. You have probably planted your potatoes by this time. You had better plant all you can and more too as things will be very high indeed if the war goes on another year. Plant all you can of corn as it will be high. If you want some money, send me word. Will send you some. Yours in haste, — Calvin
Hope you are all well.
Letter 6
Hilton Head
May 12th 1864
Dear Sister,
I received your two ladened epistle of the 19th April & another of May 4th last night. Was truly of the impression that you was leaving “the earth and climb a tree” from the tone of your first letter but the second one was more cheerful. You seem to think that you were a gone goose but never give up. There is more than one person in the world by the name of Charles too. I would have nothing more to do with him if I could help it more than as an acquaintance. His disposition must be very singular if he has no more provocation than you speak of and would not be very likely to improve with age and if nothing has passed between you that is binding, I would let him flirt as much as he chose. You will feel better as times passes away. Time cures a great many such diseases but not all.
You will have to be smart if you want that school in the district and speak in time as schoolmarms will be plenty. I am very sorry to hear that Mr. Davis is to leave our church as he was worth all the Baptist & Methodist preachers around. I think that if some were to be truly reconverted that it would make a better state of affairs in that society. It seems as if they were making religion to suit themselves and discarding the original pattern altogether. The church is in a poor state and no pastor will please them. True religion is the best of all things but all other kinds are worse than none.
You must have written a letter that I have not received yet as I did not know that Levi was sick until your last but we have not got all of our mail as yet, it may come. Levi will not reenlist I hope as it is a slave’s life. I would not be a common soldier for nothing that I can think of yet. It is a degrading slavish life. A man that is a half fool would make a good soldier.
The noble Sanitary Commission that is talked so much about is almost as great a humbug as the war is which is the biggest one that ever was in the world. The Sanitary Commission next to it. All the pillows, dressing gowns, sheets, comforters, wines, in fact everything eatable, is taken and given to officers and chums and the ones that ought to have them never see them. The money is all spent in salaries and the suckers are appealing to the sympathies of the people for the sick and wounded soldiers all for their own benefit.
Do not know how long I shall stay down here now but will make some arrangement soon. My pay at present is more than $40 but how much depends on circumstances. I shall expect to get $60 after my time is up. My last was written with the expectation of going North. The regiment was hastily embarked to go North when the order was countermanded and now will stay in this department some time. We are now about a milt from town or place of business near the entrenchments. Business is very dull now in this department as a great many of the troops have gone North to the Army of the Potomac.
The weather has been very warm down here but today it is quite cool. The mail got here Tuesday and is not all distributed yet. It was a very large mail. Indeed, it was three weeks gathering in New York. About that money, let father have it until you hear from me again. Tell him not to spend it as I may want it down here.
Has Capt. White paid father that $20 that I gave him in New York. If not, he may have paid Capt. French as I owe him $30, thinking that I should be short. Who goes with Andrew Pierce as mate this summer? Get your picture and letters from Saxie and tell him plainly what you mean. Nothing like the truth is such matters.
May 13th. The mail closes today. There is nothing new today. Enclosed you will find a leaf from Morris Island and a picture of a friend of mine that was in the [USS] Massachusetts—Robert Morrison, an assistant engineer in the Navy. Write soon. Be of good cheer, Sal. Yours in haste. — Calvin T. Crane
Letter 7
Provost Hospital
Hilton Head
August 8, 1864
Dear Friends at home,
It is after 9 weeks sickness that I am able to scribble a little. I was taken sick first by my stomach getting out of order, then with a slight fever in the head and loss of appetite which grew worse until the regiment moved. Did not follow it for a week. Stayed at the 104th [Penn.] Regiment. Went and saw the doctor. Said better go in hospital. Did so. Grew worse. Lost all sense. Do not remember anything for some days.
A week ago the regiment had to move and this was the only place that I could find where I could get in. I was very sick. They thought that I would not be any better when I was the sickest but now I have got quite well. Now can get all around without help. I shall try to get North as soon as I can. U have but $15 now and when taken sick had about $90 which someone has borrowed. But my wits must get me home. Shall try to find Capt. French as I have [either] dreamed or someone told me that he is here.
It is a rainy day or I would go down to the dock to see if I could find a vessel bound North of if I can raise $50, I would come on a steamer. But if nothing happens, will be at home sometime or other. Would like to be there now.
Father, wish you would raise $50 and send it by express to W. D. Mangam’s, 92 Broad Street, New York so that it will be there when I arrive there as I may want to pay my passage after getting there. Yours in haste, — Calvin T. Crane
Spared & Shared 23 