The following letters were written by Albert T. Wharton (1839-1920) of Hallowell, Maine, who enlisted on 11 December 1861 to serve in Co. F, 14th Maine Infantry. Though he was reported sick in New Orleans for a period of his enlistment, he survived the war and mustered out on 13 January 1865.

Albert was the son of Hiram W. Wharton (1810-1879) and Sarah Ann Leland (1810-1888). He was born in Enfield, Penobscot county, Maine, but in the 1860 US Census, the Wharton family was living in Portland, Cumberland, Maine. Albert was married in 1867 to Mary Ellen Libbey (1847-1870).

“This regiment was organized at Augusta, from Dec. 3 to Dec. 17, 1861, to serve for three years, and left the state for Boston Feb. 5, 1862. It sailed at once from there for Ship island, Miss., where it arrived on March 8, and remained in the South until July 13, 1864, during which time it saw an unusual amount of trying and dangerous service. Its first serious engagement was at Baton Rouge, Aug. 5, 1862, where it lost in killed, wounded and missing 126 men. Other engagements in which they participated were at St. Charles Court House, Civiques ferry, and the assaults on the fortifications of Port Hudson, May 27, and June 14, 1863. During the campaign from May 7 to Aug. 5 of this year, the regiment was without tents of any kind, and their only camp equipage was their camp-kettles. Both officers and men were forced to sleep in the open air, and they suffered much from chills and fever. In Jan., 1864, all but 40 of the available men of the regiment reenlisted for an additional term of three years, and on Feb. 10 they left New Orleans for Maine on a furlough of 30 days. They rejoined the regiment at New Orleans May 19, 1864.

On the arrival of the 14th at Bermuda Hundred, Va., July 22, 1864, it was at once assigned to Gen. Butler’s command. Joining Gen. Sheridan’s forces at Berryville, Va., on the 18th, it took an important part in the battle of Winchester on Sept. 19, losing 60 killed, wounded and prisoners, or about one-third of the number engaged. Subsequently it participated in the assault and capture of Fisher’s hill and joined in the pursuit of Gen. Early to Harrisonburg. At the battle of Cedar creek it again suffered severe losses. Of the 200 men in the 14th who entered this fight, 80 were either killed, wounded or captured, Lieut.-Col. Bickmore being among the killed. Shortly after this battle the regiment moved to a position near Kernstown, where it remained until the expiration of its term of service, Dec. 23, 1864. The original members who had not reenlisted were mustered out at Augusta, Me., on Jan. 13, 1865.”

Letter 1

New Orleans [Louisiana]
May the 20th 1862

Dear Mother,

I now seat myself for the purpose of writing you a few lines to let you know I am well now and hope you are all well and happy. We are now quartered here in New Orleans. We left Ship Island the 17th of May. We went on board of the ship Premier a week ago yesterday and got here Saturday and came ashore yesterday. New Orleans is quite a large city and looks very well. The people are very civil here now and many seem to be greatly rejoiced to see our troops here. As I came from the ship yesterday up through the streets, I talked with several men and women and they all seemed to be glad to us here. There is some stiff neck bugers here yet though but they keep themselves shady and have but little to say. Anyway, there is a good many people here from some of the Middle and Western states and they are all in for the Union. Secesh is about played out.

We are quartered on the outskirts of the town. Most up to the upper end in a lot of a cotton depot. We have a pretty large roomy yard to stir around in and a plenty of air and water handy. It is about as good a locality as we could get here. I think if the men all try to take care of themselves, I guess we shall get along very well. I don’t know how long we may have to stay here but I hope we shall be a getting north soon.

There is four regiments here now—the 12th and 14th Maine, a Vermont, and Massachusetts regiment. The 13th and 15th Maine are on the Island yet. We are here to police the city and keep the citizens from fighting among themselves and to see that everything is kept straight and in order. Most things are pretty high here now. All kinds of fruit is high. Oranges from 5 to 10 cents apiece and other things ditto. But we don’t want their stuff. They will give almost anything for hard bread, beef, or any sort of grub…

…a slight cough and yesterday a coming up I fell in with an old fellow and he gave me some of this junk candy and it went well and helped my cough considerable. But I saw citizens eat off the same piece before I took any of it. But they dare not play their tricks on soldiers now for if there is any of the kind carried on, Old Butler will play the devil with them. We don’t have much fear of their games now but it is well enough to look out for ones self. Still I haven’t drank any strong drink since we left Augusta excepting aboard the ship in Boston [where] one of the fellows had some good brandy and I took a small drink and it done me good for I had a cold and it helped me. But that will do for strong drink this time.

We received your letters of April 13th and was very glad to hear from you all. You wrote that you had heard from [ ]. I am glad you have heard from him. We was glad to hear from him and Rance too. I shall write to them both soon. I wrote in answer to Lizzie’s letter a day or two before we left the Island.

I must close now. I shall write again soon. Goodbye for the present. — A. T. Wharton

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Letter 2

Carrolton
Monday, November 3, 1862

Dear Mother,

It is with pleasure that I now seat myself to answer your kind and welcome letter of the 27th of September which I received about a week ago and should have written before but I had nothing to write with before. I am well now and hope this will find you all well and happy. John is well and hearty. We have got a good place here to camp but I don’t know how long we shall stay here. I hope we will stay here through the winter for it is a good, healthy place. We have not been in any more battles since we left Baton Rouge but some of our force is up the river now at Donaldsonville and have had a little fun with them Rebs and have taken some prisoners and some guns. I don’t know how many rebels there is up there but there is quite a force of them, I believe. We have got a regiment of darkeys and they done well up there in the fight but I hope this business will be over soon for it is bad business. Anyway, I don’t think it will last much longer. I hope we shall all be at home in the spriong if we live.

The weather is warm and mild here now and it is comfortable getting around now. There has been pretty cold days which took hold of us pretty sharp at first but it is never very cold here at all. I am glad Sewell Douglas has got home and brought the things that I sent to you for them socks will be a nice fair for the old gentleman to wear this winter and them mittens are a pair that I found on Ship Island and I thought I would save them and send them home if I got a chance to as Hubbard says and the mate to that odd one I lost on board the North America a coming out. I was sorry to lose it for they were such a good pair of mittens. Let the old gentleman have them all to wear this winter if you please for I suppose he will need then. I suppose Sewell thinks himself a great warrior now. I wonder if he has seen the bloomer since he has got home. Perhaps though however she can’t have the honor of walking by the side of Sewell’s new coat and pants this season. I should think it doubtful but she must keep up good courage about it. Poor Sewell. I am glad he has got where he can whistle as much as he is a mind to for this is rather a hard chance for anyone.

We are expecting every day now to get paid off with two months pay and then there will be twenty dollars more a coming to you. I hope you get things enough to keep you comfortable. Father’s little crop that he has got will be a little help, I suppose. I am glad his things have done so well. That gal of ours has got a pretty dress and opera and I suppose she feels pretty grand with them too. The names he has given to my old hen will do very well, I guess, for I am not very particular as to names. She is a very noble old hen. I have no doubt but I don’t want that gal to have any of her eggs to eat though. Ha Ha. That was a nice little envelope of herbs that you sent. It tasted good. We don’t get any such thing out here. I will try and send you my likeness after we get paid off and I guess John will send his too.

Have you head anything from Big Billy and his household pets lately? Gosh, I wonder where they all are gone to—Cuba Island I guess. Has that gal got her kitten Flora yet? I suppose she has got to be a real mouse and rat catcher. And Old Watchey, is he a trotting around yet? Poor old fellow. Marm, I want you to use as much of the money as you have a mind to but I don’t think it is a very good plan to buy that gal much of anything with it than you can get her a stick of candy or something of that kind once in awhile and I guess that will do her for her poor old critter. Most everything is very high here now. Butter is forty-five and fifty cents a pound and cheese 25 and 30 and apples 5 and 10 cents apiece. Eggs 90 cents a dozen. Tobacco a dollar a pound and poor stuff at that. Potatoes 7 and 8 cents a pound adn everything else ditto.

I guess I must close now for I can think of nothing more at present to write…When you write to me again, Marm, I wish you would send me a few postage stamps if you will for they are rather hard to get hold of out here unless one has hard money to pay for them with and then they like to have just the right change handed to them. My love to all. Goodbye this time. I want you to write often. — Albert T. Wharton

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Letter 3

Grant Point
Monday, March 2nd 1863

Dear Mother and Sister,

It is with the greatest pleasure that I seat myself to write you a few lines to let you know how we are. We are all well and hearty and I hope these few lines will find you all well and doing well. We got your letters February 28th and was very glad to hear from you all. I am glad that your health is better than it was through the winter, Mother, but I am sorry that Father’s finger is so sore. I hope it is better now for it must make it rather bad for you all I should think.

We are down in the swamp yet by the old sawmill on picket duty. The weather is getting rather warm here now and the flies and mosquitoes are getting pretty thick and the alligators and snakes are pretty plenty but they are harmless.

I don’t know how long we will stay here. We have had no orders yet to move from here but I should like to get out of this swamp before it gets very warm weather for I think it will be unhealthy here. But if we keep a picket here through the summer, I suppose we will be relieved.

We expect to get paid off again this month and then there will be 30 dollars more a coming to you. Hope you get your money and goods regular for I don’t want you to go without things as long as my wages will keep you comfortable. I calculate for you to use it as your own and indeed, it is your own. If I knew that you went with things that you need, I should be sorry you spoke of getting or that you had got a few articles of furniture and so you had better get all you can while you have the opportunity and then you will have them. I suppose that gal wants something once in awhile. Has the poor old thing got a reticule yet. I suppose you must get her what she wants marm if it is a farm leaf pen knife or something of that kind. Poor darling. Wish we was where we could eat some of the currants.

You wanted to know who our Captain was. A. K. Bolan is his name. I do not know yet who’ll take command of the regiment if Nickerson is promoted. The prisoners that we lost at Baton Rouge was E. Barker, H. Moor, and Luce E. R. and H. M. have been home and are there now unless they have started to come back. Cunningham is well. Banks is our Major General commanding this Division.

We have a plenty of clothing and blankets all the time. More dry good than food as a general thing although we are fed pretty well this winter. I had pretty good care taken of me when I was in the hospital. I wish you might get a letter from poor Hie. I want to hear from him very much. I hope he is still alive and well. Poor boy. We had a letter from Elsie when we was in New Orleans but neglected to answer it. But I am a going to write to her again soon. I suspect grandmother had got pretty feeble before she died. It seems that Miss Add and Miss L. L. L. are in for Union these days. Go it while you are handsome for beauty will fade. Mrs. Shoe, Bill Western, and Mrs. Solong Bran. Good luck. Take care yourselves. How’s that hay?

I must close now. Give my love to Aunt and family and to all inquiring friends & to Lizzy. Give my love to Hatty Jordan and tell her for me to be a good gal. I should like to come home and eat that little egg. I am in hopes we shall be at [home[ before long. You must be a good gal, darling, and I guess marm will get you some playthings. Wish we had some warm biscuits now to eat. I shall want you to get me a good big stick of candy when we get home for I haven’t eaten much candy since I have been out here. I saw Ranty—poor boy—the morning they left Augusta. Was on guard by the road when they came up from Hallowell. You must try and bear the sad tidings as well as you can, dear ones, for we may hope the noble boy is with God in heaven.

Goodbye dear ones and God bless. — A. T. W.

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Letter 4

Algiers
Monday, September 14, 1863

Dear Friends,

I take this opportunity to write you a few lines to let you know where I am. I am now in Algiers—right across the river from New Orleans. We came here the other day from Sabine Pass, Galveston. We left Port Hudson and came down to Baton Rouge and stayed there a week and then came down to New Orleans and went on board of a ship and went to Sabine Pass just to tame them devils there and unfortunately lost two gunboats but we will have them back again by and by. The gunboats fought well. One run up under the Reb battery a giving them a broad side to a lick, but she got aground and could not weave ship and so the rebels got her and one other one too.

We had a pleasant trip both ways with the exception of being very much crowded. We lost one poor fellow overboard a coming back. I don’t know how long we shall stay here. I expect not long enough. We shall have to keep a moving now pretty often I suppose until we get the rebs cleaned out. I guess they will get about played out this winter. Anyway, I hope so.

The reason I have not written oftener was because I could not get time and things to write with. I wrote one letter when we was at Port Hudson. I wrote the letter the 7th of August but made a mistake and dated it the 7th of July. I hope you have got it. I have had no letters from you since the 29th of April until I got this dated August 20th. Lizzie said you had written eight letters before this but I did not get them. I am sorry for I have wanted to hear from you all very much. Whenever you write to me, always direct your letters to New Orleans and no where else/ for we move around so much it is doubtful of our getting them, so the best way is to direct to New Orleans and then we are pretty sure of getting them.

We had a pretty hard time at Port Hudson a laying in the trenches with the hot sun a beating down upon us. We had no chance to rest there until we took the place and then we stayed there about a month and we commenced our trip as I have told you before.

My health has been very good this summer. I have a good appetite most all the time and we get enough to eat now—such as it is. Hard tack and beef and sometimes potatoes and onions and ham once in awhile.

In the last letter that I got from you, you wished to know if I knew George Barnes. That last summer I did know him. I got acquainted with him on board the ship North America a coming out. His brother was wounded at Port Hudson but he has got about well now. I have never written to Elsa Wharton yet but I think I will before long. I should like to hear from them all again. I suppose Joshua will stand a chance of a draft as well as all the rest. I am glad you have got a letter from Hie. I hope he is doing well where he is and I hope he will go home before long. I should like to go home and find him there with you. Poor boy.

I hope you get your goods and money regular so that you can live pretty comfortably. I suppose Father’s lame finger has got all well now. I hope so for it must have been painful and troublesome. I suppose he finds work to do about all the time. I hope you can get your vegetables and things again this fall as you did last so that you can get through the winter pretty well with what I can help you. I suppose that gal has got a [ ] and jackknife by this time. Poor old thing. I suppose she ought to have some candy once in awhile too. That feather that I sent to her was a woodcock’s scalp. I haven’t had anything else to send to her lately. I don’t want her to eat any of my old hen’s eggs. She must eat her own and not touch mine at all. I suppose you have Wattel and Flana yet. Do you hear anything from those two young married ladies lately? I suppose they enjoy theirselves amazingly and do so far.

William will pop off next. Pop goes the weasel. Poor doctor. I suppose Louisa is round Chelsea somewhere in search of Whiskers and Talmen, a flouring down the state. Lizzie, do you hear anything from Hatty Jordan now-a-days? Give my love to her when you write to her. I got a paper when I was in Port Hudson—the Portland Transcript—sent to me from Portland but there was no name signed to it. I didn’t know but some of Jordan’s folks might have sent it and perhaps they might have told you something about it. I can’t think of much more to write this time so I guess I will close soon.

Give my love to family and to all enquiring friends. Write soon and tell me all the news. It is getting late now and I will close. We are well now and I hope this will find you all well and doing well. —Albert T. Wharton

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Letter 5

Bermuda Hundred [Virginia]
July 22, 1864

Dear Mother. I take this as an opportunity to write a few lines to you to let you know where I am and where I have been since I wrote to you last. We went from Baton Rouge up the river to Maganzia and stayed there 4 or 5 weeks, and then came down to Algiers and stopped there a week and then took transportation for this place and got here this morning. I seem to like the looks of this place very well what I have seen of it. I should have written to you long ago but we have had a good deal of duty to do and I hant had any postage stamps but I shall write as often as I can now and I shall write to sis too. And I want her to write often and write all the news and tell me how her young lady friend is that she wrote to me about.

I shall send you some money, Marm, just as soon as I get some more. We have lived so poor since we left home that most all of the boys have had to take up orders on the sutler or go hungry but I hope we shan’t have to do it again. I haven’t got time to write much this time but I shall try and write oftener than I have. I hope that if you get this, it will find you all well and doing well. I am sorry that I can’t send you some money now. You must write often, Marm, and tell me all the news that is a going. Direct your letters to Co. F, 14th Regt. Maine Vol., 19th Army Corps, Washington D. C.

— A. T. Wharton