The following letters were written by Edward F. Tubbs (1841-1864) who enlisted September 11, 1862 and mustered into Co. I, 14th Pennsylvania Cavalry on 27 October 1862 at Erie, Pennsylvania. Edward mustered in as a corporal and was promoted to sergeant. Although one source erroneously states that Edward died of disease at Winchester, Virginia, in 17 December 1864, the truth is that he was among the 100 troopers led by Capt. William Miles of Co. I on a scouting expedition toward Ashby’s Gap on 17 December 1864. Mosby and his guerrillas ambushed this scouting party from a woods near Millwood, Virginia, killing Miles and about a dozen others, including Sergt. Tubbs. About 20 others were wounded, and nearly everybody else was captured. Mosby set one man free after slashing his face with a saber, allowing him to return to camp to tell the story of the ambush. The wounded and dead were recovered on the next day. Mosby sent his prisoners to Libby Prison.
Edward was the son of Irene Tubbs (1812-Aft1870) of Conneaut township, Erie county, Pennsylvania. Irene’s husband, Frederick Tubbs, died on 19 November 1842 after 9 years of marriage, leaving her to raise her children on the family 40-acre farm. Frederick, it seems, died a tragic death, have been shipwrecked and drowned in Lake Erie.
Letter 1
[Note: This letter was found in the Widow’s Pension File.]
Hagerstown, Maryland
November 30th 1862
Dear Mother,
I don’t suppose that you know that we are in Maryland. We have got among the rebels at last. We got into Hagerstown Tuesday night the 24th and are now in camp at this place. The letter that you sent to Pittsburg I got today and was glad to hear from you but you don’t tell me that you have got my clothes yet that I sent. I got the stamps and was glad of them for they are scarce here.
We left Pittsburg on Monday night and had a good ride of 349 miles. We passed through Harrisburg, Chambersburg and Carlisle—three handsome places. So I have crossed the Allegheny Mountains and am now in Cumberland Valley. I am well and feel the best that I ever did in my life.
I have been to meeting today in the city church. There was about 16 of our company went. I guess we will not go to Texas. I am sorry to hear that Frank has got so many girls to take care of for men are getting thin. But there is lots of rebels here. They are thick as mush but we don’t fear them in the least. We could hear the noise of guns and boom of cannon the other morning and come to find out it was a small battle 5 miles from here at a place called Williamsport in which our men beat them and made them skedaddle.
Our men are all in good spirits but some few that are sick. The boys from our way are all well. Some of them would like to see home but I am not one of that class for it suits me so far very well. We have enough to eat and drink and wear and above all, I have got good health—a kindness and blessing which I thank God for. If I have my health, it is all I can ask for here in a land of sin and sorrow. There is one hope left and that is a home where wars will never come.
Just as soon as I get my pay, you will have all the money you want but I cannot tell when that will be. We may get it in a week and may not in less than a month. I wrote a letter to Frank and have not got my answer yet but expect to everyday. I want you to write as soon as you get this. How long we will stay here, I know not but perhaps not long. There is a rumor in camp that we are a going to Western Virginia to stay this winter.
The weather is fine here and there is some talk of our being disbanded but I think it ain’t so. I could not bear to leave my company now. It would be like leaving home forever. There is no telling the love of a true Union man. His heart swells in his bosom for his fellow countrymen. But I must stop for the sheet is almost full. I want you to tell me if school has commenced. Give my respects to all. Direct your letters to Hagerstown, Camp Schoonmaker, Maryland, 4th Pa. Cavalry in care of Capt. W. Miles.
Letter 2
Hagerstown [Maryland]
December 13th 1862
Dear Mother,
By the blessings of the God of Battles, I am yet permitted to live in peace and health and enjoy life as well as any soldier can. I have not received any answer to my last letter yet but may before this reaches you. We have got all our equipments, horses, and saddles. I have got a nice horse and a good one. The color of our horses is dark bays, We went out on drill on our horses today for the first time. I like it well. We have our savers and carbines. I hope that you will take pains to direct your letters as I tell you or they will not reach me and use plain paper envelopes for they are more apt to come.
The weather is fine here. It seems like spring. It is warm and nice today. The boys are most of them well except Charley [H.] Comer who broke his leg but is getting better. I expect that we will get our pay this month some time. I cannot think of more to write today for my mind is as unsettled as my life. I do not yet know where we will stay this winter but I do not think that we will go far from here.
When you write, tell me all the news. I have not received any letter from Frank yet. I am going to write to Nette tomorrow. I have but one thing to regret that I ever enlisted, and that is being among men of no good of principle. But it is a good school for me. But when I see wickedness of men, my heart sinks within me. But I have only to day, God have mercy on them.
We have news here that Burnside has burned Fredericksburg to the ground and that the South is about to lay down their arms.
We have enough to eat and drink. This is a nice place here. It is a great wheat country here. I would like to live in this country if there was not so many rebels but there is lots of them.
I want you to keep up courage for I expect to be at home by the first of April if life is spared me. The time has just come when I begin to see the evils of camp. After a certain period, the thought of love and peace seems to leave men and they are more like demons than anything else. But you must not think that this is a bad place for it is good too. [But] what will it will be unless there is a change in mankind.
I have to go on duty now so I must stop writing for the men are getting merry and want me to make them work and I can do it up right.
Direct to Hagerstown, Maryland, 14th Regt. Penn. Cavalry. in care of Capt. W[illiam] W. Miles’ Company, — E. F. Tubbs and no more.
Letter 3
[Note: This letter was found in the Widow’s Pension File]
Harper’s Ferry, Va.
February 21 [1863]
Dearest Mother,
I now am permitted by the blessings of the Creator of all to write and tell you that I am still in good health and hope this will find you enjoying the same blessing. I have not received any answer to the last letter I wrote to you but I thought a few words about money would not discourage you any. I have got part of my pay and will send you some in a few days. I shall either send by Express or by some of our men that are a going to get their discharge soon. There is one from Springfield and one from Wellsburg—Mr. Campbell, a man that married a Dunning girl. I do not know whether he will get his discharge or get a pass but I think someone will go so that I can send it before long. It will be cheaper if I can send by someone that is a going home. We got our money unexpected. The paymasters come like a thief in the night. This is about all of the news I have to tell.
I went on a scout yesterday to a town called Smithfield about 15 miles from here. We captured some rebel lettrs but I have not yet heard what was in them. The rebels are getting mighty bold around here. Tell Horatio Mead that I want him to wait until I come home and let me name his boy.
The weather is very cold here. It is snowing here now and blowing some too. It makes the old tent real and twist. It rather disturbs me while I am writing but I shan’t complain as long as I can stay in my tent. We have a good fire. We get hickory and oak wood to burn.
I think I will get y likeness in uniform and send it home. So soon as it gets to be fair weather, it gives me new courage to get a little money to send to you. No more at present but write all the news.
From E. F. Tubbs to Irene Tubbs.
I shall not send any money by mail. Goodbye.
Letter 4
Harper’s Ferry, Va.
May 9th 1863
Dearest Mother,
I received your letter yesterday that was mailed the 5th. I was very glad to hear from you. The weather has been so bad that I have not got out of the hospital yet. Our regiment has gone—all that had good horses—to a place called Clarksburg, about 200 miles distant, so I cannot send an order [with] this as the captain is gone. They went by the cars. We talk of moving to that place. If we do, I think I can get home as it is right on the road towards home. Just so soon as the captain comes back, I will send you an order and have the captain sign it. I do not know when they will come back.
My appetite is good and I feel bully. I have no news of much amount—only General Hooker is giving the rebs fits at Fredericksburg. The rebs have been tearing up the railroad above here about 200 miles where our men have gone. I would like to have been able to went with the regiment. I am in hopes we will move there & stay this summer. We have good news from the army every day. General Stoneman is tearing their railroad and cutting off their communications & supplies. I think the war will be over in about two months if nothing happens. God speed the right. I live in hopes that I may at some time once more see home. I want you to keep up good spirits. you must know that I have had to keep up my courage having to lay in the hospital with the typhoid fever.
Well, I did not get homesick nor downhearted. If I had, I might have [been] sick at the present time. Courage is what does the thing. But no more this time. I was sorry to hear of the death of J. Boase [?] but God knows what is best.
From E. F. Tubbs
To Irene Tubbs
Letter 5
Harper’s Ferry, Va,
May 19th 1863
Dearest Mother,
I now take my time to answer the letter that George Dunning brought to me. I was very glad to see someone from our past. I am glad that you sent the butter. It is so dear here in this place but is all I care about. I’m now in camp and am in good spirits and am gaining strength fast. You ask how sick I was. I was what would be called up in our place most awful sick with the fever but my pluck was good. I did not allow myself to think of home but I am now most well. My appetite is bully but I have to be careful what I eat. I ride a little most every day now. I will tell you why I thought that you thought that I did not care anything about home. It was by the letter that you wrote & if you think they don’t say as when I have the letters to show for all that I have said, but I will let that drop. I shall try to get a furlough about the [illegible]…if we stay here. And if we go to a place called Wheeling, Va., I will try to come sooner.
I have no news to write. I will send you a 25 cents piece that I found in the streets Old Virginia by George Dunning. I am, thank God, and have been most of the time able to write my own letters. I got J. Pratt to write one for me & that was all. Pratt has got his discharge and gone to York STate where his mother-in-law lives., his wife being there.
I am glad you sent the rest of the stripe for it makes just enough for they would cost me 75 cents here. I have bought me a hat for summer. It cost $2.25 in Harper’s Ferry. I rode down to the Ferry today. I want you to enjoy yourself the best way you can. Sell everything there is and use it to suit yourself. I drawed my first pay but I shall not send any home this time while I am sick. I used considerable to buy something to eat for I could not eat anything they had in the hospital. But if I do not come home next pay day I can send you some money. You can have your choice. I will come home or will send you the money. I think the money would do you more good than it would for me to come home.
But no more this time. If you ever have a chance to send anything, send butter. I’d rather have it than anything else. Keep up good courage. The war won’t last always. So goodbye, from your son, –E. F. Tubbs
Letter 6
[Note: This letter was found in the Widow’s Pension File.]
Martinsburg, West Virginia
January 8th 1864
Dear Mother,
I now find a few moments to write a few lines and let you know that I am still alive and well & hope this may find you enjoying the same great blessing. We came to this place New Year’s morning. I have not heard from the last letter I wrote to you at Webster. I do not know as you got it. If you did not, you will probably want to hear from me by this time.
I suppose you have seen in the papers all about Averills’ raid so you know where I have been & what I have been doing. We had it rather rough but I don’t care now. The boys are all well. We are in camp about one mile out of Martinsburg. This is a nice place.
I got a letter from Andover last night. They are all well. Loretta is going to school in their place. I have not much to write as I cannot. My ink freezes on my pen. I want you to write and tell me how you get along for money and provisions. I expect to get some pay before long. Then I will send you some. So no more. Write soon.
Direct to Martinsburg, West Va., 14th Pa. Cav. Co. I.
Give my respects to all friends, — E. F. Tubbs
The weather is fine today. The sun shines warm and nice.
Letter 7
Martinsburg, West Virginia
April 8, 1864
Dear Mother,
I have just received one more letter from you and hasten to answer. I hope this will find you well as it leaves me. I have not got my pay yet but hope I will get it before you are out of money for I don’t need it here, only enough to buy my writing material—if I could only get it when I want it—but I have got to wait the motion of others. But we must try and do the best we can & make the best of a bad bargain.
I wrote a letter to the Alderman and I give the Copperheads their just dues of course. What do I care if he is one of that class. So much the better for me. I intend to whip them by word and by sword. You say [he] showed you my letter. Well that is no [smudged] to him. I write to one person at a time when I write to the people of Pennsylvania generally. Then I’ll write and have it put in the Ledger or the Tribune. But when I write to one person, it is not shown by my request to anyone else. I am capable of writing to all and to write all the news if anything occurs worthy of mention.
I wrote to Thompson’s some time ago but have not had any answer yet. Tell them to call the boy Bill Averill for me. That’s all.
Well, I must now take a few lines to tell you how the boys are. Campbell has gone to the hospital again. He went today and our Orderly Holiday. There is more sickness in our regiment than I ever knew at one time before but I guess I have said enough for this time. Everything is quiet. Some talk of our moving to Old Beverly again but I hope it won’t be as I do not want to go to that place. But good night. Write soon.
— E. F. Tubbs
To Mrs. Irene Tubbs
Letter 8
[Note: This letter was found in the Widow’s Pension File.]
Camp in Cedar Grove
Bunker Hill, Va.
May 9th 1864
Dear Mother,
It is with shame for neglect of not trying to write before that I am now going to tell you where I am and as near as I can what I have been doing. We left Martinsburg on the 29th day of April, marched to this place, camped over night and mustered for pay the next day. And the next day we marched to Winchester and remained at that place until May 5th. Our regiment was then ordered back to Bunker Hill to keep the way open for communication from Martinsburg to Winchester as our army is there at present. Things change fast. Every day brings its change.
Night of Friday last, we were up all night in camp expecting an attack on our camp as there were lot of rebels seen in the vicinity in the night so we had our horses saddled and bridled, our arms on, and thus waited until morning for the enemy but they did not come much to the dissatisfaction of many of the men by being broken of their rest for nothing.
So in the morning, according to war, scouting parties were sent in all directions in pursuit of the enemy. I as usual was one to take ten men and go forth [but] I hardly know where as I was among the hats from morning until night but did not make any important discoveries then. As I was ordered to come back to within about 8 miles of our lines, then made a halt and remained until the dawn of day when I returned to camp. Got in just as the sun was coming rolling up like a ball of fire from behind the Blue Ridge Mountains, and thus ended my scout on the Holy Sabbath morning without any battles lost or victories won except going where I did with but a handful of men.
We are on duty almost every day. The health of the men is good generally. We are divided yet and I do not know when we will get our pay. You must do the best you can and may God bless you for I am entirely a helpless creature to you now. But I can promise now and help sometime if that is any comfort and hope before a great while to. I have not received any letters from you since I left Martinsburg nor from anyone. You must not get uneasy about me at anytime for the same Almighty Ruler watches now that guarded yesterday. Our mail does not go regular & I do not know when you will get this. Hope soon. And now I close. Goodbye. — E. F. Tubbs
Letter 9
Camp on the hill in Martinsburg
Entirely out of danger
May 16th 1864
Dear Mother,
I am at this present time sitting on a bag of oats which I have got for my horse, and as I am where there is a chance to send a letter which I think will reach you, I thought to write a few lines & let you know that I am well. I hope this may find you the same.
I came into this place yesterday from the front at Woodstock where Gen. [Franz] Sigle was when we left that place but we hear that he has advanced and had a small fight and drove the rebels 16 miles. I wrote a letter to you when I was at Bunker Hill but I do not know whether you ever got it or not, so I thought I would write another. I have not had a letter since the 28th of April. I do not know where our letters go. Our regiment is split up so. The 14th is in so many places—that I expect is the reason we do not get our letters.
We left Bunker Hill and went to Woodstock on the 11th of May and on the 12th we went to a place called Front Royal which you have heard of so much. On the 13th we went back to Woodstock via Strasburg and on the 14th at about 4 o’clock p.m. we started for this place. [There were] 100 of us, 25 of our regiment and 75 of the 21st [?]. We came here to guard a train back. We got in here on the 15th about noon so you see today is the first day’s rest we have had in some length of time. We rode all night Saturday night and it has rained almost all of the time. I expected to have went back today but I think we will remain here over night as it is sunset and our train is not ready.
We have good news from Grant. It is reported that Lee has surrendered his whole army but I do not know how true it is yet hope it may be true. The most trouble we have is with the guerrillas. They try to capture our wagon trains. We have over 50 miles to haul provisions to the army now under Sigel.
But it is getting late and I must close so good night. Direct your letters as before. Give my respects to all that are worthy of them.
— E. F. Tubbs
Letter 10
Camp near Charleston, West Virginia
July 5, 1864
Dear Mother,
Again I occupy a few moments in writing you a line to let you know that I am still in the land of the dying rather than living well.
I have at last brought up in the Kanawah Valley at Charleston on the Kanawha river. We came here the 2nd and are now resting our weary selves and horses. Yesterday was the 4th. I write two letters—one to Drank and one to Nett. I wrote you 34 miles above here at a place called Piatt. I expect you will get that. If not, maybe you will this. And as I told you not to write until you heard from me again, I thought I could hear from you again. I would like to know how things prosper & how the folks sagtiate [?] up North—if they find anything to talk about now-a-days. I expect we will get our pay soon—at least I am really in hopes so. It has been a long time since I sent you any [money] but I could not help it as I could not get it.
I want you to write just as soon as you get this. I do not know how long we will stay or where we will go next. Nor do I care much if we are where we can get our mails regular and our rations too.
Well, it is a pleasant day but not so much so to me as in days when I was better off & a free boy. But the day is not far distant when I will be free again. 14 months ain’t long. But we must keep up the mind for the mind in time is everything without firmness of mind can no more ever conduct a battle when the battle rages hottest and the tide is near its level, then is the time stout hearts and strong minds are needed, they say, for time favors the brave. Then that is the reason we lose some battles for I would have you know we are fighting brave men—men of our own soil and our own blood. Why should they not be brave and fighting on their own soil?
But enough of this. We must conquer or die like true men, nor return back until peace shall reach her chain around us so it cannot be broken by slavery. I must close.
Give my respects to Sam and Carl and all the good folks. Ever your son, — E. F. Tubbs
Direct to Charleston, West Virginia, 14th Regt. Pa. Cavalry, Co. I
P. S. Edgar is with me and Jessie Failes. Jessie is writing a letter to somebody but it is time for me to go and get some grass for my horse cause she wants some. She says so. Go day.
Letter 11
Gallipolis, [Ohio]
August 22, 1864
Dear Mother,
I have just received your letter of the 28th date but mailed at West Greenville. How does it happen to be mailed at that place? I got the 5 dollars safe but I did not expect you were going to send me money. I could get along some way until I got my regimental [pay] but I thank you with all my heart for your kindness. I hope I will be allowed the privilege of repaying you before long.
I am still improving slowly. It may seem strange but would not want you to come here if you could because it would make me worse. There is a great many mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters come here and cry around a day or two and then they have to leave and go back. Then it is worse than before they came.
It has been raining some this morning but it has stopped again. You need not worry about me. I have good care. It is curious that my letter did not get through sooner. Your letter was only 4 days coming through. I hope my letters will go through more regular. I shall answer all of your letters as soon as I get them. I’m feeling quite well today. I am weak yet. That is the most tha ails me now but I shall begin to gain if I have no fallback. I am quite contented at present but I shall go back to my regiment as soon as I get strong enough. I don’t think it would be a good play for me to try to get a furlough. If I should, it would only cost money without being of any great consolation to either of us unless I could stay at home long enough to be [illegible]…
There is a great many getting furloughs and lots now trying to. You tell me not to worry about you. What shall I worry about? I of course have my feelings yet although I am a soldier and you have yours. But my mind has never deserted me in the darkest hours. A strong mind is a great blessing in times of need. I only feel that you are too good to me as I am unworthy of a single favor. But if God spares my life, I will try and repay as far as I can your kindness. I have not received the letter you directed to Charleston but I must close. Write soon. Write all the news. Tell me how your stock gets along. Direct your letter as before. As ever, your son, — E. F. Tubbs
Spared & Shared 23 