The following letter was written by Henry Bartlett (1829-1896), the son of Seth and Nancy (Bradford) Bartlett of Duxbury, Plymouth county, Massachusetts. Henry wrote the letter to his wife, Emma Jones Stowell (1841-1935) whom he married in July 1859 in Boston where he was working before enlisting in August 1862 in Co. F, 47th Massachusetts Infantry—a nine month’s regiment.

The 47th Massachusetts was sent to New Orleans in late December 1862 and were stationed at the United States Barracks, the former headquarters of the Louisiana State Guard. Sometime after his arrival in New Orleans, Henry appears to have been transferred to Co. C, 2nd Louisiana (Union) Infantry where he was detailed to the Chief Quartermaster Department of the Gulf.

Letter 1

[This letter was transcribed and posted by “The Excelsior Brigade” and I cannot confirm the accuracy of the transcription against the original.]

United States Barracks
New Orleans, January 15, 1863

My own darling Wife and little Etta girl,

I wrote you yesterday and as I had an opportunity to send you some money per Adams & Company Express, I enclosed the letter I had written, so this short letter is merely to inform you that I sent the $30, and have taken the receipt for it. It is also insured, which you will be obliged to pay at that end. We received 39 dollars & 85 cents. I sent you $30, and owed here 11dollars, which leaves me still in dept over one dollar. I have done the best I could possibly do darling under circumstances, and shall always as long as I am in the service. I know it is small, but I have got into the damn harness and have got to stay in I suppose. God knowns I wish my time was up. I had rather be sawing wood than be in such a cursed mixed up mess.

We came back to these barracks yesterday, and have taken quarters formerly occupied by the 30th Regiment, they having gone up the river to Baton Rouge. Ours is the only regiment here except a few companies of Texan Rangers who are recruiting a regiment. I don’t know where we will go next, but guess we have got about to the end of our journey. I don’t believe we shall ever go into a fight if Colonel Marsh can prevent it. He heard a gun yesterday and came very near peeing his trousers.  

O what a celebrated Massachusetts regiment I am engaged with. We are by new orders yesterday to appear in future on dress parade in white gloves and highly polished boots. One thing damn certain, they will have to find me in blacking if my boots are polished. This comes the nearest to damn nonsense that I have seen yet. You would think we were in Boston Common if you should see us. However, I won’t talk too much, as we may see some rough times to make up for it and to punish me for talking. I notice I do generally get my pay for anything I do wrong and take it for granted that it is all right. I thought yesterday when that curse was paying us off, that I would like to be alone with the pile of money he had s short time.

Have you seen Charley Tileston yet since I left? I hope he has seen your father, as he tried to in New York. I believe he knew him in San Francisco. If you know anybody coming out here, send them to see me. Most anybody will find out bye and bye where the gallant and brave Massachusetts 47th are quartered for the campaign, unless sooner discharged. What the devil we ever came out here for is more than I have ever been able to find out, unless it is to eat up the victuals cooked for us. We are all growing fat and saucy as you can imagine.

The steamer was due here on Tuesday last and I hope she will be here soon with news from home. I trust you and my own darling little Etta are first rate, and will continue so until I come home; also Father and Mother and all the rest of the folks.

I believe now I will heave around the city and see the fashions. If I see anything pretty I will write you, but I don’t believe I shall, as there does not appear to be much business going on in this vicinity at present. All people do here is to eat and drink. Kiss my little beauty a thousand times, and tell her to take good care of her mother.

From you affectionate husband,
Henry

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Letter 2

Office Chief Quartermaster
Department of the Gulf
New Orleans [Louisiana]
July 20th 1863

My own darling wife and little Etta,

I intended writing you yesterday by the steamer which takes General Sherman home, but could not find a moment to spare that day. I did not receive any letters from you per the last mail and another steamer arrived yesterday. If you do not furnish me with one or more in this, I shall certainly be sadly disappointed. The will will be opened about 12 o’clock today. I don’t see what can be the matter with the mail department. I can’t believe you have neglected writing me.

I hope your visits to Boston were not the means of completely absorbing your time so much that could not find time to write me. However, I will not complain too much. I have had my share of letters heretofore and hope to continue having them. Hulloo darling, here comes the mail. Now let me see, Yes, one letter from you, one from Mother, and one from Judge Clapp’s sister. Now I feel very much better. I am delighted dear to read that you are all well and receive my darling little Etta’s “peck of kisses” with a great deal of pleasure.

I had not before heard that Fannie Cushing was o increase her family. Well, that’s all right. It’s your own fault that yours was not increasing before this. I think Joshua and all the rest have taken a great deal of pains to correspond with me, but tis just as well. I am so busy that perhaps I should not have answered their letters very promptly.

I am sorry to hear of the death of Fannie Emenson’s baby. It will be quite a loss to her, but darling, it don’t see, as though it could be half as hard to them as if our dear little Etta should die. But I can’t write such as this. Take good care of her. You can’t be too careful & I know I need not caution you.

I am glad the Draft is to take effect in Boston. I should like to see some of them out here who have to be driven. I am still no nearer being mustered out of service here than when I last wrote you and don’t yet know how it will come out although hard to think of being away longer. Yet I think it will be for my interest to remain. I am glad to hear of Father’s patriotism still increasing. I expect he will cry for joy to know of Vicksburg, Port Hudson, and the Centre victories. I too begin to be inspired with some little patriotism.

General Banks is in town today and is quite a curiosity here. I should feel ashamed if I were some young men I knew of in Boston, that they have allowed all these proceedings to go on with our country, without participating in it. I am glad I came. I am glad I have seen what I have, and I shall always consider it an honor, even much more to brag of than any others of the 47th [regiment].

Today the Judge Advocate of another court came to me and was bound I should be his clerk. I cannot leave here, but perhaps will try and help him. He knew me & my work when on the other court and wanted me then, but I could not leave Judge Clapp.

Our business here is quite intricate in making up our Quarterly Reports but I have assistance and don’t hurt myself—and don’t mean to.

Ned Wales is in town today and stopping with me—my sleeping room now is an old office where the Judge was. When I read some of mother’s letters to Ned respecting the patriotic [ ], he said tell you mother she is just right. He laughed well at it—it being his opinion. I have not yet answered Miss Needham’s letter. Will try and do so soon. Give my regards to Nettie and to all the rest of friends. I cannot write Mother tonight as I have only time to mail this and I am afraid you cannot make half this out. I will write you a good long letter soon which will make up for my many short ones.

Ned sends love to you all. I hope you will go to see mother soon. Tell her he is fat and hearty. Give my regards to Fan Taylor’s family. Kiss my darling little Etta a thousand times for me, and take good care of yourself & her. With a good deal of love, I remain your own devoted husband until death, — Henry