1862: Nathaniel Gano Dunn to his family

*Sgt. N. Gano Dunn, Co. K. 8th N. Y. S. M.*

These letters were written by Nathaniel “Gano” Dunn (1844-1892), the son of Nathaniel Dunn (1800-1889) and Judith Elizabeth Rogers (1805-1869). He wrote the letters to his mother and his sister Charlotte (“Lottie”) who were residents in New York City during the Civil War. In 1850, when Gano was only six, his older brother Andrew was five, and his sister Lottie was 8, the family resided in New York City’s 18th Ward where his father was employed as a teacher. We learn from an obituary that Gano’s father was a friend and classmate of H. W. Longfellow (the poet) at Bowdoin College in 1825. His special area of interest was chemistry.

Gano first enlisted on 29 May 1862 as a corporal in Co. K, 8th New York National Guard (the “Washington Greys”) and mustered out on 10 September 1862. He reenlisted again later during the summer of 1863 for 30 days as a sergeant in the same company. All three of Gano’s letters featured here while serving in the Washington Greys were datelined from Yorktown, Virginia, in August 1862—just prior to his being mustered out of the regiment.

After the war Gano attended Columbia College and obtained a law license. He practiced law in New York City for many years. He married Amelia Sillick (b. 1841) in 1867 and the couple had at least three children born between 1870 and 1878. By 1880 the family had moved to Denver, Colorado, where Gano committed suicide in 1892 (see newspaper clipping in endnotes).

Letter 1

Camp Dix
Yorktown, Va.
July 18, 1862

Dear Lottie,

It being a rainy day and I having nothing to do, I thought I would write you a few lines. I received a letter from Edward yesterday and answered it the same day. It was short and sweet. He said he was a going to send me a box, which will be very acceptable as i have to live on pretty hard fare. You try and get a metallic inkstand and fill it full of ink as I have to go the “Dead Beat” for all kinds of stationery. I wish I could have some sent to me. Also one of my neckties, and be sure to send plenty of matches and tobacco. Please don’t forget these last articles as they are necessary to my comfort, more so than eatables.

Sad news. I have just heard of the death of one of my company. He has just died, poor fellow. That makes two who have closed their eyes for the last time in Virginia.

What was the reason of you wanting to know about my leaving Mary Giles? You never wrote me. Please answer in next letter.

Ask Father to write ,e and if possible to send me some money. I am in great need of it. Send it in gold if he can. If not, in one dollar bills of city moey. Tell him I shall pay him on my return.

Dear sister, what is the reason that I do not get more letters from home? I ought to get at least two a week from either you or Mother. I write very often myself but remember I have not the advantages for writing that you have. This is the last letter I shall write to ask you to write me often. I never (even if I never get a letter) shall ask you again.

Yesterday I was again promoted from 2nd Corporal to 1st Corporal, and the next promotion I am entitled to is a Sergeancy which entitles me to wear a sword. I don’t know whether I am a better soldier than anybody else but I have the name of being the best non-commissioned officer in the company. I study my tactics very hard.

I forgot to state above to send me a plenty of brown sugar and no white. Sugar is 25 cents per pound out here. And also send me some pepper in a box. I suppose I am asking for too many things and if you cannot send all, do the best you can—only hurry up the box. Remember me to all my lady friends. Give my love to all. My messmates join in their respects to you, Mother and Father. All write soon.

Your affectionate brother, — Corp. N. Gano Dunn

Letter 2

Camp Dix
Yorktown, Virginia
August 1, 1862

Dear Mother,

I received your letter last night and hasten to answer. I also received the Sunday Mercury from Isabella for which I wish to thank her kindly for me, and give my respects to all the Manson’s.

Thank goodness I have but one month more today and then, and then for home, a dear Mother, and a loving sister, and kind friends to greet me on every side.

We had a kind of a skirmish here yesterday. We went over to Gloucester and drove the Rebels away with a few shots and then burnt the town. We burnt half of it about two weeks ago and we finished the job yesterday.

The day before yesterday I borrowed a cavalry horse and went out on a tramp. I had a friend with me. We also prepared for a tug as I had a large six band revolver, but however, we did not see any rebels. I rode about 20 miles. I got as many peaches as I could very well carry and a very sore back for I had a Mexican saddle and not being used to that, kind of chafed me considerable. I had a splendid horse. It could not stay on a walk. He must be on the go. My young friend was rather unfortunate as he could not manage his spurs very well. His horse took a start and away he went with his rider more dead than alive, but finally he came to a halt.

I will give you the plan of our encampment thinking that you might want to have a view of our life in tents.

Please write soon. Your affectionate son, N. Gano Dunn

In my letter to Lottie I forgot to make the likeness of our Orderly so I enclose it now. Excuse blunders and writing.

Letter 3

Camp Dix
Yorktown, Virginia
August 10, 1862

My dear Sister,

I received your short letter yesterday and intended to have answered it before but I wrote Edward and Father a letter and by so doing, I had not time to answer yours with greater dispatch.

It is raining and storming here very hard. The tent I am in trembles like an Aspen leaf under the terrible blasts of wind. The lightning is terrific so I can hardly see as it blinds my eyes. I am quite sick from imbibing too man peaches and stewed apples. Dr. Smith has given me some medicine which I hope will bring me about in a few days.

Dear Lottie, I think I shall join McClellan’s army for three years or the war. I have written Father on the subject and if he gives his consent, why I shall enlist. What do you think of it? It is no more than right that I should help our glorious “Union” as well as anybody else. If I do join, I shall join a cavalry regiment as I will have a horse to ride instead of walking.

I have enjoyed myself here first rate. I have a horse to ride nearly every day. I have scouted all around here for a distance of ten or fifteen miles. Of course, I did not walk.

We expect to leave here about the 29th of this month but the general impression here is that we will have a “good battle before we leave.” God grant that I may live to return and embrace you and all again. But remember, dear Lottie, if I die, it is in a good cause and you will never be ashamed to say that “my brother died in the defense of his country, and that he was not a coward.”

Give my love to dear Aunt Catharine, Gum, and Kneeland and if Mr. and Mrs. Pullen is there, remember me to them. Please ask Aunt Catharine and Gus & Kneeland to write me. You can give the address to them and be sure to write me a good long letter as soon as convenient.

Also, please remember me to Tillie and the rest of the Kirby’s, and don’t forget to give my best respects to Miss Emma Jarvis.

With this letter you have the love of your affectionate brother, Corp. N. Gano Dunn, Yorktown, Va.

If you write home, tell them that I had rather have some money than a box. — N. G. D.

Letter 4

Camp Dix
Yorktown, Virginia
August 12th 1862

My dear Mother,

I have time to spare so I thought I would write you a letter, though this letter will be written in a hurry and will hardly be legible.

I have just left a fire where I have been trying out some fat to use as butter.

I have been on the sick list now for two days but Dr. Smith (my chum) is bringing me around so in a few days I will again be able to “Soldier a Musket.”

Oh! how hot is it here. The thermometer stood to 135 degrees. I nearly die with the heat. It is sickening hundreds of our men and I think before we leave here some will be (to use a vulgar term among us soldiers) planted six feet under ground in the Sacred Soil of Virginia. There are now seven files (fourteen men) sick in my company, two files (four men) who are dangerously sick.

We have to drill two hours in the hot burning sun every day and nearly every day some poor unfortunate creature falls from the ranks. But I have never been sick since I left New York and it shows what a strong constitution Providence has endowed me with. The sickness I have now is only an opening of my bowels from imbibing too strongly in peaches and apples, pears, plums, &c.

I wrote a letter to Dear Lottie and directed it at New Castle. I also received a letter from brother Andrew which I answered accordingly.

How does the Chamberlains take this drafting? I think that either Henry or John will have to go. I hope not for they would never be able to stand the hardships incident to camp life. Gilman of course is exempt. Please write me upon this subject.

If you have not sent my box you need not. Only send me some money as I need some very much.

How does the Manson’s get along? Give my respects to all and especially to Isabella and also to the Arthur and Lile Brown ad dear little Allie. How is the baby?

Please remember your affectionate son, — Corp. N. Gano Dunn

Co. K, 8th Regiment N. Y. S. M., Yorktown

Letter 5

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
June 19, 1863

Dear Mother,

We have been traveling ever since I left home & have just arrived to this place. I am well and in good spirits. Just before I left Mr. Wakeman, Mr. McGown & r. Zalniskie gave me $18.00 to get a pistol. I got it and it was a beauty—a Colt’s revolver. But alas, I had it either stolen or lost it out of my pocket. But I went and got another one because I thought if they made me a present of one to take and I did not like any, they would think that I did not appreciate their kindness so I bought another one but not as nice a one as the one they gave me.

I was very glad to see Lottie before I left and also Mary Butts.

Edward has not come with us but he says that he will join us soon. I left very illy prepared as I brought no plate nor knife or fork but I left word with Ed to bring me one and he said he would.

I went to No. 3 New Chambers Street to a Photograph Gallery and got two large size photographs and eight carte-de-visites, all paid for, I want you to give to Willie and Travis (when he comes to our house). 1 carte for Mr. Brownm 1 for McGown, 1 for Mr. Wakeman, 1 for Mr. Zabriskie, and keep the rest till I come home.

We are the advance guard right amidst the Rebels. We have 4 spies that the cavalry captured. Give my regards to Isabella & thank her for her kindness towards me. Love to all Bogarts, &c. Your affectionate son, — N. Gano Dunn

Direct to Sergt. N. Gao Dunn, Co. K, 8th NYSNG. Harrisburg, Pa.

Write soon for we expect to leave.