The following letter was written by Canadian-born Benjamin Howe of Acworth, New Hampshire, who enlisted at the age of 24 in August 1862 to serve as a private in Co. E, 5th New Hampshire Infantry. He was transferred from Co. E to Co. H in December 1864 with his promotion to 1st Sergeant. The regiment served under the able leadership of Col. Edward E. Cross until he was cut down at Gettysburg. It sustained such considerable loses (over 1,000 men in killed and wounded) that it was only a shadow of its former self after the Battle of Gettysburg. Those that were left in the regiment were no longer a formidable fighting force and were assigned duty to guard prisoners at Point Lookout, Maryland until they could fill up their ranks once again.

This letter was written from Point Lookout and the rebels who were making the “curiosities” that Benjamin sent home to his friend were Confederate prisoners of war. The “niggers” as Benjamin called them whom he “knocked down” for sport were either contraband or, more likely, US Colored Troops (USCT) who were also on duty at Point Lookout serving as prison guards. Whether military or civilian, the blacks were sorely abused by the white soldiers of both the Union and Confederate armies.

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Point Lookout, Maryland
January 31, 1864

Friend Ed,

I received your letter and was glad to hear that you was well and I am glad to hear that you are having a good time this winter.

Dan is well and just as wild as ever. He is getting to be a first rate bugler and a good fellow as a general thing himself.

You wanted me to send you some curiosities. Well, I have got two rings made and I will send them to you. The rebels made them and they make lots of funny things. If the rings suits you and you want any more curiosities, I will furnish you with pleasure. I will keep an eye out for them and get a good many things. Tell Frank if she would like a fan that the rebs made, I will send her one. They make some of the prettiest that I ever saw and they cut little bibles out of stone and color them and they look real nice, and they make tooth picks and most everything that you could imagine.

Well, Ed, as I am in a hurry, I will come to a halt. As for myself, I am well at present and enjoying myself as well as possible under the circumstances. I get lonesome sometimes and go out of camp and knock down three or four niggers and come back satisfied. Give my best pair of specks [respects] to all enquiring friends and vote Democrat ticket.

If you want any more things, I will have them by the time you will let me know. I have got a rebel 50 cents scrip and it is a genuine one in their country. I will send it to you. Well, Ed, goodbye. Write often and I will answer them promptly and with pleasure.

From your friend, — Corp. Benjamin Howe

Direct to Co. E, 5th New Hampshire Volunteers, Washington D. C.