“The Edgar Knapp Letters span the years 1862-1864 and are comprised of 40 letters received by Edgar Knapp while he was working as a hospital steward at the U.S. military hospital in Annapolis, Maryland.” These letters were purchased by Special Collections at Virginia Tech in April 2002 with the following biographical note. “Lieutenant Edgar R. Knapp (ca. 1836-?) of Adrian, Lenawee County, Michigan, was a steward at the United States military hospital in Annapolis, Maryland from 1862-1864. His brother H. Knapp was probably Henry Knapp (1813-1893), who is listed in the 1860 census as a doctor in Adrian, Lenawee County, Michigan. Randolph Knapp, whose death is the subject of some of the correspondence, was born in 1840 in Michigan and served with Edward in the same company/regiment.”

Letter 1

Camp Winfield Scott
Apr 29th, 1862

Dear Nellie,

Yours of March 23d was gladly received and perused with much interest. Were you indeed glad to hear from me again? If you were exceedingly glad, you can understand my feelings at receiving your last. You had sleighing when you wrote but that is something I have not seen since I left Michigan except about two hours and very poor at that. I am sorry I had not the privilege of lancing your toes. Wouldn’t it have been a pleasure though? If you don’t get well by the time I write again, I will tell you how to cure it. How I would have enjoyed the surprise at Mary’s. I think I could have tried to go home with you but probably Dies would have got the start. Glad to hear Pack is getting better as he is probably about well by this time. I think I shall write to him soon.

I have had a letter from Charlie Field. He is at him home near St. Louis. He was a rebel soldier 4 months. Prisoner of war two months, & has now taken the Oath of Allegiance & gives bonds to the amount of a thousand dollars for his future conduct. He thinks fighting against Uncle Sam is very bad business. Wouldn’t I have been glad to have met you in the road when you were going to Howell after Mary. Think I would have gone there with you, but what is the use of talking. Three years will be a long time in rolling around and will probably find you married and me an old “Batch.” “Go away, trouble.” “Don’t molest a soldier.”

I am very sorry there should be the least difference between you and Mollie Curtis, but I am sure I can put confidence in your judgment as to what is best to be done in the matter and think you can settle that matter between yourselves and do the thing amicably. To tell the truth, I have had both sides of the story, all the good and bad and am satisfied you understand your business against the girl (Miss Wells) and you will do well enough. Nellie, you are enough for any of them, if I was only there, I would kiss you a few times just now. Glad to hear of the increase in the inhabitants of Linden. Will Holmes and Lilly seem to be doing their share. You will have to hurry up or they will all get their families raised before you commence.

Speaking about believing me, I am going to tell you nothing but facts connected with the war in future and those you cannot even doubt so I shall not have to ask you to believe anything I say.

With regard to your people, I guess they were much more scared than hurt & do really hope they will come to the same conclusion sooner or later.

Well, I have now answered nearly all of your letter except the part about stamps and I will tell you why I sent them. A fellow wrote to his girl & saw him put in a stand and I asked him why he did it and he said he always did so as a matter of curiosity & to insure an answer and so I told him if one insured one answer, several would bring several answers. So I sent them along. You need not think it a mistake but I would really like to have you send hem back to me but I want them on envelopes with letters from you inside.

I think my last to you was written from Camp East of Capitol and now I will give you a little history of my travels since that time. We left camp the 10th of March, went across the Long Bridge at Washington into Virginia, went 19 miles to Fairfax Court House. The next day went through Centreville, Manassas Junction, over the Bull Run battle ground and back to Centreville again and encamped for the night; the whole distance that day being about 50 miles & we were all mighty tired & hungry, I assure you when we encamped at 7 o’clock at night. The Hospital Steward was left at the camp East of Capitol so I had to be Steward and had lots of fun and the best place to sleep and best to eat—especially if the Dr. could get it for me. He liked me first rate and we had a good deal of fun.

The next day (Wednesday) we staid in camp. The whole force of cavalry out on the tramp was the 1st, 5th, 6th, part of 2nd Regiments of Regular Cavalry, 3rd and 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and 200 McClellan Dragoons.

Thursday at 4 o’clock we left camp and went 10 miles to Manassas Junction and encamped, drew rations for three days, and cooked them & put in haversacks for tramp. Friday morning we went about 20 miles beyond Manassas & there expected an attack but there was none, yet the men had to stand by their horses, have their hands on the bridles without camp fires till 2 o’clock yesterday morning, but at that time they had leave to build fires and then they commenced stealing chickens, ad honey from an old Secesh living close by and had high times. I did not have to steal any as the boys gave us more than I could eat.

About 6 o’clock we went forward about five miles and crossed Cedar Creek and were drawn up in line of battle expecting every minute to see the Rebels come out of the woods. But “no go,” they were afraid & let us alone. We then came back to Manassas and encamped for the night in Secesh quarters—log huts with chimneys in each one. We had ridden all day in drenching rain. Everyone wet through and through but the fires in the log huts soon dried & warmed us and all went to bed feeling fine. Staid there Sunday but Monday morning started for Fairfax Court House again and camped there that night.

Tuesday morning started again and went to Fairfax Seminary, near Alexandria, only eight miles from Washington. There we staid in camp till the 22nd when I was sent by Brigadier General Cook to the 1st Regt. U.S. Cavalry to be Hospital Steward and I have been with the 1st Regiment ever since. Our steward came on from Washington at that time.

Well the 1st was encamped near the 6th, and now we will trace the 1st instead of the 6th. The 29th we broke camp and went to Alexandria 2.5 miles and went on board the schooner Alice of New York and that night we were towed out into the middle of the river and left at anchor for the night. The next day, being Sunday, we lay at anchor all day and Monday morning (March 31st) we were hitched behind the steamer Vanderbilt and started for Fortress Monroe. We soon passed Fort Washington on Maryland side and just below it Mount Vernon on Virginia side. Then about noon we came to points on the Virginia side where the rebels had had their batteries and had been shelled out by federal troops (Cedar Point especially). Thus Monday passed away and Tuesday morning (April 1st) found us in sight of Fortress Monroe and after getting near it the steamer let go our rope and left us to drift down which we did during the day. But wasn’t it a splendid sight to see the Fortress before us with its top literally covered with heavy guns and along its sides the port holes for other guns still heavier. The walls look white as milk and show a great distance.

That day we passed down between the Fortress and Rip Raps and came into the upper Hampton Roads as they are called. As we drifted down we passed the gunboats Roanoke, Dakotah, Bazzalier, Vanderbilt, and several others, the names of which I have forgotten, and also saw the world renowned engine of war—The Monitor. But what good dies it do to see it? There is nothing in sight but a large platform on which is placed a big cheese box. It is a very inferior looking machine merely to a looker on, but is supposed to be the most powerful vessel on this continent at present. Well, we were obliged to remain on the schooner till Thursday and it was confidently expected every day that the Merrimac would make her appearance and there would be a fight between her and the Monitor. And I was very anxious they should have the battle while we were there so we could see it, but the cowardly Merrimac kept close at home and thus we missed the fun, and at latest accounts the Merrimac had not made her appearance. The gunboats I mentioned are tough looking customers.

Well, Thursday (April 3rd) we disembarked and came out about five miles & encamped on the ground occupied by the 6th. They had just left for Big Bethel. Then Friday afternoon we followed after them. I had to stay with the Hospital Wagon and Ambulance and about 6 o’clock we caught up with the Baggage Train of the 6th which had not moved more than one mile in all day. The reason of this was that there was about two thousand wagons ahead of them and there were some very bad places in the road and they would get stalled and thus be obliged to use time to get out of the mud, and from 6 o’clock till 12 at night we did not go more than half a mile and then the teamsters concluded to unhitch in the road and camp for the night which just suited me, and after eating a little hard bread and cold bacon from my haversack, I wrapped myself in my blanket, laid down by the fire and slept very comfortable till morning, and in fact I slept so well that I was sorry when morning came. But it came a beautiful Sabbath morning and after breakfast we took up our line of march again and arrived in camp near Yorktown about noon. We were within about 4 miles of Yorktown and could hear cannonading occasionally but cared as little about it as though it had been at New Orkeans instead of close to us.

Well, we staid there till Friday morning (the 11th) when we went back about three miles to camp near Cheeseman’s Landing on Cheeseman’s Creek, seven miles from Yorktown and one mile from Ship Point. There we staid till Thursday (24th_ when we came out here two miles where we have a fine camping ground and are only about a mile from Gen. McClellan’s Headquarters, at Camp Winfield Scott.

Great preparations are being made for the siege of Yorktown & the rebels are doing their best to prevent our men from getting their guns in position, but all to no purpose. Our men keep working and will soon be ready for the siege. We can hear the balls and shells at intervals from morning till night and in fat, sometimes in the night. But it is getting late and I must go to bed for the Officer of the Guard (Lieutenant Hunt) was along here at taps (8:30 o’clock) and wanted to know why my light was not out & I told him I had not got my books made out yet. If he had looked carefully at my books, he might easily have discovered the deception and told me to go to bed. I promised to retire as soon as I got them made out. “Good boy, wasn’t I?” We have to talk that way sometimes but it don’t make any particular difference for I have a right to sit up as late as I choose. Well, goodnight and pleasant dreams.

May 1st. Well, Nellie, yesterday was muster day and as the Colonel has to come around and see each one of us, I had to have the Hospital tent and my tent just more than clean and nice, so you see I did not have a chance to write any yesterday, and today I have been down to Cheeseman’s Landin (3 miles) on Hospital business so I have only just resumed the pleasant task of finishing this letter to you.

Last night I sat up pretty late making out papers &c. and then when I went to bed (for I have a bed such as it is), I thought if I could only spend an hour or two with you, I could then go to sleep with pleasant thoughts. But dear Nellie, did you or I think when we parted at Linden or when I was there that at this time we would be so far apart. “Not a bit of it.” No! No! I did not then think that the 1st of May I should be one thousand miles from you, but such is the case, and now the only chance of communication is by letter which will be rather slow but we shall be obliged to put up with it.

Now for a little description of my own house. First then I have a hospital tent 15 feet square in which I have 4 sick men. Then by the side of that I have a Sibley tent (round & large enough for 12 soldiers) which is occupied by “yours truly” and for a surgery. I have about a dozen boxes containing medicines, each box about the size of a common trunk, and these all sit around the edge of the tent except five of them which form my writing desk and seat. These are in the center of the tent and are very convenient.

Just back of my seat is my bed which is made by laying up pieces if rails (log house style) and then putting a litter on top of the whole. Then by using some hospital blankets in addition to my own, I have just as good a bed as a man can ask for at home. Possibly by looking at the bed just before I occupy it at night you might recognize the outside planet or covering, which is my old and trie traveling companion, “My old shawl.” It looks just as it used to years ago. It was given to me by my brother eight years ago.

We have a splendid camping ground in a large square field and just at one corner of it it Brig. General Emory’s Headquarters and close by his tents is the Provost Marshall’s Quarters and as my nephew is Provost Sergeant, he is there so we are close together and see each other several times a day which would not be the case if he was with his regiment (the 6th) as they are about half a mile from here. Our being so near together makes it very pleasant for us, although I presume it will not be very pleasant or interesting to you to read about it so I will close up by asking you to write again soon. Give my respects to Loll and Mary and tell me how they prosper, &c. Now Nell, I have tried to tell nothing but the truth in this letter. Yet I do not ask you to believe any of it unless you choose. I shall try to send this letter by tomorrow’s mail.

You may direct the letters to me the same as usual E. R. Knapp, Co. E, 6th US Cavalry, Washington D. C. My letters will come to Washington and then will be forwarded with all the mail for the 6th and then I get them from there. Well, good night and please accept this from your loving — Ed

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Letter 2

Annapolis, Maryland
November 20th 1862

Dear Brother H.

Yours of November 2nd came to hand with the box of things & was gladly received. Glad to hear that Michigan is once more coming to her senses on politics, but I see from the papers that the Republicans have again carried the day, but think if they keep improving two years more throughout the country, our next administration will be Democratic.

I am sorry you and Dr. P get along so poorly together. I really believe you & him quarrel worse than we used to, and in reading yours of the 10th, I find things are growing worse instead of better, and the exemption affair is pretty rough sure & I hardly know what to advise you about it but I think I would say nothing until I found whether he intends to make things right or not and then if he refused to do the fair thing after telling him I knew about the whole affair, then I should expose him. But still you will find that this is like all business connected with the government, there must be some dishonesty about it & the greater the scoundrel, the better he is liked & more popular he becomes. If you can do as well without him as with, you better do it than always live in a guard.

With regard to my affairs here, all I know about it is I am here enjoying myself pretty well, just as well in fact as a man with “nary a red” in his trousers, but there are distant rumors that we are to be paid either before Christmas or after, but probably not till very near that time. As to my position, rank and file, the position is a beautiful one—just right for a lazy being like me who likes to work when he can’t help it. As to rank and file, I am “high Private”—“rear rank.” Cover a great deal of ground and am still an honorary member of the Bloody Sixth US Cavalry. If you get any letters from [brother] Ran[dall], please let me know how he gets along and all about him for I have heard nothing from him in a long time although I have written to him.

I see by the papers that Pleasnton Cavalry is in the advance and of course he is with them. The weather is rather rainy and drizzly today and I can feel the chill run over me as I think of the boys out on the field without shelter, perhaps riding all day with boots full of water. I gave Rand a good overcoat which will protect him some from the rain and cold. Glad he has been paid off for a soldier never feels to well as when he has some dimes in his pockets and plenty of grub in his haversack.

I went to Washington last Friday wit h30 men for convalescent camp at Alexandria. Got to Washington about 7 at night and got receipt for the men & made arrangements for their suppers and then strolled out. Next morning went to Adjutant General’ Office on business and started back at 3 p.m. & got here about 7 p.m. and about 11 a train came in loaded with sick and wounded from the Washington Hospital & we had to stow them away and get supper for them. I had 31 in my wards. My part of the work was to get up when they came and tell how many to put in each of my wards and then go to bed again.

I do not have to touch a man, or even see him only once a day. The nurses do the rest. I put up the medicine in the dispensary & leave it there, and some of the time half the prescriptions are put up for me by men in the dispensary. I only have from now till 9 o’clock the next morning to myself unless I get through before noon, then I have more. There is no telling how long I shall stay here. Perhaps all winter or during the war, or not more than another week, just as it happens. I hope to stay some time.

Give my love to all. Write soon. — Yours &c. , — Ed

P. S. There is good news now for our army under Burnside and again we hear the old war cry of “On to Richmond.” But whether Richmond will be taken soon or not remains to be told. Still everything is in favor of it just at present.

The soldiers feel pretty bad about the removal of General McClellan, but they now think if General Burnside will lead them right through to Richmond and victory, they will all be willing to do their best.

There are certainly men enough in the field now to do something & if there is ever to be a decisive blow struck, I think it must soon be made.

The Dr.. who attends my wards at present is son of Col. Miles of Harpers Ferry notoriety. He dies not appear to be the same man that he was before his father was killed. He feels very bad. Dr. Brewer who attended my wards when I first came here lost his Mother last Sunday night. She died very suddenly in Annapolis and Dr. Brewer was in Philadelphia. He is son of Judge Brewer who has been judge for about 30 years at this place. So you see I am among notorious men, although I never expect to be one myself. Write soon, — Ed

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