The following letters were written by Foster C. Carl (1845-1920), the son of William C. Carl (1796-1882) and Mary Bennett (1807-1884) of Putnam county, New York. Foster enlisted in 1862 in Co I, First Regiment of New York Mounted Rifles, and served until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. He was only 17 years of age when he enlisted, and the consent of his parents was obtained by Capt. George H. Dean, who commanded the company and recruited it. He was a strong, healthy young man when he entered the service, and was a good soldier, always ready for duty, and never flinched. This is shown by the testimony of his captain.
He was taken sick about April 8 or 9, 1865, at Summerton, N. C., and was carried in an ambulance to the hospital at Petersburg, Va. After a few days he returned to his regiment and went from there to Fredericksburg, Va., but was not able to do any duty. He was granted a sick leave for thirty-five days, and was taken down with malignant typhoid fever, and was confined to his bed until March, 1866. He was attended by physicians whose affidavits are on file. This sickness resulted in a permanent disease of the head and air passages and throat and bronchial tubes. Matter was discharged from the ears, and the throat continually filled with phlegm. It resulted in a permanent disability in the nature of a catarrhal trouble, and a disease of the throat and general debility. The soldier seems to have suffered from a malarial poisoning, and is
in a general feverish condition. The hearing and eyesight of the soldier is now seriously affected, and he suffers constantly from the same trouble of a catarrhal nature and is emaciated and physically unable to
do but little work. At the time he was taken down with the sicknesses referred to he had been in the saddle with his command for 15 consecutive days. He was discharged from the service on 15 June 1865.
Foster wrote the letter to his half-brother, Walter Tilly Foster, the son of Tilly Foster (1793-1842) and Mary Bennett.
Letter 1
Camp Dodge
[Suffolk, Virginia]
September 24, [1862]
Dear Brother,
I wrote to you some time ago for some things & ain’t received the things nor letter yet. You must send them as soon as you can as I want them. There is nothing new in camp. We are preparing for a battle. I can’t write much. Capt. has come & I am taking care of his horses now & things in his tent. I feel quite at home since he came. Write soon & let me know the news. Send a paper.
From your affectionate brother, — Foster C. Carl
I just received a letter from home. They are all well.
Letter 2
Camp Suffolk, Suffolk [Va.]
November 13th 1862
Dear Brother,
I received yours of the 9th inst. and hope you will obey Capt.’s wants. He says if you will come down, he will have six horses hitched up to receive you. You must act to the best of your judgment about it. I should like to see you very much, but it costs like thunder to travel now-a-days—at least I think so.
We shall soon see each other as Fighting Joe and Burnside are determined to push things right along now. Capt. [David C.] Ellis of Co. H had a skirmish with some rebels out at Providence Church about 7 miles. There was one wounded came in last night at 12 o’clock and another said to be wounded left with the company. The one that came in had his horse shot from under him and he rushed up, shot the Reb captain dead, mounted his [the Reb’s] horse, and came in with only a slight wound on the head. There was immediately four companies dispatched to the place last night and three this morning and calculate to take the Rebels if possible by surrounding them by going on different roads till they get beyond them and then come in on them all at once. But they can’t, for the Rebels know the country too well for us. They get away every time.
Capt. is left in command of the camp with two companies. we soon expect to make a movement to Petersburg but don’t know how soon. I hope before long. We have got twenty thousand brave soldiers all up in fighting trim, ready and eager for the attack. We are getting tired of staying in one place so long.
I wrote to you to send me some things. I suppose you have got it and you can send them.
The fight at Providence isn’t over yet but they are still wanging away at it yet and I hope may kill every damned Secesh there is there. I don’t know but what it would pay you to come down and see us and the country. If you come, you would never enlist as long as you can help it. There was a General Review yesterday by Gen. Dix and the men & officers appeared splendid on the review. Our regiment is still ahead of the others & the General & Staff complimented us very highly on the occasion.
We have a chaplain here now. Ned Buntlin is here. He is 4th duty sergeant. I guess you might as well see the country South now as ever. It is a solemn sight to see the deserted houses covered with turkey buzzards and wild animals in abundance such as the bear, dear, and possums. I expect still it will soon be pay day amongst us here. I can’t think of much to write. Answer soon and come down. — F. C. C.
1st N. Y. Mounted Rifles, Co. I, Camp Suffolk, Suffolk, Va.
Write a good letter.
Letter 3
Camp Suffolk, Suffolk [Va.]
November 15 [1862]
Yesterday we had another skirmish with the Rebels. Night before last we were all called out for a scout at 10 o’clock p.m. We traveled all night and in the morning we came to Zuni—a small place on the Black Water where there was a company of Rebels, numbering about 90, all drawn up in line ready for us and when we got in sight of them, we were ordered in line too. But we didn’t get in any lines but Co. B which was in advance broke, gave one yell and started with revolvers all ready for to kill the Devils. When they got near them, they commenced firing and some coming the right and left cuts, and front right Parry and left with their sabers. We killed 20 at Zuni, 2 at Windsor, and took two prisoners. We done well. We only lost 1 man killed and 5 wounded.
We have to go on picket tomorrow at Providence where some of Co. H was taken prisoners 3 days ago. I guess you will see the whole affair in the Herald. I must stop as it is late. From your affectionate brother, — Foster C. Carl
Company I, Camp Suffolk, Suffolk, Va,
Letter 4
1st Mounted Rifles N. Y. S. Volunteers
January 12th 1865
Dear Brother,
Yours of the 6th inst. came to hand last night. I am glad to hear from you and that you are well. I hope you will not practice any nuisance as you say some does. I think they are better than what the “Principal” calls them. I am glad you like it there. I received a letter from home this week. Ma thinks of moving on the farm in the Spring and letting you tend the store, in case of my not being present, which I think is very doubtful as “Old Abe” is bound to kill slavery before he will end the contest and I think that it will be some time before he can do it. True, we have the power and the means, but the Rebs still hold us at bay from Richmond and will until April or May when I think Grant will hop triumphantly into their stronghold and bid them be quiet or die.
I am quite unwell at present, having a sore throat which makes me feel down in the mouth. I don’t think I shall be home this winter on a “furlough.” I wrote to you only a few days ago and consequently can think of no news which are very scarce here. The mud is thick and plenty of it. It rains just when it pleases here and I think sometimes when it don’t.
There were 28 deserters came in yesterday and 8 day before. Amongst them were two women dressed in men’s clothes and a wench and Rebel officer. The latter is a pilot and spy for us and have gone back to fetch in more. I hope he may bring in Jeff for the next one.
Write soon and all the news to your affectionate brother, — Foster C. Carl
Co. I, 1st Mounted Regiment N. Y. Volunteers, Bermuda Hundred, Va.
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