The following letters were written by John (“Jack”) Allen Bennett (1840-19xx), a native of North Rochester, Massachusetts, who enlisted when he was 20 years old in Co. B, 13th Massachusetts on 17 April 1861. He mustered out as a private on 23 March 1863, discharged on a medical disability. Before he was discharged, Jack was detailed to the ship Euterpe to assist in the transport of wounded soldiers from Virginia to Rhode Island hospitals. By the time of the 1863 draft registration, Jack was back home in Rochester, Plymouth county, Massachusetts, employed as a clerk. The registry indicates that he was discharged from the service and was married but I have not found any additional information on him.
Jack’s letters are sprinkled with terms commonly used by a sailer and he even mentions having spent some time at sea as a whaler prior to his enlistment. The 1860 US Census enumerates him in Rochester, Plymouth, Massachusetts, and he was identified as a 20 year-old “mariner.” In the same household in the same year was his 16 year-old half-brother Henry Harrison Bennett (1844-1934), a child of Phebe P. Wood (1801-1877), the third wife of John Bennett.
Jack wrote these letters to his brother-in-law, Isaiah Standish Swift (1823-1877), who was married to Catherine Matilda Bennett (1829-1865). Catherine and Jack were the children of John Bennett (1796-1875) but had different mothers. Catherine was the daughter of Sarah Clark (1798-1837) and Jack was the son of Martha Allen (1796-1841).
Letter 1
Anterdam [Antietam] Iron Works
Washington county, Maryland
You think it strange that I have not written before, Well, the truth is I commenced two or three letters but did not finish them. And this is the first chance I have had to write for the past two weeks. I suppose you saw the account of our departure. I never witnessed such a scene in all my life. Each side of the railroad was crowded with people cheering us as loud as they could scream. The old farmer would lean on his scythe and wave his hat. And old woman with both hands uplifted saying, “God bless you!” And it seemed more like a dream than anything else.
The first halt we made was in Worcester where a collation was prepared for us. After leaving there we went to Norwich, Connecticut. There we took the boat for New York where we arrived about 9 o’clock in the morning. We were marched up to one of the parks and there dismissed until dinner time. I took a stroll around the city and visited one of my old friends who was a bookkeeper in the largest business house in the city. Enjoyed myself first rate, notwithstanding the excessive heat.
After dinner, we were drawn up and marched down Broadway singing. We took the ferry boat about 4 o’clock for Amboy, New Jersey and there we took the cars for Philadelphia where we arrived about 3 o’clock in the morning and there we got breakfast and marched out of the city to the Harrisburg Depot—a distance of about three miles. There we all spread our blankets under the trees and slept about [ ] hours. And then we took the cars for Harrisburg where we arrived just before dark and stopped but a few moments.
The next tracks we made was for Hagerstown, Maryland, and got in there just about daylight. And from there the work of the business began. We could get only about half enough to eat and rather poor grub at that. We pitched our tents about a mile out of the village and stopped two days and one night. We got recruited up from the fatigue of the journey some and then we had to foot it. We started just before dark for Harper’s Ferry—a distance of about 30 miles, to report ourselves to Gen. Banks who commands the division on the Potomac.
Well, we marched ten miles that night and then spread our blankets in an old pasture for a nap. I tell you, every man was asleep as quick as he dropped. There we slept about three hours and then up and plod on. We marched all day, halting now and then for a few moments rest. The distance of 30 miles would seem nothing to you, Isaiah, to walk, but come to have a knapsack strapped on your back that weighs 25 or 40 pounds and a haversack, a canteen, and a cartridge box, and bayonet & cap box, I tell you, it’s a load without marching more harness than a truck horse has. So we played out after marching about 15 miles and could go no farther for we were all dragged out, and the ambulance wagon full, and the regiment scattered along for about 5 miles, although be it said for J. A. Bennett he had the honor of being head boat of the company. But I rather think that there was about ten pail full of sweat run off of me.
Well we dropped by the side of the road in a grove called Pleasant Valley about 4 miles from Harper’s Ferry. Twas a pleasant place with a brook running through the grove. So we pitched our tents and concluded to stop and recruit up a little before we proceeded. The next day the Colonel went and reported himself to Banks and got orders that we were to be stationed at Sharpsburg on the Potomac as guards. So we had to up stakes and travel back about 5 miles and then take another direction. Anyway, we got there August 5th to our campground. Sharpsburg is about 12 miles from Harper’s Ferry.
Well, after we had been there about three days, Company A & B were ordered down the river about 4 miles to guard a ford in the river. So our regiment is acting as guards. There are two companies up the river from us—Company E & H of our regiment. We have not had no fights yet but are aching for one. We have had some false alarms and have had some prisoners in charge. There is a small encampment of rebels about 4 miles from us on the Virginia side but they have not troubled us yet. Before we came here, they burnt all the bridges but they had not better show themselves now. Our boys go out a scouting some but have not had any brush yet. Our guard has been fired upon once.
We live hard and short allowance at that. We went over into Virginia the other day and stole a steer so we had one good meal. We are bound to have a good meal once in a while. Some of our boys are sick & some are tired of salt horse. But I am poor as a crow but well & hearty and think I shall stand it. But it is worse than whaling. But when we get a little broke in, I guess we shall like it first rate—at least I do. We sleep in tents on straw and some of our boys have had the fever and ague. the weather is very warm with frequent showers.
They do not have towns here but each village has a name and they will tell you Maryland. Maryland is divided into districts. The people are very ignorant generally in this part of the state and most of them are for the Union.
I promised a great many that I would write them but this is the only letter I have written and I don’t know when I shall have the time and patience to write another. We are liable to move any moment and don’t know where it may be. Before I write again, I hope I shall have some news. We don’t know what is a going on as well as you do at the North except in our own vicinity.
Give my love to father & Henry & all the rest. Tell Aunt Emily I will write to her when I get a chance to steal a sheet of paper. Remember me to John [ ] & wife and Annie and everybody that asks for me and write me often and tell all the rest to write and send me some papers.
From your brother, — John A. Bennett
Direct to Co. B, 13th Regiment Massachusetts Vols., Banks Division, Harpers Ferry, Virginia
Letter 2
Camp Hamilton
Darnstown, Maryland
September 22, [1861]
Dear Brother & Sister,
I received your letter when we [were] up to Sandy Hook and I meant to have answered it before but the conveniences for writing are not very great & we have been traveling around so much. We have now got settled once more in camp at Darnstown, Maryland, where nearly all of Banks’ Division is concentrated. We are close to Banks’ Headquarters and rumor says that we are to be Banks’ bodyguard but I don’t know as it is true. There are about 35,000 troops right around us here, cavalry & artillery, &c. And it looks warlike enough. But there are no regiments can boast of seeing much harder times than we have. We have had hard marches and hard grub and several small fights. In one skirmish our side killed two and wounded 7 (our side one wounded). We have had but one man killed in all our fighting. But the next fight that we shall be in will be a rusher and that will be pretty soon for we are under marching orders all the time.
I tell you, Isaiah, I could shoot a rebel without half the trouble you would take to kill a whale. I tell you, a fellow forgets all about being afraid. The Rhode Island Battery that was at Bulls Run are close to us & they say that that affair was a big humbug. Twas caused by the teamsters running. They say that we should have cleaned them out in a little while longer if the officers had not got scared. But we’ll fix them the next time. We’ll drive them into the Gulf of Mexico.
I wish you could see our camp. It is one of the prettiest in the vicinity. We have cut down spruce trees and stuck them around each tent and it looks like a village. We have been complimented on the neatness of our camp & Gen. Banks calls us the model regiment, Ahem!
I wrote Aunt Emily some time ago but have not heard from her yet nor none of them, and I don’t suppose it has got there yet or perhaps the steamer that carried it was lost [in some] foreign port, you know. I wrote to father too and I should think some of them would write.
Gen. Banks says he is a going to get through with us by Thanksgiving but I don’t believe it. I think we have got to have a big fight and if we whip them, they won’t stay whipped. They are a half-civilized set of beings. There are a good many secessionists around here but they are afraid to say a word. We took one of Johnson’s spies day before yesterday with papers stating that he was a going to cross the Potomac yesterday or today. We hain’t seen him yet and he had not better come.
The next time I write, I shall send you some money. We have not been paid off yet. No more now. From your brother, — Jack
My love to Annie & Mr. & Mrs. Perkins & all that I know. Direct to Banks’ Division, 13th Regt. Co. B.
I have not seen Mr. Johnson yet but I expect to soon.
Letter 3
Williamsport, Maryland
Sunday, October 20th 1861
Dear Brother & Sister,
I received your ever welcome letter and as it is Sunday and I have nothing to do, I thought I would write. We don’t have a great deal of leisure time. As we are on Provost guard and stationed in the village, we have to go on guard every other day and it is something like sea watches, only you can’t go to sleep. It is all the time on the lookout. We have to guard the river & gotels and bar rooms to keep the soldiers from obtaining liquor. All the infantry or riflemen that there is here is seven companies of our regiment and the Pennsylvania Battery and four companies of the Virginia Cavalry. And they are all encamped just out of the village. The 12th Indiana Regiment came here with us but they have been sent down the river to Sharpsburg & Antietam to guard the river. And the 1st Maryland Regiment was here when we came and they have gone to Fortress Monroe, I believe.
Our other three companies [K, C, and I] are stationed at Harpers Ferry where they and some of the Pennsylvania 28th Regiment had a fight and a pretty good one too. Our three companies won laurels for the 13th. They made a charge which scattered them like sheep. 1 And all that were there say that they would clean out the whole southern army with a regiment like them three companies. And we think we are equal to them. Anyway, we are all crazy to be on the back of the Devilish Rebels & cowards. They took two of our Boys and stripped them and then pierced their bodies with bayonet holes—the Devils! We’ll show them what Massachusetts Boys are made of if they will give us a chance. But it seems to me they don’t want us to do the fighting, but it ain’t our fault. I guess they think we are pretty good on guard duty—our company, I mean, for they had us on provost guard in Darnstown. And then they took us the first thing here. We have to guard about 15 secessionist prisoners and all that refuse to do duty, &c., &c., in the regiments. And the other guard duty that I spoke of.
We were paid off last week with a month and a half pay—the first money that we have received from the government. $18.50. And I now send you a five dollar note so you can see some of the government bills. I shall send you some more when we get paid off next time which will be due the first of November and then we shall receive two months pay.
We are expecting to hear every day that Banks has crossed the river, but you will hear of it as soon as we shall as we are so far from Headquarters—some 65 miles—and no telegraph or cars. We expect that the force here will cross the river this week and take up our winter quarters in Martinsburg but we may have a little fighting to do for Martinsburg is now occupied by the rebels. But we can clean them out in ten minutes with our Pennsylvania Battery. I wish we could go down to Washington but the nearest we have been there was twenty-five miles and now we are near a hundred from there. No more of interest that I think of so goodbye.
Give my love to all, Henry & Annie White, & tell them to write me. From your brother, — Jack
Direct to Williamsport.
1 The Battle of Bolivar Heights took place on 16 October 1861. Five hundred Confederates under the command of Colonel Turner Ashby clashed with six hundred Federals under the command of Colonel John Geary. Ashby’s forces fall back towards Charles Town and Union flags are planted on the ridge. Some of Ashby’s men later returned to burn a prosperous flour mill on Virginius Island owned by a unionist citizen.
Letter 4
Williamsport, Maryland
November 2, [1861]
Dear Brother & Sister,
Your letters have all been received. In your last you thought I had not received them all you know and that money that I sent I should have thrown away if I had not sent it and I shall send you some more in a few days. We are supplied by Government with all the clothing we ned so we have no use for our money except for a good dinner now and then and a glass of beer or some little nicknack.
We go a gunning now and then and I am a going tomorrow and I wish you were here to go with us, Isaiah. There are a plenty of quails and rabbits. I am a going tomorrow with two Virginia men who left their state for fear of being pressed into the rebel service.
Our Colonel, acting Brigadier, sent out a foraging party into Virginia and they got about 50 cord of wood. And the cavalry company here acted as guard from them so after they had got the wood all safe, they thought they would reconnoitre a little and they rode six miles back from the river near Martinsburg when they were fired upon by six Rebel pickets but with no effect. They returned the compliment and the captain took one fellow right through the hip. He rode some distance but finally had to cave in and so we captured him. The rest escaped. He was brought to us by our old captain, now Lieutenant Colonel, in a carriage. His horse and equipments were captured also. He was a fine-looking young fellow but was pretty weak from the loss of blood. His pantaloons were all saturated with it.
Our three companies which were in the Harpers Ferry fight returned to us yesterday. You’d better believe we cheered them well for their gallant conduct in the fight. They were in the thickest of the fight and captured a 32-pounder at the point of the bayonet. We all wished that we had been there. However, we have had a little fun down to Antietam you know—Co. A & B.
We don’t know how long we shall stay here. We may stay here all winter and we may cross the river next week. Our company is still on Provost Guard.
That Romney fight was rather a big thing, wasn’t it. 1 We’ll clean them out in due time.
Isaiah, I should like to see you out here. Lots of the Boy’s fathers have been out here and relatives. It would not cost more than $35 to see the whole army and if you will come, I will pay the bill. You never will have a better chance to see the army and the country. Tell Henry to write!
Love to all, from Jack
1 On October 24, Federal Ohio and Virginia infantry (with some light artillery and Ringgold Cavalry) attacked through Mechanicsburg Gap; on October 26 the Confederate defenders fled. There was a skirmish at Wire Bridge as part of this assault. It was as a result of this Federal success that Col. Benjamin F. Kelley issued his “Address to the People of Hampshire County and the Upper Potomac”. For a time after this, Federals under the command of Col. Samuel H. Dunning of the 5th Ohio Infantry occupied Romney.
Letter 5
Williamsport. Maryland
November 16th [1861]
Dear Sister,
As thanksgiving is coming on and we shall not be able to be at home, we are beginning to think of our usual mince pies, &c. that we generally get. But the people around here don’t know how to make them so we have all concluded to write for a box of the same. Most of the boys have had four or five and they shared them freely with me so I thought it was about my turn to have some. So now you tell Isaiah to get a small box of some kind and then if you. will make me a half dozen mince pies and a cake, &c. &c. &c. and send them to me, I will be everlastingly obliged to ye.
Now Tilly, I don’t want you to do it if you are not real smart. If you could get two or three of Aunt Emilie’s pies, I would like it, and send them by Adams Express Co. to Williamsport, Maryland. Co. B, 13th Regt. Mass. Vol.
No more now. No news of any consequence here. I received Isaiah’s letter last night. My love to all. From your brother, — Jack
Letter 6
Williamsport, [Maryland]
November 21, [1861]
Dear Brother,
It’s but a moment that I have to write as our mess are all a going out to a big dinner for we can’t get along without a turkey in some shape or other. But then I would like to be at home to help the rest eat. However, there will be more left for the rest for soldiers eat everything that is sat before them.
We were paid off yesterday and it came in the nick of time, you can bet. I wrote to you for a box. If you have not sent it, put in a pound of Navy chewing tobacco. I would like to have it for Thanksgiving but then the pies are pretty thick here now and perhaps they will taste better to top off with.
As I can send this by a member of the company who is a going to Boston, I enclose $11. Please give Henry $1 for spending money and I will send you some more next time. My love to all.
I received a letter from Aunt R. and she wanted to send me a box (very kind all at once). I told her I had plenty of everything. So goodbye.
Our Colonel has gone to Romney to see Gen. Kelly. Perhaps we shall both advance on Winchester soon (I hope so). Bully for the Naval Expedition.
Send me a story paper. — Jack
Letter 7
Hancock, Maryland
December 5th 1861
Dear Sister,
Your letter was received last Monday and having received the box last night, I hasten to make returns as you requested. It rather surprised me to see such a large box—the same when I opened it to find how closely it was packed for i could not begin to get them all back after unpacking it. Everything came in excellent order. And you would have laughed yourself to death if you had seen me unpack it. The whole mess gathered around with watering mouths and eager fingers. And when I would open one of the small boxes, they give three cheers. And they kept up a hallooring until I gave them something to stop their mouths. It was pronounced to be the best box received in the company in every way, shape and manner. And I shall be a Lion as long as the eatables last.
The frosted cakes came first rate. The frosting was not even cracked. And the one Mrs. Perkins sent received nine cheers loud and long & was pronounced by the Bostonian Gastronomers to be as good as the country could produce & was worth a dollar to look at it. And you can bet I agreed with them but I did not say a word.
You know I love doughnuts and I believe they tasted the best to me of anything in the box. All the rest was so rich that I could not eat but very little. Mrs. Reed’s cake was very nice indeed, and would bear inspection and tasting with the best. Lottie & Nony’s present came very acceptable. And when they are in the army and I am out, I will remember them. But I hope that we will do all the fighting up for one century at least.
The other articles in the box came very acceptable. And your cake was good (of course). We have plenty of salt for we seized about 100 sacks that was a going to be smuggled into Virginia. But just across the river here that little box you sent would be worth 50 cents.
I suppose you notice by the heading where we now are—at least four companies of us detached. Our Colonel got word that the rebels were a going to cross at this place so he started us off on the 28th of November to stop them. This place is 26 miles up the river from Washington, most up to Pennsylvania. The day we arrived here, we could see them a flourishing their sabres across the river but we brought a little Parrott rifle cannon with us and we gave them a shell. which surprised them, killing 6 men and four horses as we have since learned. Before we came here there was only one company of infantry with old muskets & one company of cavalry and so the Rebels were very bold coming down to the bank of the river and shooting the pickets. But after we came, they didn’t like the crack of the Enfield Rifle. So they have retreated back six miles to Bath where Berkeley Springs are—a watering place—the home of Port Crayon who used to write for the Harpers Monthly Virginia Illustrated. Perhaps you remember? His father is a refugee in this place and he belongs to Banks’ Division.
Yesterday we crossed over the river with two companies and expected to have an engagement but they did not seem so minded. We captured a very noted secesh quite accidentally. He rode right on to one of our skirmishers (for we were all deployed) without seeing him. When the man ordered him to halt, he was a going to run but the man brought his rifle to his shoulder and he thought he had better stop. We also got a lot of secesh hens and turkeys. We expect to have a fight with them soon if we can get at them. They are big cowards some of them.
Before we came here, the captain of the Infantry company—a Virginian than here, crossed over with four men and drove a hundred of the rebels. He came right on to them and yelled out, “Tell the cavalry to charge round on the right,” and they thought he had an army at his heels by the way he talked, so they made themselves scarce (he is a big dare devil). You may think it a yarn but it is the honest truth.
There is a funeral in this place today of one of his men that was shot above here on the river. And I can now hear the muffled drum and some of our boys have gone as escort and to fire a salute over his grave. I have seen a good many burials under arms since I have been out here, but thank God, not one of our boys have been shot—in our company, I mean. A man shot himself with a pistol the other day but he is now out of danger.
I suppose you received the money I. sent the other day. My respects to Mr. Perkins. Tell him I am very much obliged for that stationery.
Letter 8
Camp Jackson
Williamsport, [Maryland]
January 6th [1862]
Dear Brother & Sister,
Yours came to hand last night and I should have answered your letter before but I was at Hancock when I received your last.And there has been a pretty good chance for a fight and I was in hopes to have some news to write but as yet there has not been much fighting. When you don’t hear fro me you can know that I am all right but then I mean to write every ten days or so.
We left Hancock the night before Jackson attacked Bath and drove the Illinois regiment 1 there and the artillery to Hancock. And then he sent over a flag of truce to Gen. [Frederick W.] Lander in Hancock to have the women & children leave the town for he was going to destroy it. Gen. Lander’s reply was to Col. Ashby: “Waltz in and be damned.” So they fired three shells into the town doing no damage and then retired under a hot fire from our long-range Parrott cannon. 2 So they couldn’t stand the press. Five of our companies were ordered to Hancock with dispatch but they got fooled. We had just got down from there so we did not have to go.
Jackson captured the camp equippage of the [39th] Illinois Regiment and then went and attacked our forces in Romney and had them all taken away from him with the loss of fifteen or twenty men. The tents were marked “Jeff Davis Boys” but the “Jeff Davis Boys” could not keep them.
We don’t know when we shall advance; we don’t know nothing but blind obedience and patiently waiting for the time to come. We are still in our tents but we keep very comfortable with our thick blankets. We have a little stove in our tents and plenty of straw. There is about two inches of snow on the ground and the folks here call it a good sleighing but I can’t see it in that light.
I received a letter from Henry last night. He did not say anything about joining the Navy to me but it is nothing strange that he didn’t. No more this time. My love to all. From your brother. — Jack A. Bennett
1 Companies D, I, and K of the 39th Illinois Regiment under the command of Major Mann near Bath, Virginia, when they were attacked and after a brisk little fight, were repulsed; then, with two pieces of artillery, and a liberal display of strategy and courage, the enemy was held in check for nearly twenty-four hours. Company G, under command of Captain Slaughter, was also attacked at Great Cacapon Bridge, but repulsed the enemy with considerable loss. A heavy force was approaching, and this Company, not being able to ford the Potomac, retreated up the railroad to Cumberland, Maryland. Colonel Osborn, with the remaining portion of the regiment, was simultaneously attacked at Alpine Station. Companies C and F, in command of Captain Munn, drew into ambush about five hundred (500) of Ashby’s Cavalry, and, after killing and wounding 30, routed them. The regiment finally forded the Potomac, sustaining no serious loss, except in the matter of camp and garrison equipage, and took up a new position on the Maryland shore.
2 “There was a considerable commotion on yesterday in military circles, in consequence of intelligence from Hancock that Jackson had suddenly appeared opposite that place with an estimated force of 7,000 men; one 24-pounder and two 12-pounder rifled guns. He sent word to Gen. Lander to evacuate that place, or he would shell us out. Lander responded that he should not evacuate, and if Jackson opened fire upon the town he would hold him to a strict accountability, Jackson responded that he should assumed the responsibility and carry out his threat. Consequently he commenced a steady fire, which was continued up to dark last night, the date of the latest dispatches up to this time. The enemy’s fire caused out slight damage to the buildings, and taking no effect upon our troops.”
Letter 9
Williamsport, [Maryland]
February 9th [1862]
Dear Brother & Sister,
Yours came to hand. Since I wrote you last, Co. B has moved down into the town and we are now quartered under a roof. We are doing the picket duty and provost marshal duty too so we have to go on guard every other day. Nothing of any consequence has taken place in this vicinity. The victory in Tennessee was rather cheering news and I suppose we shall soon hear something from Missouri. Banks’ Division will advance sometime next fall.
The Boys are getting tired of soldiering. They want to be doing something. We have been a laying around this place about long enough. I hope they will do something before long.
I think I shall get a furlough and come home before long just to get out of town a day or two. A good many of the boys have been home. A New Bedford fellow went yesterday—Charles Howland of Co. B—a relation of Black Hawk. I heard from Henry the other day.
No more this time. From your brother, — Jack
Letter 10
Williamsport [Maryland]
February 28th, 1862
Dear Brother & Sister,
As the Army of the Potomac is about to make a move, I thought I would inform you as the papers are not allowed to publish anything about the movements of the army. We leave this place tonight or tomorrow morning to march on Martinsburg & Winchester. We cross with the 12th Indiana Regiment & one battery and one company of cavalry. We shall meet Gen. Lander with 30,000 troops at. Martinsburg & Banks has crossed at Harpers Ferry with 15,000 & with this force we shall take Winchester & then march on Manassas and Richmond. Together with Gen. McClellan, we are bound to whip them.
The roads are in very good condition now. There is no snow but it is very cold and windy here tonight. We have had it snapping cold for the past week. I don’t expect we shall have much fighting to do until we get to Winchester and there I suppose the Rebels will fight desperate.
I will write you the first chance I have and tell you where to direct to. I suppose we shall be on the move now—that is, if we are successful, and there is not much doubt but what we shall be. Give my love to all enquiring friends, No more this time. When you get this, we shall be marching on Winchester. – From Jack
Letter 11
Winchester, Virginia
March 14th 1862
Dear Brother & Sister,
Since I wrote you last, the great battle has been fought and no lives lost. We left Williamsport on the 1st about 7 o’clock in the evening and marched that night into Martinsburg, Va., a distance of 12 miles and arrived there at 12. We were the advance. The 12th Indiana Regt. and 1 company of cavalry and 1 battery of six guns followed in the rear and got into Martinsburg about 2 in the morning.
We were fired into twice by the Rebel pickets but no one was hurt. As soon as we arrived in town, our band played several national aires and then we all sat down on the side walk while our captains were finding us quarters and while sitting there, some half asleep, some eating, and some all tired, out a whole volley of bullets whistled right over our heads and by the time we were on our feet—slam, bang—it went again. I kind of shook myself to see if I was hot & found out I was all right, looked up the street, and I could see fellows flat on the street. Thinks I to myself, them poor fellows have lost the number of their mess. I then capped my rifle and hearing the order to fall in, I jumped into the ranks and stood ready for anything.
But there was some confusion for about 5 minutes you can bet until affairs was explained. You had ought to have seen the Band Boys leave their instruments & they yelled out, “Give us a rifle!” But you have ought to have heard one of our boys yell out to some chaps that were running, “Stop! You damn shoemakers, stop!” I don’t mean to infer that all shoemakers will run. We have got one company of Natick shoemakers in our regiment and some of them rather showed the white feather that night. They run so fast that they knocked down everything and everybody in their way.
The cause of the firing was this. Our advance guard consisting of about 50 men were a trying to cut off the rebel pickets and had taken a road that led around the town and they did not know exactly where the regiment was and one of the lieutenants of the artillery was a looking around for stabling for his horse when he came upon them. They challenged him but he—like a fool—turned his horse and run instead of answering the challenge when they, supposing him to be a Rebel picket, let him have [it], killing his horse but not injuring him. But it was lucky that they fired high for if they had not, they would have killed lots of our boys. But as it was, only one man was hurt & he was but slightly wounded. We thought that a lot of Rebel cavalry was a going to charge on us.
We stopped in Martinsburg until the 5th. Williams’ Brigade arrived in town the 3rd. We took several prisoners while we were here. The 5th we took up our march toward Winchester and marched to Bunker Hill—a distance of 10 miles. Here we captured six rebel pickets and our cavalry charged on some 50 more who fled but they had too fresh horses for our tired ones. We stopped in this place until the 11th when we marched toward Winchester along with Hamilton’s Brigade and Williams’ Brigade, about 10,000 strong—artillery, cavalry, and infantry. We had several pickets shot while at Bunker Hill & had 3 men wounded & killed in a skirmish.
On the 11th we marched until within 4 miles of the Rebel stronghold & bivouacked that night in a wood. We rolled ourselves up in our blankets expecting on the morrow to have a hard battle. It was the most splendid sight that ever I saw—to see the camp fires that night. Just as far as the eye could scan in every direction you could see them for Masj. Gen. Shield’s Division had come up in our rear and Gen. Banks we heard was handy so there must have been upwards of 50,000 a sleeping with a bright moon & clear sky for their roof out that night.
In the morning we were up long before the sun for I guess a good many did not sleep very sound. After drinking our coffee, we put on our equipments, looking well to the priming of our guns & seeing that every thing was all right for action. Just as soon as Old Sol showed himself, the drums beat the long roll and we all fell in and started for the enemy. It was the finest morning of the season and you had ought to have seem the bayonets a glistening in the sunlight.
We were in advance and were to act as skirmishers on the left flank—a post of honor. The New York 9th Regiment was next to us and then came the Pennsylvania 29th and Indiana 12th and Maryland 1st were all in advance & to act as skirmishers to make the attack. Behind us following in the line of battle was a line between two and three miles long of cavalry, artillery, and infantry. We marched along boldly until within about two miles of the town when we could see the fortifications and then we began to move cautiously but still kept advancing, expecting every minute to hear their batteries open on us. But we though it strange—we could see no one. We kept on until we stood upon their breastworks when lo and behold, everything was deserted and the bird had flown.
We then marched into the town and learned from the citizens that Jackson’s force had evacuated during the night, but that Jackson and Col. Ashby had rode out of town just as we hove in sight. So we took the place without a struggle & captured some 20 prisoners who stopped to get their breakfast. Jackson’s force was out about five miles, they say. And we have skirmished with them most every day. We have got some 50 or sixty prisoners. Today our regiment went out to shoot some of the devils but they had all run.
We expect to have a chance to clean them out soon. Winchester is quite a large place—about six thousand inhabitants. We are doing Provost duty and stop in the town. Generals are as thick as bees around here. No more now. From Jack
Letter 12
On Bull Run Battlefield
March 30th 1862
Dear Brother,
We have passed the night in the barracks built by the New Orleans Artillery (Rebels) between Centreville & Manassas. We left Winchester just before the battle & were ordered back, so we marched back 20 miles when the order was countermanded & we have about-faced again. We have marched over 100 miles in the past week. We have chased Rebels several times but they would run too fast for us.
The Winchester Battle 1 was a grand affair and I wish we could have been there. 75 killed on our side and 300 on the Rebel side & over 1,000 prisoners taken. Our boys emptied 103 saddles at one discharge. We always leave a place just before a fight. It seems to be our luck. We march today toward Manassas and are to be McClellan’s reserve, I think, as he has advanced with a large force.
The country around here looks very desolate—dead horses by the hundred lay scattered around & hundreds of graves and our boys saw a pair of pants sticking out of the ground and went to pull them up when lo & behold, there was a man half buried up and the whole air is filled with a stench.
I am well and hearty. No more now. From Jack
1 Jack’s battle remarks pertain to the Battle of First Kernstown which took place on 23 March 1862 but the 13th Massachusetts did not participate in it. In that engagement, Stonewall Jackson’s men surprised Col. Nathan Kimball’s command at Kernstown on the outskirts of Winchester. The Confederates fought hard but they were outnumbered by greater than two to one and were finally forced to retreat. Casualties were estimated at 590 Union, 718 Confederate. The 13th Massachusetts did not participate in the fight, having been ordered away the day before the battle.
Letter 13
Warrenton Junction, Virginia
April 20th 1862
Dear Brother & Sister,
Yours was received and as we are now once more settled in camp, I will write. We have had the rumor in camp that the Massachusetts Regiments were to be discharged soon and that ours was one of the three. But I guess we shan’t get home before the 4th of July if we do then. It depends on what luck G. B. M. [George B. McClellan] has at Yorktown. We are all pretty well tired of soldiering. You can bet long marches & short rations has killed all the novelty & the Boys commit a good deal of sin every day by way of cursing the army high and low.
I haven’t heard from Rochester for some time. I received both of your letters. What is Lott Dean a doing?
We were paid off day before yesterday and today I went up to the station where the cars come in and had a good dinner on pies and ginger bread—first pie I have tasted for a month. The railroad is rebuilt nearly to this place. When the rebels retired (as htey call it), they destroyed the rails and sleepers.
We don’t see any show for a fight. We have had some skirmishing. Had one man taken prisoner. So I suppose we are on the reserve. I tried to get a furlough today but could not. No more this time. I am well & hearty. From Jack
To. C. M. S. & I. S. S. John A. Bennett
Letter 14
Warrenton Junction
April 29th 1862
Dear Sister,
We are still laying in camp & no signs of an advance while they are fighting all around us. We got news yesterday of the capture of New Orleans by Ben Butler and the Massachusetts Boys. All depends on Yorktown now. If we whip them there we shall be at home very soon.
Banks is a driving Jackson as fast as legs can carry him and if he keeps on he will be in Richmond in less than three weeks, Rumor says that Beauregard has retired from Corinth to Memphis and everything is working admirably.
I send you. five dollars and wish it was five hundred. No more now as I have to go on guard. From your brother, Jack
Letter 15
Falmouth, Virginia
Opposite Fredericksburg
May 20th 1862
Dear Brother & Sister,
We have had another march and are now under Gen. McDowell who is here in force. We expect to advance this week. The force here is about fifty thousand with cavalry and artillery, &c.
Rumor says there is a large Rebel force 8 miles from Fredericksburg. We have got one brigade across the river & the railroad bridge which the Rebs burnt is nearly rebuilt. We have got one pontoon [bridge] across & one canal boat bridge now.
Yesterday the Reb Major Price came into town under a flag of truce. He had an interview with the General but we don’t know his business. He was a gal-looking duck and dressed splendid.
Last Tuesday they drove in our pickets and came within three-quarters of a mile of the river and they sent in word to McDowell that they were anxious to meet him. But when we go, I am afraid they won’t be as anxious.
When we advance, we are a going to lose our tents. We are a going to have the poncho tent and each man carry his own. McDowell don’t want to have any more trouble with wagon trains. You remember he had command at Bull Run & has got a name to retrieve. The men & officers growl a good deal about the severity of McDowell but we will wait and see what his work shows before we condemn him altogether.
Don’t hear a word from Rochester. Direct to Washington. This is lovely country around here. Fredericksburg is the second oldest city in Virginia. — Jack
Letter 16
Front Royal, Virginia
June 15, 1862
Dear Brother & Sister,
We are still laying in camp idle. And last night we got news that we were in Banks Division again and it was hailed with great rejoicing for you know we have been under the scoundrel of a McDowell. And you know he has just played out with the army. If it had not been for him, we should have whipped Jackson or stopped him at least. We were drawn in line of battle only six miles from him and his command was drawn up expecting us but McDowell had another foolish plan for catching him that failed.
Gen. Shields was so mad because McDowell would not let him attack Jackson that he damned him. And just after it, Shields rode back down the line amid ten thousand cheers and McDowell rode down a few minutes after without a grunt. But we did not know what conversation they had been having, but it must have cut McDowell some.
Shields is about 20 miles ahead of us a chasing and fighting Jackson. Hundreds of his wounded come to this place. Yesterday there was 300 arrived. It was the hardest sight a man ever witnessed—some with their nose shot off—some with bandaged heads and black eyes. They looked as though they had been in a hand to hand fight and fought like tigers. That is the state of his men and of him too. He had rather fight than eat, I believe.
It looks as though we were a going to stop here some time but we cannot always tell. Direct to Washington. From Jack.
Love to all.
What do people think about the war, Isaiah? When do they think it will end? It don’t look any nearer an end now than it did three months ago, does it? It is a killing of a good many men by bullets and sickness. It is estimated at over a hundred thousand, I believe, since the war commenced. We only muster six hundred for duty when we came out with a thousand. We lost a man for the first time the other day in our company. There was three out of the regiment. Two wounded trying to cross the Shenandoah in a boat.
Letter 17
Manassas [Virginia]
July 1st 1862
Dear Sister & Brother,
As it is very warm this afternoon and we are not to have any drill and so to keep me out of mischief, I thought I would write. I have not got much news to write, if any. I got two letters from Rochester last week. Ain’t that wonderful. One from Henry & one from John Galen. I answered Henry’s right off and sent him a dollar to buy postage stamps so he could write to me once a week. I guess he won’t be offended, will he?
We are still on the same camp ground as when I wrote before. We have company drills every morning & Brigade drill every afternoon. I don’t know as you. know what our Brigade consists of [so] I will tell you. 1st comes the 9th Regt. N. Y. State Militia—the best regiment the state sent out. Next comes the Massachusetts 12th, Col. Fletcher Webster’s Regiment—Daniel’s son. It’s a bully regiment as you will know. Next comes the marching regiment of the campaign—the regiment that never turned their back to danger—the Glorious 13th, Col. Sam Leonard of which I have the honor to be attached to; ha. ha. Next comes the Pennsylvania 11th—a very good regiment, and a detachment of the Maine Cavalry and two [ ] Batteries. So you see we are just a gay crowd to clean out.
Now you will say I like to brag but nevertheless I will tell you the truth, our Brigadier General said that we were the best regiment in his brigade by 15 degrees and there was not a smarter Colonel in the American ARmy than Sammy Leonard. And he is a regular army officer and a West Point graduate and ought to know. One day we were marching by Gen. McDowell, the old granny, and he stopped the Colonel and says he, “Colonel, where are your men from.” “Boston and vicinity,” says our Colonel and rides right along. Old McDowell at first used to make us drill with knapsacks on for he said we were the band box regiment and he thought we could not stand much because we kept our faces clean.
On our Front Royal march, our Brigade was complimented very highly and called a model brigade for the number of men we brought in. Since that march, we hain’t heard anything about knapsack drill or “band box regiment.” Our regiment keep themselves as clean as possible. And whenever we come in contact with any new troops, we are generally accosted with the following, howling [at us]: “Are you out? You fellows won’t look so well after you have been six months in service!” It makes us laugh but we keep mum.
Bull Run Battlefield is within three miles of this place & lots of our boys have been over to get relics. And everyday we learn some new incident which happened at the battle. One old lady was killed during the engagement. She was very old and was entreated by the rebels to leave her house, but no, she had stayed there before during one battle of the Revolutionary [War] times which was fought there & she should stay now. So she stopped till our guns had unroofed her house and just as she was a coming out of the door, she was struck by a bullet and fell dead. She was buried in her own door yard.
Our troops had the rebels in full retreat once and as they were passing by a citizen’s house, he asked them what they were running for. They replied that the damned Yankees were too much for them. We have two or three graduates of Bull Run Battle in our regiment and we generally take them along with us to point out the particular places where there was a hard fight or where some officer fell.
I guess you will get tired of reading my jabbering but I shall have to plead idleness as an excuse. You can bet our hearts are a going pit ti pat for little Mac down to Richmond for we received big news from him today. And by the time you get this, our fate will be decided, I think. Will they have to keep us three years or shall we go home soon? That’s the question which interests us. I wish I was down there. I see by the paper that the 18th has been in a fight but nobody hurt that I know. Little Mac is playing them a game that is hard to beat. And I wish we had a few more of his stamp. It’s supper time and I must dry up. From Jack
Excuse this long letter and I will write a shorter one next time. — John
Letter 18
Warrenton, Virginia
July 20th [1862]
Dear Brother & Sister,
Seeing that it is Sunday, I ain’t very busy.
Well! Isaiah, what do you think of it now? Who is a going into Richmond first? I tell you we have got a hoss at last. Gen. Pope, I think. will be the boy for them yet. We have spared guerrillas long enough. They have even visited our camps and we have passed them on the march. Before now, when the boys wanted to shoot them, our Gen. would not allow such things. Look at Pope’s proclamation & see how he is a going to use them.
The village or city of Warrenton near where we are encamped is one of the handsomest places in Virginia. The celebrated Sulphur Springs are near us where Jeff Davis & family stopped last summer and the inhabitants are all strong secesh. Most all the men being in the CSA army, the farmers around about all act as Southern spies. When we march by a house, they are busy at work. After we pass, they saddle their horse and take some back road or path & go ahead of us and inform the Southern pickets or army. So you see they have some advantage over us. But I think Pope will doctor them chaps.
We have got over 70,000 men now in the Army of Virginia, our advance being in Gordonsville and a very important place as the railroad from Richmond terminates there—that is, it has stopped there for some time past. It was the way Jackson got up into the Valley quick before.
I was in Washington the other day. The Quartermaster of the Brigade detailed me to go down and bring up an ambulance so I had a chance to see the city. I was there all day. Saw all the sights and had a good time. The Capitol beats all I ever saw. It will pay to go a good ways to see.
I enclose five dollars that I cannot get rid of. Use it if you like. I want you to buy me 50 cents worth of stamps with it and send them in your next.
The talk is that we are a going to move on tomorrow but I cannot tell until tomorrow comes for you know it don’t take long to get ready.
We had all the cherries and blackberries we could eat ever since we have been here. They grow wild. Black heart cherries & the red ones enough to feed an army and whole field of blackberries. We have just about lived on them. From Jack
Letter 19
On August 6, Pope marched his forces (which included the 13th Massachusetts) south into Culpeper County with the objective of capturing the rail junction at Gordonsville, in an attempt to draw Confederate attention away from Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan’s withdrawal from the Virginia Peninsula.
Four miles beyond Culpeper, Virginia
August 12th [1862]
Dear Brother & Sister,
We have had a fight but nothing gained on either side. Our loss was large. We are expecting to fight again every minute as we have got reinforcements. The 13th [Massachusetts] stand fire like veterans. I am all right. From Jack
P. S. You shall have the particulars at the first opportunity.
Letter 20
The following letter describes the Battle of Cedar Mountain and the Union retreat to Warrenton, Virginia.
In camp one mile from the Rapidan River
Sunday, August 17th 1862
Dear Sister & Brother,
I dropped you a line the other day to let you know that I was a kicking yet. As we came very near having a fight and I did not know what the papers might say about it.
On the 9th, the day of the fight, our Division under command of Gen. Rickets, started in advance and were ahead until we arrived at a cross road leading from Sperryville, about three miles to the rear of the battlefield, and at this place we rested on our arms until nearly all Gen. Banks’ command had passed us. And about 2:30 o’clock we heard the cannons begin and was kept up till 5 o’clock when we began to hear the musketry volleys. It was then we were ordered forward and we could hear the volleys thick and fast as we were marching forward.
When we arrived on the field, the Rebs had driven our forces one mile and the greatest confusion prevailed—riderless horses and Batteries dashing hither and thither running over men, & hundreds of wounded a limping past and men a running. And in fact, words cannot describe it. But the order of things soon changed. Fresh troops and our brave Generals soon put a stop to it.
We were ordered to the front at 7 o’clock—our whole Division—and thanks to our brave Colonel that we did not lose a man. They fired several volleys over our heads and killed and wounded several in the Massachusetts 12th which was just behind us. In fact, every other regiment lost more or less in the whole Division when we actually laid right under their noses. But the moon refused her light for a good purpose for once for we had just time to change our position, and our batteries getting in position, we soon made things howl and the Rebs had to fall back a little. At 1, their batteries were silenced and everything was quiet with the exception of a crack of a rifle now and then, telling us they were in hearing yet. 1
The next morning at daylight we expected the ball would open again but they did not reply to a shell we sent them but skirmishing was kept up all day. On Monday morning we sent them a flag of truce asking for an armistice for 24 hours for us to bury our dead as they still held the battle ground. It was then I went onto the battle ground and talked with the Rebs. We were all mixed up for a spell—those that went onto the grounds, Rebs and Union. I cannot describe the scene. It is beyond description. Imagination had pictured it bad enough but then it has got to be seen to be realized. Gen. Gordon says he lost 600 men in 30 minutes. The slaughter was immense. 2
The newspapers are never allowed to print the facts. No, not one half. The rebs outnumbered our forces and whipped us badly but I think that their loss was nearly as large as ours. Our men fought like old veterans—every man of them. But the Rebs fell back; we don’t know how far. And we advanced and are in advance of all the infantry.
We expect a fight to begin very soon. Our wagons have all gone to the rear and it means that they are not safe with us. We shall be in front the next fight we have when the ball opens. Still we may not have a fight for some time—it’s at their option. They can pitch in when they choose. They have got more men than we have now but we are in hopes to have more soon. They talk as fair as we do, and I think they are full as honorable in regard to prisoners taken & in relation to the army regulations and rules. But they are fighting on the wrong side of the question. But they can’t see it.
Our Brigadier General [George Lucas] Hartsuff was complimented by Gen. Pope for his promptness in bringing forward his brigade and for his skill in handling them. Write soon. Write soon. From your brother, — Jack
Bivouacked five miles from Warrenton, [Va.]
August 26th 1862
I had no chance to send the above so you have it continued. And as our band goes home tomorrow, I will send by them. We have had no mail for ten days. I copy from my diary as it might interest you.
August 17th—Gen. [Samuel Spriggs] Carroll shot in the shoulder by a Rebel picket while visiting our pickets. Was carried through our camp. Wound not dangerous. About 3 p.m., packed up and marched back about 4 miles to the east side of Cedar Mountain and pitched tents. Burnsides command in the vicinity.
August 18th—In camp. At dark had orders to strike tents and pack up. At 11 in the evening, started and marched about 7 miles on the Culpeper Road & halted. Slept all the rest of the night sitting on my knapsack, gun in hand in the road.
August 19th—At daylight made a cup of coffee. Started about 8 in the morn and marched to the Rappahannock Station—distance of 20 miles, where we arrived about 9 in the evening. Passed through Culpeper & Brandy Station. Pope’s whole force seems to be retreating. Don’t know whether it is a strategy or a skedaddle. It is the cause of a great deal of speculation among the Boys. Many rumors afloat. Bivouacked on the north side of the Rappahannock. A long march. Boys all tired out.
August 20th—Rappahannock Station. Troops coming in all the morning. Some of Sigel’s command. At 11 a.m., Rebel cavalry seen in the distance a chasing our rear guard and stragglers. Our cavalry charge on them. They run. (Splendid sight.) Several horses seen without riders. At 12 our force all over the river. At one o’clock our regiment was ordered to double quick to the other side of the river and load while going. We thought we were to support a section of battery, 2 guns, on a little hill right close to the river. Reb skirmishers seen in the distance. No force appear. Went on picket at night. Had to keep our eyes open. 1 man shot.
August 21st—Supporting the battery. Rebs open a battery on us. We silence them. Their skirmishers seen all day. They don’t like our position.
August 22nd—We captured 12 head of cattle from the Rebs. Rebs open on us again. We drive them from their guns. They haul their guns back with ropes. Digging entrenchments. In the evening a thousand Rebs campfires seen about four miles off. Heavy showers during the night.
August 23rd—We waked up early and ordered to hurry and fall in as they were afraid the bridge would be carried away and we would be cut off. River very high when we crossed. Rebs think we are retreating and open on us in all directions. Our batteries a playing on them. Lively cannonading kept up for three hours. Our guns are too much for their artillery. Our lines run all along the north bank of the Rappahannock. Rebs are along the south bank. Their force reported to be 150,000. Report that McClellan has landed at Fredericksburg. Great rejoicing. Things looked squally for awhile. We have heardd cannonading on our right and left for the past day or two. Sigel is on the right and Burnside is on the left and we in the center, McDowell. Our Division has been relieved and we marched six miles on the Warrenton Road & bivouacked.
Sunday 24th—Marched about 5 miles towards Waterloo. Hear heavy cannonading in front. Saw some of McClellan’s troops. Pitched tents at dark. Reported that Sigel has taken 2,000 prisoners. One of our boys saw them.
August 25th—Marched about 4 miles toward Waterloo and encamped. Heavy cannonading in front.
August 26th—In the morning heard heavy cannonading back about six miles and we marched back to where we encamped on 25th. Cannonading stopped and we go back again so we have made about 8 miles today. We are holding our position until our army is large enough to advance. It looked kind of shady before Mac got up here. They were 4 to 1 [odds against us]. We had a report today that Mac had got to Gordonsville and cut them off. I hope it’s true. Papers are not allowed to print the truth. And I believe they are not allowed to print any movements of the army now. I am well and hearty. We have plenty hard times now. It’s war in earnest. We had one man wounded in the head the other day. And there was several artillery men killed and wounded.
1 The battle was nearly over by the time the Brig. Gen. Ricketts’ Division was ordered forward at 7 p.m. Fresh Confederate troops arrived on the battlefield “through the dimming twilight along the Culpeper Road” to find “newly arrived Union brigades from Brigadier General James B. Ricketts’s division, which had established a line across the road roughly a mile and a half from the battlefield. Behind Ricketts’s line, which stretched from near the Brown Farm to the Hudson Farm east of the Culpepper Road, Banks cobbled together a second piecemeal line from rallied soldiers of his command. Concealed by the long shadows cast by the trees and fading light, Confederate batteries unlimbered their guns and let loose with canister and case shot on a Federal battery in the process of deploying near the Hudson Farm. Union artillery roared back in response, ultimately driving back the southern guns after a heated 15-minute exchange. Faced with a fresh Union position and with the growing darkness making it difficult to identify friendly units, Jackson called off the pursuit and pulled back his troops…The exhausted men of the Stonewall Brigade bivouacked that night just past the cornfield, where the Union artillery had been positioned for most of the fighting. Both side’s guns kept up the cannonade all night…By dawn, reinforcements had swelled the Union force, causing Jackson to call off any further advance on Culpepper Court House. His command spent the day tending to their wounded, burying the dead, and collecting some 5,300 muskets from the battlefield” (Source: The Stonewall Brigade).
2 “On August 11, Union burial parties visited the battlefield under a flag of truce. They found a shattered landscape, still covered with the dead and dying. In the wheatfield and woods where Gordon’s Brigade had fought, “there were ghastly piles of dead, with here and there a living sufferer, who had drawn his painful breath through more than thirty-six hours of exposure.” Near the former position of the Twenty-Seventh Indiana, the trees were “cut and scored” with musket balls, so thick that one man’s palm could cover seven bullet holes.” (Source: The Stonewall Brigade)
Letter 21
Hall’s Hill, Virginia
September 4th 1862
Dear Brother,
Since my last we have had stirring times. I will not go into detail now. We have been in two fights since my last. One at Thoroughfare Gap and second at Bull Run, No. 2. Our regiment has lost 200 men killed, wounded and missing. Our company lost 3 killed, 14 wounded, and 12 missing. We were in the thickest of it and the men fell like wheat before the cradle. Our loss was very large. And we were completely out-generaled so we had to fall back.
I received your last and a letter from Henry. I have seen all the Middleboro Boys and last night I took supper with Mr. Johnson. They were in the fight and lost heavy. They are in camp. nearby. The Middleboro Company did not lose a man in killed or wounded. John King was taken prisoner.
I don’t know what we are a coming to. The only cheering thing that I know of is that McClellan has command of all the troops in Virginia. No more now.
I send this by the Boston Policemen who are out here to look after the sick and wounded. 1 Mr. Johnson sends his respects. I was right glad to see him. — Jack
1 The Springfield (Mass.) Weekly Republican of September 6, 1862, reported that “Eight car loads of hospital supplies from Boston, for our wounded soldiers in Virginia, passed through this city Sunday on the train for New York. There were also 80 volunteer surgeons on the train. Mayor Wightman of Boston, chief of Police Amory and 80 policemen, and a large number of nurses among whom was the charming songstress, Jennie Twichell Kempton. Boston has done nobly. All the eight car loads were collected during the day Sunday.“ The Springfield Republican also reported on 4 September 1862 that “The Boston police force have made themselves very useful in carrying the wounded from the boats and cars to the ambulances. Their strong arms have been a greatful assistance to the sufferers.”
Letter 22
Sharpsburg, Maryland
September 28th [1862]
Dear Brother & Sister,
Yours lays at hand. We are once more in camp, picketing the old Potomac, natural as life. But a good many of our comrades have done their last picket duty and it makes me feel sad to look around—so many new faces in the regiment. There is but ten old members in the company and we look on the recruits as an old sailor on a green hand. Our company number 25 all told. As good luck will have it, you may say (but I call bad luck), I was not in the last fight our regiment had the 17th. I mean I was not with the regiment. I was a guarding the knapsacks. I had a touch of the fever and ague and so I got the job. But I was in the fight of the 14th at South Mountain and I have been in five fights—Cedar Mountain (no loss), Rappahannock Station (several wounded in regiment), Bull Run (30 killed, wounded & prisoners in Co. B), Thoroughfare Gap (15 killed & wounded in regiment), Battle of Antietam (in our company 12 wounded and 1 killed)—some very slightly wounded. The hardest fight we have had was Bull Run—that is, our regiment.
You spoke about the soldiers stealing hens. You had ought to see the country through which an army has passed. It looks as though there had been a hurricane, I tell you. It looks like timber, plains, fields of corn all trampled down, fences laid flat, and destruction generally prevails. I hain’t got the patience to write all but if God spares my life to get home once more, I can tell you enough in ten minutes so you never will want me to mention war again.
I was on the battlefield the day after the fight. Our regiment went to the front again and I could not stay behind. We expected to fight all day and each man was ordered to have his gun in his hand while he made the coffee. But you had ought to have seen the piles of dead rebs. The lost three to our one and more too, I think. Our boys kill more than they do but they fire low and wound a good many. They say it takes two men to carry off one wounded man. I talked with a good many of them. They are tired and sick of fighting but they won’t give up.
I got a letter from Henry today. He talks very well. All that seems to cut him is his mother’s cupboard. He don’t find it on ship board.
Three cheers for John G. Tell him to name that boy John. Give my love to the family. I wish you would send me a pair of blue flannel shirts (wide collars) and two pair of red flannel drawers.
I am pretty well now but we had to lay on the ground several nights without a thing under or over us. And pretty cold nights too up on the South Mountain. But we have got our shelters now so we live as warm as we can expect. We have cold nights & quite warm days.
I am in no hurry for the shirts and drawers. You can get the flannel and let some poor woman make them and I will send you the money to pay for them. When you get them done, put them in a bundle or small box and mark it, John A. Bennett, Co. B, 13th Regt. Mass. Vols., General Hartsoff Brigade, Rickett’s Division, Washington D. C., Care of Chase & Brown, Sutler, Adams Express
You may put in an apple pie with them shirts.
The 18th have had a big loss but I don’t know the particulars. I would not say anything about it.
Letter 23
In camp near Sharpsburg [Maryland]
[October] 16th [1862]
Dear Sister,
Yours I just received and I would say in reference to that box that you can send it to Hagerstown, Maryland, and send it as soon as possible for we may have to cross the river soon. But you don’t know how I dread it—the same old tramp over again. There has been heavy cannonading today towards Charlestown and the report is that Lee has attacked us. If he has, it will delay our crossing and I hope he has for everyone dreads to cross the Potomac. I believe everyone of our boys would lose their left arm if they could but get their discharge from the army—so sick of it! Some pretend to say that Gen. McClellan intends to carry on a winter campaign. If he does, he will lose half his men from exposure. I don’t believe he will undertake it. We have all we can do to keep warm now in a cold night. And I don’t know what we would do two months later a marching.
It’s a raining here this evening. I have got 4 hours guard duty to do so I must quit. I don’t know as I want anything else unless you have got a bottle of father’s cider to spare. If you hain’t, never mind.
Direct thus: John A. Bennett, Co. B, 13th Regt. Mass. Vols., Hagerstown, Maryland, Adam’s Express
Put in some story papers and stationery.
Letter 24
Harewood Hospital, Washington [D. C.]
November 1st [1862]
Dear Brother & Sister,
You must not be surprised too much. Well, I stood it as long as I could and then I had to give up. I have got the jaundice & the fever & chills. I shall be all right in the course of two weeks. I left the regiment at Berlin as they were a crossing into Virginia. I left Sharpsburg before my box got there. If it could have been sent Monday, I could have got it. I don’t know as you have sent it. I have not received any letter from you to that effect. I would have supposed you would have written at the same time you sent the box. I shall have it ordered here as soon as I can got some money to pay the Express. We have not been paid off for four months and I don’t know when we shall be. I have not had any money for over three months. I wish you would send me ten dollars as soon as you get this and I will pay you in the course of a month. From Jack
Direct thus: J. A. Bennett, Ward D, Eastern Division, Harewood Hospital, Washington, D. C. No Company or Regiment on the letter.
Write soon. I am in need of the money.
Letter 25
Harewood Hospital
Washington D. C.
November 11th 1862
Dear Sister & Brother,
Yours I received together with the money, which will do me a heap of good. We have not been paid off for over four months or I would not been out of money. It comes very handy to buy a little milk to put in my tea an an apple now and then. I am a great deal better than I as when I first came here. The doctor calls it a fever that I have had. I am so as to be up around now although I am quite weak. There is a man a dying in this tent in which I am writing in, with the consumption. Scarcely a day passes without one or more being carried out dead. I was sick four weeks to the regiment before I came here. I had the chills and fever and the jaundice. But I am all right now, I think. The only thing that is the matter now is my legs and hips ache some nights & keep me a rolling & keeps me awake. But I will get over that soon. The doctor is a giving me some powders that I think will help me.
I shall get my box tomorrow, I think. I ordered it to be sent here and the shirts and drawers will come in the nick of time as I need them. I will return that money, Isaiah, in the course of two or three weeks as soon as I can get my pay. I would like to be at home this fall to go a rabbit hunting with you.
I should think father & mother would be very lonesome without Henry. I don’t see how they get along.
I tell you what it is. If I can once get out of this scrape, I guess I shall look out next time I jump and not jump into such a scrape as this. One year will do very well but come to take it any longer, it is tough and rough. No more now. From your brother, — Jack
Letter 26
On board Euterpe
Newport [Rhode Island]
January 18th 1863
Dear Brother & Sister,
I am once more in the land of the living but shall not come home this trip as I have not had my discharge. I have got to go back to Washington before I can get it. And the Doctor wants me to stop with him on the ship which I shall do if I am no worse.
I have but very little to do and that is writing. I shall come home next trip if we come to Newport, but we may go to New York. We made the run this trip from Fortress Monroe 400 miles in 36 hours. We brought 240 patients to the Portsmouth Grove Hospital. 1, 2
Write me about a week from today and direct to Washington, Ship Euterpe, and write me where Henry is. He wrote to me on New Years Day and that he expected to leave Philadelphia soon. I am afraid he will see harder times than he has seen. I see by the papers the Rebs are using some of our gunboats rather rough.
No more this time. From your brother, — J. A. Bennett
We expect to sail tomorrow or next day if we have the wind fair. — Jack
1 One wartime hospital was located in the present-day Melville district, formerly known as Portsmouth Grove. It was known by several names, earlier as Portsmouth Grove Hospital and later as the Lovell General Hospital, named in honor of Joseph Lovell, surgeon general of the Army from 1818 to 1836, according to local resident Frank Grzyb’s 2012 book, “Rhode Island’s Civil War Hospital.“
2 The Providence Evening Press reported on Saturday, January 17, 1863, “Ship Euterpe, whose arrival we mentioned yesterday, has on board about 250 men. These soldiers will be transferred to the U. S. Military Hospital at Portsmouth Grove either today or tomorrow.”
Letter 27
Ship Euterpe
Fortress Monroe
February 5th 1863
Dear Brother & Sister,
Yours has just come to hand and you will think we have had a long passage so far but not so. We laid in Newport until the 2nd, waiting for a favorable wind. I might have come home and stopped three weeks if I had known how the wind was a going to blow. I was ashore several times and I got so tired of waiting that I almost concluded to come home for Newport is a fine place in the summer but an awful cold place in the winter.
We made the passage this trip in 54 hours (a good run). I see that there is a good many gunboats laying here so tomorrow I shall look around and see if I can find Henry. Gosport Navy Yard is not far from here and as we shall have to lay here a day or two waiting for a steamer to tow us up to Washington, I shall find him if he is in the vicinity.
I received a letter from that young man’s mother today that I went to see in Boston—the young man that belonged to my company that died. I will send it home as he was a particular friend of mine and I may lose it. I have answered it.
I will write you or Henry will if I find him. We shall get up to Washington some time next week. Direct the same as before—only to Ship Euterpe instead of Euerpe.
From your brother, — John A. Bennett
Spared & Shared 23 