The following letters were written by John Balch (1843-1916), the son of Ira Balch (1796-1861) and Margaret Baker (1804-1864) of Sodus, Wayne county, New York. He wrote the letter to his much older brother, Holland Balch (1825-1898).

In August 1862, when he was 19 years old, John enlisted as a private in Co. E, 111th New York Infantry. He was survived the war and mustered out with his company in June 1865 but was wounded in the fighting at Gettysburg in July 1863 and was absent from the regiment for a time. Eight of the regiment’s ten companies (totaling 390 men) fought at Gettysburg late in the day on 2 July in the charge of Willard’s Brigade against Barksdale’s Mississippians. This successful charge helped to erase the sobriquet “Harper’s Ferry Cowards” that had previously been applied to them.

In one of his letters, John mentions artillery shelling that reminded him of Harper’s Ferry. It was at Harper’s Ferry in September 1862 that the 111th New York first came under fire. They were among the Union troops surrendered there and sent to Camp Douglas in Chicago to await exchange. When they were returned to duty, they were posted as pickets near Centerville, Virginia, where both of these letters were written.

Letter 1

Centerville [Virginia]
April 27, 1863

Dear Brother,

I take my pen in hand to let you know that I am still among the living and enjoying first rate good health and hope this will find you all the same. It is hot enough to roast the devil. We have had colder weather down here that I ever see it in York State for this time of year.

I got that money that Orrin sent me. I got a letter from Amanda the other night but have not answered it yet. We have had marching orders but have not moved yet and I don’t believe we will right away.

What are you doing now? Working, I suppose, the same as usual. I wish I was there to work for somebody. I hear that wages is high in York State. Is Orrin working by the month or day?

There is four regiments here now and two batteries of six guns each. We all got four month’s pay. I will send my check in this letter. I owed the sutler eight dollars. I bought a pair of boots for six dollars and they are damn poor things at that. You may send me five dollars. If Orrin has got his five, then you may have the rest for your trouble. I mean that 14 dollars that I sent by George Paddock. When you get this, let me know what you do with it.

Captain [Isaac M.] Lusk has been promoted to Major. Our captain’s name is John [A.] Laing. Gus Proseus is 1st Lieutenant and Will Mallery is promoted to sergeant. He draws 17 dollars a month. What is our worthy brother-in-law doing now? Tearing around, I suppose, as he did when he was on our place. Will Mallery has gone to Washington to send Emery’s things home. When you write, send me all the news you can and how the things look on the farm and how Ike Boss gets along. If you see him, tell him that I am well but if I was at home I think I should stay there for all going a soldiering. We have to drill four hours a day, two in the fore and two in the afternoon.

You can send me that five dollars and keep the rest yourself. But I will have to close. Write soon and oblige your brother, — John Balch

I forgot to say that I got Mary’s letter. Don’t put on in care of the Captain.

Directions: John Balch, 111th Regt. Co. E, N. Y. S. V., Washington D. C.

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Letter 2

Centerville, Virginia
May 22, 1863

Dear Brother,

I take my pen in hand to let you know that I am still in the land of the living and hope this will find you all the same. It has been quite a while since I wrote but somehow I could not get at it. But having nothing to do today, I thought I would not have a better chance. It is pretty warm here now and I suppose it is the same there. We are still doing picket duty.

What does the folks think of the war now? I guess they think it will take more than six months to whip the rebels. They said I would not have to stay but five or six months at the most ten.

That five dollar bill you sent me is not good for anything. it is a counterfeit. I will send it back to you and you will probably know who you got it from and can get it changed and send me another. Send a green back if you can get one.

How does Orrin and Hannah get along? All right, I suppose. I would like to see the old boy and hear him saw on the old fiddle. I miss it a good deal. I suppose he is getting to be quite a player by this time. How is John Dubois getting along on the old farm? I guess as good as Walt did, if not better. And so Walt is made, is he? Well he won’t hurt anybody. He is harmless.

But I must hurry and get through for I have got to wash and get ready for we have inspection tomorrow and them that has on a dirty shirt or a dirty gun is sent to the guard house for three or four days. I have not been sent there yet and I hope I never shall be. We have preaching every Sunday night but it ain’t like home for there ain’t any gals to go home with.

The battery is shooting at a target. They put up a target a mile and a half and they come pretty close sometimes. You ought to hear the shells. They make a devil of a noise going through the air. They make me think of Harper’s Ferry. But I must close.

Send me the money if you please. I suppose you think I am spending a good deal of money but we have to buy a god many little notions and things are pretty high here. I have growed a little since I left home. I weigh about twenty pounds more than I did but I must bring my letter to a close by bidding you goodbye from, — John Balch

Write soon and I will try and do the same.