The following letters were written by Albert “James” Andrews [Andrus] (1841-1862) who enlisted at the age of 21 on 12 September 1861 at Potsdam, New York, to serve as a private in Co. B, 16th New York Volunteers—the “First St. Lawrence County Regiment.” James served in the Peninsula Campaign and remained with the regiment until 1 December 1862 when he was taken sick and carried to the camp hospital where he died on 13 December. He was buried at Belle Plain Landing, Va.
James was the son of Winant Andrus (1812-Bef1850) and Eliza A. Vaum (or Vaughan) (1823-1898). By the time of the Civil War, Eliza had taken John C. Butler (1812-1864) as her second husband and had three or four children with him. John Butler also served in the war, volunteering in December 1863 as a private in Co. M, 6th New York Heavy Artillery. Unfortunately he did not survive the war. He died of disease on 26 December 1864 at the Judiciary Square Hospital in Washington D. C. when he was 52 years old. John Butler is referred to as the “Old Man” in these letters.
Letter 1
[Five miles from Richmond]
May 25th [?] 1862
Dear Mother,
It is with much pleasure that I take my pen to let you know that I am well and hope these few lines will find you all the same. We are five miles from Richmond. We had a little fight yesterday. We drove the enemy. We had none hurt. I heard Wm. has gone home. The corn is fit to hoe. The old man is tough as a bear. He is gone into the artillery.
Write as soon as you get this. Tell all the particulars. Try to plant something this spring. I can’t think of anything more to write. Goodbye for this time. — James A. Andrus [Andrews]
Direct your letters to Co. B, 16th Regt. New York
Letter 2
June 26, 1862
Dear Mother,
I now take my pen to let you know what I am a doing and [how] I am a doing. I am well and hope this will find you all the same. We are very near Richmond. We have a good time here and I think that we will be home this fall—perhaps sooner. They are a fighting today. The cannon roars like thunder. They will not find fun as I am sitting by candle light in my tent. I saw the old man today. He is well and tough as a bear. He is camped close to me. I see him every day. He told me to tell you that he would send you some money as soon as he could draw some pay. He did not draw any pay this pay day. I did not get any money but I will have fifty dollars due me when I draw pay next time. But I want to keep my money until I get there. I want to buy that farm when I get home.
Tell William to be a good boy and try to do well as he can this summer. I have a good time here but I would like to be home now.
They are fighting yet. It is after dark now. I will have to stop for tonight. My fingers are getting tired but I will [write] a little more. I want you to tell all the news and what all the folks is a doing up in the woods. I want to tell John that I say that when I get land, that we have a dance and have a good time a hunting. I just stole a large cherrie [pie] from the sutler today, sold it for a little money, and I sent 1 dollar to Edward and George to get them some books so that they can go to school and when I can get some more I will send some more. I want them to learn to read.
Well, I wish you would tell to me more than you do. I have wrote four letters to you and have not had any answers. I want you to write as soon as you get this. So goodbye for this time. From your absent son, — James Andrus
Co. B, 16th Regt. N. Y. S. V.
Ten minutes later. We have just received news from the fight. Our boys have beat the enemy roundly and are within two miles of Richmond. The city of Richmond is ours, or a part of the same.
Letter 3
Camp of the 16th Regt.
July 20th 1862
Dear Mother,
I now take my pen to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well and hope these few lines will find all of the folks enjoying the same. I received your letter last week but did not have time to answer it until now. I was over to the ninety-second today. I saw George C___ and Collier. I think that we will get our discharge this fall.
We had a hard fight the other day but I did not get hurt at all. I sent one dollar to George and Edward to get their [ ] books and will send some more in here if I can get it. I did not send any last pay day. I want to send enough to pay the land when I get home. Tell N__ to pile up the lumber so that it will keep. I want you to tell me all the particulars when you write and what all of the folks are a doing up in the woods. I have wrote many letters and one got one. Write soon as you get this and write often. I gave the old man the letter that you sent him. He is well. He has wrote to you two letters. He will send you some money as soon as he can get. I wrote to [ ] but have not got any answer yet.
Write as soon as you get this and tell all of the particulars. I cannot think of any more now so goodbye for this time. — James A. Andrus
Co. B, 16th Regt. N. Y. S. V.
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