The following letters were written by 29 year-old Francis (“Frank”) Teear (1833-1862) of Pierrepont Manor, Jefferson county, New York, who enlisted in Co. K, 24th New York Infantry and was killed in action at the Second Battle of Bull Run on 31 August 1862. Prior to his death, Frank had been promoted to a sergeant.
He was married to Lestina L. Williams (1833-1908) in April 1860. Their only child, Hattie L. Teear was born at Ellisburg on 27 December 1860.
Letter 1
Upton’s Hill, Virginia
March 5th [1862]
Dear wife,
I thought that the last letter I wrote would be the last from Upton’s Hill, but we are here yet with I think as fairer a prospect of staying as leaving. I do not think that our noble Gen’l McClellan is quite ready. The right wing has crossed the river successfully at Harpers Ferry and have got good foothold. Vienna is in our possession so that we have possession of the Alexandria and Louden Railroad up to there. The cars run up to Vienna yesterday with a load of ties and rails to re-lay the track destroyed by the enemy. About 20 miles has been destroyed by them.
The left wing has also moved forward and I presume that as soon as they get their position, we shall have to move out to Centreville. All sorts of stories are in circulation as to when we shall go, but I think as long as the roads are in as bad condition as they are now, we shall stay where we are. I see that the rebels have finally evacuated Columbus, a pretty good plan if they want to be safe. I presume that when we go from here we shall go rather suddenly. It may be this week and it may be a month hence.
Some say that we shall not get our two months pay, which is now due us, until the 1st of next month. I do not see any cause why we should not get it in a day or two and I think we shall, or at least I hope so, for I am about out. I have bought more nic-nacs this time on account of my sickness. The purchasing of those lithographs did not make any material difference. I am glad that you was pleased with them. I would like to have conformed to your request to have that detested mustache off, but it was such a fine one I hated to cut the poor thing off. Then you know a soldier without a mustache looks like a pig with one ear.
We drill now in the bayonet drill and practice shooting at a target. The distances are 150, 250, 350 and 500 yards. We shoot at off hand and four rounds each at each distance. We do some pretty good shooting, though not more than 1/4 of the shots fired hit the target. Still they are all—or most of them—good line shots and would do execution if fired at a body of infantry. I hit it half the number of times that I fired except the 500 yard distance when I only hit it once in four shots.
I received yours of the 27th of February night before last and was glad to hear of your continued health and that of our little one. Poor little thing—she has to suffer while her teeth are coming through. But I hope she will soon get over that and enjoy good health & it makes me long to be at home and play with her when you tell me about her. I hope the time is not far distant when I shall be there.
I have to chronicle another death in our company—that of Edwin Green. 1 You knew him well as he lived at John Barnes and Mr. Packers. I used to think him a good moral man, but the immoral influence of the camp I fear had got the ascendancy. I did not see him until after his death. I hope he had made his peace with God. He was sent home by express yesterday. Almost everyday we hear the solemn notes of the band, which tells us that someone is being conveyed to his narrow home. One of Co. D’s boys was buried last Sabbath and also a member of the 12th Regiment, making two last Sabbath. On Monday one died belonging to the 21st. The undertaker at Washington says he averages ten a day. Wonder how many out of this vast number go into another world prepared. This is only known to the ruler of all.
Give my love to Joseph and Lucretia and a kiss for Hattie. I received a good long letter from my scholars signed by Mary, Eunice, Betty, Lovica, Celestia, Madora. I shall have to answer it tomorrow. I will send it to you in this. Well, I must bid you goodbye, remembering you always in my prayers. Yours forever. — Frank
I sent home all my old letters and a photograph by Myron Whitney who started last Monday. I told him if he did not get a chance to drop it in the office, to hand it to Mr. Hatch, so if you do not get them by the time you get this, ask Hatch if it was left with him. We do not have very settled weather yet. It rains or hails about every other day. I am feeling first rate again, thank God for it. Our mail does not go very regular now, sometimes every other day and sometimes not so often. We have three books of the Old Testament read. An order was read on parade tonight forbidding women to accompany the army in its advance.
1 Edwin Green—Age , 23 years. Enlisted, September 21,1861, at Ellisburg, to serve three years; mustered i n as private, Co. K , September 27, 1861; died of disease, March 1, 1862, at Brigade Hospital, Upton’s Hill , Va .
Letter 2
Camp Beardsley
March 30th 1862
Dear wife,
I received your letter of the 23rd and was glad to hear of your continued good health and that of Hattie. I was sorry to hear of Joseph’s inability to fix up the old house on account of cold. I hope he will soon recover.
We are still in the same place as when I last wrote with about as good a prospect of leaving as then. About all the divisions of the Potomac Army have gone except McDowell’s Corps to which we belong. Last week we had two reviews—one to gratify the pleasure of certain English officers of the British Coldstream Guards. They expressed their admiration in strong terms to McDowell for our soldierly appearance and good marching, being equal to most European troops. The “puff” was read to the regiments next day.
Most of the boys got tired living in their little tents and for a change put back to the old camp and got the large ones, stoves and all, backing them down about 4 miles. The lieutenant stops with us and as I was not in favor of having one for the lugging, he hired one of the boys to go and get one but the lugging was not the only obstacle. They were guarded by cavalry and to get one, you must have an order from the Colonel and that he would not grant. So the boys had to stretch the truth or else make a forged order, neither of which I left like doing, but we have one and I am now writing under it.
Yesterday we had quite a snow storm. It commenced early in the morning and continued most of the day. It finally turned into rain and rained all night and has continued at intervals all day. Snow at this time of the year in Virginia is something uncommon and what is more so is the heavy thunder which has been rattling over our heads most of the day. Camp life remains about the same, Now and then a fire occurs to break the monotony. Two or three days ago we had one that destroyed 3 overcoats, the tent, guns and knapsacks and their contents, blankets and accoutrements of four men.
O, now I will answer your question as to whether I want any money. As long as I have my health, I shall get along with Uncle Sam’s rations. I have 20 cents yet and they say that we get our pay this week so I think that I shall not want any. But for all that, I am very glad and thankful for your offer. I sometimes think that we shall not go from here but stay and guard the City. Then things look as though we shall act as the reserve of the army which has gone down the river. I do not care much where we go if htis thing is only ended in a short time so that we can come home and enjoy civilized life once more.
Eldridge Green is here with us yet. He and the Captain have been over to the City for two or three days past. I thought he had gone. I had calculated to go down to Alexandria to meeting today but the weather has been so disagreeable that I thought I would not go. I went over to see Harrison a few days ago. He is now at Fort Blenker. He was not very well then but is now better. I had a letter from Arronina a few days ago. She says that Eunice Shepardson is pretty sick and thinks she has the consumption. I hope not. I read a letter from Doctor Bud tonight. He said that he had attended 7 births since he was out here and they were all boys. I think the women are making up for our losses and the men are not idle. It is now late and I think I shall put this off until morning.
Well, wife, I have just been to a breakfast of hard bread softened in grease and washed it down with coffee so I feel that I can finish this before eating again. We live entirely on hard bread. Soft has not been issued since the advance. Our boys have again been victorious at Winchester. The rebels must begin to think that Providence has entirely deserted them. They have met with quite a snag in the Mississippi but when Commodore Foote gets ready to bring down his foot, he will make them scatter. The 94th are doing duty at Alexandria and appear to have a great deal of trouble with drunken soldiers, They have shot three or four and filled the slave pen full. They have more trouble than any regiment that have done duty there. They do not understand the run of things yet but will learn in time.
We have no chaplain yet nor do I think we shall have another but it will make but little difference with me although I should like to hear a good sermon every Sabbath. The old heathen of a Colonel has always opposed the idea of having a chaplain. Harrison told me that your Pa bought the old house and that you and Joseph and Lucretia are going into. I told him he must be mistaken but he said he was not. How is it? Did he buy it? Ashel Dickerson is got a furlough started and will probably be at home before long. Well the boys are going to Alexandria and I shall send this by them.
So I must bid you farewell for a time. Hattie and you are ever with me in thought. Goodbye. Yours as ever, — Frank
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