The following letter was written by Henry Chandler Ware (1836-1895), the son of Chandler Ware and Mariah Crofut of Wilmington, Windham county, Vermont. He enlisted on 12 August 1862 in Co. E, 11th Vermont Infantry (1st Vermont Heavy Artillery) and served until 24 June 1865. “He was one of the best soldiers ever sent from this town,” according to his obituary. He was married to Mary Jane Boyd (1841-1906) and had three children by the time he entered the service.

Also adding a note to the end of this letter was Henry Wallace Warren (1840-1908) of Co. D, 1st Vermont Heavy Artillery (same regiment as Chandler’s). Both soldiers addressed their letters to Henry W. Warren’s younger brother, Roelzo Sanford Warren (1843-1921).

The 1st Vermont Heavy Artillery was Vermont’s largest regiment, with a total of 2,320 officers and men.  It was originally organized as the 11th Vermont Infantry Regiment but was quickly converted to heavy artillery. Company E was originally assigned to Fort Totten in the circle of forts surrounding Washington D. C. In mid-November 1862 it was moved to Fort Slocum. They remained at their post until May 1864 when they were sent to Virginia to participate in Grant’s Overland Campaign as infantrymen.

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1st Vermont Volunteer Artillery, Col. J. M. Warner
Co. E, Fort Slocum, D. C.
August 29th 1863

Friend Roelzo,

I have neglected to answer your letter till at the present. Henry and I are together and we are both writing to you. You asked me how I liked to be a soldier. It goes very well—better than it did last fall. The longer I stay, the better I like it.

About the draft, I wish that they would take this regiment to Vermont to fetch out the drafted men. I don’t know of any in Stowe but that I could put the cold steel to if they would not come without if I had to come up the brook after some. It would not hurt my feelings much for it is no worse for those that are at home to come than it was for me or Henry. Take the time together, it has been very easy this summer. We have had some tight places but have got along very well. Most one third of our time is [up] and I guess that we are good for the remaining part if it is our lot to stay the whole of it out.

About Henry’s pay, I don’t know how it is with him. If I should ask him anything about it now, he would mistrust. But most all of the Boys in the regiment are going to draw their pay here and I presume that he is and I think that it is the best way for the Boys in my company have a good deal of trouble getting it home, or their friends do, and you get it get here and you can. So what you are a mind to home and if anything happens that you want any more, then you have it with you.

I had a letter from Jane. She said that G. C. had been accepted of and that he was going. I don’t believe that he will be tough enough to do any duty but still he may. We have whiskey now twice a day—those that want it. There is quite a number that don’t use it. I have been over and got mine two or three times but I gives me the backdoor trot too much. They put a sort of stull [?] is called quinine so that it spoils it for me.

We have got so that we can wear straw hats instead of those small caps that we had when you was out here when we were around in camp Capt. Safford is expected here with his company today from Brattleboro. I hope that you are having a good time doing your haying and picking your hops.

I don’t think of any more to say this time. If you can read it, answer it if you think it is worth while. Yours with respect, — Chan. Ware

Fort Stevens
August 29th [1863]

Brother Roelzo, kind sir,

I take my pen in hand to write a few lines to you. I am well at the present time and I hope this letter will find you enjoying the same health and the rest of the folks. The Stowe Boys are well with the exception of Bill. It looks a little like rain today and I hope it will make out before it gets through for we have not had any rain here for some time that has done any good.

I think we shall have to stay our time out. I can’t think of much now to write home this time but will try to do better next time About the war news, I can’t tell you. I presume you know about the war [more] than I do. If you get any news about anything, write and tell me. This from your brother, — Henry Warren

Tell my folks that I am well and that that Battery &c, have got here. Tell Father Cheney’s folks that Henry said today that Bill is not as well as he has been or was when…