Inspired by the patriotic celebrations in his hometown of Danvers, Massachusetts, on the 4th of July 1861, Edward Calahan walked into the local recruiting office the following day and enlisted in Co. I of the 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. He enlisted as a private and later rose to corporal. He was with his regiment when they were sent to the Virginia battle front to participate in Grant’s Overland campaign, joining the action just before the Battle of Spottsylvania Court House. He survived the action there, at North Anna River, at Totopotomoy Creek and at Cold Harbor but was wounded on 18 June 1864 in the first assault on Petersburg. He mustered out of the regiment three weeks later at the expiration of his term of service. His surname appears variously as Calahan or Callahan though he used the former spelling in this letter.

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Transcription

Fort Runyon ¹
October 14th 1861

Dear friend Carrie,

Having a few hours to spare and not finding anything to pass the time, I would write to you thinking perhaps that you would like to hear from an old friend and still I don’t think that I shall be able to write anything of interest to you—but I will try. I received your brother’s letter last night and was very glad to hear that you had not forgotten your old friend and the many happy moments that I have passed in your company. And I hope the day will come from when we shall meet again.

Well, to begin with, I hardly know what to say. About all the fellows in the tent are either playing cards or telling tough yarns. One is playing on what he calls an accordion [but] it seems as though he was trying to murder as many tunes as possible. Another is sawing on a violin. I think if he kills as many rebels as he does tunes, that the war will not last long.

“Another is sawing on a violin. I think if he kills as many rebels as he does tunes, that the war will not last long.”

— Edward Calahan, 1st Mass. H. A., 14 October 1861

The 22d Massachusetts Regiment passed through here today. They have gone to Baileys Cross Roads. I saw one of the Wenham boys in it. I don’t know his name. He used to live with Mr. Plummer. The Wenham boys in this regiment are all well at present. They all send their love.

Yesterday we had some fun getting possession of a couple of pigs. There was several got loose from the slaughter house and I wish you could see about five hundred of our boys take after them. Some of them were bare-headed and some with over coats on. We—our company—catched a good one. We had him killed and cut up before the Colonel knew anything about it. There, I suppose I have written enough on that strain yet. I don’t know what I shall write to interest [you].

There is some prospects of having a fight soon and I am glad of it for I want to have this settled as soon as possible for I am getting tired of laying still. I want you to write. I should like to hold correspondence with you. You and I always got along tip top together and I don’t see why we can’t continue to do so. Give my love to all the girls and fellows of my acquaintance and tell them to write. I must close now so good night and pleasant dreams—and believe me, I am your affectionate friend, — Edward Calahan

P. S. Please write soon as you get this.

1 Fort Runyon was built at the Virginia end of the Long Bridge to prevent access to Washington City by that route. The fort strategically sat astride two major thoroughfares, the Columbia and Washington-Alexandria Turnpikes, and adjacent to a major railroad line.