The following letter was written by Josiah T. Towne (1826-1862), the son of Joshua Towne (1773-1844) and Mary Chadwick (1788-1865) of Jaffrey, Cheshire county, New Hampshire. Joshua was married to Sibbell L. Boardman (1826-1899) in 1849 and the couple had four daughters (Clara, Alice, Sara, and Alma) born between 1850 and 1856. He left his home and his family in Winchendon in mid-August 1861 to enlist in Co. G, 21st Massachusetts Infantry. He never returned. He died of typhoid fever at Camp Andrew in New Bern, North Carolina, on 27 April 1862. The 2nd Lieutenant attributed Josiah’s death due to exposure on board the steamer Northerner and at the Battle of New Bern in mid-March 1862.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Annapolis, [Maryland]
October 7, 1861

Dear Sibbell & children,

I have not received a letter from you since I wrote you but I will begin a letter and finish it as soon as I get time. I am usually well though rather tired out, being on guard duty so much. I have a pretty good appetite adn eat my usual allowance.

We are having a little more excitement here now. There is an expedition a going to start from here for the Southern coast. There is a brigade of five regiments here now. They came from Washington here. They consist of the New Hampshire 3rd, Maine 8th, and the New York 46th, 47th, and 48th. There are nearly five thousand of them. I see several in the New Hampshire 3rd that I know from Fisherville, New Hampshire. They played in the band. It seemed good, I till you, to see somebody that I know. One man I [saw] boarded at Hoffman’s at the same time that I did. It seems like home to see some of our New England friends and we expect to see of one New England [ ] here. We expect the 15th Regiment, 22nd and 25th Regiment. There were over 20 of Winchendon [Mass.] in that regiment, and the 22nd is Wilson’s Regiment, and the 25th is now encamped in Worcester where we came from, so if all the stories [are] true, I shall see Winchendon Boys by the wholesale. This Division will consist of some fifteen thousand men and will, I think, be commanded by Gen. Butler. But still, I may be mistaken.

It is very warm weather here now—about as warm I think as it was in New England in July. We have not received our pay yet but expect it tomorrow. The boys are troubled with the shorts [shits?] here as well as myself, but I have got along well enough as we have lived decently well of late and have as much as we want to eat most of the time, But I for one am satisfied as I did not expect as good victuals as I get at home with some exceptions. We have food that is good and enough of it. How do you do, and. the children? How are they? Do they mill paper as much as they did? And yourself? You must be very lonesome—especially in the evening to sit all alone. If I could stay nights at home with you and our dear children, I should be satisfied. There is such a noise here—especially tonight. That is enough to make a man mad. Have your good neighbors taken any more of your squashes? Perhaps they will be taking some of our cabbages though I hope not. How does our potatoes turn out? Have you got anybody to dig them yet?

Herbert [E. Weston] is unwell and is at the hospital. I must go up and see him before I finish this. We are kept here pretty close. I have not been into the City since I have been here—only when I marched in with the company. I will leave this for tonight so goodbye. Kiss the girls for me. Have them say their prayers.

October 8th. As I was coming in from guard duty at one o’clock today, your letter was handed to me and as I have about an hour to spare, I will finish this letter. It is the greatest pleasure I can have to receive and read your kind and affectionate letters. It is with pleasure that I hear that you are all well. You say it seems a long time since I left home. I don’t deny it and I feel for you, dear Sibbell. You don’t have the excitement that I have to kill time, but still the time seems long to me [too]. But I have not forgotten the time when I left my home. It was hard to control my emotions at that time and I know it was for you. Also, when the time seems long to you, you must remember that my affections are all at home with you. and our children. I will accept of the money you sent me though if I get my [pay] this week, I shan’t need it. One of our companies have got their uniform coats and pants and I think we shall get ours this week so I don’t think we shall have to buy much extra clothing.

It rained last night here and it is cold enough to wear a great coat and mittens. Yesterday it was as hot as July. I thank you for the money you sent me and I will try and keep it against time of need. Herbert [Weston] is some better today. He sends a few lines home to his folks. After all, I think my health is as good as they will average. I can’t write any more now. I send the children a kiss if they can find it. My love to you all. From your affectionate husband, — J. T. Towne

My regards to the neighbors, &c.