This letter was written by George Lincoln Dow (1836-1892) of Co. G, 19th Maine Infantry. George enlisted in August 1862 when he was 26 years old and was discharged for disability in February 1863. George was the son of Benjamin Dow (1810-1895) and Eliza A. Lincoln (1812-1888) of China, Kennebec county, Maine. He addressed the letter to his sister, Amanda Jane Dow (1839-1903) and mentions other siblings, Charles (b. 1832), William (b. 1834), Everett (b. 1842) and Roscoe (b. 1846) which helped to confirm his identity given that the signature was cryptic.
The following Rootsweb website came in handy in tracking down the identify of the author and those named in the letter: “Town of China Men who served During the War of the Rebellion, Listed by Surname.”
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Bolivar Heights
Three miles below Harpers Ferry
October 9, 1862
My dear sister Amanda,
I take this chance to write to you. I have received four letters from home since I wrote home. Since I wrote to you, we have come to this place some 70 miles from Washington. I have not much time to write particulars today and if I had, I have rather a hard chance. I am writing here in the woods sitting under a tree and my desk is my tin plate turned sunny side up in my lap.
Now about the men of the regiment, a week ago last Tuesday we left our fort at half past three in the morn and marched to headquarters 4 miles. Then Alvin Sylvester 1 and myself were ordered back to take care of the baggage. Went and stayed two days and then went to headquarters and worked day and night until last Sunday p.m. 3.30 o’clock. Then we started for the regiment, supposing it to be at Frederick City, Maryland. But when we got there, it was said it had gone to Harpers Ferry. When we got there, it was not known where it was but we found it at Bolivar Heights. We were on the road from Sunday until Wednesday noon, day and night, and I tell you, Sis, it was a hard march. We had to work six days and nights after the regiment left and had not more than twelve hours sleep during the whole time and then we had to march three days and four nights with not more than two hours rest and sleep each night. But the boys stood it like heroes.
The regiment went by railroad and did not have to march but three miles while we had to walk 70 miles and carry rifle and 40 rounds. Now I suppose you. might think my feet are very sore but they are not although I should like to have rested today. But there is no mercy shown man nor beast here. This morn we was detailed to camp [ ] regiment connected with four hundred New Yorkers for picket duty so after one night’s rest from my long march, I had to come here this morn about three miles. Near here in the woods six hundred of us within a short distance of the Rebs but have fears of trouble from them. The prospect is they say we are to hold this place—that is, where the brigade is. We have 46 thousand men here, most old regiments. This is to be our position. We’re on the old battlefield where Col. Miles surrendered to the Rebs. I will give you all the minute moves when I have a chance. Suffice now for me to say that I am first best [ ] if you can english such language.
I have gained 16.5 pounds since I came into this show as they say. I weighed 155 when I enlisted and now I weigh 171.5 without any coat on. We have loads to carry now. We left all but our blankets at Washington—the whole regiment.
Oh, Amanda, what a sad letter I have got to pen to sister Harrington. Yesterday when I got here, they told me Myron was sick with the diphthey. I went and spoke with him and thought he get over it but this morning they woke me up and Myron was dead. Oh sis, go and comfort that [ ] Mother. My heart aches so while I write this. It brings vividly to recollection the death of that dear brother of ours. Oh my sister, how can I tell my feelings. But he is gone to rest. I believe I have just time to go and gaze on the remains of Myron this morn before leaving for the woods. He will be buried before I get back tomorrow morn. I am going to [ ] a board with his name on it to mark his resting place. 2
Oh sis, what joy it gives to agree to pray with you every day as the sun goes down every night just as the sun is shedding its last rays, then I sink in deep prayer with you. Oh, I thank you for prosing such means to see to our [ ] sake by praying together…I should like to write more on this theme but will at some other time. I am going to write to Mryon’s mother.
Tell Mother I thank her for her letter. Oh what good they do me. I will answer it soon. Tell Charley I received his with the money. Tell Roscoe I will write to him just as soon as I get a chance. Tell Sis I thank her for her stamp and paper and I will send her something soon. Tell Father I will write to him soon and Everett and Charles. Give my love to all the family. Tell Charles I should like to see him as well as he would me. Tell William to not think I have slighted him by not writing. I will give him a letter soon, poor boy. Now goodbye. Direct just as you have before. Give my love to all. I am more form in God every day. I have no fear but I shall be kept. I have given myself into his hands. God bless you, Sis. From your loving brother, — G. L. Dow
1 Alvin Sylvester was 39 years old when he enlisted in Co. G, 19th Maine Infantry. He was hospitalized in mid-June 1863 and transferred to Co. F, 24th Veteran Reserve Corps, He mustered out of the service on 23 April 1864. He was also from China, Maine.
2 Myron Clarke Harrington (1844-1862) of Co. C, 19th Maine Infantry was the son of Brazilla Harrington (1819-1885) and Lucy Ann Adams Bean (1823-1906) of China, Kennebec county, Maine. He died of diphtheria on 9 October 1862 on Bolivar Heights, [West] Virginia.
Spared & Shared 23 