The following letter was written by Pvt. John Finegan of Co. E, 85th Pennsylvania. It was written from Fort Good Hope, described by one member of the regiment who wrote an anonymous letter on 20 February 1862 to the Monongahela Valley Republican, as one “the largest and most important [forts near Washington D. C.]…Our regiment has charge of many of those fortifications; sixty men under command of Lieutenant are each day detailed for guarding there, the furthest from camp being distant about five miles. Our camp is rather pleasantly situated and our men have generally fared well. Six deaths have occurred among them since we left home nearly three months ago; there are only sixteen cases in the hospital at present.”

“The 85th Pennsylvania was formed in late 1861 in Uniontown, PA.  The men hailed from the southwestern corner of the state.  After building forts on the east side of Washington, D.C. for several months, they found themselves in the aforementioned Casey’s Division, headed for the Virginia, Peninsula.  The 85th PA was in the rear at Yorktown, and only just came up as the fighting was ending at Williamsburg.  They saw their first real combat at the Battle of Seven Pines and it was a devastating blow.  Author Dan Clendaniel offers up a compelling defense of the men and Casey’s larger organization.  They were also involved in the Seven Days and the retreat to Harrison’s landing.  Here their war took a hard left turn when compared to most of the regiments involved in the Peninsula Campaign.  As has been said, McClellan scapegoated Casey’s Division, and they were removed from the AotP and sent to North Carolina for the remainder of 1862, where they were involved in the Kingston Expedition.  They moved to the Charleston area and participated in the Siege of Charleston on Morris Island for most of 1863.  Here the Pennsylvanians were held in readiness to assault Fort Wagner not once but twice, though ultimately they were not sent in after the initial assaults failed. In December 1863, they were then moved to Hilton Head, SC and stayed there until April 1864…

“The 85th Pennsylvania was part of the 10th Corps, Army of the James during these campaigns until mustering out in November 1864. Although not a part of the Army of the Potomac, which they had left in August 1862, they fought alongside that famous unit in these final battles against the Army of Northern Virginia.  The 85th Pennsylvania was at Port Walthal Junction and in the Battle of Ware Bottom Church during the Bermuda Hundred Campaign.  They saw major action at Second Deep Bottom, Chaffin’s Farm, and Darbytown Road during the Richmond-Petersburg Campaign. Members of the regiment whose time had not yet expired when the organization’s veterans mustered out went on to serve at Fort Gregg and in the Appomattox Campaign.” [Source: 85th PA: Such Hard and Severe Service by Dan Clendaniel]

John Finegan (or Finnegan) was a resident of Washington, Washington county, Pennsylvania, when he enlisted on 12 November 1861. He wrote the letter to Dorcas A. Sprowls (1841-1910), the daughter of William Sprowls (1794-1868) and Dorcas Towne (1797-1870) of Washington, PA. Dorcas never married. 

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

Fort Good Hope
Washington City
February 17th 1862

Dorcas A. Sprowls, respected friend,

I not take it a great pleasure to drop a few lines to let you know that I am well, hoping these few lines may find you enjoying the same great blessing. I received a package from you. It contained one pair of woolen sicks which I did not expect. They are very good and warm. The boys in our mess thinks that you’re all great friends to soldiers. John Dougan [Dugan] received two packages each containing on pair of socks. Cyrus is well. John Dougan is well. All the boys in our mess sends their best respects to all.

Our chaplain [John N. Pierce] has got back again and had prayer meeting and preaching yesterday but I did not go to either on account I was on guard. And besides that, I had a severe toothache.

There has been a great battle down in the South and our good Union men with the help of God has gained a great victory and I do hope and pray that we may soon know what part of the work the Lord has sought out for us to accomplish. He is our guide and director.

I have nothing that is particular to write. I sincerely thank you for the present which you have went to such bother to get up for me—a stranger you did not know—only by me being a friend to your brother. And I will remain his and your friend as long as I am spared on this earth.

Give my respects to your brother and sisters and all enquiring friends. I must bring my letter to a close. I still remain your sincere friend to derath. — John Finigan

Write soon. Direct the same as before. When this you see, remember me, — J. F.