The following letter was written by Alvin Parker Dutton (1845-1891), the son of Alexander Dutton (1809-1875) and Rebecca Gage (1807-1892) of Bilerica, Middlesex county, Massachusetts. He presumable sent the letter to Henry A. Dutton (1839-1903), the only brother living with him in his parents home in 1860. Alvin’s father was a blacksmith.

Alvin would have been 18 (or nearly 18) in February 1863 when he volunteered to serve in the 15th Independent Battery, Massachusetts Light Artillery. This battery was organized at Lowell and Fort Warren and two weeks later shipped to New Orleans for duty in the Western Theater.

Alvin wrote this letter in late February 1865. The battery had wintered in Memphis and in January 1865 moved to Kennersville, Louisiana and then to Greenville in mid February. They were then transported to Barrancas, Florida, where they were preparing for a march to Fort Blakely, Alabama, which began on 20 March 1865. They participated in the siege and storming of Fort Blakely in one of the last battles of the war.

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

Barrancas, Florida
February 28, 1865

Dear Brother,

I take my pencil in hand to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well and hope these lines will find you the same. We have made quite a move since I wrote to you. I wrote a letter to you the 15th. The 20th we left Greenville for Lakeport. We got there about noon. We went on board the steamer Alice Vivian the next day [and] we sailed for Fort Morgan. We got there the 22nd. We had orders to go to Navy Cove. We laid there till the 26th and then sailed for Barrancas, Florida. That is about 5 miles from Pensacola.

We passed Ship Island. This country is very sandy and hot. The sand is white as snow—very hard walking. We should not stay here long. We are a going on a march. I think we shall march in the rear of Mobile. There is a large force here. We are not allowed but one suit of clothes and no meat. We have orders to take everything we want from the Rebs that we can get that is good to eat. There is plenty of Rebs a little ways from here. The cavalry goes out scouting most every day. They capture some Rebs most every time.

We are plenty busy now. I have been called away 5 times since I began to write this letter. We have been out to drill this forenoon. We have not been paid yet and can’t tell when we shall be. We was mustered yesterday. They owe us 6 months pay. I hope they will pay us soon so I can send some home. We have got to throw away a lot of things. I may send home a box of clothing and blankets. If I do, I will write a letter. I do not know when I shall write again. I can’t stop to write much more this time.

Give my best respects to all. Write soon. — Alvin P. Dutton

Direct to Barrancas, Florida