These letters were written by Reuben T. Wells (1835-1902) who served as a private in Co E, 115th New York Infantry from 15 August 1862 to 17 June 1865. When he enlisted he was described as a 27 year-old, black haired farmer who stood 5 feet 4 inches tall.
Reuben wrote the letter to his wife, Margaret J. (Dutcher) Wells (1832-1902) and his young son, Lewis Wells (1862-1933). Their farm was located in Mayfield, Fulton county, New York.
Letter 1
Beaufort, South Carolina
August 12, 1863
Most dear and affectionate wife,
I received your letter of August the 3rd and was glad to hear from you and to hear that you all was yet enjoying good health. Your letter found me well and enjoying good health. We were paid yesterday and I will send you 20 dollar check and you can draw the money at any bank you please…You must draw it yourself. Write and let me now whether you get this order or draft as soon as you get this.
It is very warm and they are fighting up to Charleston every day. Old Gilmore has got the rebs where the hair is short. I think Charleston must fall and I hope it will soon for then we expect to come north as soon as the Charleston affair is over. No more at present. Write soon and often as you can and all the particulars and news.
This draft you must draw they money yourself for no other can draw it. If it is lost, I will get another and send to you. Pa will send Lewis a [ ] in this letter.
Letter 2
Malvern Hill, Virginia
October 8, 1864
Dear wife,
I received your letter three days ago stating that you had sent the box with Danford to Amsterdam, I have not seen the box yet nor don’t expect to very soon for we hant nowhere near the express office. I shall buy a pair of boots the first opportunity. I thought that I wrote you not to send them that way. At the time I received your last letter, I was not about to answer it, I had taken with the ague and have had it for the last three days. Today I am much better so that I got dinner today. I was glad to hear that you were all well again.
We had a fight yesterday on our right. [See Battle of Darbytown & New Market Roads] The rebs charged and tried to turn our right flank. They charged on a brigade of seven shooters. They did not turn our flank but I should think by the dead now in the field they had turned 1000 lives in[to] eternity besides. They have been burying dead ever since dark last night. They first drove in our cavalry, taking some and two light field batteries. Besides the dead, we took 15 hundred prisoners the night before. Three deserters came in and told of the move. They also reported a great riot in Richmond on the same day which they say was caused by the mayor wanting the city to be surrendered and they ordered the mayor in prison. Then the citizens rose [up] and tore opn the jail, opened all the stores and storehouses but how this all is we are not about to say only by report from deserters.
Though wind blows and it is some cold. It rained yesterday. I will now close hoping to hear from you all soon and hope that i may still be home to spend the winter with you. — R. T. Wells
To M. J. Wells
Letter 3
In front of Richmond
December 13, 1864
Dear and affectionate wife,
In writing my last letter I did not write what you requested me to and so I will write a few lines today. All is quiet here along the lines but they are looking for the Johnnies to make an attack on our lines for they already know that our lines are weakened by this last move. I have not yet heard from the regiment—only a rumor that they lay at Fortress Monroe on transports. I don’t think that we will lay here long.
The weather is cold and frozen so we are out of the mud for the present. I think that we will go soon to our regiment. I hope so at least for we lay here in these old camps most froze to death. I am well with the exception of these nasty boils. And now I most tired of them.
You speak of the place and about staying there. I can’t tell you now what my mind will [be] one year from now but I can tell you what I think at present. I think you had better stay where you are for most likely you could not get a place till next spring and it hant long from the first of April till my time of service expires. If you go anywhere else, you must sell your cow or hire pasture and lay hay. You might better buy a few slabs and make a new fence for it won’t take more than one hundred slabs if they are righly used. This moving around I don’t believe in till i come home, if I ever do, and I hope that I may and before next August. And I some think that I will be home time enough to fix the fence in the spring.
I must close for my sheet is full. I still remain your affectionate husband. — Reuben T. Wells
To his dear beloved wife and children.
Letter 4
[Note: “On 4 January 1865, the 115th again embarked on board the Propeller “DeMolay,” on its second expedition against the keystone of the confederacy. The whole force was under command of Gen. Alfred H. Terry. The troops landed at Flay Pond battery, a short distance north of Fort Fisher, on the 13th at 9 A. M. The 115th lost but two or three men in landing. At 3 P. M. of the 15th, the grand charge was made upon the fort, the 115th bearing a noble part in its capture, and being again complimented by General Terry, also by Gen. Ames, who knew something of its fighting qualities while in the army of the James. The loss to the regiment was about 70, and among the killed was Lieut. S. S. Olney, of Co. F., whose loss to the regiment and company could not be made good. At about 8 o’clock, on the morning of 16 January, one of the magazines of the fort exploded, killing and wounding more of this regiment than the fighting of the day before.”]
On board the steamship DeMolay
January 3, 1865
Dear wife,
I now will write you a few lines to let you know that we are on the move south. The fleet that was at Wilmington returned and landed and now it is on the move and whether it is for the same place or Savannah, we don’t know. We are now going down the James river to Fortress Monroe. When we land, I will write as soon as possible.
I got a letter from pap stating something about your moving. I can’t nor hant no more to say than I have said but if I ever get out of this, I shan’t stay in the State of New York long. You can move wherever you like. I can’t nor hant time to write to the old Ma now but will as soon as the opportunity comes. You must look out for yourself for I can’t at present.
We are most at Fortress Monroe and I will have to draw five days rations and cook them so no more this time and I close.
— R. T. Wells
To his dear wife, M. J. Wells
On board the steamship DeMolay
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