The following letters were written by John H. Miller (1827-Aft1900), a 36 year-old farmer/blacksmith from East Hamburg, Erie county, New York, while serving in Co. D, 67th New York National Guard. In 1863, the 67th New York National Guard was a regiment of Union Army infantry that served for 30 days during the summer in response to Lee’s anticipated invasion into Pennsylvania. They served from late June to early August. The 68th New York National Guard, mentioned by John in the second letter, left the State with the 67th NY National Guard on June 24, 1863, en route to Harrisburg, Pa., for a service of thirty days. It served in the 5th Brigade, 1st Division, Department Susquehanna, and was mustered out of the United States service July 29, 1863, at Elmira, N. Y.
John emigrated from Germany in the mid 1850s and his writing skills were somewhat limited. He wrote the letters to his wife, Lavina Jennett Miller (1831-1895).
John’s letter includes a description of medical ailments experienced by himself and others and some treatments that sound barbaric, leaving me baffled as to their actual efficacy.
Letter 1
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
June 26, 1863
Dear Wife,
As we arrived here all safe and sound, I think it is well to let you know about it. We arrived last night about nine o’clock and camped in the car house except a few who were not well. Alber [Oaks], Darius [Munger], Isaac Chandler and others did not feel in the best of spirits. Isaac was so bad off that two men had to assist him to the Hotel. Diarrhea was the complaint. Alber says he feels pretty well this morning. He vomited on the way. The doctor attends to them, myself the same. He stuck in his lance, Charley Smith said, about two inches but I should think about one and a half. It hurt like hell but I feel like a new being ever since yesterday.
We arrived at Elmira in the night, night before last, and left at six in the morning. The country looking first best, nothing in winter and spring crop. Old Genesee is of the old stamp. This side of Elmira I see mountain after mountain, looking like hay stacks from two up to one thousand feet in height covered mostly with white oak and hemlock timer, stone and rocks. The creek from Elmira as big as Nathan’s following down the flats from 6 rods to half mile in width until it forms the Susquehanna river. The poorest looking land you ever saw. I should think it would require one hundred acres for one sheep.
The men that are all able bodied have left their homes from Elmira to Harrisburg. An immense amount of women and children which came out to wave handkerchiefs, hats, rags, hands, or anything that was handy all along the entire line. I thought I see Bob down on the Susquehanna river waving a rag of some kind but it could not have been. When we stopped at Sunbury, the women brought us what I called the best bread and butter together with coffee the city could afford. It’s within 45 miles of Harrisburg.
The war news is all sorts. They say the Rebels fell back 8 miles last night that was within 18 miles of this place. Hooker is in the rear. Our forces are in front. The Rebels [will] never live to see Virginia again if reports are true. The Governor of this State has called out in a Proclamation of this morning 60,000 additional troops to serve for ninety days.
This is a fine country. Genesee no comparison. I hope this will find you well and reconciled. Only think of the condition of families left in this portion of the State compared with our own. I hope the children feel well and mind what you tell them. Johnny, be a good boy and see all is right. Tell mother not to worry herself. All is right. My love to you all. If you wish to send me any answer, please direct to Harrisburg, Pa.
Goodbye until I find things in different shape. — John H. Miller
Letter 2
Camp Curtin [near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania]
July 18, 1863
Dear Wife,
I take this, probably my last opportunity, to write you these few lines while we remain in Pennsylvania. I was taken with the shits—plain speaking—a night before last worse that I ever had them in all my life. I took my old medicine in cold water which probably relieved the pain during the night. In the morning I took two and a half tablespoon full of salt and hot water—as hot as I could drink it. No more of it ever since, all right.
This morning the 68th New York Regiment returned in camp after marching towards the Army of the Potomac. They came with us from Elmira and they think they will be mustered out of the service and start for home in course of the afternoon, but I guess they will stay here until sometime of next week when we probably all will be mustered out. They look as though they had been in the service for the last two years. They drew their rations just now and they declared that they would have enough to last them two weeks if they did not [get] any more than when they marched. They had a barrel of pork, 2 and a half barrel hard tack, a lot of beans, coffee, rice, sugar, candles, soap and fresh beef. They said they had not washed their shirts but once since they left from here. They said they made long marches, small rations, and all the fatigues imaginable. They look as though they went through one corner of hell. They told our boys they might think themselves well off for the fare that they had. They said that they see and passed along where the dead horses and soldiers lay [with] enough stench to knock a man down. They said the men would lay down at night, their heads resting on dead soldiers.
I wrote a letter to George day before yesterday. Alber [Oaks] & George received a letter from Elias Hoag and a paper from William. Elias Hoag wanted them to bring home a contraband for Samuel S. Real. Good for Elias. Benjamin Baker had a consultation with a darkey yesterday morning to take home with him. I wish he would, We would have a time going home. No more at present. My love to you all and remain your soldier, — John H. Miller
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