The following letter was written by 29 year-old Capt. Albert Wood Bartlett (1832-1862) of Co. A, 8th Massachusetts Infantry Militia (3 months). This regiment was one of the first four regiments to respond to the call after the opening of hostilities. They gathered at Boston on 16 April 1861 and left for Washington D. C. two days later, traveling by way of Philadelphia and Annapolis. They were on duty there till May 15th and then sent to guard the railroad at the Relay House till July 29th, thus missing the Battle of Bull Run. They moved to Boston July 29-30, and mustered out August 1, 1861, seeing no action.

After he was discharged from the 8th Massachusetts, Albert offered his services again and was enrolled as the Captain of Co. B, 35th Massachusetts Infantry on 8 August 1862. He was killed in action a year later at Antietam and his bullet riddled body was returned to his home at Newburyport, Massachusetts. He was married to Harriet Boardman Stockman (1830-1902) and had at least one child named Hattie (b. 1852).

[Editor’s Note: This letter is from the personal collection of Nick Kaup and was made available for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent.]

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

Camp Essex,
June 12th 1861

Friend Green,

Your letter I received and I am greatly obliged to you for writing. I am surprised that Capt. Westcott should have done as he has in buying revolvers &c and hope that the matter can be explained to his advantage. It does not seem possible that the officers of the company that have been so well treated by the City Council and by the citizens should so as they have done without thinking that they were authorized to so do. I hope the honor of those who are now in the service of our country, and those who are about to be engaged therein, from our good old town, that such may prove to be the case. We who have been through hardships such as we could not have borne in a common cause, hungry, thirsty and nearly naked, sleeping with nothing but the clouds of heaven for a covering (63 out of 80 had no blankets) passed through all this knowing that it was for the good of our country that we were suffering, and that our friends at home would appreciate. I have thought that the city have spent too much money on that company and still think so. I contend that one half of the money has been thrown away, and all that when you had another company at home to look out for.

The weather is very warm. Nothing new to write about. We have everything that will make us comfortable, plenty to eat, and good at that. Give my respects to all friends. Truly yours, — A. W. Bartlett

Aunt Mary,

Your note I received and was glad to hear from some of my female friends. I hope to soon have the pleasure of seeing them all, and giving them a shake of the hand and a kiss to all that I can get a chance to. I think I am entitled to a few extra kisses. It is so long since I have had one, don’t you?

We are now having a nice time here. The weather is splendid, but warm. The boys all liked your cake very much. It put them in mind of home. We are much obliged to you and Sarah for it. Tell Aunt Hannah Marshall that I will write to her soon. Give my respects to Sarah, Lydia, Mary and Sam, and all other female friends you may meet. Respectfully yours, — A. W. Bartlett