The following letters were written by James Chauncy Lopus (1841-1897) who enlisted at the age of 21 to serve three years as a private in Co. F, 112th new York Infantry on 30 August 1862. He was discharged for disability on 28 October 1864 at Buffalo, New York.

Chauncy was the son of Francis Chauncey Lopus (1814-18xx) andRosanna P. Linnet (1810-1880) of Busti, Chautauqua county, New York. Chauncy was described at a 5′ 8″ farmer with blue eyes and dark hair when he enlisted in 1862.

Letter 1

Camp Suffolk, Va.
January 24, 1863

Dear Parents,

Having a little time this morning, I thought that I would write a few lines to you to let you know that I am well & hope these few lines will find you enjoying the same blessings. I have been on duty almost every day for two weeks. The details for fatigue have been heavy for some time on account of building rifle pits and finishing Fort Nancyman [Nansemond] & Union & slashing for the range of guns. I have been chopping for the last two days. There has bee some 150 out each day. That makes it quite musical to have them all together & there is some dodging to do to keep out of the way. There was one of the men in the Massachusetts 6th Regiment come very near getting killed with a tree. It struck him on the head and knocked him senseless. The timber was mostly pine and oak cedar. The pine was quite large.

The details for fatigue out of our company is 21 for camp guard, five for picket. Our Major General Peck [is] commanding the Division. The Sixth ARmy Corps has been expecting to be attacked for the last two weeks. The Rebel General Prior commanding the Black Water forces sent word to Peck that he was going to take the place on such a day but he has not done it yet. But they have been in large forces on the Black Water & it is reported that the movement of Burnsides Army is all that saved us from being attacked. But they would of found us fortified to the eyes. If I have time, I will draw a map of the fortifications and their location.

Today is Saturday. Tomorrow will be my turn for guard. We have to guard two camps—our old camp and the one where we now are. All there is at the old camp is logs that have been left in tearing down the tents. They are not worth a farthing but there must be a guard kept there. It is the Colonel’s doings. He thinks a private soldier ain’t much, but they have got feelings as a Colonel or any other officer and I hope the day is not long absent that we will be liberated from the tyranny of these shoulder straps.

This is not what men left their families—to be abused by these officers, They came to defend their liberties and what have we accomplished? Nothing in the least. Only an expense to the government and what benefit has the last 600,000 men been? When these was raised, they was going to be something done. The Rebellion was going to be put down. But what has been done? There was some of the last call in the Fredericksburg Battle and that was the greatest defeat of the war. Since that, the men have give up all hopes of the war ever being settled by fighting. The only talk is I am going to get out of it and I wished I was. But what will be done when the 9-months men’s time is out which is out in June or July, and also the 2-year’s men which will be out in June or July. There has got to be something done before that or never for there never will be so large an army in the field again. If we can’t whip them now, when can we? My only desire is to get out of it and let them [go].

The paymaster is expected today. I think we will get our pay in a few days. He has been here and paid off a part of them. I am looking for a letter every mail. Give my respects to all. Your affectionate son, — Chauncy Lopus

Letter 2

Camp Suffolk, Virginia
April 17th [1863]

Dear Father & Mother,

As I came off of picket this morning and having a few spare moments, I thought I would improve them by writing to you to let you know that I am still in the land of the living and how goes the battle. There has not been any general engagement yet but there is some heavy skirmishing on all sides. The Rebels content themselves with skirmishing. Sometimes they get too near our forts for they have to skedaddle when they open on them. Yesterday they had quite a heavy skirmish on the south side of Suffolk. They drove in our skirmishers and picket and opened on our fortifications with artillery but soon our forts got range on them and soon compelled them to withdraw out of range of our guns.

Yesterday our regiment was most all detailed on chopping and digging. They dig night and day to strengthen our position. There is troops arriving every hour and also siege guns. The Rebels are hovering [over] us on three sides adn they are trying to cut off our supplies from Norfolk and I think they would be successful only for the gunboats on the Nansemond [river]. There is 7 or 8 on this little stream—one monitor. They carry guns of large calibre. They are shelling the woods on either side, five miles from the river. They are continually passing up and down the [river] to watch the enemy to see that he don’t obstruct the channel or cross the river and tear up the railroad.

Our force is estimated at from 40 to 50 thousand. By every appearance, there will be a heavy battle fought here within the next two days. The Rebels are using the railroad from Petersburg almost to Suffolk. We can hear the cars as they come and go. The Rebels is commanded by Gen. Longstreet. It is thought that they will fortify themselves and plant their siege guns, then shell us out, but that will be tested by the ones that have the longest range guns. There is some killed on both sides. There was one of our men killed yesterday and one of their that was found. Last night there was 20 men called out to strengthen their posts. Therefore I went for one, but it was quiet last night. Some of our Boys in our company come very near being taken prisoners. They was surrounded but cut their way out. One of them was David Broadhead, Vonomer’s [?] father.

I have had some close calls but as yet I have missed being hit. Father, today I sent $40 to you by Express. The captain is taking the Boys’ money and expressing the whole company’s money to the [ ] Bank so you can go there and get it. It will start today or tomorrow. It is not safe to carry much money at this period. The Boys are all well in this tent…

Our gunboats is shelling the woods this afternoon. Give my love to all. — Chauncey