The following letters were written by William “Nelson” Smith (1843-1867), the son of Sullivan Smith (1807-1891) and Laura Cheney Smith (1812-1900) of North Orange, Orange county, Massachusetts. William was a 20-year-old mechanic when he enlisted as a private on 4 August 1862. Three weeks later he was mustered into Co. H, 36th Massachusetts Infantry. He was promoted to corporal and transferred to Co. C sometime prior to his being wounded on 6 May 1864 at the Battle of the Wilderness in the opening stages of Grant’s Overland Campaign. Pension records inform us that he received a bullet wound to the hip, disabling him and resulting in his discharge on 23 December 1864. Smith never married, and died less than three years later.
There were nearly 50 war-date letters written by William N. Smith, 36th Massachusetts Infantry in the original collection. Of the war-date letters, 34 were written from the field and approximately 13 were written between May and October 1864 while Smith was in the hospital recuperating from a wound received at the Battle of the Wilderness on 6 May 1864. Most letters addressed to his sister Maria Smith (1839-1912) as well as to his parents Sullivan and Laura Smith. Letters include references to the Battles of Fredericksburg, the fall of Vicksburg, and other skirmishes and events, but primarily reflect the daily activities and challenges of a soldier’s life. Unfortunately the collection has been broken up and one collector was able to send me six of them for transcription.
Over the years I have transcribed many letters by members of the 36th Massachusetts. If you are interested in reading more letters from this regiment, see:
Albert H. Carter, Co. A, 36th Massachusetts (2 Letters)
Albert H. Carter, Co. A, 36th Massachusetts (1 Letter)
William Henry Hodgkins, Co. B, 36th Massachusetts (6 Letters)
Charles Henry Boswell, Co. C, 36th Massachusetts (1 Letter)
Charles Robert Avery, Co. K, 36th Massachusetts (2 Letters)
Theodore H. Bartlett, Co. I, 36th Massachusetts (1 Letter)
Charles Henry Howe, Co. G & I, 36th Massachusetts (1 Journal)
Charles Henry Howe, Co. G & I, 36th Massachusetts (71 Letters)
Letter 1
On board the steamship Merrimac
September 6th 1862
Dear sister,
I will again write a few lines to say for I have seen something since I wrote the other letter. I put that in charge of the Captain and he has got it yet as we have not stopped yet—not as quick as I expected—but I will write a little more and then you will have the more to read.
Well, I have seen a little of the slave plantations down here on the bank of the Potomac in Virginia. We can see a little if we are on the boat. We can see the cornfields and the nigger huts—some of them.
I have seen where the Merrimack and the Monitor had their fight but have not seen any fighting yet myself. We expect to get to Alexandria this afternoon about three o’clock and whether we shall go to Washington or not, I don’t know. We are passing ships of every description now and the Boys are telling them to show their colors and they do so.
I would like to be there with you about ten minutes and I could tell you more in that time than you ever heard in your life. I don’t know but you think that I am telling great stories but I will prove it to you when I get home. I just saw a fish jump out of water that would reach from North Orange to Athol, now that is a fact (don’t you believe it). I tell you it is a splendid sight to travel up this river. The shore is green and everything looks thriving (but the nigger huts).
I will write again before I can tell you where to direct your letters. I must stop now for I want to see the wonders of the Potomac. Goodbye for now. your brother, — Nelson
Letter 2
Falmouth, Virginia
November 21, [1862]
Dear Father,
I have just received some mail—one from you dated the 9th, and one from Moses. He was at Cambridge, Massachusetts, yet. That money $1 you sent was all right. I think that the mail comes all right, only it takes some time for it to get here as we are on the move so can start. James states that you had got hose boots ready for me when I wanted them. My boots stand it very well but this rainy weather and marching so much, they are rather small, but I will wait a while before I send for them for I think that there will be a chance to send them by and by. So you need not send them until you hear more from me.
I was glad to get that money for I have not out and I want to buy some little things occasionally. Edmund let me have a little so I got along well but he has got about out now and finally all of the Boys are getting short. The talk is that we are going to be paid off before long but that is all other’s stories.
The Rebs hold Fredericksburg yet. We have got back to camp from picket all right but it rained like the devil all the time and it is muddy as thunder. When we leave Virginia, we shall carry it all off on our boots if this weather continues. We are within about 50 miles from Richmond but I guess we shall fight some before we get there. We have marched 60 miles within five days without resting—pretty good job that was.
You thought the Democrats was going to raise Ned but I guess it will come out all right in the end. I hain’t but little time and I can’t write much more now. When you write, send me a little black pepper and I don’t care if you send a little more money for I guess it will come all right and if I get paid, I can send it home. I want to pay Edmund and I shan’t have much left. Everything is high and costs some to buy a little here.
Those mittens that you sent with Mr. Hill’s box has not come yet and I don’t know when it will, but it has not been very cold yet and I have got along well. We had a little snow once but it did not last long.
William L. Howe has not got his commission yet and I don’t know as he will for he has been ordered into the ranks. Well I must close and going ot get my supper. I have got a little beef steak and pork to cook and I will have a good supper. We are all well. Good night. Your son, — Wm. N. Smith
Letter 3
Falmouth, Virginia
December 27th 1862
Kind folks at home,
Again I take my pencil to say a few words to you. I received a letter from you of the date December 21st (No. 4) yesterday. I am favored now quite often by your kind letters. I think that I get all that you send me, at least I have since you began to number them. The last which I received, No. 4, I found $1 come to open the letter which Sylvester and Chandler sent me. I was very glad to get it although I had money plenty as I have sold my watch. you probably had not got the letter which I wrote giving you news of it. I have written several letters since I disposed of it and in one I sent $5 and told you of giving Henry five dollars as he wanted some money and we thought that would save sending it both ways and his father could let you have $5 to offset it. Have you received it off Caleb Maya yet?
I also received that diary you sent which was just the thing I wanted as it is much more handy than my old book. And you need not send any more money until I need some more for I have got between $8 and $9 now and that will last me a good while as there is not much that we can buy here now. And another thing, we don’t need much for we are drawing good rations and enough of them such as Hard Tack 9as we call it), beef, pork, beans, rice, sugar, coffee, a little molasses, condensed vegetable (that being several kinds of vegetable cut fine and mixed and pressed together) and once in a while a few potatoes, and once we have drawn onions.
I guess that I had something for supper at Christmas that you did not have. Well i happened to get a little corn meal and then I went to the butcher and got a little suit [suet] and cut it up fine and mixed it with my meal and made a little bag and put in the mixture and put the bag into a kettle and boiled it about two hours, took it out and found it to be one of the best boiled suet puddings. And while that was cooking, I made a soup of beef, pork, and hard tack that would surpass the best chicken that you ever saw. And all this with my tea. Don’t you think I had a Bully supper?
That box has not got along yet but I think it will before long as there was a lot of boxes came to this regiment a few days ago. My boots stand it well and so I am not in suffering condition for my new ones yet. I guess if you have not sent that vest, you need not now for I think that we shan’t have much more cold weather down here this winter. It is not cold enough here sow so that it freezes any nights excepting once in a while for a day or two. It is pretty cold but it don’t last long.
As for our army here, it is as near as I can find out moving off somewhere but where, I can’t tell. The small batteries have all gone and left the heavy ones to keep the rebs [on] the right side of the river, but we can’t tell much what is going on. we hear all kinds of stories and we believe what we have a mind to. One thing we do know, we got defeated in our battle the other day. Sorry to say it, but that was a failure and can’t be helped. And now they will try some other way, I think, than ordering the men to face the mouth of the cannon as they did this time.
The news from the South is very good but I think this war will have to be settled by some other way than by the use of gun powder and cold steel.
I received a letter from Charles T. Sanger today. Was glad to hear from him, of heir good health, &c. I owe them three letters down there and I will answer them as soon as I have time somehow. We use all our time in doing our chores besides our other duties which we are obliged to do. You had thought I wasn’t very well by Henry. You said that I was a little lame just then but I am generally very well. I can eat like a hog and have gained eight pounds within a month.
Tell Chandler he had better keep out of the ditches this cold weather. Ever one of your family, — Nelson
Letter 4
Middleburg, Kentucky
May 13, 1863
Father & Mother, Sister & Brothers,
How do you all do? As for myself, I am enjoying as good health as ever in my life. Since we have been out in these “diggings,” I have felt first rate as have the other boys. Somehow the climate in old “Kentucky State” agree with we New England boys nobly.
Well, I believe that I have written several times since we have been here, but I have not written since we have had such a time here in regard to the cheering “victories” which have been reported gained by our gallant, heroic, and patriotic boys that are sacrificing themselves for the preservation of that “Star Spangled Banner” which has been so shamefully and disgracefully trampled upon by those traitorous and infernal beings. Ah yes, the time is coming and not far distant neither I trust, when that flag of “secessionism” is going to fall and forever be trodden in the dust. I have always felt confident that sometime sooner or later, that flag must fall, to be forever fallen and yet I think so.
The news from our armies at all points comes in every day more encouraging than the day previous. In the first place, the news from Gen. Hooker which was looked upon with much interest by the boys here who once belonged to the Army of the Potomac and were once in the same place on the same bloody battlefield where now a most terrific conflict is raging, it cannot be imagined with what anxiety we wait to hear the final result. At times our knees tremble for fear he may suffer the same fate as the preceding one who was obliged to turn back. But I think this time the rebs will have to make calculations on a “retreat” themselves—and a pretty difficult path it seems to me they have got to move back onto. But we will wait and see how they get away. They are pretty slippery “Chaps” I reckon.
Well the next, which is still of more importance, is that the Confederate Capitol—that infernal, inhuman den of secessionism is captured by our fighting ones and that the Stars & Stripes now is afloat over it. This we had telegraphed officially to us and therefore have sufficient reasons for believing it to be so. But the papers don’t talk that it is taken [so] we hardly know what to think about it. But I will tell you what a time we had the night we had the order read to us. Such a cheering I don’t believe ever was offered by a corresponding number before. The news reached us about dark and the bugle sounded and we were instantly called together and the cheering order read to us. As soon as the last word was uttered by the Colonel who read the order to us, hurrahing commenced and caps were hurled in the air. And of all the noise made by human voices, this excelled everything ever witnessed by we green boys before. Candles were lighted and placed on the tops of the tents all over camp and I tell you, it was a most splendid sight imaginable.
After about an hour, the candles we took in our hands and marched all over camp, beating time with the music which played the famous airs—Yankee Doodle, Dixie, Star Spangled Banner, and others. At last we marched to our headquarters where we were favored with speeches &c which were very interesting. After about two or three hours amusement of this kind, we retired to our tents feeling that we had had a pretty good time “anyhow,” [even] if this news did, or did not, prove to be true.
I received a letter from Chandler last night with a quill, some tea, &c., and one also from B. W. Magor, and one from Daniel Harrington so I was pretty well favored with news last night. Benjamin told the particulars about Marcus being taken prisoner. I presume you have heard all about it. You said you did not know as I had got that writing paper that you sent. I received 24 sheets a number of weeks ago, but I use considerable now-a-days. I had rather be writing than doing anything else.
So I will close for now. From your son and brother, Corporal William Nelson Smith, Co. H, 36th Massachusetts Volunteers, Burnside’s Department, via Cincinnati, Ohio.
Letter 5
Near Liberty, Kentucky
May 24th 1863
Kind friends at home,
As you will see by the above, we are again on the move for somewhere. Night before last we had orders to be ready to move at daylight in the morning, and to have two days cooked rations, but we did not start until about 2 o’clock p.m. and marched about nine or ten miles to this place where we had orders to halt and make ourselves comfortable for the night. We should start again early in the morning.
As soon as the regiment stacked arms, our company was ordered to go out on picket. Well there was some grumbling for after marching five or six hours in a very cloud of dust and it being pretty warm, the boys thought it rather tough that they should not have the privilege of laying down and rest themselves a little as the march was to be resumed at an early hour in the morning. But for soldiers to grumble, it does no good. Somebody must be on the lookout and we could do it as well as anybody. But as it happened, the pickets were not thrown out but about a mile and so we did not have to march a great distance. Henry and myself were with the reserve so we had the opportunity of laying down under our blankets unmolested till morning with the exception of being waked from our slumbers once in the night as an old man came along—tight as a basket of chips—and wanted to pass, but could not as our orders were not to let anyone pass and so we had to keep him and he made considerable noise over it. But the sentinel shook him up a little and then he remained quiet with us till morning when he was released and went away feeling somewhat demoralized, but not quite so tight as when he first joined us.
Well, as we expected to renew our march early this morning, we crawled out from under our blankets about 4 o’clock and made us some coffee and indulged in a breakfast of hot coffee and hard tack which satisfied very well, as that is all soldiers may ell expect when they are on the move. Finally, that is about all the rations we have seen since we have been in this state except some fresh beef and that I eat but a very little of for I think it not very good for us here this hot weather. One mess of beans we have had which went pretty good. When in Virginia we had two rations of beans a week. I think perhaps we shall draw better rations if we get where we are liable to stop a while.
Well where we are bound, I don’t know but it is my opinion that we are making our way down towards Tennessee to help Gen. Rosecrans. But still we may not. We intend to keep the rebs out of his state at any rate, and are getting down nearer the state line where we can hold them easier. Old Morgan is an old fox. I don’t know but he may get around us and make another raid in here but we will give him a try. He has tried it several times but don’t seem to have very good success. Our Fighting Wolford is looking after him with his cavalry.
Maria, I received your letter day before yesterday, No. 40. I see that you had either set the number along as I have not got the others between 36 and 40 but I concluded that you thought that you would call it No. 40 as you had called several letters the same numbers. I finally made up my mind that I had got all of your letters. I see that you had been presented with a birthday present pretty good. Write the particulars about it. Has Chandler got rid of those “job’s comforters” yet? I hope that he has. I have not had a single one yet since I left home. My health has been as good as ever it was when at home. I receive all your letters with tea, I tell you. The herb goes very good these days when we have been on the march.
We don’t march today. The order has been countermanded. We expect to start again tomorrow. We are within 30 miles of Columbia. Shall probably go there before we stop to camp and perhaps much further. I will write again in a few days. You may keep writing the same as usual for the mail follows us right along. Affectionately your son & brother, — Wm. N. Smith
3.30 o’clock p.m. Well, a few lines more to let you know that the mail has just got along and I received a letter from you at home containing $2.25. It came all correct and wasn’t on the way but four days. The mail comes through very quick, I think, it being so far—some 1200 miles. Does it seem that we are so far apart? It does not to me. I had got 50 cents left. I was glad that the money came for I don’t want to get all out. I know that I am spending some money now-a-days but I have not been quite as bad as some of the boys. Some have spent three times as much but I don’t intend to get rid of my money at too great a disadvantage. What I buy is butter and biscuit, but I shan’t buy much more butter as it is getting to be so warm weather. I have just bought me a dozen biscuits and paid ten cents—not very high. They are pretty good. Butter we have to buy off our sutler who keeps along with us [and] furnishes the boys with butter, chese, &c. I don’t know how the boys would get along if he wasn’t with us. It would come rather tough for some of them. Butter is 50 cents per pound. Cheese 30 cents, and other things in the same proportion. The biscuit we get of the citizens. I suppose that the “Niggers” do the cooking. Every house, there are more or less of the blacks.
You need not send any more money now. We are in hopes that we shall be paid off before long if we get where we can stop awhile.
Henry received a letter from J. E. Ward stating that Marcus had been paroled and talked of coming home for a while. I read the letter. She did not very encouraging about war news. I know it looks a little dusty just now, but what if it does? Never mind. I guess that we can wind up this thing sometime. I think that the rebs are slowly playing out. We boys—Henry, Edmund, and myself—had a letter from Harrison and Harris. They are at Stanford doing guard duty there. How long they will remain there, they don’t know. I hope they will come up with us before long. It seems rather lonely in our tent.
Capt. Henry has been out an patrol duty today with a squad of men to pick up soldiers that have strayed away from this regiment. He has brought eleven men in and reported with them to headquarters where they will be tried before a court martial. We move at 5 in the morning. — Nelson
Letter 6
On Board Steamer Meteor
June 11th 1863
Sister Maria,
I expect to have an opportunity to mail a letter tonight so I will just write a line to let you know where we are and where we expect to go. Well, I believe that I sent a letter to father when we stopped at Seymour. We left there at dark the same night that I put the letter in the office there last Monday. Well, we changed cars there and got on the direct road from St. Louis to Cincinnati and traveled about 60 miles to Sandoval where we came on the Illinois Central Railroad and came to Cairo where we got aboard this steamer and are now gliding down the Mississippi river at a good rate. I suppose that we are bound for Vicksburg but don’t know but without doubt there is where we are going.
It has been reported that our folks had captured Vicksburg but that ain’t so. They are fighting there now and just passed a boat and we stopped beside them and they said that they were fighting there yet there. I guess that when the 36th [Massachusetts] gets there, they will run the same as usual. There never has been but one place that the rebs have held their ground when the 36th made their appearance.
Well, we are having a tip top ride down this river, I tell you. But yesterday we was fired at by our troops because we did not stop to report. The first shot was a blank but we did not stop and so they sent a ball humming across our heads. The captain of the boat thought it about time to stop then.
I have a good deal that I would like to write but can’t now. I will tell the particulars some other time. We passed Island No. 10 this forenoon. There, you know, we had a big fight, and—just now—we passed Fort Pillow [and] expect to get to Memphis this evening. It is 400 miles from Memphis to Vicksburg so you see that we have got quite a little ride yet ahead.
When we was coming through Illinois, U tell you, we seen a most splendid country. You can’t imagine the fields of grain. I will tell you all about the Western States when I get back to old New England. I have had considerable to attend to on this move. We have changed cars so often as I had the care of the Brigade Headquarters baggage, but I believe I have kept it all along all right yet.
Our regiment was paid off a few days ago but I wasn’t with the regiment so I did not get my money till yesterday when I got in with the regiment and the captain drew my pay and so he handed it to me. You see I was on the baggage train but now I am on the same boat with the regiment. We got $26. I guess that I will put in $5 with this letter and send it along, not run the risk. I will write again in a few days. Your brother, — Nelson
The last mail we have got was last Saturday. Don’t know when we shall be any more. On one side of the river is the Arkansas shore and the other side is Tennessee where we are now.
Letter 7
Near Jackson, Mississippi
July 12th 1863
Now it has ceased with any occasional roar (like thunder) which speaks to us from these 20-pounders that the rebs are working a little, now we have overtaken them and are holding our ground until we get ready to take them.
The letter which this I shall send with I have had no chance to send and so now I will just drop a few every chance I have till I have a chance to send this and then send you a kind of a diary of a few days. I said in the other that we might have a fight the next day but we did not for the rebs run and so we had no chance to fight.
Day before yesterday in the afternoon, our troops got here and found the rebs. Instead of the 1st Corps being on the reserve, they have been put in front and have had some very hard skirmishing. As soon as our troops reached here, they were formed in line of battle and marched slowly along. Our Brigade was in the mess and so for the first time the 36th [Massachusetts] was in front and moving towards the enemy. Two companies from the 36th were thrown out as skirmishers and they fought like lions. Two men from one company was killed and 13 wounded but they stood their ground and kept firing until relieved. Our Brigade was in front 48 hours and then relieved. They fell back this morning and pretty tired, I guess, but have had no permanent fight—only skirmishing merely to hold their position. We ain’t quite ready to fight them yet. This morning they had very heavy cannonading but mostly from the rebs. But now only once in a while a gun is fired.
I was not with the regiment and so I had none of the sport. I should have liked to have been with the Boys but I had to stay back with the baggage. I have no desire to be in a fight but I wanted to be with the rest of the Boys. I won’t try to write any more now. The report us that we are ordered back and are going to Pennsylvania.
[July] 13th. Nothing of interest today. We are making preparations for a fight and it will come off probably before long. Grant has just brought in 30,000 fresh troops and when we get ready, then we will pitch in. Harrison is sick in the hospital about a mile and a half from here. I heard from [him] this morning. He was a little better. I think that he will get well in a few days. Our Captain and Lieutenant Howe are left back sick. We have not heard from them for several days so now our company is commanded by two lieutenants from other companies in the regiment. I will stop till tomorrow.
[July] 15th. Nothing news today on the battlefield. Light skirmishing is kept up but no solid fight yet has taken place. Our Brigade has again gone to the front and will be relieved tomorrow morning. One man from Co. K was wounded today from Captain Smith’s company. In one of your letters you wanted to know what company James Smith was [in]. It is Co. K. Capt, Smith is quite sick. I have not heard from him today. I don’t know the trouble. Harrison is sick with a fever [and] has been pretty sick. I heard from him today and he was some better. I am in hopes that he will get along by and by. He was very sick a few days. He is one mile from me. I intended to see him today but I cannot leave. Please to let his folks know that he is sick for that is his wish that he asked of me. I will write in a few days again. I expect that I can send this letter this evening. Today we have heard that Lieutenant Howe is not living. J. E. Hills has ben back with him and today he came up with us giving us the sad news. Our Boys will miss him very much but we must be contented with whatever our lot may be. God only knows.
I hardly know what to say of our condition here just now. Many are sick or at least pretty well worn out but after all the Boys stand it like tigers, I tell you. They are having rather rough times. When they lay in front, they have to lay flat on their backs to keep away from the numerous shot and shell that is constantly passing over them. Mother, I am a lucky boy to be where I am. I need not say anything about. I think that before many months, we shall be away from this State.
What news from all parts we get is good. I think that the war is going well at the present time. Ic believe that we have got Old Johnston this time. Time will tell.
Today our mail came in—the first for several days. I received two letters from you at home and a paper with an envelope and two sheets of paper. This is one of the sheets. I have writing paper yet but I thought that would use this. The last letter was mailed the 30th of June so I suppose that there is more on the way now.
Father said that he heard that I had to take care of the Colonel’s horse. I do not have nothing to do with his horse at all. I have his baggage to see to when we move, and pitch and strike his tents. That is my duty. When we lay in camp, I have to keep the ground swept around the tents, &c. That is all I have to do. I tell you, it is much more easy that in the company but how long I may stay, I can’t tell for if I should do anything that did not suit, I should go back to my company pretty quick I tell you, for that is the way with the old Colonel. I have got a sore on my finger. It has been mighty painful too, I reckon, but the doctor ripped it open yesterday and today it fels pretty well. It will be all right in a few days.
I won’t write anymore now for you can’t read half what I have written but never mind. Guess at what you can’t read. Truly your son, — Wm. N. Smith
Port Hudson is ours!
Letter 8
Knoxville, Tennessee
March 20, 1864
My dear Father,
Perhaps I will write a few lines to you and send along to give you a little idea of what is going on here. You observe by the above that we are again in Knoxville. I will tell you how this happened. It may be as unexpected to you as it was to us.
Last Wednesday evening we had orders to move forward to Bull’s Gap from Morristown. When they were folding the order, another order came from the War Department for the 9th Corps to report to Annapolis, Maryland, so we at once started for this place. Reached here yesterday a.m. expecting to be paid off here, then march to Louden and there take the cars, but as yet we don’t know when, how, nor where we shall go. The report is that we are to march over the mountains. Whether we do or not, time will tell.
I have a strong hope that we shall yet go by the way of Chattanooga. I don’t know but we may yet be called back up Morristown way. They say our troops have fallen back 15 or 20 miles from there. It would be about our luck to have to go back again. I don’t suppose they can do much without the Old 9th [Corps] to go ahead with the work. I don’t know but the mail has gone today but I will carry this over to Headquarters.
I have been thinking about sending for you to get a pair of boots made. If we come up that way, then I guess that I can get them if already made. At any rate, I guess that you had better get some made. And if it happens so I can’t get them, you can wear them. I don’t think you will do better than to get C. Lord to make me another pair. His [boots] do good service. My old ones are about played out now, we have tramped about so much. I believe these are No. 8. They are about right for me. I will tell you just what I want. I want a pair of heavy calf double sole and tap, with the souls of round head nails and heavy toe and heel irons—that is, some that won’t scrapr off on the first march. The others he made me was just what I wanted excepting one thing. That is he put in too large nails. They are liable to crack the sole. You said that he did not have any round head nails so he put in them. Edmund’s cracked off but mine lasted till now. I want the round heads because they are smaller and won’t crack the soul.
Well, they say it is decided that we have got to march over the mountains. They are drawing more rations preparatory for the march. Well, we are good for it. They talk that Old Morgan has been cutting the railroad between here and Chattanooga. I wish the old Devil was hung. That is pretty rough.
Caleb Harris is very sick. I have been to see him this a.m. I hardly know what the trouble is with him. The nurse thinks it is quick consumption. I fear he never will get over it but still he may. He looks very bad indeed.
I’ll not write any more now as it is past time now to send in the mail, but I’ll see if I can send it. Henry, Edmund, and myself are well. Affectionately your son, — Wm. N. Smith
Letter 9
Summit House Hospital
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
May 25th 1864
My dear sister,
Wednesday after supper. As I sit out here under a nice old shade tree and look [at] passersby’s and the horse cars which are running now about every 15 minutes, and so thinks I, I guess I will write a line to you as I don’t get any letters for some reason. I have not received any letter from home since we left Catlett Station there on the railroad. But I think that they will get along one of these days. I wrote to you last Friday and to Ellen Johnson and yesterday I received an answer to Ellen’s, but have not from any of you yet. I guess I will get one tomorrow.
Well, I am getting along pretty well but I am having these Job’s Comforters [piles] a little too numerous. But I guess they will do me good.
Well now, as far as my furlough, I imagine that if nothing happens I shall get one sometime. The doctor took our names yesterday morning for furloughs but when they will get along I don’t know. They say that it will take more than a week yet. Well if I get any, I shall, and if I can’t, all right. I can stand it here.
It is most sundown and I can’t write much more now. I am well and you need not feel discontented in my situation here for this is a good hospital and I have all I need. Ever your brother, — Nelson
Summit House Hospital, Ward 5, Philadelphia, Pa.
Letter 10
Satterlee Hospital, Ward Z
West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
September 4th 1864
My dear Mother,
This is a rainy morning—ain’t this news? At any rate it is with us. It has not rained for so long that I had almost forgotten what rain was.
I suppose that you want to know how I am these days. Well I am all right. Am as well as I ever was and my wound is all well. Has been healed nearly two weeks and I have forgotten how to limp so now whenever I go to the regiment, you need not think that I went before I was able.
Maria is at Northfield I expect by what she wrote in her last letter that she was going the next day. I am glad she has gone for I think that it will be better for her health than [ ing] is she don’t have to work too hard. There must be considerable to do when they have so many work folks.
Well, I must not forget to mention the good news. Of course you know all about it, but the capture of Atlanta is worthy of much joy on our part. The particulars have not yet received but it needs no doubt for this morning we have an official dispatch dated at Atlanta that the Union troops were in the city and Hood’s army cut in two. This is next to the fall of Richmond but one thing we want now, that is more men, and that now, and the Rebellion is crushed. Mobile is trembling and perhaps ere this has experienced a sad fate like htose strong forts that have fallen before that impregnable David Farragut.
There is once in a while a Hospital bummer that talks the same as any Copperhead. The other day I was talking with one of these fellows (a Democrat—Peace Democrat) and says he, Gen. Lee has got Gen. Grant just where he wants him—just where he can’t move. Yes, say I, he did not move and take the Weldon Railroad the other day, did he? That’s nothing, says he. Well, says I, Sherman says he is drawn from his supplies 200 miles and now got where he can’t do anything. Ah! says I, why don’t Hood annihilate Sherman’s army now when he is so far from home and have things a little more satisfactory [and] not be so harassed all the time by Sherman’s advancing men, and being so troubled with the solid shot and shell from his terrible guns. He did not say. Said I, hold your tongue, you will see what they will do. If I felt as you so, I would desert and go into the rebel lines and not stay here in an army that is fighting my friends. I was a little rathy. We will see what they will do if we send them a few more men.
The Chicago Convention was such a Copperhead scrape that I’ll not speak of it. The platform is terrible. [remainder of letter missing]
The following images were sold with the original archive of letters. They are all images of William Nelson Smith, I believe.
Description from collection: A group of four unidentified images, believed to be William N. Smith: sixth plate tintype seated portrait of Smith in uniform with lightly blue tinted sleeve chevrons indicating rank of corporal. U.S. Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles indicate that Smith was promoted to the rank of corporal, date unrecorded. -Ninth plate Ambrotype of Smith holding a violin or fiddle. -Ninth pate ruby Ambrotype of Smith in civilian clothing. Sixteenth plate loose tintype of Smith in uniform.
Spared & Shared 23 