The following letters were written by Spencer Bronson (1842-1930), the son of Rev. Major Tyler Bronson (1802-1880) and Matilda Hotchkiss (1812-1872) of Fountain Prairie, Columbia county, Wisconsin. Spencer enlisted in Co. B, 7th Wisconsin Infantry in May 1861 with his older brothers, Elisha (“Eli”) Bronson (1834-1862) and Manly Tyler Bronson (1839-1863). Eli was killed on 17 September 1862 at Antietam, Maryland. Manly died at Belle Plains, Virginia, on 26 March 1863. Spencer survived the war—his memory forever preserved in witnessing the assassination of President Lincoln [see the Journal Sentinel]. He did not pass through the war unscathed, however. He was wounded on 28 August 1862 in the Battle of Gainsville, Va., again at the Battle of Fitzhugh Crossing, Va. on 29 April 1863, and once again on Day 1 at Gettysburg where he because a prisoner of war and confined at Libby Prison and Belle Island in Richmond. He was exchanged in August 1863 but lost his teeth due to scurvy. After he returned to his regiment, he was wounded again in the Battle of the Wilderness and sent to a hospital in Washington D. C. where he was transferred into the Veteran Reserve Corps. The doctor reports included in his pension file make gruesome reading. Aside from losing the two brothers previously mentioned, Spencer lost another brother, 1st Lt. Edward Hotchkiss Bronson of Co. K, 32nd Wisconsin Infantry.
Civil War buffs will recognize the 7th Wisconsin Infantry as one of the five regiments that composed the vaunted Iron Brigade—also known as the “The Black Hats” or “Black Hat Brigade.” Two letters transcribed and previously posted on Spared & Shared by Spencer’s brother Manly can be found at 1861-62: Manly T. Bronson to Friends.
Letter 1
Camp Lincoln
April 10, 1862
Dear Friends,
We received your letter a few days ago and I now sit down to answer it. We are all well as usual. The weather is very warm at present. we are now encamped near Catlett’s Station about 45 miles from Washington & 16 miles beyond Manassa Junction. We expect to move on as soon as a bridge is fixed near us so that the artillery can cross over in safety. There has been some change in the field officers since I last wrote. Gen. McDowell has been put in command of an Army Corps consisting of 4 Divisions. Gen. King being the Senior General in the Division takes his place. Gen. King’s place is filled by Col. Cutler, formerly Colonel of the 6th Regt. Wisconsin Volunteers.
Last night Col. [William W.] Robinson said a few words to us while on Dress Parade. He said that for four or five days he had felt downhearted because he thought we should have no chance to see “secesh” and that there was a chance for us to guard the railroad (which all soldiers fairly despise). But he said that his opinion had changed. He had received news that General Magruder was within 10 miles of us with 30,000 rebel troops. If this was true, he thought the rebels would give us employment. All he asked of us was to do our duty as soldiers & put confidence in him & he thought all would come out well in the end. His speech was received with cheers by the regiment.
I believe that when [brother] Manly last wrote, we were at Bristol Station. Last Sunday we left there & marched 10 miles to our present camp which is about two miles from Warrenton Station (toward Washington). This morning we hear heavy firing towards the enemy. Our Colonel thinks that General Ord is having a battle with the enemy. Gen. Ord (the hero of Dranesville) is on the advance of McDowell’s Corps. His troops are among the best in the army and whenever they fight, they will do it with a will. Gen. McDowell’s Corp consists of Gen. McCall’s, Franklin’s, Blinker’s, and McDowell’s old division, now commanded by Gen. King of Wisconsin. General King is a West Point graduate and a first rate soldier. He is a gentleman in every sense of the word & uses his soldiers as a father would use his son. Wherever the 1st Division goes, they are willing to trust themselves in the hands of Gen. King.
Lieutenant Batchelder started for home a few days ago. I suppose you have heard that our Chaplain has resigned and gone home. He left for home two weeks ago so that now we have no religious services of Sunday. But I must close as it is drill time. Write soon. From your brother. — Spencer
Letter 2
Camp Lincoln
April 19th 1862
Dear Friends
As I have a few moments of spare time, I will improve them by answering your letter. We are all well as usual & enjoy ourselves first rate. Near our camp is a small river & we boys amuse ourselves in various ways in making boats and bobbing for eels and going in swimming in the river. Our camp is a beautiful spot. From where I am, I can see the Alleghany Mountains looming up in distance while way to the south can be seen the Rappahannock.
The firing that we heard yesterday was as we expected a skirmish. It was about 8 miles from our camp. The rebels was repulsed with heavy loss. We expect to move on in a few days. Whenever the time comes, we will be heartily glad as we are tired of laying still. We expect to have a little brush with the enemy but we are prepared for them. We are going to send our overcoats [home] in a few days. Get and keep them for us till we come home.
I have just been down to see the railroad bridge which was burnt by the rebels a sahort time ago. The bridge cost 2,000,000. Tell Henry I will answer his letter as soon as I get time. From Spencer
Letter 3
January 26th 1863
In your last letter you spoke of the box as sent, or about to be. While we are glad that it is on the way, we are very sorry that Manly cannot be here to have some of the good of it. It was on his account more than on mine that we sent for it. At that time we supposed that we should be here if it came here before March the 1st, But this last movement has changed the state of affairs. On one account more than anything else, I am sorry that he is not here. T. E. the wine that you speak of, I think would do him good and on account of those kind friends who have taken so much pains to gratify our tastes & wishes, thank them for me for their kind regards. Such kindness will not be soon forgotten. The box has not yet….
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…consider with that great General McClellan when he said, “A successful winter campaign cannot be carried on in Virginia.” This saying has thus far proven itself true. Twice has the attempt been made & as often has it failed on account of bad weather. But perhaps the superior generalship of a Greeley or a Booth might triumph over any obstacle & before spring we might hear of their entering victoriously into Richmond on a stone bolt & their artillery on a mud scow. Give them a trial.
The mail is not very regular here. For instance, your letter of the 17th of December (or thereabout) was received almost few days ago while that of January 4th was received almost a week previous. The Daily Life comes pretty regular. Though not agreeing with the Editor in some small matters, it is nevertheless a good paper. The speech & sermons I like first rate. Thank you for the privilege of having them to peruse. Perhaps before long I shall be able to return the compliment. But the time for the mail to go out is rapidly advancing & I must bring this letter to a close. You ask whether your letters are too long. No! If we stay here long, I will try to follow youyr good example of long letters.
My health is first rate & I am contented & happy. As soon as I hear from Manly, I will write you. I am in hopes that now he is some good hospital, he will get a furlough or discharge. His disease is the chronic diarrhea though not in its worst state when he left. He was some better when he left. — Spencer
Letter 4
Camp near Belle Plains
February 7th 1863
Dear Friends,
Your kind letter of the 25th came to hand after being 10 days on the road. Since we have been here, the mail for some reason or other has been very irregular. In your letter you speak of the same irregularity in the mail matters. The fault (with but few exceptions) does not lie with us. We have written a letter every week at least while not on the march & will endeavor to so do hereafter. And if we should find time lying idle on our hands (which would be I think the 8th Wonder), we will endeavor to comply with your wishes & write semi-weekly.
It is a warm and pleasant morning—the finest by fat of the new year. If there is any class of people who appreciate good weather more than another, it is the soldier. In fact, good weather is almost a requisite to a soldier’s happiness. Give me ten pleasant days, says Gen. Burnside, and Richmond will be mine.
Last Saturday I was agreeably surprised by seeing Manly enter our little shanty. I had received a letter from him but a few days before & nothing was said in it about his returning to the company. He has been staying at the Brigade hospital at Wind Mill Point, Va., about 5 miles from here. He says the hospital was filled up so full that they could not do justice to so many so he thought he would come back to the company. He about the same as he was when I last wrote to you. You seem to think that I have kept back his true condition but you have judged wrong. I know that when his disease is fairly settled upon a person it is hard to cure, but in my own experience, I have seen several persons cured who labored under the same disease. It is in this way that I have formed the opinion that Manly’s case is nothing very serious as his disease is not of the worst type. He has a good appetite. For a few days back, we have managed to get food that he relishes very well. He has a very good bed considering the circumstance in which we are placed. He is quite weak although when he came back from the hospital, he walked half a mile with his accoutrements on. Perhaps others who only see him occasionally are better able to judge than I can but I believe not. I may error in judgement but I am sincere in regard to my views in his case. Rest assured, however, that if his sickness should take a more alarming turn, I will inform you at once.
The box has not yet arrived and we begin to fear that something is not right. I hope it will come to hand soon at least while we are together & when not on the march. It is the prevalent opinion here in “Milertery circels” that the Army of the Potomac is about to be divided up. It is thus far rumored that(the veracity of which I believe is correct) that the 9th Army Corps & Sigel’s Grand Division has been taking shipping at Aquia & Belle Plain Landing all day. Their destination is believed to be North Carolina. If this be true, perhaps our military stage of action will be changed to a more southern climate. There is no news of any consequence going on here.
John Hughes of Otsego who was wounded at Gainesville has been discharged. He has secured the post of freight agent to transport provision for the use of the army. He receives $40 per month/ For once, merit has received its reward. I received a letter from George Brown a few days ago. He is at work in a drugstore at Berlin, Wisconsin. He has secured a half pension ($8 per month) for life. He thinks his arm will always be stiff.
The company in general are enjoying good health. Herbert Dyer has been rather unwell for a few days past but is now as well as usual. There has been three corporals appointed lately—viz: Herbert Dyer, Theron Helm, & Alexander Hughs. Any news from Capt. Hobart or Gary Russell will be read with interest at all times. We have not heard from them in a long while except by way of you. Tell Mrs. Haskins that Henry Beachum has been transferred to Battery B, 4th US Regular Artillery for them remainder of his time. He was transferred on the 12th of September 1862. The above named battery belongs to our brigade. He is over here quite often. He was liked very well while in our company. Lieut. Col. Hamlinton & Major Bill of our regiment have or are about to resign the first on account of his wound received at Gainesville, the latter on account of ill health. They are good officers & brave men & we are sorry that they should be compelled to leave us.
Capt. Finecum of Co. H has been recommended to the Governor for one of the vacant places. Col. Robinson is still with us though at present in command of the Brigade while Gen. Meredith is absent at Washington. By the way, it is rumored that the business he has gone there on is to get our brigade into the fortifications near the Capitol. Gen. Meredith is a cousin of the President and relationship may have some weight with him. May he succeed but we shall not be disappointed if he should not. We have a drill of one hour duration daily, company inspection three times a week, regimental inspection Sunday at 11 o’clock. It is now 10:30 o’clock & my gun wants a little cleaning, so I must halt. From Sepencer
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