These letters were written by Pvt. Frank Fletcher Rice (1847-1881) of Springfield, Windsor County, Vermont. Enlistment records state that that Frank enlisted at age 19 in September 1862 in Co. E, 16th Vermont. He mustered out of the service in August 1863.
When the census taker came to the household of book dealer and publisher Daniel Rice (1808-1888) and Maria P. Munn (1820-1912) of Springfield in June 1860, he enumerated Frank F. Rice as a 12 year-old. Other children of the household included Ellen Sophia Rice (1844-1864), Florence Minnie Rice (1853-19xx), and Arthur Frederick Rice (1856-19xx). Assuming the census was not mistaken in recording the children’s ages, Frank would have only been 14 years old (rather than 19) when he enlisted in the 16th Regiment. This would have been an incredibly tender age for a foot soldier. A biography of his father gives Frank’s birthdate as 12 July 1847 which would have made him slightly north of 15 when he enlisted in the 16th Vermont.
The first letter was written late in 1862, only two months after Frank’s enlistment in the 16th Vermont. The last letter was written after the war was over though Frank was clearly still in the service but apparently no longer in the same regiment. I cannot find a service record for Frank other than the 16th Vermont so I can’t be certain which unit he was in. He claims that he marched from Bladensburg, Maryland to Clouds Mills, Virginia so it would suggest he was still in an infantry unit. I could not find any Vermont regiments ordered to Louisville in June 1865 — only Wisconsin and Minnesota regiments.
Letter 1
Camp Vermont [2 miles from Alexandria, Va.]
Sunday, November 16th [1862]
My dear sister [Ellen Sophia Rice],
I received your letter on Tuesday and I should have written before but the next day this company and five others of the 16th had to go 4 miles out on picket ¹ and did not get back until last night, but we did not have half so hard a time as I expected to have. But I had a better time than the rest for Tom Sexton ² and I were stationed at a house to keep the pickets from stealing the chickens and all we had to do was to sit in the door yard and crack walnuts. The house belonged [to] a man by the name of Mason ³ but he — being a Rebel — went to Richmond and left his house and his property, and then a regiment of New York soldiers went in to the house and broke all the windows out and smashed things up generally. There is a family of “poor whites” living there now. The family consists of a man and his wife, and six white-haired children and about a dozen dogs.
We expect to stay here all winter. They have commenced to draw the logs to make the barracks. They are to be large enough to hold a whole company. We are living in the letter “A” tents — five in a tent. We have cedar boughs spread in the bottom of the tent and are quite comfortable. I have not been sick a single day yet but have had a slight cold. Am getting over it now.
You spoke of sending a box. I think if it was directed to:
Frank F. Rice, Co. E, 16th Reg., Care of A. C. Mason, Vermont Vols., Washington D. C.
I think I should get it.
We have just come in from divine service. The regiment was drawn up in a hollow square and listened to a sermon from chaplain who is a pretty good preacher.
We had rather a hard time that cold spell but it is warm as summer now.
We live better now than we did for awhile. For about a week we had nothing but salt beef and hard bread.
We are encamped in a very pleasant place now within twelve miles of Washington and about two miles from Alexandria. Tell Min that I find that cap she made me very useful. I should not know what to do without it.
Mr. [Bartlett E.] White and [Joel B.] Clark are well and full of fun as ever and all of the boys are well as can be expected although a good many have got colds. Tell mother that she [has] no need to worry much about me for I am getting along first rate and enjoying myself pretty well. I don’t have any harder time than I expected to have though we have some pretty rough times.
You must excuse the writing for I have nothing but my knapsack to write on. When you write again, please send me some postage stamps for it is hard to get clean ones here. I want you to send me one of your pictures and tell Jule that I want one of hers. Give my love to Florence, Arthur, Aunt Hannah, and all the folks. Write often and tell me all about the things in Springfield. I can not write any more so goodbye.
Your affectionate brother, — Frank
¹ Lt. Col. Cummins of the 16th Vermont wrote his wife on 9 November 1862 from Camp Vermont in which he described the picket duty of the regiment: “These [pickets] consist of four companies and are stationed from 2 to 3 miles from camp — the chain extending from the Potomac irregularly 8 miles westward. I visited all the posts twice in the daytime and once in the night. In the 24 hours I rode from 40 to 50 miles horseback, though forest, ravines, pastures, and bush and brier.”
² Thomas Sexton (1839-1910) was a native of Ireland. After serving two years with the 16th Vermont Infantry, he served an additional year with Co. I, 3rd Vermont Infantry.
³ Maj. Roswell Farnham of the 16th Vermont wrote from Camp Vermont on 7 November 1862: “We are encamped near an old Virginia mansion owned by G. Mason Esq. one of the regular F. F. V’s [First Family of Virginia]. He is a secessionist at heart. His house is a two story one & things were once in good shape, but his slaves have all run away & the troops have ruined him. He has a wife & two children – one a daughter who he says is sick & a son or perhaps grandson twelve or fourteen years of age. He keeps his family very much secluded & has a notice put up that he does not wish to be troubled by applications from the troops for accommodations.* We have occupied his barn with our horses and today Col. Blunt, who has command of the brigade moved his head quarters into the house – into two vacant rooms in one wing. He has two big fire places & looks as cheerful as possible. Rather different from our tents, tho’ we are comfortable. Soon we shall have comfortable huts made & then we can bid defiance to the weather. By next week Saturday, the whole Regiment will be in huts if nothing happens.”
Letter 2
Camp Vermont
December 6, 1862
My dear mother,
I got your letter thanksgiving day while I was out on picket. I read it sitting on a stump in a pine woods with a loaded gun in one hand. We had a pretty cold time. Have to go about four miles from camp. I have been out five times but have never come across any rebels yet.
We had quite a snowstorm yesterday. The snow is about four inches deep and it is pretty cold, but as we have got a stove in our tent and can get plenty of wood, we keep quite comfortable.
You said that I did not answer all the questions you wrote in your letter before. The reason was this. When I got the letter I read it and put it in my pocket and lost it. You asked me what it was I gave Uncle S. I gave him the order and nothing more.
We have got quite good bunks now. They are made by driving 4 crotched sticks into the ground for the posts. We then lay two poles across for the frame, then small poles on crossway. Then spread cedar boughs over the whole.
The cooking is done the same as it was at B. A hole is dug in the ground for the fire and the kettles are hung over it.
Tell Mary that I am much obliged to her for the chicken she sent me and tell Aunt H. that I thank her very much for the pickles. The things were very good that you sent in the [box] and I thank you all very much.
I have had two letters from Charley but have not answered them and do not intend to.
I wish that I could be at home Christmas with you and I think that if I live to get home again, I shall be willing to go to school and stay. Not that I am sorry that I ever enlisted but I have seen enough to know that I was better off at home.
I am sorry Uncle F is so sick but I hope he will get better. I can’t write any more now for I have got to get ready to go on picket tomorrow. Give my love to Nell, Father, the children, Aunt Hannah, and all the folks. Your affectionate son, — Frank
Letter 3
Camp near Fairfax Court House
January 10, 1863
My dear Mother,
I received your letter with the money yesterday and I thank you very much.
The weather is very wet and unpleasant. Today has rained all day but as we have not had anything to do and our barracks do not leak, we get along very well.
We have had beef steak and potatoes for dinner. We draw our rations of beef raw and fry it and have beef steak three times a week. I wish you would send me another box. Please send me some butter, some apple sauce, some cooked sausage, some apples and a tin cup and as many things as you have a mind to.
My tent mates are John Colter [?], George Cook, and Jim Taylor. I wish you would send me one of the haversacks such as Lab___ keeps for mine is all worn out.
I get along very well darning my stockings and the cook of the company washes my shirts and drawers for five cents a piece. I have not lost anything yet. I think I have been very lucky. I found the spices very useful. The pepper and mustard especially.
I went down to the captain’s tent to see about that bill but he was not there. I will send it in my next letter. I can’t write anymore so goodbye. Your affectionate son, — Frank
Letter 4
Camp near Fairfax Court House
January 17, 1863
My dear sister,
I received your letter last night and was very glad to hear from home.
We are having a very easy time just now. Do not have but one drill a day except Wednesdays and Fridays when we have a Brigade drill over to Fairfax on a splendid parade ground.
We have got our camp fixed up now so that we are quite comfortable for soldiers. We have got a good cook house built of logs and a sidewalk in front of our tents ten feet wide made of split logs running the whole length of our street.
It is pleasant today but quite cold. The ground is frozen hard.
I suppose you knew before this of Adin and Mr. Clark’s promotion. Adin is 2nd Lieutenant of Co. C and Mr. Clark is 2nd lieutenant of Co. D. George Cook has been detailed a hospital cook so it leaves only three of us in one tent and as we have got a good bunk built of poles covered with pine boughs, we get along very well.
I will try and get my picture taken someday or soon as I can get a chance to go over to Fairfax Court House. There is a photograph gallery over there. I have not got the lamp yet but hope I shall before long
I received two papers last night—Vermont Journals from home—and was glad to get them for we do not get much to read here. Please send papers as often as you can. It is most dark and I can’t write any more. Gove my love to Father, Mother, Aunt Hannah, and all the rest of the folks. Your affectionate brother, — Frank
Letter 5
Camp near Fairfax Station
January 25, 1863
My dear mother,
I received your letter last night and as I have nothing to [do] just now, I thought I would answer it.
We have moved again about 3 miles from the Court House to the station. We are encamped now near a pine woods in an old cornfield, and it is very muddy. the first night that we slept here we settled into the mud about four inches. We are at work today building new barracks and have got them nearly done. We build them out of pine logs and plaster up the cracks with mud.
It has rained for two days all the time and is very muddy but this afternoon the sun has come out and it is quite pleasant. If this reaches you before you send the box, please send me some letter paper and some ink and some common sand paper.
My clothes have not began to wear out yet. My shirts and all my clothes are whole. There is not a hole in them.
you asked me to tell you if I could get a chance to come home. Mother, I would want to go back to the army. I am here and have got to stay here [till] my time [is] out and am willing to do it. But if I was at home, I would never come out here—not that I am dissatisfied or home sick, for I think if I ever do get home again, I shall lead a better life than I have done. I think what I have see has learned me a good lesson and now I think if I was where I could enjoy the comforts of a good home as I had, I should be perfectly willing and contented to stay there. I don’t want you to think that I am sorry that I ever went into the army for I am not, for it learned me a lesson that I could not have learned in any other way. I think when I do get home, I shall be willing to go to school and get an education and go into some respectable business and try and be a help and comfort to you all.
I don’t think that I ever thought of home and you so much as when on picket. I have sat many hours and thought of the time when I had a ood home and a warm bed to get into and a kind mother to look after me. But if God lets me to get home again, I shall try and lead a better life.
I don’t know as there is any clothing that I want unless it is another pocket handkerchief for if we should move again, which we may do everyday, I could not carry them though I should like more cotton and woolen drawers.
Col. [Wheelock G.] Veazey is well. I saw him out today chopping logs. The men like him very much. I wish you would write him a letter and ask him to detail me for an orderly or some such thing. I should have a great deal easier time.
I will send in this letter an order for father to draw my state pay. I can’t write any more now so goodby. My love to father, Nell, Aunt H., and all the children. Your affectionate son, — Frank
Letter 6
Camp at Fairfax Station, Va.
February 20, 1863
Dear father,
I should have written you before but I thought as I wrote to mother, it was just as well as though I wrote to you. We are still here in our old camp and the mud is as deep as ever. We have now quite a snow storm. About eight inches fell and it is just going off so it makes it very muddy. It is so deep around the Station that all they can draw from the depot to the Brigade commissaries with a six mule team id four barrels of beef and sometimes they get stuck with that.
Co. A and B have got new guns and we expect some soon. They have got the Springfield rifle. They are much better than the Austrian rifle which the rest of the regiment have got.
There is a great deal of talk in the regiment about the time that our time commences. Most of them think that our term of service expires the first of June and I hope it does, but I hardly think we shall go home until the 24th of July. What do you think about it?
I went to the captain today and got that two dollar bill and will send it to you. I should have sent it before but I forgot all about it.
We do not have much drilling to do except target firing and I like that very much. We have a good deal of guard and fatigue duly to do around the station which in wet weather is very unpleasant on account of the mud. Yesterday I worked down there all day lading barrels of beef and pork and worked harder than I ever did a day on the farm and I have got to go down there on guard tomorrow.
If things are wasted throughout the army as they are at Fairfax Station, it is a wonder to me how the army holds out. Why there is thousands of dollars worth of goods wasted there every month. Piles of saddles and harnesses laying out in the mud and rain and guns and sabers rusting and laying around in the mud and in one pile there is thousands of tents laying in the mud and rotting while there is a regiment at Fairfax Court House (the Pennsylvania Bucktails) laying out without any tents. That is the way things are carried on here. But they don’t complain and call it “military.”
I can’t write anymore now as it is time for dress parade. Give my love to all. — Frank
Letter 7
Headquarters 2nd Vermont Brigade
Wolf Run Shoals
April 6, 1863
Dear mother,
We have moved again and are now stationed near the 12th and 14th [Vermont] Regiments and about 6 miles from Union Mills where the 16th still remains, as nothing but the Headquarters have moved. I don’t think it near pleasant here as it was at the Mills. Nothing right here but woods and hills and the [mud] is about a foot deep.
Night before last it commenced to rain and snow and yesterday morning when I got up the snow was a foot deep and today it is melting which makes it vert wet and muddy.
I have just been to Washington again. I went down to carry some dispatches to Gen. Casey’s Headquarters for Col. Blunt. Had a very good time but did not have time to look around much. I expect to go down again in a few days.
We live first rate here now—a great deal better than a great many folks at home do. There is 12 of us mess together. We have got a very good cook. We have doughnuts and pies, beef steak and potatoes most every meal. I never was better in my life than I am now and never enjoyed myself any better.
My clothes are all whole yet except my pants which are worn out and I have drawn another pair. I don’t wear out my clothes no so fast as I did when I was in the regiment. I got a letter from you day before yesterday and was very sorry to hear of the death of Henry Holton. I can’t write any more now for it is getting late.
Give my love to Father, Nell, and H, and all the folks. — Frank
P. S. Direct your letters to Headquarters, 2nd Brigade, Casey’s Division, Washington D. C.
Letter 8
Headquarters 2nd Brigade, Casey’s Division
Wolf Run Shoals
April 14, 1863
My dear sister,
I went over to Union Mills day before yesterday and went to the regiment and found a letter there for me, and as I have not ot anything to do now, I will try and answer it.
Everything is ready to move at any moment. We got orders night before last to be ready to move at any time with 3 days rations cooked. All the tents have been turned over to the Quartermaster and the men have not got anything but shelter tents. There is only four tents along for the General and his staff and we orderlies have to sleep in shelter tents but as it is getting warm and dry, we don’t mind it much.
There has not been any direct order for us to move—only to [be] ready to go and it would not be anything strange if we did not go at all. I should like to be at home a few days and get some maple sugar for I don’t expect to get any this year. You spoke of Adin coming come. I think the general order that you folks have got is pretty near right. As for me, I shant come home until my [time] is out if I could, which I am as well ably to do duty as he is.
I should like to have you send me some sugar but I don’t care about your send me a box for we are liable to move at any time and then I should not know what to do with it. I will try and get my picture taken the next time I go to Washington. I am well and enjoying myself as well as ever.
I can’t write any more now for it is getting late. Give my love to Father, Mother, and all the folks, — Frank
Letter 9
Headquarters 2nd Brigade, Abercrombie’s Division
Wolf Run Shoals
April 22, 1863
My dear mother,
We still remain here just as we was when I wrote you last though I expect we shall very soon. We have got a new Brigadier General. His name is [George Jerrison] Stannard, the former Colonel of the 9th [Vermont]. He came yesterday and he appears like a very nice man but he can’t be any better than Col. B[lunt] and I am sorry that they changed.
I received a letter from you when I first came here and one a few days ago. I think I have received all the letters and papers that you have sent and you can’t think how good it seems to hear from home.
One of the General’s aides, 1st Lt. G. W. Hooker, was lieutenant in the [same] company of the 4th [Vermont] Regiment that Fred Rice was in and knew him well.
It is six months tomorrow since we were mustered in and we have but three more to serve at the farthest and that is not very long. It don’t seem a month hardly since I was in Brattleboro.
I will now try and answer your questions that you asked in your letters. I have to go to Washington about once in four days. I go by railroad to Alexandria which is about 20 miles and then go the rest of the way by steamboat. Gen. Casey has been relieved of command of the Division and Gen. Abercrombie has command now. I suppose his headquarters are where Gen. Casey’s were on 14th Street at the foot of Long Bridge. I stop with Casey’s orderly.
I have not changed my mind about going to school when I get back home again though I have not made up my mind where I shall go. Perhaps it will be at the seminary. You said that Adin told you that he detailed me here. Perhaps he did but I never knew it before. The way I come to be detailed was this. The captain sent Bennett up to Fairfax Court House while we were at the Station and while he was there he got detailed as orderly at headquarters. But when we got to Union Mills, through the influence of the captain and Col. Veazy, Bennett came back to the company and I took his place as orderly. I don’t see what Adin had to do about it. Still he may have had some influence over the captain.
I see Mr. Brustow very often. His tent [is] very near here and I have been over there several times to service. I saw him today and he wished to be remembered to you. I am looking forward with a great deal of pleasure to the time when I shall see you all again. You can’t think how I long to see my home and friends again. I must close as it is getting late so goodbye. Give my love to Father, Nell, and all the folks. — Frank
P. S. Direct Headquarters 2nd Brigade, Abercrombie’s Division, Washington D. C.
Leave off Brig. Gen. Stannard
Letter 10
Headquarters 2nd Brigade, Abercrombie’s Division
Union Mills, Va.,
May 4, 1863
My dear mother,
We are still here at Union Mills but have got orders to be ready to move at any moment with 3 days rations in haversack. Still we may not go for you know that we have had such orders before and not gone. I hope we shant go for I like this place the best of any we have been in. But still the more that we move around the more we see of the country.
There has been a cavalry fight down to Warrenton (about 15 miles from here) and yesterday the wounded were brought through here on the cars. They were all rebels except one and they were the worst looking set of men that I ever saw. There was about 30 of them.
The 12th [Vermont] Regiment has moved down to Bealeton Station about 20 miles from here and I should not wonder if we went down there too. You said in your letter that you had not heard from me the last week. Now I have written at least two letters home every week either to you or Nell. If you do not get them, they must be lost on the way.
i wish you would send me some papers every week. You used to. but I have not got any for two weeks. You need not be afraid of my not keeping the promises I made you before I left home. I never have broken them yet and I don’t itend to and I never should do anything that will cause you any pain or cause you in any way regret for letting me enlist.
I am well and all the boys in the company are too. I believe there was a lot of contraband came in yesterday.
This morning we have heard cannonading. I think it must be from Hooker’s army. We feel a great deal of interest in Hooker’s movements for if he is whipped, he will [pass] this way through here we think.
You will find five dollars enclosed in this letter. Wo with it as you think proper. I am glad Uncle F. is better. Hope he will keep so. Give my love to all the folks. — Frank
Letter 11
Headquarters 2nd Division, Abercrombie’s Division
Union Mills, Va.
May 17, 1863
My dear sister,
I received your letter a few days ago and would have answered it before but I have been down to Alexandria to get a pair of spurs for Gen. Stannard and did not get back until this afternoon. I went all over the Marshall House. Seen the stairs where Ellsworth was shot by Jackson.
Today, the 15th [Vermont] which was camped at Bealton Station moved back to Union Mills. When the 12th [Vermont] first went down to the Rappahannock river, there was some rifle pits on the other side. They sent a company over to destroy them which they did. They were thrown by the rebels about a year ago for you [know] they held this country until within a few months. Yesterday, as soon as the section of a battery that was stationed near the 12th [Vermont] moved back to the Mills, rebel pickets were seen just across the river (which is about as large as the Connecticut) and men at work refurbishing the breastworks. So they thought it was about time to move back which they did at once. At one time our pickets were on one end of the bridge and the rebels were on the other end—rather closer than was pleasant.
The other day some of the cavalry that were stationed down near where Co. E were stationed for a while (I don’t remember the name of the place but believe it was Bristoe) made a decent once small village called Brentsville that was suspected of containing rebels. They broke up the post office and some of the Co. E got a lot of rebel letters and papers. I got paper from one of the boys and will send it to you.
There was one thing in your letter that I could not believe for a long time and can hardly believe it now. That was that Eliza Spencer was to be married to Firbush. I never heard anything that took me aback as that did. Why he is old enough to be her father. I don’t know what all the folks is coming to.
I can’t write any more now for I am going down to Alexandria on the next train and it is almost time for it to start. So goodbye. — Frank
Letter 12
Headquarters 2nd Brigade Abercrombie’s Division
Union Mills, Va.
June 10, 1863
My dear sister,
I received your letter a few days ago and would have answered before but I had just written mother and everything is so dull now that I cannot find enough news to write more than one letter a week.
I wonder what you are doing tonight at home? I wish I were there with you if it were only for a little while. But I will soon be there in a very short time. Do you know, Nell, that it was nine months the 3rd of this month since I enlisted? And it seems such a little while. Six week more and I will be home again. That will soon pass away.
You said you were going to Maine this month with Mrs. Chickering. I hope youy will have a good time but I want you should be sure and get back in time to meet at Brattleboro when i come back on the 23rd. If you don’t, I shant like it a bit.
There is no news that I can’t think of now except that the 16th [Vermont] have moved back to Union Mills. It is very dull here now—nothing going on except now and then a cavalry fight within a few miles of here. There is always quite a rush for the depot to see the wounded and prisoners.
I sent you that paper. It is strange that you never received it. It must have been lost on the way. Will try and get another one and send you. We have got better accommodations than we had when I wrote you last. Three of us have got an officer’s tent with board bunks filled with hay which makes a very good bed for a soldier.
I am sorry to hear of Josie Colburn’s blindness. Hope it will be better soon. Remember me to Rob and tell him I am going down to visit him and climb the mountain when I get back.
I can’t write any more now for it is getting late and I am very sleepy. Remember me to all the friends. Good night my dear, — Frank
Letter 13
[Editor’s note: This letter was written in pencil and is so faint that it will not scan legibly. I was able to transcribe from the original successfully, however.]
Middletown, Maryland
July 9, 1863
Dear mother,
Of course you have heard that we ewre in the fight at Gettysburg. I was in it some of the time but came out all right and am well now. I should have written before but we have been moving all the time and I have not had a chance. It is two weeks today since we left Union Mills and we have marched every day. I have got along very well on the move. I ride all the time in the Headquarters ambulance and enjoy myself very well so you need not worry yourself at all about me.
I have seen all the boys in Co. A, 3rd [Vermont] and some that I knew in the 4th [Vermont]. They are all well. The 12th and 13th [Vermont] have gone home and we shall go in two weeks. That is only a little while. I don’t think you had better write me again for I never should get it if you did. We are moving around so from one place to another, we can’t tell one day where we shall be the next.
I can’t write anymore now for we are going to move somewhere. I will write again tomorrow. — Frank
Letter 14
Camp at Cloud’s Mills, Virginia
June 5th 1865
Dear Mother,
I received your letter of the third this afternoon — also the Independent and Ledger. You will see by this that we have moved again. We moved our camp at Bladensburg [Maryland] a week ago today and marched to our present camp marching through Washington and Alexandria. We came about 18 miles that day.
We are camped almost in sight of the old Camp “Vermont” where I was when I was in the 16th [Vermont Infantry] and about 4 miles from Alexandria. The order is now for the brigade we are in to go to Louisville, Kentucky and we may start tomorrow. I had rather go there than stay in Virginia. I did not feel any bad effect from the marching either to Bladensburg or here.
The fast was observed here. We had services in a large apple orchard near our camp. The chaplain of the 21st New York Cavalry preached. He is just such a man as Mr. Chrickering. I have a testament and read it too for I have not forgotten the night I was at home.
As for the letter that father wrote me, it [is] a friendly, polite letter. He said he should be glad to hear from me again. He still continues to blame me for the past and for enlisting. I never got my things from Baltimore. I lost my valise and one or two shirts — that is all. I have not received one cent of pay the government owes me [which amounts to] $266 now. I am getting along as well as usual.
I wish you would send me money — it is very hard living on salt pork this [summer].
Has father sold the horses yet? If not, how is Katie? I have no paper left. I must stop. Love to all. Your affectionate son, — Frank
Spared & Shared 23 