The following letter was written by Benjamin Franklin Nicholas (1847-1911) of Co. G, 10th Rhode Island Infantry from Fort Gaines—an earthen fort northwest of Washington D. C. in Maryland. At the time he wrote the letter, his company had occupied the fort for nearly a month. Other companies of the regiment occupied other forts in the Washington defenses, some of which were sketched in the Regimental History, but this letter includes a hand drawn sketch of Fort Gaines which I have not seen before. The only photograph taken within the fort is seen in the header of this post, attributed to Matthew Brady.

Benjamin wrote the letter to his sister, Almira Morton Nicholas (1843-1904)—“Sissy”—who was married to David T. Atwood of Providence, Rhode Island,

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

Fort Gaines ¹
July 29, 1862

Dear Dave and Sissy.

I think it is about time for me to write to you here. I have written to almost everybody but you.

We had a flag raising here yesterday and we had a gay time. I send you a picture of the fort. It is as good as I can draw. They are going to alter the [fort] for they are going to take away M and build a parapet in its place. And they are going to take away the cook house G and carry it outside of the fort and put a heavy gun in its place.

We fired the guns yesterday 13 rounds. The 71st [New York State Militia] was moved across the road. Fort Slocum—a few miles from here, was attacked the other night by a party of guerrillas, about 50. They was on horses. There was one of their side killed but they carried him off. They was fixing the fort and the stockade was down the same as M on our fort and they thought they could get in and surprise the camp and spike the guns and burn the gun carriages and then leave. But they didn’t come it.

You will see that this letter is franked. I have not only got a 50 cent piece. Some one went to my box the other day and took all my paper and postage stamps and that left me without any. George is mad with me but never mind. I get chums with him before we come home.

Sissy, I want you to write to me. I have not had a letter from you or Dave for a long time. But I must close. From your brother, — Benjamin F. Nicholas

P. S. Excuse this writing.

¹ Fort Gaines was established in August 1861 as an earthen fort with a perimeter of 171 yards and emplacements for six guns. It was located near Ward Circle in Northwest Washington D. C.