My passion is studying American history leading up to & including the Civil War. I particularly enjoy reading, transcribing & researching primary sources such as letters and diaries.
I could not find an image of George but here is one of William H. Oury of Co. E, 20th OVI (Ancestry.com)
These letters were written by 23 year-old George W. Modie (1838-1913) of Company A, 20th Ohio Infantry. He wrote the letters to his parents, William Modie (1799-1872) and Margaret Gates (1811-1880) of Chester, Morrow County, Ohio. George married Isabelle (“Belle”) Nye (1848-19xx), the daughter of W. W. Nye and Martha Ball in 1870. He died in 1913 and is buried in the Dayton National Cemetery, Section 1, Row 10, Site 42.
George served with the 20th Ohio from October 1861 until July 1865 — nearly the entire four years of the war. In the second letter, written from Camp King, near Covington, Kentucky, George informs his parents of the inclement weather and the need for another blanket. The regiment remained at Camp King until 11 February 1862 when they participated in the investment and capture of Fort Donelson and then on to Shiloh.
I received a few lines from you yesterday after and was glad to hear that all are well at home. When I wrote last I was quite unwell. I had the rheumatics and a fever for a few days but have got well and enjoy good health again. I slept in a warm place at Cincinnati and when I got here I slept in a tent on the ground and that is what made me sick. If I had not stopped there, I would not have been sick, I do not think.
We are still at Camp King or close by. Co. A was sent out on picket guard today to stay three days. We are divided into squads of 18 men and are stationed on the hills with four 32-pound guns placed as to protect the City from any enemy. The squad I am with is placed on a hill where we have a fair view of Cincinnati, Covington, and Newport. Two of our guns are placed in range with the railroad and two more of a few hundred yards off. Our 18 men have charge of these four guns for three days and then go back to camp and 18 more take our place. Some of us has to stay by the guns at night and two of us has to go off about 1 mile on picket guard and I am one of them tonight and Joel Howe is the other. I must stop writing for I have togo on at 8 o’clock and it almost time to go.
I was sorry that Mr. and Mrs. Demitt was one day too late to see me at Camp Chase for I would like to have seen them. Besides, I would like to have had the cake she brought for me. I wrote to them yesterday. I had a letter partly wrote when I got your letter yesterday and sent it this morning. But I must stop for tonight and finish it in the morning. So I will load my rifle and start.
Tuesday, October 29th
I have just come in from guard and eat my breakfast and thought I would finish my letter and take it to the Office. I can go just where I please and I intend to scout around today.
We have plenty to eat. Have bread and meat and sugar and rice and coffee more than we can use. We make it three times a day. I have some milk this morning given to me by a neighbor. Our neighbors are mostly Dutch and very clever. Once in a while I come across one I take to be a secesh. They do not have much to say. When they had their election here, the Union men were only 14 men ahead in this county. So you see there are some secesh here. But I guess I will stop. Write soon and often and I will do the same. Yours, — G. W. Modie
Letter 2
Patriotic letterhead celebrating Kentucky’s Loyalty to the Union
Camp King, [near Covington] Kentucky Thursday, November 28 [1861]
Father and Mother,
I write you a few lines again to let you know I am well. I received a letter from Sanford last night and was glad to hear you was all well. J. Runyan also arrived last night. He told me he saw you. We have had some very cold weather for a few days back. It snowed last Saturday and Sunday and Monday it froze hard with only about half an inch of snow and Tuesday night we had a hard thunder shower and the next night it froze hard again and this morning it rains again which makes it very disagreeable for us here.
I would like for Mother to send me a blanket if she has one to spare. Sanford spoke of sending me his horse blanket but I fear it would be too heavy to carry in my knapsack so if you can send me a lighter one, it would come very handy. I have been very comfortable so far but we look for colder weather soon. It makes no difference what kind you send. Some old one will do as well as a new one. We expect to leave here soon but do not know where we will go. If you will send it to Sanford, he might find a chance to send it down as some of the boys are home every few days. If you get this in time, you might have a chance to send it when Capt. Hyatt comes down with his recruits. If you send me one, I will bring it back when the war is over. I do not think I shall be home until then if we all keep well.
I have nothing of interest to write today. Nothing of importance has transpired but things move on as usual. I will look for a letter from Martin next week. Tell R. Wilson I received his letter and was glas to hear from him. Yesterday one of the boys in Co. F got shot through the right hand and left arm by accident and the other night one of the sentinels had a finger shot off by a rebel.
Tell Dave Bre__ I look for a letter from him. I heard he has got home.
The mud is about knee deep here and we hope to get out of here soon. General Fremont was at the city yesterday but I did [not] get to see him. We received our regimental flag this morning. If I had room on this paper I would tell you what it looks like. It is a beautiful flag. We have plenty of daily papers to read every day.
Tell Mary I received her letter the next day after it was mailed. I would like to hear from some of you often. No more at this time. Yours, — G. W. Modic
Letter 3
Addressed to Mr. William Modie, Lucerne, Knox county, Ohio
Hospital 17th Army Corps Marietta, Georgia Tuesday evening, August 17, 1864
Friends at home,
I wrote to you only a few days ago but I heard some bad news from Martin 1 today and it may be you have not heard from him so I will let you know all I can from him. I received a few lines from Reed Runyan today stating that Martin was wounded. He had lost both of his thumbs shot off and a flesh wound in the arm above the elbow. It is a bad wound. Still it could have been worse.
The boys of our company whose time is out came in today and are here waiting for transportation home. The rebels have destroyed the railroad between this place and Chattanooga and they may be obliged to stop here a few days but they expect to go tomorrow. Reed Runyon is not with the rest of the boys as his time is not quite out yet. The boys say they seen some of the boys of Martin’s company and said Martin was working on the breastworks when he was wounded. I do not know at which hospital Martin is at but suppose he is still at the field hospital and I expect he will be sent to this place or farther north soon. I will do all I can to get to see him. I am able to get about by carrying my arm in a sling.
Well, I almost forgot to tell you I expect to start for home in a few days on furlough as we are of no account here and they want us to go home out of the way. Only a few of us are going at present. Two of the Fredricktown boys are going with me and one to Mt. Vernon. We will not likely get our papers in time to go with the non veterans but our furloughs are sent to headquarters to be signed and will be back in a few days. You must not look for me until you see me for if Gen. Blair should refuse to sign our furloughs, we will stop where we are a while yet. I thought I had best accept a furlough as times passes very slow with me at the hospital. I hope Martin will get home soon and no doubt he will. I suppose he is done soldiering. You must not feel uneasy about him. His wound is not dangerous and he will be well taken care of and will get along as well as if some of you was with him.
My hand is still very sore but is doing well. Well, it is not necessary for me to write much this time. If I get home as I expect, I can tell you the news. I have not had a letter from any of you since I wrote last. I suppose the reason is the railroad is destroyed and I suppose it must be repaired before you get this. Do not write again until you see me or hear from me again. No more this evening.
Respectfully yours, — George W. Modie
I have not heard from Dave Bruce but suppose he is all right yet as I have no account of him being hurt. Reed Runyon got a light soup spilled in the bargain. It appears that I and Martin have all our bad luck at once after going through so many hard fights, but the fortunes of war are very uncertain. But I am willing to try my luck again soon as I am able.
1 Martin G. Modie (1840-1911) was George’s younger brother. Martin served from August 1862 to April 1865 as a priate in Co. G, 121st Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was discharged for disability.
The following letter was written by a member of the 14th Ohio Infantry who signed his name “Albert” but I am unable to state with certainty his identity. There were few soldiers by that name in the regiment but I cannot place any of them in Lake county, Ohio before the war. We know from the content he was a veteran who has served a full four years in the war. There is an outside possibility it was Capt. Albert Moore of Co. A. I transcribed another letter by him some time ago and there is a similarity in the hand writing.
Albert wrote the letter to Clara Teresa Ensign of Madison, Lake county, Ohio. He addressed her as “cousin” but we learn from the letter that he does not believe they are actually related.
The letter contains a commentary on President Lincoln’s assassination.
Transcription
Camp of the 14th Ohio April 29th 1865
Dear Cousin Clara,
Your kind and truly welcome favor of the 16th inst. has just come to hand and I hasten to write a few lines in reply to it. Your letter found me lying in my tent, some six miles from the city of Raleigh, North Carolina. I am in the best of health and spirits as we are now on our way home. Home sweet home. There is no place like home.
We started yesterday morning on our homeward bound march. We are to lay here until Monday morning (this is Saturday afternoon) and then start for Richmond, Virginia. From there we go to Washington D. C. and from there—home. How long it will take us to reach Washington is more than I can tell. It is something over three hundred miles from here. Quite a walk, isn’t it? What would you think about it if you had to walk that distance? I don’t like the idea of marching clear to Washington but I don’t see how I am to help it. I might perhaps go to the doctor and “play off” but my health has always been too good for that “dodge” to work so I guess I shall have to go by the way of “Fast and Walker’s line.” Not a bad line after all. I have traveled a great many miles by that line since you saw me on the snow drifts. I recollect the day perfectly well. I also recollect of passing two ladies but little did I then think that one of them would ever be a correspondent of mine, or that she was a cousin to me. How do you know but what I did “fall in love” with you that day? What’s what I’d like to know. But if I didn’t, then perhaps I may when I become acquainted with you which I hope will be before snow flies again. And I think it will be for I mean to be at home by the 4th of July. I have spent four 4th of July’s in the service and I am in hopes that the 5th one will be spent at home, or at least where I choose to go. That will be where there’s fun going on, you may bet. Oh! Be sure, I mean, I forget that young ladies don’t bet. So much for being a soldier so long. I have forgotten most all I ever did know. But it isn’t much of a loss for it want much no how.
The death of our beloved President caused universal and heartfelt sorrow through the entire army. The soldiers all think it was a plot laid by the leading men of the rebellion and their threats of vengeance were not loud but deep. If there had been any fighting to do after that, it would have been terrible work, for no prisoners would have [been] taken. They would have made short work with all that came into their power. Vengeance will surely overtake the murderer if years roll around before he is taken.
So you will tell me all about the affairs when I get home, will you? Well, I will take your word for it as I expect soon to be there and then I shall have a talk with the girl and find out all about “Ezeri” and “George” and perhaps something of “Carlton.” Quite a string of names. Clara! I have a favor to ask of you and that is to send me your photo. Will you do it? If you will, I will send you mine if you desire it, just as soon as I can get some taken, which may not be before I get home. But you shall have a copy then if you wish it. I have an album and can keep it first rate. I have just room for it. Some time when you come over to see Allie after I get home, perhaps I will show it to you. It is gay. I am happy to hear that Allie was able to go to school again. I received a letter from her today with one of her compositions enclosed. She does pretty well for a girl. The boys here in the tent have tipped over the inkstand and are raising “Ned” so that I can half write so I will close for this time and I dare say that you are tired of reading my nonsense by this time. Please write as often as you conveniently can and I will answer all your letters promptly. The longer they are and the oftener they come, the better. Ever your sincere friend and “cousin”—Albert
The following six letters were written by Herbert Dwight Ensign (1844-1898), the son of Caleb Wadhams Ensign (b. 1790) and Orpha Deming (b. 1795) of Madison, Lake county, Ohio.
Herbert enlisted on 13 August 1862 to serve as a private in the 14th Ohio Independent Battery—a light artillery unit. He was in the battery for three years, mustering out in August 1865. Serving with him in the same battery as a corporal was his older brother, William Oren Ensign (1841-1918).
To read letters by other members of the 14th Ohio Independent Battery that I’ve transcribed and published on Spared & Shared, see: Jerome B. Burrows, 14th Ohio Independent Battery (13 Letters), and Timothy Dwight Root, 14th Ohio Independent Battery (1 Letter).
The image at left is identified as Herbert D. Ensign; the one at right is not identified but also looks like Herbert, though it might be his brother William Oren Ensign who served in the same Battery (from album with images of 14th Ohio Independent Battery.)
Letter 1
Camp on Lynn Creek Lynnville, Tennessee November 19, 1863
Dear Niece Alta,
Sometime since I wrote a letter to you and the next day I received one from you. so it seems that I have written two for one and now I will answer the last one from you.
I suppose you know all about our march from Corinth here by William who wrote a very long letter to Clara a day or two since. We left Corinth on the second instant and marched to Eastport where we crossed the Tennessee river on the sixth. We arrived at Pulaski on the eve of the 11th. Next morning we took the Nashville Pike and arrived at Lynnville in the afternoon, a distance of 15 miles. We are about 20 miles from Columbia and 64 from Nashville. Lynn Creek is a pretty little stream and is as clear as a crystal. Lynnville is a very pretty little town of about 300 inhabitants, but war has left its footprints here. There are a good many old chimneys left standing. The buildings were burnt by A. D. McCook. His command was fired on while passing through the place from the hills on the east side of the town and his brother Robert was killed on this same road, just across the Alabama line. By the appearance of things now, I guess we will stay on this line of railroad this winter though it is not working any further than Columbia at present.
The country here is very much broken. Some of the hills look like mountains. The soil is very rich and they raise some of the biggest corn that I ever saw and they have some good fruit, but potatoes do not do very well, being small and watery. We have not drawn very good rations since we came here (I mean from the commissary) but the fresh meat that we have had since we came here is heeps. The boys have helped themselves to so many hogs that there is some talk of fining the battery to pay for them. But it is all talk I guess.
November 20th. We have had very pleasant weather until last night when it commenced raining and has rained ever since and it is so damp that I can hardly write legible. I received a letter from Clara a day or two ago in which she said Father and Mother had returned from the West and that Orpha had come with them. I hope she will have a pleasant visit and a good school. I wish it was so I could go to school at the Sem. this winter, but the life of a soldier is a school of itself, and I am no sorry as yet that I enlisted when I did. I only wish I had enlisted when the war first broke out, not that I like the kind of life, but I believe it to be the duty of all who can to oppose the enemies of the country, whether at the ballot box or on the field. As I cannot do it in the former place, I am willing to do it in the latter.
I have not heard from Albany for some time. I have concluded that they have forgotten who we be. Perhaps we have grown out of their remembrance. I hope you will not let Orpha forget me when she is writing to her army correspondences and I hope you will write often for letters from our friends are the only real comfort we have here. They do more good than all the soldiers aid societies.
Last night about half past 8 o’clock, we were all out listening to a noise which sounded like heavy guns in the direction of Columbia but it proved to be some Negroes moving some cotton in an old building in the other side of town/ You see my paper is getting wet and I must stop. Besides that, there is about 10 fellows jabbering and tumbling around under the tarpaulin so please excuse all mistakes and write soon and tell me all about what you are studying this winter and oblige, — H. D. Ensign
Address 14th Battery, O. V. Artillery, 4rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 16th Army Corps, Columbia, Tennessee via Nashville
Letter 2
14th Ohio Battery Lynnville, Tennessee February 10, 1864
My Dear Niece Alta,
Among the four letters that yesterday’s mail brought me was a short one from you, and I will answer it first. I received a letter from Father yesterday, bearing date at Madison, December 24th 1863. On the 8th instant I received a letter from brother Edward, and one from Sopha C. She said she was attending school at Centre, and was also teaching two or three classes this winter. The day she wrote to me she received a letter from Lysander. When he wrote, he was on a hill near the Clinch Mountains some twenty miles northeast of Knoxville. He was well when he wrote. On the 10th I received a short note from Clara and have written to her, I have not received any letter from Orpha yet and am afraid she has got so deeply interested in Charlie T. that she has almost if not quite forgotten that she has any friends in the army except Johnny.
In your short letter you spoke about my feeling lonesome. Well, the truth is I never had better times since I came in to the army than I am having now. There is not half the style put on in camp now that there is when the Battery are all here.
Frank Allen got here about noon on the 11th. He came by way of Vicksburg and back again to Nashville. He has been kept on hard tack (hard bread) and looks a little poor, but feels well and I guess he’ll fat up again soon. He had not heard of Eddie’s death until I told him. He was at Columbus, Ohio, when the Battery passed but did not see them. I hear that the veterans are having high times now and I hope they will have good times while they are at home for they are soon to return to the field of active service. I am in hopes they will detail me into some other Battery, or at any rate send me to the front. I would wish the same for all the boys who are left, but there is one or two who want to do post duty for which the 14th Ohio Battery has been noted in times past and I am afraid will be for time to come. Yet I think that it will be sent to the front early in the spring.
It was rumored some days ago that the 2nd Division was ordered to report to Memphis in thirty days, but I guess it was a hoax. I see by the papers that our army has commenced moving and I hope it will not stop until it has trampled the rebellion under the tread of its thousands of men. I believe the heart of the rebellion has been struck and all that is left its its death struggle, and I hope ere long our army and Navy will crush out its very dying struggles and free our fair country from the scenes of battles forever. But enough of that!
You spoke as if the teachers at the Ridge would not let you go sleigh riding. Likely story that. I’ll bet if you had a chance you would go. It is too bad to lay it to the teachers because you can’t get a beau, but keep up good courage and perhaps while the veterans are at home—if there is enough now—you may be licky enough to get some one to take you out riding. I hope you don’t mean to say that Orrin hain’t took Clara out sleighing and perhaps some of these clear nights you have heard the sleigh bells come jingle jing down the hill. Someone says, who! Soon a light rap on the door. It is opened, but Oh! how disappointed I am when I see Charlie. I thought it was ——. I hardly knew but, alas, even he only says good evening and enquires for Orpha. “Hopes and fears, how vain they are.”
The spring so fair has been very pleasant and we have not had very much to do and plenty to eat, and the guerrillas hain’t gobbled us yet, and I doubt if they attempt it at present. The stockade that they have built near our camp has been made quite a strong one and they are throwing up rifle pits on the left so that they will want artillery if they try to scoop us up unless they catch us before we get into it.
Well, Alta, I have some three letters more to write this morning so I will have to stop my nonsense by asking you to make that girl Orpha write to me and write yourself soon and remember me to all the friends and accept this from, — Herb
Letter 3
Detachment of 14th Ohio Battery Culloeoka, Tennessee April 22, 1864
My dear niece,
Your welcome letter was received just before I left Athens, Alabama, and i will improve my first opportunity to answer it. We left Athens on the 19th about eleven o’clock and landed here about 5 p.m. Perhaps you would like to hear how we came here. It would be a long story but I will try to tell a little about it. Sherman had issued an order to have all the Batteries reduced to four guns and out Battery was ordered to turn over our brass guns and detail 25 men and one lieutenant to report to Culleoka to man a couple of guns and so they detailed the old boys who did not reenlist and made up the number of the recruits who were not well. There is about three hundred men here in all—most of them are recruits of for the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry and greener, dutcher set of men (or rather boys) I never saw.
We have two old 6-pounders. They are not extra good guns. We tried them at a target 850 yards. The ammunition was poor but the solid shot struck it once or twice but the shell (most of them) burst short. I expect we will try it again today and I will have to go on guard soon. My accommodations for writing are poor and my pen and ink are far from being the best so if I can write this so that it can be read, I shall think I am doing well.
April 24. Well, Alta, I guess you think I don’t care much about your letters but that is not the case. They are always looked for with pleasure and welcome when they come. But last Friday when I came off from guard, we went out to practice at target and then there was so much jumping around in the quarters that it was near impossible to write and yesterday I was on detail to go to Columbia after rations so you see I had but very little time to write.
Alta, I did receive your letter containing your photograph and I think it is a good one and I think a great deal of it, and wish I had as good one to return but I can’t get it.
I am glad that there is some good being done in Madison and I hope there will be much more good done. I think it is a great field for doing good. I received the letters from you father all right and it did me a good deal of good and I wrote to Clara some time ago and hope she will not forget to write to me if Orren does come to see her every week.
Orpha would not tell me who took her to Mrs. Warner’s party but I guess it was Orrin—ain’t I right? I wrote to Orpha some days ago and directed to Williams Center.
Example of blockhouse constructed by the Engineers (LOC)
The Engineers are very busy building block houses at every trestle so that a very few men can stand a pretty hard attack. They are built of solid oak nearly two feet thick and earth thrown up to the port holes and covered with twelve inches of oak and three feet of earth. They are the prettiest little forts I ever saw.
One of our Dutch pickets got scared last night and run into camp.
Well, Alta, this is a dry letter but is it just as dry times here. Please write soon to Herbert D. Ensign, Post Battery, Culleoka, Tennessee
[to] Miss A. C. Ensign, Madison, Ohio
Letter 4
Post Battery Decatur, Alabama July 7th 1864
My dear Niece
I received your letter night before last and I do assure you that I was very glad to hear from you. I had hoped to hear that your Father was much better. Still I was thankful to hear that he was no worse. I am glad you and Clara have such good success in milking and in feeding the calves. Hope you will not get any ore of their love pats in your face. Will says he answered your letter if he received it. He received one from Clara day before yesterday and will answer it soon. On the 3rd I received a letter from Hattie Burget and answered it on the 5th. It has been some time since I heard from the Farmer friends. I am looking for a letter from Milo Carnes.
The 171st O. N. G.’s from our country were indeed lucky in not being with the regiment when it was captured. As for Vallandigham, I believe he is like a dead tree that is soon to be used for kindling wood and if there is no place in—-, hotter than another. It will be kept for him (Alta, I had almost forgotten the command judge not lest you be judged) but I will say he has played out, unless he can get the nominee for Vice President at the Chicago Convention. What a pretty ticket they can have. For President—George B. McClellan of Ohio, for Vice President—C. L. Vallandigham of Ohio. Alta, you are right! there are some that would grumble of they had everything to suit themselves, but such people never amount to much, or at least I think so. The only ticket that loyal men can support is Lincoln & Johnson. Fremont may be all right in his place, but when he accepted the nomination of the Cleveland Convention, he strayed far, far out of the place and has politically killed himself forever. I always had thought he was a good man but now I do not. When I first heard that Vallandigham had come back to Ohio, I was in hopes they would hang him, but now I say leave him be, but keep your eye on him and the soldiers will tend to his case when they get him.
For my part, I have no reason for caviling at the movements of Grant and Sherman so far in their campaign. We cannot under any circumstance expect single success to our army and haven’t. I think the news from the front of both of our armies of late is encouraging and the Lincoln administration is not so bad as might be, and the cry of the army is Lincoln & Johnson for President and Vice President. What is going to be worth anything of money is not.
We are under command of Lieutenant J. J. Calkins of Battery C., 1st Michigan Artillery. Lieut. Callender received his resignation papers on the 24th of June. His resignation was accepted and he left us on the 26th for home, and we were left under command of said J. J. Calkins. I do not like him very well. He puts on too much style for me.
We have but very little camp duty to do at present and I am thankful that we do not for it is hot enough in the middle of the day to bake bread outdoors.
There is a slight chance of our being ordered back to the Battery and I wish the order would come today. The boys write about their being under fire for twelve days and not a man hurt. That is what I call a galling fire. For some reason the rebs have left our pickets undisturbed of late. Not a shot has been fired on them for the last two weeks but at what moment they will commence again, we know not.
Friday 8th morning. Alta, I had to stop writing yesterday and go on detail to draw clothes and in the evening I went to prayer meeting so I will try to write a little more and close. This morning the boys are all talking about moving. What new reason they have for doing so, I do not know but expect that have heard something from the Lieutenant which makes them think we are going to leave soon. Alta, I told Frank Allen last evening that I would go over to the hospital this morning so I will close,
Please remember me to all the friends and do, write soon to me. — Herbert D. Ensign
P. S. Enclosed is a photograph which I send you to keep for me. If we move, I cannot take good care of it.
Letter 5
14th Ohio Battery Rome, Georgia October 28, 1864
My dear Niece,
Your letter of October 8th arrived some days ago but I have had no chance to write for a long time. We left East Point on the 4th and since then we have been marching day and night until the evening of the 25th when we came here and encamped near the depot. Our Battery and a section of Battery F, 2nd U. S. left the army at the river near Gaylesville, Alabama, and came here and turned over what horses and mules we had left which was not half of the number we should have. They had died on the road of strarvation. as soon as we can get transportation, we are going to Nashville, Tennessee, to get a new fitting out.
Rome, Georgia, in 1864 (LOC)
Now, to pay for the long delay, I am going to write a long letter [even] if it is not very interesting. I would have written [more] often if I could have done so. Did you ever read about Rome of olden times. How her armies went forth to conquer? if so, you know more about it than I do, but I will tell you about modern Rome whose armies went out of town in a hurry and were badly whipped at Atlanta. Rome is situated at the junction of the Oostanaula with the Etowah River, and they two form the Coosa. It had once been a very beautiful town and its buildings and streets were neat and well lighted with gas. But the gas works have been destroyed and the shade trees, lamp posts, &c. are badly destroyed. The hills at the upper end of town have been dug and throw up into ugly forts and cemetery hill on the south bank of the Etowah has shared the same fate. In this hill have been laid many citizens and rebel soldiers but there is one slope which is whitened with head boards marking the resting places of many a brave defender of this country’s honor.
Wildflowers collected from top of Cemetery Hill at Rome, Georgia, in October 1864. The cemetery was Myrtle Hill Cemetery, established in 1857.
Enclosed you will find a few leaves taken from the top of this hill. The flowers are wild ones which grow on the fill and are the only ones in bloom now. From this hill is to be obtained one of the prettiest scenery I ever saw (I wish you could be here just long enough to see it). It would pay you well for climbing its steep sides.
You spoke about “impressing” me into the “service” of paring apples. If I had been there, one thing is certain, I should have pressed some of the apples in a mill which is used for grounding and pressing a larger variety of [ ], than any of modern pattern.
I should judge from your description that you had kept yourself well posted with the condition of Charlie’s mustache.
I received a letter from Alta and will answer it before long. I also received letters from Milo Enmer, Sphia K., Orpha’s brother Edward, and one last night from Will. All well when they wrote but some of our former friends were ailing.
The citizens have been ordered to leave the place and there has quite a number gone south, but still there are some left. 1 I was lucky enough to get hold of a half loaf of soft bread today. It is the first in a long time. I said the horses died on the road. It was a few days after we left East Point. I guess it will be safe to direct your next to Nashville, Tenn. and omit the Corps & Division. As it is near supper time, I will call this a long letter and close. Please remember me to your Mother and Grandmother and all the rest of the friends and don’t forget to write often to [ ] — H.
1 Sherman burned Rome on November 10-11, 1864, four days before burning Atlanta, just prior to embarking on the March to the Sea.
Letter 6
In Camp Nashville, Tennessee Thanksgiving evening, November 24th 1864
My dear Niece,
It has been some time since I wrote to you or received a letter from you, but I thought I would improve this beautiful evening in writing to you. This is the first evening for a long, long, time that it has been possible to write. In fact, we have had the most disagreeable weather that I ever saw. First it rained steady for three weeks, then it snowed a day or two, and wound up with a hard wind which would nearly cut one in two. And we could only draw our rations of wood which is only one six part of a cord per month to a man and we had no quarters except our tarpaulins which are very poor ones and will leak very bad. It does seem rather hard that we should live thus while staying at the very bas of supplies and in a loyal state too. What do you think?
It is now rumored in camp that our stay here is going to be a short one. The story is that Battery F 2nd U. S., and our battery are going to draw horses for the guns and men and be horse artillery for some thirty days and go out with the cavalry to look after the rebs. For my part, I would like the trip although it may be a rather cold one. If we stay here we are expecting to draw tents soon and then we can kinder half live.
Today is the first time since leaving Decature, Alabama, that I have been to church. Alta, I do wish you could have been there with me. I neber heard a man talk sounder sense (although I did not like his manner of speaking) if the minister that preached there did not. He prayed that the old flag might once more wave over the whole, united states. He compared Jeff Davis and his squad to the Devil and that his prayers were like a murderers, taking his dagger in his hand and then stopping and praying that God would help him yp carry out his wicked plans. There was not a very large turn out of citizens but that were there seemed to day amen to what the minister said.
Last Wednesday night I received letters from brother William and brother Edward. When Will wrote, he was in Cleveland and was well. Edward and family were well and had another little boy. Gideon’s people were well. But it was not so at Center. Sopha was buried on the 8th inst. Frank was very sick and Celia was not much better. I have not heard from Albany for some time. The last I heard all the friends were well.
Alta, I guess I must stop for I hear Tattoo sounding and I must go. I have been to roll call and now I must put out my light. So goodbye and don’t forget to write often to Herbert, 14th Ohio Battery, Nashville, Tenn.
The following letter was written by 30 year-old Charles Walsh (1831-1912) who enlisted a on 14 August 1862 at Wellsville, New York, and mustered in as a corporal in Co. E, 130th New York Infantry in early September 1862. He was appointed a sergeant in June 1863 and then commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant on 9 February 1865.
Many soldiers in the 130th NY Volunteers used pre-printed envelopes
At the time this letter was written in mid-November 1862. the 130th New York Infantry was serving in Foster’s Brigade in Brig. Gen. Corcoran’s Division at Suffolk, Virginia.
Charles was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1831, the son of William Walsh (1810-1890) and Ann James Mooney (1810-1890). In his muster rolls, he was described as standing 5 feet 11 inches tall, with black hair and hazel eyes. His occupation was given as wheelwright and lawyer. He was married in 1856 to Barbara White Proctor (1833-1922).
Transcription
Suffolk, Virginia November 13, 1862
Friend Lowell,
I received your letter in good time but have not had time to answer it before. We are kept busy drilling and working on the fortifications wit now and then a tramp after the rebs. About two weeks ago we marched 50 miles in 24 hours but saw nary a reb. I tell you, it is no fun to march that distance with the load we carry—60 rounds of cartridges, three days rations, our blankets and overcoats, and part of the time on double quick. It tries one’s grit. But then you know it’s all for three years or during. You must not think that I am tired of soldiering or want to get away. If I was at home, I would enlist the first chance I got. But I thought it would be well enough to let you know how the machine runs down here.
We have plenty to eat, a little damaged by cooking plenty of damned bad water and nary a drop of “O be joyful” to help wash it down. Plenty of niggers. No white men. They are all in the rebel army. Their women look, feel, and act as if they would like to see the earth open and swallow every one of us. They are the very essence of Secession treason rebellion and every other highfalutin southernism.
The following letter was written by 17 year-old Andrew Crozer Reeves (1844-1868) who served as a corporal in Co. K, 104th Pennsylvania Infantry (a.k.a. the “Ringgold Regiment”). This regiment was organized in Bucks County under Colonel William V. H. Davis. They trained at Camp Lacey, established on the west side of Doylestown, and shipped out for Washington, D.C. that November. They served in the Peninsular Campaign of 1862, spanned the winter and spring of 1862/1863 near the seige of Charlestown, and fought in the crucial Valley Campaigns of 1864. Over the course of the Civil War, out of about 1,000 men, 46 were killed in action, 3 missing in action, 62 taken prisoner, and 104 died in service. Reeves was discharged from the regiment on 12 September 1862 due to wounds received in action.
Andrew was the son of Elisha Boudinot Reeves (1806-1879) and Mary Ann Anderson (1807-1879) of Lower Makefield, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. After he was discharged from the service, Andrew returned home and married Mary Jane Moon (1845-1926) in June 1867—almost one year before he died at age 24. A son was born to the couple on 3 December 1867 named Andrew Crozer Reeves, Jr.
Headquarters Ringgold Regt. Co. K. November 9, 1861
Dear Sir,
We started from Camp Lacey on Tuesday morning at half past six o’clock and marched to the [Doylestown] depot and the cars started at eight o’clock and arrived at town [Philadelphia] about twelve o’clock and marched to the [Volunteer Refreshment Saloon in the vicinity of the old] Navy Yard at half past two and had a fine dinner of sliced potatoes and round, pickled cabbage, roast beef, boiled ham, bread and butter, coffee. We started from Philadelphia at five o’clock, arrived at Baltimore at daylight and marched through to the Baltimore and Washington station. We saw some few flags in Baltimore. We gave each one three cheers and did not see many people in Baltimore but no one said a word. Negroes were plenty. We saw about four negroes to a white. It was about eight o’clock when we started from Baltimore. 1
There were encampments about every two or three miles and then the companies are divided from one to two miles. We arrived in Washington at half past one and the first thing I saw was a government team running away. There is no end to teams here—mostly mules. The horses look very rough—that is, the most of them. Our team is the best looking team that I have seen but they have not got used to Uncle Sam’s stables yet, the large one. We have not got but one yet.
We [do] not expect to stay here. The Colonel is not satisfied as there is not room for artillery to drill. The Colonel has gone to Washington today. I forgot we stopped at the depot. We got up here too soon. We got our dinner at Washington—bread and beef and coffee. We started from Washington at five o’clock and arrived here at half past seven and stacked arms and laid down. Tim Rice and I laid together. We laid one gum blanket down on the ground and put our two government blankets and the other gum blanket over us and the capes on our overcoats we pulled over our heads and in the morning when awakened, everything was white with frost. We had crackers and coffee for breakfast and coffee and crackers for dinner.
We pitched our tents in the forenoon and filled our tents with leaves in the afternoon. Georgetown is about a half mile from here. We can see the Potomac, Alexandria, Georgetown and a flag on Munson’s Hill, and the name of this place, I believe, is Kalorama Heights. There is woods all around us. We can [go] out anywhere around here providing [we] get in at roll calls and must look out for the regulars as they will take us and keep us until our Captain comes after us. The 60th New York is encamped about three hundred yards from us. We slept very sound last [night] on our feather bed made out of leaves. I had fresh bread for my breakfast; so had Captain and the Major. We bought [it] off a black woman. We are all well, happy as a lark. There is a good view here. — Andrew C. Reeves
1 The regimental history of Durell’s Battery which was initially attached to the Ringgold Regiment describes the march through Baltimore: “The regiment had not proceeded far upon the march through the streets of that city before it was noticed that there was a sad lack of enthusiasm for the Union soldier, compared with that exhibited in Philadelphia the day before. The colored people appeared to be almost the only class to cheer the regiment and the Union cause, while crowds of whites stood sullenly at the street corners, and some of the small boys cheered for Jeff Davis. The march to the Washington depot was unmolested, however, and the men were again packed into cars. The skies had cleared and the men were in good spirits.” (page 21)
The following letter was written by Lewis M. Prall (1843-1869), the son of Ellis F. Prall (1810-1880) and Sarah Ann Randolph (1812-1895) of Smyrna, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Lewis was only 17 years old when he penned this letter to his mother while serving in Co. A, 1st Pennsylvania Reserves (30th Infantry). His service record indicates that he enlisted in July 1861 and mustered out in June 1864.
Transcription
Annapolis Junction [Maryland] August 18, 1861
Dear Mother,
This being Sunday and I having just come off of guard to go on a 3 o’clock again for we have to be on guard 24 hours. We stand on two hours and off 4 hours. I would rather be on guard than on drill but then I have my share of both. Our Captain is not here now. He went to Washington with two more—one a Lieutenant—and without a pass and they took him to headquarters at Annapolis City to be court martialed. I don’t know what they will do with him yet but wherever he goes, the company will go also for we will stick to him till death.
“Mother, believe me or not, but just the words that you wrote telling me never to give up the Stars & Stripes gave such comfort and peace to my mind that I fear no danger to know that I have such a mother to care for me.”
— Lewis N. Prall, 18 August 1861
Enclosed in this letter you will find an account of wagons, horses, medicines, and two men that we captured on last Friday. I am sitting in one of the wagons now writing this letter. I received your letter in due time. I had begun to think you had forgotten me at home until I got you long looked for letter which contained such comforting words that I never shall forget them. It was a drink of fresh water to the weary traveler. It revived me up both in body and in mind. It lightened my footsteps and put new courage in my heart to think I had such a kind, noble, and heroic mother. I could die for such a mother and think it no pain indeed. Mother, believe me or not, but just the words that you wrote telling me never to give up the Stars & Stripes gave such comfort and peace to my mind that I fear no danger to know that I have such a mother to care for me.
Mother, there is some things that I wish you would send to me. That is tobacco for the tobacco is so dear down here and then it is the worse kind. And 1 pair of stockings, 1 shirt, Marseilles breast, 1 handkerchief, some paper and envelopes, and some pies and cakes, some leather shoestrings, two or three sheets of sandpaper, and a piece of flannel and anything else you think I need. But don’t send more than 1 shirt for I can’t carry them. We don’t want any more things than we can help. You can send them in a box by Adams Express company. It won’t cost much. Stotts sent Joe a box and it only cost 50 cents and it was larger than you need send. Just pay for sending it and get the receipt for it and send it to me in the box for there was a box sent to a fellow here and they paid it at home and he either has to pay it here or send for the receipt. Just get the receipt and open the box and then when it comes I can open the box and show the receipt that it is paid. Please send it soon. Also, write soon. Give my love to Pap and your own dear self, Tell Pap I am much obliged for that dollar. Tell him when we get paid, I will send him some money to pay my bill at Pownell’s. I am very well. I like soldier’s life very well. Goodbye. From you true son, — Lewis M. Prall
Tell Pap I have seen but one cat since I came here and that was last night. Give my love to Hope and Philie and tell then to write soon. I got Lib Gray’s letter and will answer it today. The weather down here is very hot. It has hardly missed a day since we came here but what it has rained. It is raining now. There is some talk of us coming to Pennsylvania to go into differently regiments for our regiment is not near full but I don’t know whether it is so or not. John Mason is down at Annapolis in Captain NH company.
Direct that box to Annapolis Junction, Maryland, care of Capt. [John W.] Nields. George Steinheiser is in a company here. He used to live with us. He was the one that sat on the garret window.
The following letter was written by Silas Martin Freeman (1816-1899), the son of James Freeman (1778-1869) and Lois M. Martin (1782-1866) of Berkshire county, Massachusetts. Silas was married in 1840 to Maryette Dowd (1821-1852) but he was a widower when he penned this letter from Dixon, Illinois, in 1862. He was married a second time in May, 1864 to Mary Hollister Cook, the widow of Orrin C. Cook. Silas began his occupational career as a cooper in the Berkshire mountains of Western, Massachusetts. In the 1850s he relocated to Dixon where he took up farming. By 1870, he had relocated to Rockford and labored as a carpenter. By 1880, he was farming again in Palmyra, Otoe county, Nebraska, where he and his 2nd wife lived out the remainder of their lives.
The first paragraph pertains to a business matter that would be of little interest to most readers but the second paragraph is a vilification of the Buchanan Administration—placing blame squarely on James Buchanan for the “deplorable condition” of the county as depicted in the following political cartoon.
Transcription
Dixon [Illinois] April 28, 1862
N. Gibson, Esq.,
Dear sir. I received a line from James Phillips a little over a week ago stating that E. Calkins had selected me to assist him in taking security of said James Phillips to secure a note of Albert Phillips endorsed by Calkins, or rather endorsed by James Phillips. In consequence of the badness of he roads and the lateness of the season for putting in wheat, Phillips sent me his note of nine hundred & forty-four dollars and twenty-six cents (944.26) with a mortgage on two eighties or one hundred and sixty acres as security for the note a few days ago. I have waited to hear from Calkins or you but have received no letter. Before I make any move on this business, I would like to be better informed how matters stand, how much there is due on the notes, or up to what date the interest has been paid so as to spend no more time than is actually necessary. Perhaps if I should see Phillips, I might get all the information that was necessary. But it is some sixteen miles from home to Phillips and I would rather not make but one trip out to do the business. I have a good deal of confidence in James Phillips and think probably his note and mortgage is all right but as his land borders on the Winnebago Swamp and part of his farm is rather low land, it would be better to see the pieces he offers as security before accepting them. Please see Calkins and if he wishes me to do anything for him, let me know immediately.
In your letters of November last, you wrote of the distracted state of our country and the causes which brought the country to its present deplorable condition, but you failed to mention one cause which in my mind stands first in the damnable black catalogue. When the Chief Magistrate of this Nation comes down from the high station of his office to become a dabster in party politics thereby neglecting his duties he had sworn faithfully to perform to gratify a little private revenge, then may we well tremble for our country. Had Buchanan labored one half as hard to sustain and carry out the time honored principles of the Democratic party as he did to break up that party and crush Douglass, the people of the United States would today have been a united and happy people. Sadly did we rue it when we neglected the warnings of our Whig friends when they informed us he had not one drop of Democratic blood in him quoting Buchanan as authority. When we take into consideration in connection with the above the insane and suicidal course the abolition members of Congress are pursuing on the slavery and tariff question, I cannot help but think unless their days be shortened, the “very elect will not be saved”—the country will be utterly destroyed. But for want of room, I must close, All well. Yours respectfully, — Silas M. Freeman
Phillips writes to me, “I have no security from Albert and think that Mr. Calkins is slightly selfish in requiring of me ample security. If he was in no way connected with Albert, it would be quite a different affair” hence I think the business should be done in a way to give as little offense as possible. — S. M. Freeman
The following letter was written by Enoch H. Harker (1839-Bef1900), the son of Rev. Enoch Harker (1804-1867) and Christiana Sheets (1806-1861) of Goshen, Clermont county, Ohio. In the 1860 US Census, Enoch was enumerated in Nottingham, Wells county, Indiana, employed as a laborer on the farm of Jacob Yount. Enoch enlisted on 21 September 1864 and Anderson, Indiana, to serve three years in Co. B, 34th Indiana Infantry. He was promoted from a corporal to a sergeant in April 1862.
This letter was penned from Camp Wickliffe, Kentucky on 4 February 1862 where the regiment was on duty from December 14, 1861 to February 7, 1862.
After three years of service, Enoch returned home to Indiana and married Mary A. Yount, 13 years his junior. He taught school in Indiana for a time and then moved to Iroquis county, Illinois.
Eight unidentified members of the 34th Indiana Infantry (“Morton’s Rifles”) in early-war Zouave uniforms. (LOC)
Transcription
Camp Wickliffe [Kentucky] February 4th 1862
Mr. Shinn, dear sir,
It is with pleasure I improve the present in writing and answer to epistle of the 25th inst. I was glad to hear you was in the enjoyment of good health but permit me to say while many are being consigned to the narrow limits of the tomb, I am still able to masticate my sea biscuit. the health of the army in this division is very poor. Half of this regiment is sick and some others are in a worse condition. There has been from one to ten buryings a day in this division for several weeks. There is only about 40 of our company able for duty.
You stated in your letter about some charges against some of us which I am happy to inform you is untrue. The report about Campbell’s taking boots that were sent to the boys and selling is not so. His company did request him to resign but it did not avail anything. Capt. [James W.] Campbell is under arrest and has been for about a month. Although he cursed the officers, that was not the charge that was brought against him. The charge found against him was for getting up a petition to remove Col. [Asbury] Steele. The petition was effective but our condition is not bettered for a more tyrannical despot never was than the man who is over us now. He is no more than the personage of Old [Townsend] Ryan.
You stated the report was in circulation that I had caught a man in Co. I asleep on his post, took his gun away from him, and that he was to be shot which I am happy to say is not so for I am clear of wanting any of our men shot, much less to be the instigation of it myself.
I would not be instrumental in killing any secesh if it could be settled without and it seems to me the work is about done. I think the day is beginning to dawn. It is an old saying the darkest hours are before day and I think the campaign is about as dark as it can get.
I believe I have nothing more of any importance to write at present. I am under obligation to tender my sincere thanks to the members of the Institute for the resolutions that came to my notice yesterday and promise to contribute something for your paper the first convenient opportunity for the present/ I slall have to close hoping to hear from you soon. No more at present. Yours truly. — Enoch J. Harker
To B. G. Shinn
N. B. Direct as before. We expect to stay here till we get orders to go back to Indiana. Yes, I am so bothered I forgot to write initials of your name on the envelope and &c. — E. H. Harker
I could not find an image of William but here is Sgt. Moses B. Willis of Co. K, 44th Indiana Infantry. He was killed at Shiloh.
The following letter was written by Sgt. William W. Wright of Co. A, 44th Indiana Infantry. William was 21 years old when he enlisted in August 1861. He died in a St. Louis hospital on 2 March 1862—less than two months after this letter was penned. At the time of the 1860 US Census, William was working as a laborer on the farm of J. H. Chappell of Salem, Steuben county, Indiana.
In his letter, William describes the tramp of the 44th Indiana Infantry from Henderson to Calhoun, Kentucky—a distance of 40 miles—which took them four days due to inclement January weather. They reached Calhoun on 6 January 1862 and went into camp. They remained there until the 15th of January when they relocated to South Carrolton. In February the regiment in the battles of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson, and then later in April in the Battle of Shiloh.
To read letters by other member of the 44th Indiana Infantry published on Spared & Shared, see: Solomon Bean, Co. G, 44th Indiana (2 Letters), and Daniel Rowe, Co. H, 44th Indiana (1 Letter).
Transcription
Headquarters, Calhoun, Kentucky January 8th 1862
Dear Brother & Sister,
It is with pleasure that I take my [pen] in hand this pleasant evening to let you know that I am well and hope these few lines will find you the same. Sister, as I am moving about so much, my letters will be short. I don’t know how long we will stay here. We may move in a week and we may not leave in two months. It is hard telling.
We left Henderson [Kentucky] the 2nd day of January for Calhoun and a nice little time we had too. We was five days on the road and four out of the five it rained pretty much all the time. In some places the mud was a—-s—s deep. Please excuse me and don’t let it dash your modesty for I can’t help telling the truth. In short, it was enough to kill a Christian and sister, if we had not been good ones, we never could of stood it. (Don’t let anyone read this.) I feel far different than what I write. It is all forced and unnatural. The question is often asked me why I look so sober and why I do not take part in the games and many sports that the other boys engage. I always answer them carelessly and say that I don’t know anything about it, but this would not satisfy them and I had to change my ways and appear more cheerful. I have plenty of friends, but this is not all. There is something beyond this that looks dark. I will not tell you what it is now, but will change the subject and say a few words in relation to our officers and chaplain.
Col. Hugh B. Reed, 44th Indiana
Our chaplain [G. W. Beeks] is a gentleman and a Christian. Everyone loves him. Our colonel [Hugh B. Reed] is by profession no military man but he is brave, calm, and a patriotic man. He will make a name and achieve a fame that every soldier will be proud of. He will fight and he is the right man in the right place. He is a gentleman and an ornament to society. May God spare his life and return him safe to his home and friends. Our lieutenant-colonel [Baldwin J. Crostweit] is all over a fighting man and will die at his post. Major [Sanford J] Sloughton is a brave man and one that will do honor to his name.
Adjutant [Charles] Case is one of our best men and one that will stand by as long as life shall last. Our boys are true as steel and firm, adamant, and will give a good account of themselves in an action. The night before we left Henderson, a party of rebels attacked our pickets on Post No. 3 and captured two of our men and drove the rest into camp. The men that were taken was a sergeant and a corporal. They haven’t been heard of since. In all probability they are held as prisoners by the rebels. I was on Post No. 2 the same night just below the others with six men but was not disturbed. There was seven shots fired on both sides but don’t know whether there was anyone hurt or not. We are surrounded on all sides by rebels. Our pickets are shot at most every night.
Sister, you will have to excuse this letter. I must go on duty now. I have written this in my tent on my knapsack. It is not written very well but I guess you can read it. Goodbye. Yours in haste, From your loving brother, — Wille
The following letters were written by James Champlin Worden (1818-1863), the son of Gideon Worden Sr. (1777-1858) and Phebe G. Gavet (17xx-1846) of Richmond, Rhode Island, later Plymouth, Chenango county, New York. Among James’ siblings mentioned in this letter are: Gideon Worden Jr. (b. 1811), Lucy (Worden) Harrington (1817-1879), Phebe Delina (Worden) Brown, and Elnora Esther Worden (1849-1883).
I could not find an image of James but here is an unidentified sailor from Ronn Palm’s Collection
James may have served for a time in the US Army in the 1840s but by the mid-1850s he was serving tours of duty in the US Navy. He was finally discharged from the Navy suffering from rheumatism in late July 1861. At that time he was described as 5’8.5″ tall, with dark complexion, light hair and blue eyes. He served for a time on the US Congress.
Both of James’ letters were written while serving aboard the USS Hetzel, a side-wheel steamer built in 1861 at Baltimore, Maryland, for the United States Coast Survey and transferred to the Navy Department 21 August 1861 for duty in the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. She arrived at Newport News, Virginia, 18 November 1861. Her first taste of action came 2 December, when Confederate steamer Patrick Henry stood out into Hampton Roads and engaged several Union gunboats, including Hetzel. The Federal ships succeeded in damaging Patrick Henry in a 2-hour engagement.
Letter 1
US Steamer Hetzel Newport News, Va. November 8, 1861
Dear Brothers & Sisters,
I received your letter on the 25th and I should [have] wrote sooner but I did not know that we should stay here so long as we have. but I expect we shall lay here all winter and so I have take this opportunity to write. I was very much pleased to hear so much news from all of my relations and friends. I was very happy to hear that Gideon attends meetings again.
We are now on picket duty at the mouth of the James river, Virginia, to keep the Rebels from coming down from Richmond and getting out to sea. We had an engagement the other morning which lasted about an hour betwixt the Hetzel (Union) and the Patrick Henry (Rebel) in which there was no lives lost on our side but they kept a long distance from us and their shots did not reach us.
I was glad to hear from Gardner but I don’t know why he should enlist if he is worth so much money. There are encamped at Newport News close where we lay about eight thousand volunteers. We expect soon to go to Norfolk with a strong fleet and storm the place.
We have plenty of oysters here which I believe you would like to have some too. My health is better this winter than it has been for some winters before. I must try to write to you more about the war.
There are 682,000 volunteers, regulars, and sailors now in the service and the 22,000 in the Navy has done more for the country than all the rest. They have blockaded the Southern ports. They have taken—or as good as taken—more principal ports and left them in a state of starvation. Their supplies are cut off on both ocean and river and they cannot hold out much longer. I should like to hear how times are now around you and how much you pay a month for work and how many cows you have milked last summer. I want to hear from Phebe and Sary and how their healths are and of Licy lives on her farm or not. I should like to see you all once more and perhaps I may. If you have heard from Mr. Hal___ from New York, Thomas, let me know how they do. I am very glad you have named the boy after me. I hope I can make him a present when I come home. I should like to see Alice and Charles and also Mary and Martha and Gideon and his family. We have meetings on board our steamer and there has been 2 conversions. You remember what it reads in Isaiah the Prophet that the abundance of the sea that be converted to God. My wages is 27 dollars a month. No more at present. Write as soon as possible. Direct your letter to the US Seamer Hetzel, Old Point Comfort, Va.
Letter 2
Hatteras Inlet, North Carolina January 17, 1862
Dear Brother,
Not having received any letter for a long while and getting tired of waiting, I thought I would write you a few lines to let you know where I am at present. We are now laying at or near Cape Hatteras in Potomac Sound and as lonesome barren place as ever I was in except Cape Horn. There is nothing but sand in sight as far as land is concerned. There are now from 30 to 40 gunboats waiting to go to Elizabeth City to attack the Rebels and sixteen thousand Union soldiers. We have just had a gale of wind and there has been 4 vessels lost besides 6 or 8 men drowned. The loss to the government could not been less than 200,000 dollars but that was nothing to mens lives when they are not prepared to die. 1
We still have meetings three times a week which makes the time pass quite cheerful. My situation is not a very pleasant one, notwithstanding I am very well contented. It is like a school teacher that has 70 or 100 large scholars to look out after. I have some very hard customers to deal with but I have plenty of handcuffs and shackles. Liquor is the cause of all the trouble and if there were no rum, it would be better times in the Navy and Army. I don’t know as you can read this writing. It’s quite dark in the night.
I should like well to receive a letter from you. I want to hear from Phebe and the children, from Lucy, Gideon, Thomas, Mary and Sary and all my dear relations and friends. If you have heard again from Gardner, let me know how he is getting along. I don’t get any news here and I don’t know how the war is going along. My mind is on things of more importance than warfare. If we were all good soldiers of the cross, our country would be at perfect unity. I wish you would direct me a letter as follows:
Mr. James C. Worden on board the US Steamer Hetzel, Hatteras Inlet, N. C.
If I had any news to write, I would write willingly. But as I han’t, I well close. I remain your friend and Brother, — James C. Worden
1 James description of the fleet of gunboats inside the bar at Hatteras Inlet is a reference to the Burnside Expedition which sailed from Hampton Roads on the 11th of January 1862. The gale occurred on the night of 12 January. Among the vessels lost or severely damaged were the Zouave, the City of New York, the Pocahontas, the Louisiana, and the New Brunswick.
Spared & Shared 23 