All posts by Griff

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.
Phillips Exeter Academy

1861: George & Samuel Neal to Alvina Cordelia Neal

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The following letters were written by the Neal brothers in the spring of 1861 while attending Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire. All were datelined in April and May during the excitement of the impending Civil War.

One of the authors was George William Neal (1844-1884) who, at age 16, entered Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire. George afterwards attended Harvard and graduated in 1865. He then became a teacher in Boston and died in 1884 at the age of 40. He married Delia Annah Henderson (1843-1914) and had two sons.

The other author was Samuel Badger Neal, (1842-1901), who also attended the Phillips Exeter Academy and preceded George to Harvard. All of the letters were addressed to Alvina Cordelia Neal (1840-1905) whom they called “Allie.”

One of the letters was written on stationery with an incredible lithograph of the Academy Building which I have not found elsewhere on the internet or in the school’s archives so it must be very rare.

Letter 1

A CDV of the academy in the mid 1860s.

Exeter [New Hampshire]
April 6th 1861

Dear Allie,

I suppose I ought to make some apology for not writing oftener but I have none and so, under such circumstances can not make one. We will settle it perhaps when we get home which I am glad to say will take place in about 9 weeks.

We have had grand times about the war. Several of the students have enlisted and gone off. One went to Washington and on his way passed through Baltimore only a few days after the Massachusetts troops were attacked. We have formed a company out of the academy students and present quite a creditable appearance.

We have had some great times this term but the space is too limited to tell you of them so you can guess them if you wish to. At any rate, you shall hear of them when we get home if nothing happens to prevent. Sam and I were at home a week ago last Saturday. We went down at half past nine Saturday morning and stopped till the next Monday night. We had a grand time.

I am glad to hear you are going home to stay so long as you will doubtless have a good time. Mother and Franny came up here last Friday and went to Aunt Margaret’s and expected to return home today but on account of the storm, have not returned I suppose. I guess they will be along tomorrow.

Sam is preparing for his soft couch of corn husks and cobs and othe such things as will fill up the mattress. And as it is getting late, I suppose that I might as well retire. Don’t let anyone see this letter. Your affectionate brother, — George

Write soon.

Letter 2

Exeter [New Hampshire]
20 April [1861]

Dear Sister,

We are having some capitol times at present. All the school is in anti-Southern spirits and we are bound to show it.

Night before last, about 75 of us got out behind the Academy at 10:30 p.m. and then marched in solid order to the depot, about half a mile off, and took our old cannon, tied a rope to it, and brought it down and sat it in front of the great door of the Academy and on the door we nailed a large placard having written on it, “Phillips for War,” and then some fellows erected a pole and flag on to the cupola of the Academy. Then we all left. The next day we astounded the good people of this town by the sight presented to their view. Yesterday we had a meeting of the school and voted to raise $30 for a Union flag and staff and to get powder with to fire off the cannon this afternoon. 1

We had a grand meeting and learning that the town were intending to come and take our old cannon, we posted a strong guard over it who were all armed with revolvers. The townies came but did not fight. All of the fellows had clubs and were all ready at a minutes notice to run out and do some fighting. There were cheers and firing going on all night, but this morning all is quiet enough.

This afternoon we are to have a grand time—processions, salutes, and everything else.

I expect to go home in about 10 days so as to have my teeth taken care of. George gets along first rate. One of the students was speaking of it the other day and said that he did not know of any fellow who had made so much improvement as George has.

We got a letter from Father last Wednesday ad don’t expect another till a week from today. There goes our old bell and I shall have to leave. I thought if I did not write now, I should not at all for I have a composition to write this afternoon.

We only have one pen amongst us as you can easily see from my writing. If you can only get it out, you will do well.

It is a splendid day and we shall have a nice time if nothing happens, I think. George is going to write home. Sends love to you. Your affectionate brother, — Samuel

1 Samuel’s version of these events varies slightly from an account that appears in a history of the school by Laurence M. Crosbie published in 1923 (page 255) which reads, “Moved by the spirit of war, some of the students one night filed silently out to Greenland, a village eight miles away, and dragged an ancient cannon, which they labeled, ‘Phillips for War!’ and planted it before the door of the recitation hall. The next morning Principal Soule eyed the gun narrowly and after formal exercises at the chapel showed his patriotism and his tact in dealing with a new problem by declaring that he was not displeased with the martial spirit of the boys, since it showed they were ready to answer the call of their country; but he added that he wondered where the engine came from, and if it was really safe to fire. His generous stand brought wild cheers from the students, whom he then directed to get permission to fire the ld brass cannon that stood near the town hall. A collection was taken to buy powder, and many rounds were fired. I that way the boys vented their enthusiasm for the cause that was to cost many of them their lives.”

Letter 3

Rare 1861 Lithograph of Phillips Exeter Academy—the second academy building that was built in 1754 (wings added in 1821). It was destroyed by a fire on 18 December 1870.

[Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, New Hampshire]
Saturday night, May 24 [May 25, 1861]

Dear Sister,

I have hardly time to write you a letter and yet I suppose if I did not, my conscience would trouble me. The Exeter Company of Volunteers went this p.m. from Exeter to Portsmouth where they are to form the regiment. They were escorted by the Academy fellows. I suppose you have heard that we have a company here—and we had a jolly good time.

I am rather sorry they left for Old Exeter will be extremely dull for the rest of the term, although our company will do considerable to keep things lively. I should like to pay a visit home if I could but I don’t believe I could get off and I should feel rather homesick after I had returned and should not get much good from the trip anyway.

We have only six weeks from next Tuesday and I am heartily glad of it though Exeter is a very pleasant place but then a person likes a change once in a while and I am bound if I live to see some parts of the world.

It would not do for me to live in the country all my life for I should be fit for nothing. It is only by going round everywhere and seeing some strange places that I can ever do anything. I would not go to college situated in a little village for $10,000 if my disgust of such places can be computed in money. If I had to go through Dartmouth or Bowdoin to obtain a collegiate education, I would not go at all. Give me Harvard or Yale. They are the only places worth spending four years in.

I hope Father’s cash will not fail him just as we get home. Ships may turn out so badly that he can’t possibly get us money enough to go through. Just think, I shall have to carry for tuition money next year $120 and George $75. That is awful. And board will cost just double of what it does at present. Our greatest board here never comes over $1.80 but then you can’t board for less than 3.50 besides a host of other expenses too numerous to mention. If it comes too hard on Father, I am bound to board myself and if then it is too hard, rather than leave school. I will teach. I am only three years from the end and as I just appreciate the advantages of a collegiate education, I am prepared to make some sacrifices. But the education will be worth it all anyway.

George is writing a letter to Father & Mother.

Saturday, 25 May [1861]

I came to the cars when you went home but did not see you. I did not get away from school till the Engine bell was ringing and I had half a mile to run and catch you. [But] I could not run—it was too ungenteel—so I walked at a rather long gait. I thought Miss Hackett was coming and I actually spent half an hour in shaving and making myself presentable. And lo, I got there just as you were starting off. I mused on the mutability of human affairs, confounded myself for being such a fool as to waste so much time for nothing, and went back sadder but no wiser man. I should have gone to see you Monday night but I was not certain you would come and so I concluded to waste no more time in getting myself in trim.

Parker says he saw a gentleman with you. Who was it? Good night. Pleasant dreams. Your affectionate brother, — G

7th New Hampshire Infantry, New Hampshire Homefront

1864: Delia Annah Henderson to Alvina Cordelia Neal

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Delia Annah Henderson

The following letters were written by 21 year-old Delia Annah Henderson (1843-1914) in the days following the notice of her older half-brother’s death at the Battle of Deep Bottom on the 16th of August 1864. Delia’s brother was Lt. Colonel Thomas Albert Henderson (1833-1864) of the 7th New Hampshire Infantry. Prior to his enlistment, Thomas had graduated from Bowdoin College in 1855, the Harvard Law School in 1861, and was admitted to the Suffolk Bar in Boston.

Delia and Thomas were two of several children born to Samuel Hoyt Henderson (1798-1867) of Dover, Strafford county, New Hampshire. Thomas was borne by Samuel’s first wife, Delia Paul (1804-1837) and Delia was borne by Samuel 2nd wife, Sarah Ann Guppy (1812-1900).

Delia wrote the letters to Alvina (“Allie”) Cordelia Neal (1840-1905) who would become her sister-in-law in a few years. In August 1868, Delia and George (“Georgie”) William Neal (1844-1884) of Kittery, Maine, were married. The cdv’s on this page were attached to these two letters and since both back marks indicate they were taken by the artist E. T. Brigham in his Dover, N. H. studio, I feel confident they are of Delia A. Henderson.

Letter 1

Dover [New Hampshire]
August 23rd 1864

Darling Allie,

I just wrote you a line this morning to inform you of the death of my dear brother Thomas. He was killed on last Tuesday. We received the news Saturday night. His body has been embalmed and we are expecting it anytime. Our grief seems greater than we can bear. I can hardly keep about, having passed three sleepless nights and two such long, sad days. I fear I cannot bear up under the greatest affliction I ever had. The pride, the pet, the loved one of our circle is gone. Oh, my God, give us that strength & consolation which seems to cause everyone to mourn as his. I send you a paper containing a notice of his death. It has been in a number of papers but we could not obtain many except of these.

Poor dear John—away from all his friends, has to bear his shock alone. I fear we shall not have him many years. I shall have more friends in heaven that upon earth soon. Oh! how I wish I could join them now. But no, I must suffer on. We mourn and mourn deeply, but we try and not murmur. But everything seems so dark and gloomy to us. Our deep mourning garments but faintly express the blackness of all around us.

Oh Allie, I wish you were with me today. T’would be a comfort, I know. We have had so many of his friends here, but I have seen none. Mother had to see them. It seems as though his associates here could not bear it. But He who sent this affliction upon us will give us strength to bear it. It has never been so hard for me to say, “All’s for the best.” I am almost worn out with grief. But I trust I shall be able to go through the trying scenes which are yet to come. I thank you most heartily for your kind note. Tell [your brother] Georgie his letter was a source of consolation. I will write him when I am calmer. Do write soon. Pray that I may not murmur at our affliction but that God in his mercy will give me strength to bear it. Yours in the deepest sorrow and affliction, — Delia A. H.

I did not receive your letter till Saturday night.

Letter 2

Delia Annah Henderson

Dover [New Hampshire]
August 28th 1864

Dearest Allie,

I feel too sad to read, too sad to speak, and too sad to write to anyone but you. Oh such a long, sad week as this has been. But today seems sadder and longer than any of the past week because I have been so busy and we have had so many things to see to, that it has taken up my attention some. But today, everything seems so quiet and death-like. We are all too full of sorrow to speak except with tears.

The body of our dear brother has not yet arrived and you can perhaps imagine what waring anxiety & surprise we have passed through when every train we expected him. He may come at any time. The chaplain was only waiting for a leave of absence, before starting with his body. It has been embalmed, and if it was properly done, we will look as natural as when he died. What a consolation it is to us to know that he never fell into the Rebels hands, and that we can have his body to bury, and know where he is laid.

We received a letter from the Colonel yesterday saying he was wounded by a rifle ball in his thigh. He was hit at 12 and died at three o’clock, Tuesday the 16th. The Colonel spoke to him about two minutes before but had to go to the General for orders. When returning, he met a soldier carrying an officer wrapped in a blanket on his shoulders and was told ’twas Col. Henderson. He was immediately put in an ambulance in an ambulance and carried to the hospital where he had every attention but the Surgeon at once knew ’twas a mortal wound. He lingered three hours. Oh! what hours of anguish those must have been away from ever loved friend.

Thomas Albert Henderson of the 7th New Hampshire Infantry when he was a lieutenant

The chaplain was with him all the time and when he arrives we shall know many things we wish so much to know. Oh, Allie! You know not what grief our is. You can perhaps imagine how you would feel in like circumstances but when the sad reality is forced upon you, you find it ’tis very different. He was such a good, kind and thoughtful brother that it seems so hard to give him up. As everyone here says, he has not left one stain upon his name. He was too noble and brave to meet such a death, and it does not seem right that so much talent as he had should so soon be cut off. I don’t know how I can ever bear to have him buried. Then ’tis doubly hard, for he is to be buried under military & masonic orders from the church. It would be hard enough to bury him in a quiet way, but this will almost kill us. We would not consent for a long time, but as everyone most wants to attend the funeral, we had to sacrifice our feelings for others.

The past week has done the work of a year upon me. I have slept but very little and food I don’t care for, Oh! can I bear this dreadful shock. Why was the blow permitted to fall upon the idolized one. You know, Allie, he was worthy to be proud of and loved and no death has occurred in this place which this world cannot give. If convenient, please inform our friends of his death. Do write me soon.

Your friend in the deepest sorrow. — Delia A. H.

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1865: James L. King to Janet Sheppard

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The following letter was written by James King of New York City who wrote the letter to his aunt, Janet Sheppard (1798-Af1865), also of New York City. In the 1855 State Census, I can see that a 20 year-old young woman named Johanna King was enumerated in the household of her Aunt Janet Sheppard of No. 8, 22nd Street in NYC. Johanna was undoubtedly James’ sister. Beyond that, I have not been able to confirm King’s record of service. Neither have I been able to confirm the location of Alexander Bridge which must have been located somewhere near the Cumberland river based on the content of this letter.

Transcription

Addressed to Miss J. Sheppard, No. 8 East 22 Street, New York City

Alexander Bridge
March 7, 1865

My dear Aunt,

I have just received a bunch of Tribunes and I see by my note book that it is time I was writing you. The Tribunes are dated down to the 28th of February. They are full of the good news. I hope it will continue to tell the end of the Rebels and the war. I had a letter from home the other day. They were all well and I had a newspaper from Father and he told me in his letter that when I got a paper, I was to consider them all well.

We have been having a rainy time of it lately but it has been good weather the past two days. We have not been set to work on the new stockade yet. We expect the Major here today to say where it is to be put and where we are to get the timber. It is to be built strong enough so a shell can’t get inside. The boys do not like the idea of going to work but it will not hurt them. Our duty is light but the stockade will not go on fast as we will have our duty to do as before. But as long as we have our health, we ought not to grumble.

I hope this will find you all in good health as it leaves me at present. The grass is beginning to grow and cattle are out feeding. The planters are very slow about their work. It rains so much here that the ground is not in a fit condition to plough. The men are ploughing today for it has been dry for two days now and the wind has dried up the ground. The Cumberland river is very high. The back water comes up to our bridge and some of the fields are covered with water. The troops are going south at the rate of two or three regiments a day. I do not see how they feed so many men when it takes so much to feed our small squad. I think the Rebels will soon have a hard time to get their rations for when the railroad on our line of communications is cut, the soldiers are put on short rations and I do not see how the Rebels can feed their men except they have a different way of doing than our government has.

Well, I must close for this time. I am expecting a letter so I will wait as the mail has gone for today. I have just received your kind letter of February 28 and was glad to get it. I also received one from Tebeta of the same date as yours. They were all well.

Dear Aunt, I will try and put my letters in as good language as I can. I never did get a thorough course of instruction in grammar and if I do not make a mistake, it is in some part in not taking pains to mind what I wrote. Aunt, would it not be a good idea for you to write about 3 or 4 days after you send the papers? But I do not wish to put you to any more trouble if you have a good ways from the post office [in which case] you had better send both together as heretofore.

I have wrote all the news I can think of just now. Kind love to Aunt Elizabeth and Joan. Kindest love to yourself and I remain your affectionate nephew, — James L. King

This will go out by tomorrow’s post. I received the newspapers on Monday the 6th of March and the letter the 7th.

3rd Rhode Island Heavy Artillery, Fort Pulaski

1863: Major William Ames to Col. Edwin Metcalf

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William Ames in his Colonel’s uniform, 3rd Rhode Island Heavy Artillery

The following letter was written by Major William Ames (1842-1914) of the 3rd Rhode Island Heavy Artillery while commanding the post at Fort Pulaski near Savannah, Georgia in late October 1863. William was the son of Samuel Ames (1806-1865) and Mary Throop Dorr (1811-1869) of Providence, Rhode Island. He began his service as a captain in the 2nd Rhode Island Infantry but accepted an appointment to Major of the 3rd Rhode Island in February 1863.

We learn from this letter that William was having second thoughts about having taken the promotion to command a post where the daily routine was quite dull. He did, however, rise in rank to Colonel of the 3rd Rhode Island Heavy Artillery and towards the end of the war he served as Chief of Artillery on the staff of Major General Quincy A. Gillmore. He was brevetted Brigadier General, US Volunteers on March 13, 1865 for “meritorious services during the war.”

William wrote the letter to Col. Edwin Metcalf (1823-1894), a Harvard-educated lawyer and Rhode Island state legislator when he resigned his seat to join the war. Commissioned as Major of the 3rd Rhode Island Heavy Artillery, he immediately made a name for himself and the regiment when he led the first battalion in the battle of Secessionville, SC. Promoted to Colonel and transferred at the governor’s request to command the new 11th Rhode Island Infantry, Metcalf was with the Army of the Potomac only a short time before being recalled to South Carolina. Yellow fever had swept the ranks and claimed Col. Brown of the 3rd RI HA, as well as several other officers, and Metcalf was seen as the one to revitalize the demoralized regiment. He commanded the regiment and served as Chief of Artillery until January 1864, when he returned to Providence on medical leave. He resigned due to illness on February 5, 1864.

Inside Fort Pulaski 1862-3

[Note: This letter is from the private collection of Greg Herr and was transcribed and published on Spared & Shared by express consent.]

Transcription

Fort Pulaski, Georgia
October 29th 1863

Col. Ed Metcalf, 3rd Rhode Island [Heavy] Artillery,

Dear sir, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 28th inst. in regard to Lt. Smith. My opinion is he is a very intelligent & capable officer as regards to management of his company affairs and the discipline of his men. How he would act under you I am unable to say. There is, of course, nothing going on in these parts and I have no news to send you. Capt. Gould has sent forward his application for a position in the Invalid Corps. He will no doubt get it as his recommendations are very strong.

Capt. Boughton will not doubt be able to arrange his transfer, now that he is home. The captain is a very intelligent and capable officer. He will fill his position in the 3rd with honor. To speak plainly, however, I feel very much mortified and am sorry that I ever allowed myself to be placed in my present position in this regiment. It is rather late in the day to think of going into the field after everything that can be done has been done, but there is no sense of crying over spilt milk.

Col. Barton paid me a visit day before yesterday and returned to Beaufort in the evening.

Very respectfully your obedient servant, — Wm. Ames, Major 3rd Rhode Island Artillery, Commanding post.

14th New Hampshire Infantry, Savannah, Georgia

1865: Thomas L. Scriven to Edwin Holmes

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The following letter was written by Thomas L. Scriven (1840-1904), the son of Joseph and Nancy Scriven of Rennsselaer county, New York. According to census records, Thomas was born in New York State so how he came to enter the service for the State of New Hampshire remains a mystery though the records of that regiment may provide us with a clue. According to the muster rolls of Co. H, 14th New Hampshire—the company in which Thomas served—he was born in Canada. My hunch is that Thomas went to Canada to avoid the draft and then decided later to enter the war as a substitute, for which he would receive a $300 or more bounty. He entered the 14th New Hampshire on 30 July 1864. He mustered out of the regiment at Savannah in July 1865.

I could not find an image of Thomas but here is a CDV of David S. Corser who served in the same company with Thomas and mustered out at the same time. (Dave Morin Collection)

Thomas wrote the letter from Savannah which he termed “a mean place.” To understand why he might say so, we turn to the regimental history which informs us that, “When the Fourteenth entered Savannah, Sherman’s army was leaving it; the inhabitants bitterly hating the ‘Yankee bummers.’ The city was in a peculiar condition. Terror, hate, foreboding, were sentiments which predominated among the inhabitants at first. The civil government was entirely superseded: the city was taken entirely out of the hands of its inhabitants, and was governed by military officials throughout…Not a citizen of Savannah had a store or shop open: the trading was all done by permits from the commanding general; business of every kind was dead; and the railroad communication had been destroyed by Rebel and by Union troops, from opposite motives…The Fourteenth was at once assigned tp provost-duty…[The regiment was] quartered in a building in the heart of the city until the last of February when it went into camp in stockaded A tents, in a railroad cotton-yard west of the city. It was also relieved of all special duty in the city at the same time.”

The most disturbing sentence in Thomas’s letter reads as follows: “Our folks are building a fort through a grave yard and digging up the dead bodies and throwing them into the works.” The regimental history states that the 14th New Hampshire were put to work in March 1865 rebuilding the Confederate breastworks that were east of the city about two miles. One of the forts in this line of works was Fort Brown which happened to be near the Catholic cemetery, established in 1853. (see Hillcrest Abbey Roman Catholic Cemetery near Skidaway Road and East Gwinnett Street). The website of this cemetery informs us that “after the surrender of the city on November 23, 1864. Sherman ordered fortifications to be built, a project which removed cemetery fences, leaving it open to vandalism and theft. During this time many graves were desecrated by troops. The Sisters of Mercy, with the assistance of local women, rescued the remains of two bishops, two priests, and four sisters. It was only in 1867, after Bishop Augustin Verot urged President Andrew Johnson and Edwin M. Stanton (Secretary of War) to restore the Cemetery to its former state, that they were reinterred.”

The line of breastworks (in red) east and south constructed in an arc two miles outside of Savannah. These were constructed by Confederates but shored up by Union troops in March 1865.

Transcription

Addressed to Mr. Edwin Holmes, South Petersburg, Rensselaer county, New York

Savannah, Georgia
March 27, 1865

Friend Edwin,

I am as well as usual and I hope this sheet will find youy the same. Please write and let me know how town meeting went off. I wish I could have been there to seen [it].

The 24th of this month I saw some peas about eight inches high. Some of the soldiers think the war is going to close next fall. I have written two letters before this to you and I would like to know the reason why you do not write a letter to me. I like to be a soldier well enough but I do not like shouldering arms quite so well.

This is a mean place. Our folks are building a fort through a grave yard and digging up the dead bodies and throwing them into the works. 1

We have not got paid off yet but expect to be soon and if you want to take my money and take care of it for me, write and let me know. I have written to Dr. Allen about it but I have not heard from him yet. If you take care of it, don’t let anybody have a cent of it unless you have an order from me.

The time goes off rather lonesome with me but I see some prospects of the war a closing next fall . As there is nothing going on here, I will draw to a close by saying goodbye. write soon.

Direct your letters to Thomas L. Scriven, Co. H, 14th Regt. N. H. Vols, 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 19th Army Corps, Savannah, Georgia

1 The only possible reference to the construction of a “fort” or “works” in or near Savannah in March 1865 appears on page 332 of the Regimental History by Francis H. Buffum. It reads, “On the 21st [March], fatigue-details from the regiment began work on the defenses two miles east of the city. The immense half-moon breastworks of the Rebels were deemed inadequate, and a desperate attempt to recover Savannah to the Confederacy was among the possibilities to be provided for.”

USS Grand Gulf

1863: James F. Smith to Allan McDougall Campbell

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The following letter was written by James F. Smith while serving in the US Navy aboard the USS Grand Gulf assigned to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. I could not find anything more on Smith except that his wife filed a widow’s pension after his death and that his rank was “Captain after Guard” while aboard the USS Grand Gulf. This vessel was a wooden-hulled, propeller-driven steamer dubbed the Onward that was purchased by the Navy in September 1863 and renamed the USS Grand Gulf. Her first duty was to join the blockading squadron off Wilmington, North Carolina. She remained there until October 1864.

Smith wrote the letter to his friend, Allan McDougall Campbell (1835-1874), the son of Allan McDougall Campbell and Martha Matternley (1802-18xx) of Nova Scotia. At the time of the 1850 US Census, Allan was living under his mother’s roof in Westchester county, New York, his mother an apparent widow. At the time of the 1860 US Census, Allan was living in a New York City boarding house with his younger brother Donald working as a postal carrier. His brother Donald was working as a sign painter. It appears that Allan received his naturalization papers in August 1857. Allan enlisted in the US Navy in August 1863 and served aboard the USS Montauk, a single-turreted Passaic-class monitor launched in 1862 and part of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.

This is the vessel the author was on when he wrote the letter in November 1863. She was renamed the “General Grant” after she was returned to the merchant service after the Civil War.

Transcription

Addressed to Allan M. Campbell, care of Alexander Campbell, Morrisiana, Westchester, New York

USS Grand Gulf
N. Atlantic Blockade Squadron
November 20, 1863

Dear Friend,

We are now at anchor off Wilmington watching very closely the movements of the rebels and sometimes giving chase to strange vessels. There is three other vessels here—the Montgomery, Florida, and Connecticut. We expect to go to Beaufort in a few days to coal up.

The Keystone State, one of this squadron, captured a large steamer a short time ago, We also gave chase but finally lost sight of her and gave it up as a bad job.

The weather here is delightful and we have as comfortable a time as can be expected on ship board considering the place we are stationed at.

I have been sick for a few days but now my health is very good hoping this will find you enjoying the same blessing. I remain, dear Mack, your sincere friend, — J. S. Smith

N. B. Please write by return and address as you see on top pf letter. — J. F. S.

Horse Battery C, 3rd US Artillery

1862: William H. Smith to his Cousin

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The following letter was written by William H. Smith who served in Horse Battery C, 3rd U. S. Artillery during the Civil War. This battery was organized in October 1861 under the command of Capt. Edward O. C. Ord and participated in the Peninsula Campaign in the spring and summer of 1862. This letter was penned from White House Landing in mid-June 1862 just prior to the 7 days battles before Richmond. The Battery played a major roll in the Battle of Antietam in September 1862 and then later at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Brandy Station, Gettysburg, the Overland Campaign, and Cedar Creek.

The officers of Horse Battery C, 3rd US Artillery; Capt. Horatio G. Gibson 2nd from left. Taken at Fair Oaks in June 1862

Transcription

Addressed to Mr. Theodore C. Carver, Norton, Mass.

Camp near the White House [Landing], Virginia
June 11, 1862

Dear Cousin.

I thought I would write you a few lines to let you know I am well and hope you are well. I received news that my father was dead. It was bad news for me to hear.

We have been fighting for 30 days. We are well, the 3rd Cavalry Division Corps, Gen. Nielson commanding.

How are all the young folks of Norton getting along? Tell me in your [next] letter when you write. When are you 100 days men with a day’s grub to carry along and a big trunk to carry along with theme? How is Milk. B. Brow? Is it better than it was?

We was camped within 15 miles of Richmond, Virginia, on the 1st of June. We started from the town of Hanover Court House and as we was on the road to the town of Ashland, the rebels charged up in rear and we had to get up and dust to Ashland. There we had to fight or get taken prisoner. About 5 o’clock in the afternoon the rebels charged into Ashland and we opened with canister and drove them back and we cut our way back to Hanover Court House and camped for the night.

I don’t think of any more now so good bye from your cousin, — Wm. H. Smith. Horse Battery C, 3rd U. S. Artillery, Washington D. C.

3rd Maine Light Artillery

1864: William Nelson Lane to his Parents

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The following letter was written by William Nelson Lane (1843-1924), the son of William Henry Lane (1804-1882) and Lavina Wakefield (1809-1877) of Brownsville, Oxford county, Maine. In his letter, William mentions his older brother Simeon Pease Lane (1841-1921) who served in Co. H, 20th Maine Infantry.

William was 21 when he enlisted on 1 March 1864 as a private in the 3rd Maine Light Artillery. He survived the war, mustering out of the service on 1 September 1866. William was a farmer; his composition and spelling suggest a limited education.

When William wrote this letter from their encampment near Petersburg, the 2rd Maine Light Artillery had only recently joined the 9th Corps. Until 9 July 1864, they had been stationed at Camp Barry in the defenses of Washington D. C. Their commander was Capt. Ezekiel R. Mayo. During the siege of Petersburg, the battery participated in the 9th Corps’ infamous effort to mine and then blow up the Confederate defenses on 30 July 1864—just ten days after this letter was penned.

The boys of 3rd Maine Light Artillery in 1865 (Maine Memory)

Transcription

Addressed to Mr. Wm. H. Lane, Hiram, Maine (letter mismatched with envelope)

Near Petersburg, Virginia
July 20, 1864

Dear Parents,

As I received a letter from you and was glad to hear from you and to hear you was well but father, I am sorry to hear that you are not well. I am well today and I hope these few lines will find you the same.

I saw Simeon yesterday and he as well then and he looked very well. But he said that he should like to be to home and see the folks. But he said that as long as the war [is going on and he is] so far away from home, he must be contented where he is. He has seen hard times since he left home. He has been in every battle since Grant’s [Overland] Campaign. His first battle was at the Wilderness and then he kept on till he got to Petersburg and here they had to stop and here we are today, both together. His regiment lays about half a mile from here where I lay,

It has been hot out here and dry but we had a nice rainstorm here the 18th of July and the army was glad to see it.

We have been a building a fort for the last few days. We are still at work now and I hope that we shall get through work soon for I am getting tired. I have heard the bells in Petersburg ring and I can see the city all plain. We can throw shells right into the city of Petersburg. we fired a shell from one of our guns into a house and set it on fire and there was three buildings burnt [that caught fire] from the first one that was burnt. The building that was burnt was brim full of sharpshooters and when they saw the fire, they all took out and commenced putting out the fire and as quick as we saw them, we opened on them with twenty pieces of artillery right at the fire and made the rebels run for dear life. And the faster they run, the hotter it grew till we could not see one of them. 1

There has been heavy firing on the right today but it all quiet now. It is five o’clock p.m. and I am in camp now a writing this letter. Father, I should like for you to be out here and see this place and see what we are a fighting for. Father, I received the money that you sent me and it come in a good time, you better believe.

I am in hopes that we shall get paid off soon for I want some money to buy something to eat. I do not get enough to eat out here and if we could only get paid off it would do us some good. We can et anything out here we want if we have money to pay for it.

I have no more news to write today. Write as soon as you get this. From your son, — Wm. N. Lane

Direct your letters to Mr. Wm. N. Lane, 9th Corps, 3rd Division, 3rd Maine Battery, Washington D. C.

Write soon as you get this letter. W. Nelson Lane

1 This shelling probably occurred on Saturday, July 16, 1864 as I journal entry written on that day by Charles Campbell, a civilian in Petersburg, reads: “The shelling today as usual. In afternoon heard the fire bells ringing twice, probably on account of houses set on fire by shells.” [See—Charles Campbell Journal, July 1864]

135th New York Infantry, 6th New York Heavy Artillery

1862: Orman J. Smith to Samuel Smith

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I could not find an image of Orman but here is Pvt. Joseph B. Dickinson of Co. M, 6th New York Heavy Artillery

This letter was written by 34 year-old private Orman Smith of Carmel, Putnam county, New York, who enlisted in Co. G, 135th New York Infantry on 30 August 1862. The letter was written from Camp Millington near Baltimore, Maryland before the designation of the regiment was changed to the 6th New York Heavy Artillery on 3 October 1862. This regiment was also known as the “Anthony Wayne Guard.”

In the 1860 US Census, 32 year-old Orman was enumerated as a “hatter” in his father’s household, William A. Smith, a 52 year-old “Master hatter.” Residing in the same household was his younger brother, 23 year-old Samuel Smith (also a hatter) to whom Orman addressed this letter.

In transcribing the letter I have had to make significant corrections to the spelling. Clearly Orman had a limited education. I was surprised to discover that he was actually 34 years old as his letter suggests the maturity more like that of a teenager.

Transcription

Camp Millington
Saturday, September 13, 1862

Dear Brother,

I have just received your letter & am glad to hear that you are all well. I am well with the exceptions of a cold.

Today my company has been out on picket duty—all but about twenty of us. I wasn’t very well so I stayed at home. The regiment has to take turns. The got out about three miles on the turnpike towards Washington to look out for the rebels & keep the Baltimore folks from carrying provisions to them. They left this morning at 8 o’clock & will be in tomorrow at 9 or 10. We get up in the morning when the drum beats & that ought to beat at daylight to roll call, then breakfast, then we drill from 9 to 11, from 3 in the afternoon until 6 or 7. The afternoon drill is battalion drill & ends with dress parade. Then at 8 o’clock the drum beats to go to bed. Of all the places that I ever was in, camp life is ahead. We have more fun in one day that you could in a year up there.

[William] Hen[ry] Tilford, Myron Dingee, Bailey Ganung, William Robinson, & myself sleeps in one tent. We are close to the iron bridge on the turnpike & there is a battery on the right and on the left of us & they say there is 300,000 men between here and the Potomac. When we go out to drill in the afternoon, we go close to the left battery & in sight of the Chesapeake Bay,

Tobacco is 70 cents and 1.00 a pound, but all the peaches that I ever saw is down here, But they sell them very high—one cent apiece for one as big as your fist. Oysters 50 cents per bushel.

When we came to camp, we came by where Ellsworth was shot.

It is very warm here. Tell the old showman that I wish he was here for it is ahead of showing. Sam, I wish you would get my money and do what you think best with it. I will send an order in this letter for you to collect it.

There is a good many secesh here yet. We have to keep a guard over the spring to keep them from poisoning it. We don’t hear much war news here. There is a good many regiments that pass here most every day. There is a man in this regiment belongs to Company K that struck the cook and he has to carry a bag of sand 30 pound weight for 48 hours, 4 hours on and 2 off.

We had a false alarm the other night 12 o’clock to see how quick they could get them out and such a time you never see. The boys thought that the rebels was here in earnest. The boys seem anxious to see a fight but I guess that they never will. Vincent Barrett says damn the war. He don’t like it. But of all the speeches & capers that ever was poke or cut up is played here. It don’t seem possible that boys can think of so much Sunday.

I wish if you get a chance that you would send me a shirt or two. The shirts and drawers that we get is wool and they scratch so that I don’t like them & a tin box of medicine in my trunk. So no more at present.

From your brother, — O. J. Smith. Write soon. Direct your letters to Orman Smith, Company G, 135th Regiment, United States Volunteers, Camp Millington, Baltimore, Maryland

US Unadilla

1864: Andrew Wallace Johnson to Unidentified Army Colonel

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The following letter was written by Andrew Wallace Johnson (1826-1887) of the US Navy. He was appointed midshipman in 1841, and commissioned lieutenant, 15 September, 1855. He was made lieutenant-commander, 16 July, 1862, and in 1864-‘5 served with the South Atlantic blockading squadron, being on the iron-clads “Lehigh” and “Montauk ” in their engagements with Confederate batteries in Stono river, South Carolina, in July, 1864. He was commissioned commander, 2 February, 1869 and captain, 5 April, 1874, and served as chief of staff of the South Atlantic squadron from 1869 till 1870. After being assigned to special duty for several years at Washington, D. C., and at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Captain Johnson was retired by operation of law.

Andrew wrote the letter from the gunboat USS Unadilla which was patrolling the coast off Tybee Island, Georgia, conducting frequent reconnaissance surveys, and reporting on both suspected Confederate troop movements in the area and the construction and movements of the ram CSS Savannah. In January 1864, she underwent repairs at Port Royal and, in March, was dispatched to St. Johns River, Florida, for reconnaissance and convoy duties. After striking a sand bar, Unadilla returned to Port Royal in May where carpenters discovered that the battle-weary vessel needed an extensive overhaul. Unadilla was detained briefly in Ossabow Sound but, on 19 June, 1864, finally received orders north to the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

USS Unadilla

[Note: This letter is from the private collection of Greg Herr and was transcribed and published on Spared & Shared by express consent.]

Transcription

U. S. S. Unadilla, Tybee Roads, Georgia
January 27th 1864

My dear Colonel,

Sincerely do I sympathize with yourself in the difficulties which have so suddenly and so singularly come upon you, but, feeling that you are the man for emergencies, I am hopeful whatever the future may develop for either you or I—for it seems that I too am in the melee and my friend Chaplin 1 also—let us meet it as cooley as possible and in our patience, possess our soul. There are always two sides to a question, and ours may be the bright side, notwithstanding all our misgivings and repinings. So far as General S. 2 is concerned, I presume his [ ] and conscience is not so topological as to be beyond one’s access.

I had intended to drop in on you this morning but the exercises of the vessel prevented me. I hope to do so tomorrow if the weather and the rules of the Army will permit me to communicate with you. Believe me, whatever the result of this affair may be.

Truly and sincerely your friend, — Johnson

1 J. C. Chaplin was the commander of the USS Dai Ching, a steam gunboat built in Shanhai that was purchased by the US Navy and was assigned duty in the South Atlantic Squadron at Tybee Roads with the USS Unadilla in 1864.

2 I suspect this is Gen. Truman Syemour who was placed in charge of the newly created District of Florida and was preparing for an expedition to Florida in February 1864 in which he planned to capture Jacksonville. The “melee” may have been related to some disagreement between the Army and Navy who often found difficulty working constructively together.