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.
Steamer Northwest, likely at the pier in Cleveland, OH. The decks are crammed with excursionists. (Rick Brown Collection)
My friend Rick Brown acquired a carte-de-visite (CDV) recently which was labeled as the steamer Northwest of Cincinnati, Ohio. This didn’t look right to me. Yes, there were steamers on the western rivers by that name but this vessel looked too massive, with a hull that rose up high out of the water more typical of “coasters”–those vessels used along the eastern seaboard, or more likely, on the Great Lakes. A quick search of newspaper clippings from the 1860s when CDV’s were in vogue revealed that there was a large steamer by that name that plied the Great Lakes, often out of Cleveland. My friend Dale Niesen soon found the steamer listed among the “Historical Collections of the Great Lakes.” She was built in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, in 1867 by George S. Rand. She had a wood hull and weighed 1100 tons.
Knowing the name of the steamer and that she worked the Great Lake routes was a good start, but it didn’t explain why the photograph would have been taken of her with so many passengers crammed on her decks and even standing on top of the wheelhouse. Noticeably present, in addition to finely attired men, are a fair number of ladies and some children. To me it had the appearance of an excursion—a day trip, if you will. There are clearly too many passengers onboard to be comfortably accommodated for anything longer than an excursion of a couple hours. Daytime and even moonlight excursions on the lake were extremely popular at the time.
Intuitively I began to search old newspaper articles mentioning the words, “steamer Northwest” and “excursion” and Cleveland in the 1867 to 1870 timeframe. I found several excursions that took place during this period aboard the steamer Northwest—too numerous to list them all. One of the first in which the steamer was chartered was the 4th of July Celebration in 1867—its first year on Lake Erie. An extract from the article appearing in the Cleveland Plain Dealer on 5 July 1867 describing that event states, “The steamer Northwest made an excursion at noon yesterday, from Erie to Port Dover, Canada. The Cleveland Cornet Band accompanied the party, which numbered fully 1,500 persons. The boat got back at 9 o’clock in the evening.” Just a few days later, on 11 July 1867, the Cleveland Daily Leader printed an announcement for an “Excursion to Lake Superior” to be made by “the elegant steamer Northwest” and informing readers that “several parties from Eastern cities have engaged passage” for the trip that planned to leave Cleveland and visit the “North Shore, Isle Royal, Fort William, and every point of interest on the South Shore. The steamer is entirely new, very commodious, and one of the best furnished boats in every particular over the lakes.”
There was an excursion party from Marion, Ohio, that chartered the steamer Northwest “for a few hours’ sail on the lake” in September 1868. The occasion was not stated and the party was “five hundred strong.” That same month, the “splendid steamer Northwest” carried excursionists to Put-in-Bay Island and return for the day. No occasion was stated.
In 1869, there were more excursions in the fall. In early August, the steamer Northwest was chartered to transport excursionists on a picnic to Black River and return—a benefit for the 2nd Baptist Church. The crowd was described as “happy and joyous…young and old, male and female, to the number of 700 persons.” The boat left the pier at 9:30 a. m. and returned in the evening.
Aside from a few smaller and shorter excursions, there was another made in September 1869 to Put-in-Bay to celebrate the anniversary of Perry’s Victory there during the War of 1812. It was hosted by the 7th Regiment and accompanied by a brass band.
In the early 1870s there were several more excursions of a similar nature.
My hunch is that the photograph was likely taken to commemorate one of these shorter excursion events in the late 1860’s at Cleveland during which time Cleveland was the home port of the steamer Northwest. I don’t see anyone in shirt sleeves—even the dock workers—and the clothing of the passengers suggest a fall wardrobe to me so I suspect this was either the excursion to Black River or to Put-in-Bay, or possibly even a GAR encampment meeting.
The following letter was written by David Higgins Van Valkenburg (1823-1862), the son of Jacob Van Valkenburgh (1795-1879) and Mary Bethia Higgins (1793-1871). David was born in Plattsburg, Steuben county, New York, and was married in December 1852 to Elizabeth Humphrey in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, where he was enumerated in the 1860 US Census as a “Dry Goods Merchant.” His son, William (“Willey”) Gilbert Van Valkenburg (1854-1934) was born in September 1854.
According to his biographical sketch, David was a sheriff in Manitowoc county at one time. When the Civil War began, David joined the 1st New York Light Artillery, mustering in as Major of Battery A on 26 October 1861. During the Battle of Fair Oaks (or “Seven Pines”) on 31 May 1862, after both of his superior officers had been killed, David took command of the battery and was shot and killed instantly. That David’s battery was in the thick of the fight is demonstrated by the number of casualties and the loss of 100 horses. The battery with all its camp and garrison equipage was captured by the enemy. The company was so reduced in strength that it was not even reconstituted; the survivors were reassigned to Battery H.
Major David Higgins Van Valkenburg is standing at far left with legs crossed. (Ancestry.com)
Transcription
Camp near Yorktown, [Virginia] April 30th 1862
My dear son Willey,
How do you do? Ma says you are a very good boy and help Grandpa to make garden. You must tell him that you are but a small boy and not very strong and he must not work you too hard. You used to like to make garden when you were at home. Do you like it as well as you used to? Was you glad to see Uncle Bill and did he tell you all about Walter and Ida and your other Manitowoc friends?
You must be a good boy so that Ma can always write me a good account when she writes. Do you go to school now? You must try to learn so that when Pa comes home you will know most as much as he does. Kiss Grandpa, Grandma, and Ma lots of times for me and there are a whole pile in here for you. Goodbye. Your own PaPa., — D. H. VanValkenburg
The following letter was written by John Fite Goodner (1822-1870), the son of James G. Goodner (1792-1883) and Margaret Martha Fite (1798-1862) of DeKalb county, Tennessee.
As a field officer in the 7th Tennessee Infantry, C.S.A., this Mexican war veteran attained the ranks of Captain, Co. A, on 20 May 1861; as Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment on 27 May 1861, and on 23 May 1862, he became Colonel and commander of the famed 7th Tennessee Infantry after Robert Hatton was elevated to the rank of Brigadier General. “Ill heath” forced his resignation from the service on 8 April 1863.
John was married to Nancy C. Floyd (1830-1850) but she died in childbirth in December 1850 and he never remarried.
Transcription
Camp of 7th Regiment Tennessee General J. J. Archer’s Brigade December 8, 1862
To the Hon. Secretary of War,
The following named persons are most respectfully suggested to you for promotion on Co. G, 7th Regiment Tennessee Volunteers:
William F. Graves, now 1st Lieutenant in said company to Captain of it instead of Capt. James H. Bond [who] resigned 7th October 1862.
Newbern A. Jennings, now 2nd Lieutenant to 1st [Lieutenant] in place of William F. Graves, promoted.
John C. Ingram, now Junior 2nd Lieutenant, to Senior 2nd Lieutenant in place of Newbern A. Jennings, promoted.
William H. Robbins, now 2nd Sergeant to Junior 2nd Lieutenant in place of John C. Ingram, promoted.
The said William H. Robbins has made a good soldier and was wounded at Seven Pines while gallantly charging the enemy, has recovered from his wounds, and continued in the line of duty, bearing imself like a true soldier and patriot through the recent battles from Cedar Run to Shephardstown.
All of which is most respectfully submitted for your consideration, — Jno. F. Goodner, Col. Commanding 7th Regiment Tennessee
Samuel H. Putnam (“Wearing the Blue” by Capt. Denny)
The following letter was written by Samuel Henry Putnam (1833-1911) to his brother Otis Earle Putnam (1831-1911). They were the only surviving sons of Salmon Putnam (1800-1892) and Tryphena Bigelow (1800-1865) of Worchester, Massachusetts.
Samuel was working as a clerk in Worcester when he enlisted as a corporal in Co. A, 25th Massachusetts Infantry on 19 September 1861 and was promoted to sergeant three months later. He survived the war though he was wounded at the Battle of Cold Harbor on 3 June 1864. He mustered out of the regiment as Sergeant Major of his company on 20 October 1864 after three years service.
Like most young men, Samuel was anxious to see some action. Before embarking on Burnside’s Expedition, he had written his cousin, in December 1861, “I find the love for camp life rather grows on me; It may be the being outdoors is the thing, but anyhow my health is first rate and there is a kind of feeling—a sort of independence too—that one does not experience in common every day life. I hope it will be more exciting as we move onward.” [I’m Off to See the Elephant, by Dennis Buttacavoli, 9/3/2018 History Net]
In 1862, the regiment suffered losses of 50 killed or wounded in the Battle of Roanoke Island, and they were also active in the taking of New Bern and Goldsboro that year. By March, 1863, the 25th was part of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 18th Corps, Dept. of North Carolina.
Putnam’s long detailed letter reads much like a book and he no doubt used it to recall the event when he wrote, “The Story of Company A, Twenty-fifth Regiment Mass. Volunteers in the war of the rebellion,” published in 1886. A e-version of the book may be found on Internet Archive. Two other valuable sources on the history of the regiment may be found on-line in a book entitled, “My Diary of the Rambles with the 25th Mass. Volunteer Infantry“ by D. L. Day, and “Wearing the Blue,” by J. Waldo Denny, published in 1879. Neither of the events described in Putnam’s letter of March 12-16, 1863, are described in these latter publications, however.
Incredibly, there is a companion letter to the one by Putnam that was written by William Jahaney Lowry (1841-1863) of Co. B, 45th North Carolina Infantry, that describes the exact same event described in Putnam’s letter—only from the perspective of the Rebel encampment that was the object of their nighttime attack. Lowry’s letter can be found as Letter 3 on 1863: William Jahaney Lowry to Ann (Walker) Lowry on Spared & Shared 17.
The last part of Putnam’s letter, written on March 16th, describes the Battle of Deep Gully in which Gen. D. H. Hill devised a three-pronged plan to wrestle New Bern away from the Union forces garrisoned there. See Battle of Deep Gully and Fort Anderson.
To read other letters by member of the 25th Massachusetts that I have transcribed and published on Spared & Shared, see: Charles Newton, Co. B, 25th Massachusetts (1 Letter) Henry Arthur White, Co. H, 25th Massachusetts (1 Letter)
Transcription
[Note: This letter is from the personal collection of Richard Weiner and was transcribed and published on Spared & Shared by express consent.]
Camp Pickett 1 New Bern, North Carolina March 12, 1863
Dear Bro. Otis,
Here we are in Camp Pickett and on picket too, and since leaving New Bern have had quite an exciting time. We left New Bern Wednesday, March 4th, and reached this camp before noon, it being only some 7 or 8 miles from town. I was on guard next day, having in my charge the reserve picket guard—a squad of eight men, behind 5 posts with 3 men on each. This was about 1.5 miles from camp. The advance guard was perhaps half mile beyond this at what is called the “Deep Gully” [on the Trent Road].
The next day instead of being relieved, we were ordered to fall in as our regiment came along bound off on an expedition. That day we marched some dozen miles more or less, and camped in a pleasant little spot shut inn completely by pine woods. Before turning in, companies A, K and G were ordered to be ready at midnight to be off on a scout, to try and “gobble up” a couple of Rebel companies of infantry. I thought that was rather tough—a day and night’s picket duty, a day’s march, and now a march of 12 or 15 miles on top of that without sleep. Would say here that Capt. [Joseph Waldo] Denny was commanding.
At midnight we started with two companies of the 3rd New York Cavalry in advance. A camp, away from the main body or a picket camp, has outposts or pickets at considerable distances from the camp. If the first post is disturbed by an enemy, they fire at them and retreat to the next post. They in turn do the same, and ditto till the camp is reached, which is supposed to be alarmed by the firing, and the men turned out, ready to meet the enemy. So you see, it is a bod thing to attack an enemy camp thus situated.
Well, we had just that to do—take the outposts and surprise the camp. It was a bold and daring enterprise and you will see how successful. The plan was to take the outposts without alarm if possible as our folks knew about where they were stationed. If an alarm was made—that is, if the pickets fired upon us, the cavalry were to sail in and grab them if they could. Their pickets were mounted—called videttes.
Well, on we went mile after mile through swamps, woods, fields, mud &c. and were within say a couple of miles or less of the Reb camp when pop goes a rifle at our advance of cavalry and a sudden charge of the cavalry follows. We infantry follow at double quick. Perhaps you can imagine the excitement.
Our cavalry boys caught the devils on this first post and the second ditto. At the second, our advance heard a couple of horses coming down the road and guessing what the trouble was, a couple of them dismounted, sent their horses to the rear—or rather back some distance, and cooly waited for the horsemen to come on. They took possession of the post occupied by the Rebel pickets remember. The horsemen came on, our boys challenge them—“Halt!” This they do at once, for you know no one dares pass a picket post after being challenged or he is a shot man. “Who goes there.” Reply—“Friends with the countersign.” Our boys continue the challenge, “Dismount friends. Advance and give the countersign.” (This is always the custom—to dismount a mounted man when he approaches to give the countersign.) They came up and gave the countersign (two low whistles). “You are our prisoners,” say our boys, and grappled them. The struggle was short and no firing this time. As was expected, these men were sent out to see what was the trouble with their pickets—they found out!
Lt. Merrit B. Bessey, in command of Co. A on expedition described in letter (Photo Sleuth)
The game now grew intensely exciting. A little further on we passed another post and our cavalry received the fire from probably half a dozen or more men then. This was no doubt a sort of reserve. Here two of the cavalry were wounded—one in the thigh bad, another in the arm. On our left was a field—sort of open field. On our right woods for a short distance, then open field. Ahead half mile perhaps, woods on either side. All of us were in the road now. Our left section (half platoon—Co. A) was ordered to be deployed as skirmishers. Lieut. [Merrit B.] Bessey was in command of our company of course, and our Orderly [George Burr] 2nd in command (Capt. [Frank] Goodwin gone home). I think the 2nd in command should have taken command of this section as skirmishers. I think it was his place—never mind (This is not for the [Worchester Daily] Spy) I am told by our boys on the right of our company (I am left guide) that Bessey told him (the Orderly) to take the section out but be that as it may, they both came to me and Bessey told me to take them out. All right.
I gave them the word forward and over the fence they went into the field and deployed in good style. On we went cautiously towards the woods ahead of us. The Germans (Co. G) had been deployed before this but had come to a halt for some reason or other. My boys passed them and came to a deep ditch running clear across the field with a fence on the other side. Twas say eight feet wife and 5 or 6 deep with water in the bottom—a sort of brook. We cannot cross this ditch, sergeant, says one or two of them [to me]. “You can,” says I. “Away with you—cross the brook and deploy on the other side,” and they did cross it—devilish quick too. One or two leaped into the ditch and scrambled up the other side, took rails from the fence, and in a very few minutes that had a bridge across. [The following comment was inserted later here: “before reaching this ditch a volley was fired on our right but from where I did not know. Some said from our own boys, the Germans, but it did us no harm, the balls going over us.”] “Forward!” again and silently my little line of skirmishers (only 12 men) advanced ahead of all others, crossed another fence, and approached some outbuildings—a barn evidently with sheds, &c.. and another fence across the road from this barn was the house of the owner.
“Boys, we shall catch it here.” Steady now and slowly the boys advanced, rifles cocked, ready at the first flash of a gun to blaze away. Bit no shots came. We passed the fence and buildings scaring up a flock of geese that gobbled and squawked and hissed at us, lending a little of the ludicrous to the occasion. The boys as they passed this last fence, looked back and one or two spoke out—saw there is no reserve for us. In skirmishing, a reserve force follows the line of skirmishers in all their movements. Twas true, we had none. I do not know why the rest of our company was in the road and slowly following it up, but if we were fired into, they could not have helped us in time.
“Never mind boys. We will hold our own if we can.” I though the boys would flinch at this but they did not and more cautious than ever we advanced towards the woods. Why don’t they fire at us—it’s good rifle distance? Still closer to the woods and no shots. It was a moment of intense excitement—a single shot might tell the tale for anyone of us. Don’t show me your faces, but forward steady and fire at the first flash, then drop, every Mother’s son of you. I tell you, Otis, the boys behaved nobly. The night was somewhat cloudy and very quiet.
We had now reached the woods very nearly and no shots fired. What was the trouble? Did they wish to make a rush on us and take us all? Did they wish to wait and fire a single volley and drop us all? We soon reached the woods. A low whisper on the right, another on the left at the same moment—Sergeant, sergeant, there is a fire in the woods. “Tents. Tents,” says another. We had discovered the Rebel Camp.
I concealed my men. Sent one back to report to Capt. Denny. What should I do? Attack the camp with a dozen men? I waited a few moments and made up my mind, ordered the skirmishers to advance and close in on the camp as much as possible and at the same time went in with them—pretty exciting, Otis, I tell you. But to sum it all up, we found the camp deserted—evidently but a few moments before and in great haste. I gave the order to the boys to sail in and help themselves. After they had skirmished around the camp and found no one. I knew our other boys must be somewhere near in the road and felt comparatively safe.
We found knapsacks, rifles, blankets, clothing, &c. any quantity, and eatables too. They evidently had just received boxes from home for we found several boxes that had not been opened. “Bayonet’s Boys! and open went the boxes on short notice. There were pies, cakes, apples, eggs, &c. and didn’t we have a gay supper, or rather breakfast that day. We were in the midst of all this when we were startled by a volley of musketry. This told us that our boys had met the Rebs. Now for the fight, but the Rebs fired the one volley and skedaddled and our cavalry were held back for some reason or other. It would have been a laughable sight for you could you have seen us in this Reb Camp.
Corp. Walter [S.] Bugbee was with us and Cousin George Bigelow. George is bold as a little lion. We heard chickens cackle [and] Bugbee sings out, “Damn ’em. Wring their necks, boys. We can cut ’em.” and soon he made his appearance with a poor chicken with its neck wrung.
After we had been through the tents enough, I went to the road and found [Capt.] Denny who ordered the camp and everything there burned. This was done and we returned to our camp where we had left the rest of the regiment, reaching it in broad daylight, having travelled since midnight some 14 or 15 miles. It made considerable talk—our finding the camp and I was much complimented for the way in which I put my skirmishers through by our officers, Denny and others. (This is not to be published—it is a private letter.)
We staid in our camp a day more and returned towards New Bern, camping for about two days at a beautiful pine grove about 3 miles from this camp. Here we did picket duty by company—that is, one company at a time. When our company was on, it so happened I was at the outpost, and wishing to know somewhat of the country, took one man with me and went into the woods and into the country four or miles miles, visiting several houses, finding only old men and woman—the conscription having taken all others. It was a bold act and occasioned much talk and surprise at the camp. Indeed, they thought we were gobbled up by the Rebs and the Colonel came near sending out a company after us. I was gone three hours and should not have been gone at all for I have no right to leave my post to be gone so long. What made another big talk through the regiment, Capt. Denny (Officer of the Day that day) tried to talk some but he could not help laughing about it and said, “Well, you are a bold, careless devil anyhow.” As he was going to the Colonel’s tent (headquarters), I sent by him my respects to the Colonel and desired him to report for me, “No Rebs within 5 miles of our camp on the Kinston Road.” That capped the whole affair. I expect to be reprimanded and perhaps broke but I don’t care a damn anyhow.
And here we were on picket at Camp Pickett four companies A, C, G, K and last night we had news that our whole Brigade was ordered to Plymouth which very likely is true, so we go. I don’t think I shall forget very soon at all event the “midnight skirmish on the Kinston Road.”
“In the rebel knapsacks we found letters they had just received from home giving pitiful accounts of things in Secessia, and true accounts too. One woman writes to her sons named Apple in the 45th North Carolina, Co. C, and says she is horrified at what she hears they have been doing to the Yankee dead—digging them up—standing them on their feet—pulling their eyes and mouths open and cursing them. She says, how should I feel if the Yankees should treat my dead boys so.”
In the rebel knapsacks we found letters they had just received from home giving pitiful accounts of things in Secessia, and true accounts too. One woman writes to her sons named Apple in the 45th North Carolina, Co. C, and says she is horrified at what she hears they have been doing to the Yankee dead—digging them up—standing them on their feet—pulling their eyes and mouths open and cursing them. She says, how should I feel if the Yankees should treat my dead boys so. 2 This is the nineteenth century and in a civilized land in which these things do occur. What think you of that?
I have not received the snuff box or Dave his boots but I learn that an Express is just in at Beaufort so it is probably there.
I suppose you would know about trophies. I’ve got nothing but an Enfield Rifle from the Rebel Camp. Shall send it to you if I can. It is precisely like my own that I use only it is dirty. But it is just as I found it. If it should reach you, you can do as you like with it. These rifles are very good to shoot and long distances too. Many boys brought away knapsacks. One found some $60 rebel money. But there was nothing of any great value.
Suppose you have seen Capt. Goodwin before this. How about the war? Goes rather slow, don’t it? You will probably see Capt. Denny’s report of this attack on the rebel camp. It was indeed a very daring thing, but was hardly successful as we took only five prisoners but then we lost none.
Camp Oliver, 25th Mass. Infantry, New Berne, N. C.(The Huntington Library)
Camp Oliver March 16, 1863
The boxes have come OK. Davis and George’s boots are tip top. Wish I’d waited now and had some of the same sort. Aunt’s box I received all right. The locket is a fine affair. Am very glad I’ve got it. Felt kinder lonesome though when I first got it.
Well, her’s more news—more excitement. Last Friday 13th, our pickets were fired upon at the deep gully, our outpost, and the four companies were ordered up there—A, C, K, G. the Rebs were advancing in force so the story was, and we made ready to meet them. At this deep gully, there is a small bridge over a narrow stream on the New Bern side of which were our pickets. A sham breastwork had been thrown up by our lads and a Quaker gun mounted on a big pair of wheels. This gun was kept covered with rubber blankets whenever a Flag-of-Truce came in or when anyone went out of our lines, it made a big show.
On the left side of this road going from New Bern was the breastwork and gun. Back of this breastwork was a little rise in the ground and then a very slight hollow, and an old shanty had been put up for guard quarters. Into this hollow our three companies were formed—A, C, and G, while K was posted behind the breastwork to support the Quaker (ha, ha). Now come on the Rebs. Couriers have been sent to town for artillery and infantry meantime. Soon we had orders to lay down low for artillery would be playing on us in a few minutes, and so it was we soon had grape and canister flying over us, solid shot and shell occasionally. We hugged the ground pretty close, you can bet. We took this perhaps 20 minutes and were then ordered to retire which we did gradually, falling back. Soon the Rebs crossed the gully. The bridge had been cut away and charged gallantly on our breastworks and Quaker which they took (ha ha). When they charged, they shouted like fury but I rather think they found a mares nest that time.
Meantime as we fell back, our pioneers felled trees across the road thick so that no artillery could follow us. Soon our artillery got along and the balance of the 25th Regiment. That night we camped on the ground and it was a very cold night too. Dave and I found some straw and two or three boards which we made into a bed and got along quite comfortably considering.
In the morning we back towards New Bern. I should have said that 1 cavalryman was killed and two or three wounded by the Rebs at the Gully. As we passed our camp, we took our knapsacks on our backs and started for town, leaving one company at our camp to pick up stuff and take off the tents, &c. Heavy firing was heard towards New Bern and our lines were attacked at the same time in four or five places and the Rebs came down opposite the town on the Neuse River and threw shell and shot, &c. and tried to scare folks, but the gunboats did the job for them. At present, all is quiet. Maybe this is the last of it as they are reported retreating. There was quite an excitement for awhile in town but no one fled the town.
Well, Sergt. [George] Burr is promoted and I shall have to be Orderly. I suppose I cannot get rid of it very easy.
Tell the girls I think everything of that locket. It will go with me everywhere.
I shall have very little time now to write as the orderly is the company’s servant, but I’ll do as well as I can. How I despise this military business. Wish to God I was out of it. The war goes on well, don’t [it]. I did think once I should be home before the three years was out but I don’t see it that way now.
Had a pile of letters last mail. Will answer as fast as I can. You are not liable to draft. The family depend on one son for support. One son is gone. You are left. I think you are exempt. At all events, I’d procure a substitute or pay anything rather than join the army. It is your place where you are.
Love to all. Am greatly obliged to everybody for the box and contents. Everything was in [good] shape. — S. H. Putnam
1 Camp Pickett was named for Josiah Pickett who began his service with the 25th Massachusetts as the Captain of Co. A and was eventually promoted as its Colonel.
2 The mother of the soldiers named Apple who served in the 45th North Carolina Infantry was probably Rachel (Flack) Apple of Guilford county, North Carolina. She had two sons who served in the regiment in Co. B who were both with the regiment in March 1863 when this letter was penned. There were only three soldiers with the surname “Apple” in the 45th North Carolina—the two named brothers, and a 35 year-old in a different company named Richard. The salutation “Dear Sons” convinces me the soldiers were James M. (“Jim”) Apple (1844-1940) and Andrew Flack Apple (1846-1913). The boys came from a poor subsistence farm in Guilford county. Their father had died before they were ten years old, leaving them to care for their mother and two sisters. Andrew, the youngest, was definitely illiterate; his older brother may have been so too (soldiers sometimes relied on comrades to write and read letters for them). Both soldiers would end up being taken prisoner, Andrew twice (on 3 July 1863 at Gettysburg and again on 10 10 May 1864 at Spotsylvania Courthouse), and James once (on 25 March 1865 during the Siege of Petersburg). Following their final capture, both men were held in Union prisons (Andrew at Point Lookout, MD and Elmira, NY, and James only at Point Lookout) until, after war’s end, when they signed the Union Oath of Allegiance.[Note: Extracts of the original letter, datelined 2 February 1863, by Mother Adams was published in Putnam’s book on page 164 if you’d like to read it.]
The 45th NC was organized on Apr. 1, 1862 and was mustered out on Apr. 9, 1865. At the time of Putnam’s letter, the 45th NC was in Daniel’s Brigade, D. H. Hill’s Corps, Dept. of NC and South VA. The 45th NC was also a hard-fought unit, suffering enormous losses at the Battle of Gettysburg, with 247 killed or wounded and 161 captured (totaling 40% loss). Severe losses were also sustained at the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse. Ironically, the 45th NC fought (with little loss) in the Battle of Cold Harbor, where the 25th MA was decimated and Putnam wounded (although it does not appear that they faced each other).
The following letters were written by Benjamin (“Ben”) Franklin Blatchford (1835-1906), the son of William Blatchford (1788-1864) and Mary Gott (1806-1873). Ben was married to Emily F. Snow (1833-1917) in Boston in August 1855 and was laboring as a carpenter in Rockport, Essex county, Massachusetts, at the time of the 1860 US Census. Emily was the daughter of David Snow (1793-1869) and Sarah Weston (1801-1850) of Easton, Massachusetts.
Service records indicate that Ben first enlisted as a 1st Sergeant in Co. B, 50th Massachusetts Infantry. He then became a 2nd Lieutenant in Co. K, 2nd Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant in June 1865 and mustered out at Wilmington, North Carolina in September 1865.
The last few letters tell of the fall of Wilmington, North Carolina, to Gen. Terry’s command in February 1865. Growing tired of garrison duty at Fort Norfolk and Fort Woodruff, Ben requested a reassignment to the front near Richmond in the summer of 1864 and he was attached to Co. E, 3rd U. S. Artillery which was in Brig. Gen. Charles J. Paine’s 3rd Division, composed almost completely of U. S. Colored Troops under Colonels, Bates, Ames, and Wright, in Terry’s Provisional Corps. He also describes a skirmish of several hours which took place late on the same day north of Wilmington at the Northwest Ferry site.
Letter 1
Fort Norfolk, Virginia January 24th, 1863 [should be 1864]
Brother [in-law] Henry [M. Lowe],
I suppose you are somewhat disappointed by not seeing me at Newbern before this but we have been ordered to this place (Fort Norfolk) and in all probability we will stop here some time and I don’t know when I shall see you again except you come where I am for it is impossible for me to get off long enough to come and see you. And being so near together as we are, it seems hard for me at any rate as I have not seen you since December 12, 1861. And if you can manage to get here, you will find me right glad to see you. And if [you] go home without seeing me this time, it will be hard to tell when we will have a chance to see each other again. And the only reason I wanted to go to Newbern was because I thought if I went there I might see you. And the only way I know for you to get off long enough to come and see me is to get Addison [Pool] to hatch up some business that you could do at Fortress Monroe and then you can get here in less than one hour. But that, I know, is hard to do and almost impossible. But I don’t care how you manage so long as you get here without injury to the service. But be sure and come here before you go home if you can anyway as I want to see you very much.
I saw your father a few days before I left. He was the last one of my folks (as I call him) that I saw. He was at the State House in Boston where he has a first rate job. He was well and looks as hearty as ever. I shall write to him this week.
When I left home, father was very slim and I have been very much worried ever since I have been here for fear I shall hear bad news. I almost dread to have a letter from home on that account as I set so much by him that I should worry myself sick. He ain’t been out of my mind scarcely an hour since I left home.
Your boy Frank is a smart, healthy, and good-looking boy, and beside this, he is (to me at any rate) one of the most interesting children I ever saw. I also felt very bad to come away and leave him as well as all the rest of the folks. He can talk and will play as long as he can find anyone to play with him. I would walk miles to see him tonight, and when you go home if you will call this way, I will try to send something home to him. Louisa is also in good health—or decent health for her, as she is never very healthy.
Just before I left home I called to your house and saw your Mother and Susan, They were about the same as usual and seemed to think I would see you before long but they as well as myself have been very much disappointed. I have wrote you a number of letters but as I receive no answer, I suppose you have not got them. But as soon as you receive this, I wish you would write to me and let me know what the prospect is of seeing each other before you go home. And write all the news you have received from home and write often. I will do the same by you. Direct your letters to me at Fort Norfolk, Company K, 2nd Regiment Heavy Artillery Massachusetts Volunteers.
— Ben F. Blatchford
Letter 2
Fort Norfolk, Virginia January 25, 1863 [should be 1864]
Dear Mother & Father,
I wrote a letter to you about a week ago and for fear you did not get it, I take this opportunity to write another and I want an answer as soon as you receive this for I am very anxious to hear how father is getting on and when you write, I want you to let me know how Ellen is. I have not had nor hear a word from home since I have been here.
We are still at Fort Norfolk and the prospect is that we will stop here some time. This fort is very pleasantly situated on the Elizabeth River and by water, not much more than a rifle shot from the City of Norfolk, but by land I shoiuld think it is about 2 miles. I can go to the City every four days. All we have to do is guard prisoners and attend to the Company Drills. The last named takes up 4 hours per day—two hours in the forenoon and two in the afternoon. The rest of the time I have to myself except every fourth day when I have to go on as Officer of the Guard and see that the prisoners are well guarded. Yesterday they brought in a very smart-looking man. He is or was a surgeon in the rebel army. He was captured over the river.
I think we have about two hundred prisoners in the fort, most of them are rebels. The Union prisoners that are in there are all soldiers and they have [sentences] all the way from three months to twenty years to serve. They are a hard set of men but we get along with them first rate. We have had no trouble with the rebel prisoners at all and all [the trouble] we ever had is with the Union prisoners. But it did not last long as we are well-armed and ready to shoot a few for an example—and [when] they found we would do it, they have backed down and don’t cause any trouble now.
I like it here first rate and I consider myself lucky to get in a place like this as there are only two companies here and don’t have very hard work. The weather here is fine. I have not seen any ice yet and today it is just like summer. It is so warm that a great many of the men are in their shirt sleeves and the birds sing mornings and it seems like May at home.
I had rather stop here than go to Newbern but I want to see Henry [M. Lowe] very much and when you write to him, I wish you would tell him where I can be found if he happens this way. I will write to him too and I think he will get one of the letters at least. I received a very nice present the other night from the members of the guard. It is a fine gold pen and holder. The holder is silver and is it a pen and pencil combined and the whole thing they calculate is worth about six dollars. I feel very much pleased with the present as it came from members of another company.
I also received a number of other presents at Readville before we started but I will not tell you what they were as I am in a hurry now and I have no room to spare. Write or send this to Em and tell her I am well—better than I have been for a year. I have not had an hour’s sickness since I left home and I think I have not felt better for a year than I do now. Give my love to all and tell them I am well.
P. S. Brother Robert: Enclosed you will find one dollar for Andrew P. Wetherbee. It is from Charles C. Sewall and the other man will pay him as soon as he hets some money. My love to all the folks, — Ben
Letter 3
Fort Norfolk, Virginia February 20, 1864
Dear Mother & Sister,
I received a letter from you a few days since [and] also a nice cake which I was glad to receive. I have about one half of it left and at this rate it won’t last long. It is first rate and makes me think of home. I also received a letter from Louisa and some candy from Frank, both of which I was very glad to receive. I thank each of you for your letters so full of interest in my behalf and also for your good advice and I will try and profit by it. And while I am away, I will try to do as near right as I possibly can. And wherever I go and whatever I do, I will try to sustain a good name.
I am still at Fort Norfolk and likely to stop here for some time to come and I want each of you to write as often as you can make it convenient. I have wrote to William twice, but as yet I have received no answer. I guess he has forgot where I stop. When you see him, I wish you would tell him that I have wrote to him twice and have not heard from him since. And tell him that if he ain’t more prompt in answering my letters, I shall call on Ellen.
When you write, I want you to tell me how Ellen is getting on . Also how Mary Ann is. She was sick the last time I saw her. My health is good. I think it is much better than when I left home. I like [it] full as well as I expected I should when I started. I have not received any word from Henry [Lowe] yet. I wrote to him when I first arrived here and have been expecting an answer every day for three weeks but I have about give it up now. When you write, please tell me how he is getting on.
Remember me to each of my brothers and sisters and tell them I am well and ask them to write. They all hear from me once or twice every week but I have to wait sometimes two weeks to hear from them.
The Rockport Boys are well with the exception of one or two who are a little of the hooks.
I feel much pleased with Corp. McKenney. He is a fine smart fellow and I like him first rate. Tell his Mother that he is well and wishes to hear from her or his sisters as often as they can make it convenient to write.
I was very glad to hear that you was well. I was afraid you would be sick after so much trouble but we must not complain. It is all for the best although it is hard for us to think so. But we must console each other with the hope that we shall meet him [Ben’s father] by and by in a better world. Tell Uncle Jack that I wrote to Aunt Peggy a few days since. She wrote to Robert about the same time.
I would write oftener than I do but of late we have so much to do that I get but little time to write. Remember me to Dr. and Capt. Haskell and tell them I am well and after work slacks up a little, they will hear from me. Good night. — Ben
Letter 4
North Branch near Wilmington [North Carolina] March 2nd 1865
Dear Brother & Sisters,
This is the first chance that I have had to write for some time and even now it will [be] impossible for me to write much. I suppose that you have heard all the news about the fall of Wilmington so I will not write much about it. I will only say that we went into Wilmington just as the rebs went out. There was only one brigade ahead of us and this was the first battery into Wilmington and we were not long in going through the city. We did not stop as we were close onto the rebs so we followed them up. We got to the bridge that leads out of Wilmington just as the rebs were setting fire to it. We put two of our guns in position and opened on the men who were trying to burn the bridge. Eight or ten threw down their arms and were taken prisoners and the rest left. So you see that we were just in time to save the bridge. 1
We crossed over and tried to overtake the rebs but we did not do it until just as night when we had a smart skirmish but they got start enough of us to get their force over the river and out of our way. We put our guns on the skirmish line and fought about six hours. I lost three horses out of my section and had the reins shot out of my hand but did not get hurt, but prisoners that we have taken say that we made them leave in a hurry.
Our march through Wilmington was on the 22nd of February. A few days since, I had charge of a squad of men mounted on good horses and went 14 miles into the reb country and returned just at dark with nine reb deserters and a few horses. I had quite a view of the country and was the first Yankee officer who had been so far in that direction. The people were for the Union—or at least they said so. They all sing the same song when the Yanks are around.
I have not received a letter or paper from you for six weeks and have never received but three Gloucester papers. I expect that you will hear from us in another quarter or at least at some distance from here. I think that we will join Sherman’s army now and Schofield commands.
My health is tip top and I feel confident that we will finish the rebellion this year. At any rate, we or the whole army feel that this year will wind up the Southern Confederacy and they are going in with a will. The rebs report that Hoke has lost 700 of his men by desertion since we took Wilmington.
Emily F. (Snow) Blatchford, Ben’s wife
Tell Mother and Lavina not to worry if they don’t hear from me quite so often as they have. Tell them that I will write as often as I can send—that is, if I can get the paper to write with. If we strike for the interior of the country, you may not hear from me for weeks but don’t worry. I think that the rebs will give up this year. If they don’t, I am good for another year or as long as they see fit to fight. Remember me to your Father and Mother, Susan, and all the rest and write often. — Ben
Tell Thomas F. Parsons that I wrote him a long letter a short time since. Write a long letter and let me know how you are getting on. Remember me to Dr. and Capt. Haskell but don’t let anyone see this letter, — Ben
Address letters to me thus:
Lieut. Benj. F. Blatchford, Light Co. E, 3rd U. S. Artillery, General Terry’s Command
1 The army of the Union did not rest at this point, but immediately advanced to press the retreating rebels. The Sixth pushed rapidly forward, skirmishing with the rear guard, and on the 22d of February our forces entered Wilmington in triumph, and drove the rebels in confusion through the city. They fled in the greatest haste, scattering their blankets and knapsacks on the way, but were so closely pursued by the Sixth and other regiments that they had no chance to form for battle till near the outskirts of the city, where they determined to make one more stand. Although they were stubborn, they were finally forced to yield and made their escape across North East [Cape Fear] river. [History of the 6th Connecticut Infantry “Old Sixth Regiment”]
“On February 22nd, the Union army entered the town of Wilmington from the west (Eagle Island in Brunswick County at that time) and from the south (up from Fort Fisher and Sugar Loaf). The Confederates were busy removing commissary stores and Union prisoners awaiting exchange, and the forces still in the general area were ordered to cross the Northeast Cape Fear River north of Wilmington and use the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad to avoid capture.” See North Carolina in the American Civil War.
Letter 5
Camp of Light Company E, 3rd U. S. Artillery near Wilmington, North Carolina March 5th 1865
Dear Brother and Sister,
I have been thinking about writing to you for some time but for various reasons I have put it off until now and even now I shall not write as long as I have but a few moments to spare.
I have been in winter quarters this winter but have been on the move most of the time. I was on the first expedition against Fort Fisher with General Butler’s forces but we did not succeed in taking the fort. I was also on the second expedition with General Terry when he succeeded in taking Fort Fisher. I have been engaged in nearly every move that has taken place since.
On the 22nd of February we marched through Wilmington. I was with the first battery that entered the city. The people appeared glad to see us and some of them waved the Stars and Stripes as we marched through the streets. We did not stop in the city as the rebs went out one side as we came in the other. We followed them up and tried to overtake them and give them battle. We came on the rear guard who were trying to burn the bridge and opened upon them with our artillery and drove them from the bridge and saved it. They had set fire to it in several places but we soon put it out and crossed over and followed them up but did not overtake them until nearly dark. We at once commenced a sharp skirmish and kept it up some hours. We went in position on the skirmish line with our battery just at dark and fought until 10 o’clock. We were close to the rebs but it was so dark they could not see us but they fired at the flashes of our guns, but they fired so high that they did not do us much damage. I had three horses shot on my section. The other sections did not lose so many. One shot took the reins out of my hand but did not hurt me. I expect that we shall catch the rebs one of these days but they run so fast now it is no use to try to catch them. They burnt the railroad bridge but we came on them so quick that they did not have time to burn their pontoon [at the old Northeast Ferry site] so it fell into our hands.
I still have the picture of your little girl. I have had it in my pocket a long time and it is not hurt any. I have had it in my pocket in at least a half dozen engagements.
I think that the war will be over by next fall but we shall see hard fighting this summer. We may meet with a few reverses but we will stick to it and I feel confident that we will come out all right. I am just as much determined to see it through as I was when I first started and I am just as confident of success. Remember me to Uncle Nat, Fred, and all enquiring friends. Yours in haste, — Benj. F. Blotchford
Letter 6
Fort Woodruff, Virginia May 29, 1864
Dear Mother,
I received a letter from you last Friday and was glad to learn that you are well but was very sorry to hear that Louisa was sick. I suppose that you are very much pleased to learn that we—or I—have not been ordered to Richmond yet while the battles have been going on in front of Richmond. We have had very easy times at Fort Woodruff. Nearly all of the troops have been taken from the defenses of Norfolk. We have not over six hundred effective men to defend two forts and about one mile of breastworks. We are in a strong position and except they come in force, they can’t start us.
We had quite a scare here about ten days ago. The report was that the rebels were marching on this place and had been seen that afternoon so we formed the two companies and went into the fort—or at least the two companies with the exception of Lieut. Smith and myself and 30 men. We went into a redoubt about four hundred yards from the fort and manned three brass guns and stood ready to give them the contents of our guns as they came down the road. We stood by our guns until after 12 o’clock midnight and made up our minds that the rebs would not attempt to trouble us that night, so we placed a guard on the outposts and laid down. We lay under the guns while the companies in the fort lay on their arms.
After we had fairly got asleep, the rain fell in torrents and as we had no tents, we got a little damp, One shower would not hardly pass before another would rise and the remainder of the night was very dark except when lit up by sharp flashes of lightning which was followed by heavy rolls of thunder.
In the morning we went back to our camp and have not heard any report of rebs advancing since, and I hardly think we will again for they have all they can attend to at Richmond. We are very pleasantly situated here. I think the Officers and men have got better quarters than I ever saw or had since I have been in the army.
I see by the papers that John’s regiment is with General Butler and has had some hard fighting. I have not received a letter from John since he went to Florida. I have never received a letter from Elizabeth since I left home, or heard a word from her except once. I have never wrote to her and I don’t know as I shall until after I hear from her. I wrote to William, Robert, & Dudley, and have received no answer from either. I am willing and consider it a privilege to write but they must remember that I am just as anxious to hear from them as they are to hear from me and nothing makes a fellow feel better than to receive a letter from home.I don’t have much more spare time than either of them and not a week goes over my head without I write at least 8 or 10 letters. I know that I answer every one in less than three days after i receive them. When they find time, I would like to have them answer and tell me all the news. If they don’t answer, it will look as if they don’t care about my writing anymore.
The health of the Rockport Boys is good. We have but few sick in the company. Solomon Knight is sick and has been for three weeks. I think he has the chronic diarrhea but I would not tell his mother so until we find out for certain. His mother wanted me to write once in awhile as neither of her boys could write and she had no other way of hearing from them. Robert can tell Mrs. Knight that he has heard from them and he will tell their mother.
I am very sorry that I can’t get home for a short time and see how things are going to work. I think that William and Robert will do the best they can by you and if there is any way to avoid selling the house, it will be done for if the house is sold, you will have to sell your things in the shop at a great discount and you won’t be able to hire a shop like that. If I had the money, I would like to have the house but I ain’t got it. We have not been paid off in three months and I don’t know when we shall be paid. I hope and think that it can be managed so as not to sell the house for I had rather live there than in any other place in Rockport and nothing would make me feel worse than to hear that the house was sold. And not only that, the house will not fetch half so much now as it would in times of peace. I wish I was with you to assist in making things right, but it is impossible and we must make the best of it. I always thought that he had enough to get along without selling the house and I hope he has. If you don’t have to sell the house, you can get along very comfortably and between the whole of you, I think that you can manage to keep it. If you can think of anything that I can do to assist you in any way, just let me know it and I will do it with my whole heart.
My health is first rate. You did not say how you liked my picture. I guess you did not know who it was. After I get paid off, I will try to get a better one for you. I received a letter from Em the other day. It had Father’s picture enclosed. I liked it very much and would not part with it for any money.
When you write, let me know how Frank and Willie is getting on. When you or Louisa see George Cleaves or Frank Jacobs, remember me to them and ask them to write. I can’t think of anything more to write any more…From your son, — Ben
Letter 7
Fort Woodruff, Virginia June 19th 1864
Dear Mother & Sister,
I received a letter from you a few days since and was very glad to hear from you. I did not answer it as soon as I received it because I could not find anything to write about. There has been no change with us since I wrote to you before. We are stationed at the same fort and have the same duties to perform day after day. The men in this company certainly can’t complain of hard work. All that they have to do is to keep their equipments clean, drill two hours a day, and go on guard once in five days.
We have not had it what I call hard, or even disagreeable, since we left home and if we don’t have more to do than we have had, the raw recruit in this company will know but little more of the hardships of a soldier’s life than those who have remained at home. Here we have only three men in a tent—or at least most of the tents have only three men in them, and every tent is stockaded and three men has more room that was allowed to twice that number in the 50th [Massachusetts] Regiment.
We have a number of men in this company who was in the old 50th and I and they think that they saw and endured more hardships in that regiment in three months than they will (if it goes on at this rate) in this regiment in three years.
The men in this company enjoy good health. It can’t be otherwise if they are careful what they eat. We have not over (10) ten men on the sick list and most of them were not fit to enter the service. We have two Rockport boys who have been on the sick list most of the time since we left Readville. Their names are John & Solomon Knight from Pigeon Cove. They have been sick and off duty for the last two months but they are getting better and will be returned to duty if nothing happens next week.
I am very glad that you are doing well in the shop. I want you to manage to keep that if you possibly can, and if you can think of any way that I can assist you I want you to write and let me know it and if it is within my power, I will do so. I want you to tell Rob to answer my letter when he ain’t too busy adn tell Ann to write a few lines, and when they and you write, I want you to tell how Mary Ann is getting on. I wrote to Dudley and William some time ago but as yet, I have received no answer. I would like to hear from them if it is not too much trouble to write. I receive letters from Nat every two or three weeks. I think that he begins to feel a little ashamed of talk last fall, and he write good Union letters.I guess that I may put a flea in his ear. I receive plenty of Boston papers every week.
Cousin Erastus keeps me well supplied in reading. This I consider quite a favor and I shall never forget him. It may be my privilege to do him a good turn one of these days. I also receive letters from him quite often.
Tell Ann that I have not seen or heard from Ben yet but I may see him one of these days as the Army is not so far off as it has been and I am located right on the railroad leading to Petersburg and this week I think a great many will pass over everyday and he may have business this way—especially as he is an Orderly. Em sent me one of Father’s pictures. I think that it looks very much like him. I would not part with it for any money. When you have Frank’s taken, I want you to send me one.. After we get paid off I think of having some good ones taken and if I do, I will send some home but Ann must have the first one that arrives….
Remember me to Capt. Haskell and tell them that the boys are getting on first rate. We have lost only one man since we left Readville. Company M is close alongside of us and has lost 4 or 5 men. Remember me to all of the family and tell them that I am well. Yours in haste, — Ben
Letter 8
Fort Woodruff, Virginia July 1864
Dear Mother,
I received your letter a few days since and would answered before this if I could find anything to write about, but with us it is the same duty day after day. At the time I received your letter I was sick. I had the inflammation of the bowels which kept me off duty for a week but I am well now and on duty. I think that I have enjoyed better health than any other officer in these two companies. This is the first sickness that I have had since I left home with the exception of a few days at Fort Norfolk at the time that Father died. I did not do duty then for a few days but before adn since that I have enjoyed good health to to this last sickness. I would write to you oftener but I write to someone at home every week and I always tell them to tell you that I am well and I know that you hear from me often and I did not know but that would answer every purpose, but if you don’t hear from me as often as every week, I will write to you oftener. I receive letters from home every week but I don’t receive many from my own folks. Other folks find time to write to me but I suppose that my own brothers and sisters are too busy. I know that it can’t be any fault of mine for I always answer within a few days after I receive them. I have wrote to Dudley twice but for some reason or other he don’t take the trouble to answer…
I am very sorry to learn that Ellen is no better. I did have great hope that she would get well this summer but now I feel afraid that I shall never see her again. But I still hope that she will find help but it looks rather dark in her case as the longer the cough holds on, the harder it is to cure.
I see that there is a call for five hundred thousand more; that sounds like it. I hope that they will get them in good season. I feel confident that if we have five hundred thousand more sent to the field, that this war will soon be ended and that we will be at home if nothing happens in one year at least. I hope that the boys won’t wait for a draft but will take hold with a will and fill up the quota at once. Nearly all that are able have got to come to it and it is much better to be a volunteer than go as a conscript. The sooner they take hold, the sooner we will get through. As for myself, I shall never give up until we do get through and settled as was intended in the commencement of the war.
I guess that I have wrote to you all you want to hear about war and now I will commence in something else. The man that wrote that all the officers drink with the exception of myself made a mistake. I will speak for one at least—that is Capt. [Frederic A.] Lull. I know that no one in this company ever saw him under the influence of liquor, and I don’t think that he has drank a glass of strong drink for at least three months.
Capt. Frederic A. Lull, 2nd Mass. Heavy Artillery
Capt. Lull and myself are the only two officers with the company. The rest are on detached service. This makes it harder for us but we get along first rate. I hope that Louisa will enjoy better health when she gets back. I don’t think that she will like [it] very well away down East, but it will be quite a voyage for her and Frank and perhaps will do them good. I wonder if she intends to call on Elizabeth when she comes back. If she does, I shall hear from her from Louisa and that is about the only way I ever expect to hear. She must stop at Newburyport when she comes home so as to see the folks and give them a chance to see Frank. I hope that this draft won’t take Henry [M. Lowe] for he has always been on hand and done a good deal of service and he would feel very bad to go as a conscript. And I think it would be too bad as he has always been willing and remained in the service when he could leave as well as not. I think that he has done a good share of duty and I hope that he will get clear and let others go who have remained at home while he has been doing his duty in Uncle Sam’s service. I have not time to write more. Remember me to all and write often.
From your affectionate son, — Benjamin F. Blatchfield
When you write, tell me what hospital John is in. I will either see or write to him. Rockport boys are well.
Letter 9
Fort Woodruff August 10th 1864
Dear Brother[-in-law Henry M. Lowe,]
I received from you some time since and should have answered long ago but you wrote in such haste that I could not make out where you was located and for that reason I have put it off until now, and even now I have my doubts about you receiving this as I am not certain that I direct it to the right place and for that reason I shall write a short letter and wait to see whether I have sent it to the right place or not.
We are still at Fort Woodruff and are very pleasantly situated. We have good and comfortable quarters. The men live in tents but everyone is stockaded and well provided with bunks. The men have but little to do during this hot weather, They have many things to make them comfortable, and I know that many of them are having easier times than they ever had before in their lives, and if we don’t have it rougher than we have had it, the raw recruits will know but little more of the hardships and dangers of a soldier’s life than those who have remained at home.
We have been expecting to be sent to the front but I have about given that up. I have got tired of doing nothing so I have made an application to be sent to the front and I receive an answer last Saturday—to hold myself in readiness to go at any time. I expect to take command of a section in a regular battery. They have sent for another section and if they get it, I am to have command. I have been trying to get to the front for some time but this is the first opportunity that has offered and I am sure of going if they get the section.
About two weeks ago Companies F & M were ordered to Newbern so you see that this company and Company L are the only two companies of this regiment in the State of Virginia and even these expect to go to Newbern before Fall. I don’t want you to let anyone know that I expect to go to the front because they might write home and Mother would hear of it and worry about it. I don’t want her to know until after I have been there some time.
Henry, I have my doubts about closing this war in a hurry. We have too many cowards and traitors at the North. It looks rather dark sometimes but the darker it grows the more determined I am to see it through. I often hear men talk of compromising but they can’t talk it in my quarters. I would order out the best friend I have before I would allow him to favor that in my quarters. It almost makes me mad to hear such talk. I had rather see them take every able man at the North than think of such a thing. Why, how would you, or I, or anyone else feel who has been doing all they could to crush the rebellion to be obliged to compromise and allow the privileges or even a part of the privileges they ask. We have got or have had more than two men to their one, and if we can’t conquer with the men we have got and can get, and are obliged to compromise, we will be looked upon with disgrace by all other nations. And if it was not so, it would be hard to hold up our heads after being obliged to compromise with inferior numbers. I for one would never mention war afterwards and never would admit that I had been a soldier. I shan’t write anymore until I find out how to address you and I shan’t write anymore until after I hear from you. Don’t let anyone see this except your father.
Remember me to all the folks. Ask your father to write. I ain’t heard from him for a long time. — Ben
Letter 10
Bermuda Hundred August 22, 1864
Dear Mother,
I have received a detail to report to the 3rd U. S. Battery which occupied a position on the line about five miles from Bermuda Hundred. This battery was in Mexico at the time of the Mexican War and was commanded by Ringgold; afterward Sherman. But it is now called Hamilton’s Battery. It is a battery that has seen a great deal of service and has a good name. I was detailed here because this battery is short of officers but how long I shall remain here is impossible to tell.
When I left Fort Woodruff my own company was short of officers and for that reason I think that they will make an application to have me sent back to my own regiment but I hope not for I think I shall like it here first rate and if I go back at all, I hope it won’t be until after Richmond is taken or we are ordered into winter quarters.
This battery is in position at the front behind the breastworks and is about 700 yards from the Rebel line. We can see the rebs anytime we look over the breastworks and could pick them off but we have little or no picket firing and both parties show themselves without fear of being shot at. I like it here first rate so far—much better that I did doing nothing at Fort Woodruff. We have not had any firing where this battery is stationed for two days and when they do fire, they don’t do any mischief.
Ben Wetherbee is near me but I don’t know exactly where but I shall see him in a few days. Now if you don’t hear from me every few days, don’t think that I am hurt, or sick. It is not half so sickly here as it is at Fort Woodruff, and I don’t think that I am in half so much danger as I would be if I was at Fort Woodruff. If you see anyone that intends to write to me, tell them to address the letters this:
Light Co. E, 3rd U. S. Artillery Bermuda Hundred, Virginia
I am in the 10th Army Corps. When you write to Henry, tell him where I am and how to direct his letters. Remember me to all. — Ben
Letter 11
Addressed to Mrs. Louisa F. Lowe, Rockport, Mass.
Camp of Light Company E, 3rd U. S. Artillery Before Richmond, Va. November 20th 1864
Dear Mother & Sister,
Your welcome letter was received last night and I hasten to answer. I had been looking for a letter from you for some time and when I received the letter, I was truly pleased. It was a very interesting letter to me, and it contained a good quantity of news. Besides, it was the longest letter that you have written to me since I left home. I also received a note from Henry [Lowe] for which I am very thankful. I also received a package of papers which were full of news. Beside this, I received three Gloucester papers from Henry. The Gloucester papers are very interesting to me for they serve to keep me booked up on what is going on at home. I hope that he can make it convenient to send them quite often. Someone sent me three Boston Travelers last week. I did not know the handwriting and I can’t imagine who it is that sent them but whoever it is, he has my thanks and I hope that he will send more.
We have had a good deal of rain of late and today it rains quite hard adn the mud is quite deep. I am afraid that it will put a stop to this campaign (thatis, for the winter). I wish that we could have good weather for a short time longer so that we might strike one more blow. I think that if we could strike together, Richmond would be ours.
The rebs got the best of our pickets on the Bermuda Hundred line last Thursday night. They got in the rear of our pickets and captured about 150 and held the line all day. Friday night our folks made a charge to retake the line. I understand that we were successful. I could hear the musketry quite plain. They kept up a heavy fire for about 20 minutes or a half an hour. It then ceased. I have not heard whether we captured any prisoners or not.
I have been on court martial duty about two weeks. We got through yesterday. My health is good. I have not lost an hour’s duty since I came to this battery. I received a letter from Capt. Lull the other day. He is at home in Cambridge. He thinks some of calling to see you if he gets able before he goes back. He is at home sick. I am very sorry for him for I think that he is one of the best men that I was ever acquainted with. I think that it is very doubtful about my going back to my old company this winter. If I don’t go back this winter, I don’t want to bo back next summer for I like active service much better than I do garrison duty. Remember me to all the folks and write often.
You wanted to know if Hanna was promoted. I don’t know but I think not. I have not heard that he was. Tell Ben Wetherbee that I rode through his company street yesterday. I went to see the sutler. Saw quite a number of his old company. Remember me to all of the folks and don’t let anyone see this letter except our own folks. Dr. Haskell can read it if he pleases. Also Henry’s folks. But be sure and not let a printer get hold of anything that I write. I don’t get much time to write and when I do write, I write quick and often make a great many blunders.
No news. — Ben
You ask when I shall be at home. I don’t know. I have not been from home a year yet. Write soon.
Letter 12
Federal Point North Carolina February 16, 1865
Dear Friend,
Your welcome letter was received a few weeks since, and your not receiving an answer ere this is not by neglect or careless indifference, but its because I have been on the move and have not had an opportunity to answer half of the letters that i have received.
By your letter I see that you take a great interest in the welfare of the soldiers and especially those from your own town but as I am separated from all of my townsmen, I am unable to give you any account of their movements or conditions. But thinking that it might be of a little interest to you, I will give you a short account of the manner in which I have spent my time since I left home 14 months ago. If you remember, the regiment to which I belong was ordered to Fortress Monroe. We proceeded to that place but did not land as we received orders to go to Fort Norfolk. We were then assigned garrison duty. After remaining at the above named place about 3 months, the Battalion was ordered to proceed to Fort Woodruff and garrison that place. I was left behind in charge of a squad of men to take charge of the fort until Admiral Lee sent an officer to relieve me. I remained in charge of the fort two weeks, then turned it over to Admiral Lee and proceeded to join my company which was at FOrt Woodruff, about two miles from Portsmouth, Virginia. I remained with the company a few days when I was ordered (with a detachment of 50 men) six miles outside of the Union pickets. This was at the Dismal Swamp where a squad of men were at work getting timber for the government. We were to protect them. After about two weeks at the Dismal Swamp, I was relieved and proceeded to join my company which was then fairly settled in garrison.
About this time the Spring Campaign opened and I felt a little anxious to go to the front, but I remained with my company until I got almost disgusted with garrison life. At this time many of my friends were going to the front and I felt unwilling to remain behind. I at once made arrangements to go into the field. Accordingly I joined Battery E, 3rd U. S. ARtillery as commander of a section, and have been with it in every march and every battle, and have not lost an hour’s duty since last July.
I was with the first expedition against Fort Fisher and was one of the number who returned to the Army of the James with a long face because we did not, nor could not, take Fort Fisher.
I was also with the 2nd Expedition against Fort Fisher. Was was unable to land our artillery the first day so I had a fine chance to witness the bombardment which wsa said to be the most terrific of anything of the kind on record. On the 2nd day we landed our artillery to assist in the land attack. A line of works was at once thrown up facing Wilmington, the right resting near the ocean and the left on the Cape Fear River. We knew the rebs had a strong force in our rear and knew that they intended to break our line when the assault was made on the fort. Accordingly our guns were placed in position on this line, our left—or the left of our battery, resting on the Cape Fear river.
We waited anxiously nearly all day for the rebs to come and give us a try. At length we found out they were forming to charge us. After they were formed, the commenced to advance but when they saw our artillery, they gave it up and went back. Deserters from the rebs say that they formed twice to charge us but gave it up. This battery is one that I have read about before I came to war. It was Ringgold’s Battery in the Mexican War; afterwards Sherman’s. And now Hamilton’s Battery. It is considered one of the best batteries in the United States.
Last Saturday we had a little fighting and advanced on line about two miles nearer Wilmington. The loss on the part of the line where I was was light—not over 75 killed and wounded. I think that we shall start again soon and not make much of a stop this side of Wilmington.
While I am writing this, our troops are having a brush over the river, It may end in the storming of Fort Anderson. The gunboats are shelling the fort. If we are successful in taking Fort Anderson, we can take Wilmington very easy. We are closing in on the rebs on all sides. Thomas, Grant, and others with their armies will make a peace that will last. I feel glad that Old Abe is going to fight it out. The soldiers never were more determined or more confident of success. Nearly all go in for fighting it out. As for myself, I never had a doubt but we would be successful. All that we have to do is stick to it and we’ll surely conquer.
But as I have but a little time to spare, I will say no more about the war or its prospects as you have the papers and have a better chance to judge than I do. I must draw this to a close without stating half that I intended to or answering half of your questions. But the next time I will do better if I have a chance to write. Now I have hardly half of a chance. I wish that you would let mother know that you have received a letter from me adn tell her that I will write to her as soon as I can get envelopes and tell her that that is the reason that I have not written to her before. I feel very thankful to you for your kind letter and your good advice and would be very happy to have you write often. I don’t get many letters since I came on thus expedition. I have not received a letter or paper from home for over two weeks and we have seen no New York papers since the 4th. So you see that we know but little of what is going on in the world.
Remember me to Mr. Brooks and all enquiring friends. Very respectfully yours, — Benjamin F. Blatchford
Don’t let anyone see this as it was wrote in great haste.
The following letters were written by Ivory Lane (1842-1869), the son of Andrew Lane (1818-1899) and Susan S. Simpson (1820-1894) of Rockport, Essex county, Massachusetts. Ivory enlisted as a private in Co. G, 8th Massachusetts Infantry in mid-July 1864 and served for 100 days. The regiment spent most of their time in Baltimore where it guarded the Northern Central Railroad from attack by Confederate guerillas. After a brief garrison and provost duty in the city of Baltimore, the Eighth returned to Massachusetts and was mustered out of Federal service on November 10, 1864.
As I had a few minutes to spare, I thought I would write a few lines to let you know that I am well and all the rest of the Rockport Boys. I have been on guard so I ain’t had much time to write before.
We was on dress parade this morning. It is hot as the Devil out here now. We have had orders to be ready to move any moment. We had forty rounds of cartridges given us [this] morning.
I must close. Direct your [letters] to me: Co. G, 8th Regt. Massachusetts Vols., Baltimore, MD
Letter 2
Camp near Baltimore [Maryland] August 6 [1864]
I thought I would write you a few lines to let you know that I got your letter last night. I an d all the Rockport Boys are well.
I thought I would send my boots home as I didn’t have much room to care [for] them. Don’t let the boys wear my boots because I want them when I get home. I like [it] out here first rate.
Pvt. Raines arrived here today.
Letter 3
[At some point someone tried to trace the pencil handwriting with a ballpoint pen and made it more difficult to transcribe correctly]
Anamessex [Annapolis?] October 16 [1864]
Dear Father,
I now take this time to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well and hope these few lines will find you all the same. There ain’t nothing going on here so I can’t write much. The Rockport boys are all well and fat as pigs. I had a letter from Andrew this week and he said he hadn’t had a letter from you some some time. He is well.
I shall soon be at home now as my time is up the 3rd November. We expect the steamer here everyday to fetch us home or take us to Baltimore.
We can get the mail here but once a week so you won’t have time to answer this. From your son, — Ivory Lane
The following letters were written by Solomon Hege (1813-1875) or his wife, Catharine Guenther (1813-1874) of Midway, Davidson County, North Carolina, during the Civil War. They were written to their son, Constantine Alexander Hege (1843-1914) who was in the Confederate service. Constantine was raised as a Moravian and was naturally opposed to the war, but he was never the less obliged to enlist in the summer of 1862 in Co. H, 48th North Carolina Infantry. He served for 14 months during which time he was captured at the Battle of Bristoe Station on 14 October 1863 and was confined in the Old Capitol Prison in Washington. While there he was visited by some North Carolina Moravians working in the capitol, and under their guidance, Hege decided to take the oath of allegiance to the United States. After his release, he went to Bethlehem, Pa., where he found employment in the iron works.
A few of the letters were written by Mary Louisa Hege (1848-1920). She married Samuel Alexander Burke (1848-1925) in 1871.
See also—1862-63: Constantine Alexander Hege to his Family below:
Midway [Davidson, North Carolina] September 6th 1862
My dear son,
I avail myself of the present opportunity to write to you to let you know how we all are. We are all quite well and hope that when these few lines reach you it may find you enjoying the same blessing. Elisha Raper’s youngest child [William A. Raper] died with a brain fever and is to be buried at eleven o’clock today at Olivet and Mary is going and take Mary Chitty with her who is here on a visit.
We heard that Solomon Wilson 1 had run away from the army and his mother is troubled about it for she has not heard from him in some time. When you write again, you must tell us whether he is with you or not, and let us know if you ever see or hear anything of Daniel Wilson. 2 Mr. Joseph Delap was married to Daniel Wagoner’s daughter 3 on the 4th of this month and your father saw them at the Widow Vehrel’s sale.
Alec [David Alexander] Spaugh 4 run away from camp but he didn’t get home for the guard caught him and gave him 24 lashes and sent him back so it didn’t do him much good to runaway and I think they had better be contented and stay where they are. And I do hope that you may always be contented and put your trust in the Lord and He will protect you from all danger and harm.
We have a great many watermelons this year and whenever we eat one, we think of you and wish you had some of them and of the nice peaches and apples that are wasting here. Mary has returned from the burying and on the road home thy overtook Uncle Christian Spaugh and rode with him in the buggy. He heard that Theophilus 5 was sick in the hospital and he thinks he will go to see him next Wednesday with Mr. Jordan Ruminger.
We would be glad to send you a box of provisions if we were certain you would get it safely. Next time you write, let us know what you want and what you are in need of and if it is in our power to send it, you shall have it. I must stop writing for I have not anything more that would interest you.
[Your brother] Julius is in the meadow raking hay and we are all busy drying fruit for there is lots of it here and a wasting here too. How I wish you had some of it. Selene Faw said I should tell you howdy and sad she wished you well and hoped you would soon return.
Much love from all of us and write soon to your affectionate, — Mother
1 Solomon Wilson (b. 1842) was conscripted with Constantine Hege on 8 August 1862 in Co. H, 48th North Carolina. His military record indicates that he was taken prisoner at Sharpsburg, Maryland and paroled on 10 October 1862. He did not return to the regiment, however, until 6 August 1863 and then deserted to the enemy on 6 March 1865, after which he took the oath of allegiance.
2 Daniel Wilson (Solomon’s older brother) served as a private in Co. H, 15th North Carolina Infantry. He was conscripted in mid-July 1862, became sick almost immediately, but joined his regiment in time to participate in the Battle of South Mountain where he was taken prisoner on 14 September, sent to Fort Delaware, later paroled and then hospitalized at Richmond until his death of scurvy on 11 November 1862.
3Joseph Franklin Delap (1837-1917) was married to Ann Elizabeth Wagoner on 3 September 1862 according to Davidson county Marriage Records. Joseph was commissioned (by election) a 2nd Lieutenant in Co. H, 48th North Carolina Infantry on 5 May 1862. He resigned his commission on 15 August 1862 claiming that he had been experiencing a “violent sickness” and returned home to marry Ann.
4 David Alexander (“Alec”) Spaugh (1837-1900) was the son of Christian Spaugh (1803-1885) and his first wife, Sarah Tesch (1772-1844). After Christian’s first wife died, he married Catherine Hege (1811-1862) who died on 25 November 1862. In June 1863, David joined Co. B of the 10th Virginia Cavalry. He may have initially served in Co. I, 33rd North Carolina Infantry.
5 Theophilus Thomas Spaugh (1843-1913) was the son of Christian Spaugh (1803-1885) and his second wife, Catherine Hege (1811-1862). Theophilus was conscripted in July 1862 into Co. F, 15th North Carolina Infantry and was hospitalized in Richmond on 25 August 1862 and was absent without leave quite a bit of his time.
Letter 2
Addressed to C. A. Hege, Richmond, Va., In care of Capt. Michael, 48th Regiment N. C. Troops, Company H
Davidson County, North Carolina September 11, 1862
My dear son C. A. Hege,
Yours of the 30th of September [August] came to hand this evening. I am glad to hear you are well for many anxious care and thought crosses my mind concerning you & for all the rest of you, but with all my care, I lean upon the Lord who alone can support us through all the trials & troubles of life. I hope you have that confidence in God’s word & promises that you can under all circumstances with childlike confidence put your trust in the Lord, let what may befall. All things shall work together for good to them that love the Lord Jesus. Therefore, serve God and be cheerful though rough & stormy be the road. Still look to Jesus.
I am sorry to hear our letters do not all reach our conscript friends as they complain often that they get no letters from home. It appears from all letters I hear read [that] your provisions are shamefully scanty. Why is it so? I have often wished to send some peaches, &c., but there is no chance unless by Express. Then freight is so high. Yet if I knew that you would get them before rotting, I would send some to you.
Uncle Christian Miller & [Rev.] Jordan Rominger have put off going to Richmond because others could not get conveyance from Richmond on to their relations. As for my part, I could not hold up as I am not able to labor much. However, we are tugging along with our work on a small scale. Not a hand can be hired for mowing grass. Sam and Alec are making hay but half won’t be cut until I can get hands. Each man has more work than he can do to save hay for himself and Congress has passed a law demanding all men under 35 as conscripts—none exempt (suppose you know it) and not allowed to have substitutes—except carpenters are allowed substitutes so railcars can be built it is supposed—so the papers say.
If many more have to go into the army, man and beast will suffer for food. But I do hope & pray that the war will soon close. Oh! that all would plead with God to interpose & bring this war to a close in the best way possible to all involved in it. I heard yesterday with pleasure that there is a proposal being made in the North that may prove favorable to bring the war to a close. It is said it is proposed to have an assembly of delegates from every state of both North and South in order to deliberate and discuss plans and proposals for a better way of settling the war than fighting. Oh that the Lord would give them all a willing heart to close the war in the right way. How many sorrowing hearts at home & abroad would be lifted up with joy & praise to God.
Great God whose powerful hand can bind The raging waves, the furious wind, Oh bid the human tempest cease And hush the warring realm to peace.
I have but little general news to write, however I will give a few items. Our wheat made 194 bushels. The weather is dry. We have plowed only 10 acres for wheat. We have harrowed oats in the 8 acre field towards Walks amidstern. I want to sow oats in both oat fields at Scott’s. Wheat is elling at 3 dollars and 25 cents per bushel. Confederate money scarcely can be passed anymore. I would like to know how many ran away of our acquaintances. None have yet been seen about home. What have you done with your medicine? Do you carry it along or what? How do you rest at night? Can you avoid exposure? Be careful in exposure in damp and chilling situations. I am tired and must bring my letter to a close. We are in common health hoping you enjoy the same. If you get unwell, make your apology. Now may the Lord’s goodness and mercies keep you under his kind guardian care. Give my best respects to all acquaintances. Tell them to cast their cares upon the Lord.
Yours, &c. — Solomon Hage
Letter 3
[Davidson county, North Carolina] September 28, 1862
My dear Son,
I now have the opportunity of writing to you stating that we are all about in common health and hoping that you enjoy the same good blessing. We received no letter from you since that which was wrote August 30th. We wrote two since that but we don’t know whether you ever got them. Now I will tell you about home.
We are done drying fruit but we have a plenty apples and peaches yet. In making hay, we can’t get along for we have the whole upper meadow to cut yet but I don’t think it will get made for we have to make our molasses. Too much plowing has to be done for it was so dry, it could not be done in right time and no hands to so it and your father is hindered very much a riding about to see the sick.
Now, I [will] tell you something about Uncle Christian Spaugh’s boys. [Solomon] Augustus 1 died the 9th of September and Emanuel 2 came home on the 22 of this month very sick with the typhoid fever. He lays very low at this time. He come afoot nearly all the way. Craver’s boys 3 came home and several more.
Please excuse my bad spelling and writing for you know I am not in practice but I hope and pray that the good Lord may protect you from all danger if you humble yourself in prayer in Christ. Your affectionate mother, — C. Hege
I now take my pen in hand to inform you that I am tolerable well at present and hope that when these few lines reach you, may find you well. I was at Friedburg [N. C.] today and Sam Foltz, 4 Frank Foltz, Mike Swim was killed. Solomon Tesch and Frank Foltz 5 was wounded and Solomon Tesch 6 is on his way home.
We have made some of our molasses but we have a heap more to make. We want to make some this week. The peaches and apples are almost all gone. Me and Julius was always in hopes that you would get home before they was all gone. Julius gives his best respects and love to you and wishes that you could come home. So no more at present. Please write soon. If there is any killed and wounded that you know of, write to us.
Yours truly, sister M. L. Hege
1 Solomon “Augustus” Spaugh was the eldest of six children of Christian Spach (became Spaugh) (1803-1885) and Catharine Hege Spaugh (1811-1862), who married on 31 Oct 1833 at Davidson County, North Carolina. Augustus was a private in Co. B (Thomasville Rifles), 14th North Carolina Infantry.
2 Emanuel Jacob Spaugh was the third of six children of Christian Spach (became Spaugh) (1803-1885) and Catharine Hege Spaugh (1811-1862), who married on 31 Oct 1833 at Davidson County, North Carolina. Emanuel was conscripted into in Co. F, 15th North Carolina Infantry. He became sick soon after entering the service and was reported absent without leave since 29 August 1862. He eventually returned to the regiment but was taken prisoner in the Battle of Bristoe Station on 14 October 1863 and not exchanged until 3 May 1864.
3 Alexander Rowan Craver (1812-1901) had two sons (Nelson and Frank) conscripted into Co. D, 15th North Carolina Infantry. They both deserted on 21 August 1862.
4 Samuel A. Foltz (1841-1862) was the son of John Theophilus Foltz and Ann Melvina Hartel (1821-1882) of Davidson county, North Carolina.He might have been in the 33rd North Carolina?
5 Francis (“Frank”) M. Foltz was a brother of Samuel Foltz. He was conscripted into Co. D, 15th North Carolina Infantry in July 1862 and wounded two months later in the Battle of South Mountain on 14 September 1862. He was missing and assumed dead until later when it was learned he had been taken prisoner to Fort Delaware and exchanged on 10 November 1862.
6 Solomon Tesch was listed on the muster rolls of Co. H, 15th North Carolina as “Tesh.” He was wounded in the fighting at South Mountain on 14 September 1862 and furloughed for 60 days. He returned to his regiment and was present for duty until his death on 18 December 1864 in a Richmond hospital.
Letter 4
[Midway, Davidson county, North Carolina] October 12, 1862
Dear Brother,
I now take my pen in hand to inform you that I am well at present and hope that when these few lines reach your hands, [they] may find you enjoying the same state of health. We have made some of our molasses but we haven’t made it all yet. Nelson Craver and Frank Craver, [and] Thomas Esie has run away from camp and they are at home now. And the officers are a hunting for them but they haven’t caught them yet. Thomas Cecil & Wesley Cecil 1 have run away from camp and they are at home now. Solomon Tesch—he came home September 30th with a furlough. He was wounded in the side but not bad. John Hanes died last Monday with the typhoid fever. Pappy doctored on him and they sent for Dr. Dosset last Sunday. He couldn’t do him any good for he died on Monday afternoon.
Antoinette Berriers’ oldest child died October 4th and was buried on Sunday at Shiloh [United Methodist Church Cemetery]. It died with the sore throat. 2
Catharine Weisner wrote one letter to you and she hasn’t received any answer yet. She don’t know whether you ever got it or not. A[nna] M[aria] Pickle 3 said that I should tell you howdy for her and that she would like to hear from you but she is in hopes that you will all come home before long.
We get along but slow with the work. We have not made the upper meadow of grass yet and are sowing wheat. They have sold one field. We can’t get nobody to work but we got Daniel Miller a couple days and Aleck and Sam. Aleck said that I should tell you howdy for him and he hopes that you will come back before long and hten you can tell us more about the things there.
Fanny Brinkley–she is here now and she said that I should tell you howdy for her and she wishes you well and hopes that you will soon return home again for she hasn’t forgotten you yet and she wants to know whether you know anything about Elijah Scott and Sandy Scott. And if you do, she wants you to write.
Do you know where Solomon Wilson is or not? And do you hear anything from Daniel Wilson or not? We haven’t heard anything from him in a long time. So I must bring my few lines to a close. Please write soon.
Your affectionate sister until death, — M. L. H.
1 Thomas and Wesley Cecil were conscripted into Co. K, 48th North Carolina Infantry. They both deserted on 14 August 1862 and did not return until 15 June 1863. They deserted to the enemy in September 1864.
2 Antoinette (“Atney”) Elizabeth Spaugh (1836-1882) was married to Henderson Charles Wesley Berrier (1833-1862) in 1857. Their eldest child was Wilson Franklin Berrier (1858-1862). Antoinette was the daughter of Daniel and Catherine (Fishel) Spaugh.
3 Anna Maria Pickle (b. 1845) was the daughter of Christian David Pickle (Beckel) and Louisa Lashmit of Davidson county, North Carolina. She was married to Theophilus Thomas Spaugh (1843-1913) in 1868.
Letter 5
[Midway, Davidson county, North Carolina] Tuesday, October 14, 1862
My dear son C. A. Hege,
I took my pen in hand to inform you that we are all well at present and hoping that these few lines will find you likewise for we hear of so many sick ones that I am always afraid that you will get sick too for Wesley Mock is sick so long already and Henry Weaver. They are both at Richmond as far as we know and Jessie Knouse came home crippled with the rheumatism. He looks very bad and Emanuel Spaugh—he is at home sick with the typhoid fever, but he is on the mend.
Maria Spaugh and her mother have the typhoid fever. They are very low and a god many more. And the diphtheria is very bad for the Berrier’s family had it a most all and so many children died in Salem with it. Little Ellen Mining died with that compaint. The Mariad people’s festival was today, the 12th, and I was at meeting and I heard Brother Daniel Spaugh say that they haven’t heard nothing of Louis Spaugh since they crossed the Potomac. If you can hear anything of him. Please write to me and I will tell them. I am sorry to hear that you don’t get our letters for I have sent three already and I would send a heap more if you would get them for I lay many a hour sleepless and think about your condition. If we only could hear that there would be any hopes for peace before long for I am afraid it will kill you all to lay out all winter and fare like dogs.
Christian Spaugh sent a substitute for Theophilus if they will receive him—Old Mr. Shusky—but we are doubtful whether they will take him and they sent for Augustus’s body to be brought home and to be buried at Friedburg.
About the price of things, wheat sells at 4 and 5 dollars per bushel, hay at 1 dollar per hundred, molasses at 2 dollars per gallon, sugar at 75 cents per pound, and spun cotton at 5 dollars a ….and everything in proportion.
You want to know about the protracted meetings. There was a 2-days meeting at Olivet in September and at Hopewell, but Friedburg, I don’t know. They talk about having one but I don’t know when. Mr. Frye says that they had a great revival at Philadelphia at their protracted meeting. I hope and pray that you may have revivals among you out there too. Oh! if it only could peace be made and you all could return home again. Oh then we could have meetings for joy and gladness and thank the good Lord over and over. Oh, it pains my heart to hear of so much bloodshed.
I want you to write as soon as you get this letter to me what you need of clothing, stockings, or anything else. Mr. Wesner says as soon as you all get to Richmond, he is a going to come out there to see you all. then I hope I can send some things.
Please excuse my bad spelling and writing for you know I hab’t in practice at all but as to you, I thought I write a few lines. But I must bring my letter to a close.
Remain your dear Mother until death, — Catharine Hege
Just as I finished my letter come news to me that little William Berrier died yesterday (13th) and was buried at Shiloh [Cemetery[ today. He was sick nine days. They send for Pap a Sunday evening but in the morning he died.
Letter 6
[Midway, Davidson county, North Carolina] October 25, 1862
Dear brother,
I now take my pen in hand to inform you that I am well at present and hope that when these few lines reach your hands, may find you enjoying the same state of health. I received a letter from you today which gave me much pleasure to hear from you. The commission officers caught Andrew Berrier 1 at his Father’s house day before yesterday evening. They [have] taken him to Lexington and Mr. Berrier gave his bond of two thousand dollars that Andrew should go back to his company next Friday again. Adam Spaugh’s child died day before yesterday and was buried yesterday and Mary Spaugh, his wife, is very low with the diphtheria. They do not think that she will ever get well again. 2
Rebecca Fishel died last Wednesday and was buried on Thursday at Friedburg. William Raper’s youngest child has the diphtheria yet and David Berrier’s family has the diphtheria yet and David Barrier has the fever. Eli Weaver came home. He was wounded in the leg and they think that the bullet is in his leg yet. 3 Little Henry Disher and little George Tesch came home last Saturday.
I haven’t dug you ground peas and grassnuts yet but I will next week and I will send you some if I can.
I am a going to preaching tomorrow. Mr. Leineback is to preach at Friedburg. We are a gathering the corn in the orchard to sow it in wheat. There are a heap of gourds in it. There are some large ones and some small ones.
We received a letter from Daniel Wilson last Saturday. He stated that he was taken as a prisoner on the Sunday fight and they was paroled and sent to Richmond. And his mother got one from Solomon and he said that he was a prisoner too but he expected to go to his company before long.
I must bring my letter to a close so no more at preset. Here I will send you some papers. We are not allowed to send more than one sheet or I would send more. So no more at present. Giving you my best love and respect, please write soon. Your sister, — M. L. Hege and brother J. A. Hege
October 26, 1862
My dear son,
I now take my pen in hand to write a few lines to you that we are all well at present and hoping that these few lines will find you likewise in health. Now I will tell of my [ ]. George Hege was at our our Tuesday the 21st and bought a lot of our chickens and ducks and guineas for we had to sell them nearly all because they sowed wheat all round the barn. I and Selena took them down to them the 24th and came back on the 25th and Selena was very sick with the headache and just as we came home Solomon Tesch brought your letter from the office. We was very glad to hear from you which was dated the 17th. If we only could make it that you would get our letters quicker for we write a good many for they are always old before you get them.
Alexander Hege and his daughter Fannie (ca. 1880). Alexander was blinded at the Battle of Antietam when a bullet grazed his eyes and nose.
Now I will tell you something about the sick that came home with a furlough. Wesley Mock came home very sick last Thursday and Alexander Hege came home wounded very bad for he was shot across his eyes and nose 4 and it is said that Henry Weaver 5 is very sick in the hospital but we think he will come home next week.
We heard Christian Disher is very sick at the hospital at Richmond and a good many more, but it is said that some good news came in the papers for some prospect of peace before long. I hope and pray that it may be so. I hope that the good Lord will decide it before long for He knows which side is right and that side will gain it for the big men will never settle this war if they don’t call on the almighty and all of us for Him to settle it and humble ourselves in prayer. Lord grant it that it may be so before long for there is so many precious lives lost.
“….some good news came in the papers for some prospect of peace before long. I hope and pray that it may be so. I hope that the good Lord will decide it before long for He knows which side is right and that side will gain it for the big men will never settle this war if they don’t call on the almighty and all of us for Him to settle it and humble ourselves in prayer.”
— Catherine (Guenther) Hege, 26 October 1862
We heard yesterday of 3 men had run away from the company three times and they caught them every time and now they are a going to shoot them next Friday. It is horrid to think about it. Don’t try to run away. Try to hold out faithful and pray to the good Lord that He shall be with you through all the troubles and difficulties and bring you safe home again and He will do so if it isHis will that we shall meet at home again. And if we don’t meet on earth, we hope and pray that we may meet in Heaven above where there is no parting no more. And I hope you remember your dear Mother in your prayers.
I want to send you pair of pants and a pair of stockings and a haversack and book sack and your gloves. I want you to answer this letter as quick as you get this letter for I want you to write whether you want your overcoat out there. I will send you a blanket. Write whether you need a shirt and drawers.
I must bring my letter to a close but remain your dear Mother until death. — C. Hege
A few words of [your brother] Julius. He is well at present and he pities you very much. Often he says, if only Constantine had some of it when he has got something good. He caught one rabbit in the [ ] last week. He plowed a couple rounds and he is helping out in the field right smart. Today we had a very cold rainy day. I hope it was not so bad with you for it was too bad to be out all day without shelter. I was a thinking about you many a time the day through. Your Father sent 20 dollars in a letter last Monday, the 20th. Cast yourself upon the Lord in prayer and avoid evil company is my wish. Please excuse my bad spelling and writing for you know I am not in practice. So no more but remain your dear Mother until death.
1 Andrew Berrier (1836-1894) was the son of Charles Berrier (1810-1873) and Susanna Shoaf (1814-1886) of Lexington, Davidson county, North Carolina. Andrew was married in March 1859 to Sarah Ann Waitman and their first-born child was named Laura Ann, born in the spring of 1860. Andrew was conscripted into Co. B, 49th North Carolina Infantry in July 1862. He deserted from a hospital and did not return to the regiment until late February 1863. He was taken prisoner in the Battle of Sand Ridge (N. C.) on 20 April 1863 and deserted parole camp at Petersburg, Va., in late May 1863. He was arrested and thrown in the guard house at Weldon, N. C. in December 1863 and finally discharged from the service.
2 The child’s name was Beatus “Baby Boy” Spaugh (18 Sept 1862-23 Oct 1862), the son of James “Adam” Spaugh (1838-1863) and Mary Elizabeth Berrier (1841-1908). As you can see from the birth-death dates, Mary did not die of the diphtheria but lived until 1908. Her husband Adam, however, died of typhoid fever on 10 May 1863 in Richmond while in the Confederate service.After Adam’s death, Mary remarried to William Franklin Vogler (1843-1901).
3 Elias (or “Eli”) Weaver (1833-1916) was the son of John Weaver and Ann Hoffman. He was conscripted into Co. H, 48th North Carolina Infantry in early August 1862 and was wounded five weeks later in the Battle at Sharpsburg, Maryland on 17 September 1862. He did not return to the regiment until April 1863.He was wounded again in December 1864.
4 Alexander J. Hege was conscripted into Co. K, 15th North Carolina Infantry in July 1862 and was wounded in the Battle at Sharpsburg, Maryland, on 17 September 1862. He was sent home to North Carolina on furlough with the annotation “both eyes out” in the muster rolls. He was illiterate and signed company rolls with an “x.” He never returned to the service.His obituary notice in the Winston-Salem Journal of 2 October 1920 claimed that the wound he received at Sharpsburg “made him totally blind” and that he bore this affliction “bravely and patiently fr fifty-eight years.”
5 Henry F. Weaver served in Co. B of the 5th North Carolina Infantry.
Letter 7
[Midway,] Davidson county, North Carolina Sunday afternoon, November 2, 1862
My Dear Son C. A. Hege,
On yesterday I expected to hear from you but received no letter at the office and now have a few minute’s leisure so I will drop a few lines to you. We received yours dated October 17th—one sheet for Mary and one for Julius. They sent you a letter by Charles Fishel a few days ago.
As you said you had orders to march next morning, I have wished to hear from you so I could arrange to send your blanket and other things for your comfort against exposure. on last Sunday night we had a cold, rainy, stormy night. We could rest but little because of the thought how is Constantine sheltered in this dreary night. With heart uplifted in prayer to God, we remembered you. On Tuesday morning I saw ice half an inch thick in a trough. This sudden cold effected me with much lameness and pain through my body as it formerly has, however I am tugging along part of the time after hte plow sowing wheat. It is uphill business to get along with our work, No hand to hire (and my little Aleck says Mike gets 9 dollars per month and I must have that if you must have me still to work for you0. You may imagine the work and the trouble is bearing heavy upon us all at home as well as in the army.
Oh, the moaning, sighs and mourning and weeping and sad lamentation that meets my sight almost wherever I go. But I trust and hope still in a prayer hearing & answering God who has permitted this calamity to come, ad only who in His own good time will restrain the wrath of men in answer to the fervent effectual long continued prayers of His people in behalf of the distress & perplexity of our once far-famed country. Then let us earnestly cry and never faint in prayer. He sees, He hears, and from on high will make our cares His care.
While war and woe prevail, and desolation wide in God the sovereign Lord of all, the righteous will confide.
To thee oh Lord, to thee alone. We look for help while drowned in tears. Send down salvation from the throne. Subdue our hearts and remove our fears. Many are the promises of God to those who put their trust in God. I admonish you therefore to cast your care upon the Lord. Turn your back to evil. Hold fast that which is good. be kind to all. Avoid getting into battles if possible. Pray God to direct you.
“Avoid getting into battles if possible….Perhaps you can get into some other employ so you may not have to bear arms. It is so painful to me to think you must be compelled to try to kill a fellow mortal. May God in mercy keep you from doing evil and direct you in the way you should go.”
—Solomon Hege, 2 November 1862
Perhaps you can get into some other employ so you may not have to bear arms. It is so painful to me to think you must be compelled to try to kill a fellow mortal. May God in mercy keep you from doing evil and direct you in the way you should go.
Theophilus Spaugh, I am told, is still about the hospital near Culpeper. His Father has sent a substitute but they would not receive him. I am told he had paid about two hundred dollars to Old Shurkey who was to be the substitute. The balance was to be left at the Bank in Salem for him.
I sent enclosed 20 dollars in a letter to you on the 20th of October. I hope you will get it to spend for what is most needed till I can send things necessary for you. I would by all means have you comfortable in body and cheerful in God, let what may be His purpose and will. I believe all things shall work together for good to them that love the Lord.
Henry Meser is still in the hospital lame in one knee with rheumatism but helping to wait on table for the sick there at Leesburg. Henry Mock is at Petersburg. His fare is cornbread and beef. Aleck Mock and Andrew Berrier are going to their company again. The rest of them have not been seen in public yet. The officers frequently are searching for runaways but get few of them. Poor fellows. God have mercy on all of us & them. By your Father, — Solomon Hege
Letter 8
[Midway, Davidson county, North Carolina] December 7, 1862
My dear brother C. A. Hege,
We was anxiously from one Saturday till the other looking for a letter from you but we didn’t receive any. Father sent one with Mr. Weisner three weeks ago and he sent one with Mr. C. Peramon November the 26th in hopes that he would get to see you so that you could tell him all about whether you received your money and box of clothing and provisions which was sent by Mr. Weisner.
Father was taken very severe last Sunday morning the 30th with chills and typhoid fever. He is very weak but I hope it will soon make a change that he will get better. The rest of us are all well at present and hoping that when these few lines reach your hands may find you enjoying good health. It is a very serious time for so many of our neighbors are sick. Uncle Christian [Spaugh] is not much better yet and Mr. Berrier is very low withthe typhoid fever. Pheba Tesch and one of her girls is a lingering very low with the same fever for several weeks already.
Now I would like o know whether you have to lie out all winter without tents like brutes. There are so many a coming home and I think you would better all gone home. We heard that Ransom Sink and William Bike and several more come home last week and Hill’s boys and a good many more. But now they say Colonel Clinerd received orders to call the men out from 18 to 40. The Lord only knows what will become of us all if this war keeps on much longer.
Julius said that I should write that he caught a possum in his rabbit gum and 12 rabbits. He is offered 50 cents per dozen for the skins. He has 4 gums a setting. He says a many a time if only Constantine would be here to help me set the gums, I could catch more. Julius always says that he hopes that you will come home before Christmas.
And if Sunday morning comes, I feel sorry that you can’t go with me to Friedburg to meeting like we used to. Oh, I hope and pray that the good Lord will soon stop this war and let you all come home again. Please excuse my bad writing. Please write soon. your sister, — Mary L. Hege
Letter 9
Davidson county, North Carolina Monday, December 15, 1862
My dear son C. A. Hege,
I was pleased on Saturday last to receive a letter from you dated November the 29th in which you state that you received 20 dollars in one letter and also 25 dollars in another from Lieutenant Smith. I am glad you received it so you can have the good of it But I am sorry from what you write & from what C. M. Periman told me you told him that your box of clothes and eatables had not yet been received by you. I do hope you have it by now. If Mr. Periman would only carried your box but I sent it without delay by the first opportunity but Mr. David Weisner could not get to you—you being on a march to Hanover Junction, I think, and he was told by some of the leading men to leave your box at Gordonsville & you could easily get permission to come to Gordonsville and get your box of goods, &c., and convey it to your camp. You ought to begged permission forthwith to go to Gordonsville & search at every depot till you got the box by all means. You will know the box if you see it. It is planly directed to you as your letters are that I have been sending. It is the same box with raw hide hadles at each end which I had brought from Macon, Georgia, with medicine which you helped to carry from C. Berrier’s one evening last winter. Br. Weisner also wrote to you in a letter containing the 25 dollars where he left the box so you could go to Gordonsville & get it.
Surely if you appeal to your officers, they will assist you in getting your box of clothing &c. Surely they will not suffer it to be lost. It is of course their duty to assist you to procure the box with its contents for your use. It contains 1 blanket, 1 hat, 1 pair of the best made shoes, 1 pair pants, 1 pair drawers, 1 cotton shirt, 1 woolen shirt, 1 vest, pair socks, 1 pair gloves, 4 pocket handkerchiefs, 1 book and haversack, some medicine, some paper, some envelopes, and postage stamps and ink and every corner of the box was crammed tight with eatables such as dried peaches, apples, potatoes, sweet bread, pies, butter tin bucket, coffee pot with coffee, chestnuts, grassnuts, ground peas, peach cobbler, &c. onions, garlic, *c. and now if you have not yet got your box, I urge upon you to attend to it with the most pathetic appeals to your officers to assist you in getting it without delay. It is of too great value to be lost.
I was pleased to hear that the 15th Regiment is placed in your brigade so you have the pleasure of being with many of the neighboring friends to console each other & cheer up amidst hardships. Tell the dear acquaintances you named in your letter I wish and pray that the good Lord may keep you all under His kind protection.
As to Daniel Wilson, I have not heard from him since October the 14th. He wrote to me from Camp Lee near Richmond where he was kept guarded like many others that were paroled prisoners.
As to your box of wonders, caps, &c. set by William Swaim, it came to hand and was carefully examined by Julius over and ver again. Henry Messer is come home having a full discharge, it is said. Next Saturday they will enroll conscripts up to 40 [years old- to take into the army, it is said. It is doubtful whether they will be driven from their homes into the camps. It is said many have left the camps and gone home & keep concealed. The officers seldom catch any though frequently hunting and searching for them. I must close as I am very weak. I have been severely sick several weeks with fever. Your Mother nursed me with tender care till se was taken down sick with the same disease but thank God, she is some on the mend again. We are both able to be up part of the time. I still have sticking pains in my right side of my chest when I draw breath. Trouble and grief has caused much oppression on my breast in common.
Your affectionate Father, — Solomon Hage
Letter 10
Davison county, North Carolina Sunday evebing, January 4, 1863
My dear son C. A. Hege,
On yesterday your Mother, being at Salem, received two letters which were eagerly read. We were pleased to hear that you had again nearly recovered your health. One letter was of date December 18th. The other 25th but I had still entertained some hopes of you yet getting your box of clothing. Hoever, on the night before New Year (as I have already informed you), we packed up in haste all we could to send next morning to you by Bro. Jordan Rominger. Also your Mother was sewing all day on New Year to make one pair of pants for you to send to you with Bro. Solomon Tesch next morning. We were grieved exceedingly on hearing in your letter received on the evening before New Year (after sorrowing four weeks for a letter from you) to hear that you had not received your valuable box of goods. But pause and reflect, it was the kind Providence of God no doubt which out of the loss or delay of the box caused good results thereby on your behalf although you may have suffered much for the want of the contents of the box, yet still let us trust in the promises of God’s word to those who love, serve, and trust in Him, let what may befall. Behind a frowning Providence, He hides a smiling face. Temptations, trials, troubles and suffering is the common lot of all in this world but let us the more steadfastly by humble prayer i faith and hope cleave to God.
We with you regret very much that you are deprived of enjoying the Christmas Holidays and religious services in our Friedberg Church with your associates & friends and in singing as formerly Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, good will to men. But Oh, how changed the scene that now surrounds you in te midst of a multitude, yet no doubt you have some good Christians in your camp who enjoy that peace of God in their hearts by faith in Christ the Lord. Oh how often is my heart’s desire and prayer raised to our merciful Father in Heaven that you, my dear son, may enjoy that peace and love of God in your heart by Faith in Christ Jesus though many unpleasant scenes may be exhibited before your eyes. But God’s promises is cheering. The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him and delivereth the (Psalms 37:7)
…I would ask what is your common fare & how prepared. How do you manage to keep warm in cold nights> Have you huts with chimneys like some othrs or have you brutish provisions and lodgings of night. Many a sleepless hour have I passed of nights in sorrowful reflection fearing you was suffering cold. I hear so much of the hardships and suffering of poor soldiers. I am surprised that they do not all leave and go home as many have done although they have to keep concealed. The officers catch one once in awhile & the other conscripts that were to leave on New Year’s Day, only a few went. Many say they will die at home before they will go in the army.
Oh what a deplorable condition our country is in. What woes and suffering are entailed upon the community. Oh my God, come to our help and cause the war to cease. Forbid it Lord, that my son should ever have to go in a battle any more. It seems wrong.
I must close my letter by saying we are well as common except myself. I am still suffering with pain in my breast and unable to stand cold or work. Your letters are always eagerly enquired for. Write often. Oh may the goodness & mercy of god keep you from all harm. By your Father, — Solomon Hege
January 4, 1863
My dear brother,
I received your very welcome letter yesterday evening when Mother came from Salem where she had gone to bring Mary Chilly down to teach school for Mary and myself and then I will learn to write my own letters. But I hope you will come home soon that we all may enjoy your pleasant company once more.
I spent a right happy Christmas. We all went to church except Father where I recited two verses that we sang last year and after meeting we went to Uncle Christian Spaugh’s and was vaccinated [for small pox]. But it did not have any affect ad today Father went with Mary, Selena, and me over to Mr. David Mock’s and we all tried it again. I will try not to rub the scab off again. I did not go to church at New Year but stayed at home with Sam and begged him to fix my partridge traps, but he wouldn’t and so I haven’t caught any yet.
I am sorry to hear that you are barefooted but glad that you escaped the awful battle [at Fredericksburg] and I do hope and trust that you can come home before there is another fight & if there is, may God protect you from all harm is the wish of your affectionate brother, — Julius Hege
Letter 11
Davidson county, North Carolina Saturday the 23 January 1863
My dear son C. A. Hege,
Your letter of January 17th came to hand last evening. I am always glad to hear from you. I am glad to hear that you are in North Carolina again but it would be the greatest pleasure to me if you could return home again. I am glad to hear you are well. It often surprises me that you are not sick from the exposure you have to bear [though] tis true you are in the vigor of youth. As you are now at Goldsborough, you entertain strong hopes of your neighbors & your Father coming to see you. Indeed, if my health would admit of my turning out, I would come to see you and bring you what you wish, but my health is not yet sufficient to turnout only a few miles from home and the least exposure to cold will again and again affect my breast with severe pain and mercurial lameness as you often heard me say, “Mercury will ruin the best constitution.” Therefore, beware of mercurial medicines. Yet I hope I shall be able to send you what you want shortly as I’ve no doubt some of the neighbors will come out to you if I cannot come to see you.
I wish you would try to get a furlough to come to see us as you are acquainted with traveling about and being near to home now. Tell your officers your Father cannot come to bring you things to wear, having been sick and still in feeble health, & you wish to go home to get them and you have been out about six months. They formerly allowed [soldiers] to go home before being out so long. I am at this time hardly able to write because of a fresh attack on my breast and being scarce able to be about out of doors as warm as it is.
I had been to Lexington some days ago expecting to get the box Jordan Rominger found at Gordonsville but it was not yet come to Lexington so I was only exposed to a fresh attack of disease. I could not have went myself but for paying the freight as I was doubtful I could not bear it, my hear being feeble, so I was disappointed about the box again. The agent at the depot told me it was very doubtful of the box ever being brought to Lexington. Only the man ordering it sits a straddle of it and carries it along with him as he goes along. Otherwise it will be neglected as every depot is crowded and half of the boxes are not transported so I fear it will be lost or partly rotten by the potatoes & fruit in it rotting before I ever get it. But I must see Mr. Rominger about it as I paid him ten dollars for his trouble in bringing your pack to you & finding & bringing your box to you or home as I had directed him. I am going to the office today and will try to find out if any of the neighbors are going out shortly to your regiment.
I am told Mr. Trougut Chitty is going before long to bring his son a box of provisions, &c. I understood a few moments ago the 48th Regiment is gone to Wilmington. If so, it appears you are almost constantly going so it is difficult to know where to find your regiment. However, I will try to buy another hat and send you what is wanted as soon as I can. I wish to do all I can for you temporally & spiritually. If my coming out to your regiment to see you would be of great blessing to you, I would soon be with you if I knew I would not be taken sick but I know I would be taken down sick which would only make matters worse & cause sorrow to you. We are all on foot but I am not well. I want to go to Mr. Beards to buy a hat for you. I fear it will make me worse. I must close by saying you know my advice to you—to serve God and be cheerful, shun all evil, follow that which is good, and may the Lord’s kind Providence keep you always under His care and protection.
By your affectionate Father, — Solomon Hage
Letter 12
[Davidson county, North Carolina] February 3, 1863
My dear son,
I take my pen in hand to answer your letter to inform you that we are all in common health except Selena Faw. She has been vaccinated [for small pox] a week ago this morning. She took a chill and is very sick. Your Father took Miss Mary Chitty home yesterday. She wants to stay one week at home because her brother came home from the army on a visit. He was at our house yesterday a few minutes but I did not see him for I was not at home in the afternoon. I went to see Phebe Tesch and her family. Two of her children has the typhoid fever but I think they are not very dangerous. But Henry Chitty said he will come next Sunday to our house and bring Mary again and talk with us. He says he is to hunt those runaways and talk with them to go back again to the army. The talk is now that all them that has furloughs shall be out there till the 10th or 15 in this month but I don’t think that many of them will go for Uncle Christian [Spaugh] was at our house last Saturday [and] he said he don’t know if his boys will go or not for they can’t stand it.
Old Mr. Miller went out to Lynchburg three weeks ago to bring Jacob Sink, 1 son of Dan Sink, home on furlough but day before yesterday he brought him home a corpse and so we can hear a’most every day of deaths in the army of the poor soldiers.
Oh what distressing news came to us when we read your letter dated the 24th of January our our poor Daniel Wilson’s death. 2 We all felt sorry for his death and lament that he had to suffer so much and be punished to death. But I hope and trust that his precious soul is at rest if his body was punished to death. It will be all clear at the day of judgement. His sister Ellen came to our house that afternoon and heard your letter read. It almost broke her poor heart to think how he had to suffer and to be punished. Now I want you to try and find out when he died and whether he was sick or staved to death if you can see that steward that brought the news to you about him. Oh, it pains my very heart to think that you all have to stay till you die. Why not make peace and let them all come home and die at home. Oh, I do hope the good Lord will say before long, stop this war. It is enough. Live in peace.
We have a deep snow. It fell last night. About a week ago it snowed a while day but it melted off as fast as it came down.
I will tell you a little about home concerns. we sold 20 bushels of turnips at 1 dollar per bushel, a couple hundred weight of pork at 30 dollars per hundred [weight], 5 loads of hay at one dollar per hundred. 1 load of hay was divided to Sam, Aleck, Julius and Mary. It amounted to 21 dollars. Mr. Raper said last week that the wheat sold at 7 dollars per bushel. Corn at 4 dollars, and two sheep sold at 22 dollars. It was Lawyer Paine’s sale. Now they want to thrash the clover seed but it is always too damp and there is much cry for seed everywhere. Philip Hege—he is lost. His mother says she don’t know nothing of him at all. And Levi Fishel—he is gone the same way, They say they don’t know nothing of him—where he is. Julius sold his rabbit skins for 50 dozen. Henry Shoafs two boys came home and now are taken very sick. They think that they may die. About your provision box, we’ll send it the first opportunity we have. I would be glad if you had everything you mentioned and a heap more if I could make it so. Please write as often as you can. But remain your dear Mother until death, — Catherine Hege
1 Jacob Sink (1842-1863) was the son of Daniel Sink (1814-1883) and Mary Belinda Leonard (1819-1895) of Davidson county, North Carolina. Jacob was a private in Co. C, 33rd North Carolina Infantry. He died on 28 January 1863 at the age of 20.
2Daniel Wilson served as a private in Co. H, 15th North Carolina Infantry. He was conscripted in mid-July 1862, became sick almost immediately, but joined his regiment in time to participate in the Battle of South Mountain where he was taken prisoner on 14 September, sent to Fort Delaware, later paroled and then hospitalized at Richmond until his death of scurvy on 11 November 1862.
Letter 13
Davidson county, North Carolina Sunday, March 1st 1863
My dear son C. A. Hege,
I today received a letter from you dated February 23rd near Pocataligo Station, South Carolina. It gave us much pleasure to hear that you was well and kind Providence still protected you from har,. We also had received a letter on Wednesday last (bearing date Thursday the 19th February, Wilmington, N. C.) in which you seemed to write with a sorrowful heart because you had to be ordered to leave North Carolina to go to Charleston where fighting was expected & would likely be a disappointment to us and you in our coming to see you at Wilmington and bring you the box of provisions and clothing. And sure enough we were disappointing. When we got to Goldsboro, we were told by General French to a certainty that Cook’s Brigade was gone to Charleston, S. C. and with a sad heart we turned our oars toward home again, praying God’s mercy and kind Providence to go with you and bless, cheer and comfort you wherever you have to go.
We are subject to troubles and disappointments in this world but blessed by God for the consolations in the promises of His holy word where I trust, as I have already informed you by a letter or two, of our trip to Goldsboro, the difficulty and exposure in getting along with our boxes, and my sending to you, on my way home the more valuable part of my box by a stranger who told me he was going to Charleston and proffered to take it to you. He told me his name was Lt. H. Purdew [Pardue?], 22nd Regiment S. C. troops (from Edgefield District, S. C.). I want you to write to me if Perdew did deliver it to you or not. Perhaps it may be never brought to you. I am anxious to know if he is true to his promise. If not, it is a warning for the future.
I on yesterday before went to Salem to see Henry N. Chitty expecting to send you some nick nack eatables by him but he was just on the point of starting to his regiment again so I missed my aim again. However, I bought paper, envelopes, and postage stamps and sent them to you by him (1 dollar paper, 1 dollar postage stamps, and 30 cents envelopes). I wrote to you what I sent to you by Lt. Perdew in the other last letter. If you ge the articles sent by Mr. Perdew, tell me what you received from him. Mt. Lt. Perdew promised faithfully to bring it to you. If he deceives me, I will never trust anything in another man’s hand again.
Mary and Julius were greatly amused with the little string of palm leaf you sent them. Julius and Aleck sometimes get the cymbal you gave to Julius to turnoff some music wishing you was here again to help fix it in tune. I myself often which I could arrange to get you out of the army but it appears our big heads are going to have everybody in the army and but few to raise food for man or beast.
Deserters are nearly all gone to the army again but some have scattered fences for Captain Roper and [ ]. Levi Fishel also was taken to Raleigh and is unable to walk, I am told. It is said they must all go from the shoe shops, iron works, and other government contracts into the army but who will raise breadstuffs? I di think many are already suffering for food at home and abroad. Corn is not to be had even at 5 dollars per bushel, oats at 3 dollars, wheat at 6 and 7 dollars per bushel for Confederate money. There is a famine coming if the war does not cease. There are some movements in the western states favorable for peace. May God aid ever effort for a speedy settlement of this unhuman war.
In conclusion, I will only say to you, my dear son, let us pursue our race and work and strive and pray, still growing more in grace and knowledge day by day. By your Father, — Solomon Hege
Letter 14
Davidson county, North Carolina March 11, 1863
Dear brother,
I now take my pen in hand to inform you that we are all well at present and hope when these few lines reach your hands may find you enjoying the same state of health. I am sorry that you can’t be at home when your birthday is. Last year you was here and Daniel Wilson and Aunt Caty Spaugh was here too and now they are both dead. There has been a heap of deaths and births and marriages since then. Your grape stalks and service trees are growing.
The balance of the conscripts will have to go off the second of April but there won’t be many to go for the most of them are in some government business. Mr. John Burk and Louis Hardman and several more are making saltpetre at Mr. Hardman’s. They make it out of ashes.
The deserters are almost all gone to their companies again. The officers caught June Albarty last week on a pine tree. He was breaking some pine bushes to lay on. They also found Christian Fishel hiding place under the hog stable. Mr. Weisner says that as soon as you are stationed at a place, he will try again to come to see you.
I will tell you about our work. We planted our potatoes last and Sam and Aleck and Mike Craver went up to Uncle John Fishel’s Monday to sow oats and it rained yesterday and it was too wet to plough and they came home. We haven’t made garden yet. It is always too wet.
Now I will tell you about the prices. Corn $5 per bushel. Wheat 68 per bushel. Flour #30 per barrel. Bacon $1 per bb. Clover seed $40 per [ ]. Pappy has taken your watch to Esqr. Riley in Lexington to fix it. He hasn’t fixed it yet. Jesse Mock went after his boys. They are both sick in the hospital. He has been gone two weeks and han’t come with them yet. They hadn’t their furlough yet last Sunday. I must stop writing. Requesting you to write to your affectionate sister, — Mary
Letter 15
[Davidson county, North Carolina] 8 April 1863
My dear son,
I now take my pen in hand to drop a few lines to answer your letter which gave us great satisfaction to hear once more from you for we send to the office last Saturday and it was for nothing. This morning we received your kind letter which gave us great satisfaction.
Now I will tell you something about Good Friday and Easter Sunday. I and Pappy and Miss Mary went on Friday. We had a very interesting meeting and on Sunday Brother Bonson preached and the church was plum full but our thoughts was with you poor soldiers in what way you have to spend Easter. You was all remembered in our prayers in Friday’s meeting—especially in communion. On Saturday evening, Black Lucy, Sam’s sister, came to our house and was much rejoiced to see us and the old place but Mary—she went to Uncle Christian’s on Saturday evening and stayed until Sunday morning [so] she didn’t see her. She asked about you and how you are and how you are a getting along.
And now the talk is that the [ ] that they are going to take the negroes to throw up breastworks and when they are done throwing them up, send them home again until they need them again and then call them out again.
We will try and send a box of things with Mr. Troy and a good many of our neighbors will do the same. I send you a little pack with Mr. Chitty on Sunday which i hope you got it before now. I thought it would do you a little good if you get nothing but [ ] corn and beef and not too plenty of that.
I must bring my scribbling to a close for my head aches and I am very tired for they all went to bed but sam. He was a sitting on the chair asleep and so no more. you may know that you fel very nigh to me or I would not write a letter when I was so tired. But remain your dear Mother until death, — Catharine Hege
Letter 16
Davidson county, North Carolina June 20, 1863
My dear son C. A Hege,
I drop a few lines to inform you that we are all well except myself. I have been affected with rheumatic pains in my shoulders and in my neck which I suffer very much pain—almost unable to do my work. I hope when these few lines come to hand, they may find you in good health. It is a great blessing to hear that you can enjoy that. May the good Lord be with you all times through all your hardships and suffering which you have to make through during this war. Be obedient and kind in every respect and pray daily and hourly to our good Savior to protect you from dangers and suffering during this war and bring you safe home again to your dear parents.
I have been told by some that come from the army that if you would go to your General Cook and would beg kindly, you could get a furlough to come home for a week or two and tell him that you would like to see your folks and you would be sure to come back again until the furlough is out. I received my ring which you sent me with much love and respect to you for it in remembrance of you and thank you kindly.
Now I tell you something about our work and what for girls I have to work this week for me. Catharine Weisner washed one day, spun wool one day, and then she had to go to Rapers to bind wheat. He had her a couple weeks ago to bind for him. And Annie Fishel came on Tuesday morning and spun wool all the week. And Tracy Weisner came on Thursday noon to bind wheat. She is going to bind all harvest here for us. And next week Mary Weaver will come to bind also. But Sam and Pappy has to do all the cradling all by themselves for we can’t hire nobody for they say all the officers has to leave—all but the Captains now—in a couple of weeks.
We heard today that they caught Henry Weere 1 in John Buck’s meadow. They told him to stop and he commenced to run and they shot at him. They didn’t hurt him. Mr. Raper took him by the hand and led him about. Henderson Canen got killed a guarding a bridge down below here. He sat on the track and the cars run over him and killed him quite unexpected.
Miss Fanny said you shall tell David Fry that she is at our house and she wants him to write a long letter to her. Direct it to Midway. So no more at present. Remain your dear Mother until death. — C. Hege
1 Henry Weere was a private in Co. H, 15th North Carolina Infantry.
Letter 17
Davidson county, North Carolina July 15, 1863
My dear son C. A. Hege,
Today I received a letter by the hands of Solomon Tesche’s daughter sent by you by Mr. Livengood which of course was interesting to us all as we were expecting a letter from you on Saturday, more especially so as we heard there had been some fighting near Richmond and the 48th and 15th regiments had been in it but at the same time was told it was only driving back the Yankees [with] but one man was killed and a few wounded—bad enough, but thank God it was no worse. Em Spaugh wrote in his letter you run them nearly 40 miles. I hope they did not want to hurt you. If only they would always run from each other.
I was much grieved to hear that Gen. Lee went into Pennsylvania and soon hear they had a horrid battle in Pennsylvania and Lee took 40 thousand prisoners and many other lies which was soon contradicted. They had better not went into Pennsylvania. Next we’ll hear they are prisoners over there. If only the poor soldiers—both North and South—would lay down their arms and tell their officers they will no more fight as that is not the right way to settle the matter for it only makes bad worse.
The State Legislature has passed an act the other week to enroll all white men from the age of 18 to 50 years of age to call out as a Home Guard for State defense or a part of them if need be to serve only in the state of North Carolina only three months at a time. How it is going to operate is yet untried as there are but few left now to take care of the farms and procure bread for the people and with all the wearisome toiling, it appears as if for some wise purpose our gracious God intends to cause a part of the wheat and oats to rot in the fields before it is housed.
Men have been boasting there is a plenty of grain to feel the army two years but they have forgotten that there once was a great ruler boasting of his power and wealth (called) Nebuchadnezzar who was turned out to graze with the cattle till his nail had grown like birds claws. The season has been excessively wet for about four weeks so but little wheat or oats is yet under shelter. The corn is running away with grass. It would be more service for you all to come home and fight General crab so we could hope to raise corn and live like our Divine Savior designed we should live—in peace with all men—for it is certain the longer the war is prosecuted the worse it makes the matter as it is a public acknowledged fact (yet with reluctance) that a large portion of our Confederate States have been given up to be ruled by the Northern Government.
Vicksburg is taken & without it, the whole of country west of the Mississippi will be under the control of the North I am told. What then do we have of the Confederate States yet? Oh, what has secession brought us to? — waste, anguish and ruin. Oh that God in infinite mercy would speedily bring things right before all to ruin goes in our once far-famed country.
On yesterday we received your bundle of clothing & some tracts. Ephraim Fishel also brought some things yet at Lexington. I will go to see Mr. Elias Livengood & try to send what you wish if he goes back to camp again. You are getting many tracts to read it appears from what you send home. For the most part it is good reading—only the great principle seems to be wanting to a great extent—love to our fellow man in all places. Loves is always commendable but revenge is not. Oh how much better if all ministers of the gospel in the camp and elsewhere in writing tracts and preaching would have dwelt more on the true principle of the Savior—true charity. Ask your chaplain with all courtesy to preach from Matthew 5th Chapter, 43 to 47 verses. May God bless you and keep your heart and mind in Christ.
By your Father, — Solomon Hege
Letter 18
Davidson county, North Carolina Tuesday, July 28, 1863
My dear son,
In haste I drop a few lines to inform you hat we are all in common health [though worn down] very much from exposure of hard labor. But I hope it will find you in good health. That is always some encouragement to hear—that you keep in good health [even] if you have to fare worse than our dog, for we can so often hear that you have nothing but a little cornbread and bacon day after day. Can’t you get nourish taters or nothing of that kind? If you would draw some flour and buy some apples if you can, you could make some apple dumplings. We had some for dinner and Aleck said he eat one desert and Sam not far behind. Julius thought he could eat 8 but he couldn’t finish 6. We had 1 dozen left. We all said if only Constantine had them. But all we can do is to trust in the good Lord to protect you from this horrid and miserable affair and perhaps bring [you] safe home again. You know it is nothing impossible for Him for I do believe and trust in the good Lord. If we all would pray from the bottom of our hearts to our heavenly father and call on Him to have mercy on both sides—North and South, it would soon come to a close, but so [far] they all have forgotten that they ought to call on the Almighty to decide it. But still I will pray in secret and in private to the Almightly to have mercy on his poor people and say to those big men, let them go home in peace and safety for their life can be taken from you also as well as them.
Last Saturday Papa had to tend at the old muster ground to the enrollment from forty-five to fifty for home guard and next Saturday they have to attend at Wash Wilson’s to elect officers. But your Pap says he can’t go unless they take the car___ for him to ride for he can’t run the Yankees, and if they take them all, what will become of the balance. The Lord only knows.
Now I will tell you something about the neighborhood. Catharine Weisner is a going to Salem in the dining room in the school house next and Sam Tesch’s wife has the erysipelas at her leg. Rosey Pealer was buried last Wednesday at Freidburg and July Disher was buried at Olivet, wife of Henry Disher. They had the typhoid fever. Miss Pealer was 4 weeks sick and Mrs. Disher 9 days and he is no better yet and their baby is sick too, All the rest of the neighbors are in common health as far as I know.
Next Saturday Mr. John White’s (father of John Henry White) funeral will be preached at Friedburg by Bro. Helsebeck. It was his request to get him to preach it and our next communion will be on the 15th of August and there will be but few if they keep on taking off like it is said they would, and there will be a quarterly meeting at Olivet. It commences on Saturday, August the 1st.
Aleck and Mike is a working here this week. Next week Aleck will stay at home and [ ] will come so they gang about the whole summer. They cleaned off the stockyard to stack the straw. The talk about thrashing wheat next week but I don’t know whether they get ready.
We had no letter from you since 19 July. It was dated the 13th. We wrote two or three times to you since that. Tell David Fry we received his letter but Fanny was not at our house but she shall have it next Saturday. She is well as far as I know. I have got her to answer Mother’s letter as quick as she can.
Dear brother, I will finish Mother’s letter. Andrew Berrier was here last Sunday and told us all about what he seen when he was taken prisoner. He said that he was in the mud above his knees and the Yankees came so fast that they just taken him. I was at preaching last Sunday and there we heard from your regiment. The quarterly metingwill be at Friendship next Sunday and at Midway on the second Sunday of August. There I would like to go but I can’t go by myself. Oh, if you would be at home, I would go to a heap of places where I don’t go to now.
Please write soon. Your dear Mother, — Catharine Hege
Letter 19
Davidson county, North Carolina November 4, 1864
Dear brother Constantine A. Hege,
With pleasure we again receive a letter from you of date October 1st and were much pleased to hear that you are well and doing well. And your fellow school mates from Salem are also well and it is a great consolation to us to hear of the kindest care and attention on your part by the kind ministers you spoke of with such praise and honor. Surely you have good cause to adore and praise our Heavenly Father in causing it to be so well with you and your school mates since the war has caused such in surmountable difficulties in sending you means of assistance.
Father is about to hire a teacher to teach school for Julius and myself at home for the time being. Oh, may the good Lord give us peace—blessed peace–throughout a loud land so we may live a life of peace on earth in hope of everlasting peace in Heaven.
We are all well as usual though often surrounded with cares and sorrowful hearts. But again we cast our care upon the Lord and rejoice in His promises. May He be with you to bless you and sustain you. Still remaining your affectionate sister until death, — Mary L. Hege
The following letter was written by 23 year-old Alfred Thornton Forbes (1839-1895), the son of John Murray Forbes (1782-1863) and Sally Innes (1799-1885) of Falmouth, Stafford county, Virginia. At the time of the 1860 US Census, Alfred was enumerated in his parents home as a 21 year-old law student. His father, “Murray” Forbes was a well-to-do merchant in Falmouth.
Alfred wrote the letter to his older sister, Katharine (“Kate”) Marshall Forbes (1822-1896). She did not marry until 1871 when she took Gilbert Moxley Bastable (1812-1886) as her husband and lived at Cedar Run, Fauquier county, Virginia. Alfred mentions his brother Robert Leighton Forbes (b. 1838) in his letter. Other siblings who lived to adulthood included, Frank Thornton Forbes (1826-1904), James Fitzgerald Forbes (1828-1863), William Smith Forbes (1831-1905), David Sterling Forbes (1835-1908), and Sally Innes Forbes (1844-1881).
Frank Forbes served in Co. B (“Fredericksburg Grays”, 30th Virginia Infantry, Corse’s Brigade, Pickett’s Division, 1st Corps, Army of Northern Virginia, C.S.A. He began the war as a private but eventually promoted to Captain in the Commissary Department at Richmond.
James F. Forbes served as a private in Co. A, 9th Virginia Cavalry. He was killed in action at the Battle of Chancellorsville on 4 May 1863 after his promotion to lieutenant as the Assistant Quartermaster of the regiment.
Alfred wrote his letter just three weeks after the Battle of Fredericksburg while the Army of the Potomac remained encamped in Falmouth on the opposite side of the Rappahannock river. He advises his sister to remain in Georgia rather than return home as the “old town” (Falmouth) “is a wreck and our house somewhat injured” by the Yankees.
When Alfred wrote the letter, he had not yet joined the Confederate service. He would do so in late April 1863, just before the Battle of Chancellorsville, enlisting at Culpeper as a private in Co. B, 9th Virginia Cavalry. He was wounded on 9 June 1863 at the Battle of Brandy Station and possibly once or twice more—even having his horse shot from under him at “Jones Church” on 8 December 1864—but survived the war.
A few additional details. “In the spring of 1863, as the Union army prepared for action opposite Fredericksburg, the recipient of this letter, Kate Forbes, would take refuge at the home of the Chancellor family—Chancellorsville. But, days later the armies found her there, and she spent the first two days of the Battle of Chancellorsville in the basement with the Chancellor family and several other local residents. They would be driven out by the fire that consumed the Chancellor house on May 3, at the height of the battle. It’s also worth noting that Alfred’s and Kate’s brother, James Fitzgerald Forbes, served temporarily on A. P. Hill’s staff at Chancellorsville and was mortally wounded in the same volley that struck down Jackson on the evening of May 2, 1863. The author of this letter, Alfred (known as Alley to his family) was also wounded at Chancellorsville, in the arm (though not as part of the fated Jackson/Hill entourage). Of the family’s travails, Kate would write from Richmond in June 1863, “I frequently wonder when will these things cease. God in his wisdom only knows.” —personal communication from John J. Hennessy, author and former Chief Historian at Fredericksburg & Spotslvania National Military Park, dated 8 April 2023.
Personal papers belonging to Alfred T. Forbes may be found in the U. S. Army Heritage & Education Center at Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Addressed to Miss Kate M. Forbes, Care of J. M. Forbes, Forest Depot, Bedford, Ga.
Chancellors[ville, Virginia] January 3, 1863
Dear Sister,
At Ma’s request, I write to tell you, you had better remain where you are till we write you to come home. The enemy are still in Stafford & we know not of their leaving. The old town is a wreck & our house somewhat injured. Every drawer & corner was broken open & you have nothing but scraps. There was not left a whole piece of clothing. Mama says she had partially made up her mind to go to Fauquier to spend the winter with sister (whom brother says he would take home) but for recent reports & when the Yankees go into winter quarters, she will yet do so & hopes to meet sister soon in her new house.
Papa is quite unwell. Robert and myself are the invalids. I am in such pain that I can scarcely write—rheumatism in my leg. Robert is full of pains. Sister Bessie has not moved back to Fall Hill yet. 1 Aunt Lucy Thornton passed through town last week. She stayed a day or so with Aunt Fitz[gerald] & went on to Alabama. Brother is here and came to persuade Pa and Ma to go to Fauquier & stay with sister which I have spoken of. Mama says stay where you are though the people are as kind as can be, yet it is inconvenient. Give our love to all. Can’t write anymore.
Your affectionate brother, — Alfred
Ma wrote you in Richmond Write and direct to Chancellorsville, Spottsylvania County, Va.
Fall Hill in Fredericksburg (built 1790)
1 Fall Hill was was an early 1700s plantation owned by Francis Thornton located near the falls on the Rappahannock river in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Various members of the Thornton family lived at Fall Hill until 2003 (about 300 years). The present house was built in 1790 by Francis Thornton V (1760–1836) when he married Sally Innes and is in the present-day town of Fredericksburg. Its proximity to the Rappahannock River made Fall Hill a strategic point during the Fredericksburg Campaign of the Civil War. Fortifications were built along the river at the house to protect the crossing. The breastworks were built by General Robert E. Lee’s soldiers. According to a long-time resident, Butler Franklin, at one point Lee ordered the mansion destroyed by cannon fire so he could better see the approach of the Union Army across the river. The house survived because the Union Army advance changed its direction.
The following letter was written by Wilbur Fisk Haughawout (1842-1914) of Co. H, 3rd Wisconsin Infantry. Wilbur enlisted at the age of 19 on 22 April 1861 as a private. He was wounded in the Battle of Antietam on 17 September 1862 and mustered out of the regiment on 18 July 1865 at Madison, Wisconsin.
I could not find an image of Wilbur but her is a CDV of Henry Isbell of Co. B, 3rd Wisconsin Infantry. Like Wilbur, he enlisted in April 1861 and was wounded at the Battle of Antietam. (Marc Storch Collection)
A family history informs us that Wilbur was born in Brown county, Ohio, near Winchester, the son of Rev. Joshua Davis Haughawout and Amelia Stees. They lived for a while in Ohio but in 1844, Rev. Haughawout followed the emigrant’s trail westward, going to Lafayette county, Wisconsin in search of cheaper lands. “Locating near Galena, he entered land, and while improving a farm lived first in a double log cabin, an Indian family occupying the other half of the rude log house. He carried on farming for several years in that county, at the same time being a preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church. His last days were spent in Missouri and his death occurred at the age of seventy-six years of age. He married Amelia Steese, who belonged to a wealthy family of Union county, Pennsylvania. She was a daughter of William Steese, an officer in the Mexican War. She survived him, passing away at the age of 86 years, in Missouri.
“They were parents of twelve children—eight sons and four daughters. The following sons served in the Civil War: Wilbur F.; Frederick Steese, who was sergeant in Company I 16th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and who was wounded at the battle of Shiloh; Henry, a member of the same company as Frederick S., after the war was for eight years was postmaster at Webb City, Missouri, and then attorney at Caney, Kansas; Thomas Bond of the 2nd Wisconsin Cavalry, at the close of the war located in Missouri, and until his death in Carthage, was one of the more celebrated criminal lawyers of Jasper county, which he served for one or more terms as county attorney; and John W., who belonged to the 23rd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry.
“Very soon after the outbreak of the Civil War, Wilbur F. Haughawout enlisted in the 3rd Wisconsin Vol. Infantry, and was subsequently at the front in various engagements, including the battles of Antietam and Gettysburg. He took part in General Sherman’s glorious campaign, participating at Atlanta, Savannah and the Carolina’s under that great general and was present at the grand review in Washington D. C. after which he was honorably discharged as a first lieutenant.
Since locating in Jasper county, MO., Haughawout has been influential in advancing its material interests. Coming here from Wisconsin, he made the trip overland, traversing the country with teams, camping and tenting by the roadside. Arriving at his point of destination, he bought eighty acres of wild land in this part of the state, and met with such success in his agricultural labors that he was enabled from time to time to add to his original purchase, becoming owner of three hundred and forty acres of fine land, his estate, with its valuable improvements, becoming one of the best in the entire county. Mr. Haughawout subsequently leased the Quaker Flour Mills, on Spring River, and after leaving the mills wisely invested his money in Carthage property and has here erected eleven dwelling houses.”
I embrace the present opportunity of writing a few lines to you to let you know that I am well at present. You said you had wrote 4 or 5 letters to me since I left Fond du Lac [Wisconsin]. I have received 6 letters from you besides 6 that I received from the rest of the folks so you see I receive all you write. I received a letter from you last night in which was 4 postage stamps. I thank you very much for the stamps but I could do very well without it. Has Mother gone to Ohio yet? If so, what company does she live in? I see you have not read the last letter I wrote you yet. That will keep you reading some time.
Father, I would like to know if the U. S. Treasury Notes are as good as the gold. We received our pay this morning up to the 1st of September. It amounted to $24.40 of which we received $20 in Treasury Notes and $4.40 in specie. Now I can trade the notes for gold at 1.5 cents discount but I shall not do it till I hear from you for I think it will bring a premium there. Now when you write, let me know what to do about it. I will not send it till I hear from you (I don’t think). I hardly know whether to send 15 or 20 dollars. I think I’ll send $20.
Some of the boys are strapped already. They borrowed money and bought things on credit. Now they see what good saving does. Some of the boys are very mad about the money. They wanted to get all in gold, but I think it is as good as gold.
In the afternoon, Lieut. [James G.] Knight has been to town. He says they are all anxious to get their notes. They give specie for them, dollar for dollar. I can get the gold for mine and lose nothing. Shall I send you the gold or notes? Please write immediately and let me know for I do not wish to have it on hand. I may send before you receive this.
It is reported that the rebels has got possession of Lexington, that our forces consisted of 2500 while there was 30,000. Now there is a skunk in the brush somewhere for every battle that has been fought yet, they have from three to twelve to our men. Why should this be when we have 500,000 men in the field and according to their own report they have 210,000 men. There is one thing certain—that we have enough men in the field to march through the entire South if properly managed.
I was talking with a teamster yesterday (that came here in one of the supply trains from Banks’ Division) that he had to run away from Martinsburg, Va., or go in the Southern Army. This was since the Bull Run fight. He said they would take the Union men, tie their hands behind their backs, them tumble them in a wagon and drive them to Winchester. There was 10 that run away the same time he did. He could tell instances of where brother would fight against brother. He knows several brothers that one is in our army and another in the Secesh. He has a brother-in-law in the Southern Army. He is a very good looking man, weighs over 200. His parents living in Virginia now with his wife and child. He has not heard from home since he left. He said they would drive up to a store, throw on all the pork they had, then give them Virginia script which he said was not worth a [shit] for Virginia was over 7 million dollars in debt before the war.
The soldiers there [in Virginia] has not received no pay as yet nor never will. They have not received their blankets. One boy wrote home to his poor widowed mother to send him some money and a blanket. The reason I believe it is true, he told it in good earnest and this Negro that run away from Johnson knows this fellow very well.
David or Silas received a letter from Mary Potter in which she told me some news. She said John had took to preaching. Is this true? Please let me know. Why don’t he and the rest of the boys write some. Are you going to do all the thrashing at once? How did the piece of wheat do that I sowed? Was it the best piece of wheat you had?
Word has been received here today that we are to stay here to guard this city and the regiment of Home Guards takes our place in Hamilton’s Brigade. I hope this is true. Tell Henry and Bond to write a little. Well, you see the paper has run out. — W. F. H.
I am getting along very well as far as health is concerned. I have better health than while at home. Now write and let me know what to do about the money. Your son.
I could not find an image of Amaziah but here is one of Charles R. Council who served in Co. C, 24th South Carolina Infantry(Photo Sleuth)
The following letter was written by 36 year-old Pvt. Amaziah Francis Stevenson (1826-1863) of Co. F, 24th South Carolina Infantry. Amaziah enlisted in the regiment in March 1862 under the command of Capt. Thomas Addison. He appears to have been with the regiment until 14 May 1863 when he was killed in action at Jackson, Mississippi, less than two weeks after he wrote this heartfelt letter home to his wife and children.
According to the regimental history, the 24th South Carolina served in the Charleston area, fought in the Battle of Secessionville in June 1862, and then remained there through the winter of 1862-63. Shortly after sending off this letter, the regiment was assigned to Gen. Gist’s Brigade and trained off to Jackson, Mississippi, to meet Grant’s army who took the city before turning on Vicksburg.
Amaziah was the son of John J. Stevenson (1798-1873) and Margaret Bowen (1800-1882) of Anderson county, South Carolina. He was married to Mary Ann Baker (1823-1919) in 1852 and the couple had four children before his enlistment—John T. (1852-1925), Lindsay A. (1855-1857), William G. (1858-1860) and Amaziah D. (1861-1954). A fifth child, William E. was born in October 1863 after Amazia’s death.
Transcription
Amaziah’s letter was mailed in a self-made “Adversity Envelope” made from ledger paper.
Secessionville, James Island South Carolina May 3rd 1863
My ever affectionate wife and little children,
It is through the kind mercies of God that I am permitted this blessed Sabbath morning to drop you a few lines to inform you that I am well at this time and doing very well and I do hope these few lines may reach you in due time and find you and the children both well and doing well. I received your kind letter that was dated April the 25th. I have just finished reading it. Oh! you can’t tell what pleasure it was to me to hear you was all well.
Dear and affectionate wife, I am proud of the sewing thread you sent me. I wrote you a letter the other day [saying] something about me coming home before very long. Oh, I can’t tell you how bad I want to see you and the children but I do hope the time is not far off that I shall see you and the children once more if the Lord is willing.
There is 5 gone home now out of our company and I hope it will fall to my lot to get a furlough next to come home to see you and the children once more.
Dear and most ever loved wife, you said you wanted me to tell you whether the Yankees was gone from here now or not. There is plenty of them on Cole Island and Folly Island yet but they seem to be very still at present. The health of the regiment is very good now.
Mary, you must kiss the children for me. If I was there, I would squeeze Johnny till he would crack. I must close for this time. I am yours truly till death, — Amaziah F. Stevenson
Spared & Shared 23 