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.
The following letters were written by 21 year-old Delia Annah Henderson (1843-1914) in the days following the notice of her older half-brother’s death at the Battle of Deep Bottom on the 16th of August 1864. Delia’s brother was Lt. Colonel Thomas Albert Henderson (1833-1864) of the 7th New Hampshire Infantry. Prior to his enlistment, Thomas had graduated from Bowdoin College in 1855, the Harvard Law School in 1861, and was admitted to the Suffolk Bar in Boston.
Delia and Thomas were two of several children born to Samuel Hoyt Henderson (1798-1867) of Dover, Strafford county, New Hampshire. Thomas was borne by Samuel’s first wife, Delia Paul (1804-1837) and Delia was borne by Samuel 2nd wife, Sarah Ann Guppy (1812-1900).
Delia wrote the letters to Alvina (“Allie”) Cordelia Neal (1840-1905) who would become her sister-in-law in a few years. In August 1868, Delia and George (“Georgie”) William Neal (1844-1884) of Kittery, Maine, were married. The cdv’s on this page were attached to these two letters and since both back marks indicate they were taken by the artist E. T. Brigham in his Dover, N. H. studio, I feel confident they are of Delia A. Henderson.
Letter 1
Dover [New Hampshire] August 23rd 1864
Darling Allie,
I just wrote you a line this morning to inform you of the death of my dear brother Thomas. He was killed on last Tuesday. We received the news Saturday night. His body has been embalmed and we are expecting it anytime. Our grief seems greater than we can bear. I can hardly keep about, having passed three sleepless nights and two such long, sad days. I fear I cannot bear up under the greatest affliction I ever had. The pride, the pet, the loved one of our circle is gone. Oh, my God, give us that strength & consolation which seems to cause everyone to mourn as his. I send you a paper containing a notice of his death. It has been in a number of papers but we could not obtain many except of these.
Poor dear John—away from all his friends, has to bear his shock alone. I fear we shall not have him many years. I shall have more friends in heaven that upon earth soon. Oh! how I wish I could join them now. But no, I must suffer on. We mourn and mourn deeply, but we try and not murmur. But everything seems so dark and gloomy to us. Our deep mourning garments but faintly express the blackness of all around us.
Oh Allie, I wish you were with me today. T’would be a comfort, I know. We have had so many of his friends here, but I have seen none. Mother had to see them. It seems as though his associates here could not bear it. But He who sent this affliction upon us will give us strength to bear it. It has never been so hard for me to say, “All’s for the best.” I am almost worn out with grief. But I trust I shall be able to go through the trying scenes which are yet to come. I thank you most heartily for your kind note. Tell [your brother] Georgie his letter was a source of consolation. I will write him when I am calmer. Do write soon. Pray that I may not murmur at our affliction but that God in his mercy will give me strength to bear it. Yours in the deepest sorrow and affliction, — Delia A. H.
I did not receive your letter till Saturday night.
Letter 2
Delia Annah Henderson
Dover [New Hampshire] August 28th 1864
Dearest Allie,
I feel too sad to read, too sad to speak, and too sad to write to anyone but you. Oh such a long, sad week as this has been. But today seems sadder and longer than any of the past week because I have been so busy and we have had so many things to see to, that it has taken up my attention some. But today, everything seems so quiet and death-like. We are all too full of sorrow to speak except with tears.
The body of our dear brother has not yet arrived and you can perhaps imagine what waring anxiety & surprise we have passed through when every train we expected him. He may come at any time. The chaplain was only waiting for a leave of absence, before starting with his body. It has been embalmed, and if it was properly done, we will look as natural as when he died. What a consolation it is to us to know that he never fell into the Rebels hands, and that we can have his body to bury, and know where he is laid.
We received a letter from the Colonel yesterday saying he was wounded by a rifle ball in his thigh. He was hit at 12 and died at three o’clock, Tuesday the 16th. The Colonel spoke to him about two minutes before but had to go to the General for orders. When returning, he met a soldier carrying an officer wrapped in a blanket on his shoulders and was told ’twas Col. Henderson. He was immediately put in an ambulance in an ambulance and carried to the hospital where he had every attention but the Surgeon at once knew ’twas a mortal wound. He lingered three hours. Oh! what hours of anguish those must have been away from ever loved friend.
Thomas Albert Henderson of the 7th New Hampshire Infantry when he was a lieutenant
The chaplain was with him all the time and when he arrives we shall know many things we wish so much to know. Oh, Allie! You know not what grief our is. You can perhaps imagine how you would feel in like circumstances but when the sad reality is forced upon you, you find it ’tis very different. He was such a good, kind and thoughtful brother that it seems so hard to give him up. As everyone here says, he has not left one stain upon his name. He was too noble and brave to meet such a death, and it does not seem right that so much talent as he had should so soon be cut off. I don’t know how I can ever bear to have him buried. Then ’tis doubly hard, for he is to be buried under military & masonic orders from the church. It would be hard enough to bury him in a quiet way, but this will almost kill us. We would not consent for a long time, but as everyone most wants to attend the funeral, we had to sacrifice our feelings for others.
The past week has done the work of a year upon me. I have slept but very little and food I don’t care for, Oh! can I bear this dreadful shock. Why was the blow permitted to fall upon the idolized one. You know, Allie, he was worthy to be proud of and loved and no death has occurred in this place which this world cannot give. If convenient, please inform our friends of his death. Do write me soon.
The following letter was written by James King of New York City who wrote the letter to his aunt, Janet Sheppard (1798-Af1865), also of New York City. In the 1855 State Census, I can see that a 20 year-old young woman named Johanna King was enumerated in the household of her Aunt Janet Sheppard of No. 8, 22nd Street in NYC. Johanna was undoubtedly James’ sister. Beyond that, I have not been able to confirm King’s record of service. Neither have I been able to confirm the location of Alexander Bridge which must have been located somewhere near the Cumberland river based on the content of this letter.
Transcription
Addressed to Miss J. Sheppard, No. 8 East 22 Street, New York City
Alexander Bridge March 7, 1865
My dear Aunt,
I have just received a bunch of Tribunes and I see by my note book that it is time I was writing you. The Tribunes are dated down to the 28th of February. They are full of the good news. I hope it will continue to tell the end of the Rebels and the war. I had a letter from home the other day. They were all well and I had a newspaper from Father and he told me in his letter that when I got a paper, I was to consider them all well.
We have been having a rainy time of it lately but it has been good weather the past two days. We have not been set to work on the new stockade yet. We expect the Major here today to say where it is to be put and where we are to get the timber. It is to be built strong enough so a shell can’t get inside. The boys do not like the idea of going to work but it will not hurt them. Our duty is light but the stockade will not go on fast as we will have our duty to do as before. But as long as we have our health, we ought not to grumble.
I hope this will find you all in good health as it leaves me at present. The grass is beginning to grow and cattle are out feeding. The planters are very slow about their work. It rains so much here that the ground is not in a fit condition to plough. The men are ploughing today for it has been dry for two days now and the wind has dried up the ground. The Cumberland river is very high. The back water comes up to our bridge and some of the fields are covered with water. The troops are going south at the rate of two or three regiments a day. I do not see how they feed so many men when it takes so much to feed our small squad. I think the Rebels will soon have a hard time to get their rations for when the railroad on our line of communications is cut, the soldiers are put on short rations and I do not see how the Rebels can feed their men except they have a different way of doing than our government has.
Well, I must close for this time. I am expecting a letter so I will wait as the mail has gone for today. I have just received your kind letter of February 28 and was glad to get it. I also received one from Tebeta of the same date as yours. They were all well.
Dear Aunt, I will try and put my letters in as good language as I can. I never did get a thorough course of instruction in grammar and if I do not make a mistake, it is in some part in not taking pains to mind what I wrote. Aunt, would it not be a good idea for you to write about 3 or 4 days after you send the papers? But I do not wish to put you to any more trouble if you have a good ways from the post office [in which case] you had better send both together as heretofore.
I have wrote all the news I can think of just now. Kind love to Aunt Elizabeth and Joan. Kindest love to yourself and I remain your affectionate nephew, — James L. King
This will go out by tomorrow’s post. I received the newspapers on Monday the 6th of March and the letter the 7th.
William Ames in his Colonel’s uniform, 3rd Rhode Island Heavy Artillery
The following letter was written by Major William Ames (1842-1914) of the 3rd Rhode Island Heavy Artillery while commanding the post at Fort Pulaski near Savannah, Georgia in late October 1863. William was the son of Samuel Ames (1806-1865) and Mary Throop Dorr (1811-1869) of Providence, Rhode Island. He began his service as a captain in the 2nd Rhode Island Infantry but accepted an appointment to Major of the 3rd Rhode Island in February 1863.
We learn from this letter that William was having second thoughts about having taken the promotion to command a post where the daily routine was quite dull. He did, however, rise in rank to Colonel of the 3rd Rhode Island Heavy Artillery and towards the end of the war he served as Chief of Artillery on the staff of Major General Quincy A. Gillmore. He was brevetted Brigadier General, US Volunteers on March 13, 1865 for “meritorious services during the war.”
William wrote the letter to Col. Edwin Metcalf (1823-1894), a Harvard-educated lawyer and Rhode Island state legislator when he resigned his seat to join the war. Commissioned as Major of the 3rd Rhode Island Heavy Artillery, he immediately made a name for himself and the regiment when he led the first battalion in the battle of Secessionville, SC. Promoted to Colonel and transferred at the governor’s request to command the new 11th Rhode Island Infantry, Metcalf was with the Army of the Potomac only a short time before being recalled to South Carolina. Yellow fever had swept the ranks and claimed Col. Brown of the 3rd RI HA, as well as several other officers, and Metcalf was seen as the one to revitalize the demoralized regiment. He commanded the regiment and served as Chief of Artillery until January 1864, when he returned to Providence on medical leave. He resigned due to illness on February 5, 1864.
Inside Fort Pulaski 1862-3
[Note: This letter is from the private collection of Greg Herr and was transcribed and published on Spared & Shared by express consent.]
Transcription
Fort Pulaski, Georgia October 29th 1863
Col. Ed Metcalf, 3rd Rhode Island [Heavy] Artillery,
Dear sir, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 28th inst. in regard to Lt. Smith. My opinion is he is a very intelligent & capable officer as regards to management of his company affairs and the discipline of his men. How he would act under you I am unable to say. There is, of course, nothing going on in these parts and I have no news to send you. Capt. Gould has sent forward his application for a position in the Invalid Corps. He will no doubt get it as his recommendations are very strong.
Capt. Boughton will not doubt be able to arrange his transfer, now that he is home. The captain is a very intelligent and capable officer. He will fill his position in the 3rd with honor. To speak plainly, however, I feel very much mortified and am sorry that I ever allowed myself to be placed in my present position in this regiment. It is rather late in the day to think of going into the field after everything that can be done has been done, but there is no sense of crying over spilt milk.
Col. Barton paid me a visit day before yesterday and returned to Beaufort in the evening.
Very respectfully your obedient servant, — Wm. Ames, Major 3rd Rhode Island Artillery, Commanding post.
The following letter was written by Thomas L. Scriven (1840-1904), the son of Joseph and Nancy Scriven of Rennsselaer county, New York. According to census records, Thomas was born in New York State so how he came to enter the service for the State of New Hampshire remains a mystery though the records of that regiment may provide us with a clue. According to the muster rolls of Co. H, 14th New Hampshire—the company in which Thomas served—he was born in Canada. My hunch is that Thomas went to Canada to avoid the draft and then decided later to enter the war as a substitute, for which he would receive a $300 or more bounty. He entered the 14th New Hampshire on 30 July 1864. He mustered out of the regiment at Savannah in July 1865.
I could not find an image of Thomas but here is a CDV of David S. Corser who served in the same company with Thomas and mustered out at the same time. (Dave Morin Collection)
Thomas wrote the letter from Savannah which he termed “a mean place.” To understand why he might say so, we turn to the regimental history which informs us that, “When the Fourteenth entered Savannah, Sherman’s army was leaving it; the inhabitants bitterly hating the ‘Yankee bummers.’ The city was in a peculiar condition. Terror, hate, foreboding, were sentiments which predominated among the inhabitants at first. The civil government was entirely superseded: the city was taken entirely out of the hands of its inhabitants, and was governed by military officials throughout…Not a citizen of Savannah had a store or shop open: the trading was all done by permits from the commanding general; business of every kind was dead; and the railroad communication had been destroyed by Rebel and by Union troops, from opposite motives…The Fourteenth was at once assigned tp provost-duty…[The regiment was] quartered in a building in the heart of the city until the last of February when it went into camp in stockaded A tents, in a railroad cotton-yard west of the city. It was also relieved of all special duty in the city at the same time.”
The most disturbing sentence in Thomas’s letter reads as follows: “Our folks are building a fort through a grave yard and digging up the dead bodies and throwing them into the works.” The regimental history states that the 14th New Hampshire were put to work in March 1865 rebuilding the Confederate breastworks that were east of the city about two miles. One of the forts in this line of works was Fort Brown which happened to be near the Catholic cemetery, established in 1853. (see Hillcrest Abbey Roman Catholic Cemetery near Skidaway Road and East Gwinnett Street). The website of this cemetery informs us that “after the surrender of the city on November 23, 1864. Sherman ordered fortifications to be built, a project which removed cemetery fences, leaving it open to vandalism and theft. During this time many graves were desecrated by troops. The Sisters of Mercy, with the assistance of local women, rescued the remains of two bishops, two priests, and four sisters. It was only in 1867, after Bishop Augustin Verot urged President Andrew Johnson and Edwin M. Stanton (Secretary of War) to restore the Cemetery to its former state, that they were reinterred.”
The line of breastworks (in red) east and south constructed in an arc two miles outside of Savannah. These were constructed by Confederates but shored up by Union troops in March 1865.
Transcription
Addressed to Mr. Edwin Holmes, South Petersburg, Rensselaer county, New York
Savannah, Georgia March 27, 1865
Friend Edwin,
I am as well as usual and I hope this sheet will find youy the same. Please write and let me know how town meeting went off. I wish I could have been there to seen [it].
The 24th of this month I saw some peas about eight inches high. Some of the soldiers think the war is going to close next fall. I have written two letters before this to you and I would like to know the reason why you do not write a letter to me. I like to be a soldier well enough but I do not like shouldering arms quite so well.
This is a mean place. Our folks are building a fort through a grave yard and digging up the dead bodies and throwing them into the works. 1
We have not got paid off yet but expect to be soon and if you want to take my money and take care of it for me, write and let me know. I have written to Dr. Allen about it but I have not heard from him yet. If you take care of it, don’t let anybody have a cent of it unless you have an order from me.
The time goes off rather lonesome with me but I see some prospects of the war a closing next fall . As there is nothing going on here, I will draw to a close by saying goodbye. write soon.
Direct your letters to Thomas L. Scriven, Co. H, 14th Regt. N. H. Vols, 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 19th Army Corps, Savannah, Georgia
1 The only possible reference to the construction of a “fort” or “works” in or near Savannah in March 1865 appears on page 332 of the Regimental History by Francis H. Buffum. It reads, “On the 21st [March], fatigue-details from the regiment began work on the defenses two miles east of the city. The immense half-moon breastworks of the Rebels were deemed inadequate, and a desperate attempt to recover Savannah to the Confederacy was among the possibilities to be provided for.”
The following letter was written by James F. Smith while serving in the US Navy aboard the USS Grand Gulf assigned to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. I could not find anything more on Smith except that his wife filed a widow’s pension after his death and that his rank was “Captain after Guard” while aboard the USS Grand Gulf. This vessel was a wooden-hulled, propeller-driven steamer dubbed the Onward that was purchased by the Navy in September 1863 and renamed the USS Grand Gulf. Her first duty was to join the blockading squadron off Wilmington, North Carolina. She remained there until October 1864.
Smith wrote the letter to his friend, Allan McDougall Campbell (1835-1874), the son of Allan McDougall Campbell and Martha Matternley (1802-18xx) of Nova Scotia. At the time of the 1850 US Census, Allan was living under his mother’s roof in Westchester county, New York, his mother an apparent widow. At the time of the 1860 US Census, Allan was living in a New York City boarding house with his younger brother Donald working as a postal carrier. His brother Donald was working as a sign painter. It appears that Allan received his naturalization papers in August 1857. Allan enlisted in the US Navy in August 1863 and served aboard the USS Montauk, a single-turreted Passaic-class monitor launched in 1862 and part of the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron.
This is the vessel the author was on when he wrote the letter in November 1863. She was renamed the “General Grant” after she was returned to the merchant service after the Civil War.
Transcription
Addressed to Allan M. Campbell, care of Alexander Campbell, Morrisiana, Westchester, New York
USS Grand Gulf N. Atlantic Blockade Squadron November 20, 1863
Dear Friend,
We are now at anchor off Wilmington watching very closely the movements of the rebels and sometimes giving chase to strange vessels. There is three other vessels here—the Montgomery, Florida, and Connecticut. We expect to go to Beaufort in a few days to coal up.
The Keystone State, one of this squadron, captured a large steamer a short time ago, We also gave chase but finally lost sight of her and gave it up as a bad job.
The weather here is delightful and we have as comfortable a time as can be expected on ship board considering the place we are stationed at.
I have been sick for a few days but now my health is very good hoping this will find you enjoying the same blessing. I remain, dear Mack, your sincere friend, — J. S. Smith
N. B. Please write by return and address as you see on top pf letter. — J. F. S.
The following letter was written by William H. Smith who served in Horse Battery C, 3rd U. S. Artillery during the Civil War. This battery was organized in October 1861 under the command of Capt. Edward O. C. Ord and participated in the Peninsula Campaign in the spring and summer of 1862. This letter was penned from White House Landing in mid-June 1862 just prior to the 7 days battles before Richmond. The Battery played a major roll in the Battle of Antietam in September 1862 and then later at Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Brandy Station, Gettysburg, the Overland Campaign, and Cedar Creek.
The officers of Horse Battery C, 3rd US Artillery; Capt. Horatio G. Gibson 2nd from left. Taken at Fair Oaks in June 1862
Transcription
Addressed to Mr. Theodore C. Carver, Norton, Mass.
Camp near the White House [Landing], Virginia June 11, 1862
Dear Cousin.
I thought I would write you a few lines to let you know I am well and hope you are well. I received news that my father was dead. It was bad news for me to hear.
We have been fighting for 30 days. We are well, the 3rd Cavalry Division Corps, Gen. Nielson commanding.
How are all the young folks of Norton getting along? Tell me in your [next] letter when you write. When are you 100 days men with a day’s grub to carry along and a big trunk to carry along with theme? How is Milk. B. Brow? Is it better than it was?
We was camped within 15 miles of Richmond, Virginia, on the 1st of June. We started from the town of Hanover Court House and as we was on the road to the town of Ashland, the rebels charged up in rear and we had to get up and dust to Ashland. There we had to fight or get taken prisoner. About 5 o’clock in the afternoon the rebels charged into Ashland and we opened with canister and drove them back and we cut our way back to Hanover Court House and camped for the night.
I don’t think of any more now so good bye from your cousin, — Wm. H. Smith. Horse Battery C, 3rd U. S. Artillery, Washington D. C.
The following letter was written by William Nelson Lane (1843-1924), the son of William Henry Lane (1804-1882) and Lavina Wakefield (1809-1877) of Brownsville, Oxford county, Maine. In his letter, William mentions his older brother Simeon Pease Lane (1841-1921) who served in Co. H, 20th Maine Infantry.
William was 21 when he enlisted on 1 March 1864 as a private in the 3rd Maine Light Artillery. He survived the war, mustering out of the service on 1 September 1866. William was a farmer; his composition and spelling suggest a limited education.
When William wrote this letter from their encampment near Petersburg, the 2rd Maine Light Artillery had only recently joined the 9th Corps. Until 9 July 1864, they had been stationed at Camp Barry in the defenses of Washington D. C. Their commander was Capt. Ezekiel R. Mayo. During the siege of Petersburg, the battery participated in the 9th Corps’ infamous effort to mine and then blow up the Confederate defenses on 30 July 1864—just ten days after this letter was penned.
The boys of 3rd Maine Light Artillery in 1865 (Maine Memory)
Transcription
Addressed to Mr. Wm. H. Lane, Hiram, Maine(letter mismatched with envelope)
Near Petersburg, Virginia July 20, 1864
Dear Parents,
As I received a letter from you and was glad to hear from you and to hear you was well but father, I am sorry to hear that you are not well. I am well today and I hope these few lines will find you the same.
I saw Simeon yesterday and he as well then and he looked very well. But he said that he should like to be to home and see the folks. But he said that as long as the war [is going on and he is] so far away from home, he must be contented where he is. He has seen hard times since he left home. He has been in every battle since Grant’s [Overland] Campaign. His first battle was at the Wilderness and then he kept on till he got to Petersburg and here they had to stop and here we are today, both together. His regiment lays about half a mile from here where I lay,
It has been hot out here and dry but we had a nice rainstorm here the 18th of July and the army was glad to see it.
We have been a building a fort for the last few days. We are still at work now and I hope that we shall get through work soon for I am getting tired. I have heard the bells in Petersburg ring and I can see the city all plain. We can throw shells right into the city of Petersburg. we fired a shell from one of our guns into a house and set it on fire and there was three buildings burnt [that caught fire] from the first one that was burnt. The building that was burnt was brim full of sharpshooters and when they saw the fire, they all took out and commenced putting out the fire and as quick as we saw them, we opened on them with twenty pieces of artillery right at the fire and made the rebels run for dear life. And the faster they run, the hotter it grew till we could not see one of them. 1
There has been heavy firing on the right today but it all quiet now. It is five o’clock p.m. and I am in camp now a writing this letter. Father, I should like for you to be out here and see this place and see what we are a fighting for. Father, I received the money that you sent me and it come in a good time, you better believe.
I am in hopes that we shall get paid off soon for I want some money to buy something to eat. I do not get enough to eat out here and if we could only get paid off it would do us some good. We can et anything out here we want if we have money to pay for it.
I have no more news to write today. Write as soon as you get this. From your son, — Wm. N. Lane
Direct your letters to Mr. Wm. N. Lane, 9th Corps, 3rd Division, 3rd Maine Battery, Washington D. C.
Write soon as you get this letter. W. Nelson Lane
1 This shelling probably occurred on Saturday, July 16, 1864 as I journal entry written on that day by Charles Campbell, a civilian in Petersburg, reads: “The shelling today as usual. In afternoon heard the fire bells ringing twice, probably on account of houses set on fire by shells.” [See—Charles Campbell Journal, July 1864]
I could not find an image of Orman but here is Pvt. Joseph B. Dickinson of Co. M, 6th New York Heavy Artillery
This letter was written by 34 year-old private Orman Smith of Carmel, Putnam county, New York, who enlisted in Co. G, 135th New York Infantry on 30 August 1862. The letter was written from Camp Millington near Baltimore, Maryland before the designation of the regiment was changed to the 6th New York Heavy Artillery on 3 October 1862. This regiment was also known as the “Anthony Wayne Guard.”
In the 1860 US Census, 32 year-old Orman was enumerated as a “hatter” in his father’s household, William A. Smith, a 52 year-old “Master hatter.” Residing in the same household was his younger brother, 23 year-old Samuel Smith (also a hatter) to whom Orman addressed this letter.
In transcribing the letter I have had to make significant corrections to the spelling. Clearly Orman had a limited education. I was surprised to discover that he was actually 34 years old as his letter suggests the maturity more like that of a teenager.
Transcription
Camp Millington Saturday, September 13, 1862
Dear Brother,
I have just received your letter & am glad to hear that you are all well. I am well with the exceptions of a cold.
Today my company has been out on picket duty—all but about twenty of us. I wasn’t very well so I stayed at home. The regiment has to take turns. The got out about three miles on the turnpike towards Washington to look out for the rebels & keep the Baltimore folks from carrying provisions to them. They left this morning at 8 o’clock & will be in tomorrow at 9 or 10. We get up in the morning when the drum beats & that ought to beat at daylight to roll call, then breakfast, then we drill from 9 to 11, from 3 in the afternoon until 6 or 7. The afternoon drill is battalion drill & ends with dress parade. Then at 8 o’clock the drum beats to go to bed. Of all the places that I ever was in, camp life is ahead. We have more fun in one day that you could in a year up there.
[William] Hen[ry] Tilford, Myron Dingee, Bailey Ganung, William Robinson, & myself sleeps in one tent. We are close to the iron bridge on the turnpike & there is a battery on the right and on the left of us & they say there is 300,000 men between here and the Potomac. When we go out to drill in the afternoon, we go close to the left battery & in sight of the Chesapeake Bay,
Tobacco is 70 cents and 1.00 a pound, but all the peaches that I ever saw is down here, But they sell them very high—one cent apiece for one as big as your fist. Oysters 50 cents per bushel.
When we came to camp, we came by where Ellsworth was shot.
It is very warm here. Tell the old showman that I wish he was here for it is ahead of showing. Sam, I wish you would get my money and do what you think best with it. I will send an order in this letter for you to collect it.
There is a good many secesh here yet. We have to keep a guard over the spring to keep them from poisoning it. We don’t hear much war news here. There is a good many regiments that pass here most every day. There is a man in this regiment belongs to Company K that struck the cook and he has to carry a bag of sand 30 pound weight for 48 hours, 4 hours on and 2 off.
We had a false alarm the other night 12 o’clock to see how quick they could get them out and such a time you never see. The boys thought that the rebels was here in earnest. The boys seem anxious to see a fight but I guess that they never will. Vincent Barrett says damn the war. He don’t like it. But of all the speeches & capers that ever was poke or cut up is played here. It don’t seem possible that boys can think of so much Sunday.
I wish if you get a chance that you would send me a shirt or two. The shirts and drawers that we get is wool and they scratch so that I don’t like them & a tin box of medicine in my trunk. So no more at present.
From your brother, — O. J. Smith. Write soon. Direct your letters to Orman Smith, Company G, 135th Regiment, United States Volunteers, Camp Millington, Baltimore, Maryland
The following letter was written by Andrew Wallace Johnson (1826-1887) of the US Navy. He was appointed midshipman in 1841, and commissioned lieutenant, 15 September, 1855. He was made lieutenant-commander, 16 July, 1862, and in 1864-‘5 served with the South Atlantic blockading squadron, being on the iron-clads “Lehigh” and “Montauk ” in their engagements with Confederate batteries in Stono river, South Carolina, in July, 1864. He was commissioned commander, 2 February, 1869 and captain, 5 April, 1874, and served as chief of staff of the South Atlantic squadron from 1869 till 1870. After being assigned to special duty for several years at Washington, D. C., and at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Captain Johnson was retired by operation of law.
Andrew wrote the letter from the gunboat USS Unadilla which was patrolling the coast off Tybee Island, Georgia, conducting frequent reconnaissance surveys, and reporting on both suspected Confederate troop movements in the area and the construction and movements of the ram CSS Savannah. In January 1864, she underwent repairs at Port Royal and, in March, was dispatched to St. Johns River, Florida, for reconnaissance and convoy duties. After striking a sand bar, Unadilla returned to Port Royal in May where carpenters discovered that the battle-weary vessel needed an extensive overhaul. Unadilla was detained briefly in Ossabow Sound but, on 19 June, 1864, finally received orders north to the Philadelphia Navy Yard.
USS Unadilla
[Note: This letter is from the private collection of Greg Herr and was transcribed and published on Spared & Shared by express consent.]
Transcription
U. S. S. Unadilla, Tybee Roads, Georgia January 27th 1864
My dear Colonel,
Sincerely do I sympathize with yourself in the difficulties which have so suddenly and so singularly come upon you, but, feeling that you are the man for emergencies, I am hopeful whatever the future may develop for either you or I—for it seems that I too am in the melee and my friend Chaplin 1 also—let us meet it as cooley as possible and in our patience, possess our soul. There are always two sides to a question, and ours may be the bright side, notwithstanding all our misgivings and repinings. So far as General S. 2 is concerned, I presume his [ ] and conscience is not so topological as to be beyond one’s access.
I had intended to drop in on you this morning but the exercises of the vessel prevented me. I hope to do so tomorrow if the weather and the rules of the Army will permit me to communicate with you. Believe me, whatever the result of this affair may be.
Truly and sincerely your friend, — Johnson
1 J. C. Chaplin was the commander of the USS Dai Ching, a steam gunboat built in Shanhai that was purchased by the US Navy and was assigned duty in the South Atlantic Squadron at Tybee Roads with the USS Unadilla in 1864.
2 I suspect this is Gen. Truman Syemour who was placed in charge of the newly created District of Florida and was preparing for an expedition to Florida in February 1864 in which he planned to capture Jacksonville. The “melee” may have been related to some disagreement between the Army and Navy who often found difficulty working constructively together.
The following letter was written by Nathaniel Eugene (“Gene”) Wordin (1844-1915), the son of Nathaniel Sherwood Wordin (1813-1889) and Francis Augusta Leavenworth (182-1892) of Bridgeport, Connecticut. He wrote the letter to his older sister, Helen (“Nellie”) Caroline Wordin (b. 1842).
Gene enlisted on 28 August 1862 as a private in Co. I, 6th Connecticut Infantry. He was promoted to a corporal on 27 April 1864 and mustered out of the regiment on 3 June 1865. After the war he married Eliza Woodruff Barnes (1841-1921) and earned a medical degree from the Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia in 1875. He practiced allopathic medicine in Bridgeport, Ct.
In this lengthy letter to his older sister, Gene responds to numerous questions directed to him from prior correspondence with her and then brings her up-to-date with news of military affairs at Hilton Head in March 1864, including a long description of Gen. Truman Seymour, for whom he briefly worked as a clerk on the island. He also mentions the presence of Sam Cooley, the renowned photographer in the Department of the South who was setting up a studio on Hilton Head at the time.
Addressed to Miss Nellie C. Wordin, Care of N. S. Wardin, Esq., Bridgeport, Conn.
Hilton Head, South Carolina March 23rd 1864
Dear Sister,
It is just one week today since I received a large mail from home, a part of which—and no small part either—was a letter from yourself dated March 1864. With what pleasure it was received and read, you will never know. The most remarkable thing about it was its length, which for you was certainly very long, and as it was dated on no particular day but only the month, I could only infer thay you had been a month in writing it. Am I right in this? or will it do for me to draw my own inferences? As I said before, what the letter contained did not surprise me half as much as the length.
At the time of receiving it, I was very busy indeed on government work as you have since been informed, by two small notes from me and could not conveniently find time to make a suitable reply. As the time of writing my last note, I contemplated soon getting through with my reports and getting over my hurry and promised you an answer or a letter. I don’t know which. Well, I finished the last of my long reports last Friday and sent them to Washington on the Arago the same day. I have since written up my diary to the date for I keep every page in it filled, have had a little rest, and this is the beginning of the promised note. I am almost sorry now that I made such a promise for when you get to the end, if ever you do, I am afraid you will think it nought but nonsense. However, having made the promise, I shall keep it.
I have said that I received a large mail from home one week ago today. Besides your letter, I also received a long one from father which pleased me much—especially as it was the first one he had written since my unceremonious departure from home. He gave me a summary of news and some instructions which I needed and by which I shall profit. He seems to have a natural gift at writing—not only of letters but sentiment, both poetry and prose. I think it was too bad that he has not cultivated it and written more. I think this the more as I see more of his writings, many of which are to be found in the house.
He speaks of having made you a handsome present of furs. You told me about a part of it but not all. You were very fortunate in receiving such a splendid present, and of course you will wear them upon every possible occasion as they will be very warm and comfortable this cold winter. Besides that, if you do not make good use of a present, the giver naturally thinks that it is not appreciated. The mystery of the 10 dollar check is at length satisfactorily explained both by yourself and father. I was almost certain that it had been received but wanted to be positive. I made more trouble over it than the whole thing was worth. I have $50 more to send and will forward it at the earliest convenience; perhaps will enclose a few greenbacks with this before I get through, but everything is as yet uncertain.
Now I want to say something in regard to that little affair that you claim “roiled” me so much a few weeks since. I wish to simply say that I was not in the least “roiled.” My feelings were rather sorrow and grief than “roile”; the contents of the letter had been contemplated and studied on for several days and I went alone by myself to write it. I supposed from the hand writing of the letter I received, that you meant what was written, else why did you write this? Yet in the letter that lies before me, you say that you have no antipathy to Col. D. You will excuse me for saying that this is a contradiction of what you previously expressed. I had thought up to the time of writing that letter that you could treat him friendly and when I could not but think otherwise, I felt sorry that either yourself or mother should do the least injustice to him who had so constantly and frequently been kind to me, and for which you once had occasion to thank him in a public place. Pardon me for saying so much about it, for I could not reasonably let it pass. I am glad, very glad, that you told in the letter before referred to what you thought, but very sorry that your thoughts should have been so adverse to my best interests. Were they really your thoughts? Did you mean what you wrote? Or were they mother’s ideas? Do not evade this subject. I ask you, for I wish to understand you and be understood.
I am glad to hear that improvements are being made in and around the house. Should I return home again to live, a good and well assorted library will be one of the greatest attractions for me there, aside from the living ones. Look out for that set of Poe’s works and my Rebellion Record. I am very glad if the album adds anything to your pleasure. That, I believe, was really appreciated. I did not think so once, when I had to put the pictures in after they had lain between the leaves for weeks. I do not like that you should ask me anything about the arranging of changing of the pictures. What do I know about them? How should I know anything? I believe the book must be full and one of these days when I have made certain changes now contemplated, shall have one of my own and will then send for such of those as were my particular friends, those whose pictures were sent to me and leave you no right whatever to ask me anything about either book or contents. But since you have asked a question, I will say, change and arrange to suit yourself. If you are satisfied, I am perfectly. I have had none taken of myself since last summer. The galleries here now give pictures none of the best for $5 per dozen.
You will see by the advertisement in our Hilton Head papers that Mr. Cooley, or as Mother would call him, Sa-a-m Cooley, is going to put up a large building here 100 x 40 feet, the entire upper part of which he is to have for a gallery. The main floor is to be used by the proprietors of the “Pametto Herald.” Sa-a-m will turn out some pretty good pictures and then perhaps I will let you have one.
Sam A. Cooley and his traveling studio wagon
My discovering Miss Annie’s letter to Ben was all by chance, but there is some mystery about it. I was helping assort the mail when fortunately raking it up, I at once recognized the hand writing and showed it to him (Ben). I remember that he handled the letter very lively (for he was assorting too), as if he was expecting something he didn’t want anyone to see, and I have my suspicions that it is not the first one has received from the same source. Between you and I and the post office, I think these two young folks have for some time past been carrying on an underground or clandestine correspondence. I don’t believe Ben would have had me seen that letter for his two month’s pay. Do you still correspond with the young lady, and if so, what are the latest advices from the highness?
I received the Waterbury American that you sent me. The marks you had made around the column of deaths called my attention thither, and the first name was that of a fine young girl whose acquaintance I made last winter while in Waterbury.
You ask if we had any flowers here. I must say that as far as the weather is concerned, the past two or three nights have been as cold as any during the winter and cold enough, I imagine, for any of you in Connecticut. But supposing the weather as warm as some says have been, as warm as some of your fine days there, is no rumor, but very little on this island for flowers. You have no idea how much business and traveling is done here. Why the sand is kicked from one end to the other, from creek and river to ocean and back. There are, however, a few untouched spots on the island and there I suppose wild flowers can be found. I have neither time nor horses to ride around outside and see South Carolina in the spring time. Large bunches of oranges, fresh from the trees, are brought from Florida by every steamer, and sold at the wharf, but they can be handled only with great care to prevent them from falling off or else I would send you two or three for curiosities. The oranges are very large and look very tempting, but to the taste they are sour and good for nothing.
Your note dated March 14th and enclosing a letter of Cook’s was received today. I am glad to know that he has commenced his vacation in so good a way and with such a long letter. I guess he improves his time better than when I was home. Tell him I will write to him soon.
It will be three weeks Friday since the [smallpox] vaccine virus was applied to my arm and it is now getting well. The huge scab is almost ready to come off. It has caused me some trouble, of course. For two days I had a fever and my arm pained me so that I could scarcely use it. This was so much the worse as it came at a time when I was most busy, and could not stop work. However, I am all right now, and glad that it has been done, and is all over. The scab, I think, I shall give to one of the surgeons as it is quite valuable down here.
Cook writes me that Mr. Day is to have his exhibition in Franklin Hall, which is rather a stretch for him. I suppose, though, that he has something very fine this time. He has given some very fine exhibitions. I may well say the best of any school in the city—those that displayed most talent and originality, and in now making them public, he is but doing what he ought to have done three years ago. I suppose he is tempted to do this from the fact that the High School do not exhibit themselves this season. I wish him the best of success and have no doubt but that he will have it, and have a fine display of talent. Be pleased to send me a bill of fare.
You have enclosed the sample of ladies cloth which you ought to have done two months ago when you first mentioned it. After what I wrote in my last letter, I supposed you would purchase the article in question ready made, but since you prefer to make them up yourself, I too wish you to be busy, doing some good. There is not much preference in cloth as all of it shrinks. I hesitate in choosing between the samples sent as the heaviest is the poorest color for such use as I give it. One of my mess mates has some made of the same kind and color as the dark and as they look well, I will choose that too. His shrunk, however, and I would suggest that you shrink the cloth before making it up. Do not be sparing of cloth, for it is wanting most in length, both of the skirt and sleeves. I want a collar on them so that I can wear a coat without a white collar—that is, if you can make one that will fit. Put a pocket on each side, outside instead of in, of the same material as the whole, and I guess you will need no further instructions. Send then by mail and I will get them the quickest.
I believe now that I have answered all questions and touched about all the points mentioned in your two letters, and will now say something for myself, as perhaps I can interest you a little with what is transpiring in this Department. The general news you get in the papers that I weekly send you and which I suppose you receive, although you say nothing in regard to them. I am situated the same as when I wrote you last, and enjoy myself very well, stopping with the company, although the conversation is not of a style that I altogether prefer. I have not received any of my extra duty money yet as the quartermaster is out of funds. Twenty-five dollars per month and “found” is not doing very badly pecuniarily and scarcely a day passes in which I do not learn something new. I believe that I am in about as good a school as I ever went to, and shall try to learn my lesson well.
Alfred Bishop Beers (1845-1920) of Co. I, 6th Connecticut, was promoted to Captain of Co. B in March 1865.
Corporal [Alfred Bishop] Beers went home about one week ago as a veteran volunteer—three years more in the army. He makes quite a stay this time, having a furlough of thirty days in the State. The Orderly Sergeant of our company, John Waters, has also re-enlisted and gone home. It is said by the boys in the company (and I think with some shadow of truth too) that he has received a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in Co. B. Now don’t run after the corporal, but if you should chance to meet him on the street, please ask him to tell the fact to Sergeant Waters as a kindness to him, that he may be prepared to put on the traps when he gets back. I did not ask either of them to call at the house. You will easily guess from a former letter why not.
We all wonder at the long stay our chaplain is making and want to see him back once more. The 6th Regiment think a wondrous deal of their chaplain [illegible] is well. Edy Lyon is still on the Cosmopolitan.
I forgot to say, while speaking about carte-de-visits, I wish I could in some way get Father’s, but he has had none taken. If you or any one else can persuade him to visit an artist, I wish you would send me a picture. Fan’s, I must have too.
I do not know what conclusion you came to in regard to the flute. If you send it, send also that green music book containing the “Lancer’s,” “Miserere,” &c. Send the book anyway. As I said before, I have $50 to send home and for want of other means, shall send the greenbacks. Twenty dollars you will find enclosed, as I do not wish to trust so much as $50 at once. Will send more in my letter to Father and at different times. Please be so kind as to acknowledge receipt. You will appropriate a part of the expenses you or anyone else have been at for me and pay for the shorts which you are about to make up.
Gen. Truman Seymour—a “man of moderate size and height, rather thin in the face which is somewhat wrinkled, and betokens that the owner has seen much care. A bright discerning eye, a rather lofty and manly bearing—his harir is mixed with gray.”
I see by the northern papers that the affair at “Olustee” Florida is creating considerable talk, and that many different reports are given, laying the blame of it upon innocent persons’ heads. I have seen also many sketches and remarks upon Gen. [Truman] Seymour; the commander of the Union forces in Florida. Perhaps you will be somewhat interested in him, as being one under whom I served, though, but for a short time. He had command here for several months while the expedition was being organized. I send his photograph but to tell the truth, it really does him not justice. Mounted, he is a fine looking officer, and a splendid rider. He is a man of moderate size and height, rather thin in the face, which is somewhat wrinkled, and betokens that the owner has seen much care. A bright, discerning eye, a rather lofty and manly bearing—his hair is mixed with gray. He is attentive to the wants of his men and scarcely a day passed while he was here in which he could not be seen riding around, looking after their interest, if anything was wanting, and finding out what was being done wrong.
When a man does a thing well, he praises him for it, but when he is caught in a scrape, the unlucky offender meets with a severe but deserving punishment. He is a native of Vermont, a graduate of West Poit, at present Captain in the 5th Artillery, USA, and was one of Major Anderson’s gallant band who were in Fort Sumter during its first bombardment in ’61. He has since played an important [part] in the reduction of the same fort. The way in which he made his advent in this Department, little more than a year ago, is highly characteristic of the man. Being ordered to report to Maj. Gen. Hunter, he came to Hilton Head disguised as a citizen, and in that way went on an inspecting tour all around the Head and Beaufort. He visited hospitals, offices, bake houses and stores, negro quarters, forts, magazines, and every place. Very frequently he would engage in conversation [with] some private whom he met in his ramblings, and draw from the unsuspecting soldier his opinions in regard to this thing or that, the officers in command of the Department, post or regiment. Thus he derived a great deal of valuable information. At one time he was known to approach a sentry on his beat at the head of the wharf and offer him a bottle of whiskey (which he had concealed under his coat for the purpose), if the sentry would let him pass. But the guard had his wits about him, thought the man was most too free with his whiskey, smelled a mouse, and couldn’t [ ]. He was finally discovered by a brother officer in the Regular Army who recognized him. When Gen. T[ruman] Seymour was announced to the command, of course he knew what was what—how, when and where to go to work.
He was made Chief of Staff and Artillery by Gen. Hunter. You will find a very short sketch of him in the New South which I have sent you. He was in command of the part that so gallantly stormed Fort Wagner, and met with such a bloody repulse on the night of July 18th. In this charge he was wounded in the foot and went North to recover, where he remained for some time, returning to this Department in the month of October, I believe. He was then placed in command of Hilton Head District which he held until the 6th day of Februry, he sailed in command of the expedition for Jacksonville. He is a brave man, has the confidence of his men, and is very popular with them. Lieut. S[tephen] S. Stevens of Bridgeport, Co. I, 6th Connecticut was acting as his Asst. Adjt. General when he was killed at Wagner. I don’t know as any of this will be very interesting to you, but thought it might, as you ought at least to have some concern for what transpires in this Department.
I see that Capt. [William Lewis] Hubbell 1 has been exchanged and has arrived within the Union lines. He has made quite a stay in Richmond, but has been far more fortunate than many others who were confined some time before him. I suppose he has arrived home and is among dear friends long before this. I think he ought to have been Major of the 17th while there was a vacancy. But Colonel [William H.] Noble did not know of his release at the time Capt. [Henry] Allen was made Major and even then he might not have got it. Among the promotions I see that Theod. Gray is Captain. Hen. North 2nd Lieutenant; both in the 17th.
Some of our boys on guard at the wharf speak of seeing Col. Noble on the Arago. I believe he went North on her. Perhaps you do not know that the Capt. [Henry B.] Chamberlain [97th NY] who “tunneled out” of Libby and succeeded in making his escape into the Federal lines with Col. [Abel Delos] Streight and other 16 Union officers and who recently delivered a lecture in Bridgeport is no less a personage than the brother of Oscar of G. H. I. notoriety.
I don’t like to hurry you but would like one of those shirts by return mail if possible. Am not, however, very particular. Please ascertain the price of paper collars, garrotte, both single and by the box. If you conclude to put a cloth collar on the shirts, send me a plain black cravat about one inch and a half wide.
Now let me conclude. I have said enough for once. And let me be understood when I saw, this is not “to be continued in our next.” If there is any point which I have not fully explained, or if I have omitted any subject on which you are curious, mention it when you write again, if indeed you are not now discouraged in doing so. Perhaps I ought not to have written as much, or just what I have done, but I was prompted to it by the ill-timed promise made so hastily in my last note to you. As I now use altogether the paper in the office, I thought to have a little change this time by taking some government “note”, but do not propose a long continuance of the use of the same.
It is now Friday, the 25th. This letter commenced the day before yesterday, has been written at odd moments, which accounts for most of its flightiness. Your last letter was received on the 23rd by the steamer United States. The Fulton arrived Thursday morning with a mail, but it did me no good. The mail by the Fulton, going North, will probably close tomorrow.
I most respectfully inquire about, and send my kind regards to everybody. With love to all, I subscribe myself as usual in the same old style and place, — Gene
1 William Lewis Hubbell of Bridgeport, Connecticut, served in the 17th Connecticut Infantry. He was taken prisoner at Gettysburg while serving on the staff of Brig-General Francis Barlow. He was held prisoner at Libby Prison in Richmond until 7 March 1864 when he was exchanged.
