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.
This letter was written by Francis (“Frank”) J. Deemer (1838-1915) who enlisted In August 1862 at Scranton, PA to serve nine months in Co. K, 132nd Pennsylvania Infantry. Frank was promoted to Sergt. Major on 24 January 1863. He survived his tour of duty with the 132nd PA and went on to serve as 1st Lt. in Co. G, 187th Pennsylvania.
This letter was written just days before the Battle of Chancellorsville in which Deemer’s regiment was held in reserve for the first two days but was active at the front on May 3 and 4, losing about 50 men killed and wounded. On May 14, the regiment’s term expired and they were mustered out.
In his letter, Frank mentions receiving badges from his sister. These were probably home-made Corps Badges as were introduced by Gen. Joe Hooker, commander of the Army of the Potomac. The 132nd Pennsylvania was in the 3rd Brigade of the 3rd Division of the 2d Corps. Their badge would have been a blue trefoil.
A large albumen print of seven veterans of the 132nd Pennsylvania, taken between 17 & 24 May 1863 in Harrisburg while they waited to be mustered out of the service. The soldier at bottom left has 132 affixed to the chinstrap of his forge cap as well as a first issue Second Corps badge on top. The soldier at bottom right has a Co. K letter on the top of his forge cap. Presumably all seven soldiers were members of Co. K (Scranton Guards) who were recruited in the Borough of Scranton in the late summer of 1862. The 132nd Pennsylvania was a nine-month regiment that saw heavy combat in three major engagements as part of the Second Corps: Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville. Michael Passero Collection.
Transcription
Camp near Falmouth, Virginia April 15th 1863
Dear Sister,
I received yours with the badges enclosed yesterday. One I kept for myself; the other I gave to Hix Jay. We are both thankful for them.
I have no time to write much now as we expect to march tomorrow morning, Where we are going to I cannot tell—perhaps to Richmond. Before we get there, however, we will have to do some pretty hard fighting. About 15 or 20,000 cavalry left the army early yesterday morning and went up the river. They no doubt intend to make a crossing and assisted with the infantry &c. try to turn the Rebels left. We are left to cross the river and drive the Rebs in front.
“Should we cross here, we will lose a great many men as the Rebs have rifle pits and breastworks that extend for miles back into the country. I hope o get through it all safe and do not think of getting killed.”
—Frank Deemer, Co. K, 132nd Pennsylvania, 15 April 1863
This will be a dangerous as well as a hard task to perform but I think we are equal to it. Should we cross here, we will lose a great many men as the Rebs have rifle pits and breastworks that extend for miles back into the country. I hope to get through it all safe and do not think of getting killed.
You appear to have changed your opinion about Emma Goby. What is your reason for it? You also ask me whether or not I’m engaged. I can’t tell you just now but will say that I am not engaged to Emma. That was canceled some time ago. I hope she has been and always will be as happy as I have since then. I received a letter from her more that six weeks ago and to judge from the tenor of it, I would think she was not as well in mind as she might be. I did not answer it for which I’m very sorry. If you see her, tell her that I’ve had scarcely any time to write and that she must excuse me for neglecting to answer her letter. She has an old silver dollar of mine which I wish you would get and keep for me. I gave to her almost five years ago to keep for me.
I answered John’s letter last week but not Mother’s and do not think I will have time previous to our move but will write the first opportunity.
With love to all, I remain your affectionate brother, — Frank
A middle-aged, unidentified North Carolina soldier from the collection of Jason Kraucz (CW Faces)
This letter was written by Alexander McDonald(1829-1863) of Co. C (“the Moore county Scotch Riflemen”), 35th North Carolina Infantry. Alexander mustered into the regiment as a private on 6 November 1861 when he was twenty years old along with Hugh McDonald who may have been his nephew. At the time of his enlistment he was described as a 32 year-old farmer standing 5 foot, 7 inches tall. He died in February 1863 from disease.
In his letter, Alex mentions a couple of relatives which may provide clues to his ancestry. He mentions receiving a letter from brother Neill. This was probably the same Neill McDonald (1833-1862) from Moore county, NC, who served as a private in Co. H, 30th North Carolina Infantry. This regiment was mustered into service at Wilmington on 8 October 1861. Neill was wounded in the Battle of Antietam (gunshot wound to the shoulder) and later died of disease at home on 25 December 1862. Neill’s parents were Norman McDonald (1800-1880) and Sarah Catherine McNeill (1810-1883).
James W. McDonald (1830-1862) as his “cousin.” James was also a farmer from Carthage, Moore county, NC, who served in Co. C, 35th North Carolina. He enlisted at or near the same time as Alexander and he also died of disease in the service—his death occurring on 13 January 1862.
[Camp Mangum near Raleigh, North Carolina] December 11, 1861
Dear Brother and friend,
I take this opportunity of informing you all that I am well at this present time hoping these lines to find you all enjoying the same comfort. I would write home oftener than I do only there are so many passing between here and home. McBlue and some others reached our camp last night. They brought a large amount of bed clothing and provisions. They brought potatoes that was damaged by being out so long. I got my bed tick. I would [advise] you and all that anything to camp to send it in the care of the captain and the regiment. The turnips you sent me reached camp next Wednesday after they left home. All of Capt. Kelly’s company was in Raleigh that day getting arms and the men could not find any owner and he carried the turnips back to Raleigh and I have not got my turnips yet. Anything that is to be carried by a stranger must be well marked or it may get lost.
A good many of the company is complaining but none bad off—only cousin James W. McDonald. He has got the typhoid fever. It is expected that the regiment will leave here before Christmas. As to where we will go is not known.
I received a letter from brother Neill some 12 days ago of which he stated that he was well. We have the promise of overcoat and if I don’t get a coat before we leave here, I will send home for one. There are nearly three regiments in camp here. I have some letter [ ] in my trunk. I want you to send some of them to me by some person that will pass by here.
Elias Harrington was in camp here the 3rd night of this month on his way to Norfolk, Virginia, to get salt and I sent 5 dollars to get some salt. I heard since he left that a man from Raleigh came from that place and he said that 800 hundred wagons was waiting at the place so I think it is a doubtful case that I will get any at all. If he does get any, you can find out very soon. I heard that none in this regiment will not get to go home after the 20th of this month. I thought I would go home but I see a bad chance for it now.
Some think that peace will be made before two weeks and some say we will never have peace till the South go over to the North and fight there. Nothing more at present. I must close. — Alex McDonald
This letter was written by Ezra McConnell (1836-1902), the son of Michael McConnell (1801-1872) and Susan Gallagher (1795-1875) of Cadiz, Harrison county, Ohio. Ezra was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in Co. B, 30th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI) in August 1861 and was promoted to 1st Lieutenant of Co. C on 25 October 1863. Ezra was not mustered out of the service until 10 January 1865. He was married in 1858 to Phebe Krim (1828-1894).
Ezra McConnell, Co. B, 30th Ohio Infantry
The majority of the content in this letter was devoted to a description of the desertion, arrest, court martial, and execution of Pvt. Richard Gatewood of Co. C, 1st Kentucky Infantry—the execution taking place on the date of letter, 20 December 1861. It was only the second Union soldier execution carried out by the military during the Civil War—the 7th of 267 recorded executions. From an article appearing in the Sunday Gazette-Mail of Charleston, West Virginia, written by Boyd B. Stutler and published on 4 February 1962, we learn that the 1st and 2nd Kentucky Infantry regiments attached to Gen. Cox’s command were “only nominally Kentuckians; the outfits were recruited along the waterfront at Cincinnati and were composed for a very large part of rivermen who had been idled by the suspension of steamboat traffic in the Southern waters. The men were rough and tough and did not take kindly to strict military discipline.”
Stutler’s article also informs us that the location of the execution was in the broad meadow just below the mouth of Elk River near the Kanawha river.
[Note: This letter is from the private collection of Greg Herr and is published on Spared & Shared by express consent.]
Transcription
Charleston, Virginia December 20th 1861
Dear Brother,
Here I have been detained for over a day waiting for a boat. We got to Gallipolis about 10 o’clock the night I wrote to Mother and stayed at the hotel until 6 o’clock the next morning. While there we heard that the Rebels were in Louisa near the Ohio River and that unless there was reinforcements soon, there might be trouble going down. We got in the Government boat Silver Lake and got here at 5:30 o’clock last night. The bat was hardly landed when an order came from Gen. [Jacob D.] Cox to take a company or two down to the Red House half way between here and Gallipolis as what troops were there were expecting an attack there by that lawless desperado Lt. Col. Jenkins of the Rebel army. I don’t know what they made of it.
I witnessed a solemn scene today. There was a soldier shot by a sentence of a General Court Martial. He was from Louisville, Kentucky, [and] belonged to the 1st Kentucky. He deserted and came back of his own accord. He was put under arrest and he behaved himself very badly—cursed and abused the Major, knocked down one of the guards, and today he suffered on account of it.
There was a hollow square formed consisting of the 1st and 2nd Kentucky, 12th Ohio, and a cavalry company. The ambulance containing the victim and three chaplains was driven into the center of the ground escorted by the Provost Marshal and his guards. They got out of the ambulance and took his coffin which he had been sitting on and laid it on the ground where the four knelt on it and each of the chaplains offered up a prayer for him. He seemed very penitent.
He ha his eyes bandaged. He then shook hands with the chaplains and surgeons and at the same time the guns were brought in. The Provost Marshal then went up to him and talked to him awhile 1 and the detail that was to shoot him came in. The Marshal got him to kneel on his coffin again and went forward apiece and motioned with his handkerchief and eight men came to an aim. Another wave of the handkerchief and the poor fellow fell back dead. He died without a struggle. They shot him through the heart. The surgeons went to him and took out his heart and saw that the balls had penetrated it, replaced it, put him in his coffin, and drove him off to the grave yard. 2
I hope the U. S. A. will never have occasion to do such another act. He deserved his fate. We must have discipline or we will have no success. He was a very bad man. His parents live near Louisville, Kentucky.
Farewell. Don’t forget to write. Love to all. — Ezra McConnell
Charleston, Va.
1 The article entitled “The Execution of Pvt. Gatewood,” by Boyd Stutler states that the Provost Marshal, “with merciful deception” told the prisoner he must wait a moment and he would return to him before the final order, but quickly stepping out of the range of the muskets, he gave the signal with his handkerchief and the man fell dead at the folley which sounded like a single discharge.”
2 Other accounts of the execution say nothing about the surgeons removing Gatewood’s heart from his body, examining it, and replacing it before placing the body in the coffin. If true, this seems to have been a highly unusual and unnecessary measure to establish Gatewood’s death and if it was actually done, must have been ordered only to instill greater order and discipline among the troops.
This December 1845 letter was written by Rev. Wilson L. McAlister (1803-1859), a native of Nashville, TN, and a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church South, while serving as superintendent of the Fort Coffee Academy (school for boys) and New Hope (school for girls) located on the Arkansas River in the Choctaw Nation. The Fort Coffee Academy occupied the abandoned military post on a high bluff named Swallow Rock overlooking the Arkansas River. New Hope was located some five miles distant.
Both schools were started in 1843 under the auspices of the ME Church with the appointment of Rev. William H. Goode as the first superintendent. The abandoned military buildings were repaired and used as school and dwelling houses for the Indian pupils and missionaries. The old quarters had been built of hewed logs, had window shutters and doors of battens, stone chimneys and formed a square of a hundred feet to the side. The side facing the river was open and afforded a fine view. Henry C. Benson who wrote Life Among the Choctaws (Cincinnati, 1860) was the first teacher at Fort Coffee Academy.
The coursework for the Indian boys included instruction in agriculture and mechanical arts as well as literature and morals. The females were instructed in domestic labors. Rev. Goode left the school in March 1843 and was replaced by McAlister later in the year and began to teach the students from more conventional textbooks such as “Goodrich Readers, Ray’s Arithmetic, Kirkham’s Prose, Mitchell’s Geography, Noah Webster’s Dictionary.” These works were not of practical value and consequently not so well received by the Indian students—particularly the older ones—and McAlister voiced his objection to continuing with any students beyond the age of fifteen.
Though I could not find a complete account of his years in the ministry of the Methodist church, I know that he served for a time in Florence, Alabama in the 1830s and later at Memphis, Tennessee. McAlister’s obituary claims he was a missionary to the Indians for the last twenty years of his life. He died in 1859. His wife, Nancy (Walker) McAlister (1805-1860) died the following year.
McAlister wrote the letter to Paul M. Palmer (1804-Aft1860), a merchant and slave-owner who lived in Somerville, Fayette county, Tennessee.
Fort Coffee, artist sketch (Oklahoma Historical Society)
Transcription
Fort Coffee Choctaw Nation December 19th 1845
Mr. and Mrs. Palmer Dear Brother & Sister,
In a mood of uneasiness bordering on distress, we have waited and waited and waited an answer to ours which was written a few days after we arrived. We should have thought the letter failed to reach you, and written you again, but we put it on the same steamboat with a few others sent to your vicinity, answers to all of which we received.
Then a conjecture; I have said something—or done something which has grieved your feelings. This may appear trifling to you, but it has cost us many uneasy moments. Again we heard you had been very sick and to what extent we were unable to ascertain—but thought probably disease was continued with you, and you was not able to write. And now an exclamation, O! they will write; wait another mail. And so we have been making the best of this case we could until waiting and conjecturing have become impracticable, and I have determined we will either have an eye tooth or an answer.
Woman, in whose heart the name “Jesus: is embalmed, never fails.” Therefore we call upon Elly to relieve us. Send us a letter, though Paul may fail.
Our work, I suppose, is progressing though we are so little acquainted with such a work. We hardly conclude ourselves competent to judge. The children are certainly advancing in letters greatly for Indians and we have an occasional accession to the church. We number in the male school fifty boys and thirty in the female. Many in both branches are very interesting boys and girls. Both the teachers in the male school [Benson and Brigham] are ministers who assist me in preaching about twice a week on an average. We have regular “Class Meeting,” never introduced among them at this place till lately.
We have appointed two of the young men (students) class leaders. It would be a matter of religious amusement to you to join us in class meeting. Our circuit preacher [John Page 1] is a native Choctaw—a man of more than ordinary abilities—in our tongue—and uncommonly eloquent in his own tongue. He renders us great assistance as an interpreter. And through him we have easy access to the scholars.
The country is pleasant enough. But we have suffered very much with afflictions—through September—and down till a few days since. Wife has been dangerously ill some three times. All the children have had various attacks and in the time your humble servant has been down five times, and twice for the want of a steamer, badly salivated. And am now but just able to write though not able to eat without pain. Afflictions are serviceable in a moral sense, in which we trust we have lost nothing. To be sick, however, is unpleasant anywhere! But to be sick—a whole family sick, in a heathen land, and they for the most part strangers and care nothing whether you die, is more unpleasant.
The people in this country say they have never seen such a year for sickness here so we are hoping for better times. As we, however, live immediately on the “Arkansas River,” may look out for chills all the time—I suppose somewhat like the Hatchie river and the balance of your country.
You have upon your circuit this year my last year’s colleague—Brother Knott. You will find him a brother true and good—an excellent preacher and pious. You will please give my love. I shall write him soon. The girls are at Jackson. Send them our howdy. Buck is with Dr. W. “Peace be to his soul.” Horace and Bills and Anna and little Mc. It would be thrilling if we were able to kiss them once more.
And Mrs. Stith—we would like to give her a hearty shake hands if her afflicted hand would allow it. And your niece—be sure and remember us to her on first sight. Sister McGowen and family are not forgotten by us and we hope you will say so to her.
And what for you and Emily? Why I must wait with my family till we meet you in heaven lest what we might say for you in this lonely and weak state would make you blush. But if we should be so fortunate as to meet you in heaven, “where friends shall meet again, who have loved,” you shall have the vast records of gratitude and love now upon the tables of our hearts, spread before you for your perusal. May the counterpart of heaven be in and about you, till you have heaven complete.
What are the times in your Tennessee? Write any and everything in your hearts—fully and freely. All will interest us. Fill up your sheet. Fill it full. Let it run over. And we would have no objection to an extra sheet sent out.
We are not situated as you are. You meet with friends daily to soothe out and cheer you up and we never. So we prize letters very highly. We call them our friends and rejoice over them like you would over a friend in person because that is the best we can do. Your brother and friend, — W. L. McAlister
My address is Choctaw Agency, Choctaw Nation, Via Fort Smith, Arkansas
That will be enough to bring the letter directly. Short of that, they come by Fort Towson.
1 In his book, Outposts of Zion, Rev. William H. Goode described John Page as, “my excellent young Indian colleague…, a fine traveling companion. modest and pious, but full of innocent glee.” [page 156]
This account of the Battle of Port Royal was written by Private James (“Jimmy”) A. Parker (1839-1862) who enlisted in Co. E, 100th Pennsylvania Infantry (a.k.a. the “Roundheads”) on 31 August 1861 for three years.
I could not find an image of James but here is a tintype of Pvt. Patrick Creegen of Co. M, 100th Pennsylvania (Karen Creegen Cooper Family Collection)
The regiment was part of the Dupont-Sherman grand “Naval Expedition” of some 15 regiments that were transported from Fortress Monroe to Port Royal, South Carolina, on 75 steamers through a hurricane in late October-early November 1861, culminating in the bombardment and occupation of Forts Walker and Beauregard at Port Royal on 7-8 November 1861. The rebels vacated the forts following the Naval bombardment with little loss—8 killed and 23 wounded on the Union side.
The 100th Pennsylvania were mere observers in the action and soon after were sent to Beaufort on Port Royal Island where they remained for several months. They would not see their first action until the Battle of Secessionville on 16 June 1862, where they attacked a confederate battery (Battery Lamar) that was a threat to Union-secured fortifications on the coast. The assault was suicidal in strategy according to the Brigade Commander, Colonel Leasure, but was ordered by higher command. Battery Lamar was situated on a hill on a peninsula-like piece of land between swamps. Attempts at flanking the battery were thwarted because of difficult mobility through the swamp. The Roundheads had no choice but to make a frontal attack. The battle took its toll on the Roundheads with 13 killed and mortally wounded. This battle essentially ended the Roundheads service on the south coast and they were off to Virginia in July of 1862.
It was in the assault on Battery Lamar that Jimmy Parker lost his life. We know this because his comrade, Eddie Miles, wrote the following to his father on 24 June 1862:
“And Jimmy Parker is dead [too]. I haven’t [heard] anything about him since the fight. I miss him as much as I would a brother. We have drilled together for a year now. He was as good [a] soldier as ever was. When we was going out that morning to fight, he was as merry as anybody & said we didn’t know who would come back again. We double quicked a mile & a half up to the fort right in front of six cannons & I don’t know how many infantry & they let loose on us with grape shot & canister & log chains & bottles & pikes, nails, & everything they could get into the cannons. It just mowed our men down like a shot gun would a flock of pigeons. Jimmy Parker’s leg was shot off with a grape shot by the thigh & he was left on the field when we had to retreat [where] the Rebels would get him. Some of the boys saw him when we was on the retreat & he was almost dead. He shook hands with them & told them to shift for themselves to keep the Rebels from getting them. There was 4 of our company killed & 9 wounded but some of them was very slightly hurt.”[See 1862: Edward Riddle Miles to William Miles on Spared & Shared 19]
James’ muster roll tells us he was born in Trumbull county (Ohio) but residing in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania when he enlisted in 1861. The 1860 US Census enumerates him in Plain Grove of Lawrence county, living in the household of 51 year-old Andrew Christy (1809-1880) and 52 year-old Abigail (Parker) Christy (1809-1889)—his uncle and aunt, and also 82 year-old Abigail (Hart) Parker—his grandmother and the widow of Joel Parker (1768-1845). James was one of at least eleven children born to Moses Atwater Parker (1802-1889) and Catherine C. Christy (1808-1879) who were farming in Kinsman, Trumbull county, Ohio at the time James went to war.
I received a note from you some time ago. Was glad to hear from you but have neglected answering it till now. There is no use for me to apologize for negligence but I will try and do better the next time. We left Annapolis October 17th on the Ocean Queen. Was on the water twenty days. There was a big storm the 31st and there was one vessel lost called the Governor. There was twenty soldiers lost with her. The rest was taken prisoner. I believe we landed on Hilton Head November 8th safe and right side up with care. I must tell you, the boys was about all sea sick but Riddle and myself. You know the water won’t affect us. I had better tell you how we are now. G. Marbell has been sick with a fever but is getting better. D. Emery is sick. I don’t know what ails him. The rest that hasn’t the measles are all well but me and I am able to eat my rations and act the fool as much as ever.
The greatest trouble is there any girls here for us to bother. E. R. is sitting here writing. The old man came along said, “Riddle, I am afraid you ain’t spending the Sabbath as you ought.” He says, “Do you think, I was out with my gun a while ago.” That is enough about that.
The Rebels was pretty well fortified here but they had to leave. The fight commenced the 7th about ten o’clock and lasted about five hours. The Rebels run and left everything behind them. They left dead and wounded. I don’t know how many there was killed on their side. There was but eight killed on our side and some few wounded.
Hilton Head is a rich place. There is sweet potatoes, cotton and oranges and lots more things too numerous to mention. Riddle received a letter from you yesterday. You said Mary Christy had gone to her mother’s. I don’t know how you will get along without her. I must quit for it is about time for dress parade.
Please write soon and I will try and answer the next sooner. Nothing more but remain your friend as ever. My respects to all inquiring friends, — J. A. Parker
to H. R. Mills
N. B. Direct [to] J. A. Parker, Co. E, Round Head Regiment, 2nd Brigade, Sherman’s Division in care of Col. Tompkins, A. Q. M. via N. Y. City
Please give Uncle Woolly the address and oblige your friend. Joseph Woolly, he wrote to his father and told him to direct as before but the mail carries by New York. He wanted to know if I was writing to any of you to send him the address.
I could not find an image of John but here is one of Pvt. Watson Garrett of Co. G, 12th Connecticut Infantry (Photo Sleuth)
This letter was written by Pvt. John H. Chadwick (1844-1864) of Co. F, 12th Connecticut Infantry. John enlisted on 17 October 1861 and was mustered into the service on 19 November 1861. He was with his regiment until his death on 19 October 1864—killed in action at the Battle of Cedar Creek.
In the 1850 US Census, 5 year-old John was enumerated in his parents home in Seymour, New Haven, Connecticut. His parents were Frederick and Martha E. (Rhodes) Chadwick. In the 1860 US Census, John—now an orphan—was enumerated in the household of Mathew (“Matti”) G. Murdock, a carpenter in Westbrook, Middlesex county, Connecticut. It was Mr. Murdock to whom this letter was most likely addressed.
In his letter, John mentions his older brother Thomas Chadwick (b. 1840) who was working as a blacksmith in Seymour, Connecticut, when he enlisted in the same company as John. Tom survived the war. He also mentions Sergeant Edwin W. Bushnell served in Co. F and was also from the same town of Westbrook, Connecticut.
Transcription
A lithograph of New Orleans on the header of Chadwick’s letter.
Camp Kearney October 10th [1862]
Dear Friend,
I take this opportunity of writing a few words to you and let you know how things are. I am about the same. I have a shake every other day. 1 I haven’t done much duty for the last two months. Brother Tom is in the hospital but is not very sick. Our regiment [12th Connecticut] has ben moved from Camp Parapet to within three miles of New Orleans. We are in a new Brigade under Gen. [Godfrey] Weitzel. we are expecting to leave every day. we don’t know where. Some say up the river—some say to Mobile, but I guess they don’t know.
Ed Bushnell has been promoted from 5th Sergeant to 1st Sergeant. He is now next to a Lieutenant. The rest of the boys are pretty well. I sent you a letter and three papers about the 8th of September. I haven’t heard from you since then so I don’t know whether you have got them or not.
Give my best respects to Mrs. Murdock and yourself. From John Chadwick
1 Symptoms of malaria resemble those of flu and can typically last 6–10hours and recur every second day. However, some strains of the parasite can have a longer cycle or cause mixed symptoms.
These three letters were written by Pvt. Amedee Dolhonde (E. A. Doland) of Co. B, 8th Louisiana Infantry. Joining him in signing the letter was Sgt. Robert Goldsmith of Co. G, 8th Alabama Infantry.
Confederate Prisoners of War at Camp Douglas in Chicago(Civil War in Tennessee Collection)
Amedee Dolhonde (1840-Aft1880) was the son of Jean Baptiste Dolhonde (1798-1860) and Josephina Carolie de Alpuente (180901869) of New Orleans, Louisiana. Apparently, during the war, Amedee signed the payroll “E A. Doland” to simplify his name. During much of the time he was with the regiment, Amedee served as a clerk, presumably because of his excellent handwriting. He was taken prisoner at Gettysburg on 3 July 1863. His muster records include an unusual notation: “Captured in Penn., never fired a gun, took the oath, a skulker & coward.” Another record indicates that he deserted in Pennsylvania and was captured at South Mountain on 4 July 1863. He was paroled at Fort McHenry, Maryland, and transferred to Fort Delaware on 9 July 1863. It appears that he took the oath of allegiance in December 1864. After the war, Ameede returned to New Orleans where he worked as a fisherman.
Robert Goldsmith enrolled as a private in Co. G, 8th Alabama Infantry at Mobile on 25 May 1861. His muster records indicate he went missing at the Battle of Gettysburg and subsequent records inform us that he was taken prisoner on 2 July 1863 and taken to Fort Delaware. He remained a prisoner there until his release on 10 May 1865.
All three of the letters were addressed to Miss Belle Groshorn of Wheeling, West Virginia. Belle’s last name was misspelled; it should have been Goshorn. Isabel Goshorn (1840-1919) was the daughter of a Wheeling dry goods merchant named William Scott Goshorn (1814-1891) and his wife, Priscilla Jane Zinn (1821-1878). Mr. Goshorn was up to the time of the Civil War an Old Line Whig, but afterwards was a Democrat, and through the war his sympathies were with the South. He was a slave owner, and an incident is recalled by his death which made a stir all over the country at the time. A slave woman named Lucinda Johnson (note: her name was Sarah Lucy Bagby) ran away from him and escaped to Cleveland, Ohio. “Mr. Goshorn went after her, reclaimed her and brought her back. Anti-slavery agitators and others in Northern Ohio sought to prevent her return to Virginia and there were exciting scenes in which Mr. Goshorn had a close rub, the populace having been much stirred up by the discussion of the matter and being in a mood to do any slaveholder bodily injury.”
In 1870, Isabel married Joseph S. Irwin (1830-1876).
Sketch of Fort Delaware Prison in March 1864(Boston Athenaeum Digital Collections)
Letter 1
Addressed to Miss Belle Groshorn, Wheeling, West Virginia
Fort Delaware, Delaware 17 October 1864
Miss Belle Groshorn Dear Friend,
Having heard of your many acts of charity towards prisoners of war, I am resolved to ask your kind assistance in my behalf and friend, Maj. Mr. R. Goldsmith of Alabama. It may be in your power to allow our wants. Yuor name is furnished to us by a fellow prisoner. He reassured us that our letter would be received by you kindly. We have no friends or relations here in the North to whom we could apply to. As our clothes are nearly worn out and we have no prospect of getting any which will leave us naked for the coming cold winter, I feel a delicacy in applying to you but my actual necessity compels me to such a course of beg[ging] your kind assistance. And could you know our care here, or form an idea of our situation, I know you would not think hard of us for the boldness we have taken.
If you could only send us some clothes, at present we can only thank and bless you, but you will have the prayers of a fond mother and sisters at home whom are lost to us since we have been prisoners here in Fort Delaware.
Dear friend, we assure you as gentlemen and soldiers of the Southern army of which we claim to be, we will repay you as soon as we are set free from here. Our cause may look dark at present but a brighter day is to come for God will not always let his poor creatures suffer but will fix a way to effect a change in our prospect. We are as firm as ever and all we want is to be sent back to our army so we can make up for lost time and leave this awful Union. Hoping this may meet your kind approbation and to hear from you soon, we remain your sincerely friends,
— E. A. Doland, 7th Louisiana R. Goldsmith, 8th Alabama
P. S. My height is 5 feet 6 inches, hat No. 7, Shoes No. 7 My friends is 5 feet 10 inches, hat No. 7, Shoes No. 9
In case you shall send us something, address on box, in care of Capt. George Wahl, A. A. A. G., Fort Delaware with a small note for us inside.
Letter 2
Addressed to Miss Belle Groshorn, Wheeling, Va.
Fort Delaware 2nd November 1864
Dear Friend,
Yesterday we received your letter dated the 23rd inst. which I assure you was a God send to us. We can not thank you sufficiently for your kindness and providence has sent you to befriend us in a wonderful manner. I hope and trust that we will be able to prove our gratitude hereafter. We will send you the permit in this small note hoping that you will have no trouble in shipping the articles. Our next will be longer. We remain, your most sincerely,
— E. A. Doland & R. E. Goldsmith
Letter 3
Addressed to Miss Belle Groshorn, Wheeling, West Virginia
Fort Delaware 29 November ’64
Miss Belle Groshorn Dear Friend,
Have some time ago received the permission from the kind Capt. George Wahl to receive the clothes you have already prepared for me, and friend, I immediately sent the permit to you and I can’t see how you did not receive it. It must have been mislaid or lost, for the Captain promised me to sign and mail the permit.
Hoping you mat be successful in getting this one, and that you’ll have no trouble whatever in shipping the clothes, and may God bless you. We remain your most devoted friends, — E. A. Doland, R. Goldsmith
This letter was written by Edward J. Kenney (1809-1874), a Philadelphia clothier, and the father of Lieut. George W. Kenney (1841-1862) of Co. H, 1st California Regiment (71st Pennsylvania Infantry) to whom the letter was addressed, in care of Gen. Winder at Richmond, Virginia, where he was being held as a prisoner of war. A notice of Lt. Kenney’s capture at Ball’s Bluff in October 1861 (he was initially reported as drowned) and recent release from Richmond was published in the Philadelphia Inquirer of 22 February 1862.
Lt. Kenney was taken prisoner by the Rebel army while being treated at the White Oak Swamp Hospital on the 30th June 1862. The Philadelphia Inquirer on 12 August 1862 states that Lt. Kenney died on 2 July 1862 at Nelson’s Farm, Virginia.
A subsequent article appearing in the Philadelphia Inquirer on 15 July 1862 suggests that George died in a Richmond prison after his capture at the White Oak Swamp Hospital. A correspondent for the paper wrote, “He was beloved by all who knew him. Having been associated with him on the battlefield and at home, I had learned to love him for his many good qualities. When in Richmond prison he was the most cheerful of any, strengthened as he was by a firm reliance on the word of God. I saw Major Revere of the 20th Massachusetts who was with Lieut. Kenney at 9 o’clock on Monday evening. His wound having been pronounced mortal all that could be done for him was to lull him to sleep. Dr. Revere of the 20th administered morphine to him. When the Major saw him, the morphine was about taking effect. He only said, ‘tell them that I was ready to die,’ meaning his family.”
Transcription
Philadelphia [Pennsylvania] January 20, 1862
My dear son George,
We have no word from you since your letter of December 28th. Two men called at the house on January 15th. One slept with you. My reason for sending you this letter is for fear you may not get the letter and the money I sent you. I will repeat what was in the letter. Send word to Maury & Co.and] ask him to get you a parole for thirty days so you can get a Lieut. to be exchanged for you or name one of our prisoners and I think I can get it done at Washington. I sent you 25 dollars in gold in the last letter. If you want the rest I will send it as I can get a draft from the President of our Bank, Mr. Rogers, if Maury will accept it. I sent two large boxes of goods and 20 dollars for your men. Send the word if you received them. I think you will soon be exchanged so you must be content putting your trust in God who hath said all things work together for good to them that love God. I know he hears the prayer of Father and your dear Mother who loves you so well. Try and save some poor soul from the death that never dies. May God bless you.
Goodbye, — E. J. Kenney, 313 S 2nd St., Philadelphia
This letter was written by George Thomas Perkins (1836-1880), the son of Dr. Thomas Spencer Perkins (1818-1870) and Betsy Bartlett Sampson (1820-1906) of Boston.
George Thomas Perkins after his promotion to Asst. Surgeon, ca. 1863 (Ron Coddington Collection)
George was born in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1838. He received an M.D. from Harvard Medical School in 1858. He also attended Johns Hopkins University. Perkins enlisted in the Union army in 1861. He joined the Massachusetts 22nd Infantry Regiment as a hospital steward, and was promoted to assistant surgeon in 1863. He held this position until 1864. He then joined the Massachusetts 32nd Infantry Regiment as an assistant surgeon, and was promoted to full surgeon later that year. He joined the Massachusetts 26th Infantry Regiment, where he served as surgeon until 1865. After the war, Perkins practiced as a physician in Newton Lower Falls, Massachusetts, from 1865 to 1870. He became coroner of Middlesex County in 1869.
In this letter datelined from Camp Winfield Scott near Yorktown in May 1862 while servicing in the 22nd Massachusetts, George wrote his mother early on the day in which the Confederate troops surreptitiously retreated from Yorktown. Less than two months later, George was wounded in the right lung and captured in the fighting at Gaine’s Mill but was exchanged after five weeks captivity. Lt. Col. Griswold reassured the Perkins family that George was “by no means severely wounded” and that he would “soon be transferred to Turkey Bend where many of our wounded are collected.”
See my friend Ron Coddington’s article entitled, “Left for Dead in Virginia” published on 28 June 2012 which tells the tale of the 22nd Massachusetts at Gaine’s Mill and of Perkin’s wound.
[Note: This letter is from the private collection of Richard Weiner and is published by express consent on Spared & Shared.]
Transcription
Camp Winfield Scott Near Yorktown, Va. May 3, 1862
Dear Mother,
I received your letter a few days ago and take this my first chance to answer it. I received a letter from Annie yesterday and shall answer it tomorrow. In it she speaks of not being well. Do please look after her a little and make her take good care of herself for she is more precious to me than all else in this world and I should never be fit for anything again should I loose her. Do be careful of her for my sake.
Our position here is a very trying one. The shot and shell are flying about us in all directions and making the most horrid noise as they hiss through the air. Our works is going bravely on, however, in spite of all the Rebels can do to prevent it. Every morning discovers a new breastwork, road, or bridge. Our men are at work night and day perfecting the works and daily long siege trains pass our camp with large guns and mortars on their way to the breastworks in front. Our brigade is in front and upon the extreme right of the line. The camp of our regiment is upon the banks of the York River making one of the finest camps we have had since we left Massachusetts.
We heard yesterday that New Orleans had been taken. I hope it is so for the sooner this war is ended, the better. For my part, I should like it to end tomorrow that I could return home once more. I never knew what hardship was before I became a soldier, but I do now. I have been hungry and could get nothing to eat. I have been tired and wet through after a hard day’s march through Virginia mud and could get no dry clothes nor place to sleep except in the open fields and have stretched out upon wet ground and slept night after night. But after going through all this, I find my health still good.
Tell Annie she can no longer say that I have weak lungs. Give my love to Annie and the children, keeping a share for yourself. I must now close this disjoined letter hoping to hear from you soon and often. Yours &c.
— George
Tell Annie to write oftener. I wrote to Mother yesterday.
This letter was written by Elias Hane (1844-1864), the son of Jacob Hane (1814-1898) and Eva Warner (1816-1857) of Knox, Albany county, New York.
I could not find an image of Elias but here is a CDV of Lucius Hagadorn of Co. F, 7th New York Heavy Artillery (Photo Sleuth)
Elias enlisted at Albany on 18 August 1862 as a private in the 113th New York Infantry but because heavy artillery regiments were needed for the defenses of Washington, D.C., the regiment was converted from infantry on December 10, 1862, and became the 7th New York Heavy Artillery on December 19, 1862. At the time of his enlistment, Elias was described as an 18 year-old farmer who stood 5′ 8″ tall, with hazel eyes and brown hair. After nearly two years service, manning the defenses of Washington D. C., the 7th NY Heavy Artillery was ordered to the battle front to participate as infantrymen in Grant’s Overland Campaign. Elias was wounded less than a month later at the Battle of Cold Harbor on 8 June 1864 and died four days later at Staton Hospital in Washington D. C. after having had his leg amputated.
In his letter, Elias asks his father to let his older brothers Adam Matthias Hane (1836-1863) and Amos Gideon Hane (1839-1864) know of his whereabouts so they could correspond. Adam served in Co K, 91st New York Infantry and died of wounds received on 14 June 1863 in assaulting Port Hudson. Amos served in Co. D, 91st New York Infantry and he died of disease at Cairo, Illinois, on 20 July 1864. The only brother to survive the war who was old enough to serve was Jacob Henry Hane (1842-1895) who did not enlist and was not drafted.
7th New York Heavy Artillery (serving as infantry) preparing to leave the trenches and charge the Confederate line in Barlows charge near Cold Harbor Friday June 3rd, 1864, sketched by Alfred Waud. (Library of Congress)
Transcription
Fort Pennsylvania September 7, 1862
Dear Father,
It is with great pleasure that I now take the opportunity to write a few lines to you to let you know that I am well at present and hope that you are the same. Now I suppose that you will be surprised at getting so many letters from me when you don’t answer any but I suppose that you have too much to do [and] that I will have to forgive you.
I have been on picket two nights since I have been here and I like it first rate. We left Fort Ripley Thursday and I was glad to leave it for it was a lonesome place and this is a very fine place but we can’t stay here long for we had orders to go to Harper’s Ferry last night but the order was countermanded and I was glad of it. But we have got to leave tomorrow and we cannot find out where we have got to go.
You ought to have been down here to seen the soldiers go by here. There was a string nine miles long and they are a going to meet General Lee. He has crossed the Potomac about fourteen miles above here with thirty thousand men.
Now I want you to write to Adam and Amos and tell them where I be for I cannot get no time to write to them for we have to go on picket every other night and march every other day. Our Colonel is a doing good business. He has got command of five thousand me by now. I can’t write no more at present. Write as son as you get this. From your son, — Elias Hane
Spared & Shared 23 