These letters were written by Alonzo Freeman (1843-1888), the son of Joseph Freeman (1815-1873) and Mary Emeline Folsom (1815-1874). He wrote the letters to his cousin, Eliza Marshall Folsom (1843-1868), the daughter of Levi Folsom (1804-1883) and Eliza A. Freeman (1812-1899). In the 1860 Census, the Folsom’s resided in New York City’s 8th Ward where Levi was employed as the proprietor of a saloon/restaurant. Levi’s wife was employed as an artist.
Alonzo wrote the first two letters while serving in Co. A, 1st New Jersey Infantry—part of the 1st New Jersey Brigade. The third letter was written while a member of Co. C, “Scott’s 900” — the 11th New York Cavalry. He was discharged on 21 July 1865 with the rank of “hospital steward.” The regimental history indicates he was captured at Doyal’s Stockade on 5 August 1864. His father, Joseph, also served in the 11th New York Cavalry. He enlisted at age 43 on 3 January 1862 at New York City in Company G and was discharged on 1 March 1864 due to disability. His rank was “saddler’s sergeant.”
There is a tragedy connected with this family. When Alonzo’s father (Joseph, Sr.) died in 1873, he left his sizable fortune to Alonzo’s mother, Mary Emeline (Folsom) Freeman. When she did not distribute the money to her sons, one of them — Joseph, Jr. (b. 1847) — became disgruntled and threatened to shoot himself with a pistol if she did not give him $2,000 for a business venture. When she refused, he turned the gun on her and shot in her in the back as she was exiting the room, killing her almost instantly. The defense attorney argued that the shooting was accidental, and that the defendant was of “unsound mind” but the jury did not believe it. We learn from the coverage of this incident in the newspapers that Alonzo Freeman used his hospital experience to become a physician after the Civil War. A search of the catalogue for the College of Physicians & Surgeons at Columbia University reveals that Alonzo graduated in 1869.
Letter 1
Camp Seminary, Virginia
September 8th 1861
Dear Cousin,
I received your letter safely but had to write answers to five unanswered letters but now I have time to answer yours. I am very sorry to ear that you have been sick and hope that you are better now.
There has been exciting times here since I last wrote. There has been a dozen soldiers of our brigade shot while on picket guard by the secessionists. Of these, three have died but fortunately none of them was from our company.
I will relate one incident which occurred that week which I think has not found its way to the N. Y. papers. On the dividing line between our pickets and those of the enemy is a peach orchard. There has been considerable rivalry as to should get the peaches. One morning about forty of Captain [Edward Livingston] Campbell’s company repaired to the peach orchard to get some peaches but to their surprise found their secession friends had followed the old saying, “the early bird catches the worm” and were devouring the peaches voraciously. Captain Campbell with his men immediately opened fire upon them and succeeded in driving them from the orchard although the secessionists had about 100 to their 40. The rebels retreated until out of range of our muskets when one of them stepped deliberately out in the road and leveled his piece at Captain Campbell. The captain, thinking that the secessionist could not hit him, cooly faced him and stood still. The rebel fired and to the surprise of all, the ball struck about a foot in advance of him. This shot came too near to be pleasant so captain and his men marched into the woods where they were more safe. I think Capt. Campbell was very mucky to escape.
Our pickets and those of the enemy almost daily have slight skirmishes together. From the observatory of the Seminary where we are encamped we can see some of the entrenchments of the enemy and several times has our brigade been called out expecting an attack. We have numerous fortifications in this direction and expect to repel the attack if one is made.
I believe I told you in my last letter that over 200 of our regiment had been sick at one time but there is only one hundred in the hospital now. These are mostly cases of chills and fever. One man was sent home yesterday from our company. He had the consumption.
I am very sorry to say that one of our company died Friday night with the Typhoid Fever. He was sick only eight days and I was with him when he died. He was from Rahway and probably cousin Theodore knew him. He was drummer of our company. His name was [Daniel] Harvey Brower. His death has cast a gloom all over the members of the company, he being a favorite among them all.
I suppose Gen. Butler’s victory is stale news now yet it is all the talk and will be for some time to come. I think this partially repays for the defeat at Bull Run. Do you think that Jeff Davis is dead? I saw a paper last week which announced his death but probably you will know before I do so when you write, please let me know. I would like to have Uncle Levi and Aunt Eliza write to me if they can spare time. Give my love to all inquiring friends, telling them I expect to see them in less than a year. I forgot to ask how Ned Huntley was. I hope he is better. I close sending love to all. From your cousin, — Alonzo Freeman
P. S. Write soon and if there is any news in the papers about the war, let me know what it is as I very seldom get the papers and oblige. — A. F.
Letter 2
Baltimore [Maryland]
September 17, 1862
Dear Cousin,
I intended to have written to you before this time but have had no opportunity to do so. You must not think I have neglected to write from want of desire for with the exception of Mother & Sister, there are none to whom I would rather write.
I am getting along very well but [my] wound is not quite well. I have a very pleasant place here in the hospital as druggist, but it is rather confining. However, I get an opportunity sometimes to see the city. There are four Medical cadets here—residents of this city—with whom I am very intimate and through them I have made a number of valuable acquaintances.
I was out one evening last week and went to the Holliday Street Theatre. The play was “Our American Cousin” but it appeared very poorly represented when compared with Laura Keene’s version of that piece. Still it was very good.
Baltimore is a very pretty city and resembles New York more than any other place I have been in. Federal Hill is within the city limits and mounts about thirty cannon. This was the quarters of the famous 17th N. Y. Regiment. In case the rebels should attack Baltimore, Federal Hill could shell them from any direction. The Cathedral is a beautiful edifice and is the finest Roman Catholic church in United States.
The people of this city have been much excited about the Confederates. The Union [citizens]—fearing that Baltimore would be attacked; the secesh hoping Jackson would get possession of it. But thank fortune, Jackson can never get to Baltimore. About one half the people of this city are secesh and a riot has been expected.
I understand Charlie [Henry] Bliven has received a commission in the 13th New Jersey Regiment as a first Lieutenant. I am glad of it and wish him success.
I am glad that Brother Joe has escaped so far but I am afraid I shall never see him again. I shall try to get a leave of absence or furlough to come home the last of October but cannot tell whether I wall be successful or not. But I shall have to close this poor letter sending my best wishes and love to all hoping to hear from you soon. I remain your affectionate cousin, — Alonzo Freeman
Letter 3
Hospital, Scotts “900”
September 25th 1863
Dear Cousin,
I received your letter safely — also one from Theodore — and am very sorry to hear that you and Uncle Levi are so sick. It was too bad that Rinalds & Egerton had to leave New York so soon. I suppose they have joined the “Army of the Potomac” again.
What do you think of the war out West? I think that Rosencranz [William Rosecrans] did first rate [at the Battle of Chickamauga] but it was strange that General [Ambrose] Burnside did not reinforce him. At Charleston we are getting along very slowly. Fort Sumter is in possession of the rebels yet. We have seven companies stationed about sixteen miles from here. They are skirmishing with the rebels almost every day.
Father was up there this week but came back the next day. The Doctor says he thinks he will send me there with medicine for the sick. I hope he will do so. Our hospital is filled with sick. We are very busy.
I have enclosed a letter to Harriet which is important and I would like to have her get it as soon as possible. This only an apology for a letter as I am in a great hurry. I will write again on Monday. Father and I are both well and send love to all.
From your cousin, — Alonzo Freeman
Spared & Shared 23 