122nd New York Infantry | Spared & Shared 23

This letter was written by Philo E. Ruggles (1843-1863), the son of Noble O. Ruggles (1807-1892) and Sarah Shoens (1824-1890) of Syracuse, Onondaga county, New York.. Philo and his younger brother William Eugene Ruggles (1844-1907) served in Co. B, 122nd New York Infantry. Philo was a sergeant and William was a private. In the Battle of Rappahannock Station, on 7 November 1863, Sgt. Philo Ruggles was killed instantly by a shell fragment that hit him in the head when it exploded in the ranks.

*Philo’s letter was written on stationery with a song published by James D. Gay entitled, “When This Cruel War is Over.”*

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Camp on Picket near Warrington, Va.
August 28, 1862

Dear Father and Mother,

We received your letter yesterday morning and it found us all well and in good cheer. We have been on picket six days now. I do not know how long we shall stay here. I had rather be here on picket than in camp and if we were in camp we would have to drill this warm weather. Now we do not have to drill—only stand guard nights and keep watch for guerrillas and if we can catch them, bring them into headquarters. We are driving them out the way pretty fast. We send out a patrol guard everyday for to pick them up. We have bread and milk most every meal. We have [to] pay twenty-five cents a canteen full of two quarts. It is pretty dear but we have it when we can get it. We draw rations of soft bread two or three times a week, dried apples, beans, rice, molasses, black tea, once in a while. I must close. I cannot think of any more to write about this time so I shall have to close. With my love and best respects to all inquiring friends. From Sergt. Philo E. Ruggles.

Dear Father & Mother,

I now take my pencil in hand to write too. We are all well and kicking. We have fun halting the big officers. We make them show their passes all the time they go through our lines. It is 3 o’clock, The drums is beating for church. I am growing so fast that you won’t hardly know me. Tell the folks to write to me. I don’t hear half of the news. Tell Tom Shoens to write and John Shoens to write. Give my love to all. — William E. Ruggles

This letter was written by William Eugene Ruggles (1846-1907), the son of Noble O. Ruggles (1807-1892) and Sarah Shoens (1824-1890) of Syracuse, Onondaga county, New York. Nothing is known of William life until he enlisted with Co. B, 122 Regiment of New York Volunteers in 1862, at which time he described himself as a carpenter. He was clearly unhappy in the army, however, and deserted several times. In 1865, after one such desertion, he was court martialled and dishonourably discharged, after which he returned to Syracuse where he remained until his death. There he married Alida Alexander a year or two after his discharge, with whom he had one daughter, Reba. During his time in the army Ruggles had contracted chronic diarrhea which left him permanently weakened. After the war he worked in a meat market, and when this became too much for him, as a cigar maker. He died in 1907, after which his wife and daughter moved to Prescott Ontario. Some time after her mother’s death in 1927, Reba moved to Scotland. She died in Angus in 1958.

William is credited with a series of drawing depicting the regiment that were bequeathed to the University of Dundee in 1958 by Ruggles’ daughter. All the drawings, however, at some time appear to have had a different signature, in the right hand corner, which has been erased. This name in most cases is illegible apart from a few letters, but the drawings are in fact believed to be that of Phillip M. Ostrander, 149th Regiment. Several of the drawings, however, depict scenes at which Ostrander could not have been present. It is likely that the later and perhaps even all the drawings are based on original photographs or other pictures. [see Ruggles Bequest]

Transcription

In rifle pits
May 16, 1864

Dear father and mother,

I now sit down to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well and kicking. We haven’t lost many men in two or three days—only 24 wounded. Tommy Gardner is well and all right so far. Skile Segor is killed. He was killed in a charge and all the boys is well that is left—only a few that worne out. Our [Brig.] General [Alexander[ Shaler is taken prisoner. He was commanding our Brigade and our adjutant and six lieutenants and some captains was taken prisoner in our Brigade. Lieutenant White is safe and Andrew Wilkins is too. And Lieut. Col. [Augustus W.] Dwight.

We have got most to the railroad that goes to Richmond. Many things is working right so far and I hope it will continue so. The Rebels is pretty sick of fighting and I think everything is good so far, I hope it will continue so till we get to Richmond.

I will send some more letters and papers that I got out of the Rebels knapsack and I will send a dollar that you may use. I doesn’t send much at a time but I will send you all I can spare. I have to close for it is going to rain. Give my love to all—Charley too, and all that ask about me.

From your son, — William E. Rugggles