Category Archives: 13th Connecticut Infantry

13th Connecticut Infantry, George B. McClellan

1862-64: Edmund A. Blackmar to Lemuel K. Blackmar

June 10, 2026 Griff Leave a comment

*An AI generated image of Edmund based on a tiny post-war image of him on Ancestry.com*

The following nine letters were written by Edmund A. Blackmar (1841-1873), the son of Joseph Blackmar (1788-1874) and Mahala Munyan (1797-1862) of Thompson, Windham county, Connecticut. Edmund enlisted in January 1862 to serve as a private in Co. E, 13th Connecticut Infantry. He was quickly promoted to corporal. On 21 May 1863 he was taken prisoner at Washington, Louisiana, but was quickly paroled, and mustered out on 6 January 1865 after three years service. After the war, he settled in Thompson where he became a merchant but died in 1873 at the age of 32. Military records generally spell his given name as “Edmond” but his signature and cemetery records spell it Edmund. He was married to Olive Salyes (1844-1916) after the war.

Edmund’s correspondence provides limited insight into the conflict in Louisiana; however, it reveals that despite his assertion that his “spirits remained high,” his enthusiasm for the war had significantly waned after three years of service. In his letter dated 12 July 1864, he expressed his eagerness to leave the army, stating he yearned for a place where he could live in peace and retirement, free from the cacophony of the bugle and drum, viewing the uniformed soldiers with a sense of disdain and abhorrence. He candidly remarked that he held little regard for the war itself. Additionally, it is noteworthy that he admired Gen. George B. McClellan, a surprising sentiment considering he had never served under his command. During his tenure with the regiment, they were deployed in Louisiana within the Department of the Gulf, and by 1864, they had become part of Gen. Sheridan’s Army of the Shenandoah.

Most of these letters were directed to Edmund’s older brother, Lemuel K. Blackmar (1819-1900) who was a miller in Thompson, Connecticut. Throughout his letters, Edmund enquires about his older brother William Blackmar who served in the 11th Connecticut Infantry, Co. G. William entered the service in November 1861 and was mustered out on 4 December 1864. He was wounded on 9 May 1864 at Swift’s Creek, Virginia. Like Edmund, he entered the service as a private and mustered out as a corporal.

Letter 1

New Orleans
August 21, 1862

Dear Sister,

I received your letter the 20th inst. and was glad to hear that you were all well after that cup of sorrow that was presented to your lips by the death of a loved and loving mother. Is it possible that I never shall behold her face again, never hear that voice which was never raised but for my good. To think that the grave must forever be her bed is more I fear than my nature can endure. She leaves behind her a son that mourns the loss of a kind and affectionate mother and one that will cherish the advice that she has ever given me. While she leaves behind her husband to mourn her loss, he must remember that she has ever fulfilled the duties of a wife and as a mother. But I fear it will be the means of bringing him to the grave; but tell him to be of good cheer. The day is not far distant when they will meet never to part again.

But I must bring my letter to a close hoping you will write as often as possible. Excuse the poor penmanship for I wrote it in a hurry.

Dear Niece, I am glad that you had not quite forgotten me and took pains to write. You say there is considerable excitement there on account of the supposition there that they are agoing to draft. But you must keep up good courage. It may be your father will not be drafted. I think that if the President gets his 600,000 men into the field, I shall be home by next April (if I ever do). I am well and hope this letter will find you the same. So goodbye for the present. Write soon and often.

Give my love to Lemuel & tell him to write us often as he can for I want to hear from him. This is from your brother, — E. A. Blackmar

Letter 2

Camp at Baton Rouge, La.
February 15th 1863

Dear Sister,

It is with considerable difficulty that I address your letter for I am sick in the hospital and my nerves are very unsteady. But I am in hopes ere many days I shall feel better.

I have no mother to care for me now—no one to speak words of comfort when you feel sad and lonely. No one knows the value of a mother until they are deprived of them. Little did I think when I left home ere one short year had passed away that I should lose a mother and sister. But it shows how very uncertain is life and how certain death comes when you least think of it.

But I must shorten my letter for my hand trembles so I guess you can’t read it. I hope next time I write that I shall feel better and can writes to that you can read it. Give my love to all the folks and tell Lemuel to write if he has time. So goodbye for the present. Believe me ever your brother, — Edmund A. Blackmar

Dear Mattie,

I will try and write a short answer to your letter which I received by the last mail, but am sorry that i can’t write a longer one to [you] but I hope that I may get better soon and then I will write you & Cally a long letter. I am glad you enjoyed yourself so well at your cousins but don’t think that a theatre is a good place for girls to go to. I should like o be there & hear you play on your new piano but don’t know how long it will be ere I should have a chance. But I must close hoping you will answer this as soon as convenient. From Ed. B.

Dear Cally, I am glad you took pains to write to me for I thought you had forgotten that you had such an uncle. I suppose you feel the loss of your mother greatly and well you may for there is no earthly friend that is so dear as a mother. Cally, be a good girl and remember the advice she has given you—you never will regret it. Give my respects to Wiliard and tell him I hope to see him soon. Often do I think of him. But I must close hoping you will answer this as soon as possible. From your uncle, — Edmund A. Blackmar

Letter 3

New Orleans [Louisiana]
June 27th 1863

Dear Brother,

As I have not heard from you in some time, I thought I would write & see whether you were all dead or alive. I have received several letters from home and they said they did not see you very often, but it may be you don’t get time as it is [a] rather busy time of the year up that way. Are you going to help Mr. Chandler cut his hay this year? And if you do, what pay do you get per day?

I only wish I was at home to help my poor father cut his hay for I am afraid that he will work himself sick & then there would be no one to care for him. How does he get along with his work? I should think he must be all behind unless he has hired considerable.

Do you ever hear anything from William? Alas, poor boy. Little thought he when he passed out from under his father’s roof to help put down this rebellion that it would be so long a time ere he should see the loved ones at home and then only to witness a home bereft of all its charms; to see a vacant seat by the fireside where once the pride of one’s home is and the guide to our future happiness.

Let us not dwell upon this subject. You know as well as me the loss of such a mother. May her life be an example to her whole household, or family.

I hear that the rebels have again invaded the soil of Pennsylvania and are doing considerable damage and yet the President dares not send the hero of this war [McClellan] to drive the invaders from our soil. Loudly do the returned soldiers call for their gallant leader to take command of them—but no, he is a Democrat and Old Abe sees pretty plainly that he is fast paving his way toward the seat he now occupies. And the three-year’s men will be at home to cast their vote for their beloved leader if they will only let them.

If they find Abe Lincoln in that office again, you can behold, if your life is spared, the broken fragments of a once glorious and prosperous Union (mark my word).

But I must close with an apology for the poor penmanship and hope I shall have something more than my lap to write on next time. Tell Mattie and Cally to write and your wife also. But she will write in your place for I don’t expect to get one from you. Give my regards to all and believe me ever your brother, — E. A. Blackmar

Letter 4

Thibodaux, Louisiana
October 8th, 1863

Dear Brother,

It has been some time since I have received a letter from you and thinking perhaps you are waiting for me to write, I will improve what few leisure moments I have at the present time in telling you how I am getting along a soldiering.

My health is very good at the present time and my greatest desire is that it may be spared to once more meet the ones I love at home. Yet life is so uncertain—especially in the army. At times I have seen those that appeared well in the morning and ere the sun set in the West, he was a lifeless corpse. Elijah N. Whitman was or had been sick for a few days when he was taken to the hospital and he was getting along so well that the steward of the hospital told him to report for duty in his company. This was at night he told him, before eating his supper, and in less than two hours he was dead. The exposures the soldier has to endure will break down the strongest man. And if I live to get home and they bring me another rebellion, they will have to put it down for all my helping them do it.

I had a letter from William the other day and he seemed to think that he should live to see home once more. Yet for all that, he may be mistaken. Mr. Plumber, he says, has married a Southern lady and is going to send her home to take care of the children. I think if she is able to take care of herself, she will do well and much better than the majority of the Southern ladies are in the habit of doing.

How does father get along with his farming and his housekeeper? You were not drafted. I believe Joe’s folks told me. But still you may yet. I am afraid that it could fall upon Joe for it would be just his luck. But I must bring my letter to a close, hoping I shall receive an answer in due time. Give my love to all of the folks and tell them to write often. Tell Mattie and Cally to write. I will not ask Margie for I think she will have to answer this.

Excuse bad writing for it was written in a hurry. Write often and believe me ever your brother, — Edmond A. Blackmar

Letter 5

Thibodaux, Louisiana
December 15, 1863

Dear Brother,

Yours of the 14th ult. came to hand a few days ago and the reason I have not written before is because I was waiting for the mail to be sent from the Express Office so to let you know that everything was all right and I have sent Joseph his bounty checks for him to get cashed and you can get your pay of him this time or wait about two or three weeks and then I shall send home more and I want you should take such interest as will pay you and if you can send 100 dollars more I can do well on it and I will give you greater interest than your money is now getting. And there is not much risk to run if you get it insured. I had to pay $6 on that package and I would like to have that money as soon as it could possibly be got here. For by the time it arrived, they would be rather short of [ ] and they would perhaps take less.

Direct your letters to Co. E, 13th Regt. Conn. Vols, New Orleans, La. That is sufficient.

I want you should tell Mattie and Luie to send their pictures that I may see how they have grown. I received a picture from Jane today of my anglel Mother and I could hardly make myself believe the sad truth that her form no more graced the old home as it was wont a few short months ago.

Brother, home has lost its charms for me. The only being that could make me happy at home has left us to give place (to what) another (God forbid). Rather let the old home moulder and decay and not leave a vestige of it remaining than to see my father married to another woman. But I will drop this subject for it makes me feel very unpleasant to dwell upon it.

I hope you will not be as tardy as you usually are about writing. Please send me the Providence Post or some paper to read. Give my respects to all and don’t forget in the meantime our aged father. Yours with respect and esteem, — Edmond A. Blackmar

to L. K. B

Letter 6

Headquarters of United States Forces
Thibodaux, Louisiana
January 23, [1864]

Dear Brother,

Your kind letter was received the 20th ult. and I found enclosed a receipt for a package of money you had sent. And to make myself doubly sure, I procured a pass and went over to New Orleans and I found a package for me said to contain 100 dollars. I paid $1.50 Express freight and took the money which is a much better way than to trust it to mail carriers.

My health is very good but I am sorely afflicted either sore eyes which is a thing I don’t admire much. I am sorry to hear that Willard B. Sumner has enlisted for he is naturally of so wild nature and if I am not much mistaken, he will plunge himself into all sorts of description which will virtually end in destroying all good morals (that is, if he ever had any) and make him unfit for any pursuit of life—even to the most humble one.

I can say for one that no ardent spirits of any kind has ever passed my lips since I have been in this army unless it was ordered by doctor. But how does things get along up in old Connecticut? Is everything prospering as usual? I presume there is quite a contrast between one of the New England States and one of the Southern for here the laborer has left all pursuits of life and have gone to war to try and see if they could not overthrow one of the best governments that the light of heaven ever shed its genial light upon. But their labors have not been crowned with success. After compelling all white male citizens between the ages of fourteen and sixty and they look now like savages than like the noble face they were represented to be in history. The circle is fast contracting and soon they will not have territory enough left them to form a line of battle.

But I must bring my letter to a close for I thin kI have written more than you will care to read unless it would be more interesting than what I think this will be to you. Give my respects to all my friends who feel themselves disposed to enquirer. I wish you would tell Mattie and Luie to send their pictures. I have got Emdinah & Ellen. If any of those checks are not good, tell J__ to send them back & I will procure another. Yours with respect, — Edmond A. Blackmar

Letter 7

Morganza
June 16, 1864

Dear Brother,

As it is some time since I have heard from you, I thought I would briefly write a few lines that you may know that I am well as usual. I wrote to you some two weeks ago; have you received it or not? I sent you either nine or ten bounty checks and not hearing from you, I supposed the Rebels had captured the boat that they were on as they captured some two or three boats with mails on.

When you receive this, I want you should answer it as soon as practicable. And if you have received them, I want you should lend me two hundred dollars if you can spare it—that is, if you have received those last checks I sent and if not, don’t send me but $100 unless you can spare more. For what little time I have got to I want to make it pay. I have only about seven months and fifteen days to stop.

The weather is exceedingly warm and the small pox is breaking out close by us. One of our company has got it and I don’t know whether he was left in Alexandrea in the hands of the Rebels or whether he was sent to Orleans.

Have you heard whether Wiliard was wounded or not? And if not, please give me his address. Someone told me they saw an account in the paper where the 11th Connecticut was badly cut up & they saw a list of the names of the killed and wounded and they said that one name they particularly noticed William Blackmar was wounded. Is that possible? And if correctly stated, not bad but slight. May it be the latter instead of the former, for I would hate to hear that he was wounded bad for a man that is sick or wounded cannot expect any care & will drag out a miserable existence until the stern messenger Death relieves him of his suffering.

I must bring my letter to a close hoping you will answer this in due season. Give my love to all the folks & tell them to write often. What are the folks doing up home? Tell father that I am well and in good spirits. Believing ever your brother, — Edmund A. Blackmar

To Lemuel K. Blackmar

Letter 8

Camp of the 13th Regt. Conn. Volunteers
Alyers [Algiers—opposite New Orleans, La.]
July 12, 1864

Dear Brother,

As I have a few leisure moments, I thought I would briefly answer your kind letter which was received the 8th inst. It found me enjoying good health although in a varied and unhealthy climate. I [was] much surprised to hear that William was at home on a furlough & even more so to hear that he was so fortunate as to receive such a slight wound. In all probability, the campain in Pennsylvania will be nearly ended. Mr. Plumb, I suppose, has received his just deserves. Wiliard—have you heard anything from him since those great battles in Virginia? I guess that Grant don’t find it so easy a task to take Richmond as he imagined (what do you think?). But I must bring my letter to a close for I have not much time. I must endeavor to answer Maggie and Mollie’s letter. I should think that the poor class of people would find it a difficult matter to earn enough to obtain a living & a scanty subsistence at that. But I must close hoping you will continue your correspondence. Believing me ever your brother, — Ed. Blackmar

Dear Sister, I have not much to write in answer to your brief but kind letter which I received the 8th ultimo. I am glad to answer to you that I am in good health and am desirous of next January to bid adieu to the army and go to some place where I can live in peace and retirement and away from the sound of the bugle and drum or anything that has any connection with the army for I despise the looks and view them only with abhorrence that wear a uniform. So you can perceive that I don’t think much of this war. But I must close my letter but endeavor to do better next time. I hope you will write as often as circumstances will admit. Yours with much respect, — E. A. Blackmar

Dear Niece, in reply to your kind letter I am sorry to say that I have not heard from you in some four months & I cannot well account for it. It may be because I have not written to you before. But that should be no excuse for circumstances would not admit of my writing before because I have been upon the march & had not an opportunity to wrote—only the answers to letters I received. I endeavor to do this promptly and with[out] any hesitation on my part. But let us hope that our correspondence will be kept up & if at any time I am not as prompt in my replies, believe that I am in a place where my position will not admit it. Give my love to all the folks and tell Cally to write. From your Uncle. — Edmund A. Blackmar

Letter 9

*Addressed to Mr. Lemuel K. Blackmar, Thompson, Connecticut*

Camp in the Shenandoah Valley
September 5, 1864

Dear Brother,

Thinking you would like to hear how I am getting along, I will take this opportunity while on picket to let you know that I find it not very easy soldiering in Virginia. We had not been here more than two hours before we were ordered to the front. The same night there was a pretty hard fight but our Corps were not engaged but were exposed to a fire from the enemy’s artillery But night put an end to battle. Our loss was great for the very reason we were the attacking party and had to assault their works. As soon as the firing ceased, we fell back and constructed some earthworks and are now acting on the defensive. ¹

About midnight I was called up to go on picket & such picket duty you don’t often read about. We were stationed behind a wall &, after daylight, you could not show your head above the wall without being shot at. And not only one shot, but 6 volleys were fired at us.

September 7th. Our Brigade has gone out to feel the enemy but I guess they won’t have far to go before they will find them. The reason I did not go out with them, I was over to the 18th Regt. I saw John Buchanan, Tyler Bates, Silas Gifford and quite a number of other men that used to live out at or around Quaddick [CT].

What do the folks think of the nomination [by the Democrats] of Little Mac for President? He will not run well in the army since our recent victory in Atlanta. They say give them a few more men & they will make peace that will last. There is no dependence to be put in the soldiers. you tell James M___, but eventually something may present itself in the shape of a defeat that will make McClellan’s stock go up again.

I must bring my letter to a close hoping I shall hear from you in due season. Tell Mattie to write off that long [ ] f Mother [ ]. Tell all the folks I am well and am delighted to think they can’t hold me only about four months more. Tell M___ to write. Tell Mary I want to know whether she has seen her colt lately or not. Has Luis caught as large a string of fish as he did when I was there? Give my love to all the folks and believe me as ever your brother. — Edmund A. Blackmar

Excuse this poor display of penmanship for the facilities for writing are not of the best. Yours with much respect , — E. A. B.

Address Co. E, 13th Regt. Conn. Vols., 19th Army Corps, Washington D. C.

¹ This engagement was fought on the road between Berryville and Winchester, Va.

13th Connecticut Infantry

1862: Henry Lauren Lane to his Parents

September 3, 2025 Griff Leave a comment

The following letter was written by Henry Lauren Lane of Plymouth, Connecticut, who enlisted in February 1862 as a private in Co. H, 13th Connecticut Infantry. He died of chronic diarrhea while in the service on 5 May 1863 at New Orleans.

Letterhead of patriotic stationery featuring lithograph of Maj. Gen. McClellan

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

New Haven [Connecticut]
March 12th [1862]

Dear Father & Mother,

I now take my pen to let you know how I am getting along. I am not very well at this present time. We are going tomorrow night or next day. We are talking of going [to] New London to stay a while. I want you to [write] as soon as you hear from me again and let me know if you got the money I sent you. Write as soon as you hear from me. Yours, — Henry Lane

Direct your letter to Henry L. Lane, Co. H, 13th Regiment, Conn. Vols. To the care of Capt. [Homer Baxter] Sprague, Co. H.

There has been an allotment roll to send money home. I shall send you 8 dollars a month home to you or a draft. You must sign your name, name of place, and you can get the money. Yours, Henry L. Lane

13th Connecticut Infantry, Red River Expedition

1862-64: William Wallace Jones to his Sister

April 23, 2025 Griff Leave a comment

*I would not find an image of William but here is Edwin L. Nickerson of Co. C, 13th Connecticut proudly wearing his newly issued epaulets or “brass kettles.” (Cornwall Historical Society)*

The following letters were written by William Wallace Jones (1839-1896) of New Canaan who enlisted in Co. B, 13th Connecticut Infantry. Company B was recruited by Captain Apollos Comstock of New Canaan who travelled the state looking for marksmen to create a company of sharp shooters. He had to give up his test of marksmanship by the middle of December in order to fill out his company.

William was taken prisoner at the Battle of Winchester on 19 September 1864 and later paroled. He mustered out of the regiment on 29 December 1864. In the 1880 US Census, William was still single and enumerated in his father’s home in New Canaan as a 36 year-old carpenter. His parents were John Jones (1801-1891) and Ann Tong (1811-1853).

Letter 1

13th Regiment Connecticut Vols.
Barracks New Haven [corner of Chapel & Hamilton streets]
January 14, 1862

Dear Sister,

I suppose you think it is time you heard from New Haven. I started from Stamford the 6th at 5 o’clock. Got in barracks at 7 Thursday evening. I got a pass till 9:30 o’clock and went to see Sophia Humsted. After some little difficulty, I found the place. Tell doctor’s folks that I am glad that I went. Saturday we received our brass epaulets or brass kettles as some called them, and then we had to sew then on and fix for a dress parade on Monday. Sunday we went to church in the morning and evening. The whole regiment went. They filled the church full.

Well, I suppose you would like to hear of the dress parade we had yesterday. In the morning we had a Battalion Drill. In the afternoon the whole regiment turned out to escort the 1st Connecticut Light Battery through the city to the steamboat. We marched up Chapel Street above the Depot and then turned to the left and marched to the north side of the city when we met the battery which was all equipped except two carriages which had not their guns yet. The other four was brass rifled guns making six in all. We throw the salute and then marched down through the city. In front was an independent company of horse in showa [?] uniforms and presented a splendid appearance. Next the 13th Regiment C. V., then a company of cavalry, and the the 1st Connecticut Light Battery. As we marched through Chapel Street, the side walks was densely crowded. You may form some idea of the appearance we presented when I tell you that our company was in about the middle of the regiment and I could [not] see the head of the column except when they were going up a ridge of ground. Every window was full of people waving their handkerchiefs.

Well, I must bring my letter to a close. I am enjoying good health. Give my love to all the folks. From your brother, — Wm. W. Jones

P. S. write and let me know how you all are and what the folks are doing.

Direct to Wm. W. Jones, Capt. [Apollo] Comstock, S. S. [Sharp Shooters] 13th Regiment, New Haven

Letter 2

[Note: This letter contains a good account of the Red River Expedition in which the 13th Connecticut Infantry participated.]

Camp 13th Regt. Ct. Vols. on the west bank of the Mississippi River
Above St. Francisville, Louisiana
May 25th 1864

Dear Sister,

I received two letter and a Harper’s Weekly the other day from you and Helen. You say you would like o know who is in command of the regiment. C[harles] D. Blinn is Colonel. [Homer B.] Sprague [is] Lieutenant-Colonel. [William E.] Bradley is Captain of our company. We are in the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 19th Army Corps commanded by Gen. Griver. Colonel Mulnor is in command of the brigade.

I have not heard from Haze [Hurlbut C. Hayes] or [Edward C.] Lockwood since leaving Thibodaux. Lockwood went to Napoleonville and Haze [Hayes] to Homer. I received a letter and that Memorandum book while at Alexandria. I wrote two letters. I suppose they were captured by the rebs on Red River. I never received a letter from Helen last winter that you speak of in your letter. I suppose you have heard long before this of our retreat from Alexandria. Our men had to build a dam below the falls on Red River to get the gunboats over. We had some fighting coming down. I wasn’t in it much as I was sick most of the way down. I was quite sick at Simmerport [Simsport] for a day or so. I had to ride some in an ambulance. None of our company got hurt as I know of. Hotchkiss is missing probably taken prisoner. I don’t see as the 13th Army Corps are so badly cut up as you tell for there wasn’t only part of the Corps in the fight.

The rebs only drove us the first day. They had to come to a halt when they came to the 19th Corps. One of our regiment was talking with one of Nims Battery men. He said they only had four men hit in the whole battery and they were in the thickest of the first days fight. When they had orders to retreat, they were mowing the rebs right down with grape and canister. I suppose you hear all sorts of stories from Red River. The men are down on Gen. Banks and I don’t blame them much. He don’t march into enemy’s country and treat them as enemies as Smith an other generals do. He would use half of his army to guard rebel plantations. If I were a reb, I should like him first rate. He would guard my property while the army marched through. I was not in the retreat from Grand Ecore. Some of the boys told me that the 19th Army Corps would put on a guard at the plantations [and] when Smith’s men came by, they burnt the plantation dwellings that the 19th Corps were so careful to guard.

We stayed at Pineville outside Alexandria some 18 days before we left on the Alexandria side of the river. The ground was level while across the river is hilly and we got good spring water. We left Alexandria the 11th. Our Division had the advance. We lay still the 12th three or four miles below Alexandria. Started down the river the 13th. We got where the rebs had the river blockaded in two days march and camped for the night. The next morning we marched through woods, crossed a small bayou, and came out on an open prairie. In the afternoon, formed in line of battle and rested some half hour and then moved on till near night. Reached a small village [where we] thought we were going to camp for the night. We suffered some for the want of water. We had orders to fall in and our brigade started with a battery on the double quick through the village over a mile to where our cavalry was fighting the rebs. I don’t see how I double quicked it as far as I did as I had been unwell all day. Our cavalry and the rebs were firing at one another. It was so dark and dusty we could only see the flash of the guns. When our brigade got there, our cavalry gave the three cheers and firing soon closed. I did not get on the ground as quick as the brigade.

The next morning I with another man went back with some canteens to the village after water [and] filled our canteens out of a cistern. I never had water taste so good in a long while as that did. When we got back, the brigade had gone. I was glad to find [John W.] Brown left back to help us carry our canteens. I rested a few minutes and then started on. Troops were forming in line of battle all around us and advancing. I was afraid we should not find the boys very soon. I had not eat anything for a day or so and could not go but a little ways at once with the load I had to carry. There was some artillery firing ahead for a little while in the morning. Brown finally saw that I could not keep up so he took my canteen and went on. I could go a little further after getting rid of three canteens. I traveled as far as I could that day and lay down by the side of a fence and slept till morning. I started at sunrise and got up to the regiment that morning. I made up my mind that hospitals are a very nice thing but one can’t go there without he is most dead. I told the doctor I could not walk much further. He put my gun and equipment in an ambulance. The boys in our company wanted me to go on Ephraim’s horse and ride. I told them I did not feel strong enough to hold on to him. I did though and we soon reached Simmerport [Simsport].

The next day they had to cart me in an ambulance. We lay around there two or three days. I got better and marched most of the way down here. Colonel Sprague carried my rifle one day. Now I am getting better. I am glad I have not got to go through what I have been again. We have got good river water to drink and use. I hope you will not send any medicine. It will be perfectly useless. I don’t know what to do with silk if it was thread. I should have some use for it. The best medicine I have found for the diarrhea is sweet gum. We can get plenty of it here. I don’t know how long we shall stay here. I hope till I get entirely well. I suppose the troops will be posted along the river. I don’t think we have been very badly defeated yet. The rebs have lost two or three men to our one. We lost some of our baggage train and I think Banks would do a good thing to burn some of the rest. We have got baggage wagons enough now to whip out any army.

Give my respects to all—yourself as well. I am much obliged to Helen for that paper. — William W. Jones

To Miss Mary F. Jones

13th Connecticut Infantry, Occupation of New Orleans

1862: Edwin L. Nickerson to his Sister

February 13, 2025 Griff 1 Comment

*Edwin L. Nickerson (Collection of Cornwall Historical Society)*

The following letter was written by Edwin L. Nickerson (1842-1863) who enlisted as a private on 25 February 1862 in Co. C, 13th Connecticut Infantry. He was promoted to a corporal in November 1862 but was killed at Irish Bend, Louisiana on 14 April 1863 during the Teche Campaign.

Edwin was the son of Smith Nickerson (1804-1853) and Mary Ann Davidson (1806-1845) from Cornwall, Litchfield County, Connecticut. He had three brothers who served in the military; Uriah Nickerson (1838-1895), who fought in Company E of the 7th Connecticut Infantry, Henry F. Nickerson, who was part of the 10th Connecticut Infantry, and Mark S. Nickerson (1843-1915), who served in Company A of the 10th Massachusetts Infantry. In his correspondence, Edwin expressed profound concern for his brother Mark’s safety upon receiving news of the Battle of Fair Oaks (Seven Pines), during which the 10th Massachusetts endured 27 fatalities and 95 injuries in savage hand-to-hand combat. Remarkably, Mark survived the war and passed away at the age of 72. Ironically, it was Edwin who would ultimately fail to return home.

Edwin datelined his letter on 23 June 1862 from the Custom House in New Orleans where they quarters with Gen. Butler’s Headquarters and performed provost duty.

Transcription

Custom House, New Orleans
13th Regt. C. V. Co. C, USA
June 23, 1862

Dear Sister,

I received yours of May 27th the 12 of June & was very glad to hear from you again & I should have answered it before but I thought I had written several that not answered & would wait until we were paid off, hoping to receive another from you, but have not. I am well once more & am getting somewhat used to warm weather so I think I shall stand it. I don’t hear anything about the yellow fever now so I guess it has died out.

We were paid off the 18th instead of. and were paid only two months pay which took it up to the 1st of May but I had enough coming to me which I lent while in New Orleans so that I have sent you $30. It is all in U. S. Treasury Notes. Sent it by the Adams Express Co., and if nothing happens, it will be there before this will so immediately on receiving this you will please call at the office & get it. Should Mark write to you for $5, you will please send it to him on my account.

I see you do not understand that allotment business. It is not paid there at all. We receive it in checks in the name of any confidential person or persons whom we may have assigned it to, & those checks we send to the ones which it is assigned & they draw the money on them from any bank they choose & provided they are lost by the mail, we can get others in place of them from the paymaster.

I signed the roll in your name & expected to receive those checks but did not hear anything about it & I don’t know but they have [ ] it altogether. I hope they have for I would not have signed it had I known as much about it then as I do now.

I see by hte papers Mark has been in a great battle & I feel anxious to hear from him for I have seen some of the names & I don’t know but he may be one of them. I have not heard from him in a long, long time and how dreadful the suspense. Oh, I hope he is well. But I tremble lest he was one of the fallen. For God’s sake, write to let me know the truth.

But I must close as I have not time to write any longer. Direct to New Orleans, General Butler’s Expedition. We had green corn here the middle of May and the markets are now crowded with watermelons, muskmelons, plumbs, peaches, new potatoes, blackberries, &c. & have been since the middle of May. Please remember me kindly to all, not forgetting that I am still your brother, — Edwin L. Nickerson

13th Connecticut Infantry, Fort Jackson

1862: Franklin S. Twitchell to his Sister

February 13, 2025 Griff Leave a comment

The following incomplete letter, written in pencil, lacks a signature page, leaving virtually no tangible evidence to determine its authorship. The heading indicates it was composed by a member of Co. B, 13th Connecticut Infantry, and the content aligns with that identification. However, upon reviewing my Spared & Shared archives of transcribed letters, I found that in 2015, I published 13 letters authored by Franklin S. Twitchell of Co. B, 13th Connecticut, who similarly wrote them in pencil and addressed them to his sister, just as this letter does. By examining the handwriting of this letter and the letters within the archive, I concluded they were penned by the same soldier. Notably, there exists a letter dated “May 1862” in that collection which may represent the conclusion or continuation of this correspondence. See: Franklin S. Twitchell~Co. B, 13th Connecticut Infantry.

Franklin Twitchell (1844-1864) was the son of Isaac Spencer Twitchell and Charlotte Benham. According to a family history, Isaac was born in Oxford, Connecticut about 1807. “He was a watch and clock maker; also a manufacturer of jewelry. Shortly after attaining his majority, he removed to Ballston Spa, New York, where he engaged in the lumbering business in the Adirondacks. Having disposed of his timber and lumbering interest, he removed with his family to New Haven, Connecticut, where he engaged in the manufacture of silverware, in partnership with a person whose name is not now recalled. During Mr. Twitchell’s absence from New Haven, his partner made substitution of some base metal for the percentage of silver stamped upon the manufactured product and before Mr. Twitchell’s return left the country. These deceptions were discovered by purchasers of the silverware and Mr. Twitchell was left penniless in his efforts to make restitution and to secure a return of his good name. He returned to his trade of watch and clock repairing. With his son, Sherman, he finally left Connecticut, and settled in the state of Minnesota where he died.” [Source: Genealogy of the Twitchell Family]

The letter describes the transport of the regiment from Ship Island where it had been since mid-April 1862. The letter contains a description of Fort Jackson, the scene of the late April bombardment, now in possession of the Union army.

*One of the 13th Connecticut Infantry companies on the Banks of the Mississippi River.* *History of Civil War 1861-1865, Pictorial Works.*

Transcription

Transport Ship City of New York
13th Regt. C. V. Co. B, USA
Col. H. W. Birge, Commanding
May 7th 1862

Dear Sister,

As soon as I mailed my last letter we had orders to march for New Orleans. We struck our tents Sunday afternoon and started. They had an old river steam boat to take us to the ship. We being the last company, we did not get on board till the next morning. We had to lay on the sand through the night. Most of the men spread their blankets and went to sleep. I thought I would not as I expected we should get on board then. I soon got sick of waiting and lay down with the rest and went to sleep.

In the morning we slung our knapsacks and went on the old steam boat to get to the ship and a crazy old craft it was. It was like the pictures you see in the geography of steam boats on the Mississippi river. We have got our same bunks that we had before on board this ship. We have our rifles to sleep with. I found a slave and his family on board that the 9th Regiment C. V. brought from Mississippi with them. I asked him what the Rebels thought of the Yankees. He said they thought they—the Rebels—would get whipped. He said his master had two sons in the Rebel army when the 9th landed. He said that the Rebels had 1,000 men to oppose them but as soon as they got in sight, they took to their heels with the cry, “Gen. Butler’s Division is coming!”

Yesterday we were to work heaving ballast overboard so as to lighten the ship so as to get over the bar to the Mississippi river. Today we are off the mouth of the river. The water looks like the wash off a road after a shower. It is full of floating drift wood.

May 9th. Since writing the above, we have got over the bar in the entrance of the Mississippi river. The current is very strong. There is a narrow strip of land on both sides of us beyond the water as far as I can see. We are opposite a small village. The land is covered with tall grass. It makes the houses look well.

Sketch of scenery on the Mississippi delta.

I guess I had better dry up on trying to draw. I expected to send this today but the steamer has gone. We are going up the river towed by a steam boat. The current is so strong that we make but little headway. The river is very narrow. It almost runs over the banks. I have been watching to see if the side [sight?] made any difference. I have watched the banks some four or five hours & I cannot see any. We are now some six or seven miles from the mouth. The water is higher here than outside as every little break in the bank we can see the water running through very swift.

We passed a small house surrounded with beautiful trees. I should have liked to have stayed there two or three weeks. Well I must stop writing till some other day.

May 10th. We are opposite Fort Jackson, the scene of the recent bombardment. The walls are of brick in here as guns in casement. On the top is earth covered with grass. The fort shows the effect of the bombardment. We can see the two guns lying dismounted in the grass, the turf torn up, the walls broken in places. There are some small buildings one side of the fort. They looked hard. We could see where a ball had gone right through the chimney. Another had a ragged hole through the side of the window.

We are at anchor off the fort. The tow boat is taking in coal. A man came on board. He said he lived a half a mile from here. Someone asked him about the bombardment. He said it lasted six days and nights. Someone asked him if it wasn’t time for the Rebels to give up. Not yet you….[remainder of letter is missing]