These letters were written by George Josiah Sager (1840-1914) who served with the 149th New York Volunteers. George first enlisted in August 1862 as a sergeant in Co. D. He later received a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in Co. I. He mustered out of the service in June 1865.

George’s parents were Jacob Sager (b. 1807), and Rebecca Smith Groot (b. 1812) of Syracuse, New York. Many of George’s letters have been published on the internet which may be found at 149th monument at Gettysburg. George apparently often included sketches in his letters to his family. He is credited for having originated the idea for a bronze statue on the regimental monument on Culp’s Hill at Gettysburg (and also at Syracuse) which depicts Sergt. Lilly of the 149th New York “Mending the Flag.”

Letter 1

[Note: This letter is from the personal collection of Don Andrew and was made available for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent.]

Aquia Creek Landing
January 28, 1863

Dear Mother,

I received your kind letter last night with the $2 which I did not expect. I was very sorry to hear of your suffering but was again made glad by the tidings that you were recovering. We are at last settled again in winter quarters where we will stay for some time I am quite sure as our regiment is detailed to work at the landing. Our camp is in a pleasant place about half a mile from the landing.

Mort [Mortimer] Birdseye, Lisher [Elisha] George & I have got a nice little log house with a good fireplace and bunkhouse just built by some old soldiers who had to leave here and although it is a cold, snowy, rainy, and disagreeable day out doors, we are comfortable within. Mort is washing dishes and preparing a beef stew. Lisher is reading a book and I am writing of course. I wish you could lift up the canvas we have for a door and look in on us. You would be satisfied.

But is not always so. We have just completed six days as hard marching as soldiers ever see. The 2nd day of our march we traveled 18 miles with three days rations in our haversacks, 60 rounds of ammunition in our [cartridge] boxes and heavy blankets & so that is what I call hard marching. The 3rd, 4th, & 5th day it rained all the while and we could make but 3 or 4 miles a day and that by hard marching. The 4th day we had to go back two or three miles after rations cold and wet and our blankets and things soaked made them a great deal heavier. But it is all over now and my health and spirits are as good and better than ever.

And to top all, yesterday we got our first two months pay and all is joy in camp. I bought me a good pair of boots and you will see why in the picture, and a good knife. And we now have a good coffee pot and [are] very well rigged all round. But I should like a box from home first rate and it will come direct to us. Please send me a good 3 quarts pail for boiling in as we cannot find anything of the kind here. Anything in the way of dried fruit or preserves would be acceptable. Anything will be thankfully received from home.

But I must now close as it is near mail time. Give my love to all. Tell Emmy I have just read her letter and I will soon write her one with a picture in it. Goodbye for the present. From your affectionate son, — George

P. S. Mother, let me know if you get your allotment money. You should get $20. [sketch of boots]

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Letter 2

[Note: This letter is from the personal collection of Don Andrew and was made available for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent.]

Aquia Landing, Virginia
January 29th 1863

Dear Sister,

George Collins handed me your letter some three or four days ago but I have not had any good opportunity till the present. Today I am all alone in our little log shanty. Mort Birdseye has gone to Falmouth some 10 miles from here on the railroad to see his brother. The old 12th and the 122nd are near them and I think I shall go down and the boys in a few days. We can get a pass from the Colonel and ride on the cars for nothing. Lisher George is down on the landing looking for a “shoe tinker” to get his boots mended. I have just come up from the landing and my haversack hangs just back of me on a peg filled with cookies & cheese. That is high living here but I am getting so that I can eat my 10 hard tacks a day and salt pork and like it where at home it would have made me sick as a dog.

Last night we had 7 or 8 inches of snow fall. It has rained and snowed for the last four or five days but this morning it cleared up and the sun came out quite warm and now very little of the snow is left. We have a snug little shanty and did not mind the weather much. I will try to give you a picture of our shanty on the other side.

Mort being away, I am acting Orderly. It will soon be time to get the party out for night work on the landing so I must close. Give my love to Mother and all at home. I am not at all home sick and am very well contented but do not love the dear ones at home any the less but more than ever. Remember me to all. From your brother, — George

Tell them to direct my box to Sergt. George J. Sager, Care of Lieut. Collins, Co. I, 149 Regt. N. Y. S. Vols., Aquia Creek Landing, Va.

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Letter 3

[Editor’s note: The date and location of this letter is not identified but my hunch is that it was written when Sager was a lieutenant and had the freedom to ride around.]

Dear Sister,

I received your kind letter last night about your visit and Aunt Amy. I am very glad to hear you enjoyed yourself so well. Am always glad to hear from you and shall feel it no bother to answer all the letters you may write.

Enclosed find a ring which I made myself. I shall feel quite proud to hear that you wear it. There are a great many made here by the boys and sent home. You will also find enclosed two pictures—one of “Bob,” a genuine “niger,” and one of our cook “Nat,” a good-looking mulatto. He made a dumpling for us today of raisins. Of course it was good but nothing like “Mother’s.”

I have not seen a little girl nor a big one either for as much as three months. They are quite a curiosity about here. Once in a while in my riding about I come across a nest of “nigers.” The other day I saw a lot of “Red Headed” little darkies. They were very black with sandy wool—quite red. They looked very cunning. I have some very good times riding about.

But it is near mail time and I shall have to close. Goodbye for the present. Write soon.

From your brother, — George

to Emily Sager

This ring is made of Laurel Wood. — George