Category Archives: 14th Connecticut Infantry

14th Connecticut Infantry, Battle of Chancellorsville, Battle of Morton's Ford, Corps Badges, Military Execution

1863-64: Edward H. Wade to Ellen Nancy Wade

May 18, 2024 Griff Leave a comment

The following letters were written by Edward H. Wade (1836-1897), the son of Amasa Dwight Wade (1795-1870 and Nancy A. Wait (1798-1859) of Northampton, Hampshire county, Massachusetts. Edward wrote the letters to his younger sister, Ellen Nancy Wade (1838-1887), while serving as a corporal in Co. F, 14th Connecticut Infantry.

Edward was working as a printer in Northampton when he enlisted as a private in the 14th Connecticut on 8 August 1862. He was promoted to corporal in early February 1863 and survived the war, mustering out at Alexandria, Virginia, on 31 May 1865. Following his discharge, Edward returned to Northampton, Massachusetts, and resumed his career as a printer.

Some time ago I transcribed & published some letters on Spared & Shared that were written by the captain of Co. F, 14th Connecticut. See—1863-65: Frederick Bartlett Doten to Georgia L. Wells.

Letter 1

[Edward’s account of the Battle of Chancellorsville. April 28^th the regiment moved with the army on the Chancellorsville campaign, in which it saw hard service and lost seriously. At night, May 2d, it was sent with the brigade to the right to check the enemy and hold the ground after the disaster of the Eleventh Corps.]

Monday morning [4 May 1863]

Dear Ellen,

How can I write? Here I am beside the dead and wounded and I don’t know what to write. I sent you a letter Saturday and told you that need not worry about me that we should probably not go into the fight. But the rebels were strongly reinforced from Richmond that day, and so about 4 o’clock we had orders to go right off. We started and went right up to the point where our forces were fighting hard. We was not needed there, and so we went a little to the right in a field of woods. Here we staid all night and about once an hour, the rebels would fire a terrible volley into us. At one o’clock at night, however, they stopped and we had a chance to sleep about two hours.

Before we knew it, the Holy Sabbath sun dawned upon us. Oh, I cannot write about this day’s proceedings as I a want to—it was too horrible to relate. But I must let you know how it was.

We had just got up, and begun to make some tea, when all at once the rebels came down upon our Brigade and fired into us most terribly. We stood our ground well, and fired into them about a dozen times each when we had to retreat for they would have captured us all in 5 minutes if we hadn’t. Then the firing commenced from both sides and it was sad to see them fall on all sides of us. We formed again in a line and went into it once more, and give them all they wanted. We fought them hard and they got the worst of it all day. But think of the thousands killed today. While you at home are in the sanctuary worshipping God, you little imagine that we are on the bloody field of battle fighting.

I can’t write—tears are in my eyes. The 20th C. Volunteers are all cut up. Twelve of my best friends from New Britain were in it and eight are killed. Oh God, when will it be over with. We have had two wounded in our own company but 10 are missing and we cannot find any sign of them. The firing stopped [ ] o’clock last night and they have not commenced as yet this morning. Whether they will or not, I can’t tell. I think there will be more fighting yet but I don’t believe this regiment will go in again for they are badly cut up. I don’t know as I will have a chance to send this today. If I can’t, I will write again. Don’t fear for me. I am all right so far, Goodbye, — Edward

I can send this now so goodbye. I will write again soon.

Letter 2

Camp near Falmouth Va.
May 21st 1863

Friend Nellie,

For as such I take the liberty to address you for I have heard your brother, who is a dear friend of mine, speak of you so often that I feel as though I had been acquainted with you for years, you must pardon me for thus intruding upon your time and attention. I should not have presumed upon the thought of writing to you but with the consent of your brother by whom I feel proud to be called friend. Yes, he is one whom anyone might feel proud to call him friend, and of whom any young lady might feel proud of as a brother. And I am glad to say that he is one who faithfully discharges his duties both to his God and his country, and the prayer of his humble friend is that he may be spared through all the trials and dangers of a soldiers life to return to his dear father and sisters and once more bring joy and happiness to their now lonely fireside. But if God should not see fit to reunite you on earth, may you all live so that at the judgement day you may meet an unbroken family around the mercy seat of God on high and may I be so happy as to be permitted to witness your joy. Such is the prayer and hope of your humble friend, — L. F. Norton

[In different hand]

Dear Nell: — Such are the remarks of a kind friend of mine who sat at my side this morning while I read part of the letter which I received from you last night, written on your birthday. After I read what I chose, he took a sheet of paper and asked what I wanted he should write to you. I told him anything he chose, when he took this sheet and wrote what is on it. It is very flattering to me, I think, but of course it is all the truth—it must be. Hain’t I a love of a feller! The writer is a mighty good fellow, and is now acting Orderly Sergeant of the company. I was not much acquainted with him in Connecticut but since we have come out here, we have tented together, and are now fast friends. I hope we may both live to return home, withal he may be enabled to visit us at our home, and then we will have a good old fashioned time. I calculate if I ever get home to have a good many friends who are with me here to make me a visit. I want to show you what the 14th is composed of and the first to visit me will be Lucius F. Norton.

Well, what shall I write to you about this time? I wrote to you the first of the week but I got a good letter from you last night and I cannot but answer it this morning. We are now in our new camp but probably shall not be here a week from today. Our Corp have orders from Gen. Hooker to do guard duty on the railroad running from Falmouth to Acquia Creek. We expect to go every day but we do not know the exact day we shall go. I hope it will be a good job for I am getting tired of this life while we are having such hot weather. We have to drill in the morning and afternoon and I think it is a little too hot for such work.

How do you think I look this morning? Well. I am loafing around the camp barefoot, shoes off, and pants and thin blouse on. We drew some nice summer blouses the other day and I got one of them. It is tremendous hot and I don’t know what we shall do this summer. We have drawn new knapsacks, blankets, overcoats, and shirts, and in fact everything that we lost—except Hepze. ¹ I never shall see one that will equal her. I don’t feel reconcided at all. On the contrary, I am afraid it is wearing upon me. If I was sure that my loss would be her gain, I should feel a little better. But we know that the rebels hain’t got no hard tack nor coffee and so the poor little girl will have to suffer and perhaps die in the “Sunny South.” Tell Jennie not to mourn but keep up good courage. I suppose she is anxiously waiting for the 52nd to come home, ain’t she?

*Remnant of the 14th Connecticut Battle Flag*

Oh, the [blue] trefoil [badge] has come and suits me to a charm. I thank Mrs. Stone very kindly indeed for making it and I hope that all our friends will be rewarded greatly. When you get time, please make the others. I have placed it on my cap and it looks first rate—tip top—capital good! I am very glad and amply repaid in knowing that my letters reach you safely and that you think so much of them. I simply do what I consider my duty and I am glad that you appreciate my kind efforts.

But I have got to go to drilling now, and must close till night. I guess I will write another sheet. I will say that the envelopes came all right and shall be used. I last night got a Flag of the Union for which I thank you kindly. I shall mail you a Chronicle in the morning. Goodbye.

Thursday evening. Well, it is evening and I will now write you a few more lines. I have been made glad this afternoon in receiving a letter from our cousin Marietta at Florence. She writes a capital good letter and I shall answer it soon although I don’t know whether to direct it to Easthampton, Florence, Northampton, or Pugs Hole. Which is it? Won’t you let me know in your next? Ellen, I have had the best cup of coffee tonight that I ever drank. I want you and Jennie to try it and see if it isn’t beautiful. Fill your cup with coffee, then put in a piece of butter about as big as a walnut, then some milk, then break an egg, and put it in. Then sweeten it to your taste. Put in the old crusts and go ahead a drink it down. By jolly, ain’t it good! If eggs weren’t 80 cents a dozen, butter 70 cents a pound, and sugar 18 cents, a soldier even might enjoy himself. But no, it won’t do for them to enjoy themselves. They must be content with salt pork and hard tack. Well, it will all come out right after a while.

“The [Rappahannock] river is very narrow, and, if you believe it, the rebels and our men go in the water to bathe together. They enjoy themselves first rate and both parties are of the same opinion—that if they could decide this war there never would be a man shot.”
— Edward H. Wade, Co. F, 14th Connecticut, 21 May 1863

We now have to go on picket every other day and that with our guard and fatigue duty make it hard for us. We do not go now where we did before the recent battle. Where we go, however, is close to the [Rappahannock] river’s edge and the rebels are on the opposite side doing the same business that we are doing—picketing. The river is very narrow, and, if you believe it, the rebels and our men go in the water to bathe together. They enjoy themselves first rate and both parties are of the same opinion—that if they could decide this war there never would be a man shot. Some of our men went over to their side the other day, eat dinner with them, and then swam back. You can make up your minds that not much ill-feeling exists between two parties when such things can be done by these same parties. Then think of these same men going into battle together and shooting each other down—not because they want to, but because they are obliged to do so by their commanders. Nell, don’t you think it is high time that such a war should be stopped. I would as soon go across the river and make those men a visit as to go to the 37th Massachusetts or 20th Connecticut.

I have heard that Oliver is all right and glad am I to hear of it. Our two men who are missing have been heard from. They are paroled prisoners at Annapolis, Maryland. They were taken prisoners and have been paroled and can no longer fight till they are exchanged. There are seventeen of them that belong to this regiment. Most of the regiment that are here are well. A few are ailing. One has passed away this afternoon. He was a Sergeant. While over the river, he caught a hard cold which resulted in the Typhoid Fever of which he died today. He was an excellent soldier and beloved by his comrades and friends. But he has gone and friends must mourn but not without hope, for he was a devoted Christian. Such are the scenes we pass through on our onward march. God grant that when our turn shall come, we may be prepared to go even if it is on the battlefield.

I suppose Minyon’s folks are in deep affliction. It will be a sad blow to Alanson and Alfred. If I mistake not, it was four years today since we laid our mother in the grave. How many times I have thought of it the past week, I cannot tell, but her sickness and death has been in my mind lately a great deal. I wish I was where I could visit her grave occasionally. But dear Ellen, I know you will not forsake that sacred spot. Visit it often. Place fresh flowers on her grave and keep the grave in nice shape. Is that rosebush alive yet?

But I declare, Ellen, it is time I was to bed. Tomorrow I am to be on guard and I must have a little sleep. I will try and write again in a week. I wrote to Ivy a few days since and also Dwight. I am glad to hear that he still continues in his good resolution. I am sorry that father is not very well but I hope he will be careful of his health and soon be entirely well. Don’t forget to tell me Marietta’s address. Give my love to Jennie and your new friend Mrs. Stone. I shiould be glad to make her acquaintance and will if she will only come down here. But I cannot come there—that is certain. Give my kind regards to all the neighbors and tell them I am as well as ever and tough as a log. I saw a good notice in the paper about Edward B. Strong. I suppose that means Esther’s boy. How heroic he must be. Poor George Perigo. He is gone. We are losing friends fast on all sides. God grant that we may meet them safe in Heaven. Excuse all mistakes, Answer soon. And accept with great love. From your affectionate brother, — Edward H. Wade, Co. F, 14th Reg. Conn. Vols. Washington D. C.

Friday morning. It is a lovely morning and I have just had my breakfast. We had boiled potatoes and pork, and some more of that bully coffee. I declare, isn’t it good. It is 6 o’clock and I can imagine you in the garden making some flower beds or tending the garden. I would like to be with you but you will have to get along without me this year. Perhaps I will be with you next fall to help pull the cabbages and turnips.

We are going to have another hot day. I wish you would send me a half dozen needle fulls of thread, and a needle or so. I lost all mine, you know, at Chancellorsville. Our cavalry are doing dreadful damage to the rebel [ ] down south and I hope will continue so, and my earnest wish is that this wicked war may be wound up speedily. Write soon and give me all the news. Yours lovingly, — Edward

¹ Possibly a dog mascot adopted by the company.

Letter 3

Louden Mills near Rapidan River, Va.
Sunday, Sept. 20 [1863]

Dear Nell,

I now seat myself to answer your kind letter that I haven’t received lately. We do not get any mail at all now. Why, I cannot tell. Since writing last, we have moved from Slaughter Mountain and are nearer the rebels by 5 miles than we were then. We left that morning about 9 o’clock and came right here. We expected that the rebels would open a fire upon us, but they did not. We halted in a lot but before we had time to put up our shelter tents, it commenced to rain and you can just believe that it did rain for about an hour. It then slackened and we put up our tents, but we had no more than got them up when it commenced again and it rained hard and steady all night.

Now I come to a sad part of my letter, but it must be told. Friday, two men belonging to the 14th Regiment were shot for the crime of desertion. ¹ They were two of the new men and were brought here about 6 weeks ago, but deserted in two days after they came here. They were found dressed in rebel clothes and after they had had a court martial, were sentenced to be shot on Friday, Sept. 18th in the presence of the Division to which they belonged. I did not wish to see it, but I could not help myself. At 3 o’clock in the afternoon, the whole Division, containing 12 regiments of infantry and two batteries of 6 guns each, were marched into a large open lot. Here we formed a hollow square. About 4 o’clock the guards who were detailed to shoot these poor men came marching along slowly, the two prisoners in the middle of the guard, and the 14th Band playing a funeral dirge. They reached the graves where the coffins were placed by the side of them. The Officer of the Guard then read the sentence of the court-marshal to the prisoners. The Chaplains of the 12th New Jersey and 14th talked and prayed with them and bid them a last farewell. The Officer of the Guard then stepped to them, tied a white handkerchief over their eyes, and shook hands with them, each on his own coffin. He then went to his guard, and gave them these orders: Ready, Aim, Fire! Owing to the terrible storm the night before, the powder in the guns was very wet and only two guns out of the twenty went off. One of the men was only shot in the arm and the other slightly in the head. But they must be shot, and so they fired again, and they had to shoot 12 different times before the poor men were killed. Oh it was dreadful to see the agony the poor men were in. One of them got off from his coffin, took off his handkerchief from his eyes and wanted to shoot himself, he was in so much misery.

After they were pronounced dead, the Division had to march past them and look at them. They were mangled terribly and I hope never to see another such a sight. The men were young—one of them being 22, the other 18. One of the men was a substitute, and the other—a nice looking young man of 19 who was unable to pay his $300—was drafted and had to come. This is what comes of the [ ] of the North, for if they would have been brave enough to come, there would have been no need of a draft, and no substitutes to hire, and there would have been two men more in the Union army.

But I will stop writing on this subject for it makes me sick at heart. When will the North open their eyes and see their danger. Well, we moved our camp from the wet lot to the woods and yesterday our Brigade were detailed to come out on picket and we are the outposts. The Rebel cavalry are close to us on picket also, and ew can talk to them if we choose. I don’t hardly think we shall fight here for the Rebels have a large force here, or across the river rather. They have got an excellent position and have got their rifle pits dug so that if we fought them, we should have to run a great deal of danger and I don’t believe that our Generals will be so foolish as to undertake to get them out of their rifle pits just now. We must flank them or they will give us fits. But I don’t know what they will do althoigh I hope they won’t try it in here.

I am very well. We had a cold night last night and fall is fast coming upon us. I guess we should have to stay here one winter more but I hope not. How do you all do? Oh, I wish I could see you and have a good talk. Wouldn’t our tongues go for a while? I bet you one thing is certain, if I am around here next winter, I shall get a furlough if it is possible. Oh, in my last letter I sent home a picture of a friend of mine who belongs to our company and who is now at home after conscripts. His name is Danford J. Davis. ² Please save it for me for I want to keep it safe. Capt. [Samuel A.] Moore is going to give me his when he comes back and I shall then send that home. I wish I could get where I could have mine taken.

But I must close. The mail has come and brought me a letter from Marietta. None from you yet. I hope to hear from you soon. Give me all the news. Give my love to all the neighbors, to father and Suzy and Dwight and Olly. Excuse all mistakes and answer soon. I suppose Jennie has got my letter before this, has she not? I would write to Mr. Gus if I had time and could write as I wanted to and give him a description of the shooting of of those two men but it would take more time than I have to spare and I guess I will let it go. Tell father to give my love to Mr. Axtell and tell him I would like to hear from him. And give my love to all the neighbors. From your brother, — Edmund H. Wade

¹ The two men from the 14th Connecticut executed on 18 September 1863 were Edward Elliott and George Layton. Their execution were described: Of all the executions, the ones that killed Privates George Layton and Edward Elliott produced the most irritation. It took several tries for the ill-prepared firing squad to deliver the killing blow. The two soldiers, Layton and Edwards, had the shortest terms of service of any of the condemned men. Both had mustered into the ranks of 14^th Connecticut on July 18, 1863. Elliott was a twenty-two-year-old draftee and Layton (sometimes written as Laton) was a twenty-year-old substitute who often went by a fake name (either George Joy or Charles Eastman). Late in the afternoon, the 3^rd Division, 2^nd Corps, formed up to witness Elliott’s and Layton’s deaths. Major General William French, who normally commanded the 3^rd Corps, held temporary command of the 3^rd Division’s execution proceedings. What historians know about the debacle comes from The Valiant Hours, a memoir written by Private Thomas F. Galwey of 8^th Ohio. According to him, the firing squads botched the execution horribly. When all was ready, the two firing parties took position in front of Layton and Elliott. At a command from the provost marshal, the squads pulled their triggers. The first volley struck one of the two deserters (Galwey did not say which one), wounding him slightly. He fell over, bleeding on his coffin. The other condemned man did not receive a scratch. In fact, after he heard the volley, he broke loose from his pinion and snatched the handkerchief from his eyes. Galwey remembered, “A murmur of mingled pity and disgust ran through the division. Most of the pieces had only snapped caps. Here was either wanton carelessness in the Provost Guard or a Providential interposition to save the lives of the men.” General French fumed at the firing squads’ failure. He ordered the un-wounded deserter rebound and re-blindfolded and instructed the squads to reload. In a few minutes, a second volley rang out, but with no different result. This time, the firing squads wounded the injured man a second time (but did not kill him), and they completely missed the un-wounded man, driving him—as Galwey described it—“into a paroxysm of fear and trembling without even hitting him!” Now, an audible groan passed through the division, revealing the soldiers’ abhorrence of the proceedings. Galwey narrated the conclusion: The left-hand squad fired once more, killing the wounded deserter, for he fell back upon his coffin and never stirred again. But the right-hand squad only wounded the unhit man at the next volley. He continued to struggle to free himself of his pinions. The guns had evidently been loaded the evening before and become wet from the rains which fell during the night. The Provost Marshal now brought up his men, one by one, and made them pull the trigger with the muzzle almost touching the unfortunate devil’s head! But strange to relate, they only snapped caps, the victim shivering visibly each time. At last the Provost Marshal himself, drawing his revolver, placed the muzzle at the man’s head and discharged all the barrels of it! This finished the man and he fell over into his coffin and never moved again. General French rode up. As we could plainly see, he was indignant at this clumsy butchery. Artists representing the New York newspapers or magazines made on-the-spot sketches of this horrid affair.” [Source: Tales from the Army of the Potomac, April 21, 2016.]

² Danford J. Davis was from Berlin, Connecticut. He was killed in the Battle of Morton’s Ford in February 1864.

Letter 4

*Reconnoissance at Morton’s Ford by Alfred Waud (LOC)*

[Wade’s account of the Battle of Morton’s Ford, February 6-7, 1864]

At our old camp
Sunday Evening, Feb. 7 [1864]

Dearest Ellen,

I must write you a few lines, sad as I feel. Oh, Ellen, yesterday was a sad, sad day for the 14th Regiment. I mailed you a letter Saturday morning and stated to you that we were to go on a reconnoissance. We started at 8 o’clock and after marching 2 miles, came to the Rapidan. We did not cross for about an hour, and finally our Division—the Third—were ordered to ford the river, which was four feet deep. Oh, how cold it was! Then before we got to the top of the bank, we had to go about ten feet in mud 2 feet deep. Oh, it was dreadful. But this was but the commencement.

We had just crossed the river, and then had to run about a half mile up a steep hill to get out of the range of the enemy’s guns as they could shell us easy where they were. As it was, they threw a few shells into us, killing a few men. One of the shells hit one man in the centre of the body, cut him in two, threw his head, one leg, and his gun 30 feet in the air. Well, we got by there, and after going another half mile, stopped at the foot of a high hill. Right ahead of us, about a half mile, were the enemy heavily entrenched, and between them and us, at the top of the hill, were 3 large houses all together—in fact, a large Southern plantation. ¹

We lay there all the rest of the day, and as near as I can learn, we were going to retreat again across the river, as soon as it became dark. But about 5 o’clock, while we were busily getting our coffee, the enemy threw a few shells right into our midst and immediately sent out skirmishers. We did the same, but they drove them back, and just at dusk, they sent out two Brigades to drive us back and take us prisoners. Our General immediately sent out the 39th New York, but after they had got to the top of the hill, the rebels fired a charge into them and they—like a pack of fools—broke and run. Upon this, the Gen. came down to our Brigade commander in an awful rage and says, “General, for God’s sake, give me the 14th Regiment up here. They wont run!”

So Col. Moore, started us off. We got as far up as the houses, but within 300 years of the houses on the right hand side, when the order was given to take those houses at any cost, oh! how the old 14th charged. Then those houses were full of rebels and the enemy were 6 to l of us, but forward was the word, and we went ahead, the enemy firing their bullets into us like hail. Dozens by dozens fell on our side, and when we came within about 40 feet of the houses, we had but three captains, and 30 or 40 men with us. But we kept on, and finally went into one of the houses. About the same number of rebels were there, but they would not surrender, and neither would we, and then we had a hand to hand fight. But finally the rebels run off, and by this time the 1st Brigade relieved us, and we went to work carrying off our dead and wounded.

*Capt. Frederick Bartlett Doten pf Co. F, 14th Connecticut, was taken prisoner At Morton’s Ford and sent to Libby Prison. He wears the blue trefoil Corps badge on his chest.*

Now for our loss in that terrible hour’s work. Oh, Ellen we have lost dreadfully. Our major is wounded. Two captains have each lost a part of their hand, one Captain had a ball shot through his foot, our fine Capt. Fred B. Doten is a prisoner in their hands, two lieutenants are wounded, and as for enlisted men, non-commissioned officers, and privates over one hundred and forty are either killed, wounded and missing. Just think of it, dear Nellie. We went into the fight with 350, and we have come out with just over half the number. Every company has lost one or more sergeants, and our company has lost my chum and bed fellow, Sergeant Myers. He was shot through the side, and probably died on the field. He was a noble soldier and the tears start when I think of his poor family. Co. I lost four sergeants, Co. C three, ² Co. F two, and so [on] through all the companies.

But there is no use in enumerating our loss. It is over and we are back to camp—a little band of broken-hearted men. I am now alone in my tent, both of my tent mates being shot. Charles Scovill, Corp. is wounded and gone to Washington. Oh, it is lonesome, lonesome, and no mistake and I am broken-hearted.

Why I was not shot is a mystery to me, but it is the goodness of God. One bullet came along and hit me on the left foot, but its force had been spent and did me no damage, although my foot aches once in a while. We have lost in our company 12 men and our captain. But I have got to write to the friends of some of the boys who are wounded and must stop. I will write again soon. I feel bad though that it don’t seem as i f I could write a line. I could go to bed and cry like a child all day if it might do any good. I am well as can be expected, although I have got a bad cold. But do not worry for I shall be well soon. I will write again soon. Please let Lucy read this. Thank God I am well. Goodbye. From — Edward

¹ See Morton’s Ford, Then & Now: The amazing Alfred Waud, on John Banks’ Civil War Blog. See also In the Footsteps of the 14th Connecticut Infantry by Frank Niederwerfer.

² See story of Sgt. Alexander McNeil of Co. C, 14th Connecticut Vols.

14th Connecticut Infantry, Battle of Chancellorsville

1863: Lucius E. Bidwell to Mary M. Bidwell

December 2, 2023 Griff Leave a comment

The following letters were written by Lucius E. Bidwell, Jr., (1833-1864), the son of Lucius E. Bidwell, Sr. (1806-1852) and Mary M. Barnes (1808-Aft1865) of Middletown, Middlesex county, Connecticut.

He lived in Middletown, and worked as a painter until he enlisted in Captain Elijah W. Gibbons’ famous Co. B of the 14th Connecticut Volunteers (the “Nutmeg Regiment”) in July of 1862. He was wounded at the Battle of Fredericksburg and survived, but died late in the war, in the Wilderness of northern Virginia May 5, 1864. His burial place is unknown, but a Cenotaph was erected in his name at Indian Hill cemetery in Middletown. On February 17, 1864, the local Middletown newspaper The Constitution published a letter from Bidwell that details his experiences fighting Confederate soldiers.

The first letter in this small collection provides details of the Battle of Chancellorsville. The regiment was held in reserve for the most part until Sunday, May 3rd, when they went into action and suffered several casualties, though no one was killed.

Two of Bidwell’s letters are housed at the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.

[Most of these letters were provided from the collection of the Senft Family for the express purpose of being transcribed and published on Spared & Shared.]

Letter 1

Camp near Falmouth, Virginia
May 8th 1863

Dear Brother,

I suppose you have heard of the battle long before this and that your brother Lucien has come out all right again which I suppose is goo news to you all but I tell you what it is, I barely escaped with my life each battle. I have had the leaden pills whistle about my head like hail stones in fly time. I have had them come so close as to blow my hair and make me wink and blink considerable and I have had shells burst at my feet, over my head, and had pieces of them graze my clothes. We call them soap blubbers out here. I had rather have a million bullets rattle about my head than one shell to burst over my head. They make quite a little noise, I tell you.

But I am one of the favored ones, I guess. The bullet is not cast yet for me. I hope not at least for it is not very pleasant to have one of them hit a fellow. I don’t see how I have escaped without a scratch three times and was in such a shower of shells and bullets too each time, and all three battles I have had comrades shot by my side. There was two wounded, one each side of me, and so it was at Antietam ¹ and Fredericksburg ² and this last battle, and I have escaped without a scratch.

It was about as bloody a battle as Fredericksburg. It was a five days fight. We were in a line of battle with our rifles loaded and kept ready for them four days and nights. Some nights we were on our feet with our pieces half cocked with the expectation of being called to the rifle pits to relieve the poor fellows who had been in them fighting hard for two or three days. But we were finally obliged to fall back across the [Rappahannock] river again. We went into the fight last Saturday night about 6 o’clock right under one of our batteries of half a dozen guns which kept firing all night. The night was a very dark night and the flash from the big guns kept the woods we were in illuminated about all night. If it was not in battle, it would have been a glorious sight to look upon and the roar of the [guns] was deafening I tell [you].

But about five o’clock in the morning the rebels broke through our lines and caused great confusion. Most of the whole army scattered and fled like sheep for a mile or so and made another stand and threw up earthworks at the entrance of a piece of woods and there we made out to keep them at bay until Thursday night about midnight [when] we packed up and got ready to start about three o’clock in the morning. It was very dark and rained quite hard all the day before and all night and oh! I tell you what, it was a little muddy about that time. We had to wade through mud up to our knees most of the way.

I never shall forget that night. It was awful dark and we had to march through a thick wood for about three miles to the river. It was awfully muddy. We were obliged to whisper to one another and the officers gave out their orders in whispers. If the rebs had known of our movement at the time, we would have had quite a hard time getting away. I tell you, they would have hurried us all the way, but we were so still about it that they knew nothing of it until we were about a;; across the river in safety. But as soon as thy found it out, they sent a few shells after us but done no harm. If we had reinforcements that night we would have been alright but the rebs were too strong for us. Our Brigadier General [William] Hays was wounded I believe very bad. He is now at Washington, they say.

We are now at our old camp again once more but I don’t think we shall stay here a great while. I think by what I can learn that we shall soon march towards Washington to recruit for we are of no use here now for most half of this army’s time are out. Some of them who enlisted for two years are up and some—and a great many for 9 months—are up, so it will make the army quite small. I hope they will get out of this hole anyhow for I think the Army of the Potomac have the most [Rebel] force to contend with and the most difficulties to surmount than any other army of the Union. We are trying to fight our way to Richmond and the rebel army that we are opposing are endeavoring to push their way towards Washington so that makes it the most desperate. I had rather be in any other army than the Army of the Potomac at the present time.

I believe I will close this letter for I guess it is long enough you will [be tired] read[ing] if you have not already, all about the battle and our retreat. It is a glorious day today. The whole regiment has gone out on picket duty yesterday adn have not arrived yet. I went with them but I had a very bad cold and did not feel like laying out all night for it was stormy and so I loitered behind until the regiment passed by and then went back to camp.

We call Mr. [Robert] Russell old Gob’s eye. I will tell you one of his mean tricks and then you can judge for yourself what sort of an animal he is. Day before yesterday (I mean yesterday morn), we had fresh meat dealt out to us and Gob’s eye cut it up and dealt it out to the company. I was still under my blanket and had my shoes off ( I had a bad cold) and so I asked one of my tent mates by the name of Joe Slater—A Dutchman, a good fellow too—if he would not get my ration with his. He said he would because we had often done so before but Russell was very cross that morning and told Joe that I must come and get myself if I wanted it. But Joe told him that I was not very well and wanted him to get it for me. But old Job’s eye told him that if I [was] too sick to come after it, I was too sick to eat it. I heard every word of it myself and I sung out to stick my ration of meat into his own guts and go to the Devil with it. So I went without. That is the way he accommodates his companions. He has got to be a complete hog and if ever we both get home together, I will treat [him] as I would a hog. I never had so much hatred for a human being in my life as I have for that man. Every time I lay my eyes on him, I can [hardly] keep from laying my hands on him.

Mother said in her letter which I received last night that our captain was at Mrs. Broatch’s but Mrs. Broatch was not at home and that Mrs. Russell did not tell him that you lived in the next house. Capt. Townsend said if he had known it, he would have called and seen you and Mother says that Mrs. Russell said that the Capt, said he hoped he should see Robert Russell with stripes on soon. I think he does but not to wear them in our company. If the Capt. gets him promoted, it will be to get him out of this company. The Capt. don’t like him any better than we do.

I meant to have stopped some time ago but I shall have to now for want of paper. I send you and all my best love. Your brother, — L. E. Bidwell

Dwight Davis send his respects and Johnny is all right and sends his best regards to you. Priest was hit in the shoulder. George Hubbard is well and safe.

¹ On September 17, 1862, the regiment’s first action was at the Battle of Antietam. The regiment traveled along the flank and entered the East Woods, passing through Mumma’s orchard and cornfield toward the confederate line. The green troops performed well, but casualties came from confederate fire and accident; including a case of an exploding shell of Company D which killed 3 and wounded 4. In total, 21 men were killed and 88 wounded and 28 missing.

² In the course of Battle of Fredericksburg, 10 men were killed, 92 were wounded and 20 were listed as missing, among the dead was Lieutenant Canfield and Captain Gibbons of Company B and the Lieutenant-Colonel Perkins was wounded.

Letter 2

Camp near Falmouth, Va.
May 23, 1863

Dear Mother,

I have just seated myself under beautiful shade a few yards from our log huts and the band is playing a few yards off [from] where I am seated writing and it sounds beautifully echoing through the woods. Oh, it is such a lovely day that I cannot help enjoying it as much as I possibly can. But Mother, the thought that this cruel war is still going on almost makes it impossible for me to enjoy myself even here in this beautiful grove of pines and a plenty to eat and good spring water to drink right in our camp and a splendid band of music to enliven us.

There is another band in our brigade—the 12th New Jersey Regt.—has got a very good band too. It is camped next to our regiment. They left their homes about the same time we did but never was in any engagement till the Battle of Fredericksburg last fall. They were a full regiment them and they number most three to our one now. We number about 350 men in our regiment but they are not all on duty. A good many are sick but not very sick. It is not very sickly here. It seems to be the dysentery that troubles the men more than anything else. I have it a great deal but not very bad as to keep me from duty.

A great many play off and go to the doctor and get excused so they won’t have anything to do all day but to sit around and eat their rations all day because they are so lazy. But that is a thing I never done yet and never mean to. I am willing to do my duty and my whole duty if I suffer by the means. And Mother, I can say—and speak the truth too—that I never had to be punished the least at all since I have been out in the service of my country and have always been on good terms with the commanders of the company of which I have the honor to be a member.

I thought a great deal of our noble Capt. E[lijah] W. Gibbons, our first captain. ¹ And we have got an excellent one who has filled his place—Capt. [James L.] Townsend, a very young men about twenty-one or two years old, but he is a very fine young man and we all like him very much indeed. He belongs in Cromwell, I believe. He was very sorry that he did not know that my home was so near when he called to Mrs. Broatches. He said he would have been happy to have called on you if he had known of it. He is a very handsome young man. He makes a fine appearance out on drill. He is beardless.

I received a letter from you Thursday night and one from Augustus Friday night last night. He said that Cyrus Priest’s ² mother wanted him to write to me to know where he is that she had not heard from him lately. I asked the captain if he knew where he was and he said that he is at Potomac Creek at a hospital there and that he was down there day before yesterday and seen him and that he was doing very well, as well as circumstances would admit. He says that the ball is still lodged in his shoulder. I forgot which shoulder it is but the ball has not been extracted yet it is under his shoulder blade somewhere. I intend to go down to see some of the boys myself in a day or two, if can get a pass to do so. It is about five miles down there.

If I do go down, I will write and let you know how they are getting along so that you can send word to his Mother. The Captain says it is a very bad wound. It being almost time for dress parade, I shall be under the obligation of bringing this letter to a close by sending my best love to you and all the rest of my friends and hope and pray that this will find you enjoying good health.

I subscribe myself your affectionate son who lives in hopes of soon seeing his Mother and all the rest of his dear friends again before long, — Lucius E. Bidwell

P. S. I received your picture in your last letter and was very much pleased with it. I think it looks very much like you but I don’t think it looks so much like you as one you had taken some time ago. I was a going to send mine home but the man that took them has gone away now after the battle. There is one at Falmouth but I will have to wait until I get some money now before I have it taken.

¹ Capt. Elijah W. Gibbons was mortally wounded in the Battle of Fredericksburg.

² Cyrus S. Priest (1840-1891) was wounded in the Battle Chancellorsville on 3 May 1863. He was transferred to the 159th Co., 2nd Battalion Veteran Reserve Corps on 14 September 1864 and discharge 5 July 1865.

Letter 3

Camp near Falmouth, Virginia
May 28th 1863

Dear Brother,

I again take my pen in hand to answer your last letter which I received a few days ago. William Murdock has arrived here in camp last night. I was very much disappointed when I found that he had not got the letter paper which I sent for. I should think he might have brought it for he brought a valise full of things for the boys. I received a letter from Mother by him enclosed in which was two or three sheet letter paper and envelopes, and a postage stamp. Mother says he told her that he had nothing to carry everything in but it seems he did have something to put the paper in.

Did he tell you all about our hardships or didn’t he have time to say much. I should like to have some letter paper sent out to me by the mail if it did not cost too much to send it. In that way we can get plenty of paper out here but it is very bad paper, It is so thin that the pen cuts through.

I wrote to Mother last week that we were packing up but it was a mistake of mine. The Major who is now in charge of the regiment gave orders to have the boys take off the roofs of their huts which were of tent cloth so as to let the air circulate through the huts. That was all.

But while writing this before I could not finish it. We have had real orders to pack up everything. What is it for? I don’t know but we are all packed up ready for a march and when we had got all through packing up, we were ordered to fall in for drill so we are out near French’s Headquarters resting in the shade until Major comes who has been sent for by Gen. French for him to come to his presence. I put the bottle of ink into my pocket and my paper in my cartridge box and I did not know how long we must remain before we began to drill so I thought that I would try and finish this letter so I can send it tomorrow. I expect a letter from you tonight and a trumpet. I have asked you to send me the Hartford Times instead of the Sentinel and Witness. I believe I must close this letter for I guess that we will fall in very soon for drill. So goodbye for the present

From your brother, — Lucous

To his brother Augustus

P. S. Since writing the above, we have unpacked our things but we are under marching orders yet. We are liable to be ordered to march at any moment. I think as near as I can learn, that we intend to fall back. The commissary stores have all been removed but where, I do not know. I guess the rebs mean to cross the river to attack us. I will write more soon.

Letter 4

Camp near Falmouth, Va.
May 31st 1863

Dear Brother,

I am now on picket and as I have plenty of time to myself, I thought I would spend it in writing to my friends in Middletown. I sent a letter to Mother yesterday and I told her about our being called out under orders. We were under arms most all day and they called the roll every hour but nothing has transpired to disturb using more than that. What it was for, I cannot tell but I suppose the Rebs were moving about rather more than common and that they thought they might so well to be on the safe side and keep one eye open. The Rebel Gen. Lee has made a proclamation or something of the kind that he intends to make a raid into Maryland again so we hear, but I guess the rebels know best what they intend to do, but the pickets that we have just relieved say that they should think by the appearance of things that the rebs were moving or getting ready to evacuate. We have stricter orders now than we have had before. It seems that Gen. Lee has given out orders to his men not to fish anymore in the river and we have received orders to that effect too. So it has knocked our fishing all in the head. A good many of the pickets used to catch a good many fish while on picket, but there is a small brook running close by our camp which has got some eels and rough in it so that we can catch a few once in awhile if we have small hooks and lines. You said you would send me some if I wished for any. I should like to have you send me some very much. I would like to have you send very small hooks—the smallest you can find—and a very fine line. I suppose you can send them in a letter.

The rebel pickets seem to be very shy for we cannot see any of them only now and then, one in the bushes on the other side of the river. It is something uncommon for we have always seen plenty of them before. I should not be surprised if they were leaving this part of the state in order to make a dash somewhere. Gen. Lee would like to crush this Army of the Potomac if he could but he has not done it yet. We still hold our old position. They don’t seem to like the idea of attempting to drive us from here. We have just as good a position to defend ourselves as they have on their side of the river and that is not all. We would like to have them try it on for we could have a better advantage and stand a better chance if they should attack us than we would by crossing the river and attack them. I am afraid that we will not have so good luck as to have them so that, but we will probably know what is going to be done in a few days. It cannot be possible that we will remain idle much longer. I wish to thunder we could make a dive right straight through to Richmond and make a clean thing of it.

You seem to have been disappointed in the news from Vicksburg. It seems that the New York papers still tread in their old line of story telling. I tell you what, Gus, I don’t place much confidence in what the papers say. But still I think that Grant will finally capture the place. I am in hopes of hearing of its capture now every day. I believe I must close this for it will be my turn to go on post in a few moments and watch the gray backs on the other side. Hoping this cruel war will soon be over, I subscribe myself your affectionate brother, — L. E. Bidwell

Letter 5

[This letter by Lucius was found on the internet transcribed by someone else and I add it here for information purposes only.]

In camp on north side of Rapidan
Feb. 7, 1864

My Dear Mother—

Our Heavenly Father has again saved your son Lucius safely through another battle and one of the worst kinds of a battle too. It was a night fight. Yesterday morning about 5 o’clock we were routed out of our beds with the orders to pack up and fall in. We took up our line of march for the River Rapidan at about nine o’clock in the morning and reached the river about an hour after. We crossed the Rapidan by fording it about noon. We had to ford it, it was up to our breasts and it was a very rapid stream, so much so that if we had accidentally slipped, we would have been carried down stream, and stood a very good chance of finding our graves at the bottom thereof. But as far as I know there was no accident of the kind happened, only now and then one would slip as he was crawling up the opposite bank, which was very steep, but no serious harm was done to my knowledge, but givng them a good dunking, and wetting their cartridges.

The water was very cold—it makes a fellow’s feet and legs ache, I tell you! But go it, we must follow our leader through fire and water. The regiment known as the Garbaldi’s Guards, a New York Regiment composed of Dutch, Irish, and Italians refused to wade because they said it was too deep. But General Hays, knowing of it, jumped from his horse without saying a word, and left his horse this side of the river and waded across to the other side, picking out good footing, and then waded back after his horse. They saw that he got over safe, so they finally plunged in, and arrived safely on the other side. I tell you what he is – a regular tiger! I suppose you have heard of him before. He is in command of our Division, and goes by the name of ‘Fighting Ellick’. He rides along the line of skirmishers with his hat in his hand, cheering the men on, crying, ‘Give them hell boys give them hell.’ He is an old tiger, he is most always a little tight when there is fighting going on and then he is in his glory.

He thinks the Old 14th is about right he is always pressing us up. He was with us in the thickest of the fight crying out ‘give ‘em hell, 14th–Bully for you! Bully for you, go in, boys, go in 14th!’ and so on–the balls flying around his head like hailstones without flinching in the least. He is a regular dare devil!

We marched to a hollow facing the rebels breast works, and remained there until about 5 o’clock within rifle shot of their rifle-pits. They sent a few shells over to us, but most of them passed over harmless. But two or three took effect, killing three or four and wounding several. They had only fired several shots when it was ascertained that the Rebs had …a solid line of battle advancing on us. We were ordered to advance. The bully 14th taking the load, and charged at the double quick time. They met us half way and poured an everlasting fire into us which caused us to waiver for a moment, and with a deafening yell we made a rush, pouring a volley of blue pills into them which they won’t soon forget and put them to flight, and drove them to their rifle pits.

By this time it was dark as pitch, we could not see our foes until we met them face to face, some shot at one another and knocked each others brains out with the butt of the musket. We were fighting in squads most of the night, each man for himself.

Company B and G were on the left and met a stronger party of Reb skirmishers but we charged on them with our little rifles and with deafening yells, we loaded and fired and drove them back to their rifle pits. We then sculked under the cover of darkness to within a few rods of their rifle pits and then popped away at them until we were sent for to go and support our boys on the right, for the Rebs were trying to flank us.

We went it on the double quick over fences and ditches, we charged on a cluster of two or three houses which were full of Rebels. They swarmed in great numbers around the building, firing from the windows and around the corners and out houses, but we made a rush on them, driving them like sheep dragging their wounded along with them. The houses were full of them. We, and some of the others smashed in the doors, which were closed and fastened, and rushed in and some of the rebels grappled with us. We soon overpowered, but strange to say we took only one prisoner. They made their escape out the windows before we were aware of it. They then retired behind their breastworks, and we stretched out a long line of pickets, and remained so until we were relieved about one o’clock in the morning by the 1st Division and recrossed the Rapidan on a sort of bridge which was built. The rest of the troops recrossed the river again soon after.

The Rebs never molested them after we left. It was a daring undertaking in leading this dividsion over there into such a nest. I don’t know why we were not all captured, for we numbered only three thousand men. It must be the Rebs did not know how strong we were after dark or they would have come down on us in a strong body and showed us into the river and cut us all to pieces, but we got off very well after all.

I think the Rebs felt the weight of our bullets before we parted with them. We had no artillery to support us on that side of the river. We, all alone, with only our rifles. I don’t know the exact number of killed and wounded yet. They say we might have lost over one hundred. Our Color Sergeant Cody, was brought into camp and buried by the Regt. with the band. He was a noble fellow and fell doing his duty. One of my tent mates, a fine young man, was shot through the breast. He is a sailor and a native of Germany. I thought a great deal of him. His name is Harrison.

James Ingles was hit on the leg, and a man named Winks in our camp, and another German, was shot through the head (named Stinall) and another tent-mate of mine was hurt in the ankle. Our Major was slightly wounded in the leg. Capt. John Broaht, I hear, had his finger shot off, but I have not seen him yet. I hear he is detailed to go after the recruits but I don’t know how true it is. I must stop for room. Lieut. Russell is all right; he was very brave during the fight. I will write more soon.

So I will bid you good bye for the present and subscribe myself your affectionate son—Lucius Bidwell.

P.S. Since I began this , we have returned to our old camp. After being on picket 24 hours. After we arrived from the fight. McCluskey is unhurt and very well and sends his respects to you and all. Tell Mrs. Rogers that I guess she will have the pleasure of beholding us again after all. Give all the neighbors our love….