These letters were written by Samuel A. McMullen (1834-1898), the son of William McMullen (1811-1872) and Nancy Conrad (1811-1890) of Oil City, Venango county, Pennsylvania. In the 1860 US Census, Samuel was enumerated in Piney, Clarion county, Pennsylvania, with his wife Sarah M. Hazlett of Sligo district (1840-1915) and two daughters Nancy or “Nanny” (b. 1858) and Julia E. (b. 1860). Samuel was identified as a 26 year-old Master Collier—one who had a charcoal production operation. Samuel’s known siblings who may be mentioned in the letters include Henry (1836-1903) who served with him in the same company, Sarah Elizabeth (1845-1920) and Buna (1847-1899).
In February 1864, Samuel enlisted as a private in Co. H, 155th Pennsylvania Infantry, giving Rimersburg (Clarion county) as his residence. He remained in the service until 28 June 1865, serving 1 year, 4 months and 5 days. His last month of service was attributed to the 191st Pennsylvania Infantry; his transfer taking place on 31 May 1865.
Letter 1
Camp Copeland
February 4, 1864
Dear wife,
I now take up this pencil to let you know that I am well at present and hope this will find you enjoying good health.
We came to this camp a Wednesday night and there was no room here for us and they marched us one mile from camp down to a big brick school house and we quartered there all night and came up to this mud hole yesterday morning. The mud here is about two feet above the hollow of our feet.
Pittsburgh is the meanest hole in the state. Monday night they run us in to cold rooms without any fire and 5 blankets for 30 of us and they kept us huddled in a little room all the next day. It was that small we could not sit down. They kept us in there till 9 o’clock that night. So much for Pittsburgh. I was sick the first night and I thought it [ ] times but I am well now and in good heart. All I wish is to be moved on to the regiment. We can’t tell how long we will be in this hole. We are in new barracks they just put up. It will hold about 200 men. I am just writing this on my knee. Some is fiddling, some smoking, all kind of performance going on.
I seen Patrick Dyer yesterday here. He told me he had deserted and they took him. Someone just came and told me we are to leave at 2 o’clock. It hope it is true.
Tell Sarah that Adam is well and in good heart. I sent home $270 dollars. Tell Father I would like to know what he slipped off without bidding us goodbye. Now Sarah, keep in good heart and don’t fret about me for if God spares me I am going to help crush this unholy rebellion if we can do it in three years and I think we can do it in that time.
We heard this morning there was another call for 300 thousand more men. Tell Morrison to stay at home for I think two out of three is enough. Now Sarah, kiss the little girls for me. Don’t write till I tell you. Give my love to Mother and all the rest and take a good share yourself. So nothing more but remain your affectionate Sam till death.
— Samuel A. McMullen
Give my respects to Mr. S. E. Critchlow
Letter 2
Camp near Warrenton Junction
March 6, 1864
Dear wife,
I now take up my pen to inform you that I am enjoying the best of health and sincerely hope this may find you [in] the same good health. I received your welcome letter just now and just got it read. I wrote to Uncle John this morning and I was just complaining that I was not getting any letters and was very glad to hear from you. Well I am glad to hear that you are getting along so well. Sarah, if I had not come to the Army, I would not of known what home was. I often think what peaceful hours I once enjoyed. How sweet their memory still. But I pray there is a time a coming when we shall meet again—if not in this world, in a better [one] where wars never come and where this is no more parting. I would like to see them little girls but as I am enlisted for three years, I am very well contented a great deal better than I thought for we have a nice camp here and good quarters and preaching one night and prayer meeting the next. So you see we have more meeting than we had at home and we have a good preacher and very friendly one. On prayer meeting there is 3 or 4 prayers made and then there is a chance for anyone to speak just the same as general class at Stigo.
Well, Sarah, I han’t a bit sorry about not being there to drive them mules. I think I am in a better cause. I came out if needs be to fight for a home for you and those little children that I left behind but that is just my feelings now and I am just writing a I feel.
Well, Sarah, I am sorry to hear that W. B. Roper was killed. I feel for his poor wife but God’s will be done and I pray that we may all live in this world, let death come as it may. We may be prepared to go now.
Sarah, you did not tell me whether you got that ring or not. I don’t know as I can get you a breast pin or not but I don’t think I can. I would like very well to get it for you and locket that is broke. That way it cannot be fixed. I will send it home some of these times to the children. And now I will tell you what I want you to get and that is a Balmarelle. I know you need one. Well now, I must stop and get my supper as it is ready now. Sarah I have got my supper. We had bread, meat, and coffee. I hardly ever think about butter anymore and I am very thankful for what we have got. Well, Sarah, I think this war will be over in three years anyhow. General Grant is commanding the Army of the Potomac and I think he will strike a blow that will crush this rebellion before long. we can’t say how long we will be here. We might be gone before this would reach you.
Sarah, I made up my mind to join the church the first opportunity they gave. I attend meetings most every night. It’s been raining here for two days and nights very steady but it cleared up this morning very nice. This is very strange soil. Three or four hours rain will make the ground very soft and one hour sunshine it will be as dry. There is one thing is bothering us a little. We drawed a uniform in Pittsburgh and now we will have to draw a Zouave uniform 1 and if we start on a march, we will have to throw these away and the [cost of the] two suits will come to about what we are allowed for an [entire] year.
Well, Sarah, I will have to close. Adam, Joseph, [and] Henry send their respects to you. Give my love to father and mother and [sister] Buna, tell her I hant forgot her yet. Now I will close by requesting you to answer it from your affectionate Sam, till death. — S. A. McMullen
1 The 140th NY and 155th PA received their Zouave uniforms in February 1864. The 155th along with the 140th and 146th New York became the “Zouave Brigade” in the Army of the Potomac’s Fifth Corps. The brigade would later grow with the addition of the 5th New York Veteran Volunteer Infantry Regiment.
Letter 3
Camp near Warrenton Junction
March 25, 1864
Dear wife,
It is with pleasure that take up my pen this morning to let you know that I am still enjoying good health and hope this may find you and the little girls enjoying the same good health. I received your epistle on the 23rd and was glad to hear from you and I thought I would lay over a day as I had just wrote to mother the day I got yours, I sent you my picture a few days ago. I was a going to get some photographs taken but I thought they were too dear—5 dollars a dozen or 3 dollars for six. Henry is getting a dozen,
Well, Sarah, we have a nice camp here and good quarters but we are under marching orders. We will not stay here long. Perhaps this snow might keep us two weeks longer. We was expecting a very heavy cavalry raid through here last week. We had orders one night to be packed up ready to march at minute’s notice but everything is quiet now. We have not drilled any since Tuesday, We had a very deep snow here. It fell on Tuesday night. It is very near all gone.
Well, Sarah, I am very glad to hear that you have everything you need. Now I will tell you what money. You use to use the money that is on the State Banks and what you save, save the Greenbacks. I do not know whether there is many Greenbacks or not for it was sealed up and I did not open it, for they will stand as long as the Union stands, and there is no telling about these state banks. I have everything here that I need and as long as I keep my health as I have, I will [be] thankful and contented with my lot for if I live, I expect to be home in three years.
We don’t hear much news here. Gen. Grant passed down here yesterday. We did not get to see him as we lay about half mile from the railroad. You can tell Sarah that we write for Adam every time we write for ourselves. Joe wrote for him the day after I wrote and he has got no answer yet so he looks disappointed too. Jacob Conrad and John Freeman was up here last Sabbath. It put [me] in mind of old times. They each gave me a very nice ring. I will send you the one Jacob gave me.
I wrote a letter to Delow and one to Morrison and Adam sent a locket with his likeness in to Sarah. I got one of the same kind and the man broke it trying to get the glass out. He broke the glass and the back off of it and then he took one for me for nothing and I have got the balance of the locket yet I think I will get works put in it and have a watch.
The boys are all well. There is three or four running up to the doctor every morning but this mess is all well and has very big appetites, but we have plenty of everything. There is plenty of butter and eggs here at the sutlers 50 cents a pound and 50 cents a doz., but we don’t go into them things. If I was at home I could eat a little of yours now.
Sarah, give my love to all the folks about Sligo. Tell [my sister] Buna I will write to her. You know I was always a little lazy about writing and I hant much better yet. I must close by requesting you to write soon and often. Write every week whether you get one or not. Daniel Conradlooks better than ever I seen him. He comes over to see us every night. Give my best wishes to Mr. Hodil. Tell Mr. Critchlow I want him to answer my letter. I want to write to Uncle John on Sunday.
Nothing more but remain your affectionate Sam. — Samual A. McMullen
Well, Sraah, it is now evening. I wrote this letter this morning but did not seal it till the mail would come in. Adam got a letter from Sarah and I got one from W. Hazlett. He is well. Well, Sarah, I was over and took my dinner with D. Conrad today. He stays about a quarter of a mile from here. I had butter, molasses, and eggs and sausage for dinner. Adam and Henry is going to 162 tomorrow. Henry received them papers this evening.
Letter 4
Camp near Warrenton Junction
April 13th 1864
Dear wife,
I now take up my pen to inform you that I am well and enjoying good health and hope this may find you and the children enjoying the same good health. I received your letter just now. We just come in off of drill. We are all in good health. I han’t felt better than I do now since I was able to work. We only drill one hour in the forenoon and one in the afternoon so you may know we don’t do much but I expect these good times will soon be over as all the sutlers is to leave the lines tomorrow and that is a very sure sign of a move.
I got a letter from S. E. Critchlow this evening and he was telling me he had a namesake. I am very glad to hear it. I wrote Morrison a letter three or four weeks ago and have got no answer yet. I think if I had a boy it would not keep me from writing. I would leave it cry that long. I have wrote three or four letters and got no answer so I just intend to answer what letters I get.
We have meeting here every night and they are like Methodist meetings. I suppose you are moved and fixed up by this time. Tell them little girls to be good and I will fetch them something nice when I come home if I should live that long. I think we will be home in three years at the farthest. I would just like to have a kiss at Maggy but there is no use in talking this way for here I am. All I hope that you are as well and contented as me. And I hope you all live as nice as we do here together. We have a small tussle every now and [again] on the bed here and a little boxing just to keep us in good exercise and give us a good appetite to eat. There has been no mail here for three days till yesterday. The bridges had washed away across Bull Run and the cars could not run.
Now we must go on dress parade. I have just got in off of dress parade and supper is just ready. Well, Sarah, I will send this locket home and there is no breast pins here. Give my love to Susan and Sarah, to father, mother and all the rest of my friends. I have eat my supper and I must tell you that we had pickled cabbage for supper…
I was on guard last Sabbath. John Freeman was up here. I did not get to talk to him much—just while we eat dinner. We have not got them clothes yet that I was telling you about and I wish we wouldn’t for I hate to pay 25 dollars for these and then throw them away.
Now I must close by requesting you to answer soon. From your affectionate Sam. — S. A. McMullen
Letter 5
Camp of 155th Regiment near Petersburg
July 3, 1864
Dear wife,
I now sit down this Sabbath afternoon to let you know that I still enjoy good health and hope this may find you enjoying the same. I have received no letter for more than a week. I hardly know [why]. Sometimes I get very near mad and think I won’t write till I get one. But then I think that won’t do and so I am here writing to you. This is 4 letters that I have wrote since the 18th.
Well, Sarah, I feel kind of lonesome today for I shook hands with some of my old comrades at home and only for a short time out here. The 62nd [Pennsylvania] left last night for home at 12 o’clock. Henry and me was over to see them and I felt sorry and glad to see [them] getting home. I told [them] to call and see you. I want you to use them well for there is nobody that will do more [for] me than John Freeman. The last thing he gave me was a piece of tobacco which a soldier relishes very much when he is out of money.
We are still laying in the same camp. It is very warm and dry here. We have had no rain here for five weeks. The roads is very dusty and water very scarce and poor at that. I don’t know how long we will be taking Petersburg. I can hear the sound of a mortar going off every few minutes. War is a terrible thing. When I look back till the time we crossed the Rapidan and think of the many familiar faces and look around me now and see that they are gone—some dead and some wounded, it looks hard. But God’s will be done. He will settle this war in His own way and time. So let us put our trust in Him and may we be so happy when this war is over to meet again. Such is my prayer.
Your letter of the 27th which makes me feel very happy to think you are all well. It is something curious. Your letter was mailed on the 28th and I got it in four days. I wrote a letter on the 18th giving you a list of the killed and wounded. We have heard of two dying from their wounds since. W. Horner and Marks—a young fellow from Pittsburgh. And White was wounded on the skirmish [line] two days after and had his leg taken off above the knee. There is very few new recruits left. There is anout 10 here out of 38—some killed, some wounded and some sick.
Henry and me ain’t been sick since we came out which I am very thankful for. A man needs good health in the army. There is 38 in our company now. The 62nd [Pennsylvania] Regiment—that is, what is left, is transferred into our regiment. There is none in our company. Ben Hay is 1st Lieutenant of Co. K.
You said this war would not be over this summer. No Sarah, I don’t think it will either. And I wish they would draft for we need the men for there is a good many going home and I would like to see them Copperheads coming out for they won’t do nothing but quarrel at home. And as long as the Nort is so divided, we can’t expect it to mend.
I am glad that Nancy is learning. Tell her to be a good girl. How I would like to see them three little girls and their mother, but that will [not] do. Give my respects to Mr. Low. Ask him if he has had to fill knapsacks and haversacks with stones yet. I have had no answer from D. Low or Hodil yet. I received a letter from Julia last week and answered it.
We were mustered in for pay on the 30th but I don’t know when we will get it. I han’t in a big hurry for them socks. I was very glad to receive that envelope for I am out. Somebody stole my knapsack with my portfolio, envelopes and ink, and all in now. I must close by requesting you to write. From your affectionate Sam. — S. A. McMullen
Letter 6
Camp near Petersburg
July 9, 1864
Dear Sarah,
I now take this opportunity to let you know that I received your kind letter of the 3rd last night and was glad to hear from you and that you are all well and I hope you may still be enjoying the same good health, I am well and hearty at present. I have had very good health all this summer—what a great many can’t say—and I am thankful.
We are still laying in camp. We are beginning to feel right good. We are getting cleaned up. A man feels much better when he gets his clothes cleaned up. It is very warm here. We have had no rain for more than a month and these little muslin tents are very hot but we sink four posts in over the tent and then carry green brush and put over them which [make it] a little cooler.
We are building a big fort in sight of our camp. They work night and day on it. Henry is out now working on it. He went out this morning. He will be in at noon. They take turns. The report is that Gen. Ewell is a going to pay Pennsylvania a visit. I think if he goes up there he will never get back. They think they will draw Grant away from here but they will be mistaken. He is not so easy scared.
I received a letter from D. C. Low. He told me he is a going to Pittsburgh and he would write when he came back. And I got one from Daniel and Julia but I can’t answer them now as I have no paper, envelopes, and I will not beg. I lent a good many and then my portfolio was stole. you need not send any tobacco with Dary Stuart for it might… [rest of letter is missing]
Letter 7
Camp of the 155th Regiment
Near Petersburg, Virginia
July 24th 1864
Dear and affectionate wife,
With the love of a husband, I seat myself this pleasant Sabbath morning to tell you that I enjoy good health and sincerely hope this may find you and all the rest enjoying the same blessing for there is nothing like good health—especially in the army—and how thankful we ought to be. I received your kind letter of the 17th on last evening and was glad to hear from home and was glad to hear that the boys had got there. Hope they will enjoy themselves well if that is what they are trying to do. We have plenty of everything and not much to do. It is still very warm here in daytime but it has got cool at night.
We had a nice rain which laid the dust so we have the nicest little home here. I must give its description. I have put in four forks and then laid poles on the top and covered it with pine tops and long pine all around the sides. It’s very nice shade. And for a bed I got two pine poles about 5 feet long and drove in four small forks and laid the poles on them and took staves of a barrel and nailed on the poles and then for feathers I took pine tops and then tacked some oat sacks on that so you may know that I have a nice bed, and the children don’t cry any at night, so I sleep very well. And I made myself a writing table and I am sitting up late with Mr. [Walter’s?] big pipe in my mouth enjoying myself with a good smoke while I suppose you are tending Sabbath school.
Everything is quiet this morning—only now and then we hear a cannon going off [ ]. The report is here that Atlanta is taken. I hope it is true. The Rebs are coming over to us every night. There was 33 coming over on Friday night.
I expect there would be a big excitement up there about that raid [on Washington D. C.]. I expect they were giving it to Grant for not taking all this army up after them but I think we will stay here until Richmond is taken or the three years is up.
I am sorry to hear that S. E. Critchlow is going to the army. I would so much [illegible due to creased paper]… two stamps on one letter any more for Hodil until he gets to [ ]. If it was necessary, it would be another thing and don’t be [ ] about telling him. If I was you, I would sell the colt this fall—that is, if I could not winter her right for if they hain’t wintered well, she won’t be much use and she will save you a great deal of worry. But do as you think best.
The paymaster has not come yet and we don’t know when he will. Wish you would send me some money to buy some tobacco if you have the chance. The socks have not come yet. I seen a roll of something for Henry. It went on out to him. I had intended going out today but the [ ] is out and I am keeping house…
Your affectionate husband.
Letter 8
Camp Near [Petersburg] Virginia
July 26th 1864
Dear wife,
I now take up my pen to let you know that I enjoy good health and [hoping] this may find you all enjoying the same blessing. I received your kind letter just now as the mail just came in—it did not come last night—and was glad to hear from you. It surprised me to hear of the 70 dollars at first but I can count 57 of it up here and I suppose you had 10 dollars rent to pay. That will make 90. Well, that is a great deal more than I have earned but it will have to go. That is what I got it for. But this is the best place to save money that I ever was at. I have only spent three dollars since I left home. But the reason was I had not it to spend. We are mustered in for three months pay which will be 45 dollars when we get it but I don’t know when that will be.
But enough of this. It taint the money that is the matter. If this war was over, I would not care if I had not one cent. What is money to a good name, although that makes a home sometimes.
The Rebs are dropping a few shells in our camp. They hain’t hurt nobody yet. The regiment is still out from camp yet. It’s still warm here yet. we had a very nice rain on Sunday night.
The chaplain went down to City Point today to see Richard Burns. He is very low with diarrhea. There is nothing strange going on here. Hain’t John Freeman gone to work yet. It is soon time for him to getting at it. I want to know if he gave you that ring. If not, I will tend to him when he comes out here for I expect he is getting tired staying at home. Tell him just to think of this campaign and then think of home. Henry is here although I have not seen him since he went out although they are some of them in everyday. Them socks has not come yet but I don’t need them. But since they are started, I would like to see them coming.
Give my love to Mr. Low and J. Freeman. Tell them to write to me if they please. Let me know if S. C. Critchlow has left or not. As I have nothing strange to write, I will close. Give my love to Susan and Sarah and those little girls. So I will close by requesting you to answer soon. From your affect husband. I wrote a letter to D. C. Low today. — Samuel A. McMullen
to his loving wife, Sarah M. McMullen
Do the friends I love still remember me
The dear ones that remain
Who shared alike in my sorrow or [ ]
Ah! when shall we meet again.
In the old home
In the dear old home
Lillia N. Cushman
Letter 9
Camp near Petersburg, Virginia
August 6th 1864
Dear Sarah,
I now take up my pen to let you know that I am well and hope this may find you enjoying the same. I received your letter of the 31st today and was glad to see you but I think you must have been sick. You look very bad and very much down, nor I don’t think Maggy’s looks like her either. [For] one thing, it is taken too light. I would rather you would of got yours taken by itself and Nanny’s and Julia’s and that one at home would have done for Maggy’s. No odds now. I think when I get home I can brighten them looks of yours. You said you was almost afraid to tell me how much you had drawed. you need not be afraid for I am too far off to get mad but I would like if my wages out here would keep you. But don’t stint yourself. I know everything is dear. We have not got paid off yet.
August 7th. Well, Sarah, this is the Sabbath morning and I have got my work done and am trying to talk to you. How I would like to be at home this sabbath morning with you this old steel pen can’t tell, but I am contented here and never regret coming out. It is going on 6 months now and we have seen a great deal of hard times. But I think the hardest is over and we may be spared to enjoy the happiness and pleasures of a good home and kind friends.
Everything is quiet this morning, I have—there is three cannon gone off just now. No firing along the lines. Henry got a letter from Mr. Critchlow yesterday. He is in Camp Reynolds. He is out only for 100 days. I would like to know who them 10 men was that backed out after he got transportation for them. They could not have been much. He says soldiering is very hard laying on plank with a big rough blanket next to you.
I want to know if Julia is at home yet. Ask if she got a letter from me about the 10th of July. And I want o know if W. Forkum has got well. Oliver Bell, John Reedy has got back to the regiment. Oliver looks first rate. J. Rankin has not got back yet. He is an old hand at playing off. The health of the regiment is middling good. J. Wilson went on duty yesterday. I think that is a good picture of Rachel’s. If you only had a got Nancy’s and Julia’s, it would only have taken 2 more dollars. I want to know if you can burn coal in that stove and if you have any notion of going out home this summer. If you wait till I come home, I think I will take you out. you know I was always good at taking you home. I have some little books here I will send home as I have no place to keep them.
Henry is well and sends his love to you. Give my best respects to Henry Low and J. Freeman. Butter is 1 dollar a pound here. Tobacco 2 dollars a plug. Watermelons 2 dollars apiece, and so on.
The 1st Brigade and 3rd of our Division is paid. We are looking for it every day now. I must close. Give my love to all enquiring friends. I guess them socks is lost. Answer soon. From your affectionate husband, — S. A. McMullen
Letter 10
Camp of 155th Pennsylvania
August 22, 1864
Dear Sarah,
I take my pen to let you know that I am in good health and hope this may find you the same. I received your letter of the 14th yesterday and was glad to hear that you was well for when we are in good health, we ought to be thankful. you all have to look over my not writing so often now for I can’t do so when we are moving about. We had another very hard fight yesterday. The Rebs attacked us. They come in on our left flank intending to flank us but they missed their mark. Gen. Griffin flanked them and took a whole brigade of prisoners. We still hold the Weldon Railroad. It has been very wet here, raining every day and this ground gets so soft, a horse can hardly get along.
The Boys is alright so far. Daniel Conrad is here. I seen him yesterday. The sun is shining this morning but I don’t think the rain is over yet. I wish it would dry up now. John Dilliard has just come in from the regiment and has bring in two more letters from John and one from Buna. [paper torn]
Now I want you to keep in good heart for it will be 6 months tomorrow since I enlisted. Only two and a half years yet. But I think the Rebellion will be smashed before that time. Gen. Lee says he must have this [rail] road if it takes every man he has and I think we will take them…
…I am agreed for you to keep your cow if you can. I would like to have a little butter myself just now. We have to go it on the hard tack again but I am very thankful we have that. they say the [paper torn and remainder illegible]
Letter 11
Camp on the Weldon Railroad
August 31, 1864
Dear Sarah,
I now seat myself to let you [know] that I enjoy good health and I hope that you are enjoying the same. [paper torn] I had not been able to write for a few days out here. We was not in a place [where I could do so]. The regiment has just [ ] and they’re building breastworks and making ready for to be attacked but they hain’t made any since last Sabbath a week ago on this corps. We [ ] their aim that time [paper torn] very thick. they killed some horses where I laid and man. The rear sometimes is worse than the front for they were behind good breastworks. Our regiment has been very lucky this fight. It hain’t had a man [lost?].
Exchanged camp yesterday again. We are going in [paper torn] I don’t know how long we will stay. They are building a fort here so it takes one company for picket and the rest for [laborers?] Henry is well. He went on picket… He will be in tomorrow….very swampy here and cold nights to stand a blanket over us first rate. I think it is unhealthy…
You say you think this war will never be over. You must not think that for I think it will. We hain’t lost anything this summer, we are still gaining some place every week. All we want is time and men…[paper torn] fighting on them closer. Yet if we stay for Abe for President, I think he can lick them in 4 years more. We got one hundred and four recruits in our regiment yesterday. Some of them got 16 hundred dollars for [ ] year. There was not one of them enlisted for this regiment—all for cavalry and artillery—but the government has enough of them. Our company got 9. They are every one Dutch.
We will be mustered in today for two months pay so there will be 5 months coming to us. I don’t know when we will get it. our sutler is up here now. I don’t know whether he is going to trust but it will not be much of my money he will get for I have another place for it. As long as we lay in camp. I will write [ ] times a week but when we are moving, I can’t do it.
I seen William Wyman’s picture. He don’t look like a soldier now. I suppose he don’t want to look like one. Now Sarah, as I have not much to write, I will close by requesting you to keep in good heart and if I live, I think you will see me coming home… I am very well contented when I hear they are all well at home although I never was very anxious to come but I always thought it was my duty and there is no use in fretting here for this Rebellion must be crushed and the more men, the sooner it will be over. And as long as we put our trust in God, He will comfort us when we are cast down or down-hearted if we look up to Him…
Your affectionate, — S. A. McMullen
Letter 12
Camp on the Weldon Railroad
September 3, 1864
Dear Sarah,
I now take my pen to let you know that I am well and hope this may find you enjoying the same good health. I received your kind [letter] of the 28th this morning and was glad to hear you was all well for there is nothing like good health.
We are still in the same camp yet. This day is cloudy and looks for rain. There is nothing of importance going on. we are looking for an attack every day. There was a squad of Rebel cavalry came in sight. If you had of seen the boys running for their guns—they were formed in about two minutes. Thereis some of our boys captured most every day. They go outside of the picket line for apples. There was 462 boys captured out of Company D the other day. I would hate to be taken that way for they will be marked as deserters. I got a letter from Will a few days ago and received one from S. E. Critchlow yesterday. He says the time is passing swiftly by. His 100 days will soon be in and he will bid adieu to the army for ever. He said that he had sent you and Susan his photographs and now he wanted ours or else yours and there is a poor chance here for any.
Henry is well. He went on picket this morning. He is one day on picket and two days in camp. The picket line is about half mile from camp.
The 5th the draft will come off, I do not think there will be much resistance for if they won’t come out here to fight, they won’t fight much at home.
George B. McClellan is nominated for the Presidency on the Peace ticket or Copperhead ticket—you may call it what you like, and there is a great many will say if he is elected we will have peace. Well, I thought that his election would bring peace a day sooner, I would vote for him but as I know it won’t, I will vote for Abraham.
We have a very nice dry camp here. In dry weather, we are very well fixed. Bunks up 3 feet above the ground. You need not send me any more paper or envelopes for our sutler is here now and he gives out tickets. We can buy what we want. Tell Freeman I will answer his letter tomorrow if we stay here and we will stay without the Rebels tries to drive us out. They are building a big fort right here at out left. It is about finished and if the Rebels come in here, they will get a warm reception.
Give my love to Sarah and Susan. I would of liked very well to have been there to help eat them potatoes and tomatoes but it is rather far to go for one meal and I will try and do on hard tack.
Now I must close. I am sitting out with a little board across my knee writing this epistle. it is just dinner time. Now give my love to father and mother. I would like to know what father is doing. Now I will close by telling you to kiss them little girls for me and answer soon from your affectionate husband. — Samuel A. McMullen
Letter 13
Camp of 155th Regiment
October 4, 1864
Dear Sarah,
I now take up my pen to let you know that I am well and hope this may find you enjoying the same health. I received a letter from you yesterday and one this morning of the 29th. I received them pictures of the little girls. Nancy’s is very good. Julie’s is too dark.
Well Sarah, we have advanced again. We are handy [?] the other railroad. We took a fort and one gun, horses and all. our regiment done that. There was only three killed in the regiment. There was two substitutes wounded in our company. Wherever we go, we make the Rebs git.
We are encamped again. I don’t know how long we will stay here. Till Grant hunts another place for us to go. The 2nd Corps is out here. The 105th [Pennsylvania] Regiment is out here—handy to us. I seen a fellow out of it. He said Will was back. If I get time, I will go over and see him. We are busy putting up quarters now.
Give my love to your father and Mary Ann. But I expect they will be gone again [before] you receive this. I am sorry to hear that Julia is sick. There was a letter came for Henry. I sent it to him. we got paid off. henry and me expressed one hundred dollars apiece. They were one hundred 2-dollar bills. I don’t want you to break it. It will earn interest on its face. You can let the Col. keep it for you if you like. we got a hundred and twenty dollars apiece. Mr. Mateer was at City Point yesterday and expressed it. He won’t get home, He sent in his resignation [as chaplain], but it was not accepted. I will send 10 dollars in this letter.
I would like to know what Morrison and Tom fell out about. When you write again, let me know ho much you have spent if you please. You will have to look over me not writing sooner for when we are moving, we can’t write. I am glad you have got fodder for your cow. Give my love to Susan and Sarah and all the children. Tell Dan Low I wrote a letter to him. I wrote three weeks ago and got no answer yet.
Noe I will close by asking you to write often. John Freeman has never answered mine yet. Give my love to father and mother. I wrote to father to send Henry and me a receipt so we can vote. Now I will close for this time hoping that this war will soon be over and our lives may be spared to live happy together again. Such is my prayer and if not, we may meet where parting will be no more. From your affectionate husband, — S. A. McMullen
Letter 14
Camp of 155th Regiment
October 8th 1864
Dear Sarah,
I now take up my pen to let you know that I am in th best of health and sincerely hope this may find you enjoying the same. I received your welcome letter of the 2nd just now and was glad to hear from you but sorry to hear that you had not received my letter from [illegible] …that you wrote at Oil City and was very glad that you made that visit for I don’t care what it cost to take you for I want you to enjoy yourself the best you can if my money will last.
We are encamped about one mile and a quarter from the South Side Railroad. We are still pushing the Rebels on. I think we will soon get them to the jumping off place. They are getting whipped in every corner. Our Division done some good fighting when they went in on the charge. Gen. Griffin rode at the head of the column. there was 6 killed in the regiment. There was a man—recruit—came into our company last Sunday and he shot himself yesterday out on picket. He put a double charge in his gun and stuck it in his mouth. He blew the whole top of his head off. He wrote a sister that he was going to kill himself, I think I would of left the Rebels do that.
We have got paid off. I got one hundred and twenty dollars and I expressed one hundred and I sent 10 dollars in the letter. I think the express money has not left City Point yet. Some think I have done very well, I keep ten dollars. I owed some out of it [illegible] for these sutler shops is very [ ] and everything is very dear. We have a nice camp here in the woods. The regiment went out this morning to advance the picket line….[illegible]…but that is what we want—men. There is a great many coming out.
I received them photographs. They are good—Nancy’s anyway. I sent to New York for an album. I can get one for 70 cents [illegible]. Write often and I want you to answer all you get and I don’t think it will be long till we can enjoy one another again… From your loving husband, — S. A. McMullen
Letter 15
Camp of the 155th Regiment P. V.
October 13th 1864
Dear Wife,
I now take my seat to let you know that I am well and hope this may find you enjoying the same blessing, I have not received any letter from you since I last wrote. The last letter I got was wrote on the 2nd. I have been looking for one all week and I thought I would write one today.
There is nothing going on here. Everything is quiet along the lines. I do not know how long it will last. The elections went off very quiet here on Tuesday. Company H went 23 [33?] Republican and 16 Copperhead. Klotz’s Company [Co. G was recruited in Clarion county, Pa.] went all Copperhead but one and some companies went all Republican. There was 202 of a Republican majority in the regiment.
Well Sarah, it is right cool here. This last week it has froze ice at night in the buckets. But we are encamped in the woods and we build large fires to keep us warm for it haint worthwhile to build winter quarters yet for I suppose we will have to take Richmond yet this fall and I would not care how soon for I would like to see this Rebellion ended and we could return to our homes in peace. But that won’t be for a while yet. But my prayer is that our lives may be spared to live happy together again. I could appreciate a good home now above anything else. But still I am contented here and willing to stay till the Rebellion is crushed or my time is out and you may wonder what makes me contented. Well the hopes of getting home at some future day and I know I am in a good cause, and then if we don’t meet in this world, if we live faithful, we will meet where parting shall be no more and wars never come. It is religion that makes me contented and which I am glad I experienced before I left home for there is a great deal of vice in the army.
We got paid off before we came out here. I expressed one hundred dollars and sent ten dollars home in a letter. I don’t want you to break that one hundred dollar bill if you can help it. I keep ten dollars. I owed four or five dollars and I thought would not keep any more than I could get along with for I knowed you needed it the way things sells.
Henry is well. He lays handy here. The Boys are all well—only Daniel Seckengost. He looks bad. Uncle John has never answered that letter yet, nor John Freeman. When I write to them, they will answer it. But I know John was always lazy about writing. Give my love to Susan and Sarah Freeman and all enquiring friends. Write often for I do like to get a letter from home. Kiss the little girls for me. How I would like to see them. Now I will close by remaining your affectionate husband till death, — Samuel A. McMullen
Letter 16
Camp of the 155th Regiment
October 20th 1864
Dear wife,
I now take up my pen to let you know that am well and hope this may find you enjoying the same blessing. I received you ever welcome letter this morning and was glad to hear that you was well. I received a letter a few days ago but I just wrote one the day before and I thought I would wait till I would receive another. This one was wrote the 13th.
We are still encamped in the same place. Everything is quiet here. I do not know how long we will stay here. I expect there will be another fight before the election. The Johnnies say they are going to attack us the day of the election to keep us from voting but if they do, they will get licked and we will vote besides.
This is first I knowed of your father wanting you to go out there to live. I don’t want you to go. I want you to stay where you are till I come home if I should be so fortunate as to get home. I would feel better contented for you to keep where youy are. I am glad to hear that you got them 10 dollars. I expressed the one hundred dollars to you and you can leave it at [ ] if you see fit. [illegible and paper torn]
Henry is well. He is back in the company again. The team that he was driving, the driver has got back. He was sick. His name has gone to the Division but the detail haint come in yet and he will go to the Division to drive—that is, if Allen lets him.
You can tell Mrs. G____ that I had the pleasure of seeing Pat Duger [?] yesterday. He is in the 2nd Division, 1st Brigade of the 5th Corps [illegible] 14th Regulars. He lays about [ ] from us. He looks first rate and he is the same Pat. He can talk faster than any man I have seen in the army.
Give my love to Sarah and Susan and all the Boys. Ask D. C. Low what he is mad about that he don’t answer my letter. Give my love to Mary Jane and all the friends…I close by requesting you to write for I do like hearing from you often—twice a week anyway. Your affectionate husband, — Samuel A. McMullen
Letter 17
Camp of the 155th Regiment
October 24th 1864
Dear Sarah,
I seat myself to let you know that I am well and hope this may find you enjoying the same. I received your welcome letter yesterday and was glad to hear from you.
There is nothing strange going on here now. Everything is quiet here now—only it is getting very cold these nights. Well Sarah, you said you had met with a disappointment by not getting out to Indiana. I am sorry you was disappointed but I would not of been willing for you to go out there for I would like if you would stay where you are till I would come home, if my life is spared to enjoy that privilege. Then if we can find a place to suit us, we can both go together for I don’t think you could live any cheaper out there and not have things as handy as you have been here and when you have money you can live anyplace. you could not live any better out there without money for these times everybody has enough to do to keep themselves and I hope you will live contented where you are for that is the way I am trying to live. And I think if I was at home, how happy we would live. But I pray that this war will soon be over and our lives spared to get home.
Tell John Freeman that I don’t believe he is for McClellan. That may do for argument, but it won’t do for President for I know he would like to see this war over for he knows how soldiering goes and that is the reason I am in for Lincoln and if Mac did not make a better president than he did a general, the war would last a long time yet. So tell him if he wants to see us home in about two years to vote for Lincoln.
We have got glorious news from Sheridan. He is showing the Rebels the road to peace. I expect you will have that money by this time in three years. That bill will draw 19 dollars and 40 cents. That is over 6 dollars a year. Well Sarah this is the Sabbath and it is the last Sabbath Mr. Mateer [our chaplain] will be with us. He is going home next week. I am sorry to see him going for the regiment is getting very wild. There is a great deal of gambling going on since payday. But it has to be done very sly. There is no man allowed to play for money in the Brigade. The commander of the Brigade is a very pious man. [See Dr. Joseph Mateer’s diaries published under the title, “A Chaplain’s Diaries.”]
I received a letter from Julia yesterday. Give my love to Susan and Sarah and all the Boys and take a share yourself. From your loving husband, — S. A. McMullen
Letter 18
Camp of the 155th Regiment
October 29th 1864
Dear Sarah,
I now take up my pen to let you know that I am well at present hoping these few lines may find you enjoying the same state of health. I received your kind letter of the 20th two days ago but as we were just ready to move, I thought I would wait till after the engagement. We are now back in the same old camp.
The Corps moved out about four miles but we all fell back to our same old camps. We had two wounded in our company. Joseph Wilson was wounded in the side. It was just a flesh wound. He was sent off. He might get a furlough home again the election. Duncan Burns was wounded in the wrist arm. The ball went fair through his wrist. He might not lose his hand. There was killed and wounded in the regiment. There was a new regiment in our Brigade and they were very badly scared. They threw away their knapsacks, overcoats, and everything they had. Our regiment has clothed itself. 1
Henry is all right. He got a new overcoat and gum blanket. I picked up two new shirts. It has just been 8 months this morning since we left home. There has been a great change since then. There are very few here now that came out with us. Mr. Mateer has gone home. The talk is that the 2nd Corps took the railroad but could not hold it. They were on our left. That is the reason we fell back.
We have very nice weather here for this time of year. Our camp was all torn up and we are busy fixing up today. I have not much time to write and I will write more the next time.
Henry sends his love to you. Give my love to Susan and Sarah and take a big share yourself. Give my love to father and mother and all the rest of the friends. Now I will close. From your affectionate husband, — S. A. McMullen
Tell them little girls to be good children till I come home.
1 Samuel refers to the Battle of Boydton Plank Road (also known as Burgess Mill) fought on 27-28 October 1864. The 155th Pennsylvania was in the Second Brigade of Gen. Griffin’s 1st Division, Gen. Warren’s V Corps. in that engagement. The regiments brigaded with the 155th Pennsylvania included six companies of the 187th New York, the 188th New York, and the 91st Pennsylvania. The men that threw away their knapsacks and garments belonged to the 187th New York Regiment that was organized at Buffalo in early September 1864. It wasn’t even a full regiment when they were sent to Petersburg. During the Boydton Plant Road engagement, the 187th New York lost 15 men killed and mortally wounded, 44 men wounded, and 18 missing. For a great book on the battle, see Richmond Must Fall, by Hampton Newsome.
Letter 19
Camp of the 155th Regiment
November 5th 1864
Dear Sarah,
I now take this privilege of letting you know that I am in the enjoyment of good health hoping this may find you enjoying the same blessing. I received your ever welcome letter last night of the 30th and was glad to hear from you. We are still lying in the same place. We have all got up good quarters and they feel very comfortable these cold nights for it is getting middling cold down here now. But if Grant leaves us stay here we can stand it but it is hard to tell what he will do. If he sees a good chance, he will take it. There will be no more till after the election.
I think you are very full of notions. I get one letter you are going home and another you are going to Dogtown and this last one you are going to stay where you are. I would like for you to have a comfortable house to live in when you can get it. I would like if you would see about that money for it certainly went to the office. I sent it in your name. Lt. Allen is back in the company again.
We are changed in the 3rd Brigade now. They are all new regiments now that is in the 2nd Brigade. Our regiment got middling well clothed on the last. That new regiment [187th New York] throwed everything they had away and tried to run away themselves. Our regiment had to charge bayonets on them. It will learn them something. They feel very cold these nights without anything and there was no fighting—only skirmishing. They thought these Zouaves were terrible men to pick up things when they expected every minute to be killed.
Henry is well. He is in off picket now. They have a good shanty. Henry got a letter from Sade yesterday. She likes Oil City first rate. There has been a great change the last year this time. Last year we was all at Sligo, but now we are scattered apart. But I hope our lives may be spared to meet again. Give my best respects to John Low. I am sorry to hear that Hen and Jim has left. Give my love to Sarah and Susan and all enquiring. I wrote Mr. Hodil a letter over a month ago and have not got any answer. I expect all these correspondents will run out in course of time. It is generally the way. I will try and answer all I get but when I write a letter, I look for one before I write again without it should be to mother.
Give my love to father and mother, Dan and Mary Jane and all enquiring friends. Now I will close by requesting you to write. Tell Nancy and Julie to be good girls and I will fetch them something nice when I come. So I will close by remaining your affectionate husband, — S. A. McMullen
Letter 20
Camp of 155th Penna. Vols.
November 15th 1864
Dear Sarah.
I now take up my pen to let you know that I am in the enjoyment of good health, hoping this may find you enjoying the same. I received your letter of the 9th last night and was glad to hear that you was well. We are still in the same camp. It’s right cold today but I have not much to do but sit by the fire. Wood is very scarce and it is all pine [and] it does not burn very well.
Well the election is over and Lincoln is President and the Rebs will have to give in or fight us 4 years more. I would like to hear him issuing a proclamation for about 5 hundred thousand more soldiers and walk right through secession [land] and put an end to this thing this winter.
That spelling book did not come yet. I handed that letter over to Henry last night. He got one from Morrison. You did not write to me about hats being fashionable for women. They are fashionable for men I know out here. I am glad that you seen about that money. I don’t think we will be paid till after we are mustered again as I hear nothing of the paymaster. I only have two dollars left and it will keep it busy to do me but I can get an order at the sutler’s. Amos Peters kept 60 dollars of his money and has it all spent and has drawed 10 dollars on the sutler. He can’t think very much of his family for he must have 5 or 6 children.
We have no meetings since Mr. [Joseph] Mateer left and the weather has been rough. But I am still trying to live in the discharge of my duty although I often come short. But when I started, I expected to have a great many trials and temptations but when I go to Him in the right way, I always find Him to the comfort of my soul/ Bear me up at a throne of grace that I may live in the discharge of my duty and meet you on earth once more and if not, that we may both be so happy as to meet high up in glory with those who have gone before this is my daily prayer. Give my love to Sarah and Susan, father and mother, and Mary Jane and all enquiring friends.
I would like to know where S. E. Critchlow is. His time must be out. Now I will close, Tell Nancy and Julie to be good girls. I will close by remaining your affectionate husband, — Samuel A. McMullen
Letter 21
Camp of the 155th Regiment
November 19, 1864
Dear Sarah.
I now take my lonesome seat to take an off hand chat with you. I am well at this time and pray this may find you enjoying the same good health. I received your letter of the 14th last night and was glad to hear that you was well, if not so well contented. I know it must be very hard for a woman to look after everything for you know I was a great fellow to fix up and tend to things but the war must go on and you must try and content yourself till it is over. But you must not complain for I know there is many a poor soldier’s wife suffering for 16 dollars won’t keep a big family. If would of got no bounty, it would have been middling hard for it must be hard for a man to stand the hardships of a soldier and know that his family is suffering. So we must be thankful for what we have. As long as I have good health and plenty to eat, I will be thankful. We get about three days bread a week and the rest hard tack. I draw my rations in the company since Mr. Mateer left. I won’t eat many hard tack as long as I can buy soft bread.
This is a very wet day. It commenced last night and it has been raining ever since. There is a good deal of talk about moving. I do not know whether it is all talk or not. We have had very nice weather here this fall. This is a very nice climate to live in but I would rather be living in that old stone house now. You could hardly believe how well I could enjoy myself at home. But I know I can’t go and I may as well be content here with the hope of getting home someday. We will soon have nine months in. That will leave us two years and three months yet. That is a good while to be from home but I think the war will be over before that time. I hope so anyway.
Henry is well. He sends his love to you. Daniel Conrad gets the next furlough in the company. That spelling book has not come yet.
There is very heavy cannonading on our right this morning. I wrote to Morrison about them boots. I told him you would give him the money. I allow boots are dear. Give my love to Sarah & Susan and all enquiring friends. I would like to know how you sell your butter for Henry and me. Would like to have about 20 lbs. after we get in winter quarters. I suppose you have laid up that much this summer. Tell Nancy and Julie to be good girls and give Mag a kiss for me. From your true Sam. — S. A. McMullen
Letter 22
Camp of the 155th Regiment
Near Poplar Grove Church
November 27th 1864
Dear Sarah,
After my best respects to you and hope this may find you enjoying good health. We are still in the same camp and enjoy good health up to this time. I received your letter last night of the 18th and 20th and was glad to hear that you had got well for I was very uneasy after Henry got a letter stating you was sick. As long as I know you are all well, I can content myself very well but we are all liable to sickness.
This is Sabbath morning but we have no chaplain to preach to us. We have had very nice weather for a few days. We had four days rain and the ground got very saturated and it looks for rain [paper torn].
There is not much signs of a move now but we can’t tell what Gen. Grant will do. Sherman is penetrating the heart of Rebeldom and we expect to hear some glorious news from him before long. Allen got a notice that [William] A[ustin] Fox was dead. There is three brothers gone in the last year. I did not think he would live this long when he left for he was all gone to nothing. 1
The Boys in the company is all in good heart and heart and health. Daniel Conrad’s furlough goes to headquarters in the morning and if it appears he will be home on Saturday. I wrote to you about a pair of boots and I wrote to Morrison I would you would have them to send with him. I will try and see him before he goes if he gets off. I am very well satisfied about you getting that hat but you said you did not get it [ ]. I always told you what was yours was mine and what was mine was my own, I have got a good pair of gloves and I do not need any socks yet a while. Henry and me will send for a box sometime this winter. I want to know if Nancy Jane is learning any. tell her I want her to learn to read against I come home, and Julia to spell, and I will fetch them something nice. I have not wrote for over a week. I sent you a paper with my neck tie in.
I received a letter from D. C. Low last night. I will answer it. I want to know if you put up any peaches this fall or if they were plenty. We had roasted turkey yesterday. There was four issued to our company—just enough to give us a taste and make us wish for it. You ought not to expose yourself working out in the rough weather building houses. I could hire somebody to so it for that is what made you sick. Get good comfortable clothes for you and the children. [paper torn] nothing to anybody and I will try and save all I can. Give me Will’s address and I will write to him. Give my love to Sarah Freeman. Tell her I often think of her for how lonely she must be. Give my love to Susan and J. Low and all enquiring friends.
That spelling book came at last. Let me know the price and what it cost to send it for they was no mark on the back. It had changed wrappers from the looks of it. Now I will close hoping to hear from you. From your affectionate S. A. McMullen till death.
1 William Austin Fox (1841-1864) died on 4 September 1864 at a hospital in Washington D. C. He served in Congress. H, 155th Pennsylvania with Samuel. His parents were Alexander and Hannah (Austin) Fox of Clarion county, Pennsylvania. They had three sons die in 1864 while in the service. Besides William, there was Reynolds Fox (1833-1864) who was captured and died in Andersonville Prison in August 1864 (Grave 6649); and also Alexander Fox (1837-1864) who died in the fall of 1864 at a hospital in Beverly, New Jersey. All three boys served in Co. H, 155th Pennsylvania. [See related article published by the Table Rock Historical Society compiled by Sharla Cerra in 2016.]
Letter 23
Camp of 155th P. Vols.
December 6th 1864
Dear Sarah,
I now take up my time to let you know that I am in the enjoyment of good health wishing that this may find you the same. I received your letter of the 29th last night and was glad to hear from you for I am always glad to hear from home.
We are under orders to move. We don’t know where we are going. This division is to be relieved by a division of the 6th Corps. We are to be relieved today but there is no sign of it yet. We had preaching here yesterday for the first time since Mr. [Joseph] Mateer left. I am glad to hear that you have got your winter’s meat. You need not send that box till we send for it, It may be if butter and everything is so dear, we will not send for it for 40 and 50 cents is a big price for butter. I hope you will not get boots started before you get my letter that Daniel Conrad is coming home for he told me he would fetch them. He is at home now if he had good luck. Henry got a letter from G. Wilson last night. He said he expected to get a furlough now in a few days. He stated that Duncan Burns died on the 30th with fever and effects of wound. The Boys that came out with us are dropping off one by one. There are very few left and we do not know who will be next but let us be ready for whatever may befall us that we may enter into that rest prepared for us.
We have had very nice weather here for the last two weeks—warm and dry—and I would like to see it keeping nice if we are going to move.
I wrote you about A. Fosse [?] being dead. Henry is well and sends his love to you. Susan would hardly know him. He is that fat. Soldiering agrees with him, or being away from home, I don’t know which. But I suppose he would prefer his home. I am in the company now. I like it better than tending horses. It seems more like soldiering and that is what I came out for. I don’t know who I will mess with yet. I will either go in with Henry or M. Anderson. These tents is small and we had allowed to change our camp today and then we would [get] larger tents but this order to move has stopped it. We are waiting to see what will be done but I think we will go someplace.
Give my love to Susan and Sarah, father and mother, and all enquiring friends.
I know it must be hard to live alone for I was good company. But you will have to try and put up with it hoping that the time may soon come when we will meet to live happy again. Give my love to the girls. Now I will close by remaining yours. Write soon. — Samuel A. McMullen
Letter 24
Camp of the 155th Regiment P. V.
December 14th 1864
Dear Sarah,
I now take my pen to inform you that I am well and hope this may find you enjoying the same. I received your letter on the night of the 12th and was glad to hear from you.
Well, Sarah, we have just come off of a big raid [See Warren’s Stony Creek Raid down the Weldon Railroad]. We left camp on last Tuesday a week and moved out about four miles and encamped that night and we started the next morning and marched all day till we came to the Nottoway River and we stopped there and cooked and laid there till 2 o’clock that night. We packed up and started under a heavy shower and crossed the river and marched on till before daylight [when] we stopped and got breakfast and then we started and marched within two miles of the Weldon Railroad. Laid there till 2 o’clock when we marched on to the road and commenced tearing it up and we tore it up till 12 that night. [As] we marched down along the road the next day, we tore up 20 miles of railroad. We wewnt into camp that night and it rained and froze as it fell so when we got up the next morning, our tents were froze a half an inch with ice. We had to get up by daylight the next morning and start without breakfast and we marched 21 miles that day without cooking through the mud. It was very hard marching. I stood it very well. I carried a gun and our loads was wet and heavy but we did not throw anything away for we would need them these cold nights.
We are laying out in our shelter tents now. It is very cold but we keep big log fires on and we don’t know whether we will build quarters or not. We have no orders. The army destroyed everything along the road. We lived off of the country and they burnt as we came. We was within 15 miles of Weldon town, North Carolina.
Dan Conrad got back the night of the 12th. He was here yesterday and fetched them boots and I was very glad for my old ones was wore out. You need not send that box till we send for it. We won’t send for it till we get in winter quarters—if we get in any. I am sitting at a log fire writing this and it smokes [so] that I can hardly write. You need not send any turkey in that box.
I mess with Henry [McMullen], [Joseph] Rankin, and [David] Jordan. We have been eating sweet potatoes for two or three days. They are a very nice thing. Henry is well. Give my love to Susan and Sarah, father and mother. I got a letter from Dan and Morrison. I will answer soon. Tell Nancy and Julia to be good girls. Now I will close hoping this war and our lives spared to meet again and live in peace once more. Such is my prayer. From your affectionate husband till death, — S. A. McMullen
Excuse bad writing.
Letter 25
Camp of the 155th Penna. Vols.
December 23, 1864
Dear Sarah,
I now take my pen to inform you that I am well hoping these few badly written and worse composed lines may find you comfortably situated and in the enjoyment of good health and a good home. I received your letter of the 16th on the 22nd and was glad to hear from you and that you was all well. It is just ten months today since I enlisted and there has been a great many changes in that time. But I have been one that has been spared and have had the enjoyment of good health so far and how thankful I ought to be to Him who has spared my life up to this time and in whom I will trust in the future.
Last night was I think the coldest night we have had this winter, but we have a good shanty and we slept warm. But I think you have far rougher weather up there. We have had no snow here yet and not to say very cold weather. I am glad to hear that you have your porker killed but you can’t bake any more cakes or pies. We will take that box any time now. You can put in a pair of socks if you have. Direct it to Lieut. S. D. Blair, Company H, for private boxes are often opened and the things taken out at headquarters and they are not likely to open an officer’s. you can put our names on a piece of paper in the inside.
Allen got a very nice box yesterday. He had 29 lbs. of butter in it. If you had any elderberries, send some for we have lots of sugar to sweeten them. Them two dollars comes very nice for buying soft bread. It is 6 cents a loaf. Makes about two meals. They are very small, We only get half rations of bread and the other half hard bread. Henry has gone to the Brigade to buy some so we will have soft bread and fresh beef and molasses for dinner.
Daniel [Conrad] gave us some butter that he brought from home. It went right well. Next Sunday is Christmas but I guess we will have no turkey but will have to be contented with what we have. As the house is filling up with Boys, I will close. Give my love to Susan and Sarah, father and mother, and kiss them little girls for me. Now I will close by requesting you to answer. From your loving husband, — S. A. McMullen
Letter 26
Camp of the 155th Regiment P. Vols.
December 27th 1864
Dear Sarah,
I now take this privilege of writing to you to let you know that I am in the enjoyment of good health, hoping this may find you enjoying the same. I received your kind letter of the 18th last night and was glad to hear from you and that you was all well but Maggie. And I hope she will be well by this time. you said you felt verty sad for you had got no letter for a week. Well Sarah we was seven days on that raid and we could not write for the letters would not go for we had no communications with the other part of the [army] They did not know anything of us till we came back. We did not get [into] any fight and we only lost one man and he took too much applejack and straggled. It was not safe to straggle for the guerrillas was around. My boots was very bad and wet but wet feet did not hurt me. I thought as if I got wet feet or clothes I must have a change or be sick but now I can lay down wet and sleep and never appears to hurt me. I begin to think I can stand most anything.
We are not in our old camp. We are back 3 miles in the rear handy the Jerusalem Plank Road. We do picket duty along it. We have far better quarters than we had.
Well Sarah, last Sunday was Christmas, How I would of liked to take dinner with you for ours was middling scarce. But we got some hard tack today. We are living on supposition crackers now and we get hungry on them. Perhaps you don’t know what kind they [are]. Well, we are supposed to have 4 days rations and we have none. But we bought some today and we will have a big dinner but we will get along. We won’t starve. I am glad to hear that Sam and Will Hyman has experienced religion. I thought J. Switzer did belong. Now I will stop and eat dinner.
Well I have got that dinner eat and I feel first rate. When we were eating, who comes in but Peter Bish. He is in the 6th Corps. He is in the same company that M. Hileman is in. I wrote to you about seeing him.
The weather is very dull—misting rain. You said you think sometimes that you will never have the pleasure of seeing me. Well Sarah, that might be for we don’t know the future. We are both liable to death. But I still live in hopes of meeting you again and if not, that we may so live that we may meet where parting is no more and where wars never come. But there is a great many temptations here and there is no religious services in the regiment. A soldier has some good luck for we had only a half loaf of bread for breakfast and now we have eat two for dinner and we have 11 yet and two haversacks full of hard tack. We will live.
Now give my best respects to Mr. Hodil and to Sarah and Susan. I sent you a paper over a month ago with a necktie in. I would like to know whether you got it or not. Send me three or four stamps in your next letter. We have very good times. The guard duty is light. Give my love to mother and father and all enquiring friends. This call for 300 thousand more will may Piney Township stir herself again. Tell Nancy and Julia to be good girls. Now I will close by remaining yours till death, — Samuel A. McMullen
Letter 27
Camp of the 155th P. Vol.
January 3rd 1865
Dear Sarah
I now take a few spare moments to let you know that I am in the enjoyment of health, hoping this may find you enjoying the same. I received your letter of 21st on New Year’s on picket. We was relieved this morning and I am now sitting up on the upper story of our house writing to you and Henry is [ ]. It is middling cold here now—spitting snow…
Got a letter from home stating that John [illegible]. I wish him good luck and a Happy New Year and that he may [ ] the army any more. We had hard tack for New Years and we relished it very well and I [illegible].
The war news is very favorable. we pray Sherman and Thomas is using them. We was mustered for two months pay. I expect we will be paid about the middle of the month and I hope we will for 4 months is long enough to go without being paid. I would like to know how much of that [ ] yet you must not think that I think you are spending too much. But I like to know how much is taken…
Give my best respects to Mr. Critchlow. I am glad to hear that he is back kand that he got clear of soldiering so easy. Now I will close for I expect a letter tonight and I will write more the next time. Give my love to Sarah and Susan. From your loving husband, — S. A. McMullen
Letter 28
Camp of the 155th P. V.
January 15, 1865
Dear Wife,
I now take my pen this Sabbath day to write you a few lines to inform you that I am in the enjoyment of good health, wishing you are enjoying the same blessing. Perhaps you are enjoying yourself at Divine Services while I have not that privilege now. But the same God is in the army that is there and He will answer prayer if it is offered in faith but here there is vice of every kind. But I am still trying in my weak way to serve Him, but betimes I find it hard for we are liable to [ ] and temptation. Bear me up in your prayers that I may live the life of a Christian so that when I am called away from earth I may be so happy as to gain a home in heaven for I feel my unworthiness. But where shall I go but unto Him. It has been about one year now since I gave God my heart…
There is an order now to grant furloughs and the Boys will be going home middling fast but the old soldiers will get the first chance. Capt. Allen promised Henry one towards spring—at least he thought so. But I expect the chance will be middling slim for there is a great many of the old soldiers wants to go for my part. I think I won’t trouble him for one this winter. I received your letter of the 8th on the night of the 13th. The weather is middling cold here but not half as cold as it was at home last winter for when we go on picket. We can lay out under a blanket which I know we could do at home…
…from your affectionate husband, — [S. A. McMullen]
Letter 29
Camp of 155th Regt. P. V.
January 25th 1865
Dear Sarah,
I now take up my pen to inform you that I am well hoping this may find you enjoying the same good health. I received your letter of the 15th last night and was glad to hear from you.
Well Sarah, we just received that box before dinner and if we didn’t go into that box I can scarcely write. The pies were very nice. The mince pies was broke a little but not any too hurt [illegible]… tumblers was broke but the jelly was not spilt. Who ever packed the box understood it. Tell Mother I am very thankful to her for that roll of butter and can on honey. I will try and not get sick but I am bound to try. We treated some of the Boys. We heard that James Riley was dead. Poor fellow. He is better [illegible]. I am very much obliged to Mary Jane for that can tomatoes and Mr. Hodil for that butter. I am very well satisfied about the balance but I guess we won’t be paid before March and I would like to have two more dollars to but some soft bread.
Well Sarah I will close for the tent is full of Boys and they are cutting up so I can’t write and I want to send it in this mail. These are very good looking socks. I will send Silas that ring. Give my love to all enquiring friends and I will write soon again. From your loving husband, — S. A. McMullen
Letter 30
Camp of the 155th
January 31, 1865
Dear Sarah,
I now take this morning to let you know that I am in the enjoyment of good health hoping this may find you enjoying the same. I have received two letters since I last wrote, one of the 21st and 25th. We are still enjoying in the same camp. There has been no talk of a move here yet. I think we will lay here till spring. I hope so.
The weather has been right cold here the last week but our duty is light. We can be in by the fire the biggest part of the time. We drill two hours a day one hour in the forenoon and one in the afternoon so it is far easier than working at home. Still I would prefer home to being out here for there is no place like home. But we will have to be contented till this Rebellion is crushed or our time of service expired. Sometimes I think the war will close before that time but it is hard to tell. I will make my calculations to serve my time out if I live and if it closes sooner, so much the better. Moses Anderson expects to go home tomorrow. His furlough is gone up. If it comes down approved he will go.
Well Sarah, Daniel was over a Sunday and we had that dinner. It was got up in style and we done it justice. Them tomatoes was splendid and we deserted with two mince pies or we had mince pies for a desert. We have it all demolished but the honey and butter. It will last us some time yet. Now I will have to stop and go on drill.
Well Sarah, we have come off drill and I will finish this while the Boys get dinner. You was saying that you would like for me to get a furlough. Well I would just like to get one as well as you would like for me to get it but I know there is no use in asking for one. If Henry gets one, I will be satisfied so you need not think that I do not want to come but if I am living in two years from this, you may begin to look for me. We will live happy once more together. Give my love to Susan and Sarah. Now I will close by requesting you to answer. From your husband till death, — Samuel A. McMullen of Comp. H, 155th Regt. P. V.
Letter 31
Camp of the 155th P. V.
February 10th 1865
Dear Sarah,
I now take this privilege of informing you that I am still alive and well, hoping this may find you the same.
Well, Sarah, we have passed through another battle safe. We broke camp on last Sabbath morning and marched that day around and come to Hatcher’s Run and on Monday evening we went into the fight. It was very hot. I will give you the wounded. Louis Gathers, Eli Whitmore, J[oseph] Swires, Ira Snyder, M[ichael]. Baumeister. There was none killed. We are laying here yet. We left our blankets to camp and it is very hard laying out as it is very cold. We left our paper all in camp so you must excuse a short letter as Henry and me is writing together. So long for this time. From your affectionate husband, — S. A. McMullen
February 10th 1865
Dear Susan,
With pleasure I take this privilege of informing you that I am well at present and hope that these few lines may find you the same. I received your kind letter yesterday evening and was truly glad to hear from you that you are well.
Well, Susan, we have went through another battle and come out all right. There was seven wounded in the company: Newton Hagan, J[ohn] McCall, Ira Snyder, Eli Whitmore, Lewis Gathers, Joseph Swires, M. Baumeister. There was none killed. We have had a very hard time. The weather is very cold & it goes very hard lying out these nights but we all stand it first rate. I wouldn’t of believed that I could stand the half that we have went through with & we are still alive & in very good health. Taking everything into consideration, I [ ] stood enough to kill a mule team.
I suppose you will [ ] but this is the first chance we have had of writing since we left camp so you will have to excuse this short letter and dirty sheet of paper for we left everything we had in camp—only what we have on….We are here yet. I think we will go back to our quarters in a few days so you will have to excuse this short letter. I will write soon again. — H. M. McMullen
My love to all.
Letter 32
Camp near Hatcher’s Run
February 18th 1865
[Note: This letter has not been transcribed. It is too delicate to handle but there may be fragments of information readers can glean from the images posted below.]
Letter 33
Camp of the 155th P. V.
Near Hatcher’s Run
March 5th 1865
Dear Sarah,
I now take my seat this Sabbath morning to inform you that I am in the enjoyment of good health, praying this may find you all the same. I received a letter [ ] this morning. I received one that was wrote on the 19th and I have not wrote one in that time waiting till I would get one.
We are still laying in camp but there is no telling how long we will stay for we don’t know what a day may bring forth. Some mornings they waken us up to have our knapsacks packed and be ready to move in [ ] but we are ready to [ ] anytime although we would rather stay in camp. But anything to end this Rebellion.
We got four months pay. I expressed one hundred dollars to Lol. Lyon in your name on the 25th February. I expect you have it by this time. I got one hundred adn four dollars so you see I don’t spend much foolish. I got my picture taken. I sent you one and sent Freeman one and Mary Jane one. I have got one yet. I got it taken for two dollars. Henry and me got one taken together and sent it to Mother.
I am glad to hear that there is so many going to Oil City to make their fortunes. I hope they may do well but I would advise you to stay where you are for I think again you have much left and there is no use of you starving yourself as long as I can keep you from it. You will have plenty to do when I get home for I never did like to work and I am not learning any out here.
They have now the railroad up past our camp. Tell Sarah I must tell you that we have meeting every night. The Christian Commission erected a chapel at the left of our regiment and they have Bible Class on Sunday forenoon and preaching in the afternoon and at night and prayer meeting every night. It is a very large chapel and it is crowded full every evening and we get plenty of papers of all denominations. We can get the Pittsburgh Christian Advocate and they appear like if they come from home. I don’t believe Dan [ ] will leave, do you? I think he will stay in Sligo.
Joseph Wilson and William Bell has come back but Bell was sent to the Division Hospital yesterday. He had the measles. The hospital is in sight of the regiment. Joseph has got right well. I gave him a hearing for not going to see you. He acknowledged he did not do right. He stayed with us till he got his shanty built. We have not heard from any of the wounded men since they left.
Well, I must quit and eat my dinner. Jo Rankin has it ready. We have soft bread, salt pork, and coffee for dinner and for supper we have coffee, salt pork and soft bread.
We have dinner over. David McPherson was here and took dinner with us. He is well and hearty. Henry expects his furlough when Wash Craig comes back. The 105th [Pennsylvania] lays close to us. I was over to see if Will had got back yet but he is not there. The trains are full of soldiers every day. The Army will be large this spring which we like to see. There is a great many deserting from the Rebels. They average one hundred a day at Army Headquarters. I hope this Spring Campaign will wind it up and I hope it is for I am tired of war and everybody else.
Oh! how I could enjoy a peaceful and a happy home. I often think what peaceful. How I once enjoyed. How sweet this memory still. And I hope I may see to enjoy again and that you may be spared to see that day when war will be over, when the stars [and stripes] shall not only wave over Charleston, but over every hamlet in the Southern Confederacy and war shall be no more. There will be a thrill of gladness onto many a household.
But still I am contented with my lot and I will not complain as long as I have good health. Now Sarah, O will close hoping to hear from you soon as I won’t leave it run so long again. Give my love to Sarah Freeman. Tell Sarah and Susan and all enquiring friends I want a letter for that picture. Now I will close by remaining your loving husband, — Samuel A. McMullen
You need not send any more envelopes or paper.
Incomplete fragment, undated but probably in March/April 1865.
…there is nothing strange going on here—only the cars is running from City Point up here to camp. They just laid the track on top of the ground and it runs up hill and down. The locomotive has Lieut. General Grant printed on it with his picture and the whistle blowed [so] the Rebs could hear it in Petersburg. It appeared like if the war was over but the booming of the cannons towards Petersburg last night made me think the war was going on…
Letter 34
April 14, 1865
We are still at the same place. There is nothing strange going on. I expect we will leave here tomorrow. Some says we are going to Petersburg but it is hard to tell where we are going. The Rebels have all left. The mail came today but we got no letter. I don’t know whether I will get this off or not. I wish we could go out of this place for it is an out of the way place. I will close for today.
Letter 35
Near Washington
May 14th 1865
Dear Sarah,
I now sit down a few moments to let you know that I am in the best of health hoping you are the same. We are down and tired from our long march. We averaged 20 miles a day and I carried a very heavy load. I wanted to sleep warm when night came. I carried a blanket, piece [of] tent, gum blanket, change of clothes, and my equipments.
We do not know how long we will stay here but we think not long. The regiment is drawing all new clothes. This appears almost like home after being so far away but I would rather be at home.
I think we will be discharged with the regiment. Give my love to Susan and Sarah. Now I will close by remaining your affectionate husband, — Sam McMullen
Letter 36
Camp in the field 155th P. V.
Near Washington
May 20th 1865
Dear Sarah,
I now take my low seat on the ground to let you know that I am still hoping this may find you enjoying the same. I received your letter of the 14th yesterday evening and was glad to hear from you. But you need not look for us home for some time yet. The regiment will go home in a few days but we will be transferred to some other regiment. All the men that their time is out between this and September will be discharged soon. We did think once we would get going home with it but the order that came from Gen. Meade played that out. But keep in good heart. There is a better day a coming.
We know if the war was not over, we would have to stay and stand the hardships of war which nobody has any idea of till they try it. Now we can lay down in peace at night. I know you will feel very sorry when you hear that we will not get home, but keep in good heart and we will be home before long.
I received them two dollars and they come very good. I do not know when we will get paid. Let me know how much money you have standing at the office, if you please. I seen Will on the 18th. He is at the Regiment. He looks first rate. He has no use of his two fingers. I gave it to him for not going in to see you but he hurt his leg going home in the cars and he could not walk.
The Grand Review goes off on the 23rd. I hope it will be a cool day for we got enough of reviewing coming through Richmond. There was a great many sun struck. It is very nice to look at but it is not so nice to do. If the soldiers had their will of it, there would be no review. They are all for going home.
We have not heard from Oil City for a long time. Morrison don’t write any since he went up. John Lewis has returned from furlough yesterday. James Kirkwood is away at the hospital sick. I received Mr. Hodil’s letter at last.
I guess I have wrote all the news. Tell them little girls to be good and learn fasst. Give my love to Sarah is she has not gone away and Susan. And here is hoping that we may soon meet again to live happy together. How thankful we ought to be that this Rebellion was brought to a close so soon and so many spared to get through it although it left many a widow and orphan. Hoping soon to hear from you. From your loving husband, — Sam’l A. McMullen
Spared & Shared 23 