The following letter is dated but unsigned. We only know that the author served in the extensive Army of the James. Based on the evidence present, it is reasonable to deduce that he was likely an officer, as he exhibits a level of education indicative of such a rank. The quality of the pen and writing paper utilized, combined with the evident time taken to compose the letter, further supports this assumption. Moreover, the neatness of the writing suggests that the author possessed a writing desk or table suitable for such tasks and these were generally only carried by officers.

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

Army of the James
City Point
February 1865

Mother, no word in our language has so deep hold on the heart strings of men as the simple term, Mother, and although we often conduct ourselves in such a manner that we ought not to be allowed to have any mother, yet it is a cruel wrench that can tear her image from our souls, although we may be sin-steeped until our moral nature has lost all traces of the image of Him in whom we are created, yet on memory’s map will be left some of the tracings of a mother’s influence.

I would be most happy this Sabbath morning if permitted to spend it in the society of her who watched over my infancy and has been my best adviser all through life’s journey. Many has been the rock that I have dashed against driving along with passion at the helm, which if I had been content to let mother’s hand guide the bark, I would have escaped. Now, when it is too late, we think of those things. How vast is the number of human wrecks that lie scattered along life’s shore that have been lost for the simple reason that they would not let her, who knew their natures better than they did themselves, guide them, lay miserable failures along the road which, if mother had been minded, might have reached the haven, richly laden with honor and the respect of their fellows with the pleasant consciousness of duty fulfilled, usefulness and self respect.

But moralizing cannot heal the past although I have too often rejected your counsel and am morally wrecked in consequence. Yet you will believe me when saying that there is nothing I can think of would give greater pleasure than to be at your side today and by any means save you from one pang of pain and my hearts desire, prayer, is that I may once more be permitted to see your face in peace and the blessings of peace, felt and appreciated all over our afflicted country.

A transient gleam of hope has for the few days past illuminated our war clouded skies. Men from Washington have visited Richmond. Vice President Stephens of the Bogus Confederacy left City Point for Fortress Monroe on Wednesday to meet Father Abraham at that place to talk the matter over, to see if there is not some way for bringing Peace once more to our land. Mother, the fact of the case is that Peace on any fair terms will be received by the soldiers of either side with transports of joy and thanksgiving. The flag of truce arrived in front of our lines in front of the City of Petersburg where there has not been scarcely a moment for the past six months when shot, shell, and Minié ball has not been flying at the former on either side. Yet the flag of truce was hailed with perfect transport of joy by the soldiers of both armies. The thought that Peace once more would come, then “Home Sweet Home” a happy reunion with the loved ones there so galvanized the boys with delight that shouts of joy rang along the lines, friend and foe joining in the chorus in a yell that would have drowned the thunders of fort.

Well, if she had been playing at the time, it proves that there is one chord that vibrates alike in the Northern and Southern heart and that is the love of home.

I have not yet identified the author of this letter whose signature appears to read, W. I. Smith. The content of the letter gives me no clues as to how he was related to or became a correspondent with Jacob Miller (1811-1890) and his wife Ruth (1827-1880) who received their mail at Liberty Post Office, in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, where they were longtime residents.

The letter speaks of peace negotiations underway while armies remained in the field in both the Eastern and Western theaters.

Transcription

U. S. A. General Hospital
Point Lookout, Maryland
February 5, 1865

Mr. and Mrs. Miller,

There is much talk here upon the peace question. The newspapers contain little else but speculations upon peace. President Lincoln and Secretary Seward are down at Fortress Monroe where they are having an interview with the Vice President of the Rebels and one Rebel Senator and one judge. Mr. Blair has been twice to Richmond during the last month but nobody knows exactly what he went for. I hope the Rebels will come to their senses and secure peace by negotiation instead of fighting it out. If we have to fight it out, it will not take us long.

Sherman is on his war horse and in South Carolina. He is marching his army through South Carolina in three columns, spreading ruin and desolation through the state. When he entered on the present expedition, he said he should eat all he could as he passed through and appropriate all he could and the remainder he should destroy. I think it likely that he use South Carolina as hardly as possible, he looking upon them as chief traitors. I see in the paper received this morning that General Thomas will soon have 40,000 sent to march through the State of Mississippi which I think will not be a very tough job. From a source which is considered reliable, we have information that the Rebel General Taylor’s army (late Hood’s army) is disbanding as rapidly as possible, and hundreds are coming into our lines daily. A week or two ago, a few of our troops made a raid on some rebel saltworks in the State of Florida and destroyed them, capturing a few prisoners.

The pickets of both armies around Richmond have ceased all firing since the Rebel Commissioners came into our lines. When they came over to our lines, the troops on both sides yelled, cheered and shouted like mad. The breastworks were crowded with soldiers on both sides. I hope this time they will come a little nearer gaining their points. It would be rather curious if peace was to come by negotiations, before Richmond was taken, after being trying to take it for so long a time. But I would rather have peace without taking Richmond and that would save a great many lives. If nothing comes of this expedition of Stephens & Co., I shall not be very much surprised.

A number of blockade runners were brought to this point last week from Wilmington. They were mostly Englishmen—stout and hearty looking, with plenty of gold. One of them had 900 dollars in gold besides bank notes. Some prisoners were also brought here from Wilmington, captured about 12 miles from that place. They were well clad and had plenty of clothing with them. We had a whole lot come here last week—prisoners; must have been over a thousand. A great many of them were wounded, several of whom have died. We have seven wards in the circle filled with Rebels and Ward D out of the circle. We have four forts at this place and I think they have six guns each.

I have not received any word from the State Agent and I do not think I shall do anything more at present toward getting a discharge. I am very well in health and have plenty to eat. Rather incommoded for want of clothing but I shall get some of the other boys to draw me some when we draw again. Last month, I got a man to draw me a uniform coat, a pair of pantaloons, and a pair of shoes. The coat cost me $8.75, the pants $3.10, the shoes, $2.20. I went up to sign for some clothing but was told that I could not sign for any and it was too late to get anyone else to draw any for me. And I had to go and buy a pair of drawers and a shirt for four dollars. Eighteen dollars gone for clothing since I came down here. Tell Charlie to send me the balance of my money as I do not think we shall get any pay for the next months.

The Secretary of War, in reply to a resolution of the Senate, transmits a report of Assistant Adjutant General Townsend showing that we had on the first of January, 66 major generals and 267 brigadiers in the service. Making a total of 333 generals. Of these 200 brigadiers are in actual service and 45 major generals. Eight major generals and twelve brigadier generals are waiting orders. One major general and 14 brigadier generals are off duty in consequence of wounds or sickness. Two are prisoners of war, two are before the Committee on the Conduct of the War, three are on trial before court martials. The number of cannon taken at and around Fort Fisher was 162.

Yours respectfully, — W. I. Smith