19th New York Cavalry | Spared & Shared 23

The following letter was written by Edwin Wight (1844-1863), the son of Benjamin Wight (1813-1891) and Jerusha Lyons (1815-1899) of Centerville, Allegany county, New York.

*Edwin’s older brother, Daniel Wight, 5th New York Cavalry*

When 18 years old, Edwin enlisted in Co. F, 19th New York Cavalry. He was mustered into the service on 3 September 1862 for three years. However, he was killed at Manassas Junction on 17 October 1863.

According to muster rolls, Edwin stood 5′ 9.5″ tall, had brown eyes, and black hair. He was paid a bounty of $50 for his enlistment by the town of Centerville. His remains were initially buried at Manassas Junction but were later removed to Arlington Cemetery, Site 8499.

Edwin had an older brother named Daniel Wight (1841-1864) who also gave his life during the war. He served in Co. F, 5th New York Cavalry. He was taken a prisoner-of-war at Reams Station on 29 June 1864 and died while in captivity at Columbia, South Carolina.

Transcription

Addressed to Benj. Wight, Centerville, Allegany county, New York

Camp Thorp near Suffolk, Va.
October 22nd 1862

Dear father,

I now take the opportunity to answer your letter which came duly to hand bearing October 7th stating that you were all well at home and I am happy to say iyt found me the same and the most of the rest of the boys from our parts. The exceptions are Jud[son] Stickle. He is sick and pretty sick too, and in the hospital. And Rob[ert] Valance is just sick enough to be unfit for duty and Dar[win] Ellis is the same and Joe Butterfield is quite sick but has not gone to the hospital yet. I have been in the hospital about a week a taking care of the boys and I found I could not stand it and so I left and I am in the ranks again.

Well, pa, everything is excitement in camp now-a-days. The boys are all talking about going to New York again for it is said that the United States muster roll is lost and that there is nothing to show or hold us in the United States service and the Colonel says that he has been requested to make out a new muster roll with the present pay roll but he says that he will not do it and so the Colonel is on our side and I don’t know how it will turn out yet. But I guess it will turn out about the same as the boys regiment did a disbanding but now I think of it.

I received your letter last night containing the money and post office stamps all right and glad I was to get it. Well, pa, Harvey and John have sent home for a box of provisions but Harvey has written home tonight to have them hold on and not forward it until they hear from him again and if they do, send something for me such as cheese and dried fruit. And you can send some butter by putting it into a stone jar or a tin can and fasten it as tight as you can. And I wish you would send some maple sugar and also, if you can get them, I would like a pair of good buckskin gloves with long wrists and a pair or two of socks and such small trash as you are a mind to. I only just speak of these things as being the principal things that I want and so I guess I will close this scrawl for the tattoo has beaten and we shall have to blow out the light pretty soon.

P. S. We had a grand brigade review today. About 16 regiments being present. General Peck being present. Nothing more at present.

So goodbye at present. Write soon as convenient. — E. Wight

Yours with respect.

The following letter was written by Darwin Nichols (1841-1901), the son of Cheney M. Nichols (1810-1892) and Almena Edson (1814-1883) of Attica, Wyoming county, New York. He wrote the letter to Orpha Jane Waters (1844-1906) with whom he married in 1865.

Darwin enlisted on 9 August 1862 as a private in Co. C, 130th New York Infantry but this regiment was converted to cavalry on 28 July 1863 and known as the 1st Dragoons or the 19th New York Cavalry. At the time of his enlistment he was described as 5 feet 7.5 inches tall, with blue eyes and light hair. He was wounded on 30 June 1864 but recovered and mustered out with his regiment on 30 June 1865. During its service, the 1st New York Dragoons fought in 64 battles, captured 19 pieces of artillery and four Confederate battle flags.

Darwin had an older brother named Edwin A. Nichols who served in Co. G, 160th New York Infantry who did not survive the war. He died at a hospital in New Orleans of an illness in December 1863.

*A colt revolver that was carried by Corp. Chauncey J. Fox of the 19th New York Cavalry during the Civil War.*

Transcription

[Note: This letter is from the private collection of Greg Herr and was transcribed and published on Spared & Shared by express consent.]

*Addressed to Miss Orpha Waters, Johnsonsburgh, Wyoming county, New York*

Remount Camp
Pleasant Valley, Maryland
Tuesday, April 18, 1865

My dearest Orpha,

Words nor tongue can express my delight at receiving your much welcome letter of April 14th which came duly to hand last night & also one of the 12th that has just arrived today. It being directed to Harper’s Ferry, I did not get as soon as I should if it had been directed as the other was. Under the present circumstances I shall be obliged to answer them both in one.

You will see by this that I am again at Remount Camp & shall be very likely to stay here until I am discharged. The regiment left camp at Halltown morning of the 14th. I was on a pass to Summit Point, Va., where I had been to visit my brother. I found him in good health & had a good visit with him & many others of my acquaintance. My health is about as usual. The Dr. still excuses me from duty & shall be as long as I can make the Dr. believe that I am unable to do duty.

The 17th Pennsylvania Brass Band are playing such interesting music, it is almost impossible for me to write at all but will endeavor to do it the best I can (you very likely know how much I am skilled in the art of letter writing).

With the general news you very likely are as well posted as myself. With so much rejoicing we are brought to sadness by hearing the news of our President’s death. But since that, we again hear cheering news from the army. Mobile has surrendered & in all probability Johnston with his entire force has surrendered to Sherman. Everything looks favorable & I hope in a short time we shall be on our way to meet our many friends with joyful hearts and anxious minds to meet our friends & loved ones from which they have been so long absent. I don’t think I shall ever have a desire to enter the service again. I think you could easily persuade me to stay at home—that is, if you choose to do so, and I think you will unless you change your mind much from what it now is.

I was pleased to hear that Delia was married. She was a fine girl. I wish them “much joy,” don’t you? The others that you speak of I don’t know that I am acquainted with. I think they are celebrating the close of the war in good earnest & I know of some others that I think will do what they can to celebrate its close & I dare say I shall be one of the “lucky ones” & I think Miss W. will be the favored one unless she changes her mind…

The boys are making so much noise it is impossible for me to write anything sensible & will lay this aside for the evening & finish it in the morning before the mail goes. Good night dearest. Pleasant dreams, — Your Darwin

Wednesday morning, April 19

With great pleasure I resume my writing while the others are busy about the breakfast. It is quite a chilly morning though very pleasant. Wish I was in Wyoming County this morning just to see how it would seem. I think there is no doubt but what we shall all be at home within a month. I hope so at least & I dare say there are others wishing and hoping the same. How I wish I could start for home this morning instead of writing this letter. I would remain silent & surprise you a little just for fun.

We have very comfortable quarters now though I am not half contented as I was up to Halltown, Va. It was such a pleasant place. I enjoyed myself first rate while we stayed there though it was not much fun to have camp alarmed nearly every night. But I hardly ever went out of my tent on those occasions.

With the assurance that you are loved just as tenderly and truly as ever, I will close by hoping that it will not be long ere we meet to part no more. Always remember that your letters are always received with great pleasure & delight. Don’t fail to write soon and a good long letter. Hoping this will find you in good health and spirits, I remain as ever your faithful friend and affectionate lover, — Darwin Nichols