This letter was written by Dwight H. Howland (1839-1866), a farmer from Gill, Massachusetts, who enlisted on 13 September 1861 as a musician, later as a private, in Co. C. 27th Massachusetts Infantry. He remained with the regiment until 133 August 1864 when he transferred to the 38th U. S. Colored Troops to serve as the Quartermaster Sergeant. Dwight was listed as “absent sick” (suffering from chronic diarrhea) for the months of January, February, and March, 1865. He seems to have been present April, May and June but was discharged from the service for disability on 8 July 1865. Though he “survived” the war, he died on 7 January 1866 in Tinmouth, Vermont, where he was buried next to his parents.
Dwight was the orphaned son of Consider Howland (1809-1856) and Lydia P. Stafford (1813-1864) of Tinmouth, Rutland county, Vermont.
[This letter is from the private collection of Greg Herr and was transcribed and published on Spared & Shared by express consent.]
Transcription
Camp of the 38th U. S. C. Troops
Deep Bottom, Va.
September 4th, 1864
Cousin Jennie,
I am at liberty today to do about as I please so will pen a few lines in answer to your welcome letter that was received yesterday. I was very glad to hear from you as I always am. I still jog along nearly the same as usual although I am at present suffering with a very hard cold, but that is of but little consequence when compared with a thousand other ills that I might have here in this low, unhealthy place. It is very sickly here now. The weather is fine but it is bad for us Northern men. The days are hot and the nights cold—so cold that 2 wool blankets are none too much to sleep under.
When I last wrote you we were in front of Petersburg. Now we are at what is called Deep Bottom, some 12 miles from our last camp. We are on the north side of James river on a high bluff about 5 miles from Bermuda 100. All of the 18th S. C. are in this vicinity but only 1 Brigade here. We have a very strong place here and one that would cost the Rebs dear should they undertake to take it from us. Three gunboats lie here near us. One of them is a torpedo boat that was taken from the Rebs some time ago.
We are doing nothing but picket duty here. Half of the regiment are on one day, the other half the next. That is far easier than the duties they had to do when in front of Petersburg. There they had to be on duty all the time and be under fire at that.
I don’t know how long we will stay here but probably not long. Then we will have to go into the trenches again. I hope Petersburg & Richmond will be taken before long if it is agoing to be such work as this. I am sick of it and will be glad when they go over the Bey [?]. We got the news last night that Atlanta was in our hands. Hope it is so but am afraid it is too good to be true.
The 27th [Massachusetts] time expires now soon. I almost wish I was one of the number that was going home. Poor fellows. They will be glad to get out of it. Suppose you expect John home this fall. Hope his health will be good so that he can enjoy himself after 3 years of hardship. I can think of nothing more to write so with much love, I will bid you goodbye for this time. Remember me to your brother and all of our friends & relatives that you chance to see.
I remain your affectionate cousin, as ever, — Dwight
Address D. H. Howland, 38th Reg. U. S. C. Troops, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 18th A. C., Fort Monroe, Virginia
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