The following letters were written by William “Nelson” Smith (1843-1867), the son of Sullivan Smith (1807-1891) and Laura Cheney Smith (1812-1900) of North Orange, Orange county, Massachusetts. William was a 20-year-old mechanic when he enlisted as a private on 4 August 1862. Three weeks later he was mustered into Co. H, 36th Massachusetts Infantry. He was promoted to corporal and transferred to Co. C sometime prior to his being wounded on 6 May 1864 at the Battle of the Wilderness in the opening stages of Grant’s Overland Campaign. Pension records inform us that he received a bullet wound to the hip, disabling him and resulting in his discharge on 23 December 1864. Smith never married, and died less than three years later.  

There were nearly war-date letters written by William N. Smith, 36th Massachusetts Infantry in the original collection. Of the war-date letters, 34 were written from the field and approximately 13 were written between May and October 1864 while Smith was in the hospital recuperating from a wound received at the Battle of the Wilderness on 6 May 1864. Most letters addressed to his sister Maria Smith (1839-1912) as well as to his parents Sullivan and Laura Smith. Letters include references to the Battles of Fredericksburg, the fall of Vicksburg, and other skirmishes and events, but primarily reflect the daily activities and challenges of a soldier’s life. Unfortunately the collection has been broken up and one collector was able to send me six of them for transcription.

Over the years I have transcribed many letters by members of the 36th Massachusetts. If you are interested in reading more letters from this regiment, see:

Albert H. Carter, Co. A, 36th Massachusetts (2 Letters)
Albert H. Carter, Co. A, 36th Massachusetts (1 Letter)
William Henry Hodgkins, Co. B, 36th Massachusetts (6 Letters)
Charles Henry Boswell, Co. C, 36th Massachusetts (1 Letter)
Charles Robert Avery, Co. K, 36th Massachusetts (2 Letters)
Theodore H. Bartlett, Co. I, 36th Massachusetts (1 Letter)
Charles Henry Howe, Co. G & I, 36th Massachusetts (1 Journal)
Charles Henry Howe, Co. G & I, 36th Massachusetts (71 Letters)

Letter 1

On board the steamship Merrimac
September 6th 1862

Dear sister,

I will again write a few lines to say for I have seen something since I wrote the other letter. I put that in charge of the Captain and he has got it yet as we have not stopped yet—not as quick as I expected—but I will write a little more and then you will have the more to read.

Well, I have seen a little of the slave plantations down here on the bank of the Potomac in Virginia. We can see a little if we are on the boat. We can see the cornfields and the nigger huts—some of them.

I have seen where the Merrimack and the Monitor had their fight but have not seen any fighting yet myself. We expect to get to Alexandria this afternoon about three o’clock and whether we shall go to Washington or not, I don’t know. We are passing ships of every description now and the Boys are telling them to show their colors and they do so.

I would like to be there with you about ten minutes and I could tell you more in that time than you ever heard in your life. I don’t know but you think that I am telling great stories but I will prove it to you when I get home. I just saw a fish jump out of water that would reach from North Orange to Athol, now that is a fact (don’t you believe it). I tell you it is a splendid sight to travel up this river. The shore is green and everything looks thriving (but the nigger huts).

I will write again before I can tell you where to direct your letters. I must stop now for I want to see the wonders of the Potomac. Goodbye for now. your brother, — Nelson

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Letter 2

Falmouth, Virginia
November 21, [1862]

Dear Father,

I have just received some mail—one from you dated the 9th, and one from Moses. He was at Cambridge, Massachusetts, yet. That money $1 you sent was all right. I think that the mail comes all right, only it takes some time for it to get here as we are on the move so can start. James states that you had got hose boots ready for me when I wanted them. My boots stand it very well but this rainy weather and marching so much, they are rather small, but I will wait a while before I send for them for I think that there will be a chance to send them by and by. So you need not send them until you hear more from me.

I was glad to get that money for I have not out and I want to buy some little things occasionally. Edmund let me have a little so I got along well but he has got about out now and finally all of the Boys are getting short. The talk is that we are going to be paid off before long but that is all other’s stories.

The Rebs hold Fredericksburg yet. We have got back to camp from picket all right but it rained like the devil all the time and it is muddy as thunder. When we leave Virginia, we shall carry it all off on our boots if this weather continues. We are within about 50 miles from Richmond but I guess we shall fight some before we get there. We have marched 60 miles within five days without resting—pretty good job that was.

You thought the Democrats was going to raise Ned but I guess it will come out all right in the end. I hain’t but little time and I can’t write much more now. When you write, send me a little black pepper and I don’t care if you send a little more money for I guess it will come all right and if I get paid, I can send it home. I want to pay Edmund and I shan’t have much left. Everything is high and costs some to buy a little here.

Those mittens that you sent with Mr. Hill’s box has not come yet and I don’t know when it will, but it has not been very cold yet and I have got along well. We had a little snow once but it did not last long.

William L. Howe has not got his commission yet and I don’t know as he will for he has been ordered into the ranks. Well I must close and going ot get my supper. I have got a little beef steak and pork to cook and I will have a good supper. We are all well. Good night. Your son, — Wm. N. Smith

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Letter 3

Falmouth, Virginia
December 27th 1862

Kind folks at home,

Again I take my pencil to say a few words to you. I received a letter from you of the date December 21st (No. 4) yesterday. I am favored now quite often by your kind letters. I think that I get all that you send me, at least I have since you began to number them. The last which I received, No. 4, I found $1 come to open the letter which Sylvester and Chandler sent me. I was very glad to get it although I had money plenty as I have sold my watch. you probably had not got the letter which I wrote giving you news of it. I have written several letters since I disposed of it and in one I sent $5 and told you of giving Henry five dollars as he wanted some money and we thought that would save sending it both ways and his father could let you have $5 to offset it. Have you received it off Caleb Maya yet?

I also received that diary you sent which was just the thing I wanted as it is much more handy than my old book. And you need not send any more money until I need some more for I have got between $8 and $9 now and that will last me a good while as there is not much that we can buy here now. And another thing, we don’t need much for we are drawing good rations and enough of them such as Hard Tack 9as we call it), beef, pork, beans, rice, sugar, coffee, a little molasses, condensed vegetable (that being several kinds of vegetable cut fine and mixed and pressed together) and once in a while a few potatoes, and once we have drawn onions.

I guess that I had something for supper at Christmas that you did not have. Well i happened to get a little corn meal and then I went to the butcher and got a little suit [suet] and cut it up fine and mixed it with my meal and made a little bag and put in the mixture and put the bag into a kettle and boiled it about two hours, took it out and found it to be one of the best boiled suet puddings. And while that was cooking, I made a soup of beef, pork, and hard tack that would surpass the best chicken that you ever saw. And all this with my tea. Don’t you think I had a Bully supper?

That box has not got along yet but I think it will before long as there was a lot of boxes came to this regiment a few days ago. My boots stand it well and so I am not in suffering condition for my new ones yet. I guess if you have not sent that vest, you need not now for I think that we shan’t have much more cold weather down here this winter. It is not cold enough here sow so that it freezes any nights excepting once in a while for a day or two. It is pretty cold but it don’t last long.

As for our army here, it is as near as I can find out moving off somewhere but where, I can’t tell. The small batteries have all gone and left the heavy ones to keep the rebs [on] the right side of the river, but we can’t tell much what is going on. we hear all kinds of stories and we believe what we have a mind to. One thing we do know, we got defeated in our battle the other day. Sorry to say it, but that was a failure and can’t be helped. And now they will try some other way, I think, than ordering the men to face the mouth of the cannon as they did this time.

The news from the South is very good but I think this war will have to be settled by some other way than by the use of gun powder and cold steel.

I received a letter from Charles T. Sanger today. Was glad to hear from him, of heir good health, &c. I owe them three letters down there and I will answer them as soon as I have time somehow. We use all our time in doing our chores besides our other duties which we are obliged to do. You had thought I wasn’t very well by Henry. You said that I was a little lame just then but I am generally very well. I can eat like a hog and have gained eight pounds within a month.

Tell Chandler he had better keep out of the ditches this cold weather. Ever one of your family, — Nelson

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Letter 4

Near Jackson, Mississippi
July 12th 1863

Now it has ceased with any occasional roar (like thunder) which speaks to us from these 20-pounders that the rebs are working a little, now we have overtaken them and are holding our ground until we get ready to take them.

The letter which this I shall send with I have had no chance to send and so now I will just drop a few every chance I have till I have a chance to send this and then send you a kind of a diary of a few days. I said in the other that we might have a fight the next day but we did not for the rebs run and so we had no chance to fight.

Day before yesterday in the afternoon, our troops got here and found the rebs. Instead of the 1st Corps being on the reserve, they have been put in front and have had some very hard skirmishing. As soon as our troops reached here, they were formed in line of battle and marched slowly along. Our Brigade was in the mess and so for the first time the 36th [Massachusetts] was in front and moving towards the enemy. Two companies from the 36th were thrown out as skirmishers and they fought like lions. Two men from one company was killed and 13 wounded but they stood their ground and kept firing until relieved. Our Brigade was in front 48 hours and then relieved. They fell back this morning and pretty tired, I guess, but have had no permanent fight—only skirmishing merely to hold their position. We ain’t quite ready to fight them yet. This morning they had very heavy cannonading but mostly from the rebs. But now only once in a while a gun is fired.

I was not with the regiment and so I had none of the sport. I should have liked to have been with the Boys but I had to stay back with the baggage. I have no desire to be in a fight but I wanted to be with the rest of the Boys. I won’t try to write any more now. The report us that we are ordered back and are going to Pennsylvania.

[July] 13th. Nothing of interest today. We are making preparations for a fight and it will come off probably before long. Grant has just brought in 30,000 fresh troops and when we get ready, then we will pitch in. Harrison is sick in the hospital about a mile and a half from here. I heard from [him] this morning. He was a little better. I think that he will get well in a few days. Our Captain and Lieutenant Howe are left back sick. We have not heard from them for several days so now our company is commanded by two lieutenants from other companies in the regiment. I will stop till tomorrow.

[July] 15th. Nothing news today on the battlefield. Light skirmishing is kept up but no solid fight yet has taken place. Our Brigade has again gone to the front and will be relieved tomorrow morning. One man from Co. K was wounded today from Captain Smith’s company. In one of your letters you wanted to know what company James Smith was [in]. It is Co. K. Capt, Smith is quite sick. I have not heard from him today. I don’t know the trouble. Harrison is sick with a fever [and] has been pretty sick. I heard from him today and he was some better. I am in hopes that he will get along by and by. He was very sick a few days. He is one mile from me. I intended to see him today but I cannot leave. Please to let his folks know that he is sick for that is his wish that he asked of me. I will write in a few days again. I expect that I can send this letter this evening. Today we have heard that Lieutenant Howe is not living. J. E. Hills has ben back with him and today he came up with us giving us the sad news. Our Boys will miss him very much but we must be contented with whatever our lot may be. God only knows.

I hardly know what to say of our condition here just now. Many are sick or at least pretty well worn out but after all the Boys stand it like tigers, I tell you. They are having rather rough times. When they lay in front, they have to lay flat on their backs to keep away from the numerous shot and shell that is constantly passing over them. Mother, I am a lucky boy to be where I am. I need not say anything about. I think that before many months, we shall be away from this State.

What news from all parts we get is good. I think that the war is going well at the present time. Ic believe that we have got Old Johnston this time. Time will tell.

Today our mail came in—the first for several days. I received two letters from you at home and a paper with an envelope and two sheets of paper. This is one of the sheets. I have writing paper yet but I thought that would use this. The last letter was mailed the 30th of June so I suppose that there is more on the way now.

Father said that he heard that I had to take care of the Colonel’s horse. I do not have nothing to do with his horse at all. I have his baggage to see to when we move, and pitch and strike his tents. That is my duty. When we lay in camp, I have to keep the ground swept around the tents, &c. That is all I have to do. I tell you, it is much more easy that in the company but how long I may stay, I can’t tell for if I should do anything that did not suit, I should go back to my company pretty quick I tell you, for that is the way with the old Colonel. I have got a sore on my finger. It has been mighty painful too, I reckon, but the doctor ripped it open yesterday and today it fels pretty well. It will be all right in a few days.

I won’t write anymore now for you can’t read half what I have written but never mind. Guess at what you can’t read. Truly your son, — Wm. N. Smith

Port Hudson is ours!

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Letter 5

Summit House Hospital
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
May 25th 1864

My dear sister,

Wednesday after supper. As I sit out here under a nice old shade tree and look [at] passersby’s and the horse cars which are running now about every 15 minutes, and so thinks I, I guess I will write a line to you as I don’t get any letters for some reason. I have not received any letter from home since we left Catlett Station there on the railroad. But I think that they will get along one of these days. I wrote to you last Friday and to Ellen Johnson and yesterday I received an answer to Ellen’s, but have not from any of you yet. I guess I will get one tomorrow.

Well, I am getting along pretty well but I am having these Job’s Comforters [piles] a little too numerous. But I guess they will do me good.

Well now, as far as my furlough, I imagine that if nothing happens I shall get one sometime. The doctor took our names yesterday morning for furloughs but when they will get along I don’t know. They say that it will take more than a week yet. Well if I get any, I shall, and if I can’t, all right. I can stand it here.

It is most sundown and I can’t write much more now. I am well and you need not feel discontented in my situation here for this is a good hospital and I have all I need. Ever your brother, — Nelson

Summit House Hospital, Ward 5, Philadelphia, Pa.

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Letter 6

Satterlee Hospital, Ward Z
West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
September 4th 1864

My dear Mother,

This is a rainy morning—ain’t this news? At any rate it is with us. It has not rained for so long that I had almost forgotten what rain was.

I suppose that you want to know how I am these days. Well I am all right. Am as well as I ever was and my wound is all well. Has been healed nearly two weeks and I have forgotten how to limp so now whenever I go to the regiment, you need not think that I went before I was able.

Maria is at Northfield I expect by what she wrote in her last letter that she was going the next day. I am glad she has gone for I think that it will be better for her health than [ ing] is she don’t have to work too hard. There must be considerable to do when they have so many work folks.

Well, I must not forget to mention the good news. Of course you know all about it, but the capture of Atlanta is worthy of much joy on our part. The particulars have not yet received but it needs no doubt for this morning we have an official dispatch dated at Atlanta that the Union troops were in the city and Hood’s army cut in two. This is next to the fall of Richmond but one thing we want now, that is more men, and that now, and the Rebellion is crushed. Mobile is trembling and perhaps ere this has experienced a sad fate like htose strong forts that have fallen before that impregnable David Farragut.

There is once in a while a Hospital bummer that talks the same as any Copperhead. The other day I was talking with one of these fellows (a Democrat—Peace Democrat) and says he, Gen. Lee has got Gen. Grant just where he wants him—just where he can’t move. Yes, say I, he did not move and take the Weldon Railroad the other day, did he? That’s nothing, says he. Well, says I, Sherman says he is drawn from his supplies 200 miles and now got where he can’t do anything. Ah! says I, why don’t Hood annihilate Sherman’s army now when he is so far from home and have things a little more satisfactory [and] not be so harassed all the time by Sherman’s advancing men, and being so troubled with the solid shot and shell from his terrible guns. He did not say. Said I, hold your tongue, you will see what they will do. If I felt as you so, I would desert and go into the rebel lines and not stay here in an army that is fighting my friends. I was a little rathy. We will see what they will do if we send them a few more men.

The Chicago Convention was such a Copperhead scrape that I’ll not speak of it. The platform is terrible. [remainder of letter missing]

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The following images were sold with the original archive of letters. They are all images of William Nelson Smith, I believe.

Description from collection: A group of four unidentified images, believed to be William N. Smith: sixth plate tintype seated portrait of Smith in uniform with lightly blue tinted sleeve chevrons indicating rank of corporal. U.S. Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles indicate that Smith was promoted to the rank of corporal, date unrecorded. -Ninth plate Ambrotype of Smith holding a violin or fiddle. -Ninth pate ruby Ambrotype of Smith in civilian clothing. Sixteenth plate loose tintype of Smith in uniform.