The following letter was written by Albert Doty (1841-1873), the son of Leonard Doty (1812-1882) and Lydia Louise Gardner (1810-1892) of Hancock, Berkshire county, Massachusetts. Albert first enlisted with the 34th New York Infantry in May 1861 to serve two years. He rose in rank from private to 1st Sergeant by December 1861 and then was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant in March 1862 and Adjutant in January 1863. He was discharged for disability from the regiment in May 1863. He returned to the service in March 1864, and was a Sergeant Major in Co. I, 57th Massachusetts Infantry when this letter was written. He was then promoted to a 1st Lieutenant of Co. K by late July, and brevetted a captain in August 1864 for gallant service in the engagements on the Weldon Railroad. He mustered out of the service in late July 1865.

Doty’s letter speaks of the mortar shelling their regiment endured in front of Petersburg that pre-dated the following incident:

“On July 24, 1864, Doty and some of the men were at a Bomb-Proof just behind the trenches.  This bomb-proof was small about twelve feet square, and was hot inside so the men had built a arbor out side the bomb-proof. It was covered with branches and old canvas for protection from the sun.  Earlier they were shelling the enemy and now the Confederates were returning the favor.  The men paid no mind as they were use to it.  Some were laying on the ground and some were sitting on an old cracker box writing letters home, when without warning or sound the bomb-proof exploded. It was found that the enemy artillery gunners aim was off and a ten-inch mortar shell fell in the middle of the “Bomb-proof.”  Some of the men were either wounded or killed; some would die later from their wounds. Doty, who was a Sergeant Major at the time, came out of it only slightly bruised.” [Source: Civil War Days and Those Surnames]

Doty does not explain his use of the pseudoname “Oliver Ditson” to sign his letter so he must have used it regularly or at least occasionally when corresponding with his younger sister Elizabeth Gardner Doty (1845-1917). The real Oliver Ditson (1811-1888) was “the pioneer of music publishing in American, having published a number of popular songs, including “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “Tenting on the Old Camp Ground.” Ditson also marketed drums under his company name though they did not manufacture them.

Sadly, though Doty survived the war, he was counted among the large number of veterans who committed suicide in the post-war years. He was 32 years old at the time of his death.

Transcription

Headquarters 57th Massachusetts Infantry
Near Petersburg, Virginia
July 12th 1864

Lib,

Received today a letter from your headquarters dated July 6th. Have now in my clutches 1 vignette of “Laura Clark” for the same. Am much obliged. Have heard of my death from two different (both reliable) sources—presume it must be so. Shows the advantages we have over the ancients now-a-days. You can read your own obituary and attend your own funeral. Nice, ain’t it? Please tell me the origin of the rumor. Charles Daniels received a letter yesterday in which his mother expressed fear that he might be “lonely, now Albert Doty was killed” and wished him to write the circumstances upon my departure. I ask forgiveness of the good people of the land of my nativity and wish to assure them that it’s none of my fault that they are this time disappointed. Will do better next time, &c. I didn’t mean to!

I received a lead pencil and some postage tamps. Much obliged. Expect a letter from N. E. G. soon. Hope Lester won’t forget to write. Give thanks to “Kleber.”

We are having gay times just now. The “Johnnies” and we have got into a notion lately of pitching small balls at each other—little mortar shells eight inches in diameter. Can’t tell when they are coming—they go so slow. They have a way of “dropping in” quietly now and then just for a short chat. They travel as unostentatiously as a Quaker deacon. Keep losing men. Have on this morning’s report 157 enlisted men present. Rather a mournful record. Don’t see how we can have many more “big funerals” in case is should be required of us. Will be obliged to send home for more stock.

Please to write to me about the Hancock boys in the 34th Massachusetts. ¹ Any news in good condition will be gladly received. Please send me a box of Gillott’s Steel Pens. Have lately lost my pen holder pencil pen and the whole “consarn” gone to grass.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, — Oliver Ditson

¹ A number of men from Berkshire county served in Co. K of the 34th Massachusetts—particularly Hancock and Pittsfield.