The following letter was written by Capt. Tattnall Paulding (1840-1907) of the 3rd US Cavalry while in captivity at Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia.
Paulding received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant on 14 May 1861 and was appointed to the 3rd US Cavalry. He “quickly adjusted to cavalry life, and was mentioned favorably on several occasions by his superiors in the regiment over the winter. When the unit saw its first action at Williamsburg the following May, he was mentioned in his commander’s report for his coolness and gallantry in action. He was selected to lead the regiment’s detachment assigned to the Army of the Potomac’s provost guard under Brigadier General Marsena Patrick following the engagement.
“He continued to distinguish himself through the campaigns of 1862, Stoneman’s Raid and the battle of Brandy Station. During the Gettysburg Campaign, though only a lieutenant and now serving in the 6th US Cavalry, Paulding found himself commanding a squadron of men when they encountered elements of a Confederate brigade commanded by “Grumble” Jones. His men “fought dismounted from the protection of a fenced ridgeline. They blunted a charge by the 7th Virginia Cavalry with deadly fire from the muzzles of their .52 caliber carbines. Then, the 6th’s major ordered Paulding’s squadron to pursue the defeated foe. As they saddled up, the balance of Jones’ brigade came up, drew sabers and attacked. Unable to reach their horses in time, Paulding’s men were overrun by saber-swinging rebels. “My men were scattered through the field, and being pursued by the mounted foe were soon captured,” Paulding reported.” 1 Although a disastrous defeat for his outnumbered regiment, Paulding received a brevet promotion to captain for ‘gallant and meritorious service’ during the battle.
“Following the battle of Fairfield, he was reported by Lieutenant Nicholas Nolan as ‘missing, and supposed to be in the hands of the enemy.’ This was quickly confirmed, and Paulding spent the next nine months confined in Libby Prison. He was a prolific correspondent with his family during his internment, and these letters are very good primary source accounts of both the battle of Fairfield and life in Libby Prison.
“August 1864 was a good month for Paulding. Not only was he finally released from Libby Prison, but he was also promoted to captain in the 6th U.S. Cavalry on August 20th. Upon his release, Captain Paulding was assigned to operate the Mounted Recruiting Service station in New York City. Although the station notionally recruited for the army as a whole, the overwhelming majority of these men were sent to bolster the dwindling number of veterans in the ranks of the regular cavalry regiments of the Army of the Potomac. Captain Paulding received brevet promotions to major and lieutenant colonel on November 11, 1865 for meritorious services during the war. He relinquished command of the recruiting station when he resigned his commission on July 1, 1866.” [Source: Regular Cavalry in the Civil War]
Tattnall was the son of Rear Admiral Hiram Paulding (1797-1878) and Ann Marie Kellogg (1807-1894). He wrote the letter to his younger brother, Hiram Paulding, Jr. (1846-1924).
[Note: This letter is from the collection of Sal Terregino and was made available for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent.]
Transcription
Libby Prison
November 28th 1863
My dear brother,
Yours of 13th inst. came to me yesterday bringing the latest news I have received from home and I need not tell you that it was a welcome visitor. With it came Becca’s of 12th and Father’s of the 7th. Although a letter sent and received as is necessary for one in my position is all that we usually look for, it cheers a dreary prison life, when it comes from those we love, and brings tidings of their health and welfare. I congratulate you upon your promotion of which Father told me some time ago. I think that by this time you are quite a man of business. Your writing shows practice and if I may compliment you, improvement. I hear too that you are studying Spanish. My letter would be in that lingo if consistent with the prison rules. I studied for some time & made considerable improvement but our teacher became ill and the class was broken up. Time often hangs heavily but by keeping employed in one way and another, nearly five months of captivity have passed, cheered by hope of better days. Thanksgiving day was like other days with a rice pudding being the principal feature. A box has just come for B. F. Mead which I will try to push forward to him. Please send me the Cavalry Tactics (double back formation), Shakespeare (cheap edition) and a welcome & especially so now as we can send surplus to our enlisted me. 200 of my men are here yet. I am very well. Exchange is again below par. With love to all, your affectionate brother, — T. Paulding
[to] H. Paulding, Esq. Jr.
Navy Yard, New York
I have just received the box shipped 16th with no letter. The letter & papers & some baking powder are desirable parts of the box. The cans are fine & I will grow fat and defy scurvy.
1 Three Days in July: Faces of Union and Confederate Soldiers at the Battle of Gettysburg, Edited by Charles Joyce, Military Images Digital, June 8, 2020
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