These letters were written by Frank W. Davis (1844-1920) who enlisted as a private in November 1861 to serve in Co. E, 58th Pennsylvania and worked his way up to corporal, to sergeant, to 1st sergeant, and finally to 1st Lieutenant by late December 1864. He mustered out with the company as a veteran in mid-June 1865.

Frank was an 18 year-old carpenter from Bradford, McKean county, Pennsylvania, when he enlisted. He was described as 5′ 4.5″ with brown hair and grey eyes by the enlistment officer. His parents were Reuben Davis (b. 1814) and Sarah C. Moore (b. 1820).

One of Frank’s letter is critical of Gen. Benjamin Butler who was finally dismissed by General Grant for failing to capture Fort Fisher and withdrawing his troops without authorization in December 1864.

Letter 1

Headquarters Co. E, 58th P. V.
December 13th 1864

Friend Sylvester,

Yours of the 6th inst. was received tonight and I was much pleased to hear from you and get the news from Bradford for you are about the only one that writes the daily occurrences around Bradford.

It seems that there has been a wedding at Bradford lately. I have heard that once or twice before and then heard again that it was not so. However, I think that there must be something in it. I shall expect to hear of your splicing yourself to some fair schoolmate of ours before a great while, for it is getting about time that you was thinking of such things. When you get ready to commit such a deed, drop me a line a few days before hand so that I won’t be taken by surprise.

A. E. Kilpatrick was discharged on the 7th of this month and is probably at home by this time. There was only two of this company present to receive their discharges on that day out of the number that was mustered in at Harrisburg on the 7th December 1861. I was mustered in that day but reenlisted last January which put an end to that. Our Lieutenant (Kinsman) started for home yesterday, his term of service having expired. P. M. Fuller is Captain of this company now. He received his commission on the first of the month.

Our Brigade moved out towards the right of the line a few days ago. The Rebs attacked our pickets and it was thought that they were going to attack our works but they did not think proper, I suppose, though we had to lay in the woods without any blankets and watch them all night which was a tedious job, I tell you, for there was snow on the ground which made it the more uncomfortable.

I have not seen Eugene [Holmes] in a long time now. He don’t come over to see me and I don’t have time lately to leave camp to do any visiting.

I should judge by what you said that there had been some difficulty in regard to my vote. It is strange that such a thing should occur and I did not hear of it before. Wish that you would give me the particulars of the case when you write again for there must be some fraud connected with it either here or at Bradford. Very singular circumstance, I should say. Should like to hear who presented the vote, and whether it was thought by anyone that I was concerned in any fraud or trying to vote illegally. Don’t be afraid of hurting my feelings in explaining the matter for I am anxious to know what it means. I have no doubt but what there was thousands of illegal votes cast at the last election, but I had no hand in them, I consider this holding election in the army a humbug, for the reason that it gives persons that are disposed to commit fraud too much chance, and there is a great many such persons no matter what their politics is. The idea of being victorious at election will prompt most anything.

Hoping that I may hear from you soon, I close with my best regards to all friends and acquaintances, and a large amount for yourself. Very truly yours, — F. W. Davis, Orderly Sergeant, Co. E

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Letter 2

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

Chapin’s Farm, Virginia
January 9th 1865

Friend Sylvester,

Your favor of the 2nd ult. came to hand last night and was much pleased to hear that you were well, &c.

There is considerable cannonading going on, on our left today. Don’t know what it means but suppose likely they are having a little Fourth of July over there. They frequently do down here in Virginia and the noise of it don’t surprise us any.

It has been very quiet here since “Dutch Gap” was blown up until today. The Dutch Gap arrangement seems to be a fizzle so they will have to try some other point. It seems to me that about all of Butler’s arrangements have turned out to be fizzles—at least for the last year. We have seen several trials of his Generalship in this part of the country and none of them have seemed to be of much benefit to the country. For instance, his attack in Drewry’s Bluff last spring and the Dutch Gap Canal, but his last blunder I think is the worst, for according to all accounts, he might of taken Fort Fisher with very little loss and perhaps Wilmington and the question naturally arises, “Why didn’t he do it?”

The news in other parts of the country seems to be very encouraging. It begins to look as though there was a possibility of peace in the course of a year or so at least. Stoneman must of made a great rattle among the pots and kettles in Western Virginia and Thomas I notice is getting ready to [ ] some Rebel community. Perhaps that gentleman called Hood will receive his compliments a second time. Hope if he starts after him a second time, he will wipe him out altogether and say no more about it.

I notce too that Sherman is having good success in making Union people down there in Georgia. I think that the inhabitants of Savannah are really sensible in doing as they have done for this Rebellion must be put down, and te sooner they give it up the better it will be for them.

Eugene Holmes was over to our camp a few evenings since. He seems to be in a very good condition but he says that they are kept pretty busy—drilling or doing some kind of duty, and I should think likely that was the case for his is the second time that he has been here to see me, and they have been here a long time now.

I was out a few days ago to see a couple of deserters shot. I never witnessed a thing of that kind before and I did not want to go then but the regiment was called out and of course I had to go along with them. It was no pleasing sight and I never want to be present on another occasion of that kind. It is bad enough to see men shot down in battle but to see men seated upon their coffins and shot. It looks to me too much like murder.

You spoke of the Oil Question being agitated once more. Hope they will have good success in finding what they are boring for, but I don’t know what would become of Bradford if they should happen to find oil there. In case they should, I should think that the railroad would have plenty of business without going to Lafayette.

You talk to me about a “quiet old bachelor’s life” &c. in your last. Now then, do you think that you could take comfort and enjoy yourself without a —- well, you know what I mean. Somebody to fix up your shirt collar Sunday mornings just before you start to meetin’.

Now take my advice, do not wait for me to make a selection for I have made none yet. You just take the nest one you can find in the flock and let it go at that. I sall expect to hear from you soon.

My regards to Robert D. Golier and all friends and acquaintances. Very truly, — F. W. Davis, 1st Lt., Co. E, 58th Pa. Vols.

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Letter 3

Camp 58th Pennsylvania Vols.
February 14th 1865

Friend Sylvester,

Your letter of the 4th inst. was received day before yesterday just before going on picket. Was much pleased to hear of your good health, &c. Hope you are having pleasant times on Tuna [?] now; plenty of good sleighing there no doubt, and plenty of girls to ride with you, so I don’t know of any good reason why you should not enjoy yourself largely. There is no snow on the ground here but it is quite cold and frosty, and very uncomfortable on picket. Have to keep kicking around on picket to keep our blood in circulation.

We had the misfortune a few days since to lose two of our substitutes. They took the occasion while on picket to walk over and see “Johnny Reb” (poor fools). I thought that a man was bad enough off in the U. S. ARmy but it strikes me that they have “jumped from the frying pan into the fire.” One of them was a member of Co. E. This is the second one that has deserted to the enemy from this company; they were both substitutes however, as none of our old men will desert to the enemy though there is once in a while one that goes to Canada. Tibbits and Eddy for instance.

You spoke of the Oil fever as raging very high. What is your opinion of it? Do you imagine that they will ever find the crather! I notice that there was a large fire in Philadelphia lately on account of some coal oil that was stored there. I should say that they had better stop digging for that substance if they were going to use it to burn cities with.

I have not see Eugene [Holmes] in a long time though I suppose the regiment is still where it has been as I have not heard of its moving. I am on picket every other day and when I am in camp, I have something to do so that I can’t get time to visit any of my friends. I guess he is busy too as he has not been over to our camp in about three weeks or more.

The Peace Commission of the Rebels which caused so much excitement for a while it seems has fizzled out, and there is nothing to expect but to fight it out now. The Herald seems to be of the opinion that the peace that Grant, Sherman, Thomas, & co. have on hand is a better article than that other peace (piece) that has been talked so much about and is warranted not to fade.

You mentioned in your last that you had heard that I was a prisoner, etc. They have had me dead once or twice on Tuna [?] but this is the first time that I have heard of their having me a prisoner. Wonder what they will have next. You wished to know the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and the truth is, I never was a prisoner, not “if the court knows herself ad she thinks she does.”

My regards to all friends and acquaintances in Bradford. With many good wishes for your health and happiness, I remain yours truly, — F. W. Davis