The following letter was written by Francis (“Frank”) Henry Whitcomb (1846-1904) who enlisted in December 1863 to serve as a private in Co. K, 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. He was the son of Asa Whitcomb (1799-1868) and Adaline Augusta Hoar (1813-1892) of Bolton, Worcester, Massachusetts. Frank claimed he was 18 when he enlisted but he was really just 17. Frank mustered out of the regiment on 16 August 1865 at Washington D. C. and returned to Massachusetts where he became a shoemaker in Hudson. He later married Carrie Brigham (1850-1894).

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Fort Tillinghast
March 18th 1864

Dear Sister,

I now seat myself to let you know that I was well and hoping this letter will find you the same. As John nor James have not written me for some reason best known to themselves, I will write to you and I hope you will give them hail Columbia in your next letter.

Have you got my miniature yet? If you have not, go to Mother and tell her to give you one if you want one and tell her to send me a couple of dollars in her next letter, will you? Tell Nettie that he is a bully fellow to send me them slate pencils. The cannons are making such a damn noise and shake the barracks so I can’t write no more than the Devil. I have got the shakes too and cannot hardly hold my pen. We are having a pretty hard time of it now—work day and night—but cuss the odds. I hain’t got but 33 months to serve in this damned hole.

Grant has taken command of the Army of the Potomac. Goodbye for I cannot write for I am so full of [smudged] — Frank Whitcomb

Frank Whitcomb, Company K, 1st Mass. H. A., Washington D. C.