The following letter was written by John W. Snyder (1838-1926) of Hiltown township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. John wrote the letter from New Bern North Carolina, while serving in Co. K, 174th Pennsylvania Militia. After it was organized in November 1862, the regiment saw service at Suffolk until late December when they traveled to New Bern, as described in this letter.
Clearly, John found himself disillusioned with his tour of duty, perceiving a transformation in the war’s purpose from a struggle to preserve the Union to a campaign aimed at the liberation of enslaved individuals.
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Newbern [North Carolina] January 12, 1863
Dear Miss,
I take this present opportunity to inform you that I am well and hope these few lines may find you the same and I received your letter the 27th of December and I was glad to hear once more from you.
I inform you that we moved from Suffolk to Newbern, North Carolina. We left Suffolk the 31st of December and got to Newbern the 3rd of January, but thank fortune that we hadn’t to march much. We took the cars at Suffolk to Norfolk and there we took the boat to Morehead City and there we took the cars again to Newbern and there we had to march between two and three miles to where we encamped. And the next day we put up our tents and how long we can stay here, I don’t know. Some say we are to move again but where to, I don’t know. But I hope we needn’t move for I don’t like to move too far at a time.
I was very sick the time we moved while I was on the boat, but that was nothing. They nearly all got sick on the boat and it was all the better for us for those that was not sick on the boat got sick since and they won’t be over it as soon as we were.
I ain’t got much to write this time but if I be at home, I could talk a good bit with you and would like to talk wit you but I hope and trust that we may get together and talk all what ew can’t write. If I ever get to Old Hilltown, I will tell those cowards that they should go and fight for these niggers for this is a nigger war and nothing else for we are the niggers here and the niggers are free. I didn’t think so much of it until I passed through Newbern when the niggers said there they go fighting for us now.
I must bring my letter to a close for I am on guard today and I have to be at my post pretty soon. Excuse my scribbling for it is a poor place to write in the army. Remember mr and write soon and direct your letters to Newbern, North Carolina. So much from your affectionate true love, — John W. Snyder
John W. Snyder. Co. K, 174th Regt. Penn. Militia Col. John Nyce, commanding Newbern, N. C.
I could not find an image of Charles but here is one of Edward Hall who served in Co. A, 23rd Massachusetts Infantry (Photo Sleuth)
The following letter was written by Charles L. Thompson (1838-1890), a carpenter from New Bedford, Massachusetts, who volunteered to serve in Co. D, 23rd Massachusetts Infantry. He mustered in as a private on 28 September 1861 and rose in rank to sergeant, quartermaster sergeant, and finally to 2nd Lieutenant, though he was never mustered in as an officer before leaving the service in 1865.
Charles was the son of Amasa T. Thompson (1806-1865) and Betsy Maria Eaton (1811-1851). In 1850, the Thompson family was enumerated as farmers in Plymouth county, Massachusetts.
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Addressed to Miss Sarah E. Morton, New Bedford, Mass., No, 35 Cove Street
Newbern [North Carolina] September 24th 1862
Dear Cousin Sarah,
I have neglected writing you longer than I should but there has been nothing to write about and having waited long enough, I concluded to commence and trust luck for items enough to fill the sheet. I have heard nothing from Father for a long time. I wonder what the reason is why he don’t write? Most of my New Bedford [N. B.] correspondents have enlisted in the new regiments so I don’t have as many letters from home as I used to.
The rebels have been making unusual demonstrations lately in our neighborhood. You have probably heard of the attack upon Washington, N. C. about 35 miles from here. Since then our pickets have been driven in several times by bands of rebels, but no further demonstrations have as yet been made. Probably they don’t like the looks of our fortifications. Reconnoitering parties are sent out almost every day but generally they don’t meet with any large bodies of rebels—only a few scattering ones now and then.
I am glad that N. B. has done so well in sending men for the war. I am glad to learn that they are such a “better class of men” than those who went formerly who didn’t have to be paid a bounty to urge them to enlist. Well let them talk. I want to see what they can do when they get into the field. I hope they will be able to prove themselves a great deal better than the old troops, but very much doubt it.
Last week a parting speech was read to us from Gen. Burnside. He has now taken leave of us and given up the Department of North Carolina to Gen. J. G. Foster. If we can’t have Burnside, I had rather fight under Foster than any other general.
We have just received very cheerful news from the Army of the Potomac to the effect that McClellan has driven the Maryland invaders across the Potomac and this p.m. there is a rumor that Richmond is taken by our gunboats. I shall not credit this until I hear a great deal more about it than is now reported. But I must close so as to be able to get this into the mail before it closes.
I could not find an image of Jacob but here is Dennis LaGrave who also served in the 92nd New York Infantry (Photo Sleuth)
The following letter was written by Jacob Phelps Nay (1831-1908) who enlisted at Potsdam on 15 October 1861 when he was 30 years old to serve 3 years in Co. F, 92nd New York Infantry. He mustered in as a sergeant and was transferred to Co. H on 11 June 1863. He was discharged from the regiment on 16 June 1863.
Jacob was the son of Benjamin Franklin Nay (1804-1873) and Lucy W. Phelps (1807-1857). His letter is addressed to “brother Hiram” which is odd because I don’t see him listed among his siblings unless perhaps he was a brother-in-law. It should be noted that the family surname is occasionally spelled Ney.
The letter is written on the back side of a poem composed by 48 year-old Dr. German Haight Sutherland (1814-1867), a physician from Hermon, St. Lawrence county, who served in Co. B of the 92nd New York Infantry. He wrote several poems during his time in the service including such titles as “Prison song”, “T’was on the thirty-first of May”, Father Abraham”, and others.
The fort being built by “ditchin’ and slashin’ on the north bank opposite New Bern by the 92nd New York was Fort Anderson. It would come into play a month after this letter was penned during D. H. Hill’s campaign to recapture New Bern.
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Newbern, North Carolina February 14, 1863
Dear brother Hiram,
I take this opportunity to write a few lines in answer to yours of the 31st of January, I was glad to hear from you and the rest of the folks and glad to hear that they are well. I am as well as common and as saucy as ever. Our regiment is on the opposite side of the Neuse river from Newbern building a fort and doing picket duty and eating Uncle Sam’s beef, pork, and hard bread. They are intending to use up the 92nd Regiment a ditching and slashing and all to no benefit and if this war should last another summer, there will be but few left. The officers that left Potsdam with us, there is but thirteen out of thirty-three commissioned officers left, and of sergeants, twenty-three out of fifty. Privates the same proportion. I cannot think of much to write so I will close by sending my best respects to all the friends.
Hiram, be contented and stay to home and be good to Father and help save all you can for there is harder times coming than you ever saw and see to my wood as your Father thinks best. And if I ever get my pay, I will pay the expenses. Write as often as you can. Give my respects to Father and Mother and the rest of our folks. Yours forever, — Jacob P. Nay, Sergeant 92nd Regiment, Co. F, 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 18th Corps.
The following letter was written by an unidentified member of the US Signal Corps. We know from his letter that he enlisted in July or August 1861 and that he came to New Bern from Annapolis. It seems he may have transferred into the Signal Corps from a volunteer regiment.
The most interesting content of the letter comes in the final paragraph in which he describes the wounding of a sentinel from the 23rd Massachusetts. In retaliation, Gen. Foster had the houses torn down of the civilians whom Foster presumed were responsible for the shooting.
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Newbern, North Carolina July 28, 1862
Dear Cousin,
I thought that I would write you a few lines to let you know how I am. Indeed, I am well at this present time and am hoping these few lines will find you the same and all the rest of the folks. I am writing this letter to you not knowing where you are but I think it will find you somewhere and enjoying good health I hope and all the rest of the folks. I should like to see you and all the rest of the folks.
I am out here where it is very hot weather but can stand it very well when I am in the shade. Do not have much to do and only keep watch eight hours watch a day for signals. Have got a nice house to live in. There is only three of us boys and one lieutenant on this station. It is close to Fort Macon. It is a very pleasant place.
I have been in the Signal Corps ever since we left Annapolis. It is not as hard a place as it was in the regiment. I wrote a letter to Uncle Elijah yesterday and to Uncle Stephen Johnson. It is not as pleasant to me out here as it would be as though I were at home. I am in hopes that I shall be at home before long and all the rest of the boys that came out with me to fight for our country cause we have had some hard fighting out here. I never thought that I should have to go to war when I was up here. I hope the boys will all turn out and help us put this rebellion down as soon as possible for the boys are getting worn out here staying here so long. I wish it might come to a close this day. It would suit me first rate and all the rest.
It is most one year now since I enlisted. I did not think of having to stay so long as this when I enlisted. Has any of the boys gone from here to the war?
There was a sentinel shot upon his post the other night by the secesh. The alarm was given and the house was soon surrounded by the troops. It was in this city. They went into the house and there found six or seven men there. They had them arrested and put in jail and the next day General [John G.] Foster took a regiment and went to their houses and gave the orders to tear those houses that belonged to those men torn flat to the ground. The boys gave three cheers and went in with a good heart. Those houses were soon lain low. They were very good houses too. 1 I have not much more to write this time. [unsigned]
1 The Baltimore Sun of 4 August 1862 carried an article that conveyed the details of this incident in New Bern. The sentinel shot was Michael A. Galvin of Co. C, 23rd Massachusetts Infantry. His wound, in the fleshy part of the thigh, was not serious. But he died of consumption at home the following July, of consumption. See article below.
I couldn’t find a photograph of James but here’s a 1/9th plate tintype of a soldier thought to be from Co. C, 101st Pennsylvania Infantry (Ronn Palm Collection)
This letter was written by James Baker (1831-1864) of Co. C, 101st Pennsylvania Infantry. James enlisted as a private on 20 December 1861 for three years. He re-enlisted as a veteran in the winter of 1863-64 and was one among many of his regiment surrendered at the Battle of Plymouth on 18 April 1864 and taken to Andersonville Prison. He died there four months later on 20 August 1864 and was buried in grave 6061. Also mentioned in this letter was John H. Baker who was also taken prisoner at Plymouth and who died at Florence, S. C., on 15 February 1865.
The men in Co. C of the regiment were recruited principally in Lawrence and Beaver counties of Pennsylvania. James was the son of Richard Wesley Baker (1799-1882) and Catherine Thompson (1807-1884) of Beaver county. He was married to Mary Millison (1825-1870) in June 1845 and together they had several children: Samuel Baker (1847-1935), Mandana R. Baker (1849-1900), William Oliver Baker (b. 1853), Catherine Baker (1855-1905), Isabella Baker (1860-1948), and Mary Ann Elizabeth Baker (1862-1878). The Bakers were living in New Castle, Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, at the time of the 1860 US Census.
This letter is from the private collection of Greg Herr and was transcribed and published on Spared & Shared by express consent.
Transcription
Camp near New Bern, N. C. February 21, 1863
My dear wife and children.
I sit down this morning with my pen and paper to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well as can be expected and hope that these few lines will find you enjoying the same. I received on the 16th inst. one pair of mittens and three papers and one letter from you. I was so glad when I got them. you. say in your letter that you have had hard getting along this winter. you say you have had to carry all your wood this winter. I am sorry to hear this. I am away here in North Carolina far from you enduring the hardships of a soldier. We have to lay on the ground every night and the hardships that we have to endure you at home know nothing about but I thank God that He has spared me till this time. Thank God that He protected me in battle when the bullets flew around us like hail. But what is to become of us in the future, I can’t tell. I had thought we would get home this spring but it is doubtful as there is a very dark cloud hanging over us. I feel like staying it out till it is over, let it be long or short. You wouldn’t want me to come home a coward.
I must stop this and tell you something more and that is this. This day, I express you fifty dollars. We got fifty-two dollars paid us on the fifth of this month and I would have sent you this money home before this time but I could not get it sent. We are looking for two more months more pay every day and that will pay us up for last year. This fifty dollars that I send now is to you and the children, twenty-five dollars to you, and five dollars to Samuel and five dollars to Mandana and five dollars to Belle and the baby and the other five lay it away and if we get our other two months pay you may look for twenty dollars more sent to you.
Mr. John H. Baker sends his wife twenty dollars in this package which is seventy dollars. When you get this money, I want you to give John H. Baker’s wife her twenty dollars to send her and tell her that he could not send her any more money this time as he has been wounded and it costs a wounded or a sick man something here to keep him. He can’t live on the rations that we get here. A well man can hardly live on it so you want to tell her that is the reason he did not send her more money home htis time. Tell her that we are looking for two months more pay every day and when he gets it he will send her twenty dollars more.
I still want you to send me some more New Castle papers and tell Mr. Granis I want him to send me a letter and let me know the news of the neighborhood. I want to know of you if you got a letter with a fine comb in it. If you did, you got a secesh comb. I got it in Kinston when we fought the battle on the 14th day of December last. You may look for some more things sent to you the first of March. I will send home my great coat that I wore that day and some other things. Be sure and send me them names so as I can send them grape [paper torn] to them. Let me know if you got them pants.
There is nothing very particular here going on. There is plenty of wenches going through camp selling pies. We buy some pies from them. The weather is very warm here and dry. The grass is three inches high and peach trees is coming out in blossom. The mittens I send back home again as I don’t need them now. My dear wife and children, I bid you farewell hoping that I will see you soon. Keep in good heart. Take good care of the children and may God keep you all alive till I get home. Answer this letter as soon as you get it. I will close by saying, God help you. — James Baker
To Mary A. Baker, Samuel Baker, Mandana Baker, William O. Baker, and Pet Bell
Believed to beNewcomb Dyer, 46th Massachusetts; sold with the collection of his letters.
These letters were written by Newcomb Dyer (1837-1897), a farmer from Plainfield, Massachusetts, who enlisted as a private in Co. F of the 9-month 46th Massachusetts Infantry in September 1862. After training in Springfield, they were transported to New Bern, North Carolina on 15 November, where they mostly remained through March. His 21 November letter describes the regiment’s guns, adding that “all of our other accouterments were taken from the Rebels. Our belts are fastened together with a croocked brass rattlesnake. Lots of the tents & a great many Austrian guns used here are captured property.”
Dyer’s 12-page 22 December letter describes his participation in the Goldsborough Expedition, which included three battles. He praised the 3rd New York Cavalry: “The N.Y. boys all had short rifles, breech-loading, & would ride over fences 4 feet high & jump ditches 6 feet across & not stop. They did everything to keep the road clear & take the spies that were hovering around. . . . The Rebels fell trees in the road & did all they could to delay us, but the cavalry got by the trees & chased 300 Reb cavalry & 50 infantry, taking & killing 18.” At the Battle of Kinston, “we came on to the enemy. They were posted in a swamp. The water & mud was more than two feet deep. . . . The battle lasted four hours. The place where the Tenth Conn charged on a battery of Reb cannon was perfectly trimmed & the bark torn from the trees. It did not look as though a man could live after such a volley of musketry & grape shot. . . . The cavalry made a rush for the bridge & the Rebels were all ready to fire it. They had cotton & turpentine & started the fire. The cavalry fired & rushed on them. They spilt the turpentine on themselves & one was burnt to death. I saw him as we passed.” At the battle of White Hall, “the 46 was called on to volunteer to go & shoot at the Rebels. They were posted behind trees, logs & rifle pits.” Dyer was one of 4 volunteers: “We had to go down in fair sight of them. We got within from 25 to 50 rods. . . . they shot at us a great many times, Stevens & my backs were covered three times with splinters flung from boards & rails.” As they withdrew at night, “the balls struck just over my head & went into the house.” After the Battle of Goldsborough Bridge, “we had burnt the bridge & we started back at dark & marched 8 miles toward New Bern. We had fighting every day.”
Dyer’s 14 March 1863 letter describes the Battle of Fort Anderson or Deep Gully, in which the Confederates threatened New Bern: the river “was lined with Rebs & their batteries for more than two miles & they made an attempt to fling a pontoon bridge across the river, & had it more than halfway across but the gunboats tore it to pieces.” Dyer left the army in June at the end of his term, and settled in Missouri after the war.
A sixth-plate tintype in a worn case shows a Union soldier in a gray winter coat–possibly Newcomb Dyer in winter quarters in North Carolina.
Note: These letters are from the personal collection of Greg Herr and were offered for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent.
Letter 1
[There is no envelope with this penciled letter but it is assumed it was written to Bela and Ruth (Ranney) Dyer of Plainfield, MA]
On board the Mississippi November 13th 1862
We are now about 40 miles from North Carolina coast going south. We started from Boston Monday at 6 o’clock in the evening. We went on board Wednesday night. Was taken off Sunday night & stayed in Faneuil Hall from 9 in the evening until 4 the next afternoon. The Boston folks were very kind to us. Mr. Hallett & Bassett brought us apples & crackers. Mrs. James Joy and Mr. Porter came there to see us.
We have come rather slow so far. The gunboat cannot sail as fast as this ship. The name of the boat is Huron. It has five guns—one 11-inch Columbiad and one Parrot pivot gun. The ocean today is as smooth as glass. We are near Hatteras. I saw two whales yesterday. There has three been seen today. I was sea sick yesterday. Feel better today. I was sick in the harbor at Boston. The whole of our regiment was taken from the ships & landed at Boston. The Saxon has taken seven companies and the other three have gone with the Mississippi & Merrimack. The Springfield company & half of ours are on the Mississippi. All of the Plainfield boys are with me. All have been sick except Frank Cook and Allen Smith. Mr. Rood is quite sea sick. Our water is very poor.
The snow and hail fell six inches in Boston. I saw banks 4 feet deep where it had been shoveled up from the walk. You must write how much it snowed & how much you plowed & whether the snow stays on or not. The wind has been in the south ever since we started. It is as war as it is in September in Plainfield. All of the soldiers are very kind to one another. The regiment that we go with is the 45th. They are good fellows. We expect to get to Beaufort tomorrow. You may send me some stamps. We could not get any good ones at Springfield. I have ordered 8 dollars of my pay to be sent home. You can get it when it comes. Five a month will be all that I shall be apt to want. I shall send a letter to W____ and Mary Ann when I get to Newbern. I will write some more when I get there.
Newbern. November 15th. We landed this morning at Beaufort. Arrived here at 11. We are all well. Saw Willie Halleck. He is well. Have not seen any of the other Plainfield boys. Direct to Newbern, N. C., 46th Regt. Mass. Vols., Care of Capt. [Russell H.] Conwell.
— Newcomb Dyer
Letter 2
Newbern [North Carolina] November 21, 1862
Dear Parents,
Being on guard, I have a few moments to write. All from Plainfield are well. I have not had a cold yet. It rained and thundered as hard as ever I saw it last night. It flooded a great many tents so that they had to stand up. It is as warm as September in Plainfield. I sleep with coat and boots off. Shall undress when we get into barracks, We lay on the ground now. Can’t get any straw here. We are on the south bank of the Neuse [river] 15 rods [~80 yards] from the water. The bank slopes down to the water’s edge is 20 feet high. The river is 1 3/5 miles wide here. The Trent [river] is south of us and runs into this half mile below here. Gunboats are on both rivers. The pickets were fired into two days before we got here & the troops were ordered out & before morning the rivers had 16 gunboats on them. There is two large forts between the rivers. The boats & forts can keep off 50,000 men.
We have 17 regiments here now, not all full. Five more are coming as quick as can be transported. We are to be brigaded under Lee & Foster. Shall go into barracks soon two miles south from here. We are having enough to eat now. It came rather irregular after we left Camp Banks. We have got our guns. They weigh 11 lbs, two feet, 10 inches long and thick barrel brass trimmings. They are as good as any gun I have seen. They are a regular rifle. All of our other accoutrements were taken from the Rebels. Our belts are fastened together with a crooked brass rattlesnake. Lots of the tents & a great many Austrian guns used here are captured property. We go half mile for wood & find cedar pitch pine, black gum and several other kinds.
We commenced to drill yesterday. Alson, Willie, and Chauncey have been here to see us. They are well and look tough as ever. I cannot find where Wesley is. Their regiment is scattered on picket duty. We are to be brigaded with them (expect to).
Oysters and sweet potatoes are very plenty. Butter 40 cents and other things are rather high. I like it as well as I did in Springfield. It don’t seem as if I was more than 30 miles from home. The land is poor except on the river bank. Red clover was in the blow yesterday. Butterflies, grasshoppers, and crows are thick as in Massachusetts. The government is building barracks. They saw 25,000 feet of boards in two steam mills, The soldiers do the sawing. The barracks for a regiment are 600 feet long & 24 wide with 10 kitchens & fireplaces. They are all Massachusetts soldiers except the 10th Connecticut and 9th New Jersey. There is tons of iron of every description where we are encamped. There was several tar and turpentine works. They were burnt. The sand is filled with pitch so that it is as hard as a stone for acres where the buildings stood. You can find pieces as big as your head. They make a good fire. The bottom of the river tars your feet. It is not hardened under water.
I have just heard that Wesley was in the hospital & not very sick. One of the assistants told me of it. I shall go and see if it is so. We have not received any reliable war news yet but hear that there was fighting at the Potomac. We shall have the weekly Springfield [paper]. Our regiment takes it. Expect it in the next mail. I sent Hanson and Emily a letter this week. Have not had any mail from Massachusetts since we arrived. Our mail goes two or three times a week from here. Suppose you are all well and that you have had some snow. You must write all about the stock, sheep, steers, and everything. You had better fat one pig than buy meal. Be sure to water the sheep & not let them waste hay. Make a good rack, Feed them a few turnips. Tell Mr. Gloyd’s folks that Charley is fat and not homesick. He likes it first rate & so does Sam Jones. Tell Newell to write & Mahlon & all of the boys. I will write soon again & you must send all of the news. Yours respectfully, – Newcomb Dyer
November 22. The boys are sending for some things. Send me a good big cheese sage. Twenty of our men commenced to build barracks yesterday, [George W.] Cottrell boards with us. Tell Frank, Emily & Uncle Jared that they may send him butter, sugar, cheese, or anything that they can have his sincere thanks. We are all well. — N. Dyer
Letter 3
January 1, 1863
As the mail does not go yet, I send a few lines more. Has the box of old clothes come yet? I had an overcoat & a pair of new pants made by Tilly Hanes. Write whether they have come or not. We expect to be paid for four months this week. Suppose that part of it will come to Plainfield. If it comes, let me know it. It will come in my name. Pa can keep it.
We have not received our box yet but a boat got stuck in the river yesterday with Express boxes on and we expect that it has got that 650 pound box on somewhere. Our regiment had four tons if stuff come last week. We had papers come as late as the 24th. Heard of the defeat of Burnside & that Plainfield had to raise five more. Are they agoing to enlist & who is going?
We do not have to work today or drill. All of the soldiers have an holiday. It is clear and cool. It has not frozen for more than a week & not but a few nights this year. Our tent has sent over 40 letters this mail. I have sent one to Hanson and Mahlon & Augusta.
The Co. A boys have caught a young wildcat & have got him in a wooden cage. They caught him in a box trap. He weighs about 20 pounds. He will travel around his cage and growl. He looks savage enough. There are some deer & have see them lately but we can’t get them. Turkey buzzards are as thick as crows are up our way.
Have our folks carried Augusta’s lamb over yet> If not, they must. It will grow faster over there. Fordyce is better today & will drill soon. His cold is most gone. Write soon. — N. Dyer
Letter 4
Newbern, North Carolina January 15th, 1863
Dear Parents,
This morning I received a letter from you & Mary Dyer. Was glad to hear that you were well & that all things were going on so well. It is very pleasant & warm here. The ground has not frozen for two weeks. We have had but little rain yet but expect that it will come It is as warm as I want it should be now. We sleep without blankets warm nights. We are content and think that we are more healthy & comfortable than we should be in Barracks. We have raised our tent 3 feet and it makes twice the room. We split boards five feet long from Cypress trees and some of them are near two feet wide. We have built an arch & can heat water and cook some small things for our tent. Whitney & I chopped wood two weeks. We liked it better than drill. We are not going on the Expedition that is to start soon. Think that 20,000 infantry will go & all of the artillery that they can get. We have 60 regiments in North Carolina & they are coming in every day. I do not know their destination. It may be Weldon.
I had heard that Newell was a going to be married but it was unexpected when it came. Did the Boys give him a good serenade? Is he doing [George] Cottrell’s chores or not? And what do you think—will he do his work this summer? All of your letters have come to me. Some of them were carried to Newport Barracks where the Springfield Boys are stationed & once the mail boat was stuck in the river. Campbell is all right. He won’t take a letter. Uncle Albert’s letter dated December 7th got to me January 11th. It was miscarried to the 45th Regiment.
My stockings are good except heels. I have darned. My shirts are good. Boots have not worn off the first sole. We have got our pay today up to the first of January. Alden is in the hospital sick with the typhoid fever. He commenced to be sick about the 10th. He is very dizzy & crazy some but think that he is not dangerous. Fordyce has had a bad cold but has got over it & is writing for a Surgeon in the city. Mr. Rood is so as to come in to our tent and walk about. He is better off here for a while than he would be at home. All of the rest are in good health. You need not tell Uncle Samuel’s folks about Abe. Edwards will write to them all about him that they wish them to know.
Charlie had a letter from Dwight today. He is well & is going to Galveston. My pay was a few cents over 50 dollars. I shall send home to you 40 dollars. We all shall send it to Freeman Hamlin & he will pay to all of those that we order. It will be some slight expense to you but you can pay the money to who you please. We shall have enough before all of the sugar is sold & we can pay that that church owes if anyone wants it back.
Letter 5
Newbern, North Carolina January 28, 1863
Dear Father & Mother,
I received a letter from you yesterday with eight others from different places. We had over 40 come to our tent. All are in good health except Mr. Rood & he is no worse.
You before now have heard of [cousin] Alden [H. Dyer]’s death. We did not think him dangerous at the first but he gradually gre worse from the first. He was taken sick the 6th and thought that he would get over it in a day or two & stayed in the tent. We did all we could for him. The Cummington doctor [Thomas Gilfillan?] called & see him while in the tent. The 10th he was carried to our regimental hospital. He was within ten rods of us & we had the privilege of calling on him as often as we thought it was for his benefit. The 14th he was carried to the General Hospital in the City (the Masonic Lodge), 40 feet square and 20 high & well ventilated, and in the second story we called on him as often as we could and did all we could in our power for him. But it was of no avail. He had as good care as could be given to anyone. The best physician in the city called on him twice a day and he had good nurses and many things that he could not have had at home. It was with the greatest efforts that we could send home his body. There was a time that we thought we should have to bury him. You can think of our feeling & sympathy for Uncle Samuel’s family & Nellie. It will come hard for them. We do not realize it as we would in a different place & under circumstances that did not bring it continually with the dead and dying. It would be but a mockery to tell them of his kindness to all & the many friends that he has that daily miss his ever welcome company & cheerful way. He was the fattest and most healthy that ever I saw him. If he had lived, he would have been Orderly Sergeant. We are to choose today an Orderly & a 1st Lieutenant.
We moved our camp the 24th one mile south back and between the fork and on the edge of the city. All of the soldiers are inside of the fortifications & thousands are digging rifle pits & cutting trees to block the Rebs if they come to retake Newbern. We are skirmishing with them every day eight miles northwest from here. They are trying to make us keep a large force here or are coming in force. We hear that Longstreet & 40,000 are at Kinston & this side. But the funerals will be all on one side if they try to come here. We can keep back 50,000.
It is very warm & pleasant. We have had but a little rain. It is as warm as May at Massachusetts. The knot grass is six inches high & in blossom. The sweet potatoes in gardens & Irish [potatoes] are planted. It has not frozen nor have we had frost for more than two weeks. We have had orders (our company) to go to Newport Barracks on picket tomorrow. It is on the railroad 28 miles from Newbern & on the road to Beaufort. The position is not considered dangerous & we can have it as long as we choose. We shall not drill much but shall have to lay out every other 24 hours without fire, wet or dry.
Our box arrived the day that Alden died. All of the things come good except a few cookies. The cheese is as good one as ever I saw. I am making sauce of the apple. The stuff will last me more than a month. Butter is worth 45 cents, cheese 25. I can sell mine for two shillings but shall eat it. I could sell maple sugar for more than 25 cents. I had a letter from Mary Ann. She is well. Marantha has not sent a letter this month. Fordyce has been chosen 2nd Lieutenant today. All are well. It is raining gently. We go tomorrow. We can carry everything that we have, box and all. You had better hire someone in sugaring. Hanson will be good. Don’t let it. They will burn up everything. Write how many turkeys you wintered. If not any, buy in March. Send by Sears and get big ones. — N. Dyer
Letter 6
Addressed to Mr. Bela Dyer, Plainfield, Mass.
Newport Barracks 1 North Carolina February 2nd 1863
Dear Father & Mother,
Having time, I write you a few lines to let you know my present occupation & give you some description of our quarters. We were ordered to move our camp from the Neuse to the back of the city January 24th & had just got things all straight when our company was ordered to go to this place & do picket duty. We have had to be on duty every other day but shall try to arrange it so as not to be on only every third day. There are three in a place; two are to keep awake nights and one in the day & alsys have two on the post. I am on with Eds. & Whitney. We are near a mile from our quarters in what is called the Woods Division. The posts are more comfortable than we thought we should get. We have a small cabin 7 feet square with a bunk for one to sleep & an arch for fire fixed so that the fire cannot be seen in the night. Our meals are brought to us. We carry [ ] & blankets from camp. We can sit on a good seat where it is warm & dry & do our duty. We like it far better than we did at Newbern.
Our ranch that we live in is built of logs 30 feet long, 20 wide with five windows and good floor & brick fireplace. All of our boys & [George W. Cottrell & Henry Dickson of Middlefield are with us. The 7th North Carolina Regt. built the quarters & occupied them before the capture of Newbern. We have a yoke of oxen that we took to draw wood. Water is near & good. We are three miles from the ocean in Carteret county as you can see on the Atlas. The captain and twenty others went to the shore & crossed 3 [?] and a half miles to an island 25 long and 3 wide trying to capture two spies that the Rebs keep to watch the movements of our shipping. They burnt the cabins that someone had occupied but did not see anyone. Justice Theodore & Allen Smith went. The rest of us were on guard.
The weather is very pleasant. The frogs are peeping & we are having a good time. There is lots of game here—bears, wildcats, otters, minks, & a great many kinds of birds. We cannot shoot them. It is against the rules to shoot within a mile of the pickets. We have several families that live close to us. They are in camp almost every day. We can get meal for 30 cents per peck, eggs for 25 cents a dozen. We are making hoecakes today. My address will be the same as ever but we shall not have the time to answer our letters before the return of mail that we did before. I am starting several & will finish when the mail comes in.
February 3rd. The mail has not come yet but one is to go out in a few minutes. I have got the first cold that I have had but shall get over it soon. Charley & Steven are some sick but will get better soon. I have sent a few lines to Mahlon to let them know how he was. You may tell them that he is not very sick and is out when it is pleasant. He has eaten too much. Mr. [Josiah] Rood is better but at Newbern. Write all the news & about Uncle Samuel’s folks.
It snowed two inches at Newbern last night. None here. Send me a box of Branch’s [ ] Pills in a paper or something. Give my respects to all. — Newcomb Dyer
1 The 7th Regiment North Carolina Infantry built the barracks south of Newport for quarters in the winter of 1861 and 1862. Shortly thereafter, the cluster of log huts was captured by Union troops, who added a hospital, headquarters, stables, storehouse and earthworks. Newport Barracks effectively became a Federal supply depot, since it was located near both the Atlantic Ocean and railroad tracks.
Letter 7
Newport Barracks North Carolina February 17th 1863
Dear Father & Mother,
I received your letter dated the 7th the 16th, and one from Nathan & Eliza & from Williamsburgh. The one from Marantha came to Newbern in four days. They do not come here as quick as to Newbern. Was glad to hear that all are well. As for money, I have near 7 dollars & don’t think I shall spend it before we are paid off. We may be paid the first of March or expect to be. We do not know how long we shall stay here but think that it will be as late as the first of April & hope it will be the remainder of the time. A company of cavalry are with us now & we expect another. Our company goes on short expeditions frequently. They have been on three. Brought us some horses and other things. We go on now about three times a week. It is far easier than our drill at Newbern.
I think the heifers will be worth more to come in as soon as you can have them. You had better not raise those little calves that we have this spring. I had rather winter the lambs. The hogs can eat the milk and save the corn for the steers. They ought to have some meal. Have you killed a pig or not? If you did not winter any turkeys, have Sears buy two good hens & a big gobbler when down to Hatfield. Have good ones or none. I think tat what sugar you have to sell you can get the most in molasses. Make clear & sell it at the door. It ought to fetch a dollar as sugar is now & other things. You can fix the buckets before you want them to be ready. Don’t feed the sheep more than they will eat & be careful & not let the lambs die.
My cheese & dried apple are not gone. The dried apple comes handy. You had better see if Sears cannot find a market for the molasses, what you have to sell more than to pay for making. May be that Levi Beals will take it. I should try and sell it if I could or it won’t come to much.
I had a bad cold the first of this month but am around & on guard all the time. It is hot and a cold don’t hang on long. Charley is in the hospital at Newbern. When the cars come in today, I will write how he is. Fordyce is better than he has been for several weeks & Mr. Rood is better. All the others are in good average condition. I have just heard from Charley and he is better and doing first rate.
February 18th. It is rainy. All are well. The mail goes this afternoon to Newbern. If you have got to buy flour, you had better buy some seed to [ ] & you can get better now than in the spring. You can go to Charlemont in a day or where you can get good. It wil pay & you had better sow all east of the house. I shall send a letter to Newell soon & you must write often. Yours, &c. — N. Dyer
Letter 8
Newport Barracks, North Carolina February 26th 1863
Dear Father & Mother,
As the mail goes out this afternoon, I thought you might like to hear from me although I have no news of any consequence. Yesterday I received two letters from you & the pills & today four—one from Mr. Nelson Campbell, one from Emily & Alfred each, and one from Mr. Tirrel’s folks. We have heard of the death of Thad Rood’s child & the latest dates are February 20th. Our mail boat was damaged & was delayed & some of the letters were 20 days in coming (the boiler was damaged).
For the last three days I have been building small log houses with others for picket posts. It is worth ten dollars to build one but they will stand for years and are more comfortable for us and I had rather work than stand guard. We have two cavalry companies with us & we go on picket now less than three times a week when men are not on detached duty.
It is very pleasant & spring like & showers are frequent. We do not have much cold weather. Charles is better but at the hospital. Theodore had a letter from Alson (now at Plymouth, N. C.) that Chauncy was sick with fever. We have heard that we were to go home in May and go to Camp Banks & try to get up a cavalry regiment of this & new volunteers. We would like it but don’t expect it. All of the Boys are in good health except Mr. Rood & Charles.
You need not buy turkeys if you think we had better not, but let that sheep one in a while have a chance to exercise or he will grow poor. I shall write soon to Nelson but have not time before the mail goes out as it gives us only two hours to read and write our letters. If the snow gets deep, remember the sugar house & write all the news in your next. Give my love to all & write soon. — Newcomb Dyer
Letter 9
Newbern, North Carolina March 25th 1863
Dear Father and Mother,
I received your letter today and was glad to hear that you were better but did not know that you had been so sick as one of the boys had received any thing of it in their letters. From all sources, we hear of bad colds but here we have had but few. The climate is just what I like but it will be hot soon.
Charles Gloyd has come to the tent today and soon will do duty. Went to the hospital February 12th. Has been there 7 weeks. Mr. Rood is with the company & healthier than he has been since in North Carolina. We have not started for Plymouth yet but two companies have gone & the boats are waiting for us in the river. But the Rebs drove in our pickets at Deep Gully last night and report says that they are coming down the other side of the Neuse to shell the city & maybe we shall be kept here a few days before we go. If they come this time, they will bring big siege guns but we shall be better prepared than before as we have jad reinforcements in cavalry and artillery. I have not yet heard an account of the battle but shall have to wait for the papers from the North.
What do the folks think of the draft & will they resist it? We have heard that Charleston had been taken but don’t believe it. Mr. Woodward wants to know how much I will take for the Buck. If you don’t want to keep him, you may sell him. Wool will be worth near a dollar and he is big. I told Mr. Woodward that he might have him for what he was worth & you might keep the Cossett [pet lamb]. Kill all the little calves & I will buy one or two good ones. The pigs can eat the milk. Edwards is a good health. Weighs 203. I 207. Strawberries are in blossom and grass is getting up high where it can grow. Saw some of the best land in our last tramp that ever I saw. There will be plenty of it when the war is over.
I have had a letter from Nathan & Jerry. Nathan thinks that he shall work for Tirrell this summer. Heard from Uncle N. & Aunt Lucy the last mail. They were well.
26th. The mail goes today. We are all well & the weather 8s cool. If you want to make good molasses you must strain and skim the sap and syrup down every day. Write in your next all about sugaring & how many calves, their color, and the lambs & don’t let them die. How does the hay hold out? You had better sow the wheat early and get some good seed if possible. Wm. Dyer has clean.
We expect to go to Plymouth tomorrow & shall have a good ride. Who takes Gerry’s camp this year? As I have no more to write, I close with the expectation of hearing from you soon. — N. Dyer
P. S. Address is Newbern. Go to Plymouth this afternoon.
Letter 10
Newbern, North Carolina March 26th 1863
Dear Uncle & Aunt,
Today finds me writing although I have nothing of interest to communicate, having nothing but our daily routine of duties which we have become accustomed to that we feel entirely destitute of exercise or excitement that is agreeable. At times like these we do not depend on the comforts and position we retain but draw a great share of our happiness from the remembrance of the days spent in Massachusetts. Here we are thrown wholly from some portions of society, our habits changed & climate different from our own & scenery new to us. As I look away, I miss the old hills of New England. I feel as though I was in a hollow or half sunk. You can see only as you walk all scenery comes by driblets. We have none of those grand and noble views that make one stand and want for words to express his admiration. But no place has all things perfect or that which we desire. The climate here in the winter is very mild compared to our Northern winter & it seems a pity that so much of the best of land should be left to waste while worthy citizens are living on the dregs of the mountains.
But things are so ordained & suffering that never was known in the North has followed the poor whites here for years. They seem to have lost all ambition to acquire a more comfortable position & live on that which fall to them from someone that wishes to use them for his benefit. They themselves feel lower than the slave & every move & action indicates a crushed & wicked ambition. The slaves are smarter & more witty for the reason they have the society of their masters in a measure of which the Whites are deprived. Our soldiers will be nearer alike than when they went into camp for they partake of each others habits, but I hope to be in a condition not to make my friends ashamed of me.
The news here we get from the North. Have not had an account of our late skirmish in this place but suppose you have had it all. We were out five days, marched 60 miles & drove the Rebs 20 up the Trent River. Saw the best land that I have seen yet. One can make more money in five years than in a lifetime in Plainfield. The climate is good, far better in winter. One can work all winter on a farm. I could live here contented by having a few of my acquaintances with me.
So far I like a soldier’s life far better than I expected to. Have had but one cold & that through carelessness. Strawberries are in blossom & peaches & cherries were a month ago. The weather is getting rather warm but dress accordingly. Expect to go to Plymouth this afternoon as two of our companies went several days ago. The town is on the Roanoke River 160 miles from here. Think that we are to build forts and maybe fight some. We like to move. It kills time faster. C[harles] Gloyd is well and Mr. Rood better than any time since in the South. All others are well now. Write all the little news & accept of my thanks for your other long & interesting letter and I will close with the expectation of hearing from you soon. Yours respectfully, – N. Dyer
The following letter was written by Charles Milton Woodbury (1843-1865) of South Danvers who enlisted at age 18 in May 1861 to served as a private in Co. B, 17th Massachusetts Infantry. He made corporal in February 1864 but died of disease on 8 June 1865 at Fort Schuyler, New York, at war’s end.
Charles was the son of Benjamin Franklin Woodbury and Emily Jane Flower. He mentions his older brother in the letter, Benjamin Franklin (“Frank”) Woodbury (1832-1899).
The 17th Massachusetts spent the winter of 1861-62 near Baltimore, with the exception of an expedition into Virginia, and in the spring of 1862 was ordered to New Berne, N. C. It took part in an expedition to Goldsboro and met the Confederates at Kinston, Whitehall and Goldsboro. From Dec. 22, 1862, to July 25, 1863, the headquarters were at New Berne, with several minor expeditions. On July 25 it embarked in support of a cavalry raid on Weldon, but returned to duty again at or near New Berne. In Feb., 1864, a detail of the regiment had a sharp brush with the enemy at Batchelder’s creek, and in April another detachment was sent to the relief of Little Washington. The battalion spent the winter of 1864-65 near Beaufort, moved to Goldsboro in March, encountering the enemy along the route, and closed its term of service in July, 1865.
Transcription
Newbern, North Carolina May 5th 1863
Dear Mother,
I received your letter last night and was much pleased to hear from home. You said that you have written three times to me and that I have not answered them. I have answered every letter that I have got. You say that Frank wants me to write to him. I have written three or four letters to him and have never got an answer from him. I don’t think that I shall write till I get an answer from the ones that I have wrote. I am willing to write as often as I get letters. I like to write as well as anyone but I don’t like to write when I don’t get any letters.
You wanted to know how we got along on the expedition. We got along pretty well. We don’t stay to home more than three or four days at a time before we have to go on another. We got back from one day before yesterday. We don’t know when we shall have to start again.
Tell Frank to answer to answer them letters that I sent him and I will answer him right away as soon as I get his. I have written three letters to you within a fortnight and have sent you $20 by Fisk. You go and get it if you have not got it. From your son, — C. M. Woodbury, Newbern, N. C.
Dear Sister, I got your letter in mother’s and was much pleased to hear from you. Tell Frank in your next letter that I had forgotten that I [had] such a brother. I am glad that he thought enough of me to let me know I had such a brother. Tell Comey [?] that I don’t hear anything from him now. Josiah is down to Morehead City. I seen him the other day and he looked [as] well as I ever seen him look in his life. All of the other boys are looking well. Some of them are sick. There is about 24 sick in our company. I never was so well in my life as I am now. I have had the shakes twice since I have been in Newbern, N. C.
I could not find an image of Samuel but here is a cdv of Oliver W. Rogers who also served as a sergeant in Co. I, 5th Massachusetts Infantry (9-months). Library of Congress.
This letter was written by 25 year-old Samuel Lee Holt (1837-1905), the son of Samuel Holt (b. 1803) and Elvira Estes (b. 1809) of Bethel, Oxford county, Maine. Samuel was working as an engineer in Marlborough, Middlesex county, Massachusetts, in 1862 when he enlisted on 20 August 1862 and mustered into Co. I, 5th Massachusetts Infantry for 9 month’s service on 16 September 1862. He mustered out of the regiment on 2 July 1863. A year later he entered the service again, this time in the US Navy, serving as Acting 3rd Assistant Engineer aboard the USS Honduras in the East Gulf Squadron.
Samuel wrote this letter not long after his arrival in New Bern, North Carolina, where the 5th Massachusetts participated in Foster’s Expedition to Williamston, and later to Goldsboro. They were then on duty at New Berne till June, 1863, when they embarked for Boston and mustered out 2 July 1863.
Patriotic stationery of Samuel’s Letter
Transcription
Headquarters 5th Regt. Mass V. M. Newbern, North Carolina November 26, 1862
Dear Parents,
Once more I take my pen to write you, hoping that it may not be the last, but you know how I am situated. We cannot be sure of life for a moment. I have been in some dangerous places since we came into the rebel country although nothing to what I expect to see before winter is out for we are expecting an attack on this place every day. But it will take an awful battle to take it for there is about twenty thousand troops here now and more coming every time there is a steamer comes in, and an immense sight of cavalry and artillery. And the gunboats can hold the place against any force they can bring against it. But if they get drove in Virginia, they will make a dash somewhere and I think by what I have seen and can learn from the prisoners we have taken that they don’t care much where they strike or what becomes of them. They seem to be completely demoralized and discouraged and want the war closed some way no matter how.
Asa is in the hospital sick. I do not think he will ever be any better while he stays here. He has got a slow fever now and a bad cough. I think his constitution is not very strong and it needs a constitution that is fire and water proof to endure what soldiers have to endure. I am in hopes that the war will be closed up this winter for it is killing the best of our northern men by the thousands. There is many a noble spirits that never will see their northern homes again. They are dying here every day.
We have not lost but one man since we left Boston. That was one from our company and was my favorite. His name was [Claude] Grenache. 1 He has worked with me two years in the shop and he said when our company was called that if I was going, he should not stay there. And so he enlisted and we were together in camp and when we left Boston in the steamer Mississippi the first night out, he climbed to the rigging and fell to the deck and broke one leg back, and scull and some of the fibers of his neck. He lived about twelve hours in great agony although he never spoke nor took any notice of what we said to him. He leaves a wife and one child to mourn and lament his loss. They live nearest neighbor to me at home.
I have been out on a brigade drill since I commenced this letter. My duty in camp is very light. I have to go out on brigade drills one afternoon in two days, two hours an afternoon, so I have plenty of time to read and write. But you know I never was much of a hand to write, but I don’t have anything else to busy myself about—only to look round among the rest of the men of the regiment who I find to be made up of good citizens of the Old Bay State—men of good morals and good principles and will do their duty in every respects. And if they are ever called into action, I trust you will hear a good report from them—not that I am bragging because I belong to this regiment, for I did not come here to gain fame or honor or to make money, for I could earn as much at home and save a good deal more. I come because I thought it my duty to come, for I had a good deal of sympathy for those brave men who have come before me. The men who have done the fighting and have stood the brunt of the battle—those are the men who deserve the sympathy of the North. The hospitals are full of them. They are broke down for life, their health are ruined for life, a priceless gem—that which money cannot buy. I know how to appreciate health. Mine is good and I find but few men that can endure more hardship than myself. But I am afraid I shall loose it before my time is out if I should be so fortunate as to dodge all the bullets.
And if I ever get home again, you shall have a long visit from me. I presume things have changed so much that it would not seem like home. Only think, it is seven years since I left the land of my birth. I am surprised when I think of it although as I look back upon this long years, it seems like a pleasant dream. And as I look back upon the scenes of my child[hood], they are as fresh in my memory as though it was but yesterday that I left them. But if I am spared for severn years more, I hope to mend my mistakes that I have made in the past.
I presume you have got your new home all complete by this time and I presume you need it for it is time now that you have plenty snow whistling round your ears. But we have not had but two frosty nights yet. One of them was about a week ago and the other last night.
Please write when you get this for it does me a great deal of good to hear from home and I believe I have written two or three times since I received an answer. Give my love and best wishes to all inquiring friends, if any such there be. Please excuse all mistakes and accept this from your son. — S. L. Holt
Direct to Sergt. S. L. Holt, Co. I, 5th Regiment Mass Vol. Militia, Newbern N. C.
1 Grenache, Claude (1827-1862) — Priv. — Res. Marlboro ; blacksmith ; 32 ; enl. Aug. 20, 1862 ; must. Sept. 16, 1862; died Oct. 23, 1862, on board U. S. transport “Mississippi,” by falling from yard arm.Claude’s wife was Elizabeth d’Aubreville (b. 1840); married in 1856.
I could not find an image of George but here is Allen Nourse of Co. C, 17th Massachusetts Infantry (Mac Cook Collection)
This letter was written by George Oliver Jewett (1837-1929), the son of saddler Oliver Jewett (1805-1873) and Elizabeth Underwood Hubbard (1809-1894) of Chelsea, Suffolk county, Massachusetts. George first entered the service as a corporal in the 1st Massachusetts. He later enlisted in March 1862 as a corporal in Co. H, but was eventually promoted to sergeant in Co. D. of the 17th Massachusetts Infantry. He mustered out in February 1864 and was transferred into Co. H, 13th Veteran Reserve Corps where he served until May 1865.
George’s letter describes his first arrival in New Bern, North Carolina, where he was assumed the duties of a sergeant in Co. D.
Jackson’s House Trent Road 6 miles from Newbern, N. C. May 11, 1862
Dear Father,
I have been three days in camp, having arrived last Thursday afternoon. The Captain, Lieut. Cheever and Lt. Fellows were very glad to see me as well as all the rest of the Chelsea fellows. We arrived at Newbern Wednesday evening at about 7 o’clock and anchored in the stream where we remained all night. The next morning we landed and had to remain in the city about four hours while Lieut. Poor ascertained where our reg’t was stationed. I could not see much of the city as there is a patrol all the time which allows nobody in the streets without a pass, but as far as I saw, it is an extremely pretty place. The streets are rather narrow but they are all shaded by trees on both sides of the way, and forming an arch over the middle of the street which has a fine effect.
Our regiment was found to be about six miles from town, doing picket duty, having been drawn in about 6 miles the day before. They were 14 miles from town a few days ago, but were relieved by the 103 New York Regiment (all dutchmen). My position as sergeant was all ready for me when I arrived and Lieut. Cheever told me to just do my best, and he should not be surprised at all if I obtained a commission—especially as there would probably be a change soon in the regiment which would affect our company.
After it was ascertained where we were to go, we left our knapsacks and other packages at the brigade headquarters in Newbern and marched to camp, passing through numerous encampments, munching our hard bread all the way. On our route we passed a few houses (there are not many in this region), one of which was empty. It belonged to “secesh” so we went in and examined “a few.” There was nothing in the house but a piano all smashed to pieces by some person or persons unknown. We went into the garden and picked a few strawberries and a few roses, after which we trotted on. About 2 miles further on we stopped [at] a house where there was on old lady and her daughter who were civil but didn’t say much to us as they were “secesh,” the daughter’s husband being in the rebel army. Most all the people about here are “secesh.”
A little way further up we met two darkies who were going to run away from us but we told them to “halt” and they did, and when we came up, they were very much frightened. We told them not to be scared as we were Union soldiers upon which they were joyful and said “dey bressed de Lord, dey tho’t we was secesh.” We gave them some biscuit and they went on their way rejoicing and so did we. We got into camp about 4 o’clock pretty tired more on account of the hot sun than the distance.
My company was on picket a few days before I came and had one man captured but today he came back. Why he was sent back, nobody can conjecture unless on the reason of his extensive stomach and of his being constitutionally tired.
Yesterday, Co. H Capt. L. Lloyd went out on a scouting expedition across the Trent River and while crossing, three men were drowned. Their bodies were recovered and brought in last night. There has been considerable anxiety about Co H as they did not return last night so they sent Cos. F and K to find them, but as I am writing, some of Co K’s men have come in and say Co. H is safe and coming along with two prisoners and some muskets.
One of the recruits who came on with me had his one of fingers shot off this morning accidentally. He belonged to Co. F.
The country about here is covered with forest, every tree which contains some kind of pitch, rosin, or other sticky substances. Our camp looks very pretty. The different companies have laid out trees in their company streets so it looks nice and clean. I would like to have you send word to me if Billy Jones has been paid or not ($100). I shall not get paid off for 2 months to come so I shall become quite used to being penniless, but I suppose there’s a good time coming. But I should like a little money to get my flannels washed once in a while, but I suppose I must grin and bear it. I am very well indeed and am always anxious for meal time as I have quite an appetite which I never had at all while I was in the First [Massachusetts].
We go on picket next Wednesday as it comes our turn. I shall now close this epistle and send my love to all the folks and want them to write all – and tell me all the news, and send us papers now and then for Heaven’s sake. My directions is Sergt. George O. Jewett Co. D, 17th Mass Reg’t Vols., Burnside Division, Newbern, N. C.
The following letter was written by Albert Sheldon Wood (1844-1923), the son of Silas R. Wood (1811-1857) and Lucy Barber (1816-1904) of Wyoming, Washington county, Rhode Island. Seventeen year-old Albert was working at the Hope Valley Mill when he enlisted in Battery F, 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery. He served three years and then returned to Hope Valley to work in the machinist’s trade.
In his letter, Albert asks his mother to give his regards to his sister Sarah Wood (1838-1918) who married Benjamin Franklin (“Frank”) Crandall (1833-1896), and also to his sister Angelina (“Lena”) Wood (1847-1940).
Transcription
Addressed to Mrs. Silas R. Wood, Wyoming Post Office, Rhode Island
At Newbern, North Carolina 1st Regiment, Co. F, USA Artillery January 4th 1863
Dear Mother,
I received my gloves tonight and was very glad to get them and to hear from you. I like them very much. I am well. I wrote you a letter since I returned from our march and wrote all the particulars and if you don’t get it I will write another and write all about the battery. You say you are sorry you couldn’t send any things but never mind. I guess I can get along without them at present. You wrote that you heard that I sent Abby Bates my daguerreotype. Well, I did, and as soon as can get a pass, I will go down town and have one taken for you and send it. You say you wish this war was ended and so do I and I don’t much care how it ends for there is so many traitors in our army that it never will be settled by fighting. I want to see you and the rest of my folks but I don’t know as I ever shall for it seems like a long look. I think of home and of you all the time and wonder if I shall ever see you again. When I look around and see how the officers of this army is going on to make money, I wish that they had to come down to $13 a month and see if they would prolong the war as they do now. But let them go on and see where they will fetch up.
Tell Lina I received three papers last night and found a good lot of news that was interesting to me. You need not write again until you get another letter from me for I expect within forty-eight hours to leave here. We expect to go by water and see some very hard fighting before we return. I hope I shall get back as safe as I did before. I don’t know as we shall come back to New Bern again but as soon as we do stop at any place, I will write and let you know. Give my love to Sarah and Frank and Oscar and Lina and to all inquiring friends. As I can think of no more at present, I will close.
Spared & Shared 23 