The following letter was written by Israel S. Geer (1822-1881) while serving as captain of Co. C, 3rd Regiment Michigan Infantry. Israel began his service in the 3rd Michigan on 13 May 1861 as a sergeant in Co. D, but was promoted to sergeant major and then captain of Co. C on 26 December 1861. He was residing in Hastings, Barry County, Michigan just prior to the war. Co. C was a challenging command. It was made up largely of German and Dutch immigrants, many of whom lived on the west side of the Grand River in Grand Rapids. This company was the descendant of the old Grand Rapids Rifles, also known as the “German Rifles,” a prewar local militia company composed solely of German immigrants.
On May 6, 1864 he was wounded (shot fracture of right leg with subsequent primary amputation of thigh in lower third) and taken prisoner at the Battle of the Wilderness, Orange County, Virginia; his surgeon being a Confederate doctor. He was paroled at Richmond, Virginia on September 12, 1864 and was mustered out on September 21, 1864 at the expriation of his term. He had fought in the battles of Bull Run, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Richmond, Charles City Crossroads, Malvern Hill, Manassas, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Wilderness, Virginia and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
Transcription
Camp Lincoln Near Richmond, Virginia June 19, 1862
Dear Cousin Lucy,
I am seated on the ground, portfolio in lap, pen in hand to write my first letter to you. I am seated thus because I have nothing else to sit upon. We have been divested of everything calculated to make life—even the life of a soldier—anything like comfortable. In the first place, at Alexandria our baggage was reduced to a knapsack or carpet bag and that not to weigh over twelve pounds and consequently could carry but few clothes. I carried both knapsack and carpet sack to Fortress Monroe when I was obliged to send the latter home. we have only the clothes we wear except a change of under clothes and some have not even those. I have seen officers go without a shirt while their only one was being washed.
After we arrived here our baggage was sent back across the Chickahominy, tents and all, so since them we have been encumbered with nothing. I have not had my boots off in four weeks and you may depend that we are a very seedy looking set indeed. I will be glad when this war is over. If it was not for the looks of the thing and the disposition I have to carry through what I undertake, I would resign and go home.
It is one constant scene of excitement. Not one moment’s quiet rest from one week’s end to another. Nothing to be heard night or day but the roar of cannon or the crack of rifles. Nothing to be seen but warlike implements, the glittering of bayonets, and dead and wounded men. It was quiet when we were in front of the Rebel army on the Potomac to what it has been since we came to the Peninsula.
I have just been out to my company to give an order for the men to put on their accoutrements and lay with them on all night and be ready for an immediate attack. It is now eleven o’clock p.m. A general engagement which will decide the fate of Richmond may be expected to commence at any moment.
I should speak of the battles of Williamsburg and Fair Oaks but you have most likely read much more of them than I have time to write. Suffice it to say that the Michigan 3rd done their duty nobly as you may see by the New York Tribune of the 12th inst. Also the Herald of the same date. They give our Brigade of Michigan men the credit of saving the day as we most assuredly did at Fair Oaks. Our killed and wounded is very severe. We lost some of our best officers.
I think by the movements tonight that before this reaches you, the destiny of Richmond will have been sealed and with that, perhaps my own. But if I am spared, I anticipate a pleasant visit once more to Petworth Farm and no doubt a ride with Miss Lucy. Please give my love to your parents. Also to your sister and be sure to remember yourself. Now, Lute, write soon. Tell Eliza to write. It is the only comfort I have—reading letters from my friends. Don’t wait for me. I would gladly write you one every day if I could. All were well at home when last heard from. My health is quite good at present. Good night.
The following letters were written by John (“Jack”) Allen Bennett (1840-19xx), a native of North Rochester, Massachusetts, who enlisted when he was 20 years old in Co. B, 13th Massachusetts on 17 April 1861. He mustered out as a private on 23 March 1863, discharged on a medical disability. Before he was discharged, Jack was detailed to the ship Euterpe to assist in the transport of wounded soldiers from Virginia to Rhode Island hospitals. By the time of the 1863 draft registration, Jack was back home in Rochester, Plymouth county, Massachusetts, employed as a clerk. The registry indicates that he was discharged from the service and was married but I have not found any additional information on him.
Jack’s letters are sprinkled with terms commonly used by a sailer and he even mentions having spent some time at sea as a whaler prior to his enlistment. The 1860 US Census enumerates him in Rochester, Plymouth, Massachusetts, and he was identified as a 20 year-old “mariner.” In the same household in the same year was his 16 year-old half-brother Henry Harrison Bennett (1844-1934), a child of Phebe P. Wood (1801-1877), the third wife of John Bennett.
Jack wrote these letters to his brother-in-law, Isaiah Standish Swift (1823-1877), who was married to Catherine Matilda Bennett (1829-1865). Catherine and Jack were the children of John Bennett (1796-1875) but had different mothers. Catherine was the daughter of Sarah Clark (1798-1837) and Jack was the son of Martha Allen (1796-1841).
I could not find an image of Jack but here is one of Albert Dyer of Co. C, 13th Massachusetts (Kevin Canberg Collection)
Letter 1
Addressed to Mr. Isaiah S. Swift. Middleboro, Massachusetts
Anterdam [Antietam] Iron Works Washington county, Maryland
You think it strange that I have not written before, Well, the truth is I commenced two or three letters but did not finish them. And this is the first chance I have had to write for the past two weeks. I suppose you saw the account of our departure. I never witnessed such a scene in all my life. Each side of the railroad was crowded with people cheering us as loud as they could scream. The old farmer would lean on his scythe and wave his hat. And old woman with both hands uplifted saying, “God bless you!” And it seemed more like a dream than anything else.
The first halt we made was in Worcester where a collation was prepared for us. After leaving there we went to Norwich, Connecticut. There we took the boat for New York where we arrived about 9 o’clock in the morning. We were marched up to one of the parks and there dismissed until dinner time. I took a stroll around the city and visited one of my old friends who was a bookkeeper in the largest business house in the city. Enjoyed myself first rate, notwithstanding the excessive heat.
After dinner, we were drawn up and marched down Broadway singing. We took the ferry boat about 4 o’clock for Amboy, New Jersey and there we took the cars for Philadelphia where we arrived about 3 o’clock in the morning and there we got breakfast and marched out of the city to the Harrisburg Depot—a distance of about three miles. There we all spread our blankets under the trees and slept about [ ] hours. And then we took the cars for Harrisburg where we arrived just before dark and stopped but a few moments.
The next tracks we made was for Hagerstown, Maryland, and got in there just about daylight. And from there the work of the business began. We could get only about half enough to eat and rather poor grub at that. We pitched our tents about a mile out of the village and stopped two days and one night. We got recruited up from the fatigue of the journey some and then we had to foot it. We started just before dark for Harper’s Ferry—a distance of about 30 miles, to report ourselves to Gen. Banks who commands the division on the Potomac.
Well, we marched ten miles that night and then spread our blankets in an old pasture for a nap. I tell you, every man was asleep as quick as he dropped. There we slept about three hours and then up and plod on. We marched all day, halting now and then for a few moments rest. The distance of 30 miles would seem nothing to you, Isaiah, to walk, but come to have a knapsack strapped on your back that weighs 25 or 40 pounds and a haversack, a canteen, and a cartridge box, and bayonet & cap box, I tell you, it’s a load without marching more harness than a truck horse has. So we played out after marching about 15 miles and could go no farther for we were all dragged out, and the ambulance wagon full, and the regiment scattered along for about 5 miles, although be it said for J. A. Bennett he had the honor of being head boat of the company. But I rather think that there was about ten pail full of sweat run off of me.
Well we dropped by the side of the road in a grove called Pleasant Valley about 4 miles from Harper’s Ferry. Twas a pleasant place with a brook running through the grove. So we pitched our tents and concluded to stop and recruit up a little before we proceeded. The next day the Colonel went and reported himself to Banks and got orders that we were to be stationed at Sharpsburg on the Potomac as guards. So we had to up stakes and travel back about 5 miles and then take another direction. Anyway, we got there August 5th to our campground. Sharpsburg is about 12 miles from Harper’s Ferry.
Corp. James R. Hamilton of Co. A, 13th Massachusetts Infantry (Ancestry)
Well, after we had been there about three days, Company A & B were ordered down the river about 4 miles to guard a ford in the river. So our regiment is acting as guards. There are two companies up the river from us—Company E & H of our regiment. We have not had no fights yet but are aching for one. We have had some false alarms and have had some prisoners in charge. There is a small encampment of rebels about 4 miles from us on the Virginia side but they have not troubled us yet. Before we came here, they burnt all the bridges but they had not better show themselves now. Our boys go out a scouting some but have not had any brush yet. Our guard has been fired upon once.
We live hard and short allowance at that. We went over into Virginia the other day and stole a steer so we had one good meal. We are bound to have a good meal once in a while. Some of our boys are sick & some are tired of salt horse. But I am poor as a crow but well & hearty and think I shall stand it. But it is worse than whaling. But when we get a little broke in, I guess we shall like it first rate—at least I do. We sleep in tents on straw and some of our boys have had the fever and ague. the weather is very warm with frequent showers.
They do not have towns here but each village has a name and they will tell you Maryland. Maryland is divided into districts. The people are very ignorant generally in this part of the state and most of them are for the Union.
I promised a great many that I would write them but this is the only letter I have written and I don’t know when I shall have the time and patience to write another. We are liable to move any moment and don’t know where it may be. Before I write again, I hope I shall have some news. We don’t know what is a going on as well as you do at the North except in our own vicinity.
Give my love to father & Henry & all the rest. Tell Aunt Emily I will write to her when I get a chance to steal a sheet of paper. Remember me to John [ ] & wife and Annie and everybody that asks for me and write me often and tell all the rest to write and send me some papers.
From your brother, — John A. Bennett
Direct to Co. B, 13th Regiment Massachusetts Vols., Banks Division, Harpers Ferry, Virginia
“Union Troops Being Towed Along the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal to Join General Banks’ Command in Late 1861.” New York Illustrated News, November 1, 1861, Image by Thomas Nast Coutesy of Princeton University Library. Accessed via Crossroads of War.
Letter 2
Camp Hamilton Darnstown, Maryland September 22, [1861]
Dear Brother & Sister,
I received your letter when we [were] up to Sandy Hook and I meant to have answered it before but the conveniences for writing are not very great & we have been traveling around so much. We have now got settled once more in camp at Darnstown, Maryland, where nearly all of Banks’ Division is concentrated. We are close to Banks’ Headquarters and rumor says that we are to be Banks’ bodyguard but I don’t know as it is true. There are about 35,000 troops right around us here, cavalry & artillery, &c. And it looks warlike enough. But there are no regiments can boast of seeing much harder times than we have. We have had hard marches and hard grub and several small fights. In one skirmish our side killed two and wounded 7 (our side one wounded). We have had but one man killed in all our fighting. But the next fight that we shall be in will be a rusher and that will be pretty soon for we are under marching orders all the time.
I tell you, Isaiah, I could shoot a rebel without half the trouble you would take to kill a whale. I tell you, a fellow forgets all about being afraid. The Rhode Island Battery that was at Bulls Run are close to us & they say that that affair was a big humbug. Twas caused by the teamsters running. They say that we should have cleaned them out in a little while longer if the officers had not got scared. But we’ll fix them the next time. We’ll drive them into the Gulf of Mexico.
I wish you could see our camp. It is one of the prettiest in the vicinity. We have cut down spruce trees and stuck them around each tent and it looks like a village. We have been complimented on the neatness of our camp & Gen. Banks calls us the model regiment, Ahem!
I wrote Aunt Emily some time ago but have not heard from her yet nor none of them, and I don’t suppose it has got there yet or perhaps the steamer that carried it was lost [in some] foreign port, you know. I wrote to father too and I should think some of them would write.
Gen. Banks says he is a going to get through with us by Thanksgiving but I don’t believe it. I think we have got to have a big fight and if we whip them, they won’t stay whipped. They are a half-civilized set of beings. There are a good many secessionists around here but they are afraid to say a word. We took one of Johnson’s spies day before yesterday with papers stating that he was a going to cross the Potomac yesterday or today. We hain’t seen him yet and he had not better come.
The next time I write, I shall send you some money. We have not been paid off yet. No more now. From your brother, — Jack
My love to Annie & Mr. & Mrs. Perkins & all that I know. Direct to Banks’ Division, 13th Regt. Co. B.
I have not seen Mr. Johnson yet but I expect to soon.
Letter 3
Williamsport, Maryland Sunday, October 20th 1861
Dear Brother & Sister,
I received your ever welcome letter and as it is Sunday and I have nothing to do, I thought I would write. We don’t have a great deal of leisure time. As we are on Provost guard and stationed in the village, we have to go on guard every other day and it is something like sea watches, only you can’t go to sleep. It is all the time on the lookout. We have to guard the river & gotels and bar rooms to keep the soldiers from obtaining liquor. All the infantry or riflemen that there is here is seven companies of our regiment and the Pennsylvania Battery and four companies of the Virginia Cavalry. And they are all encamped just out of the village. The 12th Indiana Regiment came here with us but they have been sent down the river to Sharpsburg & Antietam to guard the river. And the 1st Maryland Regiment was here when we came and they have gone to Fortress Monroe, I believe.
Our other three companies [K, C, and I] are stationed at Harpers Ferry where they and some of the Pennsylvania 28th Regiment had a fight and a pretty good one too. Our three companies won laurels for the 13th. They made a charge which scattered them like sheep. 1 And all that were there say that they would clean out the whole southern army with a regiment like them three companies. And we think we are equal to them. Anyway, we are all crazy to be on the back of the Devilish Rebels & cowards. They took two of our Boys and stripped them and then pierced their bodies with bayonet holes—the Devils! We’ll show them what Massachusetts Boys are made of if they will give us a chance. But it seems to me they don’t want us to do the fighting, but it ain’t our fault. I guess they think we are pretty good on guard duty—our company, I mean, for they had us on provost guard in Darnstown. And then they took us the first thing here. We have to guard about 15 secessionist prisoners and all that refuse to do duty, &c., &c., in the regiments. And the other guard duty that I spoke of.
We were paid off last week with a month and a half pay—the first money that we have received from the government. $18.50. And I now send you a five dollar note so you can see some of the government bills. I shall send you some more when we get paid off next time which will be due the first of November and then we shall receive two months pay.
We are expecting to hear every day that Banks has crossed the river, but you will hear of it as soon as we shall as we are so far from Headquarters—some 65 miles—and no telegraph or cars. We expect that the force here will cross the river this week and take up our winter quarters in Martinsburg but we may have a little fighting to do for Martinsburg is now occupied by the rebels. But we can clean them out in ten minutes with our Pennsylvania Battery. I wish we could go down to Washington but the nearest we have been there was twenty-five miles and now we are near a hundred from there. No more of interest that I think of so goodbye.
Give my love to all, Henry & Annie White, & tell them to write me. From your brother, — Jack
Direct to Williamsport.
1 The Battle of Bolivar Heights took place on 16 October 1861. Five hundred Confederates under the command of Colonel Turner Ashby clashed with six hundred Federals under the command of Colonel John Geary. Ashby’s forces fall back towards Charles Town and Union flags are planted on the ridge. Some of Ashby’s men later returned to burn a prosperous flour mill on Virginius Island owned by a unionist citizen.
Letter 4
Williamsport, Maryland November 2, [1861]
Dear Brother & Sister,
Your letters have all been received. In your last you thought I had not received them all you know and that money that I sent I should have thrown away if I had not sent it and I shall send you some more in a few days. We are supplied by Government with all the clothing we ned so we have no use for our money except for a good dinner now and then and a glass of beer or some little nicknack.
We go a gunning now and then and I am a going tomorrow and I wish you were here to go with us, Isaiah. There are a plenty of quails and rabbits. I am a going tomorrow with two Virginia men who left their state for fear of being pressed into the rebel service.
Lieut. C. B. Fox stands in front and center in this image taken at the winter camp of the 13th Massachusetts Infantry at Williamsport, Maryland. (Digital Commonwealth Massachusetts Collections Online)
Our Colonel, acting Brigadier, sent out a foraging party into Virginia and they got about 50 cord of wood. And the cavalry company here acted as guard from them so after they had got the wood all safe, they thought they would reconnoitre a little and they rode six miles back from the river near Martinsburg when they were fired upon by six Rebel pickets but with no effect. They returned the compliment and the captain took one fellow right through the hip. He rode some distance but finally had to cave in and so we captured him. The rest escaped. He was brought to us by our old captain, now Lieutenant Colonel, in a carriage. His horse and equipments were captured also. He was a fine-looking young fellow but was pretty weak from the loss of blood. His pantaloons were all saturated with it.
Our three companies which were in the Harpers Ferry fight returned to us yesterday. You’d better believe we cheered them well for their gallant conduct in the fight. They were in the thickest of the fight and captured a 32-pounder at the point of the bayonet. We all wished that we had been there. However, we have had a little fun down to Antietam you know—Co. A & B.
We don’t know how long we shall stay here. We may stay here all winter and we may cross the river next week. Our company is still on Provost Guard.
That Romney fight was rather a big thing, wasn’t it. 1 We’ll clean them out in due time.
Isaiah, I should like to see you out here. Lots of the Boy’s fathers have been out here and relatives. It would not cost more than $35 to see the whole army and if you will come, I will pay the bill. You never will have a better chance to see the army and the country. Tell Henry to write!
Love to all, from Jack
1 On October 24, Federal Ohio and Virginia infantry (with some light artillery and Ringgold Cavalry) attacked through Mechanicsburg Gap; on October 26 the Confederate defenders fled. There was a skirmish at Wire Bridge as part of this assault. It was as a result of this Federal success that Col. Benjamin F. Kelley issued his “Address to the People of Hampshire County and the Upper Potomac”. For a time after this, Federals under the command of Col. Samuel H. Dunning of the 5th Ohio Infantry occupied Romney.
Letter 5
Williamsport. Maryland November 16th [1861]
Dear Sister,
As thanksgiving is coming on and we shall not be able to be at home, we are beginning to think of our usual mince pies, &c. that we generally get. But the people around here don’t know how to make them so we have all concluded to write for a box of the same. Most of the boys have had four or five and they shared them freely with me so I thought it was about my turn to have some. So now you tell Isaiah to get a small box of some kind and then if you. will make me a half dozen mince pies and a cake, &c. &c. &c. and send them to me, I will be everlastingly obliged to ye.
Now Tilly, I don’t want you to do it if you are not real smart. If you could get two or three of Aunt Emilie’s pies, I would like it, and send them by Adams Express Co. to Williamsport, Maryland. Co. B, 13th Regt. Mass. Vol.
No more now. No news of any consequence here. I received Isaiah’s letter last night. My love to all. From your brother, — Jack
Letter 6
Williamsport, [Maryland] November 21, [1861]
Dear Brother,
It’s but a moment that I have to write as our mess are all a going out to a big dinner for we can’t get along without a turkey in some shape or other. But then I would like to be at home to help the rest eat. However, there will be more left for the rest for soldiers eat everything that is sat before them.
We were paid off yesterday and it came in the nick of time, you can bet. I wrote to you for a box. If you have not sent it, put in a pound of Navy chewing tobacco. I would like to have it for Thanksgiving but then the pies are pretty thick here now and perhaps they will taste better to top off with.
As I can send this by a member of the company who is a going to Boston, I enclose $11. Please give Henry $1 for spending money and I will send you some more next time. My love to all.
I received a letter from Aunt R. and she wanted to send me a box (very kind all at once). I told her I had plenty of everything. So goodbye.
Our Colonel has gone to Romney to see Gen. Kelly. Perhaps we shall both advance on Winchester soon (I hope so). Bully for the Naval Expedition.
Send me a story paper. — Jack
Letter 7
Hancock, Maryland December 5th 1861
Dear Sister,
Your letter was received last Monday and having received the box last night, I hasten to make returns as you requested. It rather surprised me to see such a large box—the same when I opened it to find how closely it was packed for i could not begin to get them all back after unpacking it. Everything came in excellent order. And you would have laughed yourself to death if you had seen me unpack it. The whole mess gathered around with watering mouths and eager fingers. And when I would open one of the small boxes, they give three cheers. And they kept up a hallooring until I gave them something to stop their mouths. It was pronounced to be the best box received in the company in every way, shape and manner. And I shall be a Lion as long as the eatables last.
The frosted cakes came first rate. The frosting was not even cracked. And the one Mrs. Perkins sent received nine cheers loud and long & was pronounced by the Bostonian Gastronomers to be as good as the country could produce & was worth a dollar to look at it. And you can bet I agreed with them but I did not say a word.
You know I love doughnuts and I believe they tasted the best to me of anything in the box. All the rest was so rich that I could not eat but very little. Mrs. Reed’s cake was very nice indeed, and would bear inspection and tasting with the best. Lottie & Nony’s present came very acceptable. And when they are in the army and I am out, I will remember them. But I hope that we will do all the fighting up for one century at least.
The other articles in the box came very acceptable. And your cake was good (of course). We have plenty of salt for we seized about 100 sacks that was a going to be smuggled into Virginia. But just across the river here that little box you sent would be worth 50 cents.
I suppose you notice by the heading where we now are—at least four companies of us detached. Our Colonel got word that the rebels were a going to cross at this place so he started us off on the 28th of November to stop them. This place is 26 miles up the river from Washington, most up to Pennsylvania. The day we arrived here, we could see them a flourishing their sabres across the river but we brought a little Parrott rifle cannon with us and we gave them a shell. which surprised them, killing 6 men and four horses as we have since learned. Before we came here there was only one company of infantry with old muskets & one company of cavalry and so the Rebels were very bold coming down to the bank of the river and shooting the pickets. But after we came, they didn’t like the crack of the Enfield Rifle. So they have retreated back six miles to Bath where Berkeley Springs are—a watering place—the home of Port Crayon who used to write for the Harpers Monthly Virginia Illustrated. Perhaps you remember? His father is a refugee in this place and he belongs to Banks’ Division.
Yesterday we crossed over the river with two companies and expected to have an engagement but they did not seem so minded. We captured a very noted secesh quite accidentally. He rode right on to one of our skirmishers (for we were all deployed) without seeing him. When the man ordered him to halt, he was a going to run but the man brought his rifle to his shoulder and he thought he had better stop. We also got a lot of secesh hens and turkeys. We expect to have a fight with them soon if we can get at them. They are big cowards some of them.
Before we came here, the captain of the Infantry company—a Virginian than here, crossed over with four men and drove a hundred of the rebels. He came right on to them and yelled out, “Tell the cavalry to charge round on the right,” and they thought he had an army at his heels by the way he talked, so they made themselves scarce (he is a big dare devil). You may think it a yarn but it is the honest truth.
There is a funeral in this place today of one of his men that was shot above here on the river. And I can now hear the muffled drum and some of our boys have gone as escort and to fire a salute over his grave. I have seen a good many burials under arms since I have been out here, but thank God, not one of our boys have been shot—in our company, I mean. A man shot himself with a pistol the other day but he is now out of danger.
I suppose you received the money I. sent the other day. My respects to Mr. Perkins. Tell him I am very much obliged for that stationery.
Letter 8
Camp Jackson Williamsport, [Maryland] January 6th [1862]
Dear Brother & Sister,
Yours came to hand last night and I should have answered your letter before but I was at Hancock when I received your last.And there has been a pretty good chance for a fight and I was in hopes to have some news to write but as yet there has not been much fighting. When you don’t hear fro me you can know that I am all right but then I mean to write every ten days or so.
We left Hancock the night before Jackson attacked Bath and drove the Illinois regiment 1 there and the artillery to Hancock. And then he sent over a flag of truce to Gen. [Frederick W.] Lander in Hancock to have the women & children leave the town for he was going to destroy it. Gen. Lander’s reply was to Col. Ashby: “Waltz in and be damned.” So they fired three shells into the town doing no damage and then retired under a hot fire from our long-range Parrott cannon. 2 So they couldn’t stand the press. Five of our companies were ordered to Hancock with dispatch but they got fooled. We had just got down from there so we did not have to go.
Jackson captured the camp equippage of the [39th] Illinois Regiment and then went and attacked our forces in Romney and had them all taken away from him with the loss of fifteen or twenty men. The tents were marked “Jeff Davis Boys” but the “Jeff Davis Boys” could not keep them.
We don’t know when we shall advance; we don’t know nothing but blind obedience and patiently waiting for the time to come. We are still in our tents but we keep very comfortable with our thick blankets. We have a little stove in our tents and plenty of straw. There is about two inches of snow on the ground and the folks here call it a good sleighing but I can’t see it in that light.
I received a letter from Henry last night. He did not say anything about joining the Navy to me but it is nothing strange that he didn’t. No more this time. My love to all. From your brother. — Jack A. Bennett
1 Companies D, I, and K of the 39th Illinois Regiment under the command of Major Mann near Bath, Virginia, when they were attacked and after a brisk little fight, were repulsed; then, with two pieces of artillery, and a liberal display of strategy and courage, the enemy was held in check for nearly twenty-four hours. Company G, under command of Captain Slaughter, was also attacked at Great Cacapon Bridge, but repulsed the enemy with considerable loss. A heavy force was approaching, and this Company, not being able to ford the Potomac, retreated up the railroad to Cumberland, Maryland. Colonel Osborn, with the remaining portion of the regiment, was simultaneously attacked at Alpine Station. Companies C and F, in command of Captain Munn, drew into ambush about five hundred (500) of Ashby’s Cavalry, and, after killing and wounding 30, routed them. The regiment finally forded the Potomac, sustaining no serious loss, except in the matter of camp and garrison equipage, and took up a new position on the Maryland shore.
2 “There was a considerable commotion on yesterday in military circles, in consequence of intelligence from Hancock that Jackson had suddenly appeared opposite that place with an estimated force of 7,000 men; one 24-pounder and two 12-pounder rifled guns. He sent word to Gen. Lander to evacuate that place, or he would shell us out. Lander responded that he should not evacuate, and if Jackson opened fire upon the town he would hold him to a strict accountability, Jackson responded that he should assumed the responsibility and carry out his threat. Consequently he commenced a steady fire, which was continued up to dark last night, the date of the latest dispatches up to this time. The enemy’s fire caused out slight damage to the buildings, and taking no effect upon our troops.”
Letter 9
Williamsport, [Maryland] February 9th [1862]
Dear Brother & Sister,
Yours came to hand. Since I wrote you last, Co. B has moved down into the town and we are now quartered under a roof. We are doing the picket duty and provost marshal duty too so we have to go on guard every other day. Nothing of any consequence has taken place in this vicinity. The victory in Tennessee was rather cheering news and I suppose we shall soon hear something from Missouri. Banks’ Division will advance sometime next fall.
The Boys are getting tired of soldiering. They want to be doing something. We have been a laying around this place about long enough. I hope they will do something before long.
I think I shall get a furlough and come home before long just to get out of town a day or two. A good many of the boys have been home. A New Bedford fellow went yesterday—Charles Howland of Co. B—a relation of Black Hawk. I heard from Henry the other day.
No more this time. From your brother, — Jack
Letter 10
Williamsport [Maryland] February 28th, 1862
Dear Brother & Sister,
As the Army of the Potomac is about to make a move, I thought I would inform you as the papers are not allowed to publish anything about the movements of the army. We leave this place tonight or tomorrow morning to march on Martinsburg & Winchester. We cross with the 12th Indiana Regiment & one battery and one company of cavalry. We shall meet Gen. Lander with 30,000 troops at. Martinsburg & Banks has crossed at Harpers Ferry with 15,000 & with this force we shall take Winchester & then march on Manassas and Richmond. Together with Gen. McClellan, we are bound to whip them.
The roads are in very good condition now. There is no snow but it is very cold and windy here tonight. We have had it snapping cold for the past week. I don’t expect we shall have much fighting to do until we get to Winchester and there I suppose the Rebels will fight desperate.
I will write you the first chance I have and tell you where to direct to. I suppose we shall be on the move now—that is, if we are successful, and there is not much doubt but what we shall be. Give my love to all enquiring friends, No more this time. When you get this, we shall be marching on Winchester. – From Jack
Letter 11
Winchester, Virginia March 14th 1862
Dear Brother & Sister,
Since I wrote you last, the great battle has been fought and no lives lost. We left Williamsport on the 1st about 7 o’clock in the evening and marched that night into Martinsburg, Va., a distance of 12 miles and arrived there at 12. We were the advance. The 12th Indiana Regt. and 1 company of cavalry and 1 battery of six guns followed in the rear and got into Martinsburg about 2 in the morning.
The 12th Indiana Regiment wearing Zouave uniforms
We were fired into twice by the Rebel pickets but no one was hurt. As soon as we arrived in town, our band played several national aires and then we all sat down on the side walk while our captains were finding us quarters and while sitting there, some half asleep, some eating, and some all tired, out a whole volley of bullets whistled right over our heads and by the time we were on our feet—slam, bang—it went again. I kind of shook myself to see if I was hot & found out I was all right, looked up the street, and I could see fellows flat on the street. Thinks I to myself, them poor fellows have lost the number of their mess. I then capped my rifle and hearing the order to fall in, I jumped into the ranks and stood ready for anything.
But there was some confusion for about 5 minutes you can bet until affairs was explained. You had ought to have seen the Band Boys leave their instruments & they yelled out, “Give us a rifle!” But you have ought to have heard one of our boys yell out to some chaps that were running, “Stop! You damn shoemakers, stop!” I don’t mean to infer that all shoemakers will run. We have got one company of Natick shoemakers in our regiment and some of them rather showed the white feather that night. They run so fast that they knocked down everything and everybody in their way.
The cause of the firing was this. Our advance guard consisting of about 50 men were a trying to cut off the rebel pickets and had taken a road that led around the town and they did not know exactly where the regiment was and one of the lieutenants of the artillery was a looking around for stabling for his horse when he came upon them. They challenged him but he—like a fool—turned his horse and run instead of answering the challenge when they, supposing him to be a Rebel picket, let him have [it], killing his horse but not injuring him. But it was lucky that they fired high for if they had not, they would have killed lots of our boys. But as it was, only one man was hurt & he was but slightly wounded. We thought that a lot of Rebel cavalry was a going to charge on us.
We stopped in Martinsburg until the 5th. Williams’ Brigade arrived in town the 3rd. We took several prisoners while we were here. The 5th we took up our march toward Winchester and marched to Bunker Hill—a distance of 10 miles. Here we captured six rebel pickets and our cavalry charged on some 50 more who fled but they had too fresh horses for our tired ones. We stopped in this place until the 11th when we marched toward Winchester along with Hamilton’s Brigade and Williams’ Brigade, about 10,000 strong—artillery, cavalry, and infantry. We had several pickets shot while at Bunker Hill & had 3 men wounded & killed in a skirmish.
On the 11th we marched until within 4 miles of the Rebel stronghold & bivouacked that night in a wood. We rolled ourselves up in our blankets expecting on the morrow to have a hard battle. It was the most splendid sight that ever I saw—to see the camp fires that night. Just as far as the eye could scan in every direction you could see them for Masj. Gen. Shield’s Division had come up in our rear and Gen. Banks we heard was handy so there must have been upwards of 50,000 a sleeping with a bright moon & clear sky for their roof out that night.
In the morning we were up long before the sun for I guess a good many did not sleep very sound. After drinking our coffee, we put on our equipments, looking well to the priming of our guns & seeing that every thing was all right for action. Just as soon as Old Sol showed himself, the drums beat the long roll and we all fell in and started for the enemy. It was the finest morning of the season and you had ought to have seem the bayonets a glistening in the sunlight.
We were in advance and were to act as skirmishers on the left flank—a post of honor. The New York 9th Regiment was next to us and then came the Pennsylvania 29th and Indiana 12th and Maryland 1st were all in advance & to act as skirmishers to make the attack. Behind us following in the line of battle was a line between two and three miles long of cavalry, artillery, and infantry. We marched along boldly until within about two miles of the town when we could see the fortifications and then we began to move cautiously but still kept advancing, expecting every minute to hear their batteries open on us. But we though it strange—we could see no one. We kept on until we stood upon their breastworks when lo and behold, everything was deserted and the bird had flown.
We then marched into the town and learned from the citizens that Jackson’s force had evacuated during the night, but that Jackson and Col. Ashby had rode out of town just as we hove in sight. So we took the place without a struggle & captured some 20 prisoners who stopped to get their breakfast. Jackson’s force was out about five miles, they say. And we have skirmished with them most every day. We have got some 50 or sixty prisoners. Today our regiment went out to shoot some of the devils but they had all run.
We expect to have a chance to clean them out soon. Winchester is quite a large place—about six thousand inhabitants. We are doing Provost duty and stop in the town. Generals are as thick as bees around here. No more now. From Jack
Letter 12
On Bull Run Battlefield March 30th 1862
Dear Brother,
We have passed the night in the barracks built by the New Orleans Artillery (Rebels) between Centreville & Manassas. We left Winchester just before the battle & were ordered back, so we marched back 20 miles when the order was countermanded & we have about-faced again. We have marched over 100 miles in the past week. We have chased Rebels several times but they would run too fast for us.
The Winchester Battle 1 was a grand affair and I wish we could have been there. 75 killed on our side and 300 on the Rebel side & over 1,000 prisoners taken. Our boys emptied 103 saddles at one discharge. We always leave a place just before a fight. It seems to be our luck. We march today toward Manassas and are to be McClellan’s reserve, I think, as he has advanced with a large force.
The country around here looks very desolate—dead horses by the hundred lay scattered around & hundreds of graves and our boys saw a pair of pants sticking out of the ground and went to pull them up when lo & behold, there was a man half buried up and the whole air is filled with a stench.
I am well and hearty. No more now. From Jack
1 Jack’s battle remarks pertain to the Battle of First Kernstown which took place on 23 March 1862 but the 13th Massachusetts did not participate in it. In that engagement, Stonewall Jackson’s men surprised Col. Nathan Kimball’s command at Kernstown on the outskirts of Winchester. The Confederates fought hard but they were outnumbered by greater than two to one and were finally forced to retreat. Casualties were estimated at 590 Union, 718 Confederate. The 13th Massachusetts did not participate in the fight, having been ordered away the day before the battle.
Letter 13
Warrenton Junction, Virginia April 20th 1862
Dear Brother & Sister,
Yours was received and as we are now once more settled in camp, I will write. We have had the rumor in camp that the Massachusetts Regiments were to be discharged soon and that ours was one of the three. But I guess we shan’t get home before the 4th of July if we do then. It depends on what luck G. B. M. [George B. McClellan] has at Yorktown. We are all pretty well tired of soldiering. You can bet long marches & short rations has killed all the novelty & the Boys commit a good deal of sin every day by way of cursing the army high and low.
I haven’t heard from Rochester for some time. I received both of your letters. What is Lott Dean a doing?
Warrenton, Virginia, in 1862
We were paid off day before yesterday and today I went up to the station where the cars come in and had a good dinner on pies and ginger bread—first pie I have tasted for a month. The railroad is rebuilt nearly to this place. When the rebels retired (as htey call it), they destroyed the rails and sleepers.
We don’t see any show for a fight. We have had some skirmishing. Had one man taken prisoner. So I suppose we are on the reserve. I tried to get a furlough today but could not. No more this time. I am well & hearty. From Jack
To. C. M. S. & I. S. S. John A. Bennett
Letter 14
Warrenton Junction April 29th 1862
Dear Sister,
We are still laying in camp & no signs of an advance while they are fighting all around us. We got news yesterday of the capture of New Orleans by Ben Butler and the Massachusetts Boys. All depends on Yorktown now. If we whip them there we shall be at home very soon.
Banks is a driving Jackson as fast as legs can carry him and if he keeps on he will be in Richmond in less than three weeks, Rumor says that Beauregard has retired from Corinth to Memphis and everything is working admirably.
I send you. five dollars and wish it was five hundred. No more now as I have to go on guard. From your brother, Jack
Letter 15
Falmouth, Virginia Opposite Fredericksburg May 20th 1862
Dear Brother & Sister,
We have had another march and are now under Gen. McDowell who is here in force. We expect to advance this week. The force here is about fifty thousand with cavalry and artillery, &c.
Rumor says there is a large Rebel force 8 miles from Fredericksburg. We have got one brigade across the river & the railroad bridge which the Rebs burnt is nearly rebuilt. We have got one pontoon [bridge] across & one canal boat bridge now.
Yesterday the Reb Major Price came into town under a flag of truce. He had an interview with the General but we don’t know his business. He was a gal-looking duck and dressed splendid.
Last Tuesday they drove in our pickets and came within three-quarters of a mile of the river and they sent in word to McDowell that they were anxious to meet him. But when we go, I am afraid they won’t be as anxious.
When we advance, we are a going to lose our tents. We are a going to have the poncho tent and each man carry his own. McDowell don’t want to have any more trouble with wagon trains. You remember he had command at Bull Run & has got a name to retrieve. The men & officers growl a good deal about the severity of McDowell but we will wait and see what his work shows before we condemn him altogether.
Don’t hear a word from Rochester. Direct to Washington. This is lovely country around here. Fredericksburg is the second oldest city in Virginia. — Jack
Letter 16
Front Royal, Virginia June 15, 1862
Dear Brother & Sister,
We are still laying in camp idle. And last night we got news that we were in Banks Division again and it was hailed with great rejoicing for you know we have been under the scoundrel of a McDowell. And you know he has just played out with the army. If it had not been for him, we should have whipped Jackson or stopped him at least. We were drawn in line of battle only six miles from him and his command was drawn up expecting us but McDowell had another foolish plan for catching him that failed.
Gen. Shields was so mad because McDowell would not let him attack Jackson that he damned him. And just after it, Shields rode back down the line amid ten thousand cheers and McDowell rode down a few minutes after without a grunt. But we did not know what conversation they had been having, but it must have cut McDowell some.
Shields is about 20 miles ahead of us a chasing and fighting Jackson. Hundreds of his wounded come to this place. Yesterday there was 300 arrived. It was the hardest sight a man ever witnessed—some with their nose shot off—some with bandaged heads and black eyes. They looked as though they had been in a hand to hand fight and fought like tigers. That is the state of his men and of him too. He had rather fight than eat, I believe.
It looks as though we were a going to stop here some time but we cannot always tell. Direct to Washington. From Jack.
Love to all.
What do people think about the war, Isaiah? When do they think it will end? It don’t look any nearer an end now than it did three months ago, does it? It is a killing of a good many men by bullets and sickness. It is estimated at over a hundred thousand, I believe, since the war commenced. We only muster six hundred for duty when we came out with a thousand. We lost a man for the first time the other day in our company. There was three out of the regiment. Two wounded trying to cross the Shenandoah in a boat.
Letter 17
Manassas [Virginia] July 1st 1862
Dear Sister & Brother,
As it is very warm this afternoon and we are not to have any drill and so to keep me out of mischief, I thought I would write. I have not got much news to write, if any. I got two letters from Rochester last week. Ain’t that wonderful. One from Henry & one from John Galen. I answered Henry’s right off and sent him a dollar to buy postage stamps so he could write to me once a week. I guess he won’t be offended, will he?
We are still on the same camp ground as when I wrote before. We have company drills every morning & Brigade drill every afternoon. I don’t know as you. know what our Brigade consists of [so] I will tell you. 1st comes the 9th Regt. N. Y. State Militia—the best regiment the state sent out. Next comes the Massachusetts 12th, Col. Fletcher Webster’s Regiment—Daniel’s son. It’s a bully regiment as you will know. Next comes the marching regiment of the campaign—the regiment that never turned their back to danger—the Glorious 13th, Col. Sam Leonard of which I have the honor to be attached to; ha. ha. Next comes the Pennsylvania 11th—a very good regiment, and a detachment of the Maine Cavalry and two [ ] Batteries. So you see we are just a gay crowd to clean out.
Now you will say I like to brag but nevertheless I will tell you the truth, our Brigadier General said that we were the best regiment in his brigade by 15 degrees and there was not a smarter Colonel in the American ARmy than Sammy Leonard. And he is a regular army officer and a West Point graduate and ought to know. One day we were marching by Gen. McDowell, the old granny, and he stopped the Colonel and says he, “Colonel, where are your men from.” “Boston and vicinity,” says our Colonel and rides right along. Old McDowell at first used to make us drill with knapsacks on for he said we were the band box regiment and he thought we could not stand much because we kept our faces clean.
On our Front Royal march, our Brigade was complimented very highly and called a model brigade for the number of men we brought in. Since that march, we hain’t heard anything about knapsack drill or “band box regiment.” Our regiment keep themselves as clean as possible. And whenever we come in contact with any new troops, we are generally accosted with the following, howling [at us]: “Are you out? You fellows won’t look so well after you have been six months in service!” It makes us laugh but we keep mum.
Bull Run Battlefield is within three miles of this place & lots of our boys have been over to get relics. And everyday we learn some new incident which happened at the battle. One old lady was killed during the engagement. She was very old and was entreated by the rebels to leave her house, but no, she had stayed there before during one battle of the Revolutionary [War] times which was fought there & she should stay now. So she stopped till our guns had unroofed her house and just as she was a coming out of the door, she was struck by a bullet and fell dead. She was buried in her own door yard.
Our troops had the rebels in full retreat once and as they were passing by a citizen’s house, he asked them what they were running for. They replied that the damned Yankees were too much for them. We have two or three graduates of Bull Run Battle in our regiment and we generally take them along with us to point out the particular places where there was a hard fight or where some officer fell.
I guess you will get tired of reading my jabbering but I shall have to plead idleness as an excuse. You can bet our hearts are a going pit ti pat for little Mac down to Richmond for we received big news from him today. And by the time you get this, our fate will be decided, I think. Will they have to keep us three years or shall we go home soon? That’s the question which interests us. I wish I was down there. I see by the paper that the 18th has been in a fight but nobody hurt that I know. Little Mac is playing them a game that is hard to beat. And I wish we had a few more of his stamp. It’s supper time and I must dry up. From Jack
Excuse this long letter and I will write a shorter one next time. — John
Letter 18
Warrenton, Virginia July 20th [1862]
Dear Brother & Sister,
Seeing that it is Sunday, I ain’t very busy.
Well! Isaiah, what do you think of it now? Who is a going into Richmond first? I tell you we have got a hoss at last. Gen. Pope, I think. will be the boy for them yet. We have spared guerrillas long enough. They have even visited our camps and we have passed them on the march. Before now, when the boys wanted to shoot them, our Gen. would not allow such things. Look at Pope’s proclamation & see how he is a going to use them.
The village or city of Warrenton near where we are encamped is one of the handsomest places in Virginia. The celebrated Sulphur Springs are near us where Jeff Davis & family stopped last summer and the inhabitants are all strong secesh. Most all the men being in the CSA army, the farmers around about all act as Southern spies. When we march by a house, they are busy at work. After we pass, they saddle their horse and take some back road or path & go ahead of us and inform the Southern pickets or army. So you see they have some advantage over us. But I think Pope will doctor them chaps.
We have got over 70,000 men now in the Army of Virginia, our advance being in Gordonsville and a very important place as the railroad from Richmond terminates there—that is, it has stopped there for some time past. It was the way Jackson got up into the Valley quick before.
I was in Washington the other day. The Quartermaster of the Brigade detailed me to go down and bring up an ambulance so I had a chance to see the city. I was there all day. Saw all the sights and had a good time. The Capitol beats all I ever saw. It will pay to go a good ways to see.
I enclose five dollars that I cannot get rid of. Use it if you like. I want you to buy me 50 cents worth of stamps with it and send them in your next.
The talk is that we are a going to move on tomorrow but I cannot tell until tomorrow comes for you know it don’t take long to get ready.
We had all the cherries and blackberries we could eat ever since we have been here. They grow wild. Black heart cherries & the red ones enough to feed an army and whole field of blackberries. We have just about lived on them. From Jack
Letter 19
On August 6, Pope marched his forces (which included the 13th Massachusetts) south into Culpeper County with the objective of capturing the rail junction at Gordonsville, in an attempt to draw Confederate attention away from Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan’s withdrawal from the Virginia Peninsula.
Four miles beyond Culpeper, Virginia August 12th [1862]
Dear Brother & Sister,
We have had a fight but nothing gained on either side. Our loss was large. We are expecting to fight again every minute as we have got reinforcements. The 13th [Massachusetts] stand fire like veterans. I am all right. From Jack
P. S. You shall have the particulars at the first opportunity.
Letter 20
The following letter describes the Battle of Cedar Mountain and the Union retreat to Warrenton, Virginia.
In camp one mile from the Rapidan River Sunday, August 17th 1862
Dear Sister & Brother,
I dropped you a line the other day to let you know that I was a kicking yet. As we came very near having a fight and I did not know what the papers might say about it.
On the 9th, the day of the fight, our Division under command of Gen. Rickets, started in advance and were ahead until we arrived at a cross road leading from Sperryville, about three miles to the rear of the battlefield, and at this place we rested on our arms until nearly all Gen. Banks’ command had passed us. And about 2:30 o’clock we heard the cannons begin and was kept up till 5 o’clock when we began to hear the musketry volleys. It was then we were ordered forward and we could hear the volleys thick and fast as we were marching forward.
Sketch of the Battle of Cedar Mountain, drawn from the Union perspective. Slaughter Mountain rises on the left, the cornfield is in the middle of the image and the wheatfield is visible against the right edge. The Culpepper Road is visible cutting through the right side of the image, while the position of Ewell’s Division is in the center background.
When we arrived on the field, the Rebs had driven our forces one mile and the greatest confusion prevailed—riderless horses and Batteries dashing hither and thither running over men, & hundreds of wounded a limping past and men a running. And in fact, words cannot describe it. But the order of things soon changed. Fresh troops and our brave Generals soon put a stop to it.
We were ordered to the front at 7 o’clock—our whole Division—and thanks to our brave Colonel that we did not lose a man. They fired several volleys over our heads and killed and wounded several in the Massachusetts 12th which was just behind us. In fact, every other regiment lost more or less in the whole Division when we actually laid right under their noses. But the moon refused her light for a good purpose for once for we had just time to change our position, and our batteries getting in position, we soon made things howl and the Rebs had to fall back a little. At 1, their batteries were silenced and everything was quiet with the exception of a crack of a rifle now and then, telling us they were in hearing yet. 1
The next morning at daylight we expected the ball would open again but they did not reply to a shell we sent them but skirmishing was kept up all day. On Monday morning we sent them a flag of truce asking for an armistice for 24 hours for us to bury our dead as they still held the battle ground. It was then I went onto the battle ground and talked with the Rebs. We were all mixed up for a spell—those that went onto the grounds, Rebs and Union. I cannot describe the scene. It is beyond description. Imagination had pictured it bad enough but then it has got to be seen to be realized. Gen. Gordon says he lost 600 men in 30 minutes. The slaughter was immense. 2
The newspapers are never allowed to print the facts. No, not one half. The rebs outnumbered our forces and whipped us badly but I think that their loss was nearly as large as ours. Our men fought like old veterans—every man of them. But the Rebs fell back; we don’t know how far. And we advanced and are in advance of all the infantry.
We expect a fight to begin very soon. Our wagons have all gone to the rear and it means that they are not safe with us. We shall be in front the next fight we have when the ball opens. Still we may not have a fight for some time—it’s at their option. They can pitch in when they choose. They have got more men than we have now but we are in hopes to have more soon. They talk as fair as we do, and I think they are full as honorable in regard to prisoners taken & in relation to the army regulations and rules. But they are fighting on the wrong side of the question. But they can’t see it.
Our Brigadier General [George Lucas] Hartsuff was complimented by Gen. Pope for his promptness in bringing forward his brigade and for his skill in handling them. Write soon. Write soon. From your brother, — Jack
Bivouacked five miles from Warrenton, [Va.] August 26th 1862
I had no chance to send the above so you have it continued. And as our band goes home tomorrow, I will send by them. We have had no mail for ten days. I copy from my diary as it might interest you.
August 17th—Gen. [Samuel Spriggs] Carroll shot in the shoulder by a Rebel picket while visiting our pickets. Was carried through our camp. Wound not dangerous. About 3 p.m., packed up and marched back about 4 miles to the east side of Cedar Mountain and pitched tents. Burnsides command in the vicinity.
August 18th—In camp. At dark had orders to strike tents and pack up. At 11 in the evening, started and marched about 7 miles on the Culpeper Road & halted. Slept all the rest of the night sitting on my knapsack, gun in hand in the road.
August 19th—At daylight made a cup of coffee. Started about 8 in the morn and marched to the Rappahannock Station—distance of 20 miles, where we arrived about 9 in the evening. Passed through Culpeper & Brandy Station. Pope’s whole force seems to be retreating. Don’t know whether it is a strategy or a skedaddle. It is the cause of a great deal of speculation among the Boys. Many rumors afloat. Bivouacked on the north side of the Rappahannock. A long march. Boys all tired out.
August 20th—Rappahannock Station. Troops coming in all the morning. Some of Sigel’s command. At 11 a.m., Rebel cavalry seen in the distance a chasing our rear guard and stragglers. Our cavalry charge on them. They run. (Splendid sight.) Several horses seen without riders. At 12 our force all over the river. At one o’clock our regiment was ordered to double quick to the other side of the river and load while going. We thought we were to support a section of battery, 2 guns, on a little hill right close to the river. Reb skirmishers seen in the distance. No force appear. Went on picket at night. Had to keep our eyes open. 1 man shot.
August 21st—Supporting the battery. Rebs open a battery on us. We silence them. Their skirmishers seen all day. They don’t like our position.
August 22nd—We captured 12 head of cattle from the Rebs. Rebs open on us again. We drive them from their guns. They haul their guns back with ropes. Digging entrenchments. In the evening a thousand Rebs campfires seen about four miles off. Heavy showers during the night.
August 23rd—We waked up early and ordered to hurry and fall in as they were afraid the bridge would be carried away and we would be cut off. River very high when we crossed. Rebs think we are retreating and open on us in all directions. Our batteries a playing on them. Lively cannonading kept up for three hours. Our guns are too much for their artillery. Our lines run all along the north bank of the Rappahannock. Rebs are along the south bank. Their force reported to be 150,000. Report that McClellan has landed at Fredericksburg. Great rejoicing. Things looked squally for awhile. We have heardd cannonading on our right and left for the past day or two. Sigel is on the right and Burnside is on the left and we in the center, McDowell. Our Division has been relieved and we marched six miles on the Warrenton Road & bivouacked.
Sunday 24th—Marched about 5 miles towards Waterloo. Hear heavy cannonading in front. Saw some of McClellan’s troops. Pitched tents at dark. Reported that Sigel has taken 2,000 prisoners. One of our boys saw them.
August 25th—Marched about 4 miles toward Waterloo and encamped. Heavy cannonading in front.
August 26th—In the morning heard heavy cannonading back about six miles and we marched back to where we encamped on 25th. Cannonading stopped and we go back again so we have made about 8 miles today. We are holding our position until our army is large enough to advance. It looked kind of shady before Mac got up here. They were 4 to 1 [odds against us]. We had a report today that Mac had got to Gordonsville and cut them off. I hope it’s true. Papers are not allowed to print the truth. And I believe they are not allowed to print any movements of the army now. I am well and hearty. We have plenty hard times now. It’s war in earnest. We had one man wounded in the head the other day. And there was several artillery men killed and wounded.
1 The battle was nearly over by the time the Brig. Gen. Ricketts’ Division was ordered forward at 7 p.m. Fresh Confederate troops arrived on the battlefield “through the dimming twilight along the Culpeper Road” to find “newly arrived Union brigades from Brigadier General James B. Ricketts’s division, which had established a line across the road roughly a mile and a half from the battlefield. Behind Ricketts’s line, which stretched from near the Brown Farm to the Hudson Farm east of the Culpepper Road, Banks cobbled together a second piecemeal line from rallied soldiers of his command. Concealed by the long shadows cast by the trees and fading light, Confederate batteries unlimbered their guns and let loose with canister and case shot on a Federal battery in the process of deploying near the Hudson Farm. Union artillery roared back in response, ultimately driving back the southern guns after a heated 15-minute exchange. Faced with a fresh Union position and with the growing darkness making it difficult to identify friendly units, Jackson called off the pursuit and pulled back his troops…The exhausted men of the Stonewall Brigade bivouacked that night just past the cornfield, where the Union artillery had been positioned for most of the fighting. Both side’s guns kept up the cannonade all night…By dawn, reinforcements had swelled the Union force, causing Jackson to call off any further advance on Culpepper Court House. His command spent the day tending to their wounded, burying the dead, and collecting some 5,300 muskets from the battlefield” (Source: The Stonewall Brigade).
2 “On August 11, Union burial parties visited the battlefield under a flag of truce. They found a shattered landscape, still covered with the dead and dying. In the wheatfield and woods where Gordon’s Brigade had fought, “there were ghastly piles of dead, with here and there a living sufferer, who had drawn his painful breath through more than thirty-six hours of exposure.” Near the former position of the Twenty-Seventh Indiana, the trees were “cut and scored” with musket balls, so thick that one man’s palm could cover seven bullet holes.”(Source: The Stonewall Brigade)
Letter 21
Hall’s Hill, Virginia September 4th 1862
Dear Brother,
Since my last we have had stirring times. I will not go into detail now. We have been in two fights since my last. One at Thoroughfare Gap and second at Bull Run, No. 2. Our regiment has lost 200 men killed, wounded and missing. Our company lost 3 killed, 14 wounded, and 12 missing. We were in the thickest of it and the men fell like wheat before the cradle. Our loss was very large. And we were completely out-generaled so we had to fall back.
After the Battle of Second Bull Run, in falling back to Hall’s Hill, the 13th Massachusetts found the bridge over Cub Run a bottle neck, the steam too deep to ford, and a rain falling. Hundreds of soldiers and ambulances crammed the bridge, delaying the retreat.
I received your last and a letter from Henry. I have seen all the Middleboro Boys and last night I took supper with Mr. Johnson. They were in the fight and lost heavy. They are in camp. nearby. The Middleboro Company did not lose a man in killed or wounded. John King was taken prisoner.
I don’t know what we are a coming to. The only cheering thing that I know of is that McClellan has command of all the troops in Virginia. No more now.
I send this by the Boston Policemen who are out here to look after the sick and wounded. 1 Mr. Johnson sends his respects. I was right glad to see him. — Jack
1 The Springfield (Mass.) Weekly Republican of September 6, 1862, reported that “Eight car loads of hospital supplies from Boston, for our wounded soldiers in Virginia, passed through this city Sunday on the train for New York. There were also 80 volunteer surgeons on the train. Mayor Wightman of Boston, chief of Police Amory and 80 policemen, and a large number of nurses among whom was the charming songstress, Jennie Twichell Kempton. Boston has done nobly. All the eight car loads were collected during the day Sunday.“ The Springfield Republican also reported on 4 September 1862 that “The Boston police force have made themselves very useful in carrying the wounded from the boats and cars to the ambulances. Their strong arms have been a greatful assistance to the sufferers.”
Letter 22
Sharpsburg, Maryland September 28th [1862]
Dear Brother & Sister,
Yours lays at hand. We are once more in camp, picketing the old Potomac, natural as life. But a good many of our comrades have done their last picket duty and it makes me feel sad to look around—so many new faces in the regiment. There is but ten old members in the company and we look on the recruits as an old sailor on a green hand. Our company number 25 all told. As good luck will have it, you may say (but I call bad luck), I was not in the last fight our regiment had the 17th. I mean I was not with the regiment. I was a guarding the knapsacks. I had a touch of the fever and ague and so I got the job. But I was in the fight of the 14th at South Mountain and I have been in five fights—Cedar Mountain (no loss), Rappahannock Station (several wounded in regiment), Bull Run (30 killed, wounded & prisoners in Co. B), Thoroughfare Gap (15 killed & wounded in regiment), Battle of Antietam (in our company 12 wounded and 1 killed)—some very slightly wounded. The hardest fight we have had was Bull Run—that is, our regiment.
You spoke about the soldiers stealing hens. You had ought to see the country through which an army has passed. It looks as though there had been a hurricane, I tell you. It looks like timber, plains, fields of corn all trampled down, fences laid flat, and destruction generally prevails. I hain’t got the patience to write all but if God spares my life to get home once more, I can tell you enough in ten minutes so you never will want me to mention war again.
I was on the battlefield the day after the fight. Our regiment went to the front again and I could not stay behind. We expected to fight all day and each man was ordered to have his gun in his hand while he made the coffee. But you had ought to have seen the piles of dead rebs. The lost three to our one and more too, I think. Our boys kill more than they do but they fire low and wound a good many. They say it takes two men to carry off one wounded man. I talked with a good many of them. They are tired and sick of fighting but they won’t give up.
I got a letter from Henry today. He talks very well. All that seems to cut him is his mother’s cupboard. He don’t find it on ship board.
Three cheers for John G. Tell him to name that boy John. Give my love to the family. I wish you would send me a pair of blue flannel shirts (wide collars) and two pair of red flannel drawers.
I am pretty well now but we had to lay on the ground several nights without a thing under or over us. And pretty cold nights too up on the South Mountain. But we have got our shelters now so we live as warm as we can expect. We have cold nights & quite warm days.
I am in no hurry for the shirts and drawers. You can get the flannel and let some poor woman make them and I will send you the money to pay for them. When you get them done, put them in a bundle or small box and mark it, John A. Bennett, Co. B, 13th Regt. Mass. Vols., General Hartsoff Brigade, Rickett’s Division, Washington D. C., Care of Chase & Brown, Sutler, Adams Express
You may put in an apple pie with them shirts.
The 18th have had a big loss but I don’t know the particulars. I would not say anything about it.
Letter 23
In camp near Sharpsburg [Maryland] [October] 16th [1862]
Dear Sister,
Yours I just received and I would say in reference to that box that you can send it to Hagerstown, Maryland, and send it as soon as possible for we may have to cross the river soon. But you don’t know how I dread it—the same old tramp over again. There has been heavy cannonading today towards Charlestown and the report is that Lee has attacked us. If he has, it will delay our crossing and I hope he has for everyone dreads to cross the Potomac. I believe everyone of our boys would lose their left arm if they could but get their discharge from the army—so sick of it! Some pretend to say that Gen. McClellan intends to carry on a winter campaign. If he does, he will lose half his men from exposure. I don’t believe he will undertake it. We have all we can do to keep warm now in a cold night. And I don’t know what we would do two months later a marching.
It’s a raining here this evening. I have got 4 hours guard duty to do so I must quit. I don’t know as I want anything else unless you have got a bottle of father’s cider to spare. If you hain’t, never mind.
Direct thus: John A. Bennett, Co. B, 13th Regt. Mass. Vols., Hagerstown, Maryland, Adam’s Express
Put in some story papers and stationery.
Letter 24
Harewood Hospital, Washington [D. C.] November 1st [1862]
Dear Brother & Sister,
You must not be surprised too much. Well, I stood it as long as I could and then I had to give up. I have got the jaundice & the fever & chills. I shall be all right in the course of two weeks. I left the regiment at Berlin as they were a crossing into Virginia. I left Sharpsburg before my box got there. If it could have been sent Monday, I could have got it. I don’t know as you have sent it. I have not received any letter from you to that effect. I would have supposed you would have written at the same time you sent the box. I shall have it ordered here as soon as I can got some money to pay the Express. We have not been paid off for four months and I don’t know when we shall be. I have not had any money for over three months. I wish you would send me ten dollars as soon as you get this and I will pay you in the course of a month. From Jack
Direct thus: J. A. Bennett, Ward D, Eastern Division, Harewood Hospital, Washington, D. C. No Company or Regiment on the letter.
Write soon. I am in need of the money.
Letter 25
Harewood Hospital Washington D. C. November 11th 1862
Dear Sister & Brother,
Yours I received together with the money, which will do me a heap of good. We have not been paid off for over four months or I would not been out of money. It comes very handy to buy a little milk to put in my tea an an apple now and then. I am a great deal better than I as when I first came here. The doctor calls it a fever that I have had. I am so as to be up around now although I am quite weak. There is a man a dying in this tent in which I am writing in, with the consumption. Scarcely a day passes without one or more being carried out dead. I was sick four weeks to the regiment before I came here. I had the chills and fever and the jaundice. But I am all right now, I think. The only thing that is the matter now is my legs and hips ache some nights & keep me a rolling & keeps me awake. But I will get over that soon. The doctor is a giving me some powders that I think will help me.
I shall get my box tomorrow, I think. I ordered it to be sent here and the shirts and drawers will come in the nick of time as I need them. I will return that money, Isaiah, in the course of two or three weeks as soon as I can get my pay. I would like to be at home this fall to go a rabbit hunting with you.
I should think father & mother would be very lonesome without Henry. I don’t see how they get along.
I tell you what it is. If I can once get out of this scrape, I guess I shall look out next time I jump and not jump into such a scrape as this. One year will do very well but come to take it any longer, it is tough and rough. No more now. From your brother, — Jack
Letter 26
On board Euterpe Newport [Rhode Island] January 18th 1863
Dear Brother & Sister,
I am once more in the land of the living but shall not come home this trip as I have not had my discharge. I have got to go back to Washington before I can get it. And the Doctor wants me to stop with him on the ship which I shall do if I am no worse.
I have but very little to do and that is writing. I shall come home next trip if we come to Newport, but we may go to New York. We made the run this trip from Fortress Monroe 400 miles in 36 hours. We brought 240 patients to the Portsmouth Grove Hospital. 1, 2
Write me about a week from today and direct to Washington, Ship Euterpe, and write me where Henry is. He wrote to me on New Years Day and that he expected to leave Philadelphia soon. I am afraid he will see harder times than he has seen. I see by the papers the Rebs are using some of our gunboats rather rough.
No more this time. From your brother, — J. A. Bennett
We expect to sail tomorrow or next day if we have the wind fair. — Jack
1 One wartime hospital was located in the present-day Melville district, formerly known as Portsmouth Grove. It was known by several names, earlier as Portsmouth Grove Hospital and later as the Lovell General Hospital, named in honor of Joseph Lovell, surgeon general of the Army from 1818 to 1836, according to local resident Frank Grzyb’s 2012 book, “Rhode Island’s Civil War Hospital.“
2 The Providence Evening Press reported on Saturday, January 17, 1863, “Ship Euterpe, whose arrival we mentioned yesterday, has on board about 250 men. These soldiers will be transferred to the U. S. Military Hospital at Portsmouth Grove either today or tomorrow.”
Letter 27
Ship Euterpe Fortress Monroe February 5th 1863
Dear Brother & Sister,
Yours has just come to hand and you will think we have had a long passage so far but not so. We laid in Newport until the 2nd, waiting for a favorable wind. I might have come home and stopped three weeks if I had known how the wind was a going to blow. I was ashore several times and I got so tired of waiting that I almost concluded to come home for Newport is a fine place in the summer but an awful cold place in the winter.
We made the passage this trip in 54 hours (a good run). I see that there is a good many gunboats laying here so tomorrow I shall look around and see if I can find Henry. Gosport Navy Yard is not far from here and as we shall have to lay here a day or two waiting for a steamer to tow us up to Washington, I shall find him if he is in the vicinity.
I received a letter from that young man’s mother today that I went to see in Boston—the young man that belonged to my company that died. I will send it home as he was a particular friend of mine and I may lose it. I have answered it.
I will write you or Henry will if I find him. We shall get up to Washington some time next week. Direct the same as before—only to Ship Euterpe instead of Euerpe.
This letter was written by Thomas J. Barnes (1827-18xx) of Jackson, Mississippi, who wrote of the scarcity of men left in Hinds county and the crop failures due to the hot, dry weather in the summer of 1862.
Thomas wrote the letter to his uncle, Robert D. Marshall (1808-Aft1880), a native of Virginia, who was a merchant in Sweetwater, Marengo county, Alabama. He was married to Susan Daniels (1802-1855). By 1880 Robert had relocated to Kaufman county, Texas.
Transcription
[Jackson, Mississippi] August 31, 1862
Capt. R. D. Marshall,
Dear uncle, I seat myself this Sabbath morning to write you a few lines to let you know that this leaves myself & family all well, hoping it will find you enjoying the same blessing. I have nothing new to write. All that I hear is war—war—war, and nothing else. I have not gone to war yet. I am too old for the present Conscript Act and as I now belong to the militia, have taken my chances several times in drawing, but have not been drafted yet. I am now acting as captain of a company. I shall not go until I am compelled as all the men are gone now nearly. Out of 1300 voters, nearly 1100 is gone out of this county.
If Congress lengthens the conscript to 45, then I shall go without one word. But some men will have to stay and try to make bread for our families and the army. Our crops are burned up. I never saw such prospects for a support in my life. After we saw our corn was ruined, we then planted more peas & potatoes and it has stayed so dry so long that we will neither make corn nor potatoes. So what we are to do, I am unable to say. But the good Lord knows best and will direct things in the right way after all although we can’t see it at the time.
We see several Alabama soldiers in Jackson. Dossey has stayed ten days with us. Also Bill Loftin from Liberty, and John Barnes—uncle Isaac’s son. Also Brother Stephen Etheredge’s son. I don’t know what his given name is. He was in Capt. Rembert’s Company. Etheredge has now been removed to Brandon Hospital, the county seat of Rankin county. He was improving slowly when I saw him last week.
I was very sorry to hear of the death of cousin Tom (your son). Please write me a long letter on receipt of this & give me all the news and be sure to let me know what has become of Uncle Tom. I have not heard from him since I saw you & I am anxious to hear. My mother’s family have nearly all died off except yourself and Uncle Tom and it affords me great pleasure to hear from you. I should have gone to seen you & stayed with you last winter but my time was so short and as I had a good deal of business to attend to, did not have the time. I took dinner with Bob and cousin Susie & Ginnie at Linden, and was much pleased with the way Bob was getting along. I have learned since that he has left for the war. He told me then that he was going ot get up a company.
I am not pleased with this country and if times ever get any better, I shall move back to Alabama or somewhere else. I have seen A. F. Knight several times, He still says he will pay that note as soon as he can sell cotton and not before. I believe I have written all I can think of at present. Excuse this bad writing as this is mean paper and a still meaner pen. I hope you can be able to read it. Judson and his children join me in love to you. Sister Lucinda and Kiah Nettles are living near me. All well.
I could not find an image of Jack but here is a tintype of an unidentified infantryman who served in either the 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, or 17th Wisconsin Infantry Regiments. The five-button sack coat was unique to these Wisconsin regiments. (Wisconsin Veterans Museum)
The following letter was written by Andrew Jackson (“Jack”) Manley (1844-1905) of Co. I, 14th Wisconsin Infantry. Jack enlisted with the regiment at the time of its formation and was still a teenager when the regiment entered the fight at Pittsburg Landing on its second day—the first battlefield scene of many they were to witness during the war. In his History of Company I, Edgar Houton wrote of Shiloh: “We thought it very likely that the war would be over before we arrived on the scene of action…We clench our teeth, and our faces assume the ashy pallor of death as we grasp our old Belgian rifles and move forward…Behold, we are about to receive our first lesson on the fighting field, but the sensation is far different from what we had expected. No one can visualize accurately the field of battle. He may paint in the most vivid colors its horrors, but when he places the picture drawn by his imagination beside the reality he finds it falls far short of the real.”
Despite his youth, Jack was a favorite among the boys of his regiment and a obviously a favorite of his captain, Calvin R. Johnson—the recipient of this letter. He was made a sergeant quickly and promoted to first sergeant, and then 1st Lieutenant of his company by September 1862.
Jack was the son of Zenas “Turner” Manley (1792-1857) and Rachel Brown (1799-1869) of Greenfield, Monroe county, Wisconsin.
Worden’s Battalion was a group of Wisconsin soldiers who served in the 14th Wisconsin Volunteer Regiment who reenlisted in 1863 and were assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 17th Army Corps. Capt. Calvin R. Johnson, to whom Jack addressed this letter, served as captain of Co. I throughout the war and afterwards became a Wisconsin state representative and county judge.
Transcription
Camp Worden’s Battalion Near Atlanta, Georgia September 16, 1864
Capt. [Calvin R.] Johnson,
Dear sir, I have received two letters from you lately and I will now endeavor to answer them.
I am as tough as ever and there is no end to my eating propensities. “Worden’s Battalion” is now in “full blast.” Capt. O[gden] W. Fox commanding—eight months without pay and still running at a “2-40” pace. Brig. General Col. Mallory has gone home on furlough, or some other business, and Maj. Col. Brig. Worden is commanding the Brigade. The campaign is over, and we have got back to the rear where “stile” lives and we begin to get down to “Regulations.”
Our musicians, who kept a respectable distance to the rear during the whole campaign, and from whom no sound of fife or drum was heard to cheer us on to battle, are now “right up to the chalk” and come down on their old music boxes like a “thousand of brick.” One would think they were inspired. It would be unjust to call it anything shorter.
It is now 4 p.m. We have just been out on Battalion Drill, Capt. O. W. Fox commanding. Had a “gay time.” We marched in line of battle and back again—changed from to rear—came to about face—stacked arms and rested in our places—endured a rest of 10 or 15 minutes—resumed arms—moved forward in two lines of battle, (closed en-mass)—double quicked to gain distance—wheeled into line—changed forward in common time—halted promiscuously, and voted a cessation of maneuvers—marched to camp by the right flank—right in front, and sought our quarters which was easily found. Thus ended lesson No (1).
Well, “Cap,” we have been over 8 months and a half without our pay, but they say it’s nothing when one gets used to it, and I believe it for when I look in my pocket book, I see just nothing.
We have positively prayed, cursed, and swore for the purpose of joining our regiment but all in vain. Oh no! it wouldn’t be military. If “military” says eat, we eat. If military says sleep, we sleep, or of military says thumbs up or thumbs down, why, then it’s thumbs up or down and “Simon” has “nary a word to say.”
I received a letter from Billy Hutchinson the other day in which he gave me a vivid description of the battle and skirmishes in which the Old 14th had participated since their baptism into the V. V. [Veteran Volunteer] Service. They had been in three pitched battles and several skirmishes but lost nary a man in killed or wounded. Bully for the Old 14th is all we can say.
Wilson [S.] Covill has received 2 letters from you and says he will answer them soon. He regrets he has not been able to write before. He wishes you would press his suit a little concerning his bounty, &c. &c. and he will be obliged…
The army has evidently fallen back to give the “Boys” a rest and consequently we have been out for two hours company drill in the forenoon, two hours Battalion drill in the afternoon. Also, Dress Parade and Company Inspection every evening, besides some considerable fatigue. Bully chance for resting, ain’t it?
I tell you, “Cap,” we have got a bully lot of boys in our little Battalion. Notwithstanding they have endured all the privation of a long and tedious campaign—erected 25 heavy lines of earthworks, besides an innumerable number of rifle pits—received no pay for over 8 months, they are still “true blue” and [have not] deserted us, and they will give a big majority to Old Abe providing he enforces the present draft. The 17th Wisconsin will go heavy for “Little Mac” of course.
The Boys are all in good spirits now but want their pay and swear they will have it before they stir a step on another campaign.
Oh, hear that. You have filled your quota in the town and I am glad to hear it. When you write again, tell me who enlisted for i am anxious to know. you will excuse my short letter as I can think of nothing more of interest. Yours as ever, — Jack Manley
The following letters were written by Private Nicholas (“Nick”) Belveal (1839-1926) of Co. F, 33rd Iowa Infantry. Nicholas was 22 years old when he enlisted on 13 August 1862 and he remained almost three years with the regiment, mustering out on 17 July 1865 at New Orleans, Louisiana.
Nicholas was the son of Louis Belveal (1815-1880) and Rachael Ann Nelson Kelly (1823-1918) of Jackson, Keokuk county, Iowa—formerly of Shelbyville, Indiana. Nicholas was married to Mary S. Miller (1841-1884) in 1862. Sometime after the war the couple moved to Oakland, Alameda county, California.
Adding a note to Nick’s 1st letter was Joseph T. Miller (b. 1836), Nick’s brother-in-law who served in the same company.
I could not find an image of Nick but here is one of Pvt. Stephen Stolzer of Co. E, 33rd Iowa Infantry. He died of disease at Helena, Arkansas on 26 July 1863.(Iowa Civil War Images)
Letter 1
Tallahatchie River March 9th 1863 On board steamer Lebanon No. 2
Dearly beloved wife & friends,
It is with the greatest of pleasure that I take the opportunity of informing you that we are all well & in good spirits & I sincerely hope these few lines may find you all in good health.
Well, Mary, I just finished washing & would like to see you—“that’s whats the matter.” Jo. T. is writing father Miller a letter. Well, Mary, I have not seen any more rebs since them I told you about. The darkies says the Rebs is scared nearly to death. They all leave as we advance. This is 13 days we have been out on the expedition and have not seem a reb yet. Oh yes, the cavalry took 2 prisoners.
This Yazoo Pass that you have heard of is about 2/3 as big as Skunk [River]. It empties into Cold Water which is a little bigger. Cold Water empties into the Tallahatchie which is about as big as Skunk [River] and as crooked, but it is a heap deeper. The darkies told us that their masters said if the Yankees got through the Yazoo Pass, Vicksburg was gone certain. The general belief of the soldiers is that the war is about over.
I haven’t got a letter from any of you since the one dated February 19th and I am a getting very anxious to hear from you again. But I think when the mail comes, I will get one. That will be this evening, I think.
Well, Mother, you said you was glad to think that I had quit swearing, I have not swore any since I was at home, not neither do I low it. We had preaching in the Cabin [of the steamboat] yesterday & I was in to hear it. Well, Mother, I have begun to live a religious life & I low to stick to it. You all know that the army is a hard place for a Christian to live but it don’t make any difference with me what others do or say. I low to try to do but what is right.
Sammy says he has nothing of importance to write—only he is well and would like to ses you all if he could. Only he wants to know whether Father has got that money from I. Morgan yet or not.
Well, I believe I have wrote all I have to write. I must close and let Joseph write some. I would like to see you all & I hope I will soon. So no more. Write soon. From your affectionate husband, — N. Belveal
To Mary S. Belveal
Dear Sister, I thought I would write you a few lines. I have just finished a good long letter to Father and Mother. Those lines leave me well and I hope they may find you the same as health is the greatest blessing we can enjoy here on earth and especially while we are in the army.
Well, Mary, I will tell you that I sent Martha 5 dollars in your care. I sent it with Nicholas when he sent his to you. Please do me the favor to hand it to her. I write her a letter the 24th of February. Something else. I have not much new to write this time but we are surrounded with trials here in the army. But Mary, I try to live up to my calling and serve my Master as much as I ever did in my life. And if I ever return to my home and friends, I hope to return untarnished by vice or if I die, to die a faithful soldier for my country and my Lord. But I must close. My best respects to you. Ever your brother, — Joseph T. Miller
To M. S. Belveal
Letter 2
October 11, 1863 On Board the Steamer Hawkeye
Dearly beloved wife and friends,
With the greatest pleasure I seat myself this morning in answer of your kind and welcome note which came to hand on the 7th inst. & found me as these leaves me well & hearty. And I sincerely hope these few lines may find you the same.
Well, Mary, I started up the river on the 3rd inst. guarding prisoners. We was ordered to Memphis and when we got there, we was ordered to St. Louis. And we are about 350 miles from St. Louis. We will get there about Tuesday evening if we don’t run in a sand bar.
Well, Mary, I stayed at Memphis & I am sorry to tell you that our dear brother Joseph is dead. He died on the 8th of August. I could not do anything about his affairs. I wanted to send his things home but they said that would be attended to and all be fixed up right. Mother wanted to know what he said but I could not find out as he was among strangers. He was doing well & getting along fine until he took the gangrene in his wound. Tell Mother I done all I could to fulfill her request but I couldn’t do anything that would be of any satisfaction to her. If I could, I would have done it. But poor brother, he is gone & we can’t help it. I hope we will all meet him again where there will be no wars nor troubles.
I left the camp last Sunday one week ago today. The Boys were all well & in good spirits when I left. We have got 326 prisoners—taking them to St. Louis & there is about half of them swears that they won’t never go back to the army anymore.
Well, Mary, if I had a furlough now I could soon be with you at home but I haven’t got one—that’s what the matter! Well, I must close for the boat shakes so that I can’t write to do any good. I will write again as soon as I get to camp. I would like mighty well to see you if I could & hope it will not be long until I can have that pleasure. So I will close for the present. So fare you well for a while. Ever your true and affectionate husband until death, N. B. to M. S. Belveal
Write soon.
Letter 3
Little Rock, Arkansas November 4th 1863
Dearly beloved wife & friends,
With the greatest pleasure I take my pen in hand in order to drop you a few lines to let you know how I am getting along. I am well and hearty and I sincerely hope these few lines may find you all in good health. Well, Mary, I got a letter from you dated October 11th and also a few lines from Mother. You said you understood that we was going to Memphis but we have no orders to go there as I know of. I went to see about brother Joseph’s affairs but I couldn’t do anything about it. They told me that they would be sent home—that is, his clothes.
Well, the Boys has all got back and none of them got hurt. They didn’t see any Rebs—only deserters that come in and give themselves up. They average between 18 & 25. Well, Mary, I was mighty glad to hear of you being well again. You wrote in your other letter that you was only tolerable well. It gives me great satisfaction when I can hear of your being well.
Well, Mary, I was detailed yesterday to go after brick and we had to go about 15 miles through the thin settled country and cane brakes to no end. But the worst of all, I found a dead hog lying in the cane brake and I brought it to camp and told the captain about it and said, “Did you bring it in?” Yes. “Have you any to spare?” Yes. “Well I would like to have a piece of it as I suppose it hasn’t been dead long enough to spoil.” So we divided it.
Well, Mary, I haven’t any news to write that would be new to you but if I could only just get to see you, I could find a plenty to tell you but I hope the time will soon come when I can have that pleasure again for I want to see you mighty bad. Well, Mary, I have got $40 & I expect we will draw again in a few days 26 more, and I wish you had it all. Well, I believe I have wrote about all for this time. I will write Mother a few lines in answer to her kind note so no more at present. Ever your companion until death, — N. Belveal to M. S. Belveal
Write soon.
November 4th 1863. Much respected father and mother. I this evening seat myself in order to drop you a few lines in answer to your kind note which I gladly received last mail and was truly glad to hear of your being well. These lines leave me well and I hope they may find you the same, Well, Mother, I went to see about brother Joseph but I could not find out what he said before he died. I done all that I could. I couldn’t find just the spot where he was buried. Well, mother, I couldn’t find out anything about him that would console you any. If I could, I would. It is hard to give him up but we must give him up as cheerful as possible. He died a true patriot to his country. I have nothing of my [ ] to write, only I would like mighy well to see you all if I could. S I will close by requesting you to write soon. Ever your son until death, — N. Belveal
Letter 4
Little Rock, Arkansas November 17th 1863
Dear Beloved Wife and friends,
With the greatest pleasure I this morning seat myself in order to drop you a few lines to let you know how I am getting along. I am well and hearty and I sincerely hope these lines may find you enjoying the same happy blessing. The boys is generally well. S. B. and J. Gill is well. J. Speirs is not well yet though I think he will be alright before long.
Well Mary, I was working on the fort yesterday. The detail of men to work on the fort per day is about 600—that is, from the different regiments. 1
Well Mary, I must tell you something about our meetings here in town. I was to meeting three times last Sunday and Sunday night. There is 6 different denominations here in town. I went to the Christian Church at 11 and 4 and as there was no preacher at that church at night we went to the Presbyterian Church at night. I got to hear a mighty good sermon in the forenoon and a tolerable good one in the afternoon, but at night it was rather a dry time.
Well Mary, you may guess how much satisfaction it was to get to hear some good preaching once more. It almost seems like I was free once more. I guess I must tell you there was lots of pretty girls there and they had to go home by theirselves. I tried to get some of the cowardly boys to go with them [but] they was afraid to venture.
Oh Mary, if I could only be at home where I could go with you to meeting, then it would be some satisfaction but I trust the time is not far distant when we can once more see that day. Prosperity and civility seems to once more reign over the town of Little Rock in which the inhabitants seem to be well pleased. As to produce, everything is very high. Pork is worth 15 cents per pound, mutton, beef 12.5, chickens 50 cents per head, potatoes 1.50 per bushel, corn meal 1.50, flour $10 and other things in proportion. What do you think of that?
Well Mary, Sergeant J. Bell is on his way home for the purpose of recruiting for Co. F and I send you $50 by him. I have no news of any importance to tell you this time I believe that would be new to you, but if I was only with you again I could talk you all to sleep. But I am in good spirits for I think the time will roll round some time when I will be again permitted to return to the one that I so dearly love. Well, Mary, tell brother J. F. Githen that I would like mighty well to hear from him if he has not forgotten me entirely though I don’t suppose he has time to write for nursing that boy. So I will bring my letter to a close by scbscribing myself your affectionate husband until death, — N. Belveal
To Mary S. Belveal. Write soon.
1 A month after occupying Little Rock, Gen. Steele ordered the start of construction of a new fort to defend the city from attack. It was a square redoubt with a network of batteries and rifle pits that was named Fort Steele.
Letter 5
Little Rock, Arkansas June 21, 1864
Dearly beloved companion and friends,
With the greatest of pleasure I this morning seat myself for the purpose of dropping you a few lines in answer to your kind and welcome note of the 5th instant which came to hand in due time and found me as this leaves me—well and hearty. And I sincerely hope these lines may find you the same.
As to war news, I haven’t anything late. Times is quiet here and the weather extremely hot. And we had a General Review yesterday and today general inspection. They are spreading on the style rather thick to suit me. I hear that there was a fight at Brownsville yesterday between our cavalry forces and Old Shelby but I don’t know how true it is. But there was some infantry sent over there yesterday for some purpose. There was a detail from our regiment to go to Ft. Smith with a boat load of rations. The Rebs fired into the boat twice but they didn’t hurt anyone. They sent them their compliments and pushed on.
Well, Mary, I heard that Old Big Martha was married. If she is, tell her for me that I wish her much joy and a big boy. John M. Jones and J[ames R.] Speirs & J[ames] Gill is all well. Well, Mary, we haven’t been paid off yet. We had preaching in camp Saturday evening by the Chaplain of the 40th.
The Arkansas River has swollen about 6 feet in the last 24 hours. Business seems to be lively in town and all cheerful. The boys is all fixing for inspection.
I hant got any letter from Ben for so long that I can’t hardly recollect the time but I reckon he will write when he gets good and ready. I have wrote him two or three since I have got any from him. Well, Mary I don’t know what to write as I am out of news. We have got in the notion of getting up a singing. We have sent for 12 books to Chicago—price $3 per dozen. They are of the round note system. We have got tired of the old patent note.
Well, Mary, I will have to quite writing for want of something to write but if I was at home, I could tell you a great deal more than I can think to write. So I will close for the present hoping to hear from you soon. Fare you well for a while. As ever, your true companion until death. — N. Belveal
[to] Mary S. Belveal
Write soon. Co. F’s cook.
Letter 6
Little Rock, Arkansas January 17th 1865
Dear beloved companion and friends,
I this evening seat myself for the purpose of dropping you a few lines to let you know that I am well and hearty and I truly hope re those lines reaches you they may find you enjoying the best of health and all the comforts that a lone life affords. Well Mary, I haven’t got any letter from you for some time but I think I will get one the next mail. The weather is warm and nice. Health is good.
Well Mary, there is a report that our Division is going to be assigned Post Duty here at this place. Our Brigade Commander is in command of this post now and John Brunt said he had seen the list of regiments that was to garrison this post. He said that ours was on the list and if that is so, it’s a good thing as we want our soldiering. We had General Inspection this afternoon which all went off nicely.
Well, my clothing bill for last year was $32.85 leaving me$9.15 to be paid in money at the next payment. I want to send you $1 when we are paid again.
Well, Mary, I was on picket last Saturday night and witnesses one of the unfortunate incidents of war. There was several of us —some of Co. A, F, and H—on the same post, and one of Co. A’s men saw a rat scrambling in the leaves and he thought he would kill it so he turned the butt of his gun and grasped it around the bayonet with his right hand and jabbed at the rat and the gun fired and the ball passed through his fingers, tearing them up badly. I brought him to camp. He was a recruit. He had only been on picket about four times—a dear initiation for him.
Well, Mary, I can’t think of much to write but the time is drawing nigh when I hope I will be permitted to bring my news instead of sending. The time seems to pass away very fast. Speirs & Gill and John Jones is well. Well, I believe I have wrote all that I can think of so I will close. Sam wants to write some to Thomas. So farewell for the present. As ever your companion until death, — N> B. to < S. B. Write soon.
Letter 7
Brazos Island, Texas June 9, 1865
Dear beloved wife and parents,
I this morning seat myself for the purpose of dropping you a few lines to let you know that we are both well and hearty and I do sincerely hope this may find you the same. Well, Mary, instead of coming ome, we are now in Texas. We left Mobile on the 3rd day of June and sailed for this point which we reached on the 5th. We had a calm sea and a good ship which made the voyage pleasant. Our ship was 340 feet long and 1800 tons burthen. There is a current report here now that we are going to be relieved by an Army Corps of Colored Troops from New York. We are now at Point Isabela at the mouth of the Rio Grande River. It’s as any country. I haven’t had any letters for several days.
Our fleet and the French fleet is both laying out here in the Gulf. The French and Mexicans is still fussing and they can just fuss it out as far as I am concerned.
Sam has gone a fishing and I am going. We can catch lots of the best of salt water fish here. We have to use condensed water here altogether for the sea water is just as salty as brine.
Well, Maty, I haven’t got much to write and my hand shakes so bad that I can’t write what I want to. Well, I want to see you all mighty bad but I will have to wait until I can get home. The sun shines pretty hot here on this sand.
Well, I must quit for fear the mail goes off and leaves my letter. I have a poor place to write on. Keep in good faith for I feel pretty sure if we are releived here we will come home. So I will stop for the present, hoping to see you soon. As ever your true companion until death, — N. B. [to] M. S. B.
Write soon.
Letter 8
Encamped at the mouth of the Rio Grande, Texas June 22, 1865
Dear Wife & parents & friends,
It’s with the greatest of pleasure that I this evening seat myself for the purpose of dropping you a few lines in answer to your kind, welcome note of the 11th ult. which just reached me and brought me the consoling news that you was all well. Those lines leaves us both well and I truly hope they may find you all the same.
Well, we are encamped on the boiling plains of Texas. The sun shines very hot but there is always a cool sea breeze as we are right on the beach. We can look for miles without seeing a tree or switch. We are on one side of the river and the French holds the other. Our boys get in a row with them once in a while and just clear them out. The Mexicans and French brings a heap of trade over.
As to when we will come home, I can’t tell. There is so many rumors that I can’t tell but the general opinion is that we will be relieved before long and sent home but don’t flatter yourselves for military power is uncertain, but dark has caught me and I will have to stop till morning.
This is the 23rd and finds us both well and I truly hope you are the same. O, Mary, you can’t imagine how bad I want to see you but the time is coming pretty close when they will have to let us out. But I can’t help but think we will get out before the 1st of October.
They try to make us drill two hours per day but we just fall in line and march off apiece and stack arms till the time is up and then come in. Our Colonel don’t care but it is the higher straps.
Well, Mary, you said you had not got any of them things yet. Some of the Boys sent things the same time & directed the same way that has gone to Washington, Iowa, and it might be that them things has gone there too. You could find out by writing a letter to the agent of Adams Express. John Jones & Wes Allen sent something at the same time and they have got home. I guess from the way you write, Mother don’t like Illinois very well. I haven’t got a word from them yet. I have wrote but don’t get any answer.
Well, Toad just come down here. There is horny toads here. This is a curious country. The wind blows nearly all the time from the same way. I don’t like this climate nor the country nor the people that lives here for they are such blockheads. Well, we have just went through the pretensions of drilling.
As to health, it is very good. We haven’t got any shade—only what we make out of our tents. Well, Mary, I can’t tell you when to look for me but I hope to be at home soon. Well, I believe I have wrote all that I can think of for the present so I will close hoping to see you soon. So fare you well for awhile. As ever your copanion until death, — N. B. [to] M. S. B.
I could not find an image of Frank but here is one of an unidentified Wisconsin infantryman outfitted in the distinctive 5 button state blouse. (Michael Huston Collection)
The following letter was written by 19 year-old Francis (“Frank”) Marion Crandall (1843-1864), the son of Samuel Mortimer Crandall (1815-1855) and Elizabeth East (1823-18xx) of Baraboo, Sauk county, Wisconsin. Frank enlisted as a fifer in Co. A, 6th Wisconsin Infantry on 10 May 1861. He was wounded at the Battle of Antietam on 17 September 1862 and mustered out of the regiment on 6 July 1864, dying of disease at Chester, Delaware county, Pennsylvania. An article appearing in the Baraboo Weekly News on 9 November 1911 claims that “Mrs. J. G. Train” donated “many pictures including [one of] Leroy Gates; also ‘housewife.’ [Sewing kit] carried through the war by Frank M. Crandall.”
Frank wrote the letter to his cousin, Katherine (“Katie”) Crandall who was the daughter of David Phelps Crandall (1802-1877) and Priscilla East (b. 1815) who came to Sauk county, Wisconsin, from Montgomery, Mississippi.
At the time this letter was written in mid-May 1862, the Army of the Potomac was advancing on Richmond in the Peninsula Campaign. The 6th Wisconsin, however, were part of the 3rd Brigade in King’s Division, and stationed in the Dept. of the Rappahannock until June 1862.
Transcription
Fredericksburg, Virginia May 13th 1862
Dear cousin,
I received your kind letter somewhere about 4 o’clock yesterday afternoon and was glad to receive one more letter before I died. I never expected to get another letter but I am glad that I was mistaken. I am sorry to hear of the death [of] Charley Brice. He was a fine young man, yet thousands have been killed who are no less dear.
Give my best respects to Martin & the girls and tell them I should be very much pleased to hear from them. Tell Martin to write. Have you received a letter from a Mr. Atwell? He old me he had written to you. He is a well educated young man and is a lawyer. You must write to him. He is also a schoolteacher at Waukechon.
Tell Sarah Martin & Leona Case that they had better write to me if they know when they are well off. Jake Langhart, I am sorry to say, is left behind. He was sick when we left. There was one time that they thought he would not live but they say that he is a good deal better now. 1
May 15th. I am once more seated to write. I am sitting wrapped up in two or three blankets so as to keep warm so you can form what sort of weather we have down here. The day that I went to see Jake [Langhart] I found a good Union family. He was very much pleased with me and would not let me depart without going into the house which I did and there I found a young lady, his daughter, about 19 years old and good-looking & smart.
I had a fine time last Sunday [11 May 1862]. I saw a skirmish between our cavalry under Col. Harris 2 and some rebel infantry. We took one Lieutenant & 17 privates with no loss. I must close. Love to all the folks. From your affectionate cousin, — Frank
1 Jacob C. Langhart served with Frank in Co. A, 6th Wisconsin Infantry. He was killed in action at the Battle of South Mountain on 14 September 1862.
This letter was written by Elihu “Alonzo” Crandall (1847-1918) of Baraboo, Sauk county, Wisconsin, who originally enlisted on 17 December 1863 in Co. F, 23rd Wisconsin Infantry. Alonzo wrote the letters to his cousin, Katherine (“Katie”) Mary Crandall (1842-Aft1900), whose brother, Robert Bruce Crandall (1839-1901) served in the same company. Alonzo later transferred to Co. I, 35th Wisconsin Infantry and mustered out of the service at Brownsville, Texas in March 1866. Elihu was the orphan of Samuel Mortimer Crandall (1815-1855) and Elizabeth East (1823-1857).
A post war image of Elihu Alonzo Crandall
Robert and Katie were the children of David Phelps Crandall (1802-1877) and Priscilla East (b. 1815) who came to Sauk county, Wisconsin, from Montgomery, Mississippi. Robert enlisted on the 14 Aug 1862 as a 1st Sergeant in Co. F, 23rd Wisconsin Infantry. He was later promoted to 2nd lieutenant for meritorious conduct and mustered out at Mobile, Alabama the 4th July 1865.
The 23rd Wisconsin served in the western theater of the war, primarily along the Mississippi River Valley.
The first letter presented here was written in October 1864 while Alonzo still served in the 23rd Wisconsin Infantry. It describes the expedition to Bayou Sarah and Jackson, Louisiana, where they encountered Confederates led by Col. John Scott’s Cavalry Brigade and Col. Frank P. Power’s Regiment who drove them from Thompson’s Creek near Jackson to St. Francisville on Oct 5th.
The second letter was written in July 1865 from Clarksville, Texas, after Alonzo had been transferred to Co. I, 35th Wisconsin Infantry. In that letter he describes having been attacked by sand fleas (though he described them as mosquitoes so small they couldn’t be seen) with a bite so strong that it could cut “through a piece of solid cast iron two inches thick.”
Alonzo’s provides us with details of the expedition from their encampment at Morganza Bend to Bayou Sara by steamboat on October 3-6, 1864. Action action Bayou Sara and Thompson’s Creek, near Jackson on October 5th is described. Some 3 regiments of infantry, 500 cavalry, and 3 sections of artillery participated on the expedition, including the 16th Ohio Infantry. A member of the 16th OVI named Corporal Theodore Wolback wrote of the landing at Bayou Sarah: “The force struck out from the river toward St. Francisville, the 16th in advance deployed as skirmishers. They passed through the town on a run finding but one person on the street, an old man in the act of hitching up in a buggy. He was taken charge of by a guard. A little beyond town our advance ran into some cavalry pickets, three I believe. One was sound asleep and was captured; the other two got away just in time to escape a like fate. The captured man was very communicative. He said he had fought under Zollicoffer at Mill Springs. A little further beyond we passed the residence of ex-Governor Harris. The old gent was at home and was very friendly to us, bringing milk out to the boys. A squad of rebel cavalry, that was cut off on a by-road by our main advance, galloped out on the main road and escaped with bullets singing after them. Not finding anything more of the enemy after going fifteen miles we returned.“
Addressed to Miss Kittie M. Crandall, Baraboo, Sauk county, Wisconsin
Camp of 23rd Regt. Wisconsin Vols. Morganza Bend, Louisiana Thursday, October 6th 1864
Dear Cousin Kitty.
I now seat myself to pen you a few lines to let you know what we have been doing for the last 5 or 6 days. Last Sunday afternoon we got orders to move down the river the next morning as far as Bayou Sarah—distance of 15 miles. We marched to the landing and went on board the Ohio Belle about sunrise, landed at the bayou a little before noon and the first boat to land was the Laurel Hill [which] Col. [Joshua J.] Guppey and his] staff were on and Capt. [Jacob A.] Schlick [of Co. F, 23rd Wisconsin] was the first man to land. He took his horse with him and jumped on to him and put off up town and their pickets were in town. The captain captured some of them before he went a quarter of the way through the town, took him a mule & his arms. We took two more after the cavalry got ashore.
We moved up on the hill about a mile from the landing and formed a line of battle and laid that way all the rest of the day and all night. The next morning we was ordered up at 4 a.m., eat our breakfast, started at 5, went to Jackson, La., 13 miles by 11 o’clock. We eat dinner, stayed in town a little while, then fell in and fell back a mile from the town across a creek and went into camp for the night. We got our supper and sat down to eat it and Lt. Stanley told us the orders were to do all our cooking that night and not to build any fires in the morning.
But when a.m. came, he told us to build our fires and get breakfast and just after breakfast, we got up on the fence and saw them plant a battery or rather one piece and we got off of the fence. I had just got off and give Corp. Williams some sugar to sweeten his coffee and I had just put the sugar back into my haversack when a shell came from the rebel gun just over our heads and burst, killing a man in Co. C. It bruised his head and another struck him in the bowels, tearing him all to pieces. 1
They threw about six shells and then stopped. Then we fell back for Bayou Sarah and when we had got within about 2 miles of the town, their cavalry charged on our rear guard forcing us to stand. Our regiment filed off to the right in an open field where they could see us and we them. They planted a gun and opened on us. They killed some man in Co. G by the name of John Jones. 2 The shell struck right in front of where he was lying & glanced upwards and bursted in his head, throwing his brains all over [cousin] Robert and the other boys and wounded 3 others. They then fell back, Co. F being the lucky company. They left both the men on the field. Not a man in Co. F was hurt. They then fell back to the town on top of a high hill.
The rebels run 4 pieces and our guns disabling one gun and blowing up one caisson. They didn’t try it any more. We fell back to the boats, got on the boats, and got back to camp last night.
There was never a regiment in the U. S. Service that stood the fare [?]—or would of stood it, that is what the Colonel commanding the expedition gave us in praise. He (the Colonel) sat on his horse looking at the rebs telling the battery where to fire and the shell bursting all around and he sat there and never dodge nor stir. — Alonzo
I will close this letter now. I guess.
Is George and Jennie with you yet? If so, give them my love and and also Mr. Stanly’s folks. Tell them Lt. is well. Love to all, from your affectionate cousin, — Alonzo
1 Pvt. Martin Cook of Marcellon, Wisconsin, was the unlucky soldier. He was killed in action on 5 October 1864 at Jackson, Louisiana.
2 Corp. John G. Jones of Columbus, Wisconsin, was wounded in action at Vicksburg and killed in action on 5 October 1864 at Jackson, Louisiana.
Map from a description of the same expedition appearing on 16th Ohio Infantry website.
Letter 2
Addressed to Miss Kittie M. Crandall, Baraboo, Sauk county, Wisconsin
Camp 35th Regt. Wisconsin Infantry At Clarksville, Texas July 14, 1865
Dearest Cousin,
Today finds me in Co. I, 35th Regt. Wisconsin Volunteers in Clarksville, Texas opposite of Bagdad, Mexico. In the first place, I must tell you how our company is situated. There is [Jeremish] Sullivan, [Lucius A.] Crosier, and myself belonging to Co. I and Sullivan belongs to Co. G, and the rest [Patrick] Conley, [Hiram L.] Edwards, [James] Green, [William] Hickok, [George] Morg. Jones, Billy Jones, O[rson] C. Knapp, [Israel] Perry, are all in Co. K. That is the way we are split up. I don’t like the idea a bit but we must put up with it I suppose for it can’t last forever. We will be just as good as any shoulder strap one of these days if Lord willing and nothing happens.
We left Mobile on the night of the 8th on board of the N. P. Banks and arrived at Galveston on the afternoon of the 11th, stayed in port all night, and left again on the next morning at 4 o’clock for Brazos Santiago. Arrived there on the night of the 13th, landed, found the regiment. Was nine miles ahead. We were ordered to march it so we waited until night and marched within about a mile of the regiment and went into camp for the night. We laid in the sand where it was about 4 feet deep and it made us a nice, soft bed—almost too soft. But the mosquitoes like to eat me up. They were so small that you could not see them and they would bite a man through a piece of solid cast iron two inches thick. They were awful—almost as bad as at Cedar Point. Ask [your brother] Robert how bad they were there and he will tell you.
Just across the border from Bagdad on the American side of the Río Grande during the 1800s.
There is about 10,000 troops here at this point and about 70,000 in all. We expect Old General U. S. Grant here now every day. He was expected in Mobile the same day we left and I believe just as sincerely as ever I did anything in my life, when he comes to see how things are working, he will have the rest of the white troops mustered out and station the negroes here—or rather leave the negroes here that are here now for there is nothing whatever a going on here. But on the other side, the French and the Mexicans are pretty busy. Maximilian evacuated Bagdad yesterday. He heard that [Col. Juan Nepomuceno] Cortina was close onto him.
They don’t let anymore of our men or officers either to go over [into Mexico] anymore for the officers of the 28th Wisconsin used to go over there and gamble and one day one of the officers won $50 from a Mexican and the Mexican told him to give him back his money or he would blow out his brains. The officer told him it was the first and best shot and at the same time shot the Mexican dead and others. Was about 20 of our boys over there and they commenced to fire and had quite a time over it and ever since they don’t allow any of our boys to cross.
Well, I must close. Give my love to all the folks and my regards to Mr. Stanley’s folks. With lots and lots of love to thee, I remain as ever your affectionate cousin, — Alonzo E. Crandall, Drummer, Co. I, 35th Regt. Wisconsin Vols.
The following letter was written by Ichabod P. Hewitt (1844-1907), the son of James and Phebe (Clark) Hewitt of Warren county, Pennsylvania, who entered as a private in Battery G, 3rd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery (a.k.a 152nd Pennsylvania Regiment), in early February 1864. Muster roll records indicate that he deserted on 28 July 1865 following the cessation of hostilities. After the war, Ichabod took a job in the oil production industry.
Hewitt wrote the letter to Samuel Erastus Barnes (1844-1902), the son of Asa and Letitia (Fice) Barnes of Warren county, Pennsylvania. Erastus worked in the lumber industry.
[Note: This letter is from the personal collection of Jeff Hilsmeier and was transcribed and published on Spared & Shared by express consent.]
Transcription
Redoubt Converse [near Appomattox River] Spring Hill, Virginia February 13, 1865
Mr. E. Barnes,
Sir, I received your kind and welcome letter of the 5th instant and I was glad to hear from you once more but was sorry to hear that Rose was sick. I hope she may recover.
Well, Mister Barnes, I disagree with you in the peace question for Mister Lincoln has offered them all that they could ask and the rebels would not accept it and now I want to see them all licked into the Union again. I was in favor of peace before but now I say lick them in and so does every other soldier.
Well, I hope they will find oil there? Has Elk County ever sent the bonds for the county? Do the best you can with them.
There is a young man here in Company E. He sends his respects. His name is Anthony Flanagan. 1 He worked for you once.
I suppose you have heard about the rebel rams coming down the James River and got drove back. That was where we done picket duty all summer. The got one boat blowed up and then went back. 2
Well, I will have to close. Write soon. Tell Rosa to write a poor soldier who is very lonesome. Yours and so far, — I. P. Hewitt
Address:
I. P. Hewitt Battery G, 3rd Pa. Artillery Redoubt Converse Spring Hill, Va. Via Fortress Monroe Care of Capt. [Joseph W.] Sanderson
1 Anthony Flanagan entered the service on 2 January 1864 and mustered out with Battery E on 9 November 1865.
2 Hewitt is probably referring to the Battle of Trent’s Reach in which a flotilla of Confederate warships attempted to break through the Union blockade on the James River and attack Grant’s supply depot at City Point. The CSS Drewry was so heavily damaged that her crew abandoned ship just in time because fifteen minutes later, at 6:55 am, a round from one of the batteries ignited the vessel’s powder magazine. Instantly the gunboat exploded violently and sank. The large shock wave also heavily damaged the nearby Scorpion which had to be abandoned as well. Two men were killed on the torpedo boat and it sank along with the Drewry.
1865 image of the CSS Drewry sunk in the James river channel
The following letter was written by Pvt. Samuel Frank of Co. B, 18th Missouri Infantry—a regiment formed early in the war and one that took part in most of the important engagements in the western theatre. It lost heavily at Shiloh. During the first two months of 1864m it was mounted and employed in scouting the country about Florence, Alabama. It then joined Gen. Sherman’s army and was assigned to the 17th Corps during the Atlanta Campaign and the March to the Sea. They then marched with Sherman to Raleigh, North Carolina, where this letter was written in April 1865 on the evening before Gen. Sherman reviewed his army in the streets of Raleigh
Gen. Sherman reviewing his troops as they march through the streets of Raleigh, 24 April 1865 The Becker Collection, Boston College Libraries
Samuel wrote the letter to 15 year-old Ruth A. Morgan (1849-1926) of St. John, Putnam county, Missouri. Ruth was married to Sidney Daniel Shattuck (1836-1918) in 1868 and lived her entire life in Putnam county, Missouri.
Transcription
Addressed to Miss Ruth A. Morgan, St. John, Putnam county, Missouri
Camp near Raleigh, North Carolina April 23rd 1865
Miss Ruth A. Morgan,
Dear friend, it is with pleasure that I take my pen in hand to answer your kind letter that came to hand a few days ago and was glad to hear from you and to learn you was well and to know that you haven’t forgot me. I am in good health and I truly hope when this comes to hand it will find you well and enjoying yourself.
Well, I haven’t much of importance to write, only I would like to see you once more and have the pleasure of talking to you. We have good news down here. Old General Lee has surrendered to General Grant and General Johnson has surrendered to General Sherman and lots of news about [the] place. It is the talk that we sill start in a few weeks on our way home and then all of the boys can come home and see the girls and have a good time with them. And then we can talk instead of writing and that will be much more pleasure to us.
Thomas Good[e] has come and fetched the letter safe to me. It has been a long time since I heard from you. It done me lots of good to get a letter from you. All of the boys is well as far as I know. Only Chris—he is not here at this time. He has not been with the regiment since we left Beaufort, South Carolina.
We are to have a General Review tomorrow. General Sherman is to be there. It is to be in town. I will have to close for it is getting late and I have to clean my gun. I send my love and best respects to you. Write soon as you can. I still remain as ever your true friend. Yours sincerely [with] love, — Mr. Samuel Frank
The following letters were written by Melville P. Nickerson (1838-1907), the son of Solomon Swett Nickerson (1802-1856) and Sally Wentworth Veazie (1803-18xx) of Brewer, Penobscot county, Maine. He wrote the letters to his brother-in-law James S. Young of Brewer. In the 1860 US Census, Melville was enumerated in his mother’s home, his 26 year-old brother Oliver working as a boat builder, and Melville as a 22 year-old mariner.
I could not find an image of Melville but here is one of Samuel Caley of Co. D, 2nd Maine Infantry
I have not provided a middle name for Melville as the genealogical records vary—some say it was Parker, some say Porter. In fact, his first name is also given variously as Melville or Melvin though I feel confident it was Melville. His comrade’s called him Mell.
The war had barely begun when Melville enlisted on 28 May 1861 as a private in Co. C, 2nd Maine Infantry. He was quickly elevated to a corporal and later rose to Sergeant. Despite Melville ridiculing others in his regiment for “playing off” and being discharged for medical disability by a surgeon’s certificate, it appears that he did the same thing in the spring of 1862, never even participating on McClellan’s Peninsula Campaign. By the time of the 1863 Draft Registration in the summer of 1863, Melville was back in Brewer studying law.
The 2nd Maine was the first Civil War regiment to march out of the state, and was greeted with accolades by civilians as it made its way to Washington, D. C. It engaged in “eleven bloody and hard-fought battles” including the First Battle of Bull Run, where it was the last regiment to leave the field, and Fredericksburg, where it took its greatest number of casualties. As one of the letters alludes to, the term of service to which the men had agreed to serve was a matter of dispute from the very beginning though most did not take the matter seriously in 1861 as most of them thought, like Melville, that the war would certainly be over by the spring of 1862. Whether it was a two year or three term of service seemed to matter little at the time.
Melville’s 1861 letters reflect the reputation of the regiment. They were known as a rough and rowdy bunch who loved a good fight. Many of them were seamen, dock workers, laborers and lumberjacks. Drinking and fighting were second nature to them.
Letter 1
Camp Seward June 20th 1861
Dear Brother Jim & Sister May
I received your letter last night and was glad to hear from you and the folks at home that I did not stop to think of your not writing before. We are all well here at present and me especially for i never was better in my life although I should like to have something more to eat sometimes but manage to get along very well. We are having very warm but pleasant weather now and some of the men feel the heat very much but I guess that when we get a little more used to it, we shall like it better.
Everything is quiet here at present. No important movements going on although the federal troops are slowly but surely advancing their lines towards Harpers Ferry and Manassas Gap and probably there will be a pitched fight there before long if there is any fight in the South. But every moment it is delayed finds us in better shape for we are improving in drill and there are troops arriving every day more or less. But it is thought that the war will not be prosecuted very much until Congress meets and then after they have another chance to throw down their arms and return to their allegiance. If they still persist in their rebellion, the immense forces concentrated here and at Fort Monroe and the West will probably be sent on and then Jeff Davis & Company had better look out for their necks are in danger.
You can have but a poor idea of the quantity of troops here. Even we, until we had been here a week, saw them come in every day and night, could not imagine anything of the preparations that are being made by the Government. I see by the letters that we get from home that it is generally thought down there that we are in the service for only three months but here we do not know how long we are in for—some say 3 years and others 3 months. As for myself, I cannot find out how it is and therefore shall not express an opinion on it anyway.
We are sorry to hear of the death of poor Benner for he was a first rate little fellow and he is the first of the 2nd Regiment that has fallen a martyr to his patriotism. But his name should be remembered by all true men i nMaine for although he did not [die] by the steel of the rebel’s [bayonet], he has fallen in a glorious cause. May he rest in peace and who will be the next? God only knows.
Mary wrote that Oliver had written the same day that you did but I have not anything from him. I got one last night from David. I should like to have been down there to have gone to the fires. I guess that you have got some secessionists down there. I think you had better organize a regiment right off and station some picket guard and send out patrols or you may see some morning when you get up the rebel flag flying over your heads and then don’t say that I did not warn you. But then, I suppose you don’t know much about war down there. If you had been encamped within two miles of Virginia and within sight of Alexandria and Fairfax Court House and also Arlington Heights for a fortnight, you would feel like fighting. I have been so mad for a week that I did not know what to do.
Because I did not get any letter from home and I have written 4 or 5, but since I got yours & David’s last night, I feel much better. Write as often as you can and tell all the folks to do the same and I shall keep you as well informed of our movements and condition as I can. I have not got only a half of a sheet of paper this morning so I must close. Your brother, — Mell
Letter 2
Camp Seward June 26th, 1861
Dear Sister,
I received your letter Monday night and was glad to hear that you and the rest of the folks were well and doing well. I am still enjoying good health and in good spirits. There is not much sickness in the camp at present. The warm weather affects a few though it is nothing serious. There is no movements of importance going on now although I believe there is a gradual advance of the forces on the other side of the river in Virginia but probably there will not be much of a battle till after the Fourth of July when, if Congress cannot succeed in arranging the matter, we shall go into them and wipe them out. It is sort of full and dry here in camp but we live well now and don’t have to drill more than one half as much as we did before.
We had a great time here last night. We had a mock dress parade. We dressed up in the worst shape we could after the rag muffin style and went out on the regimental parade and went through the motions of a dress parade, None of the officers partake in it. It is all among the privates. Ed Currier was captain & Jim [ ]son & Charles Merrill were lieutenants while I was orderly sergeant of our company and we had a great time, I tell you. The officers all were out to see it. All of our regiment and all of the other three Maine regiments with quite a crowd from other regiments. There was about five or six thousand soldiers in the field. After we got through with that fun, the band of the #rd Maine came over and played in front of our officers’ quarters for about an hour. They have a very fine band of 23 pieces. We had a splendid serenade. The officers encourage the boys to get up all kind of sports. It serves to make our time pass more pleasantly and keep the boys from being homesick. Charley Merrill got a trunk from home the other night and most of the boys from the lower end of town got some presents from their folks. I got a letter from Mother and Judith and Oliver and have answered them. Hope they will write often and they may expect to hear from me frequently.
As near as I can find out about our term of service, we are accepted for two years but it is not certain and it is impossible to find out for certain here. I suppose that you down there know more about it than we do here.
Monday afternoon I went out on a cruise in the country back of here. I went about three or four miles back on the plantation and had a first rate time on some of them and some of them looked awful ugly, but they do not dare say anything about here about secession to our soldiers for an insult offered to one of them and they would tear a man’s house down over his ears. So we cruise around and eat all of their strawberries and other fruit that we can find on their plantations and thank nobody for it.
We hear some rather hard stories about Wheeler in his performance of his duties toward the support of our soldiers’ families and the boys are awful mad about it. I think that he had better be careful or he will see some trouble when Co. C gets home to Brewer again. They may think he is a rebel and tear his house down about his head or something of that kind for we don’t stop at trifles now and if the people in Brewer want to try any of their humbugging, they had better try somebody else than soldiers (mind that now!).
I got a letter from Enoch Monday night also and shall answer it as soon as I can. Probably this afternoon. You have written several ties about sending newspapers from home but as we get several a week now in camp, I would not bother with them, I think. But do just as you please about it. I was sorry to hear that things were so hard down there as us poor folks must feel the effects of it very much. But I have faith to think that there will be a way provided for all who are striving in this, our sacred cause.
We are expecting the arrival of more Maine regiments every day but what they are going to do with so many men, I can hardly see for there is a chain of encampment a mile deep all around the city and any quantity in the city whilst over the river they have dug entrenchments from Alexandria to Arlington Heights—a distance of about ten miles. And they have any quantity of men in them out west, they are all soldiers. God pity the rebels.
President Lincoln has command of from 225 to 250 thousand men now and we have but just commenced to send troops here yet. New York has about 70 thousand here now and 40 thousand more begging for a chance to come and the other states in proportion. What Jeff Davis thinks of doing with 75,000 men against all this force is more than I can imagine. I should advise him to take what money he can get and hop a fast steamer and take his brother rebel leaders and leave for the south sea islands right off.
But my sheet is fill of something but I guess it don’t amount to much anyway. Write often. From your brother, — M. P. Nickerson
Letter 3
Headquarters 2nd Regiment Vol. Maine Militia Camp Seward, Washington D. C. June 27th 1861
Dear Brother Jim and sister,
I have just received your letter of the 23rd and hasten to write in return. I was very glad to hear that you were well and that the rest of the folks were also well. Also that that garden was doing so well. When you eat your first mess of green peas, just eat a few for me. I am happy to say that we are faring much better now than we used to. We get enough and it is of good quality. The fault before was in the contractors. The quartermaster could not get good grub and so he stopped taking of them and engaged a new buyer and provision dealer and now we get along first rate. Ain’t you glad?
I want you to tell Mr. O[liver] M. Nickerson, Esq. that if he can’t stop toting Annie around long enough to write a few letters now and then, that he had better sell out to some loafer that has got time. Tell him that because I have gone and there is nobody to cuff him a little and keep him straight, that he had [better] not think that he can do just as he has a mind to for I shall be at home next spring and then he will have to stand around. Tell Jim that he had better look after him or he may become dangerous. Tell him to give him a dose of cord wood three times a day to be taken for an hour before eating and keep him to home, and I guess that he will get over it in time. I think that there is a chance to outgrow it.
I am tanned up so black that I am almost afraid to go out among the slaveholders around here, and have got a ferocious mustache and whiskers—almost as heavy as the President’s. At least I shall have in a few weeks.
We have to turn out now at 4:30 o’clock for two hours and then have a company drill for an hour and a half at 8:30 o’clock. And then we don’t have anything more to do until half past six at night when we have a dress parade. So you see I have any quantity of time to read and write letters and papers. I was very glad to get a paper from you today. There is o important news here now so I don’t know hardly what to write about.
The Farmers’ Cabinet, 28 June 1861
I think that is all a hoax about Jeff Davis’s propositions for it is contradicted here in Washington last night, but still it may be true for all I can know about such things is by rumor for government does not let its movements be known now. I think there is a chance for the trouble to be settled when Congress meets for I think that the South has got sick of rebellion in the face of such a force as we have raised now. We have about as many men in this city [will] hold and the rooms are all full round about here. Probably we have one hundred to one hundred and fifty thousand men here in this vicinity and about 250 thousand under arms in the North and by September we shall have 500 thousand and they would make short work of the South.
As to how long I have enlisted for, I have enlisted for two years you know in Bangor, and then in Willet’s Point we took an oath for three years if we were mustered in for that length of time, but how long we were mustered in for, I do not know anything more about that than you do. But be it two or three years, this war will be over by next May and then we shall be discharged if not before. We may not have been mustered in for more than three months and so our time will be out the 28th of August.
There is a daguerrean artist here by the name of Mrs. Donaldson—a widow lady who is taking pictures for 25 cents. When I get paid off, I shall send my picture home. I expect it will be splendiferous! Gorgeously magnificent!
Tell mother to write me again and Judith and David and Oliver and everybody else. I have answered Mother’s and Judith’s letter and also your last. Keep on writing and send all the news. Tell Oliver to give my best respects to Ann and tell her that his [Oliver’s] soger brother is a great deal better looking than he is. Give my regards to all enquiring friends. So goodbye for this time and remember your brother.
— M. P. Nickerson, Co. C, 2nd Regt. V. M. M., High Private
Letter 4
Fort Corcoran August 29th 1861
Brother Jim,
As I have not written to you for some time and it rains today and is sort of dull, I thought I would write a few lines just to let you know that I am alive and well as usual and I hope you and yours are enjoying the same. I kinder thought I should get a letter from you today but did not. But I suppose that you are so busy that you don’t feel much like writing for I know that I don’t like to sit down and write when I have been to work hard.
There is no news of importance here—at least I don’t know any for I don’t have much chance to in here for we have moved inside of the fort and taken up winter quarters, I suppose. And we are busy just now learning how to handle the big guns in here. Our company has 8-inch [seacoast] Howitzers to handle. They differ from the common 64-pound siege guns only in its length and the thickness of the casting as they are made to heave shell and grape in and are not so good for heaving ball. I am gunner of one of the pieces and she is a beauty, I tell you. She weighs 5,780 pounds and I am going to fetch her home with me for a fowling piece when I come and I want to borrow some of your tools to make a stock for her for the one she has got now is rather clumsy.
The rear entrance to Fort Corcoran
I shall not want to borrow any gage for you know that I made one last winter and if you have not stolen it, I suppose it is to home now. I should like to play Euchre with you once more for that has been the principal business since we came away and I suppose I can beat anything but the Old Boy and I guess I could stand my hand with him even.
I hope you will follow my direction in regard to fighting if you should happen to have a battle there. There is not much sickness here now except a few that are sick the same as Hen[ry] Leach was. Oh he’s a brave lad. Have you joined the Home Guards yet? I understand they are getting up a company down there in Brewer. We are coming home in May to clean them out and the 400 of the Bloody Second that are left can clean out the whole state.
We had a grand review of this brigade last Tuesday by Gen. McClellan & staff accompanied by the President & Secretary Seward. They came into the fort and saw us exercise the guns and like all the others, they gave us a very good name but still not seem to think much of our good clothes. And to tell the truth, I never saw the regiment look quite so bad before. Their clothes are a great deal more holy than righteous. Anyway, since then, there is an order been signed to do away with all grey uniforms so I think we shall get new ones soon.
We have first rate fare now—the best we have ever had. Soft bread every day and baked beans quite often, and a plenty of fresh & salt beef with tea and coffee do that we get along quite well. I don’t weigh quite so much as I did when I enlisted but I am a pretty tough cup generally and I suppose I could clean out about a dozen of such critters as you & Oliver are.
I want you to be a good boy & keep your nose clean and not tear your trousers while I am away and when I come back, I’ll buy you a stick of candy. But as it is about time to drill, I must close this letter. Write as often as you can spare time and write everything you know. I expected a letter from Mary today but did not get any. If I was there I would cuff her ears, but hoping to hear from you all, I remain yours, &c., — M. P. Nickerson
Letter 5
Hall’s Hill, Va. November 25th 1861
Dear Sister,
As I have a few minutes leisure, I will scribble a few lines to you. I am well and doing well and we are in the same place yet and I see no prospect of moving yet a while. The weather is rather cold and wet here lately and we had a little snow storm on Sunday night and I was sergeant of the guard and we had to be on all night, so you see I got the whole benefit of it. But it did not last long, but is awful muddy here and growing worse every day.
There has been nothing of interest to write about since my last except the great review that came off last Wednesday about 3 miles below here. Our Division went. There was about 60 thousand men there and it was the greatest military show ever witnessed on this continent, I tell you that. Sixty thousand men on one field in a great muster. It did not make me think of a Down East muster a bit, nor I don’t think it resembled it a bit. And I think it would bother Col. Higgins some to handle them.
Uncle Abram [Lincoln] was there on horseback by the side of Gen. McClellan, or George as the boys call him, and as they passed down the lines, each regiment gave three cheers and Gen. Mac blushed up as red as a beet, but Old Abe merely took his hat off and rode on as cool as a cucumber. He has been in so many crowds this past year that he has got used to them whilst our young General is not much used to such things yet. Abe has an awful responsibility resting on his shoulders but I hope he will come out all right.
President Lincoln and Gen. George McClellan reviewing the Union troops at Bailey’s Crossroads on 20 November 1861
The great theme of conversation now is the expedition that is fitting out under Gen. Butler and I suppose that we shall hear of another strike on the southern coast somewhere before long. In my opinion, that is the place to fight the war. It should be carried home to the nest of secession and let them know what the horrors of war are. Let them see their houses and fields a smoking ruin, their families houseless, and know that they hated Yankees are at their doors and that starvation and ruin are staring them in the face and it will do more towards bringing them to their senses than all the big battles in Virginia can.
Oh, I should like to go to South Carolina and help wipe her out entirely and make government land of her again. I would fight for that as I never fought before, but Virginia and Tennessee and Kentucky, I pity, for they have been forced out of the Union and into this business whilst the more southern states where this business was first hatched have thus far escaped with only a damage to their pockets. But now at their own doors, the enemy is thundering and they are likely to reap the fruit of their own folly. But I have moralized on this subject long enough.
I had a letter from you about a week ago which is the only one I have had for a fortnight. I wrote to Mother last night, Tuesday night, and sent her some money but have not heard from her yet. Expect to soon. But I must close for it is time to fall in for Brigade drill. I shall send a paper with this with a full account of the great review. Write soon and give my love to all. Your brother, — M. P. Nickerson
Letter 6
Halls Hill, Virginia December 1st 1861
Dear Sister,
I received yours of the 18th tonight and was very glad to hear from home once more—especially as I had not heard from home for a long time. I am quite well at present although I have had a little sick turn for a few days past caused by a light cold caught on picket and out scouting and fatigue, but have recovered entirely now and shall resume my duties tomorrow.
Everything is quiet in this section yet and I think will remain so until early spring for the roads are so muddy now that I think it will be impossible to move until they become settled in the spring and then after our immense naval forces shall occupy every important port & city of the southern seacoast this winter. With one grand sweep of this grand army, George [McClellan] will wipe out the bubble that Jeff Davis is pleased to call secession from the face of earth.
Jeff has already got frightened at the looks of things in Virginia and removed the capitol to Nashville, Tennessee, where Gen. Buell with about 50,000 men has gone to help him carry on his government, and I think that he will be a great help to him this winter. There has been a fight at Pensacola but we have not heard the particulars yet. The Southern papers are dumb on that particular subject but we shall probably hear soon the truth of the matter.
You can give my heartiest congratulations to Heman and Julin on the very pleasant accession to their domestic circle and tell them that I think that Melvina would be a proper, nice name for their illustrious stranger for I suppuse but they will now want to name it for something or someone that is in the army, and I really don’t know of a better name than her soldier uncle. Or I don’t know as I am just what you might call her uncle but the thing to it—sort of a half uncle. But tell them that if they don’t like that name, that most any other will do as well as I am not particular at all and a “Rose though called by any other name would smell as sweet.”
I should like to have gone on that excursion to Augusta to see Col. Goddard’s Cavalry make that splendid charge at an imaginary foe first rate—not that it would be anything of a new sight to me to see 1200 cavalry make and imaginary or even real charge at a foe. But I guess I should have liked the fun of the thing and I further guess that if the said charge had been near a plain where “leaden rain & iron nail” was sweeping like winter sleet and amid the crush & roar of battle, with the horrid shrieks and groans of the wounded & dying ringing in their ears, I think it would have taken the fun out of the thing wonderfully, for there is something in this experience of a real battle that is awfully grand and exciting. The cracking of thousands of muskets and rifles, the thick choking smoke, the shrieks of the wounded, the deafening yells and ringing cheers that burst spontaneously from the throats of some brave band as they go charging through this hailstorm of destruction, scattering slaughter and death in their track, forms a scene that to me makes Burns’ oft quoted line that “A man’s a man for all that” seem false for in such a time, a man is not a man but an incarnate demon. But that will do for battle scenes tonight.
I should think it was about time for Lieut. Hull to be back to his regiment if he has got spunk enough to come back at all which I hope he will not for he don’t among to anything here and he is just fit for folks to talk about there. As for that other thing belonging to the Second Maine that you have got loafing around there, he has neither sense enough for a man nor not enough for a fool. But perhaps it was the change of climate that operated so quickly. But if I don’t come home till I play sick to get a discharge, it won’t be right away for I hate a coward. I don’t mean to call any of the returned from the Bloody Second so by any means, but it looks queer at any rate.
You should not believe all of the stories that they tell about our fare for although it is hard enough, God knows yet I think from what I have heard, that they are stretching the story a little.
The news from Missouri has caused a general sorrow everywhere. We have lost in General Lyon one of the best and bravest generals in the service, and yet I think sometimes that it is all for the best for it but seems to rouse up the North to greater efforts and the day of reckoning will surely come for although they seem to triumph now, yet reverses will come and as yet as have never had a chance to try with anything like an even chance.
As to the movements on foot now, I know no more than you do for everything is conducted so quietly here that one sees hardly anybody save his own regiment and his immediate neighbors. And from our place here we would think that the government was entirely idle & did not intend to do anything more. But it is only the effect of wisdom combined with greater discipline & prudence and preparations of greater magnitude were never seen on this continent. For one little example, there was a train of heavy artillery arrived the other night that was a mile long when in marching order and that is about a fair sample and yet under McClellan’s master mind, everything moves with all the precision of clock work.
But it is getting late and I must close this already long letter. Either you or Mother wrote me that Mrs. Smith wanted to hear from Frank Birce. He is well or doing well and is a first rate fellow. Give my respects to all friends and answer soon. So good night. — M. P. Nickerson
Letter 7
Georgetown Union Hospital March 26th 1862
Dear Sister,
I received yours of the 16th and 17th on Monday last and not take the first opportunity to answer. I am stopping at Union Hospital at present and as far as health is concerned, am much better than I was when I wrote last and have had but little of the chills for a week past. And the Doctor thinks that he has broken them up entirely and I hope so too for I don’t like them half as well as I do bread and butter.
You write that you have been looking for me home for several nights past. Well keep looking for I shall, or at least I think that I shall get there by the first of May if nothing happens and not much before. It is a very easy thing to be ordered a discharge and an easy thing to talk about it, but it is an entirely different thing to get it and to show you something about the process, I will tell you all about it.
First the surgeon orders a discharge and furnishes blanks and the Captain fills the descriptive part of them out and sends them to the Surgeon General’s Office for approval. They they are sent back to the Surgeon who first ordered them and he puts on his certificate of disability. and the cause which both he and the captain has to sign. Then that finishes that part of the business. Next the man must have another set of papers stating by whom he was enlisted, and by whom he was mustered into service. Also a statement of the pay & clothing he has received from the government and from whom or what officers he received it. Also at what time he received it. And after that is approved and signed by the captain of the company to which he belongs and also by the commanding officer of the regiment if he is with the regiment. If not, by the officer in command of the post where he is, he may consider himself fairly discharged. So that you can see that it must take some time to get discharged even after the order is given. If a man gets his papers all through in three months after they are commenced, he does well.
As for the regiment, all I can say is that it is gone somewhere and I am not allowed to say anything more about it. I would give a year’s pay to be able to be with them, that’s so.
The Union Hospital was located in the Union Hotel in Georgetown
The late war news is cheering. Everything is working finely, but I suppose that you hear it as soon as I do so I will not spend time to repeat it. As I suppose you will like to hear something about my present quarters, I will try and tell you about them and to commence, they are in a fine building in the city of Georgetown which you know joins Washington, and it is only a mile from this hospital to the White House and about a mile further to the [U. S.] Capitol. And as I am not very sick and am good chum with the doctor in charge, I have liberty to cruise around as much as I like. And I think of going to Congress a half a day tomorrow if it does not storm. I hope you won’t worry about my getting low and dissipated by going to such places for I shall be on my guard, I tell you, although I hate to associate with such characters as Congressmen and shall not do so more than is possible.
But I must close for my sheet is about full. Give my love to all and tell Mother that I shall write to her next time and that will be soon. Your brother, — Mell
