The following letter was written by Freeman Walker (1825-1864) who enlisted as a private in Co. K, 27th Georgia Infantry in March 1862. After he was promoted to sergeant, he was taken a prisoner in the fighting at South Mountain on 14 September 1862 and confined at Fort Delaware until 10 November 1862 when he was exchanged at Aiken’s Landing, Virginia. After returning to the regiment he was elected 2nd Lieutenant on 16 March 1863. In March 1864 he was reported as slightly wounded by a gunshot wound to his right leg. He died on 27 June 1864.
I’m reasonably confident that Freeman Walker was John Freeman Walker (b. 1825), the son of Johnson Walker (1794-1830) and Sarah Swindall (1797-1854) of Talbot county, Georgia. He had been married to Julia Ann Dixon (1825-1852) but she died in 1852, leaving him a widower with two children.
Freeman addressed his letter to Fannie. I suspect she was his older sister, Frances (“Fannie”) Walker, born 1817, and the wife of Green J. Miller.
The interior of Fort Sumter during the time Freeman Walker was there, December 1863.
Transcription
James Island [South Carolina] December 16th 1863
Dear Fannie,
As I have just returned from Fort Sumter you can account for my long silence. I started to the fort in a day or two after I wrote and remained fifteen days. I stayed three days over the usual time in consequence of high winds and rough seas, the relief boats not being able to reach the fort.
I had the good fortune to escape unhurt except a lick on the head from a brickbat which was knocked off the top of the wall by a 200 pound parrot shell. I was walking on the outside of the wall and come very near being covered up with brick. There were several killed and wounded while I was there and the day after I was relieved, the Magazine exploded killing ten and wounding thirty. Dr. [J. T.] Ford, who used to practice medicine at Pleasant Hill was killed. His body was so blackened and burnt that it was past recognition. Several of our regiment were wounded, but [only] one killed—Dr. Ford. Ab[ner] and Henry Bedell lost their blankets by the fire. They both escaped without injury. The fort is not materially injured and will soon be repaired. 1
There is nothing interest in camp. It is the impression that the siege will be raised by the enemy as they have despaired of taking Charleston.
I lost my valise coming on with my drawers and socks. I wish you would send me some of the above articles by Marion Smith when he comes back. A knife and fork also as they were in the valise and lost.
Tell the judge I will write him in a day or two as Col. Zachy returned today. My love to all. Yours, — Freeman Walker
1 In the history of the fort, it is stated that for an “unknown reason, “the small-arms magazine exploded in the officers’ quarters of a three-story building extending the entire length of the gorge on December 11, 1863, killing 11 and wounding 41 Confederates. The explosion also tilted the arch over the magazine’s entrance.”The explosion occurred at 9:30 a.m. on 11 December 1863; the cause of the explosion known only to those who perished in it. The enemy had not fired a shot for several days.
The following letter was written by Lt Andrew Jeter Leftwich (1836-1905), the son James Leftwich (1807-1882) and Elizabeth Eubank (1813-1852) of King William county, Virginia.
Andrew entered the Confederate service as 1st Sergeant of Battery G 2nd Battalion of the Virginia Artillery and was promoted to 1st Lieutenant of Co. G in the 22nd Virginia Infantry Battalion. He was taken a prisoner on 24 May 1864 at North Anna River and sent to the Old Capitol Prison in the District of Columbia where he remained until 15 June 1864 and then sent to Fort Delaware. He was not released from Fort Delaware until 17 June 1865. He was described as standing 5’8″ tall, with light hair, blue eyes and a ruddy complexion.
Andrew married Sarah (“Sallie”) Thomas Tuck (1840-1923) on 1 May 1866. He was a farmer in Mangohick district, King William County, in 1870 and 1880.
The 6th Michigan Cavalry, vanguard of Brig. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick’s cavalry division, overrun Brig. Gen. Henry Heth’s rearguard of the retreating Army of Northern Virginia at Falling Water on 14 July 1863
Transcription
Culpepper Court House July 31st 1863
Miss Sallie T. Tuck My dear friend,
Another opportunity being allowed, I will attempt to write you a few lines though I have written to King William [county] so frequently of late and have not received any letters from there since the Yankee raid through the county, I have almost despaired of getting any letters at all. I have come to the conclusion that none of my letters go to King William and I will write a very few more letters before I shall give it up as a bad job and cease writing until I get letters from there. because it is no use for me to write and then my letters not go where they are sent.
Your letter of the 26th of June was the last that I received and that came to hand a few days since (out of date, you may say). Notwithstanding it being of such a remote date, it gave me a great deal of pleasure though one portion of it gave me pain—that part in which you said I had broken my promise in regard to drinking intoxicating liquors and by that act I had caused you to break your promise in regard to dancing. Sallie, if I had known that my example was going to make you do wrong, I never would have broken my promise though I did not break it on account of a beverage but because I thought that it was good for my health as I think I have told you previously, it grieves me much to know that my examples (which ought to be that of a christian) is so much christian-like as to lead others far away from their Maker and from the path of rectitude. May the Lord help me in future to be more circumspect in my words & actions so that instead of leading anyone astray that I may be able by my words and actions to lead many into the fold of God. I see everyday that I live more and more to convince me of the fact that life is but a bubble which is liable to disappear at any moment and that all of the time that is allowed us here on earth is scarcely time enough to prepare for the next.
God has been more merciful to me than I could have any reason to expect (of late) during the recent battles in which I have been. One man was shot in my front, shielding me from the ball, and a few days ago not far from this place in a skirmish, on man was killed about three feet in front of me, being shot with two balls. He was so near that he bloodied me up when he fell back (there were four of us together). The other two, one was wounded, the other a part of his gun stock was shot off. I have been on a skirmish [line] most of the time in these battles and I think at [least] 100 balls have been shot at me alone and not one has ever touched me. Don’t you think that I have a great reason to be thankful to God for His mercy toward me in preserving my unprofitable life while he has taken those from my right and left?
You said that you had left out in your previous letter what you intended putting in the one of the 26th inst. and you left it out in that for the want of space or the lateness of the hour. Don’t leave it out in your next as you have raised my curiosity now and you thought I have my full portion of that.
I am now left alone in command of the company (I expect that is what makes me so low spirited). I told you in my last letter that Capt. [Alexander F.] Haynes, Lt. [Thomas C.] Jeter & [James E.] Johnson, were taken prisoners at Falling Waters by Yankee cavalry. May the Lord deliver me from Yankee cavalry in future—especially when I have marched all night in the mud and rain. I hope that you have a good time of it at the singing school. I want you to learn me some new Sunday School hymns when I come home (if it should ever be my privilege to do so again).
I complained in the first part of my letter about not getting letters from King William. I don’t attach any of the blame to any of my correspondents—not in the least, but to the mail. You spoke of R. Garnett’s writing to me. I wish you would tell him for me that I have not received his letter yet and that he must write again as I am very anxious to get a letter from him. Write to me soon and let me hear what they did in that part of King William and whether you caught the Yankee officer that you used to speak of in the way of jesting. You must excuse the tone in which this letter is written for I am in no humor for jesting at this time on account of our recent reverses.
Excuse all mistakes of every kind as I have not read this letter over to correct the errors. Give my best regards to Miss Sue, Lou & Charles. I must close this uninteresting letter. Believe me ever your sincere friend, &c. — And. J.
P. S. Direct your letter to Walker’s Brigade, Heth Division
Andrew Jeter LeftwichSallie Thomas Tuck
Post war images of Andrew and Sallie were provided by Jennifer Melton, a descendant of the couple.
This partial and therefore unsigned letter was written by Alexander Wilson McClure (1808-1863) of Boston, Massachusetts. He graduated from Amherst in 1827 and at Andover Theological Seminary in 1830, and after preaching at Malden, Massachusetts, two years, he was ordained there in 1832. He subsequently was stationed at St. Augustine, Florida, where he labored successfully among the soldiers that were on duty there. In 1846 he returned to Boston, and soon after began the publication of the “Christian Observatory,” which he edited more than three years. He also assisted Dr. Parsons Cooke in conducting the “Puritan Recorders” In 1855 he became secretary of the American and Foreign Christian union, and labored for some time abroad. In 1859 he was disabled by illness. Mr. McClure was a prolific writer for the religious press, and published, among other works, a tract called the “Life-Boat,” which had a wide circulation; another entitled Four Lectures on Ultra. Universalism”; “A Series of Letters upon the Bible in the Public Schools,” written in controversy with a Roman Catholic priest in Jersey City; two volumes of the “Lives of the Chief Fathers of New England,” in the series published by the Massachusetts Sunday School Society : and “Translators Reviewed,” giving a biographical sketch of each translator concerned in King James’s version (New York, 1853). This has been adopted by the board of publication of the Reformed Dutch church.” [Source: Appleton’s Cyclopedia of American Biography]
[Note: This letter was transcribed by Lily Cutler; proofread and researched by Griff.]
Transcription
Portland, Maine July 25, 1846
Dear Brother,
Though I have so long kept silence, it has not been owing to forgetfulness of a friend so highly valued as yourself, but rather to the uncertain posture of my affairs, which tends to keep my mind and its purposes unsettled.
Your last and most welcome letter found me at St. Augustine, Florida; to which place it followed me through its long and winding journey. Previous to that time I had written you a letter from that place, which, I presume, you received. My object in repairing to that place was the improvement of my health, which had been badly shattered by the labors and rigors of Maldenand its clime. That object, by the blessing of God, was happily accomplished, and I have now for more than two years enjoyed, in general, excellent health. My residence in that land of slavery and popery, with their attendant abominations, was more pleasant than could have been expected. We were charmed with the lovely clime, and with the sweet society of a precious “remnant,” which the Lord has even there reserved unto himself.
I had the satisfaction of laboring without interruption, and to the extent of my poor ability, for the instruction and salvation of the negroes in the place of my abode. May the Lord water the seed which he permitted to be sown. By the way, I can assure you, that you would be gratified if you could ascertain the extent to which the religious instruction of the slaves is carried in the Southern States. Within a few years there has grown up, in all the principal denominations, a remarkable interest in the performance of this great duty. The work goes on systematically, and with increasing vigor. I will try to send you one or two documents containing statistical and other information on this subject, which I am sure you will be rejoiced to obtain. It is a subject on which I feel very deeply. Happy will it be when the benevolent feeling in the Northern churches, which now rushes with such impetuous tides in the channels of the abolition excitement, shall be turned in this direction. The gospel of salvation is an incomparably better gift than political liberty; besides being a sure and safe preparative for freedom.
It pleased God to let me see some fruit among the soldiers in the United States service at the post of St. Augustine. TheTemperance reform when once, with difficulty, it was introduced into the garrison, wrought wonders. There was almost a complete transformation among the men, as to their appearance and behavior. Some of them we received into the church, who were a great consolation to us. Soon after I left Florida, that regiment—the 8th U. S. Infantry—was sent to Mexico to fight President Polk’s iniquitous battles. Some of my praying soldiers were killed in the fights of Palo Alto and Palma de Resaca, where their regiment suffered the most of any. I hope they were prepared: but when I suffer myself to think of the atrocity of the orders under which they were thus exposed to a bloody death, I find it hard to keep from “speaking evil of the ruler of my people,” and “blaspheming the king.” I can only keep down the fire of indignation by that eternal mountain—the sovereignty of God in the affairs of men.
While we were in Florida, God consoled us for the departure of our first born, the bright and endearing Thomas who left us at Malden, by the birth of a lovely little daughter, who is now above three years old. Our other children, Mary, who is eleven years, and Willie, who is seven, are well, and are promising children in most respects.
We took our leave of Florida one year ago. Necessary affairs required our return to the North. We spent several weeks in visiting beloved scenes, and friends still more beloved. At Malden our reception was most enthusiastic: and pleasure, too intense, bordered close on pain. My old people, under the pastoral care of Rev. C. A. Goodrich, as I believe I have told you, are not much changed since I left them. At all events, their interest in the Nestorian mission is not changed. They will never forget your visit.
While I was making arrangements to return to the South last fall, I was much urged to take part in a literary enterprise, on the plan of “Sparks’ American Biography,” designed to keep up the memory and influence of the Puritans in New England. I was also urged by Mr. Aiken to deliver a course of Sabbath evening lectures in Park Street Church on the same topics. I did not hesitate to engage in a work so congenial to my feelings. It occupied me all winter and spring, and very laboriously. I trust it has not been labor in vain. As some visible fruit of it, I shall send you two small volumes. In the first of them, you will find some development of my views as to the church controversy, in which you have formerly expressed some interest. Perhaps I may live to do something more complete and satisfactory in that way. To requite you for reading my poor incubrations, I shall request your acceptance of a work worth having….
[rest of letter missing]
When you write to me, please direct to the care of Edward D[yer] Peters & Co. Boston.
Mr. P is my brother in law, and will forward to me.
I could not find an image of Isaac but here is one of William Gallagher who served in Co. F, 30th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (Matt Cranford Collection)
The following letter was written by Isaac W. Wiggins (1832-1864), the son of Thomas Wiggins (1805-1881) and Sarah Eleanor Lutz (1808-1853) of Jefferson county, Ohio. Isaac was married in May 1852 to Anna Maria Smith (1830-1904).
In August 1861, Isaac enlisted in Co. G, 30th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI). He was wounded on 13 May 1864 in the Battle of Resaca, Georgia, and died in a field hospital on the 25th of May, leaving a wife and four children.
Isaac wrote the letter to his brother-in-law, James G. Smith (1843-1912), the son of Jeremiah Smith (1804-1877) and Hanna A. Haines (1814-1889) of Phillipsburg, Jefferson county, Ohio.
Transcription
Camp Union Fayetteville, Fayette county, Va March 29, 1862
My dear brother,
It is with pleasure I take my pen in hand to let you know that I am well at present and I do hope that these few lines may find you all enjoying that great blessing which but God alone can bestow.
Well, dear brother, I received your kind letter today and I was happy to hear from you and that you was all well and hearty. And I also received a letter from home today. Both wrote the 18th of March. I am well pleased to hear that Anna got my likeness and I am happy to hear that Ann Maria and the children are all well.
Well, James, I sent a package home with Charles Young to leave at your house and I hope he has left it there. I want you, if you please, to take it up to Anna and give it to her. I am happy to hear from Noah and Jabez that they are both well and I want you when you write to them to give them my best respects and love. I hope that they will all live to return home in peace and love. I’d like to see you all in it.
Well, tonight we have to drill damn near all day and I can’t get time to say my prayers. All the writing I do is from supper till tattoo. That is at 8 o’clock and 30 minutes, then all is quiet and all the lights put out.
I was on guard last night and it rained and snowed all night but this morning the sun rose beautiful and the songs of the bluebirds and the meadowlark made me think of bygone days and of loving friends at home.
“We have the best company in the 30th Regiment. We have 95 men, well drilled, and full of fight, We have been in some damn hot places since we have been out here.”
— Isaac W. Wiggins, Co. G, 30th OVI, 29 March 1862
Well, dear brother, we brought in fifteen bushwhackers tonight. They will be sent to Columbus tomorrow. We have been looking for a fight here for some time. There is reported to be fifty thousand out at Newbern Depot—that is about 85 miles from where we are camped—but there is a good many secesh within a short distance of here. But we are ready to receive them at any time. We have the best company in the 30th Regiment. We have 95 men, well drilled, and full of fight. We have been in some damn hot places since we have been out here. Twenty-two of us run into one hundred of the devils one morning about daybreak and we fought for over half an hour. We killed and wounded some 8 or 10 and run them like the devil. They shot two of our boys but they got well again.
Well, my dear brother, I want you to correspond with me and let me know how you are all getting along and the news. Go and see Anna Maria when you can for I expect she gets lonesome. James, be a good boy and stay at home. Never think of going a soldiering. There is no pleasure in it. Write soon and let me know if Charles Young left that package at your house. No more at present but remain your brother until death.
— Isaac Wiggins
to James G. Smith
Give my love to your mother and all the children. This is a beautiful morning. All the boys is well in our company at present. When you write to father and the boys give them my best love and respects.
The following letter was written by Joshua A. Armstrong (1831-1862), the son of Aquilla Armstrong (1803-1854) and Margaret Elizabeth Harris (1802-1848) of Lima, Allen county, Ohio. When he was 24, Joshua married Lucretia Matilda (“Tilly”) Morse (1837-1918) in 1855. The couple had three children—Isaac Morse (1858-1926), Alice (1859-1944) and Amasa (1861-1932)—by the time he enlisted as a sergeant in Co. F, 23rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI) in June 1861.
The 23rd OVI had the distinction of being led and staffed by some prominent men, not the least of which was its first colonel, William Rosecrans, who was ably followed by Rutherford B. Hayes. Also serving in the regiment was quartermaster sergeant William McKinley. The regiment saw its first action at Carnifex Ferry in present-day West Virginia, in September 1861. The regiment then spent most of the winter of 1861-62 at Fayetteville, Virginia. By mid-March, 1862, the regiment had relocated to Raleigh, Virginia, some 25 miles further south. Here, under the command of Lt. Col. Rutherford B. Hayes, the de facto colonel wrote his wife, “For the first time in months we are all together; ranks very full. Oh! it was a beautiful sight; we had plenty of cheering, music, and our best marching. The men were never in finer condition. You would enjoy seeing the 23rd now; well-dressed, bravely looking, and soldier-like.” 1
The regiment’s next encounter with the enemy was in the Battle of South Mountain on 14 September 1862 and the Battle of Antietam on 17 September 1862. After suffering severe losses in the former, the regiment pursued Lee’s army to Sharpsburg where they were in the thick of the fighting in the latter. Their casualties at Antietam? Eight killed, 58 men wounded, two missing.
Regrettably, one of those eight men killed was 31 year-old Sergt. Joshua Armstrong, husband and father to three children. In the book, Ohio at Antietam, there is a story of Joshua’s death, taking a “bullet to the heart” on the slope above Antietam creek while carrying the colors of the regiment and falling, “wrapped in the folds of the banner he had loved and borne so well; it was literally dyed with his blood.” This makes a good story but it may not be 100% accurate for in the Widow’s Pension application that Lucretia filed on 29 December 1862, she wrote that her husband died on or about the 20th day of September, at or near Sharpsburg, and in consequence of a wound received in the line of his duty in the Battle of Sharpsburg three days before his death.”
Lucretia remarried in November 1863 to Joshua W. Pillars and had at least six more children; the three children by her first marriage appear to have been adopted and raised by someone named William Hall who served as their legal guardian.
[Note: This letter was made available for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by the express consent of Jim Powell who is the 3rd great-grandson of Sergt. Armstrong.]
The flag and color guard of the 23rd Ohio Infantry (Ohio Memory)
Transcription
Camp Hays Raleigh, Virginia April 1st 1862
Dear wife,
I received your letter yesterday and was glad to hear that you and the children was well again and now I hope that you will all keep well. Tilly, my health is good. I cannot complain of anything—only that I am away from my family. Otherwise I enjoy myself well. Daniel is in good health and would like to see the children but he must wait sometime yet.
Tilly, I do not get more than two letters per month and sometimes not so many. I can’t tell why it is but it is so from some cause or other. Tilly, I drew my pay the 1st day of April and was glad of it for your own sake and the children also. And now Tilly I will send $100 dollars 2 off to you and you must use it as you think best for both of us. If Pa wants what you don’t want for yourself and children, you may let him have it and if he don’t want it, let Charles Hover have it and you keep enough so that you will not get out of money before I send you more and I can’t tell when that will be.
I will not add any more at this time. Yours truly, J. A. Armstrong
to wife and children
Isaac, Pa will send you a nice little gold dollar and you must be a good boy and mind what Ma tells you. And Alice, Pa will send you one also and you must be a good girl and mind Ma. You must look to the Express Office for the money and as quick as you get it you must let me know as I shall feel very anxious about it.
I will only send one hundred dollars now. Use it at your pleasure but [not] to waste any. — J. A. Armstrong
to wife and children
1 Rutherford B. Hayes to his wife, 13 March 1862.
2 $100 was a lot of money for a non-commissioned officer. This sum represented more than a half-year’s pay so the regiment either hadn’t been paid for a long time or it included a delayed bonus for enlistment.
The author of this letter has not been identified. His signature appears to read, “Wes Land” but I can find no one by that name, or similar name, in New Burlington, Indiana. Regardless of his identity, Wes provides his friend in the Iron Brigade some interesting news about the attempt to set up the draft in Indiana during the summer of 1863 and the resistance of the Copperheads.
Wes wrote the letter to his friend, William Harrison Campbell, a 23 year-old school teacher from Selma, Liberty Township, Delaware county, Indiana. Will enlisted in Co. K, 19th Indiana Infantry on 29 July 1861 as a first sergeant and was promoted to 2nd, then 1st Lieutenant during the war. The 19th Indiana was, of course, part of the famed Iron Brigade or “Black Hat” Brigade. He was discharged for medical disability in October 1863 on account of the wound he received at Gettysburg in his right hand.
Transcription
Addressed to Will H. Campbell. Co. K, 19th Indiana Vols., Washington D. C.
New Burlington, Indiana June 18th 1863
Friend Will,
I will have to beg pardon in the start for tardiness. I would have written sooner but I have been away from home for the last two weeks on a fishing excursion and had no opportunity of writing while away. But I take the first chance on returning. The fact is, Will, my list of correspondents has been mournfully small since living in this place; in fact, it has been so long since I attempted to write a letter that I have almost forgotten how. And you know how hard it is for a fellow to begin writing after “forgetting how.” However, I know that I am writing to a friend and not to a critic and will risk it.
The all engrossing topic at present is the draft and the action of the “Butternuts” on it. This State is now being enrolled and in some sections the enrolling officers have been mobbed and some have been killed. In Fillmore—a little town in Putnam county—the house of the enrolling officer was surrounded by an armed mob of Butternuts who fired on the house killing one man who was visiting the family and doing some other damage to a considerable extent. I have not seen any notice of any of the party being arrested yet. And that was within thirty miles of Indianapolis on the railroad where they can run troops in an hour. In fact, under the very noses of the authorities, and if they are thus bold there, what may we expect from the rural districts such as Blackford and Jay counties?
I hope to God that the State Authorities will go to work in real earnest and hang every devil of them that attempts to resist the draft. The only trouble would be that their putrid carcasses might breed contagion and it might not be so well for the living.
What do you think of the way the Government used Vallandigham? Don’t you think it would have been better to have shot him? And what do you think of the “Copperheads” of Ohio nominating him for Governor? “Heavy,” isn’t it?
I can give you no news from Selma but Smithfield is about the same as ever—very little change. I am still studying H___ at this place and intend continuing here until the draft goes off and then I think you may look for me in the ranks of the Old 19th. Will you take me in? Hoping to hear from you soon, I remain your friend, — Wes Land
I could not find an image of Jabez but here is one of William L. S. Johnson of Co. I, 1st Ohio Vol. Infantry (William Griffing Collection)
The following letter was written by Jabez B. Smith who enlisted at the age of 18 on 7 October 1861 to serve as a private in Co. H, 1st Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI). He was promoted to corporal in 1863 and wounded in action and taken prisoner in the Battle of Chickamauga on 19 September 1863. He was taken to Andersonville Prison where he died of disease on 29 July 1864.
Jabez was the son of Jeremiah Smith (1804-1877) and Hanna A. Haines (1814-1889) of Phillipsburg, Jefferson county, Ohio. He enlisted in the 1st OVI with his older brother, Pvt. Noah H. Smith (1840-1864) who served in the same company. Unlike his brother Jabez, he was not wounded in the Battle of Chickamauga, but he was taken a prisoner there and also transported to Andersonville Prison in Georgia. He died of disease there too, on 2 July 1864, less than a month before his brother.
A descendant claims that Noah and Jabez were first taken to Belle Isle, then to Libby Prison for a few months, then to Danville, and finally to Andersonville.
Jabez wrote the letter to his brother, James G. Smith (1843-1912).
Letter 1
Addressed to Mr. James G. Smith, Phillipsburg, Jefferson county, Ohio
Camp Shiloh, Tennessee April 23, 1862
Dear Brother,
It is with great pleasure that I now sit down to let you know that we are both well at present and hoping that these few lines may find you all enjoying the same blessing. I received your kind letter on the 20th of this month and was glad to hear from you and that you was all well.
The 64th [Ohio] is camped about two miles from our camp. We have both see father. He is well and hearty and sends his love to you all. The 1st Ohio Cavalry is here too. We have seen Jonathan. He is well and send his love to you all. He says that he thinks very hard of you that you do not write to him.
I suppose that you have heard of the great and glorious Battle of Pittsburg Landing. We were both in the fight and came out safe. Seven of our company was wounded, two of them dangerously. The other five are back to the company again. We went out on picket day before yesterday but before we went on post, our brigade made a reconnaissance for our own safety. We went about five or six miles when we came in sight of the rebel’s pickets when they took their old way of doing business—they ran like they always do, I did not get to shoot at this this time but our skirmishers did. the rebel’s cavalry fired on the 15th Regulars but did not hurt any of them. We didn’t follow them very far for it was raining and we turned about and came back to the picket line where we were posted to watch the rebels but they did not come near to bother us.
I must bring my letter to a close by asking you to write as soon as this comes to hand. Nothing more at present but remain your affectionate brother until death, — Jabez B. Smith
to James G. Smith
Direct to Pittsburg Landing, Hardin county, Tennessee in care of Capt. B. F. Prentiss
Do not fail to write as soon as this comes to hand. Goodbye.
The following letter was written by John Bogart (1836-1920), the son of John Henry Bogart (1809-1901) and Eliza Hermans (1810-1889) of Albany, New York. John received in B. A. from Rutgers College in 1853 and took a position in the engineering corps of New York City working on the state canals of New York State. During the Civil War, he worked as a civilian engineer at Ft. Monroe and other points. After the war, he held a variety of position as an engineer in public and privates works in the US and abroad. He was married in 1870 at West Chester, Pennsylvania, to Emma Cherington Jefferis (1846-1926), to whom he addressed this letter.
The author drops the names of several officers at Fortress Monroe but I can only confirm the identify of Col. Henry Brewerton who was an engineer in charge of fortifications and the author may have been an engineer as well serving on the staff of the old colonel. We learn from the letter that the author has been living with the Eaton family and the names of Mr. & Mrs. Eaton’s three daughters are given as Mary, Emily, and Buddie—in chronological order, oldest to youngest—but I have not confirmed that family’s identity as yet.
I should also note that the two letter segments, identified as “1” and “2” do not seem to go together as the dates are inconsistent with one another. In fact, the handwriting even appears to be different but the phraseology convinces me they were written by the same person and probably sent to the same woman.
John Bogart had a younger brother names James Henry Bogart (1839-1863) who served as 1st Lieutenant and Adjutant of the 43rd New York Infantry. Lt. Bogart was killed on 14 June 1863 in the Battle of Port Hudson.
John B. and Emma (Jefferis) Bogart, in early 1900s
Transcription
Fort Monroe, Virginia December 6th 1863
Dear Miss Emma,
Your letter arrived on the 1st. I see that it was written on Thanksgiving Day. I am glad you thought of me on that day. I don’t know as it made any difference to you but on Holy days when I am free from ordinary business cares, I am apt to think of those who are dear to me. This is a Sunday evening. There is no service in the chapel. I was there this morning and played the organ. This afternoon I sat with Mortimer and then we went into the Fort and saw the parade. This evening I am alone and writing to you. This is probably my last Sunday evening at Mrs. Eaton’s.
You suggest in your letter that I will be lonely in my bachelor’s hall and that I had better go to the cottage for company. I think I have done better than that for I propose to have your Uncle Mortimer come to my house and live with me. I think it will be more comfortable than Flea Cottage and I hope he will enjoy the change. We will probably move this week. He appears to be in some doubt as to whether he will be able to be in West Chester Christmas and I fear that it will not be possible for me to be there then. If I can, I will. I thank you for the invitation.
I have a cousin who is to be married on the 12th of January. She is very anxious that I should be there at Staten Island and it would be too long a leave to ask for from Christmas till the middle of January. But if I do not come to West Chester [for] Christmas, I will on my way either to or from New York. I would of course much rather visit West Chester when Mortimer is there, but I intend to visit it at all events—of course to see—the village. You will not fail to inform me if you intend leaving there after Christmas, and when, and whither you go, for though I want to see the village, it is quite probable that I would postpone my visit if you were not there.
On the day before Thanksgiving, Mortimer and I went to Norfolk with some friends—officers of the Navy—and spent the evening there, sleeping at the Naval Hospital at Portsmouth. We went to the theatre at Norfolk and was the poorest, most ridiculous acting imaginable. We were not very wise in going as we might have known it would be poor—but we learn as we grow old. Mort and I ought to be somewhat wise by this time. We spent the greater part of Thanksgiving day at the Naval Hospital and on board the Cambridge Man-of-War, returning to Old Point in the evening. I like many of the Navy officers. Their morale is higher than that of the Army officers—at least such is my experience. The gentleman to whom my cousin Mary is to be married on the 12th of January is a surgeon in the Navy.
You have probably by this time seen Capt. and Mrs. James who left here Saturday. They will tell you all the Old Point news.
Miss Mary Eaton left here a week ago to spend the winter in New York, so that there will be no one at their house but Mr. and Mrs. Eaton and Buddie. Of course we are all sorry to have Miss Mary leave the Point but I probably would not have seen much of her had she remained. She and I do not agree very well. In fact, for the last six or seven months she and I have lived in a state of armed neutrality which has broken out in open hospitalities quite frequently and Mrs. Eaton has sometimes found it necessary to intervene to restore at least the appearance of peace. Miss Mary does not like me and I reciprocate the sentiment. You recall what I said about a letter to her. I will read it this evening or tomorrow. I assure you, I would not object now to your seeing it. I do not think there can be anything very tender in it. It was written when she was in New York, I think more than a year ago, before I knew her as well as I have since and when I admired her more than I do now. I confess I did somewhat admire her at one time for she is pretty and has fine musical ability and I used to like to hear her sing. But it did not last. I think much more of her sister Emily whom you did not see. She is not so apt to attract attention as Mary, but she is a girl one would want as a friend after becoming really acquainted with her. Buddie, the youngest, is much like Mary, but she is getting to be precociously wise.
[These two letter fragment do not appear to go together.]
Tuesday, the 27th.
I was so busy yesterday with the plan of a large fort that I did not finish my letter. I have read over what I wrote and it seems like a sermon. But never mind. I do not intend to “take back” what I wrote. I have nobody else, and never had, to whom I can write without a bit of restraint. So you will, unless you tell me not, continue to be sermonized if I am in a sermonizing mood. It is “perfectly splendid” to be able to write just what I think—just according to the present state of mind, without the feeling of there being a necessity to consult the peculiarities of my correspondent. I am terribly frank and I am afraid that you will say that I do not show much regard for my correspondent in writing so entirely selfishly or of myself. But that would be an error. It is the result and the proof of perfect regard. And a proof too that that correspondent is never long absent from my thoughts.
I have been looking at your letter again. You do not believe in sentences begun and not ended. If I should do so again, don’t imagine anything very horrid for the termination.
What a strange piece of experience you must have had at your friend’s house. It is strange what fascination there is in drink. I have an acquaintance who is ordinarily a temperate man, but who occasionally does not seem to know when to stop and consequently runs to horrible extremes. And he too has a wife and children.
We have had a strange affair here. I do not remember whether I mentioned it in my last. A general officer of volunteers has been staying at the Point some time—not on duty—with a family of wife and daughter, and after boarding several months without paying, it was discovered that he had been borrowing money from everybody that would lend and repaying nobody. However, under the fear of exposure he has gone forth to make an effort to get money enough to make a settlement. I hope he will do so. His daughter is a very pleasing girl and seems much grieved at her father’s delinquency.
Col. James was here a few days ago. We see little of him however now. I saw Mrs. Jefferis after her return. My sister and I are going to call there today or tomorrow. We started to do so while Mrs. Jefferis was away not knowing of her absence.
This letter was all written with the same pen (quill).
I could not find an image of Samuel but here is one of Marcus Satterlee wearing the uniform of the 3rd Michigan Infantry. (Michigan Digital Collection)
The following letters were written by Pvt. Samuel Dowell (1838-1862) of Co. G, 3rd Michigan Infantry (1st Organization). This regiment was mustered into service on 21 May 1861 and served in McDowell’s Army of Northeastern Virginia until August 1861 and then was attached to Richardson’s Brigade, Heintzelman’s Division, Army of the Potomac.
Samuel was the son of Charles Dowell (1799-1871) and Elizabeth Pool (1797-1860) of Windsor, Eaton county, Michigan. Samuel was killed at the Battle of Seven Pines on 31 May 1862.
Samuel wrote the letters to a dear friend whose name was Amelia B. Scofield.
Letter 1
Washington June 23, 1861
My dear friend,
I now sit down here under this shade tree to inform you where I am at this present time. I am in the District of Columbia about four miles south of the City of Washington camped on the Potomac River where he enemy is agoin’ to try to cross the river. But the bridge [is] fixed [such] that one hundred men will keep a whole regiment back.
We had some good times coming from Grand Rapids out as we passed through Ohio. When we would stop to a station, the girls would come to the cars to shake hands with soldiers and bid them goodbye.
I received your letter when I was in Grand Rapids. I was in the hospital sick with the measles when Till give it to me but I am well now and hoping that these few lines will find you in the same state of health at this time and enjoying yourself, well and happy and merry and that you may have good times there. I would like to see you very well but now I am twelve hundred miles from you. I oft times think of you since I kissed your rosey cheeks. I am so sleepy that I [can’t] think of anything to write now for I was on guard yesterday.
Last night we heard that since we came here that we was all but seventeen of us when we came through Baltimore but there wasn’t a gun fired when we passed through last Sunday morning and arrived at this place in the afternoon. There is sixty thousand troops camped within eight miles of us.
No more at present but I remain your friend forever and I will write to you as often as I can. I send my best respects to you and all of your folks and to all enquiring friends. Please excuse my poor writing. Yours truly, — Samuel Dowell
to Amelia Scofield
Letter 2
Fort Richardson Northeast Virginia September 25, 1861
Dear friend,
I take this present time to write a few lines to you to let you know that I am well at this present time and hoping that these few lines will find you in the same state of health at this time and are enjoying yourself well.
I received your letter and was glad to hear from you once more. We are having good times here now and lots of fun and not much fighting. We have lots of music here. They are having a good time a dancing tonight. I am sorry that I did offend you in the last letter that I wrote to you. But you must excuse me for I was so sick that I did not know what I did [write] in the letter at that time.
No more at present. I send my best respects to you and to all enquiring friends and neighbors, — S. Dowell
The Young Soldier Dream Amelia don’t secede
Kiss me Amelia ere I go Armed and drilled to meet the foe; Gun in hand and on my back A sixteen pounder haversack. I go, my country calls—adieu To battle, my darling girl, be true And come success comes scathe and need Amelia, Amelia, don’t secede
When on the tented field perhaps With rations short and shorter naps With wheel present, advance, retreat Thou’lt have O heavens at thy feet Some are persuadingly present Himself and an establishment Amelia, no such trifler heed Though the glitter’t secede
Cling unto thy mother dear Let no home guards come a near Dancing [ ] for the eyes Making light of household ties Prating of thy woman’s rights Gallanting thee about o’night Lest the rose should prove a weed Basely crimsoned don’t secede
Goodbye Amelia, no regrets If from balls and bayonets From trials and battles Far deadlier is the soup tureen When badly seasoned than the bare Of the loudest cannon that can roar Safe delivery swiftly Back to ease and the will fly United then in word and deed Amelia, dear, we’ll both secede
— S. Dowell
Prayer of the Young Soldier
[ ] of mercy, hear my prayers Preserve my husband’s life Cast o’er him thy protecting shield In this unhallowed strife Oh guard him in the battlefield Unscathed through wars alarms Restore him to his happy home And his fond parents’ arms.
But if it be thy will, oh God To take the life that gave Then let him die where the stars and stripes O’er his head shall ever wave. If it be thy will in his country’s cause My husband should lose his life If fatherless he his only child Widowed his wretched wife
Then let his name on history’s page Be enrolled with the free and the brave Let him nobly die a hero’s death And rest in a hero’s grave.
— S. Dowell
Letter 3
[Editor’s Note: The first draft of this transcript was kindly prepared by Abbey Weber Jones.]
December 1st, 1861 Picket guard post No. 5
Dear friend Amelia,
It is with great pleasure that I take this present time to write a few lines to you. I received your letter and was glad to hear from you that you was well at this [time]. You said that you wanted to know whose dream [it was] that I wrote [about] to you. It was a dream of my own. I have dreamed a good many times about you since I see[n] you the last time and I should like to see you and talk with you about the war and the dangers of a soldier’s life, and the hardships we have when we are on picket guard. Yesterday when we was a coming out, we had to wade where the water was three feet deep for it rained all the night before we started and it made plenty of mud and water. I tell you, when we are on picket, we know not what hour we will be shot by our enemy. But we are not afraid of it for we didn’t come here to be scared by the rebels. We come here to fight and for the support of our country.
Amelia, you said you wanted me to tell you whether I wanted you to write to me or not. I would like to hear from you often—to hear how you are getting along and what is going on in Windsor this winter. I suppose that it is quite lonesome there because there hain’t many boys there now; but I suppose that you are a having good times a going to meeting.
Melia, I often times have thought of you since I kissed your rosy cheeks—for your rosy cheeks and rolling eyes like arrows pierced my breast. And I often thought that I would like to kiss your rosy cheeks once more. There is lots of girls here in Virginia but there is none that can compare with the girls in Windsor.
It is getting quite cold here today. We have lots of fun here, [even] if we do have some hard times. We have some as good a times as anybody has, I tell you. Melia, I want you to find out whether Harrison and Fran__ Packerd is married or not. Harrison says that they are, but he is a getting to be such [a] big liar that we don’t believe what he says anymore. I don’t know as I can think of anything more. I send my best respects to [you], so fare you well for this time, my dear girl.
This is from your friend, — S. Dowell to B. A. Scofield
Please excuse my poor writing and blots. Answer this if you please.
The following letter was written by Samuel Anderson (1836-1865) who enlisted on 22 October 1861 to serve in Co. K, 6th New York Cavalry for three years. He was promoted from private to corporal in February 1862 and later to sergeant though no date is given for that promotion in the muster rolls. Samuel reenlisted in mid-December 1863 and was captured at Perryville, Virginia, on 4 September 1864 and died in confinement at Salisbury, North Carolina, on 4 January 1865.
I could not find an image of Samuel but here is one of an unidentified trooper believed to have been in the 5th or 6th New York Cavalry (Megan Kemble Collection)
Samuel was the son of Irish emigrants John Anderson (1814-1869) and Mary Ford (1815-1885) of Argyle, Washington county, New York. One of their daughters, Sarah M. Anderson (1838-1889) was married to James H. Killmer (1826-1889) and they are the “Sarah and James” mentioned in the letter below. Their daughter Emma married John T. Martin and this couple built a two-story farmhouse in Acadia Parish, Louisiana, in 1893. It was in a King Edwards cigar box in the corner of a closet on the second floor of this farmhouse that Samuel’s letter was discovered when the house was being cleaned out some years ago. This letter and a few other more recent vintage letters are now in the possession of Danny Martin, the g-g-grandnephew of Samuel Anderson.
This letter was written in Warrenton, Virginia, a month before the battle of Fredericksburg. We learn that Samuel was detailed to General John Curtis Caldwell’s Headquarters and had been since the Battle of Antietam. This duty would have entailed providing an escort for the general or his immediate staff as well as serving as a courier.
[Note: This letter is from the personal collection of Danny Martin who made it available for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent.]
Transcription
Camp near Warrenton, Virginia November 11th 1862
Dear Father & Mother,
I now take up my pen to address a few lines to you to let you know that I am well & hope that you are the same. We are now advancing on the enemy & we expect a big fight every day. We have not been paid since I wrote to you but I think it will come soon. I have not much time to write so I will not say much. I hope you are suited with your move & let me know all about it & what you can do.
I have not seen John since the Battle of Antietam but I hear that he is well. I have heard [from] Joe 1 two or three times & he is well. John told me that he would send you money every payday. Let me know how James & Sarah is getting along.
There is no use of my telling you what we are a doing for you can see it in the papers better than I can tell you. I am on Gen’l Caldwell’s staff now & have been for a month & I expect to stay with him for some time yet so that I have a good time of it.
Gen’l McClellan bid farewell to the Army yesterday & Gen’l Burnside took the command. I hope the change is for the better. We can hear Gen’l Hooker’s cannon playing on the rebels while I am writing & I expect to march right away.
The weather is quite cool and we have had one snowstorm last Thursday. It snowed hard all day. I cannot write any more at present. Write soon & give me all the in and out of your home.
Goodbye, — Samuel Anderson
Direct your letter to Corporal Anderson, 6th N. Y. Vol. Cavalry, Gen’l Caldwell’s Headquarters, Hancock’s Division, 2nd [Army] Corps.
Write soon.
1 Samuel’s younger brother, Joseph J. Anderson (1846-1904) enlisted in March 1862 in the 11th New York Cavalry. He served until 21 March 1865.
