7th Rhode Island Infantry, Battle of the Crater, Point Isabel, Kentucky

1863-64: Emor Young to Martha P. (Gleason) Young

June 12, 2023 Griff Leave a comment

Emor Young, Co. C, 7th Rhode Island Infantry
(Rob Grandchamp Collection)

The following letters were written by Emor Young (1823-1869) of Glocester, Providence county, Rhode Island, to his wife, Martha P. (Gleason) Young (1826-1882). Emor served as a private in Co. C, 7th Rhode Island Infantry but spent much of his time detailed as a cook and baker for the regiment. During the Battle of Petersburg, Va. in July 1864, he served in a military hospital in City Point, Va., for several weeks.

In the 1860 US Census, Emor was enumerated in Glocester and employed as a “lumberman.” In the same household were his wife Martha and their two sons, Edgar M. (age 12) and Frederick (age 8).

Mortality records indicate that Emor died at the age of 45 while employed in a cotton mill. The cause of death was attributed to typhoid fever.

[Note: Many more (100+) of Emor Young’s letters are in the private collection of my friend Rob Grandchamp which were published in a limited number under the title, “Write Soon and Give me all the News.” Copies were distributed to libraries in Rhode Island. There are also a large number of Young’s letters (76 altogether) that are housed in the Filson Historical Society Archives in Louisville, Kentucky.]

Letter 1

Lexington, Kentucky
November 7, 1863

Dear Wife,

I now take my pen in hand to let you know that I am well and hope this will find you all the same at home. I have received two letters from you—one October 28th, one November 1st, and two newspapers. One was the Pat and the other the Cincinnati Times. Where they come from, I cannot tell. There was no name on either of them.

I have no news to tell you for you can see the papers. In one of your letters you sent me an extract taken from a Richmond paper to prove the continuance of this war. I shall now send you a paper with the speech of Hon. E. W. Gantt of Arkansas. I want you should read it carefully. In the article you sent me you must remember it was right from the heart of rebeldom. It is nothing more than could be expected from such a source and this is from one of their own men and so you see how he feels about the war.

I must tell the boys that I have received letters—one from each of them, I was glad that Edgar has concluded to take up with my advice about drilling with the rest of them for they will tel him anything to get him fast. Then he cannot get away. Tell Fred to mind and not get hurt with his rifle and tell him to tell me how much he has caught in his snares this fall.

You want to know if Nathan or Amy has wrote to me. Neither of them has wrote yet. In your letter you wanted to know if Henry had wrote to me. He has not but I had a letter from Emily and she said that he was going to write to me soon. Perhaps I shall get one from him by the time you get this. The mail is going now. Goodbye. — Emor Young

Letter 2

Point Isabel, Kentucky
January 10, [1864]

Dear Wife,

I now take my pen in hand to let you know that I am well and hope this will find you all the same at home. You must excuse me for not writing sooner but the day after I wrote you before, we marched for this point. It has been a cold march but I cannot describe it to you. But it appears that our regiment has the times on the mountains this winter. We are upon the Cumberland. Last winter we was on the Blue Ridge. I must tell you where this place is. It is between the two branches, the North and South of the Cumberland [river]. It is now called Burnside Point. It is the route that he took for Knoxville. It is all mountains where we are now. This is the worst place we have ever been in. There is nothing for either man or beast to eat at present. The roads are so bad that they cannot get the teams over the road. The hills are almost straight up and down. It is so cold that I cannot write much this time—just enough to let you know that I am still in the land of the living.

I must tell you what I am up to at present. I am cooking for the teamsters. So you see that I get my knapsack carried instead of backing it. We are going to stay here for awhile. [Zenas] Bliss is in command of the Post here. This is all that I can write this time.

Direct your letter to Point Isabel, Kentucky Now goodbye. Yours truly, — Emor Young

Letter 3

*Addressed to Mrs. Emor Young, West Glocester, Rhode Island*

Point Isabel, Kentucky
January 18, 1864

Dear Wife,

I now take my pen in hand to let you know that I have just received two letters from you and one from Emily. I was glad to hear that you are all well. Yours found me the same. As I wrote yesterday, I have no news this morning.

I must tell you that there is quite an excitement in the Old 7th. They are trying to get them to reenlist. Several of them have put down their names but for my part, I shall not be in any hurry enlisting again until some of those at home have tried it as long as I have. The officers tell the men funny stories to get them to reenlist but they cannot fool me so I know them too well.

I see by Edgar’s letter that he is afraid that I shall reenlist but he need not fear. He says that he has done the best that he could to help you and is willing to still do so if I will not reenlist but if I do, he can not help me any longer. Quite an encouragement for me. Does he think that I crave this suffering and privation? Is it for me alone or is it for my children that I have suffered and still you know nothing. I have never told you one tenth part of what I have undergone, but still I do not murmur. But Edgar has come to the conclusion not to help me any longer if I reenlist. But that would not make any difference. Has the forgotten the months and years that I and you have toiled for him and what I am still although hundreds of miles from home. Tell him that I shall not reenlist but if I thought it my duty, whether he refused to help me or not, it would make no difference. Now he can do as he pleases about helping you any longer.

Tell both of the boys that they must write as often as they can. You must do the same. The officers have just been round to see how many men are willing to reenlist. I must tell you that there is about three-fourths that will go for three years but they thought that I should go in with them. But I shall have got to see some of them fellows that stay at home out here before they get me again. There is nothing more that I think of this time but I will give you the whole particulars in a few days how things progress in the regiment. Have no fears for me.

Now I must bid you goodbye for this time. Yours truly, — Emor Young

Letter 4

Point Isabel, Kentucky
February 27, 1864

Dear Wife,

I have received your letters and papers. Also the letter from the boys and was glad to hear that you are all well. Yours found me the same.

I must tell you what is going on out here. The 9th New Hampshire and the 1st Ohio are ordered to Cumberland Gap. The 9th have started. The 1st goes tomorrow morning beside a cavalry force but what it is form I do not know. I must tell you that I have just received three letters that was sent in December last. They have been down to the front.

You say that it is the coldest day that has been this winter and want to know how it is out here. It is like May at home. I wish you could be here and enjoy the rambles with me. Every chance that I get, I stray off over the mountains. It is very beautiful. I begin to like this place very much now. We have enough supplies, the snow is all gone, and in some places the grass begins to start.

You speak about Mr. Hall. Hill. He come into our camp in Virginia when Nell was with us. I have never seen him since. Ask the boys how they would like to live out here. Tell Fred that some of the teamers are out after wild turkeys and coons and some of them have gone up the river after fish. They have Saturday to do their washing so they wash Friday night, then have all day Saturday. Now how should you like to live out here. There is mountains and plains that extend for miles in length and breadth. Then the broad rivers between making it one of the finest places you ever saw. There is a railroad run out near our camp.

I must tell you that we are making fortifications and it will soon be one of the most important forts between Knoxville and Lexington. It has the advantage of most all the rest. It has the river and it is filled with steamboats loaded with any amount of rations. I will tell you the number of teams that going in one train. There is one hundred six-mule teams and five hundred pack mules that are going by now and how many more I do not know. They are going all the time at this moment. There is another train coming in from Knoxville. It is as long as I can see. How many more of them I cannot tell. They keep coming and it is all the time. In frint of our camp there is thousands of spare mules ready for use at any time. There is many things that I can tell you that I cannot write. You must await the particulars till I come home. Then I will tell you all.

Now goodbye. Yours truly, — Emor Young

Letter 5

Point Isabel, Kentucky
March 4, 1864

Dear Wife,

I have just received your letter of the 24th if February. I got the paper day before yesterday but have not got the envelopes yet. I must tell you that we have had two stormy days commencing with rain and rained about 36 hours. Then the snow fell about 4 inches deep. This caused the river to raise and they had to take up the pontoon bridges, thus causing the mail to stop. Perhaps I shall get the envelopes when they put the bridge down. I have not had but one letter in about ten days and that was the one that I got this morning. I am in hopes that I shall have one when the bridge can be crossed. As we get but few papers, I shall not attempt to tell you the war news for I think you know more about the fighting than I do.

I am still with the teams but expect soon to go to baking. Tell Ann that as soon as the snow leaves the mountain tops, I will send her some kind of wild plant. There is various kinds on the mountain.

Now you ask me why I don’t write and ask Nathan about a settlement. I have wrote to him and have never had any answer and you know me well enough to know that I shall never write again until he writes to me in my previous letters. I have told you what I thought about dismissing Manning Angell and that is if you can do so and then sell Pine Orchard, take the money and put it into the bank in your name and then let them sewat about a settlement.

You want to know who tends the saw mill. It is a citizen. They said that they wanted me to tend it but I thought they might as well pay me 60 dollars a month as that man but all that they could pay me was 13 dollars so you see that I did not know how to tend the mill. Now you say that Nathan says that he is Emor. What do you mean by that? For my part, I do not understand you. Tell the boys to write often. you must write the same that you always have. I must tell you that I am well and hope this will find you all the same at home. Now the mail going and I must draw my letter to a close by bidding you goodbye. Yours truly, — Emor Young

Letter 6

*Emor’s letter describes the debacle of the “blowing up of the reb’s fort” on 30 July 1864*
*(Battle of the Crater)*

Camp near Petersburg [Virginia]
August 1, 1864

Dear Wife,

I now take my pen in hand to let you know that I am well and hope this will find you the same.

Long before this you will see what a battle there has been here. I must tell you that it was one of the most disgraceful things that ever I heard of as I told you about blowing up the reb’s fort. Well, at about 5 o’clock on Saturday morning, it went off, blowing everything sky high. How many rebs was killed by it, I do not know. Some say two thousands but we do not know the number yet. That part of the plan worked to the satisfaction of all but instead of charging at the time that the fort was blown up, they only left with a light force. They went in and was repulsed. Then this the 2nd Brigade of our Division, the the 4th Division which is the colored troops was ordered to charge. They went in and drove everything before them. They was supported by the rest of the 9th Corps and one division of the 10th Corps—in all, perhaps ten thousand.

After they had drove them to the second line of works, they made a stand and then started towards our men—the blacks still in front as the rebs advanced. The officers ordered the men to let them come for they [the Union officers] was going to give themselves up and would not let our troops fire on them and they came to where our men was, then poured a deadly fire into our men, then charged on them and got them started. They run like sheep. They tried to make out that the blacks was to blame but I say that the officers is responsible for the disaster. The blacks drove the rebs out of their works after the white troops had tried it and had been drawed back.

*Pvt. Emor Young, Co. C, 7th Rhode Island*
*(Rob Grandchamp Collection)*

But I must stop on this subject and let you judge by the papers. I will tell you about our regiment. As I told you before, we are pioneers but was ordered to the front [and] had four or five wounded, none killed. We was not in the charge. The 4th Rhode Island was in the charge [and] lost 71 men and 12 officers, 83 in all. Phil Potter is among the missing, He is either killed or taken prisoner. I have just come from the battlefield. Our men sent in a flag of truce to bury the dead which has been accepted. They are both at work together burying the dead but the time has expired and the firing has begun again as usual

This is all that I can tell you about the battle now but if I live to come back, I shall have plenty to tell you. I must tell you that I received your letter of the 19th yesterday and was glad to hear that you are all well. Edgar wrote in your letter. Now it is Fred’s turn to write to me. But I want you all to write to me and I will answer them. Goodbye for this time. Yours truly, — Emor Young

Letter 7

Camp near Petersburg, Va.
December 15, 1864

Dear Wife,

I now take my pen in hand to let you know that I am well and hope this will find you all the same. I received your letter this morning—or I might say Edgar’s letter, for you both wrote in the same, but it makes no difference if I only hear from home.

I told you in my last that we were all packed up ready to move. Well we started on a march Saturday night with four days rations. I told you that it snowed the night before, then began to rain. Well, we started about six o’clock in the evening. It was rumored that the 5th Corps was cut off by the rebs and we had got to go and release them but that was not the case. The 5th and 2nd Corps made a dash on the road and we had to go to protect the flanks. Perhaps you do not know what I mean by that. Well, it is to join on to their right and left so that the rebs cannot get in behind them.

Well, as I said, we started when the rain was pouring in torrents. The mud was over shoe for more than half of the way, but rain, snow, or the mud did not stop us. We marched twenty miles and halted at about four in the morning, Then the cavalry went out and found that there was no rebs and found that the 5th and 2nd Corps were all safe and had crossed the river on their way back after tearing up the [Weldon] railroad. You will see the whole particulars in the paper long before you get this. After the troops had got over the river, we had orders to fall in and march back to our old camp again. This was pretty hard to march the same ground over again but that was the order and it had to be obeyed. As I told you, we expected to march the night before we did march so you see there was but little sleep through the camp that night, then marched all Saturday night, then Sunday night through the mud with sore and blistered feet. We commenced our long march again about three in the afternoon and the regiment got back into camp about nine that night. That is marching twenty miles in six hours through the mud. But the men was scattered for ten miles. Some of our regiment did not get back to camp till the nrext morning. They were very foot sore.

I must tell you that I have not forgotten where I was two years ago today and I hope that in a few months more I can come and tell you all that I have seen. I must tell you that this morning we was all called into line to see how many wanted shoes. The Colonel said that we had got to go on a long march and a hard one—perhaps two hundred miles—but where I do not know. I must now bid you goodbye. Yours, — Emor Young

Letter 8

Near Petersburg, Va.
December 23rd 1864

Dear Wife,

I now take my pen in hand to let you know that I am well and hope this will find you all the same at home. I have just received two letters from you—one dated the 16th and the other the 19th and a sheet from Edgar. You want to know f I was with Warren on his expedition. I told you in my last that our regiment was out with the 5th Corps. There was four regiments went and five stayed to guard the lines in our brigade and of course the 7th Regiment was one that had to go. But never mind that now. We have all lived through it but it was a pretty hard march as I told you in my other letter.

Now you want to know if I am in the same place. We are, and it is a bad place. The rebs try their guns and mortars almost every fay. Tuesday afternoon they began about 5 o’clock and kept it up for about an hour and a half. In that time they threw one hundred and five shells such as we call dinner pots. They are eight-inch shells. They did not hurt anyone in our regiment but killed one man in the 48th Pennsylvania Regt. They are in the same fort with us. But I do not think the fun was all on the Johnnies’ side for we threw more than three to their one.

Now about Sherman and Thomas. I have seen the account in the paper [that] you say is glorious news. Well, I guess it is to every poor soldier in the field. Now you ask if I think Grant is going to fight anymore this winter. I think if he can gain anything by fighting, he will fight. And if he can do better by not fighting, he will lie still. This is all that I can tell you about him. This is my opinion.

Now you ask about the rebs murdering the pickets. There has none been murdered in our brigade but they might in another brigade or different corps and I should know nothing about it.

Now you say that Henry has come again on you about keeping his child. I was not disappointed at all but I must speak now as I have said nothing about it. I must advise you not to do anything rash that will make the child suffer for what the parents have been guilty of consider well. Suppose it was your own child. But do as you think best. Tell Edgar that I am glad that he likes his school. Tell him to try and learn all he can and when I come home, I shall want he and Fred ready to go with me out West where we can live easy. I suppose you will want to go and live with us. We can take comfort but I must not think of that for it is a long time yet. There is nothing more that I think of so I will bid you goodbye.

Yours truly, — Emor Young

83rd New York Infantry, Gen. Irwin McDowell, Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks, Political Prisoner

1862: Ralph Augustus Lanning to Julia Berry Weld

June 12, 2023 Griff Leave a comment

The following two letters were written by Ralph Augustus (“Gus”) Lanning (1835-1893) who enlisted 27 May 1861 and was mustered into Co. D, 83rd New York Infantry as a sergeant. By mid-January 1862 he had received a commission as 1st Lieutenant of his company and by 22 May 1862 he was serving as its Captain.

*I could not find an image of Gus but here is one of Angus Cameron who also served as a captain in the 83rd New York Infantry. Capt. Cameron was in Co. F. (Photo Sleuth)*

The 83rd New York served along the Potomac River in Maryland and at Harper’s Ferry. In the spring of 1862 the regiment was stationed near Warrenton Junction and along the Rappahannock river with several different assignments and participated in Gen. Pope’s Virginia campaign with the 3d brigade, 2nd division, 3d corps, suffering the loss of 75 members at the second Bull Run. The brigade and division were transferred to the 1st corps on Sept. 12, fought at South mountain and Antietam, the regiment being closely engaged in both battles and losing 114 at Antietam. Among those wounded at Antietam was Capt. Lanning who was discharged for disability on 12 December 1862.

In the book, History of the Weld Family (p. 27), it is reported that “Julia Berry Weld (1836-1905) married Mr. Ralph A. Lanning of New York City. He served in the war of 1861, was promoted in office, was wounded, and returned on crutches to his Julia, who received him with a hearty welcome, and they were shortly married. He is a true gentleman, now doing a handsome business in the City of New York.”

Gus was the son of Ralph Lanning (1785-1843) and Mary Wynkoop (1786-1842), both deceased by the time Gus was eight years old. He may have been raised by his Uncle Isaac W. Lanning of Trenton, New Jersey, who was named the trustee of Gus’s inheritance which was part of a farm of 46 acres in Mercer county.

Letter 1

Charlestown, [West] Virginia
Sunday, March 2nd 1862

My own darling Julie,

We left Bolivar on Friday night [28 February] about 11:30 o’clock, marched to this place 9 miles. It was a very cold & windy night. I suffered more with the cold than I did anytime through the winter. We were kept in line at Bolivar over an hour before we started. Some of the men had their ears and feet frozen. We made a very quick march—only 1 hour and 55 minutes. We did not make a single halt. When we arrived in Charlestown we could not find out where we were to be quartered. After waiting in the street until the men were nearly frozen, we marched about one mile out of town ad bivouacked in a woods—a very cold place to sleep—but thanks to my men, they got some rails and made me a small house, covered it with brush and leaves, and built a good fire in front & I slept very comfortable.

This is the strongest secession place we have been in. Yesterday our tents came & we are getting along very well, It is snowing very hard at present, Some of the men came to me this morning & asked me if I would allow them to forage for poultry & pigs. I told them I would not prevent them nor give them permission. If they got anything, they must not let me know anything about it. All I do know, I saw them come in camp with some chickens and pigs. I asked no questions. It would not trouble me the least if they took all the poultry in the state. I know very well they would show us no favors. Besides, they have raised one cavalry company & one infantry company & done considerable damage. The troops we had a skirmish with last 4th of July where we lost two of our men were from this place.

We expect orders any moment to move on towards Winchester. We are only waiting for the balance of our army to get here. We have got to see some pretty hard times but I am contented. I am anxious to push on & end this trouble. The men are in tiptop spirits & anxious to see some fun. It is entirely out of the question getting a furlough at present. Enclosed you will find the disapproval of my last furlough. It does appear too bad that I could not get away while we were doing nothing & now we are getting farther off.

I think more than ever about you, darling one. Do not worry about me. I am well cared for and could not be treated any more kindly than I am by my men except at 45 Sands Street. I received only one letter from you last week. Expect to hear from you this evening. Do hope I will not be disappointed. Please write often. You said in your last you were almost ashamed to send some of your letters. Now darling, I ought to give you a good scolding. Your letters are excellent & very interesting. Please, dear one, not to think so again but write often as you can. I would be very unhappy not to hear from you. It does not require any imagination to suppose yours are interesting.

I regret that your Uncle Berry has not been released. ¹ He is foolish not to take the Oath. If he does not, they will keep him a long time. I was glad to hear Mr. Daily has been so gentlemanly lately. You did perfectly right to go with him & Lottie. She is a splendid woman. On her account, I was glad you went with them. The time is fast approaching when you will leave Brooklyn & be farther off. It will appear very strange not to find you in Brooklyn. How dearly I would like to be there before you move but I suppose there will not be a chance.

Monday, March 4th [3rd] 1862. Good morning darling. This is a very gloomy and disagreeable morning. I was disappointed last eve in not getting a letter from you, dear one. There is a report in camp that letters will not go any farther than Baltimore until this move of the army is completed but I do not credit it. The reporters are not allowed to send any dispatches to the papers. It is about time for the mail to leave & I must close this miserable letter. Give my love to all my dear friends at 45 but keep enough love for yourself. May God bless & protect you, darling one, is the prayer of your own, — Gus

¹ Capt. Michael Berry, formerly of the steamship Columbia that made regular runs between New York and Charleston, prior to the secession of South Carolina, was a prisoner in Fort Lafayette, and afterwards at Fort Warren, charged with secession tendencies.

Letter 2

Camp near Front Royal
Friday, June 13th 1862

My own dear Julie,

That long looked for mail came today. I received 13 letters—5 of which were from my own dear girl. You cannot imagine how delighted I was to hear from you. It appeared an age since I received your last.

It was with great regret I learned of the death of your dear Uncle Berry. ¹ It must have been a very severe shock to you all—his being taken from you so suddenly. I assure you, dear one, you all have my heartiest sympathy and condolence, grieving with you in your sad bereavement of one that has endeared himself to you all by his unvarying kindness and affection. It is another lesson to us all that when the fatal hour of trial shall come, to be found ready and prepared to render a faithful account to Him who doeth all things well.

I had a dream a few nights since that some awful calamity had befallen you. Ever since I have thought of it many times which made me doubly anxious to hear from you. Each letter as I found it I thought of my dream & when I came to the last, I found it to be true.

I have been quite unwell myself the past two days but your letter proved a great benefot to me. I have been homesick enough. It is now over a year since I left you, dear one, and this unjust rebellion is not at all rebellion and it has been enough to discourage anyone the way we have been treated & the manner this part of the army has been conducted. If all our Generals were like McDowell, this war would not end till the South was recognized. Our troops are discouraged at the actions of McDowell. Report says today that we are to join General Banks again. He has won a name and endeared himself to all those that have been under him. I do love him as a man and it is my earnest wish that we will soon be under him. He has proved himself a General and the man for these dark hours of trial. No one can doubt his ability.

We have a miserable camp in a low wet piece of woods. Nearly half my company are unfit for duty, They are kept penned up, not allowed the privileges of plenty fresh water for bathing, &c. which is near by. They have to use for cooking & drinking is very unhealthy. If we remain in this condition much longer, the men will all be sick. I have hired three niggers to carry water &c. for my company as they can pass our camp at anytime.

Now, dear one, I must close. I feel very nervous & weak. You must please excuse this letter. With my love to all, hoping He who doeth all things for the best will see fit to protect and spare you and your dear folks from afflictions and trials. With my sincere prayer for you, darling, I am proud to claim myself your own, — Gus

¹ An obituary notice was posted in The Atlantic Democrat & Cape May County Register on 14 June 1862: “Death of a Political Martyr.—Died in Brooklyn, on Tuesday morning, Capt. Michael Berry, formerly of the steamship Columbia, that used to run between the port of New York and Charleston, before South Carolina seceded from the Union. Capt. Berry was imprisoned in Fort Lafayette, and afterwards in For Fort Warren, last winter, charged with secession tendencies, but was liberated about a month ago. He was a man of warm sympathies and generous nature, and it is believed that he would have been alive today but for his cruel and illegal imprisonment, — Newark Journal.”

2nd Ohio Cavalry, Cherokee Neutral Lands

1862: Okey H. McDowell to George R. McDowell

June 11, 2023 Griff Leave a comment

*Okey H. McDowell, Co. I, 2nd Ohio Cavalry*

The following letter was written by Pvt. Okey H. McDowell (1843-1912) of Co. I, 2nd Ohio Cavalry. Okie was the son of John Thomas McDowell (1811-1869) and Hannah J. Murdagh (1815-1893) of Wayne county, Ohio. He enlisted in August 1861 and was eventually appointed Commissary Sergeant. He mustered out after 4 years and 1.5 months service.

Okey wrote this letter while on an expedition into Indian Territory which lasted from 25 May to 8 July 1862. In this expedition, the 2nd Ohio Cavalry joined a Union advance from Fort Scott into Indian Territory in early June. Upon reaching Spring River, the regiment, along with some artillery pieces, advanced against Confederate Stand Waite’s camp at Cowskin Prairie, driving the enemy soldiers from this site.

After the war Okey married Helen M. Blake (1845-1925) and went into partnership with his brother at Medina in the drug business.

Transcription

*This envelope came with the letter but it was originally used to carry a letter to Okey, not from him.*

Spring River Camp, [Cherokee] Neutral Lands
June 2, 1862

Brother George,

I received your letter yesterday. Was very good to hear from you but I did not intend to address this to you when I sat down but did not think what I was doing when I headed it for I wrote to you only last Sunday and I believe I owe both Mag and Rob one before I answer yours but you can take this [ ] and answer if you will and write again.

We are expecting our pay today or tomorrow. Two companies were paid yesterday. I don’t know as I can send any home for we are so far away there is no chance of sending. I would send twenty dollars if I could. I have not been working in the quartermaster department for the last month or so. I don’t know whether I will make that organization now or not. We have got a new quartermaster and I don’t think he wants me any more.

You wrote me a real good letter—not quite so long as I like to get but lots od fun. I also got a letter from Bob the same time I got yours. He said he would be at home in about two weeks to help you with the harvest. Don’t you want to hire a hand? I think it will get pretty hard with you if you have to pay cash for everything. We are living very well now out here. Got a bake oven built and we have bully bread, fresh beef, nice milk. We have about 500 head of cattle on the prairie that we captured and we milk them when we want. I suppose I will have to tear this sheet in two or you won’t consider it and answer.

[ ] sends his best respects and all the boys you know is well. My respects to Houghton, Cotton, and…

My dear sister,

It has been some time since I have written to you but I guess you owe me two or three now but we will let them all pass as George has promised you would write once a week. I think you will get sick of your bargain.

You wrote me a real good letter the last time and always do. It done me a great deal of good. I did not think you all thought too much of me. I can assure you that your love is not lost. There is not an hour scarcely passes but what I think of you and wonder what you all are doing and think whether I will ever see you again. But am willing to run my chance with the rent and feel very anxious to see a battle and be in one. Our little skirmish at Horse Creek ¹ turned out rather a bad affair but I wish I had never been there. The boys all think I done a big thing by getting away but I do not like the idea of running. It was the only thing I could do but it don’t sound right to me and I do hope I will have a chance to run the other way sometime.

You asked which, Dave or [Allen P.] Steel had command. Capt. Steel, I see, has told several times that he had command but it is not so. The Colonel gave Dave the command and Capt. did not like it because he was the ranking captain. How I do wish I could be in Dave’s company. I do not like [Capt.] Steel or [Lt. William B.] Shattue. Shattue never showed me an harm but I cannot bear him. I will tell you something that I done some time ago but I did not calculate to tell you until I came home. I went to his trunk which he kept open laying about everywhere and got that picture of yours. It was an awful mean trick but as mean a man as he is cannot have a picture of my sister that I think so much of and he showing it to everyone. Don’t tell anyone about it. He says he will shoot the man that took it if he finds it out. But the big fool. I am not afraid to tell him I done it…I will show him that I am as good as he is—if not better. I will give it back to him if you say so.

¹ Action at Horse Creek (Missouri) on 7 May 1862. The Western Reserve Chronicle of 28 May 1862 wrote: “The Ohio boys pursued a large body of guerrillas who had concentrated on Horse Creek, a long distance, but without getting a fight. A small party from Co. I, while out scouting, ran into a rebel ambuscade. The former fought bravely but were overpowered by numbers, and compelled to retreat with the loss of a corporal killed, two men wounded, and three taken prisoners.”

144th New York Infantry, Hilton Head, South Carolina

1864-65: Abram Bogart to his Wife

June 11, 2023 Griff Leave a comment

*I could not find an image of Abram but here is one of Henry Betts who was a private in Co. D, 144th New York Infantry. (Photo Sleuth)*

The following letters were written by 40 year-old Abram Bogart (1825-1899) of Masonville, Delaware county, New York. Abram enlisted on 15 August 1862, at Sidney, Delaware County, for a period of three years and was mustered into the 144th New York Infantry Regiment, Co. I, on 27 September 1862. At the time of his enlistment he was 37 years old and was described as being a light-haired, blued-eyed farmer who stood 5 feet 4 inches tall. He was transferred to Co. K, on 15 October 1862. He mustered out with his company on June 25, 1865, at Hilton Head, S.C. After the war he returned home where he worked as a farmer with his wife Mary, and their three children.

The greatest numbers of casualties incurred by the regiment was during its service on Folly Island during the siege of Charleston, South Carolina. Contaminated drinking water caused severe illnesses amongst almost the entire regiment. So many men became ill with diarrhea that a board of surgeons was appointed to determine which men would be eligible for furloughs so that they could recover from the sickness. A convalescent camp was established at St. Augustine, Florida where many of the men spent their illness-caused furloughs. The regiment lost 217 men during service: 2 officers and 37 enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 4 officers and 174 enlisted men by disease. The most frequent causes of death listed for the many members of the Regiment who died of disease included typhoid fever and chronic diarrhea.

Letter 1

*Addressed to Mr. Abram Bogart, Masonville, Delaware county, New York*

July 22, 1864
Hilton Head, South Carolina

Dear Wife and Children,

It is with pleasure that I send a few lines to you to let you know that I am in the land of the living and in good spirits yet, and hope you are the same though I don’t hear from you in some time. There is not much news here at present, but there is talk of another raid in a few days from here, but there is nothing certain about it. There has one died from Co. B that was wounded in the last raid and the rest are on the gain.

We have commenced building barracks here now but I don’t think that we shall finish them for I don’t think we shall stay so long in one place. But some think that we shall winter here and I am sure I don’t care where we stay for it is the same to me whether on the march or in camp if I can hear that you are all well at home. So you must write as often as you can and tell what the neighbors are doing if you can for I should like to hear what is going on around there. And tell James to write if he can, or send me a weekly paper instead for they come right through when sent from the North.

Today is Monday, the 25th of July, and the same monotony in camp as usual is the case. I want you to take good care of the children and not send Cassie to school when she is not well enough to stand it for you know that they are our all in this world and they are entrusted to your care and comfort now, and you must be their guardian while on earth. And if they are called by death, you will know that it is all right. And also take care of yourself for it is better to live in poverty than in contentions, and the way of the wicked for their paths are strewn with thorns. And a contented mind is a continual feast no matter what our rations are, [even] ff it is a cup of water and dry hardtack and raw meat.

Well you must excuse me for not writing more for I don’t know how you will like this for I am bothered with the sun headache and can’t think what to write. Ever yours as true as the sky is blue. — Abram Bogart

Letter 2

Hilton Head, South Carolina
August 5, 1864

Dear Wife and Children,

It is with pleasure that I write to you to let you know that I am in the land of the living, and have tolerable good health at this time, and hope you are the same. You spoke in your letter that you had got some things to take care of and a garden to hoe, and how do you get along with it? And have you any chickens to eat this fall? And [you said] that you had rather hear that I was killed in battle than to hear that I was under arrest. Now I had rather serve my time out in some fort than be in this aristocratical army for it gets worse every day for we have got to have everything scoured and polished til you can see your [face] in it. And the Rebs can see our guns glisten as far as they can see us, and they know right where to shoot, and we can’t see them—only by their smoke—and we can’t sight our guns for they glisten so that it hurts our eyes and draws the sun so that we are getting sun struck when we ought to be the best, and then have to retreat to save ourselves and sick. There is as many again die here as gets killed in battle on that account and that is the reason we get sick of it. And the officers put on airs and strut about and find fault with the men and punish them for nothing, but when it goes to a court martial, then they are done for.

I am back to the company and nothing found against me after laying off from the 21st June til the eighth of August, and now I am almost a mind to try them now, but the old saying is the more that you stir a turd, the worse it stinks, so I think that I shall let them be this time. So you see how it is now and I don’t want you to feel bad for I have told you that when the worst comes to worst, that I should look out for myself and so I shall never fear.

I don’t see why my folks don’t write to me anymore, or have they got ashamed of me. If so, just let me know it for I don’t want to think that I have got friends when I haven’t got any for I hate assumed friends anywhere, for that is the great curse in this war, and when we are out of sight, they are against us. And I think it is time there was a sifting of the wheat and see who is right and who is wrong, for it is in the army as it is in the country, when they are with you, they are friends, and when you are away, they will talk about you and find fault with what you do. And it is just so with the generals. One finds fault with the other, and that is the way with this army down here. And then they say that they can’t depend on the troops, and the private has it after all.

I should like to have you see some of the slaves as they are on the plantations with all their notions for they have been made to believe that the Yankees have horns and tails like an ox and are great thieves and robbers and destroy everything where they go. And to see them roll their eyes when they see the Yankee soldiers come around the plantations and the little ones hide and then come to their Ma and say I don’t see any horns and some of them are as pretty as a nigger can be—slim and straight—and they hain’t over black around here, but are very timid and keep off as far as they can.

Well, you say that if I want to say anything to you, I must put it on a separate piece of paper. Well, I should like to know if you are willing that I should get breakfast for you some Sunday morning and how you would pay for it and whether to or not be particular about it if I should take out my pipe to spit after eating for I am getting awfully in want by this time and would like to know how you stand it for want of help by this time, or have you got a past want in those things pertaining to nature. Well, I guess you will think that I have got a foolish spell. So good by, — Abram Bogart

Letter 3

Hilton Head, South Carolina
September 22, 1864

Dear Friends,

It is with madness that I write unto you at this time for I have just heard that James has enlisted to come to the war and leave his aged parents to mourn in their old age for a protector and confidential son when there was no need of his leaving them for there is no draft that can fetch him away at present. I don’t see what he can be thinking of to enlist and leave his family and parents alone in these times that they need him the most and he is expected on the next boat, but I hope he ain’t coming.

I should like to step in your house and see how you get along without money for it goes hard for me and it must be still harder for you. But we expect our pay soon and then I will divide with you the money and also the anxiety for your welfare and comfort and hope that your lives may be spared until we all shall get home again to enjoy a season of rest from the tumults and trials of war, and see the Star Spangled Banner wave over rebellious graves and the Nation once more in peace with the world, and give freedom to them that are in bondage and liberty to the poor soldier that is worse than slavery in any form for they are treated worse than beasts, for they are not allowed to go anywhere without a pass or they will punish you, and the officers won’t give a pass unless they are a mind to and that’s where they have us. So you see that we are worse than slaves.

Well the mail has come and I will wait and see if I get a letter from you. Well, some of the new recruits have got here and James is one of them, and Mr. Burch of Masonville, and they think they know something of soldiering already, but they have just commenced to know trouble. Well, there was another lot come last night and about 250 others came on another boat and they feel middling well today (23rd) and are satisfied. James brought a letter from you and I got one by mail the same day of September 11th. I am thankful for the things that you and the children sent me, but the sugar was most melted when it got here, but it was sweet yet. Tell the children and the other things are credited to you and I will pay you if I get home if that will do. Some of the boys haven’t got here yet, but are expected here soon. Well, as you are not alone in widowhood now, I hope that you will keep your lamp trimmed for the bridegroom at his coming and not be found out oil on hand. Well, I suppose that you know what I mean. Look out for the long storms of winter are coming soon when it will be hard for you to get out to get things to live on.

I am about the same yet as ever but am rather lame to put up with but it can’t be helped. So good bye for a day, — Abram Bogart

Letter 4

Hilton Head, South Carolina
October 8th 1864

Dear Wife and Children,

It is with pleasure that I send a few lines to you to let you know that I am here and am like to stay for what I see, but James and Gilbert are in the First N. Y. Engineers Regiment, and a lot more that enlisted for the 144th and I wish that I was there too. And James is gone to the general hospital so I am left alone again and I am glad that they had some good luck in getting out of the regiment for they seen enough to convince them to get out if they could and they improved the chance for it was no place for them here.

Silas Olmsted is in the hospital and the rest from our place are well for what I know. Franklin Stoddard and [John W.] Hoskin are in the tent with me and the rest from there are in Co. H and B, what are here, and the rest that are left behind have got to go in another regiment. So you can see what they get by enlisting for the 144th. They have got to go just where they send them.

Sunday. I have been down to the hospital to see James and he is on the gain I think, and is very contented and thinks he is in a good place now, and has good care and Gilbert was to my tent so I guess that he is well and he thanks his stars that he is out of the regiment and has nothing to do with the 144th Heavy Artillery which they never was nor never will be.

Tuesday morning and I have just come off picket and it was rather cold in the night for this place, but I got warm as soon as I heard that there was a letter here for me, and I got it before I unharnessed myself and read it, and it was a joy to hear that you was all well at that date. But you didn’t say anything about James’s folks nor Gilbert’s, and I guess you had better next time for I want to know what [they] think of being alone this winter. And I should like to know which is the loneliness of you all and how you get along. And tell Jeremiah that he must do the best that he can for the widows that are left to his care.

There was a lot more soldiers came here today for our regiment, but they were turned over to the engineers for them to manage. They felt rather bad to be turned off, but I think they will get over it in a few days when they have a chance to see how it is here, and what they have to do, and how they are treated [by] their officers.

You must not try to do too much and get sick yourself for then who would take care of the children, much less yourself. It is better to have less and health than to not enjoy the fruit of your labor after you have got it and try to get along as well as you can this winter for I think the war is almost done. But it will take some time to get around. But the fighting is about done. The deserters that come in now say it is and they come in by the hundreds everyday with us and more in other places. There was over a hundred come from Charleston last week.

This from your ever loving, — Abram

Letter 5

Hilton Head, South Carolina
December 21, 1864

Dear Wife and Children,

It is with prospects of hearing from you that I write a few lines to let you know that I have not forgotten you nor yours and hope that these few lines will find you in good health and spirits. My health is very good but my lameness is quite bad for a few days so that I have to rest for a few days from guard and the rest of the boys are on duty all the time while the regiment are out. And how much longer they will stay, we do not know.

We like our duty here very much and we have good quarters to stay in. Our rooms are for eight to stay in where we can have a stove in if we are a mind to buy one and there is good bunks to sleep on and a good cookroom to work in.

General Sherman has come through here so that the Confederacy is cut in two now and both army’s will be together in a few days for they are only forty-five miles apart now and Savannah is between them with all the railroads in our hands and the place must fall soon, and then Charleston will come next, and Sherman is the man to drive the Rebs to their holes and whip them too before the war will end. There is quite a number of Sherman’s men here to go home that have been gone over three years from home and I wish that I could go with them.

There is a report here that Savannah is ours and if it is not, it will be in a few days for Sherman is on all sides of it and our men are between there and Charleston with quite a force with them where they are fortified for a fair fight on their own terms or else the Rebs have got to go around them to get away from Sherman. And if they do, it will be a race for Charleston of sixty miles with united forces.

It is quite cold weather here now for the place has frozen ice here for three nights in a row and the wind goes right through a fellow on guard. I have just got a letter from Charles’ folks and they said that you was all well. James was here yesterday and he says that he feels better than he has for two years, and I think that he looks better than I have seen him in that time, and I went up to the dock with him and in the town and he out walked me all together and would [have] went over to nigger town if I could stand it, but I could not, so we went into a saloon and had some pancakes and [mo]lasses and came home. And today I am in my quarters lamer than ever. But I shall get over it in a few days and go at it again.

Sunday. The island is covered with troops from Sherman’s men that are waiting to go home and they have brought a lot of Rebel prisoners here with them for us to take care of and some are sick and some are wounded and look hard. I went down and saw James today and he has got some Rebs to take care of.

This is a new town built since the war began and is a military town and used for that purpose and is fortified with entrenchments and stockade posts ten feet high on the outside and the stockade is six miles long with three gates to pass out and in that are guarded day and night and no one can pass without a pass and the entrenchments mount about forty guns besides the forts that mount sixty guns more. And we do the guard duty in the entrenchments and dock, and headquarters guard, and then there is forts on the outside and pickets there besides ours some twelve or fifteen miles from here, but this is the main boat landing for this department and the whole South and everything is first fetched here and then sent to other posts in the South so it makes a business place of [it] here and we have mail every week, here from New York in three days, and Rebel news when we can get it, and we have to pay ten cents for New York papers. I should like to get a weekly but I am too poor to take one at present and how is it with you? Do you take a paper? If not, try and get one if you can spare the money for it is company for you these long nights to read, and you can tell how the war goes in some places. And you can send one to me now and then to wile away the hours for papers come when letters don’t sometimes.

Sunday evening and I thought that I would send a few lines more to you to let you know what rumor is in camp. They say that a vessel has sunk loaded with soldiers for this place and all was lost onboard but there is no certainty about it. And they say that I am going to be transferred to the Invalid Corps but I don’t believe that neither till I see it for I am not fit for duty and have not done much for the last year, though my health is tolerably good yet. And I guess that I can worry out another year in the same way if they want I should, and live, but it is hard to stay here when I can’t do them any good more than eat rations.

Well, today is Monday afternoon and we had a very heavy rain here this morning and it looks like raining more and the weather is cool and refreshing and James is some better today. I go and see him two and three times a day. He has very good care now for the army has nourishing food to eat and I think that he will get along if something else don’t set in and they don’t change doctors and I don’t think there is any chance for that. Well there has some more recruits got here this afternoon about 240 in this batch and they think they have some hard times in getting here but they will see what soldiering is. Now, you must certainly write.

This from Abram Bogart

Letter 6

Hilton Head, South Carolina
May 21, 1865

Dear Wife and Children,

In love and friendship ever would that I could speak to you face to face, but it seems to be other ways ordered at present. I am not very well today but am in hopes that life and health will be granted us to all meet again in our own native land once more for every week seems a month with me now.

Well, I got a letter from you yesterday and was glad to hear that you and yours are well and hope that you will remain well till I get home again all right. There was some United States troops here yesterday that expected to stay and got all of their things in the yard and then was ordered to Florida and left before night again and when there will be others come, we don’t know, but am in hopes it will be soon. There is every sort of rumor here as well as there about our going home soon. I have not heard from James nor Gilbert since I last wrote to you for it is about sixty-five miles from here to Charleston and we don’t have to go there since Johnston surrendered. There is no more soldiers going to their regiments, but go to New York instead of coming from there here, but it is all the other way and I am glad of it for my part so that some can get home [even] if I can’t. But our turn will come by & by, I think, for there is a good deal of talk about going and I think we shall come between this and July. There is some a going on this boat that are unable to do anything here.

I should like to know if there is any chance for you to sell the place at a pretty high price and what you think of living in the South where the winter is not so cold and as for the summer, I don’t think there is much difference in the heat and the land is richer here too and easier to work. And everything will grow here that will grow there and some things that won’t. But you must make your own choice for you must have a mind of your own by this time. There is a great many Union prisoners here from Rebeldom to go to their homes in the North and some have been prisoners a long time and won’t there be joy for a son and husband when they get home. It is estimated that about fifty thousand have been sent North from here in the last two months and still they are coming in every few days.

Wednesday the 24, and it is warm and pleasant and everything is quiet here this morning and I am as well as usual for me and I must close this letter for the boat goes tomorrow morning and you must be of good cheer for I think it will be all right yet and I am having it very easy now and enough to eat for I live with the hospital nurses and sleep on a good bed with them. Yours in love, — Abram Bogart

26th Massachusetts Infantry, Bermuda Hundred

1864: Daniel Edward Worthley to Luke Worthley

June 11, 2023 Griff Leave a comment

*I could not find a photograph of Daniel Worthley but here’s an early-war ambrotype of a Massachusetts man. (Dan Binder Collection)*

This letter was written by Private Daniel Edward Worthley (1836-1913) of Co. I of the 26th Massachusetts Infantry. This regiment was organized in the fall of 1861 and spent the first three years of the war in the Department of the Gulf. In July 1864, they were transferred to the Army of the Shenandoah and were on the Bermuda Hundred front from mid-July to the 1st of August when they were sent to the valley to participate in Sheridan’s Valley Campaign. They would see some serious fighting in the day’s ahead—at Third Winchester, Fisher’s Hill, and Cedar Creek. After the last named battle, Worthley and 44 other men of the 26th Massachusetts were captured while guarding a forage train at Newton, Virginia. He was exchanged in February 1865 and mustered out at Savannah.

Daniel was the son of Luke Worthley (1809-1878) and Elizabeth Poor (1810-1891) of Andover, Essex county, Massachusetts. He mustered out of the regiment in August 1865. Daniel’s siblings included Phebe Marian Worthley (1836-1913), Lewis T. Worthley (1842-1924), Abbie R. Worthley (1844-1901), and Luke Worthley (1849-1901).

Transcription

Bermuda Hundred, Virginia
July 20th 1864

Father, dear sir,

You see by the above that we are at last in Old Virginia. We started from New Orleans on the 11th instant & arrived here today. We had a pretty fair voyage—some rainy towards the end of it.

I suppose that I may have not got letters sent to me lately for two of the New Orlean mail steamers have been lost. The Locust Point was sunk off the coast of New Jersey and the Electric Spark captured by the rebels steamer Florida off the coast of North Carolina. I think I can get a reply to my letters in about 5 or 6 days now. That will be quite pleasant & I want you to write immediately. I have not heard whether you have got the money that I sent by Express.

We are about 15 or 20 miles from Richmond & about 8 miles from Fort Darling. While I write, the guns are booming along the front & perhaps we may soon be ordered forward.

We are under Gen. Butler & the 9th Connecticut Regiment—the one that went to Ship Island with us ¹—came today & are camped beside us as they used to be. But how much smaller both our regiments now are. As it is growing dark, I will close. Give love to all. From your respectful son, — Daniel

Direct to Washington D. C.

¹ The 9th Connecticut and the 26th Massachusetts were the first of twenty-seven Union infantry regiments to see service on Ship Island during the Civil War. They sailed together aboard the SS Constitution in late November 1861 and reached Ship Island on 2 December 1861.

Virginia Homefront

1863: Joseph Clark Addington to a Friend

June 11, 2023 Griff 2 Comments

The following letter was written by Joseph Clark Addington though I can’t be certain whether it was by Joseph Clark Addington, Sr., or Jr. The Addington family was from Norfolk, Virginia, long occupied by Union troops at the time this letter was written in March 1863. For many years prior to the Civil War, Joseph, Sr. (1813-1880) earned a living as a school teacher in that city. He and his wife, Virginia Harwood were married in 1836 and had as many as ten children, one of whom was Joseph, Jr. who enlisted in Co. C, 6th Virginia Infantry when the war began in 1861. He was discharged for disability, however, in 1861, and I’m not certain what he did and where he was for the balance of the war though clearly he could not return to Norfolk after that city fell to Union troops. Another son of Joseph, Sr. was named John Howard Addington (1838-1862) who served in Co. E, 4th Kentucky, and lost a leg at Shiloh. He was taken prisoner there and died in Louisville on 12 May 1862.

While both Joseph Sr. and Jr. probably both had excellent handwriting, my hunch is that this letter was written by Joseph, Jr. (1842-1909) who worked as a clerk before and after the war.

Transcription

*Patriotic stationery with poem, “Bright Banner of Freedom…”*

Richmond [Virginia]
March 23rd 1863

My Dear Friend,

I wrote to you at Goldsboro, North Carolina, some six or seven weeks since, but have received not a line in answer. The supposition which has since been confirmed was that it had not reached its destination. After writing my letter spoken of above, I learned that you were ill (or rather sick) and had gone home. I hope when this reaches you, it will find you enjoying fine health, &c. I hear from Mrs. Archer frequently through Miss Ada. Miss Lucy Gilliam who has been confined for some time is now at Pittsburg at her Aunt Emily Battis. Her mother is with her also. The last I heard from her was this morning through her father who has just returned from Pittsburg. He reports her quite well. Think she will soon be well.

Give my highest regards to all my acquaintances in your brigade—particularly Capt. Martin and Lieut. Lindsey, accepting a large portion for yourself. Excuse this brief note. Will write one more at length when I hear from you. Write soon. By so doing, you will greatly oblige your friend, — Jos. C. Addington

Address to Jos. C. Addington, Richmond, Va.

153rd New York Infantry, Harper's Ferry, Virginia

1864: John Grandy to Mary L. Grandy

June 11, 2023 Griff Leave a comment

*I could not find an image of John but here is a CDV of Lorenzo D. Lisdell who also served in Co. C, 153rd New York Infantry (Photo Sleuth)*

The following letter was written by John Grandy (1843-1864), the son of Lyman Grandy (1804-1877) and Miranda Crandall (1817-1890) of Charleston, Montgomery county, New York. He wrote the letter to his younger sister, Mary L. Grandy (1847-1932).

John was a 20 year-old carpenter when he was recruited into Co. C, 153rd New Infantry on 1 September 1864. In his enlistment records, he was described as standing just north of 5′ 9″ tall with light hair and blue eyes. In this letter, penned at Harper’s Ferry, he had just arrived from Baltimore and had not yet been sent forward to the regiment. The letter has a tenor of foreboding within it which is poignant as he was soon to be mortally wounded (gunshot in right thigh) on 19 October 1864 in the fighting at Cedar Creek. He died in a Baltimore hospital on 16 November 1864. He now lies buried next to his parents in the Christian Church Cemetery at Charleston Four Corners, New York.

For Lyman and Miranda Grandy, John was the second son they had lost during the Civil War. John’s older brother, Corp. George W. Grandy was killed at Gettysburg while serving in Co. D, 1st Minnesota Infantry. He was buried in a mass grave with other members of his regiment.

*John Grandy lies buried in a grave next to his parents in the Christian Church Cemetery at Charleston Four Corners, New York*

Transcription

Camp in Harper’s Ferry, Virginia
[September 1864?]

Dear Sister,

I can’t hear from you but I will write to you to let you know that I am still among the living but I am not very well today nor ain’t been for some days. When we left Baltimore, Alexander carried my knapsack to the cares [for me]. We got to Harper’s Ferry Saturday night. There we had to lay out on the ground but Sunday I felt bad but today I went to a old woman’s house and got my dinner. Now I feel better but am not well.

We expect to go to the front every day—or every minute rather. They are a fighting just above here [in the Valley]. We can hear them fire the cannons here. It is as close as I want to be but expect I will have to go soon. You will hear of the battle before you get this.

Mary, when you get this, learn these verses and when I come home, sing them for me. I would like to hear from home to hear how Father was getting along and all the rest of the folks. As soon as we get to our regiment, then I will write again. We ain’t doing anything but laying around on the ground. Tell Charley that he is taking comfort at home.

Yours truly. This from your brother, — John Grandy

Mr. Charles Grandy, Leatherville Road, Rural Grove, Montgomery [New York]

72nd New York Infantry, Camp Caldwell, President Abraham Lincoln

1861: Walter A. Bowdish to Maria Agnes Fellows

June 11, 2023 Griff 1 Comment

*I could not find an image of Walter but here is a tintype of Alfred T. Groat who also served in Co. G, 72nd New York Infantry (Photo Sleuth)*

The following letter was written by Walter A. Bowdish (1839-1862), the son of Daniel Platt Bowdish (1812-1861) and Martha Caroline Granger (1813-1894) of Portland, Chautauqua county, New York.

Walter enlisted on 24 July 1861 as a private in Co. G, 72nd New York Infantry—Sickles’ Excelsior Brigade. He was known to have been wounded in the fighting at Turkey Bend (Malvern Hill) on July 1, 1862 and was carried as missing in action following that date. No identifiable body was ever recovered and all of the records of soldiers in Rebel prisons were examined following the pension application filed by Walter’s mother. Lt. James A. Smith of Co. I claimed he attempted to help Walter off the battlefield but Walter’s leg wounds were so severe (his blood “flowing in jetts” indicating a severed artery) that he had to leave him after struggling only a few steps. There was one letter written by Alfred found in his mother’s pension application submitted as proof of Walter’s sending her money while in the service. It was dated 2 May 1862 and I have included a transcript of it below.

Walter wrote the letter to Maria Agnes Fellows (1840-1911), the daughter of John Andrews Fellows (1806-1888) and his second wife, Olive Thwing (1809-1884) of Portland, Chautauqua county, New York. Agnes never married, though she clung to this letter the remainder of her life, dying in 1911.

Transcription

*Addressed to Miss Agnes Fellows, Portland, Chautauqua county, N. Y.*

Camp Caldwell
Monday, September 30th 1861

Miss Agnes Fellows
Dear Agnes,

Long had I waited for a reply to my last letter and had concluded that you were offended with the same. But Saturday the long looked for letter came. It had been very long on the way but the contents rewarded e for the anxiety it had caused me. Agnes dear, that letter has been perused many times since received. It has caused a new interest in my present situation.

You say in your letter that I was not too bold in writing as I did. You also wanted me to consider before going farther. I honor you for those words, yet I must say that this has not been the work of nor impulse of a few days or weeks, but has long been on my mind. The thought that your pure mind would revolt at my love has unlocked a secret in my breast. The night you attended the concert at Fredonia with me was a night of tumult on my heart. Oh how I longed to whisper in your ear that eve a tale of love. But the thought of slight acquaintance and a rejection kept it back.

Agnes dear, I can not write as I could talk to you were you here, but be assured that I love you deeply, truly and fondly. My love is no boyish love but a deep and lasting one. All I ask is a kind thought or word from you occasionally until my return. If with God’s mercy I am permitted, then will I convince you that I am serious in what I say.

Think not of your misfortune but as one of the dispensations of an “All wise Providence.” Bear it with the thought that it does not make you look any the less in my eyes. But to the contrary. endear you in my eyes and makes me long to be with you and protect you with an ever helping hand. Write to me, Agnes, and tell me truly whether you can return the love of the lone soldier boy. If you cannot, let this secret remain locked in your breast and forget that I ever offered the love of a true and honest heart to the kind and lovely Agnes Fellows.

The soldier in his far off tented field turns his thoughts to a loved home or some dear one. Why should not I as well? Waiting anxiously a reply to these few lines, I remain yours truly, fondly, and devotedly, — Walter A. Bowdish

[On a different sheet]

Our present situation is at the old camp (Caldwell). We cannot tell how long we stay here but I think not long as we have orders not to leave the camp on any account and to keep our knapsacks packed. Our forces on the other side of the [Potomac] river has begun to advance and are already in possession of Munson Hill and Fairfax Court House. This has been done without the loss of a single life.

Friday and Saturday there passed over the Long Bridge into Virginia over 180,000 troops. Things begin to look warlike now. On our regiment being reviewed by President Lincoln, he said we were the best body of men but one he had seen.

Last week there was a rumor afloat that we were to remain in our present situation as a home guard for the City on account of being the best drilled body of men in the service this side of the [Potomac] River. I have had a chance to leave this regiment and be in the Regular service [and] shall think of it a spell. If I go in the Regulars, I must stay three years—war or no war. If I stay where I am, I may be discharged before that time.

Since I commenced this letter I hear the 1st Regiment of the Brigade has received orders to march. They are encamped about half a mile from here. There is the drum beat for dress parade. More Anon. — Walter Bowdish

Letter 2

[Note: The following letter was found in the Pension Application File for Walter A. Bowdish. It was probably one of his last letters home.]

Camp Winfield Scott
Near Yorktown, Virginia
May 2nd 1862

Dear Mother,

Yours of the 26th came duly to hand this morning finding me at camp but not very well, having just returned from picket duty yesterday morning, the 30th. We laid in sight of the Rebs Battery all day and night in the midst of a heavy rain. We went into the trenches in the course of the night. Our pickets were driven in and then we stopped the Rebels there. They fell back to their Battery and then commenced firing shell. Some fell close to us but no one injured. In half hour they ceased firing.

At 8 o’clock we returned to camp, found the Pay Master and got two months pay. This morning we were mustered in for two months more and the pay master says he will be able to pay us in 12 or 15 days. ($20) twenty dollars of which I got is in the shape of an Allotment Bill and is payable to you or Order at any Bank, and when you present it, try and get half cent premium for they send them to New York City and get the gold which is worth 708 percent on the dollar. I have seen the Lieut. (Smith) and he promises to pay me soon, I hope, but fear him. I shall report to the Col. (Taylor) if he fails me. I send the $20 dollar bill and will send more in the next letter. Use them to your advantage and you will do all right…

I must close. I have one favor to ask. Write a long letter and tell something about how the neighbors are and write the news. I like to get letters but after waiting 10 or 15 days, get one with only a few lines, it disheartens one. I want something bedsides dead and wounded men to think of. Give love to all and tell them we expect battle soon. I remain your dutiful son, — Walter A. Bowdish

Fort Delaware, Prisoner of War

1865: Joseph Stras Peery to his Cousin

June 10, 2023 Griff Leave a comment

The following letters were written by Joseph Stras Peery (1839-1925), the son of Harvey George Peery (1801-1869) and Rebecca Williams (1805-1890) of Tazewell county, Virginia. After receiving an elementary education in Tazewell, he attended Emory and Henry College.

At the start of the Civil War, Joseph enlisted in August 1861 in Co. G, 45th Virginia Infantry at Gauley. He was promoted to sergeant by April 1862 and commissioned a lieutenant by July 1862. He was captured at the Battle of Winchester on 19 September 1864 and sent to Ft. Delaware shortly after. On the date of his release, 17 June 1865, he was described as standing 6 feet tall, with blue eyes and light hair.

In 1868 married Livonia Ravina Brown. His post war occupation was farmer and merchant. He died 7/7/1925 at Glade Spring, Washington County, Virginia at the age of 87.

These letters, like others Joseph wrote from prison, were strictly censored. They were not allowed to discuss what was going on inside the prison nor share their attitude about events occurring outside. Rules required that all letters be written on one side of the paper and they could only be sent to relatives in the North or to relatives in Union-occupied southern states unless under a flag-of-truce. If correspondents were not actually relatives, letters were often addressed as “dear cousin.”

Letter 1

United States Military Prison
Fort Delaware, Delaware
February 1st 1865

My dear cousin,

Your kind and interesting letter was received this morning and was certainly glad to hear from you once more. I was just wondering what could be the matter that you did not answer my last. Had attributed it to frozen streams & bays. Never dreamed of you visiting the sunny land of flowers. I know you must have enjoyed yourself finely. couldn’t help it. I am glad you had the opportunity of seeing your Brothers. Hope that peace may soon be declared and that all may have the privilege of enjoying freely the society if friends and relations and the comforts of home.

Have had two letters from home lately—one from Mother, 9th December, All were well at that time. Also one from Sarah to Frank. Everything seemingly doing well. Little Bobbie had gotten almost entirely well. Sarah’s letter was very short. So much so I almost became offended. I’ve written to Maggie and I know she’ll give me all the news. She is always so precise in every little item of news.

I received a few days since a letter from R. S. B. He is very kind and offers anything that he is able to do for us. He has already done much tending to the wants of Brother J[ames] and therefore I think it would be ungenerous and unkind in us to ask more. I received the money you sent and am indeed very grateful and feel under many obligations to you. As regards the clothing, we have just applied for permits to send to an old business friend (in Baltimore) who wrote us a few days ago to do so. I will let you know how we success. I don’t know how to express my gratitude for your kind offers rendered more dear to me for certain reasons which I hope some day to be able to explain.

We have very hard fare but very good quarters. Don’t get too much to eat. Frank sends his best love to you. You must not laugh at my ill composed scroll for you must remember I’m in no secluded spot noted to the purpose. Be sure and write often. I am very fond of reading letters. Excuse all mistakes and accept this the kindest regards of your devoted cousin, — Joseph S. Peery

Letter 2

Fort Delaware, Delaware
March 29, 1865

Dear Cousin,

According to your request, I write again on the reception of your kind letter. It is pretty much as you said—nothing to do, but you know that no one is apt to be fond of writing unless they get answers equally in number to letters written. Now I think you must be a long time answering my letter—so long I’d given it up—that you did not intend doing so. Consequently I wrote you another and sent you a ring, the workmanship of a prisoner. A very poor thing it was. However, I thought you would value it as it was from your lovely cousin. Well, I was very agreeably surprised this morning with a letter from my dear sister. I’d written home and complained of sister Sarah not writing. She claimed that she was not indebted to me in that respect. One thing I know—that is, I’ve written to her often enough but it may be that she has never received any or but few.

Mr. Brittain had been at home, only for a short time, ten days. Would leave the day she wrote, the 6th of March. All were well. I intend writing soon. Will give them your message. As to me forgiving you for not sending such as you mentioned, I don’t think that there is anything to forgive for I am already indebted to you more perhaps that I’ll ever be able to return. We are all well and getting along as well as usual. Get “hard tack” twice a week for dinner, something new of late.

Frank sends much love to you. Noe I don’t want you to delay answering this letter. Never trouble yourself about those articles mentioned. I received a few lines from a friend at Johnson’s Island. James was well and I expect he was thinking like myself—that you was not very prompt in reply. I shall expect to hear from you soon.

Believe me as ever your devoted cousin, — Jo. S. Peery

45th Virginia Infantry, Johnson's Island Prison

1865: James Spotts Peery to his Cousin

June 10, 2023 Griff Leave a comment

*A post war image of Capt. James S. Peery*

The following letter was written by James Spotts Peery (1837-1905) who entered the Confederate service as a 1st Lieutenant of Co. G, 45th Virginia Infantry in May 1861. By July 1862 he had been promoted to Captain of his company. He was wounded and taken prisoner on 5 June 1864 at Piedmont, Virginia, and transferred into the officer’s prison at Johnson’s Island (Ohio) on 22 June 1864 where he wrote this letter in January 1865.

When James took the Oath of Allegiance to be released from prison on 15 June 1865, he was described as 28 years old, standing 5 feet, 10 inches tall, with hazel eyes and dark hair. He gave his residence as Jeffersonville, Virginia.

James was the son of Harvey George Peery (1801-1869) and Rebecca Williams (1805-1890) of Tazewell county, Virginia.

*The military prison on Johnson’s Island, Lake Erie, Ohio* *(Encyclopedia Virginia)*

Transcription

Johnson’s Island, Ohio
January 2nd 1865

Dear Cousin,

Yours of the 14th December is to hand. I am glad to hear from you once more and sorry to hear of the death of little Mattie. It will be sad news for my brother and no doubt it will make his imprisoned life long and weary. God grant the time may soon arrive when we can once more return to our homes in peace. I am so tired of being separated from those I hold dear to me. Brother Joe’s address is, Lieut. Jos. S. Peery, Officer’s Prison, Fort Delaware, Capt. F. M. Peery, same place.

I received your letter of November 30th containing 50 cents. Answered it on 14th and enclosed you a ring. Let me know if you received it.

Cousin, you have to some extent excited my curiosity. I sometimes imagine you are very large, weighing about a hundred and sixty pounds; have red hair and blue eyes. Then again I imagine you are rather small, dark eyes, and black hair, and [ ] complexion, weighing about 120. I often come to the latter conclusion. Now to decide this matter to some extent, I want you to send me your photograph so I can judge for myself. I don’t suppose you will have any serious objections to sending it. I will take special care of it and if you wish, will give it to Maggie when I get home.

I have not heard from home since I last wrote. I think we will get a mail before a great while. Mrs. J. B. W. sent me some magazines a few days ago which were very acceptable. I have been reading “Rob Roy.” Did you ever read it? I think it is a splendid novel. I received $1 you sent in your last letter and very much obliged to you for it. Give my kindest regards to your brothers family. And believe me to be your devoted cousin, — James S. Peery

Don’t forget to write.