The following letter was written by Andrew W. Barrows (1832-1871), a native of New Hampshire, who was a market man with a stall in the New Faneuil Hall Market in the 1860s and who died of typhoid pneumonia in Washington D. C. in March 1871. He was married to Lydia Adelia Pettingill (1839-1870).
Andrew was the son of Warren Barrows (Unk-1868) and Phila Smith (Unk-1838) of Westmoreland, Cheshire county, New Hampshire. He wrote the letter to his old brother, Warren Snow Barrows (1824-1888) of Hinsdale, Cheshire county, New Hampshire. Warren was married to Maria L. Walker (1828-1919). Warren was an active member of the Democratic Party in Hinsdale and served as chairman of the Board of Selectmen for many years. One of his last duties in the town was as depot master.
We learn from the letter that Warren had recently returned from the Battlefield of Gettysburg. His reason for visiting Gettysburg is not stated in the letter but my hunch is that he went there to retrieve the body of Sgt. Abraham H. Cooper (1827-1863) of Co. F, Hiram Berdan’s 1st U. S. Sharpshooters (Regular Army). Sgt. Cooper was killed in action while on a reconnaissance at Pitzer’s Woods in 2 July 1863. 1 He was the unmarried son of Arad Cooper (1787-1856) and Hannah Fisher (1794-1834) of Hinsdale. In August 1863, a month after the battle, Warren was appointed by the Judge of Probate in Cheshire county to serve as the Administrator of Abraham’s Estate which probably necessarily included his burial and attendant expenses.
Administrator’s Notice published in the Cheshire Republican on 5 August 1863, Keene, N. H.
Andrew’s letter makes it pretty clear that he placed the blame for the war squarely at the feet of the abolitionists, stating that he “would sooner see some of these long hailed folks (meaning abolitionists) rot on the ground than a southern Rebel.” The letter was written less than a month before Lincoln delivered his address at the dedication of the Gettysburg National Cemetery.
[Note: This letter is from the personal collection of Greg Herr and was transcribed and published on Spared & Shared by express consent.]
Transcription
Addressed to Warren S. Barrows, Hinsdale, New Hampshire
Boston, [Massachusetts] October 21, 1863
Brother Warren,
I received your letter this morning and was very glad to hear you were alive as it had been so long since I heard from you. I began to think you had gone to war or else you were dead. I was surprised to hear you had been out to the great Battle field at Gettysburg. I think you mist of seen things that you never dreamt of or expected to see in your life time. I am sure I would like to go there but [at] the same time, I would not like to see the poor fellows bones piled up on the top of the ground to rot no matter whether they are rebels or abolitionists. I would sooner see some of these long hailed folks rot on the ground than a southern Rebel.
Cooper’s Headstone in Pine Grove Cemetery in Hinsdale, NH
I han’t time to write any news now so I close hoping to hear from you soon. Yours truly, &c., — Andrew
Enclosed I send you a check for $200. Please write soon as you receive it and let me know if you do get it all right. All well.
1 “Students of the Battle of Gettysburg are familiar with the reconnaissance action at Pitzer’s Woods. At noon on July 2, 1863, 300 Union soldiers probed the Confederate position. Four companies from Col. Hiram Berdan’s 1st U.S. Sharpshooters—about 100 men—led the way. They formed into skirmish line in the woods near the Warfield and Flaherty farms and then pushed northward, moving along the crest of Seminary Ridge. When the four companies reached a position northwest of the Staub Farm, they made contact with three regiments from Brig. Gen. Cadmus Wilcox’s brigade, the 8th, 10th, and 11th Alabama. A twenty-minute fire-fight developed. After it was all over, the 1st U.S. Sharpshooters counted their losses. They had subtracted nineteen officers and men. Of this number, five had been killed in action (including Sgt. Cooper).” [See Tales from the Army of the Potomac, by Timothy Orr]
I’ve seen lots of patriotic stationery sold by James Gates of Cincinnati but this is the only time I’ve seen this particular design, entitled “The Southerner as He Was.”
The following letter was written by Orlando Comstock Geer (1840-1927), the son of Alexander Hamilton Beer (1811-1879) and Cordelia Comstock (1815-1897) of Maumee, Lucas county, Ohio. He was the oldest of three children, including Amos Wight (1843-1900) and Harriet Cordelia (Geer) Church (1847-1936). This letter was addressed to his sister Harriet, or “Hattie,” who later married John Anderson Church (1842-1894), a veteran of the 25th and 75th OVI.
When the Civil War broke out, Orlando enlisted in Co. A of the 14th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI) as a Corporal. This unit participated in the siege of Corinth, the Tullahoma Campaign, the occupation of Middle Tennessee, the Chickamauga Campaign, the Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign, and the Atlanta Campaign. Geer was promoted to Sergeant on May 21, 1865 and mustered out on July 11, 1865. He returned to Lucas County after the war, where he lived until his death in Maumee on February 9, 1927.
The 14th OVI sustained its heaviest casualties of the war at the Battle of Chickamauga: 35 killed, 167 wounded, and 43 missing, or 245 of 460 men. To read a great account of that pitched battle, see my friend Dan Master’s Civil War Chronicles, “Defending the 14th Ohio Infantry Flag at Chickamauga.”
Transcription
Winchester, Tennessee August 5th 1862
Dear Hattie,
We arrived here yesterday after a long and tedious march of 125 miles from Tuscumbia, Alabama. We stopped at Pulaski, Tennessee, two days and then came on as far as here. When we got to Pulaski, we intended to stay a good while but Gen. Buell telegraphed Gen. Fry to report with his brigade to this place.
I have been very well so far. This last march was pretty hard on us. The last few days were pretty hot. Generally we have had very pleasant weather. It has not been as hot as I anticipated in Secessia. There are various conjectures as to our destination—some saying we are after Gen. Hardy who has 30,000 men 30 miles from here strongly entrenched; others reporting us after the barbarous guerrilla Morgan. But in war, we never know anything till it transpires and then ain’t positive till we see it.
I will write at all events as soon as possible. I will have to close as the mail is going out. Write soon, dear sister. Give my love to all. Forgive me for not writing soon as I could. We have been moving ever since I wrote last.
Excuse the briefness of this as well as all imperfections as I wrote it in a great hurry. I did not know the mail was going out till a few minutes ago. Farewell till I hear from you again.
The following letter was written by Samuel Aborn Wightman Arnold (1842-1902), the son of John William Arnold (1817-1885) and Phebe Holdridge Wightman (1818-1882) of Warwick, Kent county, Rhode Island.
Some sources state that the 10th Rhode Island wore Zouave uniforms but I don’t believe all of the companies did. This is Sergt. John R. Allen of Co. I, 10th R. I.
Samuel enlisted in Co. B, 10th Rhode Island Infantry in late May 1862 and mustered out of the service some 90 days later on 1 September 1862. The regiment was detailed to garrison duty in the forts about Washington D. C. Company B included about 125 students from Brown University and Providence High School. Its captain for three months was Elisha Dyer, the former governor of Rhode Island. Legend has it that Brown’s President Sears consented to allow his students to enlist only on the condition that Gov. Dyer accompany them. They were posted at Fort Pennsylvania along with Co. K for the duration of their term of service. The fort stood near Tennallytown at the top of the hill that marks the highest point in Washington, D. C. It was built in the winter of 1861 by the 119th Pennsylvania Regiment, and was named Fort Pennsylvania until 1863 when the name was changed to honor Major General Jesse Lee Reno, who died at the Battle of South Mountain in 1862.
Samuel married Mary Jane Fuller in 1867 and worked as a painter after the war.
Fort Pennsylvania & Encampment of the 10th Rhode Island just outside the fort. Co. B’s tents are 16-21 and Co. K’s tents are 22-27. Drawn in 1862 by W. E. Cushing (LOC)
Transcription
Fort Pennsylvania August 3rd 1862
I now take these few moments to write you a few lines. I was on guard yesterday and came off guard this morning at 8 o’clock. We had a meeting this forenoon. We have our guns loaded every night. We have to be careful with them. It is very warm here. This is the warmest month of the year.
What do you think we had for dinner? Well, I will tell you what we had. We had some green corn, roast beef. I can tell you it was good. I have some fruit cake left yet. I have not used any of my tea yet for we have very good tea every night.
I must stop writing a few moments to eat my supper. We have got bread and tea. I have finished my supper and I will go on with writing. It rained very hard this afternoon. We have a Dress Parade every evening and Battalion Drill every two days. Mr. Clapp came in the tent and left some tracts. I am as well as anyone can wish. You don’t know what rumors runs through the camp—some saying that we will go home in six months and some says that we will go home in two weeks.
Co. B. fall in. I will go on with my writing once more. We have not received no money except our bounty money. It is a splendid evening. The rain has cooled the air very much. Camp life is a lazy life, I can tell you.
How does Old Moll get along? And has Father got any pigs? There was two boxes came in our tent this morning and we had a grand treat all round. Tell James to write. Should like to have a letter from him very much. I have lost my shirt and two handkerchiefs and one pair of drawers. I have got my undershirt that I wore when I left home. You will find a letter in the Press last Thursday.
I am sorry that I have not wrote to Fred or Hannah. I don’t know what they think of me. I have put it off so long now that I am ashamed to write now. I could not have the two certificates made out at once for the two months were not up. Charley Wilbur had his two months drawn into one.
It is a pretty sight [to] see signal lights displayed from one fort to fort. I think myself lucky that I have not been sick. There is seven of the Co. K sick with the fever. I don’t know any more to write so I must bid you goodbye. From your son, — S. A. W. Arnold
I could not find an image of John but here is one of Henry Heath who served in Co. H, 6th Iowa Cavalry (Iowa Civil War Images)
The following letter was written by 19 year old John Teagueof Fayette County, Iowa—an emigrant from England. John enlisted in Co. C, 6th Iowa Cavalry on 22 September 1862 and mustered in on the same day. He was promoted to Eighth Corporal on 28 May 1865 and mustered out on 17 October 1865 at Sioux City, Iowa.
The Sixth Regiment of Iowa Cavalry was organized under a special order of the War Department, dated September 9, 1862. The twelve companies of which the regiment was composed were ordered into quarters by the Governor, on dates ranging from about the 1st of November, 1862, to near the last of February, 1863. The rendezvous designated in the order was Camp Hendershott, near Davenport, Iowa, where the companies were-mustered into the service of the United States, by Captain H. B. Hendershott, of the Regular Army, on dates ranging from January 31 to March 5, 1863. Upon the muster in of the last company the regiment had an aggregate strength of 1,125, rank and file.
Transcription
Patriotic Letterhead of stationery
Camp Hendershott 1 [Davenport, Iowa] February 12, [1863]
Dear Sister,
Your letter of the seventh came to hand today and very glad I was to receive it too. I was glad to hear that you are all well. I am well at present with the exception of a cold. It is rather lonesome here at present, there being only a few of us, about forty, being furloughed—Jesse and I being amongst the lot. I expected to come home when Jesse came but they could not spare me but I shall have a chance and if you wish me to come home, send down by Jesse and let me know and I will come home. But if you do not wish me to come home, I shall not come.
We had a fine fall of snow last night. it fell to the depth of four inches and you may bet the sleigh bells were jingling, it being the first time this winter down here. But I suppose you have plenty of snow up there.
The barracks tonight are almost as quiet as if no one [was] here. I am kept quite busy every day having to see to the feeding, cleaning, and the rest of the work around forty-eight horses, the Orderly having put me in as boss and therefore it keeps me busy.
I hope you have fine times up there as we do down here. We were mustered the last day of last month and received twenty-seven dollars. We are expecting thirteen dollars more every day and just as soon as I receive that, if you want me to come home, I will come. I sent six dollars home by Jesse, that being all I could spare this time. I lent Jesse six dollars and owed the sutler eight dollars so that I only had seven dollars left. We drawed our sabres and rifles the other day so that we are practicing the manual of arms everyday.
I have seen John [Sheldon] Stearns two or three times since we have been home and he has told me how dull the times is up there and all about the girls and the rest of the news. And I must come to a close. You must excuse my poor writing mistakes and all the rest of it for the reason that I am in an awkward place and a poor light. Give my respects to all enquiring friends. Write soon.
I received a letter from William and he said he was well. I remain your affectionate brother, — John Feuga
1 Camp Hendershott (1862 – 1863) was located between 13th, Locust, Ripley, and Scott Streets in Davenport, Iowa. It was named for Capt. Hendershott who was the Govt. Superintendent of State Recruiting in Iowa.
This letter was written by 32 year-old William H. Doster. He and Quartermaster Sergeant Edward P. Paul, also mentioned in the letter, were members of Hilliard’s Legion, Alabama Volunteers. This command went into camp at Montgomery, Alabama, and served in eastern Tennessee.
I could not find an image of William but here is one of Francis M. Sconyers of Coosa County who served with William in Hilliard’s Legion and later in the 59th Alabama Infantry. (Case Auctions)
After fighting in the Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia, Sept. 19-20, 1863, the 59th Alabama Infantry was created in November, 1863, at Charleston, Tennessee, from remnants of the 2nd and 4th Battalions, Hilliard’s Alabama Legion. Many of the men from Coosa county who served in Capt. Walden’s Co. B (like Doster) were placed in Co. K of the 59th Alabama. The regiment was assigned to General Gracie’s Brigade, took part in the Knoxville Campaign, then moved to Virginia where it lost heavily at Drewry’s Bluff and in June, 1864, had a force of about 240 men. Later it participated in the long Petersburg siege north of the James River and in various conflicts around Appomattox.
This letter was datelined in early September 1864 from Dinwiddie County. The battle reports of the regiment inform us that “the last two fights” in which the regiment suffered 14 men killed, wounded, and missing referred to skirmishes at Petersburg and the Battle of the Crater.
[Note: This letter is from the private collection of Greg Herr and was transcribed and published on Spared & Shared by express consent.]
Transcription
Dinwiddie County, Virginia September 3rd 1864
Dear Aunt Cole,
I received your letter yesterday and was glad to hear from you all. I am always glad to get a letter from you as I am to get one from home. You give me the news. I got one from Uncle Jo yesterday and he said Uncle Cole was making some Stagger Juice & supposed Pa would make some too. I am in hopes they will make enough to supply their wants & some to spare to their friends.
“I got [a letter] from Uncle Jo yesterday and he said Uncle Cole was making some Stagger Juice & supposed Pa would make some too. I am in hopes they will make enough to supply their wants & some to spare to their friends.”
—William H. Doster, 59th Alabama Infantry, 3 Sept. 1864
I will give you a sketch of the crops in this country. Corn is very good and everything else. I have not eat more corn than I ever eat in my life. The stealing you need not be uneasy about. Uncle Gran [?] he is better off than any of us is today. He has just what any of us would of done. And when I am treated the way he was, I am going the same way.
I saw Edward Paul the other day and he told me he was all right if he will stay. So you will hear from him soon, I guess. The reason I didn’t write more, I was afraid to write & did just as I thought best. He was treated worse than I ever intend to be by any passel of dogs.
I want you to write as soon as you get this and give me all the news in your neighborhood. We will go on picket tomorrow morning and I think we will have some fun if not before. The Yanks is very saucy. We lost 14 men out in the last two fights—four killed on the field, nine wounded and one missing. I am in hopes the war will soon come to a close.
The weather is getting very cool here now. I will bring this scribbling to a close as I don’t know anything else to write. Write soon. From your nephew, — W. H.
Give my love to your Pa and Matt & the rest of the family.
I could not find an image of Gilson but here is a cdv of Samuel A. Bagley who served in Co. H, 9th Maine Infantry (Photo Sleuth)
This letter was written by Gilson Mendall (1837-1887), the son of Sylvanus Mendall (1807-1872) and Mary Soule (1805-1874) of Canton, Oxford county, Maine. Gilson was married in March 1860 to Elmira Foye. According to enlistment records, Gilson entered Co. F, 9th Maine Infantry as a private in mid-September 1861 and was mustered out as a corporal after three years and 10 months service in July 1865.
The 9th Maine Infantry was organized at Augusta and mustered in September 22, 1861. It proceeded to Washington and briefly served in the Washington Defenses before joining the expedition to Port Royal, SC, attached to the Department of the South. The 9th Maine participated in a number of minor combined operations resulting in the capture of Forts Walker and Beauregard and later occupied Fernandina, Florida. The regiment then shifted to operations at Charleston arriving at Hilton Head in January 1863, assigned to the 10th Corps.
Transcription
Hilton Head, South Carolina January 16th 1862
Dear Wife,
I will write you a few lines again tonight. I am well as common. I am a little lame yet but my health is as good as it has been for a long time. Coleman is at the hospital yet but he is getting better. I think that he will be out again in a few days at longest. Elisha Bisbee is dead. He died last Monday night. I think they said that it was the typhoid fever that he died with. He was not sick but a few days. I can imagine how his mother will feel. He died very easy—the same as though he was going to sleep. 1
It is very rainy and cold tonight. It seems like October. It rains about half of the time now. The niggers say that it will for about a month. There is a lot of them on the island—a number of hundreds of them.
The report is that we are a going to move soon and I hope we shall for I thought they should be doing something to close this thing up (they won’t let me go into battle for I am lame). They want that I should cook and I think that seeing I have cooked so long that I shall keep. [I also] help on the mail some and we expect it in a few minutes so I will wait and see if I get any letters. I hope I shall. The last that I got from you was dated December 29th. I want you should number your letters on the lower corner. Begin at 1, then 2, 3, 4 and so on. I will do the same. I am expecting a letter from Father. I wish your folks would write to me. I would write to them if I could get time and I will try to answer Harriet’s letter soon and write to John to tell him and everybody else that I don’t believe a word about Old England fighting us. If they do, he will have to come and no backing out.
We have not got paid off yet. They say that the money is on the island to pay us with but I don’t know. Write how much money you have got. I sent you 25 dollars. There is any amount of niggers here every day selling oysters—men, women and children. I should as leave sleep with an old sow as to one of them. They are very nasty looking things and I think that their masters are plagey fools to make the best of them. I shall have to take another sheet of paper. — Gilson
1 Elisha Bisbee of Canton, Maine, was 18 years old when he enlisted as a corporal in Co. F, 9th Maine Infantry. He died on 14 January 1862.
An image of George Hodges on the 7th Michigan Infantry. (Charles Joyce Collection; now in Dale Niesen Collection)
The identity of the soldier from Co. H, 7th Michigan Infantry who wrote this letter cannot be confirmed but my hunch is that it was penned by Elijah C. Eldred (1835-1921) of Oakland county, Michigan. More research would be required to confirm this.
The 7th Michigan Infantry was organized at Monroe, Michigan, in August 1861 and were sent to the Army of the Potomac in September where they were attached to the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 2nd Corps for the duration of the war. The following letter was written in Maryland when the regiment was posted along the upper Potomac.
The 7th was one of the first regiments to cross the Rappahannock River on Dec. 11th, 1862 while under fire from Confederate sharpshooters hidden in the buildings of Fredericksburg.
Transcription
Headquarters Camp Benton 7th Regt. Michigan, Co. H October 18th 1861
Dear Brother,
I received your kind letter a short time since and one from Mother and Melvin Tuesday night and am glad to find that your health continues good. My health is good as usual at present. I never had any better health in my life than since I came into the state of Maryland. Our fare was not very good when we first arrived here. Old [James M.] Tilghman was chief cook and he slushed our victuals up any way to make it easy for himself. But about two weeks ago, we made a little mess (just for fun) and put another man in as chief cook. Since then we have good fare and plenty of it.
Instead of having mud coffee, bull beef, and hard bread for breakfast and the same warmed up for dinner and supper, we have a change of good soft bread, tea, or coffee, and some of as just as good fresh beef as you ever drove your face into. There is two tons of fresh beef due this regiment.
We are at the same encampment we have been with no prospect of any fighting yet awhile. I see by the the papers that our Brigadier General (Lander) has been assigned the post of guarding the Baltimore and Wheeling Railroad. The paper did not say whether his men were going with him or not. He is at Washington now. Some of the officers think we will go and some think not. I hope we may go but I have my doubts about it. The report is that the rebels are moving back all along the line of the Potomac but there are so many false stories told in camp that anyone don’t know when to believe what he hears. One thing is certain, they had better be moving before long. Things are shaping just right. When we start to cross the river, we will go with a perfect rush to it.
October 19th. I have just come from washing my clothes. Every Saturday forenoon we do our washing for the week, We go about half or three quarters of a mile down to a small stream to do our washing. I have got so that I can wash as well as half of the women.
Eugene [Clark] talks of going home. He has applied for his discharge. I don’t know whether he will get it or not. He has not done anything since he left Monroe. He did not drill only one day and a half while there. He don’t say much but keeps up a devil of a thinking.
There is quite a number of our boys that lay in their tents and do nothing but sleep and eat. They eat double rations and say they are sick when if they would only drill a little every day, the would be all sound. One thing is certain, I should be sick in two days to lay around the way they do. They can’t get outside to get any exercise and it is enough to kill anyone.We don’t average over two hours drill in a day, take it from one week’s end to another. That is just enough to keep anyone’s blood in circulation.
I will try to finish this at some other time. [unsigned]
A young, unidentified member of the 46th Ohio appears ready for action. (Carl Fogarty Collection)
The following letter was written by 18 year-old William “Henry” Brink (1843-1920), the son of Calvin B. Brink (1820-1880) and Cornelia Caroline Butts (1823-1903) of Rome, Athens county, Ohio. The family moved to Coatsville, Adams county, Ohio in the 1850s. After the war, Henry married Sarah Amanda Weaver (1854-1938).
Henry enlisted in Co. B, 46th Ohio Infantry on 5 October 1861 and was with the regiment throughout the entire war, mustering out in July 1865 at Louisville, Kentucky. The regiment was organized at Camp Chase in Ohio but were ordered to Paducah, Kentucky, in mid-February 1862, and then taken to Savannah, Tennessee, where they went on an expedition to Yellow Creek, Mississippi, and then to Pittsburg Landing where they took part in the Battle of Shiloh. Following that, they marched on Corinth with Halleck’s army throughout the month of May when this letter was written.
Transcription
U.S. Camp No. 7 May the 24th 1862
Dear Uncle,
I take my pen in hand to inform you that I am well at present and hope that these few lines will find you all the same. We received our pay last week and I sent 15 dollars home. I will send the receipt to you and you can go to the same place when you want for the money.
We have not had any battle since the Battle of Pittsburg [Landing]. There has been skirmishing and I have had the chance to try my gun by myself. We are but a short distance from Corinth where we expect a hard fight. The pickets have been skirmishing five days when we came here on the 21st and put up breastworks. We worked until nearly twelve o’clock at night throwing dirt. We will move tomorrow half a mile farther and throw up some more works. There is a great many men here and our works are 17 miles long and still making them longer. There is five siege guns right close to us. They are 24 pounders and other things called a mortar ( 4 pound shells).
“We cut all the trees down as we go along and tear all the houses down and take the boards to sleep on.”
—Henry Brink, Co. B, 46th Ohio Infantry, 24 May 1862
I have written to John Walton two weeks ago today. Tell him to write. I have not had any letter for a long time. Everything looks very well here. It is a very pretty country. The apples are more than half grown as plenty of them and peaches too. But we cut all the trees down as we go along and tear all the houses down and take the boards to sleep on.
It rained very hard last night and we just had to stay out in it for we had no tents to sleep in and have not had for a month. But I must not tell you all until I get home. Write soon. Tell me how all the folks is a getting along. Tell our folks that I am well. I send my best respects to all enquiring friends—if I have any. Excuse this scribbling for it was a very bad pen. No more at present.
The following letter was written by Henry H. Folsom (1844-1911), the son of Sumner Folsom (1812-1893) and Eliza Sewall Lemont (1816-1894) of Fayette, Kennebec county, Maine. Henry entered his country’s service as the bugler of Co. L, 1st Maine Cavalry in November 1861. Service records indicate he was with his company throughout the war, mustering out at Petersburg, Virginia, in August 1865.
Henry mentions two of his younger brothers, Frank (b. 1846) and Freddie (b. 1852).
Transcription
Patriotic Letterhead in Henry’s letter
Camp Stanton Warrenton Junction, Virginia May 11, 1862
Dear Father,
We are going away from here tomorrow morning, going to Fredericksburg. We went down to Culpeper Court House. Our company went first as skirmishers. We drove the rebel pickets in and took seven prisoners with their horses. I was with the skirmishers. We went into the town—twelve of us—and found there was one company of rebel cavalry. We run our horses in behind the rebels. We formed in line within 6 rods of them when they began to look about for a chance to retreat. In about 5 minutes they retreated and we right after them. Seven of them we got and 70 we did not get.
We took them to headquarters and found one of them was a spy that they had taken before and swore allegiance. They will hang him. They sent him to Washington.
I have been paid but not so much as I expected. I lost some things coming from Augusta. I dare not send any money for I have wrote three letters and have not got an answer yet. Give my love to Mother and Frank and Fred and tell them I shall be home soon. Tell Frank to write. From your son, — Henry H. Folsom
Camp Stanton, Virginia
Sumner Folsom
I am in a hurry or I would write more. Let me know whether you have got your pay or not.
The following letters and diary track the movements of Pvt. Gustavis (“Gus”) Davis Bates (1823-1903) of Plymouth, Massachusetts, who enlisted in Co. D, 38th Massachusetts Infantry. He was discharged from the University Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana, for disability on 5 August 1863.
Gus was well educated—an 1850 graduate of Brown University—and was enumerated in the 1850 US Census as a lawyer in Plymouth, Massachusetts but in August 1862 when he enlisted to serve his country he was a 38 year-old county school teacher. His regiment was transported to Louisiana in the Bank’s’ Expedition and fought at Fort Brisland in March 1863, where a large contingent from the regiment were captured and briefly held as prisoners of war. “Gus” was admitted to University Hospital at New Orleans on April 9, 1863 and remained there until medically discharged from the army on Aug. 5, 1863. His diary entries from May and June 1863 suggest that though he might have been marginally capable of being returned to service in the field, his doctors found his nursing skills to be of greater value to the military and so he was kept at University Hospital until his discharge.
Gus was the son of Comfort Bates III (1791-1876) and Elizabeth Pierce (1792-1878) of Plymouth, Massachusetts. Gus was married in 1848 to Nancy Doten Finney (1828-1896) and had at least three boys living at the time of his enlistment—Charles Hubbard Bates (1849-1918), Josiah Finney Bates (1851-1918), and Alfred Merton Bates (1858-1933). After the war, Gus returned to teaching school in Plymouth.
There are four documents in this archive: A letter dated 19 November 1862 written from Fortress Monroe enroute to Louisiana; a diary fragment from the passage from Baltimore to New Orleans; a letter dated from New Orleans on January 7, 1863; and a diary fragment written at University Hospital in New Orleans in May and June 1864 during the fighting at Port Hudson.
1
Adams Express Co. Fortress Monroe, Va. November 19th 1862
Dear Wife,
I have sent you $15 (fifteen dollars) by Adams Express. As soon as you get this, send directly over to Rich & Westars or other express in town & get it. Carry the paper I send you with you. I received $23.40.
We are still here. There is no doubt about our going in the Baltic, I think on an expedition. I can’t write you much now. Will do so soon. Our company are now at the Express Office sending their money home. Expect to be ordered to fall in any minute. We have just come on here from the ship & shall go about a mile to hair the day to ourselves. I have been over to Hampton and also the rivers. We are getting pretty dirty & shall have a chance to wash up today. Write me often. You don’t know how much I want to see you all. I am well but there is considerable sickness on board. Four of our company have died within a few weeks.
We shall probably take on board the Baltic about 1700 troops—perhaps 2,000. We shall be packed away on shelves. We are beginning to see what war means but I want my little wife to keep as easy as she can about me. I shall endeavor to look out for No. 1 as this seems to be the rule.
The men of course are in better spirits today having been paid off. I could write you a good deal I have seen since writing you last & will soon but must close now. Yours affectionately, — G. D. Bates
2
The U.S.S. Steam Ship Baltic
Steam Ship Baltic, Fort Monroe
November 24, 1862—Left Camp Emory Sunday November 9, 1862. Embarked on board the Baltic about 15 miles from Baltimore November 10th; and after a pleasant trip down the Bay, arrived at Fortress Monroe on the 12th of November early in the morning. Went to Hampton Village Nov. 17th with regiment.
Visited Negro School. Heard them sing splendidly & listed to several recitations in Arithmetic, Geography, & Spelling. Teacher from Central New York.
We have on board two companies of New York 131st. Went on shore. Fired three rounds at target. Went up the beach about 1 mile from the fort. Arrived on board before dark. Getting in coal all night. Made so much noise, couldn’t sleep. Frank [Bates] had box from home. Letter from wife.
Steamship Baltic—November 25, 1862—Regiment went on shore. Did not go. Nothing unusual transpired today.
November 26, 1862—Went on shore with the regiment. Went up the beach and shot at target.
November 27, 1862—Went on shore without equipments—dismissed and allowed to go where we please. Men generally did well, but few cases of insubordination in consequence of whiskey.
November 28, 1862—Went on shore. Shot at target. Came on board at half past 2.
November 29, 1862—Battalion & Company drill beyond Hampton bridge. New York 110th, 114th, and 116th [regiments] out also. Came on board at 4 o’clock. The Passaic—a steam sloop of war, & a gunboat arrived in Hampton Roads. Several transports also arrived. Raw wind.
November 30, 1862—Spent the forenoon getting ready for inspection. The Passaic accompanied by gunboat went down the Bay about noon. Quite a stir among the gunboats.
December 1, 1862—Inspection this forenoon. Very Pleasant.
December 2, 1862—On board all day. Indian rubber blankets delivered to the regiments this afternoon. 80 rebel prisoners arrived from Baltimore [who] were well dressed. Gave up cartridges today. Commenced raining about noon. General inspection of quarters by physician. Complaints made & remedies promised. Member of company buried.
Steam ship Baltic, Fort Monroe—December 3, 1862—On board all day. Rainy. The fleet ordered to be in readiness to sail and are making preparations to go to sea.
December 4, 1862—A. S. Russell came on board. Fleet got under way this morning. Men securely fastened & preparations are being made for the coming storm.
Steam Ship Baltic at Sea
December 5, 1862—Wind dead ahead. Ship labors hard. Deck very wet. Spray covered the forward part of the ship blowing a gale. A great deal of seasickness on board. Off Hatteras, encountered a severe gale. The sea breaking completely over the starboard wheelhouse & drenching the men forward, accompanied with vivid lightening & crashing thunder. The rain poured down in torrents & at one time the ship was in great peril—the ship running very high and ship straining every timber to keep on her course.
December 6, 1862—At sea. In the morning signaled only 4 of the fleet [in sight]. Capt. Eldridge of the Atlantic came on board. Changed our course to northeast to look after the rest of the fleet. Ascertained that one of the propellers was disabled and in tow of the Ericsson. The Atlantic, U. S. Augusta, Baltic & Arago are in sight of each other during the day. Weather moderated & favorable.
Baltic at Sea
December 7th 1862—Off Port Royal—weather pleasant. Capt. of Augusta sent a Lieutenant to the Baltic & informed Capt. Comstock that the packing of his trunchions [?] was giving out & asking advice whether he should repack them or go into Port Royal. Ordered to unpack them. This settled the doubtful point whether we were going into Port Royal or not. Sent up rockets in the night. Several responses. Having pleasant view. The living on board is very poor & our accommodations are very contracted. The men are scattered over the deck reading, writing, playing cards & chattering together, most of them having recovered from sea sickness & being in good spirits.
At Sea on Baltic
December 8, 1862—Weather fine. Course S. S. W. The remainder of the fleet do not come up. general inspection aft. Inspection of men took off right boot & stocking. Saw three sail towards night. off St. Augustine towards night.
[Page missing, December 9-11, 1862]
At Sea, December. 12, 1862—Warm and pleasant. Fine run last night & today. Nothing unusual has occurred.
At Sea. December 11 [should be 13th], 1862. The Baltic hove to above 4 o’clock in the night. saw the land early in the morning. Arrived at Ship Island at 1 o’clock today. Atlantic went over the bar first. Baltic struck heavily on the bar going in. Gunboat Augusta came in soon after the Baltic. The U. S. Arago, S. R. Spaulding, arrived before us. Some 15 or 20 sail were in port. The U. S. left soon after we arrived. Mataras [?] arrived at 2 o’clock p.m. Capt of Augusta came on board & accompanied General Emory on shore. S. R. Spaulding left in the afternoon. Several vessels left and several arrived during the day.
Ship Island
December 14th, 1862—Commenced going on shore this afternoon. General Banks with the 41st Massachusetts left in the North Star at noon. On board the Baltic all night.
41st Massachusetts soldiers on board the North Star while anchored at Ship Island in December 1862
December 16, 1862—Ship Island. Went on shore this morning in boats ay Ship Island. Encamped about half mile from the wharf on the sand. 23rd Connecticut encamped here. 16th New York and two companies of 13th Maine doing garrison duty. There are about 50 rebel prisoners here. Drew rations of coffee & sugar. Went down the beach and got a good stove. Saw Robert Finny of The Kensington.
From December 16 to 27 [1862]—At Ship Island drilling, Had frequent conversations with rebel prisoners, most of whom were anxious to have the war brought to a close & join the Union. Others would settle on [nothing] but recognition. Six men from each company was detailed to cut wood on the Island about 4 miles from camp. Israel Thrasher 1 of our company went.
This ambrotype depicts members of the 38th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment at camp on the beach of Ship Island, Miss. during the Civil War. The photograph was taken in Dec. 1862 by an unknown photographer and probably was owned by Francis William Loring, a lieutenant with the regiment; an inscription on the verso of the image reads, “Field & Staff 38th M.V. FW Loring Ship Island, Miss. Dec. 25, 1862.” Photo. 2.97 Removed from the Francis William Loring papers[Digital Commonwealth, Massachusetts Collection On Line]
Ship Island, December 27, 1862—Went up the beach with Israel Thrasher, gathered shells & visited the graveyard. Most of the names were between 18 and 25 year old. Mostly from Maine. Indiana, Wisconsin, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, & Massachusetts were represented among the dead.
Ship Island—December 29, 1862—The North Star, Northern Light, & Illinois came in this morning. Had orders to move. Went on board the Northern Light about 12 o’clock at night.
Steamship Northern Light
December 30, 1862—After some delay in getting off, left Ship Island this morning at 8 o’clock in the Northern Light. Quartered in the forehold. Better accommodations than in the Baltic. Several cases of measles on board. Had a fine run all day & during the night.
Steam Ship Northern Light, Mississippi River. December 31, 1862—Entered the [river] about 9 o’clock this morning. Had a good passage up the river and arrived at New Orleans not far from 7 o’clock in the evening.
1 Israel H. Thrasher was also from Plymouth. He died on 29 June 1863 at New Orleans from wounds received in the fighting at Port Hudson on 14 June 1863.
3
Camp Kearney At Greenville near New Orleans January 7, 1862 [should be 1863]
Dear Wife,
I send you within $20 (twenty dollars) by Adams Express. I can’t write you much now. Shall write you by mail. We are encamped here 4 miles from the city and about 8 by the river. We like the camp better than any camp we have been in. The weather here is pleasant most of the time, not comfortably cool night, so that I am not cold with overcoat & blanket.
We have three days rations ordered to be cooked & 10 days on hand all the time. I think I can send you 4 or 5 dollars now. Shall do so in my letters. It costs 65 cents to send this to Plymouth. I received two letters from you dated 7th and 16th of December. Your Uncle Henry is right, I think about the wood. Pay it.
Lt. Col. David K. Wardwell—“When Wardwell went, the fighting talent went also.”
We arrived here last Thursday, laid over one night in the city, and came up here next day. Whether we shall go up or down the river is uncertain. I shall endeavor to write you once a week about Sunday. If we move, I shall write about the time of moving. Should anything unusual take place, I shall let you know. I think the Colonel will try to have us stay at New Orleans. Col. [Timothy] Ingraham is acting as Brigadier General and the 38th is commanded by Lieut. Col. [William L.] Rodman. When [David Kilburn] Wardwell went, the fighting talent went also.
But I must close. Frank [Bates] 1 and I are well. Tom Savery 2 is sick with the measles [which are] prevalent in camp.
Your affectionate husband, — G. D. Bates
1 Francis (“Frank”) Bates was also from Plymouth. He served as a musician in Co. D, 38th Mass., until 30 January 1864 when he was discharged at Baton Rouge for disability.
2 Thomas G. Savery of Plymouth survived his bout with the measles only to be wounded at Port Hudson on 14 June 1863 and discharged at Boston for disability on 28 December 1863.
4
The remaining diary entries were all penned in the University Hospital at New Orleans
University Hospital, New Orleans
May 27, 1863—About 150 men from this hospital ordered away to their respective regiments. Packing up in the afternoon. Showers during the day.
Thursday, [May] 28th, 1863—Packed my knapsack & put things in readiness to go to the regiment. All the men were ordered into the front hall to answer to their names. No questions were asked me by [Asst. Surgeon] Dr. [Samuel H.] Orton but he ordered me back to room. Unpacked knapsack & put things in [ ] for a further sojourn at this institution. Removal into another war. Saw several wounded pass the hospital. Among them General [Thomas W.] Sherman. Reported also that Neal Dow is killed & General [Christopher C.] Augur wounded at Port Hudson. Several doctors came round at 10 o’clock in the eve and took names to send off. About 120 went today. Papers contain accounts from rebel sources of fights at Port Hudson & Vicksburg. Sent letter home, No. 12. Fletcher, Nye & Laws of the 38th in Ward K went off today. [George H.] Fish of Co. D & H[oratio] Sears of Co. G. [George W.] Belcher of [Co. A], 38th [Mass.] sent back. [Albion] Leavitt of 26th Massachusetts went off also who was in Ward K. Become acquainted with Mr. Burbeck of East Abington.
Friday, May 29th, 1863—Rained last night. Pleasant this morning. Became acquainted with George Bates of Worcester, Co. 130. Wounded, came from Baton Rouge. [Was] on the fight at Port Hudson. Heard of the death of Lt. Col. [William L.] Rodman of the 38th [Massachusetts]. No one could be found to take charge of the regiment. Rumored death of Gen. Paine. Shower in the afternoon accompanied with thunder and lightning. About 70 men left the hospital this afternoon. Joe Loring, Otis Foster, & Israel H. Thrasher went off [back to the regiment] today. Only one left of Co. D in this hospital. Seven transported in the evening.
Saturday, May 30th 1863—Hard thunder and rain this morning. Talked with wounded sergeant of 131st New York. 1 Thinks when he left [Port Hudson] there were 3,000 killed & wounded on our side. Represents the fighting as the most desperate of the war. The Negro Brigade fought like tigers & neither gave or received quarters. They were near to the river on the left & were opposite to one of the best brigades of the rebels. They defeated them at every point & would have gone into Port Hudson had they been supported by artillery. They went into the fight with 2700 and came out with 1700.
1 The wounded sergeant was probably one of four men: 22 year old Hector Sears of New York City was 1st Sergeant of Co. I. He was wounded in the fighting at Port Hudson on 27 May 1863; 23 year-old Sgt. Paulis Van Version of Co. F thought the date of his wound was not given; 27 year-old Sgt. James Devlin of Co. F, who was wounded at Port Hudson; or 31 year-old Sgt. William Boxberger of Co. D who was wounded on 27 May 1863 at Port Hudson. One of them would have been the source of the information provided Bates about the “the Negro Brigade.” See poem by John A. Morgan entitled, The Black Brigade at Port Hudson.
“In May 1863, the 1st and 3d Corps D’Afrique attacked the Confederate stronghold of Port Hudson, Louisiana. After previous units failed to break through the Confederate defenses, Brig. Gen. William Dwight ordered the African American units to attack a strong point along the western edge of the Confederate line. The units crossed a short bridge, bordered on their right by the Mississippi River and on their left by entrenched enemy sharpshooters and cannons. The Louisiana troops, led by freedman Capt. Andre Cailloux, assaulted the position under withering fire. Cailloux, wounded twice, led his soldiers until mortally wounded by a cannon ball just outside the breastworks. The assault withdrew and successfully laid siege to the Confederate garrison until it’s surrender six weeks later. Cailloux’s gallantry under fire became a rallying cry for African American and white Soldiers alike throughout the rest of the war.“
Black troops attack the Confederate line at Port Hudson
Has no doubt that Port Hudson will fall before night today. We had taken all the batteries except three. Our force is estimated at 35 to 40,000. The Rebs at 15 to 20,000. The Rebs asked for two flags of truce to bury their dead and wanted a third which was not granted. Before the time had expired for which it was granted, they opened on our men. The battery was immediately charged and taken. Our army advanced through woods filled with briars, fallen trees, ad ravines 15 or 20 feet deep in which the men were continually falling—some of who, were a long time in getting out. The obstructions were represented as formidable & our men suffered incredibly in advancing on the enemy who are strongly posted in every advantageous position, commanding the approaches to Port Hudson. No doctor came round today. Warm and pleasant.
Sunday, May 31, 1863—The tables were full again this morning, many of the wounded being well enough to go down. Went through wards where the wounded are this morning. Saw but one very bad case wounded in the head—looked very bad. Talked with [Corp. Lewis M.] Bailey of Co. G, 38th [Mass.] [who was] slightly wounded [at Port Hudson]. About 200 wounded have arrived at this hospital. Hot day. Dr. McLellan came round—No. 452, Ward E, 3rd Story, University building.
University Hospital—June 1, 1863, New Orleans. Hot day. Siege of Port Hudson still going on. General Banks receiving reinforcements. All the wounded men concur in the opinion that Port Hudson must fall soon. Dr. Conner in charge of the Hospital, having returned from Baton Rouge. Quince arrived 26 days from New York.
June 2, 1863—Continues hot. Letter from home [dated] May 17th. A few wounded continue to arrive from Port Hudson.
January 3rd 1863—Warm and pleasant. Letters from home [dated] April 26th, also April 30th. B. F. Hathaway called.
June 4th 1863—Wrote letter No. 13 home. Hot day. Nothing unusual. Papers contain nothing.
University Hospital, June 5, 1863, New Orleans. Great Union demonstration in New Orleans last night. 8,000 persons present. News generally encouraging I this section of the county. New Orleans very quiet. Business reviving and the people settling down to an orderly & quiet life. Dr. Conner called men together in the yard. Examination for the purpose of ascertaining who were city for duty. Very warm.
June 6th, 1863—Very warm. Several discharged men getting ready to go North. Among them [Corp. Nathaniel O.] Holbrook of [Co. C], 38th Mass. and [Jedediah M.] Bird of the 4th Mass.
June 7th, 1863—Continues hot. Dr. Conner ordered all the men in the yard to his office for examination. 15 or 20 men from the hospital North discharged.
Monday, June 8th 1863—Very hot. 40 or 50 men discharged to regiment today. All the men at supper table ordered to Dr. Conner’s office after supper. Went. Was told to go back to Ward & keep quiet. Took a large number of names for regiment & for light duty about the hospital.
Tuesday, June 9th 1863—Continues hot & dry. Sixty men packed up to leave for regiments. Ordered back & remained over night. Doctor did not come round until after supper.
University Hospital, June 10th, 1863—Continues very warm. 40 or 50 men left this morning for up the river. General Wentzel’s Division defeats the Rebs in rear of our forces at Port Hudson & droves them to Liberty.
June 10th 1863—Cooler. Nothing of importance.
June 11th 1863—Showery. Cooler. Some thunder. Put up cistern in the hospital. Fifty men arrived at hospital from Brashear City. Learn from them that the Rebs trouble our forces some in that vicinity. All the gunboats and troops have been withdrawn from above Brashear to Port Hudson. Clearing out the hospital of that place. Three new men came into Ward E where I am at present. Chamberlain and Gage left Wednesday.
Friday June 12th, 1863—Cool and comfortable. wrote letter No. 14 home.
Saturday, June 13th 1863—Sent letter No. 14. Wrote T. B. Rich for papers. Also J. H. Loud. Received papers from home date May 28th.
University Hospital, June 14, 1863—Comfortable weather. Dr. Conner came round this morning and notified several that he was going to send them home. Said but little to me. Was accompanied by Dr. McLellan who is now practicing in Ward E where I am at present. Had a talk with Quince. Informed me that Israel H. Thrasher & Foster had left Barracks Hospital. Col. [Timothy] Ingraham went home [to New Bedford] today. Several came to the hospital from Brashear City. Had a long talk with Petra of Co, B, 38th [Mass.] Read the scriptures most of the day. Place my dependence on God and try to do my duty & be reconciled to my situation.
Monday, June 15th 1863—Shower in the afternoon. Some thunder. Quite comfortable. Read New York Herald‘s first account of fight at Port Hudson. Some chill today. Received letter from wife of May 31st.
Tuesday, June 16th 1863—Cool this morning. Exciting news from Port Hudson. Few particulars. Sent letter No. 15 home. Rained hard in the eve. Some thunder and lightning. Exciting rumors from Port Hudson. 4th Wisconsin Infantry entirely used up. Talking about sending men away from the hospital to make room for additional wounded. Sergt. [Joseph] Smith, Corp. Parks, & [George W.] Thomas of Co. G received their papers & leave, paid off today & going home. Heard that Brig. General Sherman is wounded.
Wed., June 17th 1863—Rained hard last night. Cool this morning. About 50 wounded came to the hospital from Port Hudson [including] Israel H. Thrasher & Thomas Savery of Co. D. Heard of the death of Lieut. Holmes, Lieut. [George B.] Russell wounded. Opening hospital at St. Louis Hotel. Detailing men to go as nurses.
University Hospital, June 18th 1863—Clear, hot day. About 60 wounded from Port Hudson came to hospital yesterday and today. Thirty or more discharged men left in Matensas for the North, among them [George W.] Thomas of Co. G, and Sergt. [Joseph] Smith of the 38th Mass. Several men left to go as nurses at the St. Louis Hospital. Doctor did not come round today. Reinforcements from Key West, 26th and 47th Mass, went up the river to Port Hudson. Papers contain nothing of movements, successes or reverses in this department. All the information to be had is derived from wounded men whose stories differ so much that but little can be relied on them. Weitzel had has got within fortification at Port Hudson & holds his position.
Friday, June 19th, 1863—Hot day, Several men detailed for St, Louis Hospital. Sent for in the morning by Dr. Conner. Wished me to send down my cord [?] which I did. [George W.] Belcher & [John] Peters were also sent for by the Doctor.
Saturday, June 20th 1863—Sent letter No. 16. Received letter from home [dated] May 24th. Rumors of the Rebs burning 4 or 5 steamers on the Bayou Plaquemine. Heard firing Thursday night up the river. Boats going up the river take on board guns and protect themselves with plating around the pilot house.
Spared & Shared 23 