I could not find an image of Frank, but here is one of Sergt. Lyman A. Holmes who served with him in Co. C, 27th Massachusetts (Photo Sleuth)
This letter was written by Francis (“Frank”) Denison Avery (1843-1869), the eldest son of David and Prudence (Dean) Avery of East Charlemont, Franklin county, Massachusetts. Frank enlisted in September 1861 as a corporal in Co. C, 27th Massachusetts Infantry and was promoted to a sergeant in February 1863. Just after he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant of Co. C, he was wounded at Drewry’s Bluff, Virginia, on 16 May 1864 and was still at the Point Lookout Military Hospital when he wrote this letter in January 1865. He mustered out of the regiment on 8 July 1865 but died four years later from complications associated with the “rifle ball wound.”
Mentioned in the letter was Frank’s younger brother, Henry “Gardner” Avery (1845-1904) who served earlier in the war as a private in Co. B, 52nd Massachusetts.
Transcription
Addressed to Mr. David Avery, East Charlemont, Franklin county, Mass.
Point Lookout January 13th 1865
My Dear Father,
As I have nothing to busy myself with today I though I would write you a few lines. I am getting along quite well now and am as well as when I left home. I guess that box is what did the good. I received a letter from Mother this morning that said that Capt. Welting was at home. I think I shall write to him if he would come this way. His influence might help me about getting transferred. If I can’t get transferred, I am a going to try and go to the regiment. Then thy may keep me as long as they want to. I don’t think I shall take my discharge now this year.
Dr. Hager has been relieved from duty on this Point and is going to Philadelphia. I don’t know the doctor’s name that takes his place.
The weather is quite warm today and it seems as though I never saw a more pleasant day. I suppose that you are having good sleighing. How I should like to be in Mass. and have a good sleigh ride. Mother spoke about Gardner’s thinking about enlisting. Isn’t he afraid of being drafted? I think he should be. I think that if I was in his place, I should go up to the frontier and perhaps get a little over the line rather than be drafted. A drafted man is of no account in the army.
Did you get out the pine lumber that you was talking of? If my back keeps getting better as fast as it has for a few days back, I shall begin to think it is going to get as well as ever sometime.
Well, I can’t think of anything more to write this time. Give my love to all enquiring friends and write as soon as convenient. From your son, — Frank
I was mustered for 10 months pay a few days ago but don’t know as I shall get it for two months. Excuse poor writing.
This letter was written by Romanzo A. Harris (1842-1930) who enlisted in January 1862 as a private in Co. H, 8th Vermont Infantry. He remained with the regiment until mustering out at Washington D. C. in late June 1865 after three and a half years. He was the son of Christopher Harris (1814-1886) and Elvira C. Holden (18xx-1884) of Townsend, Windham county, Vermont.
Romanzo wrote his letter from Ship Island in the Gulf of Mexico where the 8th Vermont was encamped from April 7th until early May when they were ordered to New Orleans.
I could not find an image of Romanzo but here is a ninth-plate ambrotype of a private from the 8th Vermont still wearing his state-issued uniform. New Federal uniforms were issued to the men at Camp Holbrook prior to embarking for Ship Island, however. (Dan Binder Collection)
Transcription
Ship Island April 16, 1862
Friend Mira,
I am well and hope this will find you and your folks the same. We anchored off Ship Island the 5th of April. We came on the island the 7th. The 10th we went six miles and got some rushes for our beds. We fetched a great big bundle. My bundle was a little heavy before I got to camp. We get our wood on the upper end of the Island. The wood is rafted down to within half a miles of the camp. We thought that we made very good horses.
There has been 21,000 soldiers here until yesterday. 12,000 of them was ordered off. We have heard heavy firing this afternoon off in the direction that the troops went. The boys hear it now. I have been to work at the cook house for a few days. We have had orders to pack our things and be ready to march at a moments notice.
We have some nice times [even] if we are on the sand. The island is covered with white sand and swamps and some woods. We shall have some fighting to do before long—before you receive this.
It is getting late and I must close for it is getting to be late. Give my respects to your Father and Mother. Please write your friend R. A. H. Direct your letters to R. A. Harris, Co. H, 8th Vermont Vol. in care of H. F. Dutton, Ship Island
Grave of William H. Jenkins, member of posse killed hunting down deserters who shot local police office in 1863
This letter was written by Henry Lancaster (1825-1865), a farmer in Detroit (Palmyra P. O.), Somerset county, Maine. He was married to Sarah Jane Crosby (1828-1898) in 1851. The letter was addressed to “Brother Byron” but I could not find any family record indicated that Henry had a brother by that name though the records could be incomplete, he may have been a brother in law, or Byron may have been member of the clergy or simply a fellow parishioner.
Henry’s letter describes the fracas caused by two local boys who were described as “deserters” from the army when they went on a spree in Belfast, Waldo county, Maine, stealing horses and robbing stores. A modern-day synopsis of the event appears on the Belfast (Maine) Police Department website which captures the most comprehensive record and I will not repeat it here.
The two deserters were Isaac N. Grant (1837-1863) of Co. G, 5th US Cavalry who deserted on 25 January 1862. He was born in Somerset county, Maine, and had been hiding out from the Provost Marshal for almost a year and a half. The other was Charles E. Knowles (1844-1863) and he deserted on 30 August 1862. Knowles is buried in Rogers Cemetery in Troy.
[Note: This letter is from the personal collection of Richard Weiner and is published by express consent.]
Transcription
Detroit [Somerset county, Maine] June the 26, 1863
Brother Byron,
We have been having a great fight here for a few days past—perhaps you may have heard of it before this time but I will write you the particulars. The case was this. There was two deserters from the army came here & commenced horse stealing & store breaking. They sold their horses in Belfast. The officers came up last Sunday & then the battle commenced. The thieves was well armed, having three revolvers apiece. They fought desperately. The result of that day’s fight was one of the officers [Chief of Police, Charles O. McKenney of Belfast] was mortally wounded & the thieves escaped to the woods.
Monday there was a great turnout to hunt them. Men could be seen marching in every direction with guns in their hands. The names of the thieves was [Isaac N.] Grant of Palmyra & [Charles E.] Knowles of Troy. We did not find them that day.
Tuesday three men from Detroit village went down to the [Sebasticook] river to the point & landed on the other side of the river & came upon them. The thieves rushed upon & fired & killed one of our men dead on the spot. They returned the fire & wounded Grant in the head—put a ball into one ear & out the other. But he then fought desperately. They came to close quarters and fought with the butts of their guns. They killed Grant & beat Knowles so [much] that he died yesterday. The names of the three men was William Jenkins, Lyman Hurd & Joseph Myrick. Jenkins was killed. He was buried yesterday. 1 Sarah and I attended the funeral. Heard is some relation to Mr. Hanscom’s folks. He fought like a tiger. There has been a great excitement here. They think there is more engaged with them. We are all well.
Yours, — H. Lancaster
1 William H. Jenkins (1823-1863) was killed on 23 June 1863. He is buried in the Detroit Village Cemetery beneath a headstone that reads, “Sacred to the Memory of Wm. H. Jenkins who died in defense of Law and his life, June 23, 1863, aged 40 years.”
This letter was penned in June 1861 by a young school teacher who signed her name “Mary.” The content of the letter suggests to me that she was actually from the same same village as the young woman she was writing to which was her friend, Sarah Elizabeth (“Libbie”) Russell (1834-1925), the daughter of Luther Russell (1802-1878) and Polly E. Russell (1806-1896) of Streetsboro, Portage county, Ohio. The 1860 US Census for Streetsboro reveals a school teacher by the name of Mary C. Stewart (b. 1832) who was single and living with her parents. Since it was not uncommon for school teachers to leave their hometowns and teach in rural school districts while boarding with families of the students, my hunch is that this letter was written by Mary C. Stewart though of course I cannot confirm that by anything in the letter.
Mary’s patriotic envelope and stationery immediately arrest the eye but what is most interesting and appropriate is the postmark “Freedom, Ohio” given the content of her letter. Written prior to any major battle, Mary’s letter foreshadows the “blighting scourge” that is about to descend on the Nation, delivering “horror and despair” to the mothers and sisters who are already “shedding bitter tears over loved ones that have left them for the battlefield.” Mary lays the cause of the war on the evil “Slavery!” but also expresses her belief that the “agitators” (abolitionists) are as much to blame for sparking the war because they “sought at once” to eradicate the evil rather that trust that task to God.
The recipient of this letter (Libbie) never married. Her younger sister, Helen M. Russell (1841-1881), was betrothed to Corp. James (“Jimmie”) Fitzpatrick of Co. D, 104th OVI. He was shot in the head in the fighting near Dallas, Georgia on 28 May 1864 and died two days later.
[Note: This letter is from the personal collection of Richard Weiner and is published by express consent.]
Transcription
Addressed to Miss Libbie Russell, Streetsboro, Portage County, Ohio Postmarked Freedom, Ohio, July 1 [1861]
Freedom [Portage county, Ohio] June 21, 1861
Dear Libbie,
Your kind letter was received long since and would ere this have been answered had not time laden with its many duties sped so swiftly onward giving me no opportunity to perform the pleasant task of writing to you.
I am teaching. Have a pleasant school of about thirty scholars. Plenty to do have I not? Yes, I find no time to loiter by the way to cull the flowers of ease and pleasure. Tis well for to the clarion call of duty so we owe strength of purpose and earnestness of life. Rousing the soul from its lethargic slumber and thrilling its inmost recesses, it breaths an inspiration that bids us, “do and dare”—noble things. I love to think of the many hearts that have responded to this call and gone forth to gladden the world by their deeds of love, silently and patiently they tread the uneven places, evincing that spirit of self forgetfulness that seeks not its own.
In the unwritten history of such lives, is a moral heroism, unequaled by many whom the world calls great, and I doubt not that in the day of final judgment, hearts that have thus lived and suffered will have won the brightest crown.
There is Libbie now but one topic of conversation in our little village. “War” is on every tongue. Mother and sisters are shedding bitter tears over loved ones that have left them for the battlefield. Is it true that the war-cry is sounding throughout our land? That our nation, once so prosperous. is to be visited by such a blighting scourge, making desolate our homes and spreading horror and despair all around? To me it seems like a fearful dream. I cannot realize it.
Our glorious Union, purchased by the brave heroes of ’76—gone forever. And what has been the rock upon which it has been wrecked? Slavery! a fearful evil that has ever been a dark stain upon our nation, and now threatens to prove its overthrow. The subject of slavery has been agitating the political world for many years and I can but think that many of the agitators have lost sight of that declaration—“Vengeance in mine. I will repay saith the Lord.” In their mistaken zeal they have sought at once to utterly eradicate an evil—that time and the power of which is ever on the side of right can alone destroy. Evils exist all around us over which we may weep and pray, and yet they be not removed. We can only commend our cause to God, believing that in His own time He will remove them. The question of slavery and all party distinctions are now forgotten in the desire to “save the Union” and I trust that it may yet be preserved, that the stars of our national banner may never be diminished but sustained by the brave descendants of the patriots of ’76—may continue to float proudly over our land. May God speed the right.
Oh Libbie, I want to see you “so bad” and all your friend at home. Present my kind regards to them and Helen. Tell her that I think of her often. May God bless her in her labors and make her useful in training the tender mind of youth.
Give my love to the Miss Combs. Tell Addie I do want to write to her but cannot find time. My love to Nancy Russell and tell her that she need not be surprised if she should receive a letter from me for I am thinking of writing. Libbie, please write soon—very soon. I have enclosed a letter to the scholars which Hellen will please give them. Also a note to Addie and Emma Patterson. When will [you] visit me Libbie? Ever your friend, — Mary
This letter is unsigned and since there is no accompanying envelope to provide us with the location of its recipient—Nelson Goodrich—we can only speculate on their identity. We learn from the letter that the author is a Union deserter who has gone to London where he has found employment driving an omnibus in the city. He has left a wife and slipped a separate letter to her in the envelope with this letter. My hunch is that it was addressed to the Rev. Nelson Goodrich, A methodist clergyman in New London, Connecticut, who may have been a trusted friend that would assist him while keeping his location a secret.
The author implies that he was deceptively enticed into the service but deserted when he realized what was happening. He may have been a former sailor and had the means to readily sign onto a crew bound for London.
[Note: This letter come from the private collection of Richard Weiner and is published by express consent.]
An omnibus in London, ca 1860
Transcription
London [England] March 8, 1863
Nelson Goodrich, Sir
I wrote you a few lines to inform you that I am well at present and I hope these few lines will find you and the rest of your family enjoying the same blessing. You must excuse me for not writing before. I suppose you heard that I deserted. I found out that we were going to be sold to another man and that Captain Whitmer never intended to go with the company and I saw no signs of any pay. In fact, there was a great deal of deception every way so I made up my mind to leave as I knew how to do it.
I have not time to write much this time but I will write again soon. I will enclose a letter in this envelope for my wife and I wish you would be so kind as to send it to her if you know where she is for I don’t know but she has moved.
I can’t be certain of this author’s identity but I think it may have beenDaniel Sanderson (“San”) Lamson (1828-1912), an 1853 graduate of the Harvard Law School. The letter only bears the signature “San.”
He wrote the letter to Henry Elias Howland (1835-1913), a graduate of Yale College and of the Harvard Law School in 1857. He was admitted to the bar in New York in October following and partnered with two associates in the firm of Anderson, Howland, & Murray; after Anderson’s death in 1896, the firm became Howland, Murray and Prentice.
Transcription
Addressed to H. E. Howland, Care of John Sherwood, Esq., 142 Broadway, New York
Queen City of the West June 13th [1857]
Dear Beloved
I am the man for your money. My spirits have taken a sudden rise since the mail came in. The 7th day brought the first tidings to me from those I hold most dear. You deserve & shall have my first letter. I should have been flat down with homesickness before this if such a thing been possible in such a glorious city. My eyes have been feasted ever since I arrived & then the cool breezes like those from a fan savor strong of Asiatic luxury. One connection was missed on the journey & Wednesday night found me disconsolate on a cot in the gentleman’s parlor at Cincinnati. (You were saved a rapid run down Broadway of 3 miles & half hours waiting by not walking.)
Our woe begone faces would have been mirrored in each others eyes. I wrote home a graphic account of the excursion train here & I will not repeat. Put after Sedgwick immediately a place to sleep to be found before night. Sedgewick gone to Europe to be married—German lady—back in October. Found Crane, 1 a modified French. He opened his heart to me for your sake & we have not broke yet. I am afraid he begins to tire of my importunities. All the lawyers here from the first to the last so all their own scrub work. No chance for pay. Crane says, out with your sign. The [Law] Code is only 50 pages long. He read it through in one night. Hawley’s letters not worth a damn. Edward Bates an imposter. Old Lord dances at the Dutch Ball nightly for patronage (Judge’s election). Persons are respectfully requested not to smoke in his court room (not so pointed as the placard of Commonwealth). Crane thinks I can be admitted [to the bar] by August. Perhaps I can bluff Old Lord as he has introduced me several times as a member of the bar and only pass on the code. At any rate, it is very easy. I actually saw a juror sitting with his feet cocked up on the judge’s bench before his face & eyes. One of them told me it was harder for him to sit with his coat and handkerchief on than to work in the field.
Such a scaly looking set and yet you will be astonished when you converse with them to find them so intelligent. They talk off like a newspaper. A fellow by the name of Hydyn run across me mighty seedy—has been in the Law School and saved me from scouring the city—is used to practice—been in our Russels office in Boston—offered to open with me. If his personal appearance was better, I should do it. Crane thinks I have a great chance from my connections here and the said if a plan of his does not mature in 2 or 3 months, will do so. I am trying to say 6 times too much at once but there is so much I wish you to know.
Sedgwick made 4,000 on money he borrowed from friends in land (not to be told of). You can easily loan money at 25 [percent]. Such temptations. If you had only come on with me I have no fears of your returning. There are several sound lawyers here—perhaps in all six—but not one brilliant pleader of any standing. To one who writes the [ ] & [ ] as yourself, what a chance for [missing page?]
Did you know that St. Louis was nearest alike New York of any city in the world? The value on money is perhaps more apparent than there even/ I never felt the want of it before. You can indulge every taste with it. Its theaters are fully equal to the Boston, Crane says. I have felt a peculiar pleasure in gratifying my longings. There is something that everybody remarks in the evening air as if it been expressly to cool. Howland, in ten years from now in St. Louis, you could not help being a rich man. I have perhaps written all really more than you will read but I want to tell you of 2 or 3 encounters I have had & I will do so if you will answer this immediately.
In a word, I shall probably next week go into an office & share the expense with some young man already in practice, try to scape up a case or two, & with Crane for a Godfather, commence putting out my shingle before admitted, if it is proper. I shall not deliver your letter to Crane. You did not say where you boarded. Fred Hall went East with my ticket. Mrs. S is terrific, I do believe. Snuggle in with the Hawley’s. If you were here there would be nothing left to be wished for. You had no more idea of it than I had. I shall do Holland Brydge & Co. in my next.
The climate is the most delicious in the world—only hot enough to make you understand [ ] and the water which looks about the color of your hand. Water is as good as a glass of grog. You will find that you can’t fool along across Broadway as in Cambridge. Tell me about your office business. How much you are likely to get. Fair board here—26 dollars. My table is good but the room—God’s is as broad as yours was high. Gas however, which now blazes away over my paper. Do you have many visitors & who are they? Write what you hear from Cambridge and home. I told them you would post up as far as New York. There is not a soul at my table I speak to.
The lager beer here is lager beer. I went last Sunday from a dance garden to a cafe where one glass staggers you. In the midst of strawberries and green peas. That key brought up old times afresh. [ ] will contain the dragonade of F. Holland. The girl who sleeps between me and a petition & Mynhew Schloss. That is Bella all over. She will be after my letters & I am not ready to write at her. Alas for Helen. I couldn’t have written her so far had I permission.
The levee here is sprinkled with U. S. wagons fitting out for Utah. Gen. [William S.] Harney lives right opposite. Mustang Bragg next door. The little indoor nigger boys & girls here are great. They amuse me mightily. Crane’s health has very much improved. He has knocked off everything. Sleeps at midday. I hear bands from 3 [beer] gardens every night. Goodbye. Don’t forget — San
1 Arba Nelson Crane was an 1856 graduate of the Harvard Law School. He died in St. Louis on 6 December 1904.
The letter was only signed “Lafe” but I think I can safely attribute it to Washington Lafayette Colgrove (1843-1919), the son of Silas Colgrove (1816-1907) who served as the colonel of the 27th Indiana Infantry. Silas was a lawyer before the war and volunteered as the Lt. Col. of the three-month 8th Indiana early in the war. When the 8th disbanded, Silas was appointed colonel of the newly-formed 27th Indiana. Known as a strict disciplinarian, his men generally disliked him and begged unsuccessfully for his removal.
According to Antietam on the Web, “the 27th moved east to Washington, D.C., and then to Frederick, Maryland, where they camped during the winter of 1861-62. In the spring of 1862, Colgrove and the 27th participated in the Shenandoah Valley (Virginia) Campaign and fought in the engagements at Front Royal and Winchester. The 27th saw action at Cedar Mountain, Virginia, in August 1862. At the battle of Antietam, the colonel was in “the thickest of the fighting” and had his horse shot from under him, but he was not injured. While fighting in Daniel Miller’s famous Cornfield, his Regiment sustained casualties of nearly 50%….The 27th was not actively engaged again until 1863 and the battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia. Colgrove sustained minor injuries at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg before serving in the Atlanta campaign.”
Theodore F. Colgrove
I can’t find any evidence that Lafe was actually enrolled in the service though when he registered for the draft in July 1863, he identified himself as “Lafayette Colgrove, 20 years old” and listed the “27th Indiana Vol.” as his former military service. So too did his 19 year-old brother Theodore Freelinghausen Colegrove. Lafayette was born in December 1843 which would have made him 18 when this letter was written, Theodore even younger. Neither brother has a muster roll record in the 27th Indiana, however, until February 1863 when Theodore officially joined the regiment as its Sergeant Major and later as Major.
“Lafe” wrote the letter to his friend William Diggs Kizer(1847-1921), the son of Thomas W. Kizer (1824-1901) and Susannah Way (1830-1875) of Winchester, Indiana. Thomas Kizer was also a merchant in Winchester.
Transcription
Addressed to Mr. W. D. Kizer, Winchester, Randolph county, Indiana
Camp near New Market, Va. May 10th 1862
Mr. W. D. Kizer My dear friend Willie,
I take this pleasant opportunity of writing to you again. I received your letter this morning and I was glad to hear from you and as sorry to hear that Alonzo Monroe was dead. He was a good citizen and a fine man. Sorry to hear the condition of some of my best friends. I hope it will stop where it is.
You are right. I would like to have some of those pies at this time. Can’t you send me one of them the next time you write?
Well, Willie, I will give you a little idea of some of the times we have had since I wrote to you from Edenburg. We have been up the Valley 16 miles from here to a place called Harrisonsburg and we stayed there some three weeks when we had to take the back track. There was a force of over 20,000 Rebels thrown in this valley from Yorktown and was all advancing on us so we had to fall back to this place and I think that we will have to fall back to Strasburg.
Col. Robert S. Foster, 13th Indiana Infantry
Well, we marched at 2 o’clock on Monday morning and got here in time to pitch out tents before dark. We was ordered to move across the mountains at 12 o’clock that night. We marched and at 8 we was on the east side of the mountains. We stayed there until three o’clock the next morning when we was ordered to Columbia Bridge 6 miles off. We got there about 8 and there I found the 13th Indiana and went and saw James Brice. 1 At 3 o’clock that regiment started and went up the river as a reconnoissance party. They was ordered not to go over 4 miles but Col. [Robert S.] Foster did not obey orders and went 6 miles.
When 5 miles, they came in sight of a company of Rebel cavalry and began to pursue them. They went about a mile when they found themselves surrounded by a whole brigade of rebels that ws behind a hill to the left. The word came to our regiment that hey was in danger and for us to come up on double quick. We started and went 4 and a half miles and formed in line of battle. In 45 minutes the word reached us that the 13th had cut their way out and were a coming. We drew up to meet the rebels. We supposed them to be in pursuit of the 13th but they was not so we did not get in a fight. And then it was dark and we could not make an attack so we fell back to the bridge. I saw James Brice after he came back. He is all right. The wind is a blowing so that I can’t write. I will stop for a while. 2
Camp near Strasburg, Va, May 13th [1862]
Dear friend Willie,
I take this opportunity of commencing this letter again for the purpose of finishing it. I was at the Columbia Bridge when I stopped writing. Well the next morning I think about 5 o’clock we started back to New Market and stayed there 2 days when we was ordered to march back to Strasburg. We marched until 12 o’clock the first day and camped at Woodstock 20 miles from New Market. You may guess what kind of marching we done to go 20 miles against noon. We marched here today by 10 o’clock, 12 miles. I think that we will go to work on the fortifications here. There is a rumor that we are to go to Washington City but I don’t believe it.
Tell John W. Henderson to answer my letters or I will get Father after him with the rope. Tell Poopy in the [ ] to answer too. When you answer this letter, direct to Strasburg, Va. 27th Indiana Volunteers. Give my love to all the girls that inquire after me. Answer soon.
From your friend, — Lafe
1James G. Brice was born October 5, 1840 in Athens, Ohio, moving to Marion County, Indiana before the war where he served with Co. A of the 13th Indiana Volunteer Infantry. He enlisted June 19, 1861 as a private, was later appointed sergeant, and mustered out July 1, 1864 at the expiration of his three-year term of service. After the war, he married Margaret Elizabeth Williams in Covington, Kentucky in 1869 and had three children. Brice moved west, later living in Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois before moving to Long Beach, California where he died October 26, 1929.See letter by Sgt. James G. Brice published in the Randolph Journal on 2 and 9 October 1863 utilized by Dan Masters’ Civil War Chronicles in a piece entitled, “Hades Opened Wide: Taking Battery Wagner with the 13th Indiana” (November 9, 2021)
2 The reconnoitering expedition to the “burned bridge (Red Bridge) by the 13th Indiana Infantry took place on 7 May 1862. The action that ensued was known as Somerville Heights.
These letters were written by John Henry (“Harry”) Woodward (1837-1917) who enlisted as a private in Co. E, 105th Pennsylvania in August 1861 at Westmoreland, Pennsylvania. He was 24 years old when he enlisted and was described as standing 5 feet 9 inches tall, with blue eyes. In less than two months, he was promoted from private to fill the drum major position in the regimental band and then about a year later to serve as adjutant. Finally he filled the captain’s role in Co. G. but resigned his commission on 4 October 1864.
Harry wrote these letters to his wife, Mary (“Molly”) Christy Fleming (1838-1913.
The 105th Pennsylvania “Wildcats” had a long and illustrious record in the Civil War, participating more or less in all of the eastern battles. For a great summary of their record, I would refer readers to an article published by Jared Mike entitled, “105th PA ‘Wildcats’ at Gettysburg on July 2, 1863.” In one of Harry’s letters below he mentions the “Red Diamond” badge of the First Division, III Corps which the 105th Pennsylvania wore so proudly while fighting at Gettysburg and where Harry was one of the 17 officers wounded on the field.
Letter 1
Camp in the field near Petersburg July 2nd 1864
My dearest wife,
I shall take much pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your most welcome letter which was received by me last night and with it a counterpart of your sweet self. This token of your kindness shall not be forgotten by me. As it is the first I have had, I shall prize it dearly. And oh! that I could but take you in my arms and bless you. My very heart yearns for your sweet caresses but I shall look forward with unbounded pleasure to the time when I shall be with you to have your kind sympathy in person. Everything now looks favorable and the time may pass more swiftly that it otherwise would had we been exposed to such severe marching & hard fighting both of which I think is nearly over, as our prospects are much brighter than when I came here. We have a fine position. The men are in most excellent spirits.
I will give you a short history of our doings since I joined my regiment. The day that I came, our Division had been in front building breastworks when the Johnnies drove the Division which was on our left and came in our rear thereby causing a panic among the old division Red Diamond, capturing a number of men belonging to some new regiments. Our men fell back & took a position from which they could not be driven. It was behind this work that [I] found our Brigade about dark. We (for I had reported for duty) were ordered to retake the ground that had been lost when [we] went in on a charge and occupied all our former position. My regiment did not lose a man while the 63rd lost one man killed of whom I have before spoken. We were relieved early Thursday morning and occupied the position which we had left the evening previous. That evening I was detailed for picket and ordered to relieve the 1st U.S. Sharpshooters. I had 150 men to do it with, Had not been over the line before but succeeded in placing my men before the Rebel sharpshooters were aware of what we were doing. But they soon found out that we were in close proximity to their vedettes when a brisk fire began without any serious affect to us.
We were relieved the next evening (Friday) and sent back to the rear, there to enjoy a short rest. We had a very hot time of it as we were encamped in an open field but as fortune would have it, we were close to an ice house, the contents of which we made good use. On Sabbath, Mr. Truesdale (our chaplain) came up but did not preach. Monday evening we were ordered to the front to build breastworks. We worked all night, came back to our old camp next day and scarcely had time to sit down when we were ordered to the front again—for what purpose we knew not, but were soon apprised of the cause. We were deployed in line and were ordered to build breastworks. This we did and a finer work never was put up in so short a time.
That same evening the Rebs was consolidated temporarily after which we were ordered to rest. Next day Wednesday I was detailed as Brigade Officer of the Day and instructed to lay out a camp and report the form of it to the General Commanding. This was no small work but I succeeded in establishing a very pretty camp which is being put in most excellent condition and from appearances, we shall occupy it for some time unless the Rebels either capitulate or retreat, which they must do before very long as all the railroads have been cut.
We are getting a few deserters every day who say that Lee’s means of transportation is getting very bad. His artillery horses have no forage; wagon trains standing idle from the same cause. This we have no reason to doubt as with all the forage we have, our horses and mules are dying by the thousands from the heat and dust. I am beginning to think that the end is not far distant when we shall hear the welcome sound of peace on earth and god will to men.
I have found a warm friendship for our chaplain and think him a good man wishing to do all that he can toward furthering the good work in this regiment. I think that perhaps he will accomplish something here but it is a hard task for him as most of the men are addicted to the use of the most profane language.
I wrote to Kate yesterday giving her quite a long letter which I presume she will be tired of ere she gets through with it. I shall write to Frank this afternoon should nothing prevent my doing so.
While I am writing there is a good deal of cannonading on our right but nothing like hostilities in our front as both sides appear to have come to a tacit understanding in regard to the matter.
But I shall close committing you to the keeping of Him whose we are, and who will never leave nor forsake those who trust in Him. Give my love to Father, Mother, and sisters and write very soon. Goodbye.
From your own, — Harry
Letter 2
Camp near Petersburg, Virginia September 12th 1864
My dearest wife,
should think that ere this will have reached you, my letter bearing the date 9th ulto. shall have been read by you making you acquainted with affairs pertaining to my getting out of the service and coming home to my dearest and best of wives. In fact, I shall not be contented and happy until I shall again bask in the sunlight of thy smiles and tell you by my actions how entirely I do love, and more than love—yes, I adore you. For you darling I could endure all things. For you I could willingly sacrifice my position—aye, everything, even my honor. All, all, but my hopes of Heaven, did know that in so doing, I should add to your happiness, for you I would live and without you I care not what may be my fate on earth. These are not merely protestations but may life prove to you, darling, that mine are not idle words, for words are altogether too inadequate to express the thousandeth part of my great love for you.
I told you in my last that the President had submitted the matter of returning officers over their original term of service to General Grant. Well, he has decided that he will not compel any officer who wishes to get out of the service to stay, but will accept of resignations. And now I would infer from this that he (General Grant) would wish the officers to remain until after the present campaign closes, whether I shall do so or not, remains uncertain. However, I shall submit the whole matter to my darling little wife. Her wish shall be my law and do not fear, darling, but that I shall accede most willingly to your wishes for I know that you would not have me do anything which might reflect dishonor on me. God alone can know how anxiously I await the time when I shall again see my now wife.
I had a letter from you which was answered but as I had not time for commenting on its contents, I will just say was good to see that I would not have been surprised had Mrs. Maj. Young permitted such a thing to be with Dr. Neither should Mrs. L’n think hard of Dr. for participating in a luxury of the kind as it was reported to all of us who were there last winter that she (Mrs. L’n) did not [ ] at such a thing herself but was disposed to be favorable to a friendship of the closest intimacy. This was reported as a fact. I do not know from experience that such was the case, but I do know this—their hire girl left the house for some cause which would not do to make public. But I shall say no more.
I am well. Have duty of the severest kind to perform daily. Give my love to all the family. May God keep and direct you and bless you is my prayer. Write soon. From your own, — Harry
These two Mexican War letters were written by John L. Sample (1825-Bef1852) who enlisted in Co. B, 16th US Infantry in April 1847 and was discharged on 7 August 1848. He was described at that time as standing 5 foot 10 inches tall, with blue eyes and dark hair.
John married Sarah A. Elizabeth Jenkins (b. 1829) on 27 November 1849.
He wrote the letters to his cousin, William Burgher Howard (1814-1869) of Benton, Marshall county, Kentucky. William was the son of Stephen Howard (1785-1861) and Mary (“Polly”) M. Burgher (1791-1871)
[These two letters come from the private collection of Adam Ochs Fleischer and are published on Spared & Shared by express consent.]
Letter 1
In camp on the Rio Grande 3 miles from [ ] July the 30th 1847
Dear Cousin.
I have taken my pen in hand for the first since I got here to inform you how I am. I had expected one from you is the reason that I have not wrote to you before.
The boys is generally well at this time. Arthur, Perry and William has the yellow jaundice and Sheffield has had the chills though has dismissed them. I have had a spell of the fever though I got well. I am very weak. I came from the hospital about three days ago. I feel sounder now than I have since I got here.
I have no news of interest to [write]. I wrote a letter to Uncle Stephen about 4 weeks ago. I [wrote] to him that [we] was going to Monterrey. We started in a few [days] after. There was two companies went. We had a fine trip of it. We rode all the way in wagons. We went as an escort with a train of wagons numbering 130. It is very mountainous country up there. We could see them 4 days before we would get to them. They look beautiful at a distance. We was 9 days going up and six days coming back to this camp which we had made since we came back—which was the 5th of July.
Taylor’s camp is as beautiful place as I ever saw in my life. The best springs that I ever saw in my life. There is hickory and oak growing there and is all the native growth that I have saw since I have been here.
Zachary Taylor, “Old Rough and Ready”
I saw old Ruff and Ready. He is quite [a] fine looking old fellow. The camp is about 4 miles form Monterrey and it is quite a large place—about 4 miles long and 2 miles wide. It’s quite an old fashioned buildings. The Catholic Church is quite a fine building with quite a number of large bells which is generally annoying ringing. There is no profession here.
We have not much news here at this time though what we have is favorable for peace though you can tell more about what is going on than I can for the army is the worst place to get correct news that I ever was in my life. Some days you will hear that peace is made and the boys will mightily whoop it up, and then we will hear that the Mexicans is recruiting and they will be much down at the heel though they will get over it.
I have no more news at present but I want you [to] write all chances. I think that you have almost forgot me as you have never wrote to me since I left. I want you to tell John to wrote and all my friends. I got a letter from [your brother] Alfred to Henry. You had [not] heard of the death of Henry which we regret very much. He died on the 13th of June. I wrote to Hampton a few days ago. I heard that you was a candidate for constable place, Hampton for the Magistrate place. I want you to write how you come out as I heard that there was a good number running. Send Mr. Smith’s folks word that Charley is well and also Mr. Miller’s that William is well. Nothing more at present. Give my best respects to all. — J. L. Sample
N. B. Tell [your brother-in-law] Alfred [Johnston] to write every chance and don’t forget it yourself. Nothing more so remain yours until death, — J. L. Sample
Letter 2
Headquarters, Monterrey, Mexico January 28, 1848
Dear friend,
I take this opportunity of addressing you with a few lines to let you know that I am well at present and all the boys of your acquaintance is well. And I am in hopes that these few lines may find you enjoying the same blessing though I have heard that you have had a severe spell of sickness though was recovering. I would like very much to hear from you again though I am in hopes that I will get a letter from some of you before many days as I have not had a letter for more than a month. I have looked till I have almost got out of heart.
William. I have nothing the would be of much interest to you. There is a rumor that the Mexicans had made a proposal for peace and it was sent to Washington for them to be agreed on it. What the proposal was, I can’t say. And whether the rumor be true or not, I can’t say. The news came here by letter.
Location of Black Fort (B) in relation to Monterrey(from Personal Memoirs of US Grant)
We have left the black Fort and come to the city again. Times is as usual here. There will be a large turf race here next Tuesday. There is thirteen horses entered to run in one heat. Col. [John Wooleston] Tibbatts ordered the regiment marched out to the track and let them stack arms and stay till the race is over.
There was an accident happened to one of our men. He was out on patrol and shot his finger off. He was intoxicated. There has been several accidents of this kind before this. There was a man that was drawing his load at mear [?] and his hand had to be taken off.
William, I have nothing more that [would] be of much interest to you. Lieutenant Cr___ left for Surralvo this morning. He is captain of Company G. that are stationed there. Lieutenant Berry is promoted to our company.
William, I want you to write as often as you can and tell all my friends to. I would [like] to hear from you often. I wrote to [ ] about a week ago. Give my best respects to all. No more at present but remain yours truly, — J. L. Sample
The following piece was sent to me for transcription and research. It was represented to be an original poem “written by the light of a fire after the Battle of Newbern” which took place on 14 March 1862. The poem was signed by the initials “H. C. W.” but there was no date nor indication that H. C. W. was even a soldier. It may have been copied from a newspaper or some other publication and passed off as original. It has the appearance of being a copy—there are no line-outs or word substitutions which would suggest original composition. The question is, was it a copy made by the author of his original composition, or did he (or she) copy it from some publication of another’s work.
Grave marker of Justin Smith Cressy
I have found at least one publication of the poem that appeared in the Pittsfield Sun (Pittsfield, Berkshire county, Mass.) on 11 December 1862. That publication credited its authorship to Justin Smith Cressy (1831-1862). * Justin was a sergeant from Berkshire county who served in the 21st Massachusetts Infantry. He was the son of Alonzo and Sophia Mariette (Smith) Cressy and was married in Pittsfield to Harriet Elizabeth Stevens in April 1856. Prior to his enlistment, Justin was a telegraph operator so he must have been educated beyond average. The 21st Massachusetts was one of the regiments participating in the Battle of Roanoke Island and the Battle of New Bern before being recalled to Virginia in July 1862. Justin was mortally wounded in the Battle of Chantilly and died on 24 September 1862. His authorship of this poem cannot be ruled out though I might note that unless the company was shorthanded, typically a sergeant would not have stood guard in the manner suggested by this poem. Justin began and ended his service as a sergeant in Co. I and so if he was on guard detail, he would have been the sergeant of the guard and not typically confined to a post. On the other hand, sergeants or corporals who oversaw the posts generally had time to write letters (or compose poems) during the time they were on guard duty whereas the privates had to walk the beat.
I have also found the entire poem published in the True Flag (Boston, Mass) on 3 January 1863—attributed to Annie Hathaway; in the Norwich Morning Bulletin (Norwich, VT) on 28 September 1910—attributed to Thomas Francis Dowd, Camp Ferris, Barrancas, Florida, 30 April 1863; in the Palmetto Herald (Port Royal, S. C.) of 24 March 1864—submitted by anonymous contributor claiming to have seen it published in a small New Hampshire village newspaper; in the Rockland County Messenger (Haverstraw, NY) on 11 June 1863—no attribution given; and in the Lewistown Gazette (Lewistown, Pa.) on 14 December 1864—attributed to an unnamed soldier who fell in the first day’s battle of the Wilderness, supposedly penned in camp on the Potomac near Belle Plain, Va. on 24 March 1864. There are more instances of newspaper publications I am sure.
I also found a portion of the poem appearing in the History of the Seventh Illinois Regiment published in 1868 by Daniel Leib Ambrose (see page 202). The last two stanzas of the poem were included in a diary entry made on 30 October 1863 as if it were an original composition by the author.
And finally I found the words of the poem appearing in a letter penned by John D. Cottrell, Co. D, 48th New York datelined from Palatka, Florida, on 28 March 1864. In a most shameless plagiaristic manner, “Jersey Jack” Cottrell broke the poem apart into sentences, disrupting the rhythm and rhyme so as to disguise the source. This letter was included in the 2000 publication, “Brothers ’til Death” by William Jones, Richard M. Trimble, and Thomas Jones.
* The Grand Traverse Herald of 4 July 1862 also published this poem, crediting Sergt. J. S. Cressy. They claimed to pick the poem up from the Janesville Independent.
From Harper’s weekly, 5 April 1862
Transcription
On Guard
Written by the light of a camp fire after the Battle of Newbern
On guard tonight; tis a lonely place And for two long hours I must wearily pace To and fro, neath the tall old pines Fringed with moss and clinging vines
Scarce smiles a star through the clouds aloft And the ocean breezes damp and soft Fan my fevered cheek and brow While I think of home and its loved ones now
On guard tonight tis a lonely beat And with heavy heart and weary feet Amid the gloom and darkness tread For I’m watching o’er the unburied dead
Oh! yester morn how lightly throbbed Full many a heart that death has robbed Of its pulses warm, and the caskets lie As cold as the winter’s starless sky
How sad the thought that another day Will bring again the battle fray And ere the close of tomorrow’s light I too may sleep like those tonight
Past midnight hour and I long to hear The step to the soldier’s heart most dear A sound that banishes all his grief The welcome tread of the next relief
Ah hear they come and now I can keep The next four hours in the land of sleep And dream of home and its loved ones there Who never may know a soldier’s care.
Spared & Shared 23 