The following letter was written by James M. Covert (b. 1842) who enlisted at Venango county as a private in April 1861 in Co. C, 10 Pennsylvania Reserves (39th Pennsylvania Volunteers). At the time of his enlistment, he was described as a 5 foot 8 inch tall, blue-eyes, dark-haired shoemaker from Butler county, Pennsylvania. He reenlisted in December 1863 and was taken prisoner at Bethesda Church on 30 May 1864. After his exchange, he was transferred to the 191st Pennsylvania to finish out his enlistment.
I could not find an image of James but here is a tintype of Joseph Alvin Weaver (1839-1910) who also served in the 39th Pennsylvania Regiment and was in the fight at Dranesville. The image was taken on the day of his enlistment in 1861. (Ancestry.com)
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Camp Pierpont [near Langley, Va.] December 26th [1861]
Dear Sister,
I received your letter and was glad to hear from you and to hear that you were all well. I am well at present, hoping these few lines may find you enjoying the same blessing.
Since I wrote to you we have had a little fight. On Friday last we started–that is the 3rd Brigade and the Kane Rifle Company [“Bucktails”] with Easton’s Battery of 4 cannon, and three or four companies of artillery. We were out 12 miles. That was where we was to get the forage. We [had] three and a half companies of the 10th [Pennsylvania Reserves] Regiment with the wagons. Then we went on to Dranesville where we was attacked by the rebels. They had four regiments of infantry, 4 pieces of cannon, [and] 700 cavalry. We fought for one and a half hours, They retreated, leaving the dead and wounded on the field. We killed 160 of them. I do not know how many wounded or how many prisoners we took.
The Battle of Dranesville, Va., December 20th 1861, was little more than a skirmish but was cited as the first Federal victory of the war on Southern soil. The action itself centered around the intersection of the Georgetown and Leesburg Pikes.
We only lost 7 men, 48 wounded. They took 2,000 bushels of corn & things too numerous to mention. We took also 70 guns & overcoats and blankets without number. They never got so completely routed since the war began in so short a time. The first shells they throwed was at out regiment & never touched a man. John West [?] is well. Looks stout as any man in the company.
You must not be so down hearted as you say you are. Let things to come be right and all will be well. Do not fret yourself about your misfortune. It will not make it any better cheery. Do not let your spirits go down. If folks laugh, let them laugh. It does not hurt you. Make this life as happy as possible and try and secure your place in the next.
The weather is getting pretty cold here. We had a dull Christmas. One day here is just like another one. I hope the rebellion will be put doen ere long. I got a letter from cousin Jacob [ ]. They live in Jefferson City. They are all well at present. They looked for an attack on that city pretty soon. I will close my letter by sending my respects to Mr. and Mrs. Jennings and yourself. Goodbye, — J. M. Covert
I could not find an image of Samuel but here is a cdv of James S. Bendle of the 6th Michigan Cavalry (LOC)
The following letter was written by Samuel Sherburne (1841-1864) who enlisted as a private in Co. D, 6th Michigan Cavalry on 22 October 1862 at Byron, Michigan. He was taken prisoner and sent Richmond where he died of chronic bronchitis at General Hospital on 12 April 1864. The regiment was assigned to what became the Michigan Brigade during the early part of the Gettysburg Campaign in June 1863. It saw its first actions under General Custer at Hanover, Hunterstown, and Gettysburg. Armed with Spencer Repeating Rifles, the 6th provided superior firepower against the lightly armed Confederate cavalry.
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Washington D. C. December 14, 1862
Dear Brother,
I thought tonight I would write a few lines & let you know where I be and that I am well and I hope these few lines will find you the same.
We started from Gand Rapids Camp Kellogg at 5 o’clock a.m., marched over to the jail and got some prisoners, and then we marched down to the depot and got aboard of the cars. Left Grand Rapids at 10 o’clock a.m., arrived at Detroit Junction about 7 o’clock p.m., then we went onto the Detroit & Toledo Railroad. Arrived at Toledo about 12 o’clock p.m.. took some refreshments there and changed cars, left Toledo about two o’clock a.m. for Cleveland. We arrived Thursday at Cleveland about 12 o’clock. Stopped there about two hours, then started for Pittsburgh about ten o’clock Thursday evening. We went and got refreshments, then we changed cars and started for Baltimore about two o’clock Friday morning. We passed through some dreadful rocky country, you better believe, going through Pennsylvania.
We arrived at Baltimore about one o’clock Saturday afternoon. We marched about a mile through the city, then we went into a warehouse and stayed till about ten o’clock in the evening waiting for cars to come. We arrived at Washington Sunday morning. We are now in old barracks waiting for our tents to come. There is lots of soldiers here, you better believe, in Washington. The 5th [Michigan Cavalry] is camped here near Washington. We are a going to camp right by them.
I have seen the [U. S.] Capitol. You better believe it is a nice building. They are a fighting at Fredericksburg now, only about 7 miles [more like 50 miles] from here, and they have not got through yet. Col. [Francis William] Kellogg says we shall have our pay as quick as we get camp. There is not hardly a man in our company got any money but I have got money yet and have had all the while. Tell mother she must not maker herself any trouble about me for I may live all through the war and arrive home once more. I shall stand my chance amongst the rest to not get killed. You must be good to mother and help her all you can.
The cars run over a soldier yesterday here. They run over his legs and arm, He was drunk adn there was one died on the cars. I cannot think of any more at present, Give my love to all the girls. So goodbye. — Samuel Sherburne
I could not find an image of Norman but here is one of Samuel C. Atwater who served in Co. I, 41st OVI.(Ohio Memory)
This letter was written by Norman Chaffin (1839-1926) who was 22 years old when he enlisted in September 1861 to serve three years in Co. C, 41st Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI). He mustered out of the regiment on a surgeon’s disability certificate on 4 October 1864.
Norman was the son of Simon Chaffin (1808-1886) and Catharine Mowrer (1816-1902) of Wayne county, Ohio. He was married in 1866 to Catharine Ann Erwin (1848-1940).
Norman wrote the letter to Mary Jane Stirk (b. 1841), the daughter of Henry Stirk (1816-1904) and Eliza Jane Bodine (1821-1902). Mary Jane (“Jennie”) married Allen Ludwig Mohler (1844-1926) in 1867.
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
October 5, 1863
Friend Jane,
I received your kind and encouraging letter on the 2nd of October and was well pleased with its contents. I am glad to see that you with the rest of the family is getting along well. Your letter found me well and in fine spirits. I see by the your letter that you are having some fine times tending political or in other words Union meetings. I am glad to see that you are so patriotic. I would to God that the people of the North was also. I think times would be different. I should love to attend a good Union meeting once more. I think I could enjoy myself well. I just received a letter from friend Joe McGonagle. He is at Madison, Indiana. He is troubled with the rheumatism. He as not walked a step since the 16th of August. I feel sorry for him. He has a hard time of it.
I see by your letter that the young people of Old Wayne will get married if the war does go on. I presume William is a married man, The last letter I got from him he said he was going to get married on the 29th of September. Peace and plenty go with them. I guess that the East Union ladies willl all be married before I get back. If they are, I will try and find one somewhere else if there is any to be found, and I think there will [be] some left. I got a letter from home a few days ago. They was all well.
Friend, I must tell you something but perhaps you know all about it before this time. Miss Mary Jane Anderson 1 has got a young son so we can call her mother now. She fooled around once too often. I pity her but whose fault is it (her own). She was a girl that would believe anything that a young man would tell her. She did not know when she had a friend that could be trusted so she trusted all. I know how the boys used to lie to her and what few times I kept her company I told her over and over not to be taken in by them. I tried to give her good advice. Where is she now? I wonder if she minds what Norman told her.
I will close. Give my respects to all enquiring friends and keep a large share for yourself. Respectfully yours. From your friend, — N. Chaffin
to Miss Mollie J. Stirk
Direct to Co. C, 41st OVI, Chattanooga, Tenn., 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 21st Army Corps.
If you want to write to Joe McGonagle, direct to the U. S. Hospital, 2nd Section, Ward 7, Madison, Indiana
1 In the 1850 US Census, Mary Jane Anderson (b. 1842) was enumerated in East Union, Wayne county, Ohio, in the household of her mother, 34 year old Jane (Orr) Anderson. In the 1860 US Census, she was enumerated in the household of her grandfather, 68 year-old Samuel Orr with her mother and three siblings, still in East Union. She married Cornelius A. Franks (1843-1919) on 29 October 1863 and moved to Gratiot county, Michigan.
These letters were written by Joseph Alexander McGonagle [or McGonigal] (1842-1893) who enlisted on 19 September 1861 to serve three years in Co. C, 41st Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI). His older brother Thomas McGonagle eventually joined him in the same company. As we learn from the letters, however, Thomas was mortally wounded in the fighting at Stones River on 31 December 1862. He died the next morning, 1 January 1863. and now lies buried in the Stones River National Cemetery (Grave No. 2237).
Joseph mustered out of the 41st OVI in September 1864 but later reenlisted in January 1865 as a corporal in Co. C, 192nd Ohio Volunteers. He left the service for good in September 1865.
The McGonagle brothers were born in Wayne county, Ohio, the sons of Isabella Lisle and Robert McGonagle (he died in 1855). Thomas never married. Joseph’s first wife was Caroline Radabaugh; married in 1867 in Putnam county, Ohio. His second wife was Anna Reece; married in 1878. Joseph died and was buried in Palmer, Merrick county, Nebraska.
Joseph wrote both letters to Mary Jane Stirk (b. 1841), the daughter of Henry Stirk (1816-1904) and Eliza Jane Bodine (1821-1902). Mary Jane (“Jennie”) married Allen Ludwig Mohler (1844-1926) in 1867.
Letter 1
Camp near Readyville [Tennessee] February
Friend Jennie,
It is with pleasure that I take the present opportunity to let you know that I am still in the land of the living and never had better health than I now have. You no doubt have heard of the death of brother Thomas. It was a sad loss to me. We both went into the battle side by side and it was after we had been fighting a long time when he fell, mortally wounded by my side. It was a very hot place & the shot and shell were flying in every direction. But I succeeded in carrying him off the field. He died the next morning after the battle at 9 a.m. 1
I have not heard how the news was received at home yet but I am afraid that Mother can’t stand it for she is very weakly. Well Mary Jane, it is an awful scene to look over the battlefield and see the dead, dying, and wounded all scattered about. We have had another little fight since the fight at Murfreesboro, We went to Woodbury and drove the Rebels out of the town, killing the commander (Col. [John B.] Hutchenson [of 2nd Kentucky Cavalry]) and several privates. We took a number of prisoners including one captain. We ha two or three wounded. We then returned to camp.
Our Brigade is alone 12 miles from Murfreesboro on the Woodbury Pike. We are well fortified & can hold our position against three times our number. There is a few Rebels scouting around us watching our forage train as it goes out for forage. But they don’t attack it with much success for we have too strong a guard with it. Our regiment has been recruited some with drafted men. Reason Brown is in our company.
Well, I don’t know that I have anything of importance to write this time. Norman [Chaffin] has not been very well for while but is better now. This is the second letter I have wrote you lately but got no answer to the other one. I thought I would try it again. I also wrote to Mariah but have not heard from her but I will write anyhow as long as I have stamps. Sometimes I have none & then I can’t write. But I have plenty now so I will write till I get an answer.
Tell your father that I am working at my trade between drill hours. I get $1 for half soling boots. Sole leather is worth 66 cents per lb. Give my love to Mother & Ellen and Mariah & the rest of the folks & reserve a portion for yourself. No more at present but remain yours with respect. — Joseph McGonagle
to Mary Jane Stirk
P. S. Tell Mariah to write to me & you write as soon as you get this and tell me all the news that is going on. Direct to Joe. Mc., Co. C, 41st O. V. in care of Lieut. [Samuel B.] Asdell, Nashville, Tenn.
1 For an excellent summary of the 41st Ohio and their defense of the piece of ground called Hell’s Half Acre in the Battle of Stones River, please see my friend Dam Masters’ excellent article, “Summoning Hell’s Half Acre: The 41st Ohio in the Round Forest” in Civil War Chronicles, 22 April 2020.
Letter 2
Chattanooga [Tennessee] March 23, 1864
Friend Jennie,
After a long absence of correspondence, I resume my pen once more to let you know that I am still in the land of the living. Although I have not written to you in some time, I have not forgotten you. I think it my duty to write to you for I always found your letters cheering and comforting to me when I was down-hearted & therefore ask your pardon for long neglecting my duty. All that I can say for myself is that I have not the chance to write here in camp that I had in the hospital.
I was not able for duty when I left the hospital but I could not get to go home when I was so near there so I thought I would go to the front if I could get there. I got to Chattanooga & there examined and put in the Convalescent Camp where I have been since the first of February and will have to stay here until the doctor thinks I am able for duty.
The weather has been pleasant for some time but at the present writing, there is ten inches of snow on the ground. It commenced about 12 last night and has continued ever since. It is something very rare for the Sunny South. The editor of the Chattanooga Gazette thinks the returning veterans brought it from the North. The peach trees have been in bloom for over a month.
Chattanooga you would infer from the paper to be a great city, but it is not as large as Wooster & there is not a fence to be seen. It is a filthy looking place and to make it still worse (pardon me if I speak plain) there is not an old crib in town that is not filled with prostitutes even from our northern cities and we see the fruits of it very often. A few nights ago there was an officer in a house of ill fame. When two privates came and demanded admittance, the officer refused to admit them whereupon they went to abusing him and he showed his revolver & shot one of the men through the heart. But the officer will be sustained in it as he said the man struck him.
I have not received ant letter from John for some time. His regiment is at Decatur, Alabama.
Well, I have nothing of importance to write at present, but will surely not neglect to write as soon as I hear from this. My love to all of the family & reserve a portion for yourself. Tell your father I will mail him two copies of the Chattanooga paper. I remain yours till death, — J. A. McGonagle
To Miss Jennie Stirk
P. S. Direct to Convalescent Camp, Chattanooga, Tenn.
The following letter was written by Amos B. Currier (1822-1899) who enlisted at Le Roy on 25 August 1862 to serve three years in Co. I , 151st New York Volunteers. At the time of his enlistment, he was described as a 5 foot 10 inch tall, blue-eyed, dark-haired blacksmith who was born in Wyoming county, New York. He was made a corporal at the time of his muster but was later reduced to ranks and transferred to Co. D in December 1864 with the consolidation of companies. He mustered out of the regiment on 26 June 1865 at Washington D. C.
In the 1860 US Census, 38 year-old Amos was enumerated in Allegany, Cattaraugus, New York, with his 35 year-old wife Amanda M. (Baldwin) Currier (1825-1900), and 13 year-old son, John G. Currier (1847-1893). His trade was recorded as “blacksmith.” After the war, Amos settled in Cuba, Alleghany county where he resumed his trade.
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
La Fayette Barracks, Baltimore, Maryland, 151st New York Volunteers
Headquarters 151st [New York] Regt., Co. I Camp La Fayette, Baltimore, Md. November 12th 1862
Dear wife,
I received your letter on Monday morning and I tell you, it was welcome too. If I ever got anything that done me good, it was that for I began to think you had forgot you had a friend in Baltimore and one that is nearer than that, It seemed strange that you should all forget the directions but I will forgive you this time. I was glad to hear you was well for I was sure you was sick. I should have answered yours the same day but we have to drill most of the time and when we are off, our arms are tired and cannot write. I have to carry a gun that weighs 11 pounds and to practice with it from 9 o’clock until 11 o’clock, and then from 1 o’clock until 6 o’clock and carry a gun on our right hand and shoulder so you see we cannot write for our hands tremble but I will try and do the best I can.
You wanted to know what we have to eat. I will tell you. We have pork, beans, rice, beef, potatoes, coffee, sugar, and milk when we buy it at 8 per quart. Apples at 2 for three cents, small at that. But Clark is our cook so you see after the rest are gone to bed, he saves all the good pieces of pork, beef, and baked potatoes. But we cannot get any butter short of 45 and 50 cents a pound. So you [see], a poor soldier cannot afford to eat much of that. We club together and get some milk & butter for a change—I mean our bunch.
If I could only see you, I would do very well. I have not seen any good looking women nor a horse since I left Lockport. I do think they are the worst looking women that I ever saw. They are full as dark as Lyman Strong and do not wear half as large hoops and some of the best ones to wear none. But they all are given to f___ —skip that word. And the horses cannot help being poor for they ride one and whip the other. Oats are 90 cents a bushel so they cannot afford to feed much, I suppose. Johnny has told you all the news for he has just come in to me for a stamp, He says he wrote to you. He is as large as Clark Graves and fat as he can be. He cooks for the officers and you know he will not starve where he is. He went all over the city yesterday and to Federal Hill, He can go wherever he likes. I went the other day to the Observatory and looked through something about 4 feet long with glass on each end of it, I do not know what it was but it was a very nice thing & could see Fort McHenry and the men all round there. It looked most suspicious to me that there was something going in there. If you will come, I will pay ten cents for you to look through it.
You wanted I should tell you about the blacksmiths. I will tell you all that I know about it. I have been before the officers twice before yesterday, The Colonel and Major told me I should have it when [ ] to going. Thy have a great deal to do. Yesterday all the captains and [ ] all want and I was called before them on my trade and they told me I should have without fail, There is some 18 wants it but it was deiced that A. B. Currier has got it as soon as they could get to it. The captain was afraid it was going to take me away from him. If it was, he should go against it for he saw he could not spare me out of his company for I was his right hand man. Some blarney there, you will say, but his actions do not say so. But the Major told him it would not make any difference—only help me to better pay and a credit to the regiment. Some more blarney. You need not [say] this for it may flatter you.
I have got a call for drill. I have a squad to drill. I am some on that. Never had a gun in my hand to drill, not over two weeks, but learn very fast. So goodbye for now. 11 o’clock. Just got back from drill. Had a very good one. The colonel says if I had long fingers, I would make the best drill officer on the field. I have not got our pay yet….Goodbye and lots of kisses from your own, — A. B. C.
The following letter was written by David Hopkins (1838-1895), the son of William Hopkins (1805-1863) and Emma Hopkins (1808-1868) of Richland county, South Carolina. David wrote the letter from his farm in Canton, Madison county, Mississippi, to his widowed mother in South Carolina. After her husband William Hopkins died in 1863, his wife struggled to get by and to take care of what was left of the plantation. The Federal troops burned much of it but did not burn the main house when they saw a Masonic plaque on the wall. The sons were kept busy trying to run the other family plantations, including those in Mississippi.
David was married in 1859 to Adeline (“Addie”) M. Rembert. David’s obituary reads: David Hopkins was born at the old family homestead near Hopkins, on November 11, 1836. When the war came on he went forth to fight for the beloved Southland in Capt. Meighan’s Company C, Second South Carolina Cavalry, commanded by Col. Thomas J. Lipscomb. He fought throughout the war, distinguishing himself for his bravery. Mr. Hopkins was always a planter. Just after the war he removed to Mississippi, where he remained for fourteen years and then returned to the old homestead, where he has since resided. He married early in life a Miss Rembert of Sumter county, who with his only surviving child, Dr. James Hopkins, the county auditor, remain to mourn the loss. His only other child, a son, died several years ago.
This letter is from a private collection (RM) and was offered for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent. See also 1861: James Hopkins to William Hopkins from the same collection.
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
April 20, 1868
Dear Mother,
Yours dated 3rd of this month was received a few days ago. I was glad to hear you had received something for the rent of your plantation and it was a great deal more than I ever thought you would get from the infernal Yankees. You wrote me that Melton had taken Judge Bailey’s address. I am afraid the creditors will be set on this place by the lawyers sooner than they would have been. I would advise you to patronize a lawyer that you know something about. You know nothing about Melton. I think Mr. D’ysasure would have been far preferable.
You want to know if the property here has been administered on. It has not, and I would not advise you to have it done until the creditors make you do so which will be time enough as the longer the sale of this land is put off, the better the price will be more settled and the people will have more money. I think the plantation will bring more than three dollars an acre if it is cut up in small tracks and sold for part cash and a credit of one or two years.
I understand that Ned Gunter has written for [brother] English to go to Alabama and live with him. I heard that English [Hopkins] spoke of going. What is Gunter going to South Carolina for? Perhaps he is going to close down with his four thousand dollar bond. I would find out what that bond was for and see if father’s name is to it. Is Dr. Diseker living with you this year?
How many freedmen are you working? and how many brother I___? What negroes have you got? Is Glasgow with you yet? I hope you have got rid of Silvy and her mulatto set. Who cooks for you? What has become of Monday and my friend Josh? I expect Tom Robertson will have him for one of his aide-de-camps mounted on a long-eared Jack[mule]; wisdom personified.
“Said that he was thirsty as he had just risen from the grave and had not drank any water since the Battle of Corinth when he was killed.”
The days of miracle have come again in this country. The Confederate dead are rising from their graves and walking out of the graveyards from two or three to fifty in a band, and this happens all over the country. They are called the Klu Klux Klan and nobody knows who belongs to the Klan. They are over the whole country. One of them rode up to house and asked a negro for a cup of water. He drank it and several more. Finally he called for a bucket full. He dispatched that and several more buckets full. Said he was very thirsty as he had just risen from his grave and had not drank any water since the Battle of Corinth where he was killed. The negro run off as hard as he could, bellowing with all his might to save him.
I heard that a white man was killed about 7 or 8 miles from here two or three days ago. He was a notorious horse thief and had just stolen one. Nobody knows who killed him but it is thought the Klu Klux Klan did it. They have also ordered another man off that I knew. He lives about 6 miles from here. He had a negro wife and had perjured himself in court. He is going to leave as quick as possible. The negroes do not know what in the world to make of them. One of them told me the other day he believed it was “de foreman. He didn’t believe dey was no spirits. How come dese spirits nuber rise before.” I told him I knew nothing about them.
Write soon and answer all my questions. Let me know all the news in the neighborhood. Addie joins me in love to you all. Your affectionate son, — D. Hopkins
I could not find a war-time image of Samuel but located this tintype of his older brother Thomas Rees who served in the same company. (Brian White Collection)
This letter was written by Samuel Borrowe Rees (1844-1932) who served with his older brother, Thomas M. Rees (1837-1888) in Co. A, 2nd U. S. Sharpshooters. Company A was raised in Minnesota on October 5, 1861. He was born at Sodus Point, Wayne county New York, and moved with his family first to Bersheba Springs, Tennessee in the late 1840s, and then to Leech Lake, Minnesota in 1857. His father was Charles Williamson Rees (1807-1870) and his mother was Catherine Hallett (1810-1893).
Samuel and Thomas were part of the famous Berdan’s Sharpshooters. Thomas served with the Sharpshooters until his discharge on September 22, 1864. Samuel was wounded in the Battle of Antietam on 17 September 1862 and was discharged on 26 November 1862.
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Samuel’s letter was written on stationery featuring a colored lithograph of the “West Front of the Capitol” by C. Magnus.
Camp opposite Fredericksburg, Va. Tuesday, May 18, 1862
Dear Mother,
I received three letters from home the other day, the first mail that we have had in our Brigade for three weeks. We have been on the march for the last three weeks; therefore not having a chance either to get our mail or send any. Tom has written several letters home. I did not have time as I have the cooking to do for both of us. Tom has not life enough as usual to do his share. Therefore I cannot write as often but don’t say anything to him.
We are in our old camp as you will see by the heading of my letter and I will have more time to write. The last marches we have had have been very hard—especially the last two days from Catlett’s Station to Falmouth. The sun was very hot and they put us through in a forced march, notwithstanding that three men and three mules dropped dead by the road side for the want of rest and the sun so hot that they were sun struck. And a good many are still suffering from its effects.
Col. Henry Alberton Van Zo Post commanded the 2nd US Sharpshooters in 1862.
Notwithstanding all this, after a short rest, when the regiment was ordered to fall in to continue the march, one man who happened to be at a short distance eating a few cherries did not fall in quick enough to suit the Colonel [Henry Alberton Van Zo Post] and he tore down to where the man was and, riding his horse behind the man, made him run to the front of the regiment where he had four men with fixed bayonets to make him march at the point of the bayonet. This he laughed at.
The same day he kicked Capt. [Henry M.] Caldwell [of Co. F] in the back and ordered him to the rear of the regiment under arrest because he told a tired man to fall out of the ranks and rest. The Colonel has since offered said Captain his sword if he would let it pass. The Captain said to him he did not wish his sword but that he would have him put through to the extent of the law. Peleter is also under arrest because the Colonel took a Sharps rifle and beat his with Colts. Peleter is fighting mad because we have got that cause of so much trouble.
The Sharps rifle is a splendid gun, set lock and bronze barrel. We have just been paid off, dear mother, and I will send twenty-five dollars to you to use. I do not wish you to save any for me. I would rather you would use it and get all you want. Give my love to all and tell them I will write soon. It is getting time for dress parade and I must stop. From your affectionate son, — S. B. Rees
The following letter was written by 18 year-old George W. Ball (1843-1923) of Ottawa county, Michigan, while serving in Co. B, 3rd Michigan Infantry. George enlisted on 13 May 1861 at Grand Rapids and was discharged from the regiment in June 1863.
I could not find an image of George but here is one of Edward C. Brown of Co. E, 3rd Michigan Infantry
George’s letter offers a detailed first-hand account of the First Battle of Bull Run, during which the 3rd Michigan was engaged when the conflict erupted at Blackburn’s Ford on July 18, 1861. This event unfolded near the center of the Confederate line, held by General James Longstreet’s Virginians, along the brush-lined banks of Bull Run. The approach down the wooded slope to the Ford, executed by Richardson’s Brigade, was initiated by the gray-clad 1st Massachusetts, which valiantly contested the Confederates for the first hour. Eventually, the other three regiments—the 2nd and 3rd Michigan and the 12th New York—were called into action, with the 3rd Michigan positioned on the extreme right of the line, while Ayres’ artillery from the ridge adjacent to the farm path that led to the ford engaged the enemy. Remarkably, the 3rd Michigan found themselves relatively secure during the engagement, to the point where some members were reported to be picking berries until they became aware that their brigade was in full retreat. Understandably, George’s letter to his mother portrays the role of the 3rd Michigan in a slightly different light.
The 3rd Michigan Infantry were initially issued gray uniforms but by the Battle of Bull Run, the consensus of opinion is that they wore a mix of uniforms colors, including blue or black trousers, and both blue and gray coats.
A great reference book by my friend, John Hennessy—“The First Battle of Manassas, An End to Innocence, July 18-21, 1861,” 1989.
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Washington August 2, 1861
Dear Mother,
I now sit down to write you a few lines to let you know how I was getting along. I am well off at present and I hope these few lines will find you the same.
I received a letter from you dated July the 29th and was very glad to hear from you and hear that you were well but was sorry to hear that you had not received my letter. I wrote one letter to you about one month ago in which I stated that we were about to march into Virginia. We left our camp and went into Virginia about 25 or 30 miles where we had a battle with the Rebels. And I wrote you another letter as soon as I returned from the battle but it seems that you did not get it so I will write again. You will please excuse my writing with a lead pencil at present for it is impossible for me to carry such things as pen and ink with me.
I suppose you have heard of our fight long before this time and heard that we were whipped but not so with us. We were obliged to retreat on account of our not having men enough but we will not give up whipped as long as there is one of us left.
The place where we had our battle was between Manassas Junction and a place called Bull Run. We arrived at Bull Run July the 18th on Thursday afternoon where the 2nd Michigan, 3rd Michigan, 1st Massachusetts, and 12th New York commenced the battle. The four regiments comprise Colonel [Israel B.] Richardson’s Brigade. This brigade was in the center so we had to commence the battle.
The battle commenced a short time after noon and lasted till about seven when we commenced our retreat and went back as far as Centerville where we camped for the night and the next morning before daylight, our 3 o’clock, our picket guard was fired upon and drove in to the camp and we were waked up and got ready for a march and as soon as we could, we were divided into three divisions and went back within half a mile of the rebels and waited for our right and left divisions to come up but they did not get their position till Sunday morning when we commenced at them again.
We commenced fire upon them at 7 o’clock and fought till four in the afternoon. But they had too many men for us and we were obliged to retreat back within two miles of Washington where we shall stay till we get a large force. There was a great many of the Rebels killed as near us. We can’t ascertain how many but the report that they lost about three times the number killed that we had. One of their Generals was shot through the head with a cannon ball and Gen. Beauregard’s horse was shot from under him. We took twelve Secesh prisoners back with us to Washington…
Our men had a small brush to the west of us day before yesterday. There were three thousand of our men whipped cavalry of the Scamps. The number of men lost on our side was six hundred and the Rebels fifteen hundred…Our colonel is Daniel McConnell and my captain’s name is Blakely B. Borden. I have got a very fine position. If I can get to Washington, I will get a paper with an account of the battle and I will send it to you.
I will now bring my letter to a close. As soon as you get this, don’t fail to write me for I may not have time… Direct the same as before, — George Ball
Ninth Plate Ambrotype of Cpl. Abner Colby, Co. G., USSS A horizontal view of Colby uniformed in ubiquitous green frock coat kneeling with an early civilian target rifle with telescopic sight adopted for use by Berdan’s famous Sharpshooters.
The following letter was written by George E. Mead (1837-1862) who enlisted on 11 September 1861 as a private in Co. F, 1st U. S. Sharpshooters. Prior to his enlistment, George was living in Rutland, Vermont, with his wife of four years, Katherine (Hackett) Mead, and working as a railroad hand. When he enlisted, George and the other recruits were promised breech-loading Sharps rifles, known for their accuracy and high rate of fire. Some recruits brought their own rifles and were told the government would reimburse them $60 if the rifle proved suitable. That promise was never kept.
We learn from the letter that after being in the service for four months, the sharpshooters had not been issued their rifles yet and were still laying in the camp of instruction near Washington D. C. As men were dying off rapidly due to disease without seeing any battlefield, George vented his frustration, “As for my part, if I have got to die in this country, I had rather die on the battlefield with powder and ball, then lay down and die with diseases that prevail amongst our soldiers here in camp, such as measles, small pox, diphtheria fevers, and everything that can be thought of.”
Unfortunately for George, his wish for ending the war and returning home safely was never realized. He died of disease on 9 September 1862 at Alexandria, Virginia, presumably after having been with his comrades in the Peninsula Campaign earlier in the summer.
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Addressed to Mrs. George E. Mead, Weston, Vermont
Camp of Instruction, Washington D. C. Co. F, Berdan’s Regiment January 10, 1862
Dear affectionate wife,
As I have nothing to busy myself about but to sit in the corner of my tent and smoke my pipe and keep a little fire in our little brick fireplace, I will write you a few lines to let you know how I am a getting along. I am a gaining from my sickness very fast—much faster than I ever expected to. I have got so I can walk a little but I tumble down every few steps. My legs and joints are very weak yet. The steam of the ground with my measles are pretty tough but I think I come out of it bully before long, but not so quick as I should if I did not have to sleep on the bare ground with nothing under me but my blanket. But such is the poor soldier’s bed and I have got to make the best of it.
I know what a soldier’s life is now better than I did before I left home and I guess there are some others here that think about as I do. We was promised many things before we come here and we have been promised many things since we came here, but they don’t do by us as they say. They will have had the promise of being sent to South Carolina and other places this winter but they hain’t moved us from the ground where we pitched our tents the first day we came here, not the government hain’t give us a single gun nor I guess they never will. There is two thousand sharp shooters encamped here now and not a single gun amongst them—only what they brought from their own homes with them. And not one out of ten brought his own gun.
The men are dying off very fast now for it is getting to be very unhealthy weather here now. Day before yesterday, it snowed about two inches here and last night it rained like the devil and today it is mud up to our ass, and a very foggy and unhealthy air is over head. There was four men died out of our regiment yesterday with the measles and diphtheria or sore throat. There is about four or five die every day now out of our regiment. I think I am one of the lucky ones to get along so well as I have. I think I shall be able to go back into the cook house to work in a few days. I can eat all I can get my hands onto for the last few days. The horse beef has to suffer.
I received your letter that you wrote to W. Cutting last evening. I was glad to hear that you think you have got into a good harbor for this winter. I wish I was with you but I am sorry to hear you have the hypo. 1 I think you must be foolish to have the hypo when you are in so good a harbor where there is so many potato and pork and beans and a good place to sleep. You must keep your mind on something to keep the hypo off. That is the way I do when I get hypoey. I think what a time I will have if they ever give me a chance to shoot at the rebels, Then my hypo is gone. And you must keep your mind on your work and study and think there is better times coming and then you won’t have the hypo.
I feel greatly interested about your learning to read and write for I know you would enjoy yourself so much better. You could pass away your time a reading what is going on here in the rebel country and you could write to me just what and when you please. You must not get discouraged if you can’t learn everything in one day or one month. If you learn a little every day and remember it, you will soon get so you learn faster. And after you get so you can read all the letters and write all the letters, you will soon get so you can put your thoughts and letters together. Then you will be all right. Then you can write and read in a short time. Try hard and see if you can’t learn and I will do as I promised you I would in my other letter. I wrote you when I come home from the war, I will bring you a dress worth twenty-five dollars for a present.
You wrote in your letter that you teased Father to go to the post office every day the mail came in. That ain’t right. You must not trouble Father to go to the post office so often for it is a good deal of trouble to him and don’t do you any good. If you got to the post office once a week, it ought to do. You can get along a week. It ought to do. You can get along a week without a letter, I should think. I will write as often as once a week and you can write as often as Father goes to the village. I shall write oftener when I have anything to write about. I hope I will have some good news to write you before I have been here four months longer.
I have been in the United States service four months and I hope before four more months pass, I shall be in a different place than this. And I hope before another new year comes around, as you said in your letter, our fighting will all be over and we be safe at our homes with our wives and children. I think there will be a great change before four months pass over, either for the better or the worse, I do not know which. There is a great deal of talk and signs of something being done in the way of fighting before long. If they do not make some move soon, our soldiers on the line of the Potomac river will raise mutiny and rebel against their own country for they are getting sick of lying still. They want to be a fighting and not be a laying still. They all die off with diseases.
As for my part, if I have got to die in this country, I had rather die on the battlefield with powder and ball, then lay down and die with diseases that prevail amongst our soldiers here in camp, such as measles, small pox, diphtheria fevers, and everything that can be thought of. We have got a very good officer in command of our regiment now. His name is William Ripley for Center Rutland. He wsa captain of the Rutland company—the company that Bill Thompson went with when he went to war for three months.
Kate, [it] seems rather lonesome to me now just at this present time for about fifteen rods from my tent is three coffins in a row, side by side, with a poor soldier in each one of them that died with the measles. The bugles have just blowed to call a few of their companies together that they belonged to. They have a ceremony of five minutes and then they are packed in a two-wheeled cart and carried off to the burying ground, put into their grave, [and] then a number of men step up and fire a few guns over the grave adn then he is covered up, and that is the last of the poor soldier who has come here to fight for his country. There has only three died out of our company since we came here and them we have signed a dollar apiece and sent their remains home to their friends.
Kate, I wrote to you in my other letter that you could get your two months State pay. I was mistaken. It is a going to be paid to me here so I have been told. If it is paid to me here, I shall send you twenty-five dollars this month if the government pays us off. It is payday today but there ain’t any sign of our getting our pay today. The next time I write, I think I will have some money to send you.
1 “Hypo” was the term often used to refer to depression. Abraham Lincoln often said he suffered from hypo, but this is the first time I have seen the term used in the thousands of letters I’ve transcribed.
I could not find an image of Miner but here is one of Hector W. Storrs who served in Co. E, 22nd Connecticut Infantry.
The following letter was written by Pvt. Miner Healy Corbin (1840-1919) of Union, Tolland county, Connecticut who enlisted when he was 21 years old into Co. G, 22nd Connecticut Infantry on 5 September 1862 and was honorably discharged 7 July 1863 at Hartford. Miner was the son of Healy Corbin (1799-1878) and Nancy Coye (1803-1878). Miner was a teacher before the war and afterwards he farmed in Brimfield.
The 22nd Connecticut was the first nine-month infantry unit to be mustered into federal service and they saw little action. Most of the time was spent in the defenses of Washington D. C. though they were in Suffolk, Virginia, for a time. They lost 20 men during the war, all due to disease.
Miner wrote the letter to his cousin, Stephen B. Tifft (b. 1837) of Westford, Windham county, Connecticut.
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Addressed to Mr. Stephen B. Tifft, Westford, Windham county, Connecticut
22nd Regiment Conn. Vols., Co. G Headquarters of pickets, Fairfax county October 16, 1862
Dear cousin Stephen B. Tifft,
As I am on picket today, I will take the opportunity to write a few lines to you. This morning, Thursday October 16th, we (our company) had to roll our blankets (rubber on outside) with two days rations in our haversacks, our canteens filled with water, forty rounds of cartridges & overcoats on and ready to start at half past 8 o’clock which we did & started for we knew not where. A company from the 133rd New York, one from the 11th Rhode Island, & one other I believe, went with us. We marched up to Fort Ethan Allen about a mile from our camp & there a colonel (I have forgotten his name) took us up to where we are now stationed. One company was stationed on the right and one on the left with our company in the center. We are on the turnpike between Leesburg and Fairfax about 15 miles from Leesburg & 8 from Fairfax and we are about 10 miles from Washington City & between 3 & 4 miles from our camp which we marched with all our luggage. And I was almost sick this morning. It was a pretty hard march for me. I had to step out of the ranks & shack for myself. But I was not but a little behind the rest. Quite a number fell out as well as me. I had had the bowel complaint for a few days and had got some cold & was quite weak so that it was hard to march with our load under such circumstances. But I have got considerably rested and feel better and if I could rest for a day or two, I should be all right again.
The pickets are thrown out three or four in a place at equal distances from each other and some one of them have to be on guard during the day & two during the night. About half of our company are on such duty under Lieut. Corbin & a squad of 6 or 7 under Lieut. [Thomas F.] McMain are stationed down at the road a few rods from here & we are stationed (with the Captain) at a house fronting the south which looks to me to be west. I get turned round marching in all directions but I know the directions most of the time.
You will want to know what we have to do. Just nothing at all as I may say for only one has to stand guard before the house & is on only one hour (we are the relief guard) and as there is 30 or more of us, it will not come very often. So we can be as lazy as need be with plenty of sweet potatoes at 30 cents per pound, eggs, pies, chickens, &c. &c. You may expect I shall try and live while we stay here which is 48 hours. When an officer comes around, we have to fall into line and present arms. Then stack arms again and are at liberty them until another comes along which is not very often. Melvin, John, Byron, Frank, Walker & Horton are with us which makes it very pleasant to be together.
Yesterday forenoon our regiment was called out to go up to Fort Ethan Allen. We marched up there & had places picked out for us where we were to be stationed & each one knew his place. Then we marched outside of the fort, formed into line, and marched in double quick to our position which made us puff some. Those that were in there were moving out and they said we were coming in but I think we shall stay in our camp and if the enemy should happen to come, we should have to run for that fort to man it.
The most of our company are stationed on the south side which the officer said was the most exposed but less firing to be done & I think that looks as though we might winter here. I hope we may. I shall not have time to write more now. Give my love to Juliet, your father and mother, Mrs. Carpenter, and all enquiring friends. Write soon all the news, what you are up to, &c. &c. From your affectionate friend and cousin, — M. H. Corbin
Melvin says to tell you he is well and sends love to you all. He had a letter from Sandford last night. A welcome one too. Direct to Miner H. Corbin, Co. G, 22nd Regt. Conn. Vols. Washington D. C. (Our chaplain is post master. We have the mail every day.)
Spared & Shared 23 