153rd New York Infantry

1862: John Adams DeWandelaer to Gansevoort DeWandelaer

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The following letter was written by John Adams DeWandelaer (1833-1891) who served in Co. B, 153rd New York Infantry. He was mustered in as a 1st Lieutenant on 1 September 1862 and was promoted to Captain on 1 May 1863. He was wounded in the shoulder at the Battle of Winchester, and since the ball was never extracted, it gave him difficulty the remainder of his life.

John was born in Fonda, the son of Gansevoort DeWandelaer and Delia Getman. He was married to Nancy Coppernoll.

Camp of the 153rd New York Infantry. Attributed to Mathew B. Brady (Metropolitan Museum of Art)

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Mr. Gansevoort De Wandelaer, Palatine Bridge, Montgomery county, New York

Alexandria [Virginia]
November 1st 1862

Dear Father & Mother, Sister & Brother,

I suppose you have been looking for a line for some time but we was so busy first along that I had no time and then I was taken with a dreadful cold all through my bones and I have been quite sick all week and I went down to the City to sleep and they charged me 1 dollar a night for lodging alone so you see that the money goes very easy here. Butter is selling here now for from 32 cents to 38 cents per pound and cheese is selling from 16 to 20 cents per pound. So you see it costs a great deal to live here, I have got a very nice little tent about as large as two of them you saw in Fonda, only it has straight sides. They are called wall tents. The officers all have this kind. I have a floor in it and a little sheet iron cook stove and I board myself when I am well and then it does not cost so much but it goes kinder tough. We are lying just outside of Alexandria by the railroad that leads to Richmond. My tent is not 30 feet from the track.

The railroad belongs to the government and they take a load of darkeys up in the morning to work for the government and bring them back at night. You can get lots of darkeys to work for their board here but they look pretty tough and everything looks hard around here. You cannot see a sight of a fence no where and a great many buildings are either half or whole torn down and everything looks like destruction. You can see the terrors of war here in all its horrors. You hardly see anything but army wagons and we see hundreds of them every day. They (the wagons) are very heavy and strong and they have from 4 to 8 horses or mules before one wagon and then they fill it with bread or meat or beans and then go to their respective camps. You may judge how many there are when I tell you how the streets of Alexandria are all cut full of ruts right through the stone pavement.

They are very strict here now. No man can pass in or out of the City without a pass and that is looked at very close. The City is full of secesh but they dare not open their heads. We expect to help guard the City this winter but are not certain of it yet. The order may be changed any day. We would like to go to New Bern, North Carolina, if we can bring it about, but our Colonel is quite sick now with the pleurisy and that will set us back very much. Everyone in the regiment likes our Colonel but the Lieut. Colonel is not liked at all and that makes it very unpleasant just now. But it will all be right when our Colonel is well again.

Our men are all armed and equipped. They have the Austrian rifle. As near as I can find out, there is now at last 400,000 Union soldiers between the Potomac and Richmond and they are expecting the decisive battle every day. All the regiments are under marching orders but us that lay around us. We can see 14 camps and two forts from our camp and we have a full view of the Potomac. We see a sloop burn on it the other morning. The names of the forts are Lion & Fort Ellsworth. I have been all through the latter fort and everything is as neat and clean as a pin and they have guns there as large as a small saw logs and they say they will shoot five miles. We can see the dome of the [U. S.] Capitol from our camp and we are only seven miles from Washington.

30th Massachusetts Infantry, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Vicksburg, Mississippi

1862: Francis Henry Whittier to Adaline (Loring) Whittier

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Francis Henry Whittier (1831-1867)

This letter was written by Francis (“Frank”) Henry Whittier (1831-1867) of Cambridgeport, Middlesex county, Massachusetts. He was the son of Amos Henry Whittier (1805-1891) and Hannah Chamberlain Davis (1807-1867). Frank was married in 1853 to Adaline T. Loring (1837-1915) in May 1853 when Adaline was not yet 16. Their first child was born 6 months later; two more over the next three years. It was early December 1861 when Frank enlisted and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant of Co. G, 30th Massachusetts infantry. In mid-February 1862 he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and later to Captain. By war’s end he had risen to Colonel of the regiment.

The 30th Regt. Mass. Vol. Inf. was raised by Gen. Butler in the fall of 1861 and the early part of the winter following. It was originally known as the Eastern Bay State Regiment. It was organized at Camp Chase, Lowell, and its members were mustered in on various dates from Sept. 15 to the close of the year. A controversy having arisen between Governor Andrew and Gen. Butler over the latter’s authority to raise troops in Massachusetts, the regiment left the State Jany. 13, 1862, under command of Acting Lieut. Col. French. Remaining at Fort Monroe until Feb. 2, on the 12th it reached Ship Island in the Gulf of Mexico, where Gen. Butler was assembling his forces to operate against New Orleans. Nathan A. M. Dudley was commissioned colonel, Feb. 8, and most of the other field and staff and line officers were commissioned Feb. 20. It was now officially the 30th Regiment.

After the Mississippi was opened by Farragut’s fleet in the latter part of April, 1862, the 30th was sent to New Orleans and thence to Baton Rouge, arriving June 2. It made several expeditions into the country in pursuit of guerrillas, then was sent to the front of Vicksburg but returned to Baton Rouge, July 26. It was just after the regiment returned to Baton Rouge that Francis wrote this letter.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Baton Rouge [Louisiana]
July 28, 1862

Dear Wife,

It is a long time since I have written a letter. I think about three weeks but it is a much longer time since I have received one from you. I received six letters and a lot of papers on the 5th of July from friend Davis, Gibbs, Stevens and Amanda. I received one from Webster of the date June 17th while the most of my men received them as late date as July 8th. I received a letter from Perkins in regard to the house rent. Please tell him the first rebel I capture with a 20 [dollar] gold piece in his possession, I will send him the money and the rebel too for it would be a curiosity worth seeing.

I have just arrived back from Vicksburg and if it was not just as it is, I should be at home before this letter. We were bivouacked in a swamp without any tents for four weeks and our men was taken sick with fever and ague and the remittent fever. I lost 4 men, two in one day. Both of my officers were sick and I have had as many as 60 men sick and under the doct[or’s care] at once. The regiment could not turn out over 200 men for duty and if we had stopped there a week longer, it would have killed every man we had. I don’t know what we shall do now. The men never can get their health in this climate. I have about 30 men in the hospital and as many more in quarters that cannot do duty. Yesterday at dress parade I could not march but 8 men on to line out of 98. I have to work hard all the time and can’t find time to write often now. I shall take all my time to look after my sick. My 1st Lieutenant is very sick and I don’t think he will ever do anymore duty. There is a lot of the officers sick and that makes the duties come hard on the well ones. I have lost 30 pounds of flesh and have just got in fighting trim. I never was better in my life but things happen in the regiment every day that I don’t like which I shall not write about now.

Col. Jonas H. French

I intended to get my discharge when I came back but I cannot leave my poor sick comrades. But as soon as I can see them well or sent North, I shall get my discharge unless things change. But I think I shall go down to New Orleans in the course of the week and see how things are there. I think I can get a good position there under Col. [Jonas H.] French that will pay me more than the present one and get just as much honor for I don’t think now that our regiment will ever see a fight. I have had the only company under fire from the regiment and I don’t think there will be another chance for a longer time. 250 men could wipe our regiment out now. One month ago, 1200 could not do it. If you could be here and so with me when I visit my sick, it would make your heart ache. God pity a private soldier in the army for if he don’t have good officers, he is in a bad place. There is nobody here to look after him but his officer. We never have seen a cent worth of any kind of things from our State or any other place and any things our sick get, must be got by the officers and there has been times that we have had men die for want of medicine to give them. There has never been a bright day for our regiment since we left home.

Capt. Nims’ Battery [of] 150 men were up river with us, all well when we started. The day before we started back, he had 130 in the sick list. He lost one man—the first since leaving Boston—and the most of these men can never get well here. The Vermont Regiment lost 40 men and did not have a man fit for duty.

The day we started to come away, all the rest of the regiments were the same. Our regiment stood it the best and longest. The trip did not amount to anything. We saw the bombardment and the fleet go up by the forts and come back. It will take a large force to take the place. The rebels are 75,000 strong while the force we had to take the place was only about 4,000. I saw the Ram come down the river. I should like to give you an account of it if I had time. The same got our fleet with their [Brentches?] down [ ] under the guns of Vicksburg when we left.

The men from Charlestown are all very well. I thought by the letter I received from friend Stevens you had sent me a box but it has not reached me yet. It may be at New Orleans but there is a mail comes from home every week and I think your time must be very much taken up if you can’t let me hear from home once in sixty days. Everyone in the [regiment] gets their letters regular and I get my letters regular from Jo Davis. I received two the other day from him. If you knew how much good a letter from home does some time, I don’t think the time would be so long between them. Spend half the time you have spent trying to get a gig in writing and save the money for you may need it for something of more consequence. But if you don’t find time to write much, I should like very much to hear from the little ones. I want to see them and know how they get along as often as possible.

I see by a paper I received from friend Davis that the box that had the flag in had got home. I should like to know if the other one has got there. I sent it 10 weeks ago. I have written to you every week and some of the time twice a week until I left here for Vicksburg and I have not had a chance to write you but am until now. Please give my respects to all the folks. Let me know about the recruiting papers before it is too late to get anything on them. Give my respects to friend Greer. I shall write to Webster and the rest of my friends next mail. It is time for the mail to close so I can’t write any more this time. I have a few more trophies to send home when I find the last got there safe.

I was in hopes to send some money but our regiment has not been paid up. Every other regiment have been paid but that is the usual luck of this one to be behind. The Government owes us for 5 months hard labor and some families must be suffering for the money. But it don’t make any [ ]. They won’t pay until the spirit moves. I have had no money for the last three months and it cost me 3 dollars a week to feed myself and servants. No more at present. Yours, &c. — F. H. Whittier

Commanding Co. H, 30th [Massachusetts] Volunteers

P. S. Norcross is sick. So is Keaton.

124th Ohio Infantry

1863: Reuben Benedict Abby to Roxanna (Mann) Abby

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This letter was written by Reuben Benedict [“Benerdick”] Abby (1832-1864) of Co. C, 124th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI). Reuben was the son of Loren Abby (1803-1858) and Abigail Tower (1798-1843). He was married in September 1853 to Roxanna Mann (1831-1896) and was living in Berea, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, and working as a wagon maker when he enlisted on 30 September 1862. He mustered in on 31 December 1862 and soon found himself in Elizabethtown, Kentucky where he wrote the following letter to his wife. Reuben did not survive the war, however. He died of small pox at Nashville Hospital No. 11 on 16 February 1864. Reuben’s widow was left with four children to raise on a limited pension. They included Myrtle Malvina Abby (b. 1858), Mayhetta Jane Abby (b. 1859), Henry Egbert Abby (b. 1861) and George Benerdict Abby (b. 1863). Note: the family surname is sometimes spelled Abbey.

Marriage Certificate between “Benjamin” Abbey and Roxy Man dated 10 September 1853. Birth certificates of his children claim his middle name was “Benerdict” however.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Elizabethtown, Kentucky
January 26, 1863

Dear Wife,

I received your letter today and was glad to hear from you and finding that you and the children are all well. I am well and when you get this, I hope that these few lines will find you and the children the same. I sent a letter by Neager Whitbeck last Monday the 19th and then I wrote another the 25th and now I am a writing another. That is more than one a week.

You wanted to know if I knew anything about Berwick. I heard from him the other day. Some soldiers that was a going home. He and Captain Edgerton and a number of others are taken prisoners. They were taken at Mumfordsville or Murfreesboro but I don’t know which and I don’t know where they are sent to. I mailed a letter this morning but I have forgotten what I wrote but it don’t make no difference. Tell Gars’ [Eben W. Garzee] wife that I have not heard from him since we left Louisville but all that I know of him since. We left him at the hospital No. 7 in Ward No. 7. We have not had no correspondence since we left. [William] Wilson’s Company [A] has two sick there. [George] Elliott Goodrich is at the same hospital with Gar [Garzee]. He went from here with some prisoners and was taken sick while he was there and he went to the hospital. They have not heard from him since for I was over to Wilson’s Company just before I got your letter to see if they had heard from them but they had not.

We are under marching orders but we don’t know where to. I will write again as soon as I can write and tell me if you have the letter that has got a note to Gar’s folks or not. We have not been paid off yet. Has Doc McCullock got any money from Cran [?] yet. I told him to have you to leave it there so he could collect it for he could see him every day and it would save you some trouble. Tell Walt that he must not leave until next spring anyway for I want him to stay with you. Tell him he shall not lose anything by staying. This is from you dear husband, — R. B. Abby

Kiss the children for me. Write soon sa you get this. Goodbye, — R. B. Abby

If you want some money, send Walter to the Doc and get some.

49th Pennsylvania Infantry, Camp Griffin

1861: Hiram Greenland to William Greenland

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I could not find an image of Hiram but here is one of Jacob Wagner who served in Co. I of the 49th Pennsylvania Infantry (Photo Sleuth)

The following letter was written by Hiram Greenland (1839-1873), the son of Nathan Greenland (1805-1880) and Matilda Ramsey (1810-1865) of Calvin, Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania. Hiram was 21 years old, a single farmer living with his parents when he enlisted in September 1861 at Harrisburg in the 49th Pennsylvania Infantry. He was mustered into the service on 24 October 1861 at Camp Griffin in Virginia (near Lewinsville) where he wrote this letter to his cousin three weeks later. Muster records indicate that Hiram was in Co. D when he began his service but was later transferred to Co. B and then eventually deserted and was dishonorably discharged in November 1864. After the war he settled in Chester county and died in 1873. There is a soldier’s marker on his grave in Cassville, Pa.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Patriotic stationery (with Poem to the 49th Penna. Regiment) used in Hiram’s letter.

Headquarters 49th Penna. Regiment
Co. [D]
Camp Griffin, Va.
December 17, 1861

Cousin,

I resume my pen today in order to answer a letter which I received a good spell back and I am almost ashamed to write now any more but, however, there has not been anything going on or any importance since I received yours and I have a great many more to write to than I can tend to so that I forget who I have wrote to and who I have to but don’t think that I have wrote to you lately.

Now I must inform you that Alfred Swope, Amos B[ ] and myself has had the measles and is just getting so that we can be up and move around a little yet but I feel very weak yet and I don’t think that I will be fit for duty before New Years if all goes right and I don’t get a backset now. The health of the 49th is very poor for there is as many as 175 on the sick list but yet there has been but three died yet and the typhoid fever is one of the main diseases. Yet our surgeons is master of it and has not lost a case of fever.

Now you stated in your letter something which I have not saw in any letter yet but yours which was that I ought to be up there—that I was needed for a teacher. In return I would just say that let the scholars take care of themselves and let the teachers, which are needed worse here than there, take up arms and fight to maintain their rights and liberties and there is the time when all is peace to return to the school room.

When I enlisted in this great conquest, I did not think of anything but that it was my duty to do so and I think that it is the duty of every young man that was brought up under the Stars & Stripes and that lived in peace under them should now rally round the flag and see that it is not insulted.

Now you stated that you was down to see my gal. When you was up at our place, I spect you didn’t stay.

Our regiment was out on a scout on December 6th with several others but the 49th went 12 miles farther than any of the rest and drove the rebel pickets in and chased them all to Centreville. So says a contraband that was brought in a few days after. Now I feel so bad that I will close for the present. No more but remain your affectionate friend, — H. Greenland

[to] William Greenland

Answer and address to Washington D. C., 49th Regt. P. V. in care of Capt. J[ames] D. Campbell

53rd Massachusetts Infantry, Battle of Port Hudson

1863: Samuel H. Hastings to Dorinda (Clifford) Hastings

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Samuel H. Hastings’ headstone (1818-1863)

This letter was written by Samuel H. Hastings (1818-1863) of Hubbardstown who enlisted as a private for nine months service in Co. H, 53rd Massachusetts Infantry. He claimed to be a carpenter at the time of his enlistment though census records indicate he was a farmer. Unfortunately he did not survive the war. He died of disease in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on 21 July 1863, just five weeks after he wrote this letter to his wife letting her know he expected to be home about the 1st of August—“if spared.” Samuel was married in 1844 to Dorinda Clifford (1820-1875) and they had one child, Lilla Maria Hastings (1853-1893).

After it was organized in the fall of 1862, the 53rd Massachusetts was assigned to the expedition to go to Louisiana and once there, in January 1863, it was placed in Gooding’s 3rd Brigade, Paine’s 3rd Division, 19th Army Corps. After participating on some expeditions into Louisiana, the 53rd found itself in May 1863 at Bayou Sara, bearing down on Port Hudson from the north. 

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Cook House in the woods in rear of Port Hudson
June 13th 1863

Dear wife,

Don’t you think we were a happy lot of boys last eve. The mail come to us with a large lot of letters. How many do you think I had? There was 8 from you and 6 from others; 14 in all. It took me some time to read them all. One from J. Smith, one from Fitch, 1 from E. W., one from C. H., 1 from Loring, 1 from Hannah, I shan’t have to answer them all. I hardly have time to write all I want to you. After you get this, if you have time, you may write to Hannah. She is atBellows Falls, Vermont. If you don’t have time, let it be. She wrote that she was coming down this summer. E.’s letter you can answer. The letters I received from you were No. 14, (15 I received before). I have all up as high as 22 dated 19th of May so I have all up to that time. I presume there are more on the way. I hope that we shall get our mails now. Those envelopes and stamps come in play now for I was all out of stamps & it is rather hard to get them here at this time.

We remain here yet. Our regiment has not done anything since we came back from Clinton. The cooking is the hardest part of the work now this hot weather. There is a flag of truce up now. I don’t know whether they are going to surrender or what it is for, I hope they are. It is 9 weeks since we first came here. I am nearly a mile and a half from the regiment. Four of us cook for all. We have three colored men to bring our water & cut our wood. That helps a good deal. You spoke about your butter. I think you have done nicely to sell so much. I wish I had some to eat. It would be so nice. I hope I shall get home sometime to eat some of it. I think H. can cut all of the grass for 1/9 of it is as good as it has been years back. It is so handy for him. I must leave off writing now for we are cooking rice for supper.

Sunday morn [14 June]. This day is to be a day of sorrow with some of us. Probably hundreds have been killed ere this. The battle commenced at 3 this morn. I went to the regiment at one this morn with coffee so they might have something warm to drink. I saw [your brother] J[osephus Clifford]. He said he was in hopes to go through. I think he is prepared for the worst. Port Hudson must be ours before noon today. I think there are days enough in the week besides Sunday to fight but most of ours comes on that day. Could I be where I could attend church today, I should rather than to hear the sound of the cannons & muskets & the whizzing of the bullets. But that is all that we can hear this morn. We have beans to cook today. Can’t tell who will be left to eat them or when we can get them to the men.

Do you expect to go to church today? I hope you will have a chance to go with somebody. I don’t think you are able to walk this warm weather. We call it hot out here. I shall not finish this today for I may have some news to write so I will stop now.

We did not succeed as we thought we should but met with a great loss. Co. H did not have any killed & but one wounded of any account—a young man by the name of [Jacob S.] Raynor from Warwick. Lost one leg. Don’t think he will live. 1 J[osephus] went through safe. I don’t expect to have a chance to send this now any farther than New Orleans. I believe there is no mail goes now. I wish this war was over. How many a sad heart this battle must make. Co. F—the Barre Company—suffered a good deal.

You spoke about our time. I don’t expect we shall get home until the first of August. I shall expect to be at home then if spared. It will take about a year to make 9 months, but never mind. I don’t think I shall go again. If we can get this place soon, I think it will be all we shall do here. But I don’t know as we shall be able to take it. It is harder than it was supposed to take. But she must come some time. It is so hot. It is worse for the men can’t stand what they could in cold weather. My paper is most filled up so I must close this letter. I am as well as I expect to be while I stay in this climate. J. sends love to all. I don’t know as I shall write as often as I have done for I don’t get much time. I hardly get time to rest half as much as I need to. This from your affectionate husband, With much love to all. — S. H. H.

1 Pvt. Jacob S. Raynor was born in Athol on 28 October 1844. He died on 28 June 1863 from a severe leg wound received in the assault on Port Hudson on 14 June 1863.

New York Homefront

1865: George Darrah to John Darrah

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The following letter was written by George Darrah (1819-1903) of Cadyville, Clinton county, New York. George was born in Canada but came to the United States in 1833 and married Elizabeth Ann Stackpole (1822-1890). Their oldest children, George Darrah, Jr. (1840-1922), and Frederick Darrah (1842-1864) are the principal subjects of this letter, both of them having served as Union soldiers.

George Elizabeth (Stackpole) Darrah of Cadyville, New York (Ancestry.com)

George Darrah, Jr. was working as teamster in Plattsburgh, New York, when he was drafted into Co. H, 83rd New York Infantry. He was wounded—as described in the letter—near the beginning of Grant’s Overland Campaign and was never able to return to his regiment but after regaining some use of his arm, he was transferred into the Veteran’s Reserve Corps to complete his term of service.

Frederick Darrah was working as a teamster in Plattsburgh when he enlisted in September 1864 as a private in 2nd New York Veteran Cavalry. He died of chronic diarrhea at Morganza, Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana.

George wrote the letter to his brother John W. Darrah (1818-1900), the husband of Eliza Finch (1825-1906). They were residents of Williamstown, Dodge county, Wisconsin, at the time. Their oldest son, Wallace William Darrah (1845-1864) also served in the Union army. Wallace served as a corporal in Co. B, 10th Wisconsin Infantry, but was wounded and taken prisoner at the Battle of Chickamauga in September 1863. He died in mid-January 1864 while in prison at Danville, Virginia. We learn from this letter that their second oldest son, Charles Darrah (1847-Bef1865) also died but must have been at home and not in the service.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Cadyville [Clinton county, New York]
March 19th 1865

Mr. John Darrah, dear brother

I will write a few lines to you to let you know that there is still such a man a living as George Darrah, but it seems to me as though you have forgotten me. But I hope I shall see you again if it’s God’s will. This letter leaves all of us well at present and hoping they will find you enjoying the same blessings. I say all but there is a separation in my family as well as in yours. This cruel war has made almost every house in our land a house of mourning and bereavement excepting some of Big Popular Black-hearted thieves. I was informed of the death of [your sons] Wallis and Charley, but poor Wallis did not have his father and his mother to soothe him in his last of his troubles. We always had letters from him while he was in the service until he was taken prisoner. He sent his photograph and we have got it yet. I suppose he suffered a thousand deaths before he died. There is some Boys here that has been prisoners and they look like death when they get away.

I will tell you about my boys. One year ago last July George was drafted and was taken down to Virginia and was but right front in speaking distance of Mr. Rebs and he skirmished with them until the 1st of last May when Grant made his flank move for Richmond. He was in the battle for ten days. He says that one time there was so many balls struck his knapsack that it cut it to pieces so that all of his things fell out and none of the balls hit his body until he was marching forward when up jumped a Rebel a few feet forward of him and fired at him as he was loading his gun and the ball passed through his left arm below his elbow, stoving one of the bones all to pieces and cut off all of the cords of is arm and he bled almost to death before he got it done up. He got a furlough to come home for thirty days and then he went back, remained in the hospital until election when he came home again. His arm has got so he can use it some now. He is doing picket duty now on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad near Washington. He was fat and rugged when he was at home last fall in November and he says he is well now. When the Rebel fired at him he [the Rebel] started to run but George’s comrade plunked him in the head.

Now I will tell you about poor Frederick. Last September there [was] no talk of enlistments or [of] being drafted so he made up his mind he would go for one year. I said all I could to him not to go but he said he was sure he would be drafted and go he should for one year. He went from New York to New Orleans and from there to Morganza up the Mississippi River 180 miles above New Orleans and was taken sick with the rheaumatics and chronic diarrhea and on the 23rd day of last January he bid adieu to all of his friends. He had a number of them with him from home and that is the only consolation I have about him. They nursed him day and night to save him but all in vain. His time had come and he had to go. He told his Uncle Joseph Robberts and James Norcross that watched with him the day before he died that he could not live. He had his senses to the last. He said he could see the angels waiting for him. About his last words was he told his uncle to tell all of his friends that he died happy and longed to see the time come when his sufferings would be over. Poor fellow. How many times he must though of my parting words with him but alas, it was too late. He went a long road to meet his death. He lays on the banks of the Mississippi—no friend to view his place of burial. He was a good and smart young man as you would see walking the road. I am sad with his loss. God knows how many more like him will have to go before this cruel and cursed war is over.

All the brothers and sisters here is smart. Lester and Guinup lives out in Franklin county and Mother is with Lester. I had a letter a few days ago from them. They was well at that time. I should be happy to get a letter from you. I got one from Levi Darrah [Co. F, 44th Wisconsin] a short time ago. He was in Nashville, Tennessee, then. I wrote an answer immediately. I had a great many letters from William’s George until lately I have not had any. I would be very happy to know if he is living. If you will answer this, I will write you again and tell you all that is going on here. Elizabeth sends her love to Eliza and a part to yourself. Write and let me know how you get along. So I must close for it is 11 o’clock and go to bed. So good night. — George Darrah

I wish you much joy with your little son and hope when he gets grown up that he will not be destroyed by a cursed negro war.

Eliza Hurlbert, please forward this to brother John Darrah.

27th Georgia Infantry, Siege of Petersburg

1864: Unidentified “Jonnie B.” to Sister “Jocie”

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This letter was probably written by a member of the 27th Georgia while in the trenches at Petersburg. Unfortunately I was not able to identity who wrote it and I’m not certain that I have actually gotten the names correctly. The author wrote the letter to his sister “Jocie” which was probably short for Josephine. She was married to someone named John and they had a young daughter named “Sadie” or Sarah. The author may have had a brother serving in the 27th as well who was assigned to duty in Savannah rather than Petersburg.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Petersburg, Virginia
September 27th 1864

Dear Sister Jocie,

I received your most welcome letter today and was glad to hear from you once more and to hear that Bro. Shon was at home but sorry to hear of his sickness. I was in hopes he was well when I heard he had gone back to camp [ ] but am sorry [to] hear different in your letter.

I have no news of importance to write. Everything has been very quiet here for the last day or two. Of course we have the usual cannonading and picket firing along the lines which does not do much damage to either side. Some days they take a notion and shell the city very furiously. It does not generally result in much damage in the way of life. I went over to see Frank last Sunday. They were both well. I will deliver your message to them when I see them again.

I have not heard from home since the 18th. All was well and expecting the Yankees to come at any time which I am afraid they will do some night before they know it. I am afraid I will never get to see my home again—at least until the war is ended. And you know chances are slim in war. If the Yankees were all sunk in the middle of the blue sea, it would not grieve me much.

I would like very much to see your little Sadie. You say she is so interesting. I am afraid you praise her good looks too much. You must let me judge for you. As you know, a mother always looks on her children with [ ] eyes. I am in hopes I will have a chance of coming to see you before the war ends but I think it very doubtful. Nothing would give me more pleasure but furloughs are so short that by the time I got home and tell them all howdy, I’d have to pack back to the army. I am as tired of this war as mortal ever was.

You wrote to know Willie’s address. Direct your letter in care of Capt. Dougherty, Co. E, Savannah 27th Ga. Battalion, Savannah, Ga. Willy seems to be very lonely down there but I think he is much better off there than here.

Sister, I think you are mistaken when you say you have the advantage of me for I know I love you as much as any brother ever loved a sister and think all the rest do also. I almost despaired of hearing from you or Bro. John. I wrote several letters and did not receive and answer to any of them. Excuse this short letter as my candle is waxing low which reminds me that I must bid you good night. Kiss John for me. Love to all and reserve a portion for yourself. From your brother, — Jonnie B.

32nd Pennsylvania Infantry, Fredericksburg, Virginia, Rebel Atrocities

1862: Adam Scholl Brey to Peter Brey

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These letters were written by Adam Scholl Brey (1833-1916) who was a 27 year-old bricklayer from Montgomery county, Pennsylvania when he enlisted in Co. H, 3rd Pennsylvania Reserves (32nd Pennsylvania Infantry) on 18 June 1861. Adam was discharged from the regiment on 28 July 1864 after three years service. When Adam enlisted, he was described as standing 5 feet, 7 inches tall, with grey eyes and black hair. He was hospitalized on 4 September 1862 at Bedloes Island in New York but I have not learned why.

Letter 1

Camp near Hunter’s Mill, Virginia
March 14, 1862

Dear Brother,

Your letter came duly to hand on the 14th of March and was glad to hear that you have received the money and that you’re all well at present. I am in good state of health and hope this may find you all the same. I must also inform you that we are moved. I suppose you have seen it already in the paper. We left Camp Pierpont [near Langley, Va.] March the 10th afternoon at one o’clock and arrived at Hunter’s Mill the same day at ten o’clock in the evening. That day we marched about 18 miles. Our camp is 7 miles on this side Centreville as near as I know. We are encamped neat the Leesburg Railroad, just about one hundred yards on this side.

I will now inform you a little about our camp life in this part of the country. We did not take our tents along—nothing but what we could carry in our knapsacks. Some of our company had small tents to carry in their knapsack but we did not get any yet. We went to work and built ourselves tents with little brushes as good as we could to sleep under. I must also inform you that we have marching orders again to leave tomorrow morning at three o’clock.

And about the war, I suppose you know more than I do at present. Dear brother, I have one likeness yet that I left at Camp Pierpont which I will send to your wife. I had three. One I sent to father and one to Matilda Smith’s sister’s daughter but this here is not quite as good as the others. I kept it on purpose to send it to you but it did not suit me well enough to send it to you. I thought I would get it better but I got no chance to get it better. It looks like a robber but it is to protect ourselves. She says that she would pay the cost to send the likeness but I don’t want her to pay anything.

Dear Brother, I will do so as a favor to send you $15 dollars more if we get our pay soon enough. But I don’t know how soon that we will get it. With this, I will come to a close. Excuse my bad writing for I have no ink at present and I was in a hurry. As soon as you receive this likeness, please let me know soon. I will give you the direction to your letter.

Mr. Adam S. Brey, Co. H, 3rd Regiment Penn. Reserve Vol. Corps., Care of Col. Horatio G. Sickel, Washington D. C.

Then it don’t make no different where we are. The letters will be forwarded to us. Your brother Adam

Letter 2

Headquarters 3rd Regiment P. R. V. C.
Gen. M’Calls Division
Camp Manassas Junction
April 16th 1862

Dear Brother Peter,

I take the pen in hand to write a few lines to you to inform you that I am well at present and hope these few lines will find you the same. I also inform you that I received father’s letter and was very glad to hear that he is well again. I understand in father’s letter that you was sick.

I will now inform you that we left camp near Alexandria on the 10th of April at 7 o’clock in the morning and marched to the other side of Centerville and slept there until the other morning. We marched about 18 or 20 miles that day so we start again in the morning at 7 o’clock for Manassas Junction and arrived there at two o’clock noon. And then the other morning I and six of my comrades went to the battlefield where the Battle of Manassas was fought but we did not see much but dead horses and the graves where the dead bodies are buried.

About the war, I suppose you all know as much as I do if you read the paper. Excuse me for not writing sooner, I thought you could hear the news in father’s letter just as well as if I wrote to you and another thing, I had no chance to write hardly [at] the time since we was moving so you will please let this letter read to father and with this I will come to a close hoping you will not forget me in writing. My best respects to you all. Your affectionate brother, — Adam

Direct your letter to Mr. Adam S. Brey, Co. H, 3rd Regt. P. R. V. C., Washington D.C.

Letter 3

Camp near Fredericksburg
May 28th 1862

Dear Brother,

Your welcome letter of 22nd inst. came duly to hand which pleased me very much to hear that you are all well at present. I enjoy good health at present and hope this may find you all the same. Again, it gives me great pleasure to receive letters from you. I feel when I am reading them almost as if I was talking to you and I hope the time may come soon again that I can have the pleasure to speak with you all. So God’s Will that I shall return to Old Pennsylvania with life again which I hope the time will come soon again.

I must also inform you that we left camp near Falmouth. We are encamped about a miles on this side Fredericksburg and on this side of the Rappahannock River yet. We lay alongside at the railroad which runs to Fredericksburg. The railroad bridge is finished again so that the cars can run to the town of Fredericksburg.

I must also inform you how the Rebels treat our men. An old gray-headed man which was a Rebel, he passed one of our men who was lying nearby a well. He was wounded [and] he asked this old man for a drink of water which he give him. In one hand he has the cup and in the other hand a revolver which he shot him instantly dead. And on the march from [ ] Station to Falmouth, five men of the 12th Regiment belonging to our Division which were so tired that they could not march along no more with the regiment so they had to stay behind and a party of Rebels took them and tied their legs at the limbs of the trees with their heads hanging downwards with their throat cut off. That is the way our cavalry found them when they went out scouting a few days after the march.

And I would tell more such work which the Rebels done but I must hurry to close my letter for the drum beats for drill.

N. B. I will send this little locket as a present to William and with this I will come to a close hoping you will not forget me in writing. Write soon again. Yours truly, your brother, — Adam

Excuse my mistakes and bad writing. I was in a hurry. My best respects to you and all enquiring friends. Your brother, — Adam

Paris' Company Virginia Artillery

1862: John William Duncan to his Family

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The following letter was written by John William Duncan (b. 1830) who enlisted at Charlotte, Virginia, on 22 September 1861 in Paris’ Company Virginia Artillery (alias Staunton Hill Artillery). He was mustered out the battalion on 25 April 1865 at Durham Station, Orange county, North Carolina. Serving with John in the same unit was his younger brother Thomas Agee Duncan (1839-1927). The unit was divided into three sections: two served in the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida near Savannah and the third in the Department of North Carolina. In May, 1862, they united in North Carolina and aided in the defense of Wilmington. One section was captured at Fort Anderson and the other two were assigned to B. C. Manly’s Battalion in the Army of Tennessee. Only a few surrendered on April 26, 1865. Its captains were Charles Bruce and Andrew B. Paris.

The Duncan brothers were from Marysville, Charlotte county, Virginia. Their parents were Jacob Agee Duncan (b. 1805) and Martha Eliza Wilkes (b. 1813).

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Wilmington, North Carolina
May 17, 1862

Dear Parents & Sisters,

I wrote you 11th inst. saying I would write again when we got in camp. Well we are in our tents again. We left Savannah Tuesday morning and got to Charleston Wednesday night and landed in Wilmington Friday morning and came from town 4 miles into camp with the other section yesterday. We are all in camp together. I am getting well of the measles and hope I shall soon be able to go on duty. I came through on the sick list from Savannah. I stopped at hotels and got such things as I could eat and had comfortable lodgings. It cost me some $6 or $7 dollars. I thought I had better spend a little money than run the risk of losing my life by sleeping out in the weather and it raining some of the time. I feel much better since we got in a colder climate. If think if the change of climate does not make me take cold, I will soon be well.

Bro. Thomas is about well and will be able for duty next week. Cousin Ed has got well and is now at the hospital at Wilmington waiting on Mr. J[ames M.] Austin—one of our mess. Mr. Austin has not got over the measles yet. He is quite feeble and in a state of debility, having night sweats and low fevers. He was not willing to be left behind and his trip made him worse. With good attention I hope he will soon be well again. He is a nice man. Not many of our men are very sick. Some complaining.

When we arrived yesterday, Mr. [Wood] Bouldin had left his section and gone to Richmond. He came in this morning & Lieut. [Andrew B.] Paris had some quite angry words about uniting the sections. The War Department ordered Lieut. Paris to connect the section so the company could be organized under the Conscript Act. I understand that Lieut. Bouldin wants his section cut off entirely from the company. Lieut. Paris has the most men in his section and if Capt. [Charles] Bruce resigns, Lieut. Paris will get the captaincy which does not sit well on Lieut. Bouldin’s stomach. I think Bouldin & Lieut. Gain are Capt. Bruce’s choice, but not the men who have the right to select their own officers to serve under during this long and distressing war.

We have got to organize by the 26th inst. Then we will be in for three years or the war. We will be granted furloughs to come home once during that time. The boys from our settlement are well. Capt. and Billy, Mr. [John W.] Eggleston & Mr. Marshall. I like the climate here much better than in Georgia. I do not know how we will fare yet. I did not see any corn bread in Georgia. I hear we will get it here. But I hope to [go to] Virginia. I heard Wednesday in Charleston that Richmond was in the hands of the enemy.

Mr. [Andrew J.] Middleton wishes to be remembered by you all. We are under Gen. [Theophilus] Holmes. I cannot say when we will get into a fight. I must close by asking you to write immediately as I. think it doubtful about remaining here long. I remain your son and brother, — John W. Duncan

Antebellum Illinois, Chicago, Illinois

1855: Nathaniel Bourne to Huldah Worth

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An unidentified young man from the mid 1850s (Rick Brown Collection)

This letter was written by 22 year-old Nathaniel Bourne (1833-1889), the son of Israel and Elizabeth (Jenkins) Bourne of Barnstable, Massachusetts. He was reared and educate in New England and was married in Oswego county, New York, in 1858, when about twenty-five years of age, to his cousin, Huldah Worth (1827-1913), a daughter of Thomas R. and Mary (Bourne) Worth. Immediately after their marriage the young couple came to Iowa, settling in Dubuque county, where they lived for three years. They then removed to Linn county, taking up their abode in Cedar Rapids, where Mr. Bourne continued to make his home until his death, which occurred December 27, 1889. Throughout that period he carried on operations as a builder and contractor and in later years was active in real-estate interests.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

“City of Chicago” lithograph on stationery used by Nathaniel.

Chicago [Illinois]
August 21, 1855

Dear Cousin,

I think you said that you would answer an effusion from the pen of mine illiterate self. At any rate, I guess I shall find out about it. Well, let me see. I left the fair town of Redfield on Tuesday, arrived at Rome the same day. Wednesday at about 11.30 I started en route for “Out West.” Arrived here Thursday evening. The people here talk about as much of going west as in New York. However, I think I can safely say that I have made a beginning in that direction.

Well, what next? What a minute and let me chew my pen holder. Let’s see—hmmmm—sus-a-day. Wish I knew what to write…Saw lots of houses and barns, some very fine looking farms and some not so fine. Have a confused idea of stumps and trees, highlands and swamps, towns and villages, dust, smoke, & cinders, &c. and after turning the world wrong and about so that North was South, they landed me in Chicago at about 9 in the evening and dark as pocket with a pouring rainstorm. Suppose I must bear in mind that I am writing to the fair sex. Therefore, I must not give my composition a too masculine turn. Well, I ain’t used to writing so [it’s a] tough job. Oh dear, most wish I hadn’t commenced (begun).

I don’t suppose that the detail of my journey will be very interesting. to you. Chicago is situated on a low, flat tract of land on the west side of Lake Michigan. It is a very thriving place at present. Work is very plenty. Almost anyone who has a mind to work can find employment. Professional gentlemen like myself are in good demand—wages from $1.70 to $2 per diem. Board 3.50 to $4 per week, washing about 50 cents besides. Costs about $5 a week to live. That is but a mere trifle for a rich man to pay but it makes a poor one with a family having rather hard times to make two ends meet. Fortunately I am neither one or the other.

The sidewalks are made of planks. They go jumping and tilting as you walk over them and in the dark if you are not careful, you may stub your — and fall headlong. 1 The lake water is used almost exclusively for cooking, washing, and drinking, &c. It is raised a sufficient elevation by steam power and then conducted over the city by the means of pipes. I haven’t seen any ladies that would scarce fear a comparison with those at R[edfield]. One of these days when I get in more comfortable circumstances, I may — well, never mind. Time enough yet if it isn’t too late…I once heard of a man who said that if he had any clothes to repair that he would take them to Quaker meeting for the old adage went that “where the least is said soonest mended.”

I like the place very well. Think I shall make quite a pause in this vicinity. Well, in fact I don’t seem to know either how or what to write. Won’t you please to give me some advice on the subject. Of course you will be favorably impressed with my connected, smooth, elaborate style of composition.

I have made a dot with a lead pencil on the picture in front where I reside. I suppose that house stands in the same place under the hill as when I last saw it. Wish you would present my compliments to that cow that I undertook to milk and didn’t. Suppose she would appreciate a handful of grass more highly than forty such. Wish I had a handful of—well, cheese in embryo. Well now, I am going to stop. I believe I can’t write… My P.O. addresss is Chicago, Illinois. You will please put this in the fire as soon as you have perused it. You. will please answer this. I’ll try to do better next time. So goodbye, — From Cousin Nathaniel

To Miss H. Worth

North side of Lake Street, west of Clark. 1843. (Heise and Edgerton, Chicago: Center for Enterprise)

1 Chicago’s sidewalks and many of its streets were planked in the 1840s and after years of exposure to the yearly cyclical nature of Chicago’s climate, began to rot and wear badly. “Before long, the planked streets became waiting booby-traps as the rotting boards would snap without warning with a resulting one-two punch: first, the broken plank would rise into the air, often slapping a horse in the face; then on the way down, the falling missile would crash into the muck below, splashing any innocent bystander with the ungodly [sewage] effluent [flowing beneath].”