Antebellum Wisconsin, Shot Tower

1844: John Metcalf to Jonathan Edwards Foster

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This letter was written by John Metcalf who was employed as shot-dropper for many years at the Helena Shot Tower on the Wisconsin river near present-day Spring Green, Wisconsin. The shot tower was a pioneer industry in southwest Wisconsin that operated for almost thirty years, contributing largely to the early prosperity of this region.

One of the best early descriptions of the Helena shot tower is given in W. R. Smith’s Observations on the Wisconsin Territory, published in 1838. He says: “From this point the road bends abruptly to the east, along the bank of the river, and a ride of two miles or thereabouts, through the site of the town of Helena, brings you to the shot tower and buildings belonging to the Wisconsin Shot Company. Here is a large lumber yard, the lumber being chiefly pine, and brought down the Wisconsin river. Several mechanics’ shops are erected and workmen employed.

The shot company have a very large assortment of goods and merchandise in their store which is here kept, and on the river bank there is now being built a store house of about fifty by seventy feet, the basement story of stone from the river beach to the top of the bank, and the upper story of frame. “The shot tower is worthy of a description. It is built on the summit of a rocky hill on the bank of Pipe creek, and a gentle descent southward and westward, by which wagons may reach the summit.”

“The 60-foot cliff was a convenient headstart, but Metcalf needed someone to continue a shaft for the remaining 120 feet to ground level. Access to the bottom of the shaft, where the lead shot would be collected, necessitated a 90-foot horizontal tunnel. In 1831 Thomas B. Shaunce, a 22-year-old lead miner in Galena, Illinois, was hired for the task. Shaunce worked mostly alone but received some assistance from a friend named Malcom Smith. They dug with pickaxes and a gad, using gunpowder to loosen the harder rock of the lower layers. Shaunce used a plumb-bob to ensure that he was keeping the shaft perfectly straight, and a windlass to haul out the broken rock. Shaunce calculated where to begin digging the horizontal tunnel by standing across the water and sighting with his rifle directly below the top of the shaft. He dug in from the riverbank, using a line of stakes to maintain his alignment. When he first broke through from the horizontal tunnel to the bottom of the shaft, a blast of air knocked Shaunce unconscious and collapsed one of his lungs.” The project took 187 working days, interrupted in the spring of 1832 when Shaunce and Smith both returned to Galena and enlisted in the Illinois Militia to fight in the Black Hawk War. Shaunce had been contracted to be paid $1000 for his work, but was ultimately offered land instead.

A smelting house was built at the top of the cliff, and the 60-foot drop from there to the opening of Shaunce’s tunnel was enclosed with a wooden shaft. A finishing house was built on the riverbank, where the shot was dried, graded, and sorted. This was joined by a warehouse and docks. In 1836 Whitney sold the property to a group of businessmen from New York for $10,000. Later, in 1845, Cadwallader C. Washburn and a business partner purchased the site. In 1852 they replaced the finishing house and installed steam-operated equipment, nearly doubling the operation’s productivity. The shot tower was operated by a crew of six, producing between 600 and 800 pounds of quality shot per day. Miscast pieces were melted and reused. The finished shot, graded by size, was transported to Milwaukee and then shipped east.

Operations ceased in 1860 during an economic downturn, and the buildings and equipment were sold away. The village of Helena was abandoned soon after. Thomas Shaunce died around 1860 as well. Throughout his life he experienced respiratory trouble from the air blast in the tunnel, and felt he had been cheated of his proper payment.

Metcalf wrote this letter to Jonathan Edwards Foster (1814-1867) of West Boxford, Massachusetts. I could not find any record of Foster’s presence in Wisconsin Territory but he clearly knew many of the inhabitants in the area of the Shot Tower where Metcalf lived.

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

Helena [Wisconsin]
May 12, 1844

Mr. J. E. Foster,

Dear sir, yours of the 20th March was received about six weeks after writing. I have received most of the Nos. of the Messenger and sent the Express except a few Nos. I have not received. I shall continue them,. I take no St. Louis paper now, the Bulletin having been discontinued. I think to have a St. Louis paper soon & will send it.

Our winter has been mild—little sleighing—very forward spring. Business is brisk here as well as with you. Our staple lead is about $2.45. Flour $4 to 4.50, pork mess $12 at Mineral Point. About $9 at Galena. Corn .35 to .40 cents. Oats through the winter 37.5; now about 30 cents. Population is increasing rapidly in our Territory—much more in the East than the West part of it. A heterogenous mass of Yankees, Buckskins, & Gumbos [Creoles], English, Dutch, Norwegians, &c. I think the mass of foreign immigration here better than that which remains on the seaboard. There has been but little improvement on the ridge by making new farms. Old ones are some improved. The land about the ridge being in the hands of speculators is held too high for present settlement on account of its mineral character. Some new discoveries have ben made in our neighborhood and old ones worked to considerable extent within the last 18 months.

A settlement is commenced on the creek below Helena. 1 Some four or five families are located about 4 to 5 miles from Helena. An English settlent has commenced about 10 miles above near the Arena Creek 2 which is expected will amount to about 60 families within the next year, 20 of which are expected next month. Buildings are preparing for their reception. These together with 6 or 8 Americans already on or near the Hancy Creek will make quite a respectable commencement to settle this side Wisconsin. No new improvements on the other side near this. There is quite a settlement on the other side below this on the Kickapoo & its neighborhood. Our road on the other side is not completed but is some traveled. There is now a road from Prairie Du Sauk on this side the Wisconsin so that the other is not so much used.

You ask whether it would be more convenient to settle our accounts this fall or next. The next would probably suit me better than this. I lost by the [ ] of N. L. Dodge about the amount of your claim, it being for manufacturing shot the last season. I rebuilt the tower last fall which was burnt the fall before and have not received pay yet, all which has occasioned me some inconvenience. I run the tower part of the last season and in the fall, together with Mr. Henry Hamilton of Buffalo & J. B. Terry, Simond Grove, [ ] purchased it for $7000. We are doing business in the name of Wisconsin Shot Tower Co. Our calculation is to do a regular but not very long business in manufacturing, and to connect it with merchandize, lumber, &c. I have some goods now and expect in a few days to have a full department.

I have made some improvements on my place on the ridge by building a comfortable house (log of course), a good frame barn, and enclosed from 15 to 20 acres more land part of which (12 acres) is in cultivation. Mr. Park is living on how own place near Hickcox. Alanson Culver is improving by building house & barn, both frame, both well & living well. Our old acquaintances are generally well. Wm. Turner died last summer of fever. Mrs. Turner is living on the place still. Old Mr. Jenkins is deceased I think since you left. Alvah Culver’s Fanny and Alanson’s oldest child are also dead. These are all that occur to me as having taken place in our immediate neighborhood since you left.

Mr. Wilson’s Jane is married to Alonzo Harrington. Steamboat arrivals are “few and far between.” There has been none this season and I think but two the last season. If an appropriations has been made to improve the Fox & Wisconsin rivers, I think steamboats will in a short time be no uncommon thing on our river, notwithstanding their present absence.

Report says that John & George Messersmith have made a valuable discovery of copper on the North wide the Wisconsin [river] near the Kickapoo. It also says that coal has been discovered on that side the river some miles below Ft. Winnebago—perhaps true, perhaps not true. Also that a valuable discovery of lead has been made at the latter place below Fort Winnebago.

I have not seen Mr. Brigham but think he would like some previous notion of your calling on him. Mr. Culver will write. Could you name one or more good houses in Boston that are doing something in lead and shot business that I could get information from with regard to shot—whether we might make it profitable to send shot there? Any information you can give me will confer an obligation. Could money be obtained for 3, 4 or 5 years at about 8 percent interest, payable annually or semi-annually, secured by productive real property, for a sum of $1,000, or several [ ] of about that amount the property in Wisconsin, I would like to obtain about $1000 on the above terms & I would think that person having money to loan might do better with it here if proper care be taken to have it properly secured, not on wild land, but on productive property. I am aware there is a want of confidence [ ] in Wisconsin & that distance is objectionable.

By writing as soon as convenient, you will much oblige yours, — John Metcalf

The Helena Shot Tower near Green Spring, Wisconsin, in its heyday.

1 This may have been Spring Green which was known locally as Helena Bottoms.

2 This English settlement was probably Dover, Wisconsin. It was settled primarily by members of the British Temperance & Emigration Society (travelling from Liverpool). It grew rapidly in the late 1840s but became a ghost town after the railroad line bypassed the village in favor of Mazomanie.

10th Virginia Infantry, Fort Delaware, Prisoner of War

1864: Samuel M. Spengler to Jane Eliza (Brown) Bestor

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The following letter was written by Samuel M. Spengler (1841-1906) who served the Confederacy as a private in Co. F, 10th Virginia Infantry. He enlisted in 1861 and was promoted to corporal in April 1862. He was detailed as clerk in his regiment in February 1863 but taken prisoner at Spotsylvania Court House on 12 May 1864 and taken to Fort Delaware on 20 May 1864. He was not released from there until he took the oath of allegiance on 15 June 1865.

Samuel was the son of Cyrus Spengler (1816-1890) and Mary C. Redmon (1817-1883) of Woodstock, Shenandoah county, Virginia.

Samuel addressed his letter to Mrs. Jane Eliza (Brown) Bestor of Baltimore, a Southern sympathizer with two sons serving in the Confederate army. In the letter, Samuel mistakenly identified Mrs. Bestor as the sister—rather than the mother—of one of her sons who had been nursed by the author’s mother in Virginia. He asks her for money while in prison in Fort Delaware.

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

Fort Delaware [Delaware]
3rd October, 1864

Mrs. Jane Bestor,

I wrote you on the 20th Sept. since which time I have not heard from you.

I rec’d a letter from my Mother (Mrs. Mary C. Spengler) several days ago, who resides in the town of Woodstock, Va. My mother states that your brother has visited our family frequently during the past summer. In July last, he was at my Father’s house several weeks sick.

During his stay there, he learned of my being a prisoner and gave your address to my Mother, requesting her to send it to me, & in the event I should need anything, to call upon you. I am at present in most dependent circumstances & if you will have the kindness to send me a small sum of money, I shall feel under lasting obligations.

I have no relatives living north of Virginia from whom I can ask any aid. Hoping to hear from you soon. I am very respectfully your friend, — Sam’l M. Spengler

N.B. Address: Co. “F” 10th Va. Infty. Division No. 3, Ft. Delaware, Care of Capt. [George W.] Ahl, Acting Asst. Adjutant General 1

1 Capt. George W. Ahl commanded a Battery of Heavy Artillery at Fort Delaware. The men in the battery were mostly former Confederates who could prove the Confederacy had forced them to fight. Many of these prisoners said they never wanted to join the rebel army. For some, it was a matter of Confederate service or jail.

Group photograph of Captain George W. Ahl and twelve officers in front of Ahl’s residence at Fort Delaware. All but one of the individuals is identified. Those pictured include: Hall, Mlotkowski, McConwell (?), Kesley, Burton, Young, Carter, Ashton, Kerr, Ahl, Rinecki (?), and Hawkins. Photo by Gihon & Rixon, Phila. [Delaware Historical Society]
27th Tennessee Infantry, Battle of Stones River

1863: Major Lee Graves to his Brother

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An early-war AI-watercolor of Major Lee Graves from an unfocused photograph.

This letter was penned in late March 1863 from the Confederate encampment near Shelbyville where Gen. Bragg had retreated after the Battle of Stones River to establish a strong defensive line along the Duck River. It was written by Major Lee Graves (1831-1904) of Co. I, 1st Tennessee, who enlisted on 31 July 1861 at Trenton, Tennessee. Following the Battle of Perryville where they lost many men, the 1st Tennessee was consolidated with the 27th Tennessee Infantry and Graves was then transferred into Co. G as a corporal. Graves was born in North Carolina but by 1850 he was living in District 17, Henderson county, Tennessee—about halfway between Nashville and Memphis. That census record informs us that his parents were Azariah Graves (1784-1868) and Penelope Simpson (1793-1856). He wrote the letter to his “brother” who must have been his younger brother, Thomas J. Graves.

In his letter, Graves speaks of being in battle where the air was “blue” with an “iron hailstorm.” Surely he must be referring to the Battle of Stones River where the 1st-27th Tennessee Infantry were attached to Ben Cheatham’s Division, Army of Tennessee, and suffered 83 total casualties fighting around the railroad and cedar thickets.

A copy of this letter was sent to me by Paul Lindsey of Jackson Tennessee, who asked me to transcribe it for Spared & Shared. Paul says the original letter is with a cousin in Huntsville Alabama.

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

Camp near Shelbyville [Tennessee]
March 26th, 1863

Now my dear brother, I this evening take the present opportunity of writing you a few lines to inform you that I am still in the land of the living and enjoying reasonable health. Hoping at the same time that these few lines may come to hand in due time and find you enjoying the same like blessing.

I have nothing interesting to say at present but hard times and worse coming. I have been [through] many ups and down since you saw me last and still the war goes on and I have looked for peace in vain until I have quit looking and there has been so man good men slain on our side and in my company. Out of eighty-six men in our company, but ten remains in camps.

I have marched many miles since you saw me last. Our trip in Kentucky was a very severe tramp. Still yet, it had its pleasures as well. [paper torn obliterating one line]…myself very well at times and then at other times the world went very hard. It was like everything—it had its sweets and then bitters. There is not anything very sweet where the shells flys so thick [that] the air looks blue. It seems more like an iron hail storm than anything I can compare it to and God grant that I may never witness the like again.

I want you to write to me every chance you get to send a letter through. [paper torn obliterating a line]…for you to give every man that belongs to our company a particular hint that he ought to rally to his post and that we want them to come—and particularly give J. T. Messerson more plainly G. T. Daulton.

Give my best love to all the family [paper torn] or that [ ] with his Maker if ever I get back to that country. Write as soon as you get this without fail.

4th Virginia Infantry, Elmira Prison, Prisoner of War

1864: James Preston Amole to Jane Eliza (Brown) Bestor

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The following letter was written by James Preston Amole (1837-1916) of Rockbridge county, Virginia, who served the Confederacy as a private in Co. I of the 4th Virginia Infantry—part of the Stonewall Brigade. He wrote the letter from Elmira Prison in mid-October 1864 to Mrs. J. Eliza Bestor, a Southern sympathizer residing in Baltimore who had two sons in the Confederate service and provided assistance whenever she could to Confederate soldiers imprisoned in the North.

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

Prison Camp, Elmira, New York
October 14, 1864

Miss Bestor,

I must beg leave to be excused for thus addressing one whom I never saw, nor had the pleasure of forming their acquaintance. But having heard of the acts of kindness, and generosity you have bestowed upon others in administering to their wants under like circumstances with myself, I have availed myself of this plan to make known to you my wants with the hope that I may be the happy recipient of your philanthropy, if it has not already been taxed too heavily. I have been a prisoner for five months and during this time have been destitute of funds; not being so fortunate as some others in having numerous relations and friends in the North to send me such things as I need. Should you see proper, I would be under lasting obligations if you could send me a small sum of money. I have a brother [Thomas Franklin Amole], a prisoner in Baltimore, confined in [ ] Building, Ward G. I am a native of Rockbridge Co., Virginia.

Direct to Prison Camp Barracks No. 3, Ward 44 in care of Maj. Colt, Elmira, N.Y. 1

Your Sincere though unknown friend, — James P. Amole

1 Major Henry V. Colt was the 1st Commandant of Elmira Prison. He held the administrative post from July 1864 through October 1864. He was the brother of the arms manufacturer Samuel Colt.

58th Virginia Infantry, Fort Delaware, Prisoner of War

1864: Henry Wyatt Wingfield to Jane Eliza (Brown) Bestor

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Capt. Henry Wyatt Wingfield, 58th Virginia Infantry

A schoolteacher before the War, Henry Wyatt Wingfield (1829-1902) enlisted as Private, Co. H, 58th Virginia Infantry on 5 September 1861. He was appointed 3rd Lieutenant on October 15th, and elected Captain of his Company at the Army reorganization in May 1862. He was wounded in action near Fredericksburg, Virginia, in May 1863 on the Chancellorsville campaign, but returned to command the Regiment again in July 1863. He was absent at Patrick County, Virginia, in August and September 1863 – noted as deserter – and again due to illness in May 1864. He had married in January 1864 to Carrie Letitia Brown (1837-1910), and was in command of the 58th through most of June and July 1864. He was captured at Winchester on 19 September 1864 and prisoner at Fort Delaware until being released after War’s end on 17 June 1865. He returned to Hanover County and was a surveyor and later Professor at Randolph-Macon College. He died at his birthplace, “Marl Ridge”, in 1902. [Source: Antietam on the Web]

Letter 1

Fort Delaware, Delaware
October 8, 1864

Dear Madame,

Your kind letter of the 28th September was received yesterday and I hasten to reply. I was never attached to Ashby’s immediate command but have been with him repeatedly up and down the Valley of Virginia. I have been caught without even a change of clothing as I had my horse to the rear at the commencement of the fight and as I have no friends upon whom I can call for assistance, my chances for obtaining them are gloomy. I am willing to do anything honorable to obtain them. The kind people of Baltimore have already taxed themselves heavily to aid their friends and since I have been with abundance around me, it is hard for me to throw myself upon the charity of friends. Let me hear from you again and if you think you could furnish me some few articles, I will send you an order as it is required before you can send them to me. With sentiments of great esteem, I am your friends, — Henry W. Wingfield

Letter 2

Fort Delaware, Delaware
October 24, 1864

Dear Sister,

Enclosed I send you a permit approved by the General commanding for the following articles—viz: 2 calico shirts, 2 overshirts, 2 pair drawers, 2 pair socks, and one overcoat. I am fortunate in having so near a relation at this time in Baltimore as I am in much need of the articles and we can only receive them from relations. Be kind enough to have the articles placed in a box and the permit pasted on the top of it and direct it to me, Division 34. I am sorry to have to make such a demand upon you with your large family but I will make it good some day. I hope you can furnish the articles without much inconvenience. With regard to the drawers, please select cotton and not Canton flannel as the plain are preferable. Please let the overcoat be heavy and dark. Samuel M. Spengler is, I learn, a prisoner in the private’s barracks. If you conclude to write to him, you had better endorse “Private’s Barracks” on the back. As ladies are not generally posted as to the exact height of gentlemen, I will give my height. I am 5 feet, 9 inches high. I am not very fleshy now, weighing only 150. Write whenever you can do so conveniently. Your brother, — Henry W. Wingfield, Capt.

16th New York Infantry, Battle of Gaines' Mill

1862: John M. Cook to his Brother

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The following letter was written by John M. Cook (1808-18xx), a farmer in West Chazy, Clinton county, New York, the husband of Marinda Reynolds (1817-1896), and the father of Martin Cook (1838-1862) who served his country in the Civil War by enlisting in April 1861 as a corporal in Co. K, 16th New York Infantry.

As described in the following letter, Monroe was shot through the chest and died on board the steamer, State of Maine, before landing at Fortress Monroe. His wound was received in the Battle at Gaines Mills, Virginia, on Friday, 27 June 1862 and he died on 4 July 1862. In this action alone, the 16th New York lost about 230 in killed, wounded, and missing.

An interesting sidebar with respect to the 16th New York Infantry is that the men wore straw hats in the summer of 1862—a gift from a friend of the regiment who distributed them to the men in June for summer comfort. The white straw hats were easily spotted by Confederate marksmen, however, and may have contributed to their high casualty rate at Gaines Mill.

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

Chazy, [Clinton county, New York]
July 20, 1862

Dear brother & sister,

Under the greatest affliction that earth could put on us, we write you a few lines to let you know Martin is dead. He had a ball shot through the right lung on Friday’s battle before Richmond and on Friday night he was put in an ambulance with three other men wounded, two lieutenants, and one captain and drove two days and nights before his wounds were dressed. They were put aboard a ship to be sent to Washington. He died on board before [they] got to Fortress Monroe and taken out on shore and buried on Old Point in Virginia.

We had watched the papers to see if his name was in the list of killed and wounded and found M. P. Crook who we did not take for his. At last one of the wounded came to Plattsburgh and we went and seen him. He said when they separated, he felt smart [but] that we next heard he was dead. We have not heard the date of his death but we expect his record is in heaven among the blessed. We could not get him home but we have his funeral preached to the church next Sabbath. If you can come conveniently, come. We should be glad to have you. And stop and bring Minerva with you. Our hope is cut off on Earth but not from Heaven. — John M. Cook

127th Illinois Infantry

1864: Aaron H. Velie to George A. Beck

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The following letter was written by Aaron H. Velie (1826-1867) of Co. F, 127th Illinois Infantry. Muster records indicate that he enlisted at Plano, Kendall county, Illinois, on 5 September 1862 and served until 5 June 1865. He wrote this letter describing his return from Illinois after a 30 days “Veteran’s furlough.”

Aaron was married in 1858 to Nancy H. Walrath (1825-1895) of Herkimer county, New York.

Aaron’s headstone in Jericho Cemetery, Sugar Grove, Kane county, IL.

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

Directed to Mr. George A. Beck, Plano, Illinois

Squad 1, 2nd Division, 15th Army Corps
Cleveland, Tennessee
November 30th 1864

Friend George,

It is with pleasure I take my pen to write you a few lines to let you know where I am and what I am doing. I left Chicago the 11th at quarter after six in the afternoon. Got to Chattanooga the morning of the 15th. Had no difficulty in making connections. I found none of the boys that went home with me on furlough till I got to Chattanooga. There [was] but one [and] he left Chicago. Eight got to Chattanooga three days before I did. I inquired for Cris, found where he stayed, looked him up, & stayed with him one day. Found out there I could not get to my regiment so I reported to Gen. Stedman—the commander of the post. He sent me to the convalescent camp. There I found about 20 of the boys belonging to the 127th [Illinois] & Capt. Little in command of the 15 Corps. Detachment. Those convalescents are men that was not able to go on the marching with Sherman and sent back to Chattanooga, and all soldiers home on furlough after Sherman left Atlanta were ordered to report to the commander of the post & sent there. I was among the first to report. After I got there, they came in pretty thick.

Well I got to camp about 4 o’clock & 8 o’clock there was an order come for six hundred men from the 15th Corps & as many more from the 14th to draw guns, equipments, two day’s rations & be reday to march at a moments notice. Well we get ready and about 11 o’clock we marched to the depot, got on the cars and started. The next morning I found myself on the way to Knoxville. We got to Knoxville the night of the 17th. The 19th I went out with a squad of 25 three miles to look for some guerrillas that was reported prowling round among the mountains. [We] seen nothing, turned about & come back. While we was there, the rebs were at Strawberry Plaines 18 miles from Knoxville. We was sent there for a support in case the rebs should make an attack on the place. The 20 the rebs left Strawberry Plains and the 21st we left for Chattanooga. Got there the 22nd about sunset without wood or shelter & cold enough to freeze a fellow. So I went to where I left Cris but he was to Brideport, so I stayed with some of the 7th Ohio Cavalry and had a very good place.

The next morning I went to camp, drawed a shelter tent, stayed there that night. The next morning we got orders to get ready to move again. We got ready & about noon we started for the depot, got on the cars, run down to Chickamauga Station on the Dalton road, took on some soldiers & baggage, then backed up to the Junction, took on some more soldiers, then started for Cleveland. Got here about six o’clock, marched in [and found] first rate quarters, got supper & turned in for the night. We relieved 4 companies of the First Ohio Heavy Artillery but [they] wasn’t wanted in that branch so [they] made infantry of them. They come out in 62 & haven’t been in a fight. Their regiment is 1800 strong. They have gone to Cumberland Gap and will probably see some fun before they get back.

Day before yesterday a squad of guerrillas come near Sandtown, about 11 miles from here, killed two soldiers & six citizens yesterday. A squad was sent out to look for them but didn’t find them.

This leaves me well and hope it may find you the same. Accept this & write soon. Direct 2 Div 15 A. C. Detachment, Cleveland, Tenn. — Aaron

Point Lookout Prison Camp, Point Lookout, Maryland

1864: Samuel Jones Carrington to Jane Eliza (Brown) Bestor

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The following letter was written by Samuel Jones Carrington (1838-1875), the son of Colonel Joseph Littlebury Carrington (1810-1890)—proprietor of the famous Exchange Hotel at the corner of 14th & Franklin Street in Richmond, Virginia. His mother was Adaline Sidney Jones (1816-1887). Samuel was married after the war to Susan Evelyn Kelly (1843-1922) and when he died, he left two children. Samuel served for a time in Co. B, 3rd Virginia Infantry, Local Defense Troops.

Carrington wrote the letter to Jane Eliza (Brown) Bestor (1820-1885), the wife of John Rollin Bestor, Sr. (1813-1867). This Baltimore couple had twin sons who served in the Maryland Guard that became Co. B, 21st Virginia Infantry. Eliza seems to have corresponded with numerous Confederate prisoners seeking information about her sons or other relatives. The Bestor brothers’ letters have been transcribed and may be found at 1861-65: The Bestor Brothers of Baltimore.

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

Point Lookout, Maryland
August 23rd 1864

Mrs. J. Eliza Bestor,

Your letter of the 19th August is at hand. I am an old acquaintance of W. C. Tompkins. I was captured on the 6th May, two days previous to Mr. Thompkins’ capture. I am a citizen of Richmond & was captured while on a visit to Charles City County, Virginia. I am acquainted with Mr. Robert Tompkins but very slight—know him when I see him. The gentlemen who comprise my mess are A. T. Burton & John H. Freeman of Richmond, old friends of W. C. Tompkins & also acquaintances of Robert Tompkins. Mr. Tompkins has no doubt gone to Richmond. Very glad to give any information with regard to my old friend W. C. T. which would have a tendency to console those interested in his welfare. And now with my best wishes &c., allow me to subscribe myself very respectfully, — Sam’l J. Carrington

The following was found on Fold3 with respect to Samuel J. Carrington:

Elmira Prison, Prisoner of War

1864: J. W. Martin to Jane Eliza (Brown) Bestor

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The following letter was written by a Confederate prisoner of war being held at the recently completed prison camp at Elmira, New York. He signed his name J. W. Martin—a common name which makes it rather difficult to pinpoint his identity precisely. I found two soldiers by that name who may who may have written this this letter but I can’t be certain of either. One was named John Wesley Martin (1839-1921) and he belonged to Co. D of the 12th Georgia Infantry. He was taken prisoner at the Battle of Spotsylvania in May 1864 and was eventually placed at Elmira Prison camp after it became operational in July 1864. I cannot confirm when he arrived or left, however.

The second soldier was John W. Martin of Co. I, 18th North Carolina Infantry. He was taken a prisoner at Cold Harbor and was definitely held at Elmira over the winter of 1864-65. He was not released until 14 June 1865. If it was this J. W. Martin, he may have only survived because he received winter clothing from Mrs. Bestor. Whomever wrote the letter was an educated prisoner as the spelling and composition is remarkable for an enlisted man.

Elmira Prison did not open until early July 1864 and they quickly exceeded the design capacity of the camp. Many of the prisoners transported there were taken in the Overland Campaign in the middle of summer which meant they arrived with little extra clothing to protect themselves from the harsh Northern climate. Severe weather, poor drainage near the Chemung River, malnutrition, and disease led to nearly 3,000 deaths in its year of operation. Those confined there called it “Hellmira.”

Martin wrote the letter to Jane Eliza (Brown) Bestor (1820-1885), the wife of John Rollin Bestor, Sr. (1813-1867). This Baltimore couple had twin sons who served in the Maryland Guard that became Co. B, 21st Virginia Infantry. Eliza seems to have corresponded with numerous Confederate officers and soldiers seeking information about her sons. It’s possible that Martin heard of Mrs. Bestor’s benevolence though he was a total stranger. Whether she assisted all who wrote her is unknown. The Bestor brothers’ letters have been transcribed and may be found at 1861-65: The Bestor Brothers of Baltimore.

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

Prison Camp, Elmira, New York
September 23rd 1864

Mr. J. E. Bestor

I very much regret the necessity of writing you, as at present, but the prospects of spending a winter in the “frozen North” & the hope that comfort may be promoted by a small but much to be appreciated donation from you, I write.

To seemingly impose on kindness is certainly unpleasant & nothing but the direst necessity could induce me to do so. I am sure that should you receive no other compensation, you will at least be paid to as great a degree as my poor capacity will allow in gratitude. Please send me a comfortable suit of winter clothing, sizes to fit a full grown man, & you will secure the grateful remembrance of one seemingly born to misfortune.

Hoping to hear from you soon, I subscribe myself, with very much respect, — J. W. Martin

Barracks No. 3 Ward 41, Elmira, N. Y.

115th New York Infantry, Siege of Petersburg

1864: Dallas Fraker Paul to Addison Seymour Paul

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The following letter was written by Dallas Fraker Paul (1845-1889) who enlisted on 6 August 1862 when he was 18 years old to serve three years in the 115th New York Infantry. He mustered in as a musician in Co. G on 20 August 1862 and in less than a month he was taken prisoner with most of his regiment when they were surrendered to Stonewall Jackson’s army at Harper’s Ferry. Like his comrades he was paroled and sent to Camp Douglass in Chicago to await his exchange. Dallas survived the war. He mustered out with his company on 17 June 1865 at Raleigh, North Carolina.

Dallas was the son of Philip Paul (1821-1856) and Catherine Baker (1821-1850) of Saratoga county, New York. He wrote the letter to his younger (17 year-old) brother, Addison Seymour Paul (1847-1934) who was recruited into Co. D, 95th New York Infantry. At the time this letter was written in late November 1864, the 95th N. Y. was serving in the 5th Army Corps while the 115th N. Y. was serving in the 10th Army Corps. Dallas’ letter describes returning from a visit to visit his brother during the Siege of Petersburg.

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

Camp 115th Regt. N. Y. Vols.

November 22nd 1864

Dear Brother! As you wanted me to write to you as soon as I got back, I will write a few lines to tell you what a time I had coming back. I went to City Point on the cars. I then waited until 3 p.m. before the boat started & it was dark when I got to Aiken’s Landing. I then started through the mud for our camp. I went about 3 miles in the dark & got lost & off the road so I did not know where I was. But at last I came out in the 18th Corps & stayed all night with a fellow in a Battery. He gave me a good supper & breakfast & a good bed to lie on. I got up this morning & came to the regiment. I was very wet & muddy when I got here but I don’t care for that as long as I had a good visit.

Everything is quiet here & no signs of a move. The 9th Corps that came over here only came to Bermuda Hundred to help hold that place as the Rebels have tried to get our works. There was only a few new regiments there and I guess they were a little careless. The rebels charged and took a part of the picket line & about 50 men. There was only a part of the 9th Corps came over.

I got a good dinner at City Point. I had an oyster stew and fruit cake, &c. I wish you could have got a pass & went down there with me for we would had a good time. I have not seen Andrew this morning but I guess he is all right. I returned my pass to the Captain this morning & he said he did not expect me back as quick as I was as long as the weather was so bad.

I do not think of anymore to write this morning so goodbye & write often. From your affectionate brother, — Dallas F. Paul

Co. G, 115th Regt., New York Cols., 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 10th Corps.