The following letter was written by William H. Miller of Co. E, 7th Illinois Infantry. William entered the service on 25 July 1861 at Mound City, Illinois, as a corporal. At the time of his enlistment he was described as a 5′ 10″ tall, brown-haired, gray-eyed single farmer. He gave his residence as Atlanta, Logan county, Illinois. However, he and Martin (“Mart”) Miller are both listed as being from Arminton, Tazewell county, on the roster as was Solomon Roberts (also mentioned in the letter). William mustered out of the service on 16 June 1865 as 1st Sergeant of his company.
In his letter, William describes the departure of the 7th Illinois Infantry from Camp Holt with other regiments on the week-long reconnaissance of the Confederate stronghold at Columbus, Kentucky that took place from January 13th to the 20th, 1862.
Co. E, 7th Illinois Infantry (Kolt Massie Collection)
Transcription
Fort Holt, [near Wickliffe, Ballard county] Kentucky January 16th 1862
Dear Sister,
I have taken my pen to try to answer those which I received from you some time ago. When your letter reached its destination, it found me lying on a bed of affliction unable to peruse your kind letter for several. days. But I have once more regained my health to a considerable degree. I am today engaged in administering medicine to Mart who has been very sick with the intermittent fever. The fever is now broke and he will get along now if he takes no back set.
I was taken sick on New Year’s Eve with the pleurisy while on my post as Sergt. of the Picket Guard.
Well, Mattie, all things in camp are almost as still as the tomb. All the Boys left here on the morning of the 14th inst. bound for Columbus. Mart and Solomon Robinson was left behind on the account of our health. I intend to rejoin my company tomorrow if Mart will continue to mend. The ground is covered with snow. The weather is very cold. You ought to saw the Boys when they left here. There was 46,000 of them left in one body with their guns glittering in the sun like so many stars in the blue etherial and the stars & stripes waved over them. It was a solemn time when our kind old Colonel [John] Cook came out and addressed them with a few words to see the tear roll down the cheek of the brave old soldier when he pointed to the stars and stripes, the sweet emblem of Liberty.
Well, Mattie, those socks you sent me was gladly received. I hardly know how I am to repay you for your kindness. Yet I will try and manage some way. You spoke of so many weddings. You needn’t be surprised if you find my name numbered on the list (to some of those Ky. Negros).
Well I must close by requesting you to write. Gove my love and respects to Mrs. Yeny & Family. So farewell. — Sergt. W. H. Miller
The shattered headstone of Joseph Long—“He was a good man, kind to the poor and respected by his neighbors.”
The following letter was written by 72 year-old Joseph Long (1789-1864) of Newtown Stephensburg, Frederick county, Virginia. Joseph’s parents were Ellis Long, Sr. (1758-1837) and Elizabeth Pendleton (1761-1844). Joseph was married to Elizabeth Wilson (1791-1862) and the couple had several children, one of whom—Robert Henning Long (1832-1909)—is mentioned in the letter.
Joseph’s letter provides a summary of the violations of the South’s constitutional rights that culminated in the dissolution of the Union in 1861. It is evident that Joseph predominantly attributes responsibility to northern abolitionists and their relentless opposition to slavery. The letter was composed shortly after the assault on Fort Sumter and the passage of Virginia’s Ordinance of Secession. The identity of Joseph’s nephew, to whom the letter was addressed, is not revealed in the letter but it’s clear that he lived in the North. It would not be long before mail service between the two sections would be suspended.
[This letter is from the collection of Greg Herr and was offered for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent.]
Transcription
Newtown Stephensburg [Frederick, Va.] April 27th 1861
My dear Nephew,
Yours of the 22nd was duly received. I feel much obliged to you for writing to me for the first time, and I hope it will not be the last as it is always gratifying to me to hear from you all. I seldom hear from you and when I did, it was through my friends—the Steele family. I am sorry you did not mention your brothers & sisters & their families as I should have been much pleased to hear from you all and how you are all getting along in life. Myself and family are in usual health. Your cousin Robert H. Long is now in the Southern army stationed at Harper’s Ferry. He is second in command of a troop of cavalry 1 and has left a wife and three children, all to defend what we consider our constitutional right, as handed down to us by the Revolutionary Fathers.
The South has been imposed upon steadily by the North for the last thirty years and they have been blowing the fuel of Abolitionism until it has kindled a deadly flame which I greatly fear will result in the destruction of our once happy Union for your miserable northern abolition President seems determined to destroy as much of the public property as he possibly can. He commenced by ordering the destruction of Fort Moultrie which caused the South Carolinas to fortify and take Fort Sumter. He next ordered the destruction of Harpers Ferry. His troops succeeded in destroying an immense quantity of arms of every description of the most improved quality which caused the Governor of our State to have the place guarded by a sufficient number of troops, and all the machinery that was not injured by the blowing up and burning of the works, is now removing. to Richmond which will require 10 of our large wagons six months in transporting it. And not content with that, he has caused the destruction of the Navy Yard at Portsmouth, Va., and much valuable property estimated at ten millions dollars, causing to be burnt to the water’s edge six or seven of our most valuable war vessels, and it is thought he will destroy all the forts and public works in the State of Virginia relied on.
Whilst our conventions were endeavoring to bring about a compromise, he was filling the different fortifications with abolition troops who are determined to destroy the country or, as they say, to liberate the slaves. Now we southerners contend that our slaves are in a better and happier condition that they are in the free states. Be that as it may, twelve out of thirteen of the original states were slave states, and when that instrument that I hold next to sacred writ was framed, slavery was engrafted in it, and this Union never would have been formed without. Therefore, we of the South contend that northern fanaticism has no right to meddle with our state institution. We have upward of four hundred millions of dollars at stake in that species of property which the constitution has granted us. If one of our negroes makes his escape and we pursue him to Pennsylvania, they will imprison us three months and cause us to pay a fine of $500. The other free states have different penalties. Massachusetts imposes a fine of $5,000 and five years in the State Prison.
Ten or fourteen of the free states have adopted this method of fine and imprisonment to effect the emancipation of slavery. You no doubt think the South wrong in seceding from the Union. We of the South think differently. We contend that we are the true Union men and there is no other remedy left us of securing our property. We have held out compromises which they have treated with contempt, and as to the Capitol, it stands on southern soil and it is as dear to southerners—and I believe much more so—than to northern abolitionists. The South has only contended for her constitutional rights and wish nothing more.
You talk of much excitement & military movements. Were you here with us, you would see free negroes mounted on their own horse with their own equipage going to defend southern rights and I assure you that you never beheld a finer looking set of men ready to defend their rights, and your Aunt has furnished them with many a piece of bread & meat to cheer them on their way. And to give you an idea of the change of sentiment now prevailing among the people, at our election on the fourth of February last for members to our State Convention, out of the 152 elected, there were only 30 secessionists. Our convention is still in session and after exhausting all efforts to bring about a compromise, they have passed a secession ordinance by nearly a unanimous vote. I assure you, the South are as anxious for the Union as any people could be.
All we want is equal rights and there is no necessity for shedding blood. Let the North do as the South have done—refuse to obey the traitor Lincoln, and let him go home in disguise as he came to the Capitol, for it is beneath the dignity of any people to have a traitor at the head of Government who would disguise himself and leave his wife & family to encounter danger, whist he would forsake her & take a circuitous route, & when inaugurated, the tops of houses were covered with riflemen, beside 7,000 troops under oath to support the Lincoln administration. Did the South ever produce such a chief magistrate? No, never.
Major Steele’s oldest son is in the army. Our country is equally aroused with yours in self defense. I will send you a paper occasionally & would be glad to receive one from you. Your Uncle John & Mr. Steele desire to be remembered to you. Their families are in usual health. Gen. Harney was captured at Harpers Ferry 25th at 2 a.m. on his way to Washington & taken to Richmond. 2 Your affectionate Uncle, — Joseph Long
1 Robert H. Long served in Co. A, 1st Virginia Cavalry. He enlisted 19 April 1861.
2 In April 1861, he was ordered to report to Washington by Lincoln’s new Secretary of War, Simon Cameron. The train on which he was traveling was stopped at Harper’s Ferry, and a young confederate office boarded announcing “General Harney, sir, you are my prisoner!” He was told a Confederate battalion had surrounded the train, sent with orders to intercept him before he reached Washington. In this way, William S. Harney became the first prisoner taken by the South in the Civil War. Later, in Virginia, William received apologies for the manner in which he was brought there, and he was offered a Confederate command under Robert E. Lee. He had previously served with Lee in the U.S. Army in the Mexican War. William refused, and he was allowed to continue on his trip to Washington. [Military Career of William Selby Harney]
The following letter was written by Richard (“Dick”) Perry Elgin (1845-1882), the son of William Frederick Elgin, Sr. (1800-1880) and Minerva Ruffin Clifton (1808-1893) of Huntsville, Alabama. Richard was working at the Exchange Hotel in Montgomery when he enlisted as a private on 1 May 1864 with Shockley’s Independent Escort Company of cavalrymen. Near the end of the war or afterwards he drifted west to Wyoming Territory where he was the bookkeeper and paymaster for the “Goose Egg” Ranch. He and his crew were spending the night at Fort Fetterman after the Fall roundup when one of the cowboys named “Arkansas Red” Capps got drunk and spent all his pay. When Capps demanded more money from Dick and refused, Red shot and killed Dick with a .44-calibre pistol. Richard P. Elgin is listed as being buried at the Fort Fetterman Cemetery.
Dick wrote the letter to Charles Eugene Cabaniss (1846-1907), the son of Huntsville lawyer, Septimus D. Cabaniss (1815-1889) and Virginia A. Shepherd (1824-1907). Charles attended the University of Virginia in 1866-67, then attended Sewanee University where he studied theology. He became a minster and served as a rector in several southern states.
Transcription
Addressed to C. E. Cabaniss, Esq., Care of Commissary Department, Selma, Alabama
Montgomery April 24th 1864
C. E. Cabaniss, Esq., Selma, Ala. Esteemed friend,
I received your letter a day or two ago and now proceed to try and answer it.
I agree with you in wishing for our Old Schools days again for I have found out since I have been down here that a boy never knows how to appreciate his school until it is too late. But enough of that for as the Irishman says, “It brings soft water into every eye I have got in my head.”
When did you hear from home? I am very anxious to hear something myself for I have not received a letter from there in about six months. Don’t you think it is about time that letter ought to make its appearance? But I don’t look for letter from that part of the country now as I know it is almost an impossibility to get a letter through. Have you heard anything from Roy Wilson & the rest of the boys who remained behind? I would like very much to know what has become of them. You know Roy used to be nearly dead to go into army as well as myself & we intended to go together but he could not come out when I did and I expect if he clip the pickets he will cross the river & join some of those cavalry companies in North Alabama.
Crip, what do you think of joining now? There is a company of boys here in cavalry from the University of Alabama. They are all boys. I think if I could equip myself, I would join them but that is the trouble. I reckon I will be compelled to wait until a better opportunity offers.
No news at present. Cris Donegan & Sam Robinson left here this evening for your place. If you hear anything from _illie Chadwick, let me kow. I remain as ever, your friend, — Rich’d P. Elgin
The following letter was written by Seth F. Clark (1837-1862) to his parents, George Howe Clark and Maria Louisa Smith of Roxbury, Norfolk county, Massachusetts. Seth enlisted on 22 May 1861 as a sergeant in Co. D, 1st Massachusetts Infantry. He was elevated to 1st Sergeant on 7 May 1862 and was severely wounded in the leg on 14 December 1862 in the Battle of Fredericksburg. His leg was amputated but he died in a Washington D. C. Hospital on 31 December 1862.
Prior to his enlistment, Seth was employed as a piano manufacturer with his father.
Transcription
Camp Hooker, 1st Regiment, Co. D Lower Potomac March 5, 1862
Dear Father and Mother,
I have just received your welcome letter of the 2nd and was glad to hear that you was well. I am well and in good spirits and are in hopes to pay the rebels a visit every day and pay them up for that Bull Run fight. We have not crossed the river as yet but may any day so you will see that we are not all prisoners as you wrote, nor ever intend to be as long as we are the 1st Massachusetts [Infantry]. You must [not] believe any story that you hear about our division that you may hear or see in the papers until you hear from me. Before we move, I shall write to you and let you know whether we have crossed the river or gone on some expedition.
That other picture I intended for you to keep until I came home for I want something to remind me in after life of the place I spent the winter of 61 and 62. Sgt. [Charles A.] Brazier has been appointed in Lieut. Warren’s [Walton’s] place. He was appointed the first of the month. There is nothing new in camp except Col. [Robert] Cowden has been presented with a sword, belt, spurs, boots, sash and gloves. There were presented by a Mr. Mason of Boston last night at dress parade. The sword is a splendid thing. Colonel was like a little boy with his first pair of boots. He had to show all his presents to the boys. He told Mason that after the rebels were cleaned out, that we should come home and clean out some of the political sneaks. The boys thought that was rather rough on Gov. Andrew and his friends.
The gun boat shelled out a rebel cavalry regiment last night down the river about twelve miles, Lately the rebels have been receiving a large lot of reinforcements on the other side of this river. The New York 1st Battery came down here two or three nights ago so we have got four batteries. Three of them are encamped next to us and the other other is down the river about six miles. The two Whitworth guns are mounted in front of our camp on the hill so you will see that we have got a plenty of artillery to protect our camp. Some of the boys brought into camp today a shell that weighed one hundred and twenty-five pounds that the rebels had thrown over to our battery. It had not burst and was an ugly-looking thing, I can tell you.
Give my love to all the boys and neighbors. Jim Miller has ben appointed drum major. 25 recruits arrived in camp yesterday for this regiment. Only one out of the lot for this company. From your son, — Seth
The following letter was written a couple of weeks after the Lincoln Assassination by Alleta Van Horne (1834-1891) who I believe was the dasughter of Cornelius Van Horne (1787-1841) and Jane Garrabrant (1788-1876) of Bergen Point, Hudson county, New Jersey. Alleta never married and my presumption is that she was living with relatives temporarily in Alexandria, Virginia, when she wrote the letter.
Alleta informs us that Joshua—most likely her relative—attended the funeral procession of the assassinated President which he described as “very grand and solemn looking.”
Transcription
Alexandria [Virginia] May 4th 1865 Thursday evening
Dear Niece,
I will now attempt to answer your letter received some time since. You will have to excuse me for not writing sooner. I did not intend to wait so long but I have been pretty busy and have not felt very well most of the time. I was quite surprised on looking at the date of yours to find it was so long since I got it. I saw William and delivered your message to him and he wrote to you right away so I thought that would relieve your anxiety about him, and so I did not write. Joshua saw him this morning. He was quite well.
Wasn’t you very much surprised to hear of the assassination of the President? We could not credit it at first, but were soon forced to believe it. The whole town is draped with mourning. Joshua went up to see the funeral procession at Washington. He said it was very grand and solemn looking. It was a very sad affair throughout.
There is five companies of soldiers encamped on part of our place this spring but I don’t believe they will stop much longer as the war is so near over.
We have had a very nice spring this year. Everything is about three weeks earlier than usual.
I was sorry to hear of Calvin’s death. Had Johannah any younger than him? We got a letter from Anthony a short time ago. They were all well. Is Elmer there still? He did not mention him.
I expect to come North this summer unless something happens more than I know of at present to hinder me. I should like to see you all again and I think it would benefit my health a great deal. It don’t agree with me here. Almira has been sick for a week but is better now. The rest are pretty well and all join with me in sending love and kind wishes. Give our love and best wishes to Selina. Hoping to hear from you soon, I must now close. From your affectionate sister, –Aletta Van Horne
A partial depiction of a painting entitled, “7th Florida—Noble Daring.” The painting portrays the charge of the Regiment of the 7th Florida at the Battle of Dallas, GA on May 28, 1864.
The following letter was written by Samuel Darwin McConnell (1834-1885) to his fiancé and later wife, Mary Eloise Brumby. It is part of a large collection housed at the University of Florida. Scans of the letter have been made available on-line, but have not been transcribed. The bulk of the correspondence describes Samuel’s admittance to the Ocala bar, his work at the East Florida Seminary, and his thoughts on the political happenings of the time. Samuel and Eloise were married on 27 August 1861.
On March 12, 1862, McConnell enlisted in the 7th Florida Infantry, and was appointed captain of Co. G. His unit, formed at Gainesville, was sent with the regiment to Chattanooga and then to east Tennessee. There, the regiment saw action at the Battles of Chattanooga and Chickamauga in 1863. In 1864, McConnell was seriously wounded at both Chickamauga and at Resaca, and was forced to use crutches for the rest of his life. He later returned to practicing law and moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 1871. In 1880, he returned to Ocala where he served as the first Mayor of Ocala until his death on June 6, 1885.
Though his regiment saw action at Chickamauga and Chattanooga, this collection does not contain any of his letters pertaining to these battles. In his early letters, McConnell writes about his thoughts on secession, the election of President Lincoln, his feelings on serving in the Confederate Army, and his regiment’s movements in the early stages of his enlistment. Towards the end of the war, while stationed in Georgia and Alabama, he discusses the Confederate Army’s retreat from Atlanta, the prospect of peace if McClellan wins election as president of the United States, and the army’s attempt to regain momentum against Union forces.
Christopher Hendrix sent me the scans of the following letter for transcription.
Transcription
Tuesday night April 16, 1861
I have been thinking of you a great deal tonight my dear Eloise, and wishing that I were with you, participating in the pleasures you are this. evening having at home. Miss Sarah is, I presume now in longer Miss, but has assumed the weighty responsibilities of married life. I wish I could extend to her my congratulations and good wishes on this happy occasion. I did not write a part of my letter last night in consequence of being from home. Last evening I was taking my usual ride and was caught by a rain, and had to stop at a friend’s house about a mile from town. The rain continued all night so that I had to spend the night there.
Our little town has been the scene of considerable excitement today on account of the news that a fight had occurred at Charleston and that there has probably been one at Fort Pickens in this state. While I am sorry that our difficulties could not have been settled peaceably, I think the honor of the South demanded the step that has been taken atCharleston, and I am glad that the object has been accomplished with so little loss of life.
The President has made a requisition upon this state for 1500 additional troops, and it is highly probable that many more of the volunteer companies will be called out. I do not mention this, my dear Eloise, to cause you anxiety on my account—far from it—for I would not for a moment distress you, but I mention it in order that you may be prepared for it, should I have to go with our company. There are many reasons why I would regret the necessity of having to go off, and one very important one is the anxiety that it would occasion you, and the delay in our marriage which might be occasioned if there is a long war, and I should be sent off without an opportunity of seeing you. These make me deeply regret that there will probably be a necessity for my services.
It is also unpleasant to think of leaving my business. My prospects are quite flattering at this time, more so than I anticipated, and to have to leave and go for a long time, would be a great disadvantage to me. But though these are important considerations, if my country needs my services, I am ready and willing to give them at any time. Let me express the hope, my dear Eloise, that you will not suffer yourself to be distressed about the matter, but look upon the bright side of the picture, believing that Providence in whose hands are all things, will so ordain that our present difficulties and annoyances will redound to our interest. Should it so happen that I will be ordered off, I will see you before I go if there is a possibility of doing so.
Wednesday night, 12:30 o’clock. You will doubtless think that I keep late hours judging from the hour at which I am now writing. I have been spending the evening in the country and have just returned and as it is too late to write much, I can only bid you good evening and wait until tomorrow to continue my letter.
Friday night. You see I have passed one night without writing to you. Last night I was feeling rather unwell and retired early and without enjoying the pleasure of writing a few lines to you. My indisposition was not of a serious nature however, and this morning finds me feeling quite well as usual.
On Sunday I will start for Sumter county in company with several other lawyers from this place. Don’t scold me for traveling on Sunday, though I may deserve a good scolding. Court meets on Monday morning and on tomorrow I have to be here to attend a drill of our company, so that I have to go on Sunday though I dislike to do so. Of course while away I cannot continue writing daily, but will make up for lost time when I get back home.
On yesterday I was disappointed in getting a letter from you. The Savannah mail did not come through owing to some detention on the route and thus your letter did not reach me. Sunday morning’s mail will however bring me a letter. This is my expectation at least, and I will not start before the arrival of the mail.
We are all very uncertain about the movement of our company in the event of a continuation of war. We hope, however, to hear very soon. The news we have received from the North is of a warlike nature, but it is impossible to judge what the President of the U. S. intends doing.
This will be mailed tomorrow which is several days sooner than my usual day for mailing letters to you. Goodbye for the present. Affectionately yours, — S. D. McC.
The following letters were written by Jason Oscar Packard (1845-1933) to Arathusa M. Studley (1838-1935) with whom he would marry in 1867. Jason was the son of Daniel and Betsy (Veazie) Packard of Rockport, Knox county, Maine. In 1870, Jason was employed as a house carpenter. But in 1864, when this letter was written, he was taking his mail at 23 South Street, the office of NYC Merchant, Benjamin Franklin Metcalf (1831-1918) and his partner, Duncan. Benjamin was a ship owner and ship broker and at one time maintained a line of sailing vessels between New York and Vera Cruz. He was one of the founders of the New York Stock Exchange and was also a member of the NY Maritime Exchange.
The second letter transcribed below informs us that Jason was a crew member on the Bark Rambler.
Arathusa, a dressmaker in 1860, was the eldest child of Charles and Mary Ann (Fisk) Studley of Camden, Knox county, Maine.
Note: These letters are from the collection of Kate Gilbert and were offered for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent.
Letter 1
Addressed to Miss Arathusa Studley, Rockville, Maine
New York [City] September 25, 1864
Dear Friend,
I am well and hope these few lines will find you the same. I suppose you think that I have forgotten you but I have not. I have had no chance to write since we arrived. I expect you are enjoying yourself nicely. I am here all alone. The Captain has left me to keep ship. I wish you were here with me. We would have a nice time a eating peaches and water melons. I wish I were with you today, We would have as nice a time as we had last Sunday over bear hill. If I could get where you was, I would have them four big kisses you owe me. You did not pay me last Sunday night. I want you to send them to me. I shall send you a dozen good big ones while I am sitting here a writing.
I suppose you are a having a gay old time. I suppose you are a going down street tonight, if being Sunday. I want you to keep watch of Toot Studley to see if she gets a beau. If she does, just let me know. Turn over.
When you see Clara, say good morning for me. When I was a going home last Sunday night [I got] in a bit of a fight with a skunk. We fought a spell and then he run like the Devil and I went home. I arrived there at three o’clock in the morning.
There is a fort right along side a firing in honor of the great victory. 1 She has fired one hundred guns.
You never will see my glazed cap 2 again. It got knocked overboard las night. I don’t know of anything more to write. I want you to write me a good, long letter. Fill it full of love and news. Write me all the news you can think of. Tell me if anybody has got a beau. Write me as soon as you get this.
I must now close and go and get a lump of sugar to eat. Please excuse this writing.
Direct your [letter] to Mr. Jason Packard, New York, in care of Metcalf & Duncan, 23rd South Street.
I will send you a specimen of the change we have.
1 The great celebration was presumably in response to the news of Sheridan’s victory in the Shenandoah Valley (Third Battle of Winchester).
2 A glazed cap is one that was made entirely of enameled cloth, making it waterproof.
Letter 2
Addressed to Miss Arathusa Studley, West Camden, Maine
New York [City] November 7th 1864
Dear Toot,
I have just received a letter from you and was very pleased to hear from you. I am well and am glad to [hear] that you are the same. it has been a raining for the last two days and I am lonesome enough. I am glad that Deel has got well again and I hope she will remain so. I suppose J. M. is all right now that he has got a girl without going with married women.
Arathusa M. Studley
You wanted to know what your compliment was. The mate said that your picture was the best looking one he had seen for a long time. You said that Deel F. had got home. I wonder if she has got well educated on manners yet? If she has, I suppose she will [ ] the rest of you soon.
It is election day. There is a big time here, I tell you. If anyone wants to get his head broke, just let him give three cheers for Old Abe. You tell Miles if he was out here, he would not have a whole head long if he went to spouting. You tell Miles if he does not let you wear Little Mac, I shan’t let you stay there.
We shall sail in a day or two. We have got nine passengers and six of them is ladies. We shall have a gay time. I wish you was with them, don’t you?
Deel did not get that fellow, did she? If you and Mrs. Leach wants Lincoln, I can get you one with old Abe hugging a Negro wench. If she wants one, I will send her one. Oh how I wish you could have seen me yesterday a going up Broadway with my long-legged boots on and the Captain’s rubber coat on that comes to my feet. I should have had you in and had my picture taken if it had been pleasant but you will have to wait until I come myself.
Last Sunday evening I was so lonesome that I went up town to kill time and to see the sights. Oh how I wish you was here to go to the Museum with me. But I shall soon be at home again and we will enjoy ourselves enough to make up lost time. You said that Mrs. Leach said that we could have a fire in her new stove. She can very well say that as I am not there to want it. I shall have to stop scratching for this time. So good night. Yours truly, — J. O. P to A. M. S.
Direct your next to Key West, Florida. Bark Rambler.
The unsigned letter presents a perplexing challenge regarding the identity of its author, with the initial paragraphs raising concerns about the author’s mental state. In contrast, the subsequent paragraphs that discuss Rev. James Jellis Page (1822-1898), an Episcopal minister originally from Virginia who was living in Brownsville, Fayette County, Pennsylvania at the onset of the Civil War, offer a clearer perspective. It can be reasonably inferred that the letter’s author was likely a parishioner residing near Rev. Page. Notably, Rev. Page maintained a residence Pennsylvania until 1867, when he and his family moved to Fulton County, Kentucky.
Transcription
Home [Month?] 14, 1864
My very dear Lizzie,
I commence this talk (first and foremost) with a confession, viz, that your very able article entirely upset me, brought me “up stoodin” & everything else—(Let me just say too that the pen of such an eloquent, able writer ought not to lie idle—but be giving production of the world).
I was perfectly amazed at myself for the strange sentiments I possessed concerning the continuation & termination of the war. I seemed to have lost sight of the unaltering ordering of Providence in saying or thinking man was prolonging the war. It of course was not an original idea of mine but was however adopted believingly in blindness. Still, man may have it as their motive & use their influence accordingly which although God ordained it so, is not altered in them—(the sin I mean.) And now I remember one of the things I alluded to, which upon reading your letter had entirely escaped my memory.
However, I feel with you that so little dependence can be placed upon people’s word now—that ’tis no more than the wind. Well, ’twas this (only that I still do not remember names). One of our generals made a movement, arranged the army &c. in such a position, so perfectly traitor like that had Lee but known it a little before, the whole Potomac (in action) could have been captured—not would have—which is proven by another traitorous incident. During the P[ennsylvania] raid, Lee (a great many of the rebs think) designedly placed his army in an excellent position to be taken, wholesale, but our general in command said he did not take it because the war would then have “gone up!” The “authority” says if he was power in the South, he would at once hang Lee. “Twas too good for him. I was just going to personate the authority when I remembered that position & enjoined secrecy—will perhaps some day—(lookout!).
I don’t remember any of the other circumstances I alluded to except some “murders” not far from here by guerrillas which I will not attempt to relate, first because they are indistinct in my mind, 2nd because knowing of two sides to so many stories I am “not believing, but faithless,” to use S, concerning a great many things.
But concerning Mr. Page, I will not agree at all. No indeed! I believe as firmly that he did nothing indicating traitorism—that I know all he did and said and that he is perfectly innocent. If ever there was a Christian & a good man, I believe he is one, & that he would utter nothing but the exact truth. With my own ears I heard him say that he never wrote or sent a word to any person across the lines—not even a friendship letter—[and] that he never saw but one Reb that was a prisoner here who hearing that a man by the name of Page lived here [and] thought it might be one of his acquaintance. [It turned out he] was not, when Mr. Page left. That he knew nothing nor ever knew except what was given in newspapers the position &c. of the Rebel army, never had any communication with any part of it, & never aided the rebels in any way. That, I believe, as well as I believe that I am living. He is southern in sentiment—no doubt—but farther than that (which is very common here), he attended to his own business & faithfully preached the Gospel as though no war was raging.
I wrote an account of his arrest in June, but did not send it as I directly received a letter from you & thought it not prudent. As my time is so much occupied, I will just enclose it (I laid it away). Excuse please. You can just read & burn.
Mr. Page writes occasionally by flag of truce, is chaplain in the Southern Army, was in Richmond the last time he wrote, well & growing fleshy.
I could not find an image of David but here is an Ambrotype of John H. Pintler who served in Co. C, 1st NY Mounted Rifles. He was killed in Dec. 1862. (Adam Ochs Fleischer Collection)
This letter was written by David Nichols (b. 1829) of New York City who enlisted as a private in September 1862 to serve three years in Co. H, 1st New York Mounted Rifles. He re-enlisted in September 1864 and was transferred later to Co. K. In September 1865, the regiment was designated the 4th Provisional Cavalry. The regiment served until 1864 with the 7th and 4th corps, principally at Fortress Monroe, Norfolk, Suffolk, Portsmouth, Williamsburg and Yorktown, Va., taking part in over 50 battles and skirmishes, but sustaining no severe losses. Its heaviest casualties being at Scott’s mills, Va., in May, 1863, when 28 were killed, wounded and missing.
Muster rolls inform us that David was employed as a longshoreman previous to his enlistment. He stood 5 feet 9 inches tall, with brown eyes, black hair.
Transcription
Addressed to Miss Sarah Ann Nichols, No. 150 Delancey Street, New York City; includes a patriotic image of “Harlan’s Regiment, Light Cavalry” which was a Philadelphia Regiment (11th Pennsylvania Cavalry).
In Camp near Suffolk, Va. October 6th 1862
Dear Mother,
I received your letter a few days since and was very glad to hear you were well. I would have answered before this time but we were sent out on a scout on Friday towards Blackwater. We did not get back until Saturday night late. I expected a general engagement with the Rebels as a number of infantry regiments and also cavalry regiments were with us, but for some cause or other we could not get into a fight.
I received a letter from Frances. She was well and said you had been getting some things for the winter but did not say what they were. Give my respects to Mrs. Hathaway and Lottie. Give regards to all enquiring ones and accept the love of your affectionate son. — David Nichols
Direct your letter to Co. H, 1st Regt. N. Y. Mtd. Rifles, Suffolk, Va.
The following letter was written by George William Dickinson (1843-1933) of Co. M, 2nd New York (“Harris Light”) Cavalry. George enlisted in August 1861 at NYC to serve three years. He was subsequently transferred to Co. A (no date) and finally mustered out of the service while on detachment in June 1865 at Alexandria, Virginia.
The following information was posted on a website called Civil War Quilts: George was son of Elbert Dickinson (1814-1874) and Susan Dove (1816-1892) of Queens, New York. Several stories about George’s war experiences survive in newspaper articles but any follow up leads to dead ends. He was either wounded at Hanover Court House or Bull Run, captured at Pawmunkey River towards the end of the war when he was held ten days in Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia. George was married in the summer of 1862 to Sarah Marie Carpenter (1843-1933), both age 19. Within a month, her husband was off to war, shortly to be shot in the lungs. The bullet worked its way out to become a souvenir but he suffered periodic hemorrhages the rest of his long life, which he attributed to the wound. Twentieth-century newspaper articles and old Civil War veterans may have been confused about places and dates, exaggerating scars and exploits. Sarah’s parents were Jackson and Sarah Craft Carpenter of Sea Cliff on Long Island’s Northern shore, families descended from mid-18th-century settlers. She and George had four children, two boys John & Daniel, and two girls Annie Conrad Abbott and Susan Dickinson Conrad. Towards the end of the 20th century, George obtained a job as caretaker at an estate owned by Charles M. Pratt, a Standard Oil heir who built a family compound and gardens in Glen Cove a few miles east of Oyster Bay.
George wrote the letter to his sister, Caroline Matilda (Dickinson) Carpenter (1845-1885), the wife of Latting Carpenter of Rosyln, Queens county, New York. The couple were married in March 1863.
Transcription
Addressed to Mrs. Lattin Carpenter, Roslyn, Queens county, Long Island, New York
Yorktown, Virginia June 7th 1863
Dear sister,
I now have the pleasure of writing to you these few lines to let you know that I am well and hope that these few lines will find you the same. I received your letter three days ago and was glad to hear that you was well. You said in your letter that you thought I had forgotten you but I have not. You must not think that I ever would forget you for I never will. The reason why I did not write is because the regiment has been on a march and I could not send one if I had it wrote, but I will write to you as often as I can. But I never will forget you.
I have not got my likeness taken yet. I have not got any money to get it taken with. I have not been paid off yet since I have been down here. You said that you was a going to send me yours but I have not seen it yet.
I am at Yorktown yet and expect to leave soon but don’t know how long before we will leave. Our regiment has made another raid and got to Falmouth again and I expect that we will have to go back there again. I have not seen any of the boys that went out with them. So I will close and tell you no more about it.
Give my love to Father and all the folks. I want to know if you can’t send me a few stamps to put on letters for I cannot get any out here. So now I will close with bidding you goodbye.
From your brother. Direct your letter to George W. Dickinson, Harris Light Cavalry, Co. M, Washington D. C.
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