I could not find an image of Orvill but here is a tintype of Rob Chase of Co. D, 3rd New York Cavalry. (Ancestry.com)
The following letter was written by 19 year-old Orville Baxter (1842-1862) of Co. G, 3rd New York Cavalry. Orvill enlisted at Rodman and served in the regiment until 14 November 1862 when he died of disease at New Bern, North Carolina. Orvill was the son of Benjamin B. Baxter (1797-1858) and Lucy Chamberlin (1805-1866) of Jefferson county, New York.
When Orvill wrote this letter in early December 1861, the regiment was attached to Stone’s Division of the Army of the Potomac, stationed near Poolesville, Maryland.
Transcription
Camp near Poolesville, Maryland December 8, 1861
Dear Uncle,
I take my pen in hand to let you know that I am well and in good health and hope this will find you the same. I’ve written to you but I have not had any answer. I would like to hear from you very well. I have wrote to most all of our folks on the hill but I don’t get but a damn few answers. Maybe they don’t want to write. If they don’t, they can go to hell. I am here and they are there but Uncle Jabe, I don’t want you to go back on me for I want to hear from you and your folks. Tell Uncle Oliver that I am just as round as a peach. Tell the dumb shit fool that I have wrote to him once or [twice] but I don’t get any answer somehow or ruther.
It is very fine weather here yet. We have not had any snow to amount to anything. We expect to stay in our small tents this winter. We can do it and be comfortable. We have pretty good times here now. We drill only once a day but it is not likely that we will drill much longer for it is so damn muddy that we all have to have a general wash after it. It is a sight to see five or six hundred horses on the field at once and making a charge. All hell cannot stop some of the horses. They are as wild as the devil, some of them. We was on drill today and one man fell off his horse and three or four run over him and fell down and there was a fine old pile of them in a hurry. The one that gets up and away first is the best fellow.
There, the belly organ has sounded and I shall have to stop writing now but write soon as you get this and let me know how you are a getting along. Direct your letters to Orvill Baxter, Company G, [James Henry] Van Alen Cavalry.
The following letter was written by 33 year-old Margaret Vail (Kelley) Lester (1830-1917), the daughter of David Kelley (1806-1876) and his first wife, Charity Herrick (1806-1832) of Danby, Rutland county, Vermont. David Kelley later moved to DuPage county, Illinois. Margaret was married in April 1848 in DuPage county, Illinois, to James Franklin Lester (1824-1899). In the 1860 US Census, Margaret and James were residing in Marengo, McHenry county, Illinois, where James was employed as a farm laborer and a carpenter. An obituary for Margaret (The Daily Times, Davenport, Iowa, June 28, 1918) informs us that Margaret was born at Danby Four Corners, Vermont, and came to Illinois with her parents when she was 15 years old. She had been educated in the Castleon Seminary in Vermont and entered the teaching profession. Once married, the couple had two children—Emma Frances who died at the age of 16, and James Henry who died in 1917.
Margaret wrote the letter to her half-brother, Thomas Benton Kelley who was serving in Co. E, 8th Illinois Cavalry at the time.
What truly shines in this letter is Margaret’s bold articulation of the argument for women’s equality, challenging the status quo with fierce clarity.
Transcription
November 26, 1863
My dear neglected brother,
Thanksgiving eve & I cannot rest on my pillow another night before I pen you a few broken lines. I have written so little for a year back. It has become a task instead of a pleasure. Is it a possible thing? I will call it a task. No dear, brother, it is not so. But I have apparently made it so. But noble sir, I am with you in imagination, hour after hour, & many a meal do I feel as if my dear good brothers could share with me.
Oh, I have written many & many imagined epistles to you. I am almost sure sometimes I never will be forgiven for my cold neglect. But a promise for the future. My best wishes to Mary. I expect she feels my cold neglect, but come here & see what I have to pass through with & you would not wonder. I will admit the dust should ought to lay deeper on the toilet & the bed quilt not so closely tucked rather than this neglect.
Oh my dear brother, I must admit I have at times apparently become like adamant hardened to all loved friends, friendship or mankind, and finally towards all mankind. But dear brother, I have nearly overcome that awful feelings. Thank God, I can overcome it. Will do it. While I am sitting in my snug little sitting room & look around me & see the comforts around me. And then I think how wicked & wrong when there is so much suffering & so many noble soldiers dying, laying on the battlefield.
Thou art a brave boy. Fight on until freedom prevails. I am glad to learn that you are enduring soldiery so well. I should have been one amongst you if I had been a man. I hope this dreadful conflict will soon end but I feel as if the North had not as yet felt the blow as the South has, for they have had to have the battles & battle fields amongst them. But for all that, we are losing so many noble fathers & sons & brothers. It seems like exchanging White for Black. But freedom should be [for] all mankind. I am for freedom & Womans’ rights. Why is there not more equilibrium in this world? Look at the man. He will earn his 12 shillings & his 14 shillings & so on, up to 2 dollars for a common laborer, but the woman may labor, yes, on and on she goes, & closely apply her needle, but she will, when the week rolls around, she has earned one half as much per week as the day laborer has earned per day. Why this inequality? Why this bondage? Why man goes where he pleases? Does say what he pleases & a woman must be silent? Why this inequality? God only knows & man must account for this. We were all borne equal beings & I am enjoying myself pretty well, having the comforts of life, am apparently happy, but have to work hard for them.
I will return to my thanksgiving supper. We were invited out to one of our neighbors to supper. Enjoyed it much—the whole family. I hope my dear brother was where he could enjoy the necessary comforts if no more. Be patient, for thou shalt be blessed by well doing. Henry’s folks I hardly have seen or heard from for the last three months as usual. I guess the babe, Jane Charity, has been sick all the fall.
I have one boarder & a great deal company & it does seem as if I never should have any respite. Besides, Emma & myself take in work. She goes to school & her studies are crushing her. She is not very stout. She is very industrious. She often speaks of you & of Mary & Mittie, but she is not at home or she would write. She will write soon. Her correspondence is quite extensive. Emma is one good girl & Henry is another T. B. Kelley right over. He would go to the war & who would blame me if I was old enough. That is him to a dot. I have not seen father for nearly a year. It is a year last fall since I was home. E[mma] & Henry was there this fall. Mother, I guess, carries on the hotel & Father stays on the farm a great deal. E. Parish’s sister says mother has the blues. Gets quite hystericky. I believe Pa is a going to move Annetta back to the depot somewhere. I shall go to Henry’s before long. Come home as soon as your time is out or as soon soon as you can.
I hope you will excuse James for not writing. It is not for any ill will. Pleas accept his best wishes. He has a brother at Fort Jackson. Edson [Sportnoble?] was brought home a corps. He was poisoned by the physician by a sponge that was used by a man with erysipelas which caused his death. The doctor’s brother-in-law wanted his office. From your sister M [ ] Lester. My best wishes to M. E. Jones. Tell him we thank him for his photograph & Emma will write to you both soon. Goodbye.
As to our photograph, I don’t see no way at present. As fast as I can get one, I will send it you.
The following letter was written by 21 year-old Alexander Black who enlisted in Co. E, 21st Missouri Infantry. The regiment, once filled with 10 companies totaling 962 men, was mustered into the Union army at Canton on February 12, 1862. A little over a month later, on March 27, 1862, Alexander died of typhoid fever at Hannibal, Missouri.
Transcription
Canton, Missouri February 16, 1862
My dear friends,
It is with pleasure that I take my pen in hand to let you know that I am well and hope these few lines may find you all enjoying the same blessing. I believe the boys is all well so far as I know. Tomorrow we will march for Hannibal. I believe there are seven companies for the orders to be in readiness to march at a minute’s warning. What the intention of the trip is is more than I can say. I think from what I can find out, we will be stationed at Hannibal.
Capt. George W. Fulton, Co. E, 21st Missouri Infantry
I will write again as soon as I can find out what we are a going to do. The boys all appear in fine spirits at the idea of the trip. For my part, I would just as soon go to the south part of the state where they is something to be done as to stay here at Canton and do nothing as we have been doing for some time.
I have nothing more worth writing at present. I will write again as soon as we stop.
Since I wrote, the orders has been countermanded and we will not start till Wednesday. Tell Eliza I got the breast pin mended but I have not had a chance to send it up yet. I do not know whether it would be safe to send it in a letter or not. Tell her if she is willing to risk it, to write and I will send it. When you write, direct your letter to Alexander Black, Company E, 21st Regiment Missouri Volunteers, in care of Capt. G[eorge] W. Fulton
The following letter was written by an indignant 18-year-old Alexander Derr Peebles (1843-1913), the son of Robert E. Peebles and Eliza Derr from Pana, Shelby County, Illinois. In May 1865, he entered into matrimony with Amy Downs in Shelby County, and in 1882, they moved to a farm in Kansas, ultimately establishing their residence in Eureka, Greenwood County, Kansas.
Alexander wrote the letter to his friend, Pvt. Matthew H. Karr (1839-1862) of Co. B, 14th Illinois Infantry. Most likely Matthew received this letter, but it may have been his last. He died from injuries and exposure on the battlefield at Shiloh on 11 April 1862. His parents were Charles and Jerusha (Harvey) Kerr of Shelby county, Illinois. Mathew’s sister Nancy Karr (b. 1845) is mentioned in the letter.
Transcription
Shelby county, Illinois March 10, 1862
Mr. M. H. Karr—sir,
I take my pen in hand to let you know that I am well at this time and hope these few lines may find you. the same. John Rhoads was married the next Sunday after you left here. 1 Nancy is well. I was up there yesterday. I had a fine time with her.
Now I must tell you what happened last night. Dick Riggs was up to see Jane, the God-damned Sarl top. I wish he was in hell. I got the mitten by God from her. He is a God damned greenhorn as well as myself. I wish you had a been here last night and seen the fun. Almon Simmons is here on a furlough but it going back this week to Fort Donelson.
I don’t think Jane wanted to slight me but I think she was put up to it by that God damned pewter bollocks Dick Riggs. If he did that, I will break his neck. He was there all day with her. I thought [it] strange that she was not at meeting with the girls. I began to smell a mice so I went up to see what was up and they all looked as mad as hell. Jane looked like she did not know what to do. When I asked here if I could stay, she could not say at first and at last she whispered no. So I left.
I have not much to write. I will write to you again. So no more at present but write soon. — A. D. Peebles
Direct [to] Pana, [Illinois]
To M. H. Karr
1 Shelby county marriage records inform us that John Rhodes was married to Lurany Myers on 23 February 1862.
The following letter was initiated by 13 year-old Charles (“Charley”) H. Morrison (1848-1868), the son of Calvin Morrison (1812-Aft1880) and Ann Maria Dodge (1822-1903) of Charlestown, Middlesex county, Massachusetts. It was concluded by Charley’s mother, Ann. Also mentioned in the letter is Charley’s older brother, James “Roscoe” Morrison (b. 1842). Charley’s father was employed as a teamster in Charlestown in 1860. According to Massachusetts Death Records, Charley died of consumption in 1868.
Charley wrote the letter to his friend, Timothy Chase.
Transcription
Patriotic stationery with image of Bunker Hill, “The fire of Patriotism’s burning still…”
Charlestown [Massachusetts] April 11th [1862]
Dear Timmie,
It has been a long time since I wrote you last and the only reason was that I have had no time. Rosco has just gone into trade and I have to stay with him all the time. I got out of school. It is a fine day here. There has been a man just throwed out of his wagon. They have carried him into the Apothecary’s Shop.
How does Freddie get along with his school? Has he taken his Father’s razor since he cut his chin? Have you been a gunning since you wrote me? I went out last Saturday but did not shoot much. It was so cold we built a fire and warmed ourselves and fired at a target. I was so hungry that I almost died. You wrote me in your last letter that you wanted me to write about my company. We drill often. You come up and see how fine we drill.
April 16, 1862
Dear Timmie,
It has been so long since Charley wrote you. I will finish this as he has met with a sad accident and can’t write. He commenced this last Friday and in the evening he went out on a horseback ride. The horse took fright and run away, threw him off, struck the back of his head on the pavements, cut a gash an inch and a half, when the horse went over him, cut his face badly across the eyebrow and cheek. He has no pain but it obliged to keep still (so much for disobedience).
I see by your letters you are a good smart boy and quite a help in the office—a good trade for you. We are all glad to hear you talk of coming up this summer. Hope you won’t take it out in talk as usual. Write soon. If Charley can’t answer more prompletly, I will. Affectionately yours, — A. Morrison
Mrs. Chase, what are you doing cleaning house? So am I. There is nothing in place in this house. I have got the painters, paper man and white washer, but never mind. I shall soon get settled again and be ready to receive you at any moment. Mr. and Mrs. Cary have been here two weeks. Returned home Saturday. I should feel lonesome if I had time to. Tell Fred to come in Mors house, drink tea and coffee. I shall expect you for there is nothing to prevent you. Let me know when you will come and what way so I can meet you. It is dinner time. I must close hoping to see you soon. Love to all. Yours truly, — A. Morrison
The following letter was written by Waldo Spear (1843-1907), the son of Hiram Spear (1810-1872) and Lucy C. Ripley (1806-1893) of Springfield, Bradford county, Pennsylvania. Waldo enlisted in Co. C, 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry on 1 November 1861. He was taken prisoner at Gallatin on 25 August 1862 and was paroled due to his injuries. Following his release, he was detailed a courier of the 2nd Cavalry Division, Army of the Cumberland. He continued in this capacity until he was discharged in November 1864.
I could not find an image of Waldo but here is one of PVT. Samuel W. Duncan of Co. M, 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry (Photo Sleuth)
Waldo’s letter gives us an account of the Battle of Lebanon—a relatively small affair that took place in and near Lebanon, Tennessee on May 5, 1862. We learn that Waldo was not a witness to the event because he had been detailed to guard the baggage, but he relates how the regiment won the praise of General Ebenezer Dumont led the Union troopers into Lebanon and then pursued Colonel John Hunt Morgan’s Confederate cavalry all the way to the Tennessee river. Dumont’s force consisted of detachments from the 1st Kentucky Cavalry under Colonel Frank Lane Wolford, the 4th Kentucky Cavalry under Colonel Green Clay Smith, and the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry under Colonel Wynkoop. Morgan’s force was the 2nd Kentucky Cavalry Regiment. Dumont surprised Morgan early on the morning of May 5, 1862. A 15-mile running battle ensued in which the Confederates were forced to retreat. During the fighting Confederate sympathizers in the town fired upon the Union Cavalry. Many of the remaining Confederates barricaded within the buildings surrendered when Dumont threatened to set the town on fire.
Note: This letter is from the personal collection of Greg Herr and was transcribed and published on Spared & Shared by express consent.
Transcription
Murfreesboro [Tennessee] May 9th, [1862]
Dear Parents,
The second and third Battalion of the 7th have won a noble victory at Lebanon, Tennessee. They charged through the village when the fire was streaming from every window and door. Gen. Dumont, Colonel Wynkoop, Capt. Dartt led them on, Company C at the head of the column. The first charge one of our company was killed and several wounded—Lieut. Greir among the rest. They made five charges before they routed the rebels and then they chased them 25 miles, firing into them all the way and they came to the Tennessee River and swam it and there was only 15 men to swim the river besides Morgan himself. There was about 63 killed and two hundred & 15 taken prisoners. The General says he never will part with the boys that he led in that battle as long as he stays in the service. He says they made the best charge that ever was made on this continent and he went through the Mexican War.
The reason I was not with them is because they detailed me as guard and to assist in bringing the baggage along. We started Monday and arrived in Murfreesboro Tuesday evening. Wednesday our Boys got back from Lebanon with prisoners, horses, arms, &c. Saturday we all came back to Nashville. The reason we marched with the baggage is because Old Morgan cut the telegraph in two and he had a battery and he telegraphed for us to come on.
I got a letter of the 3rd stating that you have received the money. I will send five dollars now and if you get it, write and tell me. If I can get a paper, I will send it to you if it has an account of the battle in it. I am enjoying good health and living in hopes that we may see more fighting before the war is closed for I will not die in the battlefield unless I was born to.
This is the most even country I have ever seen. We saw one range of mountains just before we got to Murfreesboro. They must have been 30 miles from us at least. The forest trees are oak, spruce, and some maple. If you get any account of our battle in the papers, I wish you would send it. — Waldo Spear, Co. C, 7th Pennsylvania Vol. [Cavalry]. Camp Worth, Nashville.
The following letter was written by Augustus Smith (1839-1864), the son of Harry Smith (1802-1887) and Almira Naramore (1806-1899). He was born in Underhill, Vermont.
Augustus was a single, 22 year-old farmer residing in New Ipswich, New Hampshire when he enlisted on 23 December 1861 in Co. M, 1st New England Cavalry (1st Rhode Island) under Capt. William P. Ainsworth. He was sick in General Hospital from May 1862 until Aug. 1862; June 18, 1863, taken prisoner near Middleburg, VA; subsequently paroled at Annapolis, MD; Jan. 5, 1864, re – mustered as a veteran volunteer at Catlett’s Station, VA and transferred to New Hampshire Cavalry by order dated Jan. 7, 1864; died Oct. 6, 1864 at Columbia Furnace, Shenandoah Co. VA, age 25y, 3m; burial at Church Street Cemetery, Swanton Franklin Co. Vermont.
Transcription
Camp Arnold Pawtucket, Rhode Island February 16, 1862
Sister Jane,
I received your letter of the 9th with pleasure yesterday. I had waited long and anxious. I have nothing to write but our camp news as that is all I hear. I have been sick about five weeks since I enlisted but am now quite well. I was at Rollins while I was sick. I had two spells of being there. I think now I shall be able to stand soldier’s fare unless I have a draw back again.
We have good quarters here. We quartered in the city of Pawtucket most three weeks in the public buildings. We had fine times. The ladies of the city used to bring us in pies and cakes several times. There is a regiment here. It makes quite a village. We are about three miles from Providence.
Friday one battalion and a half went to Providence all mounted. It made a string about one mile & a half long single file. Governor Sprague marched us through the city. It being a little rainy which made it a little disagreeable. I was in the saddle about seven hours without getting out. I was some tired at night. I do not know where we are going from here. There is a good many stories circulating about us in regard to disbanding us but I put but little confidence in them. We have but little time to write. We have to drill six hours a day and take care of our horses &c., &c.
I received your picture but it was some damaged. I want you to write as soon as you get this. Give my respects to all inquiring friends. Write all the news and a good long letter for that is what we soldiers like. Yours as ever, — Augustus
Address: Camp Arnold, Pawtucket, R.I. Troop M, 3rd Battalion, N.E. Cavalry, Commanded by Capt. Wm. P. Ainsworth
The following letter was written by Samuel Hall (1836-1863) of Marshall, Marshall county, Iowa. Samuel was married in Fulton county, Indiana to Mary Elizabeth Meredith (1831-1899) in 1855 and in the 1860 US Census he was enumerated in Jefferson township of Marshall county with his wife Mary and two sons, Isaac (age 2) and Leonard (age 7 months). He was a farmer. Samuel enlisted in 13 August 1862 and was mustered in as a private in Co. K, 23rd Iowa Infantry on 1 September 1862. He became ill in the service and in an attempt to see his wife and children before he died, he battled his way home and, according to family tradition, knocked on the door and died on the threshold. His date of death was recorded as 27 August 1863. He was 27 years old.
I could not find an image of Samuel but here is one of George W. Grigsby who served in Co. B, 23rd Iowa Infantry. (Iowa Civil War Images)
The 23rd Iowa was organized at Des Moines and ordered to St. Louis, Missouri, where they were attached to the Department of Missouri. Their duty was at Camp Patterson when this letter was written in November 1862. In his letter, Samuel describes the march from Camp Patterson to Pitman’s Ferry on the Current River, the skirmish there with Confederates, and the march to Pocahontas before marching back to Camp. Patterson. The Skirmish at Pitman’s Ferry is described below from official reports:
On October 27, 1862, Union Colonel William Dewey surprised Confederate Colonel John Q. Burbridge’s Brigade at Pitman’s Ferry (Randolph County). Dewey’s rapid combined-arms attack temporarily won control of the ferry and allowed for the reconnoitering of the Pocahontas (Randolph County) area.
“Near 8:00 a.m. October 27, the Confederate force reported to be Burbridge’s Brigade aligned for battle on the Arkansas side of the river. Dewey formed his line straddling the road about 100 yards from the ferry in Missouri. Deploying his artillery in the center, Federal troops began firing on the Confederate artillery deploying over the river, effectively scattering it and weakening the determination of the defenders. The Twenty-third Iowa positioned itself on the bank to deliver cover fire for the Twenty-fifth Missouri, which crossed the river and lightly skirmished with the Confederates, forcing them to retreat.
In possession of the ferry, Dewey ordered his exhausted men into camp, as they had covered sixty-five miles in two and a half days. On October 29, Dewey linked with Lazear at Bollinger’s Mill, about fifteen miles inside Randolph County, before sending reconnoitering parties toward Pocahontas. On October 30, Dewey began his return to Camp Patterson, reaching the site on November 2.” [Source: Skirmish at Pitman’s Ferry, October 27, 1862, Encyclopedia Arkansas]
Transcription
Addressed to Miss E. A. Meek, Des Moines, Iowa (via Cairo)
Camp Patterson November 4, 1862
I once more sit down to let you know that I am well at present and I hope this letter will find you the same.
We left this camp the 25th of October for Pitman’s Ferry on Current River 80 miles from camp. We was called up in the night about twelve o’clock and they told us to fix for eight days march to rout four thousand Rebels. We marched night and day till we got there. We took their pickets as we went down. We got one Captain and sixteen privates. We got to the river at three o’clock the third day after we started. The artillery fired at them five or six times across the river but they never fired a gun but took to their scrapers. We couldn’t get across the river soon enough so we stayed there that night and followed them next morning to Pocahontas about thirty miles in Arkansas, but they traveled the night before and was out of reach. Provision was scarce and we was tired and we turned back to our camp. But to help me along, I took the measles adn had to be hauled back. But they did not have much effect on me against I got back and read your letter and seen the rest of the boys. I felt alright. There was only three companies of our regiment went.
Several other companies out of other regiments [with] part of our regiment started yesterday to Cape Girardeau for battle and the rest is helping to build a fort here. We will probably stay here all winter. We have pretty good fare for soldiers. We got a deer yesterday and had a pretty good time eating it. I was weighed today and I weighed 150 pounds. My weight is 150 for common. I wrote to William and you not long ago. I am going to write to George Randle this evening if I can. I would like to see the folks and would like to have been at that little bust up at our house. How I would [have] made them [funnybeans?] fly. But that [is] nothing.
The Colonel had a dance and I was there and the girls was all over in a minute and back again. Who wouldn’t be a soldier? But that isn’t half. Write soon. — Samuel H. to Miss Meeks
The following letter was written by Charles Frederick Urban (1838-1916) of Co. H, 13th Pennsylvania Reserves (42nd Pennsylvania Infantry), also known as the 1st Pennsylvania Rifles, Kane’s Rifles, or simply the “Bucktails.” Charles enlisted on 1 August 1861. He was wounded on 19 August 1864 in the fighting at Weldon Railroad and was taken prisoner. He was released in March 1865.
Charles was born in Saxony (Germany) and was laboring as a stone mason in Lebanon, Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, when he volunteered to fight for the stars and stripes. He was barely literate and I had to interpolate a bit to make any sense of his letter.
The letter appears to have been datelined from Pierpont on December 1 but I suspect the fighting described refers to the Battle of Dranesville which occurred on 20 December 1861. It was in that battle that Col. Thomas L. Kane was wounded (though not in the penis, that I am aware of).
The Battle of Dranesville
Transcription
Camp Pierpont [near Langley, Va.] December 1, [1861]
Dear friend,
I take my pen in hand to inform you with a few lines that I am well and still in the land of the living yet and I hope that this few lines will find your family in good health.
My dear friend, you wanted to know about the war. I can tell you a little about it what happened this week. They had a little [ ] and killed two or three and some wounded and them that were wounded we carried along to our hospital and when he was near dead, said he could lick four of our Union Soldiers. He was shot in the head and in the side and arm, but he was dead the next morning and the rest [too]. There was one of our soldiers wounded and he said that they should get his pistol and shoot that secesh but the soldier was dead the next morning. The Colonel’s horse was shot under him and a [ ] shot in his penis and did not hurt him further. I cant tell you more about it.
Further, I let you know that I have seen in your letter that you have stopped berry time now [and] I want you to come to war and fight for the stars and stripes. That is all I can tell you now, my dear friend. You must excuse me for not writing more. Dear friend, I have been with my father two days and one night and we had some Lager beer and some more to drink, but you can see what fun times we had for we have not seen each other for about four months and the rest of the Lebanon fellers that left with him.
I must come to a close for tonight. So good night John and Danel and your family. From your true friend, — Charles Urban
The following letter was written by Homer Sargent Bean (1833-1862) of Co. B, 3rd Maine Infantry, who gives an account of the Battle of Bull Run which took place on Sunday, 21 July 1861. The 3rd Maine Infantry was attached to Howard’s Brigade, Heintzelman’s Division of McDowell’s Army of Northeastern Virginia. Though the regiment entered into the battle, they suffered few battle casualties. The official records—2 killed, 4 wounded, 25 captured, 2 deserted, for a total of 33.
I could not find an image of Homer but here is one of Herman S. Webber of Co. B, 3rd Maine Infantry (1861)
Composed primarily of Kennebec lumbermen, the 3rd Maine was mustered in at Augusta for a three-year term of service on June 4, 1861, departing for the front lines the following day. It has been posited that “perhaps no regiment from the state saw more fighting or rendered more distinguished service.” From the First Battle of Bull Run to the Battle of Cold Harbor, the regiment participated in numerous significant battles and military movements. During the first Bull Run, the 3rd was under the command of Colonel Oliver O. Howard (1830–1909), who rapidly ascended to the rank of Major General and emerged as a prominent national figure. At the Battle of Fair Oaks, the 3rd sustained losses of nearly a third of its forces, and Howard suffered the loss of his right arm.
Homer was the son of Jeremiah Robinson Bean (1806-1880) and Sarah Cammett (1801-1857) of Augusta, Kennebec county, Maine. He did not survive the war. He died of disease on 22 November 1862 and was buried in the US Soldiers’ and Airmens’ Home National Cemetery, Site D 4441.
The 3rd Maine Encampment at Clermont, Fairfax county, Va.
Transcription
Clermont, Fairfax county, Virginia 1 August 4th 1861
Dear Father and Mother,
It is with pleasure that I seat myself to converse with you a few moments by the silent movings of the pen to inform you of my health which is good—only I had the toothache the other day and I went to the doctor and had it pulled out and my jaw has ached ever since. But it is easy today.
George is well and sends his love to you. Frank is well and sends his love to you.
I suppose you have heard about the battle we had with the rebels. It was two weeks ago today. We had a hard time of it. We were called into ranks at half past one o’clock a.m. and at an hour later, we started. But on account of being the last brigade, we had in the commencement a very slow march and laid exposed to the burning rays of the sun without the least shade for several hours.
Finally we had orders to advance and were drove with such haste that a good many had to give out and fall back, and we were almost beat out by running until we reached the battlefield. What was the worst of it was the scarcity of water. We were real glad to find mud puddles which at home we would not offer to our horses or cattle and quenched our thirst with them for the heat was awful and not the slightest breeze stirring. The consequence was that we were defeated and returned in somewhat confusion until we reached our camp we left in the morning. We halted here for a few hours and then retreated from there in good order back to Alexandria where we stopped about a day and a half and then went out again to the place where our tents was pitched and [have] remained here ever since.
We suffered a good deal in them two days and a good many of us have not got over it yet but we have now time enough to rest and think we shall get over it soon. Our duty now is nothing more than common camp duty such as standing guard and drilling and we are favored as much as possible, but the weather is very not here and that causes us considerable sweating.
Give my love to all inquiring friends. I cannot think of any more to write now. Write as soon as you get this. Write all of the news. Now I must close by bidding you goodbye till I hear from you.
— H. S. Bean
Write how Piggy gets along and tell Cluckey to lay a lot of eggs for I want some when I get home. — H. S. Bean
1 The 3rd Maine Infantry’s encampment was at F. Forrest’s plantation, Clermont, a quarter of a mile south of Bush Hill, Scott’s farm, Fairfax county, Virginia.
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