The following letter was written by Alexander F. Swartwout (b. 1822) who first served for three months in the 20th New York State Militia early in the Civil War. This regiment was later reorganized in as the 80th New York Infantry; Alexander was in Co. B. He was actually serving in the 80th NY Infantry at the time he wrote this letter in February 1862 although he gave his unit designation as the 20th NYSM.
Alexander was a cheese-maker by profession. He was described as standing 5′ 4.5″ tall, with blue eyes and sandy hair. He mustered out of the regiment on 29 January 1866.
A post published comment received by reader who presumably knows more than I do so I share: “The 20th New York State Militia never mustered into Federal service under any other number. The attempted number change by the nefarious Governor Morgan was merely a political ploy. The 20th was paid under this number by the Federal Government. The regiment was never issued rifled muskets from Prussia—-the 90 day soldiers carried model 1842 Springfields and at the writing by Swarthout, the regiment had been issued .54 caliber Austrian Lorenz rifled muskets which proved to be fine and were still in service at Gettysburg. Late in 1863 and after the 20th were issued Springfields.”
Transcription
Upton Hill, Virginia February 3, 1862
My dear friend,
George, I thought I would take the pleasure to write you a few lines to let you know how things are a getting along down here in the land of Dixie. We lay about five miles from the enemy. We go out on picket about three miles from their camps. We see their pickets sometimes. We have had two chases after the rebels but they retreated both times so we had no chance for a fight.
Our regiment is anxious [for] a fight for we are tired of laying still doing nothing but we are having very fine times here at present. It is very seldom you see a house here but it is occupied by Union soldiers, the inhabitants all having left them. We are twelve miles from Washington.
John D____nt is in the Lincoln Cavalry. They are stationed down in the city of Alexandria. That is about six miles from our camp. It has been very bad weather here lately. It has rained and snowed here for the last three weeks. The mud is knee deep here.
We receive our 26 dollars every two months. We have also had another new suit of clothes since we have been out here. We have also got new rifles. They came from Prussia. They are wicked things to shoot with. 1 We are under marching orders but where we are going, I do not know but some say that we are going to Port Royal, South Carolina. I hope it is so.
Answer this letter. So no more at present until I hear from you. This is from one who is fighting for the Union and his country. Give my best respects to your folks and all of my friends. Yours with respect. — A. F. Swartwout
Direct your letter to Alexander F. Swartwout in care of Col. George W. Pratt, Co. B, 20 Regiment, N. Y. S. M., Washington D. C.
1 Alexander states that the 80th New York Infantry had been issued “Prussian Rifles” that were “wicked” to shoot. An article by Dan Masters entitled, “Arming the Empire State: Arms Issued to the New York Regiments in 1861” states that “the 80th New York, the old 20th New York State Militia, left the state with the flank companies armed with rifle and the line companies armed with Model 1842s. This image of six soldiers dates from 1862 when it was part of General Irvin McDowell’s First Army Corps.”It isn’t clear from Alexander’s statement whether the entire regiment was issued Prussian Rifles or not, and if so, what model they received. If they received the Dreyse Needle Rifle, it may explain why he considered them “wicked.”
The following letter was written by Reuben Wheeler (1819-1882), the son of Charles Wheeler (1783-1843) and Lucy Winch of Natick, Massachusetts. Reuben was married in Natick in 1841 and relocated with his family to Depere, Brown county, Wisconsin, prior to 1850. In September 1861, Reuben volunteered to serve as a corporal in Co. F (“Depere Rifles”), 14th Wisconsin Infantry. This regiment was sometimes called the “Northwestern Regiment” or the “Wisconsin Regulars” for their gallantry on the battlefield. Reuben was wounded at Vicksburg on 22 May 1863 but survived and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant before war’s end.
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Addressed to Mrs. Martha B. Wheeler, Depere, Brown county, Wisconsin
Camp Wood [Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin] February 16, 1862
Dear Wife,
I received your letter of the 13th and 15th and was glad to hear that Herbert was getting so much better. I hope your breast will not trouble you again. You must be careful and not do anything to irritate it.
It has been very cold here for a few days, but is more moderate now. I was doing guard duty on Friday. I think it was as cold at 12 o’clock that night as I ever saw it. It seems that Mr. Blake is really a going to move. I called on them when I was coming up. Mrs. Blake did not seem to know whether they would move or not. The only thing she seemed to care about stopping for was for Mary to go to school. That I should think would hardly pay.
There is talk now of having pay and marching orders this week and it really seems to look like it. I am detailed tomorrow on special duties for making preparations for pulling up stakes which is certainly one move towards it. I will wait till after dress parade before I write any more and see if anything else is said about it.
Well, time is past for dress parade and no call for one so I shall get no more information tonight, but as soon as I do I will write again. The talk is that we shall go to Cairo—that such orders have been sent to the Governor to have all of the armed troops sent to Cairo and the remaining ones sent to St. Louis and there await further orders. It is said that we will have marching orders within ten days.
Having no more news I will close this time. When I get more definite news, I will write again.
The following letter was written by Cpl. Ovando M. Messer (1842-1938) of Co. C, 19th Ohio Infantry. Ovando was the son of Loren Sanborn Messer (1816-1890) and Chestina Waterbury Cook (1815-1892) of Warren, Ohio.
Marcellus Ovando Messer (who variously signed his letters Ovando Messer, Ovando M. Messer, or M. Ovando Messer) was born on 2 November 1842 in Guilford, Belknap County, New Hampshire. In 1856 he moved with his family to Warren, Trumbull County, Ohio, and in September 1861 was mustered in to Company C, 19th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He would remain with Co. C of the 19th Ohio to the end of the war (and beyond), serving in the Army of the Ohio (to November1862), the Army of the Cumberland (to October 1863), IV Corps (to August 1865), and the Department of Texas (to October 1865), reenlisting on January 1, 1864.
Messer served in many of the major campaigns of the war’s western theater, mainly in Tennessee and Georgia. He was present at a number of significant engagements, including the battles of Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, and Nashville. He served in Sherman’s Atlanta campaign. In the summer of 1865 he and the 19th Ohio were among the troops sent to Texas to keep an eye on Emperor Maximilian I in Mexico. He was mustered out in San Antonio on 21 October 1865. Though Messer’s letters report a number of close calls, he concluded his four years of service without serious injury or illness. He married Frances M. “Fannie” Dickey in 1873 and remained in Warren, Ohio until his death on 27 November 1938.
I wrote a letter to you a day or two ago, but as I have nothing else to do, I thought I would write a few lines to you this evening. I am well and getting along finely. So are all the boys in the company. Lieut. G. M. Hull came up today. He was well and hearty although his wound was not quite well. Israel D. Lewis of our company also came up. He was well also. I am writing this in the chapel [ ]. The U.S. Sanitary Commission furnishes the paper and envelopes as you see by the heading. Two new regiments joined the Brigade a few days ago—the 3rd & 4th Michigan—numbering about 1,000 men. Before they came into the Brigade, there was not more than 500 men [fit] for duty. Everything goes on finely and there is nothing that I want from home.
I take great pleasure in keeping my diary. It is more interesting than I thought it would be. There is no news to write so I will close.
Love to all of the dear ones at home and my best respects to all friends who enquire for your boring son. — Marcella Ovando Masur
Civil War Union Cavalry Swallowtail Guidon Flag belonging to Corporal Marcellus Ovando Messer (1842-1938), 19th Regt., Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company C. The silk flag has a double wreath of 35 gilt-painted stars, indicating use between the admission of West Virginia as a state in 1863, and the admission of Nevada in 1865; canton and stripes are pieced and treadle-sewn. 26 14″ x 36 3/4″ sight, 30″ x 40″ framed. Note: according to flag historian Greg Biggs, the U.S. contracted for more of these guidons than the cavalry could use, so standards like this one were issued to infantry regiments as guide flags, which were placed on the left and right flanks of the regiment to help form their line of battle. The battles in which the 19th Ohio engaged were among the war’s most infamous and included Shiloh, Missionary Ridge, and Chickamauga. They also participated in the Atlanta campaign, under General William Tecumseh Sherman. In all, the 19th regiment participated in 21 battles and crossed Tennessee 16 times, marching over 6,000 miles and traveling another 6,500 by rail and water. Cpl. Messer was born Nov. 2, 1842 in Guilford, New Hampshire. His family moved to Warren, Ohio when he was 14. When the Civil War broke out, Messer joined the 19th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company C., on Sept. 7, 1861 and was promoted to Corporal in 1863. According to his discharge record, he was discharged as a corporal on Dec. 31, 1863 at Flat Creek, Tennessee “by reason of re-enlistment as a veteran volunteer” and again served in C Company.
After Lee’s surrender, he went to Texas as part of General Grant’s army to monitor Mexican Emperor Maximillian. He was discharged Oct. 24, 1865 at San Antonio. According to his records, he “served continually in the same Company and Regiment through the entire war… without being sick or wounded or on detached service, and having never missed a battle in which the regiment was engaged. He did not taste of liquor while in the service.”
After the war, Messer returned to Warren, Ohio, and married Frances “Frannie” M. Dickey. They had one son and lived in the old Dickey homestead. Messer, a Republican, went on to serve as a member of the city council for five years in the 1880s and on other municipal boards. He also served as a bailiff in the Probate Court for more than 20 years.
Note: Some of this biographical information comes from a newspaper article on Messer in the Youngstown OH Vindicator newspaper, August 14, 2005. A copy of the article is included with this lot. Provenance: by descent in the Messer family to present consignor. Note: remnants of a box formerly used to store the flag bore this inscription: “A regimental flag of the 19 O.V.I. carried during Nov. 1861-65.” CONDITION: 4 1/4″ tear upper center canton, with two holes – 2″ diameter and 1 1/2″ L – at center right edge of canton. Two 1″ to 1 1/2″ L holes to stripes along sleeve. Center with 3″ hole/loss; each tip with losses and fraying. Several other small holes and slits; light fading, staining, discoloration and creasing throughout. Flag has been mounted (not glued down) atop white matting, under acrylic, and framed in a molded giltwood frame.
The following letter was written by Samuel Benjamin Barber (1838-1873). Samuel was born in Lewis, Essex county, New York but was living in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1861 when he enlisted in Co. D, 3rd Michigan Infantry (1st Organization). He was wounded on 15 July 1864 and mustered out that same year. He died in 1873 and was buried in New Boston, Michigan.
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Culpeper Court House, Va. Saturday, September 26, 1863
My dear friend,
Yours of the 11th came duly to hand and found me in the best of health and hope that these few lines will find you as they leave me.
We are once more back to the Army of the Potomac after being a month inn New York City and up as far as the City of Troy during the draft in those places, but although being within 160 miles of home but still could not have the privilege of visiting them—not even one day while we remained in Troy which was two weeks, but still they would not let me have a furlough. Well never mind. My time will soon roll around. Then let us see them help themselves if they can although I talk of re-enlisting for three years more before I come home. What do you think about that? Had I better or not? Give me your opinion upon the subject. Ask Marjania what she thinks of it.
It rests with the folks at home whether I do or not. If things keep up at home as they have for the last year, I think that my home will be in the Army or in some unknown country from henceforth and forever more. It grieves me to hear how things are working at home. It seems to me as though they were trying their best to ruin me as I am the youngest of the boys and making more money that them all that they all work against me. But it is a long road that never turns. It causes me more sorrow than all things else to think that all of my relations should act as they do and those that I supposed were my friends have taken active part since I enlisted to do all in their power to prove my overthrow. Perhaps they will make it work, but I hardly think that they have the hardest job on hand that they have bargained, for very lately, if I cannot match them in some way, I’ll give it up for a bad job and call it square.
When you. write, let me know where Russell Duntley lives that I worked for two two weeks for that fall. He lived down near Ypsilanti on on his mother-in-law’s place. He took it for five years. I should like to know where he is. If you can tell me, I will be thankful to you for the desired information if you can give it and oblige your friend very much indeed.
Give my best respects to your folks. Tell Marjania to be a good girl and if the Lord’s will, I hope to see you all sometime. So farewell for this time. Write as soon as convenient. Give all the news. This is from your friend and well wisher, — Samuel B. Barber
To his friends Martha and Marjania Ray, Plymouth, Wayne county, Michigan
This letter was written by Timothy Sprague (1811-1862), the son of John Sprague (1775-1862) and Rhoda Crittenden (1776-1835) of Wyoming county, New York. Timothy’s first wife was Polly Bliss who died sometime after the birth of her second child, Walter Scott Sprague (1844-1916). Her first child was Isabella Sprague (1839-1904), the recipient of this letter. Timothy married a second time to a woman named Sarah but she seems to have died in the early 1850s, perhaps not long before he made the journey to Minnesota Territory described in this letter.
Isabella was born in China, New York and died in 1904 in Conneautville, Crawford county, Pennsylvania. Timothy’s letter mentions “Ethan.” I believe this was Ethan Lord Sprague (1835-1917), the son of Timothy’s brother, John Sprague, Jr. (1807-1888) and Harriet Lord (1810-1875) of Conneautville, PA.
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St. Paul [Minnesota Territory] June 29, [1850s]
Miss Isabella Sprague,
I have been out today on a ramble. I started on a road that runs to the northeast. After rising the bluffs, it is just rolling enough to make it pleasant. There is a luxuriant growth of vegetation, wild flowers of all colors and forms. I saw a small lake with water clear as crystal filled with fish. Lucky for them I was not prepared for fishing. The soil is rather too sandy but the crops look very well here. they are ahead of anything in Pennsylvania or Ohio.
St. Paul is filled with foreign population of all kinds. 1 It would please you to see a Red River 2 train which is 600 miles distant from here. There is a train of 6 or 7 hundred carts on their way down loaded with furs and skins. Their carts are made of wheels about the size of hind wheels to a wagon on axles about 4 feet apart with rack about 4 feet long. they are made entirely of wood with fills and drawn with one horse or ox harnessed. If drawn by more than one, they are put one before the other. 3
The wagons described by Sprague and some of the Métis people of Minnesota Territory.
I had a long talk with a young man that was raised in Red River. He was a very intelligent man. He says they have a good road in the summer all the way through a beautiful country. They do not raise much corn there but wheat grows large. It frequently runs as high as 75 bushels per acre. They run up the Mississippi with steamboats 80 or 100 miles above St. Anthony. Also up the St. Peters about the same distance. It is very warm weather here. They have not had any frost here since April. We have high winds but they are warm.
St. Paul has a nunnary or convent. I frequently see the Sisters of Charity walking out draped in black from head to foot. Also the monks or Black Friars, I call them, with long black gowns on and golden crucifixes strung around heir necks that would sink them in the river and if every one was like me, they would get pitched in.
Tell [your cousin] Ethan I have not been around enough to find a place where he can do any better than he can there. I have not had a chance to form many acquaintances but what I have, I am well pleased with. The women are full as smart as they are in Bloomer Town and appear as well. I should have written before but I did not know as I should stay here long enough to get an answer.
I have sent Scott two papers and will send him more occasionally. I want you and scott to write to me when you get this and write whether you have heard from Mr. Cary or not. I will send you five dollars and if you want any more, let me know it. I would send you more but I think Mr. Cary has written before now. My money is in small bills and I do not want to rish sending so far if I can help it.
No accident has happened to me except a spark of fire blew in the car window and set my coat pocket on fire. I probably took it as cool as anyone would to run my hand into a burning pocket and take a powder horn out for I was in just the right mood to not care whether I was blown up or not. I can think of enough to write but my hand is too tired so farewell for the present. — T. Sprague
1 A correspondent for the Hartford Republican recorded his first impressions of St. Paul in a most unfavorable light when he visited the town city in 1855. “It was raining and the streets were covered with mud, black as tar, ” he wrote. “It is situated upon a bluff 60 feet above the river and is surrounded by a bluff still higher, from which you have magnificent views of the amphitheater below. St. Paul has about 6,000 inhabitants, sixty lawyers, six or eight churches, five daily papers (two Republican and three Democratic), and every man takes all papers and advertises in all, though the price is more than double that of our Eastern papers. Speculation is most rampant, and those who are the most reckless, make the most money, a fact which is owing to the rapid rise in land. The country is constantly being filled up with immigrants, hundreds and hundreds daily arriving in the boats, mostly from New England and New York, though every state in the Union is represented. All the best lands within 50 miles of here are taken up.” [Cayuga Chief, 20 November 1855, Auburn, NY]
2 The Red River originates at the confluence of the Bois de Sioux and Otter Trail rivers and flows northward through the Red River Valley, forming most of the border of Minnesota and North Dakota. It continues into Canada and empties into Lake Winnipeg. The watershed was a key trade route of the Hudson Bay Company, transporting furs and other commodities.
3 “In the 17th century a lucrative trade developed between Native Americans who trapped animals near the Great Lakes and traders who shipped the animal furs to Europe. For two centuries this trade network was the Métis people—a mixed race community descended from Native Americans and French traders, as well as other mixed race peoples. In particular, during the latter 18th century, numerous French and English traders in the Minnesota region purchased Sioux wives in order to establish kinship relationships with the Sioux so as to secure their supply of furs from the tribes.” (Wikipedia)
The following two letters were sent to me from a private collection with the hope that I might be able to identify the author but I have failed to do so. I publish it here, however, on the outside chance that I might be able to link it to some other correspondence in the future.
[Note these letters are the property of Greg Herr and were sent to me for publication on Spared & Shared by express consent.]
Letter 1
Richmond [Virginia] February 22, 1861
Dear Babie,
Enclosed please fid $5 which you will hand to Mr. Scott in exchange for a five dollar S. Carolina Note provided he has not used it (the note I let him have). If he has made use of it, you can keep the note I send and use it for your own purposes. Please let me hear from you as soon as you receive this.
I send you a hat which I hope you will receive safe, and please, I heard from you through Miss Pattie Boothe a few days ago. She said her sister told her you were invited to her wedding. She seemed somewhat surprised that such a report should be in circulation. Of course she would be expected to deny it. I suppose it is put off for the present, and may be forever. I send you also some candies, figs, fruits, &c. which I hope will please.
All’s well at Big Pa’s and at home. If you do not understand exactly about the money I send, show this to Mr. Scott and he will know if he has the S. Carolina Note yet and cannot pass it in Danville return it to me by letter.
You must study close and try to learn as fast as you can. Of course the faster you advance, the sooner you will complete your education and the less it will cost which is a consideration these hard times when money is tight.
Write soon and let me know if you get your articles all right. Your little Pa. — John J. Barnes
I have been down to Richmond attending the Convention. 1 The Convention is likely to do nothing satisfactory to the people. I go up in the morning.
1 The Virginia Convention of 1861, also called the Secession Convention, met on February 13, 1861, before the American Civil War to decide if Virginia should secede from the United States. It had 152 delegates, mostly Unionists, who were elected by the Virginia General Assembly, and their decision needed to be confirmed by a statewide vote. Several Southern states had already seceded after Abraham Lincoln was elected president in November 1860. Virginia was hesitant, and debates lasted for months. On April 4, secessionists lost a vote but still prepared for war. Former governor Henry A. Wise tried to secure the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry by military means, which upset Unionist delegate John Baldwin. After Fort Sumter fell on April 13 and Lincoln called for volunteers on April 15, support for secession grew, leading the convention to vote on April 17 to leave the Union. Virginians showed their support in a vote on May 23, and the state joined the Confederacy.
Letter 2
Richmond [Virginia] March 21st 1862
Dear Babie,
I wrote you some time since but have not heard from you since your letter on your arrival at Danville. I have taken cold in camp and have been quite sick for 5 or 6 days and am not any better yet. I have not been confined to my bed all the time. When I feel well enough, I walk about my room. assoon as I am able to travel on the cars, I will come up to see you which I hope will be sometime next week. Answer this note as soon as you receive it and let me know if you need anything as I may carry it up to you when I go. Since I have been sick, our company has disbanded and the most of them gone home. I was sorry but could not help it so many of them getting exempt on account of being a widow’s overseer and about 20 sick ones in camp.
I left camp and came to town as soon as I was taken sick. Ned is very sick also, but hope he is some better today. The doctor thinks Ned better. I have had Morris here but got Tom to take him home this morning. I do not feel much like writing this evening [even] if I had anything to write, and as I have none, I will stop. Paper is scarce. As you see I am writing on an old circular. Write soon as you get this. Direct to Richmond. — J. J. Barnes
The following letter was written by Sergt. Major John Arthur Johnston (1828-1899) who was a wholesale grocer in Petersburg, Virginia, before the American Civil War. The partnership was called, “Donnan and Johnston.” At the breaking out of the war, Johnston volunteered to become the post quartermaster of the CSA at Norfolk. When Norfolk was evacuated, he was placed in charge of the quartermaster’s department of Mahone’s Brigade. He was subsequently made quartermaster of Anderson’s Division which place he held until the end of the war.
Returning to Petersburg after the war, he was elected sheriff and served 14 years in that capacity, He was also at one time a director in the Atlantic, Mississippi & Ohio Railroad Company.
This letter was written to Alexander Donnan, his former partner in the grocery business.
[Note: This letter is from the personal collection of Greg Herr and was made available for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent.]
Transcription
Addressed to Mr. Alexander Donnan, Care of Messrs. Alex & J. M. Donnans. Attorneys at Law, Petersburg, Virginia
Army of Northern Virginia Camp near Fredericksburg, Va. March 28, 1863
Mr. Alexander Donnan, dear friend,
Your valued letter of the 18th inst. reached me a few days ago. Pease accept my thanks for the prompt attention given and your prompt reply.
You can arrange the necessary papers to revise the decree at your convenience and send then to me by mail and I will have them executed and returned when the decree is secured. We can [ ] the date of sale terms, &c.
All quiet at present along our [front] although we are busy preparing for an active Spring Campaign and are ordered to be in readiness by the 1st of April. I think Gen. Lee’s Order looks to heavy work and bloody deeds and I would not be surprised if we again entered Maryland. Of this, however, no one knows. As soon as the weather will allow, we shall no doubt be up and doing. All baggage and clothing in excess is ordered back to Richmond until the campaign is over. God grant that the result will be more fruitful of peace than those of the last campaign.
William and Andrew send their love. If we should move, I shall furnish you with the post office. Adieu. My love to all. Believe me your friend, — J. A. Johnston
I couldn’t find a photograph of James but here’s a 1/9th plate tintype of a soldier thought to be from Co. C, 101st Pennsylvania Infantry (Ronn Palm Collection)
This letter was written by James Baker (1831-1864) of Co. C, 101st Pennsylvania Infantry. James enlisted as a private on 20 December 1861 for three years. He re-enlisted as a veteran in the winter of 1863-64 and was one among many of his regiment surrendered at the Battle of Plymouth on 18 April 1864 and taken to Andersonville Prison. He died there four months later on 20 August 1864 and was buried in grave 6061. Also mentioned in this letter was John H. Baker who was also taken prisoner at Plymouth and who died at Florence, S. C., on 15 February 1865.
The men in Co. C of the regiment were recruited principally in Lawrence and Beaver counties of Pennsylvania. James was the son of Richard Wesley Baker (1799-1882) and Catherine Thompson (1807-1884) of Beaver county. He was married to Mary Millison (1825-1870) in June 1845 and together they had several children: Samuel Baker (1847-1935), Mandana R. Baker (1849-1900), William Oliver Baker (b. 1853), Catherine Baker (1855-1905), Isabella Baker (1860-1948), and Mary Ann Elizabeth Baker (1862-1878). The Bakers were living in New Castle, Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, at the time of the 1860 US Census.
This letter is from the private collection of Greg Herr and was transcribed and published on Spared & Shared by express consent.
Transcription
Camp near New Bern, N. C. February 21, 1863
My dear wife and children.
I sit down this morning with my pen and paper to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well as can be expected and hope that these few lines will find you enjoying the same. I received on the 16th inst. one pair of mittens and three papers and one letter from you. I was so glad when I got them. you. say in your letter that you have had hard getting along this winter. you say you have had to carry all your wood this winter. I am sorry to hear this. I am away here in North Carolina far from you enduring the hardships of a soldier. We have to lay on the ground every night and the hardships that we have to endure you at home know nothing about but I thank God that He has spared me till this time. Thank God that He protected me in battle when the bullets flew around us like hail. But what is to become of us in the future, I can’t tell. I had thought we would get home this spring but it is doubtful as there is a very dark cloud hanging over us. I feel like staying it out till it is over, let it be long or short. You wouldn’t want me to come home a coward.
I must stop this and tell you something more and that is this. This day, I express you fifty dollars. We got fifty-two dollars paid us on the fifth of this month and I would have sent you this money home before this time but I could not get it sent. We are looking for two more months more pay every day and that will pay us up for last year. This fifty dollars that I send now is to you and the children, twenty-five dollars to you, and five dollars to Samuel and five dollars to Mandana and five dollars to Belle and the baby and the other five lay it away and if we get our other two months pay you may look for twenty dollars more sent to you.
Mr. John H. Baker sends his wife twenty dollars in this package which is seventy dollars. When you get this money, I want you to give John H. Baker’s wife her twenty dollars to send her and tell her that he could not send her any more money this time as he has been wounded and it costs a wounded or a sick man something here to keep him. He can’t live on the rations that we get here. A well man can hardly live on it so you want to tell her that is the reason he did not send her more money home htis time. Tell her that we are looking for two months more pay every day and when he gets it he will send her twenty dollars more.
I still want you to send me some more New Castle papers and tell Mr. Granis I want him to send me a letter and let me know the news of the neighborhood. I want to know of you if you got a letter with a fine comb in it. If you did, you got a secesh comb. I got it in Kinston when we fought the battle on the 14th day of December last. You may look for some more things sent to you the first of March. I will send home my great coat that I wore that day and some other things. Be sure and send me them names so as I can send them grape [paper torn] to them. Let me know if you got them pants.
There is nothing very particular here going on. There is plenty of wenches going through camp selling pies. We buy some pies from them. The weather is very warm here and dry. The grass is three inches high and peach trees is coming out in blossom. The mittens I send back home again as I don’t need them now. My dear wife and children, I bid you farewell hoping that I will see you soon. Keep in good heart. Take good care of the children and may God keep you all alive till I get home. Answer this letter as soon as you get it. I will close by saying, God help you. — James Baker
To Mary A. Baker, Samuel Baker, Mandana Baker, William O. Baker, and Pet Bell
The following letter was written by Edwin Collins Gaskill (1844-1889) of Mendon, Massachusetts, who enlisted in October 1861 at age 18 to serve in Co. B, 25th Massachusetts infantry. After he re-enlisted in January 1864, he was discharged in February 1864 to accept a commission as 2nd Lt. in Co. C, 36th USCT. Edwin served in the same regiment as his older brother Leonard Taft Gaskill (1843-1928). He was severely wounded in the Battle of Chaffin’s farm in Virginia on 29 September 1864 and lost his left arm. A report on the battle claims that, “First Lieut. Edwin C. Gaskill, Thirty-sixth U.S. Colored Troops, rushed in front of his regiment, and, waving his sword, called on the men to follow. At this moment he was shot through the arm, within twenty yards of the enemy’s works.”
Edwin was the son of Micajah Collins Gaskill (1816-1894) and Hannah Mariah Taft (1824-1844).
It being a wet day, and I not having much to do, I thought I would answer your letter. We were very glad to hear from you, as we always are to hear from home. I suppose you have received Leonard’s letter before now if it has gone through right, but there is considerable many letters that get miscarried.
Last week we had two grand reviews of all the troops in Annapolis. On Thursday we was reviewed by Gen. Foster. It was a splendid sight to see about twelve thousand troops all in one field passing in review—eleven regiments of infantry and one cavalry. I wish you. could have been here to seen it. There was considerable many young ladies as well as some of the men in this place do not think much of the soldiers. The yellow girls think the most about a soldier out here and there is a plenty of them here. you see out here a nice double team with two or three nice looking young ladies dressed in tip top style, with an old looking and ragged negro for a waiter. I think the northern ladies would not like that style very well.
There is one of the Lieutenants of the 21st Massachusetts Regiment is waiting upon Gov. Hicks’ daughter of Maryland. She is a good looking girl.
On Friday we was reviewed by Gen. Burnsides. We expect to be reviewed by Gen. McClellan before we leave here. We do not know when we shall leave here. Some think we shall get away next week and some think we shall stay here a month yet. But I heard that our Colonel said we were liable to start amost any day. But I think we shall not get away in a fortnight certain judging by the time it took the other expeditions to get started. There is about a dozen transports down in the harbor ready for us now. We do not know where we are going when we leave here, and probably shall not until we get there. But then there is a great many ideas in regard to where we are agoing. Some think we shall go up the Potomac; others think we shall go down to Charleston, S. C. and so on.
I suppose you are going to school now to Mr. George. I was very much surprised to hear e was agoing to teach the school. I should not think there would be hardly room enough in the old school house for him to walk around conveniently. I suppose he makes them tread right up to the mark as they did Davis and myself. I saw Mr. Comings several times while we were at Worcester. He would have hardly known me if I had not spoken to him first. I must now close. Give my love to all. Please write soon. From your cousin, — Edwin
I could not find an image of Henry but here is an unidentified member of Co. B wearing the winter uniform of the 22nd Massachusetts (Al & Claudia Niemiec Collection)
The following letters were written by Henry Thomas Fitts (1842-1919), the son of Daniel French Fitts (1805-1883) and Susan Fellows (1805-18xx) of Haverhill, Essex county, Massachusetts.
Henry was a 19 year-old shoe cutter from Haverhill when he enlisted in September 1861 as a private in Co. H, 22nd Massachusetts Infantry. He transferred to the 216th Company of the Veteran Reserve Corps, 1st Battalion, in April 1864 and mustered out of the service in October 1864. Muster rolls inform us that he was reported missing at the Battle of Gaines’ Mill on 27 June 1862.
Letter 1
Addressed to Miss Emily S. Fitts, Haverhill, Massachusetts
Point Lookout, Maryland November 26th 1863 Thanksgiving Day
Dear Sister Em,
I have been waiting all this week to hear from home supposing that you would write when Father got home and let me know that he did get home all right, but I find that I have been trusting to a forlorn hope and so have concluded to drop you a line. Everything remains in about the same way as when Father was here and I suppose he has told you more than I can write.
I received a letter from Dan last night in which he informed me of the death of Laura’s little boy and my nephew Charley. This is sad news indeed but I suppose it was so ordered by a mightier power than ours, for our—as well as his good. He has only been lifted higher and has been spared all the troubles and misfortunes of at the best, but a short existence sooner or later we must all pass over the river. Let us so live that we may at any time be prepared to die.
I should much like to be at home today but find there is not much use in wishing, fortune favoring this is the last Thanksgiving I shall ever spend in the Army. Next year I hope to spend this day with you at home. We are going to have a dinner here of roast pigs and apple pies. This is all we get to celebrate with,
It is a beautiful day—almost as warm as it is in June.
They are offering great inducements for the old veterans to re-enlist but I can’t see it—at least not till my time is out on this enlistment, and then—why, we will see, what we will see.
I have just finished the last chestnut there was in the little box you sent me by Father. It was very pleasant and seemed so good to have something come from home. You don’t know how much good it done me.
I have use for eight photographs and although there is a gallery here, yet they take such poor ones that I should be ashamed to send them to any one and I want you, if I have any good ambrotypes at home, to take the best one and get me eight photos copied from them, and whatever it costs I will send you as soon as we are paid.
Give my love to all the folks. Write soon. From your affectionate brother, — Henry
P. S. I should like a few postage stamps as there is none in the Point.
Letter 2
Point Lookout January 15th 1864
My Dear Mother,
The reason I have not written home for so long, I have just returned from a trip to Washington where I was sent by the Dr. in charge of the hospital on business connected with the laundry. I was to have been gone four days but while there the cold snap came on (Which I see you have had at home) and froze up the river so we could not get back till yesterday although we started Tuesday—four days on the trip which is usually performed in 8 or 9 hours.
“I send you a piece of bark which I peeled from a tree just in front of Washington’s tomb.”
The first day we came 18 miles, then stopped for the night and in the morning we were froze in hard and fast. We layed at this place one day and two nights. It was just opposite Mount Vernon and all in board took advantage of the time and visited the historical place. I send you a piece of bark which I peeled from a tree just in front of Washington’s tomb.
I haven’t time to write much now, and the room is so awful cold that I can hardly hold my pen. Will write again tomorrow after I get settled. Till then, I am your affectionate son, — Henry
P. S. I haven’t got the box yet but expect it today.
Letter 3
Point Lookout, Maryland June 1st 1864
My dear sister,
It is now some time since I have written to you but it has been however no fault of mine. We have had very busy times for the last three weeks receiving wounded from the late battles day and night which has kept us hard at work. The poor fellows suffer much this warm weather but you hardly hear a complaint from one of them. As many as five a day have been buried ever since their arrival which is a large percentage on so few—eighteen hundred.
The weather has been intensely hot for the last two days—the thermometer ranging as high as 90 degrees in the shade. It is some war, you may believe. If I was at home now, we would begin to think of going to the Bluff—that place of credit and renown so celebrated in the annals of Haverhill history. I am just writing this at a late hour, nearly eleven o’clock. “Taps” have log since sounded warning all good soldiers to put out their lights and go to bed. So you see I am trespassing on Uncle Sam’s time in writing this dull letter.
All the regiments which have been stationed here have left for the front and their places supplied by the Veteran Reserve Corps. We have also had many additions to our prisoners having 15,000 privates and 700 officers, making quite a small army in themselves.
I see by the Publishers which you sent me that old H[averhill] has again been “shaken by drafts alarms” and among the names I noticed, that of Seymour. I suppose that is the Rev. Gent of the Episcopal Church. I am glad to see it for Grant needs all the men he can get and that puts me in mind that the army has got back to McClellan’s old ground of the Peninsular—the same place which was the scene of the military exploits of your humble brother, that is, what few he performed. God speed him is my prayer.
My time is rapidly growing shorter. I am now a three months man and that will soon slip away. I sent you a package of specimens the other day. write if you get them all right. I enclose two in this letter. I did not suppose when I sat down that I should write on more than half of this sheet, but find that I have nearly filled the four sides. And as I am growing sleepy, had better stop. Give love to all friends. from your affectionate brother, — Henry
Good night.
Letter 4
Addressed to Daniel Fitts, Haverhill, Mass.
Point Lookout August 7, 1864
Dear Brother,
The Baltimore Sun, 8 August 1864
Yesterday morning, we witnessed a sight which, once seen, will never be forgotten. At about 5:30 o’clock in the morning, a whirlwind passed over this place creating a great destruction of property but fortunately attended with no loss of life. If you had seen it and the course it took, you would hardly believe that it could have passed among so many men and not have killed any. I send you a diagram with its course marked in red ink from the place it first touched the Point till it left. Two of the long Wards in the circle were blown flat and although they were filled with patients at the time it first touched the Point, they managed to all get out to a place of safety and not a man in either Ward was injured. Six other buildings belonging to the Commissary Department were completely demolished besides the sutler shop and Dead House in the Hospital.
I suppose that the time occupied in its passage over the Point was not more than three minutes all together but the scene in this short time beggars description. The air was filled with flying boards, beams, barrels, and all manner of loose stuff that was lying about. To give you some idea of the force of it, one of the rows of cottages marked 5 in the picture were taken up and blown some 5 yards and set down again without injury. Bales of hay and barrels of beef and pork were blown about like as many straws.
I cannot write you an adequate description of it and so will reserve it to tell when I come home. Everything but this is as serene as usual. Things jog along quietly as the time of my service grows shorter. Less than two months and I hope to exclaim, “My native hills, I’m with you once again.” I wrote to you about two weeks ago but suppose you did not receive the letter as I have heard nothing from you since.
The View of Hammond General Hospital, Point Lookout, Maryland, with Henry’s red markings.
No. 1 in the picture is the place where the whirlwind first struck and all the buildings marked 1 were commissary and were destroyed. 2 is the Dead House. 3 is the sutler’s. 4 is two Wards in the circle. 5 is the row of cottages which “changed their base.” It took rather of an erratic course making as you see four right angles. I suppose, however, this is the nature of the beast being as its name indicates—a “whirler.” I almost forgot to mention that a large water spout was formed which the gun boats broke by firing into.
Well there, if I don’t keep still, I shall write all there will be to tell and so I will stop. Hoping to. hear from you soon. I remain your affectionate brother, — Henry
Spared & Shared 23 