16th New Hampshire Infantry

1863: Moses Seavey to his Cousin Lydia

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I could not find an image of Seavey but here is a cdv of John B. Bohanon who served in Co. C, 16th New Hampshire Infantry. He was one of the lucky ones to muster out at Concord after 9 months in August 1863 (Dave Morin Collection)

These letters came to me for transcription attributed to an assistant surgeon in the 16th New Hampshire Infantry—a 9-months regiment—but it became obvious to me rather quickly that the “Moses” who signed all of them and addressed them to his “cousin Lydia” was someone else. The content convinced me that the soldier served in Co. H of the 16th New Hampshire and there were only two men with the name of Moses; they were Moses D. Sargeant and Moses J. Seavey, both of Warner in Merrimack county. Sargeant’s muster rolls indicated that he deserted during his term of service so I doubt it was him. I’m going to attribute these letters to Moses Seavey (1841-1863), the son of Andrew Seavey (1817-1901) and Lydia Johnson (1817-1879).

It’s clear from Moses’ letter that he was ill the entire time he wrote to his cousin from January through June 1863. The last of these four letters was written in early June in which he claimed, “I am once more on the gain for I have got so that I can sit up most of the time and hobble about the room some for I have nearly lost the use of my left arm and leg.” Unfortunately for Moses, like many others in his regiment, he never made it home. He died while in passage to Cairo on a Mississippi river steamer on 3 August 1863. He was buried at Natchez, Mississippi.

Letter 1

Camp Parapet, Carrollton, La.
January 27, 1863

Dear cousin Lydia,

I received your letter of the 12th last night. Also three papers. I was on guard yesterday and when I cane in a t 4 o’clock, tired and sleepy as I had not had any rest for 36 hours, I thought I would lay down and take a fine nap. As I sat my gun back, I espied something on my shelf and what should it be but a letter and paper. I immediately sat down to read and forgot to leave off till 8 o’clock. I am greatly obliged to you for those papers as I don’t get many New Hampshire papers. I can sometimes get a New York one for fifteen cents.

My health is good now as I could wish. I have had two sick turns and am not quite so fleshy as when I last saw you but am tough and like well, never enjoyed myself any better in my life. As yet there has been but one death in the regiment. There are several sick—some very who will never be any better. I am afraid I don’t know as I shall get a chance to kill Jeff [Davis] but you had better believe it won’t be my fault if I don’t kill him. I was surprised to hear that Davis had come back alive for I thought he was dead. Some three weeks ago I heard Nelson was at Weare and wrote to him. Gardner & son are in this company and are both well.

We have moved half a mile from where we were when I wrote before. We are in a large field containing several plantations and are surrounded in part by a large impassable swamp, the river and a parapet five miles long that is mounted with cannon and large parapet of guns. There is to be a large fort built here soon. There are to be three thousand negroes to work on it, several hundred of whom are here now, and it frequently looks quite dark. The contrabands are coming into camp in flocks.

Yesterday we were ordered to pack and be ready this morning to move down below Carrollton and about five miles above New Orleans, but this morning it was raining hard and continued all the forenoon, and now it is so muddy it is almost impossible to step. But I expect we shall move before long. Don’t wait for me to write for I don’t have much time to do anything but write as often as you can. From your cousin, — Moses

Letter 2

New Orleans, La.
U. S. Marine Hospital
April 1st 1863

Dear cousin,

Yesterday I received your letter of February 22nd but have not got those papers yet but they are in the city and I expect to get them in a few days. The regiment is at Baton Rouge and our mail goes there and the Chaplain sent down a large bundle of mail which we have not got. It has been a long time since I wrote to you and many changes have taken place. A great many have been and now are sick, and there has been thirteen deaths in our regiment since we got here.

It has now been two months since I was taken sick and I was very sick with the typhoid fever for three weeks, being insensible most of the time. But I am quite smart now so I can go out doors and walk around some but have not got much strength yet. I shall go to the regiment before many weeks. Perhaps you have not heard that as Ed[win Hardy] and Bela Nettleton 1 and another of the band boys were laying on the ground fell asleep and were taken prisoners by the rebels and have not been seen nor heard from since.

I suppose there is snow enough in Old Newbury yet and folks are having sleigh rides every day. I have not stepped my foot on snow since I left New Hampshire but I should like to be up to Goshen this spring and get some maple sugar. You must cut some for me, won’t you?

Write when you get this. — Moses

1 Edwin R. Hardy, a musician in Co. H, (from Warner, N. H.) was Bela Nettleton, a musician in Co. F, was taken prison on 17 March 1863 near Port Hudson, La. Paroled on 4 April 1863.

Letter 3

Marine Hospital, New Orleans, La.
April 20th 1863

Dear Cousin Lydia,

It has been a long time since I have written to you because I have felt too lazy and shiftless to write much to anyone. But I will try and write a few lines this morning.

Last night I was very much pleased on receiving a letter from Newbury saying that you were all well as usual. I should like to be with you sugar off. 1 I’ll bet I would enjoy myself eating sugar and molasses with a little bread on it. You know that is the [favorite] I eat.

I am glad to be able to inform you that I am feeling nearly as well as I did before I was taken sick but have not got full strength yet—and never shall if I stay here. But I shall go to my regiment this week but shall not go on duty just yet. The regiment is doing garrison duty at Brashear City up eighty miles from here. Our troops are sweeping everything before them in this state. At last accounts, they had destroyed several gunboats and one entire fleet, [taken] from two to three thousand prisoners, twelve hundred of whom are in this city, and one wounded rebel is in this hospital. From your affectionate cousin, – Moses

Please excuse my short letter this time.

1 Sugar Off – This signals the end of the sugaring season. The weather has warmed enough, causing the sap to stop flowing and the boiling to come to an end.

Letter 4

Marine Hospital [New Orleans, La.]
June 4th, 1863

Dear cousin,

I believe the last time I wrote I was expecting soon to leave hospital for the regiment. So Saturday, April 25th, I left the hospital, went down into the city and stopped over night. Next morning took the cars for Brashear City eighty miles distant where I arrived at 4:30 o’clock and found the regiment had left except a few sick ones and one surgeon who told me to stay there a few days and get used to being out in the sun.

I stayed some ten days when all that were able to ride were ordered to the regiment which was stationed up a river sixty miles from Brashear at Fort Burton at Butte a la Rose, which was taken by the gunboat Clifton and Cos. E and H of the 16th Regiment. 1 I was somewhat surprised at finding so pleasant a place. There was a small plantation. The fort, mounting two big guns, and behind that good barracks for the accommodation of a thousand troops. The boys had a nice, cosy time here and lived like pigs in the clover. They used to go out foraging. The day I got there, five of my company came in with as nice a beef creature as I ever saw, three sheep, and three hogs. So we had fresh meat all we wanted. But I didn’t eat much for I had been running down since I left the hospital and continued to grow worse till the 15th when I started for the hospital where I arrived the next day at 4 o’clock, very tired and weak for I had not eaten over a pint of gruel for five days.

But thank God, I am once more on the gain for I have got so that I can sit up most of the time and hobble about the room some for I have nearly lost the use of my left arm and leg. But I have no notion of being discouraged yet for my time is out July 25th and I expect to be in Concord on or before that time. I have received two letters and papers from you since you went to Worth___. From your cousin, — Moses

1 “Sickness and death plagued the 16th New Hampshire at Fort Burton over the next six weeks, and by the time of their return home at the expiration of their nine-month enlistments in August, disease had claimed the lives of one-quarter of the Union men. Many Civil War regiments suffered grievous casualties in battle. But for the 16th New Hampshire, who saw little action and did not lose a man to Confederate bullets, the invisible enemy of disease defined their service in the Civil War.” [Our Deaths on the Battle Field Were Not Many: Disease in the 16th New Hampshire, National Museum of Civl War Medicine, 22 October 2020, by Nathan A. Marzoli]

Confiscated Cotton, Lincoln Assassination

1865: Simeon Draper to William Pitt Fessenden

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Simeon Draper, Collection of Customs at New York

The following letter, bordered in black, was written by Simeon Draper (1806-1866), the Collector of Customs at New York, a week after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. He wrote the letter to the Hon. William Pitt Fessenden, who as Secretary of the Treasury in the Lincoln Administration had been instrumental in securing Draper the coveted patronage post in 1864. As a successful businessman and the former chairman of the New York State Republican Party, Draper enjoyed the support of Secretary of State Seward and was at the center of New York’s business, political, and social scene. Not everyone in Lincoln’s cabinet thought favorably of Draper, however. Gideon Wells believed him to be swindler and in fact, a post-war investigation revealed that Draper was guilty of diverting some of the proceeds of the confiscated cotton from the U.S. Treasury to his personal use. It’s believed that when Lincoln wished to remove Draper from the post, Seward “wouldn’t let the President do it.” Draper was finally replaced as the Collector in August 1865 by Preston King—the “intimate friend and constant companion” of Andrew Johnson.

Fessenden was named Lincoln’s Secretary of the Treasury upon the resignation of Salmon P. Chase in 1864. He held the post for only eight months and then returned to the United States Senate. Though he disliked Andrew Johnson, he disliked the idea of impeachment and was one of the few Republicans who voted for Johnson’s acquittal—a position that alienated him from the party he had helped to form in the 1850s.

Transcription

New York
April 22, 1865

My Dear Sir,

I have not had a moment to write you since I came home and now have nothing to say worthy of your attention. The dreadful event which band my paper in black has upset all one’s thoughts and left us in contemplation of the great and uncertain passages which mortals are called to explore. I have in more moments than I can tell you thought of you with grateful feelings and zealous devotion. I have often wished I could see you that I might talk over matters and learn from you whether I have the power to serve you or yours. I will by & bye take a run otherwise Portland and see you. Perhaps you will take a little sea air in July or August in one of the cutters.

I am going to Charleston tomorrow to dig out the cotton there under the donation of the Secretary of the Treasury. I hope, pray, and intend to vindicate your kindness and confidence and pray you to command me freely.

Your grateful friend and servant, — S. Draper

[to] Hon. W. P. Fessenden, Portland, Maine

88th Ohio Infantry, Johnson's Island Prison

1862: Van Buren Wintersteen to his folks

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The following letter was written by Van Buren Wintersteen (1836-1867), the eldest son of James and Sally (Roath) Wintersteen of Montville, Geauga county, Ohio.

I could not find an image of V. B. Wintersteen but here is one of Phillip Bradley who also served in Co. B, 88th OVI

Wintersteen mustered into Co. B, 88th Ohio Infantry as a private on 26 June 1862 and mustered out on 26 September 1862. During those three months of service he was on duty as a prison guard in Hoffman’s Battalion at Johnson’s Island Prison in Sandusky Bay. Most of Hoffman’s Battalion were enlisted for three years and consisted of four companies of men who not only served as guards but helped construct the camp; some of the men also participated in a military campaign in western Virginia during 1862. During the summer of 1862, however, Wintersteen and others were recruited to serve just three months to supplement the guard force.

The initial detainees at Johnson’s Island were captured at Fort Donelson and Island No. 10 in the spring of 1862. Generally, those first captured in 1862 experienced exchanges after approximately five months, while individuals arriving post-Gettysburg in July 1863 remained incarcerated for 12 to 18 months. Notably, the prisoners who came in April 1862 were released in September, prior to the onset of the severe winter winds that swept across Sandusky Bay. The regulations governing the prison mandated the extinguishing of lights and the requirement for prisoners to be in bed at specified times; they were expected to demonstrate prompt and unquestioning obedience to the guards’ directives, observing the demarcation line strictly. Fortunately, not all guards adhered to these rules rigidly. There are recorded instances of prisoners being shot at close range, with bullets missing so substantially that those imprisoned speculated whether the guard had intentionally missed or was merely inept as a marksman.

See also—1862: Walter Johnson Spaulding to Prior Spaulding of Spared & Shared 19.

Transcription

Johnson’s Island
Friday, July 25th [1862]

Having a little time this afternoon and not knowing when I shall have a chance again, I thought I would drop you a few lines to let you know that I am well & tough, and the rest of the boys are all well except Isaac [D. Nickerson] & he is as well as usual. He gets excused by the doctors so it don’t come very hard on him.

I received the [Cleveland] Plain Dealer and a letter some time ago but I had no news to write & so I did not write. I was sorry to hear that Lemuel had broken his arm and I hope that it has got well by this time. Tell Lemuel & Leverett & Theresa that they must be good children & learn all they can.

I was on guard last night & about half past one o’clock one of the prisoners skulked up within eight or ten feet of the parapet & one of the sentinels discharged his musket at him, and then the long roll beat & every man was on his feet in short meter & formed in companies ready for action. But come to nobody was hurt & so they all went to bed again. The boys had great times dressing themselves in the dark and finding their own guns and cartridge boxes but they got out in big shape & in short time. No man—only those that belong to the Island—is allowed to go near the prison. They are very strict here but I like the place.

Hay is ripe enough to cut here and some has been cut. It has been rather wet here along back but the weather is fine now. If you can’t get anyone to mow for you as we talked of & get cramped with your work, you had better let that grass out to somebody to cut by the acre & as soon as I get the money, I will pay for it. Like enough you can make a bargain with the houseware boys to put it up. I guess you hadn’t…[rest of letter is missing]

Direct to Johnson’s Island, Sandusky Bay, Ohio. In care of Capt. [Daniel] Brewer, V. B. [Van Buren] Wintersteen

1862 Map of Johnson’s Island Prison

36th Pennsylvania Infantry, 7th Pennsylvania Reserves, Battle of Ball's Bluff, Mosby's Partisan Rangers

1862-64: Robert B. Terry to his Family

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The following letter was written by Robert Brooks Terry (1842-1901), the son of William Terry (1814-1863) and Grizzella Brady (1812-1905) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Robert was married to Ida Jane Piersol, 20 years his junior in 1889.

I could not find an image of Robert but here is one of Daniel Goodman of Co. K, 36th Pennsylvania Infantry who also was taken prisoner on 5 May 1864 and survived imprisonment at Andersonville. (LOC)

Robert was only 18 years old when he enlisted in June 1861 to serve in Co. K, 36th Pennsylvania Infantry (7th Pennsylvania Reserves). In his letter of April 21, 1864, datelined from a camp near Bristoe Station, Virginia, just two weeks prior to the launch of Grant’s Overland Campaign, Robert conjectured that his regiment wouldn’t see much action. “I judge we will be kept in the rear,” he reassured his sister. He could not have been more wrong. His regiment was in the front lines and heavily engaged in the first day’s action in the Wilderness where they suffered heavy casualties—over 300 killed, wounded or missing. Surrounded and forced to surrender, 272 officers and men in the regiment were taken prisoner and marched to Orange Court House, then to Lynchburg, Virginia. The enlisted men were sent to Andersonville, Georgia, a notorious prison camp, while the officers were sent to Camp Oglethorpe in Macon, Georgia. Robert was one of the “lucky” one to survive the ordeal. He was released on 1 March 1865 and mustered out on 27 April 1865.

Letter 1

Much of the following letter refers to the Battle of Ball’s Bluff which ended badly for the Union army due to poor communication by George McClellan. Readers are referred to the Army Historical Foundation’s article entitled, “Disaster at Ball’s Bluff, 21 October 1861” for a more complete understanding of events.

Camp Pierpont
Fairfax county, Virginia
February 26, 1862

Dear Father,

I received your most welcome letter on the 26th inst. and I was very glad to hear from you. The weather out here now is very good. We had a regular hurricane out here on last Monday but did not damage to anything in this regiment but the tents and it took the majority of them with it. But our tent stood the storm like a rock. It also done a good bit of damage in Washington. Over in the 3rd Regiment, it blowed a tree on a couple of fellows, killing one instantly and breaking both of the legs of the other. I reckon we will be on the move now shortly, maybe inside of the next 2 weeks but I cannot tell exactly.

The Captains gave us new cartridges, 40 rounds to each man, and the orders were to put them in our cartridge box so as to get them out on a double quick. I judge by that that there is a going to be some running besides fighting.

The War Department has sent over about 400 wagons for the use of the division. And that looks like moving. I don’t hardly think we will go beyond Leesburg. We will have the advance till we get to Leesburg. And if we go on to Manassas, Banks will cross at Edward’s Ferry opposite Leesburg and lead on to Manassas. Banks won’t cross till we get on the move and get to Leesburg for they tried it once before and we were ordered there but only got as far as Difficult Creek and was ordered back to camp. And the consequence was that “Stone” sent over Baker’s Brigade which was cut to pieces and Baker himself killed. And what wasn’t killed was taken prisoners. But if we had to kept on, that Balls Bluff affair would never happened. As McCall had his whole division on the move amounting to 15,000 men but was ordered back before he got half way to Leesburg and that both the whole thing.

I heard the news boys a hollering through the camp this morning that Nashville had surrendered. I received a letter from Isiah Bready on last Saturday. He got his situation in the Post Office at Alexander. I expect him up to see me every day as he told me in the letter that he would come up when he gets time. The doctor vaccinated all of us one day last week. He wanted something to do I think. It was to keep us from getting the small pox. I guess I will stop now as I want to say a few words to Lou. Give my best respects to all my friends, &c. From your affectionate son, — Robert B. Terry

Dear Sister [Louisa],

I received your letter on the 24th inst. and was very glad to hear from you. they ought to send the home guards down in this neighborhood for about 3 months. I think it would do the country more good than parading around the streets of Philadelphia. The Rebels at Manassas are 30,000 strong and they are all to die before the place is taken. The other 30,000 they have called away from there & Centerville. If we have the right kind of artillery, it will not take long to take that or Richmond.

I wrote a letter down to Mr. Willcox on Monday which a messmate of mine, Samuel T. Wilson, and I made up and of which I shall give you an extract of. It is as follows: “To the family of our departed friend and fellow soldier in arms, John H. Willcox [Wilcox]. Whereby it has pleased the Almighty God to remove from our midst our friend and fellow soldier John H. Willcox, we do solemnly mourn his loss. What is our loss is his eternal gain in happiness. He came forth nobly at the call of his country in the vigor of manhood to battle against its enemies, little thinking then that before htis great Rebellion would be over, that he would be called to his final resting place. No more will he meet in our midst as we gather around our camp fire or hear his cheerful voice as that tongue is silent. But weep not for him friends as he is at rest. Though no mother or father was near to soothe his brow or no sister to support his dying head, but friends were there who loved him dearly. His amiable disposition and character gained him many friends, None knew him but loved him. Missed he will be in the family circle. But we will miss him more while engaged in the great struggle. When peace smiles once more on our country and we receive the order to return to our beloved homes, then we shall miss him for he will not be with us to share our happiness. But when you. think of him, think then he offered his life upon his country’s alter, sacrificed all to endure the horrors of a battlefield, fatiguing marches, and the misery of a camp life. He has paid the last debt of nature and he now rests till the trumpet of the archangel shall call him forth to meet his God. There let us all endeavor to meet and be happy. — Robt. B. Terry

P. S. Direct in care of Captain [James M.] Rice as the boys elected him Captain. [Casper] Martin has resigned and went home. We have not got marching orders. Three. days rations in our haversacks and ready to march at a minute’s notice. I expect we will go tonight or early in the morning and the order is that when once on the road again, we won’t come back till driven back by an overwhelming force. — R. B. Terry

Letter 2

Robert wrote the letter to his younger sister, Louisa B. Terry (1844-1865) who was employed as a 21 year-old school teacher in Philadelphia at the time of her death on 5 December 1865.

Addressed to Miss Louisa B. Terry, 1429 Apple Street, 17th Ward, Philadelphia, Pa.

Camp of the 7th Regt. P. R. V. Infantry
Near Bristoe Station, Va.
April 21st 1864

Dear Lou,

I received your most welcome letter at the usual time and was very glad to hear from home. You see by the heading of this letter that we are again on the move. We left Alexandria on the 19th inst. for Manassas Junction. We have joined the Division and are encamp[ed] about one mile below Bristoe Station. But we do not expect to stay here long. But how soon we will be on the move, I cannot say. I think we will take part in the next grand move which I suppose will take place next month. But I don’t suppose we will have a great deal of fighting to do unless they run us directly front.

The Division commander has received his map of the country in which he is to operate with his Division and that extends to the Rapidan. And from that, I judge we will be kept in the rear. And if that is the case, we will have plenty to do as the country around here abounds with guerrillas under the celebrated Mosby that you have heard so much talk. In fact, they [are] a very daring set of brutes (for you cannot call them men) who pop on you every now and then and sends somebody to his last account. We have to be very careful out here—cannot go outside of our guards for if we do, we will be lucky if we come back without bearing some mark from the guerrillas.

As far as we can learn, the largest portion of the Army will move by the way of Fredericksburg, and then I suppose the line of communications will be broken up and the road to Aquia Creek be again open.

There is great talk now about us being discharged from our first enlistment but I can give you more about that in my next for by that time we all will be satisfied as to the time we will be discharged. For some of the men’s time is out in the Division and they has turned in their arms. But whether they are a going to discharge them now or not, I cannot say. But every day now is bringing some of the men’s time out and as far as the men are concerned, they are taken action on it immediately and the sensible officers are upholding them.

I delivered your message to Jack and he wants to know the lady that complimented him and says she is the only one that has done it for some time. I have been expecting a letter from Charley Leister ever since I came out as he told me he would write to me in the middle of November last and the letter has not arrived yet. And another thing, he has the advantage of me for he knows my address and I do not know his as he has moved and it is for him to notify me.

Ben will make out first rate in Alexandria if he goes there but won’t like the city. I received the N. Y. T. [New York Tribune]. M. K. is well or was some two weeks ago and will deliver your message when I write to the person which I suppose will be between this and Sunday. I will now close. Direct as before. Give my love to all & hoping to hear from you soon, I remain your brother, — R. B. Terry

5th Massachusetts Volunteer Militia (100 days)

1864: Luther Hurd to sister Addie

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The letter was composed by Luther Hurd (1842-1881), who served as a clerk in Boston in 1864 before volunteering for duty in Company B of the 5th Massachusetts Volunteer Militia (100 days 1864). This regiment was established to garrison federal forts that had previously been occupied by Heavy Artillery units, which were redeployed to the front lines in Virginia to engage in infantry combat. The regiment commenced its service in July and was returned home on 6 November 1864.

From Luther’s letter to his sister Addie, it is evident that he has been diligently serving as a nurse in the post hospital throughout his tenure with the 5th Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. Rather than returning home with his fellow militia members, he consented to the solemn request of his gravely ill captain, John Norton Coffin (1825-1891) from Somerville, Massachusetts, to remain and provide care until his recovery. Capt. Coffin, married to Dorcas Jane Powers (1831-1898), was the father of two children living in November 1864, the time at which this correspondence was written. Prior to his service in the Volunteer Militia of 1864, Coffin held the rank of 1st Lieutenant in the 8th Independent Battery Massachusetts Light Artillery. Capt. Coffin ultimately recovered from his illness, living until 1891, when he passed away at the age of 66 and was laid to rest in his birthplace, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Fort Marshall, Baltimore, Maryland, ca. 1862

Transcription

Post Hospital
Fort Marshall, Baltimore [Md.]
November 5th 1864

My dear sister,

I presume you have been looking for a letter from me for a long time, expecting no doubt to read of my returning home shortly. Well her it is. My regiment leaves for home tomorrow but I cannot be one of the number. I must remain behind. What would you say if I told you that I have reenlisted for a year. Oh! now you need not feel so blue. I have not done any such thing. I will tell you why I am detained.

My captain is lying very low with a fever and I am under the necessity of remaining behind to take care of him as there are no others who are willing to stop with him. Of course I would gladly go home with the boys but it is my duty to remain here. Someone must stay you know. It would be wrong to have them all desert him in this time of need. I shall feel bad when I see the boys all going home and so happy. I tell you, it will be rather hard. But then, what is the use if sighing. It may be all for the best. This is your big word, is it not? I am left to do as I choose about it.

Poor fellow. He looked at me so wishfully this afternoon that I could not say no. Said he now, “Hurd, do stay with me.You will not repent it. I will reward you.” If I can be of any service to him, why I am willing to stay and do what I can for him. Have I not acted right? Now I have decided, I must content myself.

His wife and brother-in-law reached here tonight but the gentleman will return home tomorrow. He had telegraphed to him in Boston but did not let his wife know of it for she was in delicate health. So of course she came rather unexpected. The meeting was a little affecting.

Yesterday and last night he was very sick. Did not think that he would live; but he is now decidedly better. Mrs. Coffin has just retired and I am sitting up with him. He is resting extremely well tonight. All is still and quiet around as death except the low breathing and an occasional sigh from yonder bed. But listen, the slumber awakens and I must step to the bedside. He has had another attack of pain that lasted a few moments. He is now comparatively easy. It is now past midnight and I will awaken the other watch.

Morning has arrived—cold and cheerless. the captain remains about the same. No changes has taken place during the night. Think he is easier if anything.

My regiment goes today I expect. Wish I could go with them. I must put on all courage. Addie, I cannot tell when I shall leave; just as soon as he is able to be moved we shall go. Perhaps in a week if nothing new takes place. Meantime I will do all I can for him. You must not look for me until I come. I received a present of an elegant book by one of my patients and a very pretty finger ring by another.

I have got the highest esteem of all the boys. Very frequently I see letters written by the wives of some of the boys. They all speak about that, saying “I am so glad you have such a good nurse to wait on you in the hospital.” I don’t know what the boys have written concerning me.

I must close. Do you not think I have decided right in staying? Love to all. Write soon. Direct as directed above. Your true brother, — Luther

Should we leave immediately, I will let you know.

Amos Green, Copperheads, Illinois Homefront, Paris, Edgar county, Illinois

1861: Rachel Finley (Bartlett) Griffith to Katherine (Griffith) Lawrence

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Rachel Finley (Bartlett) Griffith of Edgar county, Illinois

This letter was written by a woman who lived in or near Paris, Edgar county, Illinois, in August 1861. It is either unsigned or, more likely, a second sheet is missing which would provide us with her identity. She wrote the letter to Kittie (Griffith) Lawrence (1830-1915) whom she refers to as her sister. Since Kittie did not have a sister, my hunch is that it was written by Kittie’s sister-in-law, Rachel Finley (Bartlett) Griffith (1829-1870), the wife of Orville E. Griffith (1829-1875) of Edgar county, Illinois.

Kittie’s full name was actually Ann Katherine (Griffith) Lawrence. She was married to James Lawrence of Lincoln, Logan county, Illinois. The couple were married in Edgar county in 1849 and had relocated to Topeka, Shawnee county, Kansas by 1860, but then returned to Illinois during the Civil War. Kittie and Rachel’s husband, Orville, were the two oldest children of Joseph Robinson Griffith (1806-1849) and Caroline Guthrie (1806-1850), both deceased ten years prior to the Civil War.

Transcription

Addressed to Mrs. James Lawrence, Lincoln, Logan county, Illinois; postmarked Paris, Illinois, 30 August 1861

At school
August 28, 1861

My dear sister Kittie,

Although some time has elapsed since your kind favor came to hand, and you perhaps may think it has been forgotten or neglected (which I could not wonder if you did) yet it has not been. But if you will credit me, I could not collect money enough to buy paper, stamps and envelopes, and so this morning I went to the dry goods store and got paper and envelopes obviously credit and there is not a stamp or three cent piece in the house to send this when it is finished.

We do not know what the world is coming to unless it is coming to an end. It is needless to say anything about excitement for doubtless you know enough about it. But I doubt very much if we have not (at least) five rebels where you have one. The Union men think that at the recent Secesh rally there were no less than three hundred of them in Paris, and now would you believe it, they are allowed to make public speeches much to the annoyance of the Union ladies. I never saw our community of women so much out of patience with their men as they were for allowing Andy Hunter 1 and that thing—(I don’t know what to call him anything mean enough but Amos Green 2) to make speeches on the occasion. If the ladies had been in power, they would have been deprived of the privilege of belching there—allow me to say—devilish lies. I did not say that to swear but it is all the word that would suit at all.

It is astonishing to see what a state of feeling exists among a religious people—especially the women. They are perfectly wild. Our most quiet and pious people, it takes but a word to rouse them to fighting humor, and it is not to be wondered at when those we love most dearly are unduly torn from us, forced to undergo and endure all the hardships, trials, and privations of the soldier’s life and then be shot down like dogs in an unjust war. Is it any wonder I say that people allow themselves to be carried away with excitement. And then to think that we have to put up with their insults right here in the North where men ought to, and do know better, but who just yield to the promptings of the few selfish office seekers which infest every community.

Kittie, it would startle you (but you may have been startled in the same way) to hear some of our cool, quiet, pious men talk and make threats. The poor fool dregs of the democratic party (I mean this modern democratic party) have appointed an extra session of Court just to get Big Creek annexed to this precinct or township or some political division (I am not as well posted in these things as I ought to be. If you don’t know, James will.) The object is, however, to get that one united to this so it will at the elections go democratic, or secesh rather. Court is in session now and I just tremble until it is through. The excitement concerning it has partially abated.

Edgar [County] has sent four or five companies of infantry and a cavalry company starts tomorrow Friday week. I believe I told you our preacher was captain of the first company. [James F.] Jaquess has gone as chaplain of a cavalry company. 3 Phil Minear 4, Crene, [Edward] Rutledge, 5 and I can’t tell how many of our “big” preachers have gone as captains or chaplains. Excuse this pen. It writes when it pleases only. [unsigned or last of letter is missing]

1 Andrew (“Andy”) Jackson Hunter (1831-1913) moved to Paris, Illinois with his parents in 1832 from Greencastle, Indiana. He eventually became a lawyer and practiced in Paris until 1864 when he was elected to the Illinois Senate as a Democrat.

2 Amos Green was a notorious Peace Democrat (Copperhead) in Edgar county who broadly influenced public opinion a the editor of the Times—the Democratic organ in the county. Michael Kleen published an article called “A Confrontation in Paris” that tells the tale of how and en effort to shut down a newspaper in Edgar countym Illinois, led to one of the Civil War’s most violent home front riots. Green saw the Civil War as unjust and Lincoln as a despot who had to be stopped. He wrote vicious denunciations of the administration in local newspapers. He was arrested for sedition in 1862. After his release in August 1862, he became the grand commander of the secret Order of American Knights in Illinois, which fought restrictions on civil liberties. It was also called the Knights of the Golden Circle and later the Sons of Liberty. Green was funded by the Confederate government to arrange riots at the Democratic National Convention in 1864. Although the riots never materialized, he continued giving antigovernment speeches until he was again arrested in November 1864. After this arrest, he agreed to testify for the government about the activities of the Knights; his testimony implicated others but ignored his own deep involvement in antigovernment plots. In 1864, a clash between Copperheads and Union Soldiers in Charleston, Illinois resulted in nine dead and twelve wounded in what is now called the “Charleston Riot.”

3 James F. Jaquess volunteered as chaplain of the 6th Illinois Cavalry. He later became Colonel of the 73rd Illinois Infantry.

4 Philip N. Minear (b. 1836), a clergyman in Paris, Edgar county, Illinois, volunteered as the chaplain of the 25th Illinois Infantry but resigned on 11 July 1862.

5 Edward Rutledge volunteered as chaplain for the 61st Illinois Infantry. He mustered out in September 1862.

101st New York Infantry, Battle of Seven Pines

1862: Andrew George Buell to his Parents

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The following letter was written by Andrew George Buell (1842-1925), the son of Charles Buell (1792-1863) and Charlotte Carver (1805-1890) of Franklin, Delaware county, New York.

Andrew enlisted on 1 October 1861 to serve as a private in Co. A, 101st New York Infantry. In September 1862, near Chantilly, Va., he became deaf in one ear when a comrade discharged his gun nearby. He was transferred to Co. B, 37th New York Infantry on 24 December 1862 and was taken prisoner at the battle of Chancellorsville on May 3, 1863, the same day his brother Arthur was wounded. He was later wounded at Spotsylvania as well. He was discharged from the service on 2 October 1864.

In his letter, Andrew writes his parents of the dead soldiers yet unburied on the battlefield of Fair Oaks (or Seven Pines) in Henrico county, Virginia, that was fought on May 31st-June 1st, 1862. The battlefield was approximately six miles east of Richmond at the intersection of the Williamsburg and Nine Mile Roads.

Transcription

101st New York Volunteers
[Henrico county] Virginia
June 12th, 1862

Dear father & mother,

I take this opportunity to write a few lines to you to let you know that we are well and hope that these few lines will find you the same. We are now near the enemy. We are in fives miles of the rebel Capitol where we can see the traitors from our camp. We are encamped on the battlefield where the battle was fought last Saturday and Sunday [May 31-June1 1862]. There is woods all around here. The enemy was all in the woods and the woods are strewed [with] dead rebels—some of them with their legs shot off and some of them with their heads off, and some of them are not buried and in some places they are pitched into a hole 25 in a place and a little dirt thrown over them. But our men are buried very good. They expect to attack Richmond every day. They will be a big fight, I think.

I saw lots of boys here yesterday that I know—Bis. Loudon and Hi Flint and Bob Johnson of Delhi [Delaware county, New York]. 1 When we left Fort Lyon we went on board Odyssey a steamer and we did not step on land in five days. I was pretty sea sick before we got on land. Then we had to march twenty miles right through the woods. It is most all woods here. We were encamped right in the woods. There is nothing but pine trees here. We have been a chopping down the trees to keep the enemy from coming through with their cavalry and artillery.

I have been most two weeks a writing this letter. I don’t have time to write or anything else. All of you write as soon as you get this. From Andrew Buell

to Mother

1 Believe these Delhi residents were in the 72nd New York Infantry.

18th Ohio Infantry

1862: Charles Leaverton to Daniel M. Beard

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The following letter was written by a soldier named “Charley” who I believe served in the 18th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. This regiment was formed in September 1861 and was brigaded with the 19th and 24th Illinois and 37th Indiana Regiments in Turchin’s Brigade, Mitchell’s (Third) Division of the Army of the Ohio. The letter was sent to Daniel Beard of Ross county, from which many members of the 18th Ohio enlisted, particularly those in Co. A. Searching the roster for soldiers named “Charles” in the 18th OVI, I was able to find only one who initially served in Co. A, but was later transferred to Co. I (as stated in his letter). His name was Charles Leaverton. According to the 1863 Draft Registration Records, Charles was born in Maryland and he was 24 years old in 1863.

Searching Spared & Shared archives, I discovered that I had transcribed one of Charley’s letters ten years ago. See—1862: Charles Leaverton to Daniel M. Beard.

Charles wrote the letter to his friend, Daniel M. Beard (1838-1907) of Ross County, Ohio. Daniel was the son of William Beard (18xx-1868) and Amanda Rodgers (1806-1887). He married Arvilla Jane Augustus (1844-1926), the daughter of Springer and Lucretia Jane (Jenkins) Augustus in 1863.

Transcription

Addressed to Mr. Daniel Beard, Anderson Station, Ross county, Ohio, Postmarked September 24, 1862 [?]

Friend Daniel,

The above verso Daniel is my heart toward you and your patriotic family. I think I know your zeal. I think I can comprehend yours and your noble Sire’s and mother & sister’s motives. You think they are good. I acknowledge they are. I acknowledge were it not for a deeper consciousness, I could adopt your principles and think myself happy. But Daniel, I must be a Christian. I must learn a more humble, though I better, far better know that I would be better than other people simply to be better. But that I must endeavor to obey God and have a hope understanding for the better world.

The experimental lessons of obedience of first dissolving and suffering is a very deal out to me as anyone else.” But I unfortunately have been subject of such experience all my life. I hope I may yet learn. I hope I may finally conclude and submit. I have now come to the end of another lesson. When I enlisted, you know how I did it. You know how I was conscious I were risking all. I tried to be a soldier as others and made a tolerable soldier until the 1st of last June when I were transferred to Company I. Since then we were dissolved as a Division under Mitchell and brigade under Turchin. Under this dishonorable calamity, and some other things, I were led to review things. We were doomed to guard railroads. I thought with my companion that the game was up with us. I had and I was led on until I began to moralize things. Then I began to be myself again. I became unhappy and gradually lost my ambition to soldiering. Now I am no more a soldier, I do not know what I shall do but I know what is my duty. I must return to where I started. I purposely & willingly took upon me an oath to do an evil. I must now as an imperative duty cast that oath off, even at hte expense of my life perhaps. It will cost all of this. But I am fast making up my mind to do it. You may see me some day for a few hours and you may hear of me being taken up as a deserter and shot.

You know something of the condition of my feelings when I left. Daniel, I loved your family. I loved you. You know I did love my country, my government, and the American people. But I must do what will secure for me a better home—what will make me fit for a better government. Had it not been for one member of your family, I would likely been with you yet or at least out of the service. But David, I despised redeemer in my heart and could not bear to be called on. I know you know yourself from what I have written you in different letters since I am a soldier how I went in persecution against the secessionists. I even showed them as hard I dare not shoot. But now I am done. I must take it all back. You understand my principle. I told you often I am now more htan ever of those same principles. I think I will see you some day a short time and I will tell you more than I can now though I do not think I can live a soldier much longer. Look out for me, humbly [?] good friend, – Charley

11th Connecticut Infantry, Battle of Roanoke Island

1862: Eber L. Robinson to a Friend

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The following letter was written by Eber L. Robinson (1828-1903), the son of Eber Robinson (1792-1863) and Alzade Lee (1807–Bef1860) of East Windsor, Hartford county, Connecticut.

Eber was 31 years old when he enlisted as a private in Co. B, 11th Connecticut Infantry. He was discharged for disability on 22 October 1862 after one year’s service.

Eber’s letter gives a description of the battle and battlefield on Roanoke Island though his regiment was not engaged in the actual fighting. The battle took place on February 7-8, 1862.

Transcription

Headquarters Roanoke Island
11th Regiment, Co.B, Connecticut Vols.
Gen. Burnsides Division
March 6, 1862

Dear Sir,

As I have a little leisure time, I thought I would improve it by writing you a few lines as it is a long time since I have been home or seen anyone or heard from anyone. I have been sick for 18 days but have got better now so as to drill again.

We had rather a hard time of getting here. We got shot into by Fort Hamilton down below New York with a 24-pound ball 3 miles from the fort and the shot struck the steamer just under the walking beam and we went back to New York and staid till about 11 o’clock at night. Gen. Burnside and an engineer ran and pronounced it safe to go to sea and then we set sail again for Annapolis. The ball came just over the wheel house right over my head and broke the thick iron plate under the brasses and broke that and the rod that the bell hung on—an 2½ inch iron—and glanced and went through a waste box down through the deck into the state room and it was saved and weighed 24 Ibs. But it made our hair stick up, I reckon. It did not do any damage of any account. The name of the steamer is New Brunswick and its running trips was Boston to St. Johns, New Brunswick. 1

After the shot, we had a pleasant trip to Annapolis. We were 48 hours going. We landed on Thursday and went ashore Friday and went into camp and staid there 3 weeks on Maryland shores. Annapolis is a hard-looking place—abut 100 years behind the times. We had a little snow Friday before we left about 2 inches deep. The night before we left, some of the soldiers set fire to a house about 300 yards of the camp and burnt up thrashing machines, wagons, carts and the like of that, and burnt 500 bushels of corn, 5 mules and pigs and poultry and [the] loss [was] about 3 thousand dollars.

We left the next morning and went down to Fortress Monroe. We got stuck in the mud and lay all night and the next day till 2 o’clock that night and we left the New York Zouaves fast in the mud and started again for Fortress Monroe and we got in there Saturday about 4 o’clock.

We set sail again at 10 in the evening and put out to sea and sailed all the rest of the night and Sunday morning we were out [of] sight of land at sunrise and we kept sailing all day and a heavy sea and fog came on and the wind blew a gale and we fired cannon several times through the day to get some report from the rest of the fleet but herd nothing. No Sunday in war times at all.

We anchored Sunday about sundown—it was so foggy—and staid till about 2 o’clock in the morning [when] it cleared off and then we started again [although] the wind blew harder and the sea heavier than before and we made Hatteras light house about sunrise. We had a very hard time. We came near getting swamped two or 3 pitches and we came near going under, but we righted up again and sailed down the cape and rounded the point and sailed into the Inlet and anchored just in time for it came on harder than ever. The same afternoon, one steamer was drove onto the breakers and went to pieces before morning with 15 cannon on board, and some vessels sunk in the inlet. Several steamers and schooners sunk in sight of us.

We were on board this Steamer Sentinel [for] 22 days without going ashore. We went ashore and went up 5 miles and camped on the Island and staid there 4 weeks. Hatteras Island is quite a pleasant [place]. The live oaks upon holly berries, ironwood trees and shrubs are all green with blue, red, and black berries and white ones too. We had our camp in a grove of this kind and they planted sweet potatoes middle of February. Figs grow here a plenty. The robins, blackbirds, bluebirds, and the thrush and English robins sing so sweetly and the frogs peep and croak beautifully, and it is most delightful to see the bright dashing billows roll and heave. We had to go to drill on the beach and there were 7 or 8 regiments here on the Island.

Last Thursday, one week ago from this, we went aboard of the Eastern Queen and sailed up the Pamlico Sound for Roanoke Island and we landed ashore again on Sunday about noon and pitched our tents and did not get them up till dark. Then we had to get supper after that, and as I said before, we cannot regard the Sabbath at all for we have to work about as much as any day.

Last Monday I went up to the battle ground where our 10th Connecticut Regiment had a good fight. The rebels had it fixed to shoot down our troops by the hundreds. They had a masked battery with 3 cannon planted [on Supple’s Hill] so as to cut down our troops clean as they came up the road. This battery was built across the road calculated to sweep them clean for it was all mud and water on both sides up to the waist, but our troops with Gen. Burnside had two darkies that went from here down to Hatteras and told him just how it was situated and our troops had the advantage then. They marched about 3 quarters of a mile through the mud, brush, and water up to the waist and they were 2 hours getting through it, and when they did, they give it to them pills and powder to digest them. Our troops flanked them on the right and left in the mud. As I have told before, they throwed their grape shot at our men and it cut down stodles [?] and barked up the trees so it looks like an old wood pile as it were. Our troops, being in the mud on both sides of the road so low that the rebel grape flew over their heads in a great measure. If it had not been for the mud, there must have been more killed.

Titled, “Capture of Roanoke Island” 1899 Historical Print by Jones Bros. Publishing Co., Cincinnati, Ohio

When we made a charge, our troops set up such a yell that it about scared them to death and they throwed their knapsacks and haversacks and canteens, guns, and knives, and did some fancy running. The road and swamp was all strewed with their duds that they throwed away. Our men did not follow them for an hour afterwards. Then they followed them to the fort [Fort Barstow] and the next day they surrendered and after that they took 700 more that came over after the surrender and made a big thing of it. I should like to have you see this fort that was bombarded to to see how they set the rebel barracks on fire with our shells and burned them up. They cut down large trees and the ground is strewed with cannon shot and shells. I have seen the place where the fight was and a good many never will. I should like to have some of you to see it to know how dreadful war is. I cannot describe it at all.

Our regiment—the 11th Connecticut Volunteers—has gone aboard again of the vessel from Roanoke Island and I expect before you get this letter that we shall have a bloody battle somewhere. I cannot tell where. Part of the division has gone out today with gunboats and we, the 11th C. V., expect to take part in it. The Bloody 11th is good stock but have got no colonel at the head. Col. Kingsbury is at Fortress Monroe sick and Lieut. Col. is a pretty good farmer [but] that is all. But we may come out as well as any of them yet. We expect to leave soon. Pleas write and tell me the news, if there is any. I send my respects to all. From Eber L. Robinson—a soldier in the army and please direct to Eber L. Robinson, 11th Regt., Co. B, C. V., General Burnside’s Division, North Carolina, in care of Captain T. D. Johnson.

If you have a chance to see Father or Charles, tell them that I have wrote to you and I send my love to them all.

1 This incident was reported in the New York Times as follows: “STEAMER NEW BRUNSWICK, AT ANCHOR OFF ANNAPOLIS, Friday, Dec. 20, 1861. The Connecticut Eleventh, which arrived in New-York on Tuesday, en route for Annapolis, reembarked on the afternoon of that day on the transports New-York and New-Brunswick–the right wing of the regiment upon the former, the left upon the latter. The fortunes of the left wing are those of your correspondent, and they iuclude a one-sided naval engagement which took place at about 6 o’clock in the evening, near Fort Hamilton, and which ended in the ignominious defeat of our transport, which was obliged to return to her anchorage off the “Battery,” the Captain and engineers supposing her to be disabled.

The facts in the case are simply these: The transport left the pier at about dusk and steamed down the bay. When near Fort Hamilton she was challenged by a Government vessel, in the usual manner — i.e., a shot across her bow. For reasons as yet unknown the transport held her course, regardless of the challenge. Another shot from the vigilant sentinel, and a ball whistles over our devoted heads; still the transport holds her course; a signal rocket from the sentinel vessel and Fort Hamilton opens upon us with a 24-pounder, the shot crashing through the machinery and passing out of a state-room. This had the desired effect, and the transport hove to. It is hardly less than a miracle that not one of the five hundred on board was injured. Had the ball entered the boat in any other direction, or a few feet higher or lower, many lives must have been sacrificed to the criminal carelessness of whoever is responsible for the safe conduct of the troops. How does it happen that there are men employed by Government on transports so stupidly ignorant of their profession? With the exception of those in charge, who were directly responsible, I believe it would be difficult to find a man among us who did not understand the meaning of the first shot. This accident (if such it can properly be called) occasioned a delay of some six hours, and these hours cost the Government at the rate of about seven hundred dollars per day.”

18th Ohio Infantry, Hail Columbia Song Sheet

1862: Royal Samuel Augustus to Arvilla Jane Augustus

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I could not find an image of Samuel but here is Leonidas Allen of Co. F, 18th OVI (Ohio Memory)

The following letter was written by Royal “Samuel” Augustus (1842-1863), the son of Springer Augustus (1804-1851) and Lucretia Jane Jenkins (1805-1878) of Union township, Ross county, Ohio. He wrote the letter to his sister, Arvilla Jane Augustus (1844-1926), who married Daniel M. Beard (1838-1907) in 1863.

Samuel enlisted on 9 August 1861 as a private in Co. A, 18th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI). He was promoted to a corporal in October 1861 and was killed in the Battle of Stones River on 2 January 1863.

Samual wrote this brief letter from Nashville where the regiment was left to guard the city while the remainder of the Army of the Ohio pursued Bragg’s Army of Tennessee in Kentucky. The letter was written on the back of a song sheet with the words to “Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean.”

Transcription

Addressed to Miss A. J. Augustus, Shiloh. From 18th Ohio Regiment, Politeness of Thomas McFarland, Company A, 18th Regt. Ohio Volunteers

Nashville, Tennessee
Tuesday the 23rd [September] 1862

Dear Sister,

I am well and hearty and live fine. Near all of the other boys are well. A good man of us are almost sick to hear from home. We have got no mail for some time. I wrote to you just the other day so will not bother you with writing much now.

I have had my picture taken and sent it with Charley home to you. Mine is intended for you and home but his is intended for mine when I come home. Write when you get this so I will know. I shall be glad to have them at home. Remember me as your brother. Give my love to all. Goodbye. — Samuel Augustus