The following letter was written from Goshen, Elkhart county, Indiana by Joseph Murray Peters (1830-1917), a merchant druggist and the husband of Margaret Cunningham (1834-1893). Joseph was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the son of John Peters (1792-1880) and Elizabeth Regina Murray (1794-1877).
Joseph wrote the letter to Henry Shanafelt, Jr. (1827-1893) of Greentown, Stark county, Ohio, who was the husband of Rosa F. Peters (1832-1917)—an older sister of Joseph’s.
The content of the letter is pretty much limited to weather and the economy so historians looking for war news will be disappointed in it but what is most surprising is the total absence of any war news—particularly as it affects the economy. One would not have a clue from this letter that the war had any impacts on this northern Indiana county and community.
Transcription
Addressed to Mr. H. Shanafelt, Jr., Greentown, Stark county, Ohio
Goshen, Indiana January 27, 1863
Mr. H[enry] Shanafelt Dear Sir,
I suppose you begin to think we have forgotten you entirely or are all dead or even something worse, but if you have not yet stricken our names off the roll. We desire to be still on your “list of friends.” I regret exceedingly that I am growing so lazy in writing and I still resolve every day to do better in the future.
But everything is going so upside down like that we hardly know anymore which end we stand on. We are just having the most God-forsaken winter “around these diggens.” Nothing but mud and rain, and rain and mud. And from all accounts you are not faring much better in regard to the weather. We have not had a monthful of sleighing yet.
Times are getting somewhat dull perhaps in consequence of miserable roads, but trade has been very good all fall and winter. Merchants have been having a genuine old harvest. All kinds of produce has been bringing better prices than last winter and farmers have been more liberal in consequence. Wheat is selling now at $1.12 per bushel, corn 45, oats, 40, potatoes 50, pork 3.75 to 4.50, butter 14, eggs $1/dozen, lard 6, tallows 8, wood per cord 1.75 (best kind).
Our folks are only in tolerable health. Margaret had a spell of ague last week and Frank—by the way permit me to introduce you to Mr. Frank Harvey Peters who was five months old the 20th instant and usually one of the finest, fattest and happiest folks that ever blessed a home—but he too has been unwell for several days now. [ ] is probably teaching. Carrie is doing well, appearing quite healthy.
Maybe you are not aware that Grandmamma Cunningham is with us, She has been with us just two weeks tonight. She tok us entirely by surprise. Why can not some of my relatives come and see us. I think any of you would feel well paid after seeing the country and things in general. I think it would be just the place for you to sell goods and for George Guily to follow either coopering or farming. And last but not least, for old Pete to follow hunting. There’s plenty of game yet within a few miles of town—venison is no rarity at all here, and there is an old hunter here who would make a most glorious match for him. They would make a bully team.
I have been thinking some of selling my house. If I do so, we will pay you a visit next summer. I should like to see you all very much. I ought to write more frequently to my parents but it is so easy to be negligent. Write soon and tell us how all the folks are. We frequently see folks from Stark county but they seldom can tell us anything about you. I hope Rosa’s health is better again? Is Bobby growing any?
Where is John S. by this time, and how is Harriet getting along? Give love to all—especially father and mother. Forgive me for sending this poor affair of a letter. Yours respectfully, — J. M. Peters
Corporal Franklin Shanafelt(Ronald Chojnacki Collection)
The following letters were written by Franklin Shanafelt (1842-1892), the son of Peter Shanafelt (1800-1875) and Elizabeth Funk (1801-1863) who moved from their home on Antietam Creek in Funkstown, Maryland, to Greentown, Stark county, Ohio, in the mid 1840s. Franklin was twenty years old when he enlisted on 14 August 1862 as a private in Co. E, 115th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI). He was promoted to corporal in December 1862 and remained with the regiment until he was mustered out on 22 June 1865 at Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
When Franklin returned from the service, he married Catharine (“Kate”) Housley (1842-1911) in March 1866 and lived out his days as a farmer in Stark county, Ohio.
Most of Franklin’s letter were sent to his older brother Henry Shanafelt (1827-1893). Some of the letters are addressed to Henry’s wife, Rosana or “Rose” (Peters) Shanafelt. Henry and Rose were married in 1856. Henry was a grocer in Greentown.
Readers are referred to “Battling for the Blockhouses with the 115th Ohio,” posted on Dan Masters’ Civil War Chronicles, 3 December 2021. In the early part of December 1864, nearly 200 members of the Regiment, who were stationed in block-houses, were captured, and after being paroled were placed on the ill-fated Steamer “Sultana” which exploded on the Mississippi River near Memphis, Tenn., April 27, 1865.
24 Members of Congress. E, 115th OVI (Ronald Chojnacki Collection)
Letter 1
Cincinnati, Ohio January 1, 1863
Dear Brother,
I received both of your letters you wrote to me so I thought I would best answer them in kind. I ain’t wrote to you for a good while. I hain’t wrote home pretty often to the boys. The letter I got from you yesterday, I was glad to hear that the folks were all well at the time you wrote to me and hoping this letter will find you all the same state of health. I am well at present time. There is some of our boys sick in the hospital. Maiter is in the hospital yet. He is getting better now than he was for some time. You said I should let you know whether I heard anything of Bill Taylor. I don’t know where he is. I have enquired around through the boys whether they know where he is. I haven’t heard anything of John since they left Lexington. I expect a letter every day from him.
You said the 2nd Ohio Cavalry was at Camp Chase. I would like to see them boys if I could. If Carnelson [?] come home, tell him if he gets to Cincinnati to come and see us boys. The name of [our] barracks is named Kemper Barracks, one Second Street between Main and Sycamore Street. If I can get a furlough, I will go up there and see the boys.
We take a good many deserters there. I might get up there before long. We take them all around. I have been to Louisville, Kentucky, and to Covington and to Cairo, Illinois with men. We travel a good deal here. There was some come from Louisville yesterday. They said the streets were all covered with Sambo’s there. THey said that John Morgan was within 30 miles of Louisville with his army but I don’t think it is so. We had a rebel Colonel that they ketch in by the left wiing of our regiment. Took him horse, saddle, [ ]. We are guarding him here now. He is a smart-looking man.
Today is New Years but there is not much going on here today of anything. I must close my letter. I send my best respects to all. — F. Shanafelt
Cincinnati, Ohio
Letter 2
Hospital No. 1 November 9, 1864
Dear Brother,
I will try and send you a few lines to let you know how I am getting along at this time. I have crawled out of bed about a week ago and I am getting along pretty well. If I keep on so, I think I will get all right again. I have been pretty sick for about three weeks. I had the typhoid fever and I didn’t know anything nor knew where I was. But they tended to me first rate and the doctor done all he could to get me along. He said that I didn’t get sick very often but when I do get sick, I have a hard time of it. There is pretty good nurses in the hospital. Everything is kept nice and clean but the grub ain’t very good. But I don’t get half enough to eat. They won’t give it to me [ ] though I could eat most anything sometimes. But it is best for me that I can’t get it for I know I should eat too much if I could get all I wanted.
Well, I must change the subject. I received two letters that you had written to me and I was very glad to hear that the folks were about all well at the time you wrote to me. I hat got a fellow to write a few lines for me about two weeks ago. I don’t know whether you got the letter or not, and I hardly know what he wrote. I told him to tell you that I was getting better. That’s all I know about it. I also received that paper you sent to me. Well, I must stop for this time for I am wore out. I send you my best respects to all. — F. Shanafelt
I put in a vote for Old Abe yesterday.
Letter 3
[On December 2, 1864, Hood had ordered Bate to destroy the railroad and blockhouses between Murfreesboro and Nashville and join Forrest for further operations. On December 4, Bate’s division attacked Blockhouse No. 7 protecting the railroad crossing at Overall’s Creek, but Union forces fought it off.]
Overall Creek Block House No. 7 February 6, 1865
Friend Rose,
I received your letter a few weeks ago and I was very glad to hear from you and all the rest of the folks about Greentown and to hear that they were all well except the young soldier had come to lofe. You had stated in your letter than he was sick but I’m hoping when this letter come to hand will find you all enjoying good health.
Rose, you had stated in your letter that you was going to surprise me when you had stated that Cornelius had got home once more. You’re right, it did surprise me when I found that he had got back to his own state once more. I say Bully for him. Rose, you had said that Hen had been out for rabbits. I would like to take a good rabbit hunt again where there is lots of snow down on such a country. There ain’t enough snow to track a mouse. Sleighing is played out in this country. I haven’t saw a sled in Tennessee. I don’t believe that they know what sleighing means. I suppose that there has been a great deal of snow in Ohio this winter and I suppose that folks enjoyed themselves going sleighing and especially what few young folks there is to home. But I suppose that they are getting pretty well cleaned out about town—that is, the young men. But I suppose there is plenty of young women yet in town.
Rose, you wanted to know whether I had your photograph. I have got it and I will stick to it as long as I have a button on my pants. So you can bet I will keep it for if the buttons would come all off, I would be in a bad fix, don’t you think so? Rose, tell Maria Kisner and Susan Carpenter and Harriet Shanafelt that I want them to send me their photographs and if they don’t, I might throw a stone in their gardens someday for it.
I must close for this time. I send my respects to all, — F. Shanfelt
The weather has been very nice down [here] for the last few weeks. Write again soon.
Letter 4
Blockhouse No. 7 April 11, 1865
Friend Rose,
I will try and answer your letter that you had written to me some time back. I was glad to hear from you and the rest of the family about Greentown and to hear that they were about all well. I am well at the present time and enjoying myself pretty well at the present. The news are very good just now. I suppose that there are some big times at home now over the fall of Richmond and Petersburg. I know if I was at home I would take a spill on the head of it but I don’t think I will down here and I suppose that you know the reason why. It ain’t because I don’t like whiskey, but because I can’t get it. It will all come right some day—that is, if we live long enough to see this war come to a close. And I think that it will be before very long. It won’t last 1,000 years any more, I don’t think. If it does, I will be old enough to get married when I come home.
Rose, there is only one thing that spites me. That is because I couldn’t be at home to bug that old deaf mare that you sold when Hen went fishing. She would have been a splendid buggy horse for me when I get married. But it is too late now and I must make some other arrangements.
I was glad to hear that Mapes had so long a time at home. I suppose that he enjoyed himself first rate while he was there. I think I would and I guess that he did. You had stated in your letter that Mapes had went with some of the girls and he said that they would better not fool around him very much or he would take them down. You allowed that you didn’t think that it would hurt me to take some of them down once and a while. For all you know, I do for the Southern girls are very liberal to Yanks—especially some of them. But it all goes for the Union.
I must close for this time. Rose, there is a good deal of plain talk in this letter and I don’t want you to let anyone read it, if you please. Write soon. Yours respectfully, — Sheny, F.
Letter 5
Addressed to Mr. Henry Shanafelt, Greentown, Stark county, Ohio
Block House No. 7 May 30, 1865
Dear Brother,
I received your letter you wrote to me today and I was glad to hear from you and the rest of the folks about home. I am well and the rest of the right side up. Your letter that you had wrote to me was on the road over two months. I don’t see where it has been laying so long along the road but it don’t make much difference for I don’t know whether I would wrote any sooner or not for there was a big talk about being mustered out but I think that we will serve out our time or almost at least. We have about three months to serve yet and then our time will be out.
I guess the 114th Regt. will soon get home. I say Bully for them. Hen, it is getting pretty damn hot down here now. There is a few patches of wheat about here and it looks [as] though it was fit to cut in a few days. Corn is up about knee high. We [ ] more than have a time eating mulberries. There is lots of them down here.
I got a letter from Rose Shanafelt a few days ago and was glad to hear from the folks. I also received the photograph that Maria had sent to me and I was very glad to get it and it is pretty good. It looks natural. I must bring my letter to a close. I might talk about a good many things yet but I will drop it at present.
The following letter was written by Amorit (Starkweather) Knox (1836-1901), the wife of Reuben Knox (1830-1904) just a few days prior to a 4th of July Celebration in 1862. She datelined her letter from Union Mills, Erie county, Pennsylvania. By 1862, Union Mills was a thriving borough which grew rapidly following the completion of a railroad to the town and the discovery of oil in Titusville in 1859. “The new railroad in Union Mills provided a more convenient way of transportation. Soon a large portion of the oil was hauled to Erie where it was sent west and to the seaboard over the Lake Shore Railroad. This hauling of oil from Titusville to Union employed thousands of men and teams at a big profit. Union was densely crowded. Trade of every sort became lively and stores, shops and dwellings appeared overnight.”
Amorit wrote the letter to her brother Henry Harrison Starkweather (1840-1906) who was serving in the the 11th New York Light Artillery. Her letter contains the description of a soldier’s corpse that had been sent to Union. The soldier’s name was Gardner N. Brown (1838-1862), a bugler with the 9th New York Cavalry who died on 19 June 1862 in Washington D. C. His parents names were Nathaniel D. Brown (1797-1868) and Louisa Taylor (1805-1886). According to Find-A-Grave, Nathaniel Brown was always chasing his fortune—first the 1849 gold rush, and then the Pennsylvania Oil Boom.
[Note: I wish to thank Daniel Crone for identifying the author of this letter and tracking down the identity of the deceased soldier.]
Transcription
Union [Erie county, Pennsylvania] June 29th 1862
Dear Brother and Friends,
I have sat down for the purpose of again writing to you to let you know that I am still alive. I have not been very well for a few days. I got cold in my head and both of my eyes have gathered and broke. The last one broke yesterday so they feel pretty well today. Jim’s folks are all well.
Mrs. Foot[e] and Julia are back here again. 1 Came last Wednesday. They wrote there was nothing to do in Chardon [Ohio] and if they wanted them to come back, they would and they wrote to have them come for they wanted another girl and Julia and Eliza can manage to do the dining room work very comfortably for two or three days. We have not been very much thronged with company but I presume we will get our pay for it before many days, for after a calm we generally have a storm instead of the other way.
Jim and Eliza and several more of us went with a Mr. Brown and wife and son and daughter to the depot to see their son that died in the army. He died in Washington of typhoid fever. He had a friend there with him and he had him embalmed and put into a common coffin, and that put in a box. He had been dead about a week and his folks said he looked very natural. There was black spots all over his face—looked like powder flashed in his face. They said it was caused by the embalming process. His father took him to Utica to bury him. They had lived there formerly but when the oil fever broke out, they came out here. They live on the Buchanan farm below Titusville. They could have had him sent to Utica cheaper than here but his friend started his corpse so soon after he died that they couldn’t get the word back to him so the mother and son and daughter came here to see the corpse and then they went back home and his father went with him alone. They had lost three children buried in Utica before this one. They have only two living now. They felt very bad. 2
We expect to have a busy time here this week if the celebration comes off as they expect it will. There is going to be a ball at the other house in the evening. Some think there will be folk enough to have a dance at both houses but I hope they won’t have one here. I sent a paper to father with a Programme of the doings here on that day. Lize said I must send it and perhaps he and mother would come out. The man that is to deliver the address is a Universalist—I believe an Ohio man.
It has been very warm the last two days but we haven’t had any such weather as we generally have in Ohio before this time. It has been very wet here too. It rained last Monday and Tuesday and it rains again today. It has rained for about two hours as hard as it could pour down. Jim and Ed Davis went to Riceville. I guess they will have a gay time getting home. Jim has sold his lot in Conneaut and took a span of horses at 400 dollars. He says he is going to get 800 or a 1,000 for them when he sells. Horses are very high here now but I have heard they were high in Ohio also.
I had a letter from Em Wolcott the other day and she wanted to know if I had heard that William Whiting had shot himself and I am in suspense about it. What should cause him to do such a thing? If you know anything about it, I want you to write me.
I commenced this letter to Hen two weeks ago and haven’t had time to finish it and had heard they had left Columbus. You will probably know where to direct it. If you will do so you will oblige me. When I was grunting around here, I told Jim I was going home the next day if I didn’t feel better. He laughed and said I hadn’t got the money and he wouldn’t give it to me either. That is what he always tells me. He says he has got me where Cale had the hen. I tell him not quite he hain’t for I could write home and father would send me the money any day but I guess I will get the money here whenever I say the word. Jim’s folks want our folks to come out here and I think they might come as well as not after haying. Take the horses and come to Mr. Hollister’s the first day and then they can come in two days easy enough.
I must begin to think of winding this letter off. Please write as soon as you can. Tell me how the baby is getting along. I want to see the little scamp awfully. I expect she will forget me altogether. Write how the cheese trade is this summer. A word from Lit and Lake will be acceptable. Yours as ever, — Amorit
Perhaps it would be well enough to put this letter for Hen into another envelope outside of this one. I will send a stamp.
1 “Mrs. Foote” was 60 year-old Nancy (Dimick) Foote (1801-1870), the wife of Erastus Foote (1794-1857) of Chardon, Geauga county, Ohio.Their daughter Julia E. Foote was born in December 1845.
2 A history of Venango county, Pennsylvania, informs us that one of the richest oil strikes on Oil Creek was on the Buchanan Farm south of Titusville. The farm adjoined both Oil Creek and Cherry Run.
I could not find an image of George but here is a tintype of Henry Westerhouse who enlisted in Co. H, 2nd Michigan Cavalry. (Kim Frank Collection)
These letters were written by George S. Bishop (1834-1865), the son of Edmond B. and Sophronia Bishop who came to Oakfield Township, Kent county, Michigan from New York State prior to 1850. George enlisted as a Private on September 10, 1861 at the age of 25, and in Company F, 2nd Michigan Cavalry on October 02 1861. Family stories indicate George fell off a river boat on his way home after the war ended and he drowned.
Several of George’s transcribed letters have found their way onto the website of the Montcalm County, MIGenWeb (courtesy of the Flat River History Museum) under the title, George S. Bishop—Civil War Letters. One of these letters was also written at Benton Barracks just one week prior to the following letter in which George wrote, “We are armed with good sabers and the flashing steel is everywhere seen. We are soon to have a good revolving rifle. Sharps will be the one we will have, also a revolving Colt pistol that will fire 14 shots without loading. Tis not very likely that we will ever be in a battle, yet it is a good thing to have good arms if we ever come to it. We will soon lay the ground over with rebels. They can’t hurt us much for we will be in motion riding up and firing and then away across the plain.”
While researching George, I stumbled upon the following images of some of his comrades in Co. F. They were posted on Civil War Faces Facebook by Rae Swan who found them all in the photo album of Joel S. Beeman, a saddler in the 2nd Michigan Cavalry, Co. F.
George B. RaceJohn C. BurgessSeymour N. HallThomas DixonWilliam VanLiewWilliam Tenny
Letter 1
Camp Anderson Grand Rapids November 4th 1861
Dear Father and Mother, for such I shall call you.
I am still at the old camp learning the ways of military life. We are now living in tents, each one endeavoring to do his best in moving the right way for his country’s good. We are all united in the cause of liberty and hope to still maintain the rights which our forefathers bought for us with their blood.
When this war will close, no man can tell but let this be as it may, I will do to the utmost to save the Union. The camp ground is everyday full of ladies and gentlemen who have come for the purpose of visiting the soldier before the sod closes over them (or at least some of them) forever.
The hardy hat issued to the members of the 2nd Michigan Cavalry were like this one of the 4th Michigan Cavalry, Co. G.
We have received our uniform. Also a good pair of stockings apiece and also a pair of shirts, one pair drawers, one pair of shoes for the present and soon receive boots, and likewise saddles which will be of use to us when we go upon horses which is at present 11 hundred and more coming.
I must say something about our dress. The hats are trimmed as follows—crossed swords in front, the letter of the company above, and still above that a figure 2, it being the second regiment. Also an eagle upon one side, all of which are brass. A yellow cord answers for the band. An ostrich feather waves upon the crown.
The coats 1 are striped with yellow braid, also with shoulder plates for the purpose of saving the body from the cut of the enemy’s sword.
Our lieutenant marched us down to meeting last Sunday at the close of which the organ played the tune, the Star Spangled Banner while our little band of soldiers slowly let the room. Goodbye, — George Bishop
P. S. I let my clothes at Mr. John Crisman’s.
1 The jackets of the 2nd Michigan Volunteer Cavalry were supplied by Sykes & Company.
Letter 2
Benton Barracks 1 St. Louis, Missouri January 8th 1862
Dear Mother,
I received your letter last night and was glad to hear from you and find that you were all well. I should have been very glad if you had sent some things for a New Year present but I consider it just as well for you showed your good will in thinking of it and doing the best you could.
You wanted to know if there had been any soldiers poisoned. There was a story something about poisoning but it was a good while ago. You need not fear anything about that for we do not have anything to eat that has been in the hands of the rebels. For myself, I will not buy anything of peddlers that come into camp. When I buy an apple, I know who I get it of and that is not much.
You also want a little information about our cooking. When we first commenced we were in messes 1, 2, 3, and 4. Each one had a cook or rather changed one week at a time. Now No. 1 & 2 have joined together and hired a steady cook and each one gives him 25 cents per month, and now we will not have to stop and cook. We have three good meals a day and enough of it.
Our barracks are warm and nice. They stand like any house in the City. First comes the sleeping room, then the eating room, then the cook room. The camp is kept clean—a great deal cleaner according to a number of people than some folks’ homes.
I think some good news is ahead for while I have been writing, the cannon has been roaring toward Camp Jackson a perfect storm. Don’t fret. We will thrash the rebels. I know it takes off some change to write and of course I can’t expect you to send me a letter every time I write to you, but I want you to write as often as you can and I will send you some money so that you will not lose anything by it. I am again well and hope you will keep the same. Give my love to Father and the children. Goodbye, — George S. Bishop
1 Jefferson Barracks was a training facility for the Union army that was located on the site of the present-day St. Louis Fairgrounds in North St. Louis. In January 1862, it consisted of five buildings that could accommodate up to 30,000 soldiers. The orginal buildings were 740 feet long and 40 feet wide.
I can safely attribute the following letter to Samuel “Otis” Sawyer (1839-1908), a carpenter in Cambridge, Massachusetts, at the time of his enlistment on 2 July 1861 as a private in Co. A, 16th Massachusetts Infantry. He mustered out of the regiment on 27 March 1864 after nearly three years service. The letter mentions another soldier—John Wilson—who also served in the same company from Cambridge.
Otis was the son of Samuel James Sawyer (1816-1854) and Eleanor Dodge Morgan (1816-1890) of Exeter, New Hampshire. He wrote the letter to his younger brother James “Monroe” Sawyer (1841-1863), a clerk living with their widowed mother in Cambridge at the time. As a matter of curiosity, Otis survived the war as a soldier but his younger brother James, who never enlisted, was fatally stabbed on 18 August 1863 by Edward Owens and James Farris while defending two women in August 1863. He died of his wounds three days later. Otis married Mary E. Marston (b. 1845) in December 1866.
Otis and Monroe (who were both called by their middle names) had a younger sister named Lucy Ann Sawyer (1845-1900) who married George Henry Foster (1844-1906) of Cambridge. Lucy’s first-born, Lilliam Monroe Foster (1867-1945) kept a family photo album that included the pictures below of her mother and two uncles, Otis and Monroe.
This remains the only Samuel Otis Sawyer letter I have found via an internet search. In his recent book, “The Men of the 16th Massachusetts: A Civil War Roster and History,” Alden Ellis, Jr. informs us that the 16th Massachusetts was “one of a few Massachusetts regiments whose history was not recorded. From 1861-1864, it was deeply embroiled in the operations of the Army of the Potomac. Suffering from a lack of skilled leadership and later from horrific living conditions, the 16th saw heavy casualties. Of more than 1300 men, 112 were killed in battle, 360 were wounded and 52 died from their wounds. Disease claimed 115 and 65 were taken as prisoners of war, 32 of them dying in Confederate prisons. Another 344 went home afflicted with wounds or disease as disability discharges.”
Otis SawyerMonroe SawyerLucy (Sawyer) Foster
See also some letters by Asa Smith of Co. K, 16th Massachusetts that I transcribed and published just last month on Spared & Shared. 1862: Asa Dennis Smith to his Family.
Transcription
The camp of the 16th Massachusetts at “Camp Hamilton” near Fortress Monroe in the winter of 1861-62.
Camp Hamilton, Fortress Monroe January 17, 1862
Dear Brother,
I received the box that you sent me and found everything in good condition. I gave John Wilson the things that you told me to and he told me to tell you that he was much obliged to you and he sent his best respects to you.
Tell Mother that I am much obliged to her for the quilt and the rest of the things. I shall send 15 dollars in this letter for you to do as you think best with it. I would send more but I bought a pair of boots from one of the boys that sent home for them and some other to pay out so I could not send any more this time. I wish that if you get a chance you would send me some tobacco for it hard to get it here and when we do get it, we have to pay 60 cents a pound for it. Perhaps you can find someone that is going to send a box that you can put it in.
The expedition started away from here last Saturday night about midnight and we did not hear from it till today. There is a rumor about here that they are in the rear of Norfolk and that they have given the women and children 24 hours to leave the city before they make a strike. I hope it is true. If it is, we shall see some of it for Norfolk shore we can see from our camp through a glass. It is about 18 miles across the water.
There was a vessel come in here with 500 troops for the 29th [Massachusetts] Regt. at Newport News. They come from Boston so they said. I wrote a letter to Hattie Baker last Sunday and I expect she will answer it. I had another letter from William Estes and he is enjoying himself as well as he can. He said that he did not think that he would go home this winter.
I cannot think of much more to write this time so goodbye from your brother, — Otis
You must write soon. I sent two pictures that was taken out of Hampton the night of the fire and a cotton ball by the Captain. I wish you would let me know if you got them [when] you write.
Miles Leroy Storrs, Co. Founder, 1st Nebraska Regiment (Infantry/Cavalry) Michael Huston Collection
The following letters were written by Miles Leroy Storrs (1842-1866) and his brother Eugene Orange Storrs (1844-1908). They were the sons of Nelson Colomor Storrs (1818-1903) and Phoebe Ann Porter (1820-1896) of Clarinda, Iowa who enlisted together on 15 June 1861 to serve in Co. F, 1st Nebraska Regiment (Infantry/Cavalry). Surprisingly, the boys’ father also enlist a couple months later in Co. K, 4th Iowa Infantry, when he was 44 years of age. He found the rigors of a soldier’s life too difficult to endure, however, and mustered out on 1 February 1862.
Apparently Miles did not have a robust constitution either for muster rolls show that he was discharged for disability on 29 March 1863 after little more than a year and a half of service. Eugene, however, carried on until the expiration of his term of service in November 1864.
There are only eleven brief letters in this collection—most of them written by Eugene. Neither of the boys were particularly gifted in writing nor inclined to write lengthy or detailed letters. The collection was sold recently at an auction in Ankeny, Iowa. It’s not known whether there are any other extant letters. I have not found any in on-line bibliographies or archival catalogues. I would have to say that letters by Nebraska soldiers are rare. In the 15,000 or so letters I’ve transcribed in the last 15 years, these are the first letters by Nebraska soldiers sent to me for transcription. I wish to thank Michael Huston who now owns these letters for sharing them on Spared & Shared.
I will again write you a small letter. I guess you cannot grumble by this time for not receiving any letters from me. This makes the third letter I have written to you without receiving any answer. We are very well at present. My leg is almost well. There is some talk of leaving our winter quarters hastily. I know not where for. Tell me, father, when you think this trouble will be ended. I want to hear from mother. I think you do not quite fulfill your duty as concerns writing. I have completely given up all hopes of receiving any letters.
Johnny Pierce, R. Gibbs, & the rest of the boys.
I think there is no danger of Europe interfering since we have given up Mason & Slidell. You must write me one more letter father.
It is very disagreeable weather here at present—cold & sleety. I received a letter from Darius & Melissa yesterday. They are well but no news of importance. I will now close my letter. Goodbye, — Eugene O. Storrs
Letter 2
Memphis, Tennessee June 22, 1862
My beloved parents,
I sit down alone on picket to answer a letter we got from Mother last night. I was glad to get your letter but very sorry that Mother is so uneasy about us. Mother, your good advise I will follow so be contented until we get home again and if you want to buy anything, use my money that I sent to you and have not heard whether you got it or not. It was $30. I sent it to A. Lorens in Clarinda so that you could get it by going there. We both get letters from you only once in a great while. Miles writes pretty often and so I don’t write very often.
It is said that Jeff Thompson was baptized here yesterday in disguise. I have no more to write—only that my health is very good and stand the marching very well. Excuse my short and hasty letter, — Eugene S. Storrs
Letter 3
Quincy, Illinois November 13, 1862
Dear Parents,
I received your letter dated the 8th November his morning. I am quite well except a cough. I don’t know whether I can get my discharge or not but I will see if I can. I don’t know where the regiment is unless at Little Rock, Arkansas. If you know, let me know and I will write to the captain. If I go to the regiment and hant well, I can get a discharge there for our doctor said that I never would be fit for duty. I don’t think I can get it here.
The weather is good here. We have had one snow. I have not wrote to Miles yet. If he had done right, he would been here. As soon as I found that they were sending me to the Barracks, I took my knapsack and went back to the hospital.
Mother must not be discouraged for I am in good spirits. There is some men and nurses that is acquainted with father when he preached in Clay county away in the Yankee school house. — Eugene O. Storrs
Letter 4
Eminence [Shannon county, Mo.] February 14th 1863
Dearest parents,
I have once more an opportunity of writing you a few lines today. We received our pay. Eugene came to the company yesterday. We both drew 6 months pay. I and Eugene send you $100 by our chaplain. We will express it from St. Louis to you. Eugene is not very stout. I am doing no duty now. I tell you, we see rough times now—barefooted, starved on half rations. There is some talk of our regiment on the left wing of our regiment going to the Knob to guard a provision train that takes our company. We are now about 60 miles from the Knob & the same from Rolla. I will be anxious to hear whether our money comes safe or not. Please to answer as quick as you receive this. The weather is quite pleasant today.
Mother, I received those rations you sent me. I tell you I had a good cup of tea. We were down pretty near to Batesville, Arkansas. I tell you, this is an awful rough country. I am tired of these Ozark Mountains. I have not seen a newspaper for over a month. I don’t hear any war news whatever.
I will leave room for Gene but he says he don’t want to write. He wants me to do it all as usual. I showed him Mother’s and his niece’s picture. He says, “Shaw.”
This is an awgul wierd country for to get mail. You must excuse this poor writing. I have nothing more to write so I close. Remaining your son, — M. L. Storrs
E. O. Storrs
Letter 5
Arcadia, February 24th 1863 Pilot Knob, Ironton [Mo.]
Dewar Parents,
I have written a letter today to you & while going to the Post Office, I lost it. I tell you, I do not feel much like writing. Eugene is doing no duty. Neither do I. I am so worthless I do not know what to do. I see in today’s paper they commenced fighting at Vicksburg the 21st. I hope they will do the thing up this time.
Father, I will not quarrel with you on the question of slavery but I am decidedly opposed to abolitionism, Horace Greeley & co.
We have marching orders in the morning. I do not think we will go far. Write and tell me if you get the money expressed to you. I am not going to write much. Melissa, you must excuse me for not writing & answering your letter. I am glad to hear from Daring. Tell me if he went in the Vicksburg fight. I close.
— Miles L. Storrs
Excuse this. I am so tired. The one I wrote this morning was quite a lengthy letter. — M. L. S.
Letter 6
Cape Girardeau, Missouri April 29th 1863
Dear Brother,
I improve the time in writing you a few lines. I am well & the rest of the boys are well. THe regiment is out on White Water after Old Marmaduke. We had a pretty good fight Sunday. Pretty hot times but not much loss on our side. A. B. & P. R. Wagar is on Provost Guard in town so they are not on a scout. I and Mr. Franklin is left to guard the camp. — E. O. Storrs.
Letter 7
Pilot Knob [Missouri] June 13th 1863
Dear Brother [Miles],
I received your letter yesterday and was very glad to hear that you are getting better & that Father was well. You wanted to know what I thought about improving Father’s land in Page county. Well, if Father wants to put improvements there, I think it is as good thing as we can do with our money, to make a home there first. And if I get a land warrant, I can do as I like about improving the land if I could get any. But I don’t believe I will get a warrant. Let father go ahead with it and so what he wants to do.
Miles, we have got Solomon Knight in the guard house for a deserter and of Sam Ford [?] that went at Shiloh. I guess we will stay here until Davidson goes below and then we will go with him. — Eugene O. Storrs, Co. F.
To M. L. Storrs, Citizen
Letter 8
Pilot Knob, Mo. July 2nd 1863
Dear Father,
I had the pleasure of receiving a letter from you and Miles a few days ago that I did not answer on account of being sick. I am getting along pretty well now. The weather has been hot but if you can make any use of the money I sent to you, do it. We are to be paid today but I can’t send any money this payday for I owe some for clothing that I have to settle for.
We are building a fort on the hill where we used to drill and shoot at the target. Miles knows where it is. It is called Fort Davidson. 1 It has 6 fronts. It is said that we are a going to leave here before a week. I hope it is so. Mr. Fickling went to the post hospital this morning. Excuse this short letter. — E. S.
1 Fort Davidson was a six-side earthwork fort built to protect iron mines and furnaces near Pilot Knob, Missouri. It was built on an open plain in Arcadia Valley southwest of Pilot Knob. Each of the hexagonal sides was 150 feet long and made of packed earth with planks on the inside 5 to 9 feet high. There was a dry moat surrounding the fort 6 to 8 feet deep and ten feet wide. There were four 32-pounder siege guns, three 24-pounder howitzers, and a half dozen Woodruff guns mounted in the fort.
Letter 9
Pilot Knob, Missouri July 4th 1863
Dear Father,
I received a letter from you yesterday. My health is good as could be expected in this place. You said I did not write often enough. Well father, when I am not sick, I am on duty of some kind, either on guard or on the fort. There is nothing going on here but firing the National Salute from the fort at Arkada [Arcadia] two miles below from the 32-pounder Sigel guns that Co. C is manning. I would think that Miles—as he can’t do any hard work—would go to studying book keeping and then he would have something to work at that he could do, but I guess Miles hant a going to get married in Page county for Hapy J don’t want to marry, I guess, & she is all be corresponded with there.
Mother, I wish you would write some to me when Father does. Is Melissa’s school out yet in town? I got a letter from Darius that I must answer so I must close. — Eugene S. Storrs
Letter 10
St. Louis, [Missouri] October 30th 1863
Dear Mother,
I got your letter the 29th on my return from Vicksburg. I was glad to hear from you but sorry to hear that you think I don’t want to hear from you and don’t like to write to you. I would answered your letter yesterday but it was such a cold, wet, rainy day, you must remember that I don’t have a house and table & everything to write with when I want to write like I did at home.
I was gone to Vicksburg one month. The regiment went on a scout to Jefferson City while I was gone and all got arrested for cheering for Jim Lane & to punish the boys they put us in our tents. [rest of letter missing] 1
— [Eugene O. Storrs]
1 The cheers for Jim Lane may have been in reaction to his speech given in 1863, while the 38th United States Congress was debating a bill that would confiscate land from rebelling southerners, Lane said, “I would like to live long enough to see every white man in South Carolina in hell, and the Negroes inheriting their territory. It would not wound my feelings any day to find the dead bodies of rebel sympathizers pierced with bullet holes in every street and alley of Washington. Yes, I would regret this, for I would not like to witness all this waste of powder and lead. I would rather have them hung, and the ropes saved! Let them dangle until their stinking bodies rot and fall to the ground piece by piece.”
Letter 11
St. Joseph, Missouri September 30th 1864
Dear Father,
I sit down to inform you that I am on my way to Omaha to be discharged. I left the bluffs on the 14th September and arrived here 4 days ago. We are waiting for a boat to go up. A good many of the boys have gone home to Page County. Mr. [Jabez] Fickling went yesterday. If you lived in Amity, I would be home before long. I expect it will be a month yet before we can be mustered out. I have been sick a great deal. That is the reason I have not wrote before. — E. O. Storrs
The following letter was written by Elvira Cole (1805-1886), the 57 year-old unwed daughter of Alva Cole (1774-1846) and Rosemond Freeman (1787-1847) of Cattaraugus county, New York. Elvira lived for twenty-five years or so in Avon, Fulton County, Illinois. She died and was buried there in 1886.
Elvira wrote these letters to her younger sister, Ruba Eloise (Cole) Merrill (1816-1887) who later lost both her husband, Barzilla Merrill and her son, Alva Merrill, in the Battle of Chancellorsville in May 1863 when they were serving in Co. K, 154th New York Infantry.
Transcription
Addressed to Mrs. Ruby C. Merrill, Cottage P. O., Cattaraugus county, New York
Avon, [Fulton county, Illinois] August 14, 1862
My dear sister and brother,
My health is very good but somehow I feel dull and bad this morning. I have been out two evenings to war meetings and last night went to the depot to see the volunteers start off. Quite a number went from this place and among them the most prominent members of the church. The recruiting officer had been down the road gathering up his men to go to Chicago on the night train and be sworn in today. There were three or four cars full. This we were told is the winding up of volunteering. Next comes the draft. Rev. Richard Haney, our former presiding Elder is to be Chaplain of the regiment and his son James Haney is expected to be Captain of the company. These men go in so it is believed the moral and spiritual interests of the soldiers will be care for.
When we started to come home last night, a friend told me that he saw brother Samuel 1 in the cars and spoke with him. He had enlisted and had not time to come to see but I think I shall see him yet before they move from Camp Douglas. Those that have left home suddenly without settling up their business have encouragement of coming home on a furlough of eight or ten days soon after being organized into companies and regiments.
I am going to send Uncle Stephen’s letter to you. He has been unfortunate again in losing his wife for I think he had a very good one. I believe he did not live with her quite two years. I suppose the Ophelia he speaks of to be a niece of his last wife but am not sure. The grandson is Melissa’s son by her first husband.
The prospects here are dubious—war so near and maybe much nearer. Guerrilla parties have done some mischief in Missouri within five hours ride from us. We have martial law throughout the State I suppose to prevent men from running away from being drafted. I don’t know what will be next but enough of this. You will think I am getting the blues but there is no such thing. When I think I am in danger of that, I get the Book and read the 91st Psalm and claim the protection there promised though I don’t know as I have a right to.
Our friends were all well when last heard from. I have not seen Samuel since January nor many of the rest of them. Peter called often during the spring and forepart of the summer but has not for the last month. I thought of filling out the sheet but I can’t see and it is almost train time so I must stop. My love to all. Goodbye, — E. Cole
Do write. I want to hear if I don’t very often. You can both see better than I.
Ebenezer Sanford’s second son was killed in the Pittsburgh [Landing] battle [Shiloh].
These letters were written by Matthew Hasbrouck (1828-1879) who was 34 years old when he enrolled on September 6, 1862, at Marbletown, Ulster county, New York, to serve three years in Co. D, 156th New York Infantry. He was promoted from private to quartermaster sergeant by late 1863 and was commissioned 1st Lieutenant of Co. I on 9 March 1864. He mustered out with his company on October 23, 1865, at Augusta, Ga.
Matthew was wounded at the Battle of Winchester on September 19, 1864. His wound was mentioned in Colonel Neafie’s report, October 12, 1864, “I cannot close without expressing my appreciation of the bravery and good conduct of the officers and men of my command. To mention one the officers would seem to impute that others did not do their whole duty, which was not case; but I cannot close without expressing my thanks to Lieut. M. Hasbrouck, Acting Quartermaster, who volunteered his services, and rendered me efficient aid. I regret to state that he received a severe wound from a piece of shell during the last charge, which disabled him temporarily.”
When Matthew enlisted, he was described as a blue-eyed, brown-haired, 5 foor 8 inch tall merchant of Marbletown. According to Dutch Reformed Church Records, Matthew was the son of Isaac S. Hasbrouck and Matilda Barnes of Marbletown. Matthew was married to Jane Catherine Hardenberg (1830-1883) prior to 1850 and had at least five children before enlisting.
Matt’s letters were addressed to Captain (later) Matthias S. Euen of the 156th New York Volunteers.
This quarter plate tintype shows some of the boys of Co. B, 156th New York Infantry around the tent of Lt. Jacob Dubois Hasbrouck—a cousin of Matthew Hasbrouck who served in the same regiment. Soldiers are sporting New York state jackets and fatigue blouses others, pipes, predominantly forage caps and kepis, and boots and brogans. The rifles are p1853 Enfields, with haversacks, knapsacks, and an officer’s style bag tucked underneath the stack. Lt. Hasbrouck enjoys a pipe while reading on an improvised barrel chair. Other soldiers are pointing out the news of the day, while soldiers stand at “Shoulder Arms,” perhaps a cell of soldiers off to guard duty and picket. A large officer’s tent sits open for a rare glimpse inside.
Letter 1
Baton Rouge [Louisiana] 23rd September 1863
Friend Rip,
Your letter was received in due and succinct form and I was much pleased to hear that you had been at my house &c. although I expected to have a much longer letter from you in relation to your trip. However, I have made up my mind to excuse you just for that once if the next is big enough to fill a wheelbarrow.
We are still at Baton Rouge although we have moved our camp nearer to the Penitentiary. We have an excellent camp ground and expect to have some fighting very soon. The rebs have made their appearance outside in force, some say from 10 to 12,000. That woud give our brigade, 4th Wisconsin Cavalry, and 21st Indiana Artillery a dusty hunt, although all rebeldom couldn’t take the fortifications if we could get enough to eat. If they ever drive us inside as they may, then goodbye Baton Rouge. If those old “Bull dogs” [cannon] don’t level this place in no time, my name ain’t Mat. What will yours be?
The Ironclad USS Essex at Baton Rouge (LOC)
Everybody is on guard and picket tonight—cooks and all. I tell you, things look kinder squally. They have been trying to kick up a muss at Donaldsonville again, but the Essex with the small number we had in the fort just sent ’em kiting. Our expedition to Texas by way of Sabine Pass was brought up with a short turn, losing the Clifton and obliged to come back to New Orleans and start again across lots by way of Brashear. Old Bisland is in the way thus again, the “gray backs” having increased the fortifications at that point to a great extent and I suppose have made a very strong place of it as you know could easily be done. If the 156th could only be there now and take the whole dam[n] army prisoners (you remember they took about all that were taken by our brigade the other time), wouldn’t it be glorious.
That order from the War Department offering a bounty of $400 for re-enlistments either in cavalry, infantry, or artillery I am afraid will play the devil with our regiment. At first it seemed as though about five-fourths of it was going in cavalry, but matters look better now and I guess will come out all straight after a little. Hurry up the conscripts.
Your papers are all ready to go in and would have been on the way two weeks since but [Lt. Alfred] Cooley has not been well and I didn’t want to sign too many names. Dr. Smith says he is afraid he [Cooley] may have an attack of the typhoid fever but thinks he is better able constitutionally to stand it than before. I hope so certainly but fear the worst. Your clothing account is short only one cap. Ain’t that good? The rest will all be right of course. Capt. Vaughn & Lieut. Gould have gone home discharged. You will probably see them. Col. Sharpe told me yesterday that in a day or two, he would forward my name for promotion and wished me to write to my Democratic friends to have it pushed through.
I wish I had held a commission a few days since. Our Brigade Commissary has been taken away and there was no one who dared to take hold of the machine and run it. If I wouldn’t have made that salt junk howl, then take me for a ‘orse. If my commission comes, I will want a uniform of course and I wish you would write to me stating what your folks will charge to send me a coat, vest, pants, cap and what measurements they want in order to come somewhere near fitting me. I also want you to tell me what a sword, belts, sash and pistol will cost. Now I want them all first rate. I don’t care about fancy but I know low priced goods are not the cheapest. I want just what you would get for yourself. I wish you would write to me immediately on receipt of this and when my commission comes, it come it do, I will send my order to your firm direct (if you will give me their direction) and enclose a draft together with a note to yourself. In haste.
Yours fraternally, — M. Hasbrouck
Letter 2
Baton Rouge 8th March 1864
Say Mat, Capt. Rip, Major Euen, Lord what a tail our cat has got and then too what a string of titles and how euphonious. I just tell you, there are lots of fellers in the 156th N. Y. Vols right smart glad from Col. Sharpe down, down, down to your humble servant. I wish I was satisfied in regard to my kettle of fish. They don’t cook right. When I received my 2nd Lt. commission and was discharged, I then told Col. Sharpe my wish was to leave. He was opposed to that and although I could do much better outside, I deferred to his wishes and remained, but nearly 3 months have traveled “down the corridors of time” (whew! I feel better I couldn’t think what ’twas bothering me) and I am still nobody. I have been very busy however auditing accounts with the Government and now have only Capt. Mack’s to look after. You will have received yours ‘ere this reaches you. You will see that you want to fill up a letter of advice, sign the papers, and let ’em slide, forwarding the invoices to Johan [Lefevre] unless you can get away very soon yourself. He will have to begin his returns with October and I hope he will be able to close them up before we leave htis place. Cooley is left with the month of September on his hands and good for him. If he had shown a very little disposition to oblige, I would have worked him out but I thought he acted very much as though he would like to see you in a scrape with your returns and I let him go for just his actual value—nothing.
Military movements in this section are kept very still you know, but judging from appearances are likely to mover ere long. We have been ordered to see that every man is provided with all the fixings necessary for a light order march and yesterday the 38th [Mass.] & 156th [N. Y.] were taken down the river about 7 miles to practice march. On the way back, the 156th had a race with the 38th doing 5 miles in an hour. The result as obtained from the most reliable sources is as follows—first, 156th—-38th not to be seen. Very good for the boys and if we do get on a march again together, there will be fun.
My warmest thanks (you wouldn’t like to hear a fellow say “love” would you) to Mrs. Even for kindness in enclosing that music. I think they are first rate—especially “When old friends were here.” It carries me back to the days of individual and national peace, happiness, and love, when each one could enjoy the blessings of a kind Providence under his own vine & fig tree. But God’s ways are not as our ways and while they are often inscrutable, they are just. In this is our hope and consolation. While our National is passing through this bloody ordeal, may we as individuals be so influenced by His Holy Spirit that we too may be refined.
If my commission comes before I leave the regiment, I intend to express about $125 to Messrs. Brooks Brothers for an outfit consisting of cap, coat, vest, pants, sash, sword, pistol, belt and gauntlets. If this reaches you before you leave the City and you have time and know anything of the probability of my commission reaching this place in two or three weeks, it may perhaps be doing me a favor as well as expediting matters if you will leave my name with your house as a friend of yourself requesting them to make the investment for me. Tell [Isaac L.] Signer I have been obliged to sell my mare. She is so heavy with foal that she couldn’t stand a march of two days. I suppose you will bring about 400 recruits for the 156th with you when you come. I would like to see the boys all back again with a regiment right up to maximum. Tell Sigel (so Ellis calls him) that an application has gone on to Washington to enable him to get mustered there and that he must bring all his law books with him as Independent Advocates are in good demand in this country. With kind regards to all, I am as ever your friend and brother, — Mat
Letter 3
Smithville, North Carolina On board Steamer Ashland 9th March 1865
Dear Major,
We are again on the wing with our destination unknown. We left Savannah on the morning of the 6th installment. for Hilton Head when we received orders to go to sea. Orders opened said to go to Wilmington, report to Gen. Schofield, in his absence to Gen. Terry, if both were absent to Gen. Grant in the most expeditious way. Reported by letter to Gen. Terry. Have received no orders. Learn that the steamer Delaware which proceeded us with a part of our brigade went up to Wilmington (by the by, we are 30 miles below). Troops went ashore, were ordered on board again, and ore laying in the stream at Fort Fisher waiting orders. Our division is so broken up at present that it really seems to me as though we might be used as cloating capital for the balance of our period of service, filling up such little holes as may occur. I am tired of shifting the scene of our operations so often. I don’t like being shut up on board transports laying for days within a stones throw of shore and yet not being allowed any communication. Lt. Col. Richardson of 38th Massachusetts has been in command of our brigade since we left Winchester till just as we left Savannah when Col. Day of the 131st New York was transferred from 2nd Brigade to the command of this Brigade. Rather a cooler on Col. R., I think. I hardly expect to receive more than two letters now from home while in the service as we are gadding around so much that by the time a letter gets where we are, are not there. If ever a poor devil was sick and tired of a anything, I am of this service and sacred forever will be the 17th November 1865 if I live to see it.
A party of our prisoners have just come down from Salisbury (now in our possession) who have been paroled and are now on their way to Annapolis to be exchanged. They are a sorry-looking lot of mortals and say that out of 11,000 prisoners at that point, over 5,000 died. I learned no particulars in regard to those of our regiment captured the 19th October [at Cedar Creek, Va.]. James Elmendorf of your company is dead and Moses Daly is here. That is all the news from your company.
I wish you would ascertain if any of the colors of a regiment have found their way to Albany. When Alex[ander] Eltinge went home, he took the old National Colors of the regiment promising to use it in drawing out funds from Ellenville to buy a new one and then send the old one to Albany. He raised over $40 and that is the last we have heard from the money or flag, either new or old. When Capt. Hoyt returned from furlough, he brought a very fine one with him with our battles nicely embroidered on it. This flag together with the State Colors stripped from the staff by Capt. Cooley on 19th October after the color bearer had been shot was taken home by Col. Niafie when he left on furlough about 1st January 1865. That is the last we have heard from them. I fear that some of these days when our friends would like to refer to them as evidences of our patriotism & suffering, they will be wanting. Please find out through the Adjutant General of they have been received. It would be quite a relief to the officers of this regiment to know that they have been properly disposed of.
With kind regards to all friends, I am as ever yours sincerely, — Matt H.
Letter 4
Goldsboro, North Carolina 10th April 1865
My dear friend,
We have made another move on the checker board of our military existence. I believe the 2nd Brigade of our Division now in North Carolina are to be known as the 1st Division, Tenth Corp. at least so say non official report. Capt. [Isaac L.] Signer [of Co. F] just came in and showed me the order for the above from Gen. Schofield. Capt. Signer sends his regards to you. I am glad to get away from Morehead City. The sand there was insufferable. This place is about as large as Ellsworth and before war torn down all fences and destroyed all improvements, no doubt rather pleasant. Sherman’s grand army is leaving and has been for the last 24 hours with 20 days rations and well equipped with all the “materiel” of war. If Johnston don’t move rapidly, Sherman will gobble him up. Sheridan with his gallant cavalry in the van of Lee will no doubt disperse his forces and I look for a speedy dissolution of the rebel armies.
Report says Sam Coykendall is Captain & C[ommisary] S[ergeant]. He either is or his resignation will no doubt be accepted shortly. In either case, the position of Regimental Quartermaster will be vacant and I would like to have it. Please direct your letters to Lieut. instead of Capt. It looks too much like a slur at my want of success in that direction. If the regiment had the requisite numbers, I would take Capt. Jake’s vacant place, but as it is, expect to pass off military life allotted to me with one bar. It is well. Since Grant taught Lincoln, Stanton & Co. to keep their advice and appointments as regards generals in obeyance to his orders, these political hacks have been obliged to turn their attention to scrutinizing the complexion (politically of course) of those whose only recommendation was from their commanding Generals and duties done, and give an unlimited number of appointments of those sneaking devils whose great points were that they stood afar off in civil life and cried Praise God Barebones.
You may remember some controversies we had at Port Hudson in regards to the course of the administration in the conduct of the war. Now I am willing to take the doctrine that to the victor belongs the spoils and fill all civil offices in the control of any administration with its friends, bu I claim under the same law that all military appointments in a time of war should be made from military men exclusively, so long as those in military life possessed proper abilities. I am disappointed tis true in not getting my [Captain’s] commission but would not accept it now under any conditions. I only wait for the 17th November to throw off—no. shake off all claims which A. Lincoln, Esqr. & Co. have on me. Till then and forever, remember me as your friend, — Mat
Cooley says you ask him about second shipments of reading matter. If more reached us. Owing I suppose to our migratory life. — Mat
The following missive addressed to the captain of the transport steamer MenemonSanford, appears to be in the original handwriting of Major General Nathaniel P. Banks who headed the expedition to Louisiana in December 1862. It requests the captain allow the men of the 156th New York to be able to cook their breakfasts aboard ship while en route to New Orleans. The vessel never completed the trip, however. It hit a reef and was sunk in the Florida Keys while being steered through the treacherous waters by the morning pilot, who was arrested for sabotage. Luckily the regiment and the crew were saved from drowning by two Union ships that were nearby.
Major General Nathaniel P. Banks with clipped signature.
Signature on document
For more on the shipwreck of the transport steamer MenemonSanford, readers are referred to Letter 3 of those written by Philip J. Miller of Co. I, 156th New York published by Spared & Shared on a website entitled Staten Island Soldiers.
Transcription
To the Captain of the Transport Steamer Sanford 1
Sir,
I desire that you will take such measures as may be necessary to secure to the troops on board an opportunity to cook their rations for the morning. If it be necessary, orders will be given thus to remove any difficulty that may exist.
I am, Sir. very respectfully your obedient servant, — N. P. Banks, M. G. C. [Major General Commanding]
December 3, 1 o’clock a.m. 1862 by M .S. Ewen, Capt. Co. E.
1 The 26 December 1862 issue of the New York Times published the following description of the wreck of the steamer Menemon Sanford on Carysfort Reef 1.5 miles south of the Turtle Harbor Lighthouse: “The steamer M. Sandford, it is feared, will be a total loss, although the agent of Underwriters, Capt. WELCH, with commendable zeal, has sent a steam pump and all necessary assistance to do whatever can be done in saving the vessel and stores.”
KEY WEST, Monday, Dec. 15, 1862. The Banks expedition has met a serious loss in the wreck of the transport steamer M. Sandford, on Carysport Reef, coast of Florida, near the Light of that name, on the morning of the 10th inst., just before daylight. She had on board the One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Regiment N.Y.S.V., and from one of the officers I learn the following particulars: That at a very early hour in the morning the pilot, a Mr. RICHARDSON, of New-York, was heard to order the ship to be headed S. W. by W., which attracted the attention of some one, who immediately notified the Captain of the steamer, whereupon he came at once upon deck and consulted the pilot, who assured him that all was safe and right, and the water being deep all around her quieted all apprehension, when in less than two minutes the steamer was hard on the perpendicular reef in nine feet of water, drawing eleven feet. She was bilged and immediately filled to the water level. Fortunately there were other transports in sight, which at once tendered assistance. These were the propellers Curlew, George’s Creek and City of Bath, which took off on to their already over-crowded decks about 300 of the troops, and landed them here on the 11th. The balance of 500 arrived here this morning, the 12th, on the naval transport steamer Blackstone and gunboat bark Gemsbok, in tow of the steamer. The Blackstone had left here on the morning to the 10th with Rear-Admiral LARDNER, bound home of New-York, carrying our mails; and the promptness and self-sacrifice manifested in this case calls for our warmest commendation. She is now taking in another supply of coal, and will leave again as soon as that shall be completed, having rendered a very important service in thus relieving this large body of men from the discomfort and destitution of a sunken ship and a consequent tedious trip to this place. The troops are all being very comfortably housed in the extensive barracks here and in the fort, where they will await transportation, which can soon be obtained in sailing vessels now here discharging coals. More than fifty large vessels have been seen passing to the west during the past three days, and no disaster has been reported here except that of the Sandford. We bespeak for them fair weather and prosperous gales to their haven, and then may the fate of war give them a glorious victory in the cause of freedom, unity and good government.”
The following letter was written by Wilbur B. Case (1831-1912) of Milan, Dutchess county, New York. Wilbur was married to Mary Elizabeth Allendorf (1835-1911) in 1860 and the couple had their first child Herman Husted Case in 1866. As required, Wilbur enrolled for the draft in 1863, identifying himself as a 30 year-old farmer, but he was apparently never drafted or, if he was, paid for a substitute to go in his place.
In the 1860 US Census record, John Killmer (b. 1803) was enumerated at a residence next door to Wilbur Case. I did not find him in the 156th New York Infantry so I can’t be certain whom Case is referring to in his note.
Though not named, Case wrote the note to Major Matthias S. Euen of the 156th New York Volunteers. The $400 was undoubtedly a bounty payment for a recruit that had just joined the regiment but the recruit is also not named. We only know that he was a “fatherless boy” who resided with the Case family for a few years before he enlisted in 1865. Most likely Major Euen retained the receipt as proof that he had delivered the bounty to the recruit’s guardian.
Transcription
Lafayetteville [Dutchess county, New York] March 17th 1865
Sir,
With pleasure I acknowledge the receipt of your note of the 11th and must say that I am obliged to you for your punctuality and kindness in preserving the check which is worth the face of it to a fatherless boy who has gone to the field to take up arms in defense of our National flag and hope he may live to enjoy the above sum in time to come. He has been with me for several years and I have a interest in his welfare. If he is in your command, please inform him that it’s all right now. His money is safe. If you see Killmer, tell him I would like to have his address. He can get some friend to send it to me [if] he can’t write himself. Again, I thank you for your kindness and sign myself your friend and well wisher, — Wilbur Case
[docketed on reverse, “Acknowledges the receipt of the $400 check and returns thanks.”]
Spared & Shared 23 