How Henrietta might have looked in 1863(Megan Kemble Collection)
What a pleasure it is to read the words that spill from the glib tongue of an intelligent young woman. What follows is a letter composed in the midst of the American Civil War by 24 year-old Mary “Henrietta” Miller (1839-1912) of Claverack, Columbia county, New York, the daughter of William Albertson Miller (1813-1872) and Mary Hulst (1816-1883). Henrietta was an 1860 graduate of the Hudson Valley River School in Claverack (later renamed Claverack College).
Henrietta wrote the letter to her cousin, Peter Henry Hulst (1841-1926). Peter “spent his earlier years in Fishkill-on-the-Hudson and at Carthage Landing. He later moved to Jonesville in Saratoga county where he taught school and began the study of medicine (Homeopathy), graduating from the Albany Medical College in 1866. He then practiced medicine in Schuylerville for a short time, moving to Greenwich in 1869.” [Obituary, Glens Falls, The Post Star, 28 October 1926]
In her letter, Henrietta suggests that she and her younger sister Adriana (“Addie”) Miller (1846-1905) had intended to relocate to Kentucky to teach school but decided against it when Addie fell ill. She did eventually move to Kentucky where she met James Solomon Crumbaugh in Scott county and after their marriage in December 1866, they settled in Old Crossing, Kentucky, where James ran a mill and Henrietta taught European Literature. In 1900 they moved to Kaufman county, Texas with their two children.
Henrietta’s letter dares to express her thoughts on politics, a subject rarely broached by women except in private conversation in mid 19th Century. She observes the political nature and consequences of the Conscription Act of 1863 and refers to President Lincoln as the “Republican Autocrat”—a sentiment shared by a great many Americans, particularly New Yorkers.
Transcription
Addressed to Mr. Peter H. Hulet, Jonesville, Saratoga county, New York
Clarverack, Columbia county, New York September 17th 1863
My dear cousin,
I imagine you are “wondering” why you do not receive a more prompt reply to your last—especially as it was principally in answer to our plan of “going South.” Well, Cousin Peter, as you can perceive at a glance, we are still in old Claverack and the reason why we gave up our idea of going to Kentucky was mainly on account of Addie’s health. She had taken a severe cold and her old trouble—a bad cough—is again with her. It would have been impossible for her to teach anywhere then and the season was too far advanced for them to wait. They had to have a final answer immediately. She is getting better we think though she is not looking much better yet.
I am now engaged in teaching the school in this village. They give twenty dollars and I board myself. I have been teaching two weeks and have nearly forty pupils; consequently am very busy. I don’t know, I am sure, when Addie’s debt can be discharged. She and Ma are very much discouraged about it. Indeed, it is making mother almost sick, and I sometimes feel, cousin, as if my own courage would forever fail me when I look at the silver threads in my mother’s hair and mark the careworn lines on her face growing deeper and deeper every day. I wish she wouldn’t worry so much about it and I do try to be as hopeful as I can on her account.
Thank you for your suggestions and kind promises of assistance to Addie. If we had gone to Kentucky, we should have been very glad to avail ourselves of them. However, you must not defer your visit to Claverack because there will be no necessity for you to see Mr. M[iller] now; but do come and stay a few weeks, can’t you? I always think with feelings of the utmost pleasure of our visit to Aunty’s last autumn and Addie and I talk it over very often and mark it as a bright era in the past.
I am very glad that you have escaped the draft. Indeed, I must congratulate you upon being within the charmed circle of the Republican Party just now as recent developments have proven fully, the potent as well as “honest” measures pursued by the “Republican Autocrat” for shielding those who will have a voice at the polls next fall and turning the conscription upon the worthless democracy. However, coz., it is a subject of intense gratification to me that notwithstanding the undue share of conscripts that fall to the part of the Democrats, they are abundantly able to hire “substitutes” and I reckon they’ll get some of them from the opposite party as there are yet a few of Uncle Abe’s admirers and most obedient servants who have not more of the “green” currency than they know what to do with. But perhaps you are like some of the gentlemen that I know; “you do not like to hear a lady talk politics.” If no, pardon me and I will change the subject. Nonetheless, “them’s my sentiments.”
Ma has been up to see Grandma this fall. Went a few weeks ago. She made a very short visit as she was expecting us to go to Kentucky. The weather here has been very warm and pleasant. Now it is cloudy and cold. I have to walk about a mile to my schoolroom and I should like it to be pleasant weather all the time if it could be so, but I anticipate many a cold, wet walk this winter. School has just opened at the Seminary and I dare say Mr. [Alonzo] Flack 1 has begin again upon his well beaten track of—I guess I won’t say it after all, for I could not say any good of him so it is better to leave the sentence unfinished.
I am glad your health is improved. Are you taking vocal or instrumental music, or both? Pa and Ella have the whooping cough. They have been very bad but seem to be getting over it now somewhat. Dear cousin, I must beg your kind indulgence for this disconnected and ill written missive. I am not very well nor very much in the mood for writing tonight so I will close. Please write me soon and accept the love & best wishes of your affectionate cousin, — Henrietta
1 Alonzo Flack was born in Argyle, New York on September 19, 1823. While attending Union College (1845-1849), Flack joined the Methodist Episcopal Church and received a license as a preacher. He subsequently studied theology at the Concord Biblical Institute in New Hampshire and was recrutied by Bishop Osman C. Baker in 1854 to serve as principal for a new school at Charlotte. In 1855, Flack became principal of the Claverack College and Hudson River Institute. He later assumed the presidency of Claverack College in 1869. Flack was noted for his deep belief in the reform movements of the period, including temperance reform, the enfranchisment of women and ecclesiastical reform. He was granted a Doctor in Philosophy degree by the University of the State of New York in 1875. Much esteemed by his students, Flack served for thirty years as a teacher and administrator at the school, until his death in 1885. He was succeeded by his son, Rev. Arthur H. Flack, who occupied the position until 1900. The College, located in Claverack, New York, offered academic and classical studies to ladies and gentlemen and was very highly regarded. Alumni included author Stephen Crane, feminist Margaret Sanger, and President Martin van Buren. [sources consulted: Minutes of the annual conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church: Spring conferences of 1885. (p. 97)]
The following letter was written by Aaron J. Moore (1792-1862), a native of South Carolina and of partial Choctaw descent, who married Jane Tally (1796-1839) and relocated to Autauga county, Alabama by 1820, and then to Winston county, Mississippi, prior to the 1840 US Census. Known children by his first wife included: Aaron Tally Moore (1817-1860) who married a woman named Mary E. Burnside [?] the year before the date of this letter; Jeptha Norton Moore (1820-1886); Sarah Ann Moore (1821-1860) who married William J. Hickman (b. 1819) in February 1842; Martha Jane Moore (1834-1853); and Alexander Travis Moore (1836-1884). In the 1850 Slave Schedule, Aaron is recorded owning 11 slaves ranging in age from 2 to 45, mostly male.
We learn from Aaron’s letter that he was remarried after the death of his first wife but that she had abandoned him and gone to Alabama—presumably her home, for we find that an Aaron Moore was married to Elizabeth Prestridge (1797-1874) on 3 December 1842 in Perry, Alabama. Elizabeth was the widow of Joseph W. Prestridge (1794-1836). Her maiden name was Bagley and they had married in 1812. Her youngest child with Joseph was George Harper Prestridge (1832-1863), a member of Co. A, 6th Arkansas (Confederate) Cavalry. It does not appear that Elizabeth ever remarried after leaving Aaron. She was enumerated in the household of her younger brother, a slaveholder named Berton Rucker Prestridge at Oakmulgee, Perry county, Alabama, in 1850. Today her remains lie buried under a smashed tombstone in Balch Cemetery, Alvarado, Texas.
Marriage Record in Perry County, Alabama, dated 3 December 1842.
Transcription
Stampless letter addressed to Jeptha Norton, South Carolina, Pickens District
[Louisville] Winston county, Mississippi November 1, 1845
Dear Brother, Sister & Children,
I take my pen to tell you that we are all well, thanks be to God for His blessing, hoping this may find you all well. I can inform you we have had the greatest drought I ever saw but we will make enough to do us. We are getting along as well as we can these hard times. I believe I wrote you I married the second time and my wife left for Alabama. Well I have not seen her since and I never wish to see her again for I have always acted the gentleman with her and the neighbors will tell you the same. I am a great deal better satisfied without than with her for my children loves me and I love them. Sarah Ann is married to a W. Hickman and is doing well. Andrew is married and is doing well. Aaron is married lately and lives with me.
Jeptha was married Thursday to a Miss Daniel. I expect Jeptha will continue to live with me. My two little ones are nice children and very smart. I have 900 acres of land and part of it very good and I expect to get more shortly for land can be got very low. We also have negroes aplenty. I would be glad to hear from you anytime. W. Smart lives near us and are all well. I believe I will quit for my pen is dull and I have no sharp knife so nothing more but remain your friend, — Aaron Moore
I could not find an image of William but here is one of Sgt. Samuel Hamrick of Co. I, 38th North Carolina.
The following letter was written by William Daniel Henry Covington (1842-1927), a farmer from Cleveland, Rutherford county, North Carolina, who enlisted in late December 1861 to serve in Co. I, 38th North Carolina Infantry. He and Jacob Childers of the same company (mentioned in the letter) were both admitted into Hospital No. 2 at Petersburg on 31 January 1862 suffering from illness. Though Jacob returned to his regiment before the end of March and was subsequently killed in action at the Battle of Ellison’s Mill (Mechanicsville) on 26 June 1862, William was sent home on furlough shortly after this letter (with proper authority). Muster rolls do not indicate when he returned to his company though he was certainly with them by January 1863. He was sent to a hospital again in June 1863 suffering from rheumatism and was absent without leave from 25 July 1863 to 25 October 1863 at which time he returned again to his regiment. Despite his spotty service record, he was promoted to corporal in 1864.
On 8 May 1864, when the 38th North Carolina was fighting in Scales’ Brigade in the Wilderness, he suffered a severe concussion and was admitted to Jackson Hospital in Richmond.
William was the son of William Horace Covington (1775-1861) and Mary Rincie Green (1811-1902).
Transcription
Petersburg, Virginia March 29th 1862
Dear Uncle and Aunt,
It is with pleasure that I drop you a few lines to inform you that I am about well, hoping those lines may find you and family well. I am at Petersburg, Va., in the 2nd N. C. Hospital. There is only 12 of our company here and Jacob Childers just left. Uncle Howell is here. He is getting well. [Francis] Marion Hord is here. He has been very low but he is on the mend. I am going to the regiment in a few days if I don’t get no worse. I can’t get a drop of liquor here by no means at all. I have got use to doing without it and I don’t care now.
Tell Mother that I am about well. I am well treated here. I had rather stay here than anyplace I have been since I left home. I have no more news to write to you at this time. John Lattimore and Dick Wiggins is in the 1st North Carolina Hospital close to us. There is a Divins from the Burnt Chimney Company in the same hospital that I am in. He came here when Walker was at home.
You need not write to me until I get to the regiment for I expect to leave here in a few days. I will write you as soon as I get to the regiment. Then I will thankfully receive a letter from you at any time when you are disposed to send me one.
Your affectionate nephew, — W. D. H. Covington to his Uncle & Aunt.
On patriotic stationery bearing the mantra “Liberty and Union, Now and Forever, One and inseparable,” 21 year-old Eveline Maria Wiswell (1840-1922) penned the following letter from Searsport, Waldo county, Maine to one of her sisters. Eveline was the daughter of Joseph Warren Wiswell (1806-1890) and Martha True (1800-1888). In her letter, datelined 22 May 1861, Eveline describes the departure of two brothers to serve in Company I, 4th Maine Infantry. They were Joseph “Melvin” Wiswell (1842-1921) and John Baker Wiswell (1838-1909).
Lt. Melvin Wiswell, 14th Maine Infantry
Melvin was working as a railroad clerk in Searsport at the time of his enlistment. He joined the 4th Maine as a sergeant and was wounded in the Battle of 1st Bull Run. He was afterward discharged for promotion to be commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in Co. G, 14th Maine Infantry. He was transferred to Co. D when promoted to Captain. Melvin’s older brother John was working as a blacksmith in Searsport and though he apparently intended to join the 4th Maine, he must have changed his mind and not mustered in for he did not enlist until December 1863 in Co. B, 14th Maine (Melvin’s regiment). He would later rise to the rank of 1st Lieutenant of his company before mustering out of the service.
The 4th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment was organized in Rockland in May 1861 and was mustered in on June 15, 1861 commanded by Colonel Hiram G. Berry.
[Note: This letter is from the private collection of Greg Herr and was offered for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent.]
Transcription
Searsport, Waldo county, Maine
Searsport, [Waldo county, Maine] Monday evening, May 22, 1861
My dear sister,
John and Melvin have left us. Went this afternoon in the boat. Gone to Rockland to join the regiment there. I don’t know how long they will stop there. Some say they will leave for Washington a week from next Wednesday but they may not leave so soon. This company is called one of the best in the regiment. They belong to the 4th.
You cannot begin to imagine how lonesome and bad we all feel. I never knew mother to feel so bad about anything before. She was very much opposed to their going, but all she or anyone could say was of no use—they were so determined to go. John thinks he can do better than if he stayed at home but I am afraid he will not be so well off as he would be even in this dull town. Mel goes as a private. He some expected to be clerk but I don’t know whether he will or not.
There has ben quite a stir getting the soldiers ready—the ladies making the shirts and work bags. They have not got all the shirts done yet. Alice Nichols 1 made a short speech when the work bags were presented this morning. She stood on the sidewalk in front of Smart’s Block. Capt. Nickerson made a speech thanking the ladies and then they marched in front of [Amos H.] Ellis’s [grocery & dry goods] store [on East Main Street] and were presented with testaments. They are all well provided for.
When they went, the wharf was crowded. Everyone was there excepting mother and I. I wish you could have been here to have seen them before they left. 2 We shall expect them up from Rockland on a visit. Orrissa talks some of going there to see them. Mary Ellen, Lizzie, Mrs. Nickerson, and some others are going Thursday. Jim Fowler has gone. He was expecting to sell out to Black, but Whitcomb objected. Whitcomb hires the girls and has Chadwick for cutter and pressman. They some hope Jim will come back but if he does not, Whitcomb and Chadwick will carry on the concern.
Thursday morn. I did not have time to finish this before so I have left it until now. Ellen came home yesterday. The hats were very pretty but they are both entirely too small for me, but I am in hopes I can swap mine for a larger one if they have any down here. I am ever so much obliged to you for it for I had been wishing for one all the spring. I do wish my head was not so large.
We had a letter from [sister] Abby. She is very anxious to get here before the boys go, so the girls have written her to come right off for fear the regiment should start. We shall look for her next week and we all think you had better come and go back with her. I don’t think there is much doubt but what she will come. I am in a great hurry for sis is waiting for the letter to carry down so please excuse all the mistakes. — Eveline
Unveiling of the Civil War Soldier’s Memorial in Searsport in 1866.
1 Possibly Mary Alice Nichols (1834-1916), the daughter of Capt. Peleg Pendleton Nichols & Mary Towle Fowler of Searsport. Alice married Benjamin Carver Smith (1834-1908) in June 1864.
2 The men were transported to Rockland aboard the steamer M Sanford and arrived at Camp Knox, on Tillson’s Hill, northeast Rockland, Knox County, Maine, in the afternoon on 20 May, 1861.
This is an 1851 stampless folded letter (SFL) from Benjamin Grist, a barely literate slave overseer in rural southeastern North Carolina to his cousin, Allen Grist, a very wealthy (and much more educated) businessman and slaveowner (owning more than 100 slaves) then in Wilmington N. C. Benjamin writes his “cuzen”, (who was also the owner of the plantation on which Benjamin worked), to provide an update on his trials and tribulations in overseeing Allen’s vast ‘turpentine’ plantation (a major business in that part of NC at the time). Much of the letter deals with problems with some of the slaves, including running away and then having to be ‘punished’ after being caught and returned, e.g. ”I give tham 40 [lashes] a peas [apiece].”
The letter is postmarked Wilmington, N. C., but is datelined “St. Pauls,” N. C. It has a manuscript “Way 5” rate mark, meaning that, rather than being brought to the local post office, it was hand-carried to a mail carrier who had the city of Wilmington on his route.
The turpentine business of Benjamin and Allen Grist are covered extensively in the book “American Lucifers: The dark history of Artificial Light, 1750-1865”, published in 2020 by Univ. NC Press, and the winner of that year’s Beverige Award by the American Historical Association. The book covers the early southern turpentine industry—in particular the use (and abuse) of slaves who were the primary source of extracting the resin from pine trees (from which turpentine was distilled). In 1860, Grist was listed as owning $50,000 in real estate and $92,900 in personal property, including 109 slaves, making him the largest slaveholder in Beaufort County. A. & J. R. Grist, turpentine farmers, held $44,000 in real estate and $125,750 in personal property and owned 72 slaves. In addition, as estate administrator for minor children related to his wife, Grist controlled another 48 slaves, for a total of 229. His son James R. Grist owned individually 84 slaves, giving the Grists ownership and management of 313 slaves. They leased additional slaves from other owners. [Source: NCPedia]
For readers unfamiliar with the pine tar industry of North Carolina, I will provide the following paragraph written by Ralph Goodrich (my g-g-grandmother’s brother) when he traveled from north to south through the pine forest region in 1859:
“These forests at first seemed to be without inhabitants either of man or of animals, but as we advanced from the dwarf and sparsely scattered pine & oak, which bordered on the outskirts, we came unexpectedly upon busy workmen. The thick undergrowth of brambles & briers was cut out. The pines were chipped into grooves about ten feet from the ground from which its pitch was oozing and dripping into the troughs beneath. Several log houses are scattered about, the furnace & warehouse, & barrels filled with the resin piled in stately rows or jumbled in utter confusion. In the distance we see clouds of smoke rising from huge black stacks of earth, while workmen are busy felling trees. We are in the midst of the tar and turpentine manufacturers, & in the midst of soot, smoke, and dirt. The ebony looks still more black, & the white man assumes a dusky countenance. We seemed to be hemmed in by a barrier of limitless forest, & shut out from every breeze so refreshing to the feverish cheek. At night we lay in a hammock tormented by mosquitoes, & lulled to sleep by the endless rattle of the locusts and the melancholy strain of the whippoorwill.” [Source: The Ralph Leland Goodrich Diaries, 1859-1867]
A Civil War linkage to the Grist family is the later use of the Grist mansion in Washington, NC. (https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/grist-james-redding), as a Union hospital. It still exists as a bed-and-breakfast residence and is notable for its secret rooms and passages (which may or may not have been of use during the Civil War).
Residence of J. Grist, Esq., Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, North Carolina Illustrated., p 751
[Note: This letter is from the personal collection of Richard Weiner and was offered for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent.]
Transcription
St. Pauls, North Carolina July 28, 1851
Cousin Allen,
Cane got home yesterday the 26th with Stanley & Fitch. Riley [?] came within six miles of home & slipped off and left the mule in the road & is gone. We pursued him that night and tracked him 10 miles on the other side of Fayetteville next morning & he quit the road. Gar, he is gone back again. You ought to of chained him [to] Stanley & Fitch. I give them 40 [lashes] apiece and put them to work & they are working very well.
Cousin Allen, you seem to raise great complaints against me about the negroes. You know I treat negroes well and does not miss use them. I will give you a true statement of Mrs. Howard’s negroes—Br___, Sal & B___ & ___ has not had a lick this year. John has had a light whipping—say 15 or 20 [lashes]. Griffin & Stafford has been whipped but they [ ]. Henry has had three whippings. James R[edding] Grist was here & had two of them put on him—the first one and the last one. The other I put on.
You [lecture?] to me for the wearing [of chains?] and if it is not done, you will be [disappointed?] and complain of me. I have done my very best to have the work done & to keep the negroes satisfactory.
Cane was mistaken about the warehouse. It was done & he has him working on the wagons ever since. It is so dry & hot here—nothing can stand. The corn is dying. I am 10 crops of boxes behind in my shipping for the want of barrels. I keep [ ] still running. James wrote you all about the business.
Last week the old boxes will ship about the same. They ship before the news ones and will not get quite as much. I shall do my very best to keep the business straight if possible. I shall write you a Sunday again.
I could not find an image of Rob but here is a cdv of Christian Hedges who served as the captain of Rob’s company.(Iowa Civil War Images)
These letters were written by Robert (“Rob”) M. Kepner (1838-1929), the son of Samuel Kepner (1811-1862) and Elizabeth Haslet (1815-1845) of Marengo, Iowa. Rob was “a young Iowa farm boy when he enlisted in Co. G of the 7th Iowa Infantry. On October 4th [1862], the second day of the Battle of Corinth, the regiment was fighting near Battery Powell. With the regiments on either side of them retreating, the 7th held their ground until ordered to fall back and the brigade reformed around them. Sometime during the desperate fighting Robert was shot in the face. Robert kept up an active correspondence with his younger sister but he always avoided the gory details that might frighten her. When he mentioned his wound he as often as not made light of it. He broke the news by telling her, “I have got a slight introduction to something less than a pound of Sesech lead in the face. I was struck by a miney (sic) ball in the left cheek just above the mouth—the ball striking the bone and glancing, lodged in the back part of the cheek, making rather an ugly, though not very painful wound. I am doing finely, and you need not feel the least uneasiness about me.”
There were several hospitals in Corinth, as well as the larger hotels and warehouses, which had been pressed into service to treat the wounded. Oddly, because his wound was not serious, Robert was sent to Pittsburg Landing and then put on a steamboat headed north. The boat docked at Mound City, Illinois and the wounded were off-loaded into the massive Mound City Naval Hospital. “There is about 1500 hundred sick and wounded in this one building here. I shall be perfectly sound in a week or two. I don’t think I shall be badly disfigured by the scratch, there will be a small scar, but as I had not a great deal of good looks to spare, I cannot say as this has helped my looks in the least.”
On November 10th, Robert, no worse for his ordeal, wrote to his sister again to assure her he was again “doing finely” and had returned to his regiment at Corinth.” [Source: Shiloh National Military Park]
Rob wrote some of his letters to his sister, Ellen Elizabeth Kepner (1842-1923) who would later (1866) marry James Henry Mead of Marengo, Iowa. Mead served in Co. E, 24th Iowa Infantry during the Civil War. It should be noted that Rob had a brother named Daniel S. Kepner (1840-1862) who was killed in action at Antietam while serving in Co. A, 14th Indiana Infantry. It should also be noted that though all the records I have found on Rob show his name to be Robert, for some reason he signed his named “Robbin” on this letter.
[Note: These letters are from the private collection of Greg Herr and were offered for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent.]
Letter 1
Bird’s Point [Missouri] [Mid] November [1861]
Dear Sister,
I received your letter today and was glad to hear from home once more but sorry to hear that Father is not so well. I am enjoying a reasonable portion of health at this time though I have felt somewhat down in spirits when I studied over the disaster that followed the Battle of Belmont. 1 However, it is not quite so bad as I stated in my other letter as many supposed to be killed were merely taken prisoners though that is pretty near as bad.
I had a letter from [brother] Dan [14th Indiana] a few days ago. He was well and he thought perhaps they would come to Kentucky pretty soon. It is rumored that our regiment will go to St. Louis in a few days to recruit. I think they will go from there to some point in Iowa as they cannot recruit out of there own state, they might about as well send us home as we are of no account till our companies are filled up again. There is only about 50 men in our company and only 25 of them fit for duty.
I wrote a letter about three weeks ago and sent some $15 dollars in scrip to Father but I have had no account of it yet. I begin to feel a little uneasy lest it has been miscarried or been detained in some other way. I want you to write whether you have got it or not that I may feel satisfied on the point.
It seems to be a noted fact that out of 12 of our boys who went to the hospital, but one or two have come away. John Zahast is still there and is not any better. He would not stand the trip were he to start home.
But I believe I have not much more to write. Therefore, I will bring this short epistle to a close but remain your affectionate brother till death. — R. M. Kepner to Miss E. E. Kepner
1 “The battle of Belmont was a bloody day for the Seventh. The regiment went into the fight with eight companies, number 410 men, Two companies-K and G-being detached as a fleet guard, were not in the fight. The regiment lost, in killed, wounded, and missing, 237 men. It was on this field that the gallant and lamented Wentz fell, with many other brave officers, viz: G. W. S. Dodge, 2d Lieut. Co. B; Benjamin Ream, 2d Lieut. Co. C; Charles Gardner, 2d Lieut. Co. I. Col. Lauman and Major Rice were both severely wounded, as were also Capt. Gardner, Co. B; Capt. Harper, Co. D; Capt. Parrott, Co. E; and Capt. Kitteridge, Co. F. It was in this fight that Iowa officers and soldiers proved to the world that they were made of the right kind of material, and added to the luster of our young and gallant State. On the evening of the 7th of Nov., 1861, the shattered remnant of the Seventh Iowa arrived at Bird’s Point, remained a few days, and were then ordered to Benton Barracks, St. Louis, Mo., to rest and recruit. This terminated the first battle of the Seventh Iowa.”
Letter 2
Steamboat Landing, Tennessee March 19th 1862
Dear Sister,
I now avail myself of a few moments spare time to write to you. Although I have wrote several letters within the past month, I have not sent them yet as I expected to get some postage stamps but have failed to do so which will account for my send them unpaid.
I am enjoying reasonably [good] health just now—better than I did when we left Fort Donelson. I received your letter of the 2nd of this month some time ago but I have failed to answer it until the present time. There is not very much going on here. There is a good many troops congregated at this place. We are now about one hundred and fifty miles above Fort Henry on the Tennessee river and about 30 miles below Florence, Alabama.
There has been some fighting around in the neighborhood since we have been here but nothing very serious. I believe that I have given you about all that I can think of at present. I am sorry to tell you that John Brown fell overboard a few days ago and was drowned. Every effort was made to save him but he sunk to rise no more before a boat could get to him.
I will try to write again in a day or two. No more from your brother, — Robert Kepner
To Miss Mary Kepner
Letter 3
Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee March 20th 1862
Dear Sister,
I sit myself down on the ground to pen you a few lines this morning which is very beautiful and spring-like. The trees—some of them—are in full bloom and the flowers begin to appear. But our situation is such that we do not appreciate the beauties of nature nor hardly welcome the return of spring. We came off the steamboat on which we had been living for the past week yesterday and are encamped on a high bluff on the bank of the river. It is a very pleasant place and reminds me very much of the bluffs of Indiana.
The 8th Iowa Regt. came up here a day or two ago and I had the pleasure of seeing Dan Talbott and the rest of the boys from that neighborhood. They were all well and hearty except Thompson. He does not look quite as well as he use to. He says that he likes the war over the left.
I do not know as I can think of much more to write as it is about the same thing over with us except the different scenes in the country that we travel over, and there is not anything in them either to interest or amuse. The inhabitants mostly all leave their homes as we approach and every thing that is of any use to the soldier is then carried off or destroyed leaving the country entirely waste.
But I will bring this to a close hoping it may find you all enjoying the blessing of health. From your affectionate brother, — R. M. Kepner
to Miss Elly Kepner
N. B. You must not blame me for sending this unpaid as we cannot get any postage stamps down here. Yours, — Rob
Letter 4
Camp at Monterey, Mississippi May 8, 1862
Dear sister,
I received your ever welcome letters on yesterday and was truly glad to hear from you and to hear that you was all pretty well. I am enjoying a pretty good share of health at this time. In fact, I have been in good health for some time.
We still remain in camp about 6 miles from Corinth and I think we should have made a move on that place before now had it not been for the recent heavy rain which have made the roads impossible for artillery or wagons. 1 I cannot say as to whether there will be much of a fight there or not but rumor seems. to indicate not as it is pretty generally reported here that the secesh are evacuating the place. But if they have not, I think they will pretty soon under an escort of Gen. Halleck’s. I think they will get liberty to make a tower in some of the northern states unless they take a trip south pretty soon.
Our Division was reviewed on yesterday by Gen. [Thomas A.] Davies. The commander, General Halleck was also present on his old bay horse. I tell you, it was quite a lively time and beat any 4th of July you ever saw. There was twelve Battalions of infantry and four of cavalry and to a looker on, they presented a truly grand appearance. I was not [there] myself as I was on duty but then I was where I could see the whole performance and enjoyed it much—better than if I had been in.
We are having it pretty rough now being on duty every other day and sometimes every day. The days down here are very warm and the nights cool so that we can sleep pretty comfortably. But I have nothing more to write this time so I will close by hoping that this war will be speedily ended and I have the unspeakable joy of meeting you all at home is the wish of your sincere brother, — Rob M. Kepner
to Miss E. E. Kepner
1 “On May 4 and 5 torrential rains pelted the area, turning the roads into ribbons of mud. A number of bridges were swept away by normally placid streams turned into raging. torrents.” Source: Siege and Battle of Corinth.
Letter 5
Camp near Corinth, Mississippi June 2, 1862
Dear Sister,
I received your letter a few days ago and was very glad to hear that you were all well. I am pretty well at this time notwithstanding the weather is very warm and we have been marching around considerably. We are a few miles south of Corinth now, the rebels having evacuated the place. Our forces are in pursuit of them but do not know whether they will overtake them or not. It seemed to have been the plan of the Commanding General to have attacked the rebels about the 30th or 31st of last month. As it was, however, our forces occupied Corinth on the morning of the 30th, the last of the rebels having left early on that morning. I am unable to say what their intentions were for leaving the place as they were pretty strongly fortified and appearances indicated that they had no lack of anything to eat. There was great quantities of flour, sugar, and molasses that was scattered over the ground. They seemed unwilling that we should enjoy the benefit of these luxuries without some difficulties.
There is a great deal dissatisfaction manifested among our soldiers on account of the secesh leaving here. Everyone is disappointed in not having a fight. We had made long preparations and done everything with the calculation of having a fight that it seemed almost a disappointment that we should not have. Besides, we will undoubtedly have to make long and forced marches in pursuit of them which will cause a great deal of suffering and cannot find scarcely any water in this section. Some citizens of Corinth who still remain seemed highly rejoiced when our troops marched in. They were unable to give up any reason for the rebels leaving the place. they stated that it was generally befeared that this fight would have decided the fate of the C. S. A. There is a flying report that the rebels are making for Richmond. If that is the case, there will be a call for one or two of our divisions to be sent there.
But I will bring my letter to a close sincerely hoping that we have fought our last battle. Your affectionate brother, — Rob
Letter 6
Camp in the field near Corinth, Miss. Sunday, June 8th 1862
Dear Sister,
As I thought you would be anxious to hear from me as often as possible, I have taken the present Sunday morning for doing so. I have nothing strange or important to write as the war seems pretty near dried up in this section. We are near a small town by the name of Booneville about 30 miles from Corinth. We have to move our camp about every day and progress a little farther into the South. Everything is so quiet here that you would hardly suppose that a rebel army had so recently been routed and scattered over the country.
The weather is pretty warm though we have had no real hot weather as yet. Health is pretty good among the soldiers at this time.
I should like very much to be at home a few days about this time but I expect it will be some time before I am granted that privilege. There is several of the boys of our company who were sick in the hospital have been sent to Keokuk. I almost wished I had been one of them. I think if I should get that near home, I would make an effort to get the rest of the way. I may get home pretty soon and again, it may be some time but I hope the time will be short until I can again greet all the friends at home. It is just harvest here and when I see the yellow grain shocked in the field, it makes me think of the god spread plains of Iowa. I would willingly change my musket for to follow the reaping machine though I never used to like the business.
Our present camp is in one of the beautifulest little groves you ever saw and it makes me think so much of a [Methodist] camp meeting to see the tents and soldiers scattered around in all directions. I only wish it was camp meeting instead of the present reality but I shall meet affairs as they come and close for this time. From your true and affectionate brother, — Robbin Kepner
to Miss Elly Kepner
N. B. Give my love to grandpa and ma Mead. — Rob
I send you some very patriotic verses. Them’s my sentiments exactly.
Believed to beNewcomb Dyer, 46th Massachusetts; sold with the collection of his letters.
These letters were written by Newcomb Dyer (1837-1897), a farmer from Plainfield, Massachusetts, who enlisted as a private in Co. F of the 9-month 46th Massachusetts Infantry in September 1862. After training in Springfield, they were transported to New Bern, North Carolina on 15 November, where they mostly remained through March. His 21 November letter describes the regiment’s guns, adding that “all of our other accouterments were taken from the Rebels. Our belts are fastened together with a croocked brass rattlesnake. Lots of the tents & a great many Austrian guns used here are captured property.”
Dyer’s 12-page 22 December letter describes his participation in the Goldsborough Expedition, which included three battles. He praised the 3rd New York Cavalry: “The N.Y. boys all had short rifles, breech-loading, & would ride over fences 4 feet high & jump ditches 6 feet across & not stop. They did everything to keep the road clear & take the spies that were hovering around. . . . The Rebels fell trees in the road & did all they could to delay us, but the cavalry got by the trees & chased 300 Reb cavalry & 50 infantry, taking & killing 18.” At the Battle of Kinston, “we came on to the enemy. They were posted in a swamp. The water & mud was more than two feet deep. . . . The battle lasted four hours. The place where the Tenth Conn charged on a battery of Reb cannon was perfectly trimmed & the bark torn from the trees. It did not look as though a man could live after such a volley of musketry & grape shot. . . . The cavalry made a rush for the bridge & the Rebels were all ready to fire it. They had cotton & turpentine & started the fire. The cavalry fired & rushed on them. They spilt the turpentine on themselves & one was burnt to death. I saw him as we passed.” At the battle of White Hall, “the 46 was called on to volunteer to go & shoot at the Rebels. They were posted behind trees, logs & rifle pits.” Dyer was one of 4 volunteers: “We had to go down in fair sight of them. We got within from 25 to 50 rods. . . . they shot at us a great many times, Stevens & my backs were covered three times with splinters flung from boards & rails.” As they withdrew at night, “the balls struck just over my head & went into the house.” After the Battle of Goldsborough Bridge, “we had burnt the bridge & we started back at dark & marched 8 miles toward New Bern. We had fighting every day.”
Dyer’s 14 March 1863 letter describes the Battle of Fort Anderson or Deep Gully, in which the Confederates threatened New Bern: the river “was lined with Rebs & their batteries for more than two miles & they made an attempt to fling a pontoon bridge across the river, & had it more than halfway across but the gunboats tore it to pieces.” Dyer left the army in June at the end of his term, and settled in Missouri after the war.
A sixth-plate tintype in a worn case shows a Union soldier in a gray winter coat–possibly Newcomb Dyer in winter quarters in North Carolina.
Note: These letters are from the personal collection of Greg Herr and were offered for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent.
Letter 1
[There is no envelope with this penciled letter but it is assumed it was written to Bela and Ruth (Ranney) Dyer of Plainfield, MA]
On board the Mississippi November 13th 1862
We are now about 40 miles from North Carolina coast going south. We started from Boston Monday at 6 o’clock in the evening. We went on board Wednesday night. Was taken off Sunday night & stayed in Faneuil Hall from 9 in the evening until 4 the next afternoon. The Boston folks were very kind to us. Mr. Hallett & Bassett brought us apples & crackers. Mrs. James Joy and Mr. Porter came there to see us.
We have come rather slow so far. The gunboat cannot sail as fast as this ship. The name of the boat is Huron. It has five guns—one 11-inch Columbiad and one Parrot pivot gun. The ocean today is as smooth as glass. We are near Hatteras. I saw two whales yesterday. There has three been seen today. I was sea sick yesterday. Feel better today. I was sick in the harbor at Boston. The whole of our regiment was taken from the ships & landed at Boston. The Saxon has taken seven companies and the other three have gone with the Mississippi & Merrimack. The Springfield company & half of ours are on the Mississippi. All of the Plainfield boys are with me. All have been sick except Frank Cook and Allen Smith. Mr. Rood is quite sea sick. Our water is very poor.
The snow and hail fell six inches in Boston. I saw banks 4 feet deep where it had been shoveled up from the walk. You must write how much it snowed & how much you plowed & whether the snow stays on or not. The wind has been in the south ever since we started. It is as war as it is in September in Plainfield. All of the soldiers are very kind to one another. The regiment that we go with is the 45th. They are good fellows. We expect to get to Beaufort tomorrow. You may send me some stamps. We could not get any good ones at Springfield. I have ordered 8 dollars of my pay to be sent home. You can get it when it comes. Five a month will be all that I shall be apt to want. I shall send a letter to W____ and Mary Ann when I get to Newbern. I will write some more when I get there.
Newbern. November 15th. We landed this morning at Beaufort. Arrived here at 11. We are all well. Saw Willie Halleck. He is well. Have not seen any of the other Plainfield boys. Direct to Newbern, N. C., 46th Regt. Mass. Vols., Care of Capt. [Russell H.] Conwell.
— Newcomb Dyer
Letter 2
Newbern [North Carolina] November 21, 1862
Dear Parents,
Being on guard, I have a few moments to write. All from Plainfield are well. I have not had a cold yet. It rained and thundered as hard as ever I saw it last night. It flooded a great many tents so that they had to stand up. It is as warm as September in Plainfield. I sleep with coat and boots off. Shall undress when we get into barracks, We lay on the ground now. Can’t get any straw here. We are on the south bank of the Neuse [river] 15 rods [~80 yards] from the water. The bank slopes down to the water’s edge is 20 feet high. The river is 1 3/5 miles wide here. The Trent [river] is south of us and runs into this half mile below here. Gunboats are on both rivers. The pickets were fired into two days before we got here & the troops were ordered out & before morning the rivers had 16 gunboats on them. There is two large forts between the rivers. The boats & forts can keep off 50,000 men.
We have 17 regiments here now, not all full. Five more are coming as quick as can be transported. We are to be brigaded under Lee & Foster. Shall go into barracks soon two miles south from here. We are having enough to eat now. It came rather irregular after we left Camp Banks. We have got our guns. They weigh 11 lbs, two feet, 10 inches long and thick barrel brass trimmings. They are as good as any gun I have seen. They are a regular rifle. All of our other accoutrements were taken from the Rebels. Our belts are fastened together with a crooked brass rattlesnake. Lots of the tents & a great many Austrian guns used here are captured property. We go half mile for wood & find cedar pitch pine, black gum and several other kinds.
We commenced to drill yesterday. Alson, Willie, and Chauncey have been here to see us. They are well and look tough as ever. I cannot find where Wesley is. Their regiment is scattered on picket duty. We are to be brigaded with them (expect to).
Oysters and sweet potatoes are very plenty. Butter 40 cents and other things are rather high. I like it as well as I did in Springfield. It don’t seem as if I was more than 30 miles from home. The land is poor except on the river bank. Red clover was in the blow yesterday. Butterflies, grasshoppers, and crows are thick as in Massachusetts. The government is building barracks. They saw 25,000 feet of boards in two steam mills, The soldiers do the sawing. The barracks for a regiment are 600 feet long & 24 wide with 10 kitchens & fireplaces. They are all Massachusetts soldiers except the 10th Connecticut and 9th New Jersey. There is tons of iron of every description where we are encamped. There was several tar and turpentine works. They were burnt. The sand is filled with pitch so that it is as hard as a stone for acres where the buildings stood. You can find pieces as big as your head. They make a good fire. The bottom of the river tars your feet. It is not hardened under water.
I have just heard that Wesley was in the hospital & not very sick. One of the assistants told me of it. I shall go and see if it is so. We have not received any reliable war news yet but hear that there was fighting at the Potomac. We shall have the weekly Springfield [paper]. Our regiment takes it. Expect it in the next mail. I sent Hanson and Emily a letter this week. Have not had any mail from Massachusetts since we arrived. Our mail goes two or three times a week from here. Suppose you are all well and that you have had some snow. You must write all about the stock, sheep, steers, and everything. You had better fat one pig than buy meal. Be sure to water the sheep & not let them waste hay. Make a good rack, Feed them a few turnips. Tell Mr. Gloyd’s folks that Charley is fat and not homesick. He likes it first rate & so does Sam Jones. Tell Newell to write & Mahlon & all of the boys. I will write soon again & you must send all of the news. Yours respectfully, – Newcomb Dyer
November 22. The boys are sending for some things. Send me a good big cheese sage. Twenty of our men commenced to build barracks yesterday, [George W.] Cottrell boards with us. Tell Frank, Emily & Uncle Jared that they may send him butter, sugar, cheese, or anything that they can have his sincere thanks. We are all well. — N. Dyer
Letter 3
January 1, 1863
As the mail does not go yet, I send a few lines more. Has the box of old clothes come yet? I had an overcoat & a pair of new pants made by Tilly Hanes. Write whether they have come or not. We expect to be paid for four months this week. Suppose that part of it will come to Plainfield. If it comes, let me know it. It will come in my name. Pa can keep it.
We have not received our box yet but a boat got stuck in the river yesterday with Express boxes on and we expect that it has got that 650 pound box on somewhere. Our regiment had four tons if stuff come last week. We had papers come as late as the 24th. Heard of the defeat of Burnside & that Plainfield had to raise five more. Are they agoing to enlist & who is going?
We do not have to work today or drill. All of the soldiers have an holiday. It is clear and cool. It has not frozen for more than a week & not but a few nights this year. Our tent has sent over 40 letters this mail. I have sent one to Hanson and Mahlon & Augusta.
The Co. A boys have caught a young wildcat & have got him in a wooden cage. They caught him in a box trap. He weighs about 20 pounds. He will travel around his cage and growl. He looks savage enough. There are some deer & have see them lately but we can’t get them. Turkey buzzards are as thick as crows are up our way.
Have our folks carried Augusta’s lamb over yet> If not, they must. It will grow faster over there. Fordyce is better today & will drill soon. His cold is most gone. Write soon. — N. Dyer
Letter 4
Newbern, North Carolina January 15th, 1863
Dear Parents,
This morning I received a letter from you & Mary Dyer. Was glad to hear that you were well & that all things were going on so well. It is very pleasant & warm here. The ground has not frozen for two weeks. We have had but little rain yet but expect that it will come It is as warm as I want it should be now. We sleep without blankets warm nights. We are content and think that we are more healthy & comfortable than we should be in Barracks. We have raised our tent 3 feet and it makes twice the room. We split boards five feet long from Cypress trees and some of them are near two feet wide. We have built an arch & can heat water and cook some small things for our tent. Whitney & I chopped wood two weeks. We liked it better than drill. We are not going on the Expedition that is to start soon. Think that 20,000 infantry will go & all of the artillery that they can get. We have 60 regiments in North Carolina & they are coming in every day. I do not know their destination. It may be Weldon.
I had heard that Newell was a going to be married but it was unexpected when it came. Did the Boys give him a good serenade? Is he doing [George] Cottrell’s chores or not? And what do you think—will he do his work this summer? All of your letters have come to me. Some of them were carried to Newport Barracks where the Springfield Boys are stationed & once the mail boat was stuck in the river. Campbell is all right. He won’t take a letter. Uncle Albert’s letter dated December 7th got to me January 11th. It was miscarried to the 45th Regiment.
My stockings are good except heels. I have darned. My shirts are good. Boots have not worn off the first sole. We have got our pay today up to the first of January. Alden is in the hospital sick with the typhoid fever. He commenced to be sick about the 10th. He is very dizzy & crazy some but think that he is not dangerous. Fordyce has had a bad cold but has got over it & is writing for a Surgeon in the city. Mr. Rood is so as to come in to our tent and walk about. He is better off here for a while than he would be at home. All of the rest are in good health. You need not tell Uncle Samuel’s folks about Abe. Edwards will write to them all about him that they wish them to know.
Charlie had a letter from Dwight today. He is well & is going to Galveston. My pay was a few cents over 50 dollars. I shall send home to you 40 dollars. We all shall send it to Freeman Hamlin & he will pay to all of those that we order. It will be some slight expense to you but you can pay the money to who you please. We shall have enough before all of the sugar is sold & we can pay that that church owes if anyone wants it back.
Letter 5
Newbern, North Carolina January 28, 1863
Dear Father & Mother,
I received a letter from you yesterday with eight others from different places. We had over 40 come to our tent. All are in good health except Mr. Rood & he is no worse.
You before now have heard of [cousin] Alden [H. Dyer]’s death. We did not think him dangerous at the first but he gradually gre worse from the first. He was taken sick the 6th and thought that he would get over it in a day or two & stayed in the tent. We did all we could for him. The Cummington doctor [Thomas Gilfillan?] called & see him while in the tent. The 10th he was carried to our regimental hospital. He was within ten rods of us & we had the privilege of calling on him as often as we thought it was for his benefit. The 14th he was carried to the General Hospital in the City (the Masonic Lodge), 40 feet square and 20 high & well ventilated, and in the second story we called on him as often as we could and did all we could in our power for him. But it was of no avail. He had as good care as could be given to anyone. The best physician in the city called on him twice a day and he had good nurses and many things that he could not have had at home. It was with the greatest efforts that we could send home his body. There was a time that we thought we should have to bury him. You can think of our feeling & sympathy for Uncle Samuel’s family & Nellie. It will come hard for them. We do not realize it as we would in a different place & under circumstances that did not bring it continually with the dead and dying. It would be but a mockery to tell them of his kindness to all & the many friends that he has that daily miss his ever welcome company & cheerful way. He was the fattest and most healthy that ever I saw him. If he had lived, he would have been Orderly Sergeant. We are to choose today an Orderly & a 1st Lieutenant.
We moved our camp the 24th one mile south back and between the fork and on the edge of the city. All of the soldiers are inside of the fortifications & thousands are digging rifle pits & cutting trees to block the Rebs if they come to retake Newbern. We are skirmishing with them every day eight miles northwest from here. They are trying to make us keep a large force here or are coming in force. We hear that Longstreet & 40,000 are at Kinston & this side. But the funerals will be all on one side if they try to come here. We can keep back 50,000.
It is very warm & pleasant. We have had but a little rain. It is as warm as May at Massachusetts. The knot grass is six inches high & in blossom. The sweet potatoes in gardens & Irish [potatoes] are planted. It has not frozen nor have we had frost for more than two weeks. We have had orders (our company) to go to Newport Barracks on picket tomorrow. It is on the railroad 28 miles from Newbern & on the road to Beaufort. The position is not considered dangerous & we can have it as long as we choose. We shall not drill much but shall have to lay out every other 24 hours without fire, wet or dry.
Our box arrived the day that Alden died. All of the things come good except a few cookies. The cheese is as good one as ever I saw. I am making sauce of the apple. The stuff will last me more than a month. Butter is worth 45 cents, cheese 25. I can sell mine for two shillings but shall eat it. I could sell maple sugar for more than 25 cents. I had a letter from Mary Ann. She is well. Marantha has not sent a letter this month. Fordyce has been chosen 2nd Lieutenant today. All are well. It is raining gently. We go tomorrow. We can carry everything that we have, box and all. You had better hire someone in sugaring. Hanson will be good. Don’t let it. They will burn up everything. Write how many turkeys you wintered. If not any, buy in March. Send by Sears and get big ones. — N. Dyer
Letter 6
Addressed to Mr. Bela Dyer, Plainfield, Mass.
Newport Barracks 1 North Carolina February 2nd 1863
Dear Father & Mother,
Having time, I write you a few lines to let you know my present occupation & give you some description of our quarters. We were ordered to move our camp from the Neuse to the back of the city January 24th & had just got things all straight when our company was ordered to go to this place & do picket duty. We have had to be on duty every other day but shall try to arrange it so as not to be on only every third day. There are three in a place; two are to keep awake nights and one in the day & alsys have two on the post. I am on with Eds. & Whitney. We are near a mile from our quarters in what is called the Woods Division. The posts are more comfortable than we thought we should get. We have a small cabin 7 feet square with a bunk for one to sleep & an arch for fire fixed so that the fire cannot be seen in the night. Our meals are brought to us. We carry [ ] & blankets from camp. We can sit on a good seat where it is warm & dry & do our duty. We like it far better than we did at Newbern.
Our ranch that we live in is built of logs 30 feet long, 20 wide with five windows and good floor & brick fireplace. All of our boys & [George W. Cottrell & Henry Dickson of Middlefield are with us. The 7th North Carolina Regt. built the quarters & occupied them before the capture of Newbern. We have a yoke of oxen that we took to draw wood. Water is near & good. We are three miles from the ocean in Carteret county as you can see on the Atlas. The captain and twenty others went to the shore & crossed 3 [?] and a half miles to an island 25 long and 3 wide trying to capture two spies that the Rebs keep to watch the movements of our shipping. They burnt the cabins that someone had occupied but did not see anyone. Justice Theodore & Allen Smith went. The rest of us were on guard.
The weather is very pleasant. The frogs are peeping & we are having a good time. There is lots of game here—bears, wildcats, otters, minks, & a great many kinds of birds. We cannot shoot them. It is against the rules to shoot within a mile of the pickets. We have several families that live close to us. They are in camp almost every day. We can get meal for 30 cents per peck, eggs for 25 cents a dozen. We are making hoecakes today. My address will be the same as ever but we shall not have the time to answer our letters before the return of mail that we did before. I am starting several & will finish when the mail comes in.
February 3rd. The mail has not come yet but one is to go out in a few minutes. I have got the first cold that I have had but shall get over it soon. Charley & Steven are some sick but will get better soon. I have sent a few lines to Mahlon to let them know how he was. You may tell them that he is not very sick and is out when it is pleasant. He has eaten too much. Mr. [Josiah] Rood is better but at Newbern. Write all the news & about Uncle Samuel’s folks.
It snowed two inches at Newbern last night. None here. Send me a box of Branch’s [ ] Pills in a paper or something. Give my respects to all. — Newcomb Dyer
1 The 7th Regiment North Carolina Infantry built the barracks south of Newport for quarters in the winter of 1861 and 1862. Shortly thereafter, the cluster of log huts was captured by Union troops, who added a hospital, headquarters, stables, storehouse and earthworks. Newport Barracks effectively became a Federal supply depot, since it was located near both the Atlantic Ocean and railroad tracks.
Letter 7
Newport Barracks North Carolina February 17th 1863
Dear Father & Mother,
I received your letter dated the 7th the 16th, and one from Nathan & Eliza & from Williamsburgh. The one from Marantha came to Newbern in four days. They do not come here as quick as to Newbern. Was glad to hear that all are well. As for money, I have near 7 dollars & don’t think I shall spend it before we are paid off. We may be paid the first of March or expect to be. We do not know how long we shall stay here but think that it will be as late as the first of April & hope it will be the remainder of the time. A company of cavalry are with us now & we expect another. Our company goes on short expeditions frequently. They have been on three. Brought us some horses and other things. We go on now about three times a week. It is far easier than our drill at Newbern.
I think the heifers will be worth more to come in as soon as you can have them. You had better not raise those little calves that we have this spring. I had rather winter the lambs. The hogs can eat the milk and save the corn for the steers. They ought to have some meal. Have you killed a pig or not? If you did not winter any turkeys, have Sears buy two good hens & a big gobbler when down to Hatfield. Have good ones or none. I think tat what sugar you have to sell you can get the most in molasses. Make clear & sell it at the door. It ought to fetch a dollar as sugar is now & other things. You can fix the buckets before you want them to be ready. Don’t feed the sheep more than they will eat & be careful & not let the lambs die.
My cheese & dried apple are not gone. The dried apple comes handy. You had better see if Sears cannot find a market for the molasses, what you have to sell more than to pay for making. May be that Levi Beals will take it. I should try and sell it if I could or it won’t come to much.
I had a bad cold the first of this month but am around & on guard all the time. It is hot and a cold don’t hang on long. Charley is in the hospital at Newbern. When the cars come in today, I will write how he is. Fordyce is better than he has been for several weeks & Mr. Rood is better. All the others are in good average condition. I have just heard from Charley and he is better and doing first rate.
February 18th. It is rainy. All are well. The mail goes this afternoon to Newbern. If you have got to buy flour, you had better buy some seed to [ ] & you can get better now than in the spring. You can go to Charlemont in a day or where you can get good. It wil pay & you had better sow all east of the house. I shall send a letter to Newell soon & you must write often. Yours, &c. — N. Dyer
Letter 8
Newport Barracks, North Carolina February 26th 1863
Dear Father & Mother,
As the mail goes out this afternoon, I thought you might like to hear from me although I have no news of any consequence. Yesterday I received two letters from you & the pills & today four—one from Mr. Nelson Campbell, one from Emily & Alfred each, and one from Mr. Tirrel’s folks. We have heard of the death of Thad Rood’s child & the latest dates are February 20th. Our mail boat was damaged & was delayed & some of the letters were 20 days in coming (the boiler was damaged).
For the last three days I have been building small log houses with others for picket posts. It is worth ten dollars to build one but they will stand for years and are more comfortable for us and I had rather work than stand guard. We have two cavalry companies with us & we go on picket now less than three times a week when men are not on detached duty.
It is very pleasant & spring like & showers are frequent. We do not have much cold weather. Charles is better but at the hospital. Theodore had a letter from Alson (now at Plymouth, N. C.) that Chauncy was sick with fever. We have heard that we were to go home in May and go to Camp Banks & try to get up a cavalry regiment of this & new volunteers. We would like it but don’t expect it. All of the Boys are in good health except Mr. Rood & Charles.
You need not buy turkeys if you think we had better not, but let that sheep one in a while have a chance to exercise or he will grow poor. I shall write soon to Nelson but have not time before the mail goes out as it gives us only two hours to read and write our letters. If the snow gets deep, remember the sugar house & write all the news in your next. Give my love to all & write soon. — Newcomb Dyer
Letter 9
Newbern, North Carolina March 25th 1863
Dear Father and Mother,
I received your letter today and was glad to hear that you were better but did not know that you had been so sick as one of the boys had received any thing of it in their letters. From all sources, we hear of bad colds but here we have had but few. The climate is just what I like but it will be hot soon.
Charles Gloyd has come to the tent today and soon will do duty. Went to the hospital February 12th. Has been there 7 weeks. Mr. Rood is with the company & healthier than he has been since in North Carolina. We have not started for Plymouth yet but two companies have gone & the boats are waiting for us in the river. But the Rebs drove in our pickets at Deep Gully last night and report says that they are coming down the other side of the Neuse to shell the city & maybe we shall be kept here a few days before we go. If they come this time, they will bring big siege guns but we shall be better prepared than before as we have jad reinforcements in cavalry and artillery. I have not yet heard an account of the battle but shall have to wait for the papers from the North.
What do the folks think of the draft & will they resist it? We have heard that Charleston had been taken but don’t believe it. Mr. Woodward wants to know how much I will take for the Buck. If you don’t want to keep him, you may sell him. Wool will be worth near a dollar and he is big. I told Mr. Woodward that he might have him for what he was worth & you might keep the Cossett [pet lamb]. Kill all the little calves & I will buy one or two good ones. The pigs can eat the milk. Edwards is a good health. Weighs 203. I 207. Strawberries are in blossom and grass is getting up high where it can grow. Saw some of the best land in our last tramp that ever I saw. There will be plenty of it when the war is over.
I have had a letter from Nathan & Jerry. Nathan thinks that he shall work for Tirrell this summer. Heard from Uncle N. & Aunt Lucy the last mail. They were well.
26th. The mail goes today. We are all well & the weather 8s cool. If you want to make good molasses you must strain and skim the sap and syrup down every day. Write in your next all about sugaring & how many calves, their color, and the lambs & don’t let them die. How does the hay hold out? You had better sow the wheat early and get some good seed if possible. Wm. Dyer has clean.
We expect to go to Plymouth tomorrow & shall have a good ride. Who takes Gerry’s camp this year? As I have no more to write, I close with the expectation of hearing from you soon. — N. Dyer
P. S. Address is Newbern. Go to Plymouth this afternoon.
Letter 10
Newbern, North Carolina March 26th 1863
Dear Uncle & Aunt,
Today finds me writing although I have nothing of interest to communicate, having nothing but our daily routine of duties which we have become accustomed to that we feel entirely destitute of exercise or excitement that is agreeable. At times like these we do not depend on the comforts and position we retain but draw a great share of our happiness from the remembrance of the days spent in Massachusetts. Here we are thrown wholly from some portions of society, our habits changed & climate different from our own & scenery new to us. As I look away, I miss the old hills of New England. I feel as though I was in a hollow or half sunk. You can see only as you walk all scenery comes by driblets. We have none of those grand and noble views that make one stand and want for words to express his admiration. But no place has all things perfect or that which we desire. The climate here in the winter is very mild compared to our Northern winter & it seems a pity that so much of the best of land should be left to waste while worthy citizens are living on the dregs of the mountains.
But things are so ordained & suffering that never was known in the North has followed the poor whites here for years. They seem to have lost all ambition to acquire a more comfortable position & live on that which fall to them from someone that wishes to use them for his benefit. They themselves feel lower than the slave & every move & action indicates a crushed & wicked ambition. The slaves are smarter & more witty for the reason they have the society of their masters in a measure of which the Whites are deprived. Our soldiers will be nearer alike than when they went into camp for they partake of each others habits, but I hope to be in a condition not to make my friends ashamed of me.
The news here we get from the North. Have not had an account of our late skirmish in this place but suppose you have had it all. We were out five days, marched 60 miles & drove the Rebs 20 up the Trent River. Saw the best land that I have seen yet. One can make more money in five years than in a lifetime in Plainfield. The climate is good, far better in winter. One can work all winter on a farm. I could live here contented by having a few of my acquaintances with me.
So far I like a soldier’s life far better than I expected to. Have had but one cold & that through carelessness. Strawberries are in blossom & peaches & cherries were a month ago. The weather is getting rather warm but dress accordingly. Expect to go to Plymouth this afternoon as two of our companies went several days ago. The town is on the Roanoke River 160 miles from here. Think that we are to build forts and maybe fight some. We like to move. It kills time faster. C[harles] Gloyd is well and Mr. Rood better than any time since in the South. All others are well now. Write all the little news & accept of my thanks for your other long & interesting letter and I will close with the expectation of hearing from you soon. Yours respectfully, – N. Dyer
I could not find an image of George but here is Daniel W. Lamson who also served in Co. D, 111th New York. He was wounded by a shell at Gettysburg and taken captive at Cold Harbor where he would die a POW. (Cole Rutkowski Collection)
The following letter was written by 36 year-old George Richmond (1827-1863) of Sodus, New York, who enlisted on 28 July 1862 to serve three years as a private in Co. D, 111th New York Infantry. George wrote the letter to his wife from Camp Douglas near Chicago, Illinois, where he was a paroled prisoner of war awaiting exchange. He and most of his regiment had been taken prisoner at Harper’s Ferry when that government stronghold was surrendered to Stonewall Jackson’s men during the Maryland Campaign in September 1862. George would later be exchanged, survive two days of fighting at Gettysburg, but be wounded in action on 14 October 1863 at Bristoe Station, Virginia. According to Lieutenant Augustus Green, who was in command of Co. D at the time, George “was wounded through the calf of the left leg.” Taken from the field when the regiment retreated closer to Washington, DC, George was admitted to the Grosvenor Branch Hospital (Lee-Fendall House) in Alexandria. It was there that he died of traumatic gangrene on October 21st.
George’s wife was Sibble Gillett (1818-1883). When he left to join the 111th, George and Sibble had two living children—Samuel S. Richmond (1854-1926) and Harry O. Richmond (1857-1903). Two other children died young.
Transcription
Patriotic Stationery “The Captured Battery”
Camp Douglas [near Chicago, Illinois] Oct 26th [1862]
Dear Wife,
I thought I would write you a few lines this morning and let you know how we are getting along. I received your letter on Thursday and was glad to hear you were well. I have not been very well for ten days. I had a bad cold the same as all the boys but am better now so that I went on duty yesterday. I tell you, it is cold here. The ground is white with snow and this corn crib is none of the warmest place to sleep in the world. I am sorry that well does not operate for I thought it would be so handy.
I received a letter this morning from Jane & Samantha. They were well.
I want you to send me a couple of dollars to buy butter, mittens, &c. with. I have sent home a hatchet to the boys by Cornelius Johnson of South Sodus.
There, we have just got through inspection which comes every Sunday morning. Be sure and send that money as soon as you get this for I shall have to eat dry bread till it comes. Butter we get for 18 cents per lb. Some of it is strong enough to keep house without a hired girl. We generally toast our bread on a long stick, then with butter & coffee, we get along first rate.
My love to yourself & the children. Tell them to be good boys. From your affectionate husband, — George Richmond
The following letter was written by Lewis Augustus Snook (1836-1928), the son of Daniel Snook (1799-1886) and Ann Margaret Hill (1799-1848). It was Lewis’ older brother Josiah Snook (b. 1827) who took over his father’s farmstead (pictured above at the homestead) but at the time this letter was written in the fall of 1862, 63 year-old Daniel still lived with several of his children in the house, including 26 year-old Lewis and 32 year-old Mary. When the 1860 US Slave Schedules were tallied, Daniel Snook owned two slaves—two mulatto females, age 20 and 24.
Lewis’s letter describes passing over the battlefield at Sharpsburg four days after the battle. He observed that most of the Union solders had been buried but there were yet Confederate soldiers still awaiting burial.
This letter is from the personal collection of Greg Herr and was made available for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent.
Transcription
Utica Mills [Frederick county, Maryland] October 26, 1862
Dear Sir,
I thought it was now time for me to write to you in answer to your letter of the 27th June but I know that I have not waited as long as you have or did. But I thought you would like to hear from your poor old pap and the rest of the family. We are all very well at present and hope you are the same.
You wrote in your last letter that you was in a bakery. I guess by this time you are perfect, but I must now tell you what is going on down here. Uncle Sam is everywhere we thought, but when the rebels come over to pay us a visit, there was not a blue coat to be seen. They [the rebels] was in Frederick about a week but they did us no damage but took about a hundred dollars worth of corn and oats and paid us off with their script. But the Federals soon moved them away when they got after them.
We could hear the cannon for five days continually. I was on the battle ground at Sharpsburg four days after the fight. I saw horses and rebs—plenty of them. The Union men was buried before I got there. There was great confusion here when the rebs came to town and I and Josiah did skedaddle with the rest to our sister state and took six of our horses along. But we came home again in a few days. Mary & Joe saw Frank Koons 1 in Frederick a few days after the fight. He had received a wound in the heel from a buck shot.
The draft in this county keeps the people in trouble. There is 259 out of this county which will take about the tenth man that is subject to the draft. We are all in as good a spirits as could be expected in war times— Darkeys and all of us. Oh, Dan Shaffer is not married yet. There is still hopes for you. Oh by the way, I just thought of one thing. Would you let me have them pants of yours made of some homemade goods that you wore some the last winter you was here. If you would sell them to me, I will pay you what is right unless you wish to keep them. Mary told me to ask you about them and if you think you will spare them, please write directly and let me know or I must buy a pair before long. But I will wait to hear from you. Let me know the least you can take for them and what kind of money—I guess green backs—and I can send it to you.
Do not neglect writing directly for Mary is wanting to hear from you bad. She often wants me to write to you but you are so slow to answer. Nothing more at this time. Our compliments to you, — Lewis A. Snook
This is a very rainy night. Write soon. Goodbye.
1 Frederick Frank Koons [Koontz] (1833-1915), a native of Frederick county, Maryland, who was a machinist in Ashland, Ohio. He enlisted as a private in June 1861 to serve in Co. G, 23rd Ohio Infantry. He was wounded at South Mountain on 14 September 1862. He later rose to 1st Sergeant of his company.He was married to Sarah Ellen Potter in August 1853.
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