Letter – Lewis Bodine, 23 April 1864

2015.002.054g

Hi-resolution scans of the full document can be made available for a fee. Please see our Image Request page for details.

Letter written by 1st Lieutenant Lewis Bodine of Company A, 149th PA Infantry “Bucktails,” to Helen Sofield, from a camp near Culpeper, VA. Bodine writes that he has procrastinated too long in writing to Mrs. Sofield. General Ulysses S. Grant is secretive about his plans, so the army is unsure of what will happen next. Bodine inquires about Mrs. Sofield’s planned trip to Gettysburg, as he would like to accompany her. He expresses his condolences on the death of Mrs. Sofield’s husband, Alfred Sofield, who was killed in action at Gettysburg.

---

-Page 1-

Camp near Culpeper, Va

April 23d 1864

My Dear Friend                      

     I have been allowing myself to procrastinate quite too long, but trust you will forgive me & I will do better hereafter. It is not because I do not love to hear from you, but only another of my lazy habits which I am sorry to say I abound in. We are having some very fine weather. The roads are becoming quite good & the army getting uneasy about what is to be done. But, thanks to General Grant, he does not let his plans become public, so that none of us can ever surmise what is to be done, but all wonder at our being

-Page 2-

permitted to lie here so long, but patiently await the result. Fish still continues to float about Washington & I think will till he emerges into a citizenship [he received a disability discharge 4-24-1864], which he would like if not permitted to splash about the city. He is in reality a band-box ‘soger’ of the first cut, & I think should be carefully laid away in cotton or snugly packed in brand[y] or he will spoil. Col. Stone has sent up a recommend for his discharge, which I hope he will get, & very soon, as none wish to see him back. I had to laugh at the idea of Calkins being made A.A.G. He has quite all he can attend to where he is. You spoke of making a visit to Gettysburg this

-Page 3-

summer or fall. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to be privileged to accompany you, & perhaps kind Providence will deem it proper for me to do so. If you put it off till fall, who knows? You speak of your deep sorrows. I wish I could shoulder a part of them, ‘tis best for every heart to know its own bitterness. But dear friend if I can aid you in any way let me ask you to name it & I will gladly do it. Do it not only for your sake, but for one who I learned to love & respect as a dear brother. Let me be a brother to you as I was to him, I will feel that I am honored. I am really

-Page 4-

glad that you have placed confidence in me, & I hope never to betray it by words, deeds, or actions. I know now that you will not distrust me, & hope you will feel free to ask for any aid I may be able to render you. I have thought many times I would offer you assistance in your business, then thought I, she would not thank me for it, but I will now offer to do it & if you think best to accept of it no one shall know from me that you have had it. I suppose you have heard long ere this of Col. Dwight’s exit from the army, & what pleases me more, is that Major Irvin last night

-Page 5-

received his commission as lt. col., & Capt. Glenn as major. You likely have seen the disposition which has been made of the 1^st A[rmy] C[orps]. We are now 3d Brig. 4^th Div, 5^th Corps & wear a red badge instead of a blue. Stone commands brig, & Wadsworth the div, Warren the corps. I cannot think of more to interest you with, so will bid you a kind good night. Love to the boys, & write as soon as you receive this.

                 Believe, as ever your

                              sincere

                                 friend

                                    Lew

---

Alfred J. Sofield was a clerk/justice of the peace in Wellsboro, PA when he enrolled as a Union Army Officer. He served in the Civil War as Captain and commander of Company A of the 149th PA Volunteer Infantry. During the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, he was stationed along Chambersburg Pike north of the McPherson Farm. His unit under artillery fire from the Confederate batteries on Herr Ridge, and was struck by a round, which killed him as well as Private Edwin D. Dimmick and Corporal Nathan H. Wilcox.

Letter – Alfred Sofield, 3 June 1863

2015.002.054e

Hi-resolution scans of the full document can be made available for a fee. Please see our Image Request page for details.

Letter written by Captain Alfred J. Sofield of Company A, 149th PA Volunteer Infantry “Bucktails,” to his wife Helen, from a camp near Falmouth, VA. Sofield writes of his own depression, and how he feels he has failed in his duties as a husband. He writes that he hopes his wife can forgive him for past transgressions, as he loves her and will “atone for past errors” if he is able to join her after the war. He mentions receiving monthly wages for two months, and is planning on sending money home. Lieutenant Dudley A. Fish has gone home on sick leave, the camp welcomed a new chaplain, Reverend J. F. Calkins.

---

-Page 1-

Camp near Falmouth, Va

June 3d 1863

My Dear Wife                         

     Yours of the 21^st reached me on the 31^st. I was on picket duty about two miles from camp, lying on my back under my shelter tent, thinking of home and of you when it was handed to me, & was in fact having the blues a very little, but at sight of the inperscription of the letter I cheered up, and proceeded to read its contents. Well, now after reading the letter I have the blues worse than ever. To be reminded that I was so necessary to your happiness, and feeling how far short of my duty as a husband I have come for the past twelve years, and how indulgent and forgiving you had been, caused me to feel sad indeed. I cannot account for so much generosity as I have received at your hands upon any other ground than that you know that with all my faults I love you with all my heart & soul. Sometimes you have said to me when I have been conducting myself badly, that you thought I did not love you. But I don’t think you really thought so, and yet I must admit that at times my conduct was such I could not blame you for arriving at such conclusion. But I will say, as I ever hope to see my family, that my love for you and the fear that you would lose all love and respect for me, has caused me more remorse of conscience than all other considerations

-Page 2-

and has in many cases kept me in the way I should go. If I am permitted to join you again after getting out of this war, I will try to atone for past errors. I don’t think it necessary that you or Willie should cut the wood. You are neither of you strong enough, and I don’t want you to do any more. You don’t know how glad I was to learn that you carry out my requests in relation to the kissing Tell Jimmie I want it done even if I should forget to put it in the letter. We were paid two months pay yesterday. I am expecting Issac M. Bodine here next week, and will send by him $150 would send $200, but I have to buy a new suit of clothes. am getting pretty rusty, that is my clothes are. The first of next month will have two months more pay due me, and shall then (or rather about the 10^th) try to get started for home. And then (if I succeed) how happy I shall be – and how infinitely more so when I reach home. Tell Azalea I am glad to hear that I am not forgotten by her, and give her my love if you don’t want it all yourself, and if you do you may keep it in welcome. Lt. Fish started for home yesterday on a sick leave of absence for 15 days. I just stopped writing to welcome the Rev. J. F. Calkins. He is now in my quarters and will stay with me until he gets a tent of his own, and as he has just arrived, I must close and attend to him. Kiss the boys & have them kiss you for me. Good night my dear wife, and may God bless you.

                                    Yours in love,

                                    Alfred

---

Alfred J. Sofield was a clerk/justice of the peace in Wellsboro, PA when he enrolled as a Union Army Officer. He served in the Civil War as Captain and commander of Company A of the 149th PA Volunteer Infantry. During the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, he was stationed along Chambersburg Pike north of the McPherson Farm. His unit under artillery fire from the Confederate batteries on Herr Ridge, and was struck by a round, which killed him as well as Private Edwin D. Dimmick and Corporal Nathan H. Wilcox.

Letter – Alfred Sofield, 29 May 1863

2015.002.054d

Hi-resolution scans of the full document can be made available for a fee. Please see our Image Request page for details.

Letter written by Captain Alfred J. Sofield of Company A, 149th PA Volunteer Infantry “Bucktails,” to his wife Helen, from a camp near Falmouth, VA. Sofield writes that the Confederates may be planning an offensive into Maryland and Pennsylvania. There was recently a news report that Vicksburg had been taken, though that proved to be false. His regiment had previously set up camp on the Fitzhugh Lee Farm, but were forced to move . He mentions the Battle of Chancellorsville, and how his company took several Confederate soldiers prisoner.

---

Camp near Falmouth, Va

May 29th 1863

My Dear Wife 

     I wrote you yesterday saying that we were under marching orders, and we are still, but our marching depends upon the movement of the enemy. It is supposed that the Rebels contemplate assuming the offensive, and their late operations indicate a movement by them into Maryland and Pennsylvania. Should they do so, we will probably go to meet them. We had the report that Vicksburg was taken, but later news proves it to have been a false report. The news today is quite cheering, although not as conclusive as I wish it was. I believe I did not tell you that we had moved our camp. We had just got nicely fixed up in a beautiful oak grove on the Fitzhugh Lee farm when the medical director ordered us to move out of the woods into an open field about a mile off. Well, we did so about a week ago, and found it one of the worst places for a camp that could be found in Virginia. But we went to work and after 6 days’ hard work of the whole regiment, have got it into pretty good shape.

     I rec’d yours of the 24^th by today’s mail. You say the fruit trees are in bloom. Well, down

-Page 2-

in “Old Virginia” peaches are about the size of a hickory nut, and the fruit accordingly. Strawberries are ripe. The weather is very warm during the day & quite cool through the night. Have you rec’d a letter from me giving an account of our march etc. to Chancellorsville? You ask how many prisoners my company took. They took seven that they brought in beside three that they took and delivered to an officer of the 150^th [Pennsylvania] Regt., and for which our regt. was not credited. I have not been troubled with diarhea much of late, enjoy very good health, much better than I expected to. The officers of the regt. are generally healthy. Lt. Fish has not been well for the past few days and applied today for leave of absence on acc of sickness. He asks for 30 days, and I think he will get it. I will try to get the photographs and send or bring them to you, will also send something from the Fitzhugh farm. I am getting quite and I may say very anxious to get home once more for a short time. think I could enjoy a clean pair of sheets by the side of my dear wife (have not had my pants off since I left Washington). Oh, I do want to see you all so much. I can’t tell you how much. I have no news to write. Write often and I will do the same. Kiss the boys & have them kiss you for me. Good night. 

                                    Yours in love,                                  

Alfred

---

Alfred J. Sofield was a clerk/justice of the peace in Wellsboro, PA when he enrolled as a Union Army Officer. He served in the Civil War as Captain and commander of Company A of the 149th PA Volunteer Infantry. During the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, he was stationed along Chambersburg Pike north of the McPherson Farm. His unit under artillery fire from the Confederate batteries on Herr Ridge, and was struck by a round, which killed him as well as Private Edwin D. Dimmick and Corporal Nathan H. Wilcox.

Letter – Alfred Sofield, 23 November 1862

2015.002.054a

Hi-resolution scans of the full document can be made available for a fee. Please see our Image Request page for details.

Letter written by Captain Alfred J. Sofield of Company A, 149th PA Volunteer Infantry “Bucktails,” to his wife, from the camp barracks. Sofield writes of how lonely he has felt since their separation. He has not slept in the camp since her visit ended, and instead shares a room with 2nd Lieutenant Lewis Bodine. Sofield mentions that Captain Thomas Bryden of Company G recently returned home, and that Lieutenant Colonel Dwight is in Stone Hospital. He remarks on the well-being of several other friends in camp before imploring his wife to visit him again. A short section at the end of the letter is addressed to Sofield’s son, Willie.

---

-Page 1-

Camp Barracks

Nov. 23d 1862

My Dear Wife                           

     It is Sunday and a lonely and uncomfortable day it is. I wander about from place to place, that is from tent to tent, and feel so lonely that I can hardly contain myself. I rec’d your second letter yesterday and you say you miss me more than you did before you was here. I am very glad of it as I think it will have a tendency to bring you back the sooner. I too miss you more than before because then I had just got used to camp life and now to go back from a tolerably good bed with you for a bedfellow is had to think of let alone doing it. I have not slept in camp since you left have took my meals there and slept with Lt. Bodine, but Lew is going to return to camp tomorrow and I have a mind to occupy one old room at the Porter house as I cannot think of sleeping in the tent a week or two, or until you come. If you was not coming I should fit up a bunk in the tent and make the best of it. I was expecting a letter from you today written after Mrs. Bryden got home, but was disappointed. I want you (if you have not already done so) to write immediately and let me know what you intend doing, that is how soon you can come. And I want you to be as expeditious as possible. If you lock up the house I think you might get ready in a very few days, as you need not stay there to

-Page 2-

make more than one suit a piece for the boys. Buy the material and make it up after you get here. Mr. Butler came yesterday, found his son Marion much better will start for home tomorrow. Capt. Bryden [Co. G] left here for home on Friday evening, and if he was able to endure the jolts & jostle of the cars is no doubt home before this. I miss him very much, and hope he will soon be able to return. Mr. Mise & Mrs. Bailey arrived on Friday. I saw Mr. Mise, have not seen Mrs. Bailey. She is stopping with J. B. Potter. [Lt. Col.] Dwight is sick in Stone Hospital. I just left him. He is getting better will be out in a few days. Otis is well. Fish & Bodine [Co. A] are both still on the sick list, though Bodine thinks of reporting himself for duty tomorrow. Fish looks hard but is getting along slowly. I suppose Mr. Bayden told you his wife was here. My men in the hospital are all doing well. Several of them are walking about camp in pleasant weather. John Wilcox made us a call today. Jimmy English has left here. was sent to New York with other sick & wounded soldiers. I saw him just before he started and I wish you would see his father and tell him that his son is doing well and he was in the best of spirits; said he never felt better in his life.

Tell him also that Jimmy gave me forty dollars to keep for him or to use if I wanted it. I will send it to him (Richard) as soon as I get the balance of my pay. In conclusion will say that you must come right down for I am “alone, all alone,” & cannot stand it this way.

                                        Alfred

Dear Willie [oldest son] I was so glad when I read your letter that could not help crying. My dear son you don’t know how very much I do want to see you & Jimmy & Bennie. Be good boys and in a few days your Ma will bring you to see me. Kiss Ma Jimmy & Bennie for me. If I had more paper I would write you a longer letter. Good bye Willie.

---

Alfred J. Sofield was a clerk/justice of the peace in Wellsboro, PA when he enrolled as a Union Army Officer. He served in the Civil War as Captain and commander of Company A of the 149th PA Volunteer Infantry. During the first day of the Battle of Gettysburg, he was stationed along Chambersburg Pike north of the McPherson Farm. His unit under artillery fire from the Confederate batteries on Herr Ridge, and was struck by a round, which killed him as well as Private Edwin D. Dimmick and Corporal Nathan H. Wilcox.