Tag Archives: James River

Letter – William Hooper, 24 August 1864

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Letter written by Private William E. Hooper of Battery K, 4th US Artillery, to his uncle, dated August 24th, 1864, from the Battleground of Deep Bottom. Hooper writes that he is in Battery K, though he belongs to the 10th MA Battery. He says that his battery suffered heavily at the Battle of Deep Bottom. He mentions the wages he receives, and the amount he will get when the war ends, if he doesn’t “expire on the battlefield.” Hooper’s regiment will soon begin marching to Petersburg again, and he writes that the 5th Corps has cut the railroad to Richmond. Hooper is adamant that he does not want peace if it comes at the price of southern independence, he would rather the Union remain intact at any cost. He is confident William T. Sherman will get Atlanta, and Grant will get Petersburg. He mentions seeing both Grant and General George Meade frequently.

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Battery K 4 U.S. Artillery

Aug. 24th deep bottom on the James river

Dear Uncle

Tis with much pleasure that I improve these few moments to write you. Again I am in the war. I enlisted the 2th of last January My health is good, I have been through every battle during Grants summer campaign, I am in Battery K the 4 U.S. artillery but belong to the 10th Mass. Battery, this branch of service I like much. we wer all through the wilderness

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and Spotsylvania fights also at Coal [Cold] Harbor, and so for in front of Petersburg, I am in the Old 2th Corps. the Artillery Brigade we have now jut came out of the battle at deep bottom at this place my Battery suffered heavly, but we drove the enemy, and captured 4 Cannon and 2 morters beside a lot of prisoners.

Well Uncle. the war looks somewhat dark on our side yet, but success is shure in time Petersburg must go up, and it shurely will then Richmond is ours Have patience with you and we will do the same in the field. Patience and

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perserverance only issues success in any department of study, and such we are trying to do in our wholly [holy] cause. I hear that Grant father is dead. He died at Aunt Marrys did he not. wer you down at his burial. The folks are all as well as Usual at home Emily and Charles are married. Charles is in Philadelphia a nurse in a Gen. Hospital. His wife is also there. He was married in Baltimore. Emily lives in Lynn, Mass. She is married to a shoe dealer. Lucinia is in Portsmouth at work on her sewing machine. and James and Georgia are at

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home. William is in the Army, and here expect to stay for the next two years, and 4 months. When I came out I received $25.00 with 16 dollars per month. and one hundred more bounty at the close of the war, or expiration of my time. if it dont expire on the Battlefield. Where is Albert. Give him my best respects and tell him to come out and help us take Richmond. I send my love to all of my cousins. and hope that I shall live to see them all again. Did you get much of a drought with

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you this summer. The weather has been very hot here during august but the season has been pretty cool, We are now just again to commence our march back to Petersburg. The 5th Corps has cut the Railroad running to Richmond, but I am doubtful if they can hold it. we continue shelling the Enemy in front all the time. They are pretty saucy yet and want to be let alone, and want their Independence badly but I dont see it, and hope the Nation will fight them to the last man

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and all go up together if any goes up at all. Peace we can have by withdrawing our armies from the suthern territories, but shall we do this, and give up the best part of our Union. No, but fetch every man into the field, and conquer or all perish together. Sherman is doing well at Atlanta, and will have the place as shure as US. Grant got Vicksburg – That Grant is here among us now, I see him about everyday. and where do you suppose he is seen the most. It is where the Cannon and musketry is thundering the loudest and he is always smoking

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Gen meade I see two or three times a day. His headquarters are close beside me now. The Johnnys put away at meades headquarters once and a while but dont do much damage In my last Battle at deep Bottom we My Battery fought them hand to hand fight. They came near taking my battery, but we poured the Grape, and canister among them so hot that they fell in piles before our Cannons we had many men in my battery and many horses. I cannot think of much more to write you now. But will you write as soon as you get

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this. I should like to hear from you.

Address you letters

Wm E Hooper

Battery K 4 U.S. Artillery

Artillery Brigade

2th Corps Army of the Potomac

Washington D.C.

William E. Hooper, a clerk from York, ME originally enlisted at age 21 in Company K of the 27th ME Infantry on September 30, 1862. He was discharged for disability on May 7, 1863. Then he reenlisted with the 10th MA Light Battery on January 2, 1864 but was assigned to Battery K, 4th US Artillery. He was again discharged for disability on December 30, 1864 at Fort Washington, MD.

Letter – Warren Scott, 19 June 1864

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Letter written by Lieutenant Warren L. Scott of Battery H, 1st NY Light Artillery, to his mother, from a camp near Petersburg, VA. He describes the movements of his regiment, and mentions crossing the James River. The battery are near Confederate earthworks, and sharpshooters on both sides are constantly firing. He mentions having a uniform made, and how he may get a chance to go to Washington and travel on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Scott describes the “trails and hardships” endured by the army. He is unsure of the physical loss caused by the war, and recounts the many dead and wounded he has seen being transported on ambulances and baggage wagons. He writes that he can only pray to God that he will escape the war with his health.

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Hd Qrs. Battery “H” 1st N.Y. Arty.

Camp near Petersburgh VA

June 19 1864

Dear Mother

This morning I received a very welcome letter from you, dated June 9th teeming as usual with good advice that a christian mother knows how to give.

At present our army is investing the city of Petersburgh, directly south of Richmond – Since last I wrote you our army has been almost constantly on the move – For the third time since I have been in the army I have been within the vicinity of Baltimore Cross Roads. once more upon the banks of the James – crossed upon a pontoon bridge over 2200 feet in length-

To-day the battery is in position within 400 yards of the rebel earthworks. Sharpshooters upon both sides are continually firing at each other – Since yesterday morning we have had eight or ten horses shot down – One man had his right arm blown off by the premature discharge of the piece. Another his thumb while serving the vent at the same time – No one seriously injured by the enemy.

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Col. Wainwright had a close call yesterday – a shot went between his legs, as he was walking along. viewing the rebel works –

The work is so close and hot that a person is very careful how he exposes his head or body – above the redoubt –

How Mat should understand that I was on my way to Washington, from the time of my letter I don’t see – that I was making efforts to pass is true, but I had not sufficient papers and it is for that that I am now waiting. When i go I can not tell. I hope soon. I am at present with the battery but expect every day to receive orders to join temporarily some battery in this brigade and do duly until my papers come around.

Nothing has been told me respecting the uniform that Louis was to have made for me – Suppose I should be sent through by the Baltimore & Ohio R.R. how could I get them Tell Louis to study out the rout I should be about to take and see if they could be expressed in case I telegraph you as soon as I get in Washington-

Dear Mother you can not conceive the trials hardships, suffering &c now that our army is

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enduring. One thing about it we expect no respet [respite] until this army of Lee’s is routed or Richmond taken – If Richmond falls within two months I shall be very glad but if it holds out for a year, when it does fall I shall be equally rejoiced. For my part I have no hopes of the city being taken this year.

We receive very little news. That Lincoln is nominated I have heard but not read – What has been the estimate thus far of our loss. In every town where we halt for a short time all building are made hospitals of – The stores are cleaned and the counters and floors covered with the wounded – If a church, it is made the depot of hundreds of the suffering – Only those who witness it can form any idea of the suffering – Trains of ambulances and baggage wagons miles & miles long loaded with the wounded – All along the roads are seen the graves of the fallen braves – sadly attesting the innumerable throng who have ceased their warfare – God grant my life be spared in perfect health and body, and that I be restored to you again. If ever we needed the prayers of friends at home it is now.

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We need to pray for ourselves

My love to Judge S’s family and other friends.

God have us in his holy keeping until we meet again –

Yours with love

Warren

Direct as usual to “H” Battery and I shall get your letters wherever I am

Warren L. Scott was born in 1838 in Lewis, NY and worked as a teacher. He enlisted at age 23 on September 28, 1861 in Lowville, NY and mustered in as a corporal on October, 12. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant of Company I on May 2, 1864. He re-enlisted with Company H in Culpeper, VA on December 31, 1864 and was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. He mustered out June 23, 1865 and returned to Lowville where he worked as a postmaster. He died February 12, 1901.

Letter – Linsey Wills, 10 September 1864

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Letter written by Private Linsey T. Wills of Company K, 10th VA Cavalry, to his sister, from a camp near Ream’s Station. Wills is encamped at Ream’s Station. He mentions shelling on the James River and near Petersburg. Wills lists articles of clothing he is in need of. The latter part of the letter is addressed to Wills’ brother George. Wills believes that if George B. McClellan is elected president, the war will likely be settled. Wills also expresses skepticism at the capture of Atlanta.

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Camp near Ream’s Station

                           Sept 10  1864

Dear Sister

I received your letter a few days since & would have written to you before now, but forgot it till yesterday, tho’ will not procrastinate longer. This leaves me very well. We are now picketing at Ream’s. Our regt. went on [duty] yesterday. I did not go. Abe had got back & wanted to go, so I let him have my horse to ride, as his horse was sent home. There has been nothing transpired of an interesting character since we got here that I know of. There has been heavy shelling on the James this morning, tho’ I reckon it is from gunboats. Also more shelling than usual near or at Petersburg, tho’ I have not heard the

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result of it. Things are quiet along our lines, so far as I know. I did not expect that Henry [younger brother] would hurry to go in the army & if I was him, I would not do them any good, for he ought to be discharged. I am glad the George got home. I don’t know when I can get home, for I keep well, & my horse is nearly as fat as when I got back from home. I keep well. Tell Mary H. that I told Abe that when he went home for his horse that I wanted him to go to Bedford & get me a pair of pants & go to see Mr. H. He said he was afraid; that if I was along he would go, but to go by his self was too big undertaking for him. Tell her that if he came, that I will have to come

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with him. When he comes, I expect to want you to send me a pair of pants, & the best way will be for you to send them by Preatch & he can carry them to Nelson’s & she can get them from them, tho’ I will let you know. I drew a nice pair the other day and sent them by Abe. Have also a pair of boot tops, & a fine Yankee spoon. I will have them sent home soon. How is my horse. I must close. Sent by L. T. Hills. Well, George, I was very glad to get a letter from you & hear you was at home. I would like to be at home myself, but it seems that I make slow speed at going. We have had two heavy fights since I saw you, tho’ I came out all right, & I intend to

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work the thing on the safest honorable scheme to save my barke [skin]. It is sorter my opinion, if Maclelen [McClellan] is president, that if he offers state’s rights, the next spring they will go back into the union & the fight settled, & if they don’t do that, it is my opinion that the Yankees will flog us at once, & drive the thing to a close. There is no more that will interest you. It has been said that Atlanter [Atlanta] was re-captured but I don’t believe it. Write soon & give me the nuse [news]. Your brother,     

                                         L.T. Wills

p.s. I would like to be at the meeting. You must try to make a good thing of it for yourself, yours, etc.

Linsey T. Wills was born in 1837 in Bedford, VA. He enlisted in 1861 and served in T.C. Jordan’s heavy artillery until he was transferred to Company K. He served in the Confederate Army until the surrender at Appomattox. After the war he moved to Texas and worked as an engineer. He married Texas native Mary Simmons in 1870 and raised a family. He died in 1914 from a heart attack following an automobile accident and is buried in Weimar, TX.