Letter – John Daniels, 13 August 1863

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Letter written by Private John S. Daniels of Company B, 2nd NH Volunteer Infantry, to his siblings, from the camp at Point Lookout, MD. Daniels tells his siblings that he has time to write due to the current foul weather. A terrible thunderstorm came up the night before and blew over several tents. Daniels asks how the draft is faring in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and wonders if any of his family members have joined. He says that he has plenty of rations, and describes the food he has been eating recently. He also describes shooting “Grays” at Gettysburg, comparing it to shooting ducks. Daniels mentions that he will receive his monthly wages soon.

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Camp of 2nd N.H. St. Mary’s Co.

Point Lookout Md. Aug 13th 63

Dear Brother and Sister

As it is rainy, and I havent much to do I thought I would write you a few lines and let you know I am alive and about as cross as they make them.

Here I am in the land of milk and Honey, without a cent of money, every think a plenty, and pockets all empty only one old handkerchief an old jack knife and an old wallet with Mt in all the partings. but never mind. if I dont have it I wont spend it. for they wont trust the and with a Pint of Whiskey out of their sight. but I can fool them once in

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a while. make them believe I am a big mans son, or some big Generals waiter and then they will trust me, and I guess they will mistrust me one of these days if I milk their cows as much as I have since I came here but they are most all Secesh here and I dont know as there is any hurt getting their milk is there?

We had one of the awfulest thunder showers I ever dreamed of last night it Hailed and the wind blew and such thunder and lightning I never saw or heard. down came tents and away went things that were in them. the old Drs. tent blew over and he got as wet as a drowned rat. wernt I glad? some lay and hung onto their tents to hold them up, and some let them go and lay and took it. but mine is lik the wise mans house the wind and storm dont affect it.

Well Frank how is the draft going on in Mass and N.H. have they drafted in N.H. yet and who are the lucky ones I know that are coming? dont I hope it will be some of my

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Cousins! I wish I could pick the men from Hopkinton wouldnt I make some of the secesh start?

Well! I dont know as I have much news to write now. for it is only a few days since I wrote to you. My health is better than it was a week ago. I have got so I can eat a good share of my rations. if I can have plenty of [???] and milk to go with them. I went the other day and got about 4 Qts of damsons, and I go round and beg sugar to sweeten them, and it make very good eating. or would if I had some of Marms Butter, and some Pumpkin Pie to top off with—————— I heard from George a few days ago. he wrote me Father had a sore hand and couldnt work. have you heard any thing of it? I hope it wont be sore for long for it is a bad time to have sore hands now.

How is Tyler getting along now? did he go Trouting while he was in N.H. and did he shoot any Stripers while he was there. he aught to have been out at Gettysburg, and he could have had some Grays to shoot at. I had a

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good chance to try my skill there. got so I could fetch one nearly every time. I dont think I wasted as many shots as I have before now on a gray [duck] at Home.

I want you or Tyler to send me a box of Maple Sugar any where from 25 to 50 lbs I would send home but you can get it cheaper and better in Boston Market than they can there, and they have it all packed ready to send you might mail it over a little and mark on it Keep dry. and send it by express send a bill of it and what you pay per pound Express &c and I will send you the pay for it as soon as we are paid off. they say we are going to be paid next week. if we aint we will the first of Sept and then we will get four months pay.

Direct to John S. Daniels

Co. B 2nd N.H. Vols

Martins Brigade Washington D.C.

Point Lookout, MD

Love to all, write soon and remember your Brother, (write when you send the Box

John

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I will send you a shell or two that I picked up when I were out on picket would send you more if they were [dentures?]

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When you write home tell them I am well and shall write before long if I can get any paper and stamps. I sent the last stamp I had today but guess I can get one to send this, and I dont want to write any more till I get some answers.

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John S. Daniels, age 21, from Hopkinton, NH, enlisted on August 9, 1862 at Hopkinton as a private in Company B of the 2^nd NH Infantry. He was wounded on June 3, 1864 at Cold Harbor, VA, and discharged at Concord, NH on May 17, 1865. Later Daniels became a member of G.A.R. Post 120, Lowell, MA. He died March 12, 1910.

Letter – W.H. Mann, 1 September 1861

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Letter written by civilian W. H. Mann of Athol, Massachusetts, to Joseph W. Luce of Charlotte Center, NY. Mann writes that farming is usually be a successful venture, but business is at a stand-still due to the war. Unemployment rates are high, and wages are low. He mentions that support for the Union is high. He has heard a rumor that the Confederates were advancing to Washington D.C., and mentions thousands of troops coming up the Potomac and from Manassas Junction. In a later section dated September 3rd, Mann writes about two Confederate forts that were captured in North Carolina. He thinks that the U.S. Government will ultimately prevail, as “the South was the first aggressor.”

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Sept 1st 1861

Friend Joseph,

I once before got pen and paper in order to answer your letter but for some reason got called away and have let it go untill now

You enquire about writing wheather it would be a successful business here now or rather the ensuing winter At any other time I think there would be a fair prospect but business at this time is very near at a a stand still The war has knocked every thing wrong end fore-most at present This vicinity is more of a manufacturing than farming country and consequently is more affected Thousands of people are out of employment and wages are less than 1/2 as high as they were 2 or 3 years ago There is very little except strong union feeling in this neighborhood over sixty able bodied men have gone from Athol to the aid of their country money is shelled out like water Here as in most places north

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all parties go in for the union News came last night that the rebels are going were advancing on Washington and that a great battle was at hand it may be so & may not 180000 were coming up the Potomac & 120000 coming by land from Manassas Junction

Sept 3d evening

you probable get the war news as soon as we so I will turn to other subjects the latest I have heard was the capture of 2 new secession forts in N Carolina by a fleet of ours

I hope this rebelion will be put down in a manner that it will stay down a spell It is going to be a hard struggle but with good management I think the right side will conquer (i.e.) the U.S. Government Evry man of reason will can see that the South were the first egressors Any government that is a government ought to try to sustain its self but enough about the war.

We have not heard from Uncle H for a long time and should really like to

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Hay came in very good this season all crops look well wheat not so good as last year We have had some warm weather but the season has been cool generaly I have built a house & barn such as they are within a little over a year

I have got a yok of stags 3 cows 2 calves 2 old hogs & 4 pigs and over 30 fowls I hardly know wheather I am doing well or not the times are so hard but I am in hopes they will soften before long

Beef is selling here for $5 per cut to average it Pork 3 cts corn southern & western 60 per bush (lowest ever known) meal has been $1.15 per cwt in Athol

Tell all to write and I will try and be more prompt in future I write so little I do not feel much like writing

Give my best respects to all and tell them a line would be very acceptable and I hope more promptly replyed to

JW Luce Yours truly W H Mann

Letter – George Davis, 28 September 1862

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Letter written by Private George W. Davis of Company E, 15th MA Infantry, to his uncle, from Harper’s Ferry, VA. Davis writes that he is getting “as fat as a hog” in camp. Davis describes being in the battle at Antietam, and a slight wound he received on his hip that has since healed. He mentions the casualties suffered at Antietam on both sides. He writes that “the Rebs fight like devils,” and that war isn’t as “funny” as he previously thought. He inquires about men enlisting back home in Hardwick, MA. Davis also describes the land of “Old Virginia,” before asking about the current state of friends back home.

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Harpers Ferry Sept 28th ’62

Dear Uncle as I promised to write to you I now take the oppertunity to do so I am well and having a good time and getting fat as a hog we are encamped near the Ferry now we have had hard times and hard marches and one hard Battle I was in it I got a slight wound on the hip but that is all well now you had ought to seen the Rebels that were killed we lost a great many men the 15th was cut up very bad the Rebs Fight like Devils but we are driving them I will bet I shall be glad when I get

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out of this I tell you war is not so funny as I thought it was before I come out here we dont know when we are going move nor what we are going to do till we have the order to march and then we dont know where we are going till we get there is there any more enlisting there does [Louee?] or Joshua think of enlisting yet I wish you could come out here in old Virginia and see the Country you can travel miles and miles and not see a house nor a fence nor a Cultivated Field and I have not seen a real good looking Girl since I left old Massachusetts how does Miss Carrie A Taylor get along now a days

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how does that boy of old Butlers get along does he grow any Can he walk yet I saw Joel and Silas and the rest of the Hubbardston boys at Cambridge and at New York they were in good spirits when I see them last have you heard from them since they left well I cant think of any more to write now you must excuse me for not writing before for I have not had time nor place to write please write as soon as you get this for I want to hear from you verry much have you heard any thing from mother lately write soon your truly

George W Davis

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George W. Davis was an 18 year-old farmer from Hardwick, MA. He enlisted as a private in Company E, of the 15^th MA Infantry on August 5, 1862. He was wounded on September 17, 1862 at Antietam. He was mustered out on July 28, 1864 at Worchester, MA.

Letter – Madison Cannon, 10 June 1864

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Letter written by Captain Madison M. Cannon (soon to be commander of 40th NY Infantry) to Adelia Babson. He is writing from the headquarters of the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 2nd Army Corps, near Cold Harbor, VA, and describes the dangers of Grant’s Overland Campaign. Both armies are facing each other on the bank of the Chickahominy River, though there have been no real engagements yet, just occasional firing from the sharpshooters. Cannon writes that the Union army was recently reinforced, and has not suffered as many casualties as the Confederate army. They recently received a shipment of goods from White House, VA, and he has procured bottles of alcohol which he will soon share. Cannon remarks on a photograph he is sending to Adelia, and writes that the thinks of her often. He concludes with a short poem.

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Head Qrs. 1st Brig. 3d Div. 2d A.C.

Near Cold Harbor, Va

June 10th 1864

My Dear Adelia

I have been daily expecting to hear from you, but each mail arrives without a single word from Pigeon Cove. Delia, if you knew how much your letters are prized – and how much encouragement they contain, to one situated as I am, you would not delay I know you would write oftener, and good long letters, with words of cheer to drive away despondency.

     Both armies are now facing each other on the North Bank of the Chickahominy River about 8 miles north East from Richmond. Our lines are very close to the enemy, and at some points the works are about 50 yards apart. There has been no real engagements for the past few days, but the sharp-

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shooters on both side keep firing, at intervals, as any object attracts their attention. We are approaching their works by means of parallels and I understand that we have already mined two of their redoubts, mounting some 15 guns each, which will be blown up when the proper time arrives. The weather has been very fine and favorable to our movements, but as we proceed farther south in the direction of the Peninsula, we find water very scarce and very bad.

Our Army is larger today than it was the day we started from Brandy Station, having been heavily reinforced. Our losses have been very great, but I think are not as heavy as the enemy’s, who have lost many prisoners.

We have just received a stock of goods from our mess from White House – and while I am writing a bottle of W– sits directly in front of me and on the floor of my tent lies 3 Doz. bottles of Porter – so you see we have some

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of the luxuries of civilization. My friend Lt. Gilder [1^st Lt. William H. Gilder, Jr., Co. H] has just come in and we are about to take the sun’s altitude through the bottom of a tin cup.

     I received a letter from Ben, but he has not sent any of my pictures. I also heard of his being in Orange County on a visit to the Brook’s. He told me when I was in New York that he intended to spend the summer at or near P.C. [Pigeon Cove] – even if he had to close his store. How I would like to accompany him. But that cannot be, so Delia we will wait patiently until next winter. Lt. Halsey [1^ST Lt. William F. Halsey, Co. D] was quite severely wounded in the charge of the 12^th May [Spotsylvania], but is now home and getting along very well. The major [Emmons F. Fletcher] has returned to duty. Oh, Delia how thankful I feel, after passing through so much danger, in being permitted to escape.

     I enclose the only picture that I have received of the new ones which Ben praises so much. It has become soiled, but when Ben sends the others I will send you one

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you must get some taken, for the last you had was not as good as it might have been. Don’t forget. You will see quite a difference in the style of this Picture. – I think it very good.

     Delia you ask if my thoughts turn to you during the march. – Yes – Delia I know you do not doubt my sincerity – It is for you that I am willing to sacrifice all, except my honor. Rest assured you are not forgotten.

        “Nay, thou art now so dear, me thinks

         the farther we are forced apart,

         Affections firm elastic links,

         But bind the closer ‘round the heart.”

     I must now close as the mail is about leaving. Write soon and often – & remember me to Emily.

                         Yours with much love, 

M.M.C                  

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Madison M. Cannon enrolled as a corporal in the 1^st NJ Infantry, Company I, on May 21, 1861. Following service in the first Bull Run campaign, he was discharged for promotion to 2nd lieutenant on August 11, 1862 in Company G, 40^th NY Infantry, the famous “Mozart Regiment.” Cannon was made 1^st Lieutenant and adjutant October 14, 1862, and promoted to Captain of Company E, Feb. 24, 1863. Due to the mustering out of many 3 years’ officers in July 1864, Cannon was rapidly promoted to Major, September 6, 1864, Lieutenant Colonel September 15, 1864, and Colonel September 16, 1864. Despite his participation in many heavy battles, including Bull Run II, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg (wounded & cited for gallantry), and the Wilderness, he survived the war and is frequently mentioned in the Official Records. It is believed he later married his sweetheart, Adelia Babson, of Pigeon Cove, Mass.

Letter – Frederick Doten, 11 September 1864

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Letter written by Lieutenant Frederick B. Doten of Company F, 14th CT Infantry, to his fiancée Georgie Welles, from the headquarters of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division. Doten writes that Sundays are generally quiet, and General Ulysses S. Grant intends for the day to be observed as much as possible. He mentions a recent horseback ride with his tentmate and a new railroad near the camp, which the Confederates have unsuccessfully attempted to shell. Colonel Thomas A. Smyth is currently in command of the division while General Gibbon is absent. Doten is sending Welles a piece of the 14th Connecticut Infantry’s colors.

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Head Qrs 3d Brigade

                          2d Div. Sept. 11^th 1864

                            Sunday morning

My own dearest Georgie

     It is Sunday again, and the day for both of us to write. You remember last Sunday, in my letter, I wondered if you were not writing to me? Well, sure enough, you were, and in your letter you spoke of the same thing. Our Sundays in the army have been generally quiet. I believe Gen. Grant intends to have the day observed as far as practicable. We hardly hear a gun fired the whole day. So you can imagine how we welcome the day. We are having such

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lovely moonlight evenings that last evening I could not resist the temptation to take a ride by moonlight. So Lieut. Parsons (Adj’t Gen’l of the brigade) and myself took a delightful gallop across the country. Lieut. Parsons is my tent mate now, and a very fine fellow he is too. We remarked coming back that we hoped each to find a letter awaiting us. The thought hastened our steps, or rather the horses. And away we started at full speed. Arriving, sure enough, there was a letter for each. And I came to the conclusion that I had not had so pleasant a ride for a long time. My letter was from you, my own darling, dated Sept. 7^th. So you are back in Chicopee, and pleased with your visit in

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Bridgeport. How glad I am. I received a letter from Nellie speaking of your departure. You are missed there, darling. Nellie is very much attached to you. She says she won’t know what she will do without you. I know very well before you went there, that my Georgie would be gladly welcomed. Charlie is disconsolate as usual. He has been in mischief. I thought I had stored away those pictures you speak of where no one would ever see them again. Well, I don’t mind about it, as I know of. I wish I could have come in suddenly and caught you and him, and Nellie too, looking up my old things. The old “Libby” [prison] suit, for instance. I would have captured the whole party; not one should escape, at least

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not without a large ransom.

     I am under obligation to that young lady for sending that “rice ball” to me. I will immediately commence to pin myself up, though I believe I have not had occasion to use such a thing for a long time. You need not tell her so, though. I will use them someway.

I am glad Aunt Sarah has discovered why I went to Springfield, and believe she thinks I had a good reason. ‘Why!’ she says. ‘Who do you know in Springfield?’

     I suppose your father was glad enough to see you home again. I don’t wonder at all, darling

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that he is so very choice of you. I should not like to have you leave me as long. But here I am far away from you, with no prospect of getting nearer at present. I am very impatient to see you, my own darling. Will the winter never come? I don’t think I get as low spirits now as I used to. Since I have the assurance that you love me, the only feeling is impatience to be with you. To be sure, it has been very gloomy here, and at the regiment since the loss of my poor friend, Will Hawley, and so many other noble fellows, but when I think of that, the next thought is about Georgie, my dear loved Georgie. I have her still, and

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she loves me. So you see, my darling, how much you have done for me already. You spoke of learning something good about me. No, no, Georgie, dear. I am altogether unworthy of your precious love. But dearest, it shall be an incentive to try and become more worthy.

     We have been in the same place for two days, at which we are all surprised. The new railroad runs quite near our camp, and the enemy frequently waste their ammunition trying to shell the trains. They have not been able to do any damage yet, though their shots come unpleasantly near, sometimes.

     Col. Smyth is in temporary command of our division, during the absence of Gen. Gibbon. I think

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it is wrong on the part of the government to keep Col. Smyth from having a commission as Brigadier Gen’l, at least. They give him a major general’s command with only the rank and pay of a colonel. There is not a more brave or efficient officer in the field than Col. Smyth. I enclose a small piece of the colors of the 14^th. The old flag is nearly in pieces. This little piece was nearly off, so I thought I would send it to you.

     Please give my very kind rememberances to your father and mother

With many kisses for your own dear self,

                        Yours lovingly,

                                          Fred

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Frederick B. Doten, was born in Sheffield, MA in 1840. He worked as a clerk in New York City then enlisted at age 22 as a corporal in Co. A, 14^th CT Infantry, August 1, 1862. He was promoted to 1^st lieutenant of Co. F, March 3, 1863, adjutant of the regiment, April 14, 1863, and captain of Co. F, Oct. 20, 1863. He was present at “Pickett’s Charge” at Gettysburg, helping defend the Angle on July 3^rd and was cited for receiving many captured swords from surrendering C.S. officers. He was captured at Morton’s Ford, VA on February 6, 1864, but after being imprisoned at Libby Prison, was exchanged and returned to duty as a staff officer for Brigadier General William Hays. He was mustered out May 1, 1865, and became a cashier of the 1^st National Bank of Chicopee, MA. He married Georgie L. Welles in 1866, and died Apr. 9, 1903.

Another 3 of Doten’s letters to Georgie, dating from 19 June 1864, 13 October 1864, and 10 April 1865, can be found at Spared Shared. An inquiry into his Prisoner of War status in February, 1864 is available in Ohio State University’s records Be sure to check them out as well!

Application Response – Charles H. Eager, 31 May 1861

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Letter written by A.G. Browne Jr., Military Secretary to the Commander in Chief, to Captain Charles H. Eager, Company B, 15th MA Infantry, from Boston, MA. Browne is responding to an application from Eager regarding a military commission. Browne writes that all applications will be filed and considered impartially, based on merit and the number of vacancies at the time.

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     Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 Executive Department

 Boston, May 31, 1861        

Dear Sir:

     It is impossible to hold out “any encouragement” concerning any military appointment to any person, beyond an assurance that his papers may be placed on file in this department and shall be examined and decided upon impartially with due consideration of the merit they exhibit, and of the condition of the vacancies existing at the time. If

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after examining the papers a personal interview shall be desirable, it is the custom of business in this Dept. to notify the applicant to that effect.

     It is impossible to decide on any one application individually or at once, because the object to be obtained is to secure what on the whole, all things considered, are the

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best appointments, which can only be done by considering together simultaneously a number of various applications.

                             Yours respectfully,

                                A. G. Browne jr.

                              Military Secretary to the

                              Commander in Chief

Chas. H. Eager Esq.

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Charles H. Eager, a hardware dealer from Fitchburg, MA was appointed 2nd lieutenant of Co. B, 15^th MA Infantry on August 1, 1861, at the age of 31. He was subsequently promoted to 1^st lieutenant, May 11, 1862; and captain, October 15, 1862. He was a regimental quartermaster, and commanded the regiment from November 27, 1863 to January 1864. His resignation was announced February 4, 1864. He served at Ball’s Bluff, Antietam, and Gettysburg, among others.

Letter – Fletcher Webster, 18 July 1862

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Letter written by Colonel Fletcher Webster of the 12th MA Infantry to his friend William Dehon, from Warrenton, VA. Webster is heartbroken from the loss of his 11 year old daughter Julia, and writes of plans for her burial. He mentions that he ate dinner with Dehon’s son Arthur the previous night. Arthur wants to join a general’s staff, and Webster has written to George Ruggles on the matter.

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Warrenton, Va.

                                July 18, 62

My dear William:

     I received your kind letter last evening. You have nearly exhausted my capacity of gratitude, I believe.

     It was a cutting stroke, indeed; right to my heart.

     But after the first rebellious feelings & agony were got over, I tried to resign myself. I had looked forward to it, but apprehension was not preparation.

     Of course

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I shall be myself. You know how heavy the affliction; you know how I loved; you shall see how I can bear it, dear William.

     I had thought that it would have been already done at Marshfield [i.e. burial at Webster’s home]. I had written to say that I supposed so. I wish it, and shall so write to Caroline [wife]. They all lie there. How dear the place is becoming to me.

     If you and Butler Eaton will be kind enough to do it, I wish you would. It would be most grateful to

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me. Most kind and honorable to her,  & ever memorable by us all. A very remarkable tribute to regard to her.

     I am glad that you met Fanny. She is as Webster as Webster can be; very clever, good & amiable. She has had a hard lot, and bears it like a princess. Her presence was a godsend to poor Caroline.

     Joy has been the kindest of brothers. When you can, dear William, go to Lynn, and see them. There never yet was a dark day to me or mine that

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you did not come to my relief, dating from a period before Fanny’s birth!

     Arthur supped with us last night. We sent out and caught a few little fish in a small stream & I asked him in. He would like to be on some gen’s staff. I have written to Ruggles on the subject. If Haviland were not here, I would put him on mine, but I should like to have him do better. I have not heard from Ruggles.

     Think much of Arthur. He is a fine young man, and will do credit to his name. I love him like a son.

     Give my dearest love to Butler & Eaton. Dear Friends!

     I shall write to Caroline about Marshfield.

           Good bye, dear William,  

Yrs  Fletcher

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Fletcher Webster was the only surviving child of the famous Massachusetts Senator and orator, Daniel Webster. He organized the “Webster Regiment,” the 12^th MA Infantry in 1861 at the age of 47. He was killed in action on the afternoon of August 30, 1862 at the Battle of 2^nd Bull Run. Lt. Arthur Dehon, obtained a special pass from the C.S. authorities to recover the body of his dead colonel.

Arthur Dehon was William Dehon’s son and a 2nd Lieutenant in Webster’s 12 MA Infantry.