Peter L. Dumont
Letters Referencing Battles and Libby Prison
Bull Run
(Pending)
Fredericksburg
Camp on Potomac Creek
Sunday Evening, January 11, 1863
Got her letter and one from Breish. Is
well, was on guard all night and day at Gen. WarrenÕs headquarters. Fried
pork then used grease and cotton rag to make a candle to write by. ÒLast
night there was a woman by our camp fire all night she was driven by a lot of
drunken soldiers to take refuge in our camp in order to save her person.
Believe me dear Clara for I speak the truth she is the first woman that I have
spoken to in Virginia. She belongs to the 17th
Regulars and she is called the daughter of the Regt.Ó.
Last Thursday the whole 5th Corp
went on review, wishes she could see it: ÒÉsuch a black field of moving
mass I never saw the men were about fifty abreast and in an oblong column it
took them about an hour to pass Gen Burnside and staff. He sat on his
horse with his head uncovered all the time the old fellow looks just as I
expected to see him. He is a good looking man of about 35 or 40 years of
age but there is no hair on the top of his head but there is plenty around his
face to make up for the top of his headÓ.
More officers from Utica resigning including Captain [doge?] of Co. F
and Capt Lewis of Co C, Lieut Stanford and Lieut Jones of C A and Lieut
Alden of Co C and Lieut Wilson of Co H. ÒThis I
believe makes 17 or 18 officers that have left us since we left Rome and if
they keep on the same we wonÕt have any that came with us six months from the
time we left thereÓ. Tell Julia Tom isnÕt any better but the doctors
think he is getting better. ÒÉtell Jacob Breishs folks if you see them that I have sent quite a
number of small trinkets home that belonged to him by Lieut
Stanford and he may forget to give them to them I thought they would be
glad to have them. His clothes I took and buried [sic] on account of the
fever in themÉÓ
More talk of attacking Fredericksburgh Òbut I
guess it is a camp runner as usual. Dear Clara how much I dream of you
and home of late I see little ida in my dreams almost
every night oh god how long I am afraid it will be before I hear her little Pratling [sic] tounge [sic] and
the Tip tap of her little feet again. I see now that I am away from you
all how dearly I loved you. Oh I pray god stop this horrible work of
death and let us return to those we love and who are anxiously watching for our
safe return. Dear Clara if god spares my life to return once more to you
I mean to live a better man. I see the effects of this war so much every
day that it has impressed my mind with a horrible sickness of it god grant that
it will soon end all the soldiers down here sick enough of Fighting to stop on
any terms.Ó Closing, then p.s. hoping they will be paid off the 15th
of the month.
Camp at Warington
Thursday
November 16th 1862
Feeling
pretty good again after the march. Writing by candlelight. Orders
to move, possibly tonight. ÒJackson is in our rear with a lot of men to attack
us and if we donÕt leave to night we will have to go in the morning.Ó
Busy with inspection and drilling all day, no time to wash clothes. ÒI
donÕt know where we will go from here the talk is we are going to attack the
Rebels they say we are entirely surrounded by them so I thought I must write to
him.Ó Fletch is cooking their rations to take with them, has no money
left for postage.
ÒDear
Clara god onley [sic] knows how I love you and my
little ones keep good care of them and yourself until I see you al again which
I hope above all things to do so hopeing gods
blessing rests upon you all I will bid you all good by for the present.
Excuse my hasty writing. From yours fondly and truly now and forever god
helping me. Yours P.L.DÓ
[no location noted, marched from Warrington
closer to Fredericksburgh]
Thanksgiving
Day November 27th 1862
Was
sick again, getting better. Marched nearer to Fredericksburgh
and now only 5 miles from the enemy. ÒI suppose I have gotten a pretty
hard cold and have got the Ereysyplius [?].Ó
Tom and Fletch led him to the hospital blind and with his head swollen twice
its natural size, couldnÕt see his eyes. Getting sight back. ÒWe
have had a great deal of wet weather down here and the north is losing more men
by lying on the cold wet ground than they will lose in battle.Ó Can see
Rebel camps and General Lee is in sight with 140 thousand men and wonÕt leave Fredericksburgh, has sent away women and children.
Pioneers have gone ahead to fix the roads to haul cannon down to shell them
out. Resignations include ÒCapt Cone and Lieut
Smith of Co F Lieut Trueax
of Co C and Lieut Wicks of Co R. Lieut Stanford is now in charge of the ambulance train and
feels big over it because he has a horse to ride. Marched over 100 miles
from Washington because they took a round about way. ÒYou must know it
was a hard one for me because I could never walk much I think the men will make
good pack pedlars [sic] if they ever get home
againÓ. He was lying in the hospital this morning when the mail came and
he ran out and was disappointed not to get a letter from her. ÒI donÕt
know whether I shall be well enough to go in the fight
when they get ready or not I will tell you the truth I have not seen what I
could call a well day since I have been down here and what is more I donÕt
think I ever shall there is something down here that donÕt agree with me at all
I am all broke out I spots just the same as at Camp SewardÓ. HasnÕt done
duty there or here. The least cold lays him up.
ÒTo
day we have got crackers and salt pork for dinner and they are all talking and
wondering what you have got good to eat at home.Ó
Camp at Fredericksburgh VA
Sunday
November 30th 1862
Got
her letter and sorry to hear she is working so hard on military coats.
Getting better. Many in hospital. So lonesome on this Sunday. Wrote a letter for Tom.
Dreamed he was home in the garden picking something for her to make soup and
hurt his knee, pain woke him up and he was so disappointed to be in tent.
She had mentioned her letters might sound cold but he says they do not.
Wishes he hadnÕt said some things to her but he loves her so much and his only
regret is that his position in life hasnÕt allowed him to do better by
her. Reminisces about children and tears come to his eyes: ÒPoor little
Ida how she used to run for her Bonnet when I went for my Cap Bless her little pimpim [sic] face.Ó
ÒThere
is not any more news here at present worth telling onley
[sic] some of them say the reason why we are lying still so long is that there
is so many Peace Runners around and they think they will settle this war I hope
to god it is so and then we will all come home again and live Happy and
Contented.Ó ÒP.S. I am glad to think that Pa did not come down
hereÓ.
Camp near Fredericksburgh
VA
Monday December 8th 1862
Snow storms, bitter cold,
frozen canteens while on picket.
CouldnÕt write because shivering too much. He is well but had a fever and most have a cold. Notes from Fletch and Tom to family at home. Tom feels better than ever. Rumors of going home
vs. marching, or if give up pay can go home. He would go home.
Shelter tents Òare no better than a couple of pocket
handkerchiefsÓ. Much Peace talk but also say going tomorrow to Acquia
Creek. Please send stamps and envelopes. He worries about her keeping warm Òin
the old castleÓ. Wants to know how
the cabbages came out and if Òthe old methodist
didnÕt try to cheat you of of them.Ó
Camp at Falmouth half a mile from Fredericksburgh
December 12th 1862
Well except back hurting a
little. Got letters from her and
Joey. Witnessed 2 days of shelling
Fredericksburgh and Òsot it all on fireÓ, some troops
crossed the river after dark and had an engagement with musketry until about 7
o clock. Trying to cross today and
rebels are shelling the towns to keep them from landing. The 57th and 66th
NY were badly cut up this morning. He and Fletch went to Falmouth to buy
something to eat but shells were flying and they had to run to camp. Describes battle with Rebels firing
first on men who were laying pontoon bridge. Thinks he will have to cross the river tomorrow. Asks her to care for the children if he
falls in battle and she has to bring them up fatherless. Tell family his last thoughts will be
on all of them. Tell Julia Tom is
well but feels bad he may never see her again. Describes how awful it is to see Òthe shells and cannon to
work at the destruction of human lifeÓ.
P.S. Fredericksburgh
is still on fire and cannonading at 6 PM.
Camp at Falmouth 2 miles from Fredericksburgh
Tuesday December 16th 1862
Sixth day of fight at Fredericksburgh, horrible sights but he hopes it will make
a better man of him, looking higher than earth and hopes to make his peace with
God. Details
battle starting from Saturday.
ÒWe then laid down on the battle field for the night and oh the dead and
the cries of the wounded made me feel sick enough of war to never see any of
it.Ó Dead were all around and
wounded passing through. Sunday
shelling and Co I [?] Grimley was only one
wounded. Col took them further
house and they laid behind brick houses. Laid under
fire 3 days. 146th
escaped pretty well.
Went out 8 or 9 last night
to dig entrenchments and at 4 AM made a grand retreat. Whole army is back on this side of the
river. Enemy has possession of
town, gave 10 hours to remove wounded.
ÒGen Hooker had said that this is the 2nd Sebastipol
[?] and that it was awful to place men in front of
such Formidable works as the Rebels have got behind Fredericksburgh.Ó Describes dead and terrible
slaughter. Almost
impossible to take Rebels because so many rifle pits.
ÒDear Clara when you read
this donÕt think that I am weak but you know that I always was tender hearted
and I cant stand such scenesÉÓ Asks her to bring up
children well if he dies and wishes all well. P.S. not much fighting today, talk of being paid off after
this fight. Tom is sick with
diarrhea.
Camp near Potomac Creek VA
Thursday December 18 1862
Describes horrors of battle
of Fredericksburgh and retreat: ÒOur Regt they say was the last one out
of the City and so of course they must of covered the Retreat. I think if the Boys had of known of it
at [sic- missing word?] time there would of been a great deal of Excitement
amongst them. Ò Because they had
laid in the city so long and saw so much without participating in it they were
especially upset. ÒOur Col was
heard to say he would not lead them in the field for anything they was so
excited he was afraid he could not command them.Ó Describes how they didnÕt go into battle immediately even
though he thinks they were ready.
They were the next in line to go but the firing stopped and they
withdrew under cover of darkness.
In the morning the shelling started and they fell back in the town
behind brick houses. Describes
lying there Sunday and Monday expecting to go into battle in any minute. Describes building trenches at night
with everyone whispering.
Describes retreat. ÒI for
one Dear Clara with some others which brought up the Rear guard was about the
last that left the City We lost our Regt and we did not know that we were
Retreating and we was running all over the City after our Regt so when we came
to the Bridge they was tearing them up.
I saw when I left the town a great many soldiers yet in town which had stragled [sic] from their RegtsÓ. Has heard the Rebels took a thousand
prisoners.
Asks about the children and
if Willie is as fat as ever and walking yet. Fletch got a letter from home and says to tell all he is
well and safe. Fletch found a new overcoat
in the street that is splendid and he is going to send it home. Peter will send a Òsecesh
letterÓ which is worth something because it is from the Rebs.
Camp near Potomac Creek VA
Friday December 16th [sic- should be 19th?]
1862
Sketch he started of the
bombarding of Fredericksburgh while it was happening
but they got ordered across the river and he couldnÕt finish it. They are under marching orders,
some say back into Fredericksburgh, others say back
towards Washington. He doesnÕt
think going back because old guns were replaced with new Springfield rifles and
all sick and crippled were sent off to the General hospital including Tom and
George Wheeler went with him. He
doesnÕt know where that is but some say Washington. ÒBut the men donÕt want to
fight any more some of the Regulars are getting paid off.Ó
Says he can tell she didnÕt
keep her word to write every Sunday, feels bad she is lonely Òbut where is lotty and malley they cant all be
goingÓ. Many received food
boxes and everything was spoiled, would like a box but she had better
wait. All hope to go home in the Spring. CanÕt
wait to see her and dreams of little Ida almost every night. Perhaps she will
never hear from him again if they go into a fight.
Camp on Potomac Creek 4 miles from Fredericksburgh
December 20 1862
Great many
sick and dying of exposure, cold and wet. Tell Julia Tom is pretty
sick with the Bloody Disentary [sic] but is getting
better. Peter is feeling better
than he has since heÕs been there except for the cold weather. ÒI cant stand
the cold weather like I used toÓ.
Has a fireplace inside the tent now. DoesnÕt hear anything about renewing the battle at Fredericksburgh.
ÒThere is going to be a
general Court Martial in our Regt on the acount [sic]
of deserting in front of the EnemyÓ.
Names Tom Kirkland (no one has seen him) and Mike Keating (left but came
back). ÒI was coward enough but I wouldent [sic] have the name if I had got killed in the
Battle yes I and fletch stood ready to go anywhere but either one of us would
of rather been somewhere elseÉWe are expected to be paid off every day since
the fight and we havenÕt got it yet I have got fifty cents left and I think
that will do me untill [sic] I get paid off.Ó
HasnÕt heard from her,
thinks she doesnÕt write as much as she used to, begs
her to write. Asks if she will
have enough money: ÒÉtell our
folks I think they are very kind for giving away to let us in the house and not
asking any more for it than they doÓ.
HasnÕt heard from father or Bill. ÒÉtell me if the Children grows any
and if Ida and Charley has such times as they used to have if they do I think
it will try your Paitience [sic]Ó. Asks her to take care of herself: ÒI would not want to see you Worn out
to a shadowÓ. Tell Sarah Groff [?]
she may thank the Lord that her Jake never came with us, he misses the poor
fellow very much and thinks heÕs better off.
Camp on Potomac Creek near Fredericksburgh
December 23 1862
Tells her how much he counts
on her letters, loves her, ÒI am glad now that I am placed amongst Dangers that
I can look back and see how Peaceful and Quiet we have lived together and
enjoyed each others society so long without trouble and strifeÓ. Almost as warm as
summer. Everyone is hoping
for a Christmas box but he doesnÕt know what to say because some boxes have sat
in Washington for six weeks.
Buried two more comrades with proper boards telling their name and age.
ÒWe heard on dress Parade
the Punishment some of our Boys has got to take that was Court Martiald [sic] on November 30th they have got to
cary [sic] a log weighing 30 pounds for 30 days from
morning until [sic] night and forfeit 5 dollars of their Monthly Pay for 3
months because they dident [sic] turn out on Review on
the 26 of last month there was some 6 or 7 of them but thank the Lord Dear
Clara I am not one of themÓ.
Tom is doing better but wishes for letters from home. ÒDear Clara I wonder if they talk as
much about Peace at home as they do here in Camp we are all the time talking
about Peace down here but donÕt seem to be settleing
[sic] it very fast. Rumor that they might go to Alexandria for winter quarters. Rumors of peace vs. fight Òkeep up a
Perpetual ExcitementÓ. Asks about
children and family, for her to kiss the little ones often and tell them he is
coming home so they wonÕt forget him.
Camp near Fredericksburgh
December 25 1862
Chrismas after Dark
By Candle Light
Has been on guard all day
since last night. His health is
good but Tom is not any better.
The weather was like summer.
They had fresh beef and whiskey for Christmas,
he ate the beef but traded his whiskey for tobacco. Most others got the day off and could walk around at will
visiting. Buried 5 more comrades
and thinks there will be many more.
He saw Ed Lomis for the first time since Fredericksburgh and he looks so bad he doesnÕt think heÕll
make it. It seems hard to see so
many die when they could be sent home to recover. Ò There seems to be some kind of disease here that takes a person
very sudden and I donÕt beleive [sic] the docters [sic] understand it or how to cure it one and all
agree that it is so much exposure to this kind of weatherÓ. Sending her two more
drawings he made Òa day or two ago by myself they represent the Places I made
them for to life.Ó Says he
sent a number before and she never mentions them so he doesnÕt know if she got
them but please save them until he gets home.
While writing another man
died in the hospital and three deserters were brought in by the Provo guard,
including Edgar Davis of their company who deserted about a month ago. Hank Baker is very sick with
fever. He has written 6 or 7
letters since the Battle of Fredericksburgh and
gotten none from her. Gives love
to all and wishes them a merry Christmas.
Camp on Potomac Creek VA
December 28 1862
Most are sick with colds and disease. Fletcher got a letter from
his brother David saying that no one has heard from the Regiment since the
Battle of Fredericksburgh and he assumes she hasnÕt gotten
any of his letters and he hasnÕt heard from her in so long. Tell Julia
that Tom is improving slowly. Today another is buried from Company F Òbut
I donÕt know his name there is so many dying here that it would take most all
of ones time to keep track of them Poor Ed Lomis I
donÕt think will ever see his Sarah again he is most goneÉout of eight-hundred
and sixty men that we drawed rations for at Camp
Seward we now have five hundred and sixty that we draw rations for and the
number is diminishing very fast ever day we have not got an officer that we
enlisted under in Utica in our CompanyÉ. Second Lieut
Durgee of Company I has been appointed over Lieut Jones in our Company as Captain and the orderly
Sergeant of Company E has been promoted in Lieut Stanfords PlaceÓ.
Describes more about Jones and Stanford. Nine
promotions in the Regt but none in the Company. Everyone feels bad
the officers they enlisted under are gone but Òwe can safely lay the blame on
Capt Cones shoulders if he had staid with us as he agreedÓ they would hae all their officers and be
better off. They end up being assigned to the Center of the Regiment
instead of on the right. ÒI heard yesterday morning that the Col had
reported us unfit for Duty at head Quarters we are drilling on guard duty what
little we drill now and the soldiers think we are going somewhere on guard
dutyÓ. ÒI send you some drawings of Camp life keep them for me the tent
on the left is the kind that we now live in.Ó
Camp on
Potomac Creek
Sunday
Evening, January 11, 1863
Got
her letter and one from Breish. Is well, was on
guard all night and day at Gen. WarrenÕs headquarters. Fried pork then
used grease and cotton rag to make a candle to write by. ÒLast night
there was a woman by our camp fire all night she was driven by a lot of drunken
soldiers to take refuge in our camp in order to save her person. Believe
me dear Clara for I speak the truth she is the first woman that I have spoken
to in Virginia. She belongs to the 17th Regulars and she is
called the daughter of the Regt.Ó.
Last
Thursday the whole 5th Corp went on review, wishes she could see
it: ÒÉsuch a black field of moving mass I never saw the men were about
fifty abreast and in an oblong column it took them about an hour to pass Gen
Burnside and staff. He sat on his horse with his head uncovered all the
time the old fellow looks just as I expected to see him. He is a good
looking man of about 35 or 40 years of age but there is no hair on the top of
his head but there is plenty around his face to make up for the top of his
headÓ.
More
officers from Utica resigning including Captain [doge?] of Co. F and Capt Lewis
of Co C, Lieut Stanford and Lieut
Jones of C A and Lieut Alden of Co C and Lieut Wilson of Co H. ÒThis I believe makes 17 or 18
officers that have left us since we left Rome and if they keep on the same we
wonÕt have any that came with us six months from the time we left thereÓ.
Tell Julia Tom isnÕt any better but the doctors think he is getting better.
ÒÉtell Jacob Breishs folks
if you see them that I have sent quite a number of small trinkets home that
belonged to him by Lieut Stanford and he may forget
to give them to them I thought they would be glad to have them. His
clothes I took and buried [sic] on account of the fever in themÉÓ
More
talk of attacking Fredericksburgh Òbut I guess it is
a camp runner as usual. Dear Clara how much I dream of you and home of
late I see little ida in my dreams almost every night
oh god how long I am afraid it will be before I hear her little Pratling [sic] tounge [sic] and
the Tip tap of her little feet again. I see now that I am away from you
all how dearly I loved you. Oh I pray god stop this horrible work of
death and let us return to those we love and who are anxiously watching for our
safe return. Dear Clara if god spares my life to return once more to you
I mean to live a better man. I see the effects of this war so much every
day that it has impressed my mind with a horrible sickness of it god grant that
it will soon end all the soldiers down here sick enough of Fighting to stop on
any terms.Ó Closing, then p.s. hoping they will be paid off the 15th
of the month.
Camp near
Falmouth VA
Friday,
January 30th, 1863
Received
the box she and Julia sent in good order but
canÕt send anything to Tom. He took all his things out except half the
turkey and nailed it back up and brought it to the doctor who said there was no
sense in sending it because it might be sent half way then
sit for six months. He got to have a long talk with the doctor who
said ÒTom went away from here with the remitant Fever
and was turning in the Typhoid and if he got over that down here in this
climate he would be lucky and his chances were better for going home than if he
got over it than they were for coming back here againÓ. Apologizes
repeatedly to Julia: ÒI would rather he would have them all if I could onely [sic] get them to him than ever taste a bit myself
rather than ever be blamed afterwards the things are all in the box nailed up
yet except my part hoping that I will yet get a chance to send it to him but I
think I will risk that money in a letter to him tomorrow.Ó
Got
six inches of snow but wonÕt trouble her with his troubles because she probably
has enough of her own. He is very healthy now. ÒWe got paid off
last night after dark and I will send you 40 dollars in allotment Papers one of
them is from my tent mate mr Joseph Corrigan and he
wants you should keep it 6 or 7 days or untill [sic]
his aunt Mrs. Margaret Corrigan calls for it he will write for her to come
there and get it. She is in Clayville and he
thinks it is the best way to get it. Toms money cant
be got now they tell me untill [sic] next Pay day
with them Checks I send by Mr Deming. I also
send a [Port monic?] taken from Frederickburgh
[sic] with some catriges [sic] and musket
capsÓ. She can take the check to the bank, the money he had coming was 30
dollars and 30 cents so she can see he has 10 dollars left, discusses other
money. Lengthy closing.
Camp near
Falmouth VA
January
31st, 1863 (letter says 1862)
Replying
to letter he received from her last night although he wrote yesterday.
Went early this morning to the Colonel and applied for a pass to go to Acquia Creek and this time was not refused. ÒI shall
start early tomorrow morning to go there if I am well and alive although it be
a hard days work for me I guess I can stand it I suppose it is about 30 miles
there and back and such going as it is now will make it seem like fifty so you can
tell Julia that Tom shall have his things after all I have put the things in 2
haversacks and one on each shoulder I will go trudgeing
[sic] along through the mud.Ó Has sent back 2 checks by Mr. Deming, one
for Joseph Corrigan his tent mate for his aunt Miss Margaret Corrigan, and a
pocket book with musket caps and cartridges taken at Fredericksburgh.
ÒThis
morning I was made a fourth sargent [sic] in our
Company so you see I will be releived [sic] from a
great deal of Extra Duty besides getting More Pay my wages now are 17 dollars a
month. I am sorry you feel so bad every time there is talk of a Battle
although I suppose you cant be blamed for it if it had not of been for the mud
I think there would have been a great many of us slaughtered by this time but
keep up your Courage and Hope for the Best. Gen Hooker has not been in
any Engagement lately at all and I cant see what the Papers took it from and
you spoke about fletch and the Barber Business tell Sarah I have not bought any
of them tools and he fletch Denies the Statement of saying he wanted six
dollars for them he has not sold them to anybody although most of them is gone
I canÕt say where we never went into the Barber Business at all because we
never had time.Ó
Camp near Potomac Creek, VA
Monday March 23th,
1863
[rough sketch of eagle with banner]
Thinks they are on the verge of a Battle because theyÕve been ordered to
be ready with 8 days of rations. Every one who didnÕt have a knapsack has
been ordered to get one and carry his grub on his back with no tents or clothes
and take nothing but a blanket. ÒThere is no wagons going with us and but
two pack mules to cary [sic]
the Officers things. This morning the Docter
[sic] would not excuse anybody he has ordered one man that walks on crutches his
name is bright to report for duty. We have got lots of cripels [sic] some of them pretty bad and they have all
been put in the ranks again. Some say they are going to
Fredericksburg. ÒÉexcuse this short letter oh my
Dearest and onley [sic] one on Earth that I
love. I shall Confide the keeping of you and my little ones in the care
of god and if it is the lot that god has set aside for me to be shot on the
filed of battle then try and live a true and Christian Wife and bring our
children up in the fear of the Lord I pray every night just before I go to
sleep for your welfare and safe keepingÉÓContinues closing. Says his arm
hurts from being vaccinated.
Camp near Potomac Creek, VA
Wendsday [sic] March 25th, 1863
Still in old camp but thinks they are preparing to move. Having
inspection today and every man has to carry 40 rounds of cartridges.
ÒLast night our picket line was attacked all over the long [Road?] was beat and troops were sent out to strengthen the lines to
night but none of us were into it our Col laid awake all night last night our
Officers seem to be afraid of some thingÉ. My opinion is that Lees men will
fight us for a little while at Fredericksburg and then fall back on Richmond
and then I think we will have to follow him up and when we have got as near
there as they want us to get they will show us what they want that is to coax
us near Richmond and then send a heavy force in our rear and Destroy the Rail
Road and cut off our suplies [sic] and fight us from
both sides and then hurah [sic] for another great
Union Victory . I tell you I donÕt Predict the
future very often but if Joe Hooker crosses the Rappahanock
River with the intention of taking Richmond mark my words if they dont come true strategy has been their plan of fighting all
the time and they will use it now they used it at Fredericksburg [sic] with
good success and our Generals couldent [sic] see
itÓ. Some of their boys went out on picket to fill up a Brigade that was
Òdefisient [sic]Ó, eight out of each Company.
ÒWe heard how Demming went home and reported our Regt
the Dirtiest and the Lousiest one in the service and more he has reported us
totally demoralized and I donÕt believe they are any more lousey
[sic] than some other Regs down here and as for being
Demoralized it is the feeling of all the men in the armey
[sic] they would all gladly come home if they could. He has just come
into camp and the Boys hooted and holered [sic] after
him awful. Ò
They have just been ordered for the first time that no one is to leave
camp without the permission of the Commander. They act as if the Rebs are close. Lengthy romantic,
religious closing. George Bates has just heard that his mother is
dead Òhe feels awful bad for such a wild fellowÓ.
Camp near Potomac Creek, VA
Thursday April 9th, 1863
Is well, in same Camp, no more rumors of moving. ÒThere will be a
grand move I think before we hardley [sic] expect it
we had that Grand Review By Abraham Lincoln last Tuesday they say there was 80
thousand troops present we were on the Banks of the Rappahanock
and The Rebels were on the other side of it drawn up in line of Battle. I
suppose they thought we were going to Attack them they lay Behind Frederickburg [sic] thick as Ever to judge by their Camps
they fired two guns to let us now that they were awake. Fredericksburg
looks forsaken and Dingy Enough now from a distance what a thing this war is
Fredericksburg once a thriveing [sic] and well
Established City and the oldest one they say in the United States now lies
almost Desolate and in Ruins and such marks the tracks of the armey [sic] all over Vigrinaia
look where you will nothing meets the Eye But Ruins & Desolation where
Houses stood nothing remains but Chimneys to tell there Ever was any and their
Occupants have gone mostly all in the Rebel army except the women and Children
and they have gone Here and there no one knows Where god help them if they had
any influence in Creating this Monstrous Rebelion
[sic] for now I think they suffer almost Everything I have seen when we were
out on picket some of the little log Houses and their inmates suffering almost
Everything little Children scarcely old Enough to know what we were doing down
Here were in almost a state of nakedness and in want of something to allay
their Hunger poor little things how I did pity them when they would come todeling [sic] through the snow their little bare feet
looking like Coals of fire and asking for Hard tacks to stop their hunger who
could refuse that had any bit of human feelings left. I for my part could
of given mine willingly and gone without myself just to see them Eat. I
hope Dear Clara never to hear or see you or my little ones suffering as I see
them here. But my telling you of it wont [sic]
help it a mite so I will stop.Ó
ÒTomorrow we are to have a grand muster to see how strong the armey [sic] of the Potomac is. We are expecting to be
paid off every day But the pay master Doesent [sic]
seem to get along yet we have had a sutter [?sic] here for about 3 weeks and the most of the Boys have
spent their money before they even got in getting orders on the Captains if I
felt like it I might make a good deal of money in making them pictures such as
I sent home. I have made a good many of them already some offer me 50
cents apiece to make them and they will pay me on pay day.
I have got some money comeing [sic] in that way now I
have to mark laurel root for almost the whole Regt to whittle on there is some
one running to my tent all the time and I am getting tired of it it is all work and no payÓ. Closing. P.S.
written sideways over text of page 4: ÒLiet Col
White of the 117 was here this afternoon I havenÕt learnt whether the Regiment
has come or not we Expect them all the timeÓ
Chancellorsville
and Libby Prison
(Pending)
Wilderness and
Preceding Skirmishes
(Pending)