Letters from two brothers serving in the war for the union to their family at home in West Cambridge, Mass

Front matter

H f-re.

THE i\EVr YORK

PUBLIC LiER A RY

II. WiLLiAMSPORT, Md., January 4, 1862

Dear Father, — Our detachment, consisting of companies A, B, E, and H, left Hancock January 2d, at ten o'clock A. M., in two canal-boats, and arrived here at eight o'clock in the evening ; had a pleasant trip down the canal ; the weather was rather cold, though the sun was out clear ; we made the twenty-six miles without any serious accident ; four or five of the men, while fooling and trying to jump on shore, fell into the Avater. One man made a jump from the stern of the boat and struck the edge of the tow-path, lost his balance, and made a back somersault right into the canal; he looked comical, I can assure you. Another man lost his rifle in the canal and could not recover it again. We passed old Fort Frederick : this Is quite a large fort, and was built during the Revolution, I think. Arriving at Dam No 5, we expected an attack from the rebels, as at this point we leave the canal, enter the river, and pass a point of land, then enter the canal on the other side. Although our boats were very much exposed, the enemy did not attack us. This is the place where the fight took place alluded to in my last letter. We landed and visited the contested ground. I counted twenty holes made by shells in one brick house, so you will judge the fight was rather severe, but we did not lose a man. Judging from the newspaper accounts of what is going on here, you must think the rebels have not allowed us much rest since I wrote last.

Hancock, Dam No. 5, " and the d d Thirteenth " (as the

rebels style us), are objects of their especial hatred ; and Dam No. 5, they say, they are bound to destroy yet.

My previous knowledge of canal-boating, as you are aware, was in the capacity of deputy cook, during a few trips made with my cousin, Captain Sam. Holt Brown, on the canal between Bridgton and Portland ; but here the canal-boats and dams are on a grand scale, throwing the Cumberland quite into the shade. As it was about eight o'clock when we arrived, we took up our quarters In the Lutheran

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church ; next day went up to the head-quarters of our regiment, which is about a mile from tOAvn, and there pitched our tents. It is quite a job to pitch tents on frozen ground : stakes are driven within about a foot of each other, leaving then? about three or four feet out of the ground ; then weave in straw, and bank up with earth all around ; then pitch your t€nt on the top of that ; in this way we get more room and the tent is mucli warmer.

I have not heard anything of the AVebb boys since I came here, but" presume they have gone into winter-quarters at the Relay House. I shall certainly like very much to meet

with them and Captain Bailey Just finished

my dinner ; had beefsteak and rice, not cooked as mother would have done it, but nevertheless it was quite good. Notwithstanding all the grumbling that we hear, I think we live quite well in the army : we have sugar in our coffee ; milk of course we do not expect. While at Hancock, some of our boys went over into '* the land of Dixie," and borrowed nine sheep ; they lasted us for two days, and we lived high.

I am perfectly well; have gained in flesh seven pounds since leaving home, and weigh 147 pounds in my thin coat. But I will close by wishing all the dear ones at home a " Happy New Year," or, as a Marylander would express it, "New Year's Gift."

Kindly remember me to all who may inquire after Warren, and believe me to be,

Y^'our affectionate son,

Wahken.

HI.

WiLLiAMSPORT, Md., January 9, 1862.

Dear Father, — I regret to learn that mother feels so

badly on account of my joining the army. The news came

suddenly and unexpectedly upon lier, I know, but having made

up my mind to enlist, I thought it better to come here and

LETTERS. O

join a Boston regiment that had seen six months of active service, ratiier than join a body of raw troops at home, and spend two or three months in drilling, preparatory to taking the field. It appears to me that the dangers of the camp are not so great as you imagine — the Thirteenth have had only one man (John S. Spencer) killed, and James Kenny dangerously wounded in battle, and two deaths from natural causes, since they came here, more than five months since. It is true they have been in no great fight but have seen considerable skirmishing, and the men, while on picket guard, are often shot at by the rebels ; but we think our officers value their own lives too highly to lead us into any such affair as that at Ball's Bluff".

James Kenny came into our tent yesterday ; he is getting along well — he is very weak, but does not suffer much pain from his severe wounds ; three rifle balls struck him, making six holes, all flesh wounds ; five balls passed through his overcoat ; it is said here he stood a " right smart chance " of losing his life.

They have had some warm Avork at Hancock since we left there. The Illinois regiment, posted at Bath, have been driven across the river by the rebels, and it is said they lost their new tents ; we all think if they had stood their ground they might have driven the enemy off. They used to brag a great deal, when we were up there, about what they could do, but I reckon they will keep pretty quiet now. The rebels threw a few shells over into Hancock, then proceeded to tear up the track of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and burnt the Big Capin Bridge, — this is the news as it came verbally to us ; the newspaper accounts differ somewhat. The boys have been regretting that we were called away from that locality quite so soon. Four companies of our regiment were ordered to make a forced march to Hancock when this news came ; they left here about three o'clock in the afternoon — arrived at Hancock at three o'clock on the following morning — twenty-eight miles by the road they went ; it was bad travelling, and snowing hard all the time. They returned yesterday covered with mud. These are not holiday soldiers, I can assure you. They found a great number of men belongirg to Banks's Division at Hancock quartered in churcLes, barns, etc.

It has been quite cold here lately ; we have had some six inches of snovv^ in all, and the ice has formed quite thick. I tell you it is cold, rising early in the morning and going about thirty rods to the brook, breaking the ice and washing face, neck, and hands.

January 11. — Our tents are quite comfortable. I am sitting on my knapsack, with a board for a table on my knees, in my shirt sleeves, writing ; the day is very warm, and the snow is disappearing quite fast. We have not heard much about going into winter-cjuarters yet, but intend to put up a small house for our better protection in severe storms.

January 12. • — Everything is quiet in camp to-day — nothing but the usual routine of duties within our tents ; it has been so very muddy for some days that there has been no drilling of any kind. This mud is the worst of a Southern winter, and it must retard, if not entirely prevent our operations in the field during a large part of the winter.

Now as to the number of troops in this grand army of the Potomac, I cannot inform you; you may guess as well as I, but we might both be wide of the mark. The Sanitary Commission report that they visited 118 regiments ; how many they did not visit I cannot tell.

Rebel currency has become quite scarce here, — it being sought after by the boys to send home as matter of curiosity,— so some cute Yankee at the North has counterfeited it, and will, without doubt, make a good speculation out of it. I have seen a note for ten cents ; it was all engraved, filling up, signatures, etc. The possessor of it thought it was the genuine article ; but it was too well got up altogether. I inclose a genuine secession shin-plaster for Mr. Noyes of the " Reporter ; " it is of the nominal value of ten cents, but certainly looks as if it had passed its day of redemption.

The other day one of our mess received a box from home, containing, among numerous other things, a large plum pudding — a nice one, too ; I, of course, came in for a share ; it brought up home recollections, which a soldier is not insensible to, I can assure you. Warken.

LETTERS.

IV. Camp Jackson, William spout, Md., January 19, 1862

Dear Father, — I received your kind letter of the 14th this morning, and will try to improve this time (as it is quiet for a wonder) in answering it. It is rather difficult to keep one's mind sufficiently collected to write where there is so much talking and laughing ; and C|uite impossible for me to write a long letter at any time, though some of the boys will get off four or five sheets.

I am sorry you object to my smoking. I don't think I could give it up now ; it is one of the greatest comforts I have. I can't see as there is any harm in it unless indulged in to excess. Every man in our mess smokes, and our chaplain — Avhy I have never seen him off duty (at home I should say, " out of the sacred desk ") but what he had a pipe in his mouth, and the boys all call him a most excellent man.

Since I wrote last our mess have put up a small house, twelve by fifteen feet ; it is rather close quarters for eighteen men, but we are getting used to It ; we have also got a " contraband," on low wages, to cook for us, and are really beginning to live in quite good shape.

On account of the mud, drilling is omitted altogether. Guard duty is about one day and night out of eight : there are seventeen posts, three reliefs to a post, so that each man has two hours on and four off. It is rather tough these cold and stormy nights, but a soldier is expected to stand it without flinching — that is duty. Visions of home, and the loved ones there reposing, during these solitary hours, of course spring up in the imagination, and if a tear comes unbidden to the eye, it only shows that in becoming soldiers we do not cease to be men.

Yesterday they signed the pay-roll, and the pay-master is expected along to-morrow. They make quite a sell out of this affair ; somebody will start the cry. Pay-master ! Pay-master ! when it will be taken up and echoed through all parts of the camp ; then the boys will all rush out of their tents into the mud, but to see that they are sold.

This is the kind of life to stretch a fellow out, sleeping on boards. I am in Mess No. 1, which is the head of the line, where the tall fellows are. There is one six feet four, two six feet three, and four more over six feet ; and though I am only eighteen years old, I am fast being drawn out among the six-footers — only lack one inch of it now.

The Potomac at this place, I should think was between two and three hundred yards wide ; the water is rather shallow, as there are ripples in many places ; the rebels at Dam No. 5, that I shot at, were on the opposite side, and about one third of a mile oif, but as our sights were elevated for a range of 900 yards, they were within range — at least they gave me palpable evidence of being within reach of their rifles.

January 26. — Mud, nothing but mud. I hope my boots will arrive soon so that I may have dry feet once more. We cannot leave here until the earth is in better condition for marching, and drilling is out of the question ; so we have much idle time on our hands, and the boys say, " Tell your friends to send on the papers ; we shall be thankful for anything to read."

Baked beans for breakfast this Sunday morning, first I hav6 seen since leaving Boston, and the way the boys went into them, and the vast quantities they put out of sight, would have astonished my Bridgton cousins, I am sure. I certainly never saw anything like it while I officiated on board the canal-boat.

But I must close. Letters will find me at Williamsport for some weeks to come, I think. Warren.

V. WiLi.TAJisPORT, Md., February 3, 1882

Dear Father, — I received yours of the 29th ult. yesterday ; the box from Boston was received at the same time. I can assure you it does seem good to get these things from home. The box "opened rich," as they say.

There was a roast turkey, fat and plump, from Aunt Susan ; two loaves of sponge-cake from mother ; a box of figs from Albert ; half a peck of seed-cakes, etc. ; also a worsted under-garment and prime pair of boots, and kind remembrances from Susy and Georgy. The rule of our mess is that all eatables that come in this way are common property ; so they were spread upon the table, and after the boys had partaken freely, they pronounced the sponge-cake tip-top, and the turkey A No. 1.

I have been troubled some with a cough lately ; should an opportunity of sending to me occur I should like some cough candy. It is snowing to-day, rained yesterday, and was awful muddy the day before — that is the average run of the weather out here in the winter ; the snow never collects to the depth of more than two or three inches. Company G struck their tents this morning ; they are going down to Falling Waters to relieve Company F, which is there on picket duty.

We had religious services in the open air yesterday for the first time since I have been here; they seemed very appropriate, but quite short on account of the weather over head, and mud and " slosh " under foot. Our chaplain expressed his belief that we were soon to see more active service and meet the rebels face to face.

February 9. — I received a copy of the " Boston Journal '* of the 5th inst. this morning, and as it was the latest Boston paper in the mess it has been in constant demand all day : other papers have been received for which I thank you, also for your kind letter of the 5th, received to-day. Mother asks if I should not like to have her send me njnllow. When I read that to the boys they shouted and said it was a capital joke — a " soldier with a pillow ! " Why, the knapsack is a soldier's pillow the Avorld over ; and then I could not carry it about with me ; we have enough to carry as it is. When a boy carries his trunk upon his back he must discard all superfluities. I have already the following articles which I wish to take with me, and if we leave in heavy marching order, I suppose I can carry them, namely : four pairs of socks, two extra pairs of drawers, and under-shirts, extra pair of pants, one heavy army blanket weighing six or seven lbs., one rubber blanket, haversack with two or three days' provisions, canteen, and writing materials, with numerous little et cceteras; then there are those absolutely necessary articles, as rifle, cartridge-box, with forty rounds of ball cartridges, belts, etc. A soldier thus loaded down, in the mud as deep as it is now, would present a sorry picture ; still we could move on, make several miles a day ; but our baggage train, loaded down with camp equipage, stores, etc., and oiu' heavy battery of twelve-pounders, with solid shot, shells, and other ammunition that must accompany a well-appointed army, — think of these things, you stay-at-home bodies that are continually crying " Onward ! onward ! " and tell us what we should do with our wheels sunk to the hub in mud, and horses and mules floundering in the mire. No, it will be better to leave these matters to the brave officers in command ; when the great day of battle shall come, I trust they will be equal to the emergency. As soon as the earth will permit us to move over it with safety we shall embrace the opportunity.

We had considerable excitement in our camp on Thursday last. At four o'clock p. m. we had orders to move in light marching order at seven o'clock. We went to the captain's tent and received forty rounds of ball cartridges ; as there was no time to cook beef, each man was served witb a loaf of bread — this, with one blanket and equipments, Avas all we were to carry. Seven o'clock came and no order to march ; at nine o'clock all lights were ordered to be put out, and the men allowed to sleep if they could ; the night wore away without our being called out, and the alarm subsided. We afterward learned that it was intended to send us over to Martinsburg. It seems that General Lander had made an attack on Jackson's forces and were driving them down in the direction of Martinsburg ; but Jackson burnt the bridge over the South Potomac River. This put an end to the pursuit by Lander, and Jackson and his army escaped. Had not this taken place we should have crossed over and attacked Jackson on his retreat, but as he has an army of from 8,000 to 10,000 men, it would not be prudent to attack him with the few regiments that could be thrown across the Potomac from this point.

To the question about tlie loyalty of the people about here, I would observe, that they seem to be for the Union •while we ai-e here, but secession when we are away. There are not many slaves here, and but few free negroes ; the free negroes, I think, come from neighboring towns to seek employment about our camps. Private soldiers can get a pass to visit Williamsport (one mile distant) about every week ; it is quite a pretty place of at least, I should think, 1,000 inhabitants. There are a number of women and children around our camp with poyes, as they call them, at a levy, twelve and a half cents, a piece ; they also have diiferent kinds of cakes, and what they call pones, a kind of apple turnover.

We are about thirty miles from Colonel Fletcher Webster's regiment ; they are near Frederick.

There is a photograph artist about the camp, but he has such a crowd about his saloon all the time that I have not been able to get a picture yet.

I would renewedly thank our kind friends at home for the substantial comforts and luxuries furnished us in camp. I not only speak in my own belialf but also for the boys, whose happy countenances express how much gratitude they feel for those mothers, aunts, and brothers and sisters who fill those boxes with creature comforts, etc. But I must close. Do write often to your undutiful son. Warren.

VI

\YiLLiAMSPORT, Md., February 23, 1862. Dear Father, — I have just received the large box you Bent me from West Cambridge ; the contents of apples, doughnuts, sponge-cake, mince-pies, snaps, cough-candy, raisins, etc., and one quart currant wine (for the sick J suppose) were all in good order. The boys praised mother highly for her skill in making doughnuts ; they said they were the best that had been received yet ; everything relished finely, and I thank you many times for this acceptable present.

We celebrated Washington's birthday yesterday by firing a salute of thirty-four guns, part of them from the tliirtytwo-pounder that we captured at Bolivar : also fired two shells from this gun ; they were cut with ten-second fuse so as to burst in the air : they exploded over the Potomac. We then formed a battalion and marched to the centre of the town for a drill : it was very muddy, but we had quite a number of double quick movements that started the sweat out ft-eely ; after this we went through with dress parade. We have a very fine band, one of the best in the service.

It is very uncertain when we shall move fi-om this camp ; you probably know as much about it as I do. When we do leave, it will probably be at short notice ; but I shall leave my letter open for a day or two for some more news to write, as it is evident there is something in the wind.

Well, here we are in the midst of rebels, and upon their sacred soil. We left WilUamsport Saturday morning, March 1st, and crossed the Potomac about noon ; we went over in a kind of flat-boat, guided by a wire stretched across the river. The boat could only carry about sixty men, so the process was rather slow. As we have the right of the line we were the first to cross. We halted about half a mile from the river, and waited for the rest of our regiment to come up. We were on a hill in full view of the opposite bank of the river, where were grouped together a part of our regiment, the Twelfth Indiana, and First Maryland, with one battery, and all the baggage train, et<i., with numerous fires : viewed from our position it was quite an imposing scene.

It was nearly night before the whole brigade was over ; the Indiana regiment joined us, and we took up the line of march at seven o'clock P. >r. The road was in pretty good condition, but frozen hard, which made our feet sore. We were in heavy marching order, with two days' rations. I should think we carried a weight of seventy-five pounds ; we marched in quick time with very few halts. The country was quite level, which was all in our favor. When we arrived within about a mile of Martinsburg, our quartermaster and commissary sergeant, who were half a mile in advance of the regiment, were fired upon by a squad of rebel cavalry ; they immediately wheeled and fell back on the regiment. Company A was then ordered off through the fields round the town, to come up on the Winchester road, and cut off the retreat of the rebels. We had rather a severe time of it, I can assure you — through the fields, over fences and ditches, and through one large piggery, where the mud was nearly over my high-legged boots. We probably went over three miles before reaching the road where we were to halt. We here drew up in line to intercept the fleeing enemy, but they had scattered in some other direction. After a brief rest we marched into town. Two prisoners only were taken.

It is about fourteen miles from the river to the town, but the route we took would make it about seventeen miles, and we arrived here before midnight — or in less than five hours from the time we left the river. The boys say this is the hardest march yet. I thought several times I should be obliged to give in, my feet were so sore, and great pain across my shoulders ; but have got over it now, and next time shall stand it better. Soon after our arrival we were quartered in a church that had just been vacated by the rebels. Next day Avere removed to a brick house on a back street. This building had also been occupied by the enemy.

Martinsburg is a very pretty town, of, I should think, about four thousand inhabitants. When the rebels left, they burnt the bridges, railroad stock, cars, engines, etc. The stores are all cleaned out ; what few things that are for sale they charge enormous prices for.

Our army now here numbers about four thousand infantry, one battery, and a squadron of cavalry. More troops are expected to arrive to-night. The rebels, in force, are entrenched at Winchester, which (as you will see by the map) is but a few miles froui here. What General Banks's designs are in regard to them we do not know, but I hope they will wait for the mud to dry up before any very extended movements are made ; however, we are in for it noAv, and may the God of battle protect and defend u?, for we have the consciousness of being in the right, and we feel that we must prevail. There is much on every side to write about, but time will not admit of saying more now, so farewell. "Warren.

VII. Martinsburg, Va., March 7, 1862

Dear Father, — I received your letter of March 2d, yesterday. I had been out on picket on the Winchester turnpike, and found that and two papers to welcome me on my return. These frequent letters from home are truly gratifying, I can assure you. AVednesday last all the troops received orders to march immediately with twenty-four hours' rations ; when we got ready there Avas one company detailed from each regiment to remain and do guard duty, — Company A being the unlucky one from the Thirteenth. The main body then took up the line of march for Bunker Hill, distant about ten miles ; the guard were then sent off on picket. We went in squads on the different roads leading out of toAvn ; our squad took the Winchester road for about two miles. Our orders were to allow no person to leave the town without a pass. At night those not on duty took up their quarters in an old barn. The next day we were relieved by an Indiana company and returned to town. You can form no idea of the wholesale destruction of property here by the rebels. I counted upward of forty locomotives of the largest kind, partially burned and stove up, in one heap ; there were large depots, engine-houses, etc., burnt or otherwise destroyed, together with bridges and everything etse pertaining to a large railroad business.

Our orders now are to be ready to march to join our regiment to-morrow morning at nine o'clock.

Winchester, Va., March 14.

We are here at last, all safe and well but a little footsore. We did not have the fight we expected, as the rebels retreated again on our approach to this place. We left Martinsburg last Saturday at about ten a. m., and marched to Bunker Hill. The road was in pretty good condition, so that it was not a very hard march. We pitched our tents in a grove and made all comfortable before night, though we had nothing but " army pies," as the boys call the ship-bread, to eat.

We remained here till Tuesday forenoon, when we resumed our march to Winchester. The roads now became very muddy. You have no idea of the travelling here in some places ; the creeks, instead of being bridged over as they are in New England, run across the roads, so that you have to wade through them. Though the water is not very deep, yet it is bad for those that wear shoes. As there were so many troops and large baggage train, and from other causes, we only made about eight miles this day. The rebels were hovering about us and there was some skirmishing ; we had four killed and several wounded. Quite a number of prisoners were brought in by our cavalry. At night the army encamped in a hollow with hills all around us. There were about 6,000 men, and as every tent had a large fire in front of the opening to the tent, it made the most splendid sight I ever beheld. At three o'clock the next morning we were turned out, and were ready to move at daylight. Companies A and D of our regiment were then deployed out as skirmishers : we were thrown forward about half a niile in advance of the main body. The road to Winchester runs along a valley, with hills on each side. The width of this valley, or from hill-top to hill-top, was about two miles, and the skirmishers, about five paces apart, extended this whole distance. We had not advanced two miles when we came upon a very large earthwork for artillery, with a rifle-pit nearly a quarter of a mile long in front. Now I thought we were to have a battle. We knew before leaving Martinsburn; that the enemv were in force in this vicinity, so we closed our ranks and waited for our regiment and the Fifth Connecticut regiment to come up. We then marched directly up in front of the fort to within about fifty yards, gave a yell and dashed forward into the fort ; but lo ! tlie rebels had fled, leaving only some pickaxes, shovels, etc., behind. The forward march was continued toward Winchester ; a contraband came in and informed us that the main body of the rebels had left during the previous night. We continued our march and soon captured quite a number of rebels who had lingered behind ; they were taken by our cavalry. We reached Winchester about noon, and entered the barracks just deserted by the rebels. We were soon ordered out to scour the country for rebels ; we went through fields, over fences, small streams of water, etc., for about four miles in one hour. It was very warm, and I never sweat so much in my life before.