Camp Griffon, VA
Dear Sister Mary
I take this opportunity of writing these few lines to let you know that I am well and hope you and all the rest are the same. We are still at the same place and not doing much in the fighting line. A part of McCalls division next to us on our right had a Battle with the enemy last friday and the rebels were routed with severe loss. It was not our luck to be in the muss we were drawn up in line of Battle impatiently listening to the cannonading and waiting for our General who was at Washington he came back on full gallop but the fight was then over however he was highly pleased to see us out so ready and such good numbers we gave him three cheers and says he boys you turn out some when there is a prospect of a fight if you dont on drill says he I thought you were a whole Division. The fact is so much drilling is about played out and we play the old Soger(?) all ways to get rid of it. We ran out 3 or 4 miles yesterday expecting a fight but we came across no rebels the Majors Orderly saw fifteen rebel Cavalry thats generally our luck we go out cheering and in the best of spirits and come back cussing and swearing we have had very fine weather but to day it is pretty rough and a little snow falling no more at present.
but remain your Affectionate Brother James Powers write soon
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Ceredo, Virginia
DearSister,
I take my pen in hand to in form you that I am well at present hoping that these few lines may find you all well and enjoying good health. We are all well at present and still here at Ceredo. I received your letters that you sent by Ephram and was glad to here that you was all well. I expected to have been home before this time but things has turned out so that I could not come but I think I will get to come now before long. I cant tell when we will leave here but I expect we will leave be fore long but I think I will get to come home first. The is some of our boys gone home now and I want to try and get a furlow as sune as they get back. Ephram brought me a piese of the wedding cake bak and I thought that it eat very well but the shugar suited my taste the best but the both suited my tast very well. I dont believe if it was not for som one a pasing by once and a while that I would never get a letter from home for I have never got but one letter that come by male yet. I suppose that Sam Love is above a common man or else he would wright once and a while to me. I have rote two or three letters to him and I dont intend to wright any more to him for I dont care for no one that dont care for me for I am jis as independent as any one. I have rote two or three letters to the Rebbs out in Jackson and the never rote any answers so let them git while they are yong and full of secesh let them go the will find out somday which way the money goes it goes the word. So nothing more at present but wright sune, John T Greer
Head Quarters Ceredo, VA John T Greer of Company G, 4th Va Foot Volunteers When this you sea Remember me John T. Greer of Mason County Virginia, 1862
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Roller, MD
Deer mother,
Ituk this time tunnite to informe you that iwas well and hope these fieu lines will finde you all well. We are in roller County. Yesteday we went 40 milse back to flat top mountain. If we would stade on the easte river twenty four ours longer we woode aseede Richmonde. Three thousan come in behinde us and tha hapend to be too Companys of the Zouave was there and afieu Cavalry. Tha foute them half aday. The rebles had three thousande againste too hondarde. The too Zouave Companys charged on them and tuk won Cannon from them and tha saw that tha coodent holde the Canon and tha spiked the Cannon. We come out in the evening and loude to surrounde them. Tha was six thousande rite behinde us. Tha was too meney for us and then tha was after our team of horses but the horses ran away acomen back to us. Our Cournel he bet ahondard dollars that the wor woode stop in thirty days. I wish hit was over now for iam tierde astayen here in the sirvise. Imuste stop ritin soon. Direct your leters to roller Md in care of Captain Hayse. He was our lieutenant but he is our Captain.
Tell all to rite to me. [William Henry Harrison Canter]
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Hilton Head
My Dear Mother,
Hearing that there is a mail going out this afternoon I thought I would improve the opportunity and write you a few lines. I am sorry to tell you I am not very well at present. I was taken sick about three weeks ago with chronic diarhea, and have been in the hospital about a fortnight. I have been pretty sick but I am getting better now and hope to be well in a few days. I would like to have you send me some things which will come better in a barrel than in anything else. I should like some good fresh eggs, a bottle of preserves, some lemons if you can get some good ones, some ginger root. Some butter would be very nice, it will come better in a tin can than in anything else. I would like some sugar too. I wish you would send a bottle of good Cider Vinegar also- I would like some pickled onions, and some dried apples. Some prepared chocalate would taste(?) first rate, as we do not get good tea and coffee. A towel and a couple of handkercheifs will be very acceptable also. If there is any room for anything else I wish that you would fill it up with onions and good sound apples that are not quite ripe that they will keep better. Direct to the care of Capt. Sanford, Co C, 7th Regt. Conn Vols. _____ DD Tompkins Esq Asst. Q M General No 6 State St. N.Y. Please send it as soon as possible. I have not heard from you since I have been here but should like to do so every mail. If convenient please send $5.00 the next time you write.
Give love to all enquiring friends, and believe me - Ever your aff son William Norton
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Camp Mcneal Meredian Hill
I take my pen in hand to inform you that I am well at present and hope that those few line may find you enjoying the same blessing. I started at soldiering beter than two months ago. I inlisted in a company calledCo. F 149 Reg. P.B.V. We are now in a camp calledcamp McNeal on Meridian hill near the sity of Washington. We are not near all the time in camp. We are the most of the time out to guard hospittle at town and other places part of the regiment has moved there tents to town, I expect that hour company will move before this weak is out, but I do not no for sure; it has bin warm and dry ever since we have bin down here until last fri night about 1 o’clock, it comenced raining and poured it down untill about four. I had to go on guard at four so I got shet of standing in the rain for that night since that night it has fellt like husking corn it is raining this after noon. I am in my tent my seat is a knapsack, my deck is a portfolio this is as good a seat as I ever git. Without it is a chore. It is said that he that is born of Woman and inlisteth in the 149 Reg Co. F, his days are few and short of rations. He cometh forth tato and retireth at rollcall much soldiering hath made him sharp, yea, even so that the sete of his britches is in danger of being cut through. They are all honest, they take nothing that they cannot reach they capture the most butifull prize packages of paper and walk off rejoicing. The boys are all brothers and work to each others honor. They as grate set of fellows for fun and have all the furnishings able for what one dont know another do and so they have some thing a going all the time. So the time goes I can’t tell whare if it gets wet and mayby it won’t be quite so nice as it has bin since we have bin down here. No more at present. I send my Respects to all inquiring friends. Tell all that inquires after me that I want them to write to and I will answer those leters as soon as I can write and tell me who is there and who has went to war.
I want you to write and answer this as soon as you get it and oblige yours, Isaac Oliver To I B Ikeler Direct your letter to Co F 149 R.P.BV Camp Mcneal Washington D.C in care of Captain ES Osborne
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Camp on Bayou Piere, Miss.
My dear Wife & boy,
At length the prohibition of letter writing has been removed by General Grant & mail is to go out 8 o'clock this morning. I hasten to improve the first opportunity I have had for more than two weeks in talking with my wife & boy. I last wrote your Apr 25th from Perkin's Plantation, La., though I doubt whether you received the letters, I am informed that our letters have been stopped at Memphis fore some time past. I wrote you again the 26th but finding no letters were allowed to go north, I put his letter in my trunk. Since that time we have witnessed & participated in stirring scenes. The battle of "Magnolia Hills" has been fought & a glorious victory won. Hundreds have fallen on my every side but I am still spared unharmed to my wife & boy. I have not sufficient paper to enable me to give a detailed account of the fight, but I will hereafter. We were in the fight from early in the morning till dark. The enemy's first shot was fired at Co. C. (we with three other companies were skirmishing in front of our left) the shell struck the ground & burst at the very feet of several men in my second platoon. The second shell I saw was aimed higher. I instantly ordered the boys to lie down & did so myself, but not a moment too soon, for the shell passed directly over me so near as to force my cap upon the back of my head, this to when it was strapped tightly under my chin. The shock made my head fairly numb for an instant. I then brought my boys more to the front nearer the enemy but when we were protected by a slight rise of ground in front. Here we were comparatively safe till we were relieved by Gen. Osterhaus, when we rejoined our regiment on the right. Soon after we were again in the thickest of the fight. Our brigade (Benton's) gained the first success of the day as we soon forced back the troops opposed to us, taking many prisoners. two excellent cannon & caissons, ammunition trains, horses &c besides killing their General Stacey which they say was the work of the 33rd. But I was not going to particulars in this letter. Our loss in killed & wounded was about 1000. No one in my company was hurt but Bush. He was struck twice though but slightly hurt. When you consider he stands directly behind me in the ranks you will see that it was rather narrow dodging for me. That we were pretty well tired out when night came you can well imagine. I think I never knew hunger, thirst & fatigue before--but I lay down that night under one of our faithful guns & blessed God that He had given success to our arms & spared your husband & father to his darling wife & boy. He has been very good to us--let us love & praise him more than ever before. With the early light of the next day we again advanced skirmishing through dense canebrake but no enemy could be found. They fled in confusion through Port Gibson. & were far on the road back to Vicksburg to make the city quake with the doleful tale. Hundreds of prisoners they had left in our hands & hundreds of dead & wounded on the bloody field. We are now slowly & surely closing up behind the doomed city & in a few days it will be ours. Then the Mississippi will be opened to the commerce of the north & a bright day will dawn upon our afflicted country. I have received no letters from you__ Continue to write & direct as before (only isCarr's instead ofKarr's Division--the mistake was mine). Do not be too anxious about me. Trust in God he is good & will do right. Harry, Papa often thinks of his little boy & would love to be with him & Mama & walk out with him this pleasant morning. But Papa must stay & help "shoot the rebels" a little longer. Someday Papa hopes he can come home & stay with Harry & Mama. Harry will be a good boy & love & take care of Mama won't he? Give lots of love to Daniel & Phila & Mr. & Mrs. Henley. Also to John & Villa when you see them. Doubtless before this reaches you all cause for further writing will be removed for Vicksburg will be ours. Take good care of yourself. Walk out often with Harry & do not let anxiety on my account depress you spirits. I sent you a flower which I plucked on the battle field while skirmishing with the enemy. God bless you in all things my darling wife & boy.
Your own Henry [C. Kellogg]
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Morris Island, S.C.
Cousin Luther,
I am injoying good health and hope this will find you injoying the same. John Sanborn is in the hospital at Beaufort Hospital No 9. I have a letter from him every week he is a getting along first rate. They have promoted John to Corporal he dont know it yet. I am going to write to John to night I am going to direct it Corp. Sanborn he wont know what it means. They have commenced on Fort Sumter again. They have been bombarding it for five days and nights. I was on picket at Fort Gregg yesterday. They shot away the flag on Fort Sumter twice the first time they shot it away a Reb come up on top of the fort and begun to wave it and put the flag up in the afternoon they shot is away again. When the Reb come up to put it up away went our guns at him bang bang bang. I guess that fellow went to his long home. They havnt put up the flag yet. They will charge on it before many days. Fitzgerald has got his discharge and gone home perhaps you will hear about him before you get this. I dont think of anything more to write this time so I will close.
From your cousin H. B. Morrison
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Bridgeport, Ala
Dear Nephew,
I have just seen Cap. Cowgil and learned where I could reach you by a letter. I was much pleased to hear your Captain speak so favorably of you as a brave soldier. Indeed he speaks in the highest terms of you. Don't be rash do your duty as a soldier, but don’t necessarily expose yourself. Many a brave man has loss his life by an unnecessary exposure of his person. Be brave but not reclesly, dashing but prudent, heroic but always exercising sound judgement and discretion. I have been here, at this port, for near two months, in command of the 133 Reg. one hundred days men. I will be in Chattanooga in a few days and will try and get down to the front. However this is very uncertain. We leave here, on our return home about the middle of August and in the mean time, I hope to get a letter from you. But if you do not get this soon, direct to Terre Haute, for I will be there after September. I do not forget the talk we had when I last saw you and in proper time will exert all the influence I have in your favor.
Hoping you are well, and will continue well, I remain Your uncle, R. Hudson
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2nd Div. Hospital 9th Corps Near Petersburg.Va.
Dear Mother.
Yes. I am at last in the hospital. I hated to tell you for you will think I am quite sick which is not the case. I have got sort of tired out. All I need is a chance to rest and I will be all right in a few days. I am not so sick as most of our boys have to be to get to the rear. Our Regt. has moved since I wrote you but I have not been quite up with the Regt. since they got down here. I should think I was some three miles from where I was when I wrote before, to the left. Yesterday I was out here by the amputating table when many of the wounded were brought in. And I saw them cut off any number of hands and feet. Poor fellows. Several of them died right away after having been operated upon. For awhile yesterday the cannonading was truly terrific. I miss the sound of musketry. I can hear the cannons here if they have an engagement. The quiet seems rather good on the whole. still it seems a little lonesome. The 5th Corps did some good fighting and took a pretty good lot of prisoners, mostly S. Carolinians and stout hard looking fellows. Pretty much the whole of the 16th ME. were captured Col. Tilden among the rest. I dont know any in particular that were taken. I saw Mr. Balkan their Chaplain yesterday. As regards the war news you get that by the papers long before a letter gets there. I will just say that we have the Weldon railroad and if old Lee gets it back he has something of a job before him. The 5th Corps were fortifying very strongly on the railroad and a part of the 2nd Corps came down as a support yesterday, and I was told that Butler's corps was back of us but I think that a mistake. I came here today but before I came I got six letters. One from you and Delinda and one from Sergt. Arnold . those were all I cared for at all. the others were business letters and business has but few charms for me as I feel now. I feel all the interest in the business at home that I ever did but this business here is not of a kind to make one love it. I was very pleased as usual to hear from you -- to get a letter written by your own hand. I dont know what I should do if I did not hear from home oftener than a great part of our boys do. I am here to fight for those at home that I love and if they did not prize my services, and life it may, sufficiently to write to cheer me I fear I should sink. I agree with you that it is mostly unpleasant here but there are some pleasant things even here sometimes. There never was such a campaign before since the creation of the world as we have been passing through this season. I trust it is the last such one the world will ever know like it. I hope to be spared to return to you and I feel as if I should but this world is not intended as a state of perfect bliss. Thank God. He has prepared a world of perfect bliss and I trust we will both enjoy it. We will if I am not deceived in my hope. I love to look forward to our meeting on earth. I shall be so glad to see you and clasp you in my arms once more. Every thing about there seems pleasant by contrast to think of even those that I used to dislike. I wish they would rush the men down here and I believe this thing might be settled up pretty soon. I expect to be able to go back to the Regt. in a few days but I dont intend to hurry. I dont feel that our Regt has been used right. that makes a difference with me.
Your affectionate son John [Mower Jackson] Please write often. remember how well soldiers love to hear from their mothers.
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Arlington Hights, VA
Dear Brother
Yours of the 31st of March came to hand yesterday after being on the road nearly two months, but you must not think I waited to get a letter from you before writing to you. The reason of my not writing to you was I have forgotten the number of your Brigade and Division and I am going to trust this by directing to the Regiment. Arlington Hights are on the Virginia side of the Potomac opposite Washington. We marched here from Appomattox Court House (the place of Lee's surrender). We camped about two weeks at Burkesville (the junction of the Petersburg and Lynchburg, and Richmond & Danville Railroads). We marched from there direct by the way of Petersburg, Richmond, Bowling Green, and Fredericksburg. I suppose you will read in the papers that there is to be a review of the Army of the Potomac and Sherman's Army on the 23rd & 24th insts (?). We expect then to be mustered out in a day or so. I guess as Ned is a recruit he will not get out for some time yet, but now the fighting is over all the troops that stay in the service will have good times. I think all the recruits will be mustered out in a month or so. By letters from home, I see that you and Wes Eckles were together at Winchester. I suppose you didn't get to stay long together. I hear that Wes is in Washington. I haven't seen him yet; we had a review coming through Richmond and were marched past Libby Prison, Castle Thunder, the State House, & Lee and Davis Houses, etc. I suppose you are pretty well acquainted with all the incidents connected with the Campaign and there is no use of my relating them here. I intended to have gone to see you before going home if you had stayed at Cumberland, but as you have moved, I will wait and see where you are going to be located, for I hear that the Government is going to retain the Veterans; after being in Service 2 years and 9 months I have only climbed the Ladder of Fame high enough to be an Orderly Sergeant which I have the honor to be now. I suppose to become famous I shall have to do something like Booth the assassion; the last letter I had from home they were all well. Ned received a letter from you (in my care) at Richmond. Slim Eckles is not well yet. Ben Bogia send his respects to you. Ned sends his love to you to which I add my own.
I will close by signing myself your affectionate brother, George PS You can direct in about a week to Geo W. Johnson, Jr. Elkton, Cecil County, Md May 21st: I didn't get this in the mail yesterday; there is nothing new. I am going to commence making out our muster-out rolls tomorrow.
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Saint Charles Arks
Miss H. M. Cone..
Yours of the 13th Inst is Recd. "Was glad to hear from you and that you was well.. "had almost given up ever Receiving another letter from you but better late than never "This leaves me well at this time also the boys Generaly are in Pretty good health at this Time.. "hope that when this Reaches you That it may find you Enjoying the best of health.. "well you Stated in your letter that Many changes had taken Place up in Monroe here of late and the most heart-breaking of all is my Darling has long ago Forsaken me and Married and left me to mourn my life away or in other words Do the best I can During my future life "Yes Indeed I thank you verry much For your Sympathy Toward me in my Sad bereavement. (hope I will Survive the Sudden Shock) and wish for better Success in the future. "Well you Stated in your letter that you thought the time not far Distant when we would return home.. Indeed I hope not but I dont think That we will get home for 2 or 3 months yet but hope we will get home Sooner.. Though it is the General opinion here that we will get home by the 20th of July If not Sooner and I hope we may "have no News of much Interest to write from here at this time Everything is Quiet here Except that the Rebs Still continue to Come in & Surrender themselves & take the Oath. There is no Rebs of any Consequence North of the Arkansas River & West of the Miss River now They haveing all or nearly So Come in to our Forces & Taken the Oath.. "but I Suppose that Kirby Smith & Mcgruder & Price will Still oppose the government until They are Driven out & there Country Burned and If they Do not Surrender I hope to God that our Government will Exterminate the whole Crew of those General Officers & leading men for they cant but know that there case is a hopeless one & have no reason for Continuing the war longer.. "Well I believe that I have written all for this time. would be verry glad to See you & have a long talk with you.. Could Tell you much more If Present than I can write and hope how Soon we will get home to Enjoy the Comforts of Civil life & the many Pleasures of good Friends.. "Will Say to you That I dont understand your meaning when you Said that For your reason for not writing Sooner you could not write but would tell me when I Came home = = = = = = =. "but hope it was for no error of my Self.. but I cant insist on knowing as you Said you would tell me when I came home Well I will close for to day Please write Soon and tell me all the News and Particulars and hopeing to hear from Soon again
Believe me as ever Yours verry Respectfully Newton Scott Co. A. 36th Regt Iowa vols To Miss Han.. M. Cone Albia Iowa
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