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| Letters: Letters from Civil war Soldiers to Mary Williams and Oliver Williams of Troy |
| Township: Troy Township, Bradford County PA and nearby areas |
| Year: 1861-1865 |
| Transcribed & Submitted by Don Stanton 2003
Published by Joyce M. Tice 2005 |
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| Alonzo Babcock | Camp Stanley | March 1863 | One Letter |
| Harlen DuBois | Fort Tillinghast VA | Jan - Mar 1965 | Three |
| Horace DuMond | Washington DC | Dec. 1864- June 1965 | Nine |
| Stephen Gifford | Washington DC | Aug. 1861 - Feb. 1862 | Eleven |
| Virginia | Mar. 1862 - Apr. 1865 | Nine | |
| W. B. Gifford | Washington DC | Dec. 1861 | One |
| James G. Mason | Virginia | 1865 | Two |
| John H. Mason | Virginia | 1864 - Apr. 1865 | Five |
| Horace D. Taylor | Washington | 1864 | One |
| Ambrose Williams | Washington | 1864 | Two |
| Sam Williams | 1862 | One |
Camp Stanley March the 25/63
Friend Oliver (Williams)
It is with the gratest of pleasure that I seat myself to write to you to
inform you that I am well at present hopeing that these fiew poorley composed
lines may find you the same I have ben in the service of my country over
one year and a half and I am sorry to say that this is the first time that I
have writen to you but they say that it is beter late than never I must
confess that I have ben vary neglectful but you must pardon me this time and I
will try to doe better hereafter Well Oliver I have seen some pretty easey
times and some vary hard time since I have ben here and expect to see some more
The rebels don’t seam to be satisfied unlefs they have us chaseing after them
the whole time but they don’t like the old Seventh for they know us and they
genarley try to get out of the way when they here of our comeing here onley a
fiew days ago we went out and attacted them and took two of their camps and all
of their camp equipage and their wagones and sixty three prisoners nearley all
off whoom we cliped over the head with the Saber witch they did not like mutch
but that soon brought them to tearmes Well this time we stayed out eleven
days and when we came to camps we did not stay more than one day before we had
to go and drive another Sett a way that kept harrising our pickett and then we
thought that we would get to rest one day but not for thare was one brigade of
infantry had gone out on a scout and got into a fight We wer called out to
go and help them out but we wer to late for our Boys had licked out the rebels
and drove them off the number on our side was 1300 men and five field piecies
the rebels reported to have 10,000 men and four piecies of artillary and they
thought to serround our men and take them prisoners but they found themselves
mistakened for our Boys could send the shot a little to fast for them and so
they skeedadle Well Oliver I must stop for this time please write as soon
as you can and when you write please tell me about Stephen wheather he has got
home or not and if he has tell him to write soon and aney of the boys give my
love to your folks and all the enquiring friends
Direct to Alonzo Babcock company B 7 Pa Cavalry Murfreesboro, Tenn.
I remain your Friend A. B. to O. Williams
(A.Alonzo Babcock, Pvt. Co.B 7PA Cavalry [Co. C 1st NY Mounted], b. 1849,
d. 4 Feb. 1925 in LeRaysville, buried Stevensville, Bradford Co., PA)
Harlen DuBois
Fort Tillinghast VA January 19, 65
Friend Oliver (Williams)
I received your ever welcome letter yesterday was vary vary glad to hear
from you and also your wife as for my self, Stephen and Shortey Lewis and
all the other boys. We are all well and harty abel for duty when called on
As for Giff being poor I cant see it he looks as ruged as ever full of sport and
fun I think you must of ben missed informed and no credit to the informer
The wether is vary cold hear now as cold as it is with you up thare I think but all the better for the solger for theay fighting like nigars further south this winter Fort Fisher is oures in full bulley for Genrel Tarey we are bound to have Charlston before spring – if – we have good luck which I hope we will by the help of God. Oh I think rebellion will foe down with hast. I got a letter from my brother in Charmans (Sherman)Army he writes they are in the north west corner of south carliney(South Carolina) theay have got 4000 head of horses and muils theay have captured from the rebs 25 hundred wagons a clean sweep for Charman (Sherman) he also wrote that theay burnt all the fences within 40 miles wide as theay went he thinks Sherman (Sherman’s March to the Sea, ending in Atlanta, GA) could clean that state if the country would permit him to cross it but it is a muckey situation through that part of it so his artilery cant follow him up he is on his way back to Grant with his confisteated property if a horse gives out theay shoot it for the rebes to feast on for theay need it at Richmond or will soon I think for the railroad that brings thear supplies to Richmond is swep away by a flud that hapaned about two weeks ago I wish it had of taken Richmond with it
January the 20, 65
Now I will finish my letter the Day is like the month of April vary warme
and pleasant looks as if we had never ben any winter hear but oh we have and
very cold at that but I think the winter is over hear Oliver you write
that Bill Philips had hot home I suppose he was a hapy boy when he
returned to that old plase of residence whare he had ____ten for years gon by I
know I no___ iter he was or not how is all the folks I havant heard from
them for som time four weeks at least I wrote to them last the day I wrote
to you I wrote to them. Oliver I am glad to hear your mail (?) is
improving he would bring 200 dollars hear for mailes(?) is all the ___
Oliver you spoke of going to Pine Crick to work I wold take the world esey
while you can for your days numbers maney give my love to all my friends
if any to you and your folks in full from your ever true friend
Harlen M. DuBois all the boys love to you
To My Friend Oliver Williams From Harlen
N.B. 4 January 1865 – “Union troops leave from Bermuda Hundred for a new
assault on Fort Fisher. …………………….., General Alfred H. Terry rather that
Butler is now commanding the men who are to launch the land assault against this
important enemy position.” The Civil War Almanac, John S. Bowman, Ed.)
Fort Tillinghast, VA
the 24 January 1865
Friend Oliver
As Buffin(?) has got a furlough I thought I would drop you a few lines to
let you know I am well hoping he will find you the same Oliver I would like to
have you send my wach to me by him it is vary lonesome with out a time pease
excuse this short letter
My love to all
Harlon DuBois
Stephen Gifford
In full
To Mr. Oliver Williams
Troy
Harlon
N.B. Handwriting compares to Harlon DuBois’ – Letter written for Stephen
Gifford? In an earlier letter Stephen gives permission for Oliver to wear
his watch.
Fort Tillinghast Va
March 28/65
Friend Oliver (Williams)
Its been sometime since I have hurd from you but it’s the railroad that is
to blame We are yet at the old fort all hale and harty the wether is very
faverbal for us now its not so cold as it was when you ware heare the
grass is up very nice pasture enuff for my kind of stock - the fun has
just begun between Grant and Lee at Richmond they are fighting like tigers
there now but old Grant is enuff for them I think but many poor felow will sleep
his last sleep there and feel very thankful that Brother Steve and myself hant
there at present although we hant very cowardly
Friend Oliver I suppose you are in your shugar bush by this time I hant
forgot the time I eat shugar at your house and wish we could have the same
privlage this spring – but time and luck will bring the time to us once more
probley if not success to what we have had
Giff is in the vary best of health the same Boy to a cratch(?) Shorty hant
ben very helthy lately but keeps around Linderman he is as tuff as hickry and as
for my self the tufist spoke in the wheal Gust (Gustin?) sends his love to you
all
Wall Oliver how does the donkey thrive by this time I hope you have
got another for it for Giff will want a bugy team when he gits home and theay
would make things jump but let the muils ___ at present and read(?) my
conversations to more importance I suppose you want to know what become of
all my money I will tell you whare it went except what I have left I
paid my debts like an honest man while those that owe me puts me off till next
pay day I have some yet but would like to keep it for fear we wont git
paid till our time is out ask your son which he would druther have a drum
or a musick Box for his present I can git anary in a one of either kind
for twelve dollars let him make his choise then tell me which it is
When you see Mr. Philips tell him us Boys would like to hear from him if he
can spair time to drop a few lines to us give our respects to all
inquiring friends if any there My love to you all
Wishing to hear from you soon
From your true friend Harlen (Harlen M. DuBois)
To Oliver Williams Troy, Pa
Horace DuMond
Washington December the 11th 1864
Dear Brother and Sister Oliver and Mary (Williams, Troy PA)
It is with a great degree of pleasure that I scrible a few lines to you to
let you know that I am still in the land of the living I hope these few
lines will find you all well health is a great blefsin I have ben sick since
from the eighth of Nov I was sent to Washingto the 28th of Nov I have been a
doing well so far since I have been here. My fever is broke I am hungary
all the while I have not been out of the room yet it been only four or five days
that I could walk alone I thought would go out to day but it aint pleasant there
was a snow storm of about three or four inches of snow fell I have good care and
fare and a good Doctor he comes around twice a day and examines his patients we
have a good comfortable ward with two stoves in it good straw beds and rocking
chairs and other chairs there has two died since I have been here there is
twenty eight now in the room the most of them are a doing well I am a gaining as
fas as any one possibly can I had a letter from gim day – before yesterday and
he had been quite sick again but was better the rest of the boys the last I
heard wer all well I did not expect to find any body here I had ever seen or
heard of I found several Oscher Gustin is one of the nurses one man from
Granville by the name of Rofs(?) one from Wells by the name of Warner I begin to
enjoy my self very well only I am hungary all the while I get my rations which I
presume is a plenty for me but I am almos as hungary after I eat as when I begin
I wish I could have been to your house to spent this Sunday we am visited by the
sanitary Christian commission society they bring agreat many things to comfort
the sick in the hospital I think that is a great thing they bring all kinds of
knick-nacks that selishes(?) to sick paper and envelops and pens combs and
testaments papers and all kind of things to comfort the sick when I landed to
Washingto there was one of them there with two large pail cans full the one with
milk punch and the other with splendid coffee and nice crackers to nourish us
with but I could not eat. I will write about other things I hope you are
all in good health and able to lend a hand if necessary if Julia needs any thin
and you can assist her I would like to have you if you will Julia says
that som-one has been a trading five sheep with me if Jacob Y Dumond has not
found them yet I wish you would spend a day and see if you can find out any
thing abou them I think if they cant be found they have been sold. I don’t
want you to say any thing about it but I think they went to my neighbors down in
the hollow see whoos mark is on them to my house perhaps you can find out if
they have been sold I want you should look to things once and while and expect
pay for it you can sell my harnefs the best you can if you have not bought the
pig you can have it and pay Julia what it is worth part of the harnes is in the
house and barn take out for your trouble and let Julia have the rest I have not
got the things Julia sent to me if I don’t get them in a day or two I am agoing
to send to you to send me some things I want Julia can send some thing to you.
As soon as you read this send it to Julia if you can write as soon as you get
this and let me no how you get along From your Brother Horace Dumond to Oliver
and Mary and his wife I will write to you as often as I can Direct to
Engineer Brigade hospital Near Navy Yard Washingto DC December the 12th 1864
This wont go out until to morrow morning
Washingto Feb. the 26th 1865
Dear Brother and Sister Oliver and Mary,
I will improve the opportunity of writing a few lines to you to let you know
that I am well at present and hope this may find you all enjoying good health
I received your letter last night and was glad to hear that you were all able to
be around I had been very much troubled about Willie’s throt for some
time. I was afraid that he was worse I am happy to hear that he is
better I wish I knew what the Doctor thought was the reason he would not
live to grow up I am sory to hear that your mother was not agetting better
I wish I could come and see her once more while on the earth if it could be so
O how I hope she may recover and get her health again It seems hard to
part with our friends It seems that we am a having trouble on all sides of
us this winter I sent ten dollars to Oliver in a letter last week I
will send an order in this of thirty dollars and ten I will send in my next
letter Let me no if you get this in your answer Use all the money for the
Children’s welfare they need, how I long to be where I can see them O may
the time come when it shall be so
It is almost mail time I must close by bidding you all good day giving
you all my most sincer and Brotherly love From your Brother Horace
(Dumond)
Direct as before. Write as often as you can if it’s only a few lines to let me hear how you all be.
Camp Near City Point Washington DC
March the 18th 1865
Dear Brother and Sister Oliver and Mary and Aunt Betsy and Jesse and Willie
and all of you
I have a few leisure moments to write a few lines to let you know that I am
well at present and hope these lines may find you all enjoying health and
comfort I have been anxiously looking for a letter in the last mail but none has
come I heard from you all by Ansel(?) Case he said the folks were all well
when he left I have heard from the boys in Co K(?) and they were a getting a
long well the boys in our Co is all alooking hearty and fleshy as I do the
wether is a getting pretty hot here now there was two men shot here to day
I was on guard and could not go and see it done
Sunday Morning March the 19th
The boys are all well and so am I this is a fine pleasant morning there was
som cannonading yesterday in the afternoon and last evening on the left but all
is quiet this morning I expect to hear the loud roar of cannon in a few days if
the rebs don’t run our men is a getting in position to figh as fas as possible
and the roads is a getting good let the deafning roar of cannon come I long to
hear it if there is no other terms for peace I must go to the spring and do my
washing and get ready for guard to night there is no Sabbath day kept here we
have to work evry day rain or shine the war news is good here now it is a
general opinion the war will soon close I have heard talk that our company was
agoing to Buffalo to fortify on the Canada line this summer I hope it may be so.
Monday March 20th
Today is very hot here times are about the same in Camp last night ther was
a steady fiering on the left again there is blossoms to be seen on the peach
trees to day I dread the very hot weather that is acoming I am alooking for a
letter from you to day I hope it may come
March 23rd
Having an opportunity after coming in from guard and taking a hearty
breakfast of hard tack coffee I am at leisure until eleven oclock I will write
of lines to let you know I am enjoying good health I hope this may find
you the same the boys are all enjoying themselves very well I am agetting my
strength and loosing flesh that is a very good exchange for me I saw Ambrose the
other day he is well his company has moved last Sunday near by our Camp so I can
see them often I have not seen Simeon but once yet I have not been more that a
half a mile from camp yet(?) I have been a looking for a letter from you for
several days but none has come yet I think the mail has stoped for some reason
for a few days I think there is a going to bee a battle but I shall keep on a
writing I will get some letters by–am-by I reckon the more the better
The wind blows here sometime so that it seems as though nothing could be
left a standing if the timber did not grow deeper here in the earth than it does
up north it would all blow down and to day happens to be one of those winy days
I can scarcely hear myself think the sand and dust flies as bad as the snow does
in the north I had rather have my eyes filled with snow than sand I cannot write
anything very interesting to you but I must do something pass the time when I
have nothing to do I want to hear from you as often as possibl and how Willie
and the little Stephen is and all of the folks, Mary I am learning Bakery
and washing right smart I bake pancakes every day or two we have butter and
honey and sugar yet give my love to all my friends
From Horace Dumond to Brother and Sister Oliver and Mary Williams
You must excuse poor writing the tent shakes by the wind
Camp Near City Point
Washington, D. C. March 26th 1865
Dear Brother and Sister Oliver and Mary (Williams) and respected friends
Having a little time I will address you with a few lines. I received
two letters from you this morning happy to hear from you again but sorry to hear
that you was not well but no more that I expected you have more to do than one
person ought to have I am sorry that I am not able to share some of those cares
you have but I will after a while if nothing happens I am overly anxious
for the time to come. This last week has passed of fast and pleasant may
it continue so for the next five months I am well and enjoy hard tack and
coffee and poor soup very well the boys are a getting along well some one has to
be tied up once in a while but not the boys from our place the boys in Co. K is
all usually well I have not been to the Point yet to get my likenefs taken and
to see Simeon I will go the first chance that I have I suppose you get
more war news than I do. There was a fight took place yesterday morning a
few miles to our left, it lasted about three hours and ended in our favour.
In the end the rebs were deserting through the night and said to our pickets
that ther were a lot of deserters acoing they came as our men supposed and they
let them through they swung around our pickets and took them prisoners and they
could give no alarm they then charged on our forts and was upon our men while
they were asleep they took two of our forts and drove our men some distance
before they could get into position they then drove them and took about three
thousand prisoners and retook the forts and works we had lost
I have not yet found out how many there were killed on either side it is
said we killed four of them to there one of us. Today it is said the
battle field is as yet strewed with dead the wounded are acoming down to day
I would like to go on the battle ground but I cannot I think we will hear
some loud times befor long I think the rebs will catch hailcolumbia in the next
three months if they dare fight The news has just come that our men took about
three thousand prisoners last night that is good news I think our men wont sleep
quite so sound now for a while I must stop and fix for drefs parade.
Monday March the 29th The war news is better that I have stated I
hear some artilery fiering on the extreme left today. The wether is very
pleasant here to day but we have cold nights I received a letter from you
last night written March the 8th which had been to Washington I was
surprised to hear that Mr. Dumond was riled up he wanted my harness and churn
and some other things I told him if Oliver wanted them that he must have
them Mrs. Dumond I guefs is the ruling member and don’t like it because
she don’t have it all to say about the businefs I have written to them
about the business if they am mad perhaps he will not write back to me How
I would lik to be there and make sugar myself and invite you all up to eat sugar
I tell Mary I am some at washing and cooking I think I could beat your
hired girl I cook and bake and wash dishes all in a frying pan I
wish Oliver was here and him and I could see a battle Tell Jesse I am very
sorry that he lost one of his hogs That is very bad but those that have
must loose write as often as you can and give all the particulars when you
have a chance sometime I wish you would get little Steve’s likenefs taken and
send it to me give my love to all the family and to your selves.
To Oliver and Mary From your Brother Horace Dumond Respectfully yours,
Camp Pear City Point Washington DC March 27th 1865
I will address you with a few to improve my leisure moments and inform you of my health which is good at present. Times are very well with me as good as I can expect The boys are all very well and in good spirits The wether is very nice
March the 31st Last night the wether was clear the stars shone bright and not a cloud to be seen this morning the rain is a pouring down in floods. Night before last I was in the tent to bed but not asleep about half past ten o’clock bang went a cannon in lefs that a minute it seemed as though the heavens and earth was a coming to gether we could see the shells a bursting in the air This lasted about two hours I have not heard the result of the battle yet last night there was another attacked but not so sever by the sound of the noise There is a general movement here now I expet to hear loud times now for awhile President Lincoln has been here him and Grant and other generals have held a counsel of war
April 4 Dear Brother and Sister Oliver and Mary (Williams) I will try to write a few lines to you after getting back to our Camp we have been on march to Petersburg for three days on Sunday we was ordered in the fight to make a charge, but the general sent an order that we should not fight out of the breastworks on Sunday night the rebs left the city the fight was a terrible one I had a great anxiety to see a fight but I am fully satisfied we went in the city and repaired the bridge for our troops to cross the rebs crossed and set the bridges on fire our troops reached the city and hoisted their flags rang the church bells and gave such cheers as filled the air for miles. I feel very well to day but my feet is very sore we think we will have to go to Richmond in a day or two I have not got time to write any more at present write as often as you can I have not had any letters for two weeks I send you all my most sincere love Horace Dumond
Direct as before. I will write again in a day or two if I have time.
Camp Near Berkeville South side Railroad Virginia
Sunday April 16th/65
Dear Brother and Sister and all the rest of you (Oliver and Mary Williams,
Troy, PA)
I have a little time to address you with a few lines at present our Company
left City Point last Monday morning for a march we had very heavy packs beside
rainy and muddy and was marched very fast soon the clothing began to be thrown
away I kept mine till I was very tired I threw some and thought I would keep the
rest before night I was took sick to my stomach and the cramp set in I had to
fall out of the ranks I thought my days was neither few nor many the Doctor
ordered me in ambulance I layed on the ground that night and suffered severly
with pain the next morning I threw away my clothes the most of them and marched
about a mile and the Doctor ordered me to ride that day I got better so that I
have marched since the march was severe and a good many tiered out it was said
that two of the regt died horses and mules tiered out also we got here on Friday
night we found the 50th regt here I have seen the boys that I knew they am in
very good health they have had a hard time since the fights commenced John Mason
looks very poor for him I hardly knew him James Cease and Sam Williams looks
about the same we expect to march again in the morning but I don’t know where.
The progrefs of peace and the end of rebellion I think is not far of, I hope so
at least I think perhaps we may be home if our lives are spared before our time
is out hard marching and eating raw pork and hard tack and sleeping on the
ground is not very pleasant and makes one think of home. The boys in my
Company are all very well I have seen lots of rebs this week about nine thousand
in one drove they say they am tiered of war I will not try to write many of
particulars if I live to get home I can tell more and faster than I can write.
Simeon has got his leg hurt perhaps you have heard of it I think it will soon
get well well again I hope this may find you all in health and enjoying comfort
I received a letter from you last week happy to hear that your healths was
better than it had been and that Willie and little Steve was in good health if
we move tomorrow morning when we stop I will try to write a few lines to you
again to let you no how and where we am
Write as often as you can Receive my sincere love to your selves and to all
of the family tell Elanor I feel greatly indebted to her for her care and
attendance while I was home in sicknefs No more at present
From your Brother Horace Dumond
Direct as before
Camp Near Fort Barnard
Wednesday Washington May 17th 1865
Dear Brother and Sister Oliver and Mary (Williams) and entire family. I
will try to write a few lines to let you know that I am still in the land of the
living I got here last Friday so worn out that I have not had ambition
enough to hardly move we started for Washington the first day of May and marched
twelve days steady and one night avery hard time we had I can tell you I am not
very well but keep around I have seen Steve and them boys they look well
Simeon came to the camp yesterday he is some lame yet the rest of the boys are
like myself miserably well I would have written before but have had no chance we
have been on the march for a month. I hope those hard marches are done now
I am expecting to be home before long if I live I hear some talk that we have
got to march to Baltimore yet I fear we shall have to go to New York to be
mustered out I am rather anxious to get home to see to my things I have written
to Mr. Dumond about them but have received no answer I want to see my little
boys and all of you very much but am not able to say how soon I will get my
discharge write as soon you get this and let me hear how you and the children
all am if I am not home in time if Mr. Dumond don’t see to it I wish Oliver
would see to having my sheep washed and sheared let me hear about thing so far
as you know when you write.
The wether is hot and dry here now there is sights of soldiers camping here
as far as the eye can see all around I have not seen John in several days we
pafsed him at Fredricksburg he was well they had to stay there until the army
crofsed with there bridge be sure and write as soon as you get this receive my
best wishes and respects and most sincere love to you all. From your
Brother Horace Dumond
Direct as before
Arlington Heights
Camp Near Fort Barnard
Saturday June 3rd 1865
Dear Brother and Sister Oliver and Mary (Williams)
Having a little spare time I will addrefs you with a few lines to let you
know that we am here yet and in very good health at present I was over to
see Steve (Gifford?) he was well I had a good visit with him I have no news to
write this time I expect to start for home as soon as we can get transportation
now our discharge papers are all made out I am in hopes to see you all in a few
days if nothing happens you need not write to me again until I write we am
expecting to start the fore part of next week the wether is very warm here
now I will close by bidding you all good by for the present
From your Brother Horace Dumond to Oliver and Mary Williams
 |
 |
| L to R. Stephen Gifford (b. 1843), Oliver Williams (b. 1818)- standing,
Anson Williams (b. 1820) |
Facial Detail |
O Gost the 10 1861
Dear Cousin
I have got a few moments to spair and I thought I would write to you.
I am well but have got a bad cold that I catched last night but I guess I shal
get over that in a little while Mr. Hirm Boyle has got back and we have got
marching orders for to start for Washington Wensday next and I don’t know
whether I shal come home or not before I go if I don’t keep your self
strait I want to come home the worst way but I cant I cant if I come I
will be home tomorrow or Monday I think I shal come but I don’t know I
like the oficers well we have got one hon_____ ______ one in our company I
like all the boys well I ar glad that we ar going to Washington wensday I have
started to fight for my country and I want to do it I don’t care how sune I shal
make some of them rebels h___ If it is my luck to get kiled then so it is I shal
do my best for my country we have got 6 cannons of which they call 10 pounders
and ____ shels come with them we drill on them every day more or less you
nead not rite be fore I come home if I come I shal be thar be fore it
would get hear we have not got our uniform yet and I don’t know as we ever will
get it tell the folks that I ar well I hered that Oliver had not got his
buck wheat thrashed yet but he can do it know I wish I could help you you
must have a good ___ work for to do and he needs help
I cant write any more to day so good by
From your cousin Stephen D. Gifford E S M I R A
Washington No the 8th 1861
Dear fir(first?) coson
I have just come from a drill and had my diner and have a little time to
write so I will try to write to you and let you know how I was giting a long
I have had a bad cold but I feel pirty well now they have all had a cold we got
hear Thursday knight a bout 8 O clock ran of of the track but did not hurt eny
one I have not sean fras Morgain yet nor eny of the boys they papers(?) and
miners(?) as not far from us Brad is writing to mother Horace Taylor has got the
hed ache Gust (Gustin?) is hear John Ceace for my part I like it first
rate but some of the boys don’t like it first rate but they will come to their
milk after a while I guess tell Jess he is an old sardeen give to
Jane and all the rest of the inquiring friends if thare is eny I sent
Jo(?) a letter the other day I have not had mutch time to write but I thought
you would hear from me I spose you have got most threw work I hope so we have
not drawed eny pay yet nor don’t expect to till next mon but we shal get a long
without it we have got our sabers they ar about a feet and a half long tell
Ansel Williams I will write to him as sune as I can it ant a very good place to
write on our knappsacks or eny other plase that you can get a chanse so if you
can read it you will do pirty well I would like to come home and eat a meal
thare but we have pirty good fixing hear pork pees shugar rice bread & salt I
have give you the living aperaters
Direct your leters to Washington district of Columbia N Y first artiary Company F in care of Cap W B Wilson
Stephen Gifford Washington, D C
Washington No the 17 1861
Dear Coson (Oliver and Mary Williams, Troy, PA)
I have a little time to spare because it is Sunday and I thought I would let
you know how I was giting a long and the rest of the boys they are well and
doing well but Brad he is not very well now but we are in hopes he will git a
long he has got the dispepsy he cant keep eny thing down that he eats
I take as good care of him as I know how Ben is well likes the business first
rate we expect to go down in Virgny before long in a fort if we do we shal
gust(?) whare it is warmer then it is hear for my part I don’t care whare
they go I ar ready for them I wish we was to go in the battle field tomorrow it
make eny diference how quick that is what we came down hear for I want you to
write and let me know if you have to pay for the postage on this leter be shure
and tell me I expect to draw our pay this weak and I will send it home to you
you must take it and dow as you wish with it I can send you up about twenty to
dolars I think if I get it all I spose you ar well tell Jess he is an old
saredeen(?) thar is nothing sutes me beter than this we have buly good fair hear
know as good as eny one could ask for pork and pies _____ beef bread pork and
pie and cake chease rice and pudding and milk chicriy onse a weak baked turke
molasses & what do you think a bout that ant pirty good living and we ar a going
to have some pickeld niyers(?) befor a grart while so you nead not fret about
living down hear we live on the top shelf I have wrote you the hole lingo ar So
good by der cosons Oliver and Mary direct to Washington D C Camp Bary
Stephen Gifford
Washington Dec the 5 1861
Dear coson
I have just drawed my pay and have let Ben have twenty dolars of it and
around 21 dolars and ? cents he has bought a house and lot and if he don’t pay
at the time of dew he loses one hundred dollars and for that mater I let him
have it I shal draw 26 dolars the first of January and I will send it to you I
shal draw in les than one month wal I am well and the rest of the boys but
Bral(?)
Give my love to all of my friends thare if I have eny thare I have no time to write to you this morning so good by Oliver and Mary and the rest of the folks thare I ar in a hury for I have got to drill
Washington DC Camp Carey company F, N.Y.G.V. in care of Cap
W. B. Wilson
Good by to Oliver and the rest of the folks
S. D. Gifford
Troy
Dec 9, 1861
Headquarters Washington
Camp Bary
Dear Coson
I received your leter and very glad to hear from you glad to hear that
you and the rest of the folks was wll I have just come of from drilling
and have a fiew moments to spair and so I thought I wold try to write and let
you know how was a giting a long and the rest of the boys hear with me
they ar well as common it is a giting pirty cold hear the major has bin
driling us thid four non on our horses we git our pay to day I sipse and
Benjine (Benjamin?) wants to borrow ten dolars to make a payment on his house
and lot and if you have no(?) pirticuler use for it I will let him have 10
dolars I draw 21 dolars and 20 three cents and will send the rest to you
if you want it write as sune as you get this write ___ and let me know and
if you want it I will send it to you Bradford is not very well but he is
agiting beter Ben and Gust (Gustin(?) and the rest of the boys all like it
first rate I ar as well and harty as a buck I can eat most eny thing
we have good fair hear I can tell you we live on the top shelf hear pork
and beef pies and beens rice and coffee tee and potatos wall I will not
tell you everything about the extres we have they ar peinty but I wont
mention eny of them it is giting pirty near diner time and will have to eat my
diner
Good by Oiver and Mary ant Betsy uncle Fill and give my best respects to all
inquiring friends good by
Direct to Washington D C of company F
First artilary
N.Y.G.V.
Camp Barey
In care of W. B. Wilson
S. D. Gifford
Washington Dec the 11 1861
Dear Cousin (Oliver and Mary Williams)
I received you letter the 10 and was very glad to hear from you I have let
Beny have my money before I received your leter and was very sory but he had no
other way in maken the payment and if he did not do it at time dew he wold lose
100 dolars and sed he would give ____ interest but if I had of none of you
wanting it so bad I would sent it to you by all means but never mind I shal sun
get pay a gan I shal draw pay the first of the next month 26 dolars and will
send you 23 dolars of it so you may expect it for I will be shure and send it I
have just saw Pinny Dofin(?) and Bill Burges they ware well and sed they liked
it first rate and look tuff I sene Warin Bols(?) to the other day and he was
well it is giting pirty near non and I must not writ to long I ar well and harty
as a buck and the rest of the boys ar well and like it first rate Brad is giting
beter good by coson write sune give my best respect to aunt Betsy Ively(?) and
my love to Jennie Montgomery and the rest of her folks good by Oliver and Mary
Direct to Washington D. C. camp horse company F
N. Y. first artilary G. V. in care of Cap W. B. Wilson
S. D. Gifford of Troy
Washington D. C. Jan the 20 1862
Dear coson
I received your kind leter yesterday and was very glad to hear from you I
did not write because I expected to git my pay so I thought I would wait I have
just got it and will send 20 of it to you thare is some sickness day afore
yesterday with the ______ feaver the smallpox is pirty thick hear but I have
just bin vacinated I expect we shal go over the river now in a short time for we
have got 400 and 50 wrounds of shel and canisters of grape(?) I think we
shal give them rebels something to chew we will make them think the devil
is after them we ar thinking of having a big fight I don’t care how
quick for I will git a pop at the criters I will make them hunt their hole
if they have got eny I shal fight my way threw them or dy
I am well and harty as a buck
Washington DC Camp Bary N. Y. G. V. in care of Cap W. B. Wilson
(Stephen Gifford)
Washington Jan the 28 1862
Dear Couson (Mary Williams)
I received your kind leter just about to ours a go and was very glad to hear
from you glad to hear you was well and the rest of the folks was the same I sent
a leter to Elisa and Julia wal it is so mudy hear that the old wimen has to git
together and wash the childrens faces to find thare one the horses stands
in the mud up to thare eys and I shold think they would dy but they stood it
first rate it is very warm hear and it rains most evry day thare is not
mutch newes to tel you but I think thare will be some before long I think you
will hear ____ a big battle before long that is the newes around hear as quick
as the mud drys up it is so mudy that they cannot march tell Oliver he can do as
he wishes I have got a nuf for myself also don’t wory eny more for I can git a
long I sent to dollars and 1 half and that is all I shal send this time I shal
git my likeness taken and send it to you
Please excuse poor for not writing suner before no more at present write
sune good by cosons
Washington D. C. N. Y. artilary G. V. in care of Cap W. B. Wilson
S. D. Gifford
Mary Williams
Troy Bradford
January the 30, 1862
Washington D. C.
Dear cusan (Mary Williams)
I have bin down to the sity on a pass to day and fare Brad went down with me
and we got our likeness taken for you it is not very nice but it look pirty
ntral (natural?) it is very mudy hear that is the most news hear now that I can
tell you we don’t expect to move till the mud dries up we expect to go as sune
as the wether gits fit and then thare will be something don I think thare will
be one of the biggest fights that you ever hurd of that is the talk now
I am to go inty(?) I am redy to go into battle any time if it is tomorrow.
No more at presant as I rote to you last night so you must write as sune as
you git this give my love to all my inquiring friends tell Jesse he can just
jump up and bite his mable good by no more at present good by rite as sune as
you have received it.
Washington D. C.
N. G. first art
Y. V. in care of Cap W. B. Wilson
S. D. Gifford
Mrs. Mary Williams
Washington D. C.
Troy Bradford Co. PA
Camp Barry February the 7 1862
Dear coson
I received your kind leter last evening and was very glad to hear from you
glad to hear that you was well and enjoying your selves hay riding and so on
Bill Phillips is fast this time I think he will can his milk this time I think
they ____ guard thare if they ar getting so they can steal that way you
spoke about me being poor I ar flesher than ever I was before I weigh one
hundred and 57 pounds and as tuff as a bair You spoke about those old cloths I
don’t think it would hardly pay I am tired of so mutch unruly wether it is
storming to day and the mud is about three feet deep now I spose the sleighing
thare is first rate
Just got
Annys(?) and Sakes likeness the other day and they look very natrel
That chicken went first rate and so did the rest of the things I thank you
and Oliver thosands of times for that
I want you to give me a little histry of A_____ Mrs Bely if she has got that
boy yet or not and how the rest of the folks gits a long about thare tell Oliver
he must keep my gun in good order for I want that to hunt with some time yet if
the rebels don’t pop me over some of these time when I don’t know it you may
kiss Jesse for me and tell him he must come _________ and see me the boys from
Troy ar all well and every thing is lovely about camp now but we’l have pirty
strict laws now if a soldier is absent from roal call once he is cort marsheld
but they don’t git this chicken for he is genrly around about that time no more
at present so good by for this time write sune as you can
Camp Barry Washington D.C. Co F
N.Y.G.V. in care of Cap W. B. Wilson
Stephen D. Gifford
Mrs. Mary Williams
Yours truly
Give my love to Oliver and aunt and aunt Betsy
Camp Barry
Washington D. C. Feb 14, 1862
Dear cousin I received your kind letter Feb the 11 and had no time to
answer it till now for I have byn pirty busy since I have bin on guard and just
came of and have a few moments to spare that money I sent it to Oliver to
dollars and a half but never mind that is not mutch wal thare has bin a
grand ______ on the plains hear today of cavalry thare was ____ the wind has
light up some but is pirty nasty yet please tell Martain Montgomery if he has
not enlisted hadent beter for it will kill him he is not healthy a nuf for the
business it isn’t because I shant like it for I do but for his one good
thare is one half of the boys in our company is sick now please tell him that if
he does he is a dead boy it agreas with me first rate I have not time to
writ a long leter for I have got to go and water my team tell Oliver I shal be
to home to see him by the first of agust and give my love to all inquiring
friends
Write as sune as you can and don’t forget to tell Martain what I told you
Camp Barry
Washington, D. C. 1st art. N. Y. G. V. in care of Cap W. B. Wilson
Yours Truly
Stephen D. Gifford
To Mr. & Mrs. Mary Williams Troy
Bradford County
I shant think we shal move very sune tell Jesse I want to kiss him and kiss
him for me
Feb the 14
Camp Baria
Feb 28 1862
Washington, D. C.
Dear coson
I would take the opertunity of writing you a fiew lines to inform you that
we ar going to _____ we crosse the river tomorrow morning we ar
going six miles from Manases in Banks divishion we ar giting redy today to
march we was musterd in for pay this morning I have rote to you
twice since I have received a leter from you I haven’t had a leter from
you in to weaks I guess you have forgotten I have gois(?) haven’t
you I had a leter from T____y knight before last the times about camp is
about as usual not quite so mudy for it is frose up now the boys ar all well and
feel first rate they ar all expecting to have a big fight at Manases
we ar the clostes to the rebels of eny when we git over thate we will give
them fits we will make them think the devil is after them give my
love ot Jesse and Oliver and aunt Betsy and Fil and all inquiring friends
if thare is eny sutch thare I must bid you good by for I have got to go
and help pac up write sune
Camp Barry
Washington, D. C.
1st Art Co F
N.Y.G.V.
In care of Cap W. Wilson
Yours Truly Stephen
D. Gifford Mary C
Williams
I am bound to save or dy for the union
N.B. 24 February 1862 - Eastern Theater: Harper’s Ferry is taken
over by General Banks’ Union soldiers. Near Pohick Church, Virginia, there
is minor skirmishing between Southern and Northern troops. – The Civil War
Almanac, John S. Bowman, Ed.
Camp Baily VA
March the 18 1862
Dear cosans (Oliver and Mary Williams, Troy, PA)
I received your kind leter three or four days a go but have not had time to
answer it for I have had a grate deal to do we have had to drill all of
the time we have had a pirty bad storm hear I ran a way and went
over to the 12 Pa reg this morning and just got back I saw ______ More and Frank
Fish and Dick Gustin they ar all well and our boys ar all well but Horace
Taylor and Jhan(?) Ceace they ar to the hospital thare was a man went to the
hospital sick with the smallpox out from our tent I have just received a leter
from Mary Philips(?) She said the folds was all well our troops march on Manases
last Mondy and the rebels has left thare our men is at Manases now and ten miles
beyond thare give my love to them all write sune and tell Janne(?) I
received a leter from her to day and I will answer it sune give my love to Jane
I am well and harty as a buck
Alexandry Va
Franklins division
Co F 1st art
N. Y. G. V. in
Care of Cap W. B. Wilson
Yours truly
Stephen Gifford
Oliver Williams
and Mary W
N.B. On March 11, 1962, in the Eastern Theater Manassas Junction, Virginia
is investigated by Union troops, who find little of value left in the wake of
retreating Confederate soldiers. – The Civil War Almanac, John S. Bowman, Ed.
November 9th/64
Dear Cousan
Another’s day has come and the Old Battery F4 still remains to Fort Barnard
and the boys ar going to scrub for a hors
And I want you to send me some Balsam for it is a hel of a time for colds
and we cant get anything hear
The boys ar all well but have got bad _______
All of them send a good lot of it and be carful and fix it so it wont run
out Shorty has sent for a box(?) so you will have to hury if you send with this
Give my love to all and tell Jesse I want to know if he has killed eny
rabets yet
S Gifford
November 16/64
Dear coson Oliver and Mary (Williams, Troy, PA)
I just came of from picket this morning and feel rather ruf. And no money
I have bin expecting to get my pay for a month but no pay yet and I want you to
send me some if you pleas I have got a hell of a cold and a little pie or cake
goes pirty well when a felow don’t feel first rate you nead not send a
grate deal a grean back will do if I want more I will send for it Ol (w)ho
did you vote for I voted for Abraham so did Shorty Lew and Ruf for Mack(General
George McClellan, Lincoln’s opponent?) Canedy and torn(?) Mack but he did not
yet we have moved to Fort Worth about 3 miles on the Alexandria and
Manases pike the boys are very well at present but have bad chills I must
close so you will excuse me pleas give Jes a kiss from Old Gif and give my love
to all
Yours truly
Stephen Gifford
Direct to Washington post the same
O Williams
Fort Worth, VA
Nov 26/64
Dear Coson
I received your kind letter last knight and was very glad indeed to hear
from you but sory to hear that Horace and James was sick how long is Oliver
agoing to be gon I shold think it would make it pirty hard for you Mary
you nead not send eny more money without I send for it for I think we shal get
pay before long and if I do send for some again I don’t want you to go way to
town a foot to send it to me Mary for I shal not suffer ____ I had turkey for
thanksgiving the convsary sent five turks to us and we has a dance at knight and
they had a holy good time the wether is very pleasant hear just now
but it has bin pirty ruf before for a couple of weaks the boys ar all well
and in first rate spirits I spose it is pirty cool up North getting about
time for cold wether thare what dos the people think of the war closing ar they
going to Draft agan up thare I hope they will if they ar going to before
old Giff gets hom for I think they wont make meny more drafts wal I have
just come of from drill and got to go out agan in about twenty minutes so I have
got to bring my leter to a close pirty sune has Moly Phillips got home
Harl don’t have mutch to say about her
(rest of letter missing)
Fort Worth Dec 7/64
Dear Couson (Oliver Williams, Troy, PA)
I received your kind letter last knight and was very glad to hear from you
to hear that you was well and enjoying your selves first rate but Old Jess and
Ol you better look out how drive Charley or I shal have to come up thare and
t_____to you have you bought that ram mule of tut(?) I spose you calculate
to sell the devel(?) for I should not like the Old devel(?) wal I spose
they ar going to draft up thare thare this weak let them draft and be damned
they cant draft me Oliver I wish you would go to the Provost office in
Troy and see if my name is of from the pool and if it is not have it taken of
I ___ presume to say that it is the wether is pirty cold hear now I went to the
Spring to get some watter this morning filed my canteen layed it down and it
frose fast before I ________ it up so you bet it is fairly cold hear wal I have
just come from the Setlers and had a holy old glass of Beer and some apples that
is something we don’t get everday I haven’t bin Washington since I came down
hear I haven’t bin to Alexandria but avonce so you see I am fairly stedy you
wanted to know about John Tom Knights he has turned out to be a holy old boy I
like him first rate and so dos all of the boys
The boys ar all well and have lots of fun I and Lew(?) Batterson sleeps
together we have holy old time he is in my Old Split(?) wal I am getting so cold
I cant half write wal you spoke of Saucage no I never eat Saucage tell Nancy she
nead not be afraid of writing to me I will answer All and be glad to hear from
her. Tell Oliver he would not be afraid to cary my watch if he wants to I
must close Wele(?) and Gust(Gustin?) sends there best respects to you and Ol
Yours truly
Give my love to all
Direct as before I wrote more and got worse but She don’t pull the wool over
me write tell Jesse I shal be up thare to go a hunting with him wone of these
days tell Ella (Williams, Mrs. Walter E. Rockwell) she must get along without a
letter till I can find to write to her tell Aunt Bet I send my love to her and
uncle Fill no more
Write soon
Stephen Gifford
Fort Tillinghast, VA
Arlington Heights
Jan 29th/65
Dear Couson
Yours of the 17 was gladly received about twenty minutes ago I rote
you a letter yesterday but will write a gain I am very very sory to hear
of Julies sicknes but I cannot help it if I could God knows I would
you think she cannot live do you I was in hopes she had lived along so
long she might get better wal we have all got to go suner or latter but it
is hard to be shure wel I think ruf wanted a furlough worse than I do for I
would gbe afraid it might be so after a battle(?) well Lew and Old Griff
will have a long(?) for him be (by) the time we ger home Although I am
perfectly willing that he should come home but I would not come for ten days if
I had the privelage unless my folks was sick Buf must of bin sick himself
well I got my coat home by the meanes that I captured wone knight on picket
Old Rat and myself takes soled comfort together hear the Boys ar all well and
the wether has moderated so it was warm and pleasant again to day
I spose the William Phillips will have to go back before long if you
see him before he goes back give him by best respects
Tell Mary Phillips I send my best respects to her and send a little love if
I darst to Mary I thank you a thousands of times for your Photograph
I think I will send mine when I get my pay them starnpes(?) came very
acceptable(?) wel I shal have to close so good by yours as ever
With my best
Respects and well wishes S. Gifford
Fort Tillinghast,
Arlington Heights, VA
April 19/65
Dearest Cousin (Mrs. Mary Williams, Troy, PA)
I received your kind letter this morning and found me well I am now on
detached duty about to muster(?) from the Battery guarding a government stable
I am on guard every day and don’t have mutch time to myself but am well and
harty as a buck The boys ar all prity well the wether is very pleasant
hear I suppose you have probably hurd of the Assusion nation
(assassination) of our noble leador and preasadent he is gone whare many of our
noble boys have gone before but the nasion (nation?) feels the loss of him far
more because he was a grand and wise man but I hope that Mr. Jonson (Vice
President Andrew Johnson) will fill his place and be as true to his Country as
Mr. Lincon and perhaps he may dear Cousins. (Lincoln was assassinated on 14
April 1865)
I have got to close to go on guard I shuld like to write you along
letter but I can’t for I spose you will see I have written this and jump
to write as mutch as I have you spoke of me not wanting to see so long
letters from you you can’t get them to long to suit me tell
that girl to write to me and I will answer.
Tell Oliver if he is satisfied with the place that I am Sutternley
(certainly) for I think his judgment is full as good as mine
Yours truly with my best wishes
Stephen (D. Gifford) direct as before give my love to all
Fort Tillinghast
Arlington Heights VA
April the 3/65
Dearest Couson (Oliver Willliams, Troy, PA)
I have taken this present oppertunity of informing you that I am well and
hope these few lines may find you the same Well I haven’t written a letter in so
long I am most ashamed to write but you must consider the sorce as the man sed
when the Jack Ass kicked him I have bin on detatched duty for twelve days and on
guard every day I received a letter form you some days ago stating that you
would send me a box as sune the road was threw I have bin waiting every day
looking for an answer but none has come dear Couson I am very mutch in need of
the bots and if I don’t get them before long I shal be obliged to draw a pair of
governments and that goes against my will fore they are but a little better than
none but I don’t want to ask to mutch of a father for you and Couson may (Mary?)
has bin as dear to me as a father and mother And dear Cousons I shal always
respect you as sutch but I don’t know as I ever can reward you for your kindness
I shal have to close by hoping you well if you haven’t sent the Rocks(?) send me
some galeses (galoshes?)
Write sune give my love to all Especially to your girl kiss Old _ay(?) for me
Yours with respect
Stephen (Gifford)
W. B. Gifford
Co F, Regt NY AR Volunteers, Camp Barrea Washington
December Friday(?) the 6 1861
Dear Cusin Mary (Williams, wife of Oliver, Troy, PA)
I have the plesure of riting a few lines to you I hope that those few
lines will find you well and all of the rest of them the same Steve(?) is
well and Gould(?) is fine and I am not well I have bin very sick I am now
a little beter now than what I was I cant speak heartely alots words(?)
I have got such a cold on my lungs but Marea (Mary?) you know that I am God ____
I ____ I am bound to stike to it ___ ___ ____ ____ I am bound to see bee fore I
come home if God spares my life long anuf thare is lots of fun down hear
Now Mary I have not know weather you can read this or not fore I cant half
rite now my hand trembles sow but I will do the best that I can and you
must do the best you can to areading it If you cant read it send to
Philedelfey and gite a lawer to read it for you ___ __ sends his love to
Jaine tell Olliver to bee a good boy and mind his mother Steve sas if you donte
anser his leters that bye God he wount rite agine I think that you had beter to
rite to him right awa
I am giting tired and must close my riting fore this time Mary ancer this
leter as soone as you gite it rite often to me and I will ancer your bee a good
good gurel (girl?) while we are all down hear to fight. This is from your
Cusin
W. B. Gifford
Direct your leters to W. B. Gifford
Fiereste N.Y. A. Re regiment Washington Camp Barrea
Company F in care of Capton W. R. Wilson
James G. Mason
Camp Near City Point, VA (Washington, D. C.)
Thursday Apr 6, 65
Dear Sister Mary (Mrs. Oliver Williams, Troy, PA)
I received your kind letter bearing date March 29th and I was glad to hear
that you were all well This leaves me well and I trust it will find you
and yours enjoying the same great blessing Well Mary I have just returned
from Petersburgh We were ordered to march Sunday morning last We
supposed we should be back before night but in the room of coming back we were
marched in front of Petersburgh there drawn up in line of battle and stood
all night held as a reserve in case we was kneaded to make a charge on the enimy
works but they were caried without us The balls and shells flew in every
direction Our army carried the last fort about 4 o’clock Monday morning
and our reg marched in to the city about 8 o’clock in the AM Went to work
and laid a bridge where Lee had made his escape and then set it on fire We
put out the fire and planked it so our army could cross I saw a good many
poor fellows wounded and about two hundred of our men dead Some had there
legs shot off and some there arms some there heads it was an awful sight.
The rebs left eight hundred dead on the field Richmond is ours and Lee has
made his escape I do not think the rebs will fight much more They
may never make another stand and they may for ought I know but I know they are
played out
Flour in Petersburgh is worth $300 or hundred dollars per barrel and I had
them offer me twenty dollars of there money for ten cents of our money so you
see they are hard up I was without sleep for 2 days and 2 nights without
any sleep Simeon had his leg hurt pretty bad He got a log rolled on
to his leg I thought one of the bones was broken at the time but I heard
it was not Horace (Taylor?) stood the march first rate and the rest of the
boys are all well as far as I know Simeon Case is well and so is Packard
Sim Case sends his love to you and Ol Now Mary you are in the rear in
regard to writing for I think you owe me 2 letters if you got them all
Well Mary is your fruit trees blomed out They are all in full bloom here
in Virginia I think Peace will be declared by the 4th of July if not
sooner then I will be home by the fourth to do my haying Tel Ol he
must write to me Give my love to Aunt Betsey Tel Jessey his Uncle Jim
would like to see him first rate Maybee I will fetch him something perhaps
a little niger boy if he wants me to I will send him a check on
Petersburgh Bank and he can buy him a horse with out it if he buys one at all
Now Mary whenever you can spare the time write to me and I will try and make the
next letter more interesting So good by for this time from your Brother J.
G. Mason
City Point VA
Tuesday Oct 18th 1864
Dear Sister Mary (Williams, Troy, Pa)
I received your kind letter informing me of Janes sickness I was vary
sorry to hear that she has been sick under such circumstances but I was glad
that it was no worse with her and that she was getting along so well I had
a letter from Jane the other day the first she has written since I left
home I have been vary sick for the last 2 weeks sicker that I ever
want to be again while I stay in the army but I am better now and think I shall
soon be able to do duty once more I saw Stephen and Art(?) several times
last week they have gone on to their company now the weather is quite warm
here now and vary dry but how long it will remain so I do not know now
Mary soldiering is not a vary desirable job you have to sleep on the
ground wet or dry and nothing but a cloth tent over a man it is pretty
hard fair but still it can not be helpt and there is no use of making any fuss
about it if I can only have my health it is all I ask for and I think I
shall after I get over this tel Oliver I should like to see him first rate
and he must not let the widows suffer up there if he can help it I think
if he seen to them all he would have more than he bargained for and I am in
hopes they will get along some way this winter they can stand it vary well
through the summer if they onely can get along this winter Simeon
got here yesterday and he feels a good deal better since he has got with the
boys he says he has had a vary lonesome time of it since he left home
he says he did not expect to find us nor see us again but he was happily
disappointed I think he will enjoy himself first rate now the
rest of the boys is all well and able to eat their grub they say General
Grant has moved on Richmond he has all of their railroads and can hold
them We heard heavy fireing last night all along the lines I suppose
he has got Petersburgh now that was the news brought here and I should
think it was so if he can onely take the rebble army with it I think this
war will end if not there is no telling when it will end I have seen
a good many rebble prisoners and one major amongst them he said they felt
confident they would whip us out but when he come to go through our lines and
see the men that Grant had in the rear he thought their was no use of fighting
any longer and he wanted to take the oath of allegiance and stop fighting
Now Mary I want you to write to me as often as you can and I will try and
answer your letters in good season so no more this time but remain your
affectionate Brother
J. G. Mason
Excuse all bad writing and write as soon as you get this
It panes me to think that I have to be separated from you at this time & my
onely consulation is that it may yet all be for the best time will tell us
My prayers are that we will live & meet again then we will forget those
days of anxiety & gloom I am anxiously looking forward to that time.
I am about out of news but I will tell you some of the tricks thay play here
Johnathon Hurlbert was over here the other day with a pitiful story he was
drafted this fall & put in to the infantry he is a little green I gefs
Well the Boys fixed a plan to blow him up they sawed a barrel in to put
powder under it then stood around it & began to talk how soon the war wold be
settled of course that suited him so he joined the Co walked in to
the ring & sat down on the barrel as it was a good seat thay fired the
powder & gave him a ride I suppose he thout he was going to take his leave
of the Army it burnt his hair quite some squarched his whiskers the same
Resembled a singed cat
I will stop at this for I see it takes up to much room to tel how they blow
up folks in fun.
I will close by wishing you all the happinefs your John wold like to bestow
to you take all the care of your self you can write as often as
twise a week & as much oftener as you feel like it My health is good except a
bad cold you know that is coming thing I had a good supper to nite
potatoes & butter
Hoping to here from you soon
I Reman as Ever your Effectionate Husband
John H. Mason
You must excuse all mistakes for I don’t look over my letters
City Point Nov 7/64
Brother Oliver (Williams)
If you wold like to have a fiew lines from Dipey hear they come such as the
are. I am well as tuf as a knot & wold be ugly if I dared to be or I wold
revenge some of the insults our sick boys have to take Jim is on the gan
so he can do a part of his dutes as a soldier Horace is quite sick but has
good courage. I have him & Jim in one tent by them selves & I make them as
comfortable as I can. We have a hard chore of it here our officers punish
for the least offence. I have run clear so far. I will give you a
small description of our houses & fare each soldier Draws a piece of cotton
clothe 2 ½ ft x 6. Three has to put them to gather Drive two sticks in to the
ground & one on top for a ridge pole. Stretch the cloth over it & fasten
the bottom with pegs it makes a pen in side 5x6 four ft high three of us
soldiers have to nest in one of those pens rather cool houses for the season of
the year. We are fed on Hard tack, & a Dog wold have to have good teeth to
eat them. We get a small piece of meat or fish a day but our fare grows
better some of the boys are having boxes of Supures sent them such as butter
chees sugar etc. Simeon is well tents clost by at present. Thare was
a man shot in his Co a fiew moments ago he was a fine or they all sa so he was
shot by a rouddy lived but a fiew minutes leaves a Wife & two children such is
the fortunes of War. Well I see by the papers Old Abe is to be our next
President. What do you think about the war closeing in the next four years
I don’t think it will close before my time is out nor not then. What I
have seen of this country looks devastated anough thare is not a stick of fence
& but seldom a house to be seen not a field of grain to be seen nor a hil of
potatoes not a bird but what has fled except the Busards You know nothing
of war at home. I have seen some of the Boys that came last spring they
all tell one story all down on the war.
What do you think of the next draft. I hear thare is to be a nother
Well Mary I hardly know what to say to you of Virginia one thing surten I
have not seen a good looking woman in the country not one with hoofs on they
carry thare loads on thare heads & look crofseyd at our soldiers I will
have to close this for we have to go to bed at the tap of the drum We get
up at the call of the Drum get our diners at the call of the drum put our lites
out When the drum says so sick or well & by the by we have to do just what the
drum says I wold like to have you go to see Lize as often as you can
I fer that she must feel lonesome I wold like to go home this winter but
have no hopes of getting thare if eny thing shold turn up that this company
shold go to Washington I shall try hard to get a furlow Write as soon as
you can find time to do so & if you can read this I will write again.
John (Mason)
Camp Near Poplar Grove Church Jan 7/65
Dear Brother (Oliver Williams)
I received your letter to day I can insure you I was glad to hear from you
I should of answered your first letter before this had it not ben for my bad
luck though I do not feel like complaining. I was going to write the nite
I went of the Warren raid I suppose that was a good introduction in the soldier
line. We got our orders Saturday afternoon at four O’clock to be ready to
march at five rather short notice for a chap to pack up his house hold formation
in the snow & ice was about two inches deep we soon mixed it up with the mud til
the mortar was from 4+ to 10 inches we had 60 pounds to cary at least we startd
at five the nite was quite dark Our orders ware that no man shold tier out
without a writton permit from his Capt. We marched til four in the morning
nothing to eat. I cold here close up thare from our officers they ware on
a good horse quite a difference in the legs I recon. We camped in a
cornfield on a nice plantation a farm of some two hundred acers cleard & nicely
fenced we soon had good fiers built of dry pine rails which burnt good in the
rain I saw plenty of men tierd out by the road side fast a sleep & the
cold rain falling on them & I tell you before I get through what punishment
those tired out soldiers received by there officers Sunday about noon Warrens
Cavrely began to come over the bridge. I made up my mind if I shold go to
ware again I wold go in Cavelry Regt. They had all sorts of confiscated
goods abord some had turkeys tied to thare saddles some hens some two bags of
bacon all there horses cold carry some had charge of yellow gals & some pure
black ones. Some had droves of cattle others had a pair of oxon hitched
before a cart Cart loaded with all sorts of produce & they done there work well
they burnt all behind them I saw several fine houses on fire at one time &
cold see the smoke raising from others. fore once the Rebs were paid in
own coin our boys found some of our boys who had ben taken prisoners
murdered & layd side of the road so they cold be seen. Where ever they
found one they left three Rebles hanging on a limb on this raid Genral
Warren went 50 miles in to the Rebles dominions Destroyd 25 miles of thare
railroad burnt several towns distroyd large amounts of Rebles stores I
think it is all _afs(?) to talk of starven the rebs thare country is full of
corn & all other Eatables I saw barns ful of corn & fields of nice corn not
husked it wold look as if they had no place to store it But the owners had
scadadled & when they get back they find no corn nor houses Well Sunday nite we
ware all marched down to the river drawn up in line of battle to gard our bridge
or se the Jones Did not pitch on while our Boys ware taken up thare bridge.
It did not take them long to take up thare bridge & load it We saw no foe so we
ware marched back to the cornfield. had orders to be reddy to march at four
O’clock. I was glad when it came for it was a very cold nite it frose so
hard that the mud holes held up the artilery. We had all we cold do to
keep from freesing the water froze up in my canteen & that hanging at my side
something I did not look for in the suny south. At four we ware under
motion they marched us til fore without a bite to eat onely leting us stop to
rest a fiew times & onely a fiew minutes at a time I was glad to get back
to camp but I had rather kept on raiding. I stood the march first rate but
I never saw such a limper nor I never want to strap another knapsack on my back
the boys that fel out or rather tired out ware court martialed thare
sentence was to have ten dollars taken from thare pay & have a knapsack drill of
8 hours a day for tow (two?) days with 25 pounds of sand in thare knapsacks
beside all thare acoutrements I guefs you know Lush Loper he was that got
punished you would laugh to here him take on I received the things you
sent me & I am vary much obliged to you for them you have no idea how we
soldiers like to get something good to eat. When I got my box & nice
present I cold not taste a bite of eny thing I was attact with fevre. I
was sent to the hospittle near City Point I was gone from the Co. nere two weeks
But thank God I am well again or nerely so. I am doing my duty again as a
soldier I have a great meny things I wold like to tel you if this does not tire
your patience let me know & I will try it again
From your brother John (Mason)
Sister Mary (Undated Letter)
I am a going to write you a fiew lines this time & you may look for a long letter sometime I like so to here from my friends why it is the nerest I get to Home is to get a letter I may as well write or tel you first what troubles me the most I do feel vary uneasy about Eliza to be where I cant go to see her under no sircomstances fairly makes me wild to think of it it troubles me more by fair than the ware you have ben up to see her I hope you will go often I wold like to have you thare if she is sick or when she is sick I have ben writing to her to get a girl to do her work I want you to go up as soon as you can & make her hire a girl I no she feels lonely & I think her health is vary poor & to think that she has to be thare exposed to the cold winter having to do out doores work makes me sick of this ware if I had the power I would close this ware today & me at home to nite
Well I spent Christmas & New Years in the hospittle we had a nice diner Christmas I did not partake much of it but New Years I done good justice to the diner we has oisters to commence with I eat a dish for the first time & thought them good then we had rost turkey matched potatoes warm buiscut & butter then pudings & pies then the nuts ware passed a round all _____ to the soldiers then old Nick came around as they called him & gave each of us a little piece of paper with a number on it then came Old Santiclas with his bugget of toys it was the first time I ever saw him he is a funny looken old chap & with the help of old Nick he delt out his toys & of all the funy things some got Rattles boxes others little doll babys some a dose of salts some a hard tack some a jacknife & soon I got a fiew candys it was children play a monghts men: I am so glad to heare Horace is geting well James was at the hospittle to see me twise he looks quite well I saw Obedier he says his health is first rate here I regret vary much of being separated from all the friends but they do as they like here Simeons health is good Ambrose has had a hard time of it but is better now I am tenting with James Cease give my love to Aunt Betsy how I wold like to see you all. I will have to close write as soon & as often as you can find time
From your Effectionate Brother John (Mason)
1 Burks Station April 15, 1865
Dear Sister Mary (wife of Oliver Willams)
I received your most welcome letter this morning being the first mail I have
received for 15 days I received five letters from Elisa some of them was
written last winter We broke camp 29 day of March and took the field we
were chasing Lee After chasing him 13 days and some nights he was obliged to
surrender or be wiped out from the face of the Earth he tried the same game with
Genral Grant the he used to play with the copperheads little ___ Lee wanted a
flag of truce for a fiew days Grant told him he wold give him two hours to
surrender in or he wold wipe him from the face of the Earth but the cost has bin
great we have lost a great meny men. Leut. Case was kiled in front of Petersburg
he was the first man to jump in the parapet of the Rebel fort and was shot
through the head we hear Sam Cease is kiled but I don’t know positively
Well this war is over as near as I can learn I think I shall soon be home hope
so at least then I will tell you more of war than I can write this is a fine
country the peach trees were in blossoms in March we have trodden down fields of
wheat nicely headed out My health is good better than it has been since I came
to this country. I guess hard marches agree with me. I will close
for I guefs you can’t read this my pen is poor and I am writen laying down on
the side of a hil
James Cease is well so is Samuel Williams so Lize wold not give you one of
those homely pictures I will send one and you need not give it to her unlefs you
have a mind to tel Oliver I will be down to take dinner with him the forth if
not before
I will close for this time & promise to do better next time write as soon as
you can get time you must habe more than you can do to tend those little
motherless children and do your work
From your Brother John (Mason)
Horace D. Taylor
Head Quarters 3rd Brigade
Fort Richardson
Aug 28th 64
Friend Oll (Oliver Williams)
Seeing that I haint wrote to you before I thought I would write you a few
lines to let you know that I am well at presant and hope that you are all the
same and all the folks the reason that I haint wrote before I have been
mounted Ordley most ever sence I came out and I haint had no time to write only
a letter home once in a while and so you must excuse me for this time for when I
git my pay and so I can git some invelops and postage stamps I will try and
write little oftner O how does that pipe smoke is it a good one or
not wel the rest of the Boys are all well Gust and Weller are all right I was
over to the Battery last night but they don’t know that I am a writing to you if
they did they might put in a word or two we have had a quite a good deal
of rain lately and when it don’t rain it is so warm that a man cant hardly stand
it but to day is is little cooler than it has been for some time and it don’t
rain eather wal Ole what do you think of the draft or haint there agoing
to be any draft will they fill there numbers with out a draft or not
I cant think of any more this time only I wished I was there eating warm Sugar
but I will haft to waite a while before I can git any more warm Sugars again so
I will close for this time so good bye until you hear from me again
Excuse all poor writeing and Spelling
This from your Friend Horace D. Taylor
Direct to Horace D, Taylor Battery F 1st NY light arty
Washington DC
in care of Capt W R Wilson
Give my Best Respect to your wife and all the rest of the folks and all
inquiring friends and keep a part yourself
Ambrose Williams
Fort Grary(?) near City Point (Washington, DC)
Sunday January 8 1864
My Dear Sister
I take this opertunity write a few lines to let you know that I am well and
hope these few lines will find you enjoy the same blessing I have had too
leters from you and I thought I would answer them my helth is good at
present I think I never gind so fast in too weeks in my life I am
very fleshy you would not hardly know me but the g__________ and C_______ run me
down rather low I saw Simeon to day he was passing by and called a little
while I had not seen him but once since the day we held our Election
their he was in stayed about five minutes he looks well and is in good spirits
we have preaching moste every Sunday closte by rite out in the open field
I was very sory to hair that your and Prudence _____ agread Prudence tolle me
something about it but I don’t want to hear any thing about it ___ I wish is
that Father had not come to stay at my house I might have known beter for when
he come to live with me before they could not be easy till they got him away but
I guess we will get along some way my folks have tried run over me ever I was
married I have tried for Father and Mother but if Prudence and I had done is
sorry of the Children(?) had they thought more of us but I hope I shall live to
get home again for I think my wife and children would stand ________ chance
there was something sayed about Father not getting enough to eat but any one
will find falt with any living at home had beter come down hear our hogs get
beter than we get I get three hard tack and one cup of coffy for breakfast
for diner three hard tack and a little beef or pork with a little bean soop or
rice at nite the three _____ ___ and coffy with out any chang I don’t want
blame any one for I don’t know but there is one that knows I don’t mean to lay
___ any thing against any one
Was on guard yesterday and last night I am sleepy and tiered so I will close
by biding you good by My love Oliver and Ant Betsey and the rest of the folks
From your brother Ambrose
Write when convenient
Direct as before
I gess it will bother you to read this (YES Ambrose !!!!)
Oct Sunday the 23 1864
Dear Brother and Sister (Oliver and Mary Williams)
I take this oportunity to let you know that I am well at presant
and hope these few lines will find you enjoying the swrn blessing I have ben
well since I have ben down here except ifw days there was one day but what I don
duty James (?) is on the gain Simeon _____ is at work Simeon got here last
Monday he is well and feels more at home I had a very tuff time a giting down
here that nite I saw you at Troy I did not get out of the cars ti I got to
Baltimore Wensday morning I ___ Sterin(?) and the rest of his company they had
____ _____ ____ they _____ here our layin is rather tough but I think I can stan
it one year if others can stan it there the work is not hard we have
worked three weeks on fortification we haf to be out all day when we might do
the work in too hours it is thirteen miles long it is ___ eight fet wide and
from eight to ten feet deep and there is fourteen forts it makes a good deal of
work but there is a number of thousands of men at work at it It is about
finished we expect a big battle soon I hope it will be the last one Oliver
don’t forget to vote for Lincon if you think it will bring this war to a close
very soon for that is what I want now but time passes away very well ___ ____
thare it will when we hafto with the _____ We haven’t got our _____ yet
and I don’t care about them I must stop riting for it is hard work I have a hard
place to write tell Eliner(?) that James (?) was with Sam Williams the last I
heard of him so no more at present.
From your brother
Ambrose Williams
Sam Williams
Camp Boliver Heights Oct 15/62
Dear Sister (Mary Williams, Troy, PA?)
I received your letter with the one from Lide and Mother last evening It has
been a long time coming but still I was glad to hear from you but sorry to heare
that Oliver and Lide were sick but hope they are well by this time. I am
sorry to inform you that those good things you sent us we have never received
and I am afraid we never will. There has several boxes come for this Regt
but none for us. We are all well and in good spirits. I am getting
fat I have gained three pounds since I enlisted and have had the best of health
I would like very much to see you all but I suppose I will have to wait
sometime. But I understand General McClellan is trying to have the nine
months men discharged and gives for his reason the fact that there can be no
movements made this winter but by water and he will have to feed and clothe us
this winter and in the spring when the roads get good our time will be out I
hope the propisition will be favorably received by the government I would
like to spend Christmas at home very well. The weather here is very
changeable sometimes cool and sometimes warm it is very pleasant today. We
have not had much marching since the battle. We have better living now
than we had some time ago we get fresh bread sometimes and also fresh beef.
We have small tents also which is better than nothing. We expect to stay
here some time perhaps all winter but cannot tell for certain. We have a
very nice camp ground about one mile from Harpers Ferry. I hope we will
stay here for I do not like the idea of moving. But I must close give my
love to all inquiring friends my love to you and the rest of the family please
write soon to your brother Sam (Williams?)