Daily Archive

United States Sanitary Commission covered wagon with horses and soldiers in front of a fort, large flag overhead.

Two men carry a bucket of coffee suspended from a stick. One man is barefoot and with patched clothes, the other holds a cup.

Barefoot man: “Heres your good hot coffee.”

Other man: “Only one cracker a cup”

Civil War Treasures from the New-York Historical Society,
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/ndlpcoop/nhihtml/cwnyhshome.html

A peddler stands behind a low table on which clumps of tobacco and playing cards are laid out. A prisoner approaches, holding bread in his hand, to buy some tobacco.

Prisoner: “Can you give me a chew tobacco for this piece of bread.”

Peddler: “Heres your big chews tobacco for a cracker.”

Civil War Treasures from the New-York Historical Society,
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/ndlpcoop/nhihtml/cwnyhshome.html

Five prisoners sit around a table playing cards and betting. Another prisoner approaches one of the men and asks to be included. Ships are seen in the background.

Standing prisoner: “Mr. Can I come in the game.”

First prisoner: “That’s low, that’s out.”

Second prisoner: “No you can’t come in this game, I believe your the cause of my bad luck.”

Third prisoner: “I think high goes out before low.”

Fifth prisoner: “Who in the devil could play such hands as I get.”

Civil War Treasures from the New-York Historical Society,
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/ndlpcoop/nhihtml/cwnyhshome.html

Geneva
Aug. 30th 1863.

Friend Adeline

I received your welcome letter a short time since and was glad to hear from you  We are all well at present the diptheria is rageing here again at Delavan there has a great many died.  Last night we had quite a hard frost it bit the corn on the low ground but today it has come of warm and pleasant I attended the funeral of a soldier boy today he died at Murfreesboro his brother sent him home his body came tuesday his funeral was preached today his name was Elnathan Fellows he died for his country what fearful work this war is makeing  the news reached us last night of the fall of Ft Sumter…Wagner we are in hopes everyday of hearing that Charleston is burned Hannah Maria got a letter from Eshan last thursday he was at Placerville Cal. he had gone into business he was getting forty dollars a month he is working on a Rail Road and thinks he will get higher wages after a little there has been a great quantity of blackerries here this season and we have gathered a great many in the morning we would be up and off before light or else we couldnt get any Michael raised over four hundred bushels of wheat he had the best winter wheat that was raised any where a bout here I should think you might come down here and see your old friends we should all be glad to see you wish you lived in Savanna so when they had some of their excurssions out to the Mississippi river I could come and see you I went last fall on one of there excursions to the river all we had to give for going was one dollar to crossed the river in a ferry boat took …in Iowa shall have to close hoping to hear from you soon

yours truly Lydia

The Old Home

When I long for fainted memories
Like angel troops they come,
If I fold my arms and ponder
On the old, old home.

The heart hath many palpages,
Through which the feelings roam,
But it middle aisle is sacred
To the old, old home.

Chorus: Oh, the old, old home. Oh, the old, old home
I’ll fold my arms and ponder on the old, old home.

Where infancy was sheltered,
Like rosebuds from the blast;
Where boyhood’ brief elysian,
In joyousness was past.

To that bright spot forever.
As to some hallowed dome;
Life’s pilgrim binds his visions
Tis’ his old, old home.

Chorus: Oh, the old, old home. Oh, the old, old home
I’ll fold my arms and ponder on the old, old home.

A father sat how proudly
By the bright hearthstone’s says,
And told his children stories,
Of his early Manhood days:

While one soft eye was beaming -
From child to child ‘twould roam;
Thus a mother counted her treasures
In the Old, Old home.

Chorus: Oh, the old, old home. Oh, the old, old home
I’ll fold my arms and ponder on the old, old home.

The birthday gifts and festivals,
The blended Vesper hymn,
But one dear one was swelling it
Is with the Seraphim.

The fonds good night of bedtime -
How quiet sleep woul dcome,
And fold us all together,
In the Old, Old home.

Chorus: Oh, the old, old home. Oh, the old, old home
I’ll fold my arms and ponder on the old, old home.

Like a wreath of scented flowers,
Close intertwined each heart,
But time and change in concert,
Have blown that wreath apart.

Yes fondly cherished memories,
Like Angels ever come
If I fold my arms and ponder
On the Old, Old home.

Chorus: Oh, the old, old home. Oh, the old, old home
I’ll fold my arms and ponder on the old, old home.

August 1861
By John T. Tropell

Camp Pierpont, Virginia,

Jan 19, 1862.

Dear Sister I now take this pleasant opportunity of writing a few lines to you to let you know that I am well and hope these few lines may find you and all the rest the same. I must heer tell you that I have been looking for a letter from you this good while but up to this time I have received no answer from you to my letter and to tell the truth I am not verry well pleased about it either. I think you ought to have more time to write than I have but never mind if you have forgot your brother in the Army I cannot help it but that will of that we are all kept in our tents today for it has been raining all day and verry near all last night and no signs of stoping. I want to go out to the Potomac River for I expect it is verry high and I want to see it and will see it if I have to go in the rain. You would not believe how muddy it is around our camp for when we came here it was a wheat field and the wheat was coming up had not been plowed long. When we first come here it was raining and we had not got our tents for two days and had to crawl away the best way we could at night. It was very near nigh before we got our knapsacks of and then got what we could to eat and in the morning go out about a mile and cut down the woods falling the tops toward the rebels so they could not get their cannons or cavalry though it. When we come back at night our tents had not come nor we did not see them till the next night. So you may know that we had a hard time of it but we are fixed up nice now. We have got quite a nice little home but we have to carry our wood a good ways. We have done no drilling for a week now for it has been wet and muddy for more than a week. That ring that you gave me has been lost more than two months now but I do not know how or when I lost it but it is gone. Our Captain has come back. I do not know whether I have told you that he was at home sick or not but he was. He has come now and we was glad to see him. As glad as he was to see us for the men think a great deal of him and brag about having the best Captain in the regiment which we have. But our First Leiutenant and orderly Sargeant has gone home to recruit and he will be verry apt to arrest the man that deserted with my 5 dollars. I did not tell you that we got a pair of gloves and a pair of woolen stockings from our friends in Chester but we did. No more at present but remain your afectionate brother James S. Ashbridge

My love is to you all. Write soon.

The hand-written letter is dated Jan. 19, 1862 and in the hand of James S. Ashbridge who was a soldier at Camp Pierpont, Virginia. The matching Union letterhead and postal cover that both have a colorful Pennsylvania seal with Lady Liberty holding the Union Flag marked “For the Union”. Below her is “C. Magnus, 12 Frankfort St., N.Y.”. The postal cover is addressed to the soldier’s sister - Miss Hannah Ashbridge of Media, Delaware, in Pennsylvania County.

Enlisted on 5/31/1861 as a Corporal.

On 5/31/1861 he mustered into “C” Co. PA 30th Infantry
He was Mustered Out on 6/13/1864 at Philadelphia, PA

Other Information:
born 2/9/1842
died 1/10/1919
Buried: Grandview Cemty, Cambria Co., PA

Federal Pension Information:
He applied for a pension on 5/21/1892 from the state of PA
application # 1,112,491
His Widow (Sadie B Ashbridge) applied for a pension on 2/6/1919
application # 1,135,675

Camp griffin Virginia Oct 26th 1861

Dear Parents tis sum cold hear now but it aint so cold as it has ben. Night before last there was the largest frost that I ever see in Brandon at this time of the year. It rains here every other day about and then it is cold . Night before last I thought that I was at home for the 6 Regiment came hear and I see Moses Tatrow and Peater to and James Noyes and Franklin to and James Shepston to and Roger Blakely to and Gorge Far to and Charley Backus to and of all the wrest it was Daney Ayers and so you can jest tell Grey Ayers that I see Daney and he is well.

Today is a division Revew of 30 thousand men and yestaday was a Breagod ( Brigade) Drill and the day before was a Genral revew but today I got out of it for I am on Picket Gard three miles from camp, and I can hear this very minut the Rebbels Drums and guns too… they don’t say eney mor about the war hear than they do up there. If they say eney thing it is how long is it before I can fight the dam Rebbels and that is my mind to. But we will give them fights bfore long to and you will hear the guns roar up there to and they will be another Bulls run but the Bulls will run the other way… Tell mother not to fret about me for I am as safe as a mouse in the mill. Take all the comfort she can to… to have a dance this winter for Abe to and dance like the devil..

Tell Frank that I have got one of the hansomis caps for him that he ever see it is, all beads maid by an Indian woman and I will have something nice for Charley too and Mandy. To kiss them all . Tell Charley to give my colt some oats this winter and I will send him money anouf to buy him a new coat and a new pare of boots. And Frank if he is a good boy. Tell Mandy that Johney will by her sum shoes… tell her to dance for me to

No more at present, Yours John W Pitridge

Here is a genuine Civil War Letter by John W. Pitridge, U.S. Army Co. H. 5th Regiment Vermont Volunteer Infantry, written to his parents from Camp Griffin, Virginia on October 20, 1861, giving mention of hearing rebels drums and guns, seeing old friends arriving at Camp Griffin, wanting to engage Rebels, touching comments to his family at home in Vermont, and other personal matters.

Camp Clark (Texas)

July 17, 1862

Regimental Headquarters

Mrs Preston, my dear friend,

We were delightfully sorprised this morning by our mail carrier bringing us your good letter. I had preposed writing you today and was very glad to have a letter to answer. I am sorry you have been afflicted with sore eyes and dear little Charley, how I pity him. I know he wants his county to take his part. I wish I could be with you all and my husband too and the only way that I see to bring it about is for you to come to Camp Clark. Mr S. is the busiest man in the regiment and I don’t see how he could possibly be absent for several days at a time. I am much more pleasantly situated than before and entertain a great deal of company camp fashion. We have a very good negro man for a servant. He is a passible cook. The great difficulty lies in getting something to cook. The country around can not supply us with either milk, butter or vegetables. The Regiment is in excellent health. Not a single new case of measles since they came here. You have nothing to fear on Charley’s account. If you will come we will all go up to Dr. Thompson’s and stay all night. We have promised them to do so. Their home is only two miles from here. I meet a great many acquaintences. I think there are at least fifty families camped above the regiment on the river.

I will be greatly obliged if you will send us those culinary utensils. We need a large coffee pot that will hold three or four quarts, six pint cups, one tin bucket with a —, two tin pans not particular as to size. Also the stew kettle & frying pan that Mrs. Medlin sent up. I do not think of anything else but if you see among those articles anything you think we will stand in need of please send it except earthen ware which we have no use for. I will pay for those articles that Mr. Preston will please buy for us when I see him again. Mr. S. says he holds that fifty subject to Mr. Preston’s order as he has no use for it at present. He will also take charge of the other watch. Thinks there will be no difficulty in selling it when the soldiers receive their pay which they expect in a few days. As yet they have only received fifty dollars bounty. Mr. Sherwood would write in this letter but he is busy as a bee. Is now out mounting guard. Our buggy is broken down again. We loaned it to a big fat man to take Miss Gennie Medlin who was staying a few days with us in camp to preaching over the river and it came back used up. Perhaps you have heard of the marked attention I have received from some of my particular friends by way of painting my buggy horse. Also Mr. Sherwood’s Gray so that it was impossible to recognize them. Mr. Sherwood says there are but two or three men in the regiment that would do it and symptoms are very decided as to them. It will probably break out soon.

The orderly is waiting for this letter and I must close.

Do come to camp.

With much love & kisses, I remain,

A. Sherwood

Big Piney Creek, M. and C. R.R. Ala

Oct 8th, 1864

My Dear Flora,

You think I have been silent a long while and so I have but no fault of mine. You too have been silent a long while but no fault of yours. Mr. Forest (the Old Rebel) is to blame for it all. Just as I began to get caught up again with letters and news after the Wheeler raid, Forest with his legion of Raiders came in - tore up the track this side of Athens, took the Post of Athens, went on to Sulphur Trestle; destroyed that, then destroyed the bridge over Elk River (the one we guarded while Wheeler was here) and went on toward Pulaski but was repulsed there with a loss of some 800 men. Where he is now we can’t tell but most of his force came came back again to Athens after attempting to reach the Chattanooga & Nashville Road to destroy it and after burning up the track on the other side of us here about 4 miles this side of Huntsville. Thus they flanked us on both sides but didn’t disturb our little Garrison here at all.

When they returned to Athens, 5 companies of our Regt. were there with Lt. Col. Wade in command. The Rebel commander sent in a flag of truce asking Wade to surrender also stating that he had placed a sufficient number of men around the Fort to destry everything and only for the sake of humanity had given him privilege to surrender. Col Wade answered that none of his men were hurt yet and he thought he could take care of the Fort at least he meant to try awhile longer. After this correspondence the fighting ceased and the Rebel Commander moved on toward Florence on the Tennessee River.

About 6,000 Infantry troops have passed down toward Athens from the Front since they repaired the road this side Huntsville and since then we have seen nothing nor heard any news whatever. It has been 17 days since we received any mail ot read a paper. The trains run regularly on the Nashville and Chattanooga R.R. but they bring no pepers from Stevenson down here.

Company “K” is still badly shaking. I have sent 18 off to Hospital since the Wheeler Raid and now have almost 8 more who are having the ague every day, myself among the number. We presume that Col Wade will have us relieved from here as soon as things get settled again.

I have been lonesome a little and longed for letters from Flora and home. I couldn’t send letters or you should not have waited in vain for them as I am compelled to by the fortunes of war. Perhaps I can’t send this for a week yet.

It has been raining for near two weeks until 3 days since the floods ceased and Piney Creek begins to grow less again. It is very beautiful today. The mocking birds woke me up this morning with their trilling warbles in the boughs over my shanty and the “nameless songsters of the grove”make music jusy as sweet as spring time whenever the sun shines. The leaves are begining to change color and the white frost has been on the grass again these two mornings. The hickory nuts and walnuts and “Persimmons” are abundant here and if we only were well and hearty we could lay in a good supply for winter. Three of the boys have gone out today to get a pail full of muscadines for dinner. I am having some mush made for my dinner having been so fortunate as to obtain some meal and sorghum yesterday. Since our communications have been broken we have been rather scant of rations having “Hard Tack” and groceries. No meat only what we have been able to butcher ourselves in the country. We haven’t suffered at all for we have a sheep or a young “Porker” nearly every day. What we are most hungary for is the news, the history that is being daily made out in the world and especially in our own country and around our own homes in the Northland. I have not been entirely alone. I have a Tennyson “Parley’s School History” and a great stack of old “Continentals”, “Atlantics”, “Ecleatics”, “Harpers”, “Goday’s”, “Knickerbockers”, “Littells Living Age” & other lesser lights all by the kindness of Miss Mollie Garret who gave them to Charley to read and then went off to Fayetteville, Tenn. and Charley went off to Hospital and turned them over to me. Thus in reading when I could and writing bits of journal etc., blowing on the flute and reading over and putting away old letters. I have managed to put in the odd hours of my well time. You have been a dear good girl, Flora, you wrote me 8 nice letters in August and one only received of the “September series”. There is more somewhere lingering by the wayside. I have them all neatly filed away in my portfolio - 25 altogether. I’d rather the Rebs would capture anything else of mine than my Portfolio

Isn’t there considerable of poetry in the accompanying poem from an Indianapolis Journal? Jennie Shannon has written before perhaps. I am so anxious to hear from you in your new home and learn how you are satisfied and all the news. I won’t seal this at present. Perhaps it may be some days ere I can mail and I know I shall want to say something else by that time. In the meantime, my thoughts are again ere 10 months, but “absence” doesn’t conquer the Love of Job.

Sunday 9th.

A prospect of getting to mail letters this P.M. A train came up via Stevenson this morning and it is reported it had mail on. A courier has gone up to get it. Hope to get a “heap” of letters. Had ague again yesterday P.M. pretty hard. Perry is at Athens. He was down to see us a short time ago. Had & John are at Pulaski in Hospital. The sun still shines. The best wishes and affections of Job. are as ever yours, Flora. Good Bye.

(Job Barnard)

Job Barnard (1844-1923)

Judge Barnard was born on Maple Arbor Farm, Porter County. Indiana on 8 June 1844 and was the ninth child of William and Sally Barnard. He grew to young manhood on his father’s farm. He early developed a love for knowledge and was an incessant reader of the works of the best authors. He received his early education in the public schools of his county and later attended the Valparaiso Male and Female College for two years. With the outbreak of the civil war young Barnard was an early volunteer for service in the Union army. He enlisted and was assigned to Company K of the 73rd Indiana Volunteer Infantry, serving with that command all through the conflict. He was mustered out with the rank of sergeant. The last year of the war he was in command of his company as all the commisioned officers of his command had been taken prisoner. His regiment was in the Army of the Cumberland and his service was in Tennessee and Kentucky. While serving in the army he studied shorthand which had a determining influence on his future life. At the close of the war he entered he entered the University of Michigan for the study of law and graduated from that school in the class of 1867. Forty years later the university conferred upon him the honorary degree LL.D.

On September 25, 1867, he was married to Miss Florence A. Putnam and then located in Crown Point, Indiana where he practiced law until June 1873, being a partner of his brother Milton Barnard and Elisha Field. He served as town clerk, marshal, assessor and city treasurer. His knowledge of shorthand and experience as a court reporter brought him to Washington as one of the assistant clerks in the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia serving under the late Chief Justice David K. Cartter. In 1876 he formed a law partnership with James S.Edwards and practiced under the firm name of Edwards & Barnard until October 1, 1899 when President McKinley appointed him one of the associate justices of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia which position he held with marked ability and honor to himself and the bench and bar until June 8, 1914 when he retired at the age of seventy years.

On February 28, 1923 he died at age 79 due to influenza. He was interned at Arlington national cemetery with military honors under auspices of the Department of the Potomac G.A.R. of which Judge Barnard was a member. The pallbearers were the six judges of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia.

In 1926 an elementary school was built in the District of Columbia and named after Job Barnard. It was completely modernized and reopened in 2003 and stands today as a testament to this great American.

COVER: US 3 Cent tied with Oct 12, 1864 Nashville, Ten cancel.

March 7, 1862

A mother and father each write to their son Fred, a confederate soldier in the war: “Ma: “

…All morning, the children have been fixing two boxes to send you and “our soldiers”. But I should not be surprised if the North Carolina Regt: has left for Suffolk. I can’t imagine how so many men can be spared from the Peninsula if they expect an attack there, and I am sure Gloucester Point was weak enough before. I think if the Yankees knew as much about it as we do they would try to reach Richmond by the York and James. I am afraid we are not so well prepared as they must think. . . Make yourself easy about Pa’s going into the Army, the people could not spare him and would not allow it I am sure. You know he does a great deal of practice among the poor. There is hardly a day he doesn’t visit someone, and sometimes there are as many as ten persons here a day to see him, either as physician or magistrate, his is a very different case than those who live for themselves alone. . . . When will you be entitled to your furlough for enlisting for the war. ?I heard through L. Gwathmey that he had reenlisted and was going to join a company which would belong to Wise’s Legion, and seemed very unhappy about it. He says he doesn’t know where or how he is. Give my love to Garnett and remember that his Mother requested the very last time you saw her - “to watch over my dear child, and try to exert as good an influence over him as you can.” Peachie professed conversion at a Presbyterian meeting a few weeks ago?”

“Pa” writes: ” find out…what I am allowed…How much for the lighter..go to Richmond & make complaints to the authorities?government, & if they…make me their game, I shall expose them…law says only horses and provisions can be impressed into the service of the Confederacy…Ask Lt. Smith what he thinks…”

______ People are getting very much dissatisfied with the Post office?all the boys are at Camp Madison where they were all home on a furlough?they were to be mustered into service but would not till they get the bounty money they were promised. There has been three regiments of Michigan soldiers went through here in the last week and there is several more to come yet as fast as they receive their arms and clothing there are looking set of men big and stout looking?we received word this morning that Stonewall Jackson was whipped or rather he had retreated and that we have captured 17,000 of his men and killed and wounded 20,000 and that our loss was 8,000 killed and wounded?I hope it is true for he is, that is Jackson / the best General the Rebels have. Well, I suppose I will have to give up thinking of going a soldering for Cooper has refused to take me . I should like very much to go but I suppose I could not stand in for it hurts me a good deal to work anymore. I would like to have a hand in this War some way. I hope they will draft me and then I will get to go.They have been examining men /what they thought were exempt in Lisbon for the last week there has been the damdest set of cowards up there that you ever seen / one man sed he had the Pox and the doc made him strip and he had rubbed poke berries over his tool. Another one sed he had the Piles they examined him and pulled a piece of liver out of him about five inches long / he had cut it smooth and round and stuck it in his behind and a thousand other excuses were offered to get cleared of being drafted?I heard today that (they) had contracted to build a Gun Boat…the 104th Regt is going to leave for Kentucky tomorrow?

R. Hurst

R. Hurst, writes to his brother in Union with some great war related content and curious tales of how people are avoiding the draft:

Bivouc, near Suffolk Virginia

April 26th, 1863

Mary,

As I am somewhat at leisure this morning I will write you all a few lines to let you know that I am well, & brother Jim [see note below] is also well. We are now in the woods on picket Our Brigade is on the extreme right of our battle line. Our Regt. is detached some mile and a half from the main part of the brigade guarding a point in a swamp through which the enemy attempted to pass (on the evening of the 23rd ) with a few skirmishers while a company of the 57th was on picket at this point, but they did not succeed in getting through. Our men killed one of the Yankees & I understand wounded several, I saw the dead one. There was heavy skirmishing on the whole line on the even of the 23rd. Our Regt was not engaged in it but were under the fire of Artillery which was quite heavy. The 14th Va. Regt. which is in our Brigade was in the skirmishing and had two Captains mortally wounded. We did not move to this point until that night when we were sent here to reinforce the 57th which had been detached from the other part of the brigade to guard the right together with several other Regiments. The enemy seemed to make a general move that evening for the purpose of finding out our strength & the position of our batteries and fortifications which we have been constructing since we came down here. I think our men drove them back at every point though it was more a fight between the skirmishers or pickets and an artillery fight. The enemy did not make anything by the move. Last week the Yankees captured five pieces of artillery & about 150 men on the left of the line which is occupied by Genl Hoods division. I think the artillery belonged to our division. I do not believe that it is the intention of Gen. Longstreet to attack Suffolk and I don’t think the Yankees are bold enough to attack us in position, consequently there will be no general engagement here for some time to come. Martin is back in the rear with the wagons he has been unwell but is getting about well?

W. G. Cabaniss

WILLIAM GEORGE CABANISS (1843?1926) Enlisted on 6/2/1861 at Cascade as a Lieutenant. On 6/2/1861 he was commissioned into “K” Co. VA 38th Infantry. He was listed as: * Wounded in action at Seven Pines, VA (In arm) * Admitted 6/3/1862 Chimborazo Hospl, Richmond, VA * Returned 7/5/1862 * Wounded 8/25/1864 Bermuda Hundred, VA (In jaw) * Admitted 9/9/1864 Richmond, VA Hospl. Promotions: * Capt 8/3/1864]

JIM is listed as:
* Furlough 7/9/1861 (place not stated) (Home, sick with fever)
* Returned 8/15/1861 (place not stated) (Estimated day)
* Wounded 7/3/1863 Gettysburg, PA
* Admitted 7/20/1863 Danville, VA Hospl (Wounds)
* Returned 10/8/1863 (place not stated)
* Admitted 3/22/1865 Stuart Hospl, Richmond, VA (With acute bronchitis)

This probably Thomas Cofer (from Georgia), Company C, GA Sumter Flying Light Artillery

Richmond Va.

June 3rd 1864.

Dear Mag

Thinking you would like to hear from me as often as possible at times like this I take this opportunity to write you lines hoping this may find you all well. I am well and still at work but on yesterday most of the Batalions (sic) of the City was ordered out. and some one or two companies from ours went out but none from our shop as we are very busy at this time but cant say but what / we may be ordered out at any time but I think we will not be unless there is great danger of the Yankees getting to Richmond. and in that event they would callout all who could raise a gun to shoot but I am in hope that we will not be so hard put as that as it seems from all accounts that we gain a victory at almost every Battle.

But I expect we must loose a great many men. it has to be expected that a great Battle would come oft for the last two or three days and in fact there has been quite heavy skirmishing for two or three days and last evening I thought they had comince the Big fight as there was heavy firing and this morning as soon as it was light they comence again. We could hear cannon and small arms very plain in the City /Could not be over five or six miles oft. and it is reported in the shop, I have not been out since morning, that we drove them back with great slauter. the Gentleman that brought the news said he d been in a great many fights but never saw so many Kiled and wounded in so short a time. I will write you a gin in a few days also give you all the news. I think there must be a great deal of heavy fighting around here yet from the quantity of soldiers that are pasing going to join Lee. I have sent you some hopes and will continue to do so as long as they keep up fighting / proble you came see something in them if inintrust as most of the kild and wounded you will find the nothing more at present I have not received any letter since I wrote to you but am expecting one soon.

My love to all.

I Remain your Husband,

T.B. Cofer

An extraordinary letter from the heart of Richmond the day of the brutal slaughter at Cold Harbor from confederate soldier Cofer. Accompanied by the original postal marked and confederate stamped envelope “type 6.” The Battle of Cold Harbor is remembered as one of American history’s bloodiest, most lopsided battles. In less than an hour, approx. 7,000 Union soldiers were slaughtered in a hopeless frontal assault against the fortified troops of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Pinned down by a tremendous volume of Confederate infantry and artillery fire, Grant’s men could neither advance nor retreat. With cups, plates, and bayonets, they dug makeshift trenches. Grant would later say this was one his biggest mistakes. A husband writes to his wife from inside the lines at Richmond (with all spelling errors):

Jonathon Dill, 57th Virginia Infantry, C.S.A, sends a letter to his father a rather lighthearted, early in the war letter with exceptional content:

Richmond

Friday Sept 6 1861.

Camp of Instruction.

Dear Father

As we have got settled down at last for awhile I will give you a short history of my trip to Richmond, we arrived at Lynchburg on Friday, and we encamped there about eight days, we had very good times there, we then left for Richmond, and arrived at Richmond safe, we had no bad luck except our Baggage Car broke down and we had to leave our Baggage until next day, but we got it all safe and we are now encamped in the Fair Ground about two miles from the City, l am very well satisfied.

I get plenty to eat, Good bacon, Flour, Rice, Sugar & coffee Three Times a day and some to spare, I have my health first rate so far and a good appetite and am getting as fat as a Hog. We are getting along very well indeed I think, It looks more like a frolick here than war, but it may not be so very long. I suppose when we are drilled and can get our guns the Captain will move us on somewhere or other. There are supposed to be about Thirty or forty Thousand Soldiers encamped in and around Richmond, but it is rather hard for us to tell how many there are but there there certainly a great many. They are throwing up Brest works around Richmond very fast. They have negroes at work at it.

There are Five Tobacco Factories full of yankee Prisoners in Richmond there is said to be about Two Thousand of them. I was down to see them the other day and I tell you they are stout looking men some of them are very impudent. I saw a great many new things in Richmond. I was all through the Capitol and on top of it. I could see all over Richmond and Manchester. I saw a good many vessels both sail and steam.

I saw old Simon Guggenheimer he seemed very glad to see me, he treated me very well. Tell Eliza I saw Mr. Lewis Burger in Richmond and took dinner with him, he told me if I got sick I must not go to the Hospittle , but must come to his House and he would take care of me. I would hate very much to go to the Hospittle if I should happen to get sick amoung so many sick men and different diseases. A great many of the men that are sick has brought it on themselves by their own bad doings.If I was in the condition that some of them are in I would get the surgeon to cut my head off instead of what he does do, you know Richmond is the place for such doings.

We have to do the very drilling hey put us through the Double quick that gives some of boys particular fits, it is not like walking along in an old militia company. Some of our boys had to come back, I suppose though you have seen them. I would like to know the use of men volunteering and then trying to get off. I volunteered to fight, not for the sake of a trip to Richmond.

Some of our boys reed. A letter this evening Stating that the Over seer had gotten into better business, I suppose he would rather drive a team for Jeff Davis than to fight Yankees. When the news came to camp you should have heard the Laughing every thing just roared. Tell the Old Lady that when I get home I think I will be hard to please about my eating. If she could just see us cooking once it would make her ashamed we are such extra good cooks…

You must be particular about directing (letters),

Direct to Richmond Virginia in the care of Captain J.J. Allen Botetourt Guards?Jno. Dill “

The Botetourt Guards in Company K of the 57th Virginia was organized on July 20, 1861 in Botetourt County, Virginia. Includes the original envelope with Richmond postmark and black “PAID 5 Cts” postal stamp. With the exception of usual fold marks, overall Fine condition.