Bell Plain December 4th 1862
Dear Father I rite you these few lines to let you
know how I am getting along hear It tiss about
time for me to rite to you but I have told jane
to let you know how I was getting allong I have
seen some hard timis sinse I have left home but
I neaver was so well in my life as I am at present
thank god soldgering is a hard life but it may
be they best thing that has happened to me if
I ever life through it and get home again I sall be
glad for it twill be a different home to me than what
it twas before Dear father we are going to have a great
battle at fredericksburg pretty soon they are bound to make
a stand theer they have got evrey thing fixed in good shape
their we should have a battle before this time onley for
general Burnside wanting for rations or supplies they
say that they Rebble force is 130,000 ^strong and they will
undoubtedly make a stand if we whip them hear
I think they are about played out but there will
be awfull slauther they have got a sight of
Earthworks around fredericksburg we can see them Quite plain
I donth mean our Regtment for we are within 6 miles
[page 2]
Of Fredericksburg working onloading provisions we
have been hear for they last ^2 weeks they men has to
go to work evrey morning of 5 oclock and some
times they have to work untill 8 at night but
but I have not for I have been sent about 2
miles ½ from they camp to gard a widdow
womans property from letting they soldgers hook
them there is 2 of us thear we have they best of eating
and we have not mutch to do know but we did
at they first they Cornell told us to shoot they
first man that came around they house at
night so they do not trouble us know I have
had one letter from david Since he left for
Eatton Allen I feel lonesome Joseph McCluskey
told me when he came from they hospital that
David would be along in about six weeks
so they next I herd from him he was worse I have
not herd from him know in 6 weeks only they
Captain told me he was going to get his discharge
Father if you was to see some of they boys know and
so and see how they lock you would pitty them
There is more than half of them sick I think
[page 3]
that there is not over 400 men fit for duty know
they have had a hard time of it sinse we left home
you folks at home doese not think what we poor
fellows has to suffer sleeping out doors in frost
and rain no bed to sleep on no change cloes
like plentey of them I am sick of it when
you lock at them officers Riding around on their
fast horses and there n*****s ridding to you ^it would
make you feel Bad they want this war to last
for ever if they can if they got they same pay
as a private and had to march all day this
war would son be settled it never will be settled
By fighting I do think for there is to maney makeing
money on it Dear father I have know particular
news to rite to you but I am well hoping this
will find you all the same you can hear
more news home about they war than we can
hear for sometimes there is papers comes allong
they charge 10 cents for them so I take none
of them Dear father I wish you would send
me they 4th-3th paper I should like them I want
to see what congress is going to do how
[page 4]
I wish you would let me no hou david is getting
allong and william maitland give my love to
mother and they children I rote two letters to Jane
last week excuse me for this time I shall let
you know how I am getting allong a little
oftener give my love to all enquiring frends
Rite soon as you can good night
your Son William D Smith
Co. B 14th Regt CV
Washington DC
Bell Plain November 28th 1862
My Dear wife I received your letter on they 27
and was glad to hear you was well I sent you a
letter on they 27th it twas dated November 9th then I
Received one dated 16th with willies and sisters
letters in it it twas pretty good for them I have got
a chance to rite to you know with a pen and ink
it tiss they first time I have had a chance to Rite
on a table sinse I left home I am stopping at a
widdow womans house guarding her property me
and a nother soldger we have been hear a week know
we will stop hear untill we move I like to be hear first
Rate we get plentey to eat of evrey thing that is good
it tiss about 3 miles from they camp whare they Rest
of they boys are I went down to see them on thanksgiven
day it not lock mutch like thanksgiving I told gorge to
tell his father when he rites to let you know how
I am getting allong for I cannot go to camp when
I want to so he told me he would theire is one
thing I herd yesterday if it tiss true that they was
going to settle they war I hope it tiss so I would
be glad of it I juess you would to you mentioned
[page 2]
in your letter about us been in the Rain storim
but we was it beat anney thing that ever I seen
if you was to see us next morning we was wet clean
trough we had to let our close dry on us it twas
fun I have ^had they disentery ever sinse not verey bad
about you taking suspenders you must do they best you
can we expect to get paid they first of januarey
I hope we will if we do I shall send it to you as
Quick as I get it you had ought to have got
your other money before this time if you want aneything
in they store he had ought to give it to you untill
I get my pay you wanted me to let you know if I got
they comb you sent me I did and all they Rest of they
things that you send me. I should like you would let
me know how david is getting allong I have rote to
him when I was on they march so I have not heard
from him sinse I have or I do not know what to rite
to you know but there is one thing they reson of us
stopping hear so long we cannot move anney further
just know they Rebbels hold Fredericksburg and
we cannot take it just know they are strong^ly
fortified so we cannot whip them just know
[page 3]
Nor I do belive we never can by fighting they are
something like florotemple at running all they places
that we have came troug they left and when we
left they came back again so instead of we
driving them they are driving us I do not know
what to say about it but I am tired sick of it
we left joseph Mccluskey behind us at harpers
ferrey he could not march we left dick singleton
two I think dick will die he was verey bad when
we left him there is about 8 more there too that
has been sick it tis a hard place to be sick
hear let allone well about what father said to
me I do not know onley to rite to him it tis not but
I wish him well just as well as if I rote to him
you can tell him that I am well and you can
let him read my letters that I send you I shall
have a big storey to tell him when I get home I
hope it twill not be three years untill I see you
all again I wish for home a good manney times
but I keep up my spirits hoping it twill not
be long untill we all shall meet again onley
for hope I should not know what to do
give bill my best Respects tell him that we have
[page 4]
had a hard time sinse I seen him there is one thing
that I have not told you about our nabsacks we
have never got them yet sinse we left Washington
nor I belive we neaver will all they things that you
made for me is in my nabsack pins needles and tread
is in them all they boys they are woreying for them
know davids gorge Hubards and all they boys are
gone some of them had 10 to 12 Dolors worth of
Stuf in them they ware sent to Harpers Ferrey after
we left there so they ware sent by some teams to
catch up with us but they teams could not so
they put them in a old barn and they have been
Stolen So we have been told evrey thing was taken
out of them I suppose they want us to get knew
ones know but they boys wants to get there old ones
it twas they same time that Mr Hubbard came to
see us he can tell you about them you can tell
him that we never have got them nor never will
we have been used evrey way and aney way sinse
we started we have to put aneything we carey
in our blankets all they rest of they Regments
has got them but they Poor 14th they have got
Some poor officers and Quartermaster he
is making his money on us aney way so we
have to take what is given or go without
Hilton Head SC March 20, 1864
My dear Mother,
I propose to begin this week well, by starting
a letter for you on the first day, that the mail may not catch
me napping as it did last week. The days is almost gone, it lacks
but 20 minutes of the signal for putting out lights, but perhaps
before then I may let you part way into this day's doings, and
make ready to let myself into blankets. The first sound
that broke the stillness of our sabbath morning air, was heavy firing
of artillery with two or three volleys of musketry in the direction
of Seabrook, a picket station + steamboat landing four or five miles
distant and at the entrance of the division stream between our own
and the rebel lines. The firing continued for an hour or more, and
put us all to our wits ends to know what it meant, though too
confident of our position to be rendered at all uneasy by it. The
upshot of the matter was this. Five ^small boatloads of rebels approached
Seabrook with an evident intention to feel their way "ashore, but
found more yankees than they expected in the decimated state
of the Union Army since the Florida disaster. Our pickets formed
in line and gave them a good raking with musket balls, when
they turned right about + made tracks for the other side of Jordan
groaning loud enough to satisfy our men with the effect of their
fire. A Gun boat then steamed up and shelled the rebels back
to a respectful distance. About 6 o'clock this afternoon while writing
in the adjutant's tent + listening to the talk of the officers, a message
came from the commander of the District for Col. Duryea to repair at once
[page 2]
to his quarters. He left, expecting a night in the saddle and
ordering Col. Meeker in case of a telegram from him, to man
every gun on the fortifications + be ready for action. So you see
we have a little stir here that seems like a breath if not a "blast of
War." But we anticipate nothing serious. The withdrawal of so
many troops from Port Royal makes the enemy in our vicinity more
daring than usual and from occasional skirmishes with our
pickets + picket boats we judge they are feeling our strength a
little. Our commanders are cautious as they have reason to be.
I have not been to church today. Our chapel (which is only ours by
sufferance_ passed into Roman Catholic hands for today,+ our
little altar became a table for the Priest of Rome + his "Mass".
Mr. Mitchell went there, but could not enter on account of the throng
about the door caused however not by the crowd within, but, according
to Mr. O'Brien by the too hasty devotion of those first entering, who
dropped forthwith upon their knees and blocked the passage so
that his Holiness had full half the house to himself, many poor
sinners remaining without. There being no church, I took an
Independent and walked around my "square", which isn't square at
all but oblong + quite shapeless one mile across the plain to where
the road issuing between Battery + "nat'ral born" sand knolls,
strikes the beach, and another mile back by the water side. There
is a remnant of a Wood + a whole swamp left within the entrenchments
where by bog jumping + tearing trousers in the thicket one may
gather wild blossoms from flowering shrubs. I ventured far
enough into the slough to pick a handful of sweet scented blows,
white + yellow, brought them home with me, filled a small milk
can with water, + for the first time since my sojourn in the south make
[page 3]
boast of a Bouquet on my table. t is not quite as id some
fairer hand than mine had placed it there, but it is right lit pleasant
and makes me fonder of my tented home than ever. The little space
is full of fragrance like the perfume from a Hyacinth. After dinner, I read a little, wrote a little, took a nap, and some time
during the day have taken in several chapters from the Book of Samuel
After supper I finished the necessary business writing for the day,
and took another two mile walk on the shore. Returning past the
General Hospital, I was reminded of a prayer meeting held there
this evening, and directed by the sound of a hymn, found my
way to where the saints were fathered. It was in the great dining
hall, a nucleus of the Hospital Chaplain, three or four ladies + as many
officers, and perhaps a hundred "rank + file" gathered in one end,
with nearly as many more strung along toward the outer door.
Among the last I took my seat, being a latecomer, + an early
goes, from necessity. The meeting was very interesting, and it was
particularly pleasant to hear the singing had by a full-voiced lady.
Generally I much prefer a good male leader but the rarity of the
other in these parts makes it valuable. I would not have you think
the singing was the chief attraction. It strengthens me to breathe an
atmosphere like that, and if anywhere in the world we need to "meet
together for prayer" it is just here, where constant contact with Godless
men inclines us to forget God.
^Wednes Tuesday March 28. The fat mail bad just staggered into camp on the
shoulders of a stout soldier, and pending the distribution I will finish
this, that the carrier may not return empty handed. The "Line
storm" struck us like a thunderbolt on Monday night, "weeping + wailing
[page 4]
for 36 hours thereafter. A dismal cold storm it was, but the clearing
away this morning before a clear bracing norther is delightful.
When I have said my little say to you, I intend a trip for the
"benefit of my health," and as big a draught of Oxygen as the
Dutchmen take of Pager-bier. For two days past, I have alternately
hugged a hot stove + slept in damp blankets till the result is
anything but enviable. It makes a fellow feel slightually stiff
+ top heavy. No real damage done however. The rebels keep up
a little irritation along the picket lines, drawing a stray shot from
night to night, causing double guard on our side + double vigilance,
that is all. A son of the rebel General Finnegan has been recognized
on this island, + fired at once by a sentinel. He is lurking about in the
capacity of a spy and it is thought the hostile demonstrations maybe
with intention of facilitating Finnigan's escape. It is a difficult
matter to ferret him out, and about as difficult for him to get
out of the scrape himself. If taken we may have the privilege
of "hanging a spy". Last evening quite an excitement started into
life with a ring from the fire-bell. Post Hd Headquarters were
on fire. Fortunately the flame was subdued before reaching the window
or the damage would have been serious in such a wild windy
night. So you see the light intermittent fever of Hilton Head
keeps us from entire stagnation. Here come the precious documents.
I must stop short + "read, mark + inwardly digest," the few that
pertain to me. The feast is over + it was a feast, though I shall still
have room for the dessert in the barrel. Perhaps it may arrive in time to
acknowledge by this mail as I will leave my letter open. The handkerchief
is welcome. Please thank you "Willis" for the "Palladiums" + "Pictorials." His
sister must be a marvellous good ace. Take sure, if he thinks it would give her pleasure
to arrange + China leaves. I have no sort of objection, though I supposed the pretty
[page 1 -- text vertical]
ones all disposed of. But you had better have the names of places + dates with each, asthey give the leaves
their principal values. This lastly the way is
in reply to Harry.
You need not be
"surprised" at all
at my being "home-
sick some times
since it does not in the slightest
interfere with
my contentedness
here. It is a very mild form of the
disease, comes seldom
and then only as a
gentle reminder
that I have a home
to love + be "sick"
for if I choose.
There hath no tempta
tion taken me except
such as is common to
man." I am no whit
less happy than I have
been from the first.
Your aff.
Cornelius
Dear wife you told me to rite
to you if I had aney secrets ^rite to you
to put them on a scrap of paper
and send it to your Dear wife if that
is so I shall rite to you a Scrap A
little something would not go bad but
thank god Hills and hollows it does not
bother me none I have seen the time it
did I have told you when I was home
I did not care who I could get
something from I did not care
but thank god Hills and hollows
I am gust as free from been near a
woman sinse I left you as william A
Smith is if you was in this Camp
you would see more whores from sin
+ Every night Some of them Stays in
the camp all night but thank god
Hills and Hollows I ha am not one
of that kind you know what
I have been but th thank god
[page 2]
Know I can say that ^I ^am the same
to you as when I left you at
Hertford and I mean to ^be So if you
donth belive me which I have told
you Wills and hollows you can
Ask george A Hubbard
So ^I ^bid good bo boy Hills and Hollows
if I had a little Know but thank
god it donth trouble me not
just know it his more evrey day
I think I shall come back
to you again and give you fits
again So good yb boy
yours William Digby Smith
Camp on the Rapadan janury 8th
My dear wife I send you these few lines
to let you know that I am well hoping this
will find you and the children the same I
Received a letter and 2 papers with 2 plugs
of tobaco and a pair of mits that captain
lucas fetched to me dear wife the boys has
had a hard time of it sinse I rote to
you last the crossed the Repidan on Saturdy
in Water and mood up to there middle. it
twas awfull cold the went out skermishing all
day and when it come night the went to cook
Some Supper when the ball oppened the boys
Said that the never had sutch a hard fight
they johnnies was within 3 yards of them when
the cominced fighting generall hays ordered up
Some of the rest of the division but the
lay down so he damned them and he
Called for the 14th that he could depend
upon they boys did nobley the neaver done
So well before the lost in killed and wou[nded]
150 men of the old company B 1 wounded
James ingles in the G and 5 of the Subs
[page 2]
the lost the most in A and I and
D C you will see it in the papers but I
happened to be one of the luckey ones I went
on picket a friday morning there did know
one know of it that we was going to move
untill 5 oclock Saturday morning when the
orders come to get ready to move at 7 oclock
so I was out at general Kilpatricks on picket
with 11 more and a leutenant So there was
a mounted orderley came out and told
the leutenant that the core was going to move
and he was to take his twelve men into
camp and gard the Camp So when we
got in the boys was all moved it twas
about a mile from our camp whare
the had the fight we could see them of
the hill back of our camp in the night
you could see the shells burst and the flash
of there guns plain as aney thing our camp
[he]int but about 5 minutes walk from
the river. So the boys are all back g
again over the river evrey thing is Quit
[page 3]
again the went over to try what a force
the had there and when the went the found
plentey of them they say that the johneys
heint got know clothing and are on
half rations that is all grass the paper
may blow what the boys has seen of them
had a plenty of Rations and clothing
but the know a nuff not to atack
us we have to atack them all the time
and the are all fortified and plenty
of rifelpits when we have to take
the open field to atack them or we have
to cross rivers or something else I donth
belive but from the rapidan to Richmond
evrey hill and hole is fortified the Keep
them to work all the time there is some
more going home to enlist and ere 5
officers I sent the childrens likenesis
home by fred ny the locked pretty rusty
I had them in my brest pocket going
to getteysburg and I sweat so that I
got them all rust you kneed not
[page 4]
send t aney of them untill I get my Pay I
donth know but you will have to wate untill
the first of March Joseph Wibber and Neman
Crowell is all well when Joseph got back
he told me I was luckey this time he said he never
suffered so before in his life the was gone
2 days and a half it rained the most
of the time that the marc over the river
I have got a lot of suff newes to rite
to you but I cannot think of it know
dear wife there was 7 of the officers wives
Came to the camp a friday the Quarter
Master he went home on a furlow and
fitched them out so a saturday morning
there husbands had to go into the fight
the womon stood on the hill all day Saturday
locking a cross the river at them but thank
god there was none of the officers killed
there was 2 of them that had there wifes
wounded slightley there was one of our
Captains taken prisnor doton he was
from new britain Captain broach
got his finger ^bunged he may have to lose his
finger and he had his sword brock
he is going home in a day or two
but the 14th fo done nobley this time