Cornelius Gold, 6th C.V.I., February 29, 1864
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Hilton Head S.C. Feb 29, 1864
My dear “Family”,
February has gone, or is going out like a lamb,
and our Winter vanishes softly in the mild misty twilight of
a spring evening. It has been “no great shakes of a winter”, for
a Connecticut boy but “what there was of it” I am glad to see
go. Sand is a poor substitute for snow, and windy dirt-storms
is not cold, are neither beautiful nor anything else but
dirt. I suppose however, that our southern neighbors think it
must be highly nutritious for Northern “mud-sills” to diet
on Carolina gravel, and glory in their “hospitable shores”, “Bad
luck to ‘em”! They have been feeding our boys in Florida in
even worse fashion rifle balls by the gallon. It would make
your heart ache to hear the tales the maimed ones tell of the battle,
the repulse, and the long weary march of wounded men left behind
in the street, who would walk till they died rather than fall into
rebel hands. I will tell you as near as I can the story of one, a private
in the 47th N.Y.Vols, this regiment has been encamped close by us til
the expedition and out of more than 700 who went into the fight
upwards of 200 answered to roll call at the close, the rest killed, wounded
+ missing. Feb. 30. I thought I had the “world shut out” at 9 o’clock
last night, and a good hour to spend with you before bed time, but a good
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friend knocked at the door, and I let him in with a groan. I felt it
was my only chance to write you this mail, and he talked and stayed till
eleven o’clock, my fault as much as his for we both enjoyed the
confab, but when he was gone I shut up my portfolio and laid it
away with disgust. It is the close of one month and beginning of
another, so that for a few days we are over-run with work. I shall
have the pleasure of writing Muster Rolls far into this night, have
only a moment now while waiting for the other clerk to come and
help. I think I have told you what I am “doing in the Adjutant’s tent”,
but since you are ignorant will repeat it. My duty is writing, and
nothing else. When I can, I go out and drill an hour with
my company in the afternoon, but the business is rather more
confining than I like, and I have asked to be relieved, and sent
back to my company for duty. I feel impatient to get there,
am out of humor with my “quill”. My health is good enough
but I came here to be a soldier, and nothing less will satisfy
me. Now I will try to set your mind at rest on one subject, by
telling you exactly how I am. My way of life has been too
sedentary to change me much from the individual I was six
months ago. But I complain of nothing in the way of pains
sickness or burdens to be borne, have literally nothing to complain
of, wish I had, it would be a luxury to get real tired once
from work, to carry a knapsack till my back ached. One thing
I am determined on, to get fairly out of doors again and stay there
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if I can. The Adjutant’s office is a good place to learn gain an
important part of a military edication, but with one the
physical must ever be uppermost, if I would thrive. Last
week I went three or four times to the Hospital and passed an hour
or two talking with our wounded soldiers from Florida or helping
them in any way I could. Since we were not allowed to share
their pains, it is the next best thing to give them sympathy.
At first I had a dread of going among the wounded, the sight
of blood or bruises was always repulsive to me, but it was my
fortune to meet a shattered arm at the door, and pour a “cup of
cold water” on the bandage for the owner, to talk with him, go in
and sit down with him, write a letter for him, + have a right
pleasant time. This opened the way to other beds + bedridden
ones, another letter for a man with a ball through his thigh,
and a bit of banking business for the poor fellow who trusted
$60.00/00 in greenbacks with me to send for him to the Savings Bank
in New York. He had more faith in strangers than I could have
had, but it was none the less grateful to me to be able to
aid him. I have quite missed my visits there, since, for the last
two days I have had no time to go. I would tell you more about the
doings of the regiment, if there were anything to tell, but beyond a story of
“Guard duty” there would be nothing. This has been too incessant to admit
of artillery practice yet. But our veterans returned last Sunday + I dare
say will soon begin the Heavy Artillery drill. I understand that one of Company
“B”
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tumbled off East or West Rock while at New Haven, and killed himself.
We shall miss poor McNamara, if this is true, for he was our company
tailor. James Dunn made a slight mistake. Mr. Mitchell has
not been acting sergeant Major at all, was only performing the
duties of quartermaster sergeant during the absence of the sergeant.
I am sorry for Mr. M’s sake he should give any such impression. Mr.
Mitchell is highly respected by both officers and men, and I have no
doubt will some day rise above the ranks. If he does, it will not be for
office seeking. There are too many old soldiers to reward for long +
faithfullly services, to allow of speedy preferment to new corners.
I am glad to hear of Theodore Mills’ good fortune and of and
right sorry, we are to have his brother, + our cousin, Charlie Robinson,
for a neighbor. But I wish him all success in his noble mission,
and said “my love” + belssing to him + her + the little one. Please deliver
when you see them. So Henry “made a lip” at Mr. Gunn and was
punished richly for his impudence. He’ll “look out” next time “I
reckon”! Am much obliged for the bundle of papers. Have enjoyed
“looking at the pictures” in Leslie very much, can find use for them
if I do not find time to read them myself, which is most unlikely
at present. 1/2 past One A.M. The hour is sufficient excuse
for putting my hand and seal to this letter. Have just ended my day’s
labor. Mail closes tomorrow, that is, to day. Will you please put a large
white pocket handkerchief in the next letter for me — mine is getting dingy —
Mails are slightly irregular and I have no list of sailing days, doubt if they are fixed. In haste, Cornelius.
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