Homer Curtiss, 2nd C.H.A., June 24th, 1864
Title
Homer Curtiss, 2nd C.H.A., June 24th, 1864
Subject
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
United States. Army. Connecticut Artillery Regiment, 2nd (1863-1865)
Siege of Petersburg (Virginia : 1864-1865)
Description
Homer Curtiss writes to his family with news of the regiment and describes what it is like to be under fire.
Date
1864-06-24
Text
“Wilderness 2nd” S. of Petersburg Va.
Friday June 24th, 1864
Dear Mother + Lucy-
I never was more pleased with any
literary production I have read than with Lucy’ letter of the 20th
inst. just received. I read it through as eagerly as you opened
her box and when I came to “p.p. Lucy” I turned right back
and read it all over just as carefully as though I was committing
it to memory. All the time I was reading there was the heaviest
“diapason of the cannonade” for double bass accompaniment
that I ever heard. There seems to be a heavy fire along
the whole line and I look for a guard engagement before
night. We have been under fire most of the time since I
have been with the Regt. but we have had no real battle
yet. In a skirmish on the 22nd “I” Co lost 2 killed 2 very
seriously wounded and 1 prisoner. 2 were wounded on the
20th so you see we are not rusting in the fortifications so much
as we were. We see nothing know nothing of what is
going on beyond our own Division movements hardly
more than our own Regt. It is serious business and
many will be left here but I hope to live it out and
see you all some day up in old Conn. Don’t lose heart
at the danger but keep up good heart and look to the Father
[page 2]
who has us all in charge. He will bring it out right at last.
You speak only of the uniform suit, of the contents of the
box. Were there no pictures that were better than the “suit
of blue” no diary, no watch, no books + of course though
they were all present or accounted for only one has a little
curiosity to hear from his pets Well take care of all and
write me great long letters as often as you possibly can.
You must have heard from me in the field before this
for I have written twice since I got to my Co. and
I will write as often as I can while here.
I remember in one of your letters you spoke of our being
Artillery which I saw you was laboring under a delusion.
No! The 1st stole a march on us and got all the guns and
we have only our rifles, are just nothing but light infantry
Some of the boys were and are disappointed at this more
especially as we have been out more than 30 days but it
does no good. All the Regts in our old DeRussey’ Division
but the 1st C.A. are the same as we so we cannot complain.
We shall be infantry until the close of this campaign
at least think we may or may not return to the Defenses.
Col. Mackenzie lost 2 fingers in the skirmish of the 22nd
so Lt. Col. Hubbard is again in command. We all like him
and our brigade Cmdr Col. Upton of the 121st N.Y.
[page 3]
So mortality is not confined to the army and one of my pet
brownies is gone. I am sorry to hear it indeed.
I had a kind of pet here in Co “D” a little boy that ran
away from home and enlisted under an assumed name.
We always called him “Bully Brooks” and he was a smart
little fellow he had tugged along and kept up by the hordes
until the 22nd where he went out on picket and yesterday morning
he was brought in dead, shot the evening before. Poor little boy
how I pitied his parents as we buried him in the piney woods
to the music of musketry, how they must sorrow for him.
We don’t have much regularity in hours here sometimes
march all night and sleep all day then march and sleep
by watches all through the 24 hours. but it is warm
and dry and so far we have been as comfortable as
possible under the circumstances. One thing is unpleasant
I have not had a drop of good water since I left Alex.
but I get on nicely with coffee and we have lots of rations
I suppose you wish to know how I bear fire and how
it affects me. Well, I bear it a good deal as the others
do. I dread shelling just exactly as I used to dread
a heavy thunder shower and feel just the same under
it that I did when the lightning was near and sharp.
Bullets I am less afraid of than some and more than some.
[page 4]
There is nothing pleasant in or about either of course
but I suppose one might grow to be considerably
indifferent to both but it requires good nerves and a
pretty complete control of them. Col. Upton shows
as little sensitiveness in regard to flying missiles
as any one I have seen. He will ride his horse steadily
where no troops can stand steadily. Very cool man.
Enough and more than enough of this business now
for a word about your affairs. How goes the school
you don’t say much about it. Who are the pupils this year
I have quite forgotten who would be likely to be on the stage
now. I might have been away from Warren a dozen
years and not more entirely have forgotten all but my
own immediate folk. Where are Eunice Harriet Alice?
They coming home to remain? Augustine sent me his best
compliments and congratulations, and proposed a glass
of wine on the straps I think but we will have to wait
a bit for that I reckon. Homer, Miner and Austin
were well the last day I called on “H”. They are now out
on picket. Austin had his wash basin knocked over by a
3in. shell the other day while he washing his hands.
It is very warm down in these swamps but the nights
are cool. My valise is up with the trains excuse all pencil
and remember me ever your aff son + brother Homer.
Friday June 24th, 1864
Dear Mother + Lucy-
I never was more pleased with any
literary production I have read than with Lucy’ letter of the 20th
inst. just received. I read it through as eagerly as you opened
her box and when I came to “p.p. Lucy” I turned right back
and read it all over just as carefully as though I was committing
it to memory. All the time I was reading there was the heaviest
“diapason of the cannonade” for double bass accompaniment
that I ever heard. There seems to be a heavy fire along
the whole line and I look for a guard engagement before
night. We have been under fire most of the time since I
have been with the Regt. but we have had no real battle
yet. In a skirmish on the 22nd “I” Co lost 2 killed 2 very
seriously wounded and 1 prisoner. 2 were wounded on the
20th so you see we are not rusting in the fortifications so much
as we were. We see nothing know nothing of what is
going on beyond our own Division movements hardly
more than our own Regt. It is serious business and
many will be left here but I hope to live it out and
see you all some day up in old Conn. Don’t lose heart
at the danger but keep up good heart and look to the Father
[page 2]
who has us all in charge. He will bring it out right at last.
You speak only of the uniform suit, of the contents of the
box. Were there no pictures that were better than the “suit
of blue” no diary, no watch, no books + of course though
they were all present or accounted for only one has a little
curiosity to hear from his pets Well take care of all and
write me great long letters as often as you possibly can.
You must have heard from me in the field before this
for I have written twice since I got to my Co. and
I will write as often as I can while here.
I remember in one of your letters you spoke of our being
Artillery which I saw you was laboring under a delusion.
No! The 1st stole a march on us and got all the guns and
we have only our rifles, are just nothing but light infantry
Some of the boys were and are disappointed at this more
especially as we have been out more than 30 days but it
does no good. All the Regts in our old DeRussey’ Division
but the 1st C.A. are the same as we so we cannot complain.
We shall be infantry until the close of this campaign
at least think we may or may not return to the Defenses.
Col. Mackenzie lost 2 fingers in the skirmish of the 22nd
so Lt. Col. Hubbard is again in command. We all like him
and our brigade Cmdr Col. Upton of the 121st N.Y.
[page 3]
So mortality is not confined to the army and one of my pet
brownies is gone. I am sorry to hear it indeed.
I had a kind of pet here in Co “D” a little boy that ran
away from home and enlisted under an assumed name.
We always called him “Bully Brooks” and he was a smart
little fellow he had tugged along and kept up by the hordes
until the 22nd where he went out on picket and yesterday morning
he was brought in dead, shot the evening before. Poor little boy
how I pitied his parents as we buried him in the piney woods
to the music of musketry, how they must sorrow for him.
We don’t have much regularity in hours here sometimes
march all night and sleep all day then march and sleep
by watches all through the 24 hours. but it is warm
and dry and so far we have been as comfortable as
possible under the circumstances. One thing is unpleasant
I have not had a drop of good water since I left Alex.
but I get on nicely with coffee and we have lots of rations
I suppose you wish to know how I bear fire and how
it affects me. Well, I bear it a good deal as the others
do. I dread shelling just exactly as I used to dread
a heavy thunder shower and feel just the same under
it that I did when the lightning was near and sharp.
Bullets I am less afraid of than some and more than some.
[page 4]
There is nothing pleasant in or about either of course
but I suppose one might grow to be considerably
indifferent to both but it requires good nerves and a
pretty complete control of them. Col. Upton shows
as little sensitiveness in regard to flying missiles
as any one I have seen. He will ride his horse steadily
where no troops can stand steadily. Very cool man.
Enough and more than enough of this business now
for a word about your affairs. How goes the school
you don’t say much about it. Who are the pupils this year
I have quite forgotten who would be likely to be on the stage
now. I might have been away from Warren a dozen
years and not more entirely have forgotten all but my
own immediate folk. Where are Eunice Harriet Alice?
They coming home to remain? Augustine sent me his best
compliments and congratulations, and proposed a glass
of wine on the straps I think but we will have to wait
a bit for that I reckon. Homer, Miner and Austin
were well the last day I called on “H”. They are now out
on picket. Austin had his wash basin knocked over by a
3in. shell the other day while he washing his hands.
It is very warm down in these swamps but the nights
are cool. My valise is up with the trains excuse all pencil
and remember me ever your aff son + brother Homer.
Original Format
ALS
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Citation
“Homer Curtiss, 2nd C.H.A., June 24th, 1864,” Linda Lear Center Digital Collections and Exhibitions, accessed November 21, 2024, https://lc-digital.conncoll.edu/items/show/1780.