July 3rd
Camp in the woods
Near Petersburg Sunday morning
My Dear wife I received your
kind letter dated June 26 and was
glad to hear you na and the children
was well as this laves me at resent thank
god Captain Broach he has got Back
to the redgement and he has Comand
of it know Murdock he has got back
to I seen gorge hide old man hides
son that youst to keep the Boarding house
in the farms he is a leutenant in the
Second Connecticut Dear wife we have
got Relieved from the front for a few
days but it tis a bulley Place how long we
will stop I donth know Dear wife the boys got
it surround near that goe shot himself for he
never got to the redgement although wilber
Peck he is well and so is Heman Crowell Dear
wife if you could send me a pair of
Suspenders them you sent me is pretty well
wore out and about you sending News
papers you can send them if you want
My Dear wife I herd them say that
the ware going to draft again I hope
So I want to see some more of them
[page 2]
big bugs Drafted but I hope it twill not
fall on aney of my frends you may talk
abbout soldgering this Summer takes
Anney thing down that ever was known
but the boys are all in good Spirits the
have fetched us some soft bread and pickles
to day for my self I fare pretty well for
I get the same as Capt Brigham Russell
and greham I Cook for 3 of them it
tis pretty hard but I fare better and
I have know Picket or guard duty
to do I have know gun athall it was
taken from me the 20th of April about
me not been in danger there is as
mutch danger Some times as if
I was in line of battle all the difference
there is that I donth have to go in
know charge nor to stand up
in line of battle when the fight
Cominces I can go to rare and
wait untill it tis over but Some
times it tis as hot in the rare
[page 3]
As it tis in the front I have been
whare there has been poor fellows to that
was a long side of one tore to pices
but thank god I have never got
a scratch I go allong sometimes
when the bullets is a whissing and
Shells is bursting I get so I donth
mind it I am so youst to it
if it tis a mans luck to get shot
or wounded he will but thank god
for his goodness towards me for I never
felt as well in my life as I do know
it tis the hardest campaign that ever
was knowin and I have stood it first
rate so far Dear wife Heman Crowell
told me to tell you he would
be home in 3 months to paint the
house for you I hope so I must
Draw to a close give my love
to father and family Mr
[page 4]
hubbard and family David
John and family I hope none of
frend will not be drafted
Kiss the children for me
Keep up good Courage
rite soon From your
loving husband W D Smith
good Boy
Mobile Ala. April 30 1865
My dear Mother
I propose a Sunday nap to my
self presently, but before taking it will dispatch a note to you.
It is not my usual custon to sleep by day, fortunate for me
is it, if I secure a reasonable share of sleep by night. The
mid-night oil of Saturday is my excuse for sloth to day.
I have told you of my last change, but not exactly the manner
of it. It was this way. The Anderson on which I was stationed
drew too much water to get over the bar, and could only
approach within ten miles of the city. When the fleet came
up, I was consequently isolated form the boats whose accounts
are in my charge, to my great inconvenience + to theirs.
One day the doctor (Drummond) of the "Anderson" and I
jumped on a little tug in a fit of desperation, and made for
Mobile as fast as the young steamboat could carry us. We had
a jolly ride of it, and spent the night at the "Battle House" after
seeing the city by gas-light. We reached it in time for a stroll
in Government Street before dark, the avenue of the place, lined
with pleasant houses + fragrant with green trees, roses +honeysuckles.
We fairly wallowed in delight that evening, + went wild over
the pretty women, real-live beauties that we met in our ramble.
Indeed, mother, I do believe in the female persuasion in general,
as very necessary desirable half of creation. We men are never
[page 2]
so conscious of this fact as when brought in sudden contact
with the air the gentle creatures breathe, after months of confinement
in our wooden cages. I at once became decidedly of opinion
that my proper station for the present was in Mobile. Next morning
I reported on board the flag-ship, + ref stated my business necessity
so forcibly, that Capt. Simpson directed me at once to make such
arrangements as I could "for the benefit of the service." Within twenty
four hours thereafter, I had selected an office, secured it from
the Provost Marshall for my use, and reported all my goods
+ chattels at the door, the fleet captain allowing me the use of a tug-boat
to bring my things from the Anderson. It took five men one day
to remove the rubbish + scrub the rooms into decency, but at last
I was comfortably settled. So I thought, but woe is me! I had
fallen a helpless victim to mosquitos + fleas. The latter are
my greatest torment, + indeed are the help worth mentioning, for
their industry is marvelous. They hop + bite from one end of me
to the other + from sun-rise to sun-rise ahain. I am informed that
the "China Leaf" which grows plentifully hereabout is a sure
exterminator of fleas, or at any rate will drive them all away.
It becomes me to try this remedy I think. As yet I have
secured no boarding places, + until I get leisure to look around
shall contrive to have my meals cooked + sent to me here.
Batchelors Hall in reality, is this + not bad to take after being
cramped up in a small state room. I have too fine rooms for
office + for sleeping + obliging neighbors have "set me up" in
housekeeping by the loan of a desk ward-robe, office chairs bed-stead
[page 3]
+ so on, down to crockery and candle-sticks. I have two good
honest well behaved sailors with me to do the manual labor part,
and a handsome check clerk to do the "respectable" for me. Altogether
you might be gratified at at a peep through the window, just to
see how very comfortable I am. That my work is constant, so that
as yet I can call neither morning nor evening my own, is perhaps
not a matter for regret. It doubtless keeps me out of much mischief,
as I am rather viciously inclined. In any event my mind is so
occupied that homesickness or mental sickness is out of the
question. I believe in work as the best cure for ever ill. It is
the Bible principle of "overcoming evil with good".
One windfall I have not mentioned. Before leaving the "Anderson" to
come here, I went ashore one day just below Spanish Fort, with
Dr. Drummond to take a look at the country + buy a barrel of
potatoes. Went into the commissary's for the latter purpose, + who
should be the presiding genius there by John Whittlesey, Camptain
+ A.C.M. from New Preston Conn. Of course we knew each
other + closed one interview with the promise to meet if possible
in Mobile. The city has since been captured, + now here we are
our offices within not two squares apart. We had a jubilation
together over the arrest of Geo. Hitchcock, not so over a "fallen
enemy", but because it seemed a sign of coming retribution
to a mean traitor to his country + disgrace to his county + state.
You need not read this out of the family for I ought not to quote
the private sentiments of another in such a matter. For myself I
simply despise Mr. Hitchcock + all of his color." It did me
[page 4]
good to say this yesterday to a gentleman across the waya, a true
southerner who gave his heart, and I suspect one foot to the
rebel cause for it is gone somewhere. He said to me "If I had
been born + lived at the north, I ought have felt as any northern
men do but ____, + his eyes spoke the rest. I told him that
for such as he, I had, if not sympathy, at least respect, but
for northern rebels perfect hatred. This morning I attended
episcopal church with Whittlesey, Commodore Palmer, General
Andrews + a good many army + navy officers + men were present.
The service was well conducted, and the sermon excellent. No
allusion was made to the state of our country. What could he say
on that subject to such an audience? people who a few days
ago only spoke to each other through the cannon's mouth, now
filling the same pews, listening to the same preacher. His text
was, "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest though me? The hymns were
our own, the music such as we often sing at home. We were one people
in that church. very soon the whole land will be united, + united
in heart more than ever we were before. I believe that.
To day Capt Whittlesey lent me a copy of the Litchfield
Enquirer. It was partly as good as a letter. Any news, any
scrap of paper even from the section is precious to me, + never
before, I think had such value in my eyes. I can write but
little to my friends, scarcely any at all, so that their letters to
me are far between. Yet I prize them none the less. If
Martha ever writes you "letters for two" I wish you would send
them to me to read, as otherwise I hear but seldom from her. She seems to have
"sent me to grass lately", but the pasture is lonely, tell her, and wish for my sister often.
Cornelius
Bermuda Hundred Va. June 18, 1864
My Dear Mother
It is late in the day, but not too
late for one little word to you if I hasten.
Events are thickening in this vicinity.
During the night of the 15th inst. the enemy fell
back from his earth works erected on our front
probably the result of Grant’s flank movement
toward Petersburg. At day light our forces
followed them up, part making a raid to and
tearing up a portion of the Petersberg + Richmond
rail-way - others remaining behind to level
the rebel breastworks. By dark the business was
well done, when the union troops were called in,
and the pickets posted on the bluff lately occupied
by rebel batteries. Our regiment formed part of the
picket line, being reinforced at daybreak by the 7th
Conn. Vols. who distributed themselves among us with
their seven shooters. At about 2 o’clock in the morning
a heavy rebel force returned + lay in the ravine just before
It was rather a trying time for us until day light
[page 2]
as we momently expected an assault in overwhelming
numbers, and we had been directed by Gen. Foster to
“dispute every inch of the ground”. The enemy chose to
wait. The first streak of light revealed the rebel
skirmishers advancing on our right, but a warm
reception from Yankee rifles caused them to fall
back. Then began in earnest our day’s work, not
exactly a battle to be sure, but about the toughest
kind of picketing. The rebels skirmishers retook possession of an
interior line of rifle pits, hid behind fences, + chimneys
(of a house our men had burned the evening before),
or in the tops of trees, and passed the day pelting bullets
at us every time a “Yank” showed his head. “Two
could play at that game” so we did the same.
About 5 o’clock they brought artillery into play, +
after dosing us with grape +, canister + shell (with
little damage) for an hour, made one grand
charge on our position. A Detachment of Convalescents
posted immediately on the right of Company “B” 6th
Conn, broke + fled almost without firing a shot.
This let the enemy through + we should have
been all “bagged” as sure as fate, but for
[page 3]
the commanding instinct of “legs do your
duty.” The way we made for our old line of rifle
pits was a caution, but though effected with
a shower of balls at our backs, was marvellously
safe. As soon as sheltered again, we looked
back to see the confederate flag waving on the
position we had just left. Then our batteries opened
a tremendous fire over our heads, + we peeped
over our ant-hills to see the shells burst, + catch
an occasional sight at a rebel with our Enfields.
So the darkness came again + we were relieved.
The loss in our regiment during the day was5 killed, 1 officer + 15 men wounded, + 1 captain
+ 17 men taken prisoners. The 7th lost about
the same number. Two of their men were shot
dead within a few yards of me. The first had a
ball through his head, while standing behind a
tree. To attempt his removal was dangerous,
so he was dragged a few feet to the rear. But
the hot sun soon made the body offensive, +
four men, laying it on a blanket started to take
it to the rear. They had scarcely gone five steps
[page 4]
when a rifle ball passed through the heart
of one, who gave a faint “oh!” + fell, then
wounded the arm of another. A third of the
bearers received a slight bruise. No further
attempt was made at removal. The two dead
men lay where they dropped, + fell into
the enemies hands when we retired. The pit
in which I was stationed seemed a favorite
mark for sharp shooters all day. But a “miss
is as good as a mile” at night I had again
to thank my Preserver.
Have had a good visit with Theodore Vaill
today, another with Ed. Gold + seen all the
Washington boys of my acquaintance in
the 2nd Conn Artillery, excepting Joe Knowles.
He was absent just then. Will tell more
about that next time.
Cornelius
Warren, Conn. Tuesday Eve, April 18th ‘65
Dear Homer
I have so much to say to you + am so
excited withal that I fear I shall not be able to
express my self intelligibly at all. It is We received your
letter of the 10th just tonight after waiting a long, long
time for some word from our soldier friends. It is
only just two weeks since your last in front of
Petersburg but it has been the longest fortnight
I ever saw. It seems more to look on all those long
days of waiting as if it must have been two months
I have not really believed any of the time but that
you were alive + well but we could get no evidence
that such was the case au contraire knowing how
many fell in the struggle before Richmond, it
would seem probable that some of our friends
were among the member, + the uncertainty was
anything but comfortable. I wonder if you imagined
when you penciled the letter we received tonight
what a load it would remove from our minds.
Two weeks ago we wrote to 35 since these I have been
kept from writing 1st by the thought that you might
be beyond the reach of letters, which drove all ideas
from my head + 2nd by a foolish superstition but
one that I think you will understand that if we
wrote you would never read the letters, but if
we did not you would certainly know of it + remind
us of our neglect + your anger even did not seem
so very terrible to me then. Was there ever before
a Two Weeks so full of great events? and notwith
standing all we have gained in this time at its
close I feel more like crying than laughing
[page 2]
for in the midst of our joy + triumph what a
bitter sorrow has fallen upon us. If the rebels
sought to distress the whole United States the most
possible they could not have hit upon more
successful plan than that of killing our
universally beloved + respected president
Abraham Lincoln, but in their fury of malicious
spite they seem to have forgotten that the deed
which has draped our nation in mourning, has
also driven fair Mary from her place on the thrown
+ that now they shall have justice more than they
desire. I hear no on speak of the late assassination
without classing their remarks with the hope that
no more mercy will be shown to the leaders of this
awful rebellion. All events are Providential. Lincoln
has guided us safely through the war + was just
the man to do it but when it came time to punish
the instigators, it needed some glaring sin to show
the full extent of their deserts + a sterner hand
than his to deal their blows…Since I first heard
of the presidents death snatches of Tennysons funeral
poem for the Duke of W. have been singing in my
ears. I must read it soon to see if it is really
appropriate to the occasion taken as a whole.
On the night we heard of Lees surrender the bell
was rung, houses illuminated, guns fired, rocks
blasted + every thing that would make a noise
was brought into requisition so that quite a racket
was kept up for several hours + I could think
of nothing but some passages in The Princess where
the wild trumpets blare + “iron clanging anvils
banged with hammers” are mentioned.
It is past 10pm we have lots of work to do tomorrow
so must be saving our strength tonight. I shall
write again soon to tell you all about Darius + the other
cousins + the rest of the local news. We are all well
+ very happy now in spite of all misfortunes. Luci