Henry Clay Stillman
Born: 23 Apr 1843
Place: Ripley, NY
Died: 6 Dec 1875
Place: Dunkirk, NY
Henry Clay Stillman never married
Henry Clay Stillman fought in the US Civil War
Henry Clay Stillman enlisted Sept 1862 in Company D, 3rd Excelsior, 72nd Regiment, NJ Volunteers
After the battle of Chancellorsville, Henry Clay Stillman was assigned to duty at Division Headquarters, as a clerk in the Surgeon's office until the end of the war.
After the war, Henry Clay Stillman was appointed Deputy Collector of Customs at Dunkirk. "The privations and hardships to which he was subjected in the Army were too much for his constitution" and he died in late 1875.
Henry Clay Stillman was author of Civil War Letters - the originals now in possession of Richard Stillman Keister
Richard Stillman Keister has graciously provided the following transcripts of correspondence between Henry Clay Stillman and members of his family. The letters were written between 1862 and 1865.
Headquarters 2nd Division 3rd Company
Camp near Falmouth, Va Dec 4, 1862
Dear Father
Your welcomed letter of the 23rd was received last night, also one from Gus and only the stamps were in it - also a letter from "Mattie".
Then I received several papers to which were very acceptable indeed, as it is very seldom we get hold of a paper to read unless its some "dead paper" that gets in with our mails. You speak of the storm at home, it must have been the same storm that reached us on the march. It was terrible and you have no idea what this Virginia sort is. It was hard marching for the men but I pittied the horses the most - they had to suffer very much had very heavy loads and the wagons would sink in up to the hubs, & you should see some of the hills here. What do you think about our move -- don't you deem it to be a foolish one. They marched us from Warrenton Junction to Manassas from Manassas by the way of Garden Valley to Centerville. thence to Fairfax and so on until they got us to where we now are.
They could very easily have saved about thirty (30) miles by coming across the country and had better roads and everything would of been satisfactory to the men. but by coming to _____ the report came around that we were a going back to Alexandria and when they turned at Fairfax the men seemed to lose all confidence in their agoing to Alex - the cry was then (how are you Fredericksburg.") & sure enough it was so, here we are in front of the renowned city. Do not know when the attack will be made to bombard the city. There was a rumor in camp today that Genl Lee was taken Prisoner and that Genl. Hooker was to take command of the army in place of Burnside. & that Sumner had crossed the Rappahanock River 9 miles below here with a strong force. We don't pretend to believe anything that we hear "verbally" here as they are Joking constantly.
Those Boots will come in play just now as I am entirely out of shoes and should not be ordered to march now I would be barefooted before we got far. We have not seen nor heard from their gr___ yet nor do I want to. I am completely disgusted with everything. I think they have got a miserable lot of Officers in the army and a Drunken lot too they are not one half the Officers in this army that are fit to command a drove of hogs, let alone soldiers as they are used worse than pigs.
The troops as a general thing seem to of lost all confidence since McClellan left. They grumbled about McClellan being slow at the north what is Burnside doing? this move is one that McClellan planned before he left the army & if Burnside succeeds in it he will probably have all the praise. McClellans leaving was a stunt to the whole army and a victory to the Confederates. I will tell you an anecdote you may of seen it in print before this reaches you, however I will tell it to you in case you have not --- it is about the pickets talking across the river, the secesh picket says "where are you d___d yanks agoing -- the reply was to Richmond -- the secesh says you will have a "long street, two hills, and a stone wall to climb before you can get there". was that a good one
That was quite a _____ if you lost -- all of those apples I hope not for I intend to be home to eat some of them yet this winter if Hosken is in command of the army the war is agoing to end for he is one of those men that _____es things straight-forward. The men have not got the confidence in Burnside that they had
in McClellan. He is not capable of commanding so large a force, he might handle thirty thousand well enough but when he comes to the whole Command and has to look after three armies and plan their movements, he will fail. My impression is that McClellan will take Command again shortly. All a person wants is an influential friend and he can get most any position in the army -- whether he is capable or not.
I think that if they had let McClellan alone this ware would of been ended long ago and he says that he will assume command once more.
I want you to take the money that I send home ind use it the best way you possibly can. There is some prospects of our getting paid now. I understand that the paymaster will be here soon, you may take some of the amount and buy a nice Harness to fit the colt when you get him broke so you can drive him, as I shall want to take a drive occasionally this winter. I don't know but what I am getting ahead of my time in thinking of coming home this winter but I do actually think that if we don't end it before spring that it will never end.
I am very glad to hear that your business keeps on the same and should I live to come home, I think I could be of more use to you than I was heretofore. You have not the slightest idea what soldiering is. I thought once that it was play, but I have got bravely over all such feelings. I cannot complain much for I have got a good place now & hope that I may continue to keep it. You probably read Mr Hydes letter in the Journal about their sufferings they don't know what it is. They have got nice tents now and are in comfortable quarters, but we are continually on the move and nothing but the same kind of tents that he speaks of. Two handkerchiefs pinned together in the shape of a letter A with both ends open & the storm beats on it just as bad as if there was nothing over your stall. I dont believe in writing discouraging letters nor don't want to encourage anybody to enlist but words cannot express the inconveniences that a soldier has to put up with.
They boys did not pull the wool over our eyes for we knew very well where the things went to & know who took them but at the same time it was our business to guard them. but I told the boys they could come after nine o'clock and get what they wanted for we did not pretend to watch anything then. I shall have to stop writing now as I have a great deal of work to do and it is now getting late. Very Truly Yours, Henry
P.S. I will answer Gus & Olys letters as soon as I can find time.
Head Quarters 2nd Division 3 Company
Camp Near Beverlys Ford, VA
August 23, 1863
My Dear Sister,
This is the third time I have commenced a letter to you since yesterday. Had to put it off on account of other work, but the Doctors had gone out riding now and I know of nothing to do. Your letter of July l3th just came, looking as though it were roughly abused , and happy to find somebody that would own it. You left off the Corps in addressing it, and by its looks I should judge it had been the rounds of all the Corps, and it was the letter you requested to be burned as soon as I read it. If I mistake not it was the one you wrote while Cousin Girty was there. You spoke about your friend daily you must have a queer taste for beauty. I never could bear him, for the reason he is so close, he used to occupy a room in the printing Office and would subsist on Crackers and Cheese and milk for weeks, if you don't believe it ask Nick Buckley, he can tell you more about his former career than I can.
Yesterday your letter of the 23rd came and also a few lines from father, I intend to commence a letter to him soon.
We are having magnificent weather, only its a trifle to chilly at night, as most of the boys have no blankets. I am uncomfortable and have two or three.
That album father speaks of is just the kind I have been trying to get but those that I have seen were all too large. I have seven Photographs now, and I am very choice with them, they are so apt to get dirty handling them, and I have an Album I should keep them in my pocket, and they would not get lost, as the ones that I had in my knapsack at Chancellorsville they are in the possession of some Johnny Rebs hands.
Conscripts are arriving daily Horace Cox came back last night he was post master in Camp parole. The Colonel wrote to him saying that if he would come to the regiment that he would get a position of Hospital Steward in the 4th Excelsior. Horace joined in with a lot of convalescent of this camp and passed off as sick. They have not been exchanged yet nor is there any signs of them being in some time.
I would like to be at home now, so as to go up the take with you. Why should you doubt my mind words as to that Pictures being given to me, I agree with you in thinking that she is good looking and also smart, what do the young ladies think, and what seems to be their opinion of her.
I am going to tell you about an incident that happened near here, One of our provost guard at Head Quarters, was stationed out to one of the neighboring houses as "Safe Guard" he had been there but a few days, when it was generally understood that he was in love with a young lady the daughter of the resident, and the other night he proposed marrying to her, stating that he would send her north and that he had a wealthy father and that she could reside with him until this rebellion was over, then they would return to her home again.
She considered the matter and ruminated upon her trip to her new father in laws reflecting upon her former home and taking for granted that she would lead a happy life in the bountiful city of the north and escape the toil and labors of her former life, that was just about what she thought, and it is about what he lead her to believe.
They became more and more dear to each other and at last she suggested it to her mother, she laughed at it at first, but seeing that they were truly in earnest, she consented and the happy couple were bound in Matrimony the knot was tied by a Chaplain of one of the regiments attached to this Division. The happy couple are living together, but when we come to move I am afraid that she will continue her monotonous life in the sunny south, where she wa& doomed to die. I will give you a description of her as I was told; I have not seen the unfortunate victim.
She is very large, and weighs upwards of 300, light hair, light eyes, big nose, very large mouth, coarse features and a natural gift of gab "tongue" so you may Judge for yourself what a looking animal she must be. I must stop as its time for this to go. Excuse this letter, I may have said something that was not proper, "We do that in our zeal".
Write soon and remember me as ever,
H.C.S.
Send me the Photographic Album
Headquarters 2nd Division 3 Corps Office Surgeon in chief
Camp near Ca_____ Station, Va
Oct 29, 1863
Dear Gus
I take great pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of your truly welcomed epistle of the 25th inst. also some papers which I will read and send to Charley.
I am glad to hear that you had a good time at Northeast [Pa]. How did Alice come to go and did you need your young brother there, I should judge not for it came to near being the ruin of him before ..
What do you think about the proclamation of the President relative to 300000 more, do you not think it will flow over like the draft they probably will put out an inducement in the shape of $300 for recruits or rather volunteers and after the expiration of the time set for volunteering, then the draft will come, then how are you commutation fee. [?]
They are offering bounties in New Jersey of eight hundred dollars and I believe have recruited some half a dozen or more for the six Jersey regiments which comprises a large part of our Division. I such an inducement won't encourage men to enlist, whey they might as well give up the ghost.
There is same talk among the boys about the clause which is attached to their enlistment papers "Three years or during the war". Some seem to think they will be held. It worries some of the three years men. For my part I think they will be mustered out at the expiration of the three years and we will be held to serve our time out.
I think you are very much mistaken about troops going home from the army to vote, permit me to state that of all that left the army were soldiers who were sick in Hospital, but as for any body of troop leaving this army is a grave falsehood.
I was in favor of getting that testimonial for McClellan and would give four dollars now where I would have given one at first, but as for your upholding Vallandingham, I don't agree with you, he is a man I was always down on from the first speech I read that he made. I think he is a traitor to his country and its my opinion that we have enough of them in office now.
There is nothing new of importance here, there was firing on our right today probably a cavalry fight. They are rebuilding the Railroad and while I write the Engines are whistling near by, the soldiers are building it. After this war is over, the soldiers will have several trades learned, they can fall back into working on railroads, if nothing else. Some will be cooks, some masons, etc.
I am patiently waiting until furlough time comes around, then a boy about my stature will think of coming home.
So Carrie Warnes had to come back to DK [Dunkirk, NY]. I was confident she would not be contented in Elicottville, she has lived in DK too long. What has become of Miss Miller does Hinman still run with her. I have no less than a dozen times undertaken to write to him and every time it seemed as though my work came most just at that time. I am sorry to say it but it is my opinion that Jim Hall has gone back on me, I have not had a letter from him since June last, if he doesn't intend to write me I should like to know it.
I sent father a unit which I picked up on the Bull Run battle ground, on our recent retreat it is quite a memento, you will observe the date 1801 62 years, old that's a good ways back. I have in my Knapsack a number of bullets and fragments of shells from the Gettysburg battle ground. The bullets are perfectly flat caused by striking against the big boulders of rocks.
You never answered my question I asked you some time ago, whether you used the colt or not.
I must stop, as its quite late and I want to write a few lines to Sid Wilson, poor boy. I wished they would remove him to DK where he could receive some treatment. Charley Wilson still remains with Sid. Excuse hurried writing etc.
Write soon and believe me as ever.
Yours Gratefully
H.C. Stillman
P.S.
Give my respects to Carrie Warnes and to Engineering friends.
Head Quarters 2nd Division 3rd Corps
Camp near Germantown Va
Nov 4, 1863.
Dear Brother,
Excuse me for me for my tardiness, this is the second one you have written me and I have never acknowledged it, but I feel that writing home is sufficient without addressing any particular one.
Indeed that must have been quite a scare, and you must be thankful that it terminated in erysipelas [a skin infection also known as "St.Anthony's Fire"].
My boss went up to Washington to say, he wanted I should go with him, but I declined on account of being strapped "dead broke'. I should dearly like to have gone, for I have an intimate friend there being examined for an Adjutancy in a nigger regiment. I did at one time think I would report for examination but Gus took it so hard that I gave it up, but I have an idea now that the Niggers will form the greater part of the regular army and a man that goes into it now would stand a good chance for promotions. I am one who goes in for making the niggers fight and I would like nothing better than leading about a hundred Ethiopians on to glory. They have shown that they can fight and why not let them do it. I notice a person has to be pretty well posted to pass a minimum Examination. His literacy qualifications must be good and in tactics he must be thoroughly posted, besides Geography is brought up in all its branches, he probably would ask you some foolish question, for instance, how long is the Mississippi River and at what distance is it navigable.
We expect to move tomorrow for the sick were sent away today and that is a sure omen, and the pontoon train passed us yesterday towards the Rappahannock. Some seems to think that we are agoing down in the peninsula again but I think we are going towards Culpepper, again. We certainly must do something. It will not do for us to lay idle while my brothers are fighting on all sides of us and allow the enemy to scare us out here and burn our Railroads up then retreat and send most of their army away. I go in for feeling of them by their force and if they are too much for us fall back and if not whip them and follow them up. Capture their trains and annihilate their army. T believe, now that we are standing still with an army of four or five Corps, while the enemy have but one Corps to check us from advancing if we attack them they certainly will have to withdraw a portion of the army form the Southwest or else from Charleston.
I am happy to hear that they have commenced operations against Charleston. I would like to have charge of a "swamp angel". I would burn the city of Charleston if Gun powder and greek fire would do it.
There is an application in the office relative to mounting the Excelsior Brigade on Horses and it went up to higher authorities approved for investigation. It was strongly recommended by the Genl, he said they were the Veteran Brigade of the army whose records of gallantry is written with bayonet and blood on the several battleground from Williamsburg to Wapping and that they deserved to be mounted. The object in mounting them is to have them enlist for 3 years more.
Write soon. Excuse hurried writing.
H.C. Stillman
Head Quarters 2nd Division, 3d Corps
Camp near Brandy Station, VA
December 25, 1863
Dear Father,
This day past off exceeding well, quite the merriest of Christmas I have seen for a number of years, though deprived of several conveniences incident to civil life, we enjoyed ourselves as well as could be expected in camp.
Our dinner consisted of three well baked and stuffed turkeys; you may think extravagant mashed potatoes, onions, bread and butter and for desert pies "mince" and dough nuts. I am safe to say that many a poor soldier fared worse, the table when set put me in mind of home, which puts me also in mind that fifteen days has now elapsed and you have not even written me that Charley was there. Imagine me then in the mail tent every day anxiously awaiting the distribution of the mail and after completed, the mail boy cries out "nothing for you Hank". It has been so now for a week every day successively.
I hung my stocking up as a tribute to by gone days last evening but some way or another. I presume from the dilapidated state of the stocking it contained nothing.
Charley no doubt will be astonished when he hears that the largest part of the 3rd has reenlisted. They have been going it quite strong of late. They are mustered in and will soon be home on their 30 day furlough, they have got only three as yet from P.D. Geo. Nate. Old Joe, Milo Bailey and one more which I did not think of his name is Sluter he has not been with the Company since Williamsburgh. He came from Convalescent Camp and enlisted the same night he arrived. R_____ Charley came back at the same time, also Trask.
Charley I wished you would bring my skates down with you, There is a small place frozen over nearing Head Quarters which I can appreciate a good deal of comfort from. Its an aggravation for me to see ice when I have nothing else to busy myself with.
I should have been home now provided I had money to have come with but Gus did not answer my letter which I wrote her some two weeks since and T did not want to put my furlough in until I heard from her.
No doubt but Charley is having high times which I would be happy to hear.
I must close this everything is quiet on the front, all business suspended and everybody endeavoring to keep Christmas.
Write Soon
Goodbye
Hank
Don't forget the skates. They were in the office when I left home.
They will be no burden to you, and I can have them carried just as long as I remain here.
Hank
Head Quarters 2nd Division, 3rd Corps
Camp near Brandy Station, VA Dec 3Oth.
Dear Mother,
We have got back to our old camp after a weeks hard fighting and tedious marching. We broke camp early on the morning of the 26th "Thanksgiving day", marched southeasterly towards the Rapidan, the 3rd. Corps was to force their crossing at Jacob's Ford, on arriving at the Ford, the 2nd Division being in the advance, the 26th Penna regiment, was deployed as skirmishing, they advanced to the river and as no force was observed the pontoon train went down, the boats were taken off of the wagons, and put into the river then the llth New Jersey were ordered across the river in the boats, twenty five in a boat. They all managed to get across without much delay, and charged up the banks, finding all but a detachment of cavalry. In the meanwhile the engineers were laying the bridge, and soon the 2nd Division were all over, they advanced up a road that went to Gordonsville about two miles, they were advancing just as unconcerned as could be when suddenly several shots were fired into Genl Princes staff which were ahead of the column, the staff all ran but the Genl, and he discovered a waver [?] of the troops, but he yelled steady and deployed out a heavy line of skirmishers and took command of them himself, they advanced and pretty soon an other volley was fired and then the order to double quick was given and the enemy put off, it was undoubtedly the same squad which was at the ford. They advanced about a mile and then turned around and came back to within about a mile from the ford & layed in their arms for the night. In the morning they marched on a road running at angles with the one they were previously on. They advanced up this road about half a mile and halted, occasionally a shot was fired the scouts and the officers which were in the advance of the column, we had run into a Division of the enemy which were on the plank road from Gordonsville to Fredericksburg. The general went to the front and he was convinced that they were in fires [?] so he advanced into the woods and formed his line of skirmishers and advanced up the road, after going about a mile picket firing was heard and shortly the two lines were engaged. They skirmished all the forenoon, and about 1 o'clock fighting commenced. It kept growing heavy all the time, while on the left of us the 2nd Corps were fighting quite heavy while the 6th Corps and the others were in the reserve. At 3 o'clock the fighting became very heavy the enemy had charged my division three times and found it impregnable. Then the Excelsior mad a charge through a thick woods with heavy underbrush, the rebels ran in confusion. They were just falling back to draw them on, for they had several batteries and these columns of flankers marched down in the brigade which caused it to break and it was a good thing they fell back as they did or they would have been annihilated in a few moments more. They fell back to the plank road an? the Johnnies came charging down in them again. We had a battery of artillery in the road, at that time the fighting became very heavy and the 3rd Division of my Corps came up for a support. They are new troops and did not behave very well, one Brigade broke and run before they had any cause to.
The rebels on this charge were not very successful for our artillery opened on them with double shotted canisters, which thinned their ranks fearfully and they fell back thus ending the affair for the evening, our troops advanced and picketed their front. In the morning, heavy firing was heard on my left, where the 2nd Corps were. We were ordered there as there was no enemy in any front. They had evidently marched to the left in the night about 7 o'clock on the morning of the 28th we moved towards the left to Roberts Tavern, where army Head Qtrs were. The whole army concentrated at that point. There was every indication of a large battle, the two armies laid within speaking distance, and both threw up fortifications. The positions they occupied were both good, being elevated and a gully between with a thick woods covering both.
The enemy were very heavily fortified, much more so than us, no general engagement took place, but Genl. Meade said that he would give a leave of absence of 3 days to any division who would charge the enemies fort and the arduous duties were assigned to the 2nd Division, but as luck would have it a consultation took place between the Genls and they found it an impossibility. They thought it impregnable, they were too strong to dislodge them from the position they held without a heavy loss of life and Meade rather than do that and hold the position he would retreat, as it was too far from the supplies, and the communication was not open to Washington. So he concluded to fall back to his old position near Brandy, and besides the weather is so cold that it is impossible to be in the field, especially on the picket line they are allowed no fires.
We remained behind our fortifications until the evening of the lst when we fell back leaving a picket which was to be relieved on the morning of the and at three o'clock. They all fell back safe and also the picket. We marched all night on the 2nd and crossed the ford at daylight & at three o'clock arrived at our old camp.
Dec 3rd 10 o'clock PM. We just received orders stating that the rebels were crossing the river in force and coming down on us. They will get whipped mercifully if they attack us. We have magnificent positions here. I received your letter and also Guses this evening. Its the first mail we have had since we left. I will write to Gus tomorrow if we do not move. but I think we will.
Our Captain was killed in the late engagement. His name was McDonough, a splendid man and everybody loved him, his body was sent home. Lieut Springer of Co.C. was wounded, he was formerly of Co.E. He is a big friend of Ralph Homers. I must stop.
Goodbye. Hank.
Write soon, we will soon be in winter quarters and then you can send me the box. Gus is getting very loquacious wants to know who that girl is and what her name is and her residence.
Hank
Hospital 3rd Div 2nd Corps
Near Petersburg, VA
July 13, 1864
Dear Mother Ect
Having a few moments this evening to myself (an instance which has not happened for a fortnight since) I seat myself to write a few lines
of camp life.
The Second Corps in the Reserve
Night before last, that small portion which Officiates in the 2 Corps, known as the medical Department of the 3rd Div received orders in the dead hours of the night to pack up and dig out, it was very unexpectedly and took many by surprise, one of that party being myself, as I had not yet retired. I was setting up making out a report called for from Army Head Quarters, and it recognized immediately. It was the number of killed, wounded and missing in every engagement from the 5th of May to the 3Oth of June, of each regiment in the two Division our old and Birney, it required 31 different reports to complete it the doctor came to the wagon and told me to pack up and also stated that I had better get into the wagon and get some sleep as I had had but a little to his knowledge for several nights past. I packed the wagon made my bed and went to sleep regardless of anything or anybody when I awoke we were in park on the east side of the Norfolk railroad and in the rear of the 5th Corps near the large forts which the niggers captured, the Medical Director and Drs and Surgeons were out looking for a beautiful place yet it was as usual deficient in water, but that was easily obtained by digging, we were at loss to tell what this strange movement was, and even up to this moment it seems a query The corps went to work last evening tearing down and leveling to the ground all of the breastworks, earthworks and forts that were in front of our Corps and also those which the 8th Corps left when they went to Maryland.
The Corps now lays in the large belt of woods on the right of the road to City Point near where Gus Jewell was buried.
This movement is strategy on our part, to make the enemy think we are sending troops to Maryland yet some of the boys entertain an idea that we are going there, and even assert that our artillery is embarking on transports now this is merely a camp rumor, and but little dependence can be placed in it.
What appears to be the general opinion north about the invasion, I presume they are getting scared, at least I have every reason to believe so, from the way the Marylanders fled from their homes leaving their crops and everything behind, if they had remained at home they would have been much better off and would have met with less destruction of property I almost wish they would enter New York City not to commit any of their outrageous depredations nor for them to pillage, but merely to show the metropolis of the world what "Johnnies are" it mought have a tendency to encourage enlistment I have not the least doubt but that some of those shop faced counter jumpers, would rush frantically to the nearest recruiting station and declare his services to the union
The transfer of the Excelsiors has necessarily thrown several out of fat berths, among them are poor Shelton, Conroy, and Fuller, and a host of others in the 2nd and 5th Regts. They have none of them as yet been ordered to duty, but on the contrary have joined the Brigade "de coffee evaler%' [???] a worthy position, especially during an engagement, Charley can explain this to you much more readily than me, so I will resign it to him.
Ralph Hawe and Ed Bowyer came down to see me this evening. Ralph had not a shirt to his back and Ed was not much better, they had both been so lousy and dirty, they threw them away, this was indeed too much for me. I gave each of them one and would have been glad to extend my generosity still farther, but being that I was up the stump myself I could not, however I will think the Sanitary when they came up, which will be soon they are the only two that remain in the company that came out when I did, that I came to associate with John Bourne and Henry Trask are driving each respectively 6 mules in the supply train, they are in their glory now, it was to the height of John's ambition to get some such a place and Ralph will soon be out of it as he has been detailed in the Band, then Ed will be left alone to the tender mercies of the world but he has cheek enough to carry himself through
The sad news reached here today of the death of Billy Post. If he had remained in the army he would never had been killed. Walter Mullett is in the Corps Hospital with Dr. Calhoun also George Brandon the young fellow of whose picture I sent home in my last.
I wish you would send me if possible a black felt hat similar to the one that Charley wore home of mine list winter, the one I have is nearly played, and its impossible to obtain one here, and even if I could I am out of funds, we are to be paid off each I understand for six months, ain't that glorious.
I have not had a letter in an age it seems an awful long time. You must write oftener and Charley I hope you will not forget yourself, you know how anxious you were for Thursdays to come around. Write every time and chance you get and I will do likewise. Give my kind regards to all D company and other engineering friends I sincerely hope you will not be bought by enormous prices paid by the drafted men. I would sooner volunteer the second time, than to come out as a sub I would oblige these old coveys [?] that are just as able if not more so than you, three years is quantum. I hope you will take this as advice and not as an insult, for you remember the advice you gave me which I did not need
Alium Aliva [??]
Hank
p.s. [at top] The latter part of this letter is intended for Charley I would write more but is getting quite late and I must to bed. Its all quiet at the front and if not for an occasional shell clippering over here we would think no enemy in our front Hank
Hospital of 3rd Div 2nd Corps
Near Petersburgh, VA
July 15 1864
Dear Father
Your favor came to hand to day together with he photographs, and for the same accept my best wishes until better paid.
The papers you mention have not been received neither Gus letter, but I presume it is among the thousands detained at Washington, as I see a notice in the Washington Chronicle where they had laid by several tons of mail matter both coming and going from the army, and this probably accounts for your not hearing from me oftener. I am sure I have written three if not four letters within the past two weeks
Our Corps is still in the reserve, yet they have very large working parties out every night for the purpose of tearing down and leveling the enemy's old works in the rear of our present ones, the object in leveling these fortifications is if the enemy drive us from our present position, they cannot gain the advantage of position, and will have to cross an open tract of country where our artillery could cut them up terribly.
The siege commences at four o'clock tomorrow morning, when I presume the city of Petersburg will be no more, they certainly had ought to burn the place or batter it down in retaliation for their uncivilized conduct in Maryland. Our siege traps are all planted and I expect to be woke up with their uproar.
It has been unusually still today scarcely a shot fired, but this evening they are having it hot and heavy in front of the 5th Corps. The invaders have succeeded in their undertaking exceeding well, only think they are within three miles of Washington I could but laugh today when I read the paper, a correspondent speaking of getting on the 4th Street horse cars and riding out to the front there certainly can be no immediate danger of Washingtons being taken or you would hear of the 2nd Corps being ordered there, for we are laying back to the rear doing nothing here. A General belonging to this Corps came from Washington, he says we have more men than can be used.
This evening the Doctor promised me one of his pictures, I will send it home as soon as I obtain it, his Regiment mostly re enlisted and I believe he will remain in the service at least he says so providing the government will allow it.
You never mention a word about Art does he still remain in the Supply Store. I should think he might find time enough to write himself.
Willie gained quite a reputation and received a handsome reward from his Western friend so I see by one of the last unions you sent me.
It is getting quite late and I must to bed I have just four hours to sleep before the battle [?] opens then its impossible to sleep - we are not very far from the point and I expect we will occasionally have a message from the Johnnies in the shape of 32 pounders.
I will write you the particulars tomorrow night if I may be permitted to do so. love to all, and a happy nights rest, something which I will not have for I shall lay awake thinking of the appointed hour and listening for the signal given.
Au revoir
Hank
Excuse mistakes and writing.
Head Quarters 3rd Division 2nd Corps
Office Surgeon in Chief
January 22, 1865
Dear Gus,
Having just finished a letter to Nellie H. and nothing else to do I will carry my thoughts homeward. I am very sorry you took it so hard because not receiving a letter from your little brother, T have good reason to go back on you, of which we will say nothing of at the present.
I am disposed to differ with as regards Capt. Drakes anxiousness to return to the field. He told me his position was too good to think of such a thing. However, he tried to get his Commission but his intentions were to remain at Elmira and if possible get a position as acting asst adjutant.
I hope Ede and Capt may make a match. I agree with you in that respect.
This is a rumour here that the bill of Mr Hollmans which was referred to the committee on the conduct of the war had past and that all Recruits who came out in 62 who were enlisted for old Regiments from July 4th to Oct lst are to be immediately discharged, this is but a rumor and as for the truthfulness of it we will learn in the future, but until then I shall not entertain any idea of getting out. yet it would not be at all improbable.
You say that Ede is home, also is Charley Talcott, he has lately fallen heir to a large real estate and has gone home on furlough, perhaps Ede may change her views now and continue her correspondence. I will speak to him when he returns and get him to pose her for a photo by the way tell her I would like one very much and will have one taken hear and send her in return, we have an excellent artist at the point.
I am agoing to have the Doctor paint my picture, he is an artist has painted several pictures life size. one of General Birney and others. if he has time I will have one.
George Brandon is at Havana he is Steward on a large steamship. I do not approve of your writing to everyone, do you remember how you got caught last winter therefore I will not give you his address.
I should judge by the tone of the southern press that the Confederacy was playing out and that peace was not far distant, I sincerely hope this may prove so
I must close hoping you will answer soon.
Gratefully,
Hank