Civil War Blog

mvanders

March 27, 1863

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Hdqrs. 2nd. Divn.
Near Falmouth Va
Mar. 27 1863

My dear Mother,

The last I heard from you was by letter from Rowland which you were at his house for one night.

It is a beautiful day – warm as any day in May. I hear a bird merrily singing. All the staff are away at Gen. Birney’s Divn. attending a hurdle race &c to which we were all invited. Otis is here & as I am Acting Adjutant General I remained behind. Besides I did not care much to go since I did not enjoy the similar celebration of St. Patrick’s day in the Irish Brigade. Too many got drunk and there were some accidents. I would like, however, to take a lively ride in this pure air. I sit at my desk with the door of the tent open –

just returned from dinner. Gen. Hancock was over this forenoon & called on Otis. He says that Gen. Hooker told him that Gen. Howard was to have the 11th Corps (Siegels) but Otis learned at Hd Qrs. yesterday that Gen. Hooker had sent a paper to Washington asking either that Gen. Siegel be ordered back (he is away on leave) or that there be a vacancy declared to which he could appoint the General he wished. He will undoubtedly appoint Otis if Siegel does not come back.

No leaves extend over April 1st now – so I suppose we will move soon after that date. Did you enjoy Otis’ visit? […]

Your affectionate Son,
C.H. Howard
P.S. Major Whittlesey has just this moment arrived – well!!

Charles Henry Howard to his mother, Eliza Gilmore [Charles Henry Howard Collection]

March 26, 1863

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Head Quarters at 1st Brigade and Casey’s Div. Chantilly, Virginia

Thursday

Dear Father:

We left camp at Arlington Heights on Tuesday morning at 7 o’clock, were joined by the 27th [?] at a junction of the roads about seven miles out, went on some eight miles further and camped just beyond Fairfax Court House for the night. Wednesday morning at 9 o’clock was a brisk start and marching on some for miles further to Chantilly, our present abiding place. […]

In haste,
Tom

Thomas H. Hubbard to his father, John Hubbard [Hubbard Family Papers]

March 25, 1863

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Wednesday.

Took my place on the Court Martial, Col. Bissell, 25th Conn. Reg. President.  Tried several cases, & adjourned till tomorrow at 9 o’clock.  The Reg. moved to a firm spot on the other side of the road, but a short distance from the mud hole that we have lived in for the last three days.  When I got back to camp everyone looked cheerful, & certainly the grounds we occupied were the pleasantest we have had since we came to this place.  The grass was fresh & green, & there were several fine shade trees that contributed much to the beauty of the spot.  On our way to camp this afternoon I went to the Measles Hospital & saw the men of our Co. who are there, Lovejoy, Shores & Sawyer appeared to be doing well, but Farmer looked poorly, & thought he was losing strength.  Titcomb had got pretty well over the Measles but had an attack of Erysipelas in his face & head, & I fear he will not recover.  I talked with the Assist. Surgeon in charge, & asked him to try to get them removed to the Genl. Hospital.  He said he would try to have it done.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]

March 24, 1863

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Tuesday.

Spent part of the day in town, waiting to take my place on the Court Martial, but as a case was going on that was commenced yesterday, was not needed today.  Lt. J. went to his late boarding house in town, being unable to stay in camp with safety.  He has a sudden attack of rheumatism which will probably confine him within doors for some time.  The Col. is strongly threatened with measles, so we shall be in a bad condition to march, if ordered away soon.  Neither of the Lieuts. will be able to go at present, but as I feel so much better today, I will not complain.  A mail came today, but there was no letter for me.  May last letter from Pamelia was mailed March 2d. up to which time all had been blessed with health & prosperity.  May I be grateful to our father in heaves for all his mercies.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]

March 23, 1863

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New York

“To err is human, to forgive is divine!”

Again I must write, Mr. Hubbard, but this time to extend my heart-felt thanks for your kindness in executing my wishes, and those considerate expressions of sympathy. Let me assure you with all possible earnestness that I have implicit confidence in your honor and accordingly the same amount of faith in the language of your last. After our rather uncharitable opinion of, and expressions to each other, this sympathy from you was not expected but that only makes it the more thoroughly appreciated.

Very respectfully yours

Mollie B. Stuart

Mollie B. Stuart to Thomas H. Hubbard [Hubbard Family Papers]

March 22, 1863

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3-22West Point

Dear Father,

Your regular Sunday letter was received as usual. I have nothing new to write. I have written quite a long letter to William today so I hope you will excuse this short note this time.

I have forgotten most of my marks for week ending March 14th.

Your Affec. Son
Malcolm McArthur

Malcolm McArthur to his father, Arthur McArthur, Sr. [McArthur Family Papers]

March 20, 1863

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Headquarters 2nd Divn
Near Falmouth, Va.

My dearest children

I want to tell you about a little boy about the age of Grace. The other night just at evening I was sitting before the fire a knock at my tent door:  “come in;” when in bounced a little black eyed boy. He looked something like this little fellow, with his pants rolled up near the tops of his little boots. A large man followed him. “Well where did you come from!” No answer, only eyes sparkle. Then, “What’s your name.” Willie. Willie’s uncle had been traveling around with Willie trying to find his father in the 98 Tenn. Regiment all that afternoon. It was in Gen. Sedgwick’s Corps people had sent him to Gen. Sedgwick’s old Division. I was delighted. He looked at my tongs, handled my shovel called for my poker and insisted that that was not a poker but a cane. He got hold of the black end of the tongs and I had to wash his hands. He next had my photographs and in an instant was out begging for a ride on a horse. Uncle Charlie gave him one – it was near night – and the boy and uncle had as much as five miles to go. I kissed the little boy and sent him off in an ambulance. I asked him while here where his mother was – he said in her grave. His uncle said he was an only son – and his father was a Lieutenant in the army.

Oliver Otis Howard to his children [Oliver Otis Howard Papers]

March 19, 1863

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Thursday.

The men awoke pretty well rested, but many of them rather foot-sore.  Spent the day quietly in camp, getting rested.  This march was altogether the hardest we have ever had, & was no doubt designed partly as a “toughener” for others that are to follow.  A long train of empty wagons followed us up yesterday, & turned off toward the river a little to the rear of the spot where we formed in line & brought out 100 bales of cotton which they carried to Baton  Rouge on acct. of Government.  It would probably have seen been burned by guerillas had it not been secured as it was.  Some think that the sole object of our move was to secure this cotton, & perhaps it “paid” aside from the discipline the men received.  A company made up by details from all the companies of our Reg. & commanded by Capt. Wood, was sent this afternoon to Baton Rouge to bring up all the men of the Brigade that were left behind either sick in tents or hospitals that may now be able to march, & all stragglers that are there.

Sergt. Chapman & two men went from our Co.  The man have got pretty well rested today, & by another day will be all ready for another March if wanted.  Through the goodness of God my health & strength have been continued to me, and I have borne the fatigue of our marches as well as the strongest man of my company.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscript Collections]

March 18, 1863

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My dear nephew Guy

Grandmother Gilmore came up last evening and we heard all about you and Grace and Jamie and your Mamma. We have not heard for a long time before and were glad that Jamie has gotten over his cough – that Guy can read in the Bible as well as anybody and that Grace has improved very much. I went to Brunswick after your Papa went back, to see him! But he went the day before. What a good time you must  have had going to meet him!

[…]

Your loving uncle, Rowland

Rowland Bailey Howard to Oliver Otis Howard’s son, Guy [Oliver Otis Howard Papers]