Civil War Blog

mvanders

March 17, 1863

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New Haven

I am sure, Mr. Hubbard, you will readily excuse my silence when you understand the causes. I think I wrote you that Father and Lillie were sick, Lillie improved temporarily, but Father was quite sick for several weeks, as soon as he was able to [dress?] I went with him to Phila. We had been there only two weeks when we were summoned home by my little Lillie’s death. She had been an invalid for nearly eleven years with Consumption but her death was sudden still. The last wish of her life, she suffered immensely, but throughout she was patient and happy trusting in “Jesus who died for her.” I am only sorry I could not have been with her at the last. We cannot regret her death for it was a blessed release to the little sufferer. […]

Lucy A. Charnley to Thomas H. Hubbard [Hubbard Family Papers]

March 16, 1863

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Monday.

Soon after breakfast our Reg. moved back a few rods into the woods to dryer ground, where we pitched our shelter tents, & [illeg. word] out our clothes to dry, & had a general cleaning up, & an inspection of arms & ammunition.  At 3 P.M. packed up & marched about ¾ mile to a field not far from the river, where our Brigade pitched their tents & spent the night.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscript Collection]

March 15, 1863

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It was very cold and cloudy this morning, but it moderated in the afternoon and rained in the evening with thunder and lightening. Was due to the 5th in the afternoon, staid with C. until nine o’clock. Reading Bulwer’s “Night and Morning.” Had a call today from the Chaplain of the 104th.

Diary of Henry Hastings Hunt [Henry Hastings Hunt Papers]

 

March 14, 1863

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Camp near Fletchers Chapel Va.

Dear Mother:

[…] They all seemed very glad to see me back, especially Bundy, who said he could not sleep with anyone but me.  He tried a number while I was gone [on furlough].  I was very glad to find the box here. I suppose you have got Henry’s letter in regard to it before this.  I like the contents very much.  The boots, which you thought so clumsy, are just what I wanted, and they fit me very nicely.  I expect they will last more than a year.  And the slippers, which I expected to find perfect flat boats, from what you all said, are the admiration of all who have seen them.  They are exactly the think to wear ’round camp. […]

Charles O. Hunt to his mother [Charles O. Hunt letters and personal recollections

March 13, 1863

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Friday

Another cold day. Went to the Commissary in the morning, in afternoon went to the 5th. C. came about 4 o’clock, brought me a beautiful bible from mother – country living and city thinking from Mary, a bottle of ketchup from Mrs. Dr. Homer – and a pr. of boots and slippers mat he bought in Washington. Enjoyed his visit much.

Diary of Henry Hastings Hunt [Henry Hastings Hunt Papers]

March 12, 1863

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Thursday.

This has been an idle week, thus far.  The first of the week we were ordered to pack up all extra clothing, keeping in the knapsacks only great coats, blankets & one pair stockings.  We boxed up the rest of the men’s clothing & stored it, with the officers’ baggage at the Brigade Commissary’s.  Drew shelter tents, one for every two men, one piece to be carried in each knapsack.  We have been waiting orders to march, probably toward Port Hudson.  The hospitals have been cleared to a considerable extent, by sending a large number of the patients to New Orleans.  Day before yesterday (March 10th) Lt. R. started for N.O. with the following men of the Co. who were thought by our surgeons fit candidates for the change: O. Booker, Alb. Brown, S. S. Buzzell, Ellis, Ham, F. Holbrook, C. H. Huston, C. E. & D. Skillin, Badger, Baker & Turner.  Turner met with an accident by the careless handling of a pistol.  It went off & the ball passed through his leg below the knee.  He will not probably be confined very long.   Besides these, Varney, G. F. Davis, & J. M. Wing were sent to N.O. from the Gen. Hospital, making fifteen from Co. H that have gone there, besides Lt.  R.  A few will have to be left in camp when the troops march—probably fifty or more from the Reg. who are too weak to carry the load required but am not quite sick enough to go to the hospital.  The Adjutant is to be left in care of the camp during our absence.  We are ordered (& have been for two days past) to keep two days rations cooked, & in the haversacks.  Have been writing a letter to Pamelia informing her that we are under “marching order,” & shall keep it open till we are ordered to fall in.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]

March 11, 1863

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Wednesday.

It cleared up this morning.

Went had a call from Seymour in forenoon. Went over to the 5th in the afternoon – all hands at work building their new houses. Stayed til nine o’clock with Brown.  Came back read some in Harper’s. Had cold in head. Took big draught of hot drink and turned in.

Diary of Henry Hastings Hunt [Henry Hastings Hunt Papers]

March 10, 1863

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Camp Chase, Ohio. Private.

Dear wife:

As Alvin has remained with us till the present I have concluded to drop you another note.  I am still well.  I have been thinking a great deal in regard to the condition of affairs and particularly in reference to your situation residing as you do in the midst of strife and contention. I say now as I have said to you before, that I should be much better satisfied if you and the children were elsewhere.  I know there would be many things unpleasant in breaking up and moving but then it is also true that there are many things unpleasant in your present situation.  We are compelled to deal with matters as they are and not as we wish them to be.  Alvin will be with you in a few days.  You will consult fully with him in reference to what is best.  He is a brother, and whatever you and he may determine upon will meet my approval.  The children ought to be at school.  I may be at home soon or I may not.  I cannot tell.  At  this distance from you I do not feel like I have a right to direct you.

May God bless you and the children.  Your Husband, A. W. Hawkins. (Show this to  Alvin alone)

Captain Ashton William Hawkins to his wife [Mellen Family Papers]

 

March 9, 1863

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A lovely spring day worthy of the “Sunny South.” Woke this morning to find the sun shining warm the birds singing and the air redolent of spring’s indescribable perfumes. Went over to 6th in the afternoon. Stopped with Bundy. Luitchell came in and sat awhile in the evening. Staid all night with Brandy. He’s sick with cold.

Diary of Henry Hastings Hunt [Henry Hastings Hunt Papers]

March 8, 1863

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West Point

Dear Father,

I will answer your questions as best as I can. As to the shirts, I shall not want them till I get home, I think I can get along tell then. So you need not send them to me hear. 1st.- My checkbook is turned in to the Commissary for settlement, so I don’t know exactly how my account stands. I think I shall be about $50 in debt. I can tell you next letter. 2d. – I cannot get any money to go home with if in debt. 3d. – Our pay goes on while we are on Furlough and amounts to $60, of which $40 we are allowed to have providing we lay it out in clothes, and $16 to go home with if we are out of debt, if we are in debt we can not get the clothes or the money, unless we deposit enough to put us out of debt. 4th. – In case of emergency we could not get one cent paid to us in advance. If we have not the same means to go on Furlough we can’t go at all and will have to stay here all summer. 5th. – Neither goods nor clothes could be sent me without a permit, but you can send all the money you want to., it would be breaking an old rule, but nobody thinks or cares anything about it. The Officers know very well the Cadets get all the money they want from home, they don’t care. I guess the Superintendent likes to have them get all the money they can from home. I shall be happy to receive all you will send. […]

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