Our camp was called today “Camp Industry” by a very nice young lady with whom I have become acquainted in the neighborhood of our camp. Her name is Miss Bessie Johnson.
September 11, 1863
Mackie’s Island. Slept very well for the first time on the ground. Found mother’s comforter an excellent article for use. Reveille 5. Breakfast 6. Pork, Potatoes, Coffee. Bread. A day of loafing. Found opportunity for reading my testament and prayer. My chums having no objection I had prayer last night just before retiring. Am learning the demoralisation of camp life. Gambling, stealing, card playing, swearing and obscenity are prevalent. Lost my dipper this noon, and was advised to steal one to pay for it. Perhaps I shall have to steal, but it shall be my last resort. Wrote two letters, one home, and one to B–. Marched to Paymaster’s and received one hundred dollars, my state bounty. Then ordered on board the Hester which took us to Portland. Here we took the Lewiston for Long Island, Boston Harbor. There were ninety of us, perhaps ninety-two, as two escaped or were concealed on board the boat before we arrived at our … destination. Our quarters were between decks in which we were placed more like animals than men. We fared no better, if so well, than our neighbors, some sheep. The officers in command of us were Capt. Illsley of the 15th and Lieut. Green of the 17th. I left Mackie’s Island with pleasure because I wished to be where I could have something to do. My day at the Island and my chums will not soon be forgotten.
September 10, 1863
Mackie’s Island
Came to Portland, was clothed with soldier’s garb and furnished with knapsack etc.and put under guard in City Buildings. Have had a hard day doing nothing. Companions, gamblers and rogue Sergeants would go out with me if I would give them anything from one dollar to five. Did not go out till we were marched down to the wharf between five or six corpoals and segeants.
September 9, 1863
Portland, Wednesday
Sworn into the service of the United States, and let go at liberty. Went to Brunswick.
September 8, 1863
Headquarters Eleventh Corps,
Dearest,
I get more and more frightened everyday. I think you must be still visiting and cannot write, I think you must be sick and cannot. I remember that roughly cough and am afraid it is holding on. I did not write you at Farmington for you intended to go to Leeds so shortly I sent my first letter there – one from Washington with a check and two or three since I returned. Day before yesterday I wrote Guy a letter and directed it to Augusta. The days are now quite warm and considerably monstrous. […]
Oliver Otis Howard to his wife, Elizabeth Anne Waite [Oliver Otis Howard Papers]
September 7, 1863
Headquarters Eleventh Corps, Va.
My dear Guy,
Papa begins to wonder why he does not get a letter from Mamma. Is Mamma sick so that she cannot write? Is her cough bad? Are any of the children ill? How is that sweet little baby who talked in his own way and pulled his father’s whiskers? How is Jamie with his keen black eyes and his quiet form? How is sister Gracie, with her loving heart? And how is our manly boy Guy? Did you have a happy time at uncle Rowland’s? And how is papa’s mother, who used to have him, not many years ago as her little boy? Has Grandpa’s finger got well? I want to know all these things and whatever else you can tell me about your visit. […]
Oliver Otis Howard to his son, Guy [Oliver Otis Howard Papers]
September 6, 1863
Camp 20th Maine Vols. at Beverly Ford, Va.
My Dear Brother:
It is Sabbath evening and very quiet and peaceful for the army it does not usually seem much like the Sabbath but now that the business of the Regt. is so well kept up, that we do not have any writing to do on that day. It seems now like a, “Day of Rest.” […]
Holman Melcher to brother, Nathaniel Melcher [Holman Melcher Papers]
September 5, 1863
As regards the retaliation question General Lee and Captain Winder are in close confinement still, and authorities never having received any notice of Captain Sawyer and Flynn being placed on a level with other prisoners of war. The sake is the case with Morgan in Ohio. He will be released when the rebel Commissioner notifies General Meredith that Colonel Streight and his officers are released in Alabama as reported.
The following was found written upon the back of a $500 note sent into the Treasury for redemption:—
“This bill was paid for one plate of ice cream in Jersey City, at a fair for the benefit of the sick and wounded soldiers, by J. A., esq, April 11, 1863. H.M.H.”
Boston Daily Advertiser, September 5, 1863 [Historic Newspaper Collection]
September 4, 1863
Headquarters Eleventh Corps, Va
Dearest,
I wonder how you are and where you are this morning. I felt quite homesick for a day or two, but begin to get accustomed to the old life.
Oliver Otis Howard to his wife, Elizabeth Anne Waite [Oliver Otis Howard Papers]