Civil War Blog

March 7, 1863

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New York

My dear Hubbard.

Yours of the 4th inst. is this moment recd. and I hasten to respond. I am very glad that you like the photographs as a picture, if not as a likeness. I am certain you would think this original a good likeness. […] About all of Mrs. Bridgman’s friends who have seen the picture are very much pleased with it. […]

Don’t imagine New Haven a safe place from Rebel [don] clads, for if they once get into the sound they will make at once for that nest of “fanatics” remembering the “Silliman letter,” and there is nothing to dispute their entrance – I am going there out of patriotism to help defend the city! As you say, it will be a good place to start from for our summer excursions – Our plans so far as developed are to start early in July – after the expiration of the tour of service of the 25th Maine Regt. – for Maine – where we shall be joined by Ben. and Belle Page, and we trust Adjt. Hubbard – and proceed to Moosehead Lake where we propose to have a good time! Further than this our plans are undeveloped. […]

W.H. Bridgman to Thomas Hamlin Hubbard [Hubbard Family Papers] 

March 6, 1863

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Friday.  Rainy all day.  Now drill after the Sergeants’ drill in morning.  Finished & mailed a letter to Pamelia in forenoon.  In afternoon a mail arrived, but most of the letters were old ones, some written in January.  I rec’d none.  It is said there is another mail in N.O. that will be up in a day or two.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]

March 5, 1863

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Thursday.  Had morning drill from 7 to 7.45—then from 9 to 11.  In afternoon, the whole  Brigade marched to Camp Banks to be reviewed by Genl. Augun.  We though[t] our Brigade made quite a decent appearance, tho’ one Regt. Was not able to bring out more than about 200 men—a whole Co. being out on picket, & other men on post guard.  Our actual strength now, we suppose to be about 300 men besides commissioned officers.  These frequent reviews & inspections are supposed to portend “a move,” in some direction.  The forces here have been increased of late by the arrival of  Cavalry & Artillery, besides which several mortar vessels have come up the river within a week.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]

March 4, 1863

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Studio Building No B
Tenth Street, New York

My dear Mother,

I am expecting Otis back tomorrow morning when I will join him and we will try & reach the army by Saturday.

Last Thursday I went up to West Point & came back Monday P.M. Enjoyed visiting my old friends there much. The day I returned I called over to Brooklyn and saw Mrs. Perry Lee and engaged to attend her cousin’s wedding with her the next day.

It was a gay time and I saw there H.W. Beecher, Mrs General Fremont & other distingue’s.

The bride was Miss Sarah Dwight. The bridegroom was Capt. Raymund of Gen. Fremont’s staff. I also met Capt Jack Howard of their staff. He is from Brooklyn originally.

[Read more…] about March 4, 1863

March 3, 1863

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3-3Tuesday.  This morning at 7 o’clock Gorham H. Gould died at the Reg. Hospital.  He had been there nearly all the time since we arrived here, & had been brought almost to death’s door, but three weeks ago appeared to have taken a new lease of life, and gained rapidly, for a week or more, & I had great hopes of his ultimate recovery.  After a few days, however, he began to fail again, & has gradually wasted away.  He was buried this afternoon not far from Mitchell & York.   Being Officer of the day I was not able to leave to attend his funeral.  Lt. Jerrard has given up today, & this evening has gone into town with strong symptoms of measles.  He will stay at the house where his brother, J. F. Jerrard boards, & will thus be more comfortable than he would be either in quarters or hospital.  We have looked anxiously for the mail today, but for some reason it is kept back.  We are to have a Reg. Inspection tomorrow at 10 A.M.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]

 

March 2, 1863

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3-2Monday. Finished & mailed letter to Mother.  Spent forenoon in making “Final Statements” & “Inventories of effects” of York & Mitchell.  Del[ivere]d one copy of each to the Adjutant & mailed one to the Adj. Genl. at Washington, keeping one myself.  We also rolled up the clothes in snug packages, to send home.  Shall wait a few days, & if the three men that have been recommended for discharge get their papers soon, shall send the things north in their care—if not, shall have to send them by Express.  In  afternoon had a Batt[alion] Drill.  No mail has come up, but as it has reached N.O. it will probably reach us tomorrow.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]

 

March 1, 1863

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3-1West Point

Dear Father,

Your letter of the 22d. was received on the 25th., bringing me the sad news of Aunt Mary’s death. It was not unexpected. You wrote me she was sick in your last letter.

I received a letter from William last evening, I have not had a letter from Charlie since last fall. I have written to him several times. I guess he has forgotten me.

You will find my marks for the week ending Feb. 21st. enclosed.

From your Affectionate Son, Malcolm McArthur

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

February 28, 1863

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2-28Saturday.  A very rainy night, & this morning it is pouring steadily, with very heavy thunder.  Cleared off about noon & we had the Reg. mustered for payment & their arms & equipments inspected.  After the muster I went down into town & spent the rest of the afternoon.

Last evening I made out “Certificate of Disability” for Private Ham, S. S. Buzzell, & C. H. Houston, with a Discharge, & this forenoon they went before the “Examining Board” of Surgeons, & were all recommended for discharge—Ham for “Hereditary Phthisis Pulmonalis”—Buzzell for “Heart disease and Chronic Diarrhea”—Houston for “Varicose Veins & right knee injuries in service.”  The papers will go to New Orleans, & if approved then will be returned, & discharges for the men be made out.  Corp. Varney, who has been in the Genl. Hosp. two weeks has also been recommended for discharge, for “Phthisis Pulmonalis,” & his papers forwarded to N.O.  I have long felt satisfied that these four men would not become fit for duty again during our term of service, if ever, while if they go home soon a part of them at least bid fair to regain tolerable health which I think they never could do here, but would be likely to waste away & die like others when have been sick like them.  It is Saturday night, the last day of the month & the last of “winter,” but it seems little like winter to me.  The weather now resembles that of June at home,–the grass is growing rapidly, & the trees are putting forth their leaves.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]

 

February 27, 1863

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Friday.  Soon after the death of the man mentioned above, another in the same Co. was taken suddenly sick in his tent, & in a few minutes he too died.  During the night two others died in the hospital, making four in one night.  Truly, “in the midst of life we are in death.”  Had a drill this forenoon—target practice.  I was too busy writing to go out.  Our Co. were thought to have made as good shots as any in the Regt.  I have written & mailed letters today to Mrs. Mitchell, & to Lyman Tyler, of Bangor, an uncle of Mitchell, giving them an account of his sickness & death.  Have also written to the Med. Director of the Chesapeake Genl. Hospital, requesting him to inform me of the dates of  Gardner & Wiggins decease, what effects they left, and what disposition was made of them.  Wrote to sister Sarah today, & inclosed a short note to her husband.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]

 

February 26, 1863

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Thursday.  W. A. Mitchell, of Kenduskeag, who has been in hospital since the middle of January, died last night at 8 o’clock.  He has been sinking fast for a week, having been unable to keep any food down, & having no appetite.  We buried him by the side of York this afternoon.  Thus three of our Co. have passed away since we came to this place, & men of the other Co’s are dying daily.  About 6 o’clock this evening a member of Co. K, who has been unwell for some time, while going from his tent to his officer’s quarters fell suddenly, & expired in a few moments.  About an hour after in passing the tent I saw them nailing him up in his coffin—so suddenly do men die here, & so hastily are they made ready for the grave.  This P.M. a boat arrived from N.O. bringing another mail.  No letter came for me, however.

Diary of Isaac Winslow Case [Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection]