Letters from soldier that first name start with F
Dallas Co. Tex. Apr. 17th [1864]
Dear Sister Annie
I wrote you a few days since in which I promised to write you by Bro. Tom. As I have but little news to communicate, will take the privilege of lecturing you a little. I know your disposition so well, I fear you suffered more uneasinesson our account than you should have done. I know hearing from us so irregularly that dark clouds are apt to arise in your imagination. I entreat you to strive against this --- remember the old adage -- it is time enough to climb mountains when we get to them. Allways look at the bright side. Though you may hear we are surrounded by the enemy, remember we are far in the interior, remote from any water course or railroad.
Do not give yourself the least anxiety on our account. I do not think there is a safer place to be in the Confederacy than Dallas Co. You and I have great reason to be thankful that we have not suffered by this Cruel War, like thousands have. We yet have many comforts and blessings which we ought to appreciate and not grieve because we have not the society of all who are loved by us, to add to our happiness. No one would be more proud to clasp a pet sister in their arms than I would mine. But I try to be resigned to our separation. I am glad you are permitted to enjoy the society of your Husband so frequently and that your relations and friends have been so kind and attentive to you. We are more than glad to hear your health is restored, and that you have gotten along so well with your babe. Ma talks about you a great deal --- if sister Bettie and I did not love you so well, I think we might become jealous. But we permit her to talk about that dear child as much as she pleases and we never complain.
Ma give Tommie a nice supper yesterday evening the young folks enjoyed themselves very much. Miss Bessie Edminson did her best to captivate Mr. Floyd. But I hardly think she succeeded. I think his Arkansas girl has his heart. Tom seems much disappointed that he cannot visit her. The feds have possession there. Our armies are concentrating on the coast. Galveston is the point 'tis thought will be attacked. I received a packet of letters from Mr. C. [the writer's husband] yesterday evening -- his health has not been good recently -- he has neuralgia of the spine. He was at home when Tommie got in but had to return to his command in a few days. They are now camped in the vicinity of Houston. We have a fine prospect for an excelent wheat crop -- will have fruit in abundance unless we have a late frost. Pa's cherry and Damson trees are very full of fruit. I would like to help you gather some of those nice strawberries you spoke of growing at your Pa's [father-in-law]. There is constant trade from here to Sanintonia with flour for goods. Pa Crutchfield [the writer's father-in-law] is in the mercantile business -- his health is verry feble. Ma [Crutchfield] is as brisk around the counter as she use to be around the table. She talks very frequently about you and the Gen. -- says she intends to Give the Gen a big dinner when he gets home. She intended giving Bro Tom a party but did not do so on account of Bettie Lane's health, she has a son two weeks old -- her oldest died more than a year ago.
I presume the Gen would like to hear what has become of his old friends. Mr. Lane is still Cap of a Company in Chisums Reg. Col. C. resigned on account of bad health. Crill Miller is now Col. Mr. Swindells is editing the Herald. John Eakins has been a Qr Master in Ganoes Brig --- has recently been assigned to post duty at Bonham. Col. Burford has resigned -- is clerk in some department in Dallas. Stone [B. Warren Stone, who raised the 6th Texas Cavalry] has also resigned. McCoy is enrolling officer at Dallas. Dr. ______ still keeps out of the army also _______. Old ________ has not quite killed himself drinking yet. Judge ________ is scared nearly to death the feds will get here. He has sold his house and lot and a goodeal of land adjoining for 500 in specia -- is going to start to Sanintonia in a few days. I have heard a good many of your and the Gens friends say they intended to write you by Tom. But I fear you will not get many letters as he has concluded to start a few days sooner than was expected. Sister Bettie said she would write by Tom when she was down a few days ago. But we did not know then he would start in the morning. Mollie promised Grand Ma yesterday she would write two letters to her Pa. Oscar has written one -- they will write to Johnie soon. Pa is writing today I suppose he will tell you all about home. Aunt Cinda and Sallie, Mammy Julia and Loussa [Floyd house servants] all send love to you and the children. Black Mammy says tell Aunt Mima and Winnie that they need not claim her child Bennie. All are anxious to see Miss Annie's baby. We all dread for Tom and the boys to start back Ma is afraid he will be taken prisoner. Arck Cockran started to his command in Nov., was captured we have heard near the Miss River -- he started from camp in Arkansas. Jim wrote a long letter to you by him also one to Tom --- he wrote to me he thought you would be sure to get it and I almost become discouraged at times because so few of our letters reach you -- but I know your anxiety is verry great to hear from us often and I will continue to write as long as there is the least possible [chance] of a letter reaching you. The health of the country is excellent -- our health is very good. The children are all growing rapidly Georgie is as fat as every -- has never had any sickness the hooping cough never hurt him a particle. I am so glad the children have all had it. Did not I find it difficult to condense all I would like to talk to you about on paper. I have at least a dozen different things on my mind at once I wish to tell you. So you must excuse the disconnected manner in which this is written and all mistakes -- it is getting late I must close. The children join me in sending love to you all. Be sure and write often.
Your Affectionate Sister
Fannie P. Crutchfield
Dear Sister Annie
Gen Darnell expects to start to his command East of the Miss in a few days & has kindly offered to carry letters for me. I gladly embrace the opportunity of sending letters to you and Tomie. We regret to learn that none of our letters had reached you except one from Pa though we have writted every opportunity. Pa has received a good many from the Gen. [Col. Good's militia title] but none from you. we have heard of the delicate state of your health and protracted illness after the birth of your babe. It has been a hard trial for Ma and all of us to be seperated from you in your afflictions. We have spent many hours of painful anxiety about you and the children, though we were confident you were with kind friends who were very diligent in attention to you during your husbands absence. Pa received a letter from the Gen. yesterday date[d] 30th of May, in which he seemed buoyed up with the hope of your speedy convalescence. I hope that ere now you are able to nurse and fondle that black-eyed little girl which I almost envy. Sister Bettie is very proud of her namesake. We are all very anxious to see the babe. I am sure Johny is proud of his lettle sister. Mollie is very desirous to see Sis Nan's little girl.
Dear Annie I am at a loss to commence to tell you the news, as I do not know if you have received any of my letters. If I should recapitulate you must excuse. I must tell the best first. Mr. C ______ is at home has a leave of absence from his command for sixty days. He is fleshier than you ever saw him -- hard service agrees with him finely. My health is good the chyildren have just got over hooping cough, didn't hurt any of them but Charlie he was quite sick with it. Georgie is nearly as fleshy as when you saw him last, talks very plainly. Pa and Ma's health is verry good. Pa weighs nearly 200 & fattens every day, he is so fleshy that it fatigues him verry much to get about this warm weather. Ma is quite active yet. She had a loom made, has learned Louisa and Julia [Floyd family slaves] to weave, but still gets in the loom and plays old hundred occasionally. I have also been cloth making & have learned to weave, but haven't made any Confederate dresses yet --- think I shall this winter --- homespun dresses are much worn here Even those wear them who can afford to buy the imported goods at high prices. Calicao sells at 1$ in specia or 40 in Confederate money -- goods are haul(ed) here from Mexico -- but sell at enormous prices. Crops have been fine here since you left. Jim says I make an excellent farmer. This is his second visit home since he entered the service. I am so delighted at having him home. At times I almost forget the war is going on. We are all in fine spirits since Banks defeat in Lou. The yanks thought they would have an easy job to whip us on this side -- but they found themselves sadly mistaken. They came up Red River in Transpos. & gunboats -- landed their forces at Alexandria -- marched westward, -- our army met them near Mansfield on the 7th of April -- where a terrible battle was fought -- nest day our army fought them at Mansfield where many a gallant Texan fell -- our men fought desperately against superior force & charged them so furiously that they had to retreat back to Alexandria[.] so rapid was their flight that our army captured all their trains -- ambulanches waggons & captured several thousand prisoners -- Red River fell very rapidly -- they could not get their boats below the falls, our artillery destroyed most of their boats -- when they found they had to make their exit by land the(y) made a break in the direction of Limsport -- our army persued them 46 days in which we fought 42 battles. Jim wnet through it all and escaped with only a slight wond in the side -- merely a scratch[.] our loss was light in comparison to theirs.
I have written more on this subject than I had intended. We are all so elated at our success on this side. We have so much good news from the east. We are sanguine the war will close soon. God grant that it may be true. Dallas is greatly changed since you left. There is a great number of refugees here from other states. I believe Texas prairies is the safest place in the Southern Confederacy. We have not been molested here in the least. We are so remote from navigation that I do not think we will be disturbed. I hope things will get quiet so you can come home this fall. We all miss you so much -- & Tomie I do not expect we would recognise if he were to step in I hear he has grown so large. He wrote to us he visited you lasst winter. I was glad he got to see you -- poor Boy it was the least of his expectations to have staid from home so long. He went into it as a frolic, little expecting what a gigantic war we were to have. Ma and Pa would visit you if it were possible for them to do so. Tell Jonnie Oscar & Mollie are learning to write. I think they will be able to write him a letter soon. Mollie went to school in Dallas last scession. Oscar and Charle went from home.
Now for a surprise -- Cousin Mattie Wicklif and William Carooth were married about two weeks ago. He you know was looked upon as a confirmed old batchelor. Wat and Annie are not married yet. Annie says she wont marry while the war lasts. There has been verry few marriages amongst our acquaintenances since you left. Bro. John D. is in the service of Ganoes Brigade - Indian Department -- he is at home on threshing detail at present -- his health is verry good. John B is stationed at Dallas for a while -- until needed in the field. Camp life agrees with him much better than I expected. Sister Bettie is keeping house yet. Please excuse this desultory letter -- have nothing of interest to communicate and will close. J. O. C. sends his best respects to Mrs. Good & all thie little goodies -- The Children wish to be remembered to Johnie & Ben and say kiss the baby for them. Accept of my love and tender my kindest regards to the Gen. Your affectionate
Sister Fannie P. Crutchfield
P. S. I like to have forgotten to tell you about sister Betties baby. She has a little girl calls her Nannie is as proud as an old hen with one chicken. John B. is the proudest man you ever saw. They pet it a great deal. She has black eyes and dark hair and is a very pretty child. I must not keep you in suspense any longer -- Mrs. Slack requested before her death that Sister Bettie should raise her baby. The Dr. has given it to them.
Bro. John D. has not been in the army yet -- been detailed to thresh wheat -- Dallas is a military depot -- more officers than any thing strutting around.
May this cruel bloody war close speedily -- you and family be permitted to return soon is my earnest desire -- from your devoted
Sister Fannie P. Crutchfield
P.S. Dear Annie I came up to Ma's this morning. The Gentleman is not ready to start. Ma sugest that I should tell you how we are getting along cloth making. Ma has had over 200 yds. made Julia and Louisa have learned to be excellent spinners. I have had near 70 yds manufactured -- made my husband a suit of grey -- which he is very proud of. I wove it myself -- cut and made the suit. He says when asked where he got his nice suit his proud reply is a My wife made it.
Goods of all kinds are enormously high here Calico sell at 10 to 14 cents per yard. Corn 5 to 6 cents -- everything else high. Ma has bought 2 dress patterns form you . Pa has about 800$ in all collected for you a portion of it is money from Bro. estate -- none but the loose property is sold -- Pa divided it equaly amongst the children -- would be glad to send yours to you -- Ma and Pa send love and kisses to you and the children -- Black Mammy and all the negrows all -- all wish Miss Annie to come home.
Your Sister Fannie
Dear Sister Annie
Gen Darnell expects to start to his command East of the Miss in a few days & has kindly offered to carry letters for me. I gladly embrace the opportunity of sending letters to you and Tomie. We regret to learn that none of our letters had reached you except one from Pa though we have writted every opportunity. Pa has received a good many from the Gen. [Col. Good's militia title] but none from you. we have heard of the delicate state of your health and protracted illness after the birth of your babe. It has been a hard trial for Ma and all of us to be seperated from you in your afflictions. We have spent many hours of painful anxiety about you and the children, though we were confident you were with kind friends who were very diligent in attention to you during your husbands absence. Pa received a letter from the Gen. yesterday date[d] 30th of May, in which he seemed buoyed up with the hope of your speedy convalescence. I hope that ere now you are able to nurse and fondle that black-eyed little girl which I almost envy. Sister Bettie is very proud of her namesake. We are all very anxious to see the babe. I am sure Johny is proud of his lettle sister. Mollie is very desirous to see Sis Nan's little girl.
Dear Annie I am at a loss to commence to tell you the news, as I do not know if you have received any of my letters. If I should recapitulate you must excuse. I must tell the best first. Mr. C ______ is at home has a leave of absence from his command for sixty days. He is fleshier than you ever saw him -- hard service agrees with him finely. My health is good the chyildren have just got over hooping cough, didn't hurt any of them but Charlie he was quite sick with it. Georgie is nearly as fleshy as when you saw him last, talks very plainly. Pa and Ma's health is verry good. Pa weighs nearly 200 & fattens every day, he is so fleshy that it fatigues him verry much to get about this warm weather. Ma is quite active yet. She had a loom made, has learned Louisa and Julia [Floyd family slaves] to weave, but still gets in the loom and plays old hundred occasionally. I have also been cloth making & have learned to weave, but haven't made any Confederate dresses yet --- think I shall this winter --- homespun dresses are much worn here Even those wear them who can afford to buy the imported goods at high prices. Calicao sells at 1$ in specia or 40 in Confederate money -- goods are haul(ed) here from Mexico -- but sell at enormous prices. Crops have been fine here since you left. Jim says I make an excellent farmer. This is his second visit home since he entered the service. I am so delighted at having him home. At times I almost forget the war is going on. We are all in fine spirits since Banks defeat in Lou. The yanks thought they would have an easy job to whip us on this side -- but they found themselves sadly mistaken. They came up Red River in Transpos. & gunboats -- landed their forces at Alexandria -- marched westward, -- our army met them near Mansfield on the 7th of April -- where a terrible battle was fought -- nest day our army fought them at Mansfield where many a gallant Texan fell -- our men fought desperately against superior force & charged them so furiously that they had to retreat back to Alexandria[.] so rapid was their flight that our army captured all their trains -- ambulanches waggons & captured several thousand prisoners -- Red River fell very rapidly -- they could not get their boats below the falls, our artillery destroyed most of their boats -- when they found they had to make their exit by land the(y) made a break in the direction of Limsport -- our army persued them 46 days in which we fought 42 battles. Jim wnet through it all and escaped with only a slight wond in the side -- merely a scratch[.] our loss was light in comparison to theirs.
I have written more on this subject than I had intended. We are all so elated at our success on this side. We have so much good news from the east. We are sanguine the war will close soon. God grant that it may be true. Dallas is greatly changed since you left. There is a great number of refugees here from other states. I believe Texas prairies is the safest place in the Southern Confederacy. We have not been molested here in the least. We are so remote from navigation that I do not think we will be disturbed. I hope things will get quiet so you can come home this fall. We all miss you so much -- & Tomie I do not expect we would recognise if he were to step in I hear he has grown so large. He wrote to us he visited you lasst winter. I was glad he got to see you -- poor Boy it was the least of his expectations to have staid from home so long. He went into it as a frolic, little expecting what a gigantic war we were to have. Ma and Pa would visit you if it were possible for them to do so. Tell Jonnie Oscar & Mollie are learning to write. I think they will be able to write him a letter soon. Mollie went to school in Dallas last scession. Oscar and Charle went from home.
Now for a surprise -- Cousin Mattie Wicklif and William Carooth were married about two weeks ago. He you know was looked upon as a confirmed old batchelor. Wat and Annie are not married yet. Annie says she wont marry while the war lasts. There has been verry few marriages amongst our acquaintenances since you left. Bro. John D. is in the service of Ganoes Brigade - Indian Department -- he is at home on threshing detail at present -- his health is verry good. John B is stationed at Dallas for a while -- until needed in the field. Camp life agrees with him much better than I expected. Sister Bettie is keeping house yet. Please excuse this desultory letter -- have nothing of interest to communicate and will close. J. O. C. sends his best respects to Mrs. Good & all thie little goodies -- The Children wish to be remembered to Johnie & Ben and say kiss the baby for them. Accept of my love and tender my kindest regards to the Gen. Your affectionate
Sister Fannie P. Crutchfield
P. S. I like to have forgotten to tell you about sister Betties baby. She has a little girl calls her Nannie is as proud as an old hen with one chicken. John B. is the proudest man you ever saw. They pet it a great deal. She has black eyes and dark hair and is a very pretty child. I must not keep you in suspense any longer -- Mrs. Slack requested before her death that Sister Bettie should raise her baby. The Dr. has given it to them.
Bro. John D. has not been in the army yet -- been detailed to thresh wheat -- Dallas is a military depot -- more officers than any thing strutting around.
May this cruel bloody war close speedily -- you and family be permitted to return soon is my earnest desire -- from your devoted
Sister Fannie P. Crutchfield
P.S. Dear Annie I came up to Ma's this morning. The Gentleman is not ready to start. Ma sugest that I should tell you how we are getting along cloth making. Ma has had over 200 yds. made Julia and Louisa have learned to be excellent spinners. I have had near 70 yds manufactured -- made my husband a suit of grey -- which he is very proud of. I wove it myself -- cut and made the suit. He says when asked where he got his nice suit his proud reply is a My wife made it.
Goods of all kinds are enormously high here Calico sell at 10 to 14 cents per yard. Corn 5 to 6 cents -- everything else high. Ma has bought 2 dress patterns form you . Pa has about 800$ in all collected for you a portion of it is money from Bro. estate -- none but the loose property is sold -- Pa divided it equaly amongst the children -- would be glad to send yours to you -- Ma and Pa send love and kisses to you and the children -- Black Mammy and all the negrows all -- all wish Miss Annie to come home.
Your Sister Fannie
Francis Warrington Dawson , born in London, May 20, 1840, was christened Austin John Reeks. His father and mother were reduced to near poverty by his father's financial speculations. Through the assistance of a widowed aunt, he got a good preparatory education, but he didn't go to college. He toured the continent as a youth, & before he was twenty he showed considerable promise as a playwright. He was fair complexioned, curly haired, and handsome.
He changed his name to Francis Warrington Dawson in late 1861, after deciding to emigrate to America to enter Confederate service. His choice of a name was influenced by his admiration of an uncle, William A. Dawson, an English army captain killed in India, whose widow had helped finance the youth's education.
With the assistance of A. Dudley Mann, Confederate agent in England, Dawson persuaded Captain Robert B. Pegram, commanding officer of the Confederate States steamer the Nashville, then at Southampton obtaining supplies for the South, to let him join the Nashville's crew as a common sailor. During the voyage from Southampton, to Beaufort, North Carolina, in Jan.-Feb., 1862, Dawson ingratiated himself with Pegram and other officers. Shortly after arriving in the South, Pegram had Dawson commissioned as a master's mate in the Confederate Navy. In the spring of 1862, Pegram was appointed to command the ironclad Louisiana, then nearing completion at New Orleans. He and Dawson started to New Orleans in April, but just before they reached their destination they learned of the fall of New Orleans and the destruction of the Louisiana.
Dawson was convinced that shortage of war vessels and surplus of personnel would make it difficult for him to see active service as a naval officer, so on his return to Richmond he attached himself as a volunteer to Purcell's battallion of field artillery commanded by Captain Willie B. Pegram, nephew of Robt. B. Pegram.
In the battle of Mechanicsville, June 26, 1862, while bravely serving as a member of the gun crew, he was wounded in the leg. Reports of his gallantry came to the attention of Mrs. G. W. Randolph, wife of the Confederate secretary of War, and a cousin of Robt. B. Pegram. Through the good offices of Robert Pegram and Mrs. Randolph and on the recommendation of Captain Willie Pegram, Dawson was commissioned first lieutenant of artillery and assigned to duty as an assistant ordnance officer on the staff of General James Longstreet. Just before the battle of Antietam he was captured and sent to Fort Delaware. After three weeks he was released on parole. He visited friends in the Petersburg area until he was exchanged late in November, 1862. He rejoined Longstreet's staff on December 6, 1862, at Fredericksburg.
I have been telling portions of the introduction of Reminiscences of Confederate Service, 1861-1865 by Francis W. Dawson, Edited by Bell I. Wiley, with an introduction, appendix and notes, Louisiana State University Press, Baton Rouge and London, Copyright 1980 Louisiana State University Press, Second printing (October, 1985)
More to come later as he begins his memoirs.
PIE
It was in the autumn of 1861 that I made up my mind to go to the Southern States of America, and enter the Confederate Army. Looking back more than 20 years, I find it difficult, as the man of forty-two, to recall the exact feelings of the boy of twenty. I can say, however, that I had no expectation whatever of any gain, or advantage to myself. I had a sincere sympathy with the Southern people in their struggle for independence, and felt that it would be a pleasant thing to help them to secure their freedom. It was not expected, at that time, that the war would last many months, and my idea simply was to go there to the South, do my duty there as well as I might, and return home to England. I expected no reward and wanted none, and had no intention whatever of remaining permanently in the Southern States.
There were a lot of problems in obtaining accurate information as to the best way of reaching the seat of war in the South. I found I could possibly go by way of Nassau, N.P., but the expense was more than I care to incur, and the other mode of entering the Confederacy--by going to a Northern port and slipping through the lines--was truly troublesome, and was, besides, uncertain in its result. However, I was determined as only young men are, & just about this time the Confederate States steamer Nashville arrived at South Hampton. This vessel had been one of the regular steamerson the line between Charleston and New York, but was seized, I think, by Confederate authorities after hostilities began. It had been thought to send the Hon. James M. Mason and the Hon. John Slidell to represent the Confederate States in England and France respectively, and the Nashville was fitted out to take them to England. They changed their plan, unfortunately for them, and went in a small vessel to Havana, where they took the mail steamer Trent for St. Thomas. The Nashville trip was not abandoned , and under the command of Captain Robert B. Pegram, she ran the blockade at Charleston and reached Southampton in safety, capturing and destroying a fine American ship called the Harvey Birch along the way.
The Nashville's arrival at Southampton caused a considerable stir: those of Northern persuasion considered her a pirate ship, and her officers and crew were dubbed buccaneers. Some newspapers were for ordering out Captain Pegram and his crew for instant execution, there were other newspapers which were very friendly in tone. As I remember , it became necessary for Captain Pegram to write a letter to The Times in which he explained that, far from being a "pirate", he was a regularly commissioned officer of the Confederate States Navy and the Nashville , was a vessel of war of the Confederate States, entitled to the consideration that would be shown to the war vessel of any other Government. This view was taken by the English authorities, although, under the proclamation neutrality which the Queen had issued, the Nashville was not allowed to obtain any sort of equipment which could be conceived to be capable of use in war. No repairs were allowed to be made except such as would place the Nashville in the precise condition to which she was when she left Charleston.
It occurred to me that if I could in any way secure a passage to the South on the Nashville it'd be much better than trying to by way of Nassau or the Potomac.
After some haggling I got permission to travel and I was surprised to see how large a share of public attention was given to the Confederate vessel. The appearance of the Nashville : her size, her speed, and the probable plans of her commander were diligently canvassed by those traveling with me, and I was gratified to find that every one had a good opinion of the conduct and character of the officers and crew of the vessel.
Upon my arrival I went at once to the docks, and far in the distance saw a flag that was completely new and strange. As I drew near I found that it was flying from the peak of a large paddle-wheel steamer, painted black, and with more upper-works than I had been accustomed to see on sea-going vessels. The flag I had seen was the Stars and Bars of the Confederacy, and the vessel was the Nashville.
_____________________________
This is an extremely interesting book. Dawson's observations of people that he served under are spot on. As I get into it further you'll a youth's observations turn quickly into a man's. This book was printed privately. (There were only 100 copies made, Charleston, S.C. THE NEWS AND COURIER BOOK PRESSES. 1882 Second printing, October 1985, it is also included in the Library of Southern civilization.
The various people that he served under is an education in itself and when he decided to make the South his home, he helped immensely in trying to rebuild the South.
PIE
To my irritation as I went aboard I found that Captain Pegram was in London. The officer on duty was very courteous and tended to be communicative, so I had a long talk with him. His name was Lt. John J. Ingraham, of Charleston, S. C. I learned he was a graduate of Annapolis, and it rather daunted me to find that one could not expect to attain the rank of officer in the Navy unless one had had the thorough training of a naval school, or practical education at sea.
Several days later I went down to Southampton again, and this time I saw Capt. Pegram. The dignity and kindness of his manner impressed me immediately, and I unbosomed myself to him without reserve. I should mention here that he'd been in the Navy for 25-30 years when Virginia seceded from the Union, and instantly resigned his commission to share the fortunes of his native State.
He had already gained recognition in his profession, and I have seen the sword of honor presented to him by the State of Virginia in recognition of his gallantry in an engagement with pirates in the Chinese Seas. On the golden scabbard of this sword his name and rank are engraved, with this simple but eloquent inscription:
"The State of Virginia to a devoted son."
PIE
Letter from Francis Zantzinger to Benjamin Franklin Butler, June 11, 1864
Hd. Qts, Va., June 11, 1864 [Not in chronological order]
Major General B. F. Butler, Commanding Dept. Va. and N. Carolina
General: We will cause our letter to Gov. Pierpont to be published immediately on our arrival at Norfolk in the New Regime, Baltimore, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and other
[p. 310]
papers that gave countenance to his pamphlet, with a suitable letter from us requesting as an act of justice to you that the editor will place the same in a conspicuous place. If this course on our part will be sufficient to vindicate your action in our case against the unjust aspersions in the said pamphlet, we trust you will not think it necessary to publish our confession, feeling sincerely and deeply grateful for your considerate kindness of which we were not aware until our recent examination. We are,
Most respectfully, Your obt. s'v'ts,
F. Zantzinger, J. T. Daniels
The following two letters were written by Ferdinand Dunlap to family members. Each is dated in 1863; one in March and one in June. He enlisted in Company D on 10 May 1861. Ferdinand was promoted from Sergeant to Lieutenant in April of 1862 and died the following year on November 14th. He is listed as dying of "heart disease" in Staunton, Virginia and is buried there. He was 28 years old.
Dear Father & Mother brothers & sisters,
The trip on cars and bill of $3.00 in Staunton cost me $10.00 only. I reached Camp about 3 o.clock and found the boys all well with the exception of Levi Spaid, and he was bad with the fevers. We sent him to the hospital. I think he will not recover. This looks like a fever country where we are now. The land is level along the river and sandy and the hills about a mile back where we are camped are equally found with white pebbles and black pine timber. We was down on the river drilling this evening. The first I have drilled since being sick. The yankees are on the other side camped. Our line of battle on this side extends up and down about twenty miles with rifle pits and fortifications. Orders was read out on battle parade that we was to be ready for active campaign by the 1st of April and to send off all extra baggage which we did today. We have a large army here as they are camped all about the country & would not like to live down here for there is too many frog ponds and swamp about here for health or peace. I found nearly all of my baggage that I supposed was lost and sent to the company in time to pack it up and send it off again. I heard of the yankees being at home and looking after me. But they need not trouble themselves about me, I'll take care of myself. I saw the Colonel about Atwell Miller and he said that he was certainly dead. As to knowing about the length of time he substituted for and how much he was to get he did not know as he came out of the militia and he made no inquiry. If he had joined his company at the first he would have to know the exact time he could hold him for the war. I will write about him again when I can find out more about him and how much is coming for him. The Captain and George Anderson got in yesterday evening and gave us all the news.
Dear Sister,
F.J. DunlapCo. D 33d Va InftyStonewall BrigadeJohnsons DivisionEwells Corp
I will write some more. We are expecting to move further on in Maryland and are cooking two days rations. I think we will clean the Yankees out this summer and whip them into secession. Some of our Army is in Pennsylvania and about 700 have joined our Army and we have taken about 1300 militia.