Dear Sister: The Civil War Letters of the Brothers Gould

DEAR SISTER a

DEAR SISTER a

The Civil War Letters of the Brothers Gould Compiled by

Robert F. Harris and

John Niflot

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Dear Sister : the Civil War letters of the Brothers Gould / compiled by Robert F. Harris and John Niflot. p. cm. Includes index. ISBN 0–275–96260–1 (alk. paper) 1. United States—History—Civil War, 1861–1865—Personal narratives. 2. New York (State)—History—Civil War, 1861–1865— Personal narratives. 3. Gould family—Correspondence. 4. Soldiers—New York (State)—Delaware County—Correspondence. 5. Delaware County (N.Y.)—Biography. I. Harris, Robert F., 1944– . II. Niflot, John. E601.D38 1998 973.7'81—dc21 98–13545 British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data is available. Copyright 䉷 1998 by Robert F. Harris and John Niflot All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, by any process or technique, without the express written consent of the publisher. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 98 –13545 ISBN: 0–275–96260–1 First published in 1998 Praeger Publishers, 88 Post Road West, Westport, CT 06881 An imprint of Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. Printed in the United States of America TM

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Contents Illustrations

vii

Preface

ix

Introduction

xi

1.

1861: Charles, Wesley

1

2.

1862: Charles, Wesley, James, Richard, William

11

3.

1863: Wesley, James, Richard, William

51

4.

1864: Wesley, James, Richard, William, George

117

5.

1865: Wesley, James, Richard, William, George, Henry

149

Epilogue

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Index

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Illustrations 1.

Letter from Charles Gould

6

2.

Charles Gould, January 1862

12

3.

Letter from Wesley Gould

21

4.

Letter from William Gould

28

5.

Richard Gould, circa 1862

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6.

Gould family burial plot, Goulds, New York, 1997

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7.

Gertrude Thomas and Hannah Gould Thomas, circa 1908

88

8.

Letter from James Gould

100

9.

Letter from Richard Gould

103

10.

Letter from George Gould

144

11.

Lieutenant Wesley Gould, circa 1865

156

Preface Arguably, no era of U.S. history has more written about it than the Civil War period. A wealth of information from diaries, letters, and personal accounts of battles exists. Rare, however, is a collection of letters from six members of the same family—letters from six brothers, spanning five years. There is a timeless aspect about the letters that a military veteran can relate to. Personal feelings and strong sentiments, expressed as only soldiers do, give the reader a sense of shared experience. In June 1861 Charles Gould could not know that his first letter home to his sister Hannah would become a chronology of the War of the Rebellion. Nor did he know that six of his seven brothers would follow him into Federal service, thus adding to that chronology of events. The Brothers Gould left their families and farms in central New York to go South with their regiments. By the time their military service ended, these boys from a small hamlet in the Catskill Mountains had written 139 letters. Each letter provides historians added insight to the human side of conflict, a cross reference to the war over an extended period of time. We learn of camp life, health concerns, army politics, and loneliness. From Charles Gould’s first letter to Wesley Gould’s last letter, we gain knowledge of the Federal volunteer from initial enlistment until death or final discharge. They share disappointments, dreams, and fears as only a first-person narrator can. The compilers arranged the letters as written, presenting a sequential flow to the narration. Included are letters to Hannah’s husband, which

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form an integral part of that narration. Readers may draw their own inferences from the letters’ content. The compilers faithfully maintained original meaning and aim. Unique spelling and sentence structure reflect each brother’s writing style. Insertion of brief editorial notes add historical perspective to the letters. Appreciation and recognition are sincerely extended to all who assisted and advised in the preparation of this book. Our thanks to Wayne Motts for his initial encouragement; to Gary Cochrane for his transcription of the original letters; to Eva Dennis Kuhn for her research into the Gould family genealogy; and to direct descendant Hannah Rosenstraus, who shared family photographs. The Basket Letters, compiled by Leslie D. LaValley in the 1950s, were a valuable resource. Research assistance was freely given by Robert Gale, George Shealer, and photojournalist Joel Brustmann.

Introduction The strengths of the Gould letters lie in their simplicity and directness. This is a reflection of the writers’ background. Of English stock, the Gould family could trace their lineage back to Moulton in North Devon, England, dating to 1577 in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. John Watts Gould, family patriarch, immigrated to Newburgh, New York, in 1834. At twenty-nine years of age, the master stonemason came with a skill much in demand, building aqueducts and canals. Within a year John sent for his family. His wife Mary and three children joined him in 1835. Her Atlantic crossing was not without tragedy. Their fourth son, frail from birth, died on board. James entered a watery grave at three years of age. Following custom, Mary’s next born received his name. Hard work produced success for John Gould. Within a few years he acquired several rental properties. Eight years and five children later, John was ready to move on. He exchanged two brick houses he owned in Newburgh for nine hundred acres of woodland in Delaware County, New York. Following a visit to his new property in June 1842, John decided to move. In September, Mary and her eight children, age 13 to 1 year, went with him. It took almost a month to travel nearly one hundred miles to their new home, not yet built. Within two weeks of arrival the Goulds had a house raising. Neighbors helped set the timbers. Mr. Gould and his older sons, John and George, completed the home five days into the new year. In the middle of winter the Goulds moved from their squatter’s log cabin to their new

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home. The family sustained the pioneer spirit by making their own sugar from maple trees. They made their own soap, candles, and much of their furniture. Mr. Gould traveled two days to have his grain ground at the Stockport mill. Mr. Gould’s children adopted this pioneer spirit, creating within them a strong work ethic. Mr. Gould was often away from home, working his trade. The boys, with sister Hannah, did the chores, cleared the trees, and farmed the fields. In turn each formed a strong bond to the land and the woods. When father Gould purchased his acres in the South Woods wilderness, he intended to provide for his children, eventually dividing the land so that each would have his or her own farm—a dream realized after his death. Each son received a portion. Hannah inherited the old homestead and farmed it with her husband Marvin Thomas. The Goulds left England with a deep religious commitment. They were Methodists since the time of John Wesley’s inspiring preaching a century before in England. The family would often travel many miles, over poor roads, to attend services. On the first Sabbath morning following the completion of their home, Mr. Gould gathered his large family together under their rough beam roof. There he had a Sunday service of prayer and thanksgiving. As she completed making her children’s beds, Mary Gould would kneel and say a prayer for the child who slept there. Weekly prayer services were held in the first community building, the Red School House. Schooling also played a part in raising the Gould children. In 1848 Mr. Gould worked through the winter and spring with John, George, and his neighbors building a school house. Public School District No. 13 held its first class on August 7, 1849. Richard, Henry, Charles, and Wesley were in attendance the first week. Mr. Gould served as School Trustee. When the school caught fire that winter, Mr. Gould took the contract to rebuild it. Given priority, construction moved quickly. The second term started on August 13, 1850. That year twenty-eight students attended school, including seven of the nine Gould children. Only George, who worked as a woodsman, and Hannah, who at nineteen years of age helped her mother, stayed away. The Gould brothers learned politics close to home. As an original settler, Mr. Gould involved himself in public affairs. Besides serving as a school trustee, John Gould served as a town of Hancock assessor. He also served on the local ‘‘draft board’’ and helped get a list of eligible soldiers in 1851. His youngest son Wesley would become a state legislator. Son John would help establish the town of Goulds, New York, out of the area known as South Woods. Five brothers and Hannah married before the War between the States. George, the first to leave home, married Eunice Norton on October 1, 1850. Before George enlisted, they had four children—Mary, John, Grace,

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and George. John and Sarah Lobdell married the same year as brother George. Childless, the couple would later raise a nephew, James Clawson, as a son. James would inherit their property and continue farming it. Hannah married Marvin Thomas in 1854. The Thomas’ first child, Webster, died as an infant. Eventually four more children are born. Three children—Gertrude, Bessie, and Ellen—appear in the letters. Two of Hannah’s brothers—James and Henry—married in 1860. James, age twenty-four, married Mary Hughs on March 4, 1860. Their daughter Martha, often called Libbie, arrived before James enlisted. At age nineteen Henry surprised his family when he married classmate Eliza Jason. They had a son, Edgar, a year later. Henry enlisted in 1864, leaving his wife and son for nine months. William, the fifth brother to marry, did so March 15, 1861. Cynthia Brisack and William had their first child, William Jr., in 1862. William, named Willie by his uncles, appeared in several of the letters. Willie was an infant when his father enlisted in 1862. The Gould parents died within five years of each other, which dramatically changed the family structure. The first death was a tragic accident. The second death surely reflected the hardships of pioneer life. On Christmas Day, 1852, Mr. Gould started digging the cellar for a new and larger house. The following weeks saw trees cut and hauled to the nearby sawmill. On January 21, 1853, son George wrote in his father’s diary, ‘‘Father went down to the mill with a log and never came back alive. He was killed instantly by a log rolling over him. He leaves a widow and nine children to mourn his loss.’’ John Gould’s death came five days after his forty-eighth birthday. It is fitting that George, the lumberman, would write the last chapter in his father’s diary. George, the first to leave home, named his first child after his father. John was born in 1853. The loss of a determined patriarch may have added to young George’s confessed battle with ‘‘Filthy Lucure.’’ George believed that his parents considered him delicate and not likely to succeed in life. Undoubtedly brother John also missed his father’s presence. Although married to Sarah, the childless couple lived with his parents. As the eldest son, the family direction rested with John. However, letters to Hannah questioned John’s ability to fill his father’s work boots. Eventually John and Sarah left the family farm for a homestead of their own. For the next five years Mary Gould took charge of her family. She continued to raise her children through their formative years. Mrs. Gould saw daughter Hannah married to Marvin Thomas. She called on her own experiences to comfort her only daughter when Hannah’s infant child, Webster, died. Mary Gould led a hard, demanding life. She crossed the Atlantic Ocean with four little children. She gave birth to eleven babies

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in fifteen years. She helped carve nine hundred acres out of a wilderness while raising her nine children virtually alone. On September 3, 1858, this hard working woman succumbed to the pioneer life. Mary Gillard Gould was fifty years of age. Hannah, married and living at home, became the family matriarch. Hannah took charge of feeding and caring for her six unmarried brothers. Within four years three brothers married and added to the homestead. Wesley, age fourteen; Charles, age sixteen; and Richard, age nineteen were still in school. In the midst of keeping house for six brothers, Hannah gave birth to Gertrude, her second child. Looking back, each boy knew that he had received motherly care from their only sister. Later, they wrote home regularly. Wesley, the youngest, sent his Army pay to Hannah. He wrote asking Hannah and Marvin to allow him to live with them when he came home from the war. Charles enlisted first, immediately responding to President Lincoln’s call for volunteers. June 5, 1861, found Charles in a recruitment camp on Staten Island, New York. To enlist, Charles went with a few friends over the mountain to Delhi, county seat of Delaware County, New York. Quickly sent to New York City, they became part of the Excelsior Brigade. Eighteen-year-old Wesley followed his nineteen-year-old brother Charles four months later. Harvesting over, Wesley and four classmates crossed the Delaware River into Pennsylvania. They joined Company F in the town of Equinunk. Several days later, Company F linked with their regiment, the 45 Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry in Harrisburg, the state capital, 170 miles away. It would not be long before tragedy struck the Gould family. The death of a son occurred as a result of his being in the Army. Most of a year passed before Richard, the last unmarried brother, enlisted. He and four Basket Boys traveled to Monticello, New York, the center of government for Sullivan County. At twenty-three he joined the 143 New York Volunteer Infantry, a regiment that contained mostly Sullivan County boys. In the same month that Richard went to Monticello, brothers William and James went a shorter distance to Hancock, New York. There they joined a Delaware County Regiment. In August 1862 the brothers joined Company F, 144 New York Volunteer Infantry. James was twenty-six and William twenty-five years of age at the time. The 144th Regiment and Company F proved popular with the Gould boys, as did August. Two years passed, however, before the next Gould brother enlisted. By August 1864 the Conscription Act and higher bonus money encouraged more enlistments. George and Henry were the last Goulds to join Company F. Neither faced the enemy nor served longer then ten months. Henry, twenty-three years old, spent most of his service at General Hospital in Hilton Head, South Carolina. At thirty-three, George used his maturity to escort younger recruits from Hart Island to

Introduction

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his regiment in Virginia. Only John, the eldest, stayed home. John and Hannah’s husband, Marvin Thomas, cared for the family lands. Unmarried brothers joined first and early. Each joined different regiments. Married brothers joined the same company and regiment. The last two brothers to join served the shortest time. All seven brothers enlisted, four left wife and family. The wonder of Army life can overwhelm a recruit. It did the Goulds. Each wrote about lost individuality. They were told what to do by men they did not respect. They wrote of drunken, boorish officers. Their letters described many temptations of camp life. Descriptions of fellow soldiers reflect the mix of cultures Federal service created. The Goulds’ previous world consisted of woods, fields, and the occasional twenty miles rafting down the Delaware River. Now they drilled with Irish and German immigrants, city dwellers, factory workers, and the lot. Away from home for the first time, Charles and Wesley wrote letters like impressionable teenagers. Wesley, the youngest, saw the hardest fighting. He freely expressed his opinions about what he saw. He had opinions about almost anything. The letters revealed that the Gould boys saw or did the things seen or done by soldiers. They wrote about drilling, cleaning equipment, guard duty, uniform issue, and marching. Also new to the brothers were gambling, public drinking, prostitution, swearing, and lack of concern for the Sabbath day. A religious theme ran through the letters. It appeared in Wesley’s poetry and James’ sermons. It was referenced in George’s previous life-style revelations. The boys maintained a strong religious conviction throughout the war. Neither distance nor hardships changed their faith in the Lord. They worried about their health constantly. Concerns about wellness appeared in nearly every letter. Camp conditions added to their fears. Several brothers were hospitalized recovering from dysentery, fever, or other related illnesses. The only mortal casualty came not from a wound but from typhoid fever. Each letter had another common theme—loneliness. The brothers complained of not receiving mail from home, and each other. They issued admonishments and threats regularly. Equal to the news value, letters from home provided a link with family. Letters gave the boys a continued share in family decisions. They sent orders home, made requests, and offered advice. Mail call remained an important part of their lives. Their interest for each other never wavered. This included opinions about each brother’s abilities. Especially harsh are references to John’s farming and money management skills. As in any large family, feuding occurs. The brothers write about marital strife in John’s, James’, William’s, and Henry’s families. Politically the Gould boys reflected their father’s self-made independent character. Brothers close to the fighting wished for action over inaction. Richard, Wesley, and James wrote unfavorably about General George B. McClellan and other officers

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they thought indecisive. Each brother, in turn, came to realize that the war was not going to end within months of their enlistment. Letters took on a weariness as the war continued. Wesley and others encouraged all at home to support ‘‘Old Abe’’ and the Republicans. He wrote of soldiers wanting to vote while away from home. Letters mentioned Copperheads, seen as the peaceniks of the Civil War. William, Richard, and Wesley wrote about the New York City draft rioters. In his letter of June 19, 1864, William described the execution of a deserter. Richard wrote his feelings upon learning of President Lincoln’s death. Letters take the reader to the outskirts of Richmond, Chancellorsville, Chickamauga, Vicksburg, Nashville, Charleston, Atlanta, Raleigh, and Petersburg. Letters recount those battles and other skirmishes. Wesley, Richard, and James received wounds in combat. George jumped off a burning ship while escorting recruits to the frontlines. Captured, Wesley became a prisoner for eight months. The four brothers who saw the most fighting received convalescent furloughs home. All returned to duty and finished their enlistment. Compassion, high morality, concern for money, prejudice, leadership, vanity, patriotism, poor health—all these character traits are found in the letters. The boys wrote about war prices, property taxes, colonization of Negroes, Catholics, and Irish shanties. They worried about their bounty money, food rations, personal weight, and girl admirers. Wesley and William reached the rank of Sergeant. Wesley accepted a 2nd Lieutenant’s commission during the last months of the war. The brothers wrote often of their willingness to fight to preserve the Union. Early in his enlistment William proposed that the brothers use bounty money for gravestones and a fence for the family plot. He realized his proposal at the end of the war. Later, John planted shade trees. The compilers have organized the letters sequentially, providing the reader with such factual background as seems fitting. We hope the letters add to the story told in all the memoirs and post-war accounts of the Civil War. This is a chance to join in paying our homage to those gallant men and women who faithfully served their country then and now.

CHAPTER 1

1861: Charles, Wesley Capt. tent June 9th 1861 [Sunday] Dear Sister, Embracing the first opportunity I write to inform you that I am well & in good spirits after leaving home. I went to Hancock [New York], joined the Delhi company Tuesday night, got on the cars about 2 oclock wensday morning, ate breakfast in New York at 11 oclock & came immeditly to staten’s island, a distance of 6 miles. Accomodations here for some are not so good as they expected but I have it a little easier. Shortly after I came here I became servent of the first lieutenant [John P. Sanford]. I have just been out on parade. It is very hot & the excitement is intence. The capten [Robert T. Johnson] has just left his tent in my hands and gone to the sea shore a bathing. The first night I sleep under some thick cloth with an oil cloth under me and with the others cathed [catched] a heavy cold but am well now. It is Sunday but Sunday is not regarded here. The drums are beeting all day and firing of muskets with reports of pistols continaly elate the ear. We have to do our own coocking & washing. Having a lead pencle to use, my wrighting is not very plane & my letter must be short. As you have all the accomodations in the world I hope you will send me a long letter. I know not how long we shall stay here. Perhaps for three month or longer or perhaps only for two weeks. For breakfast we have three large crackers with coffee & some beef. For dinner bread with coffee or soup. For supper the same. The men here are of the roughest kind, gambling fighting & swearing

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Dear Sister

seem to be the principal amusement, little thinking that a vast number of them will never see home again. There are two rows of gards & men in attempting to go by them occasionaly get stabed. Yesterday I saw Jerome Landfield & Clint Whales here. They left last evening after shaking hands and biding me good by. There are about 6 hundred tents which I [k]now are made of canvas & being white & properly arranged presents a handsom appearence. I would write you more but at presant I cannot. Hoping to hear from you soon, I will close. Remember me to all the Friends [family members]. From your affectionate brother, Charles W. Gould Direct your letter to company I 3 regiment Camp Scot Staten Island to the care of Captain R. T. Johnson. a a a

Hannah Thomas

Camp Scot, Staten Island [New York] June 23rd [1861 Sunday]

Dear Sister, This is the second time I have writen to you but have received no answer as yet. I am at present situated on Staten Island. Arived here two weeks ago last wensday. The first night I slep most entirely on the ground. It rained most of the night and my cloths were wheat [wet] the greater part of the next day. Cathed [catched] a heavy cold but am over it now. Camp Scot is pleasently situated. It commands an extensive view of the surrounding country. The land scapes are beautifuly laid out. The daises grow here in abundence and form an immense bed of seeming white lilies. Behind the encampment lies a delightful forest witch resembles the maple and beech groves in my native home. The brown bird sings here and the notes of the robin are as clear as I ever heard in Delaware [County, New York]. In front of the camp is New York [City] by witch in a clear night from the reflections of the moon presents an eligent scene. Its surface is covered with sloops, steam boats, ships from foreign parts, whilst occasionly a man of war is seen plowing its surface. This indeed, Hannah, would be a delightful scene were I free to enjoy it, but bound down by riged laws under the control of oficers who do with the soldier as they wish and at times shivein [shivering] with the cold then sufering from the intense heat with ingrevienses [inconveniences] to[o] great to number, besides with little more freedom than the slave. The pleasures of heaven would I think pass unenjoied by us were they here. It is just two weeks ago since I wrote to you. It is now or it were then a delightful morn, but insted of

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Sundays being a day of rest it is here the busyest day in the week. Regulations and cleaning up here is done on Sunday. Last night for the first time I slep of[f] the ground and then on two small boxes. Last Sunday we raised a flag about 170 feet high. Had charming music by the new york band, paraded for about 2 hours, and after fireing several cannons retired to our tents. Night before last four fine loocking men were drumed out the camp with a large card tied to there back with word coward printed thereon for refuseing to take the oath. I hartely pityed them, they were deceived when enlisted and because they could not support there families on 11 dolars per month, they were disgraced for life by the command of a harteless counsel. But my letter is already to[o] long. The band is playing and I must quit. Write as soon as you get this and as you have good chance for writing I look for a long letter. Tell me all about the affairs at home and things in general. Remember me to all the Friends. From your brother Charles W. Gould Directions Company I 3rd Regiment Camp Scot Staten Island a a a

Hannah Thomas

Washington D.C. August 7th 1861 [Wednesday]

Dear Sister, I will answer your letter to day as I have a chance, for the same I received about 1 week since. Was very glad to hear you were well and as you say I was anxously waiting for an answer. We left Staten Island two weeks ago in good spirits. I however never was so disgusted at the effects of rum before. All the oficers were drunk, half of our company were laying about like bruts. Many a mother bade her son adiou, sorry to expose him to the temptations witch he must meet in the army, but while they are praying for them, they are playing a game of cards or laying drunk on the ground. I sincerly thank God for giveing me Parents who taught me by a God like example to shun all vice & their prayers I believe will not go unanswered. I am now situated about 1 mile North of the citty. Have a very good sight of it. There is some very splendid building[s] in it but it is not such a place as new york. We have orders to march to morrow to arlington hights [Virginia] witch is in 8 miles of the enemy & quite likely will have an engagement very soon. We do not know here one day what we may be called to do the next. Rebels are very strong just now yet we are eager to attack them. I have seen several of the men that was in the battle at bulls run [1st Battle of Bull Run]. They say that the Southerners are more barbareious

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Dear Sister

than the indians are. I see some old acquaintences once in a while. Edmond Fish is in the 2nd Regiment [71 NYVI]. Two of Johnson Smith’s Brothers are here. Jasper Smith is at Elmira [New York]. Chet Laken was in the fight at bull’s run but escaped unhurt. I was cuting wood last payday morning & am sorry to say I cut my foot but hope it will be well before long. If I was home it would be well sooner, but I do not know as I will. The weather is very hot and may cause infection to set in, but I hope not. Please excuse my poor writing and dirty paper. Write as soon as you get this. Give my respects to William [brother] and his better half [wife Cynthia], Henery [brother Henry], and his also [wife Eliza]. From your affectionate Brother, Charles W. Gould Direct your letters to Charles W. Gould Company I 3rd Regiment Excelsior Brigade [72 NYVI] Camp Marsh Washington D.C. a a a Camp Caldwell Washington D.C. August 19th 1861 [Monday] Dear Sister, I received your letter this afternoon and as I have an opportunity will endever to answer it. I am at present very well and enjoying my self as well as my company will allow. I am still lame from the effects of my injured foot. You wish to know our loss of men at bull’s run. It is I am afraid greater than is generley belived. There was according to the statement of prisners who have writen to their friends from Richmond about 700 or 800 and 500 prisoners. We are not at presant much ahead of the rebels, but I belive that after God has duly chastised our troops for their many sins, he will give us a glorious victory. There has been some severe fighting in Misouri [Wilson’s Creek]. Our men were victorious but are not yet out of danger. I get a paper every morning, but you can get the items from them so enough of that at presant. We expect to be called to fight every day and before this reaches you may be called to taste the bayonet. Still I do not dread it, but am eager for a fight. I do not realize that my Earthly career may soon be ended forever. The constant appearance of death seems to take away the fear of it. I should like to see my friends but am not over anxous about returning home. You said some of the boys [brothers] talked about comeing South. I honor their courage so far, but if they were here and see the canons balls fly by them and the bayonet all ready red with blood comeing towards them it might create a new sensation.

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But should they wish to carry their resolution into practise, the[y] will have a chance. I should greatly dislike to have any of the Brothers join the army, but their country calls for men. Dear Sister, I shall probly not see you again till the war is at an end and perhaps never, but let not this grive you. I shall prepis [prepare] for the worst and hope for the better. I received a letter from James [brother] but have not got John’s [brother] as yet. I sent one to George [brother] but have no answer. Tell all of my folks to write. There is no chance here to write to them all. Send me an answer immeadetly. You need not be at all afraid of makeing your letter to[o] long. Give my best respects to all the famley. I still remain your affectionate, Brother Charles W. Gould. The weather has been quite cold here for the last week, colder I think than I ever knew it to be at home in August. Five companys left for the citty to get their guns changed for some better ones. One company is guarding a road that leads to Alexandria [Virginia] but I must close. Write soon. Directions Charles W. Gould Company I 3rd Regiment Excelsior Brigade Camp Caldwell Washington D.C. I have not received one cent of pay yet. My letters are franked by our congressmen and go free. Tell Marvin [Hannah’s husband] to take good care of him self and famaly and write to me. I have received all the letters he has sent me heretofore. Give the girl [Hannah’s daughter Gertrude] two kisses for me. Tell her I am comeing up to see her some day. a a a HEADQUARTERS Washington REGT., 3rd CAMP Caldwell Co. I Washington D.C. Sep 9th 1861 [Monday] Dear Sister, I received your letter this after noon. Was very glad to hear from you. Had been anxously awaiting an answer for some time past. I am sorry to hear that you are still unwell. I am fearfull that your sickness is of no trifeling matter. Do not see any trouble about me. I shall do as well as posible. This is a troblesome world and I some times think I have a good share of them, but I suppose all think the same. I was quite surprised to hear Mrs Johnson had at last come on a visit to the hills of old Delaware [County, New York]. I should liked very well to have been home to have seen our old friend. I still am well in good health and hope to remain so. Life is a blessing given to us by the Lord and it would prove itself so did we live as he directs, but how many of us use it as a curse to

Letter from Charles Gould.

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ourself and the cause of Christianity. Death comes to us by many a way. You say he has visited you, and I hope the place will profit by it. Many here to[o] has bit the dust. Ogden Grules is among them. He died in the hospittle in Washington. We expect to fight every day, but it may be some time yet before we do. I got a letter from Uncle Richard. He was well but complained of the war makeing hard times. He said Cousin Sarah and Elizabeth had a nice farm in Illinoise. Elizabeth was married. Henery lived in Philadelphia [Pennsylvania]. He had a wife and one child. I should like to see Uncle, and if I come back may come by Newburgh [New York]. I hope, Dear Sister, you will answer this upon receiving it, as I am anxous to hear from you. The war I think will be setteled by the comeing Spring and we then shall get our discharge and come home, as many of us as survive the war. I remain on the same camp I did when I last wrote to you. You can Direct your letters the same as before. Give my love to all friends. Be sure and write soon. From your affectionate Brother, Charles W. Gould It should make us reform our life and prepair to meet the Monster Death as he is daily stareing us in the face. He is calling many of our friends from among us. Let us live that we may meet our Parents, for we to[o] shall soon be with them C. G. a a a HEADQUARTERS 45 REGT CAMP Welsh CO. F Washington D.C. Oct 2 1861 [Wednesday] Dear Sister, I will now endeavor to write a few lines to you. I am in the enjoyment of good health and I hope this will find you enjoying the same. We left Harisburg [Harrisburg, Pennsylvania] a week ago tomorrow. At wensday we pitched our tents about two miles north of the city. This morning we were ordered to pack up and be ready for a march. We marched to bladesburg [Bladensburg, Maryland] w[h]ere we again pitched our tents. While we were a marching one of our men was taken sick and died. There is a good deal of fighting here. We have enough to eat and enough to wear. I have had nothing from Charles yet but I must stop. There is 10 of us in one tent and there is not much chance for writing here, but I must give you a description of our bed. We have white oak brush on the ground. We have bread, coffe, pork, beef, rice, peas, and potatoes. Tell them all to write. Excuse my poor penmanship. From your affectionate brother, Wesley Gould

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Dear Sister

a a a Washington D.C. Oct 11th 1861 [Friday]

Hannah Thomas

Dear Sister, I received your letter this afternoon and feel it my duty to answer it immeaditly. I thank God I am alive and well. I need heardly say the report of my being shot is entirely false, and I never have been found assleep on poast nor had disobeyed the army Regulations in any other way. I was very glad to hear from you. But, sister, you cannot immagine my feelings upon learning that Wesley had joined the army. I am proud of him as a brother but, Dear sister, I know the danger through which he must pass & I would to God I were with him to care for him. But he who has sustained him so far will not now leave him. Write to him often. Give him all the encouragements in your power. Tell him to write to me without delay. Send him my address, perhaps he has forgoten them. If any more of the boys [brothers] enlist, be sure to have them with him for there is nothen like a friend [family] in these times. Though I do not believe he will be called to fight, still there is a great deal of dainger in camp. More die from disese than on the battle ground. George Smith the Phrenologist is dead. I am sorry, Hannah, our absence causes you grief, but be of good courage. Next spring I think will find us both home. Give my love to all friends. Tell them all to write. Let me hear from you again when you get this. I ever remain your affectionate Brother, Charles W. Gould Company I 3rd Regiment E. B. Camp Caldwell Washington D.C. a a a

To Mrs. Hannah Thomas

Camp Wool MD Nov 21th 1861 [Thursday]

Dear Sister, I once more take the opportunity of sending you a few lines. I received your letter of the 20th Oct, and you may be assured I was very glad to hear from home again, glad to hear you were in health and supplied

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with all the neseceries of life, as also the rest of my friends [family]. I am in good health and enjoying my self very well. I have been cooking for the last two months and had but little leasure time. I left that day or two ago and have now more time and will write more often, and hope my friends will do the same. I have not got any letter from Wesley yet. You say he wrote home and said he was much pleased with soldiers life. I am glad to hear that, but at times he will find it rather tough. I would write to him if I knew where to send my letters. We are now situated on the Maryland side of the Potomac, about 50 miles below Washington near Sandy Point, and are in about 3 miles from the Rebels who are on the opisite side of the River. We do not know how soon we shall cross over into Virginia. This is the point where Jeff Davis [CSA President Jefferson F. Davis] was to cross into Maryland, but his time has pased. It is very plesent most of the time, but we have had a little frost. I suppose you have had plenty of snow at home. Another great navel expedision left fortress Monroe witch perhaps you have heard of. [The U.S.S. Niagra and U.S.S. Richmond bombarded Confederate Forts McRae and Barrancas and the Pensacola Navy Yard in the harbor of Pensacola, Florida]. The navy is the most active arm of the Government. We cannot get the news now as soon as we could at Washington, and I have no doubt you know more about the war than we do. There must be some hard fighting done, but wether we shall do it or not I cannot say. We have done no fighting yet, but the Rebels fired several cannons at us, but have done no hurt. Write as soon as you get this. Send all the news and accept the love and best wishes of your Brother, Charles W. Gould H. Thomas I send you $20. Dollars in treasury notes. They are safer to send than Gold and as good. Dear Sister, The war is a great evil, expensive to the Government, and causes the hasty death of many who I fear are as yet in sin. If I am called to die here I hope to be at peace with my God and meet my friends in heaven, but I need a great change witch I hope to obtain through the mercys of God and the merits of Christ. Give my love to the boys [brothers]. Tell them to write. No more at presant. Chas. Direct to Charles W. Gould Company I 3rd Regiment Excelsior Brigade a a a

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Dear Sister

Camp Wool MD Dec 14th 1861 [Saturday] Brother Marvin, I received a letter from Hannah the other day and with that a few lines from you. Was much pleased to hear from you and to learn that you were as well as common. I am enjoying good health and the best pleasures that camp life afords. The war is geting to be a desperate one. Immense armys are being raised. Lincoln [President Abraham Lincoln] has now in the survies [service] over 600,000 men and taulks of enlisting 200,000 more, and if the war is not setteled by spring, there will be about 1,000,000 men in the Governement. I think the Rebelion must and will be crushed, and I hope Slavry will be crushed with it. I see by the Southern items that some of them are in faver of raising the black flag [guerilla warfare], but those that are most in faver of it manage to keep the fortherest from the war. There is not much going on in camp to day. Though it is the 14th of December, it is quite pleasent. There is no snow on the ground. We have been camped for 5 weeks in 3 or 4 miles of about 25 thousand of the Rebels. You may think it strange that two contending armys can be so near each other and no fighting going on, but the Potomac is between us and is likely to be for some time yet. The Regt that I am in are detailed to support a Battery of 16 guns and may leave camp soon. When we left Washington 2 months ago there was but a fiew cavalry men here. Now there is about 20,000 men here. There are several expiditions fiting out for the Southern coast, and I think Wesley is going with one of them [45 PVI sent to Port Royal, South Carolina]. I hope the blessings of God may accompany him where ever fortune may lead him. I do not see how the war can last any longer than next spring, but if it does I shall be content to stay till it is over and see the Government rule. The loss of Beaufort and Charleston [South Carolina] is as great a loss to the enemy as Boston [Massachusetts] would be to us, but I have writen enough at preasent so, hopeing to hear from you soon, I remain as ever your friend and affectionate Brother, Charles W. Gould

CHAPTER 2

1862: Charles, Wesley, James, Richard, William Camp Wool MD [January 1862]

Hannah Thomas

Dear Sister, I received yours of the 30th Nov. Was glad to hear that you were all well. I sent you my likeness. Hope you have received it. Alford Willcox gave me yours that you sent to me while on Staten Island wich I have yet. As for my taxes, you can brake that note and use it if you wish. I sent it home for that purpos. I shall not want it before the 1st of June next. Write soon. From Charles to his Sister Hannah Direct as before a a a Fenwick Island [South Carolina] Jan 20th 1862 [Monday] Dear Sister, It is with pleasure that I sit me down to write a few lines to you. I received a letter from Charles and one from John last week. I received one from you since I have written. I were verry glad to hear that you were well. I am in the enjoyment of good health and I hope that this will find you enjoying the same blessing. We have had no fighting yet

Charles Gould, January 1862.

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but I would rather fight once a week than to stay here another summer. I would write oftener but I have a great deal to do. Three times a week on picket guard, and as soon as we are off we have to Drill. And we canot get no postage stamps nor envelopes nor paper here, but you need not wait for me to write, but write as often as you can. I would like to see all of the folks but above all I would like to see Gertrude. You must kiss her often for me. You must give all of the folks my respects. You said that you would like to know wether we had enough to eat and drink and to wear. We have plenty. I must say that I like camp life verry well. There is great talk of England and France is a going to help the south, but if they want us I wish that they would wait till this is over with, and then we will be ready for them. The mail has come into Port Royal [South Carolina] and I hope that there is a letter for me. There is some of our boys that sent to New York for a paper with the map of this place, and I sent for one and had it directed to Marvin. But I must stop, so good bye. Excuse my poor writting. Write as soon as you receive this. From your affectionate Brother, Wesley Gould Direct to me Co F 45 regt PV care of Col [Thomas] Welsh Port Royal [South Carolina] a a a Camp Wool MD Feb 7th 1862 [Friday] Dear Sister, Having plenty of time this morning I thought I would occupy it in writing to you. Yours of Dec 30 reached me shortly after. I was glad to hear that you were well, but I have since heard that you and Gertrude were both quite sick with the small pox. I hope however that you are again well. I would have writen before but have been sick my self. Had I suppose an attack of the chill fever, but I am geting better and expect to be about soon. There is not much of importance that I can send you. There has not been but little snow here this winter but plenty of rain. The roads are very bad. The wagons frequently are buried half up in the mud, so you can immagine how the soldiers live. I have writen two letters to Wesley. He has not answered them. I do not hear anything from him except what I hear from home. I wish you would send me what news you can about him. Write as soon as conveinent. Give my love to all the Boys. I still remain your affectionate Brother, Charles W. Gould to his sister Hannah Thomas

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Dear Sister

I will send you a $10.00 ten dollars note. There is so many gamblers and thiefs here that it is unsafe to keep them here. When you get it, write and let me know. direct as before a a a Lower Potomac Camp Wool February 26th 1862 [Wednesday] Mrs. Thomas Dear Madam, Although an entire Stranger, I trust you will pardon the liberty which I take of addressing you upon this occasion. And I would that the circunstance which calls me at this time to an unwelcome task could have been otherwise ordered by him who rules the world and holds all things as in the hollow of his hand. Your Brother Charles was taken sick about two weeks since which proved fatal. He died on Saturday night last and was buried on Monday following with the honors of War. His disease was Typhoid Fever. While it devolves upon me to convey this sad inteligence, it is with great cheerfulness and truth that I can add that, while you have lost a kind Brother, We have lost a dutifull and faithfull Soldier, always ready and willing to discharge his duties to the best of his abilities and without a murmur. So much so that it endeared him to his officers. When we first entered the sevice, your Brother was attached to my tent, untill he hurt his foot, during which time by his kind and genial disposition, his affable and pleasing manners I became much attached to him, and while the life of a soldier is not calculated to improve his morals, I can with pleasure say that the vices and immoralities of camp had no influence upon Charles. He has passed through them always maintaining his rectitude of principles which were the basis of his actions, and seem to have been laid on a shure foundation. While I would thus console with you in your affliction in this your hour of trouble, I can only urge you to look for consolation from him who has promised to be a Father to the Fatherless. Who alone is able to heal the wounds of the afflicted and distressed and sustain us in all our trials by his all powerfull grace, and while we mourn the departed I trust our loss is his Eternal gain. With kind considerations and well wishes, I am Yours Respt [Respectfully], J. P. Sandford 1st Lieut

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Co. I 3rd Regt Excelsior Brigade Enclosed I send you a letter which came yesterday for Charles. a a a Otter Island S.C. March 18th 1862 [Tuesday] Dear Sister, I now embrace the oppurtunity of writting a few lines to you. I am very happy to say that I am well and enjoying my self good, and I hope that this will find you and the rest of the folks all well. I received a letter from William night before last stating that Dear Brother Charles was Dead, one of the saddest bereavments that ever happened to our family, but it is some consolation to have his body brought home and laid beside those that watched over him so carefully in his childhood. [Charles is buried next to his parents in the Gould Cemetery.] It is hopefull that his spirit is now with theirs where there will be no more sorrow and no more wars, but singing ever lasting praises to the most high God. I have often thought how happy we would be if we should all meet at home after the war was over. But alas we can never meet with him again on earth, but let us try and meet him in heaven. What a joyfull meeting that will be when we shall meet to part no more. I would like to have been home to Dear Charleys funeral. You must not weep too much for him, for it is all for the best. If I should die here, I would like to be brought home and buried by the side of Brother Charley in the old garden. I think that if I live it will not be a great a while before I get home. There was about twenty of us upon Fenwick Is. last night on picket. There was a drove of horses came through the brush makeing a great noise. The sentinal halted them. They stoped as though they were men. It was so dark that we could not tell what they were, so we got ready for Battle. Last week there were three of our companies out a scouting. They were out in the night. They met unexpectedly, and it being so dark they could not tell each other, so Co H fired a volley of musket balls in Co K killing the captain and one of the corporals instantly, and wounding 7 more. One has since died. The rest are getting better. [Captain Ezekieo Y. Rampo and Corporal D. J. Fessler died on March 11, 1862. The Reigham brothers, Samuel and William H., died four days later.] We have the news that manasas [Virginia] is taken by our troops. I hope that it is so. We hear fighting about every day. Give my respects to all

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Dear Sister

of the folks. Excuse my poor writting. Write as soon as you receive this. So good bye for this time. Direct as before [Wesley Gould] We’ll meet again when Storms are over, and the ills of life are past. When partings rend the heart no more, We’ll meet. We’ll meet at last. a a a Headquarters Mur[r]y plantation Fenwick Island S C Apr 26th 1862 [Sunday] Dear Brother, I now embrace the oppurtunity of writting a few lines to you. I hope that you will forgive me for not writting before. I am well and I hope these few lines will find you enjoying the same blessing. It is very warm weather here. The thunder is now roaring over head. We are now quartered in a building on Mur[r]y plantation. We have very good times here now. When we want aney fresh meat, we go out and kill it. We have plenty of ripe blackberries here now. The peaches and plums will soon be ripe, then we will feast so much for a soldier in South Carolina. We have plenty of the colored population here. The boys from the Basket [Basket Creek, Delaware County, New York] are all well. Give my respects to all of the folks. Kiss Gertrude for me. Tell her to be a good girl till Uncle Wes comes home. We have just been on drill, and the mosquitoes bit so that we had to come back again. They are about the size of a common fly and they bite very hard. I am on guard to night and will suffer considerable from their bite, but have to stand it. We come on guard every third night, do not sleep aney in the night, and onley have the next forenoon to ourselves. Some times I sleep and some times I do not, so you see that we do not get much sleep. So good bye for to night. I will finish this in the morning. Apr 27th 1862 After a very heavy thunder storm last Night, from wich I got a nice soaking, the weather has changed and it is cool and plesant this morning. The trees are all in leafes. The birds sing meereyly especaley [especially] the mocking bird. The boys are out picking berries and all nature looks gay, but I would like to see the folks at home this morning and have a little maple sugar and buckwheat pancakes to eat, but I will keep up

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good spirits until I do get home. When that will be I cannot tell. Perhaps never. I am not sorry that I enlisted in the United States army. Tell all of the folks to write to me. Write me a good long letter as soon as you get this. So good bye for this time. From your Brother Wesley Gould to Marvin Thomas. Excuse my poor writting. Though we part for a while, we will soon meet again. Farwell. a a a Headquarters Co F 45th PV Fenwick Island S C May 8th 1862 [Thursday] Dear Sister, It is with pleasure that I now write to you. I received your letter last night. Was very glad to hear from you and to hear that you where well. I am well and enjoying myself as well as can be expected. You say that you are back to Henerys and that he as got a little Boy [Edgar]. I think that he could have done without the Boy yet a while. You need not tell him that I said so. You say that you would like to have a little house and have me come and live with you and Marvin. I wish that it were so, but it is not. I could not enjoy myself aney better after I return home than to come and live with you. I always calculated to live with you but it seems that I cannot do it. I wrote a letter to Marvin not long ago. Have not got an answer yet. Give my respects to all of the folks. Tell them to write to me. You say that you would like to know if I had written to Charles and when. I did write to him, but I do not know exactly the date of the letter, but it was about the first of Febuary. He wrote me two letters. He wrote a good deal about Christ and Father and Mother and about religeion. He advised me to read the Bible. He said that it was the only comfort that he had. He told me not to think him over religeous. There is no doubt but what he is now in heaven. You must kiss Gertrude for me. Tell her that Uncle Wes is comming home soon. There is plenty of Blackberries here. We have all of them to eat that we want. The peaches and plums will soon be ripe. I wish you where here to get some of them. I thank you for that maple sugar that you sent me. I wish that I was there to get some warm sugar. We have not had aney fighting yet, but cannot say how long it will be before that we will have to fight. I hope that we will get the chance to help take the city of Charleston. We have a nice house to live in here. It is clear here to day and very warm, but there is a nice sea breeze and it is quite plesant. The boys from the Basket are all well. We do not know when the war will be ended. It may last till fall, and it may last all next winter. No one can tell. There is hard

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Dear Sister

fighting at Yorktown [Peninsular Campaign and the siege of Yorktown, Virginia] or was at last acounts, but if we come off victourious there will be but little more hard fighting. There will be a hard fight at Corinth [Mississippi]. Richard and George have done very good business for the last year. When you write to me again, tell me what James is a doing and how he is a getting along. I sent him $40 dollars and have not heard from him nor the money. The drum is now beating for dinner. I will finish this after dinner. I have eat dinner. We had coffee, hard crackers, and beef, and pork. We have got used to hard fare. So it makes but little difference what we have to eat, we can eat it, but I must close. Write as soon as you get this. From Wesley Gould To Hannah Thomas. Good bye. Direct as before. Thou art not forgotten Though distance may sever thine image from me my spirit will ever cling fondly to thee in gladness Twill hover round pleasures of yore and sigh to live over those pleasures once more a a a Head Quarters Co F 45 regt Fenwick Island S C May 12th 1862 [Monday] Dear Sister, It is with pleasure that I now write to you. I received your letter last Night. Was very glad to hear that your health was so good. I hope that it will remain so. I also receive a letter from Richard. He said that he had been down the river [Delaware River], but did not say how lumber was selling. I am well and hope that this will find you enjoying the same blessing. The boys from the Basket are middeling well. Give my respects to all of the folks and especialey to Marvin. Kiss Gertrude for me. You say that I must return home again. I will try. There is not much prospects of our ever getting in a Battle. I have been very healthy while in the service. Our men are doing great things in Virginia and in the west. There is skirmishing not far from here almost every day but there is not many lives lost. The report is that our men have got posession of Yorktown, and will have Richmond before long. We have got New Orleans and all the fortifications along the Mississippi [River]. It is time for the rebels to begin to do something or they are whipt. The fleet at Port Royal

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has been ordered to Charleston. That place will soon share the fate of Fort Pulaski and Port Royal. The canonadeing at Fort Pulaski [South Carolina] was very hard. It lasted for thirty hours. It sounded to us like the roar of thunder. It shook the ground here. We are about thirty miles from there, but the noise of the canons was teriable. It is said that we are going to join General [H. G.] Wright Brigade, if so it is quite likely that we will advance on towards Charleston. I would like to see it burnt to the ground and see the stars and stripes wave over [Fort] Sumter once more. You must keep up good courage till I return home, then neither you nor I will be sorry that I enlisted in so good a cause. I have not been sorry yet nor would I go home if I had the chance till the war is ended. Tell William and Marvin that I was glad to hear from them. Tell Marvin that if I do get married down here it will be to a Negro Wench, for I have not seen a white girl for about six months. And I have not yet got in love with the Negroes, so that I do not think that I will get married here. You must tell Marvin to have more paper to write on next time so that he will write more. You must write all of your letters on big sheets of paper for I do like to get large letters from home. Tell them all to write, and I will try and write to them. Tell Cynthia not to be afraid to write. On this sheet, no more room. the wreath of fame will soon decay and cease to be of worth and jewels soon will cease to shine if shrouded in the earth but love and truth the brightest gem our heavenly father given will glow with purest lustre here and greet us first in heaven Our Company has the praise of being the best company in the regiment. The last day of last month we were on General inspection and the Colonel [Thomas Welsh] gave us the praise of being the best and cleanest company of volunteers that he ever saw. That was very good for us, he being more disposed to scold than to flatter. We have got a very good Captain [Theodore Gregg], one that we can rely upon if we ever get in Battle, for he is an old soldier. He is very good to the boys and is liked very much. I have not an enemy in the Company but a great maney Friends. All of the boys seem to like me and that is very good for me. You used to think that the boys were not fit for soldiers, but because it is the fact the smallest boys that we have stand the long marches the best. There are several smaller than I am. They am always on hand to do duty. They learn to drill the quickest and are the best soldiers that we have. No more for this time, so Good Bye. Write as soon as you get this. From your Brother Wesley Gould to Hannah Thomas. Excuse my poor writting.

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Dear Sister

a a a Hilton Head S C July the 4th 1862 [Friday] Dear Sister, I received your kind letter last Sunday evening. Was very glad to hear from you and to hear that you where well. I am well at presant. We have been within seven miles of Charleston but fell back to this place again. What for I do not know. There is some talk of our going to reienforce Gen McClellan [General George B.]. I hope that we will, for I have had enough of S. C. It is very warm here at presant. We had some small fights while we where on James Island [South Carolina]. You will undoubtly hear of it before you get this, so I will not write much about it. It is now 4th of July, but Wes is not at home to eat strawberry short cakes this year. But I had one hard cracker and a cup of coffee for breakfast this morning. That is what trys a man. While we are in camp we get enough to eat, but while on a march we do not have but little to eat and drink. But then is the time we need the most. It appears that the boys [brothers] are all in for raising a family. If I do not get home, there will be so many Goulds that you will not miss me [five nieces and nephews born during Wesley’s absence]. But, Hannah, as long as I am alive, I will not forget you, although I do not write very often, still my thoughts are on you and the home and scenes of my childhood. I would write oftener, but do not have much time. But you must not wait for me, you must write. Give my love to all of the folks. You say that you intend to get Charles bounty money. You will run a great risk in sending the paper here for me to sign. You had better send it by express. [Beginning in July 1861 the federal government paid bounties of $100 for a three-year enlistment. Union states and some counties also paid bonuses.] Your plan in getting the tomb stones is a very good one. We have not had aney news from the north for quite a while. I would like to know how our men are getting along at Richmond. The boys from the Basket are all well. We do not have aney tables here to write on, but we have to sit down on our knapsacks and take a little peice of board on our knees and write on that. So you cannot expect us to write very good. And you know that I am a poor writter in aney place, but I guess that you can read it. You will find $5 dollars enclosed in this, if some one dont take it out. You must kiss Gertrude for me. Tell her that I am soon comeing home to see her, and you tell Marvin not to get angry with me for not writting to him. Write as soon as you get this. Write all the news. This is quite a business place. The harbor is full of vessels. There is a large

Letter from Wesley Gould.

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Dear Sister

fort here. All of the troops down here are at or very near this place. What is to be done, we do not know. But I must stop. From Wes To Hannah Direct as Before a a a Hilton Head S C July the 15th 1862 [Tuesday] Dear Brother, It is with pleasure that I now sit me down to write a few lines to you. I am well and hope these few lines will find you enjoying the same blessing. You will see by the papers that we have not been idle since I last wrote you, although we have not been in a general engagement. We have seen a little fun, but the enemy proved to be to[o] strong for us on James Island. It will be of no use for me to try to give you the details of the fights, for you will hear all about it long before you get this. I think that if we had as good a General here as Fremont [Major General John C.] or Halleck [Major General Henry W.] we might now be in Charleston just as well as to be here. I am sorry to say it but I think that we have got the poorist Generals here that there is in the service, and there is but few but what does think so. General Hunter [Major General David] thinks more of the [Negroes] than he does of the soldiers. Just tell the next man that you hear say that the republican party likes to have the Negroes set free and let them come north to live with them that he is a liar, for it has proved to be right the other way down here. The demmocrats like the [Negroes] a great deal better than we republicans do. Gen. Hunter is a demmocrat and always has been. See what a procklamation he issued. There is a few blowing demmocrats in our company, but they are the verey first to get with the wenches and what they do then you can guess as well as I can. It appears that they have had some verey hard fighting near Richmond and that it is about an equeal fight. We do not know wich side will whip, but we hope that we will. The mail-boat came in last night. We have not got our mail yet, but we heard that our men had got Richmond, but we hear so maney stories that we do not know wether it is true or not. There are troops leaveing here every day for Richmond. We do not know wether we will go or not, but I hope we will, for there is nothing going on down here now and it is so verey warm that it is uncomfortable to stay here. I would like to go north to spend the summer but I guess that we will have to stay here. Well I suppose that you are now hard at the haying business,

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but Wes is not there this year. Where is he? Well I will try and tell. He is on the banks of broad river in a nice pine grove sitting in the tent on a knapsack and writeing on another with his shoulder resting against the tent pole. I wish you could take a look in his house and see him. He is both dirty and ragged and looks as though he knew a little about soldiering, and I guess he does, for he has learned how to get enough to eat and drink and that is most of a soldiers pleasure here. Well Wes thinks of home some times if he is away down here. He would like to be at home to day, I think, if I know his thoughts, there is a good maney times when he would not shed maney tears if he was at home. But I must stop. Write as soon as you get this. From your old Friend Wes To Marvin Thomas So Good bye. Excuse this cussed poor scribling. Excuse me for sending you such a dirty sheet of paper for I sweat so that I cannot write without getting the paper dirty. a a a

Hannah Thomas

[Hilton Head, S.C.] [July 15, 1862—Tuesday]

Dear Sister, I have just been writting a few lines to Marvin and thought I would write a little to you. I am well and hope this will find you enjoying the same blessing. I was glad to get the letter that you and Marvin sent me. Yesterday was payday. I have now got $40 dollars. I will send some to James in a day or two. I sent you $5 dollars in a letter while we where on James Island. I have sent home $70.50 dollars. Uncle Sam is a good pay master. We are now encamped in a nice pine grove on the banks of [a] broad river on Hilton Head Island. We do not know how long we will stay here. There is some talk of our going to Richmond. I hope we may go farther north, for it is very warm down here. Well the mail has just come, but there was no letter for me. I would like to have got a letter from home, but I suppose that you have so much work to do that you do not get much time to write. You must keep up good courage and I will soon come home, then you will not have to write to me. Give my love to all of the folks. Tell Gertrude that uncle Wes will be home soon. I would like to see Gertrude. The boys from the Basket are all well. There is some of our boys going to get their discharge on the account of being sick and one of them is lame. One of their names is Daniel Thomas [not related to Marvin Thomas]. He is going to Long Eddy [New York]. It may be that some of the boys [brothers] may see him. If they do, he will tell them all about me. He is acquainted with

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Dear Sister

Cynthia. [Thomas was discharged on Surgeon’s Certificate on September 16, 1862]. I have not got time to write aney more. Write as soon as you get this. From your Brother Wes To Hannah Thomas Direct as Before Excuse my poor writting. a a a Newport News VA July 28th 1862 [Monday] Dear Sister, It is with pleasure that I now. . . . I received your letter of the. . . . night before last. I was very glad to hear from you and to hear that you were in the enjoyment of good health. I am now enjoying the same blessing. I have just received a letter from Richard. Was glad to hear that you were all well. I sent a letter to James with $20 twenty dollars in it. You will see by this that we are now out of S C and once more in the old dominion [Virginia]. I like it here a great deal better than I did in S C. It was very hot down there and it is not cold here. You said in your letter that you had a society at your house. I wish that I could have been there, but I am willing to stay here till the war is over. I would not come home to stay till the war is setteled. I am not sorry that I enlisted, for I am no better to die than aney one else, and if a man dies here he can die in no better cause. Richard said in his letter that he thought some of enlisting. I do not think that he had better unless his health is better than it was when I left home, for this is no place for a sick person, but it agrees with me very well. I never felt better in my life. We are encamped in a very nice place on the banks of James River where we get a nice sea breeze, and it is quite a healthy place, there is about twenty thousand encamped here now. We are now in Gen Burnsides [Major General Ambrose] expedition and soon expect to go and reinforce Gen McClellan. We may have some fighting to do in the next advance that is made towards Richmond. I hope that we will not get defeated next time. You seem to think General McClellan is to[o] slow, but you must remember that it takes a long time to move such a large armey as he has got. We can now get papers every day. They are printed one day and we get them the next, so we have plenty of news here now and the very latest. We where very sorry to hear of the death of H. [Harrison] Chandler. The boys that we know that come to the war are almost all dead but us five in this Co. We are all a live and well at presant, but do not know how long we will remain so. I was in hopes of seeing some of my old acquaintances when we got up here, but did not see aney body that I knew. Well I have not got much

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more time to write to night for we are going to have a drill yet to night. I will try and finish this to-morrow, so I will bid you Good bye for to night. Newport News VA July 30th 1862 [Wednesday] I would have finished this yesterday but I was taken with a very severe ear ache night before last, so I did not feel much like writting. I feel better this morning. If I where at home I would soon get well. When this war is over and I return home, I wish we could manige it some way so that you and I and Marvin could live together, for I always wanted to live with you. Give my love to all of the folks. Tell them to write to me. My hand trembles so that I can hardly write. A person may be well some day and be dead the next. I . . . felt better than I did when I commenced writting this letter. Yesterday we buried a man. He was well when we came here. Well I must stop. I cannot think of aney thing more to write now. Write as soon as you get this. From your Brother Wes To Hannah Thomas Direct to Co F 45th regt P V Newport News VA a a a Brooke’s Station VA August the 19th 1862 [Tuesday] Dear Sister, It is with much pleasure that I now sit me down to write a few lines to you. I received the letter that you and William wrote to me last night. Was very glad to hear from you and to hear that you where well. I am well and enjoying myself as well as circumstances will permit. There is a large army around here at present. McClellan’s army is comeing here. Part of it has come already. Burnside is here with all of his men. We are in his division. Pope [Major General John] and his army are not far from here. Pope and Jackson [CSA General Thomas J.] have been fighting near culpepper court house [Virginia]. I think that we will soon get to Richmond for the army that is going towards that place. Now I do not think will get Defeated. Our regiment is now guarding the R[ail] Road betwen Acquia creek and Fredericksburg [Virginia]. We have plenty of duty to do. We are on guard every other day, but we do not expect to stay here long, but we do not know where we will go to when we leave here. I do not think that this war will last much longer with 600,000 thousand fresh troops in the field. I think that we can soon whip them, but they are bound to fight to the very last. There is some people liveing around here, but there is no men but those that are so old that they could not

26

Dear Sister

join the army. All of the young men that would not enlist where drafted so there is no one to home to work the farms, so they all lying idle. Where the rebels get their provision I cannot tell. I should think that they would starve to Death. They cannot stand it much longer. I wish that the war was setteled now so that I could come home and see you once more. You must kiss Gertrude for me. Tell her that I would like to see her. If you and Marvin would like to buy some sheep and keep them three years for half or on sh[a]res, write and let me know and I will try and send you some money to buy them with and pay you for your trouble in getting them. If you do not like this plan, you can write to me and let me know wether you would like some other plan or wether you want some money. If you do I will try and send you some. I must stop. Write as soon as you get this. Good bye. I still remain, your Brother Wesley Gould To Hannah Thomas Adress co F 45th regt P.V. Washington D.C. in care Col Welsh a a a Camp Delaware [Delhi, New York] Sep 12th 1862 [Friday] Dear Sister, It is with plasure that I write to you. I [am] well and enjoying my self very good and I hope that these few lines will find you the same. William is well. We have enough to eat most of the time, and we do not have to work hard. It [h]as been very fine weather here so far. It looks like rain this morning. I am a writing on a box in the barn, and the men are a runing and makes so mutch noise that it is hard work to write a letter. We have not got our uniform yet but soon will have them. The part of them is here now, we have got our shoes caps and blankets. Some of our boys was put in the gard hous last night for being out after nine Oclock but the most of our boys behave them selfes very good. It is now breakfast time and I have got to stop writing for the presant, and after breakfast and driling then I will try and finish my letter. I have just returned from driling and it is a raining. I have got a good place to write in a grainery that is for camp writing. Now, Hannah, take good care of your self and the girl. Kiss the girl that is girtrud [Gertrude] for me. Write as soon as you get this and let me know if you have had a letter from Wesley for I should like to here from him. If it rains all day I shall write a letter to Wesley and one to Mary [James’ wife]. I must stop writing for I cant think of mutch to write about, for there [is] so much noise.

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So Good By For This Time, From James Gould To Hannah Thomas, his Sister. Direct to James Gould Camp Delaware Co F 144 Regiment in care of Col Huston [Colonel Robert S. Hughston] Del Co NY a a a Battle Field MD Sept the 15 1862 [Monday] Dear Sister, It is with much pleasure that I now write to you. I am well and hope this will find you enjoying the same blessing. We had a fight yesterday but thank fortune I came out alive and sound with the exception of a buckshot wound in my arm, but that will soon be well. It is a flesh wound. I will not give aney details of the fight, only to say that we got the best of it. We now occupy the ground that the rebels did yesterday [South Mountain, Antietam Campaign]. John Hughs and myself are here. The rest of the boys from that place are all left back sick. We are about 15 miles from Frederick City MD. You will see by the papers all the partickulars of the Fight and how maney there where killed. I have not got much time to write. We expect to move from here soon. I will write again soon. Give my love to all of the folks. Write as soon as you get this. We have got Jackson and all of his army in a tight place and soon will put an end to this if we have no bad luck. You must excuse this poor writeing for my right arm is the one that is hurt. This is from your Brother Wes Direct Co F 45th regt P V Washington D C in care Col Welsh a a a Camp Del[aware] Sept 20 1862 [Saturday] Dear Sister, I now find a few mineuts to write you a few lines. I am well and have been so exepting two or 3 days when I had a very bad cold in my head & throat. Our Compiney numbers about 100 men. The regt numbers more than 900 men. The ground [parade ground] is covered daly with spectators. The

Letter from William Gould.

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fare was very poor when we first came here but it is much better now. Both officers and men were displeased with the fare and threatened to tear down the cook house if the rations were not got up in a better style. Our fare is now good enough for any body. Last Saturday the citizens of Walton & Hamden [New York] made the soldiers a picnic dinner. Cynt [wife Cynthia] was up & I got leave to go to Hamden with her. I came back Sunday evening. Wensday she came to Delhi to Mr Fero. He came down to camp after me. I went up with him of course. I have been romie [rooming with] Feros two nights & Cynt stayed there 3 nights & two days. Their daughter is now almost as tall as her mother and is one of the best of girls. This regt has got orders to leave for the war the 24 of this month but the Oficers think that they cannot get ready for a fortnight to come. We have to get up early the rool [roll] is called at sun rise. We have to drill one hour before breakfast. We drill from 9 to 11 Oclock. The noncommissioned oficers from 1 to 2 & commissioned oficers from 2 to 3, than both oficers & men drill until about 5 Oclock. We have all got our uniforms & have got our bounty money, that is town bounty. The Cornole [Colonel Robert S. Hughston] says that we are to have $50 more next Thursday. The news from the seat of war is very good for us, though gained dearley. Thousands of lives have been lost in driveing the Rebels out of Penn. & Maryland [Antietam Campaign]. I should like to see you all very much. I shall try to get permission to come home a day or two before we start from here, but dont know as I can, for the Col. says that he wants the men all here to march to Hancock [New York] togeather. The frost has killed some buckwheat & some corn. I hope that it has not damage any thing at home. Hoping that this will find you all well, I remain, your Brother William Gould PS Answer this as soon as convenient. Telling the news of course. Have you had a letter from Dick & Wes cense [since] I left home? Tell Lousia [Gertrude] to make old Max [family dog] drive the cattel. Has Cap [Marvin] sowed any rye yet? Dose John [brother] intend to build this fall? W. G. a a a Camp Holley [Kiamesha Lake] [Sullivan County, New York] Sep 24 1862 [Wednesday] Dear Sister, I take my pen in hand to let you know that I am well and enjoying of myself as well as camp life will permit, and I hope this will find you

30

Dear Sister

and all the rest of them well. I was sick last Sunday, some of us is most of the time, but we soon get over it. There is almost every thing going on here at once, card playing with the rest. We have to drill twice a day from nine till half past eleven, then we drill from two till half past five. It keeps us pretty busy. I would rather drill than lay around all day. Warren [Hughs] got a letter from his mother this morning stating that you got a letter from Wesley and that he was wounded in the arm but not bad. I feel sorry for him, but still I am thankful that it is no worse. I have not wrote to him for some time. I dont know the direction or else I would write right away. You must write as soon as you get this and give me his address. I must close. Give my best respects to all enquiring friends and except [accept] the same. From your Brother, Richard Gould Camp Holley Montcillo [Monticello] Sul Co NY in care of capt Reynolds [Captain Benjamin Reynolds] a a a Camp Delaware [New York] October 5th 1862 [Sunday] Dear Brother and Sister, I have now conclued to write you a letter. I am well and am enjoying myself quite as well as I expected to and rather better. It is now Sunday afternoon. This forenoon we had to drill & to attend divine worship too. We are to leave here next wensday morning. We are to go by Hancock [New York], thence to Elmira [New York], and from there to Washington [D.C.]. That is as much as I know about it. You must try and come to Hancock and see us. We will be in Hancock friday morning. You had better come down thursday. We shall incamp two or three miles above Hancock, so you better come to the camp ground as we may not stay in Hancock but a few minuts. You must tell George & Eunice [wife] to come also. John & Sarah [wife] to[o]. Mary is here. She boards about 1 mile from here at a private house. Cynthia boards at Mr. Feros. The baby [Martha] is well and she is also. You said that old Cherry [family horse] had come back all right. I was very glad to hear it and also that the frost had not done any damage to the crops. I am sorrey to hear of Wesley being wounded but think that his wounds must be slight. I hope that he will get over it soon. 3 of our Co are sick, F. [Frank] Francisco is one of them. There is not much news in camp to day. I have got all of my bounty money but it goes very fast. I write this in haste. You must read it the best way you can. Tell George to write & the rest also. Tell Gertrude to be a good girl & when the war

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is over I will come home & see her again. I hope that this may be so. Well, Marv, you must try & get rid of the oxen & keep things all right & you must writ to Your [Brother] William Gould a a a Camp Holley [New York] Oct 7 1862 [Tuesday] Dear Brother & Sister, I take this oppertunity to write a few [lines] to you. I am well & enjoying myself as good as ever. I hope this will find you enjoying the same blessing. All of the boys is well at present. Some of us is sick most of the time. Camp life agrees with me very well. I am geting fleshy. The other day some of the Basket folks was out to see us. They brought out some things to eat. 11 of us went out and took supper with them. We had pie and cake and all good things. I expect it will be the last time till the war is over, then if I have the good luck to get back, may be I will have some more. I do not mean to complain for we live good enough now. We expect to leave here friday morning, where I know not. There is all kind of reports in camp to where we are agoing. Some say West. Some say Washington, others Texas. I am ready and willing to go where the government wants us. I wrote a letter to you some time ago, but have not got answer yet. I owe to George and one to John and have recived no answer. You need not write till I write again. We are going to get our money to day or at least part of it. John Neer is here, his wife, and Sams [Neer] wife. I thought that I would write a few lines and send it with him. I must close. Take good care of yourself. Kiss Gertrude for me. Remember me in your prayers. Give my best respects to all enquiring friends and except the same yourself. Tell Henry that I will write to him soon. No more this time. Good Bye. Richard Gould to Marvin & Hannah a a a

To Mr & Mrs Thomas

[Camp Delaware, New York] [October 9, 1862 Thursday]

Dear Brother & Sister, I will write you a few lines and send it to you in the one I am about to send Cynt. I feel quite well, as well as usual, although I have not that strength I used to have, but this I trust will come in Gods own good

Richard Gould, circa 1862.

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time—aint it, Hannah, a great consolation to have Christ & God to be our Friend in affliction & to read his word & there to find this holy promise that all things shall work togeather for good to them that love & serve our God & also this all sustaining assurance that my Grace is sufficient for now. Hannah, what shall seperate us from the love of God that dwells in us? Shall tribulation? No. Shall persecution? No. Never neither will we give up our hope of eternal life for all else beside. . . . My object in writing these few lines to you is this. I am about to send home for some things & as you Marvin at least has a better chance to do & see about it than Cynthia has. I want you to get me a pair of boots No. 7 rather high in the instep & have the soles rather heavy. Have the uppers of good leather & have them hafed soled & nailed on in stead of pegs. Perhaps the best way to get all this done is this. Let Jerome [local tanner] send over to Walton [New York] & have them maid to order & soled & all & if they are good enough, you can take them home when you are out there or send for them. But it is now bed time. The bugle has blown for lights to be put out, so you see we cant do as we are a mind to William Gould Esq Friday 7 1⁄2 pm Finds me quite well. I thank God for it. & have Jim a pair of boots made too of the same style one size larger—all this to be done as soon as possible. All expencises & cost to be borne by us of course. We will write to our wives what els to do with them when you get them home. If you can, do not get those with to[o] heavy a sole, for if we have them haf soled they would not be to[o] heavy to wear on marches. Have the uppers of soft leather to[o]. But I am now in a hurry to finish this letter & finish one or two more. Write me soon, for I want to hear from home & what is now adoing in old Margsville [Margaretville, New York]. Yours Ever affectionately, Brother William to Marvin & Hannah a a a Pleasant Valley MD Oct the 16 1862 [Thursday] Dear Sister, I now take the oppurtunity of writeing a few lines to you. I am well and hope these few lines will find you enjoying the same blessing. I would have written before but we have been in pursuit of the rebel cavelry [Major General J. E. B. Stuart’s raid north] for the last week, but could

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Dear Sister

not catch them so we came back again to our old camp. Got here last night. This morning the roaring of canons burst on our ears, and the order came for us to pack up and be ready to march at a moments notice, but we have not gone yet. We have not yet heard what the canonadeing was for but it is quite probable that it was fighting. Albert Hughs and Bob Sperbeck are encamped not far from here. I shall go and see them if we do not move from here to day. I have just received the letter that you sent me. Was very glad to hear from you and to hear that you where well. You said that the Delaware regt [144 NYVI] was going to leave for the seat of war that day, but one of our boys [Basket] got a letter that was written the 11th [October] stateing the regt had gone to Almira [Elmira, New York] to encamp. It will be a great deal better for the Boys [brothers] if they have gone there. You say that you where at Hancock [New York] and saw the Boys. I would like to have been there and seen the Boys to[o] but I was not. I wish that you could just be here for a day to see the troops. It is nothing but encampments for miles around here, there is nothing thought of here but war, but I have seen enough of war for me and I would like to come home and see you and the rest of the folks. You and Marvin must have lonesome times now, but you must not get discouraged for this war will not last always, and when it is over we will have good times once more, but we must try and manage it so that I can live with you. Give my love to all. I would write more and oftenter if I could, but a soldier has so much to do that he dont get much time to write. I have got one letter from Richard since he enlisted and none from William or James. I would like to know how the Boys like a soldiers life. They are now a seeeing the best of it. When they come to get on Picket guard in the enemys country and have to watch all night to keep from being shot or taken prisoner then they will begin to learn what it is to be a soldier. I cannot write more now. Good bye. Write as soon as you get this. Wesley Gould To Hannah Thomas Direct as before Excuse my poor writeing. a a a Headquarters Camp Upton [Washington, D.C.] Oct 21th 1862 [Tuesday] Dear Brother and Sister, It is with mutch plasure that I write to you. I am well and enjoy good health and I hope that these few lines will find you enjoying the same

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blesing. This is the third time that we have marched since we came to Washington. We marched from Washington to arlington hights [Arlington Heights, Virginia] to camp chase. We were there about two days and the Suliven Co regiment [143 NYVI, Sullivan County] came and encamped rite a crost the road from us. I was glad to[o]. The boys the[y] were all well. The next day we struct our tents and marched to camp eight miles north. We got to camp marce a little after dark. It was Satterday. We slept on the ground that night. William is well to day, onely the march was to mutch for him yesterday. We marched from camp marce yesterday twelve miles. We marched one mile and a half out of the way, so we had to come back. It was after eight Oclock when we got here to camp upton. Here we found the other boys that is in the Suliven Co regiment. We are now encamp here togeather and I hope that we shall stay togeather. Richard is well. He says he [h]as wrote home four letters and he will not write any more till he gets one from home. I would like to see Wesley and I shall see him if I get in ten miles of him if all is well. I would give more to [see] him then I would to see any body else in this world. William and I and our tent mates with in all is five in our tent. We are all, but one, church members, and he is trying to do what is rite. We have worship in our tent evry night. We had prayermeeting in our tent. There was eight of us. It was as good a prayermeeting as I want to be to. To night we have another one in our tent. I have asked Richard and Warren [Hughs] to our meeting to night. I must bring my letter to a close. You must kiss the girl for me. You must write as soon as you get this. Give my love to all the folks at home. So good by for this time. From your Brother James Gould Direct to James Gould Co F 144 regiment N.Y.S.V. Washington DC in care of Col Hughston a a a Camp Israel Pleasant Valley MD Oct the 25th 1862 [Saturday] Dear Brother, Hopeing that you will excuse me for not writeing sooner, I will pass. I am well and hope these few lines will find you enjoying the same blessing. We are now encamped not far from Harpers Ferry [West Virginia]. There is a large armey here. We expect to move on towards the enemy again in a few days. Part of the armey are already a moveing. The men are all anxious to meet the enemy once more. They are tired of lying in camp and doing nothing towards putting down the rebelion. Our armey

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Dear Sister

is now large enough if rightly manouvered to end this war in a short time. Let us put our trust in God and keep our powder dry and we will soon whip the rebels, and then we can see each other once more and talk of the Glories of War. I have not seen aney of the Boys [brothers] yet but hope I shall soon. It is imposssiable to get a pass to go aney where now but I hope it will not be so long. I think some of being transfered from our regt. to Artillery. I would like to learn a little of both so that next time I will know wich is the best. If I do so I will let you know. I think that it is a little the easiest to belong to artillery. We begin to have cold weather here. I do not know what we will do if we have to stay here this winter. It will be so very cold that we will freeze, but I think that we will go South again, but I would rather come home if this war was over, but it is not and so I will have to be content with my lot. We have not got our pay yet but expect to get it soon. Give my love to Hannah and the rest of the folks. I got a letter from Wm the other day. He was at Washington. The regt. that Richard is in is there too. He said that the Boys where all well. Well, Marvin, you must have lonesome times there now but you must keep good courage for this war will not last always, and when this is over and I come home once more I will have so much to tell that you will not be lonesome then. You may think that my letters are very dry, but you know that I am a horse at talking if I cannot write a very good letter. I would like to be there now to go out and kill a nice deer, and then we would have some venison. I suppose that you have Buckwheat pancakes by this time. If so, I would like to be there and take dinner with you, but I am afraid that Hannah would get tired of Bakeing them for I am very hungry. Our drum has just rooled [rolled] for dinner, so I must stop. Write as soon as you get this. I remain as ever your affeconate Brother, Wesley Gould To Marvin Thomas Direct as Before Kiss Gertrude for me. a a a Upton hill [Virginia] November 2th 1862 [Sunday] Dear Brother and Sister, I recived your kind letter of the 28 of Oct last Friday in the after noon. I was glad to here that you was all well. I am well and enjoy my self very good here, and I hope that these few lines will find you enjoying the same blessing. It is a butiful day here and [h]as been for a few days

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past. I have just come in from meeting. We had our meeting on the ground [parade ground]. The text was in luke 12th ch 34 vers. [For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.] We can see the soldiers going past here every day Sundays too. The[y] are ordered to the seat of war [Halltown, Virginia]. The driled regiments are all gon[e]. We do not know how soon we may be cawled to go. There is not mutch fighting now in virgina at presant, but there is some fighting west of here [Snicker’s Gap], for we heard the cannons yesterday and to day there is no rebels near us. We get new york papers here most every day so we can tell what is going on. I have been over and seen Richard this after noon. He is well. He came home with me and staid a short time. He [h]as not had a letter from home. Only a few lines that John sent to him. He said that he was not going to write home till he [h]as recived one from home. We had a prayer meeting last night and we are again to have one to night. I suppose that it is winter there now or cold enough for winter. It is cold enough here for winter. Some times there is very suden changes here, more so then there is in our cuntry. The wind blows very hard here, for there is nothing to keep it on this hill from blowing. We have got to carry our wood and water one fourth of a mile up hill so it is some work to do it. The water here is better then I expected to find it. I get enough to eat and that witch is good enough for a soldier boy when he is well, and when he is sick it is not fit for a hog to eat. I can do well enough when I am well. I have not felt very good for four or five days past till and could not eat mutch, and what I did eat it went against my stomich, and William being sick I had to take care of him, and I would sleep cold my self to keep him warm and confertable as posible witch was not very good. I thank the Lord for as good a health as I have got. May the good Lord keep us from all harm. So good by for this time, dear Sister. You must write often for I cannot. Tell louisa [Gertrude] that I will come home and see her some time if all is well. Kiss her for me. From your brother, James Gould to Hannah Thomas a a a Camp Bliss on Upton Hill [Virginia] Nov 3th 1862 [Monday] Dear Sister Hannah, I now take my pencile in hand to write you a few lines. James received a letter from you last Friday night. Part of it was written to me. I was very glad to here from you & to here you were all well. Thank the Lord for it. I am not very smart [healthy]. To day I feel somewhat better. I

38

Dear Sister

have been unwell for 7 days & unfit for duty 5 days. I have caught one cold after another untill I was forced to give up. Have had ever since we came south the disentery. Have had a dreadful sore throat for one week past. Could eat nothing for nearly 4 days. Could drink some soup & tea, then to finish off with the mumps. Yesterday I felt quit[e] smart. To day I do not feel so well beause it is rather cold & windy. My throat is most well. Have seen the worst of the mumps, that is if I do not take a cold. I shall try and take good care of myself, then I shall soon be well again. The mumps is quit plenty in the 144 regt. The 143 [NYVI] has not yet any cases, yet but cannot escape it as they have been exposed to them. They are encamped side by side with us. Dick is well. Tell Marve Dick Parks tents with us. Tell also that Sam Neer is well. Well, Hannah, I do not know as I am dissipointed with my soldiers triles & trubles thus far. We of this regt seem to not be able to stand it so well as the Sul. Co. regt [143 NYVI]. Yesterday we heard that there was a very hard fight going on at Centerville [Virginia]. To day we have heard no perticulars of the fight. At 3 of Oclock the fireing was very fast, we heard it very plain. How is our things getting along at home? Hannah, I want to stop. We have prayermeetings 4 and 5 times a week. How does the church & its business get along? Tell Marv to see that nobody takes anything from the Warner place. I will [write] again soon. Got a letter from George & one from John. Good bye. Direct to me Camp Bliss Co F 144 regt N.Y.V. William Gould a a a Upton Hill VA November 6 1862 [Thursday] Dear Sister, I recived your letter night before last, also one from Henry. I was very glad to hear from you once more. I thought that my friends [family] where all dead or all forsaken me, but I was happly disappointed. I wrote 2 letters to you & to John, one to Henry, 2 to George and only recived 2 till the other night. I am well and enjoying myself as well as usual. I hope this will find you all the same. I and Warren have just been discharge. We was on guard last night. We are sitting in our tent on the ground with our paper on our knee. It is not so good a place as I have seen the wind blows from the north. My feet is quite cold. The nights is cold but the days is quite pleasent. Some of our boys wants to go to Texas. The talk was that we had to go any how. I dont want to go way down there. If I must die, I would as soon die here as there. Last Sunday

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we heard the cannons roar in the skirmish at Philomont [Virginia]. It sounded like thunder, only a little sharper. Marvin, you must take good care of yourself. I guess that you will have some fighting up there by the appearence of things. If there is, I hope that they will send me back to help wipe them rebles up there, but I hope that time will never come. I expect to be home by spring. Some of the Democrats say so. It may be so. Let that as it may. I am willing to stay till war is ended. I cannot think of nothing more. Hannah, if you have got any socks I wish you would send me a pair. I will pay you for them. Tell Eunice [George’s wife] to send a pair if she will. Henry said he had a pair of gloves he would give me. If he will send them, he will oblige me very much. Warren’s folks is going to send him some things. If you make up your mind to send them you can send them with his. Do not let any body see this. Excuse my poor writing. Tell Cynthia and Henry that I will answer there letters soon. If you have to prepay the postage when you write, let me know it and I will send some money in the next. Send Wesley’s address. Richard Kiss Gertrude for me. a a a Camp Bliss Upton Hill [Virginia] Nov 14th 1862 [Friday] Dear Brother & Sister, I seat myself once more to write you a few lines. I received a letter from you last night. I was very glad to learn you were all in good health. I am also well & injoying myself good. When I wrote to you before I was some sick, but am now well. Jim is well too. We have just eat our breakfast, it concists of beaf bread & coffie. This is a very fine morning, with the exception of 2 or 3 storms the weather has been good. James & one other man is now writing in this tent. James is on guard to day. Dick was over to see us the other day. He is now well. Hannah & Marv, I do wish you could but just look in to our house this morning. We have a fireplace & chimney built of brick. Once and a while it smokes like sixty but not often. Hannah, I requested you to let me know how my affairs stand, but as yet have not had no reply, but others have told me about them. John I understand . . . [remainder of letter destroyed] William Gould a a a

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Dear Sister

Camp Bliss [Virginia] Nov. 20th 1862 [Thursday] Dear Sister, I will now try to answer your last letter. I received it last Thursday. I was glad to hear that you was well. I am well and I hope these few lines will find you the same. I saw Dick last night. He is agoing to write to you to day. We had some rain here last night. Just enough to make it sliprey. The wind is in the north west this morning and it is geting colder. We have sudden changes in the weather here. It will be warm one day and the next day very cold, so it is very unhealthy here. There is about one forth of our regiment sick and unfit for duty. Two of my tent mates is sick. The[y] have got very bad colds. William is trubled with the sore throat. There is not mutch fighting at present. I wish the[y] would go to fighting and not stay down here and let the men all die off without fighting for there cuntry. For my part I would like to go to fighting and get through with it, and then if I live through it I could come home and, if I did not live then I should not want to come home, but if we lay idle here this winter there will be one half of us that will be unfit for duty. Leave out them that will die this winter, and then when spring comes we that are alive and well will afto [have to] fight, so I would rather do the fighting now and come home in the spring. If the Lord will and if he sees fit to number me with the many thousands that will fall in battle or die by diseas, may the Lord prepare me for eternal life beyond the grave. I would like to see you all, but if I could come home and stay two or three weeks I would not do it, for I should hate to part with my friends [family] again. I hope the war will close by spring, but it may not for I thought one year ago that it would be closed before this time. I shall afto [have to] bring my letter to close. You must excuse my short letter. Good by with my letter, not with my hart. Kiss Loisa [Gertrude] for me and tell her that Uncle Jim will not forget her as long as he lives. Write when you get this, Hannah, from your Brother, James Gould a a a Camp near Fredericksburg VA Nov the 25 1862 [Tuesday] Dear Sister, I received your kind letter of the 9 [November] last evening. Was very glad to hear from you and to hear that you where well. I also got a letter from James & Will and one from Dick and Warren. They where still at Upton Hills VA. You must have hard times now that the snow is so

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deep. I wish that I where there to take care of the cattle and chop wood for you, so that you would not have to go out doors. It is very cold here. My fingers are so cold that I can hardly write. We have nothing to get into except little tents and it is as cold in them as it is out doors. I am now sitting out doors on an old butter firkin and it is the hardest place to write that I ever saw. The rebels are just across the river [Rappahannock] in large numbers. They say that they are not going to let us cross over [Fredericksburg Campaign]. We can go down to the river and talk with them when we want to. We will doubtless soon have a fight here, but let that be as it will not be long before we get Richmond. Old Burnie [Major General Ambrose Burnside] is our man. I am willing to trust him aney how. You wanted to know if I thought that you could get a pair of gloves to me. Jacob Brazie got a pair from home last night. They where done up in a paper and sent by mail. It is impossable to get aney thing here without paying ten times what it is worth. Marvin wanted to know what I thought it was best to do with my Hefier. You can do what you think best. It is so very cold that I cannot write aney more. Give my love to all of the folks. This leaves me well. I hope it will find you enjoying the same blessing. Good bye. Wesley Gould Direct as before a a a Camp Bliss [Virginia] Nov 26th 1862 [Wednesday] Dear Brother, It is with plasure that I write to you. I cant write mutch that would be intresing to you. I can tell you that I am well and enjoy good health most of the time witch is one of the gratest blesings on earth, and I hope this will find you the same. You may talk of the suney south and of the butiful cuntry and its butiful buildens and the large rivers, but so far as I know tis nothing compaird with old Delawares [New York] buildens and farms. The houses here are illshaped and dirty looking things. Some are partely whitewashed and the people are not like the[y] are up there in our cuntry. The[y] look as though the[y] dident know enough to eat. The barns are like larg hogpens. The axes are like some long bited duck hoe or I can chop as mutch with the hoe as I can with one of thoes axes. The cuntry is very uneven and the soil look though it would not rase white beans. The water is so hard that we cant wash ourselfs without soap. The timber is shrubed oak and pine. I think the timber and the people are far behind ours. We live very good here on maget sup, for in

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Dear Sister

the sup we had for dinner had just enough magets in it to make it good. Bill found some fat ones in his to day and he could not eat his dinner. I eat it for him. I can eat most any thing since I came here. A man [h]as got to have a strong stomech to live here. It is very cold here to night. I think it will snow some to night. The talk is now that we shall winter here. I dont belive the half that I hear for the boys will have some storeys for excitment. I think we will not go a great ways from here, for we are under Seagle [Major General Franz Sigel] and he is left back for a reserve. I must stop writing. Marvin, you must write. May the good Lord be with you and keep you from all harm and prepare you for heaven and eternal hapiness beyond this world of trubel. Good night to you now, Marvin, from your Brother, JG [James Gould] You must excuse my poor writing and bad spelling for I wrote in hast. a a a Camp Bliss Upton Hill VA November 26 1862 [Wednesday] Dear Sister, I recived the letter you sent in Jamess letter the 22 [November]. Was glad to hear from you once more. I am well and I hope this will find you the same and all the other folks. You will see that we have not moved yet. The other day we had orders to pack up and get three days rations and be ready to start in a minute but we did not. Monday we moved our tents. It was a busy time, I tell you. Last night after dark we was called up in line. The Col [Colonel David P. Dewitt] told us to get ready so we could form in line of battle in a hurry. Day light found us in our tents all quite [quiet]. There is all kinds of rumors in camp about Stonewall Jackson. The talk was last night that he was within 9 miles of us, some of the boys belived it. I did not. The weather is very changeable here. One day it will be quite pleasent and the next day it will be very teideious. I hope we will go farther south to winter where it will be warmer. I wrote a letter to Wesley some time ago. Have not got any answer yet. That makes three letters I have wrote to him scince he wrote to me. I wrote two letters to John, got one answer. Might as well say none. You tell him when he answers them I will write. You thought I had better help get some tomb stones. Well you can take one half of that bounty to get some tomb stones and to make a fence around them graves. Goodbye. Richard to Hannah

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Brother Marvin, I was glad to get a letter from you. I dont know wether you are glad to get a letter from me or not. Let that be as it may. I will write a few lines to you. You said you was gone out ahunting then I would hear of one deer being killed. I hope you will kill one that will weigh 400. That would be an old lunker. Good bye, Mr Thomas, as I must close for the want of room. Richard Gould You wanted to know what George Cain done with his money. He spends the most of it. Write soon, from your Brother. Hannah, you must kiss Gertrude for me. Tell her to be a good girl. a a a [Camp Bliss, Upton Hill VA] Nov 26th 1862 [Wednesday] Dear Sister, Jim & Dick are writing to you a letter, so I thought I would send a few lines too. I am pretty well. My throat has been sore 3 or 4 days but is now better. I have to keep a stocking on most of the time. Every time I take a little or big cold it settled in my throat. Hannah I hope you & Marve & Gerty are well also, injoying yourselves good. Last night it rained some but is not raining to day. The wind is north west and blows a heavy gale. It is rather cold too. We talk of going into winter quarters. Our officers have been and look out a place about 1 mile from here, so the probility is we are to stay here some time yet. Disease to a frightful extent abounds in our reg[iment]. Two have alridy died & one is now near dead that he cannot live the day out. Disease and death are in the camp of the 144 N.Y.V.I., poor fellows far from home in a strange land. Co B seems [to] suffer the most. Some 200 men are now reported sick in this reg. We have enough to eat and drink, but at times our clothing is rather to light. Well, Marve, perhaps a few lines to you would be interesting. You did not elect your candidate for Gov did you? [Democrat Horatio Seymore elected Governor of New York State] Well we did not write [vote] but wanted to. [Soldiers did not have the right to vote by absentee ballot yet.] I told you in a former letter that Frank Francisco was here. He was taken sick 2 or 3 weeks ago. He was sent to washington & from there to philadelphia to the hospital. George Ostrander has gone there too. George Tyler has been sick is now better. Dick Parks has been in hospital tent between 2 and 3 weeks but is now out and is not yet fit for duity.

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Dear Sister

Jesse is unfit for duity & had been for 1 week. Hank Hawks has been unwell but is now all right again. Jesse is home sick. Well, Marve, this war is a big thing. It is the place of all others for fun, you would enjoy it well, I know you would. It is no fun though when one is sick or wounded. Marve what do you think of the war now? I do not know how soon but suppose it will soon be when Gen. Burnsides army will fight again. I hope that they may be succesful in distroying and captureing Lee[’s] whole force before going into winter quarters. Marve, is John a stable his cattle in my barn? The instructions I sent you some time ago, you will try to obey. Marve, if you can get $70.00 for the oxen perhaps you better sell them if you cannot find work for them to do this winter. Do you intend the[y] draw my logs & bark? I will let you have the bark. Marve, you must stand up the sap troves so that you can find them next spring. I will write. From William Gould a a a [Camp Bliss, Virginia] November 30th 1862 [Sunday]

Dear Brother and Sister, As I am going to send a letter to Henry I thought I would send a few lines to you. I am enjoying myself and hope this will find you and Gertrude the same. We got that box night before last. I thought more of it then any thing I ever got. It made me think of home and the good times I use to have. I expect to get home by spring and have some more good times and see you again. You must keep up good courage. Look at the bright side of every thing. Put your trust in the Lord, he is able to cheer you through all the sorrows of this world. I got a letter from George. He is most discourage. I expect it does look rather hard acording to his story. I feel sorry for him and would like to be there to help him work. I think I could work like a hero, at least I would like to try it any how. Well, Marvin, I suppose it is cold weather up there. It must have been good hunting. I wish I was there to hunt with you. I think we would knock over about two. That cant be at present this winter. I have got to hunt rebles. They aint worth as much as a good buck. I beleive I would rather kill old Jeff [CSA President Jefferson F. Davis] than four bucks. It would do the country more good. I have not got a letter from Wesley yet. Well as I cannot think of any thing more, so I will close. Give my love to all

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enquiring Friends and except some the same yourself. I remain your Affeconate Brother, Richard Gould Direct as before Write soon. a a a Camp near Fredericksburg VA Dec the 4 1862 [Thursday] Brother Marvin, I now sit me down to write a few lines to you. All is quite [quiet] here at present. The rebels still occupy Fredericksburg, but how strong they are we cannot tell, but I think that they are drawing there force towards Richmond. There is a rumor now that all of the force here except the 9th and 2nd armey corps are going to go up the James River and try Richmond from that way again. The rebel capatial will soon be ours in my opinion. We where paid yesterday and so I bought some paper and thought I would write to you. I am happy to say that I am well and hope this will find you enjoying the same blessing. We have just been fixing up the tent and have got it so that it is quite comfortable. Last night was the coldest night that we have had, but it is a nice day. The sun shines very warm for this time of the year. I suppose that you have plenty of snow. I wish that I where there to go a hunting, but there is no use of wishing. You and Hannah must have lonesome times now but you must not let the war trouble you, for it is not going to last much longer and then we will have good times again. I expect to live with you when I come home again. I am going to send you and Hannah some money and you can use it for aney thing that you want, for I would rather that you would use it than not. You will pay my taxes and I will make it all right with you. Well, Marve, I have seen some hard times since I last wrote to you. I have been almost starved to death some times but thank fortune we have plenty to eat now. I beleive that I am tough or I never could have stood as much as I have, whilst some of our biggest and best men keep giveing out every day and still I stand it. I never gave out yet and there is very few soldiers can say that much. I wish it where so that you and Hannah could come down here and see us, for I would like to see you. The boys from the Basket are all well. Give my love to all of the folks. Kiss Gertrude for me. Tell her that uncle Wes would like to see her. Well, Marve, I can think of nothing more to write. I must stop and get my dinner and then we will have to go to drilling,

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Dear Sister

so good bye. Write as soon as you get this. Please send me some postage stamps, for we can not get aney of them here. Wesley Gould To Marvin Thomas Direct as Before. Enclosed you will find a ten dollar Bill No. 18496. a a a Camp near Fredericksburg VA Dec the 6 1862 [Saturday] Dear Sister, I received your kind letter of Sunday and Monday last yesterday. Was very glad to hear from you but was sorry to hear that Gertrude was unwell. Hope that she is well before this time. We had quite a snow storm here last night but we had our tent fixed, so the storm did not effect us much, but it is most too cold to be comfortable, but I can stand it if we do not have aney colder weather than this is. I wrote a letter to Marvin day before yesterday. I also sent ten dollars. Directed it to Harvard [New York]. All is quite [quiet] here at present, but do not expect it to remain so long. There is a large armey here. Sickels old Brigade is here [Major General Daniel E. Sickles, Excelsior Brigade]. I have been to see them. Saw quite a number of the boys that I was recruited with. Saw the co. that Charles was in. They where the first boys I had seen since I left home that I knew. I was very glad to see them. They have seen hard times since they left home. Have done some hard fighting. Too maney of the brave boys have either been killed or wounded. Well, Hannah, it is getting both late and cold so I will postpone till morning, hopeing that we will both have a good nights rest. Sunday Morning This morning finds me in the enjoyment of good health. Hope it will find you enjoying the same blessing. The boys from the Basket are all well. It looks very much like winter does up in our country and feels like it too. It is most to[o] cold to write, but I have to write this morning or not at all, for we are going to have inspection this afternoon. Well, Hannah, I believe that I would rather be at home to work than to be a soldiering, such weather as this is, but as long as it had to be done I dont know as I am aney better to do it than aney body else, but I hope that it will not need aney soldiers much longer, and it is the general opinion that it will not. The rebels are in great trouble. They have give up all hopes of foreign intervention and a great maney of them are on

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the point of starvation. You said that you would send me some things if I thought I would get them. I do not know weather I would get them or not. Gen Burnside has issued an order that all express boxes belonging to soldiers should be forwarded to them, so I guess that there would be no danger, but what I would get them. You can do as you think best. Give my respects to all the folks. Kiss the girl for me. Write as soon as you get this. Wesley to his sister Hannah Enclosed you will find five dollars. Direct as before. The postage stamps that you sent me come very good, for we cannot get aney here. a a a Camp Bliss VA Dec 14 1862 [Sunday] Dear Sister, I recived yours of the 8 and 9th [December]. Was glad to hear from you and to hear that you was all well. This leaves me so. Hope it will you the same. So John has got a house of his own after a while. Wish I was there to make him a visit in his new house. [John’s family moved out of the original homestead. Hannah and Marvin remain and raised their family there.] I would like to come home and see the whole of you. I live in hopes that I will come home in the spring then I think I’ll be free once more. Our Capt [Benjamin Reynolds] is the worst one in the Regt. He wants to do every thing that he thinks is right, wether it is or not. Some of our boys says if they live to get home, he had better look out. I dont speak to him when I can help it. Some of the others is same. I do not mean to complain for I can stand it if the other boys can. You said you [had not] got a letter from Wesley in some time. I got one just two weeks ago to morrow. He was well. Said he got a letter from home. He hardly [has] time to write to me. I guess he has seen some fighting before this time. I am in hurry to hear from the Regt he is in. I am sorry to hear that Henry and his wife [Eliza] has had a falling out and are agoing to part. I think if I was in his place I would try to live together. If I could not, I would join the army. Tell Gerty I wish I was there to eat some of that fat pig and too see rosey new clothes and kiss her. The weather is quite warm now but one week ago it was real winter weather. I was out on picket two days. Got back yesterday and to day on guard. Could not get any dinner, so I got out of patience and got my mind in flurry so I cannot write much nor good. What little I do write, you must excuse all mistakes. I try to serve the Lord but it is hard place I tell you, go where

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Dear Sister

ever you will, you will hear some swearing or lying. You must pray for me. I will try and pray for myself. Give my love to all enquiring friends and except the same yourself. Good Bye for this time. Write soon. Direct as before. I saw Jim to day. He is well. So is Bill. [Richard Gould] a a a Camp Bliss Upton Hill Dec 25th 1862 [Thursday] Dear Sister, I seat myself with pen in hand to address you a few lines. I am as well as ever and injoying myself very well. This is one of the most pleasent Christmas days I ever saw. The sun is shing warm and the sky is clear. I received the letter you sent me on Tuesday last and was very glad to hear that your self and the rest were all injoying good health. This is good news to me. Am glad to hear such good news from home. Well, Hannah, it is some time since I wrote to you but I suppose you see Marve often and so hear how we are getting along. I have written to Cynthia twice a week. She sent me one since she was up home and she said you had Mr. Clark to work at the house. You wanted Cynt to help buy the paper & etc but she said she was not willing to lay out to[o] much expense at present. What ever is nessary to do you may do. We will pay one half of the expensis. I do not know how long we may have to stay here but think we may come back by next June. This is my calculations and have been all the time. We have had some bad luck at Fredericksburg but hope that we may have better luck next time. [Army of the Potomac had nearly 12,700 killed and wounded.] We get the papers every day almost but have seen none to day. There is some men hear that are discourage and sick of the war. They say this war can never be ended by fighting. This is the class of men that talked secesh [secession] at home and who came here to get the pay and have no interest in the war. For my part I do not see that we can stop fighting untill the southern armies are destroyed. This I think can be done. Dick is on picket. He is to come back to day. James is well and is now a tuieteeing [tweeting] and fixing up our tent and beds. There has been a great deal of sickness in our regt. since we left Delhi [New York] but is now less. I do not like a soldiers life very well. It is not the danger that makes me dislike it. It is too unsettled and I shall be glad when the war is over, so I may come back and settle down again. Some times I long to be at home to see to things there, but will not for one moment suffer my self to get home

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sick, as this would do no good & would be injourest [injurious] to me. I try to content myself and do succeed very well. Nothing but the hope of returning home does keep us so contented as we are. We have not heard from Wes in 3 weeks but do not think he fell in or took a part in the late fight as I cannot find where the 45 reg [45 PVI] were engaged in that terable conflict. Hope to hear from him soon. You thought I was to[o] severe with John. Perhaps I was but it did make me impacient when I heard of proceedings. We have not got our pay yet and do not know when we shall get it. Hope it will be soon. You said you had settled with John and paid him. Will you send me the sums or figuers you payed him at diferent times, also what I payed & what the. . . . .was interest and all I should like to see it. Tell Gertrude that there is a whole bunch of dogs here, great big black ones most as big as Annah. Tell her to be a good girl and do as mom & dad tells her to, then when I come home I will bring her some thing good. William Gould We had for dinner to day chicken fried cakes, bread, beaf, and bean soup. The two men who tent with us have just got a box of goods for a Christmas present and we of course got some. Hannah, I wish you a merry Christmas. This is the first time I have been away from home on Christmas is it not? We are holding Christmas in camp to day. Shall go over and see Dick soon as I finish this. I am sorrey to learn of the backward condishion of the church in our place. Do you have daly worship? Hannah, we have prayer every night in our tent. May the Lord keep us all faithful. Yours, William Gould a a a Camp Bliss Upton Hill VA December 26th 1862 [Friday] Dear Sister, It is with pleasure that I set down to write a few lines to you. I am well and enjoying myself tiptop. Hope those few lines will find you enjoying the same blessing. I have plenty of work to do. Last Sunday I was on guard. Monday went out on picket. Stayed till Thursday about three oclock. This forenoon we had a Com drill and the afternoon a battilion drill, fire blank cartridges &c. I was over in the 144 [NYVI] to see the boys [brothers] yesterday. They are well. I took Christmas supper with

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Dear Sister

them. It consist of coffee, beef, pork, and bread. It was a very good supper for a soldier, but I hope we will have a better one next year. I hope this war will be ended by the spring so we can see all of our friends again in this world, but if we are not permited to, let us try to meet in heaven where there is no wars. As I am going to write some to Marvin I must close. Good Bye for this time. Your Brother, Richard Write soon. Kiss Gerty for me. Let me know what John is adoing. Tell him to write. Brother Marvin, I will try and write a few lines to you. I am well. Hope you are the same. When I was on picket some of the pickets killed a cow and took all they wanted. We found it so we had some fresh beef. It was good. I tell you we have fun enough when we are on picket. The furthest post is about 5 mile up hill and then down and to venice [Vienna Woods, Virginia] a little down then up hill. Some places the woods is so thick it is a job to get through. Most all the trees are pine and cedar. Well I suppose you have some fine times up there with the women [wives]. Wishe I was there to see all of the folks, the girls to[o], but then that cannot be at present. I live in hopes of better days. You said you was going out to hunt then I would hear of one deer keeling over. I dont know wether you have been out or not but I do know that I have not heard of any deer being kill yet. You must take good care of your self and the best you can. When you write let me know if you take the Monticello [New York] paper or not. I will have to close for want of room. Write soon and except the best wishes of Brother Richard Gould. Direct as before.

CHAPTER 3

1863: Wesley, James, Richard, William Camp Bliss Upton Hill VA Jan 6th 1863 [Tuesday] Dear Sister, I received your letter about three hours ago. I have just come in from picket. Been out 3 days so I dont know how long it has been in camp. I was over in the 144 [NYVI]. Jim was writing to you so I thought I would write a few lines. I am well & enjoying myself as usual and I scincerely hope this will find you the same. I am glad that you had a good meeting. O how I wish I had been there to enjoy the pleasure of hearing you all speak in class meeting, but that cannot be at present, but I hope the time is fast approaching when I can come home and enjoy all prevliges of a Citizen. Still I dont mean to complain for I think this war will not last long then we can all come home. You said you would like to step in my tent and see me. If you did you would be surprised to see what a tent I live in. You would think that a fellow would freeze to death but we dont. You said you had made some sausages and some mince pies. You thought they would taste good. If I could get at them, well I guess that it would. You wanted to know how I like picket duty. I like it well enough when it is fine weather. Jim heard from Wesley. He is well. The fellow that wrote the letter says he is one of the best soldiers in the company. I am agoing to write some to Marvin so I will have to close. Hopeing we may see each other soon, I remain your affectionate Brother, Richard Gould

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Dear Sister

Brother Marvin, I will try to answer your welcom letter. Was glad to hear from you. I am well. Hope you are the same. I hope the snow wont get to[o] deep or else you wont keep in a good rig [supply]. You said you would if the snow did not get to[o] deep. I am glad that the girls are all well up there. You said I must come home and go out to the donation new year. You would have like for me. I wish I was there. I would go out there, take some girl. Would try to keep her warm, I will warrent you. I have just had my dinner. It consist of rice, soup, fresh beef, bread, good enough for any soldier. We have not got any pay for some time but we expect some soon. Our buys [sutler supplies] is all out. It is quite bad for us. Write soon. Give my love to all enquiring friends and except the same yourself. You must excuse all mistakes. a a a Camp Bliss [Virginia] Jan 6th 1863 [Tuesday] Dear Brother and Sister, I have just come in from picket. I went out last Saturday. I had a nice time of it. We had one little storm. I like to go on picket when the weather is pleasant. You will find by this letter that I am well and I hope these few lines will find you the same. It is raining here this afternoon. I am siting in my tent verry comfortable while I am writing to you. The wind is in the south west and verry warm for January. I think our nice weather is past for this winter, for I think we are going to get a long storm of rain, then we shall have mud enough to sute any one. We have had the best kind of weather last fall and so far this winter for our armey to fight, and the[y] have not don[e] mutch towards ending this war. Our head men all the[y] care for is money. The[y] dont want the war to end while the[y] are making so mutch money. The[y] dont care for 5 or 10 thousand mens lives or do the[y] care for our country. That is the generals this side of Richmond. The[y] are fighting most of the time in the south west. I wish we was there to help them, for we are not doing mutch good here. I wish General Burnside would go to fighting and do something if he could. There is no need of staying here and do nothing and let the men die off with deaises. I did no[t] come down here to lay idle and stay away from loved ones at home. I want to fight if we have got to and get through with this war and them that lives could come home. Richard is here. He is well. I have not had a letter from Wesley since I came here. I have sent two or three to him. I think he [h]as forgotin that he [h]as got any friends [family]. One of our men in our

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company got a letter to day from his Brother that tents with Wesley. He said that Wesley was well and give him the prase of being one of the best soldiers in there company. I shall have to bring my letter to a close. You must excuse me for not writeing before. You must write as soon as you can, for you have got better chance to write then I have. We have meetings in our tent once or twice week. May the Lord be with you, so good night to you. This is from your Brother, JG. Tell Loisa [Gertrude] to be a good girl and that her Uncle Jim [h]as not forgoten her and will not as long as he lives. Loisa, from your Uncle James Gould a a a Camp near Falmouth VA Jan the 17 1863 [Saturday] Dear Brother Marvin, I received your letter last evening. Was glad to hear from you and to hear that you where well. I have just been writting to Hannah and thought I would write to you. I thank you very much for sending me the Postage stamps for now I can write oftener. Well, Marvin, I must now give you a discription of our house. It is about two feet long & six wide. There is five of us live in it, namley Segt Richard Humphry, Sergt Henry Ford, Corp A. D. Campbell, F. W. Ford & myself. We think as much of one another as we could if we where brothers. They are all of them good Boys. When one of us get aney thing we divide with the others so we have something good to eat. Most of the time there is but one that uses tobacco and Whiskey. We will not drink so I think that we are a very moral set of fellows for soldiers. Well, Marve, you say that you expect me to live with you when this war is done with. That is my intentions if I live to get back home. Then we will have happy times, for we will do nothing but farm it & I never knew a farmer but he was happy or a great deal more so than his neighbors who drove two or three kinds of business and never accomplished aney thing, but I do not know when I will be able to come home, but they cant keep me always for I have already served half of my time, and if this is not over when my time is out I will let some one else fight, for I think that I will have done my share by that time. We get all the news here for some one of us gets a dailey paper every day. You do not like McClellan [General George B.] because you think that he is linked in with the Demmocratic party, that is the opinion of most people. I think that it was his ententions to do as little fighting as possible so that this

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war wouldent be setteled under the present Adminestraition and then the Demmocrats would elect him for president, but old Abe [President Abraham Lincoln] see his plan and throwed him out, so now the Demmocrats are doing all they can to ruin old Burnsides [Burnside replaced McClellan as commander Army of the Potomac], but they might as well give it up for all of the peace crying men that want us to lay our arms down and give up to the rebels will be hated worse than the cowboys & Tories of the old Revolution. Such men now occupy our congress & sennate chambers and their name will be thought less of than the men now in arms against us. Write soon and believe me your friend till death. Wesley Gould To Marvin Thomas Direct as before. P.S. You may look for stirring news from the armey of the Potomac soon for we are under marching orders now, but I guess that we wont move till Monday. Good bye. You must do with my things the same as you would if they where your own. Give my best wishes to all of the folks. Kiss Gertrude for me. You may expect to hear from me soon. Excuse poor writting. a a a Camp near Falmouth VA Jan 20th 1863 [Tuesday] Dear Sister, I received your letter Saturday stateing that you could not get the box expressed that you was going to send to me. It is to[o] bad but cant be helped. I wrote to you stateing that we was going to move. We have not moved yet but still are under marching orders. I suppose that is the reason why you could not get the box expressed. I would have answered your letter before but was on picket. We picket on this side of the River [Rappahonnack] and the rebs on the other side. We talk to one another & very often exchange papers. It is agreed on both sides that there will be no shooting of pickets, so it makes it much better than it would be if a man was in danger of getting shot. It was our orders this time not to have aney communication with the enemy on account of the move. We do not want them to know that we are going to move. They sent papers over to us but we dare not send aney to them. They are very anxious to get hold of our papers. They are still fortifying. They work both day & night. You may ask how we manage to exchange papers. I will tell you. We take a small piece of board or plank and put some sticks up for

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masts then we attach cloth or paper for sails and let it sail across. Two of our boys got drownded one day while crossing in a little boat so they will not allow aney more crossing of the River. Well, Hannah, myself and the rest of the boys from that place are well and it is my wish that this will find you and the rest of the folks enjoying the same blessing. Give my best wishes to all of the folks. You & Marvin & Gerty must not get discouraged because everything dont go right. We must expect reverse winds to try us. We cannot always expect our arms to be crowned with victory. I have just been reading the history of the old Revolution & to see how they fought for their country and what reverses they met with but still they fought on. I should think myself a traitor if I was to grumble at the fare we have when our forefathers had to go without clothing or food and did grumble. What reason have we to complain? All that I can complain of is so maney traitors at the north, but they may yet get their just rewards. I do not think that this war can last much longer. The rebels will not give up till the last moment but they will not be able to stand much longer. They have give up all hopes of foreign intervention and now look for help from the leading Demmocrats of the North, but I guess that they will not help them aney if it takes the money from their own pockets. They will talk but when they come to do it they will not find it so easy & I pitty such men when the soldiers get home. Perhaps they do not think of this. I must close. Good Bye. Write as soon as you get this. Excuse poor writing. Yours in haste, Wesley Gould To Hannah Thomas Direct as before I am going to write to the Boys at Upton Hill. a a a Camp Bliss [Virginia] Jan 20th 1863 [Tuesday] Dear Brother and Sister, Tis with great pleasure that I write to you, hopeing these few lines will find you all well. I am well and enjoy my self very good for a soldier boy. I recived your kind letter of the 11 [January] and was glad to hear that you was well. I sent a letter to you about two weeks ago and you had not got it when you wrote to me. I got letter from Mary last evening. She and the baby [Martha] was well. The weather [h]as been some cold for a few days past. We are bless with the finest of winter weather. There is no snow to be seen here. The air feels like snow this morning and it looks very mutch like storm. The wind is in the south. We had quite a

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rain the other night. One day it will be cold and the next day warm. Very unhealthy weather for the soldiers. This is the cuntry for farmers to get rich. The[y] can plough the best part of winter. The more I see of this cuntry the better I like it. When we first came here, I did not like the looks of Virginia. The farther we get back from Washington the better the farms here, or the[y] was before the war began. Now the[y] are growing up with weads. The fences are all burnt up and the buildings are all torne down and carrey away. Most of the property is distroyed. Onley the land, some of the land, is very bad for the forts and the ditches are so many it will spoil some of the farms. There is not mutch war news just now. . . . Hannah, you wanted me to tell you the news in our camp and tent. The news in our tent is that we are trying to serve the Lord. We have prayer meetings in our tent twice a week and one of us reads a chapter, and pray every night before laying down to sleep. One will do it one, and so we take turns. I enjoy my[self] better here serveing the Lord then I did at home. Tis easeyer for me to serve the Lord then I did at home. I can see the evils of camp life and the wickedness of the camp. O tis my hearts desier to live the life of the righteous that I may die there death. I shall afto [have to] bring my letter to close. You must write when you can and not wate for me. Good by for this time, but not forever I hope. From your Brother, James Gould To Hannah And Marvin Thomas Remember me though far away Remember me when ere you pray And if the grave first my lot should be Remember me forget me not J. Gould Tell Gerty Uncle Jim [h]as not forgot her. I often think of her. Tell [her] Uncle Jim is comeing home one of these days, then he will bring her home nice candy if she is good. Good by, Gerty. This from your Uncle James Gould. a a a [Camp Bliss, Upton Hill, Virginia] Marvin Thomas Esq [January, 1863] Dear Brother, Your kind sheet of the 15th [January] was gladly received by me day before yesterday, and I was very glad to hear you were injoying yourself so well. I am well too. Marve, I do not think you could stand it to live in camp. The toughest men some times are sick and the cases are frequently too well. I suppose you would like to know how the boys you

Gould family burial plot, Goulds, New York, 1997. Photograph courtesy of Joel Brustmann.

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know are. Hank Hawk is unfit for duity and has been. Emmet Early is not smart [healthy]. Jess is some sick. Sam Weeks is as tough as a bear. There is none of co. F in the hospital now. Hank Laken has been sent to the hospital at washington. You said that John had got the money, the bounty, and did not or had not said any thing about it or divideing it. I supposed this would be the case, but you George & Hank must see about such matters. If I were at home then I would talk to him and find out what he intends to do. [Combined federal, state, and county bonuses for three year enlistments reached as high as a thousand dollars.] I suppose there is to be reserved a sufficient sum to get the grave stones. This you must find out, then let him take out the expensis whatever is left divide of course. If John get the ton and 1⁄2 of hay, it will more then pay him, so if he wants the 1⁄2 ton he must pay for it. It must not be sold for less than $10 per ton. And if he pay for the use of the wagon then he will have enough beside the 1⁄2 ton. You said this war could not be settled by fighting. I see that you are the same, Marve, yet now, Marve, how would you settle it? Will you suggest some plan? I can see no other way but to fight it out, eather subdue this rebellion or to persish in the attempt. When I write again I will tell more about it. In the mean time I do not see why we should be discouraged because we have met with one re-puls. 800,000 men in the field and lost 10,000 [Fredericksburg Campaign]. No more now. You must write again. From your brother and well wisher, William Gould James would have sent a line but he has had no time. a a a Camp Bliss Upton Hill VA February 3rd 1863 [Tuesday] Dear Sister, It is with pleasure I seat myself to pen a few lines to you. I received your kind letter night before last when on picket and will try to answer it. Was glad to hear you was well. I am not very well at present. I caught a very bad cold when I was on picket. It is not to be wondered at for my feet was wet for four days. It is very muddy. The snow fell about one foot but it has almost gone now, that is what makes it so muddy. I hope the roads will soon dry up so we can do something to bring this war to a close, for I think it is quite doubtful if this war will end by spring, but I hope it will so I can come home and live a farmers life once

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more. You must not think I am homesick, for I am not, but then I would like to be my own master once more, but I am afried it will last our term of enlistment. I recived that box some time ago. Was glad to get it but I would liked it better if Wesley could have had it, for I think he needs it more then I do. You said you got a letter from him. So did I not long ago. How I would like to see him so. Tell Gerty I got the cander [candy] and eat it up. Suposed Grace [George’s daughter] sent it. Tell her I would like to see and kiss her. I found the two penneys she sent me. I will keep them to remember her by. You said you and Sarah [John’s wife] went out avisiting Georges folks. When you came back Marvin was gone and that was the third night he had been out that week. It is to[o] bad. He had ought to stay at home and try to comfort you and make home as pleasent as possible for it must be lonesome. Make the best of it. I hope the boys [brothers] will do the best they can for you. Put your trust in the Lord. He is able and willing to save you to utter most. Pray for me, for it is a hard place to serve the Lord. I can set in my tent and hear some body swearing most any time. I am going to send a few lines to Marvin, so I will have to close by sending you my best wishes. Write soon. Richard Gould Excuse all mistakes and the dirty paper. a a a Camp Bliss Upton Hill VA February 3rd 1863 [Tuesday] Dear Brother Marvin, I was glad to hear from you once more and to hear you was well and enjoying yourself as usual. Hope this will find you the same. I have a bad cold but I will soon get over it, then I will be all sound again and ready for almost any thing that comes in my way. I hear you have your hands full to wait on all the women [wives] in the woods [South Wood, New York]. You must not hurt yourself for that would be to[o] bad. You must write a big letter next time you write and tell all the news and how the girls are. Richard to Marvin Good bye. Write soon. a a a

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Camp near Newport News VA Feb 15th 1863 [Sunday] Dear Brother, I now sit me down to write a few lines to you. I received yours & Hannah of the 11th inst [February] last night. Was glad to hear that you where all well. We have once more left the Army of the Potomac [transferred to Department of Virginia] and I am glad of it, for that army will never accomplish aney thing as long as there is so much jealousey among the officers. The old Ninth army corps is here. We expect soon to go south. If we do I hope that old Burnside will go with us. [Burnside asked President Lincoln to support his removal of subordinate Generals. Lincoln chose to replace Burnside with Major General Joseph Hooker on January 26, 1863.] We had a very pleasant trip in coming here. We came on the Steamer John A. Warner. Quite likely you have seen her, for she used to run on the old Delaware River. Well, Marve, it is getting most spring. I wish I could be there to help you make Maple Sugar but there is no use of wishing. I think that it will be so that I can come home a year from next spring. There is one of the new monitors [ironclad ship] laying here. The Galena is here too. They are expecting the [C.S.S.] Merrimack now to [come] out here every day, she is now lying below Fort Darling. I wish she would come out. I would like to see the fight. I am on guard to day & so I do not have much time to write, but I thought I would let you know that I was not dead. I am well & hope this will find you & the rest of the folks enjoying the same blessing. Give my best wishes to all the folks. Tell Hannah that I will write to her soon. The boys from around there is all well. You must not get discouraged because this war lasts so long, for conquer we must when our cause it is just. I hear that we have got the rebel supplies cut off at Vicksburg [Mississippi]. Hope that we have got that place before this time. I think it will not be long before we will do something with such a large army & navy. I do not see what is to hinder. We expect soon to hear of the fall of Charleston & Savannah, for we have got a good many ironclads in that direction. Well I must close. Write soon. It will take you long enough to read this so I will not write aney more. Kiss Louisa for me. This is from your old Friend Wesley Address Co F 45th regt Penn Vols Newport News VA via Fortress Monroe in care of Col Welsh P.S. Let me know if you got the 5 dollars I sent Hannah last month. a a a

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Camp near Newport News VA Feb 19th 1863 [Thursday] Dear Sister, I now sit me down to write a few lines to you. I received a letter from Cynt & Mary last night. Was glad to hear that you where all well. I wrote a letter to Marvin a short time since. Well, Hannah, there is nothing of importance going on here at present. We are all well & I hope this will find you the same. Cynt wrote that Gertrude was sick with the sore throat. I hope she is well before this time. We have a very hard rain storm here for the past three days. It has not been very cold. I suppose you have got cold weather there now. I would like to have been there to the donation that you had to Neers. Cynt wrote that they had one to Browns but you could not go because Louisa was sick. You must not get discouraged because the Boys are soldiers, for this is a good place for young men I think. There is some weak minded young men that acquire bad habits here, but they are but little use aney how, & if a person lives through this war he need never be sorry that he was a soldier. There is good maney folks who think that it is something dreadful to be a soldier. I think that there need be no one ashamed to say that he was a soldier. A man is seeing a good deal of the world without spending aney money. I for one am not sorry that I enlisted. There is some of our boys [Basket Creek] going home on Furloughs. I would like to come home and see you but I cannot yet. It may be so that I can come before long, but I think we are going south. If we do there will be no use of trying to get home till the war is setteled & I hope that time will soon come. The government is going in to it with more earnestness than ever. They see that something has got to be done and that quickly. You may expect soon to hear glourious news from the south & south west. Well it is getting most dinner time & I must stop for this time. Write as soon as you get this & belive me your brother, Wesley Address Co F 45th regt P.V. Newport News via Fortress Monroe care Col Welsh a a a Arlington Mills, VA Feb. 22th 1863 [Sunday] Dear Brother and Sister, I take my pen in hand to let you know that I am still alive and well and

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trying to serve the Lord. I hope and pray these few lines will find you all enjoying the same blesing. We are geting one of the coldest and largest snow storms we have had this winter. It comenced snowing last night about midnight and is snowing still. This is what trys the soldiers. The wind is in the north east and bids fare for long storm. Our company is still in the woods geting wood. I have not seen Dick since last Sunday. He was well then. I should of gone over to see him to day if it had not stormed, the[y] are three miles from here. I am seting in our little white house while I am writeing to dear ones far away. Well, Hannah and Marve, how would you like to live in a house where you could not stand up? It is very uncomfortable. In stormy weather when our cloths get wet the[y] have got to dry on us. I have whent to bed many a night with wet cloths so to dry them. I am wet and cold while I am writeing to you. We have got fire in front of our tent but the storm makes the wood all wet. It is not very warm but we have got to stand it. I am wiling to put up with it as long as I am well and I hope that will be as long as I stay in the armey, but the Lords will be done and not ours. There must be some good news the[y] have heard at Washington for the[y] are fireing canons. Tis something new to fire canons in sutch a storm. I have just been to dinner. We had rice, supe, and beef, and bread. What more could soldier wish for, onely to be at home with his loved ones. That we may all wish for time and again before we can come home. We may all soon come home and we may never see home. I hope and pray that the Lord will spare our lives to come home all well and sound. May the good Lord grant and prepare us all to live the life of the righteous and we shall die there death. I shall have to close for this time. You must write often. Give my love to all. I was glad to recived your kind letter of 15th [February] and to hear that you was all alive but you and Louisa had bad colds. I hope by the time you get this it will find you all well once more. May the Lord be with you all. I shall have to bid you good by once more, not for ever I hope. This from your Affectionate Brother, James Gould to Marvin and Hannah Thomas Kiss Louisa for her Uncle Jim and tell her I cant kiss Uncle Will for he has got so mutch wiskers on his face. Good by to Girte. a a a Arlington Mills [Virginia] Feb 22th 1863 [Sunday] Dear Sister, I received your welcom letter yesterday and was glad to hear such good

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tidings from home though you and Losia were rather unwell. Yet I hope by this time are in good health. It is but Saturday night and I have dated this the 22, for when I fist took my pen I only intended to write a few words for I am writing by fire light. I am in my usual good health. We are still at the wood buisiness, dont know how long we may be at it. I like it full as well as to drill & if we were detailed to work at it for 6 or 8 months should be well pleased with the plan, but if we are to stay only one month or so I would rather be with the regt and learn to drill as I take quite a notion for knowledge of that kind. Good night, Hannah. Will

Sunday morning All well. We are having one of the greatest snow storms I have seen in time. The snow is falling fast and we dont know but we shall have sleighing yet. I am glad that you had so good a donation at Neerses and that it went off so good too. You did do pretty well, [is not] that so, and $20.00 with what he had before is quite enough, is it not? The war goes on slowly does it not? But then I see nothing discourage yet. We are preparing for a vigerous on set at several points. How does Hank and Lise [Eliza] get along? John & Sarah also? We are so situated that we have not had a prayer meeting since we came here, but have prayer every night before retiring. Our men are continualy growing more wicked and if our cause was not that of God & liberty I should despair of ever subdueing the south. I got $20.36 paid up to the first of Nov. We shall soon have 4 months pay due us. Good bye, Hannah, from your brother, William to Hannah

To Marvin Dear Brother, I was glad to hear from you, to hear such faverable news also. I am well. Hope this will find you the same. I hope you will have no trouble about the oxen. I am sorry that uncle Andrew disgraced himself, but then he is a democrat and we can expect nothing els from him. When do you think this war will come to an end? I be hanged if I know anything about the end of it, but it does seem to me that it will end some time. Have not seen Dick in fortnight. H.[Henry] Laken has come back to the regt again. We are having one of the sweetest snowstorms yet, I bet. Well I must stop. You lost your town meeting dident you [nomination of political office seekers]?

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P.S. What are you agoing to name your boy? [Hannah gave birth to a girl in 1863.] William Gould a a a Camp DeWitt Near Fairfax Seminary VA February 28th 1863 [Saturday] My Dear Sister, It is with pleasur I take my pen in hand to write a few lines to answer yours of the 24th [February] which I recived about an hour ago. Was glad to hear from you once more. Was sorry you was not well. I hope those few lines will find [you] well. It leaves me the same, but the other day I had the tooth ache. Four or five grumbled like sixty. You said you heard Warren was Corpral. So he is. He dont feel very proud of his office. If it was not natural for men to asspire or rais in the sight of their fellow men, nobody would crave office, but as it is most everybody will except the chance. George Cain dont feel bad about his folks or at least he dont if you can judge by his actions, for he has got money most of the time. Dont let anybody see this nor dont you tell anybody, for if you do he will hear of it and it will create hard feelings. I want to live in friendship with all of the boys in my company. It makes it much better than it is to quarill. Hannah, this is a hard place for one to serve the Lord. I will try to serve him but I do a great many things that [I] ought not to do and leave undone things that I ought to do, for in excitement and the talk it draws one mind from him that deserve all of our attention. Pray for me and I will try and pray for myself so if we never meet in this world of sorrow we may meet in a world where there is no more wars. Give my love to enquiring friends and except the same yourself. Write soon and believe that I remain, your loving Brother, Rich Gould Dear Brother Marvin, I recived your kind letter in due time. Was very glad to hear you was well. Hope this will find you the same. This leaves me hale and hearty. Some of the boys says I am getting fleshy. I dont know how that is but hope it is so. I am happy to hear Henry and his wife agrees better then they did, for it makes me feel bad to hear of any trouble at home. You spoke about the Rebs at home. There is a day of reckoning coming when they will get their pay if they aint care.

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You must tell John and Henry to write to me if they think enough of me to pay for the paper and postage. If not let them keep it. You must excuse me for writing such. . . . write often. Kiss Girtty for me. Richard to Marvin Direct as before. a a a Camp near Newport News VA March 1st 1863 [Sunday] Brother Marvin, I now improve the oppurtunity of writting a few lines to you. I received your letter of the 24 inst [February] yesterday. Was glad to hear that you was well, but sorry to hear that Hannah was sick. Hope she will soon get well. There has nothing of importance occured since I last wrote you. Well, Marvin, what do you think of the reception the cooperheads [Copperheads] got out in old Kentucky? They got just such a one as they will wherever they go where there is union soldiers. Let one of them come in our camp & make such speeches as they do in New York City and he will never get away alive. It is true that we have got some soldiers here that are just as much secesh [secessionist] as the most of the men in the rebel army, but there is but few of them and they dare not speak their sentiment. All of such men are Demmocrats. I wish they would pass a law allowing the soldiers to vote. It is couris [curious] that they dont. Here we are a fighting for the union and the folks at home and cannot vote. [An eligible citizen voted at place of residency; absentee ballots were not used in 1863.] It is doing us injustice. If the soldiers had been allowed to vote last fall, the elections would have went differant from what it did. There is but few men but what want the North to conquer the south, but they do not want it to be done under the present administration. They want to prolong this war till Lincolns time is out, then they are going to put McClellan in president and have him settle the war so he and his folowers will get all of the glory, but that time will never come. McClellan can never be President of the so called United States. He has killed himself by forming in with that peace clique. If he had done as old Burnside did it would have been much better for him. Burnside dident go and get in with a lot of Political Traitors. He is now going to take command in some department, I dont know where. [Reassigned in March, Burnside took command of the Department of Ohio.] If his subordinates had obeyd him at the Battle of Fredericksburg, we would not recrossed the River till we had annihilated the rebel army.

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There is some dark deeds that was done at that time that will come to light some day. Well, Marvin, I hear that Fremont [Major General John C.] is going to have a command some where. I hope it is so, for the rebel Jackson [CSA Lieutenant General Thomas J.] said he was the only General we had that he was afraid of. [Near Wesley’s birth site, the new Town of Fremont, named after the general, was formed November 1, 1851.] I am well at present & hope this will find you & the rest of the folks enjoying the same blessing. The boys from the Basket are all well. Write as soon as you get this. Give this medal [Purple Heart] to Gertrude. Tell her to wear it for my sake. Good bye. I remain your old friend, Wesley Address as before. P.S. When you write give me Uncle Richards address. I want to write to him. Hannah will give you his address if you do not know it. Tell all the folks to write me. a a a Newport News VA March 7th 1863 [Saturday] Dear Sister Hannah, I now sit me down to write you a few lines. Everything is going off as usual here. Plenty of Drilling and guard Duty. I am on guard to day. I hear that Levi Brazie is Dead. [Brazie died of illness on May 4, 1862.] This is sad news. All of the young men from that place are Dieing but us that are in this company. We have great reason to thank the Lord for preserving our lives & giving us such good health. We are all well at present & I hope this will find you the same. I have got no news to write. Well, Hannah, if you want to send me a Box of things, you can do so. The boys are getting Boxes every day. It dosent take long for them to come through. Bill Warses folks are going to send him some things. If you could put your things in with them it would not cost as much as it would to send it in a separate Box, for a large Box will not cost much more than a small one. If you do send, send a good quanty of Butter [lard], for that will not spoil if it should get delayed. You needent send aney Pies for they will spoil before they get here. You can pay the express and I will make it all right. If you do send, please send as soon as possable for we do not know how long we will stay here. Well excuse poor writting.

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Address Co F 45th Regt Penna Vols 3rd Brigade 1st Division 9th armey corps Newport News VA in care of Col Welsh. P.S. Excus this short letter for I am in a hurry. I will try to write more next time. Good Bye. a a a [Camp Bliss, Upton Hill, Virginia] In my tent March 15 1863 [Sunday] Dear Sister Hannah, I have been writing a letter to Mary & thought you would like to hear from me so I will write a few lines. If I dont write it very good you must excus me, for this is the third letter I have wrote to day. I am through divine providence enjoying myself as usual. I scincerly hope those few lines will find you and Gertrude enjoying the same blessing. I wrote to you scince you wrote to me but you said I must write often. I will try and do better for the future. You must do the same. We have some cold weather for this part of the world. It is storming here now. I hope we will soon have some fine weather here soon so we can do some things towards putting down this rebellion, for I want to get through so I can come home to see my friends [family]. You must not think I am homesick for I am not, but I long to see the day when we shall hear peace proclaimed throughout our land and when friends shall meet friends. Let us try to live in such a way that if we are not permited to meet on earth we may meet in heaven where there is no wars. You must write soon and belive that I remain your Brother and well wisher, Richard Gould Dear Brother Marvin, I take my pencil in hand to write a few lines to you. I am well and enjoying myself as usual. Hope those few lines will find you the same. I hear bad news from some of the girls [wives]. It is enough to make anybody feel bad but accidents will happen in the best of famlies as the old fellow said when. . . . . I have had four letters in three days. Got one from Georges folks, one from Cynthia, the other two from some body else. I was up in the Nortons boys tent the other night. I thought they talk like fools or something else. Ed said he wished two thirds of our army would help the south wipe out the north. It made me mad to hear them talk so foolish. I had a good notion to leave their tent. When they see me in their tent again, I want them to tell me of it and I will leave.

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When you write just let me know what you think about drafting and how they feel about it up there. [The Enrollment Act of 1863 conscripted males between twenty and forty-five years of age.] I shall have to close by bidding you good bye. Richard Gould Direct as before. a a a Newport News VA March 19th 1863 [Thursday] Dear Sister Hannah, We are again on the move. This time we are going to have a long journey. We are going to the South west. Old General Burnside is to take command of us. Well, Hannah, if you have not sent me a Box yet you needent till you hear from me again. We are all packed and ready to move at a moments notice. I was in hopes we would stay here a little longer. We have not got our pay yet. I would like to have got it before we left here. The troops are marching by our camp, now it will be our turn next. I would rather go where we are going than to go aney other place except to come home, but I am in hopes the time is not far distant when we can all come home. It is about two thousand miles to where we are going. It will be a good long ride. Well, Hannah, I want you to write oftener. I have not had a letter from you in a long time. I have not got time to write much now. Give my best wishes to all the folks. Write as soon as you get this. & belive me your Brother, Wesley Gould To Hannah Thomas Yours in haste. Direct as before. I am well & hope this will find you the same. Excuse poor writting. I will try to write more next time. a a a Vienna, Fairfax County, VA March 21th 1863 [Saturday] Dear Brother and Sister, Tis with pleasure that I now write to you to let you know that I have not forgoten you, though I have not had letter from you in long while.

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I am alive and well and the rest of the boys [brothers] too. I hope and pray that these few lines will find you all enjoying the same good blesing. We are still working at the wood business. We are about sixteen miles from our regt. We are in the vilage of Vienna on the Alexandria and Leesburg rail road. Our company head quarters is in larg depot house. We have got to go about one mile to our work. We came here three weeks ago now Monday. It will be two months next Wensday since we left our regt on old Upton hill. It commenced to snow and hale last night about midnight and snowed most of to day, but it did not amount to much for it [h]as been thawing all day. The storm [h]as turned from snow to rain. I must go to roll call. I have been to roll call. It is most bed time. I have not seen Dick in three weeks. Bill was down and seen him yesterday. I shall go and see him next week if all is well. I shall have to stop writeing for this night. I will try to finish this letter to morrow if the Lord spares my life and gives me health. So good night to you all. Sunday morning March 22th And I am well this holey Sabbath day. This is a butifull morning. The sun is shineing and the little birds are singing and all nature seems to rejoice and feel happy, but I feel lonsom to day becaus I am far away from home and friends and loved ones. I hope the time will soon come when wars shall cease and we can come home to stay with thoes that are dear to us, not becaus I am tired of being a soldier, for I am not, but I would like to see all of the folks, for you know that I was always a great boy for home. I think this war will soon end, for the rebs are losing ground every day. Bill is writeing to Cinthy. He will write one to day for you for we can send two as well as one. I do not hear from my folks, that is you and the rest of the boys [brothers]. They have forgoten that they had a brother Jim. I have had one letter from Henry and one from John since I left home. I sent a letter to John about one month ago. I wrote such one that I guess he dont like it, but I felt it my duty to write it and if he dont like it I cant help it. I shall have to stop writeing. You must write as soon as you get this. Take good care of you selfs and may the good Lord be with you all. Kiss Loisa for me and tell her that her Uncle Jim [h]as not forgoten her. So good by for this time. This from your Affectionate Brother, James Gould Excus my poor writeing, for the boys are runing and makeing so much noise. a a a

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Vienna Fairfax Co. Va. March 22th 1863 [Sunday] Dear Brother & Sister, I seat myself & with pen, paper begin to write you another letter. It is now the holy sabbath & as it has been a long time since I heard from you so Jim & I have made up our minds to write to you, thinking it will be interesting to you to hear from us. & so I will first give you some idea of this place. Vienna is about as large as harvard [New York], resembeling it in some respects and not in others. The houses are more scattering, no meeting house, one large steam mill & a foundry attached to it. The country is not level by any means. Knolls & hills abound. One farm connects with another & there are large belts of woods here made up by pine, white oak & chestnut [trees]. All this large amount of wood that the government are taking from here is what belongs to rebs. Most of them gone south and some of them are known to be in the rebel army. Those rebs left here share not better, for uncle sam is confiscating all their wood. He can & dont pay them for it. Last week an old traiter living one mile below here drove off some wood choppers from his land, but our capt [Captain Robert H. Evans] took some of his men & went down & the choppers too & told the old fellow what he might get if he molested them again. Aint this queer way of doing business? You would laugh to be here and see how things go & come. One night last week some of the boys went 3 miles to a potato hole, the hole had previously been discovered by some of us, they took 9 or 10 bushels of them. They taste good. We have a car to run up & down this rail road. This is the way we got them potatos. They belong to a rebel so this is what we call confissication. The rebs make a dash on our pickets & take some of them every time, at most they have been in 4 miles of us. We rather expect some trouble with them here so we are prepared for them. We keep our guns loaded night & day. Have to take them in the woods with us too. Co B of the 143 [NYVI] had a tearible accident happen to them. 6 of them have gone the way of all the living, poor fellows. They went suddenly to the eternal world. What is life? How suddenly hopes are blasted by ruthless hand of death. If unprepared, o where will they find a place to stop. What despair remorse of concience. The objects of the divine displeasure. But I suppose Dick & Warren have told you all the particulars I would. I saw Dick Friday night. He was well. He got a letter from Wes one day last week. Wesley was then well. The war goes rather slowly, does it not, but good things come slow you know. We will show you what there is left of the bogas confederacy by first of July next. Have you got hay enough? Do you want to make sugar this spring? If so you may on shears have Cynt come up & help you. If you do tap them, be careful to do it in the best way so as to not injour the trees. Well I must

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stop. Kiss the girl for me & be good children. Write to me soon. I get no more letters from you folks in the woods [home]. Your brother, William Gould a a a Camp of the 143 Regmt [VA] March 24th 1863 [Tuesday] Dear Sister Hannah, It is with pleasur I seat myself to write a few lines to you. I am alone to day. All of the boys is gone to work. The reason I did not go too is I was detailed for guard this morning. There was one more then they wanted so they sent me to my tent. Now I have all day to myself. The only one I have had scince I got in old VA. It is through the mercies of a kind Father I am still alive and enjoying good health and all the blessings of this life. I recived your kind letter last week. Was happy to hear from you once more. I sent a letter to you in Marys, so I am one ahead of you but never mind. I love to hear from you any time. You said you heard I had run away. You will never hear that. You may hear that I have run away but it will be a lie, for I calculate to stick to the regt as long as there is 143 regt nys. I enlisted to fight the enimies of our beloved country at home or abroad in the south or in the north. I think the Copperheads is the meanest lowest basest of all things on Gods footstool. Any body with common sense will say the same. It makes me mad most every time I think of it. Come away down here to save our country then be called fools & so on when they will derive just as much good from it as we will that do all the fighting. I aint sorry and have yet to see the day that I was sorry that I enlisted. Still I like home and friends, yet my country calls me and needs me to[o] and I will do my duty. Serve my country to the best of my ability. If it is my lot to fall, I will die in a good cause. It makes but little difference if I am prepared to go to that world where there is no more wars but all is peace. O that we may all meet in heaven when done with earth and Earthly things is the prayer of your own Brother, Richard Write soon. Good Bye. a a a Camp of the 143 regt [Upton Hill, Virginia] March 27th 1863 [Friday] Dear Brother Marvin, I will try to answer your kind letter which was recived in due time. I

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was glad to hear from you and to hear you was well and enjoying yourself as usual. I think the life of this rebellion is short. So dose most everybody down here. The rebs cannot stand it much longer. It is the talk here the rebels will mass their armies in VA and make a rush for Washington. Let them come. We will soon be ready for them. We are throwing up entrenchments and building forts most of the time. I think if they want to be sent to their long home they had better come. Last night troops was passing here most all night going to Fairfax C H [Court House]. There will be stiring times shortly. I heard from Jim and Bill to day. They are well. Give my love to all enquiring friends and except the same yourself. Richard Kiss Gertrude for me. a a a Paris Kentucky April 1st 1863 [Wednesday] Dear Sister, I once more improve the oppurtunity of writting a few lines to you. I have not heard from you in a long time. I suppose the reason is we have not had aney mail since we have been here. Well, Hannah, I have had a long ride since I last wrote to you. We where seven days in coming here. We took the steamer Mary Washington to Baltimore then we took the Baltimore & Ohio R.R. to Grafton [West Virginia]. There we took the Parkersburg & Western Virginia R.R. to Parkersburg [West Virginia]. There we got aboard of the steamer St. Crosse and came down the Ohio River till we got to Cincinattia [Cincinnati, Ohio]. From there we crossed over the River to Covington KY. There we took the Kentucky Centeral Rail Road & came here. I have seen quite a good deal of the country on Uncle Sams expensis. This is the most beautiful country I ever saw, but it has been very cold since we have been here. We got pay last evening. I expressed thirty dollars to Long Eddy [New York] for you. You can get it there. We do not expect to stay here only a day or two then we are going on to Lexington [Kentucky], how much farther I cannot tell. Most of the folks through this country are union. Well, Hannah, I want you to write oftener & I will try & do the same, but it is a job to get time to write much when we are a moveing. Give my best respects to all the folks.

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Well I must close. Good bye. Write as soon as you get this & believe me your Brother, Wesley Gould To Hannah Thomas Direct to Washington D.C. till you hear from me again. a a a Camp of the 143 Regt NYSV [Upton Hill, Virginia] April 7th 1863 [Tuesday] Dear Brother Marvin, It is with plasur I take my pencil in hand to answer yours of the 1st [April]. Was glad to hear from you and to hear you was well and enjoying yourself as usual. I hope this will find you the same. I am well and enjoying myself as usual and I intend to enjoy myself as long as I can. It dont pay to borrow troubles in war time. At any rate, the 127th and 144th [NYVI] is out in front about fourteen miles. We have to guard there camps. We have to go on guard three a week, drill and work, it keeps us pretty busy I tell you. You say there is quite an excitement up there about the war. We think as you do. We think the rebellion is on its last leg. If we whip them at one or two pitch battles they will be done in for a sure thing. The conscription act is mighty popular in the army. Still there is a few fools says the drafted men will fight at home before they will come down here. I dont think so. If there is a man that will resist the draft by arm force, he had ought to be shot down on the spot. I would just as leave shoot a rebel at the north as at the south. Our officers is getting more proud then wise. We have got to have everything just so, black our shoes so they shine, wear white gloves on dress parade. We are slicked up more then I would if I was at home when I went out to see the girls. I think it is all foolishness. I am sorry to hear that Harry boy [Harrison Chandler] is gone from us but he has left a world of sorrows for a world of Bliss. I hope Henry and Eliza will be constrained to fall in with the overtures of mercy before it is to late. I must close, so good bye for this time. Write soon. R. G. to M. T. Dear Hannah, I will try to write a few lines to you to let you know I am still alive and in good health. Hope this will find you in good health. This is the hardest place I ever was in for anyone to serve the Lord. You and all the others must remember me at the throne of grace, so if we never meet on earth

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we may meet in heaven where there is no more wars. Write soon, and belive me your loveing Brother, R. G. H. T. a a a Camp near Suffolk [Virginia] Saturday April 18th 1863 Dear Brother & Sister, It for the sole purposs of writing you a few lines that I seat myself tonight. James & myself are well. So are the boys in general. I am glad that Cynt has got up with you and I hope you may be good company for her. Also you & her too may work for each other[s] interest. I have told her that I thought you had better work the garden together this year too & if she is, you can plant the cabbage & some turnups. I hope Marve & Cynt may have good luck with the sugar bush this spring. If those apple trees that George spoke of getting comes, you may if you find time, Marve I mean, put them out in the places of those that have died. I suppose you will see by the date of this where we are. We left alexandria [Virginia] Wensday morning & arrived here at 3 A.M. yesterday, all safe & sound. Well I suppose you think I had ought to be able to tell a pile of news now. Well I can tell some, not much however. Since last sunday the rebs have been trying to kill some of us, & once & a while they do. One mile from us they have their sharpshooters stationed & they keep a bang away, but seldom hit anyone. Our artillary trys to but has not yet driven them back. Marve, it would do you good to see what an armey of us there is now here & more a comming every hour. [On April 15, Army of the Potomac troop strength was estimated at 130,000 men.] We also have some gun boats here. Now let Gen Longstreet [CSA Lieutenant General James] come on with his boasted power & if we dont send them back quick enough to make their head swim then I treat. This place is strongly fortified now. But good night to you all. I will try to finish in the morning, William Sunday morning finds us all well. No battle yet but during the night our battrys threw a number of shells a cross the river. They done this to prevent them from getting their battrys in possision. These shells make the ugglest noise you ever heard as they go screeching through the air. There is some talk of our crossing over to day to find out what they are doing & what or how many there is of them. I am ready to go when the order comes. & may the God of heaven go with us & give us victory & shield us from harm. We cannot it seems realize the danger we are in,

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for we feel just as safe here as at alexandria. The boys all are in the best of spirits. If the rebs are in such numbers as been reported you may look for one of the fights here soon. I have endeavored to live in such a way that come life or death all will be well. Your brother, William Gould I hope you may prove faithfull to God for I serve him.

a a a Camp Dick Robinson KY April 19 1863 [Sunday] Dear Sister, I now sit me down to write a few lines to you. I received yours of the 5th inst [April] a short time since. Was glad to hear from you also to hear that you was well. Well, Hannah, this is the beautifullest country I ever saw. The trees are all leaveing out. It is very nice climate here but it will be too warm in the summer to march much. We have got most of the rebels drove out of this state and now I think we will go to Tennessee. They are getting up a Regiment of Tennesseians here. They are all reffugees that have had to leave their homes & come here or else join the rebel armey. They tell some hard stories & are very anxious to get back to avenge the wrongs that the rebels have done them. They say that the rebels are taking everything that is eatable away from all the fameleys and they do not know what the women & children will do if they do not get some relief soon. It is to[o] bad to have the innocent suffer but such is the fate of war. The rebels cannot hold out much longer for their provision is getting scarce. There is not much use of our fighting them in there strongholds. We had better occupy all of their land, we can & starve them out and save the lives of our men. I hear that our ironclads have attacked Charleston and got defeated. [Six federal ships were lost, including Admiral DuPont’s ironclad flagship. Union casualties numbered fifty.] That is bad news, but we must expect to meet with defeats especially if they keep such men in command as Hunter [Major General David] and Dupont [Admiral Samuel Francis I.]. I never did like Hunter for he always thought more of making a great show than he did of fighting. The boys from the Basket are middiling and well. I am well. I hope these few lines will find you enjoying the same blessing. Give my love to all the folks. Well I must close this poor scribling. Write as soon as you get this. Good bye. Wesley To Hannah Direct to Camp Dick Robinson KY via Cincinnati in care of Col Curtin.

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a a a Camp near West Point, VA May 9th, 1863 [Saturday] Dear Sister, After so long a time I will try to write you a few lines to let you know that I have not forgoten you though far away. I am well and enjoy very good health. I hope that these few lines will find you all enjoying the same blessing. The rest of boys [brothers] are well. I saw Dick to day. We keep togeather so we can see one another every few days. I am very glad of it. I do wish that Wesley was here with us. It as been a long time since I recived your letter. I have been lazy or I should of writen to you before. I have no excuse for not writing sooner. I will try to do better after this if all is well. Our brigade [h]as not been in any fighting yet but how soon it will be I cant tell. We may not see much fighting but I think we shall see enough of it before we get through with this war. We are now in 35 miles of Richmond and we talk of going up to the white house landing [Virginia]. If we do go up to the white house landing we shall be in 20 miles of Richmond. You must excuse this short letter. I will write soon if all is well. It is very plesant to day. I shall have to close for this time. Give my love to all and tell them all to write. So good by for a little while, and belive me your Brother, James Gould May the good Lord be with you all. a a a Camp near Hustonville KY 14 May 1863 [Thursday] Dear Brother Marve, Yours and Hannahs of the 10 inst [May] has just come to hand. I was glad to get it for it was the first letter that I have got for most two months. I think the date of the last letter that I got before this was the 20 of March and I began to feel uneasy about you & the rest of the folks. I have written several letters but have received no answer. So you have got another little girl [Bessie]. Well it will be company for you & Hannah & Gertrude. I would like to see Louisa. She must be almost a young woman. You must kiss her for me. Hannah wanted to

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know what I thought would be the best name for the little girl. Tell her that I think it dont make much differance what her name is if she grows up to be a good and useful woman. Her name will sound good then, let it be what name it may. Well, Marven, you think that the war hangs on good. It does but we have underrated the strength of the rebels all along. It was thought that they would not fight aney, but time and experiance has taught us differant. We must know that we are fighting men that are our equals. If the men are not, their Generals are enough better than ours to make it up and they have got as large an armey as we have. We must be content with the victories we do gain. We have now got one half of their territory and if we can hold that and keep them out of it they cannot stand it long. If our people at the North are afraid of starving when they have free trade with all the World and hold one half of the rebel territory, what must the rebels be driven to. Why if our people had undergo one half of the priviations that the rebels have had to undergo then they might have reasons to complain, but if the folks at home will keep still I will risk but it will come out all right yet. Old Burnside is doing the right thing out here. He is determnined that the rebel symperthisers through this country will keep still. If he cannot make them do that when they am alive he sends them to the father of rebelion the Devil where they will see what an end rebelion brought them & him to. You think that Father Abraham [President Lincoln] was to[o] slow in the first start. We all can see that now but at that time we all thought that the troops he called for would be a plenty and most likely he thought the same. I have got a great deal of confidence in the President for I think that he has done well taking in to consideration the great disadvantage he has had to work against. If some of our best Presidents have made blunders and mistakes in time of peace, we must expect that there will be some made now. Write me in your next letter wether Hannah got the money I sent her while I was at Paris [Kentucky]. I sent her $30 dollars by express. I would like to be at home now. You say that every thing looks green & the lambs are skipping around. I used to like to see the little lambs play. Well the report is here that old Morgan [CSA Brigadier General John H.] came in on to the 20 Michigan [Volunteer Infantry] night before last and took them by surprise and give them a thrashing. If this be true he will soon be here, for it is not a great ways from here to where the fight was, but let him come. If he catches us off our guard he will do better than I think he will. We have got a very nice encampment. It is in the woods where the underbrush & old logs are all cleared out and there is a nice grass bottom to lay on and the trees afford us good shade wich comes good now for

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it is getting pretty warm here. The part of KY that we have marched through is the beautifullest country I ever saw. Louden county has but 4 acers of woods in the whole county but the underbrush and old logs are all cleared out and grass sowed in amongst the trees wich afords good pasture. Well I have just been on dress Parade. Wherever we go there is a great many citizens come to see us have dress Parade [when] we drill by the taps. I guess that there is no other regiment in the service drills by the tap of the drum. I have not seen aney yet that does. Our regiment is thought a good deal of in this state. When we left Paris there was some of the women felt so bad that they shed tears. That was making love pretty quick, was it not? Well I must close. Excuse poor writting. Address to Hustonville [Kentucky] instead of Camp Dick Robinson. Good bye Write soon. Wesley to Marvin This will try your patience to read this, for I do not feel like writting now. I have too much in my head at once.

To Hannah, Well you wished to know if I had the same tent mates. I have not. I now tent with one William Francis. He is a german by birth. He has been in this country about three years. He is a nice young man. He run away from home and came to this country to try his fortunes. His folks is rich but he says that he would rather live on money of his own earning than to depend on his folks. He has got a splendid education. They was going to make a great Catholic out of him but he knew too much for them. [Francis mustered out on October 20, 1864, the expiration of his threeyear service.] When I commenced this I thought that I would write it all to Marvin and write to you in another letter, so you may look for another letter from me soon. If you can read this, you will do pretty well. I am well and hope this will find you enjoying the same blessing. Wesley To Hannah Write as soon as you get this. a a a

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Camp of the 143rd reg NYSV Near West Point VA May 16th 1863 [Saturday] Dear Brother, It is with pleasure that I seat myself to answer yours of the 7 [May]. Was very glad to hear from you once more. You will see by the date of this letter where we are. I believe I have not written to you scince we left Alexandria. Scince then we have traveled a good ways and aint had a shot at a grey back yet, but how soon we will I cannot tell for we are in the enemy country and only thirty miles from Richmond. I think as long as old Joe [Major General Joseph Hooker] haresses them on the Rappahannock [River] they will not trouble us, but if he lays still then look out for stiring times on the York River. But I have no doubt but we can hold this point against all the force the Rebs dare send against us. You can see where we are just by looking on the map. We are fortifying every day. When they come we will be ready for them and give them just such a reception as they deserve, then we have the Mattapony River on our right and the Pamunkey [River] on our left, so you see they cant flank us. And there is two gun boats, one in each river, and any amount of them in six hours sail of us. I think it will take 50 thousand to drive us off this point. We are in as tight a place as Grant [Lieutenant General Ulysses S.] was at the battle of Pittsburg Landing [Shiloh, Tennessee, April 1862]. Our officers are very strict. We cannot leave camp without a pass from our captain [George H. Decker] and countersigned by the Col [Horace Boughton]. They have patrol guards out most all the time. If they find a fellow that aint got a pass then he must go to the guard house. They caught six or eight of our Co the other day and came blamed nigh catching me but I gave them the slip. A report just came into camp that Lee [CSA General Robert E.] had give us just four hours to leave the place. I guess it is a hoax anyhow, we aint made up our mind to leave quite yet. Well, Marvin, what do you think about this war and when do you think it will close? I must confess it looks very dark but you know the darkest is just before day. I scincerly hope it will be so now. I wish this thing was ended so I could be at home. I would like to be there to see how you all get along. Let us live in hopes for that is what keeps trouble away. Well I might as well close. Write soon and oblige your Brother, Richard To Marvin You must excuse all mistakes. Direct as before. a a a

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Camp of the 143rd regt NYSV Near West Point VA May 17th 1863 Sunday Morning Dear Sister Hannah, It was with pleasure that I recived and read your welcome letter. I began to think you had forgot you had a brother Dick, but I was happly disappointed. I am through the blessing of providence enjoying good health and all the blessing that are incident to a soldier, and I hope those few lines will find you in good health and enjoying all the blessing of a peacefull life, for I am well aware there is more comfort there then there is here. If there aint, I know how to pity you. How different is the sabbath spent up there. You can go to the house of prayer or else set down and read the Bible. Here we have to clean our guns, go on inspection, and dress parade. There you can pick your own company, but here we have to be with all kinds of companies, swearing, playing cards and most everything that is bad. The weather is as warm as it is up there in July. It makes us sweat to lay still. What would it do if we had to march? I think our marching is most done for this [time]. We will have to winter here in old VA again I am afraid. Be that as it may I am going to try to content myself the best I know how to. I have not had a letter from George in some time but expect to get one soon. Have not had a letter from John scince last November. Guess he dont intend to. When I was there the last time he said he thought Charles and Wesley did not use him very well because they did not write to him. He told me to write and I have done it. I dont wonder the boys [brothers] did not write to him, for if they did he would not answer them. Henry says in the letter he sent to Jim [to] tell Dick to write. I have written twice and have not had answer yet. When I was at home I use to flatter myself with the idea that he thought a great deal of me and just so with John. Now I begin to think that I was wrong. Let that be as it may. I would like to hear from them. Well, Hannah, you must take good care of yourself and keep in good cheer, for this war cannot last always, then if I am so lucky as to get home we will know how to enjoy each others company. But if we never meet in this world of sorrow, let us try to meet in a world thats free from sin and where war is never known. This is the prayer of your Brother. Write soon. Kiss Gertrude for me. Tell her to be a good girl. Richard to Hannah a a a

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Camp near Hustonville KY May 18th 1863 [Monday] Dear Sister Hannah, I once more sit me down to write a few lines to you. All is quite [quiet] here at present. It was thought at one time that we was going to have a fight with old Morgan [CSA Brigadier John H.], but he has again recrossed the Cumberland River on his way South. He is afraid to risk a fight with us. You folks at the North do not know the horrors of this war. You can all stay at home without the least fear of being molested, but if you could hear some of the reffugees from Tennessee that have come to us for protection tell their tale of woe it would freeze the blood in your veins. How that the men had to run away to keep out of their armey and leave their wives & children and old helpless fathers & mothers to the insults of such a barbarious race of people. They not onley take all of their cattle hogs & sheep &c but take all the provision that they can find in the house and leave the inmates in maney instances to Die. I have heard maney a sad tale told since I have been here. If the people offer aney resistance they are shot down like Dumb Brutes. Is this the acts of southern arristocrats that is so much admired by England, France & the Northern Peace Demmocrats? If so I have seen enough of southern chiverly. They are the most Barbarious race of people in the civilized world. They are worse than the red man of the forest for they will use a friend well. And there is a great maney of these southerners that pretend to be a friend to your face that would kill you if they could get a chance. There is a great maney of such men through this country. They are good union men when we are around and they have to be, but their patritism extends no farther. If there has not already enough been done to arouse the North from its slumber, I would like to know where their feelings are. May the Lord have mercy on those men that stay at home and cry Peace Peace when there is no peace. For the soldiers will not if they ever get home. The war has already begun and now is the time to fight for Liberty or Death. If we conquer the South this will be one of the greatest Nations on the face of the earth, but on the other hand if the South conquer us wich will never be done unless through treachry on the part of our Generals and peace men, but God forbid that we should ever be ruled by such a Despotic Nation as the South, but there are thousands upon thousands that will never submit to such a tyranical Government. Let us say as did Patrick Henry, I do not care what course others may take, but as for me give me Liberty or give me death. This is my sentiments exactly. Just look at the difference between the north and south. This is the first slave state that I have been in yet where they have free schools. And here they do not have school onley

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three months in a year and there are but few school Houses at that. This gives but a poor chance for the poor class to get aney education. If a man dose not own any negroes here, he is not thought as much of as a negro by the arristocracy. Nature has done more for this state than aney other that I was ever in, for it is the beautifulest country I ever saw, but the men are the most of them lofers. They never think of doing aney work and you seldom find one with aney education at all. There is more papers printed in old Delaware county than there is in this whole state. The south has a great refformation to make before they get on an equality with the North, but when this war is over there will a great maney soldiers come here to live. I have heard a great maney remark that if they lived to get home they would come here to live. I would like to live here myself if there was no slavery nor negroes here. I hope that they will colonize the negroes as soon as the war is over and there will be no more contention about them, for they have caused a great strife in our government for a long time. We cannot blame the negroes but the men that brought them here. I see that York state & Pa [New York and Pennsylvania] have been having quite a time in trying to pass a law allowing the soldiers to vote, but I see that neither state could pass the law. I think that if aney man should be allowed to vote it should be the soldiers. Well enough of such. It will try your patience enough to read what I have already wrote. I cannot express my sentiments in writting as well as I can tell them, for you know that I have got a good natueral ability for talking, so if I ever live to get home I will have enough to tell you. If I had only seen the use of haveing a good Education when I used to go to school [Hancock Public School District 13] as I do now, I would have studdied better than I did, but the little that I do know I find dont come bad. I see that a man might as well be Dead as not to know how to read & write. If I live to get out of this I must try and go to school and get a good Education. I think that this is a very good school for me, though it is the ruin of a great maney young men, and now I am very thankful to you for the instructions and advices you and my parents gave me when I was young. You know that I was very sensitive when I left home. I could not stand aney insinuations against me nor my folks nor aney thing that I believed to be right. I could not bear to hear aney one run it down, but I have learned to take things cool and if aney one sayes aney thing that I dont like, I dont get mad as I used to. But there has a great maney men tryed to get me to drinking so that I would furnish them with whiskey, for they knew that I generally keep a little money around me, but they do not find me quite as big a fool as they would wish. I have always had good tent mates for I will not tent with every one. There is not a man in the whole company but I could tent with if I wished to. If I do say it, I have the name of being as clean and as good a soldier as there is in the Regt, and our Regt has got the name

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of being as good a regiment as there is in the service, so I am proud of our regt. You wrote me that there was another little girl [Bessie] at your house, so I suppose that I am uncle of another little one. When I get home it will be nothing but Uncle Wes all the time. I wrote a letter to you & Marve a short time since. I hope this will find you enjoying good health. It leaves me enjoying the same. I must stop. Excuse all mistakes also the poor writting, for I am a slow writter and I have been about one hour writting this and I have either to set flat on the ground and write or lay down. I have written this in both positions. We have got a beautiful camp. It is in a grove nice sod & grass under foot and good shade over head. I would like soldiering very well if we had good officers, but I am sorry to say that our Captain [Theodore Gregg] is not the man that I would wish him to be. But we have got the best Col. [John I. Curtin] in the world. He is nephew to the Governor of Pa [Andrew G. Curtin]. He will make some great man if he should live to get out this, for he is but 24 years old. Write as soon as you get this. Wesley Gould To Hannah Thomas a a a Hustonville KY May 18 1863 [Monday] Dear Brother Marvin, I must tell you something about the times we have with the KY Gals. There is quite a feeling of jealoussy exists between the Officers & Men, and I suppose the reason is that the gals think as they [do] of the shoulder straps & this they dont like, for they think because they wear such fine cloths & have such a good position that they should be thought a little more of than a private soldier, so they are trying to work an underhanded game. While we was at Camp Dick they had a Ball. The officers all went. Some of the soldiers went & got put in the guard house for going but they dont care for that. The citizens here are going to have a picnic for us and the officers are trying to fix it so that the private soldiers cannot attend. If they do try to keep them in camp there will be fun around here, for we are getting old enough soldiers so that they dont catch us with haf. The old saying is that every dog must have there day, and we think that it is about time for our day to come. We know just about what we can do if we all sticks together. The officers can do nothing with us and they know it as well as we do. As far as is military we will obey our officers but not farther. They used to scare us but that is done away with. We are as old soldiers as they are. Camp life is not always so dull. We are getting so that we think if we are ever going to

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have aney fun now is our time, and we do have some fun. If we cannot one way we will another. We hear that the officers have been makeing their threats that they would give us no more passes to go out of camp, but the boys say that they will go pass or no pass. Well I must stop. I will tell you all about these times when I get home. You will think that I have been putting ink on geeses feet and driving them over the sheet of paper. If you can read it, you can do better than I can. I remain your Brother till Death, Wesley Gould To Marvin Thomas Direct as before. a a a West Point VA May 20th 1863 [Wednesday] Dear Brother & Sister, I am seated in a chair of our own make in our tent & am now addressing a few lines to loved friends [family] far away. Three of us tent together, J. Hawlaway [Holloway], James & I. We have our tent fixed up good for summer. We have attached to our tent in front a shadebower. This gives us more room and is very pleasant too. We are in good health & hope this may find you all the same. The note you sent me last week I have not answered but will now try & do so. I was glad to hear from you & that you were well, also glad that you had not forgotten us though far away from home. Although Cynt tell me in all her letters that you are well or sick but I want to hear from those other friends of mine too. I wrote to Uncle Calom some time ago & have not heard from it yet. You have not got a yoke of oxen yet I see. I dont see how you can get along without a team. You must do as much as you can, for times are getting harder all the time & I dont see the end of this war yet, & if you can then I will give up beat. If the rebs can only have another such victory as the one at Chanclorville [Chancellorsville, Virginia, April 1863] I think they will be wipt. They lossed 22,000, their papers say so. [CSA officially report 1,665 dead, 9,081 wounded, and 2,018 missing.] They say Jacson was eaquel to 50,000. [CSA Lieutenant General Thomas J. ‘‘Stonewall’’ Jackson was accidentally wounded by a confederate soldier on May 2, causing his arm to be amputated. Eight days later on May 10, 1863, Jackson died of pneumonia at age 39.] This together is a bully victory. We lost 16,000. [Federal report 1,606 dead, 9,762 wounded, and 5,919 missing.] Who gained the victory that is the question. The news is most cheering from the Mississippi. Just now in her last note to me Hannah said she supposed we were in Richmond, but I suppose we werent nor

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aint yet. If Gen Heges [Brigadier General Hedges] has taken us to Richmond & captured it he must have done it some night yes & we must have been asleep too. If that wasent a mean capor. He dident wake us up to see the capatal of rebellion, but brought us back to west point 30 miles. There was a time 3 weeks ago that the troops here [could] I think, but we did not then know it & now it is to[o] late as we have made up our minds to stay at west point for some time. We have done a vast amount of labor since we landed here 13 days ago. Have built 4 forts & some over a mile of rifle ports of the heavest kind being 4 feet thick on top 10 & 12 on the bottom & as high as a mans head. Now we are drilling, we have 4 & some days 5 turns at it in a day. I am glad of it for we dont know as much as we might. There is some dumb head in every co. in the sevice & our co. has got its share. Yesterday afternoon brigadier Gen Gurney [William Gurney, 127 NYVI was a former First Sergeant] driled the 144 [NYVI]. He said he was well pleased with officers & men. W. H. Steenrod is very sick with the typhoid fever, poor boy, if he lives till this reaches you I shall be surprised, & we left J. E. Earley at Suffolk [Virginia] very low with the same disease. We have not hear from him since. These we all thought were our toughest boys but it seams not. I think we are agoing to the wrong school to learn to talk any more or rather any less about loyalty or slavery & secession. But on the other hand it wont be health[y] for folks to talk secession if we ever live to get back. Tell Gerty I found a birds nest. Has she found any yet? Tell her too that there are great big bouncing black snakes here. I wish the butternuts would come on. We will just give them the awfulest licking they ever got in Va, but my sheet is now full, & I must stop tell all the news. Encourage Cynt. Love honor & obey each other. Love the church. Love & serve the Lord, putting your trust in him & all will be well. Good bye for this time. Your brother, William Gould a a a [Burhamsville VA] June 18th 1863 [Thursday] Dear Sister Hannah, After so long a time will answer yours to me written some weeks ago. We are all well, that is James & myself. Dick, I aint seen since Monday morning. Hannah, I believe I did not tell Cynt we were well so you may let her see this. Well, Hannah, we begin to think it is some work to be a soldier, for we have had some hard marches 8 days past. I can assure you we brought nothing from Williamsburg but the clothes we had on our backs, one woolen blanket, & one rubor & haversack canteen & so forth. This is what is termed light marching orders. We started with 2

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days rations, but have had them brought to us regularly ever since. We have plenty of fresh meat, for yesterday. There was 2 beaves shot down here by some of the boys right before the owners eyes. It is impossible to state the number of hogs & pigs sheep & chickens devoured daily. We in tend to make the people here feel some of the sweets of rebellion. This country more look desolate & barren. Cast your eyes on any side almost. You can see where houses once stood but are burnt to the ground. At one half of the houses where we have been in Va excepting the city of Norfolk have been destroyed. Va is now suffering for her rashness & in the part of cession. It will throw this state more than one hundred years behind, by plunging its self into this unnessary warfare. As I frequently tell those people when they come & complain of grivences, the way of the transgressor is hard. We have not seen any large or small body of troops of rebs, yet consequently have not had any fighting to do. We are now 17 miles from Williamsburg [Virginia]. When we left that place we expected to see & meet in battle old Wise [CSA General Robert E. Lee] before we got half so far, & we just made up our minds he would be a little wiser than ever if we could get in reach of him. The best water I ever saw in Va is to be found where we have now been for a fortnight past, so you see this is a good thing for us, is it not. Well, Hannah, the 144 reg has the name of being the best regt to march in Gordons division. Gen. Gordon [Brigadier General George H.] give us the praise himself. I hope we may go on or go back to Williamsburg. I left in my knapsack there a new pair of pants, a shirt, writing paper, & envelops enough to last me all summer. Left my overcoat & one woolen blanket too. Well, Hannah, this war aint ended by the first of June is it? It does not apparently be much nearer than when we left Delhi [New York] but it is the union troops out west are againing ground. 10 months of my time has now expired. It dont seem possible does it? I am very sorry to hear of the dificulty in Johns family. You must not have any more to do with it than you are obliged to do. Always think before you speak. Have the Lord let your meditations, desires & aspirations be on God, on heaven & on things above. You will of course give Cynt all the advice you can. Caution Marve in particular not to say to[o] much as I have been informed that folks stand waiting & watching to catch what ever is said. We saw in the papers some time ago that the 9[th] army corps had gone to Vicksburg [Massachusetts]. Do you know anything to the contarey? Now in a hurry in order to send it on the mail which leaves soon. Serve the Lord. My love to all. Your brother, William Gould Tell the news. a a a

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Camp Near Six Mile [Ordinary] VA June 21st 1863 [Sunday] Dear Sister Hannah, It is with pleasure I seat myself to write a few lines to you to let you know that I am still alive and not only alive, but I am enjoying good health espeicely for such a place. When I wrote you last I was at West Point [Virginia]. That was so sickly there we had to leave. Now we are 8 or 9 miles above Williamsburg. We left Yorktown on the 9th of the present month marched up to Williamsburg. I tell you we was a tired lot of boys. About one half of the Reg fell out before we got to the end of journey. I stuck to it. My feet was sore. Well we staied there one day and two nights just long enough to fix up our tents then we got orders to be ready to leave at five oclock on the morning of the 11th [June], so we started no one knew where. Left our knapsacks. We expected to see some fighting before we got up so far as we are, but the greybacks is very scarce around here. [CSA Northern Army of Virginia marched north to Pennsylvania.] You say Mrs Hughs is mad at you [James’s mother-in-law]. Never mind. You must consider where it comes from, as the boy said when the Jackass kick[ed] him. I guess Mary must be out with me for she dont write to me any more. She can do as she thinks best, still I would like to hear from her. I am sure I aint done anything to insult her, but some folk is so foolish if they get out with one of the family, they wont have anything to do with the rest of them. I am surprised to hear John and Sarah has had such a time. It makes me feel worst than it would if I was there. I like to hear from home but I dont like to hear of such kind of work. I was always afraid there would be fighting at the north before this war was over but never dreamt of it commenceing right at home first. Well, Hannah, you must not get discourage but keep a good and cheerful heart, for courage is half of the battle. I hope and pray and begin to think this war is almost at end. What a good time there will be when we hear that peace has been declared. The thought is quite a comfort for a soldier as he lays down at night on his bed of leaves or when he is on guard walking his lonely beat. You must not think I am homesick, for I am not. Still I long to see the day when we shall meet at home. Well you must pray for me and let us try to live in such a way if we meet not on earth we may meet in heaven. Write soon. Richard to Hannah a a a

Gertrude Thomas and Hannah Gould Thomas, circa 1908.

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Camp near Vicksburg Miss June 22nd 1863 [Monday] Dear Sister, We have travelled a great ways since I last wrote you. We marched about 150 miles while we were in KY, then we took the cars at Leabenon [Lebanon] KY, about 60 miles SW of Lexington. Went from there to Louisville where we crossed the Ohio River to Jeffersonville India [Indiana]. There we again took the cars and came to Cairo Ill. where we got aboard the steamer Sallie List and came here. We are now about five miles from Vicksburg [Mississippi]. They had a hard fight there last night and we can still hear the booming of canons there [Siege of Vicksburg]. The rebels do not like to give up but they will be obliged to soon. They are looking for help from Johnston [CSA General Joseph E.], but we are able to take good care of him when he comes. This is the roughest country I ever saw. I have read a good deal about the forests of Miss. but this goes beyond my expectations. It is here that you find reptiles of all descriptions. You can hardly step without stepping on a snake. Rattlesnakes are very numerous here. There is a little red bug here that eats into the flesh. I am all covered with them. They are very disagreeable. I will be very glad when they get us out of here. Water is very scarce here. We have to go a mile to get it. It is not as warm here as I expected it would be. The boys are all healthy. That is one great blessing. The Basket boys are all well. So am I, and I hope you and all the folks are the same. I have not heard from you in a long time. It must be that a great maney of the letters got lost. You said that Louisa was going to school. I am glad to hear that she likes it. You must not let her study too much, for I think that it hurts children to study too much when they are young. I wish that this war would end, for I would like to go to school some more before I get too old. I dont know as you can read this, so I will not write aney more at present. I have commenced two or three letters, but have had to move before I could finish them. So I thought I would write this one in a hurry. Write soon and believe me your Brother & Friend, Wesley Gould To Hannah Thomas Address Co F 45th Regt P.V. Vicksburg Miss 9 A.C. in care Col. Curtin. a a a Camp at White House Landing, VA June 30th, 1863 [Tuesday] Dearest Sister, After so long time I will try to write you a few lines. You may think that

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I have forgoten you. No, Hannah, though I have not writen to you, I have often thought of you though far away. I am well and enjoy my self very good for a soldier boy. I hope and pray that these few lines will find you all well and enjoying all the blessings of life. Well, Hannah, you will see by this that we are on our way to Richmond but wither we shall get there or not time will tell. We came here last Saturday in the forenoon. I did not think then that we should be here now. The talk is that we will on tomorrow. How true it is I cant say, for I hear all kinds of storeys, so I cant believe any thing I here wither true or not. We have had cloudy weather for the past week and some little rain, just enough to make good marching. Until to day. It [h]as rained enough to day to make it mudey. If we have to march tomorrow we will have some mud to go through, but never mind that. We are willing to do most any thing if we can get to old Richmond. The soldiers all feel good as far as I know. Give us good men to lead us and we are the boys that will try to do all we can to help put down this rebelion. I must now go and get my supper, for I have no one to get it for me. I will try to write some in the morning if all is well. Wensday morning July 1st Dear Hannah, I am still alive and well and I hope you are the same. Well, Hannah, some of the trups are amoveing this morning but where they are going to I cant tell. Some of the boys say they are geting on boats. If that is so we are going to Washington. I think I shall afto [have to] close for it is mail time. I would like to write more, but I cant now. May the good Lord be with you all. Tell Marvin I will write to him when I can. Tell Sinth [Cynthia] that I would like to write to her but I have not much time to write, and she hears from Bill often and we are together. Hannah, tell the girl that Uncle Jim [h]as not forgoten her. Now, Hannah, you say that Mary says that you used to set me up. Hannah, you never did since we was married, for you used to tell me to try to live peaceable if we could. Hannah, you are not guilty of seting me up against Mary. Since we was married that is true. I would write more about it if I had time. Write often. Tell them all to write. Give my love to all. So good by for this time. This from your Brother, James Gould to Hannah a a a

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Camp of the 144th Regt in the woods Louden County, VA July 21st, 1863 [Tuesday] Dear Sister, I will write a few lines to let you know that I have not forgoten you though far away. I am well and enjoy good health wich is one of Earths greatest blessings. I hope this will find you all enjoying the same blessing. Well Hannah I have been some ways since I last wrote to you. We left the white house landing [Virginia] two weeks ago tomorrow and got to Washington the Saturday following. One week ago last Sunday we got into Maryland. We encamped at frederick city one day. We left Maryland last Sunday morning. We had very hard days march. The weather was so warm. We marched yesterday too, and to day we are laying still, what for I cant tell. Well, Hannah, I would write to you oftener, but I have not time to write much for we have been moveing most of the time since the 15th day of last April. I saw Dick yesterday. He is not very well. Our Regt is in the second brigade and first division in the eleventh armey corps. Tell Henry that I will write to him as soon as I can. You must write often and not waite for me. Give my love to all. Kiss Loisa for me, and tell her that I have not forgoten her. May the good Lord be with you all and keep you from all harm. Excuse this short letter. So good by for a while. This from your Brother, James Gould to Hannah Thomas a a a Camp of the 144th Regt July 22dn 1863 [Wednesday] Dear Brother Marvin, I will try to write a few lines this morning to let you know that I am still alive and well. I hope this will find you the same. I have seen some hard times since I last wrote to you, but not so hard as I expect to have. I stand this warm weather and hard marches very well so far. We are in 40 miles of warrenton junction [Virginia]. The talk is that we shall go there and encamp a while and fill up the Regts with drafted men. If that is so, there will not be much fighting till fall. Our brigade is split up and put in difront brigades in the 11 corps. I would rather of been in some other corps. Three weeks ago I did not think we should now be in the old armey of the Potomac. Well, Marv, our men are doing bulley in the South west. I think this war

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will end soon, for the rebs are loosing ground very fast. We will soon have all they have got. Some of the Regts that came out when we did or since have now only about 75 or 100 men in a Regt. They have seen hard times. [Normal union regimental strength was 2,020 to 2,452 men.] Warrenton Junction [Virginia] July 26th Well, Marv, you will see by this that I have been some time in writing this short letter. We came here yesterday. I am well to day. I hope you are the same. The weather is very warm here. I should like to write more but I cant now. You must write. So good by for this time. James Gould to Marvin Thomas Our Regt [h]as not had any mail in two weeks. a a a Camp near Yazoo River Miss July 24th 1863 [Friday] Dear Sister, Yours of the 28th June is received. I should have answered it before but have had no chance. I have written to you once before since I have been in this state, but we have had a hard time of it since that. We have been and drove old Johnston [CSA General Joseph E.] out of Jackson [Mississippi]. We did not have a very hard fight. Our Regiment went in as skirmishers. We had one Lieutenant [Richard Humphrey] & one Sergant [Lewis F. Hill] killed in our company. It was the hardest campaign that we have ever had. We did not have hardly aney thing to eat. The water was very scarce. The rebels poisened several of the springs & wells but the Negroes told us wich springs where poisened, so we did not get maney men poisened. When we got back here we had not got two hundred men in our Regt fit for duty. There was a great maney of the men that marched till they fell dead in the middle of the road. The boys from the Basket are all alive and as well as can be expected. I am well and hope this will find you the same. I can write but little this time, for I have got to wash my clothes and clean up my old gun. Besides I am very tired after so long a march. Will try to write you again soon. We expect to go back to old KY soon. Hope we will. I think that the Southern Confedracy is about caved in. The rebels in this part have give up all hopes. You wished to know if I was a corporal. I am now. [Wesley was promoted to Corporal in April 1863.] I must stop for this time. If you can read this, you will do better than I can. Write soon and believe me your Friend & Brother, Wesley To Hannah

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Address Co F 45th Reg P.V. Vicksburg Miss 1st Brigade 1st Division 9 A.C. care Col Curtin. Kiss Gerty for me. There is a great maney letters that does not go through. I have got a good maney postage stamps that you have sent me but could not tell how maney. a a a Milldale Miss July 30th 1863 [Thursday] Dear Brother, Your kind letter of the 5th inst [July] came to hand last evening. I was very glad to hear that you was well. We have not left Miss yet. We can not get transportation but are expecting boats every day to take us away. We do not know where we will go, but suppose we will return to old KY. Hope we may. We have gained some great victories for the past few weeks. Our armies everywhere have met with glorious success [Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and Siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi]. Already the great so called Southern Confedracy begins to tremble & ere maney days she will have to fall. As for the riot in New York, I am glad it has happened. All I wish is that they would burn the whole city. I think that the rioters will get War to their hearts content before they get through with it. What is the reason that the Copperheads all like little Mac [General George B. McClellan] so well? It is because he is a Da . . . D traitor. Even the rioters in New York [City] stopped before his house and cheered him. [On July 13, 1863, a mob of 50,000 people, mostly Irish working men, attacked the New York City draft office. Four days of violent rioting left over 1,000 killed or injured.] Will I think that the prospects of my getting home is much better than they where two months ago. Hope the War will soon end so the soldiers can all return home. I hear that our forces have got posesion of Morris Island S.C. If so, the fall of Charleston must soon follow. I cant write much now. I do not know as you can read what I have already written. Give my love to all the folks. I wrot Hannah a letter a few days since so she will have to excuse me this time. I am well, and hope these few lines will find you and all the folks enjoying the same blessing. I would like to write but have to write on my knees. Write soon & believe me your Brother, Wesley Gould To Marvin Thomas Excuse poor writting. Address Co F 45th regt P.V. 1st Brigade 1st Div 9 A.C. Vicksburg Miss care Col J. I. Curtin.

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P.S. I am glad to hear the crops are doing well. I am comeing home to help you eat some of the potatos, buckwheat cakes &c. W. G. a a a Warrenton Junction Va July 30 1863 [Thursday] Dear Sister, It is with pleasure that I seat myself to pen a few lines to one of the best & kindest sisters that ever lived. I hope these few lines may find you injoying health & all the nessessaries of life, & I do hope that you are advancing steadely but surly up to our home above. God grant that we may all meet in heaven at last. I am well, so is Jim. Dick has gone to the hospital. I am very glad of it for he has not been well since we left the whitehouse [White House Landing, Virginia]. He will now have some rest & a chance to recrute his exausted powers. Several of our men went too. Dick [h]as been sorry a hundred times that he ever inlisted in that co. We hear by way of home that Wes is unwell too. I hope it is nothing cerious. We have written 2 to Wesley since he went to the West, & he has not answered them yet. I guess he is mad or else he is forgetting his friends [family]. I hope & pray that he may be brought out all safe & sound from this. Well, Hannah, you say the back of this rebellion is broken. I believe it but you must not think the fighting is all done, for I can assure you that the rebel army is to[o] powerful to give up yet. The south can muster I sincearly believe 50,000 to 200,000 men. Men that have been & seen service too. They can fight an aufull fight. Yet you see, Hannah, the sooner they give up & return to their alleigence the better it will be for them, for we will destroy them as sure as there is a God in existence. That is if they persist in fighting. We have the Federal army. [It] has done wonders of late. It is to be hoped that successes will attend our every move. Morgan [CSA Brigadier General John H.] gone to[o] deep that time dident he? He should be shot or hang forthwith. [In June 1863, Morgan led 2,000 cavalrymen on a 1,100 mile exhausting raid into Ohio, ending in defeat and his capture. Morgan escaped prison four months later. He was killed by Union troops on September 4, 1864, at Greenville, Tennessee.] Rebellion in NY City was shorte, was it not? [Draft riots also occurred in Boston, Troy, New York, and other towns of the East and Ohio.] Hannah, you must give Cynt all the encouragement & council you can. Tell Capt. [Marvin] I will one of those days send him one aufull letter, aufull big one. Tell him to write. You be sure to write. Kiss the little ones for me. Write soon. From your brother, William Gould

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a a a Stanton Hospital Washington City DC August 1st 1863 [Saturday] Dear Sister Hannah, It is with pleasure I seat myself this pleasent Saturday morning to write a few lines to you to let you know I am alive yet and have not forgotten you. That time will never come when I shall forget that I have a sister Hannah. You must not think hard of me for not writing before. We did not get any mail for about three weeks and when we got it I did not feel like writing. I have had the Diarrhea for about one month. It made me so weak that I was not fit to march so I was sent to the hospital. I feel some better then I did, yet am quite weak. You need not worry about me for it wont do any good. Nathan Thomas is here. He is from our Co. The weather is very warm at present, it makes hard work for the soldiers to march. I have done some marching lately so I know how to pity them. Scince I last wrote you, we have had a wild goose chase, for it did not amount to any thing. When we heard old Lee [CSA General Robert E. Lee] had crossed the Potomac [returning from the invasion of Pennsylvania] there was a good many disappointed boys, I for one. We had intended to capture him and his whole army, but for the want of energey on the part of somebody we missed it. I think if our head men had been a mind to they could have bagged the whole thing. If that had been done this war would be almost at an end. As it is, I think it is on its last leg, at least I hope so. Let us hope and pray that the time is not far distance when the good Lord will remove his afflicting hand from us and smile on us as in days gone by. Well, Hannah, you said you had a nice little girl [Bessie], and if I was there you know I would love her to[o]. Well if she is good looking, plump, and dont cry, I would love her, no mistake. How dose Gertrude get along? Tell her to be a good girl. Kiss her for me and Willie [William’s son] to[o]. Give my best wishes to Cynthia. Tell her to write. Hopeing to hear from you soon, I remain your Affeconate Brother, Richard Gould a a a [Stanton Hospital, Washington, D.C.] August 1st 1863 [Saturday] Dear Brother Marvin, I will try to write a few lines by the way of an answer to yours of ult [date]. Was glad to hear from you once more and to hear you was well.

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Hope those few lines will find you the same. They do not leave me in as good health as I wish, but the prospects are fair that I will soon enjoy good health again. There is one thing here that I dont like. That is some of the wounded rebs is permited to stay in the hospital with us. Eat at the same table, doctered by the same doctors. Every day some of the women bring them something to eat or ware. They are used better than our own soldiers are. Just think, enjoying all the comforts of the union soldiers to day and tomorrow with a musket in there hands ready to shoot us if they have the chance. Aint that awful? Take good care of yourself. Write soon. Yours as ever, R. G. Address Stanton Hospital Ward No. 5 Washington City D.C. a a a Stanton Hospital Washington City DC August 10th 1863 2:15 PM [Monday] Dear Sister Hannah, Through the mercies of our kind father I am still alive and enjoying better health then I was when I last wrote to you. Was pleased to hear from you again and to hear you, Marvin, and Gerty were all well and enjoying yourselves as usual. Hope this will find you the same. I am glad to have heard from Wes. I began to think he was among the missing. I have not had a letter from him scince last fall. When you write send his Directions so I can write to him. I guess he has forgotten me but I aint forgot him, poor boy. How I would like to see him. Hope the time is close at hand when we all can come home and see each other. What a glorious time that will be, dont you think so, Hannah? Give my best respects to Marvin and all enquiring friends. I got a letter from John. Did not know how long I would stay here so I did not send the Directions. When you see him you can tell him where to Direct. Tell him to keep good courage and to put his trust in the Lord. Write soon. And believe your own Brother, Richard To Hannah Good Bye, R. Gould a a a Camp near Nicholasville KY 20th August 1863 [Thursday] Dear Sister, Yours of July 30th is received by me. I was very glad to hear from you,

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also to hear that you was well. You will perceive that we are again back to old KY. We where all glad to get out of Mississippi, but we will have marching enough to do here. We expect to go into Tennessee as soon as we get rested a little. Where is Dick, Will, & James? I have not heard aneything from them in a long time. Are they all alive yet or are they not? Well, Hannah, Henry Lord has gone home on furlough. He lives at John Glasses. If you could get time to come down & see him, you could find out all about us. He would like to see you, for me & Henry are good friends. He is to be at home 20 days. Sergant Campbell [1st Sergeant Adolphus D.] is also home on furlough. When they return, there will be a chance for two more to go, but it costs a good pill of money. I will send you a record of Co F as soon as I get it filled out. The name of every man, also what has become of him. I will try & write oftener after this. We have had so much moveing to do lately that I have had to neglect writting, but have not thought no less of home & friends than I would had I written every day. We have now got a very nice encampment. I am lying under a nice shade tree at present, a rather poor position for writting, but is the best I can do. The boys from the Basket are as well as usual. I am enjoying as good health as I have for some time. Hope these few lines will find you & all the folks well. Tell them all to write to me & I will now try and answer their letters. We where paid day before yesterday, so we have plenty of money now. I had ought to send you some but expect to get paid again soon. Then I can send it all home together. Now Hannah you must not forget to write oftener and write good long letters. Let me know what all the folks around there are doing. I would like to write you a long letter, but I must try & write to Cynthia to day, then I will have to clean up for inspection. Give my love to all the folks. Kiss Louisa & the Baby for me. I must close. Excuse poor writting. Tell Marven that I have not yet forgot him. Write soon and belive me your Brother, Wesley Gould To Hannah Thomas Good Bye. Address Co F 45th Regt P.V. 1 Brig 1 Division 9 A.C. Nicholasville KY care Col. Curtin. a a a Folly Island [South Carolina] Sept 6th 1863 [Sunday] Dear Brother, I sit down to write you a few lines. I received a small letter from you &

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Hannah one week ago, & it done me good to see that you have not forgotten us, though we are a thousand miles away & have been gone 12 long months. Was very glad to see that you were all so well & enjoying yourselves in our quiet home. I am all so well, as is James, that is we aint sick though we dont feel like we used to at home. You cannot begin to think what war is. It is so much different from what I used to think it was that I say you at home dont know what war is, nor can I tell you with pen & ink. We are now away down in Eagypt [deep south] as it is called in or have been in plain sight of the Palmetto city [Charleston, South Carolina] the cradle & birth place of rebellion. We have been in gunshot of wagoner [Fort Wagner] more than once too, & yet strange to say we only lost out of 144th [NYVI] 1 man killed & two wounded by the enemy, but our co lost two good soldiers since we landed here. Both died & are bury on Morris Island. One with the Typhoid & the other by the bursting of a 200 pounder [artillery shell]. The latter, both burey in one day, was W. P. Fish. You know him. He was corpl [corporal] & was what we used to call a regular dare devil. He made the Seymore [New York Governor Horatio] democrats in our regt last winter quake & tremble with his strong arguments. He was a bold friend of freedom. Marve, you better believe we used to have some fun in the line of politicts, we do yet but not so much as the oppission [opposition] is very small now. Our Capt. Penn [John D. Penet], Fish, corpl. Geo W. Wood, & I when we got sat down by the fire & got to talking politicts we drove every thing to the wall before us though nearly. At one time, one half of our co were democrats including both Lieu[tenants], that is Cole [John P.] & Siver [Charles C.] but our lieuts. now are republicans or war democrats, but this kind of news dont interest you much, I dont believe. The way our men get so close to the rebel works are without losing a great many men is because we have deep intrenchments to walk in & they run nearly to the foot of fort wagoner. They are so deep that a man can stand up & walk, & the sharpshooters cant shoot you either. So nothing but the shells that burst right over the intrenchments & then there are holes or bombproofs for us to dodge in. So by this means the loss of life is but small to what it would be if the rebs only had a fair sweep at us. The seige & bombardment of those two forts sumter & wagoner goes on. I dont think they can stand it a great while longer. I do hope they will soon have to yield to the power that is now pressing them so sorely. [Fort Wagner was evacuated on September 6, 1863.] Marve the old, or rather, the new Ironsides is worth a half or dozen monitors. She has 6 guns on a side & I have seen her when she looked like a terrible sheet of fire when she has been ingaged in earnest. We dont know as the war is progressing any now or not, for we dont get any of the new york papers, but I do hope that as the troops here are at work they will all

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so do their best in other parts, so that we can soon crush this gigantic rebellion & come home to live in peace. All the rest of our days I intend to take care of myself the best I can. Marve, you done a good thing in not coming, for such slim men do not stand half a chance here. You used to say that I was tough. Well I begin to believe it, for I have been on every march & drill almost that the regt has, & I stand in yet while of the 900 men that we started with but one tenth can say so much. Not 100 men in 144th [NYVI] but have been sick more or less. We now have 180 men fit for duty. 3 capts are very sick & hundreds of others in our regt. The warmth is not so great here as in Va, that is on these islands. The breeze are continually ablowing here. To day is the hotest one we have seen for this island. I hope you will have good luck & raise all you want [to] eat & enough to ware too. Marve, the Lieut [S. S. Gregory] wanted me to act as commissary for the co & I have done so on this condision that I should be excused from picket & other camp dutys as other co commissary are. They promised to do so, but with one exception I have had to go with them everywhere so this morning James & I asked to be relieved, & we have just been. James was cook & the commissary sees to the drawing of the rations for the co. Give my love to Hannah & the children & believe me your brother & friend & well wisher, William Gould a a a Folly Island, S.C. Sept 6th 1863 [Sunday] Dear Sister, With pleasure I take my pen in hand to let you know that I have not forgoten you though far away. Well Hannah I am still alive and I feel thankfull to our God for it. I hope this will find you all enjoying good health and all the comforts of this life. I recived your kind letter of the 9th of Augt last Sunday. I was glad to hear from you and to hear that you was all well, for I do love to hear from home and friends [family], and I love to write to my friends at home when I get time to write. That is not very often for we are on the move all or most of the time, but never mind that. I will try to find time to write to dear ones far away. Well, Hannah, to day is the holy Sabbath, but little does it seem like Sunday to me. O how glad I shall be if the time ever comes when I can be at home to go to meetings, then I can enjoy my self better then I can here in the armey. This wicked armey. What can be expected of so many men together, and you must know that some of them are hard cases. I shall not afto [have to] stay in the armey always if alive and if I die I shall be free from the cares of this life. I must now eat my supper.

Letter from James Gould.

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I have had very good supper for a soldier but you might not think it was very good if you had it. The most of our men are sick. This is not the place for them this time of the year. We do not suffer much with the warm weather here, not half as much as we did in VA. For we are on the sea shore and the air is cool most of the time. If the water was good on these islands I could live here. The best water I have had since I came here is rain water, and you know how you would like to drink rain water. Hannah, you must take good care of your self and the children. Kiss the little girl for her Uncle Jim. Tell Girty that Uncle Jim [h]as not forgoten her. Hannah put your trust in the Lord who does all things well. Remember me at the throne of grace. Give my love to all and believe me your Brother, James Gould Tell Marve to write. I will try to write to him soon if I can. J. G. Tell Cynth I would write to her, but she and me hear all the news. a a a Folly Island S.C. Sept 9th 1863 [Wednesday] Dear Sister Hannah, I will now begin to write you a few lines. I am as you no doubt will be glad to learn in tolerable good health, as is Jim. We are on Folly Island but in hearing & in sight of the fuss that has & now is in progress on Morris Island. All most every moment in the day, yes & night too, the cannon roars. It dont however disturb us much now, for I dare say we have heard as much cannonading as any other troops in the field. Why, Hannah, just as true as you live, we now can & do lie down & go to sleep right under all most the muzzel of the cannon, so familiar is the noise to us. When we first used to have a gun or cannon go off right close to us, it made us s[h]udder & tremble but not so now. There is nothing like getting used to it, is there, Hannah? Well now we have been on these Islands nearly 4 weeks & since we came here much has been done towards the reduction of Charleston & its defences. We have dug intrenchments, helped draw cannon seige guns of the heavest kind, done picket duty for 15 days, and in all this time we had scarcely one good nights rest. It was a wise order in some man to send us here to have a little rest, for we as a regt. were far to being worn out. I should like much to see Morris Island. We now hold possession of that Island with all of its armiments. It is reported here

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that we have got [Fort] Sumter & that the monitors yesterday, while bombarding [Fort] Maultrie, blew up her magazene. Is not this good news for us? We are gaining on Charleston. The rebs say they will burn it if it should like to fall in our hands. Just as they like about that, dont you say so too, Hannah? We will have possession of these harbors. If the cities are to all be destroyed in burning Charleston. We would, the north I mean, lose one cent to their hundred. This we can stand as long as they can, dont you say so too. We dont know as we shall stay here long. We are not permently detailed for this [D]epartment. It was said by those that should know that we came here only for 30 days, but as it has taken longer to destroy the rebel works in & around Charleston harbor, we may have to stay sixty at any rate. I shall be glad to get out of this place in 60 days. I dont want to go back or anywhere els till we take the city of treason & its defences which will soon be done, I do candidly believe. Now, Hannah, you must love the Lord & do all the good you can to all. Cheer up Cynt. She is having a great deal of trouble it seems. I of course sympathise deeply with her & you & all that are so much run upon in our place, but never mind. All will yet be well I think & God if we do right will make all things work for our good. Yours indeed, William Gould Thursday finds us in health, thanks to God for all these blessings. We do not know for cirtain that the flag floats over Sumter yet. Cpt T. Lewis [Captain Thomas Louis] of co C 144 [NYVI] remains start for home today. He died night before. Will a a a On picket guarding the R.R. [Virginia] Sept 21st 1863 [Monday] Dear Sister Hannah, I received your kind letter sometime ago. Was glad to hear you was well and enjoying yourself as usual. Hope those few lines will find you the same. I am not well, yet still am some better than I was when I last wrote you. Some days I feel quite smart [healthy], than again I feel quite poorly. I am very weak. I could not stand a long march. I hope it wont be long before I can stand a march as I use to. Sometimes I think that I have seen my best days. Still I am not discourage, for courage is half of the battle, or they use to tell me so when I was a small boy. Sometimes I all

Letter from Richard Gould.

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Dear Sister

most wish that I was a small boy yet so this war would not trouble me, but there aint no use makeing such a wish, so I must make the best of it. I tell you, it is no funny job to be a soldier. The hardships dont hurt me half so much as it does to have so many bosses. That is where it grinds me to have a man tell me to do a thing & I have got to do it wether I want to or not, or else do worse, but we have one consolation. That is there is a time comeing when we can do and act as we have a mind to. The Officers had better let us alone, if they know when they are well of[f]. I cannot think of much to write this time. Take good care of yourself. Do not worry to[o] much about us boys, for it wont do us any good, and it will injure you. Write soon. Kiss Gertrude for me. Tell her to be a good girl. Tell John I would like to hear from him & Henry to[o]. Give my love to all enquiring Friends and except the same yourself, Richard G. September 21st 1863 Dear Brother Marvin, It is with pleasure that I seat myself once more on Uncle Sams big chair to write a few lines to you to let you know that I am not dead nor forgotten you. Hope this will find you hale and hearty & enjoying yourself as well as circumstances will permit. Well I hear you have had the draft. I suppose you are very glad that you aint one of the lucky ones. You have need to rejoice and be glad. [The Union draft provided 46,000 draftees and 118,000 substitutes, who were paid $300 each for their service. Another 160,000 men never appeared for their physical exams.] I heard John was drafted. Glad it aint so. The old troops that was sent to New York [City] to enforce the draft begin to come back yesterday. One Div[ision] marched by and to day some more went up on the cars. Just as I am writeing this there is a train of wagons passing by with pontoon boats. Every thing looks like a forward movement & I expect before long there will be one of the bigest and bloodiest battles fought [Chattanooga Campaign]. O may victory crown our efforts and give us complete success over our enemies, for that is what we want and what we need. Now, Marvin, do the best you can. Do not get discourage and this thing will come to an end before long. Write soon, and believe me still your Brother, Dick Excuse all mistakes. a a a

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Folly Island S.C. Sept 25th 1863 [Friday] Dear Sister Hannah, As I now have a good oppertunity to, I will write you a few lines, sincearly hoping that they may find you all in the injoyment of health, strength, life & all its nessesary blessings & also that a kind Providence smiles, owns & loves you still. I have been off or unfit for duty for 5 days. My complaint is the disentary like all the rest. I have been in this way for 4 weeks & tryed to ware it out & not go to the drs [doctors], but it was to[o] much for me, so I now am on the sick list, though not much sick. Several thought I would have the Fever & no help for it, but did not, & am today 90 per cent better than I was 5 days ago. All I want is rest. I am well enough but feel so weak that I cant resume my duties yet, but expect to in a day or so, if God is willing. There is not as much sickness among us as there was 10 days ago, but we have lost several men here & even 2 per day. The Measels [is] in our camp & a regt. in our brig[ade] has the black measels. Wont that be to[o] bad if we have that direfull disease to contend with to[o]? They all tend to lessen our army, but if in God we put our trust all will be well. We got but little news here. Dont see the N.Y. papers once in a fortnight. Charleston aint taken yet. Neither is Fort Sumter occupied by our men. We here a roumer that Gilmore [Major General Quincy A.] is now shelling the city. If this is only true, but I dont believe it, than we will soon move camp for somewhere else. So Wes is sick. I am sorry to here that. I hope God will be his help & cure. Did you have that feast of faithing at campmeeting? I hope you did & that God the King was in the camp & that his holy & mystic presence was there felt by the church. I should liked to have been there too, but it is otherwise ordered so I can but pray for you. I was much pleased with the pious tone of those few lines. It done my soul good to read such holy sentiment coming from one I knew to[o] as a child of God. Well, Hannah, pray on, sing on, press on & upward. Thy prayers will yet be answered & thou shall see if God wills the return of thy brother who so nobly left all that is near & dear on earth to go & fight the battles of God & liberty, & if we meet no more on earth we, I hope, may make an unbroken family in heaven. O when that eloustrious day shall come. But enough for this time. Pray for me & for the rest. What do you think of the plan of Cynt going to keep house for Milks? [Mr. and Mrs. David Milk were an elderly couple on nearby farm.] Good by. Give my love to all. Tell them to write. Tell John, George, & Hank to write. From your unworthy brother, William Gould a a a

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Knoxville Tennessee Oct 4th 1863 [Sunday] Dear Brother Marvin, I once more seat myself to write you a few lines, hopeing you will excuse me for not writting sooner. Our Brigade left here yesterday morning. We heard that the rebels was trying to get to the Rail Road, also trying to capture our Baggage Train about 40 miles from here, so they went to stop their fun. The sick was left behind. I have been unwell for some time, but am well now, but have not got my strength yet, so the Lieutenant [George P. Scudder] told me to stay. My Officers are very kind to me. John Chandler is here sick. John Hughs is here but is well & on duty. I cannot tell when the boys will be back. They may be back to day & may not be back in a week. May good luck attend them wherever they go. Well, Marvin, the Tennesseeians are having a great time here. They are enlisting by hundreds daily. We will soon have quite an armey of Tennesseeians. They think all the world of Burnside [Major General Ambrose E.]. They say that he is the man for them. He is also the man for me. If we had all such Generals as Burnside, this war would have been ended long ago. We have now got possesion of the R.R. from Chatanoga [Chattanooga, Tennessee] to the Virginia line. The cars run from here to Greenville Tenn., most to the VA line. The Rail Road Bridge across the Tenn. River between here & Chatanoga was destroyed. As soon as we get that built, we will have R.R. communication to Louisville KY via Nashville & Chatanoga [Railroad]. Then we will be ready to make another strike, where it will be I am not able to tell, but would not be surprised if it were Richmond VA. If not there, it may be into North Carolina to get possession of that R.R. runing from the rebel capitol south. If we get posssesion of that Rail Road, Richmond will be cut off from the whole of the Southern Confedracy except the State of VA. Secession is about gone up the spout. Northern Yankees have proved too much for southern Chiverly. What think you? Well, Marvin, I wish I had a New York paper this morning so I could read the news. We hear all kinds of rumors about Charleston and the armey in VA, but I would like to know the facts. I would like to know how Bill & Jim are getting along, wether they are both alive and well or not. We hear that our forces have got possession of Charleston. If so I presume you know the partickulars. Rosecrans [Major General William S.] has been having some very hard fighting lately, but I cannot give aney partickulars of the Battles. [The Battle of Chickamauga, September 1863, produced 16,169 casualties, nearly one third of Rosecrans’ force.] The report is that General Grant is reinforcing him. Bragg [CSA General Braxton] had large reinforcements from Johnston [CSA General Joseph E.] also the rebel armey in VA. Jacksons [CSA Lieutenant General Thomas J.] old corps was there.

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So deserters said that fought under Jackson at S. M. [South Mountain] & Antietam & several other Battles. The rebel General Ewell [CAS Lieutenant General Richard S.] commands the corps now, if I am not mistaken. Their calculations where to destroy Rosecrans’s armey, but they have failed in the attempt. I have seen a list of the names of persons drafted in the town of Hancock [New York]. Among the rest I notice the name of Marvin W Thomas, but wether it is you or not I cannot tell as there is two or three Marvin Thomas’s in the town. I also noticed the name of Cornelius Richard, also Wm Gould & Wm Neer, but I guess they will wait a while before they get the last two to pay their three hundred dollars. [Gould and Neer did not pay for a substitute; both had already enlisted.] I have got a good maney letters to write to day, so I cannot write too long on one. You must take good care of your self, Hannah, Gertrude, & the Baby. Tell Gertrude that I am soon comeing home to see her for I dont think that this war will last a short while longer, and if it does, I have not quite a year more to stay. That will pass quickly by. Give my best wishes to all the folks. Tell them all to write to me. I must close hopeing these few lines will find you all in the enjoyment of good health. Good Bye. Wite as soon as you get this and belive me to be your faithful brother, Wesley Gould To Marvin Thomas Excuse poor writting. Address co F 45th regt P.V. 1st Brig 1st Division 9 A.C. Knoxville Tennessee in care of col Curtin a a a Folly Island, S.C. Oct 20th 1863 [Tuesday] Dear Sister, After so long a time I will now try to write a few lines to let you know that I have not forgoten you though far away. I am well and enjoy very good health, and I hope and pray that this will find you all enjoying all the comforts of this life. Well, Hannah, I have had two letters from you since I have writen to you. I have thought about writing time and again but something would turn up so I could not. I have thought of you often, yes even in the mid night lonly hours while walking on my beat, my thoughts have been at home where dear ones are and my heart was raised in thankfullness to our God for his mercys to us. He [h]as given us health and speard our lives thus far through this evil world. O how thankfull we should be for his goodness towards us from day to day.

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Hannah, it is very pleasant to day and I am seting by the sea shore, and all nature seems to rejoice and my mind wanders back to days gone by when I was at home with my friends [family], where I could enjoy my self and feel happy to what I now do, but I look foreward with hopes that thoes happy days will soon come again. But some times it looks dark when I see so many that die every day that I then think we will all find a soldiers grave. I will put my trust in the Lord. He will do all things well. Hannah, thoes that try to do what is right and to live the best they can try to serve the Lord are thought the less of and are looked at by the officers as if we was dogs. Them that can steal the most and swear and tell the most lies are the best men, or at least are thought so by the most of the soldiers and officers, but never mind that. I will try by the grace of God to live right, and I hope the time will come when I can with you worship the Lord togeather in that old school house [built in 1849 by Gould family and their neighbors in South Woods, New York]. What a happy day that will be for me, for both my soul and bodey will feel as though they were let out of prison. Why, Hannah, last winter I could enjoy my self very good in serveing the Lord, for then we could have little prayer meetings, and I could have time to read the bible, but now I can not hardly get time to read the bible, and we have so much duty to do that I can not sleep in my tent more then one night in week. I do not like this place. I wish we was back in old Va again where we could see some one besides soldiers duty. I will try to do it with pleasure if God gives me health and strength. I must now close for this time. May the Lord be with you all. Take good care of your self and the children. So good by. Give my love to all, and Belive me your brother, J. G. Tell Marvin that I would write to him if I had time. Tell him to write and I will answer it. Write soon and often, Hannah, if you can. Tell Cynthia I will soon write to her. The next time you write to Wes, tell him to write to me, for I have writen five or six letters to him and have only had one from him. a a a Louden Tennessee Oct 25th 1863 [Sunday] Dear Sister Hannah, Yours of the 11th inst [October] has just been received. It was a welcome visitor. I am sorry to hear that you trouble yourself so much about me. You must not think me Dead because you do not hear from me oftener,

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for I do not get much time to write aney more. You will see that we have left Knoxville [Tennessee]. Are on the move all the while. Expected to have a fight here yesterday. Sent all our Baggage Wagons across the river and got everything ready, but was disapointed. It appears that the rebels made a feint to make us think that they where going to advance, but instead of advancing, I belive they fell back. But I should not be surprised if we had a brush with them yet. If we succeed in clearing Tennessee of the rebels, we may get some rest, but not till then. I hear that they have had a fight in old Virginia. Also that Meade [Major General George G.] has been succesfull and captured several prisoners and a large amount of artillery [Bristoe Campaign]. Hope the report is correct. But we hear so maney false reports that we cant hardly belive what we hear. Well, Hannah, I wrote you two letters while we where at Knoxville and wrote one to George and one to Marvin, one to Cynt, one to Dick, one to Will & James, but it takes a long while for the letters to go through. Well I must stop and cook my dinner. Wish I was at home to take dinner with you. But keep up good courage, for the time passes swiftly by, and I will soon come home, then what happy times we will have once more.

After dinner I am well and hope these few lines will find you all the same. The Basket boys are all enjoying tolerable good health. Tell Gerty that I will try and be a good Boy, and in the mean time she must be a good Girl. Give my love to the folks and reserve a large share for yourself. Tell Marvin to be sure and write me often for I like to hear from him. He must not think that I have forgot him, for I have not. Tell John and Henry that I would like to hear from them. I am sorry to hear that Henry does not make everything go as he would like, but it is nothing more than I expected. He might of waited till he got older before he got him a wife. He would be much better off if he had not got married, but had joined the Armey. We have had preaching here to day. The Chaplin of the 79th N.Y. [VI] preached. Would like to be at home to go to meeting once more. If nothing happens I will not be denied the privelage of going to meeting in the old Schoolhouse much longer. God speed the glad day when we may all be allowed to come home and enjoy the comforts of life once more. You must excuse this poor writting, for my pen is poor, and I have a very poor place to write. Would like to sit down by the old table and write a letter. I would like to know how James gets along. He has got a good maney triles [trials]. As near as I can find out, they do not treat money as they should over to Hughes [James’ in-laws]. If this is so, Jim

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must feel bad about it, but I do not think it will be long before James can come home, then things will be different. There is nothing more for me to write at present, so I will have to close by bidding you Good Bye. Wesley Gould To Hannah Thomas Write as soon as you get this, and belive me ever your loving Brother, Wesley Address co F 45th regt P.V. 1 Brig 1 Division 9 A.C. Knoxville Tennessee in care of Col. J. I. Curtin. a a a Bridgeport Alabama October 28th 1863 [Wednesday] Dear Sister Hannah, I received yours of the 20th ult [October] this morning. Although it was more than a month old, right glad was I to get it. It may seen strange to you that it was on the road so long. Well I will try and tell you the reason. I suppose you are aware that we have left the army of the Potomac and joined the army of the Cumberland [reinforcements for the Chattanooga Campaign], and our Officers was to[o] neligent to send after it. That is the reason it was one month and 4 days that we did not get any mail. I am not very well but feel some better then I did yesterday. I and Warren have left the Regt. again and gone to the convalescent camp. I have not been well scince we left the White House [Landing, Virginia], but hope to soon if it is the Lords will. I scincerly hope those few lines will find you and the children well and enjoying all the blessings of a peaceful home, which are very many compared with a soldiers life. You said you had written to me twice scince you have had a letter from me. I have answered every letter you have sent me or at least that I have got. I dont blame you for feeling bad because I dont write, for you think that I have forgotten you, but that is impossible for me to forget my sister Hannah as long as I am in my right mind. Yes I wish I was there to eat some honey with you. I think that pancakes and honey would go good if my appitite is [not] poor. I hope and pray that the time will soon come when we shall be permited to enjoy each others company again, and all the other boys [brothers]. We will have some good old times again, dont you think so? So you think I was poor when I had my likeness taken. Well I was rather thin. That is a fact. I am about the same now. If you could see some of the soldiers, then you could talk

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about being poor. Well, Hannah, take good care of yourself. Put your trust in the God of our fathers and pray for me often, for I need them. Some times I am almost over come by the wicked one and have a notion to give up in dispair, then again I take courage knowing them that hold out to the end shall be saved. I tell you, of all the hard places to serve the Lord, this is the hardest. Write soon. I still am your Affeconate Brother, Richard Gould Dear Brother Marvin, I received your kind letter this morning, Was glad to hear you was well. Hope this will find you enjoying the same blessing. You will see by the date of this that we have left old VA. I thought that was a hard place but this is worse. Daily papers sell here about half as large as the new york herald for ten cents, and every other thing in perportion. I will not try to tell you any thing about the country this time. I got a letter from Wesley, one from Jim & Bill, and one from George this morning. Wesley had joined the regt again and was well as usual. You must excuse this short letter this time, and I will try to do better next time. I dont know how long we will stay here, so I wont send the directions. You need not write till I write or send the address. Yours as ever, R. G. to M. T. a a a Bridgeport Ala Dec 13th 1864 [Sunday] Dear Sister Hannah, After so long a time I will write a few lines to you to let you know that I have not forgotten you. I am still alive. My health is about the same as it was when I last wrote you. Hope those few lines will find you, Marvin, and the children well and hearty and enjoying yourselves firstrate. I got your letter some time ago. Would have answered it before. I did not expect to stay here so long. Hope you will forgive me this time, and I will try to do better here after. There aint any news here. It is one of the worse places you ever saw. Everything is scarce. Apples is in good demand, two common size ones for 25cts, pies about the size of a pancake, and not much better, 25cts and other things about that price. I long for the time to come when I can get things for what they are worth. Well, Hannah, keep good courage pray on, and the good Lord will give us peace before long. I got a letter from George the other day. He said he had an awful time

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at the Eddy [a log staging inlet on the Delaware River, New York]. That is rather bad. Tell Marvin he must write. You must excuse this short letter from your own Brother, Richard. Direct to me convalescent camp Bridgeport Ala. Tell John & Henry I think they are great brothers wont write to a brother. Yours, Dick Give my love to Marvin. a a a Our Motto is Victory or Death Camp in the Field East Tennessee Dec 17th 1863 [Thursday] Dear Sister Hannah, It has been a long time since I have written you a letter, but you must not think it is because I have forgotten you, for I have not. We have had busy times for the last two months. We are now lying in line of Battle ready to give the Enemy Battle. They are again advancing on us. We are about twenty miles from Knoxville [Tennessee]. We may have to fall back there behind our fortifications, but we are going to try the strength of the Enemy first. We hear that he has got large reinforcements from Virginia. They are detirmend to drive us from East Tennessee, but it is my opinion that they will have a gay time in so doing. [Wesley was promoted to Sergeant in December 1863.] General Foster [Major General John G.] is in command here now. [At his own request, Burnside was relieved of command at Knoxville on December 9, 1863.] Well I suppose you have heard all about the seige of Knoxville before this time, so I will say nothing about it, only that we give the Johnny rebs more than they called for. I think that we will be good for them in aney place or at aney time. Your kind letter of Nov the 8th came to hand a short time since. It was a welcome visitor. It was the first letter that I had got from you in a long time. I have got several letters from the Boys [brothers] wich I have not answered, but will answer them as soon as I can. Tell Marvin that I will write to him soon. He must not forget to write to me every oppurtunity, for it does me good to get letters from home and friends [family] in times like these. It cheers my heart and strengthens my arm for the Battle. You must write often. Tell them all to write. Well, Hannah, we are having very hard times here at present, but we will not complain. We are willing to suffer for our country, but it trys

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our hearts sometimes to think that while we are here fighting to protect the people at home and suffering hardships almost beyond endurance, some of them are doing all they can against us, but there may be a time when we can retreive our wrongs. If so, the way of the cursed traitors will be a hard one. I can write not more at present. So Good Bye. Write soon. Give my love to all the folks. Kiss Gerty & the Baby for me. This is from your ever loving Brother, Wesley Gould To Hannah Thomas Direct as before. P.S. You wished to know what I thought about nameing the baby. I think that Betsy is enough. I never liked too maney names, but do as you think best, Wesley. The Paymaster is now a paying us off. I did not sign the Pay rolls so will not get my pay. I thought that I would wait till I could send it home then draw it all at once. I have got five months pay due me. Skirmishing has already commenced in front but it is a raining, so I think that there will not be a general engagement to day. [Two weeks later Wesley received a thirty-day furlough home, suffering from chronic diarrhea.] a a a Folly Island S.C. Dec 30th 1863 [Wednesday] Dear Sister Hannah, I have now got to writing you again. I dont know as I owe you one, but no matter. It is the 30th day of Dec 1863, & I will write you one more in this year. This is the first whole year that we have lived in which we have not seen each others faces. Is it not, Hannah? More than 14 months have come & gone since I last saw you at Hancock [New York]. You remember how my feelings were affected. It was impossiable for me to constrain my feelings. It did seem to me to be a great undertaking, & considering the cause of or for which I bid home brothers & sisters adieu, & the very great danger to which I should soon be exposed to, & the risk of never returning to see the seenes of my youth & those I love so dearly. It was no wonder that tears flowed quite freely is it, Hannah? I did not know, nor did I ever think what an unsettled, uncirtain & above all else its privations, hardships & sacrifices I should have to endure in this military service of our country. But Blessed be his Holy Name. Out of them all our Lord & Saviour had brought me softly through. Yes, Hannah, softly & tonight the last night but one in this year I am as well

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as I could wish. Now, Hannah, aint I great cause of gratitude & love to our God. Just look at the tens of thousands slain & the still greater noumber died by deasies in the defence of their country in the Year that is past almost, & you will join with me in giving praise to the Giver of all good for his marvelous & misterious love & care shown to me, wont you? What shall I render unto Him for all his benefits to me? He also has kept my friends [family] safe & this is another cause for thanks & praise, while some of my fellow soldiers have lost wives, children & other near & dear friends mine has been speared. I asked the question what shall I render unto Him. I very well know what answer you would give if I could hear your voice. It would be love & serve the Lord. Earnistly & faithfully too all your days, would it not. This I with shame & sorrow must tell you I do not do. This is a barren place, as it were, to serve the Lord. I am indevoring [endeavoring] however to love the God of my Father & to serve him too. But I must confess in an unsteady & unfaithful way. I read as many as 2 chapters in the Testament every day & spend much of my time in singing & meditating on God & heaven. Good night. William

Thursday 1 p.m. All well. We have just come in from inspection & mustering for pay too, & so I have a few moments of leasure. I will try to finish this letter. We mustered for 2 months pay $26.00. This will be paid to us in the month of Jan., I guess. The war news here is not much, & as you take the Tribune [New York newspaper] you can see & learn what is doing as well & even better than I can tell you. We hear plenty of cannonading. Charleston aint taken yet & I dont know when it will. Not very soon. Our monitors & gunboats are not as powerful as they was thought to be, but then the fault may be in the men & not in them. Wes & Dick dont write to us. What can be the cause? We have now been 15 months in the U.S. Millatary Service. Who thought when we inlisted we should be in so long. The great object of the War on our part is not yet accomplished, though in a fair way to be one of these days, while on the side of the traitors it grows darker every day. It will take some more very hard fighting to bring this war to an end, but by the first of July next I dont see why peace cant be restored to us & war be forever banished from Columbia land. Have you plenty to keep you this winter? How much stock do you winter & how does Cynthia tend to our stock & does she see as much trouble about me as formerly? But enough for this time. Kiss the children for me. Tell them Uncle Will is coming home one of those days. Give my love to all friends [family]. Tell them to write. Dont forget to send me a whole letter. I dont like half ones. Good bye. God

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bless & save us all for Christ sake is my desire. This from your brother, William Gould a a a Folly Island [South Carolina] Dec 31st 1863 [Thursday] Dear Brother Marve, I will also write & send in Hannahs letter a few lines to you hoping that you may be well & sound when they shall reach you. They leave me in fine health & spirits. Marve, aint we got great reasons for thankfullness & praise to God for his preserving care over us through another year. One year ago yesterday we were on Upton Hill [Virginia] & went to Annandale [Virginia]. This may be called the very first of our campaining. We could none of us believe that the war would last thus long. But still it does exsist in all its vast proportions & is likly to last some time yet. The troops in this department [Army of the James] are an expense to the Government & have never earned their salt, yet the officers it does seem that all they care is to have the soldiers dress like fops & they gloss themselves. The intreast of our Govt is over looked. The great objects of the War is forgotten. The cause for which we inlisted is not hardly once mentioned by them. It is all they care about to have their cos & regts & Brig have their guns in the most perfect order of cleanliness, their brasses shined up, straps blacked, as also shoes & polished. & to cap all we have to wear white gloves. This is the way things does go here. We spend over one hour per day cleaning our guns & then they dont always suit some young beardless upstart who perhaps untill he inlisted never saw a gun much less pass judgement upon one. If you could be here to see us clean our guns, it would please you much. This sand here is very fine & clear of gravel too, so we take our barrels out of the stocks & take the gun strap or sling, walk right out in the alley, through [throw] the barrel down in the sand, take the strap, put it round the barrel, & do scouring away. This gets the rust all off & leaves the barrel very bright & free from rust, but as might be supposed the sand does scratch the barrel more or less, & so we have to take a woolen cloth, get it full of sand, & then give it a thorough going over & it is as bright & as clear that you can see your self in one quite plain. We have to handle them with gloves or mittens on our hands or we would stain them. Be the hands ever so clean. This war is coming to an end one of these days or perhaps I might with more propriety say one of those days. Well if we can get this great work accomplished in time to get home to spend the 4 of July 1864, I will be glad. I dont see why it cannot. The rebs to be sure are straining

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every nerve to raise the last man able to bear arms to do something to regain their lost & sinking cause, & unless the powers that be at Washington use their best & greatest endevors we shall, I am afraid, hear of their massing their armies & so piling on to some of ours & with overwhelming noumbers Shove back our advancing forces West & thus cause another long delay. The rebs here are getting quite bold & saucy & pich into our advance posts once & while. They generaly get drove back with loss however. We talk of giving them atending to soon. It may be their boldness, a ruse to keep all us troops here while they send lots to Bragg [CSA General Braxton] & elsewhere. Marve, if you had suffered & under gone what we have, judging from how you would talk when I was at home, you would curse the Govt. & be willing to let the South go, dont you say so now. But not so with me. This vast National domain must not be divided. This is worth contending for to the bitter end. God will in His own good time give us peace & happiness & I have that love for a united country & so much opposed to a divided one that I will endure with paciente [patience] the privations of this warfare till it ends & ends in a way satisfactory to our govt. too. But long sheet is full. What are you a doing for a living this winter. The weather here is mild at present. Give my Best wishes to Brothers & Sisters & to all kind friends & tell them all to write. Your brother, William Gould

CHAPTER 4

1864: Wesley, James, Richard, William, George Convalescent Camp Bridgeport Ala Jan 13th 1864 [Wednesday] My Dear Sister Hannah, It is through the tender mercies of our kind Father that I am still alive & enjoying myself better than I have for a long time. I am gaining quite fast. Hope I will keep on till I get as I use to be. I recieved your letter some time ago. Was very glad to hear from you too and to hear you were all well. I hope those few lines will find you all the same. I would have answered your letter before but had just written one to you, so I hope you wont think hard of me for not writing before. There aint much news here, so if I don’t write a long letter you cant blame me. The best is there are old regts passing through here almost every day on their way home. They have reenlisted for three years or during the war. That must make Johnny reb feel rather queer to think that 2 1⁄2 years has not made our boys afraid of them nor discouraged them. I think by the first of October this wicked war will be ended. I hope & pray it may be before, for surely it is a cruel war. All my old friends has left me. John Norton & Warren has both gone off to the Hospt, so you see that I am left alone, yet I trust I am not alone for I hope the good Lord is with me. I try to live a christian life but sometimes I come far short. Last week I got a package containing a pair of mittens, no name nor any thing else, but by the looks of them, I think I can guess right where they came from & that is from you. Be I right or not, any how I am very thankful for them

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whoever sent them. We have had some very cold weather here for this part of the world, so them mittens came very good & I will make it all right yet. I was weighed yesterday. My weight is 138 lbs. I am rather slim now, I tell you. It wouldent take much of a boy to handle me now. I dream of home most every night and of being at your house & of going in the buttery & down in the celler and eating pie & cake. If I should come there and act so, I would not blame you if you took the broom stick and drove me out of the house, but if I had the chance I would willingly run the risk of that. Write soon. Give my love to Cynthia & Marve & kiss the children for me. I still remain your loveing Brother, Richard The next time you write, I wish you would send me a hank of thread. Here we have to give 20cts & then it is so knotty it aint worth any thing. Tell Marvin & Cynthia to write. Direct as before. Richard Gould to Hannah Thomas a a a Folly Island, S.C. Feb 14th 1864 [Sunday] Dear Sister, After long time I will try to write few lines to let you know that I have not forgoten you though far away. I am well and enjoy my self very good so far. I hope and pray that this will find you all the same. Hannah, I recived your kind letter of Jan 31st last evening. I was very glad to hear that you was all well. Thanks be to our heavenly Father for good health which is one of Earths gratest blessings. As long as we have health, we can get along in this world. Well, Hannah, this war does not seem to be ended yet, nor do we know when it will. I suppose not untill the Lord [h]as punished us enough as a nation for our sins and wickedness. Our head men and rulers was the ones that was so wicked. And when they met at Washington to make our laws, it seemed as though they did not care for any thing, only for their own good, not for the good of the Nation. They would get drunk, fight, and quarrel, and do many other things of which I need not tell you, for you can guess. Such men are no better to make our laws then dogs are. That is so. Why, Hannah, I think that this war is going on just right, and I think that it will not last much longer. We cant tell for we thought one year ago that it would not last long, but we are shure that it is one year nearer to an end then it was one year ago, that we know to be so.

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I am glad to hear Dick is geting better. I hope the good Lord will spear our lives to return home to friends and dear ones. I hear every little while about some dieing in the armey that I used to know. We know not how soon we shall be called to die. May the Lord prepare us to meet him in peace and all will be well. I hear the heavy thundering of the cannons up around Charleston harber. The gun boats I think are at work. We got back from our raid all safe, that is our Regt. Some of the Regts lost some men. I cant say how many. You will hear all about it in Bills letter. I am sorry to learn that Jacob Reider [Ryder] is dead. It seems hard to see and hear of so many brave young men dieing. The strength of our land. How many thousands of young men as falling victoms to death since this war began, and God only knows how many more will fall. I hope this cruel war will end soon. May the Good Lord hasten on that happy day. I have enjoyed myself better this winter then I did last winter. The time goes very fast. I think we have been on this island over six months, and it seems but short time. It is about eighteen months since I enlisted for a soldier boy. It [h]as been my good luck to enjoy good health most of the time, while others have been sick most of the time and scarced as falling victoms to cruel death. We have had very fine weather here this winter. Have had but little stormey weather. We have not had over two feet of snow at once on the ground. I suppose you have. About two weeks ago I was on Cale Island [South Carolina] to help build fort, and the little gnats was very troublesom. You may think I am telling storrys, but I am not. And the butterflyes are flying around so you can guess what weather we have in the suney south. Well I shall afto [have to] close for this time. Tell Marve that I will write to him some of those days, if all is well. Tell him to write. Give my love to all the children, and kiss Betsy for her Uncle Jim. Loisa must be quite a gal by this time. I would love to see her. You know I love children. Give my love to all friends. Except the same yourself. Now with kind good bye I close, from Brother James to Hannah Thomas my Sister. Tell Cynth that I owe her letter, but she hears from me often in Bills letters. a a a Convalescent Camp Bridgeport Ala Feb 27th 1864 [Saturday] Dear Sister Hannah, As I have been writing to John & Sara, I thought likely you would like to see a few lines from your Brother Dick again. Well I feel pretty good

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for me at present, but I have some poor spells, but I hope to out live them and enjoy good health again. Hope this will find you and all the folks well and enjoying yourselves first rate. I recieved the thread and your note some time ago. Would have answered it before this, but have been looking for that letter which you promised to send soon. I also got a letter some time ago with a 2cts stamp in it. Was glad to get it and when I get paid will return it. You must all write and write a big letter. Give my love to Marvin & Cynthia & kiss the children for me. Yours as ever, Richard Gould Direct to the regt. You said Henry had a notion to come down here as a sutler. Tell him for me that he had better stay there where he is. Tell him to write and I will try to tell him some of the trubles &c. [Sutlers sold merchandise to the soldiers at fixed prices. Federal Regiments were allowed one sutler, appointed by the Brigade Commander or State Governor. Frequent complaints of high prices or inaccurate weights saw raids on the sutler’s tent by soldiers resulting in damages and injuries.] Dick to Hannah a a a Jacksonville Fla March 12th 1864 [Saturday] Dear & never forgotten Sister, I will now write you again, hoping these few lines may find yourself & Family & friends all well. God grant that this may be the case. This evening finds James & myself in our usual good health & strength, & are now having plenty to eat & injoying ourselves the best we can thanks to our kind & mercifull God for all his goodness to us. O how greatfull should we be, & O how we should love & serve Him. Well, Hannah, I got a letter from Cynt last night & those few lines you sent in it. I am right glad to see that you are all so well & enjoying yourselves so well too. All but Wes, & I hope he will soon regain his usual health & strength. I suppose he has, or his regt at least, started for Knoxville [Tennessee] ere this. God go with him. I do see lots of trouble on Dicks account. I hope George has or will go after him. I think he would be sure to fetch him home, as I have seen lots of such circunstances since I became a soldier of & in our Union Army. If I could see George, I could give him some advice in the matter. I hope Wesley will try & have George go. Yes, have him go by all means. If I was in Dicks place I should want some one to come & take me home, if I could not get a furlough. I bet I would. I am rather inclined to think that Richard does

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not try hard enough. I guess he lags & takes it as best he can. When the 143rd [NYVI] were with us, Dick acted always to me as though he was affraid to speak to all men who wore shoulder straps [officers]. This aint the case with me. I dont ask any odds of any of them. This is my style you know. I am very glad that Gerty goes to school & learns so well. Tell her that she must learn to read & be a good Girl & Uncle Will will send her a nice Book soon with pictures in it. I hope she & little Betsy may be good children & be a blessing to their Parents. Hannah, I should like to see that little boy [Willie] you & the rest speak of so highly of. Would I though. I may some day, God only knows. Hannah, war matters are getting very exciting & the news papers are sought after with great zeal. We are here in close proximety to the Rebels & any day may bring on a fight, & this is the case of all our armies. I see that Gen Sherman [Major General William T.] is in a tight place [Meridian Campaign]. I hope he can do a pile of damage to rebeldom & get back safely too. Our forces here just before we, our Brigade, came suffered a severe defeat. One Brigade left for some point up the reave on Thursday night. Deserters come in here every day. Yesterday 2 came in & 8 today. Those 2 yesterday brought in their equipments & horses too. Well, Hannah, give my best respects to Marvin & all our Friends [family]. I will write to Marve soon. Tell John to write & all the rest. If Wes dont go back with the regt, tell him to do the same. I will close now, so good night, Hannah. May God bless us & perserve us. William Gould James sends his love to you all. a a a Convalescent Camp Bridgeport Ala March 15th 1864 [Tuesday] Dear Sister Hannah, It is with pleasure I seat myself to write a few lines to you. Hope they will find you well & enjoying yourself well as circumstances will permit. This is about to leave me enjoying myself pretty well for me. My Diherrea is better then it was but I have a bad cold. With care I will soon get over it. I will forgive you, Hannah, for not writing to me, but I must say that I looked long and often for it & at last it came. You all seem very anxious for my welfare, thats right. But you must not borrow to[o] much trouble, for it will do me no good and it will cirtianly hurt you. I am not so sick as the most of you think. I am judgeing by what you all write. You must look at the brightest side of everything & by so doing

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you will take a great deal more comfort and so will all around you. That must took you by surprise to see Wesley when you had not the least idea of seeing him now. [Wesley was furloughed home on December 31, 1863.] Hannah, put your trust in the Lord and pray on. Pray for me. Pray that the good Lord will give me more of his grace. Take good care of yourself & also of the Children. Give my love to all enquiring friends. Write soon and believe me as ever your loveing Brother, Richard Gould to his sister Hannah Thomas Kiss the children for me. No more at present. Dear Sister Cynth, I received yours of the 7th [March] yesterday. Was glad to hear from you & to hear you were well. Hope this will find you the same. You can see in the forepart of this sheet how I am. There is no news to write of any consequence around here. It is the dullest place that I ever was in with out any exceptions. There are folks or rather soldiers enough here to make quite a city, but still that dont make it attractive, for it is one thing over & over again. I will watch the mail very close for that long letter you spoke about. Well I will have to close. Write soon. You can get the directions of Wes. As ever, your Brother Richard No doubt but what I would like Willie if I should see him [Cynthia’s son William C. born 1862]. Dear Brother Marvin, I thought I would write a few lines to you. I dont know wether you are dead or not, for I have not heard from you in some time, but hope you are alive and well & enjoying yourself as usual. I got a letter from you some time ago. Have forgot wether I answered it or not, but let that go now. Marvin, you must write to me and write all the news for I am fond of news & I like to read your letters. Write soon and oblige your friend & Brother, Richard Gould to Marvin Thomas Esq. a a a Jacksonville Florida March 21st, 1864 [Monday] Dear Sister, With pleasure I seat my self to write a few lines to you to let you know that I have not forgoten, Hannah, if I do not write to her often. Still my thoughts wander back to the old home and its inmats. I am well and enjoy my self very good for a soldier boy. I hope and pray

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that this will find you all in the enjoyment of good health. You undoubtly have heard of our move from Folly Island [South Carolina] before this can reach you. I think that I have had one or two letters from you since I have writen, but never mind that. I will write as often as can convenly [conveniently], and you will do the same I hope. I like this place very well. We have been here about one month, and it seems to me but yester[day]. The time goes very fast, I think. I am glad of it. I hope the time will soon come when I can with you and the rest of my dear friends [family] be at home once more. I am glad to hear that Wes is at home but sorrey to hear that he is so poorly. I hope he will get well and enjoy good health which is a great benifet to a soldier that as to be far from home and friends. I often wish that Dick would get well and feel as good as I do, then he might take some comfort in being a soldier. I hope the good Lord will in his kind mercy grant us all good health and life both spiritual and temporal. We have had some very nice weather since we came here. It is raining this evening. The wind is in the north east. It is a cold storm for this country. Well, Hannah, this war does not seem to be ended, yet still I am not discourage about it. I still hope on, for I know it will and it shall end some time if it is not till you and I are laid in our graves, but I think the end is not far off. Soon and very soon I hope, that sweet peace will spread her wings over our now distracted land and may joy and happiness fill the hearts and homes of our people where mourning and sorrow does at the preasent. How many thousands of homes is draped in mourning for loved ones that [h]as fallen in the armey? God only knows how many more will fall victoms to death in this cruel war. I shall afto [have to] close for it is geting most bed time. I hope to here from you soon. May the blessings of God be with you all. Remember me to the throne of heavenly grace. Give my love to all the children and all friends too. I would love to see Girty. Tell her that Uncle Jim thinks of her often. So good bye for this time and belive me your Brother, James Gould To Hannah Thomas my Sister Evening of the 22nd [March] 1864 Dear Brother, With pen and ink I seat my self to pen a few lines to you, hopeing they will find you all as well, as they are about to leave me in good health. Well, Marvin, I guess you have thought some times that I had forgoten you. Still I have not, though I have not written to you very often. I have thought of you many atime. I have so many to write to, I can not get time to write to them all. We had very hard thunder storm last night. It commenced to thunder yesterday and did not stop till this fore noon. It

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rained very hard all night. The wind is in the north to night and is growing cold fast. Although the weather is not as cold here as it is up there, still I feel it just as much as I did when I was there. I have sufred more with the cold last winter then used to when I was at home. You would call this a warm night, and it would be for our country, but I call it a cold night here. I am cold while I am writing to you, for my cloths are wet and I have no house and fire to dry them. My tent leaked last night and my blanket and my self got wet and it [h]as rained most of the day so I have got to sleep with them all wet. This is not the first time. The soldiers life does very well when the weather is dry, but when it is cold and stormey he cant help thinking of home, and he may then wish to be there. I dont blame him for thinking so. Well, Marve, I hope this cruel war will soon end. Still I am willing to stay here as long as I can do any good for our country. To be shure one man is not much, but it takes ones to make thousands, and I am one and only one. I do not hear much war news now a days, but I think if I live a few months longer I shall hear enough of it, and it may be that I will see more then I like to see. What good luck our Reg [h]as had. We have been most all over to find the Johnes and we have most always been to[o] late to have much fun with them. We have always done our duty like good and brave boys, still it [h]as been our good luck to keep out of the fights, not becaus we are cowards, for our Regt [h]as got a better name then that. We are called brave soldiers by thoes that are older then we are. You may think that I am a braging but I am not. Well I shall afto [have to] close for this time. You must write soon as you get this. Marve, you must try to be a good boy and love and serve the Lord. May God bless you and give you grace to live, and you will be ready to die and meet our dear ones in that land where all will be love and joy. There will be no wars there. Lord prepare us all for that heavenly home of rest. There we shall bath our weary souls in seas of heavenly rest &c. Take good care of your self and the children. Give my love to all. So good night to you. And believe me your Affectionate Brother, James Gould To Marvin Thomas Esq Bill is well. Tell Cynth that I would write to her if I had time. Give my best respects to her and tell her to write to me. J. G. a a a

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Camp of the 143rd reg NY Vols near Bridgeport Ala April 13th 1864 [Wednesday] Dear Sister Hannah, I recieived your kind letter the other day & glad I was to get it & to hear you were well. Hope this will find you the same. I am getting so that I feel like myself once more, still am not very ruged yet, but I gain fast & if we lay here any length of time I will be all right again. Well, Hannah, it is three years ago yesterday scince the war commenced. We did not think it would last so long, but then they had the advantage of us. Now we have the advantage of them in almost every respect, and this summer we will push them to the wall. What do you think? You said that I did not. . . . so anxious to come home as you was to have me. I would liked to have come home when I was sick and did try, but found that there was no use, so I made up my mind to hold up my head and die tough and keep good courage. This being homesick and worring kills more soldiers then bullets dose. I think there is no use of feeling bad and worring for things that cannot be help. This borrowing trouble is something that I dont beleive in, for it can do not good and it cirtianly dose hurt a person. It will make his hair gray & his forehead wrinkle. Well I cannot think of much more to write. Take good care of yourself & the children. Tell Gertrude to be a good girl. Tell her that Uncle Dick will be home some time to see her if he lives. Write soon and write all the news. From your loveing Brother, Richard Gould Dear Brother Marvin, As I have time and a little room left I thought that I would write a few lines to you. Hope they will find you enjoying yourself firstrate. You can see in Hannah’s letter how I am. Well, Marvin, I have been out over half of my time, and if I feel so good when the other half is done with as I do now I will be satisfied, but I hope it wont be necessary for me to stay all of my time out. Now you must write to me, dont forget it. I hear you have bought our old oxen. Well you have got a good team but they must be getting rather slow now. I hope you will have good luck. Do the best you can. Write soon & believe me as ever your brother. Well, Cynthia, that long letter you promised me aint come yet, & when I get it wether it is big or small it will be a long letter, that is it will be a long time scince I began to look for it. Write it soon. From your Brother, Richard a a a

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Camp near Alexandria VA May 14th 1864 [Saturday] Dear Sister Hannah, I arived here this morning all safe and sound. [Wesley was returning from medical leave.] Cannot get aney farther at present. May have to stay here two or three days before I get transportation. We have good news from the front. They are going to wind the business up at once. Troops are continualy leaving here for the front. They do not mean that Genl Grant [Lieutenant General Ulysses S.] will want for men. I hear that General Johnston [CSA General Joseph E.] & his army are taken prisoners [Atlanta Campaign]. Also that Burnside [Major General Ambrose E.] is at present in the Enemy rear, and I would not be surprised to hear of the capture of the greatest share of Lees [CSA General Robert E.] army. The boys are making so much noise that I cant think of aneything to write. We are in some old Barracks. I am well and hope these few lines will find you and all the folks enjoying the same blessing. I hear that our Regt. has been in the fight and have lost very heavy. Poor fellows. It is too bad, but cant be helped. I have got to see about drawing some clothes and some other things, so I will not have time to write more at present. Give my respects to all enquiring friends. Write soon. Excuse this short letter, and belive me your Brother and Friend, Wesley Gould Address Co F 45th regt P.V.V. 9th A.C. Washington D.C. in care of Col. Curtin. P.S. Please dont scold me for not coming home. Wesley [Wesley was medically discharged at Blaine’s Cross Roads, East Tennessee, on December 31, 1863. He received a furlough home of thirty days. His time was extended on the recommendation of his local physician due to chronic diarrhea until May 1864. Rather than leave military service, Wesley accepted the rank of private and spent those five months as a Veteran Volunteer recovering his health. He then went back to his former regiment.] a a a Near Dallas Georgia June 1st 1864 [Wednesday] Dear Sister Hannah, It is through the mercies of a kind father that I am still alive, for surely I have past through dangers unharmed where many has fallen victims

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to the ruthless hand of death. I have been in some hard places scince I last wrote you [Atlanta Campaign] but have come out all safe with the exception of a head ache. [Sixteen CSA cannons had blocked their path.] It was the noiseiest place that I ever was in. Our Div lost about 1800 men last wensday in about two hours. That is cutting men down at a fearful rate [Battle of New Hope Church, Georgia]. We have been here one week & there has been fighting every day scince, & the lines lay the same as they did then. Well we have moved 4 or 5 miles scince I commenced this letter. The rebs are makeing a desprate stand. They have a good posistion. What we will do I know not. Things looks rather hard at present, but they may take a good turn any moment. My God in his goodness grant us complete success & may we be the means of bringing this awful war to a close & be permited to return to our homes & friends [family]. O what a happy day that will be. You that are at home know nothing of the hardships that a soldier has to endure. When we was at home, when we got tired then we could rest. Now we have got to go till our Gen. says rest. A fellow gets so tired that he is almost inclined to think that death would be a releif. Some times I have almost been like that my self, but then I have got into it & I will make the best of it. Expect the worst and hope for the best. Jim got back about a week ago. [James went home on a thirty-day furlough in April 1864.] I got the things you sent with him. Was very glad to get them. They tasted like home, but while I was eating it the bullets would whistle by, so you see that there was danger, but for all that it tasted good. You can tell Cynth I got that letter and found no fault with the length of it. I like to read her letters. Will answer it when things gets cooled down a little which I hope they will, for I am most wore out. We have been on the move 30 days. Most all the boys are the same. Jimmy Brown [son of ‘‘Camp Meeting’’ Jim Brown] got wounded in the hand. He was the only one from around there that is in this battle. Give my best wishes to Marve & Cynth. Kiss the children for me. When you pray remember me at the throne of grace. I find this is the place we need Christ to lean on, & I find it is a hard place for one to serve the Lord. O may his grace be sufficient for me and at last save me in heaven is the prayer of your own Brother, Richard Gould Marvin Chandler sends his best respects to you. Write soon. Excuse dirty paper and lead pencil. a a a

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Camp of the 45th Regt P.V.V. near Richmond VA June 7th 1864 [Tuesday] Dear Sister Hannah, Yours of the 22nd [May] is received. I was glad to hear from you also to hear that you where all well. I have been with the Regt. about two weeks. Have been fighting all the time [Battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia]. Things are quiet this morning to what they generally are, but there is still some firing. They are making some change in the lines. When they get that done the fight will again commence. We had a very hard fight last Friday. [Federals killed or wounded on June 3 added 7,000 to the nearly 5,000 casualties of first two days.] Our Regt. lost one hundred and fifty nine killed & wounded. Our first Lieut. George P. Scudder was killed. We are losing men every day. Have had 420 killed & wounded during this campaign. They know that our Regt. will fight, therefore they always put us in the front. There is but few of us left, but what there is are detirmined to take Richmond or find a soldiers grave. I cant write much news for I have not got time. Have not got aney more photographs but intend to get some, then I will send one to Henry & one to James. I got a letter from Uncle yesterday. He and aunt where well. As for money I have plenty. There is no chance to use it here. The report has just come in that the Rebels are advancing and I guess they are, for the skirmishing is getting to be quite sharp in our front. The bullets are whistling around here as if they where hunting for some one, but I guess they dont want to hit me or at least I dont want them to, for I have not done all the shooting at the Rebels that I want to yet. One just came over that made me dodge. We have got good rifle pits here, so I will have to stop writting and get in them to save my head. Well, Hannah, keep up good courage for we are gaining a little every day, and the hardest of it will soon be over. Do not think me dead if you do not hear from me very often, for if I do get killed there will some one let you know it right away. Write soon for it is a great comfort for me to get letters in times like this. Tell them all to write. Give my love to all the folks and accept the same for yourself. Excuse all mistakes for I have been in a hurry. Things are quiting [quieting] down again on the skirmish line. May not have much fighting to day and we may have a good deal. It is hard to tell what will be done until minutes before hand. I remain your ever loving Brother, Wesley Gould Direct as before. P.S. You spoke of the Newburgh [New York] girls and about my taking quite a fancy to them. I guess you are mistaken. Do you think I would trade my Margery [Chandler] for the whole of them, but now is no time to think about girls. Wait till the war is over.

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a a a Hilton Head S.C. June 19th 1864 [Sunday] Dear Brother & Sister, I will now write you a short letter. I hope this beautifull Sabbath morning finds you all well safe & sound. I commensed this under the most favoraible circumstance & I feel to Bless the Lord for His kind dealings to me. James is well & so are the rest of our aqueontices here. This Holy Sunday sets me to thinking of home & those Holy Sabbaths I used to injoy 2 & 3 years ago when at home & surrounded by Friends [family]. I wish, yes wish, those happy days were come again. But it seems to me that we are destined to stay some months yet. There is no news here. There is to be shot this morning a man of the 41st NY Vol here for desertion. Poor foolish soldier. He is a substitute come out last fall. Well, Marve & Hannah, I had to lay aside my writing to go with the rest of the soldiers to see that unfortunate man shot. He died without a strugle. It was one of the most painfull sights I ever saw. He was marched under gard to the grave then ordered to take off his coat which he did & look & acted as though he cared for nothing. There was a red peice of cloth sewed on his shirt bosom & a little to the left. He was attended by a chaplain. The Troops were drawn up on both sides & in front of him. Thus died another one of those who will do what they know to be cirtain death. I dont mean to desert. I expect some news from home soon now as the Steamer Arago has just arrived from N.Y., & I hope to hear some most cheering news from the Army investing Richmond. We dont get news here oftener than once a week, & so when it comes we are all on tiptoe to get the news, & Bless the Lord the news so far as we have heard it, up to 5 inst [June], had been good. Grant [Lieutenant General Ulysses S.] steadly pressing up to the very walls of Richmond, & yet we feel most sincearly to mourn with those who have lost Friends in the series of most desperate fights. What blood has been sacrificed & still the work of destruction & Death goes on & the Lord only knows when it will close. 3 years of hard fighting & this War not ended & no slacking of the War or of hostilities yet, but it grows more desperate daly. Yet by hard fighting is the only way peace can be obtained & union secured, so fight it is. I dont much think we will stay here long but dont care either for that matter. They cant send us where there will be more fleas than there is here. We got a letter from Dick last week. He was well & in fine spirits too judging from the tone of his letter. May God preserve brother Dick. Our Union forever is my motto come life or death. We will soon be on our last or 3rd year in the War. We dident think it would last quite so

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long. I hope you are getting along finly with your springs work. I suppose my old Cynt driving things about this spring. Is land any higher priced than when we left home, & what is the changes in Margville [Margaretville, New York] this spring? Is there much land being cleared there & does the people think of lumbering stiff & strong this summer fall & winter. Why dont you tell the news? But I must stop, for my sheet is full already, so puting my trust in God & beleiving His promises I will by confiding you to & all kind friends to His care bid you good bye, hoping soon to see you all when peace shall be restored to our country. brother, William Gould [William was furloughed home on August 9, 1864, was promoted to Sergeant on December 1, 1864, and went on recruiting duty in May 1865. a a a Camp of the 45th Regt. P.V.V. near Petersburg VA June 29th 1864 [Wednesday] Dear Brother, I once more seat myself to write you a few lines. I received a letter from you and Hannah not long ago. I have written one to Hannah and did not know when I would get another chance, so I thought it best to let you know that I was still alive and well. We are to take the front again to night [Petersburg Campaign]. There is two lines of Battle and we relive each other. Are on the front line 48 hours and the same on the rear line. When we are in front we do not get much chance to write. Day before yesterday while in front we had three men killed & three wounded in our regt. Well, Marve, we have not got Petersburg [Virginia] nor Richmond [Virginia] yet but are continually pecking away. Every night we advance a little closer to the rebel works and dig rifle pits. Some places the lines are but a few yards apart, and if a man from either side show his head he is prety sure to lose it. We are now undermining a large rebel Fort right in our front for the purpose of blowing it up. We will send a few Johnnies nearer heaven than they would ever get without the aid of a few kegs of gunpowder. We expect to make a charge when the Fort is blown up. We will make them get. [Colonel Henry Pleasant, 48 PVI, a mining engineer, completed a 511-foot shaft July 23, 1864. A week later, a planned explosion produced a large crater stretching into Confederate lines. Nearly three hundred Confederates died in the blast.] We are getting just right now to fight. The men are hardened to it. They do not care but little more for bullets than they would for snow balls,

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but still there is some men that you cant get near a battle. Such men are a damage to our cause and had better have staid at home. I have but one thing to complain of and that is so maney worthless and drunken Officers. There is a great maney of our Officers that have not seen one sober day for the last month. Even our Division Commander General Potter [Brigadier General R. B.] is a cussed drunkered. All he ever was before the war was a dancing master and a whore house bully in the city of N.Y. Capt Gregg now commands our regt [Theodore Gregg was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel September 23, 1864], and he is so drunk that he dont know what he is about one half of the time. And in fact there is but few of the officers in the army but what drink. If a man can drink whiskey, play cards, and do everything else that is low and mean, and had got rich friends or relatives, why he can get an office in the U.S. Army no matter wether he knows aney thing or not. Such is the plain truth but I would to God it where not so. It trys a mans patritasm. It is most too much for flesh and blood to stand. If we have a good Officer he is sure to get killed, but the mean ones will manage to get out of danger if possible. Our Col [John I. Curtin] was wounded and our Major [Edward A. Kelsey] killed. They where both good men. Some of our officers time is most out, then it is at our option to choose wether they shall be our Officers for the rest of our term or not. I think we will shove them out, some of them so far that they will never return, for there has several of the boys swore vengance on them. Well it will not make the matter aney better if I should write ever so much about it, but I hope it will not be so long. It is a wonder to me that we have gained so many victories as we have. While I am a writting the sharpshooters are pecking away. There is also quite an artillery duel going on. Our fellows are shelling the enemys works and the rebel batteries occasionaly reply. I think that Petersburg will soon be in our possession, then we will have no need to advance aney nearer to Richmond. With all their Rail Road communications cut off, let them stay in Richmond if they want to. It will be of no use to them. Petersburg is worth a great deal more to them than Richmond would be without Petersburg. They know it or else they would retreat to their strong fortifications at once. Some of our men at the north think that we are not gaining aney thing unless we take Richmond, but let me tell you we are gaining much more than we would be to rush our men on to the fortifications around Richmond and have our men slaughtered, for one man is worth as much as three while in such fortifications. I think that Grant [Lieutenant General Ulysses S.] is only carrying out plans that he made long ago. I think that he never intended to make a direct attack on to Richmond. Well it is getting late and I have not yet eat my supper. I would like to write more but shall not have time before the mail leaves. Give my love to all the folks. Tell them all to write to

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me. Write soon. Give me all the news. I remain your affeconate Brother, Wesley Gould P.S. I would like to be there to eat some strawberries and cream. I think they would taste good. a a a Camp of the 45th Regt. Penns. Vet. Vols Near Petersburg VA July 10th 1864 [Sunday] Dear Sister Hannah, Yours of the 3rd [July] has been received, and I will now endeavor to write a few lines in the way of an answer. I am still alive and well. Hope this will find you and your family enjoying the best of health. The seige of Petersburg still goes bravely on. Neither side has gained aney ground for some time. Both sides keep up a continual firing with canon and mortars. The boys have quite a dread of mortar shells but they make a pretty sight to see after dark. They look like balls of fire passing through the air. They can be seen in the day time but a person has to look sharp. They can be dodged if they do not burst, but when they burst the pieces fly in all directions. The safest way is to lay flat on the ground. We are some of us getting killed or wounded every day. There is no other regt. here that loses as maney men as ours. If there is aney dangerous spot, they are sure to put our regt. there. Aney charges to be made we have to lead them, but what we cant do in the way of fighting there is no use of aney other Regts trying. Well, Hannah, I hear that the Rebels are making another raid north. [CSA Lieutenant General Jubal A. Early took his troops to the outskirts of Washington, D.C.]. I am glad of it. I wish that they would go clear to Boston [Massachusetts] then we would be sure that they would never get back south again. I think that they will have to work sharp now if they ever get back, for our fellows will have a large force after them soon. There has several Regts gone from here, and they have got to retreat a long way before they are safe. I wrote a letter to Marve not long ago also one to Cynt. Tell her not to forget that long one she was going to write me. Tell Marve to write. I got a letter from Dick that was wrote the 24th of last month. He was well. I sent a letter to John with $5 five dollars into it some time ago. I wish you would find out whether he got it or not. We have not received aney pay yet, and dont know when we shall. I wish you would send me a few Postage Stamps if you please. I will send you a package containing a few articles

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wich I do not wish to carry with me here. You need not open it, but set it away and keep it till I come home. We are having very hot weather here now and not had scarcely a drop of rain for six weeks. We have a great maney sick men. I wish that the summer was over, for then we might get a little rest. I will have to stop for the present. Write soon. Write a good long letter. Give my love to all the folks. Kiss all the children for me. Wesley Gould a a a Near the Chatahoochie River Georgia July 12th 1864 [Tuesday] Dear Brother & Sister, I received yours of the 26th [June]. Was glad to hear from you & to hear you were all well. I am well & enjoying myself tiptop for such a place as this. Hope this will find you the same. I have not had a letter from anybody for 6 weeks till day before yesterday. I begun to think you had all forgotten Dick, but now I see that I was mistaken. I have had three within three days. Well this war drags along rather slow, but I guess pretty sure but it is costing thousands of lives, & I am afraid it will cost many more before it is over. We are within 7 miles of Atlanta [Georgia]. We can see it by climbing a tree. I think it wont be long before we can see it without climbing a tree. I was on picket yesterday saw the R.R. Bridge, or rather where it used to be. It is burnt now. The river is about as big as the East Branch [River, New York]. Their picket line is on the one side and ours is on the other side. It was foggy yesterday morning so we thought we would advance our line before that is the men we releived kept up good & steady fire, but it stopped about 10 oclock that night, so we thought they had fell back, so we run around right in good gun shot. Some of us went down to the bank of the river, I with the rest. You can judge of our surprise when we saw them about noon. About the middle of the afternoon the rebs swam the river and treaded tobacco for coffee. They said that they could have give us fits if they had wanted to, but as good fortune would have it we came out of that all right. The Rebs says that they like old Hooker [Major General Joseph] and his men is most all the talk here. They go by the name of the starry corps [XX Army Corps]. The 1st Div has the red star, the 2nd has the white, the 3rd has the blue, so you see we have the red, white & blue and we are able to keep it. [In 1863, Chief of Staff, General Daniel Butterfield suggested Corps badges to Army of the Potomac commander, General Hooker. The idea spread to other Union Ar-

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mies.] Well I hope you will have rain and a bountiful harvest plenty to eat and to ware. Do the best you can. Dont forget the boys [brothers] that are far away from home. Give my best respects to all enquiring friends and except the same yourselves. Write soon. This from your Brother, Richard Tell Cynth that I wrote an answer to that letter some time ago. I got a letter from Wes of the 24 [June]. He was well. Got one from Bill & Jim of 26 [June]. They were well. a a a Hilton Head, S.C. Aug 23rd 1864 [Tuesday] Dear Sister, After long time I will try to pen you a few lines to let you know that I have not forgotten you though I have not written. I have often thought of you. I am well and I hope this will find you all the same. No doubt you have heard from me before this time by something more then letter. Bill left here for home about two weeks ago. [William was furloughed on August 8 for 30 days.] He must be home by this time if all is well. I hope he will reach home safe and find the folks all well. I think you all will be glad to see him and he will to see you. I know I should be glad to see all friends [family]. I recived letter from Mary to day of the 12 [August]. She said Dick was wounded in his thigh very bad, poor boy. I hope he is not so bad off but what he will get through all right. If he is not wounded very bad he will be the best off in the hospital, for he will be out of danger and will get clear from great many hardships and battles. I hope I shall hear from him soon and to know how he is geting along. [On July 28, 1864, Richard was wounded on a skirmish line near Atlanta, Georgia. Richard spent several months in the hospital recovering from his wound.] Most every letter I get from home I hear of some one being killed or wounded that I used to know. I guess this war will lay the most of our young men beneath the sod before it is through with, but do not let that discourage us at all. I belive the good Lord will bring things around right in his own good time. I am willing to trust him. I hope it will soon end but I do not want to give one inch to the rebs. I would rather the war would last ten years. I recived letter from Wesley last week. He was well then. He must of seen some hard fighting since he wrote me last. I hope he will come out all right through all this war. I hope and pray

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that the Lord in his kind mercies will spare all of our lives and grant us good health which is one of Earths greatest blessings. The weather is very warm. I think we have seen our warmest weather here. We shall have more rain then we have had for the few past months. That will make the air cooler and keep the sand damp. I seem to stand it very well this summer. I hope I shall enjoy as good health for one year to come as I have for the past year. I recived letter from John the other day written July 30th. It seems to take letters longer to come from home here then it does to go from here home. There is nothing of importance going on here at present, and I think there will not be for some time to come. We have not troops enough here to try to do much with. Most of the troops has been sent north to Grants armey and still more may go, for they are needed more there then here. The steamer Fulton arived to this port yesterday from NY. She brings no news of importance from the north. We are glad to have the mail boats come so we can hear from home and also to hear from Gens. Grant and Sherman armeys and to know what they are adoing. We must not let a few defeats discorrage us, for we must expect some [Petersburg Crater disaster and Washington Raid]. I hope some of thoes days to hear of glorious news from our armeys. We will hear of great victorys or defeats before long. I hope of the two it will be the first, dont you? Well, Hannah, I shall afto [have to] close. Give my love to all friends and except the same your self. Tell Marvin to write and I will try to answer it. I would write to him now if I had time. I will try to write him next time. Tell Loisa that her Uncle Jim has not forgoten her, and he will come home some time to see her. Tell her to be good girl. Tell Cythia that I will write to her some of thoes days. I suppose she [h]as seen her old man before you get this. I expected to hear from Bill in this mail but did not. Tell Marve that Jesse Baxter is coperhead [Copperhead] and he is not much good to the government as well as a great many others. Such men are for McClellan for our next President. I am for old Abe [President Abraham Lincoln]. He is the man we want and will have. Tell all the folks to write. Take good care of your self and your children. Kiss the baby for me. Let us put our trust in God, knowing he will do all things for the best and be resigned to his will in all things. So good bye for little while. I remain as before your Affectionate Brother, James Gould To Hannah Thomas I hope to hear from you soon. a a a

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Camp of the 45th Regt. P.V.V. Near the Petersburg & Weldon R.R. August 24th 1864 [Wednesday] Dear Sister, We have fought another great Battle and have this time been victorious. [V Army Corps, commanded by Major General Gouverneur K. Warren, attacked Globe Tavern, Yellow House and Blick’s Station, occupying a mile of Weldon Railroad.] The extent of our victory you will probaly learn by the newspapers ere this reaches you. We have struck a severe blow to the rebels this time. I received a letter from you a short time ago bearing date August 7th. Was very glad to hear from you and to hear that you was still alive and well. I am well and have been ever since I got back to the Regt. Jacob I. Brazie has got back. [Wesley’s future brother-in-law returned from furlough.] He is well. He fetched me the can of berries you sent by him. They were very good. We got our pay yesterday. I had one hundred & fifty dollars $150 expressed to Lordville [New York] in James Browns name. [Brown was home recovering from a hand wound.] You will get it from him and pay him for his trouble. You will give $20 dollars of it to John and keep the rest. I have not got time to write much at present, but hope I shall be able to write you a good long letter in a few days. Give my love to all the folks. Tell John I will write him soon. Write as soon as you can. Wesley Gould a a a Camp of the 45th Regt. P.V.V. near the Petersburg & Weldon R.R. August 27th 1864 [Saturday] Dear Brother, I received a letter from you yesterday, also a few lines from Hannah, Cynt & William. Was glad to hear from you all and to hear that William had got home once more safe & sound. I am sorry for poor Dick but hope his wound is not very bad. I hope he will get home. Day before yesterday we had some more hard fighting here. Our Corps [V] did not get engaged. The 2nd Corps done the most of the fighting. They tried to get possession of the Danville R.R. Some say we got whiped. Others say that we have got the R.R. We can hear all kinds of reports here, but as there is none of us allowed to leave camp, we cannot tell wether the reports are true or not, but I do know that we hold the Weldon R.R., and as for the other R.R., it is not of much consequence aney how. We get Daily Papers here every day, and I must always buy one, so I keep

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pretty well posted on the affairs at present. We have had a great quantity of rain here for the last two weeks. It is raining most all the time. My writing paper is so damp I can scarcely write on to it. It looks now as if I was trying to take a sketch of some Battle Field. It makes me mad, for I never sit down yet to write a letter in the armey but what I had some thing to bother me about, but never mind. I will be my own Wes again some time. This war is not a going to last forever. Now then, if you cant read this, why wait till I get out of the armey then I will write you a letter that you can read. Well, Marvin, the draft come off very soon now and all the symphity that I can give those that are liable to it is I am glad of it. Wish it would take every man in the north. Then we could soon end the thing. The best thing for those to do that are afraid of the draft is to enlist and avoid it. All that we want now is men, & men we must have. Now, Marvin, write me soon. I wrote Hannah a short letter a day or two ago. Tell all of the folks to write. I will write or scribile as often as I can. Good bye. Wesley Gould To Marvin Thomas a a a Camp of the 45th Regt. P.V.V. Near the Petersburg & Weldon R.R. Sept. 7th 1864 [Wednesday] Dear Sister Hannah, I once more seat myself to write you a few lines. I have not received aney letter from you nor aney of the Boys [brothers] for a long time. I hope that you have not give up writting to me, but judging by the amount of letters that I have got of late I should say that you had, but I will scold no more if you will promise to write oftener in the future. There is nothing of importance going on here at present. We are being reinforced very fast. It will not be long before we will again be prepared for another movement. Our Regt. has received several recruits and expect several more every day. The Army is in better spirits than I have seen it in before for a long time. Our late successes at Mobile [Alabama], Atlanta [Georgia], and here has been a grand thing. It has not only raised the spirits of the army, but the people at the North who where so despondant but a short time ago think that they can now see an end to this war, so there are a great maney of them now enlisting. That is what I like to see, men is what is now needed and I think that we will soon have enough to give the finishing blow to the Rebelion. God knows I hope so. It is my belief that who of us God sees fit to spare till the first

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of the year 1865 will see an end to this war. Well I will close for to night and wait till the mail comes. So good night. Pleasant dreams to you. W. G. Thursday Morning Sept 8th 1864 This morning finds me still alive and well, and I hope it will find you and your family enjoying the blessing of good health. Jacob I. Brazie & John W. Hughs are well. So is L. W. Lord. Well, Hannah, the mail has come in but there is no letter for me. We are having busy times at present. Have got a very nice camp, plenty of good water and plenty to eat such as it is. I hear that John & Henry have enlisted. When you write to me let me know all about it. [Henry enlisted on August 27, 1864.] I shall have to stop writing for the present, as there is nothing more to write about. Write soon as you get this. Remember me kindly to all the folks. Kiss the children for me. I will close hoping to hear from you soon. Good Bye. Wesley Gould a a a Hilton Head, S.C. Sept. 9th, 1864 [Friday] Dear Sister, This evening I seat my self to write a few lines to let you know that I have not forgoten my Sister Hannah. I am well and enjoy good health & hope & pray that this will find you all the same. I recived letter from you some time since. It was written 21st of Aug. I did not get time to answer it last mail that left here. To day I recived two letters from Mary and one from Wes. He was well. Weses letter was written Aug 31st near the Petersburg and Weldon R.R. [Virginia]. I would love to hear from Dick to know how he is geting along. He will be hop[ing] to get furlough this fall. I hope he will get one. [Richard was furloughed home in October 1864.] I shall try to get furlough some time between now & spring & do not know as I can get it or not. Time will tell. [The Regimental Commander granted furloughs on a selected basis usually after one year of good service.] We have heard that Atlanta GA was takeing by Gen Sherman [Major General William T.]. I hope it is so. Our men are gaining on the rebs at Mobile [Alabama], and I think that they are geting the worst of the job at Petersburg [Virginia]. Every mail that comes from the North I expect to hear that Grant [Lieutenant General Ulysses S.] [h]as got Petersburg which will open the door to Richmond [Virginia], then Mr Johnneys take care of your selfs or our men will take care of you in

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such way that you will not like. Why, Hannah, this rebelion must and shall be put down and that soon. While I am writing to you & can hear the booming of the large canon at Charleston harbor [South Carolina], a distance about sixty miles. Uncle Sam talks very loud to the rebs some times. There was a national salute of 35 guns fired from Fort Wells at this place for the fall of Atlanta. The harbor was galy dressed to day with the flags from every boat and ship boath large & small. It looked nice to see hundreds of flags afloating in the breese of beautifull automs day. Good news does the soldiers good. They love to hear such news. I belive the Lord is on our side. It cant be other wise, and we shall come out all right as gold tuged seven times, and we shall as a nation shine forth in the world as free people & nation whoes God is the Lord and him will I serve. Well, Hannah, I shall afto [have to] close. Take good care of your self and the Children. Give my love to all friends [family], especialy the Children. Remember me to the throne of grace. So good by for this time. And belive me your loveing Brother, James Gould To Hannah Thomas a a a Hilton Head, S.C. Sept. 10th, 1864 [Saturday] Dear Brother, With pleasure I take my pen to address you a few lines, hopeing you will pardon me for not writing before. I am well at preseant. I hope this will find you the same. The weather is very warm hear now. I suppose the folks are haveing great times enlisting in Hancock [New York] and all through Del. Co. [Delaware County, New York]. We can put down this rebelion. What we want is men to keep our armeys full, and we will bring Mr rebs to their milk. I think that they are geting the worst of the bargin this year. The way Gen Sherman [Lieutenant General William T.] [h]as killed them around Atlanta [Georgia], there will not be any of them left to come to their milk one year from now. The Fulton arived here from New York to day. She brings N.Y. papers of the fifth [September] and Atlanta is ours. Bully for it. I knew that city would fall into our hands. Next will be Mobile [Alabama] or Petersburg [Virginia], then old Richmond [Virginia]. What places will they have left, only Charleston [South Carolina] that must fall to rise no more in its former state, that is slavery the curse to our land. This war will put an end to slavery in the United States of America. I recived letter from Mary to day. She says that George & Henry has enlisted. Good for them. I love to hear of men enlisting, Brothers or any others. [George enlisted on August 20, 1864,

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seven days before Henry did.] Well, Marve, what do you think about the election this fall & who do you think will be elected of the three? [Nominees for President were George B. McClellan—Democrat, John C. Fremont—Radical Republican, and Abraham Lincoln—Union Republican.] If the folks at the north are as the soldiers are, as far as I can learn old Abe would be president. He is the one I want, and I think he is the one you want and every true union man wants for president. Write when you can. Do your best for Abe at Washington. Excuse this short letter. From your Brother, James Gould To Marvin Thomas I am all right boath on the war and President. a a a Genl Field Hospt Chattanooga Tennessee Sept 15th 1864 [Thursday] Dear Sister, Yours of the 20th [August] was recieved the other day. Was very glad to hear from home & to hear you were all well. You said it had been some time scince you had heard from me, also that you had written to me two or three times. I dont doubt it, but then I answered the last letter I got from you & am ready to answer them as soon as possible, for I know you are anxious to hear from me, or at least I think so. I know I am anxious to hear from you. My health is good as usual, and my wound has almost healed up, but my leg is stiff and will be for some time yet, but you must not worry about me, for I am doing well enough, but the furlough part looks rather dark at present, then I dont care much wether I get one or not. Still I would like to spend a few days at home this fall, but if I cant, I cant. I was some what suprised to see that George & Henry had enlisted. I got a letter from George yesterday. He said that he liked it so far firstrate. Hope he may always. He aint got into the merits of the case yet. He did not tell me how he had arranged things, but then I guess he has done the best he could. Anyhow I will not complain so far. He has done firstrate. I long for the day to come when this cursed war will be over & we are permited to meet at home, if that time ever does come, wont we have some good times. Well one year more & if I am alive I will be a free man. [Richard’s three-year enlistment was to end August 21, 1865.] Now, Hannah, keep good courage. Do the best you can. Put your trust in God & pray for me. Write soon, and Believe me your loving Brother, Richard

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Give my best respects to Cynt & Marve & all enquiring friends. You need not write till you hear from me again, for I know not how long we will stay here. No more this time. Three Cheers for old Abe [President Abraham Lincoln]. a a a Camp of the 45th Regt. P.V.V. Near the Petersburg & Weldon R.R. VA Sept. 18th 1864 [Sunday] Dear Brother, It is with pleasure that I now seat myself to my Army Writting Desk to pen you a few lines in answer to your kind and welcome epistle of Sept 11th 1864. I was very glad to hear from you and to hear that all of you where still alive and well. So Henry & Goeorge have enlisted at last. Well I think it is the best thing they could do. May the Good Lord protect them from all harm. I do not think that they will ever see much fighting, for here is where the hard fighting is going to be done. I think that you will soon hear of one of the greatest Battles of the War being fought here very soon. Both Armies are preparing for it, and if we are succesful wich I have every reason to belive we will be, it will be the last great strugle of the Rebelion for its Independance. There may be some more fighting after that, but it will not be so hard, for the Rebels will be affraid to risk another general engagement. Their army are losing a great maney men every day from desertion. This I know to be a fact, for I have seen a great maney of them and have talked with several. They all tell pretty near the same storry. There is great destitution in the South. Scarcely aneything to eat or to wear. There is also great dissatisfaction with the Jeff Davis Administration, and it is next to impossible to keep there army together, so I think that I have good reasons to think that should we be successful in the fall campaign it will end the war. Then we will all return to our homes a wiser and a happier lot of People and a stronger nation. May all of our efforts to crush this wicked Rebelion be crowned with success. Our arms have met with a great maney serious reverses during this war, and I hope to God they will meet with no more of them. Well, Marvin, I am glad that there is so maney men enlisting. It shows that there is some men in the north willing to fight for their country yet. Providing that they get well paid for it. [Enlistment bounties and higher pay became available after June 1864.] Well, Marvin, you told me to keep up good courage. I shall I assure you as long as I enjoy as good health as I am now enjoying. You must also keep up good courage, for there

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is surly a better day a coming. Now, Marve, you must write often. Tell all the folks to write to me. Give my love to all enquiring friends and accept the same for yourself. Write soon and believe me ever your affeconate Brother, Wesley Gould Excuse this poor scrbling. A word to Sister Hannah, Now, Hannah, I have written you several letters, but have not received aney from you in a long time. You must write to me often. I am now a going to ask a favor of you. It is this, you will send me the flannel shirt that you made for me last winter, if you please. You can send it by mail. I will not write aney more this time. Wesley To His Sister Hannah Tell William that I wrote him a letter a short time ago and will write him another one soon. W. G. Good Bye to you all. [Wesley was captured at Weldon Railroad on September 30, 1864. He and Jacob Brazie spent five months in a prison camp at Salisbury, North Carolina. On March 14, 1865, Wesley and Jacob arrived at Camp Parole, Annapolis, Maryland.] a a a Hart Island [New York Harbor] Sep 18th, 1864 [Sunday] Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Dear Brother & Sister, I will send you a few lines to let you know that I am in the Land of the Living yet. I am well & hearty as ever I was & feel good both in body & Spirit & hope that you are the same & all the family. You will perhaps like to know how I get along with this kind of business & wether I like it or not. Well I can heardly say that I like or rather love it, as it distroys all of a mans individuality & he is but one of the heard or mass & is not missed if he aint there, & if he is, he is not of any account or at least it appears so to me, but perhaps it will seem different when I get to the Regement & have certain duties asigned to me. [George enlisted with 144 NYVI.] But here it is a prety hard life, & a life such as I never was used to, but I shall get used to it. No doubt. 3 weeks ago to-morrow I left my Liberty behind me & have been learning some thing ever since & have unlearned some things to[o]. But I shall do my duty, never fear about that. I have not missed a Roll Call or a Ration yet & hope that I

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shall not loose either very often. The Officers here have made a mistake in sending of our men. They have all been sent away, but me & Alexander Haight, & we have been called out to go 5 times since we have been here. They say however that we shall go this week, as they have been in such a hurry sending men to the front to Grant [Lieutenant General Ulysses S.] that they could do nothing else. We, me & Alexander, mount gard every night at the Barracks. He from 9 oclock untill one, & I from 1 to 5, & that is all we do, but some of the men have to work hard as the Duce building wall & gradeing on the Island. There is some 4 or 5000 men on the Island, & they come & go every day by hundreds, but they must soon stop as the Authorieties want to send a lot of Rebels [prisoners] here as soon as they can. I want to go before they come, as if I come in contact with them I want to do it as an Enimy. I have not heard from home since I started & am quite anxious to hear. I wrote last Monday or Tuesday & told Eunice [wife] to answer me here & looked for a letter before this, but have not had any. I sent home the contracts for our land by Ed. Twaddell & forgot to tell Eunice about it & want Marvin to call & get them when he goes out if he will. I would like to hear from you all & wether William has gone back to the Regement or not. Tell John he is better off where he is & to make himself contented, as it would not suit him here by a long shot. I hope to get back all right & should feel very bad if I knew that I should not. I think sometimes of the little ones & get very lonesome, but the time will pass away & with Gods Blessing I hope to see you all again & to hold sweet converse with you. Give my best respects to William if there & Cynthia, John & Sarah, & all enquiring friends & may we all meet again. Your Brother, George Gould I hear that the Regement is at Charleston [South Carolina]. If you know anything about it you can send a line to me there in care of James & I shall get it when I get there, & tell the rest all to do the same and oblige yours. G. G. a a a Hart Island, N.Y.H. Oct 24, 1864 [Monday] Dear Sister, I received your letter on Satterday evening last & was much pleased to hear from you & that you was well. But whether or not Marvin is alive & well I cannot tell as you said nothing about him & he said nothing for himself. When I write to him again, I hope he will answer me in

Letter from George Gould.

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some shape. I enjoy very good health & strength & feel quite contented here & as I expect to stay [same]. Shall try & keep so & make myself comfortable. I got a letter from Eunice dated the day before yours & answered it on Saturday last & sent one to Will & Cynthia on Saturday before I got yours, so did not know that he had left home as Eunice said that he was there & he did not know when he should leave. But tell Cynthia that I shall be pleased to hear from her. I was very much grieved to hear that Wesley had been so unfortunate as to be taken Prisoner. [Wesley was captured on September 30, 1864, at Weldon Railroad site.] You did not say how you heard nor how to write to him. If you know send me the Directions as soon as you get this. Poor fellow. May God take care of him. He has seen a good deal of the war & is deserving of a better fate, but we must make the best of it & try to put an end to it as soon as possible. [Wesley remained a prisoner for five months in North Carolina]. It does not seem as though I was doing much that way at present, but I suppose that if I was not here some other soldier would have to be, so it is about square anyway. We expect a lot of Rebel Prisoners here soon, & if Wesley sufers through any inhumanity of Jeffs [CSA President Jefferson F. Davis], I shall have some excuse for shoot 1 or 2 or more while we are garding them, & I will do it as soon as I would a wood chuck. But let us hope for the best. He may get exchanged soon or the war may stop before long & then lookout. I hope that Dick will come home, & if he does he must come down & se[e] me without fail, as I want to se[e] him very much. We are prety well provided for here. Satterday we drew Dress Coats, another pair pants & a Rubber Blanket. I have now 1 wool Blanket, 1 rubber ditto, 1 Over Coat, 1 blouse, 1 Sack Coat, 1 Dress ditto, 1 Cap, 2 pair Pants, 2 shirts, 2 pair Drawers, Stockings & Gloves. I expect from home & I look for a Box every day now. We are kept buisy most of the time now & are learning the rotine of a soldiers life quite fast. I went to Church yesterday & the Preacher was not there. I went in the room & some men sat in a heap on the floor. I looked all around & then made a move for a chair of which there was about a dozen around the room & was going to set down in it. Up jumps a man & says get out of that. I stopt & looked around then says I understand this was a soldiers meeting, but it seems that I was misinformed so I think I will leave & out I went & the most of the soldiers after me. One of the Sargents wanted to know why I acted so. I told him that I had been in the habit of going to Church where I was as good as any man, & I would stay away untill I could go so again & I shall. We have most beautiful weather here & have had ever since I came here except a few days, & I do not anticipate much cold weather here this winter, but it blows sometimes, I tell you. Now, Hannah, go out & se[e] Eunice once in a while, & dont let her think that she has no friends. Give my best

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respects to all Friends [family]. Write soon & may you be blest with all the comforts of life. Your Brother, George Gould Kiss the little ones for me, Bess, & Gerty, & Wille to. Give my love to Marvin G Gould Hart Island, N.Y.H. Permanant Party [On October 1864 George was detailed to Company D, 144 New York Volunteer Infantry, Permanent Party, Hart Island. He escorted recruits to the frontlines held by his regiment in Virginia from their troop staging area on Hart Island until his discharge on May 9, 1865.] a a a Hart Island, N.Y.H. Nov 21st 1864 [Monday] Dear Sister Hannah, I received your welcome letter on Satterday evening last & am happy to hear that you are all well, which is certainly the best news that your friends can hear. I am well (thank the Good Lord & a good constitution) & feel midling contented the most of the time. But sometimes feel an inexpressable longing to see my family & friends & the old place once more. As far as the labour & exposure is concerned, I am better of[f] then I would be there & also better in the money matter & that goes a great way with me at present. For you know how I have toiled & planned the last few years to get along. & with the blessing of the Lord, I look upon myself as almost independent as far as what some folks are pleased to call Filthy Lucure [liquor] is concerned. But for my part, I think that it is a very fine matter to have a little surpluss handy. & Hannah you will perhaps remember that I was called the Lacy [weak] one of the lot & many were the predictions of our honoured parents & others that George never would be anybody. Well in fact I was a little peculiar. Before I was married, I had no chance & often I was still worse situated as perhaps you have seen. Well we will let those things pass & be among the things that were, & when I look back & see the trials & tempations that I have passed through & the dangers that I have escaped, I feel thankful that I have been no worse than I have. & you will beleive me when I say that an honourable feeling & a keen sense of right & wrong has kept me from many false steps & from being a disgrace to my friends & family. Let

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them boast who have had no temptations & the fires of such a nature as mine to controll. Where such a one is saved many have fallen. & in fact I am surprised at myself when I think it over & see where I now stand & more surprised at the efforts & perseverance which I have shown for the last few years, knowing as I do how week & vacilating I am. I hardly know how to account for it, but man is a riddle so the book says, but, my Dear Sister, we will drop this subject & I tell you that it is not the least of my pleasure & satisfaction to know that my friends [family] need not be ashamed of my name & position. I am sorrey that Marve has no time or inclination to write to his friends, & but for my inability to call to mind anything of the sort should think that he had been slighted by me. Hope he will write me a letter sometime. I am sorrey for poor Danial R., poor fellow. But such is life. I shall look for a letter from John & Cynthia soon as they have mine. Eunice tells me that John is rather behind with his work. Johns ambition is rather backward. Lord if I was in his place, I would make the fur fly more ways than one I bet you. Hope he will get out of debt by spring & be a father besides, as I think that it is a shame to him to put it off so long dont you. [John and Sarah, unable to have a child of their own, raised James Crawson, a nephew, as their son.] I wrote to Eunice to let Dick have what money he wanted & as there is $400 cash in Hancock [New York] to be got at any time [enlistment bounty paid to George]. Think that want of money is no excuse, but perhaps he will not accept it. It is my wish that he will take what he wants to use, as you well know that I am not very selfish or much of a hypocrate. What I say is what I mean generaly. I hope to get home for a few hours at least soon & se[e] you all. Tell Cynthia that she must be a good girl & keep her nose clean & fly around so as not to get to[o] fat, as that would be a sad thing. Give my best respects to uncle Stephen & family & all the good folks there. & dont work yourself to death for anybody. Give Dick a kiss for me, & may the Lord bless him. I think that Wes if alive will be exchanged soon, hope so at any rate. Kiss the little ones for me & receive my best wishes. From your Old Brother, George Gould That Concert went off very well. I have just came off gard. It has rained since yesterday morning. Tomorrow I am going to put up some Gun Racks for the Captain [Edwin A. Griffith] in his office. [As a member of Company D, Permanent Party, George escorted replacements to the Regiment at the front. On one such trip George jumped off the burning U.S.S. General Lyons off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, on March 31, 1865. George was rescued after several hours in the water.] a a a

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Genl Hosp No. 19 Nashville Tennessee Nov 24 1864 [Thursday] Dear Sister, I arrived here last tuesday night all safe & sound. I was six days and five nights on the road. It was tiresome journey. I was very glad when I got to the end of my journey. I am well and hearty. I have got a job here [ward orderly] and expect to stay some time, but still I may be sent away tomorrow. I am going to stay here as long as I can. I stoped at Indananoplis [Indianapolis, Indiana] last Sunday night. Stoped with Warren [Hughs] from there. There was a crowd of soldiers, some of them had to stay that could not get on the cars. It was no trouble for me to find a seat. I looked out for No. 1. Well I hope this will find you all well and enjoying yourselves firstrate. Well, Hannah, one week had passed and gone scince I left home, one week of the 45 that I have to stay, so that makes it 44 and that 44 will soon roll around if all is well, which I hope and pray that it may be. The paymaster is here. He is going to pay off the boys, but not me. I was not here to muster, but then I will get along. I have learnt to make the best of everything. Now, Hannah, keep good courage. Put your trust in the Lord, and pray for me. All will be well. Write soon. Beleive me as ever your Brother, R. Gould Brother Marvin, How do you flourish as Dr. Martin says? I have just had my dinner, Thanksgiving dinner. It consist of bread, potatoes, roast beef, butter, mince pie, and coffee. Very good dinner for a soldier, or at least I think so. Well, Marve, I wish that I could have staied some longer at home, then I think that I could have had some fun but never mind. The time is not far when, if I am alive I can stay as long as I have a mind to. I would not take a fourlough again from here and pay my own way under no considerations whatever. I do not want you to understand or to think that I did not enjoy myself, for I did as well as could be expected under the circumstances, but then it is so much trouble about getting transportation and then leaveing home and friends again. Now, Marvin, do the best you can. If the copperheads raise, you must look out for uncle Dox and uncle Hart. They are two very dangerous men. If you hear any of the girls enquiring about me, just give them a queater [quoter]. Tell them I am well and would be happy to hear from them. Well I guess I have written enough foolishness for this time. Give my respects to all enquiring friends. Tell John and Cynth I will write soon. Write soon. I still remain as ever your friend, Dick Address to me Genl Hospt No. 19 Ward 6 Nashville Tenn Richard Gould to Marvin Thomas

CHAPTER 5

1865: Wesley, James, Richard, William, George, Henry Battery Barracks N.Y. Jan 7th 1865 [Saturday] Dear Sister Hannah, You will see by the heading of this letter where I am. I left Nashville [Tennessee] the 1st [January]. Arrived here last night and had a good night rest, the first one that I have had this year. I do not know when a bed felt better to me, [even] if I had to lay on boards. I am well and hearty. Enjoying myself as well as anyone could expect under the same circumstances. Hope this will find you all the same. I am on my way to Sherman [Major General William T.] to help take Charleston [South Carolina] and may be several other places. I wrote to you shortly after I got back to Nashville but did not get an answer in return. I wrote quite a number but only got one. I do not know the reason without it is you all got tired of me when I was home. I would like to hear from there firstrate, but dont expect to in some time. We leave hear Tuesday for Savannah [Georgia], or at least that is the talk. Well I will have to close. They make such a noise that I can not think of any thing to write. Give my respects to all friends and except the same yourself. From your Brother, Richard Gould Tell Cynthia when I get to Savannah I will write to her. Kiss the children & Willie for me. You need not write till you hear from me again. Yours as ever, R. G.

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a a a Hilton Head, S. C. Jan. 8th, 1865 [Sunday] Dear Sister Hannah, After so long a time I will try to write you a few lines hopeing they will find you all well, as they are about to leave me the same thanks to our Heavenly Father for his kind care and mercies over us thus far through the jurney of life. I feel for my part very thankfull to God for health and life which he [h]as granted to me and my folks at home. Hannah, it [h]as been long time since I have written you, but suppose that you have heard often about me by the way Bills letters. I thought two months ago that I should see you before this time, but it seems to be my luck not to get home till I have served my three years out in the armey. If I can have as good health for one year to come as I have for two years past and escape the danger of battles as I have so far, I shall see home and friend [family] if the Lord will. A great many of our boys thought a few weeks ago that they should live to see home but eight of them [h]as gone to their long homes. Life is very uncerten here. We know not what changes a few weeks will bring around. It may be before you get this that several more of us may go the way of all the liveing. [James reportedly was wounded but not hospitalized on December 9, 1864. Years later James declared several war related ailments, including two gunshot wounds of the legs, in support of a federal pension.] The weather is very cold. The wind blows hard and cold. The sand flyes [are] like snow. Only of the two, sand is the worst for it will fill a persons eyes and ears and keeps him dirty all of the time, and we have to eat sand for that is a large part of our liveing. Whither we like it or not, we cant eat with out eating sand too. This weather I should think was warm, if I had warm house to stay in and good fire to set by, but as it is I feel the cold very much. It is almost like seting out doores to write in the cold raw winds of winter, but we have to grin and bare it, and if we live through it, the more we have to endure hardships the more happy will be our homes and the dearer our friends [family] will be to us. I look forward for that happy time when we can meet again on Earth, but far happyer if we are so good as to meet in heaven, our home above witch the Lord has prepared for his people and are we his people. May the Lord healp us to be his people and his children, trying to do and keep all of his holy commadments and walking in the way that leads to eternal happiness beyond the grave. Hannah, remember me often to the throne of grace. I will try by Gods healp to do the same by you. I should very much like to see you all. I think that you would see one happy boy if I could get home and find

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the folks all well and be the same my self. It will only be about eight months befor I can be at home, if all is well. That time will soon pass away. It seems to be long while to look a head, but it soon will be at hand to thoes that live. I hope the good Lord will spare our lives and health for years to come, but his will be done not ours. Give my love to all the folk and except the same your self. Tell the children all that their Uncle Jim [h]as not forgotten them yet. He often thinks of them and would love to see them all. Tell Loisa to be a good girl. Kiss the baby for me. That is yours of corse. Tell Marve to write and I will try to answer it. Tell Cynth that I would write to her, but as she hears from me often I think that it is of no use for me to write, as she gets more news probely then I could tell her. She must not think that becaus I do not write that I have forgoten her, for I have not, and as I am not a very good writer and very poor composer of a letter for that reason I do not care so much about writeing more then I am obliged to. Take good care of your self and children. So good bye for this time. And Belive me Your Brother, James Gould to Hannah Thomas a a a Near Sisters Ferry Ga Feb 3rd 1865 [Friday] Dear Sister Cynthia, I seat myself once more to write you. Hope you will pardon me for not writing before. I wont make any excuse, for it is nothing but laziness that has kept me from writing. I am well with the exception of sore feet. Hope this will find you well & enjoying yourself firstrate, and Willie to[o]. You will see by the headline of this letter that I have left Nashville [Tennessee] and are once more in Ga. I left Nashville the first day of last month. It was new years but not a happy one. Now it is the 3rd of Feb and I have not got to my command yet, but am within 12 or 15 miles of it, but do not know when I will get there. I am with the 1s Div train. The road is so bad that it has to be cordried, that is bridge it [logs laid across muddy road], but I am satisfied and will be if they will give me full rations, but yesterday we drew but half rations, 12 hard tack, a small hand full of coffee, one spoonful of sugar, and a little poor fresh beef for 2 days, but that is better than nothing, probably better than we deserve, but let that be as it may I must have something to eat. Perhaps you would like to hear something of the weather here. Well we have some fine weather and some that is not so fine. It is raining at present. I supposed that white frost was hardly ever seen here, but I was mistaken, for I have seen ice here almost an inch thick. Take it all together, this is not

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a very desirable country to live in. The Lord knows that I would not live here with my own free will under no considderations what ever. I saw the other day the county seat [of] Effingham Co, and it looked more like a lot of Irish shanties than a co seat. This is one of the most dreary dissolate places that I ever was in. Well, Cynth, I have only 8 months and 5 days to stay in the service of my country. I hope that it will not have the need of my services so long, but I expect to serve my time out. Now, Cynthia, keep up good courage. Do the best you can. Trust in the God of our fathers. Remember that he is both able and willing to save all those that come unto him in the right way, and when you pray dont forget me. Try to do as near right as you can. Write soon and Believe me as ever your friend & brother, Richard Gould Direct to me Co G 143rd NY Vols 3rd Brig 1st Div 20th A.C. a a a Near Faetterville [Fayetteville] N.C. March 12th 1865 [Sunday] Dear Sister Hannah, I will improve the first opportunity that I have had in some time to write you. I am well and hearty. Hope you are the same. I suppose you are anxious to hear from me as I am to hear from you. I have recieved but one letter scince I left home. I hardly know whether you are all dead or not, but hope you are not. We have had some fine times and some hard times, but take it all together we can find no fault [Carolinas Campaign]. I have not much time, as the mail goes out in about one hour, and I want to write George, so I will not write much this time. You must write soon and write all the news. Give my best respects to all the folks. Tell them to write. And believe me as ever your Affeconate Brother, Richard Gould Direct to me Co G 143rd Regt N.Y. Vols 3rd Brig 1st Div 20th A.C. Kiss the children for me, and excuse this short letter. Yours. a a a Near Goldsboro [Goldsborough] N.C. March 28th 1865 [Tuesday] Dear Sister Hannah, I recieved your letter last evening. Right glad was I to get it, but sorry to hear you was sick. Hope ere this you enjoy your usual health &

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strength. You must have had a hard winter for you & I am afraid a[n] unhappy one, but hope I am mistaken. I am well. Have been so ever scince I left Savannah [Georgia] with the exception of a sore toe. I do not know when I enjoyed better health then I have for the last 2 months. Well I suppose you would like to know how we got here & what we have been adoing [Carolinas Campaign]. Well we marched here. It is the longest march there has been during this war. We have marched between 500 & 600 miles through a low swampy country, fought two battles. The first one our Co was out on the skirmish line. We lost four men, 1 killed on the field, a sargt [Dennis Johnson], the Lieu [1st Lieutenant Richard M. J. Hordenbough] died two days after, the Orderly Peter Kellam was wounded, & Private James Babock. This was 16 of March [Battle of Averasborough, North Carolina] and on the 19 was fought the battle of Mills Run [Bentonville, North Carolina]. There was not any in our Co hurt and only 4 in the regt [During three days of fighting the Federals suffered 1,646 casualties, and the Confederates 2,606.] In the first battle the Lieu Col [Hezekiah Watkins] and the Major [Lewis N. Stanton] was both wounded. I was not in either of the fights. The first time I could not keep up on account of my sore toe, then I was sent back to Hospt to take care of the Lieu [Hordenbough]. Now we are encamped two miles from town on the R.R. that runs from Goldsboro to Richmond [Virginia]. I tell you we are a dirty, lousey and ragged lot of boys, but we expect to get clothes shortly. Henry Turner was taken prisenor the other day. Now, Hannah, take good care of yourself. Do not worry about us, for it will do us no good & it will injure very much. Instead of worrying and mourning be as cheerful as possible. Trust in the God of our fathers. Pray often. Do not forget me. Tell John & Sarah I got their letter last night. Will answer it soon. Write soon, And Believe me as ever your own brother, Richard Gould to Hannah Thomas Give my best respects to all my friends. Tell them to write. Kiss the Children for me. Yours As Ever, R. G. a a a Camp of the 143rd N.Y. Vols. Near Raleigh N.C. April 29th 1865 [Saturday] Dear Sister Hannah, Yours of the 12th [April] was received last night. Was glad to hear from you and all the rest of them were getting along so well. Hope this will find you all well and enjoying yourselves firstrate. I am well and in good

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spirits, expecting to see home & all the folks in a month or two. 2 or three days ago Johnston [CSA General Joseph E.] surrendered to old Billie Sherman [Major General William T.], so you see his army is used up and one might say that the war was ended, hope so at least. We have orders to start for Richmond the first of May, and to day the mail goes out for the last time till we get there. It will take about 10 or 12 days to get there 120 miles, but that is not much for this army. It is use to marching. Well what do you think of the death of our noble President? I cannot find words to let you know what I think about it, so I will not try. This army was all alive with the good news till they heard of the death of Abe, and you cannot imagine the difference there was in our feelings. [Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865, at Ford’s Theater, Washington, D.C.] Now, Hannah, you must not be surprised if I do not write much. I have made it a practice to answer all the letters that I have got and especialy those that I received from you. I aint got much time to write, as I have some washing to do to day. I guess Marve and Cynth has forgotten me. I would like to hear from them. You can give them my best respects, and if Wesley is there, serve him the same. Kiss the young ones for me. Hoping to see you soon, I still am as ever your loving Brother, Richard Gould to Hannah Thomas Excuse all mistakes. Give John & Sarah my best respects. a a a Camp of the 143rd N.Y. Vols Near Washington D.C. June 3rd 1865 [Saturday] Dear Sister Hannah, Thinking you would be glad to know where & how I am well, you will see by the heading of this where I be. My health is about as usual, but to say that I enjoy myself would not be the truth, consequently I will not say so. I cannot content myself now that the war is over. [The last formal surrender of a large Confederate force occurred in Oklahoma Territory on June 23, 1865.] I want to go home for several reasons. They ought to send us home as soon as possible, but wether they will send us or not I do not know. Hope this will find you all well and getting along fine with your work. I got a letter from Wesley some time ago, written at home. [Wesley sent a letter from Camp Parole, Maryland, after his release from a southern

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prison camp.] I have not answered it, not knowing where to write. Also one from George and one from Jim and Bill, served them all alike. I expect that all of them will soon be home. Will be there long before I am. You know the War Department issued an order to muster out all men whos time expires before the 1st of October. Our Regt time does not till 8th of that month, but it all depends on our Col [Horace Boughton] wether we are mustered out or not. Well, Hannah, I will not write much, hopeing to see you soon. I also hope this will be the last letter that I will have to write while I am a soldier. If the boys [brothers] get home before I do, give them my best respects. Tell them when they are eating good things to think of Dick, but then he will be there before many months, and then he can eat as much as any of them. You must not think that I am home sick or finding fault. I have enough to eat such as it is. The boys say that I am getting fleshy. Take good care of yourself. Keep good courage. Do the best you can. Kiss the children for me. Tell Cynthia that I guess she has forgot me. Give my respects to all and except the same yourself. Yours as ever, Richard Gould To Mrs. Hannah Thomas a a a Camp 45th Regt. P.V.V. near Alexandria VA June 14th 1865 [Wednesday] Dear Sister, I will write you a few lines to let you know that I am going to remain in service for a while. I was mustered in to the U.S. Service this day as Lieut. of Co. F 45th Regt. P.V.V., but I shall not have long to serve. I shall be home in a few months if nothing happens. I am well, and I hope these few lines will find you and all the folks enjoying the same blessing. I wrote you a letter from Camp Parole MD stating that I should soon be home. [Wesley and Jacob Brazie were discharged from Camp Parole on May 29, 1865.] Well I thought at that time I would, but I have changed my mind. Jacob I. Brazie had gone home. You may have seen him before this. The army is fast going home. They will all be home in a short time. I cant think of aney thing to write now. Will write again soon. Give my love to all the folks. Tell them to write to me, for I should be pleased to hear from you all. Please write me soon and let me know if all the Boys [brothers] have got home and how they are getting along. Write soon and belive me ever your affectionate Brother, Wesley Gould To Hannah Thomas

Lieutenant Wesley Gould, circa 1865.

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Direct to W. Gould Lieut. Co. F 45th Regt P.V.V. 9th A.C. Washington D.C. Kiss the children for me. Wesley P.S. Please excuse this short letter. a a a Camp of the 143rd N.Y. Vols Near Washington D.C. June 16th 1865 [Friday] Dear Sister, Again I seat myself to write you. Would have wrote some time ago, but have been looking for a letter from you. I am well as usual & enjoying myself as well as I can. Hope this will find you and the children enjoying the same blessing. Well I suppose you have been looking for me, but I guess you aint seen me yet, & I am afraid it will be some time before you will. I think it will be 6 weeks at the least before we get there. There is something wrong about it. I suppose all the boys [brothers] has got home. Here I am away down here. Well it seems that I am always behind, and there is only one way that I can account for it, and that is I must have been born on the last hour of the last day of the last week of the last month of the last year, and I would have had a thousand dollars more in my pocket if I had never been born at all. I have nothing to do, and I feel lazy as an old loafer. My mind is confused so that I can not think of anything to write. But I thought you like to hear how I am or was. Now write soon. Tell all of the folks to do the same. Give my respects to all, and beleive me as ever your Brother and well wisher, Richard Gould a a a Camp 45th P.V.V. Near Alexandria VA June 30th 1865 [Friday] Dear Sister, Your kind and welcome letter has just been received, and right welcome it was. It found me well, and I was glad to hear that you and Family where enjoying the blessing of good health. I am glad to hear that George & Henry have got home and that you expect James & William home so

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soon. [George was discharged at Hart Island, New York, on May 9, 1865. Henry was discharged at General Hospital, Hilton Head, South Carolina, on May 24, 1865. James and William were discharged at Hilton Head, South Carolina, on June 25, 1865.] I hope that you may not be disappointed. I have seen Richard since I last wrote you. He is a looking splendid, as fat as a bear. He will soon have the privilage of coming home, I think. [Richard was discharged at Alexandria, Virginia, on July 20, 1865.] I do not think that they will keep aney of us much longer. I am having very good times here at the present. Do not have much Duty to do. This is deciedley the easiest soldiering that I ever saw. I am on Duty now as Officer of the Day, but do not have much to do. Will be relived tomorrow morning at 8 oclock. I am all alone to night. The Capt [Lafayette W. Lord] and Lieut. [Jacob Meese] are both down town. It has been a very warm day, but we have had a very hard thunder shower this evening, and it has made it some what cooler. You said that you would like to have me to home. I should like to be there for a little while, but I am afraid I could not content myself long. I am home now. I am as content here as I could be aney where on Earth. I am afraid that this war has made me a roaring Man or Boy wich ever you choose to call me, but let that be as it will. [Wesley was 21 years old at this time.] I shall ever endeavor to bear a good name wherever fortune chooses to place me. I thank you kindly for the good advice that you have always gave me. Hannah you have always been a good Sister to me, and should it ever be in my power to repay you, I will do it with the greatest of Pleasure. I am sorry for John that he should have such poor luck, but then there is no use of desparing. We where placed in this world to overcome such difficulties as should come in our way. Should everything go smooth and nice in this world, we would forget that we had to prepare for another one. So what we often call bad luck often proves to be a blessing to us in the future. It is a getting late, so I will stop for to night and will try and finish in the Morning, so I will bid you good night. May your slumber be sweet and your Dreams Pleasant Wesley Gould

Saturday Morning July 1st 1865 I will now try and finish this letter. I hope to hear from you soon. Tell all the folks to write me. You can tell Cynt. that the name you spoke of in your letter suits me very well [new daughter Ellen Thomas]. I cannot think of much more to write now. Give my love to all the folks. I wrote uncle a letter from Camp Parole, but have not received aney answer from him. I guess he is a little displeased because I did not go

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to Newburgh [New York] to see him when I was at home this spring, but never mind. That will be all right some day or another. You spoke of the Taxes, and that it was going to be hard work to find money to pay them with. If you wish, you can use the $25 Dollars that I left with you last spring. I want you to see that my Taxes are paid. I will have to stop writting for the present. Write me soon. I subscribe your affeconate Brother, Wesley Gould 2nd Lieut. Co. F 45th P.V.V. [Wesley was discharged at Alexandria, Virginia, on July 17, 1865, three days before Richard became the last brother to leave military service.]

Epilogue Charles Gould—b. Fremont, New York in 1842; d. Staten Island, New York in 1862. Single. Attended public school before enlistment. The first brother to volunteer, Charles was placed in Company I, 3rd Regiment of the New York Excelsior Brigade [72 NYVI] June 5, 1861. Nine months later, on February 22, 1862, Charles died of typhoid fever at Camp Wool, Staten Island, New York. He died at the age of twenty and was buried in the Gould family plot. Wesley Gould—b. Hancock, New York in 1844; d. Hancock, New York in 1928. Married. Discharged 2nd Lieutenant, Company F, 45 Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers on July 17, 1865. He attended Andes Collegiate Institute of Delaware County, New York. Wesley studied law, completing his studies in 1868. Wesley married Pamelia Brazie, sister of army companion and neighbor Jacob I. Brazie. The ceremony took place on August 25, 1868, in Binghamton, New York. Wesley farmed the first few years after marriage. After arrival of daughter Cora, born in 1871, the family moved to Hancock. There Wesley practiced law and served in a variety of public offices. A second daughter, Flora, came in 1876. Wesley served several terms in the State Legislature at Albany, New York. He applied for an invalid pension in 1881. Wesley died on February 14, 1928, at the age of eighty-four and was buried in Hancock, New York.

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Richard Gould—b. Newburgh, New York in 1839; d. Goulds, New York in 1915. Married. Discharged Private, Company G, 143 New York Volunteer Infantry July 20, 1865 at age 27. Richard married Jennie Felter on October 3, 1866, in Jefferson[ville], New York. He farmed his inheritance after the war, living a quiet, modest life with his family. Richard had two sons: Emmett born in 1867, and Arthur born in 1873. Richard applied for invalid pension in 1886. Richard died on March 2, 1915, at the age of seventy-six and was buried in the Gould family plot. James Gould—b. Newburgh, New York in 1836; d. Los Gatos, California in 1902. Married. Discharged Private, Company F, 144 New York Volunteer Infantry June 25, 1865. James married Warren Hughs’ sister Mary Hughs on March 4, 1860, in Hancock, New York. After the war, James farmed his inheritance. With two children—Martha born in 1862, and Orrin, born in 1867—the family moved to Binghamton, New York. James and Warren took their families west to take advantage of the Homestead Act of 1862. James worked as a carpenter and a logger in Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington. He suffered a back injury in a logging accident at Medical Lake, Washington, in 1881. James settled in Los Gatos, California, and became a fruit grower. A third child, Harvey, arrived in 1877. James applied for invalid pension in 1887. He died on May 6, 1902, at the age of sixty-six and was buried in Los Gatos, California. William Gould—b. Newburgh, New York in 1837; d. South Woods, New York in 1899. Married. Discharged Sergeant, Company F, 144 New York Volunteer Infantry June 25, 1865. William married Cynthia Brisack on May 15, 1861, at Binghamton, New York. A farmer all his life, William remained in South Woods. The couple had seven children: William (Willie) born in 1862, Julian born in 1867, Hannah born in 1868, Sylvia born in 1870, Susie born in 1872, Elizabeth born in 1876, and J. Garfield born in 1881. William applied for invalid pension in 1890. He died on April 3, 1899, at the age of sixty-two and was buried in the Gould family plot. George Gould—b. North Molton, England in 1830; d. Long Eddy, New York in 1910. Married. Discharged Private, Company F, 144 New York Volunteer Infantry May 5, 1865. George married Eunice Norton on October 1, 1850, at Fremont, New York. They had five children: Mary born in 1851, John

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born in 1853, Grace born in 1857, George born in 1863, and Hannah who died at birth. Eunice died on June 13, 1869, following complications of childbirth. George continued to farm and cut trees after the war. He became a successful sawmill owner and operator in Long Eddy, New York. He was the first to use a steam-powered up-anddown saw instead of the water-powered circular saw. A fall against a saw blade resulted in a serious cut that ran the length of his back. George spent six months recovering from this accident. In another accident, he lost the use of his right hand. George married Alzina Lord, sister of Wesley’s company commander, Captain L. W. Lord. They married on June 19, 1871, at her church in Equinunk, Pennsylvania. They had three children: Olive born in 1872, Vashti born in 1875, and Charles born in 1879. George applied for invalid pension in 1890. He died on October 4, 1910, at the age of eighty and was buried in the Gould family plot. Henry Gould—b. Newburgh, New York in 1841; d. Equinunk, Pennsylvania in 1873. Married. Discharged Private, Company F, 144 New York Volunteer Infantry May 24, 1865. Henry married Eliza Janson, a classmate, on August 10, 1860, at Hancock, New York. The couple had one child, Edgar, born in 1862. The first four years after the war, Henry returned to farm his inheritance. He also studied medicine, a desire inspired by working seven months at a field hospital during the war. He became a physician and surgeon. He first practiced at Fremont, New York, later at Equinunk, Pennsylvania. Henry died on September 24, 1873, at the age of thirty-two and was buried in the Gould family plot. John Gould—b. North Molton, England in 1829; d. Goulds, New York in 1917. Married. Following the end of the war, John helped his returned brothers start farming again. John married Sarah Lobdell in 1850, daughter of James Lobdell, an early settler in South Woods. Childless, the couple raised James Clawson, a nephew, as their own son. John and Frank Tinklepaugh arranged for the establishment of a United States Post Office in South Woods, which officially became Goulds. John died on August 2, 1917, at the age of eighty-eight and was buried in the Gould family plot. Hannah Gould—b. North Molton, England in 1832; d. Goulds, New York in 1912. Married. Hannah and husband Marvin continued farming the original homestead. Standing five feet, two inches in height, Hannah raised five children: Webster born in 1855, who died one year later; Gertrude born

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in 1860; Bessie born in 1863; Ellen born in 1865; and John born in 1875. Hannah remained the center of the Gould family. Hannah died on May 9, 1912, at the age of eighty, just three months after her daughter Gertrude died. Hannah is buried in the Gould family plot.

Index Acquia Creek, 25 Alabama, 110–12, 117, 119, 121, 125, 137–38 Alexandria, VA, 5, 74–75, 79, 126, 155, 157–59 Alexandria and Leesburg Railroad, 69 American Indian, 4, 81 American Revolution, 55 Annandale, VA, 115 Annapolis, MD, 142 Antietam Campaign, 27, 29, 107 Arago, steamer, 129 Arlington Heights, VA, 3, 35 Arlington Mills, VA, 61–62 Army of the Cumberland, 110 Army of the James, 115 Army of the Potomac, 48, 54, 60, 74, 91, 110, 133 Atlanta, GA, 133–34, 137–39 Atlanta Campaign, 126–27 Averasborough, Battle of, 153 Babock, Pvt. James, 153 Baltimore, MD, 72

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, 72 Basket Creek, NY, 16; boys of, 17– 18, 20, 23, 34, 45–46, 60–61, 66, 75, 89, 92, 97, 109 Battery Barracks, NY, 149 Baxter, Jesse, 135 Beaufort, SC, 10 Bentonville, NC, 153 Bible, 17, 108 Bladensburg, MD, 7 Blaine’s Cross Roads, TN, 126 Blick’s Station, 136 Bombproof, 98 Bonuses, 20, 58 Boots, 33 Boston, MA, 10, 94, 132 Boughton, Col. Horace, 79, 155 Bounties, 20, 29–30, 42, 58, 141, 147 Bragg, Gen. Braxton, 106, 116 Brazie, Pvt. Jacob I., 41, 136, 138, 142, 155 Brazie, Pvt. Levi, 66 Bridgeport, AL, 110–12, 117, 119, 121, 125

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Bristoe Campaign, 109 Brooke’s Station, VA, 25 Brown, Jim (‘‘Camp Meeting’’), 127 Brown, Pvt. James, 127, 136 Buckwheat pancakes, 17, 36, 94 Bull Run, First Battle of, 3–4 Burhamsville, VA, 85 Burnside, Maj. Gen. Ambrose E., 24–25, 41, 44, 47, 52, 54, 60, 65, 68, 77, 106, 112, 126 Butterfield, Maj. Gen. Daniel, 133 Butternuts, 85 Cain, Pvt. George, 43, 64 Cairo, IL, 89 Cale Island, SC, 119 Camp Bliss, VA, 37–44, 47–49, 51– 52, 55–56, 58–59, 67 Camp Caldwell, Washington D.C., 4–5, 8 Camp Chase, 35 Camp Delaware, NY, 26–27, 30–31 Camp DeWitt, VA, 64 Camp Dick, KY, 75, 78, 83 Camp Holley, NY, 29–31 Camp Israel, MD, 35 Camp Marce, 35 Camp Marsh, Washington D.C., 4 Camp Parole, MD, 142, 154–55, 158 Camp Scot, NY, 2–3 Camp Upton, Washington D.C., 34–35 Camp Welsh, Washington D.C., 7 Camp Wool, MD, 8, 10–11, 13–14 Campbell, 1st Sgt. Adolphus D., 53, 97 Cannonading, 9, 19, 37, 39, 62, 74, 89, 98, 101, 114, 119, 131–32, 139 Cape Hatteras, NC, 147 Carolinas Campaign, 152–53 Catholic, 78 Centerville, VA, 38

Chancellorsville, VA, 84 Chandler, Margery, 128 Chandler, Pvt. Harrison, 24, 73 Chandler, Pvt. John, 106 Chandler, Pvt. Marvin, 127 Charleston, SC, 10, 17–20, 22, 60, 75, 93, 98, 101–2 Chatahoochie River, 133 Chattanooga, TN, 106, 140 Chattanooga Campaign, 104, 110 Chickamauga, Battle of, 106 Christmas, 48–49 Cincinnati, OH, 72, 75 Cold Harbor, Battle of, 128 Cole, Lieut. John P., 98 Copperheads, 71, 93, 135, 148 Corinth, MS, 18 Covington, KY, 72 Crawson, James, 147 Culpepper Court House, 25 Cumberland River, 81 Curtin, Andrew G., 83 Curtin, Col. John I., 75, 83, 89, 93, 97, 107, 110, 126, 131 Dallas, GA, 126 Danville Railroad, 136 Davis, Jefferson F., 9, 44, 141, 145 Decker, Capt. George H., 79 Delaware County, NY, 2, 5, 16, 27, 41, 82, 139 Delaware Regiment, 34. See also 144th New York Delaware River, 18, 60, 112 Delhi, NY, 1, 26, 29, 48, 86 Democrat, 22, 39, 43, 53, 55, 63, 65, 98, 140; Northern Peace, 81; War, 98 Department of Ohio, 65 Department of Virginia, 60 Deserter, 107, 121, 129 Dewitt, Col. David P., 42 Donation, 52, 61, 63 Draft, 26, 73, 104, 137; riots, 93–94

Index

Drilling, 13, 19, 26, 29–30, 45, 63, 66, 73, 78; dress parade, 73, 78, 80 Drunkenness, 3, 131, 146 DuPont, Adm. Samuel Francis I., 75 Earley, Pvt. J. E., 85 Early, Lieut. Gen. Jubal A., 132 Early, Pvt. Emmet, 58 East Branch River, 133 East Tennessee, 112, 126 Eddy, 112 Education, 81–82, 89 Effingham County, GA, 152 Eleventh Army Corps, 91 Elmira, NY, 4, 30, 34 England, 13, 81 Enrollment Act of 1863, 68, 73 Entrenchments, 98, 101 Evans, Capt. Robert H., 70 Ewell, Lieut. Gen. Richard S., 107 Excelsior Brigade, 4–5, 9, 14, 46 Express boxes, 44, 46, 49, 54, 66, 117, 132, 145 Fairfax County, VA, 68, 70 Fairfax Court House, 72 Fairfax Seminary, 64 Falmouth, VA, 53–54 Fayetteville, NC, 152 Fenwick Island, 11, SC, 15–18 Fessler, Cpl. D. J., 15 Fifth Army Corps, 136 Fish, Cpl. W. P., 98 Fish, Pvt. Edmond, 4 Florida, 9, 120, 122 Folly Island, SC, 97, 101, 105–6, 113, 115, 118, 123 Ford, Pvt. F. W., 53 Ford, Sgt. Henry, 53 Ford Theater, 154 Foreign intervention, 46 Fort Barrancas, 9

167

Fort Darling, 60 Fort McRae, 9 Fort Monroe, 9, 60–61 Fort Moultrie, 102 Fort Pulaski, SC, 19 Fort Sumter, 19, 98, 102, 105 Fort Wagner, 98 Fort Wells, 138 Foster, Maj. Gen. John G., 112 France, 13, 81 Francis, Pvt. William, 78 Francisco, Pvt. Frank, 30, 43 Frederick City, MD, 27, 91 Fredericksburg, VA, 25, 40, 45–46, 48; Battle of, 65 Fredericksburg Campaign, 41, 58 Fremont, Maj. Gen. John C., 22, 66, 140 Fremont, NY, 66 Fulton, steamer, 135, 139 Galena, 60 Gambling, 2–3, 14, 30, 80 General Hospital Number 19, 148 General Lyons, U.S.S., 147 Georgia, 126–27, 133–34, 137–39, 149, 151, 153 Gettysburg, Battle of, 93 Gilmore, Maj. Gen. Quincy A., 105 Glasse, John, 97 Globe Tavern, 136 Goldsborough, NC, 152–53 Gordon, Brig. Gen. George H., 86 Gould, Charles W., 2–5, 7–11, 13– 15, 17, 20, 46, 80 Gould, Cynthia, 4, 19, 24, 29, 31, 33, 39, 48, 61, 67, 69–70, 74, 84– 86, 90, 94, 97, 101–2, 105, 108–9, 114, 118–20, 122, 124–25, 127, 130, 132–33, 135–36, 140, 143, 145, 147–49, 151–52, 154–55, 158 Gould, Edgar, 17 Gould, Eliza, 4, 47, 63–64, 73

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Gould, Eunice, 30, 39, 143, 145, 147 Gould, George, 5, 18, 30–31, 38, 44, 58–59, 67, 74, 80, 105, 109, 111, 120, 139–43, 146–47, 152, 155, 157–58 Gould, Grace, 59 Gould, Henry, 4, 17, 31, 38–39, 44, 47, 58, 63–65, 69, 73, 91, 104–5, 109, 112, 120, 128, 138–41, 157– 58 Gould, James, 5, 18, 23–24, 26–27, 34–35, 37, 39–40, 42–43, 47–48, 51, 53, 56, 62, 69–70, 72, 74, 76, 85, 87, 90–94, 97–99, 101, 106, 108–11, 119, 121, 123–24, 127– 29, 133, 135, 138, 140, 143, 150– 51, 155, 157–58 Gould, John, 5, 11, 29–31, 37–39, 42, 44, 47–50, 58, 63, 65, 69, 80, 86–87, 96, 104–5, 109, 112, 119, 121, 132, 135–36, 138, 143, 147– 48, 153–54, 158 Gould, Martha, 30, 55 Gould, Mary, 26, 30, 61, 67, 71, 87, 90, 134, 139 Gould, Richard, 18, 24, 29–31, 34– 37, 39–40, 42–45, 47–52, 59, 62– 74, 76, 79–80, 85, 87, 94–97, 104, 109, 111–12, 114, 118–23, 125, 127, 129, 132–34, 138, 140, 145, 147–49, 152–55, 157–58 Gould, Sarah, 30, 59, 63, 87, 119, 143, 147, 153–54 Gould, Wesley, 7–10, 13, 16–20, 22– 26, 29–30, 34–36, 39, 41–42, 45– 47, 49, 51–55, 59–61, 66, 68, 70, 73, 75–76, 78, 80, 83–84, 89, 92– 94, 96–97, 105, 107–8, 110–14, 120–23, 126, 128, 132–34, 136– 38, 142, 145, 147, 154–55, 157–59 Gould, William, 4, 15, 19, 25–26, 29, 31, 33–40, 42, 44, 47, 49, 58, 62–63, 69, 71–72, 74–75, 85–86, 90, 94–95, 99, 102, 105–7, 109,

111, 114–16, 119, 121, 124, 130, 133–36, 142–43, 145, 150, 155, 157–58 Gould, Willie, 95, 121–22, 146, 149, 151 Gould Cemetery, 15 Government issue, 26, 29, 126, 145 Grafton, WV, 72 Grant, Lieut. Gen. Ulysses S., 79, 106, 126, 129, 131, 135, 138, 143 Graybacks, 79, 87 Greenville, TN, 94, 106 Gregg, Lieut. Col. Theodore, 19, 83, 131 Gregory, Lieut. S. S., 99 Griffith, Capt. Edwin A., 147 Grules, Pvt. Ogden, 7 Guard duty, 16, 25, 38–39, 47, 49, 66, 71, 73, 143 Guard house, 79, 83 Guerilla warfare, 10 Gunboats, 74, 114 Gurney, Brig. Gen. William, 85 Haight, Pvt. Alexander, 143 Halleck, Maj. Gen. Henry W., 22 Halltown, VA, 37 Hamden, NY, 29 Hancock, NY, 1, 29–30, 34, 107, 113, 139, 147 Hancock Public School District 13, 82 Harpers Ferry, WV, 35 Harrisburg, PA, 7 Hart Island, NY, 142–43, 146 Harvard, NY, 46, 70 Hawks, Pvt. Hank, 44, 58 Hedges, Brig. Gen., 85 Henry, Patrick, 81 Hill, Sgt. Lewis, 92 Hilton Head, SC, 20, 22–23, 129, 134, 139, 150, 158 Holloway, Pvt. J., 84 Hooker, Maj. Gen. Joseph, 60, 79, 133

Index

Hordenbough, 1st Lieut. Richard M. J., 153 Hughs, Cpl. Warren, 30, 35, 38– 40, 64, 70, 117, 148 Hughs, Pvt. Albert, 34 Hughs, Pvt. John W., 27, 106, 138 Hughston, Col. Robert S., 27, 29, 35 Humphrey, Lieut. Richard, 53, 92 Hunter, Maj. Gen. David, 22, 75 Hunting, 36, 43–44, 50 Hustonville, KY, 76, 78, 81, 83 Illinois, 7, 89 Illness: diarrhea, 95, 113, 121, 126; disease, 43, 52; dysentery, 38, 105; measles, 105; mumps, 38; small pox, 13; typhoid fever, 14, 85, 98 Indiana, 89, 148 Indianapolis, IN, 148 Irish, 93, 152 Ironclad ships, 60, 75, 98 Jackson, Gen. Thomas J., 25, 27, 42, 66, 84, 106–7 Jackson, MA, 92 Jacksonville, FL, 120, 122 James Island, SC, 20, 22–23 James River, 24, 45 Jeffersonville, IN, 89 John A. Wagner, steamer, 60 Johnny Reb, 112, 117, 124, 130, 138 Johnson, Capt. Robert T., 1–2 Johnson, Sgt. Dennis, 153 Johnston, Gen. Joseph E., 89, 92, 106, 126, 154 Kellam, Peter, 153 Kelsey, Maj. Edward A., 131 Kentucky, 65, 72, 75–76, 78, 81, 83, 89, 92–93, 96–97, 106 Kentucky Central Railroad, 72 Kiamesha Lake, NY, 29

169

Knoxville, TN, 106–7, 109–10, 112, 120 Laken, Pvt. Chet, 4 Laken, Pvt. Henry H., 58, 63 Landfield, Pvt. Jerome, 2 Lebanon, KY, 89 Lee, Gen. Robert E., 44, 79, 86, 95, 126 Lewis, Capt. Thomas, 102 Lexington, KY, 72, 89 Lincoln, Abraham, 10, 54, 60, 65, 77, 135, 140–41, 154 Lord, Pvt. Henry, 97 Long Eddy, NY, 23, 72 Longstreet, Lieut. Gen. James, 74 Lord, Capt. Lafayette W., 138, 158 Lordville, NY, 136 Loudoun County, VA, 78, 91, 108 Louisville, KY, 89, 106 Maggots, 42 Mailboat, 22 Manassas, VA, 15 Margaretville, NY, 33, 130 Mary Washington, steamer, 72 Maryland, 9, 29, 91, 142, 154–55 Mattapony River, 79 McClellan, Gen. George B., 20, 24– 25, 53–54, 65, 93, 135, 140 Meade, Maj. Gen. George G., 109 Meese, Lieut. Jacob, 158 Meridian Campaign, 121 Merrimack, C.S.S., 60 20th Michigan, 77 Milk, David (Mrs.), 105 Milldale, MS, 93 Mills Run, Battle of, 153 Mississippi, 18, 86, 89, 92–93, 97 Mississippi River, 84 Mobile, AL, 137–38 Monitors, 98, 102, 114 Monticello, NY, 30, 50 Morgan, Brig. Gen. John H., 77, 81, 94

170

Index

Morris Island, SC, 93, 98, 101 Mosquitoes, 16 Murry Plantation, 16

Northern Army of Virginia, 87 Norton, Pvt. Edward, 67 Norton, Pvt. John, 67, 117

Nashville, TN, 148–49, 151 Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, 106 Neer, Pvt. John, 31 Neer, Pvt. Sam, 31, 38 Neer, William, 107 Negro, 16, 19, 22; colonization of, 82; wench, 19, 22 New Hope Church, battle of, 127 New Orleans, LA, 18 New York, 5–6, 41, 72, 82, 128–29, 136, 139, 147, 149, 159 41st New York, 129 71st New York, 4 72d New York, Company I (3rd Regiment), 1–4, 8–9, 14 79th New York, 109 127th New York, 73, 85 143d New York, 38, 71, 73, 78, 80, 121, 125, 153–54, 157; Company B, 70, 79; Company G, 152–53 144th New York, 38, 43, 49, 51, 73, 85–86, 91, 98–99, 142; Company B, 43; Company C, 144; Company D, 146–47; Company F, 27, 35, 38, 58 New York City, 1–2, 13, 65, 94, 104, 129, 131, 139, 142–43 New York Herald, 111 New York Tribune, 114 Newburgh, NY, 7, 128, 159 Newport News, VA, 24–25, 60–61, 65–68 Niagra, U.S.S., 9 Nicholasville, KY, 96–97 Ninth Army Corps, 45, 60, 67, 86, 89, 93, 97, 107, 110, 126, 157 Norfolk, VA, 86 North Carolina, 106, 142, 145, 147, 152–53

Ohio, 72, 94 Ohio River, 72, 89 Oklahoma Territory, 154 Old Cherry, 30 Old Max, 29 Ostrander, Pvt. George, 43 Otter Island, SC, 15 Pamunkey River, 79 Parade ground, 27, 37 Paris, KY, 72, 77–78 Parkersburg, WV, 72 Parkersburg and Western Virginia Railroad, 72 Parks, Pvt. Richard, 38, 43 Pay, 4, 48, 63, 113–14, 136, 148 Penet, Capt. John D., 98 Peninsular Campaign, 18 Pennsylvania, 29, 82, 87, 93, 95 45th Pennsylvania, 10, 48, 60, 128, 130, 132, 136–37, 141, 155, 157; Company F, 13, 17–18, 22, 24– 27, 53, 61, 67, 89, 92–93, 97, 107, 110, 126, 155, 157, 159 48th Pennsylvania, 130 Pensacola, FL, 9; naval yard, 9 Petersburg, VA, 130–32, 138; crater, 130, 135 Petersburg and Weldon Railroad, 136–38, 141–42, 145 Petersburg Campaign, 130 Philadelphia, PA, 7, 43 Philomont, VA, 39 Phrenologist, 8 Picket duty, 13, 34, 47–52, 54, 58, 70, 101, 133 Pittsburg Landing, TN, 79 Pleasant, Col. Henry, 130 Pleasant Valley, MD, 33, 35 Pontoon boats, 104

Index

Pope, Maj. Gen. John, 25 Port Royal, SC, 10, 13, 18–19 Postage stamps, 5, 45, 47, 53, 93, 120, 132 Potomac River, 9, 10, 14, 95 Potter, Brig. Gen. R. B., 131 Prison camp, 143, 145, 155 Purple Heart citation, 66 Raleigh, NC, 153 Rampo, Capt. Ezekieo Y., 15 Rappahannock River, 41, 54, 79 Rations, 7, 13, 18, 20, 29, 31, 37, 39, 45, 52, 62, 86, 99, 142, 148, 151 Recruiting, 46, 130 Reigham, Pvt. Samuel, 15 Reigham, Pvt. William H., 15 Religion, 17, 37; prayer meetings, 35, 38, 53, 56, 99; society, 24 Republican, 22, 98; Radical, 140; Union, 140 Reynolds, Capt. Benjamin, 30, 47 Richard, Cornelius, 107 Richmond, VA, 4, 18, 20, 22–25, 41, 45, 52, 76, 79, 84–85, 90, 106, 128–31, 138, 153–54 Richmond, U.S.S., 9 Rifle ports (pits), 85, 128, 130 Robinson, KY, 75, 78 Rosecrans, Maj. Gen. William S., 106–7 Ryder, Pvt. Jacob, 119 St. Crosse, steamer, 72 Salisbury, NC, 142 Sallie List, steamer, 89 Sandy Point, 9 Sanford, 1st Lieut. John P., 1, 14 Savannah, GA, 60, 149, 153 Scudder, 1st Lieut. George P., 106, 128 Secession, 48, 65, 85 Second Army Corps, 45, 136

171

Seymore, Horatio, 43, 98 Sharpshooter, 98 Sherman, Maj. Gen. William T., 121, 135, 138–39, 149, 154 Shiloh, TN, 79 Sickles, Maj. Gen. Daniel E., 46 Sigel, Maj. Gen. Franz, 42 Sisters Ferry, GA, 151 Siver, Lieut. Charles C., 98 Six Mile Ordinary, VA, 87 Slavery, 10, 81, 85, 139 Smith, Pvt. George, 8 Smith, Pvt. Jasper, 4 Smith, Pvt. Johnson, 4 Snakes, 85, 89 Snicker’s Gap, VA, 37 South Carolina, 16, 20, 24, 93, 97– 98, 101, 104, 106, 113, 115, 118– 19, 123, 129, 134, 138–39, 143, 149–50, 158 South Mountain, 27, 107 South Woods, NY, 59, 108 Sperbeck, Pvt. Robert, 34 Stanton, Maj. Lewis N., 153 Stanton Hospital, 95–96 Staten Island, NY, 1–3, 11 Steenrod, Pvt. W. H., 85 Stuart, Maj. Gen. J.E.B., 33 Suffolk, VA, 74, 85 Sullivan County, NY, 29–30 Sullivan Regiment, 35, 38. See also 143d New York Surgeon’s certificate, 24 Sutlers, 120 Swearing, 2, 47, 59, 80, 108 Taxes, 11, 45, 159 Tennessee, 75, 79, 81, 94, 97, 106– 10, 112, 140, 148–49, 151 Tennessee River, 106 Texas, 31, 38 Thanksgiving, 148 Thomas, Bessie, 76, 83, 95, 97, 107, 113, 119, 121, 146

172

Index

Thomas, Ellen, 158 Thomas, Gertude, 5, 13, 16–18, 20, 23, 26, 29–31, 35–37, 39–40, 43– 47, 49, 50, 53–56, 59, 61, 63, 65– 67, 69, 72, 76, 146 Thomas, Hannah, 8–11, 13–14, 18– 20, 22–27, 31, 33–34, 36–40, 42– 43, 45–49, 55–56, 60–68, 71–78, 80, 83, 85–87, 89–91, 93–99, 101– 2, 105, 107–15, 118–23, 125, 128– 30, 132, 135–38, 140, 142, 145– 46, 148, 150–51, 153–55, 158 Thomas, Marvin, 5, 10, 13, 17–20, 23, 25–26, 29, 31, 33–34, 36, 38– 39, 41–56, 58–62, 64–67, 74, 76– 79, 83–84, 86, 92–94, 96, 98–99, 101, 104, 106–9, 111–12, 115–16, 118–25, 127, 129–30, 132, 135, 137, 140–43, 146–48, 151, 154 Thomas, Marvin W., 107 Thomas, Pvt. Daniel, 23 Thomas, Pvt. Nathan, 95 Tombstones, 42 Tories, 54 Troy, NY, 94 Turner, Pvt. Henry, 153 Twaddell, Edward, 143 Twenty Army Corps, 133, 152 Tyler, Pvt. George, 43 Uncle Sam, 23, 72, 104, 138 Upton Hill, VA, 37–40, 42–43, 48– 49, 55–56, 58–59, 67, 69, 71, 73, 115 Veteran Volunteer, 126 Vicksburg, MS, 60, 86, 89, 92–93; Siege of, 89, 93 Vienna, VA, 68–70 Vienna Woods, VA, 50 Virginia, 9, 18, 24, 37–44, 46–47, 49–50, 53–56, 58–62, 64–68, 70–

74, 76, 78, 80, 84–89, 91–92, 94, 99, 101–2, 106, 109–12, 115, 126, 128, 130, 132, 138, 146, 153, 155, 157–59 Voting, 43, 82; absentee ballots, 43, 65 Walton, NY, 29, 33 War Department, 155 Ward orderly, 148 Warren, Maj. Gen. Gouverneur K., 136 Warrenton Junction, VA, 91–92, 94 Warse, Pvt. William, 66 Washington, D.C., 3–5, 7–10, 26–27, 30–31, 34–36, 43, 56, 58, 62, 72–73, 90–91, 95–96, 118, 126, 132, 140, 154, 157; Raid on, 135 Watkins, Lieut. Col. Hezekiah, 153 Weapons, care of, 115 Weeks, Pvt. Sam, 58 Welsh, Col. Thomas, 13, 19, 26–27, 60–61, 67 West Point, VA, 76, 78, 80, 84–85, 87 West Virginia, 72 Whales, Pvt. Clint, 2 White House Landing, VA, 76, 89, 91, 94, 110 Willcox, Pvt. Alford, 11 Williamsburg, VA, 85–87 Wilson’s Creek, MO, 4 Wood, Cpl. George W., 98 Wright, Gen. H. G., 19 Yazoo River, MS, 92 Yellow House, 136 York River, 79 Yorktown, VA, 17–18, 87

About the Compilers ROBERT F. HARRIS has spent nearly 30 years in education. With a Ph.D. in education administration from the University of Pittsburgh, he has served as history teacher, principal, and superintendent of schools. Author of several articles, he created a first-person interpretation for the Eastern National Parks & Monument Association at Gettysburg where he is a licensed battlefield guide. JOHN NIFLOT is Co-founder and President of Basket Historical Society of the Upper Delaware Valley. A lifelong resident of the area, he now lives close to the original Gould settlement. His interest for many years has been the preservation of the area’s unique local history. His home is located on the site of the first local school house built by the Goulds in 1842.