William Henry Barton (known as Henry) was born on April 5, 1826 in Moriah, New York, the son of William A. and Electa (Taylor) Barton. By 1860 he had married Abiah Elliott. He enlisted in the 5th New York Cavalry, Company H on December 14, 1863 and was discharged in July, 1865. He fought in the... Show moreWilliam Henry Barton (known as Henry) was born on April 5, 1826 in Moriah, New York, the son of William A. and Electa (Taylor) Barton. By 1860 he had married Abiah Elliott. He enlisted in the 5th New York Cavalry, Company H on December 14, 1863 and was discharged in July, 1865. He fought in the Battle of the Wilderness, Battle of Spottsylvania Court House, and Ashland Station. His brother, Hiram Horatio Barton, was born on August 20, 1836 in Moriah, New York. He enlisted in Company C, 96th New York State Volunteers. He fought in the Battle of Fair Oaks, the Battle of Kinston and at the Seige of Petersburg, where he was wounded. He was also at Fort Harrison. He was discharged on January 11, 1865. He married Jennie Abbie Johnson on September 5, 1869 in Bridport, Vermont. He died at there of cerebral abcess on April 6, 1903, and was buried in the Bridport Village cemetery. Lyman Barton was born on April 29, 1839 in Moriah, New York, He enlisted on July 7, 1862 in Winsted, Connecticut in Company K, 8th Connecticut Infantry Regiment. He fought at Antietam, Fredericksburg, Petersburg, and Fort Harrison. He was discharged on June 6, 1865. He died in Crown Point, New York on August 14, 1936. Theodore Taylor Barton was born on September 15, 1842 in Crown Point, New York and enlisted on May 1, 1861 in Company H, 34th New York State Volunteers. He was in the Battle of Fair Oaks, Antietam, and Chancellorsville. He was discharged on June 30, 1863, but returned to Washington, D.C. as a teamster and later reenlisted in the Veteran Volunteers. He was discharged in February, 1866. In 1867, he married Augusta Wooster Barton, the widow of his older brother James Bradshaw Barton, who was killed at the Battle of the Wilderness. Theodore moved to Lansing, Michigan and died there on January 2, 1928. Civil War letters written by four brothers, William, Hiram, Lyman, and Theodore. Many of the letters were written to their sister Mary Melissa Barton while she was living at Larabee's Point in Shoreham and the rest of the letters were written to each other. They were all in different units in Virginia and North Carolina. They write of camp life, troop movements, and descriptions of the country side. They also, at times, graphically describe the aftermath of battles. There is a description of the fiasco at the Crater. There is also a patriotic poem by William Izzard. Show less
Hiram Barton writes a detailed description of a misunderstanding between the 96th New York Regiment and a cavalry company that they were to rendezvous with. The two forces exchanged fire but no one was injured. He then describes his unit’s participation in a pincer movement against Williamston,... Show moreHiram Barton writes a detailed description of a misunderstanding between the 96th New York Regiment and a cavalry company that they were to rendezvous with. The two forces exchanged fire but no one was injured. He then describes his unit’s participation in a pincer movement against Williamston, North Carolina, in which his unit was supposed to engage the enemy from the front while the 101st and 103rd Pennsylvania Regiments were to attack from the rear. Show less
Writing from Stanley General Hospital in New Bern, N.C. to his brother Lyman, Hiram Barton writes of all the rumors surrounding the Siege of Little Washington (Battle of Washington, March 30-April 18, 1863), including the supposed death of General Francis B. Spinola. He also writes of the arrival... Show moreWriting from Stanley General Hospital in New Bern, N.C. to his brother Lyman, Hiram Barton writes of all the rumors surrounding the Siege of Little Washington (Battle of Washington, March 30-April 18, 1863), including the supposed death of General Francis B. Spinola. He also writes of the arrival of a Lieutenant sent by General John G. Foster to New Bern to ask for reinforcements. As well, he writes of Rebel scouts that are in the area. Show less
Writing from Camp Gray in Plymouth, North Carolina Barton speaks of white and black North Carolinians coming in to Union lines to join the Union Army, of the brogue they speak, of the sights he has seen in battle, his dislike of army life, particularly the killing. Writes of rumors about... Show moreWriting from Camp Gray in Plymouth, North Carolina Barton speaks of white and black North Carolinians coming in to Union lines to join the Union Army, of the brogue they speak, of the sights he has seen in battle, his dislike of army life, particularly the killing. Writes of rumors about Vicksburg and what it would mean for the Union cause if it is taken. Show less
A poem titled “The Campaign with McClellan 1862” by William Issard, a private in the 101st Pennsylvania Infantry, copied by Hiram Barton. The poem focuses on Wessell’s Division during the Seven Days Battles, and mentions the 101st and 103rd Pennsylvania Regiments and the 85th, 92nd, and 96th New... Show moreA poem titled “The Campaign with McClellan 1862” by William Issard, a private in the 101st Pennsylvania Infantry, copied by Hiram Barton. The poem focuses on Wessell’s Division during the Seven Days Battles, and mentions the 101st and 103rd Pennsylvania Regiments and the 85th, 92nd, and 96th New York Regiments. Show less
Hiram Barton writes of an attack on the Union works by a Confederate Brigade at the Seige of Petersburg on June 24th. He also writes of the danger of raising one’s head above the breast works during the day, and of the soldiers killed. As well he writes of the heat and how exhausted the men are... Show moreHiram Barton writes of an attack on the Union works by a Confederate Brigade at the Seige of Petersburg on June 24th. He also writes of the danger of raising one’s head above the breast works during the day, and of the soldiers killed. As well he writes of the heat and how exhausted the men are after spending two or three days in the trenchs. Show less
Topics include the news that he is in the hospital at New Bern, North Carolina, but he is getting better. He also discusses the lateness of the pay and his attempts to stay out of debt, a description of the city, war profiteers, and his opinion of the celebration of Washington’s birthday and how... Show moreTopics include the news that he is in the hospital at New Bern, North Carolina, but he is getting better. He also discusses the lateness of the pay and his attempts to stay out of debt, a description of the city, war profiteers, and his opinion of the celebration of Washington’s birthday and how that general might view the war. Show less
Topics include the journey from Harrisons Landing to Fort Monroe, a fight at Bulls Run (aka 2nd Manassas), and the deaths of Thomas Covil and Lyman Morhouse.
Lyman Barton describes a turntable built for a Confederate railway gun which was captured before it was operational. He also writes of an attack of the 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry led by Colonel Spear near Hanover Court House, during which General William Henry Fitzhugh Lee was captured.
Lyman Barton writes a detailed description of the capture of the Confederate battery at Hill’s Point on May 19, 1863, when his company and six others from the 8th Connecticut Infantry Regiment and eight companies of the 89th New York Infantry Regiment boarded the U.S.S. Stepping Stones and... Show moreLyman Barton writes a detailed description of the capture of the Confederate battery at Hill’s Point on May 19, 1863, when his company and six others from the 8th Connecticut Infantry Regiment and eight companies of the 89th New York Infantry Regiment boarded the U.S.S. Stepping Stones and traveled up the Nansemond River to assault the rifle pits and fort. Show less
Lyman Barton writes of his Regiment’s march from White House to near Hanover Junction and back, and then on to a camp near Portsmouth, Virginia. He then writes of his military unit being renumbered (from 9 A C to the 7 A C now 2nd Brigade 2nd Division 7 A C), of news from home, that his two other... Show moreLyman Barton writes of his Regiment’s march from White House to near Hanover Junction and back, and then on to a camp near Portsmouth, Virginia. He then writes of his military unit being renumbered (from 9 A C to the 7 A C now 2nd Brigade 2nd Division 7 A C), of news from home, that his two other brothers, James and Henry were drafted, and continues with his views on how the war is progressing. Show less
William Henry Barton (known as Henry) writes of his hope that several specific people in Crown Point would be drafted, though he suspects that one of them, Americus Spaulding, will fake palpitations of the heart to avoid the draft. He also wishes that anyone voting “secesh” would be drafted. As... Show moreWilliam Henry Barton (known as Henry) writes of his hope that several specific people in Crown Point would be drafted, though he suspects that one of them, Americus Spaulding, will fake palpitations of the heart to avoid the draft. He also wishes that anyone voting “secesh” would be drafted. As well, he writes of the cold weather and of the visit to Winchester of Elisha Haskell’s wife, who didn’t “like see so many nigers.” Show less
