Topics include Towle’s sickness Saturday night, of illness and death within the company and regiment, praise for officer Lieut. Pingree, reference to rumor of the capture of Savannah (does he refer to Georgia?), and a brief reference to the possible firing of guns at Fort Ethan Allen for some... Show moreTopics include Towle’s sickness Saturday night, of illness and death within the company and regiment, praise for officer Lieut. Pingree, reference to rumor of the capture of Savannah (does he refer to Georgia?), and a brief reference to the possible firing of guns at Fort Ethan Allen for some victory somewhere. Show less
Writing from his Virgina camp Griffin, Towle gives a description of a Battalion Drill and the ill health effects on the soldiers, of a gale storm damaging tents and overturning an ambulance with a sick soldier inside. He writes of orders from General McClellan to be ready to move, and states men... Show moreWriting from his Virgina camp Griffin, Towle gives a description of a Battalion Drill and the ill health effects on the soldiers, of a gale storm damaging tents and overturning an ambulance with a sick soldier inside. He writes of orders from General McClellan to be ready to move, and states men are sick and death count to date for his regiment is 66. Show less
From Camp Griffin, Towle writes of a brigade and bayonet drill, the increasing number of sick men with the death count for the regiment at 77, and of the monotony of camp life.
Towle writes from his Virginia camp to his parents about drill, military life, resignation of officers due to being unfit physically or mentally, of still needing new boots, illness, and his positive opinion of Colonel Stoughton.
Writes of receiving a welcomed letter from his mother making him feel as if he is at home with her in a conversation. Some of the men from the hospital are going out to gather chestnuts, he is not able to go as he is confined at the hospital due to wounds. States he suffers from diarrhea from... Show moreWrites of receiving a welcomed letter from his mother making him feel as if he is at home with her in a conversation. Some of the men from the hospital are going out to gather chestnuts, he is not able to go as he is confined at the hospital due to wounds. States he suffers from diarrhea from time to time. Speaks of food available (meat, bread, milk, apples). Show less
Writing seven miles from Richmond topics include packing up camp and marching at 10pm, a terrible rain storm that soaked the men, of sick soldiers including Towle.
Mentions an artist is taking some pictures of camp life (photos? or drawings?) promises to send sketches he has made of camp home, the sick in camp including Mary, William Wallace and his best horse, has purchased another horse and will fatten him up,marching orders having been given, Rebels at... Show moreMentions an artist is taking some pictures of camp life (photos? or drawings?) promises to send sketches he has made of camp home, the sick in camp including Mary, William Wallace and his best horse, has purchased another horse and will fatten him up,marching orders having been given, Rebels at Leesburgh, Drainsville, Centreville & at Union Mills, brief references to Copperheads at home. Show less
Writing to sister Laura, topics include having to march to near Wolf Run Ford on the Occoquan River, Virginia, Farnham’s wife, Mary, staying at Mr. Whiley's, roads awful making the horses pull through fields and woods, troops carried their tents but the officers are waiting delivery of their... Show moreWriting to sister Laura, topics include having to march to near Wolf Run Ford on the Occoquan River, Virginia, Farnham’s wife, Mary, staying at Mr. Whiley's, roads awful making the horses pull through fields and woods, troops carried their tents but the officers are waiting delivery of their tents, he now "at the front," rebel forces at Brentsville, explanation of what the pickets do and the death of Stratton of Fairlee of smallpox. Show less
Another mention of the death of Cyrus Farnham, family financial issue addressed, reporting the death of four men in camp, $400 sent home and wishing Charlie Harding to acknowledge receipt.
Topics include being quartered with the Northfield Company and how the troops were greeted at Bellows Falls. One company member, the fifer, had the measles.
Topics include camping near Wolf Creek, Virginia, bunking with a fellow officer, no tents yet delivered, shelter not water tight, horses out unprotected, the terrible roads due to rain and mud, Paymaster Holway expected soon with military pay for the Vermont troops, advice to wife Mary, who is... Show moreTopics include camping near Wolf Creek, Virginia, bunking with a fellow officer, no tents yet delivered, shelter not water tight, horses out unprotected, the terrible roads due to rain and mud, Paymaster Holway expected soon with military pay for the Vermont troops, advice to wife Mary, who is planning on visiting to bring only one trunk with only essentials and to wear her boots as there is a lot of mud, brief reference to Kinepox (which is another name for small pox vaccine). Show less
Topics include the duties of Provost Marshall, including the reception of runaway slaves. Mentions alerts for battle and false alarms; and illness within the regiment.
Farnham is writing from the SS Alabama after arriving safely off the coast of Virginia, at Fort Monroe. Some men are sea-sick, and another has measles. Company was greeted with three cheers by sailors passing by. Farnham called on again to be adjutant because of his demonstrated leadership skills... Show moreFarnham is writing from the SS Alabama after arriving safely off the coast of Virginia, at Fort Monroe. Some men are sea-sick, and another has measles. Company was greeted with three cheers by sailors passing by. Farnham called on again to be adjutant because of his demonstrated leadership skills. A few words about friends and acquaintances seen in New York, one being a secessionist. Show less
Topics include small disturbances by the rebels nightly, men is danger of guerrilla warfare by the Rebels, the ill health of the 13th regiment, a lot of inquiries about folks at home, a reference to Mr. Bond and the garden, him wanting the front yard at home spruced up before he gets back home,... Show moreTopics include small disturbances by the rebels nightly, men is danger of guerrilla warfare by the Rebels, the ill health of the 13th regiment, a lot of inquiries about folks at home, a reference to Mr. Bond and the garden, him wanting the front yard at home spruced up before he gets back home, again encourages his wife to drink porter and get fat as she only weighs 104 pounds. Show less
Farnham writes from nearby Hunting Creek, Virginia at the headquarters of the 12th Vermont Volunteers about the cold weather in the South, eleven sick in the hospital, two of which had shot themselves. Reference made to Gen. McClellan being superseded by Gen. Burnside.
Barney writes that the Regiment will soon be moving to North Carolina because of the sickness at Fort Yorktown. He spends the rest of the letter assuring his wife that he does not drink liquor.
Barney writes that the Regiment has still not moved and he is very anxious that they do so, though the sickness in the Regiment is abating a little. Mentions several names of men (Col. [James Wolfe] Ripley, H. Meigs, Sartwell, Dr. Carpenter & Bellrose). He also writes of the arrival of another... Show moreBarney writes that the Regiment has still not moved and he is very anxious that they do so, though the sickness in the Regiment is abating a little. Mentions several names of men (Col. [James Wolfe] Ripley, H. Meigs, Sartwell, Dr. Carpenter & Bellrose). He also writes of the arrival of another colored regiment and of the efforts of General William F. “Baldy” Smith in getting the Regiment moved. As well he writes of target shooting with his brother Lester and some of the other officers and nearly shooting himself in the leg while reloading. Show less
Topics include the capturing of some Rebels at Newtown who stated Rebels do not go hungry as long a Union troops are around from which to steal food, issues with the postal mail service, the difficulty of getting rest in camp, and the sickness of the regiment.
Barney writes of camp equipment inspection, Sunday services held by Chaplain Stone, of being one of the singers during the service singing "Sweet Home", of receiving letters from home, of there being 4000 men, two men with the measles, of the arrival of the New York 4th Regiment and Hawkins... Show moreBarney writes of camp equipment inspection, Sunday services held by Chaplain Stone, of being one of the singers during the service singing "Sweet Home", of receiving letters from home, of there being 4000 men, two men with the measles, of the arrival of the New York 4th Regiment and Hawkins Zouaves, of camp duties. Show less
