Introduction
OVERVIEW OF THIS SPECIAL SECTION
This special Section of the website, “Thirteenth
Massachusetts
Volunteers” is created to feature some specific soldiers' stories that
don't fit neatly into the chronology of the regiment. It focuses
primarily on the letters of 5 soldiers and their experiences in and
around the city of Washington, D.C., (either in hospitals or serving on
detached
duty) between September 1862 and October 1863. Along with the
soldiers'
experiences, these pages attempt to create an outline of the city's
character during the war; both militarily and culturally. There
are 3 pages to the section.
Page 1 features the letters
of Albert Liscom, Company C, & James Ramsey, Company E. Both
were in Washington
hospitals immediately following Major-General John Pope's Summer
Campaign of
1862. Both were seeking an honorable release from the service for
health reasons. Liscom's health was completely broken down, and
Ramsey was wounded in the thigh. Both received their discharge
but under different circumstances. Ramsey's came pretty quick,
but Albert lingered in the hospital for months.
Page 2 tells the little known
story of Camp
Convalescent.
For a year and a half, Private George S. Cheney of
Company E, wrote letters to the Roxbury City Gazette, under the
pseudonym "Azof."
Beginning in September, 1862 he sent a series of gloomy dispatches from
Camp Convalescent near Alexandria, VA. The letters continued into
January, 1863. The camp was established
in the late summer of 1862 for three purposes. First, as a camp
for convalescents, too sick to
return to their regiments, but not sick enough to occupy a hospital
bed; second, as a holding camp for stragglers, and third, as a
place
for
recruits to gather before being distributed to their respective
regiments. The camp was in chaos during its early existence and
many soldiers sent there suffered for the governments lack of
preparedness. The convalescents suffered the most.
Eventually order was established and a well run camp was founded.
On Page 2 of this section, Cheney's 11 letters are posted along with
the "official history" of the camp, transcribed from the 1st & 2nd
issues of the camp's own newspaper, “The Soldiers Journal,” established
February, 1864.
Page 3, focuses primarily on the letters of
William H. H. Rideout, of Company B. Rideout was supervising a
team of
workers in the Quarter Master's Department in Washington. William
was known as a ladies man throughout his life, and his letters to a
girl back home, reveal a developing romance. Private John Noyes
travels through Washington on two separate occasions provide additional
color and commentary.
Interwoven amongst these pages are visits to the
theatres and public buildings of Washington, with references to its
hotels,
attractions
and surrounding environs.
Return to Top of Page
What's On
This Page
Albert Liscom's letter collection is housed at the Army
Heritage Education Center in Carlysle, PA. In 2012, I visited the
facility and made digital copies of each letter, (though at least one
page was missed). For several months at home I made
transcriptions of the material. His letters are indeed
noteworthy for descriptions of life in camp and on the march from the
regiment's organization, through
September, 1862. A
substantial number of the letters were written at the time
presented here, when Albert, his health entirely broken down, tried to
obtain an honorable discharge from the service. His letters are
divided into two parts on this page. In the first part, he writes
from Washington D.C. area hospitals and camps. In the second
batch
of letters, he writes from “National Guard Hall” General Hospital on
Race Street, Philadelphia, where he was moved in early November,
1862. Albert received an honorable discharge from
the volunteer service on January 30, 1863. During the long
wait, he counsels with his Father about whether to take "French Leave"
and go home for a visit, or to remain in the dreary hospital and wait
for the army bureaucracy to run its course.
With a suit of clothes sent to him by family, he occasionally slips
into town to socialize with friends and visit the theatres.
The letters of James F. Ramsey are already well
represented on this site. Ramsey served as a volunteer soldier
from the earliest days of the war, when he joined the "Tigers" [2nd
Battalion
Boston
Militia] in the Spring of '61 to help get Fort Warren in Massachusetts
Bay ready for
service. When Ramsey could not get a position in the 12th Mass,
where
most of the Tigers went, he
found an opening in the ranks of the Roxbury Rifles and subsequently
joined
the 13th Mass., Company E. James was wounded in the thigh at the
2nd Battle of
Bull Run. His copy of the 13th Mass Regimental
History, “Three Years in the Army,” remains in the family. It is
inscribed by its author, Charles E. Davis, Jr, to James Ramsey,
who
remained on the battlefield of Bull Run for a week before receiving
medical attention. The few letters posted here are a coda to his
military career. The letters and family photographs were provided
to me by Mr. Don Gage, a descendant of James.
PICTURE CREDITS:
All images are from
the Library of
Congress digital images collection, with the following
exceptions: Liscom & Dearborn Reed Organ was found at an
antiques auction site named "Liveauctioneers" Dec. 6, 2012
auction; Pictures of James
F. Ramsey and the Ramsey family are from Mr. Don Gage, Ramsey's
descendant; “B&O Railroad Station” from author "Steven"
at: “Civil War
Washington, D.C.” the post “B & O Railroad Station,” posted
October 4,
2011; W.B. Moses Furniture Store/Avenue House Hotel from John De
Ferarri's blog "Streets of Washington", W.B. Moses & Son, posted
Nov. 15, 2016; Actress Maggie Mitchell by Napoleon Sarony
is from Dr. David S. Shields & his Broadway Photographs site,
www.broadway.cas.sc.edu; Lt. Joseph Colburn, , Lt. Oliver C. Livermore,
Major J.P.
Gould and Company C group shot, with Bill White, 22nd Mass., are from
various Civil War artifacts dealer websites. ALL
IMAGES HAVE BEEN EDITED IN PHOTOSHOP.
Acknowledgements
The following sites were invaluable in
researching this page.
Civil War Washington; for the article, “B & O
Railroad Station,
New Jersey Avenue
and C Street NW,” posted Tuesday, October 4, 2011.
[civilwarwashingtondc1861-1865.blogspot.com]
Streets of Washington; “W. B. Moses & Sons” by John
De Ferrari, posted November 15, 2016. [Many other articles at
this site
were very informative.]
bloghttp://www.streetsofwashington.com/2016/11/wb-moses-sons-once-washingtons-largest.html
Return to Table of Contents
Introduction
to the Liscom Letter Collection
I first learned of the existence of Private Albert
Liscom’s letters through the 13th Regiment Association Circulars.
In Circular # 33 Albert’s 45 year old son Charles, wrote a letter to
Walter Swan, who was
then
Secretary of the Association.
Dedham, Mass., Sept. 12, '20
Comrade Swan:
I am reminded of a
former offer
of mine to prepare something relative to the part taken by the 13th at
Bolivar Heights and Dam No. 5, and the rather lively engagements there
in October and December, 1861. The history of the 13th does not
give any details of these scraps, but in a way I think they were of
some importance, for those engaged got probably their earliest training
and experience in real battle conditions during these fights and gave
the enemy something to chew over.
...My father seems to have been quite a letter writer
and sent frequent
and newsy letters home, with much attention to detail. He sent
home some 91 letters in all, from Aug. 6, 1861 to Jan. 25, 1863,
although the latter part of the time he was confined in hospitals, due
to breakdown in health in 1862, just before 2nd Bull Run Battle."
Charles S. Liscom.
I discovered that these letters were present in the
collections of the
Army Heritage Education Center in Carlisle, PA. In the year 2012
I
accessed the collection, and took digital
photographs of the letters.
Albert's cursive is very fine, and many of the letters
are written in
pencil almost too light to see. Using Photoshop to darken the
letters was essential in interpreting some of the writing, but it is
still difficult.
At right, a page from one of
Albert's letters.
I've counted 73 letters and some letter fragments.
(Albert's son claimed
there were 91
letters in the collection, so some appear to be missing). There
are about 3 or 4 more letters in the collection that are not
written by Albert. Two are signed by Aunt Eliza, one by an Uncle
William, one by a soldier named Frank, also in Co. C, (which describes
the battle of Bolivar Heights) and an unknown note to 'father' dated
1857, signed Jacob.
During his campaigning Albert had some serious health
problems. In this
letter to his
father he describes some of his
ailments:
Letter Excerpt,
Waterloo, VA, July 19, 1862
“For a long time my teeth have troubled me a great deal. I find
it impossible to live on army rations. I have to live on such
light stuff as I can buy or cobble up myself and it is rather
surprising to me how I live on what little I eat, about all we have for
rations is hard bread & coffee for breakfast & supper, for
dinner we have salt junk boiled fresh beef or fried beef and once in a
great while baked or stewed beans, very often there is no dinner at
all, this is the way we live day after day. I have long ago given
up trying to eat salt junk, boiled beef I cannot
eat, and the beef steak I do
the best I can with to get the juice and
You may ask what I live on, well I hardly know myself. Corn
starch, rice molasses cakes, crackers & cheese, stuff that does not
amount to much except to take away the money very fast without
warranting good health to follow. I have got about discouraged
trying to live in such a way, my teeth are so far gone that I can
hardly bite off a piece of soft bread. There is not two teeth in
my head that I can use, that come square together. the only tooth
that is of any service to me in biting, I expect every day will break
off, it is more than half gone now, it is the one next to the eye tooth
on the right side. I cannot chew at all on the left side, my
teeth are all broken off even with my
gums from the left side
including the eye tooth and following round to
the one next the eye tooth - (which has a large cavity in it) on the
right side, there is nothing but the hollow stump) The two teeth
running back from the eye tooth on my left side are more than half
decayed in fact I have not a whole tooth on my upper jaw. I have
not had any drawn out, all that I have lost - have broken off. Do
you wonder at my feeling hungry?”
According to Albert's letters,
he tried to keep up with the
regiment, until they reached Thoroughfare Gap on August 28, when he
got so lame he could not keep pace. His knee bothered him, but he
claims that was not the cause of his leaving.
He would have a hard march August 18, two days after his last letter
home (before he arrived at the hospital camp where he wrote the first
letter presented here). He could have
rested somewhat, 3 days during the artillery duel at Rappahannock
Station August 20 – 23, when the regiment was not on the
move. On the 23rd – 28th, Albert would
have had lots of marching to do. Considering his condition as
outlined in his July 19th & 29th letter, its commendable that he
kept up as long as he did.
July 29, 1862
Company C, 4th Battalion
Rifles, Boston.
HEAD-QUARTERS
[SEAL]
Camp ______
Waterloo
July 29th 1862.
Dear Parents & Sister
It was with
pleasure that I received your letter of the 24th I received it on
Sunday. I very well understand your letters and am glad that you
do mine. As to my thinking that you did not wish to have me come
home, I never had any such thoughts. I know how you feel about
it, for I had the same feelings myself. I did not wish to return
home and have people say that I wanted out of it, But I have made up my
mind that if it is possible I
p. 2.
shall get out of it as soon as I can and as I am now
situated, I
shall feel perfectly justified in doing so. I do not believe it
is right for me to stay here and be half starved all the time, this is
not altogether owing to poor teeth as the other boys can testify.
We are not provided with food sufficient to satisfy a well mans
appetite. You speak of my getting a furlough but that is
impossible. no more furloughs are given. I think it
very doubtful as to my getting my discharge, but never the less I shall
try it in a few days at any rate, it will probably take some time
for they are bound to hang on to a man until the last minute, it is
easy enough to get into the service.
p. 3.
But almost impossible to get out of it, they do not
consider what is
best for a man, but seem to think they have a perfect right to gauge a
mans life out at their pleasure, and that if they do give a man his
discharge it is all done as a favor, all this I know for I have seen
it. In my last letter I wrote you that I thought my knee was
getting better; but for a few days past, it seems to be as bad as ever
. I went up to the doctors this morning, but I got very little
satisfaction from him, he did not exactly tell me that nothing
was the trouble with it, but I saw plainly that he felt so,
however he ordered a blister which I put on and now there is a blister
p. 4.
all over my knee. I shall be obliged to go to him
once more to have my knee attended to after the blister is taken off,
also to get excused from duty tomorrow, then I should have done with
him, for I do not think that with his disposition, he will do anything
to help me. One thing in regard to my knee which is to my dis
advantage, it does not show anything apparently it is as
well as the
other, it never has been the least swollen this of course makes it look
doubtful. As soon as I find out the effect of this blister, I am
going to see the brigade Surgeon, and lay my case before him. I
dread it, but I hope for the best. Please excuse a short
letter this time. Yours with a great deal of love
From Albert
[Written across the
top of this page upside down]:
P.S. Everything is all right & quite
here, Do you remember a year ago to day, I rather think I
do A
NOTES: I think Dr. Allston
Whitney was brigade surgeon. His performance after the
Battle of Cedar Mtn. gained for him a reputation as a most skillful
surgeon.
The camp at Waterloo, was
crowded into a small hilly area where there was barely enough room for
the brigade to camp.
Albert probably got to Haymarket with the
regiment on August 28, then possibly even to Thoroughfare Gap that
afternoon. He
probably lost the regiment during their hasty retreat from the Gap
towards
Grovetown, in the evening. The fact that the regiment was closely
pursued by Rebel cavalry coming from the gap corroborates his story
as told in his September 7 letter.
(The
Rebel Cavalry got all his belongings). From Haymarket or so, he
must have made his way to Alexandria on August 29.
By the time the following letters were written, he was
incapable of hard service in the field. He was trying to get an
honorable discharge, for which he would have done
anything short of desert.
The Liscom Family & the Reid
Family
Albert's father, Levi Liscom was a piano maker who
had years of experience making quality instruments with a Concord, New
Hampshire
firm called Dearborn Brothers. Documents show Levi Liscom entered
into a partnership with David M. Dearborn in 1853, with various other
partners occasionally coming and going. An early profile of the
company says, “Both of these gentlemen have had an extensive experience
in the manufacture of musical instruments. Mr. Dearborn
originally commenced business as a maker of bass and double-bass
violins but when melodeons and seraphines were introduced, and in a
measure superseded the use of the viols, he turned his attention to the
manufacture of them exclusively. Mr. Liscom,
…for
twenty-five years had been a practical piano-forte manufacturer, both
on his own account and in some of the largest and best-known
establishments in the United States.”
Albert’s letters suggest the piano-forte industry fell on hard times
when the war broke out, or at least his father did briefly, and
considered forming his own company. Some interesting quotes:
“what kind of a job Father
has got and what is his work, that he gets such low wages?” —
January 26, 1862. (An envelope from the collection suggests Mr.
Liscom was working for the Lows Piano Manufacturing Company of Boston
at this time).
“I was glad to hear by
Fathers letter that there is a prospect of getting something from
Dearborn. I hope it may turn out favorable. You say you
have some thoughts of setting up for yourself. I do not see why
it would not be a good idea, for I think you can do it and certainly do
better than you are doing now, besides having a place of your
own. You say there are a number who want to go Into company with
you but I think you would do better alone. I think to that
the Pianos could be sold at private sale which would be much better
than selling at auction. If you can see your way clear I hope you
will make a stake. You say your patterns are all perfect and I
think there is no reason why you cannot make as good a Piano as any
other manufacturer.” — February 9, 1862.
Whether or not his father opened his own shop is
unclear, but by March 20, Albert commented that he was glad father had
such a good position and was doing well.
An internet search
produced a
few items relating to the Dearborn-Liscom company along with a picture
of one reed
organ
bearing the company name. Levi Liscom seems to have prospered in
his craft. Levi and his wife Mary had two children, Emily, born
1833, and Albert, born 1836.
Levi plays a prominent role in Albert's plans to leave
the service. As soon as he learned of his son's predicament, he
traveled to Washington, to see things for himself. Judging from
the content of the letters, he wanted his son to get out of the service
and come home as soon as possible.
The Reid family also figures prominently in the letters
below. Albert's October 3rd letter mentions “Herbert” whom he
references throughout his correspondence. Herbert is Herbert A.
Reed, Company A. A scan through the
Massachusetts Adjutant General's roster of the 13th MA, reveals two men
named Herbert in the regiment. One is Herbert Reed, (b. January
8, 1839) whose family
worked in
the same industry, as the Liscoms; the manufacture of
pianos.
In the October 19 letter, Albert once again mentions
seeing Herbert, on Friday October 17. Together they went down to
the train depot, where Albert says he met, “Mr Reid & two or
three others that
I know. I found Mr Reid first rate, says his health has not
been so good for a long time. They expected to go into camp about
a mile from the depot, when I came back.”
Herbert Reed's father is Joshua T. Reid, age 56, a
soldier in the 10th Massachusetts Battery, which mustered into service
in September, 1862. The unit left Massachusetts for Washington on
October 14th. On October 17th, the same date Albert and Herbert went to
the train station, the 10th Mass. Battery was assigned to Camp
Barry, the defenses of Washington.
From Albert's letters it appears the two families were
well acquainted. Herbert, and Mr. Reid are frequently
mentioned. Joshua T. Reid had two sons serving in the 13th Mass.,
Herbert A. Reed, age 23, and Edgar C. Reed age 16. Edgar joined
the 13th MA, company A, as a recruit, in August 1862, about the same
time his father enlisted in the 10th Light Artillery.
Eddie was too young for the
service and was having a difficult time in Company A. In a letter
to his father, dated November 27,
1862 from Stafford Court House, Eddie wrote,
“...Herbert advised me to
go into company C [Albert
Liscom's
company] and I wish I had then but Company E is the
company I
want to be
in and if I can help getting into it I will...”
Eddie's father Joshua, wrote a letter to Colonel Leonard
in an attempt to help Eddie get his transfer.
Massachusetts
rosters list the name as Reed, but the father in his letter to Col.
Leonard spelled the name Reid. More about Edgar
Reed can be found on this website here: Eddie C. Reed.
Return to Table of Contents
Letters
of Albert Liscom, Part 1; Sept. &
Oct., 1862
September 7, 1862
The first letter presented here is
written from Post Camp near Fort Ellsworth in Alexandria,
Virginia. Page 2 of this section describes the history of
this camp.
Post Camp Va
Sept 7th /62
Dear Parents & Sister
I suppose
you feel worried about
me, and I take the first opportunity I have had to write for about
three weeks, we were then near the rapidan river. I suppose you
know that our regt, have been fighting, but I have not been with them
in any battle. I have not been with the regt. For about a
week I was obliged to fall out one day while on the march, my knee
troubled me and I got played out so that I could
p. 2
not keep up. I tried to catch up with the regt but
they were
mixed up with so many troops, and were moving about so fast that I lost
track of them. I got about sick trying to find the regt and on
Saturday the day of the big battle, I lost all my things
everything except what I had on my back, the rebel Cavalry took after
me and I had to take to the woods and lost every thing I owned, I
had to borrow this sheet of paper so I could write to you and let you
know that I am all right, although feeling somewhat played out; I
intend to join the regt as soon as I feel better, and
p. 3
can find out where the regt are. I am stopping at
this camp with
quite a number of our boys who came here when I did. This is a
camp situated just outside the city of Alexandria. Soldiers who
are not able to keep up with their regt come and stop until they do
feel able to join them. I am getting along first rate, and I hope
soon
to hear good news from you. I have not heard from you for some
time in consequence of our mails being stoped but I expect I shall find
letters when I get with the regt. I have not time to write
anymore now but will write
p. 4
again just as soon as I get a chance
Please excuse these few
hurried lines and accept a great deal of love
From Albert
Print of the Soldiers' Rest, Washington
D.C., by
Charles Magnus, circa 1864. Albert Liscom stopped here for two
days when in Washington, before moving to Mount Pleasant
Hospital.
Note the capital dome is finished in the print. It would not have
been so in 1863.
September 19,
1862
Twelve days after the last letter,
Albert is a convalescent at Mount Pleasant Hospital. He remained
here into early November.
Mount Pleasant Hospital
Washington D.C.
Sept 19 (or 16) /62
Dear Parents & Sister
You may be somewhat surprised and
perhaps worried to see my letter dated from a hospital, but I hope you
will not feel uneasy for there is not the least cause for it. I
came here not because I was really sick but I was unable to go to my
regt and keep up with them. They are not having any harder times
now than we have had, but I got run down and require a resting
spell. Perhaps you know that there has been an order passed
p. 2
That if any soldier is not able to keep up with his regt
and able to
make forced rapid marches, he is sent to the hospital to rest
up,
therefore there are a great many at the hospitals who cannot be called
sick, only played out, or in other words their trouble is general
debility, which is my case, if I was at home I should be about the
streets, but I do not at present feel strong enough to bang about with
the regt. I came here last Friday afternoon with three others
from the 13th it is a very nice comfortable place, good care, and
everything a man can ask for who is sick and away from
home. The doctor comes around every morning
p. 3
He left me some pills to take, and I am getting along
tip top. I
want for nothing. I hope when Father reads this letter that he
will not take it into his head to come out here for I tell you again I
am not sick, and like as not by the time he could get here, I may be
with my regt, and then it would be impossible for him to find me.
When I last wrote to you it was from post camp Alexandria,
from there I came over here to Washington. I stopped two days at
the Soldiers retreat, and then, came here, this is about a mile from
the City. I am quite anxious to hear from you for a number of
weeks. I expect there are letters for me
p. 4
at the regt. but I have had no chance to get them.
I have not
been with them since the day they had the fight at Thoroughfare
gap. Please answer this letter the same day that you receive
this, and please enclose five dollars, $5.00 for I have not got a cent
and I want to get a few things before I go to the regt for I have
as I told you lost everything.
Please enclose one of the green backs as I may be
bothered with a Mass.
bill. Please write as soon as you receive this and I may get it
before I leave here if not it will be sent to me
Address A. M. L.
Mount Pleasant Hospital
Washington
D.C.
Please accept these
few
lines with a great
deal of love and best wishes
From Albert.
There are many photographic views of the
Mount Pleasant Hospital Complex, which includes Harewood
Hospital. Both Albert Liscom and James Ramsey were here.
September 23,
1862
Mount Pleasant Hospital
Washington Sept 23rd/62
Dear Parents & Sister
It was with great pleasure that I
received your kind and welcome letter of the 18th. It really
seemed good to hear from home once more, to know that you are all
well. I am still at the hospital but getting along first
rate. I feel a great deal better than when I came here and I mean
to stay here as long as I can and get recruited up. I should like
very much to see you, but as for a furlough that is out of the
question, and as for my discharge I think it would be useless to apply
p. 2
for it now perhaps by an by if the war looks like
being
brought to a
close, it will be easier to get a discharge, and I shall be on the look
out for any such chance. As for my knee, that had nothing to do
with my coming here although it was one reason why I fell out on
the march. I have not hurt it the second time, it only troubles
me on long marches. Everything is neat & clean here plenty to
eat, and a good bed, iron bed stead about eighteen inches high and two
feet wide, white sheets and white counterpane,1 and clean
white shirt
and draws to wear There are ten wards and 25 or 26 beds in
each ward, beside as many more outside in tents. I am greatly
obliged to you for
p. 3
your kind wish to send me a box, but there is not
certainty of my
getting it and I do not think it worth while. I got the Arnica2
& Stockings, but lost them with my knapsack when chased by the
rebels. I cannot tell anything about Herbert3 I have
not seen him
nor his wife. The letter which you sent to King St Hospital, I
wrote for yesterday and may get it, those sent to the regt I hardly
expect to get. I am very sorry indeed that I did not see Mathew
if I had known he was here, I would have walked 20 miles rather
than not seen him, if it had been so that I could, give my love to him
and his boys, tell him that probably at the time he was looking for me
at Alexandria, I was about
half a mile outside the town at Fort Ellsworth the camp
called post
camp. I heard yesterday that there was only about 160 of our regt
left less than 20 of them are killed all the rest are wounded or
sick. I received the five dols all right it is all I want at
present. I expect to draw my pay of our pay master as soon as the
pay rolls have been sent to him from the regt. Everything which I
lost will be made good to me by government as I shall report them lost
in action. If I had time before the mail goes I would write more.
Please excuse these few lines and accept a great deal of Love From
Albert
P.S. You can direct
one more letter
to me here. I expect to be here long
enough to get it. Direct the same as
the
other
Albert
1. Counterpane is a coverlet.
2. Arnica is a medicine used to treat sprains & bruises, made
from
plants of the same name.
3. Herbert A. Reed, 13th MA, Company A.
Letter Envelope;
September 27, 1862
The envelope pictured goes with the
letter below. The address is Mess Mary F. Liscom, No. 16 Carver
Street, Boston, Mass.
September 27,
1862
Albert dated this letter Sunday, Sept.
27, but the 27th was actually Saturday. Perhaps he wrote it on
the 28th. In this letter, Albert's father, Levi
Liscom had gone down to Washington to check on his son. He took a
room in a private home near the hospital owned by a
family named Brown. Mrs. Brown became fast friends to the
Liscoms, and Albert hereafter would frequently visit her home.
Washington Sept. 27th/62
Sunday Noon
Dear Parents & Sister
I will drop you a line to day to let you know that
we are both tip top & enjoying ourselves as you may well
suppose. As to myself I am beginning to feel like myself
again. I have the rheumatism some which troubles me most in my
knee than anywhere else, that is it troubles me more to walk, my left
knee troubles me more now than my right one which is the one I thought
I injured, but I am
p. 2
satisfied now that it is the rheumatism which has been
troubling
me and if it
does not get better, I shall not probably join my regt for the
present. This morning Father and myself went out to Fort
Massachusetts, about two miles from here, we have been back about an
hour and we are now seated in the chamber of a private house we are
only a few hundred yards from the hospital. Father is stopping
here so that he can be near me and to save going back and fourth to the
city. I did not write yesterday as we went down to the city early
in
the morning hired a horse and buggy and went to ride and did not
p. 3
get back until late. Father is perfectly well, and
enjoying
himself hugely, his back is a great deal better than when he left home,
he has not yet set a day to start for home but will start the first of
the week. I want to send some money home by him and I shall get
my pay in a day or two.
You may not hear from me again until you see him at
home, it wont do
for me to write everything now if I should he will have nothing to tell
you when he returns.
Accept these few lines with a great deal of love
From Father & Albert
October 3, 1862
In this letter Albert again mentions his
friend Herbert Reed. The inference from the letters
is that Albert and Herbert are planning to take “French Leave”
and go home without an official pass. Several 13th MA soldiers
did this at various times during the war, usually after recovering from
wounds or
being paroled from captivity. It could be a risky
venture. Herbert would go through with it. Albert did not.
Washington Oct 3d /62
Friday
Dear Parents & Sister
I am Downtown this morning and
thought I would drop a line. I am the same as when Father was
here when I left him at the Depot I went and took the coach and got
back to the Hospital all right. Everything here is just the
same. I hope Father returned home all right and in good
spirits. Herbert* is all right – Accept this with lots of love
from Albert
Love to all
*Herbert Alanson Reed, age 23, 13th MA, Co. A
Pictured below is the Baltimore &
Ohio Railroad Depot in Washington, D.C. as it appeared in the late
1800's. It is very likely this depot Albert mentions in the
letter above, where he parted from his father.
Undated Letter
This slip of paper is not dated, but it
is filed between
letters dated October 3rd 1862 & what looks to be October
8. [?] The
look of the paper suggests it was sent Oct 3rd.
Private
Up in Herberts room
Dear Father
I write this letter in hope to hasten your sending
the box which I wish you would send as quick as you can after receiving
this note. don’t send any eatibles more than I can eat right up,
fast if I conclude to start on a french furlough. I shall
probably start in the next train after I receive the box Enclosed
you will find a note from Herbert please hand it privately to his
wife.* It is for her to send his coat and pants in the same
box with mine.
Please forward immediately.
P.S. In haste Albert
If the box is sent before you –
p. 2
receive this then never mind, it will be all
right You must
not make up Your mind to anything for present like as not it will all
fall through
A
Private
*Herbert A. Reed was married to Julia Eliza Edgerly
Allen on July 23, 1861.
October 8, 1862
By this time, after his father's
visit to
Washington, D.C., Albert's family seem determined to help him
leave the
service, or at least get him home to recuperate. Albert himself
was conflicted, in that he did not want to be perceived as a
deserter.
Mount Pleasant Hospital
Wednesday Oct 8, /62
Dear Parents & Sister
I have been
expecting every Day to hear from you but
have not yet received any letters. I have thought however that
perhaps you were expecting something would turn up and had not written
on that account. There is nothing new here. I suppose you
received my letter asking you to hurry up the box. I shall be
looking for it now every Day. You have probably seen Herbert
before this. Tell him I received both his letters.
p. 2
I was over to Browns Sunday — eat Dinner — and spent
most of the Day
there. I went over again yesterday afternoon. —
I am happy to say that I have just received your letter
of the 5th also
the one containing the bill. I have been over to Browns and left
the bill and am in hopes to get the box tomorrow. I am very happy
to hear from you and to hear that Father arrived home safe.
I understand perfectly well the meaning of Fathers
letter. I know
just how you feel about the matter I have very much the same feelings
that you Do except in regard to getting through this does
not
trouble me
p. 3
at all. I hardly like the idea of going home
&
having to come
back again in a few days I might get there and back without
being missed
here even if I was — probably all they would do with me would be to
send me to the regt when I got back here, and I do not want to go to
the regt as long as I can get out of it. I have thought
perhaps
it would be better for me to keep quiet here and be sick and perhaps
something might turn up for my benefit — however — if I find I
have got to go to the regt., I think I shall see home first. I
cannot make up my mind what to do —
Take French
Leave?? October 9, 1862
In this letter Albert receives a box
from home containing civilian clothes. He kept the clothes at the
house of his friends, the Browns, who lived close to the
hospital. He met the Brown family when his father staid
there during his
visit to Albert. Perhaps the plan was to use the clothes to get
home, but Albert was by this point hoping to get home
permanently with an honorable discharge. The decision whether or
not to go, caused him a great deal of worry. His friend Herbert
did go up to Massachusetts for a short visit.
Washington Oct. 9th /62
Thursday Evening
Dear Parents & Sister
I am seated at the table in Mr Browns house.
Mrs Brown invited me to stop to tea and as I wished to drop a line to
you she offered me the accommodations. I came over this
afternoon and found the box with every thing all right. the
clothes look good. I can tell you I was tempted to put them on
and start. — but as I said in my letter yesterday I think
p. 2
it will be better to wait awhile and see if I cant do
better. If
I should visit home, it would be very hard for me to come back
again perhaps I might conclude to throw aside blue pants, for
good. this I do not want to do if I can help it, I want to
get out of it honorable if I can, and I mean to try and see what I can
do. I do not think you will be disappointed at my
decision. I have thought of it continually and it has worried me
considerable to decide what, under the circumstances, it was best to
do. As to my getting through without being suspected, that does
not
p. 3
trouble me in the least. but there are other
things to think of,
things that have been before mentioned. So as I said before I
think I will keep quiet for a while.
I am not at all Disappointed that you did not send more
eatibles, it is
just as well the cake is very nice, and is just as good as more.
I do not think it will be worth while to send another box, at least not
at present, for there is no knowing what may happen. Let it all
rest for the present. If nothing happens I am going to Dress up
Saturday and spend the day about town, with Mrs Brown
p. 4
And Evvie. I am glad Herbert got through all
right. I am sorry to
disappoint him but I guess he will have just as good a time
nevertheless. I shall be obliged to close this now as it is time
I was back to the Hospital,
So I will bid you good night
Yours with love
From Albert
P.S.
Write soon and often
Letter, no date, Probably October 9,
(& sent
with the letter above).
Dear Parents & Sister
I would rather
no one but yourselves would read such a letter as
I have written this time. At least be carefull who it is
that reads them — for it would not do for it to get to the regt that I
had got a citizens suit of clothes — and was enjoying myself about
town. I don’t care who knows it — if it does not get to the
regt. I don’t know as there is any danger — but I thought I would
mention it and you can act accordingly. I do not of course think
anyone would willingly blow on me, but a word might be dropped
carelessly. Lizzie or Bill Stoddard might be just the one, in
writing to Will. I think you will understand my meaning so enough
of this.
Write soon to
Albert
October 16,
1862
After receiving his suit of civilian
clothes from home, Albert traveled downtown with his friend Mrs. Brown
on Monday the 13th.
Mount Pleasant Hospital
Oct 16th 1862
Dear Parents & Sister
I will now
write a few lines in answer to your kind letter of the 11th,
which I received yesterday. Your letter of the 29th I received
last Saturday. It had probably been to the regt. the Co
& regt were crossed out with a lead pencil.
Everything is about the same here. I feel about
the same as when
Father was here I have the rheumatism so that I cannot walk a
great
ways without being very lame,  the Doctor ordered me some tonic
But the
greater part of it goes through a knot hole in the floor.
p. 2
it don’t seem to do me any good. I have complained
of a pain in
my chest and the other morning the doctor told me to come up to his
room and he wanted examine my chest. I went up and he examined my
lungs, he did it very thoroughly and pronounced them
perfect, that was all that was said at that time
& I came back to my tent. I do not know why he took a notion
to examine my lungs, for I have never complained of them,
but perhaps he thought the pain might come from them. It will be
some time before I can accomplish anything here if I do at all but I
keep hopeing and trust I may succeed. I think it is best to keep
quiet here for the present. I wrote to
p. 3
You last week Wednesday acknowledging the receipt of the
box which was
all right. I thought you would get my letter Saturday, but
I
suppose you have got it before now. It has been quite unpleasant
here for a few days past. Sunday morning it was so uncomfortable
here that I went over to Browns and stayed there until Monday
morning, then I came over and reported to the doctor and then
went back again and dressed up and went down town with Mrs Brown, rode
down and back in their barouch we did not go anywhere
particular, we called at one house, and I had an
introduction to two youn’ ladies (poor style) but — passable for this
country. Evvie was quite pleased with her book. It is
p. 4
rather dull here for me, nothing to do, nothing to
read. I
hardly know what to do with myself. I did not feel very well
yesterday and I ly here on my bed all day reading a book
that I picked up. But staying here is better than being with the
regt while I feel as I do now for I am in no condition to march,
or stand this cold wet weather out on the ground, and I never
mean to do it again if I can help it. I have seen enough of such
a war as this is, and I am going to spend the rest of my time in
trying to get out of it. I will close these few lines now
as I don’t think of anything more this time Accept this with Love
from Albert
P.S. Please write a few
lines often
Much love to all friends
October 19, 1862
Pictured is the interior of one of the
wards at
Mount Pleasant Hospital where Albert went to recuperate from his
rheumatism. His overall physical condition was never great, and
he
couldn't recover the physical strength necessary to return to the
regiment for active service in the field. In this letter he
states two cylindrical stoves were installed in his hospital tent.
Albert once again mentions his friend
Herbert, and also this time Mr. Reid, Herbert's father. Mr.
Joshua Reid was serving in the 10th MA Battery which left Massachusetts
on October 14, and had just come to Washington. Thus the
discussion of
his health and going into camp.
Albert's Hospital pass, mentioned in
this letter, dated October
17, 1862 is pictured below. The 13th Mass comrade that wrote it
for him
is probably Chester Adams
Bigelow. More about Bigelow is given after the letter.
Washington Oct 19th /62
Sunday
Dear Parents &
Sister
I am sitting at the table in Mrs Browns house.
I came over here this morning to see if the box had come but it has not
come yet. I think it must be at the depot but it had not been taken to
the delivery office when Mrs Brown called there last Evening. I
think she will get it when she goes down tomorrow. We
have had some unpleasant weather lately but it is a splendid day
here. We have got two small cilinderacal stoves
p. 2
put up in our tent, they were put up yesterday on
trial. I guess
they will work very well. Everything goes on here just about the
same. I get no better very fast, but without any joking I
have got the rheumatism so that it troubles me considerable. I
cannot walk a great ways without being quite lame. I
received yours of the 12th last Wednesday. I was glad to
hear from you and to know that you agree with me in my decision.
I received yours of the 14th Friday. With the orders for
the box. Yesterday I received the Yankee nations and a daily
paper, from Evarts, in the paper, I saw his name as one
of the
p. 3
drafted, he had marked it with
ink. I advise
him to get clean if he can. Friday morning I was much surprised
on being called out of the tent, to find Herbert.
I hardly thought he would ever come this way
again. I went down
to the depot with him and found Mr Reid & two or three others that
I know. I found Mr Reid first rate, says his health has not
been so good for a long time. They expected to go into camp about
a mile from the depot. When I came back, I left Herbert at
the depot, he had not decided what to do, but thought he should
make up his mind that night, he thought he would try and see me
the
p. 4
next day, or write me a line and let me know his
decision, but I
have not heard from him yet. The day I went down with
Herbert, I went without any pass. I went into the Patent
Office Hospital to see a friend who used to belong to our regt.
he has now got his discharge, and has got the situation of ward
master in the Hospital, he wrote me this pass but I did not have to
show it. Please write soon and tell me all the news. I can
not think of anything more now so I will close. Please remember
me with kindest regards to all friends and accept this with
much Love from
Albert
The huge Patent Office Building is
pictured here in a lithograph print (dated between 1865-1869) by
E. Sachse & Co. During the war the second floor of the
building was used as a hospital. It was there Albert met his 13th
Mass fellow soldier Chester Adams Bigelow, who wrote out the pass
pictured above. Today, this building houses the National Portrait
Gallery & The Smithsonian American Art Collection. Sometime
in the 1930's, the monumental stairs on the south portico were lopped
off so the city could aesthetically widen the street to accommodate
more
traffic.
Chester Adams Bigelow, Company H
Checking the roster alphabetically, Chester Adams
Bigelow, Company H, is the only soldier with initials “C.B.” who
included his middle name, Adams, in his moniker. Not only do his
initials match the signature on the pass, his record states he had a
position as Ward Master in a hospital. Albert seems mistaken in
that Chester Adams Bigelow had already obtained a discharge. More
likely he was officially on detached service. This is because
Bigelow’s name is among those of the regiment listed as captured at
Gettysburg on July 1, 1863. His record from the book “History of
Dover, Massachusetts,” 1896; gives a bit more detail on his service
than the information stated in the regimental history:
Chester A. Bigelow, musician,
age eighteen, Company H, Thirteenth Infantry, Massachusetts Volunteers;
mustered in Feb. 24, 1862, three years’ service; transferred July
14,
1864, to Company I, Thirty-ninth Regiment; taken prisoner at
second
Bull Run, exchanged the following January; again taken prisoner at
Gettysburg, July 1 1863; did not serve in Thirty-ninth Regiment,
as he was appointed ward master in hospital. Discharged Feb. 23,
1865, expiration of service.
Additional information on Chester A. Bigelow, from Dover
town histories states that he was an eighth generation descendant from
John Bigelow, the Puritan ancestor, and that four of his ancestors
served in the Revolutionary War. Chester married Emma Eliza Howe
November 1, 1868, and resided in Wellesley, Mass., where he died March
3, 1915. They had no children.*
Notes: *A History of Dover
Massachusetts; by Frank Smith; 1897, Dover, Mass. published by the town.
Genealogical History of Dover, Massachusetts; by Frank Smith, 1917,
Dover, Mass. published by the town.
October 26, 1862
In this letter Albert meets up with two
friends, Sam and Frank, about a mile from the Capitol, but I cannot
determine their identities.
In the next letter he mentions visiting Sanborn. Perhaps they
were all in the 10th Mass. Light Artillery, with his friend Mr.
Reid. The battery was deployed at Camp Barry, defenses of
Washington.
Mount Pleasant Hospital
Washington Oct 26/62
Dear Parents & Sister
It is Sunday morning once more
and a rainy disagreeable day, how are you all at home, there is
no news here, everything goes along about the same. I do not get
any better of the rheumatism, dyspepsia &c. the Dr. keeps me
supplied with medicine every day it is a tonic,
bitter as gall,
it is to take a table spoon full three times a day. I do not say
much to him mornings, except when I am out of medicine, then I
generally tell him how I feel. I told him yesterday all how I
felt and he told me about as much as that he could do nothing for me to
help the rheumatism, he
p. 2
said that was the hardest thing to cure. If he
thinks so all
right as long as he thinks that way, he will not be likely to
send me to my regt. I do not know how I shall turn out, but I hope all
right. I went down town Thursday (in citizens clothes) and
found Sam & Frank, they were encamped about a mile from
the Capital. I found them both first rate. Sam is in the
band – he played I think an alto horn. I spent three or four
hours with them very pleasantly. Sam said his wife was in Lowell
going to spend the winter there. I think he said at No 21
Corporation block They have got a little boy, or girl I
forget which, three months old, seventeen pounds. The boys said
they were expecting to march
p. 3
I came back to Browns & had a tip top dinner,
finished the
remainder of the chicken, pickles, bread butter &
jelly, cake & lemonade. I received yours of the 20th
last Wednesday, was glad to hear that you were all well. I
would have been happy to have seen Mathew, and am very sorry that he
was called home under such circumstances. Please give my
Compliments to Mr & Mrs Barnes oft. and in my behalf,
congratulate them in their present happiness and bright prospects of
the future. Soft snap.*
Are the boys who are drafted coming out, please
keep me posted on
who are drafted, and if they come out. I have not seen or
heard anything of Herbert since I left him. With much
love to You & all other friends I am as Ever - Albert
*[These words look to be soft snap; which
means a post or job requiring little time or effort.]
Return to Top of Page
A Visit
to the Theatre
Visiting the theatres in Washington was
a great pastime for soldiers when they were in town. In the
next two letters Albert describes two such instances.
This building was once the Avenue House
Hotel mentioned in the following two letters. It
is here Albert met Mrs. Goff, before attending the theatre,
and where he stayed for the night afterwards. In 1869 furniture
dealer William Bernard Moss purchased the building to house his
expanding business.
Undated Letter
Although this first letter is undated, I
placed it
before the letter dated October 29, which describes another visit to
the theatre. I believe the following account
was his first visit as he writes, “It is the first
time I have been anywhere in company with a lady since I left
Boston.”
NOTE: The slip of paper on which
this letter is
written was filed
between a letter dated Oct., 1864, from Aunt Eliza, and a letter from
his
Uncle. Obviously it is out of place in the Liscom letter
archive. I
placed it around late October, 1862. As he mentions visiting
friends Sam & Frank while downtown, in his October 26 letter
above, my guess is Albert attended
the
theatre on October 23, 1862.
After I left — Sanborn I started for home. I had
to pass by the
Avenue Hotel — and as Mrs Goff had asked me to call — I thought I would
stop there a minute — I found her in. I apologized for
calling so
soon after her invitation — but it was uncertain when I should be down
again and I thought I would call and see if it was decided when we
should go to the Circus* as we had all hands? talked of going
some
night — this week, I got up to leave but she invited
me to stop down all night — and we would go to the Theater and see Miss
Maggie Mitchell the play was Fanchon. I concluded I would
stop. I went down to tea with her; and then we went to the
Theater. I saw five
of our boys there who recognized me, but I did not care for
anybody. I had as stylish a looking lady with me as there were in
the house and I felt as independent as anyone. It is the first
time I have been anywhere in company with a lady since I left
Boston. We got back to the Hotel at ½ past 11 — I knew the clerk
there, and he gave me a bed — there was another bed in the room which
he said a Captain would occupy. I turned in and left the gass
burning for him but he did not come — and it burned all
night. I got up early and came home and was here all night
when the Doctor came round. Accept this with much
Love
Your Albert
(Love to all)
*Probably James Nixon's Circus. See
Nov. 5th letter.
Actress Maggie Mitchell &
Fanchon the Cricket
Maggie Mitchell was an American actress
and Fanchon
the cricket
was one of her favorite roles to play. The actress is pictured as
the character in a photograph by Broadway photographer Napoleon
Sarony. Click to view larger. [From Dr. David S.
Shields,"Broadway Photographs" www.broadway.cas.sc.edu]
Maggie Mitchell (1832-1918)
The petite, always youthful, comedienne Maggie Mitchell
began her stage
career with walk-on roles while still a child. At the age of
twenty-one, she had an extended engagement in Cleveland that
precipitated a “Maggie Mitchell craze” in that city and led to her
first starring tour of the regional theaters. Mitchell did not
achieve
national celebrity, however, until 1861, when she appeared in the title
role of Fanchon, the Cricket — a light, sentimental comedy adapted from
a
story by George Sand. Her sprightly performance captivated
audiences
and critics alike and brought her overnight stardom. Mitchell continued
to play the role of Fanchon for the next twenty-five years and counted
Abraham Lincoln, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
among her many admirers.
Summary of the Plot: Fanchon
the Cricket (1862) a play by
Charlotte
Birch‐Pfeiffer.
Fanchon (Maggie Mitchell) is a
sharp‐tongued, wild, and somewhat mysterious young country girl whose
mother long ago deserted her and who has been raised by her
grandmother, Old Fadet, a reputed witch. Because she is
poor and they fear she too may be a witch, Fanchon is shunned by the
villagers, including the relatively well‐to‐do bourgeois Barbeauds.
Even when she helps the Barbeaud son Landry locate his
missing twin brother, Didier, Landry is reluctant to
seem grateful. But with time Landry discovers Fanchon's basic
common
sense and goodness and proposes to her, only to discover she will not
marry him because his parents, especially the haughty, strict Father
Barbeaud, are dead set against her. However, she has
come to love Landry, so she sets about winning over his stern parent
and soon succeeds. Landry then learns that while his bride‐to‐be may
have magic powers, she will be a rich lady when Old Fadet dies.
The
play was one of several dramatizations of George Sand's La Petite
Fadette. Mitchell, who served as her own producer, apparently
used the
Birch‐Pfeiffer version, which she altered to suit her special
talents.
Her “Shadow Dance” and the scene in which she wins over the older
Barbeaud were among the most famous theatrical moments of the
era.
Mitchell returned to this play for over twenty seasons.
George
Clinton Densmore Odell [Author of The History of New York Stage] has
written, “As Jefferson's Rip Van Winkle, Kate Claxton's Louise in The
Two Orphans, and Mrs. G.C. Howard's Topsy, Maggie Mitchell's Fanchon
the Cricket was for years and years a household word in America.”
Encyclopedia Brittanica adds that Mitchell obtained the
rights to the play early on, which earned her a considerable
estate. She retired from the stage in 1892.
[Mitchell Biography from Wikipedia. Summary
of
plot from Answers.com]
Grover's New National Theatre
October 29, 1862
In this letter Albert describes another
visit
to the theatre. This time to see actress Pauline Lucille Western,
(1843 - 1877) who played
Lucretia Borga. Miss Western is pictured in the role. Once
again Albert's friend gave him a free room for the night at the Avenue
House Hotel.
Mount Pleasant Hospital
Washington Oct 29 /62
Dear Parents & Sister
I
am most happy to acknowledge
the receipt of your kind letter of the 26th received this
morning. I am happy to know that you are all well. There is
nothing new here. I am getting along the same as usual. It
was a splendid day here yesterday and is quite pleasant to day. I
went down town yesterday morning with Mrs Brown we got back about two
O’ck. And had dinner. After which I was anxious to go down town
again it was so pleasant, I wanted
p. 2
To go to some place of amusement. The day that Mrs
Goff was up to
Browns we spoke of going down some evening and all go together to some
place of amusement. Mrs Brown said she would go last evening if
Mr Brown would go but he was not inclined to go — so I went down
alone. I went to the Avenue House and found Mrs Goff and a
young
lady with her a Miss Thomas from Dedham Mass a very agreeable young
lady. They said they would be pleased to go. I went into
town with them after which we went into the parlor and I there had an
introduction to a Mrs Thomas widow lady, she is connected with the Mass
–
p. 3
Relief society here in the city. Also an
introduction to a Judge
Johnson — she wishes to make one of the party. Mrs Thomas
declined going as she had been out all day and was quite tired.
So we four went together to Grovers Theatre To
see Miss Lucille Weston
play Lucretia Borgia — the after piece was the loan of a
lover.
We had a fine time. Got back to the Hotel between eleven
&
twelve. The clerk who I am aquainted with, gave me a room &
had to myself which cost me nix. I had a tip top time and got
back early this morning all right. But I don’t think I will spin
this yarn any longer. I do not think of anything more now.
Please remember me to all friends and accept this with best wishes From
Albert
Actress Pauline Lucille Western
Pauline Lucille Western, actress, b. in New Orleans,
La., 8 Jan.,
1843; d. in Brooklyn, N. Y., 11 Jan., 1877. She made her first
appearance on the stage with her sister Helen as a “change artist” at
her
father's theatre in Washington, D. C., and traveled extensively with
her in this country. They were known as the “Star Sisters,” and
their
principal play was the “Three Fast Men.” In 1858 they appeared at
the
Old Bowery theatre in New York. On 11 Oct., 1859, she married
James
Harrison Mead. In 1859 or 1860 she appeared at the Holliday street
theatre in “East Lynne,” achieving her first success. In 1861-'5
she
traveled with a combination troupe, playing Nancy Sykes in “Oliver
Twist,” with Edward L. Davenport as Bill Sykes and James W. Wallack,
Jr., as Fagin. In 1865 she played in Philadelphia, appearing in
“Eleanor's Victory,” “Lucretia Borgia,” “Jane Eyre,” “The
Child-Stealer,” “Mary Tudor,” “Cynthia,” besides the two plays already
mentioned. She appeared in the principal theatres in the United
States,
and at the time of her death was playing at the New Park theatre,
Brooklyn. Her sister Helen Western, was one of the 5 actresses
whose photographs were found on the body of the assassin John Wilkes
Booth at the time of his death.
October 30, 1862
Mount Pleasant Hospital
Washington Oct 30th/62
Dear Parents & Sister
I
send you my picture which I had taken yesterday afternoon. I don’t know
how Siss will like it – perhaps I might get a better one to try
again. I did not sit but once to get this I had no idea of having
it taken until a few minutes before I went — my comrades James &
Benj’in were going to have theirs taken and wanted me to go so we went
to
a shanty close by and had them taken. If you do not like this
one — I will try again. There is nothing new here to day.
Please write a line often
Yours with much love
P.S. I wrote to you yesterday morning / Albert
Letter, November 5th 1862
Albert mentions a trip to Nixon's
Circus, Saturday, November 1, with his friend Mrs. Brown.
James M. Nixon's Circus performed
regularly in Washington
D.C. every afternoon and evening at 7th and Pennsylvania during 1862,
but in December of that year, Nixon divided the company and established
a
theatre in Alexandria. The company consisted of gymnasts,
acrobats, horse riders, and clowns. In May 1863, one of their
tightrope walkers named Miss Josephine Devenier was servely injured
when she fell seven feet to the ground. In December 1862, the
circus featured “Pete Jenkins” — a performer "dressed as a rube” who
would stumble about the ring to the merriment of the audience.
[Source: Clowns and Cannons: The American Circus During the
Civil War, by William L. Slout.]
Mount Pleasant
Hospital
Washington Nov 5th /62
Dear Parents & Sister
With much pleasure I received yours of the 2nd this morning I am happy
to hear that you are all well and getting along so comfortably. I
am glad that you went to hear our Chaplain. I wanted you to hear
him, but was afraid you would not hear of it. I did not know of it
until after the lecture had been delivered. I should like to have
heard him
p. 2
the same. I do not see my prospect yet of
anything. I
think I shall go down town tomorrow and have three teeth out. I
have not been down since last Saturday, then I went to the circus with
Mrs. Brown. You spoke of my coming home Thanksgiving, it would
give me great pleasure to be with you, and if I could get my discharge
I should be with you, but it is of no use to think of a furlough, and
as I am now situated, I could not come home on a french
without making trouble. I get my pay just the same, and I am
content to wait here if I can make anything of it, and it remains to be
seen whether I can or not. Yesterday afternoon I had a call from
Mr. George Hastings of Concord, and Mr. Sargent. Mr. Hastings
wife came with him as far as —
p. 3
Philadelphia. I was quite happy to see
them. they did not
stop but a few minutes as they were looking after N.H. solders
I have not been over to Browns since Saturday. I
think I will go
over this afternoon. Remember me to Bill Clough, and tell him I
should have written to him but I was unable to write for so long a
time that I thought he might have left his place and I did not know
where to address a letter to him. If you see him, tell him to
write to me. I do not think of anything more now, how you will
excuse a few lines
Please remember me to all inquiring friends. And
accept much
love Your Albert
Soon after this letter was written
Albert was moved to a hospital in Philadelphia. His story will
continue from there,
following James
Ramsey's letters below.
Return to Table of Contents
Letters
of James Ramsey; After 2nd Bull Run
James Ramsey's service is well represented on this
site. Ramsey's descendant Don Gage was one of
the first descendants of 13th MA soldiers to share a letter collection
with me. Ramsey was wounded at the regiment's first major
engagement, 2nd Bull Run, after two weeks of grueling marches and
scanty rations. After the battle James laid on the battlefield
for a week, a prisoner in Rebel hands, until the Confederate army
marched away and left the wounded prisoners behind.
Federal authorities sent ambulances and doctors to
the field. Many
were private contractors. They transported the wounded to
Washington D.C.
hospitals.
The following letters chronicle the honorable end to
James'
volunteer military service.
September 9th 1862
Pictured left to right, are, Walter
Callender, Frank H. Mann, William F. Stoddard, Joseph Halstrick,
(center); then, Albert H. Sheafe, George H. Smith, John Foley,
(seated); Seth W. Johnson and Charles A. Gardner. Members
of Mess 3, Company C, taken at Williamsport, MD, November 21,
1861. James Ramsey mentions Hallstrick & Gardner in the
following letter.
Harwood Hospital Sept – 9th 1862
Dear Mother
This is the first opportunity I have had to get any word to you since
the battle of Saturday and I suppose you are worrying yourself on my
account having seen my name among the wounded prisoners from Manassas,
but I see no cause of it my wound is only a flesh
wound in the leg above the knee there is a good prospect of
my being around soon. I came from Bull Run Sunday the
7th having been a prisoner eight days I am reliesed on
parole I do not know what they are going to do with
us I hope they will send us home, I suppose
they will send us to Annapolis as soon as we can be removed. I am
out of money and would like to have some as soon as I can get
it Father might send some of my money to me as
soon as I know where I am to stop I will send him
word as soon as I find out but you can write to me now and direct
your letters
Jas. F. Ramsey
Care of Surgeon
Harwood Hospital
Washington
DC.
Send a sheet of paper an envelope and stamp
I am comfortably situated and have every thing I
want I believe
Joe Halstrick is wounded I have heard nothing of Charley
Gardner I have not seen the regt since the
battle. I had fired three rounds and was just raming down
the fourth when I was struck. I turned and left the field and was
helped to a house about a mile from the field where I stayed till last
Sunday. Sunday after the battle I was taken prisoner the
rebels treated us kindly. I can not think of any more to write
you this time feel easy my wound does not pain me.
Give my love
to
all Kiss Hugh for me
From your
Son
PS There is a Boston woman just came in our ward
she came out
Thursday as nurse she gave me a lemon she is scotch
most of the nurses are scotch.
Harewood Hospital
September 19th
1862
Harwood Hospital Sept. 19th 1862
I am getting along nicely my wounded leg is as good as the
other I can walk easy. I am trying to get
home and hope I will succeed. I hope mother will get my letter as
it will set her easy I do not know as my name was in the
papers as I was taken Prisoner by the rebels, and treated very kindly
by them. Dr. Stevens is here he dressed my wound and
if you send me any money direct it in his care you might
send me a $5 treasury note if you can spare it. I cannot think of
any thing more to write I possibly may be home in a
fortnight or so
Give my love to all
Kiss Hugh for me
From your son
James
Harwood Hospital
Care of Dr. Stevens
Washington. D C.
Hospital Surgeons and Stewards, at
Harewood Hospital, Washington, D.C.
September 21st
1862
Harwood Hospital Sept 21 1862
Dear Mother
Your last letter amused me very much although I was somewhat
disappointed in its not containing much news as it is now about two
months since I have received a letter from any one I learnt the
Boston news through Dr Stevens who had been very kind to me since I
have been here. Yesterday he made me a present of a pair of
pants a pair of slippers and white socks so that I can make quite a
respectable appearance. I can walk almost as good as ever the
doctor looked at my wound this morning and said I would be able for
duty soon but I cannot go back to my Regt until exchanged
and there is a slight prospect of my spending a month at home but
don’t be too sure of seeing me. I will try and get a furlough as
soon as possible We have been treated kindly since we
have been here, but I cant say much of the treatment I received the
week I was on the battle field not by the rebels but by our own
doctors. But that is in the past. At present I am getting
along nicely although I feel as though I would be more contented at
home. To day it is quite pleasant we have had pleasant weather
since the battle of Bull Run. I hope it will last some time yet.
I have not seen any boys I know
I heard that
Joseph Halstrick was wounded and somewhere in Washington I am
going to try and see him as soon as I hear where he is. I cannot
think of any thing more to write at present Give my
love to all kiss Hugh for me from your son
James
Direct Jas. Ramsey.
Co E 13th Regt Mass Vol.
Harwood Hospital
Washington D. C.
PS. Write soon I received an
envelope directed
to me from Boston by father but on tearing it open found it empty.
September 25th
1862
James Ramsey is pictured below in a post
war image. In this letter he complains about poor treatment
and the different rules for officers and enlisted men.
Harwood Hospital
Sept 25th 1862.
Dear Father
I received your letter with money this morning and am thankful for it
as I had to beg papers and stamps to writ with besides other little
things that I needed very much but now I am all right and stand on my
own footing. You spoke of Mother’s and Georgie’s letters neither
of which I have seen but I received one letter before this besides the
envelope and I do not see where the other two could have gone. In
your letter you say you are afraid something will happen to prevent my
coming home I am afraid so to although the government has
no
claims on me other than a citizen although the paroled prisoners are
sent to Annapolis (one of the tyrannical acts of the government)
besides the shamefull treatment of the wounded for instance, the
surgeons cut off limbs merely for practice and to get the medical
students hands in the business, also the short allowance of food
another thing, in the hospital I am in I have only seen one officer out
of some three thousand souls they all being sent to their homes
as they are superior beings ) When I was paroled at Bull Run I
asked Gen Pryor of the rebel army if going to Annapolis to drill
recruits was not breaking my parole he said it was and that
no
one could stop me from going home and remaining till exchanged he said
the government had no more to do with
Me than they had if I were in a southern prison so it wont look
strange if I get home some day. Another thing when I was in the
hospital at Bull Run all the officers were sent off first in the
ambulances while the degraded privates remained to be removed in
government wagons, a shame on such a government to allow such
transactions. The officers are only kept from using the men rough
in the field by the feer of their lives. When this war is over
the officers can be distinguished by the pecular color over the eyes.
You must not think that I write this because I am put
out for not
succeeding in getting a furlough for it is the truth and can be
testified to by all of the wounded in the tent with me, one thing we
are treated well by citizens they bring us little delicacies such as
peaches, grapes and cake There is a sister of charity in
the hospital God bless her for the kind attentions
she pays to the wounded only for her I do not know how we would
be treated by the head doctors. To day it is quite pleasant which
is lucky for us as we are in tents although the rain cannot get to
us. I do not know how long it will be that I will have to stay
here I would like to be transferred to a Massachusetts
hospital I don’t think it would take long to get
well. I cannot think of any thing more to write at present.
There is a Jacob Ramsey in the hospital and if mother
directed to J F.
Ramsey I can see where the letters went to the best
way will be to write my first name in full as you do
Give my love to all
Kiss Hugh for me
from your son
James
October 5th 1862
This is the last letter in the family
collection of letters that James sent home while in the service.
He
probably went to the Convalescent Camp at Annapolis, or perhaps he
obtained permission to go directly home.
Harwood Hospital
Oct 5th 1862.
Dear Mother
I am getting
along finely and expect to go to Annapolis the first part
of next week so you need not write to me again untill I give you notice.
I got your letter with the dollar in the other day it
had been sent to
the regiment first that is why was so long coming. I also got
Georgie’s letter, so I think I am all right about my letters. I
have seen quite a number of our regt since I have been here
Yesterday I was down in Washington and saw the biggest
part of the city
I ever saw the dust was so thick in the streets that I could not tell
wether they were even paved. It is a regal one horse town.
I saw Lieut. Talbot of the 33d regt I went up to him and said
“how do you do Mr Talbot” it was a poser he looked a minute and
said “is this you Jim” he said he hardly knew me I had
grown so. he asked me about father and the regt. I cannot
think of much to write about.
I have written to Joe Halstrick and received an answer,
also to cousin
Anna. To day it is quite pleasant there is a brasing
breeze*
which is quite refreshing.
Give my love to
all
Kiss Hugh for me
from your son James
*A bracing breeze is a stimulating or
refreshing breeze.
Letter of
Recommendation for the Navy
James F. Ramsey received an honorable
discharge March
27, 1863. Two gallant officers wrote a letter of
recommendation for James to Massachusetts Governor John Andrew when
James showed an interest in joining the navy. Lieutenant Joseph
Colburn, wrote the letter and Major J.P. Gould endorsed it.
Roxbury, March 6th 1863.
This may certify that Private James F. Ramsey Co. E 13th
Regt. Mass.
Vols. was severely wounded in the thigh at the battle of Bull Run, Aug.
29th 1862, while doing his duty in the ranks of his company.
J. Colburn Lieut. Cmg.
Co. E. 13th Mass. Vols.
At home on leave of Absence.
1st-Lieutenant
Joseph Colburn Major J.
P. Gould
To His Excellency John A. Andrew
Gov. Mass.
Sir
The bearer James F. Ramsey formerly of Co. E. 13th Regt.
Mass. Vols.
wishes to be recommended for a position in the U.S. Navy, such as he
may be capable of filling.
I take pleasure in recommending Mr. Ramsey to our
Excellency’s
favorable notice.
He was a good and faithful soldier while in the ranks of
his company,
was wounded at the battle of Bull Run and honorably discharged the
service in consequence of said wound.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
Joseph Colburn
Capt. Co. E. 13th Mass. Vols.
Approved
J.P. Gould Maj.
13th Mass Vols.
Epilogue -
Post War Summary
It appears James never served in the navy and his
military career ended with the 13th Mass. when he mustered out in
March, 1863, at age 21. Sometime after the war James married Ella
Francis Whitmore who was ten years his junior. They lived
in Boston until 1876, when James and the whole family moved west to San
Francisco. About a year later in September 1877 they returned to
Massachusetts and settled in Melrose. In February, 1890 the
family moved to Dover, New Hampshire.
Pictured left to right, Ella Ramsey, (wife of James) James F.
Ramsey, Herbert "Hugh" Ramsey, [Kiss Hugh for me] Alaric Ramsey,
Bertha Ramsey on
edge of porch, Cora Ramsey and Margretta "Gretta" Ramsey; all
brothers
and sisters to James. Best guess for the date is sometime before
1890, as Bertha was close to marrying Chester Greenleaf that year.
Charles Davis, Jr. inscribed James's copy of the
regimental history, "Three Years in the Army" with a note stating
James,
like Davis, remained on the Bull Run battlefield for a week before
receiving any medical attention. Davis's horrible ordeal is
described on this website in his article "Manassas to Boston."
Between 1889 and 1916, J.F. Ramsey attended all but a
few of the 13th Regiment Association reunion dinners in Boston.
In September, 1922, James again took his family west to settle in
Redondo Beach, California. He died there in 1927. His wife
Ella died 3 years later in 1930. The two are buried side by side
in Inglewood Park Cemetery. His descendant Don, tells me that
most of the family pictured in the photograph above remained in
Southern California where they had families of their own.
Descendant Don Gage who shared the letters and
photographs of James with me, says he remembers meeting the children of
Hugh Ramsey & Gretta Ramsey as a young boy in the 1950's.
Return to Top of Page
Albert
Liscom Moves to a Philadelphia Hospital
Albert's letters continue here, through
January 1863. He transferred to a hospital in Philadelphia in
early November, 1862. With short notice on Tuesday,
November 11, he packed up his belongings and boarded the noon train for
Philadelphia. He arrived in that city the next day, November 12,
1862.
Letter November 13, 1862
General Hospital U.S.A. Race St.
Philadelphia Nov. 13th /62
Dear Parents & Sister
You may be somewhat surprised to
know that I am in
Philadelphia. I was a little surprised myself when I knew that I
had got to come here, the first notice that I had of it, the Sergeant
came into my tent Tuesday morning before I was up, and told me to
report at the office at eight oclock. I knew there was a lot of
men to be sent here, and supposed I was one of them. I went over
to Browns and told them it was to send my
clothes back
p. 2
(to box them up) and send them to you. We left
Washington, about
noon, and got in to Philadelphia about eight the next morning, we, then
went into a receiving Hospital close by the Depot, there we had
breakfast and about two oclock we were all sent to different Hospitals
here in the city. I was sent here, and from all that I hear, it
is the best one in the city. It is a splendid place in a large
building which was built for an arsenal for the National Guards.
I am in a large hall which holds 159 beds, there is another hall above
this which I suppose is as large as this, the rooms below are used for
dining room and kitchen. I think I shall
p. 3
like here much
better than in Washington. I was
the only one out
of our tent who came, although there was about twenty ambulances full,
left our Hospital, besides a lot from other Hospitals. We had to
ride in freight cars with straw to ly upon, we had rather a hard night
of it. I was not acquainted with anyone, but on the way I got
acquainted with a young man who lives here in the city, only two
squares from this Hospital, his Father who is a wholesale dry goods
merchant here in the city, was in last evening, and I had an
introduction to him his name is Pfleger/Pflager, [?] he invited me to
call at his
house, his sons bed is next to mine. I am
p. 4
glad I have got here, for I know I shall like, better
grub, am right in
the city, good chance to get acquainted, can have a
pass every day,
from ten to six to
go where I please. The Doctor is coming now, so I will close as I
want this to go this morning.
Yours with much
love
Albert
Address
General Hospital U.S.A.
Race St.
Philadelphia
P.A.
Write soon.
National Guard's Hall
The National Guard's Hall at 518-520 Race Street, where
Albert was
interned,
was still standing in the 1950's; Although it is not as
picturesque as
when new.
The Library of Congress website writes the following
about the hall:
“The National Guard's Hall (also called the Armory of
the National
Guards) was one of the focal points in Philadelphia during the Civil
War. Occupied for a time as a United States army hospital, it was
also
the destination point of military parades, the scene of much patriotic
speechmaking, and the welcome and dismissal point for troops either on
furlough or gatherings, but was occasionally the scene of lectures,
fairs, concerts, balls, and various meetings. According to its
dedication orator, Colonel John W. Farney, this hall was “one of the
finest military edifices in our Union, and the only one ever erected by
a single volunteer company...a temple of the citizen soldier...” ”
The building with all its memories was demolished in
June, 1959.
From his letter, Albert was quartered on
the
second floor of the 3 story building, pictured below.
The caption of this Library of Congress
picture is, April,
1959, Interior, Second Floor, the “Grand Salon” looking south. Albert
Liscom's hospital bed was on this floor with 158 others. The
first floor of the building was used for dining.
November 20,
1862
General Hospital U.S.A.
Race St. Philadelphia Nov. 20 /62
Dear Parents & Sister
I
guess you will think by my
letters, that my time is pretty well occupied out of doors so
that I do not spend much time in writing, back. I am out a
greater part of the time, it seems pleasant to have the liberty to go
about the city every day. I am with George Pfleger every
day
and as this is his home he is well acquainted with the city so that it
makes it quite pleasant for me. I have been to his home two or
three times his father & mother are very pleasant people they have
a married daughter who
p. 2
is at home sick with with [sic] a fever, so that I do
not like to go there much now. Yesterday after dinner, I got my
pass extended until eight oclock and I went with George up to his
parents, spent the afternoon there and took supper there, there is no
one in the family but his Uncle (who is a doctor) his wife, and a child
about two years old. I had a pleasant time and got back
here at 1/2 past 7. I cant know as I can tell you much about the
city
now it is very much like all other cities. The other day, I went
into the State House, and into the room where the declaration of
independence was signed. It has rained every day this week except
Tuesday so that we could not go about much, but the
p. 3
first pleasant after noon we are going out to Girard
College. George can get a pass for us to go all through the
building. Sunday forenoon we went to Church and in the evening
all who wished could go out to meeting, we went to a prayer
meeting first, and then up stairs in the same church, and heard a
sermon. They give the soldiers the best seats in the house. I am
getting along here very well. although my health does not seem to
improve. I am still disabled with the rheumatism but have said
nothing to this doctor about my teeth, but inclined to do so in a few
days. I broke off another one last night I forgot to
acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th received
p. 4
Yesterday. I think I have now received all the
letters due me. I am not able to tell you anything about Bazin*
more than that his Father is a tailor, and lives in Charlestown. I have
heard him speak of Portsmouth, and think his folks used to live
there. Tell Emmie I will answer her letter as soon as I find
anything to write about. I do not think of anything here for
news. Is there anything in Boston. Write and tell me all the
items. Please accept this for this time
With best
wishes and
Love From Albert
Love to All
A
NOTES: *Bazin Co D, is Savillian E.
Bazin; age,
24; born, Dover, N.H.,
occupation: paper-hanger; mustered in as priv., Co. D, July
16, 1861; musterd out, Aug. 1, 1864; residence, Boston. (served the
whole 3 years – from the regimental roster in 3 years in the army etc.
–BF, April 4, 2013.)
Independence Hall, Philadelphia
November 23,
1862
General Hospital
U.S.A.
Philadelphia Nov. 23, /62
Dear Parents & Sister
I am happy to acknowledge yours
of the 20th received yesterday morning I am glad to hear that you
are all well. I wish I could step in this morning and see how you
all look. I wonder if you had your baked beans, brown bread, and
coffee this morning, if you did, I should like to have breakfasted with
you, for we had nothing here but tea, and bread & butter, this is
the breakfast every morning, though we generally have coffee in the
morning, for
p. 2
dinner, we have meat, soup, and bread, for supper tea,
bread & butter, and some times applesauce. I do not pretend
to eat any meat, and I
am getting rather tired of bread & butter. As long as my
money
lasted I got along very well, but now I am broke, and I am obliged to
ask you to send me $5.00 in your
next letter, for I see
no prospect of
getting paid here and it is not very pleasant being in this place
without money. I get along about the same, but I cant tell how it
will turn out, the Doctor does not say much, he comes round every
morning and evening but does not say much to a man unless
p. 3
he is pretty sick. I cant say that I like him,
neither have I any reason to dislike him. I may like him better
when I see more of him. I have not been round much the past week
it has been rainy all the week. I have been wanting to go out to
Girard College, but it has been too unpleasant. I think we will
go
tomorrow if it is pleasant. The sun is out quite pleasant this
morning. Sam & Frank, are at camp Chesapeake, about seventeen
miles from Washington, on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. I do not
think of anything more worth writing about now. I want to get ready to
go to church if I can get
p. 4
out before inspection.
When Mary writes to the Rutley's(?) pleas give them my
kindest regards and tell them I have not forgotten them, nor the
pleasure which I have enjoyed in their society. Remember me with
kindest regards to all friends and accept these few lines, with much
love
From Albert
P.S.
Please send the money
as soon as you receive this
A.
Philadelphia,
December 4,
1862;
Trying to get a discharge.
General Hospital
U.S.A.
Philadelphia Dec. 4th 1862
Dear Parents & Sister
I am happy to acknowledge yours
of the 30th received Tuesday.
Glad to hear that you are all well. It is the first thing I
always think of when I receive a letter from you, are you all
well? I can be very well contented as long as I know you are
well, and getting along comfortably at home. I am getting along
here
about the same. I am not near as lame at present as I was and I
feel considerable better than I did, of course I do not tell the Dr.
so, when he wants to
know how I am
p. 2
I am no better. I hinted to him the other day
about my discharge,
but he did not encourage nor discourage me in regard to it, the next
morning at inspection, he showed me to Dr Burpee head Dr in charge, and
at Sunday morning inspection by the Surgeon General, the Dr spoke to
him about me, they did
not say before me what they thought as it is not
their style of doing things, but I am pretty well satisfied, they think
I should have my discharge, whether they will give it to me or
not is more than I can tell. Three of the boys started from
here last night for home, one of them had the bed next to mine, two of
them belonged in the
p. 3
Same place in Indiana, the other belonged in this state.
I have tried to find that Mr Wilkins but cannot do
so. I looked
in the directory but did not see the name where their place of business
was on sixth or seventh St. What is his first name? his
business? Is he in business for himself? I do not know as I
can tell you anything about the city. I don’t see much to write
about. I go about alone most of the time. There is no
danger of getting lost here. I can tell where I am all the time
and go anywhere about the city
My love to cousin Ann, and all
others, And accept these few lines with
much love From
Albert
December 5, 1862
By early December, Albert was
weary of lingering in hospitals waiting to get a discharge from the
service. He expresses some of his frustrations in this
letter. He also references his friend Bill White, a 1st
Lieutenant in the
22nd Mass. Vols. who had recently obtained his discharge. Bill is
pictured below.
General Hospital U.S.A.
Philadelphia Dec 5th /62
Dear Parents & Sister
I
received yours of the 30th & 3d
Yesterday afternoon, and will now write a few lines in acknowledgement
of the same. I wrote to you yesterday, and cannot think of
anything new to write to day. I wrote to you yesterday all I
could in regard to my getting my discharge. You mentioned about
writing to him yourself in regard to it and I think it would be a very
good idea, and might have considerable
p. 2
influence. You must write a pretty strong letter
and something
that will be likely to enlist his sympathies. You can tell him
that my Parents are getting old, and that my Mother especially worries
about me a great deal, but you can paint all that sort of thing up to
suit yourself, only daub it on well. I hardly know what you
can write, but I guess that among the lot of you, you can write him a
very good letter.  I cannot find out what my Dr’s first name is,
but it makes no difference. You can direct to Dr. Wells, Ast.
Surgeon U.S.A. Race St. Hospital Phila. P.A.
Do not send the letter through
p. 3
me. You can copy it with a pencil, for I would
like to know what
you write to him. You need not let him know that I know anything
about your writing to him.
I think Den. Fuller is getting along quite rapid, he is
welcome to it;
as for me I aspire to nothing now, but my discharge. If Bill
White has got out of it, I am glad of it. Please remember me to
him & wife. Also all
other inquiring
friends. I don’t
recollect that Mr Dame you speak of.
I will not stop to write any
more now as it is dinner time, so good by
with much love From
Albert
December 9, 1862
General Hospital U.S.A.
Philadelphia Dec. 9th 1862
Dear Parents & Sister
I received your kind letter of
the 7th this morning and I will now try and write a few lines in answer
to it. There does not seem to be anything new here, nothing that
I can write about for news, everything here is about the same in doors,
and out. I am in doors most of the time, it is cold and
uncomfortable being out, and there does not seem to be any where in
particular to go, loafing about the streets is played
p. 2
out. I do not think I should make a regular
loafer, only a
volunteer. Last Thursday Eve, there was a Festival given in
Sansom St hall, it was to raise money for the benefit of this
Hospital. The tickets were one dollar each. I do not know
how much was taken. I was in the hall in the afternoon & saw
the tables, it looked quite nice, they had everything to eat that was
nice. There was a lot of cake left over that was not out, we had
it here Yesterday eve. We were all called down into the dining
hall at 7 ock, the table was set as for supper, and at each place there
was a piece of cake, an apple and a cup
p. 3
of cider. That was our Festival. Sunday Eve,
about thirty
of us went to church with Mrs Hammett (The lady who has all the over
seeing of the kitchen, and dining hall.) When we came back,
they gave us all a piece of cake. I could not help laughing to
myself at the idea, it put me in mind of little children receiving a
bit of cake from a Parent for good behavour. We had a snow
storm
here about the same time you did, it turned to ice, and now the walking
is quite slippery, and the weather, quite cold. I will not stop
to write any more now, as I want this to go this afternoon. Kind
regards
p. 4
to all friends
Yours with a great deal of love From Albert
December 12,
1862
General Hospital U.S.A.
Philadelphia Dec 12th /62
Dear Parents & Sister
Yours of the
10th has just come to hand and I now hasten to answer it. I think
your letter to the Dr is all tip top, but allow me to suggest three
slight alterations. First in regard to the time that I have been
enlisted. You know that I enlisted the first of May consequently I have
now been soldiering nineteen months. I have told the Dr. as I do
all others, that it is nineteen months since I enlisted. You
might write this. It is now
p. 2
nineteen months since he enlisted, and during that time
he had endured
the fatigue and exposure to which he has been subjected without
complaint.
All you will have to leave out in your letter will be,
He has endured
the fatigues and exposure to which he has been subjected for thirteen
months. How will that answer?
As to my teeth, I have not had any extracted, all I have
lost have
broken out, three have broke since I came to the Hospital.
And as to my eating meat, I do not pretend to eat any.
The above
three slight mistakes which you can easily alter, are all that is not just
p. 3
right.
It don’t amount to much, only it
contradicts statements
which I have already made.
I do not think of anything new for news, everything is
about the same
here. I am about the same as usual. My back was quite lame
yesterday, but it is considerable better to day. It is a splendid
day here, how is it in Boston? I will not stop to write any more
now, as I want this to go this afternoon.
Please excuse these few lines From Yours with much love
From Albert
P.S. Mrs. Hammett is just going through the
ward with a
basket of apples and Oranges. She just give me an Orange.
I cant tell the Doctors first name
December 20,
1862
Albert comments on soldiers he knew from
Concord, NH, who were killed or wounded at the battle of
Fredericksburg.
His father had worked in Concord for many years with piano-forte
manufacturer David Dearborn.
General Hospital U.S.A.
Philadelphia Dec. 20 1862
Dear Parents & Sister
I
was beginning to think that I should not get any
letter this week, but last evening the expected and welcome letter
came. I was very glad to hear that you were all well. I
suppose you are wondering why you do not hear from me, as I have not
written this week. I have been expecting every day to hear from
you, besides there has been nothing for me to write about, and I
don’t like to write unless I have something to write
p. 2
about for I was afraid you will think my letters
are short and
dry, but at present I don’t feel much like writing long letters unless
I have something to write about, And every thing here seems to be about
the same. I am getting along about the same. I do not seem
to improve any here. I stay in the house a greater part of the
time. I do not care to be loafing about the streets in the cold,
and I do not want the Dr to think that I am able to run all about the
city, so I keep rather quiet. I do not think it best to urge the
Dr. too hard
p. 3
and have said nothing to him to help. I do not
know what he
thinks in regard to my case, or what effect your letter will
have. I will keep quiet until the first of January unless he says
something to me before, then I shall let into him.
I am obliged to you for the stamps also the paper, which
you sent to
me. I get the papers here when I feel like reading the War news,
which is not often. I saw Newcomb’s name in the paper, also Capt
Stuartson(?) was alive Crane of Concord killed. I believe he was
Major in the 6th Arty.[?] I never hear a word from my
regt. I suppose they
p. 4
were in the fight. If you see a paper with
anything in it about
them please send it to me.
Please excuse these few lines with a great deal of love
Your
Albert
January 4, 1863
In this very interesting letter to his
cousin, Albert sums up his thoughts regarding time spent in the army as
a volunteer.
General Hospital
U.S.A.
Philadelphia Jan. 4 1863
Dear Cousin Hannah
I was quite
happy to receive yours of the 25th. I am glad you did at last
find time to write to me, for I had made up my mind that I had received
my last letter from you, but I suppose there is one at least who has
more claim upon your time than I have, so I suppose I must not
complain. How does he like soldiering? I reckon he finds it
some different from home and its attractions.
Best if we always live at home
p. 2
and are never deprived of its comforts and
blessings, we should
never know how to fully appreciate them.
If I should be fortunate to get home
again I shall
never regret that I joined the Army.
You all seem to talk as though you thought I was coming
home before
long, but that is yet uncertain, at least as far as I know. I am
waiting patiently to see what will turn up. I have nothing to do
now but loaf, (which is rather tiresome work) and make myself as
comfortable as I can, situated as I am.
But there must be an end to this before a great while,
and to that end
I am looking
p. 3
hopeing it will be for my benefit.
The bells are ringing for Church this morning and it
reminds me of
home. I would like to go to Park St this morning and see how the
place and people look. Is there room for me in the pew or shall I
have to sit on the window seat?
If I could get out this morning I would go to Church
here, but we
always have inspection Sunday morning and I do not get our passes until
to late, the Churches are not open in the afternoon only for Sunday
School, we cannot get out now to the evening meetings as there has been
p. 4
an order issued lately that no Soldier should be allowed
in the streets
after ½ past 7. But there was an exception last Sunday evening
about eighty of us from this Hospital went to the Opera we had a
complimentary ticket, there was two or three hundred convalescents
soldiers there from the different Hospitals. Wednesday evening we
had a temperance lecture here, after which we had a treat, each one got
a piece of cake, an orange, and an apple, the treat was very good, but
the lecture was as dry as any other temperance lecture.
But I reckon my letter is about as dry as that lecture,
so I will close
before it comes to a crisp. Excuse this an accept much love
From your
Cousin
Albert
Photo: Passaic Class Monitor Lehigh
Pictured below is the Lehigh in the
James River, early 1865.
Ironclads Sangamon & Lehigh
This next letter is interesting as Albert mentions going
to the Philadelphia Navy Yard, [Chester, PA] to get a view of the
Monitor.
The success of the original Monitor in combat with the
Virginia, March 9, 1862 caused the government to order several
new ships built from designer John Ericsson’s plans. The 10 new
Passaic class ironclads would incorporate design improvements suggested
by Commodore Joseph Smith, who had served on the board that supervised
the building of the original Monitor. Two of these new vessels,
the Sangamon and Lehigh were built by Reaney Son, & Archibald at
Chester, PA. The “Sangamon” was launched Monday, October 27,
1862. The Philadelphia Press reported the launch on Wednesday,
Sept. 29th: “Orders have been received by the contractors
to prepare her for her crew and guns as speedily as possible. The
Lehigh, sister ship to the one launched, is rapidly approaching
completion and will be ready to be floated in a few days.”
Several weeks later work was still being done on the
Sangamon. On December 16 the Press reported, “She was
launched very recently, and will be completed in about four weeks from
the present time. …On Tuesday last the gun-sides were being
introduced to the turret.”
The date of Albert’s letter, suggests he was at the Navy
Yard on Saturday January 2nd. At first I thought he saw the
Lehigh being floated, but the Lehigh wasn't launched until
Saturday, January 17, 1863, two weeks after Albert’s visit.
January 5,
1863
The date of this letter is a bit hard to
read on my reference photo. Still I am convinced it is dated Jan.
5th. If so Albert was at the Navy Yard on Saturday the 2nd.
I had thought Albert went down to the Philadelphia Navy Yard to see the
launch of the monitor Lehigh on Saturday, January 17 but clues in this
and other letters suggest that is not the case. I thought perhaps
the Lehigh was "floated" before its launch date, but no information was
available to support this guess. The Sangamon seemed to be still
around, so perhaps that is the Monitor he referenced in this
letter.
— Of course, Albert is more concerned with getting his discharge.
General Hospital
U.S.A.
Philadelphia Jan 5? / 63
Dear Parents & Sister
I felt that I must write a few
lines this morning in acknowledgement of yours of the 28th, but I
hope
you will excuse a few lines this time as my head aches this morning and
I feel very little like writing.
There is nothing new here. I don't think of a bit
of news of
interest. I went down to the navy yard Saturday forenoon an saw
the Monitor. I could not get very near
p. 2
as she was lying out in the stream. She was to
sail in the
afternoon.
Yesterday was quite a pleasant Day here. I took a walk
in the afternoon
and came back pretty well played out. I feel rather weak, but I
lay it most to poor living, and being here in the hospital with nothing
to do. I think good food
and the right kind of exercise
would
soon bring me up. As to my Discharge I can tell nothing about
that at present. when I get my Descriptive list, then I expect to
hear something deffinate, As it is necessary for me to have that
in order to
p. 3
get my Discharge. I expect it was sent with me
from Washington
and I have good reasons for thinking that it is now at the medical
directors in this city, but they do not appear to be in any
hurry to send it in to this Hospital but I suppose I shall hear from it
sometime.
We have been mustered in here for pay, but when we shall
get it is more
than I can tell. I am in no hurry for it for if I do not have it;
I shall not spend it; there is is four months pay due me the
first of
January.
Hopeing this will find you all well I close with much
love From Albert.
January
1863 [no
date specified]
Letter sent from home usually reached
Albert in Philadelphia in 2 days time. Using that as an average,
this letter was probably written on the 7th or 8th of
January. Pictured is 1st-Lieutenant Oliver C.
Livermore,
13th Mass. whom I think was Acting Adjutant for the regiment at the
time of Albert's letter.
General Hospital U.S.A.
Philadelphia Jan. 1863
Dear Parents & Sister
I received your
welcome letter of
the 4th yesterday noon, also one from Mrs Brown in which she says
she has sent the box. she sent me the receipt which I send to you
in
this letter. She sends her regards to Father, and says they would
be pleased to have a line from him occasionally. I think they
took quite a liking to Father, and no doubt would be pleased to see
him again.
I was quite surprised to 
p. 2
learn by your letters, that I have been mistrusted as a
deserter, as
soon as I read your letter, I sat down and wrote to Lt.
Livermore, giving an account of myself, and this morning I
got the Dr to add a line certifying that I was regularly admitted here
as a patient. I requested an answer to know if my explanation was
satisfactory. I suppose of course they know where I was, but I
suppose my long silence has given rise to suspicions that I had sloped,
but I think my letter with the Dr’s signature will quiet all
suspicion. I wrote to you Monday and told you all I could think
p. 3
of (which was not much) and there has been nothing new
since.
It don’t seem much like winter here, we have very pleasant weather
most of the time.
I am obliged to Alice for Charlies picture, which I
think is very
good. I will take good care of it; and if it is wanted
before I
return it, You can let me know. I will write to Charley
soon. You crossed out N.C.
Via N.York what for
? do you know whose brigade he is in.
Please write his
address again. I will close now as I have got to go down to the
medical directors to see about my descriptive list. Yours with
much
love
Albert
Return to Top of Page
Epilogue
Albert Liscom's war-time letters end here. His son said
the last letter was dated January 25, 1863.
He officially obtained his discharge on January 30. [The roster
incorrectly dates his discharge June, 1863.]
Albert married a girl from Philadelphia, Marietta A.
Arlin on March 29,
1864. Perhaps he met her while he was recuperating at the
National Guard Hospital. Marietta did not live long and passed
away before six years
had passed by. In 1873, Albert married again. With his
second wife, Florilla T. Chapin, age 28; they had two children, Lottie
who was born June 6, 1874, and Charles Sutton Liscom, born August 3,
1875. It was Charles who wrote the letter to the 13th Regiment
Association in 1920, and offered to transcribe his father's war-time
letters.
Sadly, Albert's 2nd wife died young at age 33 on
November 27, 1877, when his children were ages 2 & 3. In 1878
Albert took a 3rd wife, Mary, last name unknown, born about 1836.
Mary lived a long time. She passed away after 1920.
A few letters in
the collection that aren't Civil War related suggest Albert continued
successfully in his father's
business.
The next bit of information I have for Albert is this
notice that was published in the very first Thirteenth Regiment
Association Circular,
November 21, 1888:
Comrade Albert M. Liscom, of Company C, has been
confined for years in
his house, 635 Tremont street in this city, by a painful disease, which
has prevented his presence among us, - though his mind has been and is
as clear and bright as it ever was. He was a good soldier, of
whom it is a pleasure to speak, and the love and regard which has
prompted so many thoughts of the old regiment during his illness, I
know will be heartily reciprocated by all. Some may be prompted
to drop him a line. A few kind and cheering words now will make
his burden lighter, and send a ray of sunshine into the sick-chamber,
where he has so long been a patient sufferer.
Chas. E. Davis, Jr. Boston, Nov. 21, 1888.
Albert Liscom passed away 10 months later on September
26, 1889. He was 51. His father Levi Liscom, survived him
by two years, and passed away July 28, 1891 at age 83.
Albert's son Charles never married, and he too passed
away at the relatively young age of 55 in 1930. But Albert's
daughter
Lottie married and had a child, Marion Attwood, whose descendants may
well continue to this day.
The Reed Family
The Reid family was more long lived. Joshua, the
father died in 1886 at age 80. He is buried at Milton Cemetery,
Milton, Massachusetts.
Herbert Alanson Reed, 13th MA, Company A, married Julia
Eliza Edgerly Allen on July 23, 1861, just before the regiment departed
for Maryland. He continued in service with the regiment for
3 years. Soldier Warren H. Freeman of Company A, mentions in a
letter home, May15, 1864, “Herbert Reed was wounded in one of his
fingers about ten days since.” Herbert mustered out with the
regiment August 1st 1864.
He and his wife Julia had two daughters, Alice and
Florence, born in
1867 & 1877 respectively. Julia died in 1879 at age 40.
Herbert married Florence G. Black, two years later. They had one
child, another daughter, Mary Lucy Reed, born in November 1882, but she
only lived one month. Two years later daughter Florence died at
age 16, on Dec. 22, 1894. Herbert lived a long life and died in
1921, at age 82 and is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford,
Mass. His 2nd wife Florence lived until 1937, age 80.
Daughter Alice died in 1957. All are buried in Oak Grove
Cemetery, Medford.
Edgar C. Reed, 13th MA, Company A, had some emotional
troubles when he was in the service. He enlisted at a very young
age, and fellow soldier Warren H. Freeman, in the same company
occasionally commented on young Edgar's lack of pluck as a soldier.
Still Edgar managed to muddle through his service and mustered out with
the regiment, August 1st 1864. He worked as a
piano-turner after the war. Edgar died at age 40, of tuberculosis
at
an insane asylum in Boston, October 28, 1886.
Next up: The History of Camp
Convalescent
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