Fredericksburg

May 8, 1863

By May 8th 2013

                                                                                                                                                                               Washington, D. C.

                                                                                                                                                                                 May 8, 1863 

Dear Father:

                Your note of last week was received.  Nothing has transpired here since my last writing worthy of note. They have kept our Brigade quite busy receiving and guarding Rebel prisoners since Hooker’s move.
                We have got but few of the details of the affair at Fredericksburg, but it seems that Hooker is back on this side of the river. Though he was certainly not forced back by the enemy. It seems that the heavy rains that have been falling for some days past have carried away the bridge over the Potomac Creek at Brookes Station—thus cutting off our communication as completely as [Major General George] Stoneman did that of the Rebels.[1] The pontoons were also in danger of being carried away by the rise in the Rappahannock, which would have left Hooker in a bad box. It seems as if the elements had been against us this time, but Hooker will soon try it again I think.
                I regret to notice among the killed Col. McKnight of Brookville (of the  105th P. V.).
                I do not know but that you will have started to see me before this reaches you. In my last I wrote for a couple of shirts—towel—lithographs—&c. I had a letter from Frank a day or two since. All the Venango boys are well as usual.
                Captain Over has been dismissed from the service by the War Department for “disobedience of orders, and contempt of Military Authority”.
                Nothing more at present.
                                Yours  affy.

                                                J. D. Chadwick

Next posting: May 29, 2013

Jonathan E. Helmreich
College Historian
Allegheny College
 Meadville, PA 16335                                                           

[1] Stoneman led the Union Cavalry in the Battle of Chancellorsville, April 30 to May 6, 1863.  He achieved some initial success, to which Chadwick seems here to refer, but in the overall battle accomplished little. Hooker blamed Stoneman for the lack of Union success at Chancellorsville and had him shifted to a desk job in Washington.

December 10, 1862

By December 10th 2012

Frustrated by McClellan’s delays, on November 7 Lincoln replaced him with Ambrose Burnside. Chadwick appeared to be one of McClellan’s admirers; unfortunately no letter of his commenting on this change survives. Burnside accelerated troop movements, shifting the Army of the Potomac to the banks of the Rappahannock across from Fredericksburg. The plan was to assault the town, then press on toward Richmond.

                                                                                              Camp near White Oak Church,

                                                                                       4 miles from Fredericksburg, Va.,

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   December 10, 1862

Dear Father:-

                Yours dated last week and also the week previous have been received. I have occasionally received newspapers which you have sent me.
                Yesterday we moved from Brook’s Station to our present locality which is about two miles from the Rappahannock River and distant as above from Fredericksburg. It was generally supposed among the men that we made this move for the purpose of getting near timber so as to go into “winter quarters,” but to-day has dispelled that illusion for we are ordered to have three days’ cooked rations and be in readiness to move on short notice. Twenty additional rounds of ammunition have been issued to each man also. Teams are in readiness to move the pontoon-bridge material down to the river and everything indicates that we shall cross or attempt to cross the Rappahannock at an early date.
                There is doubtless another great battle expected for the enemy are still seen in large numbers back of the City of Fredericksburg. Some of their batteries are also to be seen with guns mounted in position and everything in apparent readiness to give us a warm reception when we try to cross.
                We will cross in three or four different places as preparations are being made for throwing across as many pontoon bridges; I presume the right wing of the army will cross at or a little above the City of Fredericksburg. As you may recall, we are in the left wing. General Reynolds commands our Corps. He has been made a Major General and it is reported that General Meade who commands our Division has also been made a Major General.
                It is true that Deb. Beatty was taken prisoner as was also William Cramer, a son of Cramer in Scrubgrass. They were pickets and were surprised and captured. This happened more than six weeks ago.
                I saw our little “Bill” horse a few days since. He is in possession of Major Biddle of the 4th Cavalry who values him at only $500. He is said to be an excellent riding animal and is much larger than I thought he would be.
                I saw Everill Chadwick yesterday—he is well. The Rockland and Richland boys are all well.
                We have had some quite cold weather—about four inches of snow fell about four days ago and it is not all gone yet. It is very cold at night and clear. In the daytime it thaws some. The roads are bad. They are rough and in many places badly cut up by the army wagons. We could not go more than three or four miles a day were it not that the ground is frozen hard. Many a poor fellow suffers these cold nights as they have nothing to shelter them but a poncho or rubber blanket. I do not see how we can endure a winter campaign as the weather is so changeable.
               Tell Mother and Bing and the boys to write soon. Tell Miles that I have not yet received that box.
                I am,

                                                Affectionately your son,   J. D. Chadwick.

Next posting: December 17, 1012

Jonathan E. Helmreich
College Historian
Allegheny College
Meadville , PA 16335

September 6, 1862

By September 6th 2012

[The transcriber of this letter reports: “This letter is addressed and written in a feminine hand, evidently that of a nurse in the Hospital.”]

Georgetown College Hospital, D. C.

September 6, 1862

Dear Parents:-

                Don’t be surprised or uneasy to see the heading of this note. I am not sick or hurt. I marched about with the troops of my Brigade, suffering hunger, fatigue, and many other hardships and privations, until I was completely broken-down. I had an attack of a bilious character also, my liver a “little out of kilter,” etc.
             Dr. Rohrer, surgeon of the 10th, advised that I be sent to a hospital in Washington or Georgetown and I consented. I came here yesterday and will not stay here more than a few days.
                The last letter I wrote to you was from Fredericksburg. Since that I have neither received or sent any new from or to home until day before yesterday, when I received yours of the 13th, 20th and 27thm, one from Celestia, one from Frank, Miles and two or three more. I had written out an account of my daily wanderings for the past three weeks intending to send the same to you, but while sleeping in a wagon, a mule pulled my blouse out from under my head and devoured  it and its contents,— my diary, a dozen letters, pocket-handkerchief, match-box, etc. In the morning all that remained of my coat was the buttons and one arm! You will join with me in thinking the act perfectly mulish and must be contended [contented] with the account as I can recollect it.
              We started from Fredericksburg the night I last wrote you, August 21st, marched all night, all the next day and until midnight when we arrived near Warrenton. You may imagine what kind of a time we had. Pope had been skirmishing and falling back for more than a week previous and he was then on the north bank of the Rappahannock. The enemy was endeavoring to cross. This was the reason all available troops were sent to his aid. We lay near Warrenton two or three days during which time we could see continual fighting between the artillery all along the valley of the Rappahannock. We marched next a few miles out beyond Warrenton toward Waterloo and the next morning started back toward Manassas. This was a week ago last Thursday. We reached the junction about 7:00 P. M. and heard rapid and continued firing in the direction of the Old Bull Run battlefield which was about two or three miles distant. [1] King’s Division were engaging the enemy. Friday the battle commenced in earnest, lasting all day. We held our own and more—having driving the enemy back some distance. Saturday it continued, each army having been reinforced. At about 6:00 P. M., the enemy made a sudden demonstration on our left which was commanded by McDowell. His command consisted of McCall’s, King’s and Rickett’s Divisions. The opposing force was so suddenly overwhelming that a PANIC took place and such a sight! The road was completely blocked with men trying to get away as fast as they could. As soon as possible lines were formed across the road and no man was allowed to pass, neither officer or enlisted man. Partial order was again restored but the day was LOST, LOST!!! The enemy held the field. There was some skirmishing on Sunday and in the afternoon the rebels came around our right and attacked us near Fairfax Courthouse.  They were driven back but we lost Generals Stevens and [Major General Philip]Kearney,— the latter the best fighting general we had.
                The army has all been drawn in about Washington where it is at present. No danger of the rebels taking the City. Our Division is lying at Arlington Hights, opposite the city.
                The loss in our regiment was not very heavy although many are wounded. Col. Kirk, Capt. Ayer and Lieut. [Milton M.] Phelps, my classmates, (see photographs) were all wounded. Phelps was shot through the right lung but he is doing well. [2] None of the Venango boys killed that I know of.
                I will give you an idea of how we are used in the hospital as far as I can judge from my experience thus far. When we were brought to Alexandria we were sent down to the wharf and placed on board a boat, taken to Washington and hauled in ambulances to this place. On our arrival at this quite large building, being dusty and dirty, we were furnished with soap, towels and bathed all over. Then we were given each a pair of Canton flannel drawers and a large flowing cotton shirt, a pair of woolen socks, slippers, and a gown. The room in which I am is larger than the Church at Freedom and is filled with cots. It accommodates about 75 patients. The cots are supplied with straw ticks, muslin sheets, and a spread as white as the driven snow. We have straw pillows too. It is a very comfortable place to be sick, plenty of surgeons and nurses and good attendance. I have not been as comfortable situated for more than a year and hadn’t been in here more than an hour until I felt like seeing how high I could kick up against the wall, which I happen to be near. I am almost sorry I can not stay here a few weeks and enjoy myself, but duty calls me back to my regiment as soon as possible.
                There is a certain little thing which I expected to hear from you if you have heard anything concerning it, but as you have never mentioned it I presume you know nothing about it. I know nothing about it officially,— all is hearsay. Elisha Davis, you know, is raising a regiment. I heard before we left Harrison’s Landing that somebody had seen a notice in the Jefferson Star, (Brookville) that recruits were being raised for a company to be commanded by J. D. Chadwick. I paid no attention to the rumor, however, thinking that it was someone else of my name. About a week afterwards Col. McCalmont wrote to a man in the 10th Regiment and asked  him if I had gone away from the regiment to take command of my company yet. He said he understood I was to have a company in Davis’ Regiment.  This completely stumped me for I had heard nothing from E. W. about it. A day or two after that a list of the officers were published in the Philadelphia Inquirier, which I enclose. I am put down as Captain of Company D. Did you ever hear anything about it? I thought that if there was anything to it, Davis being a particular friend of mine, intended to take me by surprise, but I rather guess the affair has fallen through as I have heard nothing more about it for some time and his Regiment, the 145th, has been consolidated with another. This is all confidential. I don’t want you to read everything I write to the neighbors. Never mind, I’ll work myself up yet if doing my duty will gain anything—see if I don’t!
                An influential friend went to Cameron last summer to get me a position in the Regular Army. He very nearly succeeded, but didn’t.
                I wrote you, I believe, that my friend, Major Smith, was dead.
                Tell Shippen that I will write or send him something the next time.—Oh! But I’d like to be at home a few days!
                I am signing this on the back of a book, lying upon my cot.
                Direct to the Regiment as usual. Don’t say “Reserved” Corps, leave off the “ed”. We’ve been all but reserved.
                I am, dear parents,    Very affectionately,   Your son,      James. 

Next posting: September 24, 2012

Jonathan E. Helmreich
College Historian
Allegheny College
Meadville, PA 16335

[1] The Second Battle of Bull Run was fought August 28-30, resulting in a stinging Union defeat.

[2] Ayer’s arm was broken by a ball. M’Clure Tryon, another Alleghenian, died of his wounds.

August 13, 1862

By August 13th 2012

                                                                            Harrison’s Landing, Va., Aug. 13, 1862

Dear Parents:-

                Yours of last week received. I hasten to reply.
                Our whole army is about to go to Fredericksburg (?) via Fortress Monroe and Aquia Creek Landing on the Potomac. All the baggage and the knapsacks of the men have been sent down the river in transports and the troops and wagon trains will go by land, via Williamsburg, I suppose.
                It is thought that Washington is threatened, but it is more likely that we are to be sent within supporting distance of Pope so that the enemy cannot fall upon us singly and whip us in detail.
                I see that Banks and Pope have had some hard fighting and may be at it still. [1]
                It is thought we may leave here to-day or to-night. I thought I had better write to you today for fear I might not have another opportunity of writing this week. You must excuse brevity as I have much to do. Nothing strange has happened since I wrote you last. All well.
                                Yours affectionately,    J. D. Chadwick.

P. S. I learn that General McCall has been exchanged—and he has just come this morning. Everything is bustle and confusion.    James.

 Next posting: August 21, 2012

Jonathan E. Helmreich
College Historian
Allegheny College
Meadville, PA 16335

[1] The reference here is to the Battle of Cedar Mountain, August 9, 1862.

May 28, 1862

By May 28th 2012

              As McClellan gathered his forces to approach Richmond in May of 1862, Confederate Major General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson provided relief for that city by attacking up the Shenandoah Valley. His troops’ swift and concealed movements enabled him to surprise Union forces that had been reduced by dispatch of troops to the Richmond front. Jackson seized Front Royal  and Winchester from outnumbered Union soldiers. Lincoln promptly ordered a pincers movement from other Union divisions that should have cut off Jackson’s avenue of retreat and subjected him to flank attacks. But the Union generals and troops moved too slowly and Jackson’s men were able to move to the south end of the Shenandoah Valley, where the Confederates successfully defended themselves at the battles of Cross Keys and Port Republic.

Falmouth, Va., May 28, 1862

Dear Father:-

                I received a letter from you last week but none this week as yet, although I expect there is one somewhere floating around after us. My letters have heretofore been addressed to “Ord’s Brigade.” Since he has left us I suppose some are missent and go to his headquarters. These will not be lost, however, as some of his aides will send them on to me.
                We have had quite a stir here for a few days past owing to the report concerning the retreat of Banks. The circumstances are these as near as I can understand:
                Banks was near Strasburg as was also Shields. When the bridge here at Fredericksburg was about finished, a Division was formed for Ord of detached regiments which had been about Washington and Alexandria. I think some thirteen in all. We then had three Divisions, McCall’s, King’s, and Ord’s, as I wrote you before. About five days ago Shields’ Division arrived, having left Banks at Strasburg. They marched across from the mountains, there being no railroad or water communication from that place to here. As soon as the enemy found that Shields had left they attacked Banks and have driven him back to Harpers Ferry. We were already to move over the river when this news came. Ord has now gone to Harpers Ferry, via Washington—taken the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad—to assist Banks, while Shields has cut across via Warrenton Junction to get in the rear of the enemy. The whole affair is thought to be a grand strategic movement just to catch old “Stonewall” Jackson in a trap. If he has not got out of the way by this time he certainly will be caught with all his army. Banks seems to have made little or no resistance.
                The enemy have fallen back from our front about four days since. Our advance has been out about ten miles beyond Fredericksburg.
                I was unwell when Shields’ Division was here and did not get to see Merrick Housler or hear about Penrose. I suppose Sylvanus will know something about them. I will see him in a day or two.
                I had a short illness from remittent fever—had one chill—was quite sick one day—was in the hospital two days—took blue mass—quinine—neutral mixture, etc., etc. I feel quite well now only somewhat weak. There is much sickness here now, fever and chills, though no serious illness that I know of. The days are very warm while the nights are uncomfortably cold. This is the cause of so much sickness the doctors say.
                There is going to be an abundance of fruit here this season. Every fruit-tree, and they seem to grow spontaneously, is loaded with fruit.
                The 4th Cavalry is now encamped with our Brigade. All the Rocklanders are well, both in it and in the 10th Regiment.
                I had a letter from Domer yesterday and he gave me an account of his visit to Rockland and gave me more news of interest to me than I have received in a long time. Tell Bing and Mother to write soon, and Frank, too.  Miles has written but once since he went to Meadville. Hoping to have good long letters from you all soon, I will close for the present.

                                Affectionately,    Your son,   James

The fact of my having written this upon a board laid across my knees accounts for the poor penmanship.

 Next posting: June 11, 2012

Jonathan E. Helmreich
College Historian
Allegheny College
Meadville, PA 16335

 

May 21, 1862

By May 21st 2012

                                                                                                                                                                                                   Headquarters Third Brigade, P. R. C.

                                                                                                                                May 21, 1862

Dear Father:-

                I write again. We are still at Falmouth but will cross the river soon, in a day or two, perhaps, as the bridge is now finished and the cars ran over to Fredericksburg last night.
                There has been a change in the Third Brigade within the past week. General Ord has been ordered to take command of a division in this corps, composed of Generals Rickett’s, [Brigadier General George L.] Hartsuff’s and Bayard’s Brigades. He left us last Sunday. Every man in the Brigade felt that they were losing an Officer and a friend. He called the regiments up in line and bade them a formal “good-bye.”
                General Truman Seymour has been assigned  to the command of this Brigade. He is a good officer, graduated at West Point, is 37 years old, was an officer of artillery in the regular army and was one of the “70” who fought within the walls of Sumpter  last spring. He is very much of a gentleman and I think we will like him, though not better than Ord.
                When General Ord left he gave me a very flattering recommendation to General Seymour. I can continue in the office as long as I wish. It is just nine months since I entered this department to-day. I think I have gained much from being here as I have acquired something of a knowledge of business transactions. I am almost a necessity, having got the run of the papers and other affairs pertaining to the office.
                Thomas Ross is driving the headquarters wagon for the General.
                Joe Ross, Jesse Pryor, Dave Lovell,  Brad Wilson and the rest of the boys are in the company and all are well. I saw Hen Hughes, John Maitland and others of the 4th Cavalry boys—they are all well.
                Our Corps consists of three Divisions now—Ord’s, King’s, and McCall’s. [Brigadier General James]  Shields’ will soon be with us also. The 84th Penna. Regt. is in his Division in which Merrick Housler and Penrose Chadwick are. I am glad they are coming down so I will get to see them.
                I expect we will have a fight when we cross the river as the enemy are said to be in force only a few miles from us. When Shields gets with us, we will have an effective force of nearly  50,000 men. The enemy can send reinforcements in a short time, however, from Richmond. Nous verrons. [Fr.:  We will see.]|                Hoping to hear from you all, I will close. In great haste,

                                Yours affectionately            James

I send a fig leaf to mother. Strawberries are commencing to ripen.

Next posting: May 28, 2012

Jonathan E. Helmreich
College Historian
Allegheny College
Meadville, PA 16335

May 7, 1862

By May 7th 2012

                                                                       Headquarters Third Brigade, P. R. Co.,

                                                                           Falmouth Heights, Va., May 7, 1862

Dear Parents:-

                Although I have not heard from Rockland (except for Mary Stanton) for two weeks, I as usual seat myself to let you know where I am. 
                You see by the heading of this that we have left Catlett’s Station and I will give you a synopsis of our journey to this place.
                On the 1st, Friday, we received orders to march to Falmouth and started the next morning at 6:00 A. M. Traveled till 3:00 P. M. over roads almost impassable and camped for the night at Tillis’ Mill—distance eleven miles.  The next morning at 5:00 we started again and marched to Hartwood—distance 12 miles. The day was pleasant and in company with Norris, (a classmate, you recollect him) I went ahead of the troops for the purpose of leisurely viewing the country, talking to the people and gaining information from “contrabands” who flocked out to see the “Yankees.” [1]
                We stopped at the house of Isaac Botts, nephew of John Minor Botts, and got some corn-bread in the shape of “hoe-cake” from servants who had been left behind to take care of the property, Botts being in the rebel army and his wife in Richmond. [2] A middle-aged mulatto woman was in charge of the house and told us much of interest. She was quite intelligent; had raised her master from his infancy and been a mother to him. At the retreat of the rebel army from Manassas he sold her husband and daughter to a man from Richmond. Two children, her brother’s, about six years of age, had been left with  her from running North, as her mistress said.
                A little further on, we came to the plantation of a Mr. Paine. We stopped to look at the door-yard around his house which was filled with shrubbery and flowers. While there saw his wife and entered into conversation with her. She was very intellegent and lady-like woman. She said she had a son who was a student at the University of Virginia at the commencement of the war—a drafting officer came to the institution and took him into the army. She seemed much affected while talking and maternal grief and solicitude for the welfare of her son exhibited itself in her falling tears. She said, “If you ever come across Roy, treat him well for he is a generous-hearted boy and you will have a mother’s blessing for it.” In my own mind I could not help thinking of the feelings of my mother if the tide of war were the other way—a hostile army passing my home and I in the place of Roy Paine. But this is only one of the many evils and miseries of war.
                Sabbath, the 4th, at 5:00 A. M. we left Hartwood and arrived at Falmouth on the bank of the Rappahannock at 11:00 A. M., a distance of eight miles. Falmouth is an old place but not larger than Emlenton; the river separates it from Fredericksburg which is a beautiful town from here, not unlike Meadville. I have not been over but I believe we have one regiment there as piquets.
                There is quite a force of rebels within six or eight miles, so say contrabands and spies; their camps are visible from the bluff a mile or two below us. We are likely to have a fight near here as they are said to be concentrating forces as fast as they can by railroad from Richmond.
                As Franklin’s Division is with McClellan, our force is not over 25,000 at present—we might get whipped.
                There is a pontoon bridge over the river upon which teams cross daily. Timber is being taken out to repair the railroad bridge which the enemy burned when they vacated this place.
                All the Rockland boys are well. Penrose Chadwick was wounded at Winchester but I do not know how badly. I saw Sylvanus yesterday.
                General Ord has been promoted and confirmed by the Senate a Major General of Volunteers. Whether he will supersede McCall, as rumored, I do not know.
                I will close for the present.      Your son                 James 

Next posting: Mary 21, 2012

Jonathan E. Helmreich
College Historian
Allegheny College
Meadville, PA 16335

[1] Slaves who had fled to the Union armies were declared “contrabands of war” and allowed to stay with the troops doing all kinds of manual labor. The name “contraband” came to be used for all such escaped slaves.

[2] John Minor Botts was a lawyer and congressman who led a chequered career and at one time was mooted as a possible presidential candidate for the American party. He was a consistent backer of Henry Clay and turned from friend to enemy of John Tyler over political allegiance issues. Botts claimed to be a Southern Unionist. He was distrusted by the North and disliked by the South, the authorities of which imprisoned him for several months.

April 23, 1862

By April 23rd 2012

                                                                                          Headquarters Ord’s Brigade,

                                                         Catlett’s Station, 10 miles south of Manassas

                                                                                                                      April 23, 1862

Dear Father:-

                Again I seat myself to write the accustomed weekly letter, though I have not yet received yours of last week.  I suppose it is on the way and that I shall receive it to-night or to-morrow. The railroad bridge over Bull Run has been swept off by the flood of the past few days which delays our mail as well  as our supplies, etc.
                We left Manassas last Friday and reached our present location in the evening. It has been so stormy and the roads so bad that we could not move for a few days, but it has cleared up this morning and has the appearance of being settled weather so I think we will move to-morrow or the next day for Fredericksburg. Our advance is there now.
                This is a beautiful country, the meadows look quite green, the buds are bursting and the peach trees are in full bloom. The country shows the marks of the rebel army as it passed through, however. They have burnt every bridge along the railroad and have torn up the track in many places. The “Yankee Lincolnites” soon mended the bridges and replaced ties, rails, etc., and have the road in good repair to the Rappahannock.
                Our Cavalry had a skirmish near Fredericksburg a day or two since in which they lost a dozen or so killed. There is no enemy near us in force, only scouting parties. We have piquets thrown out a mile from camp so we cannot be taken by surprise as [Brigadier] General [Benjamin M.] Prentice [Prentiss] was at Pittsburgh Landing. [1]
                We are all anxious to hear from Yorktown and of the success of our army there. I think it can not fail of success, yet from all accounts the enemy are concentrating an immense army there.
                I saw Everill and Sylvanus yesterday—both are well. I wrote to Uncle Jeremiah a day or two ago.
                Our fare is very plain indeed—we have not much except crackers and coffee, meat sometimes on the “rusty” order. I weigh 150 pounds which is more than I ever did before.  I have had excellent health with the exception of a touch of rheumatism when the weather is stormy. We are altogether without tents—nothing to protect from the storm except our India rubber blankets. These the men fasten together and make a quite good shelter. I have fared better than I would if I had been with the regiment as I, with the clerk of the Quarter Master, have slept in the office tent.
                I am,             Your Affectionate son,          James

Next posting: May 7, 1862

Jonathan E. Helmreich
College Historian
Allegheny College
Meadville, PA 16335                                                         

[1] The Battle of Shiloh, April 6-7, 1862.