Miners Hill, Va.
April 16th, 1863
Dear Father:-
Yours of last week has been received. It found me well as usual, as are all of the Venango boys in this Regiment. I shall not argue with you in regard to the writings of Fowler, but I think him a benefactor of his race—as great as Wesley or Calvin perhaps. It is natural for us to have our likes and dislikes, and to be prejudiced and bigoted in our opinions against every new science and doctrine, but I believe the day to be not far distant when Fowler will be . . . and honored as a reformer universally . . . . [remainder of paragraph missing].
. . . [I] hope that he [Miles] will stay there until he gets a thorough knowledge of the business. I think it all nonsence about Miles not being able to confine himself to the study of medicine. If he don’t learn printing he ought to study physic, or do something and not be trifling away his time.
I had a letter from Jno. Lusher yesterday—he says Henry Smith is well. Their Regiment is doing provost duty in Murfreesboro.
You say you think you can get away from home about the 1st of May. I do not know yet where we will be by that time but expect that we will be in Alexandria or very near there, doing provost duty, etc. We are now under marching orders, and are expecting to leave this every day. The order of General Heintzleman [Heinzelman] assigns us (the 3rd Brigade) to Alexandria. It is said the 2nd is to be in Washington and the 1st at Frederick, Md., but I cannot vouch for the truth of that. If you would delay your visit for a week or two, say to the middle of May, I think it would be pleasanter. The Spring will have fairly commenced, the weather will be good, the roads also, and everything will conspire to make your visit more pleasant than it would be under other circumstances, but I will write every week and keep you posted as to our whereabouts.
It seems that Charleston has not yet been taken, but that our Monitors were repulsed. Our Adjutant yesterday say [saw?] Lieut. Jackson (an aid to Genl. Seymour) who witnessed the whole affair. He says that none of the ironclads are damaged materially, except the Keokuk which was sunk. He saw them all after the fight and was aboard of some of them. Had it not been for those obstructions in the Channel he said the boats would have battered it down as well as Sumpter, for on the N. E. side it is weak and would be easily demolished by our guns. Lieut J. says that “the city is bound to fall yet”. I would not wonder if the land forces would move about the time Hooker moves, which will be soon. Reinforcements are being sent to Hooker now from Alexandria and Washington. There will be warm times soon. I must close.
Your Son
J. D. Chadwick
Next posting: April 22, 2013
Jonathan E. Helmreich
College Historian
Allegheny College
Meadville, PA 16335