102 10 1130 https://omeka.conncoll.edu/files/original/65ce5a31de3b422f3ef4cb9cd752f770.pdf de6e3e92e33439c18685737ebbb6e8cc Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Cornelius Gold Papers Description An account of the resource A collection of correspondence between Cornelius Gold and his family, written between 1862 and 1866. The bulk of the correspondence is from Gold to his mother. There are also several pieces of correspondence to his brother and individual letters to other family members. This collection includes two letters from Romulus Loveridge, a lieutenant in the 3rd US Colored Infantry. The collection also contains a 62 page journal kept by Gold on his voyage from New York to Hong Kong and from Hong Kong to England in 1861-1862. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Gold, Cornelius, B., 1839-1921 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="http://collections.conncoll.edu/gold/fa.html">Cornelius Gold Papers</a>, Linda Lear Center for Special Collections and Archives Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Linda Lear Center for Special Collections and Archives, Connecticut College Subject The topic of the resource United States -- History -- Civil War (1861-1865) -- Sources Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Bermuda Hundred Va. June 1, 1864 My dear Mother I hasten to write you a word this morning, whic I can since none of us can tell one minute what will be the next. Our present camp is exposed to the enemies funs, and whenever the batteries open we up stakes + "put" for the trenches not far to go however. My tent is only a couple of rods in rear of there. Our warning usually comes in the shape of a shrapnel shell or round shot cleverly tossed over our heads or in our midst. Then we think its time to "scatter." Three times within the last thirty six hours our comfort has been disturbed in this way, followed by a storm of leaden rain + an hail lasting about an hour. Fortunately the casluatlies bear no proportion to the number of missiles though some are taken away each time. All the rebel guns in our front opened at 5 o'clock May 30. again between 1 + 2 P.M. yesterday + the third time about 2 o'clock this morning. Our regiment has had six men wounded, half of whom will die. One whose legs were this morning shattered by a shell has since died. The roll of Grant's artillery comes cheerily to us this morning. Yet it is terrible too, when we think of its meaning. All we have done or heard this side Richmond is but childs play in comparison with that, and in its results as it seems to me valueless. But we wait patiently and confidently the approach of our Lieutenant General. We trust it will not be long before the nation will cry out Richmond is fallen, is fallen! May God give us the victory. [page 2] I am in pretty good condition now, have had good quarters, + plenty of victuals + drink I received shelter tens enough from the camp of the 40th Massachusetts when deserted by them to make a snug little habitation double walled + all to myself. since I'm robbing no one else I enjoy it very much. In addition I secured plunder enough to furnish my home quite handsomely. it consists of a cracker box mounted on legs for a table, a cane bottom, backchair (of contraband descent), with legs 6 inches high, a wooden chair, with no back, a nice pine bench, + for a bed an excellent "stretcher" such as is used to carry wounded from the field. It is well stained with the blood of the poor fellows it was carried + was hardly dry when I brought it home. I cover it with my new rubber blanket, and so forget its painful associations. I reported the prize to our surgeon + told him I had it for a bed, to which he replied, "keep it then, by all means. I have stretchers enough." Then I have a broom brush, two small tin pails + as many quart pans, and if one could if one could only eat tin, I should cook myself up a cast number of curious dishes. As it is, my culinary department grows in variety every day, and I am learning a thing or two in frying pan practice. Shall apply for a position in your kitchen when I go home + be the most useful Biddy that every you had, only, don't set me to washing dishes. I detest that. I use Borden's Condensed Milk. Day before yesterday Mr. Mitchell bought a paper of corn starch and the colonel's cook made him a fine corn-starch pudding. What do you think of that man! But after all "our life" is not meat and drink, but I trust ever and more in "to do the will of Him who sent us." Yet I know my own life is not what it should be, + this gives me trouble. Ill health has compelled Col. Duryee to resign. His resignation was accepted two or [page 3] three days ago and I believe he starts for the north nto day. His loss is a serious misfortune to the regiment. We have no other officers at all fit to succeed him in command. Col. Meeker's knee is not yet well enough to allow him to resume active duty, + the Major retains the command for the present. This campaign is a destructive one to an officer + in unusual proportion I think, though the loss in the ranks is not slight. Will you send us a few papers of Tully powder? I know my liability to weakness + derangement in hot weather + think that after all it could be well to have in my pocket an "ounce (or less) of prevention." Others are sick occasionally + there is the no reason to expect tha even one of my short frame should be always + totally exempt. How are aunt Juliette's [unclear] + flowerbeds this summer? I can imagine her tenderly nursing hausplanting + watering Pansies + Pricks this warm June day. Grandma bring in a pictcher full green weeds "too pretty to throw away" + that yet [page 4] are too vile to grace the flower borders. Grandpa grows eloquent over strawberry stamens [unclear], will persist in hoeing even as his back aches + then walks into the house just in time to recall the distracting fact that he has lost his cane. [unclear ] is rather a doubtful individual. I hardly know whether to place him in Stockbridge in his garden or at the end of a firepole. But wherever you are + whatever doing, I can see you all this morning "as plain as day." The air is so clear + soft since the smoke and powder smell have cleared away. The living are back to the "tented field," a great cornfield sloping off to the river + dotted with green shoots. but it is hardening fast under the tread of an army + heat of the sun to a cavern of dead loam clay, here and there a "nameless grave," + new mound of earth heaped up yesterday, to day, each day, perhaps, of the week that have elapsed since we came here I saw a small force of young negroes "playing at war" on one of them yesterday morning. The grave was "Richmond" and the little black rascals would pursuit Lee in turn, while "Gen. Grant" in the form of another woolly head, "licked him." Every victory was followed by a shout of "de Union for ever." Your aff. Cornelius Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data ALS Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Cornelius Gold, 6th C.V.I., June 1, 1864 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1864-06-01 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 2-29 Description An account of the resource Cornelius Gold writes to his mother of attacks and casualties suffered by the regiment and the situation in the camp. Subject The topic of the resource United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Casualties United States. Army. Connecticut Infantry Regiment, 6th (1861-1865) https://omeka.conncoll.edu/files/original/6415f1bdf198fc8cf00d84cf30e34e3f.pdf f06be7320a43aa287c1bff47460e4938 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Cornelius Gold Papers Description An account of the resource A collection of correspondence between Cornelius Gold and his family, written between 1862 and 1866. The bulk of the correspondence is from Gold to his mother. There are also several pieces of correspondence to his brother and individual letters to other family members. This collection includes two letters from Romulus Loveridge, a lieutenant in the 3rd US Colored Infantry. The collection also contains a 62 page journal kept by Gold on his voyage from New York to Hong Kong and from Hong Kong to England in 1861-1862. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Gold, Cornelius, B., 1839-1921 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived <a href="http://collections.conncoll.edu/gold/fa.html">Cornelius Gold Papers</a>, Linda Lear Center for Special Collections and Archives Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Linda Lear Center for Special Collections and Archives, Connecticut College Subject The topic of the resource United States -- History -- Civil War (1861-1865) -- Sources Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data ALS Text Any textual data included in the document Bermuda Hundred Va. June 19, 1864 My dear Amy “My heart is inditing a good matter,” that will never appear to your waiting eyes, but since you are more than usual in my thoughts tonight I must say just a word before lying down to rest, telling you this if nothing more. I have had a whole Sunday + expect a night to come, in my own tent, an almost unheard of privilege in these days; for which I am indebted to a slight indisposition that forced me back from the Picket line this morning. I left just before day-break as to have come later had been at risk of life. Sharp shooting begins with light + ends only at dusk. It hurt my pride severely being the first time I have asked excuse from duty but it is only by avoiding the small ailments that one avoids the great in this country. “A stitch in time saves nine” you know. I shall be right side up tomorrow + really none the worse for an evening of quiet enjoyment “at home”. Sitting in front of my tent this afternoon I caught my first sight of Lieutenant General Grant. He rode past (Page 2) within a rod of me accompanied by Gen Butler, two Brigadiers + two or three orderlies himself in appearance most unpretending of all. His presence here is significant of the new phase of affairs about Richmond, a change quite palpable to us. Our duty of standing by the defenses of Bermuda Hundred has grown suddenly to one of great importance, as the nearest position to Richmond + holding the right of Grant’s Army which, if turned, would cut his communications + force him to “get out o’ this” the quickest way possible. So an attempt by Lee to break through here is watched against carefully but expected any moment. Our regiment had a slight taste of his unfriendly disposition day before yesterday. While advancing occupying a new + more advanced picket line than before, a heavy force of rebels charged on us at “double quick” + drove us back in most indecent haste to our old rifle pits. Since the affair at Drury’s Bluff on our first advance toward Richmond, the 10th corps has fought no heavy battles,+ our division done nothing sufficiently brilliant to merit public notice. But (Page 3) if debarred from a share in the grand achievements of our Potomac brothers, we glory in their spunk. Our own ranks are being rapidly thinned by the petty but incessant warfare of the Picket line. Our last day resulted in a loss of 5 killed, 16 wounded + Captain Nichols of Stamford with 17 men taken prisoners. The 7th Connecticut was posted with us + lost about the same in killed and wounded. Jay Nettleton came to see me today. He is alone now – all the Washington boys gone from the regiment. Fritz Green Hollister was killed while skirmishing before Petersburg on Wednesday last. He was a noble fellow. The 2nd Conn Heavy Artillery have started today toward Petersburg. Theodor Vaill called on me yesterday + I went with him to see my other acquaintances in his regiment. I never realized so fully the meaning of “war” before nor do I now, with any faint heartedness in view of the cause for which we fight, but I do abhor it more and more. To me there is something more terrible in the deliberate shooting of men, picking them off as one would kill a squirrel, as we (Page 4) daily and hourly witness it here, than in the wholesale carnage of a battle. I do pray earnestly that the end may come, + come quickly. I like Grant’s way of working, sharp + bloody but short and life-saving in the long run. How much under God depends on him. The Black troops are winning laurels here. Every victory gained by them over the enemy has its reflex in the conquest of our wicked northern prejudice. You have no idea of the animosity of our own white troops toward “n*****s”, but this will fast vanish under such assaults as that of the “Colored Division” on the outer works at Petersburg. They won the admiration + open praise of the soldiers fighting beside them. Their noble conduct must soon compel us, perhaps make us proud to call them “brothers in arms”. What are you doing? I dream of a sweet re-union at Gray rock, + happy mid-summer migration to our dear Washington, + wish you much joy in it all. Will the two M’s of the P.G. Club meet + give two thirds of a mournful grip over the absence of the one “hi” present in spirit? Here’s my hand to you both. Cornelius Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Cornelius Gold, 6th C.V.I., June 19, 1864 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1864-06-19 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 2-35 Subject The topic of the resource United States. Army. Connecticut Infantry Regiment, 6th (1861-1865) Siege of Petersburg (Virginia : 1864-1865) Grant, Ulysses S. -- (Ulysses Simpson), -- 1822-1885 -- Public opinion Soldiers’ writings United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Sources United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Personal narratives United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--African Americans Description An account of the resource Cornelius Gold writes to his friend Amy about the previous day's combat, the dangers of the picket lines, and his opinion of Gen. Grant. https://omeka.conncoll.edu/files/original/96449091633451da6b5c3868496977ab.pdf faaca74787322d01441b2b0d65d7eb94 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Fort Ellsmore Oct 7th Dear Girls, I send by Adam's Express in a box of S.N. Taylor's some trumpery that may be pleasing to a certain degree as follows Vol. 1 Kinglake's "Invasion of the Crimea". Walton's "Complete Angler". Wonthrop's "Cecil Dreeme" Morford's "Shoulder Straps". [unclear] Prayer Book 42d Pa. Vol. "Bucktails" Ambrotype Bundle Letters and papers Austin gave me the "Straps" all the others I acquired honestly enough. I'm not very Episcopalian of late hence the Prayer Book. I thought a good deal of the story of "Deeme" and of the vignettes in the "Angler" and the Invasion is splendid. Very best style [page 2] Mon morning, Cos. "B," "E," "A," + "K" have gone up to Fort Worth "F," "F," + "I" are at Fort Williams. "C," "I," + "H" at Fort Ellsworth. Cap. Hubbard is in command of Ft. Worth. Rice of of Ft. Ellsmore and Ells of Ft. William. Maj. Smith is command of the 19th. Col. Kellogg is on a Cour Martial up at Fort Albanu. The 2d Brigade Def. S. of Potomac is broken and reconstructed with Lt. Col. Louis Scheuer of 15th N.Y.A. in command, and we of the 19th with our fortifications +c. are turned over to the 1st Brigade Def. S. of Potomac. Co. Abbott of the 1st C.V.A. in command. Kellogg will take command of us as soon as he is off the court martical, and then hurrah for battalion drills and like beauties. The Co. is now running the Light Art. machines mostly. Lt. Berry puts Dan and I though on battery movements. All are green yet. No word from any where. No fighting, no change of base even. Our business flags but I guess somthing will break soon. [page 3] Mason's playing out at St. James and the detention of the Laird rams, taken in connection with the 30 per ct. discount on the loan in London does not seem to promise speedy recognition from Lord Pam tho. Nappy is ugly enough to make us trouble in Mexico, but I do not believe will. I have some faith that the evident sympathy between U. Sam + the Czar will be of great use to us in Europe. Nap backed out of the Polish business so suddenly upon leaving the rumor of alliance between U.S. + Alexander that I have great hope of his plan. I don't see the end quite, but it looks more as though there might be an end eventually than it did in June. Austin had a note from Dr. White just now. Dr. is in Washington or Alex. Wrote from Willards, but thought he might come down to Alex. last evening. I spent Monday in Washington. One of the pleasantest days of my life. Dan went [page 4] up with me and such a nice time you seldom see. I'll speak of it anon. Good day Homer Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data ALS Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Homer Curtiss, 19th C.V.I., October 7, 1863 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1863-10-07 Subject The topic of the resource United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865 United States. Army. Connecticut Infantry Regiment, 19th (1862-1863) Soldiers--Books and reading United States--Foreign relations--Great Britain United States--Foreign relations--Russia Description An account of the resource Homer Curtiss writes to his family with a list of books he is sending home, beginning artillery training, and a discussion of current events and European governments' attitudes to the war. https://omeka.conncoll.edu/files/original/4757ad173313381e35bd6f77ddc16718.pdf 8962b9bc8f65ea34e193e3123236e33a Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Fort Worth April 3rd 1863 Dear Our Folk I can write as well as not to day and as there is no one in the world that I like to write to except you away I go Capt. Sperry double quick. I write partly because I must as the poetaster versed and partly because I have some pictures for your album. I am going to give you a succinct biography of each of these art productions so far as I know. The ambrotype is a very good (for the country) likeness of our friend Frank Hamer. I wonder those artists will use so much brass on their types, but brass aside the picture is a pretty good one. I think it possible you may remember him from this picture. I think he had that same red check shirt of [unclear] Dutton memory but the whiskers are brown now and a ver great improvement I think. The graph was taken by Bowdoin + Lapler, 204 King St. Alex. Va. Apr. 4th 1863. The carte was picked up down near Alex. and is some Fulton brother I think. You may keep it rather as a relic of the campaign of the 19th in Alex. than as a friendly face. [page 2] I got so engrossed with the Atlantic that I could not write any more yesterday (This is Monday morn) What a capital No. the April is. I have read it nearly all, which is more than I could do by the March issue which was a mite dull. "A spasm of Sense" is bully though I think Gail wrote it. "A Failure of the North" is just what it should be, it expresses my sentiments fully and in a great deal better language than I could have used. I think the "Atlantic" sustains itself splendidly in these dark days. How I do wish the papers would copy its style. They would be more read- able. You ought to see the trash that is bought to read here in camp. I have never bought any literature more than "Martin Chuzzlewit" but that is incomparably better than 99/100ths of what is brought in. Bold highwaymen and blood + thunder are the rage. I asked one of the book boys who frequent camp why he did not bring along some thing better. Dickens, Lever or Thackery? He was a fair kind of a boy, quite decent and has been long in the business. "Why" said he "I will tell you sir. the standard literary novels like Dickens and the rest you spoke of cost more, and do not sell nearly as well as these. Rum they are better, but these blood + thunder stories are all the rage in camp. I must sell those that sell best." [page 3] I have no taste for such books, but some of the boys in the tent have read the Ledger till they really suppose S. Cobb Jr. +C are all the writers this age furnishes. Such boys as Alf G. + Gustave B. read them incessantly and I am sorry to say that Arlo + Irwin run in that way only they go in for Ballou + other Boston lights instead of the poorfellows, not quite so bad I allow. Monday eve - I have been on duty to day for the first in nearly two weeks, as it has been uniformly unpleasant for most of that period, I have lost but little, but only drill. I found it very difficult to remember my right hand from my left, as I was acting right quide a 1st sergeant it seemed rather awkward not to know my hands apart. We have jolly drills these days as Lt. Berry is home on a furlough with the boys. Lt. Marsh in the hospital and Capt. never drils us if he can help it, so we sergeants have all the drilling to do, we learn ourselves a little and rather damage the Co. I think. However the boys bear our mistakes very well, and it is some help to us. I suppose there is a great fuss up in old Conn today. I hear Tom Seymour will run in but hope not and that is all I can do about it. I hope the Lord will deliver us from Copperheads. [page 4] You know I was an ardent supporter of McClellan before I came from home, and more so after I saw him, but I am fully cured today. I have just finished the report of the "Com. on the conduct of the War" and I am now thoroughly cured of my love for the living Napoleon! I have had spasms of disgust before, but now I am cured. The same report vindicates Burnside so effectively that I love him more than ever, though I never distrusted him yet, and our dear of father Abraham, he is but very little lower than the angels. He has proved himself to be an [unclear] truly in show is no guile. I was so taken with Gen Burnside, so fascinated with him that I went right out of my qrs and bought the best picture of him that I ever saw. I send it to you hoping to meet it again. Keep Gen B's carte for the love I have borne him and give Ambrose the best place you can afford him I hope yet to be able to fight under Ambrose if so I will do my utmost commend to me Gen Burnside, God bless him! Yours very truly Homer Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data ALS Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Homer Curtiss, 19th C.V.I., April 3, 1863 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1863-04-03 Subject The topic of the resource United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865 Soldiers--Books and reading Copperhead movement United States. Army. Connecticut Infantry Regiment, 19th (1862-1863) https://omeka.conncoll.edu/files/original/8fa4f809a82e1e49c18a4a463dfd2d6e.pdf 050d5d4b80ef51c24d69113e43371cf7 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Fort Ellsworth Va, March 30th 1864 Dear Friends at Home, Long before you get this you will have seen Homer Sackett, and will probably have received the first installment of my diary. I do not know whether you had best read it yet or not, it is rather too recent now. However I do not mind, so you keep it quite to yourselves and don't get biassed against my body by it. Don't allow it to influence you at all. When did Homer get along? Did Aust come home with him, and how do you enjoy him, or them? He is a gay one. We are in the midst of a terrific storm, one of the worst I have met in Va. A cold rain and sleet falling in a heavy wind from the nor'west making a grand combination as the theatre bill put it that surpass most of the Storm King's late efforts in this Dept. It don't affect me much as I am under a roof, but the poor fellows out on guard or picket, have it rough. I guess we will get off to the front, either this week or next as we have been expecting marching orders for some days. Lt. Gen. Grant seems to be cleaning out the lazy Artillery from the Dept. of Washington. [page 2] The 15th N.Y. next Sunday. The 2d and 4th N.Y. Saturday and Monday the 1t C.A. is under marching orders today, and the 10th N.Y. also seems to be. Likely we will get orders tonight or tomorrow, and the away we go. When Homer Sackett went up last Monday, I was pretty sure there would be some furloughs granted to us that we might go home to vote and I think now we were pretty sure of them at that time, but the morning after he left, an order came down to Headqrs countermanding the order under which the furloughs were to be granted, so that cake is all dough and I shall not get home this year. I am a little sorry but not very much disappointed, as I never got to think seriously that I should get home, though I really hoped to. I am not doing much Co. duty now, as I was detailed by Maj. Rice to assist Col. Smith in making out some Ord. Returns and Inventories, and as they rather drag for a day or two, I am now writing for Mr. G.S. Williams in his new book "A Manual of the Constitution." Have written 6 or 10 pages of close MS for the press. Have also assisted Q.M. Sergt. Erwin in his Clothing Account and have lots of odd bits of writing to do besides. Altogether I am pretty busy, though the boys all delight in calling me "Officer's Pimp" "Play-off" and such endearing titles, but as they say it only in jest, and all treat me well I don't mind them, and have a good time besides. [page 3] There is a great deal of moving to and fro and shipping of books, and I have no doubt the Spring Campaign will open soon, and I must hope to better purpose than the last two or three. Gen. Grant goes out by here, and out west, and all around town telling no one when or where he goes. He has been out to Culpepper two or three times within a few days, and seems to be flyin' roun' at a great rate. Burnside is at Annapolis filling up his old "Ninth Corps," and it is rumored that he will cooperate with Gen Meade and Gen Foster in the reduction of Richmond. Already we feel the change at the head, and can almost see victory ahead of the oft defeated Army of the Potomac. Gen. Grant is not worshipped as Genl. McClellan was when we came out, but there is more confidence, not so much love, but more respect. I guess "U.S." will bring us around all right, and then "Hurrah for Home!" I've got a little library here that I would give several shinnies if it could be got to you before we leave. There is my "Friedrich der Grosse," "Army of the Cumberland," "Roundabout Papers," "Newcomes," "Reveries of a Bachelor," "Decameron" and "Art of Extempore Speaking" all which I dislike leaving with the Alexandrians to manure their soil withal. Mayhap I will get an opportunity to send up part at least. Where is Aunt Phebe? I have not heard a word of her this year. Give her my love and my best regards to Uncle Clark Smith. [page 4 blank] [page 5] How are you all, Lincoln men or Fremonters? I am Lincoln all over, believing him to be worthy of another trial when I hope he may have a bit of sunshine. However I abide the decision of the Baltimore Convention, like a good citizen of the Republic. You may hear even at this date some rumors of the love of the army for Little Mac. I hear citizens speak in that way. So far as I know it is all [unclear]. I don't know a man that supports him, in our brigade. How are things with you, livables I mean, wearables and eatables pretty high? We have got up well toward Richmond prices down here, but we shall live it out I reckon. However it goes rather rough with eggs at 80¢ per doz. Butter 30¢ per lb. Beef 20¢ per lb. Queer aint it? Wednesday Eve. I have just finished Cap's "Chap 1 Vol. 1" of his new book. As I am tired and have nothing in particular to say, I will bring my coarse print letter to a close pretty soon. Yesterday I saw a man who owns a claim in Vineland and he knew Mr. R.C. Smith and spoke of him but no word spoke of the "Miss Henrietta" knew no such. Neither do you or any one else, it is a phantom delusion, only believed by a few old women of both sexes. Lt. Berry spoke of it last night, spoke of it as a reality but of long, long ago. Oh! I've right fast enough. Write soon, give out my regard to the few profusely and visit Sackitt. Yours, Tub. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data ALS Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Homer Curtiss, 2nd C.H.A., March 30, 1864 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1864-03-30 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 6-86 Subject The topic of the resource United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865 United States. Army. Connecticut Artillery Regiment, 2nd (1863-1865) Soldiers--Books and reading United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Public opinion Operations rations (Military supplies) Description An account of the resource Homer Curtiss writes to his mother and sisters about life in camp, what he is reading, opinions about the Republican nomination and Union generals, and food prices. https://omeka.conncoll.edu/files/original/4b5c1fe3b2203d7cc90156ccd4d88996.pdf 55b4d2064894ed8245f4cbd75ee75206 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Ashby Lodge Fort Ellsworth Va Friday Eve June 10th 1864 Dear Ma + Lucy Though I wrote a letter home this evening I feel called upon to write again as I have since I've received 3 letters from the home firm - 2 from Warren, 1 from N. Cast. bearing various dates from May 16th to May 29th. They had all followed the Regt. down the river to White House and returned to Wn before they came to No 229. Some friend, as is a friend sent them back to me and has my best wishes therefor Carrington got orders for us to join the Regt. too this p.m. so now away we go P.p. I hope to write next from White House at the Field. Communication is now open with the army and I suppose letters will get through both ways in time. As I wrote my farewell a week since and sent up to you and have since written the history of the Regt since it left here, I will in this confine myself to the answering of your letters which did me more good than you could think. it had been so long since I had heard from you. You asked if our boys liked to blow go and then go on blowing about the great prowess of the 2nd. The boys as a whole were glad to go though of course there were pusillanimous exceptions that I must name [page 2] They told me that they chafed a good deal when they were marching along with the old 2 years men to hear them say "There go the 'heavys' in white gloves from Wn, they can put on style but can't march or fight." But the 2nd made itself famous in one day, it kept up in the Flying Division marching and showed itself worthy of belonging to the "Fighting 6th" in the battle of Coal Harbor. Said one of the 2nd Corps boys to me in answer to a query if the Art. could fight "Yes they fight well, but not so well as they might they have not yet learned to be afraid of balls." If you think I am prejudiced in favor of the 2nd Art. look in the N.Y. Times for slain 6th and see the description of their charge and in the Phil. Inq. of a day or two later where it tells of the 2nd stealing a flag off the parapet in the Reb works. Oh I guess the 2nd will do as well in the field as it has done in the bandbox way. You never saw boys in better spirits than they when they left and when they came back wounded. I hope you will see Corp. Burton, when he gets up home. For it would do you good to see how cheerful he is. Queer coincidence is it now that I get as much per diem as you do per week and you can save as much per diem as I do per week. Glad you got the album and the memorials hope you will get the box. Oh yes I see Russell daily almost. He was left behind you know not reaching the city until the Regt had gone and is now one of the nurses in the Same Hosp. Sergt. Noble is there too. Why are you so anxious to hear the boys opinion of Mary? I don't know as they had any such thought she wished to see me. Conceit. [page 3] I should suppose Austin, Homer + Miner had overtaken Grant if exciting news would not be had otherwise. For the Coal Harbor news is quite exciting here. So Fannie has gone out into the world. Poor dear girl she must be lonesome over among the shepherds of N.C. I will write to her direct. You indirectly give my bundles of old letters a heavy punch, but it will make no difference For I wish to keep them and don't wish them left here either. Oh now, you go away. I did not take credit upon myself purposely in the album affair - it was all Austin even tho modesty. Strange we should have thought of the same words. I told him he ought to have a conservator over him, but what he gives Fannie I suppose is like putting from one pocket into the other, it will be as much his as ever. I hardly looked for him to move to Aunt Sarah's so soon though. Queer world aint it. You and I will be bachelors together, and go over to Austin's for a nice dish of strawberries occasionally. Do you write to Austin for the poor boy did seem lonely enough when I went up to "D." Tell Cousin Miranda I will take one shirt and one cake of sugar to Miner. I and my friends have survived eating the other cake, and the other shirt is in my box. You will see by my ambrotypes how the young man looks in his fixies. Yes, I'll come into the kitchen some morning, and startle you washing up the dishes. Poor Cap. Wodhams will not need his sword again. Good day. Tub. [page 4] This is very military style would be perfect if tied with red tape and ruled with red ink Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data ALS Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Homer Curtiss, 2nd C.H.A., June 10, 1864 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1864-06-10 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 6-97 Subject The topic of the resource United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865 United States. Army. Connecticut Artillery Regiment, 2nd (1863-1865) Cold Harbor, Battle of (Virginia : 1864) Description An account of the resource Homer writes to his mother and his sister Lucy about rejoining his regiment and their performance in the Battle of Cold Harbor. https://omeka.conncoll.edu/files/original/2ef8998243c0c28c6f5be953a508ca09.pdf 953d67a77ae7ffaefd813668efd7bb0e Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document On board Steamer "John A Warner" 40 miles up James River June 16th 1864 Dear Friends This is something new, life on the water. I have been afloat more than 24 hours, having left Alex per steamer "Tillie" yesterday. Had a lovely sail all day, and all night too, I presume, though after 11 o'c it was nothing to me. I might as well have been abed in dear, slow, old Warren as in the cabin of the Tillie, for all the effect the sail had on me. We got to Fortress Monroe at 11 o'c this a.m. just in time to connect with the present boat bound to Bermuda Hundred, the near base of supplies for the army. And so here we go up the river this murky, sultry, hazy day, to meet our old friends of the 2d Conn. H. Artillery. May I meet the dear boys soon and merge myself quietly into the 2nd very soon. Then and not until then will "Richard be himself again". I heard from some of sick that came up to Alex. yesterday morning that the 2d has a new Col. a U.S. Capt. or as we all call them "regulars" Maj. Hubbard is Lt. Col. and Capt. Skinner Maj. Good. [page 2] Camp in the Pines Withing 22 mile of Richmond, near Fort Darling ^Petersburg Friday June 17 1864 We ran up the James until 5 o'c when we were stopped by a pontoon bridge across the river, which effectually debarred our farther progress, and was passing over the army trains as rapidly as possible. I was just a little impatient at the halt, but as I could not seem to help it, I bore all complacently, and went and lounged in the ladies saloon. As I lounged and read a very ancient Herald I heard the Capt. say that he had heard that the 6th Corps had crossed the bridge this p.m. and that the whole army was en route and all had already or would soon cross the bridge. This was worth while, for if the army crossed here I might as well join it here as go up to Bermuda Hundred better for my pass said toe the Army of the Potomac so when a little later my boat put her tows ashore I jumped off and leaving the portage made diligent inquiries for the 6th Corps. To my great joy I learned that it had not crossed yet but was lying close by some said 1 some 3 miles away. I trudged up a half mile perhaps inquiring first for the 1st Division then for the 2d Brigade and almost before I found [page 3] the Division distinctly, I heard amid the confusion ^and due of a moving Corps Cap. now Maj. Skinner's familiar "H-halt H-front. H-right. H-dress" and saw fat Cap. Burnham. So I was soon among the boys, shaking hands, asking all manner of questions and being asked as many. Thus the securing impediment in the river proved to be the very thing to facilitate my finding the Regt. If there is a moral to my story you can deduce it. I'm in a hurry I spent the evening with the boys talking and visiting rapidly. Capt. Hosford gave me a letter from Lucy and one from Fannie at HQ P.O. and I read part of Fannie's by the firelight. Austin and I talked by the moon and firelight until 12 o'c when the bugle sounded the assembly and we all fell in and by short stages marched down to the river a distance of 10 rods perhaps where we loaded on 2 boats 6 Cos on each and by the strange weird moonlight we steamed up the river. I dozed and do not rightly know how far we sailed but I think we lay to part of the night any way we were up pretty well up the James in the morning and our boat went up the Appomattox to Point of Rocks where we dis embarked a little after sunrise, went up on the bank and breakfasted in the sand, hot enough to roast effs on was the sand. A strange kind of breakfast and life to me. [page 4] After breakfast we marched a mile and rejoined the other wing of the Regt. and made a bit of a halt, and along after noon we marched over here into the woods. We staid till 1 o'c this ^ Sat June 18 morning in our tents, when we were called out and made a little ineffectual march but came back to breakfast here and have since remained here ^in camp much to the boys satisfaction who are well tired but going on to days rest. All has changed. The bright muskets + brass, clean coats and pants, black boots and white gloves are all gone now behold the dirtiest of clothes, rustiest of musket and [unclear] burnt [unclear] supply the place, but the boys are in good spirits and health generally and I am very glad to be with them. We are gathered a mile and a half of the reb works but are not exposed particularly. We have a regular Capt. for Col. Capt. Mackenzie and Hubbard is Lt. Col. + Skinner Maj. as I heard in Alex but did not believe. We wear the red cross instead of bright crossed cannon the badge of our Corps + Div. Sackett is in hospital sick, he was not wounded at Coal Harbor but had one of the narrowest of escapes, a ball grazing his throat and nexk enough to make a contusion but no abrasion. Austin as I said before was sick and not in the charge, he is a bit incapacitated but not sick We are in the midst of celebrities. Gen Gilmore's Hdqrs are close by on the river. Gen. Butler's down by Point of Rocks Gen. Grant was at Bermuda Hundred yesterday but better than all these are the 7th C.I. is close by and I have been enjoying a pleasant chat with Alf Hatch [unclear] was with him! He is a Sergt without aspirations and a bully boy. They are pounding away at Petersburg, a little sulfur there and cannonade is the order of the day. With much love I remain ever yours, Homer. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data ALS Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Homer Curtiss, 2nd C.H.A., June 16, 1864 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1864-06-16 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 6-98 Subject The topic of the resource United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865 United States. Army. Connecticut Artillery Regiment, 2nd (1863-1865) Cold Harbor, Battle of, Va., 1864 Description An account of the resource Homer Curtiss writes to his family about rejoining his regiment after the Battle of Cold Harbor. https://omeka.conncoll.edu/files/original/f18d4b75c53006249579f160c74ccb19.pdf 46de55e4d8c5144698b2ae251a600fc7 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Trenches near Petersburg, Va. Sunday June 19th, 1864 Dear Ma + Lucy- Our Div. made a grand advance on Richmond with its heels toward it this morning. We marched from our camp up near Bermuda Hundred, which was within 12 miles of the Rebel Capitol down here to within a couple of miles of Petersburg on the East side which is 20 miles from Richmond. Shelling and sharp shooting is prevalent all about us now and we shall probably have an engagement before long. Be that as it may we are lying quite still now and as your letter of the 13th + 14th just came in I take this opportunity of answering it very briefly having very limited facilities for writing just now. I left Alex. on Wed. last and by almost a Providential dispensation reached the Regt. the next day at Charles City on the James river in its transit from Coal Harbor to this near base or rather field of operations the base is still at Bermuda. I forced the boys looking well and hearty though dirty and rusty as regulars all of which I told you of in a dirty patchy letter that I mailed yesterday. Of course there is no more to tell. We are pegging away at the defences with just reasonable success. [page 2] I saw John last night after I had retired. He came in from the trains for the 2nd time since he left Alex. He was very very glad to see me almost cried as he shook my hand. He heard so much screaming with his trains that he quite abandoned his practice some time since and he seemed softer kinder and better than ever to me and you know he has always been the kindest. I got up and chatted with him an hour and a half by the misty moonlight there in our rural camp in the grove of pines. Then he walked away into the dim and I know by his “good night” that I had no truer of some more refined friends. I had a good visit though semi sad, with Alf Hatch yesterday- sad when we spoke of Little(?) pleasant when we talked of home and house friends. I seem to get initiated pretty fast and already feel quite a soldier probably on account of the dirt I have accumulated on my person and clothes. I have not yet been under fire but the balls have buzzed about my head pretty close but not so near as they did about Sackett whos throat was grazed by one of those blunt pills so much used for the sanitary condition of the army. Poor Sackett is in Hosp’l now and I have not seen him yet but I hope he will be out soon. [page 3] Naturally I hear no preaching now but our chaplain is fully there in the field. He takes all sorts of pains to add to our mail facilities and is always on hand. I hope to come up and see Mr. Bassett and hear him preach, but I hope not in quite the plight Lucy dreamed of seeing me in. My blouse is short enough but no jacket thank you at least no trimmed one on the contrary I run to quite long shirts in the meetin’ costume. I hope and trust I may be spared to come home to you but am with the rest exposed to death daily perhaps not much more here than at home but still some exposed and I mean to try and be ready for life or death. I believe that here where a man carries his life in his hand as it were he thinks more of its being taken from him and really tries to make the sacrafice beyond the clay part of him as small as possible. There are some good boys here and they show it out more here than up in garrison life. God seems nearer and of more value as it were more necessary here. I thought at first it was cowardice or fear like one feels sometimes in a terrible storm, but I hope it is more than that. Marching along in the dust we say nothing to each other each is busy with [page 4] Please send a few stamps his own thoughts and his neighbor seems like a sphynx – animate but mute. I have spoken to some one that I was marching beside just to see if he and I could talk. Well when going on this in silence the wind seems naturally to turn to the friend who is ever near and does not require the use of the tongue and lip in conversation and I have had many pleasant hours of this kind of converse very pleasant in this strange out of the way land. You don’t suspect how like showers on dry and thirsty land your letters are. I always thank you for every word. Make them as long + frequent as possible for here we have nothing else to remind us of the outside world as papers are scarce and nothing but the daily dirty duty to do. I will write as frequently as I can but you will have to excuse dirt and pencil and style considering the circumstances under which they are produced – lying living continually in the dust and mud you will consider all this and believe me if less stylish, filthy as real and true as ever. Be good bodies keep up your pluck and remember me for good or bad as son + bro- Homer Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Homer Curtiss, 2nd C.H.A., June 19, 1864 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1864-06-19 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 6-99 Subject The topic of the resource United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865 United States. Army. Connecticut Artillery Regiment, 2nd (1863-1865) Soldiers--United States--Death Cold Harbor, Battle of, Va., 1864 Description An account of the resource Homer Curtis writes to his mother and sister of returning to his regiment after the Battle of Cold Harbor, hardships, being under fire, and the awareness of death that the soldiers carry. https://omeka.conncoll.edu/files/original/6edc93a1173bf879f96ccd9bcb84a94e.pdf f2b9780aacce52400c8d53106c24a465 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document No. 14 Con. Hdqrs. Co. "H" 2d Conn. H. Artillery 2d Brigade 1t Division 6h Army Corps "Camp Russell", Army of the Shenandoah Friday, November 23rd AD. 1864 eve'g. Dr. Friends at Home It has been a lovely day clear, warm Indian Summery, a pleasing change after Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, which were rigorous. We are in camp here where I first joined the boys a half mile from Corps Hdqrs, a mile from Dept. Hdqrs and 1 1/2 miles from Kernestown which is 3 miles from Winchester, Va. The boys have put up comfortable quarters, generally, though not what would naturally be called "rustic qrs" as few have stockades, but most have good fireplaces and chimnees and though wood is not convenient, they manage to pick up enough to keep from suffering with cold. We go a mile for wood and 1/2 mile for water, but both are good when reached, so if it keeps us busy to supply fire and food we are healthy and enjoy the life very well indeed though there is the usual amount of grumbling. [page 2] Nothing out of the usual line to day. An early rise, breakfast of dyspeptic griddle(or spider) cakes and Gov't. beef, guard mount at 9 o'c. Co drill from 9.30' to 11 o'c. I drilling Co "H" + "K" consolidated going through 1st Vol. Casey and McClellan's Bayonet Exercise mostly, diffuse if not very profitable. An excellent dinner of chicken pot pie. Thanksgiving remnant Battn drill from 1.30' to 3.30' p.m. the 2d being divided into 6 Cos with 3 line officers out, 2 of which rank me, so I get 3d Co (Color Co.) and am chief of Div'n for First line, but I manage to get along without any bad errors all through the drill, which like mine of the morning, is quite diffuse, going over Vol. 1, 2, + 3 of Casey's Tactics regardless of morder or arrangement. A brigade dress parade up near Gen. Wright's Hdgrs at 4.30 closes the active exercises of the day, a light supper of remains of dinner, this letter writing and the 8.30 roll call being inconsiderable efforts. For Aunt Mary Wedge's benefit I would say that Frank Wedge is a Sergt. in Co. K an honest, respectable quiet and I have no doubt a "pious" young man. He acted as right guidepost of the line this morning's drill. He is quite deaf but otherwise an excellent soldier. [page 3] Did you hear of our review the 21st inst? I did, and what is more to the point, saw it + participated in it, to the extent of my humble ability. It had been cloudy all day the morn'g and it began to rain as we fell in at 12 n, so we had a muddy little march up the pike to Gen. Sheridan's Hdqrs, nearly where we formed in column by regtl division, our brigade the 2d of the 1st Divn bringing us well to the right of the line. Our regt is the 1st or right of the 2d brigade. We formed the Corps line promptly, and myst have waited nearly an hour bin the cold dip, after forming for 2 o'c (the reviewing hour) to arrive. Gen. Sheridan in full dress and with a large staff and train rode up punctual to the minute, and the review commenced. He rode a splendid black horse, and rode him excellently well. Rode in front of each Brigde Comdr and saluted them down the brigade line. So on through the 3 Divisions of the infantry part of the Corps, these then the batteries of of artillery, posted in rear of the infantry line. It was a little differently conducted review, from what I had ever seen, for Gen. Phil dont go mto Washington for his Method of Review, but has Gen. Torbert get up one to suit the circumstances and the "Army of the Shenandoah." [page 4] After he (the Gen.) had done his part, the battn of the hin changed direction by the left flank, by head of column took wheeling distance, and so marched in series, and home in the rain I read Gen. Sheridan is a little man physically, but a whale militarily. All the boys nearly worship him, and dont growl at his reviews at all. I should have known him readily from his pictures I had seen in the papers. A queer plain face, round kind of head with striaght hair and full beard and mustache. There is a very good picture of him in the "annals of the Army of the Cumberland". There is a curious look on his face, half comical, half sad, all bright and sharp, different from anything I ever saw in any other dace. A man told me the Gen. almost cried when he rode up to the Fight of Oct. 19th another told me he almost laughed. I think likely from what I saw of his face that probably it did not look very differently from what it usually does, the difference being in the 2 mens eyes more than any thing else. Altogether he is not a common looking man. Of his achieve you know as much as I. They speak for dimensions [page 5] I am not certain that you will get a very vivid idea of the Army of the Shenandoah from my rough and imperfect sketch, but it may assist you just a little. You will notive that the 6th Corps has the post of honor (right wing) and half of the danger + work (at least) To hear the 6th Corps boys talk one would reasonably suppose njo other corps could fight at all. They say the 8th + 9th broke + ran at Winchester as well as at Cedar Creek and nothing "but our brigade of the 6th stood to a man" and saved the day. The 2d C.A. can brag more, [unclear] more and fight harder than any other military organization in the Vol. Army if the boys words are to be credited at all. Our brigade (famous Upton's) is a small squad now. Does not turn out more than 1000 rifles at the most and usually not upon an inspection or mparade. There are besides the 2d C.A. which is the right battn, the 95th P.I. 121st + 65th N.Y.I, all good regts. and true. Col. Hubbard our regl Cmdr is more beloved by the boys than ever Col. Kellogg was, which is saying much. Of. Col. McKenzie I need say nothing except that [page 6] he is about as popular a brigade cmdr as he has been regtl Cmdr. Others can detail his saying and doings better than I as he was one of [unclear] Gen. Wheaton Div. Cmdr is a gentleman and very fastidious in style + dress, appearing in the finest and brightest attire. Gen. Wright comes out in his very plainest dress possible, enlisted man over coat, cavalry boots and slouch hat, but both Gens ride very finest horses - Gen. Wright's a black, Gen. Wheaton's a chestnut, both beauties, but not grand like Gen. Sheridan's black that took him from Winchester to Cedar Creek that 19th of Oct. and took him all through the afternoon battle. Gen. Upton is said to be at Brigde Hdqrs. He is brevet Maj. Gen. I hear, and goes to Sherman's Army from here. Sorry to lose him, glad to have him rise. Reverse for "3 fingered slack". There! I have gossiped enough of my betters but I have also reached the bottom of the last page, so I cannot change the subject not having room to turn around. With much love therefore I bid you all a very good day. Homer S. Curtis Lieut. 2nd C.V.A. Comdg Co "H" Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Homer Curtiss, 2nd C.H.A., November 24, 1864 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1864.11.24 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 6-123a Subject The topic of the resource United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865 United States. Army. Connecticut Artillery Regiment, 2nd (1863-1865) United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Military life Sheridan, Philip Henry, 1831-1888 Wheaton, Frank, 1833-1903 Wright, Horatio Gouverneur, 1820-1899 Upton, Emory, 1839-1881 Description An account of the resource Homer Curtis writes to his family about his daily routine and a recent review by General Sheridan. He also gives extended assessments of the generals of the 6th Army Corps. https://omeka.conncoll.edu/files/original/98112f88ee1e612a7531a95be64e14fe.pdf d0d9dde600bb46e55096d6e3d1f23c1d Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Batt'ry 25 below Petersburg Va. Sat. eve'g Decr. 10th 1864 My Dr Sister, You may have noticed before this that a soldiers is not a very certain life, and that one following it is not altogether sure where his head may be laid to morrow night, even if he has some faint idea of to night's resting place. If you have received all my letters you are already aware that our base is changed to a considerable extent, and that the 1st Div. 6th A.C. is at present regularly installed in the Army of the Potomac, the 3rd Div. is with us but the 2d is not, and we have strange stories of its delay in the Valley, and subsequent misfortune and disaster, all of which I hope as most army stories, I know, are rather remarkable lies, and so I leave it with Gen. Wright Our 2 Divs are acting with the 2d Corps under the command of Maj. Gen. Humphreys, and that is all I know, and considerably more than I know certainly. Now I go on to "narrate" as I. Phenix does. [page 2] I wrote last no. 16 last Tuesday, the day after we came to this camp, our mpretty, picturesque winter quarters. We enjoyed every minute of our stay here, until Friday p.m. 3 o'c when the "pack up" blew and we fell in in the cold sour air of a winter evening to make a march, no know knew where, but all supposed down to the left somewhere. We started at 4 o.c, forming brigade line at sunset, down by Gen. Meade's Hdqtrs, and then off to the left we marched, just as a sleety hail began to drive through the shrill, bitter air of evening Down along the lines we marched, and out at an abbattised and forted and heavily armed door, into the thickets and forests of "Wilderness Dr." and after an hour or two of slow, tedious marching and after the hail had turned to rain and other beauties and felicities were apparent, tolerably, we came to a halt in a creek, but subsequently moved out of it, fomed line and went into camp for the night. Charlie, Austin and I put up a tent and a love of a fire, and after a good supper and dry, we retired to rest + sleep [page 3] Our supper and sleep were well seasoned with danger and fatigue so you will not be surprised to hear that they were particularly deep and probably breakfast might have been so, but it had no test, as we were called up nthis morning at dawn, to find 2 or 3 inches of snow, hail and ice accumulated on the ground, and a lot of wet icy tents to dry and "pack up". We got a nice bit of icy march through a tangled thicket and went into line of battle in the worst place I ever was in, a thicketty swamp, of a winter day. After the line was formed and vedettes posted we stacked arms, built a heavy timer breastwork and then some fires,a nd rested and dried and warmed and got breakfast-dinner at noon. And there we waited and watched for Johnnies until 3 p.m. hearing more rumors of the movement than I could write in a week. Some had it that Warren with his Corps, the 5th, had gone to Wilmington and we had gone out to distract Lee's attention from him. Others that he had gone to pull up the South Side R.R. and that we [page 4] were out to support his flank and assist him to retreat. There may be a kernel of truth in all the lies aggregated, but I am quite sure there is a deal more of chaff. Warren has moved, and that is all that is certain. We started but hardly had a movement At 3 o.c. p.m. we fell in and by a circuitous tortuous, muddy, sposhy march returned to this camp, reaching it sometime after dark, tired cold, hungry, only to find all the tenst occupied by strangers! But after a long rest in the damp chill of the night air, we ousted them and occupied their late and our recent quarters, much to their regret and our joy. As soon as we were comfortably housed + warmed a huge mail arrived, bringing me 8 Pub Docs your Nos 9, 10 + 11 and letters from Fannie in North East R.C. and wife and Seymour Storey. 9 + 10 contained each a "V" making 6 of that style. $30.00. All right. We have just recd whiskey rations and marching orders, so probably this is all for tonight. We start at all hours. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data ALS Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Homer Curtiss, 2nd C.H.A., December 10, 1864 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1864-10-12 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 6-127 Subject The topic of the resource United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865 United States. Army. Connecticut Artillery Regiment, 2nd (1863-1865) Description An account of the resource Homer Curtiss relates to his sister a mysterious overnight march through the snow and the possible reasons for it.