45 10 1130 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. https://omeka.conncoll.edu/files/original/a4fda7d79044c4b786dc3b303e5407f4.pdf 88d78450f99d4ae93534013890c13c50 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 [page 1] Thus I understand that we agree on the matter of the "Atlantic." Agreeable to that understanding I sent you the Jan. No. this morning (Sunday Jan 3d 1864) I wish you to tell me if it arrives safely and most particularly if there was postage currency enough affixed I read the new postage law and it seemed explicit enough - 2¢ for ever 4 oz of transient matter, but it may not be understood that way by all P.M.s. You may laugh at the wrapper on that magazine if you wish in explanation I would say, I did it up in the dusk of early morning and mistook the wrapper amazingly. Red "My Book" and the Crowfield paper, as they are really [unclear]. Which is Gail's last piece? I like the Atlantic as well as ever, but it is not very popular in camp. Lts Sangfor + Rice read all my books and I theirs, and on many points we agree but not on the Atlantic. Lt. Berry is no great reader. He only reads his Bible, Tactics, Bayonet exercise and Miss Alice's letters. Perhaps that is enough though. [page 2] Glad you've seen Gad, and I know you liked him by the way you spoke of him. You can imagine how Im dressed now, at least if not just how I look. I'm not much acquainted with Gad, but what I know of him is pleasant. He always seemed to be a fine fellow and deserves what he will readily get when he returns, a commission. How came you to think of him as an elderly man, pray? Of course he's beardless, but none the less mature on that account, for he is what you might call a trifle fast. You will not see Dan perhaps, as he is in the office in N. Haven but if by chance you should see him I am sure you would not be so egregiously mistaken in his appearance as you was in Sergt. Smith's. And you've got an Artillery Capt. in your midst too that is well. A greater display of straps and stripes might perhaps dazzle some of the unthinking Warreners to enlist, but Wilkin Smith and all the rest will avail nothing I presume, as the Jrs are bound not to come. [page 3] Don't [unclear] bright! those red stripes and chevrons do show off better, don't they? not that I sneeze at blue but I admire the scarlet. Commend Arthur to me always. Ha ha ha that finishing sentence was a stinger. I don't wonder you was entirely exhausted. Don't do so often, it might strike in you know. [unclear] Austin is better as he has been fixing on hope mof a furlough these two weeks. He will not get in less than a month yet, but hope is better than despair. He will get up to leave, sometime before spring I think but not in time to attend Flora's funeral. We are having fine times with our new men. John's cousin Ed is in our Co. along with 12 others, a pretty good lot all around. One of Romey Loveridge's brothers came down and was sent to Co. I, but afterward by special importuning he got transferred to H. I have one special pet in the lot of course. There are 2 little drummer boys among our 13, only 13 years old, and one of these Clarence Smith is my boy. He is a neat little fellow, fair and pleasant and a cousin of Frank Basemen's. Nice little chappy [page 4] Our Company is now larger than it ever was before in Va. as we have 90 enlisted men, a Capt. 1 1st + 2 2nd Lieuts. Of course all is not pleasant and we are sadly crowded in our tents now, but we mnust expect some slight inconveniences in times of war. Even we of the 2nd H.A. must expect that. Jan. 3rd 1864 - I'm on with Homer Sackett doing guard duty for Uncle S. here in Fort Ellesworth. Sackett is not very well for a day or two, looks pale and tired and is not really fit for duty, but he stands it out like a man as he is, no shrinking there, no shrinking from duty. Austin is up with Charlie taking my place in the 1st sergts, but this eve and night, and the countersign is "Bangor," which is considerably colder than Warren, I presume. There is a snow storm brewing to night. What is going to happen? We have had one of the loveliest Sundays possible and no inspection, except of the recruits. they came out in very good style and had only a short drill of it. But about that no inspection, is it the world or the war on Col. kellopgg that is going to come to an abrupt finis? I don't know I'm sure which, but that no inspection portends a something. However all will come about in shape and if it is north [unclear] I'll tell you what is. There. Yours of the 21st is Handsomely answered. Gub 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., January 3, 1864 Subject The topic of the resource United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865 United States. Army. Connecticut Artillery Regiment, 2nd (1863-1865) Military camps--Virginia Soldiers--Books and reading Description An account of the resource Homer Curtiss writes to his family about his reading habits and those of the other soldiers, officers, new recruits, encouraging others home in Warren, Conn. to enlist, and the young drummer boys in camp. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1864-01-03 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/6d0d678f26ff33b77290c2a2dd34599f.pdf 55bb641c103806d97e8886050fccb0b1 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 Hd Qs 3d Brigade Hardins Division Fort Baker June 16th 1865 Dear Lucy Yours of the 13th inst is just received, here in a new and strange land, and I hasten to acknowledge it, in a few lines of explanation of this our last move, with remarks on its probable effect for our immediate discharge from the service of the U. States. The first we heard of the change of our Regt. from Suf. to Actg. service, was yesterday morning, when an order was received from Brig. Hodges, which was as follows - in effect at least - if not in words. The following named Regts will repost without delay to Maj. Genl W.S. Hancock Comd'g Middle Military Division, for garrison dut, x x x x x 2d Conn. Vol. Heavy Artillery Co. H reported promptly, and at daylight this morning, we left our camp on Halls Hill near Balls Cross-roads, bade the dear old 2d Brigade 1st Division + 6th Corps and marched down past Fort Corcoran over the Acquaduct bridge through Georgetown and Penn. Av. over Navy Yard bridge up here say a couple of miles from the E. Branch over which the N. Yard bridge is thrown to Fort Baker where are the Hodges of the 3d Brigade Hardins Divn. Col. H. relieved M of Worcester of the 3d Mass. Arty and his regt the 3d. Arrangements were soon made by which Col. H. became Brigdr Comdr. Mr. Vaill AAAG. Huxley AAGW. Curtis A Prol. Office and we were counting on a glorious finale to our military career, when orders came down from Divn Hdqrs, directing the old staff officers to remain until officially relieved, which knocked us considerably, and we are now in a state of con- fusion equalled only by our dont careativeness - for we are going [page 2] home so soon it does not seem to matter except in a bit of pride grateful or ungratified as the case may be. We therefore wait definite orders, and just at this time rather expect an order to move out, and go to some other post. No one seems to care much for though we are beautifully situated, the most so we men have been, we have become so accustomed to moving that it has no terrors for us, and we go wherever ordered without careing for authority or utility. I do like field life better than garrison duty - always did - even in the good old fighting days gone by, how much more in these halcyon days of peace. I cannot way definitively at all, what effect this move will have for our discharges, but I have very little faith to believe that it will facilitate them at all. You speak of my "artful talk" in my 1st note, but it is by no means certain that we do not remain here or hereabout with the expiration of our term of service, in Sept. Though I hope we shall be back next week - back to Conn, of course I mean. Dont worry about it any way it will be but a few weeks at the longest, when, God willing, all of us will return to our houses, our friends and to civilization. Dont let Aggie go away until we return. For I have engaged her for the lake picnic if I mistake not? (N.B. Couldnt you include her in that limited list of eligibles?) I do not think there will be anything very grand after all, in our return to Conn, for there will be but a handful of us, to return, not more than 300 men at most 40 of which will be Conn officers, but we shall return with great gladness, even if our welcome is not a warm one. For we are all heartily sick of this life, and long for the fresh air and freedom of the hills of our England. [page 3] 8 o'c eve'g same day - Things are a bit settled before we retire to rest this evening. Col. Hubbard is to comd the Brigade retaining the old staff with the exception of Ord. Officer, who is relieved, and I occupy his desk, so you see I am just temporarily on Brig. Staff. I hope and trust for the first, last + only time, for it is not a place for one of my temperament and abilities to aspire to. Dont think I am now feeling anything more than usually smart. For indeed I am not very well pleased with my new place. You see I had just got all my returns for Regt property in a very good way, and hoped to get a certificate of non indebtedness from the Ord Office within a week, but now I am stuck again, in for more of that pleasant prospect usually designated Ord. + Ord. Stores and with no end of returns - fret and worritt - but no matter it cannot be for quite 2 months, and I will try to endure unto the end of this term. I am quite pleased with the pictures, especially the one you selected as the best, there can be no doubt as to its superiority, but some who have seen all like the others better. I think I shall have to get more of that particular picture for general distribution, as it is probably the last military photograph I shall ever have. Without any conceit at all dont you think this picture rather an improvement on that one I had take in Balt. in 1862 and sent to Seth? [page 4] I see you think I spend too much time in N. York but I declare to you I could not help it there, nor could I now if I was similarly situated. Flora is the pleasentest little girl of my acquaintance, and she so fascinated me that I have no doubt but what if she had asked me to stay in N. York until Sept. I should have done it, and felt happy in doing it too. Queer phenomenon, is it not? Tell John as soon as you see him to hurry up and return as I wish him to come to Hedges, and take care of my pony, which the boys nearly minced while I was home, by hard riding and no care. Cly's death seems very sad, but perhaps not more so than death always does when it comes so near to our own persons. I always loved Cly, but never felt acquainted with him at all. He never seemed like any other one of the family but like a wandering star or comet in our domestic firmament. He is gone from it now however, and we shall never look upon his nhghness again. So you continue to build chateaux d'Espaigne as highly as ever? When you build on a foundation of anything pertaining to soldiers you have a very unsubstantial foundation and your superstructure will almost invariably tipple over. I wish it were otherwise but am sorry to know that no dependence can be placed on soldiers stories. For tonight then I must stop. From what we hear this evening by order and sequal I think we shall not remain here very long, but I think we are pretty sure to stay at least one night in the fortification which is the dream of some. [page 5] Sat. morn'g June 17th It is morning and we are still at Fort Baker, happy and careless as ever. I hope we will move out of here for I dont like to be steved up in barracks when the great canopy furnishes so much better cover for sleeping under I reckon we will move out in a day or two sincerely hope so, and rejoin our old brigade. Bother the fortifications say I You do not mean to say that you really expect Ralph Sissie, and the little boys out in Conn. this year do you? I wish they might come but I can scarcely expect them I have the same guilty feeling that I did not go out to see Cly when I got my leave which you speak of in your letter. but I do not see now but what I did better than I should have done if I had gone to Waverly. For I should have had to hurry to get around on time, and then he would have been so sick that probably he would scarcely have any but his nurses very much. I hope we will all see him and Louis beyond the grave, when we shall meet under better auspices than here each understanding the other for better than it was possible to have done here. For the present then we bid him Good by Co. "H" is up 5 miles from here at Fort Mohan I think you will hear from Austin there Charles would hardly wish me to stay in the service after all I think, if he knew how little I made by it [page 6] But his like or dislike can scarcely alter my decision now. For I doubt if the matter of money would influence me by a grain. I have no idea what I can do to make my daily bread outside the army but I expect to get it in earning if I do not save it. I dont think he would really owe me a living, but I presume it will pay me that amount and charge the same to my account. New orders are out, changing the garrisons of the forts this materially altering the position of the Co in line as for example Co. "H" is moved from 5 miles left of here to the right of us some half mile. Great movements these, more fuss and stir than the movements of our whole corps made in the field. We now garrison 11 forts stretching over a front of some 8 or 9 miles. From East branch to opposite Alex. Va. the following are our forts from right to left Mahan, Meigs, Dupont, Davies, Baker, Wagner, Rickets, Stanton, Snyder, Carroll, Greble. "H" Co. is in Wagner, near by us here at Baker Hodges of Brigade and Regt. Baker garrison consists of Co. I or M comd by Capt. E.W. Marsh and so we go again. Oh the orders! orders by the cord or ton. No more to day Good morning Your brother Homer S. I enclose an excellent picture of Gen. Wright, also Gen Custar 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, 1865 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1865-06-16 Subject The topic of the resource United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865 United States. Army. Connecticut Artillery Regiment, 2nd (1863-1865) Soldiers--Conduct of life Demobilization Description An account of the resource Homer Curtiss writes to his sister Lucy about his redeployment to Washington, D.C., his prospects for being released from service, and life at home. 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/d647a664ee631ac7cfe9189e22b53c77.pdf 4651b30f0bc7911e65d741ceaaca1b8c 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 Ordnance Office HeadQr 3rd Brig Hardin + Div. Fort Baker D.C. June 24 1865 Dear Toot: You go into a labored argument to prove the total ineligibility of a certain nameless “source of local comfort” and close it by gravely announcing that spite of “sanguine temperament” and every other unredeemable characteristic feature “I shall not object if you wish to include her” That is pretty encouraging to be sure. You are a pretty nice woman are you not? I like your style its about Hyper___ Silia back in town that begins to seem like times of yon - Agnes + Silia with you and Mary. Flora Eunice daily expected Miss Henrietta is not coming I presume. Even you have given up that also is tangible at last as I did years ago. [page 2] Fort Wagner the post of Co. “H” is close by Hdqs and I see the boys daily. They are pretty irate over our detention here and Miner uses his lungs and tongue freely on the subject as is his want. There are some incidents connected with my recent visit in New York which I do not care to commit to paper but which besides amusing you might serve to explain some of my serving inconsistencies and neglects. I shall be pleased to give you an unabridged edition of the whole story verbally but I haven’t the time for professing now if I had the disposition. So you must continue to believe that the future proprietress of the ancestral mansion of the family has been neglected by a young rattle headed cousin from the army for a less worthy though well enough sort of a body from the same old family. Amen Did’nt my report contain anything concerning The Orpha – it should for I drank a deal of strawberry lemonade with her it was sweet [page 3] Your next thrust is a home one but it serves one right. I am ashamed to think that I am not a gentleman. What you said about Mrs. Reynolds versus Flora or Eunice is true and pity tis tis true. I intend to cultivate my say on that point and hope in time to arrive at a point where I can treat all ladies + gentlemen alike whether they are friends or no friends but up to this time it has required more dissimilation than I have been able to acquire. I will require only 2 or 3 gentle reminders like that last of yours to do the work for me. These reminders acting as daily monitors you see keeping the subject always before me. Aunt Phebe is a saint and if she cannot like all her relatives how am I a sinner expected to? but no that is not it I must treat every body the same as though I did love them. All right I’ll try. Watch and see if there is not an improvement in that respect when you see me next. [page 4] Little as you seemed to expect it your letter came through to me very direct but to give you a little more terse address I enclose a card on which is all that is really requisite for an envelope besides the stamp and your Private No. I am reading Warren “Ten Thousand A Year” which seems to be interesting as far as I have been in it I read the July “Atlantic” and “Our Little Folks” and am also rereading Enoch Arden. I bought Cozzen’s “Sparrowgrass Papers” yesterday and shall read them up soon. I have a nice room and desk all by myself here and it seems as though I might enjoy myself until September pretty nice if I do not get this malarious fever on me that and the ague are very bad about Wm +Alex. and probably we shall not altogether escape their net. I hope we may until our time is out. Hoping to hear from you soon I am as ever your respectful brother Gub 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 24, 1865 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 Description An account of the resource Homer writes to his sister of visits with friends and family, impatience in the camp over demobilization, and what he is reading. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1865-06-24 https://omeka.conncoll.edu/files/original/489d9c0c9add288af8f69b3fd4fd5318.pdf 71a6e328c5be95da11b793efc79af0d6 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 “Wilderness 2nd” S. of Petersburg Va. Friday June 24th, 1864 Dear Mother + Lucy- I never was more pleased with any literary production I have read than with Lucy’ letter of the 20th inst. just received. I read it through as eagerly as you opened her box and when I came to “p.p. Lucy” I turned right back and read it all over just as carefully as though I was committing it to memory. All the time I was reading there was the heaviest “diapason of the cannonade” for double bass accompaniment that I ever heard. There seems to be a heavy fire along the whole line and I look for a guard engagement before night. We have been under fire most of the time since I have been with the Regt. but we have had no real battle yet. In a skirmish on the 22nd “I” Co lost 2 killed 2 very seriously wounded and 1 prisoner. 2 were wounded on the 20th so you see we are not rusting in the fortifications so much as we were. We see nothing know nothing of what is going on beyond our own Division movements hardly more than our own Regt. It is serious business and many will be left here but I hope to live it out and see you all some day up in old Conn. Don’t lose heart at the danger but keep up good heart and look to the Father [page 2] who has us all in charge. He will bring it out right at last. You speak only of the uniform suit, of the contents of the box. Were there no pictures that were better than the “suit of blue” no diary, no watch, no books + of course though they were all present or accounted for only one has a little curiosity to hear from his pets Well take care of all and write me great long letters as often as you possibly can. You must have heard from me in the field before this for I have written twice since I got to my Co. and I will write as often as I can while here. I remember in one of your letters you spoke of our being Artillery which I saw you was laboring under a delusion. No! The 1st stole a march on us and got all the guns and we have only our rifles, are just nothing but light infantry Some of the boys were and are disappointed at this more especially as we have been out more than 30 days but it does no good. All the Regts in our old DeRussey’ Division but the 1st C.A. are the same as we so we cannot complain. We shall be infantry until the close of this campaign at least think we may or may not return to the Defenses. Col. Mackenzie lost 2 fingers in the skirmish of the 22nd so Lt. Col. Hubbard is again in command. We all like him and our brigade Cmdr Col. Upton of the 121st N.Y. [page 3] So mortality is not confined to the army and one of my pet brownies is gone. I am sorry to hear it indeed. I had a kind of pet here in Co “D” a little boy that ran away from home and enlisted under an assumed name. We always called him “Bully Brooks” and he was a smart little fellow he had tugged along and kept up by the hordes until the 22nd where he went out on picket and yesterday morning he was brought in dead, shot the evening before. Poor little boy how I pitied his parents as we buried him in the piney woods to the music of musketry, how they must sorrow for him. We don’t have much regularity in hours here sometimes march all night and sleep all day then march and sleep by watches all through the 24 hours. but it is warm and dry and so far we have been as comfortable as possible under the circumstances. One thing is unpleasant I have not had a drop of good water since I left Alex. but I get on nicely with coffee and we have lots of rations I suppose you wish to know how I bear fire and how it affects me. Well, I bear it a good deal as the others do. I dread shelling just exactly as I used to dread a heavy thunder shower and feel just the same under it that I did when the lightning was near and sharp. Bullets I am less afraid of than some and more than some. [page 4] There is nothing pleasant in or about either of course but I suppose one might grow to be considerably indifferent to both but it requires good nerves and a pretty complete control of them. Col. Upton shows as little sensitiveness in regard to flying missiles as any one I have seen. He will ride his horse steadily where no troops can stand steadily. Very cool man. Enough and more than enough of this business now for a word about your affairs. How goes the school you don’t say much about it. Who are the pupils this year I have quite forgotten who would be likely to be on the stage now. I might have been away from Warren a dozen years and not more entirely have forgotten all but my own immediate folk. Where are Eunice Harriet Alice? They coming home to remain? Augustine sent me his best compliments and congratulations, and proposed a glass of wine on the straps I think but we will have to wait a bit for that I reckon. Homer, Miner and Austin were well the last day I called on “H”. They are now out on picket. Austin had his wash basin knocked over by a 3in. shell the other day while he washing his hands. It is very warm down in these swamps but the nights are cool. My valise is up with the trains excuse all pencil and remember me ever your aff son + brother 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 24th, 1864 Subject The topic of the resource United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865 United States. Army. Connecticut Artillery Regiment, 2nd (1863-1865) Siege of Petersburg (Virginia : 1864-1865) Description An account of the resource Homer Curtiss writes to his family with news of the regiment and describes what it is like to be under fire. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1864-06-24 https://omeka.conncoll.edu/files/original/f2062cf7dbc8965a3134c9e07570a976.pdf 629bd79b9a96d38cd0e5bc6c93aad552 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 Curtis18650322 Head Quarters 2n Conn. Artillery March 22n 1865 My Dear Friends Nothing of great moment has transpired since the completion of No. 30 yesterday afternoon but as I have a few minutes of leisure perhaps I cannot improve it to better advantage than in advising you of my good health and continued well being which if not very exciting intelligence is pleasant and soothing answering a good purpose where there is nothing of greater importance to communicate. Our friend Zelates returned to the Regt. some days since. I have met him once only. That is only just to pass him in camp He called with that nice can of butter and chatted with me of home and some friends and scenes for a short half hour and presented me the lacteal extract in the name of Frank – that bully brother of mine. I returned thanks to the giver for the gift and the bearer for his care and kindness in its transit from the native to the normal state. Tate gave quite a glowing description of his trip and visit He spoke so frankly of your girl there Miss Lyman that I hardly had the face to rally him on his own success and when I did he evaded it so gracefully that I did not press the matter at all. He seemed to me so different from his cousins of our place that I sometimes doubt if he more than a cousin in name for surely he is no cousin in nature. (page 2) I am feeling a trifle disappointed this morning only just a small trifle. Col. Ordered me to send in an application for a leave of absence to visit Washington, D.C. 3 or 4 days since. I sent it in and was rather expecting it would be approved in a day or two more when last evening an order came down from Army Hd.Qrs which looks leaves of absence and furloughs quite over. I expected to have proceeded to Washington and arranged the business there and then visited home for a week or so and I had anticipated much quiet pleasure from the brief visit but it is now indefinitely postponed. Perhaps it better as it is I do not care very much but I should like to have stepped in on you unawares some evening at tea time and as I had rather come to the conclusion that I might if I did not get collided on the Camden + Amboy Rail Road. I am as I have mentioned once before a little disappointed. There are but few amusements here for whiling away the long hours but one the theatre. I must briefly describe the building in which the play is produced is the beautiful church of the Engineer Corps which I think I have briefly noticed before as a gothico-rustic structure neatly furnished and fluted with the slim pine saplings that are so very abundant about yer and capable of roofing some hundreds of people a thousand perhaps and seating one hundred of them. To this church I wended my way with my friend Munger a few evenings since and on its stage saw a variety of live comedy and minstrel performance which were creditable enough here though (page 3) they would hardly pass in New York or Washington. I noticed some of the little expedients for making the room look theatrical as for instance the large sheet suspended from the centre of the roof and draped with evergreens for a chandelier (how should that be spelled?) with adamantine candles for gas there the use of bright tin plates for reflectors and foot light screens and numerous other ingenious contrivances, scenic effects almost, which added much to the beauty of the hall and reflected much credit upon the designers if but little light in the audience. The performance consisted of songs – dances- walk arounds and a very broad farce a travesty on “Camille” that elicited much laugh if little admiration At the performance on St. Patrick’s Eve , Sec. Stanton, Gen. Warren and other notorieties assisted as the metropolitans say with their presence. They had a gala day down in the 2n Corps a horse and foot race and a general Irish time and it was on their return from that celebration that these worthies called on what I have seen called in the Herald “the operatic troupe of the 6th Corps” which sounds large for a small thing and is not particularly voracious in as much as it has no more connection with the 6th Corps than it has with the Coldstream Guard. But that is of no consequence. The only unexceptionable thing I might rather say pretty thing I heard or saw besides the church was a song- patriotic of course sung by a quartette with guitar and violin accompaniment. We have also some very pretty music from our own and neighboring bands- (page 4) Lt Soule has written Lucy a letter which gone from here by the same mail that takes this. I hope it will be much more interesting that this, sure. You must remember (I need not say) that Mr. Pierre writes like a man with a rope around his neck figuratively speaking as he is engaged to Miss Sarah Sullivan of Wellsville so you will only need a hint to be circumspectangular I have been playing backgammon with Mr. Vaill and throwing dice to get a the rule of chance which as near as I can demonstrate it is the average of the odds- There is really a loss or loss that govern chance. I must think often throwing dice 100 times to get at it. Did you ever think of it? The average throw is 7, highest 12, lowest 2, +12 =14÷ 2=7 the average. 10 throws will seldom or never go up to 80 or fall below 60 and so on 100-1000 or any other number. I am going over Little Dorrit again find it better than before, even – and Charles OMalley is magnifical By the way I read that word in my daily chapter this morning. Can you guess by that wherabout I am The post man waits. I bid you adieu Au revoir Yours respectfully C.S. Curtis 1st Lieut + A.O.O. 2nd Conn Arty Madame Curtis Warren, Conn. 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 22, 1865 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1865-03-22 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context 6-140 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 Description An account of the resource Homer Curtiss writes to his mother of his inability to get a furlough and the entertainments in camp. 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.