Announcement

**Pvt_6thnhvi** · 10-17-2007, 01:55 AM

Re: 9th Vermont Co. I. letters Part 2

Here is the second letter transcribed..

Aug. 7th 1862

With pleasure I will try and answer your kind letter that I received last Monday evening and I received one from Olive the same time. I am well. Wayland says that he has not seen a sick day since we left Vermont. (Bartler?) has been unwell but is getting better. (Cowin?) has been quite unwell but is gaining. Steave says that he feels very well. Roberts is tough, Joel Grover is pretty well so is the rest (name cannot be read) and his boy is pretty well they have got 10 letters since they have been hear.

I haint had to go on picket but once since I enlisted. I did not haft to go then but I wanted to. Dan Wilder your hired mans brother and I and one more with two officers went down to the sity(city) yesterday we in to a house the man ran out of the dore(door) jumpted over the fence but we halted him and I took him prisoner and took him to the guard house. The rest of the boys staid to the sity and got an other. They ar Rebels and say that they wont take their oath so the General (Brig.-Gen. Julius White? ) says that he shall send them to prison. Don�t you think that I have done some good.

The boys have (cannot read) but I haint had it yet and I guess that is (cannot read)

I see whair Ellsworth took down the secesh flag the stars and stripes ar floting thair now. I got your papers I (cannot read) of our regiment yesterday (cannot read) was captain.

Letter not signed.
but assumed from Either Daniel C. Parker or Wayland Newton

**Hank Trent** · 10-17-2007, 07:17 AM

Re: 9th Vermont Co. I. letters Part 1

Great stuff! Wow! Thank you.

Originally posted by Pvt_6thnhvi View Post

tell Josire (?) if he will come out heare he may have all the hogs he will carry home with him.

I bet the name's Josiah. Say it with a Vermont accent, and there it is: Josire. :D

Hank Trent
hanktrent@voyager.net

**Pvt_6thnhvi** · 10-18-2007, 12:38 AM

Re: 9th Vermont Co. I. letters Part 3/ Daniel Parker

Letter number 3.... Enjoy

Winchester Aug. 3rd 1862

Mother, Brothers and Sisters,

I now take my pen in hand to write a letter to you to let you know that I am well and hope that these few lines will find you the same. I am very healthy here, so is the most of the rest.

(Cowin?) ain�t very well to day . Wayland has been writing all of the news but I thought that you would like to hear from me. It is warm here some. Wayland said that we had been called out the second time so we have but they did not expect (four words cannot read) they call them bush whackers shooting to the pickets. I was on picket but I did not see eny thing worth shooting at.

I just stoped and ate some rice. It was good for I had all (cannot read) that I wanted on it. Well we live very well. I am getting fat. I don�t think that Stephen Graves will get his discharge but I don�t know. Robert�s is writing with me.

We left to work on the fort 8 hours aday that aint very hard. They say that they wont haft to work so long when we get the fort done. They have got one done, the other is most done. The haint eny of the companies got eny letters yet, they don�t know whair the mail is but they expect it to morrow.

I cant think of any more to write till I hear from you. Please give my love to all the girls. Write to me an tell Eliza to and all the rest. This from Daniel C Parker Winchester Virginia 9 Reg Co. B Vol
Wayland told you to direct to Washington and see which will get them first. Write soon as you get

**Pvt_6thnhvi** · 10-18-2007, 12:45 AM

Re: 9th Vermont Co. I. letters Part 1

Hank,

I think you are right. I will have to look into it further. While reading some of the other letters other things are making more sense. Currently I am stumped with this "Wayland" character. Some of the letters I think I have in the bunch are written by him. I cannot seem to find him in the regiment unless he is indeed "Charles" W Newton; as there is one fellow in company B. One of the only Newton's with a middle initail or first name with the letter "W".

Time will tell..

Glad you are enjoying the letters.

YOS
R.C.

**Pvt_6thnhvi** · 10-18-2007, 07:15 AM

Re: 9th Vermont Co. I. letters Part 4 at Camp Douglas

Here is the last one I will get to this week. It took forever to read through and type up. But it was interesting. Here Pvt. Parker has been paroled and sent to Camp Douglas in Chicago Ill.

Enjoy

Notice the spelling of words..hehe awesome!

R.C.

Chicago Illonoise Nov. the 27th 1862

This is Thursday Thanks giving day

Dear Friends and parents to home I now take my pen in hand to answer your letter that I got to day. You thought we was exchanged but we are not yet and aint like to be for the present. I am well and safe. (cannot read) Looks like (you as the same) I am sorry to hear the babe is dead. We moved from the fair ground in to Camp Douglas last Sunday. We have got good quarters now. The New York regiments have gone from here to Washington. They ar exchanged but we ar not. If we was I should not go to the doctor to get excused. If we was to go into battle, if I felt abel to when you get a nother botle of ink get some that will show when it gets cold. It was all I could do to read the letter.

I got to day the ink was so pale. We had a good thanks giving. (illegible) to (illegible) the (illegible) but 25 chickens some cakes and a lot of pies and we had all we could eat. Butler, Graves Daniel Wilder is cooks. Corwin Graves brings the (illegible) Roberts and I ar detailed for Carpenters and get fourty cents a day if we ever get it. The Captain said we would. I have worked 10 days and shall have work all winter if we stay hear but I don�t know or we shall stay hear a weak.

A soldier don�t know one weak whair he will bee the next. We don�t know as we shall stay hear a weak we may a month or all winter but I don�t think it is best to send a box for things ar as cheep here as they ar thair. Most you need not send one for the present. Wayland is on guard to day. I don�t haft to do any duty only work Carpentering. You wanted to know who should have them rings I sent. One is for Mother if it will fit her the other for Lacy. I shall mail some more for Jossiah and Linett all the rest that want them. That picture is for all if Linett is willing. I rote to her that I would send one to her but when we get our pay I will have it taken a gain for her.

I haint got but a little now them as stampsso I want to keep them. We expect to get our pay in a few days. We have twelve or fourteen deserted out of our company since we have been hear. The will a good many more leave when we get pade off. They don�t say any thing about it. Peter Parcher has gon Otis Allen ,Monroe(Lester E) and (illegible) Winters (Wallace?) (cannot read name) there is a lot of them.

Frenchman went with peter Parcher but they ar paroled prisoners. Tell Geo. He must take ease. I don�t know what is best for him to do. I got the letters you sent with two sheets of paper in it two envelopes, stamps. I rote a letter to you when I was in Winchester. I don�t think you got it. You sent me some papers and you said you had to pay 6 cents they want but one stamp on it.

I (illegible) the envelope (illegible) a nother letter so you could share it to (cannot read name) but I don�t think you got it. I supose thanksgiving comes thair one week from to day we shall have another good (illegible) then. I supose you will. I cant get much more to rite. I haint had a letter from Olive for a long time I don�t know what the trouble is. I hird the reson was she hird I was (illegible) to Elmira.

Martin and (illegible) told her that Elmira had my picture but it aint so.Josiah, when you see her talk the thing over with her for it is false, the whole of it. I am sorry to have her think so. It gives me a great deal of trouble. I have written to her but it don�t do any good. She wont write.

I don�t know but Elizabeth has made the (illegible) if so I am sorry for I love her and always shall. Find out all yu can and write. Let me know. I think of her knight and day. If I had staid to home all would been ease sight. The thing would have been settled before this time. Perhaps it is all for the best as it is but don�t got an answer yet. I hope she will write so I shall know all a bout it. I have written to William and (illegible) and Ira and Eddy and haint got any answers yet. I cant think of any more to write this time. This paper is large enough to write two letters and it is a bout 8 o clock in the evening.

I shall send this letter tomorrow.Corwin has had letters from(cannot read name) and I have written to her for him that is all. Tell Eliza I was glad to hear from her. Give the old maried women my best respects. Tell (cannot read name) how do you get along. I am sorry your little boy did not live but we have all got to die sometime but our haint come yet. I don�t know how soon it may. All write to me give my best love to Olive
For she is the girl I left behind me. I am her friend yet hope she is mine. So I will close. God being my helper. Tell Elizabeth if she haint had any thing to do with Olives and my (illegible) to write. If she has she can do as she likes. Love to all my friends. This from a son and brother.

Daniel Parker
Chicago Ill.
9 regt VT Vols.

**Will Eichler** · 10-18-2007, 07:38 AM

Re: 9th Vermont Co. I. letters Part 1

Mr. Tarbox,

Thank you so much for taking the time and sharing these with us. They are great. So little remains from this time period compared to all the men who served that I'm always thrilled to see another person's experiences.

Thanks again,

Will

**Pvt_6thnhvi** · 10-18-2007, 07:12 PM

Re: 9th Vermont Co. I. letters Part 1

You are very welcome Will.

Glad some are able to find some enjoyment in this project keeping the old boys alive.

R.C.

**Pvt_6thnhvi** · 10-23-2007, 06:27 AM

Re: 9th Vermont Co. I. letters Part 5

Finding some real nuggets in this stuff guys. Here is the latest. Enjoy

R.C.

Harpers Fery Sept. 4th 1862

Dear friends at home. I now take my opertunity to write a few lines to you to let you know that I am well and all the rest of us hope these few lines will find you the same.
Were in Harpers Farey now, we left Winchester Tuesday at 10 oclock in the morning. We marched till 6 oclock Wensday. We had a good time. We got tired but got hear in saftey.

We did not think of leaving Winchester till 2 hours before we left. The Genrel had orders to leave for thair was an army of rebels coming. They said thair was 25 or 30 thousand, we did not have but 4 thousand so you see it was best for us to leave.

We took all of the things we could then spiked the large guns. Thair was few they were so large we could not carey them. They broke the provision blade off the magazene whair the ammunition. The city got burnt some. I don’t know how much. It wont (illegible) till we left. Thair is different work thair now (illegible). When the magazines went off it made a larger hole in the ground than the whole regiment could dig in a weak. They say some of the (illegible) boyss was to Winchester yesterday morning. They said the rebel cavelry had got into Winchester. The rebels has got the railroad between hear and Baltimore so the mail cant go.

Sept. 6th I have not been to breakfirst yet, it is just sunrise. I hird the cars got through this morning so I will write. We ar all well yet. When we left Winchester Corwin did not feel very well so he went to the hospitle so he could ride and he was left to Winchester and taken prisoner. Two of our Sargents, (Day or Dag or Dog) and (Slosan?) Day came from Cuttingsville. They will get a parole and go whair they want-o. I see a lot that was taken prisoner and they got a parole in 2 days after they was taken, the rebels wont feed our men for they want all the provisions they have got.

Thair is a good many taken prisoner purpose to see if they cant get home We don’t know how long we shall stay hear. I see (Tarble? Tarbell) that maried, Dave Farewells, he was taken prisoner last Friday. He got his parole and was goin to Washington. A parole is to not take up armes til they are exchanged prisoners. I don’t know as you will get this so I will not write any more this time. Direct to Washington. I got your letter Thursday. Breakfirst is ready so I will go . This is Daniel Parker, Wayland, (B- illegible) Roberts, Stephen, Joel Grover all the rest that you know is well. I will send you the envelop that you sent, the (illegible) and papers in thair don’t have but one stamp on it the m-Illegible) was.

**Nathan Dodds** · 10-23-2007, 03:23 PM

Re: 9th Vermont Co. I. letters Part 1

Very interesting reading, thanks!

Nathan Dodds

**Pvt_6thnhvi** · 10-24-2007, 01:37 AM

Re: 9th Vermont Co. I. letters Part 6

Wayland writes to his Uncle (Daniel Parkers Father)

Aug 19 1862

Dear Uncle,

I will employ a few mintes in writing to you myself and all the rest of the boys are all well. Danile had a letter from Grandma last night and she said that you had wrote to me but I have not received eny yet.

We moved yesterday about twenty rods right up close up to fort (illegible looks like Grupore?) that we shall guard it. It takes a hundred men evry night to guard it now. It has been pretty sickly heare this month. Theare has one Captain died out of Co. B besides five privets, but as for myself I have stood it first rate.

Peaches and pears are just getting ripe heare so the boys begin to steal them. Theare was some fellows went out of Co Ohio regiment a stealing honey last night and one of them got shot. I went out a black berrying day before yesterday and got 5 quarts and sold them for 10 cents a quart. Tell the 10 Vermont to come as soon as they can for we have got a lot of work for them. We have built one fort since we came and have got two more to build.

We live on hard crackers yrt and carry water a half mile but I expect we shall have some bread before long for they are building a bake house. David Hill and another fellow and myself went out last Thursday to see what we could find. We ran to a few cows so we got them up in to a corner and begun to milk them. We thought we heard some thing and we looked up and theare was a horseman right close to us and we started, they run about half a mile and give up and I run about two miles. I was about dead when I came in. I don�t believe that the horseman ran half a mile after us but you better believe we was beat about half to death.

I had a letter from George last night. He said that his father was in west philidelephy in the hospital. He said that they was agoing to leave Richmond agoing down the James river but did no wheare abouts. We was called out of the fort last night about twelve oclock and laid in the rifle pits the rest of the night.

Write soon from CW (Charles Wayland Newton)

**Pvt_6thnhvi** · 10-24-2007, 02:39 AM

Re: 9th Vermont Co. I. letters Part 7

Daniel on the way to Chicago

Anapilus Sept 24th 1862

I now take pen in hand to write a few lines to you to let you know I am well and hope these few lines will find you the same. It has been almost a month since I had a letter from any one. The rebels got the railroad down this side of Harpers Ferry so the mail could not get ot us from (illegible) Well, one week ago today. Last Monday they got us and Tuesday they let us go on parole. They was (11,400?) taken prisoners. We was all taken together. They used us first rate. They did not one of them speak a racy word to one of us. We had a little fight with them before we sorendered. There was not a man hit in our regiment. When we got hear we (forward?)

Corwin hear was taken to Winchester. They took him to Richmond, left him four days then gave him a parole and he come hear when we come. I se George Martin. He looks as tough as a bair. I have not seen George Barber nor hird from him. I have been in one little batle, lasted two days but we haint left to go in to a nother till we ar exchanged vary soon.

We ar now whair we expected to go when we left home but we shant stay hear long. We ar again to (Sheckegic? Cannot read) that is a good days West. We ar a gain to start tomorrow morning. We shall go threw Philadelpa, it is 10 miles from hear to Baltimore. About 20 to Washington.

I don’t know what they want to take us out west for. (without?) it is they can keep us cheaper thair then they can hear.Some say the aint again exchange any more prisoners. I hope they wont, then we shant heft to do any thing. Our oficers took thair oath that they would not take out (illegible) or have us drill till we ar exchanged. I don’t know but we shall get a chance to get home.

I see (Dr.?) Tarbel evry day since we got hear. His camp aint but alitte ways from hear. We don’t have any picketing or guard duty to do. Genrel Miles was Comander to Harpers Farey and he was arebel to and sold us to the rebels, but he got killed and that was good enough for him. He was hit with a shell on the leg. He lived two or three days. He made his confeshion before he dide.

Wayland is tough and healthy. So is all the rest that come from Mount Holley. The rebels got all four guns so we haint got any now. When we get moved out to Illonoise I will write again. I cant think of much more to write this time. I will write more next time. You can tell(illegible) folks that Butler is well but he wont write till he knows whair we ar agoing to stay. I will write to all when I get time and know whair we ar a going to.

Daniel Parker

**Pvt_6thnhvi** · 10-24-2007, 06:13 AM

Re: 9th Vermont Co. I. letters Part 9 final letter from Daniel

Daniel Harpers Fery Sept 9th 1862

Dear brother and Mother and Lucy I will write a little more now Baxter and I have been out on a search with a lot of others to guard teams after hay. Roberts said the mail sent to day. It has not been since we have been hear. So if it goes now I will write so it will go. We have not got to dig any more now, make any more forts hear, they say if they don�t we shall have a good time this is a nice place but its rough. Ther is mountains but it is so situated that if the rebels try to get � in hear we can cut them down as fast as they come.

We ar a going to have some rifle pits dug hear but we have got four hundred nigers to do it. It is good for them. It makes us feel good to see the black things work. I did not lose any thing on our march. I brot evry thing I had. Wayland lost his blankets he saved his coats and knapsack, the best one of his shirts but he can get along well enough. He can get shirtss enough, some of the boys throwd evry thing they had away.

Well I cant think of much more to write this time. We ar all as safe as soldiers can bee. We all feel pretty well. We don�t know how long we shall stay hear. We shant have any box sent from home till we know whair we ar a going to bee. Daniel

**Rev** · 10-24-2007, 07:12 AM

Re: 9th Vermont Co. I. letters Part 1

Thank you for putting the time into this. Love it. It is enlightening to read their very words. Thanks also for preserving their spelling.

**Pvt_6thnhvi** · 10-24-2007, 07:17 AM

Re: 9th Vermont Co. I. Hospital letter 1864

This is the final letter. One sent home in 1864 from the Gen hospital in Morehead NC.

Letter writen for Daniel. This is the last of the letters and is a pretty good read. Now that I have all the letters completed I guess my research begins. Should be a interesting winter project. Mount Holly VT is probably less than 2 hours for me so perhaps I will take a trip there at some point.

Hope those of you reading enjoyed these letters.

YOS
R.C.Tarbox

Mansfield Gen. Hospital
Morehead City, NC.
Feb 20, 1864

To Mrs. Parker,

My dear Sister

Your beloved son who is somewhat unwell at this hospital is unable to write. (illegible) me to pen you a letter saying that he was brot here now 2nd of Feb. after a weeks illness in camp being troubled with a sort of Liver (Cor�cannot read the rest) but that he is doing as well as could be expected.

You can think of him as being at a healthful place in good hands with skillful surgeons, faithful nurse, sympathetic chaplains and what is best of all cherishing some hope in Christ.

Pray for him not only that his bodily health may be restored but that he may enjoy more of our dear Holy religion and with us reach at last the �better country above�.

Love to all, in haste,

Yrs sympathetically & fraternally
Wm. C. Whitcomb
Hosp. Chaplain U.S.A.

Interesting enough this letter was penned by the US Chaplain himself in Moorhead, City NC.

It appears 8 months later the good Chaplain dies from yellow fever in the same hospital. Info on William below.

REV. WILLIAM C. WHITCOMB, son of Deacon Simeon and Sally (Lincoln) Whitcomb, was born in Marlborough NH Feb 9, 1820. He received from his parents a religious training, and in 1837 united with the Congregational Church. He pursued his literary and classical course at the academies in Jaffrey, Troy and Ashby (teaching to earn money to attend). He studied theology at Gilmanton Theological Seminary, completing his course in 1847, and which time he was licensed to preach. He attended the lectures of Professor Park in Andover Theological Seminar where he remained 2 years as a licentiate student. May 1, 1851 he was ordained pastor of the church in Stoneham, Mass. May 1, 1852 he married Miss Harriet L. Wheeler of Concord MA. In August 1855 he was dismissed from the church in Stoneham, after which he labored with the churches in Globe Village (Southbridge) MA, North Carver and Lynnfield Center (all in MA). He recieved a commission as chaplain of the US Hospital at Newbern NC which bears the signature of Abraham Lincoln and Edward M. Stanton dated July 5, 1862, which he held until the time of his death. His labors in Newbern, Portsmouth and Morehead City NC continued 2-1/4 years. In the summer of 1864 he returned home to Marlborough on a furlough of some length. In September he returned to NC to meet the sad effects of the yellow fever. Soon after he was attacked with malarial fever, and before he had fully recovered, he was taken with acute bronchitis, from the effects of which he died at the hospital in Morehead City, Oct 24, 1864.

Announcement

Announcement

9th Vermont Co. I. letters Part 1

9th Vermont Co. I. letters Part 1

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment