.NDAyMw.Njc1NA
[First Letter]
[1]
Hagerstown Maryland June the 26 8/61 Camp Negly Washington County M.D.
Dear friends & parents
With pleasure I write to you to day to inform you that I am still well as can be expected under these circumstances wich at present surround us. We moved from chambersburgh on the 15th for this place where we have been ever since except our march to Williamsport on the 18. at one oclock we was wakened up and in a few minutes was on the way with nothing but our arms and amnitions and before day we was on the banks of the Potomack river in battle line. we went with the prospect of a fight and a hard one as ther force was superiour to [ours][crossed out] in number and advantage so we was determined to do our best and our brigade was in best of spirits but we was disapointed for when the day was clear we could not see or [learn tell?] of our foe and the forces that had been throwed over the river during the night was drawed back to this side. there was some thirty thousand troops there and thirteen hundred flying artillery and cavalry. at night we returned to camp kind of tired having Marched 18 miles thro dust and stones & so on. since we have been here all has been quiet except the useal program of a camp life and the useal bustle and confusion.
General Pattersons headquarters join our camp and is a verry [pretty?] place and can see all that is going on. we have not much to do but drill one hour in the morning from 5 to six then from nine to eleven then from 5 oclock
[Pg2]
untill half past seven. dress parade is just then battallion drill double quick time wich is good and the best exersice we have. I have come to the conclusion that a soldiers life is like a ground hogs verry lazy lying in the tents and crawling out when we get hungry and in the evening and morning when it is cool. I was on provost picket and police guard since I left Westchester and have had some amusing times as [we have?] the [nest?] under our controll. I was in the citty as a guard yesterday and had as much fun as I wanted. alltho in a dangerous place as some are shot on picket gard than any other way.
At present we are not under marching orders but [do?] not [know?] how soon. we may lay here untill our time is up. You may look for me home on the 21st [and if][crossed out] of July and if I soger any more I will join the regular army however I want you to write to me as soon as this comes to hand and tell me how my trunk & things is getting along and if you got a key to open it and do not let any one have my watch under any consideration as I [will][overwritten]would not take forty dollars for her & do not want her spoiled or defaced as I got her from a friend. do not alow my letters to be disturbed any thing else you [?][crossed out] may do as you pleas with. I sent my boots blanket and three shirts and some other Nick Nacks to [?] in my hand trunk allso my keys but I guess they my stay there untill I come home as they will be taken care of by my intimate friend and old boss with [whomb?] I sent them from Westchester. we will be in Harrisburgh on the 19th if nothing happens to prevent us. then as soon as discharged we will return and if after night I will go on to latrobe but will write if I can get a chance from there when I can tell [more?] about it provide I do not get killed betwen now and then.
[Pg3]
we are six miles from the Virginia line here so we may be taken into that state any time. we are 21 miles from Harpers ferry
burgh.
8 from falling water 6 from Williamsport and 32 from chambers There is is from 25 to 35,000 Troops in this vicinity. there is 3000 in this camp from Wisconsin coneticut & pennsylvania. we are all in one brigade No [?][crossed out] 6. General Patterson commander we have two battery’s of flying artilliary with sixteen mounted cannon six and 8 inches. yesterday they shot a ball and four shells into the enemy’s head quarters and they took to other parts in short order. General Doubleday battery’s command the river for seven miles thus you see they will get hurt if they dont behave over the river. It has not rained any of any acount since we are here. the ground is baked and dry the grain is fit to cut in a few days wich is verry good. the land is better here than any place I have been along the border simpely because white men to the farming. there is an abundance of lime the blue lime stone rocks stick out of the ground all over this country. the people generaly are healthy. the sun is hot in the afternoon and cold at night with heavy [day][overwritten]dew and the heat and water has made a good many sick and as I write we have to [ ...ters?] contents and [clean..?] [often?] and [sun?] [them?] Now I have finished my work I will write some more but as nothing is transpireing worthy of note I must close for the present. You may expect a letter in [?][overwritten][twenty?] days [?] or sooner as I may have oppertunity to write for should we get Marching around we will not get the chance to write or if we get into virginia communication will be broken there being no post office of the general government there and no letters go from the army but what is read by the comanding officer after we cross the [line?] of [the?] enemy [with?] [is?] all right so as to prevent
[Pg4]
acidents [?] any thing of this kind. give my respects to all the friends a kiss to Fanny for me and my love to you and any who may inquire for me. I remain yours son John E. Mcnutt
N.B. Direct to Hagerstown Washington County Maryland In care of Captain Wm B Coulter 11th regment P.V.
pleas do write as I have not heard from home for six weeks just as soon as this comes to hand and answer my inquiry concerning my furniture & friends and so fourth. tell me if you know where sam is & how he is. I wrote him and mailed my letter at New Castel [?] [...out?] here. I wrote to from this camp and am looking evry day [from..?] for a answer. I do not know [?][written over]how long we will be here Nothing more yours Respectfully
[Second letter] [.pdf page 5]
[1]
[July 1861?]
Camp Curtain Sunday
Dear Parents Most of the company being at church I embrace the opportunity of quietness in qra rters for to write to you but as news are scarce this let ter will be scarce. I am not able for to get down town as the regulations of camp are verry str ct. I have just received a letter of you witch gives me considerable satisfactio[n] first in knowing that you are all well and tha t John has got home. Well it was a pleash ure for me to meet him here you can inform him that
[Pg2]
all the camp leve for Washington city on [tuesday?] mor ring oure [...eruter?] have [arrived?] all right. Capt James [F?] Kelly has resigned the first [lieutenanare?] on acount of his health and Sam Elder was elected in his place. oure officers are Capt Bolan 1st Lt S Elder 2d Lt wm Curin first segent vacant 2 Sg Moorhead a (shitarce?] [lg T Dick][crossed out] 1t Corpeal James Erin
[?]
2d Sam [Cu..gh] [3?]d T Dick 4th James Love 2d Sergent John Evens
[Pg3]
[...ure?] company [gir...?] [Midburg?] well [on..l..g?] As we will fill oure company about full we have seventy eight men now anad 15 more at least out of [19?] about 95 men we will then be the fuliest company in the [8?] regiment. Direct to Harisburgh in care of capt J bolan Com H 12 Regiment comp curtain all letters will folow uws P S Pena Reserve the [?] Sam
[Pg4]
My respects to [Wm & Sarah Pershing][crossed out] Wm & Sarah Pershing allso to all the neighbours
[Third letter] [.pdf page 9]
[1]
Aug 14th 1861[underlined]
Camp George Town Hights [?] a m Dear Parents I take my pen for to write to you for I suppose that you think long for to here from me. As for myself I am well and in good health & spearit. We left Camp Curtain on the 11 inst Rece ived our orders at 9 A.M. for to go to Wash ington City. we left camp at 6 P.M. and got loded oup about 12 at night when the irr n horse towed the train of for [disey?]
little yank
by via of the ^ (N. Central R.R.). Ariv ed in Baltiamore city at five A.M. Abut as soon as we crossed the line we put down a load. we are armed with the improved musket we left Baltim at 9, a,m for Was hington in which [ed][crossed out] place we ari ved in two hours. we formed the dress parade and wet through the regiment el cerimoney then we [lay on?]
[Pg2][.pdf page 11]
down or set as [?] till five P.m when we martched to quarters and got one of the compleatest weatings one companppeny quartered in a church and as it wa was raining verry hard they order ed ous for to go into the Basement for a sheltur by whitch movement we came heare loosring two of oure men James M [Donnel] & George Dick. as it was dark and there was a well not covered into whitch[ed?] they plunged. after going down som e 20 feet they lodged on a piece of timber. they did not get mutch hurt. we ware quartered in a large house and faired ver ry well what litt time we staied. I did not get to sight seeing verry mutch as we could go abut one square from oure quarters Caverly pattroles] are going everry ten min
[Pg3][.pdf page 10]
its and all must have a pa ss. Several of our Boys got cut oup even oure Capt was said was in gerd. We left Washington on Mond ay evening about 4 P.M. for camp about 7 miles martched down for Mr
we
Lincolin for to see us ^ got to oure destination about 9. P.M. as it was verry warm I asshure you that we had wet shirts packing oure knapsacks. I would have written westerday but was detailed for camp gard. I can not get out of camp without a pass from the Col as for news from the war I may get some [inportation?] on [te..?] [?] square. there is some excite ment in camp this morning and we may have a fright in a fiew days. we lay some 15 miles from Manassas junction and expect
[Pg4]
on farther I could write mutch more as to matters but as we are in are ennemeys country [go..?] They have just [take a spy?] I will just say I have lost my [?] sack James Tomb is well Albert Deblin is allso. Oure mess con sists of Min groosn Black [?] M E Billsome Mr E Willson A Deblin James Tomb John [..ats?] and my self. camp life I like first rat. I how sleep under canvas there is 170,000 men on the lines now. no more news. My respects to all. I wrote to Rebeca [?] Direct as youshal as all letters will follow me if sent thus Harisburgh Pa in care of Capt A G Bolan Company H 12 Regiment Penna Reserve
[Marginalia at top of page}
all letters directed thus I will get as special arangements are made fairwell (Sam)
[Fourth Letter] [.pdf page 13]
[1]
Camp [McCa...?] Aug 19th 1861 Dear Father I again adress you as you re allways anxious for to here from me. oure camp is in[.... mile?] from Washington City . the boys [are?] all prety generally well & able [ ?] there pork & [?] As for myself [I am?] [hearty?] & hope [you are well?] John Swats is better and is able [ ? ] be on this day it has rained si nce Saturday morning till this after noon whitch makes it verry disagree able. As for the acounts of the war I know nothing about it we onley get [oure?][suceses?] now. I will give you [an?] account [of...?] pi cket gard of whitch I was on [?] led at three P.M. of saturday
[Pg2]
The Regiment commenced its martched with blankets overcoats and provisions for three meals mart ched about five miles oure Regiment was scattered over about [one?][crossed out?]one mile we ware stationed aboutt 5 rods apart three in a place. they are this thick for three ½ miles on to the river Potomic. they are then thick from Arlington hights oup to Harpers ferry and som e places six miles. so it it is ha rd for a man not having a pass for to get through )(the country in these parts is not mutch ) Oure head quarters [...as?] in a stone farm belonging to a Secessionis t. him & his Son was captured on friday. Ouncle Sam husked as mutch of his corn and
[Pg 3]
gathered his apples & peatches & potatoes & I assured you we done justice to it as we had about [no?] rations on acount of some mismananigement on the pa rt of the quarterMaster. Sat urday night nothing arriv ed. Sunday [Oure sprairt?] was relieve d at dark. I saw pershings boys on Sat evening. They are well. I will now close as it is getting dark tell John for to write to me. I have got but one letter yet and it was brought by hand. Remember me to all oure [?] friends and to [Mr?] Graham & my best wishes for the health of oure [Recvating? ] Sergent Samuel [Fulou....?] of the Petticots guards. I [?] hope for to see them
[Pg4]
Camp Seance before long. I suppose [Gen?] coffee will be commander in chief fairwell for the present J C Hemphill Sam McNut
[Tombs?] ready to march when Directions ever ordered Harisburgh Pa In care of Capt A J Bolan Compa ny H 12 Reegiment of Penna Reserve This will be forwarded to ous all the time N.B. We have Received entelligence from the City that the Rebels are advan cing on it in two columes from the sou th west the city has not been in as mutch excitement [for][crossed out] since the War began We are ordered for
[Fifth Letter] [.pd page 15]
[1]
[Printed on Letter Paper]
Take this banner, and beneath The war clouds encircling wreath Guard it till our homes are free - Guard it - god will prosper thee
[Handwritten]
Washington city D C 12 Regiment Co H Pa R.C Volunteers in care of Capt Bolen Head Quarter Camp McCall Aug 22 1861
Dear friends and acquan tences & especialy my friend Rebeca. It is again withe pleashure that I write you again having received your kind letter of the 15th inst It was a satisfacton facton for to here from home as I have not Recieved a line by mail since I left home I [recesed?] a lette by Mr Evers of fathers this is all since ) while I
of the parade
ground
write [Hestler?] [Camole?] is taken in for dead of a fit of appoplexy ) I have just Been for to see him & he is dead he has not been well [for][overwritten] [since?] sabeth evening. the whole Regiment went out on Saturday evening as picket gard 24 hours. I wrote to father on [satur][crossed out?] friday last in [whitch?] I gave a history of affairs. The Regiment had a grand Review [of][written over] by
[Pg2]
Major General McCllend & Gen McCall the commanding gen of all the pena volunteers & President Lincolin there was about 1100 men on parad I had not the good luck for to be there I was detailed for camp guard so I did not see old Able but the Regiment got the [prare?] Col [Tangert?] oure commander is a verry strict dicipplnarian he will not give one of ouse a pass for to go out of cam p. Pershings boys are encmaped about one mile from ous I [saw?] them on Sat evening. They are able for to be on there [pins?] this is a misab rly cultivated country as ever I saw it is no better the Indiana country three miles from the city. Pene Regiment are going for to be driled the zoave drill for the purpo se of scouting as we are detailed for this duty. The battle of Bulls run has rather dampened the ardure of
[Pg3]
of the boys [but?] its tendencies are for to [bring?] [stricture?] to be [..tricture?] and [vigulant?] if they are [amind?] [goin?] to attack us they will find a hard time of it They will meet some [18000?] infantry [52?] pi seis of artillery [besides flying][crossed out] this is flying artillery besides what is in battery on [?] front it is entrentched for five [f][overwritten] miles on oure front. [?] We commenced target shooting this day oure comppeny came of second best so far as closeness and first as for the nu mber of balls in the board. The prise is to be the the the collour company whitched think we will be as there is onely one comp to [here?] from. I have writen Severel letter home. I will write once a week to father [&?] here from home every day. our pay day will come on the first of Sept when I will get 12 dollars whitch I will send home so fathe may look for it. the last letter I sent him I still not pay the possage.
[Pg4]
Stamp or small change Stamps are not be had but we can pay in money. give my Respects to Will & Sarah Pershing and that I will write to them as soon as I can get news to make one. P.S John Swats is able for duty again I thougt a pity of him leying here [for][overwritten]with no person to wait on him or we could get nothing for him to eat. there is two sick of measles now This is all the sickness in oure company. My health is good as can be expected for Soldiers. I am I can I can eat a peice of fat meat 1 inch thick 2 inches [to..?] way of whitch we generaly get [plent..?]. now we ware stinted a few days but we would not put oup with it we held out for owre rights and we got them. we do oure du ty and we will make other ones do it to. My respects to Rodgers Hatte freds Taylors and in fact every person who wishes ous well and the rest we will hang. When you write to Anderson tell him for the write to me as I have written to him. I have written pretty mutch to all my friends. fairwell. My love to [Aloy?] and to all. Direct to Washington City D. C. 12 Regiment Comp H in care of Pa Volun R.C. Capt A J Bolan Camp McCall
[Sixth Letter] [.pdf page 19]
[1]
Camp Cuetain Augest 21st 1861 Dear Parents As there are Menny go
we are
ing home from here and ^ under martch ing orders I thought [?] I would wr ite untill about the time I left cam p for the south. We got into ca mp on Tuesday morning all safe and have got to rune regul e camp duty. oure living is rather ruf but good consisting of bread & crackers coffee shugar rice fresh beef & ham evrry day and plenty of it. oure other out fit is one pare of sewed brogan
wool
two pares of socks ^ two of [cartoning?] drawers one pare of blue pants two woolen shirts one pare of flase pants one cap one knap sack & haversack one large
[Pg2]
blanket & over coat of blue. We are under Marching orders and may leave here this night or to morrow for Washington. We are fully equiped now.
boys
There is some of the ^ sick from drinking too mutch water and eating green fruit but all are able for to be about my health is good as I could wish. I expect for to get my pay this day for oure servises in the state whitch will be eleven dollers. We are Uncle Sams boys now. There is considerable excit ment in town this week and it is full of soldiers. The was likely for to be severe; [...rts?] but the pre sence of a fiew bateries
[Pg3]
kep them quiet. The pay master has swindled the three Months men by pay ing curency in place of specie. John was here last eavening and is going home this day. Wm S Hemphill was here last week a fiew minits he wet on to washington he looks first rate. the troop are [eroudi?] ng South prety fast it is reported tat tese rebels are routed from] Manassas gap. The are but one regement in camp of infantry. We sent oure clothes home this day. They go to [anmagh?] nuthing more Sam
[Pg4]
PS. Harisburgh Care of Capt J Bolan Co H Twelfth regiment
eers
Penna Reserve Volunt
[Seventh Letter] [.pdf page 23]
[1]
[1861]
Monday 28th Before the mail close es I just state that this morning is fine although the night was quite cool. there has been severel cold nights Cool enough for Autumn but it is all the [bet[ter] for ous. We [?] not goin to march soon as we exp ected as the rebes have remained as they ware before. Nothing More Sam A McNutt
Stratford Co Va
[BLANK PAGE]
[.pdf page 24]
[Eighth Letter] [.pdf page 25]
[1]
Aug 29th 61 Head Quarters Camp Tannelly Dear father [ ?] [and?] Kelly is going home this day I [embrace?] the oportunity of sending a line to you I have written to Rebeca [p...?] [Moud?] [lust?]. As for my health is is good & I hope that you & mother & family are allso well all the boys are in go od health. I have learned that you [ar?] [..ed?.] by false reports Respecting our command having advanced into Virginia and cut of by high water you must know that we comm and evry bridge and ford on the Potomic and covered by heavy arti llery and again it is not possable for 12000 men with 6o pescis of fiel d artillery to be cut. the keysto ne flag waves over ous then again 100,000 men onley the river [botom?] [ous?]
[Pg2]
they will not come out of there hole at Manasscis junct ion in force but there is one thing scertain there will be a fight before long not one but twenty of them as they will be attacked at evry point oure Regime t are detailed for [skermhshers?] & are drilling the Zoave drill. you lay on youre back and load we are pra ticing target shooting. I was out on picket gard on Sunday hight and Monday. this is a dangerous duty. I have learned that there was a moveme nt towards the falls of the Potomic but I can not say whether it is correct or not. you must not Believe one twentieth of the reports you get. I have written sever l letters home since and ha ve got onely one as [g][crossed out] yet. I will write once a wek to you we get oure pay on the first of September
[Pg3]
I will send my home to you and I wish for you to write to me [wet?] [her?] enny person is coming down soon. I may send it to him and not run the risk of the mai. l As I have not mutch news I will close Rememberring me to all my acquainten ces and friends. as I must go on skermish drill My love to you and Mother and all the familey Sam McNutt NB Direct Washington City D.C. Car of Capt A J Bolan Comp H 12 Reg iment P.R.C [Camp Tannelly][underlined] U S Army S A McNutt
[Eighth Letter] [.pdf page 28]
We are not paid
as yet nor is there enny prospect of
it but it would hardley do as there is
to mutch whiskey to be had and the
men must all be on hands. I have
nothing more for to write as news.
I hope that you may all have your
health My love to Mother and the
children the same to yourself
Your Affectionate Son
S A McNutt
P S write as often as you find it convenient direct to Washington 12 Regt Co H P. R. V. C In care of Capt A J Bolan and I will always get them
[August 1861?]
[Ninth Letter] [.pdf page 29]
Head Quarters Camp
Tannally Sept 8th 61
I would have writte[n] to you sooner but could not have time for to do therefore having a little spare time as it is Sunday. & just came of fat igue duty on the redout. it is a bout finished and the iron dogs ready for to bark. There has been some excitement in camp for several days. The Southern forces advanced on the right wind of our army an made a demmons tration but nuthing occured except a little Skermeshing with the advanced guard, the Penna R.C. was ordered into position. we present quite a formerable front 12 men & 60 pieces of artillery. you may know what position we ocuopy when in twelve hours we had forty thousand me n Virginia
[Pg2]
alone from oure side [except][crossed out] Then there is those at Arlington hights. they are falling back on extreams wings (that is the rebls) but what for is not known. allso they have fell back in the centre. the orders from Gen McCllend this morning is for to be ready for the Martch in a minnit we have three days rations cooked prepariatory. there was a re view yesterday by Mr Cameron & Curtai n. We will be Reviewed by [Le..?] Gen Scott on Tuesday. it is Reported [that][crossed out] in camp that we will go to Missouri. the artillery are ordered [West] and Major Camble has the choice of what regiments will accompany him & it appears that he has choseen oure Regiment as the especial guard for his artillery and we go to Haresburgh and exchange our musket for the
[Pg3]
Minnie rifle the Thirteenth & 11th 8th & 9th and first allso. this will make [a?] squad that will make our artillery safe. I will write if this is so from Harisburgh. it may be all yamon. As this is all the war news so I must stop till another sham battle. I received a letter form John date[d] the 22 inst on yesterday and I was glad for to here from home and I hop[e] that this may find you enjoying reasonable health. as for myself I am [?] for my pork & beans & we have four in the hospitle and six on the sick list James Tomb has a light turn of the fever and is at the hospitle. I think he would not have for to have went as he was gitting better
[Pg4]
had it not of been that ] we was ordered out for to meet the [ennemy][crossed out] enemy. I have not herd from him as yet the commu nications are cut of I am ordered out for to meet the enemy before you get this I am ready willing and wating. we will get some monay on Monday if we be in camp I wish you for to give my love to Aunt Mary & tell Ma linda I shall write some of thes days Pleas Remember me to Wm & Shrah Pers hing. I saw John & Joseph the day that we was ordered to the chain bridge or the day after as it was the night before. nuthing more but Remains yours in love John C Hemph[ill] S McNutt Washington City D.C 12 Regmt Co H P R C In care of Capt A J Bolan
