These letters were written by Jairus Waid (1841-1862) who enlisted as a corporal with his brother Stephen Girard Waid (1837-1920) in Co. I (‘the Meadville Volunteers”), 10th Pennsylvania Reserves (a.k.a. 39th Regiment Volunteers) in June 1861. Jairus did not survive the war. He died at Harrison’s Landing on the James River in Virginia, on 9 August 1862. Jairis’ body was not returned to Pennsylvania; he was buried in the Glendale National Cemetery in Section C, Grave 53.
Jairus was the son of Warner Waid (1795-1874) and Susan Patton (1799-1864) of Randolph township, Crawford county, Pennsylvania. He wrote the letters to his younger brother, Jason T. Waid (1844-1892).
The first letter was written just after the Battle of Bull Run although Jairus’ regiment did not participate in it. He attributed the Union loss to the arrival of Confederate reinforcements that turned the tide though he attributed great valor to the “Fire Zouaves” (11th New York Volunteer Infantry) which was led by Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth until he was shot and killed on May 24, 1861 while retrieving the Confederate flag from the Marshall House in Alexandria.
The third letter contains a great description of Brigadier General E. O. C. Ord and a reference to the Battle of Dranesville.
To read a letter written from Camp Tennally by Capt. Ira Ayer of Co. I, 10th Pennsylvania Reserves, see 1861: Capt. Ira Ayer to Sarah Cecelia Ayer on Spared and Shared 7.
Letter 1
Washington
July 27, 1861
Jason,
I now lie down to write a few lines to you. I received a letter from you a few days ago but you did not say anything about receiving a letter from me, but I wrote one and sent five dollars in it. The boys are now cleaning heir guns to go and shoot the target but mine is clean and I thought I would write.
Our regiment left Pittsburg one week ago last Thursday but I stayed there to wait for Norris and some recruits and some fellows that had been home on furlough and left there last Tuesday and arrived in Harrisburg that eve. Stayed there till Friday morning and came through Baltimore where we found a number of kind people—a great change taken place there. The Union feeling is quite strong there. The Union Home Guard furnished us with a barrel of crackers and one of ginger bread.
There is considerable excitement here now—troops are arriving here all the time and from every quarter. There is a strong force encamped about the city. I hear them estimating that there are a hundred thousand here and some say fifty thousand have crossed into Virginia but no one knows accurately.
I suppose that you have all heard about the late battle. The accounts were much exaggerated but the loss was quite heavy on both sides. But our men were overpowered by numbers, having three to one after the enemy were reinforced. But our men fought like tigers—especially the Fire Zouaves who made considerable effect rushing in continually till they were badly cut up. And every time they made a rush they cried, “Ellsworth!” Our army was not ready for the battle. One of our generals are under arrest.
I like the business first rate and next time we will be ready. Perhaps it will not be tried till some time. General McClellan will take command here next time and perhaps he is the best officer in the army (there is no better).
Stephen and I have some clothes in Meadville in care of Josiah Douglass and some with Finney.
Our regiment is healthy and we all enjoy ourselves, have enough to eat, and I slept as sound as ever on the softest beds. Butter is worth three shillings per pound here, there being none allowed to be brought—only [ ] market.
Direct letters in care of Capt. Ayer, Tenth Pa. Reg. Reserve Corps. Then if we move they will come where we are. — Jairus Waid
Letter 2
Camp Pierpont
October 13, 1861
Brother Jason,
Being it is now Sabbath morn and I have nothing else to do, I thought I would reply to yours of the 6th immediately. It came to hand yesterday. I was glad to hear from home once more and to hear that the folks were all well and am quite as happy to inform you that we are all well in return.
If you noticed the heading of this you discovered that we have changed our residence. Last Wednesday we crossed the Chain Bridge and now are encamped over the river about four or five miles. The name of this county is Fairfax. Here, not but a few days ago, the secession pickets were established on the ground where we are encamped. Our pickets are extended out two or three miles from here and there is considerable excitement here now and perhaps there will be a battle fought—unless the rebel forces are withdrawn farther back for two armies of such hostility cannot remain long within so small a distance of each other without some movement. We are kept almost all of the time in readiness to march at a moment’s warning. We were called out yesterday and again last evening—or rather this morning about three o’clock and stacked arms but I guess it was only to see how quick we could form and be ready.
Stephen is on guard today and Chancey is shaving Thomas Jones just now. I asked Chancy if I should tell you anything for him and he said to tell you to keep up good spirits. I like soldiering as well as ever. We are now in quite a fine looking place. There is the prettiest spring just below here I ever saw. I had got fixed up quite nicely over at Camp Tennally for writing and comforts but when I moved I had to leave it all and now have to resort to take it on my knee sitting on the ground and it is quite unhandy for one who has to write as much as I.
We have never seen any of the Erie Regiment since that Sunday I told you of. we don’t know much more concerning them, perhaps, than the folks out there, but I think they are in advance of us. I saw them mentioned as being in front in Friday’s paper. I understand that they are to be brought into McCall’s Division but I don’t know how true it is. Most of the army are in advance of us. I heard someone saying that the Erie Regiment has been taken back on the Maryland side of the Potomac but I don’t believe it.
We have another Chaplain. His name is Maquire. Perhaps there was never a more efficient army mover than that now on the Potomac and under the General we now have success appears to be sure. The soldiers are all confident of the ability of their commanders and in good health. We have plenty to eat and could get a great deal more if we saw fit. We have fine officers according to my opinion and they look out well for our comfort. Gen. [John S.] McCalmont who was formerly our Colonel is now acting as Brigadier General. Please give this to Carlton Ashley. I can’t spare any more until I receive more. Please direct your next to Jairus Waid, Co. I, 10th P. R. C., Washington D. C.
— Jairus Waid
To his brother Jason
Letter 3
Camp Pierpont
January 17, 1862
Brother Jason,
I believe I will write to you this [ ] eve. I received yours this week. There isn’t much news of importance except we have got into a pretty nice tent. I have had considerable to do today and I am pretty tired tonight. I have a tent partly made of wood with a very nice fireplace in one side of it. I have enough to furnish quite a house. I don’t know but if the war should end soon I may stay in my new tent in preference to leaving it.
We are all about as common except Stephen is complaining of a sore mouth. Camp life agrees with us all very well, I believe, for we are about as mean as there are in the company and about us as stout and stand marching about as well as any of them. I haven’t been off duty for the last 4½ months and the most of our fellows feel big enough since we met and whipped a superior force of rebels, and the account given by the Ninth Regiment isn’t correct by a long sight for our company, Co. C, & Co. F was in the fight as much as any of them. And so was Co. B of the 10th. And since by orders of Governor Curtain, Dranesville has been printed on our flag—or Dranesville, Dec. 20, 1861—and so has the 9th C, 12th C Bucktails.
E. O. C. Ord is our Brigadier General and he is as kind of feeling a general and as brave and energetic a man as the Army of the Potomac affords. [George A.] McCall is our Major General and by his order we are to be called the “Fighting Brigade.” When Ord first came here there was hardly a man that liked him. He is a very rough looking man, goes dressed but little better than some of the privates, [and] goes round on foot through the camps. But lately they have got so that every man likes him in his brigade and would almost die for him. We have all good officers.
Jason, I want you to do up my fiddle and take it to town and send it to me. Sew it up and direct it as you do my letters and send it by Adams Express. Pay the fee on it. I don’t know how much it will be precisely but I guess about 5 shillings or 75 cents. If it isn’t more than a dollar, give one of those dollars to Susan and if there is anything left, keep it yourself. I have considerable time evenings that I haven’t much to do and we are obliged to sit up until 8½ or 9 o’clock and I think it would help to pass away some long evenings. Please put in my fiddle book and do them up firmly. Sew cloth around them or if you could get a box to put them in it would be better. Send it as soon as you can get into town.
— Jairus
to Jason T. Waid
Spared & Shared 22 