These letters were written by Nicholas C. Trout (1840-1863), the son of Jacob Trout (1787-1845) and Eloisa M. Snyder (1805-1870) of Green Village, Franklin county, Pennsylvania.
Nicholas enlisted as a private in Co. C., 126th Pennsylvania Infantry on 9 August 1862 with his older brother Jacob Snider Trout (1838-1883). By a vote of their company, Jacob was elected 2nd Lieutenant. The 9-month regiment entered the service in time for the Battle of Antietam, though they arrived at the battlefield too late to participate. Three months later, they took part in the ineffectual charge of Humphrey’s Division upon Marye’s Heights in the Battle of Fredericksburg, suffering a severe loss. After sharing in the discomforts of the futile “Mud March,” the regiment established winter quarters at Falmouth and remained there until the opening of the Chancellorsville campaign at the end of April, 1863. It was closely engaged on May 2, the brigade holding its ground until its ammunition was exhausted, when, failing to receive support, it was obliged to fall back after suffering heavy loss. For its courage and steadiness it was highly praised by Gen. Tyler.
In the second letter, penned by Nicholas from the regiment’s position on United States Ford during the Battle of Chancellorsville, he entreats his mother three times not to give herself “any uneasiness” about him or his brother and reassures her that they will return home in a matter of days. It was not to be, however. Nicholas was the first name listed among the three killed in the regiment reported in the local newspapers:
“The last week was one of terrible anxiety and suspense in this community—such as we have only known on one or two occasions before, and such as we pray God we may not know soon again. Early in the week it was rumored that a great battle had either taken place, or was impending, on the banks of the Rappahannock and the Rapidan. But it was not until Wednesday that we heard any definite or reliable news. And then we learned for the first time, that our brave boys had participated in the bloody conflict and that many of them were among the killed and wounded. The news, such as it was, but added to the excitement, anxiety and suspense—names were so wretchedly misspelled as to be scarcely recognizable—and numbers of regiments and companies were confused and unintelligible. And then too, but few names were given, while the newspapers informed us that Tyler’s Brigade had numbered eighteen hundred when it went into the fight and only six hundred when it came out—a loss of two-thirds of its entire number. Who were the loved ones who had fallen ‘with their backs to the earth and their feet to the foe.’ but whose sad fate had not yet been made known? Oh, the dreadful suspense was more terrible that the worst reality could be! And it was no wonder anxious and careworn faces could be met with every place there was a probability of getting news. It is no wonder that around many of our once happy firesides there were sighs and tears and unutterable anguish, during those long evenings of painful uncertainty. War is no child’s play. It is a horrible, bloody reality. It has Hund many a home in our midst in the sable curtains of mourning already; and there may be many sorrows in store for us. But let us bear these sorrows as heroically as our brave loved ones marched up to the cannon’s mouth and met death and wounds there…The killed and wounded of the 126th Regiment, as far as we have learned their names are as follows: Killed. Nicholas C. Trout—Company C, Simon Ripley—Company K, Corp. George F. McSavey—Company K” [Valley Spirit, (Chambersburg), 13 May 1863]
Letter 1
Camp near Falmouth
April 9th [1863]
My Dear Ma,
I know you are wondering why I do not write and thinking long to hear from your soldier boys. I will tell you the reason of my delay. We were ordered out for picket last Saturday and did not get back until yesterday. The regular interval is only three days but as the President was here reviewing the troops, so the balance of our boys that we left in camp were brought out to relieve Allibaugh’s Brigade so that it could go in to be reviewed by the President, and our brigade had to remain on two days longer. During that time, rations were sent out to us. So dear ma, that is the cause of my not writing to you sooner. I was thinking very much about you all the time and knew you would be thinking long to hear from me. I hope though this will settle all things straight again.
We are both very well. Jacob was along on picket. We had a very nice time with the exception of the night before Easter Sunday when we were exposed to an awful snow and wind storm. I suppose you had some of the same with you. We got along finely considering all things. For my part, I did not get eft as my great coat kept the snow out.
Dear ma, we are still here in our old camp but don’t know how long we will remain here. We have not very long to stay yet—about five weeks yet, I guess—and if we don’t move within that time we will not get into another fight. I am sure it will not be our fault. We are here ready and willing for anything we may be called on to do, and if Gen. Hooker does not see fit to take us nine months men into another fight, we cannot help it. I know there are not many who would not like to get home without going into another fight, but still I am afraid the people will think that we nine months men have not done anything. But I am sure that we have done as much as any of the other troops have or anyplace else for we are constantly performing duty of some kind. And if the people were in our place, they would think the same.
It is very true, we have been lying here a long time but not for nothing as we have built forts to protect the railroad after we do leave from rebel raids and the army is now better today than it ever was so when it does move, you may expect to hear some good news of it—if our generals do what is right. And I think we have the men that can lead us properly—at least I hope so. We have some very pleasant weather now but still cold at night and warm through the day.
[unsigned]
Letter 2
United States Ford
May 2d [1863]
Dear Ma,
I hope you will not give yourself any uneasiness about us as we are both safe and in good health, though somewhat fatigued by hard marching. We left our old camp last Monday 27th, marched up the river to Kelly’s Ford and crossed on the pontoons. Then marched to the Rapidan river and waded it, marched on to Bank’s Ford, then back again and now we are laying at the U. S. Ford which place we are guarding to keep the Rebels from flanking us & getting in our rear & cutting off our supplies. We have a handsome position. Our artillery are planted in front of us & I don’t have the least fear but that we can hold the place without a doubt. I don’t think it is thought by our officers that we will have any fighting to do as it is principally on the right. We had a sharp fight on the right yesterday & drove the Rebs back some.
I will not have time to write any more. We will leave for Harrisburg on the 8th so the report is now but am sure it will not be longer than 13th. But I suppose will not get home till 15th or some place there. Now I hope you you will rest easy as we are both well and in fine spirits & confident of a great victory. Hooker says the Rebs must come out and fight us on our own ground, or make an inglorious retreat, so I hope you will rest easy & I think we will get through all right. I know you are hearing some awful reports or will before this reaches you, but hope you will not pay any attention to them.
Give my love to cousin, Mrs. & Ann Kelly and your dear self. Hoping to see you all soon, I am your affectionate son, — N. C. Trout
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