This extensive collection of letters were penned by Anthony Gardner Graves, Jr. (1840-1930) who served in the 44th New York Volunteer Infantry—sometimes called “Ellsworth Avengers.” Anthony was the son of Anthony G. Graves (1806-1884) and Eliza Ann Johnson (1808-1877) of Albany, New York.
Early in the war, Graves served as a private in Co. B, 10th New York State Militia. In September 1861, he enlisted in Co. F of the regiment and was promoted to sergeant immediately afterwards. He was wounded in action at Hanover Court House, Virginia on 27 May 1862—the first major action of the regiment. He was then promoted to 1st Sergeant in August 1862 and was captured in action at Groveton on 30 August 1862. After he was paroled, he was commissioned a 2d Lieutenant in Co. G on 25 December 1862. He was then transferred to Co. F in March 1863 and promoted to 1st Lieutenant of Co. H in January 1864. He was wounded in the fighting at North Anna, Virginia, on 23 May 1864, and discharged for disability on 30 June 1864.
Not ready yet to hang up his uniform, Graves reenlisted as a private on 25 August 1864 in the 11th New York Independent Battery (light artillery) and was rapidly promoted to 1st Sergeant, to 2nd Lieutenant, and 1st Lieutenant. He was then assigned to detached service commanding the ambulance corps, and as an Assistant Quartermaster. He mustered out on 9 April 1865 at Albany, New York.
[It should be noted here that Guy Graves, a descendant of Anthony Graves, submitted copies of speeches and letters written by his ancestor to the Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park in 1988. My friend, John Hennessy, kindly provided me with a transcript of the speech Graves delivered at a Reunion of the 44th NYV. See copy posted at the end of this collection. The copies of letters turned out to be the same ones already transcribed in this collection. ]
~1~
Hall’s Hill
Camp Butterfield
January 2, 1862
Dear Parents,
I am well and am enjoying myself first rate. Please send the boots as soon as possible. My love to all the family & a Happy New Year. I send this by Lieut. [James] McMillan of our company. I would write more but he is just a going to start. Goodbye.
Your affectionate son, — Anthony Graves, Jr., Sergeant Co. F, 44th Regt.
~2~
Bivouac of the 44th Regiment
Near Big Bethel, Virginia
March 26th 1862
Dear Parents,
Once more I have the pleasure of addressing a few lines to you, letting you know that I am still alive. The last time I wrote to you I believe I was in Centerville but I have been in a great many places since that time and have seen some pretty hard times, although we haven’t had a fight or even seen a rebel.
We left Centerville and returned to Fairfax where we stayed and bivouacked for two days when we received orders to march back to Alexandria at which place we arrived in a drenching rainstorm after marching eighteen miles. We had nothing but our little poncho tents and the ground being muddy and wet that we could not pitch them. Consequently we had to occupy the tents of the Irish Brigade which is about a mile and a half from the city. We stayed in these tents two nights until it cleared off when we left and pitched our poncho’s on a side hill just under Fort Ellsworth where John Sawyer is stationed. So that night as the ground was damp and cold, me and Pip went over to the fort and slept where we had a tip top bed to lay on. They have things cozy there.
The next night I thought as it looked like a pleasant night I thought I would stay in my poncho, but the weather is very uncertain in this part of the country and in the middle of the night it began to rain like fun so that the little tents was but poor shelter for us and so we all got dripping wet. At eleven o’clock we received orders to strike our camp at five o’clock in the morning and get ready to march at six to Alexandria and embark on board of boats to sail [but] we did not know where. When we arrived at the dock, I was surprised to see a laying in the stream most of our North River Steamboats—the Knickerbocker, Hero, Com[?] and other familiar boats to me. We embarked on the boats on the morning of the 21st inst. [but] stayed at the dock all that night.
The next morning we hauled out of the stream, anchored and waited until all the boats were ready and at 12 o’clock, at the signal, twenty-two steamers with our whole Division composed of over fifteen thousand troops [started down the river]. It was a splendid sight to see all these boats move down the river together, all in line. At 2 o’clock we passed Fort Washington & Mount Vernon. At the fort the troops were all out on the ramparts and gave three cheers as each boat passed by. At 4 o’clock we passed the first Rebel battery which was a poor looking place. This was the only battery I saw.
The scenery down the river was very fine and in the evening the sight was a splendid one—to see so many boats lit up and moving together. It was one of the most splendid sights I ever saw in my life.
At ten o’clock all the boats hove anchor and lay low until morning when at daylight they resumed their march. We entered the Chesapeake Bay at 10 o’clock when we found out where we were going to—Fortress Monroe. Our passage through the bay was a fine one. It was a splendid day. The sun shone out beautiful and was as warm as any day in the month of July. The whole bay, from the mouth of the Potomac to the Fortress was covered with wild ducks and the boats would run so near them that the men on the boats shot them with their guns. It was a great sight. The whole bay was literally covered with them.
We arrived opposite the Fortress at about 5 o’clock. We could plainly see the rebel flag flying on Sewell’s Point which is about 4 miles opposite. The gunboat Monitor played out fifty yards from where we were anchored. She is a great curiosity. She looks like a large dry goods box sunk in the water with a cheese box on top. She is only 16 inches out of the water and carries only two guns which are loaded by steam and are mounted in this cheese box on the top which revolves around so that they can bring their guns to bear on any point. She looks like anything else but a gunboat.
We slept on board of the boats that night and in the morning we landed and marched about a half a mile back of Hampton Village & pitched our poncho’s in a large field. We stayed on this place overnight and the next morning we struck our tents and marched to within three miles of Big Bethel. We are now encamped in the [remainder of letter missing]
[Images of letter not available]
~3~
Bivouac of the 44th Regiment
Within a mile of Yorktown [Va.]
April 11th 1862
Dear Parents,
Your kind letter came due to me today and I assure you was most thankfully received. We left the Fortress [Monroe] just a week ago today, Friday the 4th inst. at daybreak and marched fifteen miles. We drove the rebel pickets in a mile beyond Great Bethel. They were about fifty strong and retreated on the approach of the army. We did not encounter any more until we got to a place called the Halfway House which is fifteen miles from Fortress Monroe. At this place they had extensive earthworks thrown up. They were about five hundred strong but a few shells from our batteries set them to flight. We marched into their works. They were very strong fortifications and if they had troops and artillery plenty there they would of given us a warm time to take it.
As the day was most gone, we pitched our bivouac and stayed at this place over night. At daybreak the bugles sounded the General when the whole army could be seen striking their ponchos and getting ready to resume their marches which they done at six o’clock. Just after starting, a heavy rainstorm set in which gave us all a pretty good ducking, besides placing the roads in a bad condition which made it very bad for us to march on, the mud being in some places knee deep.
After leaving the camp, the road extended through a large woods a mile and a half long with a swamp on either side and the rebels in their retreat barricaded this road by cutting down trees and placing them across the road so our artillery could not pass. This delayed us about an hour. The pioneers cut it away and the army resumed its march. Passing through this piece of woods was the most trying part of our march. The rebels done everything in their power to impede our progress by blockading the road and destroying the bridges all along our march. We could hear our batteries ahead a shelling the rebels in their retreat.
After marching six miles and at twelve o’clock, we were brought to a halt by the appearances of rebel batteries ahead and on enquiring found out that they were the fortifications of Yorktown. Our battery and the Berdan’s Sharp Shooters were sent out when quite a little battle ensued at a long range, but I don’t think much injury to either side. They are very strongly fortified here and are about thirty thousand strong and McClellan has got them hemmed in so that they can’t get out. All their communications are cut off and they will have to surrender sooner or later.
You need not be uneasy about me as I don’t think there will be much fighting here. We have had pretty hard times since we left Halls Hill. It has been raining here for the past three days which makes it quite disagreeable for us in our little poncho tents and sleeping on the ground. We lay now about a mile and a half off the rebel batteries but are out of sight. Professor Lowe with his balloon apparently is here and making ascensions during the night to [remainder of letter missing]
~4~
Headquarters of the 44th Ellsworth Regiment
Garrisoning Yorktown
Sunday morning, May 18th 1862
Dear Sister,
I take the pleasure of writing a few lines to you. I received your last letter which came to me while at our camp in front of Yorktown. It is now most three weeks and I have not ad any answer from you since. I answered your letter the same night I got it. You must be more prompt in answering for I like to hear from you often.
Our regiment is stationed at this place yet but we expect to leave here tomorrow morning to take our place in the advance where we all want to be, where we can see and do something. It was an awful dirty hole here when we first came. We have had a hundred and fifty contraband to work and they have got the place so that it looks quite respectable. It is a good place to encamp for we have splendid times. We never lived better since we have been away than we do here. The rebels left about five hundred barrels of flour behind them which we seized on of which the boys make poney cakes of. Besides the river is full of oysters. The boys take a boat and go across the river and fish the up with their hands and in about two hours they can get a boat load of nice large ones. Besides the river is alive with crabs and fish. The boys make oyster fritters, oyster soup, or any other kind of oysters and they live on them about all together.
We have tip top quarters here. We inhabit a big shanty that was formerly occupied by some rebel officers. There is three rooms in it. We use one for a kitchen, one for our traps, and the other for a sleeping room. There is eleven of us together with one or two lieutenants. We have got the colored boys to work for us and do the cooking and we live just about as good as we would if we was at home. But our time is short for we will have to give up our good living if we leave here in the morning.
Yesterday me and “Pip” took a walk around to look at the rebels and our works. It was quite a curiosity. I visited the place where I laid on picket all night and I was very surprised to see how near I was to the rebels. It was not over a hundred yards. We had to lay flat all night [for] if we raised up, a ball would whistle over our heads. This was the night that they began to evacuate. They fired a bomb shell every half hour during the night and it was a splendid sight to see them pass through the air and burst and fly into a thousand different directions.
I just heard that we don’t start from her until tomorrow night. Our destination is the White House twenty-five miles from Richmond where General Washington was married to the widow Curtis. We go up the York river by boats as far as West Point. We then have to walk about five miles.
Lieut. [Charles W.] Gibbs and myself had quite a narrow escape last Sunday from being blown up by a torpedo. We went down into one of the magazines to explore it. We took a candle and went all through it and found nothing but ammunition. About half an hour after a half dozen artillery men went down with shovels and dug up a large torpedo right in the centre of the passage. It was very lucky that we did not step on it. One of our boys met with quite a serious accident yesterday. He was exploding a lot of powder and was laying a train. He had a bag of powder in one hand and spreading it with the other when it caught [fire] some way and blasted in his face, burning him quite bad. Playing with powder is dangerous business.
I can’t think of much more to write at present. Oh! how do you like your new place of residence? Write on the receipt of this and tell me all about it. Give my love to all enquiring friends and to Mother and Father. Tell John that I am waiting patiently for that money as I want to use it very bad. I have wrote two letters to John since I have received his. The last one I sent by Mr. [Henry] Southwick [of Albany] who was here to get the body of his son [Lt. James McAlister Southwick, Co. A, 93rd NY] who died with the typhoid fever. I wish he would let me know whether he received the rebel letters and papers that I sent to him. There is lots of relics here that I would like to send if I could.
Pip sends his respects. Rover also sends his respects. He is fat and hearty. Pip has got a shell that he is a going to send to Johnny. I can’t think of any more to write at present. I am well and in good spirits and I hope this will find you the same. The weather is splendid here. The grass has started out. The trees are all leafed out and everything looks green and springlike. Write soon and give me all the news. Tell all the folks to write. Goodbye for the present. I will write again as soon as I get to the White House!
From your brother, — Anthony G. Graves, Jr., Co. F, 44th Regiment
~5~
Camp 44th Regiment
Harrison’s Landing, [Va.]
August 11th 1862
Dear Parents,
I arrived here all safe and sound yesterday afternoon after a pleasant voyage of three days. I met Lieut. [Charles W.] Gibbs at Baltimore so you see I had company part of the way. The weather is very warm here. Our regiment is all packed up and are under orders to march. In fact, the whole army is a going to move but to where I could not tell you. But I think the whole army is going to fall back in Washington. We had to go up the James river in company with a gunboat.
Dave Weaver is 2nd sergeant and I am 3rd but there is vacancy for Orderly but whether I will get it I cannot tell but hope it will come out all right. Weaver was appointed in place of Sergeant McCormic [who was] promoted to Sergt. Major. I think it will turn out all right. The boys are getting up a petition to the Colonel to have me made Orderly.
I can’t think of any more to write at present. I will write more the next time. Johnny Graves is well and sees his respects. Excuse the writing as I have a bad pen. Goodbye for the present. My love to all.
— Anthony G. Graves, Jr.
~6~
Camp near Arlington Heights, Virginia
September 7th 1862
Dear Sister,
Excuse me for not writing to you before as I have been placed so that I could not possibly. We have been on the march for the past three weeks every day with nothing but half rations to live on and I am about used up. I am at present at this camp awaiting orders to be sent away. It is a very pleasant place and I get plenty to eat and I am recruiting up quite fast.
I was in the battle on Saturday the 31st and thank God, come out all right with the exception of being taken prisoner by the rebels. The particulars of the fight you will read in a letter to John. We laid under fire from nine o’clock in the morning to four in the afternoon. All the morning we laid flat on the ground supporting a battery with the shells and solid shot flying thick and fast all around us. While laying here we only had two men killed with a solid shot which went directly over my head.
We was ordered to advance about one o’clock which we done to within about five hundred yards of the rebels where we was ordered to lay down while the shells was bursting thick and fast over our heads and tearing away the branches of the trees. Oh! it’s an awful feeling to be laying down with shot and shells bursting right over us and expecting every minute to be called out of this world by one of these horrible missiles.
At about two o’clock we was ordered to get up and advance on the double quick across the open field [on John Dogan’s farm] and take the rebel batteries. We all jumped up promptly, deployed column and advanced into the field with grape and canister a pouring into us and making sad havoc in our ranks. First a shell would burst over my head, then a round shot would whiz by, then the grape and canister would rattle into us, then the moans and groans of the dying and wounded is too horrible to write about. Lieut. [Charles W.] Gibbs was struck in his canteen by a piece of shell which only stunned him a little. Instantly afterwards he was struck in the arm by a musket ball which broke one of his bones just above the wrist. He was right by the side of me and I expected every minute that my turn would come. I got safely up to the top of the knoll where there was a strip of small trees.
The rebels was concealed behind these into an old railroad ditch so it was impossible for us to see them and they poured such a galling fire into us that we had to retreat and before we could get away, the rebels was on me so I had to give up and they took me prisoner. They kept me five days without anything to eat and I never was so near starved in my life. We could not get nothing to eat but some green corn and green peaches. I managed to get a small piece of corn bread from one of the rebels for which I gave him a knife and pocket comb.
“The [rebels are] a dirty, filthy, greasy-looking set of devils. I saw Stonewall Jackson and he looks as bad as the common soldier. You could not tell that he was a general.”
—Anthony G. Graves, 44th New York
The rebels are nearly starved themselves. I think they would of fed us if they had it to give. They treated us very kindly and done the best that they could for us. They are awful hard up for food and clothing. The most of them have no shoes to their feet. In fact, they don’t look like civilized people. They look more like a lot of Indians—a dirty, filthy, greasy-looking set of devils. I saw Stonewall Jackson and he looks as bad as the common soldier. You could not tell that he was a general.
The next day after the battle, I got leave to visit the battlefield with a guard and of all the terrible sights I ever saw, it was there. The whole field where we advanced over was strewn with the dead and wounded. They laid in all shapes. In some places in perfect lines. I saw Col. [Edward] Frisby’s body stripped of everything but his shirt and drawers. 1 Our dead had their pockets rifled of everything and their rations out of their knapsacks was taken. We fought the rebels Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday and we was whipped every day and our whole army has fallen back in Washington.
I must close as I have no more paper to write on. I lost everything I had—shirts, drawers, socks, pocket handkerchieves, paper and all, and I am fully hard up.
Give my love to Mother and Father and all inquiring friends. You need not write until you hear from me again. My regiment has gone into Maryland. Goodbye for the present. From your loving brother, — Anthony G. Graves, Jr.
1 Col. Edward Frisby (1809-1862) of Albany commanded the 30th New York Infantry, in Hatch’s Brigade. For a great story about the Colonel and the boots that were taken from his body, see Tales from the ARmy of the Potomac.]
~7~
Camp of the 44th Regiment
Near Sharpsburg [Maryland]
October 5th 1862
Dear Parents,
Father’s letter was received this morning and it gave me great pleasure to hear from home once more. I received a letter from George day before yesterday. I am sorry to hear that John is sick with the typhoid fever. He will have to take great care of himself for it is a bad disease and very few recover from it. I heard that he was in Washington and expected him out to see me. I hope he will soon get well. Johnny Graves expects a commission in the Regular Army. Well, I hope he will get it but I doubt it for it’s no easy matter to get a position there without a great deal of influence. I am glad to hear that recruiting is going on lively in Albany. I hope it will continue so for we need them all.
We are still encamped on the Maryland side of the Potomac. Our pickets occupy one side and rebels the other. They have agreed not to fire on each other. Our men go in bathing on their side and the rebels on the other. Our army is laying still with no indications of moving and the probabilities are we will lay here for two or three weeks yet. It is a very pleasant place and the men are getting quite a rest.
I am glad to hear that you are a going to open your schools soon and I hope you will meet with good success. I wish I was home to help you along.
Our regiment is picking up considerable now. Day before yesterday we had a squad of forty-three new recruits come in besides a number of men that have returned from the hospitals and with the two new companies that are on their way here will give us quite a hoist. The army was reviewed day before yesterday by Old Abe accompanies by General McClellan and his staff. The men looked well as they was drawn up for review, not withstanding the hardships they have passed through lately. As. the President rode in front of our regiment (only numbering one hundred men), Gen. McClellan asked the President if he remembered the fine large regiment the 44th Ellsworths that passed through Washington about a year ago. On being answered in the affirmative, he said this is what remains of them.
I was over to see Captain [Campbell] Allen today. He is Provost Marshal of a Division and stays at Porter’s Headquarters. In the course of the conversation, he asked me if I had any chance of promotion in view and I read part of your letter to him and he told me to look out and when there was a vacancy to tell him and he would write immediately to the Governor. He said that he would give me a recommend and do all in his power for me. So look out and if there is anything in Albany, let me know and I will do all I can hear. If Lieut. Zielman don’t get his commission, why I think that I will have to go back to Third Sergeant and Zielman will be Orderly for they had no business to appoint an Orderly until those who had been appointed 2nd Lieutenants had received their commissions. But still I think it will be all right in our companies for we have got our full number of men and they can’t consolidate us with any other company.
I will try and write a letter to Mother tomorrow. I must close. I have no more to write at present. Father, try and send those boots by some one that is coming out here. Also send me some letter paper and stamps as soon as you can. Give my love to mother and all the rest of the family and all enquiring friends. Goodbye for the present.
— Anthony G. Graves, Jr., Orderly Sergt. Co. F
Write by return mail if you can. It is more easy to answer right away.
~8~
Camp of the 44d Regiment
Near Sharpsburg, Maryland
October 9, 1862
Dear Mother,
With great pleasure I sit down tonight to write a few lines to you. In the letter that I wrote to Father a few days ago, I said that I would write to you the next day. I had a great deal of writing to do for a few days back so I could not write as I promised. Nothing has happened of any consequence here since I wrote last—only we have moved our camp down the river about three miles at which place our Brigade is camped. I should not be surprised if our regiment would go into winter quarters at this place and do picket duty along the river. The regiments in our brigade are so decimated that they are hardly fit for duty. There isn’t a regiment (but one) that can muster over two hundred and fifty men for duty. There is one full new regiment in our brigade of a thousand men and that is as large as the four other regiments all put together.
I am not doing any duty with the regiment yet. Our fifth sergeant is acting Orderly. I think I will write to Washington tomorrow to find out how the matter stands. I want to resume my duties before the consolidation takes place if I possibly can. You see Zielman has not got his commission yet and I don’t think that he will, and in that case he will have to take his place as Orderly again and that will throw me back to third sergeant again, so Capt.. Allen says, but I don’t think they can reduce me in that way without some cause for I have been regular appointed as Orderly Sergeant.
The weather remains quite warm during the day but the nights and mornings are quite chilly. I still remain in good health and spirits. We are expecting to be paid off every day and I hope we will soon for I want to use some the worse way. I have got to pay my transportation from Albany to Baltimore out of my next pay. I can’t think of much more to write at present. Tell Father if he thinks that a recommend will be of any use, I will send one to him. I wish I could get my discharge. I could soon get a commission then. I must close.
How does John get along? I hope he is better so that he can write to me. Give my love to all the family and best respects to all enquiring friends. Write soon. Goodbye for the present.
From your affectionate son, — Anthony G. Grave, Jr.
P. S. Send the boots by anyone that is coming to the regiment if you possibly can.
~9~
Camp of the 44th Regiment NYS Vols
Near Warrenton [Virginia]
November 16, 1862
Dear Friend John,
Your kind and welcome letter was received yesterday and it gave me great pleasure to hear from you but was very sorry to hear that you had lost the boy. I thought that you would have some trouble in raising it as he was so very small. I have not got much to write you in this letter. Our company has been detached as Provost Guard to the 5th (Port’s) ARmy Corps for the past two weeks but on the removal of General Porter, Captain Allen and his command was ordered to the regiment and here we are again. Our company has the right of the line—Capt. Allen being senior to all the other officers. Lieutenant Zielman received a leave of absence to go to Washington and procured an outfit on the 12th for two days. It is now the 16th and he has not returned. I am afraid he will get himself in trouble in staying over his time but I hope not for he is a tip top fellow.
You say that I am slow in sending the papers. I tell you Jack, I might of sent you the paper a long time ago with the names of Capt. Allen’s and Colonel Conner’s attached but I thought a few days would not make a great difference if I could procure the signatures of General Butterfield, Porter and General McClellan—of which I have done—and it has gone into the Governor. Captain Allen says that it was the strongest recommend that ever went into the Governor and I think he has got it by this time. If there is any good in recommends, I think mine will accomplish the required object. At any rate, I hope so. I wish you would see if the papers has been received or not or else get some good man to see to it and I don’t think there will be much trouble. I wrote you a letter a short time ago and gave you a copy of the Captain Allen’s recommend when you will again please tell me if you received this letter.
I am glad to hear that you are again at work and have got a good place and I hope you will keep it. I can’t think of much more to write at present. We have just received orders to march at 6 o’clock in the morning and it is rumored that we are going to Fredericksburg which is about fifty miles from here. I suppose this move is another change of base.
I had hopes that we would get paid off before we marched. The government owes me for give months pay—one hundred dollars a pretty good sum. I wish that I had a little of it now. It would come good. Oh! Jack, I have not got the boots yet and I think Father had better have them sent back for I will not be able to get them here. I must close as I want to get this letter in the bag tonight. So give my love to all the family—also to my enquiring friends. Tell Emma to write. Also Albert. I wrote to him about two months ago. Never mind if he don’t think me worth writing to, why all right. Tell. the folks that I want to have some postage stamps sent to me for I can’t get any here. Write soon. My love to all. Goodbye for the present.
From your friend, — Anthony G. Graves, Jr
P. S. Direct as usual, 44th Co. F, Washington D. C.
~10~
Bivouac of the 44th Regiment
Within eight miles of Fredericksburg
November 20, 1862
Dear Parents,
With pleasure I sit down to write a few lines to you. I am in good health a spirits and I hope this will find you all in the same condition.
The army is again on the move and marching on to the rebel Capitol once more as this is the third attempt. I hope we will be successful. We left Sharpsburg, Maryland, on the 30th of October and marched to Harper’s Ferry—a distance of twelve miles. We laid at this place (of “John Brown” notoriety) one day and on the 1st of November we crossed into Old Virginia a distance of six miles when we camped for the night.
The next morning we marched a distance of twelve miles to a place called Snicker’s Gap. A few rebels held the place but our advance consisting of a portion of General Sumner’s Corps, drove them out. On the next day we done nothing but clean ups draw rations, and get ready to push on forward the next day. So the next morning at daybreak we resumed our march towards Warrenton. We marched this day a distance of fourteen miles, halted and pitched our camp at a place called White Plains at which place we had railroad communication from Alexandria.
The next morning [5 November] it began to snow and continued all day and at night we had four or five inches of snow on the ground and the soldiers in their little “poncho” tents suffered considerable from the wet and cold. At night the weather moderated and the snow melted away very fast and in the [morning] it had all disappeared and as many inches of mud was left in the place of the snow. We all thought that winter had set in for good.
At eight o’clock we got orders to march and at nine we started through the mud and slush. At 6 o’clock p. m. we pitched our camp within a mile and a half of Warrenton where we laid for seven or eight days. Here General McClellan and General Porter was relieved of their commands. General Burnside superseded McClellan and General Hooker took Porter’s place. This great change created great excitement in the army for everyone placed so much confidence in him, but I hope it is all for the best.
From Warrenton we marched to Warrenton Station and from there to where we are now camped within eight miles of Fredericksburg. It rained hard all last night and is is doing the same this morning and the prospects are that it will continue all day. Our company has been relieved of Provost Guard duty and the Captain and his command is with the regiment. We have the right of the line. The Captain is all the commissioned officers we have in the company. Lieutenant Zielman received a leave of absence at Warrenton to go to Washington to procure an outfit. His leave was for two days [but] he has been gone now five days and I can’t see what keeps him away so long.
About the recommend, has Father [illegible on crease]…Capt. [Campbell] Allen when we was at Harper’s Ferry. It is signed by Col. Conner, Col. Stockton, General Butterfield, General F. J. Porter, and General Burnside and is now in the hands of the Governor, I suppose. I think. Father had better go and see Governor [Edwin D.] Morgan about the recommend and I think there will be no trouble in getting a position for that was one of the best recommends ever given to anyone. The commanding general’s name alone is enough to give me a commission. All that is required now is for someone to work in Albany. If there should be a vacancy occur in my company, I don’t think that I would be promoted for the Sergt. Major is a great favorite with the Colonel and other officers and thus could try and get him in our company.
But let someone work hard in Albany and I think that it will all be right. I must close as the mail goes out at 2 o’clock. Write soon and give all the news. I wish I had my boots. Goodbye for the present.
From your affectionate son, — A. G. Graves, Jr.
~11~
Camp of the 44th Regiment M. Y. S. Vols.
Near Falmouth, Va.
December 3rd 1862
Dear Friend Jack,
With pleasure I take the advantage of a few leisure moments to write a letter to you. I answered your last letter to me and am waiting patiently for an answer. I am anxious to find out if my recommend has been received or not. Capt. [Campbell] Allen spoke to me last night. He wanted to know if I had heard from the paper yet and I told him that I had received a letter from home stating that it had not been received at the Adjutant General’s Office and he said that he didn’t see any reasons for it not going through and if it had been delayed, he would try and found out where it was. He seems very anxious that it should go through all right and I think for my part that it will, and I hope it will do some good when it is received.
The weather is very cool now-a-days—especially in the night, and one army blanket is hardly sufficient to keep us warm. It is blowing a perfect gale here today and I assure you, it is anything but comfortable out of doors. We are laying within three miles of Falmouth. Our camp is in the centre of a large pine wood. The trees are all cut down and stumps dug out and cleared way for our camp. Most of the men have logged their poncho tents up as though they was going to stay here all winter. We (the sergeants) have got a large bell [Sibley] tent which we got when we was at Headquarters doing Provost duty. It is large and if we should go into winter quarters, we will log it up and make comfortable winter quarters for us.
We have been out at this place two weeks and the reason for our delay here is on account of the army being entirely out of commissary stores. Another thing, the whole Rebel army is on the opposite side of the river and it would be impossible for this army to cross the Rappahannock here without a great sacrifice of lives, and the different armies advancing on the rebel Capitol by the way of the Peninsula, Petersburg, and on the south side, which will compel the rebel army to fall back from the Rappahannock on Richmond. Then we will advance and not until. The Rebels are in a bad state and they know it. They are half clothed and half fed, with their supplies cut off from the army for one week would compel them to lay down their arms. They are now calling on every available man to come to the rescue for they see that they are in a tight place. Our forces are advancing on them from all directions and they will soon creep into their hole at Richmond. There is one thing certain, if Richmond is not taken this winter, I don’t think it ever will be for the two year and nine months men’s time will expire in the spring which will take off half of our army so something must be done this winter.
Our regiment was on picket Saturday and Sunday last. We started out Saturday night at 6 o’clock and marched about 5 miles above Falmouth. We halted in the woods on a road that leads to the river and place our pickets to prevent a raid in our rear. The first night was very cold. We laid on the ground and was not allowed to build any fires. The next night it was not so cold and they allowed us to build fires and we passed the night very comfortable. Everything remained quiet while on picket. We started for camp at 12 o’clock Monday and got into camp at about 3 o’clock. Very lucky for us [as] it began to rain just as we got into camp. We have not been paid off yet. The government owes me now going on six months pay. On the 1st of January they will owe me one hundred and eighteen dollars. I wish I had a little of it now for it would come mighty good for I could use a little to good advantage just now. But I understand that the government owes the troops $60,000,000 more than there is in the treasury. If that is the case, it will be a good while before we will be paid off.
I gave the check for my boots to Johnny Kimin, the sutler’s clerk. He said he would get them and bring them on. I hope he will for I am in need of them very much just now. There is no more news to write at present so I must close. Give my love to all the family and write soon and give me all the news. And about that recommend, please send a paper so that I can tell what is going on in Old Albany. The dog Rover is well and hearty. He sleeps in my tent every night. My love to mother and father. Tell Emma to write. I have given up all hopes of hearing from her. Goodbye for the present.
Your friend, — Anthony Graves
~12~
Camp of the 44th Regiment N. Y. S. Vols.
Near Fredericksburg, Va.
December 19, 1862
Dear Father,
With pleasure I take the opportunity of writing you a few lines. I received your last letter and it gave me great pleasure to hear from you and home once more. I am not certain whether I answered your letter. If I have, why there is no harm in writing again. I am glad to hear that you was all enjoying good health—also to hear that my recommend was received at the Adjutant General’s Office. Lieutenant—or I shall say Captain—[Christopher] Becker arrived here on Wednesday last and just in time for the fight. He started for home again today, He has been discharged, not being able for duty. Lieutenant Gaskell was also discharged. This causes two vacancies in the regiment. I think Lieutenant [Charles W.] Gibbs will be made Captain of Becker’s Company—he being senior Lieutenant. There is a chance for me now, if you will only attend to it there. The only man that can claim a position in our company is the Sergeant Major who came away in our company as 2nd Sergeant but I think if you see the Governor, he will make it all right on that recommend. Lieutenant [Charles] Gibbs got here night before last. He looks tip top but has not got use of his arm yet.
Our army has moved and again met with defeat. We left our camp at daylight on the morning of the 11th and marched to within a mile of the river in front of the city where we lay for two days awaiting for the pontoon bridges to be built, the workmen being drove away by the rebel sharpshooters who was concealed in the buildings in the city. General Burnside gave orders to have the place shelled when some two hundred pieces of cannon opened onto it and the city was soon to be seen on fire in three or four places. The cannonading was terrible—the severest that I ever heard. The rebels “skedaddled” from the city and workmen went to work again on the bridges and at night had them all finished.
In the morning (Saturday) Sumner’s Corps commenced crossing and at about ten o’clock they engaged the enemy and the fighting was obstinate in both sides, neither gaining any advantage. At 4 o’clock we was ordered over and took up a position on the edge of the town where the shell, shot, and bullets was flying in all directions and we had to lay flat on our faces to escape the bullets. At about half past five we was ordered to advance on the double quick and hold a position which was about a mile across an open plain. We all fell promptly into our places and at the command, we went forward on the double quick with fixed bayonets through a perfect shower of shot and shells. The Colonel and Adjutant were both wounded in the early part of the engagement. They was both slightly wounded in the arm. I did not expect to ever get over the field in safety for the men was dropping on both sides of me, but thank God I am again spared.
We gained our position at about dark where we played down under the protection of the bank which gave us very good shelter. We lay in this position for thirty-six hours with nothing to eat but a few hard crackers. Monday night at 11 o’clock under the protection of darkness, we was relieved by the 9th Army Corps. We then went into the city, stacked our muskets on the side walk, cooked some coffee and pork, and then made our beds the best we could in the street and went to sleep. Just think of the poor soldiers a laying down in the gutters of the street with but one thin government blanket to keep us warm, while the people in the North can sit by their warm fires and say, “Why don’t the army move and finish up this rebellion.” But I tell you, it does very well to talk, but to put down the rebellion is another thing. For my part, I hope it will soon be ended. But I commence to think it never will be by the force of arms. Our men don’t fight as well as they did when we first come out. There is not the same spirit in the men. They have been in so many battles and seen so much hardships that they are demoralized. Our regiment has now been in six battles and lost heavily in them all, while there is regiments that have been lying around Washington and different places ever since the war broke out that have never seen a battle.
Our loss in this last battle was not very severe. We had two or three killed and about forty wounded. Our company went in with twenty-nine men. We had none killed and but two wounded. Their names are Corporal Robert F. Buchanan and John Eller. Buchanan in the right arm and Eller had his thumb shot off. There is two men missing but I think they are stragglers and will soon turn up. We are now encamped in the same place we were before the advance. The weather is very cold down here. Last night it froze everything up. this morning our canteens froze tight up so that we could not get any water out of them.
I must bring this scribbling to an end. Excuse this poor writing as it is so cold that I can hardly hold the pen in my hand. You must see the Governor for there is vacancies in the regiment and if he does as he said he would, why it will be all right might soon and give me all the news in Albany. Give my love to mother and all the family. I wrote a letter to George day before yesterday giving full particulars of the advance. Write soon. My love to all. Goodbye for the present.
From your affectionate son, –Anthony G. Graves, Jr.
~13~
Headquarters 44th Regiment NYS Vols
Near Falmouth, Virginia
January 7th 1862 [should be 1863]
Dear Father,
Your letter of the 3rd was received last night. I was glad to hear from you and that you and all [were] well at home. You state in your letter that you are doing all you can for to get me a commission and you wished me to send you a petition signed by all the members of the company. This last wish of yours I cannot comply with for the following reasons.
When the appointments were first made, the Quartermaster Sergeant received the appointment of 2nd Lieutenant of our company and the members of the company did not like it and they told the Colonel that they thought they had sergeants in the company that was entitled to promotion. So the Colonel sent word to the company that they could have their choice between Quartermaster Sergeant [Seth F.] Johnson and Sergt. Major R[obert] H. McCormic and the men, seeing that the Colonel ignored my claims entirely, they voted in favor of McCormic. So on dress parade there was an order read declaring the appointment of Johnson as void and the appointment of McCormic in his place. McCormic, it will be remembered, was 2nd Sergeant of our company on its departure from Albany. He is a fine fellow and a good soldier and entitled to promotion but there was vacancies in the other companies that he could have filled instead of promoting 3rd Sergeants to Lieutenants as they did.
I am sorry that I cannot send you the petition as the men of the company would not like to sign it as they have once gave their approval to the appointment of McCormic. So you must do the best that you can without it. Father, I think if there should be a vacancy occur in the company tomorrow, they would try and beat me out of it and appoint some outsider into the company for it is all favoritism. God only knows I am entitled to promotion and it makes me feel awful when I see other men put over me when on two particular occasions I have had to take command of the company in the face of the enemy. Then to have a man put over me, it sometimes makes me feel like deserting and I have go no ambition to do anything.
Lieut. Zielman has sent in a second resignation and he thinks it will be accepted. He says that he is determined to go home. I will drop you a line if his resignation is accepted. I must close. The army remains quiet. The weather has been unusually fine for this part of the season. Give my love to mother & all the family. We have not been paid off yet and my boots have not arrived yet although boxes and packages are arriving here every day. I rather think my package is lost although they may turn up all right yet. I hope they do for I am in great want of them just now. Why don’t John write? I would also like to hear from Emma. Write soon and let me know how you succeed. I think if you could get someone to write a letter to Colonel [James C.] Rice, it would have a good effect. I must bring this to a close so goodbye for the present.
From your affectionate son, — A. G. Graves, 1st Sergt., Co. F, 44th NYS Vols
~14~
Camp of the 44th Regiment N. Y. S. Vols
Near Falmouth, Va.
January 10, 1863
My Dear Friend Jack,
Your long looked for but welcome letter was received last night and pleased me very much to hear from you. I am well and in good spirits and I hope this will find you in the same condition. Everything remains quiet in the army here and I think it will continue so until Spring. You say you was disappointed in me not getting an appointment. I assure you, I was disappointed myself and it made me feel bad to have a man placed over me. Of course the Sergt. Major outranks me, he being the highest non-commissioned officer in the regiment and if the appointments are made by rank, why he would be entitled to the first promotion. But in this case, it was different. There was vacancies in the company where he could of been placed and been entitled to for there was third and fourth sergeants promoted that was not entitled to it.
You speak of a petition from the members of the company. This I cannot do—the reasons I stated into a letter to father. I hope it will be all right but I tell you Jack, there is too much favoritism in this regiment. There was one man promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in Co. H by the name of Kelly that is now a clerk at Division Headquarters that has not been in any action since Gaines’ Mill and has not been with the regiment since we left the State of Maryland.
Lieutenant Zielman has got his resignation sent in to headquarters. He expects to have it accepted and if it is, they can’t go back on me. Zielman says that he is determined to get out of the service. Whether he will or not remains to be seen.
I hardly know what else to write about for there is no news of any importance. Yesterday our Corps was reviewed by General Burnside and it seemed to me more like a funeral than a review. All the regiments in our Corps are very small and the Brigades look like regiments. We had out a hundred and twenty men. I heard a report tonight that we was (the 5th Corps) to be relieved here by the Eighth Army Corps (Gen. Schencks) and that we was going to Baltimore, but I think the report is too good a one to be true. But I hope it is so. We are very comfortable at this place. The men have got their little shelter tents fixed up so that they are quite comfortable. We do nothing but drill now and I don’t think there is any use in drilling the old troops so much. We have reveille at 6 o’clock, breakfast at half past 6, company drill from 7 to 8. company drill from 9 to half past 10, dinner at 12, Battalion drill from half past 1 to half past 3, dress parade at 4, supper at 6, [ ] at half past 7. So you see we have plenty to do.
The weather is pleasant and unusually mild for this time of the season. I must close for there is no more to write about at present. Give my love to Father and Mother and all enquiring friends. We have not been paid off yet and I have got no idea when we will be. I hope father is successful. I am doing all I can here with my love to all. I remain as usual your faithful friend, — Anthony G. Graves, Jr., 1st Sergt., Co. F, 44th Regiment
Afternoon, January 10th 1863
As the mail don’t go out until night I thought I would write a few more lines to you. Jack, you will please send me a few envelopes and writing paper through the post office and I will make it all right with you when I get paid off. I am entirely out and cannot get any here. Also send some fine-pointed pens. Please do this favor for me as soon as possible and I will be much obliged to you. My boots I think are lost. I am sorry for I am in great want of them at present.
John Sawyer pays us a visit once or twice a week. He looks tip top and is in the best of health. Their batteries lay about two miles from us. I have been trying to get over to see him but it is almost impossible for me to get out of camp for there is something to do all the time.
The Burden Sharpshooters also lay along side of us and I see Charlie Graves about every day. He is also fat and hearty. He is acting Orderly Sergeant. Billie Krokland has got his discharge and I suppose is in Old Albany by this time.
Pip is down on you for not writing to him. He says that he has wrote you three letters without getting any answers. Write to him soon. I must close so goodbye for the present. Don’t wait so long to answer my letter. Give my love to Emma and tell here to write. Also my respects to all enquiring friends. Goodbye for the present.Your true friend, — Tone
~15~
Camp of the 44th Regiment
Near Falmouth, Va.
January 15, 1863
Dear Parents,
With great pleasure I sit down to write a few lines to you. I am well and hope these few lines will find you the same. Now that I have commenced this letter I hardly know what to write about for there is no news what ever. The army is laying idle. We do nothing but drill and eat and the men grumble because they have to do that. We have not had any severe cold weather yet this season but I expect when it does come, it will set in for earnest.
Letters that I have received from home lately have been very encouraging to me and my only wish is that your efforts have not been in vain. I have done all that I could do here which is very little for Colonel Rice has got his friends and favorites and they are the ones that are to get commissions. And I hope the Governor will consider well the appointments before commissioning them—not only for the sake of the regiment but for the cause we are fighting for.
We have just been sending all our sick and those that are not able to march to Washington. I can not inform you at present where we are going—some say over the river again, and others that we are going to Washington. All I have got to say [is] I hope it is the latter. Our Corps is the only one that is getting ready to move and I think we are going back to Washington. The Berdan Sharpshooters are to stay here.
Charley Graves was over to my camp last night. He is in tip top health. Their camp is only a short distance from our camp. Dod Sawyer was also over to our camp day before yesterday. He is also well and hearty. I must close this letter as there is no more news to write write about. I will write again in a few days and let you know where we are. My love to all the family and enquiring friends. Write soon and give me all the new.
From your affectionate son, — Anthony G. Graves, Jr., 1st Sergt., Co. F
~16~
Camp of the 44th Regiment NYS Vols
Near Falmouth, Va.
January 16, 1863
Dear Father,
Your kind and welcome letter came to hand this moment and I hasten to reply. You state that you have wrote three letters to me without getting an answer. I have answered all your letters by return mail. I can’t think why you have not received them. Your letter is quite encouraging to me and my wish is that you will succeed. In your letter you think that I will surely be commissioned 2nd Lieutenant. I hope your saying will prove true but I will not believe it until I get the official documents into my hands.
I am sorry that Jean and John wrote them last letters and it would make me feel mean if I should not get my commission. McCormic is acting 2nd Lieutenant of the company. I have not said anything to him about the matter. I told him at the time the appointments was made when the Colonel came to see me and asked which the men would prefer—Johnson or McCormic—that he had better take his position in some other company as I thought my friends at home would get me commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in my company. But when he heard that Lieut. Zielman had sent in his resignation, he said he would go into Co. F. The vacancy you speak about in Co. K was caused by the resigning of Captain Wodworth. It is time the appointments was received at the Adjutant General’s Office for I think they have been sent from here.
We have just received orders to have three days rations cooked and they say we are going on transports. Some think we are going to Suffolk. This is merely a rumor and for my part I can’t say where we are going but I hope it is to Washington.
My boots I think are lost. I sent the receipt for them on to our sutler’s clerk, John Curnan. He said he would try and get them for me. I don’t think it would be any use of you writing for them at present. You need not send me a box at present for we may move before you get it expressed and if you do make up your mind to send me a box, put into it whatever you think proper. I received the handkerchief all right.
Has the Governor and Adjutant General seen my recommend? I think that will have a good effect/ Write and let me know how you succeed. I must close this letter for there is no more news to write about at present. I think we will march in the morning early. I will write to you again at the first opportunity. Lieut. Zielman’s resignation was not accepted—his reasons not being sufficient to give him his discharge—so he will have to be commissioned 1st Lieutenant before I can be 2nd. My love to Mother and all the family and enquiring friends. Goodbye for the present.
From your affectionate son, — Anthony G. Graves, Jr., 1st Sergt. Co. F, 44th NYS Vols
~17~
Bivouac of the 44th Regiment New York State Vols
On the Rappahannock six miles above Falmouth
January 22th 1863
Dear Jack,
Your welcome letter came to me on the 20th and gave me great pleasure to hear you. I would of answered your letter sooner if we had not of marched on the same day I got your letter. I received my commission on the 19th. I don’t know how to express my thanks to Father and others that have worked so arduously to obtain my commission. I have been a sergeant in Do. F for a year and a half and performed my duties as such to the satisfaction of all my superior officers and as promotion has been my reward, you need not fear but what my future duties will be performed the same and will not be tarnished with any unsolder-like actions.
McCormic don’t say much about my promotion. He don’t think it will interfere with his promotion but others think it will. I have not been assigned any particular company yet as there is no vacancies. I will have to wait until the commissions are received to see which is thrown out. I supposed that my commission was to be in my own company but you see McCormic has been assigned to Co. F and he will stay there until he finds out that his appointment is thrown out. There will be a vacancy in one of the new companies in a few days and they may place me there but I would rather be assigned to my own company. I notified the Colonel of my appointment and he said it was all right—that he intended to appoint me the next vacancy but that’s all “bosh.” I know Col. Rice too well. Still, I must not say anything about him as it will not do to get the ill will of him.
Well we are on the march once more. We started from camp day before yesterday at about 4 o’clock P. M. and have only been able to proceed about six miles. The first day we marched about three miles, when we flanked off into the woods and bivouacked for the night. We had no more than got our shelter tents up before it began to rain and continued all night and in the morning at 7 o’clock when the general sounded, it was still raining and the mud was a foot deep, making it almost impossible for the artillery to move. Going up some of the hills, they had to put twelve horses onto the cannon to draw them up. We was only able to march about three miles this day when we again flanked down into the woods where we now lay, unable to proceed any further until it clears off and the roads get into condition. Jack, this is going to be a tough campaign and will kill more men than the rebel bullets.
I would like to get a leave of absence for a few days to come home but it is impossible now to get away. I am destitute of everything and have got nothing to designate me as an officer but I will have to make the best of it for awhile. I must bring this letter to a close as there is no more news to write about at present. Pip is not with us. He was not well enough to march and I had him stay behind. He is not dangerously sick and will be all right in a few days. I will do all in my power to have him advanced but I cannot do anything at the present time. Write soon and give me all the news. Goodbye for the present. Give my love to Father and Mother and all enquiring friends and believe this to be from your true friend, — Anthony G. Graves, Jr., Lieut. 44th Regt., N. Y. S. Vols
~18~
Camp of the 44th Regiment N. Y. S. Vols.
Near Falmouth, Va.
January 24th 1863
Dear Father,
I am once more permitted to write you. The Army of the Potomac has again made an unsuccessful movement, the particulars you will probably lean by the newspapers better than I can relate it to you. [See Mud March]
The most that I want to write about at this time is that you will have George get a suit bade to fit him and send it to me in a small trunk. I cannot get a furlough at the present time and if George wishes to make me a present of the outfit, he can. If not, I will pay for it myself. I am doing duty and have got no equipment to do it with. If you do this, do it immediately. I think a suit made to fit George will do me first rate.
Father, I do not know how to express my thanks to you and George for your kindness towards me. And all that I have got to say is that my future actions will not be such as to make you ashamed of what you have done.
I can’t write anymore to you at present. I will write again tomorrow or next day and give you particulars of our movement here. We will be paid off in two or three days. I must have a pair of boots. Write on the receipt of this letter and tell me all the news.
My love to Mother and the rest of the family—also to enquiring friends. Goodbye for the present. Look out for a good long letter the next time.
From your affectionate son, — Anthony G. Graves, Jr., Lieut., 44th NYS Vols
~19~
Camp of the 44th NYS Volunteers
Near Falmouth, Va.
January 30th 1863
Dear Father,
You will please send me immediately thirty dollars. I have received a leave of absence for three days to go to Washington. I want to purchase some little articles of necessary importance. We was paid off on the 26th. We was paid up to the 1st of November (four months). I had overdrawn clothing to the amount of ($26) twenty-six dollars which had to be deducted from my pay, consequently all that I received was an allotment check for ($44.73) forty-four and 73/100 dollars. I will try and get the money on it in Washington if I can. If not, I will send it from there to mother. There is no news to write about here. There is about eight inches of snow on the ground and the weather is cold. In a few days we will have as many inches of mud.
Send the money immediately by return mail without fail. My love to all. I will write to Mother tomorrow. So goodbye.
From your affectionate son, — Anthony G. Graves, Jr., Lt., 44th NYS Vols
P. S. Don’t delay the money a moment.
~20~
Camp of the 44th NYS Vols
Near Falmouth, Va.
January 31st 1863
Dear Mother,
With great pleasure I sit down to write a few lines to you. Excuse me for not writing before as I have not had time. I am well and in the best of spirits and I sincerely hope that this will find you enjoying the same. I have not received a letter from home since the 17th of this month and from that time I have wrote about half dozen letters home to George, Johnny, and Father.
You need not expect me home this winter as it impossible for me to get a leave of absence farther than Washington this leave. I will likely get today or tomorrow. I was paid off on the 27th for four months. There was coming to me $75.60. I had over drawn clothing from the State of New York and United States to the amount of $25.54 with $5 for transportation from Albany to Baltimore making the amount of $31.54 which was deducted from my pay, leaving me a balance of $39.06 which was paid to me by a check payable to your order. I will endorse it and try and get my money on it in Washington. If I cannot, I will send it to you from there. I go to Washington for the purpose of obtaining some little articles of necessity so I have wrote home to father to send me some money. I have wrote to George to send me on a suit of clothes and a trunk but I have not heard from him but hope I will get a letter tonight.
Colonel Rice assigned me last night to Co. I [under] Captain Gibbs but this is only temporarily. All the appointed officers received their commissions last night with the exception of McCormic [who] was appointed over me, and Frank Kelly. They both feel mean that they did not get theirs. I was mustered in as an officer this afternoon. Lieut. Zielman has applied for a leave of absence (15) days togo to Albany and I think he will be likely to get it as he has sent in his resignation twice and they was objected to both times and now he applies for a leave of absence or an honorable discharge from the service.
Mother, there is no news and I hardly know how to fill this sheet, We are laying in camp a doing nothing as the mud is knee deep, making it almost entirely possible to navigate. John Sawyer was over to see me today. He is well and hearty. John Graves is at Portsmouth. Grove R. I. acting as adjutant of the post. They are trying to get him back to the regiment but I hardly think that they will succeed. I must bring this to a close as the mail goes out in a few minutes. Give my love to all the family—also to enquiring friends. The next time I will write a longer letter. So goodbye for the present. write soon.
From your affectionate son, — Anthony G. Graves, Jr., 2nd Lieut. Co. I, 44th NYS Vols
~21~
Camp of the 44th NYS Vols
Near Falmouth, Va.
January 31st 1863
Dear Father,
Your kind letter was this moment received and gave me great pleasure to hear from you as it is the first letter that I have had from home in over two weeks and you say that George is waiting for a letter from me. Now this is very singular for I have wrote three letter to him since the 15th of this month and have not had any answer to them. It is very strange that I cannot get my letters safely through. Perhaps it is on account of no stamp being on the letters. After this, I will try and put stamps on them.
Our regiment was paid off on the 26th up to the 1st of November four months. All the money that I got was forty-four dollars in the shape of an allotment check payable to Mother’s order. The full amount due me—seventy odd dollars—but I had over drawn clothing from the United States and State of New York to the amount of twenty-six dollars which was deducted from my pay. Also five dollars for transportation from Albany to Baltimore. The check I will try and get cashed in Washington.
I applied for a leave of absence to go home but was unable to get one to go farther than Washington and for a period longer than three days. I expect to receive my leave tonight or tomorrow. I wrote to you day before yesterday to send me on thirty dollars. There is a great many little articles that I must have. I am glad that George is getting a suit made for me and I hope he will hurry it up for I am very much in need of them at present. I wish you would send me a cap. My boots have not been received yet but I hope they will come soon as it is almost impossible to navigate with shoes for the mud is almost knee deep.
Lieut. Zielman received his leave of absence tonight for ten days. He will be in Albany by the middle of the week. He will call at the house to see you.
Colonel Rice assigned me to a command last night temporarily in Company I so there is two 2nd Lieutenants in this company. One of us will be made 1st Lieutenant but which of us I can’t say. H[enry] J. Botchford is 2nd Lieut. in this company. My commission outranks him three days. The vacancy in Co. I is caused by the dropping from the rolls Lieut. [John H.] Lindsley, formerly of Governor Morgan’s staff.
On the arrival of my commission, I was highly congratulated by the members of my company. They was all well pleased with my promotion and regret that I can’t be assigned to my old Company F which I have done my duty in and stood by through thick and thin. All the officers seemed to be well pleased with my promotion and say that I was deserving of it. I was mustered I as an officer today by Col. [Adelbert] Ames of the 20th Maine Volunteers. All the lately appointed officers received their commissions last night with the exception of McCormic and [Frank M.] Kelly. McCormic is still acting in Company F. He expects that his “commish” will be on in a day or two.
I must bring this letter to a close as there is no news to write about at present. The army remains in the same place and I think we will be likely to stay the remainder of the winter. General Hooker is in command. The Army of the Potomac is about used up or in other words (played out). Everything seems to go wrong in this army.
Hurry up the outfit and other equipments. I must close. Give my love to Mother, the rest of the family, [and] also to ask enquiring friends. I will write to George and John tomorrow. Goodbye for the present.
From your affectionate son, — A. G. Graves, Jr, Lieut. 44th NYS Vols
~22~
Camp of the 44th NYS Vols
Near Falmouth, Va.
February 13th 1863
Dear Mother,
With great pleasure I sit down to write you a few lines letting you know that I am well and in the best of spirits, and my wish is that this may find you in the same condition.
Our army remains in the same position with no prospects of moving until spring. The weather is very unchangeable here at the present season of the year. It rains and snows about every other day which makes it almost impossible to go outside of our tents without going up to our knees in Virginia mud. For the past two or three days the weather has been very pleasant. The sun has shown out bright and warm, and it seemed to me more like spring than the middle of winter.
Mother, it is a great thing to be out of the ranks for I live now as good as I would if I was at home. We buy all our provisions at the Commissary headquarters at cost price. We have two Darkeys to cook for us and we live like lords. It costs me sixty-two cents a day to live. There is six in our mess. Good living agrees with me for I weigh a hundred and thirty-eight pounds. Before my promotion, I only weighed a hundred and twenty-eight pounds. I have been a lieutenant in two different companies since my promotion. First I was assigned to Co. I temporarily, and now I have been permanently assigned to Co. G in which company I am at present doing my duty. It is a very good company. Still, I prefer my old but it don’t make much difference to me for I can content myself anywhere they may put me.
I have been trying very hard to get a leave of absence to come home for a few days. I don’t think I will be able to obtain it until four or five weeks from now. Lieutenant Zielman obtained a leave to go home for ten days. His time was up yesterday and he has not arrived and I think he will be dismissed from the service for over staying his time. I have been waiting very patiently for the post two or three days for a letter from home. The last one that I received was from Father which stated that my suit would be sent to me on the 5th. I have not received them yet. My boots I think are lost. At any rate, I have given them up as such and wrote a letter for you to send a new pair on by Charley Piepenbrink when he comes. I hope you have done this as I am very much in need of them at the present. I suppose Charley is having a good time in Albany now. Well, I am glad of it for he is a good boy and was deserving of a furlough.
I received a letter from Martha Rice the other day in answer to one that I wrote her. I was glad to hear from her. I wrote to “Bill” last week. Mother, I send enclosed in a letter to John a check for forty-four dollars and 73 cents. This you and Father can take and buy for each of you a good New Year’s present.
I must bring this scribbling letter to a close as there is no more news of any importance to write about. Mother, I wish you would tell John or someone to send me a novelette or some other good reading book as it is very lonesome here without something to pass away the time. Write soon and let me know how you are passing the winter. Oh, how I would like to be there to take one good old-fashioned sleigh ride. I must close. Give my love to all the family and also to enquiring friends. Goodbye for the present.
From your affectionate son, — Anthony G. Graves, Jr, Lieut. 44th, NYS Vols
P. S. Why don’t Emma write?
~23~
Camp of the 44th NYS Vols
Near Falmouth, Va.
February 18th 1863
Dear Father,
Your kind letter was received on the 6th and gave me pleasure to hear from you. Enclosed in your letter was ten dollars. I am much obliged to you for sending it and am glad that you did not send the full amount that I asked for as my leave of absence has just been returned to me from headquarters disapproved for the reason that an order was issued at the same time I applied for leave that only two officers would be allowed away from each regiment at a time. I will send you in this letter the leave of absence that I sent in so that you can see the manner in which these things are done out here. The next time I apply for a leave of absence it will be to go to Albany. I don’t know how I will get my outfit now as you have only had it forwarded to Washington, If you have marked it properly, it will come to the regiment. I should not be much surprised if I had to wait five or six weeks before getting it for they are mighty slow in transporting things from Washington. I wish you to write me immediately letting me know which Express you sent them by & how you marked it.
[Charles (“Pip”)] Piepenbrink started for home Saturday morning on furlough for ten days. You had better let him have the receipt so when he comes on, he can get the trunk or box at Washington and bring it on to me. I will send on order enclosed in this letter for him to present at the Express Office.
Father, I am sorry that you have sent the sword and so forth to Colonel Rice to be presented to me. You know I can’t make a speech and I will feel awful mean. But as you have done so, I suppose I will have to do the best I can under the circumstances. Today is Sunday and we have just got through with regimental inspection. The weather is beautiful and as warm as a July day. I came off of guard this morning.
McCormic is still in Co. F and is at present in command of the company/ His name has probably been sent in again for a commission. I have been permanently assigned to Co. G which is a very good company. My boots have not been received and I think they have been lost and you had better send a pair to me by Piepenbrink for I am very much in need of them at present. “Pip” told me that he would bring anything on to me that you wanted to send.
I received a letter from Martha Rice last night. It pleased me to hear from her. I will answer it in a few days. I must bring this scribbling letter to a close as there is no news of any importance to write about. My love to Mother and the rest of the family—also to all enquiring friends. Goodbye for the present.
From your affectionate son, — Anthony G. Graves, Jr., Lt. Co. G, 44th NYS Vols
~24~
Camp of the 44th NYS Vols
Near Falmouth, Va.
February 19th 1863
Dear Father,
Your kind and welcome letter was delivered to me by Piepenbrink last evening. It gave me pleasure to hear from you. Piepenbrink arrived here last night and seemed to be well pleased with his visit to Albany. He delivered to me two pairs of socks, a handkerchief, ten dollars in money, and postage stamps of which I am thankful to you for. He stopped at the Express Office with your note and they wrote on the back of it that the boots would be sent to the regiment that same day. I have not received my valise containing the outfit. Zielman stopped at the office in Washington but it had not arrived there then. I think it will be sometime before I get it as they are very slow in sending the Express to the regiments.
I wrote to Mother the fore part of this week and told her that I would make you and her a present of the allotment check. I sent mother it but by your letter I see that you have laid it all out. I am sorry for his as I wished to make you and mother a New Years present. And now you will have to wait until I get paid off again. I would not care to have the sword and equipments presented to me by Colonel Rice if I was any kind of a speech maker and could do myself justice on such an occasion but you know if I should undertake to make a speech, why I should surely make a bust of it. This is my only reason for my objection of having him present it to me but as you have done so, I suppose that I will have to make the best of it.
George shall surely receive the money for my coat, vest and pants as soon as I get paid off. I don’t know hardly how to express my thanks to him for the kindness that he has shown towards me since I have been in the service and my only wish is that I may some day repay him for his brotherly friendship and kindness towards me.
I received a letter from Bill and Amanda night before last. They was all well. He said that there was some few cases of small pox there and that the children have all been vaccinated. Big seems to be tired of the service. This seems to be a general feeling in the army and everyone is trying to get out of it some shape or manner from the privates in age ranks up to our highest officers. But to read the northern papers, you would be made o believe that our army was in splendid spirits and anxious to be led forward to battle and eager for the fray. Now when you see anything in the papers like that above, you can set it down for a confounded falsehood. The men in our army are down in heart and there must be something done to inspirit them and give them new vigor. And the only thing that can be done now is to give us back our favorite—Little Mac, in whom we all can place our confidence. He has got the love and esteem of every man in the army.
Lieut. Zielman returned to camp on Sunday last. He brought for me a pair of boots which I am very thankful to you for as I was very much in need of them for a long time Backmark and if I should be fortunate enough to get the pair that was sent to me in September last, I will be pretty well provided with. Understanding Zielman was four days over his pass and is now in arrest and is liable to be dismissed from the service. I hope not for he is a fine fellow and a good soldier and it would be a pity to lose his services in the army.
Father, I am glad to hear that your schools are good in Waterford and that you are getting along so well. I am also glad that George is doing well. The war don’t seem to make any difference to him for he seems to do more business now that before the war broke out.
I have thought a great many times of calling on General Carr whose brigade lays but a short distance from our camp and when I was in the ranks I was ashamed to go, but as I am now in a better position, I think I will go and see him. It will not do any harm if it does no good.
You say in your letter that I must not let anyone get ahead of me in promotions. I will do all that lays in my power to get ahead but it’s a very little that I can do here. In the company that I am now 2nd Lieutenant of, there is a vacancy of 1st Lieutenant but I can’t do anything here to obtain that position. All that I can do is my duty and that I will do to the best of my abilities. There is three vacancies in the regiment of 1st Lieutenants—one in my own company, one in Co. E, and the other in Co. K. McCormic is now in command of Co. F. I don’t know whether his name has been sent in again for promotion or not. I should like to see him get along, still I think he will beat me in promotion after all. But I will have to take my chances with them all.
Dave Weaver is in our company. Yes, he just come into the tent. He looks well. He has got his discharge from the service. I think he will stay here in the sutler’s department. You speak about saving money. I assure you I will save all that I can and send it home but if I do not have better luck than I did with the last ten dollars you sent to me, why I will not have much for I had not had the bill in my pocket two hours when I felt for it and could not find it. I lost it somewhere in my tent. I must bring this tedious letter to a close as there is no more news worth writing about. There is no movements in the army and there is not likely to be any until spring.
The weather has been very disagreeable here for the past four or five days. It has either rained or snowed every day for the above mentioned times and the mud is awful in camp. Drilling is all laid aside and all that we do now is guard duty and roll calls and once in awhile picket duty. Our regiment was out last week and I was fortunate enough to be left in camp as only one officer to a company went out. They stayed three days.
I am well and in the best of spirits. I close by giving my love to mother and the rest of the family—also to my enquiring friends. Hoping that this will find you all enjoying good health, I remain your affectionate son, — A. G. Graves, Jr. Lieut., 44th NYS Vols
~25~
Camp of the 44th Regiment NYS Vols
Near Falmouth, Va.
March 3rd 1863
Dear Father,
With great pleasure I sit down to write a few lines to you. I am at the present in good health and spirits, and hope that this letter will find you, Mother and the rest of the family in the same condition.
The presentation of my sword, sash and belt took place at the Colonel’s tent last evening. All the officers of the regiment was present—also the surgeon’s wife and daughter, making altogether a lively and interesting assemblage. The presentation speech by Col. Rice was both able and appropriate and the best I think that I have ever heard. It is impossible for me to relate any part of it to you as the speech was so lengthy, I could not commit it to memory, My reply was short but sufficient for the occasion. After the ceremonies was over, the Colonel brought out a little chest and took out of it and placed on the table several small decanters filled with liquors of various kinds—brandy, gin, whiskey, port, sherry, and Madeira wines. After drinking to a toast given by the Colonel, we had a few songs from the regimental glee club, after which the Colonel with the doctor’s wife and daughter took their departure and we went in and emptied the Colonel’s decanters. After having a good time and all being well pleased with the evening’s entertainment, we retired to our respective quarters.
The Colonel was very much pleased to have the pleasure of making the presentation. The letter with the subscription list attached he said, was very flattering. My suit fits me tip top with the exception of the coat which is a very little too large but not enough to interfere with my wearing it.
The weather is very pleasant here at the present. I am on duty as Officer of the Guard today.
Oh, by the way, what do the people up your way think of the Conscript Law. I think that it will bring some of these Northern stay-at-homes to their realization and give them a chance to forward on to Richmond two or three times and stop rebel bullets. Well, I think if we are going to put down this rebellion, we might as well do it first as last.
I think you will see me at home about the latter part of this month if nothing happens. There is three officers ahead of me. They will start in a few days so you must not be surprised to see [me] in a short time.
[Sgt.] Dave Weaver starts for home tomorrow morning. I think I will send this letter by him. When I commenced this letter, I intended to write a good long one but it is impossible for me to do so for there is no news. The army remains quiet. We have done nothing lately but guard duty and dress parade.
We have got the prettiest camp in the division. The streets are all graded and ditches with small pines and cedars set out on both sides of the street. The field and staff tents are surrounded with a hedge fence which makes the camp look very pretty.
I must close this letter as I can think of nothing more to write about. My love to mother and the rest of the family. Also to all enquiring friends. Write soon and give me all the news. Goodbye for the present.
From your affectionate son, — Anthony G. Graves, Jr., Lieut. Co. G, 44th NYS Vols
P. S. I am sorry that I can’t tell you what all the Colonel said. He commenced by saying that I received my commission by bravery and gallant conduct on the field. That I had always done my duty faithfully &c.
~26~
Headquarters 44th Regiment NYS Vols
Camp near Falmouth, Va.
March 8th 1863
Dear Mother,
With pleasure I sit down to write you a few lines. I am at the present time in good health and spirits and I hope this may find you the same.
It is Sunday and it has been raining all day which gives the camp a gloomy appearance and makes one feel very lonesome and if it was not for the [New York] Ledgers that John sends me, I don’t know what I would do. I am very much interested in the Life Curse 1 and think it is a beautiful story.
I have been expecting to get a leave of absence to come home for ten or fifteen days. I asked the Colonel yesterday when I could expect a leave, He told me that there was four officers to go before me so you need not expect me home before the first part of next month. I think it will be better to wait until then for the weather will be a great deal more pleasant and I can enjoy myself.
I wrote to Father that I had received my valise all safe and sound. I was very much pleased with my outfit and they fitted me a great deal better than I expected. The coat was a very little too large for me in under the arms but not enough to prevent me from wearing it.
The sword, saw, and belt was presented to me by Col. Rice on Monday eve of last at his tent. All the officers was present. Also the doctors wife and daughter, making a very pleasing assemblage. The Colonel made a very fine presentation speech. He said my promotion was for bravery and gallant conduct on the battlefield and that I had always been faithful to my duties and bore on my person honorable scars &c. He spoke in great length and it was impossible for me to remember what else he said. My reply was very short but sufficient for the occasion. After the presentation we had a number of songs by the Glee Club after which the Colonel set out his numerous selections of liquors consisting of brandy, gin, whiskey, port, Madeira, and sherry wines. After taking several drinks and heaving a few more songs, we all retired to our quarters well pleased with the evening’s entertainments. Col. Rice seemed to be much pleased to have the honor of making the presentation.
I must close this letter as there is no news to write about. Our army remains quiet with nothing to do but occasionally picket duty & camp guard. My love to all the family and also to all enquiring friends. I am waiting for letters from Father, George and John. I received a letter from Barney Davis day before yesterday. They was all well. He said that he had wrote to Father and had received no answer. Hoping to hear from you soon, I bid you goodbye for the present.
From your affectionate son, — Anthony G. Graves, Jr, Lieut., Co. G, 44th NYS Vols
1 The Life Curse by Eliza Ann Dupuy (1814-1880) was published in the New York Ledger in a series of issues as chapters. beginning in late 1862. Dupuy wrote approximately 25 Gothic thrillers between 1845 and 1881 as well as domestic novels and short stories.
~27~
Headquarters 44th NYS Vols.
Camp Falmouth, Va.
March 19, 1863
Dear Father,
Your kind and welcome letter of the 14th inst. was received this afternoon and gave me great pleasure to hear from you again. I am at present in good spirits and health and I sincerely hope that this letter will find you all enjoying the same. The weather has been very fine and pleasant here for the past week and the roads have improved wonderfully. I think if the weather continues pleasant for a few days longer we will be on the march again and I assure you we can’t go a great ways without having a fight as the enemy are in strong force on the opposite side of the river.
There was a cavalry fight up the river at the United States Ford day before yesterday. It is reported to be one of the grandest affairs during the war. It seems that Stewart’s Rebel Cavalry tried to cross the river at the above named place to make a raid into our lines but they got disappointed in their expectations, The Rhode Island Cavalry charged them across the river under a raking fire of grape and canister, drove the rebels from their guns, and chased four or five brigades of Stewart’s cavalry five or six miles into the country, capturing a hundred and fifty prisoners—among them a Colonel, Lieutenant-Colonel, and a number of other commissioned officers. The full particulars of the fight have not been received but I suppose you will read them in the New York Herald.
Our army seems to be in splendid condition and have greatly improved in discipline since General Hooker has been in command, and he seems to be getting a favorite with the soldiers.
Our regiment have got their new fatigue uniforms from Washington which they wear in all parades, reviews and inspections. They look very neat and create quite a jealousy in some of the other regiments. We are to be inspected tomorrow by the General Inspecting officer of our Corps and if a favorable report is obtained for us, the furloughs and leaves of absence will be increased to three from each company instead of two, and also three officers from the regiment to be absent at a time instead of two. We are making every effort to gain these additional furloughs—also a commendation from our Commanding General. I think we will succeed. Our camp is a beautiful one and can’t be beat in the army. It is entirely surrounded by a brush fence made of pine boughs. The streets are all graded and decorated with evergreens which makes it look more like a garden than a camp. Then mens guns and equipments are in splendid condition and the discipline is good. I hope we will succeed in getting additional furloughs as I will be able to get home a great deal sooner. I think I will be able to get started in about twenty-two days.
You ask in your letter if I have received my fresh pair of boots. I have not and there is likelihood that I never will for I think someone else has worn them out by this time.
I am glad to hear that [Charles C.] “Chap” Gates 1 has arrived home but I am sorry that his wound by the shell troubles him so much. I wonder in what battle it was that the shell struck him? I can’t think of it or any of the men in the company. I think some one must of hit him while in the hospital with a clam or oyster shell for he spent half of his time in the hospital a dead beating it. Chap is considerable of a blower and it’s a pity that he suffered so much more than anyone else. He never had many rebel bullets over his head for he never got near enough to them for that.
You speak of the Conscript Law as being a very unjust act and that you don’t think they can enforce it. Of course someone would have to find fault with it and as for putting it in force, if they only send some of us up there, we will put it in force damn quick for them. What can these people of the North be thinking about? They must know by this time that there can be no peace and as for the niggers, they should not think about [them], for it is a small matter if they would only look at in the right light. The niggers are the greatest opponents 2 that we have got to contend with. Take them away from the South and we accomplish a great part in putting down this rebellion. And then there is one thing certain, there is no use of us fighting rebels here and worse than rebels in the North, we want a united North. And until we have it, there is no use of fighting and throwing away our lives for nothing.
When we left the state of New York, they promised to stand by us and give us all the support they possibly could and also made us all sorts of promises and they have never fulfilled any of them. They got us down here and that is all they cared about (“out of sight, out of mind”) is their motto. I, for my part, have made up my mind that this rebellion has got to be put down and the Union united and to do this we have got to fight and all we ask of the North if they would help us to do it, is to keep their mouths shut and not cry so much about the movements of the army as to why they don’t do this and why they don’t do that.
I think I have said enough about this matter and it’s about time that I brought this letter to a close. Charley Graves started for home this morning on furlough for ten days. He will call at the house to see you. I wish you would send me some good over shirts that I can wear. My collars on the shirts you sent in the valise are undershirts and I cannot wear any collars on them. Charley said that he would bring anything for me that I wanted.
I expect we will be paid off in a few days. I have not got quite a sum coming to me. It is quite hard for me to get along without money here now as we have to pay for everything we get from the Brigade. I must close by sending my love to all the family, mother, and all other enquiring friends. Write soon and give me all the news. Goodbye for the present.
From your affectionate son, — Anthony G. Graves, Jr., Lieut. Commanding Co. F, 44th NYS Vols.
P. S. I have been transferred to Co. F and am at the present in command of the company.
1 Chap Gates, at age 33, enlisted at Albany as a private in Co. F. He was discharged for disability on 6 February 1863.
2 I believe that what Graves means by this is that the Negroes are the greatest “weapon” that could be used against the South. By liberating, or devaluing them through emancipation, the South would have nothing left to fight for and would sue for peace.
~28~
Camp of the 44th Regiment NYS Vols
Near Falmouth, Va.
April 17th 1863
Dear Father,
Your kind letter was received this evening and gave me much pleasure to hear from you. My excuse for not writing to you before is that we received marching orders three days ago and expected to march immediately on receiving the orders and thought I would not write until after the movement was over. A heavy storm set in which prevented us from moving on appointed time. We have just received orders to pack up our “duds” so I suppose we will march tomorrow morning at daylight. Which way we will go, I am at a loss to say but I suppose we will have a brush with the Rebs in a few days.
I have been slightly under the weather for the past two or three days but have fully recovered and all right again. It was a severe bilious attack. Father, tell Mother she must not worry as it makes me feel very bad. I will try and write often and on every opportunity. I am glad you wrote to me about Johnny for I felt very bad when I received George’s last letter in regards to the subscription. I have always placed a great deal of confidence in John and thought he was my best friend and I think so still.
In regards to my boots, I have made all the enquiries I possible could about them and can’t get any track of them. I would like to write you a good long letter this time but cannot as I am so busy getting prepared for the march. After this movement, I will write you a good letter. Give my love to mother, all the family, and enquiring friends. Goodbye for the present.
From your affectionate son, — Anthony G. Graves, Jr., Lieut. Co. F, 44th NYS Vols.
P. S. My shirts fit tip top and am much obliged for them.
~29~
Camp of the 44th N. Y. S. Vols.
Near Falmouth, Va.
May 7th 1863
Dear Father and Mother,
With pleasure I sit down to write a few lines to you. I am well and in good spirits.
Our army has moved and safely returned to our old camp near Falmouth. We started from our camp on Monday morning the 27th inst. at 11 o’clock. Each man had eight days rations in their haversacks and knapsacks. We marched that day until sundown when we halted at a place called Harewood Church and pitched our bivouac for the night. The next morning [28 April] we started again and marched until dark to within two miles of Kelly’s Ford where we bivouacked for the night. The next morning [29 April] at 10 o’clock we crossed the ford on pontoon bridges without opposition, crossed Mountain Creek—water waist deep. We arrived at Ely’s Ford on the Rapidan River at 4 o’clock in the afternoon. The rebels had cavalry pickets posted along the bank on the opposite side of the river. Our cavalry crossed, charged the Rebs [and] drove them away, capturing eighty prisoners.
Our regiment was the first to cross the river. The men took off their cartridge boxes and put them around their necks to keep them dry and in they went. The current was very strong and the water three feet deep. We got over safely and pitched our bivouac on the heights. The next day [30 April] we marched to a placed called Chancellorsville, eight miles southwest from Fredericksburg. At this place we formed our line of battle, our left resting on the Rappahannock and right on the Rapidan. No fighting was done this day with the exception of some skirmishing.
The next day [1 May] we marched and countermarched all day until dark while a severe battle was being fought on our right. The rebels made numerous charges to break our lines 1 but was repulsed each time with severe loss. Fighting was continued all through the night. The rebels fought with great desperation and finally succeeded in forcing our lines back about a mile.
The next day was Sunday [3 May]. We thought there would not be any fighting but I was greatly disappointed as one of the most desperate battles of the war was fought on this day. It commenced at 6 o’clock in the morning and raged with terrible fury for three hours. The rebels was repulsed every time they advanced with dreadful slaughter. They charged with their lines massed, with our cannon throwing double shotted grape and canister into them which mowed them down by the thousands. They did not attack our front. If they had, we would of gave them a warm reception.
We laid in our trenches awaiting for them but they would not come. The next day [4 May] we laid in our trenches but [they] did not bother us. Tuesday morning [5 May], to my great surprise, we got orders to evacuate our position which was done very successful. We crossed the river at United States Ford and are now camped in our old camp ground. Our regiment was very lucky—only losing six men wounded by shells.
The fight on the left at Fredericksburg [3 May] I know nothing about—only that our men captured the heights but was again recaptured by the rebels. We have not seen a paper now for ten days.
We have taken five thousand prisoners. The rebel loss in killed and wounded is estimated at twenty thousands, We have received orders to be ready to move again at a moment’s notice. We will probably leave tomorrow or next day. I received Father’s letter with the $20 in the 27th inst. We was paid off the day before I got his letter. I want to send a hundred dollars home and will do so at the first opportunity. I think I will enclose some in this letter. You will write immediately on receipt of it. A few words will be sufficient. I must close this letter. I will write again in a few days. Write soon and give me all the news. I must close for the present.
Your affectionate son, — Anthony Graves, Jr., Lieut. 44th N. Y. S. Vols.
P. S. My love to all the family.
Enclosed you will find fifty dollars ($50.00). Pay for my clothes. I will send fifty more if it is received safe. Write as soon as you get this. — A. G. G., Jr.
1 In attempting to correlate the calendar with Graves’ description of events, I believe he may have erred in his dates here. The “severe battle fought on our right” refers, I believe to General Stonewall Jackson’s late afternoon and evening attack on Ord’s 11th Corps which took place on 2 May 1863. The fiercest fighting, as stated by Graves, did occur on Sunday, May 3rd, as Lee launched multiple attacks against the Union position at Chancellorsville, resulting in heavy losses on both sides.
~30~
[Note: The following is a partial letter describing the Battle of Chancellorsville. Graves copied a portion of the letter from his memorandum book and inadvertently wrote May instead of April for some of the dates. ]
Camp of the 44th N. Y. S. Vols
Stoneman’s Station
May 11, 1863
Dear Father,
Your letter was this moment received. You say that you have not received any letter from me in a long time. Now this is very strange for I have answered all your letters just as soon as they were received. The reason why I did not send money home is that just as soon as we was paid off, we was ordered to march and I did not have time to send any and in fact, I could not anyway as all the mail a going north from the army was stopped and just as soon as there was any mail going, I sent $50 to you. The letter was directed to the care of George. I sent the letter last Thursday the 7th inst. Just as soon as I can hear whether you received the letter all right, I will send fifty dollars more.
Our army is back to their old starting point. Although we have been obliged to fall back, we have by no means been defeated. The battle was hard fought on both sides but the rebels got the worst of it. They lost three to our one. Stoneman’s cavalry raid was a brilliant affair. He succeeded in destroying all the railroad bridges between the Rebs and Richmond. I will give you a detail of the movement as I wrote it down in my memorandum.
Monday, May [April] 27th 1863—Started from camp near Stoneman’s Switch at 11 o’clock and marched to Harewood Church 12 miles up the Rappahannock. Bivouac for the night. Day pleasant and warm. received letter from home containing $20.
Tuesday, May [April] 28th 1863—Marched from Harewood Church to near Kelly’s Ford. Rained most of day. A hard march and great deal of struggling. Bivouacked for the night in the woods by the side of the road.
Wednesday, May [April] 29th 1863—Started from bivouac near Kelly’s Ford at 7 a. m., crossed the ford at 10 a. m. on pontoon bridge, forded mountain creek, water waist deep. First regiment to cross the Rapidan River. Current very strong. after four feet deep. Rebels skedaddled. Took one hundred prisoners.
Thursday, May [April] 30th 1863—Started from the Rapidan at eight o’clock. Arrived at Chancellorsville at 12 o’clock, eight miles from Fredericksburg. The rebels entrenched and in force two miles distance. General Hooker issued an order complimenting the army and that the rebels would have to come out and give us battle on our own ground or ingloriously flee. Day raining and disagreeable.
Friday, May 1st 1863—Started at 10;30 a. m. marched and counter-marched all day and in the night until 10 o’clock, the rebels shelled us at 6 p.m. wounding two men—one mortally; the other slightly. Laid on our arms until 1 o’clock when we fell in and marched a mile to the rear. The Rebs the attacking party.
Saturday, May 2nd 1863—Throwed up entrenchments with logs and dirt, laid behind them all day. Severe fighting on the right. Our troops drove back one mile. The fighting continued all…[remainder of letter missing]
~31~
Camp of the 44th Regt. N. Y. S. Vols.
Near Stoneman’s Station, Virginia
May 19th, 1863
Dear Mother,
With great pleasure I embrace the opportunity of writing a few lines to you. I am at the present in good health and hope this may find you all at home enjoying the same.
I received Father’s two last letters. I was glad to hear that the fifty ($50) dollars had been received all right. I should of sent money sooner if the Army had not of moved. I sent by Adams Express yesterday morning forty ($40) dollars—twenty for you and twenty for father as a present. You must tell father to look out for it.
There is no news and I hardly know what to write about so as to fill up this letter. The late movements of our army I have told you all about in a former letter. Our army is quietly encamped on the ground that it has occupied during the winter. There is no prospects of another advance of our army very soon on account of its being so decimated by all the two years and nine months men going home. We will have to be strongly reinforced before we can assume the offensive again.
Everything seems to be prosperous in all the other departments. In Mississippi General Grant is doing the work up in fine style. He has got the rebels entirely cut off from their communication. The only way they can get out is by cutting their way through the Union lines, which I think they will have a good time in doing. We can expect to hear stirring news from that quarter in a few days.
Our regiment came off of picket Sunday morning after being out three days. We had a very pleasant time. The weather was delightful and everything passed off quietly.
Our Corps was reviewed by General Meade this morning. I did not go out as I am a little under the weather.
I must bring this short and uninteresting letter to a close as I can’t think of anything more to write about. Tell Father to look out for the money. He will probably have to go to the Express Office to get the package. write as soon as you get it. My love to all. Goodbye for the present. I have almost forgot that I have got a sister it is so long since I heard from Emma.
From your affectionate son, — A. G. Graves, Jr., Lt. 44th N. Y. S. Vols
~32~
Bivouac of the 44th Regt. N. Y. S. Vols.
Near Banks Ford, Va.
June 3rd, 1863
Dear Father,
With pleasure do sit down to write you a few lines. I arrived at the regiment this morning after a long and tedious journey. Our regiment is at the present doing guard duty at Banks Ford six miles above Falmouth. The rebels are in strong force on the opposite side and the pickets are so near each other that they exchange newspapers and talk with each other.
I got my pay in Washington and immediately sent by Express to you a hundred and fifty ($150) dollars. You can take out what is due to you and the remainder give to mother to keep for me.
Two deserters from the rebels came over and gave themselves up this morning. They say that there is five (5) regiments opposite us—the 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, & 15th Alabama.
I got at my regiment two days over my time but I don’t think there will be any trouble about it.
I will not write you a long letter this time but the next will be a better one. I have not received my blouse yet. The package has undoubtedly been sent over to Corps Headquarters for inspection and I will get it tomorrow or next day. Give my love to Mother and all the family. Also to all enquiring friends. Write soon and I will give you a good long letter next time. I wrote a letter to Johnny today and sent him twelve (12) dollars, half of what I owe him.
Goodbye for the present. From your affectionate son,
— Anthony G. Graves, Jr., Lieut. 44th N. Y. S. Vols.
~33~
Camp of the 44th Regt. N. Y. S. Vols
Crittenden Mills, Va.
June 7th 1863
Dear Mother,
With pleasure I take the opportunity of writing a few lines to you.
I arrived in camp on Wednesday morning, the 3rd inst., all safe and sound after a tiresome and tedious journey. I stayed in Washington over Monday and received my pay from the pay master and immediately sent home one hundred and fifty ($150) dollars by Adams Express which you will take care of for me. I sent John twelve (12) dollars on account of what I owe him and will send the rest in my next letter to him.
When I arrived here, I found that the regiment had moved and was at Banks Ford on picket. We stayed at that place one day when we was relieved by a regiment from General Sykes’ Division and marched up the river to a place called Grove Church. We bivouacked here over night and in the morning marched to this place where we are now encamped. We are under marching orders and expect to move every minute. I was on duty all last night and did not have a wink of sleep so you must excuse the from writing a long letter this time as I feel more like going to sleep than anything else.
I have been very patiently for my photographs which John promised to find on Monday. I think it is very strange that they are not sent. And I have not received my blouse which you sent by mail.
Mother, you must not think strange of you do not hear from me so often now as we are on the march every day. Still, I will try and write at every opportunity. I am well and in the best of spirits and hope this will find you all enjoying the same. I must close as there is no news to write about. Give my love to all the family and enquiring friends. I will write again in a few days. Until them, I bid you goodbye.
From your affectionate son,
— Anthony G. Graves, Jr., Lieut. 44th M. Y. S. Vols.
~34~
Camp 44th Regiment N. Y. S. Vols.
At Kemper’s Ford, Va.
June 13th 1863
Dear Parents,
Father’s letter of the 8th ultimo was received last evening and gave me pleasure to hear from home.
I am sorry to hear that you and Mother are unwell and I hope that you will soon be restored to good health. I am at the present in good health and spirits. I was glad to hear that you had received my Express package all right.
I went to all the Express Offices in Washington and made enquiries about my boots but could not find out anything about them. They told me to send the receipt to you to take to the Express Office and have a letter of enquiry sent to the different agents. By these means it would be fereted out. I don’t think there is a doubt by what they have been been lost or stolen.
There was nothing said about my being over my leave. When I got back to camp I reported for duty and they said it was all right. The regiment was at Banks Ford when I joined it doing picket duty. We have been moving around most every day since I joined my regiment and am at the present time at Kemper’s Ford a doing picket duty on the river. It is very pleasant and exciting duty. The Butternuts are on the opposite side. The pickets converse with each other and occasionally exchange papers. The people in the neighborhood are all rank secessionists and the most of them have their husbands and sons in the rebel army and these same houses are guarded by Union soldiers to prevent anyone from stealing or committing any depredations which I call giving aid and comfort to the rebels.
I received my photographs last night. I don’t think they are very good ones. Still they look just like me and a humbly can’t expect good-looking pictures.
There is no news to write about so you must excuse this short letter. I hope the next time I hear from you, you will be again in good health. Give my love to all the family and enquiring friends. Write soon and give me all the news. The military book you need not send as I am not in want of it at present. Goodbye for the present.
From your affectionate son, — Anthony G. Graves, Jr., Lt. 44th NYS Vols
~35~
Picket Reserve 44th Regt NYS Vols
Gum Springs near Leesburg, Virginia
June 18th 1863
Dear Parents,
With pleasure I embrace the opportunity of writing a few lines to inform you where I am and what we are a doing. Our regiment has been on the march most every day since I got back from my leave of absence. The regiment done picket duty at the different fords on the Rappahannock up to the 13th ultimo. when we were relieved by cavalry at dark and marched to a place called Morrisville (a distance of seven miles), arriving there at midnight. It commenced raining just before we started making the roads muddy and the marching hard, besides getting a wet skin in the bargain. We bivouacked here for the remainder of the night.
We started again in the morning. After marching two or three miles, we found that it had not rained here the previous night and the [roads were] dreadful dusty and for miles off we could see clouds of dust rise up fifty and sixty feet caused by the troops marching ahead of us. We marched until dusk when we halted at Weaversville near Catlett’s Station on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. Here we was informed that we would have one hour to rest and make coffee for our supper. Water was very scarce. The men had to go over a mile to obtain any and it was half mud at that. After staying there for an hour, the order to march again that night was countermanded and the men gave three cheers “for that,” and commenced to put up their bivouacs.
The men had a long march that day and they was pretty well tired out. We have three pack mules in the regiment to carry the officer’s blankets and rations and always keep with the regiment, but this day they got strayed and did not come to us when we halted so we had nothing to eat that night or any blankets to sleep on and consequently passed a very disagreeable night. Most all of the officers was caught in the same manner.
We was turned out in the morning at daylight. I borrowed some ground coffee from one of my men and boiled a cup of coffee which I drank for my breakfast with a cup of hard crackers. At four o’clock we started on our march and after a hard and dusty march we arrived at Manassas Junction at four o’clock in the afternoon. We pitched our bivouac at this place and stayed two days to cover the retreat of the remainder of our army and on the morning of the 17th we started on the march again and marched to where we are now at Gum Springs—a distance from Manassas of twenty miles. This was a hard day’s march. The roads was dreadful dusty and the sun scorching hot and a great many was sun struck and dropped down in the ranks.
Today we are on picket duty at this place. There was fighting all day near Middleburg. Our troops drove the Rebs back. The full particulars we have not heard. The rebel army are going into Pennsylvania and my opinion is that if they don’t get out of it very quick, they will get themselves into a bad fix. We are in no hurry to go after them. For my part, I wish they would go into New York State. Then they would see what war is and know how to realize it. I don’t want to see any Union men suffer, but I hope if there is any Copperheads in Pennsylvania, the rebels will halt and pitch all their camps on their farms and burn every [fence] rail and steal every chicken, pig, turkey, cattle, and so forth they have got. They are now crying, “Hurry up, hurry up and drive the rebels out of the North.” Some of these very men, I have no doubt, are just the ones when the army was in Virginia and they peaceably at home making money hand over hand out of the war, denounced the government in everything they tried to do in putting down the rebellion, thus prolonging the war. Now these are the ones, I hope, will suffer by the invasion of the North. But enough of this. I will. write about something else.
I don’t know as this letter will reach you as I hear that no mail is allowed to go. Still I will run the chances.
I am in good health and the best of spirits. The last letter from home stated that Father and Mother was unwell & I hope this letter will find them both again in good health. I have been very anxious to hear from home. We have had no mail for the past four or five days and I am informed that it is all detained in Washington. I can’t write anymore this time. Give my love tool the family, also to all enquiring friends. Write soon. Goodbye for the present.
Your affectionate son, — A. G. Graves, Jr., Lieut. 44th NYS Vols
~36~
Camp 44th Regiment NYS Vols
Near Aldie, Virginia
June 25th 1863
Dear Parents,
With pleasure I take the opportunity of writing a few lines letting you know that I am still alive, well, and in the best of spirits, and sincerely hope this letter will find all at home enjoying the same. I suppose you thought it strange that I did not write to you before but I assure you, it was not my fault for I try to send a letter at every opportunity. There has not been a mail sent or received in the regiment for over two weeks. I have managed to send two or three letters by men that was going to Washington. It makes it very lonesome in camp to be without any mail for it is one of the greatest of the few pleasures we have in camp and if those that write to friends and relatives in the army could be here when the joyful sounds is heard, “Fall in for your mail!” and see the men flock around the sergeant, all with anxious hearts expecting a letter from home, and when the sergeant calls off the names, to see the countenance brighten up of those that are lucky to get letters, and the sad and disappointed looks of those that do not get any, I think they would write oftener.
Well I suppose you will expect some news from me in this letter and I will try and give you all I can. We have been on the move most every day since I returned to the regiment. We are now at a place called Aldie between the Catoctin and Bull Run Mountains, thirty-two miles from Alexandria and equal distance from Harpers Ferry. We have laid here four days. On Sunday morning last, our regiment was turned out and formed line at three o’clock. They left all their tents and knapsacks behind and I was detailed to stay behind and take charge of the camp. After the regiment had started we could see that they was going to the front and at about seven o’clock we heard the boom of cannon in the front and all day rumors came in of all sorts but at night we got our official report stating that our regiment had only been engaged as skirmishers and lost one man killed and two wounded. Our whole Division went out to support the cavalry but our Brigade was all the infantry that was engaged. The enemy was driven back six miles, losing three cannon and a hundred and fifty prisoners. After accomplishing their purpose, finding out the strength of the enemy, our forces fell back to their old position. [Rest of letter missing]
~37~
44th Regiment N. Y. S. Vols.
Middleton, Maryland
July 9th 1863
Dear John,
Your two letters was received yesterday and gave me pleasure to hear from you again. I am at the present well and in the best of spirits.
Our army has again been engaged in three terrible battles which in fact may be called one as they were fought on three successive days and this time (thank Providence) we have been successful in defeating the enemy and putting them in a total route. They attacked us by massing their forces on one particular part of our line but was repulsed and great slaughter at each attempt to force our lines. The losses on both sides are very great. Ours is estimated at eighteen thousand while the enemy’s is estimated at thirty thousand.
Our regiment went into the engagement with a little over three hundred men and came out with two hundred, losing over one-third of the number engaged. My company lost three men killed and five wounded. The killed are James McGee, David Nash, and Francis E. Levoy. Wounded [are] Sergt. John Downing, Privates Henry E. Stevens, Jacob Ranscher, James Mallory, and Richard A. Cary. The officers killed are Capt. Lucien S. Larabee [of Co. B] and Lieut. Eugene L. Dunham [of Co. D]. Wounded Capt. Wm. R. Bowen, Capt. Bennett A. Mungar, Lieut. Liebman and Lieut. Benjamin F. Thomas. The total loss in the regiment is one hundred and eleven. Lieut. Zielman was wounded in the left breast. He is a getting along finely and think he is on his way home by this time.
On Sunday the 5th inst., our regiment advanced over the battle field and found that the enemy had retreated. The fields are completely strewn with dead—also with muskets, knapsacks, blankets, & caps. It was the most horrible sight I ever saw. The stench was so great that I thought I would faint away. Our brigade alone gathered up four thousand stand of arms from our part of the field. In one spot where a Rebel battery had been in position, I counted nineteen dead horses in one pile.
By this invasion I think the rebels have lost one half of their army and before they get back over the Potomac, their whole army will be destroyed. Our army is in good spirits and are following the enemy closely. The line of retreat is full of wagons and cannon stuck in the mud which fall into our hands.
Our regiment was engaged in the second day’s fight and had position on the left when a picked brigade of the rebel army was opposite to us. They fought with great desperation and came to within thirty yards of our line. I never saw a regiment fight with so much composure and coolness in my life as the 44th did in this engagement. Most every man fired over sixty rounds of cartridges. The rebel wounded that we took in—also the prisoners—said that it was the most deadly fire they [had] ever been into. 1
I have endured more hardships in the past month than any other time during the war. We have marched over three hundred miles since we left the Rappahannock. I must close this letter as the bugle has just blown the General to strike tents and get ready to march. I will write again in a few days. My love to Mother, Father and all the family and enquiring friends. Goodbye for the present.
Yours, — A. G. Graves, Jr., Lieut. commanding Co. H
1 The rebel soldiers who fought with such “desperation” in the late afternoon of July 2nd near Little Round Top were from Laws’ Alabama Brigade and Robertson’s Texas Brigade.
~38~
Headquarters 44th Regt. N Y S Vols
Rappahannock Station, Virginia
February 3, 1864
Dear Mother,
With great pleasure I take the opportunity of addressing a few lines to you and hope it will find you enjoying good health. Christmas and New Years days. was passed very quietly in the army. All the men in the regiment had their Christmas given them in the shape of a good ration of whiskey which made them all feel very lively and if they could of had a little turkey, I think they would of enjoyed themselves full as well as though they had been home.
George arrived here last Thursday. He walked into my tent and took me all by surprise as I did not dream of seeing him down here. I was glad to see I’m, I assure you. He came in a bad time as it was raining hard and had been for the previous two or three days and the mud was almost knee deep and it was anything but pleasant, I assure you. I shared my bed with George and so he passed a night I the army on a soldier’s couch.
In the morning I got a couple of horses and we took a horseback ride up to Brandy Station to General Meade’s Headquarters. Here George got his pass extended for three days by General [Marsena R.] Patrick, the Provost Marshal General. George wanted to see General Meade’s tent so we went up there and while standing and talking to Captain Pease, a General and his staff rode up, dismounted, and went into General Meade’s tent. I thought I recognized his countenance as being General Carr. I asked Capt. Pease and he said that it was so I made up my mind that when he came out, I would speak to him. So when he made his appearance, I walked up to him [and] saluted. He looked at me quite a while [and] finally he said that my countenance was familiar and I introduced myself and he shook hands with me [and] asked what regiment I was in and where they was stationed. He gave me a polite invitation to call and see him which I think I will do in a few days. He is in command of a Division in the 6th Corps and has fifteen or twenty officers on his staff.
George and I afterwards visited the 43rd and 77th [New York] Regiments after which we started for home when it commenced to turn cold very fast and before we got halfway home the mud—which was knee deep—had frozen solid as a rock. I never saw such a sudden change in the weather before in my life. I though George would freeze but he had good gait and stuck it out. We had eaten nothing since morning and when supper was ready, we went into it with a good relish and I though George would never stop. He said that he never was so hungry in his life.
When it got time to retire, we turned in and I thought George would freeze surely. He almost hugged me to death and with eight blankets over us at that. George would never make a soldier, that’s certain. And I don’t think he will ever want to see Virginia again very soon. He has just seen enough to appreciate a soldier’s life and I think he will tell some pretty good stories about Virginia. He intends to get in Albany by Wednesday or Thursday. He started from here Saturday morning.
How did you spent the holidays? And how many presents did you get? I would like to make you one myself but circumstances will not allow me at present. But as the old saying [goes], it is better late than never. I did not think you would take in earnest what I said in my last letter about reenlisting as I was only joking about it. There was twenty-seven reenlisted in the regiment and have gone home on furlough for thirty-five days. There is a great many regiments in the army that reenlisted entire and have gone home to reorganize and reunite.
Everything is quiet in the army at present but not very quiet for as far as duty is concerned, for the whole regiment is on either picket or railroad guard every other day which makes it very hard for them men.
I have not been mustered in yet as 1st Lieutenant. I can’t get mustered back later than November 1st 1863. I think I will get mustered next week. I am at present in command of Company H—the captains having gone North on recruiting service and are stationed at Albany. Furloughs in the army for enlisted men have been stopped but the leave of absence for officers are still continued. I will close this letter and hope it will find all the family in good health. I would write more but George will be home in a few days and he can tell you more about camp life & company than I can tell in this letter. My love to all the family and to all enquiring friends. Hoping to hear from you soon, I close by bidding you all goodbye for the present.
From your affectionate son, — Anthony G. Graves, Jr., Lt. Commanding Co. H
~39~
Camp of the 44th Regiment NYS Vols
Alexandria, Virginia
February 19, 1864
Dear Parents,
With pleasure I embrace the opportunity of writing a few lines to you, hoping it will find you all enjoying good health and comfort. I have not received any answer to my last letter. Why have you not answered it? Probably it has been miss-carried or lost.
I have met with quite a misfortune since I wrote to you last. It happened to me day before yesterday while I was out on railroad guard. My tent caught on fire and was entirely consumed—scorching or burning most all of the contents inside. My best coat was among the articles burnt and almost entirely ruined; one of the skirts being burnt entirely off. But I think I can have a new one put on so that I can get considerable wear out of it yet. All my company books, papers, and &c. was in the tent but fortunately they was got out. The loss to me will amount to about thirty dollars—“no insurance.”
The fire caught where the stove pipe passes through the tent. The hole was not cut large enough and part of the canvas got against the pipe and the tent being very dry, burnt like so much powder. I will not have to pay for the tents which is very fortunate as they cost over a hundred dollars. I lost considerable company property which I will have to account for by making a certified statement that they was destroyed by fire accidentally.
For the past two days I have been visiting my friends in the regiment. The weather now is very cold which makes it very uncomfortable to be without a tent. But it will not be a great while until I will have another shanty erected. I received two new tents from the quartermaster this afternoon and by tomorrow night I will have them up when I will again have a house of my own. The greatest loss that I sustained was my violin which was entirely demolished. I mourn its loss considerable. It was a great comfort to me in driving away dull care and the monotony of camp. Now, I suppose, I will have to go down to the city and buy a two and six penny new one.
Mother, I sent you by Johnny twenty dollars which was all that I could spare at present. I obtained two months pay for November and December. In a few days there will be two more months due when I will be able to send you a hundred and fifty dollars.
“I, for my part, have seen fighting enough and have had all the glory that I want, and I think all the rest of the regiment is of the same opinion.”
—Anthony G. Graves, Jr, 19 February 1864
Everything is very quiet here now. No news or anything of any importance worth writing about so you must excuse this uninteresting letter. The men are busy everyday working hard on the camp, When it is finished, it will be a beautiful place. The description of it I have given you in my former letters. It will be my turn for a leave of absence in a few days. I have not made up my mind whether to accept it or not. What do you advise me to do? I hardly think it will pay to go home for fifteen days when I take in consideration that I was home most all last summer and that I have only got about six months more to stay. I only hope we will remain in this camp for the remainder of our term of service. I—for my part—have seen fighting enough and have had all the glory that I want and I think all the rest of the regiment is of the same opinion.
Reenlisting in the regiment has been quite brisk for the past few days. Fifty have already veteranized themselves and many more are meditating on the subject. It is growing late and I must close this letter and turn in for the night as I have to get up early in the morning to go on duty as Officer of the Day. I went to see Bill when I was in Washington but he had gone home on furlough. I think his time must be out by this. time. I will go and see in a few days.
Father, write and give me all the news &c. With love to Mother, Father, Sister and Brothers and kind respects to all other enquiring friends, I bid you goodbye for the present and remain your affectionate son, — Anthony G, Jr.
The letters that follow were written while Anthony Graves served in the 11th Independent New York Battery, sometimes called the “Havelock Battery.” They begin at Hart Island in New York Harbor where the new recruits were outfitted and trained and then sent to the the ring of forts surrounding Petersburg, Virginia, where they joined the Battery already emplaced in the embattlements laying siege to the Confederate stronghold. The Havelock Battery had a long and honorable service before Anthony joined them in late 1864, including not only key roles in the Battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, but fighting in Grant’s Overland Campaign all the way from the Wilderness to Petersburg. Unlike most of the new recruits joining the Battery, 25 year-old Anthony Graves had seen prior service as an officer in the 44th New York Infantry.
[Note: My compliments to Ann Melichar who provided me with first draft transcriptions for many of the following letters.]
~40~
Hart Island
New York Harbor
August 30th 1864
Dear Parents,
As I promised, I take the first opportunity of send you a few lines informing you of our journey so far towards the seat of war. Our trip from Albany on the Henrick Hudson was a pleasant one, and all hands enjoyed themselves tip top. The boat arrived in New York at 7 o’clock and after getting a bowl of soup from one of the corner stands, we proceeded on board of the steamer to Hart Island where we are at present and where we are likely to remain for some time to come. As we were a good looking squad of men and coming down under a small guard, they immediately detailed us to do guard duty on the island and we may possibly remain during the winter.
The Major in charge here asked me if I had been into the service before and I informed him that I had served three years in the 44th as 1st Lieutenant when he informed me that I would be in charge of the company and so I am at present acting as 1st Sergeant of the new company. There is two other non-commissioned officers here and it lays between us three who will be the Orderly. I will do my best to obtain the position. It will make it much more pleasant and if I am fortunate in getting the position, I will do my utmost to please the boys and make it easy as possible for them all.
Hart Island is a very pleasant place situated in the East River and about twenty-six miles from New York. There is about one thousand men here and are coming and going every day. There is all sorts here and there is no distinction made between the good and the bad—they are all used alike. I hope our boys will all behave themselves as it will be pleasure for us all and we will be allowed more privileges by so doing.
Johnny wrote a letter home tonight but owing to its becoming dark, he could write [only] half that he wished to. He will write again to you tomorrow. I will not write myself tonight but the next time I will give you a longer letter and besides, I will know more about the island to write about.
Tomorrow we are all to be mustered for pay. We turn out in style with white gloves and so forth. Give my love to all the family and best respects to all enquiring friends. Hoping to hear from you soon. I will close by bidding you goodbye for the present and remain your affectionate son, — Anthony G. Graves, Jr.
~41~
Hart Island
New York Harbor
September 18, 1864
Dear Parents,
Excuse me for not writing to you sooner for I have been so busy with the company getting them equipped and organized that I have not time to do anything for myself at all.
Murphy arrived on the Island last Tuesday and brought with him my bundle. He did not stay long for he was sent to the front the next day. I tried to get them into my company but as it was full, I could not.
Charlie Tice arrived here last Thursday all dressed up in a suit of blue. He is heartily sick of what little soldiering he has seen and says that he would give the thousand bounty back if they would let him go back to a civilian’s life again. Charlie, I think, will make a very poor soldier.
Our company received their arms last Wednesday. They are the Tower Rifles and a very pretty piece they are too, We drill twice a day—two hours in the forenoon and two in the afternoon. The boys all take a great interest in the drills and with the two days that they have had their arms, they do equally as well as the companies that have been on the Island for six months. I think in a month’s time our company will be the best in drill and discipline on the Island.
The promotion of non-commissioned officers in the company was confirmed on Dress Parade by a General Order.
Johnny is on duty today as Corporal of the Guard. He told me that he got along tip top in his new business. He will make a good soldier.
I am waiting patiently for the things that I sent for—my violin, boots, and so forth. Tell Father to send them as soon as possible. Johnny is in my quarters. I have got a nice little room which Jonny and I occupy by ourselves.
When does Father intend to come down? I would advise him to come before cold weather as it will be much more pleasant for him. Our quarters are very comfortable now but I think if we stay here through the winter, it will be awful cold as there is nothing to keep off the wind which catches us from all quarters. Still, if they let us remain here, it will be a great deal better than being at the front. Some of the boys seems to be discontented and want to be sent to the front. They are all accommodated. I think they will soon get enough of the front before they have been there a great while.
I came away this time with the intentions of returning at the end of the year so I think the safest place that I can stay is on Hart Island where I am going to remain as long as I can. Must close as there is nothing more to write about. We are all well and getting along first rate. Give my love to all the folks and enquiring friends. Hoping to hear from you soon. I remain your affectionate son, — A. G. Graves, Jr.
~42~
11th Independent Battery NY Vols
Near Petersburg, Virginia
October 11, 1864
Dear Parents,
I wrote you a letter last week, stating that we had received orders to go to the front and that we would probably be on the way before the letter would reach you. Captain [John E.] Burton made application to the “War Dept.” requesting that we be sent to the battery. His request has been complied with, and consequently, here we are, with our Battery in “Old Virginia,” and in close proximity to the “Johnny Rebels” where we can plainly hear the crack of muskets, the boom of cannon, and at night, plainly see the shells move through the air and burst. It is a splendid sight, but I can assure you, nothing new to me, as I have heard the same sounds and seen the same lights many times before. Our boys was kindly treated on our arrival at the battery, and everything done to promote our comfort and welfare. Our camp is in a very pretty place and in plain sight of the city of Petersburg. The guns of the battery are in a fort in the front line, while the caissons and the battery camp is about a mile to the rear.
I will now try and give you a little sketch of our voyage from Hart Island to City Point in the transport which was anything but a pleasant one, I can assure you, although our boys fared a great deal better than the other recruits on board as we acted as guards and had the privileges of the boat while the others were stowed away in the hole like so many hogs. The wind was blowing quiet a gale and the ship lunged and tossed about frightfully, upsetting tables and chairs, breaking dishes and causing a row in general, making all hands sea sick and such a spewing on every heave of the ship. You would think that all hands was going to turn themselves inside out. I was one of the sufferers by this disease, still, I was not as bad as the majority. John and I occupied a state room and we stayed in our bunks most of the time, which I think was one of the causes of our not getting so sick.
We lost three men on the trip. Two jumped overboard opposite New York. The guards fired at them, but I don’t think they were hit. A small boat put out from the shore at the same time which I think picked them up. The other one got crazy and jumped overboard off Sandy Hook and was drowned. 1
After entering the Chesapeake Bay, the weather became more mild which made the trip for the remainder of the way pleasant and agreeable. We arrived at City Point last Monday morning and was immediately sent to out Battery where we will most probably remain one year—unless sooner shot. Major Ewing, who had command of us on the island, did not want us to leave, but as the order came from the War Dept., he could not prevent it. On our departure, he thanked us for the manner in which we had performed our duty and was sorry that he was so soon to lose our services. The Major is a good man and was well liked by all that came under his command. I suppose you was surprised when you heard that we was ordered to the front. I was myself as I did not expect to go so soon. It may be all for the best. I would not like to of waited until winter and then be sent away.
I will bring this letter to a close and will write you in a few days. Give my love to all and best respects to all inquiring friends. I was very fortunate in getting a pass home as I did but am sorry that I did not have more time to make more calls to my friends.
Write soon and give me all the news. I will now bid you good bye for present and remain
Your affectionate son, — A. G. Graves, Jr.
11th Battery NY Vols
Artillery Brigade, 2nd [Army] Corps
Washington, D.C.
P. S. Send me a dollars’ worth of postage stamps.
1 Another 1864 recruit who made the journey from Hart Island to City Point with Anthony was Alexander Grant Rose, a 24 year-old from Albany. He had seen prior service in Co. B, 177th New York Infantry. Alexander also wrote in his diary of the two recruits who jumped ship as the transport sailed past Manhattan. These men who jumped ship were probably “bounty jumpers”—men who enlisted only to collect the bounty and then deserted and hoped to enlist again under another identity. [See Civil War Diaries of Alexander Grant Rose]
~43~
11th Independent New York Battery
Fort McGilvery 1 near Petersburg, Virginia
November 13, 1864
Dear Father,
I have just received a letter from Mr. Kidd. He states that there is no vacancies in my Battery but would do all [he] can for me in some other Battery. He is laboring under a mistake as there is two vacancies in the battery at present—a Captain and 1st Lieut. I would prefer a commission in this battery if possible, but if it can not be obtained I would be satisfied to have it in some other Light Battery. I understand that the recommendations have been forwarded onto the Governor to fill existing vacancies so don’t delay a moment in seeing the Governor. I must have a commission in this Battery if possible.
I have written several letters to you and have been waiting very anxiously to hear from you. I am in good health and spirits. Johnnie is improving very rapidly. He was not quite so well a few days ago, on account of his trying to be too smart. He wants to get well too quick.
Election is over and I suppose (he is elected)—Old Abe, I mean, for four years longer. The rebels seem to like the result first rate and the other night they cheered for Old Abe and four years more war. I am very sorry that he is elected, but as it is the will of the people, we will have to make the best of it. The result of the state [elections] I see is very close. I hope it has gone all right, if with but a small majority.
I understand that when Captain Burton left the Battery, he gave instructions for not to give any of the new men that joined the battery lately any promotions whatever as non-commissioned officers. This I think is very wrong. I do not know his reasons for his doing so, but I think he has got a little enmity against the new men on account of their trying to remain on Hart Island. It is very poor encouragement for these men to try and make themselves good soldiers. And as our battery now is composed mostly of new men, I think they should have a little chance of the promotions. I don’t think there is any of our boys that aspire for any of these honors, but it is very hard for them to know that they will not receive any. This is one reason why I want a position in this battery, for then I will be able to do something for them.
Have you seen Mr. Chase? I sent a letter to you by him. I wanted you to send me an Artillery Book. Send it as soon as possible. I am also entirely out of money and would like a little. Send me some in your next. We expect to get paid off in a few days. Everything is quiet along our lines with the exception of the usual picket firing which is very annoying at some times. Day before yesterday we had quite an artillery duel, but very fortunately no one in our fort was injured—that is, of our Battery. We had considerable many narrow escapes. One Minié bullet passed through our tent just over [our] heads. We were all sitting down or perhaps some of us would have been injured.
I received a visit this morn from Capt. Charlie Hobbs and Lieut. Brown. They are both well and look tip top. I will now close this letter. My love to all the Family and respect to all enquiring friends. Hoping to hear from you soon I will bid you good bye for the present and remain as ever, your affectionate son, — Anthony G. Graves, Jr.
P S. Have this photograph put into our Album.
1 Union Fort McGilvery was located near the present intersection of present day Washington Street and Puddledock Road in northeast Petersburg, east of the Appomattox river.
~44~
The following is a partial letter that is missing both the beginning and the end.
[11th Independent N. Y. Battery, Ft. Welch, 16 December 1864]
…of been lost. I worked hard for five or six days in making out the votes. The officers in the battery think that I obtained my commission through that letter. The statements that I have made above you can give to Mr. Cassidy to publish, if that statement making me out a willful liar is published. I think it would be well for you to give him the facts as stated above before their statement appears in order that he may. write up an article in answer to it. They are bound to injure me all that they can and prevent my getting a commission at all if they could, but I hardly think they will succeed.
I witnessed a horrible sight this morning [16 December 1864]. Three men were hung near our Battery for desertion. They belonged to the 2nd Corps. It appears that two of them deserted to the Rebels and took up arms against us. They were captured by Sheridan in the Valley and identified as deserters from the 7th Infantry. They were sent to General Grant’s Headquarters, courtmartialed and sentenced to be hung. Two of them were Germans and they wore the rebel uniform. All the troops in the vicinity were paraded and formed in a hollow square around the scaffold. The prisoners were escorted to the gallows by a guard and a band playing the dead march. They took their positions on the platform with a firm step but after taking their places under the ropes, it could be seen that one of the men was so greatly grieved that it was almost impossible for him to stand up. His legs trembled and his head hung down on his breast. I know that these men are not entitled to much sympathy but this man got mine. The other two seemed to be hardened wretches and stood as erect and firm as a cock. The ministers prayed for them after which the arms were tightened [and] their legs tied and the white cap drawn down over their eyes and the rope placed around their necks and then everything was ready for the signal to be given when they would be launched into eternity. At 12 o’clock precisely the fatal word was given by the Provost Marshal when the platform was pulled from in under them. They dropped about four feet and hung suspended in the air. A few spasmodic twitches of the arms and feet and all was over and they had paid the penalty of their crime by their lives. God forgive me from ever ending my existence in such a manner. How any of the men can desert to the Rebels and fight for them is more than I can account for. It is hard enough to be a soldier in our army but how must it be in the Rebel army if what all the deserters say is true. There has been a great deal of deserting in our army lately but I think the execution of these men today will be quite a lesson to many that had contemplated deserting.
Our army were jubilant tonight over an order read to the troops announcing a great victory over Hood by General Thomas. Each regiment as the order was read to them gave vent to their feelings by three rousing Yankee cheers. The Johnnies hollered over to us and wanted to know what was up and our boys told them that Thomas had given “Hoody” a damn good thrashing, capturing two thousand prisoners and sixteen pieces of cannon. Their reply was that is a damn Yankee lie which is what they say to all our victories.
The lines are very close here and it is a grand sight to see the Johnny rebels relieve their pickets. They march out in whole regiments in the middle of the day and in plain sight of us. Our men do the same. There is no picket firing whatever in our front. The pickets patrol their beats within a hundred yards of each other but they are not allowed to hold any conversation with each other.
~45~
11th Independent Battery N. Y.
In Fort Welch, Virginia 1
December 18, 1864
Dear Brother,
I received the letter of yours dated the 4th inst. last evening and as usual was pleased to hear from you. The reason of your letter being delayed so long was on account of its not being directed properly. You had it 17th instead of 11th Battery and it went to the 17th Battery and as there was no person by that name in that battery, it was forwarded back to Washington and there corrected and sent to me. You must be very careful hereafter and direct my letters correct. I thought it was very strange that I did not hear from you sooner as I was very prompt in answering your last letter. I should not be much surprised if Father had directed some of his wrong as I have not heard from him since the 11th inst. Have written to him about every day. If he knew how anxious I am to hear from him in regards to my commission, I think he would write me every day if not more than two or three lines. Most every night for the past four or five days I have been watching anxiously and have had great expectations of receiving a letter from father, but meet with sad disappointment each night. What makes me more anxious is that the holidays are fast approaching and I had some hopes of being home to pass New Years day with my friends. I think is it very doubtful now as the time is approaching fast and the 1st of January will come before I can have my affairs all straightened out.
If I was mustered as an officer now I would not have the least trouble in obtaining a leave of absence. But I have got time to live in hopes yet and will keep up good spirits until the last moment. Lieut. [George W.] Davey 2 informs me that his commission has not been received by him yet. Very strange, it is not? For my part, I don’t think that it can be possible that his commission is delayed so long; it’s now been more than a month. I got a letter from the New York Agent the other day in answer to one that I wrote him making some inquiries as when his commission was received there. He informed me that his commission was received there on the 21st of November and the same day handed to the Adjutant General for transmission to him. Consequently he must surely received it about three weeks ago and they are keeping it a secret from me, with the hopes of getting my commission revoked by [Republican] Gov. [Reuben E.] Fenton. That is what induced me to write to Father to have my commission changed to some other Light Battery and again, if I remained in this battery, the officers could make it very disagreeable for me and I would probably not have a moment of peace or pleasure and I came to the conclusion that it would be best for me to have it changed.
I do not like to give up the ship on account of the new men who have stood by me through thick and thin. They all wished me to stay and fight it out (“as Grant said”) on this line. I have written to father requesting him to obtain a duplicate of Davey’s commission and forward to me in order that I could have the satisfaction of presenting him with it and I could then demand my discharge and they would be obliged to give it to me.
George! You have not got much more time to work and I hope you will do something before the 1st of January. I want you to get me a commission so that I can muster if it nothing more than a 2nd Lieutenancy in some infantry regiment. I do not think that there will be any trouble in having me commissioned in some Light Battery where I can muster, but not hearing from father gives me considerable uneasiness. I should dislike very much to go into infantry again but I would resort to that in last extreme. You must not think by this letter that I am losing confidence in your abilities to come out successful. No, not by any means, for I am still very confident that you will straighten me out yet all right.
One of the members of the battery wrote home and obtained a copy of the [Albany] Argus with the letter of mine in [it] that father had published and they have made out a statement condemning it as a willful falsehood without any truth whatever. On this statement they are getting the names of all the democratic voters contradicting [the statements in] my letter that the officers in the battery placed any obstacles in their way whatever of their voting as they wished. I think about half of the democratic voters will sign it as they were not aware that any obstruction had been placed in their way. When Filkins came to the battery, every accommodation was given him and his clerks to obtain the Republican vote and in some cases the officers assisted him. He was furnished with a large wall tent which he occupied for over two days and he was allowed to go through the camp making stump speeches and electioneering for the purpose of influencing votes. This he had no right to do as the orders from the army allowing these agents to obtain the votes strictly forbid them using any means or endeavors whatever to influence any men to vote. For violating this order, he should of been reported.
In a few days after Filkins took his departure, Mr. Hogan made his appearance in the battery to obtain the democratic votes but meeting with such a poor reception and no accommodation whatever being offered him, and also being told that there was only about half a dozen democratic voters in the battery, he concluded that he would not remain but left a few blank proxies with the hope that someone would take the matter in hand and obtain the votes. This I done and after four or five days hard work I managed to obtain thirty good democratic votes. There was undoubtedly some in the battery that would of voted anyway if they had to make out their own votes, but there is others that would not of voted at all if I had not made out the proxies and filled them up.
This statement that they got up is intended to be sent to the [Albany] Argus for publication. Now I want you to see Mr. [William] Cassidy and inform him of the facts as I have stated them in this letter so that he can make a few statements in answer to it. They are doing all in their power to injure me and prevent me from mustering in the battery but I don’t believe they will succeed. At any rate, I will weather it through until something turns up in my favor. I am doing a private’s duty as yet with a commission in my pocket as a Lieutenant but “what can’t be cured must be endured” and I am perfectly contented to wait coming events.
Now for some other news. I witnessed a horrible sight day before yesterday [16 December 1864] caused by three men being hung for deserting. 3 The scaffold was erected near our camp and we had a good view of the proceedings. All the troops in the vicinity were formed in a hollow square around the scaffold; their graves were dug underneath and their coffins played by their side. At 11 o’clock the prisoners were marched to the gallows under a strong guard and escorted by a band playing the Dead March. They mounted the scaffold with firm steps, but after taking their places under the rope, one of the men could not stand erect; his legs trembled and his head bowed over on his breast. The other two were more hardened and reconciled to their fate. They stood erect and you could not perceive that their minds were confused in the least.
After passing a few minutes in prayer, the ropes were adjusted around their necks, their arms and legs pinioned, the white caps pulled over their eyes, and everything then was in readiness for the signal t be given when they would be cast into eternity. It was a horrible spectacle to see them three stand with the ropes around their neck, their arms and legs pinned, and they looking down into their graves, already dug for them. I should liked to of known their thoughts at that moment. At precisely 12 o’clock the fatal signal was given, the trap sprung, and the poor souls were cast into eternity. They dropped about four feet. One of them struggled considerably on account the rope not being properly placed [resulting in] it slipping up on the back of his head. They were allowed to hand about three quarters of an hour when they cut down and placed them into the coffins.
The circumstances concerning these men deserting I could not fully find out but two of them, it appears, went over to the enemy and took up arms against us. Hanging was too good for these men. This will be a great lesson to some that had any intentions of deserting. Still, it will not stop it as there is plenty of men here in the army that came out for the very purpose of deserting the first chance they can get.
There is glorious news here in the army. Victory, victory is shouted all around. Last evening an order was read to the troops announcing the great victory of General Thomas over Hood [at Franklin, Tennessee] and the troops gave vent to their feelings by three times three rousing Yankee cheers which made the air ring and it could be heard for miles along the entire line. This morning again the cheering was resumed, having received good news from Sherman—the capture of Fort McAllister and probably capture of Savannah. A shotted salute was fired on the right at daylight this morning in honor of the above.
Everything remains very quiet and peaceable in our army. The troops are all comfortably located in snug log houses for winter quarters. This is no prospect of a move and I don’t think there will be any movement of this army again until spring with the exceptions of making occasional raids. Still we can’t always judge and we may move at any moment.
I am glad to hear that you are doing so well in your business. All that I can say is that I wish you success. I am sorry to hear that Henry Ball is supposed to be a prisoner and I hope it will prove untrue. I suppose you have some gay times a drinking your lager beer and I wish you would inform Henry that nothing would afford me greater pleasure than to be in Albany to take a fresh glass of lager with him and I hope that I will soon enjoy the opportunity of doing so.
In regards to the things in that box, Johnny being home can tell mother who they belong to. The blue clothes I wish to have made up into a pair of pants and sent to me son as possible. Send them to me by mail.
I don’t understand how you can make anything out of my bond but do as you think proper in the matter. I will now have to close as I have written you a good long letter and will expect a good long one in return. Give my love to all the family and remember me kindly to all the boys. Tell Ed that that was a bully letter I received from him. Write by return mail. Goodbye for the present.
From your affectionate brother, — Anthony G. Graves, Jr.
Direct to 11th Independent Battery New York Vol.
Artillery Brigade, 2nd [Army] Corps
Washington D. C.
Don’t make a mistake.
1 Fort Welch was a pentagonal redoubt with positions for field field guns/ It was constructed in early October 1864 and named for Col. Normal E. Welch of the 16th Michigan who was killed at Peeble’s Farm. When the 11th New York Battery occupied the fort, they manned six 3-inch rifles.
2 George W. Davey had a long history with the battery. He was an original member who had mustered in as a corporal at the age of 25 in December 1861 and he rose through the ranks all the way up to 1st Sergeant before reenlisting in February 1864. He received his commission as 2d Lieutenant in September 1864 (to date to July 1864) and as 1st Lieutenant on 31 October 1864. Finally he was promoted to captain of the battery on 23 February 1865 (with rank to date to 24 January 1865).
3 The three Union soldiers executed by hanging on the 16th of December were Charles Hummel and Christopher Suhr of Co. E, 7th New York Infantry and John Thompson of the 5th New Hampshire Infantry. The execution was reported to have occurred near General Miles’ Headquarters, the gallows being erected in the center of a large open field to the right of Peeble’s house. A detachment of the 116th Pennsylvania served as guards of the deserters and marched them to the gallows. “These men died without making any public acknowledgement of their guilt, but the testimony on their trial was direct and overwhelming that they had deserted to the enemy and subsequently came into our lines, claiming to be deserters from re Rebel’s service. Two other—Suhr and Hummel (or Hommel) died in Rebel uniform, but Thompson was habited in a suit of blue.” [Phildelphia Enquirer, 19 December 1864]
~46~
11th Independent N. Y. Battery
In Fort Welch, Virginia
December 25th 1864
Dear Father,
I received your letter dated the 21st inst. which came enclosed in a tin box and directed to Alexander G. Rose. 1 There was also enclosed a duplicate commission for Lieut. [George W.] Davey and some medicine. I was very much pleased to hear from you again. I had almost given up all hopes of ever hearing from you. I like your idea of directing all my letters in the future to Alex Rose as he is a good friend of mine and also one that I can confide in. I think you done right at the time in not having the Governor revoke Davey’s commission for we did not know then that he would refuse to muster. I have since written you a letter giving full particulars of the conversation that I had with him at the time. I presented him with the duplicate. He informed me that he would not muster for three years. He said that Lieut. Wyatt had sent in a communication to find out if the Battery would be given a new term of service and if so, how long it would be He wanted me to wait two days until they had heard from the communication when he would give me a decisive answer. I told him that it was very necessary that I should know as soon as possible—that I was authorized to request his immediate muster, and if he refused I would be commissioned as 1st Lieutenant and his commission would be revoked. I waited the two days when I asked him if he had made up his mind to muster. He informed me that he had not heard anything from the communication and that he would not muster anyway for three years. I told him that if he did not give me a decisive answer that his commission would be revoked. He said that he did not care—that if the Governor saw fit to revoke his commission, he could do it. He would not be drawn into the matter. I told him I did not think it was right to keep me from mustering on account of his refusing. He allowed that I was not entitled to the commission—that I had obtained it through that letter which you had published. I told him that I denied the charge—that I had obtained my appointment in an honorable manner and that letter had no more effect than so much brown paper. But he did not believe it. He also allowed that it would be impossible for me to muster in the Battery—that Lieut. Wyatt would not give me a certificate of a vacancy. I said that it would be a very foolish thing for him to refuse it as I could soon find means to compel him to give me a certificate. I told him that I was perfectly willing to muster for three years but this I will not be obliged to do as I can muster for the unexpired term of my enlistment. I don’t see any reasons why I should not be commissioned as 1st Lieutenant in his stead and in my previous letters I have requested you to have it done.
I mailed you a letter today giving you a part of a conversation that a friend of mine had with Lieut. [George W.] Davey. You will see by that, that they are determined to prevent my muster if possible. Am determined that I shall muster at all hazards, being they have acted so mean in the matter. I am gaining friends with the old men in the Battery most every day and some that were my bitterest enemies at first are now my best friends and am anxious that I should muster. They are all down on Lieut. [James T.] Wyatt and call him a regular “dead beat.” The only thing that keeps him in the service is to prevent my mustering. His time was out on the 6th of last December but he has been trying to obtain a sick leave to go home, but I don’t believe he will succeed.
I will not write much of a letter to you this time but when I hear from you again, I will write you a good long letter. Everything is very quiet in our army lately with the exceptions of the men cheering over the good news they have received lately from Generals Thomas and Sherman. The Rebels have only got one army left and that is the one that confronts us. When that is gone, the Confederacy will be gone also. Deserters are coming in very rapidly—some places by the hundreds.
I have given up all hopes of coming home on New Years so I will wish you all a Happy New Year. Today is Christmas and a very noisy one it has been too. Most everyone is slightly inebriated. In my next I will give a full description of how I passed it. I hope you all had as merry one at home. Give my love to mother and the rest of the family and my best respects to all enquiring friends.
Hoping to hear from you, I will bid you goodbye for the present and remain your affectionate son, — A. G. Graves, Jr.
1 Another 1864 recruit who made the journey from Hart Island to City Point with Anthony was Alexander Grant Rose, a 24 year-old from Albany. He had seen prior service in Co. B, 177th New York Infantry.
~47~
11th Independent Battery
In Fort Welch, Virginia
January 9th, 1864 [should be 1865]
Dear Father,
Your letter dated the 6th instant was received this evening and as usual gave me great please to hear from you. I am very sorry indeed that my letter to Mother gave her so much grief. Tell her I would not of written as I did, but I supposed that she would be pleased to know just how the soldiers faired on the holidays. I thought that it would be interesting to those at home to know the comparison between a soldier in the army and those at home. Mother must not think that because I wrote what I did in that letter that I am homesick or am faring any worse than I have at any time during my enlistment. I acknowledge that I felt a little depressed in spirits on New Years Day and I think there are very few in the Battery but what felt the same way. We were a little short of rations and [my] mind was a little troubled in regards to my commission in the Battery &c. But is all right now as I have mustered as 2nd Lieut. and I hope that there will be nothing more to trouble me until my time is out.
I reported for duty on the 7th inst., but they refused to assign me because they had not received any notice of my muster. I am perfectly contented to remain doing nothing until they receive notice of my muster which will be but a few days. I expected that they would seat me before an examining board, but Lieut. Davey informed me that he thinks they will not. It is immaterial to me whether they do or not for if they find me incompetent, they can only discharge me from the service and then I go home. Still, I would a little rather remain in the service until my time is out. I like the artillery branch of the service very much; and to be an officer in it is a very fine position.
I am very glad that you have sent me a box and I hope I will receive it soon. I have received the two five-dollar greenbacks you sent me and I have written to you for more. I want about twenty-five dollars. Send it to me part at a time in different letters. I think hereafter you may direct my letters to me. I don’t think they will bother them any more. I wrote to George yesterday telling him to inform you to send my jacket to me by mail. I will not have any of my things forwarded to me until everything gets settled. I will notify you when I wish you to send me my valise. Then you may pack it up and send it to me by express. I will tell you now what I wish you to put into it—Viz; my belt without the sword, my pants, sash, pair of drawers, shirts, a new cap, a couple of pairs of socks, a box of paper collars, writing paper and envelopes, Army Regulations, a small looking glass, and anything else you think I will need. You may have it all ready to send me when I notify you to do so.
I wrote a longer letter to George yesterday, giving a full report of mustering &c. The officers worked hard to prevent me from mustering and at one time I thought they would accomplish their object, and if it had not been for my perseverance and determination, I think they would of succeeded in the endeavor. I think now they are pretty well satisfied that the “dog is dead,” and that they had better let him “rest in peace.” They gave me a hard [remainder of letter missing]
~48~
11th Independent N. Y. Battery
In Fort Welch, Virginia
January 12, 1865
My dear friend Jack, 1
You must excuse me for not writing to you sooner. I would of answered your letter before but the fact is, Jack, I have been so very busy lately with my affairs in the Battery that I have hardly had time to eat. I have been on the go continuously for the past six or seven weeks. My opposers worked hard to prevent me from mustering as an officer in the Battery. I had to fight them at disadvantages as they were officers and outnumbered me six to one. Still for all, I out generated them all and came out victorious with flying colors. I compelled [George W.] Davey to muster as 1st Lieutenant and then demanded mine as 2nd Lieutenant. They couldn’t get around it and was obliged to muster me when there was a vacancy. At one time I thought they had got the best of me.
The first time I present myself for muster, I was told that there was a communication pending at Corp. Headquarters in regards to my muster and until that was decided, I could not be mustered. I thought that it was all up with me then and I went back to the fort feeling (commonly speaking) “down in the mouth.” I was determined not to give it up so without another trial. The next morning I made application to Lieut. Davey for permission to be absent from the fort a short time. He refused me the privilege for the reason that I was on police. I told him that I had a man that would do my work during my absence, but he would not give me the permission. I told him that it was only done to prevent me from mustering. I was almost tempted to take fresh leave—that is, going away without permission, and if I had not thought that it would of made matters worse, I would have done so. I had one privilege left me which they could not deprive me of and that was of writing. I took advantage of this and sat down and addressed a private note to Major [Septimus] Carncross, General Humphrey’s Adjutant General, giving him a plain statement of my affairs and requesting him to enquire into my case. I sent this note with a friend of mint to him. He informed me in answer that he would see the Commissary of Musters and find out why I could not muster. He informed me also that there was no communication and had not been any at that Headquarters concerning my mustering.
The next morning I obtained permission to leave the fort and I went to see Maj. Carncross. He informed me that he had addressed a note to the Commissary of Musters informing him that if there was a vacancy in the Battery, it was his duty to muster me immediately—that he was put there to muster officers, not to refuse. The Major told me that he did not think I would have any trouble in mustering. This gave me good encouragement and I started for the mustering officer in good spirits accompanied by Lieut. Percy Cole on our noble steeds. I presented my commission to the mustering officer with a certificate of physical ability and he mustered me without any hesitation whatever. I went into his tent a private and came out a 2nd Lieutenant in the 11th N. Y. Independent (or Havelock) Battery. The first thing that Percy said was, “How are you Lieut. Graves? Allow me to congratulate you Old Boy.” We had a good shake of the palms, jumped on our steeds and rode back to Percy’s Regiment. It rained hard all. day and we both got wet as drowned rats, but after wetting ourselves inside with a little “commissary” through all right.
The next day I reported myself to Lieutenant Davey as 2nd Lieutenant of the 11th Battery. He said that when he received official notice of my muster I would be assigned to duty. I have not been assigned yet and it is immaterial whether I am assigned at all or not. I do not do any duty and consequently have good easy times. I expected that they would have me seated before a board of examination and have me dismissed from the service for incompetency. I am certain that if I am brought up to be examined that I would be thrown out as there is not one officer out of a hundred that can pass an examination. I do not think that they will do so. I am inclined to believe that they will let the matter drop and make the best of a bad job. For my part I would rather remain in the service as I like the Artillery branch very much. I think a 2nd Lieutenant’s position in a Light Battery is equal to a Colonel’s position in Infantry.
We will change the subject now for awhile. “Commissary Byrn” says that he heard that you had circuited a report around Albany that he was a getting so poor, slim and thin that one day to get rid of going to guard, he hid away by crawling into the bore of one of the guns and was finally discovered with his head protruding through the vent hole. This is a pretty large story for you “Jack.” How is it? Byrn sends his respects. He is the same [Arthur L.] Byrn that was on Hart Island and has not got tired of telling his little jokes or anecdotes.
Mike [Michael] Cunningham—the wild Irishman, wishes to be remembered and says that he would be much obliged to you if you would send him a receipt for catching the gout or rheumatism so that he can go home. General Butler also wishes to be remembered to his dear boy Jack. Dave & [Lawson] Erving wish to be remembered; the latter you would not know. “Fat Jack” is no circumstance to him. They built a tent the other day and had to leave the one side open for his special accommodations in getting in and out. You may think that this is a large story but it is not half as large as Saus. [Peter] Linton. The Flying Dutchman is as full of fun as ever and sends his kind regards to Jack Featherly, the cripple.
It is impossible for me to make the remarks about all the boys that wish to be remembered to you. Suffice it to say, they all wish to be remembered to Corporal Featherly. I mailed you a note yesterday requesting you to do me a favor by sending me a pair of 2nd Lieutenant should straps for artillery. Send them by mail as soon as possible and oblige. I wish you would also tell father to send me my jacket by mail. Tell him also to pack my valise and send it to me by express. I sent a letter to him the other day telling him what to put into it.
Jack, I wish there had been a vacancy so that you could of obtained a commission in the Battery. Nothing would of given me more pleasure, I assure you. You are mistaken in my saying that Wyatt had gone home. I don’t think I said he had gone. He is here yet a playing [remainder of letter missing]
1 For the first time we learn that Anthony’s friend “Jack” was John H. Featherly who enlisted at the age of 23 at Albany to serve in the 11th New York Light Battery.
~49~
11th New York Battery
In Fort Welch, [near Petersburg] Virginia
January 12th, 1865
Dear Father,
Your letter dated the 9th inst. reached me through Mr. Rose last evening and I was pleased to hear from you. I was pleased to hear that you were all enjoying good health and am happy to inform you that I am doing the same, I have informed you in previous letters that I received the commission as 1st Lieutenant on the 4th inst. I notified Lieutenant Davey the same day and informed him to muster immediately and the next day he done so and two days after I was mustered as 2nd Lieutenant. I have not been assigned to duty yet but expect to be when they receive notice of my being mustered. I am not performing any duty and consequently am having very easy times and it is immaterial whether I am assigned to duty or not. I expected that I would be seated before a board of examination. If they should do so, I would undoubtedly be dismissed from the service for incompetency for I am certain that there is not one officer out of a hundred than can pass a thorough examination. And when an officer is seated for examination, it is done for the sole purpose of getting I’m out of the service. Consequently if I was discharged in this manner, I would not consider it any disgrace. I would prefer remaining in the army as I admire the artillery branch of the service very much and would like to gain some knowledge of the same.
I heard last night that some of the boys were getting up a present to present me with. It consisted of a pair of martingales, bridle, and saddle. I hear also that some of the old men started it. So you can see that all the members of the battery are not opposed to me. After the Battery is paid off, I understand that the new men contemplate making me the recipient of horse and full set of equipment. The excitement is rapidly subsiding and I am gaining friends every day. I think in short time everything will work like a charm and they will not regret that I was commissioned an officer in the Battery if I am permitted to remain with it. I will always strive to perform my duty with impartiality and with justice to all.
I received the two five dollar greenbacks you sent me and I have requested you inn a previous letter to send me $30 more soon as possible. I will have to feed myself now and to do so, it is necessary for me to have some money. I also informed you in a previous letter that I wished you to send me my valise. Put into it anything that you think I will need. I would like to have two good woolen shirts and two pairs of drawers, a couple of white handkerchiefs, a box of paper collars (no. 14 1/2). Also send me my sword belt. I do. not wish the sword as I will have to have one with a steel scabbard. Send anything that you think I may need. My jacket you can send me immediately by mail. I also wish a new vest. The one that I have got is nearly worn out. In some of my previous letters I asked you to send me other little articles that I need. I am sorry to put you to so much trouble but as Johnnie has nothing to do, I think he might attend to sending the things. I wrote him a lengthy letter last night. I wanted him to send me a pair of 2nd Lieutenant Artillery [remainder of letter missing].
[A. G. Graves, Jr]
~50~
11th Independent Battery N. Y.
In Fort Welch, Va.
January 14th 1865
My Dear Friend Jack,
Your letter dated the 10th inst. from “George’s Shop” was received by me this evening and as usual I was pleased to hear from you. I answered your letter of the 28th December, a few days ago. You have probably received it ere this. I wrote you a good long letter giving you full information of my affairs in the Battery. I am much obliged to you for your advice in regards to communicating with headquarters. I done better than that, as I went to see General Humphrey I person and stated my case. He informed me that there was no reason why I should not muster if there were a vacancy in the Battery. He ordered his Adjutant General to inform the mustering officer to muster me immediately; that it was his duty to do so; that he was placed there for the purpose of mustering, not to refuse. The next day I went to the mustering officer and he did not hesitate a moment in mustering me.
I see by your letters that you have not received my letter yet informing you of my mustering as 2nd Lieutenant in the 11th Battery. Yes, I was sworn in on Friday the 6th inst. at 1 o’clock P. M. I had a hard fight, Jack, but I out generated them in the long run. At one time I thought it was all up with me, but by my working diligently I succeeded in coming off victorious. In a previous letter I gave you full particulars so it is not necessary for me to repeat it in this letter. I also wrote you a note a few days ago, requesting you to do me kindness of sending me by mail a pair of nice 2nd Lieutenant (Artillery) should er straps. I asked some other small favors from you. I hope you have attended to it. Inform me in your next whether you have forwarded my jacket. I wrote to father a day or two ago telling him to send me my valise & also mail me some money.
I have not been assigned to duty yet, although I reported four or five days ago. I am not doing anything consequently I am having very easy times. It makes but little difference to me whether I am assigned to duty very soon or not. I am drawing pay as an officer and am living on the government. I thing they are trying to effect something with the War Department; but for my part I don’t see what they can do. I am mustered as an officer in the United States since and they are obliged to accept me as such or give me my discharge and let me go home. I will no doubt have a hard road to travel in the Battery. Still, I think in a short time they come around all right. The excitement among the men is fast dying out and I am gaining friends among the old men everyday. I hear they are getting up a present in the shape of a pair of martingales, bridle and saddle. The new men intend to make me a present of a horse after pay day.
Jack, I have got a few friends left in the Battery if there was such a row kicked up in the first place. Wyatt the dead beat is still with the Battery a playing off sick for the purpose of getting a sick leave of absence so that he could go home and beat the government. I believe he has failed in this endeavor and whether he will remain with the Battery I am unable to state. There is not a man in the Battery that likes him. I never saw an officer that is so much disliked as he is.
I will close tis letter as there is nothing more to write about. Hurry up those shoulder straps and send me an Evening Journal Almanac of 65. I have been waiting patiently for a letter from “Pip” in answer to one I wrote him two or three weeks ago. Jack, I wish you would send me by mail a “Cap.” There is a new style out, the shape of it is something like this. [sketch] Latham will know. It is the latest style of military cap and is nearly straight on the front and back with a drop down peak. For what money you want, draw on mother—my banker. Tell father to hurry up that money.
Jack, allow me to congratulate your good fortune in getting transferred to the Albany Hospital. Take my advice and remain until your time is out. All the boys send their love to you. Hoping to hear from you soon and that you will attend to that business of mine soon as possible. I will bid you goodbye for the present and wish you a Happy New Year.
I am yours truly, — Lieut. A. G. Graves, Jr., 11th Independent Battery NY
~51~
11th NYV Battery
[in Fort Welch near Petersburg] Virginia
January 14th 1865
Dear Father,
Your letter of the 10th was received by me today and I hasten to reply. I wrote you a long letter a few days ago stating that I had mustered as 2nd Lieutenant. I have not been assigned to duty yet. They have not received any notice of my muster. I am perfectly contented and don’t care much whether they assign me soon or not. I believe they are trying to effect something with the War Department at Washington but I hardly think will accomplish much. I received a letter from George last night which stated that there was another communication at the Adjutant General’s in Albany from the officers. I am glad you have seen Governor Fenton, although it is impossible for him to do any[thing] to injure me now as I am in the U. S. Service and belong to Uncle Sam. The Adjutant General at Washington is the only person now that can do me any harm.
I expected to be seated before a board of examiners; in that case I would undoubtedly be dismissed from the service for incompetency. If they do this, I will be home in a few days as I have not the least idea of passing the board. I think everything will turn out all right in a few days. I wrote you a letter some time ago to send me some money. I hope you have attended to it. I will write you a short letter this time and the next time I will write a good long one. Give my love to Mother and the rest of the family and remember me to all enquiring friends. Hoping to hear from your soon, I will bid you goodbye for the present.
P. S. I received a letter from Johnny tonight and have answered it. Also answered a letter from Mattie Rice. I am going to purchase a saddle horse tomorrow from Maj. Dick Brown at a $130. If I take a government horseman’s I will have to pay $170. Hurry up my valise.
From your affectionate son, — Lieut. A. G. Graves, Jr., 11th Independent Battery
~52~
11th Independent N. Y. Battery
In Fort Welch, Virginia
January 16th 1865
Dear Father
Your welcome letter dated the 12th inst. was received by me this morning and as usual, was pleased to hear from you. I am sorry that Mother is unwell; but hope this next time I hear from her she will have fully recovered. I am at the present in splendid health and spirits, and if I can remain so until my time is out, I will be very thankful. I am now reported in the Battery as a Lieutenant but have not as yet done any duty in my new capacity. I have not got any quarters of my own; consequently, I am obliged to eat and sleep with my usual tent mates. I am living on the Government rations for the reason that I have no money to purchase others with myself.
I was informed by one of the clerks at Brigade Hd. Qrs. that I was to be detached from the Battery to take charge of the Brigade Ambulances. I do not know what my duty’s will be in that capacity but I imagine it will be a very nice easy position. My quarters will be with the ambulances and I will be my own boss, with no one to bother me. This position also affords another good advantage—that is, I will be a non-combatant—no fighting to do. I consider this considerable of an item to me as I have seen all the fighting I care about and will take an easy thing if I can obtain it with a clear conscience. During all my service in the Army it has been my fortune to remain continually at the front, and get into every fight that my regiment participated in. In the future I am going to take the advantage of all the “Dead Beat” jobs I can get, and I don’t think anyone can find fault with me for doing so.
If I had my choice, I would prefer remaining with the Battery as I would like to get posted in the artillery drill. I may not go in the place I speak about; it is only a rumor in the Battery that I am to go. I will probably know for certain today and if I should go, I will inform you of the fact immediately. I found the “V” enclosed all right and hope you will send the rest soon. I wrote you in a previous letter to send me my valise. I hope you have done so. It is my intentions Father to save all the money I can in the service this time for if I live to get home safe, I intend to have money enough to start in some business—to ”paddle” my own way through the world. If I had the pay that is due me from “Uncle Sam” I would not be obliged to send home for money. It is almost impossible for an Officer to save much now days as everything is so dear. I understand that they intend to raise the pay of officers. I think it is right that they should for I know there is considerable fault finding among the Officers—that it is impossible for them to live on their present pay. The Army has not been paid off for over five months; and most of the Officers are entirely out of money and they have to live on the sutlers by getting credit. If the Government was more prompt in paying the troops off at the end of every two months, they would manage to get along much better.
I don’t understand why Johnny [Featherly] has got to leave Albany for the front as I have been informed in your previous letters that he had been transferred to the Albany Hospital. I hope this is not so for he is a great deal better off at home until he recovers his health. In your next letter, inform me how it is that he is ordered away. All the money that I have obtained for Johnny’s sake—at one time $5—and at another $3—I have gave him some money, but am unable to say how much. I think Johnny will know how we stand in that matter. I think it would be about right to call the accounts square. Ask him what he thinks about the matter.
I have not received my Box yet but will probably get it by the time this letter reaches you. I am waiting patiently for it. I hardly think that I will be home this winter but if I should make up my mind to come home, I will give you notice of it. I do not anticipate any more trouble in my matter unless the War Dept. should revoke my muster, but I hardly think they will do so. I have received my discharge as an enlisted man and am now considered an Officer of the Battery and as such it will always be my endeavor to do my duty to the best of my abilities. I am sorry that you had anything to say to Dawson in regards to my affairs as he is a particular friend of the Officers in the Battery. I wish you could of told him that one of his particular friends in the Battery, who he succeeded in obtaining a commission for done worse than I did for he took a commission in a strange regiment of infantry which service he knows nothing of whatever and jumping over deserving privates and non com. Officers. There has been two instances of this kind happened in the Battery lately and those very men signed that petition which only shows that they signed it through jealousy and spite. I am gaining friends in the Battery every day and I think at the present time I have more friends in the Battery (two to one) than the Commanding Officer of it has. I have written in previous letters for a number of articles. I hope you have sent them. I will close this letter as there is nothing more to write about. Give my love to all the family & to Mother. Tell her I hope she will soon recover from the agues in the face. Remember me kindly to all enquiring friends. Hoping to hear from you soon again, I will bid you good bye for the present and remain
Your Affectionate Son, —Anthony G. Graves, Jr. , Lieut. 11th Indpt. Battery N.Y. Vols.
P. S. Put these photographs in the album.
~53~
Headquarters Ambulance Corps
Artillery Brigade
January 29th 1865
Dear Parents,
Your welcome letter dated the 24th inst. was received last night and as ever was pleased to hear from you. I am happy to inform you that I am in the best of health and spirits and wish that this may find you the same. I wrote you a previous letter that I had received my box and jacket. I also received the first $20 and the last $10 you sent me. I am much obliged and think now that I will have enough to last me until I receive some pay from Uncle Sam. After I receive the draft for one hundred to pay for my horse, I think that I will not require any more money sent me during my term in the service.
I like my new position first rate although I have not got fully settled. I am having a house built for me which when completed will be as comfortable as a “bug in a rug.” I have got a requisition for two hundred (200) feet of lumber for floor, shelves, &c. At present am quartered into a wall tent & have got a small cast iron stove which makes it very comfortable considering the severity of the weather during the past four or five days which has been sa cold as any day I ever experienced in the North. Last night it was so cold that ice formed in the wash basin under my bed to the thickness of an inch. Everything in the tent was frozen up. I think it was the coldest night that I ever passed in Virginia and although I had only three blankets over me and slept alone, I passed the night very comfortably.
Johnny arrived at the Battery day before yesterday looking very well but he informed me that the rheumatism troubles him considerable yet. I am trying to get him detailed with me. I have some arrangement to that effect and am expecting to hear from it everyday. It will be much better for him as I am sure he will not be able to do duty in the field. I have considerable writing to do in my situation and Johnny will be a good help for me—besides being good company to keep me from getting lonesome. He remains with me most all day and wrote three or four letters home. I think by tomorrow I will have him with me for good.
I was down to City Point yesterday and today before attending to business. Yesterday I went down on horse back. The distance is fifteen miles and as I was not used to riding, it made me so lame that I could not sit down today at all. I will be alright again in a few days. I have got a beautiful pony. I would not take double the amount I paid for him. All the I require now is a set of equipments—saddle and bridle. I cannot afford to buy one here as they charge an enormous price. I think in Albany I could buy a splendid saddle & bridge complete for about forty-five or fifty dollars, but her they charge a hundred. I think father I will have you see Lyman Lloyd and have him make me a bridge & pair of martingales. I want the crown piece to be red to represent the artillery. When it is completed, I wish you would send it to me by mail. The fact of the matter is I am obliged to have a set of equipments and if I purchase them here I will have to pay double what I would at home for an inferior article.
Lieut. Wyatt of our Battery has resigned and leaves for home on Monday. Manning, the Orderly Sergeant, has mustered last 1st Lieutenant. Wyatt mustered out the same time that Manning mustered in to prevent me from mustering on my 1st Lieutenant’s commission. It is a mystery to me how Manning got a commission at 1st Lieutenant. I wish you would find out and let me know in your next letter.
I can’t write any more, My love to all & my best respects to all enquiring friends. write soon. Goodbye for the present.
From your affectionate son, — A. G. Graves, Jr., Lt. Commanding Ambulance Corps, Artillery Brigade, 2nd Corps
~54~
Headquarters Artillery Brigade Ambulance Corps
5 o’clock A. M., February 5th 1865
Dear Parents,
Having about a moment to spare, I occupy it to write you a few lines informing you that we will move in a few moments. I suppose our destination is the South Side Railroad and I hope this time we will be successful in capturing this much coveted stronghold. We take with us four (4) days rations, consequently we are not going to be gone long unless we are successful. My horse is saddled and the train all in line ready to move so I must hurry up and close this letter.
Johnny will accompany me as one of my orderlies. I will write again in a few days giving full particulars of the movement. Until then, goodbye.
Your affectionate son, — A. G. Graves, Jr., Lieut. Commanding Art. Brigade’s Ambulance Corps, 2nd A. C.
~55~
Headquarters Artillery Brigade
Ambulance Corps
February 14, 1865
Dear Father,
Your letter of the 9th inst. was received a few days ago and was pleased to hear from you that you were all enjoying good health &c. I am blessed with the same enjoyment. I am pleased to hear that you have made arrangements to send me a set of equipments, saddle, &c. Mr. Lloyd will have to wait a short time for his money. I suppose you have arranged that with him. When you expense it, send me the receipt so that I can go down to City Point and get the saddle from the office there. Also send me the receipt for my valise. I have not received that yet. There has not been any shipment of Express matter from Washington for the past four weeks on account of there being so much ice in the Potomac. I hope there will be one through soon as I am in great need of my valise.
The weather here for the past four or five days has been very severe and the troops that went to the left on the last raid have suffered greatly. They did not return to their old camps as they expected but intend to hold the position gained and re now strongly fortifying it. The men grumble considerable because they have to leave their nice winter quarters which they had been all winter a building and were only just commencing to enjoy the fruits of their labor. I can appreciate t he feelings as I have built four different log houses myself this winter and was obliged to leave them. It’s the fortunes of war and must be put up with whether we like it or not. I was very fortunate in this last move to get back into my old quarters and I hope that I will be permitted to remain in them during the rest of the winter.
Johnny is well and is getting as fat as a buck. Good living agrees with him. He is busy tonight a mending his old clothes. He is taking advantage of the “saying” that a stitch in time saves time, but if you could see what a fuss he makes over it, you would laugh—I know you would. The thread gets snarled, he pricks his fingers with the needle, and keeps saying that he wished you were here to do his sewing. He is now busy putting pockets in his pants. He spread himself on a grand dinner today; the principal dish was Pot Pie and I tell you, it was “real good.” The dough was as light as a feather. We finished the dish and then sat half an hour looking into the empty pan wishing that there was more of it. We intend to have a reputation of this dinner in a few days again and would be pleased with your company to dine with us but I can hear you say, “It’s no use, I can’t come; it’s too far away from home.” I intend to promote Johnny to a higher position for his good qualities as a cook. His official title will then be “Captain and chief cook and bottle washer.”
I see that the Grand Peace “bubble” has at last exploded and no results has been derived from the conference at Fortress Monroe although I think there will be some good result from it yet. Both sides now understand each other and what each desire to come to turns. I believe in being lenient with them but when they say that their only terms are their separation and independence, I say continue the was as long as there is any men left to carry a musket and we have peace. Every star must remain in the emblem of our country (the standard sheet). Not a single one must be taken from it or even blurred. You will undoubtedly say when you receive this letter that I am getting the patriotic fever but I tell you when I hear them talk of breaking up the Union that was fought for by our forefathers and given to us to maintain, it’s enough to make any man patriotic that loves his country.
I must close now as Johnny is waiting for the desk to write home. I have not received many letters from home lately. I don’t think you care so much about me since I became an officer. No matter. Johnny gets plenty of them and he reads them to me which does me much good as though I received them myself.
Enclosed I send you an Ambrotype of myself which I had taken the other day, just for the fun of the thing. It is not a very good one but it’s me and shows you how I look in rough style. Johnny had one taken too which he will send in a letter to Emma tomorrow. Comment is not necessary on his as it shows for itself. Send me by mail immediately some stationery. Don’t send all note, but half letter. I am entirely out and I can’t draw any from the Government until the last of next month. I can’t write anymore letters home until I receive the paper. Give my love to Mother and the rest of the family. write soon. Goodbye for the present.
From your affectionate son, — Anthony
P. S. Direct my letters:
Lieut. A. G. Graves, Jr.
Commanding Artillery Brigade Ambulance Corps
2nd Army Corps
Washington D. C.
N. B. Keep this direction for a future copy.
Graves’ Speech delivered to Reunion of 44th New York Infantry; copy provided by the National Park Service.
Spared & Shared 22 
Reblogged this on Galatians Gal and commented:
What began as a bucket-list to-do box to check has consumed my life. Reading Civil War true stories, typing original resources simultaneously—the best of both worlds for this retired old English teacher from Dixie. Originally, I was seeking genealogical information on Lt. G. D. Barnes from Granada, Mississippi who served with the 28th Mississippi in 1862 which became the 2nd Confederate Infantry Regiment. My 7-year search has returned nothing—yet.
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