Sorry!

My apologies everyone for not posting for a few weeks. I've been really busy lately, trying to get ready to spend summer in Montana in addition to reenacting amping up quickly. I hope to get a few more letters done before I leave town, but that may not happen at this rate. My projected finish date now is sometime this coming fall. Getting three letters done a week took some huge chunks of time which I don't have available anymore. Thanks to everyone who's been reading this blog, I really appreciate it.
God Bless!

February 5, 1862

View Original

Camp Michigan

Feb 5th, 1862

Dear Sister and Brother, it is with pleasure I sit down to write you a few lines to inform you of my health. It is good at present and I hope these few lines will find you all well. I received your letter baring the date of Jan 22, and I was glad to hear from you that all was well. I have plenty to eat but was sorry to hear that Boney was dead. Tell Charles Caswell he can come to see me and to bring his wife with him, I should like to see her too. 

Our Regiment has been on picket duty for the last four days and counting. Coutis [sic] had one skirmish with the Rebels and killed several of them with out receiving any loss. I was not in the fray but heard it and started for the scene, but the fun was over before I could reach the scene of action. Our men retreated, there was but seventy-one of our men and the rebels had some four hundred.

Jane spoke of England interfering with with us in our present troubles, but there is no danger, they dare not interfere. As far as I am concerned I would rather they pitch in as not.

I have sent you my likeness, it is not very good but it is better than none. I did not put on any accouterments for I thought you would rather see me in my old fashion.

I had a letter from Lem not many days ago, they are all well. Henry and Hiram Hyde have enlisted, they are in the 6th Regiment. They must be to Baltimore now, and Frank has enlisted somewhere. Buby, I will be home soon to eat those apples. Tell all my enquiring friends that I send my best respect to them. Tell Margette to wait patiently until I return. George, when I am back I will fetch you a black girl. 

You must write soon. This is from,

   Sam

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Written by pen on a plain piece of paper and folded like a book.

Charles Caswell was a neighbor of the Taylors (Samuel's sister and brother, Samuel lived with them before the war and worked on their farm).

Company H and I of the 3rd were involved in a skirmish with the rebels on February 3 near Occoquan village. They had been sent on a scouting mission, and when the companies pulled up on the opposite side of the river than the village, they surprised some rebels who were drilling on the other side. The confederate troops ran at the companies "Bull Run" style, and took positions within several houses. Captain Lowing of Company I told the men to "Show them what the new Austrian rifles can do", and the men from the 3rd fired several times, and after dropping four of the opposing soldiers, they retired to a more protected area. 

The firing, being heard at regimental headquarters, caused the reserve of each company to be sent forward. 30 men were sent from Company G, and it appears to be that Samuel was one of them, though that fact is not verified. The reinforcements were disappointed to arrive a little too late, for the scouts were already falling back and the extra troops followed them back to Camp Michigan.

By this time, the 3rd had all but disposed of the old shoddy gray uniforms made for them by a Grand Rapids contractor and had replaced these with the standard issue uniform, with the exception of getting black greatcoats instead of the standard light blue.

Samuel mentions the chance of England interfering with the war. It was a great hope of the south that England, after using up all its cotton stores, would come to help the Confederate States so they could keep the fabric mills running. Unfortunately for the south, 1860 had been a bumper crop of cotton and the storehouses in England were stuffed to the rafters. By the time England begun to run out of cotton, Abraham Lincoln enacted the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing all slaves in the confederate states (not the northern states, of which there were a few who still retained slaves). Because England had outlawed slavery years before, they could not support a country that was now fighting to keep slaves due to the proclamation and the fact that the north was now fighting in part to free the slaves.

Buby (or Bub) is Samuel's nickname for his 10 year old nephew Levi, the son of Tunis and Sarah Jane Taylor.

Levi and his father Tunis Taylor many years
after the war.
 

January 18, 1862

View Original

Camp Michigan 

Jan 18th, 1862

Dear sister and brother, I sit down to write you a few lines to let you know I am well, and I hope these few lines may find you all well. I did not wait to receive a letter from you. I went to Alexandria and got my likeness taken, it is not very good but my head looks natural.

We have got out pay, so money is flush at present. It is very muddy and warm here. It is muddier here than I ever saw it in Michigan, they have to go the uncles road. There has come new guns for this Regiment, they are rifles. I think the war will cease in a few months, you may look for me home next fall. Last Tuesday I had the sick headache and I had it very hard.

I send my love to the children. I want you to write to me all the news. I want to know what has become of Maria Byers and Jane Currier, Jane in particular, and Perrild Rectar. I had a letter from Geary Hay, they are well.

   S Mathews

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Written by pen on a plain sheet of paper folded widthwise three times over.

The 3rd was still in winter camp at this time, at a place know as Camp Michigan about 3-4 miles toward the front from Fort Lyon.

In this letter Samuel mentions going to Alexandria and getting a picture taken of him. There were thousands of pictures take during the Civil War, and many of them were portraits (See lots of pictures of Civil War soldiers here). Sadly, the picture of Samuel has been lost during the 150 years since it was taken, or is one of the hundreds of pictures of unidentified soldiers.

The 3rd was issued "Austrian Rifles" to replace their old muskets, which were ill fitted for the skirmishing that they had been doing lately. It was generally proclaimed that the new rifles were vastly superior and had far better accuracy. The Federal army purchased a total of 226,924 Austrian Lorenz rifles, and the quality range from good to horrible. The worse Lorenz's where purchased near the end of the war, whereas the good quality tended to be made early on in the war. They were made in .54 caliber, though most of them were drilled out to .58 so they could use the same ammunition as the 1861 Springfield and the 1853 Enfield. The Lorenz was just slightly shorter than the Springfield, with a 37" barrel compared  to the Springfield's 40" barrel.

3rd Michigan NCO's with new Austrian Lorenz rifles (Image from Seeking Michigan)

Original Austrian Lorenz

January 3, 1862

View Original

Camp Michigan VA 

January 3rd, 1862

My dear friends in Michigan, I suppose you are anxious to here from me. I have neglected to answer your letter for I have been so busy. I am still cooking and it occupies all my time. My family is so large, 811 men.

We have moved since I wrote to you. We have advanced in Virginia three miles from Fort Lyon. I am well yet and hope these few lines may find you enjoying the same. I have no news to write tonight, perhaps you hear all the news of the whole army as soon we do. The weather is pleasant here and so far we had but flurry of snow and that was not enough to track a man. 

I want Tunis to see if he could let one hundred dollars out at twenty percent if I should send it to him. If he can and get twenty percent on it I will send it to him. He must take a mortgage on land and record it in mason in the county clerk’s office. I think Byers would like the money and if you could let [unintelligible word] better I will rase it the first of March. 

I am well satisfied with a soldiers life. We are quite comfortable now in our new camp. We have built log huts and enjoy ourselves various ways; some singing, some playing cards, some getting drunk, and some fool away their money, but you can guess what I do with mine. I send my love to you all and to my neighbors.

Write soon this is from,

Goodbye,  S Matthews

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On December 17, 1861, the 3rd moved three or four miles to the front to set up winter camp. I have not discovered where Camp Michigan's exact location is yet, other than it is three miles into Virginia from Fort Lyon. Getting to work shortly, the 3rd quickly constructed cabins and other items to help them relax and live in comfort during the boring winter months. 

The huts were made by stockading the tents, which was done by lay logs on top of each other in a fashion not unlike building a three to five log high square with Lincoln Logs. Then the soldiers to who the hut would belong would substitute two or more (depending on the number of occupants) shelter-halves for the roof. A makeshift fireplace and chimney would be made of brick, stone, or wood, depending on the inclination of the men and the materials at hand. If made of wood, it would be made in the same method as the stockading on which the tent was placed, and a good coating of clayey mud would line the fireplace. A barrel opened at both ends usually went on top of the chimney, and it was not uncommon for these to catch on fire.

The soldiers would also fashion stools, tables, and other furniture. The tables were made by turning a box upside-down then adding poles for legs. Bunks were built along one of the walls to save space, and at the head of each bunk would be a bundle of spare clothing that would double as a pillow during the night.

The 3rd stayed in Camp Michigan until mid-March, when they departed for the Peninsular Campaign.

The Byers family were some neighbors of the Taylor's (see Behind the Letters: Samuels Story for more info on Samuel's background) and were mentioned several times by Samuel in his letters to Sarah Jane and Tunis Taylor.

Cavalry building winter quarters (Click to enlarge)

Winter camp (click to enlarge)

Inside view of a log hut (Hardtack and Coffee)

November 28, 1861

View Original

Fort Lyon, VA 

Nov 28, 1861

My brother and sister it was with pleasure that I received your letter baring the date of the 16th and was glad, yes very glad, to hear from you that you are as well as you are and I am glad to write to you once more that I am well and hope these few lines may find you the same. The hand of providence has restored to me my health and I am thankful and hope I shall keep well during the war.

I have no news to write to you. We do not know where we shall winter. Some think we shall winter here, we shall know soon. I think the war will end by spring, I do not care how soon. Rebels are deserting continually, the rebel army is dwindling away.

We had a oyster dinner today, they are plenty here.

It would surprise you to be in our camp one day, to see the beggars both black and white, old and young, men and women, it is the reward of slavery. You have heard the report in Michigan but the half was not told, I never knew there was a race of beings in America so retched as the people are down here. They are despised more than the black man, they are trampled under foot by both master and slave, and I have never seen but one schoolhouse in this state.

The slaves are running away by numbers. I do not know how much tea is a pound. I am cooking for the company now.

I send my respect to all the neighbors, both friends and foes. I must bring my letter to a close, I give my love to the children. Bub must lay up an apple for me,

                 Samuel Mathews

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Written by pen on a plain sheet of paper, and folded like a booklet.

The first paragraph of this letter explains how important letters and news were to the soldiers. There were millions of letters (Not an exaggeration) which were sent during the Civil War. Even when, as Samuel says, there was no news to write, letters would be written and send. Throughout the series of letters, it is apparent how much Samuel cared about receiving letters, even to the point of telling his sister and brother-in-law that he thought they had forgotten all about him.

The 3rd did not winter in Fort Lyon, but rather, on December 18th, moved to Camp Michigan and set up winter camp there.

Samuel incorrectly assumes that "rebels are deserting continually, the rebel army is dwindling away." In fact, the rebels were in high spirits after their success at First Bull Run. This statement also shows how the federal army also had good moral. Since George B McClellan was made commander of the Army of the Potomac, he had been working hard to get the army well drilled, fed, and clothed. This raised the spirits of the fighting men considerably, which made them feel invincible.

Shortly after this letter, the 5th Michigan infantry was attached to Richardson's Brigade. In June of 1864, after the three-year enlistments were done, the remaining soldiers of the 3rd who reenlisted for another three years or until the war was over were incorporated into the 5th Michigan and finished the war.

As Samuel says, the slaves were indeed running away in large numbers into the ranks of the Federal army. Once they arrived they were proclaimed as spoils of war, and were put to work acting as company cooks or private servants of the officers. Most of the ex-slaves were all too happy to be helping and to be, to an extent, free.

Israel B Richardson, brigadier general of the Third
from their arrival in Washington until March of 1862

A "contraband" cook

October 12, 1861

View Original

Fort Lyon,  VA

Oct 12, 1861

So my brother and sister, it is with pleasure that I attempt to write you a few lines to let you know how I am. My health is returning to me and I am glad for it, for I have had some hard times on account of my health being poor. I hope these few lines may find you all well and George making heaps. I received your letter, baring the date of the 16th, and was glad to hear from you.

I have nothing new to write to you this time. We are encamped in sight of Alexandria, south west of the city some two miles and over looking the city. It is quiet around Washington now. The rebels have fallen back so we do not apprehend any battle here, though some think we shall soon advance and give them a brush. The rebels have blockaded the river below us not over 15 miles from our camp. We can hear their cannons when they fire into our ships.

It is very cool here now, we have a fire in our tent which makes it very comfortable now for me. We have plenty to eat, it consists of bakers breads, pork, beef, peas and beans and potatoes, tea, and taffy.

Bub, that apple tasted good.

Write again before you go to Lems. I have received no answer from Lem yet, I guess he has forgotten me. There is no prospect of the close of the War as I know of. I must omit making remark which I should like to. I feel sorry about Clarimode losing her whole family. I should like to see Boney he must dream of me.

I send my love to as many as are inquiring after me, and I send my love to the children. I must bring my letter to a close so goodbye,

S. Matthews

So see my friends that far way my heart doth truly burn and my humble prayer to God shall be that I may safe return.

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Written by pen on a plain sheet of paper.

Fort Lyon, like Fort Richardson, was constructed by the 3rd as part of the Washington defenses. It was built in obedience to one of McClellan's first orders, that is, to increase the amount of forts surrounding the capitol. Fort Lyon, when finished, contained a total of 31 guns, 4 of them 200 pound parrots, and the others mortars. In 1863, long after the 3rd was gone from the fort, a black powder explosion erupted in the fort sending debris everywhere. It killed 25 soldiers and destroyed 8 tons of powder and was seen for miles. Fort Lyon was the last fort constructed by the 3rd, preceded by Fort Richardson, Fort Scott, and several other small redoubts and earthworks.

It is possible, if not probable, that Samuel had received a package from home when he mentions that he liked the apple. Many care packages were sent during the Civil War to soldiers away from home. These packages usually contained some sort of food, be it hard candy, pies, or other sweets to supplement the soldiers diet, something knitted at home (socks, mittens, ect.), newspapers, and occasionally the alcoholic beverage was baked into a loaf of bread or otherwise disguised.

Diagram of Fort Lyon

26th NY with Fort Lyon in background. Samuel's brother Henry
fought in the 26th and is probably in this image.

Location of Fort Lyon

October 2, 1861

Fort Richardson PA
Oct 2, 1861
My Brother and Sister, I sit down to try to write you a few lines to let you know I am sick. I have had the fever but it has broken. I have no appetite so I gain no strength. I am now in an old house close to our camp but we shall have to leave it soon, for an order has come for us to move, but I do not know where. Direct the letters to Washington and I will get them all the same. The enemy have left Munster Hill and have fallen back to Bull Run. Tell all my friends that Mathews has no news for them. My head is not good, I cannot think of any thing to write today so you must excuse me this time. I should like to see the children and lick Bub on his butt. Tunis, if Pollock comes and wants that note let him have it for Polk has paid me.
             Samuel Matthews

There is no frost here yet but it is cool.
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Once again Samuel had taken ill, though this time it appears to be much worse than before.

Fort Richardson, now just a suburban area of sprawling Washington DC, was not much more than a detached redoubt for protecting that vital city named after the 3rd’s own brigadier general Richardson. It had a perimeter of 316 yards and contained 15 guns and the 3rd built it and quartered there several times.

Apparently, Samuel had done some business with the Pollock family and they owned him money, and so Mr. Pollocks son, William (or “Polk”) Pollock paid Samuel back. The Pollocks were close neighbors to the Taylor family and seems to have been good friends.

Location of Fort Richardson

Picture of Fort Richardson

July 24, 1861

Arlington Heights, VA

My sister, I received your letter of the twelfth and was glad to hear from you that you are well. I am as well as can be expected from the hardships I have been through. 


I wrote you a few lines last Saturday, that we had a little brush with the rebels and were preparing for another battle. It took place on Sunday last, and it was the bloodiest battle that was ever fought in America. It lasted ten hours and part of the time at bayonet charge. The enemy was stronger than we expected and was strongly fortified so we were driven back. We retreated back to the Arlington Heights that are on the other side of the River from Washington. There must have been ten thousand killed on the battlefield, both friends and enemies all mingled together.

The rebels have got my coat, knapsack, blanket, and Bible, and I hope they will read it. They got them from me because my officers commanded us to take them and pile them up when we were preparing for battle. 


The President visited our camp and Wm. H. Senard yesterday. We have had plenty of rain here most of the time.

You must write to me often, direct all your letters to one place. They will come to me let me be were I may. I must bring my letter to a close, I send my love to all my friends and to the Children and to Buby, he must take a shear and so must all of you.

   Samuel Matthews

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Written by pen on one piece of patriotic stationary, and folded like a book.

The first battle that Samuel mentions as a "little brush with the rebels" was the battle of Blackburn's Ford, a precursor to Bull Run. This was the 3rd's first battle, their baptism into fire. Nothing was accomplished during their first skirmish, with the exception of some blackberry picking that occurred while they were being fired upon by the rebel artillery.

The second battle he talks about, where he says they were at bayonet charge, was the battle of First Bull Run. The 3rd was very optimistic that the battle would end in a victory, and as the reinforcements passed them they cheered. Saturday night, the night before the battle, the 3rd sat around smoking their pipes, thinking of the loved ones at home. The next day dawned bright and presently the 3rd heard some small firing being made on the right of the federal line by the skirmishers, which only grew louder and louder until it was apparent that a full scale battle was being fought. Being on the left side of the federal army, the 3rd simply watched as the battle evolved. The roar of the artillery and infantry was almost deafening to the men. Soon, it became very apparent that the battle was lost, and the federal army was routed in udder confusion. The 3rd was called in to do a rear guard actions, protecting the rear of the fleeing army from any rebel cavalry that might feel like harassing them. Fortunately, the cavalry left the army alone  and they got back to Washington safely.

The regulations stated that the men were not to wear their knapsacks into battle, and so early in the war most of the regiments left their knapsacks in big stacks before they went to fight. All too often, when an army fell back quickly and in disorder, the soldiers never got their knapsacks back. This was a large annoyance, for the soldiers lost all their extra clothing and any personal items they had.

Blackburns Ford

June 18, 1861

Washington 

June 18, 1861

My dear brother and sister, I sit down to write you a few lines and let you know where I am and how I am. I am well at present and I hope these few lines may find you the same.

We were called to march to sooner than we expected to, for we left Grand Rapids on the 13th and got to Washington the 16th. We had a good time and a long ride of eight hundred miles. We went through Baltimore at about Seven o’clock. All was quiet we were all armed and our guns loaded, we expected an attack. We are encamped”on the heights in the District of Columba close to Virginia.

There is someone killed almost every night here. Our guard shot at a man last night but did not hit him, it seems as if this is a dangerous place. Here everyone has to look out for himself, and is not allowed to go out of camp unless he is armed. Last night there was a traitor captured in woman’s dress. He had a buggy and a bushel of caps for guns. We heard that the there was a battle at Alexandria yesterday, that is thirteen miles from us.

I like it here, it’s the best country I ever was in. It is a little warmer here but the night is cool. The water is not very good, it seems to be soft and warm. The crops are better in Michigan than Ohio or Pennsylvania but some parts of Maryland can’t be beat.

We went through tunnels through the mountains for a half mile, it was dark as night. We go to sleep on our arms during the nights, for the enemy is watching us.

I must bring my letter to a close, you must write all the news when you read this. You must direct your letter to Washington’s Regiment of Mich. 

Kiss Bub for me so good by

                           Samuel Matthews

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Written by pencil on one sheet of paper on both front and back side.

The trip from Grand Rapids was an interesting trip for these men who had spent most of their life in Michigan. Wherever the regiment stopped throughout Michigan, they were greeted with celebration and "baskets filled with all the good things that can be found at any time…hot coffee, cakes, oranges, lemons, apples etc." They received an almost identical welcome while traveling though the rest of the northern towns and cities on their way to the capital, with the exception of Baltimore. 


Previous to the arrival of the 3rd, the 6th Massachusetts had been assaulted by Southern sympathizers while marching through Baltimore on their way to DC. So this would not happen to them, the 3rd loaded and primed their guns and their colonel made it know that "if a man in my regiment is hurt, the streets of Baltimore will run with blood". It was a tense march, but the people of Baltimore realized that the 3rd was not to be trifled with and let them pass.

The battle that Samuel erroneously calls the battle of Alexandria is probably the battle of Vienna, VA, really only a skirmish with eight killed and four wounded.

May 29, 1861

Grand Rapids, Michigan

May 29th, 1861

I take my pen in hand to write you a few lines and let you know how I am. I am not very well at present and it has been very unpleasant weather since I have been here, I took a very heavy cold when I first came here. I have had a Diarrhea since I have been here, but I am better now. I like the soldiers life so far very well.

I belong to the Third Regiment and the Seventh Company, which goes by the letter G. Our regiment is very large, containing one thousand and eleven men. We have not got our military clothes yet but we expect them soon, they are at Grand Rapids and they will be in camp today or tomorrow. We do not know when we shall leave here or where we shall go, but I think we shall go to Detroit, at Fort Wayne.

Last Sunday we went down to the river to go swimming and a man got drowned by the name of James Hammard. He was from St Johns and was in the river forty minutes but he could not be brought to life again. Last Friday I went visiting to see Mr. Martin. I found them all well, Mary Ann wants to see you very much. She has got two girls, young winners. She has but two children, they are doing well and have got a good home within five miles of the Rapids. Tideah [sic] lives 11 miles from the Rapids and I have not seen him yet but I mean to go there Saturday if I can. She has got two girls and lost one boy last summer who was 8 years old.

 No more at present, I hope these few lines may find you enjoying good health so goodbye. I send my love to you all and Buby in particular.

                                                               S Mathews

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The first letter we have of Samuel Mathews. Written by pen on stationary with a flag in the upper right corner, and, like most of his letters, folded like a book. During his stays at winter quarters and established camps he usually wrote with pen and ink, but during the summer and campaigns the letters were decidedly pencil. The reason behind this is because a soldier would rarely want to carry a pen with nibs, powdered ink, and a glass ink bottle in his already too heavy knapsack or blanket roll.


The "military clothes" Samuel mentions were the grey uniforms that the 3rd. originally left with, a "shoddy suit of gray, furnished us by a shoddy contractor at Grand Rapids, who made a fortune out of the speculation". These wore out soon and were replace by the standard blue uniform.

His sickness he described was very common all throughout the war. Many of the men, especially from Michigan, had lived all their life in rural communities and were not subject to the many viruses and diseases the the city born people became immune to, and so if you put 1,011 of such men together in a non-sanitary place with very few immune to most sicknesses and poor food, there is bound to be some problems.

Writing Home. Hardtack and Coffee, by John Billings