The Civil War Letters of Dr. Arvin Whelan

Arvin Fitzhugh Whelan was born on July 1, 1831 and died on January 17, 1890. He married Dell Hannah Anderson (1834-1916) and they had three children. Bion was born in 1858 and died on March 27, 1943. He married Minerva "Minnie" Allen on March 1, 1881, in Hillsdale, Michigan, and they were the parents of five sons: John Bion (1883-1960); John Bennet (1883-?); Arvin Allen (1885-?); Donald Bion (1887-1969); and Charles Mallory (1890-1951). John Bennet (called “Jay”)was born in 1861 and died in 1862. Carrie Bertha was born on February 11 1869 and died on March 10 1951. (In Dr. Whelan’s letters his son Bion’s name looks like “Bina.” I chose to use “Bion” rather than that spelling.)

Arvin was first assigned to the 11th Michigan Regiment as Assistant Surgeon. He wanted badly to become the Surgeon of the 18th Michigan Regiment, which formed through the efforts of Henry Waldron in the summer of 1862. Soldiers from Hillsdale, Monroe and Lenawee counties encamped and trained at the back of Lewis Emery’s farm in the area that is now Lewis Emery Park on State Road just east of Hillsdale. Although Arvin had many friends from home and officers from his regiment writing recommendations for him, he didn’t secure that spot. He later became Surgeon of the 1st Michigan Sharpshooters. His medical credentials firmly established, he ultimately became surgeon-in-chief of the First (renamed from the Third) Division of the Ninth Army Corps.

Arvin had many things to say about how surgeons appeared to be chosen by how that action could benefit the governor of Michigan, Austin Blair. Arvin also felt “disgusted” by the lack of assertiveness of the generals when making decisions about attacks early in the war.

It appeared that the troops couldn’t count on being paid regularly. Arvin had times when he needed to borrow money from other men, and he was concerned that Dell didn’t have enough money to live on.

The deadliest thing that faced the Civil War soldier was disease. For every soldier who died in battle, two died of disease. In particular, intestinal complaints such as dysentery and diarrhea claimed many lives. In fact, diarrhea and dysentery alone claimed more men than did battle wounds. Arvin suffered from diarrhea that waxed and waned throughout his service, appearing to clear up in later years. Before that he sometimes became so ill that he had to be nursed back to health.

Civil War re-enactors create a chance for the general public to see living history. There are simple pup tents that some of the single men live in, but the real centerpiece of a weekend encampment are the tents of the families. Arvin misses Dell and Bion very much and talks frequently about when they (or just Dell) will be able to visit him. From the gap in letters from Arvin to Dell and from his comments in letters it’s clear that she did visit him more than once.

These are almost all letters to Arvin’s beloved wife, Dell. He is loving and affectionate and understanding and altogether a wonderful husband and father. He and Dell share some gentle teasing. Arvin tells Dell about all the important things that are going on in his life and in the war: his life, how the hospital is set up, detailed descriptions of battles, questions and directions for dealing with matters at home. He mentions “good” letters, and I got the impression that they served the purpose of entertainment in their occasional soaring language.

A note on my transcription: It was relatively easy to read Arvin’s writing. The difficulty came in the convention at that time of how certain letters were formed. As I worked through transcribing it became increasingly easy to recognize the different way letters were made in the mid-1800s. I continued to have trouble determining whether an “s” was a capital or lower case letter. The letters “o,” “u” and “a” were sometimes indistinguishable. Dates were especially challenging. Instead of “May 3, 1864” the convention of the time was to forget the comma and add “d” after the number. What he had written wasn’t always clear. The example read “May 3d 1864” (with the “d” at the top right of the number). “May 1, 1864” sometimes looked like “May 1t 1863” and sometimes “May 1st 1864.” May 9, 1864 sometimes looked like May 9h 1864” and sometimes like “May 9th 1864. Fortunately, it doesn’t really matter. I got the feeling that Arvin didn’t reread his letters before sending them because of what looked more like mistakes than an inability to spell.

Sisters Ava Whelan Pence and Bettina Whelan Weiss are direct descendants of Dr. Whelan. They donated to the Hillsdale County Historical Society 88 priceless letters from Arvin to his wife, written from various camps where he acted as assistant surgeon and then as chief surgeon. Ava and Bettina knew that we would value these letters and keep them safe.

Before each letter is a brief summary of the contents, given parenthetically and in italics. Brackets surrounding a question mark will indicate where I was unable to determine what was written. Sometimes I took a guess and in that case brackets surrounding a question mark follow my guess. The letters themselves reveal a thoughtful husband who had an affectionate and playful interaction with his wife and devoted father who was committed to doing his part for the Union effort. 

I numbered the letters and included a selected index of topics and the number of the letters where that topic can be found. It’s by no means complete.

JoAnne P. Miller Hillsdale County Historical Society

SELECTED INDEX

Jay, the son who died: 7, 8, 10

Dell’s false teeth: 17, 28

Camp life: 16, 40, 49, 73

References to Blacks: 4, 37, 70, 87

Medical (measles, field hospitals, surgery): 5, 6, 52, 54, 59, 62, 63, 64, 66

Battles: 51,59, 63, 75

Arvin’s commentary on battles and Generals: 21, 33, 35

Capture of 11th Michigan Regiment: 23 & 24, 24.5

Sanitary Commission: 54, 56

Sherman, Grant: 70, 73, 78

Deserters, Prisoner exchange: 71, 72, 77, 79

End of the war and Lincoln assassination: 80, 82, 83, 85

1 (Arvin muses about his sorrow at leaving his wife and children, but feels he has a duty to his country.)

Sunday Nov 24th 1861

My wife

I being a little lonesome I thought to while away some of the moments by writing to you

I carried off the key to the barn but sent it from the depot by Byron Mrs Babcocks brother so that you probably got it in the forenoon     We shall get off for Ky the latter part of this week     They lack but a few more pieces of clothing and their arms will arrive tonight being yesterday in Detroit when we shall try the realities of war             I sent for some buttons to Detroit to be sent to Mr Rowe for my overcoat if they send them to me by mail send them to Mr Rowe as soon as possible     I do not know when I shall be a home again

I wish you could be with me but those dear little ones must have your kind care, and they are to young and tender to brave the trials of a campaign     I have missed them at morning an evening     They make home a home     not that any could be special but they are adornment that gives cheer to an already happy home and something to cause a parent to strive for beyond mere dollars and cents     An honorable name worthy to be transmitted as a monument to his prosperity

Well I know you are assuming a great deal by your womanly consent to my entering the service & were it not that my country needs and an unsatiable desire to go in a professional capacity I assure you I should have never left my pleasant home and many friends and many friends - but regrettingly and cheerfully do I leave them all knowing that there are a few who will wait my coming with love and anxiety     Yet all this we ought to do for our country’s sake

Best enough & I will close

From your husband

Arvin

2 (Arvin expresses his sadness at having to leave his wife and children, but doesn’t hesitate because he knows his country needs him.)

the picture taken by R.L. Andrew of Hillsdale, Michigan, that Arvin hoped would help Bion remember him by

White Pigeon Sunday Dec 8th 1861

My dear wife

Tomorrow we leave for Ky by the way of the West so that our last interview is perhaps the last     I have no regrets at leaving except those of my family     To be deprived of their kind attentions their social influence and the bestowed affections of your self & children really strikes a pang to my heart which I would not like to express in any other way than by letter for fear that my manhood might sink under it     Yet I feel that it is my duty to go even at the sacrifice of my dear home and our pleasant family     Yet here our country demands this sacrifice, beside if I return my reputation will be enhanced by it & I trust that our lives made happier

I know you will miss me and Bion & Jay will also ask for me and wonder that Father dont come     As soon as Andrews gets my picture done I think Bion will remember me by it so that he will not forget me

I want you to be contented and get along the best you can     I know you have a great task an hassle, but where there is a will there is a way, and you will gradually learn independence so that it may not be entirely lost to us

3 (The Army of the Cumberland was one of the principal Union armies in theWestern Theater during the Civil War. Arvin describes it and again expresses how much he misses his wife and children.)


Louisville Ky Dec 16th 1861

My dear wife

We are here enjoying the benefit of camp life, living in tents and cooking our grub by the campfire and sleeping on the ground     I wrote to you last week describing my journey which you have received ere this     We have most delightful weather     I am writing this on a box and door the sun shining most beautifully

My impression of Dixie and the slave system I shall give you in a future letter

There are within three miles of us 15,000 soldiers, over 3,000 in our camp ground and 100,000 in Western Ky so you can see this department of Cumberland is no small affair     We have opposing us the Rebels under Buckner at Bowling green     Talk at Cumberland where there will be a fight soon     We start for Bardstown tomorrow half way between this city and Bardstown to hold the reserve of Gen Nelson’s advance who are to cross Salt river and come in the rear of Bowling green so that we shall not likely be engaged in the battle which I regret very much

I like it very much but am compelled to say I would like to step in and take tea with you as all the ladies who came with us are compelled to return home     Gen Buel allowed none to go with us and I miss you and my dear children oh, how I would like to see you

Write me at Bardstown Ky 11th Mich Reg Infantry     Kiss the children for me     Good bye

Yours as Ever

Arvin



Direct to Assist Surgeon

A F Whelan

    11 Reg Mich Infantry

Bardstown Ky






Asst Sur A F Whelan

Assist sur

11 Mich

11 Reg Mich

4 (The regiment marches from Louisville to Bardstown. Arvin describes the country they pass through and the farms they see. The first enslaved people are happy to see them, but some of the “secesh” are not.)


Camp near Bardstown Ky Dec 25 1861

My Dear wife

I have most anxiously watched the post since our arrival for a letter from you and still it came not     I have written three times to you and the only consolation I have is looking at your face and still hoping

We started from Louisville one week ago to day and made the march in a little over two days     44 miles    I was about used up; the road was a solid mecademized turnpike and served our feet badly     The country was most beautiful for ten miles with good fences and houses     These came into a wild hilly country full of rocks and ravines the road winding about with frequent abrupt turns to avoid the hills and often excavated for some distance in the solid rock     There would be some very fine farms in the valley out back of the hills but invariably the same style whether large or small except negro cabins there being two chimneys at either end of the house outside in bold relief   and going up stairs outdoors onto an open veranda thence into the different rooms which do not communicate at all by inner doors     The negro quarters were sometimes attached to the main building but generally neat little houses of brick stone or wood sturdy 8 or 10 rows from the residence     After the first days march I did not see a single barn worthy of the name    Their hay is stored in “ricks” and the wheat in bins while the cattle run out as we were passing hundreds of whites and blacks came to see us     Some to welcome & others from mear curiosity     While at a respectful distance might be seen a squad of secesh with frowning and smothered wrath yet quiet demeanor    The darkies were really merry peeping from behind the stone walls with their broad grins and a “God bless de union and de soldier”     When they were asked if massa was a union man they would answer he say he is     We are encamped in about 1/2 miles of Bardstown there are other Indiana Reg here under Gen Dumont     We had a fine time at a party of the Gens last night     he is to leave to lead command of the 17th Brigade near Bowling green & Gen wood is to succeed him

What time we will leave here we are unable to say

I can not write anymore give my love to Bill Sib an & Lill and every body els     Kiss the children for me and write soon A F Whelan

PS Direct to Assiss Surgeon Whelan

11the Mich Infantry    Bardstown Ky

5 (Arvin moves to another hospital, much to the dismay of his regiment who want him to return. Measles have infected 300 soldiers.)



Bardstown Ky Jan 12 1862

General Hospital No 2

My Dear wife and children

I wrote you one week ago to day from camp 4 miles from here     our Reg moved 2 miles east of this city last week Monday and I was detailed from my Reg and made assist surgeon of this hospital

We are in the St. Joseph College and have some 200 sick soldiers to attend to; there is another Hospital (No 1) in this place containing about the same number of sick     so far as pleasantness is concerned it is far preferable to camp life     My Reg complain bitterly in my being sent away from them; how long I shall stay I am unable to tell; from four weeks to four months the old General says     At first I did not like it but I think I shall find very agreeable especially if they keep me here through the summer for this college and grounds is one of the lovliest spots that the sun ever shone upon; it takes the curse off Bardstown

The grounds are beautifully fitted up the building artistically and handily arranged for a fine hospital     A summer residance would be delightful     I suppose McCollum has arrive home (I saih) by the time this reaches you he will inform you how I get along     If he does not call you might send him a note

Sherm is at the camp mad because they have taken me away     the officers have signed a petition to have me returned and made the surgeon but I hardly think it will work and I am indifferent in regard to it

The surgeon gets more curses than a little and a good deal better pay & I think I would try it if offered to me

Our Regiment have the measles among them some 30 or more now and coming down every day   The varioloiel(?) has nearly subsided and the other is rampant

They have fixed up a Regimental Hospital for our folks & calculate to keep us until we have had the Devil and everything else     I suppose and I believe the measles is the last

Our Col is still of the do nothing sort and allows himself to be nosed around by the officers of the other regiments so that I dont know as we shall ever do anything

I still like soldiering but long for the society of my family     I would like to step in and take tea with you on a Sunday evening but to be a soldier and obey your superiors which I am quite willing to obey so far and I know      I think if I work hard and attend to my business I may get a short furlough in May to come and see you but do not expect to much

I mess at the Hospital and sleep here on a blanket on the floor so that my habits of lying on the floor comes very handy

We have not received our pay yet & I dont know when but dont get discouraged there is a good time coming    My love to your self & children and respects to all who may require a kind remembrance

Yours as ever to the last

Arvin

The stamp seen on the back of the picture was called "Revenue" or " tax stamps.” The income from the taxes was used by the Federal government to offset the expenses of the war. They were attached to finished photo by the photographer and often cancelled by him using his initials or something similar.

this picture indicated on the back that Dr. Whelan lived at 64 Waldron St.

dell hannah Anderson, Mrs. A.F. Whelan, who is listed on the back as living at 64 Waldron St. the photographer is levi Sherman, 40 State St. Rochester, N.Y.

6 (Arvin returns to his regiment and finds much disease, with measles affecting many men. A large farm house was “taken” to be used as a hospital. Arvin gently and with humor chides Dell about her belief in homeopathy.)




  Camp Morton near Bardstown

Ky   Feb 6th 1962

My Dear wife

Your welcome letter of Jan 31st was received last night the only apology for not writing before was time; Although if you feel as I do about getting letters from you it is a very poor one

Before the petition of the officers of our Reg I was sent back to camp Jan 19th finding there a sorrowful condition of disease

There were over 100 cases of measles some 300 more unfit for duty from dysentery, diarrhea & c  There was a large farm house near the camp which we took as a Hospital making    temporary additions of boards which fortunately was handy and plenty of them     So you can imagine whether I have had time to devote to writing or not     All these had to be prescribed for beers obtained cooking utensils procured the organization perfected, daily reports made, requisitions for provisions drawn nurses assigned and instructed, devolving mostly from me     now you will pardon me for not writing before and so will brother Jim although it had been so long since I wrote him that I have become ashamed to write and the only way I can get up at all is to write a letter that will take a week to read    so let him wait till the health of our camp is improved and I pledge my word to give him the full particulars of Ky and homeopathy in full of which he seemed to be a goodly deciple     I trust your increasing faith for little pills will not get the better of your common sense, or his fondling of the baby convert you to the doctrine of  infinitesimals and nonsensical dilutions

You say that celebrated Dr was driven out of Michigan for his Union sentiments & I feel sorry for those sentiments; they must have been as small as his pills or he would have shouldered a musket and gone back to help redeem his state from the vandals giving heroic blue pills that should search the bowels of the rebel, who would dare intrude on his fireside and destroy this country of ours, instead of feeding sugar pills to the credulous mothers of Brockport/Vansend     “Heast(?) my people gave drivel that they thus reproach me ????”




We have had up to the present time over two hundred cases of measles some 19 of which have proved fatal from typhoid pneumonia supervolving(?)

We have got nearly through with this mon and a week of good weather will make a material improvement with our sick

I have been sick for a few days but went to work yesterday feeling much better    it was only rest I wanted which I took…..Yet I would like to play with those little ones most dearly & to night being dreary your company would be particularly agreeable as a change in the scenery

Next to hearing from you and the children is the good news from poor dog Duke for I have worried about the poor fellow and wished I had brought him along being the most transportable member of my family at the same time he would have been so much company for me

It is now 10’clock at night & I must retire   God bless you and our little ones with a good night sleep well a healthful morrow    Kiss the children and tell Bion to be a good boy    a kiss for your self and a precious good night to all

Arvin

7     (Gov. Blair helped Arvin with the matter of getting on the muster roll so he could get his pay. Jay is still ill. Arvin wishes once again that his children will get measles when they are young because they seem to be so deadly to those beyond childhood.)



Camp of the 11th Mich Reg Vol

Near Bardstown Ky Feb 13th 1862

My Dear wife 

Your letter was received last night in which you say you have not heard from me in a long time     Well here I am still laboring as hard as I can with hardly time to eat & sleep     we have, as I told you in my last, had a good deal of sickness in our Regiment of measles and from my observation I hope our little ones will have them when small, for it has been very formable and fatal with us

The only thing to break the monotony of life in camp was an execution of a soldier which our Reg witnessed, belonging to a Ky Reg for the murder of an old gentleman near here and a sight of some rebel prisoners taken in the fight with Gollicoffin(?)

We are all excitement at the news from Ft Henry and Roanoke     there is to be a big fight just below us soon as some late running we are anxious to be there but fear the health of our Reg will not permit     A couple of weeks good weather will improve the health of our camp, and in four weeks we shall be able to make a forward movement     To be an Army Surgeon under the present regulations of volunteer service is to take on ones self a mighty pile of work in kind and quantity hardly anticipated     And I think to be an assist surgeon requires patriotism equal to Spartan bravest son, for it is all work with a privation of all the comforts of life with none of the rest and leisure of privates

My health has not been very good for a few days from diarrhea, which is a troublesome thing in camp life; most every body has it

Sherm is still here with us but I think he will go home in the spring unless he gets a better job     I shall not be home next spring as nobody gets a furlough down here     They are expected to stay or go home for good; and as I dont expect to do the latter unless compelled by health or something else I shall not therefore have the pleasure

We have not received any pay yet and I have not had twenty cents in four weeks, get along without mony first rate     Still we have the promise of some next week; so far as myself is concerned dont care, yet want to send some to you as you must be nearly out

Col May talks of resigning; all the officers and privates will say Amen and so say my all     And I hope the surgeon will too; for he is one of most slow and easy do nothing sort of men that compels me to do the whole work

I must close tonight so good by till morning



Feb 18th 1862

Dear Wife

I close this one on the evening of the 18th expecting to finish in the morning but have been confined to my bed ever since     I am 1 1/2 mile from camp where I was taken by Sherm to an old farmers; the best folks in the world     Sherm has take care of me both doctored as well as myself or I should have died     He is a noble fellow and I am under a debt of lasting gratitude for him sticking by me      I am so used up most of the day and have been out doors this morning but week     I dont weigh 140, now I recover     Sherm is here yet     He will come home in the spring and maybe I shall unless things go better than it had along back; for i cant do all the work and old Dr Elliott is such a cl(?) med(?) old drone that no white man can stand it with him

The whole Reg wants me for surgeon & they despise the old man     I cant stand it with him     so I think I will come back to Hillsdale work hard to live economically and take care of my little family     I got your letter of the 13th this morning     Chancy Koon brought it to me when I shall be able to come back to camp I dont know     I have a leave of absence till I get well and I shall get mighty stout before I go

They need me there all the time but I cant help it     I shall get sound before I leave

That prescription for Jay was 

Fowlers sol fj (I draw)

Iodine grsjj (3 grams)

Io Pot gr sox 10 grams

water rain 1 oz

Dose 5-6 10 drops in water 3 times a day     The ointment is citric acid 1 dram olive oil 1 dram rubbed night & morning

Chancy is waiting for this letter so I must close     When I get able I will write you a long one

Now dont you worry about me     Sherm takes care of me and no better man can be found   the folks are strong union over some five hundred acres of land and dont own a nigger nor ever did

The old lady is one of the kindest old mothers that ever lived     she just fixes and fusses all the time if you would let her     The old gent is kind hearted and intelligent - there are 3 boys young men, one married all gentlemen strong sincere and till their own soil     It is very pleasant for me here and I shall soon be around     She thinks I am an “awful” sweet nice man because I make no fuss and wants me to settle in Ky where they get bigger pay than in Michigan     But I just like Hillsdale after all so good bye Aunt Mary

Your husband

Arvin

8       At Army Unselds near Camp 11th Mich

Bardstown Ky Feb 23/62

My Dear wife 

You see I am still at my old home where I last wrote you     I have had the best of care     Sherm is still with me; I have nearly recovered so far as to go to camp to morrow     I have had the best place in the world     Mrs Ulnseld is one of the best of mothers, so kind to soldiers     She can hardly do enough

I received your good letter of the 19th and it done me a ‘heap’ of good for there is nothing like hearing from home when one is sick among strangers     In fact I must give you credit of writing better letters than ever before or else I have a better appreciation may be the latter

Now when a poor fellow is sick he feels the want of the kind solicitous affection of a wife; and when far away from her even a letter comes as cheering light to reunite him of that living love which follows him as he wanders

I have seen many a sick soldier going fast to the grave dispirited and indifferent; roused to new self of life and energy and a determination to life by a warm loving letter from a wife mother, or sister, which had it come a little later would have found no response from the heart cold in death

I have watched it repeatedly and in my own case I can bear ample testimony of its remedial power over the will if not directly over the physical recovery

I am sorry to hear our little Jay is sick and probably he is better by this time I hope so at least    I should think it proceeds from his teeth by your discription, now dont doctor him to death; but use mild remidies: the chalk mixture would be good     I sent you a prescription for his eruption; keep the sores well cleansed with soap and soft water

I must confess to a whim which I cant divest my mind entirely of which is that we are not agoing to raise both those boys     I never mentioned it before because I could give no reason and therefore a mere impression, so you see when I hear that either are sick the thing comes forcibly to my mind     Still I have not worried knowing full well that I cannot help it

You asked me about my pay     The pay of the Asst Surg is $130.50 which includes rations clothing servants pay and rations and rations for horse, all commuted in mony so you see when you come right down to pay, it is only about $80 dollars per month mighty small for the service which he renders - a private in the ranks gets better pay in the proportion to labor and responsibility than the asst surgeon     I had supposed that I got a better salary still I dont complain at that for if I return home sound it will be worth more to me than the mere stipend per month

I think we shall all be at home in 12 months for the back of the rebellion is now broke

We have had incessant rain for one week till to day which is fine and Col Stoughton came over to see me this morning & he and I rode some 3 miles to see some fine Kentucky horses mules and cattle so I am tired.

Army calls to tea so will quit and look after those sacred viand which would relish better if you were here

Well tea is over & I have had a little chat with the family who are among the best on earth and will now finish this epistle not to the Hebrews but to the dear ones at home

This is Sunday night when I used to frolic with the children and dog and then sing those songs which perhaps you are humming over to night thinking of our Sunday evening entertainment     the only entertainment in camp is attending to the sick and the low challenge of the sentinel

If your humble ser’t was down there methinks he would enjoy one good time but so the fates or somebody else have ordered it and I shall make the most of it     I am glad Bion takes to learning so easily; tell him to learn to his letters so he can write to Papa and I will bring him home a nice pony and a large book

Does he mind well as ever or is he petted so much that he has forgot to obey; do not be lax in government because you are visiting    Does he ask for his good dog Jake     Dan Child’s wrote me that Jake was at Averys peaceable with the white kitten

We shall be so far recovered in health as a Regiment that in the course of 2 weeks I think we shall move on to Nashville     The roads are impassable except on the turnpike now but a week of fair weather will put them in good shape

There is a general rejoicing in Ky among the Union folks at Buckner capture and a hanging of the secesh’s heads     It is reported here that Nashville has been taken yet I think it a rumor

We have had a series of glorious victories; the events of the last two weeks are grand and should they ___ time, or be followed up, it would be almost overwhelming; and this long delay will be amply atuned for

The Battle of Ft Donelson is one of the hardest fought battles on this continent; almost rivaling the Storming of the Malakof of the Crimean war and an exhibition of bravery equal to ancient Spartans     It was considered the strongest in land fort in the world yet it was taken; a fearful sacrifice of human life yet it had to be done for it was the key to Tennessee Ala & Mississ -

Columbus which is on the Mississippi river below Cairo will evacuated as our forces will soon be in the rear to attack Memphis and the rebels will not dare to be surrounded long as they are good at running

We hav not got any pay yet and the Lord knows when we shall     I have not had a dollar in six weeks - fortunately I laid in a lot of P.O. stamps before I left of which I have seven or eight left     We are told every week that we are to be paid and I hope are, still we get along without mony very well   I wanted to send you some and some to father & mother - you say you will remain till about the April - Who did you get to look after things at home while you are gone      There is no need of your returning until middle of Apr if you want to stay

I have given you an awful long letter   Give my love to these folks Father and mother and every body else who may enquire     Kiss the children for papa    Tell Brion to be good

Yours affectionately. as ever

Arvin

9      (Arvin is working alone because the other doctor has measles. He’s having trouble getting his pay. He still hopes to join the 18th Michigan and is petitioning Gov. Blair to that effect.)

10     (Arvin is encouraged because Gov. Blair facilitated him being recognized as and Assistant Surgeon.  He received a great deal of support for the officers. His health is improved. He sympathizes with Dell because Jay was so sick.


Belmont y  March 26th 1962

My Dear wife

Your letter of the 15th was received yesterday for it seems a long time to get letters from Bryan   My two last were sent to Brockport I think and I see you had not received them     I am happy to inform you that Gov Blair has taken my matter into his hand and sent on an order to have me recognized as Assis Surgeon and my name placed on the Muster Roll for pay which Lieut Col Stanyhran(?) has done, he being in command of the regiment  So I hope ere long to get—at least–a part of my pay

I have been greatly chagrined by the way Col May has treated me after having worked as hard as I have and to the entire satisfaction of the officers and privates of this Regiment who said I should not leave them if they had to pay me themselves     And I do not boast when I say if it was submitted to a vote I would be elected Surgeon by three fourths of the vote

Most of the Captains wrote private letters to the Gov requesting him to return me in the Reg unsolicited by me and recommending my promotion

The old Surgeon is very unpopular    he is none of your positive men and never decides a case until it too late     he is slow lazy and old qualities incompatible with military way of doing business     I am in charge of this General Hospital (the old Dr is still at Bardstown in charge of some sick with 200 sick and convalescent and have been alone until this week when the Medical Director sent me an Assist     Still my health has improved and I now weigh 150 lbs having been reduced by hard work and sickness from 183 to 142 lbs which is quite a falling off for a small man     I think however I shall come up to my old weight again

I am getting quite gray, but whether from labor or from suddenly discovering that I was older than I supposed is yet arguing in my mind     One thing I may say, my youth is rapidly passing away, and with the varied experiences of the past I begin to feel old - and sometimes when I think of home and my family I long for the repeat of ripened man-hood

I have given up entirely going home this Spring for an Asst Surgeon is the last man that can be spared from the Regiment, - it is he that does the work and he that cant be spared     I shall go to Louisville to morrow on business for the Hospital and if you were at home I should be tempted to give a call to my dear ones at home long enough to say how do you do, and snatch a kiss wish a good bye   Our Reg is still guarding the bridges on some 50 miles of the Louisville and Nashville RR head quarters being as this place    How long we shall stay here I am unable to say, but we long to be on the “move” you spoke of and help plant the old banner in Memphis and New Orleans before the now chronic evacuations of the Rebels shall carry them off entirely

Liberty was purchased by blood and by the shedding of blood will it be maintained; and although it shall sweep from earth many a brave and patriotic soldier, tis but the tribute our grand sires freely offered upon the Alter of our country for its establishment, with the injunchan to keep and protect is inviolate    And as each victory brings anguish to many a fireside, so do each add new guns to the building of our national glory for they died not in vain, and a greatful people will remember and Heaven will reward them

You must have had a hard time with poor Jay being so sick    you must ascertain the amount of Dr Dunnings bill and when I send you some money send it to him which will not be before you return home unless the children get the measles     You speak of the camp measles   they are the same as any other only aggravated by the conditions of camp life and I hope they will have them young    I have seen over 2,000 cases in the different Hospitals, nearly 400 was in our own Regiment     I was astonished to see the number in the Army that had never had them; and they have been so fatal; that I have desired that our children should have them when young

A soon as I get any pay I will send to Father and Mother some money which will be in the course of 2 or 3 weeks

Our friends may think I have entirely forgotten them but if they could see the amount of work I have to do they would not wonder that I do not write more letters for it is about all I can do to write to you

Write and let me know how soon you will start for home     I wrote Cy to send you $25, for me and old Mr McCollam $75 on my land contract until such time as I could get my pay    Sherm wrote me that he would inform me if he has     I hope this letter will find you and the children well and in better spirits than that of your last partially exhibited for I thought you was gloomy and when you heard of my trouble you would be entirely discouraged     So I hasten to inform you that the cloud has cleared away

It is now 12 o,clock midnight and must bid you goodnight   My love to you and children and all   Tell Bion to learn to write to Papa for he thinks of him often, while the thought and picture is a great solace

As ever

Your husband

Arvin


Tell Lucy not to fear the measles for she has a belief in the infallibility of little pills which ought to make her as brave as - as - as a sheep, and if she get them tell her take it in very small doses and to repeat the dose of measles every hour secundum similio sumter sissulibus curandir - Arv




Belmont General Hospital

Ky    March 16th 1862

My Dear wife

I wrote you a few lines a few days after our arrival here     We marched from Bardstown to this place a distance of 18 miles in 3 days     The roads were horrible; over mountains along creeks in which our men waded half waist deep

I have a horse so that it was easier for me     When I arrived I found a vast amount of work on hand     There is a Gen Hosp here, and I had to take charge of it with 250 sick in it; so you see whether I have been idle or not

My health is first rate now I am gaining every day

Surgeon Elliott was left at Bardstown with our sick and I have been alone

The Surgeon of the 3d Minnesota had had charge of it and as our Reg succeeded to the post I had to assume charge of the Hospital

The med Director sent me an assiss Surgeon but the day following he was taken with the measles so I that I am alone

I am in some difficulty about my pay - there is over $500 due me and they refuse to pay me on the grounds that young Dr Elliott was mustered and the Governor refused to give him a commission     I have been commissioned and mustered      Still he was mustered first and since they have refused to house the Gov Commission also am an order which I have from the Gov to join the Regiment

I am not be cheated out of it; because if the general Government dont pay me Michigan will have to yet it makes a delay

I have written Gov Blair and shall await his order so I may be home in the course of 4 weeks     yet the officers are determined that I shall stay     There is hardly a man that likes the Surgeon nor will they suffer him to doctor them if I am around     There is a very strong feeling in the Regiment in my favor

Our pay day when it was found that they refused to pay me officers and privates offered to loan me over $600 in sums fro 10 to 100 dollars     Sherm is home at this time and shall write to EG(?) to send you $25 dollars and also pay McCollum 50 for me, Sherm wrote me that he would do it

The Reg will go to Nashville in about 3 week I think; it is gradually recovering its health again

Write me soon

My love to all; in hustle as there about to calling for me

Yours as ever

Arvin


Tell Lucy not to fear the measles for she has a belief in the infallibility of little pills which ought to make her as brave as - as - as a sheep, and if she get them tell her take it in very small doses and to repeat the dose of measles every hour secundum similio sumter sissulibus curandir - Arv

11 (Arvin received a letter from Dell telling of the sickness of both boys. Arvin expresses a fatalistic view that he has always been fearful that Jay would not survive childhood.)

Belmont General Hospital Ky

April 10th 1862

My Dear Wife

Your letter of the 4th was received this morning bearing intelligence of the sickness of our children     I feel as if I must come to your assistance but I shall be unable to obtain a leave of absence as they are to send me 100 wounded men from the recent bloody battle at Pittsburg Tennessee   So my duty to the poor wounded soldiers and my country interposes a barrier

I am not surprised at Jays great sickness and ere this reaches you may have already drank the bitter cup of woe and lain him low in the grave.    I have felt this always since he was born and hence I have been prepared at any time to hear the sad news     My Dear the fates have decreed that our path shall be through gloom and sadness yet I cannot, will not complain     Let everything be done for the little cherub that is possible and then if he is taken from us we shall have the consoling thought that he is better off, though we shall mourn his departure     I can give no advice I have full confidence in your careful nursing, and skill of Dr Dunning from representation of the James and others    I wish the Dr would write me stating his case if he still lives

My health is very good and I am still regaining my strength and flesh

I will write you again to morrow as I am in a great hurry

Yours as ever

Arvin

12 (Jay died. Arvin is supportive of Dell and feels his own need to come home. He is trying to get a furlough even though he says there’s terrible complaining when he’s gone because none of the soldiers or officers trust the “old Dr.”

Belmont Ky April 14th 1862

My Dear Wife

Your letter of the 9th bearing the sad tidings of poor Jays death came to hand yesterday. I was prepared for it still it pierced my heart as with a sharpened arrow     It is now that I feel and know the sorrow of a parents heart at the loss of a dear child and if I could only have been there to watch and cared for him it would have served to console us both

And oh how sad you must feel, along through this sad affliction, no heart to pour your soul out who could feel the tender touch of confidence and consoling sympathy - it is hard indeed   And I have felt if I could only see you but one hour and kiss our remaining one, it would be worth the reputation I have made and a sacrifice of the miserable wages I have earned

Had you been in Hillsdale I should have gone home while he was sick and may come between the 20 & 25th if it is possible to get a furlough for 20 days     You did not write me when you would start and it takes a letter so long to go   I hardly know what calculation to make     Ezra wrote me that he sent you the money ($25,) for which I gave him a one bill     I hope you have received it ere this

I am closing out the General Hospital here and shall have done this week and then I shall try to get a leave of absence

My matters are not settled yet so to get my pay    The Gov ordered my name to go on the Roll but they refused to pay, the case having been referred to the Secretary of War and no decision rendered     Gov Blair says there is no doubt about

O my dear wife I must come home and see you, I have worked hard and need rest and the Col was just in and said he thought he would let me go    They dislike to spare me; men nor officers have any confidence in the old Dr and will not take his medicine if they can avoid it    So when I am away there is a terrible complaint made     There are now 4 dozen calling for me so I must close     I shall send this to Hillsdale and write you again when I receive another

My Dear I think of you and trust that you will not mourn for our little one for our loss is his gain, poor sweet babe

God bless you     Kiss Bion

Yours in love

Arvin  

13 (Arvin made it home and has now returned to Nashville. With loving words he acknowledges Dell’s sadness and looks forward to a future “quiet domestic life.”)

Nashville Tenn  June 12 1862

My Dear wife

I arrived here to night and shall join my Reg to morrow at Murfreesborough 30 miles from here     I am well and my cold nearly left me     I am merely tired out from constant riding on RR and shall sleep some to night I think

We had innumberable delays on the road which was textured in the extreem

You will see that I have left my overcoat.   you keep it till fall and then I will send for it or buy a cheaper one of Government     You no doubt are feeling sad to night and thinking of absent ones away from home but cheer up my dear with your good heroic heart and wait for my coming when I trust I shall have the blessing of a quiet domestic life and my good household to make happy and be made happy

Good night to my loved ones

    Yours in haste

Arvin

14 (Arvin reflects on the rough rail road trip back to camp. He is solicitous of Dell and explains why he asked her not to weep at the depot when his train left. He recounts visits with different friends,)

Murfreesboro Tenn June 14th /62

My Dear Wife

I arrived in this place yesterday all safe and sound only that portion knocked off on rough rail roads     I had a lectious? time on the road I assure you and it was only my pleasure of home that would induce me to try it again for so short a stay     Indeed it felt amply rewarded and think perhaps would try it again were an opportunity offered

I sit alone in my tent to night the sound of music echoing through the beautiful grove in which I am encamped and think of home and how sad you feel and how many tears you have wept since I left poor girl. I asked you not to shed tears at the depot because my own heart would have been beyond my control but I felt bad, and my duty to my country bade me go, therefore I made the request     Still I knew you returned to your home with a heavy heart and a prayer in your love for me though unworthy your pure love,   Still the vacant place at the home hearth though once poorly filled was keenly felt by your loving nature when you counted my absence to say nothing of your anxiety for my safety in the perils of war

But my I must stop for here comes my old friend and classmate Dr Smith Assis-Surgeon of the 9th Mich whom I am very glad to see not having met him but once since our graduation        Sunday morn  6 ocl am

This is mighty early yet I have been to breakfast and now will spend an half hour in writing you      I had a very pleasant evening, talked over old times, compared experiences, and found some consolation even in the fact that others had tread a rough road as well as I

My men were all glad to see me that remained in camp for the Regiment had gone up into the mountains of east Tenn to be gone some 10 days with two or three other Brigades    I felt chagrined to think I was not along especially if there is to be a fight     Some of our men have come back this morning saying that we had taken some prisoners and a number of horses.

The weather is warm here and flies oh Lord!   So thick that they pester a man almost to death     niggers are thick about camp and I hardly know which is the greatest evil     I had good luck in bringing through my pickels and they go well; tho most valuable of anything that could be found in camp and many a poor fellow already sent had a case of them     I also gave my friends some of nut cake which seemed to remind all of home and some of our bachelor officers agreed with one accord that it was a good thing to have a wife & said amen     Sunday night; This has been a warm day and I have had a sleep and since tea taken a ride; if I could only spend my Sundays at home it would be a great treat but it is ordered different and hence I must submit      I love my home and my social nature makes me love my friends and hence it comes hard to leave it     Here comes some company

Company gone and I alone again; well Dell you no doubt are thinking of me to night and our dear boy asked for papa ere he says his prayer to sleep sweetly in the midst of peace and civilization; but I hope you will be happy and contented and enjoy life; without continual forebodings in regard to me     no, no, my child remember that time rights all things and life may be made happy even when surrounded by trials and difficulties by hope, the anchor of the human soul,

I have just read a letter from Gallusha(?) which arrived a few days before my return, he and family are well and speaks very proudly of his  boy says he is glad and proud that I have gone into Mi service   that the family is represented &ctc he said he heard a good account of me from some of his friends who had met me here in Dixie offered his condolences for the loss of our little one and gave me his prayer to heaven that I might return home to my loving family sound in body, intellect and morals which is good I will try to have that prayer answered

So far as your staying to home I want you to do as you think best about it you know your own feelings best; there are friends enough in Mich to last you till fall and then if I dont come home you can go east to spend the winter should you desire it     I left my overcoat to home by mistake but shall get along without it till fall any way   I hope you will keep well and also Bion

Accept my distant kiss for yourself and our son and a happy good night

Your husband

Arvin

15 (Arvin has shared food that he brought back from his visit home and conveys the appreciation of those who had it. The sickness that had infected the camp eased. Arvin suggests that Dell visit him, leaving Bion with Mr Childs. He requests that Dell have photographs of Bion and her, Bion and Bion and his dog made.)

Nashville Tenn June 22/62

Sunday noon

My Dear wife

Well here we are again in Nashville and I have just come from dinner where we enjoyed some of that corn, pickles, and catsip; Capts Moase and Mudge presents their respects and say if they ever get out of this war they will have a wife without delay as that dinner savored of home and the loving heart of wife or mother        I am in a squad with them

Our Regiment returned from the mountains of East Tenn last week Tuesday and on Friday was ordered to Nashville    We came by RR and the wagons by land and are now encamped 1 1/2 miles east of the city in a grove and while I write the sun pours down hot enough to boil eggs,    my coat, boots, collar off and scattered around    We have had preaching this am which I attended so you see that our morals are attended to even if it is hot    There is vey little sickness in the Regiment and old Dr Elliott wants to go home and I hope he will and stay there too

There are some rumors that our Brigade will be sent to Richmond; yet I give no credit to it and how long we shall stay here I do not know nor where we shall go to either   we may go to doing Provost General duty in the city and if so shall remain six or eight weeks where it is not to hot   you may make me a visit leaving Bion at Mr Childs as the great warmth would give him diarrhea; the expense of coming would be about $21, but as we dont know I will not speculate on it

Two weeks ago to day I sat by your side in our little home and now nearly a thousand miles separates us; no sound of your voice to reprove or encourage do I hear, no loving kiss from wife and child but as I look out I hear the busy hum of  this camp, some writing, some sleeping and some singing away from friends and home too        What a change   you no doubt would like to look in upon us & see our camp life but methinks you would sigh again for the quiet of home even if your husband could not attend you    I really would like to have you see a camp but not to live in one for it is no place for ladies     I wish you would go to Ruben Andrews and have him make me a dozen of those Photographs same as he made and send them to me by mail and have him take one of you and Bion    Have him take Bion large so to have it colored and then a small one and his dog

My health is good cold all left me and all right   only when Sunday comes I think more of seeing you all than any other day

I hope you are well and give my respects child folks and say Chuncy is as tough as can be

When will you write   this is the third letter I have sent

Yours in love

as ever

      Arvin

16 (Arvin feels lonelier since his return from Hillsdale. He expresses his love for Dell. He says that he still feels the duty to his country to be in the army, and he states that he can learn much with the experience of being in the war. He gives a long description of the place he stays and the food he eats.)

Camp Andy Johnson   Nashville Tenn

Saturday night 10 o clock June 28th /62

My Dear Wife

For a whole week have anxiously sought at the Reg P,O, a letter from you and to day there came one with the well known handwriting   I hastily opened to see if ‘all well’   then read it and to night after the lights in the camp were extinguished proceded to reread; and now procede to write a few lines     We have had a violent rainstorm and it is still raining this evening; the continuous lonely patter of the rain drops on my thin walled home - ah yes - home, - where a child’s pure love and wife’s kind devotion may be seen to glow in every impulse of their nature toward an absent father, and husband,     Home is not a palace with the rick trappings of opulence,  but a place though it be a shed, filled with love, harmony and sympathy, that echoes back the pang of heart to heart; and the joy of soul to soul - adorned with a mother and a wife, though homely, is more home than the Tuilleris with its gorgeous architecture kingly equipment and hundred retainers     Then who would not think of home when he had one filled by all that he holds dear in this life - a wife and child; though it be but a simple cottage yet filled with big loving hearts     I must confess that since my return I have seriously asked myself the question whether it was my duty to rob self of the pleasures of that home and leave its [?] alone     When I say I like the service its not because I love my home the less, but because it opens a broad field for my particular profession and gives an experience to be acquired nowhere else; therefore for this and my country do I voluntarily debar my self of the pleasures of home, but not I trust, of the love of the noblest heart vouchsafed to any man - neither do I believe you blame me for this though it may cost you anxiety, forebodings - and many lonely hours of sadness

But tis late, and the innumerable world of bugs driven in the storm and attracted by the light almost compel me to stop    so my dear good night and the balance shall be my Sundays recreation     God bless you and our little one

Arvin

Sunday am     The morning duties have been gone through with and I have bathed and put on clean clothes     Our chaplain has gone to the city to attend church so we shall have no service therefore do I seat myself on my bed to have a little conversation; would you like to know of what my bed consists?   I will tell you; 1stly just driven in the ground crotched and small poles lain on then boards and my sack filled with hay (which by the way, is very little softer than the boards) and 2 blankets    My bedfellow is Holly Mills, our ward master who looks after my things    so you see that I fare very well in the sleeping line; not as comfortable as the old mattress and the clean cool sheets however nor as congenial a bedfellow yet very good

Our diet consists of new potatoes beef mutton, bacon green corn, cucumbers, hard bread, soft bread, string beans, butter milk, coffee, tea, peas, onions, cabbage, blackberrys, cherrys, plums, raspberrys &c &c &c & chickens; a liberal bill of fare you say; yet but it lacks the delicate flavor of home which the good wife gives it, either by her act in preparing as her presence while eating it, and perhaps both

The furniture of my house consists of a beautiful carpet of green, of how many ply I cant say, the aforesaid bed - trunk, 2 boxes for chairs, saddle & bridle, old clothes, dirty towels shirts &c water pail and wash basin - enough, - save for convenience, and a soldier ought not to expect comfort, unless he has a wife to furnish him a morning gown and slippers when he may indulge in the luxury    You no doubt would find it very hard to keep house with so meager an outfit but to a soldier anything more would be a superfluous; he only wants to live in hope and the lack of the comforts of home is a great stimulation of that particular ingredient of the human soul, ie, if he has a soul

Well dinner is ready and an aching void tells me go

Sunday evening     I did not go to dinner as I expected for on my way I met an old friend Dr Heinkman of Ill who came with the special invitation to Judge Trimbles of this city to dinner   so of course I put on the best I had off to the house of one of nations nobleman to dine where we had a sumptuous dinner in addition to which were fine ripe tomatoes     The Judge is a fine old gentleman and friend of Andrew Jackson and a staunch union man for which he nearly periled his life and all he had yet he stood nobly by his country    Dr H is on duty here in the city and is stopping with the Judge therefore this favor    After dinner we chatted a couple hours when I started for camp and now propose to finish written this desultory epistle     I hardly know what I have written whether interesting or not; if not I will say that I am well and fatting every day   I want you to write often for it does do me so much good to hear from you all about every thing how you get along &c     O Dell if I could be at home Sundays for that is the day you know when we used to sing those old songs in happiness and pleasure usually more exempt from business than any other day when we took real comfort     To night you are writing to me I think yes to night you too are thinking of one absent one whose face is missed in the family circle and to night your love comes to the tinted field in search of the one     O that heart felt prayer for life health and happiness of that one I feel to night coming from your pure heart; yes I feel it and that is a consolation coming from a loving, confiding, virtuous wife     I am rich in the possession of such an heart; though the world may call me poor and poverty stare in the face still am I contented and rich     The success of ones life should not be measured by the wealth in gold, but by the wealth of good done, and the love born the race and that true affection springing from the greatness of of our name; then my dear are you rich therefore will I love you for that wealth

We are still here but how long we shall remain is still unknown to us, were we to stay here 4 weeks I would have you come down to see the south and me; but as the time is not yet certain I am not able to advise you yet

I might have stayed a week longer as well as not but felt it my duty to return as I had promised not to be gone longer than 14 days so to keep that word I came     You have not gotten all my letters I think for this is the fifth since my return to you for which I have received but one, and if I mistake not you was to write two to my one so you can keep busy writing if nothing else, which I trust will be a happy pasttime and pleasure

My love to yourself and Bion remembering to all our friends

Your affectionate Husband

Arvin

17 (Arvin reflects on the 4th of July parade and oration, is contemplative about his surroundings as he writes late at night and again reaffirms his love for Dell and how he longs for home, but chooses to “do his duty.”)

Nashville Tenn

Saturday Evening July 5h 1862

My dear wife

Another week has rolled round during which time I have received a letter from you dated on Sunday as I expected for I knew you was writing instead of our Sunday evening visit

How pleasant to anticipate these tokens of love and affection, and how agreeable to realize them; they are to the soldier from home like the manna to the hungry Hebrew wanderer in the wilderness strengthening hope and keeping alive the memories of home, for in every line and word he sees the impress of home and the family circle; therefore let them come thicker and faster and more of them thereby increasing pleasure by the happiness of others

This has been an interesting week to the nation and to this people; yesterday we celebrated another aniversery of our country where one year ago stood an armed force trying to blot from the pages of history the memory of a 4th of July     It was a proud day for the union loving citizens and hosts of them came forward to renew their first love, sanctified by 70 years of prosperity and happiness

There was a fine military display of freedom loving sons with their bright guns gleeming in the hot rays of this July summer sun and as they wound in defile through the streets they were greeted by many a smile of welcom and the flutter of the old stars and stripes

The oration was delivered by the Hon Jorden Stokes an exile from his home but a few months since because he loved his country, and for eloquence patriotism, and scathing rebuke to rebels it exceeded any thing I ever heard before in my life; it was delivered in the Representative Hall of the capital to a cramed audience and from the same desk where King Harris, late valient Gov of Tenn declared publicly that the state was irretrievably gone to the Confederacy its natural ally     I shall send you the address as soon as published

I have been in quite a business this week too   I sold my horse & equipage for $140,  You say it was a business out of pocket, but I think I have made a good trade in it or should not have done so     The weather is very warm and we lay in the shade most of the time, in fact I am getting quite lazy and growing fat every day

You spoke of those straw berries well it almost makes my mouth water to think of it, picked from your own garden fresh too marvels?!   I do not envy you the luxury but long to enjoy it with you; (methinks, maybe, the flavor might be increased) but no use talking -

It is now 10, oclock and all is quiet in camp and I sit here with my tent all open to catch what little breeze may flitter by, fighting bugs, which in scores flitter round my head and candle, being at times a great nuisance and not unfrequently make one think swear if nothing more     This is indeed an hour of reflection the world hushed in slumber save the deep tuned cannon disturbing the timed hearts of the Potomac and Richmond; a sad thought?   Our country imperiled, and her gallant sons bleeding and wounded; O had I omnipotence the thunderbolts of my wrath should carry desolation to the heart of him who should raise his murderous hand against his country or its flag, and cease not until they had repented themselves and restored four fold to those who had suffered

My particular friend Capt MacMudge Co B, is about the return to his home in Quincy for the purpose of recruiting he will call on you by my request and I told him to make himself at home, and I told him also he would find you glad to see him for my sake     Here is a call so good night my love a kiss for you and Bion Arvin

Sunday moring July 6 1863

Another Sunday has come and here I am not feeling quite so well as usual from the slight attack of diarrhea from over eating I think, but shall be better in a day or two as I am thinking     I have done up my prescribing and shall take a bath by and by

There is to be service in camp this morning in the open air beneath the shade of oaks which affords great comfort in this latitude    An aged sycamore extends its protecting branches over my tent and far around giving great comfort beneath its unbrageous bowers     You asked if I wanted your and Bions pictures, I have yours in photograph, but would like Bions and yours also if it is better than the one I have as I like my friends to know that my wife is good looking; of course why shouldn’t I be proud of her, not for the face alone but for the noble qualities of heart and soul that shine through it, making the comly featurs of true woman radient with beauty

I am glad to here you are well and hope you will still be blessed with health   It is rumored we shall leave here in a few days whether true or false I am unable to state but shall inform you as soon as ascertained     It is even asserted that  we shall go to Washington but it is hardy probable as I think there will be plenty to do at Chattanooga and East Tenn - for those devils must be cleaned out and possession had of that important line of RR,    Gen Buell is down there and Gen Michell will cage the prey if they dare remain to try [?] with the iron hearts of the North

Still they will linger as long as they dare ere they skedaddle for that once lost the whole of Tenn is gone for ever to the chagrin of King Davis when those loyal mountaineers will rush to the banner of freedom, organize, and exterminate the hydra monster that crushed them to the earth or exiled from the home of their birth    I trust we may make them hide their faces in the dust or hang their heads to the limbs of the Palmetto of the south

I have some anxiety for the results of the fight before Richmond such vast numbers have fallen to rise no more that I tremble, not doubting the bravery of our men nor the science and ability of the officers but the superior numbers and desperation of the foe makes me shudder for the result    I often think that I will go home to enjoy the comforts of life and my family but when I think of the great struggle I feel it is my duty to remain as long as my health will permit and not leave my post   Is that right and does your noble generous heart say Amen; shall I leave the post of danger when my country calls for the quiet of home, or sacrefice then?? What say you? 

Write an answer these from your true womanly heart     My love to you and Bion and regard to enquiring friends

Your affectionate Husband

Arvin

18 (Arvin reacts with humor to Dell’s “threat” to inflict many letters on her, She had to have some teeth pulled and Arvin asks about who will make new ones for her. He expresses his love for her and his pleasure at the happiness and contentment he senses in her letters.)

Nashville July 7 1862

Dear Wife

To day I received another letter from your dear self in which you threaten to inflict on me lots of letters,  I say Amen!! let them be heavy and often and I in my humility will regard them as light affliction for my sake     You were speaking of Jo’s kindness; he has a generous heart I know full well and will do any thing to accommodate us

He extracted your teeth for you and how many did you have out?   Who is agoing to build your new ones for you and how much is the price?  rather inquisitive he?well as you think best

You say you are very near “enclosed” tis well I hope you remain “closed” and if there is any danger of being broken open lock or nail or both,

It must be a great trial to you the loss of speech and I hardly know how you stand it; you must have no desire to visit now - did you take chloroform? - for what woman could visit without talking; no, no, impossible     Well I am glad you waited till I returned to the South before you was robbed of that faculty for it would not seemed like home     This is warm indeed and I am not well so I thought I would write to you as all of our conversation here often is to be in that way in order to get used to the style of social interview; but if it will make you write more often I shall rejoice in your loss of speech trusting it will come back on my return to your fond embrace O yes I know it will     My dear that letter pleased me not so much for the matter as the manner showing your comparitive happiness and contentment     So write every night and when you have a sheet full send it along for it does me good - it keeps the love fresh burning and every letter is like a new coat to the flame

I have read your letter six times and then read the one dated June 30th and each time did me good and I was thankful that I had a wife to love and be loved in return     And let this love go on planted in childhood culminating only at death; then will our love be peaceful and happy and our children call us blessed

If Daniel Childs think me his best friend then I trust he will listen to the advice I gave him to stay at home be faithful to his employer & honest and he will never lack for friends in health, or sickness, prosperity or adversity

I hope you had a good time the 4th and felt yourself quite independent   I am astonished at Jakes unfaithfulness; I am sure that was not the lessons of his youth and when I see him I will lecture him upon such impropriety

Give my love to him!! respects I mean, to Mrs. Childs and family Avery’s and Fannie in particular and my kind regards to such as may inquire after me

A heap of love to yourself and Bion     Good day & may Heaven bless and keep you

Arvin

19 (Arvin talks about the movement of the troops to forestall an attack on bridges. He talks about how distressed he has been because he has debts to pay. At length he tells Dell how grateful he is that he finally shared his concerns with her and how he feels better and more in love with her because he did.)

Nashville Tenn July 10th 1862

Thursday Evening

My Dear Wife

To day I should have had a letter from you but it did not arrive hence I sit me down to write you   You must think it strange to find me so loquacious for sending so numerous epistles; but I  must confess that I appreciate your loneliness since the novelty of war has passed away and my duties are less arduous, giving more time for reflection the most prominant of which is home and those there hence my desire to hear and be heard from by those who morn my absence and patiently wait my return with a welcome to warm for the cold indifference of the world     It is raining too and that adds to the inspiration for you know I must always write you when it storms for the deep tones of the thunder and lightnings red glare rather turns ones thoughts inward and he must feel that home is anything but close when it rains and storms though comfortable and dry and cozy

Yesterday at 3,o’clock PM we received orders to march again to Murfreesboro this morning being about 30 miles from here to act as Provost Guards    Gen Duffields Brigade having left there and gone to Chattanooga to join Mitchells and Buells Division but at 9 PM we received another order to proceed quietly to Louisville and Nashville Depot with two days rations and 100 rounds of cartrages word having been received by telegram that Morgan with 500 men was near Bowling green for the purpose of burning the bridges there hence to cut off transportation of subsistance to the forces here and of Buell and Mitchell    The rations were all prepared by 11 oclock PM and the Rg moved quietly to this depot 2 miles from camp where cars were in readiness and at 12 o’clk midnight the train started with its living freight in box cars expecting Morgan to attempt to stop it and catch a Tartar     I was unable to go with then not being well which I regretted     Bowling green is in Ky about half way between Louisville and Nashville on the Baron river and I think there will be a fight if the enemy can be found

I did not go because I was not well as I said,   I have had the diarrhea for a few days right sharp yet I have done duty all along, and it was necessary to leave some in camp   therefore I remained now do not get frightened nor worry for I have told you truthfully all that is the matter with me,  because you always say I will not write you when I am sick

I am anxious to hear from the boys they will probably return to night or tomorrow and then where we shall go I cant say; we may return to Ky or go Murfreesboro or somewhere else as the powers that be order

My dear if peace was only achieved in our land there would return to you though it was to eat the bread of poverty to make you happy and raise our little family for usefulness and true humanity     The undercurrent to remain in the service aside from love of country is to procure means to pay my debts for believe me my dear the inability to do so had been the secret source of my unhappiness and had at times rendered me entirely miserable, and you have passed hours of sadness because you saw it and knew not the cause neither did I tell you; and why I can not tell   I knew you loved me and was willing to share my toil and grief and ought to share my happiness    knowing I ought to have informed you all; I was not insensable of your goodness of heart; nor did I think you would love me less by confiding my secret afflictions to you; still I thought I could not and did not , persuading myself that each heart had its own grief     I was aware by the anxious look and tearful eye at times you sought to solve the mystery  again bringing your mind at other times to almost believe that I had forgotten my first love and become estranged which produced sore distress in your loving heart and sadness and tears in those cheerful eyes    Yes I say it and o how it used to make me feel to think you would distress me for one moment in view of the past little thinking that I might by a few words set that noble love at rest and share the true sympathy of one who would give her life, her all for me

And now when I think of it I am ashamed and when I was at home I told you much we talked the thing over but could not think of all in so short a time - the pressing duties then, and business presented as full a confession as I wished yet what I did say has blessed me ever since and I know lifted a load from your heart that gave a new impetus to life making us feel twas good for us to meet and commune

And hence I returned to my duties a better man a happier husband and father not that there was more leave(?) but a harmonious understanding of love, with increased confidence in you which I felt to be reciprocated fully   Now you see why I have so freely written because it does me good it makes me happy and sometimes I think I am falling in love again with you or living over those halcion days when our hearts first felt the genial warmth of first love or I almost ask the question whether I ever knew what love was till now? My dear think me not silly for I have had true happiness in the consoling reflection of having told you much which one year ago I dare not for want of moral courage     Has not the confidence expressed in our short visit made you happy? yes I know it for I felt it    And have you not felt more cheerful and has not the world looked brighter save the dark spot made by the loss of our little one?    I long to see you again for I think it would be a good time and when I return to you again I think our lives will be sweeter and my heart will be better

I should be glad to have you come and see me but I can hardly expect; we are moving about so but am thankful to get to get your loving letters so often    Again the expense could be considerable and your new teeth will compensate in a measure for the pleasure of a visit; at the same time we will hope and write often economizing money not being strict with the true affection which increases with holy exercise

O my dear you never read this heart of mine and neither did I, - I sometimes think I am unworthy of your fervent affection at the same time am resolved to be worthy    Shall I get a letter to morrow!     Give my love to all who wants not robbing yourself - tell Bion papa thinks of him wishes he could him a kiss and a good night but mama must do it for him    Have you heard from Harmony and how is she!

Good night and God bless you my hear wife from

your Husband

20 (A quick note to Dell telling her that the Regiment has moved to Bowling Green, KY.)

Bowling green Ky

Monday July 21s 1862

My Dear Wife

You may be surprised to find us down here,   We left Nashville yesterday arriving here last evening    our Reg is up in Ky at the Capitol and we moved our camp and waggons to this place where its rumored that we are to remain

My health is rather poor    I have the diarrhea yet if we stay here you must come and see me

I write to let you know where we are   shall write in a few days

Your sad belly

Arvin

21 (Arvin talks about the building of a bridge after the Rebels destroyed it, complains about the surrender by a group from Minnesota and hopes Dell can visit him in Bowling Green, KY

Bowling green Ky

Monday night July 21s /62

My Dear Wife

I droped you a short line this morning in which you will see one day earlier where we are than by this     We are 114 miles south of Louisville in between 70 & 80 north of Nashville     The importance of this place aside from being once the strong hold of Buckner is the fine bridge across the Barron river which it just completed costing a vast amount of money and some three months time   the cars until within a few days crossed on a temporary bridge The rebels by distroying it and one at Green river 40 miles north of here would cut of the supplies of Buells Army and hence the importance     Our Reg is at Frankfort and is expected to this place in the course of a few days and it is rumored that we shall be stationed here and if it should be so I want you to come down and see me providing you have money enough so as I want to see you    It may be very warm for you but I guess you can stand it by leaving Bion at home for I should be afraid he would have the diarrhea or dysentery; and if we should lose him, it would be terrible

They are following up Morgan mightly sharp, having whiped him and are now chasing and all we fear is that he will get away     Gen Forrest the one who captured Murfreesboro is at Lebanon Tenn with 2000, cavalry   he had threatened Galistin [probably Galliston] and this place but they are ready to receive him here     He can hardly get here the Cumberland is very high and Col Roan(?) at Galitin sent a ditachment and burned all the ferry boats he could find for 20 miles on the river

Gen Nelson has a strong force at Murfreesboroo and will dress them down if they come     Kentucky is arousing and coming up to the work all over the state   in this city they have to day organized a home guard of 300, and are to be arrived in a few days and mounted on horses of their own  ? that they will follow these gurrillas until they are exterminated

That Murfreesboro surrender was a cowardly thing on the part of Col Lester 3d Minn     After 175 men being surprised fought the Rebels for 8 hours and drove them back until their ammunition was all gone, finely yielded - then to see 800, as fine looking men as ever shouldered a gun supported by four pieces of artillery, stuck their arms to so craven a set of rascals without even firing three rounds is to humiliating for soldiers of the American Army

The men wanted to fight and the Leunt Col  offerred to lead them but the Col would not allow it and ordered a surrender and when they stalked away 200 guns were broken around the trees being unfit for future service, by those brave sons of Minnessota

O when will our Gov give us something but kid glove officers - they are a disgrace to our cause army and country and the quicker they are captured by the Rebels or shot by the Gov, the sooner will the army be rendered effective and our country and cause sustained

We hear nothing from Richman of any importance     Gen Topes style suits me and if all the Generals would do so the sky would brighten and the rebellian would soon subside and thousands of warm hearts at home would welcome back their country noble sons to the quiet of home and the pleasures of life

I wrote you this morning that I was sick, well I thought I was worse but was mistaken     I am feel quite smart    I have done duty all the time but am losing flesh   Sometimes I think I will quit and asked your opinion sometime since but have not heard from you     You complain of my not writing - why the boy say I write to my wife every day and I dont think there is any body else worth writing to   the facts are I take more comfort in wiring to my good wife than any body else and hence she claims my spare time

Yours in love to self and Bion

God bless you good

night and a kiss

Arvin

22 (A light-hearted, teasing letter to Dell, hoping for more letters from her.)

Bowling Green Ky

July 25 1862

Friday night 9, PM

My Dear Wife

Still we are here and I have not heard from you since your letter of the 10th which is very excrusiating especily when so near home, for when we get into Ky it seems more like home and but a little way off    In the mean time I have written ‘heaps’ of times to you which you no doubt have received ere this     I cannot think but there is three or four of your good epistles somewhere and will come round may be having followed the Reg who have not returned yet but a part of which is now in Louisville and the balance is expected there to morrow or a few days

I am going to Louisville to morrow on business and perhaps you better run over and see me and stay one night; just come by telegraph if you do not think it to much trouble   I shall be very glad to receive such a message   My return from Louisville will be on Monday when I think I shall be able to acertain whether we remain in Ky or return to Tenn    If we stay here or any where in Ky I will telegraph you so you may come down if you think best and stay a few weeks see the country and - and -see me

I like this place very well it is pleasant being cool and breezy and nearly all union people; which seems to give a better atmosphere bracing one up making soldiering less tedious than in the extreme south

My dear wife I want a letter it seems so long, an age since I received one, so to day I reread one or two of your old ones to refresh my memory of home and tried to believe that they were just received yet the date was there

Well I suppose you have written so I shall have to answer all when they come which will keep you mighty busy I think with no time to get lonesome; and you see I have bought some small note paper and am agoing to write just as long letters as you do, as I find it takes less time, for writing so long and often take my time and yours in reading if indeed you can interpret them at all    Now what have you to say to that - is it not just??   Any way if you dont write me I shall find me a good union girl down here and marry her  sure sure

Now I guess you will write me some good long one out of spite if nothing else - let them come quicker and faster

I am feeling very much better, health pretty good and I guess if you come down to see me I shall be very much better and it may improve your health to - to - travel in these sunny climes as I observe that most of the ladies appear quite ro-bust in this section

But enough nonsense and a kiss for you and Bion and a good night    God bless you my dear

Your Husband

Arvin

23 & 24 (This letter was written on paper with the heading “United States Hotel Louisville KY.” He wrote as usual and then turned the paper sideways and wrote several lines from bottom to top, making it hard to read some of the words. Arvin is happy to have received six letters from Dell. He hopes she can come to visit. He tells her that the regiment was captured when he was elsewhere, but the surgeons were released with all their personal effects, so Dell was not to worry if he was captured.)

United States Hotel 

Louisville, Ky  July 26th 1862

My Dear Wife

I arrived here last evening and found the Reg and six letters from you (as the mail was stoped here and sent to the Reg instead of to camp) and you better believe that I had a feast and not till the clock announced midnight did I shut my eyes to try to slumber     And when I did sleep it seemed I dreamed, that you was on one side and our dear boy on the other, both in my arms and I gazed on your sleeping forms with pleasure and pride in having so fine a son and noble good wife   I can not answer all your letters to day although its Sunday and I am writing this in my room

Our Reg left for Russellville in this state about 20 west of Bowling Green    There is a RR from the latter place to Russellville and the probability is we shall stay there two or three months so if you can raise money enough come down next week with calculation to stay 4 or 5 weeks   The traveling expense will be not far from 20 dollars

Your rout will be by Southern RR to the crossing then to Indianapolis, Jeffersonville & Louisville     Jeffersonville is opposite this city) (Stop at this Hotel they all know me) Then the Louisville & Nashville RR to Bowling Green where a train immediately goes to Russellville    By leaving home in the PM you arrive the next evening at Louisville (take sleeping car at the crossing name of which  station is LaCroix) then you take the train from this city 7 1/2 oclock ? ? arriving in Russellville the same night

I hardly know whether to advise you to bring Bion or not  I would love to see him but the weather is so hot - do as you think best

Our Reg was paid off last week in this city and being at the camp I did not get mine and probably will not until next pay day   therefor I said if you can raise the money, but I want you to come by all means if you can and write on the receipt of this when you start and maybe I will meet you at Bowling Green or Louisville

Sunday Eve

I have been out to the Barrack for convalescents to see my friend Dr Dowden who was my Asst Surgeon when we was in the Gen Hospital at Belmont, he is a fine fellow, a Kentuckian, and I like him   Capt Mudge left here for home on last Friday and may call on you the latter part of this week   I wish it was me instead of him, for although he is a splendid fellow and one of my best friends yet I fancy my call would be more agreeable to the household, but not being able to do so, I am glad to have my friend

My Dear wife how glad I was to receive so many letters   I had thought you was forgetting me it had been so long since I had received one so I scolded you and kept writing and you no doubt find I am safe  sometime since    The weather in Ky is not so hot as about Tenn especially Nashville and I am in hopes that my health will be better  I rather expect it    You say Mich is recruiting more soldiers   Gov Blair ought to give me a Surgeon Commission but I dont expect it because he had so many pets to suck him that merit and experience will have no influence with him

It is immaterial however as I can serve in a minor capacity yet it would  be very gratifying to  receive a promotion

I am sitting here alone this evening in my room and writing this letter thinking of home and the dear ones there, and you are I think doing the same hundred miles away   still the heart flys through space to the spot and ones we love - distance cannot separate nor bars hold it but on and on to those we left behind to live over again the happy period of the past; bright hope cheering us on to the future

When I look back on the winding path of life, when our hopes were one or first merged into one and see how we have stood together laboring hoping and perservering   I have thanked Heaven and do every day, that it was put into my heart to love you and remain true not running after strange women or facinating belles - You did love me deep and thorough and though all things perish else I feel this afternoon that that affection is still as ardent and will remain so till death and as the soul developes it too will grow and hence I feel a strong conviction that we shall be again united at home, our happy, where we as a united family can enjoy a little more of lifes allotment and the blessings of the future and kindly remembrances of the past

This is all I ask and it seems to me when I shall return again that there will be a little heaven to invite me home   This may be wrong to anticipate so much, but I can not help it; feeling to a certainty that I have one of the best wives on earth and an intelligent son all to love me - and to love by  one who is undeserving certainly makes me sigh for the time we shall bless each other by our fires and without strife escape that which shall make us try to revisit the rough path of life smooth and pleasant to each other

(The above paragraph was written sideways on the last of four pages. The following was written sideways on the third page.)

I am not able to give you any news since Morgan was driven out of the state  I saw that it was published that our Reg was captured and I knew how you would feel so I marked a paper and sent to (on flag and not  clear) and wrote immediately - but the Surgeons were not held at all as prisoners and all their private property was returned to them so you need not be uneasy about me even if I am captured as they do not hold surgeons as prisoners of war nor chaplains for the latter are of no account to either party

(The below paragraphs were written sideways on the second and first pages.)

Wm Bryan did pay me some money and I think it was $3,00 but forgot to include it having so much to think of and bring home so short a time   He paid me in Squires Grocery a few days before I started   If you come down and have room bring my overcoat  I shall not need it till fall so if you can bring it as well as not let it go and I will come home after it and may be stay there

If your teeth are gone how will you get along down here living on corn daggers(?) hard bread and bacon    I suppose you will keep your mouth shut - let me know whether you will come and how soon and if you think best to bring Bion  Write soon addressed(?) to Russellville   God bless you good wife

Affectionately your

Husband Arvin

24.5     (This wasn’t part of any letter, having neither date nor place. At one point Arvin says they’re still in Nashville. He tells about a battle where it appears that the wounded and sick of the 9th surrendered because they were threatened with being “butchered” if they didn’t. After the win the Rebels paroled the privates and sent them back to Nashville, while the officers were taken elsewhere, perhaps Chatanooga. Arvin expresses disgust at two colonels who, through apparent jealousy, were unable to work together to defeat the rebels.)

After about 30 minutes the men succeed in being formed for battle where they fought small in numbers as they were, until nearly 12 oclock at noon repressing several charges in which the gallant 9th killed 50, and wounded 100, of the enemy, their loss was 9 killed and a large number wounded among the latter was Gen Duffield who was shot twice in the groin, said to be mortally; rumor says he is better - During all this time the 2nd Minn had fired but a few times, - the Battery was shelling the town, burning the Depot Buildings - They did not attack the Rebel forces on the Lebanon pike cutting then made after the 9th had surrendered, - and their surrender was facilitated by Col Forrest taking the prisoners which was the Provost Guard and the sick and convalescents in the Hospitals, swearing he would butcher every one unless they surrendered   Duffield being wounded and their small number already reduced from wounds and being short of ammunition they opined with sad hearts agreed to surrender and stacked their arms

The Rebels then attacked the 2nd Minn who after a few rounds surrendered

Nashville was unable to send any reinforcements until it was to late for there were but a few troops here   and if we had been attacked they would certainly taken the city hence rumors were rife that the Rebels were [?] on us by the 10 thousands; cannon were fired at all the enemy coming into the city supported by soldiers; every night the long roll would beat once or twice and the men came out all over the city   Gen Nelson arrived here on thursday night from Huntsville with 6 thousand men and left for Murfreesboro to night this has quieted the public mind in a large degree

Gen Duffiend was left at Murfreesboro by the Rebels in the care of Dr. Smith Asst Surgeon of the 9th Mich when they retreated to the McMirrnville[?] where they paroled the privates and sent them back to Nashville where they are arriving daily - there being some Dozen or more in our camp   The officers were taken on and it is supposed to Chatanooga   We lost nearly 1/2 million of property in that fight and all it looks like, through carlessness and jelousy of two Cols - for if they had not been surprised and could have concentrated their forces, they would not have been captured   So our country has to suffer, and the Rebelian gain strength, the war prolonged

Our Reg is in Frankfort the capital of Ky yesterday and when they shall return is still unknown to us so you see we are very anxious to hear from them    My health is much better, but not very ?ngh   I do not get rid of the diarrhea yet still it is better   I think I shall have to leave the service as the weather or climate and living renders me very unhealthy

I think you may expect me home this fall if not before    as soon as I can get money enough to pay my debts for I am heartily tired of Mi’s[?] policy of protecting rebels and then let them turn round and butcher us The Reg are afraid I will leave them which I shall regret to do but I cant stand it with old Dr Elliot, he is such an old f_c that takes away all my ambition and I sigh for the quiet practice of home with its comforts - and my own family    It really seems hard so long a seperation    still I have been very thankful that you was not here during the excitement of the present week as it would have been unpleasant especially the thermameter at 100 - 102 in the shade

We have moved our camp twice sinc the Reg left and are still in Nashville in sight of the capital 

You appear to not get my letters juding from your letters but I write twice or three times every week   now this last letter from you was dated the 10th - and I wrote you on the 1st 5th - 7 - 9th - 13 - 14th making six letters during this month and I have sent you long ones too thinking that it would take a good part of your time to read them and the balance to answer them so you could be kept busy and get no time to be lonesome

I am glad to hear that Harmony has got along well   Give my love [?] think when you write

Yours as ever

safe yet    my love to self and Bion

Arvin

25 (Arvin is back in Nashville, unsure when he will be ordered to move. So it’s not possible for Dell, and possibly Bion, to come to visit. Arvin talks about not getting his pay again and strongly proposes that a draft be instituted. One was on March 3, 1863.)

Nashville Tenn

Wednesday July 30th 1862

My Dear Wife and Boy

I am again in this city and in camp and as I have written you most every day since my return from home I will continue on in well doing it so it may be termed,    It was with a great deal of reluctance that I returned to this city, feeling sadly disppointed in not going to Russellville because that would have been a post for some time and I know you would have enjoyed a visit and I think I should too; but such is war and orders must be obeyed    while we are quietly lying in camp we may be ordered on a march of an hundred miles   so while we are here there is no certainty of staying 24 hours and still we may remain a month therefore you see that I am unable to give you any advice

I did not get any pay when in Louisville as the pay master had gone to Shiloh, and will not probably until next pay day   everything is quiet here at present, but gorillas will make their raids which amount to nothing by way of helping the rebels, for it is a fact, that wherever these marauders go there is more union men than before for the thieving robbing hellhounds by their plundering have driven a heap of sesesh to the Federal Army for protections, and that will prove to be the case in a good many cases I trust the active policy now adeped will soon make its good effect seen     The first effect will be to make the rebels more barbarans and active but the secondary effect will be to cripple them and destroy which of it had been carried out    12 months ago this Rebellion would have been largely curtailed and no necessity for the largely more men    Nations like men must learn wisdom by the past and if they profit by it ’tis well     I believe it is the duty of the State to draft for there is no earthly reason, nor is it justice to pay our men for volenteering now more than at the commencement of the war   Every true citizens duty is the same to his country and if there was no necessity for going early, and that necessity now exist he ought to go without family willingly and be thankful that he has been spared so long - again by drafting it brings the rich nabob on the same footing and he must either go or obtain a substitute by paying liberally for one, and here is the bounty and the only bounty that I would offer for any man to volenteer   By the State offering money for volunteering it will be asked on the State and a large number of those in the service will have to pay their proportion and endure all the ills of the past enlistment which I don’t believe to be right.

Still we want men and quickly, therefore is another reason why they should draft

You will be greatly surprised I think in receiving the two previous from Louisville but you will not regret it more than I

The mail boy comes for my letter so I shall have to close

My love to you and everyone

Good by   Your Husband

Arvin

26 (Arvin’s health continues to be questionable. He had heard about a new regiment being formed under “Waldron” - the 18th Michigan —nand hoped that he could be appointed surgeon of it. That would mean that he could come north to recover his health … and to see Dell and Bion.)

Nashville Tenn

Aug 4th 1862

My Dear Wife

I have received no letter from you since the batch at Louisville the latest date being July 23d   I wrote you two or three from the above city which you have received ere this   I am informed that they were to raise or rendezvous a Reg at Hillsdale under command of Waldron   Gov Blair ought to make me Surgeon of it and then I could come home and recruit up and by the time it took the [?] my health would be good besides being pleasant and profitable to us, ie, you & I

What think you?

I am on duty but my health is poor and am fearful shall have to resign unless I get an opportunity to go north by promotion and stay four or five weeks

I want to see you very bad but have promised Col Staughton not to leave unless my health fails or the Gov shall send for me - and I have great fear of the latter ie I fear he will not

Had we have gone to Russellville Ky and you came down and seen me I might have been quite content and I know my health would have been better there than farther south    I shall of course submit to the decry[?] of fate

You tell Dan Childs to stay at home say to so often I can hear nothing of that box and it is claimed that it was distroyed by some guerrillas

I dont know as you can help me any there in Hillsdale about getting into that new Reg by seeing Fairfield

I have written Ez to day about it and will let it rest    Give my respect to all who may inquire and love to you and Bion

Ever your

Husband

Arvin

27 (Arvin is almost giddy at the prospect of becoming the Surgeon of the 18th Michigan Regiment and tells Dell about the recommendations he’s received from officers in the Regiment. His friends in Hillsdale are trying to advance his placement, but he frets that physicians in Jonesville, who are still at home, will be able to speak for themselves.)

Nashville Tenn

Wednesday Eve Aug 6th 1862

My Dear Wife

Your letter of the 31st of last month came to hand this morning, the day when you said you would start south, I read in it the anticipated pleasure of once more seeing your husband, and then thought of the sad disappointment on receipt of another letter a few days after countermanding the order which I trust you did receive before any great preparation had been made

I have written you why I thought it not best to come to Nashville and ere this reaches you will have received two or three letters since my last from Louisville   It was a hard task for me to forego the pleasure and I almost felt angry with somebody, I cannot tell who, for causing the necessity, for I had anticipated so much, though and dreamed of it

I was glad my friends had made some effort for my promotion and I think it could be accomplished if they took hold in earnest    I have already written to Bod[?] and Jo[?] of Adrian O,B Clark of Coldwater who has been down here and knows me well   also to Ezra and Judge Wilson asking their influence; also a very strong recommendation I have sent to the Governor for my promotion from Col Staughton, Lient Col Oldridge and Maj Doughty of our Reg    So I think if my friends take hold of the matter success ought to attend the effort unless the Governor has some particular pet to accommodate

The promotion would give me great pleasure and to be assigned to the 18th at Hillsdale would certainly make me laugh which would give me the opportunity of being to home with my dear family at least six weeks which would be a perfect feast to great to hardly expect and I do not allow myself to anticipate so grand an idea - no - no, that is to much good luck to ever grace my plate it being reserved for one more fortunate

I can not persuade my self that I shall succeed and hence I make little or no calculation on promotion from Gov Blair,  I have been tendered it in Tenn Ky and in a M Reg but have pledged myself to accept none except it came from my own state and neither will I if I serve for the next ten years as Assist Surgeon; I may be wrong, but I regard it far more honorable to be respected at home than abroad   It is true I hope, but not in faith that gives assurance

I presume Drs Parsons and Fally will work to secure the position or some of the Jonesville physicians and they being on the ground will help defeat me; but oh Dell how I would like to come home and see you and have hoped that I might be successful thus I might come home; again I think if I could be in Mich the length of time to form a Reg I should be recovered from my diarrhea

But I shall wait and see what will turn up; if it is my luck so be it; if not I shall continue to discharge my duties as long as my health will permit in my present humble position so thus I serve my country

I am glad that they are agoing to draft for I believe that to be correct and expeditious    My health at time is quite tolerable then again I am hardly able to go around & when I have only six or eight passages from the bowels I feel quite well    I have done, and am doing duty every day; still tis hard work and I have lost a good deal of flesh

You say Cap Flint thinks his wife will not let him go - I guess he will not let himself go is the trouble -    If Bions bowels get loose go and get him some chalk mixture; and rhubarb syrup, give him the latter till it operates as a cathartic then the mixture and by taking it in him you can control it

You can tell, for you have a better chance to hear what my prospects of promotion is than I may down here   And it takes six or eight days to get a letter from there    I shall send this to Louisville in the morning by a discharged soldier who will forward it

My love and hope that I may be successfull and meet within the next 20 days my dear wife and boy

As ever yours, Husband

Arvin

28 (Arvin is happy that Dell’s letters have reached him. He is greatly hopeful that Gov. Blair will appoint him Surgeon of the 18th Michigan, currently forming in Hillsdale. His hope is tempered by a protective urge in which he states that it probably won’t happen. He reflects on the courtship of himself and Dell, counting himself so fortunate that as a man unworthy of such devotion he has received Dell’s care and dedication to his well being. The diarrhea that has plagued him seems to be better … which he thinks might be due to the hope he has that he may be able to get home soon.)

Nashville Tenn

Saturday Aug 9th 1862

My Dear Wife

Yesterday brought me your good letter mailed the 4th the quickest time made yet by any letter received from you and the day before brought me two mailed July 27th & 26

I answered your letter of Aug 1st and you no doubt have received it before this and I write you to night because I am agoing tomorrow nine miles from here to see some of the three Co’s guarding RR bridges and I shall not be allowed my usual visit with you so I take it to night    You refer to order No, 2 and none regrets the necessity of said order more than I and I feel the loss of your visit keenly, and have dared to hope for a few days that I might be able to see you in a week or two   for if my friends in Hillsdale and Adrian make much effort they can secure me a position in the 18th Reg

It is true that it is hard to tell what Gov Blair may do, yet he will hardly disregard any strong effort of the prominent men of those place backed by the strong recommendation from the Col Liet Col and Maj of our Reg

Nothing would afford me so great a pleasure as an opportunity of spending a few weeks with my family recruiting my health and enjoying the society of one of the best wives ever permitted to sooth the ills of life of man - for you grow dearer to me every day and your pure devotedness and affection seems plain, while I regret that I should have caused your noble heart a single pang or moved in any degree a life entirely devoted to the welfare of myself: but we are often the most blind when we think we see the most perfectly and such is life

The expense of some new clothes I presume was necessary even to stay at home with and so far as the temporary teeth are concerned they will enable you to use the permanent set to a better advantage when you get them, and the increased labor of getting ready will expedite your work and give you more time to visit with your husband by letter, or if I should possibly, through the extraordinary luck, be promoted and come home so you see it may not be entirely lost    As to sending those pictures you can tell, by acertaining the probability of my coming home and inquiring of Dr Lord or those who have interested themselves in presenting that petition    It should be carried by some one and not sent by mail   I of course will pay the necessary expense and by the time this reaches you, you will have found out what the prospect is, and when, you find to a certainty that the thing has failed send them along

I trust I may be successful for your sake for you would be proud of my promotion as well as myself besides the blessed privelege of seeing you and more which is a great stimulus to hope yet I do confess that my confidence is not very strong    I told you I had written to Bodwell and Io, my never failing friends, asking a cooperation and to Mr OB Clark (Sam Delamater’s father in law Coldwater) with my friends at home, So I anxiously await the issue,   If the thing is yet undecided you might go down to Adrian and see them or write to Io as you shall deem proper    Also call on Mr Warren or Dr Wheaton and ask them to go with a petition tell them you will pay them for it    Well my dear perhaps I am to anxious, but I want to fold you and our dear boy in my arms once more and that is the only way in which it can be done unless I resign which I shall not do unless my health compels me to - then why should I not be anxious, mingled as it is with doubt and fear though it be

I hear there is to be an additional Asst Surgeon appointed to each Reg - ask Ez if it is so which if true I shall make an effort for Sherm especially if I stay in this Reg, (and is it very probable) as it would be highly satisfactory to the officers and men

       Chancy Koon is not very well and I am agoing to morrow to see him    His Co is one of those guarding bridges but only about four miles from here    The flags in the city are at half mast to day mourning the loss of Gen McCook whose body arrived last evening having been assassinated by a bushwhacker some sixty miles South East of here

His Brigade was on the move and he being unwell rode ahead of the column in an ambulance looking for a camping place with some of his officers and was set upon by some of the damnable scoundrels and murdered     The men so exasperated that they caught about 30 and hanged to the trees and yet ten thousand such worthless lives would hardly compensate for the murder of the gallant McCook

This is a magnificent evening, the moon shining through the tall trees of our camp ground while the katadid sings from a thousand branches makes me live the past over - for as I gaze from my tent I am forcably reminded of the happy hours by moonlight that we gazed from the Deacons parlor window and thought of the future - those were the dreams of first love making the future full of hope and happiness, - how much has been realized our hearts can tell - still how changed - what experiences  - then I was a young man ardent perservering, and you a maiden loving confiding giving your young heart devotion as a tribute to the happiness in the distance - the interum how joyful how sad - joyful in the confirmation of the cerimonial mien of our hearts, two lovely children and many happy days - sad - sad in the little troubles and embarrassments of life, but still greater the death of one of those little ones, which was like an arrow to the vitals casting a gloom on life itself    when I reflect on it, tis most like a dream, - a happy, sorrowful dream and I wonder why it is so, - why you ever gave your young heart to one so unworthy - and how like others you did not withdraw that love during those long years of wandering - But Heaven knows; I believe all is for the best, still the reflection crowds upon my mind    And if I return not again to my home to enjoy the blessed smiles of a loving family, I shall have had happy conciousness that your heart followed me and your prays also; whether it be in weel or woe, life or death and if the latter, that my child will be taught to revere his fathers name, for the love which his mother bestowed on him    I may not be able to pay Mr Morgan by the first of September unless I come home as the pay master has not been around yet and may not come before that time; but it shall be forthcoming as soon as possible

If the children trouble you procure a chain and lock the gate baring them if they wish to get water to behave themselves     Mr Childs folks are so kind to you, I hope you will not trouble them any more than you can help; I dont mean for you not to go there, but making yourself independent which I know you will do without any intimation

Does Sister Lib [or Lil] come to see you, if she does repay it so as to make it as agreeable as you can for I know you have many lonely hours and any thing that will add to your every day pleasure will serve to shorten time and make it pass more agreeable

I shall expect a letter Monday or Tuesday from you and by the time you receive this I think you will know very near whether I come home or not    If the Gov gives me that promotion let me know or if he does not,    I shall have to have an official notice before I can leave here however, still I would like to know either way it may go

It is midnight and I must close,  I shall write you again Monday or Tuesday    Good night and God bless you   A warm kiss to you and Bion and a kind remembrance to my friends

Yours faithfully unto death

Your Husband

Arvin

[This letter was six pages long, the fifth and sixth pages on a separate page. Written sideways on the fifth page was the following:]

My diarrhea is a little better - which is the way it runs however I have felt better for a few days past than in four weeks - Hope may do this - yet with very little expectation    You did not say whether the troops had begun to arrive in camp yet

29 (Arvin continues to think about the possibility that he can become the Surgeon of the 18th Michigan. He feels it slipping our of his hands because of what he perceived to be Gov. Blair’s political ambition to be appointed as U.S. Senator from Michigan and the need therefore to court the right people. Dell has apparently done her best to secure the Surgeon position for Arvid, but apparently has cautioned him from counting on it.Arvin’s diarrhea is better, but persistent.)

Nashville Tenn

Friday Eve Aug 15th 1862

My Dear Wife

I received two letters from you to day dated the 8th & 10th by which I was glad to hear you are all well; for health is the first consideration and when it blesses us who would be unhappy again your patriotic and happy frame of mind next to your own dear love is what I most highly admire    You ask about my health? it is better and I can endure a good deal of labor yet my diarrhea goes and comes like that ancient Matrons Soap  So frequently spoken of

You speak of drafting[?] I am glad to hear it, my reasons are already given you in some of my previous letters and there is no more reason why Pres Fairfield should not help to support a Government that has enabled him to secure a position of favor socially intellectually and politically than the poorest man in the land nor is he surrounded by all the comforts of life and a happy home any nearer to wife and children than many who have gone to the loud call of our country long months ago   There has been a struggle in many a wife’s mother’s and sister’s bosom as they bade a farewell and a God Speed to the hundreds of proud hearts who have offered themselves upon their country’s alter - proud offerings    I wrote you on Monday last   I think and with feelings of pleasure I sit down to chat for a few moments this evening for who can be so happy as he who has so noble a friend, compelling, loving a wife as I and to be promoted in her heart and respected is greater than any favor which Gov Blair can confer on me; for I less merit the former than the latter    Your true womanly qualities command my highest admiration and though the world sees it not what matters that to me for I see it and appreciate it and feel a pride in acknowledging that which the world holds back until death has put it by and the reach of farther flight    I may be selfish yet the one feeling of my heart is to try to understand our relations to add to the love that cements our union in life or in death to make you happy and myself worthy of all the love you do or may bestow on me

The great view of life is progress, - in all things; from the cradle to the grave and he who fails in this has lived in vain - To grow in grace is called scriptural; but to grow in all the qualities of heart and mind is what the God of Nature designed; and when directed properly adds to the beauty of life,    Now that I have progress in all things I will not say, but one thing I can say   I have grown in the appreciation of my good wife and if she has not advanced, tis because of my dullness or carlessness in not seeing so prominently before    Another thing affords me satisfaction, being respected by those who know me best - at home and by hundres of those who like myself have tried to support the Government of my country   Gov Blair cannot rob me of that; more precious than gold or silver or any position within his excellence’s gift; which I will not watch with a jelous eye nor weep if he withholds his farther patronage.    You tell me not to anticipate to much my promotion  I do not and in fact I shall be disappointed if he does promote me - because if he has any favor to bestow it comes at the eleventh hour, and I have no confidence in him at all, as he does not expect to gain any political favor from me being away from home hence he will probably give it to the one who can give him the most influence - for politics I find is an ingredient of all his acts as the, U,S, Senate he hopes to reach the coming winter as successor to Chandler   I may judge him wrong bully if so I will make due amends by acknowledging it    I am under great obligations to my old friend Warren (from whom I also received a letter to day) for the interest he has taken in securing my promotion and any thing I can do to return the favor or cancell the obligation will be most cheerfully performed

I shall write him soon but I must answer yours first; then I shall give him “some letter”   So far as Drs A[?]ressy and French are concerned in refusing to sign my petition I care but little, for both are under obligation to me besides they may be looking for something of the kind which I am sorry to say they are not quallified to fill - although both expressed a great desire to aid me when I was at home    Tis late my dear and I must close but will write some more in the morning as this will leave on Sunday morning    Just dream that I am there and have your dear self in my arms  Warm kisses from your loving Husband

Good night    Arvin

30 (The regiment is blockaded by the “gurrillas” and Arvin is sending this brief letter by “private conveyance.” He guesses that when he receives the next letter from Dell he will hear whether he has been promoted to Surgeon of the 18th Michigan.)

Nashville Tenn

Aug 26th 1862

My Dear Wife

An opportunity offering I send you a short line by private conveyance as we have been blockaded since the 13th   The last letter from you was on the 11th since which time I have heard nothing    The gurrillas have had possession of the road

By this time you know wheather Gov Blair is agoing to promote me or not   When the mail comes I shall expect to hear which will be within a week or ten days   My health is very good now

I have no time to write news so be contented to hear that I am well and all right

Yours as ever

Arv

31 (The Rebels, under Morgan, took control of Galatin (spelled “Galitin” by Arvin). Union Brig. Gen. Joshua and his 600 cavalry were taken prisoner by Morgan, and then Union officer Nelson took back possession of the road. In all that, the Rebels destroyed a tunnel. Arvin’s regiment has been unable to get out letters. He suggests that Dell send him a telegram if he’s promoted to Surgeon, and that he will come home if the pay of the Assistant Surgeons’ is cut.)

Nashville August 28th 1862

My Dear Wife

I wrote you a few lines the other day and sent by a Gentleman to Mich to let you know that I was still safe and my health good for me

We were blockaded by the John Morgan getting possession of Galitin some 25 miles north of here on the Louisville RR and capturing the forces then (200 strong) and burning the bridges; they also distroyed a tunnel by backing a train of cars loaded with wood and firing it burning out the ribbing that formed the arch    Our Reg went up to Galitin on the night of the 13th with the 69th Ohio and drove Morgan out and then we were ordered out or back to Nashville, it being threatened    Morgan then returned and burned more bridges    Brig Gen Joshua went up with some 600 Cavalry and was taken prisoner by Morgan and finely Nelson went up and drove them out and we have possession of the road now   they are reparing the road as fast as possible but it will be sometime before the cars run again

We have been cut off from the news since the 13th and the last letter which I received from you was mailed the 11th [?] which I answered and presume is in the P,O, now in this city   I have not written any because letters would no go so I have set quietly down to await the results

All the troops have been on half rations for sometime still do not infer that we have only half enough to eat for we have more than before as there are foraging parties who bring in potatoes corn cabbage onions beets and mutton; so we are fattening instead of growing poor

Buells whole army is falling back to this point and we shall have to fight the whole ground over again    I feel disgusted by our endurance but add no comment    New troops are arriving in Ky especially and there will be 100,000 men in this department in 60 days

For the last two weeks there has been constant alarm of attacks and we have lain every night on our arms and now the order is to form in battle line every morning at 3,o’clock

I am extremely anxious to hear form you also to hear what the Gov proposes to do with me    It may be 10 days before we get any mail yet - but - the Telegraph will be open by the time this reaches you (as I send it by private source to Louisville) and if Govenor has promoted me telegraph me but if not write to me by which time I shall receive it    I am told here that Congress has cut down Assist Surgeons wages to $109, a month, which if so I shall come home as soon as I can get away for the best of reasons    How soon will the 18th Reg leave the state and are they to be fully equiped before leaving

It is so perplexing not to get one of your good letters every few days that I can hardly endure it; for the last two weeks I have nearly worn your picture out looking at it as that serves as a substitute for letters as I imagine you are writing them and I should have been often glad by their presence if not for the cursed gurrillas

I hope you are well and Bion poor boy I have feared he would have the dysentery; if I could kiss him and my dear wife I think it would be a new era at least the dawn of new life   But we will wait or abide our time    Write me all the news you can find and if any one is coming south send by them to Nashville which is not probable however I shall write you by every private conveyance I can untill the mail runs again  If you telegraph do it in as few words as possible directing as you would a letter I hope will reach you on Tuesday or Wednesday of next week

Your Affectionate Husband

Arvin

32 (Mail hasn’t gotten through to Arvin’s regiment for three weeks. He’s homesick, and the uncertainty of his promotion makes everything worse. The regiment has received orders to march to Murfreesboro and another unknown destination.)

Nashville Tenn

Saturday Aug 30th 1862

Dear Dell

Mr Scovell who is discharged from the service expects to start for Mich in a few days and will call at Hillsdale therefore I will avail myself of the opportunity to write you again

We have marching orders at 4, o’clock to morrow morning for Murfreesboro and thence somewhere else yet unknown to us and I must confess it is with some feeling of sadness that I leave Nashville without hearing a single word from home for three weeks    Besides I have hoped that I should have been home ere this - and the suspense which I now labor under fear and hope contending, is the worst feeling of all   It makes one feel discontented and unsettled in everything and hence I regret leaving here without first knowing to a certainty that I am or am not agoing to be promoted   Now I much rather Gov would say no than to keep me waiting and I can not but feel that there is something in the mail that would settle the matter but that has not been received for 18 days and will not for a week or more    So you see I am in a dilema for I can not remain behind upon uncertainty   Now you may be able to partly appreciate my fix; cut off as we are from all news by letter still the telegraph is in operation to day and I should send a message but would not have time to receive a dispatch

You this PM will no doubt get a short line from me to day so that will inform you that I am all right and health pretty fair but when you will receive this I can not say for the carrier may be delayed on the way   I am most unhappy or homesick and have made up my mind to go home this fall by leave of absence, promotion or resignation   if by the latter, I may return to the service by going in on a contract as its better than being with a Reg and the salery is better than to be an Assistant Surgeon   Gen Buell has refused to accept resignations unless for sickness and I think I can get one; although my diarrhea is better and I hope I shall continue on in that direction

I have sent you two letters by private conveyance so you will not worry about me   It is almost killing to go so long without a letter from you and I anticipate a good lot of them if they ever come through until then I shall wait with impatience    Tell Warren if I am made Surgeon I will do all I can for him

My respect to all my friends and a heap of love for you and Bion.

God Bless you    As ever

Arvin

33 (The troops have been marched from Nashville to Murfreesboro in preparation for a battle. Arvin hears rumors about a Confederate attempt to surround them and shares his disgust that the Union isn’t as vigorous in fighting as the Rebels. He admits that he really can’t know because he doesn’t know the full picture. In the midst of all this he hopes for a delivery of mail since its been four weeks in any got to the troops.)

Murfreesboro Tenn

Sept 2nd 1862

My Dear Wife

We arrived here last night about 3,o,clock PM having marched from Nashville    what our destination will be I cannot say but probably after Morgan who is north east of here in the edge of Ky also Starius[?] and Forrest    The expedition will consist of 2 Regiments of Infantry 2 Batteries of Artillery and 2 thousand Cavalry    The infantry under Gen Miller

This is the plan if carried out    I am in hopes to get some mail in a few days as I learn that they are bringing it through by teams from Franklin to Nashville it being 40 miles and a gladder set of men you will not find   it is now nearly 4 weeks since I heard from the dear ones at home

Times are looking bad in this department and our troops are falling  back from Huntsville and Stephenson it is rumored that Gen Kurly Smith has crossed the mountains and got into Ky in the rear of our Gen Morgan at Cumberlan gap in order to cut off the supplies of our force there   Gen Nelson is near Lexinton Ky organizing the new troops and is expected to move to the support of Gen Morgan   That the Rebels are bound to have the crops of middle Tenn and Ky at very great hazards is beyond a doubt and Buells seems bound to let them judging from present appearances; still I may be mistaken and one thing is true that we are not the proper judges not having the means to know the strength of our forces or those of the enemy

Telegraph brought no good news from Seigle at Manassas, still we wait for more with anxiety

Things look dark as if our Government were not doing their duty or acting with sufficient vigor to put down this rebellion    I may be discontented and dissatisfied in feelings but never the less if we act with as much vigor as the Confederates this war would soon be ended and the Devils who made it pay the forfeiture of their helish designs and peace again established   But when that thing will occur I can not predict   I am writing on my port folio under a large tree which should give a sort of Romance to one’s feeling but not so to mine; my health is very good at present and if you should see me you would think me a colored man I am so black from the sun or naturally

My desire to hear from you is as great as ever yet with a hope of its being satisfied in the course of a few days and then I shall feel better

We are being mustered to day for pay and will get it some time   We are all straped and if all the money in Reg was picked up there might be a hundred dollars   I know that I have two dollars so I am not out entirely    Write often

Yours as ever

Arvin

34 (Arvin finally received letters from home, with them the disappointing news that another physician had been appointed to the 18th Michigan to act as Surgeon. While saying he just wanted resolution of the matter, he spends a great part of the letter talking about how merit has been replaced by favoritism in the appointment by Gov. Blair. This extends to the generals also. Arvin is disgusted that Gen. Buell dismissed generals Mitchell and Turchin. [Buell was seen as a brave and industrious tactician, but too cautious and rigid to meet the challenges he faced. He was relieved of field command in late 1862.] Arvin is still hoping to come home in the fall.)

Nashville Tenn

Sept 6th 1862

My Dear Wife

Last evening was a grand time having returned from Murfreesboro where we went a week ago; we sure were worn out with marching in the hot sun and dust; I had washed and bathed when lo, the cry went out through camp, “the mail has come,” every body stoped and waited its distribution and I had a dozen letters; five of which was from my dear wife and you may be assured that I had a feast although they brought the news of disappointed hopes and the impossibility of a reunion with a noble wife and dear son very soon    That of course was discouraging still to hear from you and know that you are well is good news at any time    Again I wanted the matter settled for it made me discontented an unfit for anything

Dr Root I am some acquainted with and fear he is not the man but trust I am mistaken for God deliver any Reg from the hands of an inefficient surgeon   The trials and hardships of a soldiers life are bad enough at the best but when sick the kind care of the ministering angel in the form of a mother sister or wife can not sooth their aching head and throbing heart - tis then the surgeon becomes a mother sister &c and by his kindness and humanity takes the place of the former as well as medical adviser and he who knows his duty & does it is the true physician tword whom the poor soldiers hearts will warm with gratitude and the Gods of humanity will know

As I have said, I care but little about promotion, as many would be my regrets in leaving the 11th Michigan for I have warm true friends here, who tell me that they desire my stay in the Reg still admit that I am worthy of promotion and would be of more service, in a new Reg, to the country than to remain; my great desire was to go north for a few weeks see my family and recruit my health

I am glad Capt Mudge called on you for he is a splendid fellow, but guess he must have been a little lavish of his praise of your husband for your especial benefit knowing that the gladness of a womans heart would compensate in a measure for the absence of her companion

But he is a good fellow and is not to blame in giving you a little comfort in our disappointment    So far as Gov Blair is concerned I have not expected much from him, believing him prejudiced against our place and unwilling to do me a favor unless compelled to and shall not ask another of him very soon   I should like to be in the Legislature this winter and if I was elected would pay him back four fold I think as I am disgusted with him and feel same as Ez does that if honest he is a wooden Gov and if dishonest the sooner we get rid of him the better

Things are looking dark and Washington is again in danger    Buell has got rid of two of his best Generals because they were fighting men (Gens Mitchell and Turchin) and looked on treason as a crime   now he is retreating or falling back on this place having abandoned all below here while the Rebel Smith has outflanked him and gone into Ky and now threatens Cincinati    And I would not be surprised if we have to leave this place for a while to fight it all over again in the spring   Where the fault is I cant say, but favoritism is a prominant cause and not merit or ability for positions has been kept in view

The same thing Gov B is guilty of I should think by appearances   I have me a single instance when merit has ever been rewarded when it could be avoided and I will admit that his patriotism is greater than his desire for the US Senate which must be very extensive

The new troops will not be able to do much for some months and then the winter rains will be an excuse or sickness and hence we shall dally along until we are whiped   O my God what policy!!!   I will leave the subject

I received a letter from James saying they were very well and he would go into the army if he could leave father and mother    I shall write to him to stay at home and if drafted employ a substitute and I will help pay for one as he can not be spared

My health is fair yet still I have a diarrhea all the time and voracious appetite which keeps me up and moving   I shall come home this fall I think anyway if I can leave honorably or if my health is not better   So make calculations accordingly    I do not look for promotion from the Governor and would think it a disgrace to accept it from any body else outside my own state and never will, but will serve my life out as assist surgeon or shoulder a musket first

Here comes some men to attend to and I must stop for awhile

Evening   Well here I am again and I think I will spend a few moments in talking   Just imagine a warm September evening in the south whose sunny skies have scarcely been clouded for eight weeks and your own dear husband seated in his tent with port folio in hand - his candle on a stake driven in the ground and a merry joke of the camp passing from company along the line or the music of the violin and the hilarity of the sable sons of Africa who have sought refuge within our lines, dancing a juber[?] and you will have some idea of the camp of the 11th Mich for we are a jolly set and one of the best set of men

35 (This is a letter to a man Arvin hoped would advance his promotion to surgeon of the 18th Michigan Infantry. Along with thanking Judge Wilson he decries the leadership of the generals and the apparent appointments of military leaders through favoritism rather than merit. He speaks of the losses at Manassas and Bull run due to inept generals.)

Nashville Tenn

Saturday Sept 6th 1862

Hon EHC Wilson

My Dear Judge

I was glad to hear from you and accept my thanks for your interest in my prosperity   When I wrote you I was not aware that my friends had anticipated me in asking my appointment to the 18th which affords me as much pleasure as it would to have received it at the hands of the Gov unasked for by them   I may be presumptuous in thinking that I can better serve my country as Surgeon than as Assistant still the experience I have had would enable me to render better service to new troops who have all to go through the process of acclimation having wintered and summered in the field of their operations,   And knowing also that the efficiency of the men as well as life, depends very much upon the Surgeons it seems to me that the true policy of the Gov should be to promote worthy Assist Surgeons and appoint those in civil practice as assistants

I have not heard of his promoting a single one and I know he has made some very poor appointments of surgeons

I have some acquaintance with Dr Root and never have regarded him as much of a surgeon but may be mistaken; but trust he may be well qualified for the place; for God have mercy on the Reg that may be cursed with a poor surgeon

As to my qualifications I need not plead but will leave to the Reg to judge feeling that I have done my duty as far as it was possible, and my services are fully appreciated by men and officers who have expressed many regrets even at a prospect of leaving them   So far as my promotion is concerned I care but little so the Governor makes a good selection; but he seems to have a special liking in refuting the requests of our citizens, whether for the purpose of spite and insult or because there is better material beyond our town    I was greatly surprised to hear of his promoting Lumbard & think he must have forgotten that his residence was in Hillsdale

The whole management of this war shows favoritism without regard to ability for the position   Look at Washington, menaced by the foe again and another grand skedaddle from Manassas more shameful than that of Bull Run because by vetrans and under Generals who have told us that Richmond was in sight, almost within our grasp and would be ours in a few days - see the blood, treasury and decimated ranks of our Grand Army of Virginia and ask where Richmond is!  Where is Washington?

How is it in the west? Mitchell is gone and Turchin discharged, and Buell has evacuated Huntsville Athens Stephenson McMumville[?], Columbia and fallen or falling back on Nashville and Bragg threatens his rear while Gen Kirby Smith has outflanked him crossed the Cumberland Mountains into Ky and now threatens Cincinati cutting off our Gen Morgan at the Cumberland Gap from supplies compelling him to leave that strong hold in the mountains or starve O my God!! What is the hope in such generalship?   Where is the fault? The loyal states have responded to the call of the Government for men and many hard battles have been fought and the bravery of our men surprises the military of the old world   still volenteers offer themselves freely upon the alters of our country, our cause being just; again where is the fault?

It looks dark to me and I tremble for our nation - another twelves months of such experience and our people discouraged, the Nation bankrupted, southern C,S,A, recognized by European Powers dissensions among ourselves, and who would dare perdict the sad end of a great Nation, a glorious free country.     My God it makes me sick to reflect on it! O may Heaven avert such a calamity - and raise up leaders, honest, patriotic fighting Generals who shall have their countrys good in view - whose fighting shall be to save the nation and not for show or money

My health is better than it was still I have a chronic diarrhea and sometime feel as though I should be compelled to leave the service or go north for a short time - hence were I in a new Reg the time occupied in organizing it would give me a chance to recuperate & in all probability become cured of it   still if the Gov disagrees with my opinion and those of my fellow citizens who have so kindly aided in trying to secure my promotion, why I shall quietly submit labor to support the constitution  by doing my duty as long as life and health is given me

Remember me to our friends A & P, and Foot, and give them my regrets for the many “bold stands that we might have had, were I only surgeon of the 18th

Yours Truly

A F Whelan

36    (The blockade of Nashville. Arvin complains of the Union generals who seem to be unable to act effectively. C.J. Dickerson, from Hillsdale, pleasing Arvin very much. Dell had heard some rumors about him that were not flattering. Arvin chides her gently about not jumping to conclusions on the basis of rumor.)

Nashville Tenn

Sunday Sept 21st 1862

My Dear Wife

I sit down to day to write you not knowing when it may reach you as there has been no mail left here since the 12th of last month and all I have sent you is by private persons going through who occasionly run the blockade and when an other opportunity will offer I can not tell    Nevertheless I feel I must write you for to be deprived of your letters is a serious loss and I know you are conguring up all kind of fears for my safty - I am still here in the city of rocks belonging to the 8th Division and 29th Brigade & 11 Mich vol in fact The Gen Megley commands the Division and Col Stanley of the 18th Ohio the Brigade; Col Staughter has had command of it, but Stanley outranks him   Our Col is much the better man and ought to be a Brigadier

We are looking for a fight every day as it is said that Breckenridge is at Murfreesboro expecting to attack this city and if he does he will go farther from the Cumberland to find water than he did from the Mississippi at Baton Rogue for we are prepared for him and want him to come but none such good luck     Bragg, Smith and Marshall will be bagged[?] in Ky as sure as the sun rises if our General only fight - but Buell seems so afraid of hurting some body that I tremble for fear the scoundrels may be allowed to slide out     God grant that they may be driven to the wall

One week ago yesterday the 10th Mich with other troops arrived from Tuscumbia Ala and I was highly delighted to shake hand with Col C J Dickerson    I do not know when I have been more pleased to meet an old friend, for I must say of Dick that he has been one of my best friends when I was in need, honest in his counsel and honorable in his business intercourse and dealing   I never went to him for help in money or influence in vain and I was pained by one of your criticisms of him not long since founded upon the slanders or insinuations of Capt Judd and others who delight to magnify the errors of our frail nature into heinous crimes fo every conceivable hue and kind

I did not reply to you letter concerning him but felt that you had done him injustice   I have taken great pains to acertain his standing in his Brigade and Reg and find it to be No 1   And as to his drunkenness, I must say there is not the least shade of truth in any insinuation or assertion made by Capt J or any body else to prove it while Col Sumer may scarrit[?], (who is a Baptist surgeon) of Dicks Reg inform me that he is very temperate in all his habits; the same I am also informed by the Chaplain of the 14th Mich which is in the same Brigade   While all the officers of the Reg say that Capt Judd was a very inefficient officer, complaining and fault finding, and had more privileges granted him than any other officer and things were overlooked committed by him that would have met with sever rebuke; but Col Dick would ease the thing down & smooth the matter over and this is the reward he is receiving

My Dear you must not forget that all are not prefect nor be ready to believe everything which scandal deals out for truth and I am happy to say to the people of Hillsdale that Col C J Dickerson makes a good officer is brave, yet cautious does his duty promply, good and kind to his inferiors and respectful to his superiors, having the respect and confidence of all which is more than I can say for all   He is well an hearty and appears to enjoy the service as far as a man can separated from his family and friends   (I shall call on him this PM)

I want justice done in all cases and I think you will agree with me in that matter and why you are so prejudiced agains Dick I can not say; he has his failings and so has every man; your own dear husband has many and I dare say same loquacious feminine friend is now regaling her friends by a recitation of them; what what account is that?

Charity is a Divine Law and so let us examine every one under it spacious folds and methinks we shall find more good in all

Sunday eve

My Dear Well here I am on a Sunday night again, did not see Dick, have been to busy &c   I have been informed of a chance to send this letter next Wednesday so you will hear from your lone one again who to night would be most happy for only a few hours visit with his dear wife and child for these beautiful cool evenings would be made more delightful by your presence    A September in the south is more splendid warm through the day, cool and pleasant nights makes them beyond any idea of fine weather experienced at the north   Yet all this beauty is lost when one thinks of home - for the sunshine that is within the homly domicil of unworthy me is more splendid than all the sunny south and though it may be frigid without yet the warm hearts within would give sunshine to the stars    O I am tired of the way things are going and discouraged by the treatment which the Governor has given me and my health not very good makes me turn my eyes longingly toward your arms for that true sympathy, that love and affection which the world can not give and knows not of     no no none has felt the love to warm his soul except he has a soul that can realize the depth of true marvelous love    and where shall I turn for it except to you

I am not very well   my diarrhea still continues & still I work   my appetite fair and quinine[?] keeps the [?] up - Good night and God bless you  a kiss each for you & Bion

Arvin

37 (Arvin is in despair. They are surrounded by Confederates and are running seriously low on provisions. There is hope that the railroad will be repaired and open again soon. Understandably, Arvin is so angry at his situation and what he perceives to be the incompetence of the generals that he declares that if Europe wants to deal with the south then the Union troops should leave them to it and go home to defend their freedom. He is so despondent about the situation that he says that the Union troops should go into the south and hang every man, woman and child.)

Monday morning

Sept 22 1862

We have nothing new in the war this morning    The fortifications about this place are strong and they are now working about 2000, negroes and 1000, soldiers in completing them every day

The gurrillas are all round here and as the only provisions we have is forage so that foraging parties have frequent skirmishes with them and occasionly some of our men get gobbled up with an occasional shooting of our pickets

Coffee or sugar, rice & beans have not been issued for three week, and all bacon we get is what little is captured,   We have plenty of beef and mutton salt and bread and a few sweet potatoes 

Butter is 75 cents a pound and miserable stuff at that   sugar cannot be bought and coffee $1.50 per pound; we fortunately had 20, pound of tea on hand, but are compeled to drink it clear   Here are 16,000 troops living entirely on the rebels by foraging parties going out in strong force every day, but we shall soon short[?] unless they open the Louisvile & Nashville RR and the water rises in the cumberland

The men need coffee and sugar and salt provisions and shoes & clothes before long and unless we get them we shall be compelled to abandon this place still there is not a murmur in the troops and there appears to be some prospect of the RR being opened soon and I think they will guard it more thoroughly hereafter    We have 200,000 troops in Ky now nearly 1/2 of which are old vetrans and if that state is not cleared of traitors the people are not to blame and our Generals ought to be shot    We have had reverses enough and when we go south again let be with a sword in one hand and plenty of ropes in the other driving every secesh man woman & child before us to the gulf if its briny waters would not refuse to receive the miserable devils   I want no more pitting[?] of the Divils and no more favors shown them

Unless we can do this I am in favor of leaving them and if Europe will acknowledge them let them rip and we all will go home and protect freedoms soil and our own homes, build a wall high as the heavens between us, turn the waters of the great rivers away from them

The rank and file of the whole army are disgusted with the proceedings   We do not hear a word from the Potomac and in fact nothing outside this city

I shall have to close until evening again   So good bye

Affectionately

Your husband

Arvin

38 (In a hasty scrawl Arvin reminds Dell to pay her taxes and as much as she can to Mr. Morgan. Arvin has not been paid because of a blockade by the Rebels. He has to borrow from others. He’s concerned Dell is completely out of money. His health is bad and he’s thinking about resigning and coming home, having served his country well so far.)

Tuesday Sept 23d 1862

My Dear Wife   We remain in [?] so far as military is concerned and no news   But how I long to see you which I think I shall do in about five or six weeks; for if I cannot come home I shall resign   I feel I have served my country faithfully and my health is poor therefore I feel compelled to leave the service for a short time at least and you may look for me about the last of October unless I get a good deal worse when I shall come soon   We have had no pay yet nor shall be able to until the Rebels are whiped in Kentucky and communication opened   I have borrowed so that I have had enough for use so far   You must be out entirely unless you can collect some; you must do the best you can & I may not be able to send you any until I come home   You must not forget about your taxes village and town

Tell Mr Morgan I will send the money to him as soon as the way is opened and if you can collect some and pay him or a part of it   do so as he no doubt needs the money   I have written a long letter & hardly know what it is about   But you will be glad to hear from me I know   Remember I have not heard from you since the last of August   Tell Bion to be a good boy and give him one kiss from me; accept one yourself from your husband

Arvin

(There are no more letters from 1862. Arvin resigned from the 11th Michigan Regiment on Oct. 13, 1862. Twenty officers of the 11th signed a personal testimonial on his behalf. He was appointed Chief Surgeon of the 1st Sharpshooters on Jan. 1, 1863.)

39 This letter seems to indicate that Dell may be planning to meet Arvin, but he is unable to give her any specific information.)

Camp Douglas Chicago Ill

Sunday 6th Sept  1863

My Dear Wife

I received one letter from you mailed at Jackson    I have written two to you and shall send this to Adrian

Things remain very much the same as when I wrote you before   We have many rumors some of which are that we are going to Michigan   others to Rock Island to guard the prisoners who no doubt will be transferred there as soon as the Barracks are completed    So far as I am concerned its immaterial, am willing to obey orders if possible   Things are so unsettled I can not give you any information as to your future movements   you will probably remain at Adrian a week   I shall write you again the last of the week directing to Hillsdale unless I received other instructions from you   And in the course of two weeks hope to know something about it    I received a letter from Hillsdale for you  I include taking it out of the envelope

I am very well   accept my love to you and Bion    as ever   Arvin

40 (Dell had been to see Arvin a couple weeks prior to this letter. Having wives visit appears to be expected. Arvin is with a group guarding prisoners. Friends and family of the prisoners come to the camp to give clothing, money and food to their loved ones, but they cannot meet with them. The food is not given to the prisoners but to the sick soldiers.)

Camp Douglas  Chicago Ill

Sunday Sept 13th 1863

My Dear Wife

The usual labors of Sunday being over I take my old ‘polish” as in other times to write my dear family

I was disappointed in not receiving a letter from you last night and begin to think you are a little remiss in your family duties as well as your humble servant

As I sat in my room last night alone being tired from my labors I felt as though it would be a mighty nice thing to be at home; at least to have his family where he could see them now and then

Still it has been only two weeks since I saw you yet it seems four   We have not been paid yet and have heard nothing of our future destiny    I suppose we will have at least 15 minutes notice when we go from here    I have heard nothing from Gen Coolman and cannot learn whether he is in Ottawa or not   Tylers folks live here having sold their farm near Reading    I have seen them several times    Emm is in Albany teaching music

We have had a fine day but good deal of rain a few days back   I am boarding in the Hospital or in a Surgeons Mess composed of three Surgeons, 2 M, Chaplain Ab, Squire Past Steward and ward master   John Detro cooks for us   It costs about $3, per week   We live well of course being at the head of the concern and knowing what good living is  my sleeping apartments are separate consisting of two rooms & a stove   Cornell rooms with me    I have straw ticks, sheets, and cotts borrowed from Hospital  so that we are as cozy as you please

I work midling hard as Cornell has been under the hammer some and McNett is still at Dearborn tending his little wife   Cornells wife arrived yesterday morning and she stops at his Brothers who lives in the city

The Prisoners friends continue to come but cannot gain access to them but bring clothing and money and sweet meats of all kinds   The latter they are not allowed to have we take them for the sick soldiers    We have 4 or 5 hundred cans and jars of fruit

Let me hear from you or I shall come down and see about it

(The remainder of the letter is written perpendicularly to the above.)

I shall send this to Adrian in care of Bodwell   I am well and hearty   Remember me to our friends with a kiss for yourself and Bion

Yours as ever    Arvin

How does Bion get along with studies and when will you go to Hillsdale   my next I will direct there

A

41 (Arvin is now the Surgeon in Chief of the 3rd Division of the 9th Army. He goes on at length about how he really wants Dell to write longer letters more frequently. He clearly doesn’t want to hurt her feelings, but he wants letters. He says that the weather is bad and little fighting is planned. He mentions Sherman being the one to move. He has run into a few people from home.)

Hd Qrs 3d Div 9h A,C,

Office Surg in Chief

Sunday night Jan 15 1864

My Dear Wife

Your letter of the 8h reached me this morning which is the first since this month or at least written this year; now permit me to think that this a long time to wait, especially when as you say time hangs so heavy on your hands,   so please do write more letters and longer and to me which will occupy a part of your time and perhaps make it speed more rapidly and afford me more pleasure than anything except you and Bion’s presence

May be I do not write you often enough you know my excuse, but I try to write as interesting as possible and a large sheet full,   I have a thousand cares and a good deal of responsibility so a letter from the dear ones at home lightens the heart and makes the task more easy

Then there is something stimulating to faith and hope and effort in the warm expression of hearts we love though our paper; yet we feel it, and tidings from home is the soldier joy making kindly remembrances and nobler reflections, displacing anxiety, an apprehension and gloom, by contentment and happiness   Oh! what a relish even a letter gives to hardtack and pork and the morose and sour tempered faces light up with smiles and the gloomy, brooding heart echoes back joy from every cord

The soldier that often hears from home is a better soldier, he is less liable to abandon himself to the evils of the army for each word acts to encourage him for good thoughts and deed and allurs him from the paths of evil - Hence it is, if the soldiers friends would send them frequent proofs of their regards and love they would add to the efficiency of the men and the good of the service

These are general considerations to warrent frequent writing but the more special ones in my case are, to hear from those I love,   And it is most painful to watch the mail for days ad sometimes weekly and no letter    No word of cheer, from loved ones?  then comes the thought, perhaps they have forgotten us - amid the comforts of home, no thought goes to the tented field where brave hearts ad arms of steel are enduring the exposures ad the discomforts of life to secure them the very fireside happiness they are enjoying    You may think from this letter that I am disposed to find fault or think you have forgotten me - not in the least - but I would be happy in the receipt of more and longer letters  and now that you have so much time; and I feel that your spare moments so employed would be very profitable to me

It appears at your last writing (Jan 8h) Bion had not yet received my letter as you said nothing about it, but probably will do so ere this is received    I have sent all my letters to Brockport, but shall mail this to N Bergen    The weather has been every thing and kind that could be asked for - mud and rain, and freezing and thawing and warm and cold   There can not be much active operations of this army before spring - and we shall have to depend on Sherman Thomas and Canby for the winter work   There is much speculation in regard to Butlers removal and his successor but the papers contain all and we depend on them so I can not enlighten you

I had a letter from the Col a few days since and he seems not to get along well    Adjutant Buckbee returned to the Regt yesterday, I have been over to see him to day   He tells some pretty tough stories of his captivity, but is in fine spirits and hearty  Jim DeLand is now captain and makes a good officer   Philander Sarkins who belongs to the 20th Mich Regt started for home on a furlough yesterday   He visits his father near Pumpkin Hill and will call to see you at father Andersons    A few days ago I run across Grave Seany who is in the 17th Mich Regt and has been out two years  He enlisted from Jackson Co and his oldest boy Henry belongs to the 8h Mich so you see I am coming across old acquaintances frequently    Chaplain Heagle is on a leave of absence and it is said he will make arrangements

(The remainder of the letter is written vertically, some across what has already been written on the first and fourth pages.)

to comply with that injunction in the Bible, “to multiply and replenish the Earth” at least he will try to obey it I think,   They are granting a good many furloughs to the men now    My health is pretty good now my diarrhea is better than it was last year     I wrote you the other day and sent it to Brockport to send me some things now I wish you would hurry up as I need them and it took so long to send them   Give my respect to all friends,   love to Bion and yourself

It is 10,oclk so good night and a kiss for both of you 

Arvin

You will not say how David reached his command from Chattanooga as I  thought he did not arrive in time to join his Regt before they started on their grand march through Georgia   Inform me in your next if you can     How are father and mother Anderson this winter and how does Bion stand going so far to school - poor boy   I should like a camp hand and stay with him, but I feel I ought to remain in the service my time if my health permits  I have a grand desire to be in at the death and burial of this infernal Confederacy and we are sure that the time is not far distant when Copperheads will follow its remains as Manners[?] and our true Yankee soldiers will heap the clods of the valley on them so high that that they never will again infest this fair land

42 (Arvin thanks Dell for the socks and tobacco she sent. He says Ft. Fisher in North Carolina was taken, which would have been an earlier death nell for the Confederacy since it protected vital trading routes of the port of Wilmington where blockade runners brought in supplies. It was not fully taken by the Union until January of 1865. I don’t know why Arvin thought it was taken a year before it actually was.)

HdQrs 3d div 9h AC

Office Surg in Chief

Jan 19h 1864

My Dear Wife

The package of tobacco and socks has just been brought in - I opened it quickly took a chair and then searched for a letter and did not find one - took a cigar lighted it smoked and thought of you all; and while I smoked wondered why letters do not come as quick as tobacco for I see it was mailed on the 16h and arrived here on the evening of the 19h

Well I am happy to get the socks &c and shall look for a letter tomorrow and express box next week

I am quite well and rather enjoy myself as well as one can from home

The news from North Carolina is glorious  Ft Fisher is ours and the Johnnies are giving most pitious groans - desertions from there are frequent and our army is jubulant

Accept much love for the shortness of this letter as it very late

Good by

Arvin

43 (A very playful letter, full of high spirits since Dell sent the socks and tobacco and also because Arvin feels the Confederacy is about to collapse because of Fort Fisher supposedly being taken by the Union.)

HdQs 3d Div 9h AC

Office Surg in Chief

Friday night Jan 20h 1864

My Dear Wife

Your letter written last Sunday and which ought to have come with the package last evening is just received and I am a good mind to not answer it, for it was unkind to wait so long when you are not busy   still I expressed my opinion on the subject in a previous letter and so will not scold now, but be thankful for favors though they come tardy

Well I thank you for the tobacco and socks; for you see they will be addressed to both extremeties, as you are aware from observation, a quid of nice tobacco smoothes the ruffled spirits wonderfully and is a genuine solace hence a sanitary benifit, and makes me quite willing to overlook your neglect in writing this time,

The socks are splendid and come in good to give comfort to the other end , therefore both ends will be highly benfited by those articles   When the box arrives I expect the inside will be largley indebted for your prompt efforts to relieve suffering humanity and then additional covering of the out side will make me a good feeling man and forgetful for the time being, that there are wars and rumors of war    In fact so absorbed shall I be in the creature comforts that a little Eden of happiness will without doubt surround me; then will I say it is not bad to be a soldier

There is nothing like hope and anticipation for it really rubs off some of the rougher point of life and makes the road smooth yet to pass over   so you have done for me a great deal as any good wife ought to do for her husband especially when he is absent so long by sending the articles so much need by me at this present time, but could you have given them personally they would have been more comfortable but will try to get along (so much for nonsense)

Now about my coming home - you need not look for me before March as every body is getting “leaves” expecting to marry and they ought to have them, for it is an old saying, that the “King wants soldiers” and is appears necessary for a large number of officers to go home, notwithstanding the common report to the contrary, in order to get them (more nonsense)   I can not be spared at present and by waiting I am in hopes to get a longer leave

I am glad Childs has brought some wood for you as I expected a good deal of difficulty in obtaining it

Sib will not want to go to California now but will be in a peck of trouble about the Draft for fear Dan will go into the service   How are they getting along in Brockport on the new call?   Will Sweden[?] have a Draft or will they raise them without??

The glorious news from Wilmington and capture of Fort Fisher makes everybody feel good and the Johnnies very sad   I shall not be surprised any day to learn that they are evacuating Petersburg as we see and hear much to lead to this opinion which if they do Richmond will be ours - for they can not hold the latter place with their base of supplies at Welden or Danville as they cannot depend on one R,R exposed as it is will be to our flank movements and raids

The Confederacy is about collapsed it has shown symptoms of great travil, and the result will be a false conception

I expect you will lecture me for writing this letter, but you can burn it and write me a better on which will be thankfully received so accept an imaginary hug, squeeze and - and embrace from your dear husband

Remember me to Bion and tell him to answer papa’s letter    It is late and I am sleepy and I think I shall dream to night for I mean to wear the socks and take a chew of tobacco as my only consolation

Much love

Arvin

44 (To a probably playful letter from Dell explaining that the reason she hasn’t written often or in length, Arvin again is playful in return. Dell has also suggested that she learn to make wax flowers and then make money by teaching others. Arvin is shocked at the price of the lessons, but leaves it to Dell to decide what she wants to do.)

HdQrs 3d Div 9h A,C,

Office Surg in Chief

Wednesday Ev  Jan 25 1864

My dear Wife

Your note written the 20h came this evening - and I sit right down to answer it and the morning mail shall return you my speedy answer

As to the carpet you have done very smart and this mystery of not getting more letters and they so short is solved - yes -yes you was cutting rags and instead of “times hanging to heavy on your hand” it was those confounded old shears and rags; well - well - here is nother project wax posies (wont it stick your fingers so that you cant write?)   doll babies &c   Certainly learn by all means to make flowers of perpetual bloom to adorn the home circle, and we will imagin they have odor - it will be so posey etic!  but is not $30 a pretty round price for a nosegay that has no smell to it?   still it is perpetual and you say you could teach the sublime art and refill your pocket? - that is splendid - but suppose you could find any body fool enough to learn it at that price and wax at $5, a pound?   then it is a good investment and worthy the attention of any young lady who has nothing to do   Then there is the wax doll - perfection, beauty, lovely round, chubby face, and it is a pleasant occupation - I do confess I like the genuine full as well but you have not the material and - and tools - so the artificial for the time being may be the most convenient

Now you will say - “how you  do abuse me”, and ‘how mean’,   Well I guess that is so - but I know nothing about it, it only looks ridiculas to me to pay  $25 or $30 to learn to make wax flowers &c   That is probably from ignorance of the art - but if you desire to learn, and it will add any to your happiness and contentment, not to mention profit, why learn by all means   You have my full consent and hearty approval   So act as your judgement tells you - there is nothing wrong in it though it may seem rather expensive in a utilitarian point of view; but the art may be worth the money aside from the pleasure to the eye   My judgement now a d[?]ss of the beautiful is not good   I have looked so long at the engins of war - I measure everything by their use and effectiveness   Now I trust I have not plucked the bud of hope or distroyed the glorious anticipations which appears in your letter - so do as you think best my dear

My health is good only the teeth ache which I put a stop to by having a couple extracted to day  some I had filled in Brockport

Love to all and all love to you

As ever

Arvin

45 (The Petersburg Campaign, (1864–65), was a series of military operations in southern Virginia during the final months of the American Civil War that culminated in the defeat of the South. Petersburg was an important rail center south of Richmond, was a strategic point for the defense of the Confederate capital. Arvin arrived there and was told that there was to be a major battle. He’s expecting that Lee will soon be beaten and is exultant that he may soon go home.)

Hd Qrs 3d Div 9 AC

Notanay[?] Court House VA

Saturday night Apr 8th

My Dearest Wife

One week ago to night I arrived at these Hd Qrs before Petersburg, to be welcomed by the General and Staff and informed almost in a whisper that we were to march on the enemy by assault in the morning

I immediately ordered my ambulance and visited the HdQrs & Brigades of my Division and prepared them for the coming contest

The sequel you will see in the papers but allow me to say that I visited Petersburg before the sun had arose in the morning on Monday   We lost in our Division who made the the direct assault 600, killed and wounded    The 1st Div lost about 1/2 as many, among which were Lt Col Nichols of our Regt and Capt James DeSand both wounded the former in the side severely and the latter in the shoulder or upper part of left arm requiring resection   I last saw him on Monday at 10 AM and I fear he will hardly survive it  I have not time to write the Col

We are pressing Lee having captured more prisoners than we hardly know what to do with but expect to get him before we stop

God bless you my hear wife, notwithstanding all the poor hove I beare you and our dear boy, yet I must say these are happy - glorious - Heavenly times and I do not now regret the farewell kiss I gave you to join in this more than glorious victory & could I see you to night I should embrace you more fervantly than ever

Cheer up my dear for the “good time is coming’ when I shall return not to leave you, proud that I served my country for three years   I am well - a kiss and Godd bless you and Bion

As ever

Arvin.

46 (A quick note to Dell to let her know he was still on his way to Annapolis. He had just been with her, maybe for the longed-for furlough to go home.)

Baltimore Sunday

April 10th 1864

Dr Wife

I arrived here last night  but to late to take a boat or cars for Annapolis and shall not leave here until to morrow morning; it has been nothing but delay since I left you as James will inform you   I will not not reach my Reg any sooner than I would to have left Brockport Sunday morning on the Express   so you see how much time I have lost

I have been looking over the city some and is the cleanest of any I have seen in a long time and appears to flourish under military rule better than under civil

I am stoping at the Barum[?] Hotel the best in the city   and expect to leave here in the morning

I am well & shall write you on arrival at Annapolis

My love to all 

Yours 

Arvin

47 (The Union troops are gathering in the area and have been reviewed by Gen. Grant, with Gen. Burnside beside him. Arvin tells of “Fy,” who went to Washington and may have gotten involved with a young lady. With playfulness not common in Victorian times, he mentions that she may unknowingly be open to “something else - agreeable at the time but fruitful of bad consequences sometimes.” Shocking!)

Depot 9th Army Corps

Annapolis  April 18th 1864

Dear wife

Your letter of the 13th was received last night and right glad was I to hear from you

There is nothing new here - troops are still coming here   Gen Grant was here last Thursday and reviewed all the Regiments with Gen Burnside   Every thing is very high butter 60 to 70 cents - beef and mutton 2[?] potatoes $200 and board $700 to $12 - rather expensive living   McNett has resigned thank the Lord   my only fear is that it will not be accepted

It has rained all the time since I came here until to day   I yesterday called on Mrs D[?]   She is not very well and the baby is covered with sores   Fy had made the acquantance of a “dear friend” at their boarding house and went with him to Washington on Saturday to remain until to day or tomorrow   We shall probably have reenacted again the “Sweet Amour” and if this second Romeo dont make Juliett live and enjoy the height of bliss it is because he has too high a respect for crinolin - not that she is guilty yet but that he is so open to the impressions of a pretty face that she may unaware[?] open to something else agreeable at the time but fruitful of bad consequences   sometimes I dont find any fault but then mouths are always blabbing about other folk!   and I only want an opportunity to express my mind to them

Take my silver watch put it in a small box well packed and send to me by Express Direct to me at Annapolis as follows - Surgeon AF Whelan 1st Mich S,S, 9th Army Corps Annapolis Md and I will send you my gold one before I leave here - Do it immediately on receipt of this letter

My health is good but there are very few sick in the Regt   Mrs Waler and Nichole are here yet paying $18 per week for their board    Tell Bion he must learn to read and write so he can write to papa

My love to mother and all    accepting a large share for yourself an Bion   Write soon and often

Yours as ever

Arvin

48 (The troops are moving, to where Arvin doesn’t know. He may be reaching out to Dell as he goes into battle.)

Annapolis Md

3’o’clk Friday morning  Apr 23 1864

My Dear wife

We march this PM in fact the Corps has begun to move    Where, I still am in blissful ignorance but shall know when we arrive

I sent my gold watch to you yesterday by Adward[?] Ex and shall look for the silver one   I shall write you from some point soon

I am well and hearty   Where are those letters you were agoing to send me for only one have received

Direct to me 1st Mich, S,S 2nd Brigade 3d Divis  9th A, Corps

Love to all

Arvin

49 (On a long march Arvin observes many battlefields and muses on the lives lost—from both friends and foes. An order from Grant forbids any letter from the front to preserve secrecy. None of the ladies who accompanied the troops went with them this time.)

Warrenton Junction Va

Apr 29th 1864

My Dear Wife

We arrived here this PM 45 miles from Washington having made a march of 90 miles in five days sore footed and lame, tired and dirty

We passed through the battle fields of the Potomac viz Clouds Mills Chantilly, Centerville, Bull Run Blackburns Ford, Manassas Centerville, & Bristoe Station   saw the many graves of friends and foes  gathered here and there a thousand in the shap of bullets and pieces of shell each of which appeared to have added to the distruction of those hard contested fields

The country though which we have passed is depopulated and in ruin; sparsely a house standing but many chimneys mark the place where happy families gathered around the hearth stone when peace smiled on our land   the land looks fine and rolling and probably once under fine cultivation

I am going to supper Tia[?] over[?] a sumptuous repast - fried pork and hard tack no knife or fork but it tastes fine - splendid

We expect to leave here to morrow for the front or some where else   everything is a mystery so far as the movements of the Army is concerned; we hear nothing from the front - am order of Grants prohibits all mail communication from the Army in the front but they can receive letters - hence I droped you a line written by the rail [?] on the march expecting it to be last for several weeks that you would hear from me   I have another opportunity of sending that and hence avail myself of it 

I have had only one letter from you since I left you and feared you or some of the folks were sick

I sent my watch to you from Annapolis and directed you to send my silver one which if you directed to me probably will be received

The mail has just come and how I want a letter from you   all right here comes one and from you followed all the way down here  I stop & read   It is of the date of 21st and which affords me great gratification   You say you are growing fat; then it must agree with you to live with a husband while I am free to confess that it is quite to the contrary with me - still I stand it of course and as for getting cant[?] some I do not have the time, only when night comes and the hard ground to lie on I sigh even for a hard bed of Camp Douglas and my own good wife to warm it for me   The ladies all left Annapolis the day we did Apr 2nd and as to champaign I have not seen a drop since the memorable time you refer to neither hot whiskey   But if I had a mug of the latter I should surely drink it as I am tired and weary

My love to Bion mother and all

Yours as ever

Arvin

50 (Some news of the war. Dell and Bion are planning to visit Arvin. She has apparently been working and says that she’ll pay her board and Arvin can pay Bion’s. Arvin replies that he will pay both. As much as he loves Dell and is thoughtful, is he a little threatened at her proud statement that she has her own money?)

Warrenton Junction Va

May 2nd 1864

My Dear Wife

Your letter of the 24th is just received and finds us in Statuquet[?]   I am sorry to learn that James was robbed - misfortune seems to follow him   and I have often thought that those who were so extremely cautious seemed most likely to loose yet I am glad that the sum was no larger

You say that you can pay your oun board and I must pay Bion’s - well I am willing to pay both still I think if you have something to busy yourself about you will be less lonesome and be happier than if idle or visiting all the time   still I think you ought to visit all your friends and have that job off your hands so that when you return home you will have had all the visiting done up

Four dollars a week is cheap enough and I dont want you to kill yourself in order to pay it or any part of it

My advice is to work when you choose keep cool and wait the return of your husband in patience and cheerfulness as I want to live these years to enjoy your love and affection

Our Corps is stationed along the Rail R and have taken the place of the old 5th under Mag Gen Warren who have gone to the front

Rumor says Grants Army is a moving tward Gordenville and a great battle is pending   Our Corps will be a reserve and may be ordered to march at any moment we have 20 days rations on hand all the time   so you see that times are uncertain with us    I wrote you two days ago and have no news to add only that Mosby is hanging around with a view to watch our movements, we think, rather than to attack our lines   Gen Wilcox commands our Division (3d) and we have seven Michigan Regts in it out of the ten   Gov Blair is expected in a day or two he being in Washington

There is a rumor that we shall receive our pay in a day or so, but I think it doubtful

I received a long letter from Dr Sigmund who has been down to Nashville on a board of examination for soldiers to go into the Invalid Corps and has just returned

His wife is well and Mrs Smiths folks also - her husband has returned home with the Reg (69 Ill)

They have got into the new Hosp and he says everything is lovely

In directing your letters observe the following   Surg AF Whelan 1st Mich SS

2nd Brig 3d Division 9th Army Corps

via Washington

I have just dressed a wounded man from the advance picket received by accident   Let me hear from you often    My love to yourself & Bion and all the friends

As Ever

Arvin



51 (An unusual letter in its dramatic description of the horror of war. One particularly gruesome detail that Arvin shares is that the Confederates were using the bodies of their fallen as breastworks … although this probably occurred on both sides. The Battle of Spotsylvania was part of a campaign by the Union to push back the Confederate Army deep into Virginia. The campaign was called the Overland Campaign and eventually led to the Siege of Petersburg and the end of the Civil War.)

Head Quarters Hospital 3d Div

9th A,C, Ny River near Spotsylania Court House 10 miles from Fredricksburg Va

It has been a long time since I wrote you except a pencil note sent from time to time and your reception of those are doubtful

My last letter was from Warrenton Junction and $600, in money sent by Lt Clark Co R who resigned   I trust you have received the money ere this   We left the above place May 4 and arrived at Rapahannock Station same night   May 5 crossed the Rapidan and moved in front of Sus forces commanded by Longstreet - the 5 and 6th A,C,s engage the Rebels and drive them into their entrenchments near Mine run - or the Wilderness   Col Lumbard killed (of the 4th Mich) May 6th moved 4 miles and attacked Lees center - it is impossible to discribe the scene of slaughter that followed - the Sharpshooters fought bravely and our loss in killed and wounded was 30    I was ordered to the rear on the operating staff and worked hard all day and night   May 7th the Reg still engaged and Division (3d)   Total loss 600, killed and wounded - I performed 31 operations   we drove the enemy at all points killed thousand of them and they used their own dead to form breastwork and fought us behind them    May 7th   We sent off our wounded to Fredricksburg and in company with several medical [?] at midnight  started for Chancellorville at which place we arrived at day light

At 10 AM the (8th of neg[Negro?]) 9th Corps came up and marched six miles to the left of Grants Army  near Spotsylvania or Ny[Ni?] River where our Division found the right of Lee under command of Gen Hill - a fight opened in which the S,S, were in the front - we drove them from their first line of entrenchments and occupied them while Sedgwick and Warren and Hancock fought them desperately and drove them two miles  our loss in the Regt were seven (7) killed

Mag Gen Sedgwick of the 6th A,C, was killed and numerous other officers

May 9th most desperate fight in which the 3d Divs of our Corps lost 500 killed and wounded - Ny regt 33    Work all day dressing wounded and all night - the 9th Corps drove the rebels and captured 18 pieces of artillery and 700 prisoners   May 10th all seemed quiet except picket firing in which my Regt lost 10 killed and wounded - I worked all day and was saturated with blood - retired at eleven on a supper of hard bread and coffee   May 11th a small battle in which our Regt lost 57 killed and wounded - the enemy repuls our Divis and we were ordered to move our Hospital containing 500 wounded which took all night   May 12th opened by a beautiful sky - the sun rose bright and the heavens were clear - a slight breeze made the morning most delightful - everything in front was quiet until near 8 oclck AM when the sharp rattle of muskets and the booming of artillery on our right showed that 2nd A,C 5th & 6th A,Cs were heavily engaged with the enemy - the 9th A,C, soon opened

I cannot discribe the scene - but darkness closed the curtain of distruction on 10,000 killed and wounded rebels - 9,000, rebel prisoners and 42 rebel cannon   And our own loss oh it sickens me to think of it   My Regt suffered terribly and tested its bravery in a lost of 119 men killed and wounded - among the former was Maj Piper killed dead at the head of the Regt in a charge on the enemys mark - His body was not recovered from the field as we were unable to hold them after taking them   Col DeSand was wounded with a shell - not severe - Lt Geo Fowler severely wounded - Lt. Thomas also in the foot - and also Capt Andrews - Capt Rhine is safe and is now in command of the rgt - Adjutant Buckbee was also wounded in the head - severe but not mortal

Our loss this day in the 3d Divis 9th AC, in killed and wounded and prisoners were 1300 and oh such ghastly wounds such terrible carnage I never saw before in my life   Our men fought with a bravery worthy of the gods and the enemy with the desperation of dispair - their dead strewed the ground two and three deep while their wounded formed living, groaning breast works for rebels hoards to swarm behind   still we drove them over one mile   this is called the battle of Ny River

I have worked dressing - amputating and other operations up to night without rest or sleep   I am covered with blood and have had no change of clothing since the 1st of this month  I hardly need say that I am weary and tired but not discouraged  Lee has or is fighting his last fight - our troops are massing and 20,000, reenforcements have come up and to morrow or next day will witness a still more desperate battle than yet fought   100 pieces of artillery will open on the rebel strong hold in the morning or soon and the men are ready for the fray determined to whip or die

We have cut off their communications with Richmond and are now [?] that nest for traitors

But I am tired and will stop   When shall I hear from you  oh if I could but be with you to night away from this scene of distress - no - no - I am here and will do my duty, I will serve my country and cease not as long as health is spared me until this cursed rebellion shall cease   fo good night  a kiss for you and Bion

As Ever

Your Husband

Arvin

P,S,  I know not how soon this will reach you but shall send by first opportunity

Arvin


52 (The Union Army is moving on to Richmond. Arvin is very busy with operations and hasn’t been able to change clothes, only to wash out his shirt.)

Field Hosp 3d Division

9th Army Corps    25 miles from Richmon

May 25 1864

My Wife

Having a few minutes time I sit by my operating table and write you a few lines    We left the Ny River on the 21st outflanked Lee and compelled him to fall back   We have been fighting here two days on the north branch of the Ann River 3 miles from Hanover Junction    Have not lost many men but still am cutting   I have had all the surgery I want but am bound for Richmond   since the 4th of this month I have worked at operating both night and day and have had no change of clothing since the 24th of Apr   When I want a clean shirt take mine off and wash it I do not always have time even to dry it   Our loss in the Regt is three hundred & twenty seven

The men are nearly used up still in good spirits   It looks now as if we should move forward by another flank move tward Mechanicksville   Lee is strongly entrenched here and I hardly think we shall have a general engagement as Grant will outgeneral the rebs and compel them to get in to Richmond

I have not heard from you in four weeks   It is evident that mail facility are not very good   Still I long to hear from you and trust that a line will reach me from you while fighting our way to Richmond - it would cheer on the long march and awake a sweet remembrance even amid the blood and carnage of the battlefield

My health is good and I stand the work and excitement beyond my expectation   Whether this letter will reach you I am unable to say

My horse has entirely recovered and is now doing well on short rations still you would not know him - he has fallen away so   Albert and Dr Strong are at Fredricksburg with our wounded and an assistant surg from an other Rgt is with my men and I am at the Field Hospital for wounded

Good by for the present - Love to all

Arvin

53 (Arvin accompanied sick and wounded men away from the front. He mentions “Mrs Gridly,” who had a 30-year career serving as a battlefield nurse and then helping veterans, formerly enslave people and orphans.)

White House Landing

June 10 1864

My Dear Wife

I was sent from the front this morning with sick and wounded and arrived here 15 miles and was most happy in meeting Mrs. Gridly of Hillsdale who is with the Mich relief society which is doing good service for sick and wounded soldiers of our state.

I am nearly worn out with labor and have been sick for a few days but am better

I received three letters from you the last May 21st and they done me a heap of good for I began to dispair of hearing from you at all

I have sent you fifty three dollars in silver which was dug up by our men in working[?] intrenchments I bought of them so keep it for future use   Also fifty five dollars which I want you to send by express to Wm C Parmlee/Farmlee[?] of Battle Creek Mich (In green back) by D,A, Kent

Write a letter and say it is from DA Kent Co A 1st S,S, you can pay the express

Everything is quiet in front but we are expecting the bull will open soon  Our next base will be Paines River   We shall go to Richmond   After which I shall come home tired of war   My love to all and yourself in particular

Good by

Arvin

54 (Arvin speaks of the terrible loss of life. There is talk of consolidating regiments and he thinks this means he will be mustered out.)

Sanitary Commission [letterhead title]

June 25 1864

near Petersburg   ver

My Dear Wife

I have little news to record since my last giving an account of the battle of the 17th and 18th   Our lines have advanced in the several Corps with the loss every day of a few men killed and wounded so we keep our hand in in the way of surgery   There is constant firing on picket line and cannonatillery[?] all the time so that an inexperienced ear might be somewhat disturbed by the anxiety of a heavy battle  still few in proportion to the expenditure of lead and powder is hurt

We are looking for a fierce battle soon as Grant is not the man to lie idle long so far as taking Petersburg is concerned it is a matter of very little importance and the people must not expect too much but reenforce him and all will be well

I received two letters from you to day dated this month - one a very short one yet I was glad to hear from you that you work so hard as to make you sick and trust that you will rest as three shillings a day will not pay the doctors bill  I have recently received a number of letters from you so be not discouraged and stop writing as they will arrive in due time

Here come the lifeless remains of Lt Wager[?] who was killed just an hour ago by rebel sharp shooters  He never moved, the ball entered his head so one after another he comes a victim to treason

We have only 135 men in the Regt and 5 officers only remaining    Maj Piper Capt Rhines and Lt Wager Lt Geo Knight killed Capts Gaffney Murdock & Lts Fowler Thanius[?] CB Knight and Conn wounded with half our men  They talk of consolidated our Regt and I trust they will muster me out of the service when I will come home contented to live with my little family and enjoy some of the blessings of civilization

I am not discouraged by no means and feel as though the race is ours and still long for home and the kind sympathizing hearts there to cheer and make life worthy of ones greatest effort

My health is good and I stand the labor beyond my expectation and begin to think I am the toughest man in the Regt  Dr Strong is sick making three assistants played out

Remember me to all with much love to you and Bion

Yours as ever

Arvin

55 (Arvin, exhausted from long hours operating, despairs.)

Battle Field near Berthew[?] Church

10 miles from Richmond Va

My Dear Wife

Again I have an opportunity to send you a line and by hurrying from the operating table bloody and tired I will say that yesterday there was a severe fight yesterday favorable to us   The papers will give you full accounts

I have received no letter yet from you since Apr 24 and why in the name of Heaven it is so while the others receive them   You dont know how it makes one feel   I sent you from Warrenton Function $600,00 but never have learned whether you received or not

I fact I might as well not have any friends     I am nearly worn out but expect that there is yet a hundred battles to be fought and thousands of wounded to cared for

I can write no more now

Arvin

56 (Arvin talks a little about preparations for a battle. He is thrilled that the Sanitary Commission have sent food to the troops in the field. Arvin muses that those in hospitals have need for good food, but the troops need it more. [The United States Sanitary Commission was a private relief agency created by federal legislation on June 18, 1861, to support sick and wounded soldiers of the United States Army during the American Civil War.]

Near Petersburg Va

July 4th 1864

My Dear Wife

Your letter of the 26th was this day received and much welcome as its two weeks since I had one from you, I write you twice a week and it is the only letters which I get time to write except on business

I do not know how often you receive them as the mail has not been very certain   Allow me to say that I am quite well only somewhat wearied from past labor; we are now resting as there has been but little firing for these days and all hands are digging for a regular siege   Large guns 32 &64 pourillery[?] are being put in position and heavy reenforcements are coming up to our help and not many days will elaps before the battle will open with greater fury gaining swiftness and distruction from the few days of quietness that has sup[?] here   All are merry to day the soldiers are jubulant and confident and hallow[?] to the Johnies (Rebs) from their rifle pits, cracking jokes   Again nearly the whole Army have been made glad by the Sanitary Commission’s noble gigantic efforts in the distributions of delicious vegetables viz for my Regt the Agt gave me for distribution 28 oz can of milk 4 Doz cans tomatoes 20 lbs of crackers

1 Doz bottles of Jamaca Ginger 12 Doz scinous[?] 12 lbs of dried peaches also of berries 12 lbs of tobacco with barrels of cabbages onions and beets also a few bottles of blackberry wine which I had taken to the front and distributed to the men in the trenches

So you see that the Army of the Potomac will bless the Sanitary and the people for giving to them   Heretofore the people have thoughts that only those in Hospitals needed supplies but it a mistake for all the Hospitals especially in large cities have the advantage of good markets and a large hospital fund so that every species of delicasies with vegetables may be obtained   but not so in the field - as hard tack pork and coffee is one continuous diet and the soldier must march night and day, through heat and storm, mud & rain and fight and die and when wearried and tired require his exhausted body on hard tack  and coffee thankful many times for it   Now if these commissions would do most for the well soldiers, they would keep most soldiers well - besides they would fight better, and that is what is wanted, and there would be less men sick in the Hospitals to be cared for   I would not have the sick neglected but would have more attention given to the well that there might be less sick   If the people through the Sanitary or other aids can keep in fighting condition 25,000 it is better than 20,000 recruits - hence I believe that the troops the field call loudest for vegetable, fruits and delicaces   The Sanitary Com through their Corps Agent Dr Stevens have been doing this more or less and would increase their liberality in the same direction if sanctioned by the noble donors at home

Should not our energies be as great to keep men well as to cure them when sick - therefore I trust that the supplies will not all stop at Washington to be given to well fed clean clothed patients but a part come on to the front for the brave hard working hard fighting sunburnt gallant soldiers of our country

You speak of Maj Stark being killed when & where was it!?  I have tried to find him several times and this army is a big thing; and unless you know his Brigad, Div and Corps you can no more find him than you could if he lived in London

How many noble men have lain down their lives during this campaign and many more must follow ere this rebellion is crushed - as I have stood at my operating table with knife in hand and looked upon the mangled limbs of noble men caused by traitors bullets my heart had almost sunk and I have felt that God would be an unjust Being unless he made a hell doubly heated on purpose for Jeff Davis and his coaduturs[?]

I received a letter from Col LeSand to day also Chaplain Heagle who are both in Annapolis sick but say they are improving   Dr Strong is quite ill in Hospital here and will probably have to resign so I am doing double duty   I have had very bad luck with my asst surgeons for it is the 3d that has played out

Capt Mugs[?] has very poor  health and will have to go home, and I think I shall have to go home myself - I am not discouraged nor sick (except my old complaint) but am tired of military and want to be with my family for I am entirely over boyish notions   Indeed how I would like to have spent this 4th with you all   still it has been quite pleasant here under the circumstances - a fine dinner of cabbage beets squash new potatoes roast lamb boiled pudding & ale wine lemonade with plenty of ice put up by the rebels no doubt for us last winter

So you see this was no mean dinner and we enjoyed it hugely and wondered what  the loved ones at home had that was better

It is getting late and I am sleepy hence I must be excused   Give my love to Mother and all, tell the boys to be good - write often

Yours as ever

Arvin

57 (Arvin has become Brigade or Senior Surgeon with increased duties although he still operates in the Field Hospital. He feels that things are building toward the end of the war and sarcastically talks about remaining “McClellanites” who would be content to have the Union army disadvantaged for the sake of putting McClellan back in command.)

Near Petersburg va

July 22d 1864

My Dear Wife

Your letters of the 10th & 15th the latter containing Bion’s came to hand two days since and were much welcomed (Can you not find time to write a little more often!)  I was glad to learn that you were well and so happy this summer and trust you will not get the blues as in times past   My health is much improved and am feeling first best and if I could only see my family occasionly should be quite contented - at least more so than to be so long separated   The soft summer evening of this climate makes me think of home and my kind little family and wish to spend a few hours with them away from the whistling of bullets the noice of artillary and the bursting of bombshells

I am now the Brigade Surgeon or Senior Surgeon in charge of Brigade which increases my duties   I still remain at the Field Hosp as one of the operating surgeons   I have no assistant surg of my own but one assigned to my Regt    I have no news to write you but would say that what may appear as idleness of the Army is only appearance   there are works and plans being completed that will show gigantic power of mind and energy - be of good cheer let them send men - be patriotic and patient and God & Grant will scoup[?] all the rebeldom of every traitor   The Army was never more hopeful except here & there a McClellanite who simpers and whines as usual who would rejoice to see hell let loose in the land if it would put little Mack at the head of the Army of the Potomac   They are however growing less every day - many leaving the service others by the force of facts daily impressed on them washing their hand of past errors returning to their “first love” our country    You know I have so much of the Baptist left in me as to be able to believe in “first love” and it is a very good doctrin if well kept especially when a man is in the Army where he must cultivate it at a distance    so I hope that all traitors north and south will yield to this first love and repent   I fear however that large numbers would require more than mere Baptism - they would have to be soaked until the day of judgement in order to be washing of their sins

Col DeSand is in command of his Regt  Chaplain Heagle has just returned from Wshington restored to health  Lt Tom Fowler was severely wounded a few days ago

My love to all and tell Bion that was a very nice letter and that he and Willie must write often

Yours as ever

Arvin

58 (A quick note after a battle with heavy losses, leaving Arvin too busy for a full account.)

Near Petersburg va

Aug 2nd 1864

My Dear Wife

Your letter of the 25th was received to day   You have heard ere this that we have had another battle and hence I have been very busy standing at the operating table and dressing the wounded none but our corps was engaged we lost heavily and was finally repulsed - I shall write you a full account to morrow - I am to busy with my Brigade Reports to day and caring for wounded to write in full - Prof Whipple is here stopping with me - I am well and all right

As ever

Arvin

59 (Arvin describes a massive battle—and the grievous wounds he had to deal with—in vivid terms. Ultimately, the Union lost it and the finger-pointing began. In the end many blamed it on the 4th Colored Division, which was supposed to advance the furthest into Confederate fire.)

Near Petersburg va

August 3d 1864

I sit down this evening to write you a longer letter as everything quiet about the Hosp and in front only now and then a little picket firing   This is my night to be up on duty with my table in running order to take care of any wounded that may come in also to look after any in the Hosp who may need attention   We have three operating surgeons and their assistants and the same number of tables each taking their turn on duty nights

Prof Whipple arrived here on Thursday of last week and left to day for City Point and will probably start for home tomorrow or next day   He was here during the battle of the 30th and I was as pleased to see him it made it seem like home to me - he rendered all the assistance to the wounded that he could

We had mined a Reb Fort in front of our Corps as you will see in the paper - 170 cannon were place along our lines which opened along our lines at or between 3 & 4 oclk in the morning making the earth tremble for miles while one continuous column of smoke rose high like a great veil obscuring our view and shutting out the pearly rays of the morning sun, less its beam might rest on the scene of carnage and distruction   At 4 1/4 o’clk the mine exploded adding new thunders, while the ground on which I stood, some 300 yds from it rocked as if convulsed by a thousand throes filling the air with dust and burying within that terrible crater fifteen hundred rebels too deep for modern resurrection and I trust beyond the hearing of Gabrials last trump   The 1st Div of our Corps was chosen, (each Division casting lots) to lead the charge supported of course by the 3d Div which has never escaped any fight yet then the 4th Div (Colored) supported by the 2nd Div   Ere the smoke had cleared away the charge was made and the enemys works were gained and their second line carried - then the astonished Rebs opened from some dozen muskets ad other Batteries as perfect sheet of iron infilading every part of the captured lines - the troops were huddled together while the enemy threw a whole corps upon us compelling the troops to fall back to the first line of rebel works which we held for several hours under the heavyest artillery fire I ever knew - repulsing the enemy twise but finally withdrew to our own works suffering in the whole corps about 1200 wounded 400 killed and 400 prisoners

The rebel’s loss admitted by them was 500 prisoners 1500 killed and 1000 to 1500 wounded - the most of our killed were between the two lines or near the fort which was blown up and were buried by us next morning under a flag of truce - I did not go out with the flag but a good many surgeons did   You might ask why we failed to carry the works?  My answer will be they were too strong and a failure in part to carry out the programme of battle - then who is responsible for that failure? - every body charges it to every body and finally place it upon the heads of the poor “niggers” who were expected to charge beyond the second line of works captured by the 1st Divis and 3d Div - but did not - I imagine that only history, years hence will record the cause of the failure   I am not competent to give the reason from what I saw and can learn from those in the action

I left the battle field at 5’o’clk and went to the Hospital as the wounded commenced to arrive at the Field Hospital - I took my place at the operating table - with sleevs rolled up and instruments in hand work until 10,o’clk at night stopping only to eat my meals - the next day the same - every man had been attended to and dressed on the first day of the fight but not all the operations performed

The loss of the 1st M,S,S, was 50 taken prisoners 4 killed and 16 wounded - leaving us only 60 men for duty   Col. D was hit with a piece of shell and at first supposed to be killed but proved to be only stunned and not severely wounded   Capt Dicy Siaits[?] Conn & Randall are among the prisoners   We lost our flag also two other Mich Regts theirs

We are looking for an attack from the Rebs and anxious for it and if we do not whip h_l* or something else out of them then I am no judge - The troops are not discouraged but feel spiteful - here comes another wounded man & I must stop    Returned - I have dressed 3 wounded since commencing this letter one of whom I amputated his right arm being terribly torn and broken at the elbow by a shell - There is continued firings of pickets and throwing of mortar shell at night to prevent the forming of lines of battle by either side - so that we have as many wounded at night as any other time and more   We have one of the best regulated cleanest field Hosp of the Army and the best lot of surgeons - mostly Michigan men - so that they call us Mich Hosp of 3d Div 9th Army Potomac

Another wound man comes (unfortunate knee joint = a criple for life -   


(The rest of the letter is written perpendicularly on the first page of the original.)

This is war - shoot cut & flush   Oh dear I am tired of cutting off legs & arms - and many a poor fellow will have to hobble around and date his disaster to Johney Rebs and Dr, W, or if it had not been for Dr W he might now have been mouldering in the dust - beneath some pine tree in old virginia - besides whose tomb some haughty southran would stop with lips curled view the last resting place of him who loved the old flag and died for it

Love to all - God bless and protect your

Arvin

60 (A letter packed with humor, an account of Arvin and his horse both being hit by bullets without much damage and a report of those he received letter from.)

Near Petersburg va

Aug 7th 1864

My Dear wife

Your letter of the 1st is received and you complain that it is very hot  I pitty you if is anyway as warm as here for with roar of artillery - hot weather & smell of gunpowder one feel as it he is very nigh the inner door of hell and liable at any moment to walk in

In fact on friday evening I was strongly impressed with the above idea    The Johnnies (Rebs) had tried to come a yankee trick on us by mining one of our forts    we being aware of it were prepared for them so they touched it off about 6 o’c’lk PM on the night referred to above   I was riding near by on my way to H’d Q’s when the explosion occured the Jonnies pitched in shot and shell as lively as possible all round me   My horse was hit four times and my self twice resulting in no great injury to any one except to the horse’s “narrative” which came very near being docked a little closer than modern horse fashion would warrent   He has always had an unlucky tail and notwithstanding its several misfortunes it is a very servicable institution to him yet in protecting his sides from the millions of hungry flies which are developed to their highest gnawing and annoying power    My wounds consist only of a slight bruise on the leg and shoulder - not sufficient to lay me up at all - making the parts some sore & swollen but now nearly well    Col Beadle is in the invalid Corps stationed I believe at Washington   Sergt Jo Stevens is in North Carolina a prisoner captured June 17th

I received a letter from Bill Childs yesterday he doesnt not speak of famine there saying only that it was quite dry and that the folks were well

Bob Evart has gone home sick and his father is down here filling his place   I have not seen him yet

I had a letter from Dr Sigmund a few days since and one yesterday from Dills[?]  they say matters at Camp Douglas moves very nicely, Dr, S, is in charge

Here is a poor fellow wounded so good by -

Yours in love [?]

Arvin

61 (Arvin hasn’t had a letter from Dell in a couple months. He’s busy, but he has new assistant surgeons who are good. His humor is on display talking about the general excellence of the surgeons and in his directions to Dell about a shirt he would like her to make for him. He indicates that it doesn’t need to reach the knees, but he doesn’t want to be choked by the collar.)

Near Petersburg va

Aug 17th 1864

My Dear Wife

I have waited now nearly two months for a letter from you and written my regular number; But to night am on duty and will spend a few moments in writing again - answering your letter thrice and expecting to hear from you every day   It is many miles here and mail has to be changed many times ere it reaches the soldier - hence we ought to expect delays and be thankful that we have means of communicating with absent loved ones at all

The weather has been very warm and dry until yesterday when we had a storm with plenty of wind and water - it also rains to night but above the patter of the drops upon my tent is heard the deep booming of artillery and the sharp crack of the Pickets rifle only a few hundred yards from me    I have just closed the eyes of one of our boys wounded to day - the ball entered near the spine passing through the stomach, - His name was Noah Cain Co G, and had been in every fight since we crossed the Rapidan, and had been spared to be killed when he deemed himself protected by earth works   I have got a new Assist Surgeon Dr. Eagleson and I think he is a good one and will not play out as my others have   Hence my duties are not so heavy now   still many of our medical officers are sick and of course the duties have to be performed by those who are well

I have been to work at some clay taken from the mine under the Rebel Fort blown up on the 30th    I visited the gully leading to the mine last week with a party of officers, which is 525 feet to the crater and in a good state of preservation   There is a bank of fine pottery clay just at the edge of the Johnie’s line and every body who goes in there of course brings off a chunk as a trophy, moulding it into such shapes as his own genius may desire to be kept as a relic.   It makes a beautiful pipe and I have manufactured some fine one with different devises carved on them, some of which I shall send home as an ornament to the table as I have quit smoking - (but not chewing)   Our Corps badge is a shield on which is an anchor and cannon - the table of the anchor is so twisted as to form the figure 9 - It is a splendid badge and when carved on a pipe of this clay and polished looks beautiful

My health remains good and my diarrhea does not increase any, and I think I am gaining in flesh or growing fat   We have a good staff of surgeons in our Division, energetic and men of ability among which your devoted husband ranks as an equal, I say it with all modesty, but nevertheless believe it to be true   so you will excuse me for saying it to you and you need not tell it unless somebody wants his head or leg cut off which I am prepared to do if they have only money enough to pay for it

Grant has mad a new move on the other side of the James River and report says that the 2nd Corps is within five miles of Richmond, but whether we can hold our position or not I am unable to say - Oh!! for more men - and Richmond would be ours

I want you to make me some shirts and for pitys sake shrink the cloth before they are made, - make the band about the neck of some kind of cotton (colored) so that I shall not be in danger of choking to death every time they are washed - I can get along with shortness better than tightness - as it is no great matter in the army if they do not come to the knees still I am a very modest man you know, and dislike to be exposed   As for sending them I will advise you how to do it in time

I shall not finish this letter to night as I expect to get one from you in the morning and it will not leave the front before to morrow night   I wish I could see you and have a little talk it would be pleasant but this is no place for women and duty says remain here as long as I can be of any service

So good night a kiss and Heaven bless you and my boy    Arvin

Aug 18th no letter - nothing to add only we heard at one o/clk this morning a most terrific artillery duel everything shook and the heavens was perfectly lighted by the flash of shell exploding from mortar and cannon    Oh it terribly grand   There is fighting on the extreme left now in the rear of Petersburg - All right I hear

As ever  Arvin

62 (Arvin received a letter from Dell. He goes on at length about how good it makes him feel and how it makes his duties go more smoothly. An extensive explanation of how an operating theater works. About three-fourths of the operations performed during the war were amputations. These amputations were done by cutting off the limb quickly—in a circular-cut sawing motion—to keep the patient from dying of shock and pain. Of the approximately 30,000 amputations performed in the Civil War there was a 26.3-percent mortality rate. It’s probable that the “four men as attendants at the table” were to help hold down the poor soldier who was having a limb amputated.)

(At the top of this letter, with a dove of peace in the upper left corner, is letterhead reading:

W.S. Christian Commission

sends this as the Soldier’s messenger to his Home. Let it hasten to hose who wait for tidings

    “Behold!  now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation”)

3d Div Field Hospital

9th A,C, Before Petersburg va  Aug 27 1864

My Dear Wife

Your good letter of the 22nd reached me to day - I had begun to think you had forgotten me for it has been a good long interval since I received a letter from you  And you little know the real feelings of one, amid the clash of arms, when he receives a letter from the dear ones at home - containing warm affection - at greetings - the Soldiers bed of earth or perchance boughs is softer and his dreams more pleasant his mind more cheerful, and heart more brave    Earth is not desolate and war looses half of its dread  Noble impulses stir his manhood and prompt a willing obedience to duty - and he has confidence in himself and fellow beings, fortified by self respect and the love of a devoted wife he ought not to complain and grow sad but endure all for her sake and his country’s

Your letters always do me good; sometimes a little sadness peeps out, still full of affection, fresh from a noble heart that thinks no evil and finds pleasure in loving - then why should they not do me good!   If they fail to reach me - then I feel their need - & feel the want of that pleasure tis deeper, and comes not in the tidings only that my family is well but in the loving sympathy, breathed into the very words, that gives consolation when weary and lifts up when cast down

I often feel that I am blest above other men in having a companion so noble so loving - and child, if properly educated so full of promise - These thought have stimulated my every effort to be worthy of them - that they might share my success - as citizen, or professional reputation, and that no deed of mine should make either blush to own that I was husband or father   Hence I long for your words of cheer and dream troubled dreams if they come not   so write often and long letters for I feel my dear as thought they are more profitable to me - than fifty cents a day or making rag carpets - still I leave the latter to your own judgement but write -

I am not on duty now, having been quite unwell for a few days and trying to rest up   My old diarrhea has been very severe on me for a week and the medical director advised me to remain quiet which I am doing   My labor this summer has been very severe as we have had almost constant fighting and I have been chief operator at one table since the 6th of May and made hundreds of operations, standing day and night at our post with instruments in hand -  Our 2d Division Operating Staff is organized as follows - three operating surgeons, each a table and each surgeon one medical officer as an assistant with four men as attendants at the table to bring water - to the care of instruments tie arteries bandaging &C   The operating Surgeons are according to rank viz: Whelan 1st MSS - Fox Fox 8th Mich - and Shurlock 51 Penn  During an engagement we take our place at the table and do not leave it - the Surgeon in Charge of the Hosp selects the wounded and stretcher bearers brings him to your table when he is thoroughly examined and if required operated on  then take by the stretcher bearers and carried to the Hospital tents while another one is put on so that those the most severely wounded are cared for first and no operating surgeon is allowed to select cases or care for his own men if there is any others suffering more than his   Everything is strictly impartial - other medical men in the mean time are dressing the light wounded and marking with a badge who will probably require operations who in turn according to the emergency of the case and put on to the table   so you see the operating surgeon stands there all day and if need be all night, with only time to eat - with instruments in hand his clothes spattered with the blood of hundreds - (if it is a severe engagement) until the last suffering patriot is cared for - then exhausted and worn out by his severe mental and physical labor lies down and rests

Operative surgery requires the severest mental labor - it required judgement and every particle of knowledge one possesses - therefore when 48 hours without cessations of labor has rolled around he is tired

These operating surgeons are selected from the Divisions for their ability and experience and if they are incompetent it is soon known as each is held strictly responsible for his diagnosis and operating and if he sacrifices a limb or any operation is badly performed woe be unto him

I have written you too late already and will close

I shall write again to morrow giving you a sketch of the Weldan RR fight

As ever 

Arvin

63 (Arvin continues with his description of how the medical services are set up and then describes the Battle of Weldon in vivid detail. The Battle of the Weldon Railroad (or Globe Tavern) was fought August 18–21, 1864, and provided the key element of Union general-in-chief Ulysses S. Grant‘s fourth offensive during the Petersburg Campaign of the American Civil War(1861–1865). This Union victory resulted in the permanent capture of one of Confederate general Robert E. Lee‘s most important supply lines. On August 18, the Union Fifth Corps of the Army of the Potomac seized a portion of the vital railroad that connected Petersburg with Wilmington, North Carolina, at a point three miles south of Petersburg. A determined Confederate counterattack the following day battered but did not break the Union troops’ hold on the tracks, and a second Confederate assault on August 21 failed miserably. https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/weldon-railroad-battle-of-the/)

(This letter was also on U.S. Christian Commission stationery.)

3d Div Hosp 9h AC

Before Petersburg  Aug 28h 1864

My Dear Wife

I wrote you a long letter yester giving you a sketch of our Hospital organization as least the surgical part of it being Sunday I will continue the subject for perhaps it will not be uninteresting to you   In addition to the Surgical Department we have the Sick Dept under charge of two medical officers who have nothing to do with the wounded except during an engagement when the whole force is employed in caring for the wounded and no Surgeons make operations except those designated

We have an organized corps of nurses all under charge of Chaplain Hunting of the 27h Mich Chaplain Jones 20h Mich has charge of the effects of deceased soldiers receiving and distributing clothing and delicaces obtained of the U,S, Sanitary and Christian Commissions so that none of those contributions pass into the hands of the Surgeons but are appropriated (by faithful and I believe Christian Chaplains) to the direct use of the sick and wounded

Chaplain Heagle 1sMSS has charge of a burial Squad who bury the dead and see that their graves are properly marked

The Cooking Dept is under charge of a Commissary Sergent who sees that the food is properly cooked and that the patients are regularly feed and that every thing about the kitchens is clean and orderly   then we have a police squad under charge of a sergeant, who sees that the grounds are kept clean and has charge of all the tents and flys putting them up and taking them down &C&c as ordered by the surgeon in charge of the Field Hospital

Surg PA O’connell U,S,V is Med Direct of the Division and Surg EJ Bouine 2nd Mich is Surg in Charge of Field Hosp   Our Div are nearly all Michigan men and we have the reputation of having the best Hosp in the Army - take better care of our wounded and sooner[?] and have made some of the most difficult and best operations that has been made during this Campaign   This may seem boasting but the records warrent the assetian and the inspectors so report it  (As to your obedient servant - without bragging - all owe[?] him to say; that he is regarded among his medical bretheren as the equal of any of them and a No 1 surgeon   Dont let any one read this as it would sound pretty and if you have to read this letter to any body skip all between these marks)   By this organization everything works harmoniously, every thing is done that is possible to do - the wounded are cared for sooner although it may seem hard at times when your own men are suffering that you cannot see to them; but it is the greatest good to the largest number and to those suffering the most    Hence, we can do more and care for more by this system than any other

Every man is expected to do his duty cheerfully and with alacrity   There are also surgeons in the field with their Regiments stationed at point of safety near their commands who apply temporary dressing to the wounded as they are brought back and see that they are loaded into ambulances and sent to the field Hospital without delay   

They also tie arteries and apply tourney quets to stop hemorrhage when severe and prescribe for the sick make morning and weekly reports to the Brigade Surgeon

We have had several medical officers wounded and one killed on the 21st of this month by a shell    The whole department of the medical staff is perfectly organized for efficiency and I am inclined to think that the European Govs never had so strong a medical corps as there is to day in the Army of the Potomac - men of ability and large experience whole operations are counted by hundreds are in every Brigade of this army   I was to tell you of our recent fight on the Weldon RR, but have spun out my story so long you will tire of reading it - if so - I assure you I will not write such long letters very often

On the evening of the 18th the 9th AC had orders to leave the rifle pits and prepare to march at 3,oclk next morning    the 5th AC were already in the river and had been resting for a week - two Divisions of the 2nd AC were north of the James under Hancock making a strong demonstration on Richmond and the Johnnies sent heavy reenforcement to repel Hancock  About 1,oclk the morning of 19th the johnnies thinking something was up in our front here opened with 50 or 60 cannon and mortars and an equal number of arms replied to them and such a terrific artillery duel I never witnessed (excepting that of the 30th) before - However I have given you a description of this   The 5th AC commenced moving to the left at 2ock morning of the 19th followed by 3d 1st & 2nd Division 9 AC marching some 8 miles striking the Weldan RR at the yellow tavern 6 miles from Petersburg at 12,oclk noon driving the enemy before them and taking possession of the R,R,   The Johnnies getting reinforcements made a desperate effort to turn the left flank of the 5th A,C, which they succeeded in doing coming into the rear of the 3d Div 5,A,C,  At this time the 3d & 1st Divisions of the 9th A,C, charging upon the rebel flankers from a piece of woods and after a desperate fight of 20 minutes hand to hand repulsed the enemy killing and wounding and capturing about 1000,  They had captured of the 3d Div 5th AC Gen Hays and staff and 300 other officers and men   Gen Warren (5th AC) paid our Division a splendid compliment for the bravery with which they fought and giving them the credit of saving his corps from utter rout

After this the enemy tried the same thing over but was severely punished   On Saturday every thing was quiet and we threw up strong works  But Sunday came, and the Johnnys seemed determined to regain their R,R, it being of too much importance to leave it without more desperate struggles - They massed their forces and made a charge upon what they supposed to be the left of the 5,A,C, again - but our line had been purposely drawn back and extended to deceive them and masked batteries placed, well supported by troops so as to rake very spot over which they must pass   The enemy had placed several batteries to bear on our line which opened furiously for a half hour than could be seen in long solid volume the Johnnies coming down, - our artillery had not replied yet   The Johnnies reach a point where they supposed they had gained our rear left flank set up a yell that almost drowned their own artillery on the double quick charged up to within a dozen rods of our lines and batteries conceiled by bushes when 20 cannon double shotted with canister and shell opened their fire mounts and swept one half from the advancing ranks - another and another followed in quick succession   they were driven back in confusion to beyond a ridge - reformed and reenforced they returned again to the slaughter - yelling like so many imps of hell cast from the bosom of his Satanic majesty - their batteries in the mean time had obtained the rang of ours and commenced to shell them - they did not reply to the Reb Artillery but stood quietly to their guns loaded to the muzzles with canister   On the Johnnies came as if maddened by the previous repulse again our artillery opened and this time our muskets -they struggled to advance - their officers with revolver and sword in hands urged them on, but the death hail swept them down as fast as they advanced   Again they retired to rally and make another attempt as unsuccessful

Their losses this day was 4000, killed wounded and prisoners - Our losses did exceed 400, killed & wounded

In the engagement of 19th our Division lost 100, killed and wounded and about the same was the loss of the 1st Div of our Corps   In my Regt there was one killed - and Indian -

I had been unwell for a few days previous and did not go with the troops on the 19th but at evening they sent for me I rode 8 miles through mud and rain and reach there near midnight worked the balance of the night and next day   Also all day Sunday on wounded Rebs and 5th AC men   I have been sick ever since but am getting better and shall return to duty in a day or two

You speak of Copperheads I trust there is loyal people enough at home to control them if not I want to go to the Sandwich Island and live if we must come home and fight this thing out there so mote[?] it be but let not the people be cowed but if a muss is got up seize Seymour Wood & Co and hand them with the first rope and to the first tree found

If I do not get better I shally try and get a leave of absence of 20 days

Remember me to the friends and Bion    Good by

Arvin

64 (Arvin is almost giddy with the news coming from the front. He makes further reference to the “Copperheads,” making it clear he’s using the pejorative term for those citizens of the North who opposed the war policy and advocated restoration of the Union through a negotiated settlement with the South.)

Sept 7th 1864

9th A,C - 3d Div Field Hosp Before

Petersburg va

My Dear Wife

I sit down to write you for the 1st time in a number of days -

I am on duty again in charge of the Field Hosp and in three days have moved five times with 250 sick to be cared for    so you see I have not been idle and must have been quite well again to have endured it   We are having most glorious news from all over - Atlanta, Mobile and ours and ‘John Morgan gone to ‘hell’ (killed) excuse the term and I hope Satan will watch him closer than they did in Columbus and not let him dig out

How are the Copperheads now!! and how is poor little Mac crucified on, and nailed to those Peace planks of the Chicago Platform with the motto “I did for Seymour, Wood Vallaudighan & Co” Fleeced like a lamb and sold in the market of treason politically consigned to a grave that opend for Frank Pierce and James Buchannon!!! O my friends pray for me”

But I must close give my love to mother Bion and the rest Accept a plenty for your self

Arvin

65 (A friend, Bodwell, died after being treated for whatever ailed him by a “homeopath,” Arvin is quite exercised about what he considered a mistake in choice of who to care for Bodwell. Although Arvin isn’t well he is in charge of the field hospital, which is now frequently moving.)

Before Petersburg va

1st Div Field Hosp 9th A,C  Sept 16th 1864

My Dear wife

I received another letter from you to day giving an account of Bodwells sickness and death and it makes me feel more sad still I know I ought not to feel so but it is impossible to defest[?] my mind of the idea that he was criminally neglected - 1st in his medical treatment and 2condly nursing

I cannot see why she should exclude his friend - and to say that he did not not wish to see them is almost absurd   I care not for his money it was his and he has a wright to do as he pleases with it yet I can not bear the thought that a man noble, generous, in every impulse who had quietly all of his life done good, remembered the poor with a heart large and overflowing with kindness should be in his last hours deprived of those very charities which he had dispensed with a bountiful hand   He ought to of had the best medical treatment that the city could afford instead of that ignorant homeopath then I feel confident that with good nursing we should not now mourn his death

Phebe notwithstanding her cold nature, selfish in the extreme must feel this severely - and more severely for his loss as time wears away will be the greater as she wakes to an appreciation of his worth as a husband and companion   He was noble but he would have been more noble with a fond loving wife who could sympathise with him in sickness, and affliction   She might have exerted a good influence over him and made him more manly if possible

I also received James’ telegraph to day date the 2nd inst and a letter from Joe dated Adrian the 3d inst and should have remained ignorant of the sad fact until to day had you not written me

The number of our Division has been changed so that we are the 1st Division now

My health is not good but I am in charge of the Hosp of the Division - we have about 250 sick and wounded and with our frequent movings keeps me busy   We are nicely fixed up and you would wonder how we could make the men so comfortable   Esq Warren started for home yesterday - he was very feeble and I had him discharged and sent him to the care of his family   Albert is now the steward having received his warrant which will make his pay $33, per month  He is a good boy - smart quick trusty and I was very glad to give him the appointment

My love to all and especially to your self and Bion   & I wish I could see you good night and a kiss

Arvin

66 (Arvin names the fellow surgeons and assistant surgeons in two pictures he’s sending to Dell. He asks her to have them framed so he can look back on the fine fellows who were Arvin’s friends.)

1st Div Field Hospital 9th AC

Before Petersburg va  Sept 22 /64

My Dear Wife

I wrote you several days since which has reached you ere this and being at leisure this evening will write again to inform you that yesterday I sent by mail to you two photographs of the surgeons of the old 3d Div on duty in the Hosptal which constituted the operating staff

The 1st commencing on the left is your humble servant 2nd W,C, Shurlock 51st Penn, V,V, 3rd EI Bovine[?] 2nd Mich, V,V  now gone home by expiration of term of service and has been in charge of the Hospital up to Sept 1st - 4th W,B, Fox 8th Mich Inft  In group standing commencing on the left is Assist Surg Baker 20th Mich Inft 2nd Assist Surg Powers 27th Mich now promoted to be Surg of the 3d Mich reorganizing in Mich for which place he left a few days ago 3d Surgeon Chas E Ames 60th Ohio Inft 4th O,C, Chubb Surg 20th Mich Inft  5th Assist Surg D,C, Orrick 37th Wisconsin - the 5 in front row which I forgot to enumerate above is Surg H E Smith 27th Mich who is said to be the handsom doctor of the Division

They are however all of them good looking, your humble servant included and would no doubt in a direct attack storm and capture the hearts of the Virginia ladies if some of them were not married and any ladies here to raid on  But as the papers say that that species of the “grand home” are all in Richmond and that there seems to be some obsticles to prevent a a raid for the present; why! I have no captives to record   But to the photographs   Have them nicely framed either in Brockport or Rochester in a shape that will be an ornament to hang in the parlor to remind me when peace and quiet, years hence (if my life is spared) retired of the arduous campaign of 1864 and my noble colabers [he might mean collaborators] in relieving the suffering of war  I prize them - we have stood together like brothers day and night assuaging the pains of the wounded and when hungry and fatigued by the exigences of the service shared our blankets and hard tack most willingly

Each face when I am old, for I am approaching that period, will remind me of many incidents, - some painful, some happy - our intimate social intercourse and the many pleasant times to soften down the hard realities of war, and say there; and there is a noble heart - a patriot and a gentleman who gave his best efforts talents and energies for his God, Country and humanity  I think I never knew a better set of men and am most happ to be associated with them

Our Hosp is in fine shap, - clean and comfortable and the men have plenty to eat   We live well ourselves viz dinner to day consisted of baked lamb sweet potatoes common potatoes, beets, cabbage - rice pudding butter - soft bread - peaches and white sugar (no cream) and bottle ale and fresh oysters   is that not good enough   We have a Commisary who buys for all the Hospitals of this Corps and the private messes of the surgeons in Baltimore   He has just returned with a good supply it costs me about $20 a month for myself and servant for rations and line No 1   I have a very good Colored boy - faithful and attentive

We have most glorious news from Sheridan - You may look out soon for fire in this direction or a getting out of the Johnnies

Albert just received a letter from his father and he tells a good joke on Mrs. Houge who has been spending some time in NY city - seeing a gentleman friend and other sights   She was suddenly attacked with one of her hysterical tantrums sent for a doctor who diagnosed inflammation of the brain, - ordered her head shaved - and was about applying a blister when her gent friend arrived, She aroused from her swoon to find her beautiful tresses fallen and lying on the floor while the venerable follower of Esculapius stood with veccicating plaster in hand - her gent friend horrified and she madder than the furies - the idea is ludicrous in the extreme and I have really laughed heartily over it    Col D, took tea with us to night and is quite well - the men ar returning and the Regt is quite respectable in number

It is now bed time and I will retire to my virtuous sheets to dream of home and the loved ones there   By the way, you said you dreamed the other night - What did you dream!!

My love to all   good night - a kiss - 

Arvin

67 (Arvin returned from a furlough in New York State, where Dell has been with Bion. He refers to the soldiers preparing for winter by building log huts. He also refers to Sherman making “a bold push” sometime soon. William Tecumseh was a major general of the Union Army. From November 15 to December 21, 1864 he conducted a military campaign through Georgia in which he laid waste to all he encountered. It became know as “Sherman’s March to the Sea.”)

1st Div Field Hosp 9th A,C,

Near Peebles House Va  Nov 13th 1864

My Dear Wife

Your letter is received but I have been so busy that I have hardly had time to think of any body   I know that is a poor apology for not writing to one’s dearest friends but on my return I was ordered to take charge of the Hospital again which had been recently located and found so much to do to make the men comfortable that I have hardly been able to say or do anything for myself

I had a very pleasant trip here - on leaving Elmira I took a sleeping car and landed in Baltimore next morning too late however to go to Annapolis until evening remaining in Baltimore until 4,-30 PM   I regretted very much that you was not with me for I might have had a very pleasant time as there are many points of interest in and around Baltimore which is worth noticing   I started that evening for Annapolis - had a good visit with the Col & Mrs D  next day started for Washington and on Saturday left for City Point - arriving at the Hosp Sunday evening and have been on duty since

My health is very good and I think I had a nice time at home   In fact I never enjoyed a visit so well and so contentedly and think if ever I get home again I shall appreciate all of the blessings of the family circle

I am sorry that you and son shall be less obedient in my absence  I want  him to be a good boy go up to grandpa and go to school   I shall write him a letter by and by

The troops seem to be preparing for winter quarters - building log-huts and making themselves comfortable and we may remain so for sometime as rumor says Sherman is making a bold push somewhere

Everybody seem delighted over the election returns and I am so happy over N,Y, that I should have fired a whole string of fire crackes had had them and if at home would have brought you a new bonnet immediately and made you additionally happy - for I felt so gloomy over the state that I almost regretted being home within its limits  Thank God the Empire State has redeemed itself and Leymonds[?] Fernandinned[?] passes away

The Chaplain is all right and everything runs smoothly

Give my love to all of our people and remember me Chas Palmer and tell him I am proud of the old state yet

Good Bye

As ever

Arvin

68 (Arvin returns to duty and praises the conditions of the hospital for which he has responsibility. He talks about “sister Lucy” who plans to go to California to dig for gold without negative judgement. Indeed, he offers to double the $20 she wants to borrow to get to California if she can show him a $10 “lump” within a year. And, as always, he talks about how much he misses Dell.)

1st Div Field Hospital Near

Peebles House va  Nov 19th 1864

My Dear Wife

Your letter of the 13th came in this evening which I had looked for all the week and now at 9 o’c’l’k P,M, have time to sit down for a dear little chat

I see you have been somewhat alarmed and your anxiety greatly exercised for my safely by this letter - well my dear wife I did write two letters which I presume reached you in due season - and I might have been a little tardy but I know your good heart will pardon me and has done it before this, for not writing more, and I was not “unmindful” neither, of the love thus bade you seek the welcolm intelligence of the safty of your husband - But here I am in my tent the bugle has sounded “lights out,” and the Hospital quiet - writing you my old love, my dear wife with deep darkness surrounding me the rain drops pattering on the thin shelter that separates me from the outer world and the sharp fire of the picket line, which is kept up all night tells me that I am again in the midst of war   And that the peaceful pursuits of domestic life are in grand contrast here

I sit in my little house warm and comfortable but my family are not here  I receive respect from brother officers and greatful tears and warm hearts greet me in my daily duty, still, it is not home - and to night is no fireside scene, there is no wife with smile or gentle reproof, no son to bid his papa good night - no embrace as a covenant of love for the future, but my unsheeted couch to dream, if per chance I sleep, of happiness past, gant; - and hope for its return again

This is my disting, and I will not complain though great, my country demands the sacrifice and this shall be the testimony of my willing offering   Oh I wish you could see our nice Hospital so cozy, bordered by straight pines enclosing an open space 20 rods square and thrown up into walks with little evergreens here and there about the tents, fireplaces in all the wards bed stead made of small poles covered by stron beds, sheets, pillows, & blankets - everything to eat - Why! it is the amiration of every body and we the other evening dedicated our sylvan rustic chapel made of ‘tent flies’ and boughs with its rustic pulpit adorned by the artistic selection and arrangement of natins verdure   by pray music and preaching   The Christian Commission and chaplains meet there every night & instruct the morals of our institution

But we fear that we shall be permitted to enjoy it but a short time, things look like moving again somewhere and a new place must be fitted again our men made comfortable or else the great cause of human liberty will not triumph

But you tell me our noble sister Lucy hath her eye on California - and that the $20 may be needed - all right - no doubt if she goes there a full outfit for working the “aurifran[?] mines” will be required or else the “diggins” will not yield products worthy of the labor - & therefor contribute most cheerfully and will double the amount if she will show me a ten pound “lump” within a year after her arrival in the Golden State   Yes I will give a longer time - so let her not be discouraged nor wait for the Pacific R,R, to be completed - but fly over the Rocky barrier to the arms of her love to dig again for happiness and plenty that her last days may be quiet and her soul at rest in the future

Next week I will write Bion a letter which will please him - only think - writing to my son - why how old I am growing and how fast the years have sped since he was born to us - and now comes the anxiety for his future   I think of it day and night and ask myself what is this boy growing to manhood for you too feel a parents pride, fears, and hopes   The responsibility is great to train him for a noble manhood

I am glad to hear Jamie is improving and I think if he is not doctored to much he will come out all right but I fear our good brother James is given to doping the children too much through anxiety and fun   You did not tell me how Harvey[?] was, nor how you was - has her cough ceased and is she getting rested and gaining in strength & flesh

I hav written to Mr Childs folks and Esq Warren this week also to Holloway to have him reinsure the house   I told Childs to buy you ten or fifteen cords of wood this winter as, Mrs W, junior expected to commence keeping house in the spring   Now I think you will say this letter is a ‘chat;’ and I have touched on most everything and said  but little about anything - It is geting late and I am tired but if I could only have a good warm kiss it would I believe add greatly to the sweetness of my slumber

By the way, my red handkerchief is a thing of great importance as I have a nose that requires great attention being much given to running just now from a cold - for after sleeping in a warm house, clean sheets and, the arms of a good wife for several weeks was like going from green pasturs to graze on the thorns of the steril plains   O! lord!! what a change - but I am getting used to it

Give my love to the family and remember me as your affectionate husband

Arvin

69 (Dell reported to Arvin that Dr. Fox published a “puff” in the Tribune touting his own excellence and asking for money from his friends. Arvin laughed it off. Arvin is comfortable in a log cabin, but isn’t sure how long they will be able to stay there.)

1st Div Field Hosp 9th AC

Saturday Eve 10 o’c’lk  Nov 26th 1864

My dear Wife

I just received your letter written last Sunday night, and after a hard weeks work and my head full of everything just before retiring I sit down to visit a moment ‘not to’ kill time” - I will confess to killing a few “gray backs” last night which disturbed my equinimity slightly for the time, but it is nothing when you get used to it   You speak of the “puff” in the Tribune of Dr Fox - well I suppose I could get a puff also if I would write it and a fine set of parlor furniture if I would ask my friends to pay a “little something”  But I assure you the surgeons in this Corps not only from our state but other states regard that puff as in very bad taste and “slightually” unwarrented, - that any man should misconstrue a donation beged out of them, to mean that the recipient was the best surgeon in the Corps is worrying some of them

When I saw it I laughed heartily at the Drs and Chaplain Hunting, - the latter I told this evening that my wife had seen the notice and begun to wish for a parlor  He has written you a note which I enclosed

On reading the puff he immediately wrote to the Tribune which you will see

Dr Fox is a very good surgeon but he labors under the vain belief that he, (Fox) is the only man of any account; in other words for a good many years he has had a very disagreeable excuse viz! ‘Tax” on the brain and his most intimate friends dispair of his recovery without remaking the man all over   he is now in Michigan trying to be Surgeon Gen of the state and if blowing would secure it, he no doubt will be successful - this is his weakness, still, he has ability and many fine qualities but frequently disgusts his friends by his self esteem and arrogance

We had Thanksgiving - but unfortunately the 40,000 turkeys did not some in time so I fed my hospital boys on fresh oysters canned peaches and boild pudding   We had a sermon by Chaplain Hunting, good stiring practicle discourse   We were inspected by the Med Hosp of the Army and Corps and received a visit from Maj Gen Park Brig Gens Wilcox Potter Frerro and Hartraupt and other lesser military lights who pronounced everything ‘splendid’   So you see we do not go unhonored even in the absence of Raynard

I am living in a splendid log house nice fireplace in which I shall be happy to receive a call from Mrs, W, if we should be fortunate enough to stay here this winter

My house is 10x16 feet covered by flies (canvass) a double bed in the corner, fire place on one side built of mud, and stick chimney

If you were here I think you could live very well, and so could I   We are not aware how long we shall enjoy these quarters but do not expect it long - for all eyes are tward Sherman and it may be necessary to move at any moment   The Johnnies are surely troubled at this time and may the Lord and Grant and Sherman trouble them more surely

The health of the Regt is very good and for a few days past Indian summer has seemed to come to greet use   yet we have had some pretty cold days and nights and rainy

I meant to have written Bion a letter this week but have been so busy with my papers I really could not find time   Give my regards to every body and accept plenty of love for yourself

Yours as Ever

Arvin

70 (This hospital has been moved again. Arvin has been promoted to Surgeon in Chief of the 1st Division, which means he is running the whole show and won’t be operating. High praise again for Sherman and a thought that Mead needs to be allowed to leave after so many losses.)

1st Div Field Hosp 9th AC

near Burnside’s Mine Before Petersburg  Dec 4th 1864

My Dear Wife

Your two letters of the 27th & 29ty came to hand to day which was very much welcomed and they reminded me that I had not written for a week not that I did not think of you more often but the time has been so thoroughly occupied that I have scarsely had a moment when I could write anything but official matter

We moved from the extreme left of the line near the Peebles house to the right of the line on Thursday of last week and relieved the 2nd A,C, occupying nearly our old line only more extended   We left our beautiful hospital fixed so splendidly and set to work making up a new one which requires a vast amount of labor to make the patients comfortable - still we go through this so often that it causes no surprise but only regret to leave then greater effort to make the present one better than the last so instead of being a source of annoyance it becomes only an inconvenience and every body goes to work again

The Colored troops of our Corps has been transferred to Butters Dept and we are receiving white troops in their stead and I have been honored with the position of Surgeon in Chief of the new Division to which will be the 3rd Div   I entered on the duties of organizing the Med Dept of it Saturday and I have worked myself nearly to death as all the troops are new and medical officers green in military, - nothing to make a hospital of or with but if I have only a little time I will bring it out all square   Now I think my “promotions” will nearly equal Mrs Brewers husbands, - why only see - Surgeon of the 1st Mich S,S, - Chief Operating Surgeon Brigade Surgeon, - Surgeon in charge of Field Hosp, - and Surgeon in Chief of Division, - yet only a regimental doctor who knows but your poor little man may be Surgeon General and then will you not be even more proud to tell your lady friends that your husband is “some pumpkin”

Excuse me in the above effusion for it is an honorable position and when once thoroughly organized will be much lighter duty than to be in charge of a hospital - I shall have to live at He’d Qr’s which will greatly increase my expenses and hence cannot save as much money  still I think I shall try it and try to take it easy

Troops are coming here, a part of the 6th A,C, has arrived this evening which means that Grant is going at them soon, and we hope that Sheridan will come too and take command of this army and let Gen Mead retire for many think he ought to rest after so many failures   Sherman is evidently troubling the bowels of the Confederacy and I would not be surprised if he proved a powerful cathartic to their “internal purging then from some of the deviltry that has actuated then for five or six years

As to Davids trouble I give myself no uneasiness for he has been in the service long enough to know how to manage such matters and Thomas no doubt has something for him to to along the line for I see Havel still hangs around and apparently likes to be thrashed and I feel confident that he will have all he wants before leaving Tennessee

You speak of the abundance of turkies sent us for “Thanksgiving” - well the troop had plenty but nary a bird came to any of our Field Hospitals and our men some 300 looked in vain and sighed for the good things sent them by loving friends at home

  There was some mistake or else we should have picked the bones of some of the feathered suryesters[?] of the north   However my men had a splendid dinner of fresh oysters, pudding and caned peaches which I purchased at City Point which made the disappointment more bearable

Albert had not yet returned as he has been quite ill at home   Adjutant Buckbee has made his escape and is now in Michigan is expected to join us soon

Rest assured that knowing that your are comfortable at home and well does relieve my mind somewat of anxiety   My health is good and I think I shall enjoy myself as well as a man can in the army and away from his dear ones at home  so good night and pleasant dreams    My love to Bion and other friends

Your husband

Arvin

71 (Arvin praises the “two very good” letters Dell recently sent, one to Arvin and one to the Chaplain. He describes the hanging of two men from a New York regiment who deserted and joined the Confederates and were then captured when other men from New York recognized them.)

Before Petersburg  va

Sunday December 10th 1864

My Dear Wife

Your letter of the 4th containing one to Chaplain Hunting came duly to hand  I must say they were two very good ones and I am proud still of my good wife, for I was always proud of her - But this war seems to develope new qualities of heart and head that we would scarsely observe under other circumstances in our friends and I am fully pursuaded that mankind are better than some would allow  I know I see new and good qualities every day not only in friends but wonder that I have been so often as not to have seen before and appreciated more highly the bright jewels in the crown of your own heart  Yes in this distant strife the news from home bearing messages of love serve to make tolerable even the war path while weary hours become afleeting moments for anticipation of the reunion of loved ones  So we live from day to day - the sorrow we meet - the suffering we endure all like a cloud passed away before the warming beams of true affection leaving barely a trace to till that woe had been there  One of the grandest thoughts of human mind - or faculty of the human, is love   starting in instinct, expanding and developing as the human soul and heart enlarges it goes on and on to Deity - It is divine!  Divinity!!

Emanating from the Most High it gives a divine character to the heart-filled with its warming genial power which radiates and being absorbed by other hearts goes on rejuvenating and awakening new harmonies in nature - contenting the mind and filling the soul with happiness   O blessed power that moved the most stubborn will to the sweetness of an angels song and makes us strive to do and be better and greater not for self but for others   What must be the pityable condition of him who has no love or is not loved by any one

We have had some very cold stormy weather snow and sleet and we are making some mysterious moves which does not seem clear to us and equally mysterious to the enemy - But Grant has ordered it and knows and we feel that it will be right   The 5th A,C has gone on a raid to destroy the Weldon RR to Weldon - the 2nd A,C, are making a diversion on the left supported by a portion of the 6th A,C, and some troops from our Corps among which is my new Div have gone somewhere in support of somebody  I did not accompany them as I am suffering from a severe cold and soreness of the lungs and the severity of the weather and exposure seemed to warrent me in keeping within

I yesterday witnessed the execution of two soldiers named Rowe and Smith of the 179th NY Vol Inft for desertion - they deserted last July and joined Mosby and were captured in the valley recognized by some NY soldiers sent here tried condemed and hanged by the neck at 1,o’clk PM   The weather was stormy and not a single ray of sunshine lightened their souls into Eternity   And as I gazed on the thousands of soldiers when the culprits marched on to the scaffold with firm tread my heart turned sick, the heavens wept pearly drops of hail and the sun drew a veil over its bright face in shame that traitors should be found in the ranks of our nobles braves fighting for God and humanity   What a death - what a future and what a history to be inheriting?

Albert has not yet returned but I expect him every day as he was to have left home Dec 2nd  Esq Warren has gone into Drug business at J[?] River, with Churly Cooper who has just returned from California

Maj Nichols has not yet mustered - why I do not know - Capt Murdock is commanding and has been Breveted Major by the President

Quarter Master Palmer returned a few days ago he does not look very well - the Chaplain is well  Adj Buckner is still in Michigan but expected soon  Capt Johnson formly 22nd Mich has been appointed Lt, Col, of our Rgt and is expected soon  I received a letter from Childs which says Lib’s health is poor  He has the house insured but thinks it be hard to buy wood this winter by the cord for which he will have to pay 5 or 6 dollars if obtainable

Give my regards to the family and Friends and love to you and our dear son

Good night - (how cold)

As ever 

Arvin

72 (Arvin waxes poetic about how the Confederacy and Jeff Davis are almost at their end. He talks about prisoner exchanges and Confederates crossing the line to fight with the Union. He also talks about his new vest and pants made of army blankets.)

Hd Qrs 3rd Div 9th A,C

near Petersburg va Dec 21st 1864

My Dear Wife

I sit down to night to write you a few lines being alone and everything quiet on the line; as we say    no it is not quiet for the mind following a heavy rain whistle through my humble domicile and almost extinguishes the light as if trying to lick up the waters that has fallen lest it interrupt the triumphal cur of liberty that is so victoriously rolling through the land   We have all heard from Sherman and Thomas and Canby and all rejoice with great joy for the near approach of the final squelching of the infernal Davis and his traitorous bands both north and south   We are lying here with eight days rations on hand ready to fight or march as Ulyssus  shall seem proper quietly watching poor Jeff ready to pounce on him if he stirs   Large number of deserters are coming into our lines daily some say that it is currently reported that Jeff is dead but no body believes it, as his measure of meanness is not quite full yet and I hope Providence is reserving his nick for a h[?]

We are anxious now to hear from Butler who left here nearly a week since with 15 to 20 thousand men and Porters naval fleet to attack Wilmington   He has enough troops to invest it and Admiral Porter can batter it down with his 600, guns in a short time   Poor Hand is played out - and Lee and Jeff will have soon to seek a home in Canada under that flag whose every boast had been “justice and fair play,” “in a barn[?]”   I think we shall have to extend our boundry line farther north before long and wipe out and purify the Brittish courts or else they must stop their raiding

The President had called for 300,000 men - this is right for tho more we have the sooner peace will come and if I read the signs aright we may need to chastise the Canadian Jackal and lessen the howls of the British Lyon before their terms of service expires

How are the people feeing at home are they willing to come up to the work now and help push over this tottering Confederacy or do they want the devils to rally again

I trust we shall have force enough to make a short summers work of it 

I was over to the Regt Sunday night hence I did not write you as usual but wrote you Monday evening; our bags are in bomb proofs on the front line near a large fort called McSilvin with 16 guns and they have right lively times as the Johnnies shell almost constantly and our batteries reply two shells to their one

The men are pretty well - Maj Nichols in commanding - Capt Bellair has been exchanged and returned to the Regt well and fat Lei DeSand has been promoted Captain   The Col is still in Mich and I suppose exchanged   He wrote me a few days since that he was getting along well

I forwarded that letter of Mrs Taylor by the Dispatch Boat, as I was at City Point the next day at its departure to “Col Wulford NS, agent for Exchange of Prisoners at or near Charleston S,C,” and I hope she may see or hear from him and her husband for the uncertainty of his fate is much worse to bear than to know that he was dead

My health is first rate and I enjoy myself quite as well as I expect to away from my treasury for these long cold and windy nights make me think of home and the warm hearts there   I think I wrote you that I received a letter from Bill Childs in which he said Mrs, C, health was poor

I am now dressing very fancy having on a vest and pants made of a Gov blanket - the latter cut Gouave[?] - roomy in the nether parts and extremities   soldiers and officers are basking in the new style which are very gay

Address your letters to me as Surgeon in Chief 3d Div 9th A,C or else they will go to the Regt and I will not get them in a week   How I would like to spend Christmas and New Years with you take a sleighride and sit close together again as in times past - but - pshaw!! what be a boy again - yes, yes for one night my dear; wouldnt you?

Give my love to all and with a happy Christmas to you  I remain as ever

Your dear

Arvin

73 (Arvin had a fine Christmas dinner and thought about those at home who were doing the same. Once again, he feels the end of the war is near. His three-year enlistment is up on January 1, 1865. Those around him wish for him to stay and promise a 30-day leave of absence. He’s inclined to stay for another year and wants to know what Dell feels about that. It appears that, as was common, he sleeps with another man. He complains about this, saying that even if it helps in the cold weather his bedmate is still a man and “little better than no body at all.”)

Office Surgeon In Chief Hd Qrs

3d Div 9th A,C, Dec 26th 1864

My dear Wife

Merri Christmas to you and all the friends at home with your roast turkies stewed chickens mince pie apples and cider - and - and - and - &C   Well I am so full of turkey and cranberry sauce, pudding pie and other fixens that I can hardly sit still, your very good letter of the 20th came to hand this P,M, which formed a splendid desert to the bountiful repast of the day so I am quite happy under all the circumstances and trust my little family at home has been so too   It would have tasted better I think had it been prepared by the hands of my wife and she sat at my side during the meal; still I thought of her and this time one year ago - then we were happy in old Camp Douglas and while I thought of that pleasant time and happy in the reflection that you are still spared with Bion to me yet sad memories cling around the past year

Mother ripe, although afflicted, has pass from us to return no more; and that noble generous brother Bodwell has been cut down in the prime of manhood, these come crowding my mind with sad memories.   Memories of friends at home, and on the bloody fields of this campaign   I pass the silent graves of my noble boys every day and step lightly the ground made holy by patriotic blood - I hear the whizzing of the fratracidal bullet and the murdurous scrunch of the death dealing shell and see the mangled corpse of the brave “Mars” carried by me - or bend over it and staunch the ebbing life; all of which stir up the deep sympathies of my nature and cast a gloom over the past year   But there are things to make the past not entirely dark; for the nation is now rejoiced even in the blood of her sons and the bright star of peace begins to illumin the Orient  Mothers, fathers, brothers sisters smile through their tears of mourning for the dear ones offered on the alter of Liberty for they feel that victory and Liberty will crown the efforts; baptised in such gallant blood, of the nation

Again - my own jewels are left to me yet - my wife - my boy  So that with saddness past there is much to make me happy while I will be sad   What will another year bring forth?  Will those jewels wade the arrowes of harm that fly with sure aim?  God grant it, - and I will rejoice and be thankful

This has been a beautiful day, warm and sunny and Christmas dinner have been plenty - the spirits of all high in the expectation of soon conquaring a peace that will be lasting

Thomas and Sherman have seriously interfered recently with the Confederate respiration, and I think that Davis and Lee before long will have a shortness of breath, while Butler troubles their “internals”   Amputation will hardly save them now and arrangements might as well be made for a burial - unless they sink below and are consumed in fires of damnation

Under present orders I can muster out of the service having served three years - what shall I do about it?  Do you think I had better do it and come home or stay until an other year from the 1st of next January   They want me to stay and say I can get a 30 days leave of absence in March or February if I desire it  I am pursuaded I ought to remain but would like to know what you think about it so write me fully

O how I would like to be with my family to night - it would be happy Christmas indeed and I would wave all presents except of the heart and affection of my good wife & child   They would be ample to commemorate any event and sufficient for New Years    We are very comfortable during the cold weather of the past few days still it was not home comfort and a man is a man to sleep with which to me is a very little better than no body at all

Kiss Bion for me give my love to all reserving the better share to yourself and a happ New Years to you and all

As ever

Arvin

74 (Apparently Arvin “scolded” Dell because he feels absolutely terrible about it. He vows to be a better husband. Their deep affection for one another is evidenced in his teasing her about her charge that he has “baby on the brain” when that “institution” is quite a bit lower than that.)

Hd Qrs 3rd Div 9th A,C,

Off ice Surgeon in Chief

Saturday night Feb 11th 1865

My Dear good wife

Oh how I would love to see you for a little while, and look in those loving eyes - what a joy - what a happyness yes, yes - back again in my little log house a nice fire, have taken a bath and now sitting here at 10 o’clk writing to one of the best wives in the universe - and I scolded her too - well my dear I am ashamed  I ought to be a better husband; but will you believe me when I say and resolve to be more worthy of the pure love you give me  I desire to be loved, and to know that I am is a consolation deeper than words can express - it takes hold of the very strings of my heart and is a part of myself to rob me of which would be to take away all happiness of this life and any hope of the future   I know I am of a peculiar disposition, and often feel that your forebearance with me is the surest test of your hearts purest affections - then wonder that I so carelessly wound those generous sensibilities from which comes your loves devotion lavished on one unworthy    Whatever my faults, my dear wife I still feel and know you forgive and love me none the less   And were you hear to night or I there with you, I would fold you to a bosom that throbs only for you and yours - a heart that has known no other love and desires no other affection - the inspiration and influence of which keeps and surrounds me

Your dear good letter of the 4th just reached me several days ago in the field while sitting in the rain under a big pine tree before a large fire at Hatches Run and I have read it several times and again since I returned to night   I have scolded you, my dear, and you tried to scold back but your good heart got the better of you and turned it into a splendid love letter; - why notwithstanding I am tired and sleepy I had to write a few lines to night any way, for I feel so happy over that letter   I cant say I am glad I found fault with you, for I am really sorry but am happy to get your good letter and all the circumstances at the time made it doubly dear to me  Now you think I have “baby on the brain” but my dear permit me to say you are mistaken certainly in the locality of that institution - it is not so high up as that - but you did not mean that - did you?  So I will not try to be witty at your expense; but say just as I feel to night for I shall write you tomorrow all about the expedition I have been on

Larkings seem to think I shall not come home this spring - well may be I shall not - but I shall try mighty hard to come next month some time from the 5th to the 10th and go straight to Michigan so have your carpet ready and self to start at a moments notice; - but do not make too much calculation to see me because you would be so badly disappointed if I should not come - but I must see you and go home if it is among the possibilities   I do want to see you and Bion terribly and if I could only get a kiss from you both to night I should lie down on my hard bed with perfect contentment and dream that you were in my arms and not to be again separated so long   How happy we were last fall  It seems to me although sick the happiest time in our life and that I never enjoyed a visit so well in my life notwithstanding the sad reflections that poor Bod and mother were no more   Did you not enjoy it? How good and pleasant, loving and kind you was to me; well you always was even when I was ugly but now it seems as it did then that we were really happy and I long to see the months roll round when I shall have you with me again and we can live as I believe Providence designed we should on this earth  Oh dear!!  ten months more, it does appear a good while - but I suppose I shall get through it and the time when past will seem short   But when we get into our humble cottages once more to living like man and wife will it not be happy times for us, - our dear good boy growing up too   I want to have him well educated and a good man then will I feel that I have not lived in vain

It is getting very late and I must go to bed and finish this letter to morrow so here is a warm kiss hoping you will enjoy it in spirit, and it will make your dreams more sweet God bless you - good night Arvin

(The following was written perpendicularly to the left of the original writing.)

I have written this in great hast but I feel better for it Shall sleep all the better      12 o’clk Midnight - I wonder if my dear wife is thinking of me in her dreams

Arvin

75 (On a 15 1/2” by 10 3/4” folded paper, Arvin covered all but the major portion of the first page with writing that is perpendicular to the original lines. This may have reflected the scarcity of stationery late in the war.

Arvin tells about a battle in great detail. In the midst of it, some of the Union troops “skedaddled” in great disarray. He’s quite disgusted about this. At the end of the letter, he asks Dell not to share the letter.)

Sunday Evening

Feb 12th 1865

My Good Wife

I sit down to night to finish this letter and tell you why I did not write last Sunday night as usal   One week ago to day about 3 o’clk in the morning our Division received orders to be ready to move at a moments notice to support the 2nd A,C who were advancing from our left tward Hatchers Run   The 1st Brig of our Div moved from their camp 3, PM and in the 1/2 hour was followed by the balance of the Div

Brig Gen Hartranfs (who commands this Div) and Staff started at 4 1/2 PM, in the mean time  I had to get my ambulances ready and supplied and started them when I rode on and over took the Gen about 8 PM   One of Gen Humphrys aids met us and said we must hurry and get into position as we would be attacked at daylight

Good good  here comes an other letter from my good wife Feb 7th post mark and I will stop all and read it “ ___  ___ ___ ___

I am sorry you feel so sad - but I will go on with my history - well our Div took a position on the right of the 2nd A,C, and worked all night making breastworks   Monday morning came but no enemy of any number but a cold sleety rain and hail   They attacked the 2nd A,C, however and were repulsed with severe loss   The 5th A,C, had moved to the left of the 2nd AC and crossed Hatchers run where they met the enemy in large forces secreted in a dense wood    Gen Crawfords 3rd Div 5th A,C was in the line of battle advancing supported by the 1st Div (Gen Ayres) 5th A,C, and the NY Brigade of the 2nd Div 5th A,C while in the rear was the 1st Div 6th AC, moving to our troops left flank in order to attack the enemy on their right flank (side) and rear; as our advance crossed the open field and entered this wood the Rebs were massed and charged Crawfords Div suddenly and furiously who stood but a few moments, broke and fell back in great confusion through Ayres lines stampeeding and partially braking it while the 6th AC Div halted and commenced firing - at the enemy and the two Divisions in front of them which caused our men to rush back on to the 6th AC line carrying with them causing a grand skedaddle to the other side of the Run with great loss in killed and wounded and many drowned

During this time the NY Brigade charged the enemy on their flank and drove them back but with considerable loss when it also fell back across the field to a small piece of woods and threw up temporary works  In the mean time the skedaddled and other troops were reformed on this side of the Run and marched back and reoccupied the ground and removed the dead and wounded - It was then very dark and an advancing our picket line as daylight (Tuesday the 7th) it was found that the enemy had fallen back one mile the previous evening leaving their dead on the field which we captured   It is the general belief that if the advance line of battle had not run we should have whiped them so bad that they could not have stoped this side the Southside RR which we should certainly have captured   The rain and sleet was terrible all day Tuesday rendering the roads already bad impassable to wagons and artillery  A dozen  horses could scarsely drag through the mud one piece of cannon hence a farther advance is as impossible and all the troops went to work making permanent breastworks and corduroy roads as the troops had to be supplied with rations and ammunition and forage for horses   Our lines on the left commence on Hatches Run and connect with the old line of works at the Peebles farm which was formly our extreme left stretching out nearly 4 miles farther which causes the enemy to extend their line of defences and prevents their sending reenforcements to Hardee and Bragg to oppose Sherman   This seemed to be the object of the movement and may be called successful although at great expense of blood but I believe had it not been for the shameful conduct of some of our troops monday afternoon and the storm and bad roads of Tuesday it would have been more successful and with less loss   The Southside R,R, would have been taken and held by us when the Johnnies would have been compelled to evacuate Petersburg

If you read the correspondents in the N,Y, Herald you will see that they make it a glorious victory and say not a word of the skedaddle but mildly remark that our troops were pressed back (see margins of 1st page) 

(This is written perpendicularly to the original words on page 1.)

when the facts are, it was a shamful run as many of the officers of the 5th A,C, have told me so - for I went all over the ground on last wednesday morning with a major of a N,Y Regt who was in the fight saw the whole thing he being in the NY Brig who stood so gallantly

(This is written perpendicularly to the original words on page 2.)

Had Burnside been within a hundred miles of here he would have been blamed for it - and the whole thing charged on the 9th A,C by the Army of the Potomac - but mind you this was done by the 5th A,C and all the newspaper writing clap their hand and say bravo bravo
(This is written perpendicularly to the original words on page 3.)

The 2nd A,C whiped the enemy hansomely when he attacked them Sunday night so much so that he did not mention to repeat it again   Our division was more fortunate and did not have a fight still we held an important line where an attack was expected until wednesday night every moment we built a line of works one mile long, slushed all the timber in front of it for 1/4 of a mile shiverd in the cold rain wet to hide kept large log fires and finely returned again to our comfortable quarters last night about 9’oc’lk thankful and comparatively happy for we had no tents and our only shelter was the pine boughs and oil clothes   I stood first rate although wet through and slept on the ground every night was a little lame from Rhumatism but a good battle and clean clothes last night and had a very fine sleep put me all right again   so you see last Sunday night when you was writing that letter to me feeling so gloomy and sad I think your spirit must have  comprehended where I was and the danger that surrounded me

(This is written perpendicularly to the original words on page 4.)

I shall begin to believe somewhat in presentiments for I really thought of you often on that march   I was unable to write you out there and hence have delayed till now but trust the length of this letter will compensate in a measure for your long waiting   It will occupy at last a portion of you time and thoughts to decipher it so if you cannot weave the carpet you can learn to read awful bad choragraphy[?]

  Poor Phoebe Ann - she never knew her husband and he never had a wifes love to cheer him   a heart of stone can give back no true affection For I fear even if she respects his memory tis because he left her an allowance to supply her selfish wants

I thank Heaven I have no such wife no - no -

Col DeSand has resigned and will leave the service   He gets no use of his leg yet  I had a letter from him yesterday  Well now good night my dear wife  a kiss for you and Bion and accept this as answer to your three letters the last one read to night dated Feb 5

P,S, Do not show this letter to any body

Arvin

76    (A personal letter, with Arvin telling Dell how much she and her love and good example mean to him. Apparently Dell suggested that she was looking forward to the “old fashioned good night” because Arvin also refers to it and asks her to keep his side of the bed warm. Arvin also reports that the Union is extending the fortifications and extending the railroad.)

Hd Qrs 3rd Div 9th A,C,

10 o’c’lk  Feb 16th 1865

My Dear good wife

Just as I was preparing for my hard and lonely couch in comes the mail bag with a letter from my own dear wife, so here I am in hishibille (is that the word) hastening to answer it so that you shall not wait so long for a reply   Last Sunday night I wrote you a long letter, which you have no doubt received ere this, giving the reason of my seeming negligence so I will not repeat it   I have also written a letter to Bion to night and put it in the office - I find it very hard work to write so to interest him, but hope the experiment will be successful and aid in a measure of the proper developement of his mind and stimulate an ambition to be studious and a good boy   but to you my good angel the talk is more easy - for whether interesting or not I love to do it and feel that they are ever welcomed and not judged by their literary merit alone   The heart does not view with criticisms the rough expressions or smooth rounded phrases, but like the bee who sips the honny from the thorn thistle and the flower of the humblest weed, so it culls from words that deeper feeling the internal language of the soul, and if not elegant express yet perfectly understood and felt

So when I write you I forget the defects in my earlier education and pen more the thought of the heart than intellect yet I try always to be as interesting as my uninteresting and perverse nature will permit me   For in the midst of war and army life if I have no good and loving wife to write me and her noble influence constantly around and over me I fear I should soon become a hardened barbarian with all feeling and manly sentiments dissipated and I often think - how wretched indeed must be a life uninfluenced by such - no aim - no hope - no love; - a mere automaton simply living because he could not cease breathing, and in manhood scarsely above the ox, with no more purpose in the present; and no more hope in the future   I am happ indeed there was within me a germ, nurtured by the affection of a true heart that has for years and does now inspire me to be better than I am   It has made me all I am, and all I expect to be; and if you are to night snow-bound, weary and lonely your spirit is held not in hands of ice, but in love that I feel and appreciate   Hence when I receive not your welcome letters, apprehensions, fears, and anxieties crowd thick and fast on my mind and increase the unhappiness which long separation is liable to cause   And I see this is the case with you for in your letter commenced the 7th you show you disappointment and anxiety by attempting to scold but most singally fail and again on the 9th so I think my dear  you had better let the scolding part out to your husband who has proved himself more of an adept at it, and more successful at least   I am in hopes the closing sentiment of your good letter may soon be realized in the “old fashioned good night” and that the Powers that be will permit me to fold you in these strong arms and again and that not many weeks hence

I shall make application about the 1st of March and shall expect to be successful, though I may fail as it will depend on the movements of the enemy and our Army   However both armies are now mud-bound and all is quiet on our extreme left at Hatcher’s; our fortifications are nearly completed there and the railroad is being rapidly extended to near the Run   Lee dare not send any reenforcements to Bragg & Hardee because they require every man on the long extended line to protect the SouthSide R,R which they must hold or yield Petersburg and Richmond

I see by the papers that Sherman has out-generaled their Bragg - flanked Branchville, distraged[?] the Augusta R,R and is after Columbia which will compel the evacuation of Charleston and the abandonment of the whole of the cursed nest of traitors South Carolina   Picket firing has commenced again on this line in front of Petersburg with a good deal of artillery practices and this after noon there was a “right smart heap” of it

My health is first rate which you will believe when I tell you I weigh 172 pounds - what do you think about sitting in lap - hey! - is not that and armful?  but I must close and retire for I am getting chilly with “dishibille”   Please warm my side of the bed - a warm kiss - good night my beloved wife

Arvin

77 (Some domestic business with letters and a box that contained butter to eat with hard tack that didn’t arrive. Confederate deserters are coming into camp again and Arvin is once again hopeful that the war will soon end.)

Hd Qrs 3d Div 9th AC

Sunday night Feb 19th 1865

My Dear wife

Your good letter of last Sunday night was received this morning and I am real thankful you write so often for it is pleasant indeed to received one and two letters a week from home which has happened to me lately   But it is strange that it takes so long for you to get mine as I had thought it took longer for letters to come here than to go

I have not received the box yet nor do I expect to - it was so long before you sent it cold weather set in interfering with transportation causing a large accumulation of express matter at Washington and Baltimore and requiring a number of weeks to form and it being steady weather has come and probably the butter will be spoiled by that time and I shall continue to wabble my hard-tack in hogs fat which I regret very much

But it can not be helpt now so I must not complain for you did the best you could  This is my first experiment of having luxuries sent me from home which was rather expensive by mail and am afraid will be a failure by express   Your mail facilities are not as good and cheap as Sister Louisa’s - however the tobacco was fine and the socks very fine

This has been a splendid day warm and springlike and I have been out all day riding and inspecting the Division with Gen Hartrauft and staff, am pretty tired yet feel well   The weather is so treacherous here as it will be warm then cold then raining in the space of 48 hours, that one can not tell what the morrow will bring forth therefore I think there will not be any movement of the Army unless it be devious traitors[?] to keep Lee from sending troops south to Bragg and Hardee   This Army will constantly threaten Richmond and Petersburg and so worry the enemy in our front as to most effectually prevent any considerable numbers from here opposing Sherman who I see by NY papers of the 18th and a Richmond paper received today in our lines - has already squatted before Columbia and not many days hence will walk into Raleigh and knock at the back door of Richmond while Charleston will fall by necessity and Gilmore will occupy and wipe out the infernal birth place of traitors   Davis then will be compelled to leave with his rag muffins and take a new stand where there will be more to eat and I think the devil knows only where that is - so we may well say that the thing is nearly played out - yet there will be some severe fighting - desperate & bloody will be the dying struggle of the monster who is now trembling beneath the iron grasp of Grant Sherman Sheridan and Thomas   Then shall we have conquered a peace that will be permanant and lasting - and all the white robed priest of the south and white livered flunkys of the north will loose their dove winged occupation for peace can only be after whipping annihilatory and subjugating Jeff Davis? armed forces   our own lives are quiet again and things are resuming their old status Deserters are coming in freely again telling woeful stories of suffering of the people and the Reb soldiers much of which is no doubt true yet I have very little confidence in or sympathy for the sons of b_chs  But every deserter is one man less to fight so I can tolerate them   I wrote you my dear wife on Wednesday but you say you are going up to, B,  nevertheless I shall send this to N Bergen as you do not seem to get my letters when directed to the former place   Oh dear!  this is disagreeable living single yet married - but better days are in store for me, I trust not many weeks will elaps before I shall see you

Love to Bion and yourself and a kiss for both    Good night    Arvin

78 (Much talk about the vagaries of the mail delivery. The troops have been ordered to be ready to move “at a moments notice.” Sherman is successfully moving through the South. Charleston has fallen, and Arvin anticipated Columbia, Wilmington and Raleigh to follow soon. Some information about his attempt to get home for awhile.)

Hd Qrs 3d Div 9th A,C,

Wednesday night  Feb 22nd 1865

My Dear Wife

Your letter written Feb 15th and mail last Saturday in answer to that “ancient” one from Brockport is now just received and I can but express my wonder at your not receiving them more frequent for I answer every one immediately and you ought to have at least half a dozen since the one you referred to was written, - but it takes so long and your mails coming only three times a week adds greater delay   Your Sunday night letters arrive here on the following Saturday or Sunday and your wednesday or thursday night letters on same day of the next week ordinaryly since you have been at P Bergen    So you see I calculate on them if there is no interruption from cold storms or fogs on the James river and Buy just as much as on my dinner but am sorry to say I am not unfrequently disappointed

As to writing as often as you do perhaps I do not for I have a good deal of labor and responsibility which require much of my time and thoughts - hence I do not write to kill time - for with so much on hand time runs rapidly   and only seems long when I think of my good little family and the months of separation   I wrote you a full account of the Hatchers Run fight some over two weeks ago since which time all has been quiet - but we received an order to be ready to move at a moments notice to night with information that the enemy are massing their forces on the center of our line near Ft Howard, some four miles to the left of these Hd Qrs with a view to break through - but we are ready to receive them an will let them through if they will only come as none will return our marks are in position to let them pass the front lines of works when they will be received, in the language of the Rebel orators, “and welcomed to hospitable graves”

Should they attack it will only be the frantic attempt of a desperate and infatuated foe and their last on this line for unlike McCanber they will not wait long for “something to turn up” but will be getting out of the wilderness pretty fast

The news from Sherman is most glorious - the old Hero is scourging the chivalry magnificently - Charleston is ours and Columbia and soon Wilmington and Raleigh, then Richmond Lee Davis and the devil   They ought to send donations of Petrolium from Pennsylvania sufficient to burn Charleston and I would suggest that the Sanitary Commission ask for oil and sulphur for that purpose as it would properly come within the department of “Special Relief” of that society and it would certainly be a great relief to an outraged nation to have the cursed city blotted from off the face of the earth; so mote[?] it be

I have seen no account of the great fire in Hillsdale and only heard a few days since from Albert that there was a fire, but no particulars   This has been a fine spring day, the birds singing and every think betokening and early summer still it would not surprise me if it stormed to morrow, as the weather down here is like the Indian’s white man, mighty uncertain  My dear in regard to my coming home all I have to say is I shall come if I can as I intend to make application about the 5th and it will take four or five days to get it through and about four days to go to Brockport where I shall tarry but a short time proceeding immediately to Michigan so be ready to jump and run if I come   I am glad you are so comfortable during the cold weather and have a slight warming to your back and hope the other side will not get so cold as to require warming before I come

Your are getting to be a self sustaining wife I should judge by your rapid exploits with the shuttle and loom and I am most happy to learn that you succeed so admirably   I want you to find some old fashioned apron check, or small plain check gingham for shirts and make me two so I can bring them back with me for summer use

Pay masters have arrived and we are expecting lots of Greenbacks which is as source of great joy always - The box has not arrived yet   Good night love to yourself and Bion and folk

Arvin

79    (Confederate deserters continue to come into the Union camp, including officers. Valuable information is offered from the Confederate officers. Supposedly, good intelligence is saying that Lee may have to abandon Petersburg. Charleston, Columbia and Wilmington fell.)

Hd Qrs 3rd Div 9th AC

Sunday night Feb 26th 1865

My Dear wife

No letter to night but I will commence writing expecting one when the mail arrives this evening as I did not receive one last night

This has been a beautiful spring day everything quiet with the usual Sunday inspections and yet everything in order for a move at a moments notice   In my last I informed you of an expected attack from the enemy, but that idea has been abandoned and we have sure information that they are preparing to evacuate Petersburg hence the alert and watchfulness of our command as the troops are under arms every aught[?]   Deserters are coming in in droves to our lines  In front of our corps last night there were 45 with two officers and some 55 the night before - this is only one Corps and its said the average number on our whole lines is between 300 & 400 every night   Last night they burned over in Petersburg a large tobacco warehouse full of the precious need to light of which at our trenches enabled the men to read, and the smoke and vapor was easily detected in the air by our hardy vetrans who seemed to enjoy a smoke at the Johnnies expense

All the deserters concur in the story that Jeff is played out and say that Lee must leave Petersburg in order to to shorten his lines of defence, and if Sherman is not driven back he will be compeled to with draw from Richmond, and establish a new base for supplies, as he will have no means of feeding his Army, much less the 60,000 non combatants and citizens within the defences of Richmond, which, are now mostly supplied from the Rebel commissary in starvation amounts, and at ruinous, and fabulous prices, i.e.: if Confederate money is worth anything

The roads are terrible, so I think there will be no flank movement to the left of Hatchers Run to accelerate the movement of the enemy’s evacuation of Petersburg but that we shall charge over our’s and their works before many days   On friday was fired a hundred shotted guns by each Corps on the front in honor of Sherman’s recent glorious successes, the fall of Charleston Columbia and Wilmington,   The enemy only replied by mortar shells (bomb shells) and did not fire a single cannon and one of the deserting officers informed us this morning that they had taken all of their heavy siege guns to the north side of the Appomattox and that their Hospitals in Petersburg had been removed to Richmond - their sick and extra ammunition also

The defences on the north side of the town are very formidable being build on the bluffs of the Appomattox and overlooking the surrounding plain - They have several forts there now which infilade our lines in front of the city among which are Chesterfield and Goose-neck-point so if they fall back to thenorth side of the river, leaving poor Petersburg in the cold they will probably make their line of the defences on the north bank of that stream abandoning the SouthSide R,R, and hence another channel of supplies leaving only one Railroad south from Richmond with all the chances of cavalry raids to break up and destroy that   The advantages to us will be incalculateable as the Lientenant General can swing the left of our grand Army around to the junction of the Petersburg and Dansville (SouthSide RR) with Richmond and Lynchburg RR’s cutting off all R,R, communication with S, Carolina NC and the entire south   Sherman joining us will punch the last breath from the dying Confederacy

This was a balmy southern spring morning, it being Sunday everything was quiet, save the church bells of Petersburg which rang out up on the soft air its Sabbath music calling the devotees around the alters dedicated to treason, sprinkled by the blood of slaves, to offer prayers for the success of a conflict which will find the manacles tighter, subvert the principles of justice and take the life of the goddess of Liberty weeping and mourning for the martyrs, to her cause

A train of thoughts came as I listened to that music, sad and mournful and I asked myself is there justice on earth and a punishment hereafter? - if so, what must be the wrath of God in store for them   It is true they sound[?] to the whirlwind and are now reaping the storm yet a hell seven times heated will be their just deserts

The present movements may delay my coming home or prevent it entirely, but if my remaining will aid in the least the capture of Petersburg and Richmond then will I say that, “the winter of my discontent is made glorious summer” and I will bow to the will of my country  and the cause of human rights and cheerfully forego the happiness of meeting the loved ones at home for a season

So be prepared for disappointment in my visiting you and lay it not to heart if you see not your husband until often he has tread the streets of Petersburg and Richmond   My dear this letter may not be very interesting to you, - yet it is too?!  for I know your patriotic heart will fill with joy at the hope of having our country rise triumphant over the traitors who have been seeking to destroy it, you may think however that I am too hopeful and over sanguine - I know there must be some desperate battles but I have no misgivings for the final result

The box has not come yet my love to yourself and Bion

No letter to night; Good bye and a kiss

Arvin 

80 (Petersburg and Richmond have fallen.)

In the Field Hd Qrs

3d Div  9th A,C 12 miles from Petersburg tward Lynchberg

Apr 5, 1865

Dr Wife

When I wrote you last Saturday night the great battle had opened - and at 4 AM we charged and held them all day fighting most desperately suffice it to sa we cleand them most gallantly   Petersburg is ours Richmond is ours an the Confederacy has gave up  I am safe, we move again and as soon as possible will write you more full

Arvin

81 (Arvin looks forward to when “Father Abraham” tells them “well done” and sends them home. His diarrhea returned, but he’s so happy about the war news that he can stand it.)

Notaway Court House

April 11th 1865

My Dear Wife

Your letter reached me last night of Sunday Apr 2nd which done me great good notwithstanding the full measure of happiness from our recent great victory and capture of Gen Lee and Army under him as you will see by the papers

My dear this looks like again returning to our dear homes to enjoy the blessings of peace and the home circle once more   We soon shall have nothing to do as there will be no enemy to fight for Johnson can not last long even before Sherman and when God & Grant combine they will crush the viper and annihilate the traitor

Then Kiby Smith will no doubt with draw to mexico to save his head when our broad banner will again float over our land

There are already speculations as to what this Army will do now - time will determine - but I shall be glad to drop in among you at any time when Father Abraham shall say, - well done faithful servant go home now to the bosom of your family; - which I think I shall enjoy

I have not been very well for a few days as my diarrhea has returned on me but not serious yet I can stand a heap when victory crowns our arms - we have heard nothing from the front to day but everything is loveli and the goose hangs high

When this letter will reach you I can not tell but will trust it to Uncle Samuel hoping that it will not be long

Remember me to our friends and much love to yourself and Bion

Affectionately your

husband

Arvin

82 (Many of the soldiers and officers are retuning home, but Arvin plans to stay until fall. The army isn’t quite ready to disband because Johnson (Johnston) has still not “come it.” Kiby (Kirby) Smith is still fighting and there was talk that he is a traitor to the Confederacy because he was interested in an alliance with Maxmillian in Mexico. Rebels are coming to take the oath of allegiance to the Union and Arvin is noting that the women are friendly with the Yanks and some of the Union soldiers are thinking of taking a southern wife.)

Hd Qrs 3d Div 9th A,C

Notaway Court Court House Apr 14th 1865

My Dear Good Wife

Your letter of the 4th came to hand this day and full as usual of comfort and cheer and no doubt several days ago the more than glorious news reached you that Lee had surrendered and the Rebel Army of Virginia were no more   I will not enter into the particulars of his flight - the chase and final capture as the papers are full and from their numerous correspondents you will obtain a very correct relile[?] though they do not always tell the truth   In fact many of them are miles from the scene and all their information is “heresay” which is - you know often very incorrect

The officers & men are being paroled as fast as possible and permitted to return to their homes - large numbers of whome are passing through this town every day appearing to be entirely satisfied and willing to go home and be peaceful citizens   Every body around here are anxious for peace and hundreds apply daily to take the oath of Allegience even the women smile on the Yanks are invite the young and once hated blue coats to their houses and parlors - if these she-devils have not been brought to their milk yet, I fear that only few months will be required    Indeed some of our officers are already talking of marrying down here - I suppose with a view to develope unionism - and taking my observations as a criterion, I would not be surprised if there was some developement whether they marry or not

Sheridan with his cavalry are here recuperating and will soon be ready for Johnson if he does not “come in”   Then Kiby Smith will require a little attention in which the Rebels will join us for they say he is a traitor to them and had formed an alliance with Maxmillian who they desire to clean out of mexico

The army is resting and will be ready for another campaign in a few weeks - but what & where I have no means of knowing   It is not probably that the army will be disbanded yet awhile until things are fully settled and large numbers of soldiers time expires this summer yet I think that resignations will be readily accepted - still I shall forego those privelages of returning to my loving wife and boy if you remain well, until this fall when I trust I shall be with you to stay and enjoy your love and smiles again   Our Division is here and the second Div at Burkville which is 10 miles from here twards Petersburg so you see we are guarding R,R, and picking up stragling Johnnies

You may have a sip of old Bourbon or egg-nod if you like - I think I would enjoy a ‘nip’ of it if I were at home or something else wouldn’t you? (how do you find your self? all right or not??)

It is very fine weather here and flowers are in profusion - while I write before me stands a magnificent boquet exhalings most delightful fragrance   They call this place a village - but if half a dozen old houses a Court House and stone jail constitute a village then it is and the same may be said of Burkville

Much love to you & Bion

God bless you

Arvin

83 (President Lincoln has been assassinated. Arvin thinks it’s in a hotel and that Jeff Davis was involved and that perhaps the Copperheads were too. He worries about the ramifications of the assassination. With peace just established, he fears the soldiers will be unrestrained in their grief and anger. Arvin, too, feels that the South should be further annihilated and Davis and all his generals hanged.)

Notaway Court House Va

Hd Qrs 3d Div 9th A,C

Saturday night April 15th 1865

My Dear Good Wife

The nation yesterday rejoiced in grand victories and the re-raising of the same old flag over the battered walls of Ft Sumter and by its gallant defender - but to day is plunged in gloom and sadness - the President and Secretary of War have been assassinated - my God!! it sees impossible - a telegram has just reached us bearing the sad, sad news and ere this has carried it all over the country turning the joy of the people into mourning and weeping - a great; good man has been murdered - murdered in daylight in the hotel of the Capital of this great and soon to be free and peaceful nation murdered by a pupil from the school of traitor either north or south and more likely the former and yet we call them erring brothers

This is overwhelming and makes me sick not only in view of the sad catastrophy but in view of the vengeance that will be meted out to the traitors when we capture them hereafter for I fear our soldiers will be exasperated beyond control and a bloodier warfare will be waged on the remnant of Jeff Davis minions of hell, and the torch will be applied and the south more thoroughly scavinged, because, who ever done the dastardly deed secession and traitors are directly responsible for it - its the result of their helish teachings and no doubt in accordance with preconceived plans concocted by Davis and his rebellious cohorts - and we expect to hear that poison dagger or assassins bullet will rob us of our Great God Given Grant - for what will not traitors do

I trust that Davis will be persued and when captured, hangd to the first tree and every rebel General expiate their crime in a similar way - This gives a new phase to the political condition of our country and Heaven only knows how and what the results will be - We have no particulars of the tragedy but know too much of the sad news may Heaven quit us as a people and raise up another man to fill the great and good mans place

I know you will feel sad for your good patriotic heart has been filld with joy at our victories notwithstanding the great loss of life but Mr Lincolns death like a cloud will shut out the sunshine of glory and you with all loyal daughters will feel the calamity   I could weep easily, but tears will not suffice - the blood of traitors is the only atonement - and I go in for annihilation and will cheerfully give my every effort   I hoped that would soon permit me to come to your arms and enjoy that bountiful love which you always possess but now fear that I shall be compelled to wait a little longer

I would write more but the mail soon closes and the man is waiting for this so must stop by saying

Good bye and God bless you

Arvin

84 A quick note telling Dell that they have orders to march. Arvin guesses it’s to help Sherman or to Texas. Part of the letter is torn and the words missing at indicated by ***.)

Notaway Court House Va

Hd Qrs 3d Civ 9th A,C, Apr 20th 1865

My Dear Good Wife

Your letter of the 10th came to hand yesterday a good long one too - I am sorry you are so bothered about obtaining help - but you no doubt will succeed if you do not try to accomplish too much  I wish I was with you for I am more anxious than ever still I feel that traitors are yet to be punished and I shall wait with patience for the good time coming

We have just received orders to march to City Point and every body is packing *** - We do not know where we shall go from there *** it looks as if we should go farther south in a few days to help Sherman or to Texas

I am quite well and will write you at City Point or on the road

Much love (the bugle sounds) a kiss for you and Bion

Arvin

85 (Arvin reprises the joy of the war ending in the Union’s favor and the devastating grief that followed when Lincoln was assassinated. He has heard that Gen. Sherman granted an armistice to Gen. Johnson [Johnston] and allowed Jeff Davis to escape. After sputtering about it he says he will withhold judgement until he knows more. The regiment is waiting for orders to move somewhere, and Arvin muses about resigning to come home to Dell and Bion.)

Alexandria Va

Hd Qrs 3d Div 9th AC

Tuesday night Apr 25 1865

My Dear Good Wife

I received your very good long letter of the 17th while waiting to take the boat at City Point and have written several short ones, none of which did I consider as answer to your most excellent one   So tired and weary though I am I felt as if I must write you

I have just reread yours - which stirs again the memory of the great events of the last thirty days - Events so grand as to be almost incomprehensible to the present generation - glories so effulgant that mortal vision no longer catch the rays of external objects but reproduces upon the retina the patriotic emotions of the soul - triumphs made doubly magnificent by the blood of hundreds of our countrys martyrs - growing more grand in the light of the future    Amidst all of this with a people drunk with joy and hopes of peace - the assassin dagger and bullet pierces the hearts of this mighty Nation and peoples joy is turned to mourning - a sadness too deep to be expressed in words - a hurt anguish that dried the eyes of weeping mothers sisters father and brothers over their battle slain - for a nations heart throbed with pain, caused by the foul murder of the President - a great good man!! - a Christian statesman! a man of whome may be said as of Washington - first in war, peace and the hearts of his countrymen’

There may be a Providence in this for his tragic death has made more prominant the beautiful traits of his character the nobleness of his intellect

It teaches us also to look on treason as the highest of crimes deserving the most candign[?] punishments - for traitors were begotten of Satan, cradled in hell and matured into objects of such devilish naturs, as to require their utter annihilation that they may never curse the land again   We can not say of southern traitors as Christ said of his persecutors “Father forgive them for they know not what they do’   no, no, we can not forgive them, the blood of our young men - the anguish of widows and orphans the waist of treasury, the attempted distruction of the nation and the murder of our president   no - no! - there is not rain enough in Heaven or mercy with justice to purify their souls from the sin of rebellian which hangs like a mighty loade and will bear them down to the pit of endless woe   Forgive them?? the blood of too many Ables cry from the ground vengeance

While the funeral cortege bears the mangles remains of our beloved chieftain to its last resting place and the solemn dirge strikes mournfully the nation’s soul, too full for utterance can we forgive?? - Possibly God may but patriots will - must not

Again their comes from Sherman rumors of another dart at the nations heart adding humiliation to our anguish for by a most singular freak of that great soldier he has granted an armistice to Johnson and caused Wilson to open the back door for the escape the arch traitor Davis - who should be hanged and quartered and burned and his ashes scatered in the wale[?] places of the land all this before even the silent remains of Mr Lincoln are committed to the martyrs grave to mingle with its mother dust

It is too bad!! does not Justice cry shame?? and spare not the sword? Suspicions crowd the mind and fall heavy on our hearts - but I will suspend judgement until further development

The destiny of this Corps is still mysterious - Grant has gone down to take care of Sherman and we shall have to wait his orders   The prevailing opinion however is that we will rendesvous here - ready to go whereever we may be wanted hence the time of our stay is very uncertain   We were needed no longer where we were nor do we seem to be needed here but can be easily moved to such points as may require our services  And rest assured if the old 9th A,C ever meets the enemy again it will strike two times harder blowes than ever before and take less prisoners

They do not boast it but feel and think it, and will act it, and my whole manhood says Amen

Should we remain here I expect you to make me a visit for two reason  1st I want to see you terribly 2 It will give you an opportunity to visit Washington and the army which I know you desire to do very much

I had thought of resigning this summer and coming home to you and Bion, but if there are any more traitors to be killed I want to have a hand at them as a matter of duty as well as pleasure still I may forgo the privilege and come yet for I think that resignations will not now be difficult to obtain, and I find every time I go home and return I feel an increasing discontent and a greater desire to be with my pleasant family, gradually I fear, overcoming my sense of duty to my country   But I have been from home so long that I feel I need rest and the society of a loving wife, besides Bion is getting at an age where he needs a father to look after him notwithstanding he is a good boy   I am growing old too in body if not in spirit and naturally incline tward a more quiet life

I can not make any money in the service and when it comes so as to cause being my duty to remain I shall ask for an honorable discharge and fly to you quickly

We are encamped in a beautiful grave two miles from Alexandria but our Division has not all arrived yet    I must close as it is getting late God bless you; a kiss for you and Bion   Good night

Arvin

86 (Arvin tells Dell he expects to see her soon, but leaves the choice of whether to come to her. Several other ladies are also coming, including “The Gen’s wife,” who might be Julia Grant.)

Hd Qrs 3d Div 9th A,C

Alexandria va  April 27th 1865

My Dear Wife

I received your letter of the 18 & 19 this morning

I wrote you on the 24th in which I informed you that I expected a  visit from you so if you desire to come you may do so as soon as possible

The gen’s wife and several ladis are expected down

I would like to have Bion come but think you had better leave him with Mrs Childs   I hate to have him stay out of school but may be he can go up there   You may expect to stay three or four weeks or three or four days as the case may be - or even be not greatly disappointed if you should not find us here because you know military matters are uncertain but the prevailing opinion at Hd Qrs are that we shall remain here several weeks or until our services are needed some where

I would start in the day time come to Cleveland, Pittsburg Harrisburg, Baltimore & Washington and here

You will leave Cleveland at eight oclk next morning - but if you come write me when you will start and bring money enough to pay all your expenses both ways so if anything should happen and you did not find us here you could have means to return again   you can buy a through ticket from Cleveland to Washing - if you have to stop at any Hotel in washington go to the Kirkwood House on Penn Avenue   However I will try and meet you in Washington if I shall know when you start, provided you conclude to come, so on the receipt of this - write immediately and when you arrive at Harrisburg you can telegraph to Alexandria va   I am only 1 1/2 miles from town

You may do about this as you like

In haste  Good bye

Arvin

87 (The Union Army is disbanding. Arvin reports on his progress on getting home and about that of the others in his mess. One man has received an appointment in the Colored Regiments and expects to go to Texas.)

Hd Qrs 1st Mich SS

near Geo’town D,C,  July 14th 1865

My Dear Wife

I am well and hearty but rather lonesome since you left and am glad that the time is not far distant when we shall be on our way home

The 2nd Div will all be mustered out by next wednesday when they will commence on this and we are in hops to be among the first to go  We expect to be in Michigan about the 25th to the 30th so you can prolong your visit by and a week if you desire I have been to Alexandria and stayed with Gen, Cutin[?] last night   His Rgt (45,P,V,) starts for home on Monday   Capt Manchester mother and Miss Sayls[?] start for R,I, also on monday   Capt Moore has returned and is ordered to report home

Capt Sheldan has received an order to go to Richmond instead of home and starts to morrow   Mr Beatty has received an appointment in the Colored Regiments and will probably go to Texas

So you see the old Hd Qr mess will be scattered almost to the four winds

Gen Hartrauft is again to get together his old staff on monday and have them Photographed  I am settling my accounts with the Government and find it slow work but even in hopes to be through by next wednesday when I will be very thankful and ready to retire to the quiet shades of domestic life - the sooner the better

I have been anxious to hear from you and looked for a letter to day - shall expect one to morrow

Give my love to all the folks and write soon 

Arvin

88    (This letter was written 21 years after the end of the war. The stationery has a printed heading that says, “Gurney & Bickford  ATTORNEYS AT LAW,” which was in Hart, Oceana Co., Mich. on Lake Michigan. In part of his letter Arvin describes the town as about the size of Reading and mentions that there are hotels, one of brick larger than the Grosvenor House in Jonesville. It may be that Arvin is trying to find a cure for his persistent diarrhea. He refers to his rheumatism in a shoulder and knee. During the war he and his horse were shot at while he was riding to headquarters. At the time he said his “… wound consists only of a slight bruise on the leg and shoulder - not sufficient to lay me up at all - making the parts some sore and swollen but now nearly well.” Perhaps the rheumatism was a result of that.)

June 14, 1886

Monday eve

My Dear wife

I arrived here Saturday night 10 PM and mighty tired, having not felt so well for a few days from my diarrhea and a little fever every day - So Sunday I kept very still - slept some and read the paper - To day has been very warm Thermom 88 in the shade at 11 am - it is dry and crops are suffering - there has been no rain here in several weeks - This town was startled early this morning by several robberies during the night cracking of several safes one of which was the Post office at which place they secured 2.00 dollars in stamps & 150 dollars in money - getting in all 8 or 900 dollars part of them stealing a horse and wagon  & 2 taking the train, both were captured at Montague - the horse this afternoon was found 12 miles N,E, here unharnessed in the road, but the wagon not found neither the men; Burr Robbins Circus was here Saturday which explains the presence of the thieves & c

I found Josie & Aldric well - the former doing her work alone with 2 boarders engaged in Sunday School work and Pres of Chataugue circle meeting every Monday night - a class of 20 - 

They have given up their bed to me & I feel that I am almost a trespasser - Aldric at present is not doing much there is very little sickness - it is mostly office business - he went into the county yesterday - & in 2 directions to day - He goes to Shelby to morrow 6 miles south & if I am well enough I shall go with him   How long I shall stay here I cant know not longer than Saturday when I shall go back to Mrs Keegan for a few day! before going north if go at all

I sometimes think I might as well go home an fight it out on that line - this trouble of my bowels and devilish little fever keeps me played out with headache no appetite and general malaise - still the diarrhea does not trouble me much only in the form of gripping sensation through intestines - the rheumatic pains have put in an appearance occasionally sometimes in the side but mostly in the shoulder and knee

This is quite a nice country village - comparing well with reading in population - but more business and number of brick blocks - 3 Hotels/ a nice brick and new, larger than the Grosvenor House of Jonesville   They have a union school (wooden) with 4 departments their jail and Court house is of wood - there are 2 church buildings (wooden) & the Congregationals are getting brick on the ground to build a nice house - Josie attends there & is helping to put it along with the ladies of the Societies - there are several other denominations stugling for existance meeting in halls & c - There is a large grist mill on the south branch of Pentwater river, a water saw mill & 2 steam saw mills some manufacturies - 2 news papers and a liberal allowance of saloons - so that the c[?] is fully represented by all the industries - the country about is good farming land and most of the farms for 3 miles out show good cultivation with fair buildings - the crops are wheat oats rye peas potatoes and small fields of corn - there are plenty of springs and brooks if large enough [?] to contain trout; but I have seen none of the latter - for it seems from the talk that to be a trout fisher a fellow must 1st have the science, 2d be made of steel to walk the creeks and crowded through brush and brambles 3d to have potions[?] with empty stings - and not mind the attacks of musquitoes. and wood fleas - you need not expect me to regale you with a disertation of the royal sport of a “true Sportsman” not much

Yours     AF Whelan