1862 CIVIL WAR SOLDIER LETTER - ALEXANDRIA VA - 36th REGT. MASS INFANTRY
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:120001 |
Civil War soldier's letter, 3 pgs., approx. 5-1/4" x 8-3/8", dated at Alexandria, Va., Sept. 7, 1862, from Stephen S. Rogers (signed "Stephen"), Co. I, 36th Regiment Mass. Vol. Infantry, to his parents at West Upton, Mass.Includes the original envelope with Sept. 7 dated Washington D.C. postmark, addressed to his father, Israel Rogers. The writer of this letter, Stephen S. Rogers, (1840-1910), was 22 years old when he enlisted as a Private in Co. I., 36th Mass. Infantry Regt. on ...Aug. 27, 1862. He was promoted to full Sergeant during his service, and was mustered out on June 8, 1865. His Regiment, the 36th Mass., had left Worcester, Mass. on Sept. 2, 1862, heading for the seat of war, and arrived by boat at Alexandria on Sept. 6th, the day before this letter was written. They were at once ordered to join the Army of the Potomac, and reached Sharpsburg, Md. the day after the Battle of Antietam; The Regiment fought at the Battle of Fredericksburg, the Vicksburg Campaign; Siege of Knoxville, Tenn., and more, but their real ordeal began with Grant's overland campaign, where the Regiment suffered heavy losses at the Wilderness, Spotsylvania & Bethesda Church near Cold Harbor, and when participating in the first assaults on the works before Petersburg, the Regiment had only 90 men to bring to the assault, and even then lost 10 killed and 18 wounded. Great content, written on board the Steamer "Norwich" in the river at Alexandria, writing in great detail of everything that has transpired the day before through the time of writing. He doesn't think much of Alexandria, and notes that he can see the chimney of the Hotel where Col. Ellsworth was shot. On their way, near Aquia Creek, he saw a fleet of gunboats, and the Captain of their vessel pointed one out as the Monitor. He is anxious to get off of the boat, and itching for a fight with the rebels, boasting that "if the 36th is called upon to go into the field, it will accomplish or die upon the field". Much more. The letter is transcribed below: "Alexandria, Sept. 7th, 1862Dear Father & Mother, We are just going up to Washington and I will try to write a few lines to you before we arrive there. I shall proceed as I did in my other letter, to give you the notes as I have taken them. Saturday noon, 6th. The pleasant weather still continues. We are already in the enemies country. We have seen but little to interest upon the Potomac so far. Occasionally a residence may be seen with the tobacco houses surrounding it. We passed Aquia Creek a short time ago. There were quite a number of gunboats in there. One of them, the officers of the boat judged to be the Monitor. What they were in there for it is impossible to say. There may have been some skirmishing there within a few days. The land appears to be quite good upon the shores, with many fields of corn which almost makes us boys crazy to get some of it. With the exception of these fields, it seems to be a complete forest. We expect to be at Washington at 4 o'clock this afternoon, when we shall probably get some news. I begin to feel as though I wasn't more than half civilized, it has been so long since I have seen a newspaper.1 o'clock P.M. We are just passing Fort Washington and are in full sight of Alexandria. There is a perfect fleet of vessels there. I am standing upon a barrel to write; every place is crowded to get a view of the city. There are beautiful residences upon both sides of the river as we pass up. Arlington Heights are also in sight, covered with tents. 4 o'clock. We are anchored in the stream between Alexandria & Washington and are awaiting further orders. It seems by the rumors that our forces have not been very successful the past week. If this is so, we shall probably have some fighting before many days. I don't care where they put us, if they will only take us off of this confounded vessel. If the 36th is called upon to go into the field, I believe it will accomplish or die upon the field. I call Alexandria a very inferior looking place. It does not look much like our northern cities. The buildings are low and dingy and Mr. Ball spoke truly when he said they were 50 years behind the times if we are to judge from where we lay now. One of our men fell down into the hold a short time ago and hurt his back so that it is feared he will not live. Sunday morning. Last night we received the most exciting orders to proceed to Washington at daylight this morning and from there we are to go to Leesborough. How far this is from Washington I don't know. We are to go under Burnside. The 25th Regt. passed by us in a steamer last night, although we did not know it was them until some time after they had passed. We shall probably see the boys in Washington and I may have an opportunity of seeing them before I send my letter. I hope so, then I can let you know how Joe is. I am writing on board the steamer Norwich which is going to take us up to the city. I can see the chimney of the Hotel where Ellsworth was shot. It does not seem a bit like Sunday in this strange place with excitement all around. If I could only get on shore where I could take a good bath, I should feel better and I guess could write a little better. The water which we drink we get from the river, which is perfectly fresh up here. It is said here that the 21st Regt. was cut up awfully in the late battle, there being only 100 men left; probably a great many of them are taken prisoners. I don't know how often I shall have a chance to write when we get into camp, but I shall write as often as I can. I must close this one now, so if I have a chance to send it ashore, I can do it. I shall not seal it yet, so if I see Joe before I do, I will add a little to it. I trust this letter will find you in as good health as we are at the present time. Give my love to all of the folks and accept the miser's share yourselves. How I wish I could have some of that pudding this morning. It would taste so nice, but I will eat a piece of hard bread. So good bye from your son, Stephen."The letter is Fine-Very Fine. The envelope is opened roughly at the left side, affecting the stamp. COMBINED SHIPPING FOR MULTIPLE ITEMS. [DD#2-35]
