CIVIL WAR SOLDIER LETTER ORLEANS JULY 30 1863 - DRAFT TROUBLES - MUSTER OUT
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:201214 |
Civil War soldier's letter, 2 pgs., approx. 7-1/2" x 9-3/4", datelined "Office Chief Quarter-Master, Department of the Gulf, New Orleans, July 30th, 1863", from Henry Bartlett, to his Mother.
The writer of this letter, Henry Bartlett, was mustered into Co. F., 47th Regt. Massachusetts Infantry on Oct. 9, 1862, at age 33. His regiment arrived in New Orleans on Dec. 31, 1862, and served the entire time in Louisiana, before being mustered out in Mass. in Sept., 1863.&nb...sp;In April, 1863, per orders of General Sherman, he was detailed from his Regiment to serve as Clerk of General Court Martials in the Judge Advocate's Office, and in July, was assigned to the office of the Chief Quartermaster, Dept. of the Gulf, at New Orleans. When his regiment left Louisiana, he remained behind in New Orleans, and was mustered out there, in order to make money in New Orleans. A well-written letter, with good content, writing of his efforts to get permission to muster out in New Orleans, rather than return with his Regiment to Boston, so he can stay in New Orleans, and try to make some money. He writes that he has been "hammering away" at his Col., Colonel Marsh, who in turn has been pressuring General Banks. He also comments on the troubles arising out of the draft in New York City and Boston, and exclaims "Thank God they didn't have a chance to draft me". More interesting content. Transcription: "Dear Mother, I intended writing you quite a lengthy letter in reply to yours received two days since, but of course you will be satisfied with a short one, rather than no letter at all. I was very glad to hear from you, and to know you were all well at home. I rec'd letters from you, Father, Emma, George, and a bunch of papers from somebody - all of which I am happy to acknowledge receipts for. I was quite interested in reading the accounts of the troubles in Boston & New York occasioned by the Draft, 'a thing which might be avoided by people like me in enlisting without waiting to be driven into service'. I don't care how many are drafted. Thank God they didn't have a chance to draft me. I probably shall me mustered out of service today. I have been hammering away at Col. Marsh, and he at General Banks, until I think he is prepared to have effected here what I desired - instead of returning North, and being at the expense of coming out here again, which I should have done had I gone home with the Regiment. The 47th will probably leave here for home in a day or so - and peace go with them, they have had a good time out here, and so have I. I don't think many of them will ever enlist again, although I may be mistaken. Some of them might as well enlist as to go home and loaf on their friends. I'll be damned if I ever will. I have loafed all I ever will. I am very well contented here, but I want to see home and my family, which I know will have sense enough to think with me and believe that what I am doing is right, and know that I am the one who feels worse about it than those at home. God knows nothing but a feeling of pure respect for my family induces me to remain here awhile. Undoubtedly I may send for Emma & Etta bye & bye, or come for them. I was very sorry to hear of James Chandler's bad luck. I hope he will go to Boston and recover from his wounds. I know his treatment in the hospital you spoke of must be anything but beneficial, but that is as it is, and can't be helped. There are many who are in a worse state, probably wounded for life. I mean men who never can recover sufficiently to be any advantage to themselves. Poor fellow, he has got no home, and must feel terrible when he thinks that perhaps he must be dependent on his friends to take care of him.I wonder why Emerline does not answer my letter. I know this is a queer world, but there is no excuse for anybody's not answering letters. I could always find time for that, and would, if I neglected to eat my dinner. Nobody can ever say of me that I neglected that, even if I delayed some little time, I am sure not to forget it forever. But I must write other letters now. When you answer, direct simply to this City. I shall get the letters. From your affect. son, Henry" Very Fine.
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The writer of this letter, Henry Bartlett, was mustered into Co. F., 47th Regt. Massachusetts Infantry on Oct. 9, 1862, at age 33. His regiment arrived in New Orleans on Dec. 31, 1862, and served the entire time in Louisiana, before being mustered out in Mass. in Sept., 1863.&nb...sp;In April, 1863, per orders of General Sherman, he was detailed from his Regiment to serve as Clerk of General Court Martials in the Judge Advocate's Office, and in July, was assigned to the office of the Chief Quartermaster, Dept. of the Gulf, at New Orleans. When his regiment left Louisiana, he remained behind in New Orleans, and was mustered out there, in order to make money in New Orleans. A well-written letter, with good content, writing of his efforts to get permission to muster out in New Orleans, rather than return with his Regiment to Boston, so he can stay in New Orleans, and try to make some money. He writes that he has been "hammering away" at his Col., Colonel Marsh, who in turn has been pressuring General Banks. He also comments on the troubles arising out of the draft in New York City and Boston, and exclaims "Thank God they didn't have a chance to draft me". More interesting content. Transcription: "Dear Mother, I intended writing you quite a lengthy letter in reply to yours received two days since, but of course you will be satisfied with a short one, rather than no letter at all. I was very glad to hear from you, and to know you were all well at home. I rec'd letters from you, Father, Emma, George, and a bunch of papers from somebody - all of which I am happy to acknowledge receipts for. I was quite interested in reading the accounts of the troubles in Boston & New York occasioned by the Draft, 'a thing which might be avoided by people like me in enlisting without waiting to be driven into service'. I don't care how many are drafted. Thank God they didn't have a chance to draft me. I probably shall me mustered out of service today. I have been hammering away at Col. Marsh, and he at General Banks, until I think he is prepared to have effected here what I desired - instead of returning North, and being at the expense of coming out here again, which I should have done had I gone home with the Regiment. The 47th will probably leave here for home in a day or so - and peace go with them, they have had a good time out here, and so have I. I don't think many of them will ever enlist again, although I may be mistaken. Some of them might as well enlist as to go home and loaf on their friends. I'll be damned if I ever will. I have loafed all I ever will. I am very well contented here, but I want to see home and my family, which I know will have sense enough to think with me and believe that what I am doing is right, and know that I am the one who feels worse about it than those at home. God knows nothing but a feeling of pure respect for my family induces me to remain here awhile. Undoubtedly I may send for Emma & Etta bye & bye, or come for them. I was very sorry to hear of James Chandler's bad luck. I hope he will go to Boston and recover from his wounds. I know his treatment in the hospital you spoke of must be anything but beneficial, but that is as it is, and can't be helped. There are many who are in a worse state, probably wounded for life. I mean men who never can recover sufficiently to be any advantage to themselves. Poor fellow, he has got no home, and must feel terrible when he thinks that perhaps he must be dependent on his friends to take care of him.I wonder why Emerline does not answer my letter. I know this is a queer world, but there is no excuse for anybody's not answering letters. I could always find time for that, and would, if I neglected to eat my dinner. Nobody can ever say of me that I neglected that, even if I delayed some little time, I am sure not to forget it forever. But I must write other letters now. When you answer, direct simply to this City. I shall get the letters. From your affect. son, Henry" Very Fine.
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