32nd York Infantry CIVIL WAR LETTER - Written Aboard Union Navy Steamship
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:95865 |
CIVIL WAR LETTER
Charles Ellery Bradley (1842-1915) was born 13 November 1842 in Danby, New York. He was the son of Lyman Bradley (1808-1884) and his wife Mary Ann Hill (1808 -). Lyman Bradley was a native of Tompkins County, New York. He was listed as a laborer in early records, then later as a merchant (1850 and 1855) in Spencer, Tioga county, New York. In 1860 he was listed with a personal estate of $4000 and real estate of $6000. In 1870 he was listed as a dry goods merchant and... by 1875 he was listed as retired and living in Spencer, Tioga County, New York, where he had been living for some time. Lyman Bradley died on 26 November 1884.Lyman Bradley married Mary Ann Hill (1807-1882). Together Lyman and his wife had at least two children, Charles E. Bradley (1842-1915), and his sister Mary Ann Bradley (1846 -). Charles E. Bradley served with Co. I, 32nd New York Volunteers. He enlisted 7 May 1861 at Ithaca serving two years. He mustered in as private on 31 May 1861, was promoted to Corporal 17 March 1862, and then promoted again to Sergeant on 7 October 1862. He mustered out on 9 June 1863 as a Sergeant with his company in New York City. He was commissioned a second lieutenant 9 May 1863, but was not mustered with rank from January 6, 1863.The 32nd New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, also known as the “1st California Regiment, ” was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Col. Roderick Matheson, was accepted by the State 22 May 1861. He organized the regiment at New York City, and it was mustered in the service of the United States for two years on 31 May 1861, at New Dorp, Staten Island. The Empire City Regiment and the Cerro Gordo Legion, incomplete organizations, were merged into it. On 25 May 1863, the three years’ men of the regiment were transferred to the 121st Infantry.The companies were recruited principally from these cities, as follows: Co.’s A and I— Ithaca Volunteers — at Ithaca; Co.’s B and D at Amsterdam; Co. C at Johnstown; Co. E at New York city and in Tompkins county; Co.’s F and G in New York city; Co. H in Tarrytown, and Co. K — Capt. W. H. Robinson’s Company of the Empire City Regiment or Guard— at New York City.The 32nd Regiment left New York for Washington, D.C. on June 29 1861; was quartered there for a week and then encamped near Alexandria, where it was assigned to the 2nd brigade, 5th division, Army of Northeastern Virginia. The regiment was engaged at Fairfax Court House, Bull Run, and at Munson’s hill, and spent the winter at Fort Ward, in Newton’s brigade of Franklin’s division. In March, 1862, with the 3d brigade, 1st division, 1st corps, Army of the Potomac, the regiment moved to Manassas; then returned to Alexandria and embarked for the Peninsula where it was engaged at West Point (Battle of Eltham’s Landing), with a loss of 67 killed, wounded or missing, and soon after was assigned to the 3d brigade, 1st division, 6th corps, with which it engaged in the Seven Days’ battles; then went into camp at Harrison’s landing until 16 Aug., when it returned to Alexandria. The regiment participated in the battles of Crampton’s Gap, Antietam and Fredericksburg. It went into winter quarters at Belle Plain; participated in the “Mud March, ” and on 28 April 1863, broke camp and joined the light brigade of the 6th corps for the Chancellorsville campaign, in which the 32nd lost 43 members killed, wounded or missing. It returned on May 8 to the camp at Belle Plain and on the 25th the three years’ men were transferred to the 121st N. Y. Infantry. The two years men were mustered out at New York City on 9 June 1863.After the Civil War, Charles E. Bradley was found enumerated in Spencer, New York. He went into business with his father and took it over after his father retired. He is listed a dry goods merchant in the 1875 New York State Census, and as a merchant in the U.S. 1880 Census, in Spencer. Charles died on 24 December 1915 and was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Spencer, Tioga Co., New York.1862 Map showing location of Shipping Point near Budd’s Ferry in Potomac RiverTRANSCRIPTION[Aboard steamer]
Sunday, April 20th 1862Dear Father, We left Alexandria Friday & we are now anchored at the head of the Chesapeake Bay. the weather is very cold & rainy. The weather is very cold & rainy. The wind blows strong & we are to stay here until morning. We have laid here most all day. I have not been sea sick any as yet but some have. My stomach feels funny.I saw Fort Washington, Mount Vernon, the Rebel Batteries &c. The peach trees are in bloom along the shore & the trees are leafing out but as a general thing the shores are steep & mostly covered with woods with here and there a farmhouse. We have much better quarters than we would have on ship. I think that the regiment has landed before this. We expect to land at Shipping Point. There are a great many ducks on the river. The rock of the vessel is very nice if anyone can think so but we land sharks can’t see it in that light.We have hard bread, rum, ham & once in awhile potatoes. Two weeks ago today we were going to Manassas & one week we were marching back.April 21st—It was a bad night last. The wind blew stronger this morning than it did yesterday. I was sick this morning & some of the boys were last night. Of all the lonesome places that I have ever been in, this is the worst. How is Mary’s health since she got back home? I hope that she has got well. You would be surprised to see how little we think about going to Yorktown. The boys do not seem to think as much about it as they would if they were going after oysters or some other thing. Still we think that it will be the hardest battle ever fought on this continent or the Waterloo of America.April 22—We run back yesterday morning about five miles into a small bay or inlet & there stayed until this morning. The wind blew very strong & the rain fell in torrents. Some of the boys got most through but I did not. The sun shone beautifully this morning but still the wind blew. We have our sails all up & the steamer Nanshan has four of us in tow. We are now in Chesapeake Bay & going along at a good rate.April 23rd—We ran at a good rate yesterday but the wind blew strong & the water would smash clear over the bow of the boat. We lay at anchor last night & this morning we ran to Shipping Point. There was a good many vessels here. I guess that our boys have not been ashore yet. The Rebs had an encampment here last winter. The shores are covered with pine woods.April 24–=We went over to the steamer & got our pay yesterday. Write how you like to have me write each day.April 24—Enclosed find “Assistant Treasure” note of fourteen dollars. When you was down to see me, you gave me $4 & have sent me $2 since that I have received. If you have sent more, add it to this $6 & take it out of the $14 & let Mary have the remainder—that is, if I do not give you any on the last note which you will know. The first of next month the government will owe us $26 more but whether we shall get it then or not, I cannot tell.We got into Shipping Point early yesterday morning all safe. There are a good many vessels here & the troops have part of them landed. Hod is very sick. He is out of his head part of the time. Parker is with him. That march out to Manassas & back is the cause of it. It came very near turning me over. We can hear the booming of cannon here most every evening. I am well & hearty. We have lots of oysters. The shores are lined with their beds. You fellows can content yourselves with eating them out of cans but we have them out of the shells.Respectfully, — Chas. E. BradleyTERMS$3.00 postage in the United States. We accept Paypal. Postage combined for multiple purchases. Please wait for me to send the invoice, otherwise will pay a much higher postage rate!For International buyers: We are now using eBay's Global Shipping Program. We had too many packages sent via the post office go missing. So we believe this program will be safer for us - and for you.We're members of the American Philatelic Society, the U.S. Philatelic Classics Society, the Confederate Stamp Alliance and the Illinois Postal History Society.We only sell genuine, original letters (no copies or reproductions). Some of our letters have been transcribed and nicely presented for future genealogists and history buffs on the Spared & Shared blog. We've been selling on eBay since 2001. BID WITH CONFIDENCE.
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Charles Ellery Bradley (1842-1915) was born 13 November 1842 in Danby, New York. He was the son of Lyman Bradley (1808-1884) and his wife Mary Ann Hill (1808 -). Lyman Bradley was a native of Tompkins County, New York. He was listed as a laborer in early records, then later as a merchant (1850 and 1855) in Spencer, Tioga county, New York. In 1860 he was listed with a personal estate of $4000 and real estate of $6000. In 1870 he was listed as a dry goods merchant and... by 1875 he was listed as retired and living in Spencer, Tioga County, New York, where he had been living for some time. Lyman Bradley died on 26 November 1884.Lyman Bradley married Mary Ann Hill (1807-1882). Together Lyman and his wife had at least two children, Charles E. Bradley (1842-1915), and his sister Mary Ann Bradley (1846 -). Charles E. Bradley served with Co. I, 32nd New York Volunteers. He enlisted 7 May 1861 at Ithaca serving two years. He mustered in as private on 31 May 1861, was promoted to Corporal 17 March 1862, and then promoted again to Sergeant on 7 October 1862. He mustered out on 9 June 1863 as a Sergeant with his company in New York City. He was commissioned a second lieutenant 9 May 1863, but was not mustered with rank from January 6, 1863.The 32nd New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, also known as the “1st California Regiment, ” was an infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Col. Roderick Matheson, was accepted by the State 22 May 1861. He organized the regiment at New York City, and it was mustered in the service of the United States for two years on 31 May 1861, at New Dorp, Staten Island. The Empire City Regiment and the Cerro Gordo Legion, incomplete organizations, were merged into it. On 25 May 1863, the three years’ men of the regiment were transferred to the 121st Infantry.The companies were recruited principally from these cities, as follows: Co.’s A and I— Ithaca Volunteers — at Ithaca; Co.’s B and D at Amsterdam; Co. C at Johnstown; Co. E at New York city and in Tompkins county; Co.’s F and G in New York city; Co. H in Tarrytown, and Co. K — Capt. W. H. Robinson’s Company of the Empire City Regiment or Guard— at New York City.The 32nd Regiment left New York for Washington, D.C. on June 29 1861; was quartered there for a week and then encamped near Alexandria, where it was assigned to the 2nd brigade, 5th division, Army of Northeastern Virginia. The regiment was engaged at Fairfax Court House, Bull Run, and at Munson’s hill, and spent the winter at Fort Ward, in Newton’s brigade of Franklin’s division. In March, 1862, with the 3d brigade, 1st division, 1st corps, Army of the Potomac, the regiment moved to Manassas; then returned to Alexandria and embarked for the Peninsula where it was engaged at West Point (Battle of Eltham’s Landing), with a loss of 67 killed, wounded or missing, and soon after was assigned to the 3d brigade, 1st division, 6th corps, with which it engaged in the Seven Days’ battles; then went into camp at Harrison’s landing until 16 Aug., when it returned to Alexandria. The regiment participated in the battles of Crampton’s Gap, Antietam and Fredericksburg. It went into winter quarters at Belle Plain; participated in the “Mud March, ” and on 28 April 1863, broke camp and joined the light brigade of the 6th corps for the Chancellorsville campaign, in which the 32nd lost 43 members killed, wounded or missing. It returned on May 8 to the camp at Belle Plain and on the 25th the three years’ men were transferred to the 121st N. Y. Infantry. The two years men were mustered out at New York City on 9 June 1863.After the Civil War, Charles E. Bradley was found enumerated in Spencer, New York. He went into business with his father and took it over after his father retired. He is listed a dry goods merchant in the 1875 New York State Census, and as a merchant in the U.S. 1880 Census, in Spencer. Charles died on 24 December 1915 and was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Spencer, Tioga Co., New York.1862 Map showing location of Shipping Point near Budd’s Ferry in Potomac RiverTRANSCRIPTION[Aboard steamer]
Sunday, April 20th 1862Dear Father, We left Alexandria Friday & we are now anchored at the head of the Chesapeake Bay. the weather is very cold & rainy. The weather is very cold & rainy. The wind blows strong & we are to stay here until morning. We have laid here most all day. I have not been sea sick any as yet but some have. My stomach feels funny.I saw Fort Washington, Mount Vernon, the Rebel Batteries &c. The peach trees are in bloom along the shore & the trees are leafing out but as a general thing the shores are steep & mostly covered with woods with here and there a farmhouse. We have much better quarters than we would have on ship. I think that the regiment has landed before this. We expect to land at Shipping Point. There are a great many ducks on the river. The rock of the vessel is very nice if anyone can think so but we land sharks can’t see it in that light.We have hard bread, rum, ham & once in awhile potatoes. Two weeks ago today we were going to Manassas & one week we were marching back.April 21st—It was a bad night last. The wind blew stronger this morning than it did yesterday. I was sick this morning & some of the boys were last night. Of all the lonesome places that I have ever been in, this is the worst. How is Mary’s health since she got back home? I hope that she has got well. You would be surprised to see how little we think about going to Yorktown. The boys do not seem to think as much about it as they would if they were going after oysters or some other thing. Still we think that it will be the hardest battle ever fought on this continent or the Waterloo of America.April 22—We run back yesterday morning about five miles into a small bay or inlet & there stayed until this morning. The wind blew very strong & the rain fell in torrents. Some of the boys got most through but I did not. The sun shone beautifully this morning but still the wind blew. We have our sails all up & the steamer Nanshan has four of us in tow. We are now in Chesapeake Bay & going along at a good rate.April 23rd—We ran at a good rate yesterday but the wind blew strong & the water would smash clear over the bow of the boat. We lay at anchor last night & this morning we ran to Shipping Point. There was a good many vessels here. I guess that our boys have not been ashore yet. The Rebs had an encampment here last winter. The shores are covered with pine woods.April 24–=We went over to the steamer & got our pay yesterday. Write how you like to have me write each day.April 24—Enclosed find “Assistant Treasure” note of fourteen dollars. When you was down to see me, you gave me $4 & have sent me $2 since that I have received. If you have sent more, add it to this $6 & take it out of the $14 & let Mary have the remainder—that is, if I do not give you any on the last note which you will know. The first of next month the government will owe us $26 more but whether we shall get it then or not, I cannot tell.We got into Shipping Point early yesterday morning all safe. There are a good many vessels here & the troops have part of them landed. Hod is very sick. He is out of his head part of the time. Parker is with him. That march out to Manassas & back is the cause of it. It came very near turning me over. We can hear the booming of cannon here most every evening. I am well & hearty. We have lots of oysters. The shores are lined with their beds. You fellows can content yourselves with eating them out of cans but we have them out of the shells.Respectfully, — Chas. E. BradleyTERMS$3.00 postage in the United States. We accept Paypal. Postage combined for multiple purchases. Please wait for me to send the invoice, otherwise will pay a much higher postage rate!For International buyers: We are now using eBay's Global Shipping Program. We had too many packages sent via the post office go missing. So we believe this program will be safer for us - and for you.We're members of the American Philatelic Society, the U.S. Philatelic Classics Society, the Confederate Stamp Alliance and the Illinois Postal History Society.We only sell genuine, original letters (no copies or reproductions). Some of our letters have been transcribed and nicely presented for future genealogists and history buffs on the Spared & Shared blog. We've been selling on eBay since 2001. BID WITH CONFIDENCE.
00071
