July, 1864 |
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Maine Adjutant General's Report |
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"On the 2d of July, the regiment, as part of its division, sailed from Morganzia to New Orleans. It was camped at Algiers until the 11th, when it again sailed for Virginia. On the 18th, it reached Fortress Monroe and was immediately sent to Deep Bottom, and employed on picket duty and in raising temporary earthworks. From Deep Bottom, the regiment was transported to Washington, whence it marched to Harper's Ferry. |
Lydia's Diary |
Monday, 4 |
Received 30 dollars by allotment Roll Sold six dozen of eggs at 30 cts a dozen )1,80( for keeping Henry Douglas horse )60( bought two bowls )40( one set Cop + cances )40 cts( one Chamber )55( 3 gallons of molassas )3,00( for hats )3,46( for pig )2,75( 12 lbs of pork )345( paid Charles Douglas )13,40( 1 ½ of potatoes )75( to bushles of indian wheat )1,50( Mr Small had my Oxen to days 2,00 for making Mrs Small a dress, 50 cts for to meals and baling of hay 75 cts three ?parts? of plums 36 cts 3 dozen of eggs 90 4 ½ dozen 165 |
Lydia's Diary |
Monday, 11 |
one pocket bible )45( four lbs + 2 ounces of wool )2,88( for carding 20 lbs of wool at nine cts a lb )1,80( for carring the wool to be carded ,50 |
Lydia's Diary |
Tuesday, 12 |
Received forty dollars in to letters Sent 2 letters and one bible + 3 papers to Stephen number 21st |
Lydia's Diary |
Thursday, 14 |
bought 4 lbs of Sabatus at 13 cts a lb 48 4 lbs of nails )40( postage stamps 1,00 |
Lydia's Diary |
Friday, 15 |
Sent to Stephen a letter containing 2 Sheets and 7 stamps, number 22 |
Lydia's Diary |
Thursday, 21 |
Bought to Rakes 45 cts a peace )90cts( one half lb of tea )65( 3 lemons )15( one fine comb )20( papter )20( matches (30) one gallon of malassas )1,00) |
Lydia's Diary |
Friday, 22 |
5 ½ dozen of eggs 30 cts a dozen 1,65 one dinner and horse bating 40 one dress to Mrs Grover 6,40 he paid me three dollars and eighty cts towards the dress |
Stephen's Letters |
July 22nd 1864 |
God bless you I wish you would send me some stamps they are scarce here pray for me Bermuda Va Dear Wife and Children I little thought when I wrote you larst that my next would be from Gen = Grants Army in Virginia but it is so we left Algiers the eleventh and arived here the nineteent of July and are now in camp on the south side of the james river btween four and seven miles of Butters lines waiting further orders all seamed pleased with the moove from La to this place and our liability to sickness and desease is I think much diminished yet our perils and dangers I fear are increased but the same mercifull God protects us here as elce where and I feel a sacred trust in him this morning and my desire is that I may finish my mishon here acording to his holy will and my daily prayer to him is for grace and strength and endurance that I may obtain mercy and find grace to help in every time of nead the larst letter I received from you was on the fourth at Algeries it is about six weaks since it was writen and I am very anxious to hear from you it is reported that one mail for us has ben lost which must be true or it has gorn to New Orleans and will probably be sent heres I like the climate here much better then in La but the soil in La is much richer and more fertile then it is here we had a very plesant voige and feel pleased with being from sixteen to twenty hundred miles nearer home but we are far enough off to find war and commotion O how I pray and desire that it will soon end strife and rebellion seace and we all return home to enjoy the blessing of peace and tranquility O that I was with you I sent you forty dollars in two letters write if you have received it and if you git my money from the alotment Role have lent twenty dollars that I intended to send you untill next pay day I fear I have missed it in so doing we expected to be paid off at Algiers but was not and it is uncertain now when we shall be Henry had his knapsack stole on board the Boat with about fifty dollars worth of clo thing one woolen blanke two pistols which cost about $30,00 dollars in all over $50,00 dollars his memorando which we all depended on and a small letter box which containing our letters my wolen blanket was stolen from my knapsack in coming from Alexandria to Morganza and the one I intended to send home is all that we have in our tent our stuf we intended to send home has ben stolen from us more next time I want you to make me two shirts and some footings and send them to me this fall it will not cost much to send them and those they ofr us are poor things my health is good and I think if we do not go south again it will improve my requests have ben granted in coming north God hears and answers prayers gives grace and faith to the humbe contrite heart our prayers will soon be answered and we shall again meet united in bodialy presants as we are in mind and heart may God hasen the day when I shall again meet those I hold dearest on earth all the thanks and prais to his holy name for ever and ever amen Be of good courage never dispair we will trust in the Lord and all thing will work together for our good if we love trust and obey him |
Lydia's Diary |
Friday, 29 |
Received fivety cts in a letter Sent one letter to Stephen |
Stephen's Letters |
Saturday July 30 |
Camp Near Chain Bridge DC 1864 Dear Wife we came into camp here larst night at about ten oclock and slept on the ground and this morning went into camp but before we got our tents pitched and fixed up orders came for us to be ready to moove on a march at five this after noon and I can only teell you where we are and that we are well we have not heard from you since the fourth of July and it seames that you have forgoten to write or elce the letters have ben lost it seames that I cannot wait from day to day for a mail we are I think going on a march from here to harpers ferry and from thence up the Shennandoth valley but we can only gess where we are to go I entended to written you a long letter tomorrow about our moovements sence I wrote you from Virginnia but shall have to postpone it till we make a stand we have ben continualy on the moove sence I wrote you it is all war and commotion here but we like much better than we did in La water is as good here as it is in maine every thing is high here eggs boiled they have ben selling her in camp to day for 6 ¼ cents a piece and other thing in propotion we came to Washington in a steamer and marched through the city had a plan view of the Capital and parsed directly by the pesidents manshun the larst letter I received from you was written seven weeks ag I hop you hear oftener from me I must close this it is about time to pack our things for a start I shall writ the first chance I have and hope my dearest companion you will improve every opertunity to write to me. May God bless and protect you and me and give us a happy meeting that we may enjoy each others society and prais his holy name for ever and ever. Yours in heart Stephen N. Richards I have a nice gold ring to send you should send it in this if I knew I could git it into the office |
August, 1864 |
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Lydia's Diary |
Tuesday, 2 |
Sent to Stephen one letter 4 stamps + 7 papers Containing 2 sheets little tea one Hymn book number 24 Sold 5 dozen of eggs 1,50 horse Bating 25 |
Lydia's Diary |
Friday, 5 |
one dollar of postage stamps |
Lydia's Diary |
Saturday, 6 |
Bought 9 ½ lbs of pork (2,30) one half lbs of tea .75 one bottle of ink . 8 3 dozen of Crack .24 1 lb of Sugar .35 one ounce of nutmeg .15
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Lydia's Diary |
Sunday, 7 |
we must all go when death call for us prepared or unprepared solom is the thought of being unprepared to meet god in peace we are apt to be like the Children of Israel wandrering from god our best friend one that wishes to do us no harm
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Lydia's Diary |
Friday, 19 |
received one gold ring and 50 cts
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Lydia's Diary |
Tuesday, 25 |
Sent one letter to Stephen num 25
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Stephen's Letters |
August 26th 1864 |
Camp near Halltown Va Dear Wife and Children I have the pleasure of writing you this eavning that I am well and my spirit and courage good and my whole trust and dependence is in God my Heavenly Father who is able to protect and willing to preserve his Children in all circu mstances whatever I love to feel a protec ting hand above the power of all the combined elements of this present world we have ben shifting from place to place since we have ben here contin ualy under marching orders and mooving night and day as the case requires we have ben in camp here three days and have built Brestworks in front of us but we do not expect to remain here long we are liable to moove at any hour I have received hree mails from you since the larst letter I wrote you one we halted on the march and turned aside into a grove and had a fine time reading letters from home I got the Bible himbook and tea which I was very thankful to receive I think you have don first rate farming this season better than I could have on my self but I hope to soon be with you and help what I can we expect to be paid off the larst of this month there is four months pay dieu and if paid I shall send you some money by mail or express and ten dollars per month dieu you by the alotment role book ?but? for your state aid and make application for next year before this year is out that you may not loose eny thing by delay make sure of that thirty acre lot if you posibly can and pay what you can on the farm I am glad you have got the barn shingled and think you have got along wonderfull well God will bless his Children and prosper those who put their trust in him and now my dear children put your trust in him and look unto Jesus in all you trials and temptation carst all your cares upon him he is able to sustain and protect us and save us from all danger here in this present life and grant us eternal life and everlasting joyes in his presants forever I must close this letter for I am detailed for some duty I dont know what write every week and all the news I will send you five dollars to help pay your help in giting hay and grain Be of good courage trust in God and remember me in you prayers and he will bless and protect and save us the Grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ be with you for ever Amen Yours in heart and reflections Stephen N Richards in Army of the Potomac Va |
Lydia's Diary |
Wednesday, 30 |
old the thrashing mershen 30,00 4 Acrs of grass 10,00 for boarding Mr. bean 7,00 to meals of victuals ,50 one meal of victuals ,25 |
September, 1864 |
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Maine Adjutant General's Report |
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"During the latter part of August and early in September, the regiment was engaged in the numerous movements of the army of the Shenandoah. In September, the 3d brigade was detached from its division and so continued until Oct. 26th. Although in this interval, it performed more fatiguing duty that the remainder of the army and was constantly engaged in moving and guarding stores, in marching up and down the valley and in protecting valuable supply trains from the guerrillas, it failed to share the glory of Gen. Sheridan's battles and victories of September and October. |
Lydia's Diary |
Sunday, 4 |
Licander + Charles Bean came here to Board + go to School for one dollar a week a peace + Sarah cow + 2 pigs |
Lydia's Diary |
Monday, 5
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Laura Brooks came her to day cleaned out the cellar to day + Shed |
Lydia's Diary |
Tuesday, 6
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Received five dollars in a letter Sent one letter to Stephen num 24 commenced School to day Mr. Bean came back to day |
Lydia's Diary |
Friday, 9
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bought one pair of Shoes 2,75 4 spoons 6 24 ginger 12 Sent one letter + 10 papers and 6 stamps ) num 27 to Stephen 2 writing books )20 cts( Licander run away to day |
Stephen's Letters |
Sept 11, 1864 |
U.S. Christian Commission
do not forget to write may the blessings of heaven attend you Boliver Heights VA
Dear and beloved Family though absent in body I am presant with you in mind and in heart through the blessings of divine providance I enjoy the privilige of again writing to you and saying that my health is good and that we have enjoyed the privlige today of attending Church at the Brigade head quarters in the open field three Chaplains was presant and have established meetings on the sabbath and sabbath Tuesday and fryday eavnings it was truly refreshing to hear the word of truth and rightousness once more amid the scenes of war and commotions which surround us here the mail comes to our Brigade every day this is the eleventh day since I heard from you the larst letter being mailed aug 27 and received Sept 1st I was much dispointed larst night in not gitting a letter from you but hope to rearlize my expectations tomorrow We remain in the same camp on Boliver Hights where I larst wrote you from acting as train guard but we are liable to leave eny day and some think we may stop here through the fall I sent a letter to Henry larst weak and intend to write to Washington this weak I want to warn him aginst voting for MacClellan for I do intrat every loyal candid minded man in behalf of our Country and their friends in the army to do all in their power to sustain our Government and elect Lincoln and Jonson as the only sure meenes of brining this war to a speedy end and establishing permant and larsting peace throughout our land I would to God that this war was at an end that I and thousands of others equaly ar anxious as myself could return home and enjoy the blessings of peace and tranquility and the omforts of our own homes the society of near and dearest friends left behind but we wish no copperhead arimestic or compromis with cecession sympathy or mercy for Traitors either North or South. but we do, ask of the free and indipendant people of every State that our Government Constitution and union shall be sustained. Our vict torous Army replenished and surported that we may continue our tryumphant march boldly on to the larst and final victory which under divine Providence we do believe to be near at hand I hear the order prepair to leave with the train at half past four in the morning |
Stephen's Letters |
Sept 12th Eavning |
trust in God Acording to orders we with another Regt went with the supply train about eight miles on towards our Army in front where we was relieved by Cavaly guards and took an empty returning train and returned to Camp where we arived about two this afternoon the train that went out this morning was four miles long small in comparison to some We have not ben paid yet and it seemes uncertain when we shall but all are expecting this pay I want you to send me some things this fall some shirts if you can well make them some footings a pair of gloves and a pair of knit suspenders two or three pounds of butter of your own make some donuts and cakes and a good loaf of brown bread a few of your nise potatoes if it is not cold enough to freeze them Henry and Joseph are expecting some thing from home and some boots I thought I should send with them for a pair of boots and they cost twelve dollars here we draw nothing but shoes the weather here now is cold and wet write to me every week all about business and how you git along how you enjoy your self and all the news dear Children be good and obediant to your dear Mother and daily may our prayers surround the throne of God S N Richards |
Lydia's Diary |
Monday, 12 |
Rainy to day Mr. Bean has fixed up the barn flour and fixed my Shoes + wheel |
Lydia's Diary |
Tuesday, 13 |
Sent on letter to Stephen ) no 28 rainy to day Mr. Bean went down to Mr. Browns after Boards Bought 3 dollars and 65 cts worth and then we went to the office rainy to day Wednesday, 14 bought 6 lbs of nails 12 .72 10 lights of window glass 7 .70 one ?yuire? of paper 20 tow ounces of linen thredd 6 12 one package of envelopes 13 on School book 30 |
Lydia's Diary |
Thursday, 15 |
bought a Sheep of David for 5 dollars to kill. Mr. Bean has ben mowing oats to day it has been rainy today |
Lydia's Diary |
Friday, 16 |
Pressing hay to day + I went to the Office to day Licander cam back to day Mrs Scribner was here to day to dinner + Supper it has been rainy today |
Lydia's Diary |
Saturday, 17 |
Mr. Bean pressed hay in the four noon and went home in the afternoon. Sold pinky for 45 dollars to Asa West Settled with Mr. Bean and paid him 30 dollars for work feeling somewhat sad |
Lydia's Diary |
Sunday, 18 |
have been writing to Stephen Sarah Bean has been here to day time wares slowly away with me father was here to day + Mr. West it has been pleasent to day |
Lydia's Diary |
Monday, 19 |
had a fine Shower this morning milked four cows + churned + spun 6 Skeins of yarn picked the geese + had some bread + milk for supper + knit some this evening and now I guess I will go to bead hopeing that all is well with my loved Companion |
Lydia's Diary |
Tuesday, 20 |
very pleasent to day commenced to rarke oats at nine Oclock + raked untill half past 2 Oclock + then went to the Offoce + received a letter from Stephen + bought a larntern )1.25) to platerns )95) |
Lydia's Diary |
Wednesday, 21 |
Mr. Bean cam back to day + I went down to fathers + over to Mr. Bailys boughts one tabbe bed stead 6 Chairs one tub Clothes frames paid 10 dollars for them came home + sot in a load of oats |
Lydia's Diary |
Thursday, 22 |
got washed up the flours + then raked oates + got in a load + load of indian wheat + toped of by milking four cows very pleasent to day |
Lydia's Diary |
Friday, 23 |
commenced to thrash at ten O clock halled in the loads of indian wheat + thrash 57 bushel of indian wheat + 16 bushels of oats + milked 4 cows + then Mr. Bean + I winerd the oats in the evening |
Lydia's Diary |
Saturday, 24 |
thrashed the wheat in the four noon had 24 ½ of wheat hired Mr. Small + paid him 50 cts hired Mr. Flagg to tend table + paid him 75 cents Mr. Bean moved the mershen to Mr. Braggs + got back in the evening cold + wet had a fine rain Lizzie is sick to day with the hooping cough very tired to night |
Stephen's Letters |
4 oclock Sunday Sept 25th 1864 |
we are all out of money now when you write send an envelope and sheet of paper Boliver Hights Va Dear and beloved Wife and Children I cannot for bear writing a few lines to you this eavning though you mus to be content this time with a very short letter for I have jist ben relieved from gard and am very much fatigued tired and sleepy but I must write you a few words about our march which I mentioned in my letter larst mond day the 20th acording to orders we left camp that eavning at about 10 oclock in the eavning and I have ben on gard ever cence except very short relief to rest took a serply train for the army and garded it two miles beyond Winchester being 32 miles from here they gave us no time to rest until we got within 5 miles of Winchester where we stoped about half an hour and maid some coffee then pushed on the town and halted and received orders to rest one hour cook supper and then moove two miles beyond town which we acordingly did ariving at our destination at about 8 in the eavning and camped in the field to protect the train from a night attact the train when closed up to gather reached ten miles the next morning Wensday we started about 8 in the morning and mooved back into Town and halted and took under our care and protection fifteen hundred Reb prisoners and marched to Bunkers Hill a distance of between twelve and fifteen miles and bivoaced in the open field for the night the prisoners in the middle and our forces consisting of four Regt around them the next morning at 5:00 moove on seven miles to Smithfield and and halted for half an hour rest then started and marched to Charlestown about the same distance and stoped close to the Town this is a regular cesesh place we had hardley stoped when the Women and children wer running with cakes pies peaches and apples for the Rebs and one of our boys couldn't buy an apple of them at eny rate they followed them as much as two miles this side the Town we arived here about five in the eavning the prisoners was halted in the field and a strong gard around them and our Regt went to their camp and orderd to get their supper and gard the prisoners to Harpers Ferry but they did not moove and we wer relieved about 90,0 and came into camp and alowed to rest untill morning when a detail of five men was maid from our Company to help make up a near gard for the Rebs and it was Joseph and my luck to be on that detail and we had to gard them larst noght to go to Harpers Ferry with them to day and stay untill relieved by the gard that is going off with them and we was right glad to git rid of them we had a good chance to talk with them and and learn their mind of the war they say the south have all the men the can git an if we can rais the five hundred thousand called fer it is no use for them to fight eny longer some talk as if they would fight as long as there is a man left it was a seen never to be forgoten to go through winchester and see the wounded soldiers every sapir bilding in town was full and used as a hospital O my dearist companion if I could enjoy the privilige I could talk a long time and tell you a good deal but I can not write much to night there is a rumer that we are to moove from her to morrow I think we shall have soon I want you to send me a box of things but not untill I order them I want a good stout pair of calf boots and lots of things which I will mention next letter my health is good but some what fatiged and sleepy tonoght be of good courage and let us remember each other in prayer and trust in God and he will soon end this war and we shall soon meet again |
Lydia's Diary |
Sunday, 25 |
cold + Showery milked 4 cows + then got breakfast David has been here to day had some boiled dish to day have been writing to Stephen feeling lonely today Mr. Bean went to Errold to day returned at 7 O clock in the evening little David has got the hooping Cough |
Lydia's Diary |
Monday, 26 |
Arose very early + got breakfast + went over to Mr. Bailys with the oxen + got my things returned at to in the afternoon + than dug 5 bushels of potatoes + gathered the garden sance all courage |
Lydia's Diary |
Tuesday, 27 |
very pleasent Done a large Churning to day + dug seven bushels of potatoes have been pretty busy seeing to things Mr. Ballard came here to work at four O clock in the afternoon Laura went home this afternoon paid her 3 dollars for teaching School Licander went to the office but did not get any letters I am tired to night but my trust is in god |
Lydia's Diary |
Wednesday, 28
|
Mr. Ballard + Wallace dug 20 bushels of potatoes + put them in the Cellar sold David the overcoat for nine dollars I have been washing + am very tired + lonely for my mind is wandering to some distant spot where my Dear Companion is Mr. Ballard went home to night. |
Lydia's Diary |
Thursday, 29 |
Wallace + I have dug 15 bushels of potatoes + put them in the Cellar at three in the afternoon and then it commenced to rain + rained all night Mr. Bean came here to night I am feeling very sad to night |
October, 1864 |
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Lydia's Diary |
Saturday, 1 |
Went over to fathers foot by Jane brought me back to Mr Braggs Wallace dug 4 bushels of potatoes. I am very tired tonight and lonesome we are all alone to night O what would I give to see my Husband |
Lydia's Diary |
Sunday, 2 |
It is very rainy to day Mrs Grover has been here to day I have writen to Mr. Beal and Mr Osgrove and to Stephen have to busy my self some way to stop thinking to much about Stephen |
Lydia's Letters |
Oct 2nd 1864 |
Upton Mr Osgood Dear Sir, my Husband left a box at your Office last Feb to be sent to me & I have never received it he wrote to a Mr Beal a minister to look it up for him he wrote back to my Husband that you had made a mistake and sent it to some other place and that you would send and get it and send it to me but I did not get the letter untill last mail I wish you would look it up for me for you will know where you sent it the box contained my Husbands picture alone cost to dollars and my Husband & to Brothers taken together cost four dollars and on Soldier blankit one pair of black pants one hat one ?Tlell? the box was a small one and he wrote S N Richards Upton Maine on the box with a led pencil proably that was the cause of the mistake I feel very atnsious to get it please look it up for me and Oblige Yours Truly Lydia E. Richards This box was forwarded to Bethel some months since. I think you can find it there or at the neerest Express Office Inquire for the box that was sent to the Exprs Agt Oct 6 H.T. Osgood |
Lydia's Diary |
Monday, 3 |
Churned + Wallace + I dug 18 bushels of potatoes Mr Small was here all night + Mr Brown + boy + to other men came out of the meadow after dark and wanted to stay all night and 6 Cattle and some Supper and I could not turn them away |
Lydia's Diary |
Tuesday, 4 |
I have been to fathers and to the Offace and received a letter from Stephen and sent one to him bought Wallace a pair of boots and paid 3,75 cts one paper of pepper 12 cts Wallace dug 6 bushels of potatoes some rainy to day Sarah Bean brought home my grist 8 bushels |
Lydia's Diary |
Wednesday, 5 |
Washed up the flours and went up to Mrs Winslows to a funerel and came home and got dinner Jerusha Sarah Lottie n Walter was here to dinner + then dug 10 bushels of potatoes Sarah paid me 6 and fifteen cts for the Children board 1,50 due |
Lydia's Diary |
Thursday, 6 |
Wallace and I have dug 15 bushels of potatoes to day have Just commenced to fat the hogs I went up to Mr Grovers and hour at noon I am feeling lonesome to day and hardly know how to contain my feelings but will trust in god |
Lydia's Diary |
Friday, 7 |
Wrote a letter to Stephen and reiced one from him I went down to Mr Ames to buy his Calf but could not Sold David my Oxen for 1,65 dollars Wallace dug 5 bushels of potatoes and Mary Small stayed here to night bought one paper of Camphor 20 cts |
Stephen's Letters |
Oct 7th 1864 |
Camp Near Cedar Crick Va write often and I will try and answer I think I shall write a little about our moovement every day and send you Dear Wife and children```` I enjoyed the privlige of receiving a mail from you last evning and was greatly pleased to hear such good news come from home my health is good and I know not how to render sufisiant prais and thanks to God my Heavenly Father for the daily blessings which he bestowes upon us we are in camp in the same place that I wrote you from the larst time but the talk is that we shall leave here soon for winter quarters which I hope will be the case for it is cold and uncomfortable here now with only a shelter tent and lying on the ground we shall stockade our tent and build a bunk to sleep on if we remain here any time I have got to go on picket tonight and must leave this letter to finish some other time we have to go three miles and a half and start ¼ before 3 oclock The order for pickets is countermanded and we have not got to go tonight so I will try my letter again I was sory that your oxen got damaged and think the man that did it aught to be willing to make restitution and pay what is fair and right I am glad you have got a horse if she is kind and good and worth the money that you pay for her you nead a horse very much there and a good steady horse will do a great deal of work on the farm but it will not do to let her I would not let her on eny account if she is a good beast and will fold be carefull of her and take good care of her and she will pay well for keeping to do your own business that is a dreadfull bad place on them roads to let a horse and the pay does not amount to much I think you have got a nice little stock to winter and have done remarkable well this season in caring on the farm may God bless you and give you grace and strength acordiing to you day |
Lydia's Diary |
Saturday, 8 |
Went down and dug 15 bushels of potatoes and Churned and spun 4 Skeins and doubled and twisted 2 skeins and knit in the evening Mary was here to breakfast and she and her Sister to dinner |
Stephen's Letters |
8th |
this is election day here and at 3,o clock this morning the order came to strike tents and be ready to moove at daylight at light the order is wait for ferther orders at 9:o'clock the poles are opened and the voters fall in and march to the Colonels quarters to carst their votes for oald Abe or that was the case with our Co for not a vote in Co. G was throne against him 189 for Lincoln and 26 for Mc in the Regt now comes the order to pich tents and put out the pickets that was detailed yesterday and I am one of that number |
Lydia's Diary |
Sunday, 9 |
quite Cool have been busying myself reading and seeing to things I am feeling somewhat lonely to day but my trust is in god I mean to try and Obey him who is worthy of our praise and reverance I must go and milk and go to bed |
Stephen's Letters |
9th |
at about nine this morning orders came for the pickets to report in camp as soon as posible and when we arived in camp our Brigade had broke camp and left and we remained in the rear Brigade gard all day till 7 oclock when we we relieved and found our Regimen in camp about half way between New Town and Winchester |
Stephen's Letters |
October 9th 1864 |
Camp on Boliver Heights VA I am much pleased to address you once more from our oald camp on boliver heights we are to leave they say tomorrow for Winchester but we cannot tell much by the camp reports my health is good this morning and hope and trust that you are enjoying the same great blessing the larst letter I received from you was writen the 18th Sept it is allong time not to hear a word from you here where we have got letters in four days after mailed I have writen twice before this since and you know it is the soldiers motto to answer letters or write when written two some on our long marches had an envelop backed and stamped and a sheat of paper come in every letter a very good plan when on a campaign but when in camp I should choose to have the paper all written we have had a short campaign since I larst wrote to you about fifteen miles up the Ohio Rail road stoped three days and returned to camp yesterday and I think they are prepairing for a moove either to join the corps or go into winter quarters We was paid four months pay and a bounty yesterday I received one hundred and four dollars being the full amount without regard to the allotment role which some say they have throne all up but that matters but little as long as we git the money I have expressed one hundred and twenty dollars to you this morning the hundred dollar note I send as a presant to you I want you to keep it as your own it is on intrest at seven percent compounged every six month and at the end of three years is redeemed both principle and intrest by our government in gold so they are better laid away then money at intrest I have writen that I wished you to pay what you could this fall on the farm you can do so and keep this note as your own it is on intrest and them that have them at the end of three years will git the full amount of note and intrest our next payment comes dieu the larst of this month but I had rather not be paid so often and git more at a time I collected the bigest part of what I let in the company but there is some that is absent and will pay when I see them I am able to send you more then I could if I had not let any I take a receit and shall send it to you as soon as the money arives safe I think if you think best you had better sell your oxen it will cost so much to winter them and then we can buy in the spring but the cows and heifer and sheep you had better winter you can buy more sheep if you think best the hundred dollar bill I want you to keep safe and if we are not paid untill we have a hundred dieu I will send you a nother I want some boots and things for winter but shall not order any untill I know the result of this moove we are about to make it is uncertain where we shall be this winter and shall probably be mooving about this month there is an impression here with the officers and men that this war will soon end and that the fighting will end this fall Oct 9th
Cedar Creek Va I had to leave my letter unfinished and go on
picket and the next morning when releived the company was all
ready to march and we have ben on the marc ever sence untill to
day we are waiting for orders it is reported that our armey
is falling back and so we shall go back we are about forty
miles from Harpers Ferry Shall probably fall back to Winch
ester five miles or Martinsburg ??? two miles or Harpers Ferry
only we should advance we have a train of nine hundred
??????? |
Lydia's Diary |
Monday, 10 |
Rather Cool to day Spun 7 Skeins + doubled and twisted 8 knots for Stephens gloves and knit in the evening Wallace and I went over to Mr Scribners and got the looms Mrs Caroline foye was her to day |
Lydia's Diary |
10th |
to day we have ben very busy pithing tents and establishing our new camp in order and building brest works there is a great deal of work to do when we go into a new camp and they are making preperations here to meet he Rebs here if they choose to follow us and the report is that they are comming but I gess they will be aware of Sheridan and his armey the third time they have tried him twice and I hope if the come again we shall be able to capture the whole of them and send them into safe qarters for winter |
Lydia's Diary |
Tuesday, 11 |
Went over to Mr. Smalls to day and had a good visit found David here when I got Back and I got him some Supper and he stayed all night |
Stephen's Letters |
11th |
this morning the revilee beat at 5 o'clock and we ordered to fall in under armer and formed in line and stood untill day light then got breakfast and the rest of the forenoon is spent in please??? the camp ground and Regerlating the tents and puting things in order at noon we wer all ordered on to the brest works to work and have jist ben relieved Henry is gon out on picket tonight and I must close this letter S N Richards I shall write to the children soon it is duty all the time now |
Lydia's Diary |
Wednesday, 12 |
David took the Oxen he is owing me one hundred and thirty three dollars and a half I have been washing to day and called down to Mr Flaggs paid Doctor Tingly 3,00 dollars for Mr Small it has been wet to received to letters from Augusta |
Lydia's Diary |
Thursday, 13 |
Wet to day have Spun 6 Skeins to day and Churned ans washed the flours besides all other dometic affairs my Courage is good to day and my health is first rate and my trust is in god I am very tired to night |
Lydia's Diary |
Friday, 14 |
Cold and Snowy I have been to Mill to day Carried 8 bushels of indian Wheat did not get back not till evening Received one hundred and twenty dollars by express paid 75 cts for bringing it |
Lydia's Diary |
Saturday, 15 |
Started to go to Mill to day and brook down and left my grist to Mr flags and come back and cleaned up the flours and busying myself seeing to things Mrs flagg was here to dinner Stormy to day Mr West took his Cow to day |
Lydia's Diary |
Sunday, 16 |
Some stormy to day had a boiled dish to day David + Enoch was here to dinner + Mr Small we are all neat and Clean to day but lonely O how pleased I shoud have been to have gone to church to day but will trust in god |
Lydia's Diary |
Monday, 17 |
It is Cloudy to day have spun 6 Skeins to day and bought a horse of Mr. Bennett of Greenwood paid 40 down and give a note for sixty dollars father came here with him finished Stephens footings |
Stephen's Letters |
Monday Oct 17th 1864 |
In camp near Winchester Va My dear beloved wife and children with much joy and satisfaction I received two letters from you larst night am much pleased to hear that you are prospering and well except the hooping cough which I hope you will soon be relieved of my health is good and my whole trust and dependance is in him who is able to save and careth for all those who through faith do put their trust in him we are as yet detached from the corps on guard on the supply train and are constantly shifting from place to place as our services are required some very hard and fatiguing marching but as yet have had no fighting sence we have ben on the train they are ?casious now? they attact the train when under the protection of the third brigade we have a good deal of duty to do but the danger is less then in front I sent you 120,00 dollars larst weak by express and have sent you a letter sence the hundred dollar bill I sent as a presant to you my dearest and want you to keep it save untill I come home you had better keep you cow and heifer and buy as many sheep as you think best it is the prevailing opinion that the war will soon end my prayer daily is that God will close this seen of war and strife and give us a reunion in purity of heart mind and carrictor unspotted by the eavles vice and wickedness that daily surround us. by the grace of God I am determined to walk in the virtues path that I may obtain mercy and find grace to help in every time of need you wished me to write my true feelings they are with you and the desire of my heart is to be at home withe those dear loved ones god hath given me form my earthly comfort and enjoyment but I would not complain of my lot it is through the divine Providence and mercy of God that I am here parted from you and I would be faithful to him to my country my dear family and trust the event withe him believing that he will work all these light afflictions together for our good in the end there is neither comfort nor enjoyment for me here in the armey parted from my dear family at home but I came into the army through a clear sence of duty and wish to discharge that duty fully in the love and fear of God hoping and expecting that he will soon terminate my mision here and return me home to enjoy the sweet society of those dear ones left at home and pray his holy name once more around the family alter let us trust in him and pray without seasing and in every thing give thanks to him Children be good and remember father Casting your cares ????????? ??????????????????????????? I desire to be with you this winter to share the cares and joys of life but let us be of good courage and the day will soon come when we shall again meet and unite in all the toils and labour and comfort and enjoyment of this present life I must close this is in hast and I dont know as you can read it have faith in God yours in heart S. N. Richards
|
Lydia's Diary |
Tuesday, 18 |
Have spun five Skeins to day Mrs foye was here to dinner to day some pleasent to day I am feeling lonely and gloomy O I want my dear Companion to home but all I can do is to pray for him god is able to bring him to home again |
Lydia's Diary |
Wednesday, 19 |
cloudy to day Spun 3 Skeins Received a letter from Stephen paid Mrs flagg 10 cts for mending my Shoes |
Lydia's Diary |
Thursday, 20 |
cloudy to day have spun 6 Skeins and sat up the loom with all other domestic affairs |
Lydia's Diary |
Friday, 21 |
Rather cool to day have been Sewing to Day Bought 75 cts worth of books of Mr Shurtleff went over to the Office with him did not get back untill evening |
Lydia's Diary |
Saturday, 22 |
Cloudy to day have been amusing myself about household affairs feeling sad and lonely but good health and Courage and my trust is in god for he doeth all things well |
Lydia's Diary |
Sunday, 23 |
cloudy to day Went of to Mr Grovers to meeting to day Mr. Small and Mary was her to Supper |
Lydia's Diary |
Monday, 24 |
Cloudy to day we have plenty of Cloudy weather I have been washing to day and writing to Stephen Mr and Mrs foye was here to dinner to day O how I want to see Stephen to night |
Lydia's Diary |
Tuesday, 25 |
Went over to the Office but did not get any letter went up to Mr Godwins and got a oder $40 do and than went to meeting in the evening + stoped all night with Sarah Bought a Close line of Sarah Bean I am feeling lonely to night Cloudy Sent 2 letters to S |
Lydia's Diary |
Wednesday, 26 |
pleasent to day Arose very early and come home have done a great days work have been Cleaning up the house and mending |
Lydia's Diary |
Thursday, 27 |
have spun 5 Skeins |
Lydia's Diary |
Friday, 28 |
Went to the Office received a letter from Stephen road down to fathers and staid all night very rainy to night |
Lydia's Diary |
Saturday, 29 |
took my horse home and give a note 60 dollar note dated Oct 19th to be paid in six months Bought a read paid 1,50 to be paid |
Lydia's Diary |
Sunday, 30 |
am feeling lonely to day have been reading Mr Small and Wife was here to dinner |
Lydia's Diary |
Monday, 31 |
Went to mill to day Carried ten bushels of Indian wheat Bought one ounce of Indigo 20 cts 7 ½ of Mutton 60 cts not paid |
November, 1864 |
||
Maine Adjutant General's Report |
|
On the 26th of October, the regiment, with its brigade, rejoined the division at Cedar Creek, Va. On the 9th of November, it moved with the army to a position between Kearnstown and Newtown. On November 18th, an order was issued assigning to the 30th the re-enlisted men of the 13th Me. Vols. The consolidation being effected, the regiment nearly reached the maximum number of men and officers of the most excellent material - hardy, willing and experienced soldiers |
Lydia's Diary |
Tuesday, 1 |
Cold have been Busying myself about domestic affairs Norman came here at two O clock to work received a letter from Stephen |
Lydia's Diary |
Wednesday, 2 |
have been washing to day and knitting am very tired to night I cannot tell my feelings But am lonely and sad would like to know how it is with Stephen Cold |
Lydia's Diary |
Thursday, 3 |
very pleasent Mr. H worked here to day George Rawson was here to dinner to day finished my Stockings to night have been to home all day am tired and lonely |
Stephen's Letters |
Nov 3rd 1864 |
Camp near Cedar Crick Va send me some stamps Dear Wife I have waited anxiously expecting a letter from you for some time but have not heard from you sence I think the tenth of Oct. The larst letter I received was written about that time the Co. had a mail yesterday but none for me I want to hear from you so that I can hardly contain myself there is nothing that gives me so much satisfaction and contentment as your letters and to know that you are well and prospering and a month is a long time not to hear from you we think that some of our mail is miss carried and we do not git it I have sent three and this is the fourth to you sence receiving eny from home and one to Brother Henry that he has not answerd will you write in your next if he has mooved to Livermore if you know My health is good and I do feel truly thankfull to the great giver of all that we here persess for the great blessing of health which seems to be the first and greatest thing to be desired here with health and strength the soldiers lot is hard without health the privatation toils and duties of a soldier in the field cannot be endured but the health of the soldier with the blessings of God is in his own hands he must observe the laws of nature and the divine commands in order to obtain the blessing temperate in all things mild and modest in his customs of food and diet a daily and perticular respect to the habits of cleanness of bothe person and clothing shun the aperances of eavle and never tread the paths of vice foley and wickedness which every canded think ing minded man knows will end in sure destruction but many yeald to the natural inclinations of the mind feeling and pashions and are forced onward by the downward sweeping tide we are releived from the serply train as gard and have joined our division and are now in camp near cedar crick it is said that Gen Sheridan is expecting a nother battle here but it is my opinion we shall fall back to some more convienant place for winter without much if eny more fighting the box of things you nead not send untill I write again I want to git settled for the winter and then have it directed so that it will come directly to me I wrote you that I wanted four shirts two for my tent mate corperil Barker if you have planed so that you can send them write and let me know what they cost and he will pay well for them he is a first rate fellow I have writen about the boots a good stout pair of No: 9 calf skin boots and two pair of footing and more if you have them and it is eny object to sell them for one dollar a pair one pair of gloves and a pair suspenders some of your butter and what else you please it has ben a month sence I sent you that money and I have not heard from it I feel a little anxious to know if you have received it safe I have a receipt for the money and will send it to you soon as I know that the money is safe Henry and Joseph are well and hearty and send their best respects to you all let us my dare loved ones carst our cares on Jesus for he careth for us and will surely work out our light afflictions here for our presant and everlasting food if we but continue in obediance to his holy commands and in faith and trust daily ask his holy and mercifull protecting care. Be of good courage my dear companion and may the time soon come when we shall meet again face to face united in bodily presance as we are in heart and mind. I desire to be with you but must patiantly wait the blessings of God rest upon you. |
Lydia's Diary |
Friday, 4 |
very stormy to day and I am feeling very lonesome |
Brooks Brothers' Letter |
November 4, 1864 |
In camp near cedar creek, Va No ?? Dear sister I now sit down to write you a few lines I am as
well as common but have a sore foot which is rather bad for
the weather. Stephen and henry are well and have things as well
as common it is very mudy here now and the weather is damp
which is not so pleasant as it would be to have a good house to
stay in nights but still we feel willing to do it for our
cause for |
Lydia's Diary |
Saturday, 5 |
stormy to H worked for me to day I went to the Office to day should have been to quartly? meeting if it had been pleasent sent a letter to S |
Lydia's Diary |
Sunday, 6 |
very pleasent to day wrote a letter to Stephen went over to Otair? Abbots and staid all night |
Lydia's Diary |
Monday, 7 |
Mary Small was here to Breakfast got my horse Shankled and Started for bethen? Stoped to the minsters to dinner + than went on the hill got Mr. Siberson to make out a deed and paid him 1,00 bought a pair of cards? paid 50 cts door hinges 15 cts went down to Mr. Beans + staid all night |
Lydia's Diary |
Tuesday, 8 |
Bought me a harness paid 23 dollars one halter 1,00 dollar + 50 cts one Bunch of yarn (750) 3 gallons of molasses )2,49) 1 bushel and a half of salt (1.87) one pail + half bushel (1,00) 12 buttons (15cts) paid 12 cts for Crossing river 2 quarts of oil 15 cts one rope 35 cts stoped to the M to dinner paid him 2,00 and got up to fathers at seven O clock + staid all night |
Lydia's Diary |
Wednesday, 9 |
Bought 93 lbs of Beaf of father and paid him 8,37 Bought on quarter block tea and to ounces of indigo 70 cts sent a letter to Stephen got home about noon tired all out found things all right at home |
Lydia's Diary |
Thursday, 10 |
I have Been to Mill Carried 8 bushels 4 of Wheat and four of indian Wheat paid Varnum 3,00 for three days work Bought a pelt and paid 1,95 for it |
Lydia's Diary |
Friday, 11 |
Spun to Skeins and have Been going from one thing to another Wallace went to the Office But did not get any letters Mr. Small was her to Brakfast |
Lydia's Diary |
Saturday, 12 |
have washed to da and Cleaned up Mr foy was her to dinner Bought a Calf of Mr. Small and paid seven dollars sold him 3 lbs + a half of Cotten yarn for 5,60 am owing him 61cts now sixty one cts |
Lydia's Diary |
Sunday, 13 |
Snowy to day hav writen a letter to Stephen am feeling lonely to day |
Lydia's Diary |
Monday, 14 |
Rather Clool worked my web to day Mr. foye worked for me to day on the Barn knit in the evening untill ten O clock my mind is continuely on Stephen when will he be delivered from the Army |
Lydia's Diary |
Tuesday, 15 |
bought 2 lbs of nails 25 cts 50 cts drawed in my web and git it to work Mrs foye cam out her to day Mr foye and I went over to the Office in the evening but did not get any letters Mr foye worked for me to day |
Lydia's Diary |
Wednesday, 16 |
wove 4 yds to day Mr foye worked for me to day |
Lydia's Diary |
Thursday, 17 |
Mr foye worked to day I wove 3 yds to day David came over her to night Bought one Reed piad 1,25 for it |
Lydia's Diary |
Friday, 18 |
wove 3 yds to day rainy in the four noon I went to the Office in the evening received one letter from Stephen and one from Joseph Bought 2 yds of Sheeting, 1,65 thread and Sulphur 14 cts paid Mr foye 4 dollars 20 cts postage |
Lydia's Diary |
Saturday, 19 |
David worked for me to day Cutting wookd wove 2 yds to day Wallace hubbed wood with the hose and hose sled |
Lydia's Diary |
Sunday, 20 |
very pleasent to day David went home to day Mr and Mrs flagg was here to day have been very busy seeing to things Mr Ballard and Mr Small was here to day have been writing to Stephen |
Lydia's Diary |
Monday, 21 |
wove two yds to day very rainy to day |
Lydia's Diary |
Tuesday, 22 |
have wove too to day Cloudy to day have not heard from the Office to night |
Lydia's Diary |
Wednesday, 23 |
wove tooo yds to day with all my other wokr Mr Small was her to Supper and staid all night |
Lydia's Diary |
Thursday, 24 |
very pleasent the Children and I went over to Mr Scribners to thankgiveing and I went up to Mr Grover in the evening |
William Richards' Letter |
Nov 27 1864 |
Livermore Dear brother I take this chance to write a line to your to inform you of our health and other matters we are well now our little girl has been ?verry? sick she is better now we have moved home I should have writen to you before but our moving and her being sick has delayed me untill now I want to hear from you very much you spoke abot some apples they are very scarce and high from $3 to $4 per bbl I dont know what the freight would be but if you will write to me where to send them I will send you some I dont know as I have any news to write Benj folks are all well G.W. ?lifed to Press? Oris Goding has gone over to work with him the folks at Oxford are well your folks were well when I heard from them but I surpose you have heard from them sinse I did I surpose the Presidential Election went satisfactory generaly throu ghot the army did it not I hear that Charles has gone up contry to make shingles get ritch wont he James S is on the ?cars? yet Sarah M has had her girl Lee Strickland has lost his wife and is going to Bangor so if you have the money that you can spare jest as well as not to pay another one of the notes I think you had better send it to me and I will take it up before he goes I sent the other note to your wife having first cut your ?name? off and now is an excelent time to pay debt and get rid of them I hope these few lines will find you enjoying good health which is a greater blessing and faith and con fidence in Him who is able to save and protect amid all the troubles and trials which may surround us I remeber you dear brother in prayer and I dsire an interest in yours that we may walk uprightly and do cary daily as becometh Christians in fear of God and looking up to Jesus who is the auther and finisher of our faith write as soon as you get this a good long letter may god bless and protect untill we meet yors in love Wm. H. R. |
Lydia's Diary |
Friday, 25 |
wove one hd and a half and took the wed out 21 yds long seven and a half belonged to Mrs foye David and H Godwin had my horse to go to Andover |
Lydia's Diary |
Saturday, 26 |
pleasent and warm washed to day + washed up the flours and warped a web Mrs foye came out here in the afternoon she and David + Godwin was here to Supper and David + Godwin was here to breakfast sent a letter to Stephen |
Lydia's Diary |
Sunday, 27 |
very pleasent and warm went over to the Office and received a letter from Stephen Mrs. Bragg was here to day |
Lydia's Diary |
Monday, 28 |
Bought one lbs of Sabatus drawed in a wed to day Cloudy Bought one yoke of five years olds and paid 147 dollars ten Sheep and paid 30 dollars one cow and paid 32,00 am owing David 55 ½ |
Stephen's Letters |
Nov 28, 1864 |
Camp near Winchester Va Dear Children through the mercy and goodness of God our Heavenly Father I enjoy the privlige of pening a few thoughts to you in answer to yours to me which was received in dieu season and should have ben answered before had it not ben for the busy and confused state of things in our camp I was much pleased to receive a few lines from you and rearlized great satisfaction in the sound and firm mind manly and business style which they displayed in the writer I am injoying health this morning one of the greatest blessings which a kind and mercifull god can bestow upon us for without health amid sickness and disease we cannot enjoy eny earthly or temporal blessings but if we are in persesion of the one great blessing needfull above all others that is the spirit and presants of Christ as a risen Saviour then we have a continual and never ending enjoyment in health in sickness and distress through the valley and shadow of death and in a never ending eternity he will ever be presant with us to make our way smoother our yoke easey and our burden light O who would live without a saviour, without eny trust or hope in Christ no prospects beyond those earthly vanities which are temporal and transitory and daily passing a way my dear children put your trust in the Lord look unto Jesus as the author and finisher of true faith as the great giver of every good and perfect gift look unto him as the fountain head of true wisdom of lasting enjoyment an inward peace and happiness through this presant world and in that which is to come. we have four hours drill a day two in the fourenoon and two in the afternoon I must leave this letter till after drill we have had a batallion drill this after noon commencing at one and leaving of at three this with our other duties keep us busy the whole time six or eight men a day are detailed from our company on the brest works Sisy my dear if you have some good fat chickens put one or two into the box for me and a little bag of flower about a quart we want a little some times to thicken soop and gravy if Mother does not send the box before you git this letter you can tuck them in we have not had eny snow here in the vally but the hills have ben white all around the weather is very changable here a good deal of rain and cold wind and the mud is gitting about knee deep the ground has frozen some nights and thaws days it is the most of the time very uncomfortable wether we got a terkey and two chickens for thanks- givin and had them made into a soop for the company of forty five men and got about a pint of thin broth to a man when you send the box send me a letter so that I may be looking for it and if we remain here I shall have to send a order to martinsberg for it the express does not come eny nearer then mar tinsberg now some send by the sutler for them |
Lydia's Diary |
Tuesday, 29 |
School begun yesterday in my house I have drawed in a wed to day ironed and picked 3 Skeins in the evening I am very tired to night Mr foye was here to day warm + rainy Sheep get there liverng now |
Stephen's Letters |
Nov 29 64 |
Camp Rusel Va I am well this morning and will give you a sketch of the duties and moovements in camp today that you may see how our time is spent at five in the morning the bugle sounds and in 15 minits the drum beats the revilee and every man is in the ranks under armes for role call then march to the brestworks stack armes and remain on watch till sun rise then cook and eat breakfirst then the comapny turns out and pleases up the streat and wash and lug wood the drum beats the revlee at 5 the sergant call at a quarter before seven the breakfirst call at seven the sick call at half past seven the gard call at a quarter past eight mount gard at half past eight the drill call at a quarter befor nine the recall at eleven the dinner call at twelve battalion drill call a quarter before one recall from drill at three dress perrade or role call at five N all these have to be attended to ??? drawing rations keeping cleen and many other duties I must close the taps have beat and we must put out lights I am going on picket in the morning |
Lydia's Diary |
Wednesday, 30 |
Rainy to day I have been weaving wove 2 yds of wail and fed the hogs and pigs + done the work + milked + washed the flour and made a sweet cake for supper + picked 3 Skeins so ends this month |
December, 1864 |
||
Maine Adjutant General's Report |
|
On the 30th of December, moved to Stevensons's Depot, four miles north of Winchester. The entire distance marched by the regiment during the year was upwards of 1,000 miles, exclusive of raids and temporary movements from camp. It was engaged in four battles and lost in killed and died from woulds received in battle, three officers and 20 enlisted men; and in wounded, five officers and 122 men. It also lost, by disease, two officers and 208 men. |
Lydia's Diary |
Thursday, 1 |
have been weaving to day Cloudy |
Lydia's Diary |
Friday, 2 |
pleasent have wove 1 yd and went over to the Office But did not get any letters Bought one quire of paper 25 staid all night to Mr. Briggs |
Lydia's Diary |
Saturday, 3 |
snowey Bought 4 bushels of Indian what paid 3 dollars of Mr. Bragg and got Sarah horse sled and went to Mill bought 4 bushels of Indian wheat of William Godwin and paid 3,40 and when I got home I was tired and Cold paid Mrs Douglas 40 cts for kniting gloves |
Stephen's Letters |
Dec 3rd 1864 |
My adress Co. G 30th Regt Maine Vols Washington D.C Camp near Winchester Va Dear Wife and children I was highly pleased this morning in receiving a letter from you and one from Brother W. H. it is the greatest joy and satisfaction that I do rearlize in eny thing here except trusting and beleiving in God our Heavenly Father. to hear from you and to know that you are well and prospering relying in God and daily trusting in the mercy love and saving power of Christ as a living Risen Saviour with a firm fixed and unwavering faith let us daily remember each other to him n humble devoted prayer knowing that he is able to do more for us then we through weakness can ask or eaven think and that he will in his own apointed time bring all things into subjection to his own perpous and holy and divine will fear not I am with you even to the end of the world all boxes or frait the same as a letter I wrote you larst weak that you had better send the box as soon as you got it ready direct just as you do a letter and if we left her it would come to me it apears more settled now that we shall stay here this winter then it has before but I think it is uncertain but I hope we shall stop here a spell we have got our quarters fixed up so well we have got a good tent built up with logs and a stone chimney and board bunks to sleep on with our blankets and over coats we can sleep comfortable Sargent Widler that was taken prisoner at plesant hill returned to the company Thursday the 1st day of Dec he is with us now making five in our tent he says he faired very hard whilst a prisoner suffered a great deal from sickness fatigue and want of sufficent rations thinks the Rebles generaly used him as well as they could und their circustances a great deal of the time all he had for rations was a little fresh beaf and indian meal My health is good I think the best it has ben since I left Maine it has ben generaly good though I have not ben free from slight attacks of the dioareah and other prevaling complaints subject to heard marching and camping on the cold and wet ground some of them are a Rheumatic cramp in the cord of the limbs a numness or sleepy prickly feeling in the flesh of the legs and armes extending into the hands and feet and a sort of aching or weekness in the bones and joints a great deal of souarness in the stomach a grumbling uneasyness in the bowels a dull heavy feeling of the eyes and more or less head ache these with meny others are complaints to which the soldier is subject and when rightly considered we pronounce them as naterual concequences and must not be yielded to but must with prudiance caution and econimy be overcome it is a great change to exchange the relations of a good comfortable peaceful and quyet home for a campaign in the field of war the implaments of quiet peacefull and domistic persuites and labour is exchanged for the canon musket bayonet and caterig box the kitchen and fire side for a shelter tent pitched in the open field the chair for a stone stump or log and the bed for a blanket spred upon the ground and the luxries of the oald family table for a sip of hard bread beaf and coffee twice or thrice a day from his haversac the piecefull and quiet relations of friends and neighbours are exchanged for the constant watching day and night of a hostile foe and enemy but this will not be agreable to your feeling and pehaps you will not thank me for such writing but thanks be to God who giveth us the victory the day dawns the light apears in which this war will end and peace and hapyness again restorded to our once happy land |
Lydia's Diary |
Sunday, 4 |
windy to day I have been very busy all day seeing to things have been writing to Stephen this evening my Courage is good my health is good |
Lydia's Diary |
Tuesday, 6 |
Wallace went over to the Office and staid all night Bought 2 quarts of Oil one quire of paper |
Lydia's Diary |
Thursday, 8 |
finished my wed to day ten yds of wail for Mr. Scribner Sold 2 tons of hay for 15 dollar a ton Rainy to night all Bare ground |
Lydia's Diary |
Friday, 9 |
I have warped another wed for Mrs. Abbott very cold have not heard from the Office to night |
Stephen's Letters |
Dec 9th 1864 |
Camp ?Rusel? near Winchester as my letter is not sealed I thought I would send Brother Wm H 's letter to you and jist say that I am well this eavning and think I should be happy if I was with you but I try to be patient and reconciled and reckon every day as one day nearer the time when we shall again meet and injoy the presants and society of each other God grant it write me as soon as you git this letter what you think about my gittin a furlow for fifteen days if I can it would give me seven or eight days at home and cost something I don't know how much if I thought we should have to stay through next summer I should want to come by all means but we think here that we shall come home for good between now and the first of July next but it is uncertain. I have not asked for a ferlow yet want your mind about it I do not know as there will be eny ferlows granted it is talked of in the Regt I asked to know your mind provided there should be if I could git one for 30 days I would at any rate do not make up your minds my dear ones that I shall get a ferlow I do not I should take the greatest pleasure in coming and seeing you but to be oblige to leave in seven day would be hearder then to remain here a while longer but my mind is to come if I can if you think best I must close may god bless you may we soon meet again |
Lydia's Diary |
Saturday, 10 |
drawed in a wed and moved the stove snowy very stormy |
Lydia's Diary |
Sunday, 11 |
I have Been very busy all day seeing to things and have been writing to Stephen milder to day But some story Mr Winslow was her to day I am feeling some lonesome to night |
Lydia's Diary |
Monday, 12 |
Very Cold and windy I have been to Mill Carried 4 bushels of wheat and one of Corn I suffered with the Cold received 2 letters from S Bought 14 lbs of Beaf paid 1,00 Candle mould 33 cts Sent a letter to Stephen |
Lydia's Diary |
Tuesday, 13 |
cold Mr foye worked part of the day School stped to day Washed to day Wallace went over on the other hill foot Sent a letter to Stephen |
Lydia's Diary |
Wednesday, 14 |
Stormy Mr. + Mrs. foye Worked for me today + Mr. Douglas killed the hogs Paid him 80 cts the Well Chain broke and we had to melt some snow |
Lydia's Diary |
Thursday, 15 |
Very Cold to day had quite a time fixing the well killed seven chickens Charles + Mr. foye cut up the hogs in the eve on waied 400 hundred + the other 300 lbs |
Lydia's Diary |
Friday, 16 |
Received a letter from S. Sold Mr. Motten two tons of hay for 33 dollars he moved it to day pleasent they was here to dinner Mr foye went home to night paid him 4 dollars + half |
Lydia's Diary |
Saturday, 17 |
Cold out wind in the morning But grew warm all day Mr. Small + daughters was here to dinner bought one gallon of cider 33 cts to Bushels of Indian wheat 1,60 |
Lydia's Diary |
Sunday, 18 |
quite pleasent But Cold went over to fathers |
Lydia's Diary |
Monday, 19 |
Out wind with Snow I have Wove to day to men Staid here all night paid me 75 cts Very Stormy paid 10 dollars for Stephens boots 8 lbs of Sugar 2,00 |
Lydia's Diary |
Tuesday, 20 |
Cold + windy sent 2 letters to Stephen I have been weaving to dya bought 8 lbs of dried apple 1,12 |
Lydia's Diary |
Wednesday, 21 |
Out wind and Snowy again finished Mrs. Abbotts wed 13 ½ yds long I am most sick to night and very lonesome to night |
Lydia's Diary |
Thursday, 22 |
very Cold made Stephen a Shirt almost Sack very bad stormy |
Lydia's Diary |
Friday, 23 |
windy no passing very lonely But am trying to make the best of every thing |
Lydia's Diary |
Saturday, 24 |
Broke the road to day Mrs. foye was here to day to dinner + supper and breakfast made Wallace a shirt went over to the Office received a letter from Stephen |
Lydia's Diary |
Sunday, 25 |
very pleasent went over to fathers Mrs foye went home to day |
Stephen's Letters |
Sunday Dec 25th 1864 |
pray for me Number your letters at the commence of Jan and I will do the same Camp Rusel Shenandoh Valley Va My Dear family it is the greatest pleasure that I can here enjoy to adress you this morning a few lines and commu- nicate a few thoughts to you through the medium of pen and paper your letter of the 13th inst is jest received and I am very much pleased to hear from my dear ones at home and to know that you at that time was well and trusting in him who is always presant and able to continue those highly esteemed and desireable blessings O may we continue in faith ask that we may receive carst our cares upon Jesus knowing through faith love and obediance to his holy commands that he careth for us. and let us daily rely upon his holy and sacred care he hath created all things and governens and controles all worldly powers and elements and nothing can harm or hert those that are under his sacred care without his holy permission I truly wish you all a mery and happy crismass a very fine and beutiafull pleasant day it is here but dreadfully wet and muddy under foot my health is good to day and I do sin- cerly praise my Heavenly Father for his unspeakable blessings daily bestowed upon us. Henry is lying by my side on his bunk he is very slim he seemes to think some times that he is gitting better but I cannot say that I think so I feel very anxious about him and think he had ought to go to the hospitle or have a furlow home where he could be better taken care of then he can here we can do nothing for him only to make him as comfortable as posiable with the chance we have the doctor does not seem to think that much of eny thing ails him he marked him please duty to day but he does not know his disposion as well as I do he seemes to think that al play sick to git rid of duty Joseph is on picket to day he is well and fat and hearty and seames to enjoy soldiers life very well they have not received their box yet there is some dificulty about the express boxes there has none to my knolidge come to the Regt for over a month and about all say they have one on the way Sarent Barker had one sent from Bethel the fourteenth of Nov. that has not yet arived and he says he is don looking for it if you do not send mine before this letter reaches you you had not better send it before you hear from me again. I have not yet made an application for a furlow for two reasons the first is that our colonel is absant he is gorn to Wash- ington on business has ben gorn over a week and I have more confidence in him then all the rest of our officers our captain is a smart man but he is very perticular and will do jest as he takes a notion I shall try him if the colonel does not return in season my next reason is we have four months pay dieu and are to be payed and have a settlement for clothing and every thing for the year the larst of this month or the first of next and I want to wait untill after this payment I have no money and could not well come without I do not expect they will grant a furlow but I can try for it we have comfortable quar ters here now the camp looks like a log hut village the tents are in regular lines with a company streat between each line of tents the sixth and eight corps has left there is only the nineteenth corps here now. 10 in the eavning the chaplain came in the eavning and we have had a good little prayer meting in my tent it seemed a little like oald times to fix seats and have the folks come in for a meeting I must close this letter by promising to answer all that you will write to me may God bless and protect you and me S. N. Richards |
Lydia's Diary |
Monday, 26 |
very pleasent washed to day + washed up the flour am very tired |
Lydia's Diary |
Tuesday, 27 |
Warm and pleasent I went over to Mr. Morses received a letter from Stephen and sent one |
Lydia's Diary |
Wednesday, 28 |
quite stormy Mr Ballard draws wood for me to day I had Breakfast Before light and then I went over to the mill Mr. Bean staid here all night |
Lydia's Diary |
Thursday, 29 |
Warm and rainy Mr Bean drawed wood for me to day I worked all day about the house and sat up all night fixing Stephen's box |
Lydia's Diary |
Friday, 30 |
quite Chool Started as soon as light for Bethel with Stephen's box very bad weather Bought one pair of Shoes 2,50 to balls of weeking 33 linen thread 10 staid all night to Mr. twitchel |
Lydia's Diary |
Saturday, 31 |
Arose very early feeling smart + went on the hill got Mr mason to hoop + mark my box 25) 6,00 express piece of chain 6 ½ ) one pair of Shoes 1,92 malos )2,46) salt )45) |
Undated Letters from 1864 |
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Stephen's Letters |
1864 |
Wallace and Lizzia write me gain I was greatly pleased to receive a letter from you and them picturs write all the news and tell me all about little David how natural them curles look on that little picture I shal write to you a lot of news when we git stationed so I can Be Good and pray for me and I will for you and God will bless us Poot your trust in God and he will protect us I shall never betray your trust in me but will with the help of my Heavely Father ever proove a true and faithfull Husband and Father. Stephen N. Richards to his kind and faithfull Wife L.E.R.
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Stephen's Letters |
1864 |
Let us do right fear and doubt will depart from us Lizzia wanted I should tell her how much I weighed Just parst the comisaries and steped on the scales with a thin blouce on they make me weight one hundred and seventy ten pounds more then my usual weight when at home and heavier clothed 170 lbs wall Lizzie I am gitting fat and lazy to my dear little Lizzie In the lord is a safe abiding place he is a strong tower a very presant help in every time of trouble and need as for me and my house we will trust in the Lord. Blessed be his holy name for he has visited and redeemed his people To Lizia from her absant Father be a good child and God will bless you God bless you all and keep you from the eavels that that are in the world S.N. Richards
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