Archive Record

Images

1 of 1977

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Metadata

Catalog Number

1805.025.06

Collection

Carlton Birch Letters

Object Name

Letter

Title

Letter from Carlton Birch to his Uncle

Scope & Content

A letter from Carlton Birch to his Uncle about life as a Union soldier encamped near Falmouth in Virginia on April 22, 1863. In this letter Carlton describes the heavy load he must carry with him on marches as well as in battle and the arrival of the pay master. He mentions that "Old Abe" visited his camp briefly on unknown business as well as Joe Hooker possibly breaking his leg. Carlton also describes an encounter he had with a black woman who had approached his camp looking for safety.

Carlton mentioned preparing to march and keeping an "eye's mind" on Richmond. This could be in relation to Abraham Lincoln's visit and a plan for his regiment to march to Richmond, but the regiment instead proceeded to march toward Chancellorsville.

On the front of the letter is a sketch of a Union soldier marching with a large pack and rifle. On the reverse of the letter is a sketch of the black woman mentioned in his letter.

Date

April 22, 1863

Notes

This letter is addressed to "Uncle." In later letters, Carlton addresses letters to "Uncle George." This letter may also be to Uncle George.

When Carlton writes "de general dat commanded us," he is imitating the dialect and grammar of the black woman he encountered.

The use of the word "donted" is unclear, but most likely refers to the same woman's refusal to follow his order.

The full transcription of the letter is as follows:

Camp Near Falmouth Va.
Wednesday April 22nd 1863.
Dear Uncle

Your hasty letter of the 17th inst came to hand yesterday, I would have received it Sooner if this Brigade had not been out of Camp, we were about Seven Miles from here where we releived [relieved] the Cavalry of Out-side Picket duty, as they were ordered off, and have all left here, our orders for an immediate march were countermanded the next morning, and it is rumored that Joe Hooker broke his leg by suddenly getting off of his horse, but I dont [don't] believe it - although Old Abe is here again and on what business we cant [can't] tell but I hope it is not him that keeps us here, An order has been issued that we are to keep 8 days Rations on hand and ready to carry with us when we march, but if they expect us to fight hard with such a load on our backs they will find out their mistake ["and" crossed out] look at this picture how do you think a fellow can load and fire, charge, lie down, double quick and fire and load kneeling +c [etc.], with that hump on him, and if we have much Solubrious [Salubrious] weather wont [won't] it grease our Socks; but I Suppose it must be, and we must keep our Minds Eye on Richmond and Suffer all for that Flag, and Some hot work we will have of it, before we [page break] get through. I am in great hopes that I will be one of the few to return and Enjoy the fruits of Success under our flag. but we all know that many thousands of brave men will strew this first battle field of our Spring Campaign in death, but we all hope that individually we will not be one of the number, The Paymaster has just arrived at Brigade head Quarters, and will pay us we Expect day after tomorrow, which will releive [relieve] Some of the Mens Minds, as they can then Send their families some money.

Here is the portrait of a young lady I Encountered when we were at the outposts, She was of an Enquireing [inquiring] Mind, but when I politely informed her that she had better get a little closer off from my men she donted, She wanted to find out if She was Safe or not, but I couldnt [couldn't] inform her, I thought her appearance looked suspicious but sound on the goose, She did not find out who de General was dat commanded us - guess not.
Some white women and Girls also were here, wanting to give the Men trade for Sugar, Coffee, +c [etc.] they were all in the Same interesting Situation, Seven whites and the aforesaid - (young U.S. Cavalrymen in prospect).

[Continues sideways in left margin] I must close now as I have been called to the Captains Tent. Give my love to all the folks at home, Your Wife and family, and enquiring [inquiring] friends.

In haste Your loving Nephew
Carle

Extent of Description

1 leaf, 9.75" x 7.625"

Relation

Show Related Records...

Condition

Excellent

Condition Notes

Noted as "poor" on 10/05/2005, as the letters were in a scrapbook titled, "Record in War." However, the collection was conserved by the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts (CCAHA), Philadelphia, PA, in 2010. Each item was removed from the scrapbook and placed in individual folders.

Legal Status

On loan from The Civil War Museum of Philadelphia.