Archive Record
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Metadata
Catalog Number |
1805.025.09 |
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 his life as a Union soldier encamped at Kellys Ford in Virginia on November 15, 1863. Carlton describes the log huts that served as winter quarters for the Rebel forces, his regiment being reviewed and inspected, the arrival of the new general, and the notion of religion at camp. Accompanying this letter is a sketch of the log huts that Carlton spent a large portion of his letter describing. |
Date |
November 15, 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. The full transcription of the letter is as follows: Camp near Kellys Ford, Va. Sunday Afternoon November 15/63 Dear Uncle - Here I am again with a big Sheet of Paper and a thimble full of Ink, going to eddify [edify] you on things in general in and around my neighborhood - My Sketch of the Rebel log huts or winter quarters got almost rubbed out before I got any chance to copy it but I have copied it and a fine big picture I made of it, but the Colonel heard Somehow that I had drawn it, and he sent for it, and afterwards asked me for it - So thinking I could draw another, I let him have it but I dont [don't] feel like doing it over again, and we now have Marching orders - although we may not March, So I here give you a copy of two (the Most prominent) Huts of the Rebel Camp which shows you how cozy they had made themselves for the winter, the houses were all constructed in the same manner of Slats of Wood and were covered with rough oak Shingles or staves and the seams or Spaces between the Slabs were filled with clay, to keep out the wind and weather, fireplaces with chimneys were attached to each Hut, about four Rebs [Rebels] would occupy each house - The Huts were built in rows, and the whole Camp was regularly laid out - other Similar camps were in the neighborhood and accommodations for a large number of Horses were also built in the Same Manner (of logs) - They were all burnt before we left the ground - Our Division (the first) of this Corps are the only troops left in this neighborhood, we came back here after the [page break] Skirmish at Brandy Station, which I told you in my last we received orders to do, there has been continual Boom, Bing, ing all day to day, and Some Bliming (musketry) close at hand, which is the cause of marching orders - but our division holds the Fords, and I have just learned that all is sociable so far and that a Scouting party of Rebs [Rebels] caught fits - although we are divided into four commands, some Picket, Some waggon [wagon] guards - and the ballance [balance] at two fords, with Artillery. We live on the same poor fare yet, but we have made our tents Comfortable, and if we only had our Sutlers we would not grumble a bit - The ballance [balance] of the Army is Somewhere at Culpeper, or near the Rapidan, I beleive [believe], with Old Meade - So you See we are favored this time, unless major Moseby [Mosby] gets troublesome; I think we could capture Moseby [Mosby] but you see we dare not, without orders to do so, as there might be other work for us - that we dont [don't] know of yet, however we are takeing [taking] it quiet while we can, Our Division was reviewed yesterday and will be Inspected tomorrow, We have a new Division General "Bartalet," [Bartlett] but the boys dont [don't] like his style much; the other day he rode out along the front, to receive hearty cheers (he thought) but instead of cheering for their new General, the boys sent up a deafening Cry of "Hard-Tacks," for which reception he ordered us all to drill for the space of an hour, which only increased their dislike for him - In the distance I now hear our Chaplain loudly discourseing [discoursing] for the Spiritual benefit of poor Soldiers, (and $125. Per Month) which is not always the Case on Sundays - as we only average One [page break] sermon per Month - and you see I am loseing [losing] my ration, just on account of this letter, which I must put in the Mail bag before 5, O'clock. P.M. although I will try and get a hear of the latter part of the Sermon, and also get some tracts, I gennerally [generally] ["Although" crossed out] attend - We are all well, and now look for a Speedy termination of this Rebellion, I also expect to visit you next Christmass [Christmas]. I like your manner of saying right out just what you think - although I was aware of it, and had foolishly thought it a benefit that party did not know more, but I have found out my mistake Although as a general thing the women know too much for me - damd [damned] if I wonder at Adam Eating an Apple, now!! And I think I've eat about a bushel!! I'm sorry I ever saw any of the Sex - but let us change the Subject - I am getting up a Series of "Plesant [Pleasant] Moments" of the Soldiers Camp life, for you, which I will send in My next letter, Say tomorrow, if nothing happens but in the Meantime dont [don't] fail to Continue a profusion of Correspondence, My Amount of Mail Matter has been verry [very] small lately - with the Exception of one (from Ned) I have received no letters for over a week, Although I must now Acknowledge the "Notions" and "Harpers Weekly" received from you, with the Press from Ned - for which accept my thanks and acknowledgments of Co. "F" Our Regt [Regiment] received great praise for Cleanliness and drill at the review, and also the Name of Little Regiment, from Old Bartalett [Bartlett], but Our Brigadier Genl. [General] informed him that although Small in numbers we were big in a fight - which is I think the first time we were ever spoken well of [page break] The Captain has just missed me, so Sent for me to appear at Meeting good bye for the present My love to all - write soon - Yours Carle |
Extent of Description |
1 leaf, 12.125" x 15.625" |
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. |
Multimedia Files |
Click here to view the full transcription of the Carlton Birch Letters Collection. |
People |
Bartlett, William Francis Birch, Carlton Birch, George R Birch, Rose Meade, George Gordon Mosby, John Singleton Steinmetz, George |
Search Terms |
1st Michigan Volunteer Infantry Battle of Brandy Station Carlton Birch Letters Collection Culpeper, Virginia Harper's Weekly Rapidan, Virginia The Yankee Notions |