Archive Record

Images

1 of 1977

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Metadata

Catalog Number

XI.1.2.2019.029.33

Collection

Hazzard Family Collection

Object Name

Letter

Title

Letter from Thomas D. Hazzard to Joseph H. Hazzard

Scope & Content

Thomas Davis Hazzard writes to his brother from his encampment with the Union Army. In this letter, at his brother's request, he give an in-depth description of his time in the army. He explains when and where he was hurt, the vast amount of space he has traveled, and some of the battles hein which he participated. At Antietam, he was hit in the ankle with a musket ball, but it only broke the skin and left a large bruise. In thinking about the loss of life, he thinks about what the mothers and wives are going to say when their men do not return home. He calls the fallen soldiers "Martyrs for the cause of Universal Liberty."

Dates of Creation

February 20, 1863

Date

February 20, 1863

Notes

This letter is addressed to "Brother." All of Thomas D. Hazzard's letters are addressed to "Brother," in reference to Joseph H. Hazzard.

The full transcription of the letter is as follows:

Camp Near Falmouth Va [Virginia]
Feb. [February] 20th 1863.

Dear Brother
For once more, after 3 or 4 days of Snow and rain. the sun is Shining. but evrything [everything] is wet and full of mudd [mud]. But for all that. the sun makes us feel livley [lively] and happy.
This morning I recived [received] your, letter. I was looking for one for Sometime. You spoak [spoke] of a letter you sent me about the time of Fredericksburg. i do not remmber [remember] wether [whether] i recived [received] it or not. I am happy to say that i am as well as i ever was. at present. i spent 5 weeks in the hospital. after i comeback to Falmouth, and if it had not been for a good surgon [surgeon] wich [which] we have I think I would have died. he was up with me nearly all night. i was blisterd [blistered] allover my chest and up to my shoulders. and thay [they] would take one of [off] and cut the skin of [off] and then put another on the same place. So you may form some iedear [idea] of my treatment.
I am Sorrey to hear that Uncle John is sick, i will try to find him out if i can. You wanted me to make a longe [long] letter So I will try it.
I have sawr [saw] much of this rebelion [rebellion] and of a soldiers life and habets [habits]. When i left Philad. [Philadelphia] for New York little did i think of what was to follar [follow]. and what hardships i would have to contend with, but i have mett [met] them and have come out best so far. i w my first wound was recived [received] while on the last retreat from Bull Run. it was at night after being chased all day by Reble [Rebel] cavelry [cavalry] and 2 peices [pieces] of flying artilery [artillery], thay [they] made a dash on us and i was stuck in the leag [leg] w with a bayneot [bayonet] and nocked [knocked] on my back and trampled upon by our troops
[page break]
and horses runing [running] away. and when i got upon my feet again our troops was all in the woods and i could. see hundreds of caps and Blankets guns and things laying about but i got behind a large tree and was ready for the first gray back wich [which] come in sight. but none come in sight so we tok [took] upon march again but my leag [leg] troubled me when marching at last it got well. And at antetame [Antietam] i was struck by a rifel [rifle] ball just above the anckel [ankle] boane [bone] it just brought blood and that's all but for 2 ½ inches around the spot it was as black as your hat. it caused me much pain but i could not Stop for that so i sliped [slipped] from fence to fence and hay stacks all the while popping some unfoutnat [unfortunate] gray back, at one place behind a Stone wall thear [there] was about 20 of us and we pulled small stones out for port holes and the Rebs [Rebels] was comming [coming] up in line of battle and in front was some Chap dresed [dressed] in uniform and a big fether [feather] in his hat and he was waving his sword and we all pulled for him at once and if you ever sawr [saw] a man fly he did and thay [they] opend [opened] about 6 feild [field] pecies [pieces] on us and we had to leave.
I have tramped over this state ever since we have been out and i have not sawr [saw] one Spot i would take if thay [they] would give it to me.
Thear [there] was an order es read out, to give men a 10 days furlow [furlough] So i applied for one and my name was the 35th name on the list and thay [they] only alow [allow] 7 at a time to be absent so mine will be some ways of yet as our first men only whent [went] on the 14 of this month. and if thay [they] do not come back noe [now] one will be left go untill [until] thay [they] get
[page break]
back. When we left home we was 15.00 strong and now we are hardly 3.00. What will the mothers and wives say when we come back. Thir [Their] cry will be where is my son and my husband which was with you. We will have to point to Balls Bluff- and to Yorktown- and Westpoint [West Point]-- and Fair Oaks- and Peach Orchard and Savag [Savage?] Station-and White Oaks Swamps-and Malvern Hill- and we will point to the green spot around Harrisons Landing. and say. there thay lay. Martyrs for the cause of Universal Liberty-from harrisons landing [Harrison's Landing] we sent hundreds. that was prostrated by that grate [great] distroyer [destroyer] feever [fever] those of us that remained stood it puty [pretty] well.
After some long marching. we come to a halt near the Seens [Scenes] of what was then to be a desperate Battle feild [Battlefield]. (Antietam) On the morning of the 17th of Sept. [September] we crossed the antietam [Antietam] Creek i should say forded it up to our middle. and shortly was in the fight-night coming on put a stop to further hostilities. the next morning found the Rebles [Rebels] had vamoosed the ranch. we camped on the Battle feild [Battlefield] long anough [enough] to bury the dead. the sh sight was appalling- i counted no less than 65 Rebles [Rebels] in one piel [pile]. after this we whent [went] to Harpers Ferry. remained a long time thear [there]-We started after the Rebles [Rebels] with a good heart. But at warrenton [Warrenton], there was a damper. put on us by the removal of Mcclellan [McClellan]. and Substuting [Substituting] Burnsides. One that i respect. But is not capable off [of] Commanding such a large army. But we gave him a good trial at Fredricksburg [Fredericksburg]- for no soldiers done better. but their works where [were] two strong. We had canals, ditches, swamps, to cross to get at them. after finding it poor policy we recrossed the river to take up our quarters. in our old camps
Disheartend [Disheartened]. But not dismayed-
[page break]
You have heard of some of the above befor [before] but you wanted a long letter. i have not heard from home for 2 weeks but i expect a letter scoon [soon]. i sent them $10. and have not heard if it whent [went] safte [safe]-
Kiss little John and the baby for me and give my Respects to John Barry, tell him to write, and i send my love and Respects to you and Ann
I remain Your Brother
Thomas. Davis. Hazzard

You must write often, as you can get stamps when you pleas [please] but, we cant [can't] get them unless thay [they] are sent to us in letters
Write scoon [soon]
Direct as. befor [before]
Good Bye
My Friend. Pierson. M. Gilbert is back with us he was taken prisner [prisoner] at antietam [Antietam]. but was paroled. and at last exchanged
he sends his Respects to you

Extent of Description

1 leaf, 16" by 9.7"

Relation

Show Related Records...

Condition

Poor

Condition Notes

Overall, letter is in poor condition. This sheet has one primary vertical fold splitting the sheet in half, and two other vertical folds splitting into nearly equal fourths. It has three horizontal folds that split the page into unequal fourths. There is some discoloration along the fold lines and edges of the page. There are large tears along each of the vertical fold lines leaving the page in a delicate state.

Legal Status

Owned by The Union League Legacy Foundation.