Archive Record

Images

1 of 1977

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Metadata

Catalog Number

XI.1.2.2019.029.25

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 detailing his experience with the Union Army as they travel through Virginia. His company was sent to Fort Monroe and to Yorktown, VA where they are preparing for battle. These preparations are occurring as a part of the Siege of Yorktown in the larger Peninsula Campaign. Hazzard recounts threats sent by Union General McClellan to the Confederate troops and the threats they received from Confederate President Jefferson Davis.

Dates of Creation

April 13, 1862

Date

April 13, 1862

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. Yorktown Va [Virginia]
April. 13th 62

Dear Brother
I take this opportunity of droping [dropping] you a fue [few] lines to let you know that i am still alive. after some marching and 4 days steamboating we arived [arrived] at fortress Monroe [Fort Monroe] and we marched to Big Bethel. and then to our present camp grownd [ground]. about 4 miles from Yorktown. We can hardly call this a camp as we have no tents. the goverment [government] give us each a Rubber blanket. so that is somt-hing [something] it has rained 4 days so you know we was not verey [very] dry. this part of Va. [Virginia] is all swamp. and we sink up to our knees evry [every] step. the Rebels have strong battreys [batteries] hear [here] but and thay [they] have 100 000 men hear [here] and 500 small cannons. we have about the same number of men and 3 or 4 hundred heavy cannons. we will have hot woork [work] at this place. and to morrow [tomorrow] morning the funn [fun] beings. we have General. Mcellond [McClellan] and
[page break]
the Rebels have Jeff. Davis. [Jefferson Davis] so things are bound to [jumb]. i have not had a letter from home for some time i hear [here] mother has mooved [moved] to No 138 [Chinina] st below 2nd look out in the papers for the down fall of Yorktown. we have the Rebels surounded [surrounded]. and thay [they] wanted to surrender on parole of honor. but our young General Geo- [George] B. Mc. [McClellan] sent them word that in a fue [few] days he wold [would] give them a chance to surrender. Jeff [Jefferson Davis] sent sus [us] word he wold [would] give us 48 hours to leave this part of Va. [Virginia] but i think we will stop a little over the line. our Regiment is to suport [support]. Ricketts battrey [battery] of 22 pound Rifel [Rifle] and 32 pound brass cannons. 12 in number. i will close by sending my love and Respects to you and your famile [family] and to John Barry.
No more at present
Your Brother
Thomas. Davis. Hazzard
[page break]
Direct to me
Comp. [Company] B. Bakers First
California Regiment
Fortress Monroe
Va [Virginia]

Good By [Bye]
Write scoon [soon]

[page break]
Boeu
Bow

Extent of Description

1 leaf, 10.2" by 7.9"

Relation

Show Related Records...

Condition

Fair

Condition Notes

Overall, letter is in fair condition. The sheet has one vertical fold splitting the page in half. There is are tears, about an inch long, at the top and bottom of the central vertical fold. The sheet also has two horizontal folds across the page, splitting the sheet into equal thirds. There is some discoloration along the fold lines, especially on the front of the sheet. There is also slight discoloration along the sheet's edges. The left side of the top edge on the front page has a lot of spotted discoloration.

Legal Status

Owned by The Union League Legacy Foundation.