Camp Millington Baltimore
Monday noon October 27th 1862
Dear Brother,
I have just received and read your letter
I had received no news from home before for more that a week
& had commenced to get a little excited about it but after
reading your letter felt better about it. We have had about as
bad weather as possible for a couple of days, very rainy cold and
windy enough for a small hurricane & as we by the superior
wisdom and foresight of our commanding officers are encamped
in a cornfield we as completely stuck in the mud as ever
McClellan could have been Yesterday (Sunday) was a day well
calculated to give any person the blues at home by a good fire to
say nothing about sitting out here in the mud with the expectation
of having our tent blow away any minute. This is the first of our
really unpleasant experience since we have been here & I am glad
to say that it is at an end for the present for the clouds have
broken away and the sun comes out quite warm & pleasant now
I dont want you to understand that I have been homesick or
had the blues in the lightest degree for it is not the case I made
a resolution against anything of that kind before I left home I
have enjoyed very good health & spirits ever since I left home the
day of leaving was a hard however I assure you Dick & I have had
a floor laid in our tent and a bunk built & filled with cedar
boughs for a bed & with some blankets we bought in Baltimore
we manage to sleep very comfortably. As for the fare any one can
have the best by paying for it. Lieut Titus & I board most the
time now at a house near by the Camp We get good hot corn
cakes every morning which is as good fare as anybody could wish for
As for work we have an abundance of that so we can never lack
for exercise having to drill ourselves every day besides drilling our men
Tomorrow we are to drill in Gen Emorys Brigade to which some
of both Cavalry & Infantry ten Regiments are attached. Our Captains
being mostly pretty green have considerable difficulty in getting their
companies through it. As very little is required of the Lieutenants I have
experienced no difficulty in performing my part. I wish you might be here
to see the Brigade manouvre it is quite an imposing sight
I assure you Our Regiment I am sorry to say in my humble
opinion is not a first rate one. Although there were nearly
a thousand mustered into it at Pokeepsie we left there with little
more than eight hundred men & I think quite a large number
will get discharged for disability before the winter is over
We ought to have two hundred & fifty men more sent to us
from Dutchess to make us a good Regiment I advise you not
to shoulder musket & knapsack however & I think my judgment
in this respect worthy a little respect This advice is only to you
you need not give it to any one else that has an idea of doing so I did
not suppose that you had however a serious one. It still seems
to be a common opinion that we shall winter here or at least on
this side of the Potomac. It must have been a very bad time
I think for you to be off duty with a sore thumb with all the
work that must be going on at this time your work must be
pretty well advanced however if you are so nearly done husking
already. Do your best for the Union or Abolition ticket whichever it
may be called even if it makes the war last the full three
years longer. I am willing to stay if necessary You say nothing
of a draft Is there likely to be one in Dutchess. I don't see any
reason why it should be so dull among the young people at
this season. Has not Annie Downing had a Party yet I thought
that close at hand when we left I am very sorry for the
accident that happened to that skeleton or rather the outlay
that will be necessary to have it repaired for I suppose
money is rather a scarce article now. Dont have any more
expense put on my wagon than is necessary. I suppose Mother
will foot for that for I consider the wagon as hers now As for having
my horse pricked again you may have it done if you don't mind
the trouble providing father makes no objection be sure of that
first Calroy promised to do it for nothing if it was necessary
again Use him as much as you wish only keep him in good
condition & not expose him nights You dont say whether you
have driven him with yours yet or not Has he got entirely clear
of that distemper & cough yet. See also that he is properly
shod. Dick received his overcoat & I my fatigue sack Saturday
and a note & bundle from Sarah & Alma. My sack I paid for so
that has not to be done My over coat has not arrived as yet
neither the box you spoke of from Uncle Aleck & Mr. Sterling
Such a thing would be very fine so soon after the weddings
I sincerely hope it will come About those Photographs I would
say that I have stood for some new ones in Baltimore which
I shall send on if they are good enough If anyone desires those
of the last pattern you may order them of Roberts & give them
to whoever wants them & I will pay for them when I get able
I can get better ones here though I have no doubt. I want as
many as wish them to have them That was a severe loss
for John Howard I suppose he feels probably able to bear just
at this time The drums have just beaten for Battalion drill
so I must harness up leave the finishing up of my letter until
that and Dress Parade is over which will be about night.
Monday evening. Give my love to all inquiring friends tell them
I often think of them and that I am enjoying very good
health & spirits. Do not forget to give my most sincere regards
to Miss Augusta & tell her it does a soldier a great deal of good
to be remembered by friends left behind Ed Van Wagner makes a
very good soldier now he has to stay in Camp He and Aleck Rogers
want to be remembered to you Aleck has been appointed head cook
of our company & I must say he does well He is excused from
guard duty and drill thereby I was detailed for Officer of the
Guard this evening for twenty four hours commencing tomorrow
morning at eight o-clock It is a hard duty requiring the Officer to be
at his post constantly for twenty-four hours without sleep & hardly
time to eat. It dont come often however Company I is in a very
good condition at present. Cal Abel I believe you are aware was made a
Sergeant not a very severe one however Give my love to every member
of the family individually commencing with, Mother, Father Cheery (by the way I would
like much to see him again) & Margaret not forgetting Tunis and tell Margaret
that a bundle of wedding cake would taste good way down here. The 1st Lieut is out
to night so I can give you no word from him. He is well Your loving brother David
Direct your letter to Lieut D.B. Sleight 150th Reg. N.Y. V Camp Millington Baltimore & do it soon
again too We expect to be mustered the United States service next Friday by Col. D. C.
Littlejohn of Oswego
_______________________________________
Tuesday morning
Dear brother soon after closing
my letter to you last night Co I & K
were ordered to strap on their
knapsacks and march We soon
got ready & after a march of
five miles or so we halted at what
is or was used as the Baltimore
County Fair Ground where now find
ourselves as a guard over the conscripts
of Baltimore & their vicinity or their
substitutes than whom a more
villainous ill-looking set of men
could hereby be scooped together
I am now acting as Officer of the
Guard We shall probably be kept
here only a day or so before being
relieved We have no trouble only
to keep these fellows from
running away There is no from
for they have no means of doing
injury if they wished Address me
at our old Camp the same as
before
David
______________________________________
Camp Belger Tuesday Dec 23rd1862
Dear Brother
Your letter of Friday last I
received yesterday. For the first time
since I have been a soldier I am excused
from duty. Saturday night in some way
I contracted a severe cold which seemed
to affect mostly my head & eyes and being
detailed for Officer of Guard Sunday night con-
cluded I would go on duty (for sickness
is so common here among those detailed
for guard that a man gets no credit
for being sick at that time) but the
brightness of the campfire together with
the smoke so inflamed my eyes that
I was obliged to get relieved in the morn-
ing. Yesterday they were quite painful but
this morning they are considerably better so that
I can write though perhaps I ought not
We have not yet received orders to go to
the assistance of Gen Burnside though I
expected we should have as soon as I heard
of his repulse. I don't give up the Union
yet because of his repulse though it will
undoubtedly take more time and more lives
than though he had been successful at
first. You must not get discouraged yet
there is still plenty of ground for hoping
that it will soon come right. You
begin in good time to get off the hay
I suppose you are looking forward to
a scarcity of help next spring and want
to get it out of the way. How agreeably
disappointed we would all be if the war
should be over and all hands of us get
back home by the first of April next
Those small pictures of mine must be
very poor indeed if they are not rec-
ognized. I enclose two more of the
cards which I believe are all you asked
for I am unable to tell yet when our
barracks will be ready but I think you
and Sarah will be safe in making
your arrangements to visit us early
in January. You will have to invent
some new kind of Parties now if the
mite parties are over or you will
have a complete stagnation in your
society. You have killed hogs have and
my black one amongst the rest. It seems
queer that all those things should
be going on there (pressing hay & c) and
I not have a hand in it. Does pork
bring anything this winter or does Father
keep it in the cellar as he did last. I
suppose he dont get enough for it to
pay his taxes as he used always try to
do for they must be about double what
they usually are. I should like to know what
his taxes all counted amount to. I suppose
perhaps there will be a little against me
for some of my personal effects no mil-
itary fine however. I have just been out
to see a jumping match. Tom Rogers beats
every one that has jumped against him so
far. Aleck is now out of the cook house
and Wm Stillwell is in his place. It is
not a very valuable or desirable situation
I am glad to hear so good an account of
my horse. He must begin to look worth
the money I paid for. It seems you have
sold neither of them yet. I am very much
obliged to you for the good care you are
giving mine this winter. I suppose the
pair together is a little more than one
man can hold comfortably when they feel
well I should like to try them however for
I have not driven a horse or rode in a
wagon since I left Dutchess County. Christmas
is close at hand & I suppose you have
something extra on hand for the holidays.
I suppose they will be the same here as all
other days. I received the Eagle from you
last week but the last one has not come yet
Lieut T. in good health is somewhere
about the camp. The Capt has not had
his pictures taken yet so I cannot send
you one nor of the Col. either. Remember me
to all friends. Wishing you a Mery Christmas
I remain your affectionate Brother.
The last Eagle has just arrived. D.B. Sleight
P.S. Mothers letter of yesterday has just arrived. Dont
let her have an idea that I am going blind because
while I admit having sore eyes they are not as bad as they often
have been before Give one of the photographs to Leb Conklin
with my best respects David
_______________________________________
This picture represents the Regiment on Dress Parade. The
Adjutant has just taken his place in front of the Colonel and
says: “Sir, the Parade is formed.”
Explanation
C. Colonel. L.C. Lieutenant Colonel. M. Major. A. Adjutant. B. Band
The line of men in front of the ranks represents the position of the
Line Officers (Captains & Lieutenants) each in front of his own Company.
Those in the rear are the file closers or Sergeants. S.S, Sentinels
a line of which is hosted around the Camp at all times night
& day D is the position of your Cousin David with Captain Broas
on the right and Lieutenant Titus on the left of him. Company I.
being the fourth from the right when in line of battle
1 Colonel's tent. 2, Lt Col's. 3 Majors 4 Adjutant's 5, Quartermaster's
C Chaplain's 7 Hospital. 8 Tent of Lieuts Titus & Sleight with Capt Broas' on
left facing their Company street. This is the way all Camps are laid out.
*
Camp Belger, Baltimore, Wednesday, Dec
24, 1862
Cousin David,
Mother writes to me that you
have not forgotten me and have been inquiring about
me so I will write you a letter. You will see by the
picture that we are living in tents now and that we
have a very nice Camp. Barracks have been built for
us and we shall soon move into them. The Barracks
are long wooden buildings something like the County
House only they are built around a square. They have
good coal fires in them and will keep the soldiers
very comfortable this winter if the Government
doesn't order us away. One of the soldiers fell from
the roof yesterday breaking his arm and otherwise injur-
ring himself but I guess he will recover. We have not
yet been in a battle for the Government keeps our
Regiment here to keep this bad city of Baltimore
in subjection so I am in but little danger of balls
or bullets at present. We have plenty of work if we
have no fighting for the soldiers have to be drilled
every morning and afternoon when not stormy. You
remember me to your father, Cousin Mary & Harris and
all of your brothers. I hope they are all well and having
nice times this winter. I am excused from duty at
present having very sore eyes and a bad cold but my
*
eyes are much better so that I shall go to work
after today, tomorrow however is Christmas and
I suppose the drill will be omitted. Wishing you
a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year I remain
your affectionate Cousin
To David B. Sleight
David Van Wyck
_______________________________________
Woodbine, Carroll Co Maryland
Wednesday December 31st 1862
Dear Brother
I received your
letter last Sunday but as I had
just mailed a letter to mother
concluded to wait a few days
before answering it. We yesterday
received orders about noon to pre-
pare to march immediately to
some place of course we knew
nothing of where and accordingly
packed up the most valuable part
of my property not knowing whether
I should see Camp Belger again
We got ready as soon as possible
and marched down to the depot
of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad where
it transpired that it had been
intended to send us to Harrison's
Island on the Potomac to guard the
passage of the river but from some
cause perhaps the Colonel's management
the order was changed so that we
were distributed along this railroad
one company at a place to guard the
most important bridges & points most
likely to be attacked by the Rebel
Cavalry which is was understood was
making another incursion into this
state. Woodbine the name of the
place which fell to the lot of our
Company is in Carroll County about
forty miles from Baltimore and
the same from Harpers Ferry and
I should judge several miles from
any place and compares rather favor-
ably than otherwise with the neighbor
hood of the pond hills in Dutchess
The place consists of about half a
dozen small white-washed houses
a post office & store & is also a depot
The importance of this is that there
are two crossroads here one of which
leads directly to the Potomac about
twenty-five miles distant. We were
set out here last night about two
o'clock dark & rainy & the prospect was
not very cheering. We after a while
succeeded in finding a small unoccupied
house which we took possession of
after putting out our guard. We left a
guard of our own men at Camp
Belger. which sufficient reason to think
that we shall return there & it is still
the head quarters of the Colonel & Quarter
master. How long it may be before we re-
turn I of course cannot tell it may be
in a few days or it may be several weeks
I write as I supposed you & Sarah were
coming to Camp Belger next week You
have better wait & hear further before
you come for I think you would not
enjoy a visit at this place. We may
get our share of the turkey dinner
as we have daily communication with
our head quarters. I am quite well again
and totally comfortable under the circumstances
Direct letters to Camp Belger
D.B. Sleight
____________________________________
Belger Barracks March 21st 1863
Dear Brother
I overlooked your
letter in answering mother and
now proceed to make up for
it You requested me to order
some more of your photographs but
I have done nothing toward getting
them as you neglected to send
me the number of the negative
As soon as I can get that I will
order them for you. PH started
for Washington this morning to
stay two or three days. Lieuts Titus
and Marshall have been detailed
for duty in the Provost Marshals
of the Department which is located
in this city. How long they will be
there I cannot tell probably for a
considerable length of time. I have
pretty much recovered from the cold
I complained in my last letter though
not yet on active duty. There is no
news of importance with us except that
the measles are making considerable
headway in the camp. Cal Abel has
sick for several days and this morning
the measles are out most beautifully
I enclose the photographs you
request. I am sorry you gave that
one I selected for you away for
I cannot send you another good one
I sent one to Wm Broas through the
Capt. Weather cold and the ground
covered with snow.
Yours truly D.B. Sleight
_______________________________________
Calvert Hospital Baltimore
Thursday May 21st 1863
Dear Brother
I received your letter on
Tuesday last the first I had heard from
home since I left almost three weeks
but I can make allowance for your
being very busy planting and plowing during
the time. I am glad to hear that you are
done planting for the pressure of work
will be over now for a while. It always
used to be a great relief to me to get the
planting over and I supposed it is equally so
to you. Mothers letter came yesterday
She said you have not heard from from me
for quite a long time an makes no men-
tion of Father's having received a letter
from me with twenty dollars in it for
Cashs wife. I mailed such a letter to him
on the 10th of this month at the same
time with one from Cash to his wife in
his care and if not received up to the time
of mother's writing (the 18th) I am led to think
it is lost. If it has been received I wish
you would let me know about it as soon
as possible for Cash will be in a fever till
he hears from it. I am pleased to hear so
good an account of the appearance of grain
and grass with you this spring and also
that you have turned my horse to grass
for I think he will improve rapidly on it
and will be better off without grain this
summer than with. I suppose you
have the news in regard to the Pennsyl-
vania Militia tendered the Government by
Gov Austin who are willing to volunteer in
service of the United States on condition
that they shall not be called on to fight
(unable, are they not) In case they are accept-
ed and they possibly will it would seem that
the services of the 150th would be dispensed
with in these parts. still dont let any
of you worry yourselves about it yet for there
is no certainty of our going and there
seems to be a certainty of our staying if Gen
Schenck can keep us for he says the 150th
Reg. suits him and he more than that
means to keep it here. Of course he did not
tell me so but I have it from very satisfac-
tory authority. Many of the officers have their
family at the barracks and are settling
down as if for three years of the war
It is impossible to know anything to a certain-
ty beforehand in this business all I can do
is to give you the facts as the are and let
you judge for yourselves and at any rate
you need not consider us quite as
good as off from Baltimore yet a while
Dick has not got his papers yet but thinks
he will be able to get them in time to
get home Saturday next. You seem to
think the draft pretty sure to come but
I am still in hopes it may be avoided
some way. You speak of a number of dis-
charged soldiers being about Dutchess
Do any of them talk of reenlisting. there will
probably a recruiting officer sent from our
Regiment very soon to see if something
can not be done in that line. It will
probably be Capt Gildersleeve whom you
are acquainted with I believe and if you
find it convenient I would like for you
to ask him out home with for a night
or so. He is a fine man and a particular
friend of mine. It was news to me that
McAllister had been taken. I am very glad
to hear it for he was a sly rascal but
a pretty good soldier when here. I picked
up a recruit here last week who promises now
to make a very good soldier. I suppose
you have obtained my large photographs
before this from Nan. I enclose a vignette which
you may give to Mary Peters when convenient.
The weather here is rather dry and to-
day it seemed warm and nothing in the
way of news from the rest of us.
Your affectionate Brother D.B. Sleight
_______________________________________
Belger Barracks Baltimore
Tuesday June 9th 1863
Dear Brother
I received your letter
Sunday quite a long time since I have
written to you but I can make al-
lowance for your being extra busy just
in these days so I must not expect
letters from you as often as in the
winter. My hospital had to be discon-
tinued for want of patronage and last
Friday I received orders to march with
my command to Belger Barracks where
I have been since that time and prob-
ably shall stay for a while to come
I am Officer of the Day to-day and
find it a convenient time for writing
as there is very little to do more than
than to be in the harness for twenty four
hours. The weather here is the same as
you complain of quite cool and very
dry. I am sorry to hear that the crops are
likely to be injured by the drouth with
you for full crops are needed to keep
up the war and pay taxes. The farmers
here are in the midst of their haying now
though I think they cut their grass
entirely too green. Last week Thursday we
had a pic-nic out at the Relay House
About fifteen couples of us chartered car &
taking our band went out in the morning
stayed the whole day. We found a nice
platform all ready and had as nice a
time as is possible outside of Dutchess
County. I am very sorry not to be able
to attend at Beekmanville on the fourth
of July. Yesterday I headed a strawberry
Raid and a very successful one it was
too. I started in the morning with four
men of our company and went over the
the other side of the Potapsco about
six miles from our camp and returned
in the afternoon with fully a bushel
and a half of very fine ones. It is the
greatest country for strawberries I ever saw
whole fields of fifteen or twenty acres
of them growing without and cultivation
more than the first setting out. We are
living mostly on strawberries and milk
at present. I am boarding with Mrs. Broas
now and have everything just as nice and
good as at home. I wish you had a
bushel or so of our strawberries. Taking things
altogether it is just about as pleasant and
comfortable here now as it can be any-
where away from home. Our Reveille is at
half past four AM and all the work
and drills of the day are before eight in
the morning and after five in the after-
noon so we have all the middle of the
day to do as we please. If you were only
near enough I could help you have corn
everyday most.
I suppose you have all had a good time
with Dick since he has been there. Poor Henry
Gidley I did not think he would go so soon
when I saw him last. I am pleased
to hear so good an account of my horse.
I would like to have you train him to trot to the
skeleton whenever you get an opportun-
ity with moderate drivers. It always seemed
to me he must make a trotter with proper
training. If you can get him to trot nearly
as well as your horse you ought by
all means exhibit them at the fair as
matched horses. You would be pretty sure of a
premium and quite likely sell them for a
high price. Dont hesitate to sell mine
but let him go whenever you can get
price enough. I should not care to take
two hundred dollars for him however unless
Father thinks he has more horses than he wants to keep.
You had better give Joe's grey a try with
him when you get a chance. Dan Dubois
is at home on a furlough now he hopes you
may see him. My love to all the family
Brother David
_______________________________________
Belger Barracks Baltimore
Wednesday June 17th 1863
Dear Mother
Thinking you will prob-
ably hear some wild stories from this
part of the country soon I take this oppor-
tunity to write the true situation of
affairs with us. Yesterday the Rebels
were rumored all around us doing all
sorts of damage. had taken Westminster
where we had a guard stationed, burned
Harrisburg and finally they were said
to be within seven miles of Baltimore
Our Regiment would undoubtedly have
been sent away several days ago only
it was so scattered about as not to be
available, but yesterday about four o'clock
the Col. received orders to call in his
men with all possible despatch leaving
a very small guard only at the most
important places and after he got them
all together to march to some place
he knew perhaps but the rest of us did not
find out. The Regiment all got together
sixty rounds of ammunition and three days
rations were given to the men and by
dark we were ready to march and we
did march, marched down to Gen Schenck's
Head quarters where we got orders to march
back to our quarters and hold ourselves
in readiness to turn out at a moments
notice. We arrived safely at ten o'clock
without the loss of a man everybody much
disappointed at not having a fight and
here it is morning again and all quiet yet
and more than that all the rumors that
we heard yesterday are contradicted. We are
under marching orders however and as we
are in a situation to do service now
we may march somewhere to-day but I
think it is unlikely. Baltimore is in an
almost defenceless condition if the Rebs can
attack it in force now they might surely
take though the guns of Fort McHenry and
Federal Hill are all ready spotted to burn
and batten down the city but I think now
there is no danger to be apprehended. Dont
believe all the wild stories you may hear
from this quarter now. I will keep you
posted up to the best of my ability. If we
leave here it will probably not be perman-
ently unless we should accidentally get
gobbled up and taken south and that
you know could only be done by a vastly
superior force. In case of a march I shall
be well provided for between Kate and
Mrs Wedell I shall have all the eatables
I can carry. I received your Sundays
letter yesterday. Now remember dont believe
only what you hear from me. I feel just
like a fight and shall be rather disappointed
not to have and it looks like being disappointed
now I think. We turned out five hundred
men or more after leaving guards at important
points so we can show a pretty good
front. All quiet at this time, sunrise Wednesday
June 17th Yours affectionately David
_______________________________________
Fort Marshall Friday June 19th 1863
Dear Brother
As you will probably hear
we have made a move. I take first opportu-
nity to give you the particulars. Our move
is little more than a change of base which
we accomplished without the loss of a man.
We received our orders Wednesday afternoon
to move with all our property to this place
started about six o'clock P.M. arriving here
about dark. the distance being about six
miles from Belger. the Fort being already
garrisoned we were marched into an adjoin-
ing field were we lay down under the pro-
tection of the big guns on the bare ground.
with not so much as a bush or tree over us
but happily the night was warm and the
weather dry so we rested tolerably well
and without an attack from the Rebs which
was anticipated. Yesterday forenoon the Col.
received orders from Gen Schenck that he
might return to Belger in the afternoon
and that the "7" N.Y. would relieve us in
manning and guarding the fort. The "PA"7"
arrived in Baltimore yesterday about noon
It appears and stacked their arms and
were dismissed for a bust and failed to
get here to take our place so that we
might return to Belger and as our supplies
and camp equipage had been sent back
to Belger we are mostly destitute
last night being rainy we all had to do
as well as we could to find shelter I
luckily secured one tent that had been
left to us and passed the night in com-
parative comfort. In the meanwhile Col.
Siefferts of the 7th knowing the beauties
and comforts of Belger and also the barrenness of
this (for there is not a tree or bush and
the weather has been so dry that the grass
on the slopes of the fort is mostly dried up)
sets himself to work to cheat us out of
Belger entirely and go there with his patent
leather Regiment claiming that we were
supplied with tents and they were not yet
and sundry other magnificent reasons and
with what result we have not learned
as yet this morning for it is only a little
after sunrise. That is the way things stand
now the 150th against the 7th or Col. Ketcham
against Col. Siefferts. If Col. K. is beaten (and
he thinks he will not be) it will be the
first time but things look rather against I
think. If the Government wants to put us
into service why we are all ready but to be
nosed out of our good quarters by those white
kid fellows is not to be endured without at
least a remonstrance. The 150th wants to be led
out against the 7th right away they are so mad
but they the 7th have rather the best of now
This fort is built in a commanding eminence
mounts thirty three guns and is just about
opposite Fort McHenry across the bay and which
it commands. In case of an attack it will be the
first place towards which the Rebs will direct
themselves but there seems no danger of that now
for the Raid seems to be growing daily of less im-
portance. I shall write again soon as convenient
and keep you posted if we ever get back
to Belger it will be in the course of today
We have seen or heard nothing of the "Bully Way"
My horse must be improving wonderfully if
you have the face to ask $250 for him, you
say nothing about his improving in speed but
I take it for granted. I hope yours may
not be seriously injured. I will close for the
present and see if I can scrape a breakfast
together of some description. Be careful not
to believe all the rumors you may hear of the
150". Just give credit to what I write and
that only. Patiently waiting further develop-
ments I remain Your affectionate Brother
D.B. Sleight
_____________________________________
Baltimore Md. Monday June 22nd 1863
Dear Brother
Supposing you must begin to feel a little
curiosity in regard to our present situation I take this
the first opportunity since leaving Fort Marshall for writing to you
We came all right out of that Fort Marshall scrape Col. Ketch-
am outgeneraling the 7" N.Y. on the Belger Barracks and the
matter was compromised with the 7" by allowing them to go
to Fort Federal Hill a very nice place and sending the garrison
of that place to Fort Marshall which pleased them as well as it
would have pleased us to have had them go to Belger Barracks. We
returned to Belger Friday evening very glad to make that our head-
quarters again. The excitement is very high here just now although I
cannot perceive that there is any cause for apprehending immediate
danger. The streets are barricaded all the way round the city with
hogsheads of tobacco old hogsheads filled with earth and stone old
wagons carts and anything to obstruct the streets. I am at present on
duty with our company in charge of these defenses. have been since three
o'clock yesterday morning and a hard service it is too hardly any chance
for rest nor a place for sleep How long it is to last I cannot tell
but I hope not long. The past week has been about the hardest ex-
experienced since I have been in the service and it seems nothing
much accomplished either. After all that has been done it seems
as though it will be almost a pity if the Rebs dont make a dem-
onstration on this city. All the negroes men to be found about this vicinity
are taken up and set to work without ceremony on the fortifications
which are now being thrown up all round the city. About four thousand
thus impressed were at work all day yesterday (Sunday) and are still
at it. There will be forts and rifle pits enough in a day or two but so
very few men to man them. The 7" NY is the only reinforcement
sent here as yet & they go by the name of paper soldiers and are
little thought of here whatever may be thought of them elsewhere. I am
sitting on somebody's doorstep writing for want of a better place as
so much noise around me that I can hardly tell what I am about
so I wont write any more except that I think we are in no danger
of an attack for some days yet and probably not at all. Direct
your letters as you have done only always be sure to put on the num-
ber of the Reg. & the state it is from & it will come wherever I may be.
Your affectionate Brother David B. Sleight
_______________________________________
Hdqrs 150" Reg. N.Y.V. 3rd Brigade. 1st Division
12" Corps. Army of the Potomac. Camp near Warrenton
Junction. Thursday July 30" 1863
Dear Mother
Though I have very recently written
home I will do so again having plenty of time
Since arriving here on Sunday night last we have
made no move & it is quite possible the Army
of the Potomac will make one of its long halts
here as supplies for the army are easily forwarded &
communication with Washington rapid & direct. De-
tails have been sent from all the Regiments to the
states in which they were raised to obtain the
conscripts necessary to fill them up to the
maximum strength and it is possible we are
to await their arrival but I have so little faith
in the draft being enforced from the numerous
delays and postponements we hear of that I think
we shall have a long time to wait if we wait
for them. The first mail received by us since we
have been in the Army of the Potomac via Wash-
ington came, Monday night & I was delighted
on its distribution to find five letters for my-
self. Yours & Alick's & one from Uncle Alick one from
Nannie & one from James E. & was very glad to
hear all were well & the Rebellion put down
in the city of New York. That is certainly the
most outrageous proceeding that has taken place
since the war commenced. Last night I received
two letters from Sarah one dated the
12th the other the 22nd. Tho I am sorry to hear
is again suffering from sore throat. I think I
have received all the letters sent to me since
we left Baltimore. If any are there they will
soon be forwarded to us. You need not refrain
from writing fearing that I do not receive the
letters. No two that I have received scarcely have
been directed alike though they all come straight
we can have a mail nearly every day so long as we
are here & I hope none will come without a letter
for me Last night I also received a paper
The Poughkeepsian containing a letter written by me
to Sarah after the battle of Gettysburg. Now if
this had been done by any one but W. I should
certainly have been very indignant as it is sup-
pose I should feel complimented that it was considered
presentable to the public. As it is I prefer it should
not be done again good or bad it will be sure to
call forth ill-natured criticisms. While in the
pursuit of military notority I prefer to let literary
alone. The hard work and discomforts we have
been obliged to undergo in the late active campaign will
be considerably lessened now that communica-
tion with Washington is easy and a battle not
imminent. Old soldiers who have been two years in
this army tell us it has been the hardest cam-
paign the have experienced rather a severe
initiation to us greenhorns but we will know
how to value rest now if it is allowed us for
a while. Our arrangements for getting enough
to eat are none of the best yet however. Dick &
I take to our hard tack & salt pork when we
have it as naturally as though we had been
brought up them still something else if only for a
change would be very desirable. Brown sugar
we also consume in large quantities & it satisfied
hunger as well as anything we can get and makes but
a small bulk to carry. Coffee we also use con-
siderably. I am hoping if all remains quiet for a
while the Sutlers will be allowed to come up
with us again. Dont try yet to send any box to us
This is solely a military railroad and is now
being used to its fullest capacity by the Government &
I doubt if private property would be carried at
present. neither do I think passes would be given
to any of our friends to come to see us. You inquire
about my clothes, my valise I left in the Sutlers
charge our Regimental baggage wagon was so full
and he is not allowed to come up & one box of clothing
in Mr. Pudney's store in Baltimore. If they cannot be
sent to me soon I shall order them sent home and wear
government clothes. My dress coat was so heavy and warm
that I exchanged it for a privates jacket that I picked up just
before the battle at Gettysburg & it was stolen from the
wagon before I could get where it was again so I am without
a uniform coat & shall have to order a new one when I can
Capt Broas received sick leave for forty days from the 1st of July
He is unfortunate to be sick at this time & you must not be uncharit-
able with him. He has courage enough to go through a battle but lacks
the strength to carry him to the battlefield Any one of the many
hard days march we have had would use him up I think. I
suppose you have received my letter asking for postage
stamps. I am out now & they not to be obtained here. My
love to all & remember write often. Dick & I are both
entirely well he received a letter from his father last night
Yours most affectionately
David
____________________________________
150" Reg. N.Y.V 3rd Brigade 1st Division. 12th
Army Corps. Kelly's Ford ^ south of the Rappahanock
Saturday August 1st 1863
Dear Brother
I received your letter of
27" on Thursday last but it was to late to answer
that night & the next morning (yesterday) march-
ing orders were issued at an early hour. We
took up line of march for the Rappahanock which
we struck at Kelly's Ford at half past nine P.M.
camping on the northern side last night and
coming on a pontoon brite at daylight this morning.
We are now six A.M. lying on the south bank. (the 12"
Corps) skirmishers have been sent ahead but have
discovered no enemy for nearly a mile ahead
as yet. It is quite possible we may have another
4" of July here soon though I hardly think
our Generals intend to bring on a general battle.
It is probable that the enemy if here at all are in
only small force. It is not likely that I can mail
a letter very soon but I will have one ready for
the first mail that goes out. I am sorry we would not
have a remained at Warrenton Junction long enough
for Father to have made me a visit though. I hardly think
he would have been able to have arrived our lines without
strong influence at Washington to obtain a pass. I would like
very much to see him but cannot advise him to make the
attempt to come yet. As for wants I dont know
what I want most. I crossed the river this morning
with ten cents in my pocket and nary
a lick in my knapsack. One of our men how-
ever has a surplus of money which he wishes
me to take care of for him so dont send me
any for the present. I dont want but a little
at a time. As for clothes I have plenty of them
in Baltimore which I can give any one directions
to get when they come. Government clothes are
good enough to wear here however in the dirt
& mud and cost but little. I have lost my dress
coat however & think it hardly best to be without
one so I wish you would get cloth enough for a
coat & vest of Titus & sons for me and take it to Seward
& Hoyt to make up for me but not to forward it
until further orders from me. I think if they
cut it after the measure they took of me last Oc-
tober it will make a better fit than the last meas-
ure they took for I have shrunk considerably since
I was home in order to get down to fighting weight
Though I may never order the coat sent on here
tell them to make it up in good style. One thing
more I need now is a pair of shoulder straps
as a pair costing seven or eight dollars is rather
out of place on a coat costing a dollar & a half I
think Sarah could make me a pair that will
do & if you see her before I can get a letter to her
I wish you would ask her. I will enclose a
pattern. About a half a yard of gold lace a quar-
ter of an inch or less in width with about four
inches square of blue cloth (not too dark) is the
material necessary You can get any other young lady
to do it if more convenient and perhaps mother might
They can be enclosed in a newspaper and sent by
mail. If any one should make the attempt to come
on & want to know what to bring I would say any-
thing to eat will be very acceptable; a barrel or less
of sandwiches for instance Dick & I could dispose
in a short time with the greatest satisfaction
the first meal that goes out
but anything to eat will not come amiss. My last
postage stamps too will be used on this letter
but if my letter has been received requesting them
I suppose I shall not be long without. Dick & I
divide whatever we have so he is no better off than
myself. This is the poorest country I ever saw noth-
ing but what government furnishes to be had and
that not always when wanted even cold water for
several days past could not be found in sufficient
quantities and water when found was warm and
muddy. The water in the brickyard creek between
Manchester & Pokeepsie is about a fair specimen
of what is to be found here & such streams are few
& far between. The river is close by now but it is fairly
thick with mud. Happily for me I am not a hard
drinker & it makes less difference to me than most
others. I am glad to hear so good an account of
my horse so long as you report him fat I shall feel
that he is well used. It seems we were not disappointed
in thinking he would make a good one though he did
not improve very rapidly for the first three months
while I was home. So far as selling him is concer-
ned you may use your own judgment for you can tell better
there than I can here. You are in a new business buying oxen
but perhaps you meditate going to farming yourself much as you have always disliked it
I will await further developments before closing in the meantime I remain your Affectionate Brother David
J.B. Pudney also has a cotton coat for Dick. Get it if you
stop there but don't stop on purpose. You will be unable to drink
this water without something to flavor it or it will sicken you.
____________________________________________
Hd'q'r's 150" Reg. N.Y.V. 3rd Brigade 1st Div-
ision 12th Corps Camp near Kelly Ford Rappahan-
nock River. Monday August 3rd 1863
Dear Father
Since writing to Alick in regard
to your coming down to make me a visit af-
fairs have assumed a different aspect. We recrossed
to the north bank of river last night and
have gone into Camp with the expectation
of remaining here for six weeks or two months
and the probability is that you could get here
with little or no difficulty. I have talked with
Colonel about it & he says come on as soon as
you are ready. A letter from Nelson or Baker
will without doubt procure you a pass from
the Secretary of War which is all that is needed
Your route will be over the Orange & Alexan-
dria Railroad to Rappahannock Station which
is about three miles from our Camp to westerly
I hardly know what to ask you to bring but first
I will request you to come liberally supplied
with greenbacks for if our Paymaster does not
soon make his appearance and square up, the
affairs of Richard & myself will soon come to
crisis, a supply of postage stamps is also needed
to keep up with the demand on us for correspond-
ance. I have clothing enough in Baltimore which
I think I shall get after a while so you
need bring me nothing in that line except three
or four pairs of stout unbleached white cotton
half hose. Government shoes are better than boots
to wear here so nothing in the boot & shoe line
is needed. It will probably not be advisable to
encumber yourself with too much baggage but
all you can bring in the eating line will be most
acceptable and whatever else you do dont fail
to supply yourself with at least three days
cooked rations for there is no village here nor
a private house where anything can be obtained
so you will have to board & lodge with us &
I fear you would not thrive on hard tack &
pork. A few sandwiches if you can bring them will
relish as well as anything to us and pickles or
something of that sort we have been hankering
after for a long time. Jelly or preserves of some
kind would also help to make the hard tack
palatable but I'll trust to mothers judgment
to send something good but I suppose you will be able
to bring but little anyhow. Something like rasp-
berry vinegar to put in the water would also be
very nice your baggage though will undoubtedly
have to be inspected for liquor or contraband goods before you land on this
side of the Potomac. Dick thinks if you will
let his father know you are coming he will
come with you. Dicks wants are about the
same as mine and besides them he wants a
pair of the cheapest 1st Lieut shoulder straps
and some of the same kind of stockings
as for me. Dick is out just now looking for
something to eat so I will not close until
he comes in. It will be a good time for you
to come down now for we are quiet and can
have the benefit of your visit but we can
promise nothing in the way of a fight for en-
tertainment. I am hoping that we may
have some Sutlers among us soon now so
that we can get a little more of a variety
in the eating line than we have at present. I have
a box of clothing in Baltimore at the store of Mr.
John B. Pudney 209. Baltimore Street. My overcoat cape
is the most important article in this box & if you
should make a stop in Balt. I would like to
have it brought along but it is not very important
just now the weather will be warm enough for a
month or two without it and in that time shall
be able to get it in some way. My valise which is
of importance to me is in the charge of the Sutler
Walt. Wodell whose address is Care of Shriver
Bros. 376 Balt. St. Balt. & it is likely that is where
the valise is. It has my name on the bottom. It is
likely that Walt will join us again soon and will
perhaps bring it with him. Don't discommode yourself
to stop for these things you will probably have a load
without them & I can get them soon enough some other
way. I prefer you come loaded with supplies
from home. One thing I came near forgetting. We each want
a couple of light woolen shirts a good article all ---
of dark color they will cost from 2 1/2 to 3 dollars a piece
If we should be suddenly moved from here we will send a
letter to Washington for you so you may inquire for one there.
Dick also wants a good haversack if his father it will be use
ful for you to carry some of your things in. Dont forget something
to drink. Dont fail to come soon I want to see you much
Yours David
[last 2 lines up the side of the letter]
________________________________________
H'd'qrs 150" Reg. N.Y.V 3rd Brigade 1st Division 12" Army Corps
Kelly's Ford Thursday August 18" 1863
Dear Brother
As it is some days since I have written I will
write a few lines this morning though I have but little more to
write than the old stereotyped phrase of "all quiet on the Rappahannock".
The heated term for the present seem to be past & today it is
raining with the appearance of settled rain. Dick is out on patrol
it to day an unpleasant day fortunately for me I came off that job
yesterday morning. I am looking for father now every day though I have
received no word as to when he was coming but from your letter judged
that he should be along this week surely. Paymaster though daily ex-
pected has not yet arrived & financial affairs rapidly approaching
a crisis (Later) As I looked out at this moment a wagon stopped before the
Colonels tent and out stepped the Paymaster with his trunkful of green-
backs, much excitement throughout the Camp!!! Capt Gildersleeve does
not yet arrive with those conscripts so I suppose you have hardly
experienced the draft yet. There is still a great deal of sickness
in our Reg. though less than a week ago. We are particularly short
of officers & I am shunted around from one Company to another as they
are destitute of officers and am one of the few that have not become
sick. I have to attend to the signing of our payrolls and can write no more
D.B. Sleight
_______________________________________
Tenn
Water-tank near Normandy
Tuesday Dec. 8th 1863
Head-quarters Cos. H & I
Dear Brother
Your letter of Thanks
giving written at the Mill was duly
received and only five days in coming.
You must have carried some days after
it was written as it was not mailed
until the 30th. Your letters are the only ones
I have received from home as yet and I
begin to think it is time I heard from my
remittances to Father the first one sent
nearly three weeks ago & the last about
two weeks since. I suppose of couse some
of you will let us know as soon as possible
after it is received for the men are anx-
ious about it as well as myself. The Regiment
still remains in the same place I found
it and it looks quite certain that we
shall stay here for the winter. The
Army of the Cumberland has been doing
considerable in the fighting line recent-
ly but our Division has had no share
in it & the threatened Raid by Wheeler's
Cavalry appears to have been abandoned.
We are now in the midst of a heavy
rain which may have the effect of put-
ting a stop to active military operations
though I hope Grant may go on with
the good work which he has commenced
The weather until now has been very
nice except that it was rather cold
unusually so for this section. I am
sorry that my horse has the distemper
he will hardly recover from it in all
winter & may prevent your selling the
pair for a good price. Dick is well
pleased with his chain. the Sutler has
lately imported a lot of steel chains
from Louisville but has nothing that
will compare with ours in heavy style.
Capt. Broas left us last week but I
believe I wrote of that in my last letter
Company I is as yet under the command
of Lieut Titus and without a Captain
This is a dull place to write letters
from but I will try to write as often
as once a week. My love to all the
folks and write soon.
Yours truly D.B.Sleight
P.S. Mother's letter mailed the 2nd Dec
has just come. I wish you could get
over the idea that the letters you send
me are never received. She says the
check has arrived safely. I would like
to know if they are cashed readily by the
Po'keepsie banks. if not I will take no more
I shall write to mother in a few days.
David
_______________________________________
Head-quarters Companies G&I 150" Vols
Garrisons Bridge Tenn Jan. 15" 1864
Friday
Dear Brother
It is some days since
I have written home and a great many
more since I have been written to from
there. It is now two weeks or more
since I have received a letter from
any of you & unless you can show
that it is the fault of the mails I shall
think you very neglectful Mother's
letter of Dec 26" is the last I have received
Larch's letters come regularly and why
not yours if any were mailed. There
has nothing of importance transpired with
us the last few days except the transfer
of some of the 145" to our Reg and the
mustering in of several new 2nd Lieuts
in consequence. Link Humiston now
occupies the position lately vacated by
the subscriber. He was mustered in
last week. We hear that Lieut Moon-
ey is to bring on a hundred or so more
so that Co. Ketcham will soon have
quite a large army again. The weather
is milder than when I last wrote
the snow is all gone and the frost
mostly out of the ground. You are I sup-
pose enjoying good sleighing and the
attendant gayeties. You will probably
hear from me again after I receive a
letter or two from some of you in the
meantime I remain you affectionate
Brother David
_______________________________________
Headquarters Companies G & I 150" NY
Garrisons Bridge Tennessee
Sunday Feb 7" 1864
Dear Brother
Your letter of Jan 28"
has just been received. I am not in
the way of making calls on Sunday
evening as I used to be and as you
are now probably and find it a good
time to attend to correspondence. I has-
ten to make amends to you if I have
done you injustice in accusing you
of neglecting me but could not well
help thinking it was so when I had writ-
ten you three or four letters and in
the meantime received none. Probably
time passes more rapidly with you
than me & ten days or two weeks with-
out a letter is hardly noticable. To do
justice I will say now that your last
letter is a good long one and full
of news. You could hardly have been
sorry that the sleighing was good for
with milder weather your horse will
not be so wild besides you must
have been about out of sleighs. I think
Father should have had an word of two
of admonition to put in about the
time the last one met its fate. Is it the
quality or quantity of the oats you
feed this winter that makes your horse
so wild The Grey Junior so far as
I hear conducts himself with propriety
I suppose he is father's sporting horse but
I should think that hardly enough
to keep him in subjection I dont hear
that you have the two together to sleigh
at LaGrange and the vicinity seems
to have entirely broken loose this winter
I am glad of it for if the President
get men enough to fill the quota
with the additional 200 000 added
some of the young men may not be
situated so as to have a good time
in a long while again probably though
Congress will leave a way for those
that want to, to get off I should not
experience the least particle of comfort
if you and all the rest were to de-
prive yourselves of any good times because
some of the rest of us are not able to do the
same. If the President gets all the men
required by the last call in the field
next summer there will probably be
considerable of a dust kicked up in the
Confederacy before another winter comes
and some of us may be able to get home
by that time not as Veterans on 30 days
furlough but as free and enlightened
citizens of the Empire State. John
Conklin is going to patronize LaGrange
is he? Well if LaGrange will patronize
also he will do well enough I suppose
although some folks don't like his
wife. You must have been in the
January thaw when you wrote and un-
usually necessary one. The weather here is
not as pleasant as it has been. It feels
very much as if some Northern Copper-
heads were blowing their cold breath down
this way still the ground is dry and
the roads good and it seems that
there is nothing to prevent active mil-
itary operations unless it is the absence
of so many of the Veteran Regiments on
furlough. Dick receives the Daily Eagle
pretty regularly but a New York daily
or weekly would be very acceptable for
they are hardly to be seen here. I received
a letter from Cal Abel to-day. he is at
Alexandria. thinks of going in The Invalid
Corps. My love to all
Affectionately Your Brother David
_______________________________________
R Kenworthy 5.00
Mrs Jas Kenworthy 1.00
Mrs Ed Chatterton 2.00
Lewis Smith 1.00
John Curnale .50
_______
$9.50
[all of the above sideways next to return address]
Headquarters Cos. I & G 150 N.Y.V.
Garrisons Bridge Feb 17" 1864
Dear Mother
We dispatched our
team (six mules & a huge wagon) at day-
light the next morning after we heard of
its arrival at Normandy to bring our box up
and it arrived here safely about the mid-
dle of the afternoon. We commenced an
investigation of its contents immediately
and the pleasure I experienced in opening
boxes & packages was second only to that
enjoyed in times gone by in examining
the contents of my stocking on Christmas
or New Year morning. The box had not
been "inspected" on the way here and
with one or two trifling exceptions the
contents were is as good order as when
packed. A little white earthen jar, filled with jelly
that looked like the one Aunt R.
brought me when I was home was broken
but its breaking did no damage to anything
else. The vinegar had run off from one
jar of pickles but was soaked up by the
many papers used in packing & the syrup
had run out of one jar of raspberries but
not to the detriment of anything else. The
coffee-pot full of butter was of course all right.
You showed excellent judgment in not
putting in anything of a perishable nature.
Very many roast turkeys have been re-
ceived by different ones from home and
besides being so tender they could hard-
ly be lifted out of the box they also
spoiled nearly all the other contents
of the box. Yesterday I took Company I down
to Normandy where the Paymaster was in
readiness to pay us the greenbacks due
for services rendered the U.S. during
the months of Nov. & Dec. last. We were
paid and returned again in the afternoon
all right and I found a good dinner ready
from the contents of the box which after
the march was particularly agreeable.
I have some money to send to Father
as usual after pay-day but will wait
a few days as Capt. Titus is expecting
to go home soon and send by him. He
made application for a leave of absence
last week and probably will get started in
a day or two & possibly may get home
before you get this letter. He expects to be
absent about a month. Col. Ketcham
also goes home in a day or two. A few
days ago I received word from Norman-
dy that by coming down there I could
see a person who had quite recently
shaken hands & had a long talk with
my Father & Mother. As I have before
stated I was there yesterday & found that
Maj. Smith was the individual above re-
ferred to & had a long conversation with
him. He reported you both well and more
than that, in first-rate spirits. Many are
going home now but people that will get
sick & be absent so long must not look
for favors of that sort. I have lately
been making the acquaintance of some of
our neighbors & find some of them quite
sociable. One family in particular the
Woodbury's. Mr. Woodbury is a minister
and they are formerly from Mt Ash
They have a daughter-in-law living them
a very pleasant & agreeable young lady
I called there one afternoon last week
and was prevailed on to stay to tea &
quite in the evening. Mrs. W. had a
good deal to say & ask about my
mother and would not have touched
on a more interesting subject to me
than that. She has a great deal of sym-
pathy for mothers with sons in the army. Charles
Wilson's box directed to me came
through safely but the turkey was no
good. All are well with the exceptions
of Milton Odell he has not been well
since he came from Virginia. He seems
homesick & discouraged. You may not
think that a very serious disease but I
fear he will not live through the spring
if he dont get better soon. I would not have
this mentioned so as to be heard by his folks.
I have $20. for his family.
Yours affectionately David
I received fathers letter yesterday
[up the side of letter]
_______________________________________
Headquarters Detachment 150" N.Y.Vols
Garrisons Bridge Tenn, March 12" 1864
Dear Brother
Your letter of March 3rd is just received
& as there is nothing to interfere I answer at once for I
believe it is now almost two weeks since my last letter to you.
Capt. Titus has not yet returned and is now three days past
due but I suppose he has been delayed on the road for which
due allowance will be made. I expected him surely last
evening and sent two men to Wartrace to meet him but
he failed to arrive. You do not mention the receipt by
Father of a check for $242, that I mailed to him the 20" of
Feb & I conclude it has not been received though there
had been ample time before your letter was written. Nothing
has as yet transpired in regard to what part the renowned
12" Corps is to take in the coming Campaign or whether
it is to remain quietly where it is to protect & keep open
the communications. A rumor was published in the Nash-
ville Union yesterday that Gen. Grant wanted to carry the war
chiefly into Virginia & that the 11" & 12" Corps would be returned
to that benighted region. If there is one place in the world
that the 150" in a body detests more than any other that
place is Virginia & I sincerely hope we may never set foot
on its soil again but there is no getting away if it is so order-
ed. I am sorry to observe that La Grange still remains in
political darkness as deep as ever. Fortunately her vote on the
question of making N.Y. soldiers voters though absent from the
state is not decisive & I have no doubt that measure will be
carried. James E. seems to doubt the policy of allowing soldiers to
vote but I am satisfied that as things stand now Abraham
Lincoln can get more of their votes than any other man in
the United States & if that is so I am sure it is policy to make
them voters I suppose you begin to think about commencing
farming operations soon you certainly have had a gay winter
& ought to feel like work again. I think you must feel rather
comfortable that you are out of the draft again. It is rather
rough to turn Capt Platt out after he has done all the work.
I am pleased to hear of the good condition of the Greys. It
will be strange if you do not have some big offers for
them this spring and be careful that you keep price enough
on them. I am not surprised that Warren W. & Mary Peterson
are married though the circumstances attending may
be surprising. We are in our usual good health.
Yours truly D.B.Sleight
_______________________________________
Headquarters Detachment 150" N.Y.Vols
Garrisons Bridge Tenn April 19" 1864
Dear Brother
I experienced the very rare pleasure last
night of receiving a letter home. Your letter written Sunday
the 10" & mailed the 12" arrived here on the 18" being just six
days on the way nothing to complain of in that time certainly.
Sarah's arrived at the same time but if there was any dif-
ference yours was a little ahead. You retain the impression
that you write quite frequently but I am inclined to
think you do not keep a strict account of the time of mail-
ing or writing of your letters, which I do. The last letter I
had from you until last night was mailed the 21st of March
& the next one the 12" of April, if that is not over three weeks
then I can't figure straight & in the meantime neither
Father or Mother had written. These are the plain facts
of the case. I make no comments. I think you must have a
lot of postage stamps on hand that have no gum on
the backs for the stamp has been lost off nearly every letter
that has come from home for a long time, by close exam-
ination the place where the stamp has been can be seen but post
office officials don't always stop to look for that no letters however
have been lost from that cause. I expect I shall hear soon that
it is a very long time since I have written to any of you to
which I answer the time is less than the interval between my
letters from home and I ask has any one written to me
without receiving an answer after sufficient time has
elapsed that will be proof enough that letters from home are
not lost as you seem determined to think, but enough about
the subject of letters I don't write all this complainingly
but to let you know just how it is & I agree not to be over
particular during plowing time No important movements
have taken place since I last wrote except in the red-
tape department. Considerable organizing & reorganizing has
been going on of late but all the troops along here are stationed
as they have been all winter & though under marching
orders since the 1st of April there are no more signs that
we are soon to march than there were two weeks ago. The
12" Corps and the heroic Dutchmen of Chancellorsville fame
who "fought & ran away & thereby lasted to fight another day"
known as the 11" Corps have been consolidated and will hereafter
be known as the 1" Army Corps. Gen Hooker takes command
of the new Corps & our old Corps Commander (Slocum) whom
we are very sorry to lose goes to Vicksburg. Hooker is considered
a fighting man & is perhaps as good a General as we could
have though from all accounts I guess he takes a little too
much stimulus on trying occasions. The new Corps must
number I think from twenty-five to thirty thousand men
and ought with good management make some impression on the
Confederacy this summer. There seems no hurry about com-
mencing active operations here though the weather is cold and
rainy & the season very backward. People are just planting
corn here now & there is not sufficient grass to form good pas-
ture yet, Milton Odell died in the General Hospital at Tul-
lahoma on the 8" instant of Chronic Diarrhea. He will be a
great loss to his family I suppose. He seemed to have par-
tially lost his mind for some weeks before his death would walk
round the neighborhood to procure things the he was expressly
forbidden by the Surgeons to eat unless he was continually
watched & was otherwise very imprudent but his disease was
one from which a soldier rarely recovers. I sent my overcoat
home by Wolven not but what I may occasionally need yet but
the summer campaign would probably ruin it if it was
not entirely lost for it is rather a heavy thing to lug on a
hot days march and to bulky to put in my valise and
strapping it outside would be about the same as throwing it
away. It was a present from Father so I feel quite anx-
ious to preserve it through if I can and I wish you would
ask Mother or Sarah to take care of it from the moth
The cape I sent home by Dick which he left at his Fathers
and it can be got from there any time if it has not already.
The things that came from Baltimore I do not care particularly
to preserve unless it is the blanket but I suppose they will all
be useful some time or other to somebody. The coat I think is rather
too seedy to be of any more use to me while in the army. Letters
may be directed to the 12" Army Corps for the present as
consolidation has only been made on paper as yet. We are all
very well.
Your brother David
_____________________________________
Camp near Cassville Ga Friday May 20" 1864
Dear Brother
As we are enjoying once more the
luxury of an afternoon's rest I will make the at-
tempt once more to write you a letter as my
last was so nearly a failure. Your letter written
Sunday the 8" last was received to-day so you see
we receive our mails about as regularly as ever
though it is difficult to get one off from here. The Rebels
made a stand at this place yesterday threw up some
defenses & the prospect was good for another fight
to-day. Our Division came up to the village about
the middle of the afternoon yesterday and after
much manouvreing & skirmishing the artillery
& infantry was got into position about two hours
after dark so that it was expected we could
give them a dressing out to-day but when morn-
ing dawned we found no enemy at hand they had
evacuated the town during the night not daring
to face the music they expected would open on
them to-day. This has been quite a nice little
town but now is little bit better than a ruin. The
people foolishly abandoned their houses here
when the Rebels retired & as a consequence a
house has been stripped to-day by the d---d
Yankees. Our men are living on pigs, chickens
too & everything else they could lay they hands on
here supplied themselves with handsome bed-spreads
coverlets & are parading around with parasols
umbrellas, fans and sundry unmentionable articles
of wearing apparel. If the foolish people had
stayed in their houses very little if any damage would
have been done but with no one to remonstrate they
did not know where to stop & it is not much
wondered at if our soldiers have little charity for
the sympathizers with the Rebellion after what they
have just been through. The Rebel leaders have
brought the people to think the Yankees took no
prisoners now but kill indiscriminately all that fall
into their hands which I suppose in a measure
accounts for the terror with which our advance in-
spires the people. It was evidently very far from
the thoughts of the people that Johnson army would
be obliged to fall back from Dalton & it seems to
have been the general impression that he would again
regain the whole of Tennessee from our hands. Our
army is advancing in three columns by different
roads towards at Atlanta. Either of the columns is
supposed to be enough of itself to contend with
Rebels if they turn at bay and as the
others advance they would soon find themselves
flanked again & be obliged to continue their retreat.
They are reported to have made another stand at
Altoona a few miles ahead where there is another
range of mountains and they have strong fortifi-
cations. I do not know what chances there are
for flanking that position but presume it can
be done with men enough & I think we have for
this army is immense. If the rank & file of the
Rebel army would but see it altogether once I think
they would exclaim with the "coon" "Don't shoot
Mister Yankee & I'll come down". I thought I saw
war on a large scale last Summer but it
could not compare with this & this army is
only well handled & I think it is in good hands
nothing the Confederacy can now get together can
stop its progress. Our greatest danger I suppose
is that our communications may be cut off. The
hundreds of miles of Railroad from here to Louisville
is not a very safe channel through which to feed
an army like this " without feeding we soon go to
destruction. We hear glorious news from the Army
of the Potomac but don't feel safe in believing only
moderately of it for from past experience we know
we all hear too much at first. The news is read for
effect at the head of all the Regiments as it is received.
Rebel prisoners we took last week say it was
announced to them in the same way that Lee had driven
Grant back into Maryland and would soon have
our army then annihilated but we don't believe all
that either xxx I suppose it is too late now for me
send any advice about the selling of my horse for
your customer would not condescend to keep a
deal of that sort pending for a month or more. I don’t
object to his being sold at $300 even and would
advise you to let him go by all means if you can
get $350 or more. I don't suppose he earns his keep
and am not unreasonable enough to want to be kept
Let him go quick at even $350 or at $300 if it is thought
advisable. You must know better about it than I can
& I'll engage to stand to Father's judgment whatever
it may be. (Three drummers are having a good time
playing on a piano in a house just back our camp
I wish when you have a chance you would send
word to Cash's wife that he is all right he can not write
very well now & is anxious to send word home. Dick & I
are living high to-day. My intelligent contraband seam
ed a setting hen this morning which made us a luxuri
ous dinner & for supper we have part of a hog they foraged
from some quarter. I took my coffee in a china gilt
edged cup that Frank brought me & had milk to put in it
too. We have also captured a two year old colt on which
to pack tents & blankets as you see we are rich to day and
make the most of it for tomorrow we may get nothing better
than powder & ball for dinner. Excuse a mixed up letter there
is so much to write I don’t know how to get it in.
Write & keep writing
David
_______________________________________
In the Field Ga. Sunday July 10" 1864
Dear Brother
Capt Titus made me a call yesterday morning bring-
ing with him your letter of June 26". I am still with the
guard of the wagon train and don't see him very often now
Since I last wrote home we have made another advance
without any fight however the enemy having fallen back to
the north bank of the Chattahoochie Our lines encircle them
in the position they now hold, both flanks of Sherman's army
resting on the river with one or two Corps to spare to cross
and make a demonstration in the rear when our general gets
ready but the weather is so warm that operations cannot be carried out
on very briskly though there is no prospect of its ceasing al-
together for a while and it ought not until we have At-
lanta if we can get it & I think it will take something more
formidable than Johnstons army to prevent it. It is only eight
or ten miles from the river to the town. Kinesaw Mountain and
Marietta fell into our hands by the last advance perhaps
the newspapers had them taken a long time ago but they were
not until the 8" of July. The 4" was quieter with us than the
last though considerable gunpowder was burned. the 150" has
not been under fire since I was detailed away from it
(on the 26" June). After the fine prospects in the spring I am
very sorry to hear that you are suffering so severely from drought
it will be an unusually serious matter to have the crops cut off
in the present state of affairs. You have a pretty high price
on the Greys but I suppose they are as well worth it as many
other teams that sell for as much. I received you new cam-
paign paper last week it is very good. There is still no pros-
pect of getting our pay & I shall have to write for more
money this time for what I have will hardly last until
I can receive more from home. Ask Father to enclose $15.
as soon as convenient after the receipt of this letter. I
owe Theodore Wicks a few dollars for government clothing
& rations he has let me have and he agrees to have the money
come at his own risk if I will send for it. I can receive
by the 1" of August if no accident happens to it I think
I suppose you have received my letter asking you to send
envelopes. It takes my last one this morning to enclose your letter
& it is almost impossible buy or borrow one here. All is quiet this
morning
Truly yours David
____________________________________
Camp near Atlanta. Thursday August 11".1864
Dear Brother
It is ten or twelve days since I have written
home rather longer than usual but I have been looking for
a letter from some of you for several days past and so have
delayed writing but will do so no longer though of course
you could feel no anxiety for me so long as I am in the
Mule Department. According to my book and you know I
keep a careful account it is almost a month since I have received a
letter from you though in the meantime I have to acknowl-
edge the receipt of your newspaper and a package of first
rate envelopes very much needed. This reminds me that I have
more wants that can best be supplied by mail from home for
even with plenty of money here to buy of sutlers should any come
up by and by a poor article costs very much more here than a
good one sent from home with postage added. I saw a whole suit
of clothes that came from New York last week postage only $1.48
clothing however comes at less cost than other articles such as to-
bacco &c and remember also when you address a package to me
leave off the Lieut for enlisted men have the use of the mail
at a very much cheaper rate than commissioned, that is if the
fraud don’t hurt your conscience too much.
Don't forget to keep up a
supply of postage stamps.
Perhaps however I may be
know as an officer in the Pokeepsie P.O. in which case it
will make no difference about the address. Packages should be care-
fully put up and marked on the outside "Cotton or woolen cloth-
ing, paper, envelopes or whatever it may be. I am most in want just
now of a black felt hat, don't care particularly about its being full
regulation size only be careful to get the best quality and one
with a good wide brim, and a military cord for the band if it
is to be had in Pokeepsie if not I'll make the old cord do. My
last hat Dick got for me when he was home in the spring cost $4.
with the cord I advise you to take it to Capt. Broas to put it up
for mailing and please enclose in it a good strong pocket-comb
I expect you will think my wants are many and never
supplied but remember home is the only place I can get any-
thing, in this line, from now. Atlanta is not taken yet neither can
I hear that we are making very rapid progress toward taking it.
Gen Stoneman and part of his command I suppose you have
learned were caught by the Rebels making a raid last week. Our
heavy guns are banging away at the town every day & the pickets
are picking one another off whenever a chance offers but further than
this there seems to be nothing going on. Since I came on duty here
there have been several changes among the officers of the guard so that I am
now left senior officer with a command of over two hundred men equal
to many of our Colonels I expect a Major will be sent soon though to take the
command. Hope to hear from you soon. Brother David
_______________________________________
Camp near Atlanta, Ga. Saturday, Aug. 20” 1864
Dear Brother
I have the pleasure to acknowledge the re-
ceipt to-day from you of a quire of letter paper and a
package of envelopes both in good order though the wrapper
of the envelopes was broken. The Rebel cavalry has been
playing the mischief with our Railroad for a week past
& in the meantime we were without a mail but all is
right again now and supplies are coming up in time
to prevent men from being put on short allowance of
rations though the animals have been for several days
past. I observe you are not quite pasted yet in mail
regulations for you sealed up the envelopes at both ends
and paid eighteen cents postage on it while the paper weigh
ing twice as much open at the ends cost but four cents
postage. It is also proper to mark any package mailed,
on the outside, so the contents may be known. I should
have been glad to have found a letter in one of the envelopes
but I suppose it was not convenient for you. The mil-
itary situation remains the same as for the two or three
weeks past. Our Corps has been under marching orders
for three or four days and it was supposed some new
flanking operations were on hand but the order to march
does not come and there are no further developments.
The weather is pleasant and the army is getting along
quite comfortably. You seem to take the coming draft quite
cooly though I can hardly think you mean to serve if drawn
Substitutes it appears are almost impossible to get and then
at most outrageous prices. James C. & Uncle David too are in
the same boat do they take no measures for security? or do
you think after all there will be no draft. It is about ten
days since I have received a letter from home it ought not be
many more. A letter from Sarah came to-day. She says
Mrs. V.V. is making a sensation among you this sum-
mer. Splendid, is she not! but an unmitigated flirt.
Give her my regards when you see her. How do the Greys
stand the dry weather and scarcity of forage. If they are
in good condition I think a brother of mine must
turn out a dashy equipage at pic-nics to. I hope I may
get be able to enjoy the use of them though I can hardly
say I think the time is close at hand. Is Col. Ketcheom
likely to be nominated for Congressman this fall. It is rain-
ing & I can write no more
Brother David
P.S. My last letter to Sarah was directed to Pokeepsie by mistake
Please send a few two cent postage stamps
_______________________________________
Atlanta. Ga. Monday. Sept 5" 1864
Dear Brother
I received the hat and comb mailed Aug 26”
this morning in good order. I had begun to think that some of
the raiders in our rear had gobbled it up. It was reported yes-
terday that Wheeler's Cavalry had taken Bridgeport destroyed the
great railroad bridge over the Tennessee besides
burning all the Government stores at that place and an immense
amount of officers baggage left behind last spring for want
of transportation in the field. My valise with all my good clothes
were stored there and have shared the common fate I suppose
The story however is not confirmed this morning and we begin to
hope there is no truck in it. The burning of the railroad bridge
would be a great calamity to the army here. Long before this
letter reaches you, you will have heard that Atlanta has been taken
by the Yankees. The Gate City has fallen into our hands and we have
shut the Gate, what effect the shutting of it will have upon the Con-
federacy remains to be seen. The place has been considered of almost
vital importance. now that it is taken will it prove so. The
honor of first occupying that city fell to the 20" Corps left behind
by Sherman while he made demonstrations in the rear by which
the Rebels were made to fight or evacuate or both. A recon-
noisance sent out by Gen. Slocum (now commanding our Corps)
on the 2" developed the fact that the Rebels had left the town
the night before and on the afternoon of that day Slocum occupied
the place with his Corps without firing a gun. The wagon train followed the next day
making the occupation complete. The star-spangled banner now
waves over the forts and public buildings of the city. There has
been hard fighting between Sherman's & Hood's armies in which
the latter has had the worst of it though we have not yet
learned particulars but that Atlanta is taken you may rest
fully assured. The city decidedly the best one I have seen south
of Louisville though in some portions of it there is scarcely
a house that is not more or less shattered by shot and shell.
The inhabitants had bombproof cellars made to live in when the
shells come thickest. The captures in men and munitions of
war are not as great as might have been expected. What is the
reason I do not get letters from home. My last was received
the 23"of Aug. the hat mailed the 26" got through so a letter
would I think if it had been mailed. I don't know that there is
any chance for this letter to go through now if what we hear from
the rear is correct but I'll write and send it any way so that you
shall know as soon as possible that I have the hat. I think this
makes the fourth letter I have written to you since I have received
one from you. I wonder if my letters from home are not getting
lost again like they did one time last winter. Perhaps it would
be better to mail them at Salt Point I receive letters through
that office regularly once a week, never lost one that was mailed
there. We hear that McClellan & Pendleton are the nominees of
the Chicago Convention. I fear the Republican Party is doomed to
defeat if it dont wake up and show a little enthusiasm about
the matter. Nobody seems to take much interest the matter any
way. I cant hardly tell whether the Eagle is for the Administration or
against it & even as great a party man as you are have not a word
to say. The Administration will not get much support from
the Army if it is not paid soon, men especially those that have
families dont like to go eight or nine months as we have without
pay and thousands of soldiers are so tired of the war they would
vote for Val. if it would bring peace any quicker. I want it under-
stood that I am as strong a Lincoln man as ever. If we
don't reelect him we knuckle so much to the Rebellion. Hope
I may get a letter soon.
Yours affectionately David
________________________________________
Atlanta, Ga. Sept. 11" 1864
Dear Brother
The first mail we have received in ten days
came to-day bringing your letter of Aug 28" enclosing sundry articles
the most important of which was a ten-dollar greenback. I
am much obliged for the invitation to the Picnic but for the
reason that it took place yesterday think I'll not be able to attend.
The arrival of the greenback is timely. I hope to soon be able to
send back enough to make my account good for Gen Sherman
has ordered that army will stop here to be rested, clothed,
paid off & refitted for a winter campaign. A winter cam-
paign will be something for this war but if it will bring
the war to end any sooner let us have it by all means.
I think the people at home are getting anxious for a peace so
anxious I fear that they would be willing to accept a poor one
& the peace-at-any-price party is likely to be triumphant in
November if the friends of the Administration don't wake up soon.
I can hardly say that I am surprised if James E. has left
the party he has been a little queer for some time past yet
I can hardly think he has turned Copperhead completely. I
am as anxious for peace as anybody but I am particular what
terms we get it on. It is very cheering to hear that the quota
at LaGrange is so nearly filled and you are safe from a draft.
What sort of men have you got? Will they be likely to get to the
army and serve in it or are they of the kind that are kept expressly
for filling quotas with regardless of filling the army. Atlanta
still remains in the hands of the Yankees and for a week past
there has been no fighting here. To morrow the citizens left here
will be assisted to remove with their effects inside the Rebel
lines for Uncle Sam does not propose to furnish them rations
to live so long as we may occupy the city. Will our Railroad
cut so frequently it is almost impossible to keep the army
supplied, so far however rations have been plenty enough but
there is no grain for the horses and mules. I accompanied a train
of wagons out in the country a short distance last Friday after a quanti-
ty of cotton that was reported to be there. We found about a hundred
bales which worth from five hundred to a thousand dollars each
was a pretty valuable haul. Uncle Sam has all the profits of such
things. I am glad to hear that you are able to keep Picnics going in
spite of war, peace & politics. I have heard from several quarters
the Agricultural Picnic was a great success and very creditable to
the managers. You saw none but the elite I suppose a the Campbell
Picnic things are done up in style over there. I think you con-
clude wisely not to exhibit the Grey horses at the Fair this fall
they have been shown there about enough, though I suppose they
were never more worthy of it than now if they can get up the speed you
mention. I have in previous letters acknowledged the receipt of
the paper & envelopes, the handkerchief and hat in fact everything
that I have sent for by mail has been received. The hat is an
excellent one. Eight dollars is the price of a felt hat here of inferior
quality and without a band so you see what is gained by having one
sent from home. The shirts Cpt. Broas sent I have not received yet.
My overcoat I should like to have if a safe opportunity offers to send
it which is not likely. If active operations are to be kept up all winter
a Govt. coat will do and be lighter to carry
Truly yours David
_____________________________________________
Atlanta Ga Oct 25" 1864
Dear Brother
Your letter of Sept 23 was received several days ago but
till now I have had no opportunity for answering it. The few troops now
left to hold this city are kept almost constantly at work now, the de-
fences of the city built by the Rebels are too extensive for a small force
to occupy consequently new ones have to be built which enclose only the
part of the place most important to us and this requires vast amounts
of labor and then to keep the mules and horses alive raiding parties
are frequently sent out long distances into the country to procure forage so
though we have no fighting now we get but little rest. We returned last
night from the most fatiguing trip of all. A raiding expedition that
had started out two days before with a train of wagons about ten
miles long sent back for reinforcements having got the idea that the
Rebels contemplated capturing part of their train and accordingly Rugers
trotting Brigade was ordered out to their support. Just imagine you
self taking a little foot excursion from Poughkeepsie out into Connect-
icut by way of Washington Hollow (not stopping there for refreshments)
with your rations and bedding on your back and returning by way of
Pawlings & Beekman most of the way over a bad road without bridges
dust three inches deep on the average doing nearly the whole trip
in twenty-four hours and you will have a pretty good idea of what
our last jaunt was. We saw no Rebels to amount to any thing and lost
no wagons bringing all back well loaded with corn. Our communications
are open once more with a few miles of wagon transportation
between here and Chattanooga and it is to he helped the Rebels
may be kept away now until our Commissay Department down
here gets to be a little better stocked than at present. I received
mothers letter yesterday of the 5" Oct which I will answer soon
and will say now for her benefit that my health has not been so
good at any time since we left Tennessee last spring as now. I think the Confederate
army will soon give up its efforts to starve us out of this country
so that we shall probably have a season of rest as it is rather
late in the season for Gen Sherman to organize another campaign
though there is no telling what he may do he is such an uneasy mor-
tal. We have not yet heard fully the result of the elections of the
11" of Oct. though enough to convince us that they are likely to go for Lincoln
in Nov. and if they do his election is safe enough I suppose. “Male”
friends here are not as jubilant here as they were before. Of course
you will not fail to elect Co. Ketcham to Congress let what will hap-
pen. The 150" gave him a pretty good lift. James E. gave me to understand
in his last letter that he should go for Ketcham and did not
say he was for McClellan so I hope you may be mistaken in
thinking that he was. Contrary to my expectations the 150" gave Lincoln
a good majority. Samorel men I observe got their candidate at
the County Convention which suited you I suppose. My horse is in
good order I suppose as you make no mention to the contrary. We
are now it seems on the home stretch of our time and
as it grows shorter I feel more interest in keeping him. Do your
best on the 8" of Nov. My regards to all inquiring friends.
Brother David
_______________________________________
[Have no beginning to this letter, it just starts like this:]
and we were ordered to return to the Georgia
side. As we turned about to return the Rebels
attacked us and while the Reg was covering the
rear Col. Ketcham was wounded not very dan-
gerously but so that we shall lose him again
for a few weeks. With a few other casualties we
crossed the river and marched to the city on
the 22nd and are now camped in the suburbs
in a magnificent grove of live oaks. The weather
has mostly been very fine about like September
at home but to-day there is quite a cold blast
from the north & I find an overcoat necessary
for comfort. South Carolina I suppose will next
received Gen. Shermans attentions and that quite
soon. Probably he will start out on another cam-
paign by the 15" of Jan. or sooner if the army
can be clothed and made ready. With Charles-
ton only one hundred miles distant he cannot
content himself here many days. Tomorrow
the 20" Corps is to be reviewed. I wish very much
you might have seen a review when visiting the
army it makes a most imposing spectacle. It is
so long since you had written to me before that
you need posting up in regard to my address.
The 11" & 12" Corps were consolidated last spring
& form the present 20" Corps. We are still in the
1st Div. but 2nd instead of 3rd Brigade. A simple
& sufficient address however is to the "150" Reg N.Y.V
20" Army Corps". I suppose Mother gave that Thanks-
giving Dinner as promised for as far as I was con-
cerned she could hear nothing good or bad. If
the army should stop long enough in a place to mean
it is possible to get a leave of absence I shall apply for
one, at present in the absence of my distinguished
Captain I am commander-in-chief and sole officer
of Company I. (the 2nd Lieut. being on detached ser-
vice) and it would be useless to apply. Give my
love to Aunt E. & Vannie
Your affectionate Cousin David
To
Josie Wheeler
_______________________________________
Camp of 150" Reg. N.Y.Vols
Savannah, Ga. New Years Night 1865
Dear Brother
Yours of Dec 20" was received
last night the first I have received from you
since the middle of October. I suppose you
thought it useless to write while Sherman's
Army was on the road to destruction as
the Copperheads would have it for U.S. mails
do not run on that route but now that you
know we are safe and sound in Savannah
you should let them come thick and fast
to make up loss time. The Copperheads I
suppose are sadly disappointed that the
Army was not annihilated in its way to
the coast. If the United States had a few more
such insane Generals as Sherman the Con-
federacy would soon be cut up in pieces
so small they could make no more resist-
ance to the Federal arms. I wrote to Mother
last Sunday and since then nothing note-
worthy has happened except a review of the
army by Sherman. The 20" Corps was reviewed
on Friday and made quite an imposing
display tattered & torn as was the clothing
after the long march. New fortifications are
now being made around the city so that a
small force can hold it and it is expected
that as soon as the army can be made ready
that South Carolina will receive Gen. Sherman’s
attentions. The Republican Party did remark-
ably well at the last election all over but with
the result in LaGrange I am most astonished.
I think you must have brought a powerful green-
back influence to bear to achieve such a result.
You will know who to run for Supervisor next
spring if Mr. Howard is in town. You did
well for Col. Ketcham too. The Col is recover-
ing from his wound quite rapidly but I suppose
will go home for a while before he returns to duty
This is a very convenient place to return home from
but no leaves of absence are granted except for
the sick & wounded for the reason I suppose
that the campaign is to be continued again in
so short a time. You speak of Capt. Titus but
don't mention his whereabouts. Has he been held
for duty in Gen Thomas Department or did
he return from there by way of home and stop
over the Holidays. On account of some impor-
tant official documents pertaining to the Company
I should like to know whether to expect him soon
or not. I am very much in want of a pocket knife
and wish you would send me one by mail as
soon as convenient. I don't want a fancy article
but something good and strong not too large two
blades enough. Put it up in a little paper box
and it will come safe enough I think. I think
our mail line is now regularly established
and will be much safer on the Atlantic than
on the long railroad from Louisville to Atlanta.
I am glad the greys are still in good order
if they will only stay so for a year longer. I
hope to derive some benefit from them. Give my
regards to those Pleasant Valley friends. I am
very glad to be remembered where so far off.
New Year's is about past but there has been nothing
to distinguish it from other days except the
consumption of an unusual amount of whiskey.
I have a large amount of business writing to do
now & cannot write long letters. Wishing you
a Happy New Year I remain
Your affectionate Brother David
P. S. Send me also a pair of light leather gloves something that will fit well
____________________________________
Belger Barracks Monday Jan 12th 1865
Dear Brother
I received your letter written
last Tuesday on Saturday evening a long time in
coming but perhaps it was not mailed until
some days after it was written as I suppose
in the bad travelling you speak of you do
not have communication with Pokeepsie every
day. We are all together here yet not having
been sent out for guard duty about the
city. The Paymaster is expected to-
morrow & I suppose as soon as the Regiment
is paid again the order will come. I don't know
know whether or not our company will be sent out but
as seven or eight of the ten companies have
to go our chance is pretty good to go. Our
rooms in the barracks are just about finished
& if we have to go out for five or six weeks
we shall not have much good of them. Our
Orderly Sergeant in company with Capt. Wood-
on started for Dutchess last week after
Ed Van Wagner received a dispatch from
home to-night informing him of the death of
his uncle and desiring him to come home
He is trying to get a furlough but I hardly think
he will succeed for they are only given on
the most urgent cases. It is about time my
letter was mailed if it goes today so I must
close without quite filling the sheet.
William Stillwell has been quite sick with
quinsy sore throat but has got over the
worst now I think As to myself I am as
well as ever. You write about your
weighing a hundred & forty pounds. I can beat
that just twenty five pounds.
Your affectionate Brother DBSleight
_______________________________________
Camp of 150" Reg. N.Y.V.
Parysburg S.C. Jan 25" 1865
Dear Brother
A steamer came up yester-
day morning bringing a mail the first one received
in a long time in which was your letter of the
9" and mothers of the 5" of Jan, also the package
containing the gloves & pocket knife. The knife
is just what I wanted. The gloves rather
heavier than was needed still they will be the
more servicable for it. At the time I last wrote
the weather was very bad & I had the blues
more or less, but it has finally cleared off and
looks considerably brighter again. We have a
rumor this morning that the capture of Fort
Fisher will make a change in Shermans plans
and that as soon as the roads are practicable
we shall return to Savannah or Port Royal
and take a new start. There is no prospect
at any rate of going ahead on this route for
some days to come. We are now experiencing
the coldest weather we have seen thus far this
winter. Last night there was quite a hard
frost but the sun shine quite warm to-day
again. I really envy you when you mention
sleighriding after the grey horses. They must
make an elegant turn-out with the little
cutter. This is now the third winter that I have
not had a sleigh ride so it would be quite
a novelty. How about that young bay horse
I have not heard any thing at all of him. I
think he must be old enough for use by this
time. I am sorry to hear there is a division
in the society of LaGrange & hope it will not
be a permanent one perhaps Mrs. Robert Titus will
get reconciled to the people of LaGrange after
living there a while. I thought her a very pleasant
lady when she visited Belger Barracks. Aleck
Rogers would like to have you take care of his
gun if you can find out where it is but I would
not take much trouble about if I were you for
his relations will think you only want to keep
in case he never returns. I am afraid this
last draft will fetch some of you who do
want to come though you may dodge it some
way as the others were. There is considerable
talk around now about peace but I cannot see
that it has any foundation for it all comes from
one side. The Rebels show no more signs
of coming to terms than heretofore. This is a very
dull place here I will close my letter for
the present and if anything noteworthy happens
before I can mail it will add a postscript.
Yours truly David
