These letters were written by Joseph (“Joe”) Herman Vaill (1837-1915), the son of Rev. Herman Landon Vaill (1794-1870) and Flora Gold (1799-1883) of Litchfield, Connecticut. His siblings included Catharine Harriet Gold Vaill (1824-1898), Charles Benjamin Vaill (1826-1881), Elizabeth Sedgwick Vaill (1828-1909), Abby Everest Vaill (1829-1897), George Lyman Vaill (1831-1833), Theodore Frelinghuysen Vaill (1832-1875), Sarah Hopkins Vaill (1834-1862), Clarissa Champlin Vaill (b. 1836), Julia Maria Vaill (1839-1912) and Mary Woolsey Vaill (1842-1871).
Joseph H. Vaill enlisted in Co. E, 8th Connecticut Infantry on 17 September 1861. He was promoted to Quarter Master Sergeant on 28 May 1862; promoted to 1st Sergeant on 20 February 1864; transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Veteran Reserve Corps 18 on May 1864; and mustered out on 20 September 1864.
A tenth letter was added to this grouping because it was written by Charles B. Holman to Joseph H. Vaill and sheds some insight to nature of Joseph’s business on Roanoke Island after the Civil War.
LETTER 1
This letter was written in December 1861 by Joseph Herman Vaill (1837-1915) to his sister, Mary (“Mollie”) Woolsey Vaill (1842-1871) while serving with the 8th Connecticut Infantry. He wrote the letter (or at least the first part of it) from the state room of his cousin, Capt. Edward Eugene Vaill (1833-1904) — the commander of the U.S. Steamer “Admiral.” It isn’t clear how Joseph came to be a passenger on his cousin’s vessel while serving with the 8th Connecticut; I can only assume he was hitching a ride to join his regiment at Annapolis where they had been quartered since mid-October.
During the Civil War, Capt. “Ned” Vaill was the commander of the flagship, “Guide,” [also known as the “Admiral”] at the capture of Roanoke Island during Burnside’s Expedition in 1862. After the war, Ned moved to St. Augustine, Florida, where he opened the St. Augustine Hotel — the first resort of its kind in the city.
Ned Vaill was the son of Charles B. Vaill and Cornelia Ann Griswold of Litchfield.
In this letter, we learn that Capt. Vaill’s steamer, the “Admiral” was grounded while attempting to assist the “Eastern Queen” from a similar situation. The two vessels were transporting the men of the 24th Massachusetts from New York Harbor to Annapolis, Maryland. The Admiral had made its way down the coast and up the Chesapeake Bay to the Severne river where it anchored four miles from Annapolis to await the arrival of the Eastern Queen which had followed. On the morning of 13 December, it was discovered that the Eastern Queen had run aground several miles away. After unloading her cargo of soldiers, the Admiral returned to assist the Eastern Queen but also became grounded. [See: The 24th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers by Alfred Seelye Roe, page 34]
4 o’clock Saturday afternoon
December 14th 1861
On board the United States Steamer Admiral
Capt. Edward E. Vaill, Commanding
In Latitude 38° 55′
Longitude 76° 29′
Dear Sister Mollie,
I believe I have not answered your last letter yet so as I have plenty of time now I will pay up my debts. I have just written to Charlie and I presume he will send the letter home, so I need not repeat the story of the whys and wherefores of my present position. I am now writing in the Captain’s room with my paper resting on a book and the book sitting cosily on on one end of a tête–à–tête that makes up a part of the furniture of his State Room. At this present moment, there are two little steam tugs tugging away to float the Admiral but up to the present time they have not been able to get us off. About an hour ago they were both tugging at the Eastern Queen ¹ which lay about 10 or 15 rods from our stern, and they succeeded in starting her and drawing her for ten rods and then she would go no farther. So there she lies — fast — equal to Bill Hull — the sterns of the two steamers being only 4 or 5 rods apart.
The soldiers have all been taken up to the city by two sloops & one revenue cutter and two loads on the tugs. I presume the boys are glad to get on terra firma as nearly all of them were seasick on the trip and nothing would seem quite right till they stood on Mother Earth.
Monday morning, 9 A.M.
December 16th 1861
I returned to the city and camp on Saturday evening and stayed overnight, and Sunday forenoon went down to the city and then found some tugs going down to the steamers so I went down with them. There were three tugs and two sidewheel steamers going down — 5 in all — to see what could be done. The tide was nearly three feet lower than common at high tide at 4 P.M. yesterday. So they all 5 tugged and pulled — & vice versa — but all to prove that they were not able to stir wither steamer an inch. So they concluded to lie by till high water this morning and try her again. During the night, two more tugs came down from Baltimore and at 4 this morning at high water, with wind favoring, the Admiral was floated — and soon after, the Eastern Queen — and a government schooner that got ashore on Saturday night near them.
You may imagine that Cousin Ned is glad to get off as he went down to get off the Eastern Queen and for pay for his kindness, got aground [himself].
10 A.M. Monday. I am now at the P. O. on my way to camp and must close this letter now to have it go this P.M. Received letter from Charles Saturday. Have not heard from home in a long time. Why don’t some you of write? I will write again as soon as I find out what is going to be done about our leaving.
Love to all. Your affectionate brother, — Joseph H. Vaill
¹ The “Eastern Queen” was built in 1857 at New York, and was 700 tons gross, 220 feet long, 29 feet of beam. She ran the route from Boston to Bath, Maine until the spring of 1860 when she was damaged by fire. After she was repaired, she was taken over by the government for a transport ship during the Civil War.
LETTER 2
Roanoke Island
Sunday P. M. 9:30 o’clock
February 9th 1862
Dear Father,
You are probably all quiet in church at this present writing little dreaming of what I have seen and heard for the last eight and forty hours. All is quiet just now and I have begged half a sheet of paper to write to you about our present situation and of the events of the past few days.
On Wednesday morning the 5th, we weighed anchor and brought up the rear of the fleet. We were on the Propeller “Sentinel” carrying 4 guns and being in the 3rd Brigade, were ordered to the rear as guard. The weather was fine but rather cool and it was thought that we would reach our destination by 4 P. M. and have warm work before sundown. But our boys were in good spirits and every man was ready to do his duty. At about 4 or 5 P. M. we dropped anchor in the rear of the fleet and about 10 miles from the island. The weather came on thick at evening with rain. The Sentinel and Chasseur were put back about a mile to guard the fleet in the rear and several small gunboats sent ahead to sound and reconnoiter.
The next morning we did not move but the small boats were in advance to lookout the ground. Friday morning the 7th orders were to move on and so we did—the gunboats in the advance. At about 10 A. M., we saw smoke several miles up the channel which we took to be from the enemy on shore. For an hour or so, firing commenced in earnest from our gunboats and was answered quite rapidly from a fort on shore and by rebel gunboats above the fort. The rebels had previously obstructed the channels by driving in spiles so that our gunboats could not go by the fort without passing directly under the fort. During the whole afternoon the firing was continual by our vessels and answered less rapidly as the day wore on. A dense cloud of black smoke told us that the fort was on fire.
We were anxious to have the Sentinel go ahead and take party in the bombardment but unfortunately the boat was used as a water boat—making fresh water from salt—so that Gen. Burnside was afraid of her being disabled so left here as rear guard to the fleet. The transports were about 3 miles from the fort and at about 3 or 4 o’clock, the troops began to land on the island about 2 miles below the fort. Small steamers would take a load of soldiers and then tow 20 or 30 small boats full so that the troops were landed very rapidly. Company H of the 8th [Connecticut] Regiment went ashore first (from our boat) and our company (E) went later in the evening between 10 and 11 P. M. The 21st Massachusetts Regt. was the first on shore and immediately went out as skirmishers and about a mile from shore directly inland—across a swamp—came upon a masked battery and returned to the shore to wait for more force.
At 11 P. M. we lay down upon a sandy cornfield about 100 rods from shore. There must have been 10,000 men on the field before 12 midnight. We lay down on our rubber blankets two together so had one rubber blanket over us which we very much needed for it soon began to rain and kept it up nearly all night. We got wet some but made the best of it for we were in an enemy’s country, and the enemy near us. It was raining some when we got up in the morning and before we had a chance to think of breakfast and before all of the men were out from under their blankets, we were startled by several shots from our pickets who were not more than 80 rods from us and the order was, “Fall in!” We had the order hundreds of times before but under very different circumstances. The rush for guns may be “imagined but not described.” We were soon in line just as the firing from the pickets ceased. We were ordered to stack arms. You may consider that there was some little excitement for it was the first time the most of us were ever invited to face death on the battlefield.
At 7:30 the 1st Brigade left the field for a march to the interior to attack the battery discovered the night before. At 8:30 we heard rapid firing of musketry and an occasional field piece or gun from the battery. Regiment after regiment were ordered out from time to time and the firing was kept up with little cessation till 11 A. M. when Hawkins Zouaves (9th N. Y. V.) charged upon the battery and carried it at the point of the bayonet with a loss of only one killed and five wounded. Other regiments had stood and fired at the battery and had lost quite severely—among them one or two Massachusetts regiments. Several regiments were ordered to make an advance on the battery which lay across a terrible swamp but after making the attempt, fell back till the 10th Connecticut were ordered on and went through with a heavy loss—Col. Russell being among the killed.
The enemy were put on the run, our troops close upon them. I believe all the regiments with the expedition were ordered on except the 8th which was held in reserve under arms all day in order to cover the retreat of our troops in case they were driven back. We were in readiness to march to the battlefield at any hour. The regiments that went out into the fight and chase yesterday have not returned as yet but we learned this morning that they had taken between 2 and 3 thousand prisoners—among them Gov. Wise of Virginia, and O[badiah] Jennings Wise who it is reported was shot this morning while attempting to escape. Of course we cannot tell how much to believe as there are all sorts of reports. But it is very plain we have done a great work although our loss is quite heavy—probably nearly 50 killed and wounded. Our boys are all very well but are not able to write on account of the scarcity of paper. Our knapsacks being left onboard the boats. But their friends need not be alarmed about them for they are all well.
Today the boys are around killing pigs &c, to eat. [Cousin] Ed Vaill came on shore to see us last night. He says if I am wounded he will get me on board the Admiral and take care of me. So you may know I shall be well taken care of. The troops will be taken off the island soon except one or two regiments and put aboard the mainland, so Ed says. Lieut. Watham, Seth [Plumb] and Ed Wadham have just arrived from the battlefield with sundry trophies from the rebels—letters, documents, etc. etc. They say the place where our troops had to fight was the most awful swamp they ever saw. We may be called to fight at the next engagement. I hope I may be spared to return to my dear old home and friends but if I fall on the field of battle, I trust that I may be able to meet you all around the throne of God—not through any merits of my own, but through the merits of Christ in whom I put my faith and trust.
With love to you all. I remain your affectionate son, — Joseph H. Vaill
Letter 3
This letter was written by Joseph H. Vaill from Knight General Hospital at New Haven, Connecticut. He wrote the letter to his family in Litchfield, Connecticut.
Knight [U. S. Army] General Hospital
New Haven, Connecticut
September 5th 1864
Dear Folks at Home,
I have not forgotten you though I failed to write to you last week, but I thought I had done so. I have had so much work on my hands of late that I have scarcely been able to tell what work I had done and what I had not, and I shall be full of work most or quite all of the time while I remain here, which will be (16) sixteen days longer. I now begin to count the days, and they will soon pass away, and I shall see you once more, no longer to be obliged to report in time or be “considered a deserter!”
As to my plans, I can only say that they are not fully developed as yet, but there is a prospect of my going to be chief clerk for Captain George W. Mason, A. Q. M., as he has made me the offer, if he is situated as he expects to be, and as he probably will be. Major [Pliny Adams] Jewett ¹ expects me to remain here but I shall enlighten him tomorrow, and when he finds that I have an offer from Capt. Mason, he will see at once that he will have to dispense with my services as he is only allowed to pay $24 per month with rations & quarter for his help — though I suspect from what Dr. [Levi D.] Wilcoxson told Bill Hull that the Major would increase my pay from the Hospital fund, but he would not think he could to more than $10 per month, I presume, making my pay $34 & board. But that would not do, for I can get $84.00 including rations if with Capt. Mason, and I could board myself for $20 per month, leaving a balance of $60 & +.
I hope to hear from George again as soon as he can let me know definitely on the subject so that in case I do not go with him, I can look out for a job elsewhere. I would rather be with George than anybody I can think of — (except — Emily Bouton] — or Nealer — they looking much alike and that’s why I like them). I wish George could get “Good” detailed to be in his office. I think we would be a happy trio and perhaps it will turn out so yet. I shall ask the Major tomorrow if I may be relieved here and spend the remainder of my time in Capt. Bullock’s office downtown, Assistant Q, M. Gen’l., where I can get my hand in for a few days. But i suspect that if he finds that I am really going, he will keep me at work here till my time is up.
I went to Norwalk Saturday night and spent the Sabbath with Henry M. Stanton (as per invitation). Mr. Stanton was one of my particular friends here last year — a sergeant in the 27th Connecticut [Co. C], wounded at the 1st Fredericksburg. I had a very pleasant time.²
Called at Mrs. Bouton’s by request of the Emily before mentioned, and had a pleasant time. Johnny [Benedict] Bouton, Emily’s brother, is here with a severe wound — improving however — and as was an acquaintance of mine in the 8th [Connecticut Infantry], I feel quite a good deal interested in his welfare (and his sister too).³
We are now at work on our pay rolls and they are the largest we ever had — 15 sheets, 4 sets, = total 60. 1100+ names. But we hope to finish them in the course of the week. I am glad I do not have to make out a set.
Cornelius was here about an hour last Saturday and went home the Sunday. His furlough will be out next Sunday so he will be here on Saturday. As to a furlough for Amos, I have heard the Major say nothing about it since he received your letter. I noticed it lying on your desk. But I am sure he will refuse it for the reason that if he gives one, he must 100 just such applications. Ashes! And the Major has decided that no man shall have two furloughs till all the men have had one, and you can see the justice of the thing at once. We are now allowed a percentage of men in hospital, and there are a great number who have yet been unable to go home. I would gladly get Amos home but the case is plain to see that the Major must have a will for his guidance.
As to Amos going to his regiment, the Major has nothing to do with that branch of the service at all. The Ward Surgeon’s recommend their convalescents for examination and the Board of Examiners (3) examine the men & as they report for duty, Veteran Reserve Corps, or retained for treatment. So the decision remains, and the Major never interferes with their decision. The probability is that he will not be returned to duty until he is able so Mr. Kilbourn will not think that Amos is going to the field before the Surgeons find out what ails him.
I can write no more tonight. 10:30 P.M. Write soon again. Love to all from your affectionate son & brother, — Joseph H. Vaill
¹ When New Haven, Connecticut, was chosen as the site for a new military hospital, Pliny Adams Jewett, next in line to become chief of surgery at Yale, sacrificed his private practice and eventually his future in New Haven to serve as chief of staff of the new thousand-bed Knight U.S. General Hospital.
² Henry M. Stanton (1833-1922) served 9 months with the 27th Connecticut as a sergeant. He enlisted in October 1862 and was mustered out at New Haven in July 1863. After the war, Henry earned a living in Norwalk, Connecticut, in the straw hat industry.
³ John William Bouton (1845-Aft1870) was the son of William Smith Bouton (1814-1890) and Margaret F. Hudson (1816-1884) of Norwalk, Connecticut. He enlisted in Co. H, 8th Connecticut Infantry in September 1861 when he was less than 17 year old. He reenlisted as a veteran in December 1863 and was slightly wounded in the attack on Fort Macon, North Carolina. He was later severely wounded near Petersburg, Virginia. He married Harriet Dunscomb of Danbury, Connecticut. His sister, Emily Virginia Bouton (1838-Aft1887), married Edward D. Taylor in 1874.
LETTER 4
Knight General Hospital
New Haven, Connecticut
November 29, 1864
7 A.M.
Dear Father,
While I am waiting for breakfast, I will “write you a few lines to let you know that I am well and hope these few lines will find you enjoying the same blessing” — or words to that effect.
I arrived here safely Saturday evening to the office direct, but found most of the boys out as they usually are after supper. Mr. Brown being “on pass,” I occupied his bed, but took my old seat at the table with the ladies, Medical cadets, and a few clerks. There are two tables of clerks — one that takes in everything and the other only the older and more responsible clerks. I found a great many changes here & a great many improvements. Since Dr. [Pliny Adams] Jewett came back, he has been at work on improvements in great earnest. I cannot tell you what he has done for I have not time, but I can say that he is now building a railroad from the kitchen to Wards One & Two for the conveyance of diet for those unable to leave their beds.
Sunday morning when the Major [Jewett] arrived, I went into his office and found him glad to see me. He said he would like to have me take charge of the Quartermasters Department and he said he would try Capt. Bullock, the Quartermaster at New Haven, who is responsible for the issue of clothing &c. and perhaps he could get some extra pay for me. I told him I would take all he could get for me, but don’t suppose there is any great probability of my getting anything extra.
Since I took charge of this Department, I have been very busy, but shall not have very much to do after I get caught up. I have a cosy little office all to myself with my bed in it, a little coal stove, and everything comfortable. I have an orderly to make my fire at 6, make my bed, and sweep out while I am at breakfast, and to look after the wants of the office generally.
I can find much more time to read by being by myself so, than formerly when I quartered with the other clerks. The boys in the office told me when I came that they hoped the Major would put me [in] my old place as Chief Clerk as they do not like Steward Morris at all, but I had much rather be where I am.
I close for breakfast. Yours affectionately, — J. H. Vaill
I am anxious to hear about Jeannie.
Letter 5
Assistant Quarter Masters Office
3rd Division, 25th Army Corps
Army of the James
January 4, 1865
Dear Father,
I wrote C. B. V. last Saturday from Washington City and requested him to forward the letter to you. I will now relate a part of travels since I wrote.
I left Washington Sunday P. M. for City Point, Va., on the steamer “City Point,” with Col. Hodge as Quartmaster Clerk and arrived at City Point at 2 P.M. Monday (Jan. 2). Col. Hodge made the passage very pleasant for me and took me into the State Room with him and we talked over the Litchfield County people from Roxbury to Buckhampsted. I expected to find Capt. Mason at City Point where I arrived there, but at Gen. Ingall’s office (Chief Quartermaster), I learned that the “Knickerbocker” had not arrived and of course Capt. Mason had not reported. So. Col. Hodge went with me to the Pro Marshall’s Office to get me a pass to the “front” by railroad and he (Col. H.) went to the 6th Corps Headquarters and I to the 2d Connecticut. I found Charley Hinsdale just about dark in front of the staff quarters and he secreted me until the adjutant started for supper when he said, “Here, Adjutant, do you know this fellow?” whereupon I received the grandest hugging and kissing I ever did from the same sex of myself. I was at once shown to the supper table and introduced to Col. Hubbard, Major Skinner, and Jones, who with [brother] Theodore compose the “mess.” I stayed over night and at noon the next day (Tuesday, Jan. 5th) went to the 6th Corps Headquarters to see Willis Gold who is chief clerk at Maj. Mellen’s, Pro. Mar. of the Corps.
I went to City Point at 3 P. M. to see if I could learn anything about Capt. Mason and on arriving there found an application at the Harbor Master’s Office that the “Knickerbocker” had arrived. But before I could find her whereabouts, she had hauled out into the stream to anchor and Capt. Mason had gone to report to Col. Dodge, Chief Quartermaster at Bermuda Hundred. The last boat had gone up from City Point so I could not see Capt. Mason that night so I returned to the 2nd [Connecticut] Artillery where I arrived at 8:30 P. M. and left the next morning at 9 A. M. yesterday. I found that I could not get to Bermuda Hundred before almost dark but I was bound to look up my quartermaster so I took the first boat from City Point and on arriving at Co. Dodge’s office, I found that Capt. Mason had been assigned to the 25th Army Corps. But as it was almost dark then, and the Headquarters of the Corps 7 miles off, I concluded to wait and take a good start in the morning. So the harbor master sent me out to the “Knickerbocker” on a steam ferry and I stayed over night o board and this morning got a pass by boat to [ ] and headquarters 25th A. C. but found that no boat would leave before 3 P. M. So I concluded to try my luck for a ride via the overland route and before I had gone one half mile, an ambulance overtook me and I asked the colored Jehu for a ride which he at once gave me. And just after crossing the pontoon bridge at “Aikens”, I met Capt. Mason on horseback and out I jumped from the ambulance and we embraced each other in the most affectionate manner for we were glad each to see the other.
I bade goodbye to the ambulance driver and took up a line of march for the 3rd Division Quartermasters of the 25th Corps. Capt. P. P. Barnard and Capt. B. told Capt. Mason that he would assign him to Brigade this afternoon.
We then left for Fort Sawyer near Dutch Gap, now commanded by Lieut. E. P. Mason but found Lieut. Mason ha just started for the front of Petersburg. So Capt. Mason that was as good a time as he should have o visit the 2nd Artillery. So he started at once via Bermuda Hundred and City Point and I cam eback to Capt, Barnard’s where I am going to stay over night. Geo.’s horse is with me.
He will be back tomorrow when I will write and let you know the number of our brigade so that your letters will reach us. There is move on foot towards Wilmington, I suppose this time to be successful, I hope. But you will see enough of it in the papers. As Brigade Quartermaster clerk I find the established rate of pay is $75 per month and one ration per day. For Division clerk, $100 and 1 ration. And Chief Quartermaster Clerk, $125 per month and 1 ration. So that my pay now will be 75 & 1 ration. And when Capt. Mason get a Division, I shall have 100. As soon as I write you my address, I shall hope ot hear all the news. In haste. Your affectionate son, — Joseph H. Vaill
Letter 6
Headquaters 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 25th A. C.
Wilmington, N. C.
February 26th 1865
Dear Brother Charley,
Your letter of the 13th inst. with $10 enclosed was received today.
Gen. Bates and Capt. Draper, A.A.A.G., ride out to the front today for the first time since our arrival here two days ago, and brought in our mail that had preceded us here—seven letters for Capt. Mason and five letters and two papers for me, which made me feel very sweet tempered indeed.
Capt. Mason has not arrived yet. I came on by the “Daniel Webster” while the Capt. was to come on the “General Lyon” with the horses, mules, and other means of transportation. I expect him here every hour. We started on the “Webster” as week ago today from Bermuda Hundred, and had a very smooth and pleasant passage through and arrived off Fort Fisher on Wednesday night.
Thursday afternoon we passed in over the “bar” and lay at anchor in Cape Fear River one night and early Friday morning started for Wilmington where we arrived in the course of the forenoon. Our steamer on her way up the river ran on some kind of sharp obstruction which cut a hole in her and made her leak very fast so that we barely got to the wharf—unloaded 700 troops and our 12 horses and got away just in time to run her on a sand bar to keep her from sinking.
We succeeded in getting nearly all of our baggage and stores from her hold but the rising water drove us off and we had to leave a few boxes and bales of clothing, a large number of knapsacks of troops already here, which now lie in 8 or 9 feet of water, and the Captain of the Webster says they will have to lie there until he can get a steam pump from New York as the water has risen over his engine furnaces so that he cannot get up steam.
We had only one box left in the hold which had nothing of importance in it but in its loss, we can lose quite a lot of little traps by certificate that we have lost at one time or another. You will have seen the capture of Wilmington in fuller details than I can give in the papers so I will say nothing about it. I am now stopping with Gen. Bates & staff and we have finest residence I have seen in Wilmington save one, and that is occupied by Gen. Schofield. We have gas—burns low though, piano—badly out of tune, and both tubs without water. It is reported that Gen. Terry has asked leave to put one division in the city that it may more easily harmonize with the colored recruits we are now enlisting by hundreds.
I have 4 other letters to write so that you will excuse this hasty one. I suppose you have received my trunk ere this sent to you by James A. Draper of Wayland, Mass. Please send this hoe.
Love to all. From your affectionate brother, — Joseph H. Vaill
Letter 6
Headquarters, 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 25th Army Corps
Nutt Mansion, Wilmington, North Carolina
February 27, 1865
Dear Brother,
I took passage at Bermuda Hundred on Sunday P. M. February 19th on the steamer “D. Webster” for Fort Fisher, N. C., when I arrived on the night of the Wednesday following after a safe and pleasant passage. We lay at anchor one night in the James River below Harrison’s Landing, and five hours off Ft. Monroe. Capt. Mason remained at Bermuda to take passage by the “Gen. Lyon” with the animals and means of transportation of the Brigade and up to date he has not arrived at this fort. It is reported this morning that “Gen. Lyon” is at Fort Fisher aground, but there is as yet no confirmation of the report. I hope to see him in the course of the day here.
The “Daniel Webster,” on her way up Cape Fear river ran against an unseen obstruction which cut a hole in her bottom, causing a leak which the pumps of the steamer could not work fast enough to keep the water below the engine fires. We had just time enough to reach the wharf, disembark our troops (700), get off horses (12) and run the steamer aground to keep her from sinking. There is now from 8 to 9 feet of water in her hold and a lot of knapsacks and baggage belonging to our division. We have only one box now in the hold and that contains nothing personal and nothing of great value. The Captain of the steamer says he cannot get the water out of the hold until he can get a steam pump as his furnaces are under water.
I am now stopping with General Bates and staff at the “Nutt Mansion” 1 in the city and have very fine quarters with all the modern improvements—gas, water, piano, etc. etc. Out table is supplied with chickens caught by our “mokes” about town, and this noon we are to have a “roaster” (pig) of about 40 lbs.
The people of Nutt Mansion have eloped with the retreating army, Mr. Henry Nutt being a very strong and influential rebel. The hangers on sort of family retainers still remain and occupy two or three rooms but are very quiet and submissive. I have a small chamber to myself upstairs with gas and a grate and a bedstead. There is no residence in Litchfield so fine as this and only one in this city and that is occupied by General Schofield. There is a report that one division will do Provost duty in the city in order to have better harmony with the colored population who are being recruited quite rapidly. About 1,000 are already enrolled in this city alone. Our forces are about 10 miles from the city in a northeasterly direction.
I went to church yesterday with the Inspector General. I do not know that any Episcopal Church were opened for the Rectors were undecided whether to pray for Abraham or Jeff and had been to see General Schofield and Bates in the matter. At the Presbyterian Church where we went, everything passed off well. The minister in prayers said that the troubles now upon us were because of our iniquity, and he prayed that the time would soon come when there would be a lasting peace and the establishment of freedom to all. Whether he meant our kind of freedom, or the South side view, I do not know. I wish you would write me immediately and send this home.
Love to “Good” and all others of my acquaintance. Your affectionate brother, — J. H. Vaill
1 The Henry Nutt house was built in 1850 and stood on the south side of Red Cross Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets in Wilmington, North Carolina. It was designed by James F. Post. It is no longer standing.
Letter 7
Wilmington, North Carolina
March 7, 1865
Dear Father,
Enclosed you will find $381 which is a part of the money Capt. Mason and I found after the capture of Wilmington. The whole amount found by us of the same kind of currency was about $4,000.
Please preserve it. It is worth jus as much here now as the Confederate money and if anything more. I send you $20 in Confederate money which I received from one of our staff officers for holding his horse three minutes.
Your affectionate son, — J. H. Vaill
Letter 8
Joseph H. Vaill wrote Letters 8 and 9 from the north end of Roanoke Island, a little over a mile from a home belonging to the heirs of Esther Meekin’s called “Sunnyside” which served as a dormitory for the lady teachers — most of them from New England. These teachers were affiliated with the Industrial School established there (1865-1866), in conjunction with the Freedman’s Bureau. At the end of the Civil War, some 3,500 African Americans were estimated to live on the island. [See also. Lucy Chase to Sarah Chase, January 12, 1865]
I have yet to learn what Joseph was doing on Roanoke Island in 1866. His letters suggest clerical duties, perhaps with the Quarter Master Department, though I suspect this was in a civilian capacity rather than military.
Roanoke Island, North Carolina
January 8, 1866
My Dear Sister Julia,
One thing I am not accustomed to do and that I am doing now — writing private letters during “office hours.” But it is a very cold wintry day and there is nothing in particular to hurry me at my desk so I take the liberty. I must beg you pardon for being such a delinquent correspondent, and I will promise not to do so anymore. But really the cause of my delinquency is not — as you may surmise — that I am too much engaged in the mysteries of Thorough Base, or that I have found charms in Yankee school moms that have unfitted me for writing letters. I like to receive letters as well as anybody — and good letters too. And I mean to answer them all, but your last epistolary production has almost overwhelmed me and I have just sufficiently recovered to know that I am but a common mortal and not of kin to the Gods. I am considered quite graceful (by myself) in the saddle — on an easy horse — but I dare not mount Pegasus for fear of lowering my fame as an equestrian. So you must content yourself with seeing me in proxy performance.
I have not heard from Litchfield since the church was trimmed so I do not know how it looked, or what the people said about it, or whether anybody had the audacity to put a cross! I hope there was one in every wreath. But I suppose I shall have shock the good people’s nerves a few times before they will submit to see that beautiful symbol grace the walls of an orthodox church. I would have enjoyed it very much to have been home during the Holidays but there seemed no way, so I remained quietly on Roanoke & went home mentally.
I am very sorry to hear that Mr. [George] Richards ¹ is lost to Litchfield for when and where shall we find the man to fill his place? Capt. Brown with whom I am now is from Boston and used to sing in Mr. Richard’s (Winter St.) [Congregational] Church and liked him very much. Capt. Brown is a very fine tenor and has sung with Mr. Gordon who used to play at Strong Place. We have fine times singing duets and occasionally we have a quartette though Dr. [Richard] Westerling, ² our base, has gone now, and we have to do the best we can.
The Holidays passed very pleasantly here. I did not attend any of the churches on Christmas but understand that the services at the 2d Baptist were very inspiring! The church edifice of the 2d Baptist Society is a grand structure — 30 x 20 — and the material in imitation of used pine boards and the imitation is so perfect that few can detect it.
New Years Day was a very pleasant season and we made our usual New Years calls which were very pleasant. Two other clerks were with me when calling at Sunnyside and we were invited to stay to dinner which we did and Mr. Merrill did the honors at one end of the table and I at the other, leaving Mr. [Charles R. (or B.)] Holman — the third clerk — to make himself generally agreeable. There are no gentlemen at “Sunnyside,” it being the home of the lady teachers connected with the “Freedman’s Association” so of course when we go up there we are made a great deal of. Nearly all of the teachers are from New England and it makes it very pleasant for us to have intelligent and refined society here.
There is a young lady from Litchfield here — Mary Green (Campville). — a niece of Mr. Green of Washington. She is acquainted with a good many whom I know in Litchfield & Washington. Mary Vaill, among others. Through Mary Green I heard some of the particulars of the “Brooklyn Tragedy” in which Fanny Stanwood (Dayton) was such a sufferer but the full particulars I have not learned. I suspected it must be her from what I saw in the Enquirer but did not know she was now called Dayton or that she had a brother. I notice in the Herald of the 5th that [William H.] Russ is dead. How is Fanny? I do not know whether she has survived or not. I would like to get the full particulars.³
From your affectionate brother, — J. H. V.
¹ George Richards, the fifth son and eighth child of Peter and Ann Channing (Huntington) Richards, was born in New London, Conn., Nov. 2d, 1816. He taught school for a short time, and in 1842 entered Andover Theological Seminary. A year later he removed to the Yale Theological Seminary, and 1844 became a Tutor in this College. He was ordained, Oct. 8th, 1845, as associate pastor of the Central (Congregational) Church, in Boston, where he remained until 1859, having become sole pastor in 1851. After a visit to Europe, he took charge of the Congregational Church in Litchfield, Conn., in Dec. 1860. Thence he removed at the close of the year 1865 to Bridgeport, Conn, where he was installed over the First Congregational Church, Jan. 3d, 1866. He was dismissed from this pastorate, Aug. 1870. For a year or two previous, Mr. Richards had been afflicted with a nervous disease, which was accompanied with partial loss of sight and impaired reason, and which finally resulted in his decease, at Bridgeport, Oct. 20th, 1870. In July, 1868, Mr. Richards was chosen a member of the Corporation of Yale College. He married, in 1846, Miss Anna M. Woodruff, of Philadelphia. [In 1871,] she [was] still living with five children: of whom the eldest son [was] a member of the Junior Class in this College. [Litchfield Historical Society]
² Richard Westerling was a surgeon with the 30th Maryland USCT.
³ Joe is referring to the 23 December 1865 attempted murder of Fanny M. (Stanwood) Dayton, a former resident of Litchfield, by William H. Russ — a deranged clerk — who fired three bullets into her head and then turned the gun on himself, firing two bullets into his own head. He died on 3 January 1866. She survived. A new Haven newpaper reported on 24 March 1866 that the three bullets had been extracted from Fanny’s head, adding that she “must be ball proof.”
LETTER 9
Roanoke Island, North Carolina
February 28, 1866
My Dear Sister Julia,
Business, however important, must stand aside now in order that I may write you a birthday letter. But I fear that you will get well on toward another birthday before this reaches you for there will be no mail steamer here from New Berne until next Saturday night so that the 3rd of March will see my letter still here. To tell you the truth, I am fully occupied with official writing now-a-days to feel like writing letters, and it is the greatest luxury to get way from my desk and feel that my Tri-Monthly Report has gone, and that there are not a dozen letters to be written to the Heads of Depts. It was not always thus with me here for I used to have plenty of leisure. But then we had two other clerks and they relieved me of a great deal of the work. But they were discharged the 31st of January and all of their work falls upon me so if I fail to write interesting letters, please say to yourself that Joe has so much writing to do and so much head work in making up his Abstracts of ___ that the poor fellow’s brain is beginning to soften.
The weather here now is most beautiful and equal to May’s weather in Litchfield. As I write, the birds are giving me a matinee (I am up early and have not had breakfast) and I can imagine that it would sound sweetly to your ears to hear it. I feel as if I ought to go out and hunt for Arbutus but I suppose there is none here. In a short time, the spring time flowers will appear and I hear that they are very beautiful — especially the jasmine. I can hardly realize that there may be cold weather and snow banks around the dear old homestead. I have been sitting at my desk some of late with my coat off & with no fire in the office! What do you think of that for February? But the weather has not all been so for we have had some very bitter weather even in February and then we couldn’t see the Sunny South.
I would like very much to drop in upon you about three days and help you boil sap and try the quality of the syrup on buckwheat, and I would also like to be at the school house to assist in spelling schools and in going home with the girls, but as I can’t, I must content myself with such entertainments as Roanoke Islands affords. Night before last, we had a quartette sing at the school house of the Rev. Mr. Nickerson and as it may be pleasant to know, [how] we get them up here, I will tell you.
At 7 o’clock P. M., I mounted my little black pony and taking a six mule team with an army wagon, proceeded to Sunnyside — a distance of little over one mile — where I found the ladies ready and waiting for me. I jumped them into the wagon and esconsed themselves down in the hay as we used to in the “old music box.” After gathering my load from three houses, the driver turned his leaders heads toward Mr. Nickerson’s school house and on our arrival there we found that the invited guests were all present to the number of 18 or 20. So Capt. Brown opened his Cabinet Organ, which had been sent up before dark, and I was requested to preside at the keyboard, which I did, and then came the familiar tunes from the Plymouth Collection. to name which would fill this whole sheet, and then the Greterox Collection absorbed our attention, after which came certain pieces of sheet music. Rock of Ages, Come Holy Spirit, and then I played the accompaniment to the Battle Prayer which Capt. Brown sung, which was encored. Capt. Brown is a very fine tenor and has sung in Boston a great deal and once sung in Mr. Richards’s Church, Winter Street.
But breakfast is announced and I must aways.
Saturday, March 3d 1866
I have been too busy to complete this letter and must send it as it is or it will have to wait until next Wednesday. Please tell Nettie I will try to get a letter off for her in the next Wednesday’s mail. The boat is coming. In haste. Your loving brother, — Joe
LETTER 10
This letter was written by Charles Bradley Holman (1841-1910), the son of Peter and Martha Park (Newton) Holman of Boston, Massachusetts. Charles enlisted as a private at Buffalo, New York, to serve 3 years in Co. D, 116th New York Infantry. For periods of time during his service, Charles was detached from his company to serve as a clerk for Alexander Goslin (1840-1919), the regimental quartermaster of the 116th New York. Charles’ service record indicates that he mustered out with his company at Washington D. C. in June 1865. Charles married Mary C. Gunn on 4 June 1870 in Boston, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of Rev. Samuel Lewis Gunn (1806-1875) and Charlotte Barbor (1811-1904) of Cornwall, Massachusetts — formerly of Litchfield, Connecticut, where the Vaill family lived. Mary Gunn was probably the “Miss Molly” Charles referred to in the opening paragraph.
From this letter we learn that Charles was once again working — probably as a civilian — for Goslin who took over for Capt. Brown as the assistant superintendent of the Freedman’s Bureau on Roanoke Island. By the time this letter was written in May 1866, however, things were not going so well on the island. When Dr. A. B. Chapin (mentioned in this letter) could not get anything but hard bread for his patients in the Freedmen’s Hospital at the site in the summer of 1866, he complained to superiors and even accused Holman of “selling government property and pocketing the proceeds.” Holman later left the island “abrubtly without permission, suggesting that he had been guilty of something, but Goslin’s reports for July gave no indication of any malfeasance.” [Time Full of Trial… by Patricia C. Click, page 185] It may be that Charles was an informant to Generals John Steedman & Joseph Fullerton in their investigation into the management of affairs of the Freedman’s Bureau on Roanoke Island? In any event, it was Goslin who was later found guilty of misappropriating funds during the performance of his duties at Roanoke Island. He spent seven months in prison, was fined three thousand dollars, and was dismissed from the service in April 1867.
Unrelated to this letter but as a point of interest, Charles B. Holman’s younger brother, James Henry Holman (1845-1864), served as a private in Co. A, 12th Wisconsin Infantry — enlisting when he was only 16 years old. On 25 July, 1864, in the fighting before Atlanta, his left arm was struck by a cannon ball that left it so badly mangled it had to be amputated the following day. Unfortunately for the young private, now 19, he died in a hospital at Marietta, Georgia, on 17 September 1864.
Isle de Roanoke
May 23d 1866
Dear Joe,
I have just heard from you, that you still live etc. indirectly — thro. Miss Molly. Why in thunder don’t you write me? Molly says you write that you have written me several times, &c. The only word I have received from you is the note you wrote from the “Fountain House,” Baltimore.
There is nothing whatever doing here. Dull as damnation. You got away just in time. The Peoples line have fizzled — never made but one trip after you left. We got a northern mail yesterday for the first time in about six weeks. We get the mail from E. City by small boats. Capt. Brown has gone to Hatteras with the co. We have Sgt. Tucker and eight privates on duty here. Capt. G[oslin] commanding post — Big Thing.
I was in hopes to to have got away from here ‘ere this but don’t see any prospect of getting off just now. Shall leave as soon as the Capt. will let me. ¹ Things are getting too much mixed to suit me. I think the prospects are that the “Bureau” will play out pretty soon.
Mrs. F[reeman] has not yet returned but Molly will tell you the news about “Sunnyside.” I expect she’ll tell you I’m a great bore (“re,” not “ar”) as I am up there about every eve. But honestly, Joe, Mollie is just the dearest little girl I know of.
You see I’m writing in a deuce of a hurry. I have got a large correspondence to get off by the boat expected today. We have about shut down on the Ration business — only 200 this morning. Have you see [John] Steedman & [Joseph S.] Fullerton’s report [alleging mis-management] about the [Freedman’s] Bureau? Big thing that. Truth too.
Joe, this is a desolate looking hole now. The Commissary Building rears its diminished head at Nag’s Head. The saw mill [“James’ Folly”] ² has disappeared. The halliards on the staff are broken and the flag of the free no longer waves over the Isle of the Ocean. Talk about banished. What’s banished but set free?
I don’t know as I ought to write to you, “you miserable ***” — a la Griggs. ³ I wish I could think of some more of his “pet names” to bestow upon you.
Yo may get this letter in the course of a week but the probabilities are that you won’t get it under a month. Let me hear all about your pleasant home, what your prospects are, &c. Little “G” still remains on the island and condescends to bestow the light of his countenance upon us poor, benighted Islanders. [Dr. A. B.] Chapin also yet blesses us with his company and edits the “daily slanderer.”
Miss Norton has gone home. Miss [Ella] Roper is going on the first boat (“bully for her”). Holbrook is at home after goods. Miss [Lydia G.] Stinson, by the way, has fallen in love with Hamilton — or he with her. They are always together and create no little scandal by their actions.
We — Capt. G[oslin], Little G, & myself have left the Hotel and started a mess using the house & kitchen where Capt. Brown lived.
Well, this is all of very little interest to you, I know, but what can a fellow write here in this confounded hole. Have you heard anything from David?
Let me hear from you soon and believe me, very truly, your sincere friend, — Chas. B. Holman
Remember me kindly to your orphan parents.
Do you intend to make any provision in your will for the maintenance of orphans on Roanoke Island — and if so, how much?
Address care of Capt. [Alexander] Goslin
¹ According to Patricia Click (personal communication) — After reporting that he had arrived on the island to replace Alexander Goslin, Hugo Hillebrandt wrote the following: “The Clerk Charles Holman has left the island for parts unknown day after Dr. Hogan left consequently unable to comply with the order arresting him.” [Hugo Hillebrandt to Col. Clinton A. Cilley, 19 August 1866, Letters Received, Headquarters, Records of the Assistant Commissioner for North Carolina, Record Group 105, series 2452, National Archives (M843, reel 7)] Dr. Hogan was M.K. Hogan, who at the time was Surgeon-in-Chief of the Freedmen’s Bureau in North Carolina.
² Capt. [Horace] James from Massachusetts was the assistant quartermaster of volunteers on Roanoke Island in 1865. It seems that he commandeered a mill and raised money from citizens in Massachusetts to purchase the machinery for the mill which he put up prior to June 1865. Subsequent to that, he became the disbursing officer of the Freedman’s Bureau on Roanoke Island.
³ I believe this is a reference to Lt. James H. Griggs of Co. L, 37th Regiment USCT, who garrisoned Fort Macon on Roanoke Island in 1866.
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