Original Listing Description

Civil War Archive. Mass. 36th. Regt. Liberty W. Foskett.

































Here is an interesting archive of Civil War letters. Nineteen of these letters were written from Liberty W. Foskett to his sister Abbie Clement of So. Royalston, Mass. There are accounts of battles and fights and of aspects and challenges of daily living. Negro troops are mentioned during the description of the Battle Of The Crater. At a couple of different times the Union and Rebel troops get together peaceably between the lines in between bouts of fighting. There is a letter, written in pencil, which contains a list of the dead and wounded soldiers from Foskett’s company and I think that this list, might be the ending part of another of the letters which does not seem to have an ending. It is hard to know. All of the letters are written in ink. Transcribing the letters was a challenge and so I expect that as well as the spelling mistakes inherent in the letters there may be more than a few spelling mistakes more recently introduced as part of the transcription. There are eighteen envelopes present  and not matched up with the letters mostly with stamps removed. In addition to the letters from Liberty W. Foskett to his sister there is a letter from Charles F. Byam to Abbie Clement regarding the death of Byam’s wife Lizzie, and there is a letter from Wellington Foskett to his brother Liberty W. Foskett regarding Wellington’s time in the hospital nbsp;Letter # 1

 Camp Forbs Plesant Valey MD. October 17,

 Dear Sister,

I seat my self this afternoon to answer your long delayed
letter which came to hand last weak I am happy to say that to day finds me and
the rest of the boys enjoying the best of health and I hope this will find you
and the rest of your family enjoying the same blessing. I can say that I had
been enjoying the best of health ever since I came out here I hav not seen but
one day but what I have felt well and harty and that was the first days sail
from Boston we had not got more than 20 miles out of Boston when I was taken
sea sick and remained so all day it was the worst feeling that I ever had. Will
& Henry was not sick any of the way Charles was a little sick in the forenoon
but soon got over it I hav had a very pleasant time so far although we hav had
a good may hard marches I would give you a full account of our marches but I suspose
you have had a full account of them up to the present time I will give you an
account of a trip we had a weak a go today. we ware called out at 5 oclock in
the afternoon for dress parade we had just got on a line when we ware ordered
to put on our over coats and equipments and be ready to march it took us about
10 minutes to get ready and be on a line. we ware also ordered to take one days
ration of hard bread and salt ham the whole of our Brigade was then started
towards Harpers Ferry we all expected we was a going into a fight and that was
the calculation but we hapned to miss it. I tell you Abbie there was a good
many sick ones about that time. I will now go on with my description of out
trip we ware marched about a mile to the Rail Road Station and there got on to
the cars it took them until 8 oclock to get readdy to start we ware then
started of and rode till about 11 at knight and then ware ordered to get of and
formed a line. we found that we ware in the city of Frederick MD about 20 miles
from whare we got on the cars we ware all perty as we had to ride in open cars.
We ware marched on to the Main St in the City and thare stoped for the knight
it was a perty hard knight for us as we did not have our blankets with us and
our bed was the soft side of the pavements when we layed down but we had to
keep trotting up and down the street to keep worm we stoped there until 5
oclock in the morning. And ware then marched about half a mile out of the city and
there got our breakfast and stoped there until 10 and then ware marched threw
the city to the other side and there stoped till about 4 in the afternoon and
then ware marched to the depot and got on to the cars again we got started out
about 7 towards our own camp in Plesant Valey we went as far as Point of Rocks
and there ware ordered to get of the cars again we marched a few road from the
depot and halted for the knight. It looked very likely to rain when we got
there and so we went into a corn field and there got some stalks and made us a
tempery shelter for the knight it soon began to rain hard and we found that our
chanties afforded poor shelter for us as the rain drove right threw them we
stayed there until we got perty wet and then went in search of a better shelter
some went one way and some an other some of the boys drove the ??? out of there
chest and took Persion we stoped
around Point of Rocks until Wednesday and then ware marched bck to our old camp
Henry & Charles did not go Henry was a little sick and a little blue too.
And the teams was all left behind so that Charles did not hav to go I think I will
close now I think you will get tired of reading what I hav already ritten pleas
give my love to your family and take a large share your self Pleas rite often and
rite long letters and I will do the same pleas Except this from your Brother. As
I take pride in calling myself so

Liberty W Foskett

PS I had forgotten that Lizzie was with you pleas give my
love to hir also.

LWF

 Letter # 2

 Camp Forbs near Warington, VA
Nov. 12

 Dear Sister,

I seat myself this morning to
answer your letter which I was very thankful to receive, today finds me
enjoying the best of health and I hope this will find you all enjoying the same
blessing. Henry and Charles are well also Wellington is in the hospital at
Knoxville MD. He has been there about two weaks he got run down with the Direah
and it will take him some time to get all right again. Now Abbie don’t you say
a word about W. being in the hospital so that it will get to the friends in
Winchendon Since I wrote you last we have been on the move most of the. We
started from Plesant Valley two weaks ago and wed have been on the march about
every day since then. Some days we have marched 20 miles and 15 and 12 just as
they took a notion the first days march from Plesant Valley was the hardest for
us as it rained all day and knight. We started about 6 o’clock in the morning
from Plesant Valley and marched down the river to Berlin and here we stoped
about an ower in the rain waiting for the troops in front of us to cross the
river we crossed on a pontoon bridge made of boats we then marched about three
miles and then turned into a ry field to stop for the knight. About this time
we ware a hard looking set I can tell you we were wett threw to our hides and
all covered with mud from our hed to foot we pitched our tents at the lower
side of the Ry field and then tried to build a fire we made out after trying
some time but it did not do much good as the Rain would wet us faster than the
fire could dry us. We past the knight the best we could some the time we ware
at the fire and some time in our tents our tents served a poor purpose as the
rain would drive right threw the tents. But I came out of it all right and did
not get any cold but most of them got a bad cold. Since then we have past threw
Lovitsoil, Marshford, Hampton, Goose Creek, Chirch, Philmont, Nemon, Rector
Town, Salem, Orleans. And are now camped on a branch of the Rapanhanook River.
We had quite a snow storm here last Friday it came so that it covered the
ground all over. Since we got into Virginia we have been into foriging some we
don’t have a very good chance only when we are on pickit guard we were out last
week on pickit and I will tell you what we got there was chickens mutton honey
and walnuts and then we went into a mans cow yard and got what milk we could
that was not a great deal as the cows had been milked but a short time before
we got there. This seams like rather tuff work don’t it abbie. But you would
not blame us if you knew the disposition of the people out here. They  come out and say that they hope that all of
the Union Soldiers will get killed that are out here. You wanted to know how we
lived out here and I can tell you as a genral thing we have enuff to eat
although we are pretty short just now our principle living is salt pork and ham
and hard bread fresh beef beans once and a while we have rice and sometimes a
soup this is what we get as a general thing only when we are on a march then we
hav to live a little shorter for drink we have coffee but I do not drink any of
it for I think that it is the worst thing that a man can drink out here. In
regards to the quality of our pervisherns it is as a general thing pretty good
I have seen the meat and the bread when it was pretty well covered with buggs
but we would knock them of and call it pretty good that is when we ware pretty
hungry but this don’t happen very often I can get along tip top with the living
that we have. Our tents are called the shelter tents they are small one desined
for two in a tent but we crowd in three and four so as to lay warm we have two
blankets a woolin one and a rubbir one the rubbir one we lay on the ground and
the woolen one over us the shape of our tents is like this I am a tip top
drawer aint I abbie  Now I dont
want that you should say a thing about what I have ritten so that it will get
to mother. You wanted that I should write just as it was so I thought I would I
hav not ime to write any more this time. Pleas give my love to all of your
family and PS pleas write often and I will do the same I am greatly obliged to
you for the stamps and paper you sent me. Pleas Except this from your brother
and friend L.M. Foskett

 

 Letter #3

Camp Forbes Newport News. Mar.22th

Dear  Sister

I seat my self this morning to answer your letter which I
received last weak. I had begun to think that you had given up the idea of
writing to me again but I was happy to be disappointed I will now say that today finds me enjoying
the best of health and I hope this will find you and your family enjoying the same
great blessing we hav had one of the greatest storms here that we hav had here
since we came out here it commenced snowing day before yesterday and it has
kept it up till this morning there is now a foot of snow on the level and it
looks a good deal like winter we hav had very changeable weather for the last
two weaks one day it would be warm enuff to rost a man the next day it would be
uncomfortable with your overcoat on we are situated now on the plesantest campground
that we have been on since we left Worcester are camp is situated on the bank
of the James River and about one mile from the landing at Newport News we are
living pretty well now better than we have since we left Plesant Valley we have
soft bread all of the time with fresh meat & potatoes Occasionally and beans also and we can get all
of the oysters we want as there is any quantity of them in the James River just
front of our camp but we are under marching orders now and hav been for two
days we shall probably go today or to morow but where we are agoing I do not
know some think we are going to (Tenn) but I hardly think we shall but it is
hard telling where we should go as there is always Thowsand Stories afloat when
we are on the move. Charles was in my tent last knight he was well he had just
received a box from home and brot me up a plate full of the cakes & donuts &
cheese they ware very nice. Aldiss & Samuel & Henry are well Henry is
cooking with Mr Bowkir he likes that a great deal better than he does being in
the ranks you know there is no danger of getting shot there. I think I will
have to draw my letter to a close as it is most time for the mail to go out. pleas
giv my love to Lizzie B and the rest of your family & take a share your self pleas write often and I will do the
same

Pleas Except this from your brother & friend

Liberty W. Foskett

Newport News (Va) Mar 22th

 

Letter #4

Camp Dick Robberson near Branchville KY. April 19th
1963

Dear Sister

Being of from duty to day I think I will improve a few
moments in writing to you. I am happy to say that to day finds me enjoying the
best of health and I hope this may find you and your family enjoying the same
great blessings. I was happy to receive a letter from you and to hear that you
ware all well. Since I wrote you last we have been on the move most of the
time. We have traveled by railroad & steamboat & foot about twelve
hundred & fifty miles since we left since we left Newport News Va. Most of
the way I enjoyed it first rate only I got pretty tired as we rode night and
day for a weak. our accomerdations  on
the cars was not so good as they ware on boat we rode in box cars with seats in
them we went from Newport News to Baltimore in a steamer & there took the
cars and went threw Western Va. To Parkersburg Va. Here we took the steamer
(Boston) on the Ohio River and went then to Cincinnati Ohio. This trip down the
Ohio River was the pleasantest part of our journey. we stoped on the boat at Cincinnati
over night and the next morning we steamed acrost the River to the Key Side
here we got of from the boat and marched to the depot this being in Covington Ky.
Every thing went on nicely till we got here and here we had a Smashup. We ware marched
into a frate depot to wait for the cars and in this depot was about one hundred
barrels of Whiskey the boys was not long in finding it out and waited in and
got there name up in a short time but it was stoped as soon as the officers found
it out. It looked as if we had had a battle to see them lay about the depot a
good many of them about the same as dead there was several of Co D that ware
down maney that I was surprised to see to. We stoped here till most dark and
then took the cars for Lexington we arived the next morning at sunrise here we
had a very pleasant camping ground I think the pleasantess one we hav ever been
one since we left Worcester. Here we stopped one weak and then was ordered back
to Cincinnati to keep everything quiet during the election in the city we went
down one day and back the next we did not have anything to do as everything
went on sivilly during the election we ware ordered to march the next day after
getting back to Lexington the first march we went 16 miles to Nicholasville
here we halted for the night the next morning at 8 oclock we started again and
went 14 miles to Camp Dick Robberson where we are now encamped. Those 2 days
march used up the Boys the worst I ever saw them. It was very worm & the
roads ware hard and our feet ware very baddley blistered before we got thru it
was almost impossible for us to walk but after resting a day or two we came out
all right we hav a very pleasant camp ground here. And I think we shall stop
here for a while we are living very well now. better than we did on our journey
you wished to know if we ware expecting a fight that is a hard question to
answer as we are liable to called into battle most any time there is not a very
large force of Rebels this side of Cumberland Gap. There is a good many ?????? in
this part of the country Our pickets took in rebel prisoners the other day a
few miles from our camp.

 

Letter # 5

July 29, 1863

Camp at Milldale, Miss. July 29th.

Dear Sister,

Being at leisure this morning I  ???? myself to write a few lines to let you
know that I am still in the land of the living this morning finds me enjoying
the best of health and I hope this may find you and the rest of your family
enjoying the same Great blessing. We hav had the hardest time since we came
into Miss. That we have ever sean. from the time that we got into Miss till
Vicksburg we ware to work fortfyed and doing Picket duty at Milldale about 8
miles in the rear of Vicksburg as soon as Vicksburg was taken we ware sent of
after Johnston who was retreating toward the big black River we expected to
have overtaken him at the River but all we found there was a few Cavalry who
left as soon as they saw us a coming so we had to follow him with in a few miles
of the Jackson Miss – when we were with in about 4 miles of Jackson our
skirmishers ware thrown out and they commenced skirmishing the rest of our
brigade following them up on a line of battle. We drove the Rebs till we got
with in about one mile of the city when they made a stand and we held them
there without trying to advance. In the night we contrived to throw up brest
works so we ware somewhat protected from there bullets. I was in the Pitts 24
owers and on Reserve 24 owers while we were in the Rifle Pitts I fired 86
Rounds of Cartridges during the 24 owers. There was none of our Co. killed or
wounded. Co. F of our Regt. Lost two killed X 7 wounded when we ware in the
Pitts the Rebs sent in a flag of truce and we were ordered not to fire for one
ower.the Firing stopped on both Sides and we got out of our Pitts and commenced
talking with the Rebs – we told them to come over and get some Coffee and they
answered us by telling us to come over and get some Whiskey. Then they wanted
we should come over and see them we told them we would come halfway So we
started and went about half way to there works and they met us there we had
quite a talk with them. They seamed to be anxious to have this war closed up.
So they could go home. We talked with them till about 10 minutes before the
time was out when one of the Reb Captains took out his watch and said they must
go back they wished us good luck and we parted each for our brest works and we
ware soon firing at each other the Same as before. We stoped at Jackson till
the Rebs left and then we were sent out about 10 miles towards the ???? River
to destroy a portion of the Miss. Central RR here we tore up the track and
burnt the sleepers we also burnt the Depot and several box cars and then
started back towards our old camp at Milldale which we arrived at the 23rd.
while we were gone we were on half Rations and they were very poor at that.
When we ware on our way back to Milldale we had a very hard march some days we
went 20 miles and the time we got into Camp the Boys ware all wore out. I stood
it first rate and am all right today. We are expecting to go back to Reg. In a
few days and the sooner the better for I have just got sick of Miss. There is
one thing that is rather bad for us just now that is the Small Pox has got into
our Regt. There is 16 sick with it now they have been ???? to Vicksburg.
Probably there will be more that will hav it. we are having quite a fine lot of
fruit here now Peaches are just getting ripe and there is any quantity of Figs
here which are very nice. I shall hav to draw my letter to a close s I hav not
time to write any more If I could see you I could tell you mare that I can
write. This makes two letters that I have written since I have heard from you.
Soon pleas give my best respects Sylvendor and the Children and except this
from your affectionate brother.

Liberty W. Foskett

Milldale Miss

July 29th. 1863

 

Letter #6

Camp at Crab Orchard. KY. September 7,

Dear Sister

I received your letter a few weaks ago and had aught to hav
answerd it before but we hav been moving about so much that I hav not had time to
do anything. this morning finds me enjoying good health and I hope this may
find you & your family enjoying the same blessing. We are having a good
deal of duty to do just now we hav picket & camp guard duty to do and also
three howers drilling to do a day but I think it is better for us then it is to
lay in our tents and do nothing. there is a great many of our Company sick in
the Hospital there is three of our company that has died since we left Mississippi
the first one was Syrus Buffram the captains brother he diesdon the boat
between Cairo Ill. & Cincinnati O. after we got into camp at or nere
Hickinans Bridge Eugean King was taken sick and lived but a few days. I watched
with him one knight he was a very sick boy and was out of his head most of the
time. He was a very fine fellow and we miss him very much but that is the way
we all got to go. Yesterday we had word that an other of our Co. was dead his
name was William Washburn of Athol Charles Fisher of Templeton is very sick and
they do not think he will live. I tell you Abbie the Mississippi Campain was a
Tuff trip for the 36th I hope we shall never see anything like it
again but it is hard telling. When we first came on to this ground we had in
our Co. able for duty was 18 men and all we hav now is 25 the rest are not able
to do duty but I hav been tuff as a beare ever since I came out here but I am
not going to brag of my health for I may be taken sick at any time we are now
under marching orders and expect to start sometime this weak for they say Tenn.
But I do not know. Three of our Co. started home of there furlows the 2nd
and I suspose they will get home long before this letter reaches you chalrees
was one of them he was very hard up and it don’t seam as though he could stand
it to go so far but the excitement may keep him up I hope it will. It was very
sad news for Charles as it was for me to here of the Death of Lizzie although
it was not all together unexpected as I new how she was when little Charlie was
a babe and knowing she did but just live then I had but little hopes of hir  ever getting well. But it is hard to live to
little motherless & almost fartherless children amongst strangers as you
might say but I hope they will have a good place if there is one. Well Abbie it
is getting to be most time for the mail to go out so I must clos pleas give my
love to Sylvender & the children and take a share your self pleas write
often and long letters and

Except this from your affectionate Brother

Liberty W. Foskett.

Crab Orchard KY

September 7, 1863

 

Letter # 7

October 19, 1863

Camp, at, Knoxville. East. Tenn. Oct. 19th.

Dear Sister Abbie,

Yours of Oct. 2nd. I Received yesterday and was
very happy to hear from you and also to here that you was will and I am happy
to say that to Day finds me enjoying the best of health, and I hope this may find
you enjoying the Same blessing. You Spok in your letter about not Receiving as
many letters from me as you have ritten. I have always been very Punctual in
answering your letters and always shall it must be that they are delayed on the
Road. Since I wrote you last we have been a long Distance and over a Ruff
country we left Crab Orchard Sept 10th. And arrived at Knoxville on
the 27th. We crossed threw the Cumberland Gap and over the Clinch
Mountain which was the Rufest place that I ever saw we also had two rivers to
ford the Holston and the Clinch they ware about half a mile acrost, but I came
out of it all right. We hav also been in a fight sinced I wrote you last, I
will give you an account of it which may not be uninteresting to you. We left
Knoxville the 3rd of Oct. with 15 days rations and in light marching
order we took the cars For Bulls Gap some 65 miles from here we arrived there
about dark and camped nere the depot for the night the next morning we marched
out about ?? miles to Guard a bridge here we stoped 6 days till the rest of our
Div. came up with us on the 10th. We started out again and marched
perhaps 4 miles when we ware halted in a corn field the advance of our Columns
having come up with the Rebs Pickets they had a slight skirmish with them and
they fell back under the cover of there Battries which were just beyond the
Village of Blue Springs. Here 5,000 of our mounted infantry engaged them they
were engaged till the middle of the afternoon without driving the Rebs from
their position in the woods. Gen Burnside getting out of patience he made this
remark, I did not want to put in my 9th Corps but I shall have to
before we can drive them out our Div. was then ordered to the front we marched
up with in a few rods of our line of Battle as soon as our Skirmishers ware
sent out and our line was formed we began to advance we had not gone but a
short distance before we ware met by Shot and Shells from the Rebs line we kept
as low as possible and most of the shot past over our heads which rattled amongst
the trees like Hale Stones we kept on advancing till we came pretty close to
them when they fell back behind a rale fence and here calculated to hold us but
they could not come in as soon as we came in sight of them our Gen gave the
order to give it to them Boys and that was enuff ther came one of those Hideous
Yells throughout the whole Div and then we started for them they stood till we
got almost on to them when they broke and ran in confusion leaving there
wounded on the field we followed on after them till we came out in to an open
field we chased them over a small hill but had not gone but a few Rods before
we saw that we were in Plane sight of there Battries  before we had time to fall back over the top
of the hill they opened on us but we saw the Smoke from the mouth of the Canon
soon enuff to fall flat on to the ground and the Shell past just over our heads
by then we had orders to fall back over the top of the hill which we did as
soon as we got over the top of the hill we lay down in a line of ??? and lay
there all night it was when we made this charge over the hill that our Col. Was
wounded they kept on shelling us till about dark when the firing Seaced on both
sides it was while we lay on the Side Hill that George Wright of our Co. was
wounded he lay beside me so near that we tuched together the ball just passed
my head and struck him in the arm the next morning when we awok we expected to
hav an other fight but they had fled during the night we ware imeadiatly
started on after them and made a forced march of 20 miles but we could not
catch them but they had to leave some of there horses beside the road we
stopped there one day and then started back for Knoxville we marched into Bulls
Gap and there to the Cars and arrived in Knoxville the 15 safe and sound the
next day after the fight I was detailed at Brig HeadQuarters to take charge of
the Provost Guard I hav 7 men with me now perhaps you would like to know what I
hav to do when we are on marches I have to see to the putting up and taking down
of the headquarter tents and loading the wagons with the Headquarter Bagage

And after they are loaded to go with them and guard them
when we are in camp I do not have much to do only to look after things when we
are about the headquarters we also have charge
of all the prisoners that may be brot here we have one now. Well Abbie I hav
ritten this in an awfull hurry and I guess you will think so by the looks of it
since I hav been writing we hav got orders to be ready to march tomorow morning
but where we are a going is more than I can tell you I think though towards
Chatanooga I will have to say that I do not have any guard duty to do and when
we are on march I do not have any load to carry I shall now hav to close as I
hav got to see to drawing our rations. Pleas giv my love to all of your family
and take as I have your self write often and I will do the same. pleas except
this from your affectionate brother Liberty W. Foskett Knoxville East Tenn.

 

Letter # 8

Camp nere Strawberry Planes, East Tenn

Jan 19th 1864

Dear Sister Abbie,

You may think strange of my not writing you before this late
day but when you know the Sircumstances I don’t think that you will blame me
ever since I received you letter we have been on the move or in a fight or
expecting to be. We were driven out of our winter quarters at Lenoire by the
Rebel Gen. Longstreet with a large force of Rebs we retreated back towards
Knoxville but they came on to us so close that our Div. had to engage them at
Cambells Station some 20 miles from Knoxville here we lost some men there was
two out of our co that ware wouynded Livesay Hale and George Plumer both from
Winchendon Plumer was left on th3e field and died soon after we left our forces
kept falling back till we arrived at Knoxville here we made a stand and held
the Rebs at bay we were 17 days penned up at Knoxville the Rebs made one effort
to storm our fort but were repulsed with great slaughter there dead were
scattered from there lines to the fort ded and wounded all together I believe
that that was the worst looking sight that I have seen since I came into the
army. As soon as our reinforcements came up from Chattanooga they left toward
VA lines. We started after them the next day and went up as far as Rutlege some
40 miles from Knoxville here we stoped one night and then fell back to Blanes
Cross Roads where we hav been ever since till day before yeterdazy we  ???? on to this ground some 8 miles from the
Cross Roads. We have been in a poor condition ever since we left Knoxville we
hav neither had clothes nor rations I will tell you what rations we have had
half rations of bvread most of the time ¼ rations of sugar and coffee part of
the time full rations ????? beef till within a month we have had some days ¼
rations flour and some days 1/3 without any sugar or coffee well Abbie you know
about what kind of bread the poorest kind of flour would make with cold water
and salt and that is all that we hav to mix with. I would just like to have you
see some of the bread I tell you it makes my mouth water to think of it. We
have been very poorly on it for clothing but I believe there is some at the
Regts for us I hope so any way. I tell you Abbie this is little the worst State
that I have been in for grub and clothing. But then I am good for it that is so
every time. I am thinking of the good times a coming in about a year and a half
if I liv to see it. Most all of the Old Regt in our Corps has reenlisted for
three years and hav gone home on a 30 days furlow.  If they had given the 36th a
chance to reenlist I think most of them would have gone in I think that I
should for one but if they keep me till my time is most out I am afraid that I
can not see it although I am not so sick of the war as a good many are. But I
am sick enuff. We got orders to be ready to march this morning at 7 o’clock but
order was countermanded at day light where we ware going I do not know I think
though to the front as our forces had a fight up there yesterday and got a
little worsted so there I suppose that you know we have lost our Noble
Commander Gen. Burnside having gone into some other department but I am in
hopes that he will take his old 9th Corps with him wherever he may
go.  All of the Marshville boys that are
with the Regt are well Samuel Hale came up to the Regt. About two weeks ago he
left us when we came back to Ky from Miss Webster Chase I believe is on his way
to the Regt. Aldin is well. Henry is cooking for the Co. and is tuff as a bare.
Cooking is a much healthier place for a man than it is in the ranks you know.
Well I have written all that I can think of that will interest you this time.
Give my respects to Sylvender and giv the children all a kiss for me. Write
often and all of the news and Except this from your Affectionate Brother

Liberty W. Foskett

Strawberry Planes East Tenn

Jan 19th. 1864

 

 

Letter # 9

Camp at Annapolis, MD, April 9th. /64

Having given up all hopes of ever hearing from you again I
thought that I would write you once more. I hav ritten two letters to you since
I have received any from you. The last letter I received from you was November
11th but I am in hopes that there is some on the way for me. I am
going to think till I get one I am happy to say that today finds me enjoying
the best of health and I hope this may find you and the Rest of you family
enjoying the same blessing. You will see by the heading of my letter that we
have got out of Tenn we started from Morristown Tenn the morning of the 17th
March for Knoxville 42 miles distant after getting there we expected to hav
gotten on to the cars by way of Chgattanooga but instead of that we ware
ordered to get ready to march acrost the mountains well that made us feel very
good natured you may imagin and what made us feel still more pleasant was the
the Pay Master was ther to pay us of not having been payed for 4 months but Gen.
Wilcocks then in command of the Corps would not let him pay us of till we got
thru. I tell you if he ever comes in sight of the 9th Corps he will
get more grones than cheers. We started out of Knoxville the 21st of
Mar we went by the way of Jacksboro Crossing a range of the Cumberland
Mountains which ware very steep and ruff all of the Bagage was carried on Pack
Mules only what was sent by way of Chattanooga. We were 11 days marching thru
from Knoxville to Nicholasville KJY,the distance was 182 miles we made 16 6/11
miles per day we had two snow storms and three rain storms in the time so
taking everything in consideration we had a very pleasant time of it we stoped
in Nicholasville one night and the next morning we took the cars and went
through to Covington arriving there about midnight we then got of the cars and
marched about one mile and went into some Barrocks for the night we stoped here
one day I had a very good time while we were there I went all over the city and
the evening went over into Cincinnati and went to the Theatger on the third of
April we started from Covington and crossed the river and took the cars for
Columbus OH we arrived there a little after dark there we had a supper given us
we then started and went thru Sturbinsville OH here we were treated hansomely
by the people they met us at the Depot with there baskets filled with all kinds
of eatables which they distributed amongst us freely. We shall long remember
that place. We then went thru to Pittsburg Penn where we had a very good supper
given us from there we went thru to Baltimore we was one day in the city the
reason we stoped there was to keep everything ????? during an election which
they were having that day but everything passed of nicely and just before dark
we started for Annapolis we arrived there about 12 o’ clock that night we lay
on the cars till morning and then marched about one mile and marched into camp
beside the Rail Road we have got a very good camp ground and it will probably
be improved by drilling in a few days but I do not care for the drilling we
have got out of Tenn and got plenty of rations that is something that we had
not had a chance to sazy since we went in to Tenn till now. We shall probably
stop here a month or so and then we shall start on an expedition but where I do
not know it has been talked tha we should get a Furlow but I think the sight is
small although I presume sosme will get a chance to go but I don’t think that I
shall be for a furlow unless the whole Regt. Goes I rather I rather think that I
will wate till my time is out and then come home on a long Furlow if I am
spared so long. I hear that mother has been very sick with a fever but the last
letter I received she was better and I hope she is well by this time. I written
all that I can think of that will interest you this time hoping that you will
write me soon I will close. Pleas give my respects to all of our friends and
kiss the children for me.

Pleas Except this from your Affectionate Brother

Liberty W.Foskett

Camp at Annapolis MD

 

 

Letter #10

Camp at Annapolis, Md. Apr 22th/ 64

Dear Sister Abbie,

It is a fine plesant morning about the first one we hav had
since we came into Annapolis. This morning finds me enjoying the best of health
and I hope this may find you and the rest of our family the same I received
your letter last Wednsday and was very much pleased to here from you I had
about given up the idea of hearing from you again but when I received your
letter I did not think strang of your not writing we are now under marching
orders and expect to leve tomorrow but where we are agoing is more than I  now Some think one place and some think another
I think that we hav had a long time to recruit up in dont you well I guess that
we can stand it I think that we hav got some hard fighting to do this sumer. but
I hav the strongest faith to believe that we shall wipe out most of them before
next winter. although I dont think that the Rebelion will be crushed then for I
think that it will hold out till the last.

but they hav got to come under some time you said that you
should like my photograph so yesterday I went down to the city and tried to get
some taken but I could not get any taken so that I could get them before next
week and we shall probably leve here before then. So that it would not be of
any use to get them taken. So I got one taken in camp but it is not a very good
one but it may answer till I can get a better one. I was a good deal surprised
to here that mother had been so sick but I here that she is getting better and
I hope she will be in the enjoyment of good health before many days.

to my little Niece Carrie I was very  much pleased to get a line from you it was
quite interesting to me your mother says that you hav been very sick with the measles
that was to bad for a good little girl like you. but I suspose that you hav got
will now I dont suspose that I would now you now. if  I were to see you. You have grown so. it will
not be but a little while before you will get to be as big as your mother

Emma has been to the Dancing School hasnt She: well I would
like to be there to dance with hir I suspose that she is a very nice dancer well
Carrie perhaps that I will be at home by the time that you get ???? to dance
and then you and I and Emma will go to a Ball well Carrie I guess that I shall
hav to close give my love to Emma and Willie and Except this from your Uncle
Liberty well Abbie I hav about filled the sheat so I will hav to close by
wishing you good evening give my Respects to Sylvender and Except this from
your Brother & Friend

Liberty W Foskett

CO D 36 Regt. Mass Vol 9th AC

<br />Letter #11 in Hospital at City Point July 3rd

Dear Sister Abbie

Having plenty of time to my self now that I am in the hospital
I improve most of my time in writing although I do not get much news my health
is good and my thumb has got most healed up I shall go to my Regt tomorrow or
next day if nothing happens the hospital has been cleared out of all the worst
cases and hav gone to Washington and from there those that wish to go home on a
furlough can do so. the news from the front are nothing of importance of latiley
the rebels hav charged on our lines several times but without any success
having to fall back in disorder there is more or less charging on both sides
but neither has gained much since the 20th of last month we hav got
against the Rebels strongholds and it will be hard getting them out of there
works by charging on them but I think the way Grant will get them out will be
to cut the RRoads leading into Richmond if that can be done I think they will
get out of Petersburg and Richmond too but that is the thing to do I hope it
can be done I hav not received a letter from anyone since I came into the
hospital but I shall expect 15 or 20 when I get to the Regt. I hope so anyway. The
more the better well I hav written all that I can think of that will interest
you and I guess more to. Give my love to all of your family and anyone else
that inquires after me and kiss the children all around write often with all
the news and Except this from your affectionate Brother

L. W. Foskett

&nbsp;Letter # 12

Near Petersburg, VA July 19th, 1864

Being at leisure this afternoon I will improve a few moments
in writing to you. Today finds me enjoying good health and I hope that this
finds you and the rest of you family the same. my thumb has got healed up in
good shape although it is pretty tender yet. I came back to the Regt. About a
week ago I found a letter there from you which I was very much pleased to
receive.and was glad to here that you ware all well.most all of my letters that
came to the Regt. After I was wounded they sent back to Washington susposing
that I had ??? them ito the hospital. So I suspose that I never shall get them I
am very sorry for if there is anything that I prize it is letters that come
from Home but I want you Should all Rite and make up those I Received a letter
from mother since I got back with 4 dollars in it which I was very thankful for
as we have not been payed of for most 5 months Mother says 1 dollar I may thank
you for and I will a thousand times and I hope I may be able to pay you in full
sometime. There has not been any fighting of importance for a month but there
is constant Skirmishing and cannonading going on Day and Night but it does not
amount to anything there is one or more killed or wounded every day in front of
us. we are 48 owers on picket and 48 owers of &nbsp;you can get more information from the papers
than I can give you as to our situation I have not received a letter from the
Dr for a long time although I suspose that one of the letters that was sent
back to Washington was from him. I suspose that the people North are all scart
up about the rebels coming into Maryland well I hope it will be a good thing to
wake up there I dears the people North dont act as though there was any war
(that is some of them) if a man is drafted there is anuff to pay his three
hundred dollars and let him stay at home. If I look at it aright it is the men
that we hav got to hav to close up this war not the $300 but then they can do
as they think best for all I expect well I hav ritten all that I can think of for
this time giv my love to all of your family and except the same write often and
all the news and Except this from your

Affectionate Brother

Liberty W.Foskett

Co D 36th Regt. Mass VOL

1st Brig. Div 9th ac

PS Henry is well and cooking yet

&nbsp;

Letter # 13

Near Petersburg VA. August 5th, 1864

Dear Sister Abbie

Supposing that you have hurd of the big fight that took
place on the 30 of last month. I though I would penn you a few lines to let you
now that I am Safe and well. Thru mistake our Regt. Was not actually engaged
and lucky for us it was not. I suppose you have had a full description of the
fight in the papers but then I will write a few words on the Subject the first
thing in the morning was the blowing up of the rebel fort which lay just in
front of where our Regt. Was on Skirmish. That took place just after day light
it was a grand but awfull site. The first thing we felt was a tremendous jar. I
looked then towards the fort and such a site I never saw before the air was
filled with all kind of stuff which the fort contained men canon and all kinds
of arms ??? about a fort was flying in the air mixed in with the earth it
looked to me as more like a picture of a volcano as anything I can think of. As
soon as the fort went up all of our Batries opened up on there works after
cannonading about an hour the charge was made on there line of Brest works the
first was carried and everything was going on nicely when the 4 Div of Nigroes
made a charge and was repulsed and fell back in disorder so that all of our
forces had to fall back to our first line our loss was great the negroes lost
the most. At night our men held the same ground they did before they started in
the morning. The Rebel loss was also large there was a great many of the Rebels
was buried in there fort after we fell back all of our dead and wounded was
left between the two lines our men imeadiatly sent in a flag of truce in order
to get of our wounded and burry our dead but they would not except of it but
would alow our men to go over and give the wounded warmth and put tents over
them they lay there till the morning of August 1st when they
excepted of the truce and our wounded was carried of and the dead buried. Since
then everything has passed of quietly till last night just before dark the
Rebels under took to blow up one of our forts but they did not get there powder
under the fort as soon as they blew up what they supposed was the fort they
started to charge but our men poured in grape and canister shot and they fell
back there was considerable cannonading for about two owers when everything was
as calm as before what the next move will be is more than I now. The weather is
very hot here it is most time for the male to go out so I shall have to close give
my love to Sylvandor and the children and write often and all the news.

Pleas Except this from your Affectionate
Brother

Liberty W. Foskett

36th Regt. Mass
vol

9th Army Corps

Washington DC

The above is a correct way to
direct letters to me

<br />Letter # 14

Near the Weldon Rail Road, VA
Aug 29th

Dear Sister Abbie,

Yours of the 21st
came to hand in due time and I was much pleased to here from you also to here
that you was all well and I am happy to say that today finds me enjoying my
usual good health and I hope this may find you all the same. you will see by
the heading of my lketter that we have moved since I wrote you last. We are now
Situated on the Weldon Rail Road and connect onto the 5th Corps on
there right. The 5th Corps. Came here a few days before we did and
took the Weldon Rail Road and we came down to Reenforce them we got them just
in season to save them from going to Richmond as the Rebels had got them almost
surrounded

Gen Wilcocks Div was the
first of our Corps to get into a line and engaged the enemy and drove them back
after having a pretty hard fight. Our Div was in the Skirmish line some more
than a day when we formed our line and built our brest works and have laid
hewre ever since. The Rebels have made several attempts to dislodge us from the
Rail Road but has been repulsed every time with great loss. We have got very
strong works and I think we can hold them. I here Old Lee says he will take the
RR back if it takes every man he has got. We now that it is a great loss to the
Rebels losing the road and I presume they will make a desperate effort to drive
us back. What the next movement will be is yet to be nown. Some mysterious move
without doubt. I received a letter from Levi a few days ago he thought his
health was some better than it was but he did not write where to direct so I
cannot write to him until I learn where to direct. Fsor a week past we have had
a good deal of rain which makes the roads very muddy. So that it is difficult
getting thro with Artillary. But the are is much more refreshing. There is but
little firing in front of our Corps since we cam here but we are in hearing of the
firing from where we came from which is kept up the same as when we were there.
If I live to get threw thjis campaign I think I shall come home on a furlough
this fall or Winter if we are in this part of the country it is about time to
sart us of to some other part of the United St but I do not think they can get
us into a worse place than the Army of the Potomac. The health of the Regt is
very good at this present time muc h better than it was last year. At this time
we have but few back sick in the hospital. Several of our boys that was back in
the Hospital have come up within a week. Salem Hill is one of them he is
looking ruff as a Bone. Hdenry is cooking yet and is well. They have just
commenced cannonading and we have got to lok out for an attack so I shall have
to draw my letter to a close.

Pleas write often and all the
news give my respects to Sylvander and the children giving them each a kiss tell
Carie I was much pleased with her ????

Pleas Except this from your
own Affectionate Brother

Liberty W. Foskett

&nbsp;

Letter # 15

Pegrams Farm VA Oct 13th
1864

Dear Sister Abbie

Having a few leisure moments
this afternoon I will improve them by writing to you I am happy to say that
today finds me enjoying my usual good health and I hope this may find you all
the same you have doubtless heard of the fight which took place on the 30th
of last month near Pyrams Farms in which we were engaged we broke camp on the
morning of the 30th about 10 o’clock in the forenoon and Comenced
our advance the 5th Corps taking the lead our Corps being there
support we had not gone far before our advance came on to the Rebel pickets and
drove them in and the fun soon commenced they charged on there first line and
took it without much opposition after resting hear for a while our Corps took
the lead and commenced to advance but did not go far before we came on to them
and commenced the days fight. We drove them for about ½ a mile when we were
flanked both left and right and had to fall back in falling back we got separated
and every man was for himself I went as far as I could and layed down beside a
brook to get some water and to get a little rested but I had not been there but
a little while when I heard the Rebel cavalry coming up in my rear and I
started double quick they got site of me and let the bullets after me in quick
time but I happened to escape them as it had now got to be dark and being in a
thick woods they lost site of me I own my life to the darkness of the night and
thick woods. I was nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; nbsp; ???????
about ½ a mile from the battle field and there formed our lines&nbsp; I got inside of our pickets about 8 o’clock and
found a few of our Regts about 9. The boys kept coming in all night and some
did not get in till the next day our Regt lost in killed wounded and missing 35
our. Co. 5. Charles Underwood of Templeton was wounded and left on the field
F.A. Osborn of Royalton was wounded in the head and ???? he got off from the
field John Lory was wounded in the leg and got back Martin V Couburn is missing
also Geo. W. Bowker and Susposed to be prisoners. The last I see of Bowker was
about half way back from the battle field our lines are now established in good
shape and I think we can hold them. Constant skirmishing is agoing on the
length of our lines but it does not amount to anything the weather is getting
to be rather cold and we begin to think of winter quarters but I presume we
shall not get them it will be something now if we do. I received a letter from
Levi a few days ago you say you do not now wheather it is Leslie Wilder or
Lossie Foskett I should think you must find out pretty easy I think I could if
I were at home. I think it is very doubtful about my coming home on a Furlough
this fall. I expect you had or are expecting to hav a visit from our Champlain
Copusins I should like very much to be there my self to hav a visit with them
but that cannot be. I will now hav to close as my sheet is about full My love
to Sylvendor and the children and except thjis with much love from your

Affectionate Brother

Liberty W. Foskett

&nbsp;

Letter # 16

Front Of Petersburg, VA, Dec.
27th.

Dear Sister Abbie,

Being at leisure this morning
I will improve a few moments by writing to you. This morning finds me the same
as usual enjoying good health. And I trust that this may find you all thje
same. . we have moved since I wrote you last we are now in Fort Rice doing
garrison duty it is a much different place than we had on the left of our lines
here there is constant skirmishing thru the night also cannonading. There is
but little skirmishing thru the day. Most of the cannonading is done in the day
time. We can keep paertly safe inside the fort unless the Johnnies get to
throwing mortar shells. Then we have to find our holes inside the bomb proof.
They have thrown several inside of the fort but know one of our Regt has been
hurt by them as yet. We have got very good quarters here now considering that
we are on the front line. We have rather uncomfortable weather here for the
last two weeks cold and raining most of the time. We have had a little snow
once about two inches but it did not last long. Deserters are coming into our
lines every night. Last week there was 70 came in. they average from 30 to 50 a
night. That will reduce Lee’s army by spring if they keep it up. According to
the accounts in the paper Sherman is doing a big thing as well as Thomas which
you know as much about as I do. Well Abbie we are 8 months men now just 8
months from today our time will be out. Unless we reenlist which we shall all
probably do (over the left) I received a letter from Wellington and one from
mother yesterdaysaying that they were all well Know further news. Mr Osborn has
got back to the regiment he spoke of seeing you on the cures. Tell Carrie and
Miller that there letters were very interesting and should be pleased to hear
from them again. Say to Emma she must write to me and I will anser it. I received
a letter from Levi the other day saying that his health was improving which I
was pleased to hear you say that you do not think that he is happy I’m very
sorry of that I don’t know why he should not be unless it is on account of his
health. You say that you sazhll always call me brother and I assure you that I
shall always be proud to call you sister. I left home to be in that state. I
think you must be endowed with bost sence and knowledge to write such
interesting letters as yours always are. I shall hav to send this letter
without a stamp as I hav not got any and cannot get any out here now. But I
very much dislike to it out hope you will excuse me this time as my sheet is
getting nearly full I shall have to close. My love to S and the children and don’t
forget to have a share yourself. Wrtite often and all the news. Pleas except
this from your affectionate brother. Liberty W. Foskett.

&nbsp;

Letter #17

Fort Rice before Petersburg
Va January 31st

Dear Sister Abbie

Your of the 26th I
received yesterday and was most pleased to here from you also to hear that you
are all well I am happy to say that today finds me enjoying my usual good
health. there has nothing of importance taken place hear since I wrote you
last. we are still in fort Rice as you will see by the heading of my letter. we
have been expecting to be relieved by the 5th Corps for some time
but there is know more sines of it now then there was a month ago. everything is
very quiet along the line there is but little picket firing either day or night
our picket lines are so close to the other that our boys are talking with the Johnies
all of the time. Yesterday they had a great time cutting trees between the
picket lines there was a tree in front of our regiment about half way between
our line and the Johnies so our boys agreed with the Johnies to come half way
and cut the tree and divide it equal so they both started and come together and
cut the tree and divided it and carried half into our pits and half into theirs
: after that they was trading together all day. Trading Jack knives and such
trinkets for tobacco mostly.&nbsp; There has
been a flag of truce out two days agoing for some cause or other there is all
sorts of stories as to its meaning but none that can be relied upon. we are
having very fine weather hear now it is pretty cool&nbsp; but pleasant we hav know snow. They are
granting 5th regiment artillery of the enlisted men furloughs there
is&nbsp; given a number out of our Regt that
are at home now on 20 days furloughs there is one out of our company George S
Wright of Templeton our captain is at home on a 20 days furlough. So I am in
command of the Co and I do not get any time to go any where but my work is not
hard. I dont think of coming home on a furlough as we hav not got but 7 months
longer to stop with Uncle Sam and then if I am spared I shall visit old
Massachusetts. there was a piece in the papers a few days ago saying that Gen
Burnside was to hav command if it be true we shall probably go where ever he
has a command. I hope he will hav a command out side of this department as this
is not a very desirable place. I received a letter from mother &amp; one from
Levi a few days ago saying they were all well I am happy to here that Levi is
enjoying himself so well. You speak of seeing a Miss Flint and also of a young
man by the name of Lionel in the Regt who corresponds with her Edwin. Lionel of
whom you speak is a member of our company and tents with me. I hav hurd him
speak of Miss Flint several times and I was aware that he corresponds with hir
and I think he thinks a great deal of hir I was a little surprised to hear that
she did not hav the love for him. as for my name being on a slip of paper in
one of his letters is a mistry to me as I do not know anything about it it must
been threw misstake as Lionel says he does not know anything about it Lionel is
a good fellow and I hope she will not disappoint him I am a thousand times
obliged to you for those stamps you sent. Now Abbie write of home and all of
the news give my love to Sylvender and kiss the children tell Emma I did expect
a letter from hir soon I will now close by wishing you good night please except
from your true Brother Liberty W. Foskett

&nbsp;

Letter # 18

Camp at Farmville Va

April 16th 1865

Dear Sister Abbie

Having a few leisure moments
to spare this afternoon I will improve them in writing to you to let you know
that I am still in the land of the living. I hav not time to give you a full
account of what we have thru since we left Petersburg and the fight there we
ware not actively engaged but ware where we could see the whole of the days
fight.&nbsp; We ware left in Fort Rice for guard
for Gen. Park our Corps Commander. His HD Quarters ware in the Fort during the
days fight we ware sent for three diferent times to charge on one of the enemys
Forts in our front but Gen Park would not let us go and it was a very lucky bit
for us that he kept us the enemy left the night after the fight and we started
on after them. we went threw Petersburg and had a good chance to see where our
shells had smashed into some of the buildings. Just before we got into
Petersburg the President ? and General Grant passed us and went into Petersburg
and from there to Richmond our line of march has been from Petersburg along the
South Side RR we hav not had a chance to do any fighting since we left our fort
in front of Petersburg the Cavalry has had considerable fighting to do until we
got here surrounded some 20 miles along here he had to surrender the whole of
is Army which you hav heard a full account of before this the whole of the Army
came back here to draw rations before starting for ther homes officers as well
as men I hav had a chance to see most of his &nbsp;general officers and all of there enlisted men
???? glad that the war seems so near to a close there is everything ?? that there
is to know more fighting to be done in Virginia of any importance there best
Army is disbanded and sent to there homes with there leading General. we do not
expect to stop here but a few days longer but where we are to go is more than I
know. We may go to Texas Ithink there is where the fighting will be if there is
any more to speak of &nbsp;Johnsons Army will
go up if it hasnt already unless he will have to surrender for Texas and that
will be death to him and his. A slight description of Farmville and I will
close. it was once a flourishing cattle village some larger than Winchendon
most of the buildings are built of brick theres three large meeting houses in
the place two hotels town house and several large Tobaco establishments it is
situated on the capitals south side RR and on the Appotomatox river it is a hot
??? hole but the inhabitants keep fairly ? ?? there are several large stores in
the place but they are all closed

Well sister this has been a
short letter but I hav not time to write anymore. My Respects to S &amp; the
children and a share your self Please write often and all the news and remember
your affectionate

Brother

Liberty W. Foskett

&nbsp;

Letter # 19

Camp 36th Regiment
Mass Vols

Near Alexandria Va

May 17th 1865

&nbsp;

Dear sister

It being to hot a day for
drilling I will improve a few moments in writing to you today finds me enjoying
the best of health and I trust that this may find you &amp; the rest of your
family the same we are stationed some two miles from Alexandria just outside of
the ??confines of the city we hav got a very pleasant camp ground and are
having a pretty easy time to what we have had since we came into Uncle Sams Service
we hav to drill two hours per day and dress parade. the weather today is part
warm and we hav to keep under the shade to keep comfortable the most of the Army
of the Potomac is stationed about Washington &amp; Alexandria awaiting the
final review of the Army and then I understand that they are to commence to
muster out some of the troops. I think that we shall get home before our time
is out and a good many think we shall be home by the middle of next month I
trust that we shall but do not know. I do not think there will be any more fighting
in this section of the country there may be a little in Texas but they will
soon be wiped out. I little thought two months ago that the Rebellion would be
wiped out so soon but after the surrender of Lees Army they ware given up and
they all felt it. I got a letter from Levi a short time ago and he thought that
he should come out and see some of the old battlefields I should like to show
him round if I could get a furlough to go back to City Point Va. But I do not suspose
that I could get away now as we are straitenning out the Companies Accounts and
shall be pretty buisey until we get out of the service. I will send you a Photograph
of my Tent-mate it is a poor picture but looks a little like him. as it is most
time for the mail to go out I shall hav to close my respects to Sylvender &amp;
the children and a share yourself. And except this from your affectionate
Brother

Liberty W. Foskett

Co D 36th Regt.
Mass Vols

Henry has just come up to my
tent and says give my respects to Abbie

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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gsrx vers 856 (GS 7.0.20 (856))

Note: This item has been sold and is no longer available. This page serves as a historical price reference for Civil War collectors and appraisers.