Item No. 8957913

Private James H. Mandeville was a clerk in the 5th Corps (though technically a member of the 140th New York) when he wrote this letter from Washington, DC, in late March 1865—only days before Lee’s surrender. Writing to a friend, Mandeville first discusses his prewar travels across the country starting in 1858, as well as his education at Penn Yan Academy, leading right up to the point when he was about to enter Genesee College. “But I didn’t enter,” he writes:

I enlisted 21 August, 1862. Joined my regiment, 44th N.Y. Vols. near Sharpsburg, Md, and performed such duties as I was able until detached and ordered upon duty at the Head Quarters 5th Army Corps, Maj. Gen. Dan’l Butterfield, Commanding, 26 Dec. 62. I was then Clerk to the Provost Marshal of that Command. 9 Sept. 1863 I was relieved, office Provost Marshal & made Clerk to Commissary Masters and Assistant Inspector General of the 5th Corps, with whom I remained until ordered to Washington, 29 April 1864.

Near the end of the letter Mandeville recounts having met and chatted with Major General Robert Anderson: “I saw the hero of Fort Sumter this morning & had 15 minutes talk with him. He is a very kind and approachable man.”

Mandeville would be discharged just a few weeks later. He had previously served with the 44th New York from October 1862 to October 1864.

The letter was written on a 4-page bifolium stationery sheet measuring 7 3/4” x 9 3/4”. Excellent condition with light toning. Creased at the original mailing folds. The letter’s full transcript follows:

War Department,
ADJUTANT GENERAL’S OFFICE,
Washington, March 30” 1865.

Dear Jim:
Your last letter was received only two or three days ago. I had not been to the Senator’s for a few days as he said a fortnight since that he would not now require my services, Congress having adjourned. Then Maggie has gone home. Jolly what a letter I sent to her! I meant for you to read it, but I forgot to say so. Do you think she is as much of a woman as Helen?

You have forgotten that some weeks past you asked me if you should tell me of the particulars of Sarah’s death; I never have learned them and should be very happy to know about that sad event.

Yesterday, it was just seven years since I left home, which was on my parents 20th wedding day (Mch. 29, 1838). I started that morning for Dixon, Illinois, where I remained until late in the fall of 1859, when I returned to my home in Potter. It was that winter that I, because acquainted with you and the family of that kind, but persecuted man Richard H. Williams.

In the Spring of 1860 I commenced school at Penn Yan Academy and upon the beginning of the following vacation went to Rochester, where I pursued a course of instruction at Eastman’s Commercial College.

I lived 10 1/2 miles from the College, boarded with my Grandmother, attended school from 5 July until 17 August, missing only 2 days, footed it to school, carried my “regular grub” in a tin pail, and during the period completed (with my rail road traveling) a journey of 850 miles. Then I went back to Penn Yan again and after another term at the Academy went to Rochester.

After wandering the streets there a few days I fell into the hands of Aaron Erickson, Esq., President of the Union Bank in the City, who procured me a situation in the store of the call from Mann Wilder Can and Co. (now Case & Mann) but I wasn’t cut out for a merchant, so I quit that and afterwards returned to school in Penn Yan, where I prepared to enter Genesee College, but I didn’t enter. I enlisted 21 August, 1862. Joined my regiment, 44th N.Y. Vols. near Sharpsburg, Md, and performed such duties as I was able until detached and ordered upon duty at the Head Quarters 5th Army Corps, Maj. Gen. Dan’l Butterfield, Commanding, 26 Dec. 62. I was then Clerk to the Provost Marshal of that Command. 9 Sept. 1863 I was relieved, office Provost Marshal & made Clerk to Commissary Masters and Assistant Inspector General of the 5th Corps, with whom I remained until ordered to Washington, 29 April 1864.

Since then I’ve been here & when I am mustered out of service of U.S. Oct. 4, 1865, I am going to San Francisco. I have seen and learned a great deal in these 7 years.

But to quit this personal strain, I saw the hero of Fort Sumter this morning & had 15 minutes talk with him. He is a very kind and approachable man.

I expect to have an introduction tomorrow evening to Mrs. Emma D.N. Southworth, who resides in Georgetown, by Mrs. Jane G. & miss Helen) the lady at whose house I live, No. 304 Tenth St. between H & O.

Let’s have a good long letter in reply. I want to hear from you.
Truly your friend,
James H. Mandeville

J.P. Harrington Esq. Peekskill N.Y.