Item No. 5925803

An archive of five letters and documents related to Lieutenant Charles H. Pixley, 1st Vermont Cavalry. Hailing from Enosburg Falls, Pixley had served with the regiment since its founding and was quartermaster sergeant of Company B before being promoted to second lieutenant on February 1, 1863. The regiment was spread out during that time in order to protect the Washington defenses from partisans—Confederate John S. Mosby and his Rangers were just then becoming active in the region. According to Vermont in the Civil War Vol. II, by George G. Benedict, “while attempting to ford Broad Run, Lieutenant Charles H. Pixley, of Company B, having spurred his horse into the current to encourage his reluctant men, was swept from the saddle and drowned. His body was recovered two days after.” A footnote in Benedict’s work adds:

Lieutenant Pixley was one of the most spirited and capable young officers of the regiment. He was a native of West Fairlee; but had removed thence with his parents to Enosburgh Falls, where he enlisted in the cavalry. He was appointed quartermaster’s sergeant of company B, attracted notice by his efficiency and received a commission as second lieutenant. He was a fine soldier and general favorite in the regiment. (p. 581)

Included in the archive are:

1. October 1858 letter from Charles Pixley in which he writes, “We have a young mens’ lyceum here, of which I am the President. Our lyceums are better than those we had last year. I study hard & do not go to see the girls as much as I did.” Another writer, presumably Pixley’s mother, adds more news to the end of the sheet. “Do you have the Comet there, or is it too cloudy?” she writes. The comet Donati was widely observed across the Northern Hemisphere during this time, peaking in early October 1858.

2. An orphaned sheet from a letter written by Charles Pixley. No date, but evidently from the 1st Vermont Cavalry’s rendezvous camp in 1861. Excerpts include, “I was fool enough this noon to mount a colt with a rope round his neck and after quite a struggle I was landed a rod off on my back.” And, “I do not think that the regiment will remain here a great while. Some say we are to ride our horses all the way to Washington, but that can hardly be. This is quite romantic business, this soldering, especially at night. We have a splendid opportunity for reading nights.”

3. July 1863 letter by Lieutenant Urban A. Woodbury of the Invalid Corps, formerly of the 2nd Vermont. According to records, Woodbury had been wounded at First Bull Run, had his arm amputated, and returned to service with the 1st Vermont Heavy Artillery. He transferred to the Invalid Corps in June 1863. Woodbury’s brother, Charles A. Woodbury, was first lieutenant in Pixley’s company, and was killed April 1, 1863. In the letter, Urban Woodbury writes, “Among the effects of my brother—who was shot at Dranesville Va—I found the enclosed commission, which formerly belonged to your son. Thinking that you would like it, I take pleasure in forwarding it to you.”

4. Copy of the February 1863 order promoting Pixley to second lieutenant (Woodbury’s enclosure).

5. A letter dated August 17, 1863, from the Post Office Department’s Dead Letter Office, addressed to “Officer Comd’g 1st Vt Cavly,” and requesting information about Lieut. Pixley. Colonel Edward B. Sawyer wrote his response and signed on the reverse: “Lt. C. H. Pixley, Co. B, this regiment, was drowned Feb. 19th 1863 in Difficult Run Va. His Brother J. K. Pixley lives at “Fort Edward” N.Y., is a Teller in Farmer’s Bank there, and can give information. E. B. Sawyer, Col. First Vermont Cavalry.”

The documents vary in size from 5” x 8” to 8” x 10”. Light toning, else fine. Creased at the original folds. The full letter transcripts appear below.

No. 1

Enosburgh Falls Vt  Oct 2nd 58

Dear friend
Although you have not answered my letter yet, as I suppose you will be anxious to hear from home, I think I will write you a few lines. In the first place, we are having a school here & a very good one, in which your uncle goes ahead of everything on grammar, arithmetic, & algebra, & is a match for anything on reading & on speaking for anything except Stebbins, who has practiced a great deal more than I. I have applied for a school in the Jeffreys’ neighborhood & think that I shall get it at $16 dollars a month. I shall know in a week for sure. Edwin Bust has a daughter. I want you should send me that poem read by A. J. Davis. The world would be the better for it. Northway keeps a sum shop, but you need not fear for me. We have a young mens’ lyceum here, of which I am the President. Our lyceums are better than those we had last year. I study hard & do not go to see the girls as much as I did. Our representative is A. W. Woodworth. Small potatoes. If I can teach a school this winter, I want to go into some business next spring. Be sure and bring those miniatures of father & of mother with you. Harriet Cross has gone to Lancaster. F. C. Kimball has bought out Mr. Fesnald. Do you like school teaching any better? Love to uncle & aunt. Write soon.
C. H. Pixley

[In another hand]

Dear M.
This would have gone yesterday, but Charles kept the pen & ink at School. I have not much time now. I have washed today, cooked a hen, & baked pumpkin pies, but hold out very well. Only shall write poorly. I have been thinking that you would need woolen stockings. I could have sent you some by Mr. Sampson, but that then you would be coming home as was talked of. You must not wear thin ones in cold weather, but must be careful of your health.

Last week Tuesday Esra Stitron & his wife took dinner here. He is just from Cal. They called 2 ays before going to Montgomery, so I was expecting them cooked chickens, &c., & had Edna Fapes to help me, & had quite a time. Ell has just come from Mrs. B. Says she heard that Chaney & Hannah Willey were going to be married. They had your father at E. Burts. Ell says on your account. We expect either to hear from Canada, or see some of them before long. Do you have the Comet there, or is it too cloudy? They call Robinson a good teacher, & the school is soon going into the basement of the church. Write soon & let us know how you fare.

No. 2

A Corporal came in drained last night and lost his place in consequence. The first man tight. The Montpelier and Rutland Cos. are splendid fellows. I am already acquainted with the Chaplain and some of other officers. Mr. Ring of Northfield is Quartermaster of the Montpr. Co. He was acquainted with uncle H. Charles and remembers seeing Mary. I am glad Caldwell is going. How are all the children?

The Capt. says he thinks I can go to Enosburgh Friday morning. If Daniel is going down to St. Albans that day, it will come handy. I shall stay over Sunday. One of the boys on my right is studying a Great Testament.

I was fool enough this noon to mount a colt with a rope round his neck and after quite a struggle I was landed a rod off on my back.

Have you heard from Judah this week, and what does he write? You must write at once, that I may get the letter before I go home. And tell me if Daniel is coming to St. Albans Friday or not. I do not think that the regiment will remain here a great while. Some say we are to ride our horses all the way to Washington, but that can hardly be. This is quite romantic business, this soldering, especially at night. We have a splendid opportunity for reading nights.

I shall have no need of any more clothes until I come home, and if our uniform comes this week I can wear it home. I must close.
Much love to all
Quartmr. C. H. Pixley

Nos. 3 & 4

Camp on Meridian Hill D.C.
July 8th 1863

To the Parents of Lieut. Pixley,
Among the effects of my brother—who was shot at Dranesville Va—I found the enclosed commission, which formerly belonged to your son. Thinking that you would like it, I take pleasure in forwarding it to you.
Very respectfully Yours
U. A. Woodbury
1st Lt. 3rd Co. 1st Bat.
Invalid Corps

Head Quarters 1st Vt Cavalry
Near Fort Scott Va Feb 1st 1863

Special Order
No. 41

Extract

IV. Company Quartermaster Sgt. Charles H. Pixley, Co. B, 1st Vermont Cavalry, having been promoted to be 2d Lieut. of said Company, will be on duty in that capacity from Feb 1st 1863.
By Order of
Col. E. B. Sawyer

C. D. Gates
Adjutant

For 2nd Lieut. Pixley, Co. B.

No. 5 (reverse)

Head Quarters 1st Vt Cav.
August 22 1863

Lt. C. H. Pixley, Co. B, this regiment, was drowned Feb. 19th 1863 in Difficult Run Va. His Brother J. K. Pixley lives at “Fort Edward” N.Y., is a Teller in Farmer’s Bank there, and can give information.
E. B. Sawyer, Col.
First Vermont Cavalry