Item No. 8182994

This small archive includes five letters with stamped covers written by Private Albert C. Brown of the 16th Maine Volunteers. The letters were all written between June 4, 1864, and December 2, 1864, mainly during the Siege of Petersburg.

In the first letter, written June 4, 1864, Brown writes to his Aunt about what we today call the Overland Campaign, in which General Ulysses S. Grant attempted to maneuver General Robert E. Lee’s Confederates out of the latter’s earthwork defenses and into the open where it could be attacked. Brown states his location as “South of the Pamunkey River and fourteen miles from Richmond.” This would have been around Cold Harbor. He writes:

It is just one month today since this campaign commenced and I have hardly seen or heard anything but the roar of Musketry and Artillery since. Still, we have a great deal of leisure time, for you must not suppose that a single Brigade is marching and fighting all of the time without rest. I have escaped the bullets so far and am enjoying good health, for which I am very thankful. The whole Army seems to have the greatest confidence in Gen Grant as a military leader.

Brown’s second letter was written August 7 from near the Weldon Railroad, a key Confederate supply line that General Grant would spend weeks attempting to cut. He writes:

Com. Officers are most all gone and the Capt. has been using me for a the last week, and he has kept me pretty busy making out muster rolls and other fixings. I don't have any other duly to do and I take that business very welt. We have been in no engagement since I wrote to you last and I hope that we shall see no more fighting, but that is a vain hope. I suppose probably we shall see a good a good deal of fighting yet before the thing is wound up. Gen Warren is fortifying here very strongly, and I think this intention to remain here until routed by the Rebs.

In this letter Brown also mentions the draft. Records indicate that he himself was a drafted man, so that would explain his interest in the topic. He writes:

Well Aunt, I have been in Uncle Sam's service nearly thirteen months! Only think of it. The time has gone away very quick to me. It seems a great deal shorter than it does to look forward a year. Still, I suppose the next year will go by just as quick as this one has. I think if we are used right they will allow us to go home this Fall. They only drafted for nine months when they drafted before, and are only going to draft for one year this time. And I don't think it is hardly fair to keep us longer than the rest, but I suppose they will do as they see fit about that.

The archive’s third letter was written October 7 from Fort Wadsworth. The area around the Weldon Railroad had finally been secured in mid-August after the Battle of Globe Tavern. Federal troops then strengthened their position by constructing Fort Wadsworth, which for the next two months would represent the western end of Grant’s earthworks. In his letter Brown writes:

There has been considerable fighting in this vicinity lately, but our brigade has not been engaged. I suppose they left us out because we are garrisoning these forts. The name of our fort has been changed from Fort Dwain to Fort Wadsworth. Our line has been advanced within the last week to within a mile and a half of the Lynchburg R.R. and it looks to me as though we had the Rebs pretty well bagged. Old Lee better be looking about him, for he may get gobbled up one of these fine mornings.

The fourth letter was also written from Fort Wadsworth. In it Brown discusses preparations for winter, good news from General Philip Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley, and Grant’s chances for success:

We are still in Fort Wadsworth and having a pretty easy time of it. That is, easy compared to marching and fighting. Our regiment is the only one in the fort at present. The rest of the brigade are encamped along by the works at the right of the fort. The weather here is getting to be pretty cold, especially in the night, and some of the troops are fixing up their quarters for winter. It may be that we will stop here this winter, but I think it is hardly probable. I am in hopes that we will not have to do much more fighting, and I think that things begin to look rather encouraging. Sheridan has got the Rebs nearly cleaned out in the Valley, and Grant has them nearly surrounded here and, in fact, our folks seem to be victorious in every engagement lately. I don't think we will have to hit them a great many more kicks before they will be obliged to succumb.

The archive’s final letter was written December 2, again from Fort Wadsworth. In it Brown discusses his new role performing guard duty at brigade headquarters:

As soon as there is a chance to have some taken I will send you my picture. But you must expect to see a rough, sunburnt, weather beaten visage. That is the only kind we have out here. Tell Edwin to send me his picture. I want to see how he looks these times. I am at Brigade Headquarters now with John McGinley. Have been detailed here as guard. John assisted me about getting the chance. I reported here yesterday forenoon and I can’t tell yet very well how I shall like, but I think according to all appearances that I shall like very well. The duty is very light compared to what it is in the regiment. Besides, as long as I am here I shall not be obliged to go into a fight, and I look upon that as quite an advantage. I will let you know more, particularly what I have to do, as soon as I find out myself. John and I intend to tent together this winter if nothing splits. Our regiment are putting up their winter quarters as fast as possible. They are going to stop outside of the fort this winter on account of having more room.

The letters are in excellent condition with light toning and foxing. One of the letters in blue ink is rather faint, but legible. Most are 3-4 pages. The largest letter measures about 5 1/4” x 8 1/2”. All include the original stamped cover. The full transcripts follow:

June 4th 1864
South of the Pamunkey River and fourteen miles from Richmond

Dear Aunt
I have just received your letter together with one from Edwin, and you may be sure that I was glad to hear from you both. It is just one month today since this campaign commenced and I have hardly seen or heard anything but the roar of Musketry and Artillery since. Still, we have a great deal of leisure time, for you must not suppose that a single Brigade is marching and fighting all of the time without rest. I have escaped the bullets so far and am enjoying good health, for which I am very thankful. The whole Army seems to have the greatest confidence in Gen Grant as a military leader.

I have received two letters from home since we started, but they were both dated before the first of May. I have written two or three times but received no answer yet. I suppose you know more about how the war is progressing than I do, for you can get the papers to read. I want you to write as often as you can and I will do the same. When you write, just send me a small sheet of paper and envelope, for I can't carry such things very well now. Give my love to all the folks and accept a share yourself. It is getting near night so I will close. From your nephew
Albert C. Brown

Camp of the 16 Me. Vols.
near Weldon R.R. Va. Aug 7th 1864

Dear Aunt
I received your letter a few days [ago] and was very glad to hear for you. Com. Officers are most all gone and the Capt. has been using me for a the last week, and he has kept me pretty busy making out muster rolls and other fixings. I don't have any other duly to do and I take that business very welt. We have been in no engagement since I wrote to you last and I hope that we shall see no more fighting, but that is a vain hope. I suppose probably we shall see a good a good deal of fighting yet before the thing is wound up.

Gen Warren is fortifying here very strongly, and I think this intention to remain here until routed by the Rebs.

I received a letter from Wilber a short time since. He had a sore foot when he wrote and had not been able to work for about a week, but it was getting better then. The rest of the folks were all as well as usual.

We have had considerable rain here lately and the weather is getting to be some cooler than it was two weeks ago, which makes it a great deal more comfortable in the daytime.

Well Aunt, I have been in Uncle Sam's service nearly thirteen months! Only think of it. The time has gone away very quick to me. It seems a great deal shorter than it does to look forward a year. Still, I suppose the next year will go by just as quick as this one has. I think if we are used right they will allow us to go home this Fall. They only drafted for nine months when they drafted before, and are only going to draft for one year this time. And I don't think it is hardly fair to keep us longer than the rest, but I suppose they will do as they see fit about that.

Maybe I can get a furlough, if nothing more, after the fall campaign is over. I believe I have not heard from Edwin and Frank since I wrote you last. My heath is good. Give my love to all the folks and accept a good share yourself.
From Your Nephew
Albert C. Brown

Co. C., 16th Regt. Me. Vols.
Weldon R.R. Virginia
Wednesday, Aug. 7th 1864

Fort Wadsworth Va. Oct. 7th 1864

Dear Aunt
I received your letter of the 30th of Sept. and was very glad to hear from you, and I will improve the present opportunity in answering it, although I have not much news to write. A soldier’s life is dull business when lying in camp, and we do not have much of anything to write about which would be interesting.

There has been considerable fighting in this vicinity lately, but our brigade has not been engaged. I suppose they left us out because we are garrisoning these forts. The name of our fort has been changed from Fort Dwain to Fort Wadsworth. Our line has been advanced within the last week to within a mile and a half of the Lynchburg R.R. and it looks to me as though we had the Rebs pretty well bagged. Old Lee better be looking about him, for he may get gobbled up one of these fine mornings.

We were paid off on the 27th of Sept. My pay amounted to ninety dollars, seventy-five of which I sent to you to have put in the bank. The Captain took to City Point and expressed it from there to N.Y., and from there it was to go by mail. Do you know how much I have sent in all? I have forgotten and I have kept no account of it as should have done.

I received a letter from Wilber a few days ago. The folks were all as well as usual. He is going to the Academy this fall and getting along finely with his studies. They were expecting Aunt Petsey and Mary up there to move into their new house the first of this month.

My health is good at present. Give my love to all the folks and accept a good share yourself. Write often. From your Nephew
Albert C. Brown

Fort Wadsworth October 28, 1864

Dear Aunt
I have just received your letter and was very glad to hear from you, and as I have nothing else in particular to do at present, I will improve the time in answering it.

We are still in Fort Wadsworth and having a pretty easy time of it. That is, easy compared to marching and fighting. Our regiment is the only one in the fort at present. The rest of the brigade are encamped along by the works at the right of the fort. The weather here is getting to be pretty cold, especially in the night, and some of the troops are fixing up their quarters for winter. It may be that we will stop here this winter, but I think it is hardly probable. I am in hopes that we will not have to do much more fighting, and I think that things begin to look rather encouraging. Sheridan has got the Rebs nearly cleaned out in the Valley, and Grant has them nearly surrounded here and, in fact, our folks seem to be victorious in every engagement lately. I don't think we will have to hit them a great many more kicks before they will be obliged to succumb. What do you think about it?

I haven't found that fellow yet and, to tell the truth, I haven't tried very hard as I have had about as much as I could attend to besides. If we do not have to move again soon think I shall try and hunt him up. I have got that picture of Abbie’s which I brought out here with me, and I will let him see that if I run across him. I don't think she can get one that will look any better than that. Still, I would like to have another to see if she has changed any. There is no chance to have my picture taken here, or I would send mine to you. If we stop here any length of time there will likely to be a chance.

My health is very good at present. I don't know whether I can get a furlough this winter or not yet. There is to be none granted at present, I believe. Give my love to all the folks and accept a good share yourself. Write as often as convenient. From your Nephew
Albert C. Brown

Co. C. 16th Me. Vols., Washington D.C.

Fort Wadsworth Dec. 2d 1864

Dear Brother
I received your letter dated Thanksgiving day this morning, and was very glad to hear from you as usual. I think your picture is a very good one. Still, I think you have changed considerable since last winter, and look better if anything than you did then. As soon as there is a chance to have some taken I will send you my picture. But you must expect to see a rough, sunburnt, weather beaten visage. That is the only kind we have out here. Tell Edwin to send me his picture. I want to see how he looks these times. I am at Brigade Headquarters now with John McGinley. Have been detailed here as guard. John assisted me about getting the chance. I reported here yesterday forenoon and I can’t tell yet very well how I shall like, but I think according to all appearances that I shall like very well. The duty is very light compared to what it is in the regiment. Besides, as long as I am here I shall not be obliged to go into a fight, and I look upon that as quite an advantage. I will let you know more, particularly what I have to do, as soon as I find out myself. John and I intend to tent together this winter if nothing splits. Our regiment are putting up their winter quarters as fast as possible. They are going to stop outside of the fort this winter on account of having more room.

I received a letter from home and one from Aunt Polly a few days ago. They are all as well as usual and getting along after the same old sort.

You want to know whether I get any Thanksgiving dinner or not, do you? Well, I can inform you very suddenly. We got one apple and a half apiece, and there was three or four rotten turkeys drawn for the company of fifty men, and that the last I saw of them I can assure you that our bellies didn’t ache much after the meal. I think I could have done good justice to your turkey and plum pudding after eating my share of that. If you have a spare $1 in your pocket when you write again just enclose it, if you please, for I happen to want to use a little money just now and I don’t see any signs of being paid off again very soon. You needn’t be particular about sending spare paper and envelopes in your letters, for there is a good chance to get them here now. I believe I have nothing more to write this time. Give my love to the pretties girl in Manchester. Write as often as convenient and tell Ed to do the same.
From your affectionate Brother
Albert C. Brown

Head Quarters 2d Brig. 3d Div. 5th A.C.
Direct the same as usual.
Excuse bad writing for I have written this in a hurry and with rather are poor pen. I believe that is all.