PA CONFERENCE OF TEAMSTERS

Civil War Letter, Alvin S. Nichols, Teamster in Company "E", 36th Massachusetts Infantry

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Civil War Letter, Alvin S. Nichols, Teamster in Company "E", 36th Massachusetts Infantry, 7 pages on two separate sheets, 30 March 1863, from Parkersburg, (West) Virginia Nichols writes to his sister about the city his regiment now occupies, mentions Stonewall Jackson was born in Parkersburg, relates an incident of a fire in a building that belongs to either Stonewall Jackson or his brother and how liquor has affected the men in the regiment, including causing some to desert, in part (some spelling corrected):

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"If you notice on the map the above mentioned place you will find it located at the junction of the Kanawa and Ohio rivers 100 miles below Wheeling 230 above Cincinnati and 400 from Baltimore.... After keeping the stock 2 days and 3 nights without feed or drink they looked rather rough...... In a day or two will have to take another journey to Cincinnati where Burnsides' Head Quarters are reported to be with the troops directly opposite on the Kentucky shore..... we followed up the Potomac from Harpers Ferry to near its mouth.... We had quite a snowstorm while at Piedmont in the Cumberland mountains.

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It is impossible for you to get a correct idea of the labor and trouble moving such an army so great a distance.  Part of our wagons are loaded on an old scow and a more conglomerated mess is seldom seen..... Our Head Quarters are now in a new stable being built by the government- we spread our blankets on the floor and those below sleep in the stalls...... 1/3 of our men are drunk another 1/3 are three sheets in the wind and 1/2 of the other 1/3 have had liquor..... many of them engage in a fight amongst themselves which often proves rather rough and the guard has to take them away.

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This town is reported to be 2/3 secesh.  Stonewall Jackson was born and brought up in this vicinity and perhaps that accounts for some of the rebel principles.  This morning I was awaken by the cry of fire.... saw a large block take fire..... a man acquainted with the building might have put it out with a sponge bucket of water but as no one seemed to mind much about it.  I have learned since that Stonewall's brother has charge of the building and owns it if Stonewall does not himself, however they were mostly Union men that occupied it.

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The boats on the river here are curious objects.... I see one that was built like a barn.... about 75 feet long and 40 ft wide..... I must go up to the corral and see to the stock, for liquor makes a fool of man and then you cannot trust but see for oneself.... Some of our fellows skedaddled coming from Baltimore but I mean to keep sober and stay in the army a little longer."

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Civil War Letter, Alvin S. Nichols, Teamster in Company "E", 36th Massachusetts Infantry, 4 pages, undated but most likely from the Spring of 1863, no place, but in Kentucky, Nichols writes to his sister about the country in Kentucky where the IX Corps are now and includes some camp news, in part (some spelling corrected):

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"I received yours of the 18th last night just after returning from Nicholasville.  Went there with a train for forage.  We use about 200 bushels of corn a day in this Division, costs 50 to 60 cts a bush.... I have bought a panama hat to wear this summer thinking it will be more comfortable than a cap.... In reference to getting April Fooled I have nothing to say..... The officers had a dance at Bryantsville, Captain Warriner went down.  Some of our teamsters said they went bat and see some of the officers when they went home drunk as ---..... Ladies, or whatever you are a mind to call them, women perhaps, are more plenty here than they were in Va., at least they are allowed to be around the camp more.  Dr. Prince, 36th's Surgeon, has bought an extra horse so that he can take a fair damsel out to ride....

P.S. You can direct your letters to 36th Mass. Vols. 9th A.C. at Lexington, Ky. or Central Ky. or via Cincinnati or almost any way you please."

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 Civil War Letter, Alvin S. Nichols, Teamster in Company "E", 36th Massachusetts Infantry, 4 pages, 22 October 1862, from "Camp Forbs, Pleasant Valley, Near Harpers Ferry," Nichols writes to his friends about the teamsters going to Harpers Ferry while the rest of the 36th were marching to Frederick and visiting the site of John Brown's raid and giving a description of its present state, in part (some spelling corrected):

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"The boys were called out expecting to have a fight, they went to Frederick by railway and lay on the side walks etc. scouting around and having rough lodgings.... The teamsters had a very easy time when they were gone.... I went to Harpers Ferry yesterday.  We have to ford the river one way and cross a pontoon bridge the other.  Went to the arsenal where John Brown had his raid.  Out of seven buildings there is nothing left but brick shells and those are pierced with balls...... This afternoon we have been drawing stone and building an oven so our cook can bake while we stay here and I would not wonder if we had a baked pudding....."

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Civil War Letter, Alvin S. Nichols, Teamster in Company "E", 36th Massachusetts Infantry, 3 pages, 8 November 1862, from "Camp Forks," Nichols writes to his sister about pursuing the Confederates, the Union cavalry skirmishing at Ashby's Gap and foraging in Virginia, in part (some spelling corrected):

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"I have inquired to find out what place we are in, some say in Va., others the jumping off place but however we are on that 'Grand March' and somewhere near Warrington..... We left Pleasant Valley a week ago... the last few days we have been on the move... We sometimes have a train of wagons 3 or 4 miles long and I have heard that the Bull Run retreat troops and train was 5 miles long...... The Rebels retreat about as fast as we advance.  Our cavalry have had several skirmishes and some men have been killed at Ashby's Gap.  10 were killed on our side I believe.  One place we took supper where the rebs eat breakfast.... they have burnt the bridge across the Rappahannock.  One of our regiment died this week making 4 since we came out..... The Monson boys are mostly tough.... One night they brought in about 80 chickens and ducks and honey has suffered some from them.... Heard that we could not send letters till after the battle which we expected ere this."

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Civil War Letter, Alvin S. Nichols, Teamster in Company "E", 36th Massachusetts Infantry, 4 pages, 20 November 1862, from "Camp Forbs, Falmouth, Va.," Nichols writes to his sister about an expected upcoming battle, deaths in the 36th and trading newspapers with Rebel soldiers in between the lines, in part (some spelling corrected):

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"We lay on the Rappahannock opposite Fredericksburg and about 3 miles from that place and I think about 60 miles from Richmond.  The Rebs are in force at F. and we expect to have a fight to take that place.  The boys are some tired having had short rations for a week or two.... Our boys have been drawn in line of battle several times but nothing has transpired..... I suppose you will wonder what we had for dinner, to save you wondering we had raw pork and hard bread and I tell you it went right to the spot, for I had been laying at Warrenton two days and been without meat waiting there for supplies to take to the Regiment..... At the camp we left yesterday one of our regt. died and the regt. being nearly ready to start he was measured for his grave before he had breathed his last.

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We are now on a camp ground where our men were last spring or perhaps it was in July.  We probably shall stay here a few days until a pontoon bridge can be built across the river and then you may expect to hear from us.  Our boys talked with the rebs across the river.  The Rebs are sick of the war but say we cannot have the Union- say they have something down to Richmond for us.... The Rebel pickets offered to meet our boys in the center of the river to exchange papers.  They seem to be anxious for the news..... We expect to have six mules on all our teams soon by a new order.  I am at present driving four horses, have drawed 3 loads of wood and one load of hard bread today."

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"The sinfulness of man has caused horror to stare in the face nature and it appears vividly to those in the army especially those following in the path of the late battles..... I have had four wild mules to take care of.... When we first took them out of the yard to harness them it (took) 6 to 12 men to hold one mule.... We camped two nights at Leesboro and the boys took the opportunity to relieve themselves of some of their unnecessary luggage.... After continuing our march northeast to a place called Brookeville we made another halt... we heard the booming cannon.... We have also two horse teams that we drew a few days ago.... From Brookeville we continued our course to New Market thence west to Frederick.... I have a good place to sleep in the wagon."

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"I have just been with my team and drawed a load of wood for Co. E..... I saw Herbert Stannton down to Belle Plain last Friday.  He is wagon master of a pontoon train, gets $50 per month.... He called at the regiment a few days ago and Sergeant Tupper thinks he has improved considerable since he was in Monson.....There is some important move to be made soon with this army there is every sign of it in camp.  The sick and wounded are being removed to Washington or vicinity.  Some that were wounded so severely that amputation was necessary were put aboard of the cars and many died before reaching Acquia Creek.  I understand some bleed to death and of course all must suffer intensely.  It may not be 10 days before another battle will take place and thousands more suffer.

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Mary Jane inquired after my scholar (an 11 year old boy who followed the regiment from Worcester to the seat of war).  We had a good chance to send him back to Worcester so we made up a purse and he has gone with the Colonel's hostler.... Worcester authorities will provide better accommodations and a teacher can spend more time than army teamster.  He is a cute little fellow and can execute all the movements with sword or gun that Captains generally give to their men."

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"I have returned from my pontoon trip... Belle Plain is the landing above Acquia creek where we get our forage.  The Great Battle has commenced and the guns are roaring now as though all the deadly elements had joined.  (Here in the letter Nichols writes "14th opposite F.").  Our brigade went across the river into F. Friday morning and rations are carried across to them every night.  There has been little firing today.  The report is that the dead are being buried.  There has been a great slaughter and I am afraid the worst is to come.  Old soldiers say the battle yesterday was more noisy than any day at Antietam, there being a continual roar of infantry and artillery to be seen.  The Rebs are seen occasionally.

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Tobacco is very plenty and can be bought for a mere trifle.  The Rebs have flung large quantities into the river and our boys fished it out.

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Those that have been over say our Regiment are right up to the mark and I hope we shall be once more victorious.  Reports here are that 5 or 6 thousand is our loss and the Rebs about half that.... will be a desperate engagement... hope this will be the last Battle."

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Civil War Letter, Alvin S. Nichols, Teamster in Company "E", 36th Massachusetts Infantry, 4 pages, 7 January 1863, from "Camp Forbes Opposite Fredericksburgh, Va.," Nichols writes to his sister about a new order issued for the teamsters, possibly joining the ranks of the infantry, a review of the IX Corps and the movements of the Confederates, in part (some spelling corrected):

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"The gloves I do not stand in need of but they may be as sure of doing some poor soldier good as they would if you had sent them through the Soldier's Aid Society.  When I bought (the paper he is writing on) it I did not know the "Girl I left behind me" was on it..... There was a new order issued yesterday and only one man to go with a team and he is to do his own cooking.  It is rather rough to have to take care of six mules, do one's own cooking and the work required to be done with a team.  My name was in the order to report to my Captain for the purpose of shouldering the musket.  The Capt. says he thinks I can do as I please about doing duty in the ranks.  I probably shall know soon what they are going to do with me.

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The 9th Corps was on review yesterday, they covered acres of ground and in a military sense presented one of the finest sights.  I think the review indicates a battle or some important move soon but it is reported that the pontoon train has gone into winter quarters.  Today about two miles from here the Rebs have moved guns etc. from their positions across the river according to our balloon news.

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You have probably rec the news of the battle at Murfreesboro and such disasters are common now adays."

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Civil War Letter, Alvin S. Nichols, Teamster in Company "E", 36th Massachusetts Infantry, 4 pages, 6 February 1863, from "Camp Near Falmouth, Va.," Nichols writes to his sister about the Army of the Potomac's new commander, Joe Hooker, and orders for the IX Corps to leave Virginia for possibly the Carolinas or New Orleans or Texas, in part (some spelling corrected):

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"We should receive orders to move before night but such was the fact and the 9th Army Corps is now ordered to report at Fortress Monroe, from there we probably shall go to some southern port perhaps along the coast of the Carolinas or possibly to New Orleans or the coast of Texas.  A part of one division has already started..... Our regiment will go tomorrow probably..... I expect the teams to go with the troops and we shall have a time taking our wagons to piece and putting them on board transports to say nothing about horses and mules and other appendages to an army corps.

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I suppose 'Fighting Joe Hooker' is going to steer things now and I hope he may straighten out some things in reference to officers but I don't like to have things move so fast that they can't keep right side up.

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I went over and had a griddle cake supper with Lem and Amos last night.  I think if you had seen the affair you would had a jolly laugh.  Mr. King can tell you a story that will be worth scores of letters...."

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Main letter in ink, Nichols adds a post-script in pencil, in part: "P.S. I don't want you to show that diary to any one..... We have orders to start our train to Belle Plain tomorrow... A Michigan boy had some dried peaches from home.  I found sugar and made the sauce and we had a good supper."

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Civil War Letter, Alvin S. Nichols, Teamster in Company "E", 36th Massachusetts Infantry, 6 pages, 27 February 1863, from Newport News, Virginia Nichols writes to his sister about a care package he received, removing property from rebel homes and the camp the IX Corps now occupies, in part (some spelling corrected):

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"I received that express yesterday, every thing was in very good shape except the meat pies, they were molded into one solid lump.... I have been toying to guess what that jell was made of..... I have helped get six loads of rails today from a farm about two miles from here that has been left by a rebel.  We don't take a long job of taking down a few hundred rods of secesh fence.  Oysters are quite plenty here for 50 cts a bushel.... The 9th Corps has about 21,000 men and would form a line of battle near two and a half miles long.  All have new tents and pretty streets.... As we lay on the bank of the James River we can see several other gunboats.  The river here I should think was about 6 or 7 miles wide.... I have been tasting that jell again and I sometimes think it is apple then grape and then that I don't know any thing at all about it.... I weigh 170 lbs.... I must go and feed my team."

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Civil War Letter, Alvin S. Nichols, Teamster in Company "E", 36th Massachusetts Infantry, 4 pages, 26 March 1863, from "On Board steamer North America, Chesapeake Bay above Annapolis," Nichols writes to his sister about his voyage from Newport News to Annapolis, Virginia and the IX Corps' upcoming travel to Tennessee, in part (some spelling corrected):

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"I intend to mail these few lines in Baltimore in about two hours (changed in pencil to 4 or 5)..... Our regiment left N.P.N. Sunday and I understand by our wagon master who came aboard at Ft. Monroe that they had gone from the latter place towards Tennessee..... We took three schooners in tow.  We expect now to go on the cars from B. to Cincinnati about 500 or 600 miles passing through Frederick City and Harpers Ferry making a complete circuit.... It is wearisome for stock to be jaunting around besides we cannot more than half feed where they are so thick.... There goes the whistle, we are getting near B..... Some of our teams were turned over to the government before we left."

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At this point in the letter Nichols writes in pencil:  "A mistake, we were at Annapolis instead of at B. and we have about 40 miles to go yet.  'Life on the ocean wave.  And a home on the rolling deep.'  He writes a poem ending with "In old Tennessee."

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Civil War Letter, Alvin S. Nichols, Teamster in Company "E", 36th Massachusetts Infantry, 2 large pages, undated but Summer of 1863, Nichols writes to his sister about the long trip made by the IX Corps from the Eastern theatre of war to the West, his poor health, a description of the Big Black river and how the 36th has taken such a hard hit with disease being rampant in the regiment, in part (some spelling corrected):

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"A trip of a thousand miles in a boxcar is not as pleasant, such are the trips the 9th A.C. take.  We are preparing now to take a sail up the river but when we go I cannot tell.  I have not been very well for several weeks and we have since the 4th of July (the morning when all was so still here but the evening brought a move) been driving night and day and when we did not drive we had to have our teams ready to start at a minute's notice.  When at Canton I had a chill, but a doctor gave me some quinine and shewbark..... and I think if we go north I shall come out all right.  When we got back to Jackson from our raid we found the rebs all gone and the 9th A.C. too so as there had been an order left to turn the teams over to the 16th A.C. we got rid of them and we caught up with our Division last Tuesday, coming by RR from the big Black (Big Black sounds large but the river where we crossed it is not near as wide as the Chicopee at Palmer, but it is very deep and there are no stones in it) to Vicksburgh thence to Snyder's Bluff.  Our men are dying here by hundreds almost, some Regiments have a funeral everyday.  Our (36th) Regiment has got several cases of the small pox....."