Westmoreland County PA Archives Military Records.....Hoy, James 1861 Civilwar - Letters 101st Inf Vol. PA ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Virginia Crilley varcsix@hot.rr.com January 16, 2008, 12:10 pm Letters 1861-1864 James Hoey Jan 14, 1842 - Aug 13, 1864 Son of Samuel and Susanna DeWalt Hoy of Westmoreland County. On Sept 15, 1861, James, only 19, travels to Pittsburgh to enlist in the "Boys in Blue". Bidding him the sad farewell was his older sister, Margaret,21; Wm Henry 17; the twins, John Thomas and Eleanor B. would celebrate their 15th birthday the next day; Samuel 12; J.L. 9; Ed 7; Albert 2; Mother, Susanna 41; his father, Samuel 47. The baby, George, born May 20, 1862, was named after their good friend, George Washington Bowers, who now as the Captain of James' Company I. From his letters we learn that he was among many boys from Westmoreland County and the Murrysville Presbyterian Church, who answered the call for volunteers. His enlistment papers describe James as 5'6", light complexion, dark eyes, black hair. He signed on for three years. He was assigned to the 101st Regiment, Capt Bower's Co I at Camp Fremont [now Oakland Square], near Pittsburgh with their elected Colonel Joseph H. Wilson (Beaver). There were seven companies from Allegheny, Beaver, and Lawrence counties recruited during the early part of the fall of 1861. Camp Fremont Oct 11, 1861 Dear Parents, Brothers, and Sisters, I take my pencil in hand to inform you that I am well at present hoping that these few lines may find you all in the same state of health. I arrived safe in Town on Thursday after dinner and walked up to Camp...the reason 1 rode on into Town was that the cars didn't stop at East Liberty. They run clear through from Irwins to Pittsburgh without stopping. It cost me sixty five cents to come down. I was on guard last night again and just got clear. I have not much to write but we still expect to leave for Harrisburg this evening about 4 o'clock. We got a new cook yesterday. He is a white man. He is none of your black drunken Negroes. We get things cooked right. Now you need not write till I write again as we expect to be at Harrisburg soon. I will write to you as soon as we get there and let you know how things are there and how I am. I had allowed to get my likeness taken and send it home but I think I will wait till I go to Harrisburg and get my own uniform...so nothing more at present, but remains your affectionate son, James Hoy (Actually postmarked Harrisburg, Nov 11 1861 NOTE: From this letter we can conclude that the Westmoreland Co Boys were able to make a last trip home to visit their families before leaving for Harrisburg. ==========By late October 1861, they had joined Camp Curtain near Harrisburg and were carefully drilled from the time of their arrival. "There was much rivalry among the companies for better places in line, but it was finally settled. The ten companies stood in order from right to left: A,F,D,I,C,H,E,K,G,B [Source: History of the 101st Reg Pa Veteran Volunteer Infantry 1861-1865. John A. Reed Prvt. Co H] Camp Curtain Dec 5 1861 Dear Father, I received yours of the 28th on Monday the 2nd and was glad to hear from you all. I am still on the sick list this morning that I was Today I ate a big slice of toasted bread and in the beginning of the week for about two days I wasn't allowed anything, but toast water or toast tea. The reason why we was put on guard on Thursday and on Saturday again was that they first they put from 6 to 12 on guard from each Company according to the size of the Company. Then they changed the guard and put on whole Companies at a time and it came our Company turn on Saturday. I was well enough when I stood on guard on Saturday only that I had got the cold a little on Thursday night but I got worse after Saturday. There was some ladies came into the Camp and gave me a bed tick and pillow and John Willson [Wilson] went to one of the farm houses and got them filled with straw. I slept first rate on this for two or three nights when I was moved to the Hospital tent on the last of last week. John Willson is using my bed now, but I shall get it again when I get well and able to go to my quarters again. We have a good stove in the Hospital which makes it quite comfortable. I am mending as I stated before. I walked out this afternoon for the first time since I came into the Hospital tent. I haven't sent my clothes yet and I don't know when I shall send, but I think I will not send them till just before we leave. I think you needn't send me any money. The first time you write I think I can make what money I have reach till you write the second time. As to your yankee stove, we had not seen or heard any about it, but I guess we will not need as they have put up winter quarters and the boys are about moving to them. Some of them moved today. I in return send my best respects to Miss C.A. McIlwain. Michael Ludwie died last night at 7 o'clock and was sent home this afternoon. He was in the Mane Hospital. He belonged to Capt Armor's Co. It is quartered a longside of Bower Co. The 11th Reg F left last week for Annapolis. Nothing more at present but remains your affectionate son, James Hoy NOTE: (This is possibly the John Wilson) WILSON, James L. - Private, Co. I. Born 1840 in Jefferson Twp, Allegheny Co., PA, the son of David & Elizabeth Wilson. Enlisted at age 21, a Coal Miner from Pittsburgh, PA. Mustered in 15 Oct `61. Re-enlisted 1 Jan `64 at Plymouth, NC. Captured 20 April `64 at Plymouth. Held captive at Andersonville, GA & Florence, SC; arriving at Florence 5 Oct `64. Lost several toes due to frostbite while at Florence. Paroled 18 Feb `65 at N.E. Ferry, Wilmington, NC. Absent at muster out. Discharged 27 June `65 at York, PA. Married Catherine Gorman 21 Oct `65 at West Elizabeth, Allegheny Co., PA and had 10 children. Died 28 May 1898 & is buried in James Chapel United Methodist Cemetery, Floreffe, Allegheny Co., PA. Donald Wilson DWCOI101PAINF@aol.com Camp Curtain Harrisburg Dec 19, 1861 Dear Parents, I received yours of the 13th on yesterday the 18th and was glad to hear from you. I have got midling well again but I am weak yet and have got the cold a little yet. It was the bilious diarea that I had, at least the Doctor said it was and I had a pain the back of the head and shoulders and in my back. It was in the Hospital tent that I was. We had a good stove in it so it was very comfortable. Sometimes it was too warm. I was well attended to. I was moved from the Hospital tent on the next Saturday after I wrote my other letter and the same day that John Clark left for home, I was moved to the winter quarters along with the rest of the Company. I have my bed tick yet and I intend to keep it if we move. It will not be very hard to carry by emptying the straw out of it. They have put up winter quarters for two thousand soldiers. There was two letters came for Wilson yesterday the i8th after he left. Both mailed at Murraysville. We will take care of them,. till he comes back About the Butter, I got share of it. I eat some before I got bad and after I commenced to get better I eat of it nearly all the time. I was sick only the couple of days that I was not allowed anything but toast, water. I payed Hill twenty three cents and I think that is very near my share for what Butter I got. When you write I would like you would send my some money if you have not got any yourself and cannot get it from Josiah Devrs, try and get that from James Harvey what he owes me if he has not payed you already. I helped him three days planting corn and one day threshing. I have a few cents change yet but not more than wi It do me till I would receive your next letter. It will be best to send it in notes. Send good par money if you can. The boys and Mr. Kelly are all well. Mr. Kelly and George sends their best respect to you all. Write as soon as received. Nothing more at present, but remains your affectionate son, James Hoy [Note: Mr. Kelly was probably : KELLY, Alexander M. - Private, Co. I. Enlisted at age 40, a Farmer from Pittsburgh, PA. Mustered in 3 Dec `61. Killed 31 May 1862 at Fair Oaks, VA. Buried at Seven Pines National Cemetery, VA. Section B, Grave # 189. His son: KELLY, George W. - Private, Co. I. Born 1845 in Ireland; the son of Alexander Kelly of Co. I. Enlisted at age 19, a Farmer from Pittsburgh, PA. Mustered in 3 Dec `61. Re-enlisted. Captured 20 April `64 at Plymouth, NC. Held captive at Andersonville, GA. Paroled 28 April `65. Discharged 12 June `65 to date 18 May `65. Living in 1890 at Cyclone, Keating Twp, McKean Co., PA. Died 16 Dec 1911 and is buried in Bath National Cemetery, Bath, Steuben Co., NY. On-line Roster: http://home.att.net/~edboots/101A-L.htm Although carefully drilled they did not receive their arms until the middle of February, 1862. On Feb. 26, 1862, the colors (flag) presented by Governor Curtin (James always spells the name of the Camp as Curtain, but it probably was Curtin). The following day they departed for Washington. Washington City March 2nd 1862 Dear Parents, It is with the greatest pleasure that I take my pencil in hand to inform you that 1 am well at present only I have a and a pain in my head when I cough but I hope that these few lines may find you all well. We left, Camp Curtain [Curtin] on Thursday, the 17th Feb about one o'clock and arrived at Baltimore a little after dark got off the cars and marched over to Federal Hill and put up in wooden quarters for the night. It is a very rough country through Maryland. Along the road between Harrisburg and Baltimore we stayed in the baracks on Federal hill till Friday about the middle of the day we then got ready and marched down to the Town. Things were very quiet and we passed along through the Town. There was no cheering done by the citizens only a couple of places but there was several Union flags a flying as we passed along the street and I have seen no Secession flags yet. We stopped at a Tavern in the town and got our dinner. There was three tables down stairs and three up about 40 to 50 feet long each. It was a very plain dinner. We got a good cup of warm coffee, bread, boiled beef and cheese but it tasted good after eating dry crackers and water and cold beef while traveling. We left Baltimore on the cars of the diner and arrived at Washington after a while after dark. We got our supper and then put up in wooden quarters for the night. We stayed there til about 9 o'clock on Saturday. We then marched out about three mile to Meridian Hill and camped. I was not up to see the Capitol only we marched past it as we were going to Camp. We can see the Town from where we are. It doesn't look to be more than about a mile but it is about three miles. We are encamped in a line by ourselves but three is plenty of Camps close by. There are camps alt around Washington. We don't know what the name of the camp will be. They talked of calling it Camp Willson. They have guards along the Rail Road and the other side of Baltimore and all along between Baltimore and Washington. I like the place well. It is not so very cold here. On Saturday as we passed down from the Capitol going to Camp the streets were midling dirty and the day it snowed some the Rules are very strict here. I am on guard the day and we have large tents and five tents to the Company. There are I7 in our tent nearly all Westmoreland boys from Franklin & Penn Townships. They are all well but Levi Ryeckman he is not very well. We have small stoves in our tents. Nothing more at present but remains your Affectionate son. Write as soon as recieved Co I 101st Reg Pv in care of Capt Geo W. Bowers NOTE: RICHMAN, Levi M. - Private, Co. I. Born in PA, the son of Alonzo & Sarah Rychman of Franklin Twp, Westmoreland Co., PA. Enlisted at age 18, a Shoe Maker from Pittsburgh, PA. Mustered in 15 Oct `61. Re-enlisted. Captured 20 April `64 at Plymouth, NC. Paroled 16 Dec `64. Mustered out 25 June `65. Died 4 June 1917 at Export, PA. Name also spelled RYCKMAN & RYCHMAN. On Oct. 26, 1862 they departed for Washington going into Camp at Meridian Hill, assigned to Keim's Brigade and exchanged Harper's Ferry muskets, for Austrian rifles. Porter Hospital March 20, 1862 Dear Parents, I received your letter of the 2nd which was directed to Harrisburg about the 7th and the one written on the 9th, I received on the 14th and was glad to hear from you all. I have not been well for some time. I wrote before that I had a cold and a pain in the breast was till able for duty till the 7th. S.K. Hock of Irwin's Station and I got ready for to wash our clothes. I took sick and Hock had to wash for me. I was in the tent till Saturday morning the 8th and was then taken to the Hospital . Was there till Sunday the 16th and was then taken to another Hospital to be left there till I would be able to follow the Regiment for they had marching orders. I was in this Hospital til yesterday the 19th. I felt midling well and walked down to Camp and allowed to go along if they had not left yet. When I went down, they were out in line ready for marching and the orders was countermanded. They were going to Alexandria and then was going on a fleet to reinforce General Burnside. They had then to get out and strike their tents again. There was the 52d, the 103rd and several other Regiments that was going, had their tents down and was ready for marching and had to put them up again which gave them a good deal of work for nothing. I stayed about the Camp nearly all day and then went back to the Hospital that I was in at first. I am now getting midling well again. It was what the Doctor called Typhoid Pneumonia. You wrote that Peter Keet in Fairfax Co. V.R. Co. A. Col Shippey's 6ist Regiment, Fairfax is, I think just across the River from where we are. We can see the steeple of a large building which they say is either Falls Church or Fairfax Courthouse. I think that Uncle Wills Jacob and Uncle Jacobs Jacob is in the same Co. If they are and it is so handy I would like to go and see them. I will inquire if the 6ist Regiment is still in Fairfax Co and if it is, I will try and go over to see them before we go away from this place. A letter from Kejiah Groscope on the 4th. They were all well. Then she said that they were going to move out to Melawkins Store where we, spent the 4th of July. The Westmoreland boys are all well, but Isaac Cole of Irwin's Station. He had the measles. He is getting better now and Levi Ryekman was sick and in the Hospital, but he has got better and is back at the quarters again, clothing more at present, but remains your affectionate son, James Hoy Address: James Hoy Co I 101st Reg PA Camp Willson Washington City D.C. In care of Capt C.W. Bowers NOTE: COLE, Isaac B. - Private, Co. I. Enlisted at age 20, a Farmer from Harrisburg, PA. James Hoy of Co. I stated that he was from Irwin Station, Westmoreland Co., PA. Mustered in 18 Feb `62. Re-enlisted. Captured 20 April `64 at Plymouth, NC. Paroled 3 March `65. Mustered out 25 June `65. Irwin's Station was a station on the Pittsburgh Railroad line from Pittsburgh to Altoona. The station is just west of their own "Manor Station" (the nearest one south of Murrysville) On March 28, 1862, they are assigned to Casey's Division and proceeded to Alexandria ...moved by transports to the Peninsula to camp near Newport News, VA. In April 1862 Gen. McClellan, after repeated orders to move against the Confederate capital at Richmond, finally started the long awaited offensive -- the Peninsular Campaign. Camp Scott, VA (near York Town) April 18, 1862 \ Dear Parents, 1 take my pen in hand once more to drop you a few lines to let you know that I am well at present and hope that these few lines may find you enjoying the same state of health. We left New Port News on the 16th was ordered to Youngs Mills but before we got there was ordered on to Warwick Court House near where there was a sharp skirmish on day before yesterday. We encamped near the Court House the first night and yesterday we marched on about four miles from York Town and we expect to march on to it in a few days. We are in the second division. General Smith's division is ahead and next comes our little squad of about twenty thousand with the artillery. Since we came here it is reported that the Rebel steamers Merimac was sunk with about seven hundred soldiers near New Port by the Monitor and the steamer called Steavens Battery from New York. It is thought that the Merrimac was trying to get up past Fortress Monroe to the York River to land the troops at York. Town. It is also reported that Richmond was taken the same day by General Banks, but I think it cannot be correct. Some of the boys heard the Rebel Revelry but this morning it is only about a mile and a half to the rebel pickets. The boys are all well at present and in good spirits, singing songs as we marched along both yesterday and day before. We are camped in a pine forest. The bushes are from one to ten or twelve feet high. The boys took and cut down some of the pines and built shelters for themselves, so we. had a very good place to sleep. We are getting that we can lie down most any place to sleep. I would just as soon lie down in the open field as be in the tent only when it rains. It has been very fine weather for some days back only very warm. We lay in the open field night before last. Where we are now we cannot see more than fifty feet. Arthur Elliot and John McElroy of the 102nd or the old 13th, Col Rawlings' Regt was up to see us yesterday in the forenoon. They are both well and look about as hearty as ever. The 103rd Regt is somewhere handy here. The Reg that Haymakers' boys, Bob McQuillians and some more of the Westmoreland boys are in. They are in Co. A They had a skirmish handy here last week. There was two of Co A killed, but 1 believe none of them. Write as soon as you receive this Nothing more at present, but remains your affectionate son, James Hoy Direct your letter to Washington as before. Camp Scott between York Town & Warwick Court House April 21, 1861 Dear Parents, I take my pen in kind once more to drop you a few lines in answer to your of i4th which was duty received on the i9th. I was glad to hear from you all and also to get the lines you sent. They are nice lines...they suit the times so well. I am well at present and hope that these few lines may find you still in the same state of health. I wrote to you on the i8th stating to you, our departure from Camp Keim, New Port News and our arrival here. We are still in the same place but cannot say how long we may be here. The Rebels tried to drive in our Pickets on Saturday night to keep our troops from throwing up breast works near their lines. They are building the Breast works to fall back into in case they should be repulsed at the taking of York Town. We were out in line twice that night but we were not needed to go. The 85th N.Y. Reg in our Brigade were sent out at skirmishers but were not out long. We were sent back to the quarters each time after standing a half hour or so in ranks to be ready to fall out at the Roll of the drum. (continued from #7) We lay all night with all our clothes and accoutrements on. We have a tent built out of pine tops. We first drove two forks about six feet high and put a pole across the top and leaned some up each side then we cut some pine tops and layed on commencing below putting tops down and letting our layers cover the other till we got to the top closing one end and part of the other the same way, leaving a small hole in one end for a door and then we put some small pine tops in to lie on and dug a drain around the tent to carry the water away, thus it is completed. It turns the rain midling welt. Saturday night and last night were both wet nights. On Saturday night it came in some, but last night we, put our oil cloth blankets on the top so it didn't leak a drop. You wanted to know in your letter if papers would be sent on the same as letters and if they were you would send me. They will be sent on just the same and I would like to get the news from old Westmoreland. But you can use your own pleasure about sending them. Ad the News that I had about the Battle at Pittsburgh Landing were about the same as you stated in your letter. I stated in of the 18th that it was reported that the Merrmac was sunk and that Gen Banks had taken Richmond, but none of them are correct. The Rebels had the place at Youngs Millsmidling well fortified. It would have done you good to seen Warwick Court House and Jail. The Court House is a brick about the size of Murrys brick house. The Jail is also a two story brick about 12 by 16 feet square. Well, 1 must bring my letter to a close. I will send you here $10 dollars more of my wages, Nothing more at present, but remains your affectionate son, James HoyThey left their knapsacks in Camp Scott, Yourktown and James was not able to write again for over a month. Since the news was all about the Peninsular Campaign, you can be sure that the Murrysville families were eargerlyt reading about it daily, looking for any details of Casey's Division. The Presbyterian Church families must hav anxiously shared their letters and news with each other on Sundays..and you can be sure there were many prayers in their behalf during the Worship Hour. Seven Pines and Fair Oaks Battles In Camp June 3rd, 1862 Dear Parents, I receive yours of the 18th on the 29th and was glad to hear from you all. I am well at present and hope that these few lines may find you enjoying the same state of health. I suppose you have heard of the Battle here within about 6 miles of Richmond in which we were engaged as I am sorry to say that say Mr. Kelly was killed and Robbert T. Hill was badly wounded in the bowels he was taken off the field to the Rail Road and died on Sunday evening the first and was buryed yesterday. John Wilson, Cyrus Kirkland, myself and other were up on the field yesterday and burryed Kelly. George Kelly was along saw his father intered. There was also one of the Irwins Station boys mortally wounded and one wounded through the shoulder. John Wilson got a little scratch on the neck by a buck shot. Eli C. Bruner of Co. E roist Reg Pv was wounded. Mito T. Miller of the 105th Reg was killed and William Haymaker and George Coltson of the 63rd Regt was wounded. The rest of the boys as far as I can team was none hurt. The Rebels attacked our Pickets on Friday and drove them in apiece when the Pickets rallyed together and drove them back again our Regt and other were sent out but there was no firing done. I was not out along as 1 was detailed to work at the Goost [a defensive obstacle of felled trees with shapened branches facing the enemy] that we were building here. They shelled each other for a while but doing very little damage. On Saturday about noon they attacked our Pickets again and drove them in. We didn't think much of it at first thought it would only be a little like the day before, but it turned out to be more than a skirmish. We were formed at the right of the Road and commenced firing but it was soon found that they were flanking us on the right when the right wing was ordered to fall back a little. Here we held them for a while, but they were too strong for us and we were ordered to fall back when doing so the Zouaves came up to relieve us. We fell back a short distance and filed into the other side of the Road when we rallyed again, formed in a line behind some felled timber and commenced firing. We had advanced midling well through the felled timbers when Corp James B. Phillips was hit on the head by a ball. When I led him back what occurred after this I cannot say positively but I believe they advanced on through the felled timbers to the edge of our Camp which the Rebels were now in, but they were too strong for us there being above forty thousand of them against our division, so we had to fall back. The Rebels occupied our Camp that night, but the reinforcements came pouring in that evening and night and drove them out on Sunday morning. Again we were not in the engagement on Sunday morning, but done our duty Nobly on Saturday. It is reported that the Rebels are driven back within three miles of Richmond. Our Brigade is all but to pieces. There was about the half of the loist killed and wounded. Our Brigader General was slightly wounded in the arm but was still able to command. Our first Brigadier Gen W.H. Keim [of a fever] took sick after the Battle of Williamsburgh and has since died3^ but we have another by the name of Wessells. Col Jos H. Wilson also took sick after the battle at Williamsburg and has since died.[left at Roper's Church hwere on the 30th he died] Lieut Col O.B. Morris in command on Saturday was wounded in the leg 1 believe it was broken. All the wounded soldiers are being sent off on the cars to Philadelphia. Gen McClelland was at the Camp here on Sunday and had a long conversation with Gen Heinzelman, Gen Hooker and others. I heard that he had said that he didn't think we could hold them here, that he expected we would be driven back across the Chickahominy that we had done better than he expected. It is stated in the papers that the Rebels have evacuated Corinth. They are retreating along the Mobile Rail Road in the direction of Okolona. It is said our troops are eight miles in advance of Corinth. I am well only alittle weak after the fatigue at the fight but I think I will be all right in a few days. The rest of the Westmoreland boys are all right. Well 1 cannot tell how many were kill and wounded at the Battle here on either side but it is very heavy on both sides. I was down at the railroad yesterday and saw them bring in over a hundred Rebel prisoners. I would have written sooner but I had no paper for our knapsack were left behind at Yorktown and all the paper I had in it and it is hard getting paper here. I got this down at the railroad yesterday. Write as soon as you recieve this and let me know if there iwll be any fruit and how the crops (are). The crops are generally very light here. I only saw one or two good fields of wheat down here this spring. The one just at the other side of Williamsburg we came through on the 5th of May. It was commencing to come out in head. It was all tramped down to the ground. Write soon. Nothing more at present but remains your affectionate son James Hoy Notes: HILL, Robert F. - Private, Co. I. Enlisted at age 23, from Pittsburgh, PA. Mustered in 15 Oct `61. Killed 31 May 1862 at Fair Oaks, VA. KIRKLING, Cyrus - Private, Co. I. Enlisted at age 20, a Shoemaker from Pittsburgh, PA. Mustered in 15 Oct `61. In Aug `62 he was taken to New York onboard the Mississippi to be admitted to the hospital. Discharged 5 April `65 on Surgeon's Certificate. Died 13 Sept 1926 at Torrance, Westmoreland Co., PA. Name also listed as Kirkland. BRUNNER, Eli C. - Private, Co. E. Born in PA, the son of Ephraim & Anna Margaret (Deeds) Brunner. Enlisted at age 34, a Farmer from Plum Twp, Allegheny Co., PA. Killed 31 May 1862 at Fair Oaks, VA. PHILLIPS, James B. - Corporal, Co. I. Enlisted at age 24, a Clerk from Pittsburgh, PA. Mustered in 27 Dec `61. Wounded in the head 31 May `62 at the Battle of Fair Oaks, VA. Captured 20 April `64 at Plymouth, NC. Died 14 Aug 1864 at Andersonville, GA. Grave # 5610. With a slight encounter at White Hall, they moved forward to Goldsboro. Near the bridge of the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad there was another skirmish. The Rebels again destroyed the bridge and then withdrew. The forest has been set afire, and as the flames streamed up the tall pine trees, Wessell's Brigade never forgot the sight as they marched through the night. They are quartered in Sibley Tents during the winter months near Newbem. Imagine what a forlorn, homesick Christmas.... James is again able to write home to his anxiously awaiting parents. In just a few more days, Jan 16, he will be celebrate his 21st birthday. Newbem N. C. Jan 9, 1863 Dear Parent, I take my pen in hand to drop you a few lines to let you know that Iam well at present and hope that these few lines may find you all enjoying the same state of health. I suppose that you have heard before this time where of our removal from Suffolk through a letter written by Levi Ryekman to W.T. Humes the day of our arrival here and of the Battle of Kingston on the i4th of Dec last. I will give you but a short account of what has transpired since we left for if I was to write down everything I could fill many pages. We left Suffolk on Dec 5th; our knapsack and all the sick were left behind. We marched down through Gatesville to the Choan River a little below the mouth of the Black Water River. Got on board the boar on Sunday the yth and sailed by way of the Albermarle Sound past the Roanoke Island and up the Pamlico Sound into the Nuise River and got to Newbem on Tuesday evening the pth. Went ashore in the morning of the loth and camped about a mile from Town. We there received orders to draw 10 days rations A to be, carried in our haver sacks & 9 to be hauled in the wagons & be ready to march at 4 o'clock the following morning so on Thurs the 11th we took up the line of the March but not as early as was expected our Brigade was in the advance all but the 9th N.J. One Battery of artillery and some Cavalry at end of the 1st day we came to where the road was blocked by falling trees across and we camped for the night while the Pioneers (?) was put to work to clear the road on Fri the 12th our advance Cavalry had a skirmish with the enemy also one on the 13th in which the 9th N.Y. which had been thrown out as skirmisher captured one piece of artillery in the evening our Regt was sent up in the advance to support a Battery. On the morning of the 14th our skirmishers were sent out and found the Rebels in line when the firing commenced and one Regt after another was brought up and the artillery brought into position. When the fight became General along the whole line there was only about three Reg engaged besides our Brigade the 9th N.J., 10 Conn and the 45 Mass the fight lasted for some time when the Rebels commenced retreating and in their flight tried to burn the Bridge across the River but did not succeed the 96th NY was one of the first Reg at the Bridge and Col Gray Col of that Regt while trying to extinguish the flames was shot through the Breast & died shortly after. He was one of the best Col of our Brigade. We captured about 500 prisoners and several pieces of artillery and occupied the Town of Kingston that night on Monday ... (missing page?) them on Sunday. I was quite glad to see all the boys and they about as glad to see us. I had my diner with J.H. Bethune, Wilson and Ryekman got theirs with Capt John S. Murray. Write soon as you receive this and give me all the news. Nothing more at present but remains your affectionate son, James Hoy While James remains in N.C. Gen Lee strikes Gettysburg ending in defeat and retreat on July 4, 1863. There may be some missing letters as he refers to an earlier letter in this one. Plymouth N C June, 1863 (Postmarked June 13) Dear Father, I take my pen in hand to drop you a few lines in answer to your kind and welcome letter of the 14th of May which was received on the 3rd and was glad to hear from you all. I am well at present and hope that this may find you all enjoying the same state of health. I have not much to write this time. I wrote you a letter on the 31st and one to John on the 21st in which I gave you more news than I have to give in this, but I see by your letter that you have the news before I have about the Army of the Potomac and the Army of the West. You said in your letter that you would like to know the Political sentiments of the soldiers here and what change there is. That I hardly can tell as Politicks is never talked of here. We are all in for the constitution as it is and restoring the Union as it was by finally subduing the Confederates. I believe that in our Company three is two thirds or at least three fifths Republicans. Outside of that I cannot say but if there is any change it is in favor of the Republicans. I only wish that the volunteers from Pennsylvania could get a chance for voting for Governor this fall. By so doing I think we could elect a Republican Governor; otherwise it will be doubtful. I suppose that you have heard of Gen Grants operations at Vicksburgh. I have not much news from there only that Grant took about eight thousand four hundred prisoners and eighty four pieces of Artillery. Both army's are now lying not over a hundred yards apart and if a man puts his head above the works on either side there is over a dozen muskets fired at him at once. Gen Joe Johnson is coming into the rear on the Big Black near Jackson with reinforcements but there is not much fears ascertained as to that. I still hope that before long we may hear of the fall of Vicksburgh. Grant is the man for that if there is not too large a force hurled against him. Now is the time for Hooker and Rosencrans and the rest of the Annys to be in motion to keep the Rebs from reinforcing from one place to another. There is not much going on here. Everything is quiet. They have the bakery finished in Town and we get soft bread nearly all the time. We will soon have the Fort finished. We have most of the day work finished and we are now working at the Stockade. We were payed off on the ind again. We drew two months wages. We are now payed up to the first of May. I will send I5 dollars in this. There is no Express in this place so I have no chance of sending it any other way, but I think it will be safe this way. Write as soon as you receive this. Nothing more at present but remains your affectionate son, James Hoy Plymouth N.C. December 18, 1863 Dear Father, It is with the greatest pleasure that I after a long delay, take my pen in hand to drop you a few lines in answer to your kind and welcome letter of the 22nd of Nov which was duly received on the 6th I am well at present and hope that this may find you all enjoying the same state of health. I would have written sooner but we were expecting to be paid of every day and I thought I would wait so we would be payed. We were paid yesterday. We drew two months wages and settled up the second years clothing bill. I had some money coming to me for clothing this year as 1 did not draw the $12 dollars worth. We are not paid up to the last of Oct. 1 will send 10 dollars in this and the next time I write I will send some more for I don't like to risk all in one letter. You said you wanted to try and keep at least one gammon of the old sow til I would come home from the army which you hoped would be some day soon. I cannot tell when our time will be up. There has been a great deal of talk here this fall and winter about the time of discharge. Some say that we will be discharge in July or August; others say that it will be as early as June for we came out under the three years Call which was made on the 5th of June 1861 and we will be mustered out under that Call. Others say that we will have to serve three years from the first muster of the Keg which was on the pth of January, i86z, but I expect if I live and keep my health to be out some time about next Oct for most of the Companies was mustered in about that time and I think that Col Wilson got his Commission about that time and the President in his proclamation Calling for the three hundred thousand volunteer for three years said that the old three years volunteers would be out in summer and fall of 1864, but I still hope and trust that the war will be over and this accursed Rebellion forever crushed and that we may all return home safe before that time. I have not got much news from the army of late so I will not pretend to give any this time for I suppose that you have all the late news at any rate before this reaches you. Write soon, nothing more at present but remains your son, James Hoy Plymouth, N.C. Postmark: Norfolk,Va Dec 23rd, 1863 Dear Father, It is with haste that I take my pen in hand to drop you a few lines to let you know that I am well and also to let you know that I am sending 30 dollars by Adams Express to Irwin's Station. I am sending it with P. Woodruff Stutter of our R> to Baltimore and he will express it from that. Well I must close as the mail leaves in a few minutes and I want to (get) this in the mail. Write soon. Nothing more but remain your son, James Hoy Envelope address to: Mr. Samuel Hoy Manor, Dale P Westmoreland County Penn After the December letter when everyone was looking forward to his discharge and returning home, James makes the decision to re-enlist. We have no more letters.... This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/pafiles/ File size: 37.4 Kb