MUSEUM QUALITY
AMERICANA
COMMEMORATING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CIVIL WAR WITH
THE FINEST ORIGINAL SOLDIER'S LETTERS AND ARTIFACTS
Writing from Camp Dale in North Carolina on June 8, 1863, Assistant Surgeon Jacob Roberts writes his friend, a Judge back in Boston. When the war broke out and there was a need for medical personnel in the Union army, the North started the U.S. Army Medical Cadet Corps. Our writer, Jacob Roberts, was one of these first 50 Cadets to go through the program. Roberts then enlisted in August of 1862 and spent 11 months with the 23rd Mass. In our letter he tells of their various exploits in South Carolina. He also talks about his soon to be completed transfer to one of Massachusetts colored regiments.
“IF THEY SAY GO IN A COLORED REGIMENT WHICH YOU KNOW IN MASS. IS CONSIDERED QUITE AS HONORABLE AS IN A WHITE, I MUST GO…” Roberts was commissioned into the U.S. Army Medical Staff the following month. He must not have liked his new position very well as he only spent 5 months with the colored regiment. · “I am unable to tell you the cause of the failure. While many censure hunter as an imbecile and · “We got ourselves no nearer than N. Edisto Inlet (20 miles distant) where we lay in transports for · “It was one of the greatest trials of the soldier, to be thus defeated and then ruled by a commdr. so · “Suffice to say we were but to happy to get away. We are now under our favorite commander, and · “The fights of last fall (because of our not going to Wilmington as originally intended in lieu of loaning Roberts then goes on to discuss Lincoln and what actions he must take. He speaks his mind about the “N.Y. Peace Convention” and about the troubles in New York City (the New York riots would soon begin). Roberts states that… · “They must either succeed soon in impeaching the Executive or the Executive must decapitate them. They The letter is written in nice dark ink, is easily read and provides a fascinating military and political commentary by this Boston raised Asst. Surgeon. #L104 - Price $550
coward others swear Dupont without energy or the spirit.”
a week with a full determination of soon fighting our way into the rebel city, believing in the
meantime that the Monitors would capture all the Forts & protect us while landing. In lieu of
taking up quarters at the Mills House as we had long learned to speculate upon, in confidence we
were compelled to return to Port Royal and obey the edicts of a commander that was anything
else than popular.”
unpopular, one that had deprived us of bread, meat & our just dues because (some say because a
few negro shanties were burned) ruled or prompted by a series of northern school marms now at
Beaufort, S.C. under the general superintendence of Mrs. Gen. Lander (Confidential). Mrs. L. you
know was formerly an actress. She now is on so intimate terms with the Genl. that Mrs. Gen.
Hunter is not only jealous but many are wont to conjecture whether Mrs. L. or Gen. H. commands
the Dept.”
had we remained would undoubtedly have shared the fate of the 24 Mass. (the pride and aristocracy
of Boston or Mass.) whom are now encamped on a few sand banks on the south side of Seabrook
Island, a place not unlike we would suppose Ethiopia to be, both in appearances and civilization.”
ourselves to Gen. H.) were without effect only in the killing off of some good and patriotic soldiers.”
not only oppose the administration (which is not so bad an act of itself) but they discourage enlistments
and create discord in our armies which so long as we are at war is most disastrous.”
Transcription:
