MUSEUM QUALITY
AMERICANA
COMMEMORATING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CIVIL WAR WITH
THE FINEST ORIGINAL SOLDIER'S LETTERS AND ARTIFACTS
This long, 11 page letter, from Daniel A. Handy, a Private in Company F of the 2nd Rhode Island Infantry, gives a full account of chasing General Lee on July 13th-18th, 1863. Writing from Hagerstown, Williamsport, Boonsboro, and Berlin, Md., Handy gives a diary-like account of his travel. He describes the loses in the 2nd Rhode Island at the battle of Williamsport on July 12th, listing 3 of the severely wounded. The letter is in fine condition and comes with an original cover having a fantastic “Frederick, Md. July 15” cancelation (Since the letter goes through the 18th, it is thought that the postmaster possibly didn’t change the date every day, or the envelope went with a different letter. We are fortunate to have it as it shows where “his love” Jennie lived!). A fine Gettysburg “retreat” letter!
#G94 - Price $225
Transcription:
2 Miles from Hagerstown in the line of battle
July 13, 1863
Jennie,
I now pen you a few lines to inform you that I am yet alive and well. Since my last writing
nothing has been done but changing lines for night before last the enemy fell back through a town I have
heretofore unmentioned Finchville, a small place 1 ½ miles from where I last wrote. We accordingly
followed closely yesterday morn and overtook them at this place. Yesterday severe skirmishing ensued
resulting in the advancement of the Union lines ½ of a mile by force. We are to the left of Hagerstown
now. It is a large place. Our lines are nearly formed again and stronger than before for the more the
enemy recoils his lines the closer we press him thereby making the circle smaller. It is a semicircle; we
are now formed 3 heavy lines deep. It is said to be so all the whole length of the line which is about 20
miles long. The PA. militia joins our right. Last night just before dark there was a heavy picket sent
out 7 Co. out of our regt. Went severe skirmishing ensued and our Commanders drove them from a
stonewall and hold it now. There was 3 wounded thus far heard from Joe Skiner Co. H. in eye it is
feared mortally. Sergt. Kent Co. C in back and came out in breast, it is feared mortally. Ned (Edward
Logan) Hagar Co. B. slight in hand, the reason we did not go was because we was on picket a short
time ago. Before spoken of in last letter Cos. take turns in doing picket duty when whole regts. are not
required. Oh love what a terrible thunder shower we had last eve about 6 o’c for it lasted about 2 ½
hours. Every man got slopping wet. We were all marching at the time. If we were not, it would have
been nearly the same for it is too risky to put up tents in the first lines of battle. It is cloudy today,
some misty a thunder shower here never clears off as it does at home but most always turn into a
storm. I can’t tell when this grand fight comes off but it must do soon for the 2 armies are in close
proximity to each other. Last night the other regts. throwed up heavy rifle pits the entire length of
the front lines upon which they are still working to the left. It is being completed in our immediate
front. It consists of rails packed up and dirt thrown on the side facing the enemy, being straight up
and down our side. They are to protect the line of battle in case of attack or if repulse beyond to fall
back in. Now love I must close for this time. So good bye for this time.
July 14, 1863
Jennie,
Last night the enemy again fooled us for his last time for this time he crossed the river we
followed closely early this morning but all was over in Virginia when we got here we are now where we
were 9 months ago. We arrived here about 3 o’c. It is now near sundown. If the enemy had have stayed
I think that today would have been a day of battle. It was talked to last night, now whether we shall
pursue the Rebs on their own ground to Richmond or not is talk of great question. They say that we
shall stay here until we are clothed up, which we need very much and I hope until we get payed for they
own us 4 months now and over and the boys all need it very much. O love how hard the solider earns his
money and then can’t get it until they get ready to give it to us only think to be 4 months without pay.
We have just had another thunder shower. The weather is terrible unsettled indeed, but the moon
changes today and we hope it will change the weather. O Jennie I am looking for the picture in every
letter. I keep the miniature close to my heart and oft do I look at it and a whispered God bless her and
press it to my bosom. O love you are my all my only object to love. May God spare me to get to press
you to my heart. Now good bye darling for this time.
July 15, 1863
Dearest J,
To break and tear down the high castles of yesterday night which we all built in hopes of
staying long enough to get recruited again. We marched early this morning back to Boonsboro 12 miles.
We are supposed to be on our send to Berlin on the River to endeavor to cut off the retreat of the enemy.
It is pleasant now near sundown. Well I must stop for I must make coffee for that is the soldiers fare and
were it not for that we could not stand it. So good night.
Love from Daniel.
July 16th, 1863
Jennie,
As I supposed we are tonight near Berlin, Md. We started this morning at light and after
a quick march of 15 miles arrived here at 2 o’c. I have just been down to a neighboring brook and had a
good bath and eat supper, although very tired. When we arrived the boys are now very cheerful and
feeling well for they are issuing beans and dried apple, that being a luxury to us all. The news from the
southwest is so good that it makes the boys feel cheerful. I am in my tent which is as usual very good for
if we only stop for a night me and my messmate always put up a tent. We have a soft bed of unthrashed
wheat. I don’t know what farmers would do at home if they had to put up with the army camp at night
always lays all fences and lay or grain is confiscated for this soldiers bed, but who can blame them for
having a good bed when they can. It looks like rain tonight. The boys don’t like the idea of going into
old Virginia again but it must be the prospect if we shall get clothing before leaving here and probable
pay for they are making out the roles again tonight and if we stay here we shall in all probability see
the old paymaster from Washington, although the money will not be of so much good just as we are on
the eve of crossing into Virginia but still it is very expectable for the sutlers have something’s, at very
excellent prices, also the men can send home the money which many of them need to do for little ones at
home depending upon them. Now it is most dark and I must close, so good night and pleasant dreams.
From your true lover,
Daniel.
July 17th, 1863
Jennie,
We are here still at 10 o’c. It rains hard now it commenced to rain at 11 o’c last night and
has rained nearly all the time since, but I have a good dry tent to let it rain until it gets ready to stop
on condition that they don’t move us. We drawed some clothing this morning in all probability by day
after tomorrow the army will be well clad again. We have direct communication with Washington here
by rail. I suppose we will get a mail tonight so I shant send this until tomorrow for I may get a letter for
really I don’t hardly know when to expect one for my writing has been so irregular lately. If we are
going to stop here a week I hope they will change camp as soon as it stops raining for we are awful thick
here now being division closed in also. Two Cos. is a division: closed in. Most is about 25 feet apart in
line, which must make the tents very thick. It barely leaves room for fires, now I must close for this time
so good bye dearest, from Daniel.
July 18th
Jennie,
I now add a few lines and then am going to send it off. They say we are going to cross the
river tomorrow morning. We are going to draw clothes today we expect. It has nearly cleared off again
and very warm. The mud will nearly all dry up today. Now love give my love to your kind parents and
to all enquiring friends. So good bye. Write soon.
From Daniel.
