Category: Lucius Carhart Civil War Letters

Berwick City, Louisiana March 5, 1864 Dear friends This morning I received a letter two pr socks & Orvils & Almedies Photograph by the hand of Capt. Eastman. I thank you very much for them especialy for the Photographs they are very nice.. you will see by the heading of my letter that I am not quite in the same place I was when I last wrote. I have traviled about six hundred miles since then. the 4th Division were ordered to report to Brashear City and wate for further orders. we (the 96th) left fort Vance Texas the 25th of Feb marched to DeCrows Point crossed the Bay on to the Island. remaned there untill the 28th when we embarked on the Steamship St. Mary set sail and arrived at Algiers La the 3rd of March being 2 1/2 days & 2 nights on the gulf out of sight of land. we left Algiers & arrived at & went in to camp at Berwick City. opposide Brashear City the 4th of March.. we have not got things fixed round right yet. you will see by my writing that I am not in a very good shape to write but it has been some times since I wrote and I thought I would have to write a few lines as soon as I could and let you know my whereabouts.. i was pretty sick while on the gulf (sea sick) but as soon as I got on to land again I was all right. I feel first rate now. the Boys are well and in good spirits.. George Case is dead. he died while carrying his (gear?) on board the Boat at Matagorda Island his body was left on the Island.. I understand we are going out through Louisiana about the same was we started to go before. I think they are rather hard on the 4th Div. but I guess we can satnd it.. it seems they cannot put confidence in any other Division. when we came here we found Capt. Eastman. Orderly Bardwell, Nort Hannbeck & several others of our Co. I think our Regt have traveled round about as much as the most of them although we have very good time takeing all things in to consideration we had a very nice time while in Texas. on the 24th of Feb, 1864 there were 14 (including myself) Bptized in Matagorda Bay, Texas by our Cahpl–. I beleave I will have to stop for the present and write again after while.

Yours truly, Lucius Carter

inclosed you will find some little shells that came from Texas & a card that was give me when I attended meeting at Orleans

Fort Vance, Texas Feb. 20″ 1864 Dear friends.

I wrote a letter to you the 7″ of this month and now it is time to write again. I received a letter from you ð 7 3 the 14″ dated the 28″ of Jan. it seems by your letter that it is pretty sickly around home this winter. I was surprised to hear of so many deaths, but God sees fit to take those at home as well as those that are far away from home. God can Shield us from the grasp of death in the tented field on the weary march as on the field of battle.. as well as in our pleasent and peacefull homes. still the Lord has seen fit that many should be slain in the contest of Battle while comparatively few have died at home. but our cause is just but it matters not where we fall if “In God is our trust and conquer we must” tis far away in an Enemies country. on the Sandy Shore of the foaming Gulf On the wide plains of the Sunny South in our pleasent homes with kind friends in some desert place where no human form is visible in battle in peace or else where.. if we fall in the Army of Jesus all is well. many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.. the health of our Regt at Preasent is very good. George Case of our Co. is the only one sick of the Co. he is in the hospital tent.. he is very low the Doc thinks his case doutfut. (Just now the Pickets have brought in a Reb to the Colonels quarters) we are at the same place we were when I wrote last there is no particular news to write nothing of importance has taken place since we came here. only the Rebs keep up deserting their Army and coming in to our lines.. there has several come in since I last wrote.. it is reported here in camp that our Division are under marching orders. but where we will go I cannot tell. but I expect we will go some direction in a few days.. the weather has been quite rough in past few days. the wind has blown quite hard some of the time. but it is quite pleasent again today.. our protrated meeting has come to a close.. we have Preaching every Sabath. prair meeting every tuesday evening.. Capt. Eastman has not yet come to the Regt. I am very ancious to have him come with those Photographs. we had a new recruit come to our Co. last Sunday morning. one of Sargeants Harbottles recruits.. I don’t know as I have told you of his being at home. he went home from New Iberia to recruit for our Co.. he lives in Trenton near Olivegreen. I have but little to write this time so will close. Write often and forget me not though far away In distant land I rome Remember me in prair to God While in your peaceful home.

Yours truly, Lu Carhart

Fort Vance, Texas Feb. 6, 1864 Dear friends I received a letter from you last evening of Jan 10″ also one from George of Jan 3″ I had began to think George was not going to answer my letter. I wrote to him when at Vicksburg. it seems he is doing pretty well in his line of business. I suppose you are having some pretty cold weather in Ohio this winter. I think I have reason to be very thankfull that I am not soldiering in the part of the wourld this winter. I often think of our Army in Virginian & Tennissee how they must suffer. I get along very well to what I did last winter. we had a few days about the first of Jan that were pretty cold but the most of the time has been very good weather it is said to be a very healthy country.. we get the breese from the Gulf which is very pure.. it is a great country for Oyster & Fish. there are oysterbeds along the beech of the Bay. we can get them by diging them out of the sand. Our Quarter Master got a Sein the other day and most all of the Reg went a seining..we caught about 5.50 lbs. of fish.. so you see we have something besides hard tack & sowbelly after all. our bake oven had come so we have light breads now. this is agreat place for Shells. along the Beech you can find Shells of every discription. you remember the kind that Osgood brought home when he went in the Mexican war. I can get any amount of them here.. I thought if I had a caunce I would express some home if your like to have them.. it will cost about one dollare to send a box full the size of a cigar box.. it is quite blustery tonight and there is not meeting. we have had meeting most every night since we have been in this camp. the hole Regt seems interested in it it is getting late and I will stop for tonight.

Sunday Morning.. we have had Co. inspection this morning there is no drill or fatique duty to do today. the weather is not as pleasant this morning as it has been for several days although it is not very unpleasent.. I expect there will be preachng at 11 o’clock by our Chaplain or Capt. Coulter. we have got a very good man for a Chaplain. Smart man. but Capt. Coulter is one of the best men that ever preached to my notion.. we are getting along with our fort prety well it would be of great use to us now if we were atacked.. there was one Capt and on Lieutenant & one Private deserted the Rebs and came through our lines the other night and gave themselves up. there are seven in all that have come in since we have been here. I stoped writing again went to meeting. our chaplain preached (our chaplain’s name is Scott from Cardington) his text was the 11 & 12″ verce of the 32nd Chap of Deuteronomy.. we had as good a meeting I suppose as we could had we been in the best churchs in Ohio. I would like to beat home and enjoy some of your Sleighrides this winter.. I suppose the Veterans of the 43rd Regs are having gay times on their furloughs. I would like the fourlough but I cant see the Veteran Capt. Eastman has not got back to the Regt yet but if I receive the things you sent by him I shall be very thankful for them especialy the Potographs.. the stocking yarn I do not particulary need as I have some yet that you gave me at camp Delaware.. the boys in the Co are pretty well there is only one in the Co that reports to the Doctor it is George Case of Galena.. one of the Boys of Co K. has just came in to camp with one of the biggest Rattlesnakes I ever saw. he killed it not far from Camp. it had 13″ Rattles. I beleave I will stop writing for this time. I would like to be at home today and take dinner with you but I am far from it. but I think I will be at home in the cource of another year if I live. if I should not live to meet you at my earthly home my prair is that I may meet you in our heavenly home. Yours truly.. Lu Carhart..

(Upside down at top of first page) Direct to Texas instead of Army of the Miss.

Fort Vance Texas.. Feb 1 1864

Dear friends: I have not received a letter from you for near three weeks. no doubt there are some on the way.. but many times the male gets miscarried then one letter that often come to our Regt that belong to Regts in the Eastern Army.. therefore its a long time before the owner gets them.. no doubt some of my letters have been miscarried for often I get your letters first that are written last. We are still in Texas but not in the same camp that we were when I last wrote.. the 20th of Jan we were (the 1″ Brigade) ordered out on a Six day expedition with three days rations in our haversacks..we left camp about noon the 20″ we marched along the coast of the Gulf about fifty miles in the direction where the Penincely connectys with the main land we were then within 13 miles of a Rebel fort which is at the entrance of the Penincely.. we did not come in contact with any Rebs thus far. we turned about marched to within 7 miles of our former camp where our Regt were order to camp for the preasent So you see our Regt is 7 miles in the advance of our Division the 4″ Di. is the only one on the Penincely now.. We are erecting a small Fort here for the protections of the Regt. we have named it after our Colonel (Vance) we have a nice location for a fort. it is on a piece of ground some considerable higher than the most of the penincely.. has a good command of the Penincely.. it does not take long to build breastworks in this country. it is all sand. it digs easy and is the best kind of preventative again bullets..the Pickets fired their guns off in to the samd and battered them as flat as if they had been shot against a rock.. I have not seen any dirt (that is like the ground in Ohio) since I have been in Texas. all sand. While on our expedition up the Penincely we pased Several houses occupied by famelies that said they were union. that the men had been conscripted in the Rebel army. they seemed to be glad that we had come into this part of the country and hopeed we would have good success. One noon we stoped in front of a house to eat dinner and the woman of the house came out and begged all coffee and hard tack to spare. she said it was the first coffee she had seen since the war commenced.. there have three deserted the Rebels and come in & give them selves up Since we have been here in this camp.. they said there were others that would come in as soon as they got a chaunce.. a part of the boys of our Co that were taken Prisoners have been exchanged and are now with the Co.. William Flagg is one of them.. they state that the Rebs are in a very bad situation to hold out much longer.. the most they have to live on is corn meal.. fresh beef & molasses. the boys said they fared pretty hard while with the Rebs but they done as well as they could by them. they fared the same themselves. Capt. Kimball was exchanged and has got a lieve of absence to go home perhaps you will see him.. My health is very good & has been since I have been in Texas. the health of the Regt is pretty good.. we are having a Series of Meetings here in the Regt. We have Chad???? Scott & Cap Coulter to take turns in preaching to us. there have quite a number experienced Religion. others are seeking.. those in the Regt professing to know God through the (continued across the top of first page) Pardon of their sins and those seeking to find peace with God, have formed them selves in a band called the Christian band. there have about fifty joined in the last week. Also in other Regt throughout the 13″ Cops they are haveing revivals and numbers are becoming concious of their wickedness and turning to God. God is working a great work. I have no more to write at preasent. write soon and oblige. Lu Carhart.

(From Almeda Carhart to “cousin.” The usage of names for relationships were more loosly applied that today. “Cousin” did not always mean children of siblings as it does today. Here it is used to indicate “Brother.”

Berlin Jan 28/’64

Dear Cousin It is with pleasure pleasure that I attempt to write a few lines to you I am well and hope these few lines in Berlin find you the same. no more Berlin. Jan 12th /64 good by. Almeda Carhart

Dear Cousin

It is with pleasure that I atempt to answer your most welcome letter in which I received your Photograph for which I thank you for. I guess it looks quite natural. Orville was a baby when Mother was at your house last. he is the age of Urnest. ð 7 3 I should think you would have a pretty hard time if you have to deal with the negroes if all the storys are true about them being so lazy you said were a geting a quainted with the young Ladies and intended to enjoy your self be careful that they are not Secesh for if they are I am afraid that you will turning to be a Copperhead and that would be bad you know there is not much agoin on that would interest you so I cannot write much I am goin to school this winter our school is about 1/3 out I have been through the Arithmetic and pretty near through the Grammar it is pretty dull times up here I was at a party last friday evening and got aquainted with a young Lady by the name of Miss Woodrough she is quite a pretty girl shal I not keep her for you. I remain as your

Almeda

3

Jan 17″64 Dear Friends: I am still alive and well. Still Camped at the place where we first landed in Texas. near the mouth of Matagarda Bay opposite Matagorda island. you can see where we are by looking at the map. the name of the Port is Cavallo.. perhaps you have read something about our affairs. you will see in the De(l)aware Gazett something about our expedition. how finely we were progressing. that army that were camped here are all moving on up the Bay except our Division.. I expect we will make a strike at Galveston before long.. there are said to be 12 thousand Rebs at that place. I think the intention is to try and drive them in to Galveston and Siege them out.. Melve Flagg told me the other day that we had raised to Regts of Cavelry at Brownsville since our forces landed there. most of them went to Mexico when the war broke out and since our forces landed and took possion they have come back and enlisted. for that reason I think they will do good service. the Texas troops are said to be the best there are in the confederate army and if we can gain Texas and what troops there are on this side of the river I think the Rebel hopes are rather slim. I spoke of Melve. he is with Corps HdQrs which were at brownsville for a while. they are now camped here on the Point.. I understand that part of our Boys that were taken Prisoners are exchanged and the others paroled. and are all at New Orleans. I expect those that are exchanged will be here with us in a few days. I understand Will Flagg is of the number exchanged. there has nothing of much importance transpired since we came here only we were rather short for Rations three or four days. but it would not have happened had it not been for the Suttlers.. on the Boats that brought rations there were a lot of suttler stores smuggled in and brought through as comissaries. Gen Washborn saw we were getting short for rations and he said as they (the suttlers stores) were brought as commissaries he would use them as such. so he had them distributed among us.. there was said to be about ten thousand Dollars worth. “bore (?) on the suttlers.. at present Gen Dana is comdg the 13″ Corps.. and Gen Benton Comdys the 1” Brigade.. there are now six Regts in our Brigade. the 60th & 67th Ind. 23rd Wisc, 19th Ky..83rd & 96th Ohio, the 83rd are not with us now they are said to be on Shifs Island. put there for their bad conduct while at New Orleans. today is Sunday a very pleasent day.. the winter is said to be about over here. we had several pretty Cold days.. but is now warm and pleasent.. we are where we get the breases of the gulf which is said to be very healthy.. I have not received any letters from you since I last wrote. but I thought I would write wheather I got any or not.. there was a male came in last night but none for me. in my last letter I spoke of Sending you a record of Co. G by express. You will find it by going to the eexpress Agent at Delaware. I told the express Agent to keep it untill called for.. it is in a roll. I have got some of the meanest Ink I ever saw.. I can hardly make a mark.. I guess I will stop trying.. the boys are well that are with the Co.. give my best respects to all the friends.. Yours with respect. write soon from Lu. Carhart.

(Dated 1863, but must be 1864. Like a lot of us Lu was still using the date he had been using for the last year.)

Decraws Point Texas Jan 6, 1863 (1864?) Dear Friends:

This evening I received a letter from Almeda of Dec. 13, also one from you day before yesterday dated Nov. 29. I was glad to hear you are still all well. tonight it is rather cold and blustery. We have some of the greatest wind storms you ever saw. It will commence and blow for two or three days strait ahead hard enough to take your head of if it was not fast to you. The folks here call these wind stormes “Northers.” Some times it blows sand filles every thing full of sand. then we have a nice time.. at preasent we do not have very plenty of rations.. there is plenty here at the mouth of the Bay but the Gulf is so rough the ships cannot cross the bare so as to land the rations.. but it has all signs of a fair day tomorrow so the ships can land then we will have a fresh supply.. there is nothing of importance taking place here at present.. I beleave the intention is to march on to Galveston before great while. but I do not anticipate much of a fight there.. it kinder seems to me that the Rebs are about plade out all around the Bush.. I got a letter from Alf Jones tonight. he spoke of haveing fine time in Tenn.. also one from Frank Newcomb. He seems to have first rate times up there in Ohio. if I was as close home as he is I would not call it souldiering, it seemes that we get further from home every time we move.. Still we are better off this winter then we were last. we are in a warmer climate and there is a better prospect of this cruel war coming to a close.. you spoke of sending two letters with Postage Stamps.. I have never got but one.. Nevertheless you need not try to send me anymore as I got a supply while at New Orleans.. You inquired if I lost my money in the fight. I did not. I lost all my blankets and most all of my other traps but I have once more got a new supply.. we can draw just all the clothing we are a mind to. the worst of it is we have to carry it when we march.. we can draw rubber blankets when ever we want them.. they cost us $2.55 apiece. they are pretty good to.. you need not try to send me anything in the cloathing line..the clothing we draw is not quite as good as that from home, although it is cheap.. while I was at Orleans I got me a pair of boots. they cost me nine dollars. pretty high, but I would not take twice that for them now. I could not get along very well without them here in the sand.. the young folks at Frogland seem to be tearing around conciderable. some going to college and tell them to go it while they are young but tell them not to get married until I get back. Almeda you said you would send me Ories and your likenesses if I wanted them. If you can send them without a case I would like to have them. My fingers are so cold I will have to stop. I have made some awful marks you will see. I remain as ever the same Lu Carhart

(Faded ink of letter almost illegible. Envelope postmarked New Orleans, La., Nov 21, 1863. To Mr. Isaac Carhart Tanktown Delaware Co., Ohio. Envelope inscribed ‘Soldier’s Letter 96th OVI D. A. Stark Adjt.’ Reverse of envelope in same writing ‘Mr. Frank Newcomb, Co 66th 2 Batallion, 9 Co Camp Hopkins, Galipolis, Ohio.’ This address is written on the back of the envelope three times!)

New Iberia Nov. 17th 1863

Friends at home

Your letter of October 21 was received night before last. I am glad to learn that you keep well as usual. I am sorry to hear that Mother has poor health. I should think there could be something done for her that could help her.. You spoke some time ago about selling and going to Wood Co. and wanted me to tell you what I thought about it.If I was at home I could tell better what I would do. by what I can understand by those that have been there Wood Co. is a very rich Co.. It is new and very level country. They tell me the land all has to be ditched before it can be worked. I understand the land you are talking of buying is unimproved therefore it will have to be ditched the first thing. no doubt it would make a very nice farm if it was improved but you know you are getting to old to start anew again. You have all you could ask for to make you comfortable where you are all you want is a little more land. and the question is wheather it would be better to leave your Buildings and orchard and other conveniences to get more land. You must do as you think best. No doubt if I was there I would be in favor of traiding. but it may be some time before I can be with you. If you do trade I will let you have all the money I have to help you. It seems Old Vallandingham did not make much of a go in Ohio, only at Camp Chase. He seems to have done pretty well there. I should think it would bore the Copperheads a little. You must have had quite a nice time at Delaware celebrating the Election of old Johnny Brough. It must have been quite amuseing but I am not in favor of such kind of sprees.. it shows a very good spirit in the people. still I think they could spend their money in a much better way at the present day. If they do not feel like going to fight their countries Battles let them spend their money in helping those that have gone. Now is the time the County needs this assistance. Let them all join heart and hands and drive the Traitor from the land.. I understand Mr. George Flag & Molly Steambeck have finally got married, what a dreadful time.. I should have thought they would have sparked it 2 or 3 years longer. And Maee Mary him. Who in creation bowed so high and stooped so low as to take him. You spoke of Uncle Thomas Alls folks coming to spend the evening. how do they get along. I dont know as I have heard Alls name mentioned before since I have been in the Army.. We are still at New Iberia fortifying. the weather is very pleasant it has not rained for most two weeks. My health is very good at present. the boys that are left with me are well. I will close tending many wishes for your future happiness. Lu Carhart.

(In even smaller penmanship across top left of letter) You said that Orve wanted you to tell me that him and Frank had gone after the Cows. Tell Orve I would like to be there and go a hunting with him and Frank.

((Top of first page)

Almeda I got that piece of your cloak it is very nice indeed

New Iberia, La Nov 9th 1863

Dear Friends:

As I have a few lasure moments I will improve it by writing although I have rather sad news to write. perhaps you may hear of our sad misfortune before this reaches you, as I have had no chaunce to write untill now. I beleave I wrote to you when we were camped at Berris Landing ten miles East of Oppelosas. our Brigade marched from there the first day of Nov.. and camped Eight miles South of Oppelosas.. the rest of our corps camped four miles in the rear of us. the 19th Army Corps camped at Vermillionvile 16 miles in the rear of us. So we were 16 miles in advance of our mane force and four miles in front of all our troops.. the Second day of Nov. our Cavelry Pickets were fired into by some Rebel Cavelry Scouts. our Brigade was called out to give them a fight. but the Rebs skedadled and we returned to Camp. Gen Busbrage( our Division Commander) requested we should move back to our other force or have reenforcements, but we neither moved back or got reenforcements.. the third day of Nov. about 12 Oclock A.M. the Rebs came upon us driving in our Scouts and Pickets.. we formed in line and tried to repulse them but they were about five to one and we had to give back. we gave back about half a mile and they tried to flank us and had it not been for some of our corps hearing the muss and starting without order to healp us the hole Brigade would have been taken.. and it was most all taken as it was.. our troops came up just in time to keep them from entirely surrounding us.. as they came up we rallied and the Rebs haulted. we then turned upon them and drove them from the field.. before the fight our Brigade numbered about nine hundred and we lost in Killed wounded and taken Prisoner over six hundred. 117 from our Regt 12 from our Co. about 75 left in the Regt 16 in our Co. after the Killed and wounded were taken care of what were left of us went back to Vermillionville staid there two days and went to New Iberia where we are now camped. Isaac white was the only one killed in our Co. he was right by my side and was hit soon after the engagement comenced. he was shot with a rifle ball in the right brest and died in a few moments. two others with myself tried to cary him from the field but the enemy advanced so fast we had to leave him to make our escape.. after the enemy was repulsed we found his body and burried it in as good stile as circumstances would permit. William Flagg & Capt. Kimball are among the Prisoners taken. the Rebs distroyed most all our camp Equipage.. but uncle Sam will furnish us again.. we have drawn some Blankets today.. After the Battle I found my knapsack but it was empty.. but I did not care so much for that. I think I did pretty well to get out my self. the Bullets flew thick and fast all around me but I got out Safe. i received a letter from you yesterday dated Oct 11th was glad to hear from you.. You requested me to give my advise about selling out.. You must do as you think best If I was a home could tell you better what I would do Must close for now. Lu Carhart

(At top of first page)

they are fortifying at this place. I expect we will stay here some time. My best respects to all the friends from your old correspondent. Lu Carhart.

Feb 28th 63 Camped in the mud

Friends at home

this morning finds me in camp once more after an expadition of thirteen days. My helth is as good as could be expect under the circumstances it has been some time Since I wrote you.. I got a letter from you about 3 weeks ago dated the 25th of January which is the latest news I have had. I have not heard enough to know whether you are alive or not. the reason my not writing is because I have been out on an expadition and had no chance.. feb 13th Burbrages Brigade was order to march to the Boats (which was about one mile from camp) with 7 days rations on board and two days of it in their haversack. was guarding Co Reg that was all to march. about one company of cavelry and four piecies of artilery went on board the boats and started up the river we went about on hundred and fifty miles and landed and took a Scout after the Rebels which had been firing into our Transports as they went up and down the River, the Rebels being mounted we could not catch them and they would not stand any fight.. we took Several Scouts after them but could not catch them. we took Seven days rations and was gone thirteen days. we foreged when we were out so we got plenty to eat. we would come to a plandation and just go for things. Chickens Eggs Bacon fresh pork sweet potatoes honey and molases. I came acrost some paper which I am writing on. we have got back to camp again. no news of any importance the boys some of them got letters but none for me. I do not get any news and have none to write. my letter is Short but it is all I have to write. give my best respects to all. Lu. Carhart.

(At top of second page, written upside down)

Write Soon Direct to Memphis Tenn on the march

(At top of first page, written sideways)

Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name that will I do Call upon me in the day of troube I will deliver the…