Category: Lucius Carhart Civil War Letters

(Stationery has an engraving ‘View of the Capital at Washington’)

General Smith headquarters 3 miles Southeast of Lexington Sept 28,/62

I received a letter and 3 Dollars from you by the hand of George Sacket the 26th I have now received two letters from home. I am well at present and have very good fare. Our Company is Garding General Smiths headquarters about 3 miles Southeast from Lexington and our Regt is about 2 miles beyond us in Camp and a poor one to Their was 50 reported sick yesterday morning in the Regt and the Doc says they will all be sick if they do not move they are in a Cornfield and very poor water and not much of it our Company has been detaled to garde the General and I dont know how long we will hold our position but I think it will be for some time the Boys all like it and we have a furst rate time here plenty to eat and drink and that’s all we want we have had no fight yet and little prospect of it unless we advance there is a good many secesh round here but they are afraid to say anything there was one in Newport that let out some of her slang and got well paid for it When we went through Newport the Ladies came out with water Cakes Aples and peaches and give to the Soldiers and one of the women came out dressed up very nice with her silk and made fun of the Ladies that were giving to the Solders and one of them pitshed at her pounded her and tore her silk dress most of her and she went and took her in the law and they brought them up and heard the story and told the old secesh to go home and mind her bisness and not make fun of union Ladies there is a good many union folks here and good many Rebs but they are afraid of the bloody 96th we are Said to be the best Regt in our Brigade they say we make a better appearance on dress perade than the Regulars that have been in servace over a year. you sent me 3 dollars which I am not in use of at present and dont know as I should of wanted it but it was as good a Chance to send it as you would have and mabee I shall want it before I draw again I got my mittings that you sent mittings money & letter was all I beleave I dont know what to write hardly there is not much new it is about the same thing I like the Contry better than I did when we first Came here it is very brocken and hilley and the roads wind round the hills they work the roads so they are good they are all paved with stone we have a guarde acrost the road at headquarters which is in a large tavern a very pleasent place you spoke about sending a papre you may send them if you are a mind to no more at presnet. (Signed at top of page) Lu Car

Same date as above–another sheet with capitol engraving

September 28 /62

Sunday. it is very still and pleasent but it looks some like rain. we are 3 miles Southeast from Covington guarding General Smith’s headquarters he is in a large Tavern closte beside the road to the North of the house is a high board fence and we drove down stakes and laid on posts and laid rails on the fence and posts and then put on hay for a cover this morning we had inspection and napsacks I went out into a grove upon a hill a short distence from the quarters and could hear about 10 bells ringing in Cincinnati Covington and Newport for Afternoon meeting which sounded very solemn and made me think of home the Country is very hilly and some pretty large ones and When we get a Chance to get out and look round it seems more pleasent I like the Country better than I did when I first Came here but would not like it well enough to live here they do not do up farming on a very large scale the principal Crops are Grapes & Sweey potatoes the side hill are Covered with them and other trash that they take to market they go regular every Day the most of them have a one horse wagon with an old poor hores and the Cities are lined with them every day Monday 29th this is a very pleasent Day it is a sort of smoky and seems like fall.. I am on guard to day there is 4 guards in the day time and 6 at night there is one acost the road two in front of the Tavern and one back side of the house to the gate that opens in the yard and at night there is two to guard the Comissary. I was stationed at the gate back side of the Tavern and have a chance to set down and those in front have to walk a beat it is easier to sit down but in the night there is danger of getting to sleep.

Tuesday 30th I came of duty this morning 9 oclock. did not drill any till after noon. nothing particular hapened to day. it is a very pleasent Day rather warm we got our tents from Camp last night and cleaned the ground of nice and clean and put up our tents so we have it very nice now

Wednesday Oct 1 last night there was picket firing and the long role was beat in the direction of Camp Haing (?) that is about 2 miles west of us and this morning there is heavy Cannoning in the direction of fort Mitchel that is about 6 miles west there is a telegraph wire than runs from ft Mitch to General Smiths quarters and we got news this morning that they were Skermishing over there but I think there is no use for Covington and Newport are surrounded with forts and rifle pits and plenty of good men to protect them

(May be another sheet as this is not signed)

De Crows Point, Texas Camped on the Beach of the Gulf of Mexico near the mouth of Chatagarda Bay. Dec 23, /63 Dear Friends:

This pleasant afternoon finds your Old Friend away down in Texas. I beleave that I wrote a few lines to you when I was at Algiers, La. Since then we have had quite a pleasure ride on the big waters. We got on board the Steamship Geo. Peabody the morning of the 18th and started down the river about noon the same day. the morning of the 19th about eight oclock we sailed out the mouth of the Mississippi on to the waters of the foaming Gulf. in a few moments we were out of sight of land nothing but the dark blue waters and sky to be seen. we sailed two days and one night before we came in sight of land again. we then sailed along the coast most all one day and finely came to the place where we were to land.. we went on shore the evening of the 21st.. we had a very pleasent trip. the Sailors Said it was as nice a trip as they ever made. it did not storm untill the evening we landed it raned a very little. it is a very barren Country water and wood is very scarce (although almost surrounded with water) but it is salt water. we have to dig holes in the ground and the water runs in through the sand. it tastes rather bad but we have to drink her. there is no timber that grows within less than sixty miles of us. we have to get what little wood we have along the beach. we burn grass logs and cow dung at a great extent. the Soil is all sand & the ground is all Sait. they say it rains sand sometimes but it has not since I have been here. they say that there is a pretty large force of Rebs within about twenty miles of us.. but they don’t seem to like to fight very well. before we came down here the Rebs held Matagorda Island and had a pretty large Fort on it. Seven large Guns.. but our fleet landed on the Island below the Fort and the rebs run and left the hole concern. We are driving them in the direction of Galveston and I expect we will have a little fight there if they dont conclude to run.. after Bankes landed in Brownsville, Texas, he got 12 hundred recruits in one week to fight for the Union. When I was at Algiers I sent to you by Express a record of Co. G. of the 96th Regt.. and told the Express Ageant to keep it until called for and you will find it by going to the Express Office at Delaware.. it cost me two Dollars.. I got me a pair of Boots when at Algiers and other things that I needed so you need not send me any thing unless it is a pr or two of socks. but I am so far away you can not send them. The Boys are all well.. I saw Mel Flagg last night. he is well. give my best respects to all the Folks write often. Yours truly. Lu.Carhart.

(Another sheet of paper)

Dec 23

We stopped last night at place called Gastines Landing. it is on an old Secesh plantation. the Boys got of the Boat and went to the house found the man dresses in Soldiers clothes and they serched the house found four guns and two pistols all loaded and them took him Prisoner, he then owned that he was a Secesh Soldier home on a furlough. I went to the house and help hunt for arms and his woman looked so she was searched most to death but seemed to think it all right, there were 3 or 4 other houses the Boys went to and the men run into the woods and some of the Boys set fire to the houses and burned them up. there was a store house close to where we stoped that had about 1000 bushels of corn in it and they took on to Boats what they wanted they then burned the rest. in the morning when the pickets came in they brought in five other men.

Dec 26. We are now within about 30 miles of Vicksburg. on the Boat one Brigade started yester and scout in the direction of Vicksburg one Company went with them about 10 miles and then was detailed to come back to the Boat with 10 Rebel Prisoners 196 head of cattle 5 mules 10 horses which our Caveley men captured, it was quite a time for Christmas. Diferent I suppose from the times you had in Berlin. our Brigade has not got back yet and don’t know when they will be back, the Brigade thats landed hear with us are out Scouting most all the time and bring in lots of prisoners and stock, I can not write any more now I have a chance to send a letter now for the ð 7 3 first time since I left Memphis and probably will not have another for some time if you do not hear from me you need not feel worried for I am all right. L. C.

New Ibera, La.. Nov 28th 1863

Father, Mother, Brother, & Sister

I received a letter from Almeda about one week ago dated 31st of Oct.. also one from Almeda and Mother combined this morning dated Nov. 9th 1863. I have just come off from inspection.. today the weather is rather disagreeable. it rained last night and this morning it is chilly & blustry. today is the first we have done anything in the way of inspection drilling or even having roll call since the fight.. there was ninety of the Regt out on inspection this morning including officers. Yesterday morning I with five other from our Co was detaled to guard a forage train. in all that was detaled from the Division was about five hundred.. a train of wagons of about fifty.. we crossed the Bayou at New Ibera & went out into the country about 12 miles.. we stoped at a plantation of which was said to be Owned by an old fellow that was Capt of a Gasnilly gang of about two hundred that have often fired at our boats while passing up and down the bayou.. on going into the house we found the table very neatly set for six and nobody to be found except the woman of the house. Supposing it to be fixed for the Old Capt and some of gang, the boys pitched in. and the good things that were on the table were soon deminished. the wagons were loaded with corn hay and corn blades etc for the Division. the boys then foraged for them Selves. they piled on to the wagons sacks of sweet potatoes fat hogs sheep turkeys geese & chickens any amount of shugar we then made our way back to camp. we live first rate when we have a chance to forage. Our Army haveing to live on Corn meal and Beef is altogether a misstake.. we have any amount of beef this time but I have not seen any corn meal but once since we have been out on this expedition and that was in the Rebel camp near Oppelosas where the Rebs had to leave so quick they could not take it with them most of the time we have all we want to eat.. We have a Baker in our Regt and a Bakeoven of sheet tin that is fixed on wheels that we have with us all the time and we draw light Bread every day. also salt pork, fresh beef, Beans, soap, candles, & part of the time we draw potatoes. the Rebel force that were in front of us are supposed to be gone, they are concentrating their force at some other point.. Gen Bankes has affected a landing at Sabine pass, Texas and took the Rebs on rather a surprise. they were not looking for him in that direction.. I understand since he has landed he had got about five thousand recruits.. 3000 negroes & 2000 Texans. I think the Rebs are about plaid out in this part of the wourld. they are very destitute for clothing.. the Rebs that we fought the other day were very poorly dressed. Our troops here at New Ibera are fixing up sort of winter quarters and are liveing as finely as could be expected.. although it seems rather lonesome since the fight our Regt being so small. I beleave they are going to send home

(following written across top of first page) one from each Co. of our Regt to recruit for the Regt.

Camp Price Nov. 8th/62

Dear friends I have not yet got any letter from you Since I left the Hospital. I am still in the same camp that I was when I wrote you before. I am going to write whether you do or not. there is not much to write but I will think of something. I have not much time to write now for I have got to go out on a General Review. we are under General Rosacrance & he is going to be with us. I shall have to stop for the call is made. Well I have got back it was reported that General rosecrance was going to be out on review but nay time did I see him. they get som of the biggest lies started in camp I ever heard. perhaps you do not hardly understand what is ment by a General review. the hole Batalion is formed in a line of Battle and the General and his Staf run their horses the hole length of the line of Battle first in front and then in the Rear. it is a performence just to see how strate a line they can get us in, and make a little show. we are getting along very well at present we are fixing up things about right, we have built a wall of sods about one foot thick & two feet high and staked the tent on top of it and we have built an areh? in the tent and it makes it as warm as you please. it seems the most lik home of any place I have been yet if you have any notion of enlisting or want to see how Soldiers live just call over. I am trying to write by candle light and all of the Boys are trying to get round the candle so I guess I will stop for to night.

Sunday Nov 9th Just 3 months ago to Day that I enlisted. it does not seem very long. it is a very fine day rather cold we have had fine weather all the faul so far it rained a little the other night and tried to snow some the other day but did not make out much. I am on guarde to day. they let us go to our quarters and stay till within ten minutes of time to go on guarde which makes it very nice. before untill with a couple of days they made them stay at No. one all the time. there is not as much prospect of a fight now as there was when we were at camp Bates we stand picket and Regimental guard with out our Guns loaded I have not had my gun loaded since I have been here in camp and there at camp Bates we kept them loaded most all the time. they seem to think round here that the War is not going to last much longer. I saw an old man that lives here in Town when I was out on picket the other Day he said he thought the Rebels could not fight much longer for he said he new by true reports that they were in a starving condition he said he saw Morgans army when they went through town and counted six without hats or shoes and the most of them were nearly necked for clothing. that was about three weeks ago. and they have gone clear of out of the state now. there is a chance now to go into the regular Army they give a chance for ten to go from each company I think they give a good chance they give the hundred Dollars bounty the same as if you had not enlisted and 40 Days furlough rite after you enlist. I want to know what you think about it. if you have not got a chance to send them shirts yet mabe you can send with Gary Doc has sent for a Batt?. So has G. Sacket I would like that gray woolen vest of mine. I am well. Lem Roloson Will Flagg John Rader are in the Hospital. the rest are well except bad colds. (At top of first page) write and let me know about things. Lucius Carhart

Camped on the Prairie 10 miles from Oppelasas, La.. Oct 18th /63 Dear friends Some time has passed since I have written on acount of not haveing a chaunce to to send letters.. I understand the male will go out this afternoon and I will write a few lines let you know that I am all right. it has been some time since I have got a letter I beleave I will not write much more untill I get answers to some that I have written. We left Carrollton the 3rd of oct.. crosed the river took the cars opposite New Orleans went to Brazier City distence of 60 miles (Brazier City is on Burewick Bay, La.) from there we took it a foot.. five Day hard marching with knapsack & four days rations in Haversack brought us to where we now are. This is the finest country I ever saw. mostly Prairie.. the object of this expedition is more than I can tell. it was thought when we started that we were going to texas. but we are not traveling in that direction.. we have some Skirmishing with the Garillies as we pass along but nothing of much importance.. I have but little to write it is the same old story.. if I keep my health it is all I ask. the Boys are pretty well. I would like to have a pair of Boots. but I don’t expect you could send them to me.. if you should have a chaunce get no 8 fine Calf skin double soles.. flat on the bottom.. Sewed instead of pegged in case you can get them. them others always hurt my feet.. if you sind the Boots send a pair of socks in them. Write soon from old Lu Carhart

Editor’s Notes: “The object of this expedition is more than I can tell.” d We feel Lu Carhart’s exasperation in this statement. He had kept his bearings and carefully reported on his locations, but the action taking place. But this “expedition” has him buffaloed! The action has been sparse, they thought they were going to Texas, but they are headed in the wrong direction. After marching five days with hurting feet he asks for a new pair of boots, and wants them sewen and not “pegged” Little did he realize what was ahead of him in the next three weeks.

(Date from envelope. Half sheet of paper with no date. Probably continuation of September 17 letter.)

There are any amount of women Peadlers come up to Camp every day from New Orleans.. They have every thing that is Eatable and some things that are not.. there are women that were well off and never done a stoke of worke before the war comenced. that are now Peadling for liveing.. there is one women that comes up that is rite nice and clean with her victuals. She comes to our tent first.. She brings up spareribs Chicken pies. She cooks them herself and they are clean (reverse page) and nice.. Ike and I got her to make our fruit into Pies.. they were made good.. we dont hear much how the Army in the East are doing. You hear more than we do I expect. the Garilleys are trying to stop transports from go the River but do not make out very well. they had considerable of a fight up to Read River but the last I heard our men had them surrounded. I will close for this time.. if you get a chaunce to send my watch do so. Charley Arnold is at home on a furlough maby you can send it by him.

(At top of page upside down) Charles is a first rate onest fellow. My Best respects to all. Lu. Carhart

(Date from envelope. Half sheet of paper with no date. Probably continuation of September 17 letter.)

There are any amount of women Peadlers come up to Camp every day from New Orleans.. They have every thing that is Eatable and some things that are not.. there are women that were well off and never done a stoke of worke before the war comenced. that are now Peadling for liveing.. there is one women that comes up that is rite nice and clean with her victuals. She comes to our tent first.. She brings up spareribs Chicken pies. She cooks them herself and they are clean (reverse page) and nice.. Ike and I got her to make our fruit into Pies.. they were made good.. we dont hear much how the Army in the East are doing. You hear more than we do I expect. the Garilleys are trying to stop transports from go the River but do not make out very well. they had considerable of a fight up to Read River but the last I heard our men had them surrounded. I will close for this time.. if you get a chaunce to send my watch do so. Charley Arnold is at home on a furlough maby you can send it by him.

(At top of page upside down) Charles is a first rate onest fellow. My Best respects to all. Lu. Carhart

Sept 11 (1863) Carrolton Louisiana Near New Orleans

Dear Friends

I have received one letter from you Since I have been in this camp. Ike White came to the Regt Safe and all right he Brought a box of things for the Boys. I got some dried fruit and a can of Butter.. thank you very much for the things you sent.. I was not in as much need of them as I was when Mr. Flagg came to see us. Ike said you was going to send my watch to me. I would like it better than anything else you could send me. we get all we want to Eat.. and pretty cheep.. we have a Baker in the Regt that Bakes all the bread we want. we can get milk and most anything else we want very reasonable. I went out to Lake Ponchertrain yesterday six miles from Carrollton (Carrollton is about 1/2 from Camp) a small town) I went out on the cars. it is the prettiest place I have seen in Dixie. the watter is salt. it is the prettiest place to Bathe I ever Saw. I went into the watter as far as I could wade and could see the Bottom of the lake as plane as could be. fine gravel bottom. the watter is just as clear as cristal.. I have nothing much to tell. write. I am well and harty. the Boys are well I don’t know when we will move if we move at all or where we will go.. I send a profile that was spoiled a taking. No more at present

write soon from your affectionate carhart Lucius

August 31, 1863

Left Vicksburg Aug 23.. went into Camp fiv miles from new Orleans.. Aug 26th Aug 31st Spent the day in New Orleans. Well and hearty things cheep. Pleasant weather.. Nice country.. no more.. Goodby

PS You need not send them things I sent for. (Hat pr Pants) don’t want them at all.

I sent my Putty to Almeda

I received a letter from you just before I left Vicksburg..

Write often (flourishes)

(Postmarked Memphis, Aug 11) August 2, 1863 Vicksburg, Miss.. Howdy do. pretty warm day this. My health is pretty good. how is it with you. whats the news. dull times and hard fare. how do the folks do in Berlin. Have the young folkes got back from 11 oclock meeting yet. What have you got for Dinner.. I just eat a smashing old dinner. had a slice of meet. small peace of cucumber pickle, a slice of Bread that I bought, and a cup of watter from the Miss River. We draw (as a general thing) Hard Crackers Sowbelly Coffee and Shugar. Some times we draw beans rice and hominey. we generally have crackers Sowbelly & Coffee and then Sowbelly Crackers & Coffee then coffee and crackers & Sowbelly and when we go on that until we cant go any longer we have to beg of our Patriotic Settlers.. Get things cheep. Cheese 50cts butter 50 cts.. Potatoes 25 cts, per dozen. Onions 5cts apiece.. Apples 5 cts. apiece.. Bread 25 cts. a loaf. How do you get along with your harvesting. Do you have any ripe apples or new potatoes.. I should like to have a dish of Bread and Milk about now. We are still at Vicksburg but expect to move in some direction pretty soon.. the talk is that we are going to Natchez, Miss. to garrison the place, but how near I do not know. What do you think of Old Morgan did he scare any of you very bad.. how do you get along with the Copperheads by this time.. can you make them drill. how do they like it.. who are the Oficers in our Township have you any Conscripts ready to send down here.. if you have send them along. we can work them. we dont hear much news lately we have not had any very late papers so I do not know what they are going in the East, I have not had any letters from you since I wrote last.. there had four of our Company gone home on furloughs.. Isaac White of Eden, George Case of Galena, Charley Backoven (?) & Shriver Gaml of Sunbury.. the rest of the Company have the promise of furlough after while. I do not know whether I will expect one or not.. You wanted to know if I wanted paper and envelopes or money. I have all I want of such things. We drawed two months pay just before the surrender of Vicksburg, and day before yesterday we drawed two months more. I am going to send some money home the first chance I have. i have to use considerable but try to not spend it needlessly.. the fare is pretty hard. Capt. Coulter said he did not blame a man for spending his last dollar for something to eat that was necessary for him to have. I wish you would if you can without too much trouble send me a few postage stamps. They cannot be had here. Give my best respects to Aunt Ophelia tell her I will write as soon as I have a chance. I was very glad to have a few lines from her. tell her and Amelia that William & Charles Smith were well the last I heard from.. My respect to Emeline N(?). You wanted to know what the soldiers thought of the Copperheads of them if we had them down here or if we were up there.. they consider they meaner than the Rebels in the South.. we have once in a while one in the Army that seems rather in favor of the p(?)leded Copperheads but he dare not say much.. My respects to all the friends.. Write and give me the news. From L. Carhart to the Folks at Home. Direct Co G. 96th OVI 1st Brigade 10th Division 1(3?) Army Corps Army of the Miss. lc 630817

Vicksburg Aug 17th /63

I received a letter dated July 29th some time ago.. I have written three letters since we returned from Jackson. and one while at Jack– and have received four.. I have nothing particular to write times are dull. every thing quiet.. we are still in the same camp near Vicksburg. the weather is very warm.. we have to keep in the shade in the middle of the day.. we drill one hour in the morning and have Dressperade in the Evening.. it is thought we will go to New Orleans this week. and perhaps from there to Mobile.. my health is very good. the boys are pretty well, what are left.. there are only four of us now from the 16 we had in Our Mess.. Will Flagg,, Ell Finley,, Jo Griggs & my Self.. Lem Roloson started home day before yesterday with his Discharge. he was very poorly.. I should have sent some money by him if he had been able to cary it. but he had all he could do to cary him Self.. Bill Neffus Came to the Company day before yesterday. when we were at Perkins Plantation he was detailed to guard Prisoners up the River and when he got to St. Louis he thought he would go home he has been gone untill now.. he tells some pretty hard tales about the folks about Delaware.. he says the copperheads do about as they please. he says they dress in butternut colored clothes and ware butternuts for buttins. if you see a lady with a butternut Brestpin tell her that I said she had better stick it in her A.. tell them Copperheaded butternut Colored traitor Devils they had not better come here and show their Colors or they will get their darned Bull necks stretched.. they are worse than a sheep theif.. I wish they would draft every Devil of them and put them in old Regt. and when they come to Battle put them in the front rank. and if they did not come to time shoot them.. I think the folks of Delaware have not much spunk or else they are all turning Traitors. or they would not allow such work.. if we were as calm and cool and done no more to crush the rebelion than they do in Delaware what do you suppose would become of our country.. it is enough to make any one prevoked to do as I have done for the last year (as much for the interest of them as my Self) and then have them lazy Devils do all they can against me.. I hope they will hang and shoot every one that votes for Old Val.. I beleave if it had not been for them Copperheaded traitors I would have been home to day instead of being way down here.. but they are to mean to talk about so we will let them go.. we are all coming home after while and then is they want anything we can give it to them the South is about whiped.. I dont know as I will get a chaunce to come home on a furlough or not and dont know as I would take one if I had a chaunce.. I should like to beat home a little while and see Uncle John & have a drink of that good wine. but it will cost to much.. there will three of Our Boys (of our Company) start home tomorrow on sick furloughs.. Old man Courter of Sunbury is down here to see his son in the Hospital the health of our Regt is midling good.. I expect our ranks will be filed up with conscrips in a little while.. I saw a piece in the Delaware paper stating that Capt Kimball was going to bring some down when he came.. you said in you letter that Capt Kimball was dead is it not a mistake.. his woman is dead but I guess he is not.. Write soon from

We are now in the fourth Division instead of the 10th.. 1st Brigade 4 Division 13th army Corps army of the Miss.