Item No. 0840837

Our men stormed the rebel outer works, capturing some 15 or 20 pieces cannon and 300 prisoners. It was here that Gen [Hiram] Burnham of the 6th Maine lost his life. Our loss was heavy, but you will understand that from here to Richmond and Petersburgh it is one field work after another at short distances. So in taking them it involves great loss of life. But they will be taken, mark that.

Included in this archive are three letters from October 1864, as well as nine early 1865 orders and documents (12 pieces total), relating to Dr. Joseph B. Barclay, assistant surgeon of the 209th Pennsylvania Infantry. The letters provide very interesting perspectives on siege of Petersburg. The 209th was mustered in September and by October was in Virginia, encamped at Bermuda Hundred as part of the 18th Corps, Army of the James. Barclay wrote the first letter to his wife Jane on October 4, first stating that the uniform he had ordered from Pittsburgh clothier Oppenheimer & Co. was to be sent to him by express. He continues:

I have upwards of $100 dollars in my pocket, but it is not safe to forward it by mail. Pay nothing until I specify the exact amount. Besides, every commissioned officer is bound to board himself and the Commissary of Brigades, when in good order, sells provisions to all Commissioned officers. A private can buy nothing. The fact is this Regiment is made up, one company from Cambria Co., the balance from Adams, York, Franklin, and some other eastern counties. It is thought by those in authority that a Pennsylvania duchman can eat anything and can sleep anywhere. We are badly supplied. The staff officers have two messes and all we get is coffee with sugar, hard tack, and we bought of the Commissary a ham at 28 cts lb. After while I trust will be better supplied. But it is impossible to purchase anything outside the Commissary or Sutler. This whole country is exhausted and Government is issuing rations to Virginians who remain and have been plotting treason, now are knocking at Abraham’s kitchen door for bread, that’s so!

Barclay and his fellow officers found themselves rather poorly equipped at their new camp:

I have slept in the open air ever since I landed in this department. Myself, Dr. [Theophilus R.] Van Kirk, who has about the talents of Dr. Gilbert, 26 years old, the Quartermaster, and Steward who issues the medicine, are in one mess. We lay down in a cave under the breastworks on about a dozen hard tack boxes turned up, and twelve hospital blankets spread down. Here in a damp cave we sleep pretty comfortable, all things considered. The fact is this Regiment is not well supplied. We are entitled to a wall tent, but owing to red tape or scoundrelism it don’t come. I would rather sleep in the open air when it is day than in this cave. A shell would blow the cave into kingdom come.

He continues his letter describing the relative positions of the opposing forces around Petersburg and Richmond, including the Dutch Gap Canal, which was an attempt to bypass Confederate defenses on a bend in the James River. The canal was unfinished until after the end of the war, and today is the main channel of the river. Barclay writes:

The Rebel batteries are only from one to two miles off all around. The rebel pickets not 1/4 of a mile. The railroad running from Richmond to Petersburgh, about 2 miles. We hear the cars every day. Petersburgh in sight from the lookout, about 6 miles from our camp. Richmond, 18 miles. Our line of breastworks and Batteries extend from the south side of the James to the Appomattox, from river to river about 5 miles. Two miles south of Dutch Gap where is a neck of land about 150 yds, through which Butler is digging that canal, which when completed will let our gunboats through so as to cut of a circuit of 6 miles which is like a horseshoe, and at the bend the river is commanded by a strong battery situated on a high bluff, which would sink any gunboat in attempting to pass.

Barclay next describes the incredible panoramic perspective he had during the Battle of Chaffin’s Farm and New Market Heights, in which the Army of the James successfully carried a portion of the Rebel works, and then held them against counterattack:

On Thursday the 28th of Sept we could distinctly see the smoke and hear the firing of the artillery of the 10th and 19th Army Corps under Gen [David B.] Birney, commanded by Gen [Edward O. C.] Ord, some six miles on the north bank of the James. Our men stormed the rebel outer works, capturing some 15 or 20 pieces cannon and 300 prisoners. It was here that Gen [Hiram] Burnham of the 6th Maine lost his life. Our loss was heavy, but you will understand that from here to Richmond and Petersburgh it is one field work after another at short distances. So in taking them it involves great loss of life. But they will be taken, mark that. On yesterday I stood about 1 1/2 miles from our camp on the high bluff of the James by the side, or rather on the top of our Battery, within full range of a heavy rebel battery at the bend in the horseshoe reference to. There I stood like Moses when he ascended the eminence in the valley of Rephidim to witness the battle between Israel and Amalek. I there for the first time in my life witness an artillery battle. It was safe to me, but a grand sight. I could see for 10 miles away over towards Richmond, Dutch Gap below with a Rebel gunboat blazing away. Our battery at the gap replying. Further out 6 miles toward Richmond, Birney & Ord’s artillery with musketry in the woods sending their terrible missiles into traitor batteries. For two hours I witnessed this grand sight, but did not see a single man. But glorious to behold! The Rebel gunboats and field batteries are rapidly falling back. About 3,000 of our wounded are brought in to Point of Rocks Hospital, two miles southeast of this. The victory is complete. Just opposite where I stood we have sunk boats and obstructions and torpedoes to prevent the Rebel gunboats from coming down.

He then adds a note about the ground they occupy having been the site of the earlier Battle of Ware Bottom Church, and expresses his loathing for anti-war “copperheads” in the North:

On the very ground where we slept the first night we came to this line of defense, a battle was fought on the 20 May. 790 arms and legs were amputated. The graves of the dead are all around, some with headboards, others buried in pits. This is the effect of treason and copperheadism. Nothing will cure a copperhead quicker than to draft him and send him to the front. The 18th Army Corps is holding this line of works and can be sent either to Richmond or Petersburgh. Every morning and evening we have music either to the left or right, or opposite us. Scarcely a night passes but several deserters come into our lines.

Barclay closes the letter with extensive instructions to sell his horse, make the hogs “fat, very fat,” and procure apples and cider. He requests that Jane send “my tooth forceps and turn key & gum lance, all of them. I have calls every day to extract teeth.”

The second letter was written a few days later, on October 12 from the same camp. Barclay writes:

Our tent came to hand two days ago, which is the first time I have slept in a tent since leaving Harrisburgh. I am glad that we are out of the damp cave whenever it was wet—besides I am so tall that I could not stand erect in it. We are only a few rods where our tent is pitched from the ramparts of strong works, our pickets extending one mile or more in front; the Jonny Rebs a few rods from ours. Our line of works extend from the James to the Appomattox, a distance of 5 or 6 miles. The rebels are quiet along this part of our lines. No picket firing. But every night for about one hour a furious cannonading is heard very distinctly at Petersburgh and below, perhaps the Weldon railroad.

He then discusses his activities seeing to the men in the camp and comments on the election:

I spend my time prescribing and visiting the sick in camp. This morning we had about 70 at the sick call. A good deal of dysentery, diarrhea, and more than a dozen cases of rupture of long standing. Piles old cases, dyspepsia and diseases that could not be cured at home. These men, many in this regiment, came out for the bounty and to avoid the draft. Such (all, generally) vote the McClellan ticket. I am much more afraid of being in Libby Prison if we get into action than killed, unless a stray shot is sent at the surgeons who, out of humanity to the sick, are left in the rear. I must here say also that we have some good and true men in this regiment. The union vote was 152 majority out of 502 votes polled.

Barclay’s anger toward the “copperheads” is again expressed after he receives the news of another friend’s death:

I was distressed to hear from your letter this morning of Barclay McCollum’s death, poor boy! Like Morgan, cut off in the bloom of youth, and a bright prospect of future usefulness. Another victim to this accursed rebellion and to the plottings and factious course of the home peace rebels. They are responsible for the loss of life and for protracting this war, and they cannot escape the responsibility.

He follows with an interesting paragraph instructing Jane to make collections on balances due for his medical services, mentioning from whom she could collect apples and cider. From others he instructs her to collect cash. “Collect of Robt. McCuen’s wife her bille,” he writes. “Bob is in the army, but his wife has the bounty.”

Barclay next comments about his fellow officers:

The Surgeon Dr. [Manninf F.] Bowes has arrived two days ago, is about 30 years of age, married, has whitish hair, is small in size, hardly as big as Dr. Van Kirk. I go by the name of the big doctor. The others, the little doctors. I have come to the conclusion that I know as much as any of them. I am their senior in years and experience, but not of Bowes, according to military regulations. He is in our mess and I think a pretty clever fellow. In our mess is the 3 doctors, the steward who issues the medicine, who is also a practicing eclectic physician, the Quartermaster E. F. Lytle from Johnstown Pa., besides two orderlies detailed from the Regiment. One does the cooking for the present, the other attends to the horses. This saves us the expense of hiring servants for the present.

At the letter’s conclusion he writes:

I have rec’d no letter as yet from Emma, and can hardly get out of my mind poor Barclay McCollum’s untimely, and I think if we get into action it will be incumbent on me to pop over at least two accursed red traitors. As much as I hate these shells, I am getting familiarized to them, and it is very strange that men get careless of danger when constantly exposed. I have no firearms or weapon of any kind. I find them for me an incumbrance. In time of action there is always spare arms enough.

In one of several brief postscripts, he writes of the October 13 victory at the Battle of Darbytown Road: “News has just come to camp of a great victory of the right wing of the Army of the James. The rebels loss great, ours light. The rebels cooped up in Richmond, &c., &c.”

The third letter is undated, but by context was written later in October. After stating that his uniform from Oppenheimer had still not arrived, Barclay comments on the regiment’s change of camp and the celebration of General Philip Sheridan’s victory (likely the October 19 Battle of Cedar Creek):

We did not move our camp over 300 yards from where we were, and we are now building a permanent log cabin. Have to run the risk of leaving at an hour’s notice. Yesterday all our batteries opened a furious fire, a salute in honor of Sheridan’s last victory. Whipped Longstreet, took 43 pieces cannon, &c, with many prisoners. There is more danger of being shot here by these awkward Pennsylvanians such than by the enemy. It’s a great wonder that several were not killed.

In another paragraph Barclay describes a fancy new mess kit they procured, and mentions additional units that he had been assigned to visit:

I have just finished a good dinner of potato soup, in addition to boiled beef, excellent beets, corn starch, I believe which our Surgeon got from the Sanitary Commission. He also drew for the medical department a nice mess case complete. The soldiers stared with astonishment at the silver cups and silver forks, & we also got 12 splendid towels, 6 more Hospital blankets, had12 which we had divided out among our mess. I have two very fine ones besides my own. I can’t go to City Point until tomorrow. Today Gen. Potter assigned me to take charge of the soldiers at Carpenter’s Battery. Also to visit at least once a day a New Hampshire regiment. This will be only a temporary arrangement.

At the conclusion he comments, “The Chaplain of the 208th who used to be a dentist has chronic diarrhea, poor fellow! I have no doubt that the stores he draw from the Christian Commission will give him diarrhea.”

Other documents include:

January 1865 letter from Surgeon W. O. McDonald to Barclay, notifying that Private Henry Marteeny, 209th Penna., had died of Typhoid fever at the 9th Corps hospital at City Point.

January 1865 letter from 3rd Division Surgeon A. S. Jones to Barclay, requesting “a complete list of Deaths, both from Disease & wounds, of your regt. during the months of August, September, & October 1864.” Barclay lists: “Philip Kepfor, Co F, Private. Died 26 Octob, 1864, at Point of Rocks Hospital. Typhoid fever.”

January 1865 letter by Barclay certifying the health of Private John McIntosh, 168th Pennsylvania, prior to entering the service. Barclay had been McIntosh’s family physician. [McIntosh died of disease at New Berne, North Carolina.]

February 1865 letter from Barclay to Major John D. Berdotte, requesting a pass to City Point.

March 1865 order from Surgeon M. F. Bowes directing regimental surgeons to “state the diagnosis of Patients sent to Division Hospital. Very much trouble and delay was caused by this omission on the 14th inst. and hereafter applicants will not be received in hosp’l without requests properly made out.”

Undated handwritten certificate of disability for Private John Smith, 12th New Hampshire; with handwritten certificate for leave of absense for Captain John Jones of a New Hampshire regiment, signed by Barclay.

Undated handwritten lyrics for “The Battle Cry of Freedom.”

Undated handwritten lyrics for “Ellsworth’s Body.”

Letters are generally very good to fine. Some with slight paper loss and toning. The transcripts of the three letters appear below:

Letter No. 1:

Camp Near Bermuda Hundreds, Va.
Oct 4, 1864

Dear Jane,
I received a letter from you on yesterday dated Sept 26th, the first word from home since I left. Also one today dated 28th. On yesterday I received a letter from Seth T. Hurd from Harrsiburgh, stating that my clothes were at Harrisburgh then, but he could not get them without paying for them, which I knew. I also knew before I left there that they could be sent to no other point except by the individual who sent them. I accordingly wrote to Oppenheimer & Co. Pittsburgh to order them on by express to City Point, and write me at what time they would be there. Then on their receipt I would authorize you to send a check to them on a Pittsburgh Bank. I have upwards of $100 dollars in my pocket, but it is not safe to forward it by mail. Pay nothing until I specify the exact amount. Besides, every commissioned officer is bound to board himself and the Commissary of Brigades, when in good order, sells provisions to all Commissioned officers. A private can buy nothing. The fact is this Regiment is made up, one company from Cambria Co., the balance from Adams, York, Franklin, and some other eastern counties. It is thought by those in authority that a Pennsylvania duchman can eat anything and can sleep anywhere. We are badly supplied. The staff officers have two messes and all we get is coffee with sugar, hard tack, and we bought of the Commissary a ham at 28 cts lb. After while I trust will be better supplied. But it is impossible to purchase anything outside the Commissary or Sutler. This whole country is exhausted and Government is issuing rations to Virginians who remain and have been plotting treason, now are knocking at Abraham’s kitchen door for bread, that’s so!

I have slept in the open air ever since I landed in this department. Myself, Dr. Van Kirk, who has about the talents of Dr. Gilbert, 26 years old, the Quartermaster, and Steward who issues the medicine, are in one mess. We lay down in a cave under the breastworks on about a dozen hard tack boxes turned up, and twelve hospital blankets spread down. Here in a damp cave we sleep pretty comfortable, all things considered. The fact is this Regiment is not well supplied. We are entitled to a wall tent, but owing to red tape or scoundrelism it don’t come. I would rather sleep in the open air when it is day than in this cave. A shell would blow the cave into kingdom come.

The Rebel batteries are only from one to two miles off all around. The rebel pickets not 1/4 of a mile. The railroad running from Richmond to Petersburgh, about 2 miles. We hear the cars every day. Petersburgh in sight from the lookout, about 6 miles from our camp. Richmond, 18 miles. Our line of breastworks and Batteries extend from the south side of the James to the Appomattox, from river to river about 5 miles. Two miles south of Dutch Gap where is a neck of land about 150 yds, through which Butler is digging that canal, which when completed will let our gunboats through so as to cut of a circuit of 6 miles which is like a horseshoe, and at the bend the river is commanded by a strong battery situated on a high bluff, which would sink any gunboat in attempting to pass.

On Thursday the 28th of Sept we could distinctly see the smoke and hear the firing of the artillery of the 10th and 19th Army Corps under Gen Birney, commanded by Gen Ord, some six miles on the north bank of the James. Our men stormed the rebel outer works, capturing some 15 or 20 pieces cannon and 300 prisoners. It was here that Gen Burnham of the 6th Maine lost his life. Our loss was heavy, but you will understand that from here to Richmond and Petersburgh it is one field work after another at short distances. So in taking them it involves great loss of life. But they will be taken, mark that. On yesterday I stood about 1 1/2 miles from our camp on the high bluff of the James by the side, or rather on the top of our Battery, within full range of a heavy rebel battery at the bend in the horseshoe reference to. There I stood like Moses when he ascended the eminence in the valley of Rephidim to witness the battle between Israel and Amalek. I there for the first time in my life witness an artillery battle. It was safe to me, but a grand sight. I could see for 10 miles away over towards Richmond, Dutch Gap below with a Rebel gunboat blazing away. Our battery at the gap replying. Further out 6 miles toward Richmond, Birney & Ord’s artillery with musketry in the woods sending their terrible missiles into traitor batteries. For two hours I witnessed this grand sight, but did not see a single man. But glorious to behold! The Rebel gunboats and field batteries are rapidly falling back. About 3,000 of our wounded are brought in to Point of Rocks Hospital, two miles southeast of this. The victory is complete. Just opposite where I stood we have sunk boats and obstructions and torpedoes to prevent the Rebel gunboats from coming down.

On the very ground where we slept the first night we came to this line of defense, a battle was fought on the 20 May. 790 arms and legs were amputated. The graves of the dead are all around, some with headboards, others buried in pits. This is the effect of treason and copperheadism. Nothing will cure a copperhead quicker than to draft him and send him to the front. The 18th Army Corps is holding this line of works and can be sent either to Richmond or Petersburgh. Every morning and evening we have music either to the left or right, or opposite us. Scarcely a night passes but several deserters come into our lines.

Now for business. I neither want you to send my horse or servant. If I greatly need one I will capture or buy a mule. I intend to do without a horse for the present. The Colonel’s horse has not had one bite of hay. He will soon die. The cause, red tape and an easy colonel. If you can, sell Harry for her worth. Perhaps it would be best. Ask $125, but I would not sell her for less than $100. If Charley could make her pay for her field in going to mill or getting apples, collecting debts, &c, it might do to keep her. Horses here sell from 200 to 300 dols. and Gen Butler won’t let a horse leave this department after he gets here. Either sell my horse or keep her. If you can’t get a good price I am able to keep her. I think you did very well in selling the white cow for $35.00. I would make those hogs fat, very fat. It will pay. I have no arrangements made about cider. Buy it new you can, and get it good. You will have to pay for it. Get apples, green and dry. Murrens could furnish you with some on account, dried cherries, &c. Collect all you can and get it by making a business of it. Keep a book of your receipts day and date. I cannot get those boots, I suppose, but if you ever get a chance to send them to me, do so. Also don’t forget it, my tooth forceps and turn key & gum lance, all of them. I have calls every day to extract teeth. I left my black citizen coat and thick coat in my carpet sack at the City Hotel, Harrisburgh, and requested by letter S. T. Hurd to take it home with me, whether it comes or not. I can think of nothing more at present, but commend you all to the care of a covenant keeping God. Farewell.
J. B. Barclay

P.S. I think if I get leisure I must give Hurd a letter for the Clipper.

P.S. Today I washed my stocking in the wash basin. I must dam up the holes. Water is rather plentiful at this camp, but poor. Plenty of ague.

P.S. I have a $2 Ohio note which I will send you. Nothing will pass here but greenbacks. I think you had as well hold on to your greenbacks.

Direct your letter
18 Army Corps
209 R.P.V.
Col Kaufman’s Staff
City Point, Va.

I am 7 mls from City Point. 5 from Bermuda Hundreds.

P.S. I saw Dr. Samuel of Perryopolis on yesterday. He came out as a private for the bounty & has risen to Hospital Steward, 200 Regt!

Letter No. 2:

Camp Near Bermuda Hundreds Va.
Oct 12th 1864

Dear Jane
We are at the camp I last wrote from. Our tent came to hand two days ago, which is the first time I have slept in a tent since leaving Harrisburgh. I am glad that we are out of the damp cave whenever it was wet—besides I am so tall that I could not stand erect in it. We are only a few rods where our tent is pitched from the ramparts of strong works, our pickets extending one mile or more in front; the Jonny Rebs a few rods from ours. Our line of works extend from the James to the Appomattox, a distance of 5 or 6 miles. The rebels are quiet along this part of our lines. No picket firing. But every night for about one hour a furious cannonading is heard very distinctly at Petersburgh and below, perhaps the Weldon railroad.

I spend my time prescribing and visiting the sick in camp. This morning we had about 70 at the sick call. A good deal of dysentery, diarrhea, and more than a dozen cases of rupture of long standing. Piles old cases, dyspepsia and diseases that could not be cured at home. These men, many in this regiment, came out for the bounty and to avoid the draft. Such (all, generally) vote the McClellan ticket. I am much more afraid of being in Libby Prison if we get into action than killed, unless a stray shot is sent at the surgeons who, out of humanity to the sick, are left in the rear. I must here say also that we have some good and true men in this regiment. The union vote was 152 majority out of 502 votes polled. I voted in the 211 for Smith, Fuller, and Jno. Collins. This regiment had some companies from Indiana and Westmoreland Counties. You say Tom Cooper is in Col. Brady’s Reg. 208. It is 206 and has left this. They have crossed the pontoon bridge over the James and are now some 6 or 7 miles on the right. When the recent fighting has been going on, I did not see him, did not know that he was out.

I was distressed to hear from your letter this morning of Barclay McCollum’s death, poor boy! Like Morgan, cut off in the bloom of youth, and a bright prospect of future usefulness. Another victim to this accursed rebellion and to the plottings and factious course of the home peace rebels. They are responsible for the loss of life and for protracting this war, and they cannot escape the responsibility.

This morning I received two letters from home, which should have reached me before this. One dated Sept. 24. The other from Hellen dated Oct. 7. This must be considered an answer to both. I think it is time enough for Hellen to get a school. It is no matter whether she gets that one in Jefferson Township or not. She can live at home without a school unless she prefers to teach. I have nothing further to say about collecting than I have already written. If you can get $1,000, do so. I wrote you that I have made no arrangements about cider or apples or anything else. But Jefferson Tolbert promised me some corn. He put in a field and he owes me 60 or 80 dollars I suppose. He must let you have, I don’t care how much. Also John Craft Jr. must give you some. Bill Craft also. John Porter of Jackey Craft. Collect of Robt. McCuen’s wife her bill. Bob is in the army, but his wife has the bounty. Sam Shock’s wife will pay if you could send out near the flat wood some 8 miles from Brownsville. You must acquaint her with the mistake in subtracting the credits from the debt. Geo. Hileman, Henry Hileman, Frank Heron, & let these men pay you money and buy corn and oats & pay cash for it. Just put up in the office window, “Cash for Corn or Oats,” and you can get as much as you want without any trouble. Make plenty of apple butter, &c. Charly might pick some apples and haul them in before you sell Fanny. Either pay for them or pick them on the shares, just as you can. Look over the books and notes and collect what you can, and when you can. Lend to Esq. Clifton that order of Mrs. Bee’s, which he verbally accepted. Alfred Porter’s bill is drawn off. He will pay it. Also, Edward Lee, col’d, he lives right on the road to Porter’s. He can let you have a load of cabbage, money, &c. I cannot think of any more names just now.

Our camp breaks up in two hours. We will move down two miles nearer the Appomattox.

I think you might as well sell Fanny. Get J. P. Cross to sell her unless you need her to collect with. At all events get one side of the stable roofed and keep the corn well, &c. I purchased a few days ago a fine black mule, which was captured from the rebels about two months ago. It ought to have been turned into government, but the man asked $75 dollars. I told Dr. Van Kirk to go down and buy it. I would advance half the money, and run half the risk of having the mule taken from us, &c. He went down and bought her for $50 dollars and I own half of her. She is worth 100 or 125 dollars if can keep her here. I let Van Kirk ride her and she lopes along finely. I intend to ride her when I want to, but I bought a horse, saddle, and bridle for $15, which I ride. He is an old government rip, poor but will do very well for a pack horse. And after while I will try & buy a good riding mule younger than the one I have. So you need not send any horse or servant here.

The Surgeon Dr. Bowes has arrived two days ago, is about 30 years of age, married, has whitish hair, is small in size, hardly as big as Dr. Van Kirk. I go by the name of the big doctor. The others, the little doctors. I have come to the conclusion that I know as much as any of them. I am their senior in years and experience, but not of Bowes, according to military regulations. He is in our mess and I think a pretty clever fellow. In our mess is the 3 doctors, the steward who issues the medicine, who is also a practicing eclectic physician, the Quartermaster E. F. Lytle from Johnstown Pa., besides two orderlies detailed from the Regiment. One does the cooking for the present, the other attends to the horses. This saves us the expense of hiring servants for the present.

I have not heard from my military clothes yet. I wrote to Oppenheimer in Pittsburgh to send them to City Point. I have received no word yet from him. When they come, unless he directs differently, I will authorize you to pay him. Have you received that carpet bag and my black coat and thin coat? I left them at City Hotel, Harrisburgh, for S. T. Hurd to bring home. If he did not do it, get him to write to the landlord (I don’t know his name) and have them sent to you by express. I have rec’d no letter as yet from Emma, and can hardly get out of my mind poor Barclay McCollum’s untimely, and I think if we get into action it will be incumbent on me to pop over at least two accursed red traitors. As much as I hate these shells, I am getting familiarized to them, and it is very strange that men get careless of danger when constantly exposed. I have no firearms or weapon of any kind. I find them for me an incumbrance. In time of action there is always spare arms enough. Direct your letter either Bermuda Hundreds or City Point, Army of the James, 209 R.P.V., Col. Kaufman. I remain your affectionate husband
J. B. Barclay

To Mrs. J. C. Barclay
Brownsville
Fayette Co, Pa.

P.S. I am in good health. Never better. What I forgot to say, send me immediately 25 cents worth of 3 cent stamps. I put the last one on this and cannot get one here.

Did you get the $2 Ohio note I sent you? Nothing goes here but greenbacks.

Jas. McIntosh promised to put me in coal. Also, Wm. McCuen. Also, Matt Davis of Bridgeport. Get that leak in the roof patched. I mean on the house.

P.S. News has just come to camp of a great victory of the right wing of the Army of the James. The rebels loss great, ours light. The rebels cooped up in Richmond, &c., &c.

I am only 2 miles from the oak tree where Pocahontas saved the life of Capt. Smith, but have never had time to go down.

P.S. We are going to draw from government tooth extracting instruments, so don’t send mine, and keep my boots for Charley if they fit him.

Letter No. 3:

Dear Jane
Yours of Oct 10th is before me. Also the letter you received from Oppenheimer. I went to Bermuda Hundred yesterday, but no clothes yet at the Express office. The agent promised to address me line when they arrived. Of course, don’t pay for them until I get them, and I will let you know immediately. This afternoon I am going to ride the mule to City point for to get a pair of gloves, spurs, curry comb, and a few indispensables. We did not move our camp over 300 yards from where we were, and we are now building a permanent log cabin. Have to run the risk of leaving at an hour’s notice. Yesterday all our batteries opened a furious fire, a salute in honor of Sheridan’s last victory. Whipped Longstreet, took 43 pieces cannon, &c, with many prisoners. There is more danger of being shot here by these awkward Pennsylvanians such than by the enemy. It’s a great wonder that several were not killed. I am in pretty good health. Can eat as hearty as any of our mess, but we all begin to complain of Rheumatism. The days are hot and the nights cold and damp with no fire. This must be remedied or we will all get the ague.

[…] I will write you one when I hear from you again and get those postage stamps. I can’t get any here. If you have not received my Carpet Sack and Coats, get Hurd to write a line to City Hotel, Harrisburgh, and have sent by express. I don’t know the landlord’s name. We have got a set of tooth ext. instruments and you need not send mine. When I get my clothes I have a great notion to send home my large blanket, which I purchased in Harrisburgh. I have 4 new pair of government socks, first rate ones only cost 35 cts a piece, besides two other pair, and we have plenty to eat now by buying it. I think I can board in the mess for 3.00 or 4.00 per week.

I have just finished a good dinner of potato soup, in addition to boiled beef, excellent beets, corn starch, I believe which our Surgeon got from the Sanitary Commission. He also drew for the medical department a nice mess case complete. The soldiers stared with astonishment at the silver cups and silver forks, & we also got 12 splendid towels, 6 more Hospital blankets, had12 which we had divided out among our mess. I have two very fine ones besides my own. I can’t go to City Point until tomorrow. Today Gen. Potter assigned me to take charge of the soldiers at Carpenter’s Battery. Also to visit at least once a day a New Hampshire regiment. This will be only a temporary arrangement.

We have plenty to eat and take care and get all you want to live comfortable. There is no use in starving. You might get some beef of Stitzel. They owe me considerable yet. I forgot to mention that our Surgeon also drew for hospital use 12 lbs black tea, 10 lbs white sugar which comes on our table frequently. The Chaplain of the 208th who used to be a dentist has chronic diarrhea, poor fellow! I have no doubt that the stores he draw from the Christian Commission will give him diarrhea.
Yours affectionately
J. B. Barclay

Either direct your letter City Point, or what is better Bermuda Hundreds, Army of the James, 208th Reg. P.V. Col. T. B. Kaufman. Write often If I have not answered everything remind me of it again. All well.