Kalorama Heights, Washington August 5th / ’61
Dear Maria,
If I have been slow in writing , it is not as if I have forgotten, for if ever man is reminded of home it is here…it is very fine to be a soldier but god help the volunteer…the regular solider is treated as a man, the volunteer as a brute. A week ago last Thursday we sailed from Boston aboard the steamer L. R. Spaulding arriving at Washington the following Sunday noon after a most calm and pleasant passage. There was nothing worthy of notice on the way till we arrived Sunday morning off the mouth of the Potomac. The Left banks of which are occupied by the enemy, from whose batteries we expected a few salutes in shape of shot and shell. Two rifled cannon on our decks were loaded and Company G, and H, furnished with a good supply of cartridges for defense.
But our noble ship sailed on and the gallant 10th passed on unmolested to the navy yard Washington. A few words concerning the volunteer on board ship. We number from 5 to 6 hundred men, the officers first were quartered in the cabins, second the houses 100, were placed on the second deck below, lastly the men on the third below like hogs under a barn…our fare consisted of sea bread coffee and salt beef no vegetable whatsoever and a short allowance of water…the hold resembled only the description you have read of the slave ships.
This food has continued without change through the camp till yesterday when we were treated to fresh meat-for the first time since leaving Medford, a change actually necessary to save our lives, as the whole camp were fast sickening and weakened for the want of nourishing food and change of climate.
I suppose you expected to tell you something about the capitol, but you must be disappointed, we were closely confined today in the navy yard and the next day marched straight through to our camp seeing and knowing nothing about the city but clay mud streets. We halted within a quarter of a mile of camp in a pealing old thunderstorm where we pitched some tents, crowded under wagons any way and laid till daylight. Then started again for the spot where we now stay, working and fasting till night. We shall probably remain here for a month drilling and perfecting ordering in the art of war. We know nothing here of where or when we should go. We know nothing of what is going on around us. We would give anything for northern papers. You in the north know ten times more of what is going on than we do, so it is hard to write you any war news. Anything that may be written from this camp is not to be relied on concerning what occurs out of our lives. We have a thousand rumors afloat made up for amusement and sent home by the green and credulous. The Chicopee Boys are all well generally excepting a little debilitated by the heat, are all in good spirits and true to the cause and anxious for the fight when it comes. I understand from good authority that Massachusetts regiments will be stationed in Washington as a guard for some time to come and make no further entrance south.
With love to you the dear girls and friends I am yours truly,
John
my health is tip top
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Washington Aug 19th ’61
Dear Wife and Girls.
I am sorry my last letter made you sad. I can write you more cheerfully today. We have had a complete reformation in our camp since last I wrote, and thank providence in Weather too.
All hands feel it and we are a new set of men, for myself I had just devoured a good beef stake dinner and smoking a segar. I rec’d your good letter, with which I am much pleased. its frankness, and good reason I am proud of, and it meets my views exactly. I never intended to desert the cause in which I have enlisted. I should not, if others had, unless you so advised. had the report been true as I wrote we could have rec’d an honorable discharge but I do not really think I should have accepted it, But there was no truth in reports current amongst us, and all is well now. We are as well fed and provided for now as men can wish a good supply of fresh meats bread and coffee and good beds untill [sic] lately we had slept on bare ground hard as bricks.
The effect is the whole camp are returning to their usual loyalty health and spirit.
Last week I had a new and exciting duty as Sargeant of the Picket guard whose duty is to watch all the roads and by-ways, & we were sent out 36 of us for 5 miles around the camp day and night. my duty was to go the whole round four times during 24 hours to see all well at their different posts in daylight. I found the boys having good times. they were set from 3 to five in a place, they built little green wigwams, had a gipsy fire where they roasted and boiled green corn, eggs and now and then a chicken with peaches and melons for desert [sic]. We arrested a rebel spy whom we brought into head quarters with sundries, poor chickens minus head and feathers, to treat the boys at home. In regard to drinking you need say no more, I am just in the right place to forget it, liquor is strictly forbidden in the whole army of the Potomac and cannot be had under the severest penalties both to seller and consumer. I have not seen the critter since I left Boston neither do I want too [sic]. We must continue to be thankful for the uninterrupted good health which I enjoy. God grant the same blessing to you all and a happy speedy reunion and with you I say make me a better man when next we meet.
Please see friend Stebbins and return my sincere thanks to him and M. A. Johnson for the very handsome and appropriate present they sent in segars, writing paper, pencils &c—tell him I will write him a good letter in a few days, when I expect to have something interesting to write. I expect to have command of a squad of men who are sent out in parties from each company and Regt to work on the batteries and forts building around us. I am told we shall certainly be paid in about the 25th. I shall have quite a little now to send you, so cheer up.
I cannot write more just now as the drum calls us to divine service. My love to all. I wish Jenny and Joe much joy. May he grow up a good Boy. God bless all, with love,
Yours, John
I will write often. Tillies’ turn next to write me.
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Washington, Aug 27, ‘61
Dear Marion, Tillie & Anne.
I wrote you a week ago last Sunday, and have waited till now for an answer. I intend to write every Sunday or oftener if anything interesting occurs. Since last I wrote everything is going on quietly, only steadily improving for our comfort, in conversation this morning with Colonel Decker. I learned that we are stationed here for three years about 6 miles from the capitol. We have had for two weeks a very interesting duty to me, Building fortifications for defense and winter quarters. within three miles of us there are three large batteries erecting which bid defiance to a host of Beauregards and Davises. The soil here is admirably adapted to this purpose being strong, heavy clay which when well-packed and sun-dried is impenetrable superior to stone or brick. The forts are built in different forms, around is a deep
Figure 1.
ditch inside of which the soil is thrown up some 20 feet high and 15 feet thick [see Figure 1]. Inside are magazine ammunition and Barracks. We are marched off every day 2 or 300 from different regiments with pick-axe and shovels, for four hours, and you would laugh to see us on our way – shirt-sleeves and trousers rolled up in all shapes, and us merry a set of fellows as ever handled the shovel and the hoe. The men all take to this work with good grace, as we know that we are making good strong houses for shelter in battle or storm. Nights and days passed by turns in keeping a vigilant guard around us. This is rather a pleasure than a work. We have plenty of time for rest. The inhabitants welcome our guards around their homes and feast us with many good things, in some cases throwing their house open to us. Where four men are on one post, two only remain at a time, 2 are at liberty to rest or visit as they please, so changing every 2 hours during the 24, when we are relieved by another Company and return to our quarters. As I have said we are station[ed] here, and every day improvements are made for our comfort, in food, clothing, as we have a great surplus of salt beef and pork, coffee, sugar, which with economy we sell for butter, eggs, fruit and luxuries.
I am sorry to say we are not yet paid but shall be next week. I shall send you money the day we get it, when if there is any think [sic] I want I will let you know.
I have no war news to write. You in the north know more of it than we do. By the by I have rec’d but one paper, yet the letter you wrote to Medford I got last week. It came strait enough but was overlooked and laid around in camp.
Give my love to all enquiring friends. Tell them I hope to meet all again in good health.
How does Jenny’s baby grow? Write me how the Chicopee Zouaves get along. Tell Tillie I expect her to write and Annie, too. I am in good health and spirits and hoping you are all the same. I remain
Your Husband and Father, John Pooley
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Washington September 9th/61
Dear Maria Tillie and Annie.
I have been waiting longer than I intended too [sic] to write you, hoping by this time to send you some money. I do not know why we are not more promptly paid, it is a poor policy creating a great deal of dissatisfaction and bad feeling in the reg’t. I have nothing particularly interesting to communicate, everything goes on smoothly and pleasantly, a little to [sic] smooth. So much sameness is growing dull and monotonous. We are kept busy yet building forts, marching and drilling and continually guarding every post.
We have had two or three false alarms, always finding every man ready anxious for his duty. As far as I can learn things are growing rapidly towards a crisis, but every thing is carried on in profound secrecy. Yet it is evident that at any hour we may be called into a bloody battle, one that will make its mark in the history of our country, but I am not one of those who think that the next great struggle will end this matter.
I think although the worst may be over then, there is yet a long war before peace and prosperity is restored to our beloved country.
I was pleased with Annie’s little letter. She wants to know if I like Soldiering better than Tailoring. Tell her yes, a thousand times. I hope to rise in my profession, and follow it the rest of my life, and when the war is ended, settle in the south. Such is my intention now, if I am spared. Why does not Tillie write. How is she getting along and what doing. You do not say anything about her, only she is well. How is Ed, and so on. Does Tillie go to school and is she a good girl. You must excuse a short letter this time. I can not find much to write about, although I feel just right for writing.
I understand Mr. Whitney is coming out to see us. I wish you were coming, too. It is lovely weather here now, and would be pleasant to you for a short time. You will wait patiently for my Lieutenancy, for there are 2 others who will stand a better chance than I do and there is not much chance for promotion while we lay here doing nothing, but when the time comes I stand a good sight and shall try hard for it to please you, if for nothing else.
I continue in the best of health, am sorry to hear that you again have been afflicted, praying that the same may not occur again and that you are all well now. With love to all and friends and neighbors,
I remain Yours Affectionately,
John Pooley
If we are not paid soon or within a week, I shall send my money by Whitney or wait to hear from you again. write soon.
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[”Annie” written in top margin]
Washington Sept 29th /61
Dear Wife and Girls,
Mr Whitney arrived here a few days ago, all Chicopee boys were very glad to see his good natured face.
I was very glad to hear that you and the girls were so well. I had been afraid that you were worse than you would let me know of, but he says he had not heard of your being sick and says you look so well that he cannot believe it. He talked so much of your sweet looks and looked so roguish that I am almost jealous of him. I had intended to write you a long letter to day, and Annie, But we were called to arms this morning at 5 O’clock, ate an hurried breakfast, and with two days rations were ready at 7 o clock to march, Immediately saw Whitney and gave him 25 dollars for you, I sent you 10 last tuesday by mail, which I hope is safe. we have just been ordered to our tents to rest and dinner and wait further orders, so I steal these few moments to write. we know nothing certain which way we go. some think nearer Washington or across Chain Bridge towards Arlington, but I have an opinion of my own. I believe we shall march north towards Harpers Ferry to guard the river. I believe there are forces sufficient for any emergencies about Washington and we are more needed the other way or near where we are.
Wherever we may be we have a regiment called by all second to none on the Potomac. our men are all in excellent health, and in better condition than at any time since we left home. I will write you again as soon as we are settled and hope to have something interesting to write. you must have no fears for my safety. I have none, and feel as cool as an old veteran. write the minute you receive this and direct the same as before only add care of Col. H. I. Briggs. give my love to the girls. tell them to say a prayer for me every night. I believe it will keep the balls off and shall feel protected if you remember me in this way. if we should not leave till to morrow I will try and have a picture for you in my full rig armed [illegible] for the fight, with love to you girls and all friends believe me your Affectionate Husband
John Pooley
tell Annie I will write her a letter as soon as we settle again and when I come home I shall have plenty of stories to tell her
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John Pooley Civil War Letters 