Project Ayer - Civil War 1862

I suppose that like myself you have much to do – only more so. Yours is indeed a noble calling and I think of you as an Angel of Kindness making your daily rounds, a kind word is worth more to the lonely soldier-boy than anything short of a gentle mother’s hand; and this I know you often bestow. We have a kind and skillful Surgeon too. I wish you could see him. I know you would like him. Is there indeed no prospect that I may see you over to our Division? If you could but spend one night with me it would be a real satisfaction. I received a letter from Pa the other evening. He has bought a Piano for the girls and they are practicing all their spare time. I believe it is a very nice one its first price being $325, which by a few words he shows that he purchased for $246. No other news of importance; though I quote a little of his humorous. “They say that David Oatman is courting (as they used to say) Nellie Stray, with intentions all right. Nellie is no beauty and probably never will be, but that is nothing”.

The health of the Regt has been almost perfect for the past month or two, some of the time but two or three being in hospital. I think we have at present six.

The men are beginning to learn how to take camp life, so as to preserve health. We have been under orders for a few days past to have three days rations in haversacks and be ready to march at a moments notice. We have been expecting an advance before now, but is probably deferred owing to the disagreeable weather of the past few days. We await anxiously though patiently the word. When it at length comes why may we not look for victories by our Div of the Army which will not be eclipsed by the splendid achievements in the west. I think we may rest safely in the belief that with a continuance of the Divine favor this unholy rebellion will soon be forever crushed out. Then Dear George we will return to our homes more proud than ever of our country and more jealous of the safety of all its institutions. God grant that that glorious day be not far distant. When you write please tell me whose Division you are in. I have forgotten. The day Pa wrote he was going home with Vinnie and little Iris. He spoke of the visit having been very pleasant. Please give my kind regards to Mr. Savage. How does he enjoy camp life thus far? Now promise me to write upon receipt of this, as I do not know when we shall move and I want much to hear from you.

Enclosed you will find a specimen of the common stone in this section. It is a small pica which [] for you+

I have just finished a letter to brother George and now in gratitude to you for giving me so good a brother, I am going to write to you. I bear in mind also that I am uncle through the Devine blessing yourself being the humble instrument and I remember a very kind and most welcome letter in your familiar hand, and breathing that spirit which only sister Vinnie’s letters do breath which reached me quite a while ago. All in all you will not wonder that I am doing what I am.

I suppose you are once more in your little home. God bless you dear Vinnie, and make the hours pass pleasantly and profitably by!

It must be almost one year since I have seen you. It was up at the Depot, you will remember it. How rapidly it has whirled away and yet how eventful! It would hardly have seemed possible that so many changes have taken place in so short a time. To our sainted mother indeed how great the change! A world of sorrow and sickness and death, for on of continual peace and health and life everlasting. A world of clouds and storms exchanged for one of bright-sunshine and sweet tranquility. Sister; how bravely she met the issue! Not a moment’s hesitation, not a word of complaint. When she saw that my mind was clear as to my course she only bid me God speed. Her inspired and sanctified Spirit seemed to penetrate the thick gloom of our Country’s night, and to behold the ushering in of a momentous and more glorious day. Tears indeed our dear mother shed: but they were tears of heavenly joy mingled it may be with a mother’s sorrow. And through those tears beamed faith and hope and a smile of blest submission to the Devine Mandate. Oh! My dear Vinnie you will pardon me I know for dwelling here. It was the last hour I ever spent with dear mother. She gave the parting blessing. She knew. I knew it would be the last time each would see the other upon Earth. That kind and tender mother, I must see her no more here. You too were there Vinnie. I remember now. It pressed heavily upon your sad heart that brother Ira must go and leave you alone the oldest of the children to console and direct. But God I trust was with us all. We had hope in him; and while his rod seemed in love to chastise, his staff supported us and his Spirit comforted us.

Please write very soon Dear Sister. We are under marching orders not knowing what day we shall move and I want very much to hear from you before we leave this place. I saw Mr. Savage when I visited George. I fancied he looked some thinner that usual. I am enjoying excellent health. The weather is pleasant here some of the time but a good number of storms. I am at present sitting on a General Court Martial. It remains in session several weeks. This relieves me from some other duties not quite so pleasant. [Piequet] for instance. Tell me about the Piano and how sisters Sarah and Julia succeed with it; and everything that interests us all.

Receive Your brother’s congratulations upon being, as I hear from different sources, the mother of a noble Boy, - an event which has taken me entirely by surprise, I suppose because I have been looking for a bit of news as joyful as this until I had given up all hope; for you must need know that almost more than a year ago it was entimated to me by one who ought to know that such an occurrence would almost surely come to pass. This is only for your ears and mine, the which, should it reach another’s might cause – but I’ll not speak of it.

The Boy – of course I wish him well. Beneath his judicious Mother’s care I look for an innocent and aspiring boyhood, and a development sooner or later into novel and useful manhood. May the wisdom of the past rest with you, my dear Sister, enabling you to discharge the duties of your new position in love and Christian fidelity.

We are now in the midst of a delightful rolling country. Twelve miles beyond Manassas and three this side of Warrenton Junction, on the A&A RR. It is twenty six miles to Fredericksburg, where is now a position of McDowell’s Corps, King’s Div., and we are daily expecting to be ordered there. We do not expect to cross the Rappahannock soon; when we do we may see some rebels – not before.

I have just received a letter from Uncle J, who is now in Washington. It was very kind, and I hope to see him in Washington. Uncle is a man of noble impulses, is he not? His letter was classic in style, most chaste both in sentiment and expression. It seems to me that the beautiful eulogism which he wrote upon mother, is not a little applicable to himself. I think it true that his ideal of life far exceeds its stern actuality, and it may be that for this reason, either in reviewing his own course or in contemplating the world, he is thrown into a depth of despondency which those of a different temperament or organization, know nothing of. He expressed his design to remain near me while exposed to danger, and to care for me should any casualty befall me.

You must know, dear Sister, that I begin to look forward to the time when I shall once more take a peep into your sunny home. I hope before another Winter that I and your loved husband will be permitted to join our family circle around the familiar fire-side. We are looking most anxiously for the issue at [levunth] and Yorktown: but I believe McClellan and Halleck will work out the nation’s safety and bring us speedy peace. Oh! how lovely will be our land when once more relieved of the scourge of War! It seems so to me that every inch of America’s soil will, to me, be possessed of a new and peculiar interest.

I have just finished a letter to Grandma and also one to cousin Annie who writes interesting and pleasant letters. I also write occasionally to Nettie and [Misson] Fenton. What would you say to my remaining in single blessedness until about thirty two? Would you have any objection – providing of course, I should live so long? You have never told me what you think of the connection of Mr. Savage with our fair cousin Mary. I shall be most happy to have your comments.

It seems that all are carried away with the new Piano. I am most happy that they have been able to secure one; and it seems to me well that sister J should endeavor especially to perfect herself in music and French. There is much more pleasure in a perfect knowledge of one language than there could be in an imperfection of several.

The Blue Ridge mountains are in the distance whose hazy slopes and majestic outlines are distinctly visible from our adjoining height. The Peach trees are in full blossom and many sweet songsters are in the forests. The Spring is unusually late here however there having been so much rain that I think no sawing or planting has yet been done. But I see my sheet is full and I must close. Please write as soon as health will permit. Your last letter was a dear good one. Good bye

I expect soon to join Bro George before Richmond. We are now awaiting to embark which we shall probably do this evening or tomorrow morning. We marched to this point from opposite Fredericksburg yesterday, through a drenching rain, a distance of about seven miles. We were soon encamped, shoes & socks changed & al very comfortable.

The country through the valley is delightful, the roads lined with cedar hedges, which render it quite [rowantei].

I Re^ed a letter from Uncle J last evening, in which he says that he will try and meet G & I at Richmond.

My health is at present very good, though I was troubled a little with chills a week ago.

How are Iris & the little Boy? When you write tell me all about them both. Does the little fellow grow fast & keep fat & well? I would love to see him & carry him around as pa used to carry babies. And little iris, you must give the Fairy Uncle Ira’s best love. On of her warm kisses would warm a soldier’s heart wonderfully.

Well! Perhaps a merciful Providence may permit us to meet again yet. If so what meetings & greetings!

I suppose you hear from George often. I have not heard from him since early in the Spring. Has he been well? & how enjoying himself? I endeavored to see him two or three times when encamped near Alexandria but failed always.

I have not heard as to your own health of late. I suppose I should, if it had not been quite good. Please write soon and tell me all of interest. Direct as usual. Now that we are in a non active position I will endeavor to write frequently & shall hope to hear from you as often as you can conveniently write. Do you hear from Mr. Savage?

It has become my painful duty to communicate the final history of your Son Edwin B. Pier, a corporal in Co. I 10^th Regt. Pa reserved Corps, who departed this life, for his sure and Eternal reward at 6:50 a.m. of this date 12^th July 1862.

While you have to lament the loss of your good and brave patriotic Son from the happy circle of home and its tenderest associations, let it be remembered that not a Sparrow falls to the ground without the permission of the divine will; and much more So an immortal Germ. of Intelligence who is to ripen and enlarge in the being of “God” for ever. Sit on the throne in his Kingdom and adorn the Halo of his presence will Song in the highest relations of Son and Father! He my Sorrowing hearted Sire is passed away under Special appointment of Him whose will decides and speaks our destiny “Happy Soul thy days are ended” “Come up hither”. Then all the work of redemption, and providence is accomplished, then the joy if full; the Garments washed White, the Crown prepared; and the command is given.

Such, and more than words can Express in the limits of a Sheet. I can, with others testify to be the blessed position of Edwin B. Pier. He was wounded in the right arm on the 27^th June, the shot passing through his Elbow and Shattering the Small Bone and tore out near the wrist, his arm being in bended position when the Ball Struck him a rifle or a Minnie Ball. (of these Battles I do not comment as papers are replete with such information but confine myself to the case of the Soldier) He had to March in the retrograde movement with his Shattered Arm Exposed to inclement weather to the James River, harassed and Wet, and privations which human history cannot justly reveal. On the 29^th being Sunday he embarked on board a Jeansport to be removed to Washington; when on board the Small bone of his Arm was removed by Surgical operation, but from exposure and length of time, and combined circumstances incidental on War, inflammation had set in and when on his passage from Fortress Monroe on board the Steamer Louisiana. It was decided by the attending Surgeons necessary to Amputate the Arm above the Elbow accordingly. He with others arrived in Washington on the 4^th July and was appointed to the 13^th Street Hospital (I will here digress and describe to you the Hospital and his position in it. This is a large Baptist Church, and the Government has taken it with other Churches until the have enough, and the most Commodious; and have fitted them up most carefully for health and comfort in the most approved manner; we have in addition to this leading men, whom, by promoting the comfort of the wounded Soldier, gives a popular feeling and interest, So, that attendants from the best circles wait upon them day and night, and I will name the Hon Solmon P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury, to whom your thanks, as far as human things are right, is especially due, for his personal attention to his laudable work, the Clerks and their Ladies are fired with an unequaled zeal in aiding the wounded expiring patriot that does honor to the Country and the great cause it Sustains. By such powerful examples, much is done and your Brave Son received from the best and most tender hands unrelenting attention day and night, and I can assure you that never was more tenderness manifested by the dearest relations than was to your Son to the moment he expired. Doctors and Ladies always in attendance and no human Effort was Spared to restore him; but the author of his destiny is above us –and led him away-) To return it was our lot to be found nearer in relations to him than others, we live opposite this Hospital and when the wounded were brought in our duties were enlisted in their cause. Mrs. James is and Exceedingly Matronly Lady, has much experience and tenderness in the case of the Sufferer, and Edwin was always happy when She was in attendance, last evening we had conversation with him as it appeared for the last time, as Mrs. James was up the night before and a change of ladies was necessary. She left him with myself about 10 o’clock when we bid him our final farewell in his life, to meet again, in that “bright world”. S…..issed him for his Mother. I called him by name, and he recognized me. Is it peace in Jesus? Yes. Are you upon the Rock? Yes. And so he smiled his farewell, and all hearts were softened and eyes suffused with Tears. He lingered till the time named in the preceeding Not a complaint or murmur escaped his lips, He was possessed of rare Christian fortitude, and endurance, when we knew his pains to be acutely Severe, all was well, no impatience. When I saw him first in his bed at the extreme end of the Hospital, most convenient for air and separate. I spoke to him on the subject of religion, he asked Mrs. James what profession I was. She told him I was a Methodist, from that time a near union was formed, and mutual confidence which can no where be found but in the family of Heaven, and I had every opportunity of knowing the State of his mind. I said to him a Short time after he was settled and as comfortable as he could be made Edwin. God will answer prayer, he has promised to give us what we ask him for, will you pray to be healed? No said he not unconditionally, I will only pray let the will of the Lord be done, he will do right. Beautiful and intelligent Submission, all his conversation I admired, it was not much, but good, he was. As brave and heroic, possessed with calm courage, fortitude, and endurance as ever stood in defiance of her cause; warm with the War blood of a Patriot in his heart, he was firm in the hour of Emergence without passion or malevolence, Kind to his f…… energetic in the cause of his Country …… laws for which. He ardently S………..edly died!

So farewell my unknown………… and I thank our heavenly Father …… permitted to Stand in a Parents pla……. those affectionate Survices in the last hours of our dear Son and Brother Edwin B. Pier. My private residence is 403 13^th St. Washington, DC.

This is the letter that led to Ira Ayer, II and Jennie James meeting and getting married. Edwin B. Pier was in Ira Ayer’s company and was also a fellow student at Allegheny. From The Flag of the Allegheny College Civil War Company by Jonathan E. Helmreich, College Historian, Allegheny College:

Company I’s losses were the highest of any company in the tenth regiment. In reporting the death of Corporal Edwin Pier, who died as the result of the shattering of his right arm, Captain Ayer wrote eloquently of Pier as one of the most promising students of Allegheny College. Of fine mind and devout and refined feelings, he was a devoted Christian and an earnest patriot. He was an excellent Greek and Hebrew scholar, and spent much of his time while off duty in the reading of Greek Testament. Of modest deportment, he was as courageous as he was humble.

After hearing about how well Edwin was treated by the Jameses, Ira stopped to visit them when in Washington. That is when he met their daughter Jennie. They were married in December of 1863.

May it please you to permit me the favor of addressing you, under some circumstances of embarrassment.

Upon my arrival in this City from Richmond I felt very [desicivred] of Waiting upon You and the President to offer my warmest, truest, and most grateful thanks, for the President’s Expression of Kindness toward my husband in the hour and time of his greatest trouble and trial, separated from his family for whose safety he suffered intensely deprived of the means for his support in his sorrowful and sad condition, he applied to the President at once received him kindly, heard and entertained his application, [Balsamed] his wounded heart, gave him his Card by and through which he immediately received an appointment to the Treasury Department which position he holds today. It may afford the President some satisfaction to know that he had faithfully and satisfactorily performed all the duties assigned him.

Not any thing I can possibly say will convey our sense of gratitude as a family for such a manifestation of feeling and kindness.

I arrived in this City from Richmond in March with my Children having passed through much trial. The affliction of your Sweet Boy, prevented me waiting upon the President, to render him my grateful feeling. The Mournful Bereavement has ever, prevented me doing so, how sweet to contemplate seeing Your lovely Boy again in the lovelier form of a glorified Resemblance to the son of God, how his body lies Mouldering in the dust, but his Spirit in perfect life before God.

May I be permitted to say, You have had our deepest sympathy, while we too have been passing through deep affliction. We have been called to resign to the supreme Lord of Life and Death, our lovely son, cut off like an early bud as, its beauties began to unfold, but Alas! Alas! Under other and exceedingly more painful circumstances, than sweet Willie. The dark and Sullen Waters gathered over our lovely Boy. But his bright immortal Spirit winged its way to Realms of Joy our sweet Boy was drowned.

While we remember our lovely son with all fondness, we forget not Him, who Committed him for a short Season to our charge, and has resumed the precious treasure, while we continue to pay a tribute of affection to the Memory of the loved dead, we endeavor not to withhold, the reasonable and commanded of Reverence and Resignation due to the loving God, our flower is not destroyed, but only removed to a better Soil, and Milder climate,

My Husband has written a poem expressly for your Album and with your permission will wait upon you Thursday Evening should you be pleased to receive it. You will confer a pleasurable favor.

With your further permission Honored Madam I intend sending some interesting account of some of our Brave Patriotic Soldiers in their Sickness and Death in the Hospital on 13^th Street and [cloe] where Never Shall I forget such dying. Scenes I ever have, and ever shall feel it a privilege to have been with them.

I pray you will pardon my lengthy communication and suffer me only to say my family being a large family, and now depending entirely upon M^r. James’ salary of Twelve Hundred Dollars for annum, I have been and still am very anxious to receive employment too, I applied to Mr. Newton Chief of the Agricultural Bureau, that Gentleman received my application, with every possible respect and promised me writing or some other employment. I made application in April last but from some change taking place in that department, the regular proceedings have been interrupted. Is it too much Honored Madam for me to expect your interest with Mr. Newton, it would [bide] my application, and enable me to obtain Employment, of some description, without further loss of time, as I understand they are engaged in packing [secdle] in that department.

If I have requested anything not perfectly in accordance with yr feeling I pray [Jon] will pardon me.

With very many wishes for the happiness of The President and his Family, May he continue to be sustained and supported, by that Divine Power, Council and [pridance] which he had ever depended upon, and which alone can sustain him, in these Momentous times, is the continual divine and prayer of Yr. Most Faithfully re

We sailed from Fortress Monroe Monday evening last, and arrived at Fredericksburg the afternoon of the next day. Immediately applied for leave of absence four days to W, which I was so fortunate as to secure, it being the first I have had since entering the service fourteen months ago. I am spending it most happily with Uncle J. It is the next thing to seeing all the dear ones of my affection at home. Never has my heart bounded with such pure joy and thankfulness as when returning from the perilous scenes of the peninsula, the dome of the Capital have in sight and planting my feet upon familiar ground. I hastened to the enjoyment of those pleasures which I felt I had fairly earned. Praise and gratitude to almighty God burdened my soul which seemed to be deepened by a tinge of sadness in the recollection of those noble men who had fallen and would never return. They sleep in silence by the water of the Cickahominy and of the ever moving James. Peace be to their ashes! The soldier’s death in so righteous a cause is rather to be envied than deplored. But the heart cannot forget its sorrow, and the utmost love of country connot heal at once the wound of the desolated heart.

I wrote to sister Sarah a few days since asking an expression of her feelings as well as sister Julia’s upon the subject of attending some literary Institution. I am very anxious to have your views upon this subject and indeed Dear Sister, I feel that your own feelings upon the matter are entitled to more consideration than my own. Your experience is greater than mine, you can perhaps enter more truly into the feelings of our sisters than I and such are your relationships at present that your wishes should have a controlling influence. Tell me frankly your views. I will gladly do what I can to forward what may be deemed best. Of course whatever it may be none of us can forget that true [meonomy] which is at once the companion of respectability and self respect and the forerunner of competence. As to my own course, I cannot of course decide upon it until the close of the war. Should I pass safely through, I would be glad to have enough laid by to carry me through any course of study at my institution which I might choose, should I at that time see my way clear to secure for myself a classical education.

As much more as circumstances would allow would of course be desirable and a duty to obtain. I sent home two hundred dollars about two weeks ago which I have not heard from yet. It was enclosed in a letter. Please write me if it has arrived safely whether it may have been mentioned before or not. Uncle & I think of taking a ride around the city over some of our old stomping grounds and so I must bring this to a close.

God bless you all my dear sisters and impart to us all wisdom & strength sufficient for our day. Tell me all about Pa. I have not heard from him in a long while.

When I wrote you at Philadelphia I had some hopes that I should bring our Dear Samuel Home alive, but he took the [Direa] on Thursday, & lived only until Monday about half past nine o’clock August 18^th. He died in great peace, the sting of death having been drawn by faith in the blood of the lamb of God, which taketh away the Sin of the world; he was rational until he died, and talked with almost his last breath, indeed he seemed just to go to sleep, he desired very much to live to see his mother Sister & bro. He said if he ever got able he would go to the army just to see Capt. Ayer, Phelps, and some of the rest of the boys, he talked a great deal about you & Phelps. Said he loved you as though You were his brothers & would love to be with you through the great National Struggle, & live to see her freed from the great rebellion but of this he is denied the privilege, he never complained or uttered a word of murmur while I was with him & I scarcely left his bedside during the nine days that I was privileged to be with him, O happy privilege for we had happy seasons together, thank God. I had him embalmed, & sent home by Adams express, His remains reached home on Sat, Aug 23^rd, in a state of perfect preservation, I seemed as if it would keep for ever, we committed his remains to the dust Sabbath Aug 24^th at 12 o’clock. The occasion was improved by bro Pardon Cook of Marietta, Ohio Con , from 2^nd Sml 14 & 14 to a crowded house (our church in Salem) and I think produced an excellent effect, one I hope that will till an eternity. I wrote to you from Phil for his descriptive list, he thought he would be there on pay day before he died he told me to write to you to attend to getting his money from the Gov, & to get his [rashings], or pay for it, while in, or at Richmond, & His bounty , Since I came home I have recvd a letter from a lawyer Newton offering to attend to the matter for me but I prefer to pay you for getting it for me, you will therefore, – if you attend to it for me – keep as much as will pay you for your trouble. The trip to Phil, & bringing Sml Home cost about $70 and he wished me to apply the balance of his money to the education of his little brother; Give our love to the M Phelps, tell him to write to us, & have Sml’s picture copied the first chance, & send to him. __

Having your pictures hanging in our house, & hearing so much about you from our dear son, indeed you seem like relatives more than strangers, & there could be no two men, visit our House, that would give us more pleasure, than yourself, & M, Mr Phelps, and if it is ever in my power I intend to see you.

Samuel T White was a private in Company I, Ira’s original company. He died August 18, 1862, from wounds at Charles City Cross Roads, June 30, 1862. He was thought to have been buried at Philadelphia, but this letter says otherwise.

This is to certify that I have this day Examined the arm of Capt. Ayer of the 10th Pa. Reserves and it's doing weak, I would be injurious if not dangerous to its future usefulness to attempt to use it for at least twenty days yet.

My Daughter Mrs Lavinia Barr is hereby authorized to draw all money left at your Bank from the

United States

for me by allotment.

(From Brad) Camp Chapin was in Baltimore and this is where the 116th was first sent before moving on the New Orleans/Mississippi. It might get its name from a guy named Chapin who drilled the troops prior to sending them to battle.

I arrived here this morning whence I shall start this evening for Frederick City to visit Charley. You will see that I concluded not to go by the way of Philadelphia; but to come straight on through Harrisburg to Baltimore. Various reasons altered my plan, the chief of which was my increased anxiety to be at Washington as soon as possible. My arm seems to improve rapidly, and though I do not use it so much, I think it nearly as well as before I met with the relapse. I think I shall be able to enter the field in a week or two. I found sisters in fine spirits and feeling apparently like prosecuting their studies with vigor. I did not think best to interfere with any of their plans. I presume that upon the whole they are as good as can be arranged. I have just written a letter to Pa and shall drop a note to sisters.

I hope dear sister this may find you and yours much improved in health, and enjoying the full blessings which Heaven has so kindly vouchsafed to us.

May our kind Heavenly Father spare us all to meet again. Please write at your earliest convenience.

Ira’s father had recently enlisted and with his mother dead, Ira refers to, but does not identify, the arrangements for his two younger sisters (Julia 17 and Sarah 20). Based on the next letter, they may be staying in Lima, NY.

I have never heard of the word vouchsafe, but according to dictionary.com, it means: To condescend to grant or bestow (a privilege, for example)

After leaving Lima Monday morning, I came directly through to Washington as fast as possible and right after spending a day there hastened on to join my Regt. I found that by an election of the officers I had been promoted to Major some a week or two before and as the present major (Lt Col elect) who received me very kindly, wished me to act as Major until receiving my commission. I am now at Regiment Head Quarters. The accommodations are very comfortable and my labors at present are light, so taking all in all I am pleasantly situated. Indeed, dear Vinnie, I have [endravored] thus far to do my whole duty. I have never once shrunk from any hardship on danger, and I cannot but feel that I have fairly earned the position. Well! it seems to have been accorded to me, but it is a little humiliating to ones pride to know that I tied with a Capt who to be sure is a good disciplinarian but who had up to that time studiously avoided every battle. The next vote I got one majority and was elected. The Capt was very anxious to get the position and of course could do much with his personal friends. However it is probably all right. What thinks you? They say that the Capt fought well in this last battle.

And now as to the last battle it was terrible on the “Reserves”. They lost twenty three hundred killed, wounded and missing.

Our Regt lost a hundred and thirty eight and my own company came out of the battle with just half of the men with which it went in. I have now but twelve or fourteen men for duty. My 2^nd Lieut is either killed or wounded and a prisoner. 2^nd Sergt – with – besides a number of good men. The remnant expressed their kind feeling toward me by saying they were glad I did not get there as they were sure I would have been killed. Please tell Uncle Joseph that I called at Dr Purrington’s and found them all well – inquiries were made for him; also at the place where his furs were and found that they had been duly cared for. I have not heard from Pa since leaving home and am not likely to soon directly as he will not know my address. When you write, as I trust you or Uncle will upon receipt of the, please give me the latest news concerning him. My arm gives me very little trouble at present and I trust will not. It is pretty stiff and quite awkward to use. I keep it as still as possible. I hope, dear sister, this may find you entirely recovered from your severe spell of sickness and you r darling babies in good health, give each of them a kiss for their uncle Ira. The weather here is quite moderate today. I am sitting outside of our “[Morquec]” by a cheerful log fire, on my carpet sack with the end of my valise for a desk, comfortable and happy as one can be in times of war. My sword I found at Col. Warner’s. He is still suffering from his wound at Antietam, and I fear will not be able to enter the field soon. He has been proposed for Brigadier General for coolness and efficiency at Antietam and other places. Please say to Uncle that if convenient I should be glad of a little more money as I have but $2.00 of what I had left and do not know when I can get any pay. Please direct for the present as before, Capt []. I found some twenty letters awaiting me which I have to answer. I will try and let you hear from me often. Your aff. Brother

Uncle Joseph is Ira II’s great uncle. Ira’s mother is Julia Wadsworth Ayer. Her mother was Nancy Davenport Wadsworth. Joseph was Nancy’s younger brother.

I am well and enjoying myself much, far better than I expected, and certainly better than I could in any other situation under the circumstances. I went into this business to see the war clear through if my life and health were spared. Thus far they have been, and never for one moment that I know of have I felt the obligation removed from me to fight for the dear “old Flag” that we love so well. That Flag must yet float in Triumph; or fall only when the true blood of the North ceases to flow. Our Regt is indeed shattered, but the pride may be pardoned, with which I look upon the remnant which is left. – browned and scarred veterans of half a score of battles, – as they still rally to their weather stained and battle-torn Flag.

Come what will – life or death, we must have a government – the good old one – the Republic of our Fathers.

I believe, Vinnie, we shall yet have it. It embraces the popular idea of mankind, – the energizing element of universal civilization and human progress, – self government and Liberty. Is it possible with our present light, that this onward movement of the race can be hindered and turned back by the passionate throes of a Slave Oligarchy in opposition to the tide of nature?

It may be momentarily stopped but the mountain torrent continues on its course until it reaches the placid river, so the triumph of human liberty can only rest in the perfection of human freedom.

But pardon the course which my letter has taken. These thoughts were on my mind, and so I have given them expression. Besides I would have my friends know that if I fight, it is for a purpose and if I fall, I esteem that my life is not given in vain.

But I trust I shall meet you again to enjoy together those blessings to secure which we are now separated. In the meantime may kind Heaven direct us in all our ways.

When you write please give me the latest news from Father always, as I shall probably not get letters from him, and I have not heard from him since leaving home.

My arm is gradually improving; though it will be sometime before I shall have the full use of it; if ever.

Upon arriving at my Regt I found many letters awaiting me, some of which I will enclose and send to you as they may be of interest to you. How do you get along with the onerous duties which devolve upon you? I hope you are able to secure such help as you require. Do so without regard to price. A Kiss from Uncle Ira to the babies dear. Write soon. God bless you.

Project Ayer - Civil War 1862 - Transcriptions