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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02164.11 |
| From Archive Folder | Collection of letters written to Fannie Schoonmaker from Patrick Higgins, K company, 56th regiment, New York, infantry |
| Title | Charles Johnson to Fannie Schoonmaker describing camp life |
| Date | 6 January 1862 |
| Author | Johnson, Charles (fl. 1859-1862) |
| Recipient | Schoonmaker, Fannie |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Printed on 56th New York stationery. Is fulfilling his promise that he made to her upon departing Neversink to keep her updated on all that is going on in his life. Would have written sooner, but there has been a lot of marching. Was not concerned about writing however, as he knew she was receiving letters from someone else in the camp (he then describes the other man (Patrick?) reading a letter from her). Wishes he were home in Sullivan. It has not yet snowed significantly at the camp. Drilled for six hours the day before. Food consisted of "a good fist-full of salt junk & bread seasoned with a cup full of rice & molasses." The lucky ones have gotten some whiskey. Some have partaken in the whiskey to excess; a soldier in his tent died "with a canteen full" of whiskey around his neck (presumably from alcohol poisoning). His Sergeant Major also died. He was "respected by all and will be missed." The sisters and brothers of the deceased attended the funeral they held, and then helped bring the corpse home to Fishkill, New York. Small pox "has nearly left us." Wants her to write as soon as she can and send his well wishes to Sarah and the rest of her family. |
| Subjects | Military History Civil War Union Forces Union Soldier's Letter Infantry Army of the Potomac Health and Medical Military Camp |
| People | Johnson, Charles (fl. 1859-1862) Schoonmaker, Fannie (fl. 1859-1862) |
| Place written | Washington, D.C. |
| Theme | The American Civil War; Women in American History; Children & Family |
| Sub-collection | Papers and Images of the American Civil War |
| Additional Information | Folder Information: The collection consists of ten letters written to a young lady named Fannie Schoonmaker, and one letter to an unknown recipient. Nine of the eleven letters, some of which predate the Civil War, are from Patrick Higgins. One letter is from David Reese, and another is from Charles Johnson. Patrick Higgins was from Neversink, New York in Sullivan County, about 110 miles northwest of New York City. On September 29, 1861 he enlisted in the Union army as a Private. On October 10, he mustered into K Company of the 56th New York Infantry. The 56th New York became part of the Army of the Potomac. On May 31, 1862, Higgins was wounded in the battle of Fair Oaks, Virginia and was discharged for disability on September 21 of the same year. Before Higgins enlisted in the army, he was a close acquaintance of Schoonmaker, and on more than one occasion confessed his love for her. He signs some of his letters "from your lover," so it is very possible that they were involved in a romantic relationship when he left to join the army. While Higgins is enlisted, he writes about camp life in Washington D. C. as part of the Army of the Potomac, and departs with the army as General McClellan begins his Peninsular Campaign in March 1862. He describes a battle scene in Warwick, VA, and comments on the eagerness of many in his company to engage Confederate troops. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945 |
| Civil War: Theater of War | Main Eastern Theater |
| Civil War: Unit | 56th regiment, New York, infantry, K company |