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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC09273.20 |
| From Archive Folder | Collection of 50 letters of Horace J. Hammond, a soldier in the 189th regiment New York volunteers |
| Title | Letter from Horace J. Hammond to Eleanor Hammond regarding his health, pay and a skirmish with rebel cavalrymen |
| Date | 12 January 1865 |
| Author | Hammond, Horace J. |
| Recipient | Hammond, Eleanor |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Letter is printed on U. S. Christian Commission stationery. All are well and hope the same is true of her and Oscar. His health is "the best that it has been since I was shot." Received his fourteenth letter from her the night before. Urges her to look out for herself. Glad that she got that money to pay off the creditors. Once he gets paid, he will send his salary home so that she can pay whomever needs the money and still have some left over for herself. He can pay the rest once he returns home in the fall. Discussed the financial situation with Fayette. Asks her to tell Jane that he thinks that "she is the best woman that is around there except my one dear wife." Also sends his love to Betsey, Samantha, Charles, and Matilda. Reminds her to keep her trust in the Lord as he does and to pray daily for him. Went with two other companies in the regiment about eight miles from camp to find some corn. Ran into about 20 or 25 rebel cavalrymen and attacked them. Captain Rice of Bath was killed and "two or three more" were wounded, but no one in his company was hurt. Received news that a few more rebels were near by, but could not find them. Rice's body is to be sent home tomorrow. The shanty is holding up very well. Every day in camp is one day closer to when he can come home. Captain Washburn also accompanied them on the raid. Had to take the body of a colonel home. Did not throw away his knapsack, although Joseph "threw his knapsack away and lost his… blanket, and Guernsey threw away his knapsack." Many other soldiers did the same, also losing their wool blankets. |
| Subjects | Soldier's Letter Union Forces Military History Injury or Wound Marriage Union Soldier's Letter Civil War Charity and Philanthropy Christianity Religion Children and Family Debt Finance Soldier's Pay Diet and Nutrition Military Provisions Women's History Cavalry Confederate States of America Death Military Camp Military Supplies |
| People | Hammond, Horace J. (fl. 1864-1865) |
| Place written | City Point, Virginia |
| Theme | The American Civil War; Women in American History; Health & Medicine; Religion; Children & Family |
| Sub-collection | Papers and Images of the American Civil War |
| Additional Information | Hammond enlisted on August 17, 1864 at Avoca, NY as a Private. He served largely at City Point, Virginia, the headquarters for General Ulysses S. Grant. While at City Point, he was injured when a fellow soldier's rifle discharged and the bullet became lodged in his leg. Doctors removed the bullet and Hammond recovered without having his leg amputated. Hammond was discharged on May 30, 1865. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945 |
| Civil War: Recipient Relationship | Wife |
| Civil War: Theater of War | Main Eastern Theater |
| Civil War: Unit | 189th New York Vols., "G" Company |