Leverett Bradley: A Soldier-Boy’s Letters (1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery.)

Diary And Memoranda, 1864

Fort Whipple, Jan. 7, 1864

This little book was obtained by the earnest wish of my Mother, who desired I should keep a record of events that transpire, during the new year we have just entered.

Lev.

Jan. 1st. A new year has commenced and before its close I hope peace may be restored to our country. And all be restored to their peaceful homes.

Fort Whipple, Va., Dec. 24, 1863.

Dear Father:

Yours of Sunday last was perused with great care and contents noted. You wanted to know my mind about matters! I should make a very poor judge, as I do not know how things look now. But I should say stick to it, if there is any chance at all, because we have put already work enough into it to make three farms. I know nothing out this way for you to do. About being discharged; when the regiment is to be has not been decided yet; some of the recruits have written Gov. Andrew and he says that they “will be discharged with the rest,” so I take it for granted we shall be. As to the matter of a choice of regiments when re-enlisting? If I understand it right, a man can choose, provided the reg’t he is in is not kept up, and the reg’t he chooses is not full; but it must be a reg’t from the state he belongs to. He must also keep in the old reg’t until its three years are up and then they have the choice. Write me what your intentions are of doing, as soon as warm weather comes.

Do you have rheumatism to trouble you again? Last night I slept terribly cold. The barracks are not as good as a barn, boards only one inch thick and layed on like clapboards; besides the barracks are on piles about four feet long, so as to give a clean sweep underneath.

They are very strict about the barracks, will allow no shelves or anything of that kind. The bunks are all moveable. In fact everything has a place here. Shall begin on muster rolls tomorrow.            Yours &c.

Lev.

Fort Whipple, Va., Dec. 13, 1863.

Dear Father:

Yours of sunday last was rec’d in due time. Also started off directly to dun: saw Capt. Andrew; he said that there was about $130.00 that he had not collected from the mess, but would wait until next pay day and see if he could get it, and if not take it from his own pocket. As for Capt. Hosmer, I know where he is, being at Washington with the position of Asst. Judge Advocate Genl. Now I can hardly summon the pluck to dun him, being in that position, so I think it would be better to wait until some further day and if any opportunity offers I will improve it.

We are beginning to get acquainted with fancy soldiering now; all have to come out in gloves, being furnished the first time and having to supply yourself the next. It makes a great difference with the looks of the men. Uncle Frank Bricket called over today. I asked him what the prospect was of our ever owning Bradley Farm; he told me (as no doubt he has told you before). It really seems to me that something ought to be done. There has been money spent on the place, if that is all it wants, but it seems to me we are no nearer the end we are after. Uncle Frank spoke of a farm up in Hampstead. How did you like it; presume you would not like to swap? We are very much attached to the old place, all of us; but that should not hinder us from leaving it if we can do better some where else and especially when in the condition we are. I should consider that a very cheap price for a farm (I mean the one he showed you) if as good as he says it is. I do almost feel that the old farm will never amount to any thing. It wants making all over new and that is a very hard task. I should think you would be discouraged after spending nearly all your years so far on it and not coming out better; but it shows the Bradleys never have that failing. How much is the debt now and what interest do you have to pay? I suppose it takes all you have to pay the interest? How does George feel about leaving it and the rest of them? Don’t want to, I’ll bet! Write all particulars and let me know about it for once; you know you never were much for telling your business matters to the rest of the family, and besides it is right I should know. They all say that I am my own master now, but I do not ask that privilege yet, whether or no I have a right to claim it. So far 20 have re-enlisted and I guess that is all that will. Shall send $20 home by uncle Frank, part or nearly all of which is Jerry’s. Things are awfully high at the present time. Love to all.                                     I remain. &c.

L. Bradley, Jr.
Co. B. 1st Mass. H. Arty.

To L. Bradley, Esq.

[His claim as a veteran made him and others consider him “of age.”— Ed.]

Howtz. Battery, Md. Heights, Nov. 21, 1863.

Dear Family:

I am in receipt of yours. Glad to hear of your continued good health. It has been raining all day, so the boys for enjoyment all flock to our barrack, where they have dancing and music &c. and by great exertion have passed so much of the day off. I improve this opportunity to answer my weekly epistle. You seem to feel a great deal of anxiety about our, or I might say, my re-enlisting. Now, you don’t want that little (now ordinary sized) fellow at home, that used to, in days gone by, do all the mischief and generally get all the blame for it! That is all I will say, but wait and see what kind of an answer I get. But to relieve your minds on this important point, I will say, so far, not a man of Co. B has re-enlisted, and the reason is, no one has been here to re-enlist them. And as for the future, you need not worry at all about either of us. In one sense of the word, every man ought to re-enlist; the country is in great need of men. A man that has any patriotism in him ought to do it and money shall be no object. But as for me, I feel that I have risked myself through one three years, and I will wait until every able bodied man does the same before trying it again. Sometimes I feel sad to think that I could not visit home this coming Thanksgiving, and then again I think there was no need (sickness) of going and I am glad I did not go. The fact is we are enjoying ourselves now very well and time passes so rapidly, it seems as if it were but a little while longer to stop. I shall endeavor to enjoy myself here but hope you will there. We have signed the pay rolls and have been expecting, for two days past. I shall have to close here, so as to get things ready for the pay-master to pay more rapidly, as it is raining outside.

Monday, 23rd. We were paid off Sat.; all went off smoothly. The furloughed men started for home at 2 o’clk. this morning, just the right time! I think they ought to enjoy themselves and probably will. The box if it has not been sent need not come till Christmas. They cost too much to send often. George says he expects his father (uncle Frank) out here this week; will wait and send my money by him, which will save a little.                                                                Lev.

Howtz. Battery, Md. Heights, Nov. 15, 1863.

Dear Family:

Yours found us well and enjoying ourselves to the best advantage. Yesterday the wind was very boisterous and strong, beating the water through the mud on the barracks and wetting things inside.

We have just started a barrack or dance hall, forty feet long by fourteen wide; are anticipating great times as soon as we get it finished. It is a big project as boards are very scarce, expect to have to send to Williamsport Md. for them; it is a company concern and have got nearly $75 subscribed already.

George, I should like to go to the singing school with you; don’t know as it would be very good, but then of course any one expects a little fun at such places. Re-enlistment papers are expected every day. If matters go on as they have for the last month or so, I think it is a poor inducement to enlist. News is not very brilliant; but from what we can hear, there is a general forward movement the whole line. The way things are now, a man would not like to be taken prisoner; they are trying their best to starve them, and so far have been very successful. The evenings are beginning to be quite long and we pass them off very agreeably by getting a negro in and getting him to dancing; he is sure to go as long as the music lasts, we have a great deal of sport with them.

Much love to all.

Howtz. Battery, Md. Heights, Oct. 18, 1863.

Dear Friends:

Yours rec’d. Today has been an exciting one to us, there has been a big engagement ten miles from here; we have driven the rebs nearly ten miles towards Berryville, have been at it all day, and now I can hear the roar of the artillery; we are making every thing to resist the rebels. We may have a chance to show the “Johnnies” what we are made of. At last accounts, Meade was slowly working this way, covering Washington during the march; should not be surprised to see the Army of the Potomac at any time. In the late movements of the Army of the Potomac considerable stratergy was used; so far, we have got the best of it. I have no doubt Lee contemplates making another raid into Md. and Penn. I think the movement the rebels are making here now is to destroy the Baltimore and Ohio R. R. We have got a new Genl. now, his name is Sullivan, formerly with Genl. Grant as inspector Genl.; marched in to Vicksburg July 4th; he is a fine looking man and a son in law of Genl Kelly, who commanded here before the evacuation. There has been a lull in the battle for some time; but now the ball has opened again in good earnest. But they are working from us fast. We saved Frank’s phiz during the other march and shall try to, if we have to march again. The men have all gone out to work on the battery. This will probably stop all furloughs, so shall not get mine.

Monday.

Nothing new. Some say it is the advance of Lee’s army, others that the guerillas, combined, are trying to call us out and let Lee in.                                           Lev.

Md. Heights, Oct. 4, 1863.

Dear Family:

Rec’d yours. Contents noted. Glad to hear you are well, hope this will find you in good condition; yours found us well. Only think, nine (9) more months only and our time will be out; every day is counted and deducted from the original. After my time is out here I intend to enlist in the Home Guards. I forgot the letter yesterday and hope you will not be worried because it does not reach sooner. Have you ever heard of the two corps of the army of the potomac going to reinforce Rosecrans? They went by this rout. How would you treat a fellow if he should get home about Thanksgiving time? Well, I suppose. Yesterday was occupied in getting the men to sign the clothing rolls and books. Got through with it first rate. Last night was terribly cold, slept about four hours and during that time was in a double bow knot. Went to a dance at Sandy Hook the other night, had a fine time; the girls are very agreeable although they are Marylanders.

Much love to all.                                                             I remain,

L. Bradley, Jr. Co. B 1st Mass. H. A.

P. S. Will try and write more next time. The box has not come.

Md. Heights, Sept. 25, 1863.

Dear Mother:

Please find enclosed $100 and forward $45 to Uncle F. from Geo., being four month’s pay. Credit me with $35 and Jerry $20. Practiced with our battery yesterday; fired 12 shots from 30 pdr Parrott. Range was over 3¾| miles. They are splendid pieces. Co. H fired the 100 pdr last week; fired 5 miles, went through a small hill ricochet from there about 3 miles. I look to Rosecrans’ army for great successes.

I remain,                                           Very respectfully yours

L. Bradley, Jr.

Mrs. Leverett Bradley, Co. B 14th Mass. (H. A.)

Bradley Farm, Methuen, Mass.

Md. Heights, Sept. 6, 1863.

Dear Family:

Yours rec’d and contents noted. Glad to hear of your good health. Lieut. F. said you were looking well. Rec’d shirts by corp’l Frye. I wore them three days and was obliged to take them off or pass for a black man. The black came off in profusion. It took nearly half a day to wash it off my body. I would really like to hear that piano. I presume it would sound very unnatural, as I never heard one in the old house, and I believe I have not heard one since I have been out here. I often think does the poor old pear tree bear well this year? I used to think it was the nicest fruit on the farm.

I got a pass Friday, for the purpose of obtaining all the information I could in regard to growing tobacco, as that was your desire. After about an hours work in getting through the chopped down trees (to stop the rebs) I at length reached the valley. I asked one of the assistants about it and he referred me to an old negro, who had grown tons of it in his day; but by his looks, should think he had done about all the work he could do. And now, if the reader will give me his entire attention for a few moments I will explain all. (How does that sound?) A side hill or slope where the sun shines most of the day is preferable, new ground is the best; burn bush over the ground, in order to kill the weeds; then grub up the ground, working in ashes, “the more the better;” rake the ground up fine and then sow the tobacco, raking it well. After raking and cross raking and rolling (as you do most of your land), I suppose that the tobacco would grow well. It neither needs wet not dry soil, but about the common soil. It greatly depends on the season, about the last of march is the time for planting in this section; it is sown the same as grass seed, only not so thick. It is not necessary to use manure.

The heavens are assuming a dark and cloudy aspect, and the low thunder rumbling in the distance, from the Alleganies, gives tokens of a refreshing shower. It is a beautiful sight to see from this point the wind and rain come rushing down the valley, seeming to the looker on as if he were above them all. Since we have been here I have seen a thunder shower below me in the valley.

Hoping this will find you all well,                                                                    I remain &c.

Lev.