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

Md. Heights, Aug. 2, 1863.

Dear Family:

Yours of July 20th and 27th arrived, the first we have had for a great while. We are enjoying the comforts of the old place on the Heights. At first it seemed lonesome, after travelling about as we had; another thing, the place was full of filth, the two regts. our Co. relieved, were the filthiest set of men I ever saw, that is if the neatness of their camp would be a proper thing to judge by. They tore bunks in barracks and built huts out doors. We are now alone by our selves, shall get things to looking as they did before, if work will do it. We did not go to Washington, neither did I want to go, Major R. was appointed for this post. He went to Washington to fill an order for guns and amunition; while there he saw Genl. Halleck, he said that he had decided to keep this Batt. here, so we took our old places. We have now four 24 pdrs. Brass Howtz. and two 30 prd. parrotts. Killed a man yesterday, getting up one of the latter; he belonged in Co. H. John B. is dead, he died while in N. Y.; he was one of the men detailed in the 5th U. S. Art’y. Geo. Bricket is in the same Battery, we expect them back every day. There will be no need of your getting a map, we shall probably stop here the rest of our enlistment, unless we are put off. (It is well enough to put in.) I wish you could have seen this battalion when it first got back, rather a rough looking set; after eating so much salt pork and the hot days with it, a fellow would sweat well; when I wiped my face it was covered with nothing but pork and grease. Of course I looked clean when we came to a halt for the night! but then it did not hinder our sleeping. How different the affairs of the country look now from what they did a month ago. Lee defeated in Penn., Pemberton at Vicksburg, Gardner at Port Hudson and Bragg in Miss. I can assure you it has wrought a new feeling in the men; before all was defeat, but now it is victory. It pleases the men to see some of the men who were drafted; you may talk about its being a disgrace to be drafted, I say good enough for them; they would make a great fuss if Uncle Sam did not protect them and now they haven’t got courage to help him. These men of course cannot think much of their country. Captain, you are not forgotten yet; many times a day. you are spoken of. This is what D. W. got off where Capt. II. heard him. “Pity we haven’t got one of Bradley’s old coats, in place of our commander now.” On evacuating this place, I lost everything, now I want you to get up something and send to me. I thought for shirts you might get some cotton ones, such as you used to make when I was small, chequered ones, cut like a wool shirt. I think they would do best over the old flannel ones I am now picking up; but if you think best to get flannel ones, do so. Be sure and get flaps long enough. Another thing, I want stockings; the boots you sent last fall I have on now, but the tramp has played them out, got about ten holes in each. Do you think best to get a new pair now, or wait till Nov.? or won’t it pay at all? Can get them here for $6, but poor ones. Shoes $3.50. I must have something to my feet soon, so write in next what you think best to do. I will see what Jerry wants and let you know. Dont fail to make some kind of an answer, so I shall know what to do. Army clothing of the above named articles are very poor and high. Shirts $1.46 and are good for nothing. Much love to all.                     Your

Lev.

Fort Duncan, Md., July 27, 1863.

Dear Family:

We have received no letters since we were at Fred. June. We have been on the tramp ever since and by several counter marches we are at length in old Maryland again, on the hill that Co. C garrisoned last winter. I should have written before, but have been unwell and have been so on the whole tramp; but I have made out to keep with the Co. all the time. We have been with the “Artillery Reserve” until last week, when we received orders to report to the Comd’g officer of Harper’s Ferry. We were at the time at a small village called Unionsville in Va. about 29 miles from Harper’s Ferry; we started at 7.30 A.m. and made 6 rests until we reached Berlin, this side of the river, 23 miles distant from Unionsville. The doctor had something to say on the tramp. The major was going to put us through to B. without any thing to eat, except hard tack which we carry in our haversacks; but the Dr. said he must stop and let us make some coffee; of course the Major obeyed. We reached B. at 8 P.m., where we took mother earth for a couch with a rubber blanket under and a woolen over; of course slept sound, woke in the morning rather stiff; during the whole tramp did not stop in one place but twice, only for a day; we have got so now we can stand quite a tramp, they say we look like “old soldiers.” I have nothing but what I have on my back, except rubber and wool blankets. We were for a while all split up into different batteries in the “Reserve Artillery.” George Bricket was detailed into the 5th Regular. It left us at Berlin, was put on the cars and started for N. Y. to help put down the riot, seventeen others are in the same battery; those from other batteries have all been recalled and are doing duty in the Co., the rest of the Co. were guard for Genl. Tyler (high position for a battalion of Mass. 14th H. A.!) I can assure you it cut the Major badly; he was down on us probably for the game Col. Green played on him. He was drunk one quarter of the time, and when he is in that condition he comes down on the men hard, ties them to wheels and trees, fences, or any thing he can come across; it is shameful for a Genl. Comdg. over 200 pieces to do so. Genl. Meade gave him a jawing one day before the whole of us, for cutting up Genl. Kilpatrick’s train; it was the second offence and when we left, heard that he was under arrest. We also saw Genl. Pleasanton with Genl. Meade. The men in the co. are glad to see men drafted at home; but wish $300 would not clear them; but then this is a rich man’s war; the poor man has to do the fighting. We have been kicked about so long that no one knows what we are.

Lieut. Hervy has gone to Washington to try and get us back to the regiment. I hope he will succeed, most of the men want to go back, officers of course want to. The papers have just come, the news is what you might call “Bully.” The cloud has passed over and things are looking more favorable. I for one would like to see this closed before winter. It greatly depends on Genl. Meade’s abilities. As we stand a chance of going to Washington, you better direct there. We have travelled in all between 150 and 175 miles; good for new beginners?

Much love to all. Hoping this will find you well and enjoying things as they come, I remain, Yours truly,

L. Bradley, Jr.

Between Hagerstown And Frederick Junction,
July 11, 1863.

Dear Family:

So far we have received your letters in due time. We are right on the tramp. My last letter I left off rather suddenly; I had no intention of sending it in that mail, but the boy came round and said, mail was going. We started from F. June, on the 7th at 5 P.m., marched through Fred’k and out on the Middletown pike, about 9 miles and turned in for the night. (A band has just struck up Hail Columbia, two yards from here; it stirs me so, I can hardly write!) Have been on the road ever since and are at last at destination. Reserve artillery corps, commanded by Genl. Tyler. We are now in the Fort, are going to have some guns; we expected we should have to go in as infantry. If you will get a map, showing the roads in Maryland and Virginia, I will every time I write, show the route which may be interesting to you; it is very probable we, of this battilion, shall keep with the army of the Potomac the rest of the time. On the way here, we passed where the cavalry passed last Thursday; a great many had horses in the woods and along the road we could see where shot had struck. We are now beginning to see a little service, nothing but hard tack, pork and coffee, which we have to cook ourselves, but still I like it. In fact I like the whole thing. I think I shall fat up on it. Being tough, will eat, drink and sleep together. We have had a chance to see a great deal of the old Army, some regiments have but about 40 men; one Co. went into the fight with 33 men, 27 were shot dead on the spot. Some regts have been consolidated five times and have now but about 200 men, it is awful to think of. There were a great many killed on both sides, in the last battle. We are trying our best to catch Johnny Reb. Don’t know as we shall succeed. Should not be surprised if there was a great battle tomorrow, you know Sundays are the days for big fights. The boys are feeling well, but have no desire to be in a fight but would like to see one. Have seen any quantity of the Johnnies lately, not less than 2000 taken prisoner since the last fight. I wish you could see them, they don’t look as if they belonged to the American Continent; they have a very peculiar look. All of the boys had quite a talk with them, they talk better than they look. I am today the same boy L. B. Jr.; but a few years older than when I left, I am 17 today. The regiment has now been in the service over two years, will soon be nine months more. If you see uncle Frank tell him that George and the rest are well. We dont have much of a chance to write but certainly will once a week. Direct yours to the same as ever, with the exception of the place Washington, D. C. That is the place. Jere is well and sends his love. Much love to all from

Leverett.

[During the Gettysburg campaign a large number of Company B were detached from the regiment and placed in the light batteries of the regular army to make up the losses caused by this severe campaign.—Ed.]

[Written in pencil.]

In The Field, Frederick Junction, Md.,
July 4, 1863,1.30 p.m.

Dear Family:

Have just rec’d yours of June 21. I have been unable to write before as I, or rather all of us, have been in the move. Orders came a week ago today for the evacuation of Harper’s Ferry and the destruction of all the ordinance stores from Genl. Hooker, who was there; but before we set to work, the order was countermanded by Genl. Halleck. But orders came in earnest on Monday; all the guns were removed but the old ones and the 100 pdr., which were destroyed. The amunition was all destroyed. There was an explosion at the South 30 pdr. Battery, some of the green 8th N. Y. H. A. went in with axes, striking Cap shell and exploding the pile; some five or six were killed. Started for the Hook about 1 o’clk on the 30th; worked all the afternoon and night loading guns on to canal boats, raining all the time, wetting the boys to the skin; started from Sandy Hook on the 1st of July, about 8 o’clk, for fire brick. Our battilion has to do this work alone. Two brigades were hours ahead of us and one to start 12 hours after. Frederick is about 20 miles from Sandy Hook. It was very muddy, and the boys were wet through; about noon the sun came out terribly hot and it sickened some of the boys. Mind you, we had started with but little, but by this time had thrown every thing away. I saved nothing but what was on my back and a sulpher Blanket, lost every thing else. Encamped about 7 miles from Frederick and stopped over night, got there next morning, stopped till noon and then started for here, 3 miles, and here we all are, on the banks of the Monocacy river at the junction. We are all well; will write sunday.

Lev.

Md. Heights, June 24, 1863.

Dear Family:

I have no doubt you have felt a little anxiety for our welfare; we are safe and sound as ever, but pretty well surrounded. We have a fine view of the enemy, they are in strong force all through the valley; rumors say that Genl. Hooker is after them; he has crossed part of their force to the Md. side. A signal corps came with very large glasses to take observations. I have had some fine views at them. We have strengthened our fortifications greatly, working night and day, consequently a great deal of excitement. I should have written before, but had no chance to send. I hope this will reach you. I have had no letters as yet, trains do not run at all; an officer is going to the Relay house and I send by him. The whole Co. is well and in good spirits. Much love to all from

Lev.

[On the advance of Lee’s army up the valley, they were engaged at the battle of Winchester and the evacuation of Harper’s Ferry, falling back with the main army to Frederick City.—Ed.]

Md, Heights, June 14, 1863.

Dear Family:

Yours of Sunday found us all well. I made a tour to Antietam last week; I hired a horse for a $1.00, rode about 30 miles, was tired enough when I got back. There were four of us, had a fine time. Visited all the places of interest; but the farmers have cleared up the grounds and it does not look as if a great battle had been fought there. I got but few relics. The Capt. is heading a paper to get Jere a bugle. Affairs are progressing in Co. B as usual, that is every one is dissatisfied. Co. I has gone to Winchester to garrison there. A dispatch came yesterday that the rebs were making a raid up this way and to have all ready and manned for an emergency. When last heard from they were at Berryville on the Shenandoah river and working this way. Genl. Imbroke had command. We lost several officers and men. Some one has come up from the Ferry and says citizens are coming in from Martinsburg and reporting the rebels 10000 strong within a mile of that place; probably the number is exaggerated. We have now five companies on the hill. They do picket duty around the hill, front of the battery.

Monday morning.

We were turned out again about 12 M. last night with a report that the rebs were at Martinsburg and working this way. We saw a big engagement about 10 miles from here, saw the flash of the guns plain. Humors say it was Milroy’s forces and that they have been beaten. The Hook is full of women and children from the country, 40 trains came down from the valley yesterday. Saw a train of cars on fire last night. We may have a small engagement before the week is out. From

Lev.

Mo. Heights, May 24, 1863.

Dear Friends:

Yours found us all well. Was sorry to hear that Aunt D. was so near her end; but hers has been a life of sickness. We might say her last moments on earth would be the happiest she ever enjoyed for years. But to change the topic to the great cry of the nation, when is the war to be settled? I must say the matters look pretty blue. We must gain a victory soon, in some quarter and a great victory at that. If the papers speak the truth, the feelings of the people North are a little disloyal; I don’t mean in Mass., but more particularly the “Empire State,” especially on the Vallandigham case. He is a traitor and why not give him his dues? I see that he was not to be sent to Fort Warren but through our lines to the south. I hope Gov. Seymour will soon follow him; he certainly does no good to our cause, but on the contrary a great deal of harm. The weather has been very hot, but if there is a breeze we get it. It is beginning to get hard on us again, to have to go half way down the mountain for water, and if we don’t have rain soon, shall have to go to the foot. It is not very pleasant crawling up the mountain with a few canteens and a scorching sun sending its burning rays on to the back. Lieut. H. has returned to Co. H for duty; while here he won the enthusiasm of the men; if the men did not know the drill, he would take hold and show them and not damn them. The feelings of the Co. are worse than they have ever been before. I have no doubt if they had a leader to carry out any thing, some change might take place in the Company. There are fears that Harper’s Ferry will be attacked. The rebs have shown themselves rather plucky lately. I wish you would send me out my spanish book; we are having a small class in the barracks I stop in. Have got one man that can speak well. I have some one ask me every day how you are and if I think you will come out here this summer. What do you think of it? I remain, Your obt. servant,

L. B., Jr.

Md. Heights, May 10, 1863.

Dear Family:

Glad to hear that the Capt. is improving. The rumor here is that Richmond is taken. It was nearly “taps” last night and I was preparing to turn in, when the cry was to fall in. I dressed immediately and went out. The Lieut, read a letter from Major R. to the effect that Keyes had taken Richmond. I can assure you there was some tall cheering. It further stated that extras were being issued in Phil’a, N. Y. and Boston and that the people were perfectly crazy with excitement; but he also says, dont think too much of it, it may need conformation. The dispatch was from Head Quarters at Baltimore to Genl. Kelly, and it doesn’t seem possible that they would send it unless they were very confident it was so. If you have got the news there and are making such a time over it, such as firing salutes &c. &c. and then it should turn out to be a hoax, what a feeling of despondency would invade the heart of every true soldier and worse than that, what would be the feelings of the people of the whole north! I do hope and pray that it is taken, and if so, see the position Lee’s army is in; it has no chance of escape; there is also a rumor that Vicksburg is taken by the combined forces of Genl. Grant and Rear Admiral Porter; this does not look so promising as the other, considering the relative positions of the two forces; but still I hope it may be so. I see the conscription act is going into effect soon. It makes the boys delighted, because they want to see some of those rabid men in Methuen. Just been up on the parapet of the fort signalling to the 30 Prd Battery; on account of the sun, can only make out “good news.” I hope so, the Capt. is going down to see. I wish you were here to see the sight we see every day and that is, the different valleys visable in all parts from here; the grass has put on his coat and the trees have begun to bud. To speak plainly, it is the most beautiful scenery I ever looked on. The Capt. has got back; the news is confirmed of the taking of Richmond with 70 cannon. Much love to all from

Lev.

Md. Heights, Apr. 25, 1863.

Dear Father:

I hope this will find you improving in health. As soon as R. returned here the first questions were, if he went to see the old captain? We had a grand inspection here yesterday by Genl. Barry, Chief of artillery for the army; he complimented us on our good looks, i.e. as soldiers. I was complimented by Major R. for the neatness of an inventory of Ordanance and ordanance stores of this post, which I had to make out. The Major has no clerk now; he asked the Capt. for me but I don’t know what answer he gave. I shall keep still and if I think it is for my interest to take it, shall do so. You know I have a good position now and move or no move, I shall probably have it unless some other thing interferes. As it is now Adj. Hervey has asked the capt. if I cant go down and help him after I have made out the muster rolls, as he has more than he can attend to on account of the returns. For the last two days it has rained and the Barracks being leaky we spoke of mouving our clothes out to dry! I forgot in my last to answer a few questions. I am 5 ft. 10 in. high. Dont know my weight. Now you that have not seen me since I left home, dont go to imagining a great big fellow, because it ain’t so; but there is consolation in the fact that I have got a few years to thicken up in; but you can imagine a good looking fellow! I wish you could see the scenery, the late rains have changed the grass from a deadly color to a green. B. M. is at Fort Albany, having returned on account of the president’s proclamation to deserters. We have had five desert since we have been up here, one of Methuen’s $300 men; he had nearly $50 of G. F——’s . This makes 3 of that stamp. Methuen has lost so much of recruits. Love to all. I remain, Yours &c,

L. Bradley, Jr.