This is a sample of the transcribed wartime letters of Michael O'Brien in the Burton Historical Collection. This material represents approximately 1/2 of the total collection. During my next visit to the Burton, I hope to check my version against the original, and to copy the remaining material. Since the letters had already been transcribed once, I corrected obvious typographical errors and added some punctuation to make the letters easier to read. I have arranged the letters chronologically as best I could. In one instance the original transcriber had dated a letter October 22, 1863. A multiplicity of evidence indicated that this date was incorrect and the the original letter must have been dated 1862. I hope to eventually add comments and annotation to the letters.
Dear Sister Bridget,
I wrote to Ellen that we were going to march to the sacred soil
- I can't tell what day I wrote her but we struck tents on Sunday
about two or three o'clock. Saturday, we had an inspection twice
and was to have Brigade review for the first time. It rained all
day a very cold rain - it rained all the time we were marching
on Sunday. We camped about nine o'clock - we could not travel
the mountain road it was so dark and a good many wagons broke
down. We camped in a raised meadow field on the mountain side.
We burned more rails than would go all round from our house to
Dearborn and back. I kept fire all night in front of our tent,
I was not very tired. Monday, we resumed the march about 11 o'clock
after a train of wagons and artillery - we kept on till half past
1 o'clock - took dinner then the artillery rested again for an
hour or so - We resumed the march and pitched our tent at the
foot of another mountain in a fine farming country as ever I saw,
as usual, we stripped the fences. - some of the boys bought nice
bacon with Gibraltar and Tecumseh bills and some of them got good
money in change for 5 and 2 dollars. I got some of the meat from
one of the boys, it was first rate.
This morning we resumed our march again after 2 brigades went
ahead of us. When we got to the top of the mountain, the whole
company and I were struck with the most lovely sight I had ever
seen, a wide valley the most peaceful and grandest that you could
imagine, three villages, and farms and farm houses. I could see
everything for miles, I can't describe my thoughts to you - then
only it turned on home the peace of our place and now our occupation,
not of peace but of war.
Here we are near Sandy Hook if you get a map you can tell the
road we travel and where we have been. We are between Harpers
Ferry in this same Valley, it's name I don't know - not in the
part of it that I liked yet it is a fine place, fine farms, the
dwelling as are to be seen in Michigan - there are some large
houses.
My health was never better than at present. I get fat on hard
tack and sawback pork and coffee. I carry enough coffee to do
you and Ellen for two weeks. I get a pint of sugar for four days.
This morning, Colonel read us a circular from the War Dept. telling
us that we could join the regulars if we wanted to. He told the
boys the difference between volunteers and regulars.
I paid 5 cents for this candle - 30 cents for one plug of tobacco.
Dear Bridget I have just received a note from Hannah. Will you
tell what it meant about the Lincoln foe. I am in quite a puzzle
- tell me what it means when you write again. I cant write you
anything interesting. The boys are all well here. When I wrote
Ellen I heard George Kenny was sick. I saw him Sunday evening
at the hospital tent. He is getting well, I am glad of it. I think
a good deal of him, he is always ready to do his duty to all.
Tim is doing duty again. Welch is quite ill with rheumatism. I
got some of your tea. I just received the paper Ellen sent me
from town. Tell mother I would like some of her butter and boiled
potatoes. I did not have any of her bread since I left Washington,
yet I live pretty well on hard tack and coffee. We did have lots
of fresh beef and chicken. Sunday night one of the boys caught
a rabbit.
Tell Elizabeth she must not stop praying until I come home. It
is getting late and my paper is too small or I want to write a
newspaper full. I must go to the fire it is getting cold. After
the next move, I shall write to Ellen, I suppose that this should
be from the sacred soil. Tell James to do something about mother's
fences.
October 22, 1862
Sister Bridget -
I write these few lines to let you know that we are getting ready
to move some other place - where I dont know - I have been over
the battle ground of Maryland. I have seen some hard sights -
there are lots of armless and legless and others that are badly
maimed & of carnage all around. More of the rebels than our
army - close by there is a heap of arms, hands, and feet near
Lee Hospital used by the Rebels - where every day they bury someone.
What war does for a country - the finest country I have seen anywhere
- it is desolated - the fences torn down or all burned & everything
is destroyed - the Rebels are the hardest looking specimens of
humanity I ever saw anywhere - lousy dirty and ragged.
I was up all night helping Sergeant Haigh to get rations for two
days and have them cooked - yet we may not leave in two weeks
or maybe 10 minutes. There was a balloon ascension here yesterday.
I don't know whether they saw the Rebel's white flag on the other
side of the river.
Ellen thinks I am not what I represent I am neither be discontented
nor poor - thanks be to God for all His mercies to us. She must
bear in mind that all that is in danger is not lost - but it must
be a miracle on our behalf in some cases. Pray always for all
of us and it will not be lost.
Give my best to all
Brother Michael
Dear Bridget - we have not left yet- we may leave tomorrow or
we may not leave at all - you will know when we leave or what
will become of us quicker by the papers. I got all that you sent
me & I sent a letter to mother to Dearborn. Ellen did
not say anything about it. It probably had not arrived at the
time she wrote. Write often - it gives me great pleasure to hear
from you. I got stamps from Ellen. My tea is not all gone yet
- the pepper was the best thing I received since coming here.
I hope you give mother all the aid and comfort that you can as
I know you do always.
John Moody - Michael Daly and all you are acquainted with are
well and only Frank Demay is sick since we were at Camp Clark
near Frederick, Maryland. I renew my request to pray for me.
Michael OBrien
Co. D. - 24th Mich. Inf. 1st Army Corp.
Gibbons Brigade
Washington D. C.
Camp opposite Fredericksburg Va.
December 12th, 1862
Dear Bridget -
We are now in front of Fredericksburg with stacked arms and the
rest of the brigade is at rest waiting for our turn to cross over.
All night there was considerable cannonading. Yesterday our artillery
shelled the other side of the river and the occupied town last
evening. I did not see any of the firing but I was near enough
to hear it. We were the same way yesterday but 2 miles further
off. They are shelling the woods outside of Fredericksburg today.
You must imagine how many troops are here, crossing all night
and now our turn may not come today. I am going to send two dollars
to our folks you can give it to them. I got all you sent me, I
am very much obliged and those stockings I could get 20 shillings
for them.
Sometime after we get settled if you would send some butter I
would be glad to have some. Cant send the mail today but we will
as soon as possible. By the time this reaches you we will or will
not have been in battle - as you will know from the papers. This
was a very fine morning, their is a little fog. You must not be
alarmed reading this letter until you know the worst or best as
you will know before you get this. I have not time to write to
Tim but will as soon as I can. I sent 14 dollars to Mother, she
will get it from Mr. Haig. I sent 2 in a letter to Ellen since
I commenced writing. I think I will get this off. You will be
kind enough to excuse this short letter. In the next package that
is sent me send butter and a pair of socks and in the next letter
send me a fine comb it will be the most that I will need. Michael
Daly is in the hospital. No more at present.
From your brother Michael OBrien Co. D. 24th Michigan Inf.
December 21st, 1862
Dear Sister
Day before yesterday I wrote to you that we were in front of Fredericksburg,
yesterday, I got a letter from you immediately after we pulled
up stakes to come here - where we go into winter quarters. Week
ago today I was lying down under fire all the afternoon, every
time we would move they would send in a volley of musketry we
could not see one of them or anything but the smoke, we lost no
one in our company. Our Second Lieutenant distinguished himself,
he is going to be Captain in Cullen's company. If he goes there,
I am going with him. Our Captain is going to the hospital, he
is very sick.
I hope you won't make a fool of yourself praising Moody or anyone
else. You don't know how proud he is. The best way is to neither
praise nor dispraise anyone or let anyone know your business.
Keep everything to yourself.
The only successful advance in the last battle was made by the
24th. Lost no one until we were going to take our post for the
night. There was 3 by one, I saw them struck (shot), we were very
lucky we were the last coming back. We have first rate good times
now. You ought to keep from Mrs. Foster, you ought to know her
from old. You must not be crying for imaginary evils. I think
there is no necessity, I think Moody had as good and better shoes
than most of them as S. L. Howard was barefooted and a good many
more, they have good shoes now.
You must not let anyone see my letters, tell them you think -
don't offense and no more. If I hear that you let anyone out of
our family ready our letters I won't write again. Don't be blowing
about nonsense and free country and so. I suppose Ellen wont write
again I have but one letter this month from her. I dont feel unhappy
that she can have a different society to what we generally had,
all regular cutthroats I suppose we wont stay mad.
Here for the winter there was not any army here before as there
is lots of rails - they won't last long. Don't send me any stamps
or paper I got a supply - lots of money lots to eat and wear lots
to do.
Mike Daly is in the hospital, I was talking with him two times
since we were over the river. I saw Samson Nichols going on the
battlefield.
Tell Mary Ellen to keep praying for her uncle - send me the pilots
- all of them if you can. Tell Father and Mother to keep good
courage and all will be well in the end. You dont say anything
about Mary or Elizabeth.
No more at present from
Dear Bridget,
I received yours of the 21st and hasten to answer it, I also got
the box and very little damage, the apples were a little rotten,
the goose a little frowsy - preserves a little spilled but the
butter was first rate and fresh. I am glad that you are all well
and cheerful. I am just returning from four days of scouting and
patrolling - we went in light marching order. We traveled over
a large part of the country - picked up several stragglers and
deserters and several guns were found in secession houses and
some of the guns belonging to Uncle Sam - two of them two of them
we just returned to witness Frank and James Palmers with 24 others
being called out of the ranks and publicly reprimanded for cowardice
in our last march past Falmouth. If it was me, I would rather
be shot than be disgraced in so public a manner - to have to lay
down my gun in the presence of my company and regiment and take
off my hat and listen to the sentence.
There has been some snow today as there was some last week, It
was so fine all the time we were out, just when we came in it
turned quite cold. You mustn't be scared about Jim you must know
there cant be any mail until it freezes over or it gets so that
the boats can run. I don't know but I may get to go I think I
will. There is to be 2 passes for each 100 for 15 days there has
not been any going out of this company yet - still it will cost
24 dollars. I have almost given up - but undecided yet - you must
not make any calculations.
We are all well, Michael Daly is well but can't speak loud as
he used to. I have written all that I can think of I must write
to Ellen next.
Camp Way, Virginia
June 2, 1863
Dear Bridget -
I have yours of the 26th of May. I am so glad to hear from
home - that you all are well. I dream so much of every one of
you and James and Mary Ellen in particular. I do not know what
to I will only be able to write you a short note this time. I
have not much news to write. I was on picket at Franklin Crossing
of last Fall's battle and the Rappahannock. The Rebs look kind
of tame to what they did last fall I picketed in the same place
- that time they were sassy as we could be now - they are as pleased
to see us as though the war was over - they are on one side of
the river their officers stay there all the time. on our side
there are no officers only at reserve posts.
You don't say anything about the turkeys or geese or ducks - if
the soldiers had their way they are partial to ducks even more
than turkeys. I am glad you can say another is married in Dearborn.
I was in hope that it was Ellen you were going to marry to some
one. I am sorry for Robt.. Latthen for him to be selling liquor
and more for his wife and family. I think you consider me of more
importance than I really am. - stuff and nonsense - tell Mother
she had no need of sending me word of her prayers because I knew
she did and would as only a mother would and can do.
If they have not sold the brown cow I think they should keep her
and sell the black cow.
What have they got in the garden around the house - does the wheat
look good or how many pigs they have.
I don't think there will be any more fighting on the Rappahannock
this summer - our army is now 1/3 smaller than it was when we
joined it, maybe 1/2. There won't be any fighting unless they
come- if they do we will whip them as well as they were whipped
last fall at South Mountain - several think the next battle will
be at Bull Run - it must be our time to make them run this time.
I must close this as I have two more to write besides I must have
a little sleep and go to dress parade.
Your brother M. OBrien Co. D. 24 Mich. Inf.
Sister B. -
It rains and rains - I don't know what I could do so well as
to write to you. I don't hear from home so often now, days the
mail couldn't come to us very regular on account of our migratory
life. We may go to sleep 20 to 30 miles from where we had breakfast.
It is very still the last 3 or 4 days, we did not hear the boom
of any cannon and no musket firing, only an occasional discharge
of our own arms to unload them.
I hope you are all well in body and better in mind than you all
were the 5th when Ellen wrote to me. Now dear sis I am not boasting
I am in better health than when I left Va. or home. I can walk
farther and I am stouter, the air of Pennsylvania and Maryland
Mountains has agreed with us first rate, thanks be to God for
his mercies.
Don't mind we quit fighting under Milroy. Our Corps commander,
General Reynolds was killed early on the morning of July 1st,
a brave and gallant commander. It was the chief cause of our having
no support on that ever to us memorable day. General Wadsworth
is trying to get our Division to some city of fortification and
Col. Morrow wants to get us of the 24th home to mount us and recruit,
whether they will is more than I know. I would like to get to
recruit. We would cut quite a cash with 100 rifles parading the
streets of Detroit, as our full ranks were when we left - we now
draw rations for 22 with 20 rifles.
Well the rains keep up and I must soon get about some dinner -
it rains yet, however I went to a farmer and got bacon. J. Purdy
went to the miller and got meal. We had a big dinner. I don't
know any news only we would like to go to Michigan to help enforce
the draft and wind up this rebellion. Dearborn has been very lucky
in not getting many killed in battle. Well I don't know what to
write only it is dull, I am dull too and not one bit bright. I
must stop and bid you goodbye. There is some talk of moving soon,
I can't say.
Tell Mother and Father we expect to be paid in a few days -
good bye.
Michael O'Brien - Co. D 24th Michigan Vol. Inft.
Sister Bridget -
It is not long since I wrote to you. I had a letter from you since
the one dated 11th of July. I got a paper from you yesterday with
a handkerchief from Francis, from which I am to infer that he
is home and you did not loose him as you were afraid. We are the
longest here of any place we have stopped since breaking camp
on the Rappahannock on June 11th, part of that time I was afraid
I would have to bail out but I feel in better health now than
when we left or any time since I enlisted. I am not so fleshy
- You know our march was a hard and oftentimes fatiguing - thanks
be to God for his mercies.
We are under the impression that we will be in Detroit by the
last of the month if not before - for reconstruction either to
recruit or we are to become cavalry. Where we are camped is kind
of a plain - we can see Bull Run mountains from here. There was
one officer that has come back Lieut. Dooly of Co. H and the only
one left. Captain Merrit is dead. I am glad James is home so he
will relieve you of your care and get in the wheat and hay. I
suppose wages are very bad or extraordinary good- I suppose Leonard
Wallace and Abe Nelson are getting rich trading.
The place where we are is fine ground left to grow to weeds and
wild blackberry. There isn't any now to be found in a couple of
miles or anything we could use. We found some very decent pork
and better beef than we draw for our rations. We are to move camp
today to some point on the railroad - maybe to guard it. There
has been two regiments gone out of our brigade to build block
houses on exposed points on the railroad. Since coming here we
have heard of the death of Charley Huff and three others - Bird - Corleton and Mose Palmer that makes
10 deaths in our company and two missing or not heard from. I
hope that they may only be prisoners and not dead as grim death
has used us severe enough already.
Now I hope this will find you in good health as I am - thanks
be to God for his mercies to us all. Tell Jim if he is conscripted
to be sick all the time and he will be discharged or put in the
invalid corps. I would like to be in this corps if I was unable
to support myself any other way. Send me some news of the town
- you dont say one word about any changes I know there must be
some. You dont say anything about Killen or Riley or anyone. Al
Wallace wrote to me twice since he was paroled. Welch is in Harrisburg
Hospital wounded in the hand.
Dear Bridget you would not know any of us until today - we are
after getting the first clothes since the battle - we were the
raggiest and I might say the dirtiest lot of fellows that anyone
could find. That new dress coat I wore at home is all in ribbons
- I could hardly keep it on. When the battle started it was as
good as new. We have new clothes today so again we are all right,
if I only had a new knapsack now - mine got riddled at Gettysburg
with a new novel I had never read.
Write soon and don't send me a half written sheet give me all
the gossip in the town. Everything looks bright and cheering here
now thanks be to God. Send me word how Mother is getting along
if they kept the cows, do they have hay enough. Tell Jim he did
not write me a letter - tell him Theodore Demay beat him in. Well
we are all calling on another conscripts today because we have
new clothes. I wont have much to draw in pay for the last two
months. I overdrew my clothing allowance 18 or 20 dollars.
Sister Bridget -
It is after tattoo I have been in a fidget in expecting a letter
from you. I came in from picket yesterday and after that dress
parade. Your to come - it is not the value of it or that I want
or crave such things. The most I value are the stockings - I had
some that mother sent me all the time until we started for this
camp from Kellys Ford. I would rather wear them until I had nothing
else to wear. We have a better camp this winter than last and
I like the looks of the country. Last week was quite a week for
the regiment - there were two officers put under arrest and four
sergeants and one corporal and reduced to the ranks for disorderly
conduct. They went to a house at night and what they did there
we have not yet heard. One of the officers is an Irishman, some
of the non-commissioned officers have Irish names with which I
am not acquainted. I am acquainted with one of the officers whose
name is Mike Dempsey. It is the third time he is under arrest.
We have to go to school every day - I have read all the papers
that you sent me. We get the Ledger all the time now.
It is like spring weather we are having now. We have a regular
routine of camp discipline now. It does not inconvenience me much,
I have been out on picket three times this last month, it broke
the monotony of camp life. When the pickets leave camp we have
what is called grand guard mounting - we have inspection and pass
in review the incoming officers of the guard. Well I have not
received your last Sunday's letter. Tell Mrs. Riley I am very
thankful for her ketchup, we had it for dinner last night. Well
I must close as the fire is going out and my eyes are getting
watery.
I remain your affectionate brother, Michael OBrien
Theodore Palmer is back again but he will play out again. We heard
Jim is home and had couple of dances and that Otis Coon was going
to have one - we also heard that Boles is coming back again.
Feb. 1st, 1864 - Dear Sister - Since writing last evening there
is a rumor circulating that we are going to the Southwest to Knoxville
or Nashville, Tennessee. All of the sick have been removed from
the camp last evening or rather at 2 oclock last night - it does
not make it imperative that we should move - but some of this
army must move somewhere and the rest garrison Washington and
guard the Potomac. For my part I would be glad to leave Virginia
for any part of the world they have a mind to send me. I know
more of it than I do of Michigan or Ireland. There are not many
farms - this is our last portage march.
There are not many farms in six or seven counties - if I wished
I might tell you the owners names and the size of their farms
and as far as I know are larger and better than any in Dearborn
- so that a change of scenes won't be very unbearable to me and
I think it is the same with the rest of us. I suppose the veterans
are having a good time at home spending their money and enjoying
the society of their lady friends - they having been in old Virginia
as long as I have been. I have my box and we all work hard to
finish it before we leave. It is a muggy misty and rainy day -
I am inside so is Casey - Purdy - Jack Fisk and Strong. Al is
raising the mischief when he can. Shep is cooking soup and stewing
dried apples and berries. You can see that we are taking things
cool when we can otherwise be employed.
Camp 24th Mich. 1st Brigade - 5th Army Corps.
near Culpepper Court House, Virginia
April 3, 1864
Dear Sister Bridget -
I have received yours of the 28th of March. It gives me pleasure
to hear from you. There is something I want to say about politics
- which you brought up in your last letter. I know you don't mean
any harm, I know you do not have the information of dismissing
from your mind that Lincoln is wrong and the draft also. You wish
the war was at an end and how is it to end unless the men are
compelled to turn out when they have not the patriotism or courage
to do - there cant be two Union parties while the war lasts -
one must support the Union until it is restored - but Copperheadism
never - You have just cause of complaining of hard time and everything
so high in cost. But you should thank God every hour that you
are so far north and not in the South.
Does my Mother get anything from the Supervisor or are they in
danger of suffering.
We had some very nasty weather along back - it is clear now -
the mountains are as white as they can be but here everything
begins to look green. There is another thing that you dont understand
- I am in charge of guard and I dont stand guard - about the danger
of sickness I dont know of anything to alarm you if there were
I would tell you. I am afraid of writing you anything because
it might be misunderstood. Tell Jim that a man when he gets to
a hospital may need never leave there until his time is out. He
can play off and put on being sick - the worst case we every saw
was such that we sometimes thought him sick.
I must bid Mary Ellen, Anne. Father and Mother and all good morning.
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