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leafhandwritten; A scrap of Civil War memoranda headed "51st N Y V" in which Whitman mentions the death of Captain
Since my return to the regiment we have been very buisy, and we still have a great deal to do in the
The next day after my return we received orders to be ready to move at a moments notice which we did
about noon the Same day took our backward track to the front of Petersburg, near to the place where Captain
is now in Charge of our Regimental Quarter Master and I will Send it home with the first Officer of my
There is no news of importance with us that would itnerest you So I will close by Sending my best respects
Brooklyn September 11 1864 My dear friend Well I am still home & no event of importance to write you
My illness has passed over, & I go around the same as formerly, only a lingering suspicion of weakness
their having any visitors—So you see I am still in business—Some of the cases are very interesting— My
mother is very well, & the rest the same—We have heard from my brother up to the beginning of this month
is well —We felt pretty gloomy some little time since, as two young men of the 51st N Y, friends of my
John Gibson Wright, captain of the Fifty-first Regiment, reported on August 8, 1864 that, when he had
to relinquish command of the regiment, George "discharged the duties of the responsible position to my
(Wright rose from captain to colonel in the Fifty-first Regiment; he was appointed to the latter position
Captain Samuel H.
You see Mother I have to date my letters yet from near Petersburg instead of from Richmond We are laying
I hold my own first rate and feel about as well as ever I did.
been kept pretty buisy trying to get things straigtened out, but this morning one of our seniour Captains
Give my love to all. George W.
his "head feels disagreeable"; In a letter dated May 30, 1864 also to Louisa Whitman, he wrote that "my
Baldwin entered the army at age twenty-nine, became a captain on October 1, 1862, was wounded at Laurel
Our captain though[t] he would run the risk and save the time (it takes some time longer to go through
gather something about his early relationship with Walt on the basis of the latter's short sketch, "My
Babcock of our Regt (who is with the Regt) and tell him to send my things home by express, as I should
John Gibson Wright rose from captain to colonel in the Fifty-first New York Volunteer Regiment; he was
Made Captain Aug. 1864got a family in Buffalo" (Manuscripts of Walt Whitman in the Collection of American
State Volunteers where he enrolled as first sergeant of Company F (and was eventually promoted to captain
Friend Walt, I have been setting at the foot of what I call my bed idoly speculating, on the past, and
met and called them Friends how often the word Friend, is missplace, but you have told me you were my
Friend and called me your young Friend, I thank you for that priveledge from the inmost recess of my
camp, expecting to meet you there I was sorrowfully disapointed on my arrival there to find that my
little Wife and my home, to enjoy a few of your leisure hours cheerfully.
He was promoted to full captain in the 25th New York Cavalry on 1 Jul 1864.
I sent my trunk from Annapolis to Washingt to our Sutler, who keeps a place in Washington his name is
As Captain Whitman marched through Washington with his regiment, Walt Whitman walked beside him.
I lost one man killed and two wounded in my Co out of 11 that I took in the fight.
Give my love to all G W Whitman George Washington Whitman to Louisa Van Velsor Whitman, 20 May 1864
Walt recorded in his diary for May 9, 1865, that Captain Samuel Pooley (see George Whitman's letter to
John Frederick Schiller Gray was a captain in the Twentieth New York Infantry and later held the same
always find they like to have me very much, it seems to do them good, no doubt they soon feel that my
away some gay tunes now, though it is quite late at night—Mother, I dont know whether I mentioned in my
region, makes a good officer—Mother, I could get no pen & ink tonight—Well, dear Mother, I send you my
army as a first lieutenant in the Eighty-fourth New York Infantry on May 23, 1861, and was appointed captain
from the rebel Artillery and the talk is that the men could not be got forward to the second line, but my
I tried my best, to keep the men from falling back, but Capt Sims was killed just at this time so it
Mother I should like very much to have you send me a dozen of my pictures (those you sent to me at Annapolis
Give my love to Mattie and all. Good night G. W.
Wright wrote: "The Command of the Regiment then devolved upon Captain George W.
I am happy to say he discharged the duties of the responsible position to my entire satisfaction, and
The boys had the devils own time to keep from getting swamped, I just fixed my bunk so there was no
danger of my getting drowned, and then turned in and slept till it stopped raining.
been there since last Sept) Pooley is here and just as good natured as ever, McReady is 2d Lieut of my
Made Captain Aug. 1864—got a family in Buffalo" (Walt Whitman Collection, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript
about as ugly, and can eat any amount of corn bread, so you see, dear Mother that I am all right, and my
F of our Regt. and tell him to send my things home by Express. Much love to all. G. W.
Waldron, and Captain Charles W. Walton.
not worry & feel unhappy about money matters—I know things are very high—Mother, I suppose you got my
believe I worry about worldly things less than ever, if that is possible)—Tell Jeff & Mat I send them my
Whitman is possibly referring to Captain John Mullan.
am Good bye Han tell Mother I am better and want to come home and see you all more than ever, give my
Starting in the New York Militia, Wright was a captain in the 51st New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment
Began my visits (Dec. 21, 1862,) among the camp hospitals in Army of the Potomac, under Gen.
, but space forbids my transcribing them.
He said: "It is my chief reliance." He talked of death, and said he did not fear it.
my life and occupation more than I can tell.
Independent Missionary, in my own style, and not as agent of any commission.
I said, What is it, my dear, do you want any thing?
Richmond— Walt— Jeff, of course you must take this up to mother soon as you go home—Jeff, I have changed my
51st—George's letter to me of 16th I sent to Han—should like to see Mr Worthen if he comes here—give my
remembrance to Mr Lane I have writ to George several times in hopes one at least may reach him—Matty, my
In addition, he altered phraseology: "What is it, my dear" became "What is it, my boy?"
biography, The Ferry Boy and the Financier (Boston: Walker and Wise, 1864); he described their meetings in My
Though Trowbridge was not an idolator of Whitman, he wrote to O'Connor in 1867: "Every year confirms my
for somehow I was thinking from your letters lately whether you was as well as usual or not—write how my
army this spring, to the utmost—they are sending down many to their reg'ts that are not fit to go, in my
Washington—We have had quite a snow storm, but is clear & sunny to-day here, but sloshy, I am wearing my
On March 6, George wrote to his mother: "I found my trunk up at Fort Schuyler all right the morning I
Somerville February 12, 1864 My dear Walt Whitman.
I have seen the new moon over my right shoulder to some purpose lately.
Give my love to the O'Connors. Good bye. Your friend, J. T. Trowbridge John T.
biography, The Ferry Boy and the Financier (Boston: Walker and Wise, 1864); he described their meetings in My
Though Trowbridge was not an idolator of Whitman, he wrote to O'Connor in 1867: "Every year confirms my
On October 18, 1863, Babbitt was depressed—"dark clouds seem to be lying in my pathway and I can not
remove them nor hide them from my mind"—until he mentioned his beloved, Nellie F.
Of the O'Connors, Thomas Jefferson Whitman wrote on June 13, 1863: "I am real glad, my dear Walt, that
those terrible long lists—Still there is a sufficient sprinkling of deeply distressing cases—I find my
I lost nearly half of my Co. but we won the fight . . .
Dear Father, As I always wish to fulfill my promises I will enjoy this afternoon in writing a letter
in order to let you know how I got home and how my health is So I left Washington that evening at 5 Oc
I went to the Soldiers Home and got my supper and took a good sleep I left Pittsburg a little after 2
to the door whar I had a grand interunion with my friends I found all of them in good health they were
If my friend is in the Hospital yet tell him I got home all right I guess I will close by biding you
Whitman asks Brown to allow Livensparger to read his letter and to tell him "that I sent him my love.
know I got home all safe—I do not feel very well yet, but expect to, or begin to, pretty soon—I send my
I think I never in my life felt so wholly blue and unhappy about any one's going away as I did, and have
I cross the long Bridge but if I can not get a chance, I hope you will write whenever convient Give my
On March 5, 1875, Farwell, who owned a farm in Michigan, wrote: "Walt my dear old Friend how I would
is one reason why I had rather be sent to the Regiment I would not stay around this City the rest of my
My best wishes are with you for indeed I have found a Friend at last to the poor Soldier I will close
On March 5, 1875, Farwell, who owned a farm in Michigan, wrote: "Walt my dear old Friend how I would
My wishes are that this may find you enjoying good health and plenty of kind friends to associate with
close by expecting to have a better opportunity of writing some thing else when you hear from me again My
On March 5, 1875, Farwell, who owned a farm in Michigan, wrote: "Walt my dear old Friend how I would
Dear Friend I once promised to write you & as often as convient So far I have fullfulled my part.
Since my joineing My Regiment It has been nothing but marching & fighting the Johnnys.
The reason of my leaveing was because I could not see to ride or walk.
often as possible Even if it is pencil marks I hope that this may find you enjoying good health Give my
On March 5, 1875, Farwell, who owned a farm in Michigan, wrote: "Walt my dear old Friend how I would
Kind Uncle & Friend Yours came to me on Friday last much sooner than I expected Because my being so negligent
I have been thinking about going there this winter to wile a way some of these lonesome days My Folks
have some objections to my going where I have been so often for the last three years.
Well Uncle I hope this may find you still alive & well My best respects To you, My Uncle Adieu till next
On March 5, 1875, Farwell, who owned a farm in Michigan, wrote: "Walt my dear old Friend how I would
Boys in Armory where you were But they could not tell Now Uncle if you will (not) Answer this after My
On March 5, 1875, Farwell, who owned a farm in Michigan, wrote: "Walt my dear old Friend how I would
S So I concluded to find out by dropping a few lines to you I hope my Dear Uncle that nothing has befallen
On March 5, 1875, Farwell, who owned a farm in Michigan, wrote: "Walt my dear old Friend how I would
My dear Walt: I am enraged and ashamed of myself to have never sent you a word responsive to your letters
It was such rain as we have often seen here from my windows, only this time I saw it all alone.
The rascally Congress taxes me in September fifty dollars in a lump, besides my normal income tax, so
Of the O'Connors, Thomas Jefferson Whitman wrote on June 13, 1863: "I am real glad, my dear Walt, that
Ellen O'Connor related in a letter on November 24, 1863, that the Count had said to her recently: "My
Shall I live to write my Shakespeare book and a score of gorgeous romances?
Rely on me, Walt, for anything you want done here, or anything at all in my power.
Of the O'Connors, Thomas Jefferson Whitman wrote on June 13, 1863: "I am real glad, my dear Walt, that
This was not any of my own luck but to accompany the newly married set was all I was on the Company.
I have received only this letter Oct 7th & one writen to My Father of which both reached me the same
But this one I have neglected on account of my being a way from home so long.
not tell of my being hit there.
My health is very good at present Also the same I wish to you My best wishes gose with this to you Yours
On March 5, 1875, Farwell, who owned a farm in Michigan, wrote: "Walt my dear old Friend how I would
Brooklyn Sunday afternoon July 24 1864 My dear friend Since I last wrote to you my illness has been gradually
much the same as usual—I keep pretty old-fashioned hours, rise early, dine at 1, & go to bed before 10—My
head feels clear & comfortable, & my strength has returned almost, but not quite up to what it was.
I rec'd Nelly's letter, I could not get over to New York that afternoon—Nelly, my dear friend, you must
try to bring [it] out myself, stereotype it, & print an edition of 500—I could sell that number by my
Brooklyn Tuesday even'g July 5 1864 My dear friend I have had the misfortune to fall back a little since
same as if written to her—I do not write much, nor do any thing hardly, but keep as quiet as possible—my
physician thinks that time, with the change of locality, & my own latent recuperative power, will make
I intend to move heaven & earth to publish my "Drum-Taps" as soon as I am able to go around.
love—also Ashton—I will write should there be any change in my condition— Good bye for present, my dear
Of the O'Connors, Thomas Jefferson Whitman wrote on June 13, 1863: "I am real glad, my dear Walt, that
O'Connor related in a letter on November 24, 1863, that the Count had said to her recently: "My Gott,
My dear comrade, I have been very sick, and have been brought on home nearly three weeks ago, after being
sick some ten days in Washington—The doctors say my sickness is from having too deeply imbibed poison
into my system from the hospitals—I had spells of deathly faintness, & the disease also attacked my
as soon as I had strength—But I am making too long a story of it—I thought only to write you a line—My
dear comrade, I am now over the worst of it & have been getting better the last three days—my brother
I never think of you but it makes my heart glad to think that I have bin permited to know one so good
know where I am and also that I am in the enjoyment of middling good health I heard from you through my
Father some time ago and I have wanted to visit you but I am sorry to say my health will not admit of
my being out much this cold weather .
If you remember I was wounded through my lung and the ball is now near my right kidney and I am not as
I feel quite well to day I have just received a letter from my Brother in my Regt (15th NJ) he spoke
know where I am and also that I am in the enjoyment of middling good health I heard from you through my
Father some time ago and I have wanted to visit you but I am sorry to say my health will not admit of
my being out much this cold weather.
If you remember I was wounded through my lung and the ball is now near my right kidney and I am not as
I feel quite well to day I have just received a letter from my Brother in my Regt (15th nj) he spoke
The entry which begins, "I find this in my notes" (see images 35, 36, and 38) was revised and used in
Brooklyn December 4 1864 My dear friend Your letter of November 30 came safe, & was truly welcome—if
shall come, almost certainly—Then Charles Eldridge is to be transferred to Boston—I am indeed sorry, on my
Mother remains well, & in pretty good spirits, better than I would have expected—My brother George still
remains a prisoner—as near as we can judge he is at Columbia, S C—we have had no word from him About my
book nothing particular to tell—I shall print it myself—also my new edition of Leaves of Grass—Most
Brooklyn July 9 1864 My dear friend I rec'd the letters this afternoon, two in the envelope with a note
I had grown worse, quite a good deal, & I was about making up my mind that I would have to stand a good
seige—but yesterday the current changed, & I felt better all day, & in the afternoon went out riding with my
The doctor to-day tells me my throat is markedly better—In my letter to William I told him I had rec'd
can make them out—As to me, I still believe in Grant, & that we shall get Richmond—we have heard from my
My dear Friend Your kind letter came to hand yesterday.
I never think of you but it makes my heart glad to think that I have bin permited to know one so good
I have got my leg but I think that I will never be able to walk much on it as my stump is so short but
if I cant I can go on my crutches for they appear to be a part of myself for I have bin on them so long
I have not succeeded in getting a position in any of the Depts yet thoug my M.C. tried quite hard Gov
Dear brother I hardly know what to say to you in this letter for it is my first one to you but it will
not be my last I should have written to you before but I am not a great hand at written and I have ben
very buisy fixing my tent for this winter and I hope you will forgive me and in the future I will do
I send you my love and best wishes. Good by from Your Brother, Sergt Thomas P Sawyer P.S.
My Dear Sir I had the honor to recive the fiew lines you addressed to me, which was delivered by my particular
In my humble opinion there is nothing so well calculated to inspire a soldier with new courage and fresh
acquaintance may ripen into a mutual attachment The preasent you sent me I received for which accept my
Dear Friend I take this opportunity to write to you to let you know how I am I am well and my wound is
home but I could not So I had to come back here the Doctor ask me when I came back if I did not want my
told him that I would rather be transfered to newyork and if I could not that I would like to have my
discharge, he said that he would get me transfered or give me my discharge I walk with crutches yet
If so say I sent my best love, not forgetting little Jennie.
received—I have not heard from her since— I am pretty well, perhaps not so unconsciously hearty as before my
sickness—We are deprest in spirits home here about my brother George, (2d div 9th Corps)—if not killed
, he is a prisoner—he was in the engagement of Sept 30 on the extreme left.31 My book is not yet being
If you write to William I wish you to enclose him this letter—I wish him to receive again my faithful
Friend Walter, Sir accordain to promis I now embrace this opportunity of informing you of my Safe arrival
My Friends gave me a warm reception Such as how are you Bush got robed did you &c I told them how it
I had the pleasure of meeting my Capt G.
laugh at me for not being sharper I told them it would be all right in cours of time live & learn is my
If you dont I do and I long for to see mine very much and I think she will want to see me— give my letter
I received a answer to my first letter stating that you wer at home sick.
I have got my discharge from the Hospitals about 3 weeks ago & am now employed in the Provost Marshall
I had a very pleasant time only I broke my leg just as I got ready to come home & had some little difficulty
in getting home without my cruches I got so I could walk quite well on my leg only last week my stump
there has bin two small pieces of bone come out but I think in a little while I will be ready to wear my