Chauncey Austin Smith enlisted in the 111th NY Vol. Infantry, from Cayuga County on August 26, 1864, until the close of the war.  During this time, he wrote many letters home, to his wife Fanny in Hannibal. 

They are an interesting and historical account of the life and struggles of an everyday soldier during the civil war, filled with tales of their labor, danger, sufferings, and the loneliness for home.  As Sandy wrote, "Some of his letters to Fanny and the kids were heart wrenching, you could just feel his missing them."  After the war, Chauncey was very active in the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), and was often asked to speak at meetings. 

These wonderful letters, the speech written by him for a GAR meeting, and his family biography and photograph, was generously contributed by Sandy Sharp, his ggg- granddaughter.  Many thanks and appreciation to Sandy, for all her hard work and effort to put this together and to share this information with us.  Sandy says that she is willing to help anyone who might tap into this line. 
You may contact her at:  volleybird@juno.com

Dear Wife and Children:

     Your letters have all been received and read with pleasure.  I love to write letters and I love to receive letters especially from home.  You cant begin to tell how I like to read those kind letters that I receive from your hand.  It is pleasant weather here today, no snow, the ground is bare and the roads are getting quite dry again.  You know that when I was at home I cared but little for music but I am getting so that I am a great lover of music for all is music here in camp.  The drum and fife and bugle are sounded at all times of the day and night.  At four o'clock in the morning brigade bugle sounds to wake up officers and half past four o'clock the Regimental bugle sounds to give out orders for the day and at five o'clock in the morning the company bugle and drum sound the alarm for all privates to get up and wash and be ready for "roll call" at half past five and all that are not out with gun and side arms on when roll is called are put on extra duty through the day.  After roll is called, all have to stand in the ranks until sunrise except those who are detached for picket and camp guard. They can go to their tents and get their things all ready for going to their posts.  At sunrise the remainder are set at liberty to do up their morning work and breakfast.

     Then at nine o'clock the drum and fife strike the notes for company drill.  We drill until eleven o'clock and then are marched up to our quarters and discharged until two o'clock in the afternoon.  Then the bugle fife and drum are sounded again to call our company and Regiment out for brigade drill.  We drill for two hours, are then marched to our quarters and discharged for only one half hour.  This half hour we all get our wood fixed and ready for night.

     Then the fife and drum calls us all out on dress parade.  Dress parade occupies about half an hour.  Every one on dress parade has to be very careful how he acts and carries himself.  No one is allowed to raise a hand or move a foot without orders.  The officers of every company on dress parade are drilled and trained by the Lieutenant Colonel and have to give strict account of all of their doing through the day and if any man or private is missing in any company in the Regiment, it is then his business to report him to  head-quarters or they will be dealt with accordingly. After dress parade we are marched to our quarters and dismissed and then we all do as we please until nine o'clock.  Then comes roll call for the last time, we then return to our tents and 15 minutes from that time three raps are struck on the drum for lights to be blown out and go to bed.  The lights are always blown out but sometimes we don't go to bed until 12 o'clock for we all have a snug little fire place in every stockade and it is pleasant for soldiers to sit around the fire and chat and tell stories, talk about home and many other things.  The evenings of the soldiers are all passed pleasantly away.  No noise, no fighting, no swearing, no drinking is allowed in camp in the night for every street is kept quiet by a guard.

       Friday, Dec 16, 1864

     Today is hang-man's day.  I told you in my last letter that three soldiers were to be hung in our camp.  Yesterday, the gallows were erected on the ground where we were drilling.  Today at nine o'clock the gallows were finished ready for it's subjects.  This morning Mr. Hamilton, our sergeant, came to my tent and says, "Chancey, do you want to stand as guard around the gallows?"  I told him I did not and had rather be assigned to any place for duty than to act as guard around the gallows. He replied that I could have my choice to be on guard or go on picket.  Of course I chose to go on picket.  So you can see by this that I am, this day, on picket but am in sight of our camp and of the gallows.  I can just have a glimpse of the poor victims who are to be swung up between heaven and earth and suffer the penalty of their crime.  The camp where they were hung was black with soldiers for half a mile around, the death roll of the drum made everything appear solemn and sad.

       Saturday Morning, Dec. 17,

     All is still on the picket line this morning where I am. It is a beautiful morning and the echo of music is in every ear.  Our picket is half way between our camp and the rebel camp, so we have the music from both ways and I thought this morning as I was listening to the music that each side was trying to see which could make the most noise, one side playing the tune of Dixie and the other side Yankee Doodle.  If you send me such large sheets of paper to write on I shall fill it up with something but it may not all be interesting to you.  This morning I had for breakfast, onion, potatoes, beef and pork, coffee, and hard tack, cooked on a fire made by the side of a log. At meal time we soldiers enjoy ourselves first rate.  At home I never had such a ravenous appetite as I have here in the army.  We eat all our rations up slick and clean, could eat more if we had it to eat. When I was at home you know I cared little for salt pork, but here it seems as though I can't get enough to satisfy.  I bet you I could eat a whole hog and a whole beef critter at once, if I had it (if they were not too big). We have coffee three times a day and plenty of it, but no tea unless we buy it of the Sutler and pay an enormous price.  I have had two cups of tea while here on picket line.  I got it from a soldier by the name of Gill.  I swapped some of my meat for a drawing.  It relished so well that I steeped it over.  I thought that the second steeping was as good as the first.  Perhaps you would like to know what kind of dishes we have here. Every soldier has a coffee pot that holds just one quart.  This we steep full of coffee three times a day and we drink it all up slick and clean and some steep the second cup.  I think the coffee that we have in the army is more pure and better than the coffee that we have at home for we drink it without milk and it is recommended by our Doctor to be a healthy beverage. Each one of us have a pot to cook our beans and meat that holds two quarts. When we march, one of these pots we buckle on to our haversack and the other, we pull out the stopper to our canteen and run the stopper through the handle, which is fastened to a small chain and by this plan they are very easily carried.  We also have a small frying pan which is easily carried and a cup.  This comprises all of our dishes with the exception of spoon, knife and fork.

        Saturday Noon.

     Have just returned from the picket line to our camp all safe, ate our dinner and now must finish this letter.  Have just had some good news from the west.  General Thomas has given Hood a good whipping.  Took 1500 prisoners, 17 cannon and all of his supplies.  Such news as this makes every soldier's heart glad as well as it does every union man at the North.  I think that one more such victory over the Rebs will end the war and then we soldiers will soon get a furlough to come home for good. 

     I have just had a call from a young man from Hannibal.  He said he saw you last week, said that you were all well, etc.  I know the man well by sight but his name I do not remember.  He went over to the street where Mr. Gilmore tents, who is from Hannibal.

     A few words about the barrel of necessities that you sent me.  I hope they will come safely.  I should have given you a little instruction as to directing the goods. 

     I presume that you have done it all right.  If you directed the same as you did my letters and have taken a receipt from the Express Company for the goods, it will come safe, for the Express Company is responsible for all goods lost.  Write and let me know in your next letter. Tell Clarissa Ann and Cenet that I am going to comb my hair just as soon as I put this letter in the mail bag.  How I wish that I could have them here to comb it for me. Tell Grant he is not forgotten for I have my mouth all fixed for the corn he popped to send me.  Tell little Lotty that Pa thinks of her often.  Let the children make their marks in every letter.  You need not go to Fathers with your bond for all is right as it is yours.
       With Regard
       C. Smith.

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Letter #12

(After the fall of Savannah on December 21, 1864 so must be Saturday, December 24, 1864.)

Dear Fanny and Children:

     Again my pen is in hand to write a few words to you all and tell you of the events of the day.  I stated to you in my last what time I came in from picket. Nothing of any importance has occurred since then but will endeavor to tell you all that is going on in camp as far as I am posted.  Have just chanced me a new pair of pants and blouse coat.  Are better than the first ones I drawed.  My old pants had got considerable worn and wanted mending very much.  So I put on my new pants and started off in search of something for patches.  Went about twenty rods from my tent and found an old pair that some officer had thrown away with buttons and all on.  Just the thing I wanted.  Came back to tent.  Took my old pants up and looked to see where I should begin to mend first.  Soon discovered that the seat needed fixing most.  I then cut a piece out of the old pair about six inches square and basted it on with long stitches to hold it into place and then commenced to take short stitches around the out side until I came to the place where I started from and then stitched cross way quilt fashion a few times and called the job done.  Do not find no fault with the work only on the upper side of the patch it puckers a little.  I want that you should tell me in your next what is the cause of puckering if you can for I was very careful to get the patch on square and smooth and then for it to act so I am at a puzzle to tell.  Must now eat my supper and prepare for roll call.

     Supper is ended.  Roll is called.  The sergeant calls out for company A to fall in and get rations. No one of us is backward about going after our rations.  All start off at once.  We got some turnips tonight.  Something that we have not had before and they were a rarity to us all.  Sunday morning we had some of those turnips for breakfast.  Was the best of the kind I ever eat.  Breakfast is eat and dishes is washed and the order came for us all to fall in without arms and hear the news of the day and of the success of our armies.  Major Corning always when he gets the news always want his regiment to hear the same.  A good man he is and he seems like a father to us all.  "Soldiers", he (said), "I have some good news to communicate.  General Sherman has taken Savannah with 12000 prisoners.  Now he let us all give three cheers for General Sherman and so we did and so loud was the cheer that it fairly made the earth tremble.  Nothing but victories cheer us at every point on this glorious Sabbath morning.  From Tennessee, from Georgia, from Mississippi, Virginia, from all quarters where the brave soldiers of the Union are defending the Flag of our Country laurel victories sits perched upon their arms and the Rebels are to quail beneath their feet.  It seems as though from one end of the country to the other it is nothing but one whirlwind of victories.

     Monday Night:  Nothing of importance, there is all peace and quiet. Tuesday morning or noon when pickets come in, they brought in five Johns or Rebs.  They seem glad to get over to us. 

     Wednesday noon and it rains.  For certain can't drill so I will finishthis line.  Am well and hope that you are the same. Last night Mr. Doremus, one of my tent mates got a box from home in Wayne County.  It was ten days in coming through.  There was all kinds of eatables in it and when he opened it and I see it's contents, it made me think of home.  Think I shall get mine the last of this week.  There is a good many soldiers sick now in camp. Tell Mr. Darling's folks that their son is quite poorly. Has not been able to do duty in some time. The Doctor thinks his complaint the jaundice.  Mr.Herens from the ville was here Tuesday.  Give me a good long call.  He belongs to the 9th Artillery.  Is in camp only one mile from me.  James Hough, he says, is in the 9th but is not there.  I asked if he knew where he was.  Said if he was not at home, he must be in the hospital.  Must stop. Write soon and all of the news.  This from Chauncey Austin Smith to Fanny Alminy Smith and the little ones.  With regards.

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Letter 13

Kind and affectionate wife:

     Have just received your kind letter.  Must tell you that I have received the barrel of apples or goods you sent me. This is Thursday, got them Tuesday night.  Should have told you before, had not time to do so.
Forgive all past neglects, will try to do better in the future.  All is well with me now.  It can't be otherwise because I have got an abundance to eat both of hard tack and good sweet victuals from home. How nice everything came.  Not one single thing was hurt or spoilt.  Please receive my kind thanks for the same.  I want you to cheer up and not let things trouble you any more, for all things are coming out right.  I think that you have done well and managed for the best.  I think that the storm has passed away.  You know that there is always a calm after the bluster.  The cakes and cookie hearts were all good and fresh.  It seemed as though I was at home when eating them they tasted so like old times.  Stockings, drawers, shirts, gloves, and boots were all in their place, just as you wrote in your letter. The boots were just the fit, could not have fitted better.  Such boots here are worth twenty dollars.  Tell Grant the pop-corn was a real treat, nothing could have suited better.  The dried fruit you sent me is worth fifty dollars to me here.  Stewed some three or four times. Can't let them alone they are so delicious.  Last night I took some out on the picket line with me.  I tell you that I had lots of friends for all that had a smell wanted to taste.  There were two boys that come over to our lines from the Rebels. They got into us about nine o'clock and they stayed with us until morning before we escorted them to camp.  They appeared to be first-rate good fellows and were very talkative and social.  I gave them something to eat. How thankful they seemed to be for a morsel of food to eat.  They looked as though they were almost starved.  They say that the whole Rebel army is waiting for a chance to come over to our side.  Those apples, how nice, could not find a poor one among them.  Can sell them for 7 cents a piece quick.  Those suspenders came just in time for my old ones were all to pieces.  I have made you a good deal of trouble in sending me things.  Shall not trouble you any more.  There is something that I can't do very well without.  The weather is now very wet and muddy and I want something to grease my boots with to make them shed water.  Can get nothing here of that kind for love nor money.  I want you to send me a box of water proof blacking such as I had when at home.  I ought to have spoken to you about it before then you could have sent it in with the rest of the goods.  Fanny, time is passing away fast, four months of my time is passed.  My years service will soon pass away and then I shall come home to enjoy life with you.  Let us cheer up and commence the new year with joyful heart.  Write often and I will do the same.  Have now a plenty of good paper to write on and I shall improve my leisure time in talking to you by letter.  Write and let me know how much tax you have to pay and how your wood pile is going to hold out.  My health continues good, hope you are all well and tell Clara, Grant and Nettie and Lottie I read their letter over and over and when I do so I think that I can see just how they look. 

     Wish you all a happy new year.
       C.A. Smith

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Letter #14

Dear Wife:

     I have just received one more kind letter from your pen.  How glad I am to get so many letters from you.  I wish that I could have a fresh one to read every night and one everyday but I know that your time is precious and here I have but little time to write.  I am glad to hear that you and the children are all well and that the girls love to go to meeting as well as ever.  Am sorry to learn that you are so lonely.  I think that when you get the letter I wrote before this and read it you will not feel so disconsolate.  It will not do to give up to such feelings.  Let us look on the bright side of things and in future it will drive away all clouds of sadness and clear sky will always be in view.  Your paper and envelopes and postage stamps, I have received them all safe and sound, have plenty of paper now to write on and it is all through your kindness that I have such plentiful supply.  All that I want now is time to write and I shall improve all of my spare moments in doing so.

     Have just received a long letter from Violetta and Frances*.  They are all well but Frances, she feels discouraged and thinks that she is never going to get up again.  She has been a great sufferer. I hope that she may be blessed with good health again.  Violetta says that they are fixing a box to send to James.  Says that he is at City Point. 

     About a furlough, I think that money is so tight and close with us that I had not better come home again until my time is out. I think that the prospect is favorable for a speedy close of the war.  I think of a certain, and so do many of our officers, that it will be closed up this winter and there will be no spring campaign.  We year men will all be discharged in the spring so that we can go to our homes.  I tell you that everything looks favorable in that direction.  I can get a furlough of ten days and no longer.  If I should come home and stay a week or so how hard it would be for me to leave home again and go back to the field of strife again.  So I think that on the whole that I had better stick it out until the end.  You do not know how well I am.  My hawking and spitting has left me and not a trace of it is left, have not had sore throat since I have been in the army, now but a little head ache, never was so tough in my whole life.  I weigh 155 pounds which is five pounds more than I ever weighed before, so do not be worried about your little man for if he keeps on he will be large enough to take care of himself and if his life should be spared to come home, he can help you a little.  Was glad you sent me the "World".  Wish you would send me more, for reading material is scarce in the army and I read eagerly all I get and they come good for wrappers, etc.

     I came home to camp this morning in the rain from the picket line. Have been there three days.  How glad I was to get back in camp and find news from home.  Got in at ten o'clock, went up to the office the first thing and asked for my mail, found two flat letters and bounded back to my tent with a double quick march and found a light and joyous heart.

     I must say to you that picket duty is not nearly so dangerous as it was a few weeks ago for not a gun has been fired for that length of time on either side.  I hope there will never be any more fired.

     I want to write Frances this afternoon and must go and get some wood to stew some berries for dinner so must close.  Must tell you before I close that I now am living on the fat of the land.  I thank you a thousand times for the good things you sent me.
       C.A. Smith
 

*Esther Violetta Smith Fuller and daughter, Chauncey's sister who had three children, Charlotte, Frances and James.

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Letter #15

Dear Wife:

     Sometimes I have time to write long letters.  This time I must be brief.  Have been detached today to chop wood.  Have just got into camp at 4 o'clock P.M.  Am in good health and hope you are all the same.  The ground here in old Virginia is now sheeted over with snow. Have not had any here before to speak of it looks like old York State.  All things here in camp is life and animation.  The army is no place for a lazy man.  All dead beats are hooted at with contempt.  Every thing in camp is kept clean and nice. Every morning at sunrise every street is swept clean by soldiers who have disobeyed orders and those who have been absent at Roll Call.  I for one have been so lucky that I have not yet been called to do one moment of extra duty.  I think that I am the only one in our company that can say as much as this and speak the truth.  You may call such talk as this bragging.  If it is you know it is nothing new for me and perhaps it is a trick that I shall never forget.  I wish that you and the children could be here in our camp for about 24 hours.  You would see much that would please you for everything in camp is kept clean and in order.  If any soldier neglects to wash or has dirty hands or face, he is at once transferred to what is called the dirty brigade and then he is drilled and taught how to keep himself clean and decent.

     There is now a good deal of sickness in camp.  The most prevalent disease is jaundice.  Some four or five of Company F here have got this complaint.  I believe that it is not considered very dangerous by Doctors. Daniel Marquet who is sick in our tent is some better than he was but is very sick yet.  I guess that he will have to go to the hospital.  Our tents are all numbered in our company and so through out our Regiment and every Company occupies a street by itself.  If you should happen ever to come to the army of the Potomac and want to find me I must tell you how to do it.  Come to City Point.  Inquire for Handcock's Headquarters.  Any soldier can answer this question.  Then inquire for the 3rd Brigade in the second Corps. They will tell you where that is and every Regiment in the Brigade from every state.  When you have found the 111th Reg. inquire for F street.  When you have found F street walk along until you come to tent No. 7.  Stop and go in and if Mr. C.A. Smith is not at home, just make yourself at home and in a little while C. Smith will be in to greet you with an open hand and outstretched arm.  There is no one in my company that I do not know just as well as I know my own family and we all live together like neighbors and will do any thing for each other in case of an emergency.  Tell the children that I think of them every day and oh, how I wish that I could see all of your faces.  If it would not cost too much I would have you send me yours and the children's pictures in a letter.  It would do me good to have them to look at once in a while.

       Yours With Regards,

       C.A. Smith

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Letter #16

Dear Wife and Children:

     A few words to you.  Again last night I was on camp guard.  Came in the Guard House about 3 o'clock at night.  Lieutenant Duel from Stirling, says to me, "Smith, you can't tell what I have for you." Said I, "What is it?" He said, "A letter from your wife."  As soon as I cast my eye upon it I knew that the letter from you.  I took it directly to my tent.  Opened it.  Found by reading a little ways that my letter had made you feel badly.  I was very sorry ten minutes after I put it in the mail box.  You must forgive my bluntness and consider where it came from.  I should have known better than to have been so harsh without a cause.  I am glad to hear that you are all well and hope that the unnumbered cares that cluster around you so thickly will not make you unwell or sick.

     Things here in camp are as usual with the exception that we have more wet weather and mud than common.  There is no firing of guns on either side and we all feel safe from the danger of bullets.  I wish that I were home with you and the children and take a good sleigh ride on the snow, how we would enjoy such a recreation.  Here, where I am, there is no snow and all is mud.  Wood is getting very scarce here for one hundred acres of woodland will not last our army more than one week for one hundred twenty thousand men consume a world of wood every day.  Every night when I sit down by our scanty fire I think of our good wood pile at home and how comfortable you may be seated with the children around it and how comfortable you may be seated with the children around it and enjoying its comforts.  I think that I shall be home before the wood is all gone and warm myself once more.  I must say to you, do not be discouraged for all things will come right in the end.  I have heard from three or four different ones that you get along and manage first rate.  Do not be discouraged for the time with me is passing away very fast.  A week seems almost as short as a day, for there is so much here to excite in camp.  I cannot get homesick or lonesome.

     If you have my last letter you must know that I have received the barrel and it's contents all safe and right.  What a feast I have had and am still having.  Every time I eat of its contents I think of you and your kindness. Those pills came right and so did the newspaper.  Send me all of the newspapers that you can for they come handy to wrap things up in and always get read with pleasure.  Those mice, I guess you and Grant can manage well enough just stop their holes and they won't trouble.

     As far as coming home I hardly know what to say to you.  It is so far and somewhat dangerous this time of the year to sail on water.  We soldiers think that the war will close in about two months and then shall get a discharge to come home for good.  Do not look for me too much.  I may come and I may not.  If Lieutenant Duel of Sterling comes home in a few weeks I shall come with him.  If he does not come I think it is doubtful about my coming.  Write as often as you can and all of the news. Speak a good word to the children for me.

      I remain, your loving husband,
      C.A. Smith

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Letter #17

Dear Little Lotta;

     I must write a few lines to you, I know that you cannot read but Ma can read for you and that will do just as well.  Pa thinks of you a dozen times a day.  Sometimes I think of you and I can hear the noise of those little feet treading along just ready to come into my tent. That little round face and those sweet rosy cheeks will catch a nip when I come home sure.  Lotta must be a good girl and help around the house, wash clothes, take good care of old puss and learn the A.B.C's, etc.

      January 16. 1865.

Fanny:

     I have written a few lines to all of the children. I cannot stop without saying a few words to you.  I am well and hope that the same blessing is with you.  Have not had much to do today but to stand or sit, can do as I please here.  I sit down on the ground most of the time close to the side of my gun.

     This morning at eight o'clock every Regiment and Brigade were ordered to take their guns and side arms and canteens and march out in sight of the enemies camp and make as big a show as they possibly could and for a fight if necessary.  The reason why Grant had us do this was to intimidate the Rebs by our great numbers.  Our picket line was being advanced some three fourths of a mile in order to secure or take possession of a large tract of timber land that lies between us and them.  The timber our army much needed for wood to make us comfortable this winter.  We were all determined to have it if we had to fight for it.  Our picket line was advanced and not a gun has yet been fired, nor do I think there will be.  It is now 3 o'clock P.M. and all is right.  The ground is all bare and the day is almost as pleasant as a summer day in New York State for all of us are out without overcoats on.  Now the order comes for us to break ranks and march to our quarters. The picket line is advanced and all is safe, hope things will remain in a peaceful state.  Since I last wrote to you we had some change in camp which I think is for the better.  Instead of doing cooking for ourselves each company has had a company cook appointed to do it for them which takes quite a burden off our shoulders at meal time.  Our food is all brought to our doors ready for use. 

     We are having a lively time in camp now.  Good  news has just come to us.  What it is I do not yet know but I think that it is from Sherman's army.  You perhaps will hear before you get this line. Such a drumming and fifing as we had last night I never heard before in my life.  It seemed as though the earth was all filled with martial music.  I think if I live to get home I never shall want to hear the sound of a drum again for soldiers are drummed to bed and then drummed out of bed, and then drummed to roll call and then to drill, drummed in again, drummed out on camp guard, drummed out on picket and drummed back to camp again, drummed to church on Sunday and back again.  We are drummed to funerals and the dead are drummed to their graves.  So you see it is drum, drum and nothing but drum.  If George Washington had had all of the  drummers that is in our army equipped with guns and swords and he could have whipped the British in less than two months.

     I must close but will say that I am still living on the good things that you sent me.  Write as soon as you get this and all is right.

       With regard,
       C.A. Smith

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Letter #18

Dear Wife and Children:

     Have just received your letter which is dated January 14th and read it over the third time.  Am glad to hear that Netta is better.  Hope that Lotta will get along and get well of her cold without being very sick.  Glad to learn that the rest of you are all well.  My health is good as usual and long for the time to come when I shall return to my loved family and enjoy your presence again.  But I would not have you think from this that I am disconsolate or homesick for I like soldiering full better than I expected that I should when I left home and stand hardships and being out nights far beyond what I expected I could.  I was out last on the picket line, the night was pleasant and starlight and not very cold, had a pleasant time of it.  Mr. Williams of Sterling was on post with me. When not on duty we told stories and the time passed pleasantly away.  The Johnnies or Rebels are constantly coming over to our lines every night but have not been so lucky as to have them come through on my post yet but they have come through on every side of me and next to my post quite a number of times.  I think that if the Johnnies continue to come over to our lines of three months to come as they have for a month past that Jeff Davis army will be small and futile.

     Day before yesterday I went a visiting over to the ninth Artillery. They are some two miles to the north of our camp.  I saw Mr. Harris and had a good visit with him.  I also came across Walter Snider and found him the same Josy as ever, his health is very poor.  The boy who was sick in my tent went to the hospital some three weeks ago and have not heard from him since. I am glad to hear that you have plenty of dry wood yet to burn so try to keep warm.  You say that the hay is all gone from the wagon house.  If so, it will be a good plan to shift the horses and put them in the barn stable. It will save you much labor and trouble.  Be on a good look out and get all that you can for the grain.  Make some inquiry about the price before you sell and all will be right.

     Am glad to hear that Mr. Hough is trying to have a new district started to the north of us, hope that he will succeed and I guess that you signed his paper to that effect.  As far as my agreeing to give 8 dollars a year for the strip, I think that Hinman is mistaken.  The old Notes will show for themselves.  I think to the contrary that 7 dollars was the price of the strip and for the last two years I have not gone to the meeting for renting strips and S.W. Brewster has gone right on just the same as though I was present and charge me for said strip as though I was bound to give that price.  I think that for one, we better not hire only half of the strip. One half of the strip will be as much as we shall want to occupy and I guess that you think the same.  I want that you should do as you think proper and I shall be satisfied.  Have not yet got any money from the government but think that I shall get some in a few days.  As soon as I get it I shall send it to you.

     Keep up good courage for the war may end in two or three months and then I shall come home in double quick time certain. Write often as you can and send me all the newspapers that is convenient so that I can have something to read in my leisure hours.

     I am still eating of the good things you sent me in that barrel.  The dried apples and berries will last me yet some two or three weeks.  Don't know what I shall do when they are all gone for you know that I am a  great hand for sauce.  Give my best wishes to the children. Tell them I love them as well as ever and that they are in my thoughts every hour.

       Yours with love and regards,
       Chauncey A. Smith.

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Letter #19

Dear wife and Family:

     Today is the coldest day that I have yet seen or experienced in old Virginia.  The ground is frozen to a perfect pavement and the wind blows a perfect gale.  We were called out this morning at nine o'clock to drill with overcoats and gloves on.  We took a few right and left flanks on the march of double quick in order to keep warm but the air was too keen and cutting for to remain out on drill until the recall sounded. After drilling about one hour Lieutenant Duel says, "boys, I think it too cold to be out", and he marched us to camp and told us to go to our quarters and sit by the fire the rest of the day and write letters to our friends and families if we had any, so that I have no excuse for not writing and will improve the opportunity gladly.  When I wrote to you last I knew that there had been a fight six miles to the right of our Division at what is called Fort Hell.  This is not the real name of the fort.  It's proper name is Fort Rise.  Our division lay close to this fort some two weeks and there was a constant clash of fire arms all the time that we were there.  This is what gave it the name Fort Hell.  I was glad when our regiment left that place. The Rebs made a charge on this fort on the 24th and took it.  Our soldiers seeing that their honor was at stake made an impetuous charge on the fort and retook it again with small loss and one thousand prisoners in the bargain, so I think that the Rebs will be cautious how they attack our works in the future.  News from the War Department is cheering from every quarter. A few days ago some five Rebel Blockade Runners were captured at Fort Fisher with little trouble and small loss on our side.  The soldiers of these Blockade Runners had not heard of the capture of this place by Sherman's army and thought that they would run in there as a place of safety and so they got caught.  Such news is cheering to the soldier.  I have just been over to Lieutenant Duels tent and had a talk with him about coming home on furlough. He says that he thinks that he shall not return home until the last of March or the first of April on account of crossing the water by sea is very rough at this season of the year.  When we come home we have got to travel some four hundred miles by water.  I think now that I shall not come home this winter but if you or the children are sick let me know quick as possible and I will get a furlough to come home.  No one can get a furlough unless he can give a good excuse for the same.  If you are sick get Dr. Bold or Acker to vouch for you by writing a letter to Lieutenant Duel Co. F, 111 Regt and I shall have no trouble getting a pass to come home.  I am well and hope you the same with all the rest.  Our boy who went to the hospital returned last night and looks quite well but there is yet much sickness and suffering in camp.  I thought that when I lived at home I knew what it was to suffer and see suffering but I had not learned the first lesson.  When I come home I will tell you.  Cannot do it by writing.  A few days ago I was travelling over the ground where the battle of last June was fought. The dead of the enemy were buried there and many of them were buried so shallow that their feet and toes stuck out of the ground.  I thought that this was the result of war.  My prayers that this war may come to a speedy end and our loved country never again to be cursed with its withering hand.  Must close.

       From your loved partner,
       Chancey A. Smith.

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Letter #20

Fanny and Children:

     I am well and hope you are.  My residence is yet in the old state of Virginia.  Have nothing against the old state as far as the climate and soil is concerned.  I think that as far as the climate and soil is concerned it is much ahead of our own native state.  The soil seems to be well adapted to raising all kinds of grain and vegetables that can be raised in York State and even a greater variety and more kinds than can successfully be raised in our state.  Corn, wheat and potatoes grow here to the utmost perfection and require but little culture to bring them to maturity. (Sweet potatoes grow as large as muskmelons).  And were it not for this cursed war, we could get all we wanted of them to eat.  It is now the tenth of March and it is almost as warm as midsummer in New York.  Peach trees where the army has not destroyed are budded and ready to blossom and apple trees, pear trees, and plum trees almost the same.  It makes me feel sad sometimes when I am marching over the fertile hills and plains of this beautiful country to see what sad work and destruction war has made upon its soil and production. Large farms that were a few weeks ago in the highest state of cultivation with good houses and good barns, good orchards, and all kinds of fruit that heart could wish, to be made in a few hours of time a perfect waste and desolation.  The building and grain and fences all destroyed by fire, the owners shot or driven in despair to seek a new home in a strange place and not left with one cent to help themselves with.  To me this looks hard but perhaps it is all right as the southern people took it upon their own shoulders to rebel against their government.  They as a matter of course must and will receive the reward of their own doings. I think that this war or Rebellion will teach the South and all sections of our country that tor rebel against a good government is a hard (pill to take).  You perhaps would like to know what my opinion is about the war and when it is coming to a close.  I hope that it will soon but my hope may not very soon be realized. A good deal depends upon the success of our arms in taking two railroads that lead from Richmond and Petersburg to Georgia and some of the other Southern States.  When these roads are taken and held the Rebellion must cease for, in taking these roads, it cuts off all of their supplies and leaves them no chance of getting out, only to come back into the Union.  One of these Railroads is now right in sight of our camp and the next move we make will be to take this Railroad.  It may be taken without much fighting and it may cost a great many lives to get it and hold it.  I suppose you  have heard of Sheridan's victory over Beauregard through the papers so I will say nothing about it as I have no room to spare on this sheet for the same.

     Today at ten o'clock there was an execution of a soldier for deserting he was hung about one half mile from my tent.  I did not go to see the execution.  The boys that tent with me went.  They said when they came back that they should never go to see another man hung by the neck.  After the execution there was an auction in camp for the purpose of selling some watches that belonged to soldiers that were killed in the last fight.  I went up a little while for diversion to see how they sold but did not purchase.  Came back to my tent and wrote you this letter.  Have taken more comfort in doing so than I could in doing any thing else.  Dr. Pasco of Sterling has been appointed Surgeon of the 111th Regt. I like him much. Has got an agreeable way with him.  I enclose one dollar, shall send you more soon.  Write quick.

       Chancey A. Smith