3rd Maine Letter Written from Fortress Monroe 3/28/62 – “THE MERIMACK HAS NOT MADE HER APPEARANCE AGAINST THE MONITOR, LIES IN THE ROADS LOOKING OUT FOR HER.”
This letter is written front and back on legal size stationery in nice dark ink. It comes with its original stamped cover. Our writer is Stephan A. Dodge, a resident of Woolwich, Maine. Boys from Maine take much pride in their home state. In the letter Dodge refers to “the rest of the Woolwichers”! Here is the content:
- Camp Williams Near Fortress Monroe March 28th, 1862 Dear Brother, As it has been some time since I have written you, will now endeavor to perform what I have not had the opportunity to do before. I wrote a letter home last Sunday, the day after we landed at the Fort, and I hope you have received it by this time. Since then we have changed our camp a mile farther out, west from the Fort. We are encamped on a flat tract of land, by the way the county down this way is flat. The land is richer than North East Va. They raise wheat, corn and sweet potatoes and tobacco. In fact they can raise most anything. Can get a plenty of lands a short distance from our camp.
- Wood and the rest of our officers had a mess this morning, fried in meal and fat. Also they got plenty of oysters in Hampton Roads.
- We are not allowed to leave the Brigade grounds with out a pass signed by the General. If it was not so, not half of the soldiers could be found, if we were called to march suddenly. One man can get a pass at a time to go out, and if a man goes out without a pass, the mounted patrol guard will arrest them if they catch them.
- WE MOVED OUT MONDAY THE 24TH AND IN THE NEXT DAY, THE BOYS HAD SPORT KILLING HOGS AND PIGS. A NUMBER RAN INTO THE CAMPMENT. HALF A REGIMENT WOULD RUSH OUT AFTER THEM, JUMP ON THEM AND PUT A BAYONET OR DIRK KNIFE INTO THEM.
- TWO MILES FROM HERE THE SOLDIERS KILLED COWS AND OXEN AND CAUGHT THEM UP AND BROUGHT THE MEAT ON THE SHOULDER POLES. THESE SOLDIERS ARE BOUND TO HAVE GOOD LIVING WHEN THEY CAN GET IT.
- There is a great cry for tobacco. All are out of money, and it is difficult for them to get the weed. The 4 main Regts. have a sutler, but ours did not come down. We live in rubber tents made by fastening two rubber blankets together which were much purpose and have inlet holes to reeve them together.
- H. H. Shaw tents with me. It is a splendid sight to see the camp fires spread out as far as you can see in the night. I tell you there are a host of encampment in this vicinity.
- Yesterday several divisions advanced out to Big Bethel, and in the afternoon several reports of cannon were heard and we expected they had engaged the Rebels, but since have heard, they, the Rebels, retreated. I suppose to Yorktown.
- Major Bart was up to the Fort yesterday, and he said that Gen. McClellan and staff had arrived there. A large fleet of transports with troops will land today at Hampton. Last Wednesday Lt. Col. Sampson’s brother got throwed from his horse, his head striking against a tree, injured him severely. They carried him to the General Hospital at the Fort. The last we heard from him, he was still insensible. His name is Bowker, is from Phipsburg and belongs to Co. A.
- The report came the other day that Gen. Butler had captured New Orleans, and one of our Co. got a letter from Alexandria yesterday which stated that they were having a great rejoicing about it there. Our forces are giving rebellions the hard licks in quick succession.
- The weather its beautiful now. The sky is as clear as a bell, and the sun is shining in all her splendor. THE MERIMACK HAS NOT MADE HER APPEARANCE AGAINST THE MONITOR, LIES IN THE ROADS LOOKING OUT FOR HER.
- Ned, Pazey, Hal, Hanson, Sam are all well and the rest of the Woolwichers. I have not received any letter from home since yours which came to hand on the 14th inst. There has been no letter come yet for the Regt. except a few which came to Alexandria while the Post boy was there. He remains behind there several days after the Regt. came away. Shaw got one the 23rd, written the 16 inst. which stated there had been a heavy snowstorm at that time.
- There is a report that we are going to move again today. It is 9 o’clock now. Gen. Hamilton is our Division Gen. now. Heintzelman is a Major Gen. and has command of three Divisions, that is 36 Regt. or 9 Brigades. He is a smart Gen. and Rebels had better beware of him.
- This Division and Gen. J. Hooker and F. S. Porter’s are under him. The last two have advanced to Bethel and this is the reserve Division.
- Tell mother that I am well and in good spirits and trust in Providence that I shall return home again in God’s own time. You must be a good boy and be diligent. Lieut. Hall is rugged and smart. I don’t expect I shall be able to write very often, but some of the boys will write once in awhile so you will hear from us. Give my love to Father, mother and Sarah and the rest. From your brother, Stephen A. Dodge
Unfortunately, Stephen would not make it home to his folks. 6 months later he would be killed on September 1st, 1862 at the battle of Chantilly, Va. Condition is fine.
#L3-28-62ME – Price $225
