18th Mass. Infantry – Charles F. Lee of Company A, Writes Home During the Peninsula Campaign – “THE WORST OF ALL ARE THE FLIES AND MOSQUITOES. SOME OF THE LATTER ARE AS LARGE AS BEES AND A GREAT DEAL MORE FEROCIOUS. IT IS NOT SAFE FOR A PERSON TO GO TO SLEEP WITHOUT BEING TIED TO THE TENT POLE. A FEW NIGHTS SINCE I FOUND MYSELF OUT OF MY TENT, THEY STILL CARRYING ME ALONG WHEN I AWOKE.”
Charles F. Lee was a 19-year-old clerk from Templeton, Mass. Our letter is 6-pages written in pencil. Included is the envelope (no stamp) and a newspaper clipping apparently kept by Lee’s mother to whom the letter is addressed. Here is the content:
- In Camp seven miles from Richmond June 15. Dear Mother, I AM SORRY NOT TO BE ABLE TO WRITE THIS LETTER FROM RICHMOND; BUT MCCLELLAN HAS ORDERED IT OTHERWISE AND HE MUST BE OBEYED.
- I have just received two papers and a towel, also received a few days since a pair of stockings, both of which were very acceptable; all the towels you have sent, thus giving me a very bountiful supply. I have nothing new to write. We have been very quiet during the past two weeks; to be sure we have been called out several times but thus far there has been nothing for us to do; night before last we were called up at one and remained in line of battle till daylight when it was found that there would be no use for us and we then turned into make up our nap…
- …ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON REPORT CAME IN THAT SOME REBEL CAVALRY HAD SUCCEEDED IN GETTING TO OUR REAR BETWEEN US AND WHITE HOUSE; IN FIVE MINUTES OUR DIVISION WAS OUT READY FOR ANY EMERGENCY, BUT THE ENEMY PROVED TOO NIMBLE AND FELL BACK AFTER DESTROYING A FEW WAGONS.
- Last night the 18th went out on fatigue, remained all night, thus you see we are not sure of remaining at rest two minutes at a time. I am sorry that our Division did not have a chance in the battle of Fair Oaks. Everyone in the Division was aching for orders to move during the whole engagement but they did not come. We had our arms stacked, equipments on and remained thus during the whole engagement.
- IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THERE MUST HAVE BEEN SOME MISMANAGEMENT ABOUT THAT AFFAIR. GEN. CASEY SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN PLACED IN THAT POSITION WITH RAW TROOPS, OR ELSE HE DID NOT EXERCISE PROPER CAUTION TO PROTECT HIS POSITION. HOWEVER, IT TURNED OUT WELL, BUT IT CAME VERY NEAR BEING DISASTROUS TO US. HAD THE ENEMY SUCCEEDED IN BREAKING THROUGH OUR LEFT, IT HAVE NEARLY RUINED OUR ARMY. HAD THEY SUCCEEDED, THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN BETWEEN US AND THE PAMUNKEY, THUS LEAVING US IN A VERY DANGEROUS POSITION. IN FACT, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DOUBTFUL IF WE COULD HAVE WENT THROUGH THEM AND MADE OUR ESCAPE.
- THE WEATHER IS VERY DISAGREEABLE, RAINING TWO THIRDS OF THE TIME, AND THE OTHER THIRD IS INTENSELY HOT, BUT THE WORST OF ALL ARE THE FLIES AND MOSQUITOES. SOME OF THE LATTER ARE AS LARGE AS BEES AND A GREAT DEAL MORE FEROCIOUS.
- IT IS NOT SAFE FOR A PERSON TO GO TO SLEEP WITHOUT BEING TIED TO THE TENT POLE. A FEW NIGHTS SINCE I FOUND MYSELF OUT OF MY TENT, THEY STILL CARRYING ME ALONG WHEN I AWOKE.
- I cannot imagine how soon McClellan is to open the ball but think not till he has so arranged as to capture a greater part of their forces; WE ALL OFFICERS AND MEN HAVE THE FULLEST CONFIDENCE IN HIM AND ARE CONTENT TO BIDE HIS TIME, KNOWING THAT WHEN HE IS READY, THERE WILL BE NO FALLING BACK.
- In reference to money, we have not been paid for several months. I might have sent money home, but our rations have been very poor (salt beef and pork and hard bread) that all of us are obliged to get something other ways & everything is so dear that quite a large sum goes but a short distance, but one thing I can say, I HAVE NOT SPENT ONE CENT SINCE LEAVING HOME. Your Affectionate Son, Charles F. Lee
What a great letter about the enemy… flies and mosquitos!
Charles would be wounded 2 months later at the battle of 2nd Bull Run and be discharged for his wounds.
#L6-15MA – Price $195
