HeadQuarters Angurs Division Camp Banks, Baton Rouge
Sunday February 22nd 1863

Dear Caroline
Today is Sunday, Washington's birthday, and all around is quiet everybody either writing, reading, or sewing and the birds singing with as much zeal as in the spring at home. Picture to yourself a camp of about 75 tents located on the south western side of a wood, the trees in which are covered whit a beautiful and curious moss and where birds are singing, mockingbirds whose notes rival anything we have at home, thrushes, red birds, and woodpeckers singing and flying about all the day long and you can perhaps get some idea of the place in which I am situated for the present.

I am writing in a Sibley tent (where 18 men are quartered), sitting on the floor, 2 men are shaving some are mending others are reading the papers which were sent to me (and which by the way have been through the hands of about 50 men). Others cleaning guns and mending clothes. I was never better satisfied in my life than I am now both with quarters and mode of life. It is true that our food is neither of the best quality nor is the quantity as much as one would eat at home but it is substantial and the only food that government can provide. I make it a rule not to eat much salt meat as it is very inconvenient on "brigade drills" to be thirsty as you are sure to be if you eat any salt meals.

The Cast of Characters For more on the Hoar family and the Library's collection of their papers, see here. Sam - Author of this letter, was the third child and eldest son of Ebenezer Rockwood and Caroline Brooks Hoar. Caroline - Recipient of this letter, she was Sam's eldest sibling. Charlie Emerson - Charles Emerson was son of William Emerson and nephew of Ralph Waldo Emerson. He is the Emerson for whom our local hospital is named Uncle George Brooks - Son of Nathan Brooks and a relative on his mother's side. Willie Storer - A cousin on his father's side. Beth - Elizabeth Hoar, Sam's youngest sister. Born 1854. Charlie - Charles Emerson Hoar, Sam's brother. Born 1850. Sherman - The youngest of the Hoar siblings, born 1860.

I have done considerable sewing lately and consequently my stock of thread is getting low. If it would be convenient to send some by letter or in the box which I have asked father to send I should be glad. I suppose there will be no trouble in sending the box. And in it I want a pair of shoes if nothing else (I wear No. Eights large size side bottoms low heels). My clothes (shoes excepted) are in good condition and will last if nothing happens to them for the remainder of our time. Any reading matter is always acceptable to the soldier (remember that). Harpers Weekly and Monthly, Atlantic, and any old periodicals would be prized very highly.

The gunboats and batteries are firing a national salute and the quiet of the Sabbath is broken by the roar of artillery, very much like the fourth of July at home only a little more real. How did the photographs of everybody turn out? The ones I have got are very good. Did mother have any taken and if so were they better than those she had taken before I left home? Has Uncle George Brooks had any taken? Please tell me in every letter the latest news from Willie Storer as I am very much interested in his recovery. I should also like to hear the principal points of war news, especially if you hear anything concerning the movements of this part of the army, as the news papers which are sent are very uncertain of reaching their destinations unless directed to officers. The Major tells me that if a box is sent by Adams Exp[ress] it will be brought right on to the camp and at a reasonable expense.

We have a pretty good chaplain his name is Spalding of Newburyport. Episcopalian, and he has distributed a great many tracts some of which are very interesting. I do not like those which treat our sects or doctrines, but other from that they are very good.

As I said in a former letter, I saw Charlie Emerson (who is a second lieutenant with the 174th New York) the other day. He said that now was a great chance for me and advised me to study hard and fit myself to be a military man, but he little knew how the time of a private has to be spent in other ways than study, in fact one can scarcely find time to do his necessary duties unless fortunately there comes a rainy day. I suppose that I could (if I had time or inclination) study and so fit myself to obtain a commission when I came home, but I don't believe it would be hardly worthwhile. None of the corporals in our regiment (why I don't know) have received their warrants and although I act as corporal and wear the chevrons still I have nothing to show to prove that I am one. There are two vacancies now in our company sergeants and perhaps I may be appointed to fill one of them perhaps not.

I shall try my best to as often (as letters may miscarry) and hope to receive them from home full as often as once a week. Surely you cannot complain of the shortness of this letter. It is a long one as I commonly write and longer than many others think of writing. I like that we shall not have to march much as in case we do I shall have to throw away a great many things which are both useful and necessary but which would be impossible to carry on a long march.

Please write often, whether you hear or not from your aff brother.
Sam

[letter switches from script to block lettering]

Dear Beth
BE A GOOD GIRL, AND REMEMBER YOUR BROTHER. HOW IS SHERMAN? DID YOU HAVE YOUR PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN[?] HERE IS ONE OF MINE FOR YOU. TO PUT IN YOUR BOOK.
YOURS TRULY
SAM

PS: I enclose a photograph for Charlie and one for Beth, I found them in my coat pocket.

Background: Hometown Websmith from a Currier and Ives print.
All images courtesy of ArtToday.