Vermont Civil War, Lest We Forget

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Post-war Organizations, Events and Places.

The Soldiers' Home, Bennington

Correspondence

Letter from Robert J. Coffey to John Healy Buxton,

Buxton P.O., Prince George's County, Maryland.

Soldiers' Home,
in Vermont

Capt. R. J. Coffey,

Superintendent

Bennington, Sept 17th 1888

Dear Comrade

Your letter to Comrade Hill*
directed to Burlington was sent to Bennington
and the Home. I thought the first thing to do was
to open it as I have done in several cases
and thereby found out what to do. Well
in your case I have the pleasure of hearing
where you are and that you are still alive.
I have of your Regt** here Wm Butler Co.F. Chas.Barton
do - Wm Carl Co.G. Wm Depar Co.B. Thos OBrien
Co.M. and about an equal number of
the old Regt [1st Vt Inf]and 39 in all. We are building
so we can receive 75 by Thanksgiving I hope.
We have a very nice property of 200 acres
within the village of Bennington that was
formerly the summer home of a wealthy
manufacturer which was given to the
state a little more than a year ago, but it
would take to long to write all about
it. there will be some reports out soon
and I will send you one. I have three (3)
of the 1st Vt. 3 mos here, 2 of Woodstock
and 1 of Rutland. Genl Wells is
the President of the Home. Maj Grout & Lt Ide
Sergt Gibbs are Trustees so
you see the Cavelry is well represented
with us. Well I have asked the Boys
if they know anything about Comrade Hill
but do not find out any thing to
do you any good. I should be pleased
to hear from you and will be glad
to send you anything of interest
in regard to the Home and old associates.
I enclose the letter sent to Comrade Hill
and with best wishes

Sincere Yours Fraternally

R. J. Coffey
Supt

* Possibly Daniel J. Hill, Cpl, 1st Vt Cav, Co C.

** 1st Vermont Cavalry Regiment.

Letter from Robert J. Coffey to John Healy Buxton,

Buxton P.O., Prince George's County, Maryland.

Soldiers' Home,
in Vermont

Bennington, Sept 30th 1888

Dear Comrade

Yours of the 19th is at hand and
in reply, in 1859 I lived with the Materman[?] family
across the branch from your home.* In 1860 I drove
the stage from Montpelier & Hyde Park. In April [May]
1861, yourself, F. R. Gove now in Rutland, Danl
Marble now at Burlington, "Tig" Goodwin dead,
Oscar N. Webster, dead & myself from Montpelier
went out in "Co F". [In Sept. 1861] you in Co C [1st Cav] &
I in Co K [4th Inf]. In Oct 63 I was wounded near
Fairfax C. H. & disabled for further service
by a wound just below left knee. It only
got through discharging slivers of bone a few
years ago, and is now doing pretty good
service. Am receiving $8 per month pension
but it is gradually failing and I think it
will make me limp again before many years.
Since the War, I have been 2 years in
the P.O. at Montpelier, 4 years with C H Cross & Son
and the ballance of the time in the Hotel
until the Appointment 2 years ago. My
mother & Sister Mrs. H. S. Smith now live
at Montpelier. I go there as often as
it comes handy as it costs me nothing
in Vt. for R. R. It has been my Masonic home
since 1866 and probably will allways be. I
have only become a M.M.** as I have been in
the G.A.R for 21 years. Organized 20 of the
Posts in Vt. as Chief M.O. Have been Jun
Vice Aid on Nat Staff - & Delegate in 1883 &
88. Did not go this year on account of
the new building going up at the time. I
am at present Aid de Camp on the Staff of
Brig Genl Greenleaf but shall quit the business
when he goes out, all though it is a very
pleasant place in comparison to the command
of a Militia Co*** -

Well something else our
present Adj't Genl is Genl. T.S.Peck of Burlington
You are entitled to $7 per month while you
served with the 1st Vt Cav and if you have not
rec'd it is to your credit with the State
Treasurer Hon. Wm. Dubois, Montpelier, Vt.
[during?] the next two months, or during
the Legislature session there West Randolph

I have the names of both F 1st Vt & C 1st
Vt Cav. in the Adj't Gen'l Reports. They are
all disposed off or you could procure
one. I will have my Clerk write
them off though so as to send them to you
soon.

We are having a very cold storm.
Hard frost last night & the hills white with
snow this morning. In fact, a regular winter
snow storm about 2 P.M to day. It has
cleared off tonight & I think will be
better weather. I guess we caught it from your
way, as I see it was so cold in Washington
DC. They called the Base Ball game off etc
Well, write when you feel like it. I am pretty
busy but will answer some time

Yours Fraternally

R. J. Coffey

* The Buxton home was across the road from their foundry, which was on the Winooski River.

** "M. M." probably Master Mason, a third degree Mason.

*** "command of a Militia Co." may account for Coffey's title of Capt.
(stamped below heading of 7 Sep 1888 letter).
Note: Coffey used little punctuation; some periods
and capitalization added for clarity.