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11th Vermont Infantry (aka First Heavy Artillery, Vermont Volunteers)
Correspondence
Nelson Newton Glazier
1864Fort Totten Washington D.C.
January 21st 1864My Dear Father;
I am now at Fort Totten where I expect to remain some time as there are no indications that we are to leave here, at least for the present. The day you left me at Brattleboro I started with Lieut. Wilson with one hundred & six men for the 11th Vt. We left B. about 3½ P.M. went to New Haven Ct. by cars, then took the steamer "Elm City" for New York; 'twas nearly midnight when we took the boat; before morning we got into the fog, and had to cast anchor and stop awhile; the next A.M. we arrived at N. York; after stopping there a spell we came on for Washington, where we arrived yesterday - Wednesday - P.M.; we arrived also at Fort Slocum last evening; this A.M. the men were distributed to the several Battys. My Batty - A - now numbers 151 men; 152 being the highest number a Batty can have, the Organization of the Batty will be completed. I find the men here, apparently, all glad to see me; I have very pleasant quarters, with the Captain of my Batty; one of the Rooms being really finished - lathed & plastered - the other room - sleeping room - is very comfortable. I am pleasantly situated as I hope you will have a chance to see before Spring, for I hope you will be able to visit me sometime this winter. Did you arrive home safely? How did Grace stand the journey? Give her my kind regards. It is growing dark, more anon - Good bye
God Bless you all,
Affectionately
Your Son,
N. N. Glazier
Fort Totten D.C.
February 24th 1864My Dear Father;
Your kind letter was duly received and perused with much pleasure; it was very lengthy for you, and very interesting. I take the "Springfield Republican". In relation to your coming out here you must surely come; as to the expense I move we get up a subscription, I put down $25.00 to head the list, I don't know as I shall be able to advance the money but it will be good when you get it; you can probably raise money necessary to come here at any time; but you may count on me for the amount already named sometime, I will pay as soon as practicable. I should not want to start with less than $40.00 still you may not spend more than $30.00, it would depend on circumstances. I didn't know whether you would want to come before the draft or not, or until you found out something definite concerning the draft. But you must come somehow. There is a good deal for one to see between Vt. & Washington. You could go to New York either by going over the Mountains and then down the Rail Road to New York or you could go by way of Brattleboro & New Haven - over the mountain would probably be as cheap. You would like to spend one day in N.Y.; then you could go to Philadelphia and spend another day; then go on to Baltimore and see Uncle Geo or, perhaps he would come on with you, you had better find out where Uncle George lives in Baltimore before you stop in that case you will be surer of finding him. Thus you could stop at the above named places on your journey out here or you might stop on your return if you chose. On arriving at Washington you want to follow Pennsylvania Avenue to 7th Street West, take the Street cars ride as far as the cars run on that street then follow it till you came to a Toll Gate, then turn to the right and go near the "Soldiers Home" which is about a half mile from here, then you will have no difficulty in finding this place as almost any one within a half mile of here can give you the necessary information. There are very many objects of National interest about here which on the whole will well pay you for a little time & money - to say nothing of seeing your boy. I have got to be a First Lieut. now, get along finely. Write me again very soon concerning the matter. Lovingly
Your Son
Newton
George's address Boarding at 102 Hanover St.- Corner of Comway South. Baltimore.
P.S. Fort Totten where I am stationed, is about 4 miles from Washington. Much love to all. N.
Fort Totten D.C.
March 13th 1864Dear Mother;
Your kind letter of the 6th inst was yesterday received and eagerly read, I hope Father is better now; I have been hoping Father would come and see me this Spring & hope so still - I fail to congratulate Father upon his promotion as 3rd SelectMan; hope he may fill the Post creditably to himself & the family. I would be as much pleased to be at home in sugaring as you would to have me; but you must eat some for me and think how much I would enjoy being there. I hope the Revolution in Town business will be conducive to the welfare and interests of the Town generally - I did not write to Nellie Hitchcock from Brattleboro or Washington; having had no written correspondence with her - According to present appearances Lincoln has by far the inside track in Presidential contest; I go for "Abe"; he is very popular with the soldiery - I am truly glad there is to be no draft in Vt. - I should like to be at home this evening, can you think how much? Father, it seems to me, must come and see me this Spring if possible, still I will not unreasonably urge the matter. How much I love you all & want to see you - Much much love to all. Affectionately Your son
N.N. Glazier
Fort Totten D. C.
March 18th 1864Brother Fred;
Your kind letter was duly rcv'd, and I was much pleased to hear from you, and in reply; I am glad you are going to remain at home this year with father; hope you will not be drafted again this year; I see that "Abe" calls for two hundred thousand more men; he wants men enough on hand for any emergency; well the war will end sometime I hope & that I trust comparatively soon - I would like much to be at home awhile this Spring and help you make & eat sugar, ride after you calf etc etc.; I shall not be able to see you probably this Spring as I was last, but I often in mind wander up to the old Cottage & mentally converse with you. Today is very beautiful; I wish you was here to enjoy it with me; we commence Target Practice today with the big guns in the Fort; if you were here you could hear some loud firing, rather louder than the "Springfield" muskets even though filled full of grass and weeds, & touched off with a slow match - You remember the little lead cannons I used to make mounted on carriages dont you? I use bigger "guns" now - times change - I keep myself pretty busy at one thing and another since my return to the Army - Wednesday the 19th I took a horseback ride, went and saw some of our boys at "Harewood Hospital" - between here and Washington - then went down near the city to Corner Hospital & called on Lieut. Halton, then went to Fort Stevens not very far from here & finally returned had a pleasant ride - Capt. Morrice of Batty A has a very fine high life, spirited horse; I pay partly for keeping him and so have him to ride; occassionally I enjoy a horseback ride much - the same evening I went to a social sing something like a mile and half from here - had a very pleasant time - got home about 12 o'clock, if I could have you here to go out occassionally with me I should enjoy it. I see Lieut. Holton occassionally; he is a fine fellow, I always liked Henry - Does the Dr. blow as much as ever about him? I see that Ellis & N. Butler are married - I wish them much joy - I received a letter from Gene Wilder recently rather "coppery" I think [??] and his family better go South where they can be near the objects of their sympathy - I pity the man whose ideas permit him to be a "copperhead" - When I consider the motives which activated the traitors who brought on this war; the principals which they sought to establish; the doctrines which they inculcated; the means which they have taken to bring about their nefarious designs; I cannot see how anyone breathing the pure air of Vt. can sympathyze with rebels & traitors. - I hope Bill's health will be better this Spring, give her my kind regards - Remember me to all the folks who may inquire for me - Is Grace still at our house? I had a very pleasant time at Mr. Boyles when I was there - I am glad Rose is better. When did you hear from Czarina? Send me occassionally a "Watchman & Reflector" - No time now to write more - Affectionately Newton
Evening -
There has been some Target practice here today; the wind has blown too hard for good practice but we made some good shots - this evening one of the Lieutenants and myself went out and called at a place near here to spend the evening; it is a very good place to call - has very pretty girls etc. But with the old man I can see the secesh stick out - I can see the snake in the grass, like him - the girls are quite pretty and agreeable, dont know how much the girls are on their "Secesh", but presume they are pretty well tinctured; there are too many troops and big guns about here for the inhabitants to be too much on their secesh - Give me good patriotic New England society - Good Night - God Bless you my Kind and much loved Brother Newton
Has father yet rcv'd my remaining State pay how much? Do have him come to Washington if he can - much love to all N.
Fort Slemmer D.C.
March 30th 1864My Very Dear Mother;
Father is here for which I am very grateful to you especially & to all the rest of the good people of that vicinity - who aided in bringing this about It is a most happy consummation of writing etc. on my poor and untiring labor on yours - Again I thank you for aiding in getting him out here - Dr. Holton & Henry Holton came here with him, today we have been looking over things about the Fort, it has been rainy and unpleasant but being with them I have enjoyed it much - Tomorrow we propose visiting the city of Washington - hope to have a pleasant time - Many thanks for your presents - also to Em & Grace for theirs - have hardly had time to look over all the treasures - Shall write you again by & by - Father is feeling quite well. I think he will enjoy his visit much, I shall try to make his stay as pleasant as possible.-
Most Affectionately
Your Loving Son
N. N. Glazier
Fort Slemmer D.C.
April 8th 1864My Dear Father;
At present the indications are that we shall go to the "Front" We are daily looking for Orders to move, still they may not come - The Colonel - I understand - thinks we stand more than an even chance to go - Our going seems to hang on the Decision of the War Department as to whether they will or not spare another Regiment from the Defences of Washington - Gen'l Sedgwick of the Army of the Potomac wants our Regiment. When I learn anything definite I shall write you again - I hope you arrived home safely - I am so very glad you have been out to see me - What a wet day you had for starting - Did you find Uncle George at Baltimore? The campaign this Season will be bloody & I hope decisive for the Right.
Affectionately Your son
Newton P.S. Much Love to all
Fort Slemmer D.C.
April 14, 1864My Dear Brother Fred;
I am here yet & as yet we have had no orders to move "front"; whether we shall have them as all is somewhat uncertain, still we are liable to get them any day; the Colonel seems to be strong in the faith that we shall go in the course of a few weeks - Did father arrive home safely? How did he enjoy his trip to Washington? How much I would enjoy a visit from you, perhaps should I remain here till Autumn you might come - How is Rose? I wrote her a few days ago; I hope when the warm weather comes she may fully regain her health - Fred there is one piece of music you may get Bill if you please and charge me for the sum it is "Who will care for Mother Now?" You will find it a most beautiful piece - This is a most delightful morning - we have had considerable wet weather - along back, especially while father was here - Tell father I have got moved into the house where the [??] was; have got the room nicely whitewashed, pictures stuck up, furniture in etc.etc. it is really pleasant - we are so much more pleasantly situated than when father was here How goes the sugaring? Last evening I took the horse, - Capt. Morrill has a fine horse here; the keeping for which I partly pay for & so have the horse to use - and went down to Corner Hospital to see Henry Holton, after stopping a few minutes with him I proposed to take a little ride with him - as he has a horse - & make a call on a family where I was acquainted - A Mr. [??] - so off we went had a fine ride, and a very pleasant visit. This family are Hoosiers- from Indiana - Mr. [??] is Clerk in one of the Departments at Washington. They are strong Union; there is one young man & two or three very pretty girls which is not so bad for a [??] like me as it were isolated in a great degree from society - they have a piano sing well and on the whole I can pass an evening there pleasantly. My health is very good indeed - Now Fred write me very soon - Excuse me for this time - Lovingly Your Brother
N.N. Glazier
Fort Slemmer D.C.
April 25th 1864My Dear Father;
Did you arrive home safely? I am beginning to think I shall have to inquire directly & keep inquiring till I find out whether you got back safely - I have heard by way of Bill Holden that you have got home so I feel easy about you, but I am wanting to get a letter direct from you - I am so very glad you have been out to see me especially should I have to move down in front; just now there is much talk about our moving; I think we shall move within two or three weeks, perhaps in very few days - we shall probably go into Sedgewicks Corps Army of the Potomac - he has the Old Vt. Bregade which has the reputation of being one of the best, if not the best in the Army, and now wants our Regiment; the Colonel - Warner - is fast for going into the field & as some at least of the Vt. Congressional Delegation are trying to get us into the field I think on the whole we will go, although Lt. Col. Haskins commanding our Division & General Augne commanding our Corps (the 22nd) are trying to keep us I understand - I shall write you frequently till the Question is settled - I think we shall go - Great preparations are being made for a great struggle in Virginia this coming campaign - Grant has a tremendous Army & it will make a mark somewhere - My opinion is that General Grant will engage Lee in Front on the Rapidon or about here, & that Gen. Smith & Butler will advance by way of the Peninsula upon Richmond - Lee doubtless has a large army, & there is now but little doubt that Longstreet is in Virginia to assist Lee in the coming struggle - I think Grant must have at his disposal in Virginia and around about some two or three hundred thousand men - still I do not give these figures as the fact, merely as an estimate which may be very wide of the fact - General Burnside who has been reorganizing his corps at Annapolis Maryland camped last night - his command - about six miles from here - he has with him some thirty thousand - among them one Division of Colored troops - where his destination is I cannot say, probably somewhere into Virginia to assist Grant in the great struggle - I tell you what father - things are growing terribly in ernest about here - Hundreds of sick men are being brought from the Army of the Potomac to the Hospitals around Washington; the Officers of the army have been ordered to send away their Extra Baggage - [??] have been ordered away - this in the Potomac Army - The Hospitals around here are putting up Extra beds & fitting up for the accommodation of sick & wounded - All this means work, & work there will be - As it respects my feelings about going front - I can go or stay- I am willing to do my duty - Lt. Holton has gone to Cincinnati Ohio; he went some days ago, being ordered away quite suddenly - The weather here is very fine; last night we had a beautiful rain; the grass looks green and beautiful, the trees in the orchard about our quarters are blooming finely - the Captain & I have two nice flower beds beside our door - one on each side - we have some nice plants in them and by & by they will look nicely - This well be a pleasant place in Summer we may be away we cannot yet tell - We are to have an Inspection today at Fort Totten at 1 P.M. I have no time to write more, but shall write you again soon - My kindest love to all the family - Write me often - War is uncertain business
Lovingly Your Son
N.N. Glazier
Be sure to address
N.N. Glazier 1st Lt. Battery A
1st Artillery 11th Vt. Vols
Fort Slemmer Washington D.C.
Fort Slemmer D.C. 5 o'clock P.M. April 25 '64
I have this afternoon rcv'd your letter with Freds, was glad to see your identical hand writing again - your letter was Napoleonic as far as brevity was concerned - I am glad you arrived home safely - Newton
Fort Slemmer D.C.
May 8th 1864My Dear Father;
It is a very warm day here today - We have had an Inspection of Arms, Equipments & knapsacks etc; very warm but will be slightly warmer, in fact a good deal warmer by & by doubtless - Foliage is coming fast very rapidly; everything is looking so lovely & beautiful - I can hardly realize that some 60 or 70 miles from here are fresh fields of blood & carnage - We think there is no doubt that the Army of the Potomac has been fighting for perhaps two or three days past - & I should not be surprised to hear that there had been fighting today - The issues of these battles I am so anxious to know, it seems that I can hardly wait - We are expecting to join the Army now in a few days - I mean the Army of the Potomac - & then we may look out for some big fighting - I think it is almost or quite certain that we shall be relieved here in very few days - we expect then to join Sedgwick Corps - My health is good - Love to all - All write me very soon - Direct as usual.
Affectionately Your Son - Newton
Did Lymon Knapp go out with the Vermont Seventeenth? If so where is he now do you know? N.
Fort Slemmer D.C.
May 12th 1864- [??] morningMy Very Dear Father;
We are expecting to leave tomorrow for the "Front" - They are having an awful battle in Virginia - we expect to join Grant soon - of course we can not say as yet positively which - we shall be immediately with Grant - Father there is most dreadful fighting in Va. - I think Grant is determined to win or sacrifice the Army in the attempt. I estimate from what I hear, that on both sides there have been not less than fifty or sixty thousand killed wounded & missing - the fighting seems to be followed up it is awful - I was at Washington yesterday May 11. and saw the body of Gen'l Sedgwick - he was shot through the head & died almost instantly - He was Commander of the Sixth Corps - a great General & greatly beloved - in him the the nation has lost one of her noblest defenders - My Capt. Morrill & also Capt. Buxton received news today that each had lost a brother in the late battles - It is sad to see the wounded & the dead - God help me to do my duty in the hour of battle - Father think of me often - write me often - and if through the events of war we should never meet again on earth, - O let us be earnest to meet in heaven - Good night - Love to all - Newton
Hospital B 2 Division
6th Corps Fredricksburg Va.
My Dear Father - Early Thursday morning May 19 My left arm was struck by a piece of shell near the shoulder - amputation was necessary it was performed in the P.M. of the same & the same day I was brought to this hospital, where they think my arm is doing well - There are thousands of wounded in this City - In the battle of Thursday morning; the Rebs gave us a very severe shelling. I shall try and get back to Washington as soon as my wound will permit. I hope to get along well, but cant tell. I try and keep up good spirits - Of course I have suffered severely from my - but time enough hereafter to speak of this. I am thankful I am as well off as I am.
O Pray for the wounded & the Dying - I hope our cause will victorious. I trust that the Old Flag borne upward by Northern Prayers & borne onward by Northern blood will triumph yet - good bye - I am very weak.
Direct to Lieut. N.N. Glazier Hospital B 2nd Division 6th Army Corp. Fredricksburg Va.
Your son
N.N. Glazier
Seminary Hospital
Georgetown D.C.
May 25th 1864.John N. Glazier Esq:-
Your Son - Lieut. N. Newton Glazier of the 11th Vermont Vols. came to this Hospital today. from Fredericksburg Va. He was wounded in left arm on the 18th inst. and amputated the same day. He was very much exhausted from being so long tossed about- without a few minutes resting place. His general health is good- arm not so comfortable but no doubt it is caused by want of constant attention. He is in a good place now- and we will do all that can be done to make him comfortable- and insure a cure. You will write soon and address Seminary Hospital Georgetown D.C. God bless you-
Yours etc. N.H. Keith- Chaplain U.S.A.
For N. Glazier
Stratton Vt.
Dear brother Newton
We received your last letter written by [??] Keith for you, the last mail was very sorry to hear you was so very much exhausted & your arm not so comfortable but hope in this you are much better. You must keep up good spirits, & take things cool as possible for that you know will have a tendency to make you gain faster then it would to be down hearted etc. but I know you will put the best foot forward as you always do, Remember Dear Brother that you have friends in old Vt. that love you still. Yes dear N. often oh! how often do we think of & speak of you, here at the old gray cottage - Where you & I have spent so many happy hours in childish glee - I heave a sigh to think that you should be wounded, & suffering, but we know Dear N. that you will meet pain trials & suffering like a hero, & a patriot-soldier & we are proud to know that you have thus far done your duty. We have written you three letters in a very short time Two on the Army of the Potomac as you directed & one to Fredericksburg Hospital B often you wrote us of your whereabouts - am in hopes you have received some if not all of them ere this. for I know you must feel anxious to hear from home if ever you did. We all feel very anxious to hear from you again, am in hopes to get news that you are doing well the next time that we hear from you.
You must let us hear from you very often. if you are not able to write yourself you must get some one else to write for you. We want to hear from you often.
Father will write you in the morning. Our Friends are all usually well, I believe at the present time as far as I know. I will write you again soon. I must write to Czarina to night. I must close for this time.
Believe me as ever your affectionate brother
Fred F. Glazier
May God protect & watch over you. My loving Brother
Goodnight
God bless you
Fred
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