Emerson A. Boynton wrote the following 13 letters home between June 1861 and September 1863. Eleven of the letters were written to his sister, Electa Harriet (Boynton) Leland and her husband, Joseph Willard Leland. The other two were written to his parents.
Emerson, credited to Springfield, enlisted 1 June 1861, and mustered in 16 July 1861 as 7th Corporal, Co. A, Third Vermont Infantry. He was promoted to Sergeant on 1 February 1863, and re-enlisted 21 December 1863. He was killed in action 12 May 1864, at the Salient, during the battle of Spotsylvania.
Emerson's cousin, Levi P. Leland, mentioned in several letters, was Joseph W. Leland's brother. Levi was in the same company as Emerson, and was mortally wounded at Spotsylvania on 12 May 1864.
Other persons mentioned in Emerson's letters, most in his company, are linked to their service records.
The letters were type-scripted between 1999 and 2010 by Ron Foster, Columbus, Mississippi, great-grandnephew of Emerson, who generously granted permission for them to be published on the website.
[3rd Regiment, Co. A]
Camp Baxter, St Johnsbury
June 23rd/61Dear Sister & Brother
You no doubt have begun to think that I was not going to write you but if you know how many I have to write you would not say a word. I have written something like fourteen letters since I've been here.
I am well as usual, have not been much sick since I came here except for a cold & a short attack of relax. There has been some fourteen of our company on the sick list at one time, but I guess they will be so that they will all except one come out tomorrow.
We had the good news yesterday to hear that we were Company A, the first place of honor in the regiment. We are said to be the best company on the ground. We had a full regiment once but had to send one of our companys [sic] to Burlington to fill out that one. It came short on account of a lot of them deserting. We have not had but a few cases of desertion since we came here I believe but hear none of our company among them & hope we shall not have any.
No doubt you have heard of our company's carrying their sour bread back, since that time we have good living compared with what it was before.
We heard yesterday that we should leave the state in two weeks from tomorrow how that is I cannot tell. We cannot tell much by what we hear.
I heard last night that Mrs. Davis was going to send me a tub of butter it would be a good present to us that is for certain for we have not had any but twice since I have been here. There was a man up in the village that gave me two lbs which was quite a treat. I was quite sorry that I could not know that we were going that night when I was up there but as it was I did not know it but heard of it before I got to the village.
I have written two letters home since I have been here but have not heard a word from them except by some of the good boys and girls around home. I hardly knew that I had so many friends around home (until) I got up here.
We have some rather curious expressions about the cold weather some say we are about fifteen miles further north than where Dr. Franklin was lost.
Levi is well and says he is enjoying himself like fury. He says he is going to write you soon. He has been out getting a meal of strawberries and has just came in.
Give my love to Aunt Betsey and all the rest of the folks. Accept this poorly written sheet and write me soon & tell me all the news about the farm or anything it will all be interesting.
This from your brother
Emerson A. Boynton
Camp Lyons
Aug 4th /61Dear Brother & Sister
I suppose it is time I had written you one more letter but I do not know as I am indebted at all for I do not know as I have rec'd a single letter from you as yet & you must remember I do not think I will write again until you write me. I suppose you have rec'd or seen the letter that I sent home so it will be of no use for me to go over with what I wrote then. you must first know I have got entirely well of my relax & I am truly thankfull (sic) that it was no worse. There was yesterday on the sick list some one hundred and thirty but today there is but seventy. I was sick marching today & took about fifteen from our company. There has not been any dangerous sick but the Doctor told me today that he expected more every day. I am afraid there will be some for they are not carefull (sic) enough about what they eat. I do not buy anything to eat but tomatoes and they call them healthy.
We send out picket guards everyday & I suppose I shall have got to go before many days but they do not call it very dangerous. They have to go out from one to five miles.
How is my horse doing, does she get out any more. How are you getting haying this summer, if anyone wants that colt for one hundred dollars let them have her. If you can get the last number of Harpers Weekly you can see where the Chain bridge is that we are stationed. I do not think we will see much fighting as long as we stay here that is I do not feel much afraid of it. I do not know as I wish myself back but still I think we shall know how to prize home if we ever get back but do not worry for my welfare. Levi has not got along yet but guess he is not very sick now. I suppose Henry has gone home for I see by the paper that the reg't has gone home that he came in. All the rest of the boys from N. Sp-d. are all well I believe. I have not got any more news to write until I hear from you & I have not heard from home not from you since I was at home. write soon & I will write soon.
This from Brother
Emerson.
Headquarters Washington, 3rd Regt, Co. A
Camp Logans
August 17th 1861Dear Brother & Sister
I rec'd your letter in due season & was glad to hear from you. I must tell you that you must be more punctual as I am afraid I shall not but will try to. I am now on the Virginia side of the Potomac on picket guard, have six men under my charge, do not think I am in a very dangerous place for they cannot approach us without we get an alarm from our advance pickets. I will first say I have got well & I feel full as well as I have since I enlisted or since I came into camp. This is the first day that I have been out on picket since we came here & this morning was the first time I have stepped on Virginia soil. It is some like old Vermont here, that is the hills and valleys are about the same. The soil is quite different, it makes the running water all look red or yellow and even the spring water looks as though it ( ? ) but it is not. We have very good water but not like most Vt water. I think it is better than that we had at St, Johnsbury.
It is rather a dull day here and rains some. It seems some like the days we used to try to hay last summer and could not get along very fast. I want you should when you write next time tell me more particulars for you did not say who was helping you do your haying. How does Charly get along this summer.
Now I will talk about war. I do not know as I have much more fear here than I should in Vermont but I suppose we all do. They get some rebels most every day. The land is pretty much covered with timber with now and then an opening. Where I am now stationed there is several Negro huts (free ones) full of little black brats ha, ha! I have sent two of my men out scouting & two have gone out to a plantation that an old secessionist has left with all its crops on the ground, it looks like desolation. I expect they will bring back some potatoes for us to roast, sweet corn is plenty and all kinds of fruit such as watermelons, cantaloupes, peaches & etc.
We live pretty well or as well as I expected when I came here. Butter is worth from 25 to 37 ½ cts per pound and not very good at that. I am going to send on when it comes cold weather for some butter & some maple sugar. What do you say about sending it. For I can send you so and could afford to pay as high as you can get at home. We have a plenty of tomatoes & I cannot help but grow fat eating them. You know how I used to like them & they taste a great deal better than did those for our ( ? ) are not the best. We have a plenty of ( ? ) bacon and most of the time salt pork, fresh but twice a week.
You wanted to know what kind of care we had in the hospital. I had very good care but not such as I should get at home. Last night we got news that the federal forces had taken Fairfax again but how true it is I do not know. I think by the middle of September we shall make an important maneuver into the enemy's country.
Levi is not very well he has a bad pain in his side kind of pleurisy I guess but he keeps around. He is the last one to complain you know.
We had another accident to one of our Co. his name is Cor. Marsh of Felchville. He discharged his gun by mistake and cut off his right thumb and cut his forefinger some. He got a furlough and sent home yesterday. Some are always very careless you know.
Our Officers are getting promoted quite fast. They say there is a great deal of talk in the city about the 3rd Vt reg't. They call them the buddy reg't. Our Colonel is promoted to Brigadier General & Quartermaster Proctor is Brigadier Quartermaster. And also our Adjutant is talked of for Brigadier Adjutant. Crain has got the appointment of Quartermaster and I guess he will accept it.
I must draw to a close. You must tell the others I am tough and hearty. They must wait another week for a letter. You will have hard work to read this. Want you should write me soon and tell me all the news.
Accept this from your Brother
E. A. Boynton
P.S. Sunday
I have got back from picket safe and sound, have not got any news to write except that we brought in three runaway Negroes. Two of them were slaves and one of them a free man. They came to our outer posts and so were brought in. We generally take them to headquarters in Washington & so I expect these will be taken there. I have been weighed today and have gained eight pounds since I got better, but I am doing first rate since. Accept this in haste from Emerson.
Sept 22nd /61
Dear Brother & Sister
I will enclose a few lines to you. You will probably read fathers letter so I will not repeat it. We have not had any pay since the 26th of June so there is not much money in the reg't but we are expecting two months pay every day & if we get it I shall send you $20.00 & you can do as you see fit, put it in the Savings Bank or let some good person have it, or keep it yourself I do not care which. I have not got a single mite of news to write this time so you must excuse me for being short. Accept this from your brother.
Emerson
Headquarters Chain Bridge,
Regt 3rd V. V., Camp Advance, Co. A
Oct 1st /61Dear Brother & Sister
I rec'd your kind letter of the 22nd & I will assure you I was glad to hear from you again. I am sorry to say I have neglected to write as often as I should but if you knew how we were situated here you would not say a single word. I was glad to hear you were well on. I am sorry to say I have been on my back for a few days past but I am better now so I have been out to walk & visited the camp of the 4th reg't. which arrived here last Saturday & the 5th reg't. came in Friday night. So we have now got the Vt reg'ts. all in one Brigade. There is quite a number in the 4th reg't. that I am acquainted with & some that I little expected to see out here. Yesterday Collins Piper came into the Hospital to see me but I did not expect to see him & I did not know him at first but it did not take long to find him out, It seems good to see a fellow from Vt. when they have been there since I have. It is just three months today since I left Springfield the last time. It does not seem but a short time to me but I presume it seems longer to you. I am sorry to hear that Father is unwell but I hope he is better by this time. There is a great many sick here in our reg't. but they are most of them some like myself kind of run down. I shall soon be out tough as ever. When in the Hospital we have the very best of care. A good many of the boys are having the Ague some. I have not had it any as yet.
Our position here is not half as dangerous as it was a short time ago. The rebels having withdrawn their forces. We have sent out a number of reg'ts. from this place. Within a day or two this place will soon be filled up.
I did not know if Ed. Bemis had got home but I was more astonished to hear he had got married & also to hear of Ellen Ohollis getting married. What Strong did she marry.
I cannot give you any idea how one feels when he is a target for the rebels to shoot at, but he is liable to feel scary at first but we soon get over that.
You have not sold your wool yet but I should not worry as long as it keeps rising & I see it is quoted higher than it was. I should not be in a hurry to sell my horse if I was in your place for I think they will be pretty high before another year comes around & if you can Winter mine by giving grain & straw I wish you would & I will pay for it if I can. You will find enclosed within this letter a bill of $20.00 on the N.S. & I guess it will pass better than the old paper that Revolution soldiers were paid off in. You said that you enclosed me some stamps but I did not find them & it may turn out the same with this Bill but if it comes safe you may do as you see fit with it.
Stowell was sent to the City Hospital today and also two more of our Co. Henry Coffin & Henry Cook. Neither of them are very sick but it will take some time for them to get recruited up & they do not have the conveniences to have so many at a time as they would be obliged to if they kept them all here. I should have been obliged to have gone if I was going to be sick long but it appears the Doctor thought I should soon get around & I think so to & I was glad he thought so for I should not like to go to the General Hospital.
We have made quite an advance lately along our lines & I have not heard of any great battles but it is rumored they have been fighting some towards Harpers Ferry but we have not heard how much they have done & you will probably get all the news as soon as we do when we are not in the middle of the skirmishes. I will soon be fit to go out & give them fits and the Lord willing we shall have them conquered & be at home by next July. I must ( ? ) this letter to a close. Levi is fully well. Love to all & accept this from your brother
Emerson
P.S. Do not worry write as soon as you get this letter & then I shall know whether you got the money.
[3rd Regiment, Co. A]
Camp Griffin, Va.
November 30th/61Dear Brother & Sister
I suppose you will be wanting to hear from me by this time. I am pretty well excepting a hard cold & have been excused from doing full duty for a few day(s) but shall soon get over this.
Last night I read a letter from Father saying he had sent my shirts & I shall look for them soon. We have a team that goes to Washington once in two days & brings all the Express to us free of cost.
We have been paid off lately & I deposited $15.00 in the hands of Judge Poland. He is the man sent here by the State & as soon as he gets through collecting he will go to Vt & will publish in the papers that he has got home & will state the amount the different reg'ts have sent home. He gives me a sort of receipt which I will enclose to you & in about a week after you get this letter you can get the money by going to the Exchange Bank & if you will get it & pay Father for those shirts. Pay him all mine & also for Levi's & Levi can pay me. What is left you may let him have if he wants it.
Let me know how much he paid out for Levi's. Have you got my call & how does ( ? ) manage.
I have not got much news to write. We have not left yet & I do not know as we shall very soon. News continues good from this quarters but I suppose you get it as fast as we do.
I will write father soon as I get the box. Our boys are as well as usual, some are complaining of colds. Levi is well. Accept this in haste from your Brother
Emerson
To
J W LelandP.S. Write soon as you get this. What is butter worth a pound. They sell maple sugar here for .40 cts per lb cheese .10 cts
Camp Advance, Va.
Feb. 4th/62Dear Brother & Sister
I rec'd your kind letter in due time & was very glad to hear from you. I had nearly made up my mind you were not going to write any more but I guess you will do better in the future. I am nearly well & am doing duty, then had a bad cold but am getting over it now.
I have been out on picket. Was out last Sunday not a very nice day to go for I should like to be excused from going out on Sunday but I might as well go as any one for it is my duty & I am willing to do that at any time.
I Have not seen my one new chaplain as yet but I hope I may hear him by next week. I do not have to go to guard duty very often. I do not go on picket only about once a month & an home guard about once in two weeks. Our reg't. is in very good health much better than it has been at any time since we came to Dixie. I have thirteen in the tent that I stay in. I do not have the privilege of choosing my tent mates for being a non commissioned officer I have to be a kind overseer over a few. I have a very good co. to be with. Have Mr. Adams & my bunk mate W. W. Ward an old school mate of mine in Springfield.. He and one other in the tent have got the mumps, not a very good disease to have here in the wind for they are very apt to take cold.
Levi is well & also Mr. Adams. I wrote you a letter a long time ago in which I mentioned about those glasses. They were just the fit. One pair I gave to Levi which are just right.
We do not seem to be doing much yet but I do not think we shall wait a great while longer. ( ? ) did say how my Nellie was getting along but I took it that she was doing well. Have you harnessed her this winter. Does she behave well. I should like to have a chance to ride after this for a few days but I guess I shall have to wait until next July & I should not be much surprised if we wouldn't be home by that time.
We do not have any snow drifts but mud a plenty. I have not got any more news to write this time. I sent Father a five dollar bill last week. I allotted fifteen dollars & if I do not send you an order it will lay in the State Treasury & if it stays there six months it will draw interest but if it does not it will not draw any. Do you think I had better draw it out.
I must close. Please do write soon. Accept this with love to all from your brother.
Emerson
Headquarters Vermont Regiment
Company A
Camp near Coal Harbor, Va.
May 27th/1862Dear Brother & Sister
I see no way of hearing any news from you but I suppose it is the best way to keep writing. The last letter I rec'd from home was dated Apr. 24th, a little over a month ago. Whether any of you have written or not I cannot say but I think that is rather neglecting me. You do not know how much good a letter from some one of you does me. I truly think if I had not got one or two correspondents that kept writing I should have to do without the news. Mr. Adams has generally had letters about twice a week & I get some news through him. He is now not with us, he has been quite unwell for a few days* has gone to the rear with quite a number of others for as we are now situated a large number of sick is an encumbrance.
I have been quite unwell myself but am better now. I should not like to go to the rear at any rate but if I was not able to do military duty I think it would be a much better place. We are restricted as to writing our position or giving information as to our whereabouts. Enough to say that we are not a long way from the city of Richmond & it may not be a long time before we occupy that desired place.
Levi says he will write a few lines and enclose with mine so perhaps he may tell more news than I can.
The summer complaint is what ails most of the men & is caused by drinking poor water & laying upon the ground exposed to the inclimanegs [sic] of the weather. I suppose you know what it is Willard for you had your experience in California. I wrote to Father two days ago & you may get this as soon as he does. I would like to hear what you have done with that colt & also about what you are doing in the farming line. Tell Isaac that when I get home I shall have some pretty large stories to tell him. Does he have any composition in his legs this season. How does Charles get along & how is Uncle Willard, give my best respects to them all. Do you see Susan Sherwin any if you do or ( ? ) either just give them my best regards & tell them I am going to give them a call this season (if I live).
I hope this war will end soon but how soon I know not. We may have to do some more hard fighting before it ends but I cannot tell & no one else. Our lives are in the hands of the All wise Creator & in His hands I am willing to trust myself.
My sheet is most full & I will let Levi write the rest. Please do write soon & tell me all the news. Love to all inquiring friends. Accept this from your brother.
Emerson
Headquarters Vermont Regiment
Company A
Camp near Richmond
June 19th/1862Dear Brother & Sister
I rec'd your letter of the 11th Inst. today & was very glad to hear from you but am sorry to hear that Electa is no better. I hope she will be well again when my next letter comes. I am in good health & I have just arrived from a 24 hours tour of picket. Had a good time to be out. They came out & exchanged ( ? ) with one of our men. We are quite near each other & do not fire at each other so you see it makes it much more pleasant. I do not like picket shooting at all.
Levi has got well again & sends his best respects. Mr. Adams is not very togh this hot weather. We are having a pretty warm season & do not have quite as much rain as we did. We have not got [to] Richmond yet but I should not be much surprised if the order to forward march at most any hour. Tell Father that I rec'd his letter containing the postage stamps all right. I will write them soon.
Our Reg't has been detailed ten days to build a bridge across the Chickahominy & get the job done day before yesterday.
I think the Rebels game is about ( ? ) & secession is about played out. What do you think at the north. I am in hopes that those that live will have a chance to be home among friends before many months longer.
I was not in the least dissatisfied with your price for keeping the colt. I more thought you did not take enough to satisfy you. I have no more news to write. Please write me again soon & let me know how Electa gets along. Love to all inquiring friends. Accept this from your brother.
Emerson
Camp Vt, 3rd Reg't Apr. 18th/63
Dear Sister
As Levi says he will write today I will write you a few lines and enclose his. I am well as usual today. Have been feeling a little chill for about 10 days but that is nothing as the warm weather is coming. It is very pleasant today and it seems almost spring like.
We have not moved yet but I think we may in a few days and whether we shall cross the river or not is more than I can tell and I'm ready to go wherever they may lead and I can only trust to the protection of my God to carry me safely through. I believe it is His will that I shall come out safe I shall do so, let the chances be never so few. I am not in the least afraid to enter the risk of another battle if our Generals think it could be of any use.
I rec'd a letter from Letitia a few days ago and she says that her folks are all well and she says Albert is exempt from draft so does not worry any. I rec'd the postage stamps all right. I was a little surprised to hear that ( ? ) had got home from school so soon. Have not heard a word from her since I returned. I am alone in the world and at times I feel very lonely but OK! I will stop such talk for what care I for anyone to love me. There is so much vanity in this world that with truest trusting and nearest friends I do not get letters from home or at least from that neighborhood half so often as I used to and I did not hear of Mrs. Dressers death only from some others that got the news.
(Paragraph omitted due to being illegible from fading)
I wish I could get hold of some of your sugar but I do not see how I can just now. I have no more news to write so I will close and Levi will write the rest. Accept this ( ? ) and brother.
Emerson
Camp near White Oak Church, Va.
May 31st [prob. 1863]Dear Brother & Sister
Again I seat myself to inform you that I am in usual good health. Hardly know how long it is since I had a letter from you but after you get this I should soon expect one forthcoming.
I have been a little sick and was excused from duty for two days but have cured myself up and now feel quite well again. We are now very pleasantly situated. I think we have got the pleasantest camp we ever occupied. The weather is very warm and dry. Today the wind blows quite hard and oh, how the dust flies.
Levi is quite well. He is just now gone over to the 4th Reg't. How long it will be before we shall resume ( ? ) operations again I cannot tell but I think not long. We get very good news from the Western Army but they may be defeated yet. I hope for the best.
Do they begin to talk of a draft yet. We have lost most of the two year troops now and soon the nine months men will be gone. When today is gone I suppose that two years of our enlistment will be gone and we have one more to serve. I hope that year will be long enough to see the end of this horrid war. This year is going to tell a great deal towards ending this rebellion.
I have not had a letter from Father for a long time but I suppose he is very busy. Mother wrote me awhile ago and I answered it. I am looking for a letter from them every day. I should get discouraged about hearing from home if it was not for one or two friends that I hear left in the place. I cannot write long letters for the want of news.
We shall soon have a drum beat to call us to meeting. We have services once on Sunday just at sun set. How does ( ? ) get along with his school. Please write me as soon as you get this. Accept this from your brother.
Emerson
(Note: Year date not listed on letter. Year was probably 1863 because of his mentioning one more year on his enlistment - 1861-1864.)
[3rd Regiment, Co. A]
Camp Near Haggerstown, Md.
July 14th/63Dear Father & Mother
(?) this you are worrying about me but I have had no time for writing. Since I wrote you last we have been on the march and fighting every day and some days have marched as far as thirty five miles. We have not been engaged but once but have been close at hand. Now we are near Haggerstown and are | cut out, reason unknown | before we get through with him. Our Reg't has not lost a man but the 7th 5th 6th & 2nd have lost quite a number. Our Co. has not lost a man but some are nearly worn out.
Tell all my acquaintances that I am in good health and spirits & will write to them as soon as we get where we can have a day or two of rest.
We had a hard fight at Gettysburg Pa. but our Brigade did not come under fire. | cut out, reason unknown |
Please write me as soon as you can. We are expecting to maneuver every minute and I do not know how soon I can send this. I have lost all my things and have only the clothes to my back. I shall want a pair of shirts and socks & quite a number of things as soon as we can come to a stop, but have got load enough while we are following the rebels.
If you get me my shirts please get some as good cloth as you can but do not send me anything till you hear from me again. I will send some money as soon as we are paid again.
Accept this written in haste from your ever true and faithful son. I endure all for my country but would not for any other cause.
Emerson
P.S. Hatch says give you his best respects and told you he is doing well. Levi is well.
[3rd Regiment, Co. A]
Camp Near Warrenton, Va.
July 26th/63Dear Father & Mother
I write you again after so long a time to let you know that I am alive and well. I wrote some time ago and then we were in Maryland but now we are in Warrenton, Va. and have not yet moved today for I wonder.
One month ago we left Bristow Station on the Orange & Alex. R. R. and went through Md. & fought a hard battle in Gettysburg Pa. & have now returned as far south as we was one month ago. Never has an army of the size of ours been known to make such marches as [this] army has made & in doing this I think we have defeated Lees army pretty effectively and he is now trying to get back to Richmond but our men are pretty well worn down and need rest, but most of the men are in very good health.
Three of Co. A have failed and gone to the Gen. Hospital, and more will be obliged to go if we continue to march. You probably get more news than I do for we have not had a mail or a paper for more than a week. I am anxious to hear how we are succeeding at Charlestown [Charleston] S.C. and I want to hear how the draft has turned out in S'd [Springfield] & Baltimore [Vt.].
I think I wrote you some two or three months ago that I thought that within a few months more would be accomplished than all that had been done during the past two years & is it not so. We have killed, wounded & taken prisoners from the enemy not less than one hundred thousand besides opening the great Mississippi river and what more I can not say.
I wrote you that I had lost all I had. I lost my knapsack in Pa. and all my things excepting my rubber blanket. That little blue blanket went with the rest and also my shirt. As soon as we get where we have any prospect of making a stop, I would like a pair of shirts & two pairs of drawers & another pair of Boots as good as those that I had last winter. Only if you get a pair made I want you should tell him to put on a broad heel for we have to carry a load too much to wear small heeled boots. Also put in some very strong (connectors?).
Frank Philips is now at home after the Drafted men and if he comes back soon & you have a chance please send me some socks by him. And will you send me as soon as you can by mail a jacket and kerchief for I have none. Please write soon as you get this and accept this from your son.
Emerson
P.S. Levi, Flanders, Hatch & Coffin are all well.
Tompkins Square N.Y. City
Sept 3d/63Dear Brother & Sister
You will forgive me for not being more prompt in answering your letter but there has been so much confusion that I could not write. I am in the best of health and congratulate you for your fine boy and as for a name for him I hardly know what to say but will submit one for your appraisal or not as you think best & orig. George Alonzo, it is a great name and quite common.
I am looking some for Father to come and see me, but hardly think he will think he is able to come. I wish you could all come and see us. Levi is well but we do not enjoy ourselves as we did in Va for we are kept very close and cannot get a pass for more than two hours at a time. I want to get over to Brooklyn but cannot yet. Some of them have been over to see me twice. The draft goes off very quietly. How long we shall stay here is more than I can guess. Levi says he thinks he will not need any boots until nearer winter and he may buy a cheap pair as in Vt. I want to get my shirts and think I shall soon.
It beats all you hear so much sickness among you. There is more than we hear in the army, but it is expected that there is considerable sickness in the Potomac Army now but with us we are pretty healthy.
For you Willard and Electa I am glad you did not conclude to go to war, for I do not know what they would do without you.
Em
Please write as often as you can conveniently
Contributed by: Ron Foster, Columbus, Mississippi, great-grandnephew of Emerson Boynton.
The Vermont Journal, June 11, 1864
Killed in battle at Spotsylvania Court House, Va., May 12th, Emerson A. Boynton, aged 24 years, 9 months, and 9 days.
The deceased was the only son of Deacon Johnathan M. and Harriet Boynton of North Springfield, VT. He enlisted in Co. A, 3d Vt. Reg't, May 7th, 1862, and re-enlisted in Dec. last. During the three years of service he escaped all harm, though engaged in 17 different battles, until instantly killed in one of those terrible charges of May 12. He was a true soldier, never complaining of hardships in his letters to his parents, but often declaring his readiness, if necessary, to lay down his life for his country. While parents mourn the loss of a dutiful son, and others of a kind relative, their cup of bitterness is sweetened in knowing that he was happy in Christ. His hope had been strengthened, his soul blessed in the revival among the soldiers of his camp. His last letter to his friends not only breathed the true spirit of patriotism, but of loyalty and hearty devotion to God. His funeral will be attended in the Baptist church of North Springfield on Sunday, May 13, at 1 o'clock p. m.
Let the honored patriot sleep,
His country serve no more;
But memory shall ever keep
the deeds he seeded in gore.
Contributed by Cathy Hoyt.