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4th Vermont Infantry
Biography
William W. Heath, Newbury Vermont
Private, Co. HWilliam W. Heath, of Newbury, was born September 3, 1842. He enlisted September 4, 1861, and was mustered into U. S. service as a Private in Co. H, Fourth Vermont Volunteer Infantry on September 21, 1861. The Fourth Infantry became part of the fabled The Vermont Brigade. The brigade was at Gettysburg in early July 1863, and saw action at Funkstown in later in the month. In August, the Brigade was detached from the VI Corps, and sent to New York City to help control the draft riots that had broken out there. According to his diary he left land on the steamship Illinois from Alexandria, Va. on August 18, arrived New York the 20th. He was on guard in Washington Square until leaving New York on the 'Cumbra' (?) September 11, arriving in West chester (?) on the 13th. He switched boats there and got on the 'Philadelphia,' and arrived in Alexandria on September 16. The brigade rejoined the VI Corps near Culpeper Court House on the 22nd.
The brigade was involved in the Bristoe Campaign, October 9-22, the advance to the Rappahannock November 7 and 8, and the Mine Run Campaign November 26 to December 2. Heath reenlisted February 13, 1864. Of less that 550 enlisted men from the Fourth Regiment engaged at the Wilderness, forty-one were killed outright, including Private William W. Heath, who fell the first day, May 5 1864. The following letters were contained in pension records obtained from the National Archives by Nancy Flock.
For a photograph of Private Heath, please see the Selected Civil War Photographs, 1861-1865, Library of Congress, from the "American Memories" Collection.
(NOTE: The letters were transcribed exactly as written, no corrections (see the scans). In the heading of the first letter, it looks like he wrote Gettysburg, but he was in Warrenton, Va. when this letter was written. I believe battle he mentions is Funkstown - Nancy Flock.)
July 29 /1863
Camp in the field
near Git//burg
Der Mother the Armary of
the patomick has had a
grat batal and gaind
a gr. grat victory the Rebels
wer beten and many prisoners
and many guns fell into
our hands I trust the back
bon of the rebelion is brocken
trusting this will find you
all well at hom rit son
and all the news
Your son William W. Heath
|
New York City August 61 (?) /1863 Der Mother I set down to rit you a few lines trusting this will find you well as it leavs me at presant our brigad has ben sent out hear to inforce the draft thar has ben a big riat her in this city and our brigad is hear hav no tim to rit as hav to go on gard trust you recived the 10 dolers I sent you last month rit son and all the news from hom |
Article compiled from material provided by Nancy Flock, Burlington. Originally from Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Nancy moved to Burlington three years ago. Her ggg grandfather was in the NYV 161st, along with 3 of his brothers, in other regiments, so that started her Civil War interest.