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 U. S. Army Heritage and Education Center
+----
+Letter of Stephen Rich to his brother
+Camp Essex Relay Station. May 28/61
+Brother Hiram,
+I have not received any letters
+from you since the 21st but I expect one by
+every mail.  I also got one of the same date from
+Augustus have not got the letter that John was going
+to write.  I got a paper last night ( the Advitiser)
+by the way tell me if you can who the Cor e/n of the
+Advitiser is their is some of it that reads so much like
+some of my letters that it seems strange.  The mail has
+just arrived have got two papers the Cap Ann weekly of the 28
+and the Journal of the 24th have no letters.  We are still
+encamped here don't know when we leave there is no
+prospect now of leaving.  We were beat to quarters last
+night about 2 o clock don't know what it was for, we
+were not long in falling in there was nothing out of
+the way so we had orders to go to our quarters & expect
+it was to try the men and get them used to mustering
+quick, there is a petition outside the camp for the
+Regt. to stop here to guard this place as the people like
+The men for their soldier like behavior and good
+morals.  I see by the telegraph that Knights upholds
+Capt. Center in his behavior now it is not true what
+he writes about Center as all the men will say when they get home.
+He (K) make the Capt. tent his quarters when he is in
+camp and he gets a pass to go out of the camp which
+is more than half of his time, while I have not
+been out of the camp since I have been here.
+nor while I was in Washington more 3 times and then
+for not more an hour and a half.  So you see that I
+have not had a good chance to observe what was going on.
+He has done better since he has received that letter that I spoke
+of in my other letter.  It rained hard here yesterday
+forenoon It cleared off in the afternoon it blew
+great guns. Sunday we had orders to clean up camp
+and we set to work about it.  Soon after the officers of the
+Regt. Came around to inspect and gave us the compliment
+of having the neatest quarters in the Regt. and it was
+so, there was not a partical of straw or papers
+or dirt of any kind in the tents were swept out, and our
+knapsacks were packed and stowed around the
+tent in the inside.  The door of the tent were open and
+the officers looked in every tent as they passed along, the
+orderly sergeant has the most duty to preform of any
+men in the company.  The first thing in the morning
+when the drum beats at 5 oclock.  I have to get up
+and see that all of the men turn out at roll call an
+the see that they they clear the straw out of their tents.
+and clean up the quarters generaly, after that march the
+men to some place to wash. on coming back we have
+a company drill until breakfast time which is about
+seven oclock than they are dismissed until the morning
+parade at 1/2 past nine.  The orderly hours are at 8 oclock
+the morning report of the Comy if those that
+the time arrives to go on Parade I have to form company
+and get them ready to go on line and also move all of the
+on guard to detail weather night or day.
+I have wrote one letter since I received yours one to you and
+one to Augustus.  Our men are all well excepting the
+one in Washington and Allen in Philadelphia.  I send
+you one paper also one to John, the two New Hampshire
+Regt passed here last night about 9 oclock.  I have
+not much news to write as everyday is alike we
+neither know or see anything only all sorts of camp
+rumors. I suppose that serve one sets them
+afloat to see how quick they will go through the camp.
+I have no fault to find with our living now as we
+have good plain food and enough of it.
+May 29 Each Regt. Does guard duty every other day
+so that the other can go on Parade with a full Regt.
+today it is our turn.  So I have sometime to share
+the Orderly is never detailed for guard duty
+yesterday we went about 1/2 a mile to a field to drill
+in coming back along the road there was a charge of Cavalry
+on us, in the shape of about a dozen riderless horses.
+We were marching along in good orders when the head
+of the column broke to the right and left and such a
+scampering of horses along the ranks I never saw some of
+then leaped the fences while others failed and fell
+on their backs (the horses were ones that were turned out to
+pasture).  I wrote a letter to Sarah Ellen the other day
+Butler is getting up sure and I think he richly
+Deserves it. He is a man that is in every respect
+qualified for the office and i think that he would gain
+a victory when the odds were against him if not to much so.
+Capt. Center drew a crayon sketch of the camp
+of both Regts the other day it is on a small scale and
+is a correct view.  The cars on the tracks looks just
+as natural as though they were there.  I believe
+that he is going to sent it home, most likely you
+will see it on exhibition at Center & Co. There is a man
+(Weston) the one that walked to Washington that will
+carry letters from camp to all the towns where all of
+the Companys belong and answer all the questions about the
+Regt. that they may ask.  He is bearer of dispatches for
+Gen Butler.  He told Capt. Center that he would like to
+take the steamer in Boston and go to Gloucester
+oclock just got a letter from John and another from
+Joe will answer them both as soon as possible.
+I like here first rate and it is a fine and pleasant country.
+am in good health but somewhat thin as usual.
+Get about 7 or 8 hours sleep in 24 but am out at the first
+tap of the drum.  The Regt are being supplied with
+rubber blankets.  The knapsacks that we have got are
+miserable things the stuff on the outside comes
+through and daubs the cloth all over cannot keep
+anything decent in them.  Had stewed beans for dinner
+today.  It is no use for me to write war news as you get
+all in the papers before you get my letters.  The Fatigue
+pants have not got here yet, I hear that the Gloucester
+Band are to join the Regt. Should like to see them here for
+We have not get but one decent drummer in the Regt.
+Can't think of anything more to write\\
+was glad to hear Mother was better\\
+Your Stephan\\
+Direct letters to Washington
+Letters of Stephen Rich\\
+US Army Heritage and Education Center\\
+CWDocColl (box 97, folder 6).\\
 ----
@@ Line 1487: / Line 1621: @@
 The gentleman are waiting for me to go to breakfast and I must bid you good bye and with love to dear Mama and the
 dear little children and Dear Grandpa & Grandma & Uncle George if he is there.  Affectionately your father. HS Briggs
+Henry S. Briggs Papers\\
+U. S. Army Heritage and Education Center
+----
+Letter of Stephen Rich to his brother
+Camp Essex Relay Station June 4/61.
+Dear Mother
+I received a letter from John 3 or 4 Days ago and was glad to hear from him.  I should have written before but I have not had much time lately.  It was very hot here yesterday and today it rained hard.  John said in his letter that he was geting ready to go away he did not say where he was going. Hiram wrote that John was going up in Vermont he did not say what he was going to do their.  Ed Burnham arrived here on Saturday afternoon.  We were all glad to see him he was the first man from Gloucester that we have seen since we left Boston. Tell Hiram that the rubber blanket that he sent me I do not need as I have one that the State of Mass. furnished me.  Tell him that the money that he sent me I have sent back by Burnham as I have $10 that the state payed me. And I think that it will do me as I have 2 dollars left that he sent me while we were in Washington I have not much use for money now only for to buy a few luxuries. I send him a Baltimore paper this morning. Tell him not to send anything more as I have everything that I need.  I am obliged  to him and can appreciate his kindness towards me.  The here was a rumors that Gen. Butler had been capured with 150 men don't see anything of it in the papers so I don’t think it is true. I don’t know when we leave here although we are liable to be ordered away at any moment.
+Don’t be worried about me as we have every comfort that a soldier can have plenty to eat and drink and to wear and
+when it rains we keep in our tents all except when doing guard duty.
+We are all well and in good spirits. I have often though what you have said to me when I have come home to dinner  and found fault with what we had to eat, (that I would sometimes be glad to get, that) and so it has happened since we have been on the campaign.  There is no news to write so I must close.
+Stephen
+Letters of Stephen Rich\\
+US Army Heritage and Education Center\\
+CWDocColl (box 97, folder 6).\\
+----
+Letter of Henry S. Briggs to his wife
+Camp Essex Monday \\
+morning June 5, 1861
+Dear Molly,
+The rain is pouring this morning and I need not have got up so early but to say good morning to you.  So it rained nearly all day yesterday and we had a rest there being no duty the the count martial in the forenoon and dress parade at 7 1/2 PM. we have been much favored in the weather we have had since we have been.  Only two rainy days I think: Summer seems to be upon us in full glory and fervor. And I do not anticipate  that our men are going to be much more affected by the heat here than at home; if they can be kept clean and in flannel. Some time ago it was said that the Ladies of Boston had sent flannel to Pittsfield to be made into undershirts. Our men are needing undershirts; and this is about all they do need as
+present.
+You rightly imagine that with all my supplies I must have a large accumulation of baggage. And yet I don’t know what to send home.  The clothes sent by George have not yet come.  I suppose he sent them to Washington by Adam Express though he did not say. There is all the time great delay is getting Express packages.  Our Colonels wife and child came on last
+Evening and together with Col. Jones wife and daughter are at Dr. Halls just on our left and rear.
+I wish I was a Colonel and had my wife and children within a stones throw of my tent as they are.  I think I should do as they do -  stay there nights.  We are very comfortable now in our quarters having put up another tent in near of the first on our opened the communication between them.  Our bedding is in there, while in the front one is our table, covered by a very good scarlet are black woolen spread which one of the men gave us and on which we have had flowers from the neighboring residence for a few days.  It  does seem as through we are to stay here, though nothing is known about it.
+Good Morning  \\
+Love to Father and Mother and the dear children
+and Gus & the folks at the home.\\
+Affectionately your husband.  \\
+HS Briggs
@@ Line 1728: / Line 1917: @@
 Letter of Henry S. Briggs to his wife
+Relay House\\
+Friday morning June 7 1861
+My Dear Molly
+I have been the whole live long morning cleaning mud you from my boots and shoes and then down to breakfast without
+my [.           ] note to you.  I have now but a moment before mail closes in which to say that I am well been mindful of you and the dear scene and loved ones at home.
-Camp Essex Monday \\
+The weather is still dull and heavy it has rained this morning and the wind in East.
-morning June 5, 1861
-Dear Molly,
+I fear the effects of such weather on camp. There is already considerable sickness among my men tho no serious cases.
-The rain is pouring this morning and I need not have got up so early but to say good morning to you.  So it rained nearly all day yesterday and we had a rest there being no duty the the count martial in the forenoon and dress parade at 7 1/2 PM. we have been much favored in the weather we have had since we have been.  Only two rainy days I think: Summer seems to be upon us in full glory and fervor. And I do not anticipate  that our men are going to be much more affected by the heat here than at home; if they can be kept clean and in flannel. Some time ago it was said that the Ladies of Boston had sent flannel to Pittsfield to be made into undershirts. Our men are needing undershirts; and this is about all they do need as
+I am anxiously awaiting it [.   ] of my package.  I wish I knew how it was addressed.
-present.
-You rightly imagine that with all my supplies I must have a large accumulation of baggage. And yet I don’t know what to send home.  The clothes sent by George have not yet come.  I suppose he sent them to Washington by Adam Express though he did not say. There is all the time great delay is getting Express packages.  Our Colonels wife and child came on last
+Love to all \\
+Affectionately your husband. \\
+HS Briggs
-Evening and together with Col. Jones wife and daughter are at Dr. Halls just on our left and rear.
+Henry S. Briggs Papers\\
+U. S. Army Heritage and Education Center
-I wish I was a Colonel and had my wife and children within a stones throw of my tent as they are.  I think I should do as they do -  stay there nights.  We are very comfortable now in our quarters having put up another tent in near of the first on our opened the communication between them.  Our bedding is in there, while in the front one is our table, covered by a very good scarlet are black woolen spread which one of the men gave us and on which we have had flowers from the neighboring residence for a few days.  It  does seem as through we are to stay here, though nothing is known about it.
+----
-Good Morning  \\
+Letter of Henry S. Briggs to his wife
-Love to Father and Mother and the dear children
-and Gus & the folks at the home.\\
-Affectionately your husband.  \\
-HS Briggs
+Relay House 1 1/2 PM. \\
+Friday June 7 1861
+Dearest Molly,
+I had scarcely finished reading your and Georgies letter of the 5th the morning when the box came and oh how full of love and good things. I wish I could be gratified enough for  them and love it gives enough.  I want to
+throw my arms around you all and cry.
+George, I suppose is good I shall with him by the night mail.
+Affectionately yours\\
+HS Briggs
 Henry S. Briggs Papers\\
 U. S. Army Heritage and Education Center
 ----
@@ Line 1955: / Line 2160: @@
 Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03394\\
 Author/Creator: Lakeman, John R. (fl. 1861-1908)
+----
+Letter of John Lakeman to his mother
+Camp Essex Friday June 7, 1861
+Dear Mother,
+I hope you will excuse me for not writing before, but we have not had a pleasant day this week since Sunday and it is almost impossible to write here when it rains for every thing is so nasty and wet. Our tents do not shed water as a roof does and we are often wet. I feel however as if I could not best give some kind of acknowledgement on this my birthday for all the favors and kindness I have received even if it does not read very well. I intended to write Sunday, but our box of uniforms arrived on Saturday night and of course we had to spend most of Sunday on washing and putting on clean clothes. And in the first place I wish to thank you all for the articles that were sent in the box. I only wish you could have seen us at the opening. It would have done you good to see us. We all clustered around like bees around a hive. We had been out on drill in the afternoon and having had a pretty hard drill we were down to the brook washing ourselves when we heard that the uniforms had come. Up hill we came on the double quick and formed in around the boxes. Captain opened the boxes and called out the names of the different ones as they appeared in view and they were seized quickly. I can tell your in the bottom of the 2nd box. I had one bundle waited patiently or rather impatiently for my uniform these being underclothes. We were really thankful for these things and the boys took really a good deal of pride in their new clothes as though they were on Essex St. on Sunday. Some paraded around in their underclothing merely and that makes a pretty uniform in itself. We did not go on parade until the afternoon when we attended divine service in front of one of the residences here around by a Dr. Hall. we had very interesting exercises by our chaplain. We all wore our new uniforms and the Marble head company had on one that they had just received. I hardly think you could imagine what the material is. It is what in the store we would call "hickory"” and they have both jacket and pants of the same. We cut quite a dash in the ranks I can tell you. In the evening you could have seen quite a change for when it was known that we were to go out on picket-guard in the evening we all made a rush for our old clothes and put on the worst things that we had. We went out on the Harpers Ferry road and this time we found (or at least those who wished it found) some good bread & butter and coffee at one of the houses on the road. The people here are very kind and obliging and I have not seen one instance since I have been here where they have refused us hospitality. Why today we had been out getting some boards to floor our tents with and met a teamster who offered to carry them to camp for us free. They made up a little sum and gave him however although he did not seem to wish us to. We have not seen a good clean day this week for it has been a dirty drizzling rain. The people here say that they have not known for dozen years so cold a Spring as they have had since arriving here. If this is cold I do not care about seeing hot for we have had it 98 degrees in the shade and I call that fairly warm. It has not wholly cleared off yet but the clouds are broken and the sun is very warm. We have been obliged to lay around in our tents or else get wet through and sometimes we would get wet in spite of the tents the water coming through in a fine mist. We have kept a campfire going most of the time but all the wood has got so wet now that it will hardly burn. On Wednesday we had a fine little turn-out in a driving-rain. There have been some of the Baltimore Union troops camped near us for some time (and a most precious set of roughs they are I can tell you) and Wednesday a messenger came over from their commanding officer calling for his companies to quell a riot between two of their companies only one of which had any fire-arm at all and they had nothing but revolvers. They called on us and Captain Martin’s company from Marblehead and we started through brooks and over fences for the distance of a mile on the double-quick. We were wet through the first half being rain and the other half being perspiration. We arrived at the Camp but found that it had been stopped by the officers saying they would punish those who were in the wrong. We stayed there for about 2 hours and then came back to camp. Yesterday we heard that they had all been sent home to Baltimore. It is a good thing for they were continuously quarreling among themselves. We went out on drill on Thursday afternoon and when we came back we had another great surprise in meeting Dan. Johnson. I should have as soon thought of seeing Horace out here as he. It seems he has got a vacation and he thought he would come out here and see the boys. The same day we received something when we have waited for patiently and it has at last arrived and that is a box Geo. Batchelder including one for your young hopeful. I grabbed at it quick and we were soon feasting on the gingerbread. It was splendid and I have some now so [...]. I am going into soon. I Sam Smith had some come in the same box and it was a little mouldy but mine was splendid. I am greatly obliged for it and for all the articles in the box. It matters not how small our handkerchiefs are for the smaller the better and they do not get any dirtier than larger ones. I am also thankful for the other cap-cover that was sent for mine was dirty as can be although I had washed it twice. As soon as Dan arrived we were immediately on our taps for letters. We broke ranks very quickly after the the order was given and ran to shake hands with him. He seemed much pleased to see us looking so well and hearty. He soon gave me mine and I soon was master of the contents I had just got through reading them when I heard Will. Hill say that he and Charley had a trunk down to the Relay House and he was going for it. I waited patiently till it arrived hoping that I might some little note or perhaps something more and I was not destined to be disappointed for I received my box safe and sound. This was Thursday afternoon so that the splendid cake which you sent me arrived just in time for a Birth-Day Cake and present, and I passed it around as such to the boys. They praised it highly and well they(?) might for we have tasted nothing like it for one while and probably shall not again. Of the cookies that Lizzie thought were so hard I do not wish myself to see better and the boys seemed to relish them. Charley received some splendid cake from Miss B. I suppose you sent the cake to be eaten although it looked so nice and rich at any rich most of it is gone beyond recall. The boys are fattning up nicelly now on things and money received and I have myself had many compliments [...] healthy appearance. They tell me I grow fat as butter  and I can say that I have been carried through so far without a single sick day and that is saying a good deal in this climate and with the provisions we had the first part of the time. Dan Johnson is going to Washington tomorrow and is going on picket-guard with us tonight. I must not close but will write some more tomorrow.
+Saturday June 8th, 1861
+We went on picket-guard last night and Dan went with us. He says that he likes it very much and would like to stay here with us for our whole term, but this time is up now and he is obliged to go home next Tuesday as that will be a much surer way of sending home although it will not be so new […] yet. I think I will keep this and send it with some others home by him as he requested me so to do. He left for Washington today and will not be back until Tuesday when he starts for home. The boys all like him much and we wish he could stay with us. I suppose he will tell Horace or Lizzie about our appearance mode of living &c if so requested and this you will hear direct. He is very kind and wishes to do anything for us that he can. We are going to dress our tents up tomorrow with flowers for Sunday inspection and we have been working hard today putting in floors to sleep on. We had to go nearly a 1/2 mile to get our boards and then lay them and nail them down. Our men are divided into tent-messes and each tent has a Captain. We have J. Langdon Ward for our Captain. I think you know him as we have heard of him. He is a fine fellow and is at college with John Hodges at Harvard.
+Sunday June 9th, 1861
+I am writing by snatches but still I think I may get more news in by so doing than by letting it goon the first day. We have been expecting orders for some time to return home and let the 3 years take take our place. You can rest assured that we shall not enlist for 3 yrs at any rate and not until we have come home first. There were reports around camp that we were to be ordered home and Major Ben Perley Poore offered to bet $500 that we should be home in 10 days but I hardly think it is so for nobody knows and it is all guess work. We are now on our 2nd month and that is some consolation. I did not expect 3 months ago that I should spend my birth day in the State of Maryland but so it is. Our tents look splendidly this morning being dressed in roses and of other flowers. We have names for our different tents. There is the Astor House and Hinck's Hotel (named for our Colonel) and out tent is named Sleepy Hollow for the time being. It is a splendid Sabbath day and I have been detailed for guard duty today and was just relieved for 4 hours when we go on again. It seems very quiet here for we are having an inspection. We are to have services this afternoon at the same place as usual and I hope they will be as interesting again.thanking you for the articles and letters that have been sent me. I must close.
+From your affectionate son, \\
+John
+P.S. Please give my love to Aunt Fells folks and give them my thanks. I will write again when I can.
+John
+[FRONT of ENVELOPE]
+Kindness of […] D. Johnson Jr.
+Mrs. E. K. Lakeman\\
+Elm L[…]\\
+Salem, Mass.
+Care of Mr. Horace Lakeman
+[BACK of ENVELOPE]
+Camp Essex
+June7, ’61\\
+(18th birthday)
+Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03394\\
+Author/Creator: Lakeman, John R. (fl. 1861-1908)
 ----
@@ Line 2253: / Line 2509: @@
 {{:8th_mass_inf:cape_ann_light_and_gloucester_telegraph_1861-06-15_2a.jpg?linkonly|}}
+----
+//South Danvers Wizard//, June 26, 1861
+CAMP ESSEX, RELAY HOUSE,\\
+Maryland, June 19, 1861.
+Dear Parents:—The weather is lovely out here—rather warm if anything. Gen. Devereux of Salem arrived here this morning, and brought some letters and boxes of food for the boys, from their kind friends at home. Mr. Charles Weston, of Boston street, is expected here to-morrow with some more. The 17th was celebrated here by firing a salute of 18 rounds apiece of blank cartridges, and having a review in the morning. In the evening, we secured a Band, which played until 12 o’clock.
+The first Massachusetts Regiment for three years passed through here last Monday afternoon. They stopped here a little while, so we went to see if there were any there with whom we were acquainted. I saw two or three from South Danvers—David Osborne, George W. Gray, and one or two others. They looked and felt well. All our men are well now, and are looking rugged as can be.
+We received a handsome present, consisting of one hundred havelocks, from the noble-hearted ladies of the First Unitarian Society of Philadelphia. They arrived this morning. Our time is out the first of August, but I should not be surprised if we were at home by that time, but I do not know.
+Yours truly. MOSES SHACKLEY.
+{{ :8th_mass_inf:south_danvers_wizard_june_26_1861.jpg?linkonly |}}
 ----
@@ Line 2328: / Line 2603: @@
 ----
+Letter of Stephen Rich to his Mother
+Camp Essex Relay Station June 21/61.
+Dear Mother
+Having a few spare moments. I though I would write you a few lines and let you know that we are all well.  Their is nothing here worthy of note every day passes of pretty much the same. We were sent out picket guard last night consequencely we have the rest of the day until 4 oclock to ourselves our- selves.  We had a very pleasant night the morn and stars shine out bright and the night was warm so we made ourselves as comfortable as though we were in camp.  Have had one letter from John and  I have answered it and got a letter from Joesept Henry, day before yesterday
+have had one or two letters from Hiram that I have not answered. We shall be at home in about six weeks weeks, if not sooner.  We celebrated the 17th of June by firing 13 rounds of musketry in the Morning by the whole Battn. In the afternoon we had a flag raising, in the evening we had a band of music. Yesterday we had a splendid silk flag presented to us by the lady friends of the NY 7th Regt. In commemoration of the march we had from Annapolis to Washington.  I think that both  the flag and the march will long be remembered by every member of the 8th Regt. Tell Hiram that he need not send the Boston papers if they are any expense to him.  There is no war news in this that we do not get in the Baltimore papers.
+The day is very hot in the sun. In the shade it is cool and comfortable as there is a fine breeze.  I have not seen but one calm day since we have been here.  The first Boston Regt. passed through here the other day.  Both the 6 Regt. and us marched down to the Relay House to see them.  There was no one that I knew except George Wood (Capt. Charles Wood son) They were bound to Washington. Their is thousands of troops go by here every day.  Last night there was a train of 36 cars all full of soldiers.  We have good food to eat and a plenty of it. I cannot think of anything more to write so I will close
+From Stephen
+Letters of Stephen Rich\\
+US Army Heritage and Education Center\\
+CWDocColl (box 97, folder 6).\\
+----
 //Cape Ann Light and Gloucester Telegraph//, June 22, 1861
@@ Line 2649: / Line 2948: @@
 {{:8th_mass_inf:daily_herald_page2_1861-07-06.png?linkonly|}}
+----
+//Liberator//, July 19, 1861
+The Baltimore Sun has this account of another fugitive:—
+"While the Eighth Massachusetts Regiment was in the occupancy of Baltimore, a colored man, slave of William Dorbacker, Esq., proprietor of the Three Tuns Tavern, absconded to the camp of the regiment, and was taken into the employ of some of the officers.
+When the regiment returned to the Relay House, the man went with them, and continued there until a day or two since, when Mr. Dorbacker, discovering his whereabouts, sent for him. The messenger was somewhat maltreated hy the soldiers as soon as he made his mission public, and had to leave the camp rather hastily.
+On Tuesday, Mr. Dorbacker procured the services of officer John Wright, who, armed with an order from Provost Marshal Kenly, presented it at the quarters of Col. Jones, and claimed the property. Col. Jones said he did not recognize slaves as contraband, and gave up the man at once, The officer, however, saw the propriety of making a circuitous route from the camp to the railroad depot, to avoid a possible rescue."
+{{ :8th_mass_inf:liberator_july_19_1861.jpg?linkonly |}}

Howard County, MD in the Civil War

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