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- Justus F. Gale to Mother
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In this letter Gale writes to his mother from the Church Hospital in Baton Rouge that he has been ill but is getting better. He has been eating a little. He and his unit had been "beseigeing" Port Hudson just before he was taken ill. He also writes that he never really suffered while soldiering,...
Show moreIn this letter Gale writes to his mother from the Church Hospital in Baton Rouge that he has been ill but is getting better. He has been eating a little. He and his unit had been "beseigeing" Port Hudson just before he was taken ill. He also writes that he never really suffered while soldiering, and that he is sorry his brother, Lyman, has been drafted, since he doesn’t think he could stand army life. Some time after this, Gale was sent to the U.S. General Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, where he died of chronic diarrhea on September 19, 1863.
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- Justus F. Gale to Sister
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Gale writes about having a relapse of fever after working two weeks supplying the contrabands, and being sent to a hospital in Baton Rouge. He also writes with news of his fellow soldier, Wesley (John Wesley Merriam) who is with him at the hospital. As well, he reports on what they are eating.
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- Justus F. Gale to Sister
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Gale writes that he developed a lameness while at Port Hudson and was sent to convalescent camp. While in camp, Gale and a partner took advantage of a business opportunity to bring rations to contrabands. He mentions going to Baton Rouge to draw the rations and says he now has a pony to ride to...
Show moreGale writes that he developed a lameness while at Port Hudson and was sent to convalescent camp. While in camp, Gale and a partner took advantage of a business opportunity to bring rations to contrabands. He mentions going to Baton Rouge to draw the rations and says he now has a pony to ride to make this and other things easier. He also writes that he has not been paid for a long time, and that he has heard General Lee has been captured but that this is not confirmed.
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- Justus F. Gale to Sister
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Topics include family news, the weather, that Colonel Thomas is acting Major General now, that the Rebels are deserting often and are short of provisions, and that his Company while on picket duty talks back and forth to the Rebels and shares their food with them at times.
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- Justus F. Gale to Mother
- Description
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Gale writes that his company had been busy digging entrenchments in preparation for an assault on Port Hudson, and that rebels made a small raid to acquire some nearby guns but were repulsed. He also writes that deserters are coming in almost every day and report that rations are short in the...
Show moreGale writes that his company had been busy digging entrenchments in preparation for an assault on Port Hudson, and that rebels made a small raid to acquire some nearby guns but were repulsed. He also writes that deserters are coming in almost every day and report that rations are short in the fort. As well he writes that there is a rumor that the Rebels had invaded Brashear City and took or burned items left by the 8th Regiment, and the Colonel Thomas reacted strongly, saying “he wished he could get one clip at them with his brigade.”
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- Justus F. Gale to Sister
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Gale writes of the second assault on Port Hudson on June 14th, describing the rough ground they had to cover to get in range, and the number of killed and wounded in the regiment. He also comments that on the day his mother traveled to Morrisville, he was out hunting “graybacks,” and that while...
Show moreGale writes of the second assault on Port Hudson on June 14th, describing the rough ground they had to cover to get in range, and the number of killed and wounded in the regiment. He also comments that on the day his mother traveled to Morrisville, he was out hunting “graybacks,” and that while some complain of the conditions in the army, they are the ones who hadn’t been “weaned” yet.
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- Justus F. Gale to Sister
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Gale writes of receiving several letters from home, and describes the position of the Union army at Port Hudson. He writes of how the infantry is screening the artillery as they set up guns to bombard the fort, and of the number of deserters that are crossing their lines. He also writes of the...
Show moreGale writes of receiving several letters from home, and describes the position of the Union army at Port Hudson. He writes of how the infantry is screening the artillery as they set up guns to bombard the fort, and of the number of deserters that are crossing their lines. He also writes of the fresh meat they are getting and how cayenne sent from home goes well with it. As well, he writes of how the army ignores Sundays, often marching long distances on those days, and that he wishes he were at the meeting house at home.
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- Justus F. Gale to Sister
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Gale begins his letter with a humorous poem. He then writes that the 8th Vermont is now with the Corps laying seige to Port Hudson, which is strongly fortified and describes a skirmish that resulted in two killed and three wounded from his Company. He also writes that there is constant...
Show moreGale begins his letter with a humorous poem. He then writes that the 8th Vermont is now with the Corps laying seige to Port Hudson, which is strongly fortified and describes a skirmish that resulted in two killed and three wounded from his Company. He also writes that there is constant cannonading and that his company is behind one hill, while the rebels are behind another nearby, and that one day he shot 100 cartridges. He tells his sister he has plenty to eat and that he is safe, even when in action, since he only has to show his head enough to fire.
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- Justus F. Gale to Sister
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Gale writes that he is still camped near Alexandria and is using his cartridge box as a desk to write the letter. The weather has been rainy and they have been using their rubber blankets as tents. He then goes on to describe the shooting of James H. Hill, a teamster, by an Irish soldier, James O...
Show moreGale writes that he is still camped near Alexandria and is using his cartridge box as a desk to write the letter. The weather has been rainy and they have been using their rubber blankets as tents. He then goes on to describe the shooting of James H. Hill, a teamster, by an Irish soldier, James O’Mara, on May 14th, and finishes his letter with a complaint against all those to whom he has written who have not yet replied, and gossip about Ira F. Grout of Elmore, Vermont.
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- Justus F. Gale to Father
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Gale writes to his father a description of the land through which he is marching, as the Brigade travels up and down the Red River in pursuit of Confederate forces. He also gives a short description of the Battle of Fort Bisland, and then goes on to describe the fresh food available to the...
Show moreGale writes to his father a description of the land through which he is marching, as the Brigade travels up and down the Red River in pursuit of Confederate forces. He also gives a short description of the Battle of Fort Bisland, and then goes on to describe the fresh food available to the soldiers. He encloses with the letter a plate he used to eat lunch on that day, made of the bark of a Sweetgum tree, as most of his equipment had to be left at the camp at Brashear City.
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- Justus F. Gale to Sister
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Gale writes a long description of his company’s role in the Battle of Fort Bisland on April 12th and 13th, and is pleased by General Banks’ praise of the performance of the 8th Vermont Regiment. He also writes of his pleasure at receiving a photograph of Emily Taft of Barre, and his wish that he...
Show moreGale writes a long description of his company’s role in the Battle of Fort Bisland on April 12th and 13th, and is pleased by General Banks’ praise of the performance of the 8th Vermont Regiment. He also writes of his pleasure at receiving a photograph of Emily Taft of Barre, and his wish that he could have photographs of all his family, though he would be unable to carry them all in his wallet. As well, he writes of picking up Confederate money from a house that was abandoned before the advance of the “damd yankees” and of seeing rich clothing that he wished he could send home.
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- Justus F. Gale to Mother
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Topics include getting ready to march with the 19th Corps against Fort Bisland and Colonel Thomas’ confidence in the 8th Vermont. He also writes that the regiment marched over 100 miles and captured 2,200 prisoners in an addendum to his letter, dated April 21.
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- Justus F. Gale to Sister
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Gale writes that he has left the hospital and returned to the 8th Vermont, which is preparing for a move against Port Hudson. He then reminisces about the changes in his family since he enlisted one year before, particulary about the death of his brother, Charlie. As well, he writes of missing...
Show moreGale writes that he has left the hospital and returned to the 8th Vermont, which is preparing for a move against Port Hudson. He then reminisces about the changes in his family since he enlisted one year before, particulary about the death of his brother, Charlie. As well, he writes of missing his nephew, Herbert, and of a small Louisianian boy who visits the 8th Vermont camp regularly.
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- Justus F. Gale to Sister
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Topics include the spring-like weather in New Orleans, his hospital work, particulary carrying “grub” up to 34 soldiers, and Admiral Farragut’s engagement with the rebel batteries at Port Hudson on March 14th. He also writes of how he would like to be home in Vermont eating maple sugar and...
Show moreTopics include the spring-like weather in New Orleans, his hospital work, particulary carrying “grub” up to 34 soldiers, and Admiral Farragut’s engagement with the rebel batteries at Port Hudson on March 14th. He also writes of how he would like to be home in Vermont eating maple sugar and drinking milk that hasn’t been adulterated with chalk and water.
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- Justus F. Gale to Sister
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Topics working at the hospital, the lack of letters from family and friends, and his wish for Jeff Davis’ scalp as a Thanksgiving present. He also writes that he is “perplexed” by how the war is being managed.
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- Justus F. Gale to Sister
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Topics include his health and the condition of the sore on his hand, the rumors in Vermont about the 8th Vermont Regiment, news about the officers in Company A, and a comment about a private who transferred to the 3rd Louisiana Native Guard to become an officer. He also writes jokingly about...
Show moreTopics include his health and the condition of the sore on his hand, the rumors in Vermont about the 8th Vermont Regiment, news about the officers in Company A, and a comment about a private who transferred to the 3rd Louisiana Native Guard to become an officer. He also writes jokingly about coming home with a “yellow gal.”
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- Justus F. Gale to Sister
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Topics include his appreciation for receiving a box from his family, letters he has received from friends, information on his speculation in watches and apples, and his decision not to receive a photograph of his brother, Charlie, who died on August 30, 1862, since Charlie still seems alive to...
Show moreTopics include his appreciation for receiving a box from his family, letters he has received from friends, information on his speculation in watches and apples, and his decision not to receive a photograph of his brother, Charlie, who died on August 30, 1862, since Charlie still seems alive to Justus.
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- Justus F. Gale to Sister
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Topics include reminiscences about attending church in Elmore and musings on the power of God to preserve him, a list of all the temptations available to soldiers in New Orleans, including swearing, playing cards, and drinking whiskey, and that liquor is as common as water in the city, with both...
Show moreTopics include reminiscences about attending church in Elmore and musings on the power of God to preserve him, a list of all the temptations available to soldiers in New Orleans, including swearing, playing cards, and drinking whiskey, and that liquor is as common as water in the city, with both men and women getting drunk.
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- Justus F. Gale to Sister
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Topics include news about his father’s recent marriage, dinner at the home of a Massachusetts family that had been driven off a plantation they owned north of New Orleans, the money owed him by the government, and his speculation in watches.
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- Justus F. Gale to Father
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Topics include a running sore on his hand that put him in the hospital in New Orleans, buying a new watch, flooding in New Orleans, and an attack on a rifle pit made by his company.