Bradford P. Sparrow was drafted and assigned to the Fourth Vermont in the summer of 1863. In letters to his family, Sparrow wrote about the journey to Virginia, his illness through much of the winter, and the battles of the Wilderness and... Show moreBradford P. Sparrow was drafted and assigned to the Fourth Vermont in the summer of 1863. In letters to his family, Sparrow wrote about the journey to Virginia, his illness through much of the winter, and the battles of the Wilderness and Spotsylvania. Sparro was captured at the Weldon Railroad near Petersburg, Virginia, on June 23, 1864. For a month he kept a diary, writing about the prisoners' march to Georgia and conditions at Andersonville Prison. Paroled in April 1865, Sparrow wrote several more letters home from military hospitals before he was mustered out. Show less
Still at Brandy Station, Virginia and writes of feeling well, of expecting Gen. Meade to move is head quarters to Culpeper soon, been rifle target practice, Lt. Gen. Grant reviewed the troops, photograph sent home via mail, has heard news of Red River expedition and massacre at Fort Pillow (April... Show moreStill at Brandy Station, Virginia and writes of feeling well, of expecting Gen. Meade to move is head quarters to Culpeper soon, been rifle target practice, Lt. Gen. Grant reviewed the troops, photograph sent home via mail, has heard news of Red River expedition and massacre at Fort Pillow (April 12) where a large number of Black and White troops were killed, mentions lots of opportunities for men to get commissions in the Black regiments. Show less