History

Disclaimer: In the interest of historical accuracy, I am submitting these exactly as they were written. However, some comments and words are used that, although common and acceptable in the 1860s, would be considered offensive and politically incorrect today. So don’t shoot the messenger!

U.S. Barracks, Brattleboro, Feb. 3, 1864

Dear wife,

Probably to Portus Baxter, M.C., Derby Line, Vt.

East Charleston Jan. 18, 1864.

Dear Friend –

I had intended to have gone to Washington, but the detachment did not go Friday, and learned that one of my children was very sick and came this way instead of the other. I got home Saturday, found my youngest child very sick. He appears to be better today. Think he will get along. It was a bad time to come, as I had just been relieved from duty, in order to study. Major Bartlett made an application to Major Austin to get me into the 9^th Regt. But the Major could not send me there and thought it not necessary. My furlough is out next Monday. I shall then fit for an examination as quick as possible. All speak encouragingly. I am sometimes fearful. I do not know what I have got to go through. I wish that I could see you before I go on for an examination. I may have a chance to go out as a general.

Alexander Turner Life Story A Slave (1845- 1923)

Naima Wade will present a living history presentation on Thursday, January 16, 7:00 PM, in the library’s main room, which retells the Life Story of Alexander Turner (1845- 1923). Turner was enslaved on a Virginia plantation, and a fugitive who fought in the Civil War and eventually ended up in Vermont establishing a homestead. Wade’s goal is make sure that the Underground Railroad sites in southern Vermont are documented and preserved for posterity.

More .

U.S. Barracks, Brattleboro, Jan. 7^th, 1864

Dearest wife,

I will attempt to write you a few lines. I saw Zopher.

Jan. 10^th.
You see just how far I got with this. I have seen Zopher twice after I commenced this. I went to the barracks that Zopher was in, and he had left the day before for Washington as guard. He will be back this week. The recruits come in slowly. I do not have so much to do. I tried for some time to get a chance to go to Hinsdale. Went over Friday night and stayed all night and today got off. There is no doubt but that Zopher will get a furlough before he goes back to his Regiment. Well, I think that I shall come up with him if I can get a furlough.

Wednesday, January 08, 2014, 7 – 9:00 pm

Labor historian Annelise Orleck tells the story of nine African-American union maids in Las Vegas who challenged welfare cuts and built a long-lasting, vibrant anti-poverty program run by poor mothers.

Sponsored by the Vermont Humanities Council. Funded in part by the Friends of Brooks Memorial Library; the Vermont Department of Libraries; and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Location Brooks Memorial Library Main Room
Contact Info  Jerry Carbone 802-254-5290 jerry@brookslibraryvt.org

I am looking for copies of the short lived newspaper, The Brattleboro Independent, which was published by T. P. James in the 1870’s.

The only reason we know that this paper even existed is that a newspaper article in the St Johnsbury Caledonian in the year 1878 makes mention of it. .

This Brattleboro Independent does not occur on any list of old newspapers in Vermont. Copies of it are either rare or non existent, as are copies of the Summerland Messenger, another publication that T. P. James created in Brattleboro.

Dec. 28th.  I shall commence where I have left off, though before this you have probably seen Zopher.  he will tell you all about me and our company.  Amory Parker has been down here and left this morning.  I should have sent a pair of pants and blouse by Zopher, but they were not to be found when he was here.  I have just been to the barracks and hunted them up.  I am there but little by daylight and things get changed round there some.  The Pants have been worn since I took them off but they are mine for I found some nails and strings in the pockets, of course they were mine.

U.S. Barracks, Brattleboro, Dec. 25, 1863.

Dear wife –

It is Christmas and here I am well and hearty.  I have a little leisure and will improve it.  Zopher has just called.  He and Mary Ann, they have gone over to the hospital.  There were a lot of Vermont boys came in to the hospital last night, I understand some from Columbia College Hospital.  If there is any news from Jacob I will know before I close this.  Zopher came in with the Charleston boys, staid with me night before last, and is going to stop with me tonight, going home tomorrow.  Captain Brannon bought a lot of fine turkeys last night and the wherewith to stuff them, lots of pies and cheese, and he is going to let us have a Christmas.  The turkeys are now baking at the bakery.

U.S. Barracks, Brattleboro, Dec. 18^th,
1863.

Dearest Abiah,

I improve the leisure I now have in writing to you a few lines. The recruits are coming in fast. Yesterday 161 arrived. 260 have just marched from the ground for the cars. The paymaster worked all night getting the rolls signed. Just imagine 260 slow penmen signing their name 12 times each, that is equal to one man signing 3120 times. Any ordinary penman could write the names in one fourth the time. I was in the Captain’s office writing at the time they commenced, so escaped and got to bed at 9.

Charles Brooks slept with me last night. He, William Barrett, Sam Townsend and Elbridge Varnum are in barracks close to ours. I have only seen the names of Calkins Burroughs, Parker and Elias. I put them down. Perhaps, Zopher thought they would go into the 10^th Regt. But a sharp shooter got hold of them and they are booked for the 3 S. S. I am now waiting for the bank rolls to commence filling them for the next detachment. They mean to get them off Monday. Charles Brooks and the boys that came with him were just one day too late to get their names on for this detachment. Wesley Allen is here yet. The detachment for the gulf will not get off for some time. Wesley has been quite sick, but is now better. He is going home on a furlough. He has got one for eight days, if I can get it signed for him. Am waiting for the captain to come back. Six is all they give. If I succeed for him I think I shall stand a good chance when I want one. If he comes he will probably get home tomorrow night. I do not have as good a chance to see people that I know as I did when I was in Mead’s office, but it is much more pleasant where I am now.

U. S. Barracks, Brattleboro, Vt. Dec. 13^th, 1863.

Dear Abiah –

This is Sunday, but I have done a hard day’s work. Two hundred men have signed the pay rolls today. Each
man has signed name on ten different rolls. There were four of us to attend to it, Barton Works, Henry Newell, Stephen Josyln and myself and I tell you it has been close work, the blunders. You now how it is about showing them where to sign. Well, imagine 200 and I took them first. It has rained hard all day, all come in as wet as rats.

I was updating our Day in History listings and came across something that might astound and amaze you.

In 1875, according to the Vermont Phoenix, Brattleboro’s total expenses for the year were estimated at about $7,000. To compare, in 2015 our expenses are projected to be just under $17 million.

To be fair, they had just added a major expense to the Brattleboro budget in 1875 – streetlights, at a cost of $1,000 per year. Without them, the amount spent would have been lower.

Residents at the time voted to lay a tax of 40 cents on the dollar of the grand list to cover the cost of running the town.

Brattleboro, Vt. Dec. 8^th,
1863.

Dearest wife –

I have but a little time and you will have to put up with a short letter this time. The box came safely to hand. I found that it was at the express office and asked for a pass. Capt. Brannon says “write one”. It is signed in a minute (That is the way I get them now) got a wheel barrow and trotted off, brought it up all right. That cheese will be good. It will be first rate. Our bread is nice now. I have eaten beans until I have had enough of them but still they come. There was one parcel that had not been opened, directed to you. When I opened it, Lo and behold: there was 1 pair of mittens two pair of socks and two pair of little mittens. Well, I tell you I thought of the little hands they were made to cover. The things were all right. What shall I do with the little mittens? Shall I send them by mail, or wait until I get a chance to send them up with some person coming down.

Brattleboro, December 4^th,
1863.

Dearest wife –

I have today the finest chance in the world to write you a good, nice warm room and a desk and nothing to do although I have had enough work yesterday and this forenoon. Day before yesterday I was detailed to assist in making out rolls in Mr. Mead’s office. He is superintendent of recruits. Commenced work yesterday, and have had to work pretty hard until a short time since, that job is done. How long I am to remain here I know not. I am here now, and shall improve it writing to you. I was rejoiced to receive a letter from you. It appears that we both had a letter in the road at the same time. You will find that I sent twenty dollars instead of fifteen. Well, I could not get the bill changed in camp and let it all slide. I suppose we shall get our bounty sometime if we do not get it, another pay day will come on some time or another.

Brattleboro, Nov. 27^th,
1863.

Dearest wife –

I improve the present moment in writing. I should have done so two days sooner but could not. Was paid two months pay Monday. I shall send you twenty dollars. Day before yesterday was on guard; took my ink and paper with me to the guard house thinking to write to you between the reliefes, but such a time to be on guard! Soldiers just paid off, and Thanksgiving so close at hand.

Brattleboro, Nov. 17^th, 1863.

Dear wife –

It rains and has rained all night, no drill and not on guard, so have a good time to write. I did not go over to Hinsdale Sunday. It rained all night Saturday and all day Sunday. Monday it was warm and pleasant, but commenced raining when we were on dress parade, and has rained ever since I commenced this morning, but there has been so much card playing around my bunk that I had to give up writing. After dinner they took their places again with a new reinforcement. I told them to leave, or I would send their cards into the stove and a pack of fools after them, took it in good and evacuated. I have a pretty good place to write. My bunk is by a window, and the boys thought that the had got a fine place for Euchre, but they must keep clear, or I shall send them kiteing. The boys are a pretty good set, but the everlasting Euchre, I am so sick of it that I wish that I had every card in the world, that they would find the fire pretty quick.

Brattleboro, Oct. 29^th, 1863

Dear Abiah, –

I wrote to you last Saturday, and promised in that to write you Monday but I did not keep my promise. I could not get a chance to write. I wrote to Mr. Cole, but I had to write with a pencil, but today I have a chance and mean to improve it. I went to Hinsdale Sunday found Mary Ann better but Susan’s little girl very sick. Poor little thing she suffered very much. She died Sunday night about 6 o’clock. Mr. Ballard came over Monday and told me yesterday. I got a pass and went to the funeral. It was at the house at 10 o’clock. I got leave to stop until after dress parade. I staid until evening. Fred came and brought me over to the Camp. I like him very much. He is a quiet, social intelligent man. he is heartily sick of farming. Is determined to sell his farm. He now thinks of getting some business near home where he can go home Saturday nights.

“Wealthy eccentric” Fred Koch of Guilford, tired of “cotch” pronunciation, legally changes name to “Coke-is-it.”

I remember this guy getting into the papers every so often for erratic behavior. One time, if I remember correctly, he was arrested for giving away $20 bills on Main Street. When he got before the Judge, the Judge scolded the cop with some pithy remarks.

Brattleboro, Vt. Nov. 13. 1863.

Dearest wife:-

As good fortune will have it, I have plenty of time to write. I was one of the guards and one of the number is detailed to act as orderly for the officer of the day, so that relieved me from all duty, except such as the officer of the day may require of me, and so far it has been but little. I can sleep tonight. Am relieved from guard duty. Have no dirty gun to clean in the morning and no drill tomorrow in the forenoon, and no police duty Sunday morning. It is the first breathing spell I have had since I have been here.

The guards have to keep their guns loaded, and when they are relieved by the new guard in the morning, they are marched out one side of the camp ground and fire off their guns. That leaves them dirty, besides the night air affects them and it takes about two hours work to get them clean. The guns must be so clean that they must not soil the cleanest white glove. The barrel must be so clean that the head of the runner, after taking it from the barrel will not soil the glove, if rubbed upon the glove, so you can see that it is something to keep clean here.

While walking my dog, I spotted an unusual shard of newspaper floating across the parking lot. Unusual, in that it was sort of pinkish yellow and that it seemed bigger than a modern newspaper.

It turned out to be a section of the “New York Sun” dated Wednesday, August 15, 1945, which is the date that Japan surrendered to the Allies after almost six years of war. (AKA  V – J Day). (The New York Sun was an evening daily newspaper published from 1833 to 1950).  

Brattleboro, Nov. 9^th, 1863.

Dear Abiah:-

I received a long letter from you last week. It was good. I commenced to answer Friday night, but had
occasion to leave the barracks, and when I returned some of our card players had stolen my candle and tipped over the ink upon the letter and spoiled that. This is the reason of my not writing sooner, and for writing upon such a soiled sheet as I now do. I went on guard Saturday morning. I am well except a slight cold that I took when on guard a week Sunday. It is slight but it hangs to me. I have been on since, without increasing it.

We are to have a better place to sleep when on guard duty than we have had. The building is cold as any barn, no place to sleep but on the floor, dare not take blankets for vermin abound there. Hope they will freeze out soon. There are nothing of the sort in the company barracks. I have seen the animals. They are monsters, no mistake. I have not been in Hinsdale since I went to the funeral. It has been my misfortune to be on some duty every Sunday morning since then. Yesterday in the afternoon was the first time that I have been to church since I came here.