1863 June 14: “Our Regiment is horribly cut up, we lost our Colonel and most of the line Officers”

Frank D. Harding at this point was still with Company G of the 4th Wisconsin Infantry.  The majority of the letter discusses battles related to the Siege of Port Hudson.  The original letter is in the Frank D. Harding Papers (River Falls Mss AB), University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center.

Carrolton La  June 14^th 1863

Dear Father

                         I received a letter from you last which is the only one I have received for the past two months.  I had began to think that you had given up the idea of ever writing to me.

There is but little news stirring that can be got hold of.  Every thing about Port Hudson is quiet but in a few days I think that it must fall into our hands.  We had one of the hardest fights there of any in this Dept.   The Western Regts behaved nobly and had they been supported by the nine month’s men we should have surely taken the place.  Our Regiment is horribly cut up, we lost our Col¹ and most of the line Officers.  Gen. Sherman² lost his leg and may lose his life.  He is better this morning I hear.

Out of eleven hundred and forty men that we left Wisconsin with, hardly four hundred are left and the Regt can not muster two hundred and fifty to go in to a fight.  Our loss before Port Hudson in killed and wounded will not fall much short of 5000 men.³  The negros fought like devils’ they made five charges on a battery that there was not the slightest chance of their taking, just (as their Officers said) to show our boys that they could, and would fight.  At one time the 4th Wis., 8th N.H., 6th Mich., and 75^th & 128^th N.Y. Regts were on their works and had their battle flags planted, but having no one to support them they were obliged to fall back.  My Co. [G] was not in the fight as they are stationed at Camp Parapet as heavy art [artillery].  One of our Lieut^s was on Gen Sherman’s Staff and was killed,⁴ two of the Sergts of my Co. were in the fight and one was promoted on the field for gallantry.  I went over the the battle field two days after the fight and the stench was horrible.  Our forces have surrounded the place now and are planting heavy guns and in the course of the week I think the [__?] for battle will come off.

I still board in Carrolton but do my work in the City in the Office of the Chief Commissary.  How long I shall stay there it is impossible for me to say.

Tell mother I picked out a dozen of gray hairs out of my head to lend her but I have lost them and have no time to look for more.  I mean to have my picture taken in a few days and will lend it to you. I don’t look much like a solider for I haven’t had a uniform on for more than one year.

Give my love to Mother and Diantha.  Write me soon.

Yours Truly,  Frank D. Harding

1.  Sidney A. Bean, from Waukesha, had been the colonel of the 4th Wisconsin Infantry only since March 17, 1863, being promoted from lieutenant colonel of the 4th when Halbert E. Paine was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers. Bean was killed May 29, 1863, at Port Hudson.
A list of the killed and wounded in the 4th Wisconsin Infantry from May 27 to June 2, 1863, can be found in E. B. Quiner’s Military History of Wisconsin (Chicago: 1866), chapter 14, page 504 ((UWRF Archives E 537 .Q56 1866, available digitally on the Wisconsin Historical Society’s website).
2.  As we learned yesterday, during the May 27, 1863, attack on Port Hudson, General Thomas W. Sherman was severely wounded, which led to the amputation of his right leg. His injuries were so severe that he was not expected to live. Even the newspaper in his hometown (Newport, Rhode Island) printed an obituary for him.
3.  This is a very accurate estimate by Harding. Five thousand Union losses is the number generally given.
4.  Edward A. Clapp, from Hudson.

Frank Harding letter of June 14, 1863, from the Frank D. Harding Papers (River Falls Mss AB) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls

1862 August 11: Jerry Flint Describes the Battle of Baton Rouge

Jerry Flint gives his brother—and us—a pretty good description of the Battle of Baton Rouge, which took place on August 5, 1862.  The original letter is in the Jerry E. Flint Papers (River Falls Mss BN) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, University Archives and Area Research Center.

Baton Rouge   Aug. 11^th 1862

Dear Brother

                             The reception yesterday of a letter [from] you again puts me in mind that you are probably looking for one from [me] and that too with anxiety, for before this will reach you the papers will spread the intelligence of a hard fought battle at Baton Rouge.  On the evening of the 4^th of Aug we were informed that the enemy was approaching with probbably a view to surprise us the next morning.  Accordingly the line of battle was formed at ten minutes before three, marched out and laid down ready for them.  Just before sunrise they enemy opened fire on our right – this being the practice of the 14^th Maine.  They soon fell back, when, the 21^st Ind. opened a terrible fire on the rebels, which was returned by three regiments.  The Michigan men went into the fight – which was by this time raging furiously.  The 4^th Wis. and 9^th Conn. were held in reserve.  The 30^th Mass. and 7^th Vermont – to the assistance of the right – but before getting heavily engaged, the rebels commenced falling back when the firing ceased.  Our regiment and the 9^th was for about 20 minutes under a heavy fire and had we not have been laying down for the purpose of concealing our position many of us would have been hit. [paragraph break added]

As it was no one in the regiment was hurt, except a negro who was out with us he being shot through the head.  As soon as the rebels commenced falling aback the gunboats shelled the woods doing great execution.  Our loss in killed amounted to about 80 while the rebels left over 200 dead on the field for us to bury.  Gen. Williams¹ was killed in the early part of the battle.  We took prisoner the rebel Gen. Clark,² and and by other prisoners we learned that Gen. Breckenridge [John C. Breckenridge] had his arm shot off, and one other Gen. was killed.³  The Indiana regiment fought like devils. [paragraph break added]

Another instance occurred the next day which det developed more fully the plans of the rebels.  The ram “Arkansas” which so boldly ran our fleet above Vicksburg, and has since been lying under the guns of that place, came down to attack our gunboats at the same time they made the attack by land but finding the battle was over she stopped up round the point.  Our boats not liking to have her so near, the Essex went up and sent a shot against the ram which didn’t hurt her a bit.  The ram then fired a shot at the Essex which didn’t do her any harm.  The Essex then sent a[n] eleven inch shell into the port hole of the ram which set he on fire and blowed her up.  So we shall not be troubled any more with that thing.  [paragraph break added]

H.E. Paine, from 1861 stationery of the 4th Wisconsin

Since the death of Gen. W. [Williams], Col. Paine [Halbert E. Paine] is the Acting Brigadier Gen.  This suits the Brigade for everybody likes him.  He is a brave man and a good soldier.  Our own regiment looks upon him as they would a father.

You enquire [sic] in your letter why I could not get hold of stationery.  At the present time I can get a plenty but at that time we had not only been of on the move a great deal but had only just taken possession of the town.  All business was suspended and these was no time chance to get anything, besides the funds were lacking for we were not paid off from the time we left Baltimore until the last of July when we received $52.00.  We have still three months due.  In my last letter I wrote you that I should forward to you by express $50.00.  This I did but the boat sunk on its way to New Orleans and the Express matter went to the bottom.  Luckily, however, I had it insured and the agent told me this morning that the way bills had all been sent to New Orleans and that what packages were found to be lost would be made up and sent on.  I wish that if it does not arrive by the 25th you would let me know.

If you have Mother’s likeness taken to send in a letter send it along, if not perhaps it would not be best, for in all probability it might be lost.

George Randall⁴ died on the 6^th of Typhoid Fever.  His death was very sudden.  My own health is still excellent.  The weather is dreadful hot.  Tell Theodore and Allen that they must write.  I know that I owe them letters but that they have more time to write than I do.  We are daily expecting another attack and our duties are constant.

Give my love to all.

Write Soon     Jerry

1.  Brigadier General Thomas R. Williams, who was the Union commander, was killed by a gunshot wound to his chest.  Thomas W. Cahill, colonel of the 9th Connecticut Irish regiment, took over during the battle.
2.  Charles Clark (1811-1877) was a lawyer and plantation owner in Mississippi before the Civil War. When Mississippi seceded in 1861, he was commissioned a brigadier general. He commanded a brigade in Kentucky, and led a division at the Battle of Shiloh and at the Battle of Baton Rouge, where he was severely wounded and captured. He was released after spending some time as a prisoner of war. In late 1863, he will become the Confederate governor of Mississippi and will remain governor until removed by the Union occupation forces in 1865.
3.  Neither of these two things seem to be true.
4.  The official roster lists George T. Randall as dying on August 7, 1862, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was from River Falls, Wisconsin.

Jerry Flint letter of August 11, 1862, from the Jerry E. Flint Paper (River Falls Mss BN) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center

1862 June 4: “We have seen alike pleasant and unpleasant times”

June 4 seems to have been a busy day for letter-writing.  We haven’t heard from Jerry Flint in quite some time (April 14), and he makes up for it with a long  letter.  The original of this letter is in the Jerry E. Flint Papers (River Falls Mss BN) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, University Archives and Area Research Center.

U. S. Arsenal
Baton Rouge, La. June 4^th 1862

Dear Mother;
You are no doubt surprised that I have not written for so long a time, but the circumstances in in [sic] which we have been placed the most of the time since leaving Baltimore have rendered it very disagreeable attempting anything like writing.

I have forgotten when I wrote you last.  I think, however, not since leaving Newport News.  Since then we have seen alike pleasant and unpleasant times.  Although our regiment has not yet been in a regular pitched [battle]¹ we have heard musket balls flying around our ears, and one day cannon balls flew among us quite promisciously [sic].  But for all this Dear Mother do not be troubled for that boy Jerry is all right and never enjoyed better health than at the present time.

I presume you may have heard through other sources of the progress of our forces in this section, but it can do no harm for me to give you a little history of our travels inasmuch as the 4^th Wis. has been moving about the most of the time.  We were in New Orleans just a week when the 4th together with the 6^th Mich. recieved [sic] orders to pack up and be ready for a start.  We went on board the “Sallie Robinson” and after getting the baggage all on the order was given for the boat to head up stream.  But ill luck was in store for us.  The very first stroke of the piston rod burst the cylinder all to smash so thus we were obliged to  remain at the wharf until our baggage was transferred to another boat, which was quickly done, the Steamer “Buster” lying at hand.  Meantime the Mich men had embarked and were ready to start.  We all proceeded up the river, under command of Gen. Williams [Thomas R. Williams].  After going about 40 miles we disembarked, marched 4 miles through a cypress swamp to the Jackson and Orleans railroad, worked all night tearing up the track and destroying the tressle [sic] work along the head of Lake Ponchertrain [sic].  Having accomplished this we proceeded down the railroad 12 miles to Kenedy Station when we were met by our boats.  It being Sat. night It was concluded to remain over Sunday.  There was plenty of Secesh cattle in the vicinity so we did not suffer any for the want of fresh beef, to say nothing of the chickens and honey [unknown]² by the plants. [paragraph added]

Early Monday morning we went on board and again proceeded up the river to this place where we landed, had a jolly time looking over the arsenal grounds and examining the remains of secession in this place.  At sundown we went to the boats again, and again proceeded up river as far a[s] Natchez where we found the fleet laying at anchor.  We landed opposite the town procured annother [sic] supply of beef, stayed all night and in the evening went on again in company with the fleet to Vicksburg.  This place was found to be strongly fortified and after laying below the town three days, it was decided (for reasons which I do not understand) not to attack the place at this time, although the Officers of the gunboats declared they could silence the batterries [sic] in three hours.  We then exchanged our boat for the “Laurel Hill” another splendid steamer taken from the rebels, and started down the river again, all the gunboats except enough to protect us remaining behind.  About ten miles below Vicksburg at the little town of Grand Gulf a battery of Light Artillery rushed over the bank and opened fire upon us.  We had run so far ahead of the gunboat accompanying us that it was out of sight, so we had nothing to do but to keep straight ahead until out of range.  The balls flew thick and fast and many shots struck the boat, but strange as it seems only one man was killed.  Our boat put on all steam until it caught a gunboat which was ahead and then with them went back.  We found after reaching the place that one sloop of war and annother [sic] gunboat had arrived but the batterry [sic] had retreated.

This made no difference however the people who would allow a battery to come into their town and fire upon an unarmed vessel and at the same time clap their hands with delight and cheer them on are responsible for the act.  Grand Gulf was doomed.  The “Kineo”³ ran up before the town and pounced in a shower of shot and shell which made timbers fly most beautiffully [sic], and also made the citizens throw out their white flags in double quick.  We then went up and landed, stayed over night, borrowed a little more beef as well as some other things and left in the morning.  The Gen. informed them that if the act was ever repeated again he would burn every town on the river.

The rich and influential people have nearly all left their houses.  Their property being in the hands of overseers.

Gen. Butler [Benjamin F. Butler] is assembling quite a fence at this place but of future movements of course I know nothing.

The Arsenal grounds and buildings are the most beautiful I ever saw.

Blackberries have been ripe some time so that we are well supplied with this very delicious fruit.

The weather is dreadful hot but I suppose nothing to what it will be in July and August.  I am in hopes to be farther north before that time.  Were it not for the heat I would like this country very much.  These are some of the most magnificent residences along the banks of the river always surrounded by gardens that it makes me fairly happy to look at.  The Magnolia trees are in full bloom and the orange trees are loaded with yellow fruit although at this season it is sour.

I have recieved [sic] one letter from Phineas, one from Helen and one from Rossie written at Nashville.  Tell Phin he had not better send papers as they do not reach me.  I suppose the reason is that soldiers mails are so large that they throw out nearly all the papers.  I wish P [Phin] to write me again but do not expect much from me until the river is open so letters can go straight.  Tell Elmira that I recieved [sic] her letter the day we landed in N. Orleans,  while on board the gunboat Kineo, and that I intend to answer it soon.  Also remember me to Eunice and tell her to write.  When I write, there is so much to say that I find when done that I have a jumbled up mess, but excuse mistakes and take it for what it is worth.  Rossie writes that White is there in the Minn. 3rd.  It would be nothing strange If I should meet him yet.  There are several Vermont regiments in this division.  In one of them I found a brother of Johnathan Sumner, and a young man by the name of Abner Flint.  I believe he is a nephew of Parkers.  I cannot write any more news for our company has just come off from a two days tour of picket duty, so that I have not slept much for two nights and feel as if a little sleep wouldn’t hurt me.  Our boys are mostly in good health.

Direct to Baton Rouge,
Jerry

1.  Jerry must have forgotten a word as he went from the bottom of the first page to the top of the second page.  “Battle” seems to make the most sense.
2.  Do you know what this word is?  Don’t be confused by “tails” of letters hanging down from the line above.  The first letter is most likely an “o”—Jerry’s o’s look like e’s.

3.  The USS Kineo was launched in October 1861 and commissioned by the Navy in early February 1861. She was sent to join the forces then gathering to attack the defenses of New Orleans. The Kineo was one of the ships that battled past Forts Jackson and Saint Philip and took part in engagements at Grand Gulf on May 26.

Jerry Flint letter of June 4, 1862, from the Jerry E. Flint Paper (River Falls Mss BN) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center

1862 May 22: The 4th Wisconsin Skirmishes at Warrenton, Mississippi

A letter from Frank Harding at Vicksburg, dated May 22, 1862.  As usual, Frank’s poor penmanship and lack of punctuation make his letter difficult to read.

The “original” letter is in the Frank D. Harding Papers (River Falls Mss AB), University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center.

Vicksburg     Miss     May 22^d 1862

Dear Father,

                     I have but about five minutes to write as the boat leaves for New Orleans.  We have had but one skirmish scince [sic] we left, had but two men wounded.  We killed four of the enemy to day.  The commander at Vixburg [sic] has ordered us to either vacate the river or to suffer the consequences.  The Comodore [sic] of our fleet sent back word to him that he would show him some fun, as soon as he could get ready, and to night the attack is to commence.  The rebbels [sic] outnumber us ten to one but with our Bulldogs I think we can clean them out.  [paragraph break added]

There is but two Regiments here, the 4th [Wis.] and the 6th Michigan.  Our Boys are in rather poor health.  What they suffer from most is disentery [sic].  I have been in pretty good health.  We are very short of rations, which isn’t agreeable to most of us.  There is some talk of our going to Texas but I don’t know as there is any foundation for this report.

Give my love to mother & Diantha.  I read a bundle of papers from you to day.  Write me often.

Yours Truly
Frank

1.  In E. B. Quiner’s Military History of Wisconsin, Chapter 14 (4th Infantry), page 500, we find that on the 19th of May the 4th Wisconsin “proceeded to Vicksburg, skirmished with the enemy at Warrenton, where Sergeant Major Chittenden and Private E. R. Perry, of Company A, were wounded, being the first casualties of the regiment. Remained at Vicksburg one week, when the fleet sailed down the river, abandoning the expedition.”  Newton H. Chittenden was from Ripon. Charles Perry of Company A (from Delavan) was wounded at Warrenton, and will be discharged because of those wounds in January 1863, according to the Adjutant General’s Regimental Muster and Descriptive Rolls (Blue Books).

Frank Harding letter of May 22, 1862, from the Frank D. Harding Papers (River Falls Mss AB) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls

1862 May 14: “We succeeded in silencing forts, gunboats, rams, and everything else belonging to the rebeldom”

A letter from a soldier in the 4th Wisconsin Infantry, originally published in The Milwaukee Sentinel, was reprinted in The Hudson North Star on May 14, 1862.   The letter and a post script, written the next day, is followed by a small note in which the North Star editors comment on the contents of the letter.

Frank Harding in his letter of May 3 provides a similar, and more detailed, description of these same events.

FROM THE WISCONSIN FOURTH.

Sufferings of the Regiment—Near New Orleans.

Correspondence of the Milwaukee Sentinel.

ON BOARD STEAMSHIP COLORADO, }
North-West Pass of Mississippi, }
April 23, 1862. }

EDS. SENTINEL :—I have had little or no opportunity for writing you for many days, and what I may now write will perchance be a long while in reaching you, as our mail facilities are by no means extrordinary [sic].  We left Ship Island by the Great Republic on Thursday, the 17th ult. [April], three thousand of us stowed thickly on her decks, with few or no arrangement for comfort, or subsistence even.—Gen. Butler [Benjamin F. Butler] and New England troops preceded us, reaching the Pass and safely crossing the bar on the morning of the 8th.  We, the Northwestern troops—Fourth Wisconsin, Sixth Michigan and Thirty-first Indiana—reached the same point a few hours later, to find the water so low that we could not enter the river with our large ship, and must therefore remain outside.  And ever since we have been rolling and pitching at anchor in one of the filthiest ships I ever set foot upon, and emitting a stench from all parts of it that would knock a man down at eighty yards as surely [as] a Minnie ball.  For the purpose of lightening the ship the Fourth Wisconsin has to-day been temporarly [sic] transferred to the decks of the Steam Frigate Colorado.  A most welcome change, and in a sanitary point of view, of inestimable value to our famished, disheartened and suffering men !

We had Gen. Williams [Thomas R. Williams] and Staff on board, cozily and comfortably quartered in the saloon of the Great Republic, and quite as indifferent to our condition as they were careful for their own luxurious ease.  There are others superior in rank more in the blame—men who ought to think as much of men under their command, as of speculating out of expeditions, and of means furnished by the government for their use.  A sad story of wrong and outrage is to be told one of these days, and they of whom it shall be told had better walk right straight into perdition, than attempt to stem the flood of hot indignation they have created.  In passing, I seriously think that if the Great Republic in its present nastiness could be moored for twenty-four hours anywhere within gunshot of New Orleans, the city would of necessity be surrendered.  The “stinkpot” invention is nowhere in the comparison.  Investigation in this direction can do no harm, and may be of essential service in checking the necessary course of men, out of which grow the wrongs inflicted upon our volunteers soldiery—wrongs which are crushing out manhood, patriotism, hope, and even life itself.  From the hour we were recklessly exposed to the guns at Sewall’s Point, until we set foot on the decks of the Colorado, the Wisconsin Fourth has been subjected to ill-treatment for which there is hardly a name.  A dozen battles could not have so maimed and wrecked this fine regiment.  Our coming on board this ship is like the transition from slavery to freedom, or a blaspheming hell to a rejoicing heaven.

I cannot close this paragraph without expressing the very great obligation we are under to Lieut. Davis, Commanding, Capt. Reynolds, Lieut Boyd, and the officers generally of the Colorado, for the polite manner in which they received us, and the attention paid to our comfort.

News has just come down to us from above that the fleet will pass up to Forts Jackson and St. Philip to-night, the chains which obstructed progress having been cut.  It is also said that a deserter from Fort Jackson reports its abandonment.  This is the substance of a letter read in the ward room a few minutes since.  In the event that the last item should prove to be incorrect, nothing can prevent the forts falling into our hands.  So far, only the mortar fleet and gunboats have been employed, commencing on Thursday last ;  but now the sloop-of-war, with their heavy guns, can take part in the work of reduction, and will assuredly open the way to New Orleans.

When next you will hear from us, it will probably be somewhere in the vicinity of that city.

Our sick list is a large one, and at the present time we are not over eight hundred strong, showing a reduction of nearly one-third from our original count.  Disease, and not battle, has so thinned our ranks—sending men to their homes, to the hospital, and to the grave.

My notes of the Expidition [sic] are quite full, and you shall have them in due time.

A. C. B.

APRIL 24, 1862.

EDITOR SENTINEL :—A despatch just received from the fleet announces the reduction of Forts Jackson and St. Philip, after a bombardment of seven days.  A grand attack on the part of the entire naval force was made this morning, about 4 o’clock ;  and although encountering a terrific fire from the forts, the rebel gunboats, and a battering rain with five rafts in tow, we succeeded in silencing forts, gunboats, rams, and everything else belonging to the rebeldom, with few casualties on our side.  Taking it all in all, this is one of the most brilliant achievements of the war, and has won for our gallant navy fresh laurels.  We are to move immediately toward New Orleans.  I cannot write more now, for we are in the hurry of preparation.

A. C. B.

SOJER BOYS.—From the correspondence which we publish from the Milwaukee Sentinel, (the only advices we have from the 4th Regiment) our friends, the Hudson City Guards, are having a sorry time of it.  We hope that all that “A. B. C.” [sic] writes is not true.  

1862 March 28: “Our boys killed three aligators there last Sunday also a wild boar”

A letter from Frank Harding with the 4th Wisconsin Infantry on Ship Island, off the coast of Mississippi. As usual, his punctuation and capitalization leave much to be desired. We have added punctuation, but did not correct his spelling.

The original letter is in the Frank D. Harding Papers (River Falls Mss AB), University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Resarch Center.

Ship Island March 28^th 1862

Dear Father
                         I have a little spare time to day so I will devote it to writing to you.  I have no Idea when it will go as there has no boat left here since the Constitution.

In the first place I am well and as usual, enjoy myself prodigiously.  We have all the drilling that we want and a little more.  I went the circuit of the Island last Sunday, it is one vast land bank, it is about one half mile wide and six miles long.  on the East End are trees & swamps while on the End that we are encampt [sic] is nothing but firm white sand.  There is plenty of good water to be obtained by sinking a flour barrel but new wells have to be dug often as they get brackish after being dug a week.  The wether [sic: weather] is quite warm, we go in bathing daily.  We have for wood pitch pine regular North Carrolina [sic] such as they make turpentine from for [___].¹  We have salt pork & beef, tea an[d] coffee, split peas beans and dried corn, rice ect., ect.   at the upper end of the Island are large oyster beds but the oysters have mostly been taken out.  our boys killed three aligators [sic] there last Sunday also a wild boar.  We are in Gen Williams² brigade which consists of the 4^th Wis on the right followed by 6^th Michigan, 21^st Indianna, 26 & 31^st Mass Regts.

With the exception of the 31^st Mass Regt, they are well drilled regts as you would wish to see.  We expect to march daily, but for some reason do not.  The Gen gave orders to the  Surgeon to expect the men daily and those that was not able to march 30 miles pr [sic] day to report.  he said that we would leave the Island within ten days.  The gun boat New London yesterday had a fight with three rebel gun boats and clennd [sic: cleaned] them all out capturing a schooner that they were taking to New Orleans.  it was loaded with household goods and furniture provissions [sic].  among other traps was a very fine pianno [sic].  So we are soon to have some music.  Yesterday a flag of truce came over.  the parties bringing it were the former owners of the household goods.  they consisted of two men three women and a baby.  Gen Butler³ asked them if they intended to go back.  they told him yes.  he told them that he should be obliged to send them North.  they said that they didn’t care provided that they had pleanty [sic] to eat.  they told pity-ful [sic]  stories of Dixiey [sic] Land.  flour is worth 34 dollars pr [sic] brl [barrel] and every thing else in proportion.  they are held as prisoners of war and will not be allowed to go pack yet a while.

Our troops are not all here yet but are arriving daily.  it is impossible to tell where the strike will be made but I think at either Mobile or New Orleans.  We have had no news scince [sic] we came here ours being the last boat that left New York.  Ships are constantly arriving that have been from twenty to fifty days on the route and altho they bring mails there is none for us.  You must write often to me and if I am not a[t] Ship Island they will get to me.  be sure to find me some papers for we are destitute of reading matter here.  I received your last letter and a bundle of Newspapers on board the Constitution at Fortress Monroe the day we sailed and you may be assured that they were a treat.  tell mother I shall send her a little shell which I expect will get broken before it reaches her.

Give my love to her and Diantha.  Write me soon and believe me your Dutiful son
                                                                                                Frank Harding

1. The resin extracted from the pine trees in North Carolina provided the raw material for the naval stores industry.  Tar kept ropes and sail rigging from decaying, and pitch on a boat’s sides and bottom prevented leaking.  “Tar Heels,” as North Carolinians who worked in the “naval stores” industry were known as, manufactured turpentine for a variety of uses, including for use in lamps for lighting in the decades before the Civil War, when keronsene became widely used instead. Read more about the North Carolina naval stores industry on the North Carolina History Project website.
     The last word in that sentence is difficult to decipher.  “Fuel” would make sense, but it looks more like “feid” or “ferd,” neither of which make any sense.
2.  General Thomas R. Williams commanded the 2nd Brigade, in which the 4th Wisconsin had been brigaded. They won’t leave Ship Island until April 15.
3.  General Benjamin F. Butler was the overall army commander.

Frank Harding letter of March 28th, 1862, from the Frank D. Harding Papers (River Falls Mss AB) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls