Letter #4 - Brandy Station, VA - Dec. 20, 1863

My dearest Sarah,

I have tried above to sketch my Wigwam. But it is new business & almost a failure. In figure I. the line CH ought not to appear. Hence Fig. II. CBDHOP is a wall tent made of strong canvas. In summer the bottom OP is fastened by pegs to the ground. Ropes from DH are attached to poles driven in the ground a few feet from the tent. Two upright posts from CB to the ground support a horizontal pole CB. Now for winter use we log up EOPI & set the tent on top. Gives more room, the lowest part higher than my head. In addition are log up HIGK. Run a pole from B to A on the upright VA. Over this stretch what is here called a fly tent or A tent, a small tent used by Captains & Lieutenants. The crevices between logs are filled with mud and the tent nailed securely to the top log.

The Quartermaster & I have separate beds. In figure IV. his is at C. mine at B. Cook sleeps away. Mine is made of boards raised up from the ground on poles. I sleep warm, no cold feet except one or two nights. F is fireplace of brick. Seldom smokes. Takes large logs & gives good heat. D is Desk. F Table for eating. I am now writing by it because nearest to the fire. Pretty cold today. We have had severe rain storms but none beats through. No snow yet. Tell Lulu it did not rain here on your rainy Sunday. On the contrary so warm & pleasant the men sat outdoors an hour & a half while we had service. This is the coldest day we have had. Preached in the Commissary's tent from Acts 5:31. More than half of the Regiment is off on Picket duty. And nearly all the remainder on Brigade Guard so that but few were left for worship - mostly Officers.

[sideways on the page] Love to you all. Lulu hurry up your letter. Awaiting it.

The surgeon of the 124^th was over. I take breakfast with him tomorrow. Have just been in to see two men sick in one tent. One will probably soon die. Has just given his heart to God & feels prepared & resigned. Has a wife and 3 children. They expect him home on a sick leave.

Monday. The soldier is dead. We will bury him this PM. I shall immediately write a letter to his wife. He has been sick since the middle of June & it is a burning shame that a furlough could not be obtained. Chaplain Bradner will probably go home to-day. It is about time for his application for a leave of absence to be returned approved. Only 10 days are allowed. I shall try to get home in March or April. All officers are mustered in for 3 yrs. none less. The probability is that all will be mustered out the 1^st Oct. at which time the Rgt. Goes out. Eighty of the Rgt. have re-enlisted. They will soon go home on a furlough of 30 days.

When you send a box, get the box of marking ink at the store & mark my name plain with my office - 86^th Rgt. Army of the Potomac. The boxes of privates are opened - Officers not. I am in need of nothing that I now know of. You will have seen Charly Bull by this time. I wish you all a Merry Christmas. Hope Santa Claus will be good to our little girls & boy. I really hope Lucy is with you now. I think you did wrong in staying alone. A couple of weeks of school would not be so much a matter to Ellen as safety to you & children.

I have written to Mrs. Church. The sermon she sent was a poor affair. One of the men washes for me at the rate of 3 pieces for 25 cents. We get the daily papers quite regularly in Camp. Would like to get a #5 library for the men if you would like to collect it from your visitors. I don't want my circulars. Wish you would send me in your next a card of about 2 dozen postage stamps. I am entirely out & must borrow for this. I feel very sad over the death of Bovine [the name of the soldier mentioned earlier]. Am glad I was permitted to direct him to a Saviour. How terrible for his family to receive my letter instead of their father and husband. We will bury him in a beautiful pine knoll. Have received Mr. Ferrier's letter. Will write today to Ostner and Jimy Layton who is about to join the Church

I received your good long letter Saturday night. Had been long awaiting it. Be more careful in making 86^th Regt. That is the most important next to my name.

Letter #3 - Brandy Station, VA - Dec. 7, 1863

My darling,

You are far, far away. Yet scarcely for an hour absent from my mind. It is a comfort to run over, miser fashion, the list of my treasures. Sarah, Lulu, Satie & Harry. Your letter on my birthday contained some new and true thoughts which were cheering and food for after thought. I will mark my slippers as you propose & so long as they last be thankful to the donor. Spent the 29^th in Washington. Attended Dr. Orlando’s Church. In his absence heard an indifferent preacher. On Wednesday Eve I went to a prayer meeting in the same church and made some remarks and received encouragement and some warm prayers in my behalf.

On Friday afternoon we recd papers to go to the Army. The next day left Washington at 9 ½ o’clock PM and arrived at Brandy about dark. Found my Regt. after a walk of a mile and a half. The Officers and men seemed glad to see me. I slept that night in the QuarterMaster’s tent. He is a lawyer from Corning, NY. Said the Colonel said I could tent with him. Think I shall like the arrangement. He has charge of the Wagons, Horses, food and tents, clothing, & c of the Rgt. We can have more conveniences carried than any of the Officers. They have put me up a small bed raised from the ground & covered with cedar boughs which the men call Virginia feathers. I put my cork bed on that & have slept quite well. Yet would like to be near my little bedfellow. To-day a company of men detailed by the Col. For that purpose are putting us up a log cabin. It is surprising to a novice how comfortable these are made. The room is made about 12 ft. square. Cracks filled with mud which here in Virginia is a regular mortar. Above it they put a tent for a roof. A good chimney & fireplace is soon built of stone. Some have floors, the boards taken from some torn down house. The Surgeon is to room with us-a fine young man. A private to cook completes our Mys.

Had for dinner today Beef Steak, Roasted Potatoes, Bread, Coffee, Sugar & condensed milk. Have had Pork & beans. Cook says he is going to make an apple pudding tomorrow. Sunday was a cold, windy day. Had no worship outdoors. On dress parade I was introduced to the Rgt. By the Col. And I made a few remarks to the Officers and men. Held a prayer meeting in the Eve. In one of the tents. They will be held daily.

Was mustered into the U.S. service today for 3 yrs or sooner discharged. My muster-in pay dating Nov. 27^th which was the day I appeared at Washington ready for duty. So now I am a regular soldier boy. Think I shall like camp life & work. The probabilities are that the Army will fall back to Manassas or Centerville & go into Winter Quarters. I find that it will be almost impossible to obtain on any consideration a leave of absence before Spring. Hope to hear soon that Lucy & Genie are with you.

My little pets. Lulu & Satie. Papa is right among the men who fight and he will try to teach them to be good & to do good. I am glad that you pray for me and ask God to keep me alive. When the birds come back from the South in the spring I guess I will come . Then you will all be larger & Harry will run to the door to meet me. You won’t cry so hard when I come as when I went. I pray for you every day. Be good girls and help Mama and I expect to get Lulu’s letter soon.

Sarah write me soon whatever in house or parish would interest. Am not very sorry squirrel is dead. Less trouble. Your Henry.

Letter #2 - Washington, DC - Dec. 4, 1863

My dear Sarah,

I have received my pass to go to the Army tomorrow morning (Saturday). I have been compelled to spend just a week in Washington uselessly. Yet am glad that release comes so soon. The Army is back again in its old quarters this side of the Rapidan. In its last battle the Colonel of my Regiment, Higgins, was badly wounded. Report has it that he has since died. I am anxious to be at work---improving this beautiful weather. I know not how it is with you but here the air is warm & balmly like May.

I received today $50 from Peter by Express. Hope Lucy [Sarah's older sister] will be with you soon. And I trust that we shall both spend a profitable winter. The probabilities are that The Army will now go into Winter Quarters.

I expected a letter from you to-day. Am anxious to know just how matters are progressing with you. Tell Lulu [eldest daughter] it is almost time for her first letter. Say to Satie [younger daughter] I have not been compelled to lie out of doors, tho' many a night I would have given much to have my little bedfellow. I dreamt of Harry [his infant son] last night. That I had put him in a sleigh & pushing him quickly he fell off & hurt his head. How much I would like to see you all tonight. I am in a 'snug' room. Have spent most of the day here preparing an Article for the Evangelist - which see &C &C. [?]

I have written to Mr. Ferrier the minutes of Lipine &C. I will write you again from the field. Don't fail to look at meat barrels to see if the brine is well above the boards. I somewhat expect that the beef barrel may leak at first.

Any more to add to Donation? Good Night, now, loved ones. We shall enjoy the more meeting after a long unpleasant separation.

Kind remembrance to all,

Your Henry

[a postscript] I send you leaves picked from the estate of Rebel General Lee, where a contraband camp is now formed on Arlington Heights.

About Henry J

Henry Jacob Acker (HJA) was born in Catskill, NY on November 29, 1833. We know nothing about his early years, but he graduated from Williams College in 1855, his Oration title “Luxury – Its proper Uses and Limit.” He then pursued theological studies at the Union Seminary, and was married to Sarah Booth Dowie of Andes, NY in 1857. 

HJA's ministerial duties took him first to Greenport, Long Island (1859), and then to the Presbyterian church in Amity, NY. His obituary entry in the Williams College annals says that the Amity church “was favored with a precious and extensive revival which served to make strong the attachment of pastor and people.” 

In October 1863 HJA was drafted into the Union Army. According to the practice of the time, the church elders offered to pay the $300 necessary to release him from the draft, but he refused. He entered the 86^th NY Volunteers in November of 1863 and served until March of 1865. There is a good deal of evidence suggesting that he contracted the tuberculosis that eventually did him in during his military service, but his widow Sarah was never able to prove this, despite her lifelong attempts to secure the pension due her. 

After the war, HJA went to work for the American Tract Society as District Secretary for Connecticut and Rhode Island. “But his heart yearned for the work of the ministry,” and in 1869 he became the pastor of the Presbyterian church in Pleasant Valley, NY, which today remains a vibrant congregation. 

HJA died on January 1, 1874, just months before his fifth child, Margaret Kate Acker, who lived to be 100 years old, would be born. He is buried in the Pleasant Valley church cemetery; the stone marking his grave reads: “A tribute of affection to our pastor by his loving people.” 

Below - Scans of HJA's 1865 diary. The April entries report on his symptoms of tuberculosis.

 

First Letter

Washington, DC

Nov. 29^th 1863

My dear Sarah,

I am spending my 30^th birthday in our National Capital instead of the camp as I had expected. The probabilities are that I may be compelled to remain here some days. But I will go back and write up.

After leaving you I had a sad enough ride to Warwick. Found Mr. & Mrs. Bull there waiting. He took me up to have a farewell oyster stew as there were about 20 minutes time & the Conductor promised to wait. In getting on the cars the president of the [?], Mr. Burt, put in my hand $2 saying he was not able to get up to our party. Arrived home [NYC] at 10:30. Found Celia gone to the Museum. Concluded to go directly to bed & make up for lost time [two little scribble notations suggest he is alluding to “activity” that kept him up the night before].

Pa is suffering very much with his eye. The Doctor told Mrs. Engler that he would never see again. Saw Peter [Sarah's younger brother] in the morning. Little Peter and Jonas came down on Monday. Say Aunt Lucy [Sarah's oldest sister ] will come in two weeks. Peter did not know yet what to do with Jonas. Will decide I suppose before Lucy comes. I told him we were willing to receive him, have him go to school, help a little about house, but said nothing about board.

Bought my outfit as follows: 1 Cork bed, 1 poncho (a square piece of rubber cloth with a hole to slip over the head), 1 rubber blanket, 1 rubber air pillow, thick high boots, liquorice, gum arabic, Brown's troches. Whole amt. $22. Paid ABC F.M. [?] $24 & left 10 at home. Could not settle the other two bills. If they are ever sent to you inform me.

Ma gave me two dark woolen blankets and I left mine. Started for Washington with the 7 ½ evening train. Arrived at 6'oclk in the morning of Saturday. Obtained my pass for the “front” altho none know where the front was, the army having moved on Thursday.

It rained hard & we had a dismal, unsafe ride to Rappahannock Station on the river of that name. The cars went no farther. A small company of men was there to guard the road. They knew nothing of the Army. A number of Officers who had come in two days before were waiting to return. The Cars were to return immediately & I had to go 1 ½ miles farther to obtain a pass to return. I had secured, on the upward passage the “good will” of the Conductor, chiefly by means of some of the sandwiches you had put up. And he promised to wait 15 minutes for me. Off I started thru mud & mire. Borrowed a horse of a man & rode rapidly. Obtained my pass, jumped on board & off we went. Arrived at the St. Charles 10'oclk tired & touchy, uncertain what to do. The Army may be getatable in two or three days, it may be as many weeks. In the meantime my small allowance goes at the rate of $2 per diem unless I can find cheaper lodgings. To go to New York would be equally costly. Am not mustered in. It has to be done in the field since my Regiment is there. Have concluded to send to Peter for some money - Churchtime. [top of page 1] Saint Charles Hotel, Cor 3^rd St. & Penn Ave., Washington. 

I will write you as soon as anything [decisions?] . Should like to see you & my dear little girls & boy. May God bless and keep you. Many kisses for you all. [No space left on the page for “Your Henry.”]