#9 - Culpeper, VA - March 27th 1864

 
My darling Sarah,

I have just come from our prayer meeting in which we evidently had the presence of God’s Spirit. And want to spend a little time before I retire in talking to you. I have enjoyed this day far more than last Sabbath. Then it was cold and windy, so that we could have no service outdoors. The hospital was full of patients, which preventing our using that; no other could accommodate us and as a consequence we held no preaching service.

In the evening had prayer meeting at the tent of Capt. Baker. This has been a beautiful day. Brigade drill occupied the Regt. In the forenoon. At 2 ½ o’clock we went up to the theatre. About 300 came together. There were five chaplains present. The men attentive and solemn while God helped me to preach to them about “The great Bargain” from the text. “What will it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his Soul?” I urged the importance of immediate attention to the salvation of the Soul in view of what is before us in the Summer. And I sincerely trust and pray that some who heard me may lay the truths to heart.

This evening there was apparent a determination in the minds of the brethren to labor during the week for the spiritual good of their Comrades. I hope you may speedily hear that God is converting souls in the 86^th Regt. We have a meeting of all the chaplains in the Brigade tomorrow at 10 o’clock in the Commission tent. Chiefly for the purpose of providing extra services for Rgts. that are without chaplains.

Mr. Bradner preaches next Sunday. Intend to spend part of the week in preparing a Sermon on “The Unsearchable Riches of Christ.” Shall write to Presby. Intended to do so before receiving Johnson’s letter. Will write also to Mr. Ferrier and a paper for the “Amity-Chip Basket.” Am glad to hear that Willie is getting bitters. I had expected to take you all by surprise in a short 10 days’ visit the early part of next month. But an order came in yesterday allowing leaves of absence for only 3 days. So that unless I lose my health I shall not be able to see you before next winter. Good night now. I go to you in thought. Run upstairs to take a peep at the little ones and am back to go to my lonely couch.

Friday afternoon April 1^st. I carried this sheet of paper in my pocket while we were busy changing camp. Hence wrinkled and soiled.

Important changes have taken place in our Command since I wrote you on Sunday. The 3^rd Corps has been merged in the 2^nd Brigades in our Division formed from the 3^rd. And we styled the 3^rd Div. 1^st Brig. So now we are 1^st Brig., 3^rd Div., 2^nd Corp under General Hancock. I give you this for it may be useful in helping you to trace us when we move. As a consequence we moved over to the 2^nd Corps yesterday morning.

Queer moving time! Soldiers carrying everything they can to make themselves comfortable in their new quarters. I saw some with chairs & even doors on their backs. We went into the camp of a Regt. That had just left. In most cases the soldiers had only to stretch their shelter tents over the shanties & they were ready to stay. The 86^th & the 124^th lie together. We have a regular board house, roof & all, formerly occupied by the surgeon & chaplain. A heavy oak-grained door, white knobs like ours, two windows. This Rgt. had torn down a house in the neighborhood & took the materials for building. I found a good sized Chapel, no roof, however.

Went today to Brandy Station & have obtained a covering from the Commission. It is already on & we are ready for service in a church of our own. By the way -- you spoke of the Commission Tent. They have a depot for books, papers, delegates etc. at Brandy Station. Also sub-stations in most of the divisions of the Army. They put up a large canvas tent, provide benches, etc. Generally two delegates attend to it. Hold meetings every evening, singing schools & temperance meetings. During the day these delegates visit among the Rgt. That have no chaplains. At that place I get weekly a supply of religious papers for our men. They have asked me several times to preach for them. I did so one evening. On other evenings made extended remarks & spoke once in a temperance meeting. I think the Commission are doing a good work for the men.

The change of Corps will not affect the safe arrival of the box you send.

Received a letter from Celia saying they move in April to a house in 42^nd St near 10^th Avenue. And that Hobart is to be married May 25^th to a farmers’ daughter.

Read in the Orange Country paper an account of the fire at Newport. Sad accident! I feel very sorry for poor Mrs. Walting. You remember she told us with evident delight that they could now manage to keep the place & live comfortably.

I send you the photographs of Capt. Vincent [*] of our Rgt. & Chaplain Keys of the 9^th NY Cav.

I wanted the more to come home after I received yours mentioning the sickness of the children. Am anxious to learn from you concerning them. I am sending you so many cards. I hope to receive some in return soon. Paymaster still delays.

Hope I shall be able to get $50 to Peter [Peter Dowie; Sarah’s youngest brother who was about to enlist] before he leaves. Shall send it to him through Celia. Since Lucy can’t get in her house before June shan’t I send my resignation to take effect June 18^th instead of May 1^st? You know my leave of absence extends to that time. I will leave a blank and you can tell Mr. Ferrier (to whom I will send it) to fill it with May or June.

I wish William [William Dowie, Sarah’s brother, who also served in the Civil War] could arrange to come to New York for his spring business in time to accompany and help you in your journey. I hope to receive a letter from you tonight. This has been a fickle April day. Beautiful this morning. Rainy this afternoon.

For the past two hours I have felt that I would like very much to be home. I want to see and talk with you and Lulu and Satie and Harry. I realize as never before how much I am dependent on you for happiness. There is much of novelty here … and friendship and kindness. But no such loving hearts as I find in my own quiet home. The greatest sacrifice that we make is this separation from home.

My dear little girls. I can’t find a flower yet to send you. It may be that the primroses will be out before the wildflowers are here. I will send you the first I find. Was very sorry to hear that you had such a cold. I trust God will keep you well and safe till I return. Goodbye and write me one of your good letters. I don’t know but that the best thing in the box that you send will be a letter to me.

Sarah-You can say to Mr. Ferrier that he may sell Charlie [the horse at home] for whatever he will bring. I shall be fully satisfied with whatever he owes in the matter.

With much love

your Henry

*Some details here - including the image above - about Capt. Nathan Vincent:

http://www.angelfire.com/ny4/djw/86th.vincent.html

Letter #8 – Culpeper, VA

NOTE: This letter conveys so well the great acceptance that most children of that time (and all time, for all we know, up until the last 100 years or so) will not outlive their parents. By this time it probably was clear to HJA that he himself might not make it home to see little Harry grow up. Understandable, then, that the special intensity of a father cherishing a son also comes across, and so I have included here an 1898 photo of “little Harry” as a grown man with one of his own sons, my grandfather, Roger Dowie Acker. 

Harry Sherwood Acker was not quite 11 years old when HJA passed away. It seems clear, though, in the trajectory of little Harry's life, that this radiant love from his father served him well. He was – lucky for all of us descendants! - the only one of HJA's five children to bring his own children into the world.

To our little Harry on his first Birth-day, March 12th, 1864.

This beautiful weather chimes well with my feelings. How could I fail to be happy. A year ago our little boy was born. Conflicting thoughts & emotions were crowded in the hours of that day. Anxiety-for life & health, joy at present safety. Delight over the birth of a son. To-day in calmness I review the past year and build castles for the future. During the year uninterrupted health has been granted to you, Harry, so that from a wee bit of a baby you have grown steadily upward into a fine walking, laughing, prattling boy. Your little body has grown. You are taller, heavier & stronger. Your mind has grown. You notice much, have learned much. Your heart has grown. You love your Mama, Papa, Lulu & Satie. Little by little you have fastened yourself in our hearts so that now words could not express our love for you. How lonely we would be without our Harry. How sad for many, many days if you should be taken from us.

What will this year bring forth? I am content to trust God for your health. Mama & sisters will try to teach you many things. How nicely you will run out during the warm days of Summer. I imagine you walking with Lulu & Satie in the fields where Mama & I used to pick berries and by the running stream where we loved to sit & talk before any little girls & boy came to sheer our hearts. Your papa will see but little of you probably during this your 2^nd year. Yet thoughts & imagination will be busy every day about you. And with Mama & Sisters to tell me about you it would be strange if I did not keep pretty good track of you.

In you I hope to live over again my life, school days, college days & all. I hope it may be a life of more progress & greater attainments. What kind of boy will you be? Disposition? Capacities? In what will you naturally take in the way of trade or profession? Time will show. If you only early become one of God's children I am willing to risk other matters. I trust that your next birthday may find us all together in some quiet home.

From your Papa in the Army near Culpeper, Va.

My dear Sarah,

This is a blue Monday for me. A bright sun but chilly March wind. Yesterday we had a division review at 10 o'clock which occupied us till 1 o'clock. At 2 ½ PM the men came together for service. Chaplain Bradner gave us a good sermon from the text “Behold now the goodness & severity of God.” Read it holding a thick book in his hand. We gave notice of a regimental prayer meeting in the evening after our style. I think he is now fairly started in a better course. We have agreed to continue preaching on alternate Sabbaths.

I wish you would ask someone to trip our grapevines. It should be done this month, I think.

Have you been able to obtain any place wherein to stow our goods? Think you had better take one of the strongest boxes for the minerals. If properly nailed it would stand safely in the barn. There is need of care in packing – especially the crystals. Wrap well in paper.

We are likely to be paid off now any day and I think by recovering up debts and probable expenses for the next two months that we shall have $100 to invest. Have concluded to send to Will until he has $1000. And perhaps longer. I wish you would send me in your next what amount I had better send you in addition to the $50 to be paid Mr. Rowhe. The horse cannot bring less than $75. If I were sure of his sale I could calculate better.

I rec'd your letter last night and a good one from the little girls. I don't know what to t think of Harry's mischievous pranks. If you send him down to me I think he would not feel quite as lively. So you too are having a Spring. I guess Lulu that you use acorns for birds' eggs. We have no eggs. The Sutter charges 4 cents a dozen for them. I have eaten them twice away from home.

You speak of sending a box next week. Perhaps you remember how I urged in my lecture the doing this. But when I think how much better I fare than the common soldier – better even than any Officer, for I am invited to a share of nearly every box that comes – I feel that I do not deserve a box to myself. Yet it will be welcome. And nothing need be lost. I do not need any article of clothing. You might put in the boots of which I wrote in my last. Norman Waring asked as a favor that he be told when you send a box for he wanted to send a boiled ham. So please tell him there could be nothing better in a box. So good to take on marches. Only not too much fat. If Lulu & Satie want to help they might pick out some walnut meat for Papa.

I am enjoying good health. Was never better. No dyspepsia. No lung cold. Mrs. Harrower broke that up for me with Ayre's Cherry Pectoral. Yesterday Capt. Harrower received a commission as Colonel of 161^st Regt. NY Vol. We will leave in a few days. I rejoice at his future but regret to lose so good a friend from the Regt. He will give the Officers a supper before he leaves.

I send you the cards of Lt. Bastle & wife. Good pious man. Don't care so much for wife but he wanted them to go together.

I scarcely know what you want from the Army for your paper. Yet will try to prepare something for you before the week closes. Who attended the final meetings? And who will be at the Parsonage tonight for that purpose? I dreamt last night that I was taken prisoner while driving you and Harry thru the enemy country. Was glad to find myself in bed all night when I awoke.

Mr. Ross owes me a coat of paint on my wheelbarrow. Please say to him that he can paint it now & keep it for sale. It should bring near $5 which is the price I paid for it. The 2 Chaplains of the Maine Regt. and also Chaplain Bradner have been to call. The latter is in a great deal nowadays.

Good Bye now for another week. But before I leave let me say mark the box plainly “86^th Regt. New York Vol. 3^rd Corps. 1^st Div. 2^nd Brigade.”

Also on your letter write out New York in full. NY is sometimes taken for N. J. Even P.V. Are sometimes sent to us instead of Pennsylvania.

Much love for you all at home. No day is so fully occupied but that I think often of you. You about your household duties & the children playing in or out doors. Remember me kindly to all friends,

In Love your Henry.

Camp at Culpeper, VA - March 3, 1864

My dear little Girls Lulu & Satie,

I call my horse "Billy Brown" - Billy because I think that is the next best name to "Charlie" [the name of their horse at home] & "Brown" because he is somewhat brown in Color, and I think it jingles well with Billy. I hope one of these days you may see “Billy Brown” because he is my good friend. And I know you will like him for being good to me. He has just brought me back from the place where men try to shoot us. I will tell you about the long ride I took on his back.

Last Saturday morning about 5'olk, long before you had opened your eyes, all the soldiers in our division were up eating their breakfast, & packing up their blankets, & filling leather bags, called knapsacks, with food enough to last them five days. They took their guns & powder & balls enough to shoot 40 times.

All these things, blankets, tents, food, powder & balls they carried on their backs & their guns on their shoulders. I harnessed Billie just as I use to harness Charlie when I wanted to ride on his back. Behind the saddle are fastened two bags of leather, one to hang down a little ways on each side. These are called saddle bags. In the bags I put the nice walnut cakes which Mama made, a loaf of bread cut in four pieces, and about 20 hard soda biscuits which soldiers call “hard tack.”

awful stuff! more about it here: http://cecomhistorian.armylive.dodlive.mil/category/civil-war/

 I rolled up two blankets in my rubber blanket called a “poncho” and strapped the bundle behind the saddle. Then fastened the spurs on my heels which I use instead of a whip to make Billy go. Put on my overcoat & gloves & was ready.

At 6 ½ 'oclk the drums & fifes began to make good music calling the soldiers together. And away we marched, tramp, tramp, tramp. Billy liked the music & wanted to go sideways. Soon we could see other men in Regiments hastening from different quarters. And they came together in a large field about 5000 men. Then they formed into one line, four men side by side & so moved off. By this time the sun was up & it was a pretty sight. This long line stretching over the hills, the light reflected from their guns.

By & by we came to a village about as large as Warwick called Culpeper. We passed thru the streets, flags flying, drums beating & the soldiers marching in a proud style. On we went past scattered farmhouses deserted or in ruins. At last we saw a collection of houses, just nine. I asked a Negro woman what place they called it and she said “James City.” Two miles farther on we stopped in a field and the soldiers commenced making coffee.

We were told that we should stay there all night. It was 2 ½ 'oclk. But our regiment was told to go about one mile farther, on picket. That is we were to keep watch while the rest slept, that the enemy could not hurt them. Our soldiers were placed in this way:

The straight marks on top stand for soldiers on guard in sight of each other. The next are the different companies each by itself. The house[*] is the one in which the Colonel & his staff including myself staid. Our horses were tied to peach trees near the house.

We made a large fire in the fireplace & after eating our supper of coffee & bread lay down on the floor to sleep. As it was my first night so near the enemy it could not be expected that I would sleep well and I didn't. I slept with one eye & one ear open. Heard every scratch of a noise. As the night was very dark I imagined how easily 20 men could walk through the line, surround the house, seize the horses & kill or capture us all. The Colonel & Major too I noticed were restless. I was glad when morning came. After eating breakfast of coffee & bread I saddled Billy & rode out with the Colonel along the whole picket line to see that the soldiers were all doing their duty. Then we rode over to the camp & took dinner of coffee & bread with Col. Cummings. In the afternoon we pitched quoits a long while for it was a beautiful day & we had nothing to do or read. In the afternoon some men brought us plenty of fresh beef just killed. And we made our supper of coffee, bread & beef.

That night I slept well & dreamt of home til 3 'oclk when a soldier who had been watching our horses pulled my toes and asked what time it was. I found it was snowing and the day proved to be cold & rainy. We staid in the house walking about & telling stories. The next also I slept well and early in the morning a man came & told us to get ready to go back to camp. At 7 'oclk we were on the road & found the whole division moving off in line toward our old camp. The sun rose clear & soon melted the snow & ice. The mud became deep & yet the soldiers marched on, tramp, tramp, tramp. During the night the rain had frozen icicles on the trees & they looked like strings of diamonds glistening in the sun. The road led over hills & through woods. And Billy carried me along nicely so I think I never enjoyed a ride more. At 2 ½ 'oclk we arrived in our camp tired & hungry & so ended my first march with Billy.

Friday

Today a Rgt. went home and we have moved into their shanties. Very nice ones. Quarter Master & I have the best tent & now feel very much at home. The sides of our house are covered with pictures. The men come in to look at them.

I received Mama's last letter which told me, Satie, that you were so badly burned & that you wanted your dear papa to sleep with you that night. How I did wish I could get right by you & I think we would both have felt better. I have been looking for some little wildflowers to send you but they have not peeped out yet. In Culpeper I saw beautiful yellow daffodils. As they were over a fence in a garden I could not get any.

I wish you would tell Harry, Lulu, that I am glad he loves his little sisters so much & tries to comfort them when they feel badly. I hope he may grow fast & be a real good boy. You will have to teach him to be good. Today I have been a good while with a poor sick man, one of the Captains. I expect I shall go to Washington with him in a few days. I hope you will soon write me a good long letter. Many kisses for my little girls & boy from

Your Papa

Photo is probably the actual house [*] mentioned and depicted in HJA's sketch above, with what could be peach trees in the grove to the right. (Source: http://www.old-picture.com/theme-index-001.htm)

My dear Sarah,

You may read all the news in the children's letter, and there is not much else in that line to give you. Owing to the march I could not preach last Sabbath. We now lie side by side with the 124^th and for the purpose of drawing out their Chaplain I have arranged with him to have a union service for 2 Sabbaths. On Sunday I preach & he takes the other exercises. The Sunday after Vice Versa.

I send the cards of Sergeant Major (sitting), a fine, pious man, and 1^st Lt. Therber of Capt. Harrower's Co. Shall gradually secure the whole number of Officers. Did I send Capt. Gault's in my last? He is now sick. I wish Mr. Ferrier would sell my horse at the first opportunity. I shall write him soon. I wish you would write Celia [his sister] or Ma. They feel anxious to know of your welfare & doings. Expect to hear from you tonight. Your letters are stimulating & comforting.

With much love,

Your Henry

Marshall House, Alexandria, VA - Feb. 25, 1864

My dear Sarah,

We left Elmira Monday 22^nd at 2'oclk P.M. I spent one eve. With Quarter Master at Corning and from Friday to Monday noon with Capt. Harnower at Lawrenceville. Enjoyed the visits much, especially the latter. Preached my war discourse Sunday Eve'g. & secured a library for my Regt. Had just concluded to come home on Friday when I was prevailed upon to go into Pennsylvania instead. Took dinner & tea with a couple of Swans, cousins of Swan in Amity & relations of the Owens introduced by Norman. One is an Insurance Agent, the other a merchant. Both doing a good business. Went with the family of the latter in the evening to hear John Gough lecture on “Peculiar People.” Sarah and William stopped with them about a week last summer.

Came near selling my horse for $125. But concluded to keep him. He had improved so much that I could not ride him till the groom has sobered him in a two miles ride. Had to pay $1 a day for his keeping. The Commission of Govt. Oats & Hay paid all but $20 of his bill. Arrived at Washington yesterday at 3 olk. P.M. Came here this morning. Leave at 6 olk. Tomorrow morning for the front. The Rgt. only 200 stronger than when we came home. Held religious services in the barracks this evening and am now about going to bed probably for the last comfortable snooze till next winter.

Capt. Todd & I sleep in No. 7 which was the bedroom of Jackson, out of which he came when he shot Ellsworth. If he comes to claim his bed tonight I will give him a piece of my mind. You know he was immediately shot by Ellsworth's men. Could not get my pay in Washington. Our paymaster being now in the army. Will probably be paid by the middle of next month.

One of our men took from the letter box in Elmira a letter for me but not expecting to see me re-mailed it “Washington.” It will probably be awaiting me in the front. Am anxious to hear from you all. Have been a little troubled about Harry & Satie's health. Should like to see you all tonight. But will keep up good courage till Providence opens the way for a return to you. Saw Waterbury, Thompson, Jas & Wm. Sly in Goshen. They were waiting at Depot to see me as the train went by. May God keep you safely & prosper you in everything good, is my daily prayer & a wish that finds silent utterance in all my thoughts of you.

Kind remembrance to friends

Your Henry

NOTE: Some cool info & images like the one below about Marshall House here:

http://www.coincommunity.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=82420

Brandy Station, VA - Dec. 28, 1863 (#5)

Sarah Booth Dowie Acker - 1830-1909

My dear Sarah,

I rec'd your letter yesterday noon, soon after the close of service. Felt much releaved when I read that Lucy is with you. If Genie comes too I shall feel that you may get along quite well without “the man of the house.” But what if the man should come also! Of this there is now pretty fair probability. I have delayed exciting any expectations lest the whole matter should fail. But now it is decided that our Regiment will in a few days be ordered to Elmira to have furloughs of 35 days and after that time to spend 3 months recruiting. An order came two weeks ago, asking for “Veteran Volunteers,” that is for the 3 yrs. men to re-enlist for 3 yrs. Offering if  ¾ of any Regt. should thus enlist to send them home as soon as the nec. Papers are made out. The Officers in the 86^th immediately commenced work and we find that nearly all the men are ready to re-enlist. The inducements are 1) to get home, 2) to get the large bounties offered to veterans, amounting in some localities to $1300, 3) to help finish up the war.

I have been very busy for some time helping to make out the multitude of nec. papers. “Musters out” “Musters in” “Old discharges” “New Furloughs” “Pay rolls” “Final Statements” &C &C of each man. The Colonel is busy to-night signing these. A muster-in Officer will probably be here on Wed. to muster in the men as Veteran Volunteers. The next day they will be paid off. And on Friday or Saturday we expect to leave for Elmira. Yet it may be a month before we all get away. I will write you again before I see you. In the meantime better not send any more letters to me here. In case of necessity send one here and also one to Elmira and I will be likely to get one. Can't tell how long we may be obliged to remain at Elmira before obtaining a leave of absence.

Friends in this & the 124^th consider me quite fortunate in becoming a Veteran in forty days & enjoying his privileges. I must confess that I exceedingly rejoice at the turn affairs have taken. Altho I had prepared myself to endure all that might be required during the winter here I am none the less willing to spend at least a part of that winter more comfortably & nearer home.

It is known here that 33,000 out of this Army of 75,000 have re-enlisted for 3 yrs. Who, in the face of such facts, will dare to say that the soldiers are tired of, & dissatisfied with, the war?

My Chum, the Quarter Master will come home to-night. He has been home on a furlough of 10 days. Col. Cummings & Capt. Benedict are back. They have been in to call. Yesterday was rainy. Held very interesting services morning & eve. In the Commissary tent. Preached on “Prodigal Son.” Wrote Mrs. Church & Mr. Wilcox last week.

Now with your Christmas tree? At one time I thought we might get away so that I could just have time to come as Santa Claus Christmas Eve to my little girls & boy. And I am sure I felt like bringing on my back a good large bundle for them. How grand it would have been, after filling stockings & shoes & boots, to run upstairs & pull all your toes to wake you up even at night to see Kris Kringle & what he had brought. I have been interrupted by Capt. Meips of the 124^th & a couple of our men. It is now 11 o'clk. The bugles & drums have long ago sounded the “Tatoo” for bed. So I will bid you all good night. Hoping to see you before many nights are past. Quarter Master has just now come. Hear that we will not get off till next week. Have very cold weather. Well now you need not send names of couples &C.

Love to all,

Your Henry