4 pages, 5 x 8, in ink, written by Abram Bogart, to his wife, with the original envelope, C.D.S. Port Royal, SC, Jul. 25/64, with 3 cents George Washington postage stamp, addressed to Mrs. Abram Bogart, Masonville, Delaware Co., N.Y.
July 22/64, Hilton Head, S.C.
Dear Wife and Children,
Dear, it is with pleasure that I send a few lines to you to let you know that I am in the land of the living, and in good spirits yet, and hope you are the same though I don't hear from you in some time. There is not much news here at present, but there is talk of another raid in a few days from here, but there is nothing certain about it. There has [been] one died from Co. B that was wounded in the last raid and the rest are on the gain. We have commenced building barracks here now, but I don't think that we shall finish them for I don't think we shall stay so long in one place, but some think that we shall winter here, and I am sure I don't care where we stay for it is the same to me whether on the march or in camp. If I can hear that you are all well at home so you must write as often as you can, and tell [me] what the neighbors are doing if you can for I should like to hear what is going on around there, and tell James to write if he can, or send me a weekly paper instead for they come right through when sent from the North. Today is Monday the 25th of July, and the same monotony in camp as usual is the case. I want you to take good care of the children, and not send Cassie to school when she is not well enough to stand it for you know that they are all in this world and they are entrusted to your care, and comfort now and you must be their guardian while on earth and if they are called by death you will know that it is all right, and also take care of yourself for it is better to live in poverty than in contentions, and the way of the wicked for their paths are strewn with thorns, and a contented mind is a continual feast no matter what our rations are. If it is a cup of water and dry hardtack and raw meat. Well you must excuse me for not write more for I don't know how you will like this for I am bothered with the sun headache, and can't think what to write. Ever yours as true as the sky is blue.
Abram Bogart
Light age toning and wear. Typical misspelling. Very fine content.
Abram Bogart, was born in 1825 in Catskill, Greene County, New York. He enlisted on August 15, 1862, at Sidney, Delaware County, New York, for a period of three years, and was mustered in to the 144th New York Infantry Regiment, Company I, on September 27, 1862. He was transferred to Company K, on October 16, 1862. He mustered out with his company on June 25, 1865, at Hilton Head, S.C. After the war he returned home where he worked as a farmer with his wife Mary, and their three children.
The 144th New York Infantry recruited in Delaware County, was mustered into the U.S. service on September 27, 1862.
It left New York on October 11th, 956 strong, and was stationed in the defenses of Washington at Upton's Hill, Cloud's Mills and Vienna until April, 1863.
It was then assigned to the Department of Virginia, and assisted in the defense of Suffolk, Va., during Longstreet's siege of that city. In May, it joined the 7th corps at West Point, Va., and shared in the demonstration against Richmond.
In July, it was assigned to the 2nd brigade, 1st Division, of the 11th Corps. This division was detached from its corps on August 7th, and ordered to Charleston harbor, S.C., where during the fall and winter of 1863 the regiment was engaged at Folly and Morris islands, participating with General Quincy A. Gillmore's forces in the siege of Fort Wagner, and the bombardment of Fort Sumter and Charleston.
In February, 1864, the regiment served in the 1st brigade, 10th Corps, and was engaged at Seabrook and John's Islands, S. C. It was then ordered to Florida, where it was chiefly engaged in raiding expeditions, and was active in the action at Camp Finnegan. It returned to Hilton Head in June; was active at John's Island in July, losing 13 killed, wounded and missing. They then served in General Potter's Brigade of the Coast division, and participated in the movements of General Sherman, fighting at Honey Hill, and Deveaux Neck.
Its casualties at Honey Hill were 108 and at Deveaux Neck, 37 killed, wounded and missing. Lieutenant James W. Mack, was killed in action, at Honey Hill. Attached to the 3rd separate brigade, District of Hilton Head, it was heavily engaged at James island, S.C., in February, 1865, losing 44 killed, wounded and missing.
In the fall of 1864, the ranks of the regiment were reduced to between 300 and 400 men through battle and disease, and it was then recruited to normal standard by one year recruits from its home county. The regiment was mustered out at Hilton Head, S.C., June 25, 1865, under command of Colonel Lewis. It lost by death during service 40 officers, and men, killed and mortally wounded; 4 officers and 174 enlisted men died of disease and other causes; for a total of 218.
Source: The Union Army, Vol. 2.
|