Robert Pratt Collection
Hagerstown MD
Dear brother Sid,
I have wrote you once before this and not heard from you since. But I want to when the mail comes. We not got any mail for over a week. I do not know the reason. You see by the heading that we are in Hagerstown MD. We are encamped about one mile from the town. In a good camp, there is no troops here except our brigade. We hope that we may stay here for a while. But do not know if we will. This is a very pretty place with about 8,000 inhabaters I believe. I is 6 miles from Williamsport, which is on the river. There is from 70 to 100 men that go to Hagerstown everyday to guard things. We are going to draw new clothes in a day or two. The weather is pretty warm, we have to drills a day. The boys are all well. I do not know when we will get our pay. I think I will wait till we get payed off. I think it will not be a great while. And then I will send you a order for 40 dollars. I have not got my box yet. But will probably get it in a day or two as I have wrote for it. There is no news here at all. George Briggs got here the other day. Sid, send me 5.00 dollars. I want to get a pair of boots this fall and I would rather get them here than send home for them. I might not get them in two months. If I waited till pay day, I would have six dollars. Which in none too much to spend for little things necessary, for two months. You never told me what you did with what money you have drawn. Do what you please with it, only I would like to know whether you left it in the bank, used it or put it our or in. I you need it, use it as if it was your own. Do you draw the state pay all right. I see the papers talk of peace. I honestly hope it may come, but I am afraid it will not. Write soon.
From your bro,
Rob
Camp Holbrook, St. Albans
September 15, 1861
Brother Sidney,
This is sunday, but there is no sunday here. We have been to breakfast and got all we wanted. We had coffee, bread, and butter, and bee soup and it tasted good.
We got up here about 12 o'clock and marched up to or camp about one mile and got dinner about one hour after and pitched our tents in the afternoon and went into them about 9 o'clock. We got one woolen blanket and bunk in with a lot of good boys and after we got over our fun,we slept first rate. And we have had nothing to do but eat and lie down. Me and William Bigelow went down to the village yesterday and look about a little and one thing we saw was a game of cricket between the St. Albans club and some Canada boys. The St. Albans boys beat.
We went into a store to buy some towels, we paid for two and stole one. I like camp life good. So far I have been well an am now. All the company are here now and we have about 65 tents and we have 20 in ours. We have not got our pay yet, we will get it when we are mustered in. Some say we will go away next friday. I saw the colonel and major, they are smart looking men. How is mother and all the rest of folks? Write soon.
your Bro,
R. Pratt
Direct my letters to St. Albans or Captain Segar
Camp of the 5th Vermont volunteer infantry
Dec 23rd 1862
Dear brother Sid,
I am yet alive in this wicked war. A war of ambition and negroes. A war carried on and thousands after thousands of men being killed and made crippled for life. All for what, god only knows. As near as can be certain for harty feelings. For army controller and for a mess of men that were damned fools trying to make themselves eminent men in the eyes of the people by lives of others. But it is most played out. If our generals or our government or the people of the north know any thing, they will settle this war without any more fighting. For our army is even taken across the Rappahannock again. And under Burnside they will disgrace themselves as well as the nation. You will not believe this, but if things are carried on as they have been. They will prove true. This is not only what I think, but most every other soldier. I shall never fight any more. I think I can say with out lying that have done my duty well since inlisted. But now to go and be murdered for nothing if god is willing I shall not. Terrible is the punishment on this nation. But I wish you a merry Christmas and all the rest of my few friends for I shall have a merry one if nothing happens. For soldiers are always merry even ten minutes before they die. I say always. But only when they get a thinking. If I I have money more than I need, that is not a great deal. I would send home ten dollars for you to spend for the children. As it is I will send it. Spend it for them as you think best. We are now camp about 5 miles from the Rappahannock. Not doing much of anything. Only the smartest and the best of our soldiers are. A lot of them are deserting. Who knows will be next. To day is a real warm day. Such a one as we have to home in may. Who can help think of home and wish to be there when such joys come at home. Who knows but I shall be. I dare not think so. But I only hope I. But I am young, yet 17 the 12th. A birthday long to be remembered. For we crossed the Rappahannock and only think how many crossed that never recrossed. Had I not aught to be thankful that I was not hurt. My gloves came the 21st. They were good ones. I am much obliged they were better than you could get. Here for 2 ½. Eugene Griswold is well and most all the rest.
As ever brother,
Rob
Camp near Fredericksburg
Dec 15, 1862
Dear brother Sid,
I have not received a letter from you in a good while. But I presume it is on account of the mail not being regular. I have but a little time now so I will make this short. I am alive and well so far. This is the fourth days that there has been fighting here. We have been where we had to lay close to the ground until this morning. We were relieved before day light. Yesterday there was one killed and about 20 wounded in our regiment. Only one in our company, John Shureoux lost part of one finger. Howard in our company had a ball pass through his knapsack and hit him in the breast but did not penetrate. But this is not much, any man that gets out of this army alive is lucky. If the rebels stay here here will be a great slaughter. They have the best position 5 to 1 in my opinion. Yesterday we met half way between our lines and theirs and had a talk together. They are good looking men. They said If we could stop firing they would and so we stopped. It is to bad to make men slaughter each other when they would be friends.
But I hope the right side will gain.
Praying that god in whom I put all my trust will spare all possible.
I am your brother,
Rob
Camp Near White Oak Church
May 13, 1863
Dear Bro Side,
I have received two letters from you since I wrote. I would have written you before, but after we got into camp I had to go on picket three days. And it is so hot that it is a good deal of a job to write. I got a letter from Fred a number of days ago and was very glad to hear from him. He wrote a good letter. That fellow who got shot in the nigger escape is going nicely and will soon get well. You speak about money. I am always careful of it and never forget the children at home and that money will do them more good than it will me where I am now. But a little money never comes out of place, so I general carry some.
I will give as good a detail of the fight of our corp as I can. We left our camp Tuesday. Brooks division crossed Wednesday morning in the place that our left grand division had crossed before. Brooks stayed on the other side of rebel side. Howe's division and Newtons until Saturday afternoon. Brooks before this had some skirmishing and Saturday they had a pretty sharp skirmish. Brooks men drove them back to the hills. Saturday the first corps which had crossed on our left and had some fighting, recrossed and went up to Hooker leaving our corp alone. Saturday, just before dark our whole crops crossed. Saturday night we got up at 12, after about 2 hours sleep. Brooks division stayed where they had bene. Our division and Howe's went between Brooks and the city. Our divisions line extended for about half a mile from the left side of the city facing it from our side. Newton's division were in the city, they got the line formed just at daylight. Sunday before non there was some pretty hard cannonading. Brooks had some infantry skirmishing. Our skirmishers fired a good deal, but with not much damage. Once in a while they would bring a man along on a stretcher or one would go by limping with a hole through him. But this is nothing, when one would be going by wounded in the leg or arm, the boys would say he is lucky to gt out of this campaign. But Sunday at noon, the 2nd Vermont and 26th New Jersey left all there things but guns and equipment and started for the hills. When they were about half way, the light brigade commanded by Pratt, took a fort back of the city away on our right. In a few minutes the 2nd and 26th carried them in front of us. These were the hardest to carry of any and the hardest fighting. The 2nd lost 108. When the 2nd and 26th started, the 26th were ahead, but the 2nd past them. The 26th is nine month men and done as well as could be expected. Our regiment and the 6th and 3rd follow the 2nd and 26th. Shells flew pretty thick, but hurt no one. Our brigade took a good many prisoners and 4 pieces of artillery. Our brigade took the hardest places and ought to get the praise of it. But as they never got any, I guess they never will. Sunday we came back and got our things and commenced to follow the rebels. Brooks taking the advance about 5 p.m. Brooks met Longstreet's corp coming up to reinforce the heights about 2 miles from the city. Here they had an awful fight. Brooks division held his ground against a corps and the rebels withdrew in the night. This was I think one of the hardest fights for the numbers ingaged of the war. Brooks division went in with 30 field officers and came out with 2. Our brigade was behind him, but was not called in after dark. We went up to support a battery. The night past away very quiet. But about 6, when we got up, we could see the rebs coming down on the hills and city where we had come from. They soon opened a battery on us, our battery replied. They soon had things fired so our line run in a circle, they on three sides of us. Some firing all day. One fellow in the 2nd was leading on a horse as a shell hit him in the head and racked his brains all over the horse. We expected an attack all day, but did not get one until about an hour before dark.
May 14, 1863
I did not have time to finish yesterday in time for the mail, so I will do so this morning. The weather is cooler and it looks like rain. But I will finish the detail about the fight as well as I can. About an hour before dark they fired a signal gun and they piled in on us from three sides as thick as bees around a hive. We were supporting a battery section of two pieces. They soon left, we advanced to the top of the hill and gave them about seven rounds a piece. They were coming in our flank so we had to fall back. They came right on driving everything before them until they got to the second and sixth. They were supporting a battery of six pieces laying flat. The battery gave it to them until they got up within ten. The 6th and 2nd hopped up, gave them a volley and charged driving them over the hill and taking a lot of prisoners, a Colonel and 17 commissioned officers. But to make it short, our brigade saved them from getting to the pontoon bridge. And if they had, they would have got our corps all prisoners. General Howe and Colonel Grant gave us a good deal of praise and the officers mostly think we saved our corp. I think we killed three to our one, and they had 3 or 4 corps against our one. The 26th N.J. ran like sheep. Some of their prisoners say they never seen men come out of the ground before. And some that belonged to Jackson's corp said they never turned their back to the Yankees before. We recrossed tuesday morning at 4 o'clock after being on the skirmish line all night and acting as rear guard. THey was they had so much force here, I think they brought it down on the right expecting to capture the corp. Our company lost none and I think they are all thankful to a merciful god who saw fit to spare them all, I am for one very thankful.
How if father, well I hope and doing better. John Buskie of our regiment went home on a furlough the other day. When he comes back, I wish you would send me by him, a hankerchief if you have not already. I wrote for one a number of weeks ago, but perhaps you did not get the letter. And send me a toothbrush. I got that 15 you sent. Write soon when old Hooker crosses again. If he can get some three years men in the place of the 9 months and 2 year men, they will hear from him. Trust in him who has always spared me.
Remaining your Bro,
Rob
Camp near Manchester, M.D.
July 1, 1863
Dear Brother Sid,
I just got a letter from you and was very glad to hear from you, and to hear that you are all still well at home. I am well, but about used up. I am so nervous. We have had some of the awfulest marching we have ever had. 35 miles in 24 hours with 2 hours rest. Other days 20 and 28. Today is the 1st day we stopt since we left Bristow Station. We are now about 2 miles from Manchester. Perhaps we will march now before night. Mail goes in a very few minutes. This is the 1st time we have got any mail or have had a chance to send any out. We are now having inspection. We came by the 12th the other day and I was very much surprised to see Ed Harkness, he looks well. I think we will go to Harrisburg. I can here some cannonading a good ways off. There is a report that Meade is in command. If it is so the troops will fight and lock or die. But under anyone I will do the best I can and trust in god. I must now close.
Hoping for life and victory. Trusting always in god.
I am as ever your Bro,
Rob
P.S. Send my shirts the quickest way and Eugene wants his by mail if you send mine so.
Camp of the 5th Vermont near Hagerstown MD
July 13th 1863
Dear brother Sid,
I received yours of the 26th a number of days ago with the power of attorney which I will return in this. Mail come and go very regular. Part of the time do not get any for 4 or 5 days. And it is so about sending. And we are having such a hard tactive campaign . You must not request a letter from me to often, although I will write as often as I can. You probably have read or known about our campaign. I am to think since the 5th day of June, we have had the hardest time of any army ever had. On this side of the world men could not stand more than we have gone through. A great man. I could not stand this. Had to fall out. You have probably seen about some of our marching night and day part of the time. At Gettysburg our corps was not ingaged but was the first to follow after Lee, (who got a hard whipping, the first one we can boast since Antietam) but following up the rebel army was not as we usually do. Which is to attack their rear as quick as we come up with it. But instead of that, we have not pushed them at all. We are now about one mile to the left Hagerstown. Near enough to bring a general ingagment in 15 minutes. But it does not look as we were going to. They have been throwing up riflepits last night and this afternoon. Both wings of our army I think, extend to the potomac. It was formal here yesterday afternoon. Friday the 10th a brigade of cavalry and some artillery supported by our brigade skirmished with them all day. We drove them 2 miles back to Antietam Creek where they were in force and I said before we did not attack them as I would have supposed. The reason and all the one I can see is that they are up to a bigger game than merely whipping them. And I hope and I pray that god will see fit to give us success that we may capture and dispose their army and end the war. The rebel army of the Potomac is their only hope. I think now and if our general is only equal to the not dine with god on our side, we will surely give them an awful licking at last. the soldiers all have more confidence in Meade then they ever did in Hooker. He does not blow quite so much and they like his unassuming way as much as to say you can see what I do after I do it. The soldiers say any man that will lead us to victory and not keep us here. On this campaign the weather favored us than ever before. Old Stonewall respected by every one as a great general did not live to see his army get whipped. He to was a good man. In our skirmish friday, I think our brigade lost over 400. Our regiment lost only 3 killed 7 wounded. Little company H through the mercy of god was again spared from any casualties. Though we had some pretty narrow escapes. The rebels fell back yesterday where their line now is. We soon followed up and that it is all. We saw General Smith yesterday, our old commander. Friday a line of battle charged on our skirmish line and were repulsed by them without any support.
For father to sell the cow and waste the money as I think he would. I do not think is right and I should not allow it. Do what you think is right in every way (remembering he is our father) let the consequences be what they may.
Eugene Griswold is well and will write as soon as possible. thinking of the 12th, the boys are praying that our little company may all be spared to return home. I am as ever your
brother,
Rob
Camp at Harrisonburg, VA
October 1, 1864
Dear Father,
As we are laying in camp today with but very little to do, I thought I would write you. i hear of your welfare by every letter I get from home and am glad to hear of your continued good health since I left home. My health is excellent and through the mercy of god, I have escaped without being harmed through all of our terrible battles. You of course received full details of our last campaign in the valley of our battles at Winchester, Strasburg and our many skirmishes we had following the remnant of Early's army. All together, I think they were a series of our brilliant engagements, as any deciding the war. Yes I am sure no army as large and as well disciplined as the rebel Army of the Valley had been so well whipped and demoralized and had most of their artillery captured and as you may say dispersed by an army so near heir equal in numbers as our army is to theirs. In both battles our brigade were in the front line and took their part in the charges and they done noble. At Winchester they repulsed the troops on our right. But our brigade drove them for over 2 miles capturing a large number of prisoners and only stopping when they were in danger of being surrounded. But there is no way of telling you what you have probably read. Before our battles, the whole take were of the coming presidential campaign and the copperheads of the Chicago platform. The soldiers are all for Old Abe and say they want to peace until the rebels will lay down their arms and surrender unconditionally. I heard some of the shouting when we were charging the other day, "hurrah for Old Abe, who cares about the Chicago platform." Who wants peace if it is not honorable and a good deal of such stuff as this to express their indignation at all peace men, cowards, and copperheads. Most of the Army of the Potomac did once love McClellan,for I think once he was worthy of it. But now they denounce him in the strongest terms for having anything to do with the Chicago convention. But now I think Old Abe will be re-elected. Any way, I would vote for him if I could. For no man will do so well as him. If he was just as good he would have to change his cabinet and a good many other things that would delay the war at least one year and before that. If Old Abe is only kept where he is the armies will make peace with the bayonet and all that remains alive will be at home. But we will wait, right will triumph in the end.
It has commenced to rain, making it cold and disagreeable. But we have our little tent up and can keep quite comfortable by staying inside. We are camped near a large village by the name of Harrisonburg, about one hundred miles from Harpers Ferry. We came here yesterday about 4 p.m. We have been about 8 miles out in front supporting the cavalry. They went out as far as Staunton 25 miles from here, burning and destroying everything that would be of service to the rebels. Night before last, the sky was all lit up as bright as day by the fires from burning mills and barns. What our next move will be, I cannot guess. We are now waiting for rations. As soon as they come today or tomorrow, we will start for somewhere. I little care where. If we are only successfully as we have been.
I saw John Harkness yesterday. He looks as well as I ever saw him. He belongs to the cavalry and I think is doing first rate.
Our train will be up today and will bring the mail. I hope to get a letter from home. I would be very glad to hear from you. I you could write yourself, it would be a great deal more appreciated.
Your Son,
Robert Pratt
Camp at Farmville, V.A.
April 9, 1865Dear Brother Sid,
I think I have a chance to write to you but whether I send it after written I do not know. I have so much to write I scarcely know where to commence and I want to write to you so many I must hurry. I am alright (I know who to thank but do not feel it at heart as I ought) A week ago this morning we carried out the plan that I spoke of in my letter before we left camp. We charged just before daylight. Our regiment in front we took the works after a few moments fighting hand to hand. Charlie Ford was killed and Edward Brownlee on the parapet. Captain got a bayonet wound through his cheek, a saber cut across his head, a bayonet wound in back and a stroke of a musket on the shoulder and across the breast. But while they were doing this, he killed two of them. But I will pass over all things. I cut a cannonier down just before firing off a cannon. But we broke their lines and drover them into the city of Petersburg. But were so fatigued that we could not capture the city that day and next morning they were gone. But you know more about this than we having got no papers since we commenced this campaign. I did no hear or know that Edward Brownlee was killed until after dark. Then I cried and went to sleep a crying. I almost lost a brother and I will never forget him as long as I live. But he died nobly, gallantly. Only think what a glorious death to die on the enemies works with the wild shout of victory in year years. Just at morning when all was still until we broke the stillness with yells, shouts and soon with death groans. I shall never forget it and the noble soldiers who fell there. Charlie Ford was killed beside of Ed. I will write again right away. We are whipping them everyday and Lee will soon go up. Please have me a pair of boots made. Fine boots, pretty thick soles and legs small. but high and a little smaller than the last ones. Also send me a good officers blouse. Good siged pretty thin. Send by mail right away and if you want money get it of Bliss and keep an account. I am much in need of blouse.
Remembering as your affectionate
bro Rob
Burlington, Vermont
July 7, 1865
Dear Brother Sid,
I arrived here all right last evening and found everything all lovely. My baggage was here safe when other officers who came right through had lost theirs. If Bonaparte's theory was good, I think I would make a successful general. For you known he always asks the first thing, if he was lucky. If he said yes, he trusted him.
I am stopping tonight in quite a comfortable room up at the barracks which are up to the hospital grounds. I have not spent a day more pleasant since I came home. Just because I have had something to do and will have tomorrow making out my returns which I think will come out all right. I also went out with Captain Dudley to shoot a mark with his revolver. We shot 33 paces. i have a five cent script twice and the sheet of congress cap which we had for a mark a number of times.
Everything is crowded with soldiers. I cold not et a room down at a public house or I would have stayed down there. But the nasty soldiers that the country no more needs are all going home so there will soon be room. The Sixth VT have received their pay today and most of them have gone home. If our regiment had been kept together and came through here they would have gathered pay much sooner and saved some trouble. But I guess it will all come our right.
I saw General Grant at the American House today. He looked odd enough with his citizens clothes on. He was very sociable as usual.
If you see any of the boys you tell them to be sure and be here early on Monday next. I will not likely come home until I get through with U.S.
You need not answer my letter without unless there is something important for I may not get it if you do and I shall probably hear from you most everyday.
Give my regards to Mr. Engelse' folks and all the children and believe me.
Your Sincere brother,
Rob
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE
WASHINGTON D.C.July 7, 1882
My dear Bob:
I have been requested by the Military Historian of the state of Vermont to give my personal recollections of the attack upon Petersburg, VA., April 2, 1865.
Before doing so, however, I want the benefit of your recollections on some points. You know my part in the affair terminated long before daylight and was somewhat exciting to me personally. Further than this it took place over seventeen years ago, and although my recollections of the event seem clear, still from the causes above mentioned I may have been in error on some points from the first.
As I remember it a squad of us bore to the left in charging up the ravine and got far enough out of our proper course to bring us onto ground that was to be covered by the 3rd Div, in their charge. We were misled into moving in that directions by the repeated orders "bear to the left" given in our rear but intended for the main portion of our Brig. who were obliqueing to the right and out of the ravine in that direction on the account of the severity of the enemies fire. As I remember it after pushing on in the dark and well up to the battery at the right of the ravine (the enemies right, but our left) we discovered ourselves to be in a decided minority and upon calling a halt found but few men with us. You and I were the only officers and Brownlee and Grace were with us. The later formed what men were probably not more than fifty and from appearances it seemed best to push ahead, which we did striking the battery above mentioned.
I think we had the impression from the line of fire of the main body of the Brig. that the enemy had a body of troops between us and them that we might as well go ahead and take our chances of help from the troops coming (the 3rd Div.) as to attempt to rejoin the Brig. Our state colors carried by Sergt. Jackson Sargeant were with us and we attacked the battery as we happened to strike that part of their line first My wounds were received inside that earthwork, and Brownlee and Ford were killed there. I have always understood that Grace saw me wounded, supposed me killed and so reported to you, and that you then formed the men, carried the work, and was really entitled to the credit of capturing three pieces of artillery that the 3rd Div. got credit for because you and your men pushed on to rejoin the Brig. as soon as the 3rd Div. came up. Have been told by some who were present with you that it supposed for sometime in the early part of the day I had "climbed the golden stairs."
Please write me your recollection of so much of the events as transpired before my leaving the field, also of the taking of the work by yourself and the men after I lost my interest in the affair. I think Hack (Corpl F.C.) captured the flag at that point. I remember snatching for it myself and that it was pulled down by someone when it was almost within my grasp. Our color was on the work at the same time. I know this does not agree with Barber's of Hack's capture of the flag, but don't propose to disturb the account of it given in the report.
Raymond was in the hospital with me at city point and claimed to have been with us and to have got his arm broken in trying to come to my assistance. I knew nothing of his presence with us, and between our selves I am inclined to think was not with us, still I wish to be charitable and perhaps I was mistaken or too badly confused to recognize him.
Now I have written my own recollections to you simply for the purpose of being corrected where I am in error, and also for the reason that it may refresh your memory on some points. I want your own recollections without regard to whether the corroborate mine or not. In the darkness and confusion and with my wounds, I may be badly mixed but you kept through the whole and had daylight soon enough to show you where we had been up to the time I left.
Please let me hear from you at your earliest convenience for I have delayed writing for several on account of the rush of business at the office.
I am going to address you at Minneapolis under the impression that you are still there, although it is a long time since I have heard from you.
Presume it is my fault that I have not, but somehow as I grow older I get more and more out of the habit of writing private letters, and for the last five years have had so much office work that I haven't had time to be civil to anybody. When I hear from you will try and exchange histories with you covering the last few years.
Cordially yours,
Room 25 C. G. Gould,
U.S. Patent Office.
Capt. Robert Pratt,
Minneapolis,
Minn.
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