griffing@fnal.gov

The Civil War Letters of William Davis

          [click image to enlarge]

Fort Lincoln,
[Washington, D. C.]
December 16, 1862

Dear Mrs. Richards,

No doubt ‘ere this you have come to the conclusion that I had entirely forgotten you, not having written to you for some time or since we left Harrisburg. I feel it my duty to write and make some kind of an apology for my negligence. I can not think of any excuse excepting that old complaint of putting off till tomorrow from day to day and aware that you often heard from us through several correspondents. But I am at the same time convinced that you deserved a part of my letters as showing some appreciation for your kindness to me while with you so I hope you will excuse and I’ll try and be a better “Boy” for the future.

I suppose friend [William] Phillips has given you a full description of this place in Mr. Richards letters, so I shall refrain repeating the same as my description powers are inadequate to make any improvement on the same. I shall give you a feint idea of what has passed and how I feel since I left the little town of Hyde Park, [PA]. I can assure you I am somewhat better feasted on matters of Divinity since I left and feel if I come out of this at the end of 3 years or during the war all right, I shall never regret the things of the past and especially if this Rebellion is closed honorably.

While at Harrisburg, I visited the “Governor’s Room” and the “[Lunatic] Asylum” and other places of interest which revived my patriotism and convinced me that we had something worth fighting for if nothing but the original signatures of the immortal Washington and other great statesmen of 1812 that formed this great and good government with their free institutions.

Our trip to Fort Delaware was full of interest – especially in the passing of [Philadelphia,] the Quaker City, with the warm greetings and kind treatment received at the hands of the fair ladys of that place. When we arrived at Fort Delaware, I realized the fort that we were at was in earnest. Looking at the Prisoners was a curiosity to me, to think that men of the same colour and appearance as ourselves could raise up against the government formed and made by statesmen born principally on Southern soil. I tell you it made me quite impatient to talk with them.

December 17

We spent about 3 months at Fort Delaware and assure you feel glad that we are removed. We are not penned up so close as we were there on the island and have a little room to turn in and while away leisure moments with in sight of the “Capitol – the central power of our government – where all eyes are turned at with great anxiety watching the changes from day to day surrounded by thousands of brave and willing souls, young and old, ready to sacrifice there lives if needs be in upholding the laws and Supremacy of its power as given to them by the illustrious dead felt here in Grant. It will be one of our best victory’s if Grant can take Vicksburg and get the Mississippi open and divide there Southern Confederacy. I think we ought to have a victory there to cheer up the Potomac Army as the Rebs had rather the best of the last move in holding their position.

I see little Nettie has not forgotten us. We are glad to find she speaks of us and hope that soon a happy day will arrive when we can return a kiss for her remembrance. We often speak of her & recall all the chats we used to have at the table. My kind regard to Mr. Roberts & to Mr. Richards & all enquiring friends. Oh yes, I almost forgot. You said somebody soon was expected to stay with you. I am glad to hear it. You can give [Page 6 missing]

[Your friend, -- William Davis]

Footnotes

Most of the Confederate prisoners confined at Fort Delaware in late 1862 were captured at the Battle of Kernstown [VA] in the early Spring of 1862. There were also some non-military political prisoners and captured blockade runner crews confined at the fort.

Gen. U. S. Grant made several attempts late in 1862 to take Vicksburg, the Rebel stronghold on the Mississippi River, but was unsuccessful until the following summer.

William Davis is referring to the Battle of Fredericksburg [VA], where General Burnside's Army of the Potomac was repulsed by Gen. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia in heavy fighting with catastrophic losses on December 13, 1862.

griffing@fnal.gov