DECEMBER 1862 LETTER WRITTEN BY COL. JOSHUA LAWRENCE CHAMBERLAIN TO HIS WIFE FANNY

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Here we have a letter written by a man who needs no introduction, Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. This four-page letter is written on standard 8.5 inch by 11 inch unlined paper. In period ink, Chamberlain writes to his wife, Fanny, from the camp of the 20th Maine near Falmouth at the beginning of December 1862. In the letter, he writes candidly about what he observes of the Rebels across the Potomac, he discusses meeting with the women of the Sanitary Commission, and most interestingly, he discusses how the war ought to be conducted. The letter is fully transcribed below, including grammatical and mechanical errors.

The letter itself is in very good condition for its age. The letter had been folded, likely to fit in an envelope for mailing, but has since been flattened. However, the fold lines remain and there is breakage at many of the folds. However, no paper is missing or chipping away. There is a small red spot of paint on page 1 but there are no other marks to note.

 

(No 12)

Head Qtrs. 20 Me Vols

Camp Near Falmouth Opposite Fredericksburg

Dec. 2d 1862

My Dearest Fanny,

We have been here a week and are waiting nobody knows for what. All sorts of rumors arise of course but our business is to obey orders and it becomes us to be patient as well as obedient. There is a great army here you may be sure and something will be done with it. I have no doubt. Saturday I rode over the front on the bank of the Rappahannock, only a few rods from the Rebels opposite in Fredericksburg I rode along for some miles, and of course had no difficulty in seeing the Rebels. They were busy as bees throwing up fortifications and planting cannon. They kept as much out of sight as possible in order not to show their force and movements. I did not feel fully comfortable, I own, in full view and reach of every one of those ugly looking cannon they are training to slaughter us by and by, and some of the Rebel rifles looked (sorry?), but I presented on the mutual understanding not to fire on either side and so in (?) with Mr. Brown took my time to view the city and enemy at my leisure. We did not stay very long in one spot, but dashed along from hill to hill, leaping (?) and scamping around in a quite exhilarating fashion. F. is a fine looking city; some of the buildings – churches I imagine chiefly – are really in good taste. Warrenton is the only Virginia city I have seen equal to this. We called on Wm. H. Owen on our way back, and reaching camp at dark found that we had orders to go out on picket five or six miles to the right where some of our cavalry had been taken – “gobbled up” as the press elegantly has it. A day or two ago our orders were to stay out forty eight hours and expect a skirmish. The picketing we did – the skirmishing, not. The first day of December was a lovely day. I thought of you in my rude tent and grew rather lonely, till some duty took me away. You may imagine how warm it is, or perhaps how tough I am, when I say that I took a full bath in “Potomac Creek” the first day of Winter, with out the least inconvenience. To be sure ice formed to quite a thickness the night before, but the days are delightful when it does not rain. (Sometimes it snows – a wet driving snow – then I beg to assure you it is not particularly agreeable weather to experience. The country is nearly all devastated in this part of the state and starvation is sure for some I cannot but believe. The distress is great now. Our Generals are kind enough to place guard around every house that is inhabited and Rebel property is carefully protected from pillage. Our Quartermasters it is true take whatever we must have and give receipts for it which are presented to the Govt, and pay obtained on them I suppose. I do not think the Rebels are treated very severely however. If this were really war we should not leave rabid secessionists within our line and observe and give information while we protect them from loss or harm. I do not mean to question the propriety of the present policy But regarded in a merely military point of view, the war would seem to be much more effectively carried out if we should leave no treachery in the midst of us or behind us – nor anything to aid support or strengthen the enemy. We should take horses, forage, cattle, etc., send women and children and all non desistants over the lines, and all active rebels to the rear that is to confinement within our lines, and for every ship burned at sea fire a rebel courthouse, or even private house worth $20,000 or $50,000. I tell you we should not have to fight the same ground over again, as we have here so many times. In that way we should weaken and crowd the enemy and at the same time strengthen and advance ourselves. Of course the county will be laid waste absolutely, but it would be war. He have not got over the old idea of suppressing a (?). Whatever cruelty there might seem to be in the course I indicated would be countervailed by the great saving of life and treasure in a speedier ending of the war. Now, we take no advantages. Use little or no strategy, but gain what we do by main force, by bearing on. Perhaps I speak strongly but it seems so to me. You may think I am very savage in what I have said, but I assure you the effect of such experience as I have had is to lessen animosity. I looked over at the Rebels in Fredericksburg, without the least blood thirstiness though if the order had come to “charge” on them, I could have gone in with all the vigor and earnestness in the world. Did I ever tell you that I tried to find out, of a rebel South Carolina Officer – prisoner. What had become of your Uncle Harrod? He did not know. I don’t believe he was (polite?) enough to get hung after all his knowledge of this (?). He is probably a resident still of S. Carolina. #

Friday Dec 4th

Only think we had two ladies to dine with us on (?) yesterday (?)… of the Sanitary Commission – and very proper and efficient ladies they are too. They think I have been well instructed in the manly art of talking ladies bonnets and cloaks. And then to have your Thanksgiving letter, and the package of shirts and drawers (2 pairs) just what I wanted – and the Jomini too ( Art of War) with a letter to night from Sae, from Prof. Smith of Bangor, from Mrs. Bacon, and from Julia poor girl. I feel perfectly crazed by so much good fortune. I thank you very much and I think you are as usual a darling. I dreamed of you last night of course. I shall write you another letter on our wedding day the 7th. About the money there can’t be any risk of its being lost. The delay I don’t understand I have not had a cent yet. They owe me $600.00 already  In haste to get this off and love to Aunty and the Darlings

Your own Lawrence

[CLA] [ph:L]

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