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UNION SOLDIER LETTER—1ST LIEUTENANT FRANK W. DAVIS, CO. “E”, 58TH PENNSYLVANIA INFANTRY

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Dated “Chaffin’s Farm / Oct. 16, 1862.” Addressed to “Friend Sylvester.” 4 pp. in ink on lined paper, 5” x 8. Exhibit fold-marks, else VG and entirely legible.

Frank W. Davis enlisted and was mustered as a Private in Co. “E”, 58the PA Infantry, 11/8/1861. He was promoted to Corporal and then to Sergeant (3/1/1862), to 1^st Sergeant and 1^st Lieutenant (11/22/1864). He mustered out 6/14/1865.

A two year regiment, the 58^th PA Infantry was organized in March 1862, and was early attached to the 18^th AC serving in the Carolinas, and, after reenlisting in Jan. 1864, was transferred near the end of the war to the 24^th AC. Following numerous small actions and skirmishes in the Carolinas it participated in the Battle of Drewry’s Bluff and  operations at Bermuda Hundred in May 1864, and later in the Siege of Petersburg. Occupied Richmond on May 2, 1865, and was mustered out January 24, 1866.

In this letter Davis gives a taut account of the fighting and casualties at Chaffin’s Farm. Text:

“...The same night I wrote to you, we started for where we are now, but little did I think we were going to have such a fight as it turned out to be the next morning. We charged the Rebel fort on the morning of Sept. 29, and the losses you have already seen out of our company.

We had none killed out of our company but nine wounded...they were taken to Fortress Monroe and we hear that some of them have been sent north from there.

You wished to know how Levi Crop and Reuben Gates was wounded, but I can hardly tell you for after he was wounded Crop was left behind and was picked up by the ambulance corps and taken to the rear. But I think Levi Crop lost a leg. Reuben Gates was wounded by a piece of shell from a Rebel gunboat after the fort was in our possession. I believe it hit him in the leg. I was not with the company at that time, was with the Sharpshooters until late afternoon when he was taken to the rear.

The next day (30^th) we commenced throwing up works facing the other way...and about noon the Rebels got reinforcements and charged on us twice but were repulsed each time with very little loss to us though our works were half completed. We lost two men wounded while the Rebs lay scattered9dead and wounded) all over, tho in front of us.

I got a Rebel sword and belt after the fight and am going to try to send it home. It is not a very nice one but it will do as a curiosity. The day we moved the Rebs threw shells from their mortars...one of which hit in the side of our bombproof and exploded and knocked some of the logs in on us, hurting 3 or 4 quite bad. I was inside at the time but as usual came off without a scratch…

Our Brigade was moved to the right ot occupy the breastworks of the 10^th Corps while they went still farther to the right and had a fight, but I rather think they did not make much of it for they came back and occupied their old works again…

Eugene is a corporal and is in the color guard though I guess that he don’t like soldiering any better than I do. Irv Pewett is sick or was at least when I saw him last, and I think he don’t like the idea of soldiering any better than the rest. Joe Denn seems to enjoy it as well as any. They belong to the 10^th army corps and are camped in about a mile of us when they have to drill and work on forts & breastworks which is all very nice for them that like the business. Our company don’t drill any but have to do our share of work on the works. 

Tell _____ Crop that if he don’t report to his regiment or furnish some proof of his sickness very soon there will be someone after him that will make him trouble. I watch these things a little...and take this opportunity of giving him a hint of it. 

My best to all friends and acquaintances and accept the same from your obt. Servant / Frank H. Davis”

Superb letter containing solid battle reporting from Chaffin’s Farm, by a shrewd and perceptive sergeant to be promoted staff duty, and then to 1^st Lieutenant.  [jp][ph:L]

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