Covers stamped and postmarked, “Old Point Comfort, VA” [April 8, 1865] & “Washington, DC” [May 8, 1865]. Both covers addressed to “S. B. D’Golier.” Letters dated: (1) “Hd Qrs 58^th Pa Vols / Signal Hill, Va.”, April 1, 1865, (2) “Camp 58^th Regt. Pa Vols / Manchester May 1, 1865”. Both letter exhibits fold-marks, else VG & entirely legible.

Frank W. Davis mustered as a Private into Co. “E”, 58^th Pennsylvania Infantry, 11/8/1861. He was promoted to Corporal and then to Sergeant [3/1/1862], and then to 1^st Sergt. And 1^st Lieutenant [11/22/1865], mustering out 6/14/1865.

A two year unit, the 58^th PA was organized in Sept. 1861 and shortly after attached to the 18^th AC serving in the Carolinas---and, after re-enlisting in Jan. 1864, was transferred near the end of the war to the 24^th AC. Following numerous small actions and skirmishing in the Carolina theater it would join Gen. Butler’s force, participating in the Battle of Drewry’s Bluff and Bermuda Hundred, VA, in May 1864 and later the Siege of Petersburg. It would occupy Richmond May 2, 1865, afterward serving occupation duty there and later in Charlottesville, VA, where it mustered out in January 1866. During service it lost 74 men killed and wounded and 143 to disease for a total 217.

***

In his letter of April 1, 1865, Davis [now an officer, a 1^st Lieutenant since November] begins by apologizing for his delay in correspondence. Caught up in heavy marching heading into the capture of Richmond [April 2^nd] there had “been a great deal of work to be attended to, and consequently private matters have to be laid aside, until convenient opportunity presents itself. Some would not call this a convenient opportunity for the wind blows hard and shakes my desk. It also blows dust in my eyes.

The raid that we have been on has been quite extensive, or at least we have traveled considerable. Whether we accomplished much or not, you probably have read of some of our doings—such as taking a little tobacco at Fredericksburg, etc.

We were at White House [VA] a few days, when Sheridan came there, and we made a successful flank movement across lots to this place [Signal Hill—Army of the James]. We visited several of McClellan’s old battlefields during our march—Charles City Court House, Harrison’s landing, etc.

The most of the Army of the James has moved from here, only leaving two divisions to guard the works, where two Army corps have been doing the work. Souldn’t be surprised to hear of lively times somewhere beyond Petersburgh before many days. Hope they will be successful in whatever movement they contemplated. Would like to see this war brought to a close before a great while. However, we must abide by the result of our future movements whether good or bad….”

In his second letter of May 3, 1865, Lieut. Davis recalls the closing Richmond campaign while expressing his fervent desire to bid the Army adieu. To wit:

“You say you expected to hear of some of the 58^th Regt. Getting hurt in the affair around Richmond & Petersburgh when they fell—I can say that we were rather fortunate in being counted out that time, for it must have been very tedious as well as dangerous around Petersburgh the day it was captured and I have o doubt there would have been loud times around Richmond, if they had not evacuated the place first.

We are all waiting for some order from the war department in regard to mustering troops out of service that are in the field. I have noticed some orders in regard to mustering out some of the shuysters that have been laying in the Government hospitals so long—Fosters will get home by this means and perphaps some others that never saw a battle...I suppose the citizens at home will know how to approach the value of such men—such glorious works of nature, such valuable service they have rendered to their country—their names should be immortalized.

I believe there is to be some furloughs granted before a great while, but I think this war is near to played out now to home on a furlough or leave of absence. When I go home I don’t want to be obliged to gone back to the army again. I’m getting tired of soldiering—more so now than ever before, as there is nothing to be done. [In early May, a month after Lee’s surrender, Davis would have been considerably chagrined had he known that he and the 58^th PA had another nine months to serve before being mustered out in Jan. 1866]

You seem to think that H.D. Hicks belonged to our regiment, it is a mistake—he belonged to the 211^th Regt. PA Vols and was killed in the fight at Petersburgh. Our regiment has not been at Petersburgh since last summer. (And they was not in the City then.)….

Another interesting letter group from the pen of Lt. Davis of the 58^th PA, recounting the fall of Richmond and the Petersburg line, along with his weariness and desire to bid the Army life adieu.  [jp][ph:L]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!