UNION SOLDIER LETTERS - 1ST LIEUT. FRANK W. DAVIS, CO. “E”, 58TH PENNSYLVANIA INFANTRY, W/COVERS

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Item Code: 1179-1693

Two letters dated: (1) Philadelphia, PA / Sept. 16th 1864, (2) Camp in the Field / Bermuda Hundred, VA / Sept. 28, 1864. Both covers addressed to S. Bryon D’Golier, post-marked Philadelphia, PA, & Old Point Comfort, VA. Both letters address to “Friend Sylvester,” letter one contains 4 pp. in pencil on lined paper, 9.75” x 7.75, exhibiting fold-marks & one slight chip on upper margin---Letter two is 4pp. in ink on lined paper. Exhibits fold-marks. Both letter letters VG & entirely legible. 

Frank W. Davis enlisted and mustered as a private into Co. “E:, 58th Infantry, 11/8/186. He was promoted to corporal and then to Sergt. (3/1/1862), and to First Serg. And First Lieut. 11/22/1864, and was mustered out 6/14/1864.

Davis was born in Bradford, McKean County, PA in 1844. He died in November 1920 at the age of 76, and is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery in Bradford.

A two year regiment, the 58th was organized Sept. 1861 and early attached to the 18th AC serving in the Carolinas--and, after re-enlisting in Jan. 1864, was transferred near the end of the war to the 24th AC. Following numerous small actions and skirmishes in the Carolinas it had later transferred north, participating with Butler’s force in the Battle of Drewry’s Bluff and operations at Bermuda Hundred in May1864, and later at the Siege of Petersburg. It occupied Richmond May 2, 1865, afterward served as a garrison duty, moving eventually to Charlottesville, VA where it mustered out in January 1866. During service it lost 74 men killed or mortally wounded and 143 men to disease for a total of 217.

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In his letter of September 16, Davis writes of illness that put him in the hospital, from which he has recovered and is now leaving Phila. to rejoin his regiment, and comments on recruiting in Philadelphia. To wit:

“Recruiting goes on very brisk in this city. There was about one hundred and fifty sent off yesterday though part of them was soldiers from hospitals….though they recruit for the army as well.I think they will average fifty recruits a day in this city. The draft is stirring them up as well as the big bonuses. I thin they pay 575 dollars for recruit for one year in this city and other cities are paying still more. That amount of money could help considerable provided that a man could stay homeand use it after he had got it, but that is where the trouble is, they don’t like to leave home.

In letter two, arriving back at Camp a few days later, Sergt. Davis admits to being weary of army routine...”I got here all safe and sound on the 19th and am now going through the same old things that I have been through so much, viz. drilling, etc. which is all very fine for anyone that likes it, but I am sorry to say that I don’t like it as well as I used to in days gone by.

Since sitting down to write we have received an order to the effect that we must have two days rations tonite and have two days rations cooked on hand. On would suppose with such orders that there was going to be a move in some direction though I am entirely ignorant where we are going….

I would prefer that the Rebels attack us than for us to attack them for I find that it is much easier and safer to be behind our works than in front of theirs….though if there is a show of success we are willing to try it. Though I profess that I am as cowardly as any of them but I am getting tired of this war and I go for ending it as honorably and speedily as possible. [In other words, weary but willing]

The Rebel works are in plain sight of us and our pickets are close enough to talk to each other though they are disposed to be very peaceable as there has not been a shot fired since I have been here. We fired a salute from out forts and batteries a few days ago [probably in honor of of Gen. Sheridan’s victory at Cedar Creek] but the pickets on both sides got down and out of sight choosing not to fire themselves. We can hear firing down on the River where Butler is digging his canal and at Petersburgh they try to keep each other busy...There are several not Regiments camped not far from us and there is boys one of them from Southport and I haven’t found out if there is any from Bradford or not….We have limited opportunities to running around and finding out where the new regiments are or who is in them…”

Solid camp letters giving vent to the writer’s mood of dogged weariness in the aftermath of Sheridan’s September ‘64 victories in the Shenandoah. 1864 had been a hard slog. Davis wanted the business over and done. In a protective sleeve.    [jp][ph:L]

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