Letters & Lyrics Video and Program

In case you missed it, or if you want to experience it again, here is the video of our final program of 2014, Letters & Lyrics with Rick Spencer and Richard Schlesinger. Transcripts of the letters and the titles of the songs are below.

PROGRAM

[Letter written by Pvt. Josiah Corban to his wife and children. Corban was a Cornwall farmer who enlisted in 1862, when he was 41 years old.]

Camp near Fort Worth, Virginia Feb 12th 1862

         Dearest of earth, I received yours of the 6th to day and wonder why it should be so long on its way here. I sent one this morning that I had written by having two or three spells at it before I finished it. They keep us very busy now a days so I cannot often get a chance to write but a short time at once without writing nights, and then I generally have to buy a candle to see by, if I have a chance to see well enough to write. We use sperm Candles here, they cost five cents apiece. One will last nearly two evenings if we don’t sit up long after Roll call, which is at half past eight.

        ...the Lord only knows what trials we may be called to pass through before peace will be declared and the Rebels be made to give up their Rebellion. The Governor of Connecticut, Buckingham, was here yesterday. He came on to the ground where we were on Battallion drill. In a short time after he came on to the Parade ground. We were ordered to form a square, and he and those that were with him besides all our Commissioned Officers went inside the square. The Lieutenant Col. introduced them as well as all the rest of us to the Chief Magistrate the Governor of Connecticut William A. Buckingham and told them they could speak to him, any of them that wished to. The Captains and Lieutenants all went up and shook hands with him and some of them talked with him a few minutes. Then he took off his hat and made a short Speech to us. He spoke with a great deal of feeling in our behalf and told us how much he thought of us as well as all the rest of the troops from our state and said that he would be glad to shake hands with every one of us. He praised us for our Patriotism in leaving our homes and friends to come down here to fight for our Country and said if we never went to the field of battle we were doing as much good as if we did. He said it was better to sacrafice [sic] a whole Generation than to have our Government destroyed. He is a plain looking man and I don’t think it makes him feel lifted up any by being Governor. He did not talk as if he had any idea of the North ever giving up the Contest till the Rebels are Conquered and made to return to the Union. It brought tears to my eyes to hear him speak of the loved ones at home. It touches my feelings very sensibly to hear anything that relates to my loved ones at home for they are nearer my heart than any other earthly object. May God grant that I may meet them and all the rest of my friends once more in Cornwall, and also in Heaven at last.

                 Yours with undying affection,

                 J. B. Corban

[Song]

Henry Clay Work’s “The Girls at Home.”

[Letter written by Brigadier General John Sedgwick to his sister Emily, following the First Battle of Bull Run, the first major battle of the Civil War.]

Washington, D.C., July 23, 1861

       My dear sister:

       Our army has suffered one of the most terrible defeats on record—one of the most disgraceful! We have lost everything, even our honour.

       When I last wrote you the army had marched in high spirits, and every one predicted a prosperous result, and some little success was obtained; but a panic seized the volunteers, they threw away everything they had, and fled in terrible disorder. Whole regiments fled without giving a shot or getting near the enemy. Our artillery behaved bravely; they maintained their position till they lost so many men and horses that many were obliged to leave their guns. The loss of property was immense; it is hoped the loss of life not great, but no reports are made yet. We are disorganized, and if the enemy had not suffered severely, as we hope they have, they could have marched into Washington last night. I went to bed night before last believing that everything was going on well, and yesterday was ill in my room all day till three o’clock, when I learned of the terrible disaster. I have no heart to write more.

             Your affectionate brother,

                        J.S.

[Song]

George F. Root’s “The Prisoner’s Hope.”

[Letter written by Josiah Corban while recovering in a military hospital after being released from a Confederate prison camp]

Annapolis Junction, Dec. 10th 1864

           Dear Wife & Children

            I thought I would write a few lines again this morning & send so you need not be looking in vain for news from me. I can’t tell much but I suppose just seeing a few lines I have written will be better than nothing. The Doctors, one of them, came around yesterday to get the names of the Parole Prisoners; also when & where they were captured, when & where released, so they could make arrangements to pay them all their back pay & also their ration money while they were prisoners. They are going to pay us up pretty soon, & then give us 30 days furlough to go home. That is an order from the war department. & I suppose I can have another furlough if I want it. We all have to wear Hospital shirts. I wear a woolen one under the cotton one that they furnish. They brought in some Drawers but they were so short & small I could not wear them. The most of them were just so, but I shall get along if they will let me wear my own. ...My boils have got pretty much done running, but I am so sore yet I can’t sit with much comfort & my Scurvy comes out as bad as ever yet. How long it will continue so, I don’t know, but guess the way I am doctering for it will prove a remedy after a while. I have only just begun on my butter & my Sausage... I shall have to let some one help [me] eat it, I guess, for they don’t allow me to have much meat & I intend to be as careful as possible about eating such things as will hinder me about getting rid of my scurvy. I suppose that will be one thing that will worry you for fear I will be imprudent about eating, but you need not worry for I don’t mean to. I begin to feel as if I could not wait much longer to get a letter from home. Suppose I may have one [waiting] at the Parole camp, hope they will send it here shortly.

                   Keep up good courage & trust in God for protection & he will sustain you through every trial. Yours the same as ever with much love to all,

                    Josiah B. Corban

[Song] 

“The Brass Mounted Army”

[Letter written by Mark Nickerson to his niece in 1910, describing his experiences at the Battle of Malvern Hill on July 1, 1862]

             Many of the men dropped on the ground and were soon fast asleep— others were talking in low tones, telling their Chums what to do, or where to write in case they were killed. I had a package of letters I had received from my young Lady Friends—I tore them up into small pieces + scattered them on the ground. No one should read those letters if I was killed. As we lay there in the woods, the silence was oppressive—not a leaf stirred on the trees—not a puff of air—the only sounds we could hear, was the low subdued tones of the men talking to each other, + off to the front in the woods, we could hear at a distance what sounded like the tramping of Soldiers + giving of orders. It was the calm before the storm. As the ominous sounds in the woods on our front grew louder + seemed to be coming nearer, the men who were asleep were quietly awakened, + we were all told to examine our guns. The Rebs had set out on this Campaign to crush the Army of the Potomac + we knew full well that they would not give it up without another bloody Battle. So here we were awaiting the attack. We had been able to get but little snatches of sleep for 7 days + nights. Most of that time we had been on the move. Our Haversacks were empty + we had been out of rations for 24 + 36 hours. We were a hollow-eyed, wild looking set of men, + a dangerous set to tackle. Suddenly the storm broke in all its fury, like a thunder shower in Summer when the wind gets into it + brings it up from the North West, only a thousand times more fearful than any thunder Shower. At a given signal, Battery after Battery came out of their hiding place on a gallop, wheeled quickly into position + limbered up for action. The Infantry came out of their hiding places, + quickly formed in line of Battle. ... As we were marching by the flank to take our place in line of Battle, I noticed running Black Berries on the ground and stooped down several times to pick a Black Berry, as I was hungry + Thirsty. The Orderly Sergeant spoke to me quite sharply, + told me to mind what I was about. I told him I knew what I was about, + before the Battle was over had had a chance to see that I knew what I was about.

              Before reaching our lines the Rebs had to cross quite a large open field in range of our Artillery, and when near to our lines, they would be lost to our sight for a short time, as they crossed a lower stretch of ground, then they would come into plain view again on a level with our line of Battle. It seems terrible to think of now the way those brave men were cut down by the fire of our Artillery to say nothing of the Rifle fire from the Infantry, but we Just gloried in it then. Our fighting blood was up. They were after us—would kill us if they could—and the more we killed of them the better chance we stood for our own lives.

[Song]

Walter Kitteridge’s “Tenting Tonight on the Old Campground”

[Letter from Corporal Joseph Payne to his cousin Samuel F. Gold]

Camp near Alexandria, Va

December 13th 1862

           Dear Cousin Sam,

            I received your welcome letter yesterday the 12th and was happy to learn that you were well and thriving. I hope you will continue so and I hope also that we shall meet again both of us hale & hearty. I am very well now. I have had some cold but it is now disappearing fast. I weighed 160 when I entered the U.S. Service. I now weigh 183: a gain of 28 lbs, which isn’t so slow, taking into consideration the diet furnished by Uncle “Sam”. But we that is the 19th ought to be thankfull for the good fare we have had compared with other Regiments. Since we have been here we have had good nice bread, good pork, occasionally potatoes and beef; but the beef, I might say, is old enough to speak for itself. In addition to this we have Sibley tents, stoves and plenty of good wood. Oh as long as we live here we certainly cannot complain but somehow this kind of life don’t seem to satisfy, to be sure. It is perfectly safe here, but deeds of bravery and scars are an honor to a person, therefore I think I should like to be with Burnside, where things are stirring now. I expect success attend his efforts. You asked me my opinion of the removal of McClellan. I like the idea very much. He no doubt was or is a good general, but too slow for the present time and emergencies. Burnside I believe is the man for the times, quick to take advantage of any and all successes which he may achieve. We have good telegraphic news from Burnside to night but somehow the operators won’t tell us what it is, only that it is good, with which we have got to be satisfied for the present. The reason why I made that mistake in directing your letter was that I sent the letter to the Capt [Edward F. Gold] to read and he lost it and I had to direct the letter from memory.

            The Capt is well and growing fat every day. Our Co., those who you are acquainted, are all well. I believe some of them have been sick but all have now pretty much recovered their health. I shall be very happy to receive your picture. I will send you another one soon after receiving it you much been[?] the first one up. Give all my love to all of your folks. Write soon.

              I remain Truly yours,

              Cousin Joe

[Song] 

George F. Root’s “The Battle Cry of Freedom” 

[Letter from Sedgwick’s aide, Capt. Richard Halsted, to Sedgwick’s sister, Emily]

Camp Near Berlin, Maryland, July 17, 1863

              My dear Miss Sedgwick:

              As you no doubt already know, from newspapers if not from letters, we have been for the past few weeks having a very active campaign, so far as marching is concerned at least. It does now and then occur that well-ordered marches as effectually beat an enemy as the most decisive battle could do, and something must be set down to the saving of life. There is not much doubt that some of our marching has been much to Mr. Lee’s damage, but still the battle of Gettysburg had to be fought. No amount of marching with the forces we then had could have obviated the necessity for a fight like that one somewhere. It was a terrible fight. The losses show that. The common talk among the prisoners taken by us is that Lee lost at Gettysburg alone not less than thirty thousand men. Our own loss is about twenty thousand men. I wish I could give you an idea of the artillery fire. It was terrific. We at the 6th Corps headquarters were in a good position to judge of it, for, singular as it may seem, almost the only spot along the whole line not under fire was that occupied by us.  ...I cannot tell you anything of any consequence about the fight. Some of the newspaper accounts were very good. I saw so little of it that I cannot describe it. Our progress in pursuit of Lee was necessarily slow and cautious. Two such armies, having fought each other so often, having known each other so long and intimately, cannot very well afford to play at fast and loose.

               Now, as I write, a staff-officer from headquarters comes to bring information which looks to an immediate move—to-day, if possible.... The officer does not know the direction in which we are to go. I wish that one small portion of the 6th Corps might move in the direction of, and have for its ultimate destination the region known as, Cornwall Hollow....

              Very sincerely yours,

              R.F. Halsted

[Song]

E.W. Locke, “We Will Not Retreat Any More”

"We will not Retreat any More," sheet music sent to Miner Rogers in Cornwall
by Sgt. William Cogswell in Washington, D.C., 1862

Sedgwick's 1858 Map

At the opening reception for our Civil War exhibit, we were given a map from 1858 owned by Major General John Sedgwick. The map, produced by the War Department Office of Explorations and Surveys, is a sketch of the routes between Fort Laramie and the Great Salt Lake.

At the time, Sedgwick was stationed at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas. Fort Laramie was further west, in Wyoming. The Great Salt Lake area, even further west, was of great interest to the military: from 1857 to 1858, the U.S. army engaged in what they called the "Utah Expedition." It has also been called the Mormon War.

During the 1850s, the U.S. government considered the Mormons to be a lawless group of religion fanatics. In May, 1857, approximately 2,500 U.S. troops assembled at Fort Leavenworth and marched to Salt Lake to subdue the Mormons and reclaim control of the Utah territory. In response, the Mormons called up the Utah militia to defend them. Both sides spent months posturing, trying very hard to avoid actual combat.

The "bloodless war" continued until June, 1858, when Brigham Young accepted President Buchanan's offering of peace.

Sedgwick's map was made in January 1858, during the middle of the conflict between the U.S. military and the Mormon settlers.

Sedgwick Walking Tour

Close to 90 people met up at the Sedgwick Memorial for a walking tour led by David A. Ward of Civil War Tours. As a surprise treat, members of Company F, 14th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry joined the tour. As pointed out by David Ward, their presence was particularly appropriate: the 14th Connecticut was the only Connecticut regiment to serve under Sedgwick during the Civil War.

The tour began at the Sedgwick Memorial. David Ward is addressing the group.

Heading up the hill to Sedgwick's birthplace.

Company F, 14th C.V.I. marching up the hill.

The end of the march--standing in between the house where Sedgwick was born, and the house he planned to retire to.

A glimpse of Sedgwick's longed-for retirement home.

Sedgwick's house in Cornwall Hollow burned down in 1859. Construction of a new house was overseen by his sister Emily, who received instructions from Sedgwick in his letters. By September, 1860, Sedgwick was longing to return home to Cornwall. On September 25, he wrote to Emily about some of his plans for the new house: "I mean to add to the library and a few pictures, as we have the means.... I still think, when we have paid up [our debts], we will furnish the parlor and library handsomely."

The march back down the hill, with hints of what the area looked like when Sedgwick lived here.

The final leg of the tour, in the Cornwall Hollow Cemetery.

Sedgwick's grave marker.

Company F, 14th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry.

Tour participants enjoying refreshments and conversation.

Sedgwick Memorials and Grave

John Sedgwick (1813-1864) was Cornwall’s most illustrious soldier and one of the best-loved Union officers, referred to by his men as “Uncle John.” An 1837 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, he spent his life rising through the ranks of the U.S. Army.

Sedgwick was killed at the Battle of Spotsylvania Courthouse on May 9, 1864. Seeking to encourage his men as he chastised them for ducking from the bullets of Confederate sharpshooters, Sedgwick declared “They couldn’t hit an elephant at this distance.” Moments later, a Confederate bullet struck Sedgwick in the face, killing him instantly. He was the highest ranking Union officer to be killed during the war.

Civil War portrait of Major General Sedgwick.

Major General John Sedgwick was buried at Cornwall Hollow on May 15, 1864. Newspaper accounts estimated that about 3,000 people attended (the entire town’s population was less than 2,000). The family rejected the Connecticut General Assembly’s plan to have his remains lie in state in the Capitol at Hartford, and instead held a simple, modest ceremony at Cornwall Hollow.

On the Sunday after he fell, borne by his neighbours, amid the tears of silent thousands, and wrapped in the flag, he was buried in Cornwall Hollow. No military salute was fired above his grave, but one solitary peal of distant thunder sublimely suggested the soldier’s life and death. Sedgwick died, but the victory was won.

~ George William Curtis, Oration delivered at the dedication of the statue to Major-General John Sedgwick, at West Point, October 21, 1868 

On Memorial Day in 1892, veterans gathered at Sedgwick’s grave for a special commemoration. An estimated 2,000 people attended the service, which began with a parade to the Cornwall Hollow Cemetery from West Cornwall. Next, members of the VI Corps decorated Sedgwick’s grave, adding their emblem to his obelisk. The other soldiers’ graves in the cemetery were decorated next, followed by a luncheon under a massive tent, and afternoon speeches about Sedgwick.

Graveside service for Sedgwick, Cornwall Hollow Cemetery, 1892.

Sedgwick’s death was so deeply felt that the officers and men who knew him continued to gather for commemorations for more than half a century. The first statue of Sedgwick was erected at his alma mater, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, in 1868.

Sedgwick state at West Point in 2014.

A monument to Sedgwick's memory was placed at Spotsylvania Courthouse by the members of the VI Corps in 1887.

Sedgwick Memorial erected by the VI Army Corps at Spotsylvania Courthouse, VA.

The Sedgwick Memorial at Cornwall Hollow was dedicated on May 30, 1900. The ceremony was attended by an estimated 3,000 people. Cornwall’s residents helped pay for the monument, which was also funded by subscription from people throughout Connecticut. The monument includes a howitzer used by his command during the Mexican War.

Sedgwick Memorial, Route 43, Cornwall, CT.

The original cannonballs on the monument were destroyed during a World War II scrap metal drive. In 1989, vandals stole three of the monument’s bronze plaques and damaged a fourth. New plaques, based on photographs, were made by Cornwall resident Neil Estern. The monument was restored and rededicated in 1994. Honorary wreath bearers for the rededication were Harriet Clark and Bessie Blake, who attended the original dedication in 1900.


An equestrian statue of Sedgwick was erected by the State of Connecticut at Gettysburg in 1913. The horse was modeled after a photograph of “Handsome Joe,” Sedgwick’s horse, and the sword was a copy of the one he wore into battle (now in the collection of The Connecticut Historical Society).

Sedgwick equestrian statue at Gettysburg.

Most recently, in 1929, a statue of Sedgwick was added to the Capitol building in Hartford.

Sedgwick statue on the Capitol building at Hartford, CT.

Sedgwick's Statue at Hartford

Major General John Sedgwick (1813-1864), who grew up in Cornwall Hollow, has been called Connecticut's most illustrious Civil War soldier. The state commissioned an equestrian statue of Sedgwick at Gettysburg which was unveiled in 1913. A decade later, the state requisitioned funds for another Sedgwick statue, to be placed on the south facade of the Capitol building at Hartford.

Connecticut commissioned Berthold Nebel, a sculptor based in New York City, to create the statue for the Capitol. A plaster cast was positioned in the niche on the side of the building for final design approval in August, 1928. The final marble statue was installed in March, 1929 (as reported in the Hartford Courant).

Sedgwick statue, south facade of the Capitol building, Hartford.

Nebel's design shows a significant amount of artistic license: rather than being a literal depiction of how Sedgwick appeared in life, the artist chose to create a heroic interpretation of how he thought a Civil War General ought to look.

For comparison, take a look at this 1864 depiction of Sedgwick in a Johnson, Fry & Co. engraving based on a painting by Thomas Nast:

Major General John Sedgwick (detail), 1864.
Collection of Cornwall Historical Society.

The 1864 engraving show Sedgwick as he typically appeared in photographs. The most obvious differences between this image and the statue at Hartford include the way Sedgwick wore his pants over his boots, the absence of gloves, the thickness of his coat (which seems cotton-thin on the statue), and the dishevelment of his hair and beard.