BALCOM FAMILY

 Civil War Letters

I am very fortunate to have these many letters that give me a glimpse into the lives of the Balcom family during 1862. The letters were all written to Gilbert E. Balcom while he was in hospital in Washington D.C.  Sadly, I learned that he died there in December of 1862 and never returned home but the letters are all full of hope for his coming home and plans for Thanksgiving.  I have letters from every single sibling and their respective  spouses as well as his father, Judson,  and I also have Gilbert's document that promotes him to Corporal.  I have researched and found that all the sons except Madison appeared to have served in the Union.  I have copied their particulars below.  I have not been as fortunate in finding any direct descendants of these people other than my own. I am inclined to think that Gilbert never married since he was only 20 when he enlisted and 22 when he died but I would love to hear from any descendants of any of these sibling as I know they would come to love this family as I have. 

I will post a sampling of letters and hope to eventually get them all on this website. I am transcribing them as they are, meaning I am not correcting spelling or grammar. If I can't decipher a word I will put a ? by it.

From Gilbert (he only wrote two of the letters and one is too light to read very well, here is an excerpt of the other)
 Camp near West Point Va. May 12

Dear Brother, I received a letter from you a few days ago with much pleasure I should have answered it before but have not had much time to write since we came to Yorktown. their was trouble in getting into their works for they were evacuated just one week ago yesterday or we went into them at that time. the same night we moved off into an open field that they had occupied but left in a great hurry upon our approach leaving their tents with a number of barrels of flour and considerable meal. that night I slept in one of their tents and took supper form a bag of meal that I got from a camp which they left in the woods about half a mile form the filed. the next morning we went to the city of Yorktown and saw the Big gun which they left it was spiked. they were planning to do a big thing by planting torpedoes for us to tread upon, but it so happened that most of them were seen before there was a great many hurt, but there was a few who were burst by being trod upon. The first one that burst blew one fellows leg all to pieces. He died the next day believe it was after stopping in Yorktown. For a couple of days we took the boats and came up as far as West Point form there we moved 8 miles when we landed there was one division here engaged in fighting the enemy, but when we got upon land they took to their heels and did some what they call fine skedadling, you may not understand what some of these southern phrases mean, but if not I will tel you when I get back. Our Col has been promoted to Brigadier so we have lost him, the weather is fine everything is in full bloom and birds sing to us most all the time. there are no Rebel to be seen everything is quiet as can be. they had quite a Battle at Williamsburg you have seen it before this time and as I know nothing of the harshieties I will not try to any. One thing for sure the sap on both sides was heavy. From your brother G. E. Balcom I received those stamps. Tom Hern has got back he sends his respects as do all the boys. I will send a letter from Lizzi. I wish you would save them for me. G. E.

From M. A. (Madison): 

West Millbury, July 10th, 1862
Dear Brother, I received a letter from you about four or five weeks ago and have not received one since but am very anxious to hear from you. it has been very exciting time here since the Battles people were in great suspence for a while we could get no news and it was reported the McClelan had retriated. Papers were not allowed to say much and the Telegraph was under orders not to transmit news over the wires and we did not know but the rumors were correct but are very glad to find they were not. I had a letter from Elizabeth a week ago they were all well then they had just got home to Lawrence, had been with Pike at Fort Riley. There is considerable excitement now about the new call for volunteers. Some think they will draft. Some places are offering Bounties Hartford. Sutton talks of 100. there has been no meetings yet don't know what the different towns will do. I sent three papers the other day so you could see what reports we get.

West Millbury July 19th, 1862
Dear Brother, I received yours of the 13th to day. and received oine other this week. I was very glad to hear from you and that you were better. hope you will continue to be well. you should take the best care of yourself. do not form any bad habits. if you have any get rid of them immediately. I hope you have not. but you have something to do to keep clear from them. if you are tempted to do any thing wrong think of those at home that wish you well and think of you many times every day. I have three dollars that I can send to you now if you want more let me know and I will try and send it to you. I would be saving of what I had and not get things you do not need. but will do you more hurt than good. it is sacrifice enough for you to be there under the circumstances yur health and life exposed without giving what you get to those unprinsipled Sutters. I do not think much good of them. I have heard of them there was a son of one of them was here a short time ago. and he told about some of them. he has been there himself. there is a difference in them I suppose. this is advise is for your particular benefit not mine. I am just about the same as I used to be. I have not had a letter lately form mary or Elizabeth. I was down to see Father yesterday he is not as well as he was a Short time ago but he felt better than he ahd for a few days before. you wrote sometime ago about his having five dollars a month. did you make arangements to that effect if so write and let me know and I will see that he has it.  M D got the letter that you sent the evening I fot there I sent him a letter to day I guess he wil send those things the fore part of the week if he did not to day he is making Boys Boots for Stratton and Axtell 2.50 a case. willard works for Capt Slocum yet. Business is the best now it has been for a great while before. Volunteers are not so pleanty on that acoount although they are coming in very well 23 went into Camp Wool at Worcester from Millbury it is the 34 Reg. Grafton has raised 9 so I hear the town gives them one hundred dollars Bounty eache one of them when they are Sworn in.  there is a Mrs. Leland lives near us that William Collins used to live with. she was down here a few days ago and enquired after him. when you write write how he is. Chas. bigelow is better now but it is very doubtful wheter he ever does much more but hope he may.not much more I think of to write. wrtie soon, your Brother MA Balcom have you got that Dictionary and Testament now if so use them often.

(on the back of this letter...Monday morning the 21st) If you want anything more let me know. I want you to take what I have written as I mean it. I don't mean you should not have any thing. But I do not think those Sutters use the Soldiers as they ought and I would not help support them much those that live to get-back this money might do them some good then I suppose you understand me. Write any particulars about the place. things that happen. Gen McClelan or anything doubted you choose. some say he had only 60 thousand. write what you think of the new position. Do you know Edward C. Gleason of the 20th Reg Co E. It is reported he was killed others tha the was wounded. can you find out about it. his Mother lives here. there is a Bowlan Bowen in the 15th Reg Comp D or Worcester Co I believe that is well accquainted with him. Heavy rain yesterday int eh afternoon just cleaning ? things look well here prospect of a large quantity of fruit apples and such like grass is very fair this season --I see Pope is at work taken Gordonsville where 3/4 of the rebels supplies come from. MAB

West Millbury Oct 17th, 1862

Brother Gilbert, I received your letter and was glad you were getting better you should be very careful now. I went down home this week Father was better then Willard was a t home Sunday the uniform came they sent the cents back poor ones. M D is at work for French of Worcester $6.00 a case best job he ever had he has had a hard time for a year or more I am glad he has a good job. I had a letter from Elizabeth this weed I believe she and Mary are well Pike expected to go some place in or near Missouri. there is a host of apples this year. I raised about 7 barrels on some tress I have with the house i hire. I have not much time to write this morning it is almost time for the mail to go. they begun the draft in Boston drafted about 900 and stopped. are going to raise a bounty of 200  if they can and not draft Fremont  by last nights paper is to have an important command. the Army of the Potomac has made a forward movement. and taken Charlseston to fifteenth was at Bolivar Heights. Write soon, Yours , M A Balcom

Written by Rebecca (wife of M A) and M A
West Millbury oct 24th 1862
Brother Gilbert I suppose you will begin to think I am not verry neighbourly about writing to you for a long time, but I have had so much to do, that I have put it off, until now. We received a letter from you yesterday and I was glad to hear from you but sorry to hear that you was sick and I hope you will not get any worse but better, soon. I suppose it is not very pleasant, staying in the hospital is it a Soldiers life is pretty hard life any way. I hope you will get your discharge. I think you would get better if you should come home. Mr. Ford has got well and takes work from teh shop where Madison works he was sick you know when he was out there. We had a few lines from Marcus to night and he said your Father was smart for him. I hope he will keep getting better we all are as well as usual the boys have been to school but Freddies school finished to day Elmers will keep three days more this term. I expect they have grown a great deal since you have seen them if Freddie keeps on growing as fast as he has done he will soon be as tall as I am. Those flower seed that you sent me did not one of them come up. I planted them with much care in the best place I could find in my flower bed but they would not come up. I felt disappointed I wanted to see how they looked. I called them 15th Regiment. We begin to have pretty cool weather here the ground froze last night as little and the grass was white with frost. I do not think of much news to write and Madison going to write so I will close hoping to hear from you soon. from Rebecca
Brother Gilbert, I received yours of the 20th yesterday, got one from MD this evening. Would be willing to do anything for you that was right. am well acquainted with the Representatives of Grafton Mr. Axtell would see him if you thought best. but if you can get it without any such thing it would be better that way. let me know about how you get along often. Was it the chief or Head Surgeon that took your name it it was you stand a good chance to get it. Is the Hospital you are in, in Washington or where I see an account from other Hospitals in the papers but don't see that name how are the sick treated there. I marked a piece in the Journal about a case in one of the Hospitals do you know of any such things. there is Soldiers relief Society in Millbury and most all other towns I guess. it is to benefit the sick and wounded Massachusetts Soldiers meet once a week to work then they send Jellies Wines and Money for their particular benefit there are agents there to look after such things in and around Washington. one that will swindle rob a soldier like that is worse than a Brute. Lucious Thayer is Warren Thayer's youngest Boy I suppose. Deek Ball wrote he had got the box your shirts were in it. I saw Whitney soon after he came home he told me to tell you he was alI right when I wrote to you. had a letter from Mary this week She and Eliz were well, the Reg Pike belonged to was ina fight a few weeks ago. he was not in he is one of Col Blunts bodyguard. the Rebels chose to leave there was about 1000 of them and about 400 Union they killed about 200 rebels and the rebels killed 20 wounded 90 took 150 prisoners. write soon MA Balcom Have not heard form Willard this week except I heard most of the Grafton Com got into the Guard lock up. they found out the pass word and passed the guard to most officers found it out and changed the word so they could not get in. when they came back don't know whether W was one or not may go up there tomorrow.

West Millbury, Oct 30th, 1862 
Dear Brother....Alf is about but poor. all wore out no particular disease but tired out. Grant is very sick but don't notice much only when they speak to him or touch him then he will rouse up look about then sink back again. Rebeccah was down home day before yesterday. Father had another bad turn. had not quite got over it when she was there. I have not seen Willard since I wrote to you before. he was down home and staid over Sunday. most sick with a cold. better when he went back. there is a report that the 15th Reg is coming to Camp Wool when the 51st go. I don't know whether there is anything in it or not. there is quite lively times here on politics. the Democrats tried a little game but I guess it won't work they got up a party called peoples party. good many Republicans went into it in good faith but they found out what the game was so they are not quite so plenty amongst them now. it was their plan to defeat John A. Andrew and Charles Sumner. Sumner especially but I expect they have got something to do to accomplish that. they showed their coulars a little to quick to succeed. Sesech(?) will generally stick out try and cover it up as much as you will. I don't believe in trying to make people believe a lie.

West Millbury Nov 15th 1862
Dear Brother I have not heard from you for about a week. I sent one before you  wrote that you wanted ?.  I suppose you received it. I would be careful what you wrote you know what you wrote to me if you wrote it to some it would be generally known and might not be of any advantage to you you may think you don't care but it will be better for you and I know what I write.  Keep cool. I wrote to Elizabeth last night. have not heard from her since I wrote to you. Father was about as he had  been the last I heard. Willard is in Worcester yet the Reg is expected to leave next week. Suppose it will go with Banks Expidition. What do you think of McClelan there is something some where that is not right. I have always had confidence in Mc. I believe him to be one of the Greatest Generals in the Country if not the Greatest. A great Engineer can plan well and I believe execute his plans. I also believe the President is a great man and should be Sustained whatever he does. it is because in his judgement it is best. I believe him to be what he is called Honest-Old Abe. I see by the papers that there is great exertions made to have him revoke his proclimation of Emancipation I hope it will never be. slavery has been protected long enough it is the cause of the war and if it will bring Peace away with Slavery. it appears to me that God has a hand in this and means it shall be done away. Freedom and Slavery can never live together in peace. if it had not been for the Northern Simpathy for Slavery this war would have been ended before to day there is a class of men that wish to create a division in the north. I hope Abe wil shut them up the Election is over and John A. Andrew is Governor again for all the (?means? moneys?) used to defeat him. Charles Sumner I expect will go back to the Senate Again one of the most Intilectual Honest Concientious Politician in the Country. It is Thanksgiving the 27th would like it if you were here guess I may go down home or to douglas. write yours from M A Balcom

West Millbury, Nov 29th 1862
Dear Brother, I am glad to hear you expect to have comfortable quarters if you are to stay there. You should take the best care of yourself. I suppose your blood has got to be poor having so much of that strong coffee and such like. Alf was not able to come. Grant is sick yet but better. You spoke about some shirts have you not yet got those that M D send out. I have you a pec of apples on the way. Business is very good now. the 51st regiment went from Worcester to Newburn the other day Willard was not very well when they went away has not been since they have been in camp. I did not go home to Thanksgiving. heard from Father last Tuesday he had another bad turn but was better then Elizabeth has got back. I have not seen her yet she has the chills.

Torn and date missing..
News came today that there was a Battle going on at Culpepper and Gordonsville. Pope was commanding in person the Rebels attacked Banets (?) with a large force. a messenger was sent to Gen. Burnside he is somewhere near or at Fredericksburg. I have not heard from Mary or Elizabeth since I wrote you before. I see by the papers Gurilla Bandits are in Missouri they are taking measures to capture them.

 Gilbert received about 5 letters from friends, two from a man named George Prentice who I imagine is related to Sarah Prentice who married his brother M. D. (Marcus)

From George Prentice, August 22, 1862 Dear Friend, Mr. Fisk Wheeler has lately got his papers authorizing him to raise a company of nine months men from Grafton and other towns in this vicinity. I heard this morning that he had got 15 men enlisted do you think that he would make a good Captain, Fred, Jordan, talks pretty strong of enlisting Mark has been talking about enlisting also but I think he has pretty much made up his mind not to go unless he should be drafted. We are going to have a town meeting next Monday afternoon to see about the draft they want to pay a bounty and try and get volunteers enough without drafting they lack 4 of the first company and if they can't fill that I can't see how they expect to raise the second. the last nights Journal said that it is reported that Burnside is going to be first -over Pope and McCellan how would the army of the Potomac like that operation. How is the health of the men now are the ranks much thinned off by sickness or battle either? What are you drawing off from Richmond for are you afraid of getting visited their. Emma sends her love and al the other good things. I can't think of anything more to write, hoping to hear from you soon. I will hand off and sign myself your friend

From another friend, C. L. Preston, Oct 17th, 1862, Camp Parole, Annapolis

Dear Friend, I suppose you remember that I lent you three dollars when we were at Camp Winfield Scott. Before Yorkstown I heard that the regiment had been paid off and I am all out of money. We are not going to get paid  untill next month thought I would send to you for the money which according to agreement should have been paid when we were at Harrison's Landing where we were paid last. if you will send me the money you will greatly oblige Charles L. Preston there is a rumor here that the 15th was going home to recruit I hope it is so the boys that belong to company G are all well. Leroy D. Ball is in the tent with me. Rockwood is cook for the officers. I suppose the regiment is pretty badly used up I don't think the old 15th  will be recruited again I am sorry to hear of so many killed and wounded in our company. I must bid you good bye for this time.

From J. A. Pike (Gilbert's brother in law and my 4th Great Grandfather)

Camp on Sheugar Crick Jan 4/62

Dear Brother I received a letter from you yesterday dated Oct 28. it had been laying over to Leavenworth for a long time, it was remailed in Leavenwworth Dec 29 and I got it yesterday. but I have got one besides that that I have not answered I think. So I will do it tonight. I am officer of the day and have to be up late and I will write to keep awake.  Mary wrote me that you had got to be a Corporal.  How do you like it, it is a little more pay but a good deal more trouble.  but that is the only way to get up is to go from a Private to Corp. and then to Sargeant and then up, so just keep on and sometime you may be where it will pay you better than it does at this time.  This day one week ago, I went to Lawrence to see Mary.  I supposed she would be there by that time but when I got there she was not there and I stayed until yesterday morning and she did not come and my furlough was out and I could not stay any longer.  But I think I was some sorry that I had to come a way down here 65 miles without not seeing Frank, Mary and Sis.  I suppose they are in Lawrence now and if they are I wish I were there with them.  But I am not and can't help it so there is no use of fretting.  It has been raining this Eve and now it has stopped and is getting cold fast, for I can feel it in the tent , for we are in tents.  I have a good fire burning, it is cold and I must fix the fire now.  There is no news that I think of at this time.  Write to me as often as you can and oblige.  Please direct to St. J. A. Pike, Co. D. 8 Rig, Kansas Voll Osowatamie, Kansas.  Direct Mary's and Liz's letters to Lawrence as usual.  What letters you send to me I will send to them and what they get they will send to me.  Remember me to all the boys.  Tell Smith that I do not recollect him but suppose I used to know him ?????  Goodnight, Pike

From Judson Balcom, Gilbert's Father

Grafton, Nov 24, 1861
Dear Son, As I have not written you since you left I thought I would send a few lines informing you that my health is better Doct Hobert is giving me medison which helps me. I am very glad that you enjoy good health and I hope you will after the battle of Bulls bluff. I felt anctious to hear the result fearing that you was either killd or taken Prisenor but it seems you are not neither. I hope you will escape all harm and return. I hope the south will see their folly and give up. iff you should go into another battle be careful and not risk to much but I hope you will not have the opportunity of using your Rifle to shoot the southern Foe. I felt sorry to hear that Samuel Sibly should fall but it was so ordered. I see by the papers that the southern soldiers are Disbanding and giving up iff that be the case perhaps they may come to some settlement. we had a thanksgiving they were all at home to enjoy it but you remember that you were not forggotten when we sat down to supper all wished that you was here to enjoy it with us Willard bought the turkey and carved it he kept Willard all day. I hope you had a good thanksgiving in kamp. Mother said she should like to send you some turkey but you would have to wait till next year iff you should have to winter their you must want more clothing than what you have got iff there is any thing that you want for comfort send us what it is I hope you will get into some comfortable building iff you winter their. You wanted to know whether I had received my money but wonce I have they pay off the last Friday in each month sis sends her lov to you and wants you to bring her a little black boy to play with her I don't think much more to write at this time you must write often. Yours with Respkt, J Balcom

The folllowing excerpts are from his brother Marcus D (M D) and his wife Sarah E Prentice. They wrote the most letters and the longest and always both wrote on each letter.

Grafton, Oct 5th 1862
Dear Brother, I was glad to hear from you . How do you get along now. was you in the late battle or not. Henry Ball wrote a weak or two before the last battle that you were alright then. did you get my letters. I have written nearly every week for 7 weeks. and got no answer till last night. John Stowe was buried today. Sarah and I went to the funeral. there was a great many people out to day. Mr. Scanlin attended the funeral. the house was crowded so that I could not get in. Grafton has got to raise 27 more men for nine months. I don't think they will be able to get them without drafting for them. but hope they will. Will thinks he was a dam fool for enlisting. i don't think he will stay nine months. he says his back is weak he can't carry a knapsack. that will throw a man out the quickest of anything. so tony phillips told him he is the man that took care of Col Ward when he had his leg taken off. he is waiter for Dr. bates now. so he says he knows all about it. I should like to see you coming home in a short time. for boot business is tip top now. Father was quite pleased to hear from you for he did not know what had become of you. he said I might tell you that he was getting a little better now. He is considerable better than he was a month ago. he has got quite strong to what he was then. I hope he will continue to be so. Father had a letter from Liz Thursday night. Mary, Frank had got home when she wrote. so she was not quite as anxious to come home. the 15th reg got into all the rough places that any other Regt can't get in. but I don't think it will get filled up again. for they got cut up so bad that they won't dare to enlist into it. I think Will and I were lucky not to get into it for we should have got their just in season to have gone into the last a battle. I don't think I shall make much of a soldier so shall stay at home and let you and Will have all the honor that a soldier gets in this war but I don't think much of the honor a soldier gets in this war. do you know where the reg is now. I heard that they were at Bolivar Heights. Gen Gorman  complemented the 15th very highly. he wants two more Regts and wrote to Governor Andrew for ? Regts. tom Bigelow wrote that there was not more than 12 of the Original company left and only about half of them able to do duty. that is using them up some. the rebels are going to raise the Black flag now on account of the President's  Emancipation Proclamation. I will close now and let Sarah write you you will find enclosed five dollars. write soon as you get this and write all that you can from Brother Mark.  Gill how glad we was to hear that you was one of the lucky ones and sorry to hear you was sick be you much sick write soon all the particulars and whether you was in the battle or not Elbridge is sick in one of the Hospitals  it was a great consolation to Mr.  ? family to think that ?? could go out there and get his brother and bring him home. I suppose he has suffered everything. Fred Robinson went up to Worcester yesterday and had one halve of his ball taken out the other is in his body yet he was out to day to escort the body to the grave with the company. I feel very anxious to see you again do right us how you have faired and all the news about the other boys. I will send you little Carrie perhaps she will cheer you up. I hope you will be spaired to come home and set by our side and tell us some of the senes you have had to pass through it would be very interesting. May God restore you to your health and return you to your once loved home again.. Good by this from your affectionally Sister Sarah E Balcom