A Stop on the Underground Railroad

My last blog post dealt with ancestors in my family tree known to have held enslaved people during the early years in America.  This blog post turns the coin and gives a story of another family branch known to actively work to provide escaped slaves a path to freedom in the mid-1800’s.  For many who escaped slavery, Maine was near the end of the road to freedom before they reached Canada, but it was also a last chance for those in pursuit to block their path to freedom.

Sympathizers throughout the country included Baptists, Quakers, Shakers and Masons, many of which became involved in aiding enslaved people running to escape their bondage.  Laws requiring the return of slaves, and rewards offered by southern owners, created a society of assistance which required navigating with secrecy and extreme caution.  

Many in Maine joined forces and developed a system of safe houses and routes to help escaped slaves heading toward freedom in Canada complete the last leg of their dangerous trip.  The Underground Railroad was a secret system of linked individuals and safehouses that assisted the travel of the people who had escaped slavery travel northwards towards safety.   

In the Brunswick and Topsham areas of Maine, however, parts of the Underground Railroad were actually underground.  Both communities had a network of tunnels that were constructed of red brick paving, side walls that were up to 5 feet wide, and arched ceilings.  The tunnels linked several of the safe houses in each community and facilitated the passage of many either on foot or by small wagon.  Many of those fleeing slavery arrived by boat and were then put into a safehouse and/or used the tunnel network until arrangements were made for the next step of the journey. 

As antislavery groups formed in communities, they often included influential residents that became deeply involved in the Underground Railroad.  The tunnels built in Topsham connected about five of the homes or properties of wealthy individuals.  Other homes were also used as safehouses in the area.  A number of homes belonging to members of the local Antislavery Society were even remodeled with hidden places and passages to allow hiding spaces and accommodations for those in need. 

One of the safehouses located in Topsham was the home of David Scribner, my 2^nd great grandfather, located at 20 Elm Street.   By 1830, David was a Deacon of the Topsham Baptist Church and later became a Vice President of the Topsham Antislavery Society formally established in 1838.

David Scribner achieved success in business as a part owner in both a grain company and a lumber mill.  David also served one term as a representative in the Maine Legislature from 1838-1841.  As a Deacon of the Topsham Baptist Church for over 60 years, David was commonly known as Deacon David or Deacon Scribner for most of his life.

David was born in 1795.  His father, Edward Scribner, died in 1804 at the age of 37 after serving in the Revolutionary War.  David was only nine years old at the time, the only son, and the eldest of 5 children.  There was no time for him to attend school but he worked hard to continue his education through books for the rest of his life.  David married Islethera Howland in 1821 with whom he had 7 children before her death.  David later married a widow, Mary Ann Quint Whittemore and they had another 2 children.  Deacon David Scribner died in Topsham, Maine in 1890 at 94 years of age.

 

*  *  *  *  *

Key individuals:

Edward Scribner  (1766 – 1804)

Deacon David Scribner  (1795 – 1890)

Islethera Howland Scribner  (1802 – 1843)

Mary Ann Quint Whittemore Scribner  (1808 – 1887)

– Jane Scribner McCrary

Legacy of Enslavement

As you can expect, having ancestors who participated in the unjust system of slavery during our history is an emotional and distressing topic.  Slavery is part of our country’s dark history, and genealogical research will find those connections in the early history of many American families.  Doing so can be an impetus to face difficult truths about some of our early ancestors.  It is difficult to infer from our current vantage point what motivated the decision to enslave people.  Geography, religious beliefs, wealth and ownership of land all clearly had some effect, but were not always clear determinants.

Naturally, we would much rather discover that our ancestors supported freedom for enslaved people than subjugation.  I have traced ancestors of mine which fall into both categories, and continue to grapple with this uncomfortable legacy in my ancestry.  In this blog post, I will share the story of one line of my family tree that held enslaved people through several generations.  And in my next blog post, I will share the story of another family among my direct ancestors that took an active role with the Underground Railroad effort to help slaves find freedom.

I begin with the Hall family who lived near Baltimore, Maryland.  According to one book “John Hall was transported from England in 1640.”  I don’t know whether he was “transported” to America willingly or by agreement.  In any case, it is known that John Hall was transported to Baltimore by Robert Paca.  And it is likely that Robert Paca paid for John’s passage in exchange for indenture, work or a settlement agreement.  In 1657, Lord Baltimore granted Robert Paca about 490 acres of land located near the Chesapeake Bay.  Several years later in 1663, Robert Paca granted a portion of that property to John Hall (1^st generation). 

Slave ownership in the Hall family began in the early years of colonial settlement in our country, as indicated by the will of John Hall’s first son, also named John Hall (2^nd gen) in 1737.   His will includes several paragraphs that detail the division of land and property among his children, including a paragraph that itemized household slaves named Rachall, Jenny, Hanah and Maria bequeathing them to different members of his family.

A son of John Hall (2^nd gen), named Aquilla Hall (3^rd gen), died young, at age 29 in 1728, at the hand of one of his slaves who had previously escaped.  The news story written at the time appeared in the Maryland Gazette newspaper.

Annapolis, Dec, 31.  There is a Report in Town, that Mr. Aquilla Hall, of Baltimore County, was unfortunately shot to Death on Christmas-Day in the Morning, as he was walking in his Orchard, by one of his Negroes, who had been run away some Time before; and lay in Ambush to execute this barbarous Murder; since which he has made his Escape.  It seems this was not the first Time this Villian had attempted his Master’s Life, having before struck at him with an Ax, which cut him over the Eye-brow, and had certainly split his Skull, if he had not suddenly mov’d his Head.

In 1768, the will of one of Aquilla’s (3^rd gen) sons, named again John Hall (4^th gen), also mentions enslaved women named Bett and Puriah, and men called Jack and Vallentine.  A little over a decade later, the first Federal Census in 1790 shows an Aquilla Hall of Baltimore, likely Aquila Hall Junr (5^th gen) the son of the John Hall (4^th gen) named above, with 35 enslaved people. 

Times were beginning to change however, because in the 1815 will of Aquila Hall Junr (5^th gen) we find a great deal of discussion about the disposition of those he enslaved, and also granting freedom to many after they reached 30 years of age:

“I give and bequeath unto my said wife during her natural life the following slaves with their Increase to Wit.  London, Luke, Frank, Dick, Abraham, Charles son of London, and Henry.  Also Esther, Fan, Dinah Ann and Bill son of Bet and after decease of my said wife my will is that any of the above slaves who may be above thirty years of age according to the schedule hereunto annexed should be immediately free except London and such as have not arrived to the age of thirty one shall serve until they arrive to the above ages.  And as the Issue of some of the above slaves may be under thirty years of age my will is that they and their issue shall serve until the age of thirty one respectively and then be free with their respective Issue. 

As for old London above devised to my wife my will is that after her decease he be allowed the House where Flora now lives and the use of as much ground about the house as he can cultivate as also the Orchard and underwood for firewood during his natural life as also two cows, four ewes, one sow and an old Horse such as my Executors shall direct and that he be allowed forty dollars per year during his life to be paid him out of my son Walter Tolly Halls part of my said Estate

and as I have devised unto my Dear wife Negro Dick who has since absconded.  I give her in lieu of Dick, Little London during her life and as I have given her Dinah, and give her Rachel during her life.”…

“It is my will and desire that Jack, Louiza, Harman should be the property of my Wife during her natural life, and Dinah should serve my son Robert L Hall during the life of my Wife & Sal untill she arrives to the age of Thirty one years and Sophia Jun’r to serve Susan Hale untill she arrives to the age of Thirty one years”

– excerpts from the Will of Aquila Hall, 1815. 

Of note, Aquila Hall Junr (5^th gen) required that upon the death of his wife, that the enslaved man named Old London would receive a home, farm and income for life, what is known as a life-estate.  There is certainly a great story there, if only we knew it.

While I haven’t looked into slaves held by the other children of the above noted Aquila Hall Junr (5^th gen), I have looked into records for his daughter, Susan Hall Hale (6^th gen) and her husband, Henry Hale, my 3^rd great grandparents.  In the 1820 Federal Census, the family of Henry Hale shows 7 enslaved people; the 1830 Census shows 4; and the 1840 Census shows 4.  And one year later, Henry Hale’s 1841 estate inventory mentions 2:

“One negro man named Ben, about 50 years of age.  Slave for life.  $100

 One negro man, Cate about 65 years old.  Slave for life.  $100”

My 3^rd great grandmother, Susan Hall Hale, lived with one of her sons after the death of her husband, Henry Hale in 1841, and until her death in 1858.  That household showed 2 enslaved people in the 1850 Census Slave Schedule:  1 female that was noted to be 113 years old, and 1 male that was noted to be 75 years old.  Due to their age, I expect that they were being taken care of by the family. 

By the 1860 Census, just prior to the beginning of the Civil War, there were no records of any enslaved people in the Hall/Hale branch of the family tree. 

And in 1861, a grandson of Susan Hall Hale (6^th gen) died fighting for the Union in one of the early battles of the Civil War, the First Battle of Bull Run.  Henry Philip Hale died at only 18 years of age.  [see June 20, 2020 blog post, ”Young Life Lost at Bull Run”, and November 6, 2020 blog post, “Letters Home in 1861”]

*  *  *  *  *

Key individuals:

John Hall (1^st gen)   (1624 – 1660)

John Hall (2^nd gen)   (1658 – 1737)

Aquilla Hall (3^rd gen)   (1699 – 1728)

John Hall (4^th gen)   (1722 – 1768)

Aquila Hall Junr (5^th gen)   (1750 – 1815)

Susan Hall Hale (6^th gen)   (1778 – 1858)

Henry Hale  (1755 or 1773 – 1841)

Notes:

I apologize for the abundance of John Hall’s and Aquilla/Aquila Hall’s in this blog post, as I know that it makes it difficult to read.  However, it was an era when families would often use and reuse the same names, as did many cousins, aunts and uncles, which can be a real challenge for a genealogist. The immigrant, and first John Hall, is my 8^th great grandfather, and so on down to Susan Hall Hale who was my 3^rd great grandmother.

John Hall (2^nd gen) (1658-1737) was the High Sherriff of Baltimore County in 1692.  He was also the Baltimore Deputy Commissioner in 1698 holding that office until around 1704; and he was a delegate to The General Assembly of Maryland from Baltimore in 1699-1702. 

And Aquila Hall Junr (5^th gen) (1750 – 1815) was a signer of the Bush Declaration, a resolution adopted on March 22, 1775 in Harford, Maryland, declaring support for the Patriot cause at the beginning of the American Revolution. [see July 3, 2020 blog post, "Path to Independence"]

My next blog post will be the story of another branch of my family that was involved in anti-slavery efforts including the Underground Railroad in Maine assisting slaves in route to Canada for their freedom in the mid-1800's.

 – Jane Scribner McCrary

Ships' Logs from the 1870’s

Three ships' logs for sea voyages made by my great grandfather, Captain David Alba Scribner are held at the Museum of America and the Sea located in Mystic, Connecticut.  The logs are included in the G W Blunt White collection of the library.  I requested a microfilm copy of the logs through the interlibrary loan system, received it, and made copies for my files.  The three logs are for the Ship St Lucie 1870-1872, the Ship St John 1873-1875, and the Ship St John for the later years of 1875-1878.

Deck of a clipper ship with sails up.  Photo taken by H D Scribner, date unknown.

The log entries were recorded daily while ships were at sea.  Captain Scribner’s entries were typically about 4 to 10 lines that noted the weather, and changes in the weather, at least 3 times each 24 hour period.  Winds were also noted by strength and direction, the ship’s course, latitude, longitude, and how the sails were set or changes made to the sails.  Also, he always noted when a ship was sighted, the ship’s direction, and if they were close enough to signal he always identified any ship sighted by name, if possible, and where it was headed or the port it came from last.

One 1873 entry noted a problem with the weather and the sails:

“Fresh gale from the North

Ship on Port Tack

5 PM Furled the Forsail & lowered the Mizzon Topsail

6 PM foot rope of Lower Main parted

Succeeded in saving the sail in a damaged condition.

Parted.  Lower Fore Topsail

Ship laying to under Fore Top”

 

And another mentioned a stop at the Pitcairn Islands:

“Light breeze from East.  Calm and rain showers

6 PM boarded by some of the inhabitants of Pitcairn Island

Island bearing then South distance 5. Miles

Ends Pleasant.  Wind NE

Course S by W  Dist 100  Latt 28.18   Long 129.43”

In a sobering 1873 entry from the St John logbook, on a trip from San Francisco to Liverpool while near the Cape Horn, Captain Scribner noted that a crewman was lost:

“First part of these 24 hours, fresh gale from NW with a heavy sea

6:30 PM John Kennedy Seaman was washed overboard & drowned

Turned Ship about but could not find him

7:30 Kept Ship on her course

Middle part, heavy squalls

End part, heavy snow and heavy sea

Ship running under whole topsails and foresail

Course E S 3/16 S   List 21   Lat. 55.50   Long 75.39”

 

And in 1875 on a voyage from New York to San Francisco, one lengthy entry in the logbook told the story of a theft problem among the crew:

“Found the crew has breached the Cargo.  Asked all hands what they would say about it.  One Frank Mopey said he was knowing of it.  All hands called aft.  Said Mopey then related that two nights previous Joe Brown  come to him with several bottles of Beltrop? and asked him to take some of them which he (Mopey) refused to do and urging Brown to put them back.  Again, refusing to do it, the bottles had been all hove overboard.  Brown was then called o and said that he was the Guilty one and knew of no others implicated in it.  I then dismissed them all and ordered Mopey’s trunk or Chest searched.  He saying that Brown had the key.  Brown denying it.  Then Mopey said that he (Mopey) had lost it.  Then the carpenter was called to force open the chest.  When opened there was found seven bottles of Bitters hid under his clothing.  Mopey denying of knowledge of any thing about the affair but he was seen at 2 AM to go below with two bottles and returned with several other lots so I have no faith in Mopey.  Took the chest into the Cabin after giving the Man his clothes.”

Log entries occasionally, when the weather is warm and calm, include notes of having the crew painting the ship, repairing things and sometimes included a comment about stoning the deck.  At the end of the journals, there was also a section of accounting ledgers showing maintenance and expenditures for provisioning the ship when in port.

Below are 1905 photos of the clipper ship, St David, which was a sister ship to the St John and St Lucie along with the St Frances and St Charles, all similar in style, and built by Chapman & Flint in Bath, Maine.  David A Scribner captained all of these ships at some time during his career.  He first sailed the St Charles in 1869 as the Chief Officer, and was named Captain by 1870, sailed the St Lucie and the St John alternately between 1870-1878, the St David from 1878-1884, and the St Francis until 1893.

Below are some photos that I took of the below-decks of the USS Constitution when Guy & I were in Baltimore on vacation in 2019.  The Constitution was, of course, larger than the clipper ships but similarly crowded with crew, cargo, goods and supplies below deck.

*  *  *  *  *

Key individuals:

     Captain David Alba Scribner  (1840 – 1911)

For more on Capt Scribner’s voyages, see the August 4, 2020 blog post, “Visits to Pitcairn Island.”

- Jane Scribner McCrary

Lamplighter Luke

Luke G Hughes, my great grandfather, was born near Shiloh in Camden County, North Carolina in 1862, during the midst of the Civil War.  He was the son of Joseph Hughes and Mary “Polly” Gibson Hughes.  Luke’s mother died when he was eight years old, and it is said that he was pretty much on his own after her death.  As the oldest of four brothers, Luke started working by the age of 12, and had been a salesman, dry dock worker, farmer, milkman, huckster, and saw mill worker, as well as a lamplighter for the South Norfolk, Virginia community of Berkley for 3 years around 1900.  He and his wife, Jane Roberts Hughes moved their family to Norfolk County, Virginia about 1895. 

 

In an interview and news story printed in 1949, Luke Hughes, then 87 years old, tells about his lamplighter experience of almost 50 years earlier. 

BERKLEY LAMPLIGHTER BID $75 TO KEEP TOWN LIGHTED – “I bid $75,” said Luke Hughes.  And being low bidder he got the job of being the first lamplighter for Berkley when it was first incorporated way back near the turn of the century.

To know just about what to bid and what it would cost him for oil and globes, Mr. Hughes took a lamp home and burned it all night.  He figured it out and when the bids went in his was the lowest.  “Some bid as high as $150 a month,” he recalls. 

He had to furnish the oil, keep the lamps all 75 of them, lighted all night, and if a globe got broken install a new one.  “But I came out quite a bit ahead,” he says proudly.  “In the Winter it cost me $28 a month but only $22 in the Summer,” he explains.  “That left me good pay because the average wages in those days was 80 cents which was considered good man pay.”

Lamplighter Luke likes to tell how he roamed the streets at dusk with his donkey cart and placed a small ladder against each pole to light the lamps.  Sometimes he took a partner with him.  When he did they made better time for he would drive on and the partner would climb the ladder and then race after the cart.”

Luke was 97 years old when he died in 1959.  He had a long and colorful life, which included a murder trial at 70 years of age.  I can’t say that he was innocent – as Luke’s defense was that he couldn’t remember anything except that they had been drinking and had an argument the evening before.  Both men had been quite drunk, and Luke claimed to have been knocked out or passed out.  He testified that when he woke in the morning, the victim was dead on the floor with a fatal bullet wound.  Luke called the police who arrived and noted that the victim was still warm, and that Luke had scratches and lacerations on his face.  The bullet that killed the man was from Luke’s gun.  At the trial, there was no eyewitness and only circumstantial evidence.  The prosecution was unable to prove to the jury that the gun had been actually fired by Luke Hughes, and Luke was acquitted.

Virginian Pilot and The Norfolk Landmark newpapers; Friday, February 3, 1933; page 8. 

*  *  *  *  *

Key Individuals:

Luke G Hughes (1862 – 1959)

Jane Roberts Hughes (1861 – 1933)

Notes:

There is confusion regarding Luke's middle name – was it Gibson or Godfrey?  Godfrey is the middle name noted on Luke’s death certificate.  However, delayed birth certification for three of his children – Polly, Florence & Charles – record the father as Luke Gibson Hughes. 

Luke had an uncle, Samuel Godfrey who was married to his father’s sister, Sarah/Sallie.  And Luke’s mother’s maiden name was Gibson.  Thus, it is reasonable that either name could be Luke’s middle name.  I suspect that Gibson is correct, however, as it is found 3 different times and recorded many years earlier than his death certificate.

 - Jane Scribner McCrary

Letters Home in 1861

In an earlier blog post on June 11, 2020, I wrote about Henry Philip Hale, an 18 year-old Union soldier, who died only a short time after his enlistment from wounds he received at the First Battle of Bull Run and while in a Confederate prison hospital in Richmond, Virginia.  Henry’s letters were written to his mother and siblings who lived in Brooklyn, New York.  They spanned the time between when Henry’s regiment left New York until after the conflict at the First Battle of Bull Run.

While Henry’s letters to his family only covered a short period, there are several significant occurrences mentioned in his letters including the death of Colonel Elmer Ellsworth who was the first Union officer to die in the Civil War, making camp in the House of Representatives building in Washington D.C. while it was still under construction, and seeing President Abraham Lincoln.  Thus, I thought it would be interesting to make this blog post simply a transcription of young Henry P Hale’s letters home in 1861.

Washington, May 7 ‘61

Dear Sister,

I received your letter of the 2^nd this morning through Jim Smallwood and I was much pleased to hear from you.  I have written two letters home, one to you and one to Mother.  I presume that you have received them both.

We were mustered into the U.S. Service this afternoon.  Some fifteen of the men backed out.  They will be sent home in irons, having once been sworn into the State Service.  There are some few men who are a disgrace to the N.Y. Zouaves, four of whom have been found out and will be drummed out of the Regiment tomorrow and sent home in disgrace.  Two more have committed a crime and will be given up to the authorities tomorrow, and I hope hereafter we will go by a good name.  Col. Ellsworth is a trump and wants nothing but honest and respectable men in his regiment.  We pass away our time playing cards.

I have written Dave [brother], but tell him not to forget his soldier brother, if he don’t take the right side with him.  I have enlisted for the War … let it be five days or five years and God protect the right.  We are quartered in the room of Commerce next to the Patent office – best quarters in Washington.  Our Regiment has the honor of being the first regiment that has enlisted for the War – not thirty day men like the Fancy Seventh of N.Y.  They are the troops of B’way but not of Washington.  We are the only, or I am in the only Company at least, that there was not one man backed out.  Write soon.  Give my love to all and kiss the children for me and tell Ella [sister] that I am not sorry that I am here, altho I would like to see you all, hear you all – bid you good night.  God bless you all and believe me.

Your affectionate brother,

Henry

 

P.S. Please send me an old pair of pants with the books if you have not sent them, if you have never mind.  Don’t send my new ones for I hope to have them on in my dress again.

 

Camp Lincoln, May 17 ‘61

Dear Mother,

I embrace the opportunity to write you a few lines.  We are to pull up stakes this morning and go a mile below here next to the river where we can have plenty of fishing during our spare hours which are very few, as we are drilled hard and long.  I wrote Sis several days ago asking her to send me some collars – but you need not send them as I have no chance to have them cleaned when they are dirty without washing them myself, and rough dried collars would look worse than none.  I am beginning to think that there will be some fuss in the Camp before long as we now not getting half enough to eat.  Last night our tent had one loaf of bread among sixteen.  You may imagine what the boys thought of this kind of treatment – however, we’ll have to put up with this.  You may hear that we have plenty to eat, but don’t believe it.  The ones that get enough grub has money and buys it from the peddlers about here.  I have heretofore always tried to write a cheerful letter home but when things come to such a point as this I intend to let it be known.  If things do not go on better hereafter – as we are promised, I hear the boys saying they will have it published in the New York papers.

Have you sent that package yet?  I have not received it and cannot understand the reason as you intended sending it on the 11^th.  I hope it has not been lost as those little presents will not go amiss with me.

As long as I am writing I will give you an account of the way we do – We are woke up at 5 o’clock by the drum, and get our breakfast – or at least our little mouthful and then are called out at 9 o’clock and drilled until 12 o’clock – when we have two hours for dinner.  At 2 o’clock we go on the field and drill until 6 o’clock – get a little something to eat and have to be in our tents at 9 o’clock.  This is our regular way of living from one weeks end to the other.

Give my love to all the family.  Kiss the children for me.  Give my respects to all my friends.  Write soon and believe me.

Your Affect Son

Henry

 

Alexandria, May 25 ‘61

Dear Mother,

I received your kind letter Thursday night and was much pleased to hear from you.  We left our camp yesterday morning for Alexandria – joined rear troops about daylight.  We had taken the City and had little fighting to do but it pains me to say that we have lost our gallant Col.  He was shot at the Marshall House after having pulled down the Secession Flag.  On coming down stairs the proprietor stepped out of his room and shot him in the breast.  He lived but twenty minutes and all he said was “My God”.  How true his words came.  He said as we were leaving the camp to be prudent and not to run into danger, that perhaps he would be the first to fall, and so he did.  No one else received a shot.  One of our men was shot last night by one of his best friends.  It was very dark and the guard asked him to advance and give the countersign.  He kept coming toward him and did not speak and he was shot dead.  The man who shot the Col. was shot dead on the spot and the American Stars and Stripes fly over this town.

I enclose a few threads of the Secession Flag – I could not get any more.  Sew it into a piece of cloth and keep it.  I hope I may soon return to see it.  I certainly will if the Secession runs as they did here.  You could see nothing but their coat tails.

We have taken 37 horsemen prisoners.  They surrendered without firing a shot.  I have been amusing myself today hunting and searching around for things belonging to the Secessionists.  All we have found was powder and ball.  Write soon and direct as before,

Your Affect Son

Henry

 

Camp Ellsworth, ? 1861

Dear Mother and Sister,

We expect to have a little flight before long.  Two of our men belonging to our Co. was shot at Clouds Mills on Friday morning.  One killed and the other was wounded in the hop.  Young Cornell was buried on Sunday morning.  Yesterday his brother came on with an order from General Sanford for the body.  It was taken up and delivered up to him.

It is now raining in torrents and we are all getting on well passing the time away smoking, singing, and playing cards.  We now have plenty of grub since we have been here such as it is – hard bread, salt lunch Pork – and fresh beef once a week.

I wrote you while quartered at the Orange & Alexandria R.R. Depot and sent you a piece or at least a few threads of the Secession Flag that caused the death of the Col.  I am anxious to hear from you …….

Good bye.  God Bless you all

            Your Affect Son and Brother

            Henry P Hale

 

P.S.  Please send me a comb in a newspaper.  I have lost mine and my hair is getting quite long.

Washington, June 2 ‘61

Dear Mother and others,

I arrived here last night after quite a nice voyage [the troops were transported part way by ship].  We anchored off Annapolis day before yesterday.  We came on shore about 10 o’clock yesterday morning.  There is two men stationed at each rail from here to Washington.  We have fared quite well – had plenty to eat since we left N.Y. and it’s all in your eye about the men not having enough.  The President [Lincoln] received us last night.  He is about 7 foot, he looked like a fool standing with his hat off –

We are quartered in the House of Representatives – that is, the one they are just building.  I am writing on the floor and sitting on my knapsack and my back is nearly broken bending over – and you must excuse my miserable writing.

Hoping to hear from you soon, I remain your

Affect Son

Henry P Hale

 

Camp Ellsworth, July 10 ‘61

Dear Mother,

I send you my likeness by today’s mail.  It is not very good nor is it very well got up.  It has no case, I was down to Alexandria yesterday on french leave and thought I would have it take as promised to send it to you from Washington, but was short and could not.  I would have got a case with it but they charged $1.50 and I had not enough.  I expect you will think it looks rather rough, but you know a soldier with nothing but a Regiment shirt and blue pants on cannot look dressed.

I wish when you have the time and money to spare you would have Sis, Birdie & Ella [3 sisters] taken in one case and send them on to me as I would like very much to have them with me as the Lord only knows when I will be home, as it begins to look like War.  Some 5 or 6 regiments have come out here encamped within a mile of us.  There are the Michigan 1 & 2 regiments, the Maine 3, 4 & 5 regiments and an Ohio regiment.  Scott Life Guards Second Artillery Company and three horse company all within a mile of us.

We have not as yet received any pay, more have I any idea when we will.  We have been promised over and over again.  It seems our Regiment will be humbugged out of our money as well as clothes – if I am not paid shortly I will up stakes and join some other Regiment and if I possibly can I will be transferred to Ellsworths Avengers.

My draws [drawers] are worn out and I have none as well as my stockings.  We have a ____ in our Regiment and he is getting all of the boys pay.  I do not intend running up any bill with him.

Did Dave [brother] attend to having that I enclosed to you sent to the Mercury Office [New York Sunday Mercury newspaper]?   If not tell him to attend to it immediately, if not sooner.

I have seen some of my friends from New York who have joined other Regiments.  The reason letter does not reach me in time, you direct it to Washington instead of Alexandria.  Give my love to all.  Goodby

Your Affect Son,

Henry

 

Richmond, August 2 ‘61

Dear Mother,

I write this to inform you of my whereabouts.  I am still among the living although I was wounded in the Battle of Bull Run, and, I presume, named among the dead in the papers.  It was God’s Will that I only got a slight wound in the thigh.  I am recovering fast.  We are treated here with the utmost kindness.  Everything is done for us that one could wish.

I hope that War will soon end and we will all soon return home.  I hope Dave is successful in finding employment and is doing well. 

I have nothing to write about.  I am in a hospital in Maine Street.  Give my love to Grandmother, Sis, Dave and the children.  Goodbye.  God bless you all –

Your Affectionate Son,

Henry P Hale

 

NOTE:  Private Henry P Hale, 11^th New York Volunteers, 1^st Fire Zouaves, Company G, died on August 7, 1861, five days after writing the above letter from Prison Hospital No. 1, Main Street, Richmond, Virginia.

*  *  *  *  *

 

Key Individuals:

     Philip Moore Hale  (1807 – 1870)

     Mary Ann Brown Dickinson Hale  (1816 – 1880)

          Henry Philip Hale  (1843 - 1861)

 

- Jane Scribner McCrary