Bogert, John A. (fl. 1863-1865) to Jacob C. and Mrs. Bogert
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06298.06 Author/Creator: Bogert, John A. (fl. 1863-1865) Place Written: Thomasville, Georgia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 25 November 1865 Pagination: 5 p. : envelope ; 20 x 12.7 cm. Order a Copy
Bogert replies to a 9 November 1865 letter from his parents. Relates the location of other regimental colonels, and states that he has $40,000 which he intends to pay for an unspecified purpose. Relates seeing Generals Stewart Lyndon Woodford, who served as Colonel of the 103rd United States Colored Troops, and General Littlefield (possibly Milton Littlefield) at Hilton Head, South Carolina. States that after a ship carrying clothing sprung a leak off the shore near Darien, Georgia, he was able to purchase a black military overcoat for $9. Relates that his duty in Thomasville primarily consists of guarding government cotton, and protecting the interests of African Americans in the area. Plans to make arrests the following day of people who he suspects are sending African Americans to Cuba to be sold into slavery. Discusses local Methodist and Baptist churches. Expresses approval of recent New York and New Jersey elections, stating "the people down here feel worry much disappointed to think the Black Republicans had been so successful in New Jersey especially."
Bogert served as Captain and Lieutenant Colonel of the 103rd Regiment, United States Colored Troops. The 103rd Regiment served at various locations in Georgia and South Carolina, and was mustered out 15-20 April 1866.
Head Quarters 103rd U.S.C.T.
Thomasville, Georgia
Nov 25th 1865
My Dear Father & Mother,
Your letter of Nov 9th has been received I am glad to know that you are well and would say that I am enjoying very good health. I arrived here from Savannah last Friday I find my regiment in fair condition it is pretty well divided up I have 4 Co's at this place 1 Co at [Dustman?] about 28 miles from here 1 at Valadosta about 20 miles farther one at Homersville about 10 miles farther one at Doctor Town about 100 miles farther all on the line of the Atlantic & Gulf Rail Road Thomasville being at one end of the line & Doctortown at the other and of the line that is the end the road is not in running order any farther than Doctortown the rest of the road which runs [2] into Savannah having been partially distroyed by Genl Sherman. I have also 1 Co at Darien which is one the Altamaha River about 78 miles from Doctortown I have also 1 Co at Brunswick which is about 45 miles down the Coast on St Simons sounds so you can Imagine it would be pretty hard work for me to keep the whole of my regiment in good turn however I have visited every Co but the one at Brunswick and expect to visit that next week. That money was all right I am allowed 2 per Ct Interest I have drawn $49,000 of It and will commence to pay next Monday I think it is rather doubtful about that check which was promised me but I will try and hury the matter a little. I saw Genl Woodford & Littlefield last week at Hilton Head. I made rather a cheap purchase last week at Darien there was a vessel loaded with lime Gun Powder and Gentlemens clothing which was bound for Savannah but got driven down below the Altamaha Inlet by a severe [3] storm and went into the Altamaha river for safety having spring a leak and the water getting to the Lime set it on fire and she was run ashore at Darien and part of her cargo saved which was sold at Auction among other things there were some Black Military Overcoats sold which were worth in New York from $80 to $100. I bought one for $9 (Nine Dollars) which I think was a good speculations I had spoken to a Tailor in Savannah who was going to find out what he could one made for me in New York so this same just in the nick of time The principal duties I have here are to guard government Cotton of which there is a large quantity here. It is being shipped north as fast as possible. I have also to look after the interest of the Colored people I shall send out and arrest some parties to morrow whom I have reason to believe are sending of Colored people by the Schooner load to Cuba and selling [4] them back into slavery I have no doubt but what there has great numbers of them been made slaves again in this way. I shall attend Methodist Church to morrow the Bishop of Georgia is to preach to morrow. They have a peculiar style of Baptists in this country who holds comunion and after communion the go to work and wash each other's feet- from my observation of the people I should say their feet needed washing. There is a News Paper published in this town once a week I will send you a Copy of It next week. The mail communications are very poor here It takes sometimes two weeks to get word from here to Savannah so you must not be supprised if you do not get your letters very regularly I was very much pleased with the result at the Election in New York & New Jersey [5] the people down here feel very much disapointed to think the Black Republicans had been so sucessful in New Jersey especially I will write leave this letter open and finish it to morrow please excuse red ink as It is the only kind I have had handy-
Nov 26th
I attended church this morning and heard a very good sermon have been busy all the rest of the day I [epected] my command this afternoon and I shall probably have a number of reports to make out this evening my love to all write soon
You Affectionate Son
Johnny
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