13 December 1864

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Is in good health; cold has almost gone. Received a letter from her this morning. Joseph's health is very good. Started on a raid this past Tuesday. Marched five miles one day, 22 the next, and 20 the day after. Upon reaching their destination, they "commenced and tore up the railroad and piled up the ties and then lugged the rails on the piles of ties and then set them afire." Also destroyed "30 miles of the road and burnt it up." Soldiers killed and ate any farm animals that they saw and "burnt everything that we came to." Rained and hailed all that night. Began their march back through the…

GLC09273.13

14 December 1864

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

The letter is printed on stationery provided by the U. S. Christian Commission. Is in good health. Received two letters from her this morning. One had some cough medicine in it. Got the receipt for his box. "I want to kiss you." Will be staying in camp for the winter. Found Joseph in camp; he is healthy and did very well on the march. Guernsey also "stood it first rate." John, on the other hand, "growled all of the way but he came through [alright]." Had some pudding for dinner. Has been living very well; gets at least two loaves of bread a day and will be making his shanty even better for…

GLC09273.14

15 December 1864

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Cough is almost gone. Leg is a bit sore but is getting better. In all other respects his health is "tip top." Got another letter from her today. Was happy to see that it had four stamps in it. Received orders to build shanties today. Joseph and Fayette are both healthy. John "grunts about the same." Guernsey is alright. Is cooking beef for supper. Says he prays to the Lord all the time to get him through the war. "Fayette has made up his mind to live a different life than" the one he has lived so far. Asks her to teach the Christian way to Oscar so he can learn "to be a good boy." Loves both…

GLC09273.15

18 December 1864

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Is very healthy: "cough is most well, my appetite is first rate, and I feel first rate." Leg is still a bit sore, but it is getting better. Fayette is healthy, but Joseph has the mumps. Eats all he can get at, and gets enough food. Moved about a mile and a half from where they had been in order to get more wood. General Gregory says that they might be putting up their shanties there. Would greatly appreciate it if she sent him his box. Wishes he could see her and Oscar, but his faith in the Lord has given him patience. Will likely wait out the winter at his current position. By the time…

GLC09273.16

25 December 1864

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Hopes she is having a merry Christmas. Got some sausage, apples, and soft bread for breakfast. Most of the company left for picket duty, but he stayed behind with Joseph and ten others. It has been very wet and cold for the past three or four days. It is a bit warmer today. Has been working at his shanty, but has the day off today. The new camp is about five miles farther from Petersburg than the old one. Just went to dinner; had some boiled rice . Feels "first rate." Has gotten some sores on his leg, including one "just below my knee" that hurt "a good deal." Got another letter on the 22nd…

GLC09273.17

January 1, 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Wishes her a happy new year. Everyone is healthy except Joseph, who has a cold but is recovering. Glad to hear she is all well. Heard about the note from Armstrong; thought Betsey was going to let her have some money. Advises her that if Betsey will not let her have any money, she should talk to Jerome and see if he will give her some money to pay Armstrong with. Will hopefully receive some pay soon that he can send up to cover whatever money is owed. Asks if the creditors will wait for him to get paid so he can cover the debt. If she pays him $30, maybe he will wait until fall to be paid the…

GLC09273.18

January 12, 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Letter is printed on U. S. Christian Commission stationery. All are well and hope the same is true of her and Oscar. His health is "the best that it has been since I was shot." Received his fourteenth letter from her the night before. Urges her to look out for herself. Glad that she got that money to pay off the creditors. Once he gets paid, he will send his salary home so that she can pay whomever needs the money and still have some left over for herself. He can pay the rest once he returns home in the fall. Discussed the financial situation with Fayette. Asks her to tell Jane that he thinks…

GLC09273.20

January 13, 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Leg is "almost well." Received two letters from her the night before. Glad she got most of the wood drawn. Weather is warm and nice. Has been cooking most of the day. Does not have time to write much. Soldiers went looking for some boats today that were carrying supplies. "We don't get many papers here." Glad she did not buy anything from Betsey. Wants to know how much money is left, and tells her to save as much of that money as possible. Tells her to feed the cows some meal before they come in "so that they will be a-gaining when they come in." It is very important to keep the cows well-fed…

GLC09273.21

January 18, 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

All are healthy. Fayette "is the fattest that I ever saw him and his health is tip top." Joseph is healthy, and John "grunts some but I guess he always will." Has heard from a letter that Fayette received that [Serrisey] is staying with her friend [Prudy], but he does not want her coming over to his house because she "[is not] fit to be in a hog pen." It is very cold at camp, and the ground has almost frozen. Has heard that he will not be paid until the first of March. Until then, she will have to do "the best you can." "There is a great many men down here that are making bets that the war…

GLC09273.22

January 24, 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

All are in "tip top health" and hopes she is too. Weather is clear but cool. Has been cooking beef all day. Is "the fattest I have been since we have been married." All the men can eat "like pigs." Does not think he will have to fight much once fighting starts, because his regiment is in the reserve corps. Leg had almost healed when it "began to swell up on my knee and got very sore." The doctor put "some stuff" on it, and it is getting better. Can still walk very well. His work is not too hard. Does not think any of his friends will get hurt fighting. Stopped writing for the night, and…

GLC09273.23

February 3, 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

All are healthy; hopes the same is true back home. Leg is improving. Received another letter from her this morning. Weather is "quite cold," especially at night. Hopes the war will be over before spring so that he will not face any extensive fighting. Thinks that leaders are working to end the war, and "it is very still along the line." Thinks Leonard and Betsey made her a very nice present. She should buy what she needs to live on and not much else, because he will not be paid until the middle of March. She should also be sure to give enough slop to the heifer, but she should also be sure…

GLC09273.24

February 12, 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

All are well and in good spirits; hopes the same is true for her and Oscar. Company left camp last Sunday and went "to the left." He and Joseph did not go with the company along with eight others. If they do not return in a few days, they will leave camp and meet them. Some came back last night to get some things they had kept in their tents. "They said it was about 8 miles from here where they were." Had felt sick earlier and decided to take some pills, but feels better now. Very cold today. Received two letters from her. Sorry to hear she had to go down to the switch in the snow to get…

GLC09273.25

February 13, 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

John got hypothermia after going out to meet the rest of the company. He was sent to the hospital, but sent a letter to Joseph yesterday saying "he was getting better very fast." Is feeling "first rate" and hopes she is too. He and Joseph pray together in their shanty often. Thinks "we have wasted too much of our precious time." "If the good Lord spares my life to come back to my dear loving family, I never will forget to serve as long as I live." Prays once, sometimes twice daily. Does not have anything to do today, and it is very cold. Does not yet know whether or not he will move to where…

GLC09273.26

18 February 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Is very healthy; hopes the same is true at home. Fayette and Joseph are healthy. John is still at the hospital, but they have heard from him. He does not have consumption (tuberculosis). "Joseph thought his breach was going to clear him from duty, [but] the doctor told him that he was fit for duty." Had seen the breach, and agreed with the doctor that it would not become a problem. Tells her that what he writes to her about cannot be repeated. Thought about asking for a discharge when his leg was at its worse, but did not receive one when the leg recovered. Does not want a furlough as long as…

GLC09273.27

February 24, 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

He, Joseph, and Fayette are all healthy. Leg is basically fully healed. Hopes this letter will find her in a similarly good condition and "enjoying the blessings of heaven." Has built a very good shanty to stay in. Washburn returned Monday. Will be staying at this camp until the ground is softer in the spring. They cannot move artillery until then. Received four months worth of pay worth $71.45. Plans on sending all but $5 of it home. Will send it in a letter "part of it at a time." It is possible that he will not be paid again until his time is out. Would love to be home with her and Oscar.…

GLC09273.28

February 25, 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Feels "first rate." All are getting along well. Leg is feeling very good. Hopes she and Oscar are also well. Wishes he were home, but is contented to stay out his term. The time until he comes home will not seem so long once the weather gets warmer. It is sunny but cold today. Had to go and draw rations for the company and then cook them alone. This is his only duty now that he has begun to cook. John is still at the hospital at City Point. Fayette received a letter that they think is from him, but they cannot be sure because it is unsigned. Another man moved into his tent, making five…

GLC09273.29

2 March 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

All are healthy. Received his 37th letter from her last night. "Sorry" that the letter contained $2 in greenbacks, because he had been sending money to her. Glad to hear she is in good health. Has rained all day very hard. He and Fayette have been washing shirts nearly all day; have made $1.80 each. Hoping to make some spending money. Will put $10 in this letter to send to her. Will only keep $1.50 for himself. Sends his love to Leonard, Betsey, Jane, and Samantha; would love to see Charles and Matilda. "Only six months more" until he will be home. Until then, she must "keep good courage and…

GLC09273.31

4 March 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

All are healthy. Leg does not swell anymore, and is as good as new. Joseph, Fayette, and Guernsey are all out on picket duty. Was very windy in the morning and rainy the night before, but it is now sunny. Just got two more letters from her. Glad to hear the weather is getting warmer back home. May be at this camp for a month or two. It is the middle of the "rainy season now, for it rains about every day." Hoping to receive $20 per month for the work he has done since January 1. The last time, they were only paid through December 31, 1864. Cooks and carries rations for the company. Wants to…

GLC09273.32

5 March 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Does not have time to write much, but is very healthy. Thinks she should sell one of the pigs if she can fatten one up enough by next fall. She should try to "get all you can for it." She must tell him how much she can sell the pig for and how much it weighs. Reminds her to send some pills and plow the fields.

GLC09273.33

20 March 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

All are healthy. Feels "first rate...my health is the best it has been for 4 or 5 years," but would feel even better if he were at home. Hopes this letter will find her and Oscar in a similar condition. Has sent $95.50 in total to her in the form of four $20 bills, one $10 bill, one $5 bill, and 50 cents. Sent home some gloves in Guernsey's box. Weather has warmed up at camp, so he does not need the gloves anymore. Sold his blanket to Guernsey for $2. Fayette and Joseph also sold their blankets. Will keep his overcoat for the time being; plans to sell it eventually. Has been away for almost…

GLC09273.34

24 March 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

All are healthy. Leg is back to normal. Has not received a letter in two weeks, but supposes that that is on account of the high water taking out some of the railroad. Weather has been cool and windy for 2 or 3 days now. "We lay here very quiet in camp, and things look very favorable." War looks to be all but over. "Rebels are about ready to surrender Richmond, and that will be the last of them." She must keep good courage until he comes home. Is cooking for the captain for a few days. Will put $5 more in this letter to send to her, which makes $100.50 in total. While this money should help a…

GLC09273.35

27 March 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

All are healthy; hopes this letter finds her in equally good health. Has not received a letter since March 10th. Is sending a few pictures with this letter. One shows the railroad bridge that has been built since the battle of Hatcher Run. "It is 35 feet high." Must stop writing; the mail is being collected now.

GLC09273.36

28 March 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Is "tip top;" hopes she is too. Wants to know if she has received all of the money he has sent her. Is eating really well. Decided to turn in his gun to the quartermaster, so "all I will carry will be my knapsack." Expects to begin marching somewhere starting tomorrow morning. Believes he is going to North Carolina. About 135,000 infantry and 30,000 cavalry are going to be on the move. Would rather move than stay at camp any longer. Only 5 months until he will be home. Prays every day. "I think the war will soon be used up." Would like to see her and Oscar; looks at her likeness very often.…

GLC09273.37

3 April 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Health is "tip top." All are healthy. Left the old camp on March 28 "and marched about 8 miles and had an awful fight and whipped the rebs." Had another battle with the Confederates the next day. Fought the rebels again the next morning in a battle that "lasted till about dark," when they began to build defensive fortifications. Marched six miles the next day to meet Sheridan's cavalry. "We haven't lost a man out of the company." Has taken about 25,000 prisoners. The rebels have been pushed to the other side of the South Side Railroad, and Petersburg has fallen. "I haven't been in any of the…

GLC09273.38

1 May 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

"My health is good," and Joseph and Fayette are both healthy too. Guernsey went to the hospital and got his discharge. He should be home soon if he does not get too sick to travel. Johnston has surrendered, and the war is now definitely over. "Most of the men think they will be home in six weeks." Expects to head to Manchester, which is across the river from Richmond, tomorrow morning. From there, they will go to Washington. She should look in the paper to see when they are going to be discharged. "We must put our trust in the Lord." Wants to see both her and Oscar "very much." Written 21…

GLC09273.43