November 1862-1865

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Header Record

Title: [Collection of William H. Bettes, L company, 6th regiment, Ohio, cavalry] [decimalized]

This collection consists of fourteen letters written by William Henry Bettes. Eleven of these letters are written to Lodema Bettes, his wife, one letter is written to Charley Bettes, his son, one letter is written to Carrie Bettes, his daughter, and one letter is written to Lieutenant W. H. Betty. William H. Bettes enlisted on 5 October 1861 as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was commissioned into Company L 6th Regiment Ohio Cavalry on the same date. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant on 16 December 1861 and was discharged for disability on 23 March 1863. Selected highlights include: Bette's…

GLC02596

22 December 1862

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lodema

Received her letter containing postage stamps and a five cent bill today. Writes that he can happily go around camp knowing that his family is all in good health. His health is very good and has been since they left camp in Washington. Has not heard from Wellington but is not concerned because he is well provided for and his sickness is not dangerous, although he will probably not be fit for duty again this winter. S. Z. Dickinson has gone to Finley Hospital in Washington. Received a letter from him today which said that he had to walk three miles, which took him three hours, and he was…

GLC02596.12

1861-1877

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lieutenant W. H. Betty

Writing a few lines to let Betty know that he sits up for most of the day but is very weak. Has all the care that he could wish for, and everything in the hospital is kept clean. The 60 to 70 patients there all seem to be doing well; Bettes does not think there is anyone who is dangerously sick and no one has died since he arrived at the Union Chapel Hospital in Washington. Believes he will apply for a discharge. Does not know if he can get one or not, but there is no harm in trying. Asks Betty to send him the letters that have arrived for him at camp. If he does not get his discharge,…

GLC02596.14

16 June 1865

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lodema

Sent a box this morning containing his overcoat and pants. The coat with red lining and the two shirts are Sanford Ticknor's. Writes that "one package of letters belongs to Carter of Brimfield, Ohio which he sends home." The shells, books, cap all in the box belong to Bettes. Sent the shells to his wife as a present. The Dutch Testament of the Bible is for Charley. They have just received orders to be ready to go to Bridgeport, Connecticut this afternoon at 3 o'clock. On the third page, Bettes has written: "send this box to Lodema Bettes. Atwater Portage Co. Ohio."

GLC02596.13

17 April 1862

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lodema

Writes from Camp Chase. A warm and spring like morning; it is raining very gently. Located in a very fertile portion of Ohio, but it is not nearly as pleasant as other parts of Ohio are. Writes that "no hills in any direction are visible. There is not so much thrift nor neatness nor enterprises manifested here by the people as on the Reserve." Misses the neat and comfortable farm dwellings and the tidy yards and gardens. Judging from what he can see in the vicinity of the camp, there is not much fruit growing. All the men except for Luther Dickinson are healthy. There is nothing new…

GLC02596.01

11 November 1862

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lodema

Encamped about a mile from the Thoroughfare Gap, but the army all appears to be on the move. Yesterday morning, a couple of the Indiana Cavalry came in and told the army that Major Stedman and about 80 men of the 6th Ohio Cavalry that went to Fredericksburg, Virginia had been taken as prisoners. While on the road, the Colonel sent a dispatch stating that Major Stedman and his command had got back to Washington Junction and had taken 20 prisoners but lost two men. Pushed through Louisville yesterday. The men had a night of rest last night, their first since a week from last Friday. They…

GLC02596.02

19 November 1862

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lodema

Left Gainesville, Virginia yesterday at 5PM and is now between Centerville and Fairfax, Virginia. On the way, they passed the memorable battlefield of Bull Run. Encamped about six miles west of Centerville; they are now about four miles east of that place and comfortably encamped in the woods. Have their tent up and plenty of hay for their bed. They have "good soft bread, good butter, good fries, good coffee and milk for supper tonight and we have enough for breakfast. We live on the best when it can be had." Feels that the public will no longer be "bored with the old stereotyped phrase…

GLC02596.03

22 November 1862

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lodema

Has not received any letters from home this week but expects there is one or two on the road. They are encamped on the Chantilly Plantation between Fairfax, Virginia and Centerville, Ohio. When he last wrote, the Army was up at Aldie, Virginia. Ordered to march to Thoroughfare Gap, where they stayed for one day, and then ordered to march to Gainesville, Virginia. The Army arrived in Gainesville around 10 o'clock and remained there until five o'clock, when all the troops had passed and their war guard came up. Started for Centerville and passes over the historic Battlefield of Bull Run,…

GLC02596.04

24 November 1862

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lodema

Writes from Chantilly Camp. Received a letter from his family and was very glad to hear that they are all well at home. Writes that it appears Wilford Merriman is doomed to suffer as long as he lives. Glad to hear that Eusebus Austin is likely to succeed in getting his quota of men because he is a good man and would make a good officer. His wife wrote about sending his trunk by Eusebus, but Bettes does not think that this is the best idea. Needs two pairs of drawers, one pair of socks, one pair of pants, a shirt, and a quilt sent to him. Finds it very difficult to get clothing while…

GLC02596.05

6 December 1862

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lodema

[Writes from Chantilly Camp]. Writes that they are still in their old camp. Has been out on a scouting expedition once since he last wrote. Started about 12 o'clock at night and returned the next day at four o'clock in the afternoon. Is certain that there are almost no Rebels left in the northern part of Virginia except for a few Guerilla bands, which do not amount to much. Has not read the President's message yet, but it is greatly eulogized by those who had already read it. Expects this affair will end in a compromise, but Bettes would rather a fight ended the war since battles have…

GLC02596.06

9 December 1862

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lodema

Writes from Chantilly Camp. Experiencing extreme winter weather, such as snow, but are surprisingly comfortable. Has no war news to report, there is more information in the papers. S. Z. Dickinson is still in the Regimental Hospital and very sick, he does not want to go to Washington if he can help it. Received a letter from Wellington yesterday; will send it with his letter so that mother will know how he is getting on. Applied for a pass to go down and see Wellington, but he failed to obtain one. Has written to Edgerton to have him go down and see Wellington. His wife has written two…

GLC02596.07

December 11, 1862

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lodema

The day before yesterday, orders came for Sigel's Corps to change position. When they came to load up, it was discovered that one of the wagons needed repairing and would have to be sent back to Washington; someone would have to accompany the wagon to ensure that it was repaired. Went to the city to see Wellington today. Found him sitting up and quite comfortable. Says he has a good appetite and feels very well but he is still weak; Bettes stayed with him for an hour. Everything about the hospital is as neat as a pin; Wellington says he has everything he needs and the best kind of care…

GLC02596.08

12 December 1862

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Carrie

[to Carrie, his daughter] No date on the letter, date is from the envelope. Carrie is usefully employed in mending her apron; Bettes is glad that she is making herself useful. Tells her to help out her mother as much as she can, to not quarrel with her brother, and to not bother her Grandmother. Concludes the letter by telling her to be a good girl.

GLC02596.09

12 December 1862

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charley

[to his son, Charley Bettes] No date on the letter, date is from the envelope (presumably the same envelope as letter #9). Charley was very anxious to get a letter from his father. Wants Charley to be a good boy and help his mother by bringing in the wood and chips for her. Tells him to not tease or bother his Grandmother and to not quarrel with his sister. Tells Charley that he must learn to read and write so you can read your letters and then answer them.

GLC02596.10

19 December 1862

Bettes, William H., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lodema

Encamped near Potomac Creek, Virginia about four miles from Hartford Court House and six or seven miles from Fredericksburg, Virginia. Left the camp at Hall Farm on Saturday and went to Fairfax, Ohio and found the troops. Saw S. Z. Dickinson at Fairfax, Ohio; he was still sick but able to walk. They came through Dumfries, Virginia and the roads were extremely muddy so the teams had to stop every few roads. It took them half a day to go a mile and a half. Writes that one would think this distance should be traveled in a day. The roads from here to Fairfax, Ohio run through the woods.…

GLC02596.11