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

4 May 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

All are healthy. Arrived after a long march at Manchester, which is across the river from Richmond. Will then march to Washington, which should take about eight or ten days. Hopefully will get home by the middle of June. Will write upon arrival in Washington. If they do not leave Manchester until Monday, then he will write again before then. Glad that she is going to see the calves. She must write often. Mail is being collected, so he must finish up writing. "I hope I will soon see you and stay with you." Tells her to send his love to everyone back home. Written in Manchester neighborhood of…

GLC09273.44

16 May 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Printed on stationery from the U.S. Christian Commission. All are healthy. Met up with the regiment at a camp five or so miles outside of Washington. They have been here for 4 or 5 days. Got 3 letters from her last night and 2 more today. Got $5 in one of them today. Was "glad to hear from you and very glad to get that money for I hadn't got any." "Very warm" today. Will probably stay at this camp until the regiment departs for Elmira to be discharged. "Some think we will go to Elmira in 3 or 4 weeks, and some think it will be 6 weeks." Spoke to the captain about getting a furlough for 20…

GLC09273.45

21 May 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

He and Fayette are healthy, but Joseph is "grunting some." Hopes this letter will find her and Oscar in good health. Very rainy at camp; it has rained for three days straight. Waiting to take part in the review that will take place on the 23rd and 24th. After that, they will likely head north to Elmira. That journey may take 3 or 4 weeks. Not much to do. Has to get three meals a day for three people in addition to himself, but that is his only responsibility. Sylvenus Cavill was here today on his way home on a furlough. "He went home when we was on the South Side railroad" and came to see…

GLC09273.46

25 May 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

All are healthy; hopes she is too. The review is over, and "we expect to start for Elmira in a short time." The march might start on the 27th. The officers of the regiment are moving as fast as they can to discharge them. Charles [Jencks] was here to see him. After the review, the corps Jencks was in moved on. Still cooks for the captain and will continue to do so until they depart for Elmira. Will serve the Lord "as best as I can." "If we start Monday for Elmira we will get there about Wednesday." If he does not come home immediately upon arriving in Elmira, he will write to her. Will go…

GLC09273.47

29 May 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

The whole company is in good health, and he hopes that this letter will find her and Oscar in a similar state. "We want to start" for home "today, but I think we will start in 3 or 4 days." The discharge papers are ready to go and have been signed. Will soon be mustered our and sent to Elmira. Will receive his discharge papers and pay there. Will take the train from Washington to Elmira. It will not be long until they are together, but she must keep good courage until then. She must write as soon as she gets this "for I want to know how you are getting along." Cannot get a furlough; no one is…

GLC09273.48

9 April 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Left camp and fought for four days. Took the South Side Railroad, Petersburg, and Richmond. Headed for Lynchburg, and marched 5 days straight. Formed a battle line and marched into battle again. This time, "when our army cam in sight old general Lee surrendered." "The rebellion is done." Thinks that he will be home in 2 or 3 months if not earlier. Will be home very soon. Saw [Nucum] Pierce today. "The rebels lay in plain sight of us. We lay up on a hill and they lay in the [howles]. Has stopped marching. Countryside is very nice; "every place is covered with peach trees and they are in full…

GLC09273.39

16 April 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Gives a summary of recent events, including the fall of Petersburg and Richmond, the pursuit of Lee to Appomattox, and the end of the war. Have been marching back east and north since then; thinks he is headed for Petersburg. Has received seven letters in the past day. If she thinks they should keep both pigs, then they can keep both. Wants to know how much money she has received from him. Feet are sore from marching. If he goes to Petersburg, he will have a chance to write more. Tells her to "have some potatoes planted and do with everything as you think best." Hopes he will be able to come…

GLC09273.40

18 April 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Leg is "a little lame" from marching so much. Rest of the men are healthy. Headed for Burkeville but stopped about five miles away on the Danville railroad. Some think they are headed for Petersburg. "I don't think that we will have to fight anymore." Will be home in at most 4 ½ months. Asks her to keep good courage for just a bit longer. She should keep both pigs, because they will definitely be needed next fall. She should make sure to have some corn and potatoes planted "for we will want them next fall." She should also plant some buckwheat. Tells her to tell Betsey that he will answer her…

GLC09273.41

23 April 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Everyone is healthy, but tired from all the marching. Legs feel "lame." Stopped 18 miles from Petersburg on the railroad. Going to guard the railroad, but is not sure how long he will be doing that for. "We may stay here two weeks and we may not stay here two days." Many think they will be discharged before their time is out. Thinks they will "come out alright." Only his regiment stopped here; "the rest of our corps is all along the railroad." The war is over in Virginia. Would like to buy a team of animals (presumably oxen). Since he has cooked for the captain, he has not touched a gun.…

GLC09273.42

1 June 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Has arrived at the barracks in Elmira where he originally enlisted in the Union army. Arrived at about sunrise. Was mustered out about half an hour after he wrote her a letter on May 29 (#48). Started on his way to Elmira that same night. Does not know how soon he will be discharged but "they will do it as soon as they can." Will be home before long. Hopes to get discharged this week. Until then, she must keep good courage. "I remain your dear husband until death."

GLC09273.50

1861-1864

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Envelope

Title: [envelope addressed to Eleanor Hammond]

Envelopes addressed to Mrs. Eleanor Hammond, Wallace, Steuben County, New York

GLC09273.51

4 October 1864

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

All is well, hoping this letter finds her in the same condition. Sailed out of Washington to go to City Point, where he is writing from now. Sailed down the Potomac River and out into the Chesapeake Bay, arrived at a Union fort at midnight. Stayed there until morning, and then started for City Point, arriving there at 4:00 AM. Currently fourteen miles from Petersburg. Expects to begin drilling soon. Hopes to see her soon; expects "that after a short time I will see you all." Quite warm in Virginia. Put up his tent yesterday. Caught sight of Petersburg. "Will soon have Richmond and Petersburg…

GLC09273.03

14 October 1864

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

All are "kicking about." Has not had much to do. Joseph has gone with some men along the railroad to guard some men, but he will be back tonight. Is in the tent with Guernsey. The rest of the companies in the regiment are back in Washington, but they should be arriving here "today or tomorrow." She should be happy that he was not drafted. Draftees and substitutes are sent to the front immediately by the thousands. "They have got Petersburg surrounded and next week they say they will take Richmond and Petersburg both. There [are] some ironclads - 25 - going up to Richmond." Still has yet to…

GLC09273.05

22 August 1864

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Hammond to wife. Although the month of the letter is not known, the letter was likely written on August 22nd, 1864 based on what is known about Hammond's whereabouts during the war and that of the 189th New York. Hopes letter finds her in good health and good spirits. Talk of joining a regiment and going to Elmiru [Elmira]. Consoles her, reminding her that he would only be gone for a little while. With the new regiment, he will get to go to Harpers Ferry. Will send home money from his pay as soon as he can. Not much to write about. Richard Collins will "be up on Saturday," so she should get…

GLC09273.01

28 August 1864

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Glad to hear from her that all is well. Was sent along with nine other men to unload some horses at the depot. Got dinner in town; did not return until dark. His captain has been looking to get into a new regiment. Samantha wrote that she wanted to come visit if he was not coming home any time soon. "If they come if you want to come," she is welcome to come. Warns that it is very hard to get down to his location because they would not be able to get close to the camp until dark. James Slayton is coming, and he can let her know if it is possible to visit. Wishes she would go to Avoca and see…

GLC09273.02

9 October 1864

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

All are "enjoying good healthy and laying in camp." Not much to do. Wishes he could see her and the rest of his family. Thirty miles from Petersburg. Draftees and substitutes get sent to the front line immediately. Has been "some time" since he heard from her. Wants to know if she has received the money he sent her. Has been cooling down significantly in the area. "It is Sunday, but I can't see [any] difference; it is all the same here." Wants to know if she has dug the potatoes yet. Most of the soldiers in the regiment are from Elmira. There are lots of gunboats on the James River across…

GLC09273.04

August 1864-June 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Header Record

Title: [Collection of 50 letters of a soldier in the 189th regiment NY volunteers] [decimalized]

This collection consists of fifty letters from Horace J Hammond to his wife, Eleanor. Hammond enlisted on August 17, 1864 at Avoca, NY as a Private. He served largely at City Point, Virginia, the headquarters for General Ulysses S. Grant. While at City Point, he was injured when a fellow soldier's rifle discharged and the bullet became lodged in his leg. Doctors removed the bullet and Hammond recovered without having his leg amputated. Hammond was discharged on May 30, 1865. With Hammond's discharge.

GLC09273

February 27, 1865

Hammond, Horace J., fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eleanor Hammond

Health is "first rate," and leg is well. Weather is nice right now, and hopes this letter finds her well. Sent her two letters, each with $20 in them. Will send some more money by express soon. Does not need more than $5, and if he does, he will ask for some from her. Would have sent all the money by express, but did not learn until today that he could send any of it by express. Is now acting as commissary sergeant. Has to go to the brigade headquarters and draw rations for the company, then has to cook them. "Keeps me very busy." Received a letter from her this morning. Every day rebels…

GLC09273.30