Massachusetts 54 Poem

Massachusetts 54 poem

Morale was high at
The beginning but it kept
Getting worse and worse

They marched constantly
Soldiers did not have shoes and
Their feet were in shreds

They were first kept from
The truth and told that they would
Go fight in battle

That was really a
Lie and they were to not fight
At all but they did

They were given the
Chance and demolished the Rebs
Few casualties

Most died in the Sec-
Ond battle of fort Wagner
They lots over 40%

They were the second
African-American
Regiment in war

April 8, 1865
Dear Rose,

This is probably the last letter I’ll be writing to you. I can’t assure you anything though. You may be wondering why I’m saying this but you should be relived that I have made it this far. I’ve made it to what seem like the end of the war. It isn’t all good new though. Let me explain, 2 days ago we fought a very important battle. I’ll spare you the gruesome details for your sake. But basically we were retreating and trying to stay together under the leadership of the great  Robert E. Lee. And we encountered Union troops at Saylor’s Creek.  It lasted one day and despite all of our efforts I hate to say it but we were greatly defeated. In the wake of the battle, some 8,000 Confederates surrendered. I wasn’t one of them. But I’m not enough to keep our army going, especially when roughly 1/3 of our army surrrendered. I overheard Corporal William Matthews saying that this the largest number to wave the white flag in any North American war. He’s the guy who delivers all sorts of news around. Who knows what’s going to become of us. At this point the Confederacy is dissolving and we are greatly outnumbered. So the good news is honey, that I’m alive. I’ve been able to survive through all of this. Everyday I thank God for waking up and for you. The bad news is that our cause might be the one to die soon. I know it hurts but God has a plan in store. And anything that happen next is just a pat of it. Tell my little boy, although I don’t think he’s so little anymore, I can’t wait to see how he’s grown up! But tell him that I love him and that I’ll be back. When is uncertain but I’ll be back.


With love,
James

(1865) Breaking NOOZ (͠≖ ͜ʖ͠≖)

Letter Home

Dear Sally,

It has been a long and treacherous journey, but the war has come to an end.
We marched out of Richmond, I have never felt so embarrassed and pitied before.
As we fall back, we encounter a couple of Union soldiers along our way. We very easily disbanded, losing a fourth or our army. It is humiliating to say, but we had to finally surrender. I accompanied General Lee and we met up with General Grant; tsk! scum! It was no use to fight, we would lose either way. We march to Appomattox where the Union and Confederacy finally made a peace treaty in Wilmer McClean's residence (what a coincidence!). The terms of surrender are the following; we must relinquish all weapons, we must not continue fighting, we could keep out personal items, and finally, we would be given 25,000 ration meals.

Although not everything fell into place for us confederate soldiers, we carry on our pride and respect for the south.

sincerely,
 William

Dear parents, The war is near it's end and I have managed to survive. I have seen many die and many that I am close with as well. On January 31st, The U.S congress approved the 13th amendment to the United States Constitution to abolish slavery. Shortly after the amendment was submitted to the states for ratification. Also The last offensive for Lee's army of Northern Virginia began with an attack on the center of grants forces at Petersburg and 4 hours later the attack is broken. Sincerely, Orlin Kist

(1865) 文書 to my friend, Ralph

Ralph,

    The number of men I´ve seen fall in battle is a number too high to count to. I am home now. I am finally with my children, my parents, and my loving wife. I survived, yes, yet I am not happy. I feel as if I am living in a house unfamiliar to me. I have seen too much. Learned too much. Know too much...
The screams of dying soldiers have been engraved into my mind and no matter what, all I see is death and bullets.

       I´ve been awfully nervous lately. The slightest pop or rattle has put me in shock and made my veins freeze and skin pale. I don´t even want to be around my children anymore. My family must think I am mad for doing such things. I write to you because I am afraid I cannot tell anyone else. My father is too proud, having a retired war Major for a son. My mother is getting old and could never understand my pain. I do not want to worry Milly with my sickness. For once, I just want peace and to leave this Earth, knowing I did something for my country. I recently fought at the battle at Saylor´s Creek, though it wasn´t very eventful. We have already lost the war and many of us were too tired and weak to fight. From what I heard, over 1/3 of us surrendered including me. General Lee was a little shocked by this news. All I am glad of is that Lincoln has forgiven us. Although I disagree with him about slavery, I am too exhausted to argue. So tired... So very tired......

      I hope to see you again soon to discuss things. I just want to feel at home again. Whether it be on a little plantation in Virginia, or behind the pearly gates in the stars.

                                 Regards,

                                  Major George Otott

(1864) رسالة to my mother

August 31, 1864

Good morning mother,

       Or...I it's morning where I am anyway. I know I haven't written in a while but I have just been so busy fighting against the North to write anything else besides news and current events. I know you have been anxious. At my camp, one of the most annoying parts of the day is meal time. We have barely any food left due to a cutoff of supplies and the food we do have is old, hard, and bitter. Hardtack is almost impossible to eat! The name itself is very appropriate for it. Our meals mainly consist of dry, salted pork and state bread but once in a while a sutler will appear and sell goodies for prices as low as 15 cents! Two weeks ago, I bought the best apple pie that has ever touched my lips. I sent you the recipe in the envelope so that when I return home, we can all have this as a treat for the entire family; and maybe make some for the negroes too.

      I'm sure you have heard of McClellan's dismiss. In March, Ulysses Grant is the new Union Head General instead. Although I am in the Confederacy I must say, firing McClellan was a good decision, although I'm not sure if Grant was the best replacement. After all, he was only a Lieutenant General beforehand and is still fighting in the POTATOE Army. Nevertheless, I do not care for the Union's decisions. I have a duty to fulfill and Grant has nothing to do with it. On the other hand, presidential elections are coming up and McClellan was been chosen to run against Lincoln, but to be honest a chimp has a better chance of winning than he does. McClellan does not stand a chance and Lincoln will be president once again. Nevermind that though; I just want to be with you and father, Milly, and the kids. All eating warm apple pie in the garden.

                Kind regards,

                   Georgie
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5 green apples (peeled and sliced)

1 teaspoon nutmeg

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup molasses

Line pan with uncooked pie crust, fill the pie with sliced apples, add nutmeg, cinnamon, and molasses. Cover with lattice and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour, 15 minutes. Let cool and serve