Letter from William Norton Miller, Civil War, shared by Donald Johnson of Elgin
Donald Johnson, of Elgin, shared this letter, written by his great-grandfather. William Norton Miller was 22 years old when he left Barrington Center (now Barrington) in 1861 to be mustered into service in Janesville, Wisconsin. Norton, as he was called, was a musician, and wrote this letter on March 1, 1863 from Belle Plain, Virginia, to an Aunt Helen living in Barrington Center.
Camp Belle Plain Landing
March 1st /63
My Dear Aunt.
I received your very kind and interesting letter a few days since. I was very glad to heare from you once more, I am well and enjoying life first rate. Alvah is also well. The wind blows dreadful today. It rained most all the forenoon. The roads are most impossible. I don't think we will leave here before next month. I got a letter from Grandfather few days ago; they were well. Grandmother and Lousa had been quite unwell but were gaining. It has been quite sickly around this winter. Haulsy Workman is dead also one of his children. Collens wife lost one of her girls. There has been several boys wounded that used to live around Barrington. Among the wounded are Freman Dunkley, Milton Towsand, Meril Sabin and Bates, a young fellow that lived at the Station. Sabin was taken prisoner and has not been heard from since.
John 0. Connel had the stok of his gun shivered to pieces, but did not hurt him much. Dave Jayne is at Cincinnati. taking care of the sick. The last time I heard from my brother he was gaining. Joel Haven is married; he married Unes Hensdale, Aunt Martha's half sister. John Pope is also dead I don't know as you remember him. I like to forgot to tell you that Wm. Martin is married.
Alvah got a letter from his folks last evening; they were well.
The railroad will be done far as Evansville by the first of May.
I got a letter from Minerva few days ago. She is living at Station working at her old trade.
Last Sunday being Washington's burth all the batteries around here fired a salute. We had a very heavy snow storm here last Sunday. The snow fell about eight in. depth.
Two weeks yesterday there was seven out of our brigade that was drumed out of camp. Five out of the seven had to have their heads shaved. It was the hardest sight I ever witnessed. The whole brigade was cald up to see it done, their crime was desertion and cowardise.
There was a reconnoitering expedition. They came back with sixty horses and mules, about fourteen thousand lbs of ham and bacon, besides forty or fifty negroes. They did not get many prisoners as some traitor had informed them of our coming and they had left.
In the the (sic) of battle the bands are sent back out of danger. They don't have anything to do unless they are amind to. We don't have half the playing we used to in a regimental band, I would never have enlisted again had I not went in a band. I know too well how they are used. You spoke about small pay, Our pay is little better than a private soldiers. The lowest we get is seventeen dollars per month and from that up to 30 dollars. I have not had a chance to see any battle fields since we came here as we have laid in this camp ever since we came here. As for the war I have give up all hopes of ever whipping the south. There is so many in the north we can't do anything. I can't see as the war is any nearer a close than it was one year ago. I hope the Indians won't bother you any more. I wish they would shoot every one of them like they do rabits.
I can't think of any more so I will close for this time. Excuse all mistakes. Give my respects to Uncle George and all the rest of your family.
Alvay sends his respects.
As ever yours,
Norton
Direct Brigade Band, 4th Brigade, 1st division 1st Army Corps, Washington, D.C.