Contributed by Maine Historical Society
Description
Capt. Charles Barnard of Bucksport, who was 46 when he enlisted as Captain of Co. A of the 14th Maine Regiment on Dec. 14, 1861, wrote to his wife, Margaret, about the regiment's arrival at Ship Island Mississippi in March 1862.
He said the soldiers, on arrival on the island, marched through "sand that our feet would sink into six inches every step ..." He also described the company's efforts to get materials for flooring for their tents and otherwise set up camp.
He said soldiers stole anything that could be useful, adding , "All I stole was two good frying pans."
Ship Island is between Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans and was a staging area for many troops engaged in Union efforts to secure the Mississippi River.
Transcription
About This Item
- Title: Capt. Charles Barnard letter from Ship Island, 1862
- Creator: Charles Barnard
- Creation Date: 1862-03-10
- Subject Date: 1862
-
Locations:
- New Orleans, LA
- Mobile, AL
- Mississippi City, MS
- Media: Ink on paper
- Dimensions: 20.5 cm x 13 cm
- Local Code: Coll. S-1955, Misc. Box 94/1
- Collection: Charles Barnard correspondence
- Object Type: Text
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Boats--Mississippi--Ship Island
- Military occupations--Mississippi--Ship Island
- Military service--1860-1870
- Ship Island (Miss.)
- United States--Civil War, 1861-1865
- United States--Civil War, 1861-1865--Equipment & supplies
- United States. Army. Maine Infantry Regiment, 14th (1861-1865)
- War destruction & pillage--Mississippi--Ship Island
People
For more information about this item, contact:
Maine Historical Society485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822 x230
Website
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