Blackman, James A., fl. 1861-1865 [Collection of Francis G. Blackman and James A. Blackman, C company, 7th regiment, Rhode Island, infantry] [Decimalized .01-.20]

to Mary Blackman

Writes to his mother. "...I never knew what it was to go hungy till I come here...I was on the sick list when we got here but I shouldered my gun and marched with the Regiment...we have had one meal of bull soup, we slept in the sand 3 nights all I...

GLC02159.01

to his friend Bennett

"...plenty of cotton here and sweet potatoes, peanuts, oringes, rice, Niggers, rattlesnakes coper heads glass snake mocins and another cind about 18 feet long...alligators..." "...the Rebel's boats fired 2 or 3 round and run up the creek...Rebels...

GLC02159.02

to Mary Blackman

Writes to his mother. States James's (his brother's) regiment went by but he did not get to see him. Tells her to direct letters to Fort McHenry, Baltimore, MD, 18th regiment [CV]. Written in pencil.

GLC02159.03

to Mary Blackman

Writes to his mother. Speaks of the heavy load they have to carry; knapsacks, water, their guns and rounds. Stationary of the Headquarters 7th reg. R.I. Vol., Col. Z.R. Bliss. With an image of the United States Capital. Written in pencil.

GLC02159.04

to Mary Blackman

Writes to his mother. Mentions General Ambrose Burnside, "Burnsides under took to cross the river gain and he had to give it up for the night before he intended to cross it commced[sic] to rain...the roads was so mudy that was all most imposabel for...

GLC02159.05

to his friend Bennett

Mentions General Joseph Hooker, "...we are awating for the mud to dry up and then I suspose fighting Joe Hooker will be on the move..." States, "I think it is about time for this war to play out for I think it is nothing more or less than a...

GLC02159.06

to Mary Blackman

Writes to his mother "we are in the tufest old hole that i ever was in the lise are as thick as fles in fly time." Written from Fort McHenry.

GLC02159.07

to Mary Blackman

Writes to his mother. Mentions "bushwhackers." Written in pencil.

GLC02159.08

to Mary Blackman

Writes to his mother. "...i thought that I had seen hard times but I never did until i was taken prisoner...we fought them 3 days with 6,000 men and they had 45,000 with 84 pices of artirly we kiled 900 of them but they out winded us." Talks of the...

GLC02159.09

to Mary Blackman

Writes to his mother about feeling sick but does not believe it is enough to get him discharged. Asks about his brother Francis. Discusses his view of the war. "I hope this war will soon be over and I think it would if the North made as great an...

GLC02159.10

to Mary Blackman

Writes to his mother. "...had a rite smart battle here ...prisons had no arms so they sent them away out of danger..." Describes the hard time they had getting to Martinsburg. Mentions going through New London, Washington, Baltimore, Harpers Ferry...

GLC02159.11

to Mary Blackman

Writes to his mother that his living situation is good at present as they are quartered in a tavern. Asks "...have you any coperheads there if you have you can consider them worse than the rebels for they are seting fear in the Soldiers rear."

GLC02159.12

to Ruth J. Sheldon

Writes that the weather is pleasant but that they cannot enjoy it because the rebels are moving about.

GLC02159.13

to Mary Blackman

Writes to his mother about his hard journey and states he saw Frank [his brother Francis] for a few hours. He is very homesick.

GLC02159.14

to Mary Blackman

Written from Knight Hospital. Informs Mary that her son Francis is getting better.

GLC02159.15

to Thomas Blackman

Writes to his father. States he is in General Rite's [Horatio Gouverneur Wright?] brigade and mentions General George McClellan. They are sailing for North Carolina soon and expect a battle as there is a large Confederate force there.

GLC02159.16

to Mary Blackman

Writes to his mother that he spent Thanksgiving in Gettersburg [Gettysburg?]. They are now four miles from Harper's Ferry.

GLC02159.17

to Mary Blackman

Writes to his mother that he has no interesting news at present but that he is "... rejoiced to hear of the Union Victorys in other places surely the day Star of peace will soon apear to gladen the hearts..."

GLC02159.18

to Mary Blackman

Writes to his mother about the war being just about over. "...the Jonnes [Johnnies] keep coming in hear every day ...pitch on them and kill some and drive them of if it wasnt for the soldiers bing hear the Jonnes would not stand much chance..."...

GLC02159.19

to Mary Blackman and his sister Ruth

Brief note to his mother and sister. Not dated. "Signed Francis G. Blackman, Washington D.C., Company K 7 Reg CV." Written in pencil.

GLC02159.20