Tillotson, George W. (fl. 1830-1918) To his wife
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04558.015 Author/Creator: Tillotson, George W. (fl. 1830-1918) Place Written: Roanoke Island, North Carolina Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 22 May [1862] Pagination: 4 p. ; 20 x 12 cm. Order a Copy
Pay day. Describing feelings in battle: "If you want to know just how I felt when I went into battle it would be hard telling exactly but in the first place I felt most d---d tired other ways I felt well enough, wasn't at all afraid [of] the idea that we could be whiped by any number of rebels did not come into my head at all even after the Zouaves were driven back among us and I heard some of them say that they were all cut up and that the day was lost, I couldn't see the point." Almost struck by bullet in head. "I must say that I felt some 'savage'..."
Tillotson was thirty-one years old when he enlisted as a corporal on November 5, 1861. He mustered in H company of the NY 89th infantry or Dickinson Guards and later promoted to Sergeant. He was discharged on December 18, 1864.
Roanoke Island May 22nd
Dear Wife
Yours of the 8th inst I have just received today. The paymaster also came with the steamer and has payed our regiment today. I have sent to you by express Thirty five Dollars Twenty Dollars of it is for your self and Fifteen dollars belongs to George Sherwood which he requests you to give to Mr Warners folks and have them give it to David Sherwood. You will have to pay the express charges on the whole and they will pay you back whatever the proportion is on the 15 dollars. I am very much obliged to [2] you for the fifteen stamps that I found enclosed in your letter and I will try to take good care of [inserted: them]. If you want to know just how I felt when I went into battle it would be hard telling exactly but in the first place I felt most d - d tired other ways I felt well enough, want at all afraid the idea that we could be whiped by any number of rebels did not come into my head at all even after the Zouaves were driven back among us [strikeout] and I heard some of them say that they were all cut up and that the day was lost, I couldnt see the point. When the bullets [strikeout] were whizzing aro[3]und our heads like a nest of hornets I suppose I felt about as Lieutenant Colonel Robie expressed himself when he was forming the line of battle for the second and last charge. Some of the men were inclined to dodge when the bullets came to close to their heads Robie cryes out, "Never mind those little fellows, boys; they wont hurt you, but stand steady in line if a ball should come and sweep down every man of ye" As we were going in on the last charge [inserted: I] steped over a man of the 21st Mass whose side was all towrn open by a rebel shell and who was just uttering his last prayr to God for mercy, I must say that I felt some "savage", but the [4] savage turned to a smile when after we had gone a rod or two beyond a bullet whistled by the back of my head so close that I felt it and I looked around and saw the eyes of the man behind me stick out. Dan Draines is very sick and I am a going to take him to the hospital after [struck: dress after] dress parade tonight He has a fever and I am afraid inflamation on the lungs for he has had a very hard cough for some time. I have just written a letter for him to Rufe Cambell and enclosed 40 dollars in it. He sends his best respects to you He was in the fight and behaved well. Tell Leon that Pa wants him to go to [strikeout] school and see if he will go then I dont think we shall have to go into battle again but shall probably stay here til we come home unless we should happen to ro[inserted: a]st some of these days for it is awful hot weather If Mother dont stay at Ed's why cant you get her to come and stay with you. When our boys were up to Eddington the other day besides taking four of the most prominant sesesh in town one of the boys of Co B took a sesesh letter written by a sesesh lady from a little darkey who was carrying it to its destination. I have not got a copy of it but Geo Sherwood has sent one home so you can hear of it
Accept the love of your Dear old man
Geo W Tillotson
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