Tillotson, George W. (fl. 1830-1918) To his wife
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04558.138 Author/Creator: Tillotson, George W. (fl. 1830-1918) Place Written: Cold Harbor, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 6 June 1864 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20.5 x 13 cm. Order a Copy
Writes news of the fighting at Cold Harbor and lists the fate of friends. "I take this opportunity of leting [sic] you know that I am still among the living, but still I have to acknowledge that life here at present is very uncertain."
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.
In the Rifle pits, near Cold Harbor Va
June 6th 1864
My Dear Lib.
I take this opportunity of leting you know that I am still among the living, but still I have to acknowledge that life here at present is very uncertain. We did not as I expected the day I wrote you last leave the White House but the next morning a little after daylight we started as guard for a supply train, and arrived at the front a spell after dark. We had a hard days march and when we stoped were glad to lay down and sleep regardless of the bullets that were whistling around us. Early day before yesterday morning we joined the brigade in the rifle pits and have been in them since. The first day that we were in here we had five men wounded, one was Jake King, shot through the [2] face, and jaw broken, annother was our Sergt Major Jas [Mayhew] former[inserted: ly] Orderly of Co H. arm broken. He was hit three times during the day but not so as to disable him til the last The bullet that broke his arm barely missed my head as I was shoveling in the pit and hit him standing on the bank behind. Jack Dyer Co F leg shattered & amputated, and two others wounded themselves. Night before last 110 of our regt was detailed for picket and Corporal Kain of our company was killed dead, and also three others here with the regt were wounded yesterday.
There is two whole lines of rifle pits between ours and our pickets, and behind ours is at least six or eight more and the troops are massed in all of them in two ranks so if the rebs attempt to break through here they will have a hard road to travel. [3] As near as I can judge we are at present on the left center of our lines. We are in the first brigade, second division, of the Eighteenth A.C. Burnsides 9th Corps is next on our right. The 109th Regt is not a mile from here (or was yesterday) but I didnt hear from Minkler whether he is with the regt or not The rebels works are very strong in our front [struck: it] and it will be impossible to take them by storm. The night before we came in [strikeout] here there was a charge made on them but our men were repulsed and the boys that were our on picket say the ground is almost covered with our dead and they cant be got at. Our pickets & the rebs are not over a dozzen rods apart and an almost constant fire is kept up. Just after dark last night there was chargeing done just on our left, first by the rebs and then by our men, but I guess [4] no ground was gained by either side. No I guess Sam Stephens, dont get "[Sour'd] on" so much as he did. Your friend Corpl Clark is all right I guess. He is not with the Co now but is guarding cattle, was detailed at the White House, and when it was my turn too. I am very well except that this laying on the ground gives me a slight touch of the rheumatics.
Do write as often as convenient for it is a food deal of consolation to get a letter. Yesterday there was quite a large mail came some fellows got five or six letters but none for me.
Give my love to all. Accept a large share for yourself and for Ours. and I remain,
Yours Ever
George W Tillotson
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.