Tillotson, George W. (fl. 1830-1918) To his wife
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04558.154.01 Author/Creator: Tillotson, George W. (fl. 1830-1918) Place Written: camp near Petersburg, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 11 August 1864 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20.5 x 13 cm. Order a Copy
Warns his wife of a reoccurring dream in which he is taken prisoner and recounts occasions when his dreams have come true. Page 4 is addressed to his daughter "Dollie". Encourages her to improve herself. Tells her of the dangers of camp life. With accompanying letter from Dollie. [Georgiana - reference to # 145]
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 Camp Near Petersburg Va Aug 11th, 64
My Dear Wife.
I am on guard today but so I took charge of it this forenoon the other sergt
relieves me this afternoon so I have a chance to scribble a little. We came into camp the night after I wrote you last (9th) so consequently we shall have to go out again tonight. There is not much news to write from Petersburg, but a sad accident occurred the 9th down at Point of [Peaks] which was the explosion of some barges loaded with ammunition laying at the dock there. Some two or three hundred persons were killed and wounded. Our Quartermaster sergt Crit Hamilton was wounded and Frank [Boecks] a fellow that was formally in our company but discharged and back to work for the Government was wounded in [2] in three or four places. He is a relation of the Hortons, I here. Will Horton got a letter from Frank last night, he was getting able to do light duty and appeared to be anxious to get home or else to his company. I have been telling the boys that I expected to be taken prisoner, like enough within the next forty eight hours if my dreams last night were fulfilled to the letter but I hope for once that they wont come to pass, as far as that is concerned but my dream of night before last wherein I was discharged & went home I hope will. On several occasions during this campaign I have dreamed of and told the boys events that afterwards did really transpire. A spell ago one of the detailed sharpshooters of our Corps dreamed that he was to be killed the next day.
[3] In the morning he told the Sergt and wanted to be excused from going out that day for if he did he would surely be killed, but the sergt said there was nothing in dreams and he had better go, and as they were going his messmate told him he would cook his breakfast and fetch to him, he told him to bring it early then or he wouldnt have a chance to eat it, and sure enough before nine oclock, while the flag of truse was out up in the 9th Corp's he got up to look, (as did all the rest of us, and rebs too,) and a reb shot him through the head killing him instantly.
We heard pretty good news yesterday from Mobile and also from Maryland. I should think that such raiding by the rebs up there, would play out after a while. The advance here is very slow. Though in some parts of the line they are so near that they throw hand grenades into each others works. Accept the Leave
of Your Affectionate Husband,
George W. Tillotson
[4]My Dear Daughter "Dollie"
Since [inserted: I wrote] to your Ma I have eaten a chunk of bread and sugar for luncheon, and now I will pen a few lines to you, in answer to your welcome letter of July 31st. Yes I can sympathize with you when you have the sick headache. I hope you will not be much subject to it. I know it is very natural for girls, and boys, to be glad when school is out, but still [strikeout: they] I think they ought to be glad to improve every opportunity to gain knowledge. It is very hot weather here and most all the troops are puting up pole frames over their tents and covering their whole camps with green brush for shade. It will be a little less than three months now til my time as a soldier will be out, and if I am spared til that time I can promise you I will not "go to war" again unless obliged to. But I am not yet entirely confident. for well I know that if I do come back safe that I have yet to be but barely missed by many bullets, as well as balls, and shells. We are not safe even here in camp, Yesterday two bullets struck within four feet of me while right here in my tent. But we must put our trust in God, and if he sees fit that we should meet again, his be all the praise. From Your Affectionate Father
George W. Tillotson
[written on side of page]
Give my love to Leon and accept a share yourself,
George
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