The full content of this document is only available to subscribing institutions. More information can be found via www.amdigital.co.uk
If you believe you should have access to this document, click here to Login.
| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02596.12 |
| From Archive Folder | Collection of William H. Bettes, L company, 6th regiment, Ohio, cavalry |
| Title | William H. Bettes to Lodema Bettes discussing war news and the health of his comrades |
| Date | 22 December 1862 |
| Author | Bettes, William H. (fl. 1862-1865) |
| Recipient | Bettes, Lodema |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Received her letter containing postage stamps and a five cent bill today. Writes that he can happily go around camp knowing that his family is all in good health. His health is very good and has been since they left camp in Washington. Has not heard from Wellington but is not concerned because he is well provided for and his sickness is not dangerous, although he will probably not be fit for duty again this winter. S. Z. Dickinson has gone to Finley Hospital in Washington. Received a letter from him today which said that he had to walk three miles, which took him three hours, and he was nearly used up. Then had to go in a freight car for almost eight hours, where he nearly froze, before finally reaching Washington. Tells Charley and Carrie that he was glad to hear from them and that they are good children; also tells them not to bother Webber and Grandma too much. The war news is meager, but there are plenty of rumors. Burnside has made a terrible blunder; "nobody knows why he remained three or four weeks and let them fortify and then attracted them in a place where there was no possible chance for him to conquer. These are the questions that puzzle the soldiers. They are both loud and deep in their curses about the management of the war." After the terrible affair at Fredericksburg, Virginia, the whole army fell back and is now doing camp and picket duty. Have 50 men doing picket duty; Bettes thinks that 10 or 20 men would be just as efficient. Writes that "it seems as though there was some men in this world that lacked good sense as well as military skill. They manage so as to keep about half of the army unfit for duty or in the hospital. There are some startling truths about this war, perhaps they may be revealed some day." Supposes that they will drag around until spring without doing much, and then another 300,000 men will be called. Writes that they may be nearer daylight than he imagines but to him, things have never looked darker. The Captain has gone to the dismounted camp in Washington; he left the day that Bettes returned. Lieutenant Abel is also at the camp, so Bettes has control of the company, which has 24 men. Writes that they get nothing but regular army rations. |
| Subjects | Soldier's Letter Civil War Union Forces Union Soldier's Letter Military History Cavalry Children and Family Battle Battle of Fredericksburg Union General Confederate States of America Health and Medical Hospital Travel Washington, D.C. Military Camp Conscription Military Provisions |
| People | Bettes, William H. (fl. 1862-1865) Bettes, Lodema (fl. 1862-1865) |
| Place written | Camp on Potomac Creek, Virginia |
| Theme | The American Civil War; Health & Medicine |
| Sub-collection | Papers and Images of the American Civil War |
| Additional Information | Folder Information: This collection consists of fourteen letters written by William Henry Bettes. Eleven of these letters are written to Lodema Bettes, his wife, one letter is written to Charley Bettes, his son, one letter is written to Carrie Bettes, his daughter, and one letter is written to Lieutenant W. H. Betty. William H. Bettes enlisted on 5 October 1861 as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was commissioned into Company L 6th Regiment Ohio Cavalry on the same date. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant on 16 December 1861 and was discharged for disability on 23 March 1863. Selected highlights include: Bette's thoughts on the Battle of Fredericksburg (11 December - 15 December, 1862) and his descriptive accounts of the war generals and their tactics. Further highlights include the touching letters to his children, and his genuine concern for the men that are sick in the hospital. Eleven of the letters have original postal covers. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945 |
| Civil War: Recipient Relationship | Wife |
| Civil War: Theater of War | Main Eastern Theater |
| Civil War: Unit | 6th Ohio Cavalry, L Company |