American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography

[CIVIL WAR]. An archive of war-date letters authored by Daniel T. Dunsmoor, 147th New York Infantry, DOW sustained at the Battle of the Wilderness, and his two brothers who also served in New York regiments, one of whom died of disease during the war.

Archive comprising 22 war-date letters home from three brothers serving in New York Regiments, including: 17 letters from Daniel T. Dunsmoor while serving in the 147th New York Infantry, 4 letters from his younger brother David Dunsmoor while serving in the New York 2nd Heavy Artillery, and one letter from their older brother Delose Dunsmoor while in service with the 81st New York Infantry; as well as a letter addressed to Mrs. Dunsmoor from the nurse who treated Daniel at the hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. Together, 23 letters.

Delose Dunsmoor enlisted as a private and mustered into Company E of the 81st New York Infantry on 14 October 1861. He transferred from Company E to Company D in February of the following year. It is after this transfer (but likely still in February or early March) that he writes his only letter in this archive, simply dated "1862" at "Albany Camp Rathburn [sic]."

In three pages, on patriotic illustrated stationery, Delos discusses the break up and consolidation of various companies that took place to form the 3-year veteran regiment, as well as the infusion of "three companys [sic] of mohawks" that "are to be musterd [sic] in to day making a bought [sic] 11 hunderd [sic]." He then opines: "But I do not think that the war will last long when the 81 Regiment gets down south becase [sic] they will tip them over becase they are up to there [sic] old tricks..."

Unfortunately, Delose did not survive to see the war end, as he died of disease at Fort Monroe, VA in July of 1862.

His younger brother, Daniel T. Dunsmoor enlisted as a private in August of 1862, mustering into Company G of the 147th New York Infantry the next month. The first letter in the archive from Daniel is dated only "December 23," at "Camp Near Falmouth," though it is understood to be from the year 1862.

He writes that he is encamped about a mile from Fredericksburg "in sight of the rebel army." He describes his counterparts as a "rough looking set. Gray backs we call them. They are clothed every way mostly in gray and old hats. They look about as dirty as the ground." His unit is on picket duty guarding the railroad, which is the reason he gives for having to stop writing eventually, before opining: "If this war does not end this winter I don't think it ever will."

Failing, as many still do today, to update the year in correspondence and official documentation after the first of January, Daniel dates his next letter erroneously, "Jan 15th 1862" at "Bell Plain." It is actually 1863 when he writes. He informs his parents that his accommodations are better than they were at Falmouth, and that his unit is brigaded under General Paul in Franklin's Grand division, adding, "so if there is any fighting to be done we will have a hand in it."

After a bout of dysentery, but without hospitalization, and a shift to the 2nd Brigade, Daniel writes with a spirit of purpose, on 6 April 1863, "I do not want to go home untill [sic] the south is whipped. The army are in good spirits this spring and I hope they will do some thing [sic]. If them copper heads North mind their buisness [sic] it will be got along with quicker."

Though the 147th regiment was technically in reserve for the Battle of Chancellorsville, Daniel writes in great detail about the action, including taking fire at Fitzhugh's Crossing, in his 24 May letter:

"We crossed over below Fredricksburg about 5 miles. When the 4 brigade drove the gray backs out of the rifle pits you had out [sic] to see them run. Our boys picking into them. Then as soon as they got the pontoons laid over we went. We lay there along the river untill [sic] the next day then went to throwing up breastworks. We had not been at it long before whiz came a shell. You had ought to have seen us drop...the shell would come [indecipherable] along, makeing [sic] pretty music. They banged away untill they got tired. That night our artillery came over and the next they they had it pretty hot. We soon made them shut up. The next day we dug out and went up on the right to reinforce Hooker. We crawled out of the pits on our hands and knees...We got up on the right on Sunday when they were fighting so we thought we were going right into it...we lay there in the rear untill they retreated...The fireing [sic] on Sunday sounded likee [sic] popping corn. That is the day old Jackson rushed on his men trying to break our lines but he could not come it. They would charge right up to our guns. They would let them come up pretty close before they would open on them. They cut them down like sheep..."

Though no letters from Daniel dated on or around the dates of the Battle of Gettysburg are included in this archive, he references the battle and its effects on the regiment and the enemy, writing from "Rapihannock [sic] Station or some other station" on 4 August that, "three of our boys that had their legs taken off have died since." While he does not say that these wounds were sustained at Gettysburg, it is likely as the regiment suffered heavily at that battle, including 76 killed and mortally wounded, 146 wounded, and 79 missing out of 380 total engaged.

Of the Confederate forces he writes from Culpepper on 20 September, "We expected a fight but I do not think we will have one. The Rebs do not like to fight so well as they did before Gettysburg." And on 22 November, he references "things we lost at Gettysburg" that they would have to pay to replace themselves.

The youngest Dunsmoor brother, David, joined the Union Army once he was eighteen. He enlisted as a private on 26 January 1864 and mustered into Company A of the New York 2nd Heavy Artillery Regiment that same day. Daniel hears of his younger brother's enlistment and writes from Culpepper on 8 March, asking his parents to tell him the directions to write to David and that, "I should like to go and see him if I can. Tell me where he is. How far from Washington?"

The family bond between the brothers and their parents can be felt as they check up on one another, providing any information they can and expressing hopes to see one another soon. Young David assures his mother in his letter dated 13 May 1864, writing, "Cheer up mother and evry thing [sic] is for the best. I don't think Daniel is hurt for I see the names of the kild [sic] and wounded...I want to go and do somthing [sic] for my country. Maby [sic] I will see Daniel. I will rite often [sic]."

In a letter dated 25 June 1864 from Slough Hospital in Alexandria, VA, which Daniel signs "Serg. D. T. Dunsmoor" to reflect his most recent promotion, he assures his parents that he is getting along first rate." Though there are no letters in this archive from the Battle of the Wilderness or directly thereafter, we know that Daniel sustained a serious wound to his right leg at that battle on May 5th, and had to have an amputation. He continues, "Father you must not worry about me I will get along all right. The Dockters [sic] say it looks better every day. I feel well enough only I am weak."

Daniel's last letter featured in this archive shows that he moved hospitals and reflects a turn for the worse. On 1 September, he writes from Albany, "Yor [sic] leter [sic] don't find me as well as I was wen [sic] I rot [sic] befor [sic]...this morning the docter [sic] has just bin [sic] in but ses [sic] nothing about the cose [sic] of the chang [sic] of my feling [sic] but I ges [sic] it will sune [sic] pas [sic]..."

Daniel would die just a month later on 1 October 1864.

A letter written to Mrs. Dunsmoor by nurse Elisa E. Cary, and dated at "U. S. G. Hospital" in Albany on 7 December 1864 is the last included in the archive. She thanks Daniel's mother for sending a picture of him, and promises to send her own likeness in fulfillment of Mrs. Dunsmoor's apparent request. She writes, "But I have thought many times of you, in your lonely home and of your other son, wishing I might know how you both were. I have been very much confined at the Hospital lately, scarcely going home for the night...I am very glad that we were able to do a little for the comfort of Daniel whilst with us...We did what we could for him. It was both our duty and pleasure."

She writes with apparent knowledge about the earlier loss of Delose Dunsmoor, reflecting, "As for my part - it is but a small return for what service every soldier has rendered to all of us who claim an interest for our country. You have given the life of your children. That is more than all can do."

An incredible archive of letters authored by three brothers who served in New York regiments during the Civil War, two of whom did not live to see the war's end; a remarkable glimpse into a family who sacrificed everything for the sake of the Union.