Archive Record
Images
Additional Images [47]
Metadata
Catalog Number |
1998.13.8 A-P |
Object Name |
Letter |
Scope & Content |
Documents - Letters - Civil War letters written from William Henry Pattee 1860s Various sizes A - B - from Alexandria, June 12, 1856? - written to his sister, Mary E. Pattee - on police duty in Alexandria encountering hostility from the residents. Asks to have alcohol sent to him from home. Describes food and troop movements. C - from Washington, Apr. 30, 1861 - written to his brother John Augustus Pattee - describes poor quality food, daily duty, long marches, rumors of troop movements. Men in his unit are well. Requests whiskey, shirts, lieutenant shoulder stripes to be sent to him. Attended a Mason's meeting. D - from Washington, May 1, 1861 - written to his father, Jesse Peaslee Pattee - Meeting many Masons. The regiment is well and in good spirits but living conditions are poor. Has met Major Anderson who is optimistic about outcome of war. Visited many Washington landmarks and has seen President Lincoln and his family many times. E - from Washington D.C., May 10, 1861 - written to his sister, Mary E. Pattee - details his visit to the White House and conversations with President Lincoln, a missing package, his hope to see Capt. Ingalls' company, the uncertainty of waiting for orders to move the troops, and his troubles marching miles and camping in the woods. He speaks about the soldiers back home drinking and how it would not be possible where he is, as they can't acquire drink and would be punished if they did. F - from Washington, May 9, 1861 - written to his sister, Mary E. Pattee - assures her that reports they may hear that the company is sick are not true. Asks for letters and newspapers from home. Writes about diet, living quarters, drills and daily marching. Had invitation to eat at house of a fellow soldier, ?Samuel Lewis. Lists salary of various ranked officers. Repeats committment to serve his country. G - from Alexandria, July 2, 1861 - written to his sister, Mary E. Pattee - Congress will come together soon, expecting an attack by Jefferson Davis and southern army. He is ready to do his duty and fight. His police patrol was called out to search 3 houses, found nothing but was insulted by the occupants. Rumors that he may be on leave by July 4. Has acquired a rebel coat with buttons. H - from Alexandria, July 8, 1861 - written to his sister, Mary E. Pattee - complains about always being interrupted when writing letters. Troop movements from Washington to Alexandria are building up, but he doesn't know where or when they will advance. Had invitation for dinner from a brother Mason in the area, whose son-in-law was in the rebel army. Complains of the heat - 115 degrees. Captain Ingals arrived with 12 other West Cambridge soldiers. I - from Alexandria, July 19, 1861 - written to his sister, Mary E. Pattee - complains about receiving no mail from home. Writes of socializing among various companies, eating and having fun. Criticizes actions of Captain Ingal as a leader. Talked with a rebel captive who said their side was on short rations, getting sick and would desert if given a chance and are not allowed to read newspapers. Troop/regiment numbers are noted. J - from Alexandria, June 23, 1861 - written to his sister, Mary E. Pattee - his police patrol is in charge of giving out passes to everyone going out of the city, so is very busy. Has to interrogate everyone, examine all wagons to prevent residents from supplying the rebels with arms, etc. Feeling bad that some of their best officers are being transferred, writes of the home guard in West Cambridge and in Woburn. Will send sister a cutting from a vine that grows on the church George Washington used to attend. Is sending home a rebel coat that he took from a house. Has been visited by Boston friends and urges brother John to come visit on vacation. K - from Alexandria, July 1, 1861 - written to his sister, Mary E. Pattee - continually being interrupted while writing letters home. Very busy giving out passes to exit city and putting rebel spies in prison. A fellow soldier who has been very sick will be going home to West Cambridge soon. William urges his family to tell the town to assist him if he "does not drink". Suspects he will be moved away from Alexandria soon, hates the city, everyone is mean. Will send sister a tin of flowers grown in Virginia soil. L - from Alexandria, July 6, 1861 - written to his sister, Mary E. Pattee - he may be moved to Fairfax Court House where there are rebel troops, but maybe not, since his tour of duty is almost up. Had a nice dinner for 4th of July including drink, but they were expecting an attack, so were on high alert until 2 AM. Also expecting a battle in Richmond on Sept. 1. M - from Alexandria, June 27, 1861 - written to his sister, Mary E. Pattee - wants her to tell brother John to send him the bill for packages sent to him in Alexandria. He'll reimburse as soon as he gets paid. He thanks her for drink that was shipped to him. He feels he's in danger all the time. A letter from his brother John has made him feel very bad. He doesn't want any more packages sent to him. He won't send the rebel coat to his father after all. He won't have time to write as much now. N - from Washington, May 21, 1861 - written to his sister, Mary E. Pattee - Still stationed in Washington but may be ordered to move at any moment. Receives mail just as he is writing. Compares the hard duty of his company to the one stationed in West Cambridge. Ponders whether to come home in 3 months or sign up for 3 years. Contacts a brother Mason from Hiram Lodge No. 10 in Washington. Describes drilling and guard duty. The officers had a large group photograph made - will send one to sister. Wants $3 or $4 to be sent to Fannie every week. Worries that mail is not being delivered reliably to or from him. O - from Washington, May 20, 1861 - written to his sister, Mary E. Pattee - Rain has reduced duties. All is muddy in the city. Has received orders to move but not sure where - perhaps Fort Monroe or Norfolk. Saying farewell to friends in town. General Butler wants his company to go but General Mansfield wants them to stay put. Hopes a rubber blanket is being sent to him. Worries that letters and packages may not get through safely. P - from Washington, May 17, 1861 - written to his sister, Mary E. Pattee - Was out late last night and up early in the morning socializing with a rich lawyer and with the Lewis and Blanchard families. Thinks a package sent by Fannie is lost in the mail. Asks for 2 rubber blankets and whisky to be sent to him. Warns family not to believe rumors of illness in the company. Full Transcription linked in media. |
Transcription |
Typed Transcription for e e - https://arlingtonhistorical.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/1998.13.8e.pdf |
Year Range from |
1860 |
Year Range to |
1865 |
Creator |
Pattee, Jesse |
People |
Pattee, William Henry Pattee, Mary E. Pattee, John Augustus Pattee, Jesse Peaslee Hill, Adeline Nourse Ingalls, Albert S. |
Subjects |
Civil wars Letters Drinking Presidents Presidents' wives Military service Soldiers |
Search Terms |
Civil War Abraham Lincoln |
Source |
Arlington Historical Commission |
Collection |
Arlington Historical Commission |
Copyrights |
Rights status not evaluated. (CC BY-NC-ND) Non-commercial use only. |