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Conflict:Civil War (1861-65)
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A REMARKABLE COLLECTION OF CIVIL WAR LETTERS WRITTEN BY SERGEANT ENOCH WHITTEMORE, WHO SERVED IN THE DISTINGUISHED COMPANY I, FIFTH MAINE INFANTRY LETTERS WERE PRESERVED & COMPILED BY SGT. WHITTEMORE’S GRANDSONCIRCA LATE 1960’s AND 1970’s Image of the Flag of the 5th Reg. Main Vol. Infantry (For Reference Only Not Included) “LIBERTY & UNION NOW AND FOREVER ONE AND INSEPARABLE””5TH REG. MAINE VOLUNTEERS””DIRIGO” (Maine’s State Motto–Latin for “I Lead”)The “North Star” Represents a Guide for Early Pioneers ***SEE VIDEO******Note: Image of Sgt. Whittemore Added (from Ancestry/Not Included)*** On offer is an UNPUBLISHED archive of approximately 94 Civil War letters that I have had in my collection for years. It is only now that I discovered the historic importance of these letters. While these are not the original manuscript letters, the Xeroxed copes were thoughtfully and carefully compiled by Enoch Whittemore’s grandson, Reginald Curtis. He was the son of Whittemore’s daughter, Sarah E. W. Whittemore-Curtis. The provenance of these letters is clear in that there are notes written by Reginald Curtis (see photo above), having had to hand-transcribe a few of the more faded letters written by his grandfather that were barely legible. The whereabouts of the original letters is unknown. As stated, the archive contains approximately 94 letters, and with the exception of a few, most all are multiple pages and written in an legible hand–very easy to read. The letters begin with his enlistment at the age of 23. Enoch Whittemore, Jr. hailed from Paris, Monroe County, Maine. Enoch, his father, and brother, Josiah worked as Blacksmiths, farmers, and horse and cattle breeders. There are a few letters contained in this archive that are written to Enoch from his younger brother Josiah, his mother, and one or two from his sister. There is also a remarkable letter regarding secession and other great content written to Enoch from William Robbins, a school teacher, which I quoted below. In preparation for this listing, I have transcribed less than half of the letters into a Google Doc (about 60 full pages so far) with the thought that I would publish the material as an eBook as the subject matter is superb and there is scant, if any, eyewitness accounts to this extent published (at least that I can locate) by a participant in Co. I, 5th Maine Infantry. This makes this archive an important and significant primary source. Included in this offer are the Xeroxed letters AND I will include a digital copy of the transcription of all the letters in chronological sequence, ready for someone to complete publication, if desired. The letters contain a who’s who list of generals, captains, sergeants, lieutenants and army personnel. Also, Jeff Davis and Abraham Lincoln. There is a very cool letter written by Enoch Whittemore detailing the Grand Review of November 20, 1862. President Lincoln and General George B. McClellan were involved in the Grand Review, a military parade that was the largest gathering of troops in North American up to that time–70,000 troops marched past President Lincoln, his Cabinet and other dignitaries in attendance. That must have been something to see. The letters also contain much content on battles, troop movements, pickets, the navy, tents, the wounded, criticism of specific officers, the Trent Affair, and various Forts (Slocum, Donelson, Franklin, etc.) Enoch Whittemore was a prolific writer and his contemporary eye witness account of war from his perspective is extraordinary. From the First Battle of Bull Run to Upton’s Charge at Spotsylvania and much, much more. It is an exciting archive of material for sure. I will not go into a huge amount of detail here as I recorded a video to showcase it. There is simply far too much contained in these letters to do it justice here in this eBay description. I really can’t put a price on this primary source material. I’m open to reasonable offers. Over the years I have had in my collection a number of remarkable Civil War correspondence/letter archives, but this one is one of the rarest as far as interesting content goes. I am happy to answer questions regarding the content. If this archive does not sell, it is my plan to publish it. If anyone has an interest in a copy of the completed work, annotated with footnotes, photographs, etc., please let me know. WHO WAS SERGEANT ENOCH WHITTEMORE, JR.? Enoch Whittemore, Jr. was an educated young man as his writing demonstrates. Census records indicate that he was a Blacksmith by trade, but also farmed. He was born May 29, 1838 in North Paris, Monroe County, Maine. The first 28 years of his life was spent in North Paris, Maine. He was educated in the “common schools at North Paris.” Enoch’s father, Enoch Whittemore, Sr., also a blacksmith obtained a U.S. Patent in 1864 for folding sawhorses. He mustered into service on June 24, 1861, and served three years in Co. I, 5th Maine Infantry. He was promoted to Sergeant on June 15, 1863. He was wounded on September 14, 1862 at Crampton’s Gap, Maryland, and was hospitalized. On May 10, 1864, he was wounded in the thigh at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia. In 1866, Enoch married Nancy J. Cushman of North Paris, Maine. Together they had ten children, seven daughters and three sons. Two of the boys and one of the girls died in infancy. After the war, he lived 13 years at West Paris, seventeen years in Andover, and eleven years in North Yarmouth, where he passed away at his home on December 25, 1919, after a short illness. A newspaper reported that he was 80 years, 6 months and 23 days old when he passed. At the time of his death, he lived on Royal Road in North Yarmouth. His body was taken to Paris, Maine where he was buried at Wayside Cemetery. In post Civil War newspaper reports, there are numerous references to the horse breeding skills of Enoch Whittemore. One West Paris newspaper report dated, June 26, 1877, reads: “Our farmers are delighted with their colts sired by the French horse imported from France by Enoch Whittemore a little more than a year ago. Such stocky bodies and good proportion meets the approbation of every lover of a good horse, and the great bugbear that many would lose their mares this spring has been settled by this spring’s experience. Not one instance of the kind has come to the knowledge of Mr. Whittemore as yet. People are getting tired of those little spindle-leg horses with a long pedigree that constitute about all there is to the horse and going in for a large and more profitable class of horses.” Another newspaper article references that Enoch Whittemore owned Percheron Normans and in particular, the stallion named, “Centennial.” FIFTH MAINE INFANTRY, COMPANY I The 5th Maine Infantry was involved in many of the most intense battles of the Civil War, seeing action in nearly every significant campaign in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. These battles included: First Manassas (Bull Run), VA – July 21, 1861West Point, VA – May 7, 1862Gaines Mill, VA – June 27-29, 1862Goldings Farm, VA – June 27-28, 1862Malvern Hill, VA – July 1, 1862Cramptons Gap, MD -September 14, 1862Antietam, MD – September 17, 1862Fredericksburg, VA – December 13, 1862Chancellorsville, VA – May 1-4, 1863Gettysburg, PA – July 1-3, 1863Funkstown, MD – July 10, 1863Rappahannock Station, VA – November 7, 1863Locust Grove, VA – November 27, 1863Wilderness, VA – May 5-7, 1864Spotsylvania, VA – May 7-20, 1864North Anna, VA – May 23-27, 1864Cold Harbor, VA – May 31-June 12, 1864 The MAJOR battles included the following: First Battle of Bull Run (July 1861): Soon after mustering, the 5th Maine was thrown into the first major engagement of the war. Although the Union forces faced a decisive defeat, the 5th Maine held its ground, gaining a reputation for steadiness under fire. The Peninsula Campaign (Spring 1862): As part of the Army of the Potomac’s efforts to capture the Confederate capital of Richmond, the 5th Maine fought in several skirmishes, showing discipline and bravery as they moved through the Virginia countryside. Battle of Antietam (September 1862): The bloodiest single-day battle in American history, Antietam saw the 5th Maine endure fierce combat in the cornfields and along bloody lanes, solidifying their role in one of the Union’s most critical engagements. Battle of Fredericksburg (December 1862): The regiment faced heavy losses here, as Union forces were repelled in their assault on entrenched Confederate positions. The men of the 5th Maine, including Company I, continued to show their resolve despite the high casualty rates. Battle of Gettysburg (July 1863): At this pivotal three-day battle, the 5th Maine played a crucial role in the Union’s defensive positions. Although heavily engaged, they held their lines and contributed to the Union’s eventual victory in this decisive turning point of the war. The Overland Campaign (Spring 1864): As part of Ulysses S. Grant’s aggressive push into Virginia, the 5th Maine was engaged in the brutal fighting at battles like the Wilderness and Spotsylvania Court House, enduring high casualties in relentless combat.EXAMPLES: TWO LETTERS TRANSCRIBEDThe First Battle of Bull Run (July 21, 1861) Enoch writes three separate and distinct letters on the First Battle of Bull Run. One to his Brother, one to his Mother and Father, and a third to his friends. The following is to his friends. “Alexandria, Virginia Tuesday, July 23, 1861 My Dear Friends: You have heard before this will reach you of the battle of Sunday. If you receive this, I shall be glad, for I am with my regiment and uninjured. Though many a poor fellow cannot say so, and many will never write to their friends no more. The 21st was a day long to be remembered by the young soldiers. I can only describe what I saw. We left camp at Centerville at 2 o’clock a.m. but had to stop near there waiting for other regiments. We marched some 3 or 4 and halted for orders. At 11 o’clock, we were called upon to reinforce our friends. We speedily answered to the summons. We marched at a rapid rate for 8 miles when they ordered us to increase our speed. We ran for five miles. The last one when the cannon balls were flying about us like hail We then went into a valley to form our line for action. But when our Regiment was called to advance the enemy had shifted their batteries so as to drive their balls and shells the length of our line and at this moment, our cavalry came rushing down our right. Our line was broken. Some thought the order had been given to fall back, but on the second sight I saw that it was a panic and Brig. General Howard remained. I looked for our company but not an officer was to be seen. Cyrus Thurlow, Ezra Ridlon and 3 or 4 more of our company took our place at the right of the column and went forward, but we were on their right and could not see the enemy. The woods hid them. We were ordered to fire. I did not fire many times. A cannonball took off [Cyrus] Thurlow’s hat. I thought that ball went high on purpose. We were the last men called into action, and as you must know, by the distance traveled, we were all worn out. I stayed by the flag until the bugle sounded for a retreat, which I am pained to say, on account of the officers, was done in a very disorderly manner. The whole result of the battle cannot be told yet, but we were used roughly. At first, the rebels retreated but only to lead our men into ambush, where their masked batteries could play upon us while their men could fire in safety. I can only account for the battles taking so hard a turn against us; one account, the ammunition for the cannon gave out. This gave them the greatest advantage over us, as their position was concealed. Our brigade, the 3, 4, & 5th Maine and 2 Vermont regiments, were killed almost before they came on to the field of action and when they were called upon to rally after the retreat.All of the folks you know are here and unwounded except Cyrus L. He did not go with us for he was sick in the hospital. I understand that he had been seen this side of Centreville some miles. He will probably be with us soon if he is not too sick. I think we shall see him soon, as he was getting better. There is no use to deny that we were whipped at Bulls Run. In my opinion, the blame should fall upon the officers. This is one reason for the judgment. Our whole brigade went one mile in midst of the most galling fire before we formed our line of battle–cowards would not have stood that. Could I see you so as to describe the position of the field, I might tell more, but for the present, this must suffice. I think now that we have seen one battle, we are better prepared for another. One thing is certain. We know our men and our cowards. I am yours as ever, Enoch” A Terrific Letter Written to Enoch from William Brooks, School Teacher “Woodstock, Maine August 19, 1861 Enoch Whittemore Esq. My Dear Sir Yours of August 11 was duly and gladly received. I was really pleased to hear from you. I saw last week your Father’s family, whom I found all well and had been telling them I guessed Friend Enoch had forgotten me when I found a letter from you on arriving home. So, I am happily disappointed. Many, no doubt in enlisting in the Federal Army, having an idea of “Fun” in this mind as an impetus to such action, have no doubt been sadly disappointed; others, not thinking so much of high Officers or a big salary, have enlisted with patriotic idea of doing their best for the liberties of the great American people. Need I say, American people: It is not a struggle to maintain the world’s only hope of a free government? Concerning the Battle of July 21, various, as you are aware, have been the reports concerning it; but one thing, to say the least, is a settled fact in the minds of the North, and it is this, as I would judge: that the Northern Volunteers can stand fire; are brave, patriotic fellows; are soldiers to be relied on in their country’s danger. The North thinks the battle was lost through incompetent or traitorous commands in the federal army, but braver or better soldiers now can be found. There seemed to be no presiding genius in that battle, no one who acted as Commander-In-Chief. Notwithstanding this repulse, to see how the country sustains the Administration in the vigorous persecution of this war to crush out treason is refreshing and hopeful. Flag raising, Union patriotic meetings, irrespective of party, feeding and clothing the volunteers’ families by their respective towns, the promptness with which the New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, & Cincinnati Bankers took up the government loans all show the intention of the North to maintain this Republic, cost what it may. As you are aware, we have some as rank traitors here at the South. As for instance, Ex-Governor John W. Dana of Maine who is as good a traitor or rather is as great a traitor according to his caliber as “Jeff” himself. The Democracy of Maine had a State Convention last week at Augusta to nominate a candidate for governor. The seceding element, having a small majority, passed strong secession Resolution and nominated John W. Dana for governor, whereupon the Union Democrats in said Convention left and organized nominating Colonel Jameson for governor. The Union Democrats of said Convention passed Resolutions approving the Administration ambiguously putting down Rebellion. But these seceders at Augusta represent but a small part of the people. Union men are getting more on the alert in Maine. I think the Bangor Democrat, a traitorous paper, was demolished by the people of Bangor last week. The Concord Democrat, another rebel sheet was destroyed by the people of Concord New Hampshire. A military company with Colonel Richard Lurvey as Captain, has been organized at West Paris. I learn also that a company is being formed at Gander Corner. One Osten Andrews, as Capt. Headquarters, Ezra Stevens. I might say here that people in this part of the country have great confidence in General McClellan, Commander of the Department of Washington. His brilliant successes in Western Virginia seem to demonstrate that he is very much of a General. In order to succeed, it is vastly important that the soldiers have confidence in their commanders, a thing which Ger. McClellan seems to possess. What a contrast in the conduct of some of our generals! Contrast the heroic conduct of General Lyon at the battle of Wilson’s Creek, Missouri, recently. Of him, who died a most glorious death at the head of his column, cheering his men on to victory. Engage in a most righteous cause with such a man for a leader, there is, perhaps, not so much of wonder that his soldiers fought well, but I confess that it smacks quite as much of true courage for soldiers to fight bravely as many did at Bull Run under incompetent commanders. I say contrast the conduct of such men as Generals Lyon and McClellan, Cols Winthrop, and Cameron, with that of a General Patterson, or a Col. Miles! With that of those officers who in retreat got behind haystacks and put spurs to their horse (two riding astride) thus leaving their men to take care of themselves. A man may be a good statesman but a cowardly or incompetent General. I hope the reorganization of the army will give all the soldiers able commanders. The Northern papers speak very highly of Colonel Howard of the 3rd Maine Regiment. How does Cyrus stand it? Please write me as often as opportunity may afford you the time. Yours with respect, William M. Brooks”
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