10 Handwritten Civil War Era Letters Stanton Wheeler 44th Mass Regiment 1862-64

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10 Handwritten Civil War Era Letters Stanton Wheeler 44th Mass Regiment 1862-64:
$44.92

There are 10 civil war era letters in thislot today and all of them have to do with the Wheeler and Stanton families. Oneof our authors is actually Daniel N. Stanton who was related to the famous NewYork Stanton’s. His relative was Henry Brewster Stanton who was an American 19thcentury abolitionist and social reformer. Henry\'s wife was Elizabeth Cady Stantonwho was an American social activist, abolitionist and leading figure of theearly women’s rights movement. Just Google their name and their bio’s areextensive. Then their sons, Daniel’s cousins (in some way) were also huge when it came topolitical and social reform.

Daniel married Harriet C. Wheeler on May 2nd,1864. She was born about 1839. Harriet’s parents were Samuel and Jane Wheeler.She had two sisters; Mary C. and Elizabeth W. Between the 10 letters there area total of 31 handwritten pages of writing. Three of the letters also havetheir original envelopes but someone has torn the stamp off of them. Not onlydid Daniel write, but there is also a letter from Hattie and there are alsosome letters from Samuel, Hattie’s father. Then some letters are from a “Katy”but I didn’t research her or find out how she’s related. I do know thatHattie’s mother has passed away by the time these letters are written and herfather Samuel is a widow. Then her brother Albert is serving in the 44thRegiment which is fighting in the Civil War.

The letters having to do with Mary showher as living in North Hampton Massachusetts under the care of Dr. Denniston.By the sounds of things she is quite sick and seems to be an invalid. And sureenough when I went to look it all up it looks like Dr. Edward E. Denniston rana home for invalids at Springdale Northampton Massachusetts. It was establishedfor the relief and cure of chronic disorder and disease. It was actually calledthe, “Springdale Water Cure.”

I’ve quoted from a few of the letters asthey are quite charming and full of news. This first letter was written by Hattie’shusband but 2 years before they were married.

“Boston,January 26th, 62’

My dear Hattie,

Accordingto promise I take the most agreeable and pleasing opportunity to write the onlyone I love. It appears so very strange when I consider and carefullyreflect on the past circumstances of our acquaintance that we should have beenso mysteriously brought to believe that we could loose each other. Often whenengaged in my daily association have I thought of you then I would try andbanish such thoughts forever from my mind. But it certainly seems to have beena foregone conclusion that I should under any and all circumstances lose you.There is one promise that I have been determined to keep and that was never toallow myself to use artificial influence to accomplish what I so much desired.I knew that such affections would never last if won fairly and honorably, thathowever great might be our troubles and trials, we could look back on the pastand without regret say that as we were true in the beginning we would hold outtime to the end. Many are the vices and temptations which are hourly houndingus in this unfriendly world. Such we must meet with defiance……Hattie I wish youwould write me on receipt of this, direct to the 5th Avenue Hotel. Yours affectionatelyD. N. Stanton.”

The second letter is written by Samuel(Hattie, Elizabeth, Albert and Mary’s father) and I think it dates from 1862but I can’t quite make out the year. He is in Boston and it seems Mary is quite sick and hewishes he could be with the girls. He talks about the doctor setting up thehammock for her in order that she might feel better out of doors. Then thisthird letter….

“Sherborn August 7th, 62

Dear Lizzie,

I receivedyour letter late on the 8th, and I was very thankful to hear fromyou. I am very sorry you are so unwell and your father too. It seems as if allthe afflictions comes at once. You speak going to the beach. Now Lizzie won’tthe sea breeze be too much for you. I think if you shall go farther up in the country,it would be more beneficial. You wouldn’t be exposed so much to the eastwind…..You may laugh Lizzie but the inhabitants of Sherborn are very patriotic.They have held three meetings to get fourteen volunteers. Wilson spoke one night. Charles Train thenext, I don’t know the third one. They will hold one tonight. I believe it willtake two to finish. What do you think of that. The ladies are pulling, makingshirts and shoes and every they can think of for their comfort…..I wish yougood night. From Katy. Charles Howard has enlisted. I pity his mother. She letsso much by him. My hands are so stiff can’t hold a pen.”

The forth letter is written by Daniel whois staying at the Howard Hotel in New York City. It dates from October 8th, 1862and he talks about hearing his cousins speak….

“Last night I went over to Brooklynto hear cousin’s ____and Henry B. Stanton speak. The hall was crowded tooverflowing and the people cheered them to the top if their voices. But I keptmum. I have not much doubt but that I shall hear this week…..I am truly, DanielN. Stanton.”

(5th Letter)

“NewtonNov. 9/62

Dear Mary,

The storm continues and I have not been out todayneither have any of us. Mr. Gram and Juliet Wheeler are here. Sam is at homechanging up his attic room. I received your letter of ___ inst. yesterdaymorning. Same time I sent you a letter from Hattie. Your letter was quite arelief to us as a few days before I learned from Mr. Dickenson that you was toosick for Miss “Hattie” to leave you to go and hear Mr. Goff lecture. Wepresumed you had one of your sick turns but as you did not say anything aboutit we suppose it passed off without your being very sick. I notice what you sayabout removing. You appear to be satisfied with your new “room” (or rooms?) ifit but one room, the Doct should not charge but for one and board for two, the2 cents for fires is 2 cents per week….It “seems” by the paper that the 44Regt. with others have captured 3,000 rebels at Plymouth N. C. We hope to havea letter from Albert giving particulars…..You had better keep an inventory ofwhat things you have there, so that at a future day we can identify whatbelongs to us and when you leave we may take them home. It will take a prettylarge express wagon to take all with….Yours &c. S. Wheeler.”

(6th Letter)

“Sherborn, Sunday Nov. 23rd,62

Dear Mary,

I was muchpleased to have a paper from you. I heard in particular where the 44thwent in battle. Was some afraid that Albert was either killed or wounded. Haveeven heard they had a hard time of it. There are sad times. Many see noprospect when the end will come. I suppose you are aware that I have been toyour house and staid three weeks. I did not calculate to stay more then a dayor two of course. I decided not to take any clothes only what I had on except acommon dress while there. I helped Hattie clean up the house and we did cleanin earnest. Cleaned out all the closets, washed all the china. Hattie and thegirl cleaned all the paint and windows. I put down all the chamber carpets,wash all the muslin curtains and ironed them including yours. When lefteverything looked as nice as wax…..Love from Katy.”

The 7th letter is from Hattiealso written in 1862 and it’s written to her sister Mary. Talks about coming tosee her, having Katy stay to keep the house and more. The next letter iswritten by father Samuel to Mary. Another letter from Daniel who is again atthe Fifth Avenue Hotel. This one is dated from December of 1863. The finalletter is written by Elizabethto her father Samuel in 1864. Says Mary is finally coming home and the Dr. isbringing her.

All in all the letters are in good shapewith a few tears on the creases.