46th Massachusetts Infantry CIVIL WAR LETTER - Terrific Content from Plymouth NC

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46th Massachusetts Infantry CIVIL WAR LETTER - Terrific Content from Plymouth NC:
$36.00

Civil War Letter

This Civil War letter was written by George W. Scott (1840-1884), the son of Dr. William Scott (1807-1878) and Emeret McIntosh (1810-1878) of Manchester, Connecticut.

George had at least five siblings — all females — three of whom are mentioned frequently in these letters: Eliza J. Scott (b. 1837), Flavia C. Scott (1839-1865), and Ellen C. Scott (b. 1842).

George’s father, William Scott, studied medicine with Dr. E. McCray of East Longmeadow and with Dr. Hamilton of Somers, Connecticut, and graduated from the Medical Institute at Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He established himself soon after marriage (1833) in Wapping, Connecticut, but a few years later changed his residence to Manchester.

George’s oldest sibling was Emeret J. Scott who married Dr. Stephen Risley of Rockville, Connecticut. His second oldest sibling was Elija J. Scott who married David Samuel Calhoun, an 1848 graduate of Yale, and a lawyer in Hartford. George’s sister Flavia never married; she died in 1865. His younger sister Ellen C. Scott married Elmore Penfield, and his youngest sister May E. Scott died as an infant.

George was born at Manchester on 5 December 1840. He married (1873) to Adelle McCray (b. 1850). After his service in the 46th Masaachusetts, George was employed by the Belding Brothers, silk manufacturers of New York, later with the Leonard Silk Company at Rockville (later Warehouse Point). George and Adelle never had any children.

Three1884 obituary notices for George were preserved by the family (see “Miscellaneous” link):

Warehouse Point — The many friends of George W. Scott, secretary of the Leonard Silk Company of warehouse Point, will be pained to learn that he died suddenly Friday, August 15, of paralysis of the brain. His many endearing qualities of mind and heart, combined with strict business habits, remarkable music talents and a delicate humor, have drawn around him a large circle of friends who regret his untimely death. The funeral will be at Warehouse Point on Monday, August 18th, at 1 p.m.

Death of George W. Scott — The many friends of Secretary George W. Scott of the Leonard Silk Company at Warehouse Point will learn with sincere regret of his death, which occurred at his home in that place, yesterday, from paralysis of the brain. Mr. Scott was in a Massachusetts regiment during the war, being connected with the same command in which Judge Arthur F. Eggleston of Hartford served. He was a man of soldierly instincts and served with honor in his regiment. Mr. Scott possessed endearing qualities of mind and heart, combined with strict business habits, remarkable musical talents and a delicate humor which drew around him a large circle of friends who will regret his untimely death. His wife, who survives him, is a sister of Major William B. McCrary of this city. The funeral will occur at Warehouse Point, Monday, August 18m at 1 p.m.

Warehouse Point mourns the loss of George W. Scott, secretary of the Leonard silk company, who died at the Middletown Asylum yesterday morning. Mr. Scott was apparently in perfect health and had just returned from a fishing trip in the Adirondacks. He was taken sick on the 5th at the house of his brother-in-law in Hartford, and the doctors called his complain nervous prostration. The next day he was enough better to be brought home, and for two or three days was about the streets. A week later he was removed to the Middletown asylum as some brain trouble had developed and he was under the immediate care of relatives there. He failed rapidly and died Friday morning. The announcement caused great regret in the village. He was always liberal and public-spirited; and besides his business trusts, he was president of the Blaine and Logan Club, member of the district school committee, secretary and treasurer of the horse-thief association, and for many years organist of the St. John’s Church.

NOTE - We are only offering the letter transcribed below, not the image of the ship.

TRANSCRIPTION

Plymouth,May 5th 1863

Dear Father — The past 2 or 3 days have been very warm. The mercury yesterday stood at 92 and it will stand about the same today. As yet have not experienced the slightest inconvenience on account of the heat. We have no duty to perform and have nothing to do but sit in the shade of our own shady grove in front of this “mine own hired house.” On the 1st of May the band went by special invitation on to the Flagship[U.S.S. Commodore]Perry. Capt. Bim [?] where was provided for us asplendid supper. We had a splendid time. Did not get home until 12 in the evening. We also had an invitation to go aboard the gunboatSouthfield. Had a nice time there. The band is thought a great deal of here.

USS Commodore Perry

The fort here is named Fort Williams. Day before yesterday they christened it & raised the Stars & Stripes. ¹We were invited to furnish music which we did. Gen. Wessel has command of the Department of Washington, Roanoke, and Plymouth. His headquarters are here. He has already taken possession.

We are going back to Newbern tomorrow. The 25th [Massachusetts] have already gone. Band escorted them to the boat. Co. A & I are doing picket duty on the Neuse road about 8 miles from Newbern. I believe they have a blockhouse there. Dick is in the city, well I believe. We all begin to talk pretty strong now of going home and some are making arrangements for the coming event. Capt. [Daniel E.] Kingsbury of Holyoke & Capt. [Andrew] Campbell of Westfield want to engage us to escort them home. Guess we shall. There is a considerable speculation in regard to our going home. Some think we get home before July & others after.

Yesterday 3 or 4 of us got a pass & a boat & went up the river about 3 miles into the rebel country to a fishing. Saw them make two hauls of about 2500 fish each — mostly shell and rock. We got several fish & returned unmolested. It was rather hazardous but it is the first risk of the kind I ever have run & the last. We all hate to leave Plymouth. It is so cool & shady but we shall not more than get fairly settled in Newbern before we shall have to start for home.

The other night our boys captured 4 rebel cavalry & 6 horses — nice ones. This morning I went down to the jail to converse with one of them. He is a very good looking man — strongly resembles George Benton (that worked for Hillyard & Spencer, & with Ellen Chapman was very instrumental in killing Annis sorrel horse so famous in Hod Shipman’s career). He is about 30 — a great politician, college education, one of the leading persons in South Carolina when they passed the first secession resolutions. I talked about 3 hours — I strongly for the Union and abolition of slavery, and he as strongly for Rebellion & extension of slavery. He was a perfect gentleman. I admire his frankness & pluck which he said the same of me. He says neither side will back down but this war will go on a war of extermination which he is confident until one side or the other is wiped from the earth. He was also confident that 20 years would not end this struggle. He says the whole southlove, honor, & fearMcClellan and his knowledge & remarks of him convince me of McClellan’s treachery. He says the generals of our army is its weakest point. That the different changes & repulses of generals and commanders in the Army of the Potomac convinces them that they will prosper. He knows every movement of McClellan & McDowell — also of McClellan’s investigation.

I think there will be no expeditions here this summer but that Foster is arranging his forces to act on the defensive. I picked a rose from our garden the other day & pressed it to send to mother but some of the boys have stole it so I will press another & send in my next. We shall probably be paid off when we get to Newbern. My clothes & all are good. Love to all & oblige your son, — George

Arose, May 7th at 4 A.M. packed up, went aboard the steamerThos. Colyerat 12. Started for Newbern at 2. Slept on open deck. Rained in the night.

May 8th. Passed Roanoke about 5 A.M. & Hatteras 4 P.M. Quite cold. Arrived in Newbern at 9 in the eve. Are quartered in the barracks where we shall probably stay until we go home. Went & saw Dick. He is well & likes driving team first rate. He has a nice team & don’t have to drive out of the city at any time. Our company is on picket. All well. — George

TERMS

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