1864
1864 was a robust year of correspondence for the Chapins and their relatives. After receiving a bit of furlough time, Mary Burt expresses her surprise at her brother Oscar’s return from war, calling him “the absent soldier.” She urges him and other family members to make the journey to come visit her. Neither Mary nor Tommy have heard from Welling–who has reenlisted in the army–in weeks, though he previously promised to write. Mary continues on about her children and their studies, and about the death of a family friend, Jim Cooper.
Helen Maria (Sennett) Truesdale–most likely a cousin on Lucinda’s maternal side–writes to her extended family whom she addresses as ‘Cousins.’ The content of the letter addresses a singular ‘you' in several instances, pointing to a primary recipient of the letter. This primary recipient is Dorcas Chapin, who is at the time of receiving this letter pregnant with her ninth and final child, which Helen directly addresses near the conclusion of the letter. The ambiguous punctuation of the sentence makes it look as if it’s addressed to Marcia, but it is likely addressed to Dorcas: “when that little affair of yours comes of let me know what it is if it is a boy call it Charly if not call it for me.”
The main content of the letter is concerning a recent visit that Helen made to the Chapins, emphasizing how much she enjoyed it and that she will make another visit. Helen implores them to visit her in turn, cheekily demanding that she be sent pictures of “the girls” in the meantime–referring to Lucinda’s daughters or granddaughters, though it is not clear which. She reveals that Lucinda’s sister Hat (Harriet Pepple née McNeil) has taken her copies and refuses to give them back. The letter is overall very positive and upbeat, a rarity in this collection of correspondence, and is a gratifying and warmhearted change of pace.
Hannah (Chapin) Daggett received her teaching certificate on March 19th, 1864, which was valid for six months and eligible for renewal upon endorsement of the school commissioner.
Writing to his mother, Oscar Chapin shares details of an eventful train ride with his regiment. They rode the train from Decatur and headed east until the train broke down around 9 P.M. in Cerro Gordo. When the train started up the next afternoon, the regiment made their way to the city of Philo, Illinois, where Oscar says he got to see their old home--the homesickness hit him particularly hard, just in reach of a life he used to know. They continued on the train for a few days and made it to the city (not specified), where Oscar claims there were five thousand soldiers. The regiment moved on to Camp Smith after that.
Another letter from Oscar Chapin to his mother tells of his current post. Him and his regiment are guarding a garden that belongs to a Major Chase. He notes that they are enjoying plenty of fresh produce from the garden and are staying in a barn. Oscar mentions there was a dance at the overseer’s house with a “nice respecttable crowd” and comments on some of the fine women he saw there. He misses home, and expresses that he very much wishes the war was over. They captured the battleground at the Saline River, killed several men, and captured four pieces of artillery there. Oscar laments that he doesn’t have much money at the moment as he hasn’t gotten paid yet, and asks his mother for a dollar's worth of postage to continue his correspondence.
Oscar Chapin’s mention of a battle in his letter from May 21st 1864–that General Steel and his men encountered "125 miles south of here at Salene [sic] river"–is most likely in reference to the Battle of Jenkins Ferry, which was fought on April 30th 1864. General Steele was retreating after the failed Camden Expedition when his men encountered Confederate forces. Though technically considered a Union victory, the win did not come with any significant material gain, as the Camden Expedition remained a failure and a blight on Steele’s record.
Mary Burt writes to her family at home about rising inflation and how it will soon be up to people to pledge that they will not bring business to the market until prices change. Mary explains what happened to Welling; he was wounded in the head on his cheek and tongue, and he lost a few teeth. Mary continues on to relay the current health of her and Philip’s child and the tragedy of how her mill has burned down. This would undoubtedly cause further financial strain on the family, as if inflation was not enough of a difficulty. She briefly mentions the state of her garden, an instrumental component of their continued survival, and the letter closes with Mary thanking Marcia for verses she wrote to her daughter Lizzie.
Helen Truesdale writes to her cousin Dorcas Chapin after visiting her, detailing the trip home and the reactions of family members who were excited to hear about the trip. Helen requests a picture of Dorcas’ baby and that Hannah visit them in the future. Finally, Helen briefly mentions the Battle of Atlanta.
Helen composes another letter to her cousins in which she talks about the state election, Mr. Peppel’s plans to open a grocery store alongside his bakery, and about her children. Helen says that the Copperhead Democrats, who were looking for an immediate cease-fire with the Confederacy, “hung their heads” and that the presidential election is looking to turn out that way as well.
Oscar and others in the extended family reenlisted in 1864 upon their original term of service running out. Reenlisting–if physically possible despite previous injuries–was seen as a deeply patriotic act, and falls in line with the Chapin’s characteristically morally upstanding and politically passionate behavior. Fortunately enough for everyone involved, the end of the war was drawing ever-closer.