The Civil War Letters of Charles Harvey Hayden

This is a continuing article from the Local paper in My hometown, I just thought that I would repeat this article about a soldier from the area that served in the Civil War. By Al Grenning In July of 1861 the United States seemed destined to self destruct in a gathering Civil War. One of the largest military engagements in our country's history had just taken place. Union Troops were overwhelmed by Southern forces and chased all the way back to Washington, DC. The nation's fate hung in the balance. It was called Bull Run by the North and Monasas by the South. Here in the Western Adirondacks, citizens reacted with patriotic outrage and revengeful fervor. Congress immediately authorized states to organize volunteer regiments for defense of the Union. Within days of Congress' action, Governor Morgan of New York State granted Oneida County the authority to raise its third all volunteer infantry regiment. By the end of the month it had been officially decided that this newest New York regiment, the 97th New York Volunteer Infantry was to be raised, drilled and commissioned here in Boonville. Boys, young men and middle-aged married fathers all eagerly responded to this call to arms. Charles Wheelock, a local militia officer and merchant, would be it Colonel and Commander. On November 1, 1862, Charles Harvey (Hervey) Hayden of Big Brook, NY (Westernville) enlisted fro two years of service as a private and was assigned to Company "I", one of ten companies in the regiment. He was in his mid 20's, unmarried, and among the first volunteers to enlist. As a young boy he and his sister Laura lost their mother to disease. Although it isn't clear, it appears they were given up by their father and raised by relatives or close family members. Charles and all other enlistees drilled through early fall and winter of 1862 on the flat in front of Park Hill. Eventually more than 900 men volunteered, completed their training, and left by train for war from Boonville in March 1862. Although the regiment experienced conflict, including the Battle of Second Manasas in its first months of service, it wasn't until mid-September that it received its real baptism of fire. The 97th was among 115,000 American soldiers involved in the Battle of Antietam, called Sharpsburg by the South. Early on the morning of September 17, 1862, Boonville's regiment, along with others in Brigadier General Abram Duryea's Brigade, led an initial attack from the north through farmer D.E. Miller's cornfield. This was the offensive thrust of James Rickett's Division, First Corps of the Army of the Potomac. Conservative estimates place the human cost of the battle at more than 23,000 casualties, the most suffered on a single day of conflict in this country's history -- before or since. On the evening of the 17th only 40 men were left unscathed and present for duty in the 97th. Strategically, Antietem marked the first occasion that Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia was blunted in battle by Union forces. President Lincoln wisely used the stand-off as a political basis to issue his Emancipation proclamation. However, none of this was of immediate concern to Private Charles Harvey Hayden of the 97th NY because he found himself lying in the corn, shot through the body. Every Civil War soldier knew that men who were body shot had virtually no chance of survival. A mine ball had entered the pit of Charles'' stomach and exited under his arm. As serious and critical as this wound was, it did not prove mortal! Instead, Union field surgeons with advances in hospital care nursed him back to health over a period of many months. In fact, his health was sufficient to allow him to re-enlist in January of 1864. The letters and diary that have been handed sown are from Charles H. Hayden's extended period of convalescence. Almost all are written to his sister Laura. In them he expresses his personal reflections on the war, religion, politics, death, and her welfare. Since he was unmarried and they had lost their mother in earlier years, Laura became the central person representing home and family for Charles. Overwhelming events of the time obviously led the two siblings to a mutual commitment of faith and welfare. From the letters, it can be seen how their close bond gave each other strength. All letters closed asking for a timely response. The first two letters in the series are dated July 6 and 8, 1862, and were written before the major battles of Second Monasas and Antietam. In this first surviving letter Charles describes the regiment as having experienced artillery action and some fighting. He was understandably impressed. The second, longer letter reflects more on the hot months of summer and offers a unique window into general camp life. Camp Near Washington July 6th 1862 Dear Sister, I take opportunity to let you know that I am alive and my health is rather better than when I wrote you last. I have been under two cannonadings and one battle, and still my life is preserved. Write soon from your brother Charles H. Hayden Camp Near Warrenton July 8th 1862 Dear Sister, I received your letter this morning and was glad to hear from you, but was sorry to hear that you had been sick - I had almost given up hearing from you as I had written twice and received no answer - I am glad to hear that Pa is getting along so well. I hope that he may always prosper - I hope the acquaintances you are forming may prove for your happiness. Be sure your heart goes with your hand - I am glad Pa approves of him. I hope he may prove all you could wish - I am sorry that you have (a) disappointment but we are liable to be disappointed even in those we hold most dear - should you be disappointed again. I hope you may continue to live on and hope on striving to be a good girl - For I know the effect which disappointment is liable to have upon the mind. We have been encamped at (indistinguishable) Station for the last three or four weeks living very uncomfortable for Soldiers. We moved from there last Saturday to this place about twelve miles (away). The weather is so warm that it is hard marching now. Yesterday and the day before were the hottest days I think I ever saw. We have but little drilling now. Our drilling hours are from eight to ten and from five to seven o'clock - We live in little tents made of two pieces of cloth about one half as large as a sheet. Two of us button our pieces together and stretch it across whole boards in two crotches and this forms our tent - when we start on a march tent, blanket, oven coat, knapsack, gun and equipments forms a pretty good load but generally we get part of it carried - Since I began this letter I have been off and got all the cherries and black berries I could eat. The black and red cherries all we want - The water here is first rate and the country quite hilly - the place we left the country was level and the water poor. I do not know how many men we have here but several thousand making it look quite like a city when lit up at night. I and William Wright Settlement went out five miles beyond our lines the other day but saw no rebels. Took dinner without much reluctance got by some slaves consisting of hoe cake butter and milk. - You said you wish that I could be there to spend the fourth with you. I wish I could have been. I think we might have had a good time - You spoke of my getting a furlough without they are sick or to go home with the sickness - The railroad which had been damaged by the rebels has been repaired to this place which gives us quick communication with Washington. Direct Washington DC 97 REG NYSV CO K From your brother Henry Hayden