The Civil War Letters of Charles Harvey Hayden pt 6

     In this letter Charles shows continued concern for his sister Laura’s health. His acceptance of a Devine plan for all that has happened is reflective of the United States Christian Commission’s work and the general revivalist movement in the 1860’s. It was written about two weeks before the Battle of Gettysburg. At that point Northern States are highly embroiled among themselves in an anti-war movement lead by Democratic politicians called ”Cooper Heads.” The former mayor of Utica, New York, Horatio Seymour, is a strong proponent of a negotiated settlement with the South, and now is Governor of New York State. No doubt, Charles is aware of the political climate, because he writes about Democrats, Republican, Christians and the damage being inflicted to the war effort by “Northern Rebels.”

                                        Fredrick City June 12, 63
     Dear Sister,
     I hasten to answer your letter which I received in due time – I am sorry to heat that your health is so poor and I hope that you may not lose your voice, but whatever God may appoint in his providence let us try to receive as from an all wise and merciful Father and let us pray that our afflictions may (come) from our greatest affliction.
     You tell me to be patient I have no cause to be impatient when I think of the promises of God, he has said that al things shall fork for the good of the right spirit may prove blessings to us – all that we may suffer here will soon be past. We cannot always see the hand that leads us but let us cast ourselves into his care and he will care for us. But if we are ashamed of him before man he will be ashamed of us before his father and the holy Angels – Elise wishes me to be a Democrat. I wish she may be a Christian if she is not. Then she may be a Democrat or Republican. She may err in judgement but she will not err in principle. She will aim to be right and do right – we should not think more of a party than our country – I would rather the names Democrat and Republican would link to us no more than that we should lose our free institutions. I would that we had a party without the imperfections of either but as they are made of imperfect men they will be imperfect. And, we should choose the best and will – should they think of it – You there at home never can know what men are suffering for this country. To know it must be seen and felt and the man (men) that would for money or for offer weaken the efficiency of our army by work or deed are aiding to the extent to which they go. To carry on the rebellion I am sorry that we have so many rebels north. They may prolong the war. I believe that is all that they can do. I believe that the union of these states will be established.
     I have not received any pay here. I did not get here in time to muster and have a year’s pay due me the first of next month. Perhaps I may be paid in July. I sent to Lysander last fall (when I expected to come home) and got fifteen dollars and I have about ten shillings left. I think that you need part of it more than I do so I enclose a dollar to you.
                                   Write soon direct – Fredrick City
                                   General Hospital Barrack “O”
                                   From your Brother C H Hayden
     Write particularly how you get along. My health is rather improving. I have but little pain and rest well nights. And plenty of plain foods mostly bread. Meat once a day, not often butter, sometimes applesauce for supper, tea and coffee for break fast and supper.
                                                  C H Hayden

Shari and the relatives

Well, Shari visited her relatives from Maryland today and had a great time. she especially loved her 18 mnth old cousin, him and her played for a while then shari needed mommy. But she was very welled behaved and played with everyone very well. hopefully she played herself into tiredness sot hat she will actually sleep tonight. speaking of sleeping i really need to rest myself. talk to you all later

Teaching Kids to Program

There is a new programming language out that is freeware. It is intended for Kids who have never programmed before. It is very easy for them to create an move things around on their computer screen.

read more | digg story

Charge your electronic devices WIRELESSLY!!

A company called Splashpower has come up with a way to wirelessly charge your electronic devices using electromagnetic induction

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The Civil War Letters of Charles Harvey Hayden pt 5

Charles writes to his sister Laura, from Frederick City, Maryland, on May 25, 1863, the Smoketown Hospital he had been confined to during the past seven and a half months will never meet his eyes again. This letter comes shortly after the Battle of Chancelorsville in early May. Combined, the North and South suffered over 30,000 casualties and was the most humiliating Union defeat of the Civil War. The stress placed on the medical corps of boh sides of care of the wounded was beyond capabilities. Good fortune and luck was with Charles because he found himself in a situation offering clean, un-crowded quality care. Once examined by the doctor in his new setting, there was evidently consideration for sending him to the Invalid Corps. However, serving the remainder of his military term with the maimed and handicapped was not to be his fate. Most interesting are his eye-opening comments concerning the care of rebel prisoners! Fredrick City May 25, ‘63 Dear Sister, I have left Smoketown at last. I have been here three weeks. I did not get my discharge at Smoketown as I expected. I don’t know how long I will be here probably all summer. The weather has been very warm for a few days – I do not think I feel as well when the weather is very warm. I spoke about my discharge to the doctor Saturday morning for the first time. Twice I have been in the hospital. I thought if I could go north where the weather is cooler it would be better for me. The doctor gave me but little encouragement about going home and seemed to think that I might be able to go into the invalid corps, but said he wold see if I was enitled to discharge. The hospital is pleasantly situated just at the outskirts of the town. There are 18 to 20 buildings 100 or 200 feet long and about 30 feet wide. They are enclosed by a high fence and when we wish to go out we have to get a pass. I have had 4 and 5, and have not had to ask for one – I like it here very well everything is kept very nice and clean. The hospital is not very full of patients. The rebel patients were went off a few days ago. They were used as well as we can sleep in the same rooms and eat at the same table. I believe in using prisoners well and I wish that our prisoners could be used as well as they have been. I think they (Rebels) are used better than the (Union) were. Laura, perhaps you may not get this letter very soon but answer as soon as you get it and tel me where to direct if you are at home or anywhere else from home. Direct Fredrick City General Hospital MD Barrack O My ink is so poor that i do not know whether you can read this letter or not. From Hervey to his sister Laura. P.S. Laura, if you are at home answer (confirm) with a few lines in your next letter.

Another New Blog

I have started for Shari her own blog that for the present time katie and I will be posting to so that we can keep you up to date on what she is doing and how she is developing and pics that we get and like. hope you enjoy this as much as i will.

The Civil War Letters of Charles Harvey Hayden pt 4

     In this letter of March 5, 1863, Charles writes to this sister Laura from the same Smoketown hospital that he was sent in October 1862. Discouraged with continuing poor health, chronic diarrhea and pain from his very severe wound, he is concerned about not being fit for regimental duty. He expresses a clear fatalistic tone and acceptance that the future is beyond his capacity to control.

                                             Smoketown Hospital
                                                  March 5, 1863

     Dear Sister,
     I have been waiting some time and have not written because I expected to leave here soon, either discharged or sent to the regiment. But I do not see anymore prospect of going than I did two months ago. There are some discharged and others sent to their regiments every few days. My health is not very good and I have had the diarrhea for six months most of the time, and my side and breast (are) weak and I have some pain when I lay down. I find that I do not get over a wound as soon as it is healed. But, it is liable to bother – long after. I do not think that I am able to go to the regiment and do duty as a soldier, but perhaps I shall be sent.
     I mean to try to keep my trust in Him that has preserved my life through the bloody conflicts that I have passed through where many have been from health to the grave in a few moments – and if it is His will that I shall be discharged it will be so, if not He can give me strength when I return to duty to do what is required of me.
     I am glad that you have found a friend and I hope that he may prove kind and true. Still I would always have you put your trust in that friend that can never deceive but will always do that which is best for us if we put our trust in Him, although we may not always think so at the time.
     The weather here has been wet and we have had rather bad weather, but today is warm and pleasant. The grass is just beginning to start. We have a nice little chapel where we have meetings three times a week and we have a very fine man for chaplain.
     I was sorry to hear that Pa had lost his dam but was glad that he had it repaired. I hope he may have success and he prospers.
     Dear Sister, I hope the time may soon come when war shall end and we shall meet at home again.
                                        Direct Smoketown Hospital
                                             Washington, DC
                                             Via Sharsburg MD
                                        From your loving brother,
                                             Charles H. Hayden

beautiful blue eyes, thats my shari 

The Civil War Letters of Charles Harvey Hayden Pt 3

     In the following letter dated January 25, 1863, Charles is still receiving care from the same hospital in Maryland that he wrote from in November. His progress is amazing considering the seriousness of his wounds. He notes that Smoketown is becoming the recipient of soldiers from other hospitals. Just four weeks before this was written Union forces lost 13,000 soldiers (18,000 – both sides combined) to casualties during the Battle of Fredricksburg. No doubt the influx of patients he notes was the result of that battle.
     The letter also demonstrates the influence of the United States Christian Commission. During the war this YMCA founded, non denominational, charity funded, volunteer organization cared to the spiritual needs of soldiers, particularly those who were wounded. It supplied clothing, diaries, writing material, bibles and ministry for both northern soldiers, and captured southerners. Religious services were held and libraries were established in most hospital camps. Over 5,000 volunteers supported the organization. Their work was to have a profound effect on Private, Charles Hayden of the 97th NYVI.

Smoketown
Jan. 25th 1863
Dear Sister,
     I take this opportunity to write a few lines to you. I am still at this Hospital. We are in large tents and have a good stove. There are a five of us in a tent. I am gaining strength and my wounds are healed up but I feel the affects of them inwardly considerably yet a few weeks ago. I expected to be with you before this time but I do not want to do it. I rather go to my Reg, if I was able but I do not think that I am able yet. They are making this a General Hospital for this region and are bringing their sick from other hospitals. Here we have some three hundred – now of sick and wounded.
     I had a letter from Cousin Helen a few days ago. She was well and I am always glad to hear from her. She takes as much interest in my welfare as though she was my sister. I wish you could see the letters. You said that Edward was not what you expected. I am glad that you found him out before it was too late but am sorry that you were disappointed. You spoke about going to Steuben to work. Perhaps you may be there before this reaches you. I do not know what is for the best but I hope that you may be diverted for the best and trust to that friend that never can forsake you. Read the bible and be directed by its teachings; it will lead you a right. Dear Sister I am tired of war and blood-shed and tired of seeing sickness and suffering caused by this unhappy war.
     I believe that our only hope is to trust. Trust to him that tempers the wind to the Shorn lamb. I hope that we may do away with the evil that is among us and the Lord will (----) to bless us as a nation for without his blessing we can do nothing –till Pa and Ma. That I am as well as can be expected under the circumstances receiving a ball about three inches to the right of the pit of the stomach and coming out just back of my arm. I have received (an) overcoat and pants and under clothes from the government. I lost my clothes in the battle. We have not received ay pay for ‘most seven months but I sent back to Western for some so that I have had what I needed to use. I have had to buy considerable food as our fair is rather poor.  I hope the time may soon come when we shall meet again but in the meantime try to be a good girl. I was sorry to hear that you had been sick but was glad to hear that you were getting quite well again. I hope your health may continue good.
     We have plenty of hickory nuts here, I have been out several times and got some but could not get as many as I would because I could not climb the trees – you hardly know how much I wish to see you. But that cannot be for the present but will hope that the time will come when we shall meet again.
     Dear Sister, write soon and direct
     Smoketown, Hospital Washington
     CO MD     
     From your loving brother
     Charles H. Hayden

The Civil War Letters of Charles Harvey Hayden Pt. 2

In this letter of October 10, 1862, Charles Hayden writes to his sister Laura, in Westernville, (Big Brook) NY, from the Union hospital in Smoketown, Maryland. In it he informs her of his wounds suffered in the Battle of Antietam. The Smoketown Hospital was one of many hastily created for wounded soldiers. It consisted of an oak grove sheltering about 80 army tents. Two dilapidated cabins served as the only standing structures. Dr. W.R. Mosley, Assistant Medical Inspector for Union forces, noted that two months after the battle in November 1862, there were 469 patients under treatment; 232 were wounded soldiers while 237 other were sick with typhoid fever, dysentery and diarrhea. Many were afflicted with both wounds and disease. When the following letter was written, Charles was in the latter category. However, he realized his good fortune to be alive upon his reflection of the battle and its horror.

Spoketown, MD
Oct. 10th, 62

Dear Sister
I take this opportunity to write a few lines to you. I was wounded in the battle of the 17th of last month. I was wounded in the right breast. My wounds appear to be doing well. I also received a shot in my thumb and finger of my left hand but my fingers are about well. I have had a bad diarrhea which has kept me very weak. We went into the battle early in the morning. I was in the cornfield when I fell. I was left and the rebels passed over me then our men drove them back again. The rebels were charging again when I placed my handkerchief over my wound and standed (stood). (SIC) I came to an ambulance and they took me in and brought me to the Hospital we are in. Nice new tents 5 – of us in our tent – I have been up and out of doors yesterday. I do not know whether they will let me come home or not – the battle was a terrible affair. Men (were) dropping all around – with heads and legs off. The continual roar of cannon balls all make it terrible.
Dear sister write son direct as before.
From your affectionate Brother
Charles H. Hayden