Wayne County in the Civil War

Savillion F. Davall

45th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry

Died of illness during the war. He is remembered on the Wayne County Civil War Monument in Honesdale as S.F. Davall.

    “Savillion was born on September 13, 1840. He was the sixth child born to William Franklin and Mary (Simpson) Davall. We know a little about what he looked like from his Civil War Record which tells us that he was fair with reddish hair, blue eyes and stood 5 feet 8 inches tall. He was 21 years old when he enlisted in the Civil War on October 8, 1861. In two of his letters he writes about having “his likeness taken,” but as of yet no pictures of Savillion have been found.

     Savillion was mustered into Company F, of the Forty-fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry as a Private on October 10, 1861. He fought with this Company until his death on July 22, 1863. His death is recorded in a book by Allen Albert called, “History of the Forty-fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteer Infantry, 1861-1865.” We get this little glimpse into his death on page 234: “We marched back to Jackson on the 19th and the next day started for Vicksburg. We reached the Big Black River on the 22nd. Savillion Davall of Company F, who was sick when we left Jackson, died in an ambulance and was buried on the west side of the river.”  Some people believe he died of the measles or dysentery. In one of his last letters, he writes about being exposed to the mumps. Perhaps some or all of these things contributed to his death. There is no gravestone to mark his passing.    

     Savillion believed in what he was fighting for. He fought in several battles including The Battle of Fredericksburg, where 13,000 Union soldiers were killed.  He tells about his experiences in that battle in a letter written on December 21, 1862. In another letter he is quite insulted when some boys say he fainted during battle. He wrote, “…nor I did not faint when the ‘grape’ was showering around me. I did not think of fainting. All I thought of was to get up close enough to use our muskets and bayonets…” Savillion endured many hardships. He was often cold, hungry, thirsty and lonely. He wrote about how grateful he was that the war had not reached his home and grieved over all the destruction he witnessed. His prayers and hopes were that he would live to be able to return to his “native land.” In the following letters you will see a nice young man who loved his family and dreamed of getting married. When writing to his “ever dear” mother, he often wishes he were home taking supper and enjoying her good cooking.     

     Savillion wrote that he wished to be remembered. It is a privilege to be able to share this collection of letters and honor this brave young man who gave his life for his family and country.”

A letter from Savillion DaVall to his brother Charles O. DaVall Harrisburg, October 15th, 1861

Dear Brother,

I now take my pen in hand to pen a few lines to you to let you know that I am well and I hope that you are the same. We arrived here yesterday afternoon and it looked funny enough, I tell you, the camps all over the ground and the soldiers sitting around on the ground and standing up eating with their plates in their hands. Oh, there is such nice music here now and they are all going out on dress parade. There is about a thousand men in camp here now. I expect that we shall leave here Thursday. They say we'll go to Mijsura (Missouri) but I don't know how that will be yet. I slept pretty well last night for the first night. Oh, I wish you was here to see them march and hear the music. It sounds so nice. I tell you, it is a nice place here to train, the ground is level and hard as a rock. I tell you, it is a nice country around here and I seen some nice farms when I came down here. Well, I had a nice view of Scranton (?). It is a quite nice place. There is the most machinery there I have ever seen. You can't begin to think what works (machinery) there is nor I can't begin to tell you. I went in where they got coal. The worst of it was the captain got dead drunk and the boys had to carry him down to the tavern where we stayed. And then all of us boys went up there. It was one of them bad houses, I tell you. They had some nice music there but we did not stay long. Just before we got ready to start (leave) there was a girl stepped out in the room where we stood and then she stepped back and then one of the boys followed her. Then we came away and walked around a spell and then went to the tavern and went to bed. Around midnight we heard someone hollering and knocking at the door and I and George rushed and got up and let them in. It was two of our boys. They had been out with some girls. I had my likeness (picture) taken up to Scranton for Sally. I guess that I will send my clothes home and then I will send my likeness. Well, I must bring this to a close for I must write to mother and John. Write soon and tell all the news, so good-bye from your ever affectionate brother.

Savillion F. DaVall to Charles O. DaVall Harrisburg, Camp Curtin Care of Captain Parker

Oh, there is such nice music here now and they are all going out on dress parade. There is about a thousand men in camp here now. I expect that we shall leave here Thursday. They say we'll go to Mijsura (Missouri) but I don't know how that will be yet. I slept pretty well last night for the first night. Oh, I wish you was here to see them march and hear the music. It sounds so nice.

From Savillion DaVall’s October 15, 1861 letter.

This is a letter to Savillion DaVall from a George M. Goodsell Headquarters Regt. Camp Halls Hill 20th N.Y. Lesley October the 23, 1861

Savillion DaVall

Dear Sir,

I was quite surprised to hear you had enlisted and gone off. I do not see how your folks could spare you, they have so much to do but, Savillion, I cannot blame you for leaving home to go and take your countrys' part. Any young man that can stay at home these times, when their country is on the brink of ruin is not fit for to have any protection from any government unless their business or circumstances prevents their leaving home. Perhaps you will at first think it rather hard fare at first but you will soon get accustomed to the living. A person cannot expect to have the same convenience that a good home would afford us but we are in a good and just cause and the right side must win after a short time. It will be quite a while before you will be drilled ready to go into action unless they do with you as they have with us, a sent us right on in front of the main army, ready or not, but we all improve very fast. How I wish you had come the same time we did. We would had good times, then we could mess together. We would have been in town then. We have been out on picket once since we have been here. Frank and I stood on the same post all the time we were out. We did not see any of the rebels but there was one of the 14th New York men that was shot while we were out. You must tell Charles Henry to write and let me know how the world uses him, if he finds it as he expected but you have not seen much of soldier's life yet. But we will all get into it before long. We expect to make another advance in a few days to Fairfax Courthouse. I suppose they will give us a very warm reception but we are ready for them. We can give to them as good as they send if not a little more so. John has been to see us once when we were on Moravian Heights. We had (a) first rate visit. It seemed like old times. I can tell you Frank and I tried to get a pass to go over and see John the other day. We went to the Capt(ain). He said he could not get one for himself, much more for us. We then went to the Colonel and asked him for one. He said we could have one but when we got one from the Capt(ain), the Colonel would not sign it with the Capt(ain) Shesefred (?), that our friends were sick. So we got cheated out of going. It seems hard when we are so nigh to our friends that we cannot go and see them but it would not do to have the men all going where they have a mind to. There would not be enough left to stand guard. It is almost roll call and I shall have to stop writing. The candle is almost burnt out. I need make no excuse for this poor writing for you know how it seems to write on a piece of board. So good-bye at present.

Yours sincerely, from George H. Goodsell

Write soon to Mr. Savillion DaVall, Esq.

Letter from Savillion DaVall to his mother, Mary Jane DaVall Camp Welch, October 26th, 1861

Dear Mother,

I now take this opportunity to pen a few lines to you to let you know that I am well and enjoying myself as well as can be expected. We left Harrisburg, Monday and arrived here Tuesday night. It was a pretty long journey but I stood it pretty well considering I had the toothache, otherwise I felt like a buck. Well, when we got here it rained and it was pretty muddy and we all went in that big house that was made a purpose for soldiers. And then we had our supper and then spread out our blankets and laid down and had our knapsacks for our pillow. And then we had two hours in the morning to look around. And I went up to the Capitol and all around in it, that is, as much as I could. I went up on the top and I had a fair view of the city and the country for ten miles around. I could see camps all around on the other side of the Potomac river and then I seen a steamboat. Well, the Capital did not look anything like I thought it did. There was so many rooms. I tell you, Baltimore is a big city. The houses is made mostly of brick. There is a good many negroes there. Well, we are camped right where Colonel Barker (Curnil Backer ?) was camped . I believe he got killed the other day. Well, I heard that they had a fight today and I guess they did for we could hear the cannons. There was six regiments went a past here day before yesterday and they went right where we heard the cannons. Well, I don't know how long we will stay here. I don't get much time to write, only nights for we have to drill about 8 (?) hours in a day. I can't write very long letters. You must write a long letter and tell me all about the folks. How does Richard and Eliza get along and how does Margaret get along now since I came away? I suppose she has got a beau now since I came away. And does she do work to our house yet? I hope she does. I wish you would send me a dollar for I ain't got only two shillings left and I would like to have some money so I could buy some butter once in a while and some milk. I ain't had any butter since I came from home. Well, I must bring this to a close. So good-bye from your affectionate son. Write soon.

All at once we heard a cannon in about a half mile of us and I looked up and to my surprise I see a big, long shell coming. I tell you, it fairly made the hair stand on my head. It struck in the ground about a rod from me and glanced out and rolled right up to where the guns was stacked, right on a feller's feet. I could not help laughing to see the feller hop back but I tell you, it was no laughing matter for if the shell had bursted it would of blowed him all to pieces. That one had no more than struck when there was another one came and another until the air was full of the deadly missiles. I tell you, I laid close to the ground about that time.

From Savillion DaVall’s December 21, 1862 letter .

Fort Drayton, South Carolina March 10th, 1862 Otter Island

Dear Brother,

I now set down to answer your welcome letter which I received last weekend. I would of wrote before but did not have time for I am to work every day and then I had so many to write to. I received 11 letters the day I got that one from you and I got three last night. Well, I must stop writing now for the drum is rolling now for us to go to work. Well, I will try and finish this letter now. Well, I heard you all went to Hancock to see the soldiers. How did you like the looks of the soldiers? Was they out in drill when you was there? Did they have any music? You must of had a pretty good time. I would of liked to of been there. I don't think you would have knowed me for I am getting so fat. I believe I weigh more than you do now. I weigh one hundred and seventy pounds so you know I am getting rather fat. Well, I am glad to hear that you're getting along so well with the lumber. You said you was going down the river. Well, I tell you, if you do you will see something worthwhile. I wish you was here to go up to Negro town. I tell you it is a quite a sight. There was a new boat load came in last night. There was one girl had a fetter (shackle for the foot), one with a chain on about four feet long. I tell you it looked too bad to see that poor girl with a child in one hand and the chain in the other. Well, I have got a gold pen now. I gave 20 shillings for the pen and holder. Well, I have been paid off. I sent thirty dollars to William Henry. I will send it by express to Equinunk, Pennsylvania and when it gets there they will send it right along for I will put the money in an envelope and have it directed the same as any. So when they open the package they will send it right along. Well, I hear our men has had some pretty hard fights lately. I think if they gain many more sute (?) the war won't last long. Well, I wish they would take us somewheres so we could get a brush with them but I am afraid we will have to stay here till the war is over. They have got the fort pretty near done now and we have got the convesary (commissary ?) house done and are building a big house to put the ammunition in. Well, it will soon be spring and we are here yet. I don't think we will stay here long after the Colonel comes back. He is at Port Royal now. I guess he will be here tomorrow. Well, I wish you had some of those ducks or curlews (long legged, curved billed bird) that is here. They are as thick as hair on a dog. Well, have you seen red field yet? Well, I tell you the flies and mosquitoes is very thick here. I expect the snakes will be plenty here when the weather is a little warmer. We have killed one that was about 6 feet long. Well, you must excuse this short letter. I will try and do better next time. It is getting so dark I can't see anything, so now good-bye. This is from your ever true and remaining brother, Savillion F. DaVall to Mr. Charles O. DaVall

Fort Drayton, South Carolina March 27th, 1862 Otter Island

Dear Mother,

I now set myself down to pen a few lines to you, to let you know that I am well and I hope those few lines will find you the same. I thought I would commence to write today so betime I got one from you I would have this sheet full for it is a pretty big sheet. I received one from you the other day and have answered it the same day but I thought I would write more. I got a letter from Charley the other day and I answered it the same night. And I received the papers and I was very glad to get them and to hear that our army had had such great success. I think the rebels won't hold out much longer if our men keeps on like they have. Well, there is a steamboat coming in. I don't know who it is loaded with but I guess it is loaded with provision for we are about out. Hear they are going to bake bread next week. We finished the bakery yesterday. It is a funny house. It is covered with canvas and there is a big brick oven about as long as our other room. Well, it is pretty cold here this morning. My hands is so numb it can hardly hold my pen. It is colder here now than it was when I first came and has been every since March but I expect it will be warm enough pretty soon. But I hope we will be away from here a-fore long. But I guess this is about as healthy a place as there is in South Carolina for there is a nice sea breeze here most of the time. Well, there is two gunboats coming in here pretty soon. They say there is one now up the Ashepoo River. They are to keep the rebels from coming out this way when our troops make their attack on Savannah and I hope that won't be long. I hope we will be home by the fourth of July. There has been great bets made. Some bets that we will be mustered out of the service by the fourth and some bets we won't. I guess I won't bet any way but I hope that we will be home by that time. I think if we do all meet we had ought to have a holiday and a good plum pudding. Oh, how I would like to set down at the old table and have a good meal of vittles (food, provisions). I think they would taste good for ours is smoked and they don't taste very good. Well, I hear that our men have taken possession of Manasssas. I suppose John was with them but I believe there was not a shot fired on either side. I wrote to John about three or four weeks ago but hain't got any answer yet. And I wrote to Frank a long time ago but hain't got any answer yet but I hope I will get one pretty soon. I wish you would tell Eliz (abeth) to write. I hain't had only one from her since I left home. Well, there is a-going to be a funeral today. There was one died in Company F. The other night he had the typhoid fever so will go one after the other. I think there is one of them that got wounded will die just as quick as it gets warm for he is shot right through and he bled inside and his lower parts is all numb. Well, there is another boat coming. I guess they expect the rebels for they don't keep any lights on the dock (?) nights and they keep the pickets out on the water. Well, I will have to stop writing pretty soon for I can't think of much more to write now. Oh, yes...I must tell you we have got a new captain. The captain has resigned and our captain's name is Gregg. He was __?__. I guess he is a pretty good feller but I would rather have Parker if he had not drinked but he has been drunk about half the time lately. He is as drunk as a fool today. I expect he will start for home tomorrow. I wish I had not come in this company. I wish I had went in that company with Frank although I don't know as I would of had as good times as I do here. I hain't been on guard since I commenced to work at carpentry and we don't have to work very hard, only when we are carrying lumber and they say we get from thirty to forty cents a day extra. If we do, I think we are pretty well paid. Well, I must stop writing now for it is about time to go to work. We are putting up a cook shanty today. It is very pleasant here now. Oh dear, there is a-going to be a general inspection Sunday. I wish I was there so I would not have to go on for everything must be in perfect order or it's get put in the guardhouse. Oh yes, you spoke about my knapsack. Frank must of took them things out. I had one pair of socks and a lot of paper and envelopes and a knife. I wish I had the knapsack here but I guess it will cost more than it is worth. When you look at that knapsack you can think what I had to carry when I was on Prince Frederick march but I think I could carry the same load now and go through well enough for I am so much stouter than I was then. I must bid you good-bye now and go to work. Well, I will try and write some more. I have just eat my supper. I had coffee and bashets (bashers ?) possibly a type of cornbread), bean soup and fried pork. I did not eat any meat. Well, there is three or four got their discharge in Company G. Well, I can't think of much more to write now. I guess I won't finish writing till the next mail comes in and I hope that won't be long. Oh yes, I wish you would pay the shoemaker, for making my boots, out of that money I sent to Wm. Henry. I have got the boots yet and they are just as good as ever. I wish you had them home for they would be good when you went to the barn. I suppose you will have to go to the barn this spring for there hain't anyone to help you now. Well, I wish you would tell George and Phoebe to write. I wrote to Phoebe a long time ago but hain't got any answer yet but I trust I will get one pretty soon. Mr. Rause (?) sends his best respects to all and would like to have some of you go over and see how his folks is getting along. I will have to stop writing now for I can't think of any more. So now good-night. I will try and finish this tomorrow. I wish I was there tonight for the fleas bite us here and I can't half sleep. I think they have a dress parade on me every night and stand guard. I think they must have four or five relatives for they come around pretty often. Dear Mother...I will try and finish this now. The mail came in last night but did not fetch any mail so I thought I would finish writing and then write another when I get one from you. I guess I will write a few lines to George for I haven't wrote to him yet. I would like to be there and help him make sugar but I guess I won't get there to help this spring. Well, I guess I will stop writing now for I guess you will get tired of reading this for I can't write anything of any consequence so I will draw this to a close. I trust and pray to the Almighty God that we may all soon return and all will be peace and happiness. I wish to be remembered by all my friends. Give my love to all and keep some for yourself. Please excuse all poor writing and spelling and write soon. Tell all to write. Please write. I would like to write more but I hain't time now. It don't take me long to write such a sheet full. So now good-bye. This is from your ever true and affectionate son, Savillion F. DaVall to his dear mother, Mrs. Mary Jane DaVall

Manassas – This was an important rail junction in Northeast Virginia. The Battle of Bull Run was fought near here.

Murry Plantation, South Carolina April 16th, 1862 Fenwick Island

Dear Brother,

 I now set down with the most pleasure to answer your welcome letter which came to hand the 14th. I was glad to hear from you, to hear that you was well and getting along so well with the work. I think before this gets to you, you will be down the river. I hope you will have good luck and not starve. I am afraid lumber won't sell very good this spring. I am afraid we won't get home to help you any this spring. If we get home time enough to help hay I don't care but I don't think we will get home this summer although our men has gained another great victory. I suppose you will hear all about it so I won't say anything about it. We could hear the cannons roar for two days and one night. Oh, how the cheers went up for the victory and then we gave three groans for the rebels. We have some hard times here and some easy times. We drill about 6 hours a day now. We drill the skirmish drill. Well, I will try and finish writing now. My life is yet spared, thank God. I am rather sleepy today for I was on guard last night, although I was up but half of the night for I was on camp guard. But I could not sleep any when I did lay down for the gnats and fleas bit so. Oh, you can't think what a plague they be. They are a darn sight worse than the enemy for they are murdering us by the inches. I don't fire (at) the enemy much for I don't think they are very close now. I think they have retreated back although there was some rebels over on the Edisto Island a short time ago and killed one of our men and took the Lieutenant Colonel prisoner. They belonged to the 55 Penna (Pennsylvania Regiment). It was the orderly of one of the companies. He heard them coming so he went out to see what it was. He was in a house taking care of a sick man. And when he seen them, he halted them and said, "Who comes there?" One of the rebels said, "The finest South Carolinians, you dam Pennsylvanian son of a bitch" and as he said that the orderly shot him down and then they shot the orderly. So they went in the house where the sick man was and some of them wanted to run their bayonet through him but the Captain would not let them. So they tried to make him walk but he was so weak they could not get him along. So they filled his canteen with whiskey and let him stay. So he got off pretty well for a Pennsylvanian for they say they will kill every Pennsylvanian they can get hands on so we will do the same. The Captain told us yesterday to shoot every rebel we could see, not stop a moment. So you know if they come in reach of our Harpers Ferry (Civil War musket or riffle made at the Harper’s Ferry Armory) they will get the one ounce ball. Well, I had a letter from John the same time I got yours. I think they are having pretty good times there all together. I wish I was there for there hain't but a few from our way. Well, I suppose before this gets there the snow will be all gone. It is very hot here now. I tell you it makes the sweat run off from us to drill for we go double quick most of the time. Well, I must bring this to a close. Excuse all poor spelling and writing. Give my love to all. So now good-bye from your affectionate brother, Savillion F. DaVall to Mr. Charles O. DaVall Please write soon.

Murry Plantation, South Carolina April 18th, 1862 Fenwick Island

Ever dear Father,

I now set down to write to you for the first time since I have been in the service. I want you to be sure and answer it and tell me how you have got along with your lumbering this winter and tell all the war news we hain't heard of lately. I guess I have got all the newspapers you have sent. I think before this reaches you, you will hear of a big fight somewhere. I think it will be at Fort Pulaski or Savannah for we could hear the cannons roar for two days and one night. Oh, how they did roar. It sounded like thunder. I suppose you will want to know how the country looks around here. I tell you, it is a nice looking place here on this island. I don't know how it is on the mainland for I have not been on it yet. There is lots of small islands from 6 to 17 miles square. Some of them hain't but two or three miles long and there is thousands and thousands of acres swamp or marshes. I think there is more that way than there is good land. The land is very good and it is as level as a house floor. Not a stone to be seen. I think it will look funny to see stones all over ground again. We go out a reconnoitering most every day to see if the enemy is anywheres near us. The other day we went out over to the Mosquito Creek and there we seen four or five rebels on the other side of the river. But they was too far to shoot at them to kill them, or at least one of them thought so for he walked right out in plain sight and stood there just as much as to say, "You can kiss where I can't." And that was more than we could stand. So the orderly fired at him and you ought to see him git out of that the way they run and skulked behind the bushes. And one of them got behind a bunch of bushes and set down. I suppose he thought he was safe. So one of the boys put in a cartridge and a half and held the gun up pretty well and fired. And away that feller came out from that. I tell you, he was not slow. I guess he thought we did not have the old Harper's Ferry (Civil War musket or riffle made at the Harper’s Ferry Armory) I don't think that we will catch them there very quick again. If we do, we have got more lead for them. Oh dear, I have to keep stopping to kill fleas. I think they are worse than the rebels for they bite so nights. We have to get up in the night and hunt them the same as bed bugs and they get in our stockings so when we turn it down they hop out like grasshoppers. Well, I must draw this to a close for it is about dinner time. I wish I was there to get my dinner today. I think some pancakes and butter would taste good, or some milk. I wish you had all the sweet potatoes that has been wasted here. How does our potatoes hold out and hay? Have you sold that hay over to Mr. Cairns. What does hay fetch this spring? I suppose you have got done rafting or will be by time this gets there. Do you run both mills this spring? I think you have got plenty of work to do this spring if we don't get there to help. I hardly think we will get there before haying. If we do, then I don't care much how quick the war is over although I like it well enough but it hain't very good business when we have to set up all night and watch for a chance to get a chance at them like we do now. I tell you, it is hard work to keep awake for we have to keep still for the enemy is on three sides of us and we know not the minute they may fire on us. The first night I stood, there was one come so close I could hear him run but it was so dark I could not see him. He seen our light or else he would came two or three feet of us and then we would of mounted him like a cat would a mouse. Well, I must bring this to a close for you will get tired of reading this. I will be ? ? if you write one as long as this. You must be sure and write and tell all the news. I wish you had as good a pen to write with as I have. Give my best respects to all my friends. Well, Father, what kind of a visit did you have that time? I enjoyed myself very well that day after you went away although it was very lonesome. I only got my supper to that place where you left me. I got my breakfast on the steamboat. I had a pretty good time on the boat but I came pretty near not having a bed for they don't find beds on the vessel. But one of the mates gave me a blanket so I got along well enough. I must bid you good-bye now. Give my love to all. This is from your ever affectionate son Savillion F DaVall to his ever dear father, Wm. F. DaVall Please excuse all poor spelling and writing. Write soon. Oh yes, there has been two rebels companies laid down their arms and give up over on the Edisto Island and the Colonel has sent boats over after them. I will send a letter to Caroline in with yours for my stamps is about run dry and some of our folk can hand it to her.

Headquarters Co(mpany) F Murray Plantation S.C. (South Carolina) Fenwick Island May 11th 1862

Dear Brother,

 I now sit down to answer your welcome letter which came to hand last week. And I was glad to hear that you are well. It is very warm weather here now but this is a very pleasant place to write here, where I set now. It is upstairs, side of a window in a big white house. How little did the owners think a year ago that there would be Union soldiers here, writing in their house. I received the (news) paper you sent. I am very glad to get it although we heard about the great battle at Pittsburgh and we have heard that Yorktown was taking (taken). We heard Friday night about ten o'clock that Yorktown and Corinth was taken and so the Captain had all the boys get up and give three cheers. I was out on picket but I could hear them hollering so we thought we must know what the news was so I told the feller that was standing with me if he would watch till I came back, I would go into camp and find out what the noise was. He said he would so I shouldered my gun and went in double quick as it was kind a dangerous to go in for I had to go side of the woods where they could come and shoot at me. But I didn't stop for that for we wanted to hear the news. So I went in and hear(d) all the news and back again all safe. And that made us so tickled we stayed up all night. We are getting so here we don't hear anything much. We would like the fun of having a brush with them South Carolinian gray backs, I tell you. How we would make them hump their backs. I guess some of them is getting it today over on Ghos ? Island for we can hear the cannons and the volley of musketry. Well, I hear that Frank is at Yorktown. I seen a letter in the Honesdale paper from one in his company and they was there. I hain't had a letter from Frank in a long time. It is pretty near three months since I got the last one from him. I don't know why I don't get one. I have wrote two or three. I wish when you write to him, tell him to write. Well, I am well and getting fatter than ever. I suppose it is because I eat so many blackberries and some with the avocados that is here. Farming, oh, I wish you had your own farm to work on as there is here. The negroes are getting along now pretty well with farming ____? They are their own bosses and then they don't have any horses to plow with. They dig the ground all up with big hoes about as big as a shovel, only heavy. Well, you must be into the farming pretty well a-fore now. You must miss our help now when you come to farming. I wish I was there to help for I am getting so lazy here I can't work when I get home. I would like to be there and go and get some fish. Well, I don't know of much more to write. Charles Henry sets here writing to Mary Kelly. I expect she will catch ____? now. You must write soon and tell all the news for you don't know how interesting it is to me to hear what is going on. How did our hay hold out this winter? Did Father sell any of that to Mr. Cairns and what did he get a ton for it? Has Father got his pay for the school house yet and has Oscar got it done yet? When you write, tell all that is going on among the girls and how they are coming on. It is about five months since I seen a white girl. I think they will look good when I do see one. Do you have any parties around there now? I think if I live to get back I will have one holiday. Well, I don't think the war will last long now if the last news is true. We heard the Rebels Congress had all broke up and they had run into Washington to settle but I don't think that is so. If it is the war will soon be over and we will all return to our native states and to the arms of our dear parents and friends. I will send you a short song but don't let any of the women see it and we have a assortment of such songs here. I must now draw this to a close. Excuse all poor spelling. Give my love to all. So now good-bye from your ever affectionate brother, Savillion F. DaVall to Mr. Charles O. DaVall I wish I was there to go to meeting tonight for it is Sunday and I am somewhat lonesome.

Fenwick Island, S.C. (South Carolina) May 15th, 1862

Dear Mother,

I now set down to enjoy this pleasant opportunity of writing to you to let you know that I am well and I hope these few lines will find you the same. I wrote a few lines to you when I received your welcome letter. I did not get any from you the last mail but I got one from Elisa and Dick and one from George and I was glad to hear you was all well. I am glad to hear that William Henry has sold the lumber. I suppose you must be into farming pretty well afore now. How do they get along with the sawing this spring? I guess they miss me and Frank some in the mill. I am afraid they won't get much sawing done this spring. Well, I was to Otter Island yesterday after our rations and I heard some pretty good news. I suppose you will see it in the newspapers afore this gets there but I will tell you there was a lot of Negroes came into Otter Island with a Rebel ship. They came from Charleston and it was a big war ship. It had five big cannons on that wasn't mounted and five that was and a half ton of powder and lots of other things and all those papers and orders. They had sent the Negroes to take the five cannons to a fort they had already made for them but when they got out of the harbor they started for Bnfort (?). I think that was pretty good luck for us but it was bad for the Rebels. One of the darkies was old Pef Daveres Wates (?) and he said he heard Pef tell his wife if they lost Yorktown they might as well give up. So if that is the case, I don't think the war will last long for our men have taking (taken) Yorktown but I don't know how they have made out to Corinth. I hope they have gained the day. Well, we have all got a mosquito bary (barrier ?) to keep the mosquitoes off. They are large enough so when we go on picket there (they) can be to set under it or when we lay down the gnats can't get at us. Well, we are going to have another new pair of pants and blouses and shoes. I hain't drawed but one pair of shoes yet, them I had when I was home but I guess I will get a pair now. I believe those last pants we got we don't have to pay for because they weren't good for anything. They are all wore out already. The pants we are going to have now is just the color of my overcoat, only they are better. Well, have you heard from Frank or John lately? I suppose they have seen some pretty hard times lately but I hope and pray to God if they have been in any battles they have come out all safe. I don't think we will ever be in a fight unless they come on this island for I don't think we will leave here until we leave for home and I hope that won't be long. I hope I shall get out in the civilized world once more, get out where there is freedom and liberty. We have very good farming weather and the Negroes are farming pretty well considering they have no boss nor any teams to plow the ground with. They dig the ground all up with a big hoe but it hain't such as it is up there for there hain't a stone to be seen. I don't know how I will get along when I get up there where the stones is so thick. Well, how does the fruit trees look around there this spring? Is there going to be many apples in our orchard? I wish the peach trees would do as well up there as they do here. We will have all the peaches we want if we stay here six weeks longer. I wish you could have some of those blackberries that is going to waste here. I hope I shall get home time enough to pick berries. . . (The rest of the sentence is missing from bottom of second page.) I hope the next news we hear we will hear that Richmond is taking (taken) and Corinth. I think when them is taking (taken) the war will soon come to a close. I suppose you heard about our men taking that Rebel ship about three weeks ago, with so many rifles on board and a large amount of money. That wasn't far from here for we heard the cannons when they fired to stop her. Well, I believe all the boys that came from our way is well except one is in the hospital at Otter Island. And the Captain is sick but I believe he is getting better now. I must soon bring this to a close for I can't think of any more to write. I am sorry you sent them stamps for I have plenty of them now. Did Father get that letter I sent to him? If he did, you have him answer it. You can let Sally read this letter and so it will do for both for I hain't time to write now. Has John moved over on his place yet? Well, how does the potatoes and buckwheat hold out this spring? Will you have enough to last till new ones come? I would like to have some good potatoes and buckwheat cakes now. I think they would taste pretty good for I hain't had any in so long. Well, you must excuse this poor spelling and writing. I send my best respects to all my friends and my love to all my brothers and sisters and to... Well, it is now about dinner time and I must stop writing. So good-bye. Give my love to all. From your ever affectionate son, Savillion F. DaVall to Mrs. Mary Jane DaVall (On reverse of page) Well, this sheet of paper is so large I can't fill it this time. I forgot to tell you I am well at present and are getting still fatter than ever. Write soon. When this you see, think of me that thinks of thee.

Fenwick Island, South Carolina June 8th, 1862

Dear Brother,

I now take my pen in hand to write to you to let you know how I am. I am very well at present and I hope this will find you the same. Well, I left Newgorte (Newport ?) and was on the water three days and a half and then we arrived Port Royal and then I and the Suttles ? got out in a small boat and went to Bay Point and Lieutenant Co (Colonel) Beaver had left there and so we went on the water about five miles and then landed as close to shore as we could with the boat. And then we had five negroes to row the boat and so we made them carry us to shore on their backs. And then we went a little ways and then got our suppers. And then we walked about four miles to headquarters and then we stayed there all night. And then they sent me about 12 miles to Cofard Point, so you see I had a pretty fair view of that part of the island. It is a nice looking place. The ground is very level and there is some swamps. I wish you could see the cotton fields there is along the road there. There has been lots of it wasted. When the rebels left they turned their cattle right into it but I believe there has been about five millions of dollars worth saved. Well, they left everything you can think of...horses, oxen and nice, light carriages and very nice houses. And they was furnished the nicest kind and there was nice china dishes, pianos, sofas and everything you could think of. Well, I left Cofard Point last night about 9 o'clock and went across the bay. It was about five miles. There was five of us in the boat. There was one of Co H (Company H ?) and one of the doctors and then we had two negroes to row us across and the wind blew pretty hard and the boat rolled and pitched for certain, but we got over after a while. It was about two o'clock at night and so I stayed there all night. And then I came up here. This morning I found all the boys well that was here. There was one died last week. Well, we are guarding a fort here that the rebels left. There was three big cannons and they blowed them all to pieces but one and that was filled with something. I wish you had it home to shoot the fourth of July. It would make a pretty good noise. The carts that the cannons were on they broke them all to pieces. There is two or three steam engines on this island and there is lots of cotton. There is a house full right down below here. I am a going down and fill my bed so I think I will have a pretty good bed. Well, we have all the sweet potatoes we want and all the beef we want to eat whenever we want any beef. We just go out and pick out the fattest one we can find and just knock it right down. Well, they say the rebels pickets are in sight of our pickets and there was a ship of war went up the bay and they seen some of the rebels and they throwed two (ghelles ?) over where they was and the rebels run. Well, I must bring this to a close. So good-bye from your ever affectionate brother, Savillion F. DaVall to Charles O. DaVall Well, the paper and stamps is very scarce. We can't get any and I want you to send a dollar worth of stamps. I will send the money.

Fenwick Island June 8th, 1862

Dear Brother,

I now take this pleasant opportunity to write a few lines to you to let you know where I am and how I am getting along. I am very well at the present and I hope this will find you the same. I left New York Friday and got to Port Royal, Monday noon and then I got in a small boat and went about five miles and then I got out and went about six miles to Co(mpany) E. You see, the Regiment is all split up an there are four different parts and so I stayed with Co(mpany) E one night and then they sent me to a place called Cofard Point. It is about 13 miles so you see I had a pretty good chance to see the country. It was a nice looking place. There was lots of cotton along the road. The country is very level and there is some swamps and there is some nice houses. I was in two houses and there was nice furniture in it and there is lots of nice light wagons there and there is lots of horses and harness and there is plenty of cattle, so we have all the beef we want. Whenever we want any we just go out and shoot the best we can find. Well, I left Co(mpany) E and went across the bay about five miles to Co(mpany) H and stayed there one night. And then I got a boat and came up here to my company. Well, I have been around on this island this morning. There is lots of cotton here already picked and there is a house full right here. And there is a steam engine they had to gin their cotton with and there is a house full of corn and lots of sweet potatoes so we have all the sweet potatoes we want to eat. The weather is very warm so I go in my shirt sleeves. Well, I have just got done eating my dinner. I had biscuit and butter and honey and molasses, beef, sweet potatoes, so I think that was pretty good. We have got a barrel of flour and everyone can cook for himself. I have seen red roses in blossom and some other flowers. Oh, how glad I am the war is not in our parts for everything is destroyed here and is a-going to ruin. It looks too bad to see things destroyed so it makes me think of home. Well, I am afraid our folks won't get a letter from me every week nor I shant have one from them for the boys say they hain't had any in three or four weeks. So you had better write and tell them for maybe it will be a week or two before there is a ship sail. I have wrote four letters home already and will write one or two more tomorrow. Well, I must tell you a little about my knapsack. I want it for the knapsack and blanket is worth about 5 dollars and I will tell you how you can send it without costing anything. There is three of our boys there in the hospital, there to Washington, and the Captain wants to send some money to them. They are a-coming on here in a little while and he will send it in my letter. And you take the money and give it to the three and tell them the rest is ready for them when they come on. And if anything should happen that you could not find the boys, you can keep the money and send it home or keep it to pay for that I got from you. And if you send the knapsack I wish you would get some writing paper and envelopes and a bottle of ink for we can't get any here and send some newspapers too.

No final page. It is unknown which brother received this letter as there is no ending and Savillion wrote to his brother, Charles, that same day.

Fenwick Island June 12th, 1862

Dear Mother,

I now set down to write a few lines to you for it is Sunday morning and I hain't got anything to do just now. I have just got done cleaning my gun for inspection. We are a going to be inspected today. I feel first rate yet and I hope this will find you the same. I believe when I wrote to you before I had not got with the company but I got with them the next day. I found them all pretty well and they was very glad to see me and to hear from Preston once more for they have not heard from there in three or four weeks. Oh, how I wish you had the cotton that is wasted here. Well, we have been inspected and had the Articles of War read to us. Well, I have been around on this island some and it is enough to make ones' heart ache to see how everything is a going to ruin, what occurs to any country to have such work going on. I tell you, we may thank our lucky stars that the war is not in our state for everything is destroyed. The rebels themselves burn their own houses. Yesterday we could see great big fires off on another island. At first we thought it was on this island and so about three o'clock in the afternoon there was 10 of us ordered to get our guns and go up where the fire was. And so we soon got ready and went. The sun was very hot and the sweat run right off from us and we went about four miles and we could see the fire was off on the mainland. And so we thought we would go and see if we could see any rebel pickets. We went where some of the boys seen them the other day but we could not see any and so we came back. And when we got back the moon was shining bright and my shirt was wet thoroughly with sweat. Oh, what nice weather we do have here now. You know when I was to home you thought I had better not stay in the other room so much where it was so warm but I think it would have been better if I had stayed there all the time for the heat would not took hold of me half so much but I guess that I can stand it well enough. I think it will agree with me here where the see breeze is. There is one in our company died the other day. Ed Woodmancee is pretty sick today. I think he has got the typhoid fever. I think this is a very unhealthy place in the summer but I hope we will be away from here by then. Well, the boys is a getting so fat they can hardly see. We have all the sweet potatoes we want and beef and fresh pork. There is lots of hogs here on this island and there is about thirty bee hives to one house, not a great ways from here. And then about three miles from here is a thousand bushels of sweet potatoes buried in one pile so when we get them dug up here we will go into them hot and heavy. The potatoes here is a beginning to sprout. Well, I must bring this to a close for I can't think of anything to write. Oh yes, there was a company went from here Friday and they only took two days rations with them. And they hain't got back yet. I guess they have had a fight with the rebels for when they left they expected to have a brush with them. I think we are in a rather dangerous place here. The rebels are all around us. We know not what minute we may be shot down. Well, I must bid you good-bye for this time. Give my love to all. From your ever affectionate son, Savillion F. DaVall to Mary Jane DaVall

Brookes Station, Virginia September 8th, 1862 Camp Wright

Dear Mother,

It is with the greatest of pleasure I now set down to pen a few lines to you to let you know that I am well, or so as to be around. I am not very well at present but I feel much better than I did yesterday. I caught a bad cold the other night and I felt rather bad all day yesterday. I would not go out on picket last night for I felt so bad and had an awful bad ache. So I am all alone today for the whole company went out and will be gone today if they hain't drove in by the Rebels. We expect to have a fight here. There is two or three brigades drawed up in line of battle all the time and some artillery but I don't think we will have much of a fight although we may. I suppose you know that our troops have all left Fredericksburg and are letting the Rebels come in there again. I expect we are going to Washington tomorrow or next day but I don't know how long we will stay there nor don't care. If I had my way I would rather stay here and fight than to run for (from) the damned Rebels. I heard last night that old Jackson was in Maryland with his army but I can't hardly believe it. If he has got there I think he will soon get to Washington but we can't put no dependence on the reports we hear in camp for there is so many different stories told. Why don't the folks turn out now if they are a going to and not let what few there is in the field get cut down? Now is the time or never. This I think will be their death struggle. If they get whipped now I think it will be the end of the war for I don't think they can stand it much longer. Well, have you heard from Dick since he went away? Or have you heard from John lately? I have not heard from him since he left Fredericksburg. I suppose he has been in some fights since I seen him. I seen a man from the company that Frank is in. That was last Thursday and he said that Frank had not got back yet. His regiment was going to Alexandria. I don't know how long they will stay there. He said that Hank ? was sick and in the hospital at Fort Monroe. I suppose you know that Frank gets 15 dollars a month now and all that back pay so he will have a pretty good pile of money coming to him. Well, I must stop for today. I won't finish this until tomorrow for I want to wait and see if I get any (mail) today but I think it was time for me to get one (letter) for it has been two weeks since I got one from you and about 6 weeks since I got one from the boys. I should think there is so many that they might write so I only get one a week. Little do they know how much comfort it is to hear from home. I don't think of writing less that four or five a week and I know they all together can write one a week. Well, I will bid you good-bye for today. Good evening, dear Mother. I will now sit down and finish this letter and to let you know I received one from you today, and the handkerchief. Oh, you don't know what pleasure it gave me to have a letter from you again and to hear you are all well. You said you supposed that Margaret told me all the different name(s) of what has died but I have not had a letter from her this makes three weeks. I don't know what is the reason for I know she has wrote well. I am very thankful for the present you made me for I needed it very bad. Well, you said that your potatoes was very good. Oh, I wish I had....... Last page missing. Letter incomplete

This letter was written by Savillion DaVall to his mother, Mary Jane DaVall. It is lengthy but incomplete. The final page which would have included closing remarks and signature is missing.

Washington, D.C. Fort Haggerty September 18th, 1862

Dear Mother,

I received your welcome letter yesterday that was dated the fourth. Well, you wanted me to tell you about the fight at Bull Run and Manassas. Well, when I got here they had got all ready to go to Washington, so we went along and we was two days going to Bull Run. We got there about ten o'clock at night. They had been a fight there that night and the rebels took two pieces of artillery from them as they had no infant(ry) to support them. We lay down on the ground and in the morning we got up before daylight and went up to a large field, a mile across, and there the rebels was, over by a large brick house. They yelled like wild Indians and pretty soon our battery came up. They had only two pieces of cannons but they began to shell them and they scattered out of their tents in a hurry. Our men left shelling them and pretty soon the rebels began to shell us from three forts and there was only one regt. (regiment) of us and about 50 cavalry. We would lay down when they came so thick, then we would get up again and we could not stand that very well. We had orders to retreat and we went back to Centerville and stayed there (a) little while. And then we could see the cavalry away on about two miles and could see the dust fly so we went on. They stopped at Centerville so it give us a chance to get further. But they took about a hundred and fifty of our regt. (regiment) prisoners. But they used them well and let them go on parole. They did not give them anything to eat for they didn't have anything for themselves. But they give them some liquor to drink. Some fellows stood close to them when they went by and they would not shoot them. The rebels is not so bad about that as what you hear they are, unless it is gorillas. They are the worst of all. Well, some of our fellows threw off their belts and guns, so they said, but I did not throw anything away. But I put my gun on a wagon after we were out of all danger of the rebels. The 14th (Mass.) Massachusetts Regiment was on their way there and some of them began to fire at our men and there was one little boy with us and he shot one of theirs but I believe there was not any of us hurt. We came off lucky. We was took there against orders but we are in the reserve now. The officers say that we will not leave these forts anymore but I don't know. I was not afraid of them shells, that is I was not afraid of them hitting me but still I would rather be out of them. I like to hear the cannons. The paper says this morning that they have had an awful battle at Hagerstown, Maryland. It don't give any account, only says that it was awful on both sides. (General) McClellan sent for 100 doctors to Washington that night. The paper says that our men are on the gunboats (and) are firing on Fort Sumter and have got it fairly well battered. So if that is so they will get where they can take Charleston or burn it if they get that fort. I suppose the most of the southern army is in Maryland. They tried to get back into Virginia but they could not come. I believe that the fighting will be done with before long for they are at it almost every day since we went to Bull Run. And that was the first day that I came here but I can't tell anything about it but it can't last always, that is certain. Well, I hope that the Lord will take care of me and all the rest of the boys want it to be a happy meeting (to me) if I am spared to get home again to my one native land. You said that I had tied a knot with my tongue that I can't untie with my teeth. But I can say that I never want to untie it, if I had I never would tied it. I will tell you with an honest heart that she is the only person in this world that I would tie that knot with. I hope that God may spare us so that we may live happy together. While we do live we have not got always to live and we must try and live happy as we can while we can. I guess that there will be a great many that will know how to prize opportunities and privileges that they have trampled under foot before. We have enough to eat, such as it is. It is gruel, only it is cooked with such foul water. We have plenty of good wheat bread, as good as you have and plenty of pork and salt beef and fresh beef twice a week and coffee and sugar and some tea and rice and beans but no potatoes that is good enough for any or that feels well, I think. I have just see(n) the paper and it says that our men killed, wounded and took prisoner 40,000 rebels with very small loss. The rebels are trying to get back into Virginia but our men don't want them back there again for they have been there enough. They thought when they got in Maryland that they could get all the help they wanted but I guess that they found out that they couldn't so they want to get back. But you will get the news in the paper that will tell you that more than I can about it. Well, Elizabeth says that she is going to Long Island if she can get a school. I would rather she would not go but she must not stop for me for she and you must know more about it than I do. But it is not safe for a woman to go anywhere that there is soldiers and there is some around near there, I suppose, and there is harder cases than soldiers in these cities but she......... Incomplete

A letter from Savillion F. DaVall to his brother, Charles O. DaVall Pleasant Valley, Maryland October 18th, 1862

Dear Brother,

It is with pleasure I now set down to answer your welcome letter that I received last night. Well, it n is Sunday today and we have had general inspection and I have just eat my dinner. I had bean soup and hard crackers. Your welcome letter found me well and I hope these few lines will find you the same. Well, you said you had wrote two or three letters to me and had not received any answer yet. I have received one a-fore this but it was when we was on the march so I could not answer it. And then we have been moving too much lately. I could not write as often as I would if we had been in one place all the time. Well, I am glad to hear you are all well for there is so much sickness around though I think you may all be very thankful to escape so well. Well, Charley, I can't help thinking about what them boys told you. How I would like to be there a while. I would show them I would not faint thrashing them there or shooting them. I think I could shoot them as well as I could a dog. The poor cowards! How I would like to have them here on picket. I would make them faint. That is the last thing I thought of fainting away. Oh, how mad it does it does make me to think here I be fighting for my country and then have them there telling such lies. I could drink their heart's blood and not faint or tremble. You tell them if I ever get home all right and hear them say so, they will have to pay dear for it. Let them ask any of the boys or the officers in my co(mpany) and if they don't say I stood up to the rock (support) then I will give up. But, never mind, they only told that to plague you and if I was in your place I would just lay them out to dry. I tell you, it would not do for them to let me hear them for I have been used to rough usage so long I would not take a word from them. But I know a man here is not like he is at home for he is exposed to danger so much he don't mind anything. Well, there hain't any use of me talking now. Wait till I get back, if I ever do, and I trust I shall. Well, we are now about two miles from Harpers Ferry. We have been here about two or three weeks but we have been away from this camp pretty near a week. We left here last Saturday night and came back Thursday night. We was in pursuit of that rebel cavalry. We marched down to the railroad and took the cars and went back to the city of Frederick and marched all around there two or three times and then took the cars and came back to the Point of Rocks, below Harpers Ferry and then marched back to Nolans Ferry and stayed there a day or two and then we marched back here to camp. We marched 18 miles one day, from 11 o'clock till 8 o'clock in the evening and carried our knapsacks. Well, I think the city of Frederick is (a) very nice little place. It is about as large as Honesdale or a little larger. Well, I think we will be pretty well acquainted with Maryland time we get out of it. It is a very nice country where we have been this fall. It is a great deal better than it was where we went through last fall and it is a great farming country. There is some big farms here, I tell you, and the ground is good. There is lots of winter grain put in too. Well, I think it is about time this war was fetched to a close. If they have got so they try to run down cavalry without infantry, I suppose the rebels has been in Pennsylvania again. I tell you, it wants some of the old soldiers through there to pick them off. Well, as this is about...but I will have to stop. I will try and write a few more lines and then stop for I must write to Mother this afternoon and put it in with yourn for I will have to get it franked (marked or signed for free mailing) for I have not got any stamps nor money but I expect we will be paid off the first of next month. Well, I can't tell you anything about the two battles for I have not got time and I wrote to Mother and told her all about them. So you can read her letter. Did she ever get the one I wrote the day after the last battle? I did not put a stamp on it so I don't know whether it went through or not. Well, I don't know as you can read this as it is wrote in such a hurry but I guess you will make it out after a while. Well, have you found any bee trees this fall? I wish I was there to find a few and to get some pancakes and potatoes. How good they would taste but there is no use of wishing. Well, you must write soon. Give my love to all. Please excuse all poor spelling. So good-bye for this time from your ever affectionate brother, Savillion F. DaVall to Mr. Charles O. DaVall

Pleasant Valley, Maryland October 18th, 1862

Dear Mother,

It is with tens a thousand pleasures I now sit down to answer your kind and welcome letter that I received last night. It found me well, thank God, and I hope those few lines will find you the same. Well, you said you had forgotten whether it was your turn or not to write. I think I have wrote to you once or twice afore I got yourn but they might of not went through for I did not have stamps for them. Well, Mother, here I sit all alone in the woods, under a little pine tree on a steep side hill, writing and think(ing) of you all at home and wishing I was there. And I suppose you are thinking of us all and wishing we was there to take supper with you. I don't know as I would know how to sit down to a table, on a chair, for I hain't set on one in so long. But I would soon get used to it again. Oh, how I would like to be there and get up in the morning and smell the good breakfast cooking. How pleasant it would be. I hope the time will come yet when we will all be home once more and sit down to that old table. How funny it will look. Well, I don't know of anything new to write about only we have been after that Rebel cavalry. I think we will know Maryland pretty well after this fall. We have been all through it. Well, we have pretty fine weather here only there is pretty cold nights but we have got our overcoats now so we will get along well enough yet. But I suppose it will soon be cold and rainy weather but I hope by that time we will have our big tents and be put up for winter. There is some talk of us going down in Dixie again but I hope we won't. I would not care if we would come away in the spring but if we had to stay there all next summer I would rather winter here but we must go wherever we are called. I hope the war will end this winter but it don't look much like it now but we must keep up good courage. But it makes me mad to think what them boys said. I would like to be there a while and hear them say I fainted. The cowards! They did not come themselves so they will talk about others. I suppose I would have hated them if I had got a arm or leg shot off but I didn't, thank God, nor I did not faint when the "grape" was showering around me. I did not think of fainting. All I thought of was to get up close enough to use our muskets and bayonets. Oh, how I would of liked to had them there. They would of run back like some of the rest of the boys did when we charged over the hill. But, never mind, I may get home and then we will see how much courage they have got. Well, it is getting well to way night (late) and I begin to get cold so I will have to cut my letter short this time and write the more next time. I am glad you told me where John _?_ is for I have been looking for him in their regiment that has come out. I hope we may all return to our homes and friends once more. We must keep up good courage and pray to God for health and strength. I would like to be there and take supper and spend the evening with you all. Well, there must be something going on at home for I have dreamt about being there now for a week or more. Well, this letter is short and poor but I will try and do better next time, so you must excuse me this time. Give my love to all and write soon. Direct the same as before. So now good-bye. From your ever affectionate son, Savillion F. DaVall to Mrs. Mary Jane DaVall

Falmouth, Virginia November 9th, 1862

Dear Mother,

 It is with pleasure I now set down to answer your kind and welcome letter that I received last night. The date of it was November 8. It found me well and I hope those few lines will find you the same. Well, you can't imagine what pleasure your kind letter gave me for I had been wishing that I could get a letter from home all day. But I had gave up all hope for I had made my bed and had laid down when I heard them holler, "Fall in for the mail." And I filed out in a hurry for I was very anxious to hear how you all was get(ting) along. And you don't know what pleasure it gave me to hear you was all well and to hear the sick was getting along so well. I feared there would be some of our folks would be sick with the fever but I pray to God you all will escape it. Well, you said you hoped that I had a change of clothes and I am happy to tell you I have and I have been washing today. I washed two shorts and a pair of drawers and then I washed myself and I feel good now. I am about as fleshy as I ever was in my life and I don't know what makes me neither for I don't get enough to eat lately but I will get along. Well, you said you wished (and) hoped it was not as cold here as it was there. I am glad I can say it is not for we have not had any snow here lately nor it hain't very cold. It is pretty cold nights but through the day it is very comfortable. But the air feels rather cold today and the clouds look like snow but I hope there will not be any yet for we have got nothing but little dog tents. Oh, I was in hopes the war would be over afore this winter but I don't see as there is much sense of it now. Well, I hear our old Colonel has come back. I hope he has. I think if he is here we will get out of this brigade and get some place to guard. I hope we can guard the railroad where we did last August. When we left they were holding up the dock again and the railroad bridges were burnt when we left last summer. Oh, what a party it was to have them holding it up too for we never ever use it now but that is the way where there is war. It ruins everything afore it. I tell you, old Virginia will never see the day again she will get over the effect of this war. Oh, I am so glad the fighting is not in our state or in our part of the country for it ruins everything wherever it goes. I wish you could see the army that is here now. I don't know how many men there is but they say there is 140 thousand. I don't think there is as many as that but there is enough army. Well, you wanted to know if I had seen Frank lately. I have not since the time at Harpers Ferry but I think he will be here for they say there is a pontoon bridge to be put across the Rappahannock River afore we can cross the river and the bridge is here somewheres but I don't know wherever he is with it but I will try and find out. I am going down to the river after noon and have a talk with him of the rebels on the other side of the river for there is two or three hundred there all the time talking and ? one another. They say they shot across at our fellers last night but I don't know whether they did or not. Well, my hands are getting rather cold and I am running ashore for anything to write so I will have to soon bid you good-bye. Oh yes, you wanted to know if I had any letters from ? . I have had one or two a long time ago and I wrote to him a long time ago but have not got any answer yet. The one I had from him was a good letter. Well, dinner is ready now so I will have to stop. Well, I have eat my dinner and now I will try and write a few more lines but I can't write but a little for we have got to go out on picket in a few minutes so I can't write as much as I would like. So you must excuse a short letter and a poor one this time and I will try and do better next time. Give my love to (all) and keep some for yourself. So now good-bye for the present. From your ever affectionate son, Savillion F. DaVall to Mrs. Mary Jane DaVall Please write soon. Direct the same.

The following letter had faded to near obscurity but with the help of modern technology almost all the material has been salvaged. This letter was written by Savillion F. DaVall to his mother, Mary Jane DaVall. Falmouth, Virginia November 20th, 1862 Dear Mother, It is with pleasure I now set down to answer your kind and welcome letter that I received yesterday. The date of it was _________. It found me in the best of health and I hope those few lines will find you the same. Well, it is a fine, beautiful morning only it is rather cold but I think it will be warm when the sun gets up. I suppose it is cold up there and there is snow there but we have not had any here yet and I hope we will not have any this winter for I suppose we will have to stay in our little tents all winter. And if there is much snow it will make it bad. But I am in hopes we will get big tents afore there is much snow but the Major said we would have to winter in the little tents. Well, ________________that I would of seen Frank and now I am happy to tell you he is camped in a few rods of us now so I go over to his camp every day but I think he will be over to see me today. If he does not come over afore noon, I will go over and spend the afternoon with him. I can't go afore noon for we have monthly inspection today. We have got a months pay coming to us now but I don't know when we will be paid, but I hope not long. Oh dear, my fingers is getting so cold I will have to stop writing till it gets warmer. Well, we have had inspection and a review. I wish you could of seen us on review for our whole brigade was out. I will eat my dinner right now. I will try and finish writing afore meeting time. I had rice (?) soup and hard crackers for dinner. I suppose you had a better dinner than that, or I hope you did. Well, you said you was going to send me a box of things and you wanted me to tell you what I wanted. You can send anything you think because most anything will suit me but I don't know whether you had better send it now or not, but I wish you would send me a pair of gloves. I wrote a good while ago to have you send a pair. Do them up in a paper and send them by mail and then I will get them. Well, Frank told me that Charley was coming down to see John this winter. Now, I tell you, if he comes there to Washington and we are here, he must be sure and come down and see me for it won't cost any more much. He can take the mail boat and come to Acquia Creek. It hain't but about a half days ride from Washington and he can get a pass from the Province Marshall and then he can take the cars to the landing and come within a half a mile of our camp. He must be sure and come, that is if we are anywhere near here. I would give a great deal if he could come and stay here in camp a week, so he could get a taste of soldiering. He must not miss coming down if we are here. John will know where to go to get a pass and he can tell him near where we be for we are near where they was camped last fall. Well, I have got this about full so I will have to stop and I hain't wrote anything of any sense neither. But you must excuse a poor letter this time and I will try and do better next time. You must write soon and tell all the news for I don't get any letters from the boys. I will write to John soon. On this letter there was no space left for a signature or the usual closing words.

The left corner from the bottom edge of this letter was torn away and is lost.

Camp near Fredericksburg, Virginia December 6th, 1862

Dear Mother,

 It is with pleasure I now set down to answer your kind and welcome letter which I received today. It found me well and right in the act of cooking my dinner. I am well and I pray to God these few lines may find you the same. I wrote to you yesterday and sent you 25 dollars so I have not got much to write this time. I am glad to hear you are all well and I hope you will have good health until we all are home. I am sorry to hear Elizabeth has not got my letter. I hope she will be getting it before long. Today my hands is so numb I can't hardly hold my pen. We had a hard storm here yesterday. It snowed about an minute and a half__?__ but I guess it will all go off today or at least I hope it will for we will have to go on picket tonight or tomorrow night. Oh, I wish you could...... Corner / view of our camp today or any day. I wish torn / little tent. I have got logs put up there from / so I can stand up in it now. It puts letter / a pig pen I have seen built and here / very comfortable and that is all we want. / over and I got my likeness taken / will ? do ? it. I had to give a dollar so I could not afford to get only one taking. I don't know but I will be short of money afore we are paid off again for I hain't got only 3 dollars left but I will try and make that do. Well, you said you would send me a pair of gloves next week. I hope I will get them afore long for it is cold here now to go without them. You wanted to know what kind I wanted. I don't care what kind but if you get buckskin, get middling thin ones so I can handle my gun with them on. Write as soon as you get the money and the likeness. Well, you must excuse all poor spelling and writing. I must write a few lines to Wm. Henry in this sheet for paper is getting pretty scarce with me. Give my love to all and keep some for yourself. So good-bye for the present from your ever affectionate son, Savillion F. DaVall to Mrs. Mary J. DaVall

The left corner from the bottom edge of this letter was torn away and is lost.

Camp near Fredericksburg, Virginia December 6, 1862

Dear Brother,

It is with pleasure I now sit down to answer your kind and welcome letter that I received today and was very glad to hear from you and to hear you still enjoyed good health. I am well at present and I hope when these few lines reach you they will find you the same. My hands is so numb I can hardly write but I guess you can make out to read it. I am glad to hear lumber is selling good. I hope it will sell good next spring. I wish we could all get home next spring to help log them to fallers and do the other work too but I don't expect we will get home in a long time yet or till our three years is out. Well, now, if Charley comes to see John he must be sure and come and see me, that is if we are near here and I think we will be here for a good while yet. Well, my hands is too cold. I shall have to give up writing today. You...... Corner (possible "could maybe" / use a short letter this time and I torn "will write" / again in five days. Oh yes, have from words) "you been" / hunting any yet this year? It snowed letter "about a minute" / and a half here yesterday. here "and it put" / me in mind of hunting. I would "like to be" / there and have one good hunt. "If I could" / would like to get a crack at one with my old musket. I could fetch him but you must tend to them till we get home and then we will have an old time, I tell you. You must excuse all poor spelling and writing. Give my love to all. So now good-bye for the present from your ever affectionate brother, Savillion F. DaVall to Mr. Wm. H. DaVall Please write soon

Camp near Fredericksburg, Virginia December 21st, 1862

 Let Mother read this so it will do for both of you.

Dear Brother,

It is with pleasure I now set down to pen a few lines to you to let you know I am well and I hope those few lines will find you the same. Well, this is a beautiful morning and the sun shines bright but it is pretty cold. The ground froze very hard last night but there is no snow on the ground. I suppose the snow is pretty deep up there. I am glad there is no snow here for it would make it so bad for us out on picket. It is bad enough now. I tell you we had a hard time out on picket night afore last for it was awful cold and the wind blew hard. I tell you it was cold. I thought we would all freeze but we did not. Well, I must stop now and get ready for inspection. I will finish after I come off. Well, I have came off inspection and now I will try and finish writing. I was in hopes I could get a letter this morning so I could hear from my Mary but the mail has come in but I did not get any letters. I don't get many letters now a days but I am in hopes I will get some after a while. Well, I suppose you will be about ready to start to see John when this comes to hand for the last letter I got from him he said they was going to be paid off the next day. Well, I suppose you have see(n) all about the great battle at Fredericksburg. I suppose you have seen the names of the wounded. I have seen a feller out of John's company. He said that Thomas Tully and Marshall Hays was both wounded. I don't know how bad they was wounded but I believe Marshall was hit in the back with a piece of shell and Thomas was shot in the leg. Well, I tell you our loss was pretty heavy. Oh, I wish you could of been here just to hear the roaring of the cannons. It beat all I ever heard, especially when our men made a charge on the Rebel battery. They opened battery after battery on our men so there was a perfect shower of shot and shell. The battle lasted until after dark and such a sight you never seen. We was in about a quarter of a mile from the battleground where we could look right on it. Oh, it was a beautiful sight to look upon and still it was enough to make one tremble to hear the cannons and then hear the shells when they was going through the air for they would make such a whistling and then the rattling of muskets. It was truly a beautiful sight but to think of what followed after it....horror and death. Thank God, it was not cold and I am thankful we was not but if we could of done any good I would went in willingly. The first day we crossed the river we stacked our guns a little ways from the town and stayed there until about 3 o'clock in the afternoon. All at once we heard a cannon in about a half mile of us and I looked up and to my surprise I see a big, long shell coming. I tell you, it fairly made the hair stand on my head. It struck in the ground about a rod from me and glanced out and rolled right up to where the guns was stacked, right on a feller's feet. I could not help laughing to see the feller hop back but I tell you, it was no laughing matter for if the shell had bursted it would of blowed him all to pieces. That one had no more than struck when there was another one came and another until the air was full of the deadly missiles. I tell you, I laid close to the ground about that time. There was not much hurt done. There was one wounded in Company H and one killed in the 20th Michigan and then our batteries opened on them and knocked three of their guns over and then they run. Well, I have told you enough about that so will try and tell you about something else. I heard yesterday that McClellan was going to take command of the army again. I don't know how true it is. I think General Burnside is a good general but I suppose now because he did not whip here the other day, he will be removed. I see you think Burnside is a going to do something with the army this winter. I know that is the talk but I hope not for it will be death to the army if he does for you don't know how it is now, only think if we are moving all over this winter. Only think now if we are marching all day in the mud and then when we come to stop at night and lay down on the wet ground and maybe on the snow. How long would we stand it? Not long, I tell you. And then if it was any ways rainy the roads would be so muddy in one day it would be impossible to move. I heard yesterday that all the troops was going in to winter quarters, all but the Army core and that they was going to take a trip down south with Burnside so I expect we will have a fine exhibition down south or in some fort of the southern states. Well, this is about full so I will have to stop. Well, I want you to be sure and come and see me when you come to Washington. We are on the left hand side of the railroad as you come up from the landing. You can get on the cars at Acquia Creek and come right up to Falmouth Station and we are up on the hill on the left side of the road. You can find us well enough. If you have any bother you can go to General Burnside's headquarters and he can tell you where we be. Come if you can. I must stop now. I went down to see Frank yesterday and he was in the hospital. He has got a sore foot. Please excuse all poor spelling and writing. Give my love to all. Please write soon. So good-bye for the present from your ever affectionate brother, Savillion F. DaVall to Mr. Charles O. DaVall

Camp Burnside Newport News, Virginia March 6th, 1863

 Dear Brother Charley,

I now set down to pen a few lines to you in answer to your kind letter that I received yesterday. It found me well and I hope those few lines may find you the same. I am very sorry to hear that you could not come down here when you was so near and then I have made so much reckoning on having you come. But I might of more better than made any reckoning on it for this world is doomed to disappointments and troubles and there is no way that we ever get out of it alive. Well, I am sorry to hear you have had the mumps and a sore eye. I am thinking you have been in to see some of them Washington ladies. I think if I had of been there as long as you have I would of stayed one night with them but I don't suppose that is a very good practice. But still I think I would try myself for I have not seen a girl in so long I know if I see one now I would have a hardness for them. I hope I may live to see myself free again and then I expect I will have an old time. Well, I received that box you sent with that butter and beechnuts and berries. I was very glad to get the butter for we draw soft bread now. I wish I had a lot of dried apples for they are so good to store. Well, what did you think of the Capital. Do you think you see a ? to pay you for coming down? I would of liked to be there with you. Did you see many soldiers and what do you think about a soldier's life? Do you think you would like it? Oh dear, such horrid writing as this is I don't know as you can read it but I can't write this morning and you must excuse a poor letter this time and a short one and I will try and do better next time. Well, I wish you had of come down for I think we will be paid off this week and then I could of sent my money home by you. I will send all the money home I can. Well, I can't think of any more to write. It has been pretty cold here for a week or two but there is no snow. Well, what do you think about the conscript (draft)? Do you think you will have to come or Wm. Henry? If either of you have to come I wish you could come in this co(mpany). Well, I must close. Give my love to all and excuse all poor spelling. So now good-bye for the present from your ever affectionate brother. Savillion F. DaVall to Mr. Charles O. DaVall

(No. 2) Camp Burnside Newport News, Virginia March 22, 1863

Ever dear Mother,

I now sit down to pen a few lines to you to let you know I am yet alive and in the best of health and I pray to God those few lines may find you the same. Well, Mother, we are now about to leave our camp. We was to go three days ago but it commenced to storm so we could not go. It has stormed three days and nights but it looks as though it was going to clear off now so I suppose we will leave here today. We have had about 8 inches of snow here but it is about all gone now. Well, I thought I must write a few lines to let you know we are going to leave for I may not have a chance to write again in a week or two. I don't know exactly where we are going but I think we are going where I heard we was and that was to join the army of the Cumberland under the gallant Rosencrance and General Burnside is to have the command of the corps. We go from here to Baltimore and then we will take the Ohio and Baltimore railroad or the Pillsbury and Central road. I expect we will have a long and tedious journey but we will see a good deal of the country. But we won't have a very good chance for we will go nights. Well, I don't know how I will get along for stamps for I have not got any money or much paper. I was in hopes we would get pay a-fore we left but I guess we won't but I don't suppose we could get anything if we had money for there is an order if anyone leaves the ranks in Baltimore he will be arrested and treated as a deserter. So you see there is no chance for a feller to get anything but I don't know but that is a good thing for there would be lots of them leave. Well, I trust we may have a good journey and a safe one. Well, I must close. You must excuse all poor writing and spelling. Give my love to all and keep some for yourself. So now good-bye for the present. From your ever affectionate son, Savillion F. DaVall to Mrs. Mary J. DaVall I will write again as soon as I get to our journeys end. Direct Washington, D.C. instead of Fortress Monroe and all the rest the same as you did last.

Camp near Grean ? River May 4th, 1863

Dear Mother,

I now set down to answer your kind and welcome letter that I received last night. It found me in the best of health and I trust those few lines may find you the same. I received those stamps you sent and I was very glad to get them for I was about out and I received them you sent afore. Well, I am glad to hear Wm. Henry has sold the lumber and got back again for there is so much work to be done at home. I wish I was there to help do some of it but I am not so there is no use of wishing. I am glad to hear that Charley is on the gain. Well, I believe we was to Camp Dick R.(obinson) when I wrote to you last. We left there the last day of April. We are now by Grean ? River. We came here day before yesterday. We expected to march yesterday and today but have not. I expect we are going to Tennessee and are about 35 miles from Cumberland now. I expect we will go there and cross the river. I have seen lots of Tennesseans from there that run away from the Rebs (Rebels). I tell you they tell some pretty hard stories about them. There was an old man had his three daughters in camp yesterday. One of them had one eye put out with a bayonet and she said the Rebs killed her husband and put 17 boot ? holes through him and she just escaped with her life. Our Captain made up over a hundred dollars to them when they left. The old man and his wife walked in camp to see us again today. Well, I am glad the war is not up in our country. Well, it is pretty warm weather here now. I tell you it is hot work to march but we have not carried our knapsacks but one day. We have hired a man (and team) to carry them through afer (for) us. We have give him 4 cents a piece a day so far but if we lay here long, I fear he will go back. We left our overcoats at Camp Dick R.(obinson) so they hain't so heavy as they was. Well, we came through some beautiful country as you ever saw but I expect we are about out of the best part of the country but it is nice here. I would not mind having a farm here. Well, I expect I will be down with the mumps afore long for Charles Henry has got them now and I and him tent together. I tell you he has got them pretty bad and it is a bad time to have them now when we are on the march. I hope I won't have them till we get camped down afore it is hard enough to have them but I am in hope I won't have them. If I was at home I would not mind it but here lying on the damp ground and marching all day, I tell you it is hard. But that is a soldier's life. There is nothing easy about soldiering but I don't know but you will think so when I tell you how much I weigh. I was weighed yesterday. I weighed 164 1/2. I never saw my face so broad as it is now. I look as if I had two chins or was Moffelchaft ?. I hardly know myself when I look in the glass. Well, I must close for this is about full. You must excuse all poor writing and spelling. Give my love to all and keep some for yourself. Write soon. I will write to Eliza and put in with this. This is Monday morning. Well, goodbye for the present from your ever affectionate son, Savillion F. DaVall to Mary J. DaVall

Camp near Fredericksburg, Virginia June 8, 1863

Dear Mother,

It is with pleasure I now sit down to pen a few lines to you to let you know how I am getting along. I am not very well at present. I am not down sick but I do not feel very well nor I hain't for the past week. And I cannot eat anything much that is such as we have here, that is hard crackers and coffee and boiled pork but I bought a half a pound of tea so that got a little better. Oh, how I would like to be there and get a good breakfast. How good it would taste to me. Oh, how good the cakes did look the boys got last night in their express boxes. I wish mine had of came. All the express boxes came through to our regiment yesterday. I think John must of taking (taken) my box out of the express office or it would of came with the rest. But never mind, I want you to send one more. Have it directed to me and then if I don't get it, I will lose it and pay you for your trouble. I want you to send it right off as soon as you get this for I don't think we will stay here more than two months longer. I will tell you what I want you to send and then if you can send it or if you can't it won't do any hurt to tell you. Send it as soon as you can and I guess you had better pay the express on it there and get a receipt and send it (the receipt) to me. I want you to send me two roast chickens, about 6 pounds of sausage, 6 pounds of cheese, 4 pounds of butter, 2 pounds of honey some dried apples and pears and some cake. Have the cakes baked a day before you send them so they will get cold and done steaming. And then wrap them up in paper so they won't spoil. And then send about a dozen of them apples in the yard. I believe that is all you can. Send a pie or two if you like. Send them as soon as possible. Direct them plain. Well, I don't know of anything more to write. I expect to get a letter from you in a day or so, then I will write again. I must bring this to a close by bidding you good-bye. Give my love to all. So good-bye from your ever affectionate son, Savillion F. DaVall to his mother, Mary J. DaVall Please write soon. Very carefully and plainly written on separate sheet Direct the box to: Co. F, 45th Regt. P.V. Care of Col. Welch 3rd Brigade, 1st Division 9th Army Corps., Washington, D.C.

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