Charles H. Holland Civil War letters, 1862-1865.

ArchivalResource

Holland, Charles H., 1840-1918. Charles H. Holland Civil War letters, 1862-1865.

Charles H. Holland Civil War letters, 1862-1865.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/698372437

The collection consists of the Civil War letters of Charles Haywood Holland documenting his Civil War service, which centered around New Bern, North Carolina. Much of his time in New Bern was involved in fortifying the town, though there were also some sharp engagements. There is a long letter written in December of 1862 describing his first real fight, at Kinston, North Carolina, inland from New Bern, where the objective was to destroy a railroad and some bridges, and which involved 160 miles of marching over many days. He shows great interest in how his sister, Mary (b. ca. 1844), is doing as a teacher, how the farm is progressing without him to help, and the health of his parents. He often speaks of how fighting will never end the war and that negotiations are necessary. He seldom complains about his life in the army, and is unusually optimistic about his situation. However, he does often write home asking that food, stamps, or clothing be shipped to him and his main pleasure is getting mail from home. His chief frustration appears to be not really knowing how the war is going, saying that those at home with a newspaper know much more than those fighting the battles. The letters also document some of Holland's later service with the 8th Vermont Volunteers. In this second enlistment, in 1864 and 1865, he served in Virginia, mostly in the Shenandoah Valley with Company H, 8th Regiment, Vt. Volunteers. At the end of 1864, Holland's letters indicate he was near Harper's Ferry, and the last dated letter is from January 21, 1865. There is also a letter of recommendation written in April thanking him for his service as company clerk, but his 1865 service is not covered in these letters. Many of the letters in the collection were written by Holland to his younger sister, Mary.

.25 linear feet.

Vermont Historical Society