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1864 UNION ENGINEER AT FT. MYER VA - CIVIL WAR LETTER & STAMPED COVER – WOMEN SPEAKER ON EQUALITY

Nice 4-page letter in ink on lined-white paper (about 5 x 8”). Yellow stamped-cover with bulls-eye cancellation & “Washington DC May 23 ‘64.” The letter is written by Union Soldier Robert J. Barnett, Box 114, Washington, DC, to “Miss Sallie L. Scott, Castle Finn PO [south of Lancaster], York Co., PA.” Barnett states in the letter that he was “working in Fort Hipple or some such name just opposite Alexandria on the Eastern side of the River.” He apparently meant Fort Whipple which was the original name for Fort Myer, the US Army post adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia & across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. Fort Whipple was named after Brevet Major General Amiel Weeks Whipple, who died during the American Civil War in May 1863. Barnett also mentions GIESBORO which during the Civil War was the operational hub of the Union Army’s cavalry in the Eastern Theater. Giesboro Cavalry Depot supplied mounts to the Army of the Potomac.

In his letter, Barnett mentions that General Franz Siegel has recently been defeated (at the battle of New Market) and his troops are returning to the Washington area. He describes going with his cousin into Washington City to listen to a WOMAN SPEAKER, but left when she began to strongly advocate equality. Barnett describes his activity in the Engineers as “working all day by candlelight” in a “magazine down under ground.”

An interesting Union Civil War letter, legible & in good condition as shown in scan below.

Throughout the letter, Robert seems to be attempting some poetry. Full transcription follows:

May 22 1864
Washington DC
Dear Miss Sallie
I suppose you will allow me the privilege of saying so. I take the opportunity of addressing a few lines to you to let you know that I am once more enjoying myself as best I can in Dixie. I described MY PARLOR IN VIRGINIA & I will tell how it is this time. My house is made of cotton, my bunk is made of hay, so here I live by night and underground by day. Myself and all alone, I like a Bachelor live. Only I do not (?) as you may well believe. Ide like to have a pardner and I’ll tell you the reason why. The Yankee boys are coming, and I may have to go fly to Dixie. So here I live a Bachelor to night and all alone in my splendid parlor with neither stove nor bone. I’ve had a bully supper (but not on pumpkin pie) but I’ll say no more for fear I make you cry.

I am working in FORT HIPPLE or some such name just OPPOSITE ALEXANDRIA on the eastern side of the river. But my camp is between WASHINGTON and GIESBORO. I belong to the ENGINEER DEPARTMENT. There is a wonderful sight of soldiers round here now. GENERAL SIGEL HAS BEEN DEFEATED and his men has been coming back here by thousands for several days. Every hill both far and near on this side is lined with men. Some has tents & some are lying on the Ground with their Horses tied to a stake beside them. Sunday as it is, I have heard more shooting today than likely you ever heard on weekday. I saw L. Jerome Seward. He is en camp near here. My Cozin J. Barber & I went over to Wash today. We WENT TO THE CAPITAL TO HEAR A WOMAN SPEAK. I STAID AND LISTENED UNTIL SHE GOT SO FAR AS TO SAY THAT SHE WOULD BE HAPPY TO SEE THE TIME (AND IT WAS NOT FAR OFF) WHEN ALL CLASSES SHOULD BE ON AN EQUALITY, EAT TOGETHER AND BE ONE UNITED PEOPLE. I hope she may have the privilege of doing so. I never want to see the time that I shall be bound to do so. I want to know what you have to say on the subject. There is meeting in the camp tonight for I hear them singing & the old saying is “a Sabbath well-spent brings a week of content.” Its now 25 minutes till nine but not too late to try so I’ll go.

I’ve been to meeting and I must say I think there is more religion in Jeff’s stray niggers than in the most of our men. The Samboes had the meeting & he Prayed for his friends which was left behind a way down South. May they stay there. There is more Samboes than Yankees here.

As I work by a candle all day and am writing by a candle tonight, I think I will draw to a close for fear I hurt my eyesight. In a MAGAZINE DOWN UNDER GROUND is the place where your beloved Bob may (?) found. I’m a queer fellow I bet you will say to work by a candle the live-long day. Though the sun shines warm we don’t often see it so look over this and ponder it too for it is all meaning and every word true. If there is anything in it you cannot make out, I’ll be spited worse than a sucking Trout. I’ve called you my loved one that you will know It’s ten o’clock now so to bed I must go. Good night Sallie.

May 23rd.
Good morning Miss. It looks like rain here this morning but we will have to do like they do in Ireland. Let in rain if it will. I hear a heck of firing this morning down below. It is work towards breakfast time so I must wind up soon. If you know of anybody talking of coming down tell them come ahead. The bell is ringing. I remain your Darling and hope you my Dear.

I am not thinking anything about coming home yet nor don’t expect to be there soon if I keep my health. I want you to write soon and give me all the news at home and abroad. I am living like a bachelor, so good morning my dear. I think I can see you, though far off appear. No more at present but remain your Lover, etc.
Robert J. Barnett
Box 114
Washington DC

Miss Sallie L. Scott
Castle Finn P O
York Co PA
Sallie Leeper Scott

According to sources on the Internet, Sallie Leeper Scott Barnett was born 2 September 1847 and died 28 July 1926. She is buried in Pine Grove Presbyterian Church Cemetery York County, Pennsylvania.

About 1868, Sallie married ROBERT JAMES BARNETT (born July 1844, died c1905). They are listed in the 1900 Census for Lower Chanceford Township, York, PA). Nine children.

Robert James Barnett’s Civil War service record is not easily found but could probably be clarified with further research. When he wrote this letter to Sallie in May 1864, he was possibly serving on detached duty as a laborer in the Engineer Department of the Army of the Potomac.

Price= $295.00


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