Brief Summary Of

The Civil War Letters

After his enlistment on July 27th 1861, William remained in the Philadelphia area for several months. Little was done, at that time, to organize the troops, give them any training or even equip them. There are no letters from William to explain what happened between his enlistment and when his volunteer group left Philadelphia for Camp Harlan in the Washington DC area. Just what was happening in this period of turmoil, disorganization and unpreparedness is difficult to clearly explain. One can surmise that things were pretty confused, and almost nobody knew what was happening.

The first set of letters begin on September 19th from Camp Harlan, describing his trip by train to Baltimore and his first "real" weeks in the service. Winter arrives and Lancaster is too ill to move to Maryland with the Regiment. His wife, Maggie, sends a box of food and also visits her husband in camp. He soon recovers and joins the others who are learning to be soldiers. Christmas finds Maggie and William apart -- she is working in the mill and is expecting a child. The soldiers are not paid promptly and payday is an occasion for celebration.

William is promoted to Corporal and begins to lead parties on scout. He sees the battle of the Merrimac and Congress and writes a vivid description of a ship blowing up.

In April, 1862, a daughter, Lizzie, is born and Maggie's homemade shirts are stolen by a deserter who was to have taken them to William. The next letters give a good feeling of daily life for Lancaster. One letter contains a beautiful, dreamy and romantic passage written in the field. Another letter shows his interest in the War situation.

Time passes and it has been over one year since they were together during Maggie's camp visit. They miss one another terribly.

Maggie's Brother William serves with Lancaster in the same Cavalry company. He is so young that he is still growing. One letter contains a good description of a battle in which they both fought, as well as the good news that the paymaster has come. There is not much progress in bringing the War to a close and he is still owed months of back pay. William and Maggie begin to look forward to the end of his service in 18 months. He vows many times to leave the service at the end of his term. William loses his Brother John who had been serving in the Infantry. John was wounded and died later of his wounds at home.

William's application for a furlough is turned down and he does not see his wife and child again until September 1863 where they meet in Baltimore. He spends much of his time out on scout and sometimes has a sharp skirmish with the enemy. Many of the men are re-enlisting and there are many new recruits. Lancaster is promoted to 2nd Lieutenant but feels he has the Privilege to Resign and is not bound as an enlisted man.

Maggie sets up housekeeping for herself and her child and works in the mill, hiring an old woman to help her, but this proves to be too expensive and she moves back home again.

Lancaster spends 2 months at Chesapeake Hospital where he is recovering from a head wound. During this time he realizes he cannot leave the service as he had planned due to his promotion. His requests for a furlough are denied. Maggie's brother, William, has been taken prisoner and sent to Georgia. Lancaster returns to duty and he hopes God will lift the cloud which hangs over them. There are skirmishes every day as he spends time scouting and fighting near Richmond. The men are very busy and there is no time for Winter Quarters. There is good news that Brother William has escaped from the Rebels and returned home. Maggie sends a box for Christmas 1864 which contains riding gloves and other gifts.

Finally, Lancaster receives his furlough and is home in March 1865. He returns to duty, is promoted to Captain and writes his last letter (March 27th).