16 pages, in ink, written by Lieutenant Benjamin Wright, to his wife, over the course of several days.

Adjutant’s Office, 10th C.[onnecticut] V.[olunteers],
St. Augustine, Fla., Nov. 19th, 1863

My Dear Abbie,

It is rather late in the evening to commence a letter, but I purpose to do nothing more than that. I went down town to the meeting tonight. While down there I received some orders of detail from Post Head Head Quarters. After coming up, my clerk and I made out about a dozen copies and served them. Since that time I have been writing to Mary. I have just finished it up. We have been looking for a boat for a day or two past with a mail. It has not come in yet however. I think it will be along about tomorrow or next day therefore I must be hurrying up my letters as the boat generally stops here but a very short time. As soon as she touches the dock a squad is detailed to unload it, and perhaps she will leave on the same tide. It gives us no time to write after we receive our mail, but I have written enough for tonight.
Good night.

20th 7:30 P.M. We have had quite lively times this afternoon. Three boats came in from the [Hilton] Head. We received a mail just after dress parade. This time I received some letters, three from you mailed the 5th, 7th & 11th. I assure you I was rejoiced to hear from and to know that you and Bennie were well. May the Lord watch over and protect you, and may your health be precious in his sight. I hardly thought you would have heard from me since arriving here, but you had. I am almost sorry that I said anything to you about coming down to here, although I should love dearly to have you and Bennie here. I know you would be delighted with the climate, but I find there is difficulties in the ways of getting down here than I first supposed. The permit has to be approved by the commander of the post and then by General [Quincy A.] Gillmore, [and] after that go to Washington. I understand they will not allow General Gillmore to approve of a permit unless an officer is stationed. You will easily see it is useless for me to forward a permit as General Gillmore would be sure to disapprove of it as it is uncertain how long we shall stay here, but then if you should come here and we should be ordered away you would be in a good place, and could get North on any boat. I find out the way Mrs. Wayland, Mrs. Hawley and others got down here was by coming as teachers. They were sent out by the Freedmen’s Association. After reaching here however they did not teach, or only a short time. They are not compelled to teach after coming. If they do not, they don’t draw pay for it. If you would like to come that way you can make application to the Freedmen Society, N.Y., or to the Christian Commission, both of which send out persons. It would be no disgrace to come that way in either capacity, and perhaps you might be doing good. If I was North, I think I could get you through with out difficulty. A great many ladies come down from the Head by most every boat, sent either by Christian Commission or Freedmen’s Society. Another way you could get here would be by getting influential men to get you a permit from the War Department. If the right man should take hold of it that might be done. Such a man for instance as Senator Foster, who procured Louise a permit to go to New Bern last year. You could get someone to write him in your behalf. I have no doubt he would be happy to do what was in his power. Another good man, perhaps even than Sen. Foster, is Gov. Buckingham. After thinking the thing over I think I would quite like for you to come out for the Christian Commission as they are establishing large convalescent hospitals here. There will be a fine chance for doing good. I think the Commission will send a no. [number] then. I would rather you come out for them then the Freedmen’s Society. You would volunteer your services to the Commission, and I think you would accept of it. How delighted I should be to see you. Savage said I will see you coming along before a great while. If you should come out for them, they would furnish you with books, tracts & papers to distribute. I don’t know why you might not be doing something of that kind as well as other patriotic ladies. I don’t think many are more patriotic than you. We would then both be in the service, one trying to save the country, the other trying to do good to the souls of dying men. At the same time you can be enjoying yourself by seeing the country and your husband. If you should decide to come that way the board of commissions would probably see you aboard of the boat, and to make all arrangements for you. Probably all the expense you would be would be your board in coming down. You would be assigned to the commission at the Head who would take charge of you and forward you at the earliest opportunity. Thinking it all over, I have come to the conclusion that would be the best way you could get here, and you would have something to employ yourself about while here. If you should go to them, it would be well to take a letter of recommendation from Dr. Linsley, if you should come. If you have not funds enough on hand you had better get some off Joseph. It will be pay day soon and I will refund it then. I have a good deal coming to me pay day. I have let out my money so that I am getting short myself. I have been all together too accommodating for my own good. You had better have as much as seventy five dollars with you if you come. If you succeed, I will try and send board for you at Miss Martha’s. You would be pleased with them. I know they would with you. They would be delighted with Bennie. They are very fond of children. I shall look for you in about three weeks if you come. When I first spoke about you coming I said nothing about Bennie coming as I did not know what to say about it. If you should come I think I should still continue to mess in camp, and stay in camp for the most part. Nights would stay down occasionally. I don’t believe in an officer staying out of camp over night very often, although if I am acting adjutant, I can do it much better than though I was with a company. Major Greeley stays down town all the while. Mr. Hull has just been in to see me. He has just been down to the convalescent hospital today. They are just getting going. They have between sixty & seventy patients. The Cosmopolitan, the hospital [ship] came in today. She was expected to bring two hundred more. I don’t know whether she did or not. He speaks of the great need of a minister. Neither our Regt. or the 24th have a chaplain. Mr. Brinkerhoff of course has so much to do he cannot devote a great deal of time to them. He told Mr. Hull he had sent to N.Y. and asked that some one be sent here. A thought has just struck me. Perhaps I may be a little selfish about it. In several of your letters you have spoken about Dr. Linsley’s talking of going in the Army. I have said he cannot stand it, but if he is going to leave and still think of coming South, I think here is just the place for him. He could not stand the fatigues of the field, but he might come here and stay a few months & do a great deal of good. I would love to see him come. I think the Christian Commission would be glad to send him out. For my part I wish he might be kept in Greenwich, but if that’s not to be, let him come here. I wish you would lay it before him. If he should decide to come, it would be a fine chance for you. I hope he will think favorably of it. If we are here I will do everything in my power to assist him, and I know other’s will do the same. I would like to hear him preach his Thanksgiving sermon. He will have a good one as usual, I have no doubt. I would like much to have a picture of Dr. & Mrs. Linsley. Would like to preserve it. It must be rather sad for them to break up keeping house. You say they are going to board at Mr. Bush’s. You mean Joseph I suppose. I think Mrs. Linsley would be a very pleasant boarder. I am sorry that bill of Reynold’s and Benson’s was paid. I am more sure now than ever when you tell me the amount. I very well recollect the last payment was twelve dollars and some cents. Have you looked yet for the receipts? I think you will find them. If you do, make him refund. I am glad you were satisfied with my account of the manner in which I have spent my money. I will send you the whole account when I get a little leasure. I came by the hospital again tonight on the way from dress parade. I think Salter and Scott are both rather improving. It would take but little to carry either of them however. I hope they may get along. The election news from the North is glorious. We may well thank God and take courage. We shall yet see our country united, happy and free. I am glad to hear the drafted men, most of them furnish substitutes. That is better than paying $300. You may if you like, when you get those oranges, give Mrs. Hoyt [some] for me with my compliments. I saw cards of Silas Hull and Louise Minor tonight. Paul had them. I think you are likely to have quite a time this winter by yourself if you can stand it all right. I had a job at inspecting this morning. It was a lot of commissary stores which I condemned. The inspection and making out my reports occupied most of my time through the day. It was the first of my experience in that line. Whether the Genl. Comdg. will see fit to approve of my decision remains to be seen. I think myself that I am a pretty good judge of stores. I wonder what kind I will be set at next? I have done most all kinds of duty since I entered the service.

24th 11 A.M. The boat that was outside last night came in just before dark. It was the Chas. Houghton from Jacksonville via Fernandina. It brought neither mail nor express, in fact nothing but a few orders, a Catholic priest, and two sisters. That was what the boat came for. They can have boats sent anytime to carry them around. They are allowed to enter our lines and leave when they please, [and] carry all the information they can pick up. I don’t believe in such things myself. War is war and I would not trust a Catholic priest any sooner than a Protestant minister. They would not allow one of us to enter their lines in that manner. Today is a beautiful day, clear and pleasant. It was so rough the boats did not get out this morning. They stick to us mighty tight. I don’t believe they want to get away from here very much. It is a good place to stay. Tonight is our prayer meeting night at the church. I anticipate a good meeting. If the veterans do not stay to election, we shall soon begin to look for them back. It is quite cool today. This afternoon the wind is blowing up pretty fresh. It will probably be rough on the boat tomorrow morning so that it will be doubtful about the boat getting out tomorrow. If they stay here much longer, I am afraid they will not get to the Head in time to connect with the steamer for N.Y. which will sail Saturday or Sunday. This week has been a great week with the Catholics, Holy Passover I think they call it. I have not attended any of their services although I had intended to. I think I shall go this afternoon or tomorrow. I have been waiting to hear the bells ring. I don’t think they are having any service this afternoon. I went in a short time yesterday afternoon to a funeral. They have curious performances. How can people be so very superstitious? One of the priests, Father [?] is a very intelligent man, a perfect gentleman. I think he must know better. Most of the people here are Catholics and most of them very ignorant. That is the great mass of them. Somehow or other it is impossible for me to write any sort of a letter this week. I believe I will finish this up and commence again. Give my love to all.

Ever your Affectionate,
Benjamin

Adjutant’s Office, 10th Regt. C.V.
St. Augustine, Fla., Nov. 29th, 1863

My Dear Abbie,

A boat came in from the Head this morning with a mail. I went down and helped to sort it. I received two letters from you, one mailed the 16th, the other the 18th. I assure you I was glad to receive them. Probably the boat will not remain here but a few hours and I must answer as soon as possible. We shall probably have something up from the Head before the mail leaves which will probably occupy our whole time. That is one great difficulty with the boats here. You will receive a mail by them, but before you can have time to answer your letters the boat has gone. I heard the Captain of the boat tell the Post Q.M. that it would not take more then three hours to unload her. She will probably not stop here much longer than that. I hope however she will stay here until morning. It will give us so much better opportunity to get our letters answered. One of our Sergts. that was wounded at Kinston, and had been home since that time, came on the boat. He is looking well. He used to be a general favorite with the company. Lieut. Savage says a couple of young ladies also came on the boat, teachers, Miss Foot was one, a sister of the Mr. Foot that was at Father’s with Mr. Hubbard some time since. She is also a sister of Mrs. Col. Hawley. Linsley and Savage will have their hands full now, I am thinking. I think Capt. White will go down and assist them however. He does not run around town at all with the other officers of the Regt. I am sorry to hear you have such a sore thumb. I should think it would be impossible to write at all. What appears to be the matter with it. I hope it [is] entirely cured by this time. So Seaman Pillow has gone at last. How many of our relatives and friends have gone within the past year or a little more, not only in the Army, but in the quiet and peace of home. In no place are we safe. If we are wise we will be prepared whenever or wherever the summons comes. I saw in our Capt. White’s papers today the death of Mrs. Joseph Merritt. I am glad you went down to Seaman’s funeral.

9 P.M. The boat did not leave today as I thought this morning. It would, but is going in the morning. I intended to have written a considerable today, but have been so busy I have not had time tonight. It is real cold. I don’t think I shall sit up very long. It has been raining hard most of the afternoon. Tonight it is quite blusterous. We shall probably have two or three days of cool weather. We can hardly expect it to be pleasant every day. Most of the time the weather is delightful. You are quite right in thinking this country is not at all like Conn. We see no hills except sand hills on the seashore, no rocks or stones. I like it much. Think you would do the same if you were only here. I would not [be] surprised if disloyalty did impair a man’s reason for most of the Secesh act as though they had no reason at all. The defeat of Judge Woodward in Penn. is one of the bright signs of the times. Truly God is greater than man and he will in his own good time bring us out of all our troubles better for having thus passed through the fiery ordeal. I was in hopes of being able to attend church and Sabbath school today, but the rain interfered. If it had not, I could not have got time before this evening as I have been kept very busy.

Light age toning and wear. Very fine. Newsy account. Civil War soldier letters from Florida are scarce.

We will supply you with some xerox copies of other items that Benjamin Wright signed with his full name to corroborate the ID which we fully guarantee.

Benjamin Wright, was a resident of Greenwich, Conn., when he enlisted on Sept. 13, 1861, as a sergeant, and was mustered into Co. I, 10th Connecticut Infantry. He was promoted to 2nd lieutenant, Jan. 8, 1863; 1st lieutenant, June 6, 1864; and mustered out of the service on Oct. 17, 1864.

PRINCIPAL ENGAGEMENTS OF THE 10TH CONN. INFANTRY:

Roanoke Island, N. C., Feb. 8, 1862.
Newbern, N. C., Mar. 14, 1862.
Kinston, N. C., Dec. 14, 1862.
Whitehall, N. C., Dec. 16, 1862.
Goldsboro, N. C., Dec. 18, 1862.
Seabrook Island, S. C., Mar. 28, 1863.
Siege of Charleston, S. C., from July 28 to Oct. 25, 1863.
St. Augustine, Fla., Dec. 30, 1863.
Walthall Junction, Va., May 7, 1864.
Drewry's Bluff, Va., May 13 to 17 (inclusive), 1864.
Bermuda Hundred, Va., June 16, 1864.
Deep Bottom, Va., June 20, 1864.
Strawberry Plains, Va., July 26 and 27, 1864.
Deep Bottom, Va., Aug. 1, 1864.
Deep Bottom, Va., Aug. 14, 1864.
Deep Run, Va., Aug. 16, 1864.
Deep Gully and Fuzzells Mills, Va., Aug. 28, 1864.
Siege of Petersburg, Va., Aug. 28 to Sep. 29, 1864.
Fort Harrison, Va., Sep. 27, 1864.
Laurel Hill Church, Va., 0ct. 1, 1864.
Newmarket Road, Va., Oct. 7, 1864.
Darbytown Road, Va., Oct. 13, 1864.
Darbytown Road, Va., Oct. 27, 1864.
Johnson's Plantation, Va., Oct. 29, 1864.
Hatcher's Run, Va., Mar. 29 and 30, and April 1, 1865.
Fort Gregg, Va., April 2, 1865.
Appomattox Court House, Va., April 9, 1865.

Source: Connecticut: Record of Service of Men During War of Rebellion