William Blackwell

As a young lad, William Blackwell arrived in Boston from Ireland on April 6, 1853, along with his parents and siblings, aboard the Ship Franklin Pierce . Just prior to his enlistment, he was the sole support and provider for his mother, Bridget, as his father had died in 1859. At the age of 25, on February 13, 1862, he was recruited off the streets of Boston as a carpenter into the New York Volunteers, Company K, 99th Regiment, Union Army, a Regiment composed mostly of Massachusetts volunteers. After little or no training, he was sent to Camp Greble (near Norfolk), Virginia, to assist in patrolling the area near the mouth of the Potomac River. Unfortunately, less than six months after writing this letter, he died from "congestive chills on the 21st day of October, 1862" from "over exposure during the performance of excessive guard and outpost duty." See Mother's Pension Application, No. 101589, National Archives, Washington, DC, for his complete service record.

His name is among 64 names engraved on the first memorial erected in this country to the memory of "that brave and fallen few" who lost their lives in the Civil War. This monument stands in the Somerville Avenue Cemetery, Somerville, MA and was erected in the summer of 1863 by the Somerville Light Infantry.

He is buried in the Hampton National Cemetery, Hampton, Virginia (located 2 3/4 miles from Ft. Monroe), Row 22, Section B, Grave 30. FULL TEXT OF LETTER IS BELOW.

The following letter is today far from politically correct. It was written a few short months prior to his death to his older brother Hugh in Somerville, Massachusetts, and is most unusual in light of the fact that he was serving in the Union Army fighting slavery. One must keep in mind that it was written more than 140 years ago under peculiar and extreme circumstances. It is presented here only for its historic and genealogical value. The original spelling has been retained. One can almost "hear" William's Irish brogue throughout. A photo of brother, Hugh, can be seen in Photo Gallery # 1 and sister, Elizabeth, can be seen in Photo Gallery # 2.

Camp Greble May 31, 1862

Dear Brother Hugh

I rote to you a few days a go and I right you these few lines now. Dear Hugh we were payd this after nune which I sent 20 twenty dolers to you, ten to me mother and ten as a present to the children to get some sumer hats as this the best I can do this time as we were not payd 'cept five dolers for me self as I owd some to grocer.

I want ye to make a jug of punch and sit down and drink me health as I cant be being with ye. I hope we will pretty soon.

William Bonners he sends his wife 25 dolers. Both of us sends it by Adams Express. As soon as you get this letter right to me and let me know if this all right. I have not much to say to ye now. I hope ye all are well.

I got a horseness in me trote this long time now. But the doctor is giveing me som medison now. He is doing me some good. This hanging after me senced I left home. The doctor says twil get better when the hot wether comes here.

Dear Brother, we had one of our men shot by nigar the other night which caused grate excitement in Norfolk. We went to Norfolk to see ded man when every nigar we met we hammered the hell out of them with sticks so as to kil about 10 of them and we don't now how many of them got Scot's Broke free or not. There was 50 to 60 of us there. We hammered away til the long role of the First Delaware. But then we left the City. Some of our boys was taken and send to the fort. The greater part got clear. T'was as good as a fare day in Ireland. We killed General Wurls' nigar he had 17 years. The most of the regiment is under arrest and the Curnil is under arrest. As by Old wool twill be rotting, this is a hard regiment as there is round.

I owe Doctor McJohn one visit and I will pay him next pay.

William Ryan of Boston right me. He wants to send us Boston [illegible]. Right to him next week. If you se him give me best.

Respect to all inquiring friends and to yerself. Let me know how Johana [Ford] is. Your afectinate Brother, William Blackwell. Mother, Matt is goin to right to yo. He says Mat and Conner is well.