Civil War Letters of John W. Derr: Letter #4 -- Fort Hatteras, North Carolina -- December 22, 1861

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Letter #4 -- Fort Hatteras, North Carolina -- December 22, 1861

Ok...so I have my first big swing and miss at the plate! I missed the 150th anniversary for letter #4....I have a reason, but not a good one. You see...I have been using a type written transcription of the letters to present both a typed version and the original scanned version of the letters. It seems that the letter dated December 22, 1861 was misfiled in the 1864 section of the type written transcription. So...I followed that version vs. the hand written version.... Well, better late than never....

In this letter, JWD continues to write about his illness that was referenced in the November 28, 1861 letter #3. He was able to write home himself, which is an improvement over the November letter that was written by Franklin Hoch. Clearly, JWD is craving the foods of home and he writes to his father asking that some of his favorites be shipped to him in the field. I find this letters somewhat humorous as he writes an ever growing list of the foods he wants sent...Apples, chestnuts, sausage, pudding (pudding is a type of liver sausage that resembles ring bologna...it is gray in color and about 2 inches in diameter filled in a sausage casing and tied into a ring shape. It is similar to liverwurst), bread and butter were on his list. Do you think the coming of Christmas might have influenced his cravings?

Letter #4..............

Fort Hatteras December the 22, 1861

My dear father I take my pen in my weak hand to write a few lines to you to let you know that I am better again. I let you know that I was sick 6 weeks and father I let you know that I received you letter this day and was very glad to hear of you and to hear that you got that money with I sent to you. And I let you know that Solomon Eyster wrote home fore a box and if you wish to send me my things along why you can put it in his box. I wish you would send me some sausage and some pudding and sum bread and butter and some chestnuts and some apples and if you have anything else to send to me why do so. And if you must pay the box when you send it of you, take sum of my money and pay my share of it. Write a letter to me and let me know if you sent it or not. Write to me as soon as you can. So much of your dear son.

John W. Derr

Direct your letter Fort Clark Hatteras inlet, Company D 48th regiment Pa. Vol
North Carolina via Fortress Monroe Va.

Sorry for the delay...

Jim D.

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Welcome

With 2011 being the 150th year since the start of the American Civil War, I thought it would be appropriate for me to share letters written by my great-great grandfather, John W. Derr during the course of the war. I have completed posting each letter on the 150th anniversary of their creation (mostly!). Since Private Derr did not write his letters in a consistent pattern...sometimes there are gaps in time better one letter and the next...This blog includes gap filler with other information relevant to him and his regiment. As I posted each letter, I created a corresponding link on the right side of the webpage to provide easy access and reference as you read each posting. I hope you enjoy the history of this common soldier during the most tumultuous time in our nation's history.

Additionally, I recently completed a long anticipated project by publishing a book "A Widow's Due" in June of 2020. This book is primarily about the life of my Great-great grandmother, Magdalena Diehl Derr, the widow of John W. Derr. It is based on years of research and much documentation, and whereas it is a work of "creative non-fiction", it is accurate and true to the documents and records I was able to find. Please visit my other website relating to the book as well as other upcoming projects at: www.jamespderr.com. Thank you.

Biography of Private John W. Derr

John W. Derr (JWD) was born in Barry Township, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania on October 7, 1839.

He enlisted in the Union Army in September of 1861 and was mustered into the 48^th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Company D at Camp Curtin, Harrisburg Pa, in that same month. From Harrisburg, the 48^th PVI transitioned through Baltimore, MD and then down the Chesapeake Bay to Fort Monroe in Virginia. From there, the 48^th PVI was attached to the larger Burnsides Expedition to North Carolina (Hatteras/New Berne area). After the North Carolina expedition the 48^th PVI was moved north and participated in the 2^nd battle of Bull Run, where JWD was wounded on August 29^th, 1862 and taken prisoner. He was paroled by the Confederates, and was transported to Georgetown College Hospital in Washington, D.C. After staying in Washington and missing the battles of Antietam and South Mountain, he was transferred to the Cherry and Broad Street hospital in Philadelphia, Pa in December of 1863. He was subsequently furloed home for further recuperation.

His unit was then detached for guard duty in Kentucky and Tennessee, where his unit re-enlisted in December 1863 at Blains Crossroads, TN. In 1864, the 48^th PVI was involved in Grant’s campaigns of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania Courthouse, Cold Harbor, etc…and eventually the Petersburg Campaign. JWD, as part of the 48^th PVI was integral in the digging of the Mine Crater. Documentation of his participation in the actual mining activities and subsequent illness from the damp/cold conditions are documented in his post mortem pension application by his widow, Magdalena Derr. Pension affidavits by his fellow soldiers indicate that his participation in the mining activities, along with his wounding at 2^nd Bull Run were the primary cause of his early death in 1876

In addition to his participation in the Petersburg Siege, JWD participated in the 1863 Army review by President Lincoln in Washington, D.C., the Grand Review of 1865 in Washington, D.C.

He was mustered out of the Army in July of 1865 and returned home to live out his remaining short life, dying on January 12, 1876 at age 37.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Letter #4 -- Fort Hatteras, North Carolina -- December 22, 1861

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