Civil War Letters of John W. Derr: July 2012

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Letter #18 - New Port News, Virginia - July 19, 1862

The letter of July 19, 1862 was written a mere three days after the last letter home. I believe this is because the 48th PVI was stationary in camp without a lot to do. Having transitioned from New Berne, NC earlier in the month, the regiment was now waiting in Newport News for the "war ending" march to Richmond. As we now know...this was not to be that campaign. For JWD, the summer fighting season of 1862 would culminate in a life changing event with his wounding at the Second Battle of Bull Run in August. His five months of convalescence would make him miss such bloody battles as...the Battle of South Mountain in Maryland, and the Battle of Antietam. Both of these battle saw a heavy engagement by the 48th PVI, and his absence was probably a good thing for him...and for me!

This letter again highlights the frustration of 19th century communications. JWD is writing home to ask his father to explain a sentence that his father wrote to him in a previous letter. Not surprisingly, JWD is anxious to get an explanation...especially since it involved money.

Letter #17....

Newport News, West Virginia

July the 19, 1862

Dear Father,

I take my pen in hand to let you know that I am well at present time and I hope that this few lines will find you in the same state of good health. I received your letter on the 18 of this month and you wrote sumthing to me about some money but I can’t take no understanding out of it. I don’t know what you mean about or by it. I will write it down just like you wrote it to me. It commences in this manner: “you be willing to get 17 cents back for silver and gold I could get it in that way it would be much better till the 15 of this month I can draw it again.” That is the way it reads in your letter and I don’t know what it means. I wish you would write to me again and let me know what you did mean by it. You will draw my money again on the 18 of this month and then I wish you would let me know how much money I have at home. And then I can let you know something about what you wrote to me. Further I let you know that we aren’t at New Bern no more. We left New Bern and we started for Richmond but we didn’t get there. We only came to Newport News and there we are yet. But I think we will leave for Richmond before long. But now I must come to a close and say good by for this time. Don’t forget to answer this letter as soon as you get this from me.

Your Respectful Son,

John W. Derr

Direct your letter to John W. Derr, Co. “D”, 48^th Regiment PA. Burnsides Expedition, Newport News Way, Fortress Monroe, Virginia.

I send my best respects to all the neighbors and hope that they are all well.

Jim D.

Monday, July 16, 2012

Letter #17 -- New Port News, Virginia - July 16, 1862

The letter of July 16, 1862 is much like others during this period between the battles at New Berne, North Carolina and the eventual campaign that would lead to the 2nd Battle of Bull Run later in the summer. In this letter, JWD indicates that the 48th PVI has begun its movement out of North Carolina and back into Virginia. Interestingly, his letter head states "West Virginia" vs. Virginia. I find that interesting since West Virginia did not become a separate state until 1863! Did JWD have clairvoyance!? Anyway....these letters during the summer of 1862 do not shed much light on anything in particular, but provide a nice parallel to the true troop movements as documented in the official records. This letter also provides a bit of the country humor and exaggerations...these little attempts at humor probably made his family chuckle a bit as they read the letter....for example...

"But I let you know that it is very hot here. You may think that it is very hot here for we don’t need any fire to cook our beansoup and fix our coffee. We can just let it out in the sun and it will boil there. "

At the close of the letter there are different names printed...Solomey A. Derr and Soloma R. Derr. We know that he had a little sister named Solomy Derr. The handwriting on the close of the letter is different, which makes me think that his little sister must have taken the letter after it got home and practiced her signature. Kind of a nice family heirloom and one that a direct descendant of Solomy might like to see. If you are reading the blog...enjoy!

I appreciate all of you for your continued support and for following the blog even during these lull periods where the letters are not very interesting. I promise you that they become a bit more interesting after the 2nd Battle of Bull Run. The letters of September 1862 provide a much more intriguing look into a life changing event for JWD. But for now....Letter # 17 from New Port News, Virginia...

Newport News, State of

West Virginia, July 16, 1862

My Dear Father,

I take my pen in hand to inform this few lines to you to let you know that I am well at present time and I hope that this few lines will find you in the same state of good health. Further I let you know that I received your letter yesterday evening. While I was reading it we had a very hard rain storm but I was very glad to here from you and to hear that you are all well at present time. Further I let you know that we moved again. We was to go --- to Richmond to take it but then we only come to Newport News and there we are camped now and I don’t know where we will go next. But I let you know that it is very hot here. You may think that it is very hot here for we don’t need any fire to cook our beansoup and fix our coffee. We can just let it out in the sun and it will boil there. Further I wish you would let me know whether you did draw my last pay or not and would let me know how much money you got saved for me and then I can make a calculation about that what you wrote to me about, that is if you want to have her there. So I must come to a close and say good by for this time. Answer me this letter as soon as you get this from me.

John W. Derr

Solomey A. Derr

Soloma R. Derr

Direct your letter to John W. Derr, Burnsides Expedition Way, Fortress Monroe, Virginia

Jim D.

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.