Civil war letters and documents of Frederick Tomlinson Peet online

day in front of my tent— Isn't it rather dis-
gusting to think that none of the Harrals,
or Uncle Williams big crowd of boys are
in the service? Fred Harrall is going to



ON FOLLEY ISLAND, S. C. 265

study for an M D. I dont know what the
devil I shall be when this cruel war is
over.

Always your true friend & coz

Harry.



Marine Battalion

Folley Island S. C.

Oct 1, 63
Dear Mother

I have just this moment received a letter
from Wm also one from Harry Hubbell.
Your letter was received a few days ago.

Saturday last we struck tents and came
by steamboat to this Island. We are now
very pleasantly situated on the S. Western
corner, before us is Folley River which
separates us from James Island, on our left
(south) is Stone Inlet at the head of which
can be seen through the trees the village of



256 CIVIL WAR LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS

LeGreeville with its white Church steeple
and picturesque houses, making altogether
quite an enchanting little picture. Our
Gamp is pitched on a slight eminence cov-
ered with large pine-trees which afford
shelter to all, but to me especially reminis-
cences of my Virginia Campaign which
strange as it may seem, appear now very
pleasant. We have not much to do so I
sleep and read most of the time. There is
a detail of 100 men every four days for the
Pawnee I expect to go on board to night.
My only objection to it, is my want of nice
clothes. My shoes are worn out, and I
am the happy possesor of only one white
shirt. My Grimia shirts are all too small,
my drawers are buttonless and stringless,
and my small stock of pins rappidly becom-
ing demoralized. I wrote to Wm of the
articles which I wanted, but forgot to men-



ON FOLLEY ISLAND 257

tion a French and English Dictionary, also
stationery. I want paper colars 14 1-2
inches. Now I think with Wms list you
have the sum-total of my wants. I went
shooting yesterday but was unsuccessful.
Our life here is very dull. Would that
Charleston was taken and we on the Arago
—bound for N. York. You must not
worry yourself about me, as there is little
danger of our being attacked, and less of
our attacking them just now.

The weather here is warm by day and
cool at night.

Give my love to all at home and write
soon to

Your loving Son

Fred.

Tell Wm I have received the $10. and
am trying to draw my pay for 3 mos of the
Paymaster of the Wabash.



258 CIVIL WAR LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS

Washington, D. C.

14 October, '63.

Dear Peet — I have made several at-
tempts to answer your interesting letter;
but a whirlwind of business has always
swept me from my purpose. Indeed I
scarcely write to my family now.

Your letter, when digested by me, was
sent to Weston & Hastings— then with the
Regt.— and read by them with great satis-
faction—The Major is now in Washington,
detailed as Judge Advocate of a Court
Martial— and Weston is at home conva-
lescing. He had a bad attack of Scurvy,
and when he passed through here, on his
way home, I did not know him at first, his
face being much disfigured— I spent the
last week of Sept. in New York, where I
saw W. & left him much better.

I was rejoiced, my dear Peet, to find that



WASHINGTON, D. C. 259

you were not one of those who were hurt
in the assault of Sumter: also— that you did
not have to storm Wagner. The almost
universal feeling here is— that the Army
has done about all they can at Charleston;
and that the Navy must do the rest.

We therefore expect to hear great things
from you soon.

Marines, being amphibious, web-footed
etc, go about on all elements, I suppose,
with equal facility; so that it must make
little difference to you whether you lead a
white-belted band in a skirmish on James
Island— or go down under water, in com-
mand of a diving bell, or torpedo, party.

It is quite unnecessary to suggest to a
Peet— that no quarter must be shown to
Beauregard, when he is captured— Let him
be so treated that poetical justice may be
satisfied— When he surrenders, he should



260 CIVIL WAR LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS

be compelled to hand over his sword to a
colored corporal, and then be marched off
to durance vile under a guard of a file or
two of colored soldiers.

We all feel here that Bragg gained very
little by his stopping the advance of Rose-
crans. His loss was too great to compen-
sate for the advantage gained.

Meade will not be likely to assume the
offensive, I think, this season; nor do I
think, as some do, that Lee will advance
again upon the Potomac.

We are all gratified by the defeat of Val-
landigham & Woodward— which seems to
be an utter rout of Gopperheadism in those
states.

The feeling grows stronger & stronger
throughout the North— that Mr. Lincoln
must be President for a second term. The
confidence & support felt & given him is



WASHINGTON, D. C. 261

now general throughout the country — he
understands fully the working of the ma-
chinery which he has at last brought into
excellent order.

A new man, however good, will make a
break and a jar — to say no worse.

Of course Mr Lincoln would not stand
again, if he could help it:— but, as a gentle-
man said to me in New York, the neces-
sity for his doing so is as great as it was
when Washington consented, agst his will,
to take a second term.

Col. Berdan was published, on Sept. 28,
to stand dismissed the Service (for "ab-
sence without leave, and disobedience of
orders",) unless he made satisfactory de-
fence before Gen. Ricketts' Commission —
in 15 days.

The time is expired. We shall soon
hear, probably, if he has succeeded (as he



262 CIVIL WAR LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS

generally does) in acquitting himself. In
this case, the charges are preferred by the
Corps commander — The offence, as I un-
derstand it was — his going home & letting
his officers go home without attending to
business — when specially detailed with one
or two line officers to proceed to Riker's
Island & get conscripts for his Regt.

The Major would send love if not en-
gaged He & I are living now at the
Woods House 255 "H" St.— with a club of
Officers — Col. Ruggles — Maj. Williams —
Capt. Lawrence & some others — We are
entirely independent, as if in our own
House— having leased it for 2 yrs. When
you return, my dear Peet, I shall often see
you, at dinner.

Till then Good Bye & may the cherub
take the best care of you —
Yrs as ever

W. W. Winthrop

Capt. etc.



ON FOLLEY ISLAND, S. C. 263

address — Judge Advocate Gen's Office
War Department

Washington.



Marine Battalion

Folly Island S. G.

October 20, 63
Dear Father

Your letter dated 12th came to hand this
morning. My tent mate Dr Wolverton
went to the Inlet this morning and will in-
quire if the schooner has arrived, if so I
will go up in a day or two and get the
trunk and hunt up the box.

Lt Meeker went to Port Royal last week
but could not find them. The only way is
for me to get leave and see about it my-
self. 1 wish you would let Wm have
enough money to settle my debts. I will



264 CIVIL WAR LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS

send the money to you this or next week,
as I have made arrangements with Pay-
master Lawrence of the "Pawnee" to let
me have $200 which will still leave me that
amt in his hands at the end of this month.
Tell Wm to say when he incloses the dif-
ferent amounts that I did not pay them
owing to my not being able to get my ac-
counts. I wish you would direct my let-
ters and bundles Care of the "Pawnee"
Stone Inlet, which will greatly expedite
their delivery. I am very much obliged
for the watch although I have not yet seen
it. I hope you sent a good strong key with
it. Since I last wrote you I have changed
my tent and now am very pleasantly situ-
ated on the best site in the Camp. We,
the Dr & I have put the two tents to-
gether; one we use to receive company
and the other to sleep in.



ON FOLLEY ISLAND, S. C. 265

The former is boarded on the floor and
has a couch of my own manufacture stuffed
with grass and covered with my india rub-
ber blanket. This with an immense easy
chair and two stools complete our parlor
furniture. Our own tent is by far the
most cozy looking. On the side opposite
the entrance is our writing table where I
am now seated trying to give you an idea
of comforts and camp luxuries. Above
the table which is covered with a clean
towel (not mine for I have only three left)
and several books all in a good state of
preservation hangs three pictures, the
lower one is composed of six of my pretty-
est girls, Miss Hall, Perry, Bessie, Carrie
Sproules, Miss Bean, and Miss Gross,
next above my picture hangs one of the
Doctors cousin a very pretty face in a
"passe partout" frame, and above all,



266 CIVIL WAR LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS

John Rutherford looks down through his
spectacles. Our beds are on the sides of
the tent and when our mosquito nets are
up we look as comfortable as possible.
During the day our servants trice up the
sides of the tent which gives us a cool
breeze and at evening they are lowered
and pegged down which make us as com-
fortable as need be.

I went to see Lt (Guy) Henry com-
manding B Battery in 1st U. S. A. he is
very pleasant. I never saw such pleasant
fellows as there are in the Navy and espec-
ially on board the "Wabash" & "Pawnee".
I have been invited several times to dinner
with them, but have not as yet been able to
go. I am afFraid that Dr. Mayo is wrong
about our returning. I have no idea of
being north for at least three months yet.
All we do is to furnish 100 men every four



ON FOLLEY ISLAND, S. C. 267

days for the "Pawnee", and drill three
hours a day. I am very well indeed, have
got over my diarrhea almost entirely. I
received a letter through Win from Cousin
Helen Bostwick for her Mother, but have
not met any of Gilmores Staff since. To
day we are hard at work arranging the
Gamp, all tents have been struck and
pitched on the parade ground while we are
at work leveling and digging.
10 OClock P. M.

The Gamp is still, not a sound can be
heard the Dr who russles his paper as he
reads and the roar of the surf a mile dis-
tant are the only sounds which break in
upon me as I write. The moon is well up
and makes the scene quite romantic.

I had a call to day from Genl. Ames
whom I met at Miss Wrights in Washing-
ton. Our being regulars opens a way to



268 CIVIL WAR LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS

Military society which is not known in the
volunteers. I have just received your let-
ters written up to the 12th. I cant tell you
how much prized will be the watch which
you have sent me I shall think much more
of it than I should had I kept it. The
Schooner has not yet arrived but is ex-
pected soon. The box is still unfound. I
packed all my things in a large box and
left them in Washington at the Barracks;
the box is very large and complety tilled
with them. I would not send for it yet
until we are sure of either staying in Win-
ter Quarters or returning to the North,
where I hope soon to be. I wish you
would send the inclosed letter to its desti-
nation, and put in it the $5.00 which I owe
him.

I will send the money home this or next
week to you if possible. Give my love to



ON FOLLEY ISLAND, S. C. 269

Mother and all the family tell Hattie she
must get well soon.
With love to all

I remain Your Affectionate Son

Fred.
Lt. U S. M. G.
Oct. 22. I have not had a chance to
send this yet to day I received $200 from
Paymaster Lawrence. I shall change 1-2
of it for a $100 check in N Y. Treasury
and send it as soon as possible to Wm. 1
will pay the $5 spoken of in a previous
part of the letter.



Marine Battalion

Folly Island S. G.

Nov 5, 63
Dear Father

Your letter of 28th Oct was handed to

me this morning, I dont understand why



270 CIVIL WAR LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS

you don't get my letters. I wrote a long
one not over two weeks since to you, also
one to Wm, at same time sent two or three
more to different friends.

But first of all let me say that both the
box and trunk have arrived, the former
was brought here from Morris Island by
Gregory, of 144th N. Y. the one who
sometimes favors us with a call. You may
remember him as he is lame. My trunk
arrived night before last. Every thing
was appreciated but I cant thank you too
much for my old friend the watch. It is
quite an acqusition to the Gamp as there
are but two or three here. I am so glad to
hear that Sarah is better, tell her that her
present was just what I wanted, with the
carte of Mr Taft the book is exactly filled.
In the box the lemons sugar and vinegar
were all that could be used, the cakes "bad



ON FOLLEY ISLAND, S. C. 271

luck to them" were all mashed up in a
heap, and in such a state of demoralization
that I threw them away. In my trunk
every thing was found in order, my under-
clothes only being soaked in condensed
milk. The Coffee and pickles were in-
stantly attacked. The fruit cake has been
tasted by all the Officers and pronounced
"good" A little still remains, but circum-
stances favoring, it will be demolished to
day. My Collars fit me very well and
arrived in good order, if we except one
corner of about 30 which were soaked in
melted ginger cakes. The clothes and
boots all fit well, the latter are rather large
but that is no drawback. The Dr my tent-
mate, who by the way is a glorious fellow,
says that the green ginger is a "big thing"
The rice I will not need as I am now in
good health. Tell Mother that we get



272 CIVIL WAR LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS

coffee and milk here, so I shall turn the
latter into the Mess. The vinegar (hoth
bottles) I sent to the Hospital for the sick.
The handkerchiefs are very nice. One is
devoted to polishing my pipe. Tell Aunty
that I am exceedingly obliged for the
trunk, I will take the best care of it.
Wednesday I left the "Pawnee" having
had command of a guard of 70 men rank
and file, for five days The officers were
very kind offering me every thing 1
wanted. One of the three second Lts here
will have to remain in charge of the Guard,
when the Battalion returns North. I hope
it will not be me. If we dont go home
soon I will have my best coat and panta-
loons sent down, for I was really ashamed
of myself last week. The officers here
dress almost as well as they do up North.
I have had command of every Company in



ON FOLLEY ISLAND, S. C. 273

the Battalion. Lt Bradford who was
wounded at Sumter is dead. I received a
letter from Lt Meade which I inclose. If
you think best you can take it to Capt
Meade of the North Carolina who might
be glad to see it. Bradford was attended
by the Bishop and had all the attention
possible. He was one of our best Officers
and much beloved by us all. When I was
examined he was on the board. I met
Gapt Bragg of Gillmores Staff on the
"Pawnee" and gave him $80 in an envelop
directed to Wm. he promised to leave it
at the house.

All of Mr Hubbells and Cousin Helens
letters have been sent. On my return
from "Pawnee" I met a friend on Sey-
mours Staff (Lt. Bradshaw a Brooklynite)
who had the letters for the South and was
about to send them in so I gave him mine.



274 CIVIL WAR LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS

If they are stopped it will be by the rebels
for being too long, but I am not affraid of
it, as they must be fools if they stop letters
of any length written to themselves. Mrs
Calhouns letters will be sent by first oppor-
tunity, I dont object to put myself out to
oblige others but I must say that it is not
pleasant to receive letters to have sent
South, unaccompanied by a note to me of
some kind, as was Mrs Calhouns. I had a
great mind not to send it, I have since
thought better of it and if possible will
oblige them.

Mr Hubbell always writes a note thank-
ing me. Tell him that his have been sent,
having found Cousin Helens first letter I
sent all three of hers, also.

Orders came to the Admiral for our re-
turn but he quietly pocketed them and
wrote back to the Dpt that he wanted us



ON FOLLEY ISLAND, S. C. 275

here. We are daily expecting our orders
either to stay here or to go North. Tell
Julia I will answer her letter also the others
soon I came off Guard this a. in and have
been writing ever since, so am rather tired.
We are now very comfortable our Gamp
is in beautiful order. Gen (Fingle penny)
(?) (which is the nearest we can get to
pronouncing his name) came to look and
take pattern of our Gamp last week. The
weather here is superb. We have just
built a large fire place in our parlor tent
four feet by three, so on cold nights we
have quite a collection of Officers here.
There are only about a dozen sick in
Gamp. The Admiral says he is going in as
soon as his Iron Glads return from Port
Royal where they have been since the
Sullivans Island fight, which by the by was
the prettyest fight I have yet seen. I will



276 CIVIL WAR LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS

tell you about it when I return. I wrote
Lt Bishop of the Vermont stationed at Port
Royal and he thanked Capt Ellis for bring-
ing the trunk.

Thank them all at home for remember-
ing me, and write soon.

Your Affectionate Son
Fred.
Lt Marines.
I received a letter from Fred Terry to
day. I wrote both to Rutherford & Hub-
bell about two weeks since.

Write soon and tell me about Sarah
Libby and Hatty.



Note — This is the last letter which can be found. His later
career in the Marines is outlined in the last paper of this
volume, containing his Official Military History.



OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS 277

Marine Battalion

Folly Island 18. Nov. 1863
Lieut. F. T. Peet,
Sir.

You are detailed as a
member of a General Court Martial, to
convene this day at 10 oc— at the Marine
Camp at Folly Island, S. C— You will in
consequence, report to the Commanding
Officer of the Battalion in time to meet the
detail. A Boat will be sent for you daily
at stated hours; you will report accord-
ingly to the Commanding or Executive
Officer of the Ship on leaving and return-
ing to duty.

Jno. Geo. Reynolds

Commd.^ Battalion



278 CIVIL WAR LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS

Reported Nov 18th
C. G Mc.Cawley

Capt.
Senior Off & President.

Head Quarters Marine Corps,

Washington, Dec. 4th 1863
Sir;

You are hereby detached from the Bat-
talion, and will proceed to New York, and
report to Major Zeilin for duty.
Very respectfully,
Yours,

Jno Harris

Col Com dt
Approved —

G. H. Fox,

Asst. Secy
Lieut. Fredk. T. Peet,
U. S. Marine Corps,
Marine Battalion,

Philadelphia.



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
NAVY DEPARTMENT.

By direction of the President of the United States you are hereby
promoted to the grade of 3irst Cieutenant in the United States
^Atarine Corps from the 3irst day of September one thousand
eight hundred and sixty 3our and to take rank next after 1st Cieu-
tenant James SB. Young.

Given under my hand and seal of the
Navy Department at the City of
Washington, this 17th day of September
one thousand eight hundred and sixty 3our.

SiJeon "Welles

Secretary of the Navy.

1st Cieutenant

Frederick J. Weet, Jr.,

U. S. Navy.

7U. S. Steamer Niagara,

Antwerp, iaelgium.



Note— A commission on parchment will be forwarded after con-
firmation by the Senate.



Sir:



NAVY DEPARTMENT



24 J,



ii nimry



\&65.



The President of the United States, by and with the advice and
consent of the Senate, having appointed you a &inst Cieutenant in
the -^ttarine Corps, on the Active Cist, from the ^?irst of
September \%64, I have the pleasure to enclose herewith your com-
mission, dated the 73 January T865 the receipt of which you will
acknowledge to the Department.

I am, respectfully,
3tecd and forw* J Y our obedient servant,

^iarcA 72 7865 Gideon We)les

Jnos. J. Craven Secretary of the Navy.

Com.



tfirst Lieutenant

Frederick J. 2>eet, Jr.,

U. S. Navy.

Ct. S. Steamer -Niagara,

Coast of Q/urope.



OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS 281

Head Quarters Marine Corps,

Washington 28th Octob. 1865
Sir,

At the expiration of your leave of
absence you will proceed to Philadelphia
and report to Colonel Wm. L. Shuttle-
worth, Commanding Marines at that sta-
tion for duty.

You will also report to the Naval Com-
mandant of the Station.

I am very respectfully,
Your obedt Servt.
J. Zeilin.

Colonel Commandant.
Approved, G. Welles

Reported

Marine Barrack

Philad'a 2 d Nov. 1865
W. L. Shuttleworth

Col. Comm'g Post

1" Lieut. Fred. T. Peet,
U. S. Marines,

New York



282 CIVIL WAR LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS

Head Quarters Marine Corps,

Washington 3" February 1866.
Sir

You are hereby detached from the
Philadelphia Station, and will proceed to
Brooklyn, and report to Colonel Wm. L.
Shuttleworth, Commanding Marines at
that Station for duty.

You will also report to the Naval Com-
mandant of the Station.

Very respectfully yours,
J. Zeilin.
Colonel Commandant.

Approved : G. Welles

Marine Barracks Brooklyn
Reported 7th Feby '66
W. L Shuttleworth

Col. Comm'g Post

Lieut. Fred T. Peet,
U. S. M. Corps,

Philadelphia,

Penn



OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS 283

Head Quarters Marine Corps,

Washington Aug 29th 1866.
Sir,

Agreeably to your request a leave

of absence for thirty days, commencing on
the 1" September proxo, is hereby granted
to you.

At the expiration of your leave you will
return to the Brooklyn Station.
I am very respectfully

Your obd't. servt.'
J. Zeilin.

Colonel Command't.
Approved :

W m Faxon,

Acting Secretary.

Red'd & Forwarded, Aug 1 30th '66
W. L. Shuttleworth
Col. Comm'g Post
1" Lieut Fred'k. T. Peet,
U. S. Marines.

Brooklyn, N. Y.



l!S4 CIVIL WAR LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS

[copy]

54 & 56 Exchange Place
New York April 4, 1871.
Hon. Cornelius Cole
U. S Senate
My Dear Sir

It affords me pleasure to introduce
and to commend to your most favorable
consideration my young friend Mr Freder-
ick T. Peet, one of your constituency in
California. Mr Peet entered the Army in
1861, when free from his studies at the age
of 20. He carries in his chest a rebel ball
and was as brave & gallant in action as any
man in the U. S. Army

He is the brother in law of my partner
Mr. Terry and I shall be much gratified if
you can comply with his wishes.
I am dear Senator

Very truly yours

E. D. Morgan.



In replying refer to No.

HEADQUARTERS U. S. MARINE CORPS,

ADJUTANT and INSPECTOR'S OFFICE,

HY Washington, D. C, December 3, 1904.

MILITARY HISTORY OF FREDERICK T. PEET. JR.,
late first lieutenant, U. S. M. C.

Commissioned second lieutenant, U. S. M. C, June 14, 1862.

Joined at marine barracks, Washington, D. O. December 8, 1 862.

Detached from marine barracks, Washington, D. O, July 23, 1863,
and ordered to marine barracks, Brooklyn, N. Y.; joined July 25, 1863.

Detached from marine barracks, Brooklyn, N. Y., August 1 , 1 863,
and ordered to the Marine Battalion for Morris Island, S. C.

Joined Marine Barracks, Philadelphia, Pa., December 5, 1863.

Detached from marine barracks, Philadelphia, Pa., December 7,
I 863 and ordered to marine barracks, Brooklyn, N. Y.; joined Decem-
ber 9, 1863.

Detached from marine barracks, Brooklyn, N. Y., April 21,1 864,
and ordered to the U. S. S. NIAGARA ; joined April 26, 1864.

Promoted first lieutenant September 1 , 1 864.

Joined at marine barracks, Boston, Mass., September 29, 1865.

Detached from marine barracks, Boston, Mass., November 2, 1 865,
and ordered to marine barracks, Philadelphia, Pa.; joined November 6,
1865.

Detached from marine barracks, Philadelphia, Pa., February 5,
I 866, and ordered to marine barracks, Brooklyn, N. Y.; joined Febru-
ary 7, 1 866.

Detached from marine barracks, Brooklyn, N. Y., September 3,
1867, and ordered to marine barracks. Mare Island, Cal.; joined Octo-
ber 15, 1867.

Resigned August 28, 1 869.