WASHINGTON, DC
MILITARY RECORDS OF:
George Bolton. (Corp) Co B, 77 Reg, NY Inf
Description:
Age: 30 Ht: 5' 8 1/2"; Eyes: blue;
Complexion: lt; Hair: lt.
Born: Lancaster, England
Occupation: Mechanic Joined: Sept 16, 1861
Enlistment: Sept 24, 1861 at Ballston Spa, NY.
Muster-in date: Oct 1, 1861
MUSTER ROLL
Oct - May = Present
May - June 1862 = Absent -- sick in hospital at Savage Station, Va.
June 26, 1862 = Absent -- suppose to be POW
July - August 1862 = Absent -- Prisoner in Richard, Va.
-- sent to places unknown, Liberty hall
-- sent to rear, sick since may 3 in
northern hospital or at home in
Ballston Spa, NY
Sept - Oct 1862 = Absent -- Prisoner at Ft Delaware since June 30
Nov - Dec 1862 = Absent -- Prisoner at Ft Delaware
Jan - Feb 1863 = Present -- Appointed Corporal, Oct 31, 1862
April 1 1863 = Appointed Sargent in place of Sidney O Cormack
April 10 1863 = Special Muster Roll - Present
May 1863 = Reg return - Absent - Furloughed 10 days May 28, 1863
July - Aug 1863 = Present
April 1864 = Present at Muster Roll
April 1864 = Present at Muster Roll
June 1864 = Killed on June 4 At Cold Harbor, VA
Co muster out roll Saratoga Springs, NY Dec 13, 1864
Last paid - Feb 29, 1864
FIRST LETTER
Camp near White Oak Church, VA Jan 9, 1863
Dear Wife and Children:
I have the pleasure of informing you that I
am enjoying good health and I hope that all of you is enjoying the same blessing. I
arrived safe to the Reg't on Wednesday evening first after dark, we left camp Parole on
Monday evening and marched down to the city of Annapolis to the United States Navy Yard,
we embarked about eight o'clock PM on the steam boat Belvedier, about one thousand
exchanged prisoners, the passage was much pleasanter than the one from Ft Delaware to
Annapolis, we arrived at Aqua Creek on Tuesday about eleven AM. We had not been there many
minutes before the men was to be seen in all directions so John and myself thought before
we would go any farther that we would make ourselves some coffee, so at it we went and
made some first rate coffee, had hardees to eat with it. We then found out where we had to
go and remain until further orders, which was about a half mile to a new building called
the Soldier Retreat, where we got plenty to eat and a nights lodging. On Wednesday morning
we received orders to go to our respective Reg't. The officers that had us in charge done
the best they could to get transportation for us on the railroad to Falmouth Station which
is twelve miles but we was doomed to disappointment, so we marched that 12 miles first
rate we only stopped a few minutes on the way to make some coffee. Falmouth Station is
opposite to the city of Fredricksburg. We could see the city very plain the Rebels now
occupy that place. Both armies is very near to each other but I have not heard any firing
since I came here, after we got to the Station we found to our sorrow that our march was
not finished for that day, we had to paddle off again another two miles to be reported to
Gen'l Franklins head quarters, and then from there to the Brigadier General head quarters
which was two miles more easy enough. You can bet that we was tired enough when we got to
the Reg't. I never in my life had my hands take such a shaking. I believe I was real
welcome. I have been tenting with Lieut. Smith since my arrival. I am satisfied that he
has used me as well as need be. Who I should tent with hereafter I cannot tell at present.
I found the company all feeling first rate with the exception of one. He is pretty sick.
He is a young man that you do not know. I have found that our Company has had quite a
number of deaths since I was with them and a few discharges owing to disability. I visited
the 30th Reg't yesterday which was about three miles from this Comp. Dick was gone on
fatigue duty and would not return until dark so I did not see him. He is well of course,
or he would not be on duty. The men I converse with thinks that C Bacon is prisoner of
war. he was left in care with other two men with same horses. I have forgot the name of
the place, and he has not been heard of since. I think I will see Dick in a few days. I
was in great hopes of getting a letter from you this morning. I told the Postmaster at
Camp Parole to forward any letters directed to me and it must be that you wrote to me
before you received the letter I wrote you notifying you of our leaving the Comp. Probably
I shall get it in a few days if you sent one to that place. E Hall is not here and all
that I can find out about him is that he was in Frederick, Maryland two months since, and
he was sick. My dear Lib I hope that you will write to me as often as you can whether you
hear from me or not as you will have to direct all of your letters as you used to. I feel
very anxious about the baby, and another thing, be as particular about answering questions
that I may ask you in my letters. My Dear you are not as punctual with answering my
questions as I be with you. I have no more to say at present. I remain yours faithful
until death.
Geo. Bolton
letterhead: Geo Bolton
Company B, 77th Regiment New York
Washington, DC
direct L Smith gave me paper and stamp
SECOND LETTER
Camp near Birlin, MD
July 18, 1863
Dear Wife:
I snatch this opportunity of answering your letter of the 1st. I received it on the 12th about 10 o'clock at night after I had a hard days march. We and just got to bed and was going to sleep when the mail came in. You had better believe I was glad when I learned that I had a letter. I was happy to learn that you are all well as I am at the present, thank God. Dear Lib. you say that I must try to have two letters on the way all of the time. I assure you that I have done the best I could to write as often as possible since I got back. This will be the third on the way that I received no answer from, the chances of writing now adays are few and far between so you must excuse the poor writing, bad spelling, and short letters. You know you said I must write if it was only a line or two so I take you at your word. You don't need to think that I ever could ever forget you or forget to write when there is any chance. You say you cannot write as I wish you because you have nothing to write about. Well I won't ask you no more. Do as you please, only answer me all my letter, if they are as short as mine. I should have wrote you yesterday, but I was on duty all day.
Dear Lib, we are kept on the go most all of the time since I got back to the Reg't. We are marching all night and day, it comes pretty hard I tell you. I wrote you a letter when we was on picket at Antietam Creek about 7 days ago. We left there that night and have been marching ever since with the exception of yesterday. We are expecting to move every hour now. The next move will be back to So. Virginia again. My dear, I am in great hopes of the war coming to close soon. What do you think? We have given Gen. Lee a good licking here. Look at Vicksburg and Port Hudson the prospect is now anyway.
I am glad that Diantha is going to school
but I hope she is not going amongst such a set as before. You keep a good lookout and tell
me how she gets along. It pleases me to think that the baby don't forget me. I hope I
shall get back then she never will as long as she lives. Do you think she will? Give my
respects to Isaish & his wife. Tell them I am in hopes of seeing them soon if I am
spared to get through. If we do meet we shall certainly make that old building totter
won't we. It will be different than what my furlough can do. I never met with a stranger
and formed acquaintances so quick and I am sure I never saw anyone that I thought so much
of as I do them, and I hope you are the same. Our Regt. was paid when I was to home but I
think that we shall get our pay again pretty soon, but I am not sure. I rather dread this
pay day coming for I have got to pay out so much but you are aware of it. I shall send all
I hopefully can but I don't want to disappoint you. I saw Dick three nights ago, he looks
first rate. He had a very near escape when in the Battle. There was a ball passed through
between the sole of his shoe and his toes. He was lamed a little and was taken prisoner of
war but was recaptured again. He is alright and on duty again, He was very fortunate
indeed. There is only about one hundred and 20 of them left in their Regt. I don't blame
him about not writing much for there is very little time now adays. He says that he writes
more to the Cal than to his own folks. He wants I should send his love to all of you. Tell
Cal, Deek says if I don't write much it is not because he is forgetting anyone. I believe
him. He has not had a letter from Charlie in over 2 months. What is Charlie doing now
adays? Tell Cal to give that Clark the sack if she interests to have Deek. I was in hopes
that I should get a answer to the letter that I wrote you when we was near Manchester,
before we leave this place but I shall be disappointed of course it is 18 days since I
sent it. If I get time I can write on another piece of paper about our marching.
Give my love to all and accept the same yourself from yours the same.
Geo. Bolton
THIRD LETTER (PARTIAL)
Camp near Brandy Station, VA
December the, 1863
Dear Wife:
We are back in our old camp and I assure
you that we are glad of it, for we have suffered a great deal during the last few days. I
will endeavour to relate my story to you as well as I can. I certainly cannot paint the
suffering one bit worse than it was. We left our camp early on Thanksgiving day morning
and marched until after ten o'clock that night before we got permission to make for
ourselves a little coffee. This was a great Thanksgiving day for the Army. We was all on
the go some on one road some on another but anyway we got our coffee at last which is the
greatest luxury we ever have when on the march, or any other time I guess. We started
again in a few minutes and crossed the Rapidan that night a little after eleven o'clock,
then we halted and was in our beds in a very few minutes, it was freezing pretty hard but
we managed to keep midling warm. Next morning we got up about five o'clock and had a
pretty good breakfast. The sixth Corps was all together in one field that morning. We had
lots of music I tell you, the first two tunes that our Brigade band played I could not
help but notice - When This Cruel War Is Over and Rally Round the Flag Boys and I guess
they didn't forget Home Sweet Home. I know I didn't. We remained in this position until
after dinner. We could hear the distant cannonading pretty much all the morning. This was
the 27th of November, just after we got our lunch we heard a little musketry about three
miles to the left of us. We was all in line in a very short time and went off on the
double quick until we was in shelling distance. But thank God the 77th was fortunate once
again. We only had a few wounded. Poor Isace Boyce had another very near escape. He had
been wounded twice, once front of Richmond, and at Fredricksburg, this time a piece of
shell just grazed his head. He would never have known what hit him if his head had been an
inch or two higher from the ground. We was all laid flat on the ground during this
cannonading. Our Corps was in reserve for third corps so we did not get fairly into the
engagement. I understand we lost about two thousand men in this fight, I never heard such
a continue of musketry before. I think it lasted from about one o'clock until darkness
which brought it to a close for that day. I was up until after ten o'clock that night -
Sergt. of the Camp Guard - then I got to go to bed and had three hours good sleep. We was
called up at one o'clock to skedadal away from that position. Now it is the 28th of
November and marched 7 hours then we halted for one hour to take breakfast. Started again
at 9 AM We hadn't gone far when our skirmishes was driving the Rebs at a pretty good rate.
The Rebs kept falling back until they got into their rifle pits and across their swamps
and creek, now they are alright and want us to follow them, but our Generals knew a little
better. So today we had very bad weather rained all day which made it very bad for us to
get through all kinds of places, rough roads, crossing through woods, swamps, bushes,
creeks, it beat all, but no matter we kept just as close as was becoming for us with any
kind of safety. There was a little fighting all day but did not amount to much. We
remained in this position till next day at 2 o'clock PM the 29th November. The weather is
fine, coming on very cold, moved about one mile to the left and was in line of - until
after dark. We got to bed that night about 8 o'clock. Called up at 12 o'clock midnight and
marched right off to the position as assigned for us the following morning where the fight
was to take place. Here we had the privledge of lying down, but oh dear, talk about
sleeping, it was easier to freeze. We had no fire and didn't have coffee before we started
which made it a great deal more tedious, one man died with the cold but I think it was
through being without overcoat, all that we could do was to keep walking to be the least
comfortable, at least, daylight made its appearance. Our folks commenced their best music
all along the lines with a number of their big tunes. This cannonading was to keep on one
half hour and then the infantry was to make the charge. Awful as it is nonetheless it is
Grand sublime in the extreme, the newspaper calls it. It is nice to hear it. But better to
be along ways off. We was all in line of the Battle - got orders to load and prime and was
all ready when the music ceased. We wondered what was the matter. We remained in this
position until 6 o'clock tonight the 30th Nov. - been without anything warm to eat for 26
hours and 18 hours without a spark of fire. The Regt. was sent on Picket and our Company
stood the first two hours then we formed the Regt. again where we had fire and plenty of
hot coffee and a pretty good nights rest. We left here the following morning at 9 AM to
another part of the lines and remained there until 3 o'clock the following morning on
Picket, now it is Dec 2nd and on our way back to recross the Rapadan. We arrived at the
river at 8AM after a march of 5 hours at quick time, we halted here and had a little
breakfast and it was a little sure pop for I never saw so many empty haversacks before,
and I hope I never shall. This going hungry is more that Jony Bulls bargained for. We left
here in a short time and had marched about three miles when we received orders to about
face to protect the retreat. So back to the river we went and on the way back we met the
first corps. I looked for the 76th NY and found my friend Eldridge. He looks first rate
and that is all that I can tell you for we did not get the chance to speak over ten
seconds. He said that they had had a very hard time. We remained here on Picket till next
morning - third of Dec - marched at 9 AM - came through the village of Stephenburg, one of
the most dismal places in the state, we got into our old camp about three o'clock in the
afternoon all tired and hungry, of course. we put up our tents and began to feel first
rate after our gaunt. In the evening after we received our rations and all were ready for
bed, what should come but marching orders, so we had to strike tents and pack up in
readiness to fall in line at a minutes notice. We was kept in this way till after
midnight, then we got to put up tents and make ourselves comfortable for the night. It was
good news but better late than never. It is now the 4th of Dec. The order this morning was
to pack up and be ready to be in line. The weather very cold but we have a good fire and
plenty to eat. One o'clock PM orders to fix our tents first rate and make them
comfortable. This morning I had the pleasure of receiving two letters from you my Dear
Wife, also the tobacco and I assure you that if I ever was pleased in my life it was then
to hear from you and the children. I would like to have answered quicker but I really
could not. I made up my mind that I wanted to write you a decent letter and would wait
until I had a chance. I hope to be excused for I am not to blame. There has always been
something to do that has kept me delaying. When you write to me again let me know if you
got the letter of the 2nd of November. I put in that
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