These four letters were written by John B. Cooper (1841-1911) of Newport, New Hampshire who enlisted as a corporal on April 22, 1861, and was mustered into Co. D, 1st New Hampshire Infantry. He was mustered out on Aug. 9, 1861. On Aug. 15, 1862, he was commissioned captain, Co. K, 9th New Hampshire Infantry. He was wounded in action on Sept. 17, 1862, in the battle of Antietam. He was mustered out of service on June 10, 1865.
On 23 August 1862, just as week after he re-enlisted in the service, Cooper was married to Mary O. Moody (1840-1931) at Concord, Merrimack county, New Hampshire.
[Note: The two 1865 letters are from the collection of Jim Doncaster and are published by express consent.]
TRANSCRIPTION LETTER ONE
Camp of 9th New Hampshire Vols.
Near Pegram House, Va.
November 17, 1864
My own dear Mary,
I arrived at the regiment last evening after a very pleasant trip although it was rather lonely. I got into New York Saturday evening, stayed there till Sunday eve, then started for Baltimore. Arrived there Monday morning where I remained till Tuesday evening, then started for City Point. Got there Wednesday noon, went up and visited the 18th Regiment. Saw Edwin. His health is very good. Took the evening train for the front. Found the 9th [NHV’s] in the same place that I left it. They had had no fighting since I left them. I found the Colonel here and the regiment in a flourishing condition.
I have not time to write more this time as we have just all we can do but I thought that I must steal just a moment and write you a line. I will write more next time. Please accept this from your loving husband, — Jno. N. Cooper
TRANSCRIPTION LETTER TWO
Camp of 9th New Hampshire Volunteers
Near Pegram House, Va.
November 27, 1864
My own dear Mary,
When I left you I promised to write to you often but I am almost ashamed to say that it has been over a week since I have written you. All the excuse that I can give is that I have been very busy all of the time since I got back here. In the first place, we have to drill four hours a day. Dress Parade at five o’clock every afternoon. Then almost every afternoon or evening we have a lesson in the tactics and regulations to recite to the Colonel. ¹ Then three evenings out of the week I have to go to Brigade Headquarters and recite a lesson in the Regulations and Tactics. And beside this, I have two companies to look after and all the duties to attend to. By attending to it all, I assure you it employs about all my time. But I have got things straightened out somewhat and I hope I shall be able to write you often hereafter.
My health is very good and I hope you are enjoying the same great blessing for it is truly one of God’s greatest blessings.
I have today got moved into my new house and it is a nice one too, and I hope that we shall remain here for a time and let me enjoy it. I have a good large fireplace in it which makes it warm and comfortable. It is thought by a good many that we shan’t have any more fighting here this fall but go into winter quarters ‘ere long and remain here until spring and I sincerely hope it will be so for then I should have a chance to get out of it—and that is what I want. I want to get out of this, go home and settle down with my Mary and enjoy myself while in her society. I told the Colonel a day or two ago that I should get out of it just as soon as I had a chance and I told him some of my reasons for wanting to get out of it. He said he didn’t know but my reasons were good enough but he should hate to have me go just at present if there should be a chance for we have but four officers besides himself. He thinks if I remain with the regiment, I may be promoted soon. I told him that I had rather go home than remain and get the promotion. I shall watch the chances and the first one that offers itself, I shall jump for it.
I have not heard from you since I left. What can the matter be? Are you sick? Have you gone to work at the place you were talking of going to when I came away? If so, how do you like the place? Well, I hope if you don’t, I hope you will not stay. How are all of the people in Concord—particularly Rufus, Mattie, and Jack? Tell them that I should be happy to hear from them and that I will write to them as soon as I have time.
We received a large lot of fowl from New Hampshire for Thanksgiving dinner but it did not [get] here until the next day. But it was all the same to us so that we got it. Since that we have been living high, I assure you.
Captain Cuse is rather homesick. I think he is sorry that he did not get married while he was at home. Well it is getting very late and I must close my letter and retire. Give my kindest regards to all and accept this from your affectionate husband, — Jno. B. Cooper
P. S. Please give me the number of the Post Office Box. — J B. C.
¹ The Colonel of the 9th NHV’s in 1864 was Herbert Bradwell Titus. He was wounded at Antietam and was absent from the regiment for many months. The Lt. Colonel of the regiment commanded during the Wilderness Campaign and Capt. Cooper actually commanded the regiment during the Battle of the Crater on 31 July 1864 in which the 9th NHV’s were among the first to enter the crater following the explosion.
The following quote refers to the Battle of Antietam where both Col. Titus and Capt. Cooper were wounded: “Among the officers who were severely wounded were Lieut. Col. Herbert B. Titus and Captains John B. Cooper and Smith O. Whitfield. Lieut. Col. Titus was himself taking an active part in the conflict, having picked up the rifle of a disabled soldier, when he was struck in the side by a bullet and compelled to leave the field. As the word was passed along the line, expressions of sorrow and regret were heard on all sides. The disabling of two of their best captains as well, was naturally trying to soldiers so lately brought into action, and it is greatly to the credit of the Ninth New Hampshire that the work assigned them was performed so faithfully and well; and in so doing it, they were as essential a factor in the victory as those who were placed in more conspicuous positions.”
TRANSCRIPTION LETTER THREE
Headquarters 9th N. H. V.
Near Hancock Station, Va.
March 20, 1865
My Dear Mary,
I have received another of your kind and welcome letters. I was very happy to hear from you although it has been some time since it was written. It was written on the 5th inst. I don’t understand why the mail is delayed so long on the road. But better late than never and I won’t find any fault for it. Would do no good, I suppose.
Well, how do you do this evening and what are you up to? Writing a letter to your absent Boy, I hope! for want to hear from you often! I am still in good condition and getting along as well as can be expected, being as how I have no one in particular to look after me. We are having beautiful weather here now, being as warm here now as it will be in New Hampshire in May. I suppose the farmers are just beginning to make their sugar. How I wish I could be at home and go sugaring with you this spring. But I begin to think that I shall have to stay awhile longer—but not a great while for if I should have to stay my time out, it will not be very long—less than five months. And it really seems as though the war could not last even as long as that for Sherman and Sheridan and Scofield are walking into their affections strangely and I expect Grant will be moving soon.
I don’t think our Corps will have to go with the rest of the army but will be left here to hold City Point. I hope we shall be left here for I had rather remain here than go tramping down through the country. You wrote that Carlton mourned over the fall of Charleston and Columbia. Well, I think he will have other places to mourn over ‘ere long. I think the whole thing will go down with a crush before long. Then we can all return to our homes and friends and live a life as peaceable citizens once more.
I shouldn’t think they would have to draft in Newport for according to your tell, they are recruiting infantry very fast there. I should think they would get the quota full before they were aware of it. I heard that Frankie Burke was married. Is it true? If it is, who did she marry? Anyone that I know? I suppose Lucy has not got married again yet. If she should get married before I get home, just caution her to guard against beds that squeak for they have a bad effect—besides keeping other people awake. well, I think I had better close as it is after 11 o’clock. Give my love to Mother and accept this from your affectionate husband, — Jno. B. Cooper
¹ This is probably a reference to the 7 March 1865 incident in which two troop trains collided on the Philadelphia and Trenton Railroad at Bristol, Pennsylvania, killing 5 soldiers returning home on a furlough, and a train fireman. There were another 48 injured. One train ran into the back of another train that had been delayed on the track waiting for an oil train to clear the track.
TRANSCRIPTION LETTER FOUR
Camp 9th N. H. Vols.
Near Houck Station, Va.
March 24th 1865
Dear Mary,
I will now try and answer yours of the 12th inst. which I have received since I wrote you last. I am well, how are you? Well, I hope. You are not more glad than I am that I am not in Allen’s place although I don’t think now that he will have to stay much longer than the rest of us for I really think that the rebels will have to give up within less than a year for it does not seem possible for them to hold out much longer. Sherman is meeting with little or no opposition in his march through the Carolinas. I suppose he has taken Goldsboro before this for according to all accounts, Johnston cannot get together an army large enough to make a successful stand anywhere that side of Richmond now that Schofield has joined his troops with those of Sherman.
We are expecting to wake up some morning and find Sherman’s troops here with us. Grant seems to be getting ready for a forward movement any time. He has ordered all regimental sutlers to the rear. I don’t think he intends attacking the rebels (at present anyhow) but will wait till Sherman gets nearer.
I received a letter from Tollie this morning. He has not started for home yet but thinks he shall in about twenty days. I shall try and see him before he goes. I am very sorry Mother has sprained her ankle. She seems to be very unfortunate with her underpinning. I hope she will get over it soon.
You say James has the same disease that most all the laddies around in those parts are having. Which part of the disease are they most all having—-of not going over three month! I am glad Porter has succeeded in getting his Black Hawk to consent to do her part towards keeping the world from becoming depopulated. As for Flora, I guess she was always ready to do her part. I don’t know but you will have to get some of the neighbors to call, or you will be all out of fashion for I don’t think it would be of any use for me to send it in a letter. Some you know can do it but I don’t think I could.
I have not seen Edwin since his regiment came up here for [he] is with their baggage. Case is all right. He is a little cross this afternoon because I ordered him to go out and drill but I think he will live through it. The Colonel has not got back yet. A Mr. Towne from Alstead stayed with us last night he is after the body of an Alstead man belonging to the 18th Regiment. Well I guess I will close. Give my love to mother and accept this from your affectionate husband.
John B. Cooper
TRANSCRIPTION LETTER FIVE
Camp 9th N. H. Volunteers
Near Alexandria, Va.
May 6th 1865
My Dear Mary,
Good evening Mary!
As it is hardly bill time I will write you just a line and I hope they will find you enjoying yourself. We are having very fine weather here and everything is moving along smoothly. We have four hours drill each day just enough to keep us from getting lazy and tomorrow we are to have a review of our Brigade by General Griffin who is now commanding our Division, and we anticipate a fine time. I often wish that you were here to witness some of our military displays, but then when I see how the soldiers stare at every lady that comes into camp I think, well I am glad it isn’t Mary. The soldiers seem to think that a respectful lady has no business to be about camp and I almost think so myself sometimes when I see what kind of characters do visit us—the lowest of the low almost altogether. We are almost as much barred from the society of ladies as we were down at the front, but I hope it won’t be so a great while longer for I long for respectful female society and think I shall know how to appreciate is when I get into civilization again.
We have drawn wall tents today and have put them up so we have very good quarters now. The Colonel is commending the Brigade—the Major the Regiment, and I am commanding Co. K. Captain Allen and myself tent together.
You say you want to know how I am. Well, I am first rate—never better in fact. You have gone back into the mill again, have you? Well I want you to take good care of yourself and not work too hard so as to make yourself sick. Oh! I have got me a negro servant—one that I got down at Burksville and if he stays with me till I go home, I shall take him home with me. He is a neat one, I tell you. Black as the ace of spades. He is quite smart for a negro. I don’t know as he will stay with me till I get ready to go home but he says he will. I think you would like him.
I wish you would get a half a dozen of my photographs and send them to me as soon as convenient for there is several of the officers that want to exchange with me. Have you seen Tollie since he got home? Have you heard from Belle of late? If you haven’t sent the rest of those gloves, you need not for I have a plenty now. Well, I guess I will close for tonight. Give my love to mother and accept this from your affectionate husband, — John
Spared & Shared 17 -- Saving History One Letter at a Time 