Early July 1863 was the turning point in the Civil War. Pickett's Charge was a disaster and the next day Vicksburg fell to General Grant. Later that week Captain Valentine Burt Chamberlain of the Connecticut 6th waited south of Charleston harbor for his orders. He was thirty years old at the time when he wrote to his family.
I never met Jill's great grandfather, knew virtually nothing about him or the battles of Fort Wagner on Morris Island. But after reading his 9 July 1863 letter home, I now have a rich impression of him. I wished that I had met him.
I never met Jill's great grandfather, knew virtually nothing about him or the battles of Fort Wagner on Morris Island. But after reading his 9 July 1863 letter home, I now have a rich impression of him. I wished that I had met him.
Captain Valentine Burt Chamberlain's letter
Folly Island
July 9, 1863
My Dear Friends,
The last letter I sent to you informed you we were coming here. We left St. Helena Island July 4th, came up to the entrance of this harbor and returned again to Hilton Head. I suppose for the reason that we did not get there in time to land before daylight. We stayed at Hilton Head only a short time, long enough to get a mail. I received a letter from Sis dated 25th of June. It did me good to read it, to hear that you are getting on so well is encouraging.
We reached here again the night of the 5th, landed and bivouacked near the Sixth Conn. Vol. The next day we pitched our camp on a beautiful ridge of small hills, close on the beach. We have excellent water and plenty of shelter. Last night we were ordered into boats, the intention being to push this battalion and the Sixth Regiment by the enemy's batteries in the darkness of the night and surprise them in their rear. But we lay in the boats most of the night and this morning returned to camp. Tomorrow morning, however, I think the work will commence in earnest. The Monitors are outside and will, I suppose, operate at the same time. We have a pretty large force on the Island. We have also a large number of guns mounted on the extreme upper point of the Island. The strength of our forces and artillery, it is suppose, the enemy does not know. While it will be a severe struggle, if we are successful and take Morris Island, we shall hold the key to Charleston. You see how important is the work before us. May God grant us success. I trust I am prepared for death if it shall meet me. My prayer is for strength and courage to do my duty. My Savior died for me. Shall I fear death in his service? It would be a great comfort to see each other again in this world, but if not, it will be glorious to meet above.
I hope the Republic will come victoriously out of the great struggle and that Liberty will find here a sure home forever after.
I send much love to all
as ever your,
Valentine
PS I shall look at mother's picture just before I start
The Union was less fortunate than at Gettysburg or Vicksburg as it stormed Fort Wagner. Two days after writing to "My Dear Friends", Captain Val Chamberlain, one of a handful of men who scaled the rebel parapet, was captured within the fort. He spent nearly two years in loathsome captivity but managed to rejoin his regiment in time to witness the closing scenes of the war. Perhaps his faith in God and the Republic comforted him during his ordeal. Returning to New Britain, Connecticut he was elected a judge to which he was almost continually re-elected until his death in 1893. On 17 May 1871, he married the much younger Anna Smith and they had eleven children.
