African American Connecticut Explored

27 Fighting for Freedom: Joseph O. Cross

181 Joseph O. Cross of Griswold served in the Twenty-ninth (Colored) Regiment Connecticut Volunteer Infantry during 1864 and 1865. Recruiting began for the Twenty-ninth in the fall of 1863. Recruits came from throughout the state and from as far away as Hawaii, France, and Spain, according to Diana Ross McCain, writing in the Connecticut Historical Commission’s Connecticut’s AfricanAmerican Soldiers in the Civil War (2000). The Twenty-ninth was mustered into service on March 8, 1864 and fought in nine major battles, including the Siege of Petersburg. The regiment was discharged in Hartford on November 25, 1865. A second regiment, the Thirtieth, served from June 1864 to December 1865. This letter from Cross to his wife Abby is in the collection of The American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar, donated by Connecticut resident John Motley. A number of Cross’s letters are also in the collection of the Connecticut Historical Society (see the Connecticut Historical Society Bulletin 60, Summer/Fall 1995). Nov 3d, 1864 Chapines Farm, in Front of richmond My Dear Wife, Your letter found me all well & I hope these few line will find you enjoying the same Blessing in answer to your letter I will say this that I had heard of the death of Henry Simones & John By way of Central village I hear nothing but Bad news all the time except some times I hear Good news about the War the Joneyes [Confederate soldiers] Comes over some once in a while, them does come over are glad to get away We had Been called to go into Battle oct 27 th our hole Brigade we fought 24 houres & then left we drove the rebs Back one mile to their Brest workes & their they stood their ground. We took 3 prisnornes they holard, don’t shoot me don’t shoot me. We had our gunes cocked & aimed, ready to fire at them they threw down their armes & came in. They are afraid of the Coones Abby I sent you one 10 dollar Check not long ago and you never rote wheather you received it or not Now then if you will inform me about it I shal be Elizabeth J. Normen 27 Fighting for Freedom Joseph O. Cross 182 1789 to Civil War happy to hear about it. Newes of the Day. Sargent Amos Brewster got shot in the Battle the other day in the foot John rogers had his leg Blowen off & Charles hasard shot in the Back & henry Jackson shot dead. he Belong to Co. H. We lost over one hundred killed and wonded we lost more this time than we did Before Abby, I got payed off oct 18th & my pay for three months. 71.25 cts & I Bought 2 checks one I sent home to you & the other figure 27-1 Joseph O. Cross to Abby Cross, November 3, 1864. The American Civil War Center at Historic Tredegar Fighting for Freedom / E. J. Normen 183 I will send in this Abby I had made up mi mind to let you starve to death on the account of the newes that I heard about you that Came to me I mad up my mi mind if that was trew that you might sherk the best way that you Could you have not ritten to me until now since august 24 & I did not know what it ment nor I don’t know now But anyhow I will drop that. I want you to get one half a hog & half barrel flour & then weight until I get Payedd off again Now Abby please to Give my regards to all enquiring Friends & receive a shair you self tell Jane that I have not heard from horace for a long time But if he is as well as he was when I heard from him he will be at home Before long for they are giving furlowes at the hospital to them that are able to go home please to tell me if you got that Cotton that I sent you Charles Pearce is well but ragged & sascy. No more this time O tell aunt that I wold like to have the pleasure to bild up fire for her But as to the Bed I shoutd not know what that ment I am so used to the ground. This is From your husband Joseph O Cross Note This essay originally appeared in the November/December/January 2004 issue of Connecticut Explored. ...