Robert Sealy to father Richard Sealy written October 29, 1863 from Headquarters, 45th Regiment Illinois Infantry, Vicksburg, Mississippi.
Title
Robert Sealy to father Richard Sealy written October 29, 1863 from Headquarters, 45th Regiment Illinois Infantry, Vicksburg, Mississippi.
Description
Robert “Bert” P. Sealy was born in the town Castle Cary, Somersetshire, England, on January 13, 1835 to Richard Sealy (born c. 1804 in South Welton, England) and Maria Louisa Champion Sealy (born c. 1803 in Wells, England). His family (including 2 brothers & 1 sister) moved to Rochester, New York around 1843. They later moved to Geneva, NY and final settled in Rockford, IL in 1855. He enlisted (along with brother George) in Company G, 45th Illinois Volunteers and entered the army as a 1st Lieutenant. Since Robert was an officer, he was able to have his wife Helen (referred to as “Nellie” or “Nelly”) with him in the camps, away from the battles. He was involved in the siege of Vicksburg, and as a commander led the first regiment into the city. After the fall of Vicksburg he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. He moved away from Rockford to Council Bluffs, IA in 1868, and at some point he and his wife adopted a daughter, May Sealy. He died March 14, 1888.
Creator
Robert Sealy
Date
October 29, 1863
Rights
Midway Village Museum
Format
jpeg
pdf
Identifier
2013.70.47
Text
2013.70.47
Head qrs 45th Regt Ills Infy
Vicksburg Oct-29th 1863
Dear Father
Nelly is with me again safe and sound came through with out detection or accident. She is feeling very well indeed & consequently quite happy. I am quite well but feeling quite anxious about Charley as soon as you learn of his whereabouts let me know all about it please & I will write him & to the Surgeon in charge of the Hospital and it may have some effect. I have writen [sic] him since I came back but he has probably not recieved [sic] it yet. One word to you and Mother do not feel to [sic] much troubled about Charley. from the rumors comeing [sic] through letters from men to their friends as information recieved [sic] through such sources is never reliable they get it from hearsay
Page 2
I fear that you are very anxious about him but I know that first reports are erronious [sic] in such cases. I think we shall be very comfortable in a few days now. I recieved [sic] permission from both my Genl Officers to stay in town while my Wife stays here. I have a Major now to assist me in my duties with the Regt. I moved Camp the day before yesterday the Boys have not quite settled themselves in thier[sic] new qrs [sic]. We shall have a very pleasant Camp indeed when it is fixed up a little There is no news of importance with us. all the exciting news has come from the North. the last Month Ohio has done nobly. struck the most severe blow to Secession that it has yet recieved [sic] then the fact that Rosecrans has been relieved has given genl Satisfaction here. Genl Grant is near there and I doubt not but he will be in immediat [sic] comd [sic] if needed. If any of my men are comeing [sic] down soon
Page 3
send Nellys Woollen [sic] stockings they are in the bottom drawer of the little [beaurou]. [Lil] sends love to all. George is well and I believe all the other boys are We expect to be paid soon. George was in last Eve & got the things you sent him Love to Mother tell her to chear [sic] up that all may and will I believe turn out better then you have hear [sic] so far. let us all hope for the best. Remember us to Mate & family & Lill and John It is raining quite hard to night. We had to sleep on two Camp cots put togeather [sic] one of them a little higher than the other so do not have a very comfortable Bed we shall be better provided in a few days. Write us often and we shall be able to keep you posted as to our whereabouts. I have a nice Horse for Nell to ride and we are promicing [sic] ourselves fine times in pleasant weather I am getting along nicely with
Page 4
Regiment all will go well with me My regt [sic] was complimented very highly on the Expidition [sic] the other day. I think men have confidence in my ability to comd [sic] them but I think I have said enough about such things for this time so will Close with Love from
Ever Yours Affectionatley [sic]
Bert
Head qrs 45th Regt Ills Infy
Vicksburg Oct-29th 1863
Dear Father
Nelly is with me again safe and sound came through with out detection or accident. She is feeling very well indeed & consequently quite happy. I am quite well but feeling quite anxious about Charley as soon as you learn of his whereabouts let me know all about it please & I will write him & to the Surgeon in charge of the Hospital and it may have some effect. I have writen [sic] him since I came back but he has probably not recieved [sic] it yet. One word to you and Mother do not feel to [sic] much troubled about Charley. from the rumors comeing [sic] through letters from men to their friends as information recieved [sic] through such sources is never reliable they get it from hearsay
Page 2
I fear that you are very anxious about him but I know that first reports are erronious [sic] in such cases. I think we shall be very comfortable in a few days now. I recieved [sic] permission from both my Genl Officers to stay in town while my Wife stays here. I have a Major now to assist me in my duties with the Regt. I moved Camp the day before yesterday the Boys have not quite settled themselves in thier[sic] new qrs [sic]. We shall have a very pleasant Camp indeed when it is fixed up a little There is no news of importance with us. all the exciting news has come from the North. the last Month Ohio has done nobly. struck the most severe blow to Secession that it has yet recieved [sic] then the fact that Rosecrans has been relieved has given genl Satisfaction here. Genl Grant is near there and I doubt not but he will be in immediat [sic] comd [sic] if needed. If any of my men are comeing [sic] down soon
Page 3
send Nellys Woollen [sic] stockings they are in the bottom drawer of the little [beaurou]. [Lil] sends love to all. George is well and I believe all the other boys are We expect to be paid soon. George was in last Eve & got the things you sent him Love to Mother tell her to chear [sic] up that all may and will I believe turn out better then you have hear [sic] so far. let us all hope for the best. Remember us to Mate & family & Lill and John It is raining quite hard to night. We had to sleep on two Camp cots put togeather [sic] one of them a little higher than the other so do not have a very comfortable Bed we shall be better provided in a few days. Write us often and we shall be able to keep you posted as to our whereabouts. I have a nice Horse for Nell to ride and we are promicing [sic] ourselves fine times in pleasant weather I am getting along nicely with
Page 4
Regiment all will go well with me My regt [sic] was complimented very highly on the Expidition [sic] the other day. I think men have confidence in my ability to comd [sic] them but I think I have said enough about such things for this time so will Close with Love from
Ever Yours Affectionatley [sic]
Bert
Original Format
Letter
Collection
Citation
Robert Sealy, “Robert Sealy to father Richard Sealy written October 29, 1863 from Headquarters, 45th Regiment Illinois Infantry, Vicksburg, Mississippi.,” Midway Village Museum - Digital Collections, accessed April 25, 2024, https://midwayvillagemuseumdigitalcollections.omeka.net/items/show/42.