A Letter from Brandy Station, Virginia, on April 4, 1864

James Anderson, circa 1861

It is the year 1861 and the village of Manitowoc with a population of 3,061 people was still struggling to take its place as a center of lumbering, fishing and farming on the shores of Lake Michigan. Its citizens were increasingly concerned about the news regarding the problems of the Southern states and their withdrawal from the United States to create their own confederacy. On April 19, word reached Manitowoc that Southern forces had fired on Fort Sumter and President Lincoln had declared that military force had to be used to put down that rebellion and he called for volunteers to join the armed forces to fight for the Union.

It was June, 1861 when the first group of volunteers left Manitowoc for the Civil War. Among them was 19 year old James Anderson. Anderson had come to this country from Scotland with his parents, a brother and two sisters. They had settled on a small tract of land in the town of Kossuth and soon moved to Manitowoc. Upon the call for volunteers to join the military, he joined Company A .The following is a letter written by James S. Anderson while in Brandy Station, Virginia, on April 4, 1864:

Dear Parents and Sister,

 Your welcome letter came to hand last night and I take advantage of a snow storm which stops all drill to answer it. I am in the best of health and spirits and am in hopes of soon meeting you all once more. There was three recruits came to the Company yesterday, two of them was Croissant &Holbrook with whom you appear acquainted with. They both appear to be pretty fine lads. The other recruit was from Dunn County, there was two from that place but one of them was run over by cars and was horribly mangled having both legs taken off and one of his arms broken. We heard first that it was one of the boy from Manitowoc but it tuned out different. Steve Bates did not come with the others as he was not mustered

            As to that house and lot, I would say to be wary about buying it, for it seems to me as it stands the question of ownership is rather mixed. If I were in your place I would go with Uncle Gilbert and Henery and look over the books at the Registers Office and see what claim if any that Mr Jones has on the property. If it is a bargain and a sure title I would not hesitate a moment about getting it. But one thing I wish to know is Mr jones willing to take the other lot as part payment? At what it cost I would not be willing to lose a single dollar upon it and you of course know enough to make whatever you can upon it. Real estate in the Village of Manitowoc is greatly mixed up and if one does not watch close he will get bitten.

            I like the nominations this spring first rate, so far as I know them. I think A.D. Jones will make a President who will take and interest in things and work for the growth and prosperity of the village. The others are good and true men. We have got no tickets here, they ought to have been sent as soon as the nominations were made. But rather thing their elections is a forgone conclusion anyhow, but we are willing to do what we can if they will only send the material along. I should like above all things to see a copy of Andrews book, what does it treat upon or pretend to treat upon, tell me in your next.

            I got that wine of Aunt Esters all right and will give it credit of curing me of a very hard cough. Tell her for me for I think I forgot in my letter to her and give her my thanks for it.

            I am glad that motheris able to go around so that she can visit the school and other places. As to the girls hoping the boys can come back and take their vacant seats again, I am afraid it never van be the case with me or any of the boys who are with me in the camp.

            Enclosed you will find a piece of our “Dear Old Flag” which has dropped from the staff. There is but little of our colors left, the rebels have torn it to pieces with canister shell and bullets and the winds that claimed their share of the fragments. The pieces as they fell were eagerly sought after by the boys. We have had one color Sgt. Shot under it and many of the color guards have been killed and wounded in different battles, and I want you to treasure it carefully and prize it highly.

            Has Uncle Henry got my letter asking him to assist me in getting a commission yet, and if so what steps has he taken to help me. I should like to get a commission, 1st because I could help you and also myself more than I could even in civil life. 2nd because I should like to spite certain ones who have twitted a little on my being in the ranks so long. And lastly because I believe I am fitted for it and would rise high in the profession if I once had a start.

            What on earth possessed old Sharp to enlist, he can never stand to carry a knapsack.

            I guess my fears are pretty well satisfied in regards to my getting married by this time. I don’t think I will commit that moral suicide for some time yet so keep cool and don’t make any more bed arrangements than what I have got at present.

            How did you get acquainted with that Holbrook who is now in the Company I have never heard of him before.

            Another thing I wish to speak of is this, what chance would there be of my getting anything to do in Manitowoc if I came home, that is at clerking or some easy business. Remember me with love to all friends.

Your son and Brother,

J.S. Anderson

P.S. Tell me if you got the $60 I sent yet?

In total, Manitowoc County sent 2,467 men to the front lines of the Civil War. Nearly all of the men were volunteers. The men sent amounted to more than three-fifths of the entire voting population. 207 men died in battle.