Background
Private Ichabod Quinn, a 37-year-old farmer from Duplin County, enlisted in Company C, 51st Regiment North Carolina Troops on March 6, 1862. Eight of his personal letters are contained in the Sally G. Quinn Collection at Duke University. The full transcripts are posted on the Private Voices website at https://altchive.org/node/281. I have also uploaded the transcripts to this site HERE.
March 5, 1862, to Sally Quinn
This letter was written the day before Ichabod Quinn enlisted in Wilmington. It appears that his company is either on the way to the port city or has just arrived. He complains about sleeping on the floor with no covers but reassures his wife that “we shall come to our [blank] soon.” He advises Sally on things to be done around the farm and cautions her to sell bacon to her hireling at the going rate. “[Y]ou must not grieve after me for I am determined to be to my post as long as I am able.”
March 22, 1862, to Sally Quinn
Ichabod is now quartered in Wilmington. “I suppose we will remain here until we are drilled.” He then proceeds to advise Sally on the spring planting.
April 18, 1862, to Sally Quinn
Ichabod is still in Wilmington. The company has moved from “the dry pond” to a camp near the railroad. They have good tents to sleep in. Quinn’s bunk mates are Luther Mathis, David Turner, Joseph Whitfield, Francis Garner, and “E Fussel”. [The only Fussel in the 51st Regiment was Corporal William H. Fussel, who also served in Company C. This might be a transcription error. These five men very likely shared a two-man tent with Quinn.]
The men of Company C were angered with the quantity of food the Army was providing them (“only about half rations”). Twenty men went into Wilmington and confronted the quartermaster, telling the officer that if he would not issue a proper quantity of food, they would take it. They went back to camp with their full rations.
Company C’s Captain and Lieutenant [William Allen and James Branch] are trying to get the company transferred to Raleigh. The company is anxious to go. Quinn thinks they will leave in a few days. Then they “can have some accommodation” and receive their bounties and uniforms without fighting for them.
Quinn expects to receive a furlough in a week and will go home for a visit.
April 23, 1862, to Sally Quinn
Ichabod reports that he is well. The regiment may move to a new camp, four miles away from their current location, in a few days. The soldiers have not received weapons yet.
There are rumors that 60 enemy warships are in sight of Fort Caswell.
Quinn is not sure when he will be able to go home. He tells Sally to hire someone to help her plant corn.
The Yankees are in Onslow County, plundering and taking everything they can get their hands on.
May 27, 1862, to Sally Quinn
The Fifty-First is at Camp Davis, near Wrightsville Beach.
Confederate forces have whipped the Yankees in western Virginia and taken 4,000 prisoners. A 15,000-man force around Wilmington would be able withstand an assault by 50,000 enemy troops.
There is a lot of sickness in camp. Simeon Garner is very ill. James Jones has the measles [Both Garner and Jones survived the war; Garner was Quinn’s brother-in-law].
He ends the letter telling Sally to plant the peas, feed the horses, and save the pigs.
June 1, 1862, to Sally Quinn
The regiment is still at Camp Davis. Many of the men are sick, but Ichabod is healthy. “I have been blessed with good health and Strength and in good sprits.”
Quinn has received a letter from his sister-in-law Betty. He was glad to hear their father and family were well. “I think more of your father than any man on earth.”
Henry Judge’s father brought him to camp 10 days ago. The “poor little fellow is very much dissatisfied.” Quinn has tried to “console and cheer” the broken-hearted boy. [Judge served in the 10th Battalion NC Heavy Artillery.]
June 10, 1862, to Brother [Watson Quinn]
Ichabod’s health is good and has been since he joined the army. He is well-satisfied with his company and officers. Quinn is on guard duty in Wilmington until Sunday [June 14]. “I am one that does my part in camp.”
Quinn promises to repay the five dollars he borrowed from his brother and asks him to check on Ichabod’s family and farm.
June 11, 1862, to Sally Quinn
Many of the Fifty-First’s soldiers are sick, but Ichabod is in Wilmington on guard duty.
Quinn has sent Sally some paper and an almanac. He is concerned about his son, who is ill. He asks Sally to give the child warm candy and pills. He also pleads with his wife to not let the hogs die.
Ichabod wants to come home but doesn’t think he will get the chance because 10 or 15 men have gone AWOL. Even if he goes AWOL himself, it will be some time before he will be able to go home.
Private Ichabod Quinn finally fell ill and was admitted to the hospital on June 26. He apparently received a sick furlough; he died at home on July 27, 1862, of typhoid pneumonia.
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