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Metadata
Catalog Number |
S1785 |
Title |
Christopher J. Kellenbeck papers, 1862-1867 |
Scope & Content |
Papers of Christopher J. Kellenbeck from Portsmouth, N.H., including eight letters exchanged between him and his wife, Hannah E. Kellenbeck, as well as two receipts. The first three letters from Christopher to his wife appear to be related to working as a fisherman in Gloucester, Mass., circa 1860 to 1862. The next five letters exchanged between husband and wife are regarding Christopher's service during the Civil War as a member of Company K, 16th New Hampshire Infantry Regiment. The two receipts are for the purchase of groceries at Walden & Hayes in Portsmouth, N.H., and for rent paid for a half house at 7 Charles Street in Portsmouth, N.H. FOLDER CONTENTS Five letters from Christopher J. Kellenbeck to his wife: 1. Christopher Kellenbeck in Gloucester, Mass., to Hannah E. Kellenbeck in Portsmouth, N.H. Dated March 2 [circa 1860-1862]. He writes to let his wife know that he's well and hopes she is too. He dealt with gale winds but arrived in Gloucester this morning. He expects to be paid five or six dollars. Says he will write again tomorrow and hopes she writes back as soon as she gets this letter. 2. Christopher Kellenbeck in Gloucester, Mass., to Hannah E. Kellenbeck in Portsmouth, N.H. Dated March 5 [circa 1860-1862], care of John Harvey. He says he received his wife's letter and is sorry that she's not feeling well. He received eight dollars from Mr. Harve[y]. He is waiting for fair winds before leaving. He hopes for a better trip this time; the bait wasn't good last trip. 3. Christopher Kellenbeck in Gloucester, Mass., to Hannah E. Kellenbeck in Portsmouth, N.H. Dated "Tuesday the 1" [circa 1860-1862]. He writes to let his wife know that he's well and hopes she is too. He wrote last Friday but didn't receive any letters. He is going to Georges [Bank?] again in the same vessel and hopes to make a good trip of it this time. He will send her ten dollars. Half of their fish were spotted. He wants to hear from his wife how she's getting along but doesn't think he'll be back in a fortnight. There are 30 to 50 thousand traps and there are fish enough in Georges [Bank?]. He is sailing in the [schooner] Northern Star out of Gloucester. 4. Christopher Kellenbeck at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, La., to Hannah E. Kellenbeck in Portsmouth, N.H. Dated March 7, 1863. Written on "16th Regiment New-Hampshire Volunteers" stationery. He writes to let his wife know that he's in the hospital at New Orleans, but she shouldn't worry because "it is nothing but the old complaint the desentarey." He arrived the day before yesterday. There are three others from his company at the hospital, but they are not very bad either. All of them were sent to the hospital because the regiments are going up the river, likely to Port [Hudson] for a battle. He wanted to go, but the doctor would not let him. Joseph Holmes is also at the hospital with a bad cough. He thinks the doctors will cure his dysentery. He is comfortable and has good soup. Others in the hospital are from the 53rd Massachusetts [Infantry Regiment]. The weather is fine, and cabbages and flowers are growing in the garden. He gives his respects to Mathew and "the rest of the folks" as well as "the boys." He has written to James Walker to ask that any letters to him be sent down. 5. Christopher Kellenbeck at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, La., to Hannah E. Kellenbeck in Portsmouth, N.H. Dated March 20, 1863. He received his wife's February 13 letter. He is in the hospital but hopes they will cure his longstanding dysentery, though it will take some time. He heard that the company marched thirty miles to the north to take up a railroad track in order "to cut of[f] the rebels supliy to fort Hutson [East Baton Rouge Parish, La.]." The ship Mississippi ran aground and wrecked; the crew left her, set her on fire, and blew her up. He would have liked to have been with "the boys" to see "the fun," but he doesn't think he will be leaving the hospital before it's time to come home. He is glad that George [the Kellenbecks' newborn son] is getting along so well. He hopes his wife will write to him about Henry Hopkins [mentions Newburyport]. He expects to get home not before June 15 and will arrive in Concord. He is glad "ale the folks" are well. Gives his love to Susan and Caroline Preston. He will take them sailing when he gets home. Gives his respects to Fred Moore and the rest of the "riggers." Gives his respects to Messrs. Deering and Yeaton and to Augustus Walden. Joseph Holmes sends his respects to Mathew. He expects the company will have a hard time up the river in Vicksburg [Mississippi]. He did not send money home because he has not been paid since January. He hopes to get paid when he's discharged. Three letters from Hannah E. Kellenbeck to her husband: 1. Hannah E. Kellenbeck in Portsmouth, N.H., to Christopher Kellenbeck. Dated January 16, 1863. She received his letter and was glad to hear from him. She says she and the baby [George Andrew Kellenbeck] are well; "the folks" send their love and Mathew is well (he is getting around without his cane). Along the Potomac [Maryland], all but the soldiers are getting sick "on account of not getting their money dealt oft to them and getting nothing to eat." Another battle is expected soon at Pittsburg Landing [Shiloh, Tenn.]. All is quiet in Portsmouth. "Times hard and wages low." 2. Hannah E. Kellenbeck in Portsmouth, N.H., to Christopher Kellenbeck. Dated March 9, 1863. She writes she was glad to hear from her husband. Mother and Father and "all the folks" send their love. The baby is "first raigh [rate]." She is in good health. Chris Johnson has moved in from the [Isles of] Shoals and will work at the Navy Yard, 2nd New Hampshire Infantry Regiment. Asks if Charles Stewart got "the box with the things in it" that Mrs. Stewart sent. Augustus Walden, Fred Mo[o]re, and all of the "riggers" send their love. Peter Smith sends his love; he is the skipper of the Lone Star[?] now. [Henry] Hopkins sends his love and lands a ship at the Navy Yard tomorrow. 3. Hannah E. Kellenbeck in Portsmouth, N.H., to Christopher Kellenbeck. Dated March 29, 1863. She says she and the baby [George Andrew Kellenbeck] are well. Father and Mother send their love. Mathew is getting better and sends his respects; he says he is glad Christopher is in the hospital. "Times is dull, here and wages low, there is nothing doing, only in the Navy Yard, and they are discharging the men every day because they voted the democratic ticket." All the Portsmouth boys send their love. Moses Re[e]d is dead. Charles Stewart has gone home to Scotland in a steamer. Mathew sends his respects to Joseph Holmes and is glad he is in the hospital with Christopher. Caroline and the children send their love. Mr. Henword wants to know if Samuel Blackfork is in the hospital with Christopher. She asks her husband to make a ring big enough for [their son] George's finger and draws a picture to show how big it should be. Two receipts: 1. From Walden and Hayes at 27 Water Street, Portsmouth, N.H. Dated August 26, 1862. For groceries. Signed by Augustus Walden. 2. From Christopher Kellenbeck to Leonard Akerman for rent of half house at 7 Charles Street for the period ending July 1, 1867. |
Admin/Biographical History |
Christopher J. Kellenbeck served as a private in Company K of the 16th New Hampshire Infantry Regiment. Joseph H. Thacher served as captain of the company, which mustered in on October 24, 1862, at Concord, N.H., and mustered out on August 20, 1863, at Concord, N.H. |
Creator |
Kellenbeck, Christopher J. |
Collection |
Single Items / Small Collections |
Object Name |
Papers, Personal |
Date |
1862-1867 |
Extent of Description |
10 items |
Language of Material |
English |
People |
Akerman, Leonard, c1798-1876 Hayes, William Henry, 1822-1862 Henward, Owen, c1822-1893 Hopkins, Henry F., b. c1828 Horn, William O., c1836-1906 Johnson, Christian, c1824-1872 Kellenbeck, Christopher J., 1836-1888 Kellenbeck, George Andrew, 1862-1938 Kellenbeck, Hannah E. (Lowd), 1838-1919 Moore, Frederick William, c1804-1881 Preston, Caroline Mendum, 1845-1909 Preston, Susan E., 1835-1928 Reed, Moses B., c1809-1863 Stewart, Charles, 1834-1909 Stewart, Mary E. (Kehoe), 1841-1917 Walden, Augustus, 1830-1910 White, Samuel S., 1828-1874 |
Search Terms |
Charles Street Concord (N.H.) Gloucester (Mass.) Isles of Shoals Newburyport (Mass.) Northern Star (Schooner; Gloucester, 1860) Portsmouth (N.H.) Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Walden & Hayes (Water Street) Water Street |
Subjects |
Battlefields Battles Civil War, 1861-1865 Correspondence Families Fishing Hospitals Husbands Illness Louisiana Maryland Military life Mississippi New Hampshire Infantry Regiment, 16th (1862-1863) New Orleans (La.) Receipts Regiments Ships Soldiers Stationery Tennessee Wives |