The following is a letter written by Horace Pennell, who was a private in Company C. At first I thought it was addressed to a "Brother Danl (for Daniel)", but now believe the name is Darl, short for Darling [Huntress Chadbourne], his brother-in-law. Darling's brother Francis T Chadbourne, and a first cousin James M Chadbourne, were also in the 27th Maine, but in a different company than Horace, and may be those mentioned in the letter. In the closing, respects to "Mother", "Lizzy" and "Mellie" are written, and are likely referring to Darling's mother, wife and his sister Melvina. A Sam and David are also mentioned, but I didn't see any close family relations with those names.
There was no puncuation throughout the letter, and I didn't add any to the transcription. It is interesting that there is a piece cut off from page three, removing about three lines of writing. Was this done by someone who inspected the outgoing mail, perhaps an officer within the 27th Maine? Maybe Lieut Warren himself!
There was no puncuation throughout the letter, and I didn't add any to the transcription. It is interesting that there is a piece cut off from page three, removing about three lines of writing. Was this done by someone who inspected the outgoing mail, perhaps an officer within the 27th Maine? Maybe Lieut Warren himself!
| Camp Casey Virginia Jan 5th 1863 Brother Darl I received yours last night and was glad to hear from you that you was all well I have not had a letter from home for three weeks but then I hear from them by others so I dont worry about them I am getting along first rate our company are all out on picket but 8 or 10 men and we are having a first rate time the most we do is to move from one place to another we moved a week ago about 1/2 mile and it is said that we shall move |  |
| back on to Camp Seward in a few days so that is the way we are moving our time out the story is that we guard the long bridge this winter but we cant tell any way we dont do any thing to amount to much as yet I see Franer (Francis?) and James most every day they are well the health of the regiment is very good take it as a whole we dont get much news none but Camp stories you spoke of Burnsides affair it is thought by many that he did ot do the honest thing that if he had put the thing alongas he might he might routed the rebs all out when he was there but when he get so far he stopped | it is thought out here that this thing will be settled up before a great while it is said the north will furnish no man nor money and publick opinion is getting stronger every day towards putting a stop to this and congress must go with publick opinion before long and do something for when the nine months men are out there are a great many two years men that will be out by that time then we shall no army to depend upon Lieutenant Warren sends his best respect to all and says he likes (lives?) first rate his health is good [rest of page is cut off] |
 | there is nothing more that I know of we have no news give my best respects to Mother and Lizzy and Mellie and all the rest Sam and David and so on Yours Horace Pennell |
Horace Pennell, the son of James and Jane (Berry) Pennell, was born 27 May 1819 in Buxton, Maine. He enlisted from Hollis at age 43, his occupation listed as a michanic(sic), though he usually worked as a carpenter. Some time after the war, he moved out west, settling in Meeker County, Minnesota. In 1901, just a few months prior to his death, he moved to Flint, Michigan, to live with his daughter Clara. He died on 10 Aug 1901 in Flint, and was buried there in Avondale Cemetery.
He was married to Elizabeth "Lizzie" Ann Chadbourne in 1852, and they had two children, Clara E Pennell (who married John E Andrews), and Horace E Pennell (who was married to Mary Nye).
He was married to Elizabeth "Lizzie" Ann Chadbourne in 1852, and they had two children, Clara E Pennell (who married John E Andrews), and Horace E Pennell (who was married to Mary Nye).
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