Brigadier-General John Sedgwick to his Sister, March 9, 1862

Charleston, Virginia, March 9, 1862.

My dear sister:

This town, you may remember, is noted for being the place where old John Brown was confined, tried, and executed. The people are very bitter. All the men are gone either into the rebel service or fled when we entered the town. I am quartered in a hotel capable of accommodating perhaps sixty people. The owner is here, but I have not seen him. There is no furniture, and, I believe, the place has been closed since the 1st of January.

The 3d Connecticut is only about eight miles off. I shall be with them, probably, in a few days. I think your letters will reach me if directed to General Banks's column, leaving space to be redirected. With much love, I am,

Your affectionate brother,

J. s.

SOURCE: George William Curtis, Correspondence of John Sedgwick, Major-General, Volume 2, p. 39

Sergeant Moulton of Willimantic, Conn. . . .

. . . of the 3d Connecticut regiment, captured at Bull Run and lately released from Richmond, is the hero of a story going the rounds of the papers to the effect that while in prison he made a “conquest” of a beautiful and wealthy young lady of that city.  The story relates how the young lady sent him money, clothing, and luxuries without stint.  The Hartford Courant says the story is true, that Moulton is soon to be married to the young woman, who has come North for that purpose.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 1, 1862, p. 2