Jerome Wright, age 23, a private of Company E, 8th
Regiment of New York Cavalry enrolled on the 8th day of October, 1861, at
Royalton, NY for three years. He was taken prisoner at Harper’s Ferry, Va.
September 15, 1862 and paroled at Camp Douglas, Chicago, Illinois. He was
discharged from General Hospital, Chicago, Ill. October 31, 1862 for disability.
Jerome enlisted in Co. B, 76th New York Volunteer Infantry July 29, 1863, as a
substitute, at Royalton, NY, for three years. He was captured in the battle of
the Wilderness on May 5, 1864, confined at Andersonville until transferred to
Florence, SC prison, October 5, 1864. He was paroled at Savannah, Ga. November
30, 1864 and died on board the Transport Northern Light, December 16, 1864 from
effects of Chronic Diarrhoea. He was buried at Annapolis, Md. The following
letters were found in his parents pension application at the National Archive,
Washington, D.C.
Camp 76 N.Y.V.I. Co. C. H.
April 7, 1864
My Dear Mother & Father,
I enclose 21 Dollars to you. I received yours last night, was sorry to hear that you had been so sick but was glad to hear that you were again able to get round. If you have not sent my box please send a small one about 2 pounds and be sure and send the 4 oister cans of fluid and the pound of saults and fill up the vacant corners with what you like, not that I care I am happy to tell you that I am well enjoying good health hope you are the same.
In the kind love I remain
your Son
Jerome Wright.
Do not forget to address
Jerome Wright 76 th N.Y.V.V. Washington,
D.C.
U.S. Christian Commission sends this as the Soldier’s
messenger to his Home.
Let it hasten to those who wait for tidings.
“Behold! Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
Central Office: 11 Bank Street, Philadelphia - Branch Office:No. 500 H Street,
Washington
Naval School Hospital
Annapolis, Md
Dec. 14, 1864
Mr.
Wright:
Sir I have written you once for your Son Jerome
Wright but he has received no answer and is quite anxious to hear, he is quite
Sick with cronic diarrohea and does not seem to improve any he I think is rather
failing of the two though he seems to keep up pretty good spirits he wants you
to send a descriptive list of 52 dollars which he left at home if it has not
been collected he thinks he can get it here and he says send it by express. I
have charge of the ward he is in and try to have everything done that can be for
his comfort. Write him very soon for he is very impatient to hear any
information and can give will be cheerfully given.
I am very respectfully,
Kate C. Thompson
direct to your Son, Naval School Hospital, Annapolis,
Md. Ward B, Section 5
U.S. General Hospital Annapolis Maryland
Dec 17, 1864
William H. Wright,
Royalton Center
Niagria County N.Y.
Your Son Jerome W. Wright 76 NY Regt wishes me to
telegraph you, to come quickly and take him home. I did so but for fear it will
not reach you I will send you this he is very feble and I do not think he will
live a great while you might posably get him if you com at once.
Yours Truly,
H.C. Henries, Chaplain, USA
Since writing the above your Son has died, if you
want his body send me money to pay charges and I will forward it 25$ for
embalming, Box and delivery to Express 21 then to pay express.
These letters were transcribed by B. Conrad Bush, 1940 Reading
Road, West Falls, NY, 14170; e-mail Bushresear@aol.com;
from original letters found at the National Archive, Washington, DC.
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- Last Updated May 27, 2001