October 9, 1862

This accession includes nine written letters between October and December 1862, from Evarts to his wife. Most of them were sent from Camp Terry in New Haven, Connecticut, one from New York City, and one from on board ship.

Oct. 9, 1862 - Camp Terry, New Haven, CT., Evarts hopes to see his wife before he has to depart from the camp. His unit has received marching orders, but no date is known.

Oct. 22, 1862 - Camp Terry, New Haven, CT., Evarts is missing his wife and children. He will not be allowed to leave camp, so he asks his wife to come and see him.

Oct. 24, 1862 - Camp Terry, New Haven, CT., Evarts continues missing his wife and children. Future plans for his unit are still uncertain.

Nov. 4, 1862 - Camp Terry, New Haven, CT., Evarts returns to camp the night of the 23rd.

Nov. 14, 1862 - Camp Terry, New Haven, CT., Evarts tells his wife that his unit is leaving on Tuesday for New York and that he will write from there as soon as possible.

Nov. 19, 1862 - Centerville, New York City, Evarts' unit departed Camp Terry on Sunday, loaded on a steamboat, and landed at New York on Monday morning. He was very happy to see his wife before departure.

Nov. 21, 1862 - Camp Buckingham, Jamaica, NY., Evarts is in camp. Some soldiers have already run away due to anticipated assignment into enemy territory.

Dec. 11, 1862 - NY., Evarts is on board a transport ship to take his unit to Fort Monroe, VA, in some twenty-day travel. He is sad to be going a greater distance from his wife and loved ones, and much nearer to enemy territory. He is also concerned with his family's financial situation.

Dec. 19, 1862 - Ship Island, LA., After twelve days travel onboard a vessel loaded with 1400 soldiers, and suffering through a bad storm in the Gulf of Mexico, the ship reached Ship Island. He is in Bank's Division. There are five ironclads anchored alongside. Evarts expects action against the enemy soon and seems apprehensive about his future.