Milford chronicle., 1924-05-23
SIXTY YEARS AGO

Old letters often bring to mind the
memories and scenes which are inter-
estlng to those who have passed we'll
along on the pathway of life. Recently
IN oVerhauling some old papers, a
bunch of letters which were written
by the late James H. Bell, who took
part in the Civil War between the
northern and southern States in 1861
2-S-4-5, to his mother, Mrs. Nancy
BEL, VINO was an aren't supporter of
Ihe Union Cause and resided in Mil
Iord. Mr.. Bell was the uncle of Mrs.
Sallle Flammer and Miss Anna Bell,
OF Lake View avenue, South Milford,
ana for many years after the end of
tne civil War, he held a position in
washington, and afterward made his
nome in this town. His letters were
always interesting and a few items
are reprinted for the benefit of those
who remember the scenes of the Civil |
war, and also those who have only a |
aim recollection of those days. In the |
early days of the conflict he wrote to
MS mother an din that letter said:
We may look out for breakers"
very soon. The Potomac River is
closed, which cuts off the chief
cnannel Of supply of fuel and hay.
WOOD has gone up from $5 to $40
per cord. Coal is So per ton. The
dealers are holding it for they .
Know that the price will go to 500
per ton If the blockade of the Po- 2
tomac continues. The blockade q
viii hasten a conflict. We must +
nave army supplies faster than
the Baltimore Railroad can bring
Inem IN Our stock of hay for Co. 6
900 horses is very low. MANY =
cumbrous things come here by the
river, or not at all. N
rms condition can not last long. =
our immense fleet at Fort Monroe
VIII IN a day or two tell a pretty n
tale, which will draw off much of -
the Rebel Army opposite to Wash y
Ington, for their home defense. b
Inen McClelland will strike and -
may the God of battles favor orr -,
SIDE; for, this impending battle NJ
VIII be the Waterloo" and is of -
Dig Importance for our veal Or u.
Woe On it will depend the life or Nj
death OF the Union, and the final -
recognition of the Southern Con-
federacy. Rfi Ilg
nder later date Mr.. Bell wrote. =
we are now in state of quiet. W.
since the skirmish at Evans Fer Mi
ry. 1t was not a battle, as we had =
only 1900 men engaged, out of orr b,5b
army of 250,000; yet, we lost the Be-
DraVe and beloved Colonel Baker. =
VINO knew well. He had the most -
countenance I ever look aTd
ed upon, and his disposition was =
wonderfully kind. The funeral ~ +
procession would have reached Del
rom Milford to the Tub Mill. two =
niles north Of Milford-nOt Of nI +
of men, trooDs mi
marching 20 men front with trail =
ID arms. President Lincoln loved +,,t +
JoIonel Baker like a brother. and HaI
When the coffin was lowered into =
he grave, he wept like a bereaved ~ IF,
hild. HIr! SIlS.
der date of May 9Th, 1863, Mr.. Bell -.
)te: FL
am writing in great haste to H.
ay that an awful battle is now =
aging at points in the rear Of vari
fredericksburg. Our Armv has vile
aptured 10000 prisoners. Stone =
all Jackson, the Rebel leader, is ooist 6t
GUY "OuHueu' also General A. Poul
. Hill and General Paxson are -
illed. Our General c,+o,,o-,7.-1 - FC
~ oil 49, +a1.--, - SIollSiii'tu nds plan
- -. al IL Ie!eSrdph llne5 ana the LeRt
lilroads between General Lee a25-l
nd Richmond. We ere having NJ
e best of it. ,,,bS ~
r. Bell wrote many letters to his 4O2 !
her, who lived to be very aged m9-S
ian, and highly respected by the 20
lie of Milford. 10 fe