Correspondence, 1862-1864

Series I consists of nine letters written by Joseph Spence to his mother, Lydia Spence, and one letter written to Joseph Spence by Robert Hewlett.

Joseph Spence joined the Second Maryland Regiment Infantry as a drummer in June 1861. In August 1862, he wrote his mother that the Band was “to be mustered out” and three of the group, including himself would join the regular army. By November 1863, Spence was a “high private in the rear rank” and “very pleased with my position.” He could return to drumming, he wrote his mother, but he’d been away too long and didn’t “find it any harder” where he was.

Spence supported the war and believed he had the “courage to fight for restoration of the union.” However, he had few words of praise for most of the officers. In the spring of 1862, three officers resigned “that was of not much account”. In August 1862, when the Band was disbanded he wrote her that he did not like the decision but “I must say nothing or I am bucked and gaged by a set of officers that never came here to serve their country but to rob it.” The following November he wrote “officers would never stand a fight for they had too much child about them.”

In most of the letters Spence sent good wishes to his mother, friends and especially his brother, Levi, or asked about him once he knew Levi joined the army. Spence was concerned about Levi’s prisoner of war status. Spence frequently mentioned sending money to his mother or provided an explanation about why he was unable to do so at a particular time.

Robert Hewlett wrote Spence about the rumor that Hewlett was to be shot for desertion. He denied the accusation. Hewlett wrote the letter from a camp near Duffield, Virginia, where “the Rebels are as plentiful as in hell.”