“The Peace Mission of the Rebels, which causes so much excitement for a while, it seems has fizzled out, and there is nothing to expect but to fight it out now. The Herald seems to be of the opinion that the Peace that Grant, Sherman, Thomas, &c., have on hand is a better article than that other Peace (piece) that has been talked so much about, and is warranted not to fade.”

Item No. 8197138

This letter was written by Lieutenant Frank W. Davis of the 58th Pennsylvania Infantry. In it, he discusses the desertion of two substitutes to the rebel lines, decries the “Oil fever” in Philadelphia, and comments on the results of the Hampton Roads Peace Conference.

Hailing from McKean County, Davis had enlisted as a private in November 1861 and had risen through the ranks to first lieutenant when the letter was written on February 14, 1865.

Near the beginning of the letter, Davis writes of the “cold and frosty” conditions under which they performed picket duty on the Richmond-Petersburg line. “Have to keep kicking around on picket to keep our blood in circulation,” he writes. He next relates how two substitutes—men who had accepted an additional bounty to enlist in place of a draftee—had deserted to Confederate lines:

We had the misfortune a few days since to lose two of our Substitutes. They took the occasion while on picket to walk over and see “Johnnie Reb” (poor fools). I thought that a man was bad enough off in the U.S. Army, but it strikes me that they have “jumped from the frying pan into the fire.” One of them was a member of Co. “E.” This is the second one that has deserted to the enemy from this Company. They were both Substitutes, however, as none of our old men will desert to the enemy, though there is once in a while one that goes to Canada. Tibbetts and Eddy, for instance.

The recently deserted man was likely Private George Jackson, who had enlisted on November 16, 1864, and deserted on February 8, 1865. The ones who allegedly fled to Canada are Private James C. Eddy and Private Allen Tibbits, both of whom deserted August 22, 1864.

Davis then mentions news from Philadelphia. “You spoke of the Oil fever as raging very high,” he writes, continuing, “I notice that there was a large fire in Philadelphia lately, on account of some coal oil that was stored there. I should say that they had better stop digging for that substance if they are going to use it to burn cities with.”

Davis’s attention is then turned to the much-reported peace conference that had taken place at Hampton Roads, Virginia, earlier in the month, and which had failed to result in an armistice. Seeming to favor peace via victory, Davis writes:

The Peace Mission of the Rebels, which causes so much excitement for a while, it seems has fizzled out, and there is nothing to expect but to fight it out now. The Herald seems to be of the opinion that the Peace that Grant, Sherman, Thomas, &c., have on hand is a better article than that other Peace (piece) that has been talked so much about, and is warranted not to fade.

Near the conclusion of his letter, Davis answers the rumor that he had become a prisoner of the rebels:

You mentioned in your last that you had heard that I was a prisoner, etc. They have had me dead once or twice on Tuna [?], but this is the first time that I have heard of their having me a prisoner. Wonder what they will have next. You wished to know the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and all of the truth is, I never was a prisoner. Not “if the Court knows herself, and she thinks she does.”

The letter was written four pages of a letter sheet measuring about 7 3/4” x 9 3/4”. Light foxing and toning. Creased at the original mailing folds. The full transcript appears below.

Camp 58th Pa. Vols.
Feb. 14th 1865

Friend Sylvester:
Your letter of the 4th inst. was received day before yesterday, just before going on picket. Was much pleased to hear of your good health, &c.

Hope you are having pleasant times on Tuna now; plenty of good sleighing there, no doubt, and plenty of Girls to ride with you, so I don’t know of any good reason why you should not enjoy yourself largely.

There is no snow on the ground here, but it is quite cold and frosty, and very uncomfortable on picket. Have to keep kicking around on picket to keep our blood in circulation. We had the misfortune a few days since to lose two of our Substitutes. They took the occasion while on picket to walk over and see “Johnnie Reb” (poor fools). I thought that a man was bad enough off in the U.S. Army, but it strikes me that they have “jumped from the frying pan into the fire.” One of them was a member of Co. “E.” This is the second one that has deserted to the enemy from this Company. They were both Substitutes, however, as none of our old men will desert to the enemy, though there is once in a while one that goes to Canada. Tibbetts and Eddy, for instance.

You spoke of the Oil fever as raging very high. What is your opinion of it? Do you imagine that they will ever find the crather? I notice that there was a large fire in Philadelphia lately, on account of some coal oil that was stored there. I should say that they had better stop digging for that substance if they are going to use it to burn cities with.

I have not seen Eugene in a long time, though I suppose the Regt. is still where it has been, as I have not heard of its moving. I am on picket every other day, and when I am in Camp I have something to do so that I can’t get time to visit any of my friends. I guess he is busy too, as he has not been over to our Camp in about three weeks or more.

The Peace Mission of the Rebels, which causes so much excitement for a while, it seems has fizzled out, and there is nothing to expect but to fight it out now. The Herald seems to be of the opinion that the Peace that Grant, Sherman, Thomas, &c., have on hand is a better article than that other Peace (piece) that has been talked so much about, and is warranted not to fade.

You mentioned in your last that you had heard that I was a prisoner, etc. They have had me dead once or twice on Tuna, but this is the first time that I have heard of their having me a prisoner. Wonder what they will have next.

You wished to know the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and all of the truth is, I never was a prisoner. Not “if the Court knows herself, and she thinks she does.”

My regards to all friends and acquaintances in B—. With many good wishes for your health and happiness—
I remain
Yours Truly
F. W. Davis