Edward D. Dickerman

“E. D. Dickerman”, “Ed Dickerman”, “Ed Dwight”
Photograph of Edward Dwight Dickerman
Edward Dwight Dickerman

Edward is a cousin to Caroline and son of Sarah Dickerman. He was born in Mt. Carmel to Ezra Dickerman and Sarah Jones on April 30th, 1827 and was the oldest of nine children. He was educated in several common schools and different academies, and then later taught school for several winters. In 1857, at 30 years of age, Edward moved to Jacksonville, Illinois and married Virginia Stevenson. While living in Jacksonville, he served as the General Supervising Agent for the Home and worked for other companies for the State of Illinois.

In 1862, he took a trip back to his birth town of Mount Carmel and at that time borrowed the infamous $50 from Cecil. The discussion of this indebtedness appeared many times in Cecil’s and Caroline’s early letters as they attempted to get the money back.

He passed away on the 20th of May, 1907, leaving his wife at 80 years of age.

Sources

In these letters:

  1. Date Author Description
  2. 1862-10-22
    • Cecil Burleigh
    • Cecil writes about receiving a box of edibles from home, McClellan’s inability to get into a fight, and building log huts. In a lengthy P.S. he addresses the rations and the weather.
  3. 1862-10-12
    • Caroline Burleigh
    • Caroline writes about friends visiting, her headaches, selling potatoes, and pleads with Cecil not to throw his life away in the case of battle.
  4. 1862-10-10
    • Cecil Burleigh
    • Cecil writes home about how they have been eating better, the chance of going into battle, the surrounding units, and what his wishes are for Caroline and their daughter in the event of his death.
  5. 1862-10-05
    • Cecil Burleigh
    • Cecil writes about his camping situation, the lack of good food, and his dislike for playing cards.
  6. 1862-10-01
    • Cecil Burleigh
    • Cecil writes a letter to Caroline expressing how he wishes he would receive more letters, the journey to Frederick, how he would love to see her and their daughter again, and that as much as he wishes he could return home, he will do his duty for his country.
  7. 1862-09-30
    • Caroline Burleigh
    • Caroline writes about how she wishes the army would let sick men go home on furlough, and speaks of visiting with neighbors.
  8. 1862-09-28
    • Cecil Burleigh
    • Cecil writes about being frustrated by the tactical gridlock, how ugly the Potomac River and Virginia state are, and how he wishes that Caroline would write more often.
  9. 1862-09-25
    • Cecil Burleigh
    • Cecil writes about shipping his pistol and several other items home, being sick with a cold, and then gives Caroline directions for sending a care box.
  10. 1862-09-23
    • Cecil Burleigh
    • Cecil writes to Caroline about whom to sell their horse to, and how well the boys take care of him.
  11. 1862-09-21
    • Caroline Burleigh
    • Letter from Caroline Burleigh to her husband discussing how much their daughter missed him, selling the family horse, and how much she longs for his letters.
  12. 1862-09-21
    • Cecil Burleigh
    • Letter from Cecil Burleigh discussing business, camp life of a new recruit, and reassuring his wife.
  13. 1862-09-18
    • Cecil Burleigh
    • Cecil writes about his first march and losing a shirt and pair of drawers.