Nancy Dickerman
“Mother”Nancy Dickerman was the mother of Caroline. Her husband, Amos Dickerman, had passed away in 1850. When Cecil married Caroline they moved in to Nancy’s house and took care of her through her final years (she died in 1870).
Sources
In these letters:
- Description
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- Things start to get lively in Virginia when pickets are attacked, and Capt. Dickerman is not feeling so well. Joe cracks a joke against Tucker, and Lieut. Dickerman is trying to get a discharge.
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- After their house almost burns down, Cecil writes a distraught letter as he contemplates what could have been.
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- This letter is primarily about what is happening at home in Connecticut, but Cecil does mention the possibility of moving shortly and what role the 20th Connecticut might play.
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- Once again feeling rather homesick, Cecil sends some final details about his stay in Washington, some excitement caused by some nearby Confederates, and his love for molasses.
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- Back in camp on a stormy day, Cecil writes about the changes in the Army, cooking pancakes, and asks what the news of the world is.
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- Lamentations of being separated from his wife and home, a visit to Mt. Vernon, and O’Brien’s Pillow.
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- Cecil write about staying the night in D.C. and having his friend get robbed.
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- A letter primarily about the difficulty of shipping boxes to the soldiers and the contents of a box she sent.
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- Caroline writes about her mother going to a party and receiving money from Cecil along with a letter that made her “quite blue”.
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- Caroline writes about the cold weather, going visiting, the soldiers sending pay home, some other news, and complains about Adams & Co. Express not sending boxes to the 20th Conn.
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- Caroline writes to Cecil, and complains about the state of the war and how the soldiers were being treated.
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- Caroline writes a lot about Louise, reflects on her past life prior to marriage, tells Cecil how to care for his sore throat, asks about some business matters, and wishes for Cecil to come home soon.
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- Caroline writes about a winter storm, how she hopes that Cecil is not marching in it, and the funeral of Sgt. Fowler.
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- Caroline writes to Cecil, wondering how he is doing, contemplating and bemoaning the chance of another battle, and speaking quite a bit about their toddler daughter.
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- Caroline writes to Cecil about her money situation, how she enjoys sending him things, complains how the government doesn’t care for their soldiers, and speaks about the local news.
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- In this long letter, Caroline complains about the state of the war, the moral affect of the war upon the men who are fighting it, how the armies don’t respect the Sabbath, and her daily schedule.
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- Cecil writes a letter to Caroline about a box of food they received from home, the state of his pay, and a brief story of Austin getting lost in the woods.
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- In this long letter, Caroline complains about the Army having reviews on the sabbath, writes about their daughter, Christmas and New Years, a chicken-killing episode, and some matter of dispute between her and Cecil.
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- Cecil writes to Caroline about the state of the war and how God will have vengeance on the Confederate leaders, speaks of the ill effects of camp life on the minds and morals of the soldiers, the possibility of moving again, and the ever colder weather.
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- Caroline writes a lengthy letter about the impending battle of Fredericksburg, her headaches, the potential of her visiting the 20th Connecticut, and Louise.
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- In this letter, Cecil scolds Caroline for worrying too much and working too hard, reminding her to place her faith in Christ. He speaks of his dissatisfaction with the chaplain, how he spent Thanksgiving, and worries about their daughter’s propensity for stammering.
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- In this brief letter, Cecil apologizes for his rather snappish letter earlier in the month, and complains about how the army doesn’t do anything. He mentions the upcoming Thanksgiving and discusses why he sometimes writes with pencil instead of pen.
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- In this letter, Cecil writes to Caroline about unsuccessfully chasing down CS cavalry in poor weather, another box he received, the health and camp of the regiment, the state of his pay, and the coming Thanksgiving.
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- In this entertaining letter, Cecil is in the midst of a small spat with Caroline. He defends himself, saying that he has not been drinking, and that he has been attending church. He mentions receiving a care box.
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- 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.
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- In this short letter, Cecil tells Caroline what she should send in a care box and discusses the bounty that Caroline should be receiving.
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- Caroline writes about friends visiting, her headaches, selling potatoes, and pleads with Cecil not to throw his life away in the case of battle.
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- Cecil writes about the chance of the 20th Connecticut going into battle in the near future, sleeping in the open, how much he loves receiving letters, then comments on some visiting that Caroline had done.
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- 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.
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- Caroline writes about how her letters may not be getting through, some splendid peaches that she got from a relative, and a visit from Mr. Thayer.
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- 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.
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- 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.