Joel C. Dickerman
“Joel”, “Joe”Born to Jared and Henerietta Dickerman of Hamden, New Haven, Connecticut, shirt-tail relative of Caroline Burleigh. Joel enlisted with Company I of 20th CT Infantry in September of 1862. Struck by a shell in his abdomen on July 3rd, 1863, during the last day of the battle of Gettysburg, this 22-year-old died the following day in a field hospital and was buried in the Connecticut plot at the Gettysburg National Cemetery.
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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- 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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- 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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- A letter primarily about the difficulty of shipping boxes to the soldiers and the contents of a box she sent.
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- Cecil writes on a lazy Sunday in camp about the poor weather, the condition of his uniform and clothing, and the state of his pay.
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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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- Cecil writes briefly about building a winter hunt, picket duty, and the state of their pay.
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- Caroline writes a lengthy letter about the state of the war, their baby, her headaches, her low view of Austin, and lots more.
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- Cecil writes about a visit from Mr. Bristol, the untimely death of a captain, their child, and why he chose to fight in the Civil War.
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- A brief letter about picket duty and a wintertime march.
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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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- 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 letter, written on Christmas Eve, Cecil is quite depressed with the current state of the war. He speaks about the ever present nature of sickness, how difficult the last march was, how they are suffering from a lack of food, building new cabins for winter, and getting arrested for leaving camp without a pass.
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- A short letter from Cecil alerting Caroline that the Twentieth would be marching the next morning and mentioning the increasing number of sick men.
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- Cecil writes to Caroline about his improving health, the cold, his winter quarters cabin, and advises her how to feed their horse during the winter.
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- In this detailed letter, Cecil writes about how he loves looking up at the stars at night, how he spent Thanksgiving, a well-loaded box they received from home, and sickness in the regiment.
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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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- A letter from Cecil to Caroline about the ongoing construction of winter quarters, business back at home, the cold weather, when they will be paid, and the fellow members of his mess.
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- A letter from Cecil, telling Caroline about their efforts to build huts for living in, Burnside being placed in charge of the army, and the ineptitude of their own Colonel Ross.
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- Cecil writes about a scare he experienced when some New York soldiers ended up in front of his line; the chance of moving more; possible impending battle; being on picket duty; and then advises Caroline on what to send in the next care box.
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- Cecil writes about traveling by train from Frederick to Harpers Ferry, tells Caroline to send him a box, and describes Harpers Ferry in the aftermath of a battle.
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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.