Mark E. Dickerman
“Mark”Mark was born on the 20th of December, 1835, to Edward Dickerman and Laura Hotchkiss in Mount Carmel, Connecticut, and is a cousin of Caroline. By the time he was 16, he was living in the household of Abram C. Doolittle and working as a mechanic (possibly as an apprentice). At 24 years of age, he married Ellen M. Rich.
In September of 1862, he enlisted into Company I of the 20th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry as the company wagoner. At the battle of Peach Tree Creek, he saved the life of Ezra Dickerman by obtaining a pass to stay on the battlefield and care for Ezra after he was too severely wounded to be moved.
Mark was transferred to the Invalid Corps in October of 1864 and ultimately was mustered out of service on August 1st, 1865.
The Dickerman ancestry book describes him thusly:
A man of warm heart and happy disposition, he was always a pleasant companion and was greatly beloved.
He passed away on October 8th, 1875, in Mount Carmel. He was a mere 40 years old. After his passing, his wife married Isaac Lorenzo Stiles.
Sources
In these letters:
- Description
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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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- 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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- In this letter, Cecil reassures his wife that although food has been scarce and fairly monotonous, he’s alright. He mentions working on their new winter huts, buying food from the sutler, and asks her to send some sausages.
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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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- 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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- In this lengthy letter from Cecil, he tells of his Regiment’s waiting for marching commands and comments rather charmingly on his Aunt Laura’s view of wine (“oh my how nice she is”). He then describes the poor weather, prominent sicknesses, and uninspiring army commotion they’d been pleasured with.
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- Cecil writes to Caroline about the poor weather, their lack of protections from the elements, waiting for marching orders, and rumors started at home by Mark.
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- A brief letter from Cecil about waiting to march, a “blue” letter he received from Caroline. He also debunks several lies that had been passed home by his fellow soldiers.
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- Cecil writes to Caroline about business at home, directions for shipping a box, complains about the army grub, and speaks about how lovely a place Frederick was and how the Rebs treated the townsfolk very well.
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- Caroline writes about how she wishes the army would let sick men go home on furlough, and speaks of visiting with neighbors.
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- Cecil writes to Caroline about whom to sell their horse to, and how well the boys take care of him.
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- 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.
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- Cecil writes about his first march and losing a shirt and pair of drawers.