Amusements & Observations#
Humor, irony, and everyday wit from the letters of James and William Wade (1862–1864).
On Cousin May#
“Cousin May sent me her pictures… She seems a very fine girl from her letters, but she is certainly not a handsome one judging from her pictures.” — James to Parents, February 21, 1864 Read the full letter →
On Johny Kelly’s Work Ethic#
“Johny Kelly is getting to be the laziest boy in the Reg’t., can’t drum a bit. Bucky Bale is one of the best drummers here.” — Willie to Parents, July 27, 1862 Read the full letter →
On the Invention of the Mosquito Offensive#
“The mosquitoes are getting so thick that we can hardly sleep. The boys get them out by blowing off blank cartridges which makes them skedaddle quickly enough; then we wrap our heads up and go to sleep.” — Willie to Mother, March 13, 1863 Read the full letter →
On a Horseman’s Surprise#
“I saw a shell strike about 20 feet behind a horseman the other day. It would make you laugh to have seen him jump. I guess the horse is running yet.” — Willie to Mother, June 12, 1863 Read the full letter →
On Baseball at the Fort#
“We had a ball match on Thursday… I played 2nd base and James played Right Field. I played very well and caught three or four on the fly. Altogether, I put out about 7 or 8 men. The game stood 30 to 30. We expect to have the second match this week. We are so sore we can hardly work.” — Willie to Parents, July 27, 1862 Read the full letter →
On the Struggles of Facial Hair#
“I have been trying ever since I left home to raise a moustache, but have regularly failed. So in disgust at my inability to raise hair on my face I have shaved clean, cut my hair short and look quite innocent and boyish.” — James to Parents, January 18, 1864 Read the full letter →
On His Own Promotion#
“Now what do you think of that—jumping all the corporals and sergeants—to be a commissioned officer when I stand a good chance of leaving the service at any time? Bully for me!” — Willie to Parents, October 22, 1863 Read the full letter →
On Soldierly Finances#
“We were paid off yesterday for one month. Willie and I sent home $25.00… The Quartermaster is responsible for the money so I think there will be no difficulty about it. The boys are all in high spirits on account of getting their pay and the near approach of the time when we will be on our way home.” — James to Parents, August 10, 1862 Read the full letter →
On Sleep and the Choir#
“We got pretty wet going to church but I felt gay after leaving such a good sing. A few of us shone in the choir.” — Willie to Parents, October 26, 1862 Read the full letter →
On Command and Confidence#
“They examined me… got me to write an application for a leave of absence to see if I know how, and taken all together it was rather a severe test… I was thankful I had a good education.” — James to Mother, October 19, 1863 Read the full letter →
On Human (and Horse) Endurance#
“We could hear our gunboats down at the bay shelling the Rebels… It is warm in the daytime but very cold in the nighttime. We do not hear any news from the war here, but I expect it is about the same thing — a great deal of bombast but no work.” — Willie to Parents, March 4, 1863 Read the full letter →
On Home-Cooked Philosophy#
“All will be lovely and the goose hung high.” — Willie to Mother, September 4, 1863 Read the full letter →