The Edwin Dunham Letters

The letters on this page were written by young Edwin Dunham who was the son of William Dunham, Mt. Washington who was a grocer and postmaster for a number of years.
Edwin served for a little more than a year on the USS Ram Avenger.

The USS Avenger was a large steamer with powerful guns acquired by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was used by the Union Navy as a gunboat in support of the Union Navy blockade of Confederate waterways. Because of her large size, she was also used, at times, as a cargo ship.

Edwin served for a little more than a year (Februrary, 1864 to March, 1865). The Avenger patrolled the waters of the Mississippi River but at the time Edwin was serving on board the western waters were firmly under control of the federal government so the Union vessel saw very little combat action.

The letters were transcribed by Roland Lowery in the 1960’s and the original letters alternate from the use of black India ink and black walnut ink ( a common ink used by soldiers in the American Civil War mainly due to the abundance of black walnuts and it was free) on different forms of stationary.

The letters are mainly to his sister and document what it was like for someone serving in the Civil War.

We will add a letter each week beginning on Veterans Day Nov 11 2021 until the series is complete.

U.S. Receiving Ship Grampus    Cincinnati Feb. 29 ’64

My Dear Sister,

Your much appreciated letter was received this afternoon while standing watch and it is not necessary to tell you that I was glad to receive it. I am very sorry indeed that Ma is sick but hope that she may soon recover.
Tell her that I shall remember her at the Throne of Grace.
I received my comfort and paper this afternoon. Sam brought them down. You want to know how I spent the sabbath, well you know it rained very hard, but after we had done the ship’s work through the influence of Masters Mate Williams &
a friend of Sams – I got permission of the Capt to go on shore, we went to Church and afterwards I went home with Tom Collins for dinner, then I went up to Sams and stayed until about four o’clock when we returned to the boat. Our crew is rapidly increasing and we expect soon to leave for dixie, the boat on which we expect to go is about finished, perhaps we will leave in two or three days, perhaps sooner and it may be a longer time. 

I wish you would put that letter for me from Lida in another envelope just as it is and send it to me immediately and all the letters which may come for me, forward in the  Same manner don’t forget. 
You want to know about our rations, well they are very – good and I expect to get fat on them. If you could see the quantity which I eat you would not think I was in any danger of starving.

Tell Belle if she desires to see me she had better come very soon, I have not much idea that we will be here next Saturday, but we may, and if she should come to the city tell her to come down to the boat and enquire for me, it lies just at the foot of Pike St. Visitors are allowed to come on board. and converse with their friends.

Tell Ma that I bought the Bible and have read it regularly every day. Write soon and tell me how all the· sick folks are getting

along.Give my compliments to all enquiring friends and with much love to Pa, Ma and yourself

I am ever your loving

Brother Ed