UC-NRLF 
 
 SB 57 33fl 
 
 LEVERETT BRADLEY 
 
 A SOLDIER-BOY'S LETTERS, 1862-1865 
 A MAN'S WORK IN THE MINISTRY 
 
 THE PRIESTHOOD: 
 A SERMON BY PHILLIPS BROOKS 
 

fKf -T 
 
 , . 2- 9 / ^ 
 
 ^ 
 
 
THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 PRESENTED BY 
 
 PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND 
 MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID 
 
f ** 
 
 [Commissioned 1st Lieutenant July 31, 1865, 
 when 19 years of age] 
 
LEVERETT BRADLEY 
 
 A SOLDIER-BOY'S LETTERS, 1862-1865 
 A MAN'S WORK IN THE MINISTRY 
 
 EDITED BY 
 
 SUSAN HINCKLEY BRADLEY 
 
 ft 
 
 THE PRIESTHOOD: 
 A SERMON BY PHILLIPS BROOKS 
 
 BOSTON, MASS. 
 
 PRIVATELY PRINTED 
 
 MCM V 
 
Done at 
 The Everett Press 
 
. . . "happy is he who finds 
 A law in which his spirit is left free. ' ' 
 
 THIS VOLUME is DEDICATED TO 
 OUR CHILDREN 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 L EVERETT BRADLEY, JR., son of Captain Leverett Bradley and 
 Catherine Frye, was born in Methuen, Massachusetts, July 11, 1846, 
 on the ancestral farm, situated on the banks of the Merrimac. The 
 house in which he was born was begun at the time of the Revolution, but not 
 finished, as is shown by the effect of the weather on the frame of hewn oak 
 timbers, which were exposed during the years that the men were absent 
 fighting for independence. In those days it must have been an imposing 
 building, for in Leverett's boyhood it was a landmark for miles around. 
 
 The family, on his father's side, living at Haverhill, Massachusetts, was 
 conspicuous in the early struggle of the colony and took an active part in all 
 the movements for its defence. His great-grandfather, Enoch Bradley, was 
 an officer in the Revolutionary War; his grandfather, Brickett Bradley, was 
 .a captain of dragoons in the early part of the nineteenth century. The lat- 
 ter was born and lived in the old Bradley homestead, where he is remem- 
 bered for his energy, good cheer, and hospitality, as being a good friend and 
 wise adviser. 
 
 The first son of Brickett Bradley and Hannah Merrill was named Lev- 
 erett, after a friend, Leverett Saltonstall of Haverhill. When he was twenty- 
 one his father gave him the farm and house which he had bought from the 
 Fryes, and when he married Catherine C. Frye he brought her to the house 
 built by her own grandfather. Leverett Bradley was known for his tenacity 
 and clear-cut expression of thought and purpose. He could plan ; he loved 
 the excitement of big enterprises but was impatient of details, and here was 
 perhaps the secret of his never making more than a comfortable living. He 
 was free from all suspiciousness, and he did not reap the benefits of the plans 
 he set in motion. When he was occupied with mechanical work, however, 
 his accuracy was proverbial. He reclaimed and " made" the most valuable 
 parts of the farm. His was a restless, progressive temperament, which re- 
 belled at delay, and, always an optimist, he carried projects to a conclusion 
 that would have staggered more conservative minds. He was very pure- 
 minded, had a fine erect figure, and cleanness of speech. His love of music 
 was one of his keenest pleasures, and he had a sweet tenor voice. As cap- 
 tain in the old Sixth Massachusetts Militia, Mr. Bradley's clear head and 
 executive ability were recognized by his townspeople. When the Pemberton 
 Mill in Lawrence fell he was at once chosen to take command and organize 
 the volunteers to rescue the victims. His measures were at first thought 
 severe, but in the light of further developments were recognized as far-sighted 
 and wise. He had a strong constitution, was a bundle of nerves as far as 
 work was concerned, and knew nothing of rest; but when finally forced to 
 
yield to pain, he bore his sufferings with fortitude till death relieved him, 
 when he was sixty-six years old. 
 
 On his mother's side Leverett, Jr., also had the traditions of patriotism, 
 his great-great-grandfather, Col. James Frye,* having commanded a regi- 
 "ment at the battle of Bunker Hill. His grandfather, Jeremiah Frye, owned 
 many acres of farm-land and sold large tracts, among them part of the site 
 of the present city of Lawrence. 
 
 Leverett remembered best his grandmother, Mrs. Jeremiah Frye, who 
 was noted far and wide for her sweet and alert brightness, which spoke from 
 her eyes. All felt the refinement of speech, accuracy of pronunciation, gra- 
 cious courtesy of manner, of this rare old gentlewoman. With these was 
 blended a charming wisdom, which expressed itself in fascinating epigrams 
 quoted long years afterwards. She was the mother of a large family, and a 
 busy worker. The home stood in the cross-roads opposite the old church in 
 which gathered weekly the large congregations of Methuen. In the long 
 noons of the hot summers and in the cold winters Mrs. Frye's big-hearted 
 hospitality welcomed the fathers, the mothers, the young men and maidens, 
 of the town. Her wisdom was not acquired from book-learning; she studied 
 life at first hand and understood the human heart. Young men admired and 
 respected her; her children adored her; while in her grandsons she inspired 
 a beautiful, chivalrous devotion. 
 
 Catherine, Leverett 's mother, was Mrs. Frye's second daughter, and was 
 bonnie and strong. Her strength and sunny, cheerful patience enabled her 
 to accomplish an amount of work which would stagger the young mother of 
 to-day. She never lost her gentleness and refinement and beautiful hospital- 
 ity through long years of hard work in circumstances which required close 
 economy. She took the personal care of her five children, besides the 
 management of the entire household, which at times numbered from ten to 
 twelve "hired men" that Mr. Bradley had engaged in his extensive im- 
 provements on the farm. At one time she baked a barrel of flour a week. 
 She invariably met all the trials of her life with placid cheerfulness and 
 never seemed to worry about possible ills ; but in looking forward there was 
 always before her mental vision a picture of physical danger and of privation 
 for those she loved. This she often expressed, though ready at the first word 
 to smile over her own apprehensions. She was the sunniest of pessimists. 
 In later years she was often congratulated on the fine characters of all her 
 children, and told that it was unusual to have no bad boys out of four. She 
 invariably replied that she had never had a moment's anxiety in that re- 
 spect ; that they none of them had ever given her the slightest cause to do 
 so; and then, fearing she had not been modest enough, she would add with 
 a light heart, "There's time yet." 
 
 Leverett revered his mother more and more as the years went by, and 
 
 * ColonelJames Frye was born January 24, 1711, in Andover, Massachusetts. He 
 died January 8, 1776, from the effects of a wound received during the battle of Bunker 
 Hill. He lived in Andover, and was colonel of the Fourth Essex Regiment, of which he 
 was in command at the battle of Bunker Hill. 
 
 [6] 
 
marvelled at her courage and vigor. She lived to be eighty-four, and when 
 leisure came in her latter years she would sit reading, or embroidering and 
 knitting, turning out good work, as she always had. 
 
 But no picture of the home and of Mrs. Bradley is complete without Liz- 
 zie, her oldest child and precious right hand. She entered into and shared 
 her mother's life in all its details. From the time she was three years old 
 she was a caretaker of the boys. She had so large an influence in forming 
 Leverett's character that I quote, from an intimate cousin in the family, the 
 following description: 
 
 " I have never known a more symetrically developed character, one who 
 exemplified in hourly living the principles which governed Jesus Christ, or 
 one that made you feel so absolutely that to her own consciousness she em- 
 phasized all the good in you and dropped the bad out of sight. Yet she 
 never gave the impression that she condoned evil, never! She rarely offered 
 advice, though her advice was often sought, and in any real moral difficulty 
 she almost always advised the course it was hard to pursue ; but she seemed 
 to give the strength to follow the best way. Her sympathy, insight, and 
 discretion were wonderful. You never knew whether it was head or heart 
 that spoke. Her definite intention seemed to control her as well as her 
 emotions. She once told me that she had trained herself not to see. ' I used 
 to be able to tell everything in a room after entering it; and in meeting a 
 person I knew every detail of the dress worn.' Her love of the beautiful 
 in nature was a passion, her appreciation of tasteful appointments was 
 deep and refined, yet she never appeared to mind that she must herself 
 forego the fine things she enjoyed. She was truly generous ; she would have 
 loved to give, but I never heard her deplore her inability to make gifts; 
 indeed, she taught us that we need not have money or gear in order to give 
 and to serve. She never failed one in trouble; she nursed the sick, com- 
 forted the sorrowing, and strengthened the weak outside the home; but it 
 was in the home that she shone. Here she and Aunt Katie worked to- 
 gether. 'Bradley Farm' was loved by the relatives and friends far and 
 near. Those who knocked at the door were made welcome with perfect 
 hospitality, however unseasonable and inconvenient the call, however busy 
 with pressing care their hands might be. Being on the road from Haver- 
 hill to Lawrence, it was not an uncommon occurrence to have a party 
 drive up just as the family were rising from the dinner-table, the supply 
 of provisions practically exhausted ; but the welcome was so hearty that the 
 inopportune arrivals had not a question about the lunch of delicious bread 
 and butter, omelet, etc., that was hastily prepared and served, Lizzie en- 
 livening all with her fun and dry way of saying things. 
 
 " Lizzie's friends passed their happiest days at the farm ; each was left 
 to do just as she pleased, but was never left to feel neglected. The boys 
 would rather go home than anywhere else for their good times. And Lizzie 
 kept their development and training in the little courtesies of life in mind. 
 When they were absent she would go into the pasture, catch the horse, har- 
 
ness it, and drive into the city to do her father's errands; but were one of 
 her brothers there he must fold her shawl about her, assist her to mount 
 into the wagon or carriage; 'For,' she said, 'if they always have to wait 
 on mother and me they will not forget to do these things when they have 
 wives.' She was tireless in her love and devotion to her own, and when 
 she passed out from the dear old home her going left a sorrow which graved 
 indelible lines in the faces of those whom she left to prize her sweet, noble 
 example and love her precious memory." 
 
 The oldest son was George, who took care of the home during the war 
 and still lives on part of the old farm. Leverett was the second son, and was 
 two years younger than George and two years older than his brother Jerry 
 Payson, who survives him, as does his youngest brother, Frank. 
 
 Like most country lads, Leverett 's early boyhood was passed in going to 
 the district school during the short sessions and working on the farm during 
 vacations. This continued until he was about ten years of age, when he en- 
 tered the graded schools in the city of Lawrence, Massachusetts. He was 
 always of a literary turn of mind, and even in his younger days stood well at 
 the head of his class. It is remembered that he did not like the ordinary 
 drudgery of farm work ; but when anything definite had to be done he put 
 in as hard work as a boy could. 
 
 At the breaking out of the war for the Union he was a member of the 
 High School in Lawrence and belonged to a military company of boys which 
 had been formed for the purposes of drill. On the return of the two 
 Lawrence companies of the Sixth Massachusetts from their march through 
 Baltimore, these boys turned out for the first time in uniform and under 
 arms. 
 
 When President Lincoln issued a call for the first three-years troops 
 Methuen immediately recruited, under command of Leverett 's father, Cap- 
 tain Bradley, a full company, known as Company B, which was attached to 
 the Fourteenth Regiment of Infantry rendezvousing at Fort Warren, in Bos- 
 ton Harbor, July 5, 1861. Captain Bradley thought it wise to take Leverett 
 to wait on him, expecting then to be gone only ninety days. At that time 
 Leverett was only fourteen, his fifteenth birthday being July 11. He at- 
 tached himself to the company, acting as clerk. 
 
 The company left for the front in August, 1861, and on September 14 of 
 the same year Leverett enlisted as a private in Company B of the regiment 
 for three years, or during the war. He continued to act as company clerk. 
 His younger brother Jerry enlisted as drummer-boy November 8. 
 
 During the remainder of 1861 the regiment was stationed in the forts 
 around Washington, building and manning a line of works from Chain 
 Bridge, opposite Georgetown, to Long Bridge, the lower end of Washing- 
 ton, and received the designation of the Fourteenth Massachusetts Heavy 
 Artillery. In 1862, by orders from the War Department, the regiment was 
 called the First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, and was known by that 
 name until the close of the war. 
 
 [8] 
 
A SOLDIER-BOY'S LETTERS 
 
 1862-1865 
 
 HEADQUARTERS HEAVY ARTILLERY, 
 
 14TH MASS. REGT., Co. B. 
 FORT ALBANY, March 5, 1862. 
 Dear Mother and Brothers: 
 
 We fired a National Salute here yesterday in honor of the first anniver- 
 sary of Lincoln's inauguration. It happened to be my detatchment that fired 
 it, so I can say I have helped fire a cannon 6 P.dr. brass. 20 guns were fired, 
 then we limbered up and run into the Fort. 
 
 Well, how do you get along with the Geese ? Jerry told me you were not 
 going to keep any this year, but I am glad you are. Write me which ones you 
 keep and ducks and hens, because I am a little anxious to know how things 
 go long about the Bradley Farm. 
 
 We had a lively time here the other day. I was making out pay-rolls, 
 but when the order came to fall in, I seized my old comrade [gun] and went 
 down. We formed in line and the adjutant read the orders from McClellan 
 to Division Generals ; it was to be ready to march, how much we could carry 
 and to keep 2 days Rations ahead, in case of emergency. We have had sev- 
 eral other orders since which indicate a forward movement. I hope we 
 shall go, fighting or not. 
 
 Had a letter from Hull to-night. I have been making out papers to en- 
 able him to draw his pay in Massachusetts. 
 
 The Capt. has had a cold and does not feel very well. I have written a 
 good long letter and I don't believe he will. Jerry is well and on guard as 
 drummer. By our latest news we have possession of Columbus, that great 
 place of the Rebels. I think our army of Kentucky has done the most so far. 
 
 The Chaplin has got his wife out here and a Lieu't had his come to-night. 
 We shall soon have a village. 
 
 We have men from Washington to work on the Fort, as the frost has 
 caused the Ramparts to slide off into the ditch. We hear considerable said 
 about going home; some say in a month, others a year and some three years. 
 Don't make much difference to me. 
 
 As I know of nothing else to write, I will close. 
 Signed, Sealed in presence of 
 
 LEVERETT BRADLEY, JR. 
 
 George, you may give my respects to the Gals and Boys about Pleasant 
 Valley. 
 
FORT ALBANY, VA., March 17, 1862. 
 To the family in general: 
 
 The Army of the Potomac has moved and left us in the dark ; there are 
 not 100 men in the Regt. but what would like to go ahead. 
 
 McDowell's Division, which we once belonged to and then were put out 
 of, and then into it again, and then off, is going to reinforce Burnside's. The 
 Nelly Baker and Nantasket are down in the stream, with some 20 others, to 
 take troops to some place. What do you think of our defeat at Manassas ? 
 We were not whipped, but we did not get a chance to fight. 
 
 The talk is that McClellan will be supersceded. I don't know it as a 
 fact, but it is rumor. 
 
 We are about played out writing out here. Like to get letters well enough 
 but don't like to answer. 
 
 Here I shall close. L-BRAD JR 
 
 P. S. Pleaseexcusethewritingwellyouknowitisbaddon 'tyou wellwhatdo 
 you thinkof Manassas Leverettbradley j r 
 
 FORT ALBANY, VA., Mch. 23, 1862. 
 Dear Mother, Sister and Brothers: 
 
 We received a letter from home last night, and were glad you had sent 
 your pictures. But I do not think that Mother's does her justice. She looks 
 too thin and careworn; if so, I shall think it was on account of our leaving 
 home, and the care falling on her has made her sick or unwell. 
 
 Frank has changed, it being 8 months since I have seen him, but he looks 
 as if he would like to see us through his little eyes. He looks fat and healthy. 
 
 And you had better believe we do, being so regular at our meals, and 
 but few varieties which are best for our health. 
 
 The weather has been rather better for the week past. Are having fine 
 times after supper in games. Foot Ball, Base Ball, Cards, Checquers, Danc- 
 ing and Singing. 
 
 Miss E. P. called up to see us the other night and took tea with us. She 
 said that she was determined to eat a meal with the men at the Barracks, as 
 that was what she came out for. 
 
 The two companies to join the Regt. arrived here yesterday. 
 
 Caleb Saunders is a Lieu't in one. 
 
 After religious services this forenoon the Col. was telling us about the 
 reputation this Regiment has here, among the Big officers. 
 
 About fifty thousand of the Army of the Potomac have left, they think 
 to reinforce Burnside, and he is going to march on Richmond. 
 
 A Regiment of Cavalry passed by here to-day ; they looked finely. Send 
 out my book-keeping by that boy. 
 
 I have got a little cold and do not feel well enough to pick on the Old 
 Banjo. 
 
 [10] 
 
The Capt. has gone up to see Capt. Wardwell at Fort Craig, about a 
 mile from here. 
 
 I will close, perhaps to write a little to-morrow morn. 
 
 Yours, 
 
 LEVERETT BRADLEY, JR. 
 
 FORT BARNARD, VA., April 2, 1862. 
 Dear Mother, Sister and Brothers: 
 
 You will see by this heading that we are still in Old Virginia. 
 
 The four companies which garrisoned this fort left this morning, and the 
 Regt. Heavy Arty, like this one, started for Alexandria, to go down the river. 
 
 They left an immense pile of rubbish, bed-ticks, beds, stools, boards, 
 stoves. I should judge they left at this place $150 worth of property. I am 
 sitting before one of the stoves ; it sends the heat out gay. I am writing on a 
 book in my lap. 
 
 Another company of our Regt. came up to-day to help garrison the place. 
 
 I will give you a little idea where we are. We are three miles from Fort 
 Albany; it mounts 10 Heavy guns. The Alexandria Rail Road runs about 
 150 rds. from us in the hollow; it is considered a place of much importance. 
 The boy has not got here yet. Give my respects to the Boys and Gals on 
 Pleasant Valley; mark you, I say gals. Well, to tell the truth, I have not 
 seen one but Aunt Betsy. She shed a tear when she left, for Co. B. 
 
 Yours truly, 
 
 LEVERETT BRADLEY, JR. 
 
 FORT BARNARD, Va., Apr. 13, 1862. 
 
 There are few military movements around here. A regiment now and 
 then goes up the road. I suppose they think the army is regulated and are 
 now ready to fight. Mr. Wilson was here this afternoon and gave us a short 
 discourse on strong drink and profane language. At dress parade he gave 
 each man a tract. He is out here to take the money of the men home, if we 
 ever get any. Now I must write out some passes and fill out a blank for 
 discharge. Yours truly, 
 
 L. B., JR. 
 
 FORT BARNARD, VA., April 16, 1862. 
 Dear Mother: 
 
 Have just finished signing the pay-rolls ; expect to get paid off to-morrow, 
 but not certain. 
 
 I am very tired, but the captain says I must write ten lines. 
 
 I assure you, mother, I have not tasted anything which I have said I 
 would not touch. No man can induce me to take whiskey, brandy, or gin, 
 or anything of the kind. The captain had a present of some native wine 
 which I have taken, but nothing stronger. 
 
They have got a temperance society; but my word, if I give it, I will 
 stick by. 
 
 To see so much drunkeness in camp is enough to make one despise the 
 stuff even as medicine. 
 
 No news of importance from this quarter of the globe. 
 
 Good-night. Yours truly, 
 
 LEVERETT BRADLEY, JR. 
 
 FORT BARNARD, VA., May 7, 1862. 
 Dear Friends: 
 
 You will see we are still here and are likely to be till the end of the war. 
 
 You have got as much news as we have, probably, viz., Evacuation of 
 Yorktown by the rebels and the taking of it by our forces. We had a large 
 10 in. Mortar brought here last night to practice with. We are going to fire 
 Saturday. We have also one 30 Ibs. rifled parrott gun which pointed at the 
 enemy on Munson Hill last year, but never had a chance to pop at them. 
 By the retreating of the rebels from Yorktown it has left us entirely out of 
 danger; they were before some 75 miles away, but now 125 miles, so you 
 see we were perfectly safe. Do not worry, because I do not think they will 
 trouble us at present. The cars are passing now towards Leesburg from 
 Alexandria; they have not run much lately. 
 
 Well, about this leaving home business. If you want to go, start, and we 
 will follow (California or Mexico). We have got plenty of dogs and I am 
 going to hunt for a living. Am going to get a horse, rifle and gun, pack up 
 dogs and start, and I "reckon" you had better all do the same. 
 
 There is one lady in our camp, Capt. Shatswell's wife; she has been out 
 since last winter plucky. Also a negro woman who comes with milk every 
 morning. Good-looking, but too dark complected to get too near to. 
 
 Yours, 
 
 L. B. 
 
 FORT BARNARD, VA., May 14, 1862. 
 Dear Mother: 
 
 We have had great news for the week past, but are a little anxious about 
 Halleck ; afraid he will be whipped and that will be a stunner. Norfolk has 
 been taken. You will have heard of it before this reaches you ; however, it 
 is good news. I can scarcely hear myself think, the drums are beating so 
 like the old Harry. 
 
 Roll-call. Bed-time. 
 
 Tuesday morning, 6 a.m. 
 
 Just answered to the roll-call and now can write a line. We had mortar 
 firing the other day. The shell can be seen in the air; it goes to an immense 
 height and then comes down on the object smash. The shell weighs 91 Ibs. 
 
It would be a good thing if a fellow had got to die, to have it drive him in ; 
 but he would want it taken off afterwards, because it would make a fellow's 
 head ache. Yours, 
 
 L. BRADLEY, JR. 
 
 FORT BARNARD, VA., July 2, 1862. 
 Dear Mother, Sister and Brothers: 
 
 It is a cold chilly night and has been all day, for this date. I am crowd- 
 ing as close to the stove as I can sit, in order to keep up animal heat out- 
 wardly. I have got acquainted with a farmer's son about a quarter of a mile 
 from here. The Capt. is well acquainted with the man; he owns a large 
 amount of property around here. The fort is built on his ground. They 
 are a fine family. We go off together Sundays, he having to work other days. 
 He has got two horses under his care ; was cutting hay yesterday. As I was 
 going to say, we went off Sunday and visited all the place ; he knows all about 
 here and of course knows the girls. I ate supper with them the other night, 
 so you see I am all hunk. Going to get acquainted with some rich young 
 lady, marry and settle down. I suppose you think I am going to work rather 
 early. Well, count it we are Soldiers. Is n't it a great thing to be a Soldier! 
 We don't get much war news; expect to hear soon that McClellan is in 
 Richmond. I am going to try to go to a picnic 4th of July. I have finished 
 the muster rolls which I have to make out every two months. Here I must 
 close, or at least try to! Love to all. 
 
 Yours truly, 
 
 LEVERETT BRADLEY, JR. 
 
 P. S. I don't think much of this letter, but could not think of anything 
 to write. 
 
 [On July 11 he had his sixteenth birthday. ED.] 
 
 FORT BARNARD, VA., July 17, 1862. 
 Dear Mother, Sister and Brothers: 
 
 It is quite a long time since I last wrote. Have had a spell of sickness. 
 I had a fever, then the shakes, which are very comfortable( !) to have on one. 
 I had to take Quinine for the first time and the taste of it was in my mouth 
 two days after; it loosened every tooth in my head. War news not very ex- 
 citing. A string of over two hundred teams passed up by here day before 
 yesterday; they are going to help move Pope's army, but it will take some 
 time to find it. 
 
 It has been hot; sweat runs off in streams. George Frye is well. Here 
 I will close and give the Capt. room to write. 
 
 Yours, 
 
 L. B., JR. 
 
 [13] 
 
FORT BARNARD, VA., Aug. 7, 1862. 
 Dear Mother: 
 
 My health is improving rapidly, but still they say I look like a ghost. 
 Yesterday there was a large review (that is, for round here) at Fort Ward. 
 I did not go in the ranks, but Jere came along from Arlington House, so I 
 went along with him. It was terribly hot ; but I stood it as well as the ones 
 who are full of health. Reviewing officers were Abraham Lincoln, Gen's. 
 Whipple and Sturgis. He looked as if he had a great deal on his mind 
 (A. L.), dressed very plain; reminded me of old Scripture look in his face. 
 Every fort fired a salute. I expected to see Gen. Hallek, but I was dissa- 
 pointed, because I went almost on purpose to see him. He was not present. 
 How does that order for the draft take hold of the men north ? It makes 
 the boys feel good that they have got to come. The general health of the 
 Regt. is good; but they are trying to kill the men, drilling in the hot sun six 
 hours a day. Mother said she did not care for long letters, so I will close. 
 Love to all. Yours truly, 
 
 L. B., JR. 
 
 [Written with a pencil.] 
 
 IN CAMP AT CLOUD'S MILLS, VA., Aug. 23, 1862. 
 Dear Mother: 
 
 Received yours to-night all right. You will see by this that we are not 
 at Fort Barnard as usual. There has been a great deal of maneuvering 
 around here lately about where to move and it has finally come to us; we have 
 expected it for some time. We have had a great time moving; did it today, 
 about four miles from former place and on the R.R. to Mannassas. Pope 
 has been down on 20 miles ; and reinforcements are going out by thousands 
 and right by our sides some orders were to go on; but on account of am- 
 munition we had to encamp here for tonight. Don't know but we shall go 
 in ten minutes, and perhaps not till morning. Jere and myself are in a small 
 tent by ourselves ; we are experiencing camp life. Had no dinner and noth- 
 ing but a cup of coffee for supper and do not expect anything again for two 
 days ; we can not get hold of any bread, having none for two weeks back. It 
 is now about 8.30 P.M. Batteries and other Regts. going with us are on the 
 move here to report. Cavallery also. We got rifles in last night and had to 
 go 3 miles to get them. I have a nice one. I slept well, you better believe, 
 last night; wore the skin off my hip bone laying on the soft side of a plank 
 (knotty); got a softer one tonight (the ground). Don't be scared, for it is 
 fun for us and will try to stick it out to the last. We may be 100 miles from 
 here tomorrow. Write as usual, and if we get it, all right, and if not, the 
 same. We will write as much as we can and often ; but let me tell you again 
 do not be worried because it does no good and makes us feel bad. 
 
 The drummer boy is well and looking on the scene. We are both lying 
 
 [14] 
 
on the ground. Nothing more to write; do not know if this will reach you. 
 Capt will write in the morning, if we do not move before. 
 Don't worry about us! Yours truly, 
 
 LEVERETT BRADLEY, JR. 
 
 FORT CORCORAN, VA., Aug. 31, 1862. 
 Dear Mother: 
 
 Rec'd yours. We have had a tramp since writing last. Our orders came 
 last Tuesday night to report to Gen. Sturgis at Warrenton; took up the line 
 of march at 9 o'clock, marched seven miles that night and halted about 12 
 o'clk. to rest our wearied limbs in a field. Slept well; started early next 
 morning and went two miles and halted to wash up and eat. While there, 
 a report came that the 2nd New York (H. A.) in our brigade was all cut up, 
 also that a battery had been taken from us. We then started on a forced 
 march. We soon met the supply trains coming back and we marched by a 
 train ten miles long, 1000 horses, 1500 cattle. We had got just the other 
 side of Fairfax, about 2 miles, when at the top of a hill, in the woods, the 
 remaining two pieces of the battery and some cavalry came rushing by, tell- 
 ing us the enemy were coming and for us to look out for ourselves. We 
 jumped for the woods and waited, but they did not come; we then formed 
 in line of battle about a mile long in the woods and waited. Co. B. was 
 moved to the right, the hardest position, and a squad of men taken way out 
 into the woods to look out for our flank, myself with them; this was the 
 dangerous post, guarding a road they would pass in coming on us. This 
 happened at 2 o'clk. We waited for them, but they did not come. The next 
 morning, soon after getting up, we heard three shots. We jumped (our little 
 squad) and concealed ourselves and waited ; but it proved to be our pickets 
 firing at each other. One of Co. A got shot through both legs; not hurt 
 much. Soon after the Dr. and asst. Surgeon, steward and five others, with 
 2 teams and an ambulance, went back to Fairfax to make a hospital ; while 
 there, 500 Cavalry rushed on them and took all prisoners, but released the 
 Drs. and kept the rest and teams and 8 horses, so you see the enemy had 
 got behind us and we were in a fix. It was Lee of the cavalry and he sent a 
 note to Col. Greene and to Gen. Sturgis; he was in the class of the Col. 
 The Col. knew that it was not best for us to stop long, but to retreat back 
 to Cloud's Mills. We had considerable to look after, our teams and stores; 
 we got ready to go, when we were sent back to old place again. Things 
 looked rather dubious ; soon we heard the roll. We all jumped to our guns 
 ready for them ; the picket came in and said that cavalry were coming. Of 
 course we expected Rebel. I expected to get shot ; hid myself in the bushes 
 and waited, but they proved to be some cavalry come out to reinforce us, 
 so we were all right; we sent them out scouting. They were gone an hour; 
 they reported some 5000 rebels four miles from us, so we started as soon as 
 possible. First went cavalry, next a battalion of our Regt., then all our wag- 
 
 [15] 
 
ons and 2 cannon, next two Battalions of our Regt., A. C's. rear guard and 
 some cavalry behind. We saw about 50 of them on the edge of the woods 
 when we started, but they did not molest us ; we kept up marching 18 miles 
 from 7 o'clk. till 12 at night, resting only 3 times. They followed us until 
 we came within 4 miles of Cloud's Mills. Soon after, Col. Greene was or- 
 dered to report to McClellan, who ordered us into these forts. The re- 
 port now is, that Jackson has surrendered; there was heavy fighting off 
 there yesterday; heard the cannon plainly. All well. Love to all. 
 
 L. B., JR. 
 
 We shall probably stay here now and not be moved off, because some 
 one wants us ! We are nearer Washington but farther up, opposite George- 
 town. Very fine view. 
 
 FORT CRAIG, VA., Sept. 10, 1862. 
 Dear Mother: 
 
 Yours received all right. The rebels are driving the union army back 
 by the mile. Reports say that Jackson is invading Penn. Glad of it ; it will 
 serve to raise the men to a sense of duty. The boys have begun already to 
 come down on the ($300) three hundred dollar men. It gets them a little 
 snappish; but they can do nothing for themselves. I don't know but we 
 shall have a chance to come home, that is if Jackson is going to be good 
 enough to drive us the right way and back there. He brags now of going 
 just where he wants to ; he always has, why can't he now just as well as then ? 
 Time will show. The Captain's health is good, also mine; Jere's improv- 
 ing as fast as he declined. I would like to go north and " hiper" you fellows 
 up once, and ask you what you are at ? Afraid to go to war; but will sell 
 your lives for $300. Well you spoke about short ones letters, I mean. 
 This is short and sweet. George B. and George Frye are well. Love to all. 
 
 Am yours truly, 
 
 LEVERETT BRADLEY, JR. 
 
 Excuse writing, as we have but few conveniences. Amen. 
 
 FORT CRAIG, VA., Oct. 15, 1862. 
 Dear Family: 
 
 The men suffer very much from cold, having had no blankets since the 
 advance, only what they could pick up, and nothing but the soft side of a 
 board to sleep on ; but I sleep as well as at home, having nearly all the con- 
 veniences of that place. 
 
 You think I had better " stop in camp than go out roaming around the 
 country" ? Well the fact is, a fellow gets tired of laying round, and another 
 reason is, I want to see the country; it is different from that in Mass., being 
 hills and valleys everywhere. I should like to go to a meeting where there 
 is some kind of a man going to speak ; have not heard one since being out 
 
 [16] 
 
here and fear that I am no better on account of it, although but little good 
 our Chaplain would or could do. As for the country being ruined, I think 
 it will get along as well as usual for some time to come. Our men can fight 
 as well as the southerners ; but no better. They have got good fighting blood 
 and are as smart as we; but it is supposed we outnumber them; still, don't 
 know. They have held their own with us so far and should not be surprised 
 if they did to the end. The Capt. has got his papers at last. Shall not ex- 
 pect a box, now the Capt. has gone, till Thanksgiving. 
 
 I suppose Frank has got to be quite an old man by this time and thinks 
 he is boss. 
 
 About those photographs; we can get fine ones taken over in the city. 
 Which would you rather have, the whole body or the bust ? I think the lat- 
 ter for me, as they say I am a tall gawky looking fellow. The report here 
 is now that we have got to go to California ; that there is a large fleet off that 
 coast and they want us out there. I should like to go as I could get out free 
 of cost. Do you suppose you could get any pay from the state, on Jere and 
 myself? Seems as though you might, other families do. I will draw up 
 something if you think best and get Lt. H. to sign it and see if that will do. 
 Write if you think best or not. The old members of Co. B are determined 
 that if they get home they will draw a town meeting and vote to give us 
 bounty ($300) and I have no doubt they 'd get the vote. 
 
 Much love to all. Give respects to all inquiring friends. 
 
 Yours, 
 
 L. B., JR. 
 
 Oct. 16. 
 
 I am just out of bed and am going to add a few lines. The new troops 
 are drilling and they have to drill like good ones too. Sitting here at the 
 door of the tent, I get a view of the Potomac. If the Capt. should go home, 
 if you look in his trunk and get the picture of a young lady, keep it for me. 
 It is a Virginia lass. 
 
 [Captain Bradley returned home in October, 1862. Leverett had been 
 clerk of the company for nearly a year, and he had shown great ability for 
 taking pains and accuracy. He learned to write very evenly and picked up 
 knowledge at every turn. The clear perception for which he was noted in 
 after-life can be traced here. The discipline in a camp where petty jealous- 
 ies and quarrels filled the leisure hours consisted in keeping free from them 
 and rising to every opportunity for responsibility. He also developed his 
 ability to keep his temper and learned to hold his tongue. He was very 
 thoughtful of the family at home, and felt the care of his brother Jere, the 
 drummer-boy, who at this time was fourteen. Leverett was sixteen. The 
 restricted circumstances of the family during the war made him conscien- 
 tious about self-support. ED.] 
 
- A . ., , , Oct. 29, 1862. 
 
 To the family at home: 
 
 How would you like me to get in the navy ? You know I spoke of it be- 
 fore I left home and it has been in my head ever since, 1st for, and then 
 against it. I don't know as I could; but would try hard. I think you could 
 do all you could there, and I, here; but I would not do it against your wish. 
 Mr. G. is one of them to get a chance at and I did n't know but what the 
 Capt. and he could talk and I would see Asst. Secretary Fox, of the Navy 
 here. It is the only service that has done anything since the war. I don't 
 know as I could get out of the army, into it; but think I could. I, perhaps, 
 could pass no kind of an examination; but I think I could get very good 
 recommendations. Now don't say "pooh," but just think it over and see 
 what you think of it. It is the place to bring up a boy anyway. There are 
 land services and sea services. Now, please ponder and weigh the subject 
 well and give only your opinion. You may think I have changed that 
 "California" note; but by this means I could stand a better sight. 
 
 Sunrise. 
 
 The beautiful morning sun is just peeping into my tent quite cheerily. 
 It was not very cold last night and I slept like a good one. Have answered 
 roll-call and built a fire and now can write. Can Frank go through the 
 sword exercise? 
 
 I hope you will meet with success in your great speech to be made 
 shortly. Have everything on your tongue's end that you are going to say 
 and then let them have it; but I don't know as I can give you any advice. 
 
 [He was sixteen, writing to his father. ED.] 
 
 FORT CRAIG, Va., Nov. 19, 1862. 
 Dear Family: 
 
 I am getting better day by day, but by what the boys say, am rather thin. 
 They want to know what deed they have done, that a ghost should appear 
 before them. I go by the name of Hamlet's ghost; but I expect soon to get 
 my old flesh on again. I am feeling first rate. The butter tastes first rate; 
 I eat toasted bread and butter. I think it quite a relish to get hold of such 
 stuff right along. Will do as you direct about money matters; if I can't get 
 over to the city myself I'll send by the sutler. I think he can be trusted. 
 Those shirts are very comfortable. I had but one the afternoon they came, 
 and I had a bath and a change of clothes. Jere is on guard and cannot 
 write. They have got so they put drummers on guard, the same as at Bar- 
 nard; but he does not stop on all night, that is one good thing. We never 
 have had so much sickness before. Burnside is doing a big thing, and if he 
 don't go through with it he will get kicked out, and receive no mercy from 
 
 the public at large and some one else will come in. "O He is the 
 
 man. He is the man." Then they will kick him out, and that is the way it 
 will go. I am tired, as you will see by my writing. From 
 
 LEV. 
 
 [18] 
 
FORT CRAIG, VA., Dec. 21, 1862. 
 Dear Family: 
 
 Glad to hear of your good health. We are in the same condition. It has 
 been terribly cold weather for us. 
 
 The war news is of but little importance. The report is, we are to have 
 a new cabinet, and that Seward has resigned. The men throughout the 
 army are getting discouraged, and men from Fredericksburg say if officers 
 were to try their best to lead them into another fight on the same ground 
 the men would not follow. It was a perfect butchery of our men. Fremont 
 (some think) will get either Sec. of War or command of the army. Report 
 this morning was Halleck had resigned. 
 
 Don't sell old Sam [a dog] unless you get a good price for him, because 
 you know he is mine. 
 
 Later. 
 
 We have rec'd orders to go to Harper's Ferry to-morrow and Jere had 
 to get drum head. We shall carry most everything; will send you a box of 
 extra clothing, pay at that end. I am packing up as fast as I can. The boys 
 feel first rate; will write if there is anything new. L. B., JR. 
 
 MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Dec., 
 Dear Friends: 
 
 Have not rec'd your letter yet. We arrived here after an all night's ride 
 in the cars and then had to tramp this mountain. We are 1100 ft. above the 
 river and it is cold all the time. We have to go a mile and J to get up here 
 and it is a steep and rocky path. We have 7 guns, 5 Boat Howitzers and 
 12 Pdr Field guns. There are two beautiful valleys, one on each side of us, 
 named Pleasant Valley and Valley of the Potomac. The Shenandoah river 
 comes in here. We have a fine view of Harper's Ferry, but it is mostly de- 
 serted except by sutlers. The Rebs show themselves once in a while; they 
 are guerillas of the Hampton's League. 
 
 We are alone here on the mountain, the other Go's are further down. 
 We have a great job to get water; have to go a mile down and then three can 
 get only enough for coffee. Start half rations twice a day. It is rather tough ; 
 but what is the use of being a soldier if you are n't one. There are a lot of 
 Rebs buried outside the battery, killed in the fight. We are both well. Wish 
 I could have those things in G's box. Love to all. LEV. 
 
 MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Dec. 28, 1862. 
 Dear Family: 
 
 We have no letter from you. We are situated on the highest point of the 
 Blue Range. Can see a distance of 40 miles in the valley of Virginia, and 
 mountains some 75 miles distant. To the south west, on the opposite side 
 of the river, is the village of Charlestown, where John Brown was hung, 
 
 [19] 
 
some 12 miles from here. To the N. W. is Martinsburg, 50 miles. It is a 
 beautiful sight to see, worth coming for. Can see the valley of the Shenan- 
 doah for 15 miles, so notorious for the retreats and advances of the two 
 armies of Gen. Banks and Jackson. There was a great commotion here, 
 the other night, caused by a despatch from the two Gens, at Winchester 
 that the enemy was coming and that they would fall back on Harper's 
 Ferry. But they have n't come yet. The men are building barracks 24 in. 
 thick. The detachment of Company H left two, which they had built for 
 themselves. From the direction the rebels came, when they took the place, 
 are lots of what might be called graves, with toes and hands out of the 
 ground. The boys get bones and buttons and such things as relics. We 
 have had a hard time of it so far; but no cause to grumble. Hard work to 
 get food or water up the mountain. It takes five mules to bring a half load 
 of water and that takes half a day. We are trying to get a pack mule to 
 bring water. They are going to have a signal station. They are signaling 
 now to a point of rocks 12 miles down the river, the place where the rebs 
 crossed at the battle of Antietam. Capt., I will ask if once a week won't do 
 to write long letters ? Time flies faster up here ; we are above the clouds a 
 good part of the time. 
 
 I expect muster rolls to-day, but have nothing but an old box to make 
 them out on. I am writing now on a cigar-box cover on my lap. 
 
 [His writing and spelling had taken a great jump in a few weeks, show- 
 ing unconscious control and a high standard in these respects. ED.] 
 
 MD. HEIGHTS, Jan. 25, 1863. 
 Dear Family: 
 
 Have written a note to Lizzie [his sister]. She says her school is "be- 
 having in behavior." We stop in No. 9 tent; it is stockaded and in rear of 
 barracks; the women have our shanty. 
 
 Feb. 1. 
 
 We were all paid up Thursday for four months. I shall send the money 
 
 by Adams express. I have collected all in the Co. but P. and G n's. 
 
 I think I can get G n's before I send money; P's is doubtful. Shall send 
 
 Geo. Bricket's with mine. We had a terrible storm; here on the Mountain 
 the snow is two feet deep and it blows. M. was promoted to Corpl. yester- 
 day. S. was broke. The boys are very indignant about it ; you know he did 
 not come out until last Sept. We have got so we have a row every day. 
 Capt. has some one to the wheel every night ; he has got the rough ones down 
 on him. Co. sent home $1709 yesterday and paid debts for 6 months. I 
 went down to the Naval battery and collected two bills there. There is a 
 report that we are to move. Shall send our money on Tuesday, so look out 
 for it. If we happen to move shall wait. Much love to all from 
 
 LEV., JR. 
 
 [20] 
 
BOAT HOWITZER BATTERY, MD. HEIGHTS, 
 
 Feb. 8, 1863. 
 Dear Mother and Father: 
 
 Yours found us all well. I started the money last Wednesday $196 (one 
 hundred and ninety six). George Bricket sent $32 which you will please de- 
 liver to uncle Frank; he paid me for sending it. It cost $1.50 for sending 
 it; kept $1 out and paid the rest from my own. I shall keep dunning for 
 the rest of those notes till I get it. Should not be surprised if we got paid 
 again soon. The boys have all paid up their bills well. H. deserted, has not 
 been heard from since pay day; most likely will keep clear and not get 
 caught. We have an order to stop the Artillery practice and we have got a 
 shelf fixed so we can take Shell of all kinds to pieces. There is an exami- 
 nation of Sergt's for promotion; it is an order from Col. S. He will recom- 
 mend them to Gov. Andrew. An Ex Capt. D. is at the Hooks on a spree 
 and some of the boys go down and have one with him. There is a time 
 coming when the men of Co. B will have a chance to speak their thoughts 
 and minds and they will do it. The men still think a great deal of Capt. 
 Bradley, or, as they call him, " Snap it up." Your name is spoken a great 
 many times a day, and many are the wishes that you were commander now. 
 I may stand a chance yet. My duty is much harder than at Craig, on ac- 
 count of commanding the post. Have to make out returns of ammunition 
 every Monday morning, &C. Much love to all. 
 
 LEVERETT, JR. 
 
 MD. HEIGHTS, Feb. 22, 1863. 
 Dear Family: 
 
 Yours found us all well. This is the anniversary of the birth of Geo. 
 Washington. We had an order yesterday to hold divine service at 10 o'clk 
 A.M. together with a dress parade; but we had a severe snow storm last 
 night and it has snowed ever since, the hardest we have had. Sergt. R. ap- 
 plied for a furlough; but the Major refused to forward it, on the ground that 
 several had received them and have not been heard from since. T. is trying 
 to get one; went over to see the Gen'l yesterday, but got no definite answer. 
 Capt. has not been heard from since keeping a hotel! The news seems 
 to be a little more encouraging; we must have a defeat or victory at Vicks- 
 burg and along the Charleston coast. The papers speak of English and 
 French mediation in our affairs, but I don't know as it will amount to any 
 thing. Last night they spoke of the French Army in Mexico ; they have had 
 several defeats and I guess they will have to work hard to get a good sub- 
 stantial position any where in Mexico. The boys say that Capt. Bradley and 
 Genl. McClellan are their men. What do they think of the way Gov. An- 
 drew used Genl. McClellan on his late visit to Massachusetts ? The boys 
 don't have a very good opinion of his doings; in fact he is not liked amongst 
 the troops. Now I will give Mother a little news, or rather answer some of 
 
 [21] 
 
her kind questions. I kept money enough to pay up old bills and a little on 
 hand. We both kept $5 a piece; you see Jere only draws $12 a month to my 
 $13. We fare as well as can be expected; in fact we have all we can eat and 
 more too. Draw fresh beef and no salt or corned, keep twelve days rations 
 ahead. To give you an idea of what we have (and you must judge the cook- 
 ing; but we think it good, Cyrus Messer is cook now). Well first, we have 
 coffee, Bread, fresh beef, with some that we salt, Bread of the best quality, 
 potatoes, dried apples and molasses, and a soup twice a week; have vinegar, 
 salt &c. as much as we want. I should like to write to all of my relations ; 
 but some times I don't feel like answering letters and then it stops. I hope 
 I shall be able to correspond with Home, as I may well call it, once a week. 
 Love to all. LEVERETT BRADLEY, JR. 
 
 MD. HEIGHTS, March 8, 1863. 
 Dear Father: 
 
 Yours reed. Am sorry to hear that you are so afflicted with rheumatism, 
 it must come hard to you, as you have always been so healthy. There are 
 only two sergt's called from each company. They were examined, and a 
 hard ex', it was. I assure you there is a feeling for you here; there is scarcely 
 a day goes by but what I hear your name spoken of in good terms. The non- 
 commissioned officers recite once a week from the red book on artillery. 
 They are going into the thing scientiffically ; have bought several useful books 
 on artillery and take hold of it with energy. I do not get lessons, but I am 
 in the room when they recite and gather considerable information. I took 
 a tramp with several of the boys to Solomon's Gap, 5 miles out on the ridge; 
 it is cut through the mountain ; could see plainly where the battle of South 
 Mt. was fought, it is about 12 miles from here. Would it pay for me to 
 have a firkin of butter come out here ? I will leave it all to you ; butter is 
 '35 cts. a Ib. here and scarce at that. If it will pay ship it along, as there are 
 plenty of chances to dispose of it. The Lieut, assigned to the Co. has not 
 arrived yet. There are many reports going here; one is that we are going 
 back to Fort Warren ! Very respectfully yours, 
 
 L. BRADLEY, JR. 
 
 MD. HEIGHTS, M arch 25, 1863. 
 Dear Friends: 
 
 Glad to hear the Capt. is improving. We are well. Affairs are the same 
 as the other day. The Lieuts. are still under arrest; some are at the naval 
 guard house, took them out of the magazine on account of their health. 
 
 The signal. Officer at this post received a dispatch from Martinsburg 
 that we have Vicksburg in our possession, it has not got out yet. To- 
 night's paper had no news, but the report is they are evacuating Vicksburg 
 and are going to throw their whole force on Rosecrans ; Burnside is at Cin- 
 cinati on his way to the army of the south west. I do hope that we shall be 
 
 [22] 
 
able to give them a severe whipping all round before long. It is about time 
 something was done. I want you to send me two boxes of salt mackerel 
 A. no 1. I can get ten cts. a piece for them by keeping them till pay day. 
 I am sure if you will get them for me, that I can get out whole with a little 
 over. I shall expect all the butter you can send, as we need it very much, 
 having nothing to eat but our bread, coffee and beef. " I must have my but- 
 ter! " What do you think the prospect is of our getting home? Of course 
 you know it can not be till the war is over. The general opinion is that six 
 months will see all the fighting over. One thing more, we must not give 
 them peace, unless honorable to our arms ; there must be no squeezeing out 
 place, keep them until they submit to our terms. The end greatly depends 
 upon our success at Vicksburg, port Hudson, and Charleston. If we whip 
 them at these places I think Joe Hooker will start them and will drive them 
 till they get some thing very strong to hide behind. About influence, I don't 
 urge my case hard, but just mention the thing, and if any thing should turn 
 up, you might put it to use in my case, as / am in the army. I think not to 
 use any bragadocio, that I am as capable as a great many others. 
 Jere will write next Sunday. Much love to all. 
 
 Yours &c. 
 
 L. BRADLEY, JR. 
 
 BOAT HOWITZER BATTERY, MD. HEIGHTS, 
 
 April 5, 1863. 
 Dear Friends: 
 
 I received three letters and a box. The major has got up a new signal 
 code for the benefit of the officers; each one knowing them, they talk with 
 the other batteries. I see by the paper that McClellan has made his report 
 of his campaign, it will be out next week. The voice of the army is still for 
 him, and no wonder, in his report he gives all the praise to the men. He 
 says that " to the calm judgement of history he leaves the task of pronounc- 
 ing on the mouvement, confident that its verdict will be, that no such diffi- 
 cult one was ever more successfully executed. That no army ever fought 
 more heroically, repeatedly, and successfully against such odds, that no men 
 of any race, ever displayed greater disipline, endurance, patience and cheer- 
 fulness under such hardships." No wonder that the soldier's heart clings 
 to him, for the reason that he is right, but has been shamefully abused. 
 Gen'l. Morris, formerly Col. of the N. Y. 6. Heavy Artillery, has command 
 of us now, or rather we are in his brigade. All of his staff officers are from 
 his regiment and he does not look with much respect on this battalion. 
 Major R. will not stand much from him; they have only been in the service 
 since last Oct. They have the idea that they can whip the world. It really 
 seems as if we were never going to move. 
 
 I hope they will put the conscription act in force soon. I have no doubt 
 some men north would as leave let the south have all they want rather than 
 
 [23] 
 
come out here. What kind of men do you call them ? They think a great 
 deal of their Country! If you have an opportunity, get the Adjutant gen- 
 eral of Massachusett's report for 1862, it is a good thing. News from Fort 
 Albany is big, I forgot to write it before. Major W. is a 2nd Lieut in the 
 N. Y. 2nd H. A, Lt. D. is being court martialled for drunkenness. Capt's 
 C. and A. have resigned and also Lt. S. Col. W. has preferred charges 
 against Col. C. Grand chance for promotion, which there always has been 
 in this regt, but there is no chance for poor W. From 
 
 LEV. 
 
 MD. HEIGHTS, Apr. 25, 1863. 
 Dear Father: 
 
 I hope this will find you improving in health. As soon as R. returned 
 here the first questions were, if he went to see the old captain ? We had a 
 grand inspection here yesterday by Genl. Barry, Chief of artillery for the 
 army; he complimented us on our good looks, i.e. as soldiers. I was com- 
 plimented by Major R. for the neatness of an inventory of Ordanance and 
 ordanance stores of this post, which I had to make out. The Major has no 
 clerk now; he asked the Capt. for me but I don't know what answer he gave. 
 I shall keep still and if I think it is for my interest to take it, shall do so. You 
 know I have a good position now and move or no move, I shall probably 
 have it unless some other thing interferes. As it is now Adj. Hervey has 
 asked the capt. if I cant go down and help him after I have made out the 
 muster rolls, as he has more than he can attend to on account of the returns. 
 For the last two days it has rained and the Barracks being leaky we spoke 
 of mouving our clothes out to dry ! I forgot in my last to answer a few ques- 
 tions. I am 5 ft. 10 in. high. Dont know my weight. Now you that have 
 not seen me since I left home, dont go to imagining a great big fellow, be- 
 cause it ain't so; but there is consolation in the fact that I have got a few 
 years to thicken up in ; but you can imagine a good looking fellow ! I wish 
 you could see the scenery, the late rains have changed the grass from a 
 deadly color to a green. B. M. is at Fort Albany, having returned on ac- 
 count of the president's proclamation to deserters. We have had five desert 
 since we have been up here, one of Methuen's $300 men; he had nearly $50 
 of G. F 's . This makes 3 of that stamp. Methuen has lost so much of 
 recruits. Love to all. I remain, Yours &c., 
 
 L. BRADLEY, JR. 
 
 MD. HEIGHTS, May 10, 1863. 
 Dear Family: 
 
 Glad to hear that the Capt. is improving. The rumor here is that Rich- 
 mond is taken. It was nearly " taps " last night and I was preparing to turn 
 in, when the cry was to fall in. I dressed immediately and went out. The 
 Lieut, read a letter from Major R. to the effect that Keyes had taken Rich- 
 
 [24] 
 
mond. I can assure you there was some tall cheering. It further stated 
 that extras were being issued in Phil'a, N. Y. and Boston and that the peo- 
 ple were perfectly crazy with excitement; but he also says, dont think too 
 much of it, it may need conformation. The dispatch was from Head Quar- 
 ters at Baltimore to Genl. Kelly, and it doesn't seem possible that they would 
 send it unless they were very confident it was so. If you have got the news 
 there and are making such a time over it, such as firing salutes &c. &c. 
 and then it should turn out to be a hoax, what a feeling of despondency 
 would invade the heart of every true soldier and worse than that, what 
 would be the feelings of the people of the whole north ! I do hope and pray 
 that it is taken, and if so, see the position Lee's army is in; it has no chance 
 of escape; there is also a rumor that Vicksburg is taken by the combined 
 forces of Genl. Grant and Rear Admiral Porter; this does not look so prom- 
 ising as the other, considering the relative positions of the two forces; but 
 still I hope it may be so. I see the conscription act is going into effect soon. 
 It makes the boys delighted, because they want to see some of those rabid 
 men in Methuen. Just been up on the parapet of the fort signalling to the 
 30 Prd Battery; on account of the sun, can only make out "good news." I 
 hope so, the Capt. is going down to see. I wish you were here to see the 
 sight we see every day and that is, the different valleys visable in all parts 
 from here; the grass has put on his coat and the trees have begun to bud. 
 To speak plainly, it is the most beautiful scenery I ever looked on. The 
 Capt. has got back; the news is confirmed of the taking of Richmond with 
 70 cannon. Much love to all from LEV. 
 
 MD. HEIGHTS, May 24, 1863. 
 Dear Friends: 
 
 Yours found us all well. Was sorry to hear that Aunt D. was so near 
 her end ; but hers has been a life of sickness. We might say her last moments 
 on earth would be the happiest she ever enjoyed for years. But to change 
 the topic to the great cry of the nation, when is the war to be settled? I 
 must say the matters look pretty blue. We must gain a victory soon, in 
 some quarter and a great victory at that. If the papers speak the truth, the 
 feelings of the people North are a little disloyal; I don't mean in Mass., but 
 more particularly the " Empire State," especially on the Vallandigham case. 
 He is a traitor and why not give him his dues ? I see that he was not to be 
 sent to Fort Warren but through our lines to the south. I hope Gov. Sey- 
 mour will soon follow him; he certainly does no good to our cause, but on 
 the contrary a great deal of harm. The weather has been very hot, but if 
 there is a breeze we get it. It is beginning to get hard on us again, to have 
 to go half way down the mountain for water, and if we don't have rain soon, 
 shall have to go to the foot. It is not very pleasant crawling up the moun- 
 tain with a few canteens and a scorching sun sending its burning rays on 
 to the back. Lieut. H. has returned to Co. H for duty; while here he won 
 
 [25] 
 
the enthusiasm of the men; if the men did not know the drill, he would take 
 hold and show them and not damn them. The feelings of the Co. are worse 
 than they have ever been before. I have no doubt if they had a leader to 
 carry out any thing, some change might take place in the Company. There 
 are fears that Harper's Ferry will be attacked. The rebs have shown them- 
 selves rather plucky lately. I wish you would send me out my Spanish book ; 
 we are having a small class in the barracks I stop in. Have got one man that 
 can speak well. I have some one ask me every day how you are and if I 
 think you will come out here this summer. What do you think of it ? 
 I remain, Your obt. servant, 
 
 L. B., JR. 
 
 MD. HEIGHTS, June 14, 1863. 
 Dear Family: 
 
 Yours of Sunday found us all well. I made a tour to Antietam last week ; 
 I hired a horse for a $1.00, rode about 30 miles, was tired enough when I got 
 back. There were four of us, had a fine time. Visited all the places of in- 
 terest ; but the farmers have cleared up the grounds and it does not look as 
 if a great battle had been fought there. I got but few relics. The Capt. is 
 heading a paper to get Jere a bugle. Affairs are progressing in Co. B as 
 usual, that is every one is dissatisfied. Co. I has gone to Winchester to gar- 
 rison there. A dispatch came yesterday that the rebs were making a raid 
 up this way and to have all ready and manned for an emergency. When 
 last heard from they were at Berryville on the Shenandoah river and work- 
 ing this way. Genl. Imbroke had command. We lost several officers and 
 men. Some one has come up from the Ferry and says citizens are coming 
 in from Martinsburg and reporting the rebels 10000 strong within a mile of 
 that place; probably the number is exaggerated. We have now five com- 
 panies on the hill. They do picket duty around the hill, front of the battery. 
 
 Monday morning. 
 
 We were turned out again about 12 M. last night with a report that the 
 rebs were at Martinsburg and working this way. We saw a big engagement 
 about 10 miles from here, saw the flash of the guns plain. Rumors say it 
 was Milroy's forces and that they have been beaten. The Hook is full of 
 women and children from the country, 40 trains came down from the valley 
 yesterday. Saw a train of cars on fire last night. We may have a small en- 
 gagement before the week is out. From 
 
 LEV. 
 
 MD. HEIGHTS, June 24, 1863. 
 Dear Family: 
 
 I have no doubt you have felt a little anxiety for our welfare ; we are safe 
 and sound as ever, but pretty well surrounded. We have a fine view of the 
 
 [26] 
 
enemy, they are in strong force all through the valley; rumors say that Genl. 
 Hooker is after them ; he has crossed part of their force to the Md. side. A 
 signal corps came with very large glasses to take observations. I have had 
 some fine views at them. We have strengthened our fortifications greatly, 
 working night and day, consequently a great deal of excitement. I should 
 have written before, but had no chance to send. I hope this will reach you. 
 I have had no letters as yet, trains do not run at all; an officer is going to 
 the Relay house and I send by him. The whole Co. is well and in good 
 spirits. Much love to all from LEV. 
 
 [On the advance of Lee's army up the valley, they were engaged at the 
 battle of Winchester and the evacuation of Harper's Ferry, falling back 
 with the main army to Frederick City. ED.] 
 
 [Written in pencil.] 
 
 IN THE FIELD, FREDERICK JUNCTION, MD., 
 
 July 4, 1863, 1.30 p.m. 
 Dear Family: 
 
 Have just rec'd yours of June 21. I have been unable to write before as 
 I, or rather all of us, have been in the move. Orders came a week ago to- 
 day for the evacuation of Harper's Ferry and the destruction of all the ordi- 
 nance stores from Genl. Hooker, who was there; but before we set to work, 
 the order was countermanded by Genl. Halleck. But orders came in ear- 
 nest on Monday; all the guns were removed but the old ones and the 100 
 pdr., which were destroyed. The amunition was all destroyed. There was an 
 explosion at the South 30 pdr. Battery, some of the green 8th N. Y. H. A. 
 went in with axes, striking Cap shell and exploding the pile; some five or 
 six were killed. Started for the Hook about 1 o'clk on the 30th; worked all 
 the afternoon and night loading guns on to canal boats, raining all the time, 
 wetting the boys to the skin; started from Sandy Hook on the 1st of July, 
 about 8 o'clk, for fire brick. Our battilion has to do this work alone. Two 
 brigades were hours ahead of us and one to start 12 hours after. Frederick 
 is about 20 miles from Sandy Hook. It was very muddy, and the boys were 
 wet through ; about noon the sun came out terribly hot and it sickened some 
 of the boys. Mind you, we had started with but little, but by this time had 
 thrown every thing away. I saved nothing but what was on my back and a 
 sulpher Blanket, lost every thing else. Encamped about 7 miles from Fred- 
 erick and stopped over night, got there next morning, stopped till noon and 
 then started for here, 3 miles, and here we all are, on the banks of the Mon- 
 ocacy river at the junction. We are all well; will write sunday. 
 
 LEV. 
 
 [27] 
 
BETWEEN HAGERSTOWN AND FREDERICK JUNCTION, 
 
 July 11, 1863. 
 Dear Family: 
 
 So far we have received your letters in due time. We are right on the 
 tramp. My last letter I left off rather suddenly; I had no intention of send- 
 ing it in that mail, but the boy came round and said, mail was going. We 
 started from F. June, on the 7th at 5 P.M., marched through Fred'k and 
 out on the Mkldletown pike, about 9 miles and turned in for the night. (A 
 band has just struck up Hail Columbia, two yards from here ; it stirs me so, 
 I can hardly write!) Have been on the road ever since and are at last at 
 destination. Reserve artillery corps, commanded by Genl. Tyler. We are 
 now in the Fort, are going to have some guns ; we expected we should have 
 to go in as infantry. If you will get a map, showing the roads in Maryland 
 and Virginia, I will every time I write, show the route which may be inter- 
 esting to you; it is very probable we, of this battilion, shall keep with the 
 army of the Potomac the rest of the time. On the way here, we passed 
 where the cavalry passed last Thursday; a great many had horses in the 
 woods and along the road we could see where shot had struck. We are now 
 beginning to see a little service, nothing but hard tack, pork and coffee, 
 which we have to cook ourselves, but still I like it. In fact I like the whole 
 thing. I think I shall fat up on it. Being tough, will eat, drink and sleep 
 together. We have had a chance to see a great deal of the old Army, some 
 regiments have but about 40 men; one Co. went into the fight with 33 men, 
 27 were shot dead on the spot. Some regts have been consolidated five 
 times and have now but about 200 men, it is awful to think of. There were 
 a great many killed on both sides, in the last battle. We are trying our best 
 to catch Johnny Reb. Don't know as we shall succeed. Should not be sur- 
 prised if there was a great battle tomorrow, you know Sundays are the days 
 for big fights. The boys are feeling well, but have no desire to be in a fight 
 but would like to see one. Have seen any quantity of the Johnnies lately, 
 not less than 2000 taken prisoner since the last fight. I wish you could see 
 them, they don't look as if they belonged to the American Continent; they 
 have a very peculiar look. All of the boys had quite a talk with them, they 
 talk better than they look. I am today the same boy L. B. Jr. ; but a few 
 years older than when I left, I am 17 today. The regiment has now been 
 in the service over two years, will soon be nine months more. If you see 
 uncle Frank tell him that George and the rest are well. We dont have much 
 of a chance to write but certainly will once a week. Direct yours to the same 
 as ever, with the exception of the place Washington, D. C. That is the 
 place. Jere is well and sends his love. Much love to all from 
 
 LEVERETT. 
 
 [During the Gettysburg campaign a large number of Company B were 
 detached from the regiment and placed in the light batteries of the regular 
 army to make up the losses caused by this severe campaign. ED.] 
 
 [28] 
 
FORT DUNCAN, MD., July 27, 1863. 
 Dear Family: 
 
 We have received no letters since we were at Fred. June. We have been 
 on the tramp ever since and by several counter marches we are at length in 
 old Maryland again, on the hill that Co. C garrisoned last winter. I should 
 have written before, but have been unwell and have been so on the whole 
 tramp; but I have made out to keep with the Co. all the time. We have 
 been with the "Artillery Reserve" until last week, when we received orders 
 to report to the Comd'g officer of Harper's Ferry. We were at the time at 
 a small village called Unionsville in Va. about 29 miles from Harper's Ferry ; 
 we started at 7.30 A.M. and made 6 rests until we reached Berlin, this side 
 of the river, 23 miles distant from Unionsville. The doctor had something 
 to say on the tramp. The major was going to put us through to B. without 
 any thing to eat, except hard tack which we carry in our haversacks; but 
 the Dr. said he must stop and let us make some coffee ; of course the Major 
 obeyed. We reached B. at 8 P.M., where we took mother earth for a couch 
 with a rubber blanket under and a woolen over; of course slept sound, woke 
 in the morning rather stiff ; during the whole tramp did not stop in one place 
 but twice, only for a day; we have got so now we can stand quite a tramp, 
 they say we look like "old soldiers." I have nothing but what I have on 
 my back, except rubber and wool blankets. We were for a while all split 
 up into different batteries in the "Reserve Artillery." George Bricket was 
 detailed into the 5th Regular. It left us at Berlin, was put on the cars and 
 started for N. Y. to help put down the riot, seventeen others are in the same 
 battery; those from other batteries have all been recalled and are doing duty 
 in the Co., the rest of the Co. were guard for Genl. Tyler (high position for 
 a battalion of Mass. 14th H. A. !) I can assure you it cut the Major badly; 
 he was down on us probably for the game Col. Green played on him. He 
 was drunk one quarter of the time, and when he is in that condition he 
 comes down on the men hard, ties them to wheels and trees, fences, or any 
 thing he can come across; it is shameful for a Genl. Comdg. over 200 pieces 
 to do so. Genl. Meade gave him a jawing one day before the whole of us, 
 for cutting up Genl. Kilpatrick's train; it was the second offence and when 
 we left, heard that he was under arrest. We also saw Genl. Pleasanton with 
 Genl. Meade. The men in the co. are glad to see men drafted at home; but 
 wish $300 would not clear them; but then this is a rich man's war; the poor 
 man has to do the fighting. We have been kicked about so long that no one 
 knows what we are. 
 
 Lieut. Hervy has gone to Washington to try and get us back to the regi- 
 ment. I hope he will succeed, most of the men want to go back, officers of 
 course want to. The papers have just come, the news is what you might 
 call "Bully ." The cloud has passed over and things are looking more fa- 
 vorable. I for one would like to see this closed before winter. It greatly 
 depends on Genl. Meade 's abilities. As we stand a chance of going to Wash- 
 
 [29] 
 
ington, you better direct there. We have travelled in all between 150 and 
 175 miles; good for new beginners? 
 
 Much love to all. Hoping this will find you well and enjoying things as 
 they come, I remain, Yours truly, 
 
 L. BRADLEY, JR. 
 
 MD. HEIGHTS, Aug. 2, 1863. 
 Dear Family: 
 
 Yours of July 20th and 27th arrived, the first we have had for a great 
 while. We are enjoying the comforts of the old place on the Heights. At 
 first it seemed lonesome, after travelling about as we had; another thing, 
 the place was full of filth, the two regts. our Co. relieved, were the filthiest 
 set of men I ever saw, that is if the neatness of their camp would be a proper 
 thing to judge by. They tore bunks in barracks and built huts out doors. 
 We are now alone by our selves, shall get things to looking as they did be- 
 fore, if work will do it. We did not go to Washington, neither did I want to 
 go, Major R. was appointed for this post. He went to Washington to fill an 
 order for guns and amunition; while there he saw Genl. Halleck, he said 
 that he had decided to keep this Batt. here, so we took our old places. We 
 have now four 24 pdrs. Brass Howtz. and two 30 prd. parrotts. Killed a 
 man yesterday, getting up one of the latter; he belonged in Co. H. John B. 
 is dead, he died while in N. Y. ; he was one of the men detailed in the 5th 
 IT. S. Art'y. Geo. Bricket is in the same Battery, we expect them back every 
 day. There will be no need of your getting a map, we shall probably stop 
 here the rest of our enlistment, unless we are put off. (It is well enough to 
 put in.) I wish you could have seen this battalion when it first got back, 
 rather a rough looking set ; after eating so much salt pork and the hot days 
 with it, a fellow would sweat well; when I wiped my face it was covered 
 with nothing but pork and grease. Of course I looked clean when we came 
 to a halt for the night ! but then it did not hinder our sleeping. How differ- 
 ent the affairs of the country look now from what they did a month ago. 
 Lee defeated in Penn., Pemberton at Vicksburg, Gardner at Port Hudson 
 and Bragg in Miss. I can assure you it has wrought a new feeling in the 
 men ; before all was defeat, but now it is victory. It pleases the men to see 
 some of the men who were drafted ; you may talk about its being a disgrace 
 to be drafted, I say good enough for them ; they would make a great fuss 
 if Uncle Sam did not protect them and now they haven't got courage to help 
 him. These men of course cannot think much of their country. Captain, 
 you are not forgotten yet; many times a day, you are spoken of. This is 
 what D. W. got off where Capt. H. heard him. " Pity we haven't got one 
 of Bradley's old coats, in place of our commander now." On evacuating this 
 place, I lost everything, now I want you to get up something and send to me. 
 I thought for shirts you might get some cotton ones, such as you used to 
 make when I was small, chequered ones, cut like a wool shirt. I think they 
 
 [30] 
 
would do best over the old flannel ones I ana now picking up; but if you 
 think best to get flannel ones, do so. Be sure and get flaps long enough. 
 Another thing, I want stockings ; the boots you sent last fall I have on now, 
 but the tramp has played them out, got about ten holes in each. Do you 
 think best to get a new pair now, or wait till Nov. ? or won't it pay at all ? 
 Can get them here for $6, but poor ones. Shoes, $3.50. I must have some- 
 thing to my feet soon, so write in next what you think best to do. I will see 
 what Jerry wants and let you know. Dont fail to make some kind of an 
 answer, so I shall know what to do. Army clothing of the above named 
 articles are very poor and high. Shirts $1.46 and are good for nothing. 
 Much love to all. Your 
 
 LEV. 
 
 MD. HEIGHTS, Aug. 9, 1863. 
 Dear Family: 
 
 The old place really looks natural now we got it cleaned up. The men 
 in the company are having a general run of sickness, a great many have been 
 sick since we came back. Jere has been a little unwell for the past day or so 
 and I myself feel a little indisposed. Since we came back I have had all the 
 writing that I could possibly do, besides taking hold and fixing up the bunk 
 and barrack. A great many of the guns on the mountain are being changed, 
 the men have had to work very hard changing them. It took them one night 
 and two days to get the 100 pdr. up. Charleston S. C. seems to draw the 
 attention of all, no doubt we shall get it in time. I like the way Genl. Gil- 
 more and Admiral Dalgreen go at the work. They seem to be determined 
 to get the place and have all the honor to themselves. The army of the Po- 
 tomac has got back very near its old camping ground. We have all sorts of 
 rumors about moving. I believe none, till we get orders. I think I should 
 like to go S. C. for the sake of seeing the country, but there is no possibility 
 of our going. Captain, do you ever think of coming out here again ? This 
 is a pretty place and the scenery fine. The whole of you could come out ; it 
 would repay you for your trouble and expense. They are giving ten days 
 furloughs now, any one can get them; but it hardly pays* only ten days! 
 They are getting up a 2nd. H. A. regt. in Mass, are they not ? I understand 
 Lt. Hoppin has got a 1st Lieut, position in it. I presume, no chance for any 
 one else. I might have had a strap by this time! 
 
 Hoping all are well, I remain Your 
 
 LEV. 
 
 MD. HEIGHTS, Sept. 6, 1863. 
 Dear Family: 
 
 Yours rec'd and contents noted. Glad to hear of your good health. 
 Lieut. F. said you were looking well. Rec'd shirts by corp'l Frye. I wore 
 them three days and was obliged to take them off or pass for a black man. 
 
 [31] 
 
The black came off in profusion. It took nearly half a day to wash it off 
 my body. I would really like to hear that piano. I presume it would sound 
 very unnatural, as I never heard one in the old house, and I believe I have 
 not heard one since I have been out here. I often think does the poor old 
 pear tree bear well this year ? I used to think it was the nicest fruit on the 
 farm. 
 
 I got a pass Friday, for the purpose of obtaining all the information I 
 could in regard to growing tobacco, as that was your desire. After about 
 an hours work in getting through the chopped down trees (to stop the rebs) 
 I at length reached the valley. I asked one of the assistants about it and he 
 referred me to an old negro, who had grown tons of it in his day; but by his 
 looks, should think he had done about all the work he could do. And now, 
 if the reader will give me his entire attention for a few moments I will ex- 
 plain all. (How does that sound ?) A side hill or slope where the sun shines 
 most of the day is preferable, new ground is the best ; burn bush over the 
 ground, in order to kill the weeds ; then grub up the ground, working in 
 ashes, "the more the better;" rake the ground up fine and then sow the 
 tobacco, raking it well. After raking and cross raking and rolling (as you 
 do most of your land), I suppose that the tobacco would grow well. It 
 neither needs wet not dry soil, but about the common soil. It greatly de- 
 pends on the season, about the last of march is the time for planting in this 
 section ; it is sown the same as grass seed, only not so thick. It is not neces- 
 sary to use manure. 
 
 The heavens are assuming a dark and cloudy aspect, and the low thun- 
 der rumbling in the distance, from the Alleganies, gives tokens of a refresh- 
 ing shower. It is a beautiful sight to see from this point the wind and rain 
 come rushing down the valley, seeming to the looker on as if he were above 
 them all. Since we have been here I have seen a thunder shower below me 
 in the valley. 
 
 Hoping this will find you all well, I remain &c. 
 
 LEV. 
 
 MD. HEIGHTS, Sept. 25, 1863. 
 Dear Mother: 
 
 Please find enclosed $100 and forward $45 to Uncle F. from Geo., being 
 four month's pay. Credit me with $35 and Jerry $20. Practiced with our 
 battery yesterday; fired 12 shots from 30 pdr Parrott. Range was over 3f 
 miles. They are splendid pieces. Co. H fired the 100 pdr last week; fired 
 5 miles, went through a small hill ricochet from there about 3 miles. I look 
 to Rosecrans' army for great successes. 
 
 I remain, Very respectfully yours 
 
 L. BRADLEY, JR. 
 
 Mrs. Leverett Bradley, Co. B 14th Mass. (H. A.) 
 
 Bradley Farm, Methuen, Mass. 
 
 [32] 
 
MD. HEIGHTS, Oct. 4, 1863. 
 Dear Family: 
 
 Rec'd yours. Contents noted. Glad to hear you are well, hope this will 
 find you in good condition; yours found us well. Only think, nine (9) more 
 months only and our time will be out; every day is counted and deducted 
 from the original. After my time is out here I intend to enlist in the Home 
 Guards. I forgot the letter yesterday and hope you will not be worried be- 
 cause it does not reach sooner. Have you ever heard of the two corps of 
 the army of the potomac going to reinforce Rosecrans ? They went by this 
 rout. How would you treat a fellow if he should get home about Thanks- 
 giving time ? Well, I suppose. Yesterday was occupied in getting the men 
 to sign the clothing rolls and books. Got through with it first rate. Last 
 night was terribly cold, slept about four hours and during that time was in 
 a double bow knot. Went to a dance at Sandy Hook the other night, had a 
 fine time; the girls are very agreeable although they are Marylanders. 
 
 Much love to all. I remain, 
 
 L. BRADLEY, JR. 
 Co. B 1st Mass. H. A. 
 
 P. S. Will try and write more next time. The box has not come. 
 
 HOWTZ. BATTERY, MD. HEIGHTS, Oct. 18, 1863. 
 Dear Friends: 
 
 Yours rec'd. Today has been an exciting one to us, there has been a 
 big engagement ten miles from here; we have driven the rebs nearly ten 
 miles towards Berryville, have been at it all day, and now I can hear the 
 roar of the artillery; we are making every thing to resist the rebels. We may 
 have a chance to show the " Johnnies" what we are made of. At last ac- 
 counts, Meade was slowly working this way, covering Washington during 
 the march ; should not be surprised to see the Army of the Potomac at any 
 time. In the late movements of the Army of the Potomac considerable 
 stratergy was used ; so far, we have got the best of it. I have no doubt Lee 
 contemplates making another raid into Md. and Penn. I think the move- 
 ment the rebels are making here now is to destroy the Baltimore and Ohio 
 R. R. We have got a new Genl. now, his name is Sullivan, formerly with 
 Genl. Grant as inspector Genl.; marched in to Vicksburg July 4th; he is a 
 fine looking man and a son in law of Genl Kelly, who commanded here be- 
 fore the evacuation. There has been a lull in the battle for some time; but 
 now the ball has opened again in good earnest. But they are working from 
 us fast. We saved Frank's phiz during the other march and shall try to, if 
 we have to march again. The men have all gone out to work on the battery. 
 This will probably stop all furloughs, so shall not get mine. 
 
 Monday. 
 
 Nothing new. Some say it is the advance of Lee's army, others that the 
 guerillas, combined, are trying to call us out and let Lee in. LEV. 
 
 [33] 
 
HOWTZ. BATTERY, MD. HEIGHTS, Nov. 15, 1863. 
 Dear Family: 
 
 Yours found us well and enjoying ourselves to the best advantage. Yes- 
 terday the wind was very boisterous and strong, beating the water through 
 the mud on the barracks and wetting things inside. 
 
 We have just started a barrack or dance hall, forty feet long by fourteen 
 wide; are anticipating great times as soon as we get it finished. It is a big 
 project as boards are very scarce, expect to have to send to Williamsport 
 Md. for them ; it is a company concern and have got nearly $75 subscribed 
 already. 
 
 George, I should like to go to the singing school with you; don't know 
 as it would be very good, but then of course any one expects a little fun at 
 such places. Re-enlistment papers are expected every day. If matters go 
 on as they have for the last month or so, I think it is a poor inducement to 
 enlist. News is not very brilliant; but from what we can hear, there is a 
 general forward movement the whole line. The way things are now, a 
 man would not like to be taken prisoner; they are trying their best to starve 
 them, and so far have been very successful. The evenings are beginning to 
 be quite long and we pass them off very agreeably by getting a negro in and 
 getting him to dancing; he is sure to go as long as the music lasts, we have 
 a great deal of sport with them. 
 
 Much love to all. 
 
 HOWTZ. BATTERY, MD. HEIGHTS, Nov. 21, 1863. 
 Dear Family: 
 
 I am in receipt of yours. Glad to hear of your continued good health. It 
 has been raining all day, so the boys for enjoyment all flock to our barrack, 
 where they have dancing and music &c. and by great exertion have passed 
 so much of the day off. I improve this opportunity to answer my weekly 
 epistle. You seem to feel a great deal of anxiety about our, or I might say, 
 my re-enlisting. Now, you don't want that little (now ordinary sized) fel- 
 low at home, that used to, in days gone by, do all the mischief and gener- 
 ally get all the blame for it! That is all I will say, but wait and see what 
 kind of an answer I get. But to relieve your minds on this important point, 
 I will say, so far, not a man of Co. B has re-enlisted, and the reason is, no 
 one has been here to re-enlist them. And as for the future, you need not 
 worry at all about either of us. In one sense of the word, every man ought 
 to re-enlist; the country is in great need of men. A man that has any pa- 
 triotism in him ought to do it and money shall be no object. But as for me, 
 I feel that I have risked myself through one three years, and I will wait un- 
 til every able bodied man does the same before trying it again. Sometimes 
 I feel sad to think that I could not visit home this coming Thanksgiving, 
 and then again I think there was no need (sickness) of going and I am glad 
 I did not go. The fact is we are enjoying ourselves now very well and time 
 
 [34] 
 
passes so rapidly, it seems as if it were but a little while longer to stop. I 
 shall endeavor to enjoy myself here but hope you will there. We have 
 signed the pay rolls and have been expecting, for two days past. I shall 
 have to close here, so as to get things ready for the pay-master to pay more 
 rapidly, as it is raining outside. 
 
 Monday, 23rd. 
 
 We were paid off Sat.; all went off smoothly. The furloughed men 
 started for home at 2 o'clk. this morning, just the right time! I think they 
 ought to enjoy themselves and probably will. The box if it has not been 
 sent need not come till Christmas. They cost too much to send often. 
 George says he expects his father (uncle Frank) out here this week; will 
 wait and send my money by him, which will save a little. LEV. 
 
 FORT WHIPPLE, VA., Dec. IS, 1863. 
 Dear Father: 
 
 Yours of Sunday last was rec'd in due time. Also started off directly 
 to dun; saw Capt. Andrew; he said that there was about $130.00 that he 
 had not collected from the mess, but would wait until next pay day and see 
 if he could get it, and if not take it from his own pocket. As for Capt. 
 Hosmer, I know where he is, being at. Washington with the position of 
 Asst. Judge Advocate Genl. Now I can hardly summon the pluck to dun 
 him, being in that position, so I think it would be better to wait until some 
 further day and if any opportunity offers I will improve it. 
 
 We are beginning to get acquainted with fancy soldiering now ; all have 
 to come out in gloves, being furnished the first time and having to supply 
 yourself the next. It makes a great difference with the looks of the men. 
 Uncle Frank Bricket called over today. I asked him what the prospect 
 was of our ever owning Bradley Farm ; he told me (as no doubt he has told 
 you before). It really seems to me that something ought to be done. There 
 has been money spent on the place, if that is all it wants, but it seems to 
 me we are no nearer the end we are after. Uncle Frank spoke of a farm up 
 in Hampstead. How did you like it; presume you would not like to swap ? 
 We are very much attached to the old place, all of us ; but that should not 
 hinder us from leaving it if we can do better some where else and especially 
 when in the condition we are. I should consider that a very cheap price 
 for a farm (I mean the one he showed you) if as good as he says it is. I do 
 almost feel that the old farm will never amount to any thing. It wants ma- 
 king all over new and that is a very hard task. I should think you would 
 be discouraged after spending nearly all your years so far on it and not 
 coming out better; but it shows the Bradleys never have that failing. How 
 much is the debt now and what interest do you have to pay ? I suppose it 
 takes all you have to pay the interest ? How does George feel about leav- 
 ing it and the rest of them ? Don't want to, I '11 bet! Write all particulars 
 and let me know about it for once ; you know you never were much for tell- 
 
 [35] 
 
ing your business matters to the rest of the family, and besides it is right I 
 should know. They all say that I am my own master now, but I do not ask 
 that privilege yet, whether or no I have a right to claim it. So far 20 have 
 re-enlisted and I guess that is all that will. Shall send $20 home by uncle 
 Frank, part or nearly all of which is Jerry's. Things are awfully high at 
 the present time. Love to all. I remain, &c. 
 
 L. BRADLEY, JR. 
 Co. B. 1st Mass. H. Arty. 
 To L. Bradley, Esq. 
 
 [His claim as a veteran made him and others consider him "of age."- 
 ED.] 
 
 FORT WHIPPLE, VA., Dec. 24, 1863. 
 Dear Father: 
 
 Yours of Sunday last was perused with great care and contents noted. 
 You wanted to know my mind about matters ! I should make a very poor 
 judge, as I do not know how things look now. But I should say stick to it, 
 if there is any chance at all, because we have put already work enough into 
 it to make three farms. I know nothing out this way for you to do. About 
 being discharged ; when the regiment is to be has not been decided yet ; some 
 of the recruits have written Gov. Andrew and he says that they "will be 
 discharged with the rest," so I take it for granted we shall be. As to the 
 matter of a choice of regiments when re-enlisting ? If I understand it right, 
 a man can choose, provided the reg't he is in is not kept up, and the reg't 
 he chooses is not full; but it must be a reg't from the state he belongs to. 
 He must also keep in the old reg't until its three years are up and then they 
 have the choice. Write me what your intentions are of doing, as soon as 
 warm weather comes. 
 
 Do you have rheumatism to trouble you again ? Last night I slept ter- 
 ribly cold. The barracks are not as good as a barn, boards only one inch 
 thick and layed on like clapboards ; besides the barracks are on piles about 
 four feet long, so as to give a clean sweep underneath. 
 
 They are very strict about the barracks, will allow no shelves or any- 
 thing of that kind. The bunks are all moveable. In fact everything has a 
 place here. Shall begin on muster rolls tomorrow. Yours &c. 
 
 LEV. 
 
 FORT WHIPPLE, VA., Jan. 10, 1864. 
 Dear Friends: 
 
 Yours of last Sabbath duly rec'd found us well. We have been having 
 very cold weather, but Jerry and I have got straw now and sleep very com- 
 fortably, and as that is one of the most essential duties of a soldier, and 
 among them all the one he likes best, I guess that we shall, if divine provi- 
 
 [36] 
 
dence favors us, this winter. Have been trying every opportunity to get 
 over to Corbets but as yet have not succeeded; he lives the other side of 
 the line of rifle pits, and in order to visit him I shall have to obtain a pass 
 from Brigade Head Quarters. Will certainly seize the first opportunity. 
 It is not very comfortable writing this, they are beating "tattoo" right un- 
 der the window, and they are soul stirring strains; but then I don't fancy 
 them. I expect Jerry has written a long letter and as I get enough of that 
 business just this time of the year, you will please excuse this abrupt leav- 
 ing off. We only have an hour between "tattoo" and "taps." Much love 
 to all. Good-night. From 
 
 LEV. 
 
 DIARY AND MEMORANDA, 1864 
 
 FORT WHIPPLE, Jan. 7, 1864. 
 
 This little book was obtained by the earnest wish of my Mother, who 
 desired I should keep a record of events that transpire, during the new year 
 we have just entered. LEV. 
 
 Jan. 1st. A new year has commenced and before its close I hope peace 
 may be restored to our country. And all be restored to their peaceful homes. 
 
 Jan. 3rd. Attended divine service in the bomb proof this afternoon. 
 Sermon discourse from James 4th, 14th verse. Had singing by the audi- 
 ence, and music from the band (America). 
 
 Jan. 7th. No new army movements. Reports say they have gone into 
 winter quarters. Two months ago the "Astor House" dissolved itself! 
 passed the day reading "Under the Spell." 
 
 Jan. 8th. The Potomac has frozen over, consequently un-navigable. 
 Today is the anniversary of the battle of New Orleans. 
 
 The Co rec'd 22 recruits, none that I knew. Steamers passed down the 
 river today; but it was hard work. 
 
 Jan. llth. No news of importance. There was a grand dinner given 
 at the Fort by Genl. Barnard to his friends. If I could judge by their 
 faces, should say they had a good time. I issued clothing today, and got 
 through it very well. 
 
 Jan. 12th. Major Cole whipped the guerilla Mosely in the Shenandoah 
 valley. Have worked all day copying orders. Saw a palmetto leaf for the 
 first time. 
 
 Jan. 14th. Gillmore is still knocking at the gates of Charleston. Jere 
 went to the city today. The first lot of Vet. Vol. on furlough have returned 
 today; most all have seen father and say he is looking well. 
 
 Jan. 16th. Were inspected by Major R. today. Any amount of growl- 
 ing, mud knee deep. Expect to be inspected again tomorrow. Vets are be- 
 ginning to resign to their fate. Some thoughts of re-enlisting. 
 
 Jan. 17th. Copied barrack rules. There are skaters on the river. 
 
 Jan. 20th. Rec'd a lot of letters; getting to have lots of correspondents, 
 
 [37] 
 
must appreciate my letters. Of course I do my best; but I think they are 
 dry. Lieut C. has any amount, he is a fine fellow. 
 
 Jan. 21st. Several of the non-commissioned officers have asked to be 
 reduced to the ranks. Col. T. is issuing orders by the bushel, very unpop- 
 ular at the present time. Have got to come out on parade in the future. 
 
 Jan. 22nd. Quite a hubbub kicked up in the Co. amongst the non- 
 coms. ; five are now in the guard house and one in arrest, grand chance for 
 promotion. I have been making out charges and specifications all the eve- 
 ning against the non-coms. They will be tried by a genl. court martial. 
 
 Jan. 23rd. Drew rations today. G n is in the guard house. I have 
 
 just returned from the Arlington House; heard some guitar playing that 
 was enough to put me above the clouds. 
 
 Jan. 2J^th. Beautiful evening. Makes one think of home when he goes 
 out to take a walk. 
 
 Jan. 25th. All the non-coms returned to duty today. I am at work on 
 " Clothing book," copying from old book to a new one. 
 
 Jan. 26th. A beautiful evening, the moon is shining brightly and the 
 Potomac is all aglow. The capitol of our nation looks magnificent in its 
 rays, and to cap it all, the Goddess of Liberty smiles on the scene (poetic !) 
 
 Jan. 28th. Have been preparing all day for inspection which comes off 
 tomorrow. Played four games of chess for the first time. 
 
 Jan. 29th. Inspection passed off well on the part of the men; but the 
 officers lacked a little knowledge in the infantry drill. 
 
 Jan. 30th. Had a parade this eveg. in a heavy mist; the guns are look- 
 ing too well to keep dry! 
 
 Jan. 31st. A very unpleasant day. Of course did not prevent inspec- 
 tion and parade. Have been writing ever since supper time on Monthly 
 returns, furloughs, &c. 
 
 Feb. 1st. Quite a change in the Brigade Staff. Col. T. has sent them 
 all to their companies, having found that they were working a plot. Some 
 think in the end that the officers will get the best of it. 
 
 Feb. 3rd. Went to the Washington theatre last night. Miss Keene 
 played " She stoops to conquer." It was a laughable affair. She did look 
 splendidly arrayed in all her beauty, before the foot lights, a splendid form ; 
 but paint was too profuse, I would rather have seen her natural complex - 
 tion. 
 
 Feb. 12th. A rumor has been circulated that we are going to Texas. I 
 hope it is true, as I have a great desire to see that part of the country. 
 
 Feb. 13th. Had a close inspection by Col. T. Did not give any com- 
 panies much praise. Carried a knapsack all the time, a very pretty and use- 
 ful article for a soldier. 
 
 Feb. 14th. Took a walk today and visited Forts Craig and Albany, also 
 hospital and saw Geo. Frye [cousin] ; he has had a rough time of it. 
 
 Feb. 15th. Our going to Texas is played out, the 2nd. Conn, is going. 
 Got a pipe tonight drawn by a lottery ticket. 
 
 [38] 
 
Feb. 22nd. A rumor, viz. Genl. Sherman has taken 1200 prisoners and 
 is now marching on Mobile. 
 
 Feb. 23rd. The pay master visited us and gave us our XXVI. for two 
 months hard labor. The officers had a big time at Lt. Col. W's place last 
 night; some of them (I should judge by their manners) had touched the cup. 
 
 Feb. 24th. Had a horse back ride in the morning. In the evening, went 
 to Grover's theatre [Washington, D. C.]. Edwin Booth took the part of Ruy 
 Bias. The house cheered him several times r it was the first time that I ever 
 saw him. I liked him very much, he made a slave of me. I would speak 
 of the female portion; but they had such large mouths there is not room 
 here to put them in. No reliable news from Genl. Sherman; but he is still 
 on the move. Longstreet is retreating from the front of Knoxville. Went 
 to the theatre. The play was Brutus. I liked it much; it made some of 
 the women cry. He makes me his captive. 
 
 March 3rd. Have felt a little indisposed all day; but before dark sum- 
 moned courage to visit the Grovers' theatre. The play was "Othello." I 
 did not get very interested in the piece, doubtless on account of Booth not 
 taking the part of Othello. It was sustained by all the actors. 
 
 Mar. 5th. Heard from Genl. Kilpatrick, who has been making a raid 
 on Richmond; it is acknowledged a bold affair by the southern press. Ab- 
 sent from inspection; rec'd my deserts for it. 
 
 Mar. 12th. Camp life begins to look like a dull affair; am not so anxious 
 to come out with my pretty gun as at first. Have just come in from parade, 
 have eaten supper and now my thoughts wander to friends and relatives at 
 home and the good times I used to have. It would be impossible to count 
 the number of times that my mind turns toward it during the day, still I 
 am contented. 
 
 Mar. 21st. On account of slight illness I have been unable to keep my 
 book. On the 16th, Co. B moved to Fort Woodbury. I like it very well. 
 Col. T. is trying to get the reg't into the field as Light Infantry; I hope 
 he will succeed. I intend to re-enlist tomorrow. 
 
 Mar. 25th. I am a Veteran Volunteer and of course stuck for three years 
 more! Going over after bounty and pay tomorrow. Do not intend to take 
 my furlough till May. Three years more seems a long time but guess I 
 am good for it. 
 
 Mar. 31st. It is just a week ago that I took the oath to stand by the 
 flag three years more. Have had quite a correspondance from home; I 
 guess they are not dissatisfied. 
 
 Apr. 5th. Went to the theatre on Monday, where Edwin Forrest was 
 playing Macbeth. It was the first time I ever saw him. It was splendid. 
 I must say there is a charm in tragedy that captivates me. 
 
 May 7th. Arriv'd home on vet. furlough. 
 
 May 19th. (At home) The 1st Mass. H. A. in action. Co. B lost more 
 than any company in the Regiment [53 killed and wounded]. George 
 Bricket was killed. 
 
[Up to this time, besides his duty as private in the ranks, he had also 
 been serving as company clerk. He was at home on a veteran's furlough in 
 May, 1864, when the regiment was ordered to join the advance of the whole 
 army under Grant, and he was obliged to read in the papers of the terrible 
 loss it sustained in the battle of the Wilderness on May 19th, where, in the 
 afternoon, while repulsing Ewell's corps, the regiment lost in one short 
 hour 898 men. His own Company, B, lost in killed and wounded over half 
 of their entire number. In this battle his cousin George Wellington Brickett, 
 of Company B, was instantly killed in the first charge made on the enemy, 
 and another cousin, Asa Frye, was wounded. Fortunately, his brother, 
 also a member of the company, but acting at the time as regimental bugler, 
 escaped uninjured. 
 
 With these terrible facts before him, it required a great deal of courage 
 to leave home to join the regiment, knowing that a severe campaign was 
 before them. He rejoined the regiment during the last day of the battle of 
 Cold Harbor, and was first under fire with the regiment, fighting as in- 
 fantry, at the first assault on Petersburg by the Second Army Corps, to 
 which the regiment was attached, on the evening of June 16, when the regi- 
 ment again lost heavily. Leverett received a bullet through his shirt-sleeve 
 which lodged in his coat, which was rolled on his back. The coat had some 
 eight different holes in it, and was a wonderment to all those who saw it 
 the next day, when it was exhibited. ED.] 
 
 June 3rd. Started for the scene of war. Father went with me to Bos- 
 ton. (He was ordered to go by Albany on business by the capt. of his 
 company.) 
 
 June 4th. Arrived in N. Y. 
 
 June 5th. Arrived in Washington. 
 
 June 6th. Went over to Fort Albany and found some of the boys. 
 
 June 7th. Started for Washington to go to the Army of the Potomac; 
 was too late. 
 
 June 8th. Started for the "White House Landing," Va., on steamer 
 Lizzie Baker. Had a splendid sail. 
 
 June 9th. Arrived at White House and started for the Army; went ten 
 miles and stopped for the night. 
 
 June 10th. Arrived at Gaines Mills and found the boys. They looked 
 rough. Only fifty present. Pickets firing all day. 
 
 June llth. Pickets firing all day. 
 
 June 12th. Saw John W. breathe his last. Started at 10 P.M. on a 
 flank movement; marched about 8 miles and halted for the night. 
 
 June 13th. Started bright and early; crossed the Chlckahominy at noon 
 and halted for the night, about two miles from the James river. I was de- 
 tailed for picket, but was relieved; commenced to put up breast works. 
 Marched during the day 25 miles and was very tired. 
 
 June 14th. Started at 10 A.M. for James river; embarked on a steamer 
 
 [40] 
 
and landed the other side; marched two miles and halted for the rest of 
 the column; formed line of battle and stopped for the night. 
 
 June 15th. Set out at 10 A.M. on the Petersburg pike; had gone ten miles 
 when we heard firing; got to the extreme front at 12 M. The negro troops 
 had taken four lines of the enemy's works. 
 
 June 16th. [First Assault on Petersburg.] About six A.M. the enemies 
 Artillery opened on us, our batteries were soon in position, and silenced 
 their fire. Built breast works and at six P.M. the whole line moved forward 
 on a charge, we were soon hotly engaged, we gained about half a mile of 
 ground. Co. B had 8 wounded. I was struck by two spent balls. 
 
 June 17th. Moved forward half a mile on the right of the road, layed 
 all night, the Artillery threw shells over us, at night, which was not very 
 pleasant. Did not have a good night's rest. 
 
 [Mr. Bradley 's brother, Col. J. Payson Bradley, sends me his account 
 of Leverett's first battle. ED.] 
 
 INCIDENT IN THE ASSAULT ON PETERSBURG, JUNE 16, 1864 
 
 On our march to Petersburg on the afternoon of June 15th we could hear 
 the heavy firing caused by Smith's Division of the Army of the James in 
 its attack on the outer works. We reached Petersburg after dusk, and laid 
 on our arms all night. 
 
 Early on the morning of June 16, being in line of battle, we were opened 
 on by a confederate battery which was soon silenced by the effective fire of 
 a battery of the Fifth United States Artillery. Just before sunset we were 
 given intrenching-tools and the whole division advanced into the woods, 
 with instructions to gain a certain position and throw up earthworks. We 
 had not advanced more than a hundred yards when we were met by a ter- 
 rific fire of musketry from the enemy directly in our front. Intrenching- 
 tools were dropped and the fire was returned, and then began a battle royal 
 which lasted until ten o'clock in the evening. The enemy were determined 
 to drive us from the woods, and we were as determined to hold our position, 
 which we did until morning, when by a flank movement the enemy were 
 obliged to fall back. 
 
 This was Leverett's first battle with the regiment when fighting as in- 
 fantry. I remember he went into the fight in his shirt-sleeves and was the 
 only man that I saw in the regiment who had on a white shirt, which of 
 course made him a conspicuous mark. You see he had but lately returned 
 from his veteran furlough and had not had time in which to draw a woolen 
 shirt from the quartermaster. He did not show the least fear, and, in fact, 
 during all our campaigning, I never saw him hesitate for a moment to take 
 his proper position, whether in the ranks or as a non-commissioned officer, 
 and by his example inspire the men around him. 
 
 I very well remember the stubbornness of this battle of June 16th. Act- 
 ing at the time as the colonel's orderly as well as regimental bugler, I was 
 
 [41] 
 
directed to the ordnance officer with instructions to send up extra ammu- 
 nition, and I think that three times during the afternoon and evening the 
 cartridge-boxes of the men were filled from the ammunition supply- wagons. 
 I lost sight of Leverett soon after the engagement began, and of course was 
 very anxious as to his safety; but it was not until after the firing ceased, be- 
 tween ten and eleven o'clock at night, and our regiment had been relieved 
 from the first line of battle and was taking up its position a little to the rear, 
 that I recognized the white flag of Massachusetts, which, although it was 
 of course after sunset, had never been furled. It was being carried in the 
 hands of one of the color corporals, as the color sergeant, who carried it 
 into the fight, had just passed away from a fearful wound received about 
 eight o'clock in the evening. (Not until, however, I had had the satisfaction of 
 giving him a refreshing draught of water from the canteen I was carrying.) 
 It was a bright moonlight night, and no one can describe the feeling that 
 was in my heart as I scanned the thin ranks of the regiment as they moved 
 to the rear, looking for the one man above all others who was so dear to me, 
 my brother Leverett. I soon made out the white shirt-sleeves. Although 
 surrounded by the men of his company, I broke through the ranks and in 
 a minute more we were in each other's arms, hugging and kissing each other 
 like a couple of sentimental schoolgirls, and our first inquiry to each other 
 was, "Are you wounded?" Then he showed me the two bullet-holes 
 through his shirt-sleeves and the mark on his arm where the missile had 
 just grazed him. This is the bullet that went into the coat rolled on his 
 back, making eight separate holes in it. 
 
 I made the remark, "You must have killed every Johnny Reb in front 
 of you, for I have been sending up ammunition to the line of battle all the 
 afternoon from the ordnance train." (I was told by some of the men earlier 
 in the evening that they had fired as high as eighty rounds apiece.) He 
 coolly replied, "No, let 's see;" and on looking at his cartridge-box said, 
 "I have only fired eleven rounds." I said, "How 's that, Leverett?" and 
 he replied, "Why, I only fired when I saw something to fire at." I asked 
 him what he thought of the battle, and how he liked soldiering as an in- 
 fantryman, and he replied, " It was rather hot at times, and at the end I 
 was so completely exhausted and so choked from the fumes of sulphur that 
 I fell asleep just where I was lying, behind some temporized earthworks, 
 although at the time a battery of twelve-pounder Napoleon guns were firing 
 over our heads at the enemies' earthworks on the crest of the hill in our 
 front." 
 
 June 18th. [Second assault on Petersburg.] Started on a charge about 
 5 A.M. Got one line of their breast-works. Moved forward to about 500 
 yds. of their next and threw up rifle-pits. In the afternoon a charge was 
 ordered; but "no go." 
 
 June 19th. We w r ere relieved from this position and placed in a worse 
 
 [42] 
 
place ! We threw up rifle pits to support a battery. Worked all night ; moved 
 forward and commenced to throw more works. 
 
 June 20th. Layed in the same position all day. The sharp-shooters 
 were firing. It was a sight to see the dead on the field, where the 1st. Maine 
 charged. Moved to the rear and left about 12 o'clock. 
 
 June 21st. Started on the road about 9 A.M. to cut the Weldon and 
 Richmond Railroad. Arrived about noon; moved towards the Rebs and 
 fortified. Remained all night. 
 
 June 22nd. Moved forward about ^ a mile and erected rifle-pits. A 
 Reb. battery annoyed us considerably. About noon, firing was heard di- 
 rectly in front. Soon after Barlow's Div. came rushing over our rifle-pits, 
 the Rebs followed. Engaged them a short time and fell back. Loss: Co. 
 B 8 wounded. 
 
 June 23rd. Our brigade was moved to the left to support a batter} 7 . 
 Shortly after an artillery duel began. The shell all went over the battery 
 and came amongst us. We lost one man wounded. Just at dusk a charge 
 was ordered to be made by our division across an open field. We drove the 
 Rebs back and threw up rifle-pits. Remained in rifle-pits all day; burried 
 our dead; were relieved at night and went to the rear. 
 
 THE DEW DROP RESTAURANT 
 
 493 TENTH STREET 
 Near Pennsylvania Avenue 
 
 CHOICE WINES, LIQUORS, AND 
 CIGARS 
 
 [Written in pencil on the back of the above card.] 
 
 June 23, 1864. 
 
 We had a battle yesterday. I have not seen Jerry but he is in the rear 
 somewhere. Do not entertain any fear about him, for he can take care of 
 himself. Co. B had 22 men at roll call last night; some more will probably 
 
 come in. ... C. , W. - F. , and R. are wounded. 
 
 LEV. 
 
 Get me a chance somewhere if you can. Have heard from Jerry, he is all 
 right. George Frye is missing. I think is prisoner. Capt. K. is killed. 
 Love to all. Will write every opportunity. We got the worst of it yes- 
 terday. LEV. 
 
 [This was in front of Petersburg, Va. ED.] 
 
 [43] 
 
IN CAMP NEAR PETERSBURG, VA., July 3, 1864- 
 Dear Family: 
 
 We rec'd a letter on the 1st. inst. which found us all well. Jerry has 
 been ordered back to Head Quarters, to blow the calls for the regt. Since 
 I wrote last we have moved forward about a mile and built very strong 
 rifle-pits. The whole army (as much as we know about it) is at a stand 
 still. It would be impossible this hot weather to move; rumors say, we are 
 waiting for re-enforcements, which we need badly enough. 
 
 I must say I found things a great deal different from what I expected; 
 any one is lucky, who gets out of a fight. And even those who get a flesh 
 wound are lucky. Some, in the army even, shoot off a finger to get rid of go- 
 ing into action ; the latter are not thought much of. Flesh wounds are worth 
 from ten to twenty dollars. But during this hot weather slight flesh wounds 
 have proved fatal. This is considered by old soldiers the hardest campaign 
 of the war so far; until the last few days, some part of the line has been en- 
 gaged. The genl. health of the troops is good ; but I would not believe be- 
 fore I came out here that man was capable of enduring so much. Today, 
 half the army would be sick in bed if they were at home, but here they go 
 well with the well ones. Nothing is so tiresome work as fighting. During 
 the action of the 16th., which I wrote you about, our line of battle got sep- 
 arated; and some of us went to the left and the regt. to the right. We were 
 ordered over to the regt., but we formed a line about half way. There were 
 no rebs in our immediate front at the time, but the right was hotly engaged ; 
 we layed down and I got a short nap before we were relieved. The Artil- 
 lery in the rear throwing shell over our heads all the time. I used to hear 
 them speak of the first Bull Run, but hardly credited the story till I ex- 
 perienced it myself. We were relieved the other day quite suddenly, by 
 Genl. Ewells and Hill's corps; not a very welcome relief. It is almost im- 
 possible to get water, consequently, the boys are very dirty and as a nat- 
 ural consequence we have plenty of those little, called in natural history 
 "lice." Some of the boys have come better flank movements on them 
 than Grant did on the rebs at North Anna, by turning all their clothing 
 wrong side out; it takes about two days for them to crawl onto the other 
 side, then change them again ; they soon get disgusted and leave. 
 
 I have been hard at work for the last few days with back papers, mus- 
 ter, and muster-out rolls. The July boys are anxious to get off. The general 
 opinion is that the Co.s will be consolidated. Officers are in an awful fix 
 about who is going home; they all want to go. I hardly think you enjoyed 
 my furlough much more than I did; at least, I should not complain if they 
 would give me another. George Frye [a cousin] has been heard from ; he is 
 in prison without doubt. Tell the folks not to worry about him ; as there 
 were a lot of them taken, will probably be sent to Georgia. 
 
 Give my regards to all enquiring friends. Much love to all. 
 
 Respectfully &c. L. BRADLEY, JR. 
 
 Co. B 1st Mass. H. A. 2nd Brigade, 
 
 Army of the Potomac. 
 [44] 
 
[A letter from their mother to Jerry.] 
 
 METHUEN, July 7, 1864- 
 My dear son Jed: 
 
 We received your kind letter of the 23rd in due time. I have not learned 
 from either of you since; our anxiety is intense. We know you would write 
 if possible, for the reason you always have. It may be the mail or some- 
 thing of that kind. Do write on receiving this, if you are alive. 
 
 I suppose those that are to come home from your company are on the 
 road; how glad I should be if both of your times had been out; but I must 
 wait with submission. I am dreading the sickly season. Do be as careful 
 of yourself as possible, and let us know if you are sick. 
 
 Is it the same doctor you had at Harper's Ferry? Does the chaplain 
 remain with you ? 
 
 Grandmother's family are feeling bad about George. I hope he will 
 keep well and have enough to eat. Does anybody know where they went, 
 what part of the South? He may find his mother; she is in Mobile. His 
 brother Milburn is not in the army, but at school, and so is Sarah. 
 
 We all feel anxious about you both; all we can do is to pray for you. 
 Everybody enquires for you. Great praise is awarded Lev. for his courage 
 and patriotism in leaving home at such a time. Everybody felt for him, but 
 nobody can feel as I do. Such an anxiety no one but a mother feels. 
 
 I have written a few lines to your doctor. I felt as though I must. I 
 shall enclose with this much love to Lev., and may God spare you both 
 from sickness and death is the constant prayer of your mother. 
 
 Father is very busy commencing haying. Help is very scarce. 
 
 We are all well in body, but anxious in mind. 
 
 MOTHER. 
 
 July 4th. It was the stillest fourth I ever passed ; the boys had no chance 
 to celebrate. Bands played in the evng. There was a little Artillery firing 
 on the right; we expected an attack. 
 
 July 5th. Worked on the company's papers. Boys are anxious to be 
 off; but no prospect. 
 
 July 6th. Were relieved at ten A.M. ; marched half a mile to the rear, 
 pitched camp, and went in earnest to get the men off. [Time had expired.] 
 
 July 7th. Same old place. Something new comes up every minute. 
 The boys begin to think they will never get away. 
 
 July 8th. A little firing; the shell did damage where they struck, but 
 none came near our camp. 
 
 July 9th. The boys started for home at dusk ; it seemed sad to part with 
 them. We moved at 10 A.M. to the left. 
 
 July 10th. Layed in the same place till afternoon and were relieved; 
 went back to our old position. 
 
 July llth. Layed in the same place over night and next day. Moved 
 at 12 midnight to the left, encamped in a field. [18th birthday.] 
 
 [45] 
 
July 12th. Layed in the same place all day and all night. The sun 
 visited and spent the day with us. Sand knee deep. 
 
 July 13th. Moved 2^ miles to the right, at 7 A.M. Had to pick our way, 
 the dust so thick could not see far ahead. Had the sun as usual. 
 
 July 14th. Layed in this place all day. At night we moved front and 
 went to tearing down Rebel rifle-pits. Moved back in the morning. 
 
 July 22nd. Layed in the same place for a week. Moved to the left today 
 about a mile. Are now protecting the flank of the army. 
 
 July 26th. Started at C P.M. ; marched towards City Point, turned off 
 and crossed the Appomattox and James. Rested but twice the whole march, 
 about 20 miles ; the corps straggled very badly. 
 
 July 27th. [Battle of Strawberry Plains.] Skirmishing began almost as 
 soon as we got to the north side of the James. Captured 4 guns. Johnnies 
 were surprised to find that we had got out to intercept them. 
 
 July 28th. Layed in the woods all day. Saw some of the 26th regt. At 
 9 o'clk P.M. we started for the front of Petersburg; marched till morning, 
 about 20 miles. 
 
 July 29th. Layed in the woods all day (the 3rd div.), at night relieved; 
 some of the 18th corps in the trenches. Rebs began shelling us. The siege 
 of Petersburg has begun in earnest. 
 
 July 30th. [Explosion of the mine.] A regular artillery battle began at 
 4 P.M. The shell flew thick; were relieved at 10 P.M., marched to our old 
 camp. Burnside blew up a rebel fort, and 500 Rebs and 18 guns were 
 buried. 
 
 July 31st. Drew rations as soon as we arrived in camp. Layed in camp 
 all day and night. 
 
 Aug. 1st. Started back for our old camp in the woods at 9 A.M. I was 
 detailed to report at Regt. Head Quarters. 
 
 Aug. 2nd. Working at Head Qrs. 
 
 Aug. 7th. Have been working on papers; in the same position. Almost 
 starved to death, but fun if the boys have any grub on hand. 
 
 Aug. 12th. Same position till today; started at 2 o'clk for City Point, 
 arrived at 7 o'clk. It was terribly hot, a great many were sunstruck. 
 
 Aug. 13th. Layed on a hill all day. At 5 P.M. embarked on steamer 
 Octorora; ran down the river about 3 miles, when the whole expedition 
 started up the river. In all, about 20 vessels. 
 
 Aug. 14th. Disembarked at Deep Bottom. 1st and 2nd Divs. went into 
 the woods and we layed in the sun. The 10th corps captured 6 guns. 
 Layed here all night; rainy. 
 
 Aug. 15th. [Battle of Deep Bottom.] Started at 9 A.M. for the right, 
 having been assigned to the 19th corps of our Brigade; skirmish for four 
 hours, through a dense forest to enable our cavalry to pass out on the right 
 flank. Lost one killed and 7 wounded. 
 
 Aug. 16th. Moved to the left in the morning, and to front at 10 A.M. 
 Our regt. in reserve. 10th corps charged well and took 800 prisoners. We 
 
 [46] 
 
performed several duties during the day. There was hard fighting all day. 
 We lost one man (was taken sick and went to the rear). 
 
 Aug. 17th. Fell in with the Brigade as it passed on their way to our old 
 Div. Layed in a close mass all day; it rained hard. 
 
 Aug. 18th. Layed in the same place until dark, rained; started for the 
 front of Petersburg, walked all night; rained a little. Marched until Morn- 
 ing of the 19th. 
 
 Aug. 19th. Kept on marching to the left, were put on picket. 9th and 
 5th Corps moved to the left. Have taken the Weldon R. R. Rebs came 
 on to us, and took about 50 prisoners (on the run). 
 
 Aug. 20th. Same place. I stopped at the regt. hospital. 
 
 Aug. 22nd. I returned to the regt. 
 
 Aug. 25th. Were ordered to the left at 3 P.M. The rebs began to shell 
 us as we left ; moved about five miles through up the works and came back. 
 
 Aug. 26th. The regt. was detailed for picket. I sat up till 11.30 P.M. 
 and was relieved. 
 
 Aug. 28th. Worked on Muster rolls. Did not know that it was Sunday. 
 
 Aug. 29th. Nothing of importance here. Geo. B. McClellan nominated 
 Candidate for the Chicago Convention. Platform, purely "Peace on any 
 terms." 
 
 Aug. 31st. Finished up the Rolls and were mustered for six weeks pay 
 by the Major. 
 
 Sept. 1st. The regt. moved forward 400 yards and occupied a fort. 
 
 Sept. 4th. At 12 o'clk our guns fired a salute on the capture of Atlanta. 
 The rebs replied with shell and we answered and for a while the shot fell 
 thick. 
 
 Sept. llth: During this time we have been laying in the same camp, the 
 Artillery firing on our right. It has gotten to be an old thing. 
 
 Sept. 24th. Here I am sitting in my tent, where I have been at work all 
 day; the rest of the boys have gone to bed. We have had glorious news 
 from Sheridan, in the valley. Give salutes with shotted guns. 
 
 Sept. 25th. Were relieved and went into camp in the rear. 
 
 Sept. 29th. Lay as support, all the time ready to re-enforce any part of 
 the line. Butler took 3000 prisoners and 15 guns. 
 
 Oct. 1st. Took the cars at 1 P.M. for the left, a terrible storm was raging; 
 layed in a mass all the afternoon. 
 
 Oct. 2nd. Moved to left early and supported the skirmishing line. The 
 records of the day I shall not chronicle, but I shall never forget them. 
 Moved back at night for fear we should get flanked. 
 
 [It is told in the regiment's history what he declined to tell: "The brig- 
 ade was ordered to make a demonstration on the enemy's works, to ascer- 
 tain their strength and, if possible, carry them. As we advanced the enemy 
 opened a battery that was masked in the angle of his works, having a raking 
 fire with canister and spherical case. Our support not coming up, we were 
 
 [47] 
 
obliged to retire. It was a very stubborn fight; officers and men were killed, 
 wounded, and taken prisoners. It was known as * Poplar Grove fight.' ' 
 ED.] 
 
 Oct. 6th. Went in to our old camp at Fort Hayes. 
 
 Oct. 24th. Moved about 11 P.M. to the rear and closed, en masse. 
 
 Oct. 25th. Waiting orders; cold nights. 
 
 Oct. 26th. At two P.M. moved to the "yellow house." 
 
 Oct. 27th. [Battle of Boydton Plank Rd.] Moved early, began skirmish- 
 ing in forenoon; drove Rebs 4 miles and got a position at 4 o'clk. Got a 
 severe shelling and had a small fight, retreating after dark; pickets gobbled, 
 severe attack, loss of life fearful. 
 
 Oct. 28ih. Moved back to our old camp in the rear. 
 
 Oct. 30th. Moved back to our old position [Fort Alexander Hayes] in the 
 works. 
 
 Nov. 4th. Went down to Div. Hospital; took Jerry's rifle. His furlough 
 was a surprise. 
 
 [Jerry was very ill and Leverett and the colonel succeeded in getting 
 him a furlough. It was made out giving him leave to go home to vote. He 
 was bugler of the regiment and only sixteen years old ! He got through the 
 journey as far as the train from New York to Boston. There he entered 
 the car so weak he could hardly stand. The car was crowded; but he was 
 made to feel how little the people of the North realized the hardship of the 
 soldiers' lives, for they pushed by him as a vagabond and he sank ex- 
 hausted on the floor in the corner of the car and could not keep back the 
 tears. ED.] 
 
 Nov. 8th. Abraham Lincoln re-elected President of the United States of 
 America by a large majority over Genl. Geo. B. McClellan, candidate of 
 the Chicago Convention. 
 
 Jerry arrived home; met father and mother at the village. 
 
 FORT HAYES, NEAR PETERSBURG, VA., Nov. 14, 1864- 
 Dear Family: 
 
 Yours of the 6th inst arrived in due time. I have been waiting anx- 
 iously to hear from Jere, as he promised to write as soon as he got home. 
 The process of getting mustered out should receive particular attention. I 
 shall forward today his descriptive list, to Major Clark, Boston, Mass. 
 I would advise Jerry to report without delay, after the receipt of this, and 
 do the best he can, for his furlough and term of service expire at the same 
 time. 
 
 The weather has been changeable for the past fortnight. At first it was 
 exceedingly cold, then we began to have the beautiful indian summer. The 
 days were perfectly delightful and the nights equally so; but now it seems 
 as if cold winter had fairly set in, but we are fully prepared for him, with 
 a large fire place and a comfortable sheebang. There have been quite a 
 
 [48] 
 
number of promotions in the regt. ; doubtless you have read of them in the 
 papers. There was a great deal of surprise expressed when the commissions 
 came, for some have received them that we supposed stood no chance at all ; 
 
 two of them, B - and A n. have been in only one fight (the first) 
 
 and have played ever since. The quarter master Sergt. was promoted, 
 which left a vacancy there. I was asked for; but the Major refused to let 
 me go, on the grounds that he wanted me here, to do the writing for the 
 companies B and C. I think they are not using me exactly right; but still 
 I shall not complain ; but one thing is, he is discouraging good behavior and 
 a soldierly bearing; but it shall not serve to move me from a straight and 
 forward course. No one has gone as yet, and they know of no one to send. 
 So perhaps I shall get it yet; but I shall not expect it. Promotions have 
 been made in the Regiment by the Gov. without the sanction of the Regt. 
 Commander. I am not particularly desirous of another lift, but if you think 
 best and should some day have a chance to speak to some influential man, 
 it would have a great weight in the matter. I understand now that names 
 have been forwarded to the Gov. for promotion; but ignorant who they are. 
 Genl. Hancock has tried to get this Corps to the rear in camp, but was un- 
 successful. I for one was glad of it. 
 
 Old Fort days seem like home. Love to all. 
 
 L. BRADLEY, JR. 
 
 [He was made quartermaster-sergeant. ED.] 
 
 HEAD QUARS. Co. B IST MASS. H. A., Dec. 4, 1864. 
 Dear Family: 
 
 Your last was rec'd in due time. Since I last wrote our whole Corps has 
 moved, relieving the 19th at the left of the line. The duties in front of 
 Petersburg were too hard for this corps, with too small numbers. We are 
 now in a fine forest in front of Fort Emory (the one we built the first time 
 that we went to the left, Jerry). The men are building commodious quar- 
 ters, wood being plenty. Picket duty is very easy here, there being no enemy 
 in sight. Some of the boys heard by letter of the fellows who died in the 
 Bull pens of Georgia. It is terrible to think of, men of strong constitutions 
 and muscular frames, in the prime of life, should die such a death. Star- 
 vation, for that is the death that I think they died of. Think of being 
 penned up, dying inch by inch daily, and at last, rot to pieces. I can assure 
 you I shall run a great risk of life before I shall be taken prisoner, for I 
 consider that death is better than a southern Bull pen. It is very evident 
 that Lawrence has a great deal to do with this regt. It is now called a 
 Lawrence and Ipswich Regt. I think by seeing H's father about my case, 
 or even getting some one in Lawrence to write, would be the best way to 
 carry it through. But do it without my knowledge. 
 
 About my pictures, you did perfectly right, Susan Jane! Love to all 
 from LEV. BRADLEY, JR. 
 
 P. S. Jerry, you might send me a V., which would be very acceptable. 
 
 [49] 
 
[On December 7 he was in the engagement called " Weldon Raid," but 
 he had stopped recording in his diary. Another soldier writes : 
 
 " Supposing that the campaign was ended and that we were now to 
 have winter quarters, the men went to work with a will, and in four days 
 had put up comfortable log huts, all supplied with fireplaces; but on the 
 6th of December orders were rec'd to march at daylight. The men suffered 
 severely on this raid, many of them coming back over frozen ground with- 
 out shoes. The distance marched was ninety-six miles." ED.] 
 
 CAMP IST MASS. H. ARTY., Dec. 31st, 1864. 
 Dear Family: 
 
 I rec'd your last Sabbath letter, yesterday morn'g. It has been raining 
 and snowing. I have but just returned from the Major's office, where I 
 have been to report concerning the absence of men, preparatory to a mus- 
 ter for payment. This is the first time, for three years, that I have not made 
 out the rolls; but my duties are such now that it would be impossible to 
 do it. I have to drill recruits once a week, besides the regular forms and 
 duties that it is necessary for us to go through, as soon as we come to a halt. 
 Frank's letter I shall preserve with great care, or rather I wish you to. I 
 shall enclose it with this, where you can let it remain. In years to come, if 
 through the divine mercy of God, we are both permitted to live, it would 
 doubtless be a pleasure to us both to look back to this his first letter. The 
 wind has started up and it is snowing at a furious rate. Many of us are un- 
 prepared for it. My tent is quite comfortable, but I am forced to lay on the 
 ground; wood is very scarce with us, having to back it almost a mile, and 
 nothing but green pine at that. It will probably be drawn to us if we stop 
 here any length of time. I am writing in great haste and in the cold, as you 
 will plainly see by the writing. But come to look it over, as I have just done, 
 it looks and reads a great deal worse than I expected; but I am forced to let 
 it go, for this time, and in order to pass it by to my advantage, you will not 
 consider it my weekly missive. Love to all from LEV. 
 
 [On January 1, 1865, he was promoted to orderly sergeant and had a 
 furlough of ten days. ED.] 
 
 CAMP IN THE FIELD, Feb. 12, 1865. 
 Dear Mother: 
 
 We were forced to come back from Washington by the Potomac river. 
 There was but one Brigade in the fight [2nd Hatch's Run] last Sunday night, 
 the 3rd of our division. They were charged three successive times by Di- 
 visions. And a fresh division each time. It is said that Genl. Lee com- 
 manded the movements in person. They intended to break our lines and 
 by so doing, cut off the 5th Corps, which had gone out farther on the left. 
 But they ran foul of fighting stock and were driven back with great loss. 
 Our artillery was placed in such a position that it cut them up terribly. 
 
 [50] 
 
Four men were found at the foot of a tree, all mangled up. The battery be- 
 longed to the " Old Bay State," viz. 10th Mass. I did not join the regt. till 
 Thursday; I found them in a small pine thicket. The smoke was so dense 
 as to be able to cut in slices. Our eyes were all blood shot. The old com- 
 pany was right glad to see me back. Do not take w r hat I write as self es- 
 teem! It was proposed to give me three cheers; but the plan was aban- 
 doned much to my pleasure. All the time that I was gone there had been 
 a perfect hubbub in the company. Sergt. D. not knowing human nature, 
 swords had to be drawn one time. It was a great pleasure to me to be wel- 
 comed back the way I was. Every one had a good word to say to me. I 
 pray God that I may always deal with men in such a manner that I may 
 be looked up to as one possessing a whole soul, for it is a great pleasure to 
 one to know that he is liked. And especially one placed as I am. We have 
 moved every day since I got back. Yesterday our regt. with the 93rd N. Y. 
 was on fatigue, slashing timber in front of works. It was splendid wood. 
 I cannot imagine what farmers North would say to see the whole of an im- 
 mense forrest levelled in a day. We are lying now on a hill in an open field. 
 There is a good prospect of our going in to camp, but for how long no one 
 knows. I have found all of my things well cared for, stove and all. I have 
 slept well since I got back. Do not, I beg of you, feel any uneasiness on my 
 account. Wliat ever I need I will write for. I wish you would get some yarn 
 or worsted and get one of the Dole's to knit me a sleeping cap; if they can't 
 do it, get some one else. It would be a great comfort to me to have one, I 
 have caught a cold already. I will do the honorable when I write to them. 
 I enjoyed my furlough hugely; but bidding you all a long farewell marred 
 the pleasure slightly. I beg of you again, do not worry for me; although 
 life is uncertain, it is not necessary to borrow trouble. A great many of the 
 regiments are without officers. By the last move, our lines have been 
 lengthened three miles. We are ignorant of the genl. result of the move. 
 My regards to all enquiring friends, and love to all the Bradley family. 
 Your dutiful son, 
 
 LEVERETT BRADLEY, JR. 
 
 P. S. Captain [he always called his father that in these days], our men 
 slightly wounded are falling off very fast. Co. B numbers only twenty-eight 
 ready for duty. I wish you might get a place for me. I shall not expect 
 one, because so many want them. 
 
 [He held the position of orderly sergeant, and was at many times com- 
 manding the company on account of the loss or absence of all commissioned 
 officers. ED.] 
 
 CAMP IST MASS. H. ART., March 28, 1865. 
 Dear Jed: 
 
 I received your letter. I take this opportunity to answer, not knowing 
 that I shall ever have another. We are under orders to move at 6 A.M. to- 
 
 [51] 
 
morrow; rations are being drawn and other little matters attended to, but 
 you know too well how this is all done. The 24th Corps is here with Sheri- 
 dan's famous raiders and rumors have it that we are to join Sherman across 
 the Country. I hope so for one; but it may only be a move for the south 
 side of the R. R. The recommendations that you wished me to get for you 
 have been obtained. I feel as though I must give you a little advice. Have 
 you considered and made up your mind to give the rest of your years to 
 your country ? Either branches of the service are apt to lose their charm 
 after a few years. It seems to me that you could choose some occupation 
 or profession that you would be more capable of, and feel better satisfied 
 with. I am willing, so far as it lays in my power, to do anything for you, 
 even giving money for your advancement, of which you were robbed, by 
 entering the service at so youthful an age. We can say that we passed three 
 years in our country's service together. I will close now, to get a little sleep 
 before tomorrow's movements. I beg of you now give this subject a long 
 thought, for I think that your future depends upon it. You are moulding 
 what is to be the man. 
 
 Give my love to all; please remember me to all enquiring friends. 
 
 Ever your brother, 
 
 L. BRADLEY, JR. 
 
 [The battle of Vaughn Road was fought March 29, in which the regi- 
 ment charged and took the first line of the enemy's works. On March 31 
 was the engagement at Burgess Mill. In this battle the First Massachu- 
 setts Heavy Artillery and the Fifth Michigan Infantry were ordered to 
 charge a battery, protected by strong earthworks and heavy slashing, and 
 it was in this charge that Leverett showed such bravery. It was later de- 
 scribed by his captain, though he made nothing of it himself and I never 
 heard him refer to it. Two days later, April 2, the whole line was ordered 
 forward and the works were carried by assault. Captain Littlefield's ac- 
 count is of interest here. ED.] 
 
 " I have the honor to state that the following describes the movements 
 of portions of the 2nd Army Corps, on March 31, 1865, the 1st Mass. H. A. 
 being in Mott's Division [see Walker's Hist., 2nd Army Corps, page 663]: 
 * General Humphreys had not limited his efforts for the support of Warren 
 to the advance of Miles' division; but, immediately on learning that the en- 
 emy had assumed the offensive, he directed General Mott, if possible, to 
 carry the entrenchments at Burgess' Mill and General Hayes to carry the 
 Crow House redout. Neither of these assaults was successful, owing to the 
 impenetrable abattis found along much of the line; but the attacks of Mott 
 and Hayes were so close arid persistent as to prevent the Confederates from 
 reinforcing the troops in front of Warren and Miles, Genl. Wilcox, who 
 commanded the line at Burgess' Mill and the Crow House, being compelled 
 to refuse the Genl.'s request for an additional brigade.' 
 
 [52] 
 
" Now at that time under consideration above, Sergeant Leverett Brad- 
 ley, being in my immediate command, in moving forward to the abattis or 
 slashing in solid mass, in front of the enemy's works (some of my men failed 
 at the onset to reach the outer edge of said slashing, but instead fell behind 
 trees and commenced firing to the front, over the heads of the line advanc- 
 ing to the attack), the Sergeant, of his own motion, rallied these men into 
 line, holding them there by his exhortation and example, when I addressed 
 him in words of commendation for his brave act. Subsequently, just as we 
 were mustered out, the Sergeant was commissioned First Lieut, by Gov- 
 ernor Andrew of Mass., but our ranks had become so depleted it was con- 
 solidated with another command, so that this officer of gallant make-up 
 could not be mustered to the grade he had exercised to all intents and pur- 
 poses and been promoted to." ROGER S. LITTLEFIELD, 
 Jan. 28, 1895. Late captain 1st Mass. H. A. 
 
 CAMP IN THE FIELD, NEAR BURKSVILLE JUNCTION, VA., 
 
 April 17, 1865. 
 Dear Family: 
 
 We moved yesterday to this position, only a few rods from our former 
 one, to wait orders. We rec'd the sad news of President Lincoln's being 
 severely wounded in the head, yesterday morning, and of his death last 
 night. The news cast a gloom upon all. Many were the oaths taken against 
 the perpetrator of the deed. We rec'd no particulars, simply that it was by 
 J. W. Booth in Ford's theatre, and that Sec'ty of State Mr. Seward and his 
 son were attacked in their own house. We have had no newspapers of late 
 date, since we left Petersburg, except the Richmond Whig, which goes on 
 the same as before, with a great change in its tone. I will try now and give 
 you a description of our operations, although I have no notes to copy from. 
 I think it is impressed strongly enough upon my memory to transfer it to 
 paper. 
 
 Sunday morning, Apr. 2nd, at about 7 o'clk our Regt. with the 5th 
 Mich, filed out through the works into the woods on a double quick; all ex- 
 pected a repetition of the scene we passed through before, but what was 
 our surprise, when we passed by the picket line, through the woods into an 
 open field in full view of the Johnnies' works, and found them vacated. We 
 immediately struck off in pursuit up the Boydton flank road, the sixth Corps 
 in advance. The " Johns " made a stand about two miles from the City and 
 the Artillery kept up the firing for the rest of the day. The next morning, we 
 took the back road and struck out for the Danville road, which we reached 
 the night of the 5th ; fortified across it. Our Corps struck the Rebs the next 
 day and gave them an awful run; they would make a stand on a hill, our 
 skirmish line would run them out and then the Cavalry would give them a 
 charge across the open country, till they found they had made another halt. 
 The road was strewn with cars, ammunition boxes, blankets, old broken 
 
 [53] 
 
down mules, horses and wagons, caissons, limbers, forges, and occasionally 
 a gun. The men were all excitement over our late victories and nothing 
 could stop them. Our Brigade captured seven flags. Our regt. was un- 
 lucky and got none. We followed them up this way till the surrender. I 
 have never seen such a sight and never expect to, as I did when Genl. Meade 
 rode in from the front and a staff officer announced that Lee had surren- 
 dered [the surrender of General Lee at Appomattox Court House]. The men 
 hurrahed as if their throats would split. Soon after Meade came riding 
 through the lines. All the flags were given to the breeze and the men 
 crowded around them and cheered lustily, rushing after Genl. Meade all 
 the time. Men threw up their caps, haversacks, and canteens and some 
 even took off their shoes and threw them up, running a great risk of ever 
 getting them again. Every one had a smile on his face, although they had 
 been without rations for a day and a half. 
 
 Regards and love to all. LEV. 
 
 CAMP IST MASS. H. ARTY., NEAR BURKSVILLE JUNCTION, VA., 
 
 Apr. 20, 1865. 
 Dear Jed: 
 
 I have been at work all the afternoon fixing up our tent. I have seen 
 considerable within the last few weeks; when we first struck the "John 
 Henrys" and had followed them a few miles, we began to pick up the relics 
 by the bushels, a great many of which had to be thrown away, as the marches 
 were so severe that the men had rather keep their tack ; but we had but little 
 of that. I have got a Confederate States Army Regulations. We are just 
 getting the news of the surrender of Johnson to Sherman. The boys say be 
 ready to meet them at the depot with your drums about the 4th July. They 
 begin to feel more homesick; they feel they have done their duty and now 
 want to go home. Some 60 cannon were dug up near the station today, 
 which the Rebs buried, and placed head boards at the head of the graves ; 
 some were Sergts, corpls. &c, quite a joke! Our Co. (just previous to our 
 first move from camp) was changed from the third to the Second Batt. 
 Our U. S. colors got torn all to pieces in our late scrap, and shell broke the 
 staff in three pieces and tore the flag from the staff. We pitch our tent this 
 time as we used to last summer, high, and then build a bunk of poles. We 
 have got a gay one. We have three wool blankets and are hunky ! None of 
 us expect any more fighting. I got a chronicle of our new president's plans 
 and views, the most noticible being, "treason must be punished." I feel 
 that the South were interested in the late assassination. It will avail them 
 nothing; but will rather injure them. I think they can well say that this is 
 a curious army ; a foreign one would have massacred the inhabitants on re- 
 ceiving the news that we rec'd, but with us it was all quiet. Tell mother 
 my catarrh is all right. Give my regards to all the boys and gals. 
 
 Love to all. LEV. 
 
 [54] 
 
CAMP IST MASS. H. A., NEAR BURKSVILLE JUNCTION, VA., 
 
 April 26, 1865: 
 Dear Family: 
 
 Yours of the 19th has been rec'd. Yesterday was a holiday with us, 
 opening with a salute of thirteen guns, and a gun every half hour during 
 the day, with a National salute of thirty six guns at sunset. We were pa- 
 raded at 10 A.M. and the orders of the Sect'y of war and Lieut Genl. Grant 
 were read to us. All the men are dissatisfied, stopping here in camp. The 
 army of the Potomac is without an enemy in front, and we lay here waiting 
 orders. I think that the views of President Johnson are very different from 
 what the late old Abe's were, in regard to the settlement of this great rebel- 
 lion for which so many lives have been sacrificed. I favor the former's 
 views, i. e., "Treason is a crime and must be punished." I hardly think 
 the war worn veterans would be satisfied unless it was done. Genl. Lee 
 must be made an example of immediately and all other Generals in our 
 hands, particularly those who have ever meddled with politics, should suffer 
 their fate. I can't bring my thoughts to believe that we are soon to go home ; 
 but our minds are at ease about fighting. We are expecting good news from 
 Genl. Sherman, but yesterday's paper had particulars of his negotiation, 
 which has lowered him in my estimation; but "Old Useless" himself has 
 gone down to North Carolina to run the machine, 'the sun is hot enough 
 to cook coffee in the open air. It is nearly a year since I went home on my 
 veteran furlough, and how many scenes of strife and bloodshed I have 
 since passed through. I had a small idea of the army then; but now I think 
 I can well say that I have been through the mill. F. P., who left us last 
 fall when there was fighting, has returned with Capt's bars. I assure you 
 he was not welcome amongst those who had done their duty at the front 
 to the present time. I was witness to a big nigger fight last night. They 
 were passed round through the crowd in a hurry. If you have any old mag- 
 azines about the house, please send them to me, as reading matter is scarce. 
 
 Respectfully yours, 
 
 L. BRADLEY, JR., 1st Sergt. Co. B. 
 
 CAMP IST H. ARTY., NEAR ARLINGTON MILLS, VA., 
 
 May 24, 1865. 
 Dear Family: 
 
 I have hardly kept my promise about writing; but I hope you will ex- 
 cuse me, for we have slept most of the time since we got into camp. We 
 lay on a ridge right near the old mill, a mile from the road in a splendid oak 
 grove. It has rained for three days and we hope that it will clear before to- 
 morrow; for on Tuesday we are to be reviewed in Washington. We all 
 dread the march, for it will be a long one and if it should be hot, many 
 will faint. W T e have begun making out the muster rolls for the men whose 
 term of service expires before Oct. 1st. If you should hear the stories that 
 
 [55] 
 
we have in camp you would laugh out right. One day, they are favorable 
 for the recruits, and the next, for the veterans. Now Mother I hope you will 
 feel easy about me, at least for the present till we hear what they intend to 
 do with the veterans. We draw soft bread every day now and vegetables 
 are more plentiful than at the front. George Frye [the cousin who was 
 taken prisoner] has got back to the regt. now, looking finely. The country 
 along the road has changed a great deal and it is lined with sutlers' shan- 
 ties. Some of the 4th " Heavies ' ' have been up here ; they look as if they had 
 been playing soldiers for a while. 
 
 A year ago I was enjoying myself at home among friends and relatives. 
 It does seem as if I never felt happier till I heard that the regiment had lost 
 such numbers. I was shown the very tree where George Bricket and others 
 sat under a few hours before that awful fight [the Wilderness]. I should 
 have gone to the ground itself; but we were moving on another road, until 
 it made a junction with the main road, three miles from the battle field. 
 The thunder is beginning again; we were caught in that terrible one, just 
 after leaving Falmouth. The trial of the assassins is developing a great 
 many important facts which the government intend to take advantage of. 
 I wish they would bring Jeff to Washington in the same clothes that they 
 caught him in. 
 
 With much love to all, I remain as ever, 
 
 LEVERETT BRADLEY, JR. 
 
 CAMP IST MASS. H. A., May 29. 
 Dear Family: 
 
 Your last was rec'd. The great review has passed, it was a beautiful 
 day. The Regt. was composed of six companies. I was the left guide of 
 the color Co.; many were the remarks about our tattered banners. The 
 ladies kept their handkerchiefs going all the time. I should have thought 
 they would have got tired by night. The streets were crowded full to over 
 flowing. The absorbing topic is when are we to be discharged ? Jerry, I 
 hear stories of your flirtations out here. George, now you are 21, you should 
 make your appearance with a tall hat, cigar in your mouth, a fighting dog 
 under your carriage; try and keep up to the times; wait till I get home and 
 then there will be no chance for you, better get married now. News is so 
 scarce with us that it is hard to make up a letter. The boys sleep most of 
 the 24 hours. As ever, LEV. 
 
 CAMP IST H. A., June 4, 1865. 
 Dear Family: 
 
 We had inspection this morning. I had command of the Co. We have 
 got a new State Color, a perfect beauty ! We are waiting for a new national 
 one from the government. The old ones, that stood the brunt of so many 
 battles, are now almost in shreds and have been packed up ready to trans- 
 
 [56] 
 
mit to Adjt. Genl. of the state soon ; if we are not soon to go home, in which 
 case we shall carry them. The review of the corps came off. It was not as 
 severe as we expected. Genl. Hancock looked admirably and rec'd cheers. 
 The 6th Corps' Artillery is coming in now, on a road to the left of us; the 
 horses look played out, leaning against each other for support. Every 
 day we hear cheers in some camp regiment whose time is out in Oct. and 
 now about to start for home. Candle light parades are beginning to be a 
 great feature of military and camp illuminations. The scenes are beau- 
 tiful to look at, but not so agreeable to participate in, grease not being an 
 ornament to clothes. Clothing has just come, so I shall have to make larger 
 letters or write faster to finish up. If it is a scrawl, my thoughts are all 
 there, which is all that is required. 
 
 With love to all, LEV. B., JR. 
 
 I presume that it is proper that you, Lizzie, should give away my photo- 
 graphs. 
 
 FORT ETHAN ALLEN, VA., June 18, 1865. 
 Dear Family: 
 
 Your last rec'd. It does seem as if the flies would eat me up!!! and as 
 for bed bugs, we caught them by the peck this afternoon. We relieved the 
 6th Penn H. A. I went to work, white washed my room and scalt the bunk; 
 but from the rest I got last night should say that there are bed bugs yet. 
 Lt. Col. Shatswell is Commanding the Brig, but our Regt. is at present the 
 only one in it; he is entitled the same however to a staff and orderlies. I 
 know you would not expect me to write if you saw how the flies trouble me, 
 so will close for now, or go into spasms. L. BRADLEY, JR. 
 
 FORT ETHAN ALLEN, VA., June 25, 1865. 
 Dear Friends: 
 
 Four years ago yesterday, this Co. left the pleasant village of Methuen, 
 for Fort Warren; there to be drilled and disciplined for war. Some went 
 out of pure patriotism and others out of curiosity, they knew little of war; 
 but they all had drawn a picture of it in their minds and I think their con- 
 clusions fell far short of the mark. For my own part, I feel glad that we 
 were ordered from the forts about Washington. W r hat I have seen and 
 learned, money cannot buy. But to think that we have lost so many of our 
 brave comrades by this cruel rebellion (many of them friends of mine) is 
 enough to make all cry " Peace" and no more " War." I thank God I was 
 allowed to pass through so many bloody scenes. Life seemed of but little 
 importance to me; but I never yet gave up and who knows but that was 
 the reason I was allowed to live ? I shall send you a copy of Genl. Pierce 's 
 Order. W r e were a favorite regt. of his. The 5th Michigan and 1st Massa- 
 chusetts H. A. have fought side by side in many a battle and I have often 
 heard the Genl. say "two better Regts. could not be found in the service.'* 
 
 [57] 
 
We were always taken when an object of importance was to be obtained, and 
 they always showed themselves true soldiers. The work of mustering out 
 veteran troops has begun ; we think we should have gone if we had remained 
 in the Corps. The weather has been terribly hot the past week, but the flies 
 are not so bad since the food has been moved into the mess house. Bed 
 bugs are as bad as ever, I cannot sleep in my bunk, but take a couple of 
 chairs and like it much better. I earnestly hope, Jerry, that you will suc- 
 ceed in getting into the naval school, if you have made up your mind. You 
 must not let father work so hard; just take command and have discipline 
 in the house hold. Give my love to all. Hoping to help you gather the 
 harvest this fall, I remain, I,. BRADLEY, JR. 
 
 [Copy of General Pierce 's Order.] 
 Extract from 
 Special Orders, No. 166. 
 
 HEADQUARTERS 2ND BRIGADE, SRD DIVISION, 
 
 2o ARMY CORPS, June 15, 1865. 
 
 4. The 1st Mass. H. A. having been ordered to report to Genl. Hancock, 
 the Genl. commanding, on parting with them, desires to express his heart- 
 felt thanks for their general good conduct while under his command. Al- 
 though entering the field in the summer of 1864, at the height of the most 
 severe campaign the army ever had, they showed by their daring bravery 
 and gallant charges, that they had been drilled and disciplined for a pur- 
 pose. Their now disseminated ranks attest the valor and patriotic spirit 
 with which they were inspired. He has every reason to feel proud of their 
 conduct both in camp and on the battle-field and shall ever remember with 
 pleasure their connection and association with the Brigade, with which their 
 military history has now become a part. 
 
 By command of 
 
 BRIG. GENL. PIERCE. 
 (Signed) C. W. FORRESTER, 
 
 Capt. and A. A. A. G. 
 Fort Ethan Allen, Va., June 19, 1865. 
 Lever ett Bradley, 1st Sergt. 
 
 FORT C. F. SMITH, VA., July 2, 1865. 
 Dear Friends: 
 
 The men like it here, for the duty is much easier. We relieved some of 
 the N. Y. Arty. Three companies are in a barrack, draw rations and mess 
 together. I never felt it so warm. Nearly every afternoon I sit and let the 
 perspiration drop from my chin; a very agreeable occupation. Some of the 
 regts. in our old corps had a row yesterday, refusing to do duty. I don't 
 know how they came out in the matter. I should like to be with you the 
 coming fourth. I k'now nothing for us to do but sit still and think of what 
 
 [58] 
 
a good time you are having. We have a fine view of Washington, George- 
 town, Chain bridge and the upper Potomac. One man is allowed to visit 
 Washington daily. The boys have got up a new game of cards, played like 
 muggins ; but the one that is beaten has to allow the rest to give him three 
 raps each, across the nose; it leaves a very peculiar tingling sensation after 
 the operation and makes any amount of sport. D. has been reduced to the 
 ranks for abusive language. Jerry will tell you about the man the men have 
 been under. We were mustered for pay by Maj. H 1. The men are im- 
 proving in looks greatly. Putting on our fortification airs now, Sarvy! 
 
 Much love to all, 
 
 L. BRADLEY, JR. 
 
 Monday Morning. 
 
 Had for breakfast one cup of coffee and one slice of bread. I assure you, 
 we fat on the living ! 
 
 [On July 11 he was 19 years old. ED.] 
 
 FORT MORTON, VA., July 16. 
 Dear Friends: 
 
 I am beginning this letter under adverse circumstances, for we have just 
 rec'd an order to be ready to move immediately back to Fort Smith, where 
 all the Cos. of the regt. are to concentrate. It is beautifully situated here. 
 We have just got everything going smoothly, our Co. being here alone, so 
 still, and we feel vexed at having to go back. I visited Washington last 
 night; went to the theatre, and liked it. 
 
 There is a guitar in my window which the wind is playing splendidly. 
 My mind is nowhere today. Regts. pass here every morning on their way 
 home. We are all in hopes our turn will come soon. 
 
 This letter contains all the news I can collect; but at that in a consol- 
 idated form. Love to all from L. BRADLEY, JR. 
 
 [There now comes a disappointment which he bore uncomplainingly 
 and accepted as the inevitable. It was not until 1895, when urged by men 
 in Philadelphia and by his wife, that he made a slight effort, by going 
 to Washington, to see if the matter could be rectified. He was convinced 
 that it was of too slight importance to interest the Senate, and would prob- 
 ably be defeated promptly, as the tendency was to cut down claims which 
 might establish a precedent at that late date. The following gives the state- 
 ment of his former colonel. ED.] 
 
 To whom it may concern: 
 
 I, Nathanial Shatswell, do hereby certify that I served in the 1st Mass. 
 H. A. during the war of the Rebellion, and that during the last fifteen 
 months of the war I was its commander. I knew Leverett Bradley, Jr., who 
 served in Co. B of the Regiment for the four years or more of the war, and 
 
 [59] 
 
while I commanded the Regiment I knew him well. He entered the army 
 at the tender age of fifteen, serving faithfully and honorably until his dis- 
 charge. He filled the positions of the Company Quartermaster-Sergeant 
 and 1st Sergeant to the satisfaction of his superiors and to the advantage of 
 the country. He received a commission as 1st Lieut, in the Regiment from 
 the Governor of Mass., dated July 31, 1865, and his name appears in the 
 records of the state credited with that rank. 
 
 I learn that the War Department at Washington declines to muster him 
 upon this commission (though he seeks the muster only that he may be 
 eligible to membership in the Loyal Legion), because there was no vacancy 
 of his grade in the Regiment at the time. The absence of vacancy is, of 
 course, a matter of record and need not be gainsaid. But the causes which 
 led to this condition of things in a regiment which lost heavily, arid at times 
 had merely a handful of officers, may be of some interest. Had the Regi- 
 ment been mustered out of service in the condition that it was a month after 
 the surrender of Lee there would have been vacancies, and many in the 
 grade of 1st Lieut., and Lieut. Bradley would have found no difficulty in 
 obtaining an order for muster from the War Department. But after that 
 date, a month or more after the close of the fighting, Col. Wm. F. Abert, 
 commanding the 3rd Mass. H. A., a regiment which never smelled smoke 
 of battle, conceived the idea of having the 12 companies of the 1st Regt. 
 consolidated into 4 companies and thus the Regiment into a battalion, and 
 of having this battalion attached to his command. An order to this effect 
 was issued from the War Department. It caused me great bitterness of 
 heart to execute the command, but I obeyed my instructions. The 12 com- 
 panies of my command were consolidated into 4 companies. This action 
 easily and necessarily filled all vacancies in the various grades among the 
 commissioned officers. At this point I was so deeply affected by the dis- 
 credit which would be done to a regt. which had seen service through the 
 war by assigning it as a battalion to a command which had made for itself 
 no name, I determined to do all in my power to save it from destruction and 
 to perpetuate its identity. I therefore consulted the Hon. Henry Wilson, 
 senator from Massachusetts, and laid the whole matter before him, plead- 
 ing that the Regt. might be honorably discharged under the name which it 
 had so honorably borne; soon after an order came down from the Wai- 
 Department countermanding the order for consolidation with the 3rd 
 Mass., and ordering the Regt. to be honorably discharged. The Regt. was 
 discharged and disbanded on Aug. 16, 1865. 
 
 Now, it can easily be seen that the order for the consolidation of 12 com- 
 panies into 4 companies was an unnecessary one, and considering the his- 
 tory of the Regiment, an unfair and unjust one. Had there been no such 
 consolidation there would have been many vacancies in the grade of 1st 
 Lieut., enabling the said Leverett Bradley, Jr., to be mustered. 
 
 Thirty years have passed since the Regiment was discharged, and I may 
 be said to be somewhat sobered by age. But I deliberately place on record 
 
 [60] 
 
my profound and settled conviction that a grievous and cruel and useless 
 order was issued when I was commanded to consolidate my 12 companies 
 into 4 companies. But whether this is true or not, I know that the consol- 
 idation deprived Lieut. Bradley of the right and privilege of muster into 
 the IT. S. service under the commission given by the Governor of Mass., 
 a commission which the said Lieut. Bradley won by honorable and efficient 
 service. He was a true and good soldier, faithful, obedient, intelligent and 
 brave, and deserves such consideration at the hands of those who can grant 
 it as shall place his name among the commissioned officers of the 1st 
 Mass. H. A. NATHANIAL SHATSWELL. 
 
 September, 1895. 
 
 IST SERGT'S OFFICE. 
 Co. B IST MASS. H. A., FORT BUNKER HILL, D. C., 
 
 Aug. 6, 1865. 
 Dear Friends: 
 
 Your last found me in tolerable good health. I am now fairly at work 
 in my new duties. I assure you it is a different thing to have two strange 
 companies, old soldiers at that, with the old Company to handle, from what 
 it was before. I contend that the 1st Sergt's position at present in the four 
 companies is the hardest position in the Regt. ; but so far I am doing finely. 
 Four years ago yesterday, I left the old parental roof for the first time, for 
 a commencement in life. At other times people might say I chose a very 
 dangerous life; but a desire to be a soldier had got possession of me and I 
 actually believe if I had not been allowed to come at that time I should have 
 come on my own responsibility soon after. How fortunate I have been dur- 
 ing these last four years. I have suffered but little from sickness. The hard- 
 ships have been severe, to be sure, for the last year; but life has been spared. 
 I look back at times and think how I suffered a year ago from long marches, 
 hunger, thirst, and fatigue, and shudder at the thought of a repetition of the 
 scenes. 
 
 A great many of the boys have acted foolishly since pay day by desert- 
 ing; you have probably seen some of them. A man must be crazy that 
 would act so. I feel as if I would like an honorable discharge after serving 
 faithfully almost four years. I should like to know well what kind of busi- 
 ness it \vas you would like me to go into, if I got a discharge. Money ma- 
 king of course? I should advise Jerry to give way and let George visit 
 Washington, and shall urge his coming; he has never travelled and if he 
 could possibly be spared I think he ought to take a short trip this way. Per- 
 haps he has struck higher and prefers to visit Saratoga or Niagara Falls! 
 The 3rd Regt. has not been consolidated yet ; they are waiting the arrival of 
 a company from Richmond. We all hope the consolidation will never come 
 off. Hard feelings are beginning to exist between the two Regts. already. 
 We are expecting daily to lose our colors, now in Washington, having the 
 names of the battles we were in printed on it, as the guard has been dis- 
 
 [61] 
 
continued. Some of their companies will probably have the honor of carry 
 ing the Colors. Perhaps it is n't rough, but we can't see it in that light! 
 We are in hopes that Col. A. will be sent back to the Regular Army and N. 
 promoted ; then we would have our show at every thing. 
 
 Aug. 7. 
 
 I wish it were so I could get home soon and then all take a short trip 
 to the beach. We never went to but few places as a whole family. I board 
 out now ; about eight of us draw our rations and have a woman to cook for 
 us, and with a few bought articles we live tolerably well. Report says we 
 are going soon to some other station. I can see no necessity of staying here, 
 as there is no armament. Love to all. LEV. BRADLEY, JR. 
 
 FORT BUNKER HILL, D. C., Aug. 11, 1865. 
 Dear Family: 
 
 It is with the greatest pleasure that I take my pen to inform you of our 
 immediate muster out of service. Although you will probably get the news 
 from the papers long before this reaches you. Although the duties will not 
 devolve upon me to make out the rolls, I feel it my duty to all that I should 
 render my whole assistance, having full as good knowledge of Company 
 affairs as any person. I flatter myself that Old Co. B will not be in the rear 
 in completing the rolls, which are expected back this evening. And then! 
 W'on't pen, ink and paper have to take up ? I feel much that Col. Shats- 
 well selected me as one to remain, although at the time I felt much morti- 
 fied. I told him so yesterday. He is highly pleased to find matters turning 
 out as they are. We shall carry two sets of colors, the old tattered ones 
 and the new ones with sixteen battles inscribed upon its silken folds! I 
 shall box up all my clothing, books &c. and try to get it along as company 
 baggage; but if not successful shall forward by ex. Can't some of you meet 
 us at Boston, when we first arrive, and have a woolen blanket with you for 
 me to take to Readville in case I am unable to get my box along; for I ex- 
 pect it will be cooler than here. Imagine my feelings at the present moment, 
 waiting patiently for the rolls to come so as to begin to write myself " out of 
 service" ! I feel sorry for those that have deserted; it must be a severe blow 
 to know we are coming home soon. I shall do all I can in trading, as an 
 excellent opportunity offers itself. If a better chance offered to get horses 
 home and I was a little better judge of horse flesh myself, I should, I think, 
 try to trade a little. 
 
 With love to all, I remain the same LEV. 
 
 [Like many another, he was glad to be a private citizen again; but it 
 was characteristic of him that he turned at once to other work, and took 
 no thought of that which he had done. Referring to some gathering of the 
 Grand Army, he writes to his mother in 1890: 
 
 " I 'm a poor old soldier, but cannot enthuse over such a gathering nor 
 lend my presence to its success, except as a spectator. I have no objection 
 
 [62] 
 
to old soldiers getting together, if they wish to do so ; but I do quietly object 
 to their claiming the cessation of the trade and the sympathy of the public. 
 The war is a memory; a precious one to some of us. There is nothing to 
 be gained by our strutting as old soldiers before the youth of the land. 
 They must read of the war to understand it. I 'm afraid I 'm a mugwump 
 and that old soldiers will call me one. No good nor high end is in view to 
 elevate the thoughts and actions of the encampment. Personal glory and 
 advantages to be won are too conspicuous in the whole undertaking to 
 please me." ED.] 
 
 [63] 
 
A MAN'S WORK IN THE MINISTRY 
 
 ON returning from the army in the summer of 1865 Leverett Brad- 
 ley remained on the farm a few months, and then went to Boston 
 and was employed as clerk in the Downer Kerosene Oil Works in 
 South Boston, where he remained for about a year. It was while employed 
 here, and while looking around for a life-work, that his literary taste again 
 asserted itself, and he began to take up the study of Latin, which he had 
 very much neglected. One evening he went into a prayer meeting of the 
 Y. M. C. A. What he heard stirred an active interest in religious matters, 
 and he joined the Phillips Congregational Church in South Boston, Novem- 
 ber 4, 1866. At that time the church was under the pastoral care of the 
 Rev. E. K. Alden, D.D., who afterwards became Secretary of the American 
 Board of Foreign Missions. Leverett became very much interested in mis- 
 sionary work, and finally felt himself called, and decided to take up stud- 
 ies. His employers tried to discourage him, endeavoring to show him that 
 a business life would not hinder his work for Christ; but he said, "I may 
 never preach, but I must try and prepare myself to do so." 
 
 His father, when he heard of Leverett's decision, said, " This is the un- 
 happiest day of my life." His mother also thought it very unwise, and so did 
 his beloved sister Lizzie; but she saw that he was not to be dissuaded, and 
 so she went as school-teacher at a neighboring school in order to help him 
 with her earnings, and the first year she gave him all but $20. For the next 
 two years she took a position in the Boston public schools, and taught, away 
 from home, until her health gave out. 
 
 Leverett went home, having bought a Greek lexicon and grammar and 
 a Latin manual, and began to study fourteen hours a day, until an attack 
 of brain-fever forced him to be more careful. He often referred to this as 
 his first lesson. His family became convinced that he was not going to give 
 up, and a cousin from Dartmouth College coached him from time to time. 
 In the autumn of 1867 he went to Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachu- 
 setts. He was given a lesson to prepare for a recitation to be held that after- 
 noon. Because of the showing he made in this lesson, which the master had 
 thought to be beyond his powers, he was admitted to the Junior class, and 
 for one year led his class, giving way only to a former scholar who had been 
 absent. As he was twenty-one among boys of seventeen and eighteen, he 
 was soon a leader. 
 
 Leverett fully appreciated that the expenses which he was incurring 
 should be met as far as possible by his own efforts. He availed himself of 
 every offer, and was ready to turn his hand to any work. Through his stu- 
 dent years he was given $50 a year by the deacon of the church at Methuen. 
 
 [64] 
 
The Downer Oil Company gave him his oil. He took the position of jan- 
 itor at Phillips Academy, which brought him in many odd jobs, such as 
 petty carpentering and setting window-panes. At first he went to "com- 
 mons," until Mrs. Tenny, who kept one of the best boarding-houses, found 
 she required a good carver and some one told her of Leverett Bradley, who 
 was capable in all such ways ; he carved for her till he left Andover. When 
 the first summer vacation came he went home to the hay-field; but he had 
 a slight sunstroke and never afterwards worked on the farm. The second 
 summer, he taught Latin, rhetoric, and composition to a friend of his sis- 
 ter, while she lived at the farm. 
 
 The happiness in the home prevailed, where the love for each other was 
 always strong and deep. Too much cannot be said as to the influence that 
 his mother and Lizzie continued to exert in the formation of his character. 
 Lizzie was full of fun, with energy and sympathy. When I told her once all 
 that Leverett had said of her spirit and inspiration and caretaking, she 
 said, "I just have had the heart to do it; that 's all." 
 
 Professor Churchill, of Andover, a kind friend, advised him when he 
 went to Amherst not to try to stand at the head of his class, but to get a 
 broad education and meet men of good social standing and culture. Lev- 
 erett said, "I only care to stand high to please my mother; it counts for so 
 
 much to her." 
 
 AMHERST 
 
 He entered Amherst College in 1869, and so well did he stand with the 
 Faculty that he was permitted to be absent from recitations for a term dur- 
 ing Sophomore year in order to teach a school at Brookfield, Massachusetts. 
 His adventures in that school were often told for the entertainment of his 
 sons. Three preceding teachers had been forced to resign by the unruly 
 scholars. Leverett was used to discipline in the army, and was on his mettle. 
 There were saucy girls and some big toughs among the boys to deal with. 
 He sent the tavern-keeper's daughter away from school permanently, which 
 stirred up the town into camps ; then he felt called upon to use the ruler on 
 the hand of one of the big boys. The boy at first refused to hold out his 
 hand; but he changed his mind, and as the ruler fell he jerked his hand 
 away and made a dive for Leverett 's knees. Leverett dodged and threw the 
 boy, who was as large as himself, to the floor. Not a scholar stirred from 
 his seat, and the boy surlily returned to his. After school, as he stood by the 
 open window, he heard them planning a rush on him. He took the precau- 
 tion to throw on his overcoat, which had a cape, without putting his arms 
 into the sleeves, and went to the door to find the scholars drawn up in two 
 lines, for him to walk between; but no one ventured on the assault, and he 
 was able after that to confine himself to teaching till the term closed. 
 
 He embraced every opportunity to earn money; at one time he tried be- 
 ing a book-agent; at another, he made a short tour with a negro minstrel 
 show. These varied experiences enabled him to advise and cheer many a 
 young person in after-life. 
 
 [65] 
 
Towards the end of the Sophomore year it had been the habit of the 
 class to bury with ceremony some of their text-books. The Faculty wished 
 to break up the practice, but the ringleaders, with the energy of their kind, 
 went ahead secretly and got Bradley to make the speech at the burial. He 
 and two others were caught by the authorities and were "rusticated." In 
 this dilemma, his classmate Cecil Haven wrote to his father at New London 
 that as he must go home, he was going to bring another fellow who was in 
 the same scrape. It was not unnatural that Mr. Haven should have been 
 rather cool in his reception; but this visit proved to be the beginning of a 
 lasting friendship. Mr. Haven was so pleased with Leverett that he sent 
 him back (when the Faculty relented) to Amherst, lending him money for 
 the rest of his college course. 
 
 In his Junior year (1872) he was captain of the Amherst crew, and led 
 them to victory against Harvard, Yale, Cornell, and other colleges. This 
 was done simply as part of the day's work. It was no small thing that he 
 was captain of the crew which defeated Harvard and Yale, but he rarely 
 referred to it. 
 
 HARTFORD 
 
 After graduating from Amherst, in 1873, Leverett studied in the Hart- 
 ford Theological School, and at the same time taught rhetoric and English 
 composition in the Young Ladies' Seminary, where he promptly made a 
 name for himself by his exactions for careful work. It is recalled that a 
 young woman handed in her theme with assurance, and he amazed the 
 class, who noised it abroad, that he asked her to rewrite it. He also went 
 back to Amherst to train the students for their Commencement parts, this 
 position being as successor to Professor Churchill. In fact, he embraced all 
 chances not to get too deeply in debt. He gave public readings, as he had 
 done in Amherst and in many other places. In his letters at this time he re- 
 veals his ambition to read and study. He responded to the influence of Hor- 
 ace Bushnell's writings, and was inspired by Frederick W. Robertson's Life 
 and Letters. 
 
 After he had been licensed by the Seminary to preach, in 1875, he be- 
 came tutor to the son of Mrs. Samuel Colt and lived in her family for two 
 years, reserving hours for himself for study. The first summer vacation, he 
 .went with Caldwell Colt to shoot in the Rockies, and afterwards they con- 
 tinued as far as the Pacific coast. He always dwelt on what these years 
 brought to him, the enlargement of view, and the warm friendships, which 
 lasted him through life. We can imagine what it meant to him, with his ca- 
 pacity for joyousness and buoyant youthfulness of spirits. He earned 
 enough to pay all his debts, and then with his first spare money he bought 
 his sister her first black silk dress. The second summer was spent in Canada 
 and the provinces. His love and reverence for Mrs. Colt grew very strong, 
 and it was she who first drew his attention to the Episcopal Church, which 
 led in due time to his application for deacon's orders. 
 
 [66] 
 
BOSTON 
 
 In May, 1877, he sailed for Europe with Mr. Colt, who was now of age, 
 and on his return voyage he met Phillips Brooks. It is easy to imagine Mr. 
 Bradley 's keen interest in finding him among the passengers. Through 
 some friends, he easily became introduced to him, and before long asked 
 him a simple question about the church, such an insignificant one that Mr. 
 Brooks replied, " Oh, I think Dr. T. can tell you better than I," and turned 
 him off, very courteously, to some other clergyman. A week passed and he 
 came in contact with him again, and had a long talk. Referring to it several 
 years afterwards, Mr. Brooks said to me, " The vestry had been urging me 
 to have an assistant, but I did n't want one. I liked to read the service my- 
 self, and besides, I wondered what I could do with him. But when I met 
 Bradley I did want him; he seemed like a man who would do something 
 when I did not need him, and I asked him to let me know when he was to 
 be ordained." 
 
 Owing to a blunder, Mr. Bradley 's application for deacon's orders had 
 been mislaid in the bishop's office, and he was obliged to wait a second 
 term. Mr. Brooks decided to wait for him, which he did in spite of the pres- 
 sure of the vestry for him to have an assistant that winter. Leverett passed 
 the winter at the Berkeley Theological School at Middletown, Connecticut, 
 to be in contact with Bishop Williams, and was ordained deacon March 17, 
 1878, and entered upon work as assistant at Trinity Church the following 
 
 GARDINER 
 
 In August, 1879, he was engaged to be married, and at the same time an- 
 nounced his acceptance of a call to be rector of Christ Church, Gardiner, 
 Maine. Mr. Brooks 's interest in him had ripened into a rare friendship, 
 which was worthy of the lovableness characteristic of them both. Apart 
 from the lasting friendship, the intercourse was of special benefit at this 
 time, because Mr. Bradley had taken his profession so much to heart that 
 he often said, " I fear if I had not met Brooks when I did I might have been 
 an over-serious, if not weary, Christian!" With renewed trust and gratitude 
 in his heart, he gave himself to the joy of service. Of his work in his first 
 parish, I will quote from the Memorial Address delivered in Gardiner soon 
 after his death, by Mr. Henry Richards: 
 
 " September 12, 1879, is a memorable day for the whole little city of 
 Gardiner, for on that date Leverett Bradley came to the old parish of Christ 
 Church. I remember an old Episcopalian from a neighboring town saying 
 to me, in commenting on the conditions prevailing at that time, ' The fact is 
 that the State of Maine is pretty rocky soil for the Episcopal Church,' and 
 the state of our parish at that time fully justified the remark. You all know 
 the pass a church comes to when prejudice takes the place of principles, 
 when fellowship gives way to faction, and when traditions usurp the func- 
 tions of a living faith. 
 
 " Leverett Bradley knew what he had to face, better perhaps than any 
 
 [67] 
 
of us could tell him, and he took his decision simply, manfully, and as a 
 matter of course; we needed him, and he came. You remember it all as if it 
 were yesterday: his graceful, athletic figure, his simple, manly carriage, his 
 gracious presence, and his direct, forceful words. How he brushed all the 
 cobwebs away! He identified himself with us, with the town, and with all 
 good work. In a very short time 'Elder Bradley,' as he was affectionately 
 called along the street, was as much one of ourselves as if he had been born 
 and had always lived here. We began to realize that here was a man indeed. 
 
 "With him the sense of brotherhood was a real, living thing: he cared 
 for his fellow men because he had the true sense of relationship; he felt the 
 very same blood tingling in his veins, and recognized them as the sons of one 
 Infinite Father. True humility, then, brings infinite sympathy, and with 
 sympathy, the capacity of learning from others ; and here we have the secret 
 of much of Leverett Bradley 's power with men, he could learn something 
 from each and all of them, and if he could learn he could lead. This thought, 
 I am sure, will recall to you the wonderful way in which he got hold of men 
 not in the church merely, but on the street and in their lives. He was a 
 man's man. You will remember his keen interest in all we were saying and 
 doing and thinking ; how readily we told him our hopes and our fears. Many 
 of you will have the inspiring experience of having your own little troubles 
 and perplexities transformed, in one of his sermons, from their individual 
 coloring and revealed as a part of the common trouble of mankind. How 
 such things went home to us! and how they lifted us out of our pettiness 
 and meannesses ! Men came more and more not because he asked them 
 to come, but because they wanted to come and could not stay away. And 
 they all took something away which bore fruit in their lives and which is 
 alive in us yet. 
 
 " When anything was to be done, Leverett Bradley did not say, ' I '11 see 
 about it,' but, 'Let 's get at it!' If the work commended itself to him, his 
 very assent implied community of interest and sharing of labor; but in the 
 end we usually found that he had done the lion's share of the work, and had 
 slipped away when the credit of the accomplishment was being divided. He 
 stood with us in our work, and left the honor to those who cared for it. This 
 Library Building, however, remains as a monument to his untiring energy 
 and public spirit. Public spirit in those days was at a very low ebb in our 
 little city. Leverett Bradley had but recently moved here when a rather 
 timid and tentative movement was started to move the Library into better 
 rooms. He was but little known then, but his presence at one of the earlier 
 meetings, his personal magnetism, and his enthusiasm so worked upon the 
 people that almost before we knew it we were taking hold and helping him, 
 working to bring the thing to a successful issue. It was a people's move- 
 ment and it taught us a lesson, of how irresistible is the power for good of 
 a united people. I wish I could follow him up and down the street, among 
 those whose lives were enriched by his inspiration, or to homes of sickness 
 and sorrow, where he made the crooked straight and the rough places plain 
 
 [68] 
 
for many a broken heart. The evidence of them is still with us in the 
 broader faith and nobler courage of many a life. 
 
 " In lighter vein, too, he could play as he could work. I shall never for- 
 get the little boat club, which he started and carried with the enthusiasm 
 which he put into everything." 
 
 It was during his life at Gardiner that the home circle at the Bradley 
 farm was broken. His father's death was not a surprise, but it brought sor- 
 row where it had never been before. He realized that few men are allowed 
 to live to the age of thirty-four without having to see death in the family 
 circle. His mother and Lizzie clung to the home, but he hoped to persuade 
 them to live in a less lonely place now that the necessity of keeping the home 
 for the brothers was passed; but while the question was in mind, a year and 
 a half after Captain Bradley 's death, we received a telegram that Lizzie had 
 had a stroke of paralysis, and arrived to find her unconscious. She died 
 without knowing any one. Leverett's great sorrow of his life had come. He 
 wrote in his note-book shortly afterwards : 
 
 " The long self-sacrifice is over. In her simplicity of spirit she made each 
 feel her interest in him or in life. She was not ashamed to show her inter- 
 est in practical ways. What she did for her brothers! Was it simply a 
 kindly interest that found easy ways of expression, or were these gatherings 
 of friends the result of customary meditation upon the best ways of equip- 
 ping her brothers for life ? We cannot tell, but they take the character of 
 the latter. Though it made more work for her, she kept the house full of 
 delightful friends when we came home on our vacations. 
 
 " She put her roots into all soils, and got nourishment from high and 
 low, rich and poor, learned and ignorant. She was susceptible to every 
 change of nature and to every change of her surroundings. ' Where others 
 found discords, she discovered harmonies. She seemed to be at home every- 
 where, for she found the best' (Wordsworth, 'Influence of Nature'). 
 
 " She had her holidays. They were days of change, not of cessation from 
 work from household cares to sympathize with the afflicted; from the 
 afflicted, to nurse the sick. 
 
 " It is a sorry amends that death allows us to give utterance to that ad- 
 miration which, so long as its object was living, delicacy commanded us to 
 suppress. A better consolation lies in the thought that, blessed as it is to 
 have friends on earth, it is still more blessed to have friends in heaven.'" 
 
 "So many worlds, so much to do, 
 So little done, such things to be, 
 How know I what had need of thee, 
 For thou wert strong as thou wert true." 
 
 ANDOVER 
 
 In the autumn of 1884 he moved to Andover, Massachusetts, to the rec- 
 tory of Christ Church. The Episcopal church had been there for fifty years, 
 
 [69] 
 
but had never taken much hold in that stronghold of Congregationalism. 
 But going back to the town was to him like going home. It was in Andover 
 that he had set out to prepare for his life's work. He knew all the professors 
 "on the Hill," and soon was on friendly terms with those who were being 
 persecuted and brought to trial for their interpretation of the "Andover 
 Creed." During that time it was a familiar sight to see several of the pro- 
 fessors at the Episcopal church, and at communion. They found it a refuge, 
 much as in Rome the English are found in the American church there on 
 Easter, because they say that " however the service is conducted, it con- 
 forms to the rubric," and they feel no such security at present in the English 
 church. 
 
 The church at Andover was very out of date, and a new church was de- 
 sirable. Schemes for raising money were in Mr. Bradley 's head. He had 
 been remarkably successful in Gardiner in begging money for the library 
 from men who, having property, acknowledged that they were not in the 
 habit of giving. But in Andover there were no such men. Those who had 
 money gave liberally to the support as it was, and had made an effort to 
 raise enough to put the rectory in a sanitary condition. On Decoration Day, 
 1885, Mr. Bradley made the oration. Mr. Joseph Byers, a former resident 
 of Andover then living in New York, where he was a vestryman of the 
 Church of the Incarnation, heard him, and said to some one, " If that is the 
 sort of man you have I think there is hope for the parish." When this was 
 repeated to Mr. Bradley, he said, " I think I shall venture to ask him for 
 $5,000." He did so, and Mr. Byers wrote, asking him to wait, as he had a 
 proposition to make. In a few weeks he came on and offered to build a 
 memorial church to his parents. 
 
 Mr. Bradley felt that it was injurious for a parish to be relieved of all 
 effort to give to such an object with united zeal. The parish therefore raised 
 the money necessary to buy the lot adjoining the old church, which was the 
 suitable spot for the new one, and a member of the parish gave the new or- 
 gan. When the church was completed, the mill girls, members of the Girls' 
 Friendly Society which he had organized, gave the bell. Before the church 
 was begun the old church burned down. This certainly was a piece of good 
 luck which brought Mr. Bradley a great deal of "jollying" from all his cler- 
 ical brethren especially since the fire was caused by overheating the 
 church in preparation for the confirmation service by the bishop, who was 
 on hand to see the conflagration ! In this way all the question of pew owner- 
 ship was settled and the insurance brought enough for a parish building. 
 Services were held in the town hall until the church was built. 
 
 In January, 1887, the new church was consecrated, and Phillips Brooks 
 preached the sermon. The following December Mr. Bradley accepted a 
 call to St. Luke's, Philadelphia. In the parting there was much heart-rend- 
 ing on both sides. Many prophesied, " You will come back to us some day," 
 and he cherished the idea that Andover would be a resting-place for his old 
 age. So complete was the confidence of the parish in his judgment that they 
 
 [70] 
 
Age, 43 
 
decided to call the Rev. Frederick Palmer immediately. The new church 
 was "free," and has flourished ever since. The Memorial written by the 
 rector and wardens after his death says, among other things : 
 
 "Although but three years and a half in the parish, yet in that short time 
 he had made a deep impression upon the entire community by his great 
 warmth of nature, his genial kindliness, his tender-heartedness, his spirit- 
 uality, his quickness to perceive worth, his power to draw out the best that 
 was in men, his earnestness as a Christian minister, and his ability as a 
 preacher. Although Mr. Bradley left Andover fifteen years ago for Phila- 
 delphia, his memory is warmly cherished in the parish; and it is a source of 
 much satisfaction that his body now rests in the shadow of the beautiful 
 church into which he built so much of himself, and which he loved so 
 dearly." 
 
 Nearness to Boston gave Mr. Bradley opportunity to see his brother 
 clergy, and at the rectory was a round of hospitality, where his capacity for 
 genuine mirth, as well as thoughtful discussion, made the home an " ideal 
 one to visit." He was capable of winning the affection and building up the 
 characters of all classes and conditions, from the families that lived in the 
 mill section, to the "Hill." 
 
 PHILADELPHIA 
 
 Old St. Luke's parish had been for a long time without a rector, and 
 had very much run down. It was on a side street, and was the only down- 
 town church without any endowment; but it offered every field of work, and 
 though the task was acknowledged a hard one, Mr. Bradley took hold to 
 lift the load. Unsparingly he gave himself, sensitive and alert to the needy 
 of all descriptions. He stimulated the congregation to give liberally. As 
 always, he was greatly interested in missions, and in two years he became 
 the Dean of the Southeast Convocation. It was recorded of him that, "As 
 Dean, and as a member of other organizations, Mr. Bradley came into con- 
 tact with the poor of Philadelphia, and had by so much the stronger interest 
 in all the activities of the Board of City Missions. His labors on the Mis- 
 sionary Committee, and the large collection taken every year at St. Luke's 
 church, bore witness to his earnest, practical sympathy. In warmth of heart 
 and mental alertness, in responsiveness and courtesy and sincerity and mod- 
 esty, he was among the first." And again, "The Italian, Jewish, and Col- 
 ored work all claimed his earnest attention." 
 
 His was a nature that could " rejoice with those that rejoice," his charm- 
 ing gaiety made him a great favorite in society, and he had too keen a sense 
 of humor to acquire anything of a perfunctory clerical manner. For two 
 seasons he officiated at morning prayers as one of the chaplains of the Uni- 
 versity of Pennsylvania, afterwards meeting the students who wanted to 
 talk with him. One of the great pleasures of his life at this time was being 
 where he could hear so much music, which fed his soul as only those who 
 are truly musical can understand. 
 
 [71] 
 
In the summer of 1894 he was in Europe with his family, having been 
 granted a five months' vacation. The kindness of friends, and presents of 
 every variety, from food for the voyage to a handsome sum from the ladies 
 of the parish, are alluded to in a letter to his mother : 
 
 " We ought to feel that we have kind friends, and we do; but attentions 
 of this kind humble me and make me feel unworthy. I cannot help asking 
 myself why we should have so many encouragements while many have to 
 go through life without any recognition. As to the parish, I do feel greatly 
 set up by its spirit and action. Not so much for anything that I have re- 
 ceived, as showing that it is in a healthy and responsive frame of mind, 
 which argues well for the future. ' ' 
 
 In Paris he was able to officiate for a parishioner who had very suddenly 
 lost her daughter. He was greatly saddened by her heavy affliction, and 
 wrote to his mother: 
 
 " PARIS, 1894- 
 
 " I take comfort often, by the sense of fellowship with the unnumbered 
 hosts, once toilers on this earth, who have known what sorrow and grief is. 
 The commonness of death robs it of its cruelty. In my field of work the aged 
 seem to recover and the young to ' pass on.' It seems unnatural; but there 
 must be a reason for God's dealing thus with His people." 
 
 Another letter shows how he had grown since his boyhood, when he 
 looked at old Trinity Church, Boston, which he would not enter, as "the 
 stepping-stone to Rome." Never had Bishop Estburn realized how it was 
 regarded by the country lad, while he was hurling anathemas inside the 
 austere walls against the coming tide of Ritualism! 
 
 " PARIS, 1894. 
 
 " We went to S. Roch's (Roman Catholic). Of course, it was an ornate 
 service, but infinitely more pleasing and edifying to me than the service at 
 the American church in the morning. The Roman Catholics are bred to 
 ornate services and observe them naturally. There is no saying, ' Come and 
 see me do this,' as we are all apt to say by our spirit and action when we 
 have a great function (I use the we to include all Protestants). We are self- 
 conscious and critical and showy. We don't enter into what we do and enjoy 
 it by forgetting ourselves. Ah! Well, truth is grander and more-sided than 
 what New England has taught. Life was intense here before America was 
 discovered. I am not troubled by the Roman Catholic Church; but to un- 
 derstand life, I confess, is not easy. A few days here and away we go. What 
 is it all for? Kindness, goodness, and charity are eternal. To be yoked 
 with these is to know these years; not to know them, and to have all else 
 for which we struggle and cry and grow crazy, is to be bankrupt." 
 
 W T hile abroad, Mr. Bradley, relieved from active duties, gave his thought 
 to the conditions of St. Luke's parish. He realized that " while we have 
 more than maintained our interest in and support of Christian work, we 
 have been gradually diminishing in ability to maintain ourselves. It may 
 
 [72] ' 
 
be that we are in this condition because the parishioners have supposed that 
 a church which could do so much for others must have great material 
 strength and vitality." It was his conviction that even with the lessening 
 material strength, they had drunk deep from the refreshing springs of God's 
 love; that many had found the secret pathway to God's hidden treasures. 
 
 He had always raised money by the asking, for music, repairs, and de- 
 ficiencies, but he knew this sort of support was precarious. Before his time 
 many of the wealthy families had left, so that he now determined to make 
 the raising of an endowment the work of his ministry, in order to perpet- 
 uate the life of St. Luke's. Difficult as such an undertaking seemed, his 
 experience had taught him that there were many undertakings much more 
 Herculean. Be that as it may, he returned from his vacation to find the at- 
 mosphere of the diocese surcharged with the knowledge that a parish hav- 
 ing half a million of money was ready to amalgamate with one or another 
 of several churches, if its rector would make satisfactory terms. From that 
 day a movement to raise an endowment would have brought this fact clearly 
 before every one to whom an appeal might be made, and it would have para- 
 lyzed their generosity. 
 
 From that time until three years later the possibility of such an amalga- 
 mation was alternately thought of and dismissed, until the summer of 1897. 
 He then went to camp with his regiment (being chaplain of the Third Regi- 
 ment since 1892), and there contracted typhoid fever. That autumn, after 
 a lengthy discussion of the subject with Bishop Whittaker, who urged upon 
 Mr. Bradley the fact that the Church of the Epiphany was ready to move 
 for consolidation if its rector might become the head of the new corporation, 
 Mr. Bradley decided that the question was too great and far-reaching in its 
 consequences for him singly and upon his own judgment to either further 
 or defeat, and he suggested that if the Church of the Epiphany had any prop- 
 osition to make to the vestry of St. Luke's it should do so at once; for the 
 vestry, of St. Luke's would never make an approach to the vestry of the 
 Epiphany. 
 
 During all the discussions that followed, the vestry of St. Luke's (always 
 united in its affections for their rector) would not take one step further to- 
 ward consolidation unless Mr. Bradley was not only willing, but entirely 
 satisfied that it should do so. On making the announcement of their favor- 
 able decision to the pewholders before they were asked to vote, Mr. Bradley 
 preached a sermon never to be forgotten by those who had insight enough to 
 feel the offering up of his submission to what he believed to be God's will. 
 His simple consecration and absence of sentimentality was in keeping with 
 his habit of doing the duty of the hour when it was revealed to him. Among 
 other things he said: 
 
 " Happy indeed is the rector who has received from his vestry the kind- 
 ness and loyal support that I have had. Familiar with the history of the re- 
 sources, the frequent struggles to maintain freedom from indebtedness, and 
 realizing as business men the lasting benefits that should follow an accept- 
 
 [73] 
 
ance of the proposition, the vestry put no pressure upon your rector to 'ac- 
 cept the terms ; but rather promised a continuance of the support in the work 
 we have been doing together through so many years. My duty to you and 
 the vestry and the future of this parish emerged into sight, and I accepted 
 that duty with such cheerfulness as I could command, and pledged myself 
 as ready to join with the vestry in advancing the coalition. I can leave you 
 to imagine my own emotions. Some clergymen are called to go up higher. 
 They consider the call the voice of God, and obey. Your rector has been 
 called to step down from a charge which has been the joy of his life. 
 That call to him is the voice of God, and he is willing to obey. 
 
 " God seems to be leading us in a way we would avoid. There are all 
 kinds of successes. Perhaps this seeming failure may be nearer God's idea 
 of success than we think. It is my conviction that by this time we should 
 have had a sufficient endowment had not circumstances opposed our moving 
 vigorously in the matter. I seem to see the hand of God, who may be pur- 
 posing to engage us in larger and broader activities. Having trained our 
 spirits to loyalty and love, He may now give us the material resources to 
 make glad the hearts of many yet unborn. . . . Money cannot make a suc- 
 cessful church, but it can furnish the basis for vast undertakings in the name 
 of Christ. Do not suffer your possessions to check your activities for good." 
 
 In the same sermon, giving a history of the movement, he says : 
 
 "A year ago the rector of the Epiphany offered to resign. His vestry de- 
 clined to allow him to withdraw. I emphasize this act of his ; for his prop- 
 osition was in every way magnanimous, and it frees him from self-seeking." 
 
 Mr. Bradley was beset by a great many pewholders, saying they could 
 not give him up as their pastor, and he was able to assure them that it was 
 provided that he should minister to any of his old parish on his return from 
 Europe, and preach part of the time. He succeeded in persuading many 
 who were going away to remain and give the new consolidation a trial. A 
 letter to his mother at this date shows the effort it cost him to make the great 
 sacrifice. In it he says: 
 
 " I did not go into the ministry for money, but for work, and it cuts me 
 to the quick to give up responsibility by the meeting of which I get my 
 growth. If I did not realize deeply that the good Lord has led me thus far 
 in ways that I knew not of, I should find it difficult to trust myself in taking 
 this step. It will, we hope, be for the good of so many interests I am con- 
 strained to listen to the opinion of others." 
 
 In March, 1898, the agreement was signed, and the following notice 
 given to the papers: 
 
 " The Church of the Epiphany is at last to find a home, by the consoli- 
 dation of that parish with St. Luke's, the new corporation 'to be known as 
 'The Church of St. Luke's and the Epiphany.' Dr. Tidball, rector of the 
 Epiphany, is to be rector of the new parish. Rev. Leverett Bradley, rector 
 of St. Luke's, is to be associate rector, both which positions are life tenures. 
 It is understood that these two gentlemen will enjoy equal rights and honors 
 
 [74] 
 
in spiritual capacity. They will alternate as preachers. Upon the assump- 
 tion of the new rectorship by Dr. Tidball, l^tr. Bradley will take a vacation. 
 The vestry of St. Luke's, in order to show their regard for their rector, in- 
 sisted that this vacation be prolonged by a year, so that Mr. Bradley will be 
 absent from the parish until October, 1899. It is understood that at the end 
 of three years, if Mr. 'Bradley so desires, he shall have the right of retiring 
 as emeritus, with salary. During ten years his relations with the parish and 
 vestry have been most happy, and the vestry would never have asked Mr. 
 Bradley to make the sacrifice of giving up the leadership. He has shown 
 himself a missionary of the generous and unselfish kind in allowing the prop- 
 osition from the vestry of the Epiphany: that they should bring their fund 
 of $575,000, resulting from the sale of their church, and amalgamate with 
 St. Luke's, if their rector could be the head rector." 
 
 When the Spanish War broke out he would have gone with his regiment 
 if he had not been convinced that his health was not equal to it and that 
 there was every reason to know that he would be a burden on its hands. He 
 was strongly advised to go to Aix-les-Bains, and sailed for London with his 
 family at the time that the Spanish fleet was in hiding on the high seas. A 
 summer in Switzerland arid a winter in Egypt and Palestine, followed by a 
 summer in Europe, gave him the needed refreshment, and he recovered his 
 health and returned to his new position as associate rector in the fall of 1899. 
 At this time he resumed all his offices, which had been held for him; i.e., 
 chaplain of the Third Regiment, Dean of the Southeast Convocation, presi- 
 dent of the Clericus Club, and a position on the Board of Trustees of the 
 Episcopal Hospital. He was now able to go about the diocese and preach, 
 and this he was incessantly called on to do. He also found that he was 
 called upon for ministrations to young and old. So much was this the case 
 that when the date came when he might retire as rector emeritus, in May, 
 1901, under the agreement, he felt that it was for the good of the parish for 
 him to stay. He had taken the Bible class at the Deaconess House, tem- 
 porarily; but he was so successful and so interested that he yielded to re- 
 quests to continue it. 
 
 As the coal strike had reached a perilous height, in the autumn of 1902 
 the Governor of Pennsylvania called out the militia. When Mr. Bradley 
 read the morning paper with the announcement that " men were to report 
 to their armories" he rose to the call, but without enthusiasm, saying, " How 
 different this kind of thing is from going to a real war, for the Union ! I don't 
 like this mob-fighting. However, I am wanted, and I shall hope to help the 
 men, who are grumbling about going." While at camp he had an attack of 
 gout, which left him in a very run-down condition on his return to Phila- 
 delphia. He did not leave the post, however, until the regiment was about 
 to disband, and the crisis had passed. He was constantly troubled with se- 
 vere headache and great weariness, so that he had to make an effort to ful- 
 fil his duties. He had been impressed at camp by a collier's wife speaking 
 of him openly as " that old man," who " ought to have a bed." While suf- 
 
 [7.5] 
 
fering thus, his sweetness and patience were the simple fulfilling of his 
 growth and habit ; he felt that a corner in life had come, and that the Lord 
 was now calling on him for patience. But he did not fail to respond to the 
 happiness and young life revealed in his children's letters, and to the activ- 
 ities of others. 
 
 On the sixth of November, 1902, the vestry notified Mr. Bradley that 
 Dr. Tidball had expressed his wish to resign, and therefore it now became 
 the duty of Mr. Bradley to decide whether he would take the rectorship of 
 the parish. The decision he came to can better be told in his own words, in 
 a letter to his dear friend Mrs. Colt: 
 
 " 1228 SPRUCE STREET, December 7, 1902. 
 "My dear Mrs. Colt: 
 
 " Matters have reached a crisis in our consolidated parish. The rector 
 made known to the vestry his wish to resign, and I was notified that I had 
 thirty days in which to decide whether to become rector and take the parish, 
 or rector emeritus with a salary for life. Before determining my duty, I sub- 
 mitted myself to physicians and surgeons for a thorough physical examina- 
 tion. To my regret, they advised me not to take the extra and possibly wor- 
 rying work of a parish not yet welded into unity. I am as well as usual ; but 
 they discover signs of weakness in my arterial circulation which might be- 
 come serious were I suddenly taxed with a heavy and perplexing duty and 
 attempted to meet it. I therefore had no choice. I have resigned and am 
 now rector emeritus. We propose to stay on here, where our friends are 
 many and kind. I shall continue to preach wherever I can be helpful or 
 useful, and during the week shall give attention to a large missionary district 
 of which I have been Dean for many years. I already look forward with 
 pleasure to the new undertaking. Having studied and preached for many 
 years to meet and help the more intelligent classes, I now propose to study 
 and help, if I can, the submerged classes. The strain is over, and I am 
 happy. Dr. Tidball has himself resigned. Now we shall have a new deal. 
 A new rector must be found. I am to be rector emeritus and Dr. Tidball 
 severs his connection with the parish. But since the money now in hand 
 came from his parish, the vestry voted him a pension, and were glad to do 
 so because of the awkward predicament. The consolidation will eventually 
 be a success, and I shall be more and more happy as the days come and go." 
 
 For ten days after his resignation was announced he was full of his usual 
 vigor, and planning much missionary work. On December 10 he had an 
 attack of gout which he struggled with bravely, and exerted himself to get 
 out of bed to go to a dinner of the Civil Service Reform Club on the twelfth, 
 where he made the prayer. He was in great pain, but his spirit kept him 
 interested till the last speech. On reaching his room, he went immediately 
 to bed, but grew worse, and in a few days it developed that he was suffering 
 from a mild form of grip and pneumonia. No immediate anxiety was 
 felt, but when pleurisy of a mild form followed and he needed a nurse at 
 
 [76] 
 
night, he himself became alarmed. This was three days before Christmas, 
 and all his children were come home for the holidays. He responded so 
 quickly to treatment that on Christmas day he was pronounced convales- 
 cent. He was full of plans for work, dictated letters, and gave sympathy 
 and advice to his children. Suddenly, on December 31, at six o'clock in 
 the morning, he said, " I am very sick; I can't stand this." His family were 
 hastily called about him. When revived and urged to rally he said, " I '11 
 try," and apologized for making trouble; then said, "This is the end; good- 
 by." 
 
 At fifty-six his life-work was finished. He had been talking the day be- 
 fore of the coming new year, and of his hope to " get nearer to the eternal 
 truths." The final acute attack was angina pectoris. 
 
 His brother wrote, on receiving the news of his death : 
 
 "Dec. 31, 1902. 
 
 "Leverett's last letters to me were full of that sweet Christian spirit 
 which always possessed him. He recognized that he had been through a 
 hard siege, and was glad that it was over and everything seemed to be set- 
 tled for the interest of the church which he loved so well. There were only 
 kind words for those who may have irritated him. In his very last letter he 
 says, ' I am going to pitch into work among the poor people, to see what I 
 can do for them.' Further on he comes back to the subject by saying, ' But 
 I am going to hitch my wagon to a star, and try to touch life in its secret 
 sources in God, if I can before I die. ' In closing the letter he says, ' But 
 cheer up yourself. Look at these pictures (some old sketches made thirty 
 years ago). Don't you remember Jay Peak and Willoughby Pond? Of 
 course you do. Life was freer then.'" 
 
 His early death was a great surprise to all, especially his contempora- 
 ries. Why should he, one of the strongest men they had known, give out so 
 young ? One answer given is that he had begun his life early, and the ex- 
 posure during the Civil War was a great strain on his constitution. It might 
 be added as a second reason by those who knew him best that, endowed as 
 he was with a temperament and natural gifts which gave him a wide per- 
 ception, joined to a susceptible organization, he was often exhausted from 
 deep feeling after participating in the emotions of others who leaned on 
 him, as he loved to have them do. Tender in appreciation where many are 
 callous, he saw things on large lines. Musicians cared for his taste, though 
 he never had any education in music. Architects, and artists of the highest 
 achievement in painting and sculpture, sought his opinion, which he was 
 modest in expressing, hardly recognizing himself that he knew "the real 
 thing ' ' when he saw it. He had a keen relish and sense of flavor, and was 
 fond of preparing food for the sick, to tempt their appetites. Though it was 
 an effort to do so, for the last fifteen years of his life he confined himself to 
 the simplest of diets, and frequently gave up smoking for long periods. 
 
 His service to others was in giving himself. He nursed through attacks 
 
 [77] 
 
of delirium tremens men whom he knew had hidden from their friends, and 
 made them go back to their work and be respected. He found places for 
 criminals, and employed them himself, once putting one in a church choir. 
 Several times he kept in his service both men and women who had stolen, 
 using judgment according to their natures. At one time, detecting petty 
 thieving of money and fearing that the man would only lie and have to be 
 discharged, he immediately gave him, as additional duty, money to take 
 care of. The man never slipped again, and to-day has a reliable position. 
 No words on the subject ever passed between him and Mr. Bradley. He 
 taught that while we must condemn the sin, we could at the same time show 
 mercy to the sinner, and that the act of mercy and love did not blind the 
 world to the condemnation of the sin. His gentleness and mercy could not 
 be mistaken for weakness by any one, for it has been truly said of him, " He 
 had a hearty fellowship with all good men and an instant readiness to fight 
 all bad ones that spiritual vision which revealed God and duty." 
 
 Mr. Bradley 's self-control and patience were marked. Though he had 
 a violent temper, he learned early to control it. To use his own words, " I 
 thought of my sweet mother, and kept still till I could pray for strength." 
 He gave others credit for the generous qualities he himself had. He startled 
 into a deeper appreciation of the possibility of their love many of the couples 
 who came to him to be married. And to the mourners he showed that grief 
 could free the soul and raise it up to heaven. He took it for granted that 
 his fellow workers were as disinterested as he was, and was free from all 
 animosity when they disagreed with his methods. 
 
 Singularly unworldly, Mr. Bradley was yet nothing of an ascetic, be- 
 lieving that all the beauties and luxuries of life were for the use and not the 
 abuse of man. He once said, " I care so little for position and preferment 
 that I 'm afraid I must be exasperating to men who do, and I am constantly 
 surprised to find how many do care. " He had a keen sense of the grotesque, 
 which enlivened others as well as himself when in a playful mood, and a re- 
 finement that was genuine. 
 
 The Rev. S. D. McConnell, in estimating Leverett Bradley's ministry, 
 wrote as follows: 
 
 " Few men have gone to render account of their ministry better provided 
 against that solemn day than Leverett Bradley. His ministry was success- 
 ful in every sense of that word. It was so because he brought to it the equip- 
 ment which is essential, and lacking which the most brilliant professional 
 career is a dismal failure. He brought to it a sound, sane, and wholesome 
 mind, a warm and sympathizing heart, and a spirit wholely dominated by 
 the spirit of the Master. He commanded his people's respect and won the 
 love of all of them who were able to understand the Christian temper. 
 
 " His opportunities were uncommonly fortunate. Coming into the min- 
 istry as he did a mature man, with the previous discipline of college, busi- 
 ness, of battle-field and campaign, an athlete and a teacher, he was already 
 
 |[78] 
 
furnished with a knowledge of men and things of which few men can boast. 
 He began his work, not under the shadow but within the inspiration and 
 holding the personal friendship of Phillips Brooks, in Trinity Church, at 
 the time when the light streaming afar from that high beacon was at its full- 
 est. That light shone about him all his life. Going from there to Gardiner, 
 Maine, he made himself quickly not only the trusted pastor of his people, 
 but also the first citizen of the town. It was not merely that he possessed 
 what is called ' public spirit,' but that his deep sense of responsibility for all 
 that part of life which he touched compelled him to think and feel and work 
 for the uplift of all sorts and conditions of men. 
 
 " His training at Gardiner and success at Andover led naturally to his 
 selection as rector of the old and great parish of St. Luke's, Philadelphia. 
 Following there a line of eminent and brilliant men, he brought to the parish 
 the one thing more needed than all else, a wise, devout, and tolerant spirit. 
 Of ecclesiastical polemics he had neither knowledge nor interest. The one 
 characteristic mark of his ministry was sincerity no sham, no pretense, 
 nothing but the thing which seemed to him to be the truth. There he grew 
 to be trusted and respected and loved in a way which is given to few men. 
 No one was surprised when ati exigency arose in which he believed the great 
 cause would be served by his self-effacement, when they saw him efface him- 
 self without even being aware that he was doing an heroic thing. His min- 
 istry was, like his life, singularly noble and elevated indeed, it was so 
 because it was but the expression of his life." 
 
 For six years Mr. Bradley had been president of the Clericus Club in 
 Philadelphia, founded by Mr. Brooks, and the following quotations from 
 the tribute of members express the feelings of the brother clergy towards 
 him: 
 
 "A man of culture and refinement, always dignified and courteous, a 
 man of thought and extensive reading, of high artistic sense and apprecia- 
 tion, he was yet one whose thoughts and efforts were chiefly directed to his 
 fellow men. As a mere boy he gave himself, during the years which should 
 have been devoted to study, to the service of his country in the Civil War. 
 But when that period was over, so well did he make up for the time taken 
 from his student life that he was soon able to be a teacher of others. Enter- 
 ing then upon the service of the sacred ministry, he gave himself unremit- 
 tingly to that work. His view of religion was of that kind which could better 
 the present lives of men, and it was his constant aim and study to bring to 
 bear its forces so as to improve men socially and politically. He was one of 
 those powers which make for righteousness which the world can ill afford 
 to lose." 
 
 " If I were to name Leverett's three chief characteristics, I should say, 
 faithfulness, patience, tenderness; these irradiated by the golden humor that 
 could brighten every cloud." L. E. R. 
 
 [79] 
 
" The dear, sweet fellow that he was ! Ability there was, of course, with 
 the other qualities that go to make up a useful man and minister, and that 
 make one a gentleman away down to the bottom of his soul ; but his sweet 
 lovableness was the dominant thing that will always come up in the minds 
 of those who knew him as long as they live, and whenever his name is 
 mentioned. I see him again as he and I talked over things together, and I 
 tell you, Mrs. Bradley, I know men and ministers well, and there are few 
 men who would not have said things which, now that this has happened, 
 friends would desire to forget. But there is absolutely nothing. No, Bradley 
 never said a bitter thing. He reminded me in a great many ways of Brooks, 
 and also of dear old Percy Browne ; he had the same sense of the small im- 
 portance of the sayings and doings of little people, with a not unkindly spirit 
 towards them, no matter what they said and did." DR. CURRIE. 
 
 From a lady of the parish : 
 
 " How little one can say of all that is in our hearts. . . . His life, his 
 memory, is such a blessed heritage. ... It was always like a broad streak 
 of sunshine in my day, when I met him. . . . There are hundreds who will 
 say the same thing." 
 
 From a clergyman: 
 
 "He was a lovable man, and abounding in generous motives and im- 
 pulses. His life, it seemed to me, was spent in these, and spent itself in 
 these, until it finally succumbed to the weight of the sacrifice. Both he and 
 others were the richer for what he was and did, and it has been God's will 
 to take him to his reward while the proofs of his devotion were evident be- 
 fore all men." 
 
 From a layman: 
 
 " Mr. Bradley had not acquired the modern art of self-presentation for 
 the admiration of the world, and one might know him long without hearing 
 from him of many things that either made him the man he was or that came 
 about because of the character of the man. He could not disguise his char- 
 acter, but he did not call attention to his deeds." 
 
 [80] 
 
Age, 52 
 
THE LEADER* 
 
 He was a captain born and bred. In years 
 
 While yet a boy, he was a man in soul; 
 
 Led older men and held them in control; 
 
 In danger stood erect, and quelled their fears. 
 
 When death calls such a captain, he but hears 
 
 As 't were a distant bugle and the roll 
 
 Of far-off drums. We wrong him if we toll 
 
 The mournful bell. Give him our cheers, not tears! 
 
 In rush of battle, rush of college class, 
 
 And ia-4Jw swifter rush of the contending shell, 
 
 And in life's later, sweeter, sadder wars, 
 
 He was a leader. Is it then not well 
 
 That he should lead before us to the stars ? 
 
 Stand at attention! Let his brave soul pass! 
 
 * Written in memory of the Reverend Leverett Bradley, by his classmate J. Brainerd 
 Thrall, and read at the reunion of the class of '73, Amherst College, 1903. 
 
 [81] 
 
THE PRIESTHOOD: A SERMON BY 
 PHILLIPS BROOKS* 
 
 SERMON NO. 620 
 
 Unto him that loved us, and washed us from, our sins in his own blood, and hath made 
 us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and 
 ever. Amen. REV. 1: 5, 6. 
 
 IN this ascription of praise to Christ, St. John is telling the story of what 
 the Savior had done for His people, and one of the phrases which he 
 uses brings in an old word which in his use of it seems for the first time 
 to be filled with its completest meaning. He says that Jesus has made His 
 people priests unto God. It is a word this word "priests" which has 
 haunted all the religious life of man. It is one whose changing meaning 
 always eludes and troubles us. It is one which men have dreaded and dis- 
 liked as they have almost no other word in all our language, and yet which 
 they have clung to as if they could not let it go. It is a word which recurs 
 again to-day in connection with this service, which is to receive these our 
 brethren into the priesthood of any church. I do not know how I can bet- 
 ter employ the little time which I may take for the sermon of this morning 
 than in an effort to see what the essential idea of priesthood is, as it lies en- 
 folded in these words of St. John, and then to point out something of how 
 we ought to embody that idea in the ministry which makes the duty and 
 privilege and pleasure of our life. 
 
 Christ has "made us priests." That is one of the ways in which the 
 work of His redemption is stated. It seems sometimes in the New Testa- 
 ment as if the work of Christ's redemption was so manifold and perfect that 
 no one phrase could entirely describe it, but it must be turned in many ways, 
 and reached on many sides, and set forth in a multitude of various figures ; 
 and yet the very word " redemption" must include all that these various fig- 
 ures try to express. Man is redeemed. He is brought back to his true man- 
 hood. Out of the exile of the sin, out of the slavery of his passions, he is 
 brought back to his true humanity and made a man again. The parable of 
 the prodigal son, with the poor wretch " coming to himself" and crying out 
 for his father; nay, most of all, the human life of Jesus showing forever how 
 the Son of Man really is the Son of God ; both of these glow with this truth : 
 that man purified, made holy, lifted to the glory of the spiritual life, made 
 evidently and thoroughly the child of God, is simply man restored, man 
 made what man was made to be at first, made what all men ought to be, 
 what it is within the possibilities of every man to be to-day. 
 
 * Delivered June 13, 1879, in Trinity Church, Boston, and kindly given to Leverett 
 Bradley, Jr., that evening. 
 
 [82] 
 
If this be true, then it is clear that all redeemed men, all men just as 
 soon as they are redeemed, must become pictures and types of the true 
 human nature, which has been buried and sunk, often forgotten but never 
 lost. A man is brought back by the power of Christ, and made himself. It 
 is not something strange and foreign; it is just himself, his own true self, 
 that he is made. He feels that fact through all his life, and it lies at the bot- 
 tom of all his joy. " Lo, this is I. Lo, at last this is I. At last I am awake. 
 The fever is broken, the delirium is past. Lo, this at last it is to be a man." 
 And other men see the same thing. They with their dim and clouded con- 
 sciousness look up and see in him the true interpretation of themselves. 
 " Yes, that is what we ought to be ; that is what in our true idea we really 
 are," they say. " Yes, that is our true self as well as his." This is the deep 
 joy of the Christian's experience: that he knows he is but fulfilling in Christ 
 the truest purpose and program of himself/' And this is the power of his ex- 
 perience for other men: that he utters for them what they cannot utter for 
 themselves, and declares both to themselves and to the world what they 
 \\ere made to be. He becomes the declaration of their own declared lives. 
 He holds forth in their behalf that which is hidden in them. He becomes 
 their representative. And now the fundamental, the essential", idea of priest- 
 hood is just this representativeness. The priest is the representative man, 
 the man who represents, who holds forth in the sight of God, not the ordi- 
 nary habits, the familiar outside of human life, but its inmost secret, its 
 hidden but unlost meaning, its original purpose, its primary idea. All vis- 
 ible forms of priesthood which the world has seen, solemn, robed figures 
 standing before altars, and swinging censers out of which rose the myste- 
 rious smoke of incense, and chanting prayers in behalf of the multitude who 
 lay prostrate and silent far off in the outer court, all these have been but 
 partial and feeble utterances of the essential idea of priesthood, which is 
 that the man who fulfils his own human life most becomes thereby the 
 representative and utterance of the unuttered, almost unconscious, spir- 
 i \ itual lives of his brethren. And it is because the redemption of Christ is but 
 the fulfilment of one human life, x because the service of Christ is but the at- 
 tainment of our own completeness, that it becomes true that they who are 
 redeemed by Christ and enrolled into His service are made priests unto God 
 by Him. 
 
 A mountain pierces up from a valley into the sky; it catches the sunlight 
 on its top. Its dark stones shine and glow with color. It is wreathed with 
 glory; and the dark valley looking up to the mountain sees what dull earth 
 is when the sun shines upon it and it is blown across by the free winds of 
 heaven. It learns its own unused capacities. Down even in the dark its 
 bosom burns with the unused capacity of brightness. The mountain is the 
 valley's priest. Out from a crowd of brutal men one man becomes lofty, 
 pure, reverent, truthful, and refined. The other men look up to him, and 
 though they mock and jeer him, their own hearts are stirred because he 
 shows them what they ought to be. That is his priesthood. A boy in a great 
 
 [83] 
 
school of boys becomes religious, and prayers begin to shape themselves in 
 many careless, worldly little hearts about him. He is the priest of the school. 
 In the empty, frivolous world which is called fashionable society a woman 
 learns the blessedness of charity, and she straightway becomes the priest of 
 the women round her, to whom she reveals the glory of self-sacrifice. The 
 first patriot whose heart burns with hatred of the tyrant is the priest of all 
 the people. Does it not appear everywhere ? And when the greatest of all 
 awakenings comes, when Christ the Lord takes one of our poor human lives 
 into His hands and it stands up upon its feet and glows all through with the 
 glory of knowing itself God's child, and of being forgiven for its sins, and of 
 loving anew its brethren in the Lord; and when other men, seeing at first 
 this new life with wonder, as if it were a wholly foreign thing, discover by 
 and by through the deep movements which he wakens in their hearts that 
 this new Christian is really showing them that he is uttering that unroused 
 self of theirs which also is God's child, and also may be forgiven for its sins, 
 and also may enter into new brotherhood with all its brethren ; when all 
 this comes to pass, then, in his new representativeness uttering what man 
 was made to be with something of that power with which one great High 
 Priest, Jesus Himself, declared it in His living the almost forgotten purpose 
 and splendor of one human life, may not our Christian lift up his head with 
 humble gratitude and say, " Glory to Him who has made me a priest unto 
 God"? 
 
 There is indeed one step further that we ought to take. This power of 
 priesthood is not a power of utterance alone ; it is a power of helpfulness also. 
 The Christian is not merely the representative of other men ; he is also their 
 enlightener and strengthener. He not merely shows them before God; he 
 also brings the light of God to them. But really one of these involves the 
 other. It is a universal truth that the highest revelation is more than rev- 
 elation; it is also power. It not merely enlightens; it informs. This is a 
 truth of which the New Testament is full. Whatever utters man most fully 
 helps to renew man. This truth appears in all that the New Testament has 
 to say about belief and about prayer; nor is there any one of us who has 
 thought with care about the incarnation of Jesus and not felt that His very 
 utterance of humanity was part of the total power by which He saved hu- 
 manity. But it is everywhere true. Who of us has not seen that the truest 
 and purest and noblest declaration of any part of our nature had a real 
 power to help the struggles of that part of our nature in other men who 
 stood by and witnessed its workings in this their representative brother ? A 
 noble sufferer shows me the real loftiness of sorrow, and my sorrow finds 
 itself consoled by being elevated (for the elevation of a sorrow is its truest 
 consolation) as I look at him. A noble penitent takes the ready forgiveness 
 out of the hand of Christ, and I become penitent and take my forgiveness, 
 too, under the power of that sight. He who is most divinely joyous, he who 
 most takes and utters as the child of God the joy of this rich world where 
 God has sent His children, makes the men joyous whose capacity of joy 
 
 [84] 
 
he tells. He who most shows charity makes men charitable. The man makes 
 manhood. The living is always life-creating. He who holds up man's ca- 
 pacity of holiness before God brings down God's power of holiness to man. 
 
 Here is where the two elements of priesthood meet. It is both utterance 
 and_power. The two united perfectly in Jesus. His utterance of man had the 
 closest connection with His bringing the Divine Power to bear on human 
 life. And when He called His disciples to their priesthood He made them 
 not merely the witness of what man might be under the power of God, but 
 also the agents through whom God might do for men what their experience 
 had shown that He could do. It was in virtue, surely, of their own forgive- 
 ness that He spoke, be it remembered, not only to the apostles, but to the 
 whole group of his forgiven friends, those deep, mysterious words, " Whose 
 soever sins ye remit, they are remitted; and whose soever sins ye retain, they 
 are retained." 
 
 This, then, is the essential, fundamental idea of priesthood. The priest 
 is the representative of the deepest idea and possibility of human life, A i 
 through whom, because of his representativeness, God can help other men r 
 to realize that idea and attain that possibility. I beg you not to fancy that * 
 such a definition is an artificial thing, quite apart from the meaning which 
 has belonged to the venerable name of priest in all historic times. It is the 
 real idea which has underlain all the uses of that word and given them their 
 vitality. This idea is at the root of all the heathen priesthoods. It was lost 
 out of the Hebrew priesthood as it became corrupt, oppressive, and out of 
 sympathy with the people. Its essence was restored in the lives of the proph- 
 ets who were raised up to do what the priests had failed to do, and it came 
 to its completest exhibition in the priesthood of Jesus. Only one other man- 
 ifestation of it is yet to be expected, which shall come in the representative 
 of humanity and so the reflector of divinity to all the rest. In that great 
 mutual priesthood where the official and formal shall be wholly lost in the 
 essential, where deep shall call to deep and star answer to star, according to 
 the ancient figures, where every man shall be the minister to all the rest, - 
 in that great millenial priesthood all the priesthoods of our human history 
 shall be completed and the idea which has been at the heart of them all shall 
 be completely clear. 
 
 And now it is quite time for us to turn from this whole study of what 
 priestliness is in general to see how it appears in the actual ministry which 
 some of us have long ago been called to exercise, and to which we are to re- 
 ceive with cordial welcome those others of our brethren to-day. We, too, 
 in this late day after all the history of the priesthoods that have passed we, 
 too, have priests among us; some of us are priests still. The word, indeed, 
 with us, as it is used in our Prayer-book, has but a doubtful history. It is 
 hard to tell exactly how it came among us, or just what is the official mean- 
 ing, or just what connection it has with older uses of the same word. But 
 all those questions and discussions that have arisen over them I count of 
 little value. They are mostly insignificant as they are dry. The important 
 
 [85] 
 
thing is this : that our religion, our church, our Prayer-book, have the essen- 
 tial idea of priesthood in them, which is the idea of representative human 
 lives which can reveal God and bring His help to the mass and host of living 
 men. That idea is wrapped up in the very name of "priest"; and so, with 
 all the abuses through which the name has passed, the association of 
 which still clings to it, we may rejoice that the old name is yet kept and 
 we are still ordaining priests to-day. 
 
 And one thing must be evident enough wherever the essential idea of 
 priesthood is clearly kept: that however he who is peculiarly called a priest 
 is set apart by solemn ceremonies and called upon to give his life to certain 
 duties, still all that Tie does he does as a member of the larger priesthood of 
 the Christian life. He is simply a representative, doing in special ways and 
 i times and places, with a special preparation and consecration, those same 
 / things which all Christians have a right to do in virtue of their being Chris- 
 Itians. This we ought not to forget. We must not lose the larger priesthood 
 of believers in the smaller priesthood of the ministry. This, it seems to me, 
 is just what our church makes very clear; for while she sets apart certain 
 words which only the priest's lips must utter in the church, her declara- 
 tion of absolution and her most solemn benediction, yet in those words 
 there is not one which any Christian, the Christian father in virtue of his 
 priestly fatherhood, the Christian friend because of the priesthood of his 
 friendship, might not freely say to any other struggling and needy man. 
 Does this destroy the value of the separate and ordered priesthood of the 
 church ? Does it make ordination nothing ? Surely not ! To be commis- 
 sioned specially and formally and as the work of life to do that which it is 
 the highest privilege of all men in virtue of their manhood to accomplish, 
 certainly this is nobler and more inspiring than to be set apart for some mys- 
 terious occupation wholly outside the other functions of humanity. Who 
 does not love to see how the Great High Priest our Lord was always iden- 
 tifying where He could His wondrous work with the idea of the great works 
 which father might do for child, and brother for brother, and friend for 
 friend ? Herein, in this essential identity of what the consecrated priest does 
 for the people with the best and most holy offices which man may do for 
 man, lies .the safest security of the Christian priesthood against the dangers 
 of conceit and fantasticalness which are always ready to grow up in its own 
 bosom, and against the hostility or jealousy or indifference which are always 
 tending to assail it or besiege it from without. 
 
 And now I want to give what time remains to a description of what sort 
 of character this conception of priesthood which I have been portraying 
 will create and educate in the priest who holds it. First of all, it will make 
 a largeness and reality of life, a constant, genuine, pressing desire to share 
 as deeply as possible in the vitality of men. The priest is the representative 
 man. He is a priest, by this conception, because he is notably and pre-emi- 
 nently a man. He is a man first, and then priest. One sympathizes very 
 deeply with the old feeling that the priest ought to be physically the com- 
 
 [86] 
 
pletest and healthiest among men ; but after all, the body is only an instru- 
 ment and symbol. The instrument may be weak, the symbol may be im- 
 perfect, but the mind, the soul, ought to be just as full and alive as soul and 
 mind can be. A cordial interest in what all men are doing not a profes- 
 sional interest, but a human interest; an interest not necessarily in their 
 methods, but in their cuds; a real love for life, so that no word of morbid 
 depreciation of the beauty and delight of living shall ever desecrate the lips ; 
 such a familiarityjvith^alLmen's jvays of thinking as shall make it easy jo f 
 turn their thoughts to God; these are the true characteristics of the true 
 priest, who honors his priesthood as the representative life through which 
 God shall be able to interpret Himself to man. 
 
 I know well enough how easily this may degenerate into a very poor and 
 shallow sort of thing. I know how readily and easily a familiar good-nature 
 or a light good-fellowship may take the place of that large sympathy with 
 men which gets to the roots of all men's occupations and shows men how 
 they may be made divine. I know how something even worse than this may 
 come. I know how men desiring to help their fellow men with priestly sym- 
 pathy may come to think that they must first have trodden through the vices 
 in which wicked men are living, that they may be able to rescue wicked men 
 and lift them out of vice. Only the other day I heard it said of one who 
 served Christ in our church that he was thought to be a special priest of God 
 to men who were the slaves of drink because he had himself once been a 
 drunkard. But no; there is a completeness of life in tried and tested inno- 
 cence which has within itself the gospel and the medicine of every kind of 
 sin. Would Jesus have had a truer salvation for the Magdalene if His own 
 youth at Nazareth had been the wretched, impure life that hosts of young 
 men's lives are ? Men think sometimes that they must know the details of 
 all degrees of wickedness before they can speak with sympathy and power 
 to wicked men. They talk of that which men call "seeing life" - whicn' 
 really is " seeing death" as if it would fit them for the preaching of life to 
 other men. But no ! The young man listens to another young man who has 
 been down into the depths where he is lying and has struggled up again. He 
 listens to him and he is helped; but his truest help always comes from the 
 man who he knows has lived a large, broad, human life, and yet kept pure; 
 the man who has lived in no cloistered safety, who has kept the windows of 
 his life wide open, and yet has had such healthiness within that the miasma 
 has not poisoned him; the man who has talked with men of business and 
 not grown sordid or selfish; who has lived with men and women in society 
 but not grown frivolous; who has studied and yet been humbled; who has 
 thought and yet kept faith; who has seen sin and not grown cynical; who 
 has used this mixed world freely, and yet with the divine prerogative of his 
 humanity has made it yield to him the unmixed fruit of holiness. He is the 
 true priest, clad in the white robes of an innocence which has been through 
 darkness only to learn the secret and glory of perfect light. 
 
 God forbid that I should seem to disparage the priestly quality of him 
 
 [87] 
 
I/I 
 
 who, having sinned and been forgiven, conies to tell his brethren of that par- 
 don which is his new life and his perpetual joy. That element of priestliness 
 must be in the priesthood of us all. But even more sacred than the eagerness 
 with which (the forgiven sinner tells the sinners beside him of the ready 
 mercy of the All-Merciful is the ardent watchfulness with which the man 
 in danger guards his soul, not merely that his own soul may not be lost, but 
 that he may be able to pour into the ears of his endangered brethren the 
 story of that helping grace by which they too may be preserved from sin. To 
 , to live largely and openly and yet be innocent of the evil life, that is the 
 power of our priesthood, O my brother priests. Oh, let us struggle to be 
 ure. Glorious and noble privilege, to guard our purity not for our sakes, 
 but for the world ! As the lighthouse-keeper trims his lamp more solemnly 
 and scrupulously than the mere reader in the parlor cares for the candle that 
 is only to shine upon his book, because it is to reach across the waves and 
 draw the frightened sailor into safety, so the priest is pure with a more scru- 
 pulous and solemn purity than he who guards his purity only with a fear 
 lest his own soul be stained and lost. 
 
 Here really lies the warrant for the young minister's ministry. It cer- 
 tainly is not that he himself has known the devious way of sorrow, of temp- 
 tation, and of wretchedness through which so many of those to whom he 
 brings the word of God are walking. Unless there be in the soul's life with 
 Christ a certain enlargement of vitality which makes it possible for him who 
 lives it to be so profoundly and broadly human that he can enter into the 
 soul of experiences which he himself has never known, there is no chance or 
 hope of a true Christian ministry. That is the real ground of the priesthood 
 which even in the youngest men has often been so rich in influence upon 
 the oldest and most world-worn 'lives. "He that hath the Son hath life." 
 In the fulness of his possession of the Son the young priest is at the heart of 
 human life, and so may speak to and strengthen the heart of that life in other 
 men, even though he be totally ignorant of the forms in which it has taken 
 shape in them. Nothing official, nothing that ordination can do for a man, 
 can create priestliness in him without this personal life in Christ, the Son of 
 Man. No book of casuistry, no dreadful directory of the streets and lanes, 
 the highways and byways, of human sin and folly, no priest in absolution, 
 can give a man the least real power to perform the priestly office to the souls 
 of other men, who is not already a priest by the way in which he has found 
 the understanding of their humanity waiting for him in the Son of Man, to 
 whom his life is given. And to such a priest as that many of such books will 
 be abominations, and almost all the rest awkward encumbrances. 
 
 r-^ I think, again, that such a conception of priesthood as we have been 
 dwelling on to-day, which sees in it not an artificial but an essential thing, 
 
 \ not a thing of office but a thing of character, will make the priest who holds 
 it dread above almost everything fantasticalness and unnecessary mystery, 
 and crave above everything intelligibleness and the power of frank, direct 
 appeal to men. The priest is the representative man, the mountain lifted 
 
 [88] 
 
above the plain, according to the figure that I used, in order that it might 
 interpret the plain to itself and send to it the sunlight. The essence of the 
 whole is that the mountain is of the same substance with the plain. It is not 
 awe, not reverence, not wonder, it is sympathy and brotherhood that make 
 the true feeling of the people to the priest, and so the true power of the priest 
 over the people. Some priests would make their priesthood not a mountain, 
 part and parcel of the plain it grows from, but a sort of pagoda built upon 
 it a strange, fantastic, foreign sort of thing which the people in the plain 
 should marvel at; out of whose jangling bells they should listen for oracles. 
 We cannot say too often to ourselves that the soul, the power, the warrant 
 of our ministry, is brotherhood, the brotherhood of our souls to the souls 
 of the people^ of our faith to their faith, of our reason to their reason. 
 
 And hence it is true that the completest and most characteristic act of 
 our ministry is the clear, intelligible utterance of truth, with its spiritual evi- 
 dence; of Christ, with His spiritual claims to the great mass of men who 
 need Him and who belong to Him. Hence it is that preaching is the char- 
 acteristic function of the Christian ministry. No sacramental act done at 
 the font or at the communion-table is superior in dignity to the work of the 
 Christian pulpit preaching the gospel of Christ. We are successors of the 
 preaching apostles, and through them of the preaching prophets of the Old 
 Testament not of the Old Testament priesthood, not of the High Priest, 
 priests, and Levites; our spiritual affinities are not with them, and any fancy 
 of a similarity of form between our ministry and theirs is most artificial and 
 misleading. The men whom we Christian ministers belong with are the 
 noble succession of prophets, the men of the people, the speakers of the 
 truth in brotherhood, the rebukers of sin, the encouragers of holiness, who 
 came when the sacrificial priesthood had failed, and spoke to the people 
 with the strong power of sympathy and intelligible warning. They were the 
 real spiritual ancestors of the apostles, and a real spiritual succession is from 
 them. 
 
 It is our place, my brethren of the ministry, to protest most earnestly, 
 whenever we hear it, against that disparagement of the importance of 
 preaching which we hear now and then from some who live and labor in our 
 profession not merely because it promises intellectual enfeeblement, but 
 because it is false to the very idea of our Christian priesthood. Such a cry, 
 which now and then becomes a fashion, demands our earnest and intelligent 
 rebuke. To preach, above everything else, to preach, to tell the truth, to 
 bear the message, to appeal to the reason of men for the reasonableness of 
 what we say, and to their sympathetic humanity for its powev that is our 
 great commission. That must be the business, the study fine very passion 
 of our life. When we desert that there is no hope left but that intellectual 
 palsy will fall upon the priesthood, and superstition on such few people as 
 will be left to wait upon their ministry. 
 
 I need hardly stop to point out how such a conception of the priesthood 
 has a tendency to guard the man who holds it from fastidiousness both with 
 
 [89] 
 
regard to the people for whom he works and with regard to the fellow work- 
 ers by whose side he works for them the priesthood thus conscious of the 
 dignity and inherent, ideal, sacredness oTnuman life. It goes about among 
 men with the true spirit of the incarnation in it. It sees all men as Jesus 
 saw them, the sons of God. The differences between Nicodemus and Bar- 
 timeus, between Herod and Barabbas, are impertinent and insignificant. 
 How can it cringe to the rich, how can it despise the poor, when through the 
 riches and the poverty it sees so clearly that it can never forget it for a mo- 
 ment that both are the sons of God ? What sort of a jeweller is he who 
 looks a moment at the chance setting of two diamonds which are brought 
 to him for judgment ? And so about the fellow workers. If my ministry at 
 its heart is indeed simply the commission {to do in special and organized 
 ways that which all men in virtue of their humanity are bound to do j then 
 what inequality of any man's labor in this common work shall keep me from 
 the truest sympathy with him, if I have the power; from giving a touch of 
 my hand to his work as I am going on about my own ? 
 
 my dear friends, when all men need to be saved it will not do for us 
 to choose any class of men and think that their salvation only is of command- 
 ing and immediate importance. When it is all men's business, all men's 
 privilege and duty, to save some brothers if they can, and they who know 
 their privilege and duty are so few, it will not do for us. Thank God, this 
 good church of ours is too full of her Master's Spirit to ask of us to turn our 
 backs on any man, or group of men, who are trying to help the salvation 
 of the world. 
 
 But the great glory of the large human thought of the priesthood is cer- 
 tainly this : that it insists inexorably that the true priestly power must be in 
 the \ character of the priest. It makes everything of what the man is who 
 tries to guide and help his fellow men. The ordination is but the guinea's 
 stamp. And oh, the power which all the mighty attraction of holiness 
 gains when to its own intrinsic force is added this persuasion that the more 
 holy the good man becomes the more able he will be to help and lead these 
 struggling, stumbling fellow men to God! Prayer becomes tenfold eager 
 and intense, watchfulness tenfold vigilant. And the thanksgiving of the re- 
 generated life, after it has cried aloud, " Glory to him who hath redeemed 
 us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood," adds, with voice of 
 deepened solemnity and joy, as the crown and completion of its thankful- 
 ness, "And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father." 
 
 1 care but little to welcome you to any other priesthood than that which 
 I have described. My brethren, I turn to you of whom I have been think- 
 ing all the time. This day is yours, the crown of your long preparation. 
 Welcome to the noblest and most delightful work that man can do. You 
 ha^e tried it. It is not new, but it goes on deepening. 
 
 Value this day as the seal set on all the days before. Remember, study 
 and intellectual life, sympathy with men, profound communion with God. 
 
 [90] 
 
May God make you good, brave, true, holy men, and so you must be priests 
 of Him. 
 
 [Note, in pencil.] 
 
 Thank in eternity Him who made you a priest. Not to an office, but to 
 a life; the door flies open, come in to it. Live; live by Christ; live for fellow 
 men. And oh, the joy, and oh, the everlasting service, the priesthood offers ! 
 
 Efi] 
 

U. C. BERKELEY LIBRARIES 
 
 CCm713737D 
 
 46882 
 
 M316674