Tag Archives: Fort Esperanza

Even a “Dear John” letter was welcome on Valentine’s Day 1864

the Civil War during its sesquicentennial, , , , , , ,
By

  There were many moments in winter 1864 when a Maine doctor stationed on the Texas Gulf Coast would have welcomed a “Dear John” letter — or any printed material to disrupt the mind-numbing ennui affecting his morale. But a letter from home was the best morale-boosting elixir of all. In transferring from the 15th […]

Re-enlisting in Texas could get a soldier home to Maine

the Civil War during its sesquicentennial, , , , , ,
By

Did some 15th Maine Infantry Regiment boys re-enlist just to escape the ennui of Texas garrison life — and perhaps to desert after receiving Army-sanctioned leaves back home in Maine? By capturing New Orleans in April 1862 and blockading other Gulf of Mexico ports, the Navy sharply reduced Confederate capabilities to move freight east of […]