Wallace
D. King
Biographical
Information |
| BORN |
1839, near Hemmingford,
Canada East |
| PARENTS |
Cyrus Weirs King and
Louisa Permelia Duncan |
| MARRIED |
Sarah Isabella Barber,
1865 |
| CHILDREN |
Isabelle Louisa King
(1872-1914)
Newman King (1874-unknown)
William King (1877-1955) |
| DIED |
November 11, 1912 in
Brandon, Vermont |
| BURIED |
Pine Hill Cemetery,
Brandon, Vermont  
|
| COMMENTS |
Wallace D. King's family
lived in Bellmont, New York |
Military
Service |
| RESIDENCE |
Londonderry, Vermont |
| ENLISTED |
May 16, 1861 as a
Private |
| MUSTERED |
June 20, 1861 |
| UNIT |
Company I, 2nd Vermont Infantry |
| TRANSFERRED |
n/a |
| PROMOTED |
No |
| DISCHARGED |
Discharged for
disability on July 23, 1862 (consumption) |
| COMMENTS |
Fought at first battle of
Bull Run, battle of Lee's Mills |
Military
Service |
| RESIDENCE |
Londonderry,
Vermont |
| ENLISTED |
March 8,
1865 as a Private |
| MUSTERED |
March 8,
1865 |
| UNIT |
Company
I, 8th Vermont Infantry |
| TRANSFERRED |
n/a |
| PROMOTED |
No |
| DISCHARGED |
June 28,
1865 at Washington, D.C. |
| COMMENTS |
Later
received a soldier's pension by reason of "insanity" |
 
Camp Lyon, Virginia
[undated, ca. 1861]
Brother Charlie,
I begin to know something about war. If only Pete
and Eden were here they would have enough to do. The Rebels are all pluck and fight well.
I was in the fight at Bull Run. The way Rifle [and] Cannon balls flew about in every
direction was a caution. I saw great wounded and dead that day. Was with our Regiment at
Fort Ellsworth to see a soldier hung... [missing text] ...Think I shall name it Killdeer.
My health is good at present. Tell George and Dave to write.
[Wallace D. King]
 
Camp Griffin Va, November 28 [1861]
Dear Sister Susan,
It is Thanksgiving
today. This evening I thought a few lines to you would not come amis[s]. I can imagine
what a nice time you have had and wish I could be with you. It is not of any use, however,
to think of coming back very soon, so I will give up the idea. The air is extremely cold
at times, something like the weather in Bellmont. Not any snow yet. I do my own sewing.
Cut and stitched a pair of mittens today. The boys are erecting small houses to stay this
Winter. I think we shall move to some other place. A soldier’s life is not pleasant,
I can tell you. He is a two legged battering ram to be used on every dirty occasion. Men
that have no brains are sure to come here: this is a matter of fact. I am not homesick
with fighting for our firesides, but some of our Officers would be thought more of if they
were under the ladies protection. The only fear they would undergo would be a kick in the
posterior on the score of harboring Old Rye. Tell Henry Capta[i]n Fullom is under arrest.
The boys are glad of it.
You will find a note of 21 dollars in this letter. If
Mary is at home place it in her hands to be held till I return. If she is not at home keep
it yourself on the sam[e] conditions. If I should not come back, Mary is to have it. Do
not fail to do as I wish about this.
Give my respects to Aunt [Hannah] Goodwin and all the
rest. My shoulders begin to ache with Rheumatism so I must close, wishing you life and
happiness & sign m[y]self your brother,
Wallace D. King
Miss Susan W. King
Direct same as before
   
Headquarters 2nd Vermont Regiment
Company I
Camp Griffin, Virginia
January 28, 1862
Miss King,
I received a letter from you last evening that
came just in the right time. Many long weeks have slowly passed away before this without
any tidings from home. You should be here on the arrival of our Mail and see the rush for
the Orderly’s Tent, some shouting hurrah boys a letter from home, perhaps from the
rosy cheeked Green Mountain Girl, and maybe a Miniature that makes them wild with joy,
others with long faces going away disappointed: so dear sister, write long letters and
often.
Military affairs remain in status quo here with the
common round of Picketing in front of the Philistines and Sodomites. The Boys have just
come in wet and tired from guard, daubing my papers with ink. A broken head or bruised
shin is such a novel affair it is fun when it does happen. The unlucky sight is greeted
with Hello, comrade. How is your beauty spot this morning? You are growing decidedly
handsome.
Our rations consist of corned beef nicknamed Salt
Horse (or Mule) with hard bread (dated 1816) and coffee beans &c. My appetite is keen
and stomach like an Ostrich. Can digest anything outside of boiled Leather and sharpened
sled stakes, so do not worry on account of my health. Tell Henry the officers clean their
toad stickers themselves.
I have not much confidence in this War. What the
result will be, I leave it to wiser heads than mine. I will look forward and hope for the
best. Gambling is a great evil in Camps mingled with profanity and obscenity of language
demoralizing the men and makeing a perfect Bedlam among us: Drinking and card playing form
no part of my tactics, and never will!!!
Why don’t you get the Knot tied? From what I
hear Cupid is very lucky in his Winter Campaign among the girls in Bellmont. I hope it
will not surprise them having sailed on the Sea of Matrimony nine or ten months if they
are suddenly overtaken by SQUALLS!!!! ha ha ha Ha!!
To change the subject, it has been very WET today as
the Sailors say. Mud such as Virginia only can produce, however we are not drilling so we
get along after fashion. You have got enough of my Folderol. I will close. Give my
respects to all concerned and may their shadows never grow less.
Wallace D. King
You can read this to Mr. Goodwin’s folks if you wish, also to Father & Mother.
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