About this Letter
This letter from Levi D. Green to his dear parents, written on August 13, 1862 or 1863. The letter was written from Camp Barz (later identified as Camp Barry) near Manassas in Washington D.C. The author of the letter is in good health and expresses his hope that the letter finds his parents in the same condition.
The author mentions that he has included a navy pistol in the box and instructs his parents to take good care of it. He also mentions that there are five loads in it and requests his father to put it together and shoot it off. He emphasizes that he does not want anyone to take it and that it is from their son.
Camp Barry was a temporary military camp established during the Civil War. It was a Union U.S. Civil War artillery depot and camp of instruction established in 1861 and was named after Major William F. Barry, the chief of artillery of the department. The camp was located on the Corcoran Farm near the Bladingsburg Tollgate in Washington D.C. and extended to the Mount Hamilton area further north. The exact location of the camp is not known, but it is believed to be located on Long Meadow, which is now part of the Carver Langston neighborhood.
In conclusion, the letter from Levi D. Green to his parents is a snapshot of life during the Civil War, providing insight into the experiences of soldiers who served in the Union army. The letter also provides valuable information about Camp Barry and its location in Washington D.C. The researcher’s note adds important context to the letter, providing historical background and details about the camp.
FROM LEVI D. GREEN (?) TO DEAR PARENTS — AUGUST 13, [1862, camp near Manassas]
Camp Barz (?) Washington, D.C. (See Researcher’s note below)
Dear Parents I once more If ‘.,,. have the pleasure of droping a few lines to you. I am well y ‘ today and in good health and I hope this will find .you the same. Well ma in this box you will find a navy (?) pistol witch I want you to take good care of for me there is five loads in it tell pa to put it together and shoot it of I don’t want you to let any one take it at all this from your son, rite soon
Researcher’s Note: I believe that Barz is actually Camp Barry (see Wikiforts). Camp Barry was a temporary artillery military camp near Washington, D.C., during the Civil War. Camp Barry (1861-1865) – was a Union U.S. Civil War artillery depot and camp of instruction established in 1861. Named Camp Barry after Major William F. Barry, chief of artillery of the department. Abandoned in 1865 at the end of the war.
It was on the “Corcoran Farm located on H Street NE near the Bladingsburg Tollgate”. William W. Corcoran owned several sections of land around the Tollgate. “Trinidad” (now Trinidad, Washington, D.C.) An area know as “Long Meadow” (later part of Graceland Cemetery and now part of the Carver Langston neighborhood) The camp extended to the “Mount Hamilton” area further north on the Bladingsburg Turnpike. While the exact location is not known, all the descriptions of the camp mention the Bladingsburg tollgate as being close by. It is generally believed that it was located on “Long Meadow”. You can read more on Wikipedia here!