Our Civil War was a momentous period in history. Small maritime villages like Mystic felt an economic boom, providing vessels for national defense. Northern farm boys enlisted in a fever of patriotism and went south to unfamiliar country. They wrote letters home, and fortunately some of them were preserved as family treasures.

They wrote letters home, and fortunately some of them were preserved as family treasures. A collection of more than 80 letters of Private William C. Fellows found its way into the archives of the Indian and Colonial Research Center at Old Mystic, where volunteer Gloria J. Fowler offered to transcribe them.

A collection of more than 80 letters of Private William C. Fellows found its way into the archives of the Indian and Colonial Research Center at Old Mystic, where volunteer Gloria J. Fowler offered to transcribe them. She was soon caught up in William's story. The result is an attractive paperbound volume, "Dear Mother and Sister…," published by the center, which she compiled and edited.

She was soon caught up in William's story. The result is an attractive paperbound volume, "Dear Mother and Sister…," published by the center, which she compiled and edited.William was born April 19, 1845 in the Candlewood Hill section of Groton, neighboring Nathan Daboll of almanac fame. His father died when William was 12, and the lad helped provide for his mother Mary Ann and his older sister Sarah. In the summer of 1862, at 17, he enlisted in the 26th regiment, Connecticut Volunteers, Company K, known as "the Groton Company" because so many were from that town.

William was born April 19, 1845 in the Candlewood Hill section of Groton, neighboring Nathan Daboll of almanac fame. His father died when William was 12, and the lad helped provide for his mother Mary Ann and his older sister Sarah. In the summer of 1862, at 17, he enlisted in the 26th regiment, Connecticut Volunteers, Company K, known as "the Groton Company" because so many were from that town.William was a likeable lad. His philosophy was simple and commendable.

William was a likeable lad. His philosophy was simple and commendable."When I enlisted I expected to have to fight and when ever I am called upon to go into the field of battle I shall go and do my duty and if it is my lot to fall I shall fall if it is not I shall return to my home in Conn.," he wrote.

"When I enlisted I expected to have to fight and when ever I am called upon to go into the field of battle I shall go and do my duty and if it is my lot to fall I shall fall if it is not I shall return to my home in Conn.," he wrote. The regiment was part of the Banks expedition, destined for Port Hudson on the Mississippi. History records this, but these letters give us a personal picture of army life. Many fell sick, including William, who noted that in the hospital he had to buy his own food for he could not eat the hard bread and fat pork provided.

The regiment was part of the Banks expedition, destined for Port Hudson on the Mississippi. History records this, but these letters give us a personal picture of army life. Many fell sick, including William, who noted that in the hospital he had to buy his own food for he could not eat the hard bread and fat pork provided. A dutiful son and brother, he wrote home even if no writing surface was available.

A dutiful son and brother, he wrote home even if no writing surface was available. "I had to get a tin plate with as smooth bottom as possible, and wipe it off clean with a piece of paper, then I mount it on my knee and commence operations," he noted July 12, 1863, from the hospital at Port Hudson. It was his last letter.

"I had to get a tin plate with as smooth bottom as possible, and wipe it off clean with a piece of paper, then I mount it on my knee and commence operations," he noted July 12, 1863, from the hospital at Port Hudson. It was his last letter. William died of camp fever (epidemic typhus) on July 27 aboard a steamer on the Mississippi the day after his regiment left for home. He didn't live to return to "Conn." as he had hoped. His letters are a touching memorial to a young American.

William died of camp fever (epidemic typhus) on July 27 aboard a steamer on the Mississippi the day after his regiment left for home. He didn't live to return to "Conn." as he had hoped. His letters are a touching memorial to a young American.This volume is a wonderful addition to our local history bookshelf. It would make a great Christmas gift.

This volume is a wonderful addition to our local history bookshelf. It would make a great Christmas gift. Gloria Fowler will sign copies at the Indian and Colonial Research Center on Main Street, Old Mystic, Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The book costs $19.95 and is available at the Center or on line at www.theicrc.org. Phone (860) 536-9771 for particulars.

Gloria Fowler will sign copies at the Indian and Colonial Research Center on Main Street, Old Mystic, Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The book costs $19.95 and is available at the Center or on line at www.theicrc.org. Phone (860) 536-9771 for particulars.carolkimball0647@yahoo.com

carolkimball0647@yahoo.com