Write Quick. War and a Woman’s Life in Letters, 1835-1867
All history is local and personal. It is the story of individuals and their families. To some, a collection of family letters and subsequent genealogical research can be the starting point of an exciting journey into the economic, social, cultural and political history of a place in time. This book is an engaging story of siblings Andrew and Eliza Bean and Henry Foster, who becomes Eliza’s husband. As the title notes, the letters begin during the antebellum period and provide an in-depth examination of life in New England. Eliza Bean, of Bethel, Maine, worked in several mills before moving to Lowell, Mass.. While there, she married Henry Foster, who served with the 26th Massachusetts during the Civil War. Andrew, a schoolteacher, served with the 5th Maine. The title words “war and a woman’s life in letters” reflect Eliza’s central role in this story. Many of the letters are ones Eliza received from her husband and brother, and we also read entries from her diary. Eliza’s letters allow us to see the unique position of women during the war. They suddenly found themselves responsible for all aspects of their own as well as their families’ lives. The 19th century reinforced the perception of the bravery of soldiers on the battlefield and the womanly works that kept the hearth, heart and home as the ultimate goal for the weary warrior. The editors have taken the time to put the correspondence in context by giving readers a perspective of life in 19th century New England before, during and after the Civil War. While life was harsh and difficult, the real enemy was silence, the silence that occurred during a war when people depended on less-than-dependable mail delivery to learn of the well-being or even survival of their loved ones. Communication was not instantaneous, and a lack of real-time conversation made the wait for news cruel. The letters written by Foster and Bean reveal their need of reassurance from home that they were not forgotten. Andrew wrote, “I live on letters from wife & children.” While researchers are often disappointed at the lack of battle experiences in letters, the correspondence reminds us of the common denominator of everyday life that everyone desires, especially during turbulent times. Receiving and writing letters chronicling the mundane everyday occurrences were an integral component of life on the home front and battlefield. This exchange helped dispel the boredom of camp life while sharing the little joys and fears from home. Although the 5th Maine participated in the Battle of Gettysburg, Andrew did not mention the conflict in his letters. Meanwhile, Henry reassured Eliza of his love for her and their children, sent gifts through friends and admonished his wife to take care of herself. In 1864 Henry died of wounds received at Winchester, Va. Although her husband initially was buried in Virginia, Eliza had his body returned to Massachusetts. Eliza passed away in 1867 of undiagnosed tuberculosis. Her brother Andrew returned to Lowell, where he died in 1919. The editors, cousins, dedicated the volume to Thirza Gibson, granddaughter of Eliza and Henry Foster, who compiled much of the family information. Roberta Gibson Pevear and Ann Fox Chandonnet deserve credit for organizing this vast amount of information into a very interesting story. In addition to the bibliography, there are regimental histories and company rosters for the 26th Massachusetts and 5th Maine. This is a worthwhile addition to any Civil War library because it sheds light on yet another family caught up in the maelstrom of war. Reviewer: Janet L. Bucklew Janet L. Bucklew, M.A., American Studies, Pennsylvania State University, has worked for several museums including Gettysburg National Military Park and the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. She wrote Dr. Henry Janes: Country Doctor & Civil War Surgeon andhas extensive background in public history, research and interpretation.
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Illustrated, photographs, maps, endnotes, index, appendices, bibliography, 538 pp., 2010, Winoca Press,