Obs! Brevene er transkribert og oversatt ganske bokstavelig slik Hans Grorud skrev dem, selv om det gir en litt arkaisk og oppstyltet prosa.

Note! The letters are transcribed and translated quite literally the way Hans Grorud wrote them, even if this gives a somewhat archaic and stilted prose.

Til

Hr. P. P. Grorud

I

Frederikstad

(poststemplet Christiania 31 5 1862)

Hils Johannessen?

Side 1:

Kjære Hanna!

Tro ikke , at det var et overilet eller uoverlagt Skridt af

mig at jeg tog fra Stene(?); Nei tvertimod det var ingen af

Delene; thi om jeg end i denne Dag kunde komme tilba

ge til Stene(?), saa vilde jeg ikke for

al Verden af den Grund, at det var mig en Umulig

hed at holde det ud hos Stene(?) blandt to saa trætte

kjære Mennesker som han og Din skindhellige Ven

Schoekt(?). Jeg holdt mig altid rolig den Tid jeg var der

og jeg kunde saaledes bedre iagtage Forholdene. Som

et Bevis paa deres Trættekjærhed ogh Vranghed kan jeg

anføre at naar disse to blive uenige om en eller anden

Ting, hvilket næsten hændte hveranden Dag, skjælde

de hverandre ud med de groveste ord de kunde op

finde, hvilket endte almindeligvis med at Stene(?)

fra lige løs paa Schoekt(?) og efter at have rystet ham

eftertrykkelig lukkede han døren op og gav ham et

Puf, saa han kom mere paa Hovedet en paa

Benene ud. Denne Scene har altfor ofte gjenta

get sig, saa jeg kan forsikre at det ikke er no

gen Overdrivelse og skulde naturligvis megen

Møie til at holde sig neutral her, lykkeligvis

har det paa faa Undtagelser nær lykked meg

thi det havde heller ikke seet godt ud for Sten

ifald han havde lagt voldsom Haand paa

mig, som han saa ofte har gjort ved Schoekt(?),

der hverken har Mod eller Kraft til at modsæt

te sig hans Vold, da skulde han have faaet føle

hvor kraftige og Stærke Muskler jeg har i mi

ne Arme. Tro ikke at jeg er saa forlegen for

Enpløi(?), at jeg ikke ved andet at tye til end Hjem

met. Har Du havt saadanne Tanker om mig,

har Du taget endskeligt(?) feil; thi uagtet jeg nok

skulde have Lyst til at gjøre en liden Tour

Side 2:

bliver det nok Intet af denne Gang og maa

ske det bliver mange Aar førend jeg atter seer mine For

ældre og Sødskende og kan retfærdiggjøre mig; thi

lykkeligvis har jeg været saa heldig at faa Hyre med

et Fartøi, der gaar paa større Farvande og jeg har

allerede skaffet mig Fripas, saa at jeg kan styre Cour

sen hvorhend jeg vil uden at nogen kan hindre mig.

Med glæde forlader jeg et Land, hvor Tilstanden bliver

slettere aar for Aar for at forsøge min Lykke andet

steds. Farvel da kjære Søster - om nogle Aar haaber jeg

vi atter sees og at Du da træffer mig i en anden og

bedre Tilstand end nu - Vær altsaa Du med For

ældre og øvrige Sødskende opriktigt hilsede

fra Eders

hengivne Hans

CS den 28/5 62.

PS,

Naar I modtager disse Linier, har jeg

allerde forladt Norges Kyster, og næ

ste Gang jeg tilskriver Eder bliver formo

dentlig fra Krigskuepladsen paa den

anden Side af Kloden, hvor jeg selv

ikke vil være nogen ledig og uvirk

som Tilskuer, men optræde som en handlende

Person

Farvel.

Jeg har saa knap Tidf, at jeg naa

lade Pennen løbe uden standsen

derfor er Brevet saa stygt skrevet.

To

Mr. P. P. Grorud

In

Frederikstad

(post stamped Christiania 31 May 1862)

Greetings to Johannessen?

Page 1:

Dear Hanna!

Do not think it was a hasty or ill-considered step

that I took leaving Stene (?); No on the contrary it was none of

these; for though I could come back this day to

Stene(?), then I would not for

all the world for the reason that it was impossible for me

to endure it with Stene (?) among two so quarrelsome

People like him and Your hypocritical Friend

Schoekt (?). I always kept calm while I was there

and I could thus better observe the conditions. As

a proof of their weariness and wretchedness I can

state that when these two disagree on one or the other

Things, which almost happened each other Day, they would scold

each other with the grossest words they could muster and

find, which usually ended up with Stene (?)

going loose on Schoekt (?) and after shaking him

thoroughly he opened the door and gave him a

shove, so he tumbled more on his head than on his

Legs out. This Scene has all too often repeated

it self so I can assure that it is not any

Exaggeration and should of course take much

Struggling to stay neutral here, thankfully

with a few exceptions I have almost succeeded

for it had not looked good to Sten

in case he had laid a violent hand on

me, as he has so often done at Schoekt (?),

who has neither Courage nor Power to oppose

his violence, then he should have made felt

how strong and Strong Muscles I have in my

Arms. Do not think I'm so embarrassed

(?) That I know nothing to resort to but coming

Home. Have you had such thoughts about me,

you will be mistaken; for notwithstanding I do still

Feel like doing a little Tour

Page 2:

it will probably not be this time and

it may be many years before I see my Parents

and Siblings again and can justify myself; Since

fortunately I have been so lucky to be hired on

a vessel that crosses larger waters and I have

already obtained a Freepass(?) so that I can set Course

wherever I want without anyone being able to stop me.

With joy I leave a Land where the Condition becomes

worse year by year to try my luck elsewhere.

Goodbye then dear sister - in a few years I hope to

see you again and that You will then meet me in another and

better condition than now - So you are with Parents

and Siblings sincerely greeted

from Your

devoted Hans

CS the 28/5 62.

PS,

When you receive these lines, I have

already left the coasts of Norway, and next

Time I write to you will probably be

from the scene of the war on the

other Side of the Globe where I myself

will not be any idle and inactive

as Spectator, but act as a resolute

Person

Goodbye.

I have so little time that I must

let the Pen run without stopping

that is why the letter is so badly written.

Side 1:

(Piktogram soldater og bilde av Gen. Lyon)

Camp Seward den 15/11-62.

Kjære Forældre og Sødskende!

...avrevet halvpart...

Side 2:

og var godt bekjendt. Men efter et

3 Ugers Ophold der i hvilket Tid jeg

fortjente adskillige Penge, indsaa

jeg, at det ikke kunde nytte for

mig at opholde mig der længere,

da Sommeren løb hen for mig og

min Vens Sygdom aftog ikke. Jeg

reiste da alene op til Chicago og

ankom derhen efter 3 Dagers Reise

i

...avrevet...

Page 1:

(Pictogram of soldiers and picture of Gen. Lyon)

Camp Seward the 15/11-62.

Dear Parents and Siblings!

... torn half of letter ...

Page 2:

and was well known. But after a

3 Weeks Stay there at what Time I.

earned some Money, I realized

I that it could not be of use

me to stay there longer,

since Summer ran out for me and

my Friend's Illness did not abate. I

then traveled alone up to Chicago and

arrived there after 3 days travel

in

... torn ...

Side 1:

Skriv Adressen tydeligt.

Min Adresse er H Grorud

82 Regiment Comp I Capt. Weid.

in care of Frode Hegaard

P.O.Box 1935.- Chicago. Ill.

United States of North America

23/11-62

Jeg ser ingen Anledning til at faa

optaget mit Portait denne gang el

lers skulde I have faaet mig i

fuld Rustning, men Grunden

er at der ikke findes Mand

i Nærheden af det Fag.

Vi ere nu reiste 30 Mile længer

Sydlig til et Sted i Virginien

kaldet Fairfax Court House og

staar nu som Reserve tidlige

med Siegels øvride Arme, der

bestaar ac 75,000 Mand.

D.S

Side 2(her mangler nok et ark?):

...ndrøiere her end i den gamle

Verden. Ifald jeg hav

de kunnet faa Permisjon til at

gaa til Byen, hvor jeg kunde ha

ve faaet kjøbt en Vexel, vilde jeg

have sendt 40 Dollar i

dette Brev, men da jeg ikke kun

de faa dette, maa jeg opbevare

dem til en anden Gang. Jeg sen

der Eder herved mit Portrait

og ønsker at I, naar I tilskri

ver mig næste Gang vil sende

mig et Portrait med Fader, Mo

der, Boi og saa mange som mu

ligt paa, tillige maa I sende

mig Einar Quislings Adresse

da jeg muligens vil faa An

ledning til at træffe sammen

med ham. Forresetn kan

jeg endnu intet fortælle om

Forfatningen her, da jeg har

Side 3(?):

været her for kort Tid til at døm

me Noget herom, dog troer jeg, at

Fortællingenen om Amerika ere

meget overdrevne, om endskjøndt

et enkelt og ledigt Menneske

kan skaffe Sig god Fortjeneste

og lægge Penge op. Jeg har

ikke mere at skrive og maa

derfor sende Edere alle mine

bedste Hilsninger baade Fader,

Moder, Sødskende, Slægt og Ven

ner, hver især og ønsker Eder

Alle en Glædelig Jul og Nyt

aar.

Skriv snart og glem ikke

Portrait med Eder Alle paa

Eders hengivne

Hans Grorud.

Page 1:

Write the Address clearly.

My Address is H Grorud

82 Regiment Comp I Capt. Weid.

in care of Frode Hegaard

P.O.Box 1935.— Chicago. Ill.

United States of North America

23/11-62

I see no possibility to have

taken my Portrait this time otherwise

I should you have gotten me in

full Armor, but the Reason

being that there is no Man

in the vicinity of the profession.

We have now traveling 30 Miles further

South to a place in Virginia

called Fairfax Court House and

now stand as Reserve early(?)

with Siegel's other Army, which

consists of 75,000 Men.

D.S

Page 2 (is another sheet missing here?):

... lasts longer here than in the old

World. If I could get leave

to go to the city where I could have

I bought a Vexel (banknotes?), I wanted to

have sent 40 Dollars in

this Letter, but since I could not

do this, I have to keep

them for another time. I enclose

you herewith the portrait

and ask you to, when you ascribe

me next time to send

me a Portrait with Father, Mother,

Boi and as many as possible

others, also you must send

me Einar Quisling's Address

as I will possibly get opportunity

to meet together

with him. However

I could not yet tell anything about

The affairs here, as I have

Page 3 (?):

been here too short Time to judge

Something about this, however, I think that

The story of America is

very exaggerated, though

a simple and free Man

can make a good profit

and make up some Money. I have

no more to write and must

therefore send you all my

best regards both Father,

Mother, Siblings, Family and Friends

and to each one I wish you

All a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Write soon and do not forget

a Portrait with you all

Your devoted

Hans Grorud.

Side 2?:

fandt vi paa at gaa derind. Jeg

havde en udmerket 6 løbet Revol

ver i Beltet de to Andre vare ube

væbnede. Medens vi sadde der og

sladdrede hørte vi pludselig Vaaben

klir udenfor Døren. Vi fore op, men

blive mødte af et Skud der strak

te den ene af mine Kammerater

dødelig saaret til Jorden. Det var

3 fiendlige Kavallerister der saa

uventede overfaldt os. Den ene af

dem rettede nu sin Carabin mod

mig, men min gode Revolver kom

kam i Forkjøbet og han styrtede

af Hesten rammet af en Kugle i

Brystet og nok en, der rammede

den ene af hans Kammerater

i Halsen skaffede os kun en til

bage og denne ene vendte da

han saa begge sine Kammerater

falde, øieblikkelig sin Hest

og flygtede afsted over Hals og Ho

ved. Takket være Gud og min

gode Revolver, vare vi lykkelig

undkomne fra Farene og førte

den ene Cavallerist med hjem

som Fange; den anden var død.

Efter et kort Ophold i Camp Hunj(?)

rig rykkede vi foranden Gang

frem mod Fredriksborg og ankom

i Midten af Januar til Rappe Han

nok Floden, men denne Gang hav

de Fienden fortskanset seg saale

des paa denanden Side af Floden

at det ikke var muligt at kom

me over Floden vi trak os

atter tilbage og ankom den 6te

Feb til det Sted hvor vi endnu

er og vi have nu gode Dage igjen.

Dette er altså min Historie til den

ne Dag - Ifald der havde været nogen

Side 4?:

Anledning til at faa aftaget mit Portrait

her, skulde jeg have sendt eder flere, men

I maa erindre at jeg opholder mig i Fien

dens Land og allevegne omgivet av Fiendt

lige Bander. Peta er mange Gange takket

for de Linier hun sendte mig, da jeg næsten

ikke ventede at hun vilde skrive, som

har saa lide Lyst til at bruge Pennen.

Fader er likeledes takket for hans Skrivelse

men han maa unskylde at jeg ikke kan

give nogen Besked om Tobaksprisene her

det eneset jeg kan sige er at Skraatobak

er omtrent 20 Gange dyrere her end i Norge.

Det smerter mig dybt at høre at Moder

ikke er rask, dog haaber jeg vi atter vil

gjensee om ikke i dette saa dog i næste

Aar. Hanna behøver jeg ikke at bede om

at skrive, da hun er den flittigste af Jer

Alle dertil og jeg vilde kun ønske at Alle vilde

skrive ligesaameget. (Hvorfor skriver I ikkee

Alle nogle Linier til mig saa jeg ialfald

har noget til Erindring om Jer alle)

Jeg kunde skrive mange Tildragelser jeg har

gjennemgaaet, men jeg har ikke Papir nok

dertil, da her kun sjeldent findes noget til

salgs. Amerikanske Papirpenge kunde det

ikke nytte for mig at sende i Brevet da

de ikke vilde have noget Værd i Norge

og nogen Vexel er her i et fiendlig Land

ingen Mulighed at faa kjøbt. Hils An

dersen og sig at vilde skrive til ham i

gjen ifald jeg havde Papir med dette er

alt jeg har kunnet opsnappe i hele Vin

ter dog haaber jeg snart faa noget fra

Washington. Jeg har nu ikke faaet no

gen Betaling paa 8 Maaneder og jeg vil

saaledes faa en smuk Sum naar

Betalingsdagen kommer. Naar I tilskriver

mig skriv saa et langt langt tæt

Brev paa tynt Postpapir og læg ikke

andre Breve indeni uden først at tage

Convolutten af og klip alt utilskrevet

Papir af og kaste væk, da Portoen er

meget høi. Hils alle mine Slegtninge

og Venner men vær I selv

Fader, Moder og Sødskende paa det

hjerteligste hilsede fra

Ederes hengivne

Hans Grorud.

Page 2 ?:

we decided to go in there. I

had an excellent 6 shot Revolver

in the Belt the other Two were unarmed.

While we sat there and

gossiped, we suddenly heard weapons

rattling outside the Door. We jumped up, to

be met by a shot that stretched

one of my Comrades

mortally wounded to the ground. It was

3 enemy cavalrymen there who

unexpectedly attacked us. One of

them now directed his Carbine towards

me, but my good Revolver came

him in advance and he crashed

of the Horse hit by a Bullet in the

Chest and probably one that hit

one of his comrades

in the Neck this left us with only one more

and this one turned when

he saw both his comrades

fall, instantly his Horse

and fled away Head over Heels.

Thanks to God and my

good Revolver, we happily

escaped from the Dangers and led

the one Cavalryman with us home

as a Prisoner; the other was dead.

After a short stay in Camp Hunjrig (Hunger?)

we moved a second time

towards Fredriksborg and arrived

in mid-January to Rappe Hanok

the river, but this time

The enemy had fortified himself

such on the other side of the river

that it was not possible to come

across the River we withdrew

again back and arrived on the 6th

Feb to the Place where we still

are and we now have good days again.

So this is my story to this

Day - If there had been any

Page 4 ?:

Opportunity to have my portrait taken

here, I should have sent you more, but

You must remember that I am in the enemy's

Land and everywhere surrounded by Hostile

Gangs. Peta is thanked many times

for the Lines she sent me when I almost

did not expect that she would write, as

so little she likes to use the pen.

Father is likewise thanked for his Letter

but he must apologize that I can not

give someone Information about the Tobacco Prices here

the only thing I can say is that Skraatobak

is about 20 times more expensive here than in Norway.

It pains me deeply to hear that Mother

is not well, however, I hope we will meet

again if not in this then in the next

Year. I do not have to ask for Hanna

to write, as she is the most diligent of you

all there and I would just wish that Everyone would

write the same. (Why do not you all write

some lines anyway so I have

have something to remember about you all)

I could write of many Events I have

gone through, but I do not have enough paper

to do that, since there is only rarely anything here

for sale. American Paper Money could not be

of any use for me to send in the Letter since

they would have no value in Norway

and some Vexel (Banknote?) here in a hostile Land is

not possible to obtain. Greetings to Andersen

and say that I would write to him

again when I have Paper for this is

all I have been able to grasp throughout the Winter

however, I hope to get some soon from

Washington. I have not yet got any

Payment in 8 months and I will

thus get a nice Sum when

Payday comes. When you ascribe

me then write a long tight script in the

Letter on thin post paper and do not put

other Letters inside without first taking

off Envelope and cut everything unwritten

Paper off and throw away as the Postage is

very high. Greet all my relatives

and Friends but be yourselves

Father, mother and siblings

warmly greeted from

Your devoted

Hans Grorud.

S.1

Sideveis i margen:

Peta maa altsaa holde mig undskyldt denne Gang

med Hensyn til mit Portrait dog vil jeg bede hende sen

de mig sit og sines - med første Post- her findes ingen

Photographist eller Daguerathypist

(Fargerikt emblem "The Union Forever")

Camp Stafford i Virginien

den 6/4-63

Kjære Forældre og Sød

skende og Venner

Den 8de Marts modtog jeg

det lange forventede Brev fra

Hjemmet, hvilket oplivede mig

meget; thi intet i Verden er

mig kjærere end at høre fra

Edere derhjemme - Jeg vil be

nytte Papiret saa godt som

muligt og vil derfor forsøge at

give en Skildring af mit Liv

siden sidste Gang I hørte

fra mig. I det sidste Brev

fortalte jeg, at jeg var ankom

men til Camp Seward 5 Mile

udenfor Washington, hvorfra

vi marcherede efter et kort

Ophold og toge Veien gjennem

Alexandria og ankom efter

2 Dages haard March til et

S.2

Sideveis i margen:

Hils Andersen og glem ikke at takke ham for Portraitet - Min Post her betsaar i at

forbinde de Saarede i Slaget; det er en vanskelig og besværlig Post og meget faa kan

udføre sine Pligter fuldkommen dog har jeg hidtil klart mig godt. Jeg

er frisk og rask og har nu siden Begyndelsen af Marts havt saa gode

Sted kaldet Fairfax Court House

hvor vi sloge Leir. Hidtil havde

vi kun havt gode Dage nu skul

de vi prøve lidt af de onde. Det

var i Slutningen af November

vi afmarcherede fra Fairfax og

sydover. Vi havde ublidt Veir

at gaa i fordet meste Snee

og Slud, og naar vi nu hav

de havt en møisommelig Dags

mars og havde slaaet vare

usle Telte, der ikke var u

ligt et Hundehus, fandt vi

ingen varm Mad eller Kaf

fe at styrke os paa men maat

te selv først tilberede den ifald

vi vilde have nogen. Hver Mand

havde en Kop og en Tallerken beg

ge af Blik; i Koppen, der tog

en Regel(?), kogte vi da vor Kaf

fe og stegte et Stykke Flesk

eller Kjød (som vi kun sjeldent

fik) paa Tallerkenen, der tjente

i Stedet for Stegepande. Til dette

S.3

Sideveis i margen:

Dage som Prinds. Forglem ikke at skrive snart og sende mig Eders Portrait

helst Alle paa et Stykke. Lev vel og vær hilsdede fra Eders Hans.

Maaltid havde vi noget tørt haart

Brød som kaldes Krekers. Naar vi

nu havde tilberedt og spist vor

Mad, varmede vi os lidt ved

Ilden og krøbe derpaa ind i

vore Telte 2 eller 3 i hvert

lagde et Uldtæppe under og

et over os; - dette var vore Seng

klæder hele Vinteren gjennem.

Omtrent Kl 6 om Morgenen

lyder Signalet til at staa op;

og ofte vare da Strømperne frøs-

ne fast til fødderne og Støvler

ne saa stive at de maatte tøes

op foran Ilden, førend man kun

de faa dem paa Benene. - Den

første Halvdel af December gik

saaledes hen uden nogen videre

Afvexling for os; men da kom

befaling at Burnsides Armee

skulde rykke mod Fæstningen Fre

driksborg og da maatte naturligvis

vi med da vi stode som Reserve

i hans Hær under General Sie

gel's Commando. Den 12 Decem

ber gik vi over Floden Rappe-Hannok

S.4

Sideveis i margen:

Siegels Corps in the field

Virginia

United States. North America

Da vi ankom til Slagmarken var Slaget

allerede begyndt og vi fik ingen an

ledning til at komme directe ind

i Ilden og vi bleve kun ledige

Tilskuere fra en høi Bakke bag

Hovedarmeen. Det var Slagteri uden

Lige. Burnside forsøgte med sine

150,000 Mand at tage Fæstningen

med Storm paa den stærkeste bef

fæstede Side, men blev modta

get af en Bombe - Kugle og Gra

natregn, der hvert Øieblik strak

te Tusinder af hans Folk til

Jorden. Disse Angreb gjentog han

flere Gange med uhyre

Tab af Menneskeliv hver Gang

og uden at kunne gjøre Fæst

ningen den Ringeste Skade.

Endelig maatte han opgive Belei

ringen og Stormen, da han stod

i fare for at miste hele sin Ar

mee. En tyk Taage kom os til Hjelp

saa at Rebellerne ikke kunde mær

ke vor Armes hurtige Tilbagetog

over Broerne paa Floden. Omtrent

15000 af Vore laa døde paa Val

pladsen. Vort Regiment havde ledet

et Par let saarede det var det

Hele. Vi trak os tilbage til et

Sted kaldet "Camp Hungrig" paa

Grund af den knappe Kost vi her

fik. Her hendte mig engang et

Eventyr - En Dag jeg var fri for Tje

neste gik jeg og et par Norske ud

at spadsere. Det var en snerik

Juledag og da vor Vei tilfæl

digvis faldt forbi en Bondegaard

(mangler et ark?)

P.1

Sideways in the margin:

So Peta has to apologize me this time

with regard to my Portrait however I will ask her later

to send me theirs - with the first Post- there is no one here

as Photographist or Daguerathypist

(Colorful emblem "The Union Forever")

Camp Stafford, Virginia

on 6/4-63

Dear Parents and Siblings and Friends

On the 8th of March I received

the long awaited Letter from

The home, which enlivened me

much; for nothing in the world is

more dear than to hear from

You all at home - I will use

the paper as good as

possible and will therefore try to

give a Depiction of my Life

since last time you heard

from me. In the last Letter

I told I had arrived

to Camp Seward 5 Miles

outside Washington, from where

we marched after a short

while and took The road through

Alexandria and arrived after

2 Days Hard March to a

P.2

(Sideways in the margin:)

Greet Andersen and do not forget to thank him for the Portrait - My Post here means that I

bandage the wounded in battle; it is a difficult and cumbersome job and very few can

perform his duties perfectly, however, I have so far done well. I

is healthy and hale and have now since the beginning of March had good

Place called Fairfax Court House

where we camped. So far we had

only had good days now we would

try a little of the bad. This

was in late November

we marched from Fairfax and

southward. We had poor Weather

to go in and mostly snow

and Sludge, and when we now had

had a laborious days

March and had struck our

lousy tents that were not unequal to

a Dog House, we found

no hot food or coffee

to strengthen us on but had to

first cook it in case

we wanted some. Every Man

had a cup and a plate both

of Tin; in the Cup that took

a Regel (?), we then boiled our coffee

and fried a piece of pork

or Meat (which we only rarely

got) on the plate that served

instead of frying pan. For this

S.3

Sideways in the margin:

Days as Prince. Do not forget to write soon and send me your Portrait

preferably all in one piece. Live well and be greeted by Eders Hans.

Meal we had some dry hard

Bread called Krekers. When we

had now cooked and eaten our

Food, we warmed us a bit by

The fire and then crawl into

our Tents 2 or 3 in each

put a Wool Blanket under and

one above us; - this was our Bed

clothes all winter long.

About 6 o'clock in the morning

the signal sounds to stand up;

and often found the stockings frozen

and fixed to the feet and Boots

so stiff that they had to thaw

up in front of the Fire, before one could

put our feet in. - The

first Half of December passed

thus without any further

Change for us; but then came the

command that Burnsides Army

was to move towards the Fortress Fredriksborg

and then of course we to

where we stood as Reserve

in his Army under General Siegel's

Command. December 12th

we crossed the Rappe-Hannok River

S.4

Sideways in the margin:

Siegel's Corps in the field

Virginia

United States. North America

When we arrived at the Battlefield it was

already started and we got no opportunity

to enter directly

into the Fire and we only became unused

Spectators from a high hill behind

The main army. It was Slaughterhouse without

Comparison. Burnside tried with his

150,000 Men to take the Fortress

by Storm on the strongest fortified

Side , but was received

by a Bomb - Bullet and Grenade-rain,

which every Moment stretched

Thousands of his Men to

the Ground. These Attacks he repeated

several times with immense

Loss of Human Life Every Time

and without being able to do the Fortifications

the slightest damage.

Finally he had to give up the Siege

and the Storm as he stood

in danger of losing his entire Army.

A thick fog came to our aid

so that the rebels could not see

the rapid retreat of our Army

over the bridges on the river. Approximately

15,000 of us lay dead on Battlefield.

Our Regiment had led

a couple of lightly wounded that was

All. We retired to a

Place called "Camp Hunger" on

account of the scarce Diet we here

had. Here once occurred me an

Adventure - One Day I Was Free for Service

I and a couple of Norwegians went out

to stroll. It was a snowy day at

Christmas and our Road

happened to fall past a Farm

(missing sheets?)

S.1

Alexandria Parole Camp den 26 May 1863

I det sidste Brev fortalte jeg at jeg laa i Leir i Næ

heden af Stafford Court-House, hvor vi laa i omtrent

3 Maaneder uden at udrette noget; men i Slutnin

gen af April fik vor Overgeneral "Hooker" atter

Ordre at marchere mod "Fredriksborg" og naar

den Fæstning var taget at gaa mod Richmond. Hans Ar

me var i god Stand og hver Mand baade Of

ficer og Soldat maate bære 8 Dagers Provi

ant med i deres Madposer. Det var et storar

tet Syn at see, naar vi efter Dagsmarchen

Slog vore Telte op paa en eller anden stor

Slette og tænte Vagtilden; det var i Sandhed et

imposant(?) Skue at see denne umaadelige Ræk

ke at Telte henover Sletterne og denne Vrim

mel af Solbrændte Krigere (150,000) samlede

sig om de mangfoldige Vagtblus. Den 27de

gik vi over Rappehan mod Floden uden at

møde nogen Modstand. Natten mellom 28 og 29

gik vi over Fl Rappidan; her mødte vi svag

Modstand af noget Rebelkavallerie som blev tag

ne til Fanger. Overgangen her var ligeledes er Syn

som jeg aldrig glemmer, det var en mørk Nat.

Flydebroerne som var lænkede sammen

over den brusende Strøm. Natten til den 1ste Mai an

kom vi til et Sted kaldet Chancellorville eller

S.2

noget Lignende - 3/4 norske Mil fra Fredriksborg; hvor

vi strax bleve stillede i Slagorden da Rebellgeneralen,

den listige "Jackson" rykkede imod os med en bety

delig Arme. Den 2den Mai omtrent Kl 3 om Efter

middagen (just som jeg havde holdt mitt Middagsmaaltid,

der bestod af et Stykke Kjød stegt paa en Bajonet

over Ilden) hørte vi en sterk Skydning lige i

den Skov, der dækkede vor høire Fløi og strax efter

rykkede hele Rebelhæren ud og angreb os

lige Ryggen. Dette Angreb var pludselig og ganske

uventet fra denne Side derfor gjorde vor Brigade

en hurtig Retraite med Undtagelse af vort Regiment

(En Brigade bestaar af 4-5 Regimenter) vi fik

Ordres at stoppe Fienden der var vi langt over

legene i Styrke. Nu begyndte en varm Kamp

Kuglerne hvislede omkring os paa alle Kanter og Granater

sprang lige over vore Hoveder og udbredte

Død og Ødeleggelse, hvor de traf. Endelig maatte vi

saa trække os tilbage for Overmagten, men stansede

atter paa Toppen af en Bakke for

atter at gjøre et Forsøg at stoppe Fienden. Her standsede

vi dem ogsaa et Øieblik. Mange faldt paa

begge Sider. En Danske fra Jyllend blev her

skudt lige ved min Side. Kuglen gjennemborde

hans Hjerne, og 3 Nordmænd bleve dødelig

saarede foruden de mange Tydskere, der

ligeledes maate bide i Græsset. Efter 10 Minuters

S.3

Ophold maatte vi atter vige og naade

endelig Brystværnet, bag dette gjorde vi atter Holdt

Jeg havde kun en Sabel og 6 løbet Revolver til Værge

som I ved, men jeg tog her et Gevær og Patro

ner fra en falden Tydsker som jeg brugte paa

den høire Side av Løbegraven. I kan ikke gjø

re Eder nogen Idee om Kugle og Granatreg

nen vi her maatte udstaa. De faldt saa tæt at

de formørkede næsten Himlen. En ung Løitnant

af vore fik et Skud lige i Hjertet med det Sam

me han vilde springe ned i Løbegraven og en varm

Blodstraale sprudlede lige i mitt Ansigt. Vor Oberst

rullede død ned af Hesten truffen af 2 Kugler. Vi fik

ingen Undsætning og altfor svækkede til at kun

ne staa længere paa det Sted da de trængte ind

paa os i tætte Masser fra alle Kanter. Vi maatte

gjøre et hurtigt Tilbaketog. Vor Vei faldt over

et Moradt(?) og jeg var saa uheldig at mit ene

Ben blev siddende saa fast saa jeg ikke kunde faa

det op igjen. I dette Moradt(?) blev jeg og 30

andre af vort Regiment tagne til Fange. Vi blev derpaa

afvæbnede og førte under stærk Vagt til Richmond

vi vare omtrent 3-4000 Fanger i Tallet. Efter 3

Dagers Fangenskab, matte vi sværge ikke at tjeg

ne i de Forenede Staters Arme førend vi vare

lovlig udvex med de Forenede Staters Fanger, derpaa

bleve vi fri og bleve sendte til Washing

S4

ton og derfra til en Camp (Leir) 1/2 norsk Mil derfra

hvor jeg vil forblive til jeg er lovlig udvexlet.

hvilket vil være ske om 1-2-3 Maaneder. Her har vi

gode Dage spise drikke og spadsere det er hvad vi

har at bestille.

Jeg er frisk og rask.

Skriv snart og glem

ikke Portraiterne. Jeg

har nu ikke hørt noget

fra Eder siden Febr.

Mine hjerteligste Hilse

ner følger med til

Edere Alle Forældre, Sødskende,

Slægtninge og venner

Hans

Om en kort Tid

vil I ogsaa faa mit

Portrait.

Stav adressen rigtigt

Hans Grorud Co I 82 Ill Vol.

Convalecent Parolecamp

near Alexandria VA.

in care of Frode Heegaard

P.O. Box 1935 Chicago Ill.

Unitet States of America

Stav rigtigt - Skriv tydelig

P.1

Alexandria Parole Camp on May 26, 1863

In the last letter I told that I was in camp in the Vicinity

of Stafford Court-House, where we lay about

3 months without accomplishing anything; but in the end

of April our Supreme General "Hooker" again got

Orders to march towards "Fredriksborg" and when

that fortress was taken to go towards Richmond. His Army

was in good condition and every man both Officer

and Soldier would carry 8 Days Provisions

in their Food Bags. It was a glorious

Sight to see, when after a days march

We pitched our tents on some big

Field and lit the guard fire; it was in truth one

imposing (?) sight to see this immeasurable Row

of Tents across the Plains and this swarm

of Tanned Warriors (150,000) in total

gather about the many fires. On the 27th

we crossed the Rappehan towards the River without

meeting any Resistance. The night between 28th and 29th

we went over Rv Rappidan; here we met weak

Resistance from some Rebel cavalry who were taken

Prisoners. The Crossing here was likewise a Sight

which I will never forget, it was a dark night.

The floating bridges which were chained together

over the rushing stream. The night of the 1st of May

we came to a place called Chancellorville or

S.2

something Similar - 3/4 Norwegian Miles from Fredriksborg; where

we were immediately put in the Battle Order since the Rebel General,

the cunning "Jackson" moved towards us with a considerable

Army. On the 2nd of May at about 3 o'clock after

the dinner (just as I had had my Dinner,

which consisted of a piece of meat fried on a bayonet

over the Fire) we heard heavy Shooting in

the Forest that covered our right Flank and immediately after

the whole Rebel army moved out and attacked us

in the back. This Attack was sudden and quite

unexpected from this Side therefore did our Brigade

a quick Retreat with the Exception of our Regiment

(A Brigade consists of 4-5 Regiments) we got

Orders to stop the enemy that was far superior to us

in Strength. Now began a hot battle

The bullets whistled around us on all sides and cannonballs

exploded right over our Heads and spread

Death and Destruction where they hit. Finally we had to

withdraw from the Overwhelming Power, but stopped

again on the top of a hill for

again to make an Attempt to stop the Enemy. Here we stopped

them a moment too. Many fell on

both sides. A Dane from Jutland was here

shot right by my side. The bullet pierced

his Brain, and 3 Norwegians were mortaly

wounded in addition to the many Germans who

also have to bite the grass. After 10 Minutes

S.3

We had to give way and reached

finally the breastworks, behind this we did again Halt

I had only a Saber and 6-shooter Revolver to Defend myself

as you know, but I took a rifle and cartridges here

from a fallen German that I used on

the right side of the trench. You cannot have

any Idea about the Bullet and cannonball Rain

we here had to endure. They fell so close that

they almost darkened the sky. A young Lieutenant

of ours got a shot right in the heart as

he would jump down into the trench and a warm

Jet of blood spouted right in my face. Our Colonel

rolled dead down from the Horse hit by 2 Bullets. We got

no Rescue and too weakened to be able to

stand longer in the place where they penetrated

us in dense masses from all sides. We had to

make a quick Retreat. Our path fell over

a mire(?) and I was so unlucky that my one

Leg got stuck so tight I could not get

it up again. In this Mire(?) I and 30

others of our Regiment were taken prisoners. We stayed there

disarmed and were led under strong guard to Richmond

we were about 3-4000 Prisoners in Number. After 3

Days of Captivity, we had to swear not to serve

in the United States Army before we were

lawfully exchanged with the Federation States Prisoners, thereupon

we were released and sent to Washington

S4

and thence to a Camp (Barracks) 1/2 Norwegian Mile thence

where I will remain until I am legally exchanged.

which will be happening in 1-2-3 months. Here we have

good days eating drinking and strolling is what we

have to do.

I'm healthy and hale.

Write soon and forget

not the Portraits. I

have now heard nothing

from you since Feb.

My most heartfelt greetings

included to

You All Parents, Siblings,

Relatives and friends

Hans

In a short time

you will also get my

Portrait.

Spell the address correctly

Hans Grorud Co I 82 Ill Vol.

Convalescent Parole camp

near Alexandria VA.

in care of Frode Heegaard

P.O. Box 1935 Chicago Ill.

United States of America Unit

Spell correctly - Write clearly

Medical Purveyors(?) Office

Nashville Tennessee

Forenede Stater. America

Marts 7de 1865.

(Side 1 - sort skrift)

Hengivne Søster Henriette

I gaar afsendte jeg et

vel udfyldt og tætskrevet Brev til

Norge samt et Portrait for Andrede; jeg

har nu 3 tilbage et for Dig som med-

følger dette Brev, et for Hanna samt

Dosie et. Jeg har allerede sendt tre for

uden dette. Du siger Henriette min

at Fredrikstad er ...

Plads, hvilket baade forundrer og

glæder mig at høre, da jeg neppe

ventede en saa stor Forbedring

der vil bidrage betydeligt til at

gjensee min Fædrenestad. Du siger

Du har havt det morsomt i Julen, hvil

ket glæder mig ogsaa at høre og jeg skulde

havt stor Lyst til at have været

nærværennde, da det er næsten 3 aar

(Side 2 - sort skrift)

siden jeg var paa nodet Bal. Du

siger Kjære Henriette at Du troer

jeg har saa mange Venner her, at

jeg forglemmer Dig; men Du

tager storligen feil, om jeg ar aldrig

saa langt borte fra mit Hjem,

Kan jeg ikke forglemme mine

dyrebare Forældre og Søstre; de

ere de eneste Skabninger her i Ver

den jeg lever for, desuden... venner

groer ikke paa hver Busk, og hvis

jeg ikke tog vare mig selv her i

et fremmed Land ingen Ven vil de

gjøre det paa denne Side af Havet.

Du siger , Din Forretning gaar

godt, hvad mere vil Du ønske

Henriette min? Er Du ikke bange

for Hjemveien, ifald Du skulde for"

lade Dit Fædreland? Jeg kan ikke

sige med Sikkerhed, naar keg kom"

mer tilbage da det ebroer paa Om

stendighederne men jeg troe Du

(Side 2 - rød skrift)

Kan vente mig i Mai Maaned 1866 dog kan det ogsaa hænde

jeg kommer i Høst. Du kan ikke fatte hvor jeg længes efter at

komme, men det vil maaske være nødvendig for mit så=

vel "Eders" Vel at have en Beskjæftigelse her i Landet i Bag

haanden førend jeg tager Afskjed med "America", da jeg formo

dentlig ikke opholder meg i nogen længere Tid i Norge uden jeg kan

faa en nogenlunde god Ansættelse. Jeg sender Deg hermed

mit Portrait. Du kan se mig i min daglig Contor=Costume

halv militær og halv Civil. Hvad synes Du om Officeersepauletten

Henriette. Jeg troer ikke der er noget i Veien for at faa Ansættel

se som Løintnant i et af de nye Regimenter naar jeg indlæg

ger Ansøgning til Guvernøren af Illinois, da jeg kan frem

vise bedre Anbefalinger end mangen en og er vandt med

Krigslivet. Men ifald jeg indlægger Ansøgning og modtager

Andsættelsen, maa jeg tjene i 1(ett?) eller flere Aar mere hvil

ket vil holde mig i adskildt fra Hjemmet. Rigtignok kunde

jeg da komme tilbage som en Officer i den American

ske Armee, ifald jeg kom ud med Livet, men jeg bliver

(Side 1 - rød skrift)

tre Aar i Armeen vil være tilstrækkeligt for

mig.... Du maa hilse Fredrik Nygaard

Jeg modtog hans venlige Hilsen gjennem

Dit Brev, samt Harald Damm og Axel

Stern(?) tilligemed Karen og Bertha Forneboe

og min Familie i Christiania og andre

Steder. Sig mine bedste og Kjærligste

Hilsener til Fader, Moder, Hanne og Peta,

Dosie, Andrea, (??? og lille Laura &(?) Anna

maa blive erindret med et Kys fra mig)

samt Quisling og Andersen i fald Du har

(?) forglem heller ikke ham naar Du har

gjort dette Du min alltid Kjære

Henriette modtar de hjerteligste

Broderhilsener

fra Din stedse

hengivne

Hans

Medical Purveyors (?) Office

Nashville Tennessee

United States. America

March 7th, 1865.

(Page 1 - black script)

Devoted Sister Henriette

Yesterday I sent one

well completed and closely written Letter to

Norway and a Portrait for Others; I

now have 3 left one for you as included

this Letter, one for Hanna as well as

Dosie one. I have already sent three in addition to

this. You say my Henriette

that Fredrikstad is ...

Place, which both amazes and

pleases me to hear as I hardly

expected such a great improvement

that will contribute significantly to

revisit my Ancestors home. You say

You've had fun at Christmas, which

also pleases me to hear and I should

had great desire to have been

present as it is almost 3 years

(Page 2 - black script)

since I was to any Ball. You

say Dear Henriette that You believe

I have so many friends here that

I forget You; but you are

greatly mistaken if I were ever

so far away from my home,

I could not forget my

precious Parents and Sisters; they

are the only Creatures here in the World

that I live for, besides ... friends

do not grow on every bush, and if

I did not take care of myself here in

a foreign country no friend would

do it on this side of the sea.

You say, Your business is going well,

what more would you like

Henriette mine? Would You Not be Fearful

of the way home, if you should leave

Your Fatherland? I can not

say with certainty when I can come

back as it depends on the circumstances

but I believe You

(Page 2 - red script)

can await me in May 1866 however it can also happen

I'm coming in Autumn. You can not fathom how I long to

come, but it may be necessary for mine as well as

"Your" Well-being to I have an Occupation here in the Country

just in case before I say goodbye to "America",

as I probably will not stay for any longer time in Norway unless I can

get a reasonably good employment. I'm sending you herewith

a portrait. You can see me in my daily Office=Costume

half military and half Civil. What do you think of the Officers-epaulet

Henriette. I do not think it will be difficult in the way of getting employment as a lieutenant in one of the new regiments when I apply to the Governor of Illinois, as I can present better recommendations than many others and am antiquated with

War life. But in case I submit an Application and receive

The employment, I have to serve for 1 (one?) Or more years which will keep me separate from home. I could then come back as an Officer in the American Army,

in case I came out with my Life, but I think

(Page 1 - red script)

three years in the Army will be sufficient for

me .... You must greet Fredrik Nygaard

I received his kind regards through

Your Letter, as well as Harald Damm and Axel

Stern (?) Together with Karen and Bertha Forneboe

and my Family in Christiania and other

Places. Say my best and Most Loving

Greetings to Father, Mother, Hanne and Peta,

Dosie, Andrea, (??? and little Laura & (?) Anna

must be remembered with a kiss from me)

as well as Quisling and Andersen in case You have

(?) do not forget him either when you have

done this You my always Dear

Henriette receives the warmest

Brotherly greetings

from Your always

devoted

Hans

(Side 1)

Søster Hanna

Søndag Eftermiddag - 14de Mai

Ich hatte Gespielen, ich hatte Gefährten

In den Tagen der Kindheit, in der frøliche

Schulzeit;

All', All' sind sie fort, die alten bekannten

Gesichter

Mein Horden, mein Hochland, lebt wohl,

ich must(?) ziehn!

Du Wiege von Allem, was starb und was Kühn

Doch, wo ich auch wandre und wo ich auch bin,

Nach den Hügeln des Hochlande steht albeit

mein Sim! (?)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Med Purveyors Office den 15de Mai 1865

I gaar formiddag bivaanede

jeg Gudstjenesten i en Presbyteriansk Kirke

Den ovennævnte samt Romersk Katolsk ere

den alimindelige Troesbekjedelse. Kirkemu

sikken i Amerika er uendelig bedre

her end i Norge og om Kirken er end saa

lille er der alltid Damer tilstede i Choret...

De to overnævnte Vers har jeg gjennemlæst

(Side 2)

- Moder - (med rød overskrift )

atter og atter, der er Noget saa rørende

og fortryllende smukt ved de faa Linier,

hvilket bringer gamle Minder tilbage - frisk

i min Erindring....

Alle, Alle ere borte,

De gamle bekjendte Ansigter -

Jeg er i forventning af det - det Brev,

der er omtalt i mitt Sidste, hvilket beretter

at det vil ankomme omtrent 8 Dage senere.

Tiden er allerede forløben, thi jeg modtog

mit sidste Brev, hvori var indeslutted Henriettes

Photo:- sidste Søndag den 7de

Leve ved "Haape"

Som Katten ved "Spaape"

(Troer Du ikke det overnævnte Udbrud

af "Poetry" burde indsættes i F'stads Ugeblad)

I hvert Tilfælde venter jeg de Kjære Linier

inden Ugens Forløb...

17de Mai 1865-

Formiddagen har været trykkende hed. Klokken

2 E:M nu regner det. Tænk en gang hvor mange

Hurra'Raab jeg har udstødt i gamle Norge

paa denne Dag.

Til mitt Norden mit Höiland (Fødland?) staar ofte mit Sind

Lev vel -Hans-

(Page 1)

Sister Hanna

Sunday Afternoon - May 14th

I had playmates, I had companions

In the days of childhood, in the happy

Schooldays;

All', all' they're gone, the old friendly

faces

My hordes, my highlands, farewell,

I must(?) draw!

You cradle of all that died and all that was bold

But, wherever I wander and wherever I am,

The hills of the highlands stands albeit

my sim! (?)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

With the Purveyors Office on May 15, 1865

Yesterday morning I part-took in

The service in a Presbyterian Church

The above as well as Roman Catholic are

the most common Confession of Faith. Church music

in America is infinitely better

here than in Norway and whether the Church is ever so

small there are always Ladies present in the choir ...

I have read the two verses above

(Page 2)

- Mother - (with red heading)

over and over again, there is something so touching

and enchantingly beautiful by the few Lines,

which brings old Memories back - fresh

in my Memory ....

All, All are gone,

The Old Famous Faces -

I'm in anticipation of that - that Letter,

which is mentioned in my Last, which narrates

that it will arrive about 8 days later.

Time has already passed, for I received

my last letter, which contained Henriettes

Photo: - last Sunday the 7th

Living at "Haape"

Like the Cat at "Spaape"

(Do not believe the above outbreak

of "Poetry" should be inserted in F'stads Ugeblad)

In every case, I expect the Dear Lines

before the course of the week ...

17th May 1865-

The morning has been oppressively hot. O'clock

2 E: M now it's raining. Think once again how many

Hurray'Raab I have expelled in old Norway

on this day.

To my north my highland (Fødland?) Often stands my mind

Long live -Hans-

(Side 1 - sort skrift)

- Fortsættelse -

Onsdag den 23de August 1865.

Jeg formoder i Alle har modtaget et Portrait fra

mig, da jeg har afsendt saa Mange, men der er Nogen

tilbage, der ønsker et, vil jeg forsøge at afhjelpe Samme.

Min Kjære Moder,Du overanstrenger Dig vidst paa

Løkken, da det Slags Arbeide er tungt og maa være

besværlig for Dig. Du Hanne omtaler en student

Petter Koren som vistnok var min sidekamerat i

Latinklassen og jeg erindrer ham vel. Om Du atter

treffer ham, maa Du bringe ham en vænlig Hilsen

fra den fjerne Vandrer, der ikke drømte om et saa

vidt Skillerum mellom os; da jeg jo dvæler paa den

Ene og han paa den modsatte Side af Floden.

Peer A. Bærøe tilmed andre Venner maa heller ikke

forglemmes. Henriette, Andrea og Lauras Portraiter

ere i min Besiddelse, men det er jo ikke Alle?

Jeg mangler og savner de Resterende. Henriettes sidste

Afbillede er rigtigt smukt i den Sørgedragt hun er

iført. Jeg ønsker at have Andrea's iført en lignende Dragt

For kort Tid siden afsendte jeg mit Portrait for Harald

Damm. Norske Emigranter nedsette seg ikke paa

denne Del af Landet og jeg vil derfor ikke træffe

Nogen af de Udvandrede fra F'stad & Østlandet.

I maa erindre at den Egn jeg beboer henhører under

(Side 2 - sort skrift)

"varme temperede" Sone. Her findes mange Væxter, der

ikke groer i Norge f.Ex. Meloner, Mais, Popools(?), søde

Poteter, Peaches mm. Guld, Sølv og Kobber er ikke bru

geligt i den dagelige Pengeomvexling, da deres Værdi

er større end Papirpengenes; endog Skillemynten bestaar

af Papir udelukkende. 5 cents = 1(?) Skilling Norsk er den mind

ste brugelige Pengesort siden 1862. Brødet som jeg forhen

har fortabt, er i Amerika baget af Hvede uden nogen

Untagelse og Rugbrød bruges ikke. Tillige benyttes Mais

eller "Indian Korn" som det Kaldes for en stor Del til

Brød og Kager, hovedsagelig på Landet (hos Jordbru

gerne). Det fornøiede mig at høre om Onclerne Damerne

& Haug samt Tante Ingeborg. D's Visit til F'stad, det

var vidst en hyggeligt Overaskelse for Mor saavel

som I alle. Om jeg atter gjenser min Fødeby, vil

jeg nok finde saa mange Forandringer at jeg vil

have Vanskeligheder under mine Forsøg paa at gjen

kjende mig. Det bliver jo fem (5) Aare Fraværelse

fra F. Hvormange unge Personer ere der udvox

en og ankomne siden 1861, I ved bedre end jeg.

Jeg vil blive Fremmed i Staden.... I fortæller

mig det har været varmt dersteds, dog naar I hav

de et Begreb om Sommerheden her vilde I være

forbløffede. Den værste Sommerplage er Mosquito

fluen, et forfædeligt Insect, der er en sand Plage

saavel ude som inden Døre, efter kl'k syv om Aftenen

det er af Størrelse og Udseende omtrent lig en Myg

(Side 2 - rød skrift)

men Bidet er lang smerteligere og ledsaget eller efterfulgt med en

lille Bule af Størrelse som en Ert. Dette Dyr er saa utaaleligt at det

er en Umulighed at gaa til Hvile uden at Sengen er forskand

set med et Net, der omhyller Sengen fuldstændig. Nætterne ere tryk

kende varme og Vinduer & Døre maa staa aabne ifald man ikke

ønsker at smelte eller fordunste førend den næste Dags Kom

me. Den 24de August 1865

Forglem ikke at sende mig nogle norske eller sven

ske Avise. Sende dem paa samme Maade som I

modtog mine, med et Papir vel addresseret og fæstet tilbørlig

saaledes at en ganske lille Del af Papiret er synligt paa venstre

Side. Chr Posten og F'stad Ugeblad ønsker jeg allermest.

Hanna maa bruge en stærkere Convolut da mit sidste Brev

var aabent. Convoluten var udslidt den ene Havdel deraf

i det Mindste -- Til slutning vil jeg paaminde Eder Alle

om den store Glæde og Tilfredstillelse Eders kjære Breve for

skaffer mig men engang hver tredje Maaned er altfor lang

Tid for mig at oppebe Svar. Haabende ovennævnte An

modning vil blive efterfulgt forbliver jeg altid

Eders hengivne Hans

til Døde

(Side 1 - rød skrift)

PS

Undskyld den anden Side, da Blækker er Skylden

i den's smudsige Udseende

Adieu

Hans Grorud

Medical Purveyors Office

Lock Box 8 Nashville Tennefse

Aug 26th 1865

(oppned)

Andersen være takket for hans velkomne Linier. Hils

ham og Sørli's samt Slægt og Venner.

(Page 1 - black script)

- Continuation -

Wednesday, August 23, 1865.

I suppose ye All have received a Portrait from

me, as I have sent so many, but there are some

left if some want one, I will try to remedy this.

My dear mother, you knowingly overwork yourself at

The "Løkken", as that kind of work is heavy and must be

wearisome for You. Du Hanne mentions a student

Petter Koren who was apparently my sidekick in

The Latin class and I remember him well. If You again

meet him, you must bring him a friendly greeting

from the distant wanderer who did not dream of such a

wide Separation between us; since I dwell on it

One and he on the opposite side of the river.

Peer A. Bærøe and other friends must not either

forgotten. Henriette, Andrea and Laura's Portraits

are in my Possession, but it is not All?

I miss and miss the Remaining. Henriette's last

Picture is really beautiful in the mourning suit she is

wearing. I want to have Andrea's wearing a similar suit

Not long ago I sent my Portrait to Harald

Damm. Norwegian emigrants do not settle down in

this part of the country and I will therefore not meet

Some of the Emigrants from F'stad & Østlandet.

You must remember that the area I live in belongs to

(Page 2 - black script)

"hot tempered" Zone. There are many Plants here that

doe not grow in Norway f.Ex. Melons, Corn, Popools (?), Sweet

Potatoes, Peaches mm. Gold, Silver and Copper are not usable

in the daily exchange of money, then their value

is greater than that of Paper Money; even small change consist

of Paper exclusively. 5 cents = 1 (?) Skilling Norsk is the smallest

usable change since 1862. The bread as I before

has lost, is in America baked of Wheat without any one

Exception and Rye Bread are not used. Maize is also used

or "Indian Grain" as it is called to a large extent

Bread and Cakes, mainly in the Country (at the Farmers').

It pleased me to hear about the Uncles Ladies

& Haug and Aunt Ingeborg. D's Visit to F'stad, it

was known to be a pleasant surprise for Mother as well

as you all. If I revisit my Birthtown, I will

I probably find as many changes as I want

have difficulty during my attempts to recognize

me. It will be five (5) years of absence

from F. How many young people are outgrown there

and arrived since 1861, You know better than I do.

I would be a Stranger in the City .... You tell me

it has been hot there, though when you had

a concept of summer here you would be

amazed. The worst summer plague is the Mosquito fly,

a terrible Insect that is a true Plague

both outside and inside the doors, after seven o'clock in the evening

it is about the size and appearance of a mosquito

(Page 2 - red font)

but the bite is far more painful and accompanied or followed by one

small bulge the size of a pea. This animal is so intolerable that it

is an impossibility to go to rest without the bed being surrounded

by a net that completely encloses the bed. The nights are oppressively

hot and windows & doors must be left open if not we

were to melt or evaporate before the next Day Comes.

August 24, 1865

Do not forget to send me some Norwegian or Swedish Newspapers.

Send them in the same way as you

received mine, with a Paper well addressed and attached duly

so that a very small part of the paper is visible on the left

Page. I wish for Chr Post and F'stad Weekly the most.

Hanna must use a stronger envelope since my last letter

was open. The envelope had worn out one part of it

at least - lastly I want to remind you all

the great Joy and Satisfaction Your dear Letters

provides me but once every three Month is way too long

Time for me to raise Answers. Hopefully the above Request will be followed I always remain

Yours sincerely, Hans

til Death

(Page 1 - red font)

PS

Excuse the other side, as Ink is to blame

for its dirty appearance

Goodbye

Hans Grorud

Medical Purveyors Office

Lock Box 8 Nashville Tennefse

Aug 26th 1865

(upside down)

Andersen be thanked for his welcomed Lines. Greetings to

him and Sørli's as well as relatives and friends.

(Side 1 - Gul note)

U.S.ARMY

OFFICIAL BUSINESS

MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.

Med:Purv:Office

Søndag Eftermiddag

October 8de 65

Lev vel dyrebare Moer og

Kjære Søstre. Skriv snart

a dieu Hans

(side 2)

Min addrefse

er den samme som

forhen

"Good bye"

(Page 1 - Yellow note)

U.S.ARMY

OFFICIAL BUSINESS

MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.

Med: Purv: Office

Sunday afternoon

October 8th 65

Long live precious Mother and

Dear Sisters. Write soon

a dieu Hans

(page 2)

My address

is the same as

before

"Good bye"

Poststempel

MED. PURV. OFFICE

NASHVILLE

NOV 16 1865

(Side 1 - sort skrift)

"Henriette"

Medical Department

Nashville Tennefsee

Den 6te November

"Min kjære Henriette"

Jeg fylder idag mit 21de

Aar og jeg troer derfor Du gratulerer

mig i den Anledning. Jeg tænker

uvilkaarligt paa Hjemmet idag,

hvilken Glæde det vilde forskaffe

os, om jeg var nærværende i egen

Person - men jeg er iallefald til

stede i Tanken - Jeg har sendt

Aviser til Dig og mine andre Søstre

hvilket jeg haaber ere rigtigt ankom

me. Hvorfor skriver Du ikke oftere

Søster min? Du kan jo finde saa

Mangt og Meget at omtale, der vilde

være moersomt for mig at vide. Er

der mange Baller i Byen? Hvordan

tilbringer Du Tiden? hvorledes er

(Side 2 - sort skrift)

Frederiksstad i det hele taget? Fortæl

mig de Forandringer der ere foregaaed

med mine og Dine Venner og

Veninder? (ed Mere) Er der

mange ukjendte Folk i "F" an

komne siden min afreise i

Vaaren 1861? Hvordan gaar Din

Forretning i Forstaden? Hvad

Navn har Peta & Quisling tænkt

at give den store Gut? Du kan

see, at der er tilstrækkeligt at skri

ve om og hvor gjerne jeg vil modtage

hvad Du sender mig. Tak Hanna

for hendes lange Kjærlige Breve.

Hils min gode hengivne, ømme

Moder samt øvrigege Søstre, Peta

Dosie, Andrea (maa skrive længere Breve)

Boia - Quisling, Andersen Sorlie's,

samt Venner og Bekjendte - fra Din hengivne

-" Hans "-

(Side 1 - rød skrift)

Torsdag den 16de November 1865

Igaar Eftermiddag omtrent Klokken 6 modtog jeg

Dit Brev tilligemed Mor's, Hanna's, Josephine Hafslunds

Portrait. Jeg føler mig saa vel tilmods nu at jeg

kunde danse af Hjertens Lyst, om jeg havde Tid

dertil. Jeg erfarer at Du har atter været i Christi

ania og glæder mig inderlig over den gode

Modtagelse Du havde dersteds. Det er mid

en glad og taknemmelig Følelse at vide Din

Forretning gaar saa vel og at Du og vor Fa

milie ere begunstigede med en god Helbred.

Andrea skrev "Intet" Hvad kan Aarsagen være?

Du vil see til at hun ikke forglemmer mig

ganske - Kjæreste Søster - jeg har afsendt

(Side 2 - rød skrift)

Avise adskillige Gange og vedbliver fremdeles at erindre

Dig paa dusine Maade, men endnu har jeg Ingen

modtaget fra Deg eller nogen Anden - Jeg modtager

ofte Breve fra Andreas Stenberg, endog hver Uge har

jeg nogle Linier fra ham. I anledning af Dosies Bryllup

maa Du fremsende mine hjerteligste Ønsker og Gra

tulasjoner, som jeg giver af Hjertens Grund.

Til Slutning maa jeg paaminde Dig om at sende

"Alle Mine"

Din til Døden hengivne Broder

"A-dieu" Hans

Postmark

WITH. PURV. OFFICE

NASHVILLE

NOV 16 1865

(Page 1 - black script)

"Henriette"

Medical Department

Nashville Tennefsee

November 6th

"My dear Henriette"

I'm turning 21 today

Years and I therefore think You congratulate

me on that occasion. I think

involuntarily of my home today,

what Joy it would provide

us be I present in my own

Person - but at least I'm present

in Thought - I have sent

Newspapers for You and My Other Sisters

which I hope are really arriving.

Why do not you write more often

My sister? You can find that

Much and Much to mention that would

be fun for me to know. Are

there many Balls in the City? How

Do You Spend Your Time? how is

(Page 2 - black script)

Frederiksstad at all? tell

me the changes that have taken place

with mine and Your Friends and

Friends? (ed Mere) Is there

many unknown People in the "F" arrived

since my departure in

Sailing 1861? How are you?

Business in the Suburbs? What

Name has Peta & Quisling thought

to give the big Boy? You can

see that there is sufficient to write

of and how much I would like to receive

what You send me. Thanks Hanna

for her long Loving Letters.

Greet my good devotees, tender

Mother and other Sisters, Peta

Dosie, Andrea (must write longer Letters)

Boia - Quisling, Andersen Sorlie's,

as well as Friends and Acquaintances - from Your devoted

- "Hans" -

(Page 1 - red script)

Thursday, November 16, 1865

Yesterday afternoon around 6 o'clock I received

Your Letter as well as Mother's, Hanna's, Josephine Hafslunds

Portrait. I feel so well now that I

could dance to the heart's desire if I had time

therefore. I'm learning that you're been to Christiania again

and sincerely rejoice in the good

Reception You had there. That's the mite

happy and grateful Feeling to know Your

Business is going so well that you and our family

are favored with good Health.

Andrea wrote "Nothing" What could be the cause?

You want to make sure she does not forget me

quite - Dearest Sister - I have sent

(Page 2 - red script)

Newspaper several times and still remember

You in a dozen ways, but I still have none

received from You or someone else - I receive

often Letters from Andreas Stenberg, even every Week has

I some Lines from him. On the occasion of Dosie's Wedding

may You send my most heartfelt Wishes and Congratulations,

which I give for the sake of the Heart.

Finally, I must remind you to send

"All Mine"

Your Brother, devoted to death

"A-dieu" Hans