Little Love Letters to and from the Hill

During the winter of 1861–62, the Duffield family and their circle exchanged letters filled
with affection, worry, faith, and everyday news. These “little love letters” carried the
emotional weight of separation between home and the hill above West Point, where sickness,
storms, and uncertainty shaped daily life. What survives offers a deeply human window into
the people behind Fort Duffield’s story.

This page presents selected excerpts and interpretive context from Duffield family letters
and related writings. For the full transcriptions of the John C. Love letters
(1861–62), visit the companion page:
John C. Love Letters (1861–62).
A complete research archive of all letters and documents will be available in the
Research & Primary Sources section.

Letters between home and the field

The Duffield family letters reveal the emotional landscape of wartime separation—mothers
worrying over sons, sons reassuring parents, and friends offering comfort across distance.
These letters were lifelines, carrying warmth into cold camps and reassurance back home.

“A mother’s heart in wartime” — Mother to W. W. Duffield, July 21, 1862

Original document:

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A heartfelt letter reflecting a mother’s deep concern for her son’s health and safety.
She writes of sleepless nights, constant prayer, and the hope that God will watch over
him until he can return home. Her words blend fear and pride, capturing the emotional
burden carried by families far from the front.

Letter: Mother to W. W. Duffield, July 21, 1862.

“Your words bring warmth to my heart” — Henry Duffield to Bethune, December 13, 1861

Original document:

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Henry writes from the field, describing cold weather, sick men, and the strain of
winter encampment. Yet he pauses to say that a single letter from home “brings warmth
to my heart,” revealing how vital correspondence was to morale. His tone is steady,
but beneath it lies the exhaustion of a young officer facing the realities of war.

Letter: Henry Duffield to Bethune, December 13, 1861.

Reflections in verse

Not all “little love letters” were written as letters. Some were composed in verse,
capturing the mood, hardship, and camaraderie of the regiment in a more reflective,
poetic voice.

Poem by Adjutant Henry Duffield

Original document:

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In this reflective poem, Henry Duffield writes of cold nights, shared burdens, and the
bonds formed among men who did not know whether they would see another spring. The
verses read like a letter addressed both to his comrades and to those waiting at home,
blending duty with longing.

Poem: Adjutant Henry Duffield, winter 1861–62.

Connected voices from the hill

While the Duffield family letters reveal the emotional world of officers and their loved
ones, another powerful voice from the same hill is that of Pvt. John C. Love of the 9th
Michigan. His letters describe the same storms, sickness, and hopes from the perspective
of an enlisted soldier.

Related Page: John C. Love Letters (1861–62)

The enlisted soldier’s voice from the hill — a full set of letters written from West
Point, Muldraugh’s Hill, and nearby camps.

Read the John C. Love Letters →

Where to find the full archive

This page presents selected excerpts to help visitors understand the human side of Fort
Duffield’s story. For researchers, genealogists, and students who need full
transcriptions and document images, the complete archive will be organized in the
Research & Primary Sources section.

Full John C. Love letters:
John C. Love Letters (1861–62)
All letters, reports, and notices (when complete):
Research & Primary Sources