Winfield Scott Safford Letters

The War-Time Letters of Winfield Scott Safford

Courtesy of

The Plymouth Historical Society

These letters are in the archival collections of the Plymouth Historical Society, Plymouth, Michigan. I am very grateful to Beth Stewart, the director of the museum for giving permission to use them on this site. I am also indebted to Diane Dismukes who was kind enough to type them for me.

The spelling, grammar and sentence structure are substantially as written.

These letters were originally transcribed and edited by Julie Fountain. All "editor's comments" are hers. They form part booklet of letters from the Plymouth Historical Society entitled "Letters From the Front", which is available from the museum at a very moderate cost. ($3.00 in 1997)

10/11/1862
Camp Harbaugh, Pennsylvania
Winfield Scott Safford to:
Father, Rufus Safford

Dear Father,

Crawford's letter of the 5th has been received, and this afternoon being Saturday there is no drill. First of all I am well, secondly, I am comfortably situated, and lastly I am glad to hear from home ... (Then items about Dwight Houston, and Jerry Cramer).

I am sorry to hear that your health is not good. You must not work so hard as you have. I think you better keep Edwin till he is of age.

I am enjoying myself as well as I expected to so I am not disappointed, but I do hope we shall not have occasion to stay quite three years. I should be glad to think as some do that this matter will be settled before spring. If it does perhaps you would be like to have a hand to help you through the summer. When I do come, if ever, I should hope you and Mother will be there to welcome me, as I cannot think I have half done my duty to you. I certainly never reposed the confidence in you that a son should in parents. The pearl we always possess we do not realize the value of till it is lost. Parents I am separated from and want of them shows how greatly I under- valued them while with them.

I have one favor to ask - It is to remember Loretta Dobbins. If you would do me a kindness do the same as if done for me personally. I informed Mother and I presume she has you ere this that I am engaged to her. All that I am sorry about is that I had not asked your advice and consent before I came from home as I would have been better satisfied with your approval. I wished to talk with you before I left but you seemed to feel so badly that I could not control my feeling sufficiently to speak of more than the ordinary topics of the day and the thing of which I most wished to speak was left untold. So do for her as you would for me is all I ask, knowing you always do what you think is best. I remain you son with best wishes for your welfare.

W. S. Safford

(Loretta Dobbins mentioned in Scott's letter married in 1876 to Charles B. Van Dyne. Their daughter was named Marian Safford Van Dyne)

December 12, 1862
Canton, Michigan
Rufus Safford to:
Winfield Scott Safford

Dear Son,

It is with the greatest pleasure that I yesterday received your letter of the fourth stating that your were well. I was disappointed to hear that Mr. Bennet had not arrived there for I expected he would let you have some money if you needed it. I think he may be there by this time and you may draw on him for what you need and give him an order on me at sight. I will enclose ten dollars in this and if I hear no more from him I will forward more in a very few days.

I mailed a pair of gloves for you last Tuesday which I hope you may get in due time. Now if there is anything more that you want that money can buy or that I can get you, you must write and tell me what it is.

It is no use for me to write the anxiety your mother and I feel for you as you will never know till you have children of your own. I have no news of importance to write. I believe Crawford keeps you pretty well posted on current events. Things move on pretty much as usual except a blank space wherever I look which no one can fill but yourself.

We have news here by way of Mr. Bartlett that Bernard Stevens is dead. If so Mr. Stevens would like to have you write such particulars as you can get. As for war news perhaps it would be as well for you and I to say but little.

One word of caution. Avoid the gambling table together with spirituous liquor and tobacco. But more especially the use of profane language.

And now, my dear son, I must bid you good-bye and may God in mercy protect you and lead you in the way of life and truth.

Rufus Safford

July 26, 1863
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Sergt. Pomeroy to:
Robert Crawford Safford,
eldest son of Rufus Safford,
brother of Winfield Scott Safford

Mr. R. D. Safford

Dear Sir:

I received your of the 20th last evening and hasten to answer it.

I found your brother in about an hour after the battle and staid with him all night. In the morning I succeeded in getting him carried to a barn and he lived till about four in the afternoon. The ball went in near the pit of the stomach and struck the spine and lodged. The Dr. took the ball out but said it was a mortal would. He suffered very much but was very patient and said but little. Several times he would say, "Oh my God, my country, my father, my mother".

Your brother was buried in an orchard owned by Mr. Dustman on the Chambersburg Road, near the Theological Seminary. The man is a poor man and did not want to have him buried on his place but I told him I thought his friends would be after his body.

And, Mr. Safford, your brother behaved most splendidly. He fell at the head of his Company rallying around the Dear Old Flag. He deserves a monument.

His valise etc.....

Yours Respectfully
Sergt. A. Pomeroy

P.S. Your brother's grave is marked.

Editor's Note: His body was brought home by Mr. C. A. Frisbee, the Supt. of Plymouth Schools. Burial in Kinyon Cemetery, Canton, Michigan