Col. Gabriel T. Harrower, 161st NY, Civil War Letters Written During Preparations for the Siege of Port Hudson 

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• Lot Description
  Lot of 2 letters from Col. Gabriel T. Harrower, 161st New York Infantry, to his wife, both 4pp, 5 x 8 in., dated at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, March 8 and March 27, 1863. 
  
  Col. Harrower opens the first by acknowledging his receipt of his wife's most recent letters and the emotions they evoked: I was glad to receive them and as usual had a good cry over them.  I have been looking over the children's pictures all the afternoon and have been feeling sad enough - I finally went to town and got this taken - It is imperfect but it is the best that can be got here (unfortunately this photograph is not included).  He laments that he has not been paid but says he can deal with it, but his men are growing restless so he will confront Gen. Banks about the situation soon.  He says Banks arrived the previous evening with 25,000 men and called together all the colonels of the brigade (including the writer) in order to give them their marching orders, and tells his wife ...before this reaches you the blow will have been struck.  All together, the force numbers 40,000 men and Gun Boats and Mortar Boats without number.  The colonel mentions his frustration with the officers around him: Col. Stillwell has resigned - He turned out bad! There is nothing of him but Bristles...I have had no help with the regiment by Field Officers and have had to play Col, Lieut Col, & Major.  The Major is now here and doing all he can.  He is still quite lame and is really unfitted to do his duty.  He closes by telling his wife to sell their young cattle and one of their two pairs of oxen to raise money if anything should happen to him.
  
  In the second letter, written 19 days later, Col. Harrower explains that he and the land forces have just returned to Baton Rouge without attacking, as Admiral Farragut has advanced up the river and they are waiting for an update from Vicksburg, but he suggests ...we could have taken the place I think in one day easily, and had I been in command it would have been tried at least.  He says he is aware how unhappy his family is with his absence and he will try to return as soon as possible, but to resign at this point would be cowardly.  However, he has wrestled with the idea: I have the sons of many old friends here whom I hate to leave behind...They who know me don't believe I will forsake them.  It is hard for me to do it - but perhaps I better! I want to come home and see my family and friends but so does 600 brave hearts who look up to me as a sort of protector and guardian...They would many of them shed bitter tears, I assure you.  I have got a black boy who takes care of my horse who is determined to come home with me when I come.  He declares he will never leave me...
  
  Gabriel T. Harrower (1816-1895) was a member of the Free Soil Party for the duration of its existence and joined the Republican Party at its inception in 1854.  He was active in local politics, serving as sheriff of Steuben County, NY, and town supervisor of Lindley, NY, before the war. He recruited the 161st New York Infantry from the counties surrounding Elmira and served as its colonel from its organization on October 27, 1862, until he was discharged November 25, 1863 (meaning he stayed on for eight more months in spite of the misgivings he expressed in the second letter).  Harrower returned to politics after the war and was elected to New York Senate.  His obituary can be found here: http://localhistory.morrisville.edu/sites/unitinfo/harrower-161.html 

  Condition

  Very good, with only partial separation at the fold intersections.  All text clearly legible (with the exception of the signatures, which are mere scribbles, but positive identification can be made by context.
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