Chase Sisters Present Civil War
Letters to Historical Society

Sisters Harriet Chase and Patricia Chase Allen have donated a series of letters to the Norwich Historical Society.

Written during the Civil War by their ancestor, Jesse Hatch, the letters were found many years ago at the Raymond Chase home in Randolph Center. The letters were written to Jesse’s father and brother, Amos Partridge Hatch and Abel Hatch, of Norwich. Jesse was attached to the 27^th Co. of Iowa.

Patricia Chase Allen realized the importance of them and transcribed the letters as a college project while at Castleton State Teachers College, 1962-3. The late Raymond Chase’s mother was a fifth generation Hatch. The Hatches were among the original settlers of Norwich.

The letters had always been kept within the Chase family, but now, the survivors feel that the best place for them would be in a historical museum, so they have been entrusted to the Norwich Historical Society.

There are 12 letters. The first one tells "brother Able" that "Father starts for Vermont tomorrow." Though Jesse is a resident of Mitchell, Iowa, he still feels as though Norwich is his home. He often asks for family and expresses concern that the elders in the family will be taken care of.

Mention is made of where he is (in the battles) and there is a bit of first-hand Civil War information. Mainly, the letters relate to a young man "way out West," longing for home and family. The letters show a bit of Yankee humor when he quips, "tell Father to write. I can read, you know." There is also a bit of finesse when he addresses his father, saying, "having a leisure hour, I thought I would improve it by writing you a letter."

Jesse did not have an easy time of it. He, like many, caught diseases during encampments. A notation on one of the official war records (January and Februdary 1864) says he was a straggler. He was arrested March 10, 1864. At this time it was understood that he had been sick with typhoid and could not get back. It would appear the matter was cleared up, for on August 8, 1865 he was discharged as 2^nd Lt.

In the last letter to Abel, dated Jan. 10, 1866, he says that he has been/is very sick, unable to do anything, even to hold his hand steady to write. He died in 1867.

Nancy Osgood, president of the Norwich Historical Society, thanked the sisters "for entrusting to us Uncle Jesse’s letters. What treasures you have given us! There are so many important Civil War references…Your own careful transcriptions and copies of military records are invaluable..."

Osgood went on to add, "You really have given the Norwich Historical Society a huge gift. Jesse was obviously such a sensitive educated individual. His love of family comes through in each letter. His observations about the military, officers, the South, and Norwich are marvelous and will excite many historians. I assure you we will care for them in the best possible way and will make sure that Civil War researchers are aware of their presence."

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