Temperance Society, Vermont Homefront

1864: Mary L. Lewis to Maria Sally Lewis

Leave a comment

The following letter was written by Mary L. Lewis, a student at Union High School in Rutland, Vermont, at the time she put pen to paper in mid-March 1864, just before the close of the spring term. Unfortunately, I’ve not been able to learn anything more about her through census, cemetery, or newspaper records. Her letter gives us a hint of the early-day attempts to advance the cause of Temperance and Ladies’ Rights in Vermont.

Fred Alfred Field (1850-1935) as drawn in 1897, Vermonter Magazine.

Most of Mary’s four-page letter is devoted to describing her current beau named “Fred” who worked as a clerk in the Post Office in Rutland. She never reveals his last name but I believe it was Frederick Alfred Field (1850-1935) of Rutland. He was the son of William Morton Field (1813-1890) and Minerva Kimball Davenport (1816-1886). His father was sheriff of Rutland county and also served as the president of the Rutland Savings Bank. In the 1870 US Census, Fred was still enumerated in his parent’s Rutland home and his occupation was given as “clerk” in the Post Office—the same position identified by Mary in her letter. Fred was married in 1873 to Lillie Clark (1854-1942), the daughter of Henry and Henrietta Clark of Poultney, and the description of his wedding confirms that he still held a “responsible position in the Rutland Post Office” at that time. His obituary, published in the Burlington Daily News in 1935 states that he had long been affiliated with the Rutland Post Office as a clerk, inspector, and eventually as postmaster—appointed by President Harrison in 1889. He later went into the insurance and real estate business.

Mary wrote the letter to Maria Sally Lewis (1845-1914), the daughter of Jonathan Lewis (1793-1870) and Amanda Wiggin (1797-1852) of Williamstown, Vermont. We learn that Mary and Maria had become friends while attending school together in Rutland. Maria married Herbert Proctor Martin (1842-1905) on 5 November 1865. Maria’s family papers were donated in 1996 to the Vermont Historical Society, see—Martin Family Papers.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Rutland, Vermont
Sunday evening, March 13th 1864

Dear Maria,

I received your affectionate letter. Was glad to hear you was enjoying good health. I was very sorry it was destined that you should not see dear Rutland this winter. I wish your parents would have let you come. It would have been splendid, I assure you. to have seen us all [together] again. We are not much changed, Maria. My heart is still a part reserved for you, unapproachable by anyone. Mr. [Davis Graham] Moore 1 did not overrate your being a good girl at school. He could not. (You are the dearest and best of any I know of.) I am well pleased that you think enough of me to kiss my letters, but I do not think that you love me better than I do you. You asked in your letter if I ever think of you. Of course I do—most every day. That young fellow that I spoke about was not Lewis Clark or Justus Southard—but it was Levi Southard. 2 But that is all played out. We did not think anything of each other, only as friennds. He is too loving and silly at first to last long. Levi likes to go with all the girls—it makes no difference who. When he is with a girl, he is happy. He has been home with me from Singing [School] twice since then but I do not give him any encouragement as I am agoing to be true to my Fred, Maria, as I think he is true to me.

Maria, I am agoing to write joyful news—for me at least—and you will also take part in the pleasure as you think so much of me, and anything towards making your friends happy will make you happy also. Well I hear, or pretend to hear you say, “I wonder what that is?” It is simply this. Fred has joined the Temperance Division. He has now taken oath that no more liquor shall touch his lips. He was taken in or initiated the same night I was and it was partly by my influence that he’s joined. I do not think he would have joined if I had not. My name was carried in one week and Charlie Channell 3 came up for us to go down and be initiated (Lorna and I) but it was so stormy that our Mothers did no tthink it best. The next Monday night, we did not go down to be initiated and that day Charlie told Fred and Fred has his name sent in and that made us both initiated the same night. Oh! I was so glad. But he is a wild boy yet but he grows better, I think, and I hope and trust he may make a trustful man. It is my earnest, sincere prayer.

He is clerk in the Post Office now. The other day I called for a letter and Fred happened to wait on me. He took out the letter and seeing it was for me, opened it, took out the letter and gave me the envelope, and then gave me the letter. But he did not read any of it or attempt to. That is the way the fellow acts. He thinks I and all my property belong to him and if it don’t, my heart does. I guess if he had read the letter, he would have thought it funny that he was “poor Fred” and the rest you wrote. I guess he would have thought that if I loved him, I would not write his faults to others. But he did not read any of the letter. He would not be guilty of such ill manners. He knows better than to do that. Maybe sometime he will have an especial privilege to read the letters written me by my friends. But write freely to me Maria for he will not have that right yet awhile. He never has read any of my letters or I do not expect he will for a number of years at least.

But Maria, I have said enough of him already, only in conclusion I think he is trying to be better and I hope he will succeed for my sake and his. I have tried to stop loving him, tried to love another, but the old love will come back stronger than the new and it seems as if I loved him better than ever. He stays in the Post Office all night generally and I think it is real dangerous too and when I speak to him about it, he says that his Molly would not live a week if he should be killed and then he gives me such a sweet kiss and tells me he is not [at] all afraid—that there is no danger, and I don’t know as there is but I love him so well that if he should die, I do believe I should too. 4

Since I wrote last, I have only been to ride with him one Sunday evening and to two or three parties. I expect to go to another next week. But I shall let him drop now (as to writing any more about him). But we always like to write about those we love, you know. One word more, do not lose a syllable, dearest Maria, and remember it. (Oh, Fred has got a moustache growing for I can feel it when he kisses me!) Don’t tell.

Now, about another one. There is another boy who thinks the world of me and that is James Mussey. 5 He goes up to the Academy. He is Ellen Mussey’s brother. You knew her. He is real pretty but I like Fred the best.

How do you and Charlie get along? If Henry is engaged, I should think if Charlie is handsome and good, you would learn to love him. I shall you riding with Charlie so late to Head Quarters or come and see about it myself. You would like that, I know. But never mind, you are safe with those who love you and I know he loves you. One night I got vexed at Fred on account of a little trifle not worth telling and I acted mad at him coming home a little way, and Maria, the tears actually came into his eyes. I felt bad and I had to kiss him a pardon before he was himself again. He calls me his Molly as if we were engaged. Between you and I , Maria, Fred and I think a great deal of each other—as much as you and Charlie do.

School is out next Wednesday. Ain’t that glorious? All the girls are well. Rest Perkins, Carrie Foote, and Nettie Verder & Alzina Foster send their love and I send mine too. Maria, I presume you will have to give all yours to Charlie. If so, you need some others or else you would not have any. We are going to have good exercises at the [school?] this time the last Wednesday afternoon. We are going to have a Ladies’ Rights Convention of which I am a member. I am Miss Gadabout. Also Emma & Louise Frink, Annie Thomson, Hattie Bailey, Cornelia Prout, Lucy Eddy, Alice Pierpoint, Julia Humphrey, Carrie Foote, Alice Merit, Emily Giebeinger, Elisa Barnes, and all the 1st year but the 1st year do not have anything to say except Eliza and Barnes.

We wish you could be here the last day very much. How glad I should be to see your form again. I hope I may some time, don’t you? Also they are going to have another dialogue by three girls and two boys and another by some boys. Those I have not heard rehearsed. Miss [Lucy] Hudson is visiting here now. She has been to school two or three times.

I do not believe I can come and see you this summer. It is agoing to be such hard times. I think I shall take music lessons this summer. I go to Singing School now. Our teacher is Mr. Sherman. I have real good times to school now-a-days.

Have I not written a long enough letter this time? Write soon and write a sheet of foolscap as I have and answer soon. Your true friend, — Mary L. Lewis of Rutland, State of Vermont. R[utland] U[nion] H[igh] School of Rutland Village.

1 Davis Graham Moore was born in Keeseville, New York, on December 15, 1834, the son of Asa Davis Moore (1800-1872) and Mindia Campbell (1801-1884). After graduating from the University of Vermont in 1858, he became principal of Rutland High School, and, in 1865, he moved to Illinois. Moore was a railroad paymaster in Springfield in 1870 and spent most of the rest of his life in Danville; in the early 1880s, he worked for the Wabash, St. Louis, and Pacific Railway in Cairo. Moore married Martha Jane Hudson, a graduate of Mount Holyoke College, in 1864, and they had four children: Allen Henry (b. 1865), George D., Olie M., and Emily Lucy. Davis G. Moore died on September 13, 1919.

2 Levi B. Southard (184x-1873) and his brother Justus A. Southard (1846-1925) were the son of Lent F. Southard (1833-1900) and Susan L. Bishop (1xxx-1900) of Rutland, Vermont. Justus was married to Agnes M. Kettles (1847-1930) in 1868. Levi was married to Sarah Garr (1851-1930) in 1873 but died suddenly a few weeks later from some type of paralysis. He had been employed by the Central Vermont Railroad for three years prior to his death.

3 Charles (“Charlie”) Edward Channell (1846-1907) was the son of David Balch Channell and Calista Lucy Bowker of Rutland. He married Ida Laura Riford (1850-1914) in 1870. Charles was employed as a tinsmith for the repair department of the Rutland Railroad.

4 Mary’s concern for Fred’s safety when sleeping in the Post Office was probably well founded. Many soldiers sent their pay home in letters during the Civil War and it’s possible that at certain times the Post Office may have had hundreds or even thousands of dollars in it.

5 James B. Mussey (1848-1911) was the son of Henry Mussey (1795-1878) and Sabra A. Lawrence (1808-1900) of Rutland. His sister, Ellen A. Mussey (1844-1927) is mentioned in the letter as well. James married Frances Elizabeth Claghorn (1850-1933) in 1875. He was a farmer. We learn from the letter that he attended the Rutland Academy in 1864.

Narragansett Bay Defenses

1863: James Youngs Smith to Abraham Lincoln

Leave a comment
Rhode Island Governor James Youngs Smith

The following letter is a true copy of telegraphic correspondence that was sent from Gov. James Youngs Smith to President Abraham Lincoln, and the response by Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War. It conveys the anxiety of citizens residing along the coastal regions of Narragansett Bay who felt vulnerable to attack by Rebel cruisers due to inadequate control of the West Passage into the Bay. During 1863 and 1864, temporary earthworks and an eight-gun battery were constructed on Dutch Island by the 14th Rhode Island Heavy Artillery (Colored), alongside earthworks and a garrison at Camp James Y. Smith near South Ferry (the Bonnet) on the Narragansett mainland to block naval approaches through the West Passage.

Though the messages to and from Washington D. C. are real, the handwritten letters and signatures themselves were no doubt written by unidentified clerks or telegraphic operators.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

State of Rhode Island
Executive Department
Providence, [Rhode Island]
June 27th 1863

To his Excellency, Abraham Lincoln
President of the United States
Washington D. C.

Great anxiety is felt here on account of the unprotected condition of Narragansett Bay. There is nothing to prevent a rebel incursion through the “West Passage” excposing to destruction this city, Fall River, and other towns on the bay. I respectfully request immediate authority to construct, arm and man suitable earthworks at the expense of the Federal Government and that the plans understood to be in the War Department for such works be furnished without delay. Also authority to cause all vessels to be brought to and inspected before entering the bay.

(signed) — James Y. Smith, Gov. of Rhode Island

[Response written on reverse]

By telegraph (Copy)

Washington
June 27th, 1863

Providence, June 27th 1863

Gov. Smith,

I am instructed by the President to inform you that the authority asked for in your telegram of this date is granted to you. The chief of the Engineers Bureau is instructed to furnish you the plans & also an engineer officer to assist in laying out the work.

(signed) E. M. Stanton, Secy. of War

50th Tennessee Infantry

1864: Henry Dawson Wheatly to Dr. Samuel Hollingsworth Stout

Leave a comment
Major Samuel Hollingsworth Stout

The following letter was written by Henry Dawson Wheatly (1831-1897) who enlisted in September 1862 as a private in Co. D, 50th Tennessee Infantry. He was taken prisoner in the surrender of Fort Donelson and “released as a doctor from Johnson Island” according to his muster rolls. He was elected 2nd Lieutenant of his company in June 1863 and three months later he was wounded in the Battle of Chickamauga and sent evenually to a hospital in Cassville, Georgia. The amputation of his right leg ended his military service in 1864.

Henry wrote the letter to his cousin, Major Samuel Hollingsworth Stout (1822-1903), a farmer with slaves in Giles county, Tennessee, before the Civil War, who volunteered his services as a surgeon to the Confederate Army of Tennessee. He had an M. D. degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Sam was a surgeon to the Third Tennessee Infantry from May to November 1861, and to Gordon Hospital in Nashville from November 1861 to February 1862.[4] He subsequently moved to Chattanooga, where he was in charge of hospitals for the Army of Tennessee. By the summer of 1864, his responsibilities had expanded to sixty Confederate hospitals in the Southern states of Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. By the end of the war, he had lost his Giles County farm.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Cassville, Georgia
May 5th 1864

Dr. S. H. Stout, my dear cousin,

I have intended writing to you ever since I have been able to go about, but it has ben almost impossible for me to confine myself long enough. Shortly after you left me, my wound ceased to heal altogether. We soon discovered that the Tibia had necrosis & of course would have to be removed. Dr. Wright performed the operation about six weeks ago since which time I have improved very fast. I am now able to go about everywhere I choose on my crutches. I hope that it will not be long before I am able to go to Atlanta & spend a few days with you. I feel that a short trip would be of great benefit to me now.

I received a letter from my sister, Mrs. Bradshaw, about four weeks since. Her family & my own were all well. She says that the Federals have broken Brother Will completely up. Poor fellow! he has ha a hard time of it. If I am not able to go to Atlanta before long, I do not know what is to become of me for I am pretty near out of clthing. Since you were here I have removed my Headquarters from Dr. Fry’s to Dr. Nichols’ ward, No. 4. It is much more convenient for me. I have a nice little room on the lower floor with the door openings on the street so that I can get in and out without any difficulty. I never can [ ] to thank you, cousin Sam, for sending me to this hospital for if I were an [ ] child, I could not be more kindly treated than I have been by Drs Hunter and Fry. And though I may live an hundred years, I can never remember them but with feelings of the deepest gratitude. If you have any spare time, please write to me. No news from the front.

Your affectionate cousin, — H. D. Wheatley

27th Ohio Infantry, Negro Equality, Second Battle of Corinth

1862: George W. Miller to Nancy Jane (Miller) Ward

Leave a comment
I could not find an image of George but here is one of his 1st Sergeant, William D. Phillips, Co. E, 27th OVI (Photo Sleuth)

The following letter was written by Corp. George W. Miller (1840-1862) of Co. E, 27th Ohio Infantry. At the time of the 1860 US Census, 19 year-old George and his brother Harvey V. Miller (1839-1862) were enumerated in the household of an older brother (James W.) on his farm near Dawkin’s Mill, Jackson county, Ohio. His father, Adam Miller (1806-1881) was living with his 2nd wife, Patsy Ward (1816-1874) in Lawrence county, Ohio, with at least eight of George’s half-siblings. George’s mother, Elizabeth Hulett (1810-1840) died in Fayette county, Virginia, before the family moved to Ohio. George wrote the letter to his older sister, Nancy Jane (Miller) Ward (1832-1931), the wife of George Ward (1825-1872) of Waterloo, Lawrence county, Ohio.

George wrote his letter in August 1862 from the regiment’s camp near Corinth, Mississippi. By this time the regiment had seen action in Missouri and participated in the capture of New Madrid and Island No. 10. They then participated in the Battle of Iuka and would soon see action in the Second Battle of Corinth where George was killed in action on 4 October 1862 [another source says he died two days later]. His brother Harvey also served in the same company and died in St. Louis on 15 June 1862, presumably by disease.

George’s letter dwells heavily on Negro Emancipation or the “Negro Question” as it was often referred to. His views are consistent with the majority of the Union soldiers, particularly from southern Ohio where the 27th Ohio Regiment was raised.

This letter is from the private collection of Greg Herr and was made available for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Camp of the 27th
Near Corinth, Mississippi
August 6th 1862

Mrs. Nancy Ward,

Dear sister—I seat myself to write you a few lines to inform you that I am enjoying a very reasonable portion of health and trust this will find you enjoying good health. I am in camp today and thought that I would write you a few lines for your perusal when you have a leisure time.

I have been in the Army near 13 months and have been in several states since I came out from Ohio. I have been in several fights. I have marched several hundred miles and have seen a great portion of the country. I have seen some as fine farms as could be found in America. I have seen more in the last 13 months than in all my past life before.

I can’t say that I am very tired of soldiering. You only [know] the condition that this war has come to. I know that it is a speculation to some there. I do not like to fight and expose myself for the plagued Negro to be free as I am plaugue on the Negro question. I wish some of the men that is agitating this Emanicipation and Negro Equality had to be in front of the battle.

I think that it will be a long time before this war will close from the present circumstances. I wish it was in some form that we could whip the Secesh and let the Negro stay where he is. I think the Negro has been living for some time with the Southern people and why not let them alone where they are, for I know that I don’t want to stay in the Southern climate any longer than I will have to stay. The country is very rough and not worth anything to anybody. I am tired of this warm state and want to go to a Northern climate where it is not so warm and sultry that a man cannot get his breath hardly. This is a hard place for white men.

I will not write a very long letter this time as it is so warm in my tent. Nancy, I have forgot whether I have ever written to you before or not. I will say that I mean no harm by just writing to you this time as I never have written before. I am well and trust this will find you enjoying the blessing of God who rules on high. I trust you are trying to live for heaven when done with Earth. I want to live right in the sight of my Maker. May God save us in His Kingdom when done with Earth and its cares. Pray for me. Give my best respects to all my friends and relations. I will close by saying oblige me by writing soon. Yours in love. From G. W. Miller

To Nancy Ward

Tell [your husband] George and the children that I will write to them soon. I want to hear from you soon. Tell Cintha Miller I am well.

Tell me if Miss Mary Hall is at home or not.

Georgia Secession

1861: Francis Stebbins Bartow to Unidentified “Henry”

Leave a comment
Francis Stebbins Bartow (1816-1861), killed at Bull Run on 21 July 1861.

The following letter was written by Francis Stebbins Bartow (1816-1861) who had it all before the Civil War—a law career, a senator for a father-in-law, wealth in plantations and slaves, political rank and military ambitions. But he risked it all on the battlefield and became the first high-ranking Georgian to be killed in the Civil War. Bartow was born in 1816 in Savannah. His marriage to the daughter of U.S. Senator and former Attorney General John Macpherson Berrien’s daughter helped launch his political career in the state legislature. In 1856, he was elected captain of Savannah’s Oglethorpe Light Infantry and led the daring capture of Fort Pulaski in early 1861.

“Shortly thereafter, Bartow was elected a delegate to the state secession convention in Milledgeville, where as a member of the so-called immediate secessionist faction he used his great oratorical skills to influence the convention to pass an ordinance of secession. Following the withdrawal of Georgia from the Union in January 1861, Bartow was elected to the Provisional Confederate Congress in Montgomery, Alabama. There he unsuccessfully schemed with his friends Thomas R. R. Cobb and Howell Cobb to get the latter elected as the new Confederacy’s first president. He also chaired the state house military affairs committee and in this role reputedly selected gray as the color for the Confederate uniforms.

Having campaigned vigorously to create a new nation ruled by slaveholders, Bartow then decided to fight for it. After the Civil War began in April 1861, he rushed home to take the “Oglethorpes” to the front in Virginia. He became embroiled in a confrontation with Governor Brown when he armed his unit with muskets that Brown claimed belonged to Georgia and were intended strictly for state defense, not for troops going into Confederate national service. A heated exchange of letters followed, in which Brown demanded the return of the muskets and Bartow not so politely told him he had no time for such foolishness. At the close of one letter to the governor, Bartow declared, “I go to illustrate, if I can, my native State,” a bombastic yet wonderfully turned phrase that would later adorn his tombstone.

After arriving in Virginia, Bartow was elected colonel of the Eighth Georgia Infantry Regiment. By July 1861 he was in command of a brigade, which he clumsily led into combat at the First Battle of Manassas. On July 21, during a critical moment, he seized the regimental colors and attempted to lead a charge on a Union battery, but he was shot through the heart. He died moments later, supposedly uttering the oft-quoted last words, “They have killed me boys, but never give up the field,” which, along with his earlier quip to Governor Brown, are inscribed on his tombstone.” [New Georgia Encylopedia]

Note: The image in the header of this web page is Don Troiani’s Painting entitled, “Never Give up the Field.” Bartow (wearing a blue uniform) is depicted at center, sitting on the ground clutching his wound, surrounded by his men in gray.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Montgomery [Alabama]
March 9, 1861

My dear Henry,

I received your letter yesterday. I am about to set out for Savannah this evening to attend the [Georgia Secession] Convention. I assure you that attention of this government has been directed to the condition of Fort Pulaski and the defenses of Savannah. I have not been [indifferent?] of these important interests, and [emissaries?] were sent there for the very purpose of reporting to the President [Jefferson Davis] the exact condition of things there. I have read to the Secretary of War, several portions of your letter as I thought important to communicate. [ ] has been ordered to the post & to assume charge of its defenses. The President has sent to Gov. [Joseph E.] Brown for 200 volunteers — also for Savannah. I will see when I get home if we cannot furnish you a regiment from that place.

Permit me to say that two governments cannot better have control of military operations. You are mistaken in your estimate of the power and resources of this government. We have plenty of money & our state ought to be relieved of the cost of supporting an army & providing munitions, as soon as this can be done consistent with our safety. All the apparent conflicts can be easily [furnished?] by a clear understanding of the true position of affairs. I should exceedingly regret in the very commencement of our independence, any misunderstanding between the State of Georgia and the Confederate Government.

I am so sure of the intelligence of our state to harbor any doubt. I hope I may see you in Savannah. Give my regards to Gov. Brown.

I am very truly your friend, — F. S. Bartow

2nd New York Veteran Cavalry

1864: Goodbye Message from Oliver Paul Gooding to his Men

Leave a comment
Oliver Paul Gooding (1835-1909)

The following brief letter was written by Oliver Paul Gooding (1835-1909) of Greenfield, Hancock county, Indiana. At 18, he entered West Point and graduated in 1858. After various assignments to military posts, he entered the Civil War as an officer in the 31st Massachusetts (converted to 6th Massachusetts Cavalry), and then was promoted to command the 3rd Brigade of the 3rd Division, 19th Army Corps. On the Red River Campaign, in 1864, he commanded the Fifth Brigade, Cavalry Division, Department of the Gulf, and at the end of that campaign was assigned to the command of the division. In command of the Union Troops at Campti, on the north bank of Red River, the 4th day of April, 1864, General Gooding, in a hotly contested cavalry action, defeated the enemy under General Siddell. At the Battle of Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, in command of his brigade, the 9th day of April, 1864, General Gooding gallantly fought and held the enemy in check till the Union Army came into position, his hat being shot off his head, the bullet grazing his scalp.

Note: This letter and image is from the personal collection of Kyle A. Williams and was made available for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Headquarters 5th Brigade, Cavalry Division [Dept. of the Gulf]
Morganza, Louisiana
May 26th, 1864

Officers & Soldiers of the 2nd N. Y. Veteran Cavalry,

It is with extreme regret that I part with you. Though not of a personal nature, still there are few associations in life more dear than that between a commander and his command, formed during a campaign in a common cause. Such has been our association. For the gallant fighting you have done under my command, accept the grateful thanks of a soldier. And wherever the fortunes of war may lead you, rest assured that my heart will follow you, my comrades of the 2nd New York—farewell.

— Oliver P. Gooding, Col. Commanding

23rd Indiana Infantry, Siege of Vicksburg

1863: Benjamin Franklin Welker to his Sister

Leave a comment

The following letter was written by Benjamin Franklin Welker (1836-1911) of New Albany, Floyd county, Indiana, who enlisted in Co. C, 23rd Indiana Infantry on 27 July 1861 and served until 23 July 1865. Ben was the son of Daniel Welker (1787-1860) and Nancy Ragan (1791-1853)—both parents deceased before the Civil War began. In 1867, Ben married Mary Augusta Bruder (1847-1919).

A history of the regiment, written by Lt. Shadrack K. Hooper, claimed that “there were few regiments in the War of the Rebellion whose service was more continuous, more constantly at the front, more frequently on the firing line, than that of the 23rd Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry. During its four years of service, lacking but six days, it was continuously in the field, and it is questionable whether there was any regiment whose campaign was more extensive or covered so vast a territory as that of the 23rd, when it is considered that in leaving its rendezvous at New Albany, Indiana, for the field, it marche west and during the succeeding four years accomplished a complete circle of fully 3,000 miles, returning home from the east, and at no time retracing its steps except in detours from its great circular journey, and that during its period of service it participated in practically all the campaigns of the armies of Generals Grant and Sherman.”

Ben wrote his letter from the battle lines in the rear of Vicksburg in mid-June 1863. The marker of the 23rd Indiana Infantry is located on Union Avenue 200 yards north of the Shirley House. During the Vicksburg Campaign, the regiment fought at Port Gibson and Raymond, making a notable charge at Raymond where it lost a third of its engaged men but captured prisoners. The 23rd Indiana was also present at Champion’s Hill and participated in the attack and capture of Jackson, Mississippi. At the siege of Vicksburg, the regiment was in the front line and lost 55 men killed and wounded. They were called upon with the 45th Illinois to storm Fort Hill after the explosion of the mine on 25 June 1863 in front of Vicksburg (see image below).

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Camp in battle line in the rear of Vicksburg
State of Mississippi
June 19th 1863

Dear Sister,

I will again try to write you a few more lines to inform you how I am getting along, &c.

As regards my wounds, I have nearly recovered from their effects with the exception of a cough and spitting of blood which that shell wound in my breast occasioned. But the doctor still things he can cure me without much trouble. I am back with the regiment again but I have no company duty to perform. I have been assigned to the post office department and all I have to do is to take charge of the mail which is very light duty. But still I have the privilege of fighting if I wish to which I am going to do on all occasions.

I am a little like old Parson Brownlow—I intend to fight the rebs till hell freezes over and then fight them on the ice. But don’t judge from this that I am becoming an Abolitionist—far from it, I assure you. But I am for the Constitution and the Union.

We have been fighting them here for thirty-one days. I think the rebs are about out of grub. No doubt but they would like to get away from here but there is no chance for them to get out. Old Pemberton will have to make an unconditional surrender of everything. I don’t wonder at them for fighting as long as they can. But I will leave this subject for the present as I suppose you hear the news in the papers.

The weather is so miserable warm that I can hardly stand it. I fear it is going to be very sickly after a while but still our boys have their health very well so far. While I am writing, the bomb shells are whistling over my head. We are only about two hundred yards from the enemy’s batteries. We have holes dug in the side of the hills to run in under ground so when we are out and the bum [bomb] shells come flying at us, we strike for our holes in the ground.

But I must draw to a close. I want you to send me fifty postage stamps. I have to keep them in the post office here and I can’t always get them here. I don’t like to trouble you but still I would like to have them if you will please send them. I received all that you sent before.

I will now close by saying write soon and often and give me the news in full. My compliments to David and all other relations and friends in general. Write, write, write. Your brother, — Ben F. Welker

9th Iowa Infantry, Battle & Siege of Jackson, Siege of Vicksburg

1863: Rinaldo Whitlock to Levi B. Goss

Leave a comment
I could not find an image of Rinaldo but here is a watercolor drawn from an image of James M Sparling of the same company. (Iowa Civil War Images)

The following letter was written by Rinaldo M. Whitlock (1830-1871) of Jessup, Buchanan county, Iowa, who enlisted when he was 31 years old in Co. C, 9th Iowa Infantry. He entered as a private and mustered out of the service on 18 July 1865 as a corporal at Louisville, Kentucky.

The 9th Iowa Infantry played an important role in the Vicksburg campaign, including the Battle of Jackson in mid-May 1863. They sustained 121 casualties in that campaign. As stated in the letter, immediately after the surrender of Vicksburg on 4 July 1863, they were marched out to take part in the re-siege and capture of Jackson, Mississippi, in mid-July.

Rinaldo married Maria Jane Engle in January 1867 in Black Hawk county, Iowa. He died in June 1871 at the age of 40 and was buried in Poyner Cemetery in Black Hawk county. Maria filed for a Widow’s Pension in May 1874.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Directed to Levi B. Goss, Jessup, Buchanan county, Iowa. Includes poem, “God Save the Union”

Camp Black River Bridge
September 6th 1863

Mr. & Mrs. Goss, dear friends,

I will now try to write a few lines to you in answer to yours of July 5th. I hope you will excuse me for not writing before. I have been cooking most of the time since yours came to hand and it takes most of my time in doing my work. My health is not very good at this time. I have not been as healthy since I was taken sick last fall as it was before but I do duty most of the time.

We are now camped twelve miles east of Vicksburg on the Jackson and Vicksburg Railroad. The cars run to this place but no further. There is no force here now—only Sherman’s Corps (15th Corps).

Sunday, September 13th, 1863. I now try to write a few lines more as I did not finish it before. Nothing of importance has transpired since I began this. The weather is very fine but hot. There is a great deal of sickness in the regiment at this time but not many deaths. It is mostly fever and ague. I have had one turn at it.

You say that you had a great celebration on the 4th [of July]. I think that your celebration was not of as much of importance than ours but we did not enjoy ours a great while for we had marching orders that night and started the next morning at three o’clock for Jackson. So you see they did not give us much rest.

Two of our company are home on a furlough. Their time is out to be back to the regiment but learn that they are very sick. Their names are Nelson Bennett and George Harrington.

Our religious privileges are not very good. We have no chaplain. We have two prayer meetings a week. There is but few that attends. I have not time to write more this time. You must excuse my bad writing for I have written in a great hurry. Please write as soon as you get this. From your friend, — Rinaldo Whitlock

10th Vermont Infantry, Military Map

1863: Edwin Charles Crossett to Edward Crossett

Leave a comment

The following letter was written by Pvt. Edwin Charles Crossett (1844-1915) of Co. B, 10th Vermont Infantry. An obituary the Barre Daily Times (23 Jan. 1915) states that Edwin “was born in Waterbury June 15, 1844, the son of Gerry and Rachel (Wright) Crossett. He married Priscilla D. Johnson (1839-1903) of Waterbury who died a number of years ago…Mr. Crossett was a veteran of the Civil War and was very prominent in Edward Dilingham post, G. A. R. of this village. He was in Co. B of the 10th Vermont regiment.” Military records inform us that he enlisted on 30 July 1862, mustered in on 1 September 1862, and mustered out on 16 February 1865. It also records that he was wounded on 19 October 1864 at Cedar Creek, Virginia, which was the reason for his premature discharge.

He datelined his letter 23 January 1862 but he should have written 1863. The regimental history informs us that they mustered into U. S. service on 1 September 1862 and left Brattleboro on the 6th, reaching Washington on the 8th, and went into quarters at Camp Chase near Arlington Heights the next day. On the 17th the regiment was posted along the Maryland side of the Potomac River in little camps of three companies each from Muddy Branch to Edward’s Ferry, and ordered to guard the fords.

Edwin’s letter doesn’t impart much news but he enclosed a very interesting hand-drawn map that notes the camp of Cos. B, G & K of the 10th Vermont Infantry who were stationed at Conrad’s Ferry in late December 1862. “During the American Civil War, Companies B, G, and K of the 10th Vermont Infantry Regiment were stationed on guard duty at Conrad’s Ferry along the Potomac River in Maryland from late December 1862 until April 19, 1863, where they built and manned defensive stockades.” The spelling is atrocious, but I can make out labels that read, “This is Harrison’s Island” and “This is the [C&O] canal.”

Aside from labeling the camp of Cos. B, G, and K in the upper right-hand corner of this second drawing, which he indicates was “about 200 rods [1100 yards] from the stockade,” he provides a sketch of the stockade (not to scale) on the Maryland side ofthe Potomac, which he claims was on a hill rising 200 feet above the surrounding land overlooking the canal and White’s Ford, with Harrison’s Island in the Potomac River beyond. Only the outline of the stockade is drawn which appears to be in the shape of a Greek Cross. The location of 4 or 5 port holes are indicated on each of the 12 sided structure.

This sketch indicates that the stockade was situated near White’s Ford, below Harrison’s Island, rather than in proximity to Conrad’s Ferry, leaving the precise location ambiguous. It is believed that the 10th Vermont initially established their camp near Offutt’s Cross Roads, while detachments from the regiment constructed a crescent-shaped earthwork and timber fortification near White’s Ford along the C&O Canal. However, this drawing fails to depict a crescent-shaped structure. Companies B, G, and K were transferred from Offutt’s Cross Roads to Conrad’s Ferry in late December. The description refers to “the stockade we built,” suggesting it was indeed constructed, yet the precise location remains unclear. If it were built near White’s Ford, it would have had to be set back from the canal at some distance, as the topography gradually rises to a height of 200 feet on the Maryland side of the river valley in that area.

Edwin’s drawing of the stockade reveals that it was built in the shape of a Greek Cross with portal holes in each of the 12 sides and one doorway.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Directed to Mr. Edward Crossett, Northfield, Vermont

Conrad’s Ferry, Maryland
January 23, 1862 [1863]

Dear cousin,

I take my pen in hand to let you know that I am well and [hope] these find lines find you the same. I have never seen you since you were married but having an opprtunity, I thought [I] would write you a few lines to let you know tat I was well and hearty. I think you would like to know how we like this kind of work. I should like it pretty well if it was not for picketing in the mud and being kept so close that I have to always be right there and I don’t like that. But I guess I can stand it or expect I must as long as I am here.

I can’t think of much more to write—only that the boys are all well and hearty. So goodbye for now. Yours truly, — E. C. Crossett

Written in a hurry.