Hartford, Connecticut, Peekskill Academy, Thanksgiving Celebration

1848: Noah Hobart Wells to Hiram Bell

June 22, 2026 Griff Leave a comment

The following letter was written by Noah Hobart Wells (1804-1872) to his brother-in-law, Hiram Bell (1807-1872), the husband of Mary Elizabeth (Wells) Bell (1811-1897). Noah and his younger brother Albert Wells (1807-Aft1880) were two of four brothers who all graduated from college, all became “professional” men, and all solemnly pledged to abstinence from alcohol. When this letter was penned in 1848, Noah and Albert Wells were operating the Peekskill Academy at Peekskill-on-the Hudson. The Peekskill Academy opened its doors in 1833 as a coeducational institution but by 1841 it decided to only admit boys. In 1857, it became a “military” academy.

In his letter, Noah reflects on Zachary Taylor’s election, arguing that New York proved decisive and hoping that voters will focus more on principles and policies than campaign spectacles such as hickory poles and hard cider. He also comments on Thanksgiving observances and condemns drunkenness and violence after an election-day riot, warning that unchecked vice threatens the entire community.

My thanks to Abbey Weber Jones for providing a first draft of this transcription.

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

*Stampless Letter Addressed to Rev. Hiram Bell. Marlboro, Connecticut*

Peekskill, [New York]
November 25, 1848

Dear Brother,

You probably think it strange that you hear nothing from me after so long a time, but our laborious occupation since the term began may be some apology, though I did not intend to wait till now before writing. After leaving Marlboro, I remained in Hartford till Tuesday. On sabbath morning, I heard Dr. [Horace] Bushnell ¹ in the afternoon; Mr. Clark, and Dr. [Joel] Hawes in the evening. On Monday, walked about the city visiting several places of interest in company with General Buell, and cousin David [Wells] Kilbourn. The latter came in from Boston on Saturday a few minutes after my arrival. His son George [Erskine Kilbourne] was there. We visited the Secretary’s office, Athenaeum, and Charter Oak, and I afterward visited a few friends in the city. On Tuesday morning at nine o’clock, I left in the car for New Haven, reached New York [City] early in the evening, and came home on Wednesday evening.

Taking my visit altogether, I was much pleased, as from the nature and confinement of our business here a season of leisure twice a year may be said to be indispensable to health and spirits both, and if we can secure both repose and a pleasant change of objects, the effect is happy in various ways. But this love of change pursues us, and in order to be beneficial must be held in due bounds, and if rest and diversion are needful at times, a return to serious occupation at the proper period is no less requisite. Our school has filled more punctually than usual I believe, this term; we have twenty boarders, and above thirty day scholars, and more are expected, but probably there will after this time, be no considerable accession unless the three additional boarders who have been expected, should come. We have one boarder from Portland, opposite Middletown in your state. His name is Sparks. ²

I have been reading in the [New York] Observer some results of the election. It seems that General Taylor has a majority just equal to the electoral vote of New York; the majority of the popular vote in the Union is thought to be one hundred and forty thousand, of which 100,000 are in this state. It seems then that neither party could have succeeded without the vote of New York, and that in this instance New York is more properly the key stone state. So far as military fame has an influence in our elections, I think it is to be deprecated, but in the present case, as the matter appears to me, this consideration has had but partial weight, and much care has been used to ascertain principles, and to find out what measures the President elect could pursue. I hope, therefore, no more will be heard about hickory poles, or ash poles, or hard cider, connected with the dignified business of electing a president for twenty millions of people.

The day appointed for public thanksgiving in this state, you may observe, has occurred this week. We had a discourse in the morning by Mr. [David Mead] Halliday, and one in the evening by Mr. M’Kee. The time has not come, it seems, for an entire agreement upon one day throughout the Union; such a coincidence would add interest to the occasion, and this interest would be greatly increased would the public give countenance of the occasion by laying aside all business and allowing the world to see that they do in fact recognize their obligations to gratitude, and join the christian community in expressing it. Till something like this is done, there seems to be less propriety in speaking of an entire people offering up their united thanksgiving.

On election day we had, in a furious riot down at the river, a display of the beauties of the license law. As no law for the prevention of drunkenness can stand long among us, we must be content to pay the heavy expenses which crime must cost the community, and if such bitter experience cannot open the eyes of the people, and make them wise, it seems their folly must remain without a cure. If you should see in your quiet place, one half the iniquity that reigns in this village, you and your people would think the enemy had indeed come in like a flood, and that Satan had taken to himself his great power.

Has Mary got almost ready to write me a letter? Or can I not expect one from her this winter. Let us hear from you in the same way before long, and as often as may be during the long cold season that is approaching. Albert says he would like to hear from you all, and know how you are getting along, I have not seen cousin Edward since my return, but Albert says he heard from him. I have written to him today, inviting him to give us a call. It is more than a year since I saw him.

With love to all, — N. H. Wells

¹ Dr. Horace Bushnell was a prominent Congregational minister and theologian who earned notoriety for challenging some traditional Calvinist doctrines, making him a somewhat controversial figure. When Wells heard him preach in November 1848, Bushnell was just entering one of the most controversial periods of his life as he experienced what he described as a profound spiritual illumination and soon delivered lectures that became the basis for “God in Christ,” a book that provoked accusations of heresy from conservative ministers.

² Possibly Nathan Sparks, b. 1831; a resident of Portland, Middlesex county, Connecticut.

Vermont Brigade

1863: Calvin to his Mother

June 22, 2026 Griff Leave a comment

Unfortunately I have not been able to identify the author of this letter but I am confident he was a member of either the 13th, 14th, 15th, or 16th Vermont Regiment—all nine-month’s regiments and all part of the 2nd Vermont Brigade. The brigade was stationed in the vicinity of Fairfax, Virginia, at the time of this letter in mid-January 1862. They had been assigned to picket duty and the defense of Fairfax Court House. The signature appears to read “Calvin” but there are too many soldiers by this name to narrow it down further without much more research.

*Patriotic letterhead of letter with figure of George Washington*

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

Camp near Fairfax, Virginia
January 12th 1863

Dear Mother,

I received your letter tonight and was glad to hear from you. I was much gratified and pleased to receive a few lines written by yourself and I hope now you have commenced to write you will write to me every time for you do not know how much good those few lines did me being written by you. I could read it all and should be happy to have had it been more.

I am well now, dear mother, and have been drilling today for the first time in two weeks. We have been having a good rain and I tell you it is pretty muddy drilling. I must tell you I received four letters tonight and I had been scolding about not getting any so they have come all together. Well they are calling us to fall in for roll call so I must go now and finish this when I can.

The roll is now called and so I must hurry to get this ready to send in the morning. I received one of my letters from Charles Russell and he said he had seen you a few days before and you was well and he said a great many things which pleased me much. Laura wrote some and she was well. The other was from Daniel and they are all well over there.

I found a pocket testament in the street in front of my tent yesterday and will try and send it to you if I can. I am happy in reading my bible and Saint’s Rest, and mother, you wrote that you hoped I would discharge my duty as a Christian. I will try to do so and my mother’s advice shall ever be borne in mind.

I was sorry to hear that Aunt was sick but I see she has got better for she has written some to me in the letter. I will write a few lines to her and Harvey if I get time tonight but this must go in the morning and as I write to them they must excuse me with a short letter to them for I am in a great hurry. Tell Ella I was glad to hear from her and will answer hers in a few days but she did not write an answer to the last one I wrote for a long time. I like to hear from all the children and when they write to me in their own way, I think it some like home. I wish I could see you a while now mother and then I could tell you many things which I cannot find time to write about now.

They have heard here that they are getting their men ready in Vermont to take our places by the time our time [9 months] is up. You spoke of sending me some stamps. I have got enough to stand me a while and $4 in money. Besides, I am getting so I eat again almost as well as ever and I shall go it now pretty well. I will send you a few leaves which I picked from a bush tonight and you may see what curious things we have here. If you can tell what it is, you will do better than I can. Well, as I wrote to you all I can think of, so I must close. Write next time all you can think of and when you can’t write anymore, get someone to write what they can. Your boy, Calvin

To his Mother

Uncategorized

Spared & Shared Podcast 5: Week ending June 19, 2026

June 19, 2026 Griff Leave a comment

Pip: Spared and Shared 23 arrives with battlefield maps, artillery rosters, and enough letters home to fill a regimental mail sack — which, given the postal chaos described in several of them, would have been delayed by about six months anyway.

Mara: All of it comes from Griff, who has assembled a set of Civil War primary sources ranging from an artillery soldier's terse camp dispatch to a thirty-one-letter correspondence spanning nearly the entire war. Let's start with the battlefield maps and artillery.

Guns, Maps, and the Men Who Used Them

Pip: This segment is about what the war looked like on paper and in practice — how soldiers recorded where they stood, what happened to their batteries, and what a hand-drawn map can still reveal a century and a half later.

Mara: The anchor here is a letter written from Camp Chase in February 1863, signed only "Ol" — identified as Corp. Oliver P. Clark of Battery E, 1st Ohio Light Artillery, a battery that was overrun at Stones River on 31 December 1862. He writes: "He says that the battery suffered quite a loss of men killed and wounded. They went into the field with 140 men and came out with 80 that can be accounted for. The rest were either killed or taken prisoner and sent to Vicksburg."

Pip: Sixty men gone in a single morning — and the letter's other business is defending a lieutenant named Dorsey against newspaper accusations of cowardice, which Oliver dismisses flatly as a damned lie.

Mara: The second post pairs with that ground-level account. It presents a hand-drawn map believed created by David J. Dann of the 38th Wisconsin, showing the position of the 1st Brigade before Petersburg in early 1865. The map marks the precise spot where Confederate peace commissioners Stephens and Hunter crossed the Union picket line on January 29, 1865 — a detail that anchors it to the Hampton Roads Conference.

Pip: A soldier-artist marking peace negotiations on a siege map, with the word "Del" inscribed after his signature for reasons nobody can explain. The archive delivers.

Mara: Both posts together trace the arc from a battery destroyed at the war's midpoint to a mapmaker recording its diplomatic endgame — which brings us to the letters themselves.

What the Mail Carried

Pip: The bulk of this episode is letters home — and the question they collectively raise is what soldiers actually put on paper when they had a few minutes, a bad pen, and no certainty about when the letter would arrive, or whether they would.

Mara: The clearest window into that comes from Lt. George W. Evans of the 14th Illinois Cavalry, writing from Pulaski, Tennessee in April 1865. He has just absorbed two enormous pieces of news in rapid succession, and he sets them side by side without ceremony: "The army has been cheered with glorious victories won by Grant over Lee and we all felt as if we should soon go home until the wires brought the melancholy intelligence of the death of President [Lincoln] which has not only cast a gloom over the army here but the entire community."

Pip: Grant's victory and Lincoln's assassination arriving in the same emotional breath — that compression is something no newspaper account quite captures.

Mara: The letter is addressed to his niece Mollie, and it shifts registers almost immediately — asking how she liked a pin cushion, sending love to the family, mentioning that high water has washed out railroad bridges and made the mail irregular. The ordinary and the historic sit right next to each other.

Pip: Which is the condition of all these letters, really.

Mara: Sgt. William Jasper Srofe of the 48th Ohio writes from Camp Smith in February 1862, describing the wounded from Fort Donelson — "a frightful looking sight" — and noting a Confederate general escaped a Union transport boat, then pivoting to ask his parents where his brother John is stationed. Ransom Wharton of the 2nd Maine writes from Camp Jameson that same month, reassuring his mother the rebellion cannot last, and that the boys in his company are "all like brothers." He was killed at Second Bull Run six months later.

Pip: That letter lands differently knowing what comes next.

Mara: William S. Leinbach of Battery C, 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery writes in February 1865 about his brother Dan hauling hay past the Antietam battlefield and seeing soldiers' graves. Frank Pumphrey of the 80th Ohio writes from Paducah in March 1862, asking his sister to find out what the house they live in might cost — he hasn't spent a cent of his wages and plans to send money home as fast as he gets it. Simon Ewing of the 58th Indiana writes to a friend in California in October 1861, admitting he doesn't know if he can stand the physical demands of camp life, but the excitement has carried him along anyway.

Mara: And then there is William Blackmar of the 11th Connecticut, whose thirty-one letters to his brother Lemuel run from April 1862 through November 1865. They cover foraging after battle, a hand wound at Swift's Creek, months as a ward attendant at Knight General Hospital, the fall of Petersburg, and the slow bureaucratic business of recovering a dead nephew's effects and back pay. The letters are full of bounty checks, express packages, requests for newspapers, and the recurring phrase "write as soon as you get this."

Pip: Thirty-one letters is less a correspondence than a documentary record — the whole war in envelopes.

Mara: William Leonard Forster of the 13th New York State Militia rounds out the set, writing from Carroll Hill, Baltimore in June 1861 — a three-month man, sneaking away from camp to write on his tin pan for a desk, reporting that a thousand soldiers scattered in the rain at half past eleven and he got soaked. The war was eleven weeks old.

Pip: From a tin pan in Baltimore to Petersburg falling — the letters carry all of it.

Mara: What holds all of this together is the gap between what soldiers knew and what we know reading them now.

Pip: Ransom Wharton promising his mother he'd be home in a few months. Next episode, presumably, more dispatches from that same gap.

1865 Peace Negotiations, Siege of Petersburg

1865: Map showing the Position of the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 9th Corps Before Petersburg

June 17, 2026 Griff Leave a comment

The accompanying map is believed to have been created by David J. Dann (1840-1902), whose signature is located in the lower right corner. David’s parents were English immigrants residing in Effingham, Illinois, during 1861 when David initially enlisted for a three-month term in Company G of the 11th Illinois Infantry. In 1864, he re-enlisted in Company I of the 38th Wisconsin Infantry. Muster rolls confirm that he enlisted on August 16, 1864, and was mustered out on June 2, 1865. At that juncture, he listed Janesville, Wisconsin, as his residence. David married Eliza Q. Holmes on November 30, 1863, although the marriage ultimately ended in divorce. In his later years, following his retirement, David referred to himself as a “Painter.”

*Map shared by the courtesy of its owner, Jim Rivest*

The map does not bear a date on its front, and if a date is present on the reverse, it remains inaccessible at this moment due to the map being contained within a frame. Nonetheless, it must have been created subsequent to the Flag of Truce on 29 January 1865, during which Alexander Stephens and Robert Hunter, serving as Peace Commissioners, were permitted to cross the Union siege lines at Petersburg. It is noteworthy that just above the center of the map, the point marked “where Stephens and R. Hunter crossed” is indicated immediately above the Union picket line.

In the History of the 38th Wisconsin, it was written: “Received Rebel Peace Commissioners Stephens, Hunter, Campbell and Hatch through lines under flag of truce January 29, 1865.”

“On January 29, a Confederate officer with a flag of truce interrupted the Siege of Petersburg to announce the passage of the three Confederate peace commissioners. Soldiers from both armies cheered. On February 1, Seward dropped off a copy of the new amendment in Annapolis, then departed with the River Queen for Fort Monroe.” Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hampton_Roads_Conference

History records that Confederate peace commissioners Alexander Stephens and Robert M. T. Hunter, accompanied by John A. Campbell, crossed the Union picket lines in late January 1865 at Aiken’s Landing on the James River in Virginia. They traveled under a flag of truce to meet with Union General Ulysses S. Grant at his headquarters in City Point, Virginia. Subsequently, they proceeded to Hampton Roads to engage in the historic yet ultimately unproductive Hampton Roads Conference with President Abraham Lincoln aboard the steamboat River Queen on February 3, 1865.

MYSTERY

Following the signature of David J. Dann, the letters “Del” appear to have been inscribed; however, the rationale behind this inscription remains unclear unless it constitutes a fragment of a larger word. To the best of our knowledge, he had no affiliations with the State of Delaware.

80th Ohio Infantry, Paducah, Kentucky

1862: Frank Pumphrey to his Family

June 17, 2026 Griff Leave a comment

The following letter was written by a member of Co. E, 80th Ohio Volunteer Infantry who signed his name “Frank.” There are a handful of soldiers in that company with the initial “F” in their names but the only one who went by the name Frank was 28 year-old Frank Pumphrey who must have lived in Coshocton county, Ohio, at some point in his life as he and his relatives were acquainted with Sam Compton who also served in that company and was mentioned.

Frank enlisted for three years on 28 October 1861 and was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps on 5 September 1863. Frank appears to have a sister named Laura and a brother named George. Most likely his father was no longer living since he is not mentioned.

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

Camp at Paducah [Kentucky]
March 28, 1862

My dear little sister Laura & Mother,

I must sit down and drop you a few lines to let you know that I have not forgotten you. I am on duty now but I have been on the sick list for two weeks. George is here. He has been here for two weeks. He is going to stay here till pay day—if it ever comes. If he stays till we get our pay, I will send you fifty dollars home by him.

Paducah is a pretty place but it is full of secesh. The women are very sassy but the men dare not open their mouth. I get along well. The Boys appear to like me very well. They say if I leave them, they will desert. I am dem [?] & Will McComber are well and as fat as pups I am. Clark brought me a can of tomatoes. I tell you they tasted good. The catsup fell down and bursted open. That piece of beef was very good and smart.

I don’t think this war will last more than six months or one year at the farthest. I hope not for I would rather be at home than to be here. It is very sickly here. There is from one to two hundred buried here a week—mostly Illinois troops. There is about 15 hundred sick at this point and only nine surgeons to attend to them. Sam Compton has been very sick. His fever is broke but he is not able to be up. I don’t think he will ever get well. I think he has the consumption. Don’t tell his folks anything about his being dangerous. George will bring him home with him when he comes if he is able to come. ¹

I have nothing of importance to write. You are better posted at home on the war than we are. We don’t know anything—only what transpires in our own camp. As yet we have done nothing but move from camp to camp and eat fat meat & hard bread. We have our arms now—all the 80th [OVI] wants a chance and we will make our mark.

Paducah is full of refugees from Tennessee. There is from one to two hundred comes every day. They have been coming all this week. They say that they had to run and leave everything else go in the Secesh army. They say all they want is arms and they will clean out Tennessee themselves. I saw Pompey & G. W. Brown at Louisville, Kentucky. They both looked well. I think after I get over this camp disease, I can stand as much as any of them. I like this kind of a life but if the war was over, I would rather be at home.

I want you to find out what is the least that James will take for the house that you live in or what you can get the Shrieves’ house for. I have not spent one cent of my wages—only what it took for my uniform. I will send my money home as fast as I get it. Give my love to grandfather,

From your affectionate brother & son Frank.

Direct to Paducah Camp, in care of Col. [Ephraim R.] Eckley, 80th [Ohio] Regt.

¹ Samuel Compton (1835-1862) served in Co. F, 80th OVI. He was the son of Richard Compton (1806-1894) and Dorcas Jane Odor (1811-1870) of Roscoe, Coshocton county, Ohio. He died of disease at Paducah, Kentucky on 9 April 1862.

1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery, Battle of Antietam

1865: William S. Leinbach to his Parents

June 17, 2026 Griff Leave a comment

*William S. Leinbach, Battery C, 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery (14th Reserves)*

The following letter was written by William S. Leinbach (1842-1921) who served with his older brother, Daniel S. Leinbach (1841-1894) in Battery C, 1st Pennsylvania Light Artillery (14th Reserves). [Note: military records spell surname as Leinback but family records spell it Leinbach.] William and Daniel were the sons of Amos Leinbach (1816-1887) and Mary Ann Schrum (1821-1886) of Union county, Pennsylvania. William survived the war and married, in 1865, to Eliza Jane Dieffenderfer (1841-1923).

William’s letter of February 1865 speaks of the battlefield at Antietam and the graves seen by his brother while passing through it to Hagerstown. Battery C did not arrive on the field with their four 10-pounder Parrott rifles until after the battle but camped nearby afterward (as noted in the letter). By the time this letter was written, the Battery had been consolidated with Battery D and was bivouacked at Maryland Heights. They did not muster out until June 1865.

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

Maryland Heights
February 10, 1865

Dear Parents,

I will now drop a few lines to let you know that we are well, hoping these few lines will find you enjoying the same good health. I received your letter last night and also then five dollars and was very glad to get them. I will get my pictures taken one of these days and then I will send you one. Dan, he went out for hay yesterday morning with his team. They get the hay near the line of Pennsylvania and Maryland on the other side of Sharpsburg near Hagerstown. The must go [over] a part of the battlefield of Antietam. He said he seen a good many soldiers’ graves when he passed through there and he said he seen the place where we laid near Sharpsburg when we was out before.

We have a deep snow here at present. It is about a foot deep and as cold as Greenland. I have my picture frame done now. Perhaps I will send it home after a while. I have a notion to make another one if I don’t get tired of it. It takes a long time to make one.

Let me know what William Knapp is working. I would like to see him be with us and then the draft would not hurt him but I don’t think this war will last much longer. I think next summer will make a stop to it if the Johnnies don’t come down to it before that. We was still thinking there would be peace before long but I think them black bull dogs have to make it if there will be peace and that is about the best way to make peace. Make them come down to it if they don’t want to come.

So I have not much to write at present. There is some talk of our being paid in a few days but I don’t know how true it is. Dan, he will come in with the hay today some time. He always lives good while he is out there with them old farmers but he said they got to an old Copperhead the other time and the old fellow did not like them very much when he found out that they was Union men. But Dan said he did not care for that, but he said he pitched into his sashes [?] when they took breakfast and eat about a yard of one.

I must come to a close for this time. I will send you one of my pictures in the next letter. No more at present. From your brother, — William S. Leinbeck Write soon

14th Illinois Cavalry, Lincoln Assassination

1865: George W. Evans to Mollie Fowler

June 17, 2026 Griff Leave a comment

The following letter was written by George W. Evans (1836-2893), the son of Samuel Evans (1781-1851) and Sarah Doubngin (1792-1845) of Lawrenceburg, Indiana. At the time of the 1860 US Census, George was enumerated on the farm of his younger brother, Charles P. Evans near Cotton Wood, Gallatin county, Illinois.

During the American Civil War, George enlisted in the 14th Illinois Cavalry, mustering in as 1st Lieutenant of Co. E on 6 February 1863 at Shawneetown, Gallatin county, Illinois. His military record suggests he was married but his ancestral record says otherwise.

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

Addressed to Miss Mollie Fowler, Lawrenceburg, Indiana

Camp 14th Illinois Vol. Cavalry
Pulaski, Tennessee
April 17, 1865

Dear Mollie,

I hope you will pardon me for not writing sooner but will excuse myself by saying that we have been on the war path again but are again stationed at this point and seeing very good times. The army has been cheered with glorious victories won by Grant over Lee and we all felt as if we should soon go home until the wires brought the melancholy intelligence of the death of President [Lincoln] which has not only cast a gloom over the army here but the entire community received any particulars.

I think we can soon wind the war up now. We wait to hear from Sherman everyday. We expect to hear of him capturing Johnston’s entire army.

I have not heard from home since I seen you. I cannot account for other than the high water has washed some of the railroad bridges away between here and Nashville which makes the mail very irregular. My regiment left Nashville the next day after I returned from my visit. We are seeing a nice time here—have only to go on picket once a week.

Mary, I don’t know that I have anything of interest to write. Yell me how you like the pin cushion. Tell Allie and Lawrence I shall write to them next. My regards to [ ] Fellow and remember the invitation.

I am anxious to hear from Old man [George Daniel] Sanks and Aunt Susan [Terhune and] how they have got [along]. Write often. My love to one and all. I remain your uncle, — Lieut. George W. Evans, 14th Ill. Vol. Cavalry

48th Ohio Infantry, Battle of Fort Donelson, Camp Smith, Paducah, Kentucky, Columbus, Kentucky

1862: William Jasper Srofe to Sarah Myers

June 16, 2026 Griff Leave a comment

This letter was written by Sgt. William Jasper Srofe (1842-1912) of Co. K, 48th Ohio Infantry. William enlisted as a sergeant but rose to first sergeant in December 1862, to 2nd Lieutenant in March 1863, and finally to 1st Lieutenant. From June 1863 through the end of the year he was in temporary command of Co. H. He was captured at the Battle of Sabine Crossroads on 8 April 1864 and imprisoned at Camp Ford in Tyler, Texas. He was not released until May 1865. Following his release, Srofe remained with his regiment [transferred to Co. D, 83rd] as quartermaster on garrison duty in Texas until being mustered out in May 1866.

William’s older brother, John V. Srofe (1836-1892) served as a 2d Lieutenant in Co. K, 27th Ohio Infantry from August 1861 to June 1862. He later served in Co. E, 7th Ohio Cavalry.

Several more of Srofe’s letters are published on “I am not whipped.” Two more of William’s letters were transcribed back in 2017 and posted on Spared & Shared 16. See—1862: William Jasper Srofe to Parents

Company K of the 48th Ohio Volunteer Infantry was heavily recruited from southwestern Ohio (including Highland and Brown Counties) and organized at Camp Dennison in late 1861. The regiment saw intense combat across the Western Theater, notably at the Battle of Shiloh, the Siege of Vicksburg, and the Red River Campaign.

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

*Addressed to Mrs. Sarah Myers, New Hope, Brown county, Ohio*

Camp Smith, Kentucky
Februar 22, 1862

Dear Parents,

I seat myself this dismal evening to write you a few lines first stating that I am well at present & I sincerely hope that you are enjoying the same blessing.

Camp Smith is on the western bank of the Tennessee River inside of the corporation line of Paducah, Kentucky & on a lot belonging to a secesh captain. Our hospital is also in a house where a secesh general resided. We arrived here on Thursday morning & pitched our tents. It is very muddy here. Since we arrived here, there has been about fifteen thousand troops landed at the wharf and more are landing.

I visited two hospitals yesterday that were occupied by the wounded soldiers of Ft. Donelson. It was a frightful looking signt but they all appeared to rest easy. Some were shot in the arms, others in the head, back and legs. There’s was a great many of our men killed. A steamer passed here yesterday with Gen. [Simon Bolivar] Buckner on board. Gen. [Bushrod] Johnson escaped from the boat by some means. It is reported here that our gunboats fired on Columbus yesterday and the fire was not returned. They had evacuated the place & our troops were again disappointed for the want of an enemy here. They have deserted the strongest position that they have. For what purpose, I cannot tell. But it appears they are becoming very shy.

There was an old secesh that had attempted to form a rebel regiment here [but] when our troops commenced landing, he got up & got his horse, did not wait to get his breaches on but traveled for some other part of Dixie.

The 70th [Ohio] Regiment arrived here the evening after we did. I met a great many of the New Hope boys. We were glad to see each other. Tom Scott was here a few minutes ago. He looks very well. I have not heard anything certain about the 27th but some say that they are at Fort Donelson. If they are, I expect to see Bogis soon.

We have not drawn our arms yet but I hope & think we will soon. I want you to write to me immediately and tell me certain where John is. As you have all the news, it’s [useless] for me to write any more—only that this rebellion is about played out. So no more, but write soon. — W. J. Srofe

To F & S. Myers.

Direct your letters to W[illiam] J[asper] Srofe, Paducah, Kentucky
In care of Capt. [Samuel G. W.] Peterson, Co. K, 48th Regt. O. V., USA

2nd Maine Infantry

1862: Ransom Wharton to Sarah Ann (Leland) Wharton

June 16, 2026 Griff Leave a comment

The following letter was written by Ransom Wharton (1837-1862), the son of Hiram Wharton and Sarah Ann Leland of Bangor, Penobscot, Maine. At the time of the 1860 US Census, 23 year-old Ransom was enumerated in his parent’s household; his occupation recorded as “Mariner.”

On 12 December 1861, Ransom enlisted as a private in Co. I (the “Gratton Guards”), 2nd Maine Infantry—a 2-year regiment. He was promoted to corporal in July 1862 but did not survive the war. He was killed in action on 30 August 1862 at the 2nd Battle of Bull Run where the regiment entered the fight with just 257 effective men and emerged with only 137 soldiers able to carry a rifle.

*Ransom wrote his letter from Camp Jameson, pictured above in the winter of 1861-62.*

A few years ago I transcribed five letters by Ransom’s younger brother, Albert T. Wharton (1839-1920) who enlisted in December 1861 to serve in Congress. F, 14th Maine Infantry. See—1862-64: Albert T. Wharton to Sarah Ann (Leland) Wharton.

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

*Addressed to Mrs. Sara A. Wharton, Hallowell, Maine*

Camp Jameson, Halls Hill, Va.
February 23, 1862

Dear Mother,

I have just received your letter dated the 18th and was glad to hear from you to hear that you were all well and I hope this will find you all well and enjoying good health and happiness. I am now enjoying life and happiness.

We still remain at Halls Hill where we shall undoubtedly remain until it comes settled weather. The weather has been very bad lately and it is very muddy but I think we shall not do much fighting in this regiment for we are on the reserve and if things go on as they lately have, they will get through with their fighting before they call upon us to lend a hand. Our folks have gained some great victories lately [in Tennessee]. They gain the day in every battle and have taken thousands of rebel prisoners at every fight and it is a thing impossible for [the] rebellion to last much longer. So don’t worry about me. I shall be back home in a few months time.

We have a good time out here. We don’t have to work and when it storms, we don’t have to drill nor have any duty to do whatever. So of course we have a good time. And as for friends, the boys are all like brothers. Whenever either one of us is sick, the rest all take care of him and we have no trouble with one another whatever.

As for Jim [James K.] Mann, we all are glad he is gone home. The reason he was sent home was on account of fits which he could have when he wanted to. He was out here once before and was sent home on account of sickness and that answered for an excuse. This time he was a regular glut. It was easier for him to tell a lie than the truth. He married a miserable creature for a woman and is no better himself. But we don’t wish him back here again.

One of the boys in a company next to ours shot himself accidentally while handling a pistol. The ball went into his breast right under his heart. It was done at noon and he lived till midnight in the most agonizing pain. It was dreadful to hear him screech and groan. He had a brother [Charles C. Brown] here in the same company [Co. G]. His name was William [R.] Brown. He belonged in Brewer, Maine. He was buried here.

Our colonel’s name is Charles W[entworth] Roberts of Bangor.

I must now close for this time. My love to you all. Write soon. I was glad of those papers. We shall all read them. From your son, — R. Wharton

1st Ohio Light Artillery, Battle of Stones River

1863: Oliver P. Clark to William Bennett

June 15, 2026 Griff Leave a comment

Though only signed “Ol,” I believe this letter was written by Corp. Oliver P. Clark (1839-1909) of Battery E, 1st Ohio Light Artillery—a battery that was overrun in the opening moments of the Battle of Stones River on 31 December 1862. One of the best articles that can be found on the web describing that battery’s experience that day was written by fellow historian, Dan Masters—see Captured Entire: The Loss of Battery E, 1st Ohio Light Artillery at Stones River (14 February 2020).

Oliver served in Battery E from 26 September 1861 to 26 September 1864. His presence at Camp Chase is not explained in the letter though he might have been sick or slightly wounded. Camp Chase served not only as a Confederate prison camp but as a Union Hospital during the Civil War. He may have also been a paroled Union prisoner awaiting exchange.

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

*Addressed to Mr. W. Bennett, Rochester Depot, Lorain county, Ohio*

Camp Chase [Columbus, Ohio]
February 5th 1863

Bill,

It is snowing here like h–l and looks as if though it was going to snow harder before it got through. It has fell some 8 inches since 12 o’clock last night. I am well with the exceptions of a hard cold. There is nothing certain when I shall be sent away from here but Gen. [James] Cooper ¹ says he will not send a man away from here until he gets his pay. Well, I don’t know as he will but I have been in the service so long that I don’t believe anything that I hear…If he don’t send me away from here before very long, I probably shall stay here or somewhere else and where the “else” will be, I can’t tell.

I have seen [Lont?] and he is all right and probably at home before this letter will reach you. He says that the battery suffered quite a loss of men killed and wounded. They went into the field with 140 men and came out with 80 that can be accounted for. The rest were either killed or taken prisoner and sent to Vicksburg. He says that he should have been sent there if he hadn’t been left to take care of the wounded and so they paroled him and a fellow by the name of Hurd ² and they have both gone home. Bill, if you hear anyone say that Dorsey didn’t do his duty at Murfreesboro, you tell them for me that it is a damned lie for he did not charge the same to me. I suppose you have seen it in the papers that he deserted the field but it is not so. ³

Give my respects to all enquiring friends and share the same yourself. — Ol.

¹ Brig. Gen. James Cooper (1810-1863) was commandant at Camp Chase, Columbus, Ohio, at the time of this letter. He died on 28 March 1863, some 6 or 7 weeks later.

² Possibly James Smith Hurd of Co. E, 1st Ohio Light Artillery. He enlisted in August 1861 in Elyria, Ohio. At Stones River, he was shot through the shoulder about two inches above the lower point of blade, breaking the shoulder and the ball passing out in the neck. The would was received while fighting on the extreme right in McCook’s Corps. He was taken prisoner and treated by Rebel surgeons but paroled afterwards.

³ Stephen Wallace Dorsey was appointed and mustered as 1st Lieutenant in Battery E of the 1st Ohio Light Artillery. Dorsey took command of the Battery after Edgarton’s capture but since they had no guns (all were captured by the Rebels), he took the command back to Nashville where he was out in charge of the city’s siege guns. In doing so, Dorsey was a accused of cowardice by Lt. Albert Ransom (the other lieutenant in Battery E). Ransom later retracted his charges of cowardice against Dorsey as the overwhelming opinion of the men of Battery E believed him a brave officer and worthy of their confidence. [Source: Portrait of an Age: The Political Career of Stephen W. Dorsey, 1868-1889, by Sharon K. Lowry, 1980]