The following letter was written by Horace Palmer (1835-1881), the son of Paul Micheaux Palmer and Ann Emily Stith (1806-18xx) of Fayette county, Tennessee. In the 1860 US Census, 24 year-old Horace was enumerated in Somerville and working as a doctor. He was married in 1863 to Anna Bucher Bullock. He died in 1881 and was buried in Hempstead county, Arkansas. His grave marker identifies him as an Assistant Surgeon in the Confederate States Army.
Horace initially served in Co. D (“The Somerville Avengers”), 6th Tennessee Infantry—a regiment recruited in Haywood, Madison and Fayette counties. They organized at Camp Beauregard, Jackson, Tennessee. This letter was written not long after the Battle of Belmont and was probably penned from Columbus, Kentucky.
By 1862, Horace had joined Carter’s 1st Tennessee Cavalry where he served as an assistant surgeon. He was taken prisoner in 1864 and sent to Johnson’s Island Prison.
Horace wrote the letter to his sister, Mary Belle (Palmer) Hafford (1833-1870), the wife of Rev. W. D. F. Hafford (1827-1880). Rev. Hafford was a Methodist minister who served briefly as the chaplain of the 13th Tennessee Infantry.
T R A N S C R I P T I ON
November 14, 1861
Dear sister,
I have but a few minutes to answer your very interesting letter as Mr. Tatam leaves in a very few minutes. Enclosed you will find my sentiments expressed briefly with what scanty news I have been able to glean.
I am well as usual. I am very closely confined not having been to town more than once in two weeks. We are expecting an attack daily though—that is, with the enemy. We will give him a warm reception whenever he makes his appearance. I was very much surprised on going down to [John V.] Wright’s Regiment to see Mr. Hafford the other day to learn that he had resigned. For your sake, I am glad. Hope he is stationed in Somerville this year.
I hope you will excuse this short epistle. Will write the first opportunity. Your brother, — Horace
Henry Nathaniel Fairbanks, Co. E, 30th Maine Infantry (watercolor based on image in Maine Historical Society)
Henry Nathaniel Fairbanks (1838-1913) of Wayne, Kennebec county, Maine, wrote the following letters to his father while serving in Co. E of the 30th Maine. According to a biographical sketch newspaper clipping appearing on Find-A-Grave, Henry first served as a band member in the 3rd Maine Infantry. He then did home duty in the 44th Massachusetts at the time of the draft riots in Boston, and then enlisted as a sergeant in November 1863 at age 25. He participated in the Red River expedition where he was slightly wounded in the arm and later with Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley. He was promoted to 2nd lieutenant on April 9, 1864 and was discharged on August 20, 1865.
Both of Henry’s letters were written in August 1864 when the 30th Maine Infantry was attached to the Army of the Shenandoah in Virginia and actively involved in Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley Campaign. During this period, the regiment was heavily engaged in detached duty, which included securing supply trains and protecting stores as they moved through the region. Unfortunately the second letter is only partial and missing the signature page, but Henry mentions hearing the fighting on 21 August 1864 when Early and Anderson launched a converging attack on Sheridan’s army at Cameron’s Depot.
A vulcanized rubber comb made by Goodyear found at a site that was the winter camp of a Union regiment near Falmouth, Virginia. It has the initials “H. N. F. = BAND” etched into it which has been traced to Henry Nathaniel Fairbanks who served in the 3rd Maine Infantry Band. It was found that Henry returned home prior to the establishment of this particular winter camp on disability leave so the assumption is that the comb was borrowed (with or without permission), traded, sold, or lost and picked up by someone else in the regiment. Through a process of elimination, Henry is the only band member with all three initials, rank/regimental band, state of origin, and corps/location of camp. See story of relic.
Letter 1
Monocacy Railroad Bridge Three miles from Frederick, Maryland August 1st 1864
My dear Father,
I think I wrote you last at Bermuda Hundred, The 23rd July we marched over to Deep Bottom and that night threw up rifle pits. The 24th we were on picket & cami in on the morning of the 25th. That day we devoted to fixing up camp. At night we were ordered out to work on the works. The 162nd New York Vols. were on picket & allowed the rebels to drive them in—a disgraceful thing. The 26th we were falling timber and the night of the 26th worked on rifle pits. At about 3 o’clock on the same morn, the Second Corps crossed over and about daylight advanced on the Rebs, took 4 twenties and some 50 prisoners.
We were ordered away that same day & marched to Bermuda Hundred & embarked on the steamer “Diamond State” and arrived at Washington the noon 29th and marched out four miles near Chain Bridge & camped. The night of the 30th we marched to Washington and took cars and arrived at Monocacy Junction the 31st at night and went into camp. And here we are in Maryland to prevent the rebels from making another rain in Maryland.
I am pretty well. Lieut. Rowe joined us in Washington and is in command. I hope to get mustered now. Expect to get pay as Lieutenant from the 13th day of June though I can’t tell yet. I am somewhat free now and if we remain long in camp, shall visit you often. I don’t expect we shall long remain, however.
I saw Grafton Norris H, Dexter L., We___ Rufus Burgess, Clarence Frost, and Nelson Norris at deep Bottom. Nelson Norris was badly wounded and I saw him in the ambulance. In Washington, I saw Frank Pullen & I will assure you it was a joyful meeting.
My letter in the Waterville Mail was published I understand. Write me immediately and address me at Washington D. C. Believe I ‘s truly your son, — H. N. F.
Letter 2
Bolivar Heights 2 Miles from Harpers Ferry, Va. August 22, 1864
My dear Parents,
I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of two letters dated July 28th and August 9th respectively. And I will write you first concerning questions and points.
Let me twoo you first that Morroe & James R. were both sent to the hospital, both weak and not able to march. I hope they will get a furlough though it is doubtful. Did well with those coupons but needn’t sell any more of them until I let you know. I received stockings long ago all right.
I wish you would write me more of the particulars of George Starrett’s arrest. I received a letter from George by last mail. He writes me a very different letter this time. The cause of my writing to him as I did was that I had just got to the Mississippi at the close of a terrible hard campaign; worn out [and] hardly able to do duty. A letter came full of complaining words—did I complain of hard times? No! Was it encouraging to receive such a letter? No! And I gave vent to a few ideas.
I thank you my dear father and mother for your many kind wishes and encouraging words. As I write, my eyes fill with tears. Some may suppose from my lively ways that I’m always without trouble. But believe I have had many things to contend with that have called forth all of my manliness to bear. But I am bound to stand up until I die.
I have ordered Miss Philbrook to send Julia Maira that gold watch and chain. It is a splendid affair. Don’t know how much it is worth but it can’t be less than $125. I hope Miss Philbrook is perfectly satisfied. I am. I wrote you a few lines at Winchester. Will tell you of our movements since.
We went up the Shenandoah beyond Middletown, then ordered to guard wagon train. This you know if you received my letter written in Winchester. The 16th at night, we moved out of town & camped. I was very sorry for I had made friends with Mrs. Vernon and the acquaintance of Miss Virginia Sallyards. With them I found good society. Spent the day mostly employed reading Longfellow. Got copies in New Orleans. They were Union families. In Winchester there are seventy-six that long have made their sentiments known in favor of the stars & stripes.
About 12 o’clock the 16th we moved again & marched 15 miles, not far from Charlestown, a cross road, and parked out train & went into camp. 17th at night we marched to within one mile from Berryville & there remained until the morning of the 18th.
Moved again that day slowly & at night camped again at a place known as “Flowing Springs.” The 19th at Flowing Springs. 20th got mail and this gave us much joy. 21st yesterday they began fighting in front and we were ordered back here & are in camp. They have had fighting since yesterday morning. I could hear plainly this morning musketry & cannons most all of the time.
I think the rebels were repulsed as they have not pressed us. I believe we have a large force in front of the enemy. One is the 6th Corps, Gen. Wright, 8th Crook, 19th Gen. Emory with Gen. Sheridan’s Cavalry—he commanding all. I hear Grant has got between Petersburg and Richmond. If so, I hope to hear of the fall of our [rest of letter missing]
The following home front letter was written by George Washington Straub (1846-1927) of Waldo, Marion county, Ohio. George was born in Waldo and farmed early in life, later taking up bridge building and other carpentry work. He had an older brother named William S. Straub (1839-1866) who served as a Captain of Co. H, 4th Ohio Volunteer. Infantry (OVI) in the Civil War but he did not serve himself. He was married in 1866 to Sarah E. Corbin. George’s parents were Andrew Straub (1797-1858) and Nancy Cupp (1815-1903).
He wrote the letter to Martin (“Mart”) Stull and other members of Co. H, 4th OVI who were encamped in West Virginia at the time. One of the soldiers mention was Joshua M. V. Corbin, brother of Sarah E. Corbin, who died while in the service. According to hospital records, Pvt. Corbin received a spinal injury when a tree fell across him on 21 December 1863, paralyzing his lower extremities. He died on 28 April 1864. [Source: The Medical and Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion. Part I, Volume II: Surgical History by U. S. Army Surgeon General’s Office, 1870.]
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
[Waldo, Marion county, Ohio] August 14, 1861
Well, old friend, I thought I would write you a few lines to let you know that I am well together with the rest of the folks. I received your letter the 9th and was very much pleased to hear from you and the rest of the boys. I should like to hear from you and if John Vanbrines had got to you boys yet. He started from here last Monday for your camp.
Well Mart, I should like to see the four [ ] and see how they looked. I suppose the boys look very rugged and pretty black. We have not had any letters from any of you boys since the 6th and are expecting some [in] today’s mail. Tell the boys I should like to hear from all of them.
I wrote to Bige and Sant and Hank Patten and have not heard from them yet. Tell them that I would like to hear from them very much. Well, no more on that score but a little about the crops. The crops are very good about here as general Abe’s corn is the best or as good as there is about here. There is plenty of roasting ears but last night we thought they would be gone up by the frost to do any hurt so we had a chance for a crop of corn yet. There was a big turn out of flax seed and the wheat and oats what has been thrashed turns out very good.
Well, I can’t think of anything for there is nothing going on here. This is the driest place that I ever seen. Well Mart, I must bring my letter to a close for I can’t think of anything to write. I would like to write a great deal to you but I cannot write without anything to write so excuse my mistakes and bad spelling for I have the blues awful bad. No more at present but remain your friend. — G. W. Straub
Oyer, tell Hen French that I would like to hear from him very much and tell Josh Corbin that I want him to write that letter that he promised to write. And John Vanbrines promised to write to me the next day after he got there. Tell him not to foget to write and give me all the news. Now Mart, write soon and let me know how you boys are getting along. Give my best respects to everybody and keep a good share of them yourself. — G. W. Straub
I could not find a war-time photograph of Ephraim but here is one of Jacob Dibert who also served as a private in the same company.
These letters were written by Pvt. Ephraim L. German (1836-1901) who enlisted in Co. K, 55th Pennsylvania Infantry on 3 October 1863. Ephraim was the son of Jacob and Harriet (Lace) German of Robersonia, Berks county, Pennsylvania. He was married to Isabella (“Belle”) Gruber (1843-1914) and had a daughter named Mary H. German (1862-1933) when he left to join the service.
Aside from witnessing the 1863 bombardment of Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, the letters don’t reveal much about the war or the movements and duties of the regiment. They give us some indication, however, of the kinds of home troubles that plagued soldiers who were often distracted from their duty.
Letter 1
Port Royal Island, South Carolina 2 November 1863
Dear Father, Mother & Wife and all,
I write a few lines to let you know that we are not in Virginia as was the talk. We left Reading for Philadelphia and from Philadelphia to Port Royal in South Carolina. Beaufort is a very nice town on the island. Dear father, we were on board of a ship for ten days and nothing to eat, I was near starved. I was sick all the time and am not well yet.
We have been at Fort Sumter. I have been in the shelling of Fort Sumter and have been at Charleston. At Sumter there was a terrible cannonading. I never thought of seeing Sumter shelled. We are at Beaufort, Port Royal, South Carolina and we hear heavy cannonading at Charleston or Sumter yet. The time after we left Sumter, the ironclads renewed the fight.
Dear father, you know I am here to fight the battle of our Heavenly Father. Dear father, I beg for you to take my wife Isabella home. Take her and see that she will be cared for and I will send money home as soon as we get our pay. And if you take her home, then get her everything she has need of. And when the money comes home, you take that money and pay off what it costs. Take care of Mary. Father, take my wife home and then I am satisfied and then I can fight the battles of Liberty with pleasure. Father, do that for me and then I am all right as soon as I hear of the change. Send me an answer as soon as you have my wife at home. And then as soon as I get that money or as soon as we get our pay, I will send the money home.
You will please get her what she must have and it will be all right. Father, please do take my wife and child home. You know your son is fighting for our country. I am doing something for you, dear father, and now do something for me for God’s sake. I do not know when I will come home so take care of my family. If God saves me, I send money so that she can live and be supported. Nothing more at present. From your affectionate son, — Ephraim L. German
Directions. Send your letter to Company K, 44th Regiment P. V., Beaufort, Port Royal, South Carolina
If you want to send an answer, go to Samuel Kieser with the directions.
Letter 2
[Editor’s note: The following letter was found on Ancestry.com and explains a little better why Ephraim was so insistent that his wife Belle live with his parents rather than hers.]
Beaufort [South Carolina] December 27, 1863
Dear Parents,
I take my pen in hand to inform you that I am well at present time, hoping you to be in the same state of health. I don’t know what is the reason you don’t write me more letters. I have sent letters home and have not been answered. I would like it very much if you would answer every letter I sent home. Belle ought to sent me some letters.
Father has had no time sometimes to write when I was at home. Belle can go to her brother Harrison. He can write a letter for her. But if the weather is too bad, she shall stay at home. I don’t care for letters if she is with you. You can write me about her. Let me know whether she lives with you or not. It troubles me about it for we have hard times and then [to] have things in the head about home not being settled. I want you to let me know whether she lives with you or not. If she is not with you, I will be God damned if I will not bring this thing to a close. If she stays with her parents, I will not send her a darn cent of money and will not stay with her. If she is not with you, I will be damned if I come home. I will not do a thing for her. I will leave her and take Mary from her.
Her parents are the very devil. They done everything against me they could do. Now I want her to be with you. If she will stay at home with her parents, I will stay from her to when I come home again. Let me know whether she is with you or not. We will have payday in two weeks, or so they say. You shall let me know whether she is with you or not and not say she is if she is not. If she is not, I will not send her money. If she wants to be my wife, she must obey my orders. I will send her the money if she is with you. Your affectionate son, — Ephraim L. German
Dear wife,
I would like to see you with my parents for I know that my father will get you things and then you can stay with him till I come home. You know that I will never make up with your parents and if you will stay at [their] home, we will be separated. Take care of Mary. If you will do what I tell you, you shall have the money. From your affectionate husband, – Ephraim L. German
He signed his name “Lenerd Aldman,” but muster rolls of Co. B, 7th North Carolina Infantry record the name of the author of this letter (variously) as Pvt. Leonard Allman, Allmon, Almond, or Almon (1826-1864). Leonard was born in Gaston county, North Carolina, and following his capture on 14 July 1863 at the Battle of Williamsport, he was confined at the Old Capital Prison in Washington City and then transferred to Point Lookout, Maryland, where he died at the age of 38 on 8 March 1864. He was married to Mary “Caroline” Linker (1823-1910) in 1856 in Cabarrus county, North Carolina.
A deeper dive into Leonard’s ancestry reveals that he was the son of Richard Almon (1783-1860) and Nancy Allen (1790-1860). Caroline’s parents were David Linker (1795-1850) and Nancy Shore (1803-1850) of Cabarrus county. Leonard and Caroline had at least two children—Caleb (b. 1858) and Nancy (b. 1860).
Leonard’s letter was written a couple of weeks after the battle of Fredericksburg. In that fight, Brig. Gen. James H. Lane’s Brigade was on Lt. Gen. Stonewall Jackson’s left, some two miles southeast of the town, and the 7th NC Regiment was on Brig. Gen. Lane’s left, about two hundred yards distant from the railroad and about the same distance in front of the right of Brig. Gen. William D. Pender’s North Carolina brigade. A short distance beyond the railroad there was a ridge that extended some distance to the right, and was lost in the common level of the surrounding plain. This ridge was occupied by a battalion of artillery, thirteen guns, under Maj. Braxton, with instructions to play on the enemy’s infantry without replying to his artillery. Before the fight began the 7th NC Regiment, Lt. Col. Junius L. Hill commanding, was advanced to the railroad to ensure the safety of the guns. A fog hung over the field and concealed the enemy’s movements until well under way. About 9 o’clock a.m. a line of battle advanced from under cover of the river bank and was driven back by the fire of the artillery in front. By way of retaliation, several Federal batteries opened on Maj. Braxton’s guns, and also did the 7th NC Regiment serious injury, driving in its skirmishers, ten (1) of them having been injured by one shell. The enemy’s skirmishers then advanced and endangered the gunners, and on this fact being reported to Lt. Col. Hill by one of their officers, he promptly advanced our regiment and drove them off. Meantime, the artillery left the field, and to save his men, Lt. Col. Hill ordered the regiment into the railroad cut near by, where it remained about two hours, during which time there was a lull in the storm.
In forming his line of battle, Maj. Gen. A. P. Hill had left an open space of several hundred yards, extending from Brig. Gen. Lane’s right to Brig. Gen. James J. Archer’s (TX) left. By noon the fog of the early morning had cleared away, and the keen-sighted Yankees were not long in detecting this opening, against which they sent a cloud of skirmishers and directed a powerful artillery fire. The 7th NC Regiment now left the railroad cut and resumed its former position on the left of the brigade. In a short while the enemy advanced in great force to the crest of the hill beyond the railroad, several stands of colors being visible in front of the 7th NC Regiment, but their troops were not sufficiently exposed to invite its fire. Remaining stationary for a short time, they retired, then advanced a second time and remained stationary as before, apparently hesitating to risk the result; and presently the entire column moved by the left flank behind the ridge and massed on the fatal opening. Turning Brig. Gen. Lane’s right and Brig. Gen. Archer’s left, they entered the woods to the rear and momentarily endangered the Confederate center. The 7th NC Regiment remained in line until the regiments on its right gave way, when it also fell back in good order to Brig. Gen. William D. Pender’s (NC) line, under a heavy artillery fire. From there it was immediately ordered to the right of the brigade, where it rendered good service in helping to drive the enemy back and aiding to re-establish the line. The writer, from personal observation, bears testimony to the gallant and heroic resistance made by the 37th and 28th NC Regiments to overwhelming numbers, as they entered the opening and turned the positions held by these regiments. The repulse of the enemy was complete, his loss frightful, and he made no further assault on this part of the line. In the 7th NC Regiment eleven (11) men were killed and eighty-one (81) wounded. Among the latter, Capt. John McLeod Turner, of Company F, was shot through the body and sustained a serious lung injury, and Capt. John G. Knox, of Company A, was quite seriously wounded. Lt. Solomon Furr, of Company B, was also wounded.
After the Federal army recrossed the river the Confederates went into winter quarters along the Rappahannock River. Brig. Gen. James H. Lane’s (NC) Brigade encamped near Moss Neck. Army supplies had to be hauled in wagons from Guinea Station, a distance of nine miles. Heavy details were sent daily to help corduroy the miry roads, and this, in connection with the ordinary camp duties and constantly maintaining a long picket line, kept the 7th NC Regiment busy during the bleak winter months.
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Camp near Fredericksburg, Va. January 3rd 1863
Dear wife,
I seat myself this morning to drop you a few lines to inform you that I am well and also hope that these few lines may reach and find you well. I am happy to state to you that I received your kind letter which was write on the 26th yesterday evening and was truly glad to hear that you was well and in good spirits.
Dear wife, I can inform you that the times are very dull at this time but still a great deal better than some time since we get plenty to eat at this time. I can also inform you that there is not much news agoing about the war at this time. Things seem to be more still than they have been for some time and I hope that the first thing we know, they will send us home [ ].
You stated in your letter that you wanted me to write to you and let you know something about Caleb Linker. I can inform you that I do not know anything about him though he must be [with]in about two or three miles from here for we passed the regiment the day before the fight but I did not get to see him. But some of our boys did see him. I can also inform you that I received them things that you sent with Jack Bost to me. I also received a pair of socks and gloves for Linker but he isn’t with us at this time and I do not know how he is to get them.
You stated in your letter that I ought to been at home this Christmas and New Years. I should like to have been there but there is no chance. But I hope that if I live till another Christmas I may be at home enjoying myself around my fireside and home.
Dear wife, I can inform you that I have no chance to get any stamps or envelopes and paper and I want you to send some in your next letter if you please. I must close these few lines by asking you to write as soon as you get this letter. I remain your true husband till death, Write soon. — L. Aldman
To C. Aldman
Tell Jim Breans that I can’t come home now but for him to come and fetch his bottle of liquor and Old Turner and I’ll show him more ducks than he can put in his barn and then we will have a right spree for you know that we can’t have half a spree in Concord. Write soon. Lenerd Aldman
Direct to Richmond, Virginia, in care of Company B, 7th Regt. North Carolina State Troops
The following Illinois home front letter was written by John Beattie Mann (1796-1881) and Albina Bloomer Balch (1797-1882) of Randolph County to their son, 41 year-old John Preston Mann (1822-1908) who was serving in the 5th Illinois Cavalry. The letter was datelined from the family homestead they called “Pleasant Hill” near Kaskaskia on 20 November 1863. John was a blacksmith by trade, having moved to Randolph county, Illinois, from Rockville, Parke county, Indiana, in 1827 and settling at Pleasant Hill in 1831.
John and Albina had five sons that volunteered to serve the Union cause in the Civil War, They were John Preston (“J. P.”) Mann (b. 1822) of the 5th Illinois Cavalry—to whom they addressed this letter, Robert “Clinton” Mann (b. 1824) who served in the 22nd Illinois Infantry and was mortally wounded in the Battle of Chickamauga, James “Luther” Mann (b. 1826) who served briefly in the 80th Illinois Infantry, Jonathan [“Jonta”] Balch Mann (b. 1828) who served in the 80th Illinois Infantry, and Calvin Anderson Mann (b. 1833) who served in the 5th Illinois Cavalry. All survived except Clinton.
When John and Albina settled in Randolph county in the late 1820s, Kaskaskia was the county seat. It remained so until the flood of 1844 forced the relocation of the county seat to Chester—a Mississippi river port about halfway between Cape Girardeau and St. Louis. During the Civil War, the citizens of Randolph county were deeply divided, many of the residents having come from and still had relatives living in Kentucky or other slave-holding states. Located in the region called “Little Egypt,” Randolph county was characterized by strong Democratic (“Copperhead”) sentiment and anti-war agitation. A sizable German population helped to turn public sentiment around in the middle of the war, as stated in this letter.
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Addressed to Lieut. J. P. Mann, Co. K, 5th Illinois Cavalry, Vicksburg, Mississippi
Pleasant Hill [near Kaskaskia, Illinois] November 20, 18633
Our dear son,
Mother and self are left alone & in the midst of a snow storm, our thoughts naturally turn to the absent ones, who, if in similar circumstances, must suffer with wet and cold, having nothing but camp equipage to protect them from the inclemencies of the weather. How we long and wish the war was at an end and each of our family were at home enjoying that peace and happiness of domestic bliss we all enjoyed before the war began. Yes, we wish the war was over but not until this accursed rebellion shall be put down & the instigators of it be brought to punishment and repentance for their guilty conduct, and until the masses of the South shall see their error, confess their wrong, and lay down the weapons of their rebellion and peaceably return to their allegiance to our excellent government again.
You before this time have heard of the fate of [your brother] Clinton but if you have not heard the particulars of his death, I will state. He was wounded on the 19th ult. [at the Battle of Chickamauga], fell into the rebel hands, was brought back to Chattanooga early on the 2nd October, and died at 7 o’clock in the morning and was buried the same day in the Presbyterian Church grave yard of that place. My dear son, this was a hard stroke on his parents but since it was the will of God that he should go at this time, we are consoled in the thought that he died a martyr for the cause of his and our own country, manfully defending those rights and blessed privileges that we all were born under and lived under in peace and happiness until this wicked rebellion rebellion was got up under our midst. We must in this—as well as every other dispensation of God’s providence towards us—say, “thy will be done.”
We this day have read a letter from [your brother] Calvin sent to his wife. She kindly sent the letter to us on yesterday which we received today. It is dated the 4th inst. He is well and had received the box of clothes &c. sent by his wife. Although he does not complain of bad treatment [at Libby Prison], yet it’s plain the prisoners suffer much in their confinement. May he soon be released from his prison.
We received a letter from [your brother] Jonta [Jonathan] a few days since. He is much better and is able to do duty. He is near to Chattanooga with rebels plenty around and constantly in sight. He says some shells pass near at times which makes him think he might be hit but he says he is not afraid of the rebs & the boys are all in good spirits & ready for the Rebs at any time.
I suppose you know the result of the election in Old Randolph [County]—a result I did not anticipate but strange things happen some times. But thank s to the good sense of the people, the Organization of Union Leagues of the men, but especially of the Ladies Union Leagues in connection wit hthe Union Sanitary Societies, these aided by calm reflection have produced the great change in favor of the Union in our midst, particularly in the German part of the population. You see we have gained from last year some 800 or more votes inn this county, Our candidates were elected by an average of 200 votes over the Copperheads. Poor fellows! They look blank. They took the personification of hopeless despair.
Day before yesterday I rode past the Court House and heard some Hark from the tombs—a doleful sound. I concluded some disappointed Copperhead was in his last agonies and I felt like running to his relief. But on reflection, concluded he was past recovery and I went on my way rejoicing. I did not believe in their [ ]. It was as I have written, as if someone of them was trying to make a speech before his dying honor judge of probate—but enough of this.
I will send this by your friend, Lt. [Thomas Henry] Barnfield if I can see him before he leaves. If not, I will mail it. Houston and family are all well. Uncle Alec & Andy Crozier are in a bad fix—politically I mean, as well as Harrison. I have seen Crozier and he wants to sell out and leave. [Your father]
[in another hand]
Major Francis Swanwick, 22nd Illinois Infantry (Civil War Image Shop)
Preston, my dear son, we have never heard from you since you left till Alfred seen Barnfield in Chester. Now I want you to write how you are and how you fare. Junty writes that hard tack is scarce. He says if he lives to get to Chattanooga, he will try to search out his brother’s grave. I hope he may. Poor dear Clinton. He suffered twelve days, then yielded up his spirit to God who gave it. Major [Frank] Swanwick wrote to papa that his walk, ever since he went into the Army, was that of an unflinching Christian soldier. Preston, I know you will shed tears of sympathy for your noble, patriotic brother (my heart is torn and bleeding). Still I try to yield him to his country and his God. Some fried sent us his journal. In one place he writes he has orders to issue rations of whiskey. He is loathe to do it [and] he says, “Oh the accursed thing! I’ll never taste it.” I hope every son we have will say and act likewise.
Mary Jane is teaching. Has between forty and fifty scholars. Comes home every two weeks—sometimes oftener (that sheds a halo round the hearth stone when she comes home.) It strikes ten [and] I must go to bed. Good night.
Saturday morning. Papa goes to Chester to hear the news. I have not heard from Nancy and hers for some time. I wish she would write me a line and let me know how Grace is. Harriet and her boys are all right. Houston has administered on Clinton’s estate. I do not know what arrangements will be made about his children. They are still at Pollock’s. Poor orphan boys. Goodbye my son, — A. B. M.
Jonathan Balch Mann and his wife, Harriet Webb, were married in 1851. This image, with gilded touchup suggests Jonathan was an officer but he never held rank above sergeant in Co. A, 80th Illinois Infantry.
The following letters were written by Jonathan (“Jonty”) Balch Mann (1828-1913), the son of John Beattie Mann (1796-1881) and Albina Bloomer Balch (1797-1882) of Randolph County, Illinois. Jonathan enlisted in July 1862 to serve in Co. A, 80th Illinois Infantry. He entered as a sergeant and mustered out of the regiment in June 1865 as a sergeant.
He wrote the letters to his older brother, John Preston (“J. P.”) Mann (1822-1908), who served from 31 August 1861 to 27 October 1865 in the 5th Illinois Cavalry along with another brother, 30 year-old Calvin Anderson Mann (1833-1902). Both brothers were officers, Calvin rising to the rank of Captain of Co. K. During the seige of Vicksburg, Capt. Calvin Mann led a detachment of 40 men on a daring raid behind enemy lines that resulted in his capture. See Mann’s Raid.
In the 1850 US Census, Jonathan was enumerated in Chester, Randolph county, Illinois, laboring as a wagon maker. In 1860, he was married and farming in Randolph county. After the war, in 1870, he farmed in Salem, Dent county, Missouri. He died in Preston, Randolph county, Missouri. Jonathan’s wife was Harriet (“Hattie”) Webb (1834-1892), a native of Maine.
[Note: Recommended reading on the 5th Illinois Cavalry. See On Grant’s Front Line: The Fifth Illinois Cavalry in Mississippi by Rhonda M. Kohl, Illinois Historical Journal, Vol. 91, No. 1 (Spring, 1998), pp. 41-56 (16 pages)]
Letter 1
Camp Blue Springs near Cleveland, Tennessee March 14th 1864
J. P. Mann,
Dear brother, your welcome letter of the 28th December has been gladly received and I now sit down to answer it. I arrived here at my regiment on the 12th inst., direct from home which place I left on the 2nd. All were well. I had a most splendid visit and you may depend I enjoyed it hugely. Was there 31 days of the prettiest weather I ever saw in February and March. I saw most of our friends. Your family were well off. They were never, ever hungry and I hope they never will be. Luther is just commencing to sell goods in Liberty [renamed Rockwood in 1865].
I found very many of our most able Generals in Randolph who daily plan the movements for our army and tis but justice to them to say that they do it well, considering they never was in the field nor I fear never will be unless drafted. My plan—if a soldier should have a plan—is to reenlist the veterans, give them a bounty, and then fill up the ranks with drafted men. Those who are for the Union would go willingly and those who are not, should be compelled to bear their portion of the hardships & dangers the loyal soldiers are now enduring for the maintenance of the best government in existence. Yes, “by the Eternal,” make them fight or leave the free land they are “so unworthy of.”
You ask if the 80th [Illinois Infantry] would not like to join the 5th [Illinois] Cavalry in a little raid upon Richmond for the express purpose of relieving our officers and men who are confined in the God forsaken place. My answer is yes—yes—yes! If such an order should come to us, there would be a shout go up from the 80th that would ring from the mountain tops of the Cumberland to the Valley of the Mississippi and I have no doubt that it would be re-echoed by the 5th [Illinois Cavalry] until it would cause rebel teeth to clatter like leaves falling in Autumn. 1
I saw a letter Calvin directed to you and sent to Alford to mail which he did. I glory in Calvin’s grit. I always that move was injudicious. It had not enough men for an advance guard for such an undertaking.
My health is getting better & “going home helped me.” I was on drill today. Harvey Clendennon is well and in good spirits. He is commanding our company and fills his office with credit to himself and to the company.
I met with one of Clinton’s company (Douglas from Evansville) who told me Clinton fell within six feet of him. He was taken to a ditch where he had his wound dressed and was then sent to the hospital where he fell into the hands of the rebs but was afterwards sent to Chattanooga where he died after a loss of ten or more days.
I came from St. Louis to Nashville by water. Was at Liberty all night the 4th of March as the boat lay up there. I surprised the folks at your house by walking in about 8 o’clock. They were well but anxious to hear from you as they last they heard you were about to march. But I must close with many good wishes for your safe return to your most excellent wife & interesting little girls. From your affectionate brother, Jonathan
1 Jonathan and “J. P.” Mann were interested in marching on Richmond to liberate the Union officers held in Libby Prison because one of them was their brother Capt. Calvin Anderson Mann of the 5th Illinois Cavalry who was taken prisoner (see Mann’s Raid). Calvin survived Libby Prison but transferred elsewhere and eventually escaped to return to his regiment.
Letter 2
Headquarters 80th Regt. Ills Vol. Huntsville, Alabama February 28, 1865
Mr. John P. Mann,
Dear brother, your welcome letter of the 7th inst. came to hand in due time, and now I find time to reply. I was elated to hear that Calvin had “waked” up some of the sleepers, and that he had returned to his regiment. But alas, for human expectations, they seem to present themselves to the mind just to allure us on, strengthening our hopes, and brightening our anticipations, for a little season, that they may the more effectually crush us to the ground by sudden disappointment. I cannot describe my feelings on learning (as I did last night by letter) that Calvin was at home again, not that I blame him for quitting the service for he had already put in his three years and was justly entitled to a discharge, but I do think there was too much blowing for the amount of wool that has been picked. For instance, I received a note on the 6th of January, dated Nashville, Tennessee, January 4th, in which the following sentence was inscribed, “I will fight them as long as I live.” That note was signed, Capt. C. A. Mann.
Now I thought at the time that was a brand assertion. Nevertheless, I gloried in the grit. It sounded like a soldier and a patriot, both of which the writer might of justly claimed the honor of having merited, had he not penned that sentence, before he retired. Now, Preston, the time was when I rejoiced in the name of Mann. At that time I could count four brothers that were sharing the hardships and dangers of the soldier’s life, as I thought, all for the good of our common country, and all holding higher and more responsible—if not honorable—positions than the one I occupied. But now, when I look around in the ranks of our army for my brothers so brave, where do I find them? One indeed “died at his post” (peace and honor be to his name) the other three have turned their backs upon the glorious & victorious army of the Union, and that too, while our government is still calling mightily for help. Can our government stand? can we remain as a free people? can we govern ourselves as a nation in this trying hour while treason is stalking abroad throughout the land, and personal self-interest for the present time seems to be the only principle by which so many are actuated.
You seemed to be rejoicing that the end of the rebellion was so near that the bright morning of universal freedom and returning prosperity was beginning already gild[ing] the horizon of our national happiness and future greatness. I would that I could rejoice with you, but when I look around me and behold so much contention, and petty strife, even in the midst of the most peaceful circles of society, and so much vice and wickedness and immorality, I am led to doubt whether or not we ever will enjoy that peace, and prosperity, and national honor and dignity that our forefathers was permitted to enjoy after they had come through the fires of want, and persecution and oppression for a long series of years.
Liberty, Fair Godess, hast thou flown Far away, and will not own, Our Country Twas our Father’s gift to three Then Oh! return and make it free.
Perhaps you think I am predisposed to look largely upon the dark side of the scene, but such is not the case. My delight is in the contemplation of the happiness to be derived from the privileges afforded to a good & free people, by a government founded as ours is, upon the true principles Christianity. And it is that, together with a firm reliance upon the justice of God in defending his precepts, and principles, that sustains, and upholds me in passing through the varied & trying scenes of life.
“Tis Justice, meets to all Equal balance, great or small, With earthly honors, are they crown’d Or lowly, yet they, will be found.
Lieut. G. Scudmore starts for home on a 20 day leave of absence tomorrow. My health is very good. I want you to let the Copperheads alone (that is, I want you to quit wrangling with them, and convince them by your actions and general deportment that your desires are for the good of all classes of society.
Just learn to watch as well as say, Then you’ll have peace another day.
Please write to me often and tell me how the good Union men stood up to the draft, and if it was only the Copperheads that was scared, so as to be able to run their hands down into their well lined pockets and draw out the greenbacks to hire volunteers. Bah! such men I greatly fear would run away were danger near, and leave their homes, to traitors free, thereby enacting, “Refugee.”
Now I close this with many good wishes for your future prosperity & happiness. From your affectionate brother, — Jonathan B. Mann
Letter 3
Headquarters 80th Regt. Illinois Vols. Greenville, Tennessee April 6, 1865
J. P. Mann,
Dear brother, yours of the 24th ult. came to hand yesterday and found me well as usual. I was sorry to hear that affliction had befallen your family but the Lord loves them whom he chasteneth. Therefore, shall we not the more readily submit to afflictions. You seem to coincide with “everybody” in the believe that the white soldiers will all be mustered out of service in six months. I wish that I could see it in that light but I don’t. Although Gen. Grant has succeeded in taking the “ditches” around Richmond, there is yet a plenty of room for digging others, and when I hear of “everybodies” concluding that the war is about over I just think “everybody” don’t know much more about it now than they did four years ago when they were clamorous with the cry, “On to Richmond.” I just tell you, Preston, there is millions of people in the United States that don’t realize the true state of things in our government, and the eminent danger we are in by having the whole fabric of our free principles converted into the dark channels of anarchy, and ultimate ruin by those who are wrapped up in the veil of political prejudice, inexcusable ignorance, and willful selfishness.
Now Preston, I never blamed Calvin for leaving the army. I think he was right in that, but I did blame him for letting off so much gas jest before his quitting the army.. As to three years service in the 5th Cavalry, I can’t see that. Yet, I don’t doubt but they were on hand and frew big pay for three years.
Now as to “killing the Bar,” I never expect to try to do it “by stirring up Copperheads.” That my brothers feel they have done their duty, I have no doubt. Who would not in these selfish times when feeling for greenbacks is the principle criterion by which a large majority are governed. I can do no more than my duty, as a citizen and soldier of a free government. Have I done that? Ask my comrades. Your flattering compliments are a source of serious refection to me. I would not have any one to overestimate my character as a soldier or a true man. Alas! how far short we all come of filling the proper standard measure of true manliness.
As to drawing upon my imagination so strong as to suppose myself the Goliath of the “Manns,” I will only say the idea was entirely new to me when I first read it in your letter and I can only account for it by supposing it sprang from your own prolific imagination. As to somebody blowing to me out of malice or a want of sense, I will leave that to your decision as I have but a very limited correspondence and that almost entirely with my brothers and sisters. You can, therefore, readily judge of their “blowing” capabilities as well as their weight of “sense.” Now as to explaining the meaning of my former letter, it would be useless for me to do more than just say, what of it you could not understand? Let it rip, as a thing of no importance, whatever, for you know the world lives to move irrespective of what you or I could say or do. So now I close by subscribing myself your affectionate brother, — Jonathan
This letter was written by Calvin Anderson Mann (1833-1902) of Perryville, Perry county, Missouri, who was a Captain in the 5th Illinois Cavalry during the Civil War. He wrote the letter to his older brother, John Preston Mann (b. 1822) who served with him in the 5th Illinois Cavalry and, after mustering out of the regiment, began practicing law in Rockwood, Randolph county, Illinois. Calvin wrote this letter in March 1866 while in Washington D. C. during which time he was attempting to resolve some pay disputes he had with the War Department. While there, he stayed with his former friend and comrade, Thomas Henry Barnfield [see 1865-66: Thomas Henry Barnfield to John Preston Mann letters].
Calvin’s letter details his first impressions of Washington D.C. and his time at the US Capitol, where he watched senators debate the Civil Rights Act of 1866 after Congress failed to override the President’s veto of the Freedmen’s Bureau Bill. The Civil Rights Act aimed to declare that all people born in the U.S. (except American Indians) were citizens, granting them equal rights to contract, sue, and own property, and to counteract the “Black Codes” in some states. Meanwhile, in late February 1866, House Representatives were discussing the 14th Amendment. Mann’s letter reveals Republicans’ disappointment and sense of betrayal regarding President Andrew Johnson’s actions.
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Washington City, D. C. March 1, 1866
Mr. John P. Mann,
Dear brother, I am in this “metropolis of the nation.” I think my accounts with the Government are all settled and I expect to get my pay tomorrow.
I have “been to Congress” with [Thomas Henry] Barnfield once or twice. Judge [Lyman] Trumbull is a “trump.” I heard him take the starch out of Mr. [James H.] Lane of Kansas in a very few words. In fact, when Old Lyman looks up over his spectacles, you may expect to hear someone get a “satisfactory” explanation. [Charles] Sumner and [Benjamin] Wade look heavy but I have had but one good look at the former. When he gets up to speak, they all listen. [Garrett] Davis of Kentucky is an old fool of the Old Bob Moore stripe. I seen Mr. [Daniel] Clarke of New Hampshire call him to order four times in ten minutes. Dick [Richard] Yates looks a little “swelled” but never so drunk but what he can vote right.
Hon. Benjamin Gatz Brown of Missouri—“His hair and whiskers are red enough to make a head light for a western steamboat.”
[Benjamin Gratz] Brown of my state [Missouri] is an active rising man. His hair and whiskers are red enough to make a head light for a western steamboat. [Henry] Wilson of Massachusetts is [a] fine, fat, noble specimen of a “yank”—all right on the goose. [John] Sherman of Ohio favors the General [in appearance] and wants to heal the break between Congress & the President but in my opinion the ointment has not bee discovered that will do it. The fact is the President has gone back on us. I did think I would go to one of his levees but a good, loyal lady told me that they were so crowded with Democrats, Rebels, and pickpockets that I contented myself with walking through the grounds and trying to think of it as the Old Home of Washington and our dear old departed Lincoln.
The President’s Mansion is a superb marble building. The grounds are in the most perfect order at all times. Beautiful shade trees and evergreens are planted all through it and in fact, it is something that every true American must be proud of.
The Capitol Building is the largest, finest I ever beheld and the grounds surrounding are so much beautified that in walking round and through them you would almost feel that you was in paradise were it not that you are constantly meeting some conservative Democratic politician.
I have not yet visited the Smithsonian Institute but expect to do so tomorrow in company with my old devoted T[homas] H[enry] B[arnfield]. Tom seems to have a “fat thing” of it here. He has to copy two or three letters per day and the remainder of the time he can do as he pleases [and] is allowed to go anywhere inside of the District of Columbia.
I seen Mr. [Jehu] Baker. He is all right and very kind and if your district wants an earnest good loyal representative in Congress, keep “Jehu there.”
I could not find an image of Charles but his uniform might have looked much like this in August 1861. The 2nd Wisconsin wore coarse, gray uniforms with a shako style hat during the Battle of Bull Run.
The following letter was written by Charles W. Messer of Co. B, 2nd Wisconsin Infantry. He enlisted on 22 May 1861 and was discharged due to disability on 27 May 1863 after two years service. Charles was the son of Moses Messer (1767-1823) and Abigail Stevens (1772-1833). He was married in March 1864 to Etta E. Phenix at La Crosse, Wisconsin. He was buried near Bangor, Wisconsin, in 1902.
In July 1861, the 2nd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment brigaded with three New York regiments of Infantry; all of them under the command of Colonel (later General) William T. Sherman. Together, they participated in the battle of Bull Run in Virginia on July 21. Later in the war the regiment became a part of the vaunted Iron Brigade. The regimental history states that Charles did not remain with his regiment in the East, however. In February 1862, he was detached into the Western Gunboat service and remained there until his discharge in 1863. Charles’ age at the time of his enlistment could not be found but he was probably middle aged, making the gunboat service a better fit.
Charles wrote the letter to his niece, Amelia C. Larrabee (1846-1893) of Elkhorn. Walworth county, Wisconsin. Her parents were Charles W. Larrabee (1815-1890) and Olive L. Messer (1815-1870). In the 1860 US Census, Amelia’s father was enumerated in Salem, Kenosha county, Wisconsin, where he was identified as a “Hotel Keeper.” Amelia’s siblings at the time included, John (age 10), James (age 8). That census also informs us that Amelia and her siblings were all born in Vermont, her father’s native state. Her mother was born in Massachusetts. Their residence in 1850 was confirmed as Shoreham, Addison county, Vermont.
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Addressed to Miss Amelia Larrabee, Elkhorn, Walworth County, Wisconsin
Arlington Heights August 4th [1861]
My dear niece,
I received your kind letter with much joy dated July the 26th 1861. It found me well as it left you. I enjoy pretty good health this summer so fair. I hope this will find you enjoying the same blessing.
You wanted to know if I received your flag. I did and carried it through the hardest battle that ever was fought in the United States. We was fighting eight long hours and never came off from the field. We lay on our arms all the night before the battle was fought. We commenced marching about one o’clock in the morning without our breakfast—had none that morning, only as we could take a bite from our haversack. [Even] then it was nothing but hard crackers. This is what you folks up there called liberty. I wish [you] would send some of it down here. I wonder if it is good wheat. If it is, wish you would send some of it down here. We had two small pieces of beef tongue about the size of your hand to last us two days. I give mine to a prisoner. He eat it so it was good. It done me just as much good so I eat it myself.
I have told you all about the fight, I believe. I had some pretty close calls that day, I tell you—some closer calls than I ever had in my life. But I am not tired of it yet. If they would give us enough to eat. That’s what troubles me the most. I have laid down to sleep a good many times hungry. I cannot call it going to bed for we do not know what a bed is in the army. We have our blanket and the ground to lay on and the blue heavens over us if it don’t rain. And if it does, then we stand up so it can run off from us.
Amelia, you must not trouble yourself about me for only think how many thousand there is in the field that is as dear to them as I am to you or anybody else. I am coming home to see you once more. It may not be for a long time but I feel kust so. I hope you will not let your mind trouble you so so you cannot learn as much as you ought to this summer. I like the dress very much. Tell Emmy when you see her that you and she went through the battle with me and never got a scratch. But I come pretty near loosing you both on the field. There was a ball cut my breast pocket out of my short and knocked you and she on the ground. But I stopped and picked you and Emmy up again. I would not lose you both there and let them have you—no, not by a darn sight.
We some expect to go in a few days to Harpers Ferry but I do not know when we shall go. It may be some time this month. Oh! I forgot to tell you that one of our artillery men got both of his hands blowed off that day and the first ball that passed through our ranks [and] took three of our boys out. I was in file of them when it passed through. We was kneeling down when it went through.
I shall be glad when this war is over. Then I will come and see you all. You must have lots of things fixed up then for I’ll be pretty hungry by that time. I wrote to Hellen and Kat McCloud a short time ago. I hear from home very often. They’re all well up there. You must write to Julia for she would be glad to hear from you all. I do not know anything new to write more so goodbye. Give my love to your father and mother, to James and John and accept the same yourself.
Direct your letter to Washington D. C., Company B, 2nd Regiment Wisconsin Infantry, — Charles W. Messer
The following letter was written by George S. Day (1845-1901) of Co. C, 8th Iowa Cavalry—a survivor of Andersonville Prison. George enlisted on 31 July 1863, writing this undated letter sometime in the fall of 1863 from Camp Roberts near Davenport, Iowa. The regimental history informs us that the 8th Iowa cavalry saw little of real war until the spring of 1864, when it started with Sherman in the celebrated campaign for Atlanta. The regiment had been organized late in the previous autumn at Davenport. It left Iowa in the middle of October and by the middle of November was stationed at Waverly and other points west of Nashville, Tenn., where it remained on guard and garrison duty all the winter, with little opportunity for showing the pluck of its soldiers and no chance at all for distinction.
I could not find an image of Day but here is one of Aaron L. Ratliff who also served in Co. C, 8th Iowa Cavalry[Iowa Civil War Images]
In May, 1864, the 8th Iowa Cavalry was made a part of the 1st brigade of McCook’s division of cavalry. In the arduous campaign that followed, the regiment was constantly at the front, and when the Confederates, after weeks of constant skirmishing and battles, at last fell back behind the Chattahoochee, the 8th Iowa cavalry was the first troop across the river after them. So the fighting and the skirmishing went on around Atlanta, and then came that luckless raid of Gen. McCook’s to the Macon railroad, in which the regiment was captured near Newnan, Georgia, only a few escaping through the woods to tell how heroically the command had tried to save itself. It was on this raid that George was taken prisoner with most of the others in his regiment. He remained in captivity, which included a long stint at Andersonville—until mustering out at Macon, George on 13 August 1865.
George was the son of Timothy Roberts Day—a wagonmaker—and Eliza Jane Smith of Winchester, Van Buren county, Iowa. He wrote the letter to Ruth Huber (1843-1894).
[Note: This letter is from the collection of Michael Huston 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 Roberts [Davenport, Iowa] [Fall 1863]
Friend Ruth,
This being Sabbath I have nothing to do so I thought instead of idling away the whole day I would improve a portion of it by writing to you, hoping you will pardon the intrusion as no offense is intended. It’s merely to express these friendly feelings that I entertain for you and to let you know how I like a soldier’s life which I can assure you pleases me exactly. I can endorse the sentiments of some unknown poet who expresses himself thus.
A soldier’s life is the life form. I own I love it dearly. Soldiering is nothing but fun—that is, such soldiering as we have to perform. I presume that we get down in Dixie the joke will not be so funny but then we can form a very good idea of what soldiering is for we have to come down to discipline here as close as we would in Dixie, and have to perform guard duty the same as though we was in the Rebel’s land. Several times when I have been standing guard at the [ ] hour of night and it pouring down rain in torrents upon me, I have thought I would like to be at home. But as soon as I was relieved, I would think just to the reverse. I am satisfied as long as I can keep my health that I will enjoy a soldier’s life for it is not a laborious task by no means or at least it is not in my estimation.
It is true, I have not experienced much of soldiering and have not been to Dixie but then we have to perform the same duty that we would if we was there, with the exceptions of marches and I presume that part will not be hard to perform on horse back.
Ruth, I would like to return home for a few days to see all of my old friends again but I have no desire to come back to stay. But there is little hopes of any of us getting furloughs. The prospect is dead at the present at any rate. It may be that we can get them if we stay here all winter. Dave is very anxious to geta furlough to come home to stay a while but he says [ ] could not hire him to come home to stay if it was left to his own action.
Ruth, if you consider this worthy and answer, I want you to write and tell me how you are a progressing with your exhibition or whether it is gone up the flume or not. I imagine that you are having lively old times in Winchester now since the boys have all left for I suppose from what I have heard they have all left including those that are agoing to school. And I heard that George Moore had left Winchester and gone to Birmingham to sell goods. And if such is the case, Winchester is dead and I am not certain but what Betty is dead too. Ruth, I guess I had better bring this to a close before I worry your patience any more with this uninteresting letter. Please write soon if you think worthy an answer and give me all the news. So goodbye, from your friend, — George
P. S. Excuse this big blot for R___ shoved my elbow and caused me to blot it. — George S. Day
Spared & Shared 23 