The following letters were written by James Murkin (1829-1887), an English emigrant and leather-smith who lived in Washington, Washington county, Iowa prior to the Civil War. The date of his arrival in the United States isn’t recorded but the court in Iowa awarded him naturalization sometime between July 1858 and April 1859. I think it’s likely he is the same individual who was registered as 23 year-old “James Merkin” of Cambridgeshire, England, who arrived in New York City in June 1852 aboard the Princeton of New York from Liverpool. He was traveling alone with no other apparent family members.
James enlisted on 1 May 1861 to serve as a private in Co. H, 2nd Iowa Infantry. His muster date was 27 May 1861 at Keokuk, Iowa. Thinking the war would be over quickly, apparently James and most other men in his regiment did not fully grasp that they were enlisting for three years as opposed to only three months. If they did, they couldn’t imagine the war would last more than a year so little attention was paid to that small point, much to their angst when August 28th rolled around.
James survived the war but was wounded in the 2nd Battle of Corinth on 3 October 1862 and spent some time in the Veteran Reserve Corps.
All of the letters were addressed to Roseanna Showalter (1839-1922), the daughter of Daniel and Catherine (McKaren) Showalter who moved from Wooster, Ohio, to Washington, Iowa, in 1844 when Roseanna was quite young. James and Roseanna were married in September 1864.
The following letters are a continuation of the archive that begins at the following link: The Civil War Letters of James Murkin, Co. H, 2nd Iowa Infantry.
Letter 52
Keokuk [Iowa}
March 1, 1863
Dear Anna,
You will think me tardy in writing to you but for the last three weeks I have been working in the office. The work is not hard but I have to be there early and late. I have take the place of the orderly. He is sick. I can’t tell you how long I will have to stay where I am but there is one thing sure. It is not as hard work as soldiering down in the land of Dixie and carrying a knapsack and gun and enduring fatigues of a camp life. I often wonder how [your brother] Franklin likes it compared with home and friends but yet I need not wonder when I know by self experience that there is no place like home. And when I think of the motives that induced him to enlist in time of his country’s need, I need not ask myself the question. Such men will endure hardships almost too intolerable to be born.
Anna, I do not know what to say about home or getting a discharge. Probably I will be able to tell you more about it when I write again. I will likely have to go to my regiment soon if the man gets well whose place I am now filling. Be that as it may, we can’t tell nor see in the future so all I [can do] is to trust in Him who has promised never to leave us nor forsake us.
I suppose you have heard of the newspaper printing press that was torn down in this place a short time ago. It was torn to pieces and throwed in the river. The soldiers done it and it was done up in good order. Not a word was said until it was accomplished. Then the boys gave three cheers for the Union as it was and three groans for the Constitution as it is. The [Daily] Constitution was the name of the paper that was printed by the press that was torn down. It raised quite an excitement amongst one class of people. They threatened to tear down the Republican Press but they have not done it yet. If they should attept it, they will have a warm time of it before they get through. Almost every soldier that is able to bear arms have one that he can put his hand on at any minute and most of the boys know how to use them and they will do it in quick order if it is required.
I will have to bring my remarks to a close as my time is short. I think I will have more time to write [later]. Give me all the news and be sure to tell me how you are getting along and also whether you have heard anything from Franklin lately. My respects to all the folks. Direct your letters as before as ever, — James Murkin
Letter 53
Keokuk, [Iowa]
March 8th 1862 [should be 1863]
Dear Anna,
I embrace this opportunity to drop you a line or two to let you know that I am well and in good health and hope these lines will find you all enjoying the same blessing. I am still at Keokuk in the office but I can’t say how long I may stay. I would rather stay here than go to Dixie. I am not exposed to so many hardships here as I would be down south, and for that reason I would stay. The man is discharged that was here before me. He belonged to the 16th Iowa. I would rather stay my time out here than go down south to fight again. I know what it is to soldier. But if I have to go, I shall do the best I know how.
We have been looking for news from Vicksburg for some time but in vain. I do hope they will take the whole rebel horde there and all they have and put a stop to this war. But until it is done right so we can say this country is free to all of every nation, kindred and town, and that will surely be before peace can be restored. Slavery is bound to fall and may God grant it speedily. When you write, let me know how Franklin is getting along.
I see by the papers that there is a great many of the boys sick at Vicksburg and round that quarter. There has been a great many boys sent to their regiments from here since I came back. I am glad I did not go as it is so unhealthy down there. Anna, tell your father I sent him a Keokuk paper to read so he can see what kind of folks we have down here. I will send one once in a while so you will know how we are getting along in this quarter. The boats are going to run regular next week to Davenport. The river is about clear of ice now.
Tell Cory she must be a good girl until I come to see her again. Anna, it is getting late. I am alone. The folks are all gone out and I [must] quit this time and go to bed. But I have to go to the post office first to carry the mail. My respects to all. Write soon. — Jas. Murkin
Spared & Shared 23 