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
Letter 54
Keokuk, Iowa
March 17, 1863
Dear Anna,
I have just been up to the office and got your letter. I have been up every night for a week looking for one but in vain until tonight I got one. I was glad to hear from you and to hear that you was well. I am happy to say that I am enjoying the best of health with the exception of a toothache. It is better this evening. My face is swollen up considerable.
I am still in the office but as I told you in my last, I can’t tell you how long I may stay but I shall stay as long as I can if things go right. I would rather stay here than go to Dixie by great odds. I am glad to hear that [your brother] Franklin enjoys such good health and hope the Lord will still continue His blessings toward him and all who are risking their lives in defense of their country. And may God grant to defend the right and then who are in bondage set at liberty that this may be a free country in deed and in truth and bring this unholy war to a speedy close that we may all return to our homes in peace. Then we can rejoice. I do hope that time will soon come.
I was sorry to hear that Major Young had died in such a short time. But it is true as you say in the midst of life we are in death and we know not what a day may bring forth. But I hope we shall all be ready to meet hte messenger of death come when he may.
Anna, tell Lorry to be a good girl and then I will come and see her again as soon as I can and then we will have a game of ball again. Give my respects to Shoulte and tell him I am well and hope he and his family are. Tell him it is no use for him to hold onto the negroes. They are bound to go free in a free country. Tell him I say I hope he is not a Copperhead.
Anna, you say you are going to work at Mrs. Whitcomb’s. I hope if you do, you won’t have to stay long. I trust I will be home before many months but it is hard for me to tell. But you may rest assured I will come as soon as I can. Anna, I want to put this in the office tonight so you must excuse me this time. My respects to all your folks. — James Murkin
Letter 55
Keokuk, Iowa
March 26, 1863
Dear Anna,
Yours of the 22nd came to hand this evening. I was just down to the office and came back. I was glad to hear that you was well and in one sense, I was glad to hear that you was in town because I think you can enjoy yourself better in some respects than in the country at home although I am aware that there is no place on this earth like home. Self experience teach knowledge. Anna, I hope these few lines will find you still enjoying good health as they leave me at this time.
I am still in the same place and getting along first rate or at least as well as can be expected. As far as my enjoyment is concerned, it’s not as good as if I was at home. It is no use to talk. I cannot enjoy a soldier’s life like some people. It does not suit my taste as well as a citizen’s life do. I have tried them both and if I was free again, I should know just what to do. But I must not complain. It was of my own free will and accord I enlisted and and no doubt in my own mind that if I had not went when I did, I should have been gone before this time so probably it is best as it is two years of the time will soon be gone next May, I believe.
I wish I could be in Washington next Sunday and we would go to church, would we not? You bet we would. I wish I could tell you the time when I would be home so we could go to church together but I can’t do it. I would gladly do it if I could. Then you could make up your mind to stay with me. I can’t make out who that lady is that you are living with. You must try and make me understand the next time you write. You will think I am pretty dull of understanding.
You say you haven’t heard from [your brother] Franklin lately. I hope you will hear from him soon and good news with it that the war is ended. But things look too dark at present. But I hope all will come right soon. I am sorry to hear of Sholt’s being sick. It is a bad job for his family but no one can avoid sickness. We are all subject to it and cannot escape it. I hope he will recover soon.
There was a hundred contrabands came to town this evening from Dixie and 75 a short time ago. A great many of them hire out—all that are able to work. They are all sizes, big and little. I have not seen them yet—only three or four men of them that was working round the hospital cleaning up. They will come handy to work on farms this season in place of those who has gone to fight.
I must close for this time as it is getting late and I have to go to the post office yet to carry the mail. Give my respects to your folks and remember me to Mrs. Ditmars when you see her, and also to Laura, and tell her to be a good girl. Write soon.
Yours truly, — J. Murkin
Letter 56
Keokuk
April 17, 1863
Dear Anna,
I received your kind and long looked for letter today and I can assure you that I was glad to hear from you and to hear that you was well. I am well and enjoying good health and still at my old place and hope to remain yet for some time. There is nearly a hundred and fifty boys going to their regiment today but I am not going this time.
Anna, you say it has been some time since you got a letter from me. Has it not been a little longer since I received one from you? I had to laugh, I must confess, when I read your letter to see how good you was at guessing. I did think I would wait until I received one from you and so I did and consequently your guess was right. I know it was not neglect or forgetfulness that you did not write sooner. But as you say you have not had time to do anything, Oh I hope that won’t last much longer, working out for other folks. You should be your own boss after a while if you be a good girl, which I know you are by the way you wrote in your letter.
Only one more year and I shall be free. May God preserve our lives and protect us from all harm. I wish I could be with you this evening and talk to you instead of writing. It would be much pleasanter to us both and I could tell you a great deal more than I can write. You say you still hope to see me again this summer. Anna, it will be almost impossible for me to come under the circumstances now. I did not get any pay this time for the simple reason I took a french [leave] and if I should take another, I would not get any next time. The paymaster has been here and just paid off 4 months to all but the French [Leave] men. They got none and I was one of that number. But it will come sometime.
That lady you spoke of in your letter, I don’t know who it can be. You say a lady. I am sure I cannot guess who it is. You must tell me the [next] time you write. I have no idea who it is. Just give me a little light on the subject and I will be yours truly.
Anna, how I do wish this war was ended so we could all return home. Wouldn’t we have a good old time? You bet we would. But as you say, my time is getting short. Only one more year. That is so. Only a little over a year and my time will be up. But I hope the war will be ended long before that. If it only could be ended by the4th of next July, I would gladly stay and then Oh! what a time we would have. You will be used to living in town by the time I come home. It seems to me that it’s a great deal better for you than living in the country. You can pass your time off a great deal better because you are like myself in that respect. We all have gloomy times to pass, the poet has truly said. Though sadly heaves the bosom. Joy always follows care. There’s many a summer blossom in winter’s tangled hair.
Give my respects to Mrs. Ditmars if you see her and tell them I am well. There is a large building burning now and I must go and see it. I will tell you nexttime all about it. Yours truly, — Jas. Murkin
Letter 57
Keokuk. Iowa
April 19th 1863
Dear Anna,
As an opportunity offers itself this afternoon, I will improve it in writing a few lines to you as I had not time nor space in my last. I am well and hope this will find you enjoying the same blessing.
It is a great pleasure to me to sit down this afternoon and talk to you by letter but it would be infinitely more so could I only be with you and spend this afternoon in your company by your side. But Anna, I must be content with my lot. It is of no use to murmur or complain. We must try and be content with writing to each other for a while. I cannot help thinking but this war will soon be over. Why it is I think so I cannot tell. But the impression is on my mind and I cannot banish it from me.
I suppose, likely, while I am writing to you. you are at church. I but very seldom get to go. If I was at home today, would we not go to church together? I bet we would. This is a nice afternoon. I wish you was here to take a walk with me down to the Mississippi river. But you are far away and I would rather be with you than here although it is a nice place and I could content myself to live here if I was free. But my Uncle won’t let me leave. I hope before my three years are up, he won’t need my help.
Anna, the fire that I spoke of in my last letter to you was a very large frame building. It used to be the court house some years ago but lately it has been made a pest house of two soldiers who had the small pox. At the time the fire occurred, there was several in[side] but all got out safe. The building was all burnt down and a great deal of the furniture destroyed because people did not like to go in to expose themselves. I saw it burn but not go near it.
Anna, don’t you forget to write, will you? Give my respects to your folks and also to Franklin when you write to him. I will close for this time. I amm dear Anna, ever yours, — Jas. Murkin
Letter 58
Keokuk
April 30th 1863
Dear Anna,
Yours of the 26th came to hand last evening and with an anxious heart, I perused over its pages. was glad to find that you was well and all your folks in return. My health is good at this time for which I am very thankful but not so much so as I ought to be I often think.
I am still in my old place in the office and hope to remain for some time yet to come. It is a great deal better for me in my opinion than being in camp as I have a good place to sleep and have a better living than I would in camp. There was 75 new patients come up from St. Louis the other day to Keokuk—mostly all Iowa soldiers. We are looking for more every day but I don’t know how soon they may come. There has been a great many sent from here to their regiments this spring and so consequently give room for more which will no doubt be filled up before long.
And this is thanksgiving day and most of the boys are gone to meeting or out somewhere for they are not working but myself, instead of going out, I am writing a few thoughts to one whose company I would like to be in today instead of writing. And then it would be a thanksgiving day indeed, wouldn’t you consider it? So I bet you would. And I am sure I should. It would be a great source of pleasure to me to have the privilege of going to church with you once more. It has been a long time since we used to go to meeting together in Washington. But I hope that time will soon come again when we will have a better right—a right which no one can dispute.
I would like to be at home this fall if your cousin comes from Nebraska to keep him from enticing you away. I don’t think he can do it because you will be afraid to go out West. Evebn if he did succeed, I would have to come and see you as soon as I got free if I knew wehere to find you. If he should happen to bring the one along with him that he has got picked out for you and you don’t like him, I can tell you what to do. Tell him you are old enough to choose for yourself. And besides, you are getting used to living in town and I would not like to have you go away so far to live in the country. I shall do my best to persuade you not to consent to go between now and fall.
I am yet at a loss to know who that lady can be. If you know her name, tell me next time. But I will make one guess—Mrs. Thompson. If I am wrong, please correct me. You say you have not heard from Franklin lately. You doubtless feel anxious about him and also your folks. But you must not give yourself more trouble that you can help. But remember that when they are on a scout or moving to anyplace, it is hard for one to write. But you will no doubt hear from him before you get this. I calculate you will ge tthis Saturday evening if all is well. I wish I could come and hand it to you instead of the post master, don’t you? I bet you do. And I sent your father three new papers and yet it seems strange to me that they should be mislaid. Someone is to blame. Who is it? That’s the question. I guess I must quit. My space is out.
Now I want you to write and give me the news. Do as I do, stay at home some evening instead of going to church and write to me…– J. M.
Letter 59
Keokuk
May 10th 1863
Dear Anna,
Yours of the 4th Inst. came to hand Friday evening. I was glad to hear that you was well and also your folks. I am well at present and hope htis may find you still in possession of that great blessing which is desirable to the enjoyment of this life.
Dear Anna, I did not think when I wrote to you last that I would cause you such trouble of mind as it did. I did not think you would take it in that light or I can assure you that I should not have written as I did on any consideration. When I spoke to you about staying at home and writing to me instead of going to church, I did not suppose you would think me in earnest or I can assure you I should not have wrote as I did. But it seems you took me just as I said and not as I intended you should. When I write anything of that kind, you must not think me in earnest because I do not or did not intend to say anything to wound your feelings in the least. When you spoke about your cousin coming to see you next fall, I can assure you that I would like to be there with you and have the pleasure of chatting with him. I hope you did not think me in earnest of what I said about it because I was not. But still I suppose I ought to have considered a little more about what I was saying…
I wish I was at home today instead of being here in Keokuk and then we would go to meeting together and then I think we would both of us enjoy ourselves better in each other’s company than we do apart. I think the time long until I can come home and stay but it will pass off [even] if I have to stay my three years out. Two of them are about gone on the 27th of this month, but I hope before years are up the war will be ended and all of us at home. What a happy time will be then whoever lives to see that day. I often look forward to that time and the thoughts of it cheers me up and gives me courage to hope for better days to come. When I look back on the past, it sometimes makes me shudder to think of those who are filling a soldier’s grave, who fell in defense of their country, pierced with rebels bullets, and may we say they fell in a good cause and are gone. We trust with Christ to reign where the clash of arms are not hard and sorrow never comes.
Anna, when you have been working hard all day, I don’t want you to sit up to write to me. It is not right you should. I would not do it myself and not ask you to do it. Only when you have time and feel like it. And I know that is always when an opportunity to do so offers itself. I am sure of that by the way my letters re answered. I don’t complain. Neither can I. So you must not take all I say on such occasions to be in earnest.
You say you have heard from [your brother] Franklin lately and that he was well. I am glad to hear it. It is much better to hear than the reverse, but I suppose that since you heard from him he has very likely seen some hard times as that army is moving now. I suppose before this time probably on to Vicksburg. If it is, I hope it will succeed in capturing the rebels this time.
Last night we had quite an exciting time all the night long until daylight this morning. Last night about 9 o’clock the news came by telegraph that Richmond was taken. Oh, if it is only true. I am afraid it is too good to be true. People went almost mad. They fired the cannon and made large fires in the streets, rung the bells, and had quite an exciting time. People run wild with joy. You will hear the news long before this reaches you. Copperheadism went down below par. The boys took the old cannon to the houses of some of the biggest copperheads in town and fired it off right under their windows. It was fun to see the glass fly. Oh if the news is only true. I hope and trust it is.
Anna, I can’t write anymore just now. You will excuse me, won’t you? Until the news is confirmed, my love to all, – James Murkin
Letter 60
Keokuk
May 17th 1863
My dear Anna,
Yours of the 13th inst. came to [hand] last night and I can assure you, it was kindly received and its contents gladly perused which added to my joy to find you in good health which I am happy to say I am enjoying the same earthly blessing which is better than great riches.
I was glad you heard from Franklin and also to hear that he was well. I hope it will be his happy lot to enjoy it while he is in the army and that God may guide him safely through the war and sustain him through all his duties whatever he may be called upon to do and that it may be our happy lot to meet together again when the war is ended, if not before. May God grant it.
Anna, it seems I guessed right in the person who enquired after my welfare that you spoke about in one of your letters. I am glad she has not forgotten me. Be sure and give her my best respects and tell her that I am well but think I should feel better if this war was ended and all of us safely home again. Don’t you think so, Anna? I can answer that for you myself because I know your thoughts on that subject.
It seems that the people was not quite so excited in Washington [Iowa] as they was in Keokuk when the news came that the rebel capitol was taken. The news came here in the evening and a great many rejoiced over it all night. The boys got the cannon out and fired it and rung the church bells and worked up the whole town and had a good time generally as they called it. But it all turned out false. But I hope it will be taken in a short time. We have news here this morning that Grant has taken Jackson, Mississippi, and is marching on Vicksburg. I hope it is true but I am afraid it will turn out like the taking of Richmond. Time alone will tell.
I suppose you will have heard about the taking of [Henry] Clay Dean here in Keokuk last Friday evening. That is true. You may rely on that as being so, He had been over in Illinois preaching treason no doubt and came over the river to this place to stay for the night and was going next day to a town in the country to make another speech but the boys thought best to keep him here awhile. So they went to the house where he was staying at and took charge of him and he is now in the guard house. He will have a trial. You will hear the result in due time. If he gets what he ought to have, and what he no doubt richly deserves, I think he won’t bother Iowa anymore for awhile at any rate with his treason.
Anna, give my respects to Mrs. Ditmars and tell her I am well and also to your folks. You spoke about the 4th of July in your letter and what changes might take place before that time. Oh! if the war [was] to stop by that time, what a time we would have. May God grant us such good luck. And I would spend my 4th with you. There is unlikelier things than that. If the Lord sees fit, He will do it and none can hinder. If I could ony be with you today instead of being where I am, I could tell you many things I can’t write. And how much better I could enjoy myself. I hope that time will soon come. I have not got the New Year’s gift you promised to me when I was home the last time….
Anna, I can’t think of anything more to write just now that is of any interest. Yours in love, — James Murkin
[poem not transcribed]
Letter 61
Keokuk
May 31, 1863
My Dear Anna,
Yours of the 23rd came to hand and I assure you I was glad to hear of your continued good health. And as regards my own, I cannot complain. You will please pardon the delay of a few days as circumstances would not permit me to answer yours as quick as I should like to have done but the old saying is better late than never.
Dear Anna, as you said in your last you intended spending the balance of the afternoon in talking to me on paper as that is the only way we have now of communicating to each other our thoughts, I will endeavor to spend a few moments in the same way on this Sabbath afternoon, the last day of May.
It seems you got a letter from [your brother] Franklin just before you wrote me the last letter and he was well, The thought has often occurred to me since your last but where is he now? He may have been in the fighting around Vicksburg but I suppose you don’t know yet as the battle is not decided yet, or at least as far as we know. The latest dispatches is favorable to us. I hope and trust the place is ours before this if all reports are true. Grant is good for them. He is receiving reinforcements from down the river and Banks is below with his army. Rebel JOhnston had better keep away. May God grant our boys victory over the rebel stronghold and the backbone of the rebeldom is broke.
I have been looiking in the papers to find out what Iowa regiments are at Vicksburg but can’t find out yet. As soon as you get any word from Frank, let me know. We are looking for sick and wounded up now every day. The Governor is gone down to Vicksburg to look after Iowa soldiers and will no doubt send all he can to this place.
There is about 40 boys going to start for their regiments in the morning. How soon I may have to go, I don’t know but I hope it won’t be this summer. You asked me if I thought they would keep me after my time is up. Anna, I think not. Uncle Sam don’t treat his boys in that way except it be in case he stand in great need of us. I think if we have good luck and take Vicksburg and by the time my three years is up, the rebellion will be crushed. If not, I hope to see enough of negroes in our army by that time to wind it up. They are ready and willing now to help do it and I am glad in my heart that the government is getting up negro regiments/ Let them come. It’s for their benefit and freedom. Ought they not take a part? I think so and so do every good Union man and woman think so. I would love to see this war ended but I want to see slavery end with [it] and this country is called a free country. Let it be free indeed–to all.
Anna, I am now in my last year. The time will run round and you may rest assured I will come home. But I hope I will be at home before another year rolls round. I suppose you are at home today by the way you wrote in your last letter that you was going home to see the folks. I wish I was at liberty to come and meet you there but if I get ever so home sick they won’t let me come. I do feel as if I would like to come sometimes but I would hate to leave you if I once got home so when I get home sick, I try and banish it from my mind because I know it’s no use to harbor any such thoughts. Because I came home at Christmas [without leave], I have not received any pay. They have paid off twice since I came back but I didn’t get any money either time. But I don’t care. It’s in good hands. Uncle Sam is good for it. But I guess I will get some next pay day if I stay here.
I was marked as a deserter and my name was put on the pay roll as such and sent on to Washington City but the doctor says he will write on and have me reinstated so I can draw my pay the next time. But I am not the only one. There are several in just the same fix. If I stay here, I don’t care much if I don’t get any pay until my time is up. Then I can make a good draw on Uncle Sam.
There is a man here in the hospital who belongs to Franklin’s company. He is very ell acquainted with you. I knew him when I first saw him but I could not call him by name. He looked at me and asked me if I didn’t work at Schoomaking in Washington [Iowa]. I told him I did. He said didn’t you see Anna Showalter? I told him, yes. He said, “She is a mighty good girl.” He said he worked for Gray when you was there. His name is Faucett. His wife came down to see him a few days ago. She is gone home again.
The excitement has been great here in regard to Vicksburg. They have got everything ready to have a big time just as soon as the news comes of its downfall, which I hope will not be long. Henry Clay Dean is still here yet. He is in the guard house. I don’t know what they intend to do with him. If they don’t do anything else with him, it will learn him a lesson. He will be a little more guarded what he says after this. Things appear to be pretty quiet here at present and everything going on right. I guess I have to quit for this time. Give me the news when you write. Give my respects to all your folks and tell little Laura she must be a good girl and then her foot will soon get well. Write soon to your well wisher, — James Murkin
Spared & Shared 23 