The following letters were written by Benjamin Franklin Roberts (b. 1835), the son of Morehouse (“Morris”) Roberts (1790-1847) and Susannah (“Susan”) Newman (1806-1898) of Sunbury, Delaware county, Ohio. Ben was 26 years old when he enlisted as a sergeant in Co. D, 20th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI). He was with the regiment until the spring of 1862 when he became ill and had so much difficulty regaining his health that he was actually discharged from the regiment in July 1862.

In the first letter that follows, written from Sunbury, Ohio, in September 1862 to his older brother George Washington Roberts (1829-1900) of Ottawa, Illinois, Ben expresses some desire to return to his regiment though feels his health won’t allow it yet. In the second letter datelined from Helena, Arkansas, in mid-November 1863, we learn that Ben has regained his health and is serving as a Sergt. Major in the 15th Illinois Cavalry. He later served as Sergt. Major of the 4th Louisiana Colored Cavalry and left the service in October 1865.

In his letters, Ben mentions several brothers: Giles Hartley Roberts (1845-1908) who enlisted at the age of 18 in Co. G, 96th Ohio Vol. Infantry (OVI) in August 1862. He was transferred to Co. D of the 17th Veteran Reserve Corps in January 1864. He also mentions brothers Lord Byron Roberts (1827-1889), Edward Henry Roberts (1841-1912) who also served in the 20th OVI, and John L. Roberts (b. 1838) in the 18th Illinois Infantry, later the VRC.

After the war he eventually moved to Labette county, Kansas, where he lived out his days.

Letter 1

Home [Sunbury, Delaware county, Ohio]
September 15, 1862

Dear Brother,

I thought I would try and answer your letter for Mother although I am in a dull mood for writing. I have been quite unwell for the last two weeks. I had the ague one week. Have got it broke but don’t feel any better.

[Brother] Edward is, I suppose, a prisoner if not released. He was taken at a battle near Bolivar. James Herring was killed. They are the only ones that met with any misfortune of our acquaintance. The word came by letter written by Lieut. Hill of Delaware to his wife. Lieut. Hill is a member of that company. He did not give the particulars of the battle. I think Edward will be home before long as they don’t hold prisoners long. Communication is cut off so we don’t hear from the boys often.

[Brother] Giles has enlisted. He went with Joe Kimball of Sunbury. I think Joe will make a good captain. We have not heard direct from him since the fifth. He was at Covington, Kentucky, at that time. I think they are there yet. There is quite a number gone from Sunbury & Gang Street in the same company. Some of them are writing nearly every day as we hear from them often. Giles wrote he was getting fat and liked camp life much better than he expected. Giles ought to of stayed at home with mother. He was not subject to a draft. Mother wanted him at home.

If I don’t hear from the boys soon, I will go to them providing I can & I think I can. I have not heard from [brother] John since I left. That was the last of July. I came by Clear Creek, stopped there two weeks, tried to sell out, but everything is dead in that country. Can’t sell a feed of corn there now. I did not think of staying here long when I came home but mother won’t listen to my going away this fall or winter. I don’t know how it will be yet. It is owing how my health gets. I shall try and see the boys before long anyhow. I sometimes think I am going to get well right away but as soon as I take cold, I am sick and I take cold so easy.

I will promise again to come and see you if I go west soon. I should of come that way home but I expected to go back that way soon & mother was so anxious as well as myself to get home. The excitement is pretty high here at present.

Mother is washing today. Her health is good. Burt is plowing for wheat. I was at Aunt Julie’s yesterday. Vance was at home. He saw [brother] Byron the night before. He is well. There is some southern sympathizers here—Searles, Cigs Drent, Squire Wilson, Old George Clark & his boys. Jim has had fits every day since they talked of drafting. There is an awful sight of invalids here at present. The Hartford Fair commences Wednesday. I had anticipated a good time there but I am afraid I shall not be able to keep up my end.

Tell me when you write what the chance will be there this fall and winter for light employment with indoors for I must do something this winter or I shall die with the blues. My love to you and yours. write son. — B. F. Roberts

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Letter 2

Headquarters 15th Illinois Cavalry
Helena, Arkansas
November 15th 1863

Dear Brother,

Your letter has just come to hand but not until it went the rounds from Memphis. It was sent to Vicksburg & back here ere it reached me. My health has got quite good again. We have a good deal of duty to do of late—scouting and guard duty.

I forget whether I told you or not in my last letter I expected to go into an American Regiment of African Descent. The adjutant and I have positions offered us providing we will accept which we have. Maj. Wilson, formerly of this regiment, is Colonel with the privilege of choosing his own officers and has chosen the adjutant and myself from this regiment. It is a cavalry regiment. Col. Wilson is now in Texas with Banks. He expects to fill his regiment there.

I received a letter from [brother] Ed not long ago. He had got to his regiment. Said he was fat and in as good health as ever. The other boys was well. I hear from [brother] John quite often. He is well. Wants to go with me. The adjutant and I will do all we can to get him in. I suppose you have heard that John has a commission but can’t get mustered as the company is so reduced that they are not entitled to but two officers.

We are having beautiful weather here now—very warm and dry—but the citizens say when it begins to rain that it don’t quit until it rains out & the soil is such that when it gets muddy, there is no bottom.

We have some gay times running guerrillas around here of late & with pretty good success too. We have caught a good many lately. We are going out tomorrow or the next day with three rations. I anticipate a good time going where the bushwhackers are thick and lots of chickens, any amount of girls. Such scouts make a soldier fat. Write soon. My compliments to family. Yours, &c.

— B. F. Roberts, Sergt. Major, 15th Illinois Cavalry