The following letters were written by Amos Wilson Elliott (1841-1891), the son of Thomas Mathew Elliott (1799-1881) and Anna Wilson (1808-1893) of Ford county, Illinois.
Amos enlisted as a private in July 1862 at Paxton, Illinois, in Co. K, 76th Illinois Infantry (the “Kankakee Regiment”). His service entry information gives his birthplace as Morgan county, Ohio. He was described as a 5 foot 8 inches tall, dark-haired, blue-eyed, married farmer. He was married to Eliza Jane (“Jennie”) Hinkle (1843-1880) on 5 August 1862 just after his enlistment but two weeks before he mustered in.
For the next three years the young men of the 76th Illinois Infantry would fight in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama. Of the 1,008 soldiers who left Kankakee on 22 August 1862, 259 would not come home: 52 men died in battle and 207 succumbed to disease.
Amos served three years with the regiment and mustered out on 5 May 1865 at Memphis, Tennessee. Serving with him in the same company was his brother-in-law, Simon Peter Mitchell (1837-1915), the husband of Sarah Elliott (1838-1883).
Letter 1
Bolivar, Tennessee
Tuesday, October 7, 1862
Dear Brother,
I am sitting all alone in our tent. I will write you a few lines to let you know that I have not forgotten you. We have got a nice camp here—good water and nice shade. We have some pretty good boys in our regiment.
When we were at Columbus, we captured a barrel of apples and along the road, when the train would stop, we would get off and if we found a secessionist, you better think their fruit had to suffer. The boys took a lot of bee hives and anything we could get our hands on.
Thomas, I want you to let me know how you are a getting along with work, how sugar cane turns out, and a 1000 and one things which I don’t think of. Tell me whether there is any drafting yet or not. I am well and hope this will find you well. Write soon. — Amos Elliott
Hannah, I will write a few lines to [you] to let you know that I still think about you. I hope you will try and be as cheerful as you can under the present state of things. I hope you will not forget to pray for me.
Simon would write but he has not got time but we would like to hear from you every once in awhile. Curl Bill was very anxious to know whether you got his letter or not. Please write and let me know how you are getting on.
James Edgar wants you and Jennie to go and see his wife as often as you can. No more at present. — Amos Elliott
Letter 2
from Amos Elliott, 76th Illinois Vols., Co. K, Lagrange, Tennessee
Bolivar, Tennessee
November 2nd 1862
Well, Jane, as I don’t have to go out on inspection this morning and don’t know of anything else that I can amuse myself at half so well, I will talk a while to you. Well, Jane, I would like to go to [ ‘s] school house to Sunday school this morning but it is a most too far for me to go so I will have to content myself as usual at seeing the same old story over and over again. Sunday is the most busiest day we have in the week. There is no respect paid to the Sabbath here unless it is to do about as much again labor as we do on week days. And I think that is a poor way of keeping the Sabbath day holy. But war knows no Sabbath. One day here is just the same as another.
Well, Jane, I guess as how I would like to kiss you a few, I fancy I see you fly round the cane mill and when old Sam throws his head up, me thinks I hear you squeal. How I would like to draw a great gob of taffy around that long neck of yours and then to cap the climax, kiss you in the mouth, and then to put the cap-sheaf on for me and Jennie and you, and all the rest of us to have a good old fashion time singing in our note books.
Jane, I want you to not neglect your music any more than you can help for there is nothing so charming as vocal music. We have lots of music here but I have got awful tired of it so you may guess that it is not worth much, I would not give that little golden chain which is headed with O that will joyful be for all the music I have heard since I came to camp.
No more, but remember me to sister Hannah. Goodbye for this time, — Amos Elliott
Dear brother Thomas Matthew Elliott,
We got your letter yesterday. I was glad to hear from you once more. You said you was getting alone rather slow but from what you said you had got done, I think you are getting along pretty well for no more half than you have had. You said you had 88 shocks of corn cut up and 9 barrels of molasses made and lots of cane round the mill. Tommy, how I would like to help you pull some of that nice wax. When you get done making molasses, tell me how much you have altogether. Tell me what produce is worth at the City of Paxton.
Tommy, work Old Sam well and feed him good and you will have a nice horse to sleigh ride with this winter. Just make him get up and brindle. No more at present. Thomas, don’t forget them notes for when I come home, I want you to learn me a lot of new tunes. — Amos Elliott
Phebe A. Elliott,
Well, Phebe, the first thing I would say to if (if I had chance) would be to kiss you (that would be funny) as little Tom says. I must go to dinner. Goodbye.
Phebe, dinner is over. It did not take me very long to eat for I have got the headache some today and I did not feel much like eating so I made a short job of it. Tell Henrietta that if I had a chance, I’d kiss her so quick she would laugh, I’ll bet. Hettie I want you to keep a good kiss for me when I come home. We’ll have a good time.
No more. Hettie, remember your Uncle, — Amos Elliott—and be a good girl and obey grandmother.
Letter 3
Lagrange, Tennessee
November 13th [1862]
Dear Sister Hank,
Sitting by the roots of an old oak tree with a tin pan on my knee, you would find somebody about as big as me trying to write to thee/ Well, Jane, I got your letter yesterday. Was glad to hear from you once more. I am well and hearty with the exception of a slight cold and my old pain in my breast.
I got here Tuesday about 7 p.m. Yesterday I was about camp all day. We have a very nice situation here but how long we will remain here I don’t know nor I don’t care for the oftener we move the more of the world I will get to see (and the more niggers too). It seems to me that there is about three times as many darkeys here as white men, I was going to say, but I believe they are all secesh for they all look so mean, as though they would like to crawl through an auger hole and hide themselves (I wish they would).
Jane, there is lots of troops here. I will not pretend to say how many but I have been told that there was camp thick for five miles round and they are so thick here that they can be stirred with a stick (that’s funny).
Jennie said that school was going to commence pretty soon. I would like to know who is a going to teach for you this winter. I expect it will be Jesse Butting (ain’t it?) Well, if it ain’t him, it is somebody else. Ain’t I good at guessing.
Well, Jane, you must be quite a hostler. Well I am glad to hear of your boldness for you was an awful coward when I left you.
Sarar, Simon is well and in fine spirits and always ready for duty. I don’t believe you would hardly know him. He is getting as fat as a China pig and his eye is almost well. They look better now that I ever saw them before.
Jane, write often as you can for I love to read letters from home. Tell me all the news and what the general opinion is about the war up in Ford county. I must close for this time so goodbye, Jane, for this time. — Amos Elliott
Remember me to a thrown of grace for I feel that I need your prayers.
Letter 4
City Hospital
Vicksburg, Mississippi
January 21, 1864
My Dear Sister,
I avail myself the opportunity of replying to yours of the 12th inst. Yours was read with great satisfaction. I am glad to hear of your good times, Jennie spoke of the protracted meeting before it had commenced. I have been thinking a great deal about our neighborhood here of late, thinking how I should like to be up there to go to the protracted meeting but I could not. I am glad to learn of the revival. The Lord in mercy has visited His people in that vicinity. How i would enjoy to go at one of the prayer and class meetings. The last one I was at there, we had a happy time. There was but few of usm but the Lord was with us. I’ll never forget that meeting. I often think of it. I like [to] reflect on those happy days. I know I did not improve the privileges I enjoyed as I ought to have done. I never knew how to appreciate the blessing I enjoyed. But since I have been deprived of them, I feel the importance of improving the time and I am very glad to hear that you have had such general revival of religion in your neighborhood, My prayer is that they may be kept faithful and improve the precious blood-bought privileges they enjoy while your brother is in defense of our country, protecting the blessed privileges you enjoy.
I desire especially to be remembered in your prayers. I greatly need them. You little know what difficulties I have to contend with. I meet with temptations on every hand. I hope you will all pray for me that I may prove victorious. Sister, I know from the very tone of your letter the Lord has blessed you. Thank the Lord. Thought He afflicts us, it is for our good. Your affliction has no doubt been sanctified to your good. Let us put our trust in Him in all circumstances and condition life.
It does me good to hear that Deacon and wife have joined. I think it will prove a blessing to the neighborhood. And Mr. Flag and lady, and Mr. Montgomery’s wife. Oh that will be a happy neighborhood—all united in the sacred bonds of Christian love.
I must close. You did not say anything especially of Jennie or any of the rest but I suppose they are all well, The last letter I got from Jennie was written the 28th of December, I got it the 7th of January so it hs been two weeks since I have heard from her. Maybe you will say that is not long. It isn’t very long but when I have been used to getting about two a week, then come down to nary one in two weeks, it seems like a good while. But a boat came down last night [and] I expect I’ll get a letter this evening. (I am sitting up. It is now after midnight.)
I heard from the company yesterday. They are all well. I have not seen Sion for near two weeks. The regiment is under marching orders. The troops of this Army Corps are all under marching orders. They are now very busy fighting out the train turning over, broken ambulances, and worn-out mules, and training new ones. Doubtless there are a general move pending. As to out destination, I don’t pretend to say. I only hope I shall be well and hearty so I may enjoy the trip. I am still here doing a little when I am able. I think I am gaining. I hope this may find you all well. Write a few lines whenever you can. It is always received [with] pleasure. Your affectionate brother, — Amos Elliott
Letter 5
Camp 76th Illinois Infantry
Morganzia Bend, Louisiana
August 10th, 1864
Dear Sister,
Yours of July 25th reached me the 7th inst. and was read with increasing interest. It had been some time since I had heard from you (or any of our family). I am glad to inform you I still enjoy usual health which I appreciate as a great blessing. Health is truly a blessing in any circumstance of life but it seems to be a greater blessing to one situated as I am now. Hope this may find you all well.
Yesterday the news came to Division Headquarters that Fort Gaines and Powell [in Mobile Bay] are ours with 46 field officers, two gunboats, a large number of private prisoners. On the arrival of the news, the General ordered a salute of 30 rounds to be fired. The firing took place about 3 p.m. Simon and I and others were on picket. We knew good news had been received but did not know what it was so you may imagine our anxiety till this morning [when] we were relieved [from picket] and came in when we learned the particulars.
There is still some Rebs here yet. Last Saturday, three of our cavalry pickets were captured & one killed. Sunday evening the 76th with other regiments both of infantry and cavalry went reconnoitering [and] returned last night. [They] brought in 20 graybacks. The main force is thought to have fallen back but still they keep out a pretty heavy picket & scouting parties so they bother our picket & occasionally take off some of our boys. But we get more of them than they do of us.
This is a lonely place here from the fact we don’t get mail regular. By referring to your map, you will find where the low line crosses the river, we are 12 miles below that—right where the river makes the bend on a plantation (which was formerly owned by Morganzia. Tis settled ow by the French or rather what is called Creoles who claim English protection and claim to be neutral but in my opinion are the meanest traitors there is anywhere about. They are a hard specimen of humanity—not fit to live under the protection of the Stars and Stripes. But here they are. As they have several cows, hogs, chickens, and other property, our General has given them each one a guard to protect their property. These men have milk to sell 30 cents a quart. We’ve been living on hard tack, meat, coffee (only half rations of that) for two weeks. So [when] we was on picket, we concluded to have some milk to take with our hard tack. We got a pint for 15 cents. It went first rate so we concluded the next morning to have some more milk. As we expected to be relieved pretty early, we went up to the house right early to get the milk, [but] nobody was up except the cows. As we hated to disturb their slumbers, we just walked in quietly, got what milk we wanted & left without disturbing them (like gentlemen). We also got a chicken apiece in the same manner so we feasted that day on what is generally called with us, “Mrs. Lincoln Pudding,” made of crackers. Next morning had fried chicken for breakfast after the old style which was delicious beyond description. We ate hearty and talked of home adn old times.
I received a letter from Jennie dated 25 ult. the same day as yours.
Well, Jane, as I said before, I’ve not much news to write. You spoke of Mother being sick. I hope you or some one of the folks will write soon as I am anxious to hear from all. There are several of the boys sick. Lieut. Dille has been rather poorly for some days but is getting better. Lieut. is liked much better than he used to be. He cares for the welfare of the boys and is doing about the fair thing. I notice a vast difference in him since the little fight we were in near Jackson. There, officers and men were all on a level. Best men hugged the ground the closest—Brigadiers and all. The boys all seem to think more of each other than they did before. Dille lay on my right side in action. He had some close calls as well as some of the rest. I can’t see how we escaped as well as we did. I am thankful I came off so well.
Jane, I hope you will ever pray for me. I realize a great need of being ever found prepared for death at any moment. We have a great deal of duty to do now. I have not much time. I make it a rule to read what spare time I have or sing some old song we used to delight in singing so well. Hoping to hear again soon, I close ever remaining your affectionate brother, — A. W. Elliott
to Hannah J. Elliott
Letter 6
Washington Hospital
[Memphis, Tennessee]
February 5, 1865
My dear sister,
Yours of the 25th ult. came duly to hand. I was glad to hear from the folks generally and specially from Jennie. I have heard nothing from Jennie since the 8th of January (directly) & that reached me via New Orleans the 30th ult.
I have deferred writing thinking surely by this to have had some word from home (Jennie). But this gloomy morning I am still without a cheering word either from home or Jennie. I have not been so well as usual for some three days, yet am able to [get] around. I don’t seem to build up as fast as I thought to when I last wrote you. The [weather] has been very disagreeable for some time past.
Your explanation of why home does not seem like home to you is very plain & natural that you should talk so. You now know what it is to be deprived of a brother as you now have none to be with as you always used to have. You will join me in saying one doesn’t know the worth of a true friend till once deprived of them. This I have found to be true.
The branches of study you mention I them all very necessary. I hope you may gain the mastery which I am sure you will in a reasonable length of time. I will close hoping this may find you well. Ever your affectionate brother, — Amos
To Jane
I will write Jennie & send with this. You will please forward immediately.
Spared & Shared 23 