The following letters were written by Augustus (“Gus”) C. Goakey (1838-1911), the son of Justin Goakey (1783-1871) and Mary Eliza Hudson (1815-1887) of Burritt township, Winnebago county, Illinois.

Augustus was mustered into Co. C, 55th Illinois Infantry in October 1861. At the time of his enlistment he was described as a 5′ 8″ tall, black-haired, black-eyed, 23 year-old farmer. He mustered out on 24 August 1865.

Gus’ obituary states that he was in “some of the notable engagement and most hotly contested battles” in the Civil War. “He was for 120 consecutive days under the fire of the enemy, all of which is recorded on his discharge” papers. “He joined Sherman’s ranks at the beginning of the eventful campaign…and remained with him until the army was mustered out at Washington D. C.

[Note: These letters are from the personal collection of Austin Sundstrom are were transcribed and published on Spared & Shred by express consent.]

Letter 1

Memphis, Tennessee
August 5th 1862

Ever remembered Mother,

Once more I take time to write a few lines to you to let you know where I am. Well, I am in the army yet and in Memphis—that stronghold of the rebels. But it did not prove so strong as they thought it would at that time. I am well as can be expected after our long & wearied marches. I got somewhat wore out then but am getting better fast now. It is pretty hot weather here but we do not have much to do here for for the Niggers do all the work on the fort and let the soldiers rest & recruit up. There is no special news to write this time.

Tell Jule that job of Riley’s was to her two hundred dollars.

The fruit down here is ripe and fit to eat so we get all we can eat of the fruit. 

The reason why I did not write any sooner was because we was on the march all the time & could not mail a letter if I did write. The regiment is more healthier than it was two months ago.

Give my best respects to all the folks. Write soon. Direct your letters to Memphis.

— Augustus Goakey

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Letter 2

Camp Opposite Vicksburg
February 21, 1863

Dear Mother,

I now take the opportunity of letting you know that I am well and hope that these few lines will find you enjoying the same blessing of life.

I received your kind letter last Tuesday and was very much pleased to hear from you. I was pleased to hear your health was so good. If I was at hom now I would change someway or another so that we could get along better. It comes very hard to me to hear in almost every letter that I get to hear that you have so much fuss with Jule. I may get home some day or another to settle all this trouble.

Tell Thomas to do the best he can. Tell the whole three of the boys to stick together as brothers should so and not be fighting and quarreling all the time. I thought that I had a brother once but now he is worse than a stranger to me. And tell Tom and the rest not to serve one another in this way. Tell them all—Jule with the rest—that they will not get mad over what money I send home hereafter.

If you can get some postage stamps handy, send me some for they are very scarce down here.

It has been very bad weather here for the last two weeks. It rains nearly all the time. No more at present. Write soon. I remain your son, — Augustus

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Letter 3

Goldsboro, Ga. [should be North Carolina]
April [?] 1865

My dear beloved Mother,

With pleasure I take this present occasion of addressing you these few lines to inform you that I am well at this present time. Still hoping that these few lines may find you enjoying the same good blessing.

I received a letter from you a few days ago. I was glad to hear from you. I have not had the opportunity to write sooner.

We left Beaufort on the 27th of January. We had quite a difficult march through swamps and [ ]. We had to fight the enemy in a great many places. We are now at Goldsboro, N. C. You will think that the enemy are very strong but they are not. You have a great many conflicting reports from Richmond. I think that when we make two more marches, this war will be over. I don’t think that our troubles will last long. O am in hopes that I will be home in 2 or 3 months. If not in that time, I will in two years.

I got a letter from my brother Joseph. He is at Memphis, Tennessee. He was well at the time.

Jones is now with me. It is a great comfort to me to be with him. He is well and hearty. Charles was here to see me since we was here. He is well. I will write to my sister and I’ll see if she will answer it. You will please send me 50 cents postage stamps. If I don’t write often, I have not forgotten the dear ones I left behind me when I come in the army.

I will close for the present. I still remain your true and affectionate son, — Gust Goakey

[to] Mrs. Elisa Goakey