The following distressing letter was written by 37 year-old Cordelia [Scovell] Havens (1826-1898), the wife of Thomas Havens (1812-1875) whom she married after her first husband, James Jameson (1819-1845) died in 1845. Cordelia and her 2nd husband moved to Henry county, Iowa, in 1854 and to Cherokee county, Kansas in 1866. Her letter implores of an unidentified hospital surgeon the fate of the only son by her first marriage—Harlan J. Jameson (1843-1886). I believe the letter was sent to Annapolis, Maryland, where paroled soldiers were exchanged.

Harlan Jameson enlisted as a private when he was 18 years old in Co. K, 4th Iowa Cavalry. He was mustered into service on 25 November 1861 and was taken prisoner at Bear Creek, Mississippi, on 22 June 1863. He was exchanged and returned to service on 14 October 1863 at Vicksburg. He mustered out of the regiment on 4 December 1864 when his term of service expired.

Harlan’s obituary, published in the Cherokee Sentinel on 21 January 1887, claims that he was seriously wounded in the Battle of Helena (Arkansas) and “subsequently captured and carried to Castle Thunder and Libby prison in which places he was confined for nine months, when he was exchanged and again joined his command and served till the expiration of his term of service in December, 1864, at which time he received an honorable discharge.” Clearly there is a discrepancy between the military record and the obituary record, and I’m inclined to believe the obituary was fabricated out of half-truths and exaggerated tales told by the old warrior, especially given that Co. K was, indeed, on Hill’s Plantation near Bear Creek on 22 June 1863. On page 557 of his book, The Story of a Cavalry Regiment, William Force Scott informs us that Harlan was among several men of the 4th Iowa Cavalry captured, exchanged, and returned to service in October 1863. While he may have been sent to Richmond as a POW, he did not languish there for nine months.

Harlan met his death by falling from the tramway at the Cherokee coal shaft, where he was employed as night watchman and while in the discharge of duty, between 10 and 11 o’clock at night Jan. 17th, 1887.

Letter 1

Mt. Pleasant, Iowa
August the 2nd, 1863

Mr. Hospital Surgeon,

Sir, I want some information about my son Harlen J. Jameson that I understand is under your charge. He was taken prisoner of war not far from Vicksburg on the 22nd of June. He was a member of Co. K, Iowa Fourth Cavalry. I also understand that he was badly wounded. I should like to have you write as soon as you get this and let me know all—whether he is dead or not, and whether he is able to come home if living, or how soon he will be able.

I suppose you get many such letters as this. — Cordelia Havens

Direct to Mount Pleasant, Henry county, Iowa

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Letter 2

Mt. Pleasant, Iowa
August 2nd 1863

My Dear Son,

I once more sit down for the purpose of writing to you—if you ever get this—and are not able to write, I want you to get someone to write for you for I have tried in vain to hear from you ever since I heard that you were taken prisoner and could get no information till yesterday when [William] Miller and Robert [S.] Stockton came home and they say that you was wounded and left at Annapolis, Maryland.

Your father was down to St. Louis and just got home last night. He was hunting you. We heard that you was at that place and he went to bring you home but did not find you. If I had money, I would start tomorrow morning to see if I could find you but I have not the means and so I have to just think of you. I can’t write much this time.

From Cordelia Havens

to her son Harlan J. Jameson