The following letter was written by 19 year-old Nancy Jane Gallaway of Mina, Chautauqua county, New York. I believe Nancy was the daughter of Martha Gallaway (1817-Aft1880), a widow who lived with her two daughters Nancy and Elizabeth, in the same household as Andrew R. Johnson (1802-1882).
The letter was addressed to Mike Johnson who was most likely Andrew’s son by a former marriage. Martha Gallaway is supposed to have married Andrew in October 1860 but, curiously, her surname appears in later census records as Gallaway so I can’t be certain of the relationships. Instead of cousins, Nancy and Mike may actually have been step-siblings.
Nancy’s letter conveys news of the war casualties of Chautauqua county, New York—particularly from Mina where companies serving in the 111th and 112th New York Infantry as well as the 15th New York Cavalry were recruited. She also speaks of a counterfeit money scandal that took place in the county implicating a number of men. These scandals were not so unusual during the war when paper currency came into widespread use but the government lacked resources to regulate it.
[Note: This letter is from the private collection of Austin Sundstrom and was transcribed and published on Spared & Shared by express consent.]
Transcription
Mina, [Chautauqua county, New York]
August 5, 1864
Now, Mike Johnson, I take my pen in hand to let you know that we are all well at present time and I am in hopes that these few lines may find you in good health. I have not much to write this time but I thought that must write a little. I got a letter from Mr. Wilson July the 14th. He was well then. It was dated July the 9th. I will give you the names of the killed and wounded. I hope you don’t know them but I will tell who they are.
Daniel Johnson, left arm; Mr. Clive’s cousin Robert [Amos] Corbett, 1 hip; Mr. Calvin’s cousin’s husband Charles [H.] Munger, 2 right breast and left arm; Charles Pratt, left arm; James [D.] Findley, 3 left arm broke off; Oren Sweet, 4 arm. They have all been to home but two or three and they are coming home. Frank McIntosh 5 in the knee and a prisoner. Wm. H. Greenman, foot. Rubin Stafford, arm prisoner, death.
James Scidmore 6, Henry [Barber] Findley 7, Ishmer Babcock wounded. The report is that Albert Shinn 8 is killed. He was seen falling off from his horse and the blade a raising.
There is lots of men taking up for passing counterfeit money. I will tell you their names—Doctor Phillips, James McIntosh, Jacob Fields, Mr. Beish. Henry Dugels took up Money Daves and cleared him. Mr. Broadhead, Mr. Busherl and a young man I have not learned his name and three or four more is reported to be in the scrape but I don’t know where they are or not but I can tell their names, Anna Raymond, Orrin Dunn, Henry Schalley.
I will finish my letter now. We got your kind letter with pleasure. Your sister sends her respects to you and her love to Mary Jane. Lib is well and send her love to you. Write all of the news that you can. Give my love to all enquiring friends. No more at present. Write when you can.
We have got so much work to do that we can’t write much. This from your cousin—Nancy Jane Gallaway
1 Robert Amos Corbett (1829-1895) was a 1st Lieutenant in Co. D, 112th New York Infantry. He enlisted at Mina in August 1862 and was wounded in the hip at Cold Harbor on 1 June 1864. He was discharged for disability on 17 October 1864.
2 Charles H. Munger was 39 years old when he enlisted in Co. D, 112th New York Infantry. He was a corporal when he was wounded in action at Cold Harbor on 1 June 1864. He mustered out with the company at Raleigh, N. C. on 13 June 1865.
3 James D. Findley was 25 years old when he enlisted in August 1862 to serve in Co. H, 112th New York Infantry. He was transferred later to Co. K and was wounded severely on 24 June 1864 near Petersburg, Virginia. He was discharged for disability on 11 September 1865.
4 Oren or Orrin Sweet (1843-1892) served in Co. B, 111th New York Infantry. He was wounded on 29 October 1863 at Wauhatchie, Tennessee, and again on 25 May 1864 at Dallas, Georgia. He was taken prisoner and held until 13 April 1865.
5 Frank McIntosh of Mina enlisted at the age of 19 in 1863 to serve in the 15th New York Cavalry.
6 James C. Scidmore (1838-1864) served as a private in Co. B, 111th New York Infantry. He was wounded at Wauhatchie, Tenn. on October 29, 1863; killed at Culp’s [Kolbs] Farm, Ga. on June 17, 1864.
7 Henry Barber Findley (1846-1864) was a private in Co. D, 112th New York Infantry. He was mortally wounded at Cold Harbor on 2 June 1864.
8 23 year-old Albert Shinn enlisted at Mina in January 1864 to serve in the 15th New York Cavalry. He deserted at Lynchburg, Virginia, on 19 June 1864 according to military records. Albert was born in Germany and was a farmer by occupation.
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