The following letters were written by Pvt. Alonzo Jackson (1837-1863) of Georgetown, Illinois, who enlisted in Co. A, 25th Illinois Infantry on 4 August 1861 to serve three years. When he was mustered into the regiment at St. Louis on 4 August 1864, he was described as a 5’8″ single farmer who had light hair and blue eyes. Though he enlisted for three years, Alonzo did not live long enough to serve out his term. He died on 20 September 1863 from wounds received in the fighting at Chickamauga.

Alonzo wrote this letter to his Uncle Henderson Cook of Georgetown, Vermilion county, Illinois. He datelined the letter from the regiment’s encampment near Murfreesboro and although he wrote 1862, he meant to date it 1863.

[Note : These letters are from the Sic Parvis Magna, Gratias Jesu Collection and remain in private hands. They were made available expressly for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared.]

Transcription

In Camp near Murfreesboro, Tennessee
February 26th 1862 [1863]

Dear Uncle and Aunt,

As I have but few correspondents and letter reading is one of my best enjoyments, I wish to add you to my list. I am at present enjoying good health and my spirits are good notwithstanding it rains nearly every day and we are in the mud up to our eyes (when we fall down). Company A are generally well although we have but few men we consider ourselves equal to any one company Uncle Sam has in his employ and no exception to numbers. Colonel [James S.] McClelland considered us the best at skirmishing and General [William E.] Woodruff said we were as good as he ever saw.

But if it was covered all over with honor and praise, I would want out of it for we have more duty to do than I like unless other companies did the same and one object of my writing was to get your assistance in getting into another company where I could better my position. As the [1863] Conscription Bill has passed, it will be to every man’s interest to get as good a place as possible. I think that there will be great inducements held out to volunteers to get as many to enlist with force as possible and I wouyld like for you to get up a company and give me a Lieutenancy if you can. Franklin has a pretty good place as Commissary Sergeant. He has no duty to do except issue rations to the regiment. Edgar is a bugler [and] will get detailed to the 8th Wisconsin Battery, he thinks. Hickman is working for him. Pierce worked for Franklin and I solicit your influence in behalf of Robert Carney and myself.

If you get up a company and cannot stand the service, you can resign and acquit yourself honorably and will not be subject to the draft. If you do not feel disposed to get up a company, you can use your influence in my favor. It is better for a company to have at least one officer that is somewhat experienced in drill as well as camp life. If you wish to know whether I would be qualified or not, write to one of the officers of the company—Capt. [Samuel] Mitchell, Lieut. [Theodore] West, or [Achilles] Martin. You may submit the above to the consideration of Father and Uncle Thomas. I have noticed that a man never accomplishes anything without he works for it much less in the army. It seems that every officer in the army that has a friend is working for him. And this is one reason why I have written as I have to you and interest is the other reason.

The Army of the Cumberland will, in my opinion, do nothing to excite the admiration of the world for some time as we are mud bound but when we do move—as move we will as soon as possible—traitors may begin to tremble and prepare to retreat or surrender for our leader does not know how to be whipped. He will not be beaten by them. He is the best General we have had the honor to be under since we left Missouri. But we acknowledge no superior to the Little Dutchman. With Rosecrans to lead and Sigel to follow, we would be willing to undertake almost anything.

The 25th Regt. Illinois Volunteers think there is a pretty good chance for them to get to go back to their native state and patrol some city as we are likely to get a colonel that is a brother-in-law to Gov. [Richard] Yates and if the secesh do not keep their heads a little stiller, and they had better keep cool if some of us get up there on guard, for we have men that have spilled blood for insulting talk and will do it again if a way opens.

Since writing my head has commenced aching and inconsequence I will close my disconnected sentences hoping to hear from you soon. I subscribe myself yours, — Alonzo Jackson

P. S. If those suggestions meet with your approval as well as Uncle Thomas and Father, you will write immediately if you wish help to raise a company. Write to my captain and ask him if I am fit for the place. I have asked a 2nd Lieutenant and also asked him to give me a chance to come home and work for the place. Direct to care of Capt. Mitchell