The following letter was written by William (“Will”) Hickman Harris Moody (1842-1864), the son of Rev. Granville Moody (1812-1887) and Lucretia Elizabeth Harris (1818-1886). When he was 19 years old, William enlisted on 4 January 1862 as a private in Co. H, 74th Ohio Infantry—a regiment commanded by his father. He was immediately elevated to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. We learn from the letter that William was taken prisoner by some of Gen. John Hunt Morgan’s men in Tennessee in early September 1862. He was paroled but was waiting to be exchanged when this letter was penned on 21 September. Mostly likely William had returned to his regiment in time to participate in the Battle of Stones River three months later. William died of typhoid fever in September 1864 at Marietta, Georgia.

Unlike his son, Granville Moody would have a long and interesting career:

“A later history described him in some detail. ‘He was of Puritan stock, born in Portland, Maine, January 2, 1812…He settled in Muskingum County, Ohio, when eighteen years old, and engaged in mercantile pursuits. While teaching in a Methodist Sabbath school, he was converted…He joined the Ohio Methodist Conference in 1833.

The Methodists had been given a lot for a church on the north side of Town Street between High and 3rd Streets (now a part of the site of John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons) by the Proprietors of Columbus. Other denominations had been given other lots. The Methodists began with a small, one-room church, and built, built and rebuilt as the congregation grew larger. By 1845, there was a brick church of some size on the lot. It was to this church that Granville Moody came as pastor.

“He served it two years, from the fall of 1845 to that of 1847. He had great success and reported a membership of 644 the first year and 600 the second year. Encouraged by this growth, the society felt strong enough to divide. William Neil gave them a lot on the west side of High Street between Gay and Long Streets … on which Wesley Chapel was built. The location was then considered the northern part of the city. A colony of 190 members went out of Town Street” to this new site.

After leaving Columbus in 1847, Granville Moody continued to grow in influence and position in the Methodist Church in Ohio and the Midwest. And then came the Civil War.

At the outbreak of the war, Gov. William Dennison offered Moody command of the 74th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, whose duty soon became guarding several thousand Confederate prisoners at the Camp Chase Confederate Prison Camp five miles west of Columbus. Moody was considered to be a firm, but fair, administrator.

When the rebels later learned that he was leaving, they promised him the same treatment if he were to become a prisoner of the Confederacy. “Should Colonel Moody, at any time become a prisoner of our [Confederate] government, we hereby earnestly request for him the highest consideration and treatment, as a proper acknowledgment of his kindness and care for us.” But some wondered how well he might fight.

The doubters soon found out.

Col. Moody led the 74th Ohio into the Battle at Stones River (Dec. 31, 1862- Jan. 2, 1863) near Murfreesboro, Tennessee. A later account noted that “his horse was shot from under him, he took a bullet in his right calf and he narrowly escaped a fatal wound when one or more bullets shattered a revolver he carried in his right breast pocket, more bullets shredded his uniform so much that one man called him the ‘ragged colonel.'”

As a practicing Methodist minister, Moody continued to preach to his men and others while in uniform in the Union Army. But as one account put it, “the rigors of campaign and camp took a toll on the 50-year-old Moody and prompted his resignation in May, 1863. It was accepted with regret.”

Moody continued to preach and serve as a Methodist minister through the rest of the Civil War and after. The “Fighting Parson” closed a long career of service to church and society with his death in 1887 in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. He was buried nearby. ” [Source: Ed Lentz, The Columbus Dispatch, 16 April 2023]

See also: Facing the Iron Hail: The 74th Ohio at Stones River by Dan Masters.

[Note: This letter is from the private collection of Greg Herr and was transcribed and published on Spared & Shared by express consent.]

Transcription

Springfield, Ohio
September 21st 1862

Col. G. Moody,

Dear father, I have delayed writing because I knew that there was no communication between Louisville and Nashville. I fully understand your feelings as set forth in your letter to Ma received yesterday.

After my capture (4th September), I did all in my power to let you know my condition. As soon as released, we started for Bowling Green and reported to Col. Bruce. The Colonel told us that our paroles would not be recognized—referring to Gen. Buell’s orders—which order I never saw. Col. Bruce told us to leave Taylor (the teamster) in Bowling Green as he expected our regiment in a few days and told us to go on home to recruit.

We arrived at Cincinnati September 9th and per Gen. Buell’s order, reported immediately at Columbus. Capt. [Austin] McDowell [of Co. D] and myself went to see the Governor. He was glad to see us but “sorry we were prisoners.” The Gov. told us that we could not recruit as long as we were prisoners. He graciously gave us a leave of absence for a week at the end of which time we had to report at Camp Chase as “paroled prisoners.” I found [Ma] quite sick with the “typhoid fever: but my coming home seemed to make her better.

I returned from Camp Chase last night having been there one week. I have written from Camp Chase to Washington concerning my “parole” and asking that it might not be recognized but, if the government does recognize it, I asked that my name might be put upon the list of “paroled officers” at Washington so that I can be the sooner exchanged. I have been put in command of a company of paroled prisoners in Camp but do not have much to do except sign provision returns.

[Brother] Cliff[ord] has gone to Columbus to see what can be done for me. She took your letter with her to show to the Governor. I am very sorry I cannot at once return and take the position proffered me. Perhaps if you write to the Governor, it will help the matter. If you say so, I will return to the regiment for I do not consider my parole binding, a copy of which I send:

Hartsville, Tennessee
September 4th 1862

2nd Lt. ——– captured by our forces under Gen. John H. Morgan is hereby given a parole of thirty days at the end of which he will report to the Provost Marshal at Knoxville, Tennessee (by letter) to be held as a Prisoner of War until exchanged. By order of Gen. John H. Morgan, — J. C. McCann, Lt. Col., commanding Morgan’s Regt.

I did not sign this nor did I swear to anything except secrecy. If this is legal, I am willing to abide by it. If not, I am not.

I miss you so much. I should like to be with you above all things. I like the service and think that I might be able to make my mark. I will give you a synopsis of my trip in my next. Capt. [Austin] McDowell wrote you a few days since. I will say that I have not met with a person who blames us in the least. The rebels treated us very well with the exception of plundering. I hope you can make some arrangements for my speedy return to the regiment. Ma is a great deal better. Was up nearly all day yesterday.

You received the appointment of Asst. Chaplain by the Conference and you are a member of Morris Chapel. There was a very pleasant piece in the [Cincinnati] Commercial of this week about you written by the Sergeant Major of the 69th Regiment. It related those incidents of the secesh stealing your horse &c., whipping the man that called you a liar, &c.

I wish affairs were such that I could take my new position. Do all you can in the matter. My respects to all the officers of the regiment; also Col. (Gen.) Miller. You are very much missed at Camp Chase. Things are terrible loose. Gov. Tod does not take that interest in Col. [Charles W. B.] Allison he did in you. Twenty-two prisoners escaped this week. The capture of which Allison offers $600.

Write to me soon. I shall act on your advice. I don’t know what word Cliff will bring from Columbus but will write again when I hear. Ma is getting well and has plenty of money. She is living very economical. Hoping to hear from you soon & also to be with you soon. I am as ever your loving son (in affection), — Will

P. S. Tell Lt. Snodgrass to take care of my things. I have lost my trunk. We have some of the men that took me in prison at Camp Chase. — Will