The following letter was written by Church Hoskins Smith (1843-After1920), the son of Stephen Smith, (1808-1891), a stonemason, and Amanda M. Carter (1816-1890) of Stephenson county, Illinois.

Church enlisted as a private in Co. A, 46th Illinois Infantry on 10 September 1861. He was describing by the mustering officer as 5′ 4″ tall, with black hair and hazel eyes. Before his three year term of enlistment was up, he reenlisted as a veteran and served until 20 January 1866 at Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The 46th Illinois were first engaged at Fort Donelson, then Shiloh, Corinth and Vicksburg. When this letter was penned in the summer of 1864, the regiment was still in Mississippi sharing duty with the 76th Illinois pursuing rebel forces through the summer, fall and winter. They did not move further south to the Alabama coastal region until early 1865.

After he was discharged from the service, Church married Marie Ellen Himes (1850-1920). They were wed in Cook county, Illinois, on 23 December 1871 and had at least two children.

Transcription

Vicksburg [Mississippi
June 5th 1864

My ever remembered Mother,

It is the sabbath, late in the day that I commence this letter to you. The thermometer rests at 100, being four degrees lower than one hour ago. I am still well. My time has mostly been occupied today with “Miles Standish Courtships” & “Stuarts Poems,” both of which are agreeable. The last beautiful. I have lately read “Henry Ward Beecher’s Star Papers.” They are unsurpassed & need no comments. If I were a spiritualist, I would quote Beecher for authority.

I have received your letter of the 22d. It came yesterday. Two days before I had sent you a letter with $10.00 enclosed. The river above has been blockaded by the Rebs for a short time & this accounts for the long time your letter was coming. If they are not gone yet, this epistle may be somewhat delayed. The boat that brought our mail ran the gauntlet of a ten-gun battery and was pierced by 8 cannon shot & shell.

Those portions of the 16th & 17th Army Corps that were up the Red River started for Cairo yesterday or day before having made a stop of several days at this place. There goes the sunset gun with a roar and an earthquake that is grand. The hills have taken up & reechoed the music. But a glance to the heavens shows me the artillery of Heaven approaching supported by a stately pile of dark old clouds moving in solid phalanx from the south. The air as if in submission to the clouds of storm gently ruffles each leaf and blade of grass. The everlasting old hills that have seen such scenes for ages stand out in bold relief, stern & unyielding as though ready for any trial. Anon comes the flash of lurid lightning lighting for an instant the black veil of Heaven. Then comes the crash of the fearful thunder leaping out into the murky stillness of evening. Hushed & still is all nature save the elements overhead.

But I must stop at once for it is getting dusk. Write. — Church

[Co.] A, 46th Infantry Illinois Vols.