These letters were written by Frank Ashley (1834-1926) of Co. H, 64th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI). Frank enlisted on 4 November 1861 to serve three years. He was appointed corporal on 1 May 1864 and mustered out with the company on 3 December 1865 in Victoria, Texas. Frank wrote the letters to his future wife, Celesta Ewing (1845-1868) at Plymouth, Richland county, Ohio. His parents were Jonah Ashley (1797-1862) and Sarah Hawks (1799-1875).
These letter were among the 125 letters written by Ashley sold by Heritage Auctions some time ago. I transcribed one other letter of Frank’s from a separate private collection back in 2018 that described the losses experienced by the regiment and, in particular, of his company at the Battle of Rocky Face Ridge where the 64th OVI participated in a charge on the enemy’s breastworks that was over in minutes and “gained nothing.” See—1864: Frank Ashley to Celesta (Ewing) Ashley on Spared & Shared 7.
Letter 1
Camp near Savannah, Tennessee
Co. H, 64th OVI
April 14, 1862
Dear Love,
It is with much pleasure that I address you these few lines. May you the same.
We have left our former camp at Nashville. Have been on the road for 16 days. Some days we only move 100 rods. The roads are awful and full of teams. There are four divisions here. There is between 7 and 8 hundred teams so you can give some kind of a guess what kind of a road we have here as it rained for a week. But we have got within half mile of the river but cannot tell when we can get on the boat.
The battle [at Pittsburg Landing] went off the fore part of last week. The rebels were drove bad with a heavy loss and out troops have them surrounded now, I believe. Our boys did not get close enough to kill any of them but close enough to hear the cannon balls whistle over their heads.
I have not heard from you for three or four weeks. Our mail has come now but it is with the regiment and account of not having time, I have not written. But you must excuse me for this time and will do better in time to come. We are in hopes that this battle will be the last. The whole force of the South is here. They fought well but they have to give up now. The particulars I will not give you at present but probably you have the news now. I have not been on the battlefield yet but our boys have been there for most a week.
I am driving the Hospital team now and therefore am not with the rest of them. But though far away, I do not forget my love. I often think of her and times past and to come. But I began to think that you would think I had if I did not write soon. I had two letters wrote to send with William Hoos but was on picket guard when he left and did not have a chance to send them by mail as the regiment was ready to start when we came in so you see I did not send them and have not had a chance since. I have it in knapsack at present.
I had to stop writing to move our wagons to a different place. We were in a young orchard and the old chap complained of us and we had to move but now we are all right again and part of the boys that are with me are in bad [shape] so you see I will have full [sweep?] and probably you will think so too when you see this letter. But you know who wrote it and you know what kind of a chap I am. But I tell you [the] truth, I may be reclaimed yet if I fall into the right kind of hands. But you know I always was a bad boy from my youth up. But that will do.
Tell Sarah that I made that choice for her. I shall have to describe him. In the first place, he has a nice little nose—about something like a hawk’s nose, turns down a little, and big pair of bussers [?] and pretty eyes and curly hair, and very small around the waist. Only 4 feet and about 5 feet high. He is a handsome little fellow and I think if she could see him, she would have nothing to say to that other chap. You must excuse this foolishness and burn this letter or not let any see it for I know would not care what I wrote but that is just as I feel and you cannot blame me for it. But this is about full and here is some more. But as I said before, you must excuse this. You would repent. You would relent. You would consent, to marry me…
Letter 2
Camp near Pittsburg Landing
Co. H, 64th OVI
April 17th 1862
Dear love,
It is with pleasure that I embrace the present opportunity of writing to you but would do me more good to talk to you where I get sight of yourrosy lips and cheeks. It would be a great pleasure to me and to you also, I guess, but as we we have not that chance, I will take this way of talking to you. It does me some good but which I was down to your camp to get some sugar to eat and a wet kiss from you.
I am well at present and the rest are also in our company. I saw Hart Wood today. He is in camp near us. He is in tyhe 57th [Ohio] Regiment. He is well and some 8 or 10 more Auburn boys in the same company. Their regiment was in the fight here last week but the boys come out right and are well satisfied. The 15th [Ohio] Regiment was in the fight also—the one that Trago is in. Their camp is three-quarters of a mile from us. So you see we are all together. But I did not expect to find Hart Wood here. I was astonished when I heard he was here.
We are camped on the battleground. There is camps for miles each way from us. But we expect to move off the battle ground in a day or two for it is a disagreeable place to stay on account of dead horses and so on. This was the heaviest battle that has been yet. More men engaged in it and more killed and wounded. But probably this will be the last. I hope so. I hope that this can be settled without another fight. But if not, we are ready to fight it out. We have men enough for it, I think. We have more than the opposing party have. But may God speed the day when this thing will be settled and all return home to their families and homes once more. And to their sweethearts, for I have one that I think a good deal of, you well know, and one that I can place confidence in adn love dearly.
I got a letter from you today dated March 28th and was glad to hear from you. I also wrote last week to you but that makes no difference. And there is one more in here which I wrote at Nashville and did not get a chance to send it. I will send it also with the rest, or this one. But I must close soon.
I cannot tell you all the mischief that we done while on the road as I was with the teams and did not get to the regiment for a week. We had plenty of fresh meat while on the road. There was a large train of teams. We had to go 5 miles for feed and had to pack it on mules and horses which was nice work for us and I mind one day that we got a bag full of ducks which was very good for sick. But that did not satisfy some of them for they were wishing that [they could] see there old duck at home. But I would be satisfied if I could see my young duck. Probably you never saw here but I think you have. But must close with excusing myself for something I wrote in that other letter. No more at present. From one that loves you dearly. Yours with love. Your lover. Give my love to all. So goodbye. — F
Direct to Nashville, Tenn.
Co. H, 64th OVI
Care Capt. C. R. Lord
Letter 3
Camp near Mooresville, Alabama
July 3rd 1862
Co. H, 64th Regt. OV, 20th Brigade and 6th Division [Army of the Ohio]
Dear Love,
I find a little more time to write to you. We have moved 8 miles east of Decatur in a very nice place. This probably where we will [have] our 4th [of July]—a little different from last year, but hoping you will enjoy yourself contrary to expectation which I made when I left home. But it is different from expectation of all of us. But we are good for it any they take us. the 64th is all right yet. But it is hopeful that this war will soon be over and we can return home to our homes and to our loved ones whom we love dearly. But God only knows when that will be, but hope it will be soon.
But I am looking for us to be stationed at some place. If so, we cannot leave till we are relieved by regular troops along the railroad running from Memphis to Chattanooga. We are going to Chattanooga but the citizens say will [never] get there for this war will be ended before we reach that point. That is near Virginia and North Carolina line. If this war does not close for some time, we will be in Virginia—at least I think so. But I may [ ] wrong, but time will tell all these things.
But to my health, it is better than when I last wrote to you. That [was] five or six days ago. But I am gaining slowly. I have been out twice since I got better after forage. I have to see to getting that but have not tended to it for some time on the account of being [sick]. I was comfortable sick for three days and on the move too. I had some kind of a fever but now I am better.
James is well. He was on picket at Mooresville. They said that the town was full of girls but all secesh. But they would not marry till we stopped fighting. Then I think we can make union, but I would rather have one that’s already Union—the one that lives in Ohio near Old George Bloom’s across the woods. Dear, I remain the same to you as ever and remember [me] as your lover.
Love to all from the one that loves you, — F. Ashley to C. A. E.
Letter 4
Camp near Mooresville, Alabama
Sunday, July 13, 1862
Co. H, 64th Regt. OVI, direct to Huntsville, Alabama
Dear Lest,
It is with pleasure that I address you these few lines. I am enjoying good health at present—better than usual—better than [when] I last wrote. We are still at Mooresville or near there. Do not know how long we will stay here. The batteries are leaving now. Do not know where they are going to. Our regiment is at Decatur guarding the town. I do not know how long they will stay there. It is 6 miles from our camp. They are running ferry boat across the Tennessee river. Mitchell’s men have left there.
The boys are all well. James is well and in fine spirits. I received your letter mailed the 16th and have answered it but that makes no difference. I will answer it again. I am always glad to hear from those that I love. I got one from Leanora also and have answered it but have not sent it yet. Will send them all at once.
Love, I cannot write a large letter this time and therefore you must excuse me but I remain the same to you as ever—your lover and friend—one that is true to you. I heard some things by way of a friend of mine how things are going about home, but Love, never mind what folks say about you or me. Tell them to mind their own business and let others alone. Love, I have not forgot you nor the pleasant times we spent together nor never will.
It is hard to tell when we will come home. It is highly probable that we will serve our time out as near—it is most one year now, but it is hopeful that this war will soon be over and the weary and lonely soldier can return to his peaceful home and friends—and enemies. If they were here, I would not mind them but they are there and I am here but who cares for them for I know that you are true to your promise and I know that you love me, I have no fears on that score. But Love, if my life is spared, I shall be with you some day. God knows all things but death is in the land and I do not know but that we are just as safe here as at home. I do not know as there is more deaths than at home according to the number of men. There is ten to one here to what there is at home. But enough of that for this time.
Love, it will be owing to how they get along in Virginia when we get home. The 21st Brigade left today or this afternoon. General Wood went to Hunstville. His headquarters will be there. I do not know when we will move but are looking for orders every day. But I must close. You must excuse this poor writing for my book is my desk when laid on my knee is complete but I have to write in a hurry and make mistakes. I have not had time to write Sarah but give her my best respects and your Father & Mother also.
I still remain you affectionate friend and lover, from one that loves you. Remaining yours as ever, — F. Ashley
To C. A. Ewing
Note: These letter were among the 125 letters written by Ashley sold by Heritage Auctions some time ago. I transcribed one other letter of Frank’s from a separate private collection back in 2018 that described the losses experienced by the regiment and, in particular, of his company at the Battle of Rocky Face Ridge where the 64th OVI participated in a charge on the enemy’s breastworks that was over in minutes and “gained nothing.” See—1864: Frank Ashley to Celesta (Ewing) Ashley on Spared & Shared 7.
Letter 5
In front of Atlanta, Georgia
Camp of the 64th Ohio Volunteers
August 21, 1864
Dear and affectionate wife,
I have the privilege of answering your letter of the 12th of August. It was read with pleasure. It came on the first train through. It found me well and enjoying very good times but not as good as if I were at home.
Well, Let, we have very quiet times with the occasional firing of canons of which the Rebs take a part but of no damage to us. On the morning of the 19th we were aroused by the firing of our cannons which lasted for about one hour but of what effect, am not able to say. The morning before, the Rebs done the same trick on the 17th Corps. It made warm times for them but they did not get the start of the 4th and 20th Corps for once at least.
The Rebs made a charge on the 16th Corps on the 18th and one of the 20th but were repulsed with heavy loss. At one time the Rebs drove one division from the works but Gen. Howard rallied them and charged back and gained the works back and held them. But I have not heard the strate [?] of the battle so I cannot give you the particulars of it. We have all kinds of reports here. One is from a reb prisoner. He says that they were called up into line and told that this war would end in 30 days and that Hood says that he a going to make his word good. Says that he is not a going to leave Atlanta but he will soon have to do something soon.
It is reported that Kill Patrick [Kilpatrick] has cut both roads but I remember that I wrote this in the former letter which will accompany this as I wrote previous so as to send it at the forst opportunity.
We have very pleasant weather here with frequent showers of rain. The health is good in general. James is well but we miss Marion very much.
Well, I suppose that these Hundred Day [men] will soon return home, probably never more to take part in this struggle. Hope we will not need them more but tey have been of service to us here in keeping the rear all right.
Well, Let, so you think by you marrying me was a benefit to the Army. I suppose Silas though that would relieve his mind by going to Dixie it might his, but not so with me for I am sure I could stay North very contentedly. I noticed in your last letter that Mary McGinnis was married on the 4th of August. I wish her all the joy possible.
Well, I must close as it is raining and it is bed time. Excuse mistakes as I wrote in a hurry and bothered a little by the boys running in their short tails and know I am very timid. Write soon. Gove my love to all. I remain your very faithful husband, — Frank
Letter 6
Camp in the Woods, South of Eastpoint, Ga.
Monday, August 29, 1864
Dear Let,
Having a little time this afternoon, I thought I would write a few lines to you. I received a letter from you on the 24th but did not have an opportunity of answering it as we left our main line of works and moved to the right and have been moving for the last four days. The whole army has moved left, two Corps to guard our rear, and at present the remainder of the army are 15 miles south of Atlanta. I do not think that there ever was such a move known since Noah’s Ark was built. I do not know what the Johnny boys think of the move but no doubt they are going south as fast as their legs can move them. We have not met with any serious opposition as yet but don’t know when we may encounter them. But if they want to fight, they will make the attack.
Our Division made good works this forenoon and are in them but do not know how long we will stay here. Our line runs across the railroad running to Montgomery, Alabama. Do not know how much further it extends.
Well, dear wife, I will close for this time for we cannot send the mail out. I look for a mail soon—probably tonight. Then I will write more particulars about the move and the termination. We are laying in front of the rebs at present. Well, dear Let, goodbye. Love to all. Write soon. — Frank
Camp of the 64th OVI near Lovejoy Station, Ga.
September 3, 1864
Dear Let,
Having an opportunity of corresponding with you, I gladly improve the opportunity of doing so. It has been some time since I could send letters back but at present our rear is cleared of Rebs and Atlanta is in our possession. It was occupied by the Feds on the 2nd of this month by the 20th Corps. The remainder of the army is here about 30 miles south of Atlanta. Sherman proved to be too much for Hood. We had their army cut in two and suppose it is yet. There has been three or four battles fought in the last three days in which the rebs were badly whipped. When the last of Hood’s army left Atlanta, they destroyed 80 carloads of artillery, ammunition, and all their magazines. It has been one of the grandest movements of the war. We had no communication after the first two days of starting. The taking of Atlanta was an easy job when Old Billy got started.
Well, Let, this leaves me well and as usual in good spirits. A few more such defeats will bring the rebs to their feelings. I should think that they would know it by this time.
Dear Let, I suppose you will be looking and wondering why Frank does not write. Well, I will tell you. It was because I could not send it to you and when we left, it was rather sudden. So you must excuse me for the present. You may rest assured you were not forgotten by me. I do not think you do. I am not afraid of that part. Well, I must hasten. Excuse poor writing for I am laboring under many difficulties. James is very well. Two of James Gruesbeck’s boys died about the 21st of August. Walter was wounded which was the cause of his death.
Spared & Shared 23 