This letter came to me for transcription without an envelope and with only the signature “Edward” but I’m inclined to attribute it to Edward W. Brundage (b. 1837), a native of New York State, who served in Co. I, 36th Illinois Infantry. The author draws a comparison between the city of Springfield, Missouri, through which they had recently passed to both Oswego and Sandwich which I recognize as two towns in Kendall county, Illinois. Co. I of the 36th Illinois was recruited almost exclusively in Oswego and Brundage is the only soldier in that company with the name Edward. He was originally enlisted in August 1861 as a private but was soon promoted to be the regimental quartermaster. He was discharged from the regiment for disability in mid-April 1862, however. In 1863, after he was discharged from the service. Edward was enumerated in “West Kane” county.

According to his muster records, Edward was a merchant in Oswego before he entered the service which makes sense that he would take notice the stores in Springfield, Mo.

Edward’s letter describes the pursuit of Gen. Sterling Price’s army as it withdrew from Springfield and into Arkansas where the Battle of Elkhorn Tavern (Pea Ridge) was fought on 6 March 1862. Union forces were primarily from Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Ohio and over half were German immigrants who were placed in the 1st and 2nd divisions under the command of Brig. General Franz Sigel, also a German immigrant. Native born regiments were assigned to the 3rd and 4th Divisions. In the fight at Elkhorn Tavern, the 36th Illinois and the 12th Missouri drove the Confederates away from the guns in Oberson’s field.

To read other letters published on Spared & Shared by members of the 36th Illinois Infantry, see:
Freeman Stanton Dunklee, Co. A, 36th Illinois (1 Letter)
Henry C. Baxter, Co. E, 36th Illinois (1 Letter)
James B. Sifleet, Co. F, 36th Illinois (1 Letter)
John F. Weeks, Co. K, 36th Illinois (1 Letter)

Transcription

Camp Osage Creek
Benton Co., Arkansas
February 22nd 1862

Dear Mother,

I do not know whether there will be an opportunity to send a letter home or not, but I will write a few lines and have it ready if there is. We have had two small mails since leaving Lebanon, but no letters for us. We have been well & hearty & sometimes hungry but we have fared better than I expected. This is the third day that we have rested. We have come on a forced march and brought no extra clothing except our blankets and one pair of socks Two days march brought us within 6 or 7 miles of Springfield. Price’s pickets were driven in, when a slight skirmish took place in which one or two of our cavalry were killed and 7 or 8 rebels. We pitched no tents that night but lay on the ground and held ourselves prepared for any emergency, but all was quiet At 4 o’clock we took up our line of march to Springfield but soon found that Price and his large, well-drilled, splendidly armed and equipped army had skedaddled on double quick and was going to make his famous stand on his old battle ground at Wilson’s Creek some 12 miles from Springfield. But no stand did he make as you probably very well know.

Springfield has been a very pretty town but it is now filthy, gloomy, and deserted. Many pretty cottages have been used as stables for horses and mules & quarters for the rebel outlaws. It is about as large a place as Oswego or Sandwich but there are not so many stores. We followed on after Price, part of the army taking the road that he took and part another that intercepted that some 40 or 50 miles from Springfield where they intended to catch the runaway but failed. He passed us about 12 hours ahead. The division that followed him pushed him too fast and the other did not go as fast as they could till after he had got away. Then we put in and traveled from 18 to 25 miles a day. Our advance had scratches with his rear guard most every day. They took 4 pieces of cannon, killed some, and took some prisoners.

On Wednesday, two or three regiments of infantry, our cavalry, and I think one battery of artillery, and the little mountain howitzers, encountered nearly his whole force on Sugar Creek. Our side lost about 15 killed. The number wounded, I do not know. The rebels lost about 100 killed and a good many wounded. The most of our force did not get up in time, but we could hear the music. A number of regiments went on double quick & were just coming up when the sneaking cowards took to their heels, being probably aware of the fact that that was the only way to save their bacon. All along the road was to be seen broken wagons and guns and various articles of the copper bottom army which was left in their flight from the feds. You must not believe all you read about Price for I have seen the falsity of many of them. I saw two St. Louis papers of the 12th and we have heard some good news from the war in Kentucky and in the East, but do not know whether it is true or not. Further than that, we have had no papers except a few secesh. I wish you would keep the papers so if I get home by and by I can read them.

In putting in the money into the letter at Lebanon, I made a mistake of 10.00. I meant to put in 30.00. There is some prospect of our staying here some time. If so, I will write again soon. Don’t worry about us. We get along very well. Our health is good. Sometimes we get tired and foot sore a little, but never mind that. Yesterday we mended our shoes and now they will go better. My precious little testament is all I have to write on & about all I have to read in, but that is enough. Much love to all. I am still your affectionate son, — Edward