The following letter was written in mid-June 1865 by Richard Welling Burt (1823-1911) of Peoria, Illinois. He was the son of Foght Burt (1799-1886) and Eliabeth Welling (1803-1877). He wrote the letter to his first wife, Mahola Evans (1826-1873) while serving as Captain of Co. H, 76th Ohio Infantry.
“The following biographical sketch came from a county history: Richard W. Burt, United States storekeeper, resides 816 Sanford street, was born in Warwick, Orange county, N. Y., in 1823. His parents, Foght and Elizabeth Burt, were natives of same county. In 1834 they removed to Coshocton county, Ohio. When the war with Mexico began, Mr. Burt enlisted in Co. B, 3rd Ohio, June 4, 1846, and remained in the service a year. He married Malona Evans, a native of Ohio, in January, 1848, and settled in Coshocton county. In 1853, he established the Progressive Age, a weekly Republican newspaper; was one of the first to advocate the principles embraced by the party, and was one of its founders. At the end of three years Burt sold the paper and embarked in the coal trade at Newark, Ohio, continuing till he went into the army, in December, 1861, as a member of Co. G, 76th Infantry, which he helped to recruit, and went out as its 2d Lieutenant. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant of Co. I, after the Battle of Arkansas Post, and when the regiment veteranized in April, 1864, became Captain of Co. H. At the Battle of Resaca, Ga., he received a gunshot wound in the mouth, losing most of his teeth; participated in thirty battles and skirmishes, and traveled with the regiment 10,000 miles. He was the weekly correspondent of the Newark North American during the war. Soon after his discharge, in July, 1865, was breveted Major for gallant conduct. He came to Peoria in 1865; engaged nine years in the grocery and feed business; was appointed to present position over four years ago. Mrs. Burt, by whom he had four children, three living, died in January, 1873. Mr. Burt married Betsey M. Cotton nee Barnum, a native of New York, in 1876. He is a member of A. F. & A. M., G. A. R., and Mexican War Veteran Association, and he and wife are members of M. E. Church.”
Transcription
Louisville, Kentucky
June 13, 1865
Dear Wife,
I have just returned from the Paymaster, and before I left I put $1000 in the Express Office directed to Mrs. Capt. Richard W. Burt, Peoria, Illinois, which I wish to deposit with you for a few months for safe keeping. I don’t know but you had as well invest it in 7.30 bonds if you can do so to advantage. Advise with Isaac on the subject. It would be as well perhaps to keep it yourself about how much money you have for various reasons that I need not mention here.
There is some talk now that we are going to St. Louis before long, that Gen. Sherman will have his Headquarters there and take the 15th Corps with him. If we go there, it will be but a short trip for me to come and see you, or you and the children to come and see me, so I hope we may come there.
I got a new tent last night and will soon be a little better fixed than I have been since we came here. I got more pay than I expected as officers get higher pay since the 1st of March. It is about $150 per month now which is more than I could be making at home perhaps. The camp is full of all kinds of peddlers this afternoon, and of course the boys are distributing their money pretty freely buying pies and cakes, pocketbooks, suspenders, photographs, and every kind of invention to get money.
On this letter sheet and envelope you will see our 15th Corps Badge. I weat just such a looking one on my hat, made of silver. As soon as I can get a box, I will express those things home that I spoke of in my last letter.
The weather is very warm and sultry and it makes me sweat to write. Excuse me for not writing a full sheet this time. Enclosed I send you a picture of Jeff in petticoats. I have composed a new song on the subject which I think of getting printed. 1
Your affectionate husband, — R. W. Burt
1 Capt. Richard Welling Burt published his songs in 1906 under the title of “War Songs, Poems, and Odes” which he dedicated to his comrades of the Mexican and Civil War. The song he composed just prior to the date of this letter appears in the book on page 19 which he called, “Jeff Davis in Petticoats.” (see Below)
Spared & Shared 23 