These letters were written by Joseph Alexander McGonagle [or McGonigal] (1842-1893) who enlisted on 19 September 1861 to serve three years in Co. C, 41st Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI). His older brother Thomas McGonagle eventually joined him in the same company. As we learn from the letters, however, Thomas was mortally wounded in the fighting at Stones River on 31 December 1862. He died the next morning, 1 January 1863. and now lies buried in the Stones River National Cemetery (Grave No. 2237).

Joseph mustered out of the 41st OVI in September 1864 but later reenlisted in January 1865 as a corporal in Co. C, 192nd Ohio Volunteers. He left the service for good in September 1865.

The McGonagle brothers were born in Wayne county, Ohio, the sons of Isabella Lisle and Robert McGonagle (he died in 1855). Thomas never married. Joseph’s first wife was Caroline Radabaugh; married in 1867 in Putnam county, Ohio. His second wife was Anna Reece; married in 1878. Joseph died and was buried in Palmer, Merrick county, Nebraska.

Joseph wrote both letters to Mary Jane Stirk (b. 1841), the daughter of Henry Stirk (1816-1904) and Eliza Jane Bodine (1821-1902). Mary Jane (“Jennie”) married Allen Ludwig Mohler (1844-1926) in 1867.

Letter 1

Camp near Readyville [Tennessee]
February

Friend Jennie,

It is with pleasure that I take the present opportunity to let you know that I am still in the land of the living and never had better health than I now have. You no doubt have heard of the death of brother Thomas. It was a sad loss to me. We both went into the battle side by side and it was after we had been fighting a long time when he fell, mortally wounded by my side. It was a very hot place & the shot and shell were flying in every direction. But I succeeded in carrying him off the field. He died the next morning after the battle at 9 a.m. ¹

I have not heard how the news was received at home yet but I am afraid that Mother can’t stand it for she is very weakly. Well Mary Jane, it is an awful scene to look over the battlefield and see the dead, dying, and wounded all scattered about. We have had another little fight since the fight at Murfreesboro, We went to Woodbury and drove the Rebels out of the town, killing the commander (Col. [John B.] Hutchenson [of 2nd Kentucky Cavalry]) and several privates. We took a number of prisoners including one captain. We ha two or three wounded. We then returned to camp.

Our Brigade is alone 12 miles from Murfreesboro on the Woodbury Pike. We are well fortified & can hold our position against three times our number. There is a few Rebels scouting around us watching our forage train as it goes out for forage. But they don’t attack it with much success for we have too strong a guard with it. Our regiment has been recruited some with drafted men. Reason Brown is in our company.

Well, I don’t know that I have anything of importance to write this time. Norman [Chaffin] has not been very well for while but is better now. This is the second letter I have wrote you lately but got no answer to the other one. I thought I would try it again. I also wrote to Mariah but have not heard from her but I will write anyhow as long as I have stamps. Sometimes I have none & then I can’t write. But I have plenty now so I will write till I get an answer.

Tell your father that I am working at my trade between drill hours. I get $1 for half soling boots. Sole leather is worth 66 cents per lb. Give my love to Mother & Ellen and Mariah & the rest of the folks & reserve a portion for yourself. No more at present but remain yours with respect. — Joseph McGonagle

to Mary Jane Stirk

P. S. Tell Mariah to write to me & you write as soon as you get this and tell me all the news that is going on. Direct to Joe. Mc., Co. C, 41st O. V. in care of Lieut. [Samuel B.] Asdell, Nashville, Tenn.

¹ For an excellent summary of the 41st Ohio and their defense of the piece of ground called Hell’s Half Acre in the Battle of Stones River, please see my friend Dam Masters’ excellent article, “Summoning Hell’s Half Acre: The 41st Ohio in the Round Forest” in Civil War Chronicles, 22 April 2020.

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Letter 2

Chattanooga [Tennessee]
March 23, 1864

Friend Jennie,

After a long absence of correspondence, I resume my pen once more to let you know that I am still in the land of the living. Although I have not written to you in some time, I have not forgotten you. I think it my duty to write to you for I always found your letters cheering and comforting to me when I was down-hearted & therefore ask your pardon for long neglecting my duty. All that I can say for myself is that I have not the chance to write here in camp that I had in the hospital.

I was not able for duty when I left the hospital but I could not get to go home when I was so near there so I thought I would go to the front if I could get there. I got to Chattanooga & there examined and put in the Convalescent Camp where I have been since the first of February and will have to stay here until the doctor thinks I am able for duty.

The weather has been pleasant for some time but at the present writing, there is ten inches of snow on the ground. It commenced about 12 last night and has continued ever since. It is something very rare for the Sunny South. The editor of the Chattanooga Gazette thinks the returning veterans brought it from the North. The peach trees have been in bloom for over a month.

Chattanooga you would infer from the paper to be a great city, but it is not as large as Wooster & there is not a fence to be seen. It is a filthy looking place and to make it still worse (pardon me if I speak plain) there is not an old crib in town that is not filled with prostitutes even from our northern cities and we see the fruits of it very often. A few nights ago there was an officer in a house of ill fame. When two privates came and demanded admittance, the officer refused to admit them whereupon they went to abusing him and he showed his revolver & shot one of the men through the heart. But the officer will be sustained in it as he said the man struck him.

I have not received ant letter from John for some time. His regiment is at Decatur, Alabama.

Well, I have nothing of importance to write at present, but will surely not neglect to write as soon as I hear from this. My love to all of the family & reserve a portion for yourself. Tell your father I will mail him two copies of the Chattanooga paper. I remain yours till death, — J. A. McGonagle

To Miss Jennie Stirk

P. S. Direct to Convalescent Camp, Chattanooga, Tenn.