The following letters were exchanged between Arthur J. Izenour (1821 – 1892) and his family while he served in Co. F of the 39th Pennsylvania Infantry, commonly referred to by their original designation, the 10th Pennsylvania Reserves. Almost all of the letters are penned from 20 September 1862 to 30 December 1863. There are a total of 112 letters included here, 84 of which were written entirely, or in part by Arthur. Those written by, or in part, by Arthur are identified by an asterisk (*) next to the letter number. Because Arthur wished to return all of the letters written to him back home, he often used the blank space on these letters to send home a return message. Of the thousands of Civil War letters I have transcribed, these are the first I have seen where this became a regular practice. Because my client requested only transcripts of Arthur’s letters, I have included scans of all the letters but only transcribed in entirety those words written by Arthur. I should note, however, that the home front letters sent to Arthur are equally interesting, if not more so, and I could not refrain from transcribing some portions of his daughter’s letters written from Beaver county, Pa.
Arthur was the son of George Philip Eisenhouer (1754-1828) and Elizabeth Bixler (1768-1828) of Mercer county, Pennsylvania. Arthur’s parents were at an advanced age when he was born and as a consequence, he lost both parents before he was ten years old. He married Elizabeth Craig (1823-1900) around 1840 and by the time of the 1860 US Census, Arthur and Elizabeth were residing in Rochester, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where he labored as a house carpenter and they had five children between the ages of 17 and 2. After he was discharged from the service, the family relocated to Homestead, Allegheny, Pennsylvania.
A carpenter by trade, Arthur was literate but his handwriting suggests he had a limited formal education. Early in his time in the army, he enlisted his messmate William Kettlewood to pen his letters home which he dictated. Despite these reservations, he sent letters home frequently, taking up the pen himself near the end of 1862 after Kettlewood was taken prisoner at the Battle of Fredericksburg. His eldest daughter, Mary (1843-1912), was his most constant correspondent, typically writing on behalf of her mother, Elizabeth Craig Izenour (1823-1900), and the rest of the family in Rochester, Pennsylvania. Mary was curious and deeply observant about her community and the ongoing war. She writes with insight on the Draft, Confederate prisoners, the progress of the war, and much more.
Izenour enlisted in September 1862, joining Co. F of the 39th Pennsylvania Infantry. He arrived in camp not long after his new comrades had been bloodied at Antietam. He writes home on 22 September 1862: “Got my uniform and bounty and sent it home to you but I only got 29 dollars instead of 42 but we will get the rest when we get to the regiment.” In the same letter, he gets his first glimpse of the enemy: “We have about 300 Rebel Prisoners here in camp they are a hard looking set of men nearly naked and half starved when they came here I was on guard duty yesterday and last night.”
Moving to Alexandria, he relates the rough nature of camp life: “the night before we left camp at Alexandria a man from new York cut his throat and the night before a man in a drunken [state] was shot 3 times by a Lieutenant and died the next day. That was the hardest place I ever seen in my life I am glad we have got away from it.” (6 October 1862). About a month after the Battle of Antietam, his regiment revisited the battlefield and Arthur wrote home with a vivid account of the scene, especially the fresh graves on both sides: “we are laying about one mile from Sharpsburgh Md it is just on the edge of the Antietam battle ground. I was all over the battle ground yesterday it is a hard looking place for a man that is not used to it. There is 1800 buried in one field of Rebels and 500 in another. They bury the Rebs very poor. Some of them with their feet sticking out of the ground. I seen in one pit there was 180 buried and the most of Union men in one was 14. The Union men are all buried decent—good deep graves and well fixed up. All that I seen were marked with their names and regiments and what state from so their friends can find them.” (12 October 1862).
An astute reader of the papers, Mary wrote presciently on the 1st of December: “But there is to be a battle before long at Fredericksburgh.” Her father, despite being on the front and soon to confront the reality of the battle, writes in response: “you talk about having a [fight] at Fredericksburgh but we don’t think there will be a fight there for it is said that the rebs has left there. We have been lying within 12 miles of that place.” (7 December 1862) His very next letter, however, relates his survival of the Battle of Fredericksburg: “I now set down to let you know that I am still living and well. Kettlewood was taken prisoner. Purvis was wounded. Peifer was wounded. I thank God that I was not hurt. It’s God’s mercy that I was spared for the balls whistled a round me as thick as hail, but thank God they did not hit me. There was 3 killed in our company…” (16 December 1862). Several days later, he writes again with some more details of the battle: “the battle where the bullets flew as thick as hail but I was not touched. I was in the battle 2 hours and twenty five minutes and our division was in the front but was not supported as was ordered so we was compelled to fall back which we did with a loss of nineteen out of 33.”
William “Bill” Kettlewood (ca 1829-1881), a fellow native of Rochester, Pennsylvania, enlisted at the same time as Arthur and was a frequent topic of conversation. Kettlewood assisted Arthur in writing many of his early letters in 1862, but was captured at the Battle of Fredericksburg. During his confinement, Mary shares scandalous news with her father that Kettlewood (referred to as “Bill”) was writing other women in town, despite being married to Ann Kettlewood since 1854: “Mother and I have passed our opinion on Bill Kettlewood long ago. I was a going to tell you about him long ago but mother thought I had better not. Every body knows about him writing to Sal Tracts or Miss Bella Burlington as he directs her letters. Ann suspected something long ago for one day she was taking a letter for Sal to go to Bill she opened it and got Tom Taylor to read it to her for she can’t neither read or write and she broke in Sal’s trunk and got a lot of Bill’s letters he had sent to her when Sal found out what she had done they had a big fight. Sal had on of Bill’s likeness and when she went for it Sal sent it to her with the face half rubbed out so any sent it to Bill out I suppose Bill did not let you see it. I can’t tell you half what is said about Bill but one thing is I don’t think he will ever show his face here again if he does he will have but few friends his folks knows all about him and the way that he has done.” (28 January 1863) Later that month, news broke of Kettlewood’s parole, but Mary speculated: “but I don’t think he will have the face to come back here for every body has something to say about him or her there was.” In May, Arthur noted that Kettlewood had returned to the company and “looks well” (21 May 1863) but was wounded again in a skirmish in October (16 October 1863). Though initially he reported the wound as minor, he wrote on December 20th: “Bill Kettlewood is worse it is thought he won’t get over it. His skull is fractured and his brain is diseased and he is out of his mind it is thought the cause of it is because his wound healed up too fast.”
Arthur and Mary also wrote frequently to each other about Copperheads in their community. Arthur wrote on 15 March 1863: “I hear that there is a band of copperheads out about Boggs’ schoolhouse that has taken an oath to die at home but I think they had better look out what they are about for it is thought that this division will be brought back to the state to enforce the draft and I hope it will for I would like to be one that would steer them out for I think they are worse than the rebs for the rebs think they are fighting for their homes but the copperheads fight against their homes so I say they are worse than the rebs.” (15 March 1863) Mary doesn’t know who he means, but does comment: “there is great talk of resisting the Draft in the Country and it is no doubt but they will try it at least the country people say there will be an insurrection before they will go.” (n.d. March 1863).
News of the draft in Rochester is discussed by Mary as early as 17 October 1862, “There is a great many aching hearts to night for the draft came off yesterday and today these was none taken out of Rochester but there was four out of Rochester township.” In late June 1863, Mary reported that “there was 47 drafted out of Rochester Borough and Township. I will give you a list of all I can remember,” and proceeds to include the names of he drafted.
In late April 1863, Arthur moved with his regiment to Alexandria and then to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. where they performed guard duty at the Carrell Prison—an annex to the Old Capitol Prison—where southern sympathizers were imprisoned: “I am guard to day at Carrell prison there is over two hundred prisoners in this prison they are mostly citizens that has been arrested because they was not loyal and would not take the oath some of them has been in here for some time and there are still more coming every day and yesterday there was six hundred prisoners brought in to this city from Fredericksburg and there are a great many more expected today we have whipt them badly. The papers say and I believe it so.”
In June 1863, the regiment reentered the field. During the Gettysburg Campaign, he reports of a skirmish near Manassas Gap (29 June 1863), but does not comment at any length about the Battle of Gettysburg, although his regiment is recorded as being in support of Vincent’s brigade at Little Round Top. He writes on July 16th: “”we have drove the rebels into Virginia again and we give them a good whipping it has rained very near every day for three weeks and the roads has been very muddy but mud is not as bad as dust. We have had some hard marches but I stood it very well and all the rest.” Mary comments on the lack of letters in the aftermath of the battle: “we never got as few letters or as far between as we have since you left Washington but I believe you are excused for you have been on the march ever since the Battle of Gettysburg but it is the general opinion that this cruel war will be over in the three months.” (31 July 1863) In the same letter, Mary writes of Morgan’s Raid, and the proximity it came to their hometown of Rochester: “Well Pop, you may believe we had exciting times last Sunday when Morgan was not more than 18 miles from our homes but I guess he found that the north was strong enough to capture him and his army they had a battle on Sunday morning near Salineville Ohio the report is that there is 5 or 6 thousand more crossed the Ohio but let them try coming up here they will find there is a trap set for them.”
In September, the Izenour family was hit with tragedy when Arthur and Elizabeth’s youngest son Eddie died of disease, possibly whooping cough. Mary writes with the devastating news, as well as family friend James Cross who promises Arthur: “Don’t give yourself any uneasiness about the temporal necessities of your family, they shall not need anything if I know it…Sincerely hoping that this Cruel War will soon end + that you thousands more can return again to your peaceful homes.”
Shortly after, the topic of re-enlistment begins to dominate the conversation. Arthur reports of the offers being made to the hardened veterans: “there is some excitement here about enlisting in the Veteran Corps they are given four hundred dollars bounty to old [soldiers to] reenlist for three years more and let them go back to the state this winter and recruit and a twenty day furlough to go home when you write le know what you think if I reenlist.” (9 October 1863). Mary responds with a shrewd if cynical opinion of the benefactors of the war: “”I just think that as long as they can get men to fight they intend keeping this war in progress I am afraid there is too much money made by this war for it to end soon and it makes me feel angry when I think of it and to think how they will offer great inducement to get men to reenlist and I expect if you to reenlist you will not see Pennsylvania this winter for now they have commenced fighting again they will need all the men they have got for they say there is going to be another Draft in six weeks and what is that for if they don’t need men. I am very sure we would like to see you for you are very much missed as much as when you first left home so you can do as you think best for you have all the hardships to endure you won’t have much longer to stay than if you are consolidated into another Regt.” (18 October 1863) She writes again on October 25th with more resistance to the idea: “”Mother is not agreed to you reenlisting she says the time seems so long for you to be away…Mother is in nettles about you enlisting in the Veteran Corps some times she thinks you might as well reenlist and…that they can Draft the three years men when they come home and then you would run the risk of being drafted so I expect you had better do as you think best but if you can wait until we write again you don’t get the four hundred dollars down…but we do not value the money as much as we do your life.” Though she notes that “Leaf Hamilton says that all the greenbacks Abe Lincoln can make would not induce him to enlist.”
Save for one letter from 1864 and one letter from 1865 (in which news of Booth’s capture is related and Arthur speculates his return home) no further letters are included in the archive from Arthur after his letter dated 30 December 1863. He would continue fighting, with his regiment joining the Overland Campaign fighting at the Battles of the Wilderness and skirmishing at Spotsylvania Court House where he was wounded. Despite this, Izenour would end up re-enlisting, joining the 191st Pennsylvania Infantry in June 1864 and then the 16th Veteran Reserve Corps at the beginning of 1865. He was discharged on 10 June 1865, returning to his family and carpentry business in Rochester, Pennsylvania.
Letter 1*
Harrisburg [Pennsylvania]
Saturday, [September] 20, 1862
Dear wife and family,
I now sit down to let you know that I am well and I pray to God you are all the same. I have put in one night in camp. I don’t know when I will leave here. I can’t tell you how I like a soldier’s life.
This is a very nice country. Troops are coming in every hour. May God bless you all. Pray for me that [God will] protect me with all the rest of the army. So no more but remain yours truly, — A. Izenour
To E. Izenour
Letter 2*
Harrisburg [Pennsylvania]
[September] 22, 1862
I give no particulars when I wrote to you. I had not got my uniform yet but I have been to Harrisburg today and got my uniform and bounty and sent it home to you. But I only got 29 dollars instead of 42. But we will get the rest when we get to the regiment. I sent my money and clothes home in the care of S. J. Cross. There is about 1500 troops here in camp and they are arriving here all the time and there is 2500 in Camp Simmons joining Camp Curtin. They have not sent any away from here since I came to camp but expect to send some away in a few days. Maybe I may have to go then and perhaps not for a month, I can’t tell. The Commandant don’t know until he gets the order.
We have about 300 Rebel prisoners here in camp. They are a hard looking set of men, nearly naked and half starved when they came here. I was on guard duty yesterday and last night—the first I had to do. I am well and hope these few lines will find you all the same. Write soon and diret tp Harrisburg, Pa., Camp Curtin, 10th Regt. Pennsylvania Reserves Corps. Co. F, Care of Capt. J. Reed. Goodbye all. — Arthur Izenour
Letter 3
[Home, Rochester, Beaver Co., Pa.]
Monday evening, September 29, 1862
Dear Pap,
We received your welcome letter this afternoon and was glad to hear that you were well. We have received these letters and your clothes. We did not get your letter that was written on last Monday until Thursday evening so I mailed one the next day for Harrisburg. We were still in hopes you were in Camp Curtin. The state militia came home last Saturday. Tip Jackson and the rest left for Fort Delaware last Monday. We made twelve gallons of apple butter last week. We cleaned Mr. Cross’s orchard to get the apples. We have not seen any of the folks in town. We are looking very strong for Uncle Bill down. I intend writing to let him know how and where you are. Mother was thinking about coming to see you if you stayed in Harrisburg. Frank is not quite well again. Willie is as good as ever. He sleeps from morning until night and is growing and getting fat very fast.
Mother got the children measured for their shoes today. Billy Bliss 1 is not killed but he got one of his legs shot off and the other it is thought will have to be taken off. You did not tell us what you done with your hat for it did not come in the box. Ann Kettlewood I heard got a letter from Bill last Saturday and it was from Alexandria. I almost forgot to tell you that we are all well and we hope these few lines will find you the same. I guess I have told you all the news for the present so I will bring my letter to a close by sending you our love. Mother is thinking about getting ready to go up to town pretty soon. So no more at present, but ever remain your affectionate daughter. — Mary Ann Izenour
To Arthur Izenour
1 Corp. William Bliss (1825-1862) served in Co. C, 63rd Pennsylvania Infantry. He died on 29 September 1862 from wounds he received in the 2nd Battle of Bull Run on 29 August 1862 and was buried at the Soldier’s home (grave 1913) in Washington D. C.
Letter 4*
[At Camp of Instruction near Alexandria, Va.]
September 29, 1862
Dear wife and children,
I now sit down to write to you to let you know that I am well and I pray this will find you all the same. I was out to see the 63rd [Pennsylvania] Regiment [Co. C] yesterday and I saw Charles Reno, Henry Kelley, John Miller, John Stedham and Andy and Frank Graham, and Zay Mussey [?] and J. Duks [?] and John Miller.
This is a hard place. I can’t say I like soldiering but I like it as well as I expected I would, But if God spares me, I will come home. God is my support in this time of trouble. May God bless us all and bless the whole world and save us all and if we never meet in this world, may we meet in Heaven at last is my prayer.
We are in Camp for Instruction. We drilled one hour this morning. The weather is warm and dry. I can’t tell when we will get to our regiment but we would like to be there now if we could her there but we are looking for orders every hour. But we may not leave for some time. They was 12 hundred left this morning.
I now sit down to conclude my letter. I have not heard from you since I left home for the reason we was put into another camp and we can’t get to the office. There is some talk of peace. God send! So no more at present but remain yours till death. From A Izenour
To E. Izenour, October 4th
Letter 5*
Washington D. C,
October 6, 1862
My dear wife and children,
I received your letter just as we was leaving Alexandria for this place and was glad to hear from you. It was the first I heard from you since I left home. I was glad to hear that you was all well. I am very well at present.
We are on our way to our regiments, waiting here for transportation. I don’t know when we will get away from here but I suppose tonight. Our regiment is 12 miles from Harpers Ferry at Williamsport. It is in the morning papers here that Gov. Curtin is trying to get all the Reserves into Pennsylvania this winter to recruit. If he succeeds, we have some hopes of getting the 10th near home, perhaps to Camp Howe above Pittsburgh as the Col. Robison lives in Pittsburgh. I hope he may succeed in getting us there. I think when they send us to Camp Howe I will step down some morning to see you before breakfast. Don’t be surprised if I do. But don’t be disappointed if I don’t come. It is hard to tell where we will go to. We can’t tell until we get the orders to march.
The hat you spoke of I kept it here. You did not tell me whether you received the 25 dollars I sent you from Harrisburg by Adams Express in care of S. J. Cross & Co. I sent you the receipt in a letter the same day I sent the money. When you write, let me know about if you got it.
The night before we left camp at Alexandria, a man from New York cut his throat and the night before a man in a drunken [brawl] was shot 3 times by a Lieutenant and died the next day. That was the hardest place I ever saw in my life. I am glad we have got away from it. Let me know when you write how the pigs is getting along. Tell me all the news you know. Let us know how Wash Gordon is. 1 We have never heard whether he died or got better.
I seen John Ward from Birmingham this day week. He had been taken prisoner at Richmond and was paroled. I have not seen anything of Hayes’ Boys or Logan’s nor I don’t know where their regiment is.
We arrived here about 6 o’clock last night and we got supper at the Soldier’s Retreat and then marched out on the commons and had the sky for a roof and the ground for abed. Me and Kettlewood slept together and slept first rate. There was a large frost here this morning when we got up. Bill and me has been partners ever since we left Harrisburg and we are going to be as long as we can stay together. We get along first rate so far. We are not disappointed a bit in soldier’s life.
Give my respects to all enquiring friend and love to you and the children and a kiss for the baby. Nothing more but remain yours truly, — A. Izenour
DIrect to Arthur Izenour, Washington D. C., 10th Regt. P. R. C. Company F, Care of Capt. Reed
1 Washington (“Wash”) Gordon (b. 1834) was a butcher resideing in New Sewickley township, Beaver county, Pa., in 1860. He was married to a woman named Julia and had two young daughters. He apparently enlisted in November 1861 in Battery C, Pennsylvania Light Artillery, but deserted on 27 July 1862. An article appearing in the Beaver Argus on 12 August 1862 reported that “The notorious Wash. Gordon, who escaped from jail some time ago, where he was confined under sentence for “assault and battery with intent to kill,” was recaptured by the Sheriff on last Saturday, at Rochester, and again lodged in jail. After he broke jail he was arrested as a deserter and sent to his regiment; and we presume that he has again desert as he had done several times before. His military records informs us that he deserted again in June 1864 but claims he survived the war and mustered out in June 1865.”
Letter 6
[Editor’s Note: The following letter was written by Mary Ann Izenour to her father, Arthur Izenour. It was datelined 7 October 1862 from Rochester, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. It contains home front news.]
Letter 7*
Sharpsburg, [Maryland]
October 12, 1862
Dear wife and children,
I received your welcome letter of the 7th today and was glad to hear from you. I am very well at present and was glad to hear that you was all well at home.
We arrived at our regiment on the 8th and was glad to get here. We are laying about one mile from Sharpsburg, Md., It is just on the edge of the Antietam battle ground. I was all over the battle ground yesterday. It is a hard looking place for a man that is not used to it. There is 1800 buried in one field of Rebels and 500 in another. They bury the Rebs very poor—some of them with their feet sticking out of the ground. I seen in one pit there was 180 buried and the most of Union men in one [pit] was 14. The Union men are all buried decent—good deep graves and well fixed up. All that I seen were marked with their names and regiments and what states from so their friends can find them.
I was on Friday to see the boys in the 139th [Pennsylvania] Regiment. I seen Hayes’ boys. They are both well. Jim Logan andWilson are both sick. Jim has the fever and Wilson has a very bad cold. They are laying about 8 miles from our camp. Boggs’ boys are both well. We are all well here in this company that I know and have hopes of getting into Pennsylvania to winter quarters. We are only 15 miles from the Pennsylvania State line and 12 miles from Harpers Ferry on the Potomac River and 35 miles below Chambersburg and 15 from Hagerstown. The Rebels have got Chambersburg. They crossed 40 miles above here at a place called Hancock. There is only 2,000 Rebel cavalry and6 pieces of artillery.
I will send these two letters back to you. I cannot carry them handy and I don’t want to lose them And this two dollar Confederate note you can keep that for a curiosity. I want you to write and let me know if Ansley is a good boy. I am glad to hear that he has a prospect of getting work.
We had a sermon preached here today by Rev. McClurn from Beaver town. If you see J. J. Anderson, tell him I have made my acquaintance with his son Marion and I find him a very nice man. Write and let me know if Mother is well contented or not. I am much better contented than expected I would be. Nothing more but remain yours affectionately, — A. Izenour
Let Samuel Cross see this letter and tell him to write to us. Wm. Kettlwood wrote to him but got no answer yet. Me and Henry Pfeifer and Kettlewood is messing together and get along first rate. Goodbye but I hope not forever and remember us in your prayers. — A. Izenour
Letter 8
[Editor’s Note: The following letter was written by Mary Ann Izenour to her father, Arthur Izenour. It was datelined 17 October 1862 from Rochester, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. It contains home front news, so of which reads: “there is a great many aching hearts tonight for the draft came off yesterday and today. There was none taken out of Rochester but there was four out of Rochester township. They are lawyer Young that lives below us, Jont Irwin, and the other two is brothers but I have not learned their names. There was one taken out of Freedom, Bill Movell, the yawl builder, and one of new Sewickley township….Wash Gordon is well. Ansley saw him some two weeks ago down at the station. He seen the bullet that shot him. They have got a warrant out for Tachie Gordon but he has cleared himself… Albert French is dead. He died before they got him to the hospital…. The days and nights is very cold. In fact, we have to keep a fire all day as coal is worth 8 cents a bushel and will be ten in less than a week…”]
Letter 9*
Sharpsburg [Maryland]
October 23, 1862
My dear wife and family,
After my respects to you all, I take this opportunity of telling you now that I am well at present and in good health and I hope this will find you enjoying the same blessing. I received your welcome letter of the 17th and was glad to hear from you.
We are still in the same place yet and don’t know how long we will stay here. We have got no marching orders yet. I don’t know where we will go into winter yet. Some say at Hagerstown and some say at Chambersburg, while others say we will go to Harrisburg to do Provost Guard in the City. But nobody here can tell anything about. it yet. For my part, I would rather go to Harrisburg this winter. I don’t want to stay here anyhow but we will have to go wherever they send us. But I trust to Providence for everything.
I forgot to tell you in my last letter that I seen George Bails that lived in Birmingham. His family lives up the Monongahela River at Green Springs and he is in the 139th [Pennsylvania] Regiment—the same regiment that Hayes’ boys is in. Ben paid me for the pigs and I forgot to tell you about it. I was over to the 134th [Pennsylvania] Regiment on last Sunday and Calkin and French’s boys are all well, but George Lukens is not very well. Tom Hollenbury is sick but is getting better. Jim Hollenbough and Croxon and all the rest of them are well.
We are all well in Company F that you are acquainted with. [George] Wasin is as well as usual and the whole company as a general thing is well. Wasin sends his respects to all his friends. The next time you write, let me know if Joe Irvin went to Fort Delaware or not and let me know what George Young and Jacob Miller is doing and how they are getting along. And if George has a notion of coming out as a substitute for any of the drafted boys. This company, without exceptions, was glad to hear of Pont Irvin being drafted. We are very well satisfied that we came into an old regiment for we are not half so hard drilled as the new ones and we are not bound down like them. We can leave camp when we please while they have to get a pass to go outside of theirs. We can go out for one mile without one.
I tell you, they are racking the 9 months men through. They are not much more thought of than the militia whilst the Reserves are talked of and praised by everybody and they are the main dependence of Gen. McClellan. There is 15 regiments in the Reserves. I did not get your letter of September 26 until October the 23rd. It came to hand then andI was glad to get it [even[ if it was old. I would like you to write me about two letters to my one that I write as you have a better chance to write than I have. It was 11 days between me getting letters.
Nothing more but remain yours until death. Write soon. Yours affectionately, — Arthur Izenour
Letter 10
[Editor’s Note: This letter datelined from Rochester, Beaver Co., Pa. on 27 October 1862 was written to Arthur by his daughter, Mary Ann Izenour. It contains home front news which includes: “I don’t know what hte people about here will do for coal if the river don’t raise pretty soon. Jim Logan has gone to his long home. I did not hear when he died but he has been dead over a week and Wilson is not expected to live.” Some names of citizens hiring substitutes for $200.]
Letter 11*
October 28, 1862
Dear wife and family,
I now sit down to let you know that I am well and I pray this will find you all the same. We have had a hard march for two days. We are going someplace but we don’t know where. Some thinks we are going into Virginia, but it is hard to tell where we are going to but I thank God that I am well. God comforts me by His love. Pray for me that His grace will be with me and all the army. So no more but remain yours till death. — [Arthur Izenour]
Letter 12*
Camp of Federal Army, Va.
October 31, 1862
To my dear wife & family,
After my respects to you, I take this opportunity of letting you know that I am well and very well at present. hoping these few lines will find you all well at home. I have not received any letters from home since the one dated October 17th. I don’t know what is the reason I don’t receive any. I suppose you write often enough but they don’t come here. I penciled a few lines to you on the 29th at Berlin [Maryland] but we have crossed the river since then and made one day’s march and we are now on the Sacred Soil of Virginia on the road to Leesburg but we don’t know where we are going to. Some say to Alexandria and some say other places but nobody knows.
I send you in this letter some buttons to put on Ansley’s coat. They have been through most of the battles. Sarah Barr wrote to William Kettlewood that she was at your house and took dinner with you. She said you was not well but was getting better. She spoke very highly of Ansley. I was pleased to hear a good account of him. I hope to hear of you being reconciled & contented as I feel very well contented myself—better than I thought I would be, And I would be glad to know of you being so. Put your trust in God and pray much. Be often found in prayer. My confidence is placed in God and I think He will bring me through safe. It is my prayer if it should be that we will never meet in this world, I hope my dear to meet you in heaven.
We have got no pay yet but we was mustered in for pay this morning and expect to get it on the 10th of November. And just as soon as I get it, will send it to you. Give my best respects to all enquiring friends. Nothing more but remain your affectionate husband and father, — Arthur Izenour
My address: Mr. Arthur Izenour, 10th Regt. P. R. V. C., Company F, Washington D. C. Then they will follow the regiment wherever we go.
Letter 13*
Hamilton, Virginia
Sunday evening, November 2nd 1862
To my dear wife and family,
After my love and respects to you all, I sit down to inform you that I am well at present and in good health and do hope this will find you all enjoying the same blessing.
We left our camp yesterday about 11 o’clock and arrived here last night about 8 o’clock. I don’t know when we will leave here—perhaps tomorrow morning. We are within ten miles of Snicker’s Gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I seen Addison Stiles today. His brigade passed here about noon. He looks middling well and I seen Alvin Smith. He is in the same company with Stiles. Smith is well and looks very well. Stiles eat dinner with us at our camp on the road. We had a dainty dinner today—fresh pork stewed and apple pie and bakers bread. I tell you we live high here by times. I am head cook when there is anything good to cook and the Boys think I am a good cook too.
I was at preaching today in a meeting house and heard a very good sermon by the Rev. McClaren, our chaplain. I know how to appreciate a good sermon now, better than I did when at home. Bill [Kettlewood] and me can’t understand what you mean by him corresponding to another lady there. I don’t know [who] unless it is Mrs. Barr & Mrs. Musser. We rather think it is some busy body there at home that is perhaps trying to put hard feelings between us being we are together. If there is anything of that kind, I know nothing of it. We write together and he reads & writes mostly all for me. My dear, don’t let anything that Ella Miller can say trouble you about either you or me. Just consider the source it comes from. She would rather gossip than do anything else. At any rate, I am very sorry that you let it trouble you any at all. You should of known her better.
Nothing more. Goodbye, but I hope not forever. And may God in His mercy, bless and protect you all until I return is my sincere prayer. I still remain your affectionate husband and father, — Arthur Izenour
Give my best respects to Mrs. Sarah Barr and her moter and father. Tell them to remember us in their prayers which I have no doubt they do. Goodbye, — A. I.
November 7th
My dear wife, I wrote the above on the 2nd but could not get it mailed for we was on the march ever since. I am well as ever. It is snowing here today very hard. I don’t know where we are going to. We are at Warrenton, Va., now. I have not received any letters from you since the 30th of October. I will write as soon as we get time again. We are all well here. [George] Wasin is very well. Give my love to all. Nothing more but remain yours, — A. Izenour
Letter 14
[Beaver county, Pa.]
November 4, 1862
Dear Pap,
We received another letter from you today. This is the third letter we have got from you in one week and I have answered them all. Ann Kettlewood got a letter today from Bill and she believes the letter of said tract to be false and she is very much mortified about writing that letter but she has forgive him and don’t have anything to do with Traxes. We are all well at present and hope these few lines will find you and your messmates all well.
Pap, I want to tell you me whose brigade and division you are in for I never have heard. Well, Pap, the news is all very scarce. Flour is eight dollars a barrel. The river is still high enough for the boats to run. I am living out for it will take all that I can earn to keep me in calico dresses for it is 18 3/4 a yard. I am living with Lida Gordon but will go home next Monday. I wrote a letter to Aunt Esther last but have not mailed yet. I intend to tell her to Uncle Bill a talking about not writing to you for I think it is as little as he can do to you. Ansley is very much pleased with them buttons you sent him. Well, Pap, this is a very short letter but I will write you a longer one the next time…. Your affectionate daughter, — Mary Ann Izenour
Letter 15*
Warrenton, Virginia
November 9, 1862
To my dear wife and family,
I have just received your kind and welcome letter of the 4th and was very glad to hear from you all. I am uncommon well, hearty as can be & Kettlewood is well too. We are still together. We are laying at Warrenton, Virginia. I don’t know how long we will stay here. Things is very dear here. Calico 75 cents per yard, flour 24 dollars per barrel, corn meal 2 dollars per bushel, coarse shoes for men 10 dollars per pair, women’s shoes 8 dollars a pair, and butter $1 per lb. Coffee none to be got—only in the army. The other provisions accordingly.
The weather here is clear and cold—yesterday and today. I will send two of my old letters home. Nothing more but remain your affectionate father and husband, — Arthur Izenour
Letter 16*
Near Stafford Court House, Va.
November 21, 1862
My dear wife,
I sit down to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well at present and in good health and I hope this will find you and the children in the same state of health. I have not heard from home since yours of the 4th which I received on the 10th. You need not be uneasy if you have not got any letters from here lately for I was told today that there was not a mail left Corps Headquarters for the last two weeks. 1 But we have wrote several in that time and thought I would write today to let you know where we are.
We are laying about six miles from the Aquia [Creek] Landing and I don’t know where we are going to. In fact, I don’t think anybody in the Brigade knows where we are going to from here. Some say we are going to ship to some place around the coast and others say we are going to Pennsylvania. It is hard to tell. But I will write as soon as we find [out] and let you know. We are about 125 miles from Sharpsburg, Maryland, where we joined the regiment.
Write soon and give my love to all the children and my best regards to all enquiring friends. Nothing more but remain your affectionate husband and father, — Arthur Izenour
1 In an attempt to maintain secrecy regarding his battle plans, Gen. Burnside ordered that the mail written home by the soldiers in his command be held until he released it.
Letter 17
[Editor’s Note: This letter was written by Mary Ann Izenour to her father, Arthur Izenour. It was written on November 23, 1862 from Beaver county, Pennsylvania. It contains home front news, including Mary Ann’s statement that: “I want you to tell Bill Kettlewood that Ann [Kettlewood] came down and got me to write that note about his corresponding with Sal Tracts. I did not want to write it but could not get off nor I did not put half nor as bad language as she wanted me to for I am not use to such talk. And another thing, I was afraid he would have hard feelings toward you for I would not for anything that you would fall out for friends.”]
Letter 18*
[Near Brooks Station, Stafford county, Va.]
Friday, November 28, 1862
Dear wife and family,
I now sit down to let you know that I am well at this time. I got your welcome letter last night about nine o’clock and I was glad to hear from you once more for I did not get a letter from you since the one of the 4th and I was very uneasy about it. It relieved me very much. I am much better contented than I expected I would be but I believe the Lord comforts me and I pray that He may comfort you all and bless you all and save us all in his kingdom at last is my prayer.
Jim Hayes was to see us yesterday and he is fatter than I ever seen him and he says Frank is well and all the rest of the boys that you know. You said if I got out of money you would send me some. I thank you for your kindness but I think I will try and get along without calling on you if I can for I think you will need all you have got. Tobacco is very dear here and very hard to get at all but I will try and get it if I can and if I can’t, I will do without. Write and let me know if Mr. Cross is your friend or not. He has not wrote to me nor Kettlewood. We wrote to him. Kettlewood is well and all the rest.
We are lying near Brooks Station, Stafford county, Va. The weather is very pleasant here but it is a very poor country. WE don’t see anybody here but our own men. I sometimes think that I am just arriving at Rochester and I would be glad if it was so for I long to see you all.
I want you to tell March Hayes that I am very much obliged to him answering the letter I sent him but I have not got it yet. I don’t know whether he has answered it or not. I send you some wild holly seed. It is a very nice tree—is green all the year. You may plant it in a box and keep it in the cellar this winter and I think it will come up sooner in spring.
I was washing today. I washed two shirts and two towels and a pair of socks and I am going to get dinner now so I will close. You may send me some thread for what I had is about done. And if you can get me a pair of good mittons, you may send me a pair. I would like to have [them] knit by someone that can knit good ones. I have been getting [Bill] Kettlewood to write for me but I thought I would write this myself. — A. Izenour
To E. Izenour
Brooks Station, Virginia
November 28, 1862
Tell Mrs. Izenour that Arthur is well and very well. Him and me is still together and in the same mess. He is the best man in the company to mess with. I am very glad I am with him. Henry Pfeifer got mad and left us and went into another mess and we have got Henry Gull in with us now—tree in one tent six feet long and five feet wide. But we have plenty of room and very comfortable considering things. Arthur is company commissary and he is excused from all guard duty and drill and he has a very good job and the company all like him very well. [– Bill Kettlewood]
Letter 19
[Editor’s Note: This letter was written by Mary Ann Izenour to her father, Arthur Izenour. It was written on December 1, 1862 from Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and contains home front news.]
Letter 20*
Brooks Station
December 5, 1862
My dear wife and children.
After my love to you all, I sit down to inform you that I am well at present and in good health, hoping these few lines will find you all the same. I received your ever welcome letter of the 27th of November and was very glad to hear from you all.
We are still laying at the same place that I wrote from on the 21st and don’t know how long we will stay here. The weather has been very fine since we came to this camp, clear and cool. We have had no snow—only one day and that was on the 7th of November. But it is raining here this morning and a very cold rain. The health of the regiment is very good. There has been no deaths in our regiment since we came to it and only three in the Brigade.
I want you to lend me a darning needle. I wrote to you to get me a pair of mittens. If you have not got them yet, get the yarn and get Mother Kettlewood to knit them & tell her to just knit a forefinger and thumb on each hand and the rest mitten and put the darning needle in them and put a wrapper arond them like a newspaper & send them by mail. Two stamps will fetch them, I think.
The report about Smith’s knapsack is this. He was at Camp Curtin when we left & for fear he would not get with us to the regiment, he gave Kettlewood the pistol and package for McWilliams to deliver to Mc. which he did and Smith went with us to Baltimore and the morning we left there he got drunk and when we changed cars, he lost his knapsack. And while he was out buying a gum blanket, he got my knapsack and I had to go without one and he (Smith) got left in Baltimore and when he came to Alexandria, he ad my knapsack. And as for his knapsack, we don’t know anything about it for he left it in the cars at Baltimore. And as for the money, I don’t think he had any to lose. The above statement we can prove by the men that came with us from Rochester. When you write again, try and find out who wrote that and who to. I don’t care anything about the report for we have a clear conscience concerning it.
I have 8 buttons for George that I send you in this letter.
I was over on Monday to see Hayes’ & Boggs’ boys & W. Logan. They are all well & I seen George Bales. They have 4 girls living and little Joe is dead. He showed me the likenesses of Julia and the children. They are fine looking children. Nothing more but remain your affectionate father and husband. — A. Izenour
When you write, let me know all the news you know and how business is on the river and about home.
Letter 21*
Sunday, December 7, 1862
Dear wife and family,
I now sit down to let you know that I got your letter of first and I was glad to hear that you were all well. I pray that God may continue to bless you all with health. I am well and very well and I thank God for it. You talk about having a fight at Fredericksburg but we don’t think there will be a fight there for it is said that the Rebs has left there. We have been lying within twelve miles of that place.
The weather is cold. There is two or three inches of snow here but it is thawing today. We are pretty comfortable fixed but we expect to move tomorrow into another camp where we expect to put up winter quarters.
Bill Kettlewood is well and Marion Anderson is well. He is driving an ambulance wagon now. The health of the army is good, I believe, all around here. I would like to see you all if I could but can’t but trust to God that I will see you all some time. I don’t think the war will last very much longer. I think both sides is tired of it and I think that there will be a compromise against spring.
Give my love to all enquiring friends and keep a large share for yourself. So no more at this time but remain your affectionate father and husband until death. — A. Izenour
Letter 22
Rochester [Beaver county, Pennsylvania]
December 12th 1862
Dear Pap,
I take the present opportunity of writing you a few lines in hopes they will find you and your mess mates enjoying good health as it leaves us at present. We received two letters the fifth and the 7th and we was very glad to hear that you was well. Ansley is working every day in the barrel factory. He drsawed five dollars last Wednesday and he is over in Bridgewater getting measured for an overcoat this evening. He expects to be praised in every letter we get from you, but perhaps you have not got the letters with the news in. We have very nice weather this week but last Saturday and Sunday was very windy and cold. The boats could not run for the ice in the river. The creek is froze over. I don’t know of any business news.
The Orphans’s Home out at Zelienople was burned down on last Saturday. Lukens is busy sawing lumber for to build shanties for the orphans. Young is working for him. Oatman is not running his mill now. Mr. Robert Raney came home from the army sick yesterday. Ben Kidd has got his discharge. He has been in thirteen battles and has not got a scrach except the mark of disease. Daddy Moore’s son has got home. He has been a prisoner in Alabama. Mother sent your mittens by Uncle Tom Hayes. It would cost 37.5 or 50 cents to have sent them by mail. She would have sent you some socks but she could not get any good ones in the store.
I got a letter from Rachel yesterday. they was all well except little Flora. I intend writing to Uncle Bill and invite him to come down and bring a roast with him on Christmas. Isuppose he will think that we are very good. Well, Pap, I think I have told you all the news. Give our respects to Bill Kettlewood and reserve a great share for yourself. From your affectionate daughter, — Mary Ann Izenour
Letter 23*
December 15, 1862
Dear wife and family,
I now sit down to let you know that I am still living and well. [Bill] Kettlewood was taken prisoner. [John] Purvis was wounded. [Bill] Pfiefer was wounded. I thank God that I was not hurt. It’s God’s mercy that I was spared for the balls whizzed around me as thick as hail but thank God, they did not hit me. There was three killed in our company—Christ Holland, John Edgar, Henry Gull. 16 wounded and missing.
I got your letter of the 5th on Wednesday night and I was glad to hear that you was all well. So no more at this time but remain yours till death. — A. Izenour
to E. Izenour
Letter 24
[Rochester, Beaver county, Pa.]
Monday evening, December 22, 1862
My dear Pap,
I now take the present opportunity….We were very glad to hear of your escape for we were very uneasy until we heard from you. The report is that Bill Kettlewood is wounded and in the hospital. I am very sorry to heat that he was so unfortunate. You are very lonesome, I know, since you lost both of your messmates but we are very thankful that you were so lucky and we hope that you may escape in the next battle. Reno wrote home that you were well. We are all very well at present and in better spirits that we have been for some time….
There is a good stage of winter. There has been a great deal of ice in the river and there is a great many boats a running. I have made the acquaintance of Marion Anderson….Ansley is still working in the barrel factory… Your affectionate daughter, — Mary Ann Izenour
Letter 25*
December 23rd 1862
Dear wife and children,
I now sit down to let you know that I am still living and well and I thank God for it for I was in the battle where the bullets flew as thick as hail but I was not touched. I was in the battle two hours and twenty-five minutes and our division was in the front but was not supported as was ordered, so we was compelled to fall back which we did with a loss of 19 out of 33. I got your letter of the 12th on the 17th and I was glad to hear that you was all well and I am very glad to hear that Ansley is doing so well and that he says he would rather work than play. Be a good boy, Ansley, and so what your boss tells you, and if I live to get home, I will fetch him something nice.
Bill [Kettlewood] was taken prisoner and Hiram Reno, [and] Henry Pfeifer was wounded in the leg. The ball hit him above the knee and went up in his thigh and the ball is still in his thigh.
The mail is just going out and I have not time to write anymore. — A. I.
Letter 26
[Rochester, Beaver county, Penn.]
Friday evening, December 26, 1862
My dear Pap,
We received your very welcome letter of the 23rd and we was very glad to hear from you…We were very much pleased to hear that you escaped being hurt [at Fredericksburg] but we would be a great deal happier to hear that you would be home. Ann Kettlewood is very near crazy about Bill for she has not heard from him since the battle except through other people’s letters. Every person has wrote home that he is wounded but you. Jim McWilliams writes home that he is in the hospital and that he gave him a good drink of coffee. In your next letter, send us all you know about it for we woul like to know all the particulars. Grandmother Kettlewood has been sick ever since she heard and John Kettlewood says if Bill is very badly wounded and not a prisoner, he will go and have him brought home if he is so that he cannot go into service for awhile.
Yesterday was a very sad day for it has rained these three days but I believe it is sleeting now. It did not appear like Christmas at all. I did not go out at all but Mother was up to Sproul’s all day. Mrs. Sproul died the night before. Other was there when she died. She was buried in this graveyard. Old Mr. Douglas fell off his feet the other day and broke four of his ribs. I guess he was tight. [1st Lt.] Bob Darragh came home today of [Co. C.] the 63rd [Pennsylvania] Regiment. The report is that he shot himself because they would not let him resign as he was in good health. 1
Mr. Robert Ramsey went clear out of his mind and they have taken him to Dixmont Insane Asylum. He had the neuralgy in his head and home sick together was hte cause.
There is a great many boats a running for there is generally three or four in sight at once. Charlie Watron is on the river. He is at St. Louis. The barrel factory is not running the latter part of this week so Ansley has went to Pittsburgh on last Wednesday to spend his Christmas. He is to be down tomorrow evening. He has drawed ten dollars and left some standing. He bought a new overcoat for four and a quarter, pants at a half dollar per yard and hate, one dollar and a half. We are all well except mother who has a toothache…
Tom Hollenbaugh was taken prisoner about 5 or 6 weeks ago and they have not heard from him since. He with some others were left to take care of some baggage wagons when the rebels captured them. Capt. Vera’s company of 9-month’s men was in the battle. There was four killed, two missing, and twelve wounded. The French’s was not hurt. I will try and get Gen. Burnside’s letter after the battle before Fredericksburg and send it to you for I think it is worth reading. You can send it when you send the old letters….
Ever remain your affectionate daughter, — Mary Ann Izenour
1 Family entries on Ancestry.com claim that Lt. Robert Darragh of Co. C, 63rd Pa., was wounded at Fredericksburg and returned home suffering from fever and ague. He died of typhoid fever in 1865 in St, Louis.
Letter 27*
December 30, 1862
Dear wife and children,
I now sit down to let you know that I am well and in good spirits for the report is that we are going to Washington to guard railroads. We have marching orders and they say that we are going to march to Washington.
I got the box you sent me and I was very glad to get the nice things you sent me. Uncle Tom had a hard time getting the box along. When he got to Washington, he could not get a pass. He was in Washington 4 days. Then he got out with old John Camp. He was coming out as a sutler with the 140th Regiment. I got mittens and the thread you spoke about. I got it and I got the darning needle yarn you sent me.
I got your letter of the 12th & 22nd and 8th and I was glad to hear that you was all well and may God bless you all is my prayer. So no more for my candle is done but remain your father and husband. — Arthur Izenour
To E. Izenour.
Letter 28*
Camp near Belle Plains, Virginia
January 2, 1863
Dear wife & children,
I now sit down to let you know that i am well at this time and hope these few lines will find you all the same. The weather is very pleasant here for this time in the winter.
Christmas was very pleasant. I was busy all day building a shanty and on New Years I was down at Belle Plains Landing with the wagons for supplies. I am with te wagon train now all the time as guard and I have a nice time and I will not have to go into a battle as long as I am with the train. And I may be along with it for a long time. I would rather be with the wagons as with the company for I get plenty to eat and some work so the time is not so long. I don’t know when we will leave here but I hope when we do leave, it will be to go back to Washington for I have seen as much of Virginia as I want to see for it is a poor place.
You may tell Bill [Kettlewood]’s folks that they need not write to the company for he is not with it. The Lord still comforts me and my prayer is that He may bless you all and save us all in His kingdom at last.
Ansley, my dear boy, I am very much pleased that you have done so well since I left home. It pleases me very much when I think that you are making as much money as I am and I suppose you get your pay regular and hope you will give mother your money. I have four months pay coming to me now but I don’t know when I will get it. As soon as I get it, I will send it home. We are looking for the pay master everyday now. We was mustered in for our pay on the last of the month. This is the second time we have been mustered in. We are mustered in every two months whether ew get it or not. But I hope we will get it soon for it seems a long time since I have gave your mother any money. But I think I will have a good bit to send her when I get it.
Give my love to all enquiring friends and keep a large share for yourselves. From Arthur Izenour
To Ansley W. Izenour
Letter 29*
Camp near Belle Plains, Va.
January 8, 1863
My dear wife and family,
I now sit down to let you know that I got your letter of termination 2nd and I was very happy to hear that you was all well. May God bless you all is my prayer. I am well and in good heart for the report is still that we are going to be taken back to the state again and I hope it’s so for I think I will get home to see you all once more.
You can tell John Stiles that he don’t know anything about a battle or he would not say what he did. A man may sit at home and talk that way but I think if he had been in the one I was, he would be ready to go home. It will not spite me if I never see another although I have seen a great deal of the country. I have marched 150 miles through Maryland and Virginia. I am with the wagons still and I like to be with them. I get plenty to eat and I have plenty to wear and I like soldier’s life pretty well. If I only could get home to see you all some times.
I got a letter from S. I. and I answered it. I am glad to hear that you have got plenty of flour for I think you will not starve. I got the box and we have eat the most of the things. So no more at this time. From your truly, — A. I.
To E. I.
Letter 30
[Rochester, Beaver county, Pa.]
Saturday evening, January 10th 1863
We received your very welcome letter of the 30th today. We were very uneasy about you since Christmas. It was written on the 23rd. Uncle Tom Hayes got home on last Saturday, January 3rd but we have never seen him yet and all we have heard about you is what he told other people. I think the Hayes’ is the strangest people anybody ever knew and I think it is about as mean a trick as he could do to come from the army and seeing you and not coming to tell us how you looked, what you was doing, and what you said. But it is nothing more than we expected for he was going off without letting us know. But Mother got wind of it until Saturday afternoon and he was to leave on Tuesday morning so we done the box up in a hurry…
Ann Kettlewood 1 is in very bad circumstances nor nobody will do anything for her for they say it is perfectly good for her for she might have taken care of her money. The storekeepers won’t let her have a thing for Bill went away without paying a debt and there like to have no better luck. The storekeeper told mother if she got out of money, she could get whatever she wants but they have no heart to help Ann for she done so bad. I expect she will be in the poor house the next thing you hear for she has had nothing for to eat—only what was give to her. Mother went up to see her yesterday for she is sick. The doctors say it is trouble that ails her. She told Mother she had not a bite of anything in the house to eat so she sent her a few slices of meat and a little bucket of flour for their supper. I have no pity on her but I am sorry for the children….
There was a wreck up on the railroad today. A freight and passenger train ran into one another by the Beaver Station. It threw some of the cars over the embankment. I believe there was none killed. The ones that was hurt is down at Johnson’s Hotel. We have not heard the particulars yet.
Eli Sheets is to be hung in Beaver on the 10th day of next April. He says there is no man a living can hang him. He has escaped twice but was caught and he abstained from eating anything for four days. The doctor said if he did not eat anything for 48 hours more, he would not live.
John Conway’s store was robbed on Christmas eve of all the silks, flannels, and merinos. The best of the goods was taken. Some little things was found on the commons, some at Stone’s Point, and at Vanport, It is supposed it was done so as they could not track them. The part has not been arrested yet. It is thought it is someone off the canal. Conway is nearly crazy. He has hardly drawed a [ ] breath snce it happened and he was never known to drink before.
Mother is glad you are going to Washington, She thinks you won’t be in so much danger. The report is that the Reserves is going to get home to be reorganized. There was a lot of Pittsburghers came yesterday and we won’t be surprised if you step in some day for Mrs. Camp is looking for her son home. She was up to town to meet him yesterday but he was not along with the rest…. –Mary Ann Izenour
1 Anna Elizabeth (French) Kettlewood (1835-1922) was married to William (“Bill”) Kettlewood (1829-1881) in January 1854. They had two young children at the time of the 1860 US Census. They were Aaaron Watson Kettlewood (1857-1927) and Emma G. Kettlewood (1859-1891). Bill was an English emigrant and came to this country as an infant with his parents. He worked as a boatman in Rochester. After the war, the family lived in nearby Freedom where Bill worked as an engineer in one of the sawmills. He and Annie were still together with their children in 1870 and 1880.
Letter 31*
Camp near Belle Plains
January 19, 1863
My dear wife and children,
I now sit down to let you know that I am well and to let you know that I got your letter of the 10th on the 16th and I was glad to hear from you and to hear that you was all well. May God bless you all.
I was very sorry to hear that Ann [Kettlewood] is so bad off but it is not more than I expected for Bill [Kettelwood] was writing to someone the first letter that come for him after the battle. [Since he had been taken prisoner,] I opened it for I thought it was from Sarah Barr but I soon found it was not. You mustn’t say anything about it till I see him again and talk to him about it. He went into another mess in the camp that we was in before the battle. He left me without saying a word to me about it. I thought it was very strange of him but I don’t think strange of it now for he was afraid I would find him out.
I am now messing with George Baker of our company & a man by the name of [Miles] Foreman of Company E of our regiment. We are with the wagons. Marion Anderson is getting his discharge today and he will soon be home. I wish it was me but it is not so I must stay a little while longer. You can pray for me which you do no doubt. I had a letter from Mr. Cross and I answered it and wrote to Uncle Bill.
So no more for it is getting dark. — A. I. to E. I.
Letter 32
[Editor’s Note: This letter was written by Mary Ann Izenour to her father, Arthur Izenour. It was datelined from Rochester, Beaver Co., Pa. on 21 January 1863 and it contains home front news and has not yet been transcribed.]
Letter 33*
Camp near Belle Plains, Virginia
Friday, January 30, 1863
My dear wife and children,
I now sit down to let you know that I am well and in good heart for we are going to Washington soon. I got your letter of the 24th today and I was glad to hear that you was all well. I don’t need anything. I got my boots half-soled and they will do me till spring.
John Stiles will pay you 15 dollars for I paid that amount to Clark Hawkens. I only got 22 dollars this time. I will have 52 the next pay day which will be in March. I am sorry I can’t send you all I got but can’t for I got a dollar from Canelor [?] to get my boots mended and I owed some for tobacco and I have a little left for tobacco.
The mud is 4 feet and rising. We have had a snow 10 inches deep but it is melting very fast. I think the next letter I write will be from Washington so you must excuse this short one and I will try and write a long one the next one for I have a very bad pen. So no more but yours till death. — Arthur Izenour
to Elizabeth Izenour
Letter 34*
[Editor’s note: Arthur’s letter was written on the same sheet and a letter written to him by his daughter, Mary Ann Izenour dated January 15th 1863. It contains home front news.]
[Camp near Belle Plains Landing]
Saturday evening, January 31, 1863
I had to go to the landing today so I did not get this letter mailed. We are going to Washington on Tuesday or Wednesday. You can tell Mr. Young that it is just such soldiers as he would make that is lousy for they are too lazy to keep themselves clean. The Boys is all well and in good heart. I want to see the Hayes boys tomorrow before we leave. I hope Ansley is still a good boy to you all. — Arthur Izenour
To E. Izenour
Letter 35
[Rochester, Beaver county, Pa.]
Saturday evening, January 31, 1863
Dear Pap,
We received your welcome letter of the 25th today at noon and we was very glad to hear that you was well. It found us all well excepting bad colds. Franky is got quite well again. Willie has a very bad cold. It makes him very fretful. I forgot to tell you he sit alone and when we sing to him, he always helps us through. Robert is both fat, ragged and saucy for he has got the toes wore out of his new shoes and had the knees out of his breeches but Mother mended them this evening and he has a question he wants you to answer. All the young hens has laid but his so he wants to know if Ike is not a rooster hen.
There was a hole burnt in the boiler at the barrel factory last Thursday. It threw a great many out of work there two days but Ansley got work at piling staves in the kiln.
Emma got a letter from Bill Kettlewood. He said he was paroled and would be at home in a few days but I don’t think he will have the face to come back here for everybody has something to say about him or her. There was a Mrs. Finley burnt to death in Bridgewater this week. Her little child pulled the lamp off the stand and set fire to her clothing. Yarn is worth twenty cents a cut by the children has good stockings for Aunt Esther brought them a fine lot down.
If you go to Washington, you need not be surprised to see a woman in camp looking for you but I think she will not know you if you are letting your beard grow. If you have never shaved since you left. I don’t a person can tell what you look like if you look as bad as you did this summer when you had it on your upper lip, you must look horrid. I think the men out htere are not any judges of beauty.
Mrs. Cross had quite a compliment for Mother. She said she deserved the greatest of praise for getting along so well when you are away. We heard they were a going to make a compromise soon. I hope they may.
Eddie is very well this morning. He has a very bad cough. Caddie Mones [?] [ ] was not expected to live. On Saturday afternoon he got tight and then got a quart more of whiskey and drank it. The doctor did not know whether he could do anything for him, We have not heard whether he is living or not. I don’t believe George Young has worked two months since you went away. He has been working three or four days in the barrel factory for 50 cents a day.
This is wash day. It is clear and cold. It rained yesterday. George and Missie was over to Bridgewater Sunday School. There is none here. The children sends you a kiss and wishes you were at home. I have told you all the news for the present. We all send you our love. So no more at present. From your affectionate wife and children.
To Arthur Izenour.
Letter 36*
Camp near Belle Plains, Virginia
February 4th 1863
Dear Family,
I now sit down to let you know that I am well at this time and I have been well ever since I left home. I don’t know how the word got there that I was sick for I never had better health than I have had since I left home. I received your letter of 28th today and was glad to hear from you but was sorry to hear that Frankey was sick. But I hope he is well now and may God bless you all and comfort you all till I get home which I hope I will sooner or later.
Tell George I will send him a lot of buttons with M. Anderson when he comes home. When you get the money, write and let me know. We have not gone to Washington yet but the news is still that we are going.
I was over to see the 139th [Pennsylvania Infantry] boys last Sunday. They are all well. Saw Anthony Baker 1 and he told me that his wife had paid you one dollar on the pigs that he got from me.
1 Anthony Baker served in Co. H, 139th Pennsylvania Infantry. He was wounded in the Battle of the Wilderness on 5 May 1864.
Letter 37*
[Editor’s Note: Arthur wrote this letter from the vicinity of Belle Plains, Virginia, on the same sheet of paper containing a letter to him by his daughter Mary Ann Izenour dated from Rochester, Beaver County., Pa., on January 28, 1863. Her letter informs her father that she has been invited to work for the Bill Johnson family. It also contains a scandalous story impugning the reputation of Bill Kettlewood.]
Thursday morning, February 5, 1863
I was very glad to hear that Ansley is so manly. I think he is a comfort to you. The mud is all froze up and it is snowing this morning. I am still with the wagons. I don’t need anything now. When I do, I will let you know.
Leaf Hamilton had a letter from Bill Kettlewood the other day. He is at Camp Parole at Annapolis. I don’t know what he said in his letter. M[arion] Anderson is well as usual, He has not got his discharge papers all made out yet but he will get them some of these days and I will send you some little things with him when he comes. I got your letters of the 21st and 24th but I got the one of the 24th before I got the one of the 21st. I get one or two a week when they come direct through. I got the one of the 15th and 21st both on one day. So no more at present but ever remain yours till death. — A. Izenour
To E. Izenour
Letter 38*
Camp near Alexandria, Va.
February 10, 1863
Dear wife and children,
I now sit down to let you know that I am well at this time and I hope this will find you all the same. We are now at Alexandria in sight of Washington but I don’t know how long we will stay here. Some says we are going to Washington and some says Georgetown.
I got your letter of the 31st and 2nd on the 7th and I was very glad to hear that you was all well. You said Robert wanted to answer the question about his hen but I cannot unless she is too fat. I have a very poor place to write and the wind is blowing so I can’t write. That woman you speak about coming to camp had better stay at home and not think of coming for it is no place for a woman.
So no more. — A. I to E. I.
Letter 39*
Camp on Minor’s Hill near Alexandria, Va.
Monday evening, February 16, 1863
My dear wife,
I now sit down to give you a brief outline of all that has happened to us soldiers since my last letter. At daylight on Sunday morning the 8th of this month, the reveille in its wild sounding alarm woke us all and hurried preparations were made to break up camp and get to the landing before the sun would have a chance to thaw the roads. Accordingly, after a hurried breakfast, we soon packed up everything worth taking along with us and our regiment being soon formed in a little over an hour we were on the landing and the work of putting the troops on board the transports rapidly going on. But as there was two brigades of us, it was near night before we were all on board as we were moved backwards and forwards from the barge to the vessel and our whole brigade was at one time on board one boat where we were crowded so much that it was almost impossible to move or even turn round. At last the vessel signaled for another barge and when it came alongside we had more room and finally got started up the Potomac for Alexandria which place we reached the next day at about 11 o’clock. Here we left the vessel and marching through the town of Alexandria we encamped in sight of it where we slept for two nights on the ground without even putting up our shelter tents which at best are but little better than an umbrella. The weather was quite cool as you might expect it at this time of year but I stood it well and did not even catch a cold.
On the morning of the 11th we started again and marched 8 miles to a place called Minor’s Hill from which this camp derives its name. It is quite pleasant and picturesque as Minor’s Hill commands a wide view of this portion of Virginia. From the top of it you can see in every direction almost as far as the eye can carry. It was one of McClellan’s strategic points as it was near this place the lookout was kept while the troops lay around Washington last summer. We are quite comfortably situated here. This camp was the quarters of the 22nd Connecticut Regiment which left the morning we arrived here. The shanties or quarters are built out of logs and poles in the old log cabin style. The floors is what is called corduroy, being made of poles laid close together on the ground which makes it quite solid and substantial though of course a little uneven. The roofs are mostly made of poles and earthed over to turn the rain through. This one is a board roof. Upon the whole they are quite comfortable and good quarters in any kind of weather. Our mess at present consists of 7 of us—George Baker, Hiram Hendrickson, Jacob Smith, James Jordon, James Beaner, Thomas S. Wray, and myself—quite a smart little family.
There was little or nothing transpired on our trip up here worth writing about. The river and country on both sides of it put me very much in mind of the scenery along the banks of the Mississippi, being wild and but thinly settled.
I wrote a hurried note to you soon after we landed at Alexandria which I suppose you have got before this time. I have been daily looking for a letter from you for a week or more but I have not received one since the 7th of this month. There may be one on the way for me but we have not been permanently settled long enough for our mail to get to us regular. After this, however, we look for a regular mail every day. I am quite hearty and well so you need not think because I am not writing this letter myself that there is anything the matter with me. Today was my turn for guard and I have already stood four hours and have four more to stand tonight yet. Then tomorrow I will have all day to rest. If you received the 15 dollars I sent you through Stiles, write and let me know. The health of all the Boys in Company F is good as indeed it is throughout our division generally. No more at present but remain your affectionate husband, — Arthur Izenour
To Elizabeth Izenour
Letter 40*
[Editor’s Note: The first part of this letter was written by Mary Ann Izenour to her father in mid-February 1863 giving him home front news. Arthur’s response, written on his behalf by his comrade Hiram Hendrickson, was probably written a week or two later on the same sheet and mailed home.]
Tuesday evening, [February] 17, 1863
Dear Pap,
It is with pleasure I write you these few lines to let you know that we are still well and that we received your money through John Stiles today. He did not get Clark Hawkens’ letter until yesterday. The money was not hard to spend for it is all gone but two or three dollars. We pay 25 cents for butter per pound and gets 20 cents per dozen for our eggs. Mother sold two dozen last week and has a dozen that I will take down tomorrow.
Annie Stiles has a young son. She named it Gen. George B. McClellan. I think she will have to make shorter names for if he keeps on, she will not find a name for them all. Tip Chandler is home. Billy Allen has got home. His disease is palpitation of the heart. Old Penny is on a burst. He threatened to kill his wife the other night so she left him. It is the second or third time since you left home.
We had a visitor about eight o’clock tonight. Old crazy Hannah come and knocked but we don’t let people in until we know who they are. I did not go to church tonight for it is a select meeting. They have not room around the alter for all the mourners, the preacher is liked so well.
Kate Anderson and me is going down to Vanport tomorrow to a picnic. This is mean looking writing paper. I let the sheet lid fall on it and tore it all. This rather a short letter for I started one last Monday. We send love to you and a kiss from the little ones. From your affectionate daughter, — Mary Ann Izenour
To Arthur Izenour
This is a piece of Mother’s dress.
[in a different hand, probably late February 1863]
But it may be some time before I get one as there is so many of the old ones wanting to get home on furloughs and I am only a recruit. I will have to wait my turn. I will try here to get one about the 1st of May if you [think] I had better do so. I would like very much to see you all but I don’t like to spend so much money. It will cost me at least twenty dollars to go and come back.
You say you are going to live at Bill Johnston’s but I don’t think you will stay long there as I think they will be very hard on a girl. It gives me great pleasure to know that Ansley is doing so well. He has brought in more money to you than I have sent you. We was mustered in yesterday for two months more pay. I have four months coming to me now but I cannot say when I will get it.
Written by Hiram Hendrixon [on behalf of Arthur Izenour]
Letter 41
[Editor’s Note: This letter was written by Mary Ann Izenour to her father in mid-February 1863 giving him home front news.]
[Home]
Saturday evening, February 21, 1863
Dear Pap,
We received your welcome letter of the 10th today. We was very glad to hear from you for it was just a week today since we heard from you. We are very glad you have got to Washington or near it rather. We are looking for you home on a furlough of 30 days. There is a great many getting home. You will not surprise us a bit if you come. George Moore and Tip Chandler and John Purvis is home. John told Ansley that he had not seen you for about two months. He said you looked well and appeared very well contented which we are very glad to hear. You feel very lonesome sometimes, we know. Mother bought Ansley a pair of black cosinette pants for 90 cents per yard. He intends going over to church tomorrow with me. He drawed six dollars last Wednesday. He stopped at Crosses and fetched a shoulder up that 22 pounds at 8 cents per pound. We just eat the last of Annie’s meat this week.
Esther and Frank was down to Mr. Anderson’s this afternoon to play with Harry Tompson and he carried home some ginger cakes down. I am going away next Tuesday to live down at Bill Johnson’s for $1.50 a week. Calico is worth 31 cents per yard. If things get much higher, we may as well live in Rebeldom. When I go away, I don’t know how it will be about writing letters but I will try and get time to write one a week at least. We have had very nice weather this week. Today has been very cold. We are all right well except Mother. She has a very bad cough.
Sunday evening. It has snowed and blowed last night and today Ansley and I did not go to church. We expected it was too blustery. Ansley, George, and Robert has got their bed on the floor tonight for the snow blows in the kitchen and it looks like mountains up in the loft. We carried a great deal of it out today. Ansley goes to Tarravant’s Sunday School. Mr. Kenzer is his teacher. Willie Eddie can shake his head no, no. I wish you could come home to see us for we would like to see you. Willie Eddie is such a pretty and interesting child. Mother says he looks like me but I think he is prettier than me. Esther and George is learning very fast at school.
Your letter of the 16th was very interesting for we wanted to hear how you went and how long it took you and how you like the place you are at. Ansley I think will not have work tomorrow but if he don’t, he will go to school.
Well, Pap, Seven I think is quite a smart family. I would like to call in someday to see you and see what kind of housekeeper you are. You can do the cooking anddon’t have very many dishes to wash. I expect you get better victuals now for Hayes’ boys say they are getting light bread and vegetables now, and Frank in his last letter talked something of their getting to Washington soon. I guess Uncle Tom and the Hayes’ is a going to start for Washington this week with a lot of mules for the government. I think I have told you all the news.
There is going to be another draft this spring…write soon. From your affectionate daughter, — Mary Ann Izenour
To Arthur Izenour
Letter 42*
Camp on Minor’s Hill
February 23, 1863
My dear son,
I now sit down to let you know that I am well and that I have never been off duty one day since I left home. It pleases me very much to hear that you are glad that you got work in the factory. I hope that God will bless you with health and strength and make you a good boy. Don’t forget to say your prayers and ask God to take care of you. If you was here you might go a sleighing for there is plenty of snow here now for it is 8 inches deep. But today the sun shines clear and the snow is melting.
As for getting a furlough, I can’t say how it will be. If we stay here, I will see if I can get one but you need not look for me to get one before April or May for there is so many that has been out so much longer than I have. They will get chances before me and it will take some time for to round htem for they only allow two out of a company at a time so it will take some time before it comes my time. But if you think I had better come, I will try and come for I would like to see you all very much for it seems a long time since I have seen you. But i hope I will see you all again some time.
There is one thing, we will not be in so much danger here. We are within 8 miles of Washington and we have to go on picket every six days and stay out two days and nights. So I think I have told you all so I will close by asking you to write soon. — Arthur Izenour
To A. Izenour
Letter 43*
Camp on Minor’s Hill
March 6, 1863
Dear wife and family. It is with much pleasure I now sit down to let you know that I received your welcome letter of the 1st and I was very glad to [hear] you say you are all in good health. I weight [one hundred and] seventy pounds. That is more than I ever weighed before. I get plenty to eat and plenty to wear so I can’t complain, I have always done my duty, I believe, and the Lord still is my support. And I hope He is yours too. I am glad to hear that Ansley is still a good boy and that he has done so well since I left home. You said you wanted me to tell you how much cost to fix the house but I can’t tell you for I don’t know what shingles is worth. But I think they will cost 6 or 7 dollars. I think you can easily get it done when I get my pay and send it to you, which I will as soon as I get it. I will only get two months pay this time for they are going to keep two months back.
Marion Anderson is still with the company yet. He is waiting for his [discharge] papers. He is not on duty. His health is poorly. I lent John Purvis a dollar. You had better get it is you can and I lent Jim Phillis two dollars. You may see him and get it from him. So no more at this time but remain your husband and father until death. — Arthur Izenour.
To his wife and family.
Letter 44
Saturday, March 7, 1863
Dear Pap,
I now take my pencil in hand to let you know that we are all well except Eddy and he is some better. I have worked two days this week. I drawed 5 dollars on Thursday. I have got two loads of bark at the factory for to burn in summer. <arch hauled it. Mother went down to get some tobacco to send by [ ] and Mr. Cross told her that he would send you all the tobacco that he would carry and a knife….[Ansley Izenour]
[in a different hand]
Billy Reno leaves here next week to join the regiment. Powell got his feet froze so bad coming down from Oil Creek with oil that he had to have three of his toes taken off by the first joint. Frank Hayes’ wife has been down to Mandy’s sick for a week with the Quinsy. Tomy and Johnny Hayes is sick. I will never say how I like it here. I have not very hard work. I just wash dishes. I have to stand so much I get very tired. I went and ordered a pair of shoes today and I will have to pay two dollars and ten cents for them so that’s the way the money goes. I have not any news of importance to write tonight.
Wash Gordon has had his trial and taken back to jail to pay the court and the fine for Cha___ Smith to kill him. Mother is quilting at Rachel’s quilt yet. This letter is very poorly written for my head aches so that I can hardly see and it is very late too. So no more at present but ever remain your affectionate daughter, — Mary Ann Izenour
To Arthur Izenour
Letter 45*
Camp Minor’s Hill, Va.
March 10, 1863
Dear wife and family,
I now sit down to let you know that I am well at this time and I hope these few lines will find you all as well as it leaves me. It is a very lonesome place here. I would like very much to come home and see you all but I can’t come yet. But I trust I will get home someday. You must have patience till I come and I will try and have [too].
I wrote to Mr. Croft and he has not answered it yet. Tell him I would like to hear from him if he would be so kind. The weather is very changeable here. Some days is clear and pleasant and some rain or snow. It snowed this forenoon and it is raining this afternoon and it is a very disagreeable day.
Wednesday, 11th. It snowed last night.
Letter 46*
Camp of the 10th Regiment Pennsylvania Reserves Corps, Manassas, Va.
March 13, 1863
My dear family,
I received your letter of the 8th and it found me well but I was very sorry to hear that you were not all well. But I hope this may find you all well as it leaves me.
I was out on a scout yesterday but we did not find any rebels. They are not very plenty around this part. Well, Ansley, I was glad to hear you are going to school. That is much better than running the streets and I hope you will make good use of the time and try and learn all you can. I wrote to Edward last week. Well, I think I told you all I have to say this time. May God bless you all is my heart’s prayer. So no more but remain your husband and father till death.
— A. Izenour
To his family in Rochester
Letter 47*
Camp on Minor’s Hill, Va.
Sunday evening, March 15, 1863
I now sit down to pass the time by writing a few lines to you. Today is cold and disagreeable. It is snowing now.
I hear that there is a band of Copperheads out about Boggs’s Schoolhouse that has taken an oath to die at home, but I think they had better look out what they are about for it is thought that this division will go back to the state to enforce the draft and I hope it will for I would like to be one that would steer them out for I think they are worse than the rebs for the rebs think they are fighting for their homes but the Copperheads fight against their homes so I say they are worse than the rebs.
We had very heavy thunder and lightning here this afternoon and it was snowing at the same time. That is something I never heard before when it was snowing.
Monday 16th. I was on fatigue [duty] today. There was a detail made in our brigade of about one hundred men so it come my turn to go. We had to load twenty-five cars with wood. It took us better than half of the day as soldiers don’t work very hard when they go out on fatigue. Some work pretty well and some don’t do anything so it takes them a good while to do a little work. This is a cool day today.
Tuesday 17th—St. Patrick’s Day and I am on guard today and I have just stood my first two hours, Today is very pleasant and the snow is melting away very fast. It is now 12 o’clock and we are going to have dinner. We have had dinner and Billy Reno has got back and he fetched me ten plugs of tobacco and a knife that Mr. Cross sent me. You can give him my thanks for his kindness to me. 5 o’clock. I have just come off guard and I will go on again at1 o’clock again.
Wednesday evening, the 18th and I am disappointed. The mail is in and I got no letter. 19th—I am not disappointed this mail. I got your very welcome letter and I was very happy to hear that you were all well again and I am very well indeed and I am very thankful for it and I hope this will find you all as ell as this leaves me. I have been making bunks for the hospital in our camp today and the regiment goes on picket tomorrow but I will not go for I am not done at the hospital. So me and one of my mess mates, George Baker, will be left in [camp] this time. I think the war will soon be over for the rebs say that starvation is among them so I thin they will soon give up and I hope they will for I would like to get home again to give you all a kiss again and talk with you about what has passed since I left.
So no more at this time but remain yours till death, — A. Izenour
Letter 48*
Camp on Minor’s Hill, Va.
March 28, 1863
My dear wife and children.
I now sit down to let you know that I got your welcome letter 25th and I was very happy to hear that you were all well. It found me well and in good heart and I hope this will find you all the same.
We have not got our pay yet but we are looking for it next week. Lief Hamilton left for home this morning on a ten day furlough. He said he would go and see you if he had time. I sent a blouse with him for Ansley. It was too small for me so I thought you could make one for him.
You talk about making garden. I wish I could be home to help you but I cannot so you will have to do the best you can. Marion Anderson I think will be home next week. So no more at this time but remain your true husband & father, — Arthur Izenour
Letter 49*
Johnson House [Hotel in Rochester, Pa.]
Monday evening March 1863
Dear Pap,
I take the present opportunity of writing you these few lines to let you know that we are all well at present and hope these few lines will find you enjoying the same blessing. We received your welcome letter beginning with the date of Sunday the 15th and closing with the 18th. You spoke of Copperheads out by Boggs’ School House. I don’t know who they can be unless it is some of the Boggs’ or Wallaces. There is great talk of resisting the draft in the country and it is no doubt but they will try it at least. The county people say there will be an insurrection before they will go.
Ansley is still working in the barrel factory. He drawed four dollars last Wednesday. Esther and eorge is progressing fast in their studies and as for the other little ones at home, I have not seen them since last Sunday a week. Yesterday was a beautiful day. It looked like the middle of summer. In fact, it was too nice to stay in the house.
Henry Pfeifer [wounded in Battle of Fredericksburg] has got able to walk as far as the car factory with the aid of the crutches. His left leg is drawed up a great deal. Henry Fout came home from the army to die. He had been sick for about five or six months. Al Drips has come home wounded. His arm is all withering. I don’t think he will ever use it again. The Government is taking all the steamboats for her own special use. Mr. Lafferties has moved on the street back of them in a white frame by Henry Gardners. Mrs. Ross has a young son. Annie Stiles has moved to New Brighton and is keeping home with her two young ones. Her father has turned her out and Dave Musser says when it is a year old, he is going to take it home and see that it is raised right. He will have to set it a better example, I think.
I seen Hiram Reno the other evening. He said that Billy had got there and found you all well and wanting furloughs. It has begin to rain since I sat down to write and the frogs is ringing. This is Conference. The preachers is all away. We never hear from the folks in town. I don’t know what the matter is unless they are waiting for me to write but I think they will have a long wait for I can hardly get time to write you a few lines.
The news is scarce about here or at least I hear none worth writing. The flowers is coming up very nice but just wait until the garden is made. Then you can imagine you see the potatoes and onions planted as crooked as a dog’s behind leg. We were in hopes you would be home to make it for it troubles Mother a great deal. The four Hollingers that deserted was taken back and put to hard labor. Well, I think I have [wrote] to you all I have to say…But remain your affectionate daughter, — Mary Ann Izenour
Minor’s Hill, Virginia
April 1, 1863
My dear wife and children,
I now sit down to let you know that I am well and I hope this will find you all as well as it leaves me now. I got your very welcome letter this evening and I was glad to hear that you was all well. As for Ansley working with the machinery, I don’t know it is or to what part of it he is going to get. Some part of the machinery is not dangerous but Mother can do as she thinks best.
I have no news to write. We had quite a snow storm yesterday. It snowed 4 inches but it has melted today. As for me being a McClellan man, it is a mistake for I think there is something wrong about him or he would not been removed from the Army of the Potomac. As for me trying to get my discharge, it is not so, for I have not ever thought of such a thing for there has not been anything the matter with my back since I left home. So no more at this time but remain yours till death. — Arthur Izenour
Letter 50*
Camp on Minor’s Hill, Virginia
April 4, 1863
Dear wife & children,
I now sit down to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well and today is very cold and windy. I came off picket this morning and got a pass and went to a place called Falls Church and got my boots half-soled. They will last we two or three months now. I have plenty of clothes and plenty to eat so that is all I can wish. If the war was over then I could come home but I hope for the best. I think the war will be over this summer.
Sunday the 5th we had the hardest snow storm that we have had this winter. The snow is ten inches [deep] and it drifted very much. In front of our shanty, it was three feet deep.
Well, Mary Ann, I want you to send me your likeness. William Olcott will be home on a furlough soon and you can send it with him for he says he will go and see you. He is a brother of Mrs. Ransom’s and he is a nice man. His wife lives in Bridgewater. Marion Anderson is still with us yet waiting to get his papers. He thinks he will get them soon.
Monday 6th, we got no mail last night on account of the snow storm. Mother can get hers taken and you can put both in one case. I would like to have them as large as the one I got taken when I left home. The snow is melting today very fast and it looks like rain. It is dark and the mail is in and I got your welcome letter of the 2nd and I was glad to hear from you but it did not say that you was all well. But I hope this will find you all well as this leaves me. May God bless you all is my prayer. So no more at this time but remain your husband and father till death. — Arthur Izenour
Letter 51
[Editor’s Note: This letter was written to Arthur from his daughter Mary Ann. It includes an observation of Confederate prisoners on their way to be exchanged.]
Early Sunday, April 5, 1863
Dear Pap,
We received your welcome letter of the 1st instant yesterday. Esther and Frank brought it down to me. We all enjoy reasonable good health at present and we hope these few lines will find you the same. I got a letter last week from Uncle Bill. He intends going back to California before long. He did not tell us his reasons for going but he said he would be down in a short time. We think he is going to get the other children.
Lew Dolby is dead. I did not hear the particulars about his death.
Well, Pap, I seen a sight I never seen before. It was a train of rebel prisoners. They were going to be exchanged. There were a hard set of looking men. They were hardly two dressed alike and they had a hand dog look. They don’t look pleasant like our boys look when they go through for our men is dressed like gentlemen but they look like street scavengers. There is trains of them go through very near every day.
Shepler got whipped last night by a canal boatman for saying he thought more of niggers than he did of a white man. News is very scarce with me and my pen is poor. I did not go home today so I did not hear anything in the form of news. I will have to bring my letter to a close for it is getting late and I will have to get up early in the morning.
I never hear anything about Hayes’ boys since I came down here. Mrs. Johnson gave me 5 colored Easter eggs for the children. I will close by send you our love and a kiss from the children. Give my best wishes to all enquiring friends, if there be any. So no more at present but ever remain your affectionate daughter, — Mary Ann Izenour
To Arthur Izenour
Letter 52*
[Editor’s Note: Arthur’s letter was written on the back sheet of a letter sent to him by his daughter, Mary Ann Izenour datelined from “Johnson House” on 2 April 1863. Mary Ann was working as a hired “girl” or housekeeper for the Johnson’s at the time.]
Camp on Minor’s Hill, Virginia
April 8th 1863
My dear wife and children,
I got your welcome letter of the 5th and was glad to ear that you was all well. It found me well and I hope this will find you all the same. I have no news to send you. I wrote a letter to Ansley the other day. Billy Reno send his respects to Mary Ann. We are going on picket tomorrow morning so no more at this [time] but remain your husband and father till death. I have not a stamp so I will send you a soldier’s letter. — Arthur Izenour
Letter 53*
Camp on Minor’s Hill, Va.
Sunday afternoon, April 12, 1863
My dear wife and children.
I sit down to let you know that I am well and I hope these few lines will find you all the same.
We got marching orders today and they say we are to go to Alexandria to Provost Duty and I think it is so. William Olcott will be home this week on a furlough and he says he will come and see you. We have not got our pay yet but they say we will get it this week. If we do, I will send you forty dollars as soon as I can. Then I want you to get the house fixed. Get John Cable or Jesse Edmonds to do it if you can.
The mail is in and I got no letter so I am some disappointed but I will have this ready to mail as soon as I get one from you.
The weather is warm and pleasant here now and I suppose you are busy making garden and I would like to be there to help you but I cannot so you will do the best you can. I think I will get a furlough this summer and come home and see you if God spared mu health and strength.
I was at church at 2 o’clock and on dress parade at 5. The mail come and no letter for me so I was disappointed again but I will have patience till I get one from you. I was weighed today and I weighed one hundred and seventy-six lbs. so I have not lost any since I have been in the army for that is more than I ever weighed before. So soldiering agrees with me very well, I think. But still I would rather be home for all that with you and the children. But I have a hope that I will get home safe again. Keep in good heart till I come and then it will be a joyful meeting, I think, to us when we meet again. And may that time soon come.
Monday, 13th at 5 p.m,, and the mail is in and I got no letter so I will have to wait another mail to come.
14th, 3 p.m. I have been on fatigue today. I was loading wood on the cars again and it was a very nice trip. I went five or six miles on the cars and it was a very pleasant day and I got back to camp at 2 o’clock. We are still under marching orders and we are going to Alexandria or Washington to do Provost Duty so we will have nice times, I think.
5 p.m. and I got no letter. 7 p.m. I went to hear a very good lecture on the wickedness of the army and the country and I think that the wickedness of our army is enough to curse the whole Nation. Only for the goodness of God to us and His mercy.
Wednesday 15th. 3 o’clock. I am on picket today and it has rained all day. I come in for the mail but it is not in yet so I will wait till it comes. M. Anderson think he will get his [discharge] papers on next Friday and then he will soon get home. The Boys is all pretty well here and send their respects to you and all enquiring friends, if they be any. The mail [arrived] but I got no letter. I have not had one since the one of the 5th. That was Easter Sunday. So no more but praying when this cruel war is over that we all meet again. — A. Izenour
Letter 54*
Camp on Minor’s Hill
April 18th 1863
My dear wife and children,
I now sit down to write you a few lines to let you know how I am and what I am doing. I am on camp guard today. I received your kind and very welcome letter of the 12th and you had better believe I was glad for I had not heard from you for ten days. I received it on the 16th and I mailed one the same day to you. I mailed it in the morning and got yours on that evening.
I have no news of importance to write. We are still under marching orders and they still say we are going to Alexandria.
Well, Mary Ann, if the work is too hard for you, you had better not stay there and if you do stay, I think you ought to have two dollars a week at least. I told you in the last letter I sent you that Wm. Olcott would be home this week but he did not get his furlough on account of us having marching orders. There is no furloughs given until we move. After we get moved, then he will get his furlough. The boys has great times playing ball here. Sometimes the officers take a game too.
I received a letter from Ansley this evening and I was glad to hear that you was all well and getting along so well. I think Ansley is a great comfort to you. He said he has saved 52 dollars. I think that is doing well for a boy of 12 years. I will have 78 dollars due me the first of May. I sent you the Philadelphia Enquirer last week. So no more at this time. I will write to Ansley next week. — A. Izenour
Letter 55*
Washington City
April 20th 1863
My dear family,
I now sit down to let you know that I am well and we are taken from the field and we are to do provost guard duty in the city. We are in good business and if our boys does their duty, we will not be taken into the field again and I think we will have a nice time.
I think we marched 7 miles today and we got into the city at 9 o’clock this morning. We started at daylight. I will give you more particulars in the next letter for I am too tired to write today so I will close by sending you my love and a kiss for the balance. So no more at this time but remain your husband and father till death. — A. Izenour
to E. Izenour.
Letter 56*
[Editor’s Note: Arthur’s letter was written on the same sheet of a letter sent to him by his daughter, Mary Ann Izenour, dated 17 April 1863. Mary Ann was employed at the “Johnson House” (hotel) in Rochester, Beaver county, PA. at the time. It contained home front news, some of which read: “There was a very sad accident happened today. Six boys went out on the creek in a skiff and it upset. Three was drowned and one is not expected to recover….I am chief Chief Cook now. The cook left in a big hurry so I have taken her place for the last two weeks for $1.75 per week… We have our pictures ready to send whenever we have a chance. Mother’s is very true. Her mouth is crooked with that big tooth but mine I don’t like at all and if I get time to go, I intend to have it taken over before it goes to the army. My eyes don’t look right to me and people say it is not as good looking as I am. I don’t want it to be handsome but I want it to look natural…]
Washington City, D. C.
April 25th 1863
Dear wife and family,
I now sit down to let you know that I received your welcome letter of the 17th on the 22nd and it found me in good health and I was glad to hear that you was the same.
We are now doing guard duty. I am on guard at Carrell Prison today. I can’t tell you much about the city for I have not been out any yet for it has been raining for two days. But it has cleared off and today is clear and pleasant overhead. But it is very muddy under foot and this is the muddiest city ever I have seen—what I have seen of it.
I got my pay yesterday and I will send you 20 dollars in this letter and I will send you 20 in the next one. That will be in a day or two as I think it best to not send all in one. — A. Izenour.
When you get this, let me know ad I will send you twenty dollars more. — Arthur Izenour
Letter 57
[Editor’s Note: This letter was written by Elizabeth Izenour to her husband, Arthur Izenour on 28 April 1863. It has not been transcribed.]
Letter 58*
[Editor’s Note: Arthur’s letter was written on the blank sheets of a letter sent to him by his wife, dated 22 April 1863. On a separate sheet, there was a letter from Mary Ann Izenour to her father enclosed in the same envelope, dated 24 April 1863.]
Camp on Capitol Hill
Washington City
May 2, 1863
My dear wife and children
I now sit down to let you know that I received your welcome letter on the 27th bearing date of the 24th and one bearing the day of 28th on the first and they found me well and I was glad to hear that you was all well. I have just come off guard this morning. I am on guard every other day at the Carrell Prison guarding the rebel prisoners. I think we will stay here all summer. You can send your pictures by mail and if Mary Ann has not got hers taken over, she can get it taken for I want it to look as well as she does. I will send ten dollars in this. So no more at this time for the mail is going out and I have not time to write more. Your husband and father till death, — Arthur Izenour
To my dear wife and children. P. S. I wrote a few lines in a hurry so as I would get it in the mail but I did not get it done in time so I opened it again and I write a few more lines. Perhaps you would like to know how we stand guard. We stand two hours at a time and then we are relieved for four hours and it was the same way on picket. The probability is that we will stay here all summer but there is no furloughs given now so William Olcott will not be home as I wrote to you. But when Mary gets her picture to please her, you can send them by mail.
The Boys is all well in the company and there is only four or five in the hospital out of the regiment. Give my respects to all enquiring friends if there be any. The weather is warm and pleasant. So no more but praying when this cruel war is over that we all meet again. — A. I.
To E. I.
Letter 59*
Camp on Capitol Hill, Washington City
May 5, 1863
My dear wife and children,
It is with pleasure that I sit down to let you know that I am well and I hope this will find you all as well as this leaves me. I am on guard today at Carrell Prison. There is over two hundred prisoners in this prison. They are mostly citizens that has been arrested because they was not loyal and would not take the oath. Some of them has been in here for some time and there are still more coming every day and yesterday there was six hundred prisoners brought in to this city from Fredericksburg and there are a great many more expected today.
We have whipped them badly, the papers say, and I believe it is so and I think the war will be over this summer.
I was out looking around a little and I think this is a very nice country around here. I have not been down in the city. It looks larger than the City of Pittsburgh. Marion Anderson will be home this week and I will send you some little things with him that I have been saving. I have picked them up at different places that I have been and a lot of buttons for my little boys.
May 6th. I got a letter from Henry Piper yesterday. It rained all night last night and is still raining today.
May 7th. I received your welcome letter today and it found me well and I hope this may find you all well as this leaves me. I have sent you 40 dollars. When you write again. let me know if you got it all. I got a letter from Edward Malone today. They was all well on the 3rd. So no more at this time but remain yours till death. — Arthur Izenour
Letter 60*
Wednesday evening, May 6th 1863
Dear Pap,
I now sit down to let you know that we are all well at present and we hope these few lines will find you and your messmates all enjoying the same blessing. We received your welcome letter of the 3rd and the gift you sent me yesterday at noon and we was glad to hear from you for Saturday and Sunday was two very long days to Mother when she did not get a letter from you. I am very much pleased with my gift you sent me. I expect you will send Mother a surprise some day. If you do, send her your pictures in a breast pin for she is always talking about sending for one. She has got a present from you and Ansley. You have sent her thirty dollars and Ansley gave her five which I think is very good. She wants you to send her word if they paid you up to March.
Well, Pap, the war news is favorable for us for they have taken Fredericksburg. Mother is busy reading the evening Gazette and I am listening and writing too and you don’t know how happy we feel to know that you are safe in Washington and may God grant that you may stay there for Mother would be nearly out of her head if you was on the Rappahannock now for she would feel worse than she sis the other battle for she did not know anything about it then.
Hiram Reno has arrived home safe but he looks very poorly. I seen him and had quite a long conversation before he went up home. It has been raining almost steady ever since Sunday evening and it is getting very cool. It is thought that there will be frost after this wet spell. Mother covered the beans and tomatoes. If there is frost, I am afraid the fruit will suffer. Both the plum trees and five of the peach trees is full of blossoms.
Eddie has got five teeth and is creeping into every mischief. He generally makes for the door when it is open. I had Hen Coulter to call on me yesterday. The folks is all well in Manchester. I got home this morning from Johnson’s. I did not wait for my breakfast, I was in such a hurry to get home. I intend to stay two weeks at least. I feel like writing for I could commence before ten o’clock. I think I have written enough for the present. I almost forgot to tell you what we are doing today. We were busy covering the lounge and making Robert a calico waist and Mother made Franky a pair of pants and a waist and he can hardly wait until Sunday for to wear them. He calls his dresses naughty dresses. I made a mistake about the amount of money you sent. It was forty instead of thirty. So no more at present, but ever remain your affectionate daughter, — Nary Ann Izenour
To her father Arthur Izenour
Thursday morning finds us all well and we are getting ready to work. Marion Anderson arrived here yesterday afternoon. His sister Mrs, Thomson brought the little notions you sent before we were all up. The bone ring Ansley claims for it fits him. So no more at present. Goo morning. — Mollie Izenour.
Camp on Capitol Hill
Washington City
May 14, 1863
My dear wife and children,
I now sit down to let you know that I received your welcome letter of the 11th and it found me well and my prayer is that this will find you all as well as this leaves me.
I was to see Jack Boggs on Tuesday and he is getting along very well, I think, and Jo had went to some other hospital. Hayes’ boys is all right. I am glad to hear that you get along with the garden so well. I would like to be at home with you all but I cannot now. But I hope I will be sometime. Wm. Olcott started home yesterday on a furlough and he said he would go and see you when he got home. You can send your pictures with him. So no more at present but remain yours till death. — A. Izenour
Letter 61*
Camp on Capital Hill, Washington City
May 16, 1863
My dear wife and family,
I sit down to let you know that I received your pictures and I think they look very natural. I think mother has fret since I left. Well try and do not fret, my dear wife. I am well and I hope this will find you all the same.
I was in the Capitol today and it is the nicest sight I have ever seen. I seen Mr. Bentle from Freedom last Thursday. He said he seen you about a ewek ago. I am on guard at the same place. I am in the inside all the [time] so I am in the shade and out of the rain.
So no more at this time but remain yours till death. — Arthur Izenour
Letter 62*
Carrell Prison
Washington City
May 21, 1863
My dear wife,
I received your welcome letter of the 18th and it found me well and I hope this may find you as well as yours found me. I got the likeness and everyone that seen them says they are well taken and I think so too.
Bill Kettlewood has got back to the company and he looks well. I have no news to write. I would like to have all the children’s likenesses without cases on tin. Ansley and George on one and Esther, Robert, & Frank on one. Eddie I suppose you can’t get taken. Give my respects to all enquiring friends. I was to see Jack Boggs on Monday. He is getting along very well, I think. So no more. From A. Izenour
To E. Izenour
Letter 63
[Editor’s Note: Arthur received the following letter from his wife and daughter. It was written from Rochester, Beaver county, Pa., on May 22, 1863. It contained home front news so of which read: “Wash Gordon broke jail this week by digging a hole in the wall with a lot of other prisoners. I think they had better hang him at once for they can’t do anything with him and have him out of the way. He was to stay in one year…”]
Letter 64*
Washington City
Tuesday, May 26th 1863
Dear wife,
I now sit down to let you know that I received your letter of the 22nd and it found me well and [William] Olcott got back today and brought me the pictures. I think Frank looks very quite cute and Eddy looks well but Esther I think is not well taken. She don’t look as she was when I left home.
I have no news to write more than you have at home. Vicksburg is taken and I think that is the best thing that has been done yet. I think the backbone of the rebellion is broke. I think we will not have to go into the field again. So no more at this time, but remain yours till death. — A. Izenour
To E. Izenour
Letter 65
[Editor’s Note: This letter was written to Arthur from his wife and daughter from Rochester, Beaver county, Pa., on June 1, 1863. It contains home front news.]
Letter 66*
Camp on Upton’s Hill, 7 miles from Washington
Tuesday morning, June 4, 1863
We left Washington on Monday evening. I received your welcome letter bearing date June 1st and I was glad to hear from you. May God bless you all is my prayer.
I can’t tell you what we are a going to do but I think we will stay around here this summer and I hope we will all be home this fall. I would rather be out here as in Washington. I sent my overcoat and blouse and Hiram Henrickson sent his in the same box and Edgar wants the other one. You can keep it. I hope htis will find you all as well as it leaves me. I sent the rings with Ab[ner] Lacock made out of bone. The one like a shield is Ansley’s and the one like a heart is for George. I will send you $15 in this letter. I got $24 this time. I owed the sutler $2. We got two months past last Saturday. So no more this time but remain yours till death. — A. Izenour
To E. Izenour
Letter 67*
Camp near Munson’s Hill
June 8, 1863
Dear wife and children
I sit down to let you know that I am well at this time and I hope these few lines will find you all well and in good heart. They say we are to be kept in the fortifications around Washington. We are in a nice green field and I think it is better for us to be out here than to be in the City. I think we will not go to the front. Mrs. Wasin was here and she says Ansley is more like a man than a boy of his age. It makes me proud to hear such good news. It makes my heart rejoice to know that he is a good boy. May God bless you, Ansley, and make you a blessing to all the rest. If I never get home, it will be a great pleasure to me to know that you will try to take care of the family while you live. May God grant that your life may be spared is my prayer and I hope God will spare my life and that I may get home again. And I still think I will—at least I have a hope.
Well, Ansley, I have one [thing] to say to you. Mind what your mother tells you and then you will be right. And I want you to write to me. Well, I think Frank is fat enough. The ring you sent me will very near go round my ankle. I will send three rings in this letter. If the bone one will fit Frank, let him wear it and the other two whoever they fit can wear them. And I will make some other ones sometime when I have time. I pass time on these little things.
Thursday evening, June 11, 1863
I received your kind letter of the 7th and I was very glad to hear from you. But I am sorry to hear that the crops looks so poor. But we must trust in the God. I believe He is punishing us for our wickedness. There has been no rain here for four weeks or more and everything looks very poor here. The corn is not longer than my finger and there is very little planted here. And there is less further out in Virginia and I have not seen any oats here and very few potatoes. And I have seen one little field of wheat and it looks very poor.
So no more at this time but remain yours till death. — Arthur Izenour
To his wife E. Izenour
Letter 68
[Editor’s Note: This letter of June 11, 1863 was written from Rochester by Mary Ann Izenour to her father, Arthur Izenour. It contain home front news which reads in part: “Mrs. M Wasin got home on last Tuesday evening and is quite delighted with her visit to the army. We are pleased to hear that you look so well for she says your face is near as big round as a bucket. I would like to have your picture taken in your uniform sitting down with your cap in your hand. Mother, I believe, would like to see it but she thinks she would not like to see it.”]
Letter 69
[Editor’s Note: This letter of June 15, 1863 was written from Rochester by Elizabeth Izenour to her husband, Arthur Izenour. It has not been transcribed.]
Letter 70*
[Editor’s Note: Arthur’s letter was written on the same sheet of a letter addressed to him by his daughter, Mary Ann Izenour, datelined from Rochester, Beaver county, Pa., on 7 June 1863. It includes the following news: “There has been three fires and three robberies. The Glass House was burnt on Tuesday night and the two houses of Cabel’s over by the starch factory was burnt on Friday. And there was a large fire in New Brighton this week. Ransom’s house now occupied by Mr. Pardy was robbed of clothing and silverware and the shop in Lacock’s orchard was robbed and a man above Freedom was robbed of 120 dollars….We intend sending four of the children’s pictures on tin by Abner Lacock tomorrow a week.]
Camp near Munson’s Hill, Virginia
June 16, 1863
My dear wife and children,
I now sit down to let you know that I am well and I hope this will find you all the same. [1st Lt.] Ab[ner] Lacock got back last night and I got the letter and the pictures and I think they look very nice.
We are seven miles from Washington and we have very nice times. We drill two hours every day and dress parade in the evening at 6 o’clock. We are in the 3rd Brigade and [Samuel P.] Heintzelman’s command for the defense of Washington. So no more at this time but ever remain your husband and father until death. — A. Izenour
Letter 71
[Rochester, Beaver county, Pa.]
June 19th 1863
Dear Pap,
I have not got very pleasant news to write for I cannot say that we are all well for I came home sick last Tuesday. But I am a great deal better. The doctor said my nervous system was out of order. I am sorry to tell you you that Franky is very sick. We had to call the doctor in this morning. He did not say what ailed him but we think it is something like the diphtheria. The doctor left a prescription to get some powder at the druggists if he got worse. We will write so as you will know how he is. Mother is not very well. The hot weather is setting in and it is not a going to agree with her. I believe we are a going to have more rain for it has been thundering this afternoon and we need it very badl for we have not had enough to reach the potato roots. The bore bugs is eating the peaches. Mother’s beans, peas, and potatoes is in blossom and everything looks well.
The war excitement stopped the Barrel Factory but it subsided so the factory started this morning. I wish you had seen Ansley when he got excited. You would have thought he was going to war right away. He came home and dressed up and said he was a going to enlist and I expected he would be coming home to bid us goodbye. They have had several war meetings and have been drilling the men. They have a company of one hundred and twelve and they nominated the officers last night. George C. Speyerer for Captain and Tip Chandler for 1st Lieutenant. They are still engaged in fortifying the city but the excitement is nearly over for there was not as many of the Rebels as was first supposed.
Franky don’t wear his ring. He says he wants to keep it till you come home. He is a great deal like Ansley when he is sick for he is fat. Everything flies right to his head and he becomes flighty.
I believe I have told you all the news for the present so I will close my letter by sending you our love and a kiss from the children and rest in hopes that you will be home before long for you have been away none months yesterday and Eddie was just ten months old and has eight teeth and Mary Wallace’s baby is one year old and has got but two teeth. I think Grandmother won’t think it is very smart if it don’t soon catch up to yours. So no more at present but ever remain your affectionate daughter, Mary Ann Izenour
To Arthur Izenour.
Letter 72*
Camp near Munson’s Hill, Va.
June 20, 1863
Dear wife and children.
I now take the opportunity of letting you know that I got your kind letter of the 15th and it found me well but I was sorry to hear that you was not all well. But I hope and pray that this may find you all as well as this leaves me at this time. I was glad to hear that people is some scared at home for I think it is time they was up and a doing. I wish I was there to help them but I am here and I can only pray for you at home.
We have had a fine rain here and I was on picket yesterday or I would have wrote sooner. We are still in the same camp. I have no news more than you have. We would like to come and help to drive the Rebels out of the state but we cannot so we will do the best we can here. If they come here, we will give them warm work here I tell you. I think they will not come here and if the people at home does their duty, I think the war will come to a close this fall I hope. So no more at this time but remain yours till death, — A. Izenour
To his wife, E. Izenour
Letter 73*
Camp near Munson’s Hill, Va.
June 22, 1863
My dear wife,
I received your letter of the 19th and it found me well but I was sorry to hear that you was not all well but I hope this will find you all well as it leaves me. May God bless you all is my humble prayer and take care of you and me till we meet again. You told me about Ansley going to enlist. My advice to him is to stay at home and be a good boy for he is too young for a soldier.
There was heavy cannonading yesterday all day but I have not heard what it was yet. It was 20 miles from here. I think we will stay here this summer and if we do, we will not have to fight much for the rebels will not come here to us and I think we will not go to them.
10 o’clock. I have just come in of drill and I have seen the Morning Chronicle and the news is that the cavalry had a fight yesterday [Battle of Upperville] but no particulars was given. I think Hooker will use them up soon and I hope he will capture them all soon. So no more but remain your husband and father till death. — Arthur Izenour
Letter 74
[Editor’s Note: This letter of June 22 1863 was written from Rochester by Mary Ann Izenour to her father, Arthur Izenour. It contains home front news, so of which reads: “Isaiah Murray 1 died on last Friday morning and was buried with the honors of war yesterday at 3 o’clock. It showed a great deal of respect [even] if he was a drunken and worthless man. He had a very large funeral…”]
1 Isaiah Murrray (1820-1863) served as a private in Co. C, 63rd Pennsylvania Infantry. He died on 19 June 1863 leaving his wife, Sarah (Smith) Murray (1826-1882) and seven children born between 1842 and 1858. Prior to his enlistment, Isaiah was employed as a riverboat pilot on the Ohio river. His pension records indicate that he died of bronchial consumption at home, having been discharged from the service in December 1862.
Letter 75*
Camp near Munson’s Hill, Va.
June 24, 1863
My dear family,
I now sit down to let you know that I got your letter of the 22nd and it found me well and I was glad to hear that you were all getting better and I hope this may find you all quite well.
We are under marching orders but do not know when we will go or where. We have the order and that is all we know. Billy Reno sends his respects to you. He is well and he says he wrote home last and has had no answer. He is waiting for them to write to him. So no more at this time but remain yours till death. — Arthur Izenour
to Elizabeth Izenour
Letter 76*
Camp in the woods near Berlin
July 16, 1863
My dear family,
I now sit down to let you know that I am still alive and well and I hope this may find you all well and in good heart. We have drove the rebels into Virginia again and we give them a good whipping. It has rained very near every day for three weeks and the roads has been very muddy but mud is not as bad as dust. We have had some hard marches but I stood it very well and all the rest.
We marched 25 miles yesterday and I was pretty tired but we are resting today and we may rest some time but I cannot say how long. So no more at this time. I will tell you more in the next. God has taken care of me and my trust is in Him. May God bless you all in my prayer. — A. Izenour
Letter 77*
[Editor’s note: This letter was written by Arthur on the same sheet of a letter he received from his daughter, Mary Ann Izenour, dated 27 June 1863. It contains home front new, some of which reads: “I believe Pennsylvania is in danger yet. We have not had any telegraph news for the last two days. The stores is all closed in town…the clerks all are busy on the fortifications. They are recruiting a company of 80 men fr Gen. Brooks and Mr. Sam Cross says he is going if Stephen don’t go. If you move, I hope you may move into Harrisburg. You never said what you thought of this Rebel raid into Pennsylvania and if you think it is, let us know what the horros of war is but we know as much as we want to know…”]
Eight miles from Hagerstown, Maryland
July 10, 1863
I sit down to let you know that I am well. I received your letter of the 2nd and I was glad to hear that you was all well.
We are looking for to have a fight on tomorrow. If I am spared, I will give you all the particulars. May God bless you all. So no more. Goodbye. — Arthur Izenour
Letter 78*
Camp on Goose Creek, Virginia
July 21, 1863
My dear wife and children,
I now sit down to let you know that I got your letter of the 16th and I was glad to hear from you. It found me well. We are in pursuit of the rebels. We have had some hard marches. The weather is very warm.
I am sorry to hear of Uncle Bill and Edward bing drafted but we must have men to put down this rebellion. [Regarding] the overcoats, one is Hardon Hendrickson’s and he will write to his people to get his and the other belongs to Edgar. You can pay for it and keep it but don’t make use of it till you hear whether he comes back or not. I have a very poor place to write so I will close by sending you my love and a kiss for the children.
— A. Izenour
To his family.
Letter 79*
[Editor’s note: This letter was written on the reverse of one written by Mary Ann Izenour to her father, dated 16 July 1863. It contains news of those men drafted in the vicinity of Rochester, Beaver county, PA., and those who were hiring substitutes.]
Camp three miles from the RappahannockJune [July] 24, 1863
My dear family,
I now sit down to let you know that I got your kind letter of the 24th and it found me well and I was glad to hear that you was all well as it leaves me, I have no news to write you as I have not seen a paper for some time. We have had some hard marching. You have heard of Manassas Gap. I have been there and the 3rd Corps had a skirmish with the rebels there and drove them away from it, taken some prisoners, and killing some.
Frank Graham of the 63rd [Pennsylvania Infantry] was wounded in the thigh. 1 Frank Hayes and Jim was well ten days ago. Wils Cogan is well. The Lord is good to me. He has blessed me with health and I will put my trust in Him and may God bless you all and may we all meet again. It will be a happy day to me, I hope. So no more at this time but remain yours till death. — A. Izenour
to E. Izenour
1 Sgt. Frank L. Graham served in Co. C, 63rd Pennsylvania Infantry. He enlisted in August 1861 and was wounded in the Battle of Wapping Heights, Virginia, on 23 July 1863. He died of his wounds on 15 August 1863.
Letter 80
Monday evening, August 3rd, 1863
Dear Pap,
We have received two welcome letters from you—one on Saturday and one today and they found us enjoying good health and we hope this will find you the same.
Well, Pap, we had quite a surprise as we were ready to sit down to supper. Who do you think stepped in but Ben and Betsy. They made us a flying visit for they left the same evening. The came down before the tomatoes got ripe. The folks is all well in their neighborhood. Cul. Soulbys [?] was killed by the Rebels at the time of the Gettysburg fight. He was dispatch bearer and he was riddled with bullets. Old [Robert] Purvis is killed and his son [Robert Albert Purvis] is very badly wounded, This is the first fight the 76th [Pennsylvania Infantry] have been in. Reeves Penny 1 has gone as a substitute for 375 dollars. There is none of the drafted men a going. They either paid the three hundred dollars or was exempt.
We had a nice shower today but yesterday was intensely hot. If it was as hot down where you was as it was here, I don’t think you could stand marching. The date of your letters was the 16th and 29th. Tomorrow is Mother’s birthday. She will be 39 years of age.
We are expecting a train of soldiers through this evening—the ones that was sent to keep Lee from crossing the Potomac but was not there in time. You must not get excited when you see this letter and think that Morgan made us a visit for we are just out of ink and paper. But Mother will go down to the store tomorrow and get some and put you a sheet in. I expect you can hardly make this out for it is getting dark and I am in a hurry and paper poor. Willie Eddie is quite a little man and a pet with us all and I think he will soon walk. And Frank is as fat as butter and is the bully of all the children. Mrs. Warson had a letter from Aron today and it was written on the 29th and he was 5 miles from Hagerstown. Well, I believe I have told you all the news at present and I will close my letter in hopes that we may all see you again before spring. I will close my letter by sending you our love and a kiss from the children. Betsy and Ben send their respects to you and wish you to write when you get time. From your affectionate daughter, — Mary Ann Izenour
To her father, Arthur Izenour
1 Reeves Penny (1833-1912) was a black man who went as a substitute on 17 July 1863 into Co. K, 3rd US Colored Troops. He mustered out of the service on 31 October 1865.
Letter 81*
[Editor’s Note: Arthur’s letter was written on the same sheet of a letter sent to him by his daughter, Mary Ann Izenour, dated July 24th 1863. It contains home front news, some of which read: “There is a fuss expected in New Brighton today or tomorrow as the Copperheads has threatened it. Marsh Hayes and Sproul is exempt [from the draft]. Uncle Bill is exempt because he is the father of motherless children under twelve years of age.”]
Camp 3 miles from Rappahannock River and 6 miles from Warrenton, Va.
August 6, 1863
I now sit down before breakfast to let you know that I got your letter of the 31st and it found me well. And I hope this will find you all well as this leaves me. The weather is very warm. We have had rain everyday nearly. I can’t tell what we are going to do but I think we will stay here till the drafted men comes out. When you write, send me some thread and a pair of suspenders for I cannot get them here. Excuse this short letter. I want to get it in the mail. It will go at 6 o’clock. So no more at this time but remain yours till death. — Arthur Izenour
Letter 82*
Editor’s Note: Arthur’s letter was written on the same sheet of a letter sent to him by his daughter, Mary Ann Izenour, dated July 31, 1863. It contains home front news, some of which read: “…It is the general opinion that this cruel war will be over in three months. Well, Pap, you may believe we had exciting times last Sunday when [John Hunt] Morgan was not more than 18 miles from our homes. But I guess he found that the North was strong enough to capture him and his army. They had a battle on Sunday morning near Salineville, Ohio, The report is that there is 5 or 6 thousand more crossed the Ohio but let them try coming up here. They will find there is a trap set for them…”]
Camp near Rappahannock Station
Sunday, August 10, 1863
My dear family,
I now sit down to let you know that I got your kind letter of the 3rd and it found me well. The weather it has rained more or less almost every day for the last two weeks. We got paid yesterday and I will send you ten dollars in this letter and I will send you some more in a day or two. I think it is best not to send it all in one. I cannot tell you how long we will stay here. We came here yesterday. We have moved camp none times in two weeks and we are only 10 miles from where we was this day two weeks [ago].
I have no news to write so I will close by sending you my love to you all and may God bless you all is my prayer. — A. Izenour
Letter 83*
Camp near the Rappahannock River, Fauquier County, Va.
Friday, August 14, 1863
My dear family,
I now sit down to let you know that I received your kind letter of the 9th and it found me well. And I hope this will find you all as well as this leaves me. I got the suspenders and thread and I think they are very good. And I thank you for your kindness to me and may God bless you is my prayer. And I trust we will meet again in this world and I hope this war will come to a close soon and then we will come home and then I hope we will all be happy again once more.
How much did you pay for the suspenders? They would cost me one dollar here. I think Ansley has forgot me or he would write to me. I hope he is still a good boy to you all. We have had the warmest weather that I ever felt but we did not have to march much this warm weather which is a good thing for us.
I sent you ten dollars in the last letter and I will send you seven dollars in this one and that is all I can send you this time. I must keep some to buy tobacco. [George] Wasin is well and Lacock is well and has command of the company. The Boys is all well and in good heart. I have nothing new to write so I will close by saying goodbye but not forever I hope. Give my respects to all. So no more. — A. Izenour
To his family. God bless you all.
Letter 84*
[Editor’s Note: Arthur’s letter was written on the same sheet of a letter sent to him by his daughter, Mary Ann Izenour, dated August 9, 1863. It contains home front news, some of which read: “Willie Eddie he is very fretful for his mouth is very sore and he is cutting teeth yet. He has ten teeth. He does not walk very well but I think he will again next Saturday. Then he will be a year old…Mr. Smith, the blacksmith. buried one of his sons last Friday and Alvin Greenlee of the 140th [Pennsylvania] Regiment was buried in the Beaver [Cemetery] this afternoon. He was wounded in the Battle of Gettysburg…. The 3-months men went through today. They are going to get their discharge. There is 200 cavalry down at Raccoon about four miles from [here]. They had been through Washington County to help them through the draft as the Copperheads was a going to resist it. They are a coming here to stay a few days. It will be a jolly time if we get the soldiers in camp here. [John Hunt] Morgan and his men was taken through here last night and they was the nicest looking rebel prisoners that have went through…”]
Camp near Beverly, Va.
August 18, 1863
My dear wife,
I now sit down to answer your letter that just arrived. It found me well and I was glad to hear you was all and I hope this may find you all as well as this leaves me at this time. I have no news of importance to write you. We are under marching orders and I think we are going back towards Washington. The weather is not so warm as it was. I am company commissary again and I have no guard to stand. I am excused from all duty in camp. So no more at this time but remain yours till death. — A. Izenour
Letter 85*
[In camp near Beaton Station, Va.]
August 22nd 1863
My dear wife and children,
I now sit down to let you know that I received your kind letter of the 18th and it found me well and I hope this will find you all well. I was glad to [hear] you got all the money I sent you. You talk about me getting a furlough. I do not see any chance of that now. I would like to come home very much if I could but I see no prospect at present. But I still have a hope that I will get home again some time. It may be when my time is out but it may be sooner and I hope it will. I think the war will be over this fall.
The weather is quite warm and the nights cool. It looks like rain this evening. Is Mary Ann at home or where? I cannot understand her. She talks about Bridgewater but she does not say where she is.
We are still in the same camp yet near Bealton Station. We get soft bread sometimes and we had potatoes once. I have no news to write you. May God bless you all is my prayer. He has blessed me with health and strength for which I feel very thankful. So no more at present but remain yours till death. — A. Izenour
Letter 86*
Camp near Bealton Station, Virginia
August 27th 1863
I now sit down to answer your letter of the 24th. It found me well and I hope this will find you all well and in good heart. The regiment is out on picket but I don’t have to go as I am company commissary. I draw the rations and issue them. That is all I have to do in camp. As for the tobacco you speak of, the plugs I got at home for 8 cents is 15 and 20 per plug. You can do as you like about sending. I can get plenty now.
Smith is well and wrote a letter today and he says he gets none from his wife. So no more at this time but may God bless you all and may we all meet again is my prayer. The boys is all well. — A. Izenour
P. S. I sent you two papers and some buttons for the boys. Let me know when you get them.
Letter 87
Editor’s Note: Arthur’s letter was written on the same sheet of a letter sent to him by his daughter, Mary Ann Izenour, datelined from Bridgewater, Beaver county, Pa., on 30 August 1863. It includes home front news, some of which reads as follows: “I am living at George McIlroy’s by the foundry in Bridgewater. He is machinist to Matric Gordon… Everybody thinks this cruel rebellion will be over this fall for they say that Rosecrans will have Chattanooga again the last of September and that Charleston will soon fall …”]
Letter 88*
Editor’s Note: Arthur’s letter was written on the same sheet of a letter sent to him by his daughter, Mary Ann Izenour, datelined from Rochester, Beaver county, Pa., on 23 August 1863. It includes home front news, some of which reads as follows: “Frank Graham is dead. He died in Washington last week.”]
[Camp near Bealton Station, Va.]
September 3, 1863
My dear family.
I now sit down to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well and I hope this will find you all the same. I have been away from you almost a year but I hope it will not be another year till I will be at home with you all. And may God grant that we may all live to see one another is my humble prayer.
We are still in the same camp but I think we will soon make a move and I think we will have some hard marching again. It makes my heart glad to know that Ansley has done so well since I have been away and I hope he will continue to do well. And if I never get back, he will soon be able to keep the family. But I have a hope that I will get back. We have 8 months to serve yet. Then we will come home.
I got your letter of the 30th and was glad to hear from you but I was sorry to hear that Frank and Eddie was not well. But I hope they will be spared with you all. Goodbye till we meet, — A. Izenour
Letter 89*
Camp near Bealton Station, Va.
September 10, 1863
My dear family,
I now sit down to answer your letter of the 6th. It found me well and I was glad to hear from you for the time seems very long. We got the news today that the army in South Carolina has taken Morris Island and I expect they have Charleston again this time and I think the war will soon be over.
I was glad to hear that Rachel and Edward was to see you and I hope we will all be spared to go and see them. You can sell the coat and I will draw another one. When you write, let me know what butter is worth and let me know how the corn and potato crop is and what they are worth. I get your letters every Thursday. I think I have told you all I have to say. May God bless you all and save us all in His Kingdom at last. So no more at this time but remain yours till death, — A. Izenour
Letter 90
[Editor’s Note: This is Mary’s 13 September 1863 letter to her father informing him of the sickness of Willie Eddie.]
Letter 91*
[Editor’s Note: Arthur’s letter was written on the back side of a single sheet letter sent to him by Edward Malone—a good letter I have not yet transcribed.]
Camp near Culpeper Court House, Va.
September 18, 1863
My dear family. I now sit down to let you know that I got your letter of the 13th and it found me well but I was sorry to hear that you was not all well but I hope this may find you all well. I paid Clark Hawkins 27 dollars which he will send to John Stiles for you. It may be two weeks before you get it but I think it is the best way to send it. We was paid last Tuesday and I had $7.50 coming to me on my clothing so I can send you 27 dollars this time.
We are in the reserve of the army so we may not have much to do. So no more. Goodbye. God bless you. — A. Izenour.
Letter 92
[Editor’s Note: The first part of the following letter, dated 18 September 1863, was written by Mary Ann Izenour to her father informing him that his youngest child Willie Eddie was close to death. The second part of the letter was written by Samuel J. Cross informing Arthur of the death of Willie Eddie about 7 o’clock in the morning.]
Letter 93*
Camp near Culpeper, Virginia
Sunday, September 20th 1863
My dear family,
I now sit down to let you know that I got your letter of the 15th and it found me well but it had bad news for me. May God grant that my dear child may be spared. But I will try and be resigned to His will and my prayer is that you may be the same.
The mail comes to camp every day so you may write often and let me know how you all are. If mother is sick, get the doctor to send a certificate and I think I can get a furlough and come home. I paid Clark Hokens twenty-seven dollars which he will send to J[ohn] Stiles for you. It may be two weeks before you get it.
I think we will stay here some time so you write and if you can get the doctor to write to the War Department, I think they will grant me a furlough. The Boys is all well and the health of the army is good, I think. So no more but remain yours till death. — A. Izenour
Letter 94*
[Editor’s Note: Arthur’s letter was written on the same sheet as one datelined from Rochester, Beaver co., Pa., on 13 September 1863, by his daughter, Mary Ann Izenour. It describes the illness of Arthur’s youngest child, suffering from flux and whopping cough.]
Camp near Culpeper, Virginia
Tuesday, September 22, 1863
I got your letter of the 18th and it found me well but it had sad news for me. But may God grant that it may be all for the best. Put your trust in Him and He will take care of you. Let us try and meet out little ones in heaven at last.
We have 8 days rations and we are waiting for marching orders. When you write, send me a half a dollars worth of stamps. I will send you the children’s pictures for fear I might lose them and I had to get the loan of some stamps. So no more but remain yours till death. — A. Izenour
Letter 95*
Rochester [Beaver co., Pennsylvania]
Sunday, September 20, 1863
Dear Pap,
I now seat myself to write you a few lines to let you know that we feel as well as can be expected under this sad bereavement for we laid our little Eddie in the grave yard yesterday. Three o’clock was the hour appointed for the funeral. He had been sick for about six weeks with the summer complaint but Mother still tried doctoring him herself until last Thursday a week when he began passing blood so mother took him over to the doctor and he gave him some medicine and he came to see him every day while he lived. On last Thursday he told her not to give him any medicine until he would see him again and on Tuesday night, just after she went to bed, he took a spasm and then he seemed better all that night for mother could not leave the cradle. But he would call her back.
On Wednesday he had two more and on Thursday he had two and on Thursday evening mother and I laid down and when I awoke at half past twelve, they were feeding him more tea and they said ge was so much better that on Friday they would make him some more beef tea and give him wine and water to strengthen him for he would get well and he wanted to be nursed so I got up and took him in my arms and he took another spasm and he had ten outward spasms from half past twelve until five o’clock and he got so weak that we thought he would never come out of the last one. But after five o’clock, he just laid and moaned until twenty minutes past seven when his happy spirit left this wicked world for a better—just one year from the day you left home.
We were forewarned of this sad event by always thought we would all live until you would come home. We had a hen to crow about four or five weeks ago and mother said she thought something was a going to happen and a short time before that, there was a bird flew in the kitchen to where he and Eddie were a sitting and then flew in the room and mother had to catch it and put it out. And my mind was always uneasy for I was afraid the little dear would take the whooping cough and the doctor had the flux checked but he said he could cure him if he hadn”t the whooping cough. But he was so weak he could not stand the whooping cough and it threw him into convulsion.
Mother got a very nice coffin. It is covered with black velvet and silver handles. We had four little boys to carry him. I will give you the names of the boys—ARvil Drips, Willie Speyer, Clinton Blanchard, and one of the Coe’s boys. We bought a lot on the left hand side as you go in a good little piece down. There is a alley at the head of the lot. Mother and Frank went to see his little grave this morning and Frank, he began lifting little stones out off his grave and he said he would not see the box with little Eddie in, and then he went and gathered some wild flowers and began planting them on his little grave.
Pap. I wish you could have seen him. He was such a sweet child and we just worshiped him because he had no pap at home to love him and he was so much company.
Hymn sung at Willie Eddie’s Funeral
I take thee little lamb, said he
And lay them in my breast
Protection they shall find in me
In my be ever blest.
Death mat the bands of life unloose
But can’t dissolve my love
Millions of infant souls compare
The family above.
HIs words the happy Parents here
And shout with joy divine
A Savior all we have and we
Shall be forever thine.
Camp near Culpeper Court House
Friday, September 25, 1863
My dear family. I now sit sown to let you know that I got your kind letter of the 20th and it found me well and I hope this will find you all the same. And may God bless you all is my humble prayer. He has taken little Eddie to Himself and I believe it is all for the best. And let us try to meet him in that bright world above where parting will be no more, and then all will be well with us.
I sent you the pictures before you sent for them for I knew you would want little Eddie’s so I sent them all, and you need not send them back for I may lose them so you had better keep them. When you get the money I sent you, let me know.
There is some talk of us going back to Baltimore but I do not know. It may be so and I hope it is for I would like to get where I could come home to see you all again and I hope I will someday if it is God’s will. You must try and be resigned to His will and He will take care of you.
I cannot give you any news about the war. Give my respects to Mr. Cross and enquiring friends if there be any. I will close by sending my love to you all and may God bless you all is my prayer. And save us all at last in that good world. Writesoon and often. We get the mail every day when we are not on the march. So no more but remain yours until death. — A. Izenour
To his family.
Letter 96*
[In camp near Culpeper, Virginia]
Thursday, October 1, 1863
My dear wife and children,
I now sit down to let you know that I got your letter of the 25th and it found me well and I hope this may find you the same. We are still in the same camp near Culpeper, Virginia and I think we will stay here some time from the present appearance. We are comfortably fixed here and there has two Corps left this army and gone to Rosecrans’ army so I think we may stay here for a month and then we will go back to Washington to put in the winter.
Hays’s boys is well. I have not seen them but hear from them. They are seven miles from me. Is Mary Ann at home? You did not say where she was. And has Ansley [at] work now?
Now may God bless you all is my prayer. So no more but remain yours till death. — Arthur Izenour
Letter 97*
Camp near Culpeper, Va.
Sunday, October 4th 1863
My dear family,
I now sit down to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well and hope this may find you all the same. I wrote to you on the first and I got one from Mary Ann the same day. This is an answer to it. I was glad to hear you got the pictures.
I have no news of importance to write. We had quite a wet day last Friday. It rained all day and till ten at night but it has cleared up and it is quite pleasant again. The regiment is on picket and I am in camp. I will send you some beans in this letter. They grow like the California pea. I got them in a cornfield here. John Purvis paid me that dollar.
So no more at this time but may God bless you all and save us all at last is my prayer, Goodbye till I hear from you again. From your true husband till death to his wife and children. — A. Izenour
Letter 98*
[Editor’s Note: Arthur’s letter was written on the back of a letter addressed to him from his daughter, Mary Ann Izenour, dated from Bridgewater, Beaver county, Pa., on 26 September 1863.]
Camp near Culpeper Court House
October 9th 1863
I now sit down to let you know that I got your letter of the 4th and it found me well and I was glad to hear from you and to hear that you were all pretty well. I have no doubt but you all feel very must lost since Eddie has died, but you must try and submit to the will of God. He does all things for the best and His ways is not our ways and we must submit to Him.
I have not much news to write. There is some excitement here about in enlisting the Veteran Corps. They are giving four hundred dollars bounty to old soldiers to reenlist for three years more and let them go back to the state this winter and recruit and a twenty day furlough to go home. When you write, let me know what you think. If I enlist, I will get to come home to see you if the majority of the regiment will go, the rest of us will be consolidated into another regiment to serve our time out.
I seen Clark Hokens’ clerk today and he told me that Clark was at home. He went home to vote for A. G. Curtin and I suppose he will pay you the money when he is at hoe. I have got his receipt for the money. I was sorry to hear that Ansley got his discharge at factory. Tell me what it was for when you write again.
If you can get along this winter without [him] working, he had better go to school. But if he can get work and you need his help, let him do so. I will send you all I can but that is not much. I believe I have told you all I have to say this time. May God bless you all. So no more but remain yours till death. — A. Izenour
Letter 99*
Camp near Fairfax, Virginia
Friday, October 16, 1863
My dear wife,
I now sit down to let you know that I am well and I hope this will find you all the same. I got your letter of the 8th on the 12th and I was glad to hear that you was all well.
We have been on the march every day since last Saturday and we are now fifteen miles from Washington and we have orders to be ready to march at a moment’s notice. The rebels has been fighting with our rear guard all the way from Culpeper. The 2nd Corps was the rear guard and they took 7 hundred prisoners & cannon. They done well, I think. The rebs shelled our division yesterday when we stopped for dinner and killed one in our regiment and wounded three and Bill Kettlewood 1 was one of them but it is a slight wound. The rebels is retreating and we are after them.
1 William “Bill” Kettlewood (ca 1829-1881), a fellow native of Rochester, Pennsylvania, enlisted at the same time as Arthur and was a frequent topic of conversation. Kettlewood assisted Arthur in writing many of his early letters in 1862, but was captured at the Battle of Fredericksburg.
Letter 100
Bridgewater
Sunday evening, October 18th 1863
Dear Pap,
I again seat myself to write you a few lines in hopes they will find you safe and well as it leaves me at present. We are very uneasy respecting your safety for it is reported in the papers that you were fighting and that the 2nd Corps were engaged and that there were three of the Reserves killed some time ago. I asked you to tell me what Division, Corps and Brigade you were in so if you were engaged we would know it.
I have not written since we got one from you for I have been parlaying over your letter. Me and Mother feel very badly about it for she does not know what to say or do about it. She has asked the advice of a great many. Mr. Cross thinks it is about as good to reenlist and get the four hundred dollars for he thinks the war will be over before your time expires this time and he says you may as well have something for enduring the hardships from the government as not. Mother will not tell you what to do for fear she will rue it again. You are there and we are at home and do not know anything about it so you can do as you think best. But I can very soon tell you what I think about it. I just think that as long as they can get a man to fight, they intend keeping this war in progress. I am afraid there is too much money made by this war for it to end soon and it makes me feel angry when I think of it and to think how they will offer great inducements to get men to reenlist and I expect if you so reenlist, you will not see Pennsylvania this winter for now they have commenced fighting again. They will need all the men they have got for they say there is going to be another draft in six weeks and what is that for if they don’t need men? I am very sure we would like to see you for you are very much missed as much as when you first left home. So you can do as you think best for you have all the hardships to endure, You don’t have much longer to stay than if you are consolidated into another regiment.
Well, I think I have talked long enough about that question…. You wanted the particulars about Ansley’s discharge at the factory so I will give you all I know about the affair. George Trax and him each put a barrel upon a cold stove to dry and did not know but what there was fire in it and directly someone came along and seem them on and he slapped Ansley in the mouth and wanted him to take them off, but they did not say anything to George Trax about it. I suppose because he had his father to take his part so Ansley got his spunk up and would not take it off so they gave him his discharge. I glory in his spunk for they have put upon him long enough. I was over home a little while and went from there to church.
Mother and the children and I were up to the graveyard and Robert and George were making a noise and little Franky told them to be quiet—that they would make little Eddie cry. And Mother too. They go up every day and will be gone for hours and she will ask them where they have been. They will say up to the graveyard.
I did intend writing a letter to Uncle Bill but it is very late and I am tired writing so I will close my letter at present by sending our love and a kiss from the children. I do not know wheter I dated my letter right or not for I have forgot the date of this month. Your affectionate daughter, — Mary Ann Izenour
To Arthur Izenour
Letter 101*
Camp near Warrington, Virginia
October 21, 1863
My dear family,
I now sit down to let you know that I am well and I hope this will find you all well as this leaves me, I got your letter of the 11th and I was glad to hear from you.
We are on the march every day and we have been for the last ten days but I think we will go into camp in a day or two and then I will tell you more about the march, We camped one night on the old battlefield at Bull Run. So no more. May God bless you all.
The last letter I wrote I did not get it finished. It was dark when the mail went out so I sent it as it was. When you write, send me some stamps for I got the loan of some and I want to pay them back. I got a letter from Edward but I have not had time to answer it yet. The weather is fine here. — A. Izenour
Letter 102*
[Editor’s note: Arthur’s letter was written on the same sheet of a letter written to him by his daughter, Mary Ann Izenour, from Bridgewater, Beaver County., Penn., dated October 11, 1863. It contains home front news.]
Camp near Warrington, Virginia
October 23, 1863
I again seat myself to let you know that I am well and I hope this may find you all as well as it leaves me. I got your letter of the 18th and I was glad to hear that you was all well.
We are in the 6th Corps, 3rd Division, 3rd Brigade, and the 6th Corps is the reserve of the army. We do not go into battle till the last so we have a little better chance than some of the rest. If the rest of the army can whip them, we do not have to go in. I do not think this army will fight any more this fall. I think we will go back to Washington this winter and if we do, I think I will get a furlough and come home.
As for reenlisting, I will not at the present till I see how things go and I do not think that I will enlist again at all.
We have just moved camp this afternoon and got our tents up and everything looks as if we were going to stay here some time. But it be owing to the movements of the rebels. I do not know where they are now but I think they are on the Rapidan. And I think we will watch them and keep them there. They would not fight at Centreville nor at Bull Run so I think they will not try us this fall and I hope there will be peace again spring.
You say you got the money but you did not say how much in your letter. So I think I have told you all I have to say this time. Goodbye. God bless you all. Send me some envelopes by mail. — Arthur Izenour
Letter 103*
[Editor’s note: Arthur’s letter was written on the same sheet of a letter written to him by his daughter, Mary Ann Izenour, from Rochester, Beaver County., Penn., dated October 25th, 1863. It contains home front news and expresses the family’s wish that Arthur not reenlist for the $400 bonus.]
Camp near Warrenton Junction, Va.
Tuesday, November 3rd 1863
My dearest wife and children,
I now sit down in my tent to let you know that I am well and I hope this will find you all as well as this leaves me. I got your letter of the 28th and the envelopes and I was glad to get them for there was none in the company and there is no sutler with the army now so we can’t buy anything. We can’t get tobacco nor anything. I wrote you a few lines on Saturday and I did not date it.
I saw Cal Reno yesterday. He has just got back to his regiment. They are one mile from our camp. There is some talk that our division is to go back to the state this winter and I think we will. Our time is out the 15th of April next. We was mustered in for our pay last Saturday and I think we will get paid in ten days or two weeks.
The weather is quite pleasant here yet. We have had some cold nights. I almost forgot to tell you that I saw John [Anderson] Danks yesterday. He is well. He is Major of the 63rd [Pennsylvania] Regiment. So no more. May God bless you all. — A. I.
Letter 104*
[Editor’s note: Arthur’s letter was written on the same sheet of a letter written to him by his daughter, Mary Ann Izenour, from Rochester, Beaver County., Penn., dated October 28th, 1863. It contains home front news.]
Camp near Warrenton Junction, Va.
Friday, November 6th 1863
My dear wife and children,
I now sit down to let you know that I got your letter of the first and it found me well and I was glad to hear that you was all well. And I hope this may find you all well as it leaves me. I have no news to write you. The weather is quite pleasant here for this time in the year but I do not think it will last long. It is very windy today and I think we will have rain.
Well I have not time to write much for I must go and draw the rations. I was glad to hear that you got a letter from Wolf Craig. When you write to him, give my love to them all and tell Uncle Jo to write to me. You can give him my address. The Boys is all well in the company and I thank God for His goodness to me although He seen fit to take our dear little boy to Himself. It is all for the best now. May God bless you all. So no more at this time but remain your husband and father till death. — Arthur Izenour
To Elizabeth Izenour
Send me two or three stamps. I have not got one but the one you sent me in your last letter. I cannot write to Edward for I have not a stamp. — A. I.
Letter 105*
[Editor’s Note: Arthur’s letter was written on the back half of a letter written to him by his daughter, Mary Ann Izenour from Bridgewater, dated November 1st 1863. It contains home front news.]
Camp near Kelly’s Ford one mile south of the Rappahannock River
Sunday, November 15, 1863
My dear wife and children,
I now sit down to let you know that I got your letter of the 8th and it found me well and I was on picket when I got it and I was glad to hear from you. I was glad to hear that Robert is a good boy at school and I am glad to hear that Ansley is going to school. I hope he will make good use of his time when he has the chance.
We drove the Rebels over the Rappahannock River on last Saturday a week and took seventeen hundred and thirty prisoners and four cannon and a locomotive and a train of cars and four hundred barrels of flour. We were not in the fight. The 6th Corps did the most of it.
I saw Frank Hayes and Wils Logan and Boggs’ boys. They was not in the fight and they are all well. We are in the Rebel’s winter quarters now but we are under marching orders now, Monday the 16th.
We got our pay today. I would have answered your letter sooner but I was waiting till I got paid so as I could send you some money. I will send you ten dollars in this and I will send you some more when I hear from this. When you get this, let me know. I am well and I hope this will find you all hte same. May God bless you all. — A. I.
Letter 106*
[Editor’s Note: Arthur’s letter was written on the same sheet of a letter written to him by his daughter, Mary Ann Izenour from Rochester, Beaver county, Pa., dated November 8th 1863. It contains home front news, some of which reads: “We have a raging snow storm. It has been sprinkling rain all forenoon but it has some appearance of winter now. The river is rising some. It was thought that the river was not a going to rise but the town boats is beginning to bring down coal. The coal down is ten cents per bushel so I suppose the Pittsburgh coal will be worth 17 cents per bushel….”]
Camp near Kelly’s Ford, Va.
November 20, 1863
My dearest wife and family,
I now sit down to let you know that I got your letter of the 16th on the 19th and it found me well and I was glad to hear that you was all well and I hope this will find you all well as it leaves me. We are on the south side of the Rappahannock. The weather is quite pleasant for this time a year but I think it will not last long.
I wrote to you on the 16th and sent ten dollars in it to you and I will send five dollars in this. And I will send you more in the next one. I will send you all I can but it costs me so much for tobacco, I cannot send us much as I would like to. Tobacco is two dollars per pound and if you get a chance, you may send me some tobacco. If Uncle Tom [Hayes] comes out, you can send it with him. But do not send it till we are in winter quarters. We may winter in the state yet and I hope we will.
I thank God that he has taken care of me and blessed me with health. I have a hope that I will be spared to see you all again and mat God grant it is my humble prayer. So no more but ever remain your true husband and father till death. — Arthur Izenour
To Elizabeth Izenour.
Letter 107*
[Editor’s Note: Arthur’s letter was written on the same sheet of a letter written to him by his daughter, Mary Ann Izenour from Rochester, Beaver county, Pa., dated November 20th 1863. It reads in part: “We received your letter of the 15th and 16th this morning and you may well believe we were glad for we had not heard anything from you since the battle. We knew that the 6th Corps was enggaed and Mother was very uneasy about you. She thought perhaps you were wounded or killed but she always looks to the Black side of everything…Mother sold your soldier’s coat to Mr. Meaner that lives down below us for eight dollars and they had him arrested for a deserter. They say no man can wear a soldier’s coat unless he can show papers that he is a discharged soldier and it happened he had papers in his pocket to prove that he had been rejected and he said also that he bought the coat and they told him if he got it colored black, he could wear it. They are very ready to arrest men for they get thirty dollars a head.”]
Camp at Warrenton Junction, [Va.]
December 7th 1863
I now sit down to let you know that I am well and we are guarding railroad. I [received] three letters from you and this is the first chance I have had to write. We have been on the march so I could not write. Will write to you soon again. I have not time to tell you anything about the march. So no more. — Arthur Izenour
Letter 108*
Camp at Warrenton Junction, Va.
December 10, 1863
My dear wife and children,
I now sit down to let you know that I am well and I hope this will find you all the same. We are in winter quarters and guarding the railroad. We have had some pretty hard times. We was short of rations. I paid two dollars for a half a bushel of potatoes and twenty five cents a dozen for turnips. We had a hard march when we crossed the Rapidan and a harder one when we come back for we marched all night and it was very cold. We was four days in line of battle but the rebels was too strongly fortified for us and I think Meade acted wisely by not attacking them for he would have lost a great many men. Then he would not hold what he might have taken.
I was sorry to hear that it is sickly at home. It is healthy in the army. I told you that I would send you more money but I cannot this time for being short of rations and tobacco is so dear that I cannot be as good as my word this time. If Marsh Hays has not started yet, you can tell him it will not be out of his way to come and see me. He will have to pass where I am. He can see our camp from the railroad and I would like to see him.
I have not enlisted nor I will not and not one in the company. They all think they have had enough of soldiering. They say let some of them come and try it three years that has been at home and see how they like it. So no more at this time but remain your husband and father till death. — Arthur Izenour
To his wife, E. Izenour
Letter 109*
[Editor’s Note: Arthur’s letter was written on the back half of a letter written to him by his daughter, Mary Ann Izenour from Rochester, dated November 16, 1863. It contains home front news.]
Camp at Warrenton Junction, Virginia
December 14, 1863
I now sit down to let you know that I am well and I hope these few lines will find you all the same. I got your letter of the 8th on the 12th and I was glad to hear that you was well and may God bless you all and keep you all well is my heart’s prayer. This is wash day with me. I have washed two shirts and a pair of drawers and a pair of socks.
I have no news to write. We are quite comfortable here and the weather is quite warm here. There has not been any snow yet. We had some rain on Saturday night and Sunday and today it is very windy.
I came off three days picket this morning. I will tell you who is messing with me. W[allace] W. Fish and J[ames] W. Beaner. We have been together ever since we left Munson’s Hill last July. The Boys is all well in the company.
So no more but remain yours truly till death. — Arthur Izenour
Letter 110*
Camp at Warrenton Junction, Virginia
Sunday, December 20, 1863
My dear family,
I now sit down to let you know that I got your letter of the 14th and it found me well and I hope this may find you all well as it leaves me. I was glad to hear that you were all well and that you had got a letter from me for I knew you was uneasy about me but I wrote as soon as I got a chance and I hope I will be able to write regular now.
James M. Morburger has gone home on a furlough and he said he would call and see you. He lives in Bridgewater. His mother was a Marata and if you can, I wish you would send me a pound of tobacco with him. Now I wish you a Happy Christmas and may God bless you all and I hope we may all be spared to meet again is my heart’s prayer. I have not reenlisted nor I will not. Others can do as they like.
So no more but remain yours till death. — Arthur Izenour
To Elizabeth Izenour
Letter 111*
[Editor’s Note: Arthur’s letter was written on the back half of a letter written to him by his daughter, Mary Ann Izenour from Rochester, dated December 8, 1863. It contains home front news.]
Camp of the 10th Regiment at Warrenton Junction
Tuesday, December 22, 1863
My dear daughter Mary Ann,
I now sit down to let you know that I got your letter of the 18th and it found me well and I hope this will find you all as it leaves me well. I was glad to hear that Mother was gone to Butler for I think if she has a good visit, she will feel better.
Marsh has not got here yet and if he has no one with him, I think he will have a good time for he is such a calf, he will not know what to do when he would get to Washington. And just as like as not, he will not get any further that Washington and then turn around and go home again.
I think I have told you all I have to say this time. I think Ansley might write me a letter. So no more but remain yours till death. — Arthur Izenour
Letter 112*
[Editor’s Note: Arthur’s letter was written on the same sheet of a letter by his daughter, Mary Ann Izenour, addressed to him and datelined from Rochester on 28 April 1865. In it she writes: “The telegraph news was yesterday that they had killed Booth and captured one of his comrades.”]
In Camp Curtin Harrisburg [Pennsylvania]
May 6, 1865
My dear wife and children,
I now write you a few lines in answer to yours of the 28th and also one of the 4th of May which found me well but I was sorry to hear that Mother was sick. But I hope this will find her well or at least better.
I am still cooking. The talk is now that we will be mustered out about the 15th and I think I will be for I made application to Governor Curtin and he will make application to the War Department so I think I will son be home—at least I hope so. So keep in good heart till I come for it will not be long I think. So no more. — A. I.
Spared & Shared 23 