The following letter was written by James B. Dutch (1839-19xx) who enlisted as a recruit in Battery B, 1st Illinois Light Artillery (“Taylor’s Battery”) in Chicago in early August 1862 as a private. He was promoted to sergeant and then was selected a Lieutenant in the new Battery A after they consolidated with Battery B. The new consolidated Battery A and Battery H saw hard fighting before Atlanta and several member of Battery H were taken prisoner on 22 August 1864. They included John Thomas, John Frazier, William Scupham, William Heartt, Lewis Lake, Edward Ferry. Charles G. Siller, John F. Stranberg, Thomas Wilcox, A. C. Hall. F. Sweeney. William W. Cowlin, S. P. Coe. and Lieutenant Smyth. The Batteries were posted upon a high ridge on either side of a railroad cut that day and the enemy was able to approach the battery without notice due to the heavy smoke from skirmishing, attacking from both front and rear. Fortunately most of the members of the Battery were soon exchanged as mentioned in this letter.

Prior to his enlistment, James was a captain of a tug boat in Chicago harbor. After the war, he began business on the Board of Trade in Chicago.

[Note: This letter is from the private collection of Nick Kaup and was made available for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent.]

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

East Point, Georgia
September 25th 1864

Friend James,

Your kind letter of was received some time since but I have delayed the reply for the reason that I was daily expecting the arrival of our commissions and the permanent organization of the battery. The commissions have arrived. Lt. Smyth, Capt. Ed Wilcox, Sr. 1st, Harry Roberts, Jr. 1st, E. Colby, Sr. 2nd and myself as Jr. 2nd. We have all been mustered in except Smyth, who has not been exchanged yet, though his name was amongst those sent in for special exchange and agreed upon by Generals Sherman and Hood but for some reason or other, he has not been exchanged though we are expecting him every day. The boys captured on the 22nd have been exchanged and returned to the battery with the exception of Cowlan, Hatt and Sweenie for the old “H” boys and Davis, Chain and Grainge of the detailed men. Their appearance is proof enough of the hardship and suffering they have endured. But it is the same oft repeated story of barbarism and inhumanity. My only surprise is that they have lived through it.

Coe, Thomas, and Frazer have been discharged and have gone home feeling as happy as kings. By the way, you remember it was always a mystery to us how Coe happened to be taken. It was about the first question I asked him. He said when he arrived (with the limber of canister) at or near the foot of the hill, he halted the limber, dismounted, tied his horse and waited a moment or two expecting that we would send for the ammunition. But as no one came for it, he concluded that he was not seen and that he had better take up a couple of rounds and inform them of the arrival of ammunition. Opening the chest, he took out two cartridges and started for the guns and did not discover that the rebs had possession until he had arrived almost up to them when he turned and attempted to make his escape. But when he arrived where his horse was, he found a reb who with gun pointed, demanded his surrender, which he was obliged to do or be shot. He therefore surrendered and was marched to the rear.

Though they have suffered much and are still suffering from the effects of their treatment, still they do not regret their experience as it is something that [they] can be proud of. But, I assure you, they are not anxious for another occasion for pride.

With my kind regards to you, Chappel, and Bancroft, I remain very truly yours, — James B. Dutch