The following letter was written by Major Amos J. Holahan (1842-1899) of the 19th Pennsylvania Cavalry. He enlisted at Philadelphia on 6 October 1863 and was wounded on 17 December 1864 in the Battle of Nashville. He resigned his commission and was mustered out of the regiment on 6 February 1865.

Following the war, Amos apparently returned to Philadelphia where he was unsuccessful in whatever business he pursued as he filed bankruptcy in June 1868. Later census records suggest he worked as a Broker. He may have been affiliated with the Holahan family of Philadelphia that engaged in the liquor supply and tavern business.

Amos wrote the letter to Charles Lacroix Pascal, a hatter in Philadelphia, who he called his uncle. Charles was born in Philadelphia in 1818. He was the son of John Pascal (1784-1856), a tavern keeper born in France. Charles’s mother was Ann Polhemus (1783-1853) born in Hopewell, N.J. In 1850, the senior Pascal had real estate holdings worth $30,000. Charles married Mary Stuart Campbell in 1852 in Philadelphia. According to the 1900 Census, her father was born in Scotland. His children, mentioned at the close of this letter were Kate (b. 1854) and Campbell (b. 1858). Charles was granted a patent in December 1861 for a hat/havelock creation which he and his partner James Sullender sold to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for use by a number of its cavalry regiments (including the 2nd, 6th and 15th). The hat’s most distinctive feature was a brim which could be raised to “present a neat ornamental appearance” and lowered “as to afford protection to the the wearer’s neck from both the heat of the sun and the effect of storms.”

Amos composed the letter on stationery that featured his lithographic image prominently displayed in the letterhead—an unusual and extravagant cost for someone of his rank as a Major.

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

Gravelly Springs, Alabama
January 29th 1865

My dear Uncle,

I would have answered your letter of November 22, 1864, long ago but I received it on the eve of my departure from Memphis, and I have been on the march nearly all the time since. The “Army of the Cumberland” is in winter quarters at this place. There is about thirty thousand infantry and twenty five thousand cavalry, all under Maj. Genl. Thomas. This is called Gravelly Springs, why? It is impossible for me to say. It puts me very much in mind of one of those bogus building association lots that look so very nice on paper. Gravelly Springs is nothing but a steamboat landing on the Tennessee River some ten or twelve miles below Eastport, Mississippi. The “Springs” or “Town” or “City” of Gravelly Springs is a myth.

Enclosed you will find Charlies letter. From what he says, he must have a rough time of it in Dixie. I sincerely hope he will soon be released.

Last month we had some very severe fighting in front of Nashville and after the 16th of December, the cavalry did all the fighting and drove Hood across the Tennessee [river]. At about nine o’clock A.M. on the 17th of December, your humble servant was placed “hors de combat.” I was wounded in the head and in the groin, and was taken back to Nashville and placed in the officers Hospital where I remained until January the 20th when I joined my regiment again at this place. I am almost well now of my injuries.

You ask me for a list of Generals in and around Memphis. They are as follows, “viz”:

Maj. Gen. C. C. Washburne Commanding “Dist. West Tenn.” since superseded by Maj. Gen. Dana
Brig. Gen. Buckland, Commanding “Dist of Memphis”
Brig. Gen. Orme, Superintendent Shipping Govt. cotton and permits
Brig. Gen. B. H. Grierson, Commanding Cavalry Corps, West Tenn.
Brig. Gen. Hatch, Commanding 1st Division, Cavalry Corps, West Tenn.
Brig. Gen. Winslow, Commanding 2nd Division, Cavalry Corps, West Tenn.
Brig. Gen. Chetlain, Commanding Colored Troops, Dist. Memphis
Brig. Gen. Dustan of Militia, Commanding Militia of Memphis.

This is all. There may have been some changed since I left. I think Gen. Buckland has been elected to Congress since from Ohio. I have forgotten one General “Brig. Gen. Veatch, commanding Fort Pickering.”

I sent in my resignation on the 25th inst. on account of my physical disability from wounds received on the 17th of December. I expect to be home some time next month. Give my love to Aunt Mary, Katie and Campbell/ Also remember me to Mr. p ]. Hoping this will find you in the enjoyment of health, I remain your affectionate nephew, — A.J. Holahan

My directions are Major A. J. Holahan, 19th Penna. Cavalry, 1st Brigade, 7th Division, Cavalry Corps M. D. M., Eastport, Mississippi

M. D. M. means Military Division of the Mississippi. Please excuse me franking this letter. I am entirely out of postage stamps and we are so far isolated from all civilization that at present it is impossible for e to obtain any. — Amos

to C. L. Pascal, Esq.