The following letter was written by Augustus Norton (1837-1917), the son of Joseph Hull Norton (1808-1888) and Rosanna Graham Johnson (1812-1882) of Athens, Athens county, Ohio. Augustus attended Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, and was married to Sarah Westcott Putnam (1845-1940) in 1860 before he enlisted as a 1st Lieutenant in Co. F, 1st West Virginia Cavalry. After one year of service, he resigned his commission and returned to Ohio where he helped organize the 7th Ohio Cavalry. He started as the Captain of Co. I in the fall of 1862 but was promoted to Major of the regiment by late December 1862. He resigned on 30 January 1864 on account of failing health.

In 2012, Forsythes’ Auctions listed the Frock 7th Ohio Cavalry Coat that “belonged to Major Augustus Norton, with period inked inscription on inside liner of left arm near shoulder reading “Maj. A. Norton/7th OV Cav.”.  This blue wool seven button double breasted officer’s frock coat has three shield breasted eagle cuff buttons with “C” in shield as do the fourteen buttons on front and four on split tail in rear.  Green silk lining and polished linen lining in sleeves.  Norton enlisted as captain but was soon promoted to Major in Nov. of 62.  Regiment was drawn from SW Ohio, where Norton was from the Hocking Hills area.  Known as the River Regiment their engagements included Carter’s Station, Mt. Sterling, KY Dutton’s Hill, Mills Springs, Rocky Gap, pursued and cornered Morgan’s Cavalry through Ohio to Bluffington Island.  Captured CSA garrison at Cumberland Gap, second fight at Carter’s Station, Tenn., Blue Springs, lost 112 men at Rogersville, Siege of Knoxville, Bean’s Station, New Market, Danbridge, Fair Garden, fought and defeated Morgan’s Cavalry again near Cynthiana, KY., Franklin, Tenn., City Gate and Nashville.  This cavalry unit saw some very heavy fighting throughout the war with 560 casualties in the regiment.  A very few small moth holes and light wear at collar.”

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

Lexington, Kentucky
April 11, 1863

Dear Sister,

We are again quartered in our old camp at this place. We were brought back under orders to go up to Big Sandy—that is, one half of the regiment was to go there and the other half to go to Mt. Sterling. But I expect we will not be divided. The prospect now is that we will go to Tennessee. Everything in military is so uncertain that it is hard to tell what will become of us. I suppose ere this Father has received my letter sent from Crab Orchard giving him a full description of our last fight at Somerset. If I knew how long we were going to remain here, I would like to have Father send me some things or come down with them, but I guess it is most too uncertain. Although quite a number of the officers wives and friends are visiting them.

Had we been sent to Big Sandy, I would probably have been able to made you a short visit this summer but I will in all probability not get home for a year or more. It is but natural that we should feel a desire to meet our friends at home, but I presume that it is easier for me to be absent than it is for almost anyone else, although I think as much of my parents & sisters as anyone. Yet there is not the attention there or anywhere else that most young men of my age have to draw any attention in that direction. I sometimes feel like a stranger in a strange land, friendless and forsaken with nothing to look forward to in the future—nothing to cheer and make merry the weary soldiers—nothing in view which will in after years fully compensate me for the toil and hardships I am undergoing. In short, the future seems all a blank.

Yet I know that it has been my own fault that I am so situated. But so it is! Such is my fate! And I shall have to make the best of it. Unless there is quite a change in my mind, I never shall return to Athens to live, but will wander to some distant land, to wile away my remaining days in solitude.

Dear sister, I am doing very wrong, I fear, in writing you such a letter as this but such are my feelings this morning that if I write at all, I cannot help expressing them to you. You may wonder what caused me to have such feelings. Oh! no one knows the inner secrets of my heart “save Him who knoweth all things.” And no one ever can. They are buried deep in the secret corners of my heart and there will continue to dwell while life shall last. And when we shall arrive at our long, long home, our journey shall be ended, and we shall abandon our abodes of clay. Then will we be free. Then will we cast aside all our earthly troubles and join that heavenly band in singing songs of praises never ending. How the Christian longs for the arrival of that glorious day. Ah! Christian did I say? How few the number. How many will receive that unwelcome order, depart from me ye cursed. The gates of hell are open for you. Go thence & receive your just doom.

We were paid off yesterday & I will send Father some money soon. I want to buy me a horse first. My riding is too horrid on [ ]. There is nothing new here. Gen. Burnside is in the field with his “Gloves off” and something will no doubt be done soon. I will write to Father in a day or two. Give my love to all the family. Also to Aunt R___. Write soon and tell me all that in going on in Old Athens. Don’t forget to write soon to your unworthy brother, — Augustus