My passion is studying American history leading up to & including the Civil War. I particularly enjoy reading, transcribing & researching primary sources such as letters and diaries.
The following letter was written by 30 year-old Charles Walsh (1831-1912) who enlisted a on 14 August 1862 at Wellsville, New York, and mustered in as a corporal in Co. E, 130th New York Infantry in early September 1862. He was appointed a sergeant in June 1863 and then commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant on 9 February 1865.
Many soldiers in the 130th NY Volunteers used pre-printed envelopes
At the time this letter was written in mid-November 1862. the 130th New York Infantry was serving in Foster’s Brigade in Brig. Gen. Corcoran’s Division at Suffolk, Virginia.
Charles was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1831, the son of William Walsh (1810-1890) and Ann James Mooney (1810-1890). In his muster rolls, he was described as standing 5 feet 11 inches tall, with black hair and hazel eyes. His occupation was given as wheelwright and lawyer. He was married in 1856 to Barbara White Proctor (1833-1922).
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Suffolk, Virginia November 13, 1862
Friend Lowell,
I received your letter in good time but have not had time to answer it before. We are kept busy drilling and working on the fortifications wit now and then a tramp after the rebs. About two weeks ago we marched 50 miles in 24 hours but saw nary a reb. I tell you, it is no fun to march that distance with the load we carry—60 rounds of cartridges, three days rations, our blankets and overcoats, and part of the time on double quick. It tries one’s grit. But then you know it’s all for three years or during. You must not think that I am tired of soldiering or want to get away. If I was at home, I would enlist the first chance I got. But I thought it would be well enough to let you know how the machine runs down here.
We have plenty to eat, a little damaged by cooking plenty of damned bad water and nary a drop of “O be joyful” to help wash it down. Plenty of niggers. No white men. They are all in the rebel army. Their women look, feel, and act as if they would like to see the earth open and swallow every one of us. They are the very essence of Secession treason rebellion and every other highfalutin southernism.
The following letter was written by 17 year-old Andrew Crozer Reeves (1844-1868) who served as a corporal in Co. K, 104th Pennsylvania Infantry (a.k.a. the “Ringgold Regiment”). This regiment was organized in Bucks County under Colonel William V. H. Davis. They trained at Camp Lacey, established on the west side of Doylestown, and shipped out for Washington, D.C. that November. They served in the Peninsular Campaign of 1862, spanned the winter and spring of 1862/1863 near the seige of Charlestown, and fought in the crucial Valley Campaigns of 1864. Over the course of the Civil War, out of about 1,000 men, 46 were killed in action, 3 missing in action, 62 taken prisoner, and 104 died in service. Reeves was discharged from the regiment on 12 September 1862 due to wounds received in action.
Andrew was the son of Elisha Boudinot Reeves (1806-1879) and Mary Ann Anderson (1807-1879) of Lower Makefield, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. After he was discharged from the service, Andrew returned home and married Mary Jane Moon (1845-1926) in June 1867—almost one year before he died at age 24. A son was born to the couple on 3 December 1867 named Andrew Crozer Reeves, Jr.
Headquarters Ringgold Regt. Co. K. November 9, 1861
Dear Sir,
We started from Camp Lacey on Tuesday morning at half past six o’clock and marched to the [Doylestown] depot and the cars started at eight o’clock and arrived at town [Philadelphia] about twelve o’clock and marched to the [Volunteer Refreshment Saloon in the vicinity of the old] Navy Yard at half past two and had a fine dinner of sliced potatoes and round, pickled cabbage, roast beef, boiled ham, bread and butter, coffee. We started from Philadelphia at five o’clock, arrived at Baltimore at daylight and marched through to the Baltimore and Washington station. We saw some few flags in Baltimore. We gave each one three cheers and did not see many people in Baltimore but no one said a word. Negroes were plenty. We saw about four negroes to a white. It was about eight o’clock when we started from Baltimore. 1
There were encampments about every two or three miles and then the companies are divided from one to two miles. We arrived in Washington at half past one and the first thing I saw was a government team running away. There is no end to teams here—mostly mules. The horses look very rough—that is, the most of them. Our team is the best looking team that I have seen but they have not got used to Uncle Sam’s stables yet, the large one. We have not got but one yet.
We [do] not expect to stay here. The Colonel is not satisfied as there is not room for artillery to drill. The Colonel has gone to Washington today. I forgot we stopped at the depot. We got up here too soon. We got our dinner at Washington—bread and beef and coffee. We started from Washington at five o’clock and arrived here at half past seven and stacked arms and laid down. Tim Rice and I laid together. We laid one gum blanket down on the ground and put our two government blankets and the other gum blanket over us and the capes on our overcoats we pulled over our heads and in the morning when awakened, everything was white with frost. We had crackers and coffee for breakfast and coffee and crackers for dinner.
We pitched our tents in the forenoon and filled our tents with leaves in the afternoon. Georgetown is about a half mile from here. We can see the Potomac, Alexandria, Georgetown and a flag on Munson’s Hill, and the name of this place, I believe, is Kalorama Heights. There is woods all around us. We can [go] out anywhere around here providing [we] get in at roll calls and must look out for the regulars as they will take us and keep us until our Captain comes after us. The 60th New York is encamped about three hundred yards from us. We slept very sound last [night] on our feather bed made out of leaves. I had fresh bread for my breakfast; so had Captain and the Major. We bought [it] off a black woman. We are all well, happy as a lark. There is a good view here. — Andrew C. Reeves
1 The regimental history of Durell’s Battery which was initially attached to the Ringgold Regiment describes the march through Baltimore: “The regiment had not proceeded far upon the march through the streets of that city before it was noticed that there was a sad lack of enthusiasm for the Union soldier, compared with that exhibited in Philadelphia the day before. The colored people appeared to be almost the only class to cheer the regiment and the Union cause, while crowds of whites stood sullenly at the street corners, and some of the small boys cheered for Jeff Davis. The march to the Washington depot was unmolested, however, and the men were again packed into cars. The skies had cleared and the men were in good spirits.” (page 21)
The following letter was written by Lewis M. Prall (1843-1869), the son of Ellis F. Prall (1810-1880) and Sarah Ann Randolph (1812-1895) of Smyrna, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Lewis was only 17 years old when he penned this letter to his mother while serving in Co. A, 1st Pennsylvania Reserves (30th Infantry). His service record indicates that he enlisted in July 1861 and mustered out in June 1864.
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Annapolis Junction [Maryland] August 18, 1861
Dear Mother,
This being Sunday and I having just come off of guard to go on a 3 o’clock again for we have to be on guard 24 hours. We stand on two hours and off 4 hours. I would rather be on guard than on drill but then I have my share of both. Our Captain is not here now. He went to Washington with two more—one a Lieutenant—and without a pass and they took him to headquarters at Annapolis City to be court martialed. I don’t know what they will do with him yet but wherever he goes, the company will go also for we will stick to him till death.
“Mother, believe me or not, but just the words that you wrote telling me never to give up the Stars & Stripes gave such comfort and peace to my mind that I fear no danger to know that I have such a mother to care for me.”
— Lewis N. Prall, 18 August 1861
Enclosed in this letter you will find an account of wagons, horses, medicines, and two men that we captured on last Friday. I am sitting in one of the wagons now writing this letter. I received your letter in due time. I had begun to think you had forgotten me at home until I got you long looked for letter which contained such comforting words that I never shall forget them. It was a drink of fresh water to the weary traveler. It revived me up both in body and in mind. It lightened my footsteps and put new courage in my heart to think I had such a kind, noble, and heroic mother. I could die for such a mother and think it no pain indeed. Mother, believe me or not, but just the words that you wrote telling me never to give up the Stars & Stripes gave such comfort and peace to my mind that I fear no danger to know that I have such a mother to care for me.
Mother, there is some things that I wish you would send to me. That is tobacco for the tobacco is so dear down here and then it is the worse kind. And 1 pair of stockings, 1 shirt, Marseilles breast, 1 handkerchief, some paper and envelopes, and some pies and cakes, some leather shoestrings, two or three sheets of sandpaper, and a piece of flannel and anything else you think I need. But don’t send more than 1 shirt for I can’t carry them. We don’t want any more things than we can help. You can send them in a box by Adams Express company. It won’t cost much. Stotts sent Joe a box and it only cost 50 cents and it was larger than you need send. Just pay for sending it and get the receipt for it and send it to me in the box for there was a box sent to a fellow here and they paid it at home and he either has to pay it here or send for the receipt. Just get the receipt and open the box and then when it comes I can open the box and show the receipt that it is paid. Please send it soon. Also, write soon. Give my love to Pap and your own dear self, Tell Pap I am much obliged for that dollar. Tell him when we get paid, I will send him some money to pay my bill at Pownell’s. I am very well. I like soldier’s life very well. Goodbye. From you true son, — Lewis M. Prall
Tell Pap I have seen but one cat since I came here and that was last night. Give my love to Hope and Philie and tell then to write soon. I got Lib Gray’s letter and will answer it today. The weather down here is very hot. It has hardly missed a day since we came here but what it has rained. It is raining now. There is some talk of us coming to Pennsylvania to go into differently regiments for our regiment is not near full but I don’t know whether it is so or not. John Mason is down at Annapolis in Captain NH company.
Direct that box to Annapolis Junction, Maryland, care of Capt. [John W.] Nields. George Steinheiser is in a company here. He used to live with us. He was the one that sat on the garret window.
The following letter was written by Silas Martin Freeman (1816-1899), the son of James Freeman (1778-1869) and Lois M. Martin (1782-1866) of Berkshire county, Massachusetts. Silas was married in 1840 to Maryette Dowd (1821-1852) but he was a widower when he penned this letter from Dixon, Illinois, in 1862. He was married a second time in May, 1864 to Mary Hollister Cook, the widow of Orrin C. Cook. Silas began his occupational career as a cooper in the Berkshire mountains of Western, Massachusetts. In the 1850s he relocated to Dixon where he took up farming. By 1870, he had relocated to Rockford and labored as a carpenter. By 1880, he was farming again in Palmyra, Otoe county, Nebraska, where he and his 2nd wife lived out the remainder of their lives.
The first paragraph pertains to a business matter that would be of little interest to most readers but the second paragraph is a vilification of the Buchanan Administration—placing blame squarely on James Buchanan for the “deplorable condition” of the county as depicted in the following political cartoon.
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Dixon [Illinois] April 28, 1862
N. Gibson, Esq.,
Dear sir. I received a line from James Phillips a little over a week ago stating that E. Calkins had selected me to assist him in taking security of said James Phillips to secure a note of Albert Phillips endorsed by Calkins, or rather endorsed by James Phillips. In consequence of the badness of he roads and the lateness of the season for putting in wheat, Phillips sent me his note of nine hundred & forty-four dollars and twenty-six cents (944.26) with a mortgage on two eighties or one hundred and sixty acres as security for the note a few days ago. I have waited to hear from Calkins or you but have received no letter. Before I make any move on this business, I would like to be better informed how matters stand, how much there is due on the notes, or up to what date the interest has been paid so as to spend no more time than is actually necessary. Perhaps if I should see Phillips, I might get all the information that was necessary. But it is some sixteen miles from home to Phillips and I would rather not make but one trip out to do the business. I have a good deal of confidence in James Phillips and think probably his note and mortgage is all right but as his land borders on the Winnebago Swamp and part of his farm is rather low land, it would be better to see the pieces he offers as security before accepting them. Please see Calkins and if he wishes me to do anything for him, let me know immediately.
In your letters of November last, you wrote of the distracted state of our country and the causes which brought the country to its present deplorable condition, but you failed to mention one cause which in my mind stands first in the damnable black catalogue. When the Chief Magistrate of this Nation comes down from the high station of his office to become a dabster in party politics thereby neglecting his duties he had sworn faithfully to perform to gratify a little private revenge, then may we well tremble for our country. Had Buchanan labored one half as hard to sustain and carry out the time honored principles of the Democratic party as he did to break up that party and crush Douglass, the people of the United States would today have been a united and happy people. Sadly did we rue it when we neglected the warnings of our Whig friends when they informed us he had not one drop of Democratic blood in him quoting Buchanan as authority. When we take into consideration in connection with the above the insane and suicidal course the abolition members of Congress are pursuing on the slavery and tariff question, I cannot help but think unless their days be shortened, the “very elect will not be saved”—the country will be utterly destroyed. But for want of room, I must close, All well. Yours respectfully, — Silas M. Freeman
Phillips writes to me, “I have no security from Albert and think that Mr. Calkins is slightly selfish in requiring of me ample security. If he was in no way connected with Albert, it would be quite a different affair” hence I think the business should be done in a way to give as little offense as possible. — S. M. Freeman
The following letter was written by Enoch H. Harker (1839-Bef1900), the son of Rev. Enoch Harker (1804-1867) and Christiana Sheets (1806-1861) of Goshen, Clermont county, Ohio. In the 1860 US Census, Enoch was enumerated in Nottingham, Wells county, Indiana, employed as a laborer on the farm of Jacob Yount. Enoch enlisted on 21 September 1864 and Anderson, Indiana, to serve three years in Co. B, 34th Indiana Infantry. He was promoted from a corporal to a sergeant in April 1862.
This letter was penned from Camp Wickliffe, Kentucky on 4 February 1862 where the regiment was on duty from December 14, 1861 to February 7, 1862.
After three years of service, Enoch returned home to Indiana and married Mary A. Yount, 13 years his junior. He taught school in Indiana for a time and then moved to Iroquis county, Illinois.
Eight unidentified members of the 34th Indiana Infantry (“Morton’s Rifles”) in early-war Zouave uniforms. (LOC)
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Camp Wickliffe [Kentucky] February 4th 1862
Mr. Shinn, dear sir,
It is with pleasure I improve the present in writing and answer to epistle of the 25th inst. I was glad to hear you was in the enjoyment of good health but permit me to say while many are being consigned to the narrow limits of the tomb, I am still able to masticate my sea biscuit. the health of the army in this division is very poor. Half of this regiment is sick and some others are in a worse condition. There has been from one to ten buryings a day in this division for several weeks. There is only about 40 of our company able for duty.
You stated in your letter about some charges against some of us which I am happy to inform you is untrue. The report about Campbell’s taking boots that were sent to the boys and selling is not so. His company did request him to resign but it did not avail anything. Capt. [James W.] Campbell is under arrest and has been for about a month. Although he cursed the officers, that was not the charge that was brought against him. The charge found against him was for getting up a petition to remove Col. [Asbury] Steele. The petition was effective but our condition is not bettered for a more tyrannical despot never was than the man who is over us now. He is no more than the personage of Old [Townsend] Ryan.
You stated the report was in circulation that I had caught a man in Co. I asleep on his post, took his gun away from him, and that he was to be shot which I am happy to say is not so for I am clear of wanting any of our men shot, much less to be the instigation of it myself.
I would not be instrumental in killing any secesh if it could be settled without and it seems to me the work is about done. I think the day is beginning to dawn. It is an old saying the darkest hours are before day and I think the campaign is about as dark as it can get.
I believe I have nothing more of any importance to write at present. I am under obligation to tender my sincere thanks to the members of the Institute for the resolutions that came to my notice yesterday and promise to contribute something for your paper the first convenient opportunity for the present/ I slall have to close hoping to hear from you soon. No more at present. Yours truly. — Enoch J. Harker
To B. G. Shinn
N. B. Direct as before. We expect to stay here till we get orders to go back to Indiana. Yes, I am so bothered I forgot to write initials of your name on the envelope and &c. — E. H. Harker
I could not find an image of William but here is Sgt. Moses B. Willis of Co. K, 44th Indiana Infantry. He was killed at Shiloh.
The following letter was written by Sgt. William W. Wright of Co. A, 44th Indiana Infantry. William was 21 years old when he enlisted in August 1861. He died in a St. Louis hospital on 2 March 1862—less than two months after this letter was penned. At the time of the 1860 US Census, William was working as a laborer on the farm of J. H. Chappell of Salem, Steuben county, Indiana.
In his letter, William describes the tramp of the 44th Indiana Infantry from Henderson to Calhoun, Kentucky—a distance of 40 miles—which took them four days due to inclement January weather. They reached Calhoun on 6 January 1862 and went into camp. They remained there until the 15th of January when they relocated to South Carrolton. In February the regiment in the battles of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson, and then later in April in the Battle of Shiloh.
To read letters by other member of the 44th Indiana Infantry published on Spared & Shared, see: Solomon Bean, Co. G, 44th Indiana (2 Letters), and Daniel Rowe, Co. H, 44th Indiana (1 Letter).
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Headquarters, Calhoun, Kentucky January 8th 1862
Dear Brother & Sister,
It is with pleasure that I take my [pen] in hand this pleasant evening to let you know that I am well and hope these few lines will find you the same. Sister, as I am moving about so much, my letters will be short. I don’t know how long we will stay here. We may move in a week and we may not leave in two months. It is hard telling.
We left Henderson [Kentucky] the 2nd day of January for Calhoun and a nice little time we had too. We was five days on the road and four out of the five it rained pretty much all the time. In some places the mud was a—-s—s deep. Please excuse me and don’t let it dash your modesty for I can’t help telling the truth. In short, it was enough to kill a Christian and sister, if we had not been good ones, we never could of stood it. (Don’t let anyone read this.) I feel far different than what I write. It is all forced and unnatural. The question is often asked me why I look so sober and why I do not take part in the games and many sports that the other boys engage. I always answer them carelessly and say that I don’t know anything about it, but this would not satisfy them and I had to change my ways and appear more cheerful. I have plenty of friends, but this is not all. There is something beyond this that looks dark. I will not tell you what it is now, but will change the subject and say a few words in relation to our officers and chaplain.
Col. Hugh B. Reed, 44th Indiana
Our chaplain [G. W. Beeks] is a gentleman and a Christian. Everyone loves him. Our colonel [Hugh B. Reed] is by profession no military man but he is brave, calm, and a patriotic man. He will make a name and achieve a fame that every soldier will be proud of. He will fight and he is the right man in the right place. He is a gentleman and an ornament to society. May God spare his life and return him safe to his home and friends. Our lieutenant-colonel [Baldwin J. Crostweit] is all over a fighting man and will die at his post. Major [Sanford J] Sloughton is a brave man and one that will do honor to his name.
Adjutant [Charles] Case is one of our best men and one that will stand by as long as life shall last. Our boys are true as steel and firm, adamant, and will give a good account of themselves in an action. The night before we left Henderson, a party of rebels attacked our pickets on Post No. 3 and captured two of our men and drove the rest into camp. The men that were taken was a sergeant and a corporal. They haven’t been heard of since. In all probability they are held as prisoners by the rebels. I was on Post No. 2 the same night just below the others with six men but was not disturbed. There was seven shots fired on both sides but don’t know whether there was anyone hurt or not. We are surrounded on all sides by rebels. Our pickets are shot at most every night.
Sister, you will have to excuse this letter. I must go on duty now. I have written this in my tent on my knapsack. It is not written very well but I guess you can read it. Goodbye. Yours in haste, From your loving brother, — Wille
The following letters were written by James Champlin Worden (1818-1863), the son of Gideon Worden Sr. (1777-1858) and Phebe G. Gavet (17xx-1846) of Richmond, Rhode Island, later Plymouth, Chenango county, New York. Among James’ siblings mentioned in this letter are: Gideon Worden Jr. (b. 1811), Lucy (Worden) Harrington (1817-1879), Phebe Delina (Worden) Brown, and Elnora Esther Worden (1849-1883).
I could not find an image of James but here is an unidentified sailor from Ronn Palm’s Collection
James may have served for a time in the US Army in the 1840s but by the mid-1850s he was serving tours of duty in the US Navy. He was finally discharged from the Navy suffering from rheumatism in late July 1861. At that time he was described as 5’8.5″ tall, with dark complexion, light hair and blue eyes. He served for a time on the US Congress.
Both of James’ letters were written while serving aboard the USS Hetzel, a side-wheel steamer built in 1861 at Baltimore, Maryland, for the United States Coast Survey and transferred to the Navy Department 21 August 1861 for duty in the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. She arrived at Newport News, Virginia, 18 November 1861. Her first taste of action came 2 December, when Confederate steamer Patrick Henry stood out into Hampton Roads and engaged several Union gunboats, including Hetzel. The Federal ships succeeded in damaging Patrick Henry in a 2-hour engagement.
Letter 1
US Steamer Hetzel Newport News, Va. November 8, 1861
Dear Brothers & Sisters,
I received your letter on the 25th and I should [have] wrote sooner but I did not know that we should stay here so long as we have. but I expect we shall lay here all winter and so I have take this opportunity to write. I was very much pleased to hear so much news from all of my relations and friends. I was very happy to hear that Gideon attends meetings again.
We are now on picket duty at the mouth of the James river, Virginia, to keep the Rebels from coming down from Richmond and getting out to sea. We had an engagement the other morning which lasted about an hour betwixt the Hetzel (Union) and the Patrick Henry (Rebel) in which there was no lives lost on our side but they kept a long distance from us and their shots did not reach us.
I was glad to hear from Gardner but I don’t know why he should enlist if he is worth so much money. There are encamped at Newport News close where we lay about eight thousand volunteers. We expect soon to go to Norfolk with a strong fleet and storm the place.
We have plenty of oysters here which I believe you would like to have some too. My health is better this winter than it has been for some winters before. I must try to write to you more about the war.
There are 682,000 volunteers, regulars, and sailors now in the service and the 22,000 in the Navy has done more for the country than all the rest. They have blockaded the Southern ports. They have taken—or as good as taken—more principal ports and left them in a state of starvation. Their supplies are cut off on both ocean and river and they cannot hold out much longer. I should like to hear how times are now around you and how much you pay a month for work and how many cows you have milked last summer. I want to hear from Phebe and Sary and how their healths are and of Licy lives on her farm or not. I should like to see you all once more and perhaps I may. If you have heard from Mr. Hal___ from New York, Thomas, let me know how they do. I am very glad you have named the boy after me. I hope I can make him a present when I come home. I should like to see Alice and Charles and also Mary and Martha and Gideon and his family. We have meetings on board our steamer and there has been 2 conversions. You remember what it reads in Isaiah the Prophet that the abundance of the sea that be converted to God. My wages is 27 dollars a month. No more at present. Write as soon as possible. Direct your letter to the US Seamer Hetzel, Old Point Comfort, Va.
Letter 2
Hatteras Inlet, North Carolina January 17, 1862
Dear Brother,
Not having received any letter for a long while and getting tired of waiting, I thought I would write you a few lines to let you know where I am at present. We are now laying at or near Cape Hatteras in Potomac Sound and as lonesome barren place as ever I was in except Cape Horn. There is nothing but sand in sight as far as land is concerned. There are now from 30 to 40 gunboats waiting to go to Elizabeth City to attack the Rebels and sixteen thousand Union soldiers. We have just had a gale of wind and there has been 4 vessels lost besides 6 or 8 men drowned. The loss to the government could not been less than 200,000 dollars but that was nothing to mens lives when they are not prepared to die. 1
We still have meetings three times a week which makes the time pass quite cheerful. My situation is not a very pleasant one, notwithstanding I am very well contented. It is like a school teacher that has 70 or 100 large scholars to look out after. I have some very hard customers to deal with but I have plenty of handcuffs and shackles. Liquor is the cause of all the trouble and if there were no rum, it would be better times in the Navy and Army. I don’t know as you can read this writing. It’s quite dark in the night.
I should like well to receive a letter from you. I want to hear from Phebe and the children, from Lucy, Gideon, Thomas, Mary and Sary and all my dear relations and friends. If you have heard again from Gardner, let me know how he is getting along. I don’t get any news here and I don’t know how the war is going along. My mind is on things of more importance than warfare. If we were all good soldiers of the cross, our country would be at perfect unity. I wish you would direct me a letter as follows:
Mr. James C. Worden on board the US Steamer Hetzel, Hatteras Inlet, N. C.
If I had any news to write, I would write willingly. But as I han’t, I well close. I remain your friend and Brother, — James C. Worden
1 James description of the fleet of gunboats inside the bar at Hatteras Inlet is a reference to the Burnside Expedition which sailed from Hampton Roads on the 11th of January 1862. The gale occurred on the night of 12 January. Among the vessels lost or severely damaged were the Zouave, the City of New York, the Pocahontas, the Louisiana, and the New Brunswick.
This letter was written by Nancy Caroline Murphy (1836-1916), the daughter of Hiram Byrd Murphy (1807-1889) and Elizabeth Jackson (1812-1908) of Sharp Top, Cherokee county, Georgia. Nancy later (1877) married Francis (“Frank”) Marion Moss (1854-1926). In her letter, Nancy writes of her three younger brothers in the Confederate service, John “Franklin” Murphy (1838-1862), Isaac “Martin” Murphy (b. 1843), and “William” Lial Murphy (1843-1867). She also refers to her older sister, Julia Murphy (1831-1923), the wife of Pearson Lumpkin Worley (1831-1919).
Franklin (“J. F.”) Murphy served as a private in Co. D, Phillips’ Legion (Georgia Infantry). Co. D—known as “Polk’s Rifles” was with the regiment in the battle on 14 September 1862 at Fox’s Gap on South Mountain (Southerners referred to this as the Battle of Boonsboro). An 1863 death claim filed by Franklin’s wife, Phebe Ann (Worley) Murphy, states that Franklin was wounded and taken prisoner in the battle and died at Baltimore in captivity in late October 1862.
Serving in the same regiment with his brother, Isaac Martin Murphy was wounded in the back at the Battle of Sharpsburg and taken prisoner. He was exchanged at Fort Monroe on 13 October 1862 and furloughed home. He never returned to his regiment.
As stated in the letter, William Murphy served in Co. B, 34th Georgia. Accepting a bounty of $50, William enlisted in May 1862. He was taken a POW at Vicksburg on 4 July 1863 and paroled shorty afterward. He died young, however, in 1867.
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Cherokee County State of Georgia April 5, 1863
Miss Susan A. Hart,
Dear cousin, after a long delay, I seat myself to write you a few lines which if received, will inform you that we are all in tolerable health, hoping this will reach you enjoying the best of health. I reckon I will surprise you as think you have almost forgotten me. I thought I would write to you one more time & perhaps cause you to think of me again.
We have very cold weather for the season. The spring is uncommon late here. There is not a bud to be seen in the woods almost. Everything appears dull and lifeless. Times is very hard here as provision is very scarce.
I reckon you have heard that my brothers is all gone to the army as brother Martin saw your cousin Tucker at Richmond. Brother Franklin was either killed or captured at the battle of Boonsboro the 14th of September last & has not been heard from since. We think he was killed in the battle. He left a wife & two little children. Brother Martin was wounded at the battle of Sharpsburg the 17th September. They was falling back when he was shot in the back, the ball passing through his cartridge belt, glancing down bruising his right lung and lodged in his right side & could not be taken out. He was taken prisoner & stayed with the Yankees one month. He was paroled & came to Richmond. He came home in November & has not been able to go back since. I don’t think he will ever be able for the service any more.
Brother William is at Vicksburg, Mississippi, in the 34 Regiment Ga. Vols. We received a letter from him last week. He was well but suffering for something to eat. Cousin, I need not say anything about my troubles for this war brings troubles for all. I think the time has come when all flesh shall mourn. Life is uncertain & death is sure.
Cousin Susan, I want you to write me & tell me about your brother & cousin, I guess, children and all the news that you think would interest me. Sister Julia sends her love to you all. Susan sends howdy to you and says tell Mother that she has not forgotten her. Mother says tell your mother she often thinks of her and would [like] to smoke with her. Cousin, I wish I could send you and cousin Betsy a large potato that growed in Georgia as we have then plenty, e and mother has some new dresses in the loom. They are bark dye.
My hand is trembling. You must excuse bad writing, My pen is bad and my paper no better. So no more. I am as ever, your sincere cousin, — Nancy Caroline Murphy
N. B. I forgot to say that Mr. Bishop is not gone to the war He is over the age for the conscript. Julia’s husband has been discharged & never went to the army on account of his being deaf in one ear.
The following letters were written by Pvt. John W. Lund (1837-1863) who enlisted on 18 September 1861 at Sodus, Wayne county, New York to serve in Co. C, 8th New York Cavalry. He was killed on 9 June 1863 in the fighting at Beverly Ford, Virginia.
John’s parents were English emigrants John Lund (1797-1875) and Helen Lund (1799-1854) of Sodus. At the time these letters were written, John’s father was employed as a shoemaker in Pultneyville.
Assault on Beverly’s Ford Road: Morning Attack of the 8th Illinois Cavalry at Brandy Station Keith Rocco
Letter 1
I could not find an image of John but here is one of Charles H. Beach who served in Co. F, 8th New York Cavalry. (Andrew German Collection)
Washington December 16, 1861
Dear Father and Friends,
I now take my pen in hand to write a few lines to you that I ought to have done before but have not been able for I have been in the hospital most of the time that we have been here. I caught a very bad cold before we left Rochester and I did not feel very well on the way here. We left Rochester two weeks ago last Thursday. We was two days and most of the third nights on the way. When we arrived here, we was taken to a large house what they called the soldier home and gave us some dry bread and coffee and our bed was the soft side of the floor but I did not stay there but one night. The next day I broke out with the measles and had to go to the hospital and the next day there was two more came with the same complaint. One of them was from Marion and the other from Williamson. It was rather a hard place for there was no one there that cared whether we lived or died but two of us got out alive. But the one from Williamson was brought out a corpse. His name was Elijah Dumalt. When we came away, he appeared to be getting along very well but the next news we got he was dead. He died last Friday and on Saturday he was laid in the ground. But they expect his folks will have him sent home. There was one soldier died the next day after we got here. He was taken with the measles soon after we left Rochester. He belonged to Company D from Seneca Falls.
But we are in camp and I feel pretty well. We are encamped about one mile from Washington. We live in canvas tents with about fifteen of us in one tent. We have no furniture except our beds and they cover all of the floor when they are spread out, which is a ground floor. Each tent has to do their own cooking so we are all cooks and take turns in cooking. All we have to cook is beef, pork and beans, potatoes, and rice with all the tea and coffee that we want. We have no table to eat on. We take our plate and sit down on a stick of wood or anything that we can find. We have no stove to cook with. We drive down two crotched sticks and lay in a pole, build our fires and hang on our kettles. We don’t bake our bread. We have the nest kind of baker’s bread dealt out to us every day. This is the way that we live and a pretty coarse way too.
There has been a great deal of talk about our being discharged and it is not decided yet whether we shall or not. We have not got our horses yet, nor anything to defend ourselves with if the enemy should make an attack on us. If we get discharged, we shall soon be home.
The weather is very pleasant here. We have not had any snow or rain since we have been here. But I must stop. Excuse poor writing for I write with a piece of board across my knee and sit on a stick of wood. From your well wisher, — J. W. Lund
Write as soon as you get this. Direct to J. W. Lund, Washington D. C., 8th New York Cavalry, Co. C.
Letter 2
Camp Selden January 5, 1862
Dear Brother,
I now take the opportunity of writing a few lines to you to inform you that I have gone to try the soldier’s life but I find it is rather a hard life. But I think we shall get discharged by the first of April if not before. I enlisted the 19th of September. We was in Rochester about two months. Then we left for Washington. We are encamped about three miles from the Capitol. I have been sick most of the time since we have been here, I caught a very bad cold before we left Rochester. I had to go to the hospital the next day after we arrived here with the measles with a number of othres. Some eight or nine have died since we have been here but I had the good luck to get out alive. I have got to be tough and hearty now and feel first rate.
We live in canvas tents. They are round with a center pole in the middle. They are about sixteen feet in diameter without any floor except the ground. We have a small stove in the center and our beds around hte outside which is the extent of our furniture. But we have got a floor in our tent. We went about two miles and tore down a board fence and laid us a floor so we are a little better off than the rest. Our beds consist of one tick apiece and one blanket. But the good folks of Sodus got up a lot of blankets so the Sodus boys got an extra one. We have to go down in the woods and scrape up leaves to fill our ticks.
We have our rations dealt out to us every two days so we have to make calculation to make them hold out, but we get enough to eat, such as it is. Pork and beans, beef, potatoes, rice, tea, sugar, and coffee with the best of baker’s bread. There is fifteen of us in a tent so you can judge we are pretty thick. We have to take turns in doing our cooking. We don’t have any table to eat off of. We take our plate and sit down on our beds to eat. We cannot afford to have a table for lumber is scarce. The cheapest that we can get in worth four dollars a hundred.
We have had very pleasant weather since we have been here. There was about one inch of snow fell last night—the first we have had this winter, but it is thawing very fast today. New Year’s Day was more like the Fourth of July than anything else. It was warm and dusty.
I received a letter from Pultneyville a few days ago and they said that you was not coming out till next spring. I think you will have work enough to do next summer. I want you to put up a house for me if I don’t come back. i have got the cellar wall and the underpinnings up. The cellar is 16 by 24. That is the size of the wing. The upright is 18 by 26. I paid 25 dollars for the laying of the wall. I have got the frame and most of the rough lumber. I shall cover it with pine siding. It is a balloon frame and will want to be sided up as soon as it is up. I can get fine siding for 15 dollars a thousand all ready to put on. If I don’t get back by spring, I will write the particulars but I must stop for I have got to get dinner. So no more.
Letter 3
Camp Selden Washington D. C. February 17th, 1862
Sister,
I now take the opportunity of writing a few lines to inform you of my whereabouts and what abouts. We are on Camp Selden yet and I think we shall stay here until we get our discharge. I received your letter last Saturday which was long looked for. It was the third letter than I have had since we have been here. I had about made up my mind not to write any more. It does me a great deal of good to hear from you. I am in good health now except a very bad cold which I have had for a few days. But I have got about over it now. But there is a great deal of sickness in the regiment. There has forty-five died out of this regiment since we have been here. The physician that we have had did not know anything about his business. He got his discharge last week and left. Te Colonel has resigned his commission. He resigned to save his being throwed out. He found out that he would not bear inspection. He would go down town and get so drunk that he would have to be helped off his horse when he came in camp. I think we shall not want any other colonel for we are having so many union victories that they will whip the Sout out before we get ready to fight. There has been seven regiments ordered over the river. They have been waiting for the mud to dry up. One regiment that was encamped close by us has gone over today.
We may be back in Rochester in the course of twenty days. There will be something done with us before long but you must not look for me for it is uncertain when we shall come. We are enjoying ourselves now. We have got a cook stove in our tent so we can do our cooking in the tent.
I shall not begrudge the time that I have spent in war if we get back this spring for I have seen many wonderful things and places. I have been through the Capitol. It is a small house in Washington covering three and a half acres of land. The United State Patent Office is another wonderful institution. It is about as large as the Capitol. Besides a great many other wonderful places too numerous to mention. But I must stop for this time.
From John W. Lund.
Direct to J. W. Lund, Washington D. C., 8th N. Y. Cavalry, Co. C
You must not forget to put the letter of our company on.
Letter 4
Edwards Ferry March 13th 1862
Sister, I now take the time of writing a few lines to you to let you know that I am yet alive and well. I received your letter and was glad to hear from you. We have had quite a change since I last wrote. We received orders last Saturday about noon that we was to move that night for Poolesville, Maryland. So we had to move around to get our provision ready. We had not time to cook. We put up raw pork and bread. We left our camp at four o’clock. We had to march six miles. Then we got aboard of the canal boats and went up the river to Edward’s Ferry about thirty miles from Washington. Poolesville is five miles back from the river but we did not go there. We stopped at Edward’s Ferry and pitched our tents. We was about two days on the way. The canal follows the Potomac river up on the Maryland side.
We received orders the same day that we landed that we was going to be put on the towpath of the canal to guard the canal and keep the rebels from cutting breaks in it so we was equipped with carbines and the next day three companies went down the river and three went up ten miles each way. The other stayed at Edward’s Ferry. There is but nine companies in our regiment now. One of our companies left and has gone into the artillery service. Co. C, H, and I went down the river. We arrived here last night and pitched our tents but I do not know as there is any name for the place. I have not heard of one yet. Edward’s Ferry is about three miles from Ball’s Bluff. You will remember the battle that was fought there where there was so many of the northern men killed. I with a few others went up there last Tuesday to take a view of the place. The rebels has all left there. They have left Manassas Junction which is a few miles from here. They left Leesburg last Friday which lays about five miles from Edward’s Ferry. There is not a rebel within thirty miles of here. They are falling back very fast. We hear that the war will not last but a short time now.
But I must stop for this time for the mail will soon be gone. Direct to J. W. Lund, Poolesville, Maryland, 8th N. Y. V. Cavalry, Co. C
Excuse poor writing and bad spelling for everything is done in a hurry.
Letter 5
Stevenson’s Depot Charlestown, Virginia April 23, 1862
Brothers & Sisters & Friends,
I now take my pen in hand to write you a few lines. I expected to have been bak to Sodus by this time when I last wrote but we have got some prtty smart officers in our regiment. They keep us guarding canals and railroads for their large pay. The 7th and 9th have been discharged and we would have been if our officers had not played smart. I can say that I am tough and hearty and enjoy myself on small wages. We are now guarding the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad from Charlestown to Winchester, Virginia. We left the canal about three weeks ago and went to Harper’s Ferry. We was there one week. We then had to march about thirty miles to where we are now encamped at Stevenson’s Depot, five miles from Winchester. We are living in a large house that a secesh has left and is in the rebel army. We are in a secesh country but they are all in the army except old men, women, boys and negroes, and the negroes are running away very fast.
We have pretty good times by going out into the country and calling on the women about dinner time and taking dinner with them. They use us first rate until we begin talking against their army. We then have to make tracks.
Most of General Jackson’s army was raised around here. He was drove from here a few weeks ago. You have probably heard of the Winchester Battle. He is about thirty miles from here now and pretty well surrounded by the Union troops. They took sixty-one of his cavalry prisoners a few days ago and sent them to Washington. They stopped here as they went down the railroad. Our duty is not very hard. Each company has to guard three miles of the road. There is eight detailed out of each company a day to guard three miles. Each company is encamped at the center of their beat. We have to march over the road once every six hours, four of us going each way, making a march of three miles at a time. We come in about every third day. I am on today and so I thought I would write. I received your letter of April 8th while we was at Harper’s Ferry. I have not received a letter from Holland. I would like to hear whether you had any trouble in collecting those notes of Mallory. If you did, I would send you money to make the payment to Smith. Let me know in your next letter.
Virginia is a very fine country. There is a great deal of wheat sown and it looks fine. Peaches and apples are all in blossom. Wages are very high. They offer one dollar per day steady work until harvest and twenty shillings through harvest. If we get discharged, most of our regiment would stay and go to work.
Letter 6
Patriotic Heading on John’s Stationery
Harper’s Ferry, Virginia May 27, 1863
Brother & Sister,
I now take the opportunity of writing a few lines to inform you that I am well and in the land of the living although I am pretty sore and lame with the effects of a long retreat. Last Saturday our regiment was ordered to Winchester to reinforce General Banks who was retreating from Strasburg, that the enemy was after him on double quick. We arrived at Winchester on Saturday night about the time that Banks came in. They were very much cut up and lost a great many of their supply wagons. [See First Battle of Winchester, 25 May 1863]
Everything was quiet through the night but at daylight on Sunday morning, the enemy commenced throwing shells into the town. We made a stand on the outside of the town and kept them out until about eight o’clock when we found they were too strong for us. They were about 30,000 strong and we had but about ten. We had to retreat on double quick, every man for himself. The bullets flew around our heads like swarms of bees. I saw out our captain fall with a great many others. I believe our Lieutenant Brown is safe. He is in Maryland, up the river from us. The rebels chased us about five miles, throwing the bomb shells after us. They are not very pleasant things to have bursting over one’s head.
We met about six thousand coming to reinforce us five miles out of town but it was too late. They had to retreat. We marched about forty miles that day. Arrived at Harper’s Ferry about eight o’clock. We lost all that we had. A great many threw their guns away. I lost my satchel and all the clothes I had. I had some pictures taken that I intended to send to you. I sent one to Lucy the day before we went to Winchester but the rebels has got the rest. We have made a stand on Bolivar Heights one mile from the Ferry. We have been reinforced thirty thousand so if they come here, we will give them fits and if they do not come soon, we shall follow them.
I received your letter yesterday. Was glad to hear from you. Tell Bill Cowley that I did not buy that land of him. I set the fence where the man staked out the line that I bought off it. He has not got as much land as he expected. It is his loss, not mine. He will be some older before I move the fense.
Letter 7
Relay House, Maryland July 17th 1862
Brother and Sister and Friends,
I now take the opportunity of writing a few lines in answer to the letter received from you last Friday. I had been looking for one a long time before it come. I wrote to Lucy about two weeks ago about the time we arrived here from Harper’s Ferry. I stated in it that we expected our horses by the first of July and sure enough, they came—horses for five companies only—A, B, C, D, and E are mounted and equipped with new sabers and revolvers, We have got a fine lot of horses and good equipments. All we want now is to get our horses trained. Then we will go and see the rebeks again. There is four companies to be mounted yet. They expect their horses every day. When they get them, we shall probably move o Baltimore or Annapolis to drill as the drilling ground is too small here for the regiment to drill on.
We have given up all hopes of coming home now until the close of the war as they have made a call for so many more men and many of us may never get home alive. Our quartermaster was sent home a week ago in a coffin. He appeared to be as tough as any of us but he was taken with the brain fever and died in less than a week. He lived a few miles south of Newark. There is quite a number sick in the hospital with the scarlet fever but we have got a good doctor and they are getting along first rate. We may die in the hospital or we may be cut up by the rebels and we may get through all safe. We cannot tell what will be our fate. But we must take things as they come.
Among all the good things, we have got a new colonel. He took command of the regiment yesterday. He was a captain of the regular army. He appears to be a very fine man. His name is Davis. You stated that I was needed at home to be getting along with the house. I would like t be there but I suppose that I am needed more here. I would like to have the house put up and enclosed this summer if no more in order to save what is done. I would risk but what Holland could put it up to suit me. I intended to put it up plain and cheap for sale or o let, but as things are now, I do not think I can afford to have it done for thirteen dollars a month is a slow way of making money. If Charles Munson wants that lumber, he can have it for just what I paid. I paid 4 dollars a thousand. I do not think that I would like to lend it to him.
We did not have much of anything to do on the Fourth of July. We did not leave camp. It was rather a dull day to us, but I must close for this time. If we leave here soon, I will let you know. The Relay House is within nine miles of Baltimore and 31 miles of Washington. I am tough and hearty and weigh 155 pounds. That is as heavy as ever I weighed so you can judge whether soldiering agrees with me or not. Yours truly, in haste. — J. W. Lund
Letter 8
Hagerstown, Maryland September 27th 1862
Brother & Sister & Friends,
I now take the opportunity of writing a few lines to you, the first that I have had in a month. I wrote to Lucy a week ago but it was written on horseback. You have probably seen it. We have once more come into camp for the purpose of recruiting up our horses as they are pretty badly run down and we have got to have a new supply of team horses and wagons, harness and drivers as the Rebs captured all we had at Harper’s Ferry. I think that I wrote all the particulars in the letter that I wrote to Lucy about our escape from the ferry. We left some thirteen of our boys and Lieutenant John [W.] Brown in the hospital who are prisoners. Some of them are from Sodus—Morrill [D.] Seymour, teamster, William Shavor, Eli Allen. But we have had their places filled up with new recruits since we came here and we expect a number more from York State before we leave here.
Our 2nd Lieutenant is all the officer that we have now. Our captain supposed that he was exchanged when he came to us but he was only paroled and cannot be with us until he is exchanged. But our 2nd Lieutenant is a good officer and is liked much better than the 1st. His name is Fred Clemons from Palmyra. Brown is a good officer in camp where there is no danger of cannon balls, but when we are on the advance of the enemy, he is found towards the rear of the company instead of being where it has tried a man’s courage.
Since we have left the Relay House, we have got a colonel who is not afraid of anything that comes before him. If it had not been for him, we would have been prisoners now and the rebs would have been riding our horses. The old traitor, Col. Miles, would not give his consent to let us leave the Ferry but Col. Davis took leave and left after dark the night before he surrendered. We have been in a number of skirmishes and made some charges on the rebs and have not lost but one man. We lost him the night we left the Ferry. Some of our horses have been wounded.
John Brown was taken very sick the Sunday that we left the Ferry as he expected there was going to be a battle that day and he wanted to get out of it but he is a paroled prisoner now. Our doctor arrived here last night. He said that as soon as Brown was paroled, ge got up and took his valice on his back and started for Frederick on foot, some 18 miles. He got over his sickness pretty quick. He also brought the news that Eli Allen was dead and buried. He died very sudden. His folks has probably heard of it. He wanted to be sent home but as there was no one to look after him, he was buried in the lonesome hole of Harper’s Ferry.
But I must stop for the want of paper. The report is now that we are going to be McClellan’s body guard when we start again. From — J. W. Lund
Letter 9
Belle Plains, Va. December 11th 1862
Brother & Sister,
Again I take the opportunity of writing a few lines to let you know that I am well and in the land of the living yet. I should have written before now but it is rather an inconvenient place here to write and have put it off. I think I have received all of your letters although some have been rather late. I wrote a few lines to Lucy some time last month. We were then in Warrenton but our headquarters are now at Belle Plains. It is about 5 miles from Fredericksburg. We are now doing picket duty on the Rappahannock below Fredericksburg. We have not had any fighting since we left Warrenton but we are expecting a large battle in a few days as there is any quantity of rebs on the other side of the river. We have exchanged papers with their pickets and traded sugar and coffee for tobacco as it is a scarce article with them and tobacco with us. I don’t know as I can write anything about the war as you know more about it than we do here. It is not very often that we get a newspaper without our friends send them to us. I received a paper from Lucy last week but I could scarcely get a chance to see it for the whole company had to see it.
We have had some snow here and very cold weather but it is quite pleasant now—but not very pleasant soldiering for we have not had as much as a shelter tent since we came into Virginia. But hard fare will not kill what is left of us or we should have been dead long ago. You wrote that John Balch said he was sick of a soldier’s life. He has not seen any of it yet. Let them follow the 8th Cavalry where they have been for the past three months and they will know something about soldier’s life. I suppose their regiment is exchanged. They will probably have a chance to try it. We have not got a commissioned officer in our company yet. Our Captain and 2nd Lieutenant have got sick of it and resigned, going home and left us. If John Brown is at home, he had better stay there damned coward will get booted out of the company if he comes back. Our Captain is not much better, but our 2nd Lieutenant was a bully boy. We regret losing him but he resigned on the account of his health.
But I must stop for this time. Susan must read this for an answer to her letter and I will write her another time. We are yet the 8th New York Cavalry in Gen. [Alfred] Pleasonton’s Brigade, Gen. Sumner’s Corps. We expect to get home by next spring. I think I shall come on a furlough if not a discharge. From — J. W. Lund
Letter 10
Belle Planes, Va. January 4, 1863
As I received your letter last night and found paper and stamp, I thought it must be answered. We are now encamped at Belle Plains where we intend to make our winter quarters, We have been here since the Battle of Fredericksburg with the exception of one week we left here last Sunday night on a cavalry raid with Gen. Averell’s Brigade and returned last night. Our first trip was to Warrenton about 45 miles from here. We made a charge into the town the night before New Years. We found a small force of the reb’s cavalry in town but they left as soon as they found we were coming. We cheated them out of their New Year’s dinner that the citizens was getting up for them and took it ourselves. We made some heavy charges on their fresh meats and bee hives and left the next morning for Catlett’s Station and so round home. We expect to go on another in a day or two. I cannot think of anything more to write today so it will be rather a short letter for this time.
I received a letter from Lucy a few days ago and a paper which I shall have to answer in a few days. I would liked a piece of your roast [ ] but it is impossible as we are soldiers now but I hope we shall be out of it by the next Christmas Day that comes round.
We have now got shelter tents and have built log shanties. Some are pretty well sheltered from the weather now. It is just warm and pleasant but I must close for this time as the boys have got a dish of pork and beans for dinner and they are almost ready. I would like you to send me some postage stamps as they are very scarce here. From yours truly, — J. W. Lund
Letter 11
Camp near Stafford Court House March 2, 1863
I again have the opportunity of writing a few lines in answer to your last letter which was duly received. We have now left our winter camp for good, arriving here about a week ago. But we do not expect to stay here but a short time. We have had another raid after the reb General [J. E. B.] Stuart but as usual, he has got through safe and sound. Last Thursday morning about 1 o’clock, news came to camp that our pickets had been driven in and we was to saddle our horses and prepare for a chase. Of course we crawled out, saddled our horses and got into line. The order was given by twos, march. The column then moved although it was so dark that we could not see our file leader. We could only hear them splashing in the mud for we had just had a very bad snow storm and it was just thawing out so that mud is no name for it. But at daylight we arrived at Gen. Averell’s Headquarters where we joined his brigade with the rest of Pleasanton’s and twelve pieces of light artillery. We then started up the Rappahannock to cut off the rebs retreat.
Averell’s Brigade was to drive them and Pleasanton’s was to cut their retreat but Mr. Stuart was too smart for us. He had captured one squadron of the 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry who was on picket and got out of our reach with the exception of a few of his rear guard who were captured. We arrived in camp on Saturday night with our horses pretty much played out.
You stated in your last letter that you expected to leave Father’s place and if I was there you could help me build my house and live in it. I don’t think that I shall be there but if Father will advance a hundred and fifty dollars for me, you can put it up and finish a part of it so that you can live in it. I will try and pay you for the work as fast as Uncle Sam pays me. He is owing us four months pay now which we expect this month. If you undertake it, I will send you thirty or forty dollars in advance and you will have to hire some. I will send you fifty dollars in this letter which is due on the place and the interest I will send by the time it is due. But I must stop for this time.
You must write as soon as you receive this for I shall want to know whether it has gone through safe or not. And let me know whether Father can let me have the money or not. Most truly, — J. W. Lund
Letter 12
Camp near Stafford Court House March 28th, 1863
Brother & Sister & friends,
I now take the opportunity of writing a few lines in answer to your letter of the 15th. I have just returned to camp from the company who are on picket about fifteen miles from camp. We expect them in tonight as the 8th Pennsylvania has gone out to relieve them. I do not have any picket duty to do as I now belong to the regimental supply mule train. I have thought some of coming home this spring on a furlough but as we cannot get a pass for longer than 10 days, I thought it would not pay so I have given it up. I think it will be about 18 months before I shall come, if I should be so lucky as to come at all for I do not see as the war is any nearer to a close than it was a year ago.
We have expected our pay before this time so that I could have sent you some more money but we have been disappointed. You stated that you thought Smith could let me have the money. There is, I believe, one hundred dollars due on the land yet. If he will let you have two hundred and give a deed and take a mortgage of three hundred on the place for about three years, I think it would work. If not. let it go to the devil. If the fences wants any repairs, do it and charge it to myself. About that picket fence, if Bill will let it stand until I come back, I will make it right with him. If he will not, you can move it.
I would like you to find out whether there is a young man around there by the name of William Shavor who belonged to this company. He was taken prisoner at Harper’s Ferry. I have understood that he was discharged. If you find him, ask him if he remembers of my lending him five dollars at that Relay House. If he does, tell him that I have appointed you collector and he can pay it to you. Have you got Bill Mallory’s notes collected yet? I guess not. No such good luck as that. I have got through taking notes.
I received Susan’s letter with the postage stamps but the hymn book I have not received yet. Someone has probably got it that it will do more good than it would me. The letter that you sent before the last with the comb in I have not seen it yet. They are the first that has missed coming. So I must close for this time. Yours truly, — J. W. Lund
Letter 13
Potomac Station, Va. May 16, 1863
I suppose that you are now looking for a few lines. I will therefore try and write a few. We are now encamped at the Potomac Station on the railroad running from Acquia Creek to Falmouth about three miles from Falmouth. I am enjoying the best of health although it is getting pretty warm weather here now for a York stater. I suppose that you have read of the great battle that Old Joe [Hooker] has been having but probably it has not all been true. I suppose that he is claiming a victory but I cannot see it. He made a good beginning by crossing the river and drawing the rebs out of their breastworks but there he stopped. Their reinforcements came on and Old Joe made tracks back across the river. We can now see long trains of ambulances carrying the wounded from the rebel army. That does not look much like a victory on our side. I have given up all hopes of ever whipping the South back into the Union for I cannot see but they can stand the war as well as the North.
The 17th and 27th & 33rd New York Regiments started for home yesterday morning, their time being out. In about sixteen months you may look for the 8th New York Cavalry—what is left of them. We had about ninety in our company when we left Rochester but we now report about thirty and half of them are new recruits.
But I received your letter which stated that Father said he would furnish the material to put up the house. If he will accommodate me to have it put up this summer for I think it will be about two years before I could do it myself. If I should never come home he will have to take the house for his pay. You wanted to know how I wanted it done. I have almost forgot myself for the style of work and material. You can take the widow Mrs. Collins’. I think that I calculated the windows the same size as hers. I think you can tell where the windows and doors are coming by the mortises in the foundation, if they are not rotted out. The cellar stairs I intended to go down out of the buttery, the same as Mr. Smith does for patrons.
It will suit me if you do not get it exactly as I intended it if you can make it work. If you undertake it, I want you should let me know how you want to do it. You can do it by the day or take it by the job and how much. I will send you forty dollars in this letter which you can have in advance if you do it. If not, I want you should salt it down for me. I do not want no man’s note for it. I think that I have wrote all that I can think of at present. — J. W. Lund
A few lines to Louisa.
Miss Louisa, it was with pleasure that I read those few lines which you wrote me. I did not think that you was so far advanced in writing. I think it was done well. I should like to be there to some of your celebrations. I think you are having pretty nice times. You must go to school and study. Get a good education. It is what will make you great when you are a grown up. I will send you and CHarley a little book to read from the Army of the Potomac. So no more. You must write again. From — J. W. Lind
The following diary was kept by James Houser Bolens (1843-1921), the son of Lewis J. Bolens (1819-1860) and Rebecca Houser (1825-1855) of Lewisburg township, Preble county, Ohio. At the time of the 1860 US Census, 16 year-old James, recently orphaned, was employed as a day laborer on the farm of Henry Young near Eaton, Ohio. A year later, 17 year-old James enlisted as a private in Co. F, 17th Indiana Volunteers. On 11 November 1862 he was taken prisoner at Silver Springs, Tennessee by Gen. John Hunt Morgan’s men and later paroled and sent to Camp Chase, Ohio, where he was exchanged. He was wounded at the Battle of Hoover’s Gap, Tennessee, on 24 June 1863 and also wounded at Pumpkin Vine, Georgia, in the same year. He was discharged from the service on 8 August 1865 and settled in Logonier, Indiana, where he earned a living as a farmer and merchant. He died at Oxford Retreat (an asylum for the insane) in August 1921.
I could not find an image of Bolens as a young man but here is one of Jackson Lewis who served in Co. I, 17th Indiana Mounted Infantry (Jed Bryan Collection)
The 17th Indiana was organized in Indianapolis in May 1861 under Gen. Milo Hascall and arrived at Parkersburgh on July 1. “In 1862 it moved to the West under Lt. Col. John T. Wilder where it gained the reputation as the most feared unit in the Union Army.” Later in the war—early in 1863—the 17th Indiana was mounted and became part of Wilder’s Lightning Brigade, known for its swiftness and endurance. The units that comprised the brigade were the 17th and 72nd Indiana Infantry Regiment, the 92nd, 98th, and 123rd Illinois Infantry Regiments, and the 18th Indiana Battery of Light Artillery that was commanded by Capt. Eli Lilly of Indianapolis. Because they were issued hatchets instead of sabers for close, hand to hand combat, they were sometimes called the “Hatchet Brigade.” Bolen’s diary informs us that on 16 May, 1863, his company was issued Spencers Rifles to replace their old Enfields. These Spencer rifles could fire seven shots without reloading within about 15 seconds, giving them a superior advantage over the enemy.
[Note: This diary is from the personal collection of Greg Herr and was transcribed and published on Spared & Shared by express consent.]
Camp of the 17th Indiana at Parkersburgh, Va. (Indiana Memory).
Transcription
Front page of Bolen’s Diary
James H. Bolens Co. F, 17th Regt. Indiana Vols Mounted Infantry Wilder Brigade Huntsville, Alabama December 9, 1863
MARCH 1863
1—Commence my diary keeping an account of every day’s proceedings. Out with forage train. Were out two days. got on a [ ] of corn and fodder.
2—[Lander and John Conley] came to regiment. They look well. Drum a fellow of the 75th Indiana for conduct unbecoming a soldier and gentleman.
3—Regiment out on scout. I stay in camp and go on picket. Weather fine and pleasant. Reading March number of Atlantic Monthly. No letters.
4—Cold and clear. Pay 15 cents for a little apple. Cheap. Tremendous rain all night. We get a small ducking. Full bad after one drenching.
5—Showery. Rain most all day. Buy biscuits 30 cents a dozen. Worth 5 at home. Reading and writing letters. Nothing of importance.
Lt. George Hayden, Co. F, 17th Indiana
6—Showery. Laying in my bunk. Reading Independent, [ ], and other religious documents. Have a fine chat with Lieut. [George] Hayden.
7—Go on picket. Out as vidette on the Manchester Pike and Woodbury Pike. Very particular post on ahead of style. 3 gay, festive fellows.
8—Came off picket 8:30 o’clock. Had a fine time. Was at Triune, Carthage, Rome and [ ]. Brought in a number of prisoners. Had several small skirmishes.
9—Start for Woodbury. Get there 2 p.m. Co. F has a grand fight. Hand to hand encounter with the rebs. They cover themselves with glory.
10—1st Sergt. Wm. B. Edwards captured yesterday. He fought them like a hero. Bill Wright had his gun shot off. Some of us have sore heads from our hand to hand affair yesterday.
11—In camp writing letters to Uncle Joel. Bad time for horses. Have scratches and [ ] heal. Policing quarters. Fixing up camp. No letters today.
12—On guard. At the commissary guarding commissary stores. Plenty of grub. We go out on scout soon.
13—In camp. Pleasant day. we go out on scout tomorrow for horses. Scouts organizing under the supervision of Sergt. who killed [Col.] John A[ugustine] Washington.
14—Regiment starts out on scout for horses. I ride a mule. [Christan] Mangold’s mule make a charge through company and sends him whirling to the mud.
15—Charge on some Rebs. Make then get up. Capture some prisoners. Camp on Stones river for the night.
16—Start for camp early after eating a good breakfast. Make an imposing display as we march through town. I have a fine horse, formerly Lieut. Hayden’s.
17—In camp at 6 p.m. last night. Down to the creek and take a fine wash. Reading. Time passes off pleasantly. Bunk mate [Michael] Cavenaugh on guard.
18—To town in forenoon. Have fine time. On picket at 2:30 p.m. Lieut. Hayden in command co. Capt. [John R.] Fiscus on duty in camp.
19—Still on picket. Reading Union Press and other periodicals. Came in camp 4 p.m. and unsaddle, curry our horses.
20—In camp. Like spring. Beautiful. The violets and other posies. We wait for the putting forth of the beautiful leaves.
21—Still in camp. On fatigue duty at town. Loading commissary stores. Beautiful day.
William Morton Faulconer, Co. A, 8th Kentucky Cavalry—a member of Morgan’s Confederate Cavalry Division. Faulconer was captured in Morgan’s Ohio Raid later in 1863. (Rob Morgan Collection)
22—Sunday. In camp. Hall’s Brigade fights Morgan near Milton [See Battle of Milton, also known as Battle of Vaught’s Hill, on 20 March 1863] Thrashes him badly. Morgan’s loss three hundred men.
23—In camp on fatigue. Hauling provisions from headquarters for regiment. Reading in afternoon. Having good time in general.
24—In camp writing and reading. No news of importance. policing quarters. “All is quiet on the Potomac.”
25—Regiment out on a 5 days scout. Have a fine time. Camp at Franklin. Have a fine time with Granger’s boys. Captured a number of horses.
26—Scouting and scouring the country for bushwhackers. Scouts came up on some but did not get to fire at them.
27—Start for camp. In camp 9 p.m. Clean clothing, cavalry jackets. Grand Review tomorrow.
28—On Grand Review. Make a splendid display of Mounted Infantry. Drill. We being the only mounted infantry MI army first started by Col. Wilder—inventor of mounted infantry.
29—On picket all night on the Manchester Pike. All quiet. Rebs not stirring much. Reading Byron.
30—Off picket. Inspection and drill forenoon. Regiment goes on a scout. Cold snow squall.
31—Brigade on Grand Review by Jaj. Gen. Rosecrans. Five Divisions. Generals Garfield, Reynolds. & Thomas present. Rosy gives us great praise. Says we will make a good fight.
The month of March spent in numerous scouts, several small fights, and grand reviews. Inspections & drills. Army of the Potomac spend all their time in reviews and no fighting, but we manage to do a little.
APRIL 1863
1—Wednesday morn., start out on scout. 10 days. Camp at burnt bridge. Get a number of fine horses. Have fine time. All goes pleasant.
2—Scouting around the country. Get a few prisoners and some horses. Get some bridles.
3—Pleasant time. Capture a lot of Rebs. Camp at Rome on Cumberland river. Boys get too much whiskey. Bad.
4—Camp at Carthage. Have a hard fight with them. Skirmishing and dashing. Killed several Rebs and loss is small considering our chance.
5—Scouring the country, capturing a number of horses and a number of Morgan’s men. Boys got some ham. Have fine time with ladies.
6—Sharp fight with the rebels toward McMinnville. They won’t stand. Travel on tops of mountains. Beautiful. Pleasant.
7—Off for camp at Murfreesboro 20 miles. Have a pleasant time. Capture a few rebs. Have a small skirmish with them. Charge them—put them to flight.
8—Came in camp last night. On fatigue duty today. Hauling rations from Brigade commissary sergeants. Reading in the afternoon. Poems.
9—In camp reading. Writing letters to the dear ones at home. Building fortifications at town. Everything goes pleasantly.
10—To town. Very warm. Buy war map. Reading Atlantic Monthly for April. Muster for pay for four months.
11—Start on scout at [ ] Today’s scouts have a small skirmish with rebs. Whip them out. Camp there for the night.
12—Sunday. Pleasant. Delightful vegetation. March. Pass through Nolensville. On to Franklin. Have a fight yesterday with Van Dorn’s cavalry.
13—In Franklin. Prospects of a fight with Van Dorn. Boys ready yp give him a battle. May God be with us in all our perils and bring us into His heavenly kingdom.
14—Still at Franklin with Granger’s forces. Leave for camp tomorrow. Have a fine time. Wilder’s boys–the bullies of the Army of the Cumberland. Good.
15—March to Murfreesboro. Rebs clear out. Arrive in camp at 2 p.m. Have fine times on the road. All’s cheering.
16—In camp. Read to march at moment’s warning three days rations. Having fine times. We are all right for another scout. Go tomorrow.
17—Start out on scout toward Liberty and Alexandria. Find nothing. Came to camp in evening. Reading. Had dusty time.
18—In camp. Very hot. Reading Byron and other poems. Delightful. Elegant. All goes pleasant.
19—Sunday Inspection of guns, equipments & horses by Col. Wilder. Boys came out in good trim. Fine appearance.
20—Start out on scout at Readyville. Two brigades of our forces there. Have fine time with Alkanah Galbreath of the Old 9th Indiana [Co. G].
21—Make a dashing charge on McMinnville. Four regulars in advance. Capture town. Capture Dick McCann, the great guerrilla.
Lucy Virginia French of McMinnville kept a journal during the Civil War and wrote of the Union cavalry’s arrival on 21 April 1863: “I was combing my hair—and I remember my face turned pale as I looked in the glass.”Where are they?” “In a few miles.” I went and gathered up my fine books, silver, etc., land put them in my trunks…It was too late for us to move anything if they did come, so I assisted…in hustling a few things out of sight into our trunks and all we could do was “sit deep and stay where we were.” Presently…the blue line appeared coming down the hill they rode off in a gallop towards town. Our pickets were driven in. The Yankees threw out their skirmishing on both sides, those to the left dashed all around our house and down to the river, where they captured John Paine and another soldier who were down there fishing. The first sight of them made me mad—I did think before they came that I could treat them politely-but “my goodness!” (as Gen. Morgan says) how hard it was for me to be commonly civil to the thieves and scoundrels! Soon they were all round the house—off their horses, and after the chickens, fussing and flying in every direction. The little Ting came running in, crying and screaming “oh! they’re going to kill Mammy! they’re going to kill Mammy!” I ran to the back door, 6 or 8 of them were at the smoke-house taking out the meat. They rode up and presenting a pistol at her head, ordered her to show them the meat—Ting was standing right by her side, and thinking they would surely kill her mammy she flew wildly into the house screaming to me to save her. Poor child! how frightened she was! All this while their column was moving on into town— some pausing on the hill-side between our house and Colonel Splurlock’s [a neighbor]. Soon the porches were full of them—we were surrounded on all sides—they took this battery certain. They crowded to the doors, some wanting one thing and some another, all talking at once, until one imp of darkness started into the house swearing he had heard we had meat hid and he was going to search the house for it. Just as he was about to pass me I laid my hand on his shoulder and looked him right in the eyes—(the devil was just about as tall as myself and one of the most repulsive countenances I ever recoiled from,)—I stopped him and asked “Are you a man?”—he hesitated a moment—seemed surprised that I should dare interfere, and sail “Yes.” “Are you a gentleman?” he did not reply—but Mr. French who was standing just by smiled and said “of course child”—”Well,” I said, “if he is a gentleman he will show it by going out of this house,” and turning to another of the men who had a rather pleasant face I asked “do your officers permit you to search houses without orders?” He said not—it was strictly against orders—adding “You are loyal people?” “Yes,” I replied, “all our sympathies are entirely with the South.” His countenance fell in a moment—but by this time the wretch who had sworn to search the house had “fallen back” among the crowd. By this time I saw them breaking into Mammy’s house and sent Jessie flying to the kitchen to tell her. By the time she reached there the cabin was full—her drawers, trunks, and boxes upside down and inside out—half of their contents on the floor. Lee’s Sunday hat and pants were gone and one of them had two coats making off with them. She gave them a regular “blow out” and made them give up the coats, but when she had come to clear them out and look about her she found they had taken her spoons, her flour and sugar, her silk apron—bucket—Lee’s shaving apparatus—Puss’ breast pin collar, handkerchiefs, stockings, and a pink tarleton party dress! The idea! I had all my jewelry, etc., under my hoops, and so had Mollie. We had made enormous pockets and filled them with our choices valuable, before the came. I really felt weighted down. The man who prevented that hateful wretch, McKenzie, from going up stairs, I found out was a Scaright, and a relative of the Scarights of Pa —of whom two, Tom and Jennie, were great friends of mine at school. He was the only one among the whole 2500 that I saw that had the slightest claim to be considered a gentleman…After some conversation it appeared that the notorious Dick McCann, whom they had made prisoner the day previous, and who was confined with the rest of the prisoners at the stable, had made his escape, and they were all furious about it. Soon after, here they came to search the house for Dick McCann—one man swearing that he saw him run from the negro house to the big house. I laughed at first at the idea of their being such fools as to think McCann would stop here right in the midst of them—but soon my attention was called to Mollie who had fallen aback on the bed almost fainting when she heard the head of that armed ten men say in a bullying insolent tone, “I have orders to search this house for that man, and I don’t find him I shall set fire here, sir.” “Very well,” said the Col. quietly, opening the dining-room door and showing them in [and saying] “proceed with your examination. Your prisoner is not here and I beg you will satisfy yourselves.” Poor Mollie she as pale as the pillow she lay on. I was working with her when the two of them burst into the room—looked in the wardrobe tossed up the children’s bed— looked under mine, but as good luck would have it did not make Mollie rise— seeing her critical state I suppose. They went over the house like a thunderstorm—looked in the dirty clothes basket even….Everywhere, and in everything, they went with a rush, tossing and turning up everything, before them, and left, after tearing out the under-pinning of the house, and finding—a setting hen! They then fired the stable buildings where the prisoners had been kept and stood round it for awhile with their guns, looking for Dick McCann to jump out at them from a corn-shuck. Two came dashing up to the kitchen and smokehouse and after cursing and snorting round there awhile came to the house—and went thro’ the search again. I am not certain that they expected even that McCann was here—I think sometimes their object was to search the house for plunder. The looked in wash-stands—safes, and twenty places were a man could not possibly be hid, and even climbed up the posts of my bed-stead to look on top of the canopy! After they were gone the sight that this house presented was awful—and Mammy’s house—no pen can describe. The stables burned all day—Darlin’ save about one half of one poultry-house after they left. . . They had boasted so over the taking of Dick McCann that when he escaped them, they were perfectly furious, and it is a thousand wonders they didn’t arrest the Col., as he escaped here, or burn the place—-Anybody would have laughed to have seen the supper I gave those officers: biscuits, batter-cakes, hand and wheat coffee—voila tout!. . . All the wretches were from Indiana and Pennsylvania,—Great Caesar! How I did hate them! That imp of the devil, McKenzie, after he had been up stairs and searched for provisions—met Mollie in the hall and said to her in the hatefullest, taunting way, “is that all ye got? if it is I pity ye!” Oh how I did want to kill him—the reptile! [See Capture of McMinnville by Federal forces; a woman’s account.]
22—Morgan saved his bacon by flight yesterday. We captured a number of commissary stores, tore up railroad. March 40 miles. Camp on the farm of Virginia french an authoress.
23—Reveille 4 o’clock. March to Smithville—a poor little town. Had several hard skirmishes with rebs. Camp for night near Liberty.
24—March for Liberty. Camp at Alexandria. On picket. Rebs keep from Wilder’s Brigade. Don’t like us.
25—Still in Alexandria. Principally Union. Fine place. Received letters from some of my old girls. Fine chat with some ladies.
26—March for Lebanon. Citizens fear we are going to burn the town. Some very pretty ladies there but haughty secesh.
27—Leave Lebanon. Scout towards Nashville. Jim Smith, captured by bushwhackers. They try to kill him. Did not succeed.
28—Camp near Lebanon. Back to Alexandria. Showery time. Hard time on horses. So some hard riding. Get a number of good horses.
29—Showery but beautiful. Camp at Bryantsville. Headquarters of Morgan. Start to camp tomorrow. Have fine time.
30—To camp. Showery. Have comfortable time. Glad to get to camp, In camp at night—beautiful.
MAY 1863
1—In camp. Pleasant. Up in town viewing fortifications. A strong position. Quite a number of heavy guns mounted of all calibers.
2—Move camp to Boiling Springs 1 mile from Murfreesboro on the Woodbury Pike—a nice and beautiful place. Draw new tents—small dog tents.
3—Sunday. Nice day. Reading testament and poems. Col. Hall’s Brigade were up on our line tomorrow.
4—To town after forage. Get five hundred sacks of corn, 50 bales of hay. Writing letters for the boys.
5—Showery last none. Our dog tents do finely…Up to sutler’s. Have a glass of beer. Fine times at our house.
6—Regiment out on three days scout. Horse unshod. I stay in camp. Fixing up camp…
7—On horse guard. Have a jolly at 18th Indiana Battery Sutler. Have too much old bourbon. Cheap $2.50 per bottle.
8—In camp. Chaplain Layton gives us tracts & testaments, and after reading, digging wells for water to give our horses. A dry time.
9—Some of the boys go with the Provision Train out to the brigade at Alexandria. Have a chat with some rebel prisoners.
10—Laying in camp. Received a letter from Miss Adora, a great girl. Too much talk of love for this here chicken. And also from A. A. Yost. Glad to hear from him.
11—All goes pleasantly. Go to [Thomas E. G.] Ransom’s Division to see Sammy Thumber. Did not get to see him. Had a letter from Miss Mary K. Glad to hear from all my old gals.
12—Regiment comes in. Had great success. Captured a number of prisoners…
13—Had fine time last night. Our string band played and sung some beautiful songs. Went at 12 o’clock and serenaded Generals Ransom, Negley, and Wilder. They invite the boys to come round often.
14—Writing letters—one to Miss Mary K., one to H. A. Yost. Bought some tobacco and other notions. Sutler coining money for soldiers.
15—Good time with Dr. L. Rebel General Van Dorn killed. Jackson taken. Gen. [Joseph] Wheeler arrested by Bragg. Our armies are invincible. Bully.
Some Wilder’s Brigade artifacts from my friend Dennis Headlee’s Collection. Most of Wilder’s Brigade were carrying Spencer Rifles like the one shown here by the spring of 1863.
16—Hurrah for our Spencer Rifles, 7 shooters. We draw rifles and new outfit. Now we will make the rebs git. They will find that we have not the old Enfield.
17—Hot. Chaplain Layton preaches a good sermon in the evening. Most all the boys attend to preaching. They all like him and respect him which is more than they ever done to any other of our chaplains.
18—Building sheds for our horses. Hot work. Finish in the evening. Have fine time at night. 72nd Indiana. Have a dance.
19—Box up our overcoats and send them to Nashville for storage until next winter by order Gen. Rosy. Making preparations for summer campaign.
20—In camp. Laying around and reading. Cleaning up our Spencers/ A number of the boys have bought Henry rifles, sixteen shooters. Scouts all have them.
21—Gayce [Gayle?] comes over to see us—Correspondent of Commercial and other papers. He was once Borgs [?] Spy—a sharp little one from the Emerald Isle.
22—Make a dash on the enemy toward Wartrace. Scouts capture two rebel colonels and a number of other prisoners. Had a sharp skirmish. Went in sight [of] reb camp and then returned to camp.
23—On duty in camp. Nothing of importance going on. Writing letters.
24—Start on scout to McMinnville. Camp at Readyville for the night. Meet some of my old chums in the 9th Indiana.
25—Pass through Woodbury. Met the rebs pickets two miles from town. Scouts have a hard fight. The pickets make a strong resistance. Scouts charge then take 12 prisoners. Bully for scouts.
26—Came back to Readyville yesterday. Camped for the night. the rebs run yesterday but we took 10 prisoners. They were Col. Breckinridge’s Mounted Infantry but they could not compete with us.
27—Arrive in camp at 4 p.m. Corn up knee high. Reading dime novels. Have nice time reading Rebel love letters—too much we’uns and you’uns.
28—Cool and raining. Finish reading [Edward] Bulwer’s Zanoni. Gen. [August] Willich, Reynolds came down to visit. Had fine times. Willich is a German.
29—Laying in camp. Plenty of peddlers around today. I buy some. Bread and pies 25 cents as price. Cheap.
30—On horse guard. Have fine chat with 11th Ohio boys about their Virginia Campaign.
31st—The last of May. A little over three months since I left home, sweet home, and all me charming Lucks O the darlints.
This month was spent in numerous fights and me still unhurt.
JUNE 1863
1—In camp on guard. Nice music by our string band last night. Went over and serenaded Col. Wilder, Gen. [George] Crook of the Virginia Brigade.
2—Inspection of horses, arms and equipments. Making preparations for a raid on some of the southern railroads. Reading novels.
3—Start out upon a scout toward Liberty. Had a skirmish with a few rebs under Gen. Wharton.
4—Col. Wilder makes his Headquarters at Liberty while we scout the country. Got after a squad of rebs and run them six or seven miles.
5—Scouting on the Lebanon Alexandria Pike. Capture 150 mules from rebs and a wagon loaded with five hundred dozen eggs, 150 of butter, and a rebel mail.
6—Went out toward Middleton, burnt a mill called Smith’s. Same hard words between the rebel girls and we’uns.
7—Start for camp at Murfreesboro. Had a successful time. Brought in a number of prisoners. Weather cool and pleasant. Flowers abundant and so sweet.
8—On guard. Reading novels. Co. has the boys planting cedars round camp. Have fine music by our string band. They go to serenade Gen. Rosy.
9—Col. Wilder trying his machine for tearing up railroad track. Witnessed by Gen. Rosecrans, Ransom, McCook, Willich.
In his diary, Col. John Beatty of the 3rd Ohio Infantry wrote that on 2 June 1863, he accompanied Rosecrans and others to witness the trial of a machine, invented by Wilder, for tearing up railroad tracks and injuring the rails in such a manner as to render them worthless. Hitherto the rebels, when they have torn up our railroads, have placed the bars crosswise on a pile of ties, set fire to the latter, and so heated and bent the rails; but by heating them again they could be easily straightened and made good. Wilder’s instrument twists them so that cannot be used again.”
10—Start am on five day’s scout. Charge through Alexandria. Scouts have a sharp fight with two hundred rebels under Capt. Ellison.
11—Scouting the country, picking up a number of bushwhackers. Co. I on picket in Alexandria. A number of good-looking ladies in the town.
12—March for Lebanon, distance 18 miles. Join part of our brigade that went by Beard’s Mill. Came to Beard’s Mill and camp.
13—Passed the house where I was paroled by John Morgan [on] November 13, 1862. The boys have a plenty of nice hams.
14—Came in camp at 2 p.m. tired and dusty. Took a good supply of beer from sutler. Over to 18th Indiana Battery to hear them play on the band.
15—On guard guarding some rebs at the Female Seminary in town. Two haughty females give me thunder for not letting them in seminary.
16—Came off guard at 8 a.m. Had a fine time on guard. Nothing of importance.
17—On vidette, as courier for Gen. Ransom’s. Lewis [?], our old chum, 26th Ohio, was over last night. We made the beer fly and danced and sung all night.
18—Thursday. Very hot. Written some letters. One to Izora Horace. Miss Sophia. Was glad to hear from them.
19—Moved camp to Stones River, five miles from Murfreesboro. Written one letter to Miss Lizzie Layton and received one also. Glad to hear from her.
20—Cleaning up camp, fixing up our bunks. A nice grove. Very hot. Down looking at the cave springs—a nice and cool place. Out grazing our horses.
21—Sunday. On guard reading Testament and other useful books. On Brigade guard.
22—Inspection of horses by Col. Wilder. Army ready for a grand move which we make soon. Boys in good spirits for a game of ball with the rebels.
23—Washing and drill in forenoon. Orders to march tomorrow with 13 days rations. Bully. We want to try our Spencers on the bloody rebs. Everything in good trim.
24—Grand advance begins—our Brigade in advance of 14th Army Corps. On the Manchester Pike. Drive in the rebs about 1 p.m. Their pickets make no resistance and we make a dashing charge and take their fortifications . Scouts drive their cavalry beyond their camps and drive out two wagons loaded with rebs out on inspection. Battle of Hoover’s Gap. The enemy with two brigades [Brig. Gen. William] Bate’s and [Brig. Gen. Bushrod] Johnson’s attacked our four regiments in three columns. They flank us but we drive them back. They charge us three times. We repulse them. Our loss in the Brigade yesterday was sixty. Our regiment lost 28 killed and wounded. We were in the hottest of the fight. I was wounded in the hand. Cannonading heavy all day. Rosey moving his troops in the Gap for a grand assault. They evacuate in the night. Gen. Rosy and Thomas give us great praise for our gallant conduct at Hoover’s Gap. [See Battle of Hoover’s Gap]
29—Reach Manchester without any resistance. Make preparations for a raid in rear of the rebels. Destination supposed to be Decherd. Start tonight. Five days rations. 100 rounds ammunition.
30—Some of our famous raid into Alabama to tear up two railroads. Captured Decherd, burn a large amount of ammunition and other stores.
JULY 1863
1—Tuesday. Lay in camp. Good & tired. Need rest. Strolling around amongst other regiments. We move camp tomorrow on some creek.
2—Move camp on a small creek. Get in camp about one hour when we receive orders from Gen. Rosy calling us back to Tullahoma.
3—Our forces pushing for Chattanooga. Bragg’s forces greatly demoralized. Awful hot. Rain in the afternoon.
4—Celebrating this glorious day by getting forage for our horses. Living well, Roads very muddy—almost impassable for wagons and artillery.
5—Laying in camp. Sutler brings a new supply of goods from Murfreesboro. Beard’s Brigade here with us. Cars soon run to Tullahoma. Nice camp is Wartrace.
6—Letters from my duck. Wants mr to come and see her when my time is up. How very delightful it would be. She’s a beautiful picture–a noble loving soul.
7—To Mary. Write letters for boys. Have fine tome. Showery. Raining most all day. Henry Haman, Harry Paulson. Sergeants reduced to ranks by order of Col. Jordan.
8—I am detailed to take horses to Murfreesboro and turn them over to convalescent pen. Roads muddy. Horse can hardly trail.
9—Back to camp 3 p.m. Find the regiment moved over Duck River to a little town called Roseville. Fine place to camp.
10—Hot day out gathering blackberries. Have a fine dinner. Glorious news from all our armies. May this unholy rebellion surrender.
11—Fixing up camp over at Col. Wilder’s Headquarters. Cleaning up guns to give to the new regiment in our brigade. I think they ought to clean them theirselves.
12—Start on a 7 days scout. 17th 123 in charge of Col. Monroe. Pass through Shelbyville, Bedford County. All Union. Splendid county. Fine faces. Camp at Lewisburg. Get horses.
13—Get to Columbia—a rebel town. On picket at night. Lieut. Hayden, Sergt. Birney of scouts take company out to Polk’s estate for fine horses. He is trying to run them south.
14—Got $40 worth of stock off toward Centerville, turn out my old mare and take a beautiful sorrel. Glass eyes. Call him Gen. Bill Lucius Polk.
15—Polk’s, Pillow’s estates are beautiful like the cultivated parks of England. Skirmish near Centerville by the scouts.
16—Still morning. Got a large number horses. Private Steward, Co. H, killed by bushwhackers. Passed through Connellsville, Eagleville. Camped at Petersburg.
17—Came to a small town by the name of Richmond where rebel Col. Smith lives. Turned a Union man. Was a scout with us and acted as guide.
18—Came to Shelbyville, thence to camp. We captured over one thousand fine horses and quite a number of prisoners.
19—Laying in camp. Resting ourselves. I like my charger, Billy Lucius, first rate. He is worth $500 at home. During our raid we captured the famous horse Commodore belonging to John Boots, a Union man in Virginia.
20—Miserably hot. cars now running to Tullahoma. On courier post at General Rosecrans’ Headquarters. S. Laird, chief of couriers. Fine to see currier. Get up all times in the night and pack dispatches.
21—Still on currier line. Have a fine hotel in Tullahoma. Plenty of papers to read. Rosy makes his headquarters to Winchester tomorrow. Then I go to camp.
22—Came to camp at 2 p.m. One of the teamster’s teams run off, killed mules, came near running over me. Chase promoted a corporal. Reading in Harper’s.
23—Laying in camp. Reading. Rosecrans campaign with the 14th Army Corps. A very interesting book. Corp. Daniel O’Brian back. He was taken prisoner while on the Columbia scout.
24—Still in camp. Out grassing our horses. A lot of Company H boys arrested for stealing while on the Columbia scout. Col. Jordan found in a hat laying at his tent one gold watch $250 in gold.
25—Still in camp. Waiting for pay. Signed pay roll today. The fellow that laid the money and watch at Colonel’s tent must of been afraid of being caught with it.
26—Hurrah for pay day. I received $65 and the sutler twenty dollars. Pretty steep. Chase and me talk about pieces in Byron. Received no letters. March tomorrow.
27—Strike tents. March at 5 o’clock a.m. for Decherd. Pass through Tullahoma. Would like to see the 93rd Ohio but had not time. Get to our division and camp.
28—Sent to Uncle J. A. Bolens the sum $17. Over looking at the large springs near Decherd—a beautiful place. Good time with the boys. Enjoying myself.
29—Down in the tremendous town of Decherd. Great talk of Wilder’s Brigade—the brag boys of the Army of the Cumberland. Talk about our raid we made on Decherd while rebs were at Tullahoma.
30—Laying in camp. Policing camp. Some of the boys have more old bourbon than they can digest. A letter from Izara.
31—On guard. Guarding prisoners at guard house. Lieut. Buttermilk, Wagoner officer of the guard. He is a case of buttermilk and old woman. Jolly time.
AUGUST 1863
1—Saturday, Pleasant day. Lying in camp. Shoeing our horses and fixing ready for any emergency.Received a letter from Liza Layton. Glad to hear from her.
2—Fine time with our Chaplain—Lafety Layton. Drs. Kemper and Larkins. Inspection at 9 o’clock a.m. of clothing, arms, and exquipments. Nice day.
3—Laying in camp. Took horses out to grass on rebel Captain Wagner’s Plantation. Have a chat with his daughters.
4—Corporal [Cyrus P.] Wick returns to company from Murfreesboro, well of his wounds. Reading papers. Telescope Press, Harper’s Weekly. Our grazing my horse.
5—Went to Decherd. Had a fine time. Get some photographs taken. Sergt. [Lafayette] Carnes and [William H.] Thompson go along with me. Went to 42nd Indiana Regiment.
6—Writing letters to my ducks and to Miss Angeline, Marysville, Ohio. One to Uncle J. A. Bolens, and one to sister Mary.
7—Reading. Delightful. Col. Wilder returns from home. Boys cheer him glad of his return. May God bless him and keep him with us always.
8—Company F on a drunk. Most half of company drunk. Lieut. Hayden scolds. Orders them to guard house and takes three bottles of whiskey from them. Breaks them in front of company at roll call. Says he will court martial all that get drunk.
9—Company all sober this morning. Went out to grass our horses. My famous charger Billy Lucius polk throwed himself and strained his hip. Noble steed.
10—Our advance begins tomorrow. Negley’s Division starts for Stevenson, Alabama. Doctoring my famous charger, General Billy Lucius Polk. I fear he is gone up.
11—Send two of my pictures to Izara and two to Janis P. Henkler. Give one to Frank Sullivan. Cousin from 75th Indiana comes to see me. On fatigue.
12—Very hot day—the warmest day I have felt in Dixie’s sunny clime. Reading Independent lying in the shade. Written one letter to Horace.
13—Awful hot day. Down in town. Bought some notions. Reading papers—Journal, Nashville Union, Harper’s Illustrated. On guard in the evening.
14—Inspection of horses and equipments, saddles at 10 o’clock a.m. by order Co. Wilder. On fatigue building fence to pool convalescent horses in.
15—Marching orders—ready to march at 7 o’clock tomorrow, Written one letter to my duck—beautiful Jennie, me heart’s delight.
16—Strike tents. March at 8 o’clock for Chattanooga, distance 40 miles. Camp on top of the mountain. A beautiful view of the country. Can see 30 miles the ridges where Tullahoma lays.
17—Marched at 6 a.m. camped for the night at Tracy City—a small town up on the Cumberland Mountains noted for its beautiful coal mines. People mostly secesh.
18—Traveling up and down the steep mountains. Camped in a valley between the lofty mountains. Had a splendid supper—roasting ears, potatoes, & hard tack.
19—Came down the mountain over an awful road, it being so steep we dismounted and walked down. Camped in Sequatchie Valley near Dunlap. Scouts had a small fight today. Killed some and took prisoners.
20—Left Dunlop for Chattanooga, distance 29 miles. Crossed Walden’s Ridge sixteen miles from one foot to the other foot. Met no opposition. See no rebs today.
21—Up at 5 o’clock for a dash on Chattanooga. We went a flying for Chattanooga. Reached the river in sight of town and commenced shelling them.
22—Our scouts gobbled up their pickets nicely yesterday. The rebs think hard of our brigade—especially Col. Wilder for shelling them in time of fasting and prayer, it being Jeff Davis’s Thanksgiving Day.
23—Down shelling Chattanooga. Had a fine time shooting across the river with our Spencers. Make the rebs skedaddle. I learn we killed two women and wounded some while we were shelling the rebs on Thanksgiving day. Bad affair.
24—On scouting expedition up the river at North Chickamauga Ford. Scouts fire into a boat full of rebs. They all jumped out and took for the shore.
25—Out after forage. Peaches and apples. Have a fine talk with Mrs. Williams down at Williams’ Island, 7 miles from Chattanooga. Fine lady. See rebs across the river.
26—Cool morning. Strolling around the country in forenoon. Cleaning up camp. Have a fine dinner. Peach cobbler. Go on picket tomorrow.
27—Down bombarding town. Several rebs swam the river last night and came to our pickets. We go over this evening at Colwell’s Ferry.
28—Came off picket 2 p.m. Went after forage. Mail came in. Letters from my ducks. Have fine sermon in evening by Chaplain [Lafety] Layton.
29—Laying in camp. Sergt. [Lafayette] Carnes builds a log house for himself and Seabolt up on the lookout looking at Chattanooga. Can see rebs moving around.
30—Sutler comes up. I buy a lot of paper and envelopes, a portfolio, one plug tobacco. Written several letters to the dear ones at home.
31—Went for forage. Wash my clothing. Reading Ledger, Independent, and rebel papers. Pass time finely. Plenty to eat. Living on peaches.
Have done all duty this month and not much fighting.
SEPTEMBER 1863
1—Tuesday. On picket. Talk with rebs across the river. Good time. I take three men and picket cross the North Chickamauga. Nothing of importance occurred during the night.
2—Came off picket. Came in camp. Down at Chattanooga, up in arms. Supposition that the rebs are making demonstrations to cross the river. Let ’em come. We will give them a dose of Spencers.
3—Out after forage. Get an abundance of peaches. The Tennessee Valley is lined with peaches—thousands of bushels. A plentiful country.
4—On picket at Becks Ford, seven miles above Chattanooga near the mouth of North Chickamauga. Rebs keep moving, We picket right under their guns.
Privates Thomas L. Charles & James A Harrison (right), of Co. A, 17th Indiana Infantry (early war image)
5—Still on picket. Hazen’s Brigade comes where we are on picket with a lot of bugles and drums and four guns. They made a big fuss and scared the rebs. They suppose we have a big force here.
6—Rebs badly scared last night. They outened all their picket fires on the other side of the river. They throw a few shells at us this morning. Hazen replied.
7—On picket. Hazen’s Brigade go to their camp 12 miles back on the mountain. See some handsome ladies. Have a fine chat with them. People mostly Union around here.
8—Down bombarding Chattanooga. Find the place evacuated at night. 92nd Illinois of Wilder’s Brigade the first in town. The rebs cut their [ ].
9—Move camp up to Beck’s Ford and ready to cross the river in the morning. Have a fine supper. Reveille at 4 o’clock.
10—Cross the river, pull our wagons up by hand, the river bank being so steep. The brigade all across by 1 o’clock. Go about fifteen miles. Drive in rebel pickets. Skirmishing all day.
11—Our brigade captured Ringgold, Georgia. After a sharp fight, the rebs retreat in direction of Tunnel Hill burning all the railroad bridges. Camp near Tunnel Hill for the night.
12—Retreat back to Ringgold. Co. F attacked the rebs 5 miles from Ringgold at Rock Spring. Our scouts surrounded. They cut their way out. We charge the rebs horseback.
13—[Jackson] Denny of our company wounded yesterday. Sergeant [Lafayette] Carnes, Golland, [William] Black killed. The rebs gave us a hard fight but could not budge our Spencer rifles. I stood in the hottest of the fight. I never had cannon and small balls to fly round me so fast.
14—Join our division at 10 p.m. Boys very tired and want rest. We have been fighting and skirmishing for the last ten days. Wilder’s boys are the chaps to do it.
15—Laying in camp today. Charles Anders of the 18th Kentucky visits us. I would like to see my Uncle King in the 75th Indiana but am too tired to go there.
16—Laying in camp. Report that Negley’s Division of our Corps had a fight at Dugout Gap—a gap in the Pigeon Mountains ten miles from Lafayette, Georgia.
17—Move camp near Gordon’s Mills. Passed rosy’s Headquarters. Passed Woods’ Division. They cheer us. There is nothing like Wilder’s Brigade. Meet the old 26th Ohio—our old chums.
18—Lay along the Chickamauga until 3 p.m. Move camp farther up to Alexander’s Bridge. The enemy heavy in our front. A battle expected soon.
Page from Boler’s Diary describing Battle of Chickamauga
BATTLE OF CHICKAMAUGA
19—The rebs attack us at 11 a.m. Had a battle with them all day. We hold up Bragg’s army from crossing the bridge. They shell us—Co. F especially, facing the bridge—terribly. We stand our ground. Minty being driven back, Wilder returned to the hills.
20—General engagement. Great Battle of Chickamauga. As the battle rages terribly, we hold our line. It appears that neither side claim advantage. Many old and trusty regiments fail in the terrible fire. Wilder used his men well in action.
21—Things look murky. The great battle opens at 7 o’clock a.m. This morning wet throw up a breastwork and lay behind it but they dare not run on our terrible Spencers.
22—We made one of the most terrific charges yesterday on record and turned Longstreet’s right wing and routed his forces after Sheridan was thrown back in confusion. Our brigade came near being captured. We were cut off from army.
23—Crossed the river and went to Beck’s Ford. Building breastworks and planting masked guns for fear should the rebs try to cross the river. Pleasant day.
Capt. Eli Lilly
24—Lay in camp at ford seven miles above Chattanooga. Reading papers. Went with Capt. Lilly on scout to plant guns across Chickamauga.
25—Went as escort for Col. Wilder to Stevenson [Alabama], he being sick and going home on furlough. Arrived at Stevenson 8 at night. Rode 67 miles today—the fastest ride I ever made in one day. Company on picket.
26—Lay in Stevenson until ten a.m. Start for camp. Horse gives out. Camp five miles from Hasper on the Anderson Road. Met Bob Burns, a deserter from our regiment. Belongs to [ ].
27—March at sun up. Stop at an old Union mans house and eat dinner with him. Minor impression at Knoxville of his Union sentiments.
28—Camped at the foot of Walden’s Ridge last night with a division train. Started for camp at day light with Lieut. Col. 24th illinois. Got to camp at 2 p.m.
29—March this morning for Blythe’s Ferry, 40 miles above Chattanooga. On picket at Ferry at night. The Miserable [Minty’s] cavalry let Wheeler across last night.
30—Raining very hard this morning. Marching orders after Wheeler on account of Minty’s unreliable cavalry letting them cross.
OCTOBER 1863
1—On the march with the regiment. Our brigade crosses the Cumberland Mountains after the rebs on the McMinnville Pike. Crossed Walden’s Ridge. Col. [Abram] Miller in command of the brigade.
2—Went through Sequatchie Valley to the top of the mountain on the other side. A hard days ride. Came in camp about midnight.
3—Up at 3 o’clock. get down the mountain. Have a sharp fight at Thompson’s C___ at 2 p.m. Whip out [Maj. Gen. John Austin] Wharton’s reb division. Fight after fight, charge them out of woods.
4—Sunday. Drove them two miles from McMinnville. Our brigade, 17th, right in front. we killed and wounded a good many last night in Hocker’s rebel brigade. May God be propitious to us on this His hold day.
5—May God bless and prosper our arms. Sharp skirmishing. Get into Murfreesboro at dark. Find a number of troops here. Rebs have been in sight of town. Capt. [John R.] Fiscus calls on us. 2nd Kentucky Cavalry makes a fine saber charge. Routs the rebs for seven miles.
6—Get rations. Capt. gives us coffee. Bully. We move off toward Shelbyville. Roads are in good condition. Through Shelbyville toward Columbia. Rebs robbed and stole everything.
7—Came up on the rebs a few miles from town and charge savagely—17th in front. Rebs fight sharply. We dismount and in the hearty forward of Major [William Theophilus] Jones, sends us cracking along. We flank them. Put them to utter rout. I shot two rebs and do not know how many more. It soon becomes a rout—each man takes to the woods and fields for himself, throw away their guns. George Shannon killed by my side. Lieut. Hayden severely wounded. Our loss getting heavy. We fight Wheeler’s whole force. Our brigade makes a dozen charges. Co. F, G, & D charges a battery. Captures three guns. We shall take a number of prisoners suffer for wearing our uniform. They were going to fool the Yankees by wearing our blue but it was a sad trick for many of them. Sergeant Kelcher wounded as night closes the scene.
11—Pleasant day. Heaven helped us safely and successfully through it. Rebs fled precipitately toward the river. We came up on their rear at the pretty town of Pulski.
12—Cavalry get scared we were in the rear and ordered to the front. Delpoy as skirmishers. we get in sight of town. The rebs get scared and run away.
13—Pleasant day. So stupid is cavalry. They seem to think they are not enlisted for fighting but brave when out of danger. Wilder’s [Brigade] done all the fighting and deserves all the praise.
14th—Clear day. Hear of Roddy after him this morning. Run Forrest across the [Duck] river yesterday. If our cavalry had any fight about them, we would have captured him.
15—Marched in camp within 10 miles of Winchester. Ordered back to Flint river, Alabama. Camp for night. Stay at Salem—a little old village where Gen. [Robert Latimer] McCook was killed.
16—From Salem to New Market, Alabama. 17th to burnt bridge on Flint river. M. C. Railroad burnt by Roddy so we are in camp for the present. Glad enough to rest. Raining and muddy.
17—Laying in camp reading Byron. Glad enough to get a day’s rest. Pleasant day. Received no mail since October 1st. Would be glad to hear from the dear ones at home.
18—Little pleasant. Beautiful country. Foraging. Living on flapjacks. Only 7 months, then for home, peace, and comfort, for loved ones. God bless them.
19—Tuesday. I go with a squad up to Paint Rock Bridge [near Woodville, Alabama] for rations, Maj. Lucas of 98th [Illinois] in charge. Leave and start back. eat honey and hard tacks—the first bread for 15 days.
20—March in camp. Very rainy. Dr. [Samuel E.] Monford with wagons from Stevenson. Grant assumes command of the whole western department. Our company on picket. I stay in camp until morning.
21—Still on picket. [David H.] Chase about to write an article on our pursuit after Wheeler raid. He will do something at an early day request, my guess.
22—Miserably cold and raining. Off at noon on scout. It rains all day. Camp at Huntsville. Have a splendid fire. Get dry and warm. Plenty of flour. No mails.
23—Saturday. March and camp at Athens, Alabama at 3 p.m. Cold and muddy. Have a good supper. The winter of our discontent vanishes. Thus be our hearts forever bright.
24—Weather more mild. Reveille at 3:30 a.m.. Took breakfast. Feel well. Heaven send a happy and prosperous day and strength and spirit for any emergency.
25—Went to Triana—a little and rebellious village. Rebs on the other side of the river. Our squad of ten encountered 30 who run and did not fight. They fled to the mountains. Returned to Huntsville and camp.
26—Cloudy but pleasant. From Huntsville to camp near Maysville. Met Miss Hewett, a southern authoress. Lives in a brick [house] pained white near our camp. Beautiful Huntsville. Nice looking people.
27—Reading Burns’ poems. Moving camp across Flint river. Had a very comfortable day. Mail comes in. Receive a letter from Sophia.
Butler’s Hudibras
28—Reading Butler’s Hudibras. Find it smart and witty. Nothing of importance today. Fixing up camp. Pleasant day. Have a good time.
29—In camp. Our wagons arrive at last from [ ] Creek. Hudibras quite funny. My health good. Glad to see boys with wagons. No mail today.
30—Hurrah for mail. Receive a letter from Lizzie Dayton. extremely glad to hear from Lizza. Reading papers—Commercial, Press, and Independent.
31—Cold and raining. Cut a big beech and have a rousing fire. Finish reading Hudibras—a mart book. Full of fun. Sutler comes up again. I lay in a good supply of paper and envelopes.
We received accounts of the battle. Our loss at Chickamauga battle in the paper is estimated at 16,000 killed & wounded. The enemy’s must be greater.
Our loss in Farmington Battle. Regiment loss, killed three, wounded 38. Brigade loss, killed 9, wounded 150.
NOVEMBER 1863
1—Went out with forage train. Brought in a hog. Went near Huntsville. Sutler received some new goods. It will be a caution the way the dimes will fly.
2—In camp. wrote one letter to [ ]. Talk of being paid off soon. Talk to Chase about writing a history of the 17th Indiana Mounted Infantry. No mail.
3—Written two letters, one to Miss Sophia and one to Miss Lizzie Dayton. Warm and pleasant day. Reading Lord Byron’s Poetry of Works.
4—Written one letter to Miss Jennie Langaster, Martin county, Indiana. On guard at forage pile. Have a fine chat with Chase. Warm and pleasant day. Sutler has new goods.
5—Written one letter to Mr. James B. Henkle. Warm and pleasant day. Nothing of importance going on in camp. Sergt. [Lafayette] Carnes goes home to recruit for Co. F.
6—Commenced building our winter quarters. Run out of lumber and quit work. Hauled one load of brick in the afternoon to build our chimney.
7—Written one letter to my copper nut friend on the war. Fine and pleasant day. Reading in the Independent—a religious paper, Henry Ward preacher’s organ. No mail tonight.
8—Went out with forage train after corn. Loaded all the wagons in the brigade but our regiment. Gathered out of the field near bell factory. Came in camp late.
9—Written several letters—one for Harper’s Weekly four months. one for Portrait monthly, three numbers sent to Cincinnati for two letter writers.
10—Written one letter to Indianapolis for the Journal for six months. One also to J. G. Packard for Silver Company. Been chopping wood for fireplace.
11—Written a peck of letters today—one to Izara and to Horace, one to J. B. Henkle, one to J. A. Boens for postage stamps. Chase out with foraging train.
12—Maj. Gen. Sherman’s Corps passes us on its way to Chattanooga. A fine-looking body of troops. Chaplain preached a good sermon in the evening.
Charles Harvey, Co. F, 17th Indiana Mounted Infantry
13—On guard acting [ ] corporal. Raining all night. Seabolt, [Samuel] Faucett, [Charles] Harvey and bunk mate ]Michael] Woolf gone to the river to destroy some rebel flat boats.
14—Ousterhout’s Division of Sherman’s Corps passes on it way to Stevenson. Camped all night near our camp. Written one letter to Izara. Received one also.
15—Sent by Dr. Monford, our regimental surgeon, thirty dollars addressed to J. A. Bolens. West [ ]. On guard. Weather cool and clear.
16—Came off guard at eight o’clock. Chase writing documents related to our gallant conduct at the terrible Battle of Chickamauga. SEnt it to Commercial for publication.
17—Again on guard at forage pie. Harvey, Woolf, and Chase return from expedition on the Tennessee River. Wagon train gone to Painted Rock for provisions, stance 14 miles.
18—Came off guard. Received marching orders in the evening to be ready to march in an hour. Countermanded until four in the morning.
19—Regiment started out for Chattanooga, distance one hundred miles, with Col. Long’s Brigade to make a raid in rear of the enemy. Destination supposed to be Cleveland.
20—On guard. Drizzling rain. Received a letter from sister Mary. Written one to Uncle Eugene. Reading a book called Gleanings of Poets—a book for every man to have.
21—Rise very late this morning. Rained very hard all night. Our shanty leaked very badly. On fatigue duty taking mules to convalescent pen brigade headquarters.
22—News that we march tomorrow. Report came in camp that the 72nd had a fight at the Tennessee River. Written one letter to Mary. Reading Tribune and a few poems.
23—News from the regiment. Elijah Conely returned from Stevenson. Regiment on its way to Chattanooga. On horse guard. Corp. [Cyrus] Wick returned from Stevenson.
24—Out with forage train. Raining all day. Went in the direction of Meridianville [Alabama] 12 miles from camp. Came in at sun down. No hogs.
25—Marching orders move camp at 6 a.m. for the beautiful town of Huntsville. Hear cannon in the direction of Tennessee river. Camped on the Fayetteville Pike.
26—On mounted patrol duty around camp. Orders to arrest any man that is doing mischief. Went on picket in the evening on the Triana Road 1.5 miles from camp. No mails today.
27—Came in camp in the morning. Had a fine chat with a Southern lady. Took breakfast with her. Received a letter from Lizza Layton. One also from J. B. Henkle.
28—Out with forage train. Raining all day. Built a board shany in the afternoon. Got corn. A Burns Plantation five mules from Huntsville. Bought 25 cents worth corn bread from the darkies.
29—On fatigue duty hauling brick for Headquarters to build chimneys. Got through hauling at noon. reading Telescope in afternoon and testament. No mail today.
30—On fatigue with forage train. went out towards Whitesboro. Finished building fire place to my tent or shanty as the case may be.
DECEMBER 1863
1—On fatigue duty hauling logs to build Major Jones a log cabin. Mail came in today. Received some papers and company pin from New York! Clear and cold.
2—Out with headquarter wagons for forage. A mail came in this evening. Received one from beautiful Jennie. Went up to hear [41 year-old Stephen] Dennis [Principle Musician in Co. K] play on the flute in the evening.
3—Written one letter to charming Jennie Loogootee. Went to town after lumber. Reading Willdean—a ghost story. Had a jolly time with Jo March and Nick.
4—Out with division headquarter train after forage. Sullivan West gone to Nashville with wagon train after our overcoats we left last spring.
5—On duty at headquarters papering Major Jones’ house. Drawed some clothing. Drawed some new drums. Now we will have plenty of music. Received a letter from charming Sophia of E.
6—Taken from Chase’ diary. Started for Knoxville with 11th, 12th, 14th Army Corps. Camp at Vleveland. See our wounded boys in hospital.
7—Camp at Benton on Hiawasee river. Capture 800 hogs and a lot of prisoners. Have to march to Charleston. Not able to cross the river.
8—Detailed back to Charleston. Guard bridge. Had a gard ride to Athens last night. Camp at Athens. Fine place. Plenty to eat.
9—Report of Wheeler coming this morning. A grand scare. We march to Sweetwater. Capt. Wade in command, 98th Illinois.
10—Get up in morning. Find my [ ] gone. Foot it to Loudon. Camp for the night. 28 miles from Knoxville.
11—Cross Little Tennessee river at Louisville. Regiments bound for Knoxville good. Some skirmish. Beautiful country is East Tennessee.
12—In camp at Louisville. I go with message to Gen. Howard. Fine specimen. Treat us well. All Union Bully for Wilder’s Brigade.
13—March at 5 a.m Camp at Morgantown. Longstreet runs. Army marching back as there is nothing for them to do. See Gen. Morgan & Smith.
14—Camp near Madisonville. See Gens. Blair, Ewing, Sherman. Fine looking men. One thing, the women all chew tobacco. Bad.
15—Near Tellico Plains. Camp for the night. Warmer. Having fine times. All goes pleasant.
16—In camp. Scouring the country. Some of the regiment go into North Carolina. State line 16 miles from Tellico Plains. Smith’s division laying here. Sherman.
17—Detail on scout. Two miles to rebel Iron Works. Bear skins plenty. Had a good dinner at Dr. steins. Back to camp.
18—Start toward Charleston. Camp on Swanee river. Good times. 3rd Regulars with us. Having fine times.
19—March to Charleston. Call on Miss Aikens. Have fine chat. Beautiful lady. Brigade go in camp at Charleston.
20—Sunday. Lord bless us and keep us all. Pour His benefactions upon all and the dear ones at home in the great and glorious North,
21—Leave regiment. Start for Chattanooga. Camp at Elk Fork. Have fine chat with ladies. Reach Chattanooga tomorrow.
22—Reach Chattanooga. Start for Stevenson. Want to get up with division soon for Huntsville tomorrow. Boys get little drunk.
23—Reach Huntsville, Alabama. Have fine time with my Southern duck, Miss Ann Williams. Fine young lady. Well educated. Came to camp 11 o’clock.
24—Marching orders tomorrow for Athens. Have fine time with Miss Jordan also.
25—Christmas. Cold and dreary. Five miles from Athens. Have hard tack for dinner. Bully for me.
26—March and camp on Elk River near Elkton. Rain during the night. Have fine time with friend Chase. All’s right.
27—Camp Pulaski. Have plenty fresh hog and parrolets [?]. Dodger. Rains all day. 81st Ohio here.
28—In camp. Very cold. Down in town in afternoon. See some of the 81st Ohio. Col. Martin’s regiment 7th Pennsylvania.
29—Out with forage train. Get forage 3 miles from camp. Raining, disagreeable weather. Chase gone to town.
30—On guard at forage pile. Cold and disagreeable. Reading papers.
31—Last day of the old year. A hard time, Have fought on many a hard field, 17th enlisting as veterans. Goodbye. Long will I remember some of my days.
JANUARY 1864
January 1, 1864—New Year’s Day. Close to town. Had a fine dinner. A Col. Jones make a stirring speech for veterans. We have beans and hard tack. Excellent.
2—In camp. A large number of the regiment enlist as veterans. I no go as veteran. $400 is no inducement for me. I go in [ ].
3—In camp reading. Col. Wilder came up last night. Made a fine speech. Boys glad to see the old chap.
4—In camp. Rained very hard last night. Return bounty raised to 500. I may go in yet. Regiment starts for Indiana tomorrow. Most all boys go.
5—Enlisted as a veteran yesterday. Start for Columbia. On our way to old Indiana. Camp for the night at D. Plain five miles from Columbia.
6—Rose at 4 a.m. March for Columbia. Pass through the camp at Spring Hill. See the house where Van Dorn was killed. Take cars tomorrow for Nashville.
7—Start for Nashville. Have a hard time. Get there at 12 midnight. Very cold. Came near freezing.
8—Stay in a large seminary, veteran headquarters. Boys on a tremendous drunk, fight with provost.
9—Down in the city, Had fine time. Buy some photographs of our generals. Boys go to the theatre.
10—Laying in barracks reading, writing. Sent one letter to charming Jennie of Lancaster. Happy was the house when first I beheld she.
Miss Maggie Mitchell
11—Sunday in barracks reading. Some of boys go to church. 7th Iowa came last night.
12—To town. Have fine times. Down to theatres in evening. Miss Maggie Mitchell principal actress. Most excellent. Beautiful.
13—Help make out re-enlistment papers for re-enlistment. Down in the evening to old theatre. Miss Matilda Heron, actress. Very poor.
14—Received a letter from beautiful Jennie. One also from charming Sophia. Reading poem Two Millions by William Alen Butler, a fine work. Down to theatre. The Pet of the Petticoats [with] Maggie Mitchell.
15—Strolling round town. Buy some paper, envelopes, Boys anxious to get home. Tired of staying here. One had fight at Calhoun’s.
16—Report of another fight with Wheeler. Whip him bad….
17—In barracks reading. Making out muster rolls. Down to theatre. Maggie Mitchell.
18—Regiment returns from Knoxville. On fatigue. Take horses up to oen. Down to theatre, Fanchon the Cricket.
19—Talk of regiment going tomorrow. Would be glad to go home. Hurrah for 17th. Have a mass with 19th Michigan.
20—In quarters. Help make out muster rolls. Down to theatre in evening. Miss Maggie Mitchell.
21—In barracks. Help make out rolls, Muster in afternoon. Col. Wilder returned from Indiana.
22—Finish making out our pay rolls. Have orders to march tomorrow for Evansville, Indiana. Theatre in evening. Last appearance of Maggie Michell.
23—Start for Evansville on the first steamer Havana at 5 in the evening. Have pleasant trip. Fine sight to look at the silver ripples. Beautiful night.
24—Stop at [ ]. River full of ice. Hard on the boat.
25—Arrive at Evansville, Indiana. Grand reception of 17th. Have a fine time. Detailed for duty in afternoon. Start for Indianapolis at 10 o’clock. Boys drunk and me sober.
26—Arrive in the city 10 a.m. Grand reception of 17th. 20 thousand present. Great enthusiasm by the people. Speeches by Gov. Morton, Gen. Wilder, Harry Armstrong.
27—Quarter in the Masonic Hall, one of the finest buildings in the ciy. Boys anxious to get home. All goes pleasantly.
28—Running around the city. Making myself famous among the civilians. Help make out furloughs in the afternoon for captain.
29—On guard. At Hall. Anxious to get home to see the loved ones. Buy a new uniform in afternoon $60 at people’s store.
30—Start for home this evening. Received our pay $200.15. Boys are drunk. Me sober as usual.
31—Did not get my furlough yesterday and must lay over today. Go to church. A fine sermon. Stay at Bates House. $3.50 per day.
This has been a glorious month. The cause of me enlisting after all the trials and hardships I have seen. The hero of 30 battles.
FEBRUARY 1864
1—Arrive at home, safe and sound. Greeted by my friends. Well pleased with them. One butternut friend of mine says I am fighting for the Blacks. All right if so.
2—Rise early. Had a pleasant dream. I got to see the long cherished object of my affections this afternoon. (good indeed).
3—Lazing in the store telling my exploits of soldier life. Interesting indeed (have an inclination of going out to see some of the feminine sex. I am rather backward.
4—Running with my friends. Spend the evening at a social party at Dr. Protzinger’s. Enjoying myself very well. Pleasant time.
5—All right this morning. Feel exceedingly well over my time I had last night.
6—Loitering around town having a good time. All goes pleasantly.
7—Running around town. Having a good time in general. Had fine time with Hainse.
8—Made my first advance among the [ ] Read Hardee’s Tactics (advanced cautiously).
Sgt. William H. Thompson of Co, F, 17th Indiana Mounted Infantry. In this earlier view Thompson wears an early state blue uniform with cloth epaulettes and gray dress hat. He sports a canteen and carries an Enfield rifle.
Spared & Shared 23 