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 John Warner Sturtevant (1840-1892) the son of Luther Sturtevant, Jr. (1803-1872) and Isabelle Litchfield (1810-1905) of Keene, Cheshire county, New Hampshire. At the outbreak of the Civil War, John was working as a clerk in Tilden’s bookstore in Keene.
In August 1862, he enlisted in the 14th New Hampshire Regiment and went to the front as a sergeant in Co. G. He performed gallant service, was badly wounded at the Battle of Opequan (gunshot wound left leg, right arm hurt by shell), and was mustered out in 1865 with the rank of captain. For two years after the war he was in business in Beaufort, South Carolina, but returned to Keene in the spring of 1867 and purchased an interest in the bookstore where he was formerly engaged as clerk. He served as the town clerk of Keene in 1869 until its incorporation as a city in 1874. He was a member of the State Legislature in 1876, 1877, and 1885.
John W. Sturtevant married Clara, daughter of Charles Chase of Keene in January 1871.
See also—1864: John Warner Sturtevant to Family on S&S 17.
Transcription
Addressed to Mrs. I. L. Sturtevant, Keene, New Hampshire
Camp 14th New Hampshire Volunteers 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 19th Army Corps Berryville, Virginia September 18th 1864
Dear Friends at Home,
Two years ago today I bid you “goodbye” and went into camp at Concord. One year ago today I came home again on my first furlough. How rapidly time slips by. The other year will soon be gone and long before that comes I hope all necessity for our being here will be removed. It’s Sunday & we have the prospect of a quiet day—the first I have seen for some time. The chaplain of the 9th Connecticut (Irish) holds Catholic services this morning at 9 to which all the Irish will of course go this p.m. Rev. Mr. Little of the 1st Vermont will hold exercises in our grove. The rain prevented the exercises last Sunday.
Our Sunday morning inspection’s over and I propose to write, read and sleep the remainder of the day, attending the services this p.m., though I have broken off my rest a good deal of late, and have had so much tto do daytimes that I could not find time to sleep.
Last night somebody fired five or six shots on the picket line about one o’clock and they got all the officers out and kept us on the alert for an hour or two, and then up again at 4 o’clock this morning. It turned out to be nothing but our pickets killing a sheep or something of that kind. This morning one of the men who was on picket came along with a quarter of splendid mutton to see which I bought for $1 and after reserving what Jesse and I wanted, we sold the remainder for $1. We call that “strategy” and say it was formed on a military necessity for we were short of meat and short of funds. The commissary has had some potatoes & onions which I have lived on chiefly of late. I had a soup this morning which was elegant. When it does not rain, I like to do my own cooking but rainy days I generally go hungry. I am trying to get a colored servant but they are scarce about here.
Friday we had a Brigade Drill of four hours duration. We all liked it but got pretty tired. Yesterday was our Monthly Inspection by the Brigade Inspector. He was a long while at it and gave us a thorough looking at. He decided as usual that “G” was rather ahead of anything in the regiment. After the inspection was over the Inspector sent to me to send to Gen. [ ] Sergt. Law of my company with his gun. It appears that the Inspector had made a bet that Law’s gun was the cleanest and best looking gun in the Division & had sent all around to the best regiments for their best guns. They sent them in & the General made his examination but could not find one that would compare with Sergt. L’s and so gave up the bet.
[Co.] G has always stood unrivaled for her guns & I mean she always shall. We had 14 new recruits join us from Concord yesterday. They all joined Company H which was the smallest company in the regiment.
Quartermaster Webster returned from Nash. last night. He saw Raish Friday night. Said he was well. There is nothing new in the regiment since last I wrote. Everybody seems to be in better condition & spirits than they have been for a long time. I certainly am. Jim Russell came Friday. Told me that things were pretty “Coppery” in K. He was glad to get back. Gen. Grant was here yesterday and I did not see him. Shall write you twice or three times a week as long as we remain here. Love to all. Ever your affectionate son, — Jno.
This letter was written by Richard Shelton Ellis (1823-1867) who was married to Anne (“Nannie”) Frances Perkins (1827-1907) and resided in Buckingham county, Virginia, on a plantation they called “Afton.” Richard was born in Richmond, Virginia.
Richard’s younger brother, Powhatan Ellis
Richard was the son of Charles Ellis (1772-1840) and Margaret Keeling Nimmo (1790-1877) of Richmond, Virginia. Richard learned the merchant’s trade from his father. The letter was sent to Richard’s sister, Frances (“Fannie”) Allan (Ellis) Cocke (1827-1886), the wife of Richard Ivanhoe Cocke (1820-1873) of Richmond. Richard had a younger brother, Powhatan Ellis (1829-1906), named after an uncle, who served in the 3rd Kentucky Mounted Infantry during the Civil War. He was an Assistant Adjutant General (AAG) to a series of Confederate generals: Lloyd Tilghman, Patrick R. Cleburn, Leonidas Polk, Richard Taylor, Stephen D. Lee, and Nathan B. Forrest. He fought at the Battles of Corinth and Fort Donelson, and other battles in the army of the Southwest. By the end of the war, he had reached the rank of major.
Richard’s letter speaks of the Exemption Bill being debated in the Confederate Congress. At the time, one exclusion under consideration was to exempt an otherwise age-eligible male if there were ten of more white people living in the household.
Transcription
Afton [Plantation] February 28th 1863
My dear Fannie,
Your letter was quite welcome, giving me the good news of the boys arrival & of Jennie’s restoration. In one from Charles received at the same time, however, he alludes to Betsy’s sickness & to Ma’s indisposition from a fall she had received & which I suppose he had given an account of in a previous letter which has since come to hand. Our post office arrangements are none of the best & I fear that little McFadden, whose trial I attended in Richmond, isn’t by any means the only rogue on the Farmville post route. I hope Ma is not seriously sick and that Betsy’s attack of varioloid, like Jennie’s, may prove a slight one. Uncle Powhatan’s situation is a deplorable one and from your account of his present condition, I fear he will never rally from so severe an attack of disease as that he labors under. I regret that I missed Jennie’s boys but hope she will permit them to come up & pay my children a visit before she sets them back to work at school. I can still….
…a single ball at the first fire. Mildred like all girls is more of a student & is very much engaged with the little story books. We think the three youngest children have the whooping cough, though quite mildly. Nannie and sister Kate keep very well but are closely [ ] this bad weather. The roads being impassable for vehicles as is proved by the fact that Nannie has not been to sister Eliza’s or she here for a month. Mrs. Thomas Perkins is fast recovering from her sickness & she and the baby are now as well as could be expected.
Will you say to Charles that I have not time before the boy leaves for the Court House today to answer his letter, but that I would be glad if he comes again & Mr. Powers, the agent of the M. C. & W. Manufacturing Co. & ascertain if a bale of hot cotton Ogby’s can be had and at what price, & if he cannot get that or do better than to try the No. 2 we sow, to get a bale of that for me, and to write me what No. 5 bale cotton can be bought at. I will send him a check for the amount of purchase of the Ogby’s. Tell him I will get him some more butter but that he will have to pay $1.25 for lard. I can get butter a hundred or more pounds at that price, adnd being [ ] new bacon for the same price. He must write at once & let me know whether he wishes me to purchase fowls.
I see that the Senate are tampering with the Exemption Bill, as well as the House, and that I am likely to be deprived of my present exemption—but that having compassion on men of very large families they have provided that where there are 10 white women & children on a plantation, one white male adult shall be exempt to protect them. As I shall soon be a person in that category, I begin to find that a large number of children is not altogether an un[ad]mired evil. 1
Tell Lizzie’s little Lucy that Charley was very glad to get her letter & the first wet day will answer it. Nannie & sister Kate join me in love to all at Ma’s and the Colonel’s, and with maby prayers for you & yours, dear Fan, I am truly your affectionate brother, — Rich T. Ellis
1 Nannie was pregnant at the time of this letter and gave birth to James Nimmo Ellis (1863-1931) on 6 March 1863.
This letter was penned by DeForest Hedges (1831-1921), the son of Christopher E. Hedges (1801-1883) and Mary Newell (1806-1881) of Waverly, Tioga county, New York. DeForest attended the Charlottesville Seminary in Schoharie county and then in 1859 he drove a freight wagon for Clark & McCormick from Omaha to Denver so that he could get the gold fields of Colorado. He did some placer mining in 1860 but then returned to freighting to make a living, driving the route from Denver to Virginia City, Montana. He eventually got into ranching in Montana.
No better place to raise recruits than the local beer hall next door to the “Denver City Home Guards Headquarters”(Denver Public Library)
Transcription
Denver [Colorado Territory] October 9th 1861
Friend Samuel,
I now take the opportunity to write a few lines to you again hoping that I will after a while receive a letter from you. This is the second that I have written to you without receiving a solitary line in return and now this is the last that I shall write to you until I receive one from you. I really think judging from the letters that I receive that I have but few friends in the vicinity of home if I have not received a letter, excepting from Father’s family, from anyone in the neighborhood since H. P. Crane left. Well, if the folks don’t feel disposed to write to me, they can do the other thing—they can let it alone. But Sam, I hope that you are not one of the number that feel disposed to write.
This has been a cold and stormy day—a harbinger of approaching winter. It has snowed all day and the consequence is that the ground wears a snow mantle. There has at least a foot of snow fallen today & the air this evening is quite cold. I tell you, Sam, that I have seen some rough times in this country but still I have not yet seen enough of the country yet. I shall not come home until a year from this fall.
There is nothing of importance transpiring here excepting the military movements. They have received orders here to raise two regiments of soldiers. One regiment is already full and the second is in progress. They have been building barracks near the town for the soldiers’ winter quarters. It is expected that the Rebels & Indians will attack this town this fall. They will meet with a warm reception if they do. We will give them the best that our guns afford. We have got a secession Captain by the name of McKey 1 in prison here charged with treason. He was raising a company of secession Rebels but his plans did not work & he may get his cotton neck stretched if he don’t look out.
Times are better than they were last spring. Write soon and tell me all the news. This in friendship from your friend, — DeForest Hedges
1 It was Captain Joel McKee that was arrested by order of William Gilpin, Governor of Colorado Territory and placed in jail by Copeland Townsend, US Marshal. Gilpin’s executive order read: “Information having reached me that a Texan named McKee is raising troops within this Territory for an unlawful purpose, I deem it incompatible with the public safety for him to be suffered longer to be at large. You are, therefore, directed to arrest and detain him until further orders.”When McKee petitioned for a Writ of Habeas Corpus, it was denied with the argument by the court that it does not apply to persons who engage in open rebellion or invasion of public safety.According to one source, Joel McKee was born in 1824 in Indiana, father was born in Kentucky, and his mother was born in Pennsylvania. “He was in CO in 1861, described as a “frontiersman” or ” old Indian fighter,” probably mining gold, who was a leader of the pro-South forces around Denver according to the (Yankee dominated) newspapers. They had a secret camp at the ghost town of Russellville in 1861. He led a group of about 45 men toward TX in Oct. 1861. They were captured near Ft Wise, held in Denver, charged with treason. They busted out 28 Feb 1862 and made their way South.” (Civil War Message Board)
The following letter was written by William (“Bill”) H. Talbott (1836-1900), a native of Springfield, La Porte county, Indiana. Bill enlisted in July 1861 to serve in Co. C, 1st Indiana Cavalry. He was discharged for disability (“disease of Kidneys”) on 8 September 1862. When he returned home, he married Elizabeth (“Lizzy”) Dorcas Knowles (1840-1926) in 1863 in Gibson county, Indiana, and together they had seven children. They lived in Owensville for a decade or more and then moved to Kansas in 1878.
The First Cavalry regiment of Indiana volunteers contained no less than three full companies of Posey county men. They were C, D and H, and were organized in the months of July and August, 1861. The first captain of Company C was John K. Highman, who was killed at Fredericktown, MO., in November, 1861. All the officers of Co. C were from New Harmony and the entire company came from the northern part of the county. The first encounter with the enemy was September 12, near Ironton, Mo., when three companies had a sharp skirmish with the rebels.
1st Indiana Cavalry (On Noah R. Greenwalt’s Ancestry Family Page)
Transcription
Camp Clay, Missouri September 8th [1861]
Friend Lizzy,
I thought I would write to you as I was not doing anything. I was thinking about you and thought perhaps you would read a little from me. We are all well at present but this is the first time for some time. But I think we will get alright now.
Lizzie, this is a hard life to live but it is our duty to defend our rights. It is my duty to mark one of that number for which our state has called for. All I want is for peace to be made again and our land prosper again.
I heard this morning that James Fisher and Joseph Wasin had been sent to Springfield, Missouri, to make a stand to keep back the rebels. I don’t know how true it is. They have been in camp [with]in eight miles of us but we have not seen them.
I will tell you about John Cole getting hurt. His horse throwed him about two weeks ago and hurt him very bad. He did not know anything for three days. He is better. He can walk out anywhere he wants to. He did not have any bones broke.
I will close for this time. You must write to your old friend Bill. Direct your letter to W. H. Talbott, Saint Louis, Missouri. 1st Indiana Regiment of Cavalry, Company C.
Your truly, — W. H. Talbott
You must excuse me for writing with a pencil as it is out of fashion to write with a pen in the army. Yours truly, — W. H. Talbott
The following letters were written by Charles Otto Henthorn (1841-1910), the son of Nelson George Henthorn (1810-1890) and Elizabeth C. Moeller (1815-1887) of Lacon, Marshall county, Illinois. of Co. B, 77th Illinois Infantry. Charles’ parents were married in Licking county, Ohio, but had relocated to Marshall county, Illinois, prior to the 1840 US Census.
I could not find an image of Charles but here is a CDV of William G. Boman who served in Co. B, 77th Illinois Infantry (Photo Sleuth)
Charles enlisted in Co. D, 77th Illinois Infantry during the Civil War. Many of his letters are housed in the William L. Clements Library at the University of Michigan. Charles is described in that collection as “an unusually powerful writer and provides thoughtful, evocative descriptions of the events unfolding around him. His observations on the varied roles of African Americans in the army are particularly noteworthy. They are depicted in several ways: as informers on Confederate sympathizers hiding from the Union Army, as victims of racism and southern hatred, and as highly motivated and effective soldiers at the Battle of Milliken’s Bend. Henthorn appears to have a much more positive attitude toward blacks than many of his fellow soldiers, and he appears equally to be aware of this fact. Equally interesting are Henthorn’s descriptions of the land itself, including fine descriptions of towns in Indiana and Ohio, and of evacuated plantations in Louisiana. He makes several references to hostile southern attitudes toward the Union troops, and describes an instance of pillaging by members of his regiment. There are two second-hand accounts of battles, the Battles of Richmond and Milliken’s Bend, but by and large, there is very little martial content in Henthorn’s letters. He is instead at his best in his reflections on the effect of the conflict on the soldiers and civilians. The final two letters in the collection provide (respectively) an insight into the depth of Henthorn’s religiously held pro-Union, anti-slavery views, and an account of a copperhead rally in Lacon during the 1864 presidential election which featured a coffin containing a likeness of Lincoln with buzzards flying overhead…Like many soldiers in his regiment, Henthorn was striken with illness during the Vicksburg Campaign, and spent seven weeks in the Van Buren Hospital at Milliken’s Bend, La., before being sent to St. Louis for convalescence. This series of correspondence essentially ends when Henthorn leaves the south, however the regimental history for the 77th Illinois records Henthorn as mustering out only at the end of the war.”
Although Charles is carried on the Muster rolls of Co. B as Charles O. Henthorn, there is also a Charles O. Hawthorn on the rolls of Co. D which is also the company commanded by Capt. Robert Brock and the other privates mentioned in this letter. Henthorn, not Hawthorn, is the surname that Charles wrote on his letter and envelope. Because of the other names mentioned in this letter, I’m going to assume Charles was in Company D.
Letter 1
In Camp opposite Vicksburg January 31st 1863
Dear Father,
I received a letter yesterday from you stating that you had not received a letter from me since leaving Memphis. I have written four since the one to George while going down the river the first time. In [it] I told him he might have the skates and gun. Then I think I wrote one to you from a place called Milliken’s Bend, 25 miles from Vicksburg. Then I wrote you one on the 4th of January—the same day that Goodrich opened his box—informing you that i had received the letter containing the five dollars and also the boots and box of notions. I do not wonder that you are all uneasy though I suppose some of my letters have reached home before yours reached me. There even may be a possibility that mine may have been miscarried or misplaced. While on the boat, I was too unwell to feel much like writing. Besides, the jar of the boat rendered it difficult. I shall try to write oftener.
All the time that I have been sick, there has not been a day but what I could walk around. Our regiment left the boat on the 24th of January (on which some of us had stayed over a month) and marched down the river to our present camp ground—a distance of 3 or four miles. I could not keep up with the regiments with my accoutrements on so had to fall behind and take my time for it.
We have some bright and shiny days here though the principal part of the time has been cloudy and rainy since we came into camp. I am still unwell and unfit for duty but have good and accommodating messmates—Will Fenn, Joseph Will, Martin Hoagland, &c.
The mails now is quite irregular and sometimes far between in going up. I hope you may receive all my letters. I think I got all of yours. I hope soon to become entirely well. The most that troubles me is the diarrhea—very common in the camp. A baker with an army bake oven has been engaged to bake light bread for the regiment. We got our first today. You can have a fine view of Vicksburg from the top of the levee.
February 2nd, This morning two of our gunboats ran the blockade of the water batteries. There was a brisk cannonade for over half an hour. It sounded quite interesting. You will perceive from my handwriting that my hand is nervous.
Yours sincerely with love to all. — C. O. Henthorn
Letter 2
In Camp Opposite Vicksburg February 14th 1863
Dear Father,
Although I have no letter from home to answer, I concluded to write again. Capt. [Robert H.] Brock [of Co. D] received a letter from you dated the 5th in which you stated that you had not heard from me for more than a month. You said you did not know whether I was dead or not and that the report was around town that Joseph Will was dead. You certainly must know the contrary by this time. You can’t believe all the reports you hear.
I am still unwell. The doctor this morning marked me fit for duty My appetite is very good and I feel well enough with the exception of diarrhea and that debility which still hangs to me.
The weather now is very warm and pleasant with occasional rain storms. The buds on the trees are already putting out. There are fig trees growing in the yard over at Headquarters. A rougher looking tree you can scarcely imagine.
But I have forgotten to state that I received yours of the 29th January on the 8th inst. which you said both you and George had received letters from me. Your letter to the Captain was written previous to the one written to me so you must be relieved somewhat of your anxiety. Captain says letters going North are rather doubtful in their destination.
Last night one of our ironclads 1 taking advantage of the darkness and ran ran past Vicksburg with a barge laded with coal. The rebels, however, discovered it and opened fire which was briskly returned. The cannonading lasted about half an hour. It sounded almost sublime to hear those large guns booming forth in the still night. The rebels frequently try to shell our men out at the canal but they can’t begin to reach them.
Last night we (our mess) had quite a luxury for supper. We traded some coffee for a can of green peaches at the sutler’s which we ate with sugar. We would like to have had some cream but this of course was out of the question. We have been trying to make some pies but they don’t go very well without spice. Will Fenn and Joe Will have written for small quantities of spice. If you think it practicable, please send in a newspaper—say Gazette—a nutmeg broken in several pieces and some small quantities of ground cinnamon, all spice and ginger. Then I think we can bake quite a respectable pie.
Give my love to all. Yours sincerely, — Charles O. Henthorn
1USS Indianola, a 511-ton ironclad river gunboat, was built at Cincinnati, Ohio. Commissioned in an incomplete state in September 1862 to defend Cincinnati against a threatened Confederate attack, she was ready for active service in January 1863. Sent to join the Mississippi Squadron north of Vicksburg, she ran past the guns of that fortress city on 13 February 1863 in an effort to cut off Confederate supply lines.
I could not find an image of Robert but here is one of John L. Robinson who also served in Co. B, 106th New York Infantry (Photo Sleuth)
This letter was written by Robert B. Hill (1840-Aft1920) who enlisted as the age of 22 on 29 July 1862 to serve three years in Co. B, 106th New York Infantry. He enlisted as a private but was a corporal when he was discharged from the service on 22 June 1865. According to his muster records, Robert was born in Wegatchie, New York, and he was described as a 5’4″ tall, light haired, grey-eyed farmer.
During the war, the 106th New York participated in the following battles: Fairmount and Martinsburg, W. Va.; Culpeper, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna river, Totopotomoy, Cold Harbor first assault on Petersburg, and the Weldon railroad, Va.; Monocacy, Md., Charlestown, W. Va., Opequan, Fisher’s hill, Cedar Creek, Va.; fall of Petersburg, Sailor’s creek, and was present at Wapping heights, siege of Petersburg, Hatcher’s run and Appomattox.
Just three months prior to this letter, the 106th New York was placed in the Army of the Potomac as part of Carr’s 3rd Division of French’s 3rd Corps. This letter was penned in the midst of the Bristoe Campaign—a series of minor engagements between Lee’s and Meade’s armies along the Orange and Alexandria Railroad in October and November 1863.
The Battle of Bristoe Station, 14 October 1863
Transcription
Near Catlett’s Station October 29th 1863
Dear Sister,
Yours of the seventeenth has been received some days since and I received one from Mother two or three days before yours and you must both excuse me for not answering them sooner. But the truth is that since I heard of Father’s death, I cannot think of anything to write but we must try and bear it as well as possible and hope when our time comes we may be found ready. And there is another reason that I have not written oftener of late. That is that we have not much time to do anything for we have been on the move nearly all the time for the last two or three weeks.
On the 25th of the month, our Brigade was sent to the front and we was relieved by the 2nd Brigade this morning. We was sent out to reconnoiter and try if possible to draw the rebels out and we went within a short distance of them and they sent their shells whistling over our heads but without doing any damage to our Brigasde. Our artillery would fire on them and then fall back but they took pretty good care not to come within musket shot of us. They have got a considerable force at Bealton Station and when General Meade finds out that he cannot draw them out this way, he will drive them the other. But I do not think there will be any very hard fighting for a few days.
We are just about ten miles from the front now but how long we will stay here, I cannot say. I do not think that our life is any safer here than at the front for we will not die before our time comes wherever we are. All the difference is that the more excitement there is, the time seems to pass away just so much faster and I think that it improves the health of all of us to have something to stir our nerves a little for the health of the regiment never was better than at the present time.
You say that you sent some things to me by Lieutenant [Robert] Riddle 1 but I never got them for he never came to the regiment and it is not very likely that he ever will for he has been discharged. I received the postage stamp that you sent in your last letter.
Now I will have to come to a close for this time for it is now nine o’clock p.m. This leaves me in good health and I hope these few lines will find all of you enjoying the same blessing. You must not expect too many letters from me while we are on the march for it is not much time we get to write letters. But you must write as often as you can. Give my love to all enquiring friends and keep a good share for yourself. Goodbye for the present. From your loving brother, — Robert Hill
1 2nd Lt. Robert Riddle was discharged from the 106th New York Infantry in early October 1863. He received a gunshot wound in his heel at Fairmont, Virginia, on 29 April 1863.
I could not find an image of John but here is a tintype of Pvt. Alonzo Bradley of Co. A, 6th Maine Infantry (MacDonald Collection)
The following letter was written by John Glover, a private in Co. D, 6th Maine Infantry. The 6th Maine Infantry was organized in Portland, Maine, mustered in on July 15, 1861 and mustered out of service August 15, 1864. Veterans and recruits were transferred to the 7th Maine Infantry and soon consolidated to become the 1st Maine Veteran Infantry. The regiment lost a total of 255 men during service; 12 officers and 141 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 2 officers and 100 enlisted men died of disease.
Glover’s letter summarizes the movements and engagements of the 6th Maine Infantry for the first six weeks of Grant’s Overland Campaign in 1864 fighting in the 3rd Brigade of Gen. Horatio Wright’s 1st Division of Gen. John Sedgwick’s VI Corps. They were brigaded with the 49th and 119th Pennsylvania, and the 5th Wisconsin. Glover informs us that the most of the casualties suffered by his regiment occurred on 10 May when their brigade was called upon to participate in Col. Emory Upton’s assault on the rebel works known as the Muleshoe—a salient in the rebel defenses near Spotsylvania Court House. They joined with 11 other regiments, “some 5,000 men whom Upton declared the best of the army” to charge upon the rebel works with fixed bayonets, not stopping to fire until they had breached the Muleshoe.
The Union Assault on the Muleshoe, 10 May 1864
Transcription
Camp of the 6th Maine Volunteers Near Petersburg, Virginia June 21st 1864
Friend George,
I once more resume the pen for the purpose of writing you a few lines to let you know that I am still alive and well. It has been some time since we had any correspondence and as times were rather dull and lonesome, I thought that I could not better improve my time than by writing to you. I have no news of importance to tell you—only that there is plenty of fighting here and not a great deal of rest.
Now I will try and give you a sketch of the present campaign. We broke camp on the 3rd of May about 4 o’clock in the morning and after a very hard day’s march lay down for the night. The next day about noon we marched down into a piece of woods and lay there all day and all that night and the next day threw up rifle pits and held them all that day and part of that night when we marched to the left and left our pits altogether.
After that, nothing took place of any importance until we discovered the enemy again at Spotsylvania Court House. There we had one of the hardest battles of the war. On the 10th of May our Division made a charge and was repulsed with very heavy loss. Our regiment lost 140 men killed, wounded and taken prisoners. Moses Babcock was wounded very bad. The ball passed through his breast and came out of his back so they say—I did not see him after he was wounded and have not heard from him since he went to the hospital, only by reports. The last report that I had, he was getting along very well and I understand that he is doing well.
Since the 10th, we have had some hard times but no such fighting as we had the 10th. We have lost a number of our regiment on the picket and skirmish line but it is useless for me to try to describe the whole scene of the campaign. I have given you an insight of the fighting and hardships of the last forty days and now, after a few lines more, I will close.
The Rebs are throwing a few shell over this way but none of them has come very near here yet but I expect they will soon throw some here and disturb my writing. There is already batteries of our own [responding] and every time they fire a shot, it disturbs my writing a little. And just now there was a rebel shot came very near me.
Now I have nothing more of importance to tell you. You will please tell Henry and family that I am well and [I] should write to them but it is very difficult to write here but I should like to hear from him if it is convenient. No more this time.
Please excuse poor writing and mistakes and write soon. Yours truly, — John Glover
P. S. Please tell me in your first letter if you received thirty dollars that was expressed on the 20th of September 1863.
Please direct to Co. D, 6th Maine Volunteers, Washington D. C.
This letter was written by Christiana Spangler (1828-1918) to her sister, Louisa (Spangler) Harr (1824-1882). In her letter, Christiana explains that she was deterred from coming to visit her sister by soldiers guarding the Wrightsville Bridge that spanned the Susquehanna river. The following vignette explains:
“When Confederate Brigadier General John Brown Gordon arrived on June 28 with approximately 1,800 troops, the Federals were waiting in their entrenchments. The Rebels opened up with artillery fire, and the Union position rapidly became untenable. The Federals decided to retreat to Columbia and blow up a section of the over mile-long bridge behind them, denying the Rebels access to Lancaster. The explosion failed to destroy the bridge, so the order to burn it was given. As the Confederates surged forward, the bridge erupted in flames. Gordon’s men worked for hours to extinguish the blaze. They kept Wrightsville from going up in smoke, but the bridge, financed by the First National Bank of Columbia, was destroyed. Gordon’s brigade was recalled to York the next day.“
Christiana’s letter was datelined 31st June 1863 which is clearly an error since there are only 30 days in the month. She makes no mention of the bridge having been destroyed yet but it may have been burned without her knowing of it when she wrote.
This letter is from the private collection of Jeff Hilsmeier who sent me photographs of it for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared.
Transcription
June 31st [30th] 1863
Dear Sister,
I take the pleasure this forenoon to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well at present and I hope that these few lines may find you and your family in the same state of good health and further, I will let you know that I was a going to come over home yesterday but I gave it up for this time for the people have a great excitement about the rebels that they are coming in so that they won’t let anybody over the bridge now in Columbia and they building forts above [the] city. But they can get over if they want to go to Lancaster for they are a great many hands are coming over to work in haymaking and harvesting and they never said a word to them that they can’t get over. But if one of our men wants to cross the bridge, they can’t.
And further I will let you know that me and Jacob got a letter from [your husband] Isaac and we were glad to hear of him but I expect till we hear of him again, he [will be] at home for he wrote that he expects to be in York till the 10th of July.
And further I will let you know that Jacob’s family is well and he has work enough. He is planting tobacco and seet potatoes still and I want you to let me know all the news that you know because I can’t get home. But if I live and can come about the rebels, I will come and stay a couple weeks with youans and I wish you all well till I see you again.
And so no more at present but still remain. My best respects to you and all inquiring friends and I want you to answer this letter as soon as it comes to hand. And so no more. Goodbye from me, — Christiana Spangler
The following letter was written by Louisa (Spangler) Haar (1824-1882), the wife of Isaac Haar (1818-1874) of Paradise township, York county, Pennsylvania. Louisa wrote the letter to her 46 year-old husband who was drafted in November 1862 and mustered into Co. C, 166th Pennsylvania Infantry (Drafted Militia). Isaac became ill in the winter and was hospitalized in January 1863—too ill to return to his regiment until 20 July 1863 and he was discharged a week later. Their children were named Emma (b. 1852), Annie (b. 1854), Amanda (b. 1856), and Allen (b. 1860) whose names appear at the end of the letter, though somewhat difficult to read due to the resolution of the image.
The letter was datelined 7 June 1863 but this was clearly a mistake; it should have been dated 7 July 1863—a few days after the Battle of Gettysburg which is described in the letter. In her letter, Louisa informs her husband of the passage of Gen. Early’s army through Gettysburg on the way to York, and then of the fights at Hanover and Gettysburg, followed by the heavy rains.
This letter is from the private collection of Jeff Hilsmeier who sent me photographs of it for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared.
Transcription
[Paradise Township, York county, Pennsylvania] June [July] 7th 1863
Dear husband,
Here I let you know that I and the children are all well at this present [time] and we hope that these few lines will and may find you in the same state of health. Further, I let you know that we had bad times here this week past. The rebels came through here on the [2]7th of June and went as far as York and then came back as far as Hanover on the 29th and there they had a fight and then from Hanover they went to Gettysburg and there they pound[ed] on us for about 3 days and it is said that our men killed about 35,000 rebels and took about 15,000 prisoners and it is aid that the rebels killed and wounded about 12 or 15,000 of our men.
And now the rebels are in Emmitsburg [Maryland] about 12 miles above Gettysburg and they say they are fixing for another battle and the rebels went up through Dover township and took most all the horses and through here they took a good many too but not so very much as some other places. And they keep the York fellows pretty hard. They say they made the York boys make up 25,000 dollars so as they didn’t burn down the town and they made it up more over here.
I let you know that I have a notion to cut some of our grain on the 8th, that is tomorrow, for the neighbors are still none at cutting grain and it is ripe too, but the weather ain’t good. It is raining here since last Saturday. Last Saturday evening we had an uncommon rain here. It wash the cornfields and the tobacco patches off pretty bad. It washed a couple loads of grain out of our corn field down in the lane and garden. It covered my [ ] patch most all over and if you write me a letter, direct your letter to the farmers post office that is at the [ ] for they do no business in Abbottstown—not since the rebels came in here, and I didn’t receive no letter from you since the 25th of June. That was the letter you wrote on the 21st. That was the longest day.
A little for Emma. She says that we have a good deal of blueberries but she is too lazy to pick them and Ogden says you shall come home and pick the blue berries. And now I want to know whether you are coming home pretty soon. I want you to write me and tell what time you can come about. No more at this time. Send me a letter as son as you can. No more. Yours, Louisa Haar and [names of her children].
The following letters were written by Pvt. Edward Jackson (1841-1863) of Co. A, 25th Illinois Infantry who enlisted at the age of 20 on 1 June 1861 to serve three years. When he was mustered into the regiment at St. Louis on 4 August 1864, he was described as a 5’6″ single farmer who had dark hair and hazel eyes. Though he enlisted for three years, Edgar did not live long enough to serve out his term. He died on 25 November 1863 from wounds received in the fighting at Missionary Ridge.
Edgar wrote all of the letters to his cousin, Josephine Cook (1847-1924), the daughter of Henderson and Lucinda (Trout) Cook of Georgetown, Vermilion county, Illinois.
[Note : These letters are from the Sic Parvis Magna, Gratias Jesu Collection and remain in private hands. They were made available expressly for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared.]
Letter 1
St. Louis, Missouri August 8, 1861
Dear Cousin,
I am sitting in my tent and I thought of the promise I made you to write to you and I thought that it was as good a time as I would find. I am well and so is Ben [Cook] and have been ever since we have been her. We landed here on Friday night at 12 o’clock and marched 4 miles to the Arsenal where we slept in dust six inches deep until morning, awoke, and walked down to the river and leaning on the fence, I gazed upon the longest river in the world. I thought of home and all who I left there. We are at present camped in the park.
We are unarmed and unguarded. All the troops that was fit to fight have been ordered away. There was two regiments came into the Arsenal today and some boatloads were going down the river. They are all undrilled like ourselves. 100 well-armed rebels can cut us all to pieces although I is little feared in our camp.
You must answer as soon as you finish this letter and tell me how Sis and Jim are. Tell Kate I would like to see her little red curly headed little John. He must write. Yours. Please answer soon. — Edgar Jackson
To Josephine
Write to me [at] St. Louis, Mo. , in care of Capt. Clark, [William N.] Coler’s Regiment.
Letter 2
Jefferson City, Mo. Tuesday, September 24th 1861
Dear Cousin,
I received your kind letter with much pleasure and tore it eagerly open to read the contents. I am well and have been since I came here. I have been homesick but that does not bother me more.
I have just come in from Dress Parade and it was the nicest sight that you or I ever saw. It is much prettier than a display of Wide Awake [marchers]. It was the last time that we ever expect to make in this place for we are under marching orders and will leave in the morning. We are going up to Lexington. They are fighting there like wildcats. The 23rd Illinois Regiment are taken prisoners and we are going to release them or die trying. General Frémont went through this city last night with 10,000 troops. The 25th Indiana Regiment were going up the river on a boat. They were fired into and the boat sunk.
You said for me to tell you what I had to eat and do. We have bread, meat, potatoes, beans, coffee, and rice, sugar. Soup the best of all. We have to drill from 7 till 11 before noon. Then from 2 until 6, making about 8 hours. They are fixing us for a fight and I say, let it come for I am getting tired of laying here and doing no good for myself nor my country. I want to fight some. There would be no honor in coming here and living at Uncle Sam’s expense for two or three years and not warring for him any.
I would like to come home this winter on furlough but there is no use of talking for we are not allowed to come home until discharged and nobody knows when that will be. I think that I can face it for three years if they are not too long and then I will got to Georgetown the nearest way.
You must excuse this bad writing for I can’t see where the rules are. If you want to see a full grown soldier, go down to Jim Hall’s. I sent Sis my picture today in some clothes that Frank Cook sent home. I would send you one if I could get money to get it taken. I had to borrow of [Lt.] Theodore West to get that one and it was a poor thing. They have been promising us three months wages for three weeks and it has not come yet and I do not look for it soon. You must write soon to Jefferson and if we are gone, all letters will follow us.
Yours as ever, — Edgar Jackson
Give my respects to all inquiring. Tell John to write me a letter. Kiss Kate for me two times. I don’t know whether you can read this or not. It is written by candle light. If you can’t, bring it to me and I will. I feel first rate tonight. I am not sick, homesick, nor lovesick.
Letter 3
Springfield, Missouri Wednesday, October 30th 1861
Dear Cousin.
I received your very kind letter today and was very glad to hear that you were all well. I am well and have been since I came here. All the boys are well, I believe, except Franklin. We had to leave him at Otterville. He was not able to travel and I have not heard from him since.
You heard that Old Baldwin was sick but that is false. He is well and has been all the time. Sylvester and Tom are both well and are enjoying themselves very well. I would like to be there to go to school with all the boys that I use to go with although I am doing very well where I am and don’t care if the war does last three years. I think that I can last as long as it does though I would like to be at home once in that time.
I should like to have been with you to the fair and to Terre Haute and saw the great city and the two regiments of soldiers that you said you saw although I have saw more than that. There are 25 regiments here in one body all in uniform and well drilled. We have run the secesh very near to the jumping off place and if they don’t jump, we will push them off. There is a dispatch today that Lane had them surrounded and could hold them three days and if we wanted to fight to come down and we could get the sight. We are going to start in the morning and we will whip them or fight a dry month for we are just the boys that can do that little trick.
There was a little fight here the other day. General Frémont’s body guard 150 men run 1800 of the secesh out of town and only lost 15 men and some few horses and have taken 28 prisoners. One of them is Colonel Price. The secesh lost about 100 men and nobody knows how man wounded. One colonel was killed by our boy in the fight. He was a very brave man. He was on horseback and he charged at our boys. They shot him five times before he fell from his horse. I saw all the dead men lying in the Court House. it was an awful sight. They were all in uniform—some of them all bloody just as they died.
Tell John that if I was there, I would keep him awake long enough to write me a letter. I have wrote my Father four times and sent him 20 dollars in one of them, I don’t know whether he got it or not for he has not wrote me one single line. I do not know how I can send this letter for there is not one postage stamp in the camp. Give my best respects to all and write soon to St. Louis. I remain your cousin, — Edgar Jackson
Please write soon.
Letter 4
Rolla, Missouri Saturday, December 13th 1861
Dear Cousin,
I received you very kind letter a few days ago and was glad to hear that you were all well for that is better than I can say for myself. I have not been able for duty for two weeks but there is so many of our company sick that I had to stand guard when my time came. I was on picket guard last night and today. I have the headache.
We are still laying in camp near Rolla and it is thought that we will stay here all winter but I hope not for this is a very lonesome place. There is nothing to see but soldiers, mule teams, and big rocky hills and I have seen them so much that it is no sight to me. There is about 20,000 troops here now. There is five Illinois regiments here—the 13th, 25th, 35th, 36th, and 44th. We are well provided with something to eat and wear. We have just drawn two good pairs of socks. We have good under clothes. They are woolen and very warm. We have good overcoats & blankets.
It is just 8 o’clock and there is brass bands, bugles, fifes, and drums beating the Tattoo—more music than I can listen to. There was one of [our] company taken off today with the smallpox. He was one of the Bloomfield boys.
I should like to hear Miss McCord’s class sing but we have one here that can beat it. We have a good time here singing. Ask Miss Katy if she won’t learn me to read when I get home. Tell her that when I get home we will play frog in the meadow like we use to do. I should like to come home on Christmas and see you all very well but I fear that circumstances will not admit. I have no hopes of coming home until discharged.
Tell John that his letter was the most interesting thing that I have read since I have been a soldier. Tell him to write again. Give my best respects to Uncle and Aunt and all inquiring and write soon to St. Louis.
I remain your affectionate cousin, — Edgar
There is neither postage stamps or stamped envelopes to be had here. We drew 17 dollars today.
Letter 5
Rolla, Missouri Wednesday night, January 21st 1862
Dear Cousin.
By reason of not having heard one word from you for a long time, I seat myself to write you the 2nd letter and hope you will soon write to me and let me know how you are all getting along.
My health is very good and the health of our company is better than when last I wrote to you. Alonzo [Jackson] is not well nor has not been for near a month and I fear that if he has to stay in camp here all winter, it will go very hard with him although I have no fears of myself for I am still hardy and rugged as ever and you well know that I use to be so at all times.
There has been three cases of smallpox in our company but they are not bad. One has entirely recovered and returned to camp. One has got so that he can wait on those that are bad and the other one is getting better. There is 15 cases of it in the hospital but not all from our regiment.
Today I broke guard and went to town and bought a picture of someones which I will send you although I don’t suppose you ever saw the fellow in your life but if you did, you will know him. I got another and will send it to New Holland, Indiana, to another cousin that you never saw.
It is getting very late and I am sitting alone in my humble place & position. All is still around me. The only sound that greets my ear is the snoring of my mess mates who lay in the arms of Morpheus enjoying the pleasures of sweet sleep and no doubt dreaming of home and the dear ones there for we often think of them.
We received (a few days ago) the 2nd box of nice presents from our friends in Georgetown for which we are under a thousand obligations for them for they prove to us that although we are away from them, we are not forgotten. We have been kept in camp so long that we hardly know how to act. A few nights ago I received an invitation to a dance out in the country about two miles from camp which I attended and had a good time in general. We had a good supper and good music, plenty of ladies, and I just went in lemons.
And now, Miss Pheney, you must write to me and tell me whether you received the picture or not and tell me whether you are going to school or not and how you like it. And who is dead and live, and who has moved to town or out of town, and tell me whether the Drakes are all dead or not for I expect Jim has quacked himself to death.
Give my respects to Uncle and Aunt and all other inquiring friends and believe me to remain your well wishing cousin, — Edgar Jackson
P. S. Kiss Kate for me.
Letter 6
Benton county, Arkansas February 20th 1862
Cousin Jo,
After a delay of some time I have found time to answer your letter that I received at Lebanon, Missouri, and I will have to ask you to excuse me for not writing sooner and I am sure you will when you hear my reasons.
We left our winter quarters at Rolla on the 2nd day of this month—the day that I was 21 years old. It snowed all day very hard so you can guess what sort of a place we had to sleep in. We marched five days without rest. We stopped at Lebanon three days and then resumed the march bound for Springfield where we expected to fight but failed to do so although it was not our fault. The enemy were there but they heard that we was coming and run like the Devil. They did not think we would follow them but General Sigel says they must fight or disband for he will follow them to the Gulf of Mexico. We have been following them about 100 miles and are determined to go on till they make a stand or disband.
We have been taking prisoners more or less every day. Some days we would find where they had broken their guns, burnt their wagons, & many dead horses were found along the road. All the citizens have deserted their homes and gone with the secesh army for protection (damned poor protection, I think). They are only one day’s march ahead of us.
Our cavalry engaged them yesterday at this camp. They had a bloody skirmish for a few moments but they would not stand fire. The cowardly Devils run into the woods. They lost about 30 men and of our cavalry, there were 9 killed and 11 wounded. It is reported that the enemy are waiting at Cross Hollows where they are fortified and reinforced. If that is the case, we will move to the attack tonight or soon in the morning.
Alonzo [Jackson] was sick and could not come with us. He was left at Rolla. I expect that he will be at home soon if he has not already gone there. But my health is good and I am satisfied to stay in Dixie Land.
You must excuse a short letter this time for I am so nervous that I can hardly write. Give my respects to all and answer soon. Ever yours, — Edgar Jackson
P. S. Those stamps you sent me were very acceptable for we could not get them at Rolla. Franklin and Sylvester [Cook] are both well.
Letter 7
Batesville, Arkansas May the 8th 1862
My dear cousin Jose,
Your letter came to hand yesterday evening and as I have some writing to do this morning, a portion of it shall be in answering your kind letter. My health is as goos as common and there is very little sickness in this part of the army.
We have been [on] a very long march as you can see by looking on the map, We have seen some awful country while crossing the Ozark Mountains. We often traveled all day without seeing a house. It is the most Godforsaken country in the whole [world]. It seemed to me worse than the Great Desert of Africa. The only thing about that looked like civilization was the lofty pine trees. They were green and looked natural—something like the Cedar Bluffs at my old home at Horseshoe Bend.
We was on the march 12 days without rest making about twenty miles a day. Some of the boys were entirely give out and got two days behind. We had to leave some at Salem, this state, for they could not keep up any longer. We have stayed here three days and I would like to stay here longer for it is the nicest town I ever saw but we are under marching orders to cross the river tonight or in the morning. A portion of the command has already crossed and we are camp on the other shore. When we all get over, we will resume our march bound for parts unknown. It is generally supposed that we will go to Little Rock.
Please answer soon. No more. Yours, — Edgar Jackson
Letter 8
Jacinto, Mississippi July 20th [1862]
My dear cousin Jose,
It is Sunday night and a very pleasant one. All have gone to bed but myself. I am along and this is the first opportunity of writing to you. The weather is so very hot that it is impossible to write or do anything else but lay around. You have very pleasant weather at Georgetown compared with this tropical, benighted land of swamps and secesh. We have been almost living on berries for some time past but they are about gone now and we will have to do without but not long for the peaches and apples are just beginning to ripen. Before long they will be at our disposal and no doubt we will dispose of a great many of them if they get in our way.
We are now in the 1st Brigade, 4th Division under command of Gen. Jeff Davis. The Brigade is formed of four regiments—three Illinois and one Indiana—25th, 35th, 59th Illinois and 22nd Indiana, and the 5th Wisconsin Battery. This brigade is commanded by Col. Coler. It’s rumored that we are going to be transferred into the other brigade and the 8th Kansas will take our place here. We do not like Gen. Davis as well as we did Gen. Sigel. We have wished ourselves in Sigel’s command a thousand times since we left it. We do not only like Gen. Sigel but we love him. Those who fought under him at Pea Ridge will never forget to praise and compliment him as often as his name is mentioned for we have seen him tried and know him to be a good and true loyal soldier.
My health is very good and there is very little sickness with us. Old Baldwin has been discharged and I do not know whether he has gone home or not. Lieut. [Theodore] West has not yet arrived although we look for him daily. Write soon to your cousin, — Edgar
Letter 9
Editor’s Note: This and the next letter were datelined from Benton Barracks and though Edgar does not state in his letter why he is away from his regiment and in St, Louis, we learn from a comrade’s letter that Edgar was taken prisoner in the Battle of Stones River and was paroled almost immediately to be held out of action by the Union army until he was officially exchanged. There was a Camp of Parole established at Benton Barracks for this purpose.
Benton Barracks St. Louis, Missouri August 5th 1863
Dear cousin Jose,
I wrote you a letter some time ago but never received any answer to it. I am now going to write you another and beg you to condescend to write me once more . Sorry to say I cannot write you anything of importance or interest. My health is good although I am not stout and rugged as I use to be with my regiment.
Benton Barracks is a dreary place to me, We are kept close in the confines of the barracks, not allowed to get out more than once a month. I have not had an opportunity of visiting the city since I have been here. I stole my way out one day and went into the country. Had a fine time. Found some berries. Also found a man’s orchard and partook of the forbidden fruit. Saw a woman coming toward me and expected to get a scolding [but I was] badly fooled. The lady talked kindly to me—almost sweetly. Said she liked soldiers—flattered me considerably. I asked her for a drink of water. She said come with her to the house and she would get me some. Went to the house but instead of water she brought me some nice sweet milk. This was very acceptable for I was always fond of milk. I thanked her for it and bid her good evening. She asked me to come again. The sight of her will, I fear, be the cause of my future wanderings (don’t laugh—you know I am sentimental in a horn).
We have religious service here three times each day, Sabbath School every Sabbath morning. I attend church regularly twice a day—sometimes more. In the cool of the evening we play at ball. In fact, we have every chance to enjoy ourselves in the barracks, yet I am not satisfied. I feel like I should either be at home or with my regiment. Either one is preferable to this place.
Are you having any school in Georgetown this summer? If so, who is teaching and who is attending? I understand there is a new church in progress. Any other improvements? I hear you can afford some saloons—in plain words, whiskey shops. Is there any more drunkenness in town than there use to be? I understand Old Baldwin has at last succeeded in gaining the fair Hoosier belle (Delanie Bell). Also James Snapp and Tiney Frazier tied. Bully for they! Poor little Jim Snapp. I do wonder if he has not some bright prospects if taking a wife before he dies. Success to him is my humble prayer. Has John still got his fine horse of which he bragged so much? Ask him if I may not ride him around the house a few times if I will come down.
Remember me kindly to all enquiring friends and don’t forget your affectionate cousin, — Edgar
My love to Katy. Write soon.
Edgar [Jackson] 20th Company Benton Barracks, St. Louis, Mo.
Letter 10
Benton Barracks St. Louis, Mo. August 20th 1863
Dear cousin Josephine,
Your letter bearing date August 10th came to hand in good time and plight. I was glad to get a letter from you for I had not heard from you for some time past and was anxious to know why you had stopped writing to me.
My heath is good but I cannot say I enjoy myself for this is the driest place I ever found. Tis enough to make anyone sick, particularly those who have been use to such a life as myself. I, you know, was always fond of solitary rambling that I am deprived of here. I have only been out of the barracks once and then I stold out. The officers have me a pass a few days ago and I thought to visit the city but I presented the pass to the sentinel at the gate [and] he said I had forged the pass and sent me to the guard house where I was closely guarded for twelve hours and then taken before the Provost Marshal for trial. I summoned the captain and first sergeant and proved myself clear of all charges. This is the kind of consolation I have always received for doing my duty. I have some books here and I pass the heat of the day reading. As soon as it is cool enough in the evening, we play at ball until sundown and then go to church.
I received a letter yesterday from the regiment. They are still at Winchester, Tennessee, enjoying life very well. A. W. Moore has been discharged from the company since I left. Sylvester is detached to work the siege guns at Murfreesboro. That is an easy berth but I feel safe in sating he would rather be with the regiment.
Jose, can you tell anything about my old friend Henry Brannock? I heard he was a soldier in the 11th Indiana Volunteers but was wounded at Shiloh. Since then I have not heard from him although I have written to Georgetown. I have forgotten it until this time.
You promise if I will come home you will not be so stringent on me as they are here but let me go where I wish to and to do as I please? That is a great temptation for it has been a long time since I have enjoyed such privileges and I expect I would go wild.
I heard that old Sam Frazier shot a soldier in Danville a few days ago. He must think he is a many of authority. Every dog has his day. Let him have his now but when the soldiers are liberated, they will revenge all such insults. — Edgar
My love to all. Tell Uncle I have not received that promised letter yet. Please write soon. — Edgar Jackson, 20th Company, Benton Barracks, St. Louis
Letter 11
Nashville, Tennessee November 10th 1863
My dear cousin Jose,
Yours of date August 17 did not come to me but I came to it at this place. I suppose when we were here before it was brought here and has been kept here until we returned a few days ago and being anxious to hear what is going on in Georgetown, I lose no time in answering.
My health is good and that is the most effective disease we have at this time. Alonzo was complaining yesterday but says he is better this morning. Sergt. [Samuel] Moore is not well nor has not been for some time. Sylvester and Frank are both well. I saw Theodore yesterday. He has been having the ague and he looks as slim as a bean pole.
I visited the companies of Captains McNutt and Holloway yesterday. They are all sick. Those who have no disease are either home[sick] or lovesick and the only topic of conversation is home or when the war will end. Their faces will average about two feet & 12 inches long.
Since we were here before, we have marched more than 500 miles. We have had no tents since we left Alabama and there is no prospect of getting any soon. I have not slept in a tent since I can recollect.
The day we got here we had quite a skirmish about daylight in the morning. We were started out on double quick. We descended a steep hill where a band of secesh (number unknown) fired upon us from a very high hill. Two companies—A & K—were deployed and run them from the position, killing and wounding as many. We followed them some distance and recaptured a sutler wagon which they had taken from the 51st Ohio Volunteers. I had the pleasure of firing five rounds at them. No one on our side was hurt.
Tell my Sis I wrote her a letter at Iuka, Mississippi, in which I sent her $5 by Charles Hamilton. But I suppose he never made his appearance at Georgetown. Give my best compliments to all who may enquire after your cousin, — Edgar
P. S. Tell Kate I am going to desert the army on purpose to come and see her and Ella. — Ed
Spared & Shared 23 