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.
I could not find an image of Jabez but here is one of William L. S. Johnson of Co. I, 1st Ohio Vol. Infantry (William Griffing Collection)
The following letter was written by Jabez B. Smith who enlisted at the age of 18 on 7 October 1861 to serve as a private in Co. H, 1st Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI). He was promoted to corporal in 1863 and wounded in action and taken prisoner in the Battle of Chickamauga on 19 September 1863. He was taken to Andersonville Prison where he died of disease on 29 July 1864.
Jabez was the son of Jeremiah Smith (1804-1877) and Hanna A. Haines (1814-1889) of Phillipsburg, Jefferson county, Ohio. He enlisted in the 1st OVI with his older brother, Pvt. Noah H. Smith (1840-1864) who served in the same company. Unlike his brother Jabez, he was not wounded in the Battle of Chickamauga, but he was taken a prisoner there and also transported to Andersonville Prison in Georgia. He died of disease there too, on 2 July 1864, less than a month before his brother.
A descendant claims that Noah and Jabez were first taken to Belle Isle, then to Libby Prison for a few months, then to Danville, and finally to Andersonville.
Jabez wrote the letter to his brother, James G. Smith (1843-1912).
Letter 1
Addressed to Mr. James G. Smith, Phillipsburg, Jefferson county, Ohio
Camp Shiloh, Tennessee April 23, 1862
Dear Brother,
It is with great pleasure that I now sit down to let you know that we are both well at present and hoping that these few lines may find you all enjoying the same blessing. I received your kind letter on the 20th of this month and was glad to hear from you and that you was all well.
The 64th [Ohio] is camped about two miles from our camp. We have both see father. He is well and hearty and sends his love to you all. The 1st Ohio Cavalry is here too. We have seen Jonathan. He is well and send his love to you all. He says that he thinks very hard of you that you do not write to him.
I suppose that you have heard of the great and glorious Battle of Pittsburg Landing. We were both in the fight and came out safe. Seven of our company was wounded, two of them dangerously. The other five are back to the company again. We went out on picket day before yesterday but before we went on post, our brigade made a reconnaissance for our own safety. We went about five or six miles when we came in sight of the rebel’s pickets when they took their old way of doing business—they ran like they always do, I did not get to shoot at this this time but our skirmishers did. the rebel’s cavalry fired on the 15th Regulars but did not hurt any of them. We didn’t follow them very far for it was raining and we turned about and came back to the picket line where we were posted to watch the rebels but they did not come near to bother us.
I must bring my letter to a close by asking you to write as soon as this comes to hand. Nothing more at present but remain your affectionate brother until death, — Jabez B. Smith
to James G. Smith
Direct to Pittsburg Landing, Hardin county, Tennessee in care of Capt. B. F. Prentiss
Do not fail to write as soon as this comes to hand. Goodbye.
The following letter was written by John Bogart (1836-1920), the son of John Henry Bogart (1809-1901) and Eliza Hermans (1810-1889) of Albany, New York. John received in B. A. from Rutgers College in 1853 and took a position in the engineering corps of New York City working on the state canals of New York State. During the Civil War, he worked as a civilian engineer at Ft. Monroe and other points. After the war, he held a variety of position as an engineer in public and privates works in the US and abroad. He was married in 1870 at West Chester, Pennsylvania, to Emma Cherington Jefferis (1846-1926), to whom he addressed this letter.
The author drops the names of several officers at Fortress Monroe but I can only confirm the identify of Col. Henry Brewerton who was an engineer in charge of fortifications and the author may have been an engineer as well serving on the staff of the old colonel. We learn from the letter that the author has been living with the Eaton family and the names of Mr. & Mrs. Eaton’s three daughters are given as Mary, Emily, and Buddie—in chronological order, oldest to youngest—but I have not confirmed that family’s identity as yet.
I should also note that the two letter segments, identified as “1” and “2” do not seem to go together as the dates are inconsistent with one another. In fact, the handwriting even appears to be different but the phraseology convinces me they were written by the same person and probably sent to the same woman.
John Bogart had a younger brother names James Henry Bogart (1839-1863) who served as 1st Lieutenant and Adjutant of the 43rd New York Infantry. Lt. Bogart was killed on 14 June 1863 in the Battle of Port Hudson.
John B. and Emma (Jefferis) Bogart, in early 1900s
Transcription
Fort Monroe, Virginia December 6th 1863
Dear Miss Emma,
Your letter arrived on the 1st. I see that it was written on Thanksgiving Day. I am glad you thought of me on that day. I don’t know as it made any difference to you but on Holy days when I am free from ordinary business cares, I am apt to think of those who are dear to me. This is a Sunday evening. There is no service in the chapel. I was there this morning and played the organ. This afternoon I sat with Mortimer and then we went into the Fort and saw the parade. This evening I am alone and writing to you. This is probably my last Sunday evening at Mrs. Eaton’s.
You suggest in your letter that I will be lonely in my bachelor’s hall and that I had better go to the cottage for company. I think I have done better than that for I propose to have your Uncle Mortimer come to my house and live with me. I think it will be more comfortable than Flea Cottage and I hope he will enjoy the change. We will probably move this week. He appears to be in some doubt as to whether he will be able to be in West Chester Christmas and I fear that it will not be possible for me to be there then. If I can, I will. I thank you for the invitation.
I have a cousin who is to be married on the 12th of January. She is very anxious that I should be there at Staten Island and it would be too long a leave to ask for from Christmas till the middle of January. But if I do not come to West Chester [for] Christmas, I will on my way either to or from New York. I would of course much rather visit West Chester when Mortimer is there, but I intend to visit it at all events—of course to see—the village. You will not fail to inform me if you intend leaving there after Christmas, and when, and whither you go, for though I want to see the village, it is quite probable that I would postpone my visit if you were not there.
On the day before Thanksgiving, Mortimer and I went to Norfolk with some friends—officers of the Navy—and spent the evening there, sleeping at the Naval Hospital at Portsmouth. We went to the theatre at Norfolk and was the poorest, most ridiculous acting imaginable. We were not very wise in going as we might have known it would be poor—but we learn as we grow old. Mort and I ought to be somewhat wise by this time. We spent the greater part of Thanksgiving day at the Naval Hospital and on board the Cambridge Man-of-War, returning to Old Point in the evening. I like many of the Navy officers. Their morale is higher than that of the Army officers—at least such is my experience. The gentleman to whom my cousin Mary is to be married on the 12th of January is a surgeon in the Navy.
You have probably by this time seen Capt. and Mrs. James who left here Saturday. They will tell you all the Old Point news.
Miss Mary Eaton left here a week ago to spend the winter in New York, so that there will be no one at their house but Mr. and Mrs. Eaton and Buddie. Of course we are all sorry to have Miss Mary leave the Point but I probably would not have seen much of her had she remained. She and I do not agree very well. In fact, for the last six or seven months she and I have lived in a state of armed neutrality which has broken out in open hospitalities quite frequently and Mrs. Eaton has sometimes found it necessary to intervene to restore at least the appearance of peace. Miss Mary does not like me and I reciprocate the sentiment. You recall what I said about a letter to her. I will read it this evening or tomorrow. I assure you, I would not object now to your seeing it. I do not think there can be anything very tender in it. It was written when she was in New York, I think more than a year ago, before I knew her as well as I have since and when I admired her more than I do now. I confess I did somewhat admire her at one time for she is pretty and has fine musical ability and I used to like to hear her sing. But it did not last. I think much more of her sister Emily whom you did not see. She is not so apt to attract attention as Mary, but she is a girl one would want as a friend after becoming really acquainted with her. Buddie, the youngest, is much like Mary, but she is getting to be precociously wise.
[These two letter fragment do not appear to go together.]
Tuesday, the 27th.
I was so busy yesterday with the plan of a large fort that I did not finish my letter. I have read over what I wrote and it seems like a sermon. But never mind. I do not intend to “take back” what I wrote. I have nobody else, and never had, to whom I can write without a bit of restraint. So you will, unless you tell me not, continue to be sermonized if I am in a sermonizing mood. It is “perfectly splendid” to be able to write just what I think—just according to the present state of mind, without the feeling of there being a necessity to consult the peculiarities of my correspondent. I am terribly frank and I am afraid that you will say that I do not show much regard for my correspondent in writing so entirely selfishly or of myself. But that would be an error. It is the result and the proof of perfect regard. And a proof too that that correspondent is never long absent from my thoughts.
I have been looking at your letter again. You do not believe in sentences begun and not ended. If I should do so again, don’t imagine anything very horrid for the termination.
What a strange piece of experience you must have had at your friend’s house. It is strange what fascination there is in drink. I have an acquaintance who is ordinarily a temperate man, but who occasionally does not seem to know when to stop and consequently runs to horrible extremes. And he too has a wife and children.
We have had a strange affair here. I do not remember whether I mentioned it in my last. A general officer of volunteers has been staying at the Point some time—not on duty—with a family of wife and daughter, and after boarding several months without paying, it was discovered that he had been borrowing money from everybody that would lend and repaying nobody. However, under the fear of exposure he has gone forth to make an effort to get money enough to make a settlement. I hope he will do so. His daughter is a very pleasing girl and seems much grieved at her father’s delinquency.
Col. James was here a few days ago. We see little of him however now. I saw Mrs. Jefferis after her return. My sister and I are going to call there today or tomorrow. We started to do so while Mrs. Jefferis was away not knowing of her absence.
This letter was all written with the same pen (quill).
I could not find an image of Samuel but here is one of Marcus Satterlee wearing the uniform of the 3rd Michigan Infantry. (Michigan Digital Collection)
The following letters were written by Pvt. Samuel Dowell (1838-1862) of Co. G, 3rd Michigan Infantry (1st Organization). This regiment was mustered into service on 21 May 1861 and served in McDowell’s Army of Northeastern Virginia until August 1861 and then was attached to Richardson’s Brigade, Heintzelman’s Division, Army of the Potomac.
Samuel was the son of Charles Dowell (1799-1871) and Elizabeth Pool (1797-1860) of Windsor, Eaton county, Michigan. Samuel was killed at the Battle of Seven Pines on 31 May 1862.
Samuel wrote the letters to a dear friend whose name was Amelia Scofield.
Letter 1
Washington June 23, 1861
My dear friend,
I now sit down here under this shade tree to inform you where I am at this present time. I am in the District of Columbia about four miles south of the City of Washington camped on the Potomac River where he enemy is agoin’ to try to cross the river. But the bridge [is] fixed [such] that one hundred men will keep a whole regiment back.
We had some good times coming from Grand Rapids out as we passed through Ohio. When we would stop to a station, the girls would come to the cars to shake hands with soldiers and bid them goodbye.
I received your letter when I was in Grand Rapids. I was in the hospital sick with the measles when Till give it to me but I am well now and hoping that these few lines will find you in the same state of health at this time and enjoying yourself, well and happy and merry and that you may have good times there. I would like to see you very well but now I am twelve hundred miles from you. I oft times think of you since I kissed your rosey cheeks. I am so sleepy that I [can’t] think of anything to write now for I was on guard yesterday.
Last night we heard that since we came here that we was all but seventeen of us when we came through Baltimore but there wasn’t a gun fired when we passed through last Sunday morning and arrived at this place in the afternoon. There is sixty thousand troops camped within eight miles of us.
No more at present but I remain your friend forever and I will write to you as often as I can. I send my best respects to you and all of your folks and to all enquiring friends. Please excuse my poor writing. Yours truly, — Samuel Dowell
to Amelia Scofield
Letter 2
Fort Richardson Northeast Virginia September 25, 1861
Dear friend,
I take this present time to write a few lines to you to let you know that I am well at this present time and hoping that these few lines will find you in the same state of health at this time and are enjoying yourself well.
I received your letter and was glad to hear from you once more. We are having good times here now and lots of fun and not much fighting. We have lots of music here. They are having a good time a dancing tonight. I am sorry that I did offend you in the last letter that I wrote to you. But you must excuse me for I was so sick that I did not know what I did [write] in the letter at that time.
No more at present. I send my best respects to you and to all enquiring friends and neighbors, — S. Dowell
The Young Soldier Dream Amelia don’t secede
Kiss me Amelia ere I go Armed and drilled to meet the foe; Gun in hand and on my back A sixteen pounder haversack. I go, my country calls—adieu To battle, my darling girl, be true And come success comes scathe and need Amelia, Amelia, don’t secede
When on the tented field perhaps With rations short and shorter naps With wheel present, advance, retreat Thou’lt have O heavens at thy feet Some are persuadingly present Himself and an establishment Amelia, no such trifler heed Though the glitter’t secede
Cling unto thy mother dear Let no home guards come a near Dancing [ ] for the eyes Making light of household ties Prating of thy woman’s rights Gallanting thee about o’night Lest the rose should prove a weed Basely crimsoned don’t secede
Goodbye Amelia, no regrets If from balls and bayonets From trials and battles Far deadlier is the soup tureen When badly seasoned than the bare Of the loudest cannon that can roar Safe delivery swiftly Back to ease and the will fly United then in word and deed Amelia, dear, we’ll both secede
— S. Dowell
Prayer of the Young Soldier
[ ] of mercy, hear my prayers Preserve my husband’s life Cast o’er him thy protecting shield In this unhallowed strife Oh guard him in the battlefield Unscathed through wars alarms Restore him to his happy home And his fond parents’ arms.
But if it be thy will, oh God To take the life that gave Then let him die where the stars and stripes O’er his head shall ever wave. If it be thy will in his country’s cause My husband should lose his life If fatherless he his only child Widowed his wretched wife
Then let his name on history’s page Be enrolled with the free and the brave Let him nobly die a hero’s death And rest in a hero’s grave.
The following letter was written by Samuel Anderson (1836-1865) who enlisted on 22 October 1861 to serve in Co. K, 6th New York Cavalry for three years. He was promoted from private to corporal in February 1862 and later to sergeant though no date is given for that promotion in the muster rolls. Samuel reenlisted in mid-December 1863 and was captured at Perryville, Virginia, on 4 September 1864 and died in confinement at Salisbury, North Carolina, on 4 January 1865.
I could not find an image of Samuel but here is one of an unidentified trooper believed to have been in the 5th or 6th New York Cavalry (Megan Kemble Collection)
Samuel was the son of Irish emigrants John Anderson (1814-1869) and Mary Ford (1815-1885) of Argyle, Washington county, New York. One of their daughters, Sarah M. Anderson (1838-1889) was married to James H. Killmer (1826-1889) and they are the “Sarah and James” mentioned in the letter below. Their daughter Emma married John T. Martin and this couple built a two-story farmhouse in Acadia Parish, Louisiana, in 1893. It was in a King Edwards cigar box in the corner of a closet on the second floor of this farmhouse that Samuel’s letter was discovered when the house was being cleaned out some years ago. This letter and a few other more recent vintage letters are now in the possession of Danny Martin, the g-g-grandnephew of Samuel Anderson.
This letter was written in Warrenton, Virginia, a month before the battle of Fredericksburg. We learn that Samuel was detailed to General John Curtis Caldwell’s Headquarters and had been since the Battle of Antietam. This duty would have entailed providing an escort for the general or his immediate staff as well as serving as a courier.
[Note: This letter is from the personal collection of Danny Martin who made it available for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent.]
Transcription
Camp near Warrenton, Virginia November 11th 1862
Dear Father & Mother,
I now take up my pen to address a few lines to you to let you know that I am well & hope that you are the same. We are now advancing on the enemy & we expect a big fight every day. We have not been paid since I wrote to you but I think it will come soon. I have not much time to write so I will not say much. I hope you are suited with your move & let me know all about it & what you can do.
I have not seen John since the Battle of Antietam but I hear that he is well. I have heard [from] Joe 1 two or three times & he is well. John told me that he would send you money every payday. Let me know how James & Sarah is getting along.
There is no use of my telling you what we are a doing for you can see it in the papers better than I can tell you. I am on Gen’l Caldwell’s staff now & have been for a month & I expect to stay with him for some time yet so that I have a good time of it.
Gen’l McClellan bid farewell to the Army yesterday & Gen’l Burnside took the command. I hope the change is for the better. We can hear Gen’l Hooker’s cannon playing on the rebels while I am writing & I expect to march right away.
The weather is quite cool and we have had one snowstorm last Thursday. It snowed hard all day. I cannot write any more at present. Write soon & give me all the in and out of your home.
Goodbye, — Samuel Anderson
Direct your letter to Corporal Anderson, 6th N. Y. Vol. Cavalry, Gen’l Caldwell’s Headquarters, Hancock’s Division, 2nd [Army] Corps.
Write soon.
1 Samuel’s younger brother, Joseph J. Anderson (1846-1904) enlisted in March 1862 in the 11th New York Cavalry. He served until 21 March 1865.
I could not find an image of Henry but here is one of Lt. George B. Johnson who also served in the 8th New Hampshire Infantry (Dave Moran Collection)
The following letter was written by Henry Newman Chapman (1843-1917), the son of Jeremiah Chapman (1817-1854) and Sarah Newman (1810-1894) of Washington, Sullivan county, New Hampshire. Henry was born in Sanbornton, Belknap county, New Hampshire. He was a painter by profession.
Henry was 18 years old when he enlisted on 14 September 1861 as a private in Co. A, 8th New Hampshire Infantry. He was wounded on 27 May 1863 at Port Hudson and after recuperating in Baton Rouge, we learn that he was placed on duty as a hospital steward in the Theatre Hospital. He re-enlisted in 1864 and mustered out in January 1865.
I have not been able to find any information about the Theatre Hospital in Baton Rouge except for notices of certain Union soldiers dying there. Presumably the theatre stopped productions for a time in Baton Rouge due to the Union occupation and was converted into a hospital.
Transcription
Mrs. Sarah Chapman, Washington, New Hampshire
Theatre Hospital Baton Rouge July 29th, 1863
Dear Mother,
I will write you a few lines to let you know how and where I am. My health is first rate. It never was better. I am in the above hospital acting both as clerk and Steward. I have learned enough of medicine so I can give it to patients. Anyone would take me for a regular doctor to see me here. I also have the hospital registrar to keep which takes me about half of the forenoon.
I can say as Hillis Wilson died when he was at Carrollton that we should hardly know there was any war. We hear more war news here from the North than we do from this part of the country at present. I always thought it would come to that if the draft was enforced. It is not at all unexpected to me. I read in the New York Herald this morning that there had been a riot in Portsmouth. I think these riots will prolong this war one year at least, and I find this is the general opinion here. But one thing I know—that is that they cannot keep me but a little over a year and that is some satisfaction, I tell you. The 9-month’s men of this Department are very anxious to get home.
I suppose the 16th New Hampshire is at Port Hudson yet as I hear none of the 9-month’s troops have gone home yet. When I was at New Orleans a few weeks ago, Lieut. Wilkins they said was there but I did not see him. I should like to see him and the rest of the boys before they go home—especially Lucius Wilson.
The most of the troops have been paid since Port Hudson was taken but our Paymaster I believe has not come up yet. I wish he would for I begin to want some money as I have been out for some time. They owe us 9-month’s pay the last of this month. The 8th is still at Port Hudson and the tents and baggage have gone up too so I think the regiment is going to stay there this summer.
But I must close as I have got to go to work soon. I shall have to send this without a stamp but I will send you one as soon as I get some. Please write as soon as you get this for I have not received but one since I came down here the 30th of May.
This from your affectionate son, — Henry N. Chapman, Co. A, 8th Regt. N. V. V., Baton Rouge, La.
The following letter was written by Henry N. Allen (1841-1931), the son of Albert W. Allyn (1817-1889) and Mary P. Rice (1816-1889) of Shopiere, Rock county, Wisconsin.
Henry wrote the letter from Fort Cass in Arlington Heights in December 1861 while serving in Co. K, Wisconsin Volunteers, 2nd Wisconsin Infantry. The only Allen appearing on the roster of this company was “Henry E. Allen” who enlisted on 1 May 1861 and was transferred on 8 December 1861 to Battery A, 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery (H.A.). This may explain why Henry asked that the “2nd Regiment” be dropped from his address. He may not yet have realized they were to be known as Battery A, 1st Wisconsin H. A.
Battery A of the 1st Wisconsin H. A. was created entirely out of Co. K of the 2nd Wisconsin Infantry and were assigned at various times to Fort Cass, Fort Buffalo, Fort Ellsworth, Fort Worth, Fort Rodgers, and Fort Willard. They were mustered out of the service on 18 August 1865. According to muster rolls, Henry served his entire tour of duty with this unit and mustered out with the battery in 1865 as a corporal.
A pension record informs us that he died on 30 January 1931 at a Soldiers Home in California.
Transcription
Camp Wisconsin Arlington Heights, Fort Cass December 23rd 1861
Dear Friend,
I take the pleasure of writing…to let you know how I am getting along. I am well and enjoy good health. I was on guard last night in the fort. It rained most all night and all day. I crawled in the magazine and they could not find me till morning but then it was all right. The Lieutenant said I did just the right thing to get out of the rain. Our Captain [Andrew] Langworthy has arrived today with some new recruits for the company. 1
I received those pictures last night. You look very natural. It made me homesick as soon as I saw them. I got a letter from Carrie last night. I am a going to send you and Nellie a New Year’s present. I can’t get around so to send it Christmas.
Joseph Small comes to me to see your likeness three or [four] times in a day. I should like to be there again on New Years and have another surprise party. I suppose those are played out, I think, this winter. Joseph Small has lost his speech [his voice] and very likely he will go home very soon and I am a going to send lots of things by him.
I don’t know as I can think of any more at present.
From your affectionate friend, — Henry N. Allen, Co. K, Wisconsin Volunteers Independent
Tell the folks to direct their letter to Co. K, Wisconsin Volunteers Independent, Fort Cass, Washington D. C. Leave the 2nd Regt. off.
1 Andrew Langworthy was wounded in the fighting at First Bull Run. He resigned his commission in February 1863.
The following letter was written by Adam Oscar Branstetter (1834-1865), the son of Adam Grundy Branstetter (1784-1868) and Rachel E. Snavely (1788-1839) of Wellsville, Montgomery county, Missouri. Adam was married to Caroline (“Carrie”) M. Little (1829-1902) in April 1862. He managed to remain out of the war until September 1864 when he was enrolled as a private in Co. B, 49th Missouri (Union) Regiment. At the time of his enlistment he was described as a six foot tall, black-haired, 30 year-old farmer.
Unfortunately, Adam did not survive the war. He died on 3 June 1865 at Montgomery, Alabama, suffering from chronic diarrhea.
Transcription
Dauphin Island, Alabama March 17th 1865
Carrie Branstetter Wellsville, Missouri
Dear wife, I answer your letter daed March 2nd. I have been sick for four weeks but am well at this time. I look as gaunt as a race horse. You would not know me. I had the chronic diarrhea. It gives me fits.
I am sorry to hear that the baby is sick and father is blind. It grieves me to hear such news.
We have done some hard marching since we left Missouri. We lay on the Lake for three days in a storm. We have plenty of fresh oysters here by gathering them. This island is about twelve miles long and one wide and covered with soldiers. I saw William Mosby from Louisiana. He belongs to the 33rd Missouri Regiment and several others that I know. I expect we will start to Mobile in a few days where we will have some fighting to do.
Map of Mobile Bay. Dauphin Island can be seen at lower left with Ft. Gaines at the eastern end of it.
I see something new every day. After we left New Orleans, we crossed The Lake Pontchartrain and Mobile Bay. We saw the rebel’s gunboats on picket and we passed Fort Powell. This island is covered with pine. It is a beautiful place and very healthy.
There is not a woman on this island. We are only 28 miles from Mobile. We can hear the cannon every day. It sounds beautiful.
I sent a blanket and overcoat and one pair of drawers and some other little things. I would like to know whether you got them or not and all the general news and if the militia has been called out. I never hear a word about Hiram Louis’ family.
You must be saving of your money for I don’t expect to get anymore till my time is up. That is a long time. I do not know what you will do for money. Nelson is well. So is Peyton, Ben and Tom is well also, and all the balance of the boys. Give my love to Hiram’s family and brother Andrew’s family. My love to Father and Mother and sister Polly. Tell Molly and Bud to be good children and kiss that sweet little babe for me. Tell the babe to kiss its Mother for me. You must excuse this bad writing for I am so weak I can’t hardly write.
I must close. I remain your true and affectionate husband till death, — A. O. Branstetter
Direct your letters to Co. B, 49th Regiment Infantry Missouri Volunteers, 10th Army Corps, 3rd Division, 2nd Brigade.
These two letters were written by John Morehead Edwards (1838-1907) of Chatham county who enlisted as a private in Co. M, 15th North Carolina Infantry on 4 June 1861. He was wounded slightly in 1 July 1862 in the Battle of Malvern Hill and later again on 10 May 1864 in the Battle of Spottsylvania after the regiment had been reorganized as the 32nd North Carolina Infantry.
After the war, John married Sallie Tyson (1854-1930) and together they had at least eight children. He is buried in the Sandy Branch Baptist Church Cemetery at Bear Creek, Chatham county, North Carolina.
Edwards wrote the first letter to his friend, Richard Bray Paschal (1820-1870) who was elected sheriff of Chatham county on 1854 and served six consecutive terms. In addition to his career as sheriff, Paschal served in the House of Delegates in 1865 and North Carolina Senate in 1866. Paschal’s diary is available on-line at the North Carolina Digital Heritage Center. It includes accounts of Paschal overseeing the trade of enslaved people in Chatham County, a reminder of the duties assigned to the position of sheriff. Place names and people’s names, white and Black, are included in the diary. [See R. B. Paschal Diary Transcript Now Available]
The second letter was written to Paschal’s eldest daughter, Mary Catherine Paschal (1846-1922) who married Stephen Wiley Brewer (1835-1897) in 1867.
Letter 1
Camp Dudley Yorktown, Virginia January 26th 1862
Mr. R. B. Paschal,
Dear friend, I again take the opportunity of dropping you a few lines to inform you that I and the rest of my comrades is enjoying good health. I am enjoying as good health as I ever did in life. J[ohn] M. Fox, J[oseph] M. Saunders, and all the rest of the boys is hearty and in fine spirits. There is but little complaint in the camp. J. M. Fox is not fit for duty yet but very hearty.
We have had some very rough weather for the last week—rain, hail, snow, &c. but we have a beautiful day today. We have not got any winter quarters yet and the weather is so bad we cannot do much at them. We fare better than one could imagine in our worn out tents. Unless the weather moderates, we cannot finish our quarters this winter and I think it useless to do much for it will be spring before we get them done and by that time we will begin to march and then we won’t need them.
As to our fare, we make out very well. We get plenty of beef and bread. Some coffee, molasses, &c.
W. H. H. Tyson 1 received your letter of the 17th inst. We was very glad to hear from you. I was sorry to hear of mother being so poorly. I hope she will soon be better.
Out time is fast rolling on when we will be at home where I anticipate pleasure and great joy when we all arrive and I hope it may be a time that we may all sing and dance as the disciples did of old, though not only myself but many others is looking forward to a gloomy time. There is but little hope of peace soon and now there has got o be thousands upon tops of thousands of troops raised for you know that all, or most, of the volunteers time will be out in the course of five months and their vacancies must be filled with regulars and there is not enough left behind that is willing to take our places. Consequently a draft will follow and then it will take many a man that ought not to go and leave a man that ought to have went. But I hope that old Chatham will do her part without a draft. I am willing to go as a regular and serve during the war but I am a coming home before I go in and I shall have some new officers.
A good many of our regiment talk like going in for the war. There is men making up a company in Yorktown that offer a furlough of 60 days [and] $50 bounty, &c., but I don’t expect to join them. I expect to come home and join a company in Chatham.
I received the jug of brandy that you sent by Ramsey. I feel under many obligations to you.
You may tell Joab Cheek that I will attend his big party with much pleasure and I want him to have some of those of whom I can place my affections upon in preference to all others, and one that I can look upon as being the fairest among ten thousand and altogether lovely.
There is but little excitement here at present. No fight anticipated before spring. All is quiet. So I will close by saying write soon. Give my love to family and all enquiring friends. Your humble servant, — J. M. Edwards
1 William Henry Harrison Tyson of Chatham county while serving in Co. M, 15th North Carolina Infantry, formerly the 5th Volunteers. He was elected 2nd Lieutenant of that company on 2 May 1862. Later, during the Seven Days Battles, he was wounded at Malvern Hill on 1 July 1862. William’s company was later reorganized as Co. I of the 32nd North Carolina Infantry. In May 1864, William was promoted to Captain of his company. He resigned his commission on 7 March 1865.
Letter 2
Camp near Pines Bluff, Va. 12 November 1862
Miss M[ary] C[atherine] Paschal,
Much esteemed friend, again I make the attempt to know or to make the enquiry what has become of you. When I left you, you insisted on me writing to you so hard I thought you most assuredly would return to me the same favor, but I have wrote to you long enough ago to have got two or three letters, but have not got one as yet. And now I write again and I do hope you will let me hear from you immediately, if not sooner.
Well, Mary, how are you getting along since I left? Have you seen anybody that I would like to see. If you have, I hope you spoke a good word for me and if you have not seen any of them, I hope you will soon and will tell them howdy for me and kiss them nicely. Tell them when you kiss them just to think of me and it will be as though I had kissed them and it was according to my request.
I am getting some mighty good letters along now. I received three the other day all from the same neighborhood and they were addressed to Mr. Edwards in the most kindest terms imaginable, another Johnny in all its loving features and the third My Dear beloved Cousin John. I tell you, Miss Cite, it was more than I could face the case on. But I treated the cold under the existing circumstances with the exception of so much Dear Beloved Cousin John which was just about every third line. You just ought to have seen [illegible and uninteresting]…
I am in pretty good fix for writing love composition at this time for I think of nothing, talk of nothing, or dream of nothing [but] the girls. I wish I had another association to go to. I think I would bring things to a close. I have been the worst love sick that I ever was in all my life. I would not mind another right smart wound to get home. I reckon your Pa told you of the presents I received in the Pines. I received another the other day in a letter so you [may] guess I am getting pretty popular on Rocky River as well as Deep River. Bear Creek is not here from Deep River. I reckon the fat is all in the [ ].
I have been studying for I can’t get home at Christmas and the only way I see to get home is to get a furlough to get married. Gen. Daniel says he will give a furlough of 30 days to anybody that wants to get married so I believe I will take him up. Don’t you think it would be a good idea. I think if I continue to get such letters, I can have all things ready by Christmas. Well, we have [had] plenty of nonsense.
I am getting along splendid. My health is very good. I have [been] very well ever since we got here. I like to have forgot to tell you what a good dinner I had today. I have me a slice potato pie. Bought the potatoes at $1 apiece, sugar $1 a lb. You may know it was good.
There is no Yankees about here. It suits me mighty well. We are about done on fortifications. We are now building winter quarters and the railroad is within a half mile of the halfway station. We are having a good time. The health of the regiment is mighty good. I think the prospect is pretty good for us to stay here this winter and I am very willing to stay here during the war. I have not heard from the 26th since they left. Am quite anxious to hear from J. M. Fox. Lieut. [W. H. H.] Tyson is well and in fine spirits.
So I must close. My live and regards to your Pa and Ma and you…. Your friend as ever, — J. M. Edwards
The following prisoner-of-war letter was written by 1st Lieutenant Samuel Patton Inks who served in McRae’s 15th Arkansas Regiment. He was taken prisoner at Pea Ridge and sent initially to Alton, Illinois, and then to Camp Chase in Columbus, Ohio, arriving at the latter prison on 1 May 1862. He was eventually forwarded on to Johnson’s Island, Ohio. After his release from prison, he performed quartermaster duties and served on Cabell’s Staff in 1864, being promoted to the rank of Captain.
Transcription
Addressed to Mrs. Susan Hagood, Van Buren, Arkansas; In care of Mr. Thomas Lacy who will please forward this to the address.
Camp Chase Prison Columbus, Ohio April 21st 1862
Dear Home Folks,
I avail myself of the first opportunity of writing to you since my imprisonment. This may and it may not reach you. I am in only moderate health. Uncle James, Hiram Spencer, James Buchanan, and Thomas Heinbree are at Alton in Illinois. I left there the last of last month. Captain Buchanan is her with me.
I received one letter from Uncle James since I am here. He was well. They are comfortably situated though confined in what used to be the state penitentiary. 1 We are also as comfortable as could be expected under the circumstances. I have written to Uncle Thomas but have not had time to hear from him. I want some of my friends to write to me. Direct your letters to myself or Uncle James (a prisoner of war)—the 1st at Camp Chase Prison, Columbus, Ohio; the latter to Alton, Illinois. On the corner of the envelope write via Fortress Monroe & Flag of Truce.
Write nothing that would be considered contraband as it will not be permitted to pass and don’t seal your letter. My love to all. I must close as I am allowed only to write one page as it takes too much time to examine them.
Your affectionately, — Samuel P. Inks
1 Samuel informs us in this letter that he was first confined in the State Prison at Alton, Illinois. In three years, more than 11,700 Confederate prisoners passed through the gates of the Alton Prison, which opened in 1833 and closed in 1860. “In December of 1861, after inspecting the facilities, Major General Henry Halleck, Commander of the Department of the Missouri, prepared to have the prison re-opened as a the Alton Federal Military Prison. On Feb. 9, 1862, the first prisoners arrived at the prison. Inmates of the prison included Confederate soldiers, citizens imprisoned for treason acts, and bushwackers or guerillas imprisoned for acts against the government. Much of the time, the prison was overcrowded, prisoners were malnourished and had inadequate clothing. Under these dilapidated conditions, prisoners were exposed to influenza, dysentery and small pox. The small pox epidemic grew in numbers, and the official military death toll listed 1,354 deceased. A monument dedicated to those who perished can be found at their burial site in the Confederate Cemetery. After the war, the prison was privately purchased and building blocks were removed. Only a small remnant of the wall (restored in 1973) may be visited today.” [Source: Enjoy Illinois]
The following letter was written by James McCoy (1802-1865) and his wife Margaret Jane McKinney (1806-1873) of Indianapolis, Indiana. The letter was addressed to their son, Theodore Wilberforce McCoy (1839-1896) who enlisted early in the war, serving 3 months in Co. I, 6th Indiana Infantry, and then enlisted again on 29 August 1861 as a 2nd Lieutenant in Co. I, 39th Indiana Regiment (8th Indiana Mounted Infantry). He resigned his commission as a 1st Lieutenant on 1 September 1863 and returned to Indiana where he married Eliza Taggart in 1868 and eventually became a Presbyterian minister.
In this letter, Theodore’s parents beseech their son to write home as soon as possible to let them know of his safely following the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, or Shiloh. The 39th Indiana did indeed participate in the 2nd day’s fight of the battle. A soldier in Co. I names John M. Stites wrote of their involvement in a letter to his father which read:
“Our regiment got in the fight at 11 o’clock on the second day and was in it until it ended which was about 2 o’clock in the afternoon. All of the boys from around there went through it without a scratch. There was no anyone in our company killed and only two wounded. There was 31 in our regiment killed and wounded and 18 killed on the field and died of their wounds but that is nothing to the side of some of the rest as you have learned before this time for there was an awful sight met the eye when you walked over the field on the day after the battle was over. Go where[ever] you might, there was desolation met the eye. And there was one horrible sight and that was this—the enemy all had whiskey with powder in it and as soon as they were killed, they turned as black as negroes and it looked horrible.” [See—1862: John Muchmore Stites to William Muchmore on Spared & Shared 22.]
Transcription
Addressed to Lieut. T. W. McCoy, Company I, 39th Regt. Indiana Volunteers
Indianapolis, Indiana April 11th 1862
My dear Theodore,
Since we heard on Tuesday of the great battle at Pittsburg Landing, and that Gen. Buell’s forces arrived to participate in the battle and victory of Monday, and that there was so terrible a destruction of life on both sides, we have been painfully anxious with reference to your safety. We exercise great patience as well as we can, but it is very trying to have to wait so long—especially to your Mother whose dreams & imaginings in her weak state of health added to what is real are almost more than she can bear.
“Our hopes contemplate you as safe and well, having passed the perils of the fight, and contributed your part to the achievement of the great victory; while our fears see you fallen & dead on the field, or wounded & suffering…”
James McCoy to Lt. Theodore W. McCoy, 11 April 1862
We do not certainly know that your regiment was in the battle but we think it was and I send you this by J. L. Evans, hoping that my dear boy yet lives and is safe; although of course we have many fears. If our hopes instead of our fears are to be realized, let us see at the earliest possible hour a letter from your own hand, bringing your own thoughts. This will relieve the anxiety of fond hearts at home. Our hopes contemplate you as safe and well, having passed the perils of the fight, and contributed your part to the achievement of the great victory; while our fears see you fallen & dead on the field, or wounded & suffering and perhaps long neglected during the pressure of the tedious and terrible day.
We have prayed for you every day and if you are safe, we will thank God for his gracious preservation, and if not, we will submit to the Divine Will as it becomes us, I hope; believing that to Him you have committed your way, and your soul to His keeping, while periling your life in the righteous cause for which it is an honor to live, to suffer, and if need be, to die—a cause which God will surely make triumphant.
I wrote you to Nashville, Camp Andy Johnson, a long, long letter which you did not receive before marching, nor before you wrote me from Columbia, but which I hope you received afterwards. Ma is in bed today and has been in her room most of the time since we knew the battle was pending. I have no word from James since the 6th of March, when he was at Cumberland Ford, 14 miles from the Gap—well, except a bad cold. I will not write of other matters till we hear of your safety. If any casualty has happened to you, let the whole truth be sent us.
Ever your affectionate Father, Mother, & Sister
Per James McCoy
[In a different hand and in pencil]
Dear Theodore, if you have been in the battle, will not this satisfy you my dear child? If you value your own life & mine, do resign and come home. You are buoyed with future hopes and prospect of life & will you risk it any longer? I feel that I can’t live in this state of anxiety. The battles will be [ ].
Spared & Shared 23 