All posts by Griff

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.
11th Massachusetts Infantry, Battle of Fair Oaks (Seven Pines)

1862: Abel Starkey to Horace Starkey

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The following letters were written by Abel Starkey (1816-1864) of Boston who enlisted on 13 June 1861 as a private in Co. F, 11th Massachusetts Infantry—one of only three Massachusetts regiments to participate in the First Battle of Bull Run. The regiment spent the early fall of 1861 helping to build fortifications around Washington. In October, the 11th was stationed at Budd’s Ferry in Indian Head, Maryland where they remained on picket duty for the winter of 1861–1862. The 11th Massachusetts Infantry saw its first combat during the Peninsular Campaign in the spring of 1862. They were heavily engaged during the Second Battle of Bull Run, participated in the Battle of Fredericksburg, and suffered severe casualties at the Battle of Chancellorsville and the Battle of Gettysburg.

Presumably Abel was with his regiments throughout these engagements and was with them as well when the regiment marched into the Wilderness in May 1864 in Hancock’s Second Corps where they were engaged heavily on the Plank Road on 5 and 6 May 1864. It was Abel’s last fight. He died of wounds on 7 May 1864.

Abel wrote these letters to his older brother, Horace Starkey (1814-1872), a farmer near Rockford, Winnebago county, Illinois.

Other letters I’ve transcribed by members of the 11th Massachusetts:

Richard Whittock Clink, Co. B, 11th Massachusetts (1 Letter)
William H. Leslie, Co. B, 11th Massachusetts (2 Letters)
Charles Leland Fales, Co. E, 11th Massachusetts (2 Letters)
Charles A. Fiske, Co. K, 11th Massachusetts (1 Letter)
Charles H. Marcy, Co. K, 11th Massachusetts (1 letter)
William Wallace Chickering, Co. G, 11th Massachusetts (1 Letter)

Letter 1

In Camp 14 miles from Richmond
Sunday, June 1, 1862

Dear Brother,

Your favor of the 18th instant was received 2 days ago. I did not get into camp until that day Friday. Our (Hooker’s) division is on the extreme left, 14 miles from Richmond. Our advance is within 6 or 7 miles from Richmond and has been for several days. There has been hard fighting for the last 2 or 3 days on our advance & the result I know not. We hear that our men have been repulsed with heavy losses & Gen. Casey & Gen. Carney are killed. And then we [also] hear our men drove the Rebels right through Richmond & taken possession of the town. Hooker’s Division have been ready to march at a moments notice & in fact have been out on double quick twice expecting the Rebels to attack us on our left—a place assigned to our division to prevent the Rebels from flanking us on our left. While I am now writing, we are expecting an order to run any moment.

All our luggage, except haversack, canteen, gun and equipments, is all sent back across the Chickahominy river. It is very hot here today. It has been raining a considerable part of the time the last month. The roads are almost next to impossible to travel for man or beast. I saw the Westmoreland boys today. They are as well as could be expected considering the weather and fatigue they have to Endure. The papers say our troops of the Army of the Potomac are in excellent health. I don’t think so—to say nothing about those that have been killed or wounded on our right last week. There is more than 25,000 that have been sent home or are still in the hospitals and not fit to do any duty. Capt. Barker told me today that the 2d New Hampshire Regiment could not muster over five hundred men that were able to go into battle (He told me that Abijah French was dead).

I came in the rear from Williamsburg and was 11 days coming. Took my own time. The houses on the main road were mostly deserted by the white population excepting families & seldom I saw any of them and nearly every house vacated. There were more or less sick soldiers in them & many of them turned into hospitals.

There was nearly three thousand sick in the hospitals at White House landing and more arriving daily and taking the steamboat for Fortress Monroe, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York &c. News has just come in that we had drove the Rebels & taken lots of prisoners. I have not heard from home since I wrote you last. Two or three letters came in my absence & were sent back to White House Landing in our Captain’s trunk. I am well & hearty. Tell [your daughter] Ella I am very much obliged to her for the letter she sent me & tell her to write again. Tell her also that Jeff Davis was not quite patriotic to hang himself. Stanton’s Michigan Regt. encamped near us at Yorktown. They are away in the advance now. I will see Lewis Webster when we come near them again. Give my regards to your family and write again. Respectfully yours—Abel Starkey.

We are Off.

Letter 2

Addressed to Mr. Horace Starkey, Rockford, Illinois

Camp Fair Oaks
6 Miles below Richmond
June 21, 1862

Dear Brother,

The Grand Army of the Potomac are spread out from James River to Chickahominy River & how much further I do not know, but quite a distance. Hooker’s Division is encamped on the same ground that Casey’s was at the time the battle was fought 3 weeks ago. When we came here, the ground was covered with dead men and horses, broken gun carriages, muskets, accoutrements, &c. It was 4 days after the battle. The men and horses were perfectly alive with maggots. It would make a well man spew to look at them and then the smell was enough to knock a whole regiment end ways. We covered the men over with dirt as well as we could & piled wood on the horses & burnt them. The air begins to seem fit to breathe again.

Burying the dead and burning the horses on the battlefield of Fair Oaks

It has not been so very hot here as yet. There is a great deal of sickness in the army at this time and very likely the sickness has only just commenced. The two armies are only about 1 mile apart. The outward pickets are less than half a mile of each other with only a small bit of woods between them. Every move [that] is made by the enemy, we are called out in line of battle. We are expecting an attack at any moment. I do not think that McClellan intends to attack them as he has been as busy as a bee ever since he came here in making redoubts, entrenches, rifle pits, roads, &c. I think [Stonewall] Jackson has frustrated McClellan’s plan in preventing McDowell and Banks from marching on to Richmond from the North with their armies.

We are well fortified now for an attack should the rebels choose to do so. Some of their cavalry has passed through our lines twice and done considerable damage in our rear in burning wagons, schooners, & bridges, carrying off horses and mules, &c.

I now commence the 3rd time to finish this letter. Have been called out in line of battle since I commenced it. I am well. I saw Tim yesterday. His health is good but he is very homesick. His regiment lost 184 in the late battle. Capt. Barker has not been well since the battle at Williamsburg. The rest of the Westmoreland boys are well. I received a letter from home a few days ago. They are all well. You may hear of a great battle before you receive this on this very spot. Give my regards to your family. Tell Ella to write me & do the same yourself and much oblige. Respectfully your brother, — Abel Starkey

John Hunt Morgan, Morgan's 1862 Kentucky Raid, Shelbyville, Kentucky

1862: Warren B. Ewing to Victoria Ely

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The following letter was written by Warren B. Ewing (1825-1876) a jeweler in Shelbyville, Shelby county, Kentucky. Born in Bourbon county, Ewing arrived in Shelbyville as a young man in the early 1840s to live and work with his brother-in-law James S. Sharrard. “Those who knew him well wrote of his refined nature, his musical talent, and his love of hunting and fishing.” In 1859-60, Ewing advertised as a goldsmith and silversmith, documenting is business of close to 20 years. Toward the end of his life, he lived in a furnished room in the rear of a hardware store on Main Street on the west side of the public square. He died a pauper on March 17, 1876, and was buried in an unmarked grave on the Atkisson lot at Grove Hill Cemetery, Shelbyville. Warren’s sister, Emeline, was the wife of James S. Sharrard who lived, by 1862, in Henderson, Kentucky.

Warren’s letter speaks of the first raid that Confederate raider John Hunt Morgan made into Kentucky in July 1862. With some 900 men, Morgan “swept in a wide arc through the state, during which he raided 17 towns, reportedly captured and paroled more than 1,200 Union troops, acquired several hundred horses, and destroyed huge amounts of Federal supplies. Morgan unnerved Kentucky’s Union military government, and President Abraham Lincoln received so many frantic appeals for help that he commented that ‘they are having a stampede in Kentucky.'” Though he was feared to be targeting Shelbyville, Kentucky, Morgan’s men rode into Paris instead and helped themselves to Federal supplies stored there and destroyed the rest. After Paris, Morgan stayed in the state just long enough to capture Winchester and Richmond.

Warren wrote the letter to 23 year-old Victoria (“Vic”) Ely (1839-1922), the daughter of William Masterson Ely (1808-1868) and Charlotte Robertson (1810-1881) of Milton, Trimble county, Kentucky. Warren’s relationship with her is unknown; perhaps she was a prior student at the Shelbyville Female College.

[Note: This letter is from the personal collection of Josh Branham and was transcribed and published on Spared & Shared by express consent.]

Transcription

Addressed to Miss Vic Ely, Milton, Kentucky

Shelbyville [Kentucky]
July 20, 1862

Miss Vic,

I am before you again in a scribble effusion pleading guilty to the charge of leaving violated my promise again. It may be quite as welcome as any pretense would be but I hope, however feebly, to the contrary. I have perhaps done the best to remain at home under the existing circumstances. My brother is quite helpless, requiring much attention. My sister has been from home until a few days past since which out town has been threatened with an attack from a portion of Morgan’s guerrilla band and it seemed necessary for every Union man to remain at his post as but very few of the secesh would take up arms to defend the place though all pretended to be very willing to do so. Some of them with but their shotguns fell into the ranks and remained firm until there was no further use for their remaining under arms, and are entitled to confidence. But those who lent their aid and influence to demoralizing and dispersing the aids who came in from the neighboring villages are not worthy of the respect of the negroes whom they regard the bone of contention.

The news reached us Sunday morning that Morgan was within thirty miles of us, threatening Frankfort, Lexington, and Shelbyville. A portion of his command were within eighteen miles of us and had a fight with a few home guards near Camden. Preparations were made to give them the warmest reception we could, receiving one hundred and fifty recruits from the villages around us between Sunday night and Monday morning. That no enemy came Monday morning when we were anticipating them, the men were suffered to stack their arms and stroll about town and the consequence was that many got drunk and were so demoralized when a breathless (almost_ courier came late in the afternoon with the news that twelve hundred cavalry were within six miles of and marching on Shelbyville, that they could not be managed. Several rumors followed soon after bringing the same tidings—men, too, who had been considered reliable.

A general stampede of the hundreds of the country people who had been flocking in all day commenced. Sheer panic stricken Union men and [ ] secesh such property holders gathered about our commander imploring him to lay down his arms and save the town from destruction by an over-powerful foe. Next two companies from Mount Eden and Harrisville made a grand skedaddle, some of them leaving their arms and taking to the field and woods, leaving only our home guard and a small band from Simpsonville to meet the Allens and their Cossacks. Amid the prayers of the property owners and flying families from the town, our young commander became embarrassed and finally concluded that he would make no resistance if they numbered over five hundred men.

A flag of truce was proposed but no man in authority and none of the Union leaders would bear to making terms with robbers as they regard Morgan’s gang. However, Jno. P. Allen 1 and Jno. Anthony Middleton, 2 be it said to their shame and the humiliation of the people, sneaked out with a flag of truce on their own responsibility to deliver up the town, and after riding for miles vainly searching for somebody to deliver up to, they sneaked off home. Jno. P. Allen is an old secesh sinner and J. A. M[iddleton], a young traitor lawyer of some promise. I am not prepared to say that his assumed responsibility will much advance him in the esteem of the loyal people, notwithstanding his unequalled impudence & betrayal—a requisite trait to the lawyer.

Shelbyville, Kentucky

Shelbyville is disgraced beyond a doubt. I am not sorry that they did not pay their respects to Shelbyville, but am truly glad that the brigand John Morgan was so routed yesterday morning near Paris and sincerely hope that his command will be annihilated or captured before the chase is over.

Margaret Sorency and her husband passed through town toward Mulberry Friday evening and Will Bird and a young Mr. Sorency yesterday morning stopped a few minutes. I have not seen [ ] or his lady since he was married. I am told that he is perfectly happy at house. Hope it may always be so with them.

There was a picnic given out for Mulberry yesterday. Quite a number went out from town but found only a very few of the Mulberry folks there—not even those who was instrumental in getting it up. I reckon they have not been relieved of their fright yet. A reward is offered for any man who will admit that he was alarmed last Monday. None can be found—nearly everybody run, but nobody was scared.

Not knowing what else to write, I must hurry to the conclusion of my missive. My kindest regards to the friends and accept the best wishes and regard of yours, as ever, — Warren B. Ewing

1 Presumably John Polk Allen (1810-1887) of Shelbyville, Shelby county, Kentucky. In the 1860 US Census he was identified as a farmer with a Simpsonville Post office address.

2 John Anthony Middleton (1838-1883) was the son of David Fulton Middleton (1796-1878) and Elizabeth Yerkes Beattie (1805-1859) of Shelbyville, Kentucky.

1st New York Mounted Rifles, Female soldiers, Suffolk, Virginia, Zuni, Virginia

1862-65: Foster C. Carl to Walter Tilly Foster

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I could not find an image of Foster but here is Pvt. Allen Curtis Smith who also served in Co. I, 1st Mounted Rifles

The following letters were written by Foster C. Carl (1845-1920), the son of William C. Carl (1796-1882) and Mary Bennett (1807-1884) of Putnam county, New York. Foster enlisted in 1862 in Co I, First Regiment of New York Mounted Rifles, and served until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. He was only 17 years of age when he enlisted, and the consent of his parents was obtained by Capt. George H. Dean, who commanded the company and recruited it. He was a strong, healthy young man when he entered the service, and was a good soldier, always ready for duty, and never flinched. This is shown by the testimony of his captain.

He was taken sick about April 8 or 9, 1865, at Summerton, N. C., and was carried in an ambulance to the hospital at Petersburg, Va. After a few days he returned to his regiment and went from there to Fredericksburg, Va., but was not able to do any duty. He was granted a sick leave for thirty-five days, and was taken down with malignant typhoid fever, and was confined to his bed until March, 1866. He was attended by physicians whose affidavits are on file. This sickness resulted in a permanent disease of the head and air passages and throat and bronchial tubes. Matter was discharged from the ears, and the throat continually filled with phlegm. It resulted in a permanent disability in the nature of a catarrhal trouble, and a disease of the throat and general debility. The soldier seems to have suffered from a malarial poisoning, and is
in a general feverish condition. The hearing and eyesight of the soldier is now seriously affected, and he suffers constantly from the same trouble of a catarrhal nature and is emaciated and physically unable to
do but little work. At the time he was taken down with the sicknesses referred to he had been in the saddle with his command for 15 consecutive days. He was discharged from the service on 15 June 1865.

Foster wrote the letter to his half-brother, Walter Tilly Foster, the son of Tilly Foster (1793-1842) and Mary Bennett.

Camp Dodge at Suffolk, Virginia, 1862

Letter 1

Addressed to Mr. Walter T. Foster, Andover, Massachusetts

Camp Dodge
[Suffolk, Virginia]
September 24, [1862]

Dear Brother,

I wrote to you some time ago for some things & ain’t received the things nor letter yet. You must send them as soon as you can as I want them. There is nothing new in camp. We are preparing for a battle. I can’t write much. Capt. has come & I am taking care of his horses now & things in his tent. I feel quite at home since he came. Write soon & let me know the news. Send a paper.

From your affectionate brother, — Foster C. Carl

I just received a letter from home. They are all well.

Letter 2

Camp Suffolk, Suffolk [Va.]
November 13th 1862

Dear Brother,

I received yours of the 9th inst. and hope you will obey Capt.’s wants. He says if you will come down, he will have six horses hitched up to receive you. You must act to the best of your judgment about it. I should like to see you very much, but it costs like thunder to travel now-a-days—at least I think so.

We shall soon see each other as Fighting Joe and Burnside are determined to push things right along now. Capt. [David C.] Ellis of Co. H had a skirmish with some rebels out at Providence Church about 7 miles. There was one wounded came in last night at 12 o’clock and another said to be wounded left with the company. The one that came in had his horse shot from under him and he rushed up, shot the Reb captain dead, mounted his [the Reb’s] horse, and came in with only a slight wound on the head. There was immediately four companies dispatched to the place last night and three this morning and calculate to take the Rebels if possible by surrounding them by going on different roads till they get beyond them and then come in on them all at once. But they can’t, for the Rebels know the country too well for us. They get away every time.

Capt. is left in command of the camp with two companies. we soon expect to make a movement to Petersburg but don’t know how soon. I hope before long. We have got twenty thousand brave soldiers all up in fighting trim, ready and eager for the attack. We are getting tired of staying in one place so long.

I wrote to you to send me some things. I suppose you have got it and you can send them.

The fight at Providence isn’t over yet but they are still wanging away at it yet and I hope may kill every damned Secesh there is there. I don’t know but what it would pay you to come down and see us and the country. If you come, you would never enlist as long as you can help it. There was a General Review yesterday by Gen. Dix and the men & officers appeared splendid on the review. Our regiment is still ahead of the others & the General & Staff complimented us very highly on the occasion.

We have a chaplain here now. Ned Buntlin is here. He is 4th duty sergeant. I guess you might as well see the country South now as ever. It is a solemn sight to see the deserted houses covered with turkey buzzards and wild animals in abundance such as the bear, dear, and possums. I expect still it will soon be pay day amongst us here. I can’t think of much to write. Answer soon and come down. — F. C. C.

1st N. Y. Mounted Rifles, Co. I, Camp Suffolk, Suffolk, Va.

Write a good letter.

Letter 3

Camp Suffolk, Suffolk [Va.]
November 15 [1862]

Yesterday we had another skirmish with the Rebels. Night before last we were all called out for a scout at 10 o’clock p.m. We traveled all night and in the morning we came to Zuni—a small place on the Black Water where there was a company of Rebels, numbering about 90, all drawn up in line ready for us and when we got in sight of them, we were ordered in line too. But we didn’t get in any lines but Co. B which was in advance broke, gave one yell and started with revolvers all ready for to kill the Devils. When they got near them, they commenced firing and some coming the right and left cuts, and front right Parry and left with their sabers. We killed 20 at Zuni, 2 at Windsor, and took two prisoners. We done well. We only lost 1 man killed and 5 wounded.

We have to go on picket tomorrow at Providence where some of Co. H was taken prisoners 3 days ago. I guess you will see the whole affair in the Herald. I must stop as it is late. From your affectionate brother, — Foster C. Carl

Company I, Camp Suffolk, Suffolk, Va,

Letter 4

1st Mounted Rifles N. Y. S. Volunteers
January 12th 1865

Dear Brother,

Yours of the 6th inst. came to hand last night. I am glad to hear from you and that you are well. I hope you will not practice any nuisance as you say some does. I think they are better than what the “Principal” calls them. I am glad you like it there. I received a letter from home this week. Ma thinks of moving on the farm in the Spring and letting you tend the store, in case of my not being present, which I think is very doubtful as “Old Abe” is bound to kill slavery before he will end the contest and I think that it will be some time before he can do it. True, we have the power and the means, but the Rebs still hold us at bay from Richmond and will until April or May when I think Grant will hop triumphantly into their stronghold and bid them be quiet or die.

I am quite unwell at present, having a sore throat which makes me feel down in the mouth. I don’t think I shall be home this winter on a “furlough.” I wrote to you only a few days ago and consequently can think of no news which are very scarce here. The mud is thick and plenty of it. It rains just when it pleases here and I think sometimes when it don’t.

There were 28 deserters came in yesterday and 8 day before. Amongst them were two women dressed in men’s clothes and a wench and Rebel officer. The latter is a pilot and spy for us and have gone back to fetch in more. I hope he may bring in Jeff for the next one.

Write soon and all the news to your affectionate brother, — Foster C. Carl

Co. I, 1st Mounted Regiment N. Y. Volunteers, Bermuda Hundred, Va.

11th Missouri Infantry

1861: Henry Clay Applegate to T. D. Bower

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I could not find an image of Henry but here is one of Joseph Browning who served in Co. H, 11th Missouri Infantry (Photo Sleuth)

The following letter was written by Henry C. Applegate (1843-1938) of Sumner, Illinois, who enlisted as a corporal in Co. A, 11th Missouri Infantry, and was discharged as a Lieutenant, serving as the regimental quartermaster. He resigned his commission at Demopolis, Alabama, on 8 October 1865. William E. Panabaker (1822-1881), also of Sumner, Lawrence county, Illinois, served as the captain of Co. A, 11th Missouri. In his letter, Henry identified his regiment as the 7th Missouri but this was probably based on his assumption that the company would be incorporated into that regiment. The 11th Missouri wasn’t mustered into service until 16 August 1861. They were known as the “Missouri Rifles.”

Henry was the son of Joseph Coward William Applegate (1808-1885) and Zylphia Ann Potter (1811-1870) of Sumner, Lawrence county, Illinois.

Henry wrote the letter to Mr. & Mrs. T. D. Bower. My assumption is that Mr. Bower taught a select school or was a latin teacher.

Transcription

St. Louis, [Missouri]
July 21, 1861

Mr. T. D. Bower & Wife,

I received your letter before I started from the city of Sumner. I am glad to hear you have a school in Olney and am very sorry to say I could not come through. However, I am not discouraged in the least. Tell me how many scholars you have. Is Miss Hattie coming? I hope so. When did you hear from “Phene” last? Is she well, &c.

We arrived in the city last Thursday and came on to the arsenal where we will remain until we get our company made up. We lack about fifteen men. Our Capt. went home [to Illinois] today and will be back next Friday.

It has just been raining and everything is wet so I will close my letter. Give my [respects] to all the folks from your Tuus Amicus [Latin for “Your Friend”] — H. C. Applegate

Direct in care of Capt. [William E.] Panebaker, 7th Regt., St. Louis Arsenal

P. S. Write before next Thursday or I will not get it.

Civilian POW, St. Augustine, Florida

1862: Edmond Simon Aubril to Louis Bell

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The following brief letter was penned by Edmond Simon Aubril (1813-1881), the French-born pastor of the Catholic Church in St. Augustine, Florida, to Louis Bell (1837-1900), Colonel of the 4th New Hampshire Infantry. In January 1862, a force led by Lt. Col. Bell undertook a Florida campaign during which it captured Fernandina, Jacksonville, and St. Augustine. On March 18, 1862, Bell was promoted to full colonel and became commander of the regiment. While commanding the regiment’s occupation of St. Augustine, General David Hunter had Bell arrested and relieved of his command for allegedly returning a fugitive slave to her owners. Following a half-hearted investigation, Bell was reinstated to his command in September 1862 without trial.

When St. Augustine was surrendered to Union forces without fighting in early 1862, the local citizenry gave every indication that they favored the Union occupation. But as time passed it became obvious to Bell that there were some citizens who continued to offer resistance. Perhaps to set an example for others, Bell had William Keyes and three of his neighbors arrested when they were caught harboring a Confederate sergeant in the city. All four were heavily ironed and sent to Northern prisons.

When the women of St. Augustine protested and voiced their opposition to the arrests of civilians, Bell issued an order on 7 May 1862, “declaring that certain women having conducted themselves in a manner grossly insulting to the United States forces, by assembling on the Plaza and openly proclaiming their disloyalty, thereafter it is ordered that ‘any woman who shall be guilty of any open and offensive exhibition of disloyalty shall be considered as having forfeited immunity from punishment by reason of her sex, and shall be held in strict arrest…” This order predated the one of a similar nature issued by the “Beast” Butler in New Orleans by at least a week. [See The Dover Enquirer, 29 May 1862]

The Catholic Church in St. Augustine, Florida

Transcription

Addressed to Col. L. Bell, USA, Commander at the Post of St. Augustine

St. Augustine [Florida]
July 6th 1862

Col. Bell,

Sir, I learn from Mrs. Keyes that her husband is to be removed from St. Augustine in a few days to be taken to Hilton Head. This removal throws her in a grief which was already very great. My dear sir, I do implore your clemency in regard to that afflicted family—afflicted, I may say, on account of their kindness, Mr. Keyes was always respected and beloved by all who knew him on account of his benevolent and friendly disposition and industrious habits. By ameliorating his condition by returning him as soon as possible to his family—his helpless family—you will sir, you will cause a sensation throughout this community and far around which will bring about that friendship, that fraternity, so desirable amongst us and God which we ought to employ all the means in our power. I do think, as I say, the act of clemency of this kind on your part will have the effect which I wish most ardently towards which all our endeavors ought to center—the promotion of mutual friendship.

Happy I will be if I can contribute my little share in such a blessing. Hoping, dear sir, that you will take in consideration this expression of my feelings, I remain truly and respectfully yours, — Edm. Aubril

Pastor of the Cath. Church, St. Augustine

1 The following letter is posted on War of the Rebellion: Serial 020 Page 0356 COAST OF. S. C., GA., AND MID. AND EAST FLA. Chapter XXVI.

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE SOUTH,
Hilton Head, S. C., June 20, 1862.

Lieutenant Colonel LOUIS BELL, Commanding Post, Saint Augustine, Fla.:

SIR: In reply to your letter dated June 1, relative to the case of William Keyes and three other men who had taken the oath of allegiance, and who nevertheless were quilt of harboring a sergeant of the Confederate Army and supplying him with information, I am instructed by the major-general commanding to advise you that the prisoners in question are to be heavily ironed and sent to these headquarters, with a statement in writing, and as full as possible, of their offense. Your action in the case of Mr. Steubenmeyr, the Episcopal clergyman, is approved.

Col. Louis Bell, 4th New Hampshire

In reference to your letter dated May 29, relative to the hanging and persecution of loyal citizens by roving bands of Confederate guerrillas, the major-general commanding desires that you shall take the most rigorous and prompt measures for the suppression of such practices. All guerrillas caught you will iron heavily and send to these headquarters, with written charges accompanying them.

You will also threaten to arm, and if necessary arm, all negroes and Indians who may be willing to enter the service.

You should also at once drive out of your lines all persons, without reference to sex, who have not taken and shall refuse to take the oath of allegiance.

The general commanding, reposing much confidence in your judgment, gives you a large and liberal discretion in reference to all acts that may be necessary for the vindication of the laws within your district, and guarantees you a frank support in any acts within the limits of a reasonable discretion.

It is not his wish, however, that the death penalty should be inflicted on prisoners captured without -express orders from these headquarters. The better way will be to iron all malefactors and send them here for disposition tinder the necessary guard.

You will report frequently and fully all action taken by you under the terms of these instructions.

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, CHAS. G. HALPINE, Major and Assistant Adjutant- General.

7th Ohio Infantry, Gauley River

1861: William H. Overmire to his Mother

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The author of this letter only signed his name “Will” but he was clearly from an Ohio regiment and since he referred to the “Vienna boys,” my hunch was that he served in Co. H, 7th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI). Checking the rosters for Ohio soldiers named William enlisting from Vienna, I found only one soldier that fit the description—Pvt. William H. Overmire who enlisted for three months in April 1861 in Co. H, 7th OVI and then reenlisted for three years after that 1st organization disbanded. William was wounded and taken prisoner at the Battle of Cedar Mountain, Virginia, on 9 August 1862, and there is no further record of him.

William’s letter includes a description of an incident that took place on the Gauley River on 24 July 1861 when the 11th OVI fired on a transport steamer and sunk it.

I could not find an image of Will but here is one of Stephen Burrows who also served in Co. H, 7th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (Ancestry.com)

Transcription

Camp Gauley, Virginia
August 2nd 1861

It was with much pleasure that I received your letter of the 27th. I had just come off picket guard. Six of us (Vienna boys) were stationed about three miles from camp up on the opposite side of the river (we are upon the Gauley River about forty miles from Charleston). We lay under the shade of an apple tree all day. In the evening it rained and we went to a barn which was nearby where we lodged till next morning. During the day we met with a man who had been in the Rebel army but who had gone home on furlough and never returned. He told us he had been forced into the service about three months since. He told us that there had been about two thousand five hundred men in Gen. Wise’s army of which two thousand were Union men and that just this side of Charleston six hundred had deserted the army at one time and that they were continually deserting. Where Gen. Wise is or what he is going to do, we know not, but we have possession of the Kanawha Valley.

We had expected to have had several skirmishes before we reached our present position. We had prepared for a hard battle at Charleston but to our surprise when we reached there, the enemy had gone a few miles down the river. We came across a boat loaded with wheat which was bearing the American flag. Col. [Frizzellof the 11th [Ohio] Regiment placed some of his men in the bushes and they placed a canon upon the bank. He then asked who they were. They answered they were Kanawha Rangers. He asked them what they meant. They said they were northern troops. He asked again if they were Union men and they, thinking that there were but few on shore to oppose them not seeing those in the bushes, answered that they belonged to the Southern Confederacy. The Colonel then ordered to fire. When the cannon opened upon them, striking the furnace and throwing the fire all over the boat, a volley then opened upon them from behind the bushes when they all took to flight, leaving everything—tents, provision, guns, and all to the flames which had already highly spread. They burned another boat themselves above Charleston and marched on. We have pursued them to Gauley Bridge which they burned, the cost of which was $18,000. 1

We have now settled down for how long, I do not know. We are in a most delightful place, surrounded on all sides by lofty hills which we might call mountains. Upon the top of one of these hills I am now sitting. At my feet is a cool stream of water. I look down upon the camp and them look like pygmies.

Dear mother, you have spoken of my not writing soon while some of the others have written. We marched almost all the way after leaving Ohio. Those who were unable to march went aboard the boat. Many of the boys were unwell. They rode while I kept my health and marched. Thus you see they had abundance of time while I had none. Indeed, I might have found some time to have written, but after marching all day with my knapsack upon my back under the burning sun (for the sun comes down very hot here), a letter of mine should not have been very interesting. Thus is the apparent neglect, and not from a want of feeling for home for never did home appear more dear than now.

As for my wants, I am in want of nothing. Money I have no need of. But I must close as it is past noon and dinner is waiting. I am perfectly well and have been ever since I left home. The boys are all well and we are all in high spirits.

N. B. [Nota bene]—I had commenced writing home about the battle when on the other side of Charleston but before I could finish it, we were ordered to march. I suppose you have heard all about it now. Tell sis I received her letter just before we marched out of Charleston and was very happy to hear from her but was surprised at the question contained in that note. My love to all. May this find you enjoying health and happiness. Yours in filial affection, — Will

N. B.—i have not yet received that paper which Pa and Ben Smith sent. Excuse this letter for the mosquitoes bother me so I can hardly write at all.

1 This incident is described in A History of the Eleventh Regiment by Horton & Teverbaugh (1866), pp. 30-31, but it varies somewhat in the details. It was Lt. Colonel Frizzell of the 11th OVI that commanded the regiment on 24 July 1861 when on the march to Gauley’s Bridge, they encountered a steamboat loaded with troops crossing the river. “Hailing the boat, the Colonel asked what troops they were, and being answered by the interrogatory if ‘you’uns’ were rebels the Colonel responded, ‘All right—run ‘er up!’ and had not hte hoisting of the Union flag been too hastily ordered by some officer on the hill adjoining, a valuable loss of ammunition, stores and prisoners would have been easily captured. The rebel commander saw the flag, and the boat was put across to the opposite shore with all possible speed. Capt. Cotter soon succeeded in getting his six pounders in position, and a shell sent through the steamer not only greatly hastened the disembarkation of the rebels but set fire to the boat and charred and blackened timbers of the hull of which probably may yet be seen at low water at the foot of the shoals.”

15th North Carolina Infantry, 49th North Carolina Infantry

1863: Samuel Putnam to James L. Green

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I could not find an image of Samuel but here is an Ambrotype of Samuel John Hoyle who served in Co. K, 49th North Carolina Infantry

The following letter was written by Samuel Putnam (1837-1919) of Shelby, Cleveland county, North Carolina, who volunteered as a private in Co. D, 15th North Carolina Infantry in mid-May 1861. He was 24 years old at the time of his enlistment. The 15th North Carolina served in Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia throughout the Peninsula Campaign and on the Maryland Campaign in Longstreet’s Corps, McLaw’s Division, Cobb’s Brigade. During the Battle of Antietam, Samuel was wounded and taken prisoner but paroled and sent to a hospital until he could rejoin his regiment.

In mid-January 1863, Co. D of the 15th North Carolina was transferred to the 49th North Carolina, Ransom’s Brigade, in exchange for Co. B of that regiment. When Gen. Robert Ransom’s Brigade was recalled to eastern North Carolina, the 49th served in the New Bern area and near the Chowan River in North Carolina with the purpose of protecting the Petersburg/Weldon/Wilmington railroad. During this time they fought frequent skirmishes with Union cavalry forces attempting to raid the railroad. Samuel wrote this letter from their encampment near Petersburg in July 1863 where he expressed little hope for the Confederacy.

Ten months later, Samuel was still with his regiment when he was wounded in the arm at Drewry’s Bluff on 16 May 1864—a wound so severe it required amputation.

Samuel was the son of Elias Putnam (1807-1859) and Rachel Poston (1808-1841)—both deceased prior to the war.

Samuel’s Tombstone. Some errors in the details.

Transcription

Camp near Petersburg, Virginia
July 21, 1863

Dear Uncle,

Once more I am permitted to drop you a few lines to let you know that I am well, hoping when this comes to hand that they may find you & your family all well.

As for news, I hant got none that is good on our side. It looks like this war is going against us but it is just as it is & it can’t be helped though I may be mistaken. But them [that] lives 12 months from this time, they will see how it goes. They say that our men will have to give up Charleston to the Yankees. It looks like they are coming in on every side. General Lee made a bad trip going into Maryland and has got lots of his men killed and no good done on our side. They say the 34th & 38th & 55th [North Carolina] Regiments is cut up bad & I heard that Sam Telford was killed. I don’t know it to be so but expect that he was killed.

Jimmy, you need not tell this to everybody what I have wrote about the war. You may think I am out of heart, but you will see if you are permitted to live how it will go—that is, if we don’t get help from somewhere else. We have got as good fighting men as theirs, but we can’t whip a whole world out. They are going to overpower us for they can do it because they have so many more men than us. And Old Abe has ordered three hundred thousand more men & if they come out, I think we had as well quit. But our men won’t give up until they get all of their men killed.

Jimmy, I want you to write to me and let me know how you are getting along. I would like to see you the best in the world but it is so that I can’t have the opportunity. But I hope that I will be permitted to live to see you all gone. Goodbye. — Samuel Putnam

[to] J. L. Green

Direct your letter to Petersburg’, Co. B, 49th North Carolina troops in Care of Capt. N. B. Corbett, Ransom’s Brigade

34th New York Infantry, 57th Massachusetts Infantry, Mortar Shelling, Sketches, Suicide

1864: Albert Doty to Elizabeth Gardner Doty

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The following letter was written by Albert Doty (1841-1873), the son of Leonard Doty (1812-1882) and Lydia Louise Gardner (1810-1892) of Hancock, Berkshire county, Massachusetts. Albert first enlisted with the 34th New York Infantry in May 1861 to serve two years. He rose in rank from private to 1st Sergeant by December 1861 and then was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant in March 1862 and Adjutant in January 1863. He was discharged for disability from the regiment in May 1863. He returned to the service in March 1864, and was a Sergeant Major in Co. I, 57th Massachusetts Infantry when this letter was written. He was then promoted to a 1st Lieutenant of Co. K by late July, and brevetted a captain in August 1864 for gallant service in the engagements on the Weldon Railroad. He mustered out of the service in late July 1865.

Doty’s letter speaks of the mortar shelling their regiment endured in front of Petersburg that pre-dated the following incident:

“On July 24, 1864, Doty and some of the men were at a Bomb-Proof just behind the trenches.  This bomb-proof was small about twelve feet square, and was hot inside so the men had built a arbor out side the bomb-proof. It was covered with branches and old canvas for protection from the sun.  Earlier they were shelling the enemy and now the Confederates were returning the favor.  The men paid no mind as they were use to it.  Some were laying on the ground and some were sitting on an old cracker box writing letters home, when without warning or sound the bomb-proof exploded. It was found that the enemy artillery gunners aim was off and a ten-inch mortar shell fell in the middle of the “Bomb-proof.”  Some of the men were either wounded or killed; some would die later from their wounds. Doty, who was a Sergeant Major at the time, came out of it only slightly bruised.” [Source: Civil War Days and Those Surnames]

Doty does not explain his use of the pseudoname “Oliver Ditson” to sign his letter so he must have used it regularly or at least occasionally when corresponding with his younger sister Elizabeth Gardner Doty (1845-1917). The real Oliver Ditson (1811-1888) was “the pioneer of music publishing in American, having published a number of popular songs, including “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “Tenting on the Old Camp Ground.” Ditson also marketed drums under his company name though they did not manufacture them.

Sadly, though Doty survived the war, he was counted among the large number of veterans who committed suicide in the post-war years. He was 32 years old at the time of his death.

Doty’s letter incorporates a sketch of a boy delivering the mail. He was most likely a runaway Negro boy (“contraband”) who attached himself to the regiment, performing services in return for shelter, food and clothing. He holds his hat in hand while extending a letter in the other.

Transcription

Headquarters 57th Massachusetts Infantry
Near Petersburg, Virginia
July 12th 1864

Lib,

Received today a letter from your headquarters dated July 6th. Have now in my clutches 1 vignette of “Laura Clark” for the same. Am much obliged. Have heard of my death from two different (both reliable) sources—presume it must be so. Shows the advantages we have over the ancients now-a-days. You can read your own obituary and attend your own funeral. Nice, ain’t it? Please tell me the origin of the rumor. Charles Daniels received a letter yesterday in which his mother expressed fear that he might be “lonely, now Albert Doty was killed” and wished him to write the circumstances upon my departure. I ask forgiveness of the good people of the land of my nativity and wish to assure them that it’s none of my fault that they are this time disappointed. Will do better next time, &c. I didn’t mean to!

I received a lead pencil and some postage tamps. Much obliged. Expect a letter from N. E. G. soon. Hope Lester won’t forget to write. Give thanks to “Kleber.”

We are having gay times just now. The “Johnnies” and we have got into a notion lately of pitching small balls at each other—little mortar shells eight inches in diameter. Can’t tell when they are coming—they go so slow. They have a way of “dropping in” quietly now and then just for a short chat. They travel as unostentatiously as a Quaker deacon. Keep losing men. Have on this morning’s report 157 enlisted men present. Rather a mournful record. Don’t see how we can have many more “big funerals” in case is should be required of us. Will be obliged to send home for more stock.

Please to write to me about the Hancock boys in the 34th Massachusetts. 1 Any news in good condition will be gladly received. Please send me a box of Gillott’s Steel Pens. Have lately lost my pen holder pencil pen and the whole “consarn” gone to grass.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, — Oliver Ditson

1 A number of men from Berkshire county served in Co. K of the 34th Massachusetts—particularly Hancock and Pittsfield.

3rd New Hampshire Infantry

1862: Gustavus Warren Knowlton to Friends

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The following letter was written by Gustavus “Warren” Knowlton (1840-1862), the son of Stephen C. Knowlton (1782-1873) and Mary Green (1793-1882) of Danbury, Merrimack county, New Hampshire. Warren was a 22 year-old shoemaker when he enlisted on 15 May 1861 to serve in Co. D, 3rd New Hampshire Infantry. He did not survive the war; he died of disease on 26 March 1862 at Hilton Head—just three weeks after sending this letter to his “far distant friends.”

A second letter is also posted on this page which was penned by Capt. Charles F. Dunbar of Co. D, 3rd New Hampshire Infantry, informing Warren’s next of kin of his death on 27 March 1862 and of his planned interment later that same day.

This unidentified soldier in the 3rd New Hampshire is wearing the first uniform issued to the regiment which was a gray frock coat with 9-button front, 2-button cuff, and rear skirts with two buttons at the waist level. Pants were also plain for all enlisted ranks. Havelock caps were issued to this regiment. (Ron Field Collection)

Letter 1

Hilton Head, South Carolina
March 3rd 1862

Far Distant Friends,

I received a letter from you this morning. Was very glad to hear from you and more. I am in good health and spirits and hope this will find you the same. If my memory serves me, I wrote you nearly one year ago soon after I joined the army & have heard nothing from you until I received your letter of February 10th. Your Mother also.

Article First

Probably you will get very much disappointed—that is, if you expect to hear a great deal of adventure from me. I must make some excuse so I will tell you on the start that I was unfortunate enough to lose my diary at the disembarkation here. Since that, I have not kept any written account of things which have transpired. Consequently I shall have to draw from my memory which is very forgetful as you know. So you see that whatever history of our moves I give you will be rather broken, unconnected, and irregular.

The New Hampshire 3rd Regiment left Concord the 23rd of September 1861. Went direct to [Camp Scott on] Long Island, New York. Encamped there a few weeks for the purpose of forming a Brigade. The Maine 8th joined us soon. Brig. Gen. [ ] was assigned to the command of us.

Meantime, the gentlemanly conduct of officers and men won for us as a regiment the praise and respect of the Long Islanders, so much so that they soon after we left sent a committee of their townsmen of Mineola and presented us with a beautiful flag.

After we had encamped some three weeks at Long Island, a sudden panic seized the government about the safety of Washington and we was ordered there double quick. Arriving at Washington we again encamped near the city on Capitol Hill. Here we remained some two or three weeks more, there being no fighting to speak of in that vicinity. About this time we began to hear of the intended Expedition down the coast in which we were expected to take part in. Gen. [Thomas W.] Sherman, as you know, took command of the Expedition.

We left Washington & went direct to Annapolis, Maryland, where we again encamped & where again our well disciplined appearance won the admiration of Governor Hicks so much so that he wanted us to stay and garrison the fortifications there. But Gen. Sherman would not give us up on no account. So we embarked some time about the middle of October on board the steamship Atlantic for an unknown destination. But it seems that we fetched up at Port Royal, South Carolina, where we now are. I had the pleasure of viewing the bombardment of Port Royal which you probably have heard about ere this. Since we landed here, I have been engaged in various duties of soldiering. I have acted as scout with some success & picket duty is familiar to me.

Article Second—On the War

My opinion in regard to this war is soon told. In the first place, the Southern people alone are responsible for it (if we except a few hot headed Abolitionists which are of no account). In the next place I think this war is rather a necessity and will do the country as a Nation more good than hurt. There is one thing sure and that is this—the southern power is broken and will never assume the importance which it has heretofore. And when this rebellion is subdued—which it will be, and that soon—I believe the country will assume a more prosperous & flourishing condition than it ever has yet. It will be better prepared to resist foreign invasions than ever it was yet.

And as for Southern gentlemen or rather scoundrels trampling under foot Northern principles and rights again, is out of the question.

As for grub, we get a plenty to eat and that what is good enough for anybody. As for treatment, I should like to see the man or men that would mistreat or ill treat New Hampshire volunteers. I guess he would vamoose quicker. But I have taxed your patience long enough already. So adieu. Yours, &c. — Warren Knowlton

It has been cold, wet and backward this spring. Love to Father & Mother and want very much to see them and all.

Letter 2

Hilton Head, South Carolina
March 27, 1862

Mr. J. S. Knowlton

Sir, an afflictive duty compels me to inform you of the death of your brother, G. Warren Knowlton, a member of the company of my command. He entered the hospital on the eve of the 12th instant, and was sick of “Typhoid Fever.” He was doing well until a violent attack of “Dysentery” set in lasting sixty hours, terminating his life this morn at 1:20. We used all the means in our power to save your brother but God saw fit to take him from us. We mourn the loss of a dear brother soldier—one whom we all loved and our tears mingle with those of his bereaved friends at home.

His effects I have in my possession, agreeably to Army Regulations, and I will await until I hear from his friends or his representation as to their disposal. I desire to hear as soon as possible.

We inter his remains this remains this p.m. with religious and military ceremony. Your friend in affliction, — Charles F. Dunbar, Capt. 3rd New Hampshire Vols., Commanding Co. D

To Mr. J. S. Knowlton, Danbury, New Hampshire

37th Illinois Infantry

1862-4: Eli Bogue to Josephine Cook

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I could not find an image of Eli but here is one of Orville Powers who served in the 37th Illinois and was killed in the Battle of Pea Ridge in March 1862 (Steven Altic Collection)

The following letters were written by Eli Bogue (1840-1921), the son of William Bogue (1816-1846) and Rebecca Cook (1808-1900) of Ridge Farm, Vermilion county, Illinois. Eli enlisted as a private on 7 September 1861 in Co. K, 37th Illinois Infantry and remained with the regiment 3 years, mustering out on 17 October 1864. At the time of his enlistment he was described as a 5′ 10″ farmer with dark hair and dark eyes. From Eli’s letters it appears he was detached from the regiment from time to time working as a teamster.

Eli 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

Springfield, Missouri
July [ ], 1862

Dear Cousin, I received your letter in due time. I was glad to hear that you was all well. I am well at present. You [say you] think it is impossible to raise a company [and that] maybe I should get in some other one that is a getting up around there. I heard that Clark out at Ridge Farm was a raising a company. I would like to get in some one for I am tired of this one. I don’t like the way things work and I have to have a promotion before I can get out of this. If they know as much as I do, I would get in. I ain’t a going to crawl for any office nor beg for it. I am above that. I thought I would offer my services to some of the new companies. If I don’t get in them, nature will prove itself. All companies want good and bold officers for to win the day and man has to be bold. When it comes to shooting, they have to watch or their heart will run off with their legs. I don’t pretend to say that I would make a officer, but when it comes to fighting, you can count me for one every time.

We expect more fighting out here in a few days for there is a heavy body of rebels a getting very close. A good many troops left here this morning at four o’clock. I expect to go tomorrow morning.

I was offered a body of men the other day to go out on a scout and I would not go because they wouldn’t give me what I wanted. Captain told me when I wanted some men, let him know. I have made up my mind that I would not go unless I could get a month or more. You can count me a young marrying [man], if they will give me a chance, that is. [That’s] all I ask.

I guess I have wrote enough for this time. Answer this as soon as you get it please. — Eli Bogue

Letter 2

Camp on Illinois Creek, Arkansas
December 19 [?], 1862

Dear Cousin,

I take the pleasure of writing you a few lines to let you know how I am getting along. I m in good health at the present, hoping these lines will find you the same. I must tell you we have had one more hard fight. Six thousand of us fought twenty thousand rebels for half a day. Just at dark, General Blunt came up, then we drove them back. We fought till after dark. I was out to a house yesterday six miles out. They said they could see the flash of the cannon. The folks here in the country says the Rebels whip us but noticed they come up a Saturday night and went back Sunday night under the flag of truce. They are across the Arkansas River. If they will let us go in, we will kill them twice. I expect the Government will wait till winter is over and then put us in winter quarters.

Tell your girl to write. I can’t think of her name. Tell her to write to me and tell her name and then I can write…. Your cousin, — Eli Bogue

Letter 3

In Camp at Pilot Knob, Mo.
Headquarters, Army of the Frontier
April 3rd 1863

Dear Cousin.

It is with pleasure that I take the present time to answer your very acceptable letter. It found me enjoying good health [and] hoping that these few lines may find you the same. You must excuse me for not writing sooner. I was so busy that I did not have time to write. I expect you have heard of a big shout down in this part of the country.

I drove the General’s six-mule team over one hundred miles inside of three days and when we came to this place, the General left me to stay here until he sent for me. I am here alone. You may guess I am tired of staying here. There is some soldiers here but I don’t know them.

I heard since I left the camp that the 37th [Illinois Regt.] went down to St. Louis and then they were sent to General McNeil’s command to reinforce him. I know if the 37th gets there, the rebels will get hurt. Col. [John Charles] Black is the man for fight. I think the 37th is the best regiment that ever went into the field to fight a battle. If she was back there [in Illinois], them Copperheads would have to sleep. The 37th has honored herself to the state and crowned herself in glory. She is the first Board of Trade Regiment that left Chicago and she will be long remembered by the people of that city. I expect that she will have to fight against Price once more before her time will be up. I hear that he is at Little Rock and if that be so, we will have him to fight this summer sometime. I don’t care, just so we whip him as bas as we did at Pea Ridge. I think that would be as much as he would want in this rebellion or any other man. 

How are you and the Copperheads a getting along now-a-days?

We have had very rainy weather here this week. It makes the roads very bad to travel over. I expect to be ordered out one of these dark nights to drive to the command and I don’t know where they are. If they are in this state, I can find them or travel the state over again. I hope by the time we start South, the road will dry up. It will be very warm down South, I expect. There will be more soldiers die with disease than there will in the battlefield. Do you think we will ever have peace in the Nation again? I don’t believe we will very soon but some think we will. But I don’t see what grounds they stand on to see that way. They may know more about the cursed business than I do.

I hope that peace may be declared before you get this letter and it go through in three days. A person had just as well wish to go to heaven in a hand basket as to wish for peace. I suppose all the young folks are married back there by this time. I hope so. I must bring my letter to a close. Give my respects to all enquiring friends. Answer this as soon as convenient. Direct to St. Louis, 37th Illinois. Write soon. From Eli Bogue

Goodbye.

Letter 4

Early in the Civil War, Clarksville, Texas, prospered because of the cotton trade and presence of Confederate blockade-runners. In 1863, however, the area was captured and occupied by Union forces, which seized private homes and warehouses and caused most residents to flee. As part of emperor Maximilian’s efforts to suppress Mexican resistance, French gunboats occasionally shelled Clarksville. Theresa Clark Clearwater, daughter of the town’s founder, recalled that “often the families were forced to take refuge behind some big sand hill during these bombardments.” Troops of the Texas Confederate Calvary, as well as French and Austrian soldiers from Maximilian’s forces also frequented Clarksville.

Clarksville, Texas
May 3rd 1864

Dear Cousin,

I expect you will be surprised to receive a letter from me this time of day but you must excuse me for I write when I get chance. We have hard times since we have been over here. We hope by the time we labor three years longer we will have our work complete. Has the 25th [Illinois] Regiment reenlisted again? When you write Ed[gar] or Alonzo, tell them I am driving team on the sea shore of Texas. Clarksville is at the mouth of the Rio Grande—a pretty place too. It is all sand. We have very warm weather here but cool breezes from the sea all the time.

We are expecting a fight here every night. I was up the other night [to] harness my mules about 12 o’clock. It rained very hard but no rebels came. We have niggrons to defend the place but they won’t fight unless they are where they can’t run—then they will fight. [An] American soldier is an honorable thing but the negro spils it. I must not say any more about negro for I may say too much for my own good. I don’t want to hurt my credit by saying a few words about negro for it is bad news back there.

I can say that I have been in Mexico and [a] poor country it is there. A great many rebel officers are staying in Mexico—run off from the rebel army. Some of them are a going to England the first vellel. I think they had better leave.

I hear that Gen. Banks got whip[ped] out up Red River but I guess he will get over it. You must excuse me this time for I have to hitch up my team. Direct to Brownsville, Texas in care of Captain Owens. Still remain your friend, — Eli Bogue

He has fallen but honorable in the field of battle.