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.
20th Ohio Infantry

1862: Edward Henry Roberts & Daniel Newman Roberts to George W. Roberts

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I could not find an image of either Ed or Dan Roberts in uniform but here is William H. Oury who served in Co. E, 20th OVI (Ancestry)

The following letter was written by 20 year-old Edward H. Roberts and his brother, 25 year-old Daniel Roberts, both privates in Co. D, 20th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI). The brothers enlisted together on 3 October 1861 to serve three years. Daniel mustered out at the end of his term of service; Edward mustered out as a corporal in July 1865. They wrote the letter to their older brother, George W. Roberts (1829-1900).

The Roberts boys were the children of Morehouse Roberts (1790-1847) and Susannah Newman (1806-1898) of Delaware county, Ohio. I previously transcribed an 1863 letter by Daniel Roberts which can be found at—1863: Dan Roberts to George W. Roberts.

The 20th OVI was organized at Columbus, from Aug. 19 to Sept. 21, 1861, to serve for three years. During the winter it was employed in guarding several batteries in the rear of Covington and Newport, Ky. In February 1862, a month after this letter was written, it participated in the battle of Fort Donelson, Tenn., “with no little credit to every man. It also participated in the battle of Shiloh, with considerable loss, and it is fully entitled to a share in the glory of that victory.”

Transcription

City Barracks
Cincinnati, Ohio
January 21, 1862

Dear Brother,

I now will take up my pen and try to write you a few lines to let you know we are all well. I hope these lines will find you and family the same. Well George, I am almost ashamed to try to write to you. it has ben so long since I have written to you. I wrote you a letter before I went to Illinois. I did not get no answer from it. It was not the reason which I did not write. It was that I was such a poor writer and I would hear from you every little while from home so I thought if you wanted to hear from me, you would write to me. You must excuse me this time and I will do better next time.

Our regiment has come back to the City Barracks. I expect we will stay here awhile. It may be that we will stay here till spring. We came here last week. We did not do any fighting when we was in Kentucky.

I would druther be in our tents than here. We are kept in like prisoners here. Ed and Tip is well and hearty. Ed is as fat as he can hardly be. Well, George, he eats a nuff, if that will make anybody fat. We have plenty to eat such as it is.

We hear from home every week. They was well last week. George, you orty [ought to] see Giles. You would not know him. He is about as tall as Old Calwell . I don’t think I ever saw a boy grow as fast in my life as he did while I was gone to Illinois. Well, George, if he is tall, he is awful good boy. He is very hard working boy.

I was home two weeks last fall. He worked hard all the time while I was home. He is very good to Mother. I am going home as soon as I can get a furlough. Ed was home while we was in Kentucky.

I got a letter from our neighborhood last week. They say that Melissa Clark is getting very fat. I can’t hardly believe it. We have not heard from Benjamin and John for about a month. They was at Cairo then. They was both doing duty then. We wrote to them about three weeks ago and have not heard from them yet.

Well, George, I guess Jim Herron 1 has got dinner ready and I must go and help him get rid of some of it. No more at present. Please write soon.

Dan wanted me to write a few lines but he has written all the news so I will not write anymore. Please write soon and direct to City Barracks, Cincinnati, Ohio, Co. D, 20th Regt. Ohio Vol. [Infantry], USA

Your brothers, — Ed and Dan

1 James J. Herron was killed in the Battle of Bolivar, Tennessee, in August 1862.

1st District of Columbia Cavalry, 1st Maine Cavalry, Beefstake Raid, Prisoner of War

1861-64: Charles C. Palmer to his Sisters

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“I have letters of Civil War soldier Charles C. Palmer of Exeter Maine to his sisters. Charlie served in the 1st Maine Cavalry in Washington DC and then in Virginia. He was captured in late 1864 and died at Salisbury prison in January 1865. Would you like to take a look at his letters from Camp Butler and Fredericksburg?” So wrote Kathleen Mikaelian to me recently after discovering the box of letters among her husband’s family heirlooms. She later told me that she hoped to keep Charley’s history alive by showcasing his letters on Spared & Shared.

Charles C. Palmer, 1st D. C. Cavalry

Charles C. Palmer (1837-1865) was the son of William Palmer (1789-1865) and Susanna Treadwell (1793-1864) of Exeter, Penobscot county, Maine. He was married in October 1858 to Nancy Jane (“Jennie”) Neal (1838-1863), was childless and working as a miller in Exeter when he enlisted as a corporal in Co. L, 1st Maine Cavalry early in the war. After this initial stint in the service, Charlie returned to Exeter where tragedy greeted him. In October 1863, Charlie’s wife delivered stillborn twins and suffered so much physically and emotionally that she died two months later, leaving a grieving husband to mourn the loss of his entire family. With nothing to hold him in Exeter any longer, Charlie left his teaching job and re-entered the service, this time in Co. G, 1st District of Columbia Cavalry. His muster date was given as 19 February 1864 at which time he was described as 24 years old, standing 5 foot 11 inches tall, with hazel eyes and brown hair.

Charlie was no long with the D. C. Cavalry when he was promoted to corporal. Except for a period of time when he was hospitalized at the Point of Rocks in mid-summer, Charlie appears to have been with his regiment though he may have found it dull at times. So much so that on 25 May 1864 he was known to have sent a letter to General George F. Shepley requesting special duty. His letter was found in military records and reads as follows:

Camp Conger, 20 May 1864

General Shepley, Sir, I trust you will pardon me for intruding upon your much valued time. But my object in so doing is to see if through you or your influence I can obtain a position on one of the many confiscated plantations under your jurisdiction, and if not, some other position which may be of better advantage to me and also serve my country truly for I would scorn the thought of trying to obtain any position where I could not serve my country in this her hour of peril.

I am a native of Exeter, Maine, and for the few years past have been engaged in teaching. But in my younger years was a farmer’s boy. If you wish for any recommendations, I can get them and good too in my own regiment—and also from many influential men in Maine, among them Adjt. General Hodson. But if I get anything, I had rather my own merit would claim it as rightly its own. I came into my company after it was organized and am now corporal.

I trust you will give this note due consideration and shall hope soon to hear from [you]. But yet I know that your time must well nigh be occupied and labors hard. Yours respectfully, — Charles C. Palmer, 1st D. C. Cavalry.

The position Charley sought was to oversee the work on one of the many plantations in Virginia that were being operated by the Federal government to employ the slaves who had come under federal protection. School for the freedmen were also being set up on or near these plantations. It does not appear that Charlie was ever offered such a position and his aspiration for such an assignment may have waned when he became ill later in the summer. It seems he remained with his regiment until 16 September 1864 when he was taken prisoner at Sycamore Church, six miles below City Point on the James River, along with other members of the 1st D. C. Cavalry who were caught by surprise in their beds by Confederate Major General Wade Hampton in what has come to be known as the Great Beefstake Raid. In 30 minutes, the Confederates killed, wounded, or captured 219 startled troopers. Charlie was initially confined in Richmond but then sent to Danville on 24 September and admitted to the hospital at Salisbury, North Carolina, on 31 December 1864 suffering from chronic diarrhea. He died on 26 January 1865.

Waud’s sketch of the Great Beefstake Raid, 16 September 1864

Letter 1

Camp Butler, Virginia
May 3rd 1864

Beloved sisters,

Your kind and welcome letters came to hand this morning and was glad to hear from you both again. I did not receive any mail from the time I left Washington until today and then I get 11 letters and this is the last I have to answer. We have not been here but a few days yet our work has been very hard, there being but a few troops here and the Rebs have been trying to break our center but in vain. We have lost but a few men and only one from our regiment.

I like it much and am glad that I am here. We have a line of defenses on the James and Appomattox rivers and we are bound to hold them and I think we can without any trouble. We came here with 5,000 dismounted cavalry but soon expect to have our horses and then we shall be relieved by other troops. I do not expect to get any of the things you sent me for it is hard getting a box down here.

I am nicely [situated] now. I must close now. Write soon. Direct to Bermuda Hundred by way of Fortress Monroe, Va.

Yours affectionately, — Charley

The bugle’s call is why I close so soon. Write soon.

A cenotaph in Exeter Maine to the memory of Charles C. Palmer
Dick Turner, Fall of Richmond, USS Agawam

1865: William Duffield McIlvaine to Sarah Jane McIlvaine

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The following letter was written by William Duffield McIlvaine (1839-1916), the son of George D. McIlvaine (1805-1849) and Sarah Stauffer (1810-1901) of Gap, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. After the war, in 1870, William married Mary Elizabeth Warren (1840-1917) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, while working as a salesman. By 1880 he was living in Chicago employed as a clerk in a shot manufacturer’s establishment. He died in Oak Park, Illinois.

William wrote the letter to his sister, Sarah Jane McIlvaine (1837-1921) who was about to marry Charles Blanchard Seely (1824-1901), a real estate broker of East Liberty, Pittsburg.

In the 1860 US Census, William was enumerated in his mother’s household in Salisbury (Gap Post Office) in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. His occupation was given as “machinist.” The first notice I can find of him serving in the US Navy was in March 1862 when he was assigned to the steam sloop Oneida. He served aboard this vessel until some time in 1864. Five of his letters were transcribed and published on Spared & Shared in May 2022. See—1862-64: William Duffield McIlvaine to Sarah Jane Duffield.

The only record I can find on Fold 3 is a letter William addressed to Secretary of the Navy Gideon Wells on 16 January 1865 (see below) in which he acknowledges the receipt of orders assigning him to duty aboard the USS Agawam as a 2nd Assistant Engineer.

Ship’s officers and crewmen pose onboard the deck of the USS Agawam in August 1864 in the James River. Commander Alexander C. Rhind, ship’s Commanding Officer, is at the extreme right with his foot on the ladder. Standing next to him is Assistant Surgeon Herman P. Babcock. Lieutenant George Dewey is in the right center, wearing a straw hat, directly below the end of the davit. The pivot gun is one of the ship’s two 100-pounder Parrot rifles. Note Marine in the left foreground. Collection of Surgeon Herman P. Babcock, USN. Donated by his son, George R. Babcock, 1939. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Transcription

USS Agawam
Richmond, [Virginia]
July 15 [1865]

My dear sister,

Your letter was received on Wednesday, just as we were starting for this place where we arrived the same night. I am very glad to get here and have been enjoying myself very much. Rode all about the city yesterday, visited various places, was through Libby Prison and at Castle Thunder. Was also in the State Penitentiary [and ] saw where Dick Turner is confined. Saw him reach above his cell door for a mug of water. If you don’t know who he is, you had better enquire. He was the jailor of Libby & starved our men & stole their money. He is now guarded by six of the very men whom he treated so badly as prisoners. They would starve him if let alone. He is getting well paid for all his crimes I am convinced and will probably swing one of these days. 1

I had not been ashore long before I found my old friend and schoolmate Jere Horton who is on duty with the army here. He has lots of horses and wagons at his service so I can ride when or where I please. I had a very good time yesterday and expect to have some more next week. Was at Jeff Davis’s home, saw Gen. Lee’s house, was in the State House, and in fact almost everywhere. Coming up the river, saw all the fortifications and Dutch Gap Canal, which is a very small affair—contemptible. We had to run very slowly to keep off of piles, old vessels, rams, &c. sunk in the river all the way up here from City Point. On both sides of the river the banks are covered with earthworks and heavy forts. The ground seems to have been dug all over. I can truly appreciate the great work an army had to overcome to get to Richmond. Don’t think they could ever get in any other way than by cutting off the enemy’s supplies.

Jeff Davis Home in Richmond as it appeared in 1865

I am very much pleased with Richmond. It is, or has been a fine place situated on a hill in a very pretty country—scenery almost equal to Lanc. county. One can see many miles any direction from the Capitol. The river is much lower than the city and is small and narrow. There are a great many fine residences here and much shrubbery, trees, &c. A very pretty public square and I could give you no idea of all there is to be seen. One cannot look any way without seeing some house or object he has not read of during the past four years. I got some leaves from Jeff Davis’s yard and and some small stones from out of Libby Prison. I got a nice piece of grey cloth such as rebel uniforms were made of in the penitentiary where it was woven. I thought it might do to work something out of—tis only a few inches squarre. We will be here a week yet, I guess. 2

What must I say about the great news you wrote me. One naturally feels sad, at first thought, of a member of the family taking a new name and leaving home. One is apt to think she will be less to them than before. It is a new experience for our family & we rather shrink from it. On the other hand, I am happy at the prospect of your entering into this new relation and of your having a home and someone to love, for it is the natural way of living. And I pray and believe you will be happy. Of course you love the man and perhaps found it out when you got home & saw no more of him, which is a very good way to discover if we think anything of a person. No doubt Mother and Dollie feel very badly about your leaving them & we all do. You will be much missed in the neighborhood, but I think you will have much better society than in Lanc. County, except that of your home, & then ’tis not far away.

I have no doubt you feel much better now that you have decided the question. So we scatter. Soon Doll will be going & then Mother will come & live with all of us.

I will do my best to get home in September and will try every way but cannot tell till I do try. You must tell me all about Mr. S[eelly]. What he looks like—tall or short, stout or thin? What his business is, &c. I have not committed my heart to the keeping of any young lady yet, though Anna W. rather claims it I fear. But I’m free. Would like to see your friends in East Liberty very much but what chance have I at sea to form any correct opinion of any lady. I am not ashore long enough to fall in love with anyone.

Heard from Robert today. He don’t seem to know anything of your affairs. I ought to have written to Dollie this time but circumstances must be my excuse. Give much love to all at home & write soon. As ever, your affectionate brother, — W. McIlvaine

Here’s leaves from Jeff Davis’s front yard.

1 The Encyclopedia Virginia informs us that, “Libby Prison’s commandant, Major Thomas Pratt Turner, had been a student at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington and then at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He left West Point in 1860, refusing to “swear allegiance to, a Government I despise and abhor.” He was described by one inmate as a man whose “utter depravity seems to have gained a full and complete expression in every lineament of his countenance.” Inmates, however, often confused Turner with another Libby official, Richard Randolph “Dick” Turner, no relation [another source says they were cousins], who was universally despised and singled out by U.S. secretary of war Edwin M. Stanton, in November 1865, for investigation into the criminal treatment of prisoners.“ It appears that Dick Turner was commissary at the prison and referred to as the “jailor.” Though Thomas Turner escaped when Richmond fell, Dick Turner was captured and held in Libby Prison for a few days until he escaped. He was caught again later and held at the State penitentiary where McIlvaine wrote that he saw him in Richmond, but he was paroled in June 1866.

This view of Libby prison was taken by [Charles R.] Rees in August of 1863. It is one of only two wartime images of the prison known to exist. The four men in the foreground are William D. Turner, Erasmus Ross, prison clerk, Richard Turner, jailor and Thomas Turner, Commandant.

2 Curiously McIlvaine makes no mention of the destruction in much of the business district in the city caused by the fires set by Lee’s retreating army. The Union army is often mistakenly accused of burning Richmond but the fires were actually set by Lt. Gen. Richard S. Ewell, Richmond’s military commander, who was ordered to destroy all of the liquor in the city and also all of the government stores. The fires were so extensive that they got out of control and burned much of the business district. Union soldiers arriving in the city attempted to put the fires out but a sudden change in the wind direction was the only thing that really saved the destruction of the entire city.

Richmond fire ruins
Antebellum Mississippi, Buying Slaves

1839: Elisha Bell to Lloyd Warfield

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Dr. Lloyd Warfield

The following letter was written by 33 year-old Elisha Bell (1806-Aft1860), a native of Mississippi, who appears to have been the overseer of a Mississippi sugar cane plantation at Honey Island on the Yazoo River some 75 miles northeast of Vicksburg. Elisha was the son of John Purver Bell, Jr. (1761-1824) and Elizabeth Hunter (1775-1828) of Wilkinson county, Mississippi. By 1850, Elisha had his own plantation in Tchula, Holmes county, Mississippi, and owned as many as 47 slaves. By 1860, his slave count had dropped to 27.

Elisha addressed the letter to Dr. Lloyd Warfield (1799-1872) who was either his employer or his partner in the Honey Island plantation. Lloyd was the son of Elisha Warfield (1744-1818) and Ruth Burgess (1763-1835). Lloyd was a physician in Lexington, Kentucky. By 1850, his estate in Fayette county, was valued at $23,500 which included as many as 10 slaves. By 1860, it was valued at $60,000 (over $2 million dollars today). Dr. Warfield was married to Mary Barr and they had several children. Three of their sons served in the Confederate army. Lloyd and Edward ride with General Forrest, and Henry with General John H. Morgan.

Elisha’s letter speaks of the hard times in Mississippi in 1839, as it was across the whole of the United States following the Panic of 1837. He discusses the need to purchase more slaves for the work on the plantation that appears to have been the raising and milling of sugar cane, along with the auxiliary business of making rope from the baggasse. Elisha’s spelling is typical of a limited opportunity education.

Transcription

Stampless cover addressed to Dr. Lloyd Warfield, Lexington, Kentucky
Postmarked Tchula, Mississippi

Honey Island
April 2nd, 1839

Dear Sir,

Yours of the 15th of March was received a few days ago. We are all well at this time and getting on finely. Our corn is all up and growing finely. We have our cotton land all ready for planting and will commence planting cotton the 4th of this month. I have had our woman spinning for some time and have got a good deal of spinning done. I endeavor to make all of our summer clothing next year and also raise all of our pork. Our stock is in [ ] finally.

I am at this time a building a house for myself. I have turned out the land that Capt. Lord claimed. He pretended to shave me a little for the land but I did not consider it any little whatever but to avoid any unpleasant feeling about it, I thought it best to move the fence in and turn it out but before moving the fence, I run the line and their land, he claims, don’t come as far as the house. The house and garden is on public land but I am a building on our own land.

I have not purchased any more negroes but I have been waiting for sales of negroes which will come on the 15th of this month. I hope I will be able to make a purchase. I think it more to your interest to lay out the money we have here in buying negroes. Mr. Elliott informs me he won’t be able to sell any of our baggasse & rope until next fall. I can’t collect the debt from Heggins jest yet—the estate is insolvent. I think it will be some time before I will be able to collect it. I have not received my pork yet. I have written to Mr. McCutchen about it and requested him to send it up by the next boat. I have been wanting of it but have made out very well.

I wrote to you I had employed a young man to attend to our business in my absence by finding he was a man of no experience, I did not employ him.

I have got the use of the mill and gin on the Archer’s Plantation for this year. No other charge than to keep it in order. It will be a fine thing for us this year as we would not be able to build before next spring and then we will be able to build.

It is very distressing times in Mississippi at this time with regard to money matters. I heard of a great many planters being broke up after having their plantations in order for a crop. The negroes drove off by the sheriff and sold. They was some very cheap sales on yesterday in our county but I did not hear of them until too late. But I am in hopes I will be able to purchase two or three more on much better terms than we did the others.

Yours truly, — Elisha Bell

Antebellum Michigan

1846: H. C. Mead to Lydia R. Mead

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How Mead might have looked in 1846

The following letter was written by 19 year-old H. C. Mead of Warren county, New York. Unfortunately I have not been able to establish his identity further though I suspect he was the same H. C. Mead who booked passage to California in 1855 and returned to New York City in July 1863. My hunch is that his father was Joseph E. Mead (1804-1878) but I have not yet found any record to prove it.

The letter was written in late October 1846 from the residence of Mead’s uncle, Erastus Lake (1794-1889), the husband of Erna Mead (1801-1870) in Allen, Hillsdale county, Michigan. Erastus and Erma were married in 1823 in Warren county, New York, lived for a time in Erie county, New York, and then settled in Michigan in 1837. Erastus’s father was William Lake (1759-1848) and his mother was Mary Perkins (1767-1859). Erastus’ & Erna’s oldest daughter, Laura A. Lake (1825-1857) was married to Lorenzo D. Halsted (1821-1906) and resided in Coldwater, Michigan. She is mentioned in the letter, as well as Hancie Leggett Lake (1827-1870) and their two younger boys, William Fitzgerald Lake (1829-1924) and Charles W. Lake (1832-1915).

Mead’s letter contains a good description of traveling from New York to Michigan, by way of a steamer on Lake Erie from Buffalo to Toledo, and by railroad from Toledo to Hillsdale.

Transcription

Stampless cover of 1846 letter addressed to Miss Lydia Mead, Chestertown, Warren county, New York

Town of Allen
Saturday 31st October 1846

Dear friends,

Here I am in Michigan at the habitation of Uncle Erastus (is it possible?). I can hardly realize that it is so. Eight hundred miles from home, yea more; it is all true. I came here on last Wednesday at about three o’clock in the afternoon. Uncle’s folks are well except Uncle himself. He has been sick with a fever, is now better so that he is about. Have not been to Coldwater to see [cousin] Laura. We expect them here tonight. I do not yet know where I shall stay this winter or what business I shall be employed about. Have heard of no schools to be taken, but the probability is that I shall stay here this winter or in this region of country somewhere for I think that there will be business of some kind that I can busy myself about until spring.

I wrote you a letter in Springville and mailed it in Buffalo one week ago last Thursday (if I recollect aright) thinking then that I should leave that day but our boat did not go out until Saturday afternoon. The wind then went down and weather was better. The boat started out about one o’clock, being anxious to get under way for they had been in port about three days behind their time on account of bad weather and the harbor being blocked up by so many boats that they could not get out even when the weather would permit.

The boat had not got out but a few miles before I felt the effects of the boats rocking in going over the waves. It made me sick. I was not alone. There were many others that were very sick. I could eat no dinner. Vomited, then felt better but did not last very long. Vomited time after time until there was nothing on my stomach to heave up. Oh! how sick I was. Took peppermint but done no good. Concluded that I would go to bed and see what effect that would have upon me. Felt a little better [and] soon got to sleep. Did not eat any supper. Got up once or twice, felt sick [and] went to bed again. Slept until morning. Got up, felt better.

It was a beautiful morning—Sabbath morning. Oh! what a fine morning it was. Perhaps it was because I felt well. The lake was smooth, the sun shone clear, and we moving gently forward on the smooth surface of the water. Had a good appetite for my breakfast, all appeared cheerful. In comparison to their looks the day before, there was a vast difference. We had dreadful sick times—some so sick that they could not stand or go without help. Others puking, others trying their best to do so. I cannot begin to tell you how we looked, acted, and felt in this place but wait until I come home and then you may ask me all about it.

We had many fine prospects on the lake—many splendid views of places and things. We stopped in going up the lake at the several ports, namely Erie, Conneaut, Ashtabula, Fairport, Cleveland, Huron, and on to Toledo. You can find these several places on your map and then you will know our route.

Cleveland is a beautiful place finely situated on a rise of land. It looks fine from the lake. We got into Toledo Monday morning early without any accident or misfortune taking place. It cost me six dollars from Buffalo to Toledo. My fare was as good as the nest. Had a great many passengers—about 100 cabin passengers and the steerage cabin was overrunning full. It was crowded beyond any degree of comfort.

I came by railroad from Toledo to Hillsdale. Cost me two dollars. My expenses here have been about nineteen dollars—much more than I expected, but I have travelled as cheap as I could and better and my health is good. It done me good in being sea sick.

I have not said anything about the country here. Will say that there is fine land here. Uncle has a good farm. It is a new country [and] roads are bad but will probably be better as settlers clear up the land. It has been very sickly here the past summer owing to the hot and dry season. Not many deaths, however, have occurred in these parts, and I think when this country becomes cleared up, it will not be so sickly and will prove a fine country for farming operations.

Uncle has two good, large boys to work. Their names are William and Charles. Aunt Erna looks young—her hair hangs in curls about her neck and she looks as young (at least) as some old maids not very old. Hansie is a pretty girl about 18 years old, teaches school, is a good scholar, and a fine young lady. I will say no more at this time as my sheet is full.

You will please write me a good long letter on receipt of this. Fill it full. I want to hear from home very much. Please give me a good long one. Write fine and fill a sheet full in every place. All of you write. Only think, I am 800 miles from home and cannot hear from you as often as if I was at Johnsburgh. Remember me to all friends and relatives. Direct your letter to me at Sylvanus Post Office, Hillsdale County, Michigan and I will get it in eight or ten days. Yours &c., — H. C. Mead

You will please write on receipt of this a good long letter. Send me some newspapers—a lot of them. I want to hear some news from New York. I do not see many New York papers here. Send me the Dispatch, 2 or 3 of them, and some Glens Falls papers so that I may know the news from near home. So goodbye for the present.

Tuesday, November 3rd. This is election day here. I shall mail this letter today. The post office is here at Allen’s Prairie six miles from Uncle’s. Come on foot here this morning with Uncle. He is on the Board of Elections. I do not yet know what I shall do this winter but think I can get into some business, teaching school, or something that will do.

12th Iowa Infantry, Benton Barracks, Exchanged POWs

1863: George Erwin Comstock to George Throop

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George Erwin Comstock

The following letter was written by George Erwin Comstock (1839-1911), the son of Isaac W. Comstock (1808-1883) and Catherine W. Erwin (1809-1852) of Fayette county, Iowa. Erwin enlisted as a private in Co. C, 12th Iowa Infantry on 14 September 1861 and was promoted to a corporal on 8 December 1862. Erwin was with his regiment at Shiloh where they fought valiantly the first day, holding back the enemy until Buell’s army arrived. Erwin was among the number taken prisoner on that day while the few remaining members of the 12th were assigned to the “Union Brigade.”

Erwin’s letter was datelined in late February 1863 at Benton Barracks in St. Louis after they had been exchanged and were ready to be reorganized. We learn from the letter that many of the members took french leave to make visits home while they were awaiting exchange.

After the war, Erwin became a butcher and settled in Westfield.

Erwin wrote his letter to his friend, Sgt. George Throop (later Lieutenant), with the Chicago Mercantile Battery. See Throop-Vaughan family papers, 1838-1928.

See also:
Owen Weed Nims, Co. I, 12th Iowa (1 Letter)
Edward H. Wells, Co. I, 12th Iowa (1 Letter)

To read more: A Perfect Picture of Hell: Eyewitness Accounts by the Civil War Prisoners from the 12th Iowa by High H. Genoways and Ted Genoways, 1998.

A large albumen image of members of Company C 12th Iowa Infantry taken at Benton Barracks on January 8, 1863. These soldiers were all captured in the Hornet’s Nest on April 6, 1862, and this image was taken shortly after their parole.
The following excerpt is found on page 161 of “The University Recruits Company C 12th Iowa Infantry U.S.A 1861-1866” by Charles B. Clark and Roger B. Bowen.
“Captain Warner struck a deal with a photographer in St. Louis by which a member of Company C could have a dozen photographs taken for $3.00, a twenty-five percent reduction. Warner would keep a photograph of each man, send a second to Miss Elizabeth Sorin at Upper Iowa University, with ten going to the Company member. This became a big project, lasting until departure from St. Louis in April. Numerous trips had to be taken into the City for sittings, for picking up the photographs, mailing some, trading others. Woods (Philo Woods) sent a couple of photographs home, mailed one to sister Samantha, traded another to Henry Grannis, old Upper Iowa University chum and color bearer for Company C and the 12th Iowa. A group picture of Company C was also taken and appears on the next page.”

Image from the collection of Michael Huston.

Transcription

Addressed to George Throop, Chicago Mercantile Battery, Gen. Sherman’s Army of Mississippi, Gen. A. J. Smith’s Division
Capt. C. G. Cooley

Benton Barracks
St. Louis, Missouri
February 25th 1863

Dear Friend George,

Perhaps ere this you have thought that I was a going to keep silent, but not so. But to begin with, I ask your pardon for not writing as I agreed to. Since I last saw you, I have ben home [and] had a grand time, I assure you. I remained at St. Louis about a month after leaving Chicago last fall before I received pay after which I took a french furlough, that being the only way as Gen. Halleck had issued an order that no furloughs should be given to any except wounded soldiers. This cut us out and Benton Barracks, I assure you, is any place but a good one for soldiers in our condition—the ague handing around some (ailing me) other thing and some another, but all in a poor condition. Notwithstanding, it was a direct violation of the military law yet they instantly saw the need of our going somewhere to recruit and thought that home would be as good a place as any. But of course did not say it out loud, but we were not so dull of apprehension but what we were bold enough to venture. Consequently, off we went.

I started in about two hours after I got my pay. One principal difficulty was to get out of the Barracks which was pretty well guarded at the gates and there being so many going at a time we were afraid it would cause suspicion. That was one reason I hurried off so. I made out to get out all night but as you well know by this time, it wants a soldier that has seen a little service. At any rate, I only had five sentinels to pass at one gate all within 3 rods of each other, but on I went with[out] any particular trouble.

In going home, I did not go by the way of Chicago, consequently did not see your folks. We remained at home 4 weeks when we received the official orders that we were exchanged and to report at Benton Barracks by the 1st of January which we did with a hearty good will—every man that was able. Some of our company were left at home because they were not able to come. Considerable many have been discharged and we are badly broken up. Out of the 105 men that first went in to camp with all in the full bloom of youth have dwindled away to a small squad. There are twenty-five of us here and 16, I believe that are in the Union Brigade. Some of these are soon to be discharged. Although we made out to get out of the Confederacy alive, yet many never will get over it. As far as I am concerned, I am all right now and ready for another siege at any command.

I found Father’s folks all well and I need not say they were glad to see me. I took them somewhat unawares. [My brother] Frank has grown like a weed since I first left home. He is about to my shoulders. He wanted to come back with me but I prevailed upon him to stay. The army is no place for a boy at his age (too many of them there now).

The 17th I wrote to Martha for your address and yesterday I received an answer giving your address, also a history of your travels, &c. as she last heard. You were then before Vicksburg. I don’t understand what this means but I presume the ones that have the doing with it do. I expect that are waiting for the 12th to come and make a charge. Well, “so be it.” I would not be much surprised if we were there as soon as we get organized. It would be kind of strange if it should be us to support your battery some time. I hope we may. Stranger things that that has happened.

I tell you what one thing we have done already. We (a detachment from our regiment of 120 all told) had the exquisite pleasure (if so you call it) of escorting those rebels that you helped capture at Arkansas Post, or rather a part of them, the commissioned officers some, over 300 in number, Gen. [Thomas] Churchill and staff, &c. a gas set (if you don’t care what you say). We took them to Columbus, Ohio, and there they will be kept until Jeff releases those officers of ours at Richmond which he keeps in confinement. “Woe to him,” if he don’t release them. It surely is not the movements of a wise head.

There is a Bill before the House with regard to mounting the fragments of wester regiments (infantry_. I expect it will pass without a doubt. If so, we may possibly come in, in that time.

Gen. Tuttle (formerly Colonel of the 2nd Iowa) came here yesterday to try and get the 8th, 12th, and 14th Iowa to go immediately to the field under him. How he will succeed, I can’t say.

I was glad to learn that your health had been good and that you were in fine spirits, the latter of which is a blessing to a soldier.

I really would give considerable if I could meet you in the field. A gay time we would have, I dare say. I often think of what your Uncle John use to say, “Boys will be boys,” &c. Although we have arrived to the years of manhood, yet I am thinking the boy would stay itself as of old. Martha says the folks are all well as usual. Well, George, I must close for the present with the promise that I will be prompt after this as I have your address. My kindest regards to your messmates. Success to you in all your exertions in the way of disposing of rebels, and all other ways. Please excuse this scribbled up letter and remember me as a friend that wishes you well. Hoping you will write soon, I remain yours, truly, — Erwin Comstock

6th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, Siege of Petersburg

1865: Eberle Benton Underwood to Nellie Louise (Underwood) Stanford

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The following was written by Eberle Benton Underwood (1839-1925), the son of Willin Underwood (1800-1872) and Lovisa Rawson (1819-1844) of New Baltimore, Stark county, Ohio. Before and after the war, Eberle worked as a painter but during the Civil War he served as a private in Co. B, 6th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry (OVC).

I could not find an image of Eberle but here is one of Solomon Large who was a bugler in Co. H, 6th Ohio Cavalry (Ancestry)

After spending the winter of 63-64 fighting Mosby’s guerrillas, in the spring of 1864 the 6th OVC joined Ulysses S. Grant’s movement on Richmond, participating in several battles while serving in the Cavalry Corps, under Gen. Philip H. Sheridan. It was involved in the Union cavalry operations during the Overland Campaign and the Siege of Petersburg, as well as taking part in the Battle of Trevillian Station. In 1865, the regiment was in the Battle of Five Forks, and during the Appomattox Campaign, in the Battle of Sayler’s Creek. The 6th Ohio Cavalry marched in the Grand Review of the Armies in May 1865, and then exited service at Petersburg, Virginia, on August 7, 1865. During its term of service, the 6th Ohio Cavalry lost 5 officers and 52 enlisted men killed and mortally wounded, and 4 officers and 177 enlisted men by disease, for a total of 238 fatalities. More than 1700 men served in the ranks at various times, however, the field strength of the regiment rarely exceeded 500 men at any given time.

Eberle wrote the letter to his sister Nellie Louise (Underwood) Stanford (1842-1921), the widow of Vactor (“Van”) B. Stanford (1837-1864 who died on 5 June 1864 at Chattanooga, Tennessee. Van served in Battery A, 1st Ohio Light Artillery. After reenlisting for three more years, and marrying Nellie while at home on Veteran’s furlough in February 1864, Van was with Sherman’s army in the march on Resaca, Georgia, when he was severely wounded by a premature discharge of his cannon. He lingered for three weeks before he died.

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Addressed to Mrs. Nellie Stanford, M____, Stark county, Ohio

Camp south of Petersburg
Tuesday, January 30, 1865

Dear Sister,

Good evening. How is it with you and the rest of the family? Your good letter came to hand 1st inst. & where do you think I was that day—New Years? I know, on picket, watching for the Johnnies to approach. But all was quiet along the line. It was dreadful cold while on my post. New Years morning I had to dismount to keep my feet from freezing. We suffered very much with the cold. Who would of thought it was so cold in the Sunny South? Not I.

We are on picket three days and off nine. In that time we do other duty so we are busy about all the time. I do not feel like writing tonight but for fear of some duty tomorrow, will do the best I can. Have been broke of my rest three nights & now feel like having a little sleep. Hamilton sits in front of me writing to his folks. We have got a kettle of beans cooking for tomorrow. Have to look out for our inward parts as well as outward.

I was almost afraid to read your letter for fear of bad news but after reading it gave a sigh of relief & am glad Lovisa is getting better. Hope she will soon be well. Poor father, I hear he has had the asthma but it does not seem right for me to be away from home in his old age. He needs my help but I am now where I will have to stay until my time is up, if not sooner discharged or killed.

“I fear after next summer’s fighting there will not be a great many of the Sixth Ohio left—barely enough to bury the dead. We will have harder fighting than ever. We have got them in their holes & will have to make the advance in order to get them out…it will be a great slaughter of men.”

— Pvt. Eberle Underwood, Co. B, 6th OVC, near Petersburg 1.30.65

Nellie, I fear after next summer’s fighting there will not be a great many of the Sixth Ohio left—barely enough to bury the dead. We will have harder fighting than ever. We have got them in their holes & will have to make the advance in order to get them out & what charging & fighting it will take then will be a great slaughter of men. I do hope it will be settled ere that time comes. What lives would be saved to return home to dear ones.

Nellie, I want peace. We all want it. If you knew the hardships of a soldier you would not blame us. I am afraid we will have to fight it out. Wicked war! Why should we kill & be killed?

Well, Nellie, I did not finish this last night. Fell to sleep. This morning the ground is covered with snow but it will not stay on long for the sun is shining warm & bright which will soon deprive the earth of the white cold covering. Wish you would find out if [Col. William] Stedman has tried to get this regiment home. Some thinks he has and some think not. I would like to know. Wish it would go home. We would have a nice time.

Nellie dear, I want you to try and be cheerful and not let your mind rest too much on the loss of that noble soldier—your husband—who died for his country. But think it’s for the best. I was God’s will & let us live in such a way that when He calls us from this earth, we may meet Him in a better [world]. Do not be afraid of your brother leading into bad habits for that will not be. I will return to my home the same, if not better than when I left.

I will close with my love to all. Tell Lovisa I will write to her soon as she can read it. Will son write to Father. Write soon. Goodbye. My love to Nellie. Remember me to friends. Hamilton & I are going to do some work on our shanty today so I will quit.

Your affectionate brother, — Eberle

8th Ohio Cavalry, Chambersburg Burned

1864: Joseph H. Corbin to his Father

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This letter was written by Joseph H. Corbin (1846-1932) who enlisted in the 44th Ohio Infantry which was later converted into the 8th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry (OVC). Joseph served in Co. G.

Transcription

Harrisburg, Pa.
August 6th 1864

Dear Father,

As I have nothing else to do, I come to the conclusion that I would write you a few lines to let you know where I am and what I am doing at present.

We are encamped at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. How I came to get here was that all the dismounted cavalry of Averill’s Division was sent here to recruit up and draw new horses. My horse played out on the raid into East. Va. and I have had to take it a foot ever since. But good luck when we move. We always go on the cars. Our duty here is very light. Our greatest trouble is to cook what little we eat. I supposed when we came here we would get plenty to eat but all the difference is when we are at the front, we get hard tack, and here we get light bread and only half rations of it.

Although we are having good times here, I would rather get to the regiment where we can get our mail and also our pay. There is now $202 coming to us from the government and we haven’t money enough to buy what few little articles we need. There is no telling when the regt. will concentrate. On our way here, we left some men at Parkersburg, some at Harpers Ferry, Baltimore, Beverly, Cumberland, and here and so on.

There is all kinds of reports here about the rebel raiders on the Potomac but there is no use to waste papers and ink writing such stuff.  One hour we hear one thing and the next hour it is contradicted.

I suppose you are very well acquainted with the localities of Hagerstown, Md. & Chambersburg, Pa. and a number of other little towns between here and the Potomac.  About three hundred rebel cavalry made a raid in the rear of Averill and burned [the] greater portion of Chambersburg and then retired. At first they demanded $100,000 in specie or they would burn the town. The citizens refused to do this and in a short time their houses was in flames. A rebel major who was at the head of the work was shot by a citizen who afterwards went out on the street and put six more holes through the reb Major. Whenever the citizens would see a reb, they would shoot him down and say that’s what you get for burning our property.

Well it’s almost noon and I am about one mile from Camp in a grove writing on a stage that was fixed up to dance on. It is a very cool place and just a little way from the river. If we stay here any time, I will probably write you another letter. Write soon and tell me all the news adn I will try and do the same.

From your son, Joseph H. Corbin

Direct to Detachment, 8th O. V. C., Harrisburg, Pa. or Camp Curtain

Yorktown, Virginia

1862: John Tucker to General Magruder

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The following “letter” appears to have been intended as a jest and was probably enclosed with another letter written home by John Tucker of the Confederate Service. As there were dozens of John Tucker’s serving in the Confederate army, it’s difficult to say with certainty which one was the author though most of them did not join the service until after this letter was written and many of them only served in the western theatre. I think there is a good possibility that it might have been written by the John Tucker who served in Brander’s company, Virginia Light Artillery (“Letcher Artillery”) that was organized in Richmond during the winter of 1861-62.

Whoever wrote it was probably in winter quarters at Yorktown under the command of General John B. Magruder.

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Happy Valley

To General Magruder,

You will please detail John Tucker to come home to get the gloves which I won from him. By complying with the above request, you will greatly oblige one who feels a very great interest in the cause of the Southern Confederacy.

14th February 1862

Fort Defiance, New Mexico Territory

1857: Henry Lane Kendrick to John Caldwell Tidball

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The following letter was written by 46 year-old Henry Lane Kendrick (1811-1891) who gradiated from West Point in 1835. He served as Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Mineralogy and Geology at West Point from 1835 to 1838 and principal Assistant Professor, 1838 to 1847. Kendrick was promoted to 1st Lieutenant, 2nd Artillery, June 16, 1837 and Captain, 2nd Artillery, June 18, 1846.

Henry Lane Kendrick

He was in service in the theater during the Mexican War with the 2nd Artillery, participating in the Siege of Vera Cruz, March 10-29, 1847; Battle of Cerro Gordo, April 17-18, 1847; Skirmish at Amazoque, May 14, 1847; and Defense of Puebla, September 13-October 12, 1847 and as Acting Ordnance Officer, December 10, 1847 to June 16, 1848. On October 12, 1847 he received a brevet promotion to Major for gallant and meritorious conduct in the Defense of Puebla. Kendrick was a man most West Point graduates serving in Mexico knew because he taught there from 1838-1847.

Following the Mexican War, Kendrick was on frontier duty in command of an artillery battalion against the Navajo Indians, 1849-1851; commanding escort of Topographical party exploring Indian Country from Zuni River, NM to San Diego, CA, 1851-1852, and between Republican Fork and Arkansas River, 1852. He was in command of Ft. Defiance, NM, 1852-1857 and at the Military Academy as Professor of Chemistry, Mineralogy and Geology, March 3, 1857 to December 13, 1880. In 1859 he was a member of the Board of Assay Commissioners at the U.S. Mint, Philadelphia. He declined a promotion to Brigadier-General of Volunteers in 1861 to remain at West Point, retiring December 13, 1880 after forty- five years service.

Henry wrote the letter to John Caldwell Tidball (1825-1906), an 1848 graduate of West Point. He served in the Third Seminole War fought against the indigenous Seminole tribe, and accompanied an exploring expedition to California in 1853–1854. In 1859 he was sent on the Army’s expedition to Harper’s Ferry, Virginia, to suppress John Brown’s raid.

Fort Defiance, New Mexico Territory (now Arizona)

Transcription

Ft. Defiance, New Mexico
January 31, 1857

Dear Tidball.

That book, with a letter og July 24th, 1856, came by our last mail, January 5th, 1857. Surely enough there is a fatality attached to it—book and all remained here, mislaid, until the 12th before it came to me. I eye it rather suspiciously & never look at it after dark. When I see you, I will “pay thee all.” You did me a great service in sending it to me—a record of the grand column of attack which has been charging these many years against the “last enemy.” Along with it came a “Christian Almanac” from my town for 1856. So I am posted up. It is all the same—one year is so much like another that “a way out here” [that] we might use the same almanac forever.

Would it not have been rich if the year had been made of whole days only—the world made a little more exact; as the sun goes down the moon roses. I never dis see why this did not obtain—especially am I puzzled about it when getting into camp late.

Our climate is changing. Last year it was cold enough in the winter. This year, I imagine the average is lower still. Our beef herd has been at the post since November 15th. They have a lien on the hay stacks. They’ll have a lean on something else soon if they are not a little more reasonable. We have a dozen of hem hanging up by the heels now—examples!

Our ice houses—we have two filled. Our theatre is in blast & such a theatre! Our nine pin alley is progressing—the finest in the land; and our guard house is secure. These three elements of modern military suasion—but the greatest of these is the guard house. Mr. Shabe has left us—good man. He left us of his own accord. The ground was stony, the soil shallow, and he had a call elsewhere. He left us in sorrow, but he had a call where he could “do more good” and the pay was better. Truly he was a good man in every way & was not afraid of bears. He is in Santa Fe & has bought the house once owned by Peck & Kendrick. Did you know that I was once particeps crimines in owning a house in New Mexico—a clay tabernacle built on the sand? I have a vivid remembrance of it. My purse grows pale and [ ] in the recollection of it, & so do I.

Did you get my letter with the returned memorial to the assembled wisdom, for an increment? We know nothing of the message—nothing of the documents. I have no faith in any gain of pay & have pretty much made up my mind to hold body and soul together with rawhide rather than [ ] attraction or force. Rawhide is the thing, and rawhide “it shall be.” Like water in the days of Gil Blas. its virtues are infinite, albeit they are unknown out of this [ ].

February 10th. Our mail is just in from the livery. Nothing beyond N. Mexico. Whether the Indians, or the storms on the plains, or faithless contractors in Missouri have the mail. It is all the horrible same to us. Congress will have adjourned before we read of its first day session. Truly we are a painfully great people.

If the mail has been cut off by Indians, I fear the mail from Santa Few may have been lost & it, January 1st, Santa Fe had my application in it to Army Headquarters to be ordered in with at least the organization of my company. Can you feel gently, very gently, in order to discover whether it has reached anywhere? Under the supposition that I may go it it will be best not to send me things, of much money value.

There is to be a campaign against the Mogollones to avenge [Henry Lafayette] Dodge‘s death. It commences rolling in April or May. Just now the Navahos are quiet–quien sabe. How long they’ll remain so. They have made the huge mistake of ordering away Shepherd’s company 2 or 3 months before it was needed for the war. The removal of it last year caused us all our trouble then. My company will have only 30 odd men in it by May. McCall’s estimate of force proper for the Navajo country was 4 companies dragoons, 1 artillery, and 1 infantry, in addition, at Cibolleta, carved out of the old Navajo country, was to have one dragoon and one infantry & Abiguin, in its northeastern corner was to have 1 infantry company, now less than two companies are expected to keep the peace!!! Is Townsend in Washington? I owe Campbell who went with you to California, which I intend to pay as soon as I can find anything to pay with. Regards to him/

Yours most truly, — H. L. Kendrick