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.
95th Illinois Infantry, Female Nurse

1865: Thomas Hannah, Jr. to Maggie Meseroll

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Thomas Hannah, Jr., Co. G, 95th Illinois Infantry

Thomas Hannah, Jr. (1835-1865) was born 11 February 1835 in or near Montreal, Quebec, Canada.  He was the first child of Thomas and Jane Hannah.  There were 3 brothers and 1 sister.  Thomas emigrated from Canada to Massillion, Ohio when he was quite young.  He married Elizabeth Marshall in 1855 and shortly after their marriage moved to Belvidere, Illinois to join the Hannah family, who now resided there.  The Hannah’s were farmers.  In 1862, Thomas became a naturalized U. S. citizen.  Thomas and Elizabeth’s first child died in infancy.  Their second son Jesse was born in 1860, followed in 1862 by Thomas.  This same year, Thomas joined the army for three years and was mustered out in 1865. From 26 January 1863 to 30 July 1864, he served as Ward Master at Adams Hospital in Memphis. He was wounded at Spanish Fort in 1865 and died October 22, 1865.

Thomas wrote these letters to 32 year-old Margaret Meseroll (1833-1934), a native of New Brunswick, Canada, with whom he became acquainted while working at the Adams Hospital in Memphis. “Maggie” served for two years and six months at Adams General Hospital No. 2 and Gayoso Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, as a regular ‘Commissioned nurse,” hired by Mary Livermore under the auspices of the US Sanitary Commission. In her later years, Maggie recalled with horror the treatment of maimed soldiers carried into the hospital from the Sultana steamboat disaster. Maggie was married in 1866 to Sanford E. Hayes. She died in 1934 at the age of 101. 

Thomas’ letters from Memphis were transcribed by his great, great grandson, Michael Bryan Fiske, and have been posted here: Civil War Letters from Memphis.

Letter 1

Headquarters Co. G, 95th Illinois Vols.
Vicksburg, Mississippi
February 18th [1865]

Mrs. Messerall,

Dear loved friend Maggie. With feelings of the most profound respect and love I take my pen to let you know of my whereabouts. I am in camp 5 miles in the rear of the city. Am sitting flat on the ground with my back against a tree and with portfolio on my knee. Am trying to write a letter to you whom I respect and hold in grateful remembrance. I am very sorry now that I did not stay all day with you when I was in Memphis as the boat did not leave until the next morning but I did not know at that time at what moment we might start. I assure you, dear Maggie, my greatest pleasure would have been have spent every leisure moment with you for I had much that I wanted to say to you. But in my great hurry, I could think of nothing.

After leaving you, I came across an old friend and we went to Madame Vinson’s and had the oysters, and it recalled to my mind the happy evening I spent there with you and Mary. And oh! how I wished that you were there then. I should indeed enjoyed my dish of oysters much better.

Well, dear Maggie, I spent the day cursing the boat and everything connected with it and wishing I had only stayed with you whose company I could enjoy. As soon as it was dark, I lay down and allowed my thoughts and mind to go far back into the past and to dwell upon all that was pleasing in happy days gone by (I then thought of what you had told me concerning Aunt Lizzey’s wedding and as I pondered it over in my mind and thought of the great injury and wrong she had drove you—you who are alone with none to shield and protect you in this cold, deceitful world—I felt the utmost contempt for her, the old wretch. Dear Maggie, I do most heartily sympathize with you. I imagine how bad you must have felt to have been accused of being a bad woman—you whom I think so kind and good who cared so much for me when I was sick and longed for the sympathy of a dear sister which you, loved friend, bestowed upon me. And if it were a man instead of woman who had made such false and damnable charges, I should have resented it and taken it up for you.

But never mind, dear Maggie. There is a time coming when all wrongs shall be redressed and offenders punished. You have warm, true-hearted friends who will live and remember you and whose friendship and confidence cannot be shaken by every wind that blows. As for me, dear Maggie, I hope to see the time when you will be provided of, find a good, kind husband—one who will love you as you are worthy to be loved. Yes, dear friend, I hope shortly to see you happy in your own home surrounded by plenty with none who dare to molest or try to injure you. I imagine then that your mind would be relieved of many cares and anxieties that now press hard upon you.

You may think that perhaps I am feeling too much interested in your welfare. I acknowledge I feel a deep interest in you and my greatest delight would be to see you happy and surrounded by comforts.

We made a quick trip from Memphis to Vicksburg. Our boat was the first one in port. They run with such a heavy head of steam [that] everything trembled. Many were afraid of blowing up. As for myself, I had but little choice of or by what means I was sent out of the world for I think if I am to be spared through the war, no power on earth can destroy me. We made the trip in 28 hours. We landed at this place to give them a chance to clean the boat when we expected to reembark for New Orleans. We lay on the levy for two days, then received orders to unload all our stuff and prepare for a march across the country to Selma. At length, all was unloaded. We were ordered into camp and yesterday we came out here which is a very pleasant spot in the woods where we can hear the sweet singing of birds such as the crows and frogs. The former warble their notes the whole day long. the latter keep it up all night. You can imagine how sweet the music must be.

This morning I killed a possum and our nigger cook will feast upon it tonight. The weather is warm and pleasant with the soft gentle breezes blowing from the south. I enjoy such weather, much better than the cold piercing winter just spent in Tennessee. Can’t tell how long we will stay here. Perhaps ere this reaches you, we may be on the war path again and hard after our traitorous foe. May lay here for a long time. But come what may, I will try and acquit myself like a man and a soldier and be worthy the friendship of those I love and respect. Remember me in love and respect. Remember me in love to Mollie and all friends, My respects to Norton and Keeler of my company. Write to me very often. Write to me very soon and believe me your friend, — Thomas Hannah

Letter 2

Camped in the Mud in a Sinking Condition
Near New Orleans, Louisiana

My loved friend,

As Amost Norton is writing to the hospital [Adams Hospital, Memphis], I embrace the opportunity with pleasure to send a few lines along to you, my dear friend. I wrote to you from Vicksburg giving you all the particulars up to that time.

We landed at this place the 22nd. It has rained ever since and no prospect of it stopping yet. We are camped on a low, flat plowed field that is now deluged with water. You have heard of the Louisiana low lands? Well here we are sitting in the mud with alligators, lizards, turtles, and other reptiles crawling around while the frogs are singing all round even in our beds and I am expecting every moment to see some monster of the deep poke up his head to pull me under.

This morning Norton and myself and three others thought we would lay in our beds as it was raining. We lay there till the water came in around us two inches deep. We then turned out in the storm. I looked around for some high spot to fly to for refuge but could see nothing but water. We then started for the woods, cut brush and trees to lay upon and keep us up. Norton asked me what you would think could you see us. I told him you would feel worse than we did ourselves. I know you would, dear Maggie. I am glad our friends cannot realize what we have to endure.

We do not expect to remain here long but expect soon to be out on the ocean sailing—the sooner the better. I was in hopes we would be paid at Vicksburg but am disappointed once more.

I have nothing more but mud to write about. I will bring my letter to a close by wishing to be remembered in love to Mollie and my friends at the Adams [Hospital]. Tell them to simply address their letters to the company and regiment for we are changing round so much we don’t know half the time to what army we belong. Tell Keeler of my company to hurry back to the regiment for I miss the rations he supplied me with when here. Hoping soon to hear from you, I hasten to subscribe myself your friends, — Thomas Hannah

to Miss Margaritte Meseroll, Gayoso Hospital, Memphis, Tenn.

 

34th New York Infantry

1862: Thomas H. Guinnip to Eliza M. (Smith) Guinnip

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This letter was written by Thomas H. Guinnip (1839-1873) who was 22 years year old when he enlisted on 18 May 1861 at Addison to serve two years as private in Co. E, 34th New York Infantry. He mustered out with the company on 30 June 1863, at Albany, N. Y. He was sick and absent from the regiment most of the fall of 1862 and detailed in the discharge office at Washington D. C. in January 1863.

The 34th New York Infantry mustered into the U. S. service at Albany June 15, 1861, for two years. It left the state for Washington on July 3; was quartered at Kalorama heights until July 28, when it moved to Seneca mills and was there assigned to Gen. Stone’s brigade. The regiment moved to Edwards ferry on Oct. 21, to Poolesville, Md., Oct. 23, and there established Camp McClellan, which was occupied until Feb. 24, 1862, when orders were received to move to Harper’s Ferry.

Thomas was the son of Parley Guinnip (18xx-1857) and Eliza M. Smith (1816-1876) of Addison, Steuben county, New York.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

U. S. General Hospital
December 11, 1862

My dear Mother, Brother & Sisters,

I take great pleasure in acknowledging the receipt of your very kind letters which come to hand this beautiful Thursday morning; also which was perused over & over with the deepest interest & with the greatest pleasure. My health is quite good at present and I am in very good sprits. Alonzo Curtis has just left for Parole Camp (which is two miles distant from here). He arrived here last night from home and came here to see me today. He looks tough and hearty. He says that he feels well (with the exception of a swollen face which was caused by taking cold and settling in his right cheek, and which is quite painful to him). Samuel Kimball left here last Monday bound for home. Perhaps is at home before this time. You can see Sam and he will tell you all about how I am getting along & what I am about, &c.

Then Amelia! you are attending dancing school this winter and doubtless you anticipate great pleasure of becoming a good & easy dancer. I think that your school is slimly represented in the shape of male attendance. As you state that there is double the number of girls to that of the boys, without doubt the young ladies have to escort one another home. From the fact that there is such a great deficiency of young men left at home, that the girls have to look out for A No. 1, and court their own shadows, &c.

For a few days past the weather here has been quite cold & tedious (I doubt much if you have at the North experienced any colder or more disagreeable weather than we have experienced here for five or six days), for the past three days the weather has been quite mild, and today it appears like spring.

Girls! I suppose that you are looking forth in the future at the expected moment when the elements (or in other words water) of the beautiful Canisteo River shall become congealed. Then without doubt, you will enjoy yourselves to a pretty good advantage skating and maneuvering on the ice. May your expected pleasures & future [ ] be crowded with every earthly felicity. and with a great deal of success.

Horatio, I will send (as soon as I get my pay) some money to buy you a pair of skates. How did my skates come to be destroyed! they was good & whole when I saw them last. Horatio, Ma says you call her a damn fool, a thing and a Devil, &c. I consider it my duty as a senior brother to give you some advice (which I have already done) and I hope that you will profit by the same, for youg people know but little of the world, and how they can act with the best advantage. It grieves me to address you upon a subject so painful, but your disobedience and wild, reckless conduct towards your Mother (your only parent here on earth) compels me to do so. Your unworthy conduct towards your mother has been a source of much vexation and anxiety to her. You are rude and unfeeling to a certain extent. You have forfeited the confidence and respect that you once had for your dear mother. Is it possible that you do not regard her admonitions; one, who is your best friend; and bestows upon you so many facilities and granted you so many privileges. I little thought that you would ever repay her with such ingratitude and wicked acts in which you have so frequently been guilty of. I do hope that you wil try and be a better boy. Ask your mother’s forgiveness & repent for the wrong doings which you have been guilty of. Be more penitent in the future for it will afford you an opportunity to make amens and retrieve the past. Having left the paternal roof myself and gone away to fight the battles of my country, of course it is my duty to entice & persuade you to do right. I think it incumbent upon me to give you a little advice, such as I am confident of giving from my own observation and experience. The advice I have already given you and I hope that you will abide by the same for it will be for your own interest. Do not think hard of me for the advice which I have given you, or the reproval for it is for your own and personal good, and you will find it out so. I know that I have never set a very good and wise example to you, but now I repeat for the same, so do not follow my example but likewise repent yourself and do better hereafter. The next time that I hear from home, I am in hope to hear that you are a good boy. So may it be.

I have not received my pay yet but when I do. I will send ma some money as soon as possible. I was thinking I wrote and told you that William Hance was dead, at least I meant to, for I heard of it before you did. I received a letter from friend Dan Hollis today. It was a good letter. He said that he has the horse . And Mat told him that he must make it all right with me. Of course it is all right as far as I am concerned. I think he paid well for the use of the horse, according to Horatio’s tell.

I am very glad to learn you have such an excellent school. I was not at all surprised to hear that Rev. Judson made a good teacher for I always supposed he would make an excellent teacher. It is my desire to& greatest wish that you (I mean Horatio and the girls) should attend the school and be studious and attentive to your studies. Then when you get older, you will never repent it. A person can never study too much, or get too good an education.

Really, I think Addison is doing a big business in the line of matrimony. I should think all the young ladies of Addison would go half crazy at the very thought or idea of honest Byron’s committing matrimony, for I understand that the girls were all after him, and what were not after him in love were after him with broom sticks and mob sticks. Yes, Byron will make an interesting husband. I wonder if he is well matched for a companion. If they are well matched, they will fetch a larger price in marketm for good animals fetch a god price now in the city. But enough of htis nonsense. I hope that Byron’s matrimonial experience will be frequented with every earthly blessing and I congratulate him in his good success of his late marriage. But for all, I do think he was lucky in getting someone to have him, for he has been trying for a great while to get married and has at last made it out. Really, they must be an interesting couple, don’t you all think so?

We have just received the following dispatch from the telegraph that Gen. Burnside has just burnt Fredericksburg. For my part, I am glad of it. They might have surrendered the city to Burnside and it would have been saved. Our army has again advanced and thus far seems to meet with complete success and I hope we shall have no more retrograde movements for the sooner the rebellion is put down, so much the better it will be for the country. It makes no odds how the rebellion is ended if it is only done in due and proper season. For the present, I cannot indulge you with an epitome of certain facts concerning the army, &c. but will postpone them to some future time. I hope that you will not let anyone see this letter. Burn it up as soon as it is read. Now Horatio & girls, when you receive this letter, please sit down and answer it. Do not wait for your Ma to write for you know that she does not write much and consequently it is quite a task for her to write. Remember me to all enquiring friends, hoping this may find you all in the enjoyment of health, happiness and prosperity. I subscribe myself your affectionate, but unfortunate son and brother, — T H. Guinnip

8th Georgia Infantry

1864: Joseph Oliver Davis to his Cousin

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I could not find an image of Joseph but here is one of Absalom E. Dillingham of Co. B, 8th Georgia Infantry. (Georgia Confederate Images)

The following letter was written by Joseph Oliver Davis (1841-1891) of Chatham county, Georgia, who enlisted in Co. B (“Oglethorpe Light Infantry”), 8th Georgia Volunteer Infantry in August 1861. Muster Rolls inform us that he was elected to sergeant on the 23rd April 1864, some five weeks after this letter was written from a hospital in Liberty, Virginia. He appears to have returned to his regiment in time for the spring campaign of 1864 because he was admitted to the Jackson Hospital in Richmond, Virginia, on 9 May with a slight Minié ball wound to his left hand received on 6 May 1864 in the Wilderness. He was later wounded severely by a Minié ball to his right arm and right side on 30 September 1864 in the Battle of Chaffin’s Farm. He was said to be among the 139 enlisted men left in the 8th Georgia who surrendered at Appomattox on 9 April 1865.

Joseph was the son of John Edward Davis (1805-1883) and Elizabeth Amanda Schaffer (1819-1854) of Savannah, Chatham county, Georgia. In 1877, long after the war, Joseph married Elmira Isabel Futch. The couple lie side by side in Taylors Creek Cemetery in Liberty county, Georgia. The inscription on his headstone states: “We Miss Thee From Our Home Dear Father, We Miss The From Thy Place, A Shadow O’er of Life Is Cast, We Miss The Sunshine Of Thy Face, We Miss Thy Kind & Willing Hand, Thy Fond & Earnest Care, Our Home Is Dark Without Thee, We Miss Thee Everywhere. In Memoriam, Joseph O. Davis, Born March 30, 1841, Died Sept. 26, 1891. A Kind Husband, A Devoted Father, A True Friend & A Useful & Respected Citizen. Death Claimed Him And Our Hearts Are Sad.”

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Liberty [Virginia]
March 15th 1864

My dear Cousin,

Your very interesting letter of 24th February was welcomed by me yesterday which I hasten to answer though there is no news whatever to write you. I am at a hospital at this place on account of chills which seem to bother me a great deal and I know they can’t kill anybody so I will let them rip. I heard that Mr. Champion had gone in since with the Chatham Artillery and had already gone to Florida with them. 1 How do they like it down there—though I suppose it is very pleasant there in the winter. I have heard from Henry but once since he was unfortunate enough to fall into the hands of the Yanks, but I hope he is doing well as the refugees tell me that most of the citizens in Knoxville are loyal to the South. I have made up my mind never to take a prisoner as long as I have a gun and bayonet in my hands.

I am very glad to hear that Cousin Georgia has recovered and hope the rest are all well. I suppose there was great excitement about the money in Savannah as there was in these parts, some refusing to take notes of any size but it suited us very well for if I wanted to buy anything and they would not chance the bills, I took what I wanted and kept the money though I thought it my duty to do so for it was the money that the C. S. paid us for service.

I think the spring campaign will open in a month or so and then I will draw a furlough on a plantation but as I don’t want to leave right away, would prefer a furlough. Have you made up your mind to be a farmer or have you given up the idea. I shall bring this foolishness to a close as it is bed time. With love to all, I am affectionately your cousin, — Joseph Davis

Co. B, 8th Georgia Regiment, Anderson’s Brigade, Buckner’s Division, Longstreet’s Corps, Greenville, Tennessee

1 The Chatham Light Artillery was formed in Savannah in the spring of 1862. In March 1864, the unit joined Colquitt’s Brigade to go to Florida to counter the Union invasion there and they played a prominent role in the Battle of Olustee on 20 February 1864.

174th Pennsylvania Infantry (Drafted Militia), New Bern, North Carolina

1863: John W. Snyder to a Friend

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The following letter was written by John W. Snyder (1838-1926) of Hiltown township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. John wrote the letter from New Bern North Carolina, while serving in Co. K, 174th Pennsylvania Militia. After it was organized in November 1862, the regiment saw service at Suffolk until late December when they traveled to New Bern, as described in this letter.

Clearly, John found himself disillusioned with his tour of duty, perceiving a transformation in the war’s purpose from a struggle to preserve the Union to a campaign aimed at the liberation of enslaved individuals.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Newbern [North Carolina]
January 12, 1863

Dear Miss,

I take this present opportunity to inform you that I am well and hope these few lines may find you the same and I received your letter the 27th of December and I was glad to hear once more from you.

I inform you that we moved from Suffolk to Newbern, North Carolina. We left Suffolk the 31st of December and got to Newbern the 3rd of January, but thank fortune that we hadn’t to march much. We took the cars at Suffolk to Norfolk and there we took the boat to Morehead City and there we took the cars again to Newbern and there we had to march between two and three miles to where we encamped. And the next day we put up our tents and how long we can stay here, I don’t know. Some say we are to move again but where to, I don’t know. But I hope we needn’t move for I don’t like to move too far at a time.

I was very sick the time we moved while I was on the boat, but that was nothing. They nearly all got sick on the boat and it was all the better for us for those that was not sick on the boat got sick since and they won’t be over it as soon as we were.

I ain’t got much to write this time but if I be at home, I could talk a good bit with you and would like to talk wit you but I hope and trust that we may get together and talk all what ew can’t write. If I ever get to Old Hilltown, I will tell those cowards that they should go and fight for these niggers for this is a nigger war and nothing else for we are the niggers here and the niggers are free. I didn’t think so much of it until I passed through Newbern when the niggers said there they go fighting for us now.

I must bring my letter to a close for I am on guard today and I have to be at my post pretty soon. Excuse my scribbling for it is a poor place to write in the army. Remember mr and write soon and direct your letters to Newbern, North Carolina. So much from your affectionate true love, — John W. Snyder

John W. Snyder. Co. K, 174th Regt. Penn. Militia
Col. John Nyce, commanding
Newbern, N. C.

Goodbye my dear love Fietta.

Antebellum South Carolina

1849: James Morrow to John B. Bull

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The following letter was written by James Morrow (1820-1865) of South Carolina, a graduate of Philadelphia Medical College and a young physician with an extensive background in natural history and agriculture. In 1853, Secretary of State Edward Everett appointed him to serve as agriculturist with the U.S. expedition to Japan led by Commodore Matthew C. Perry. The objective of the expedition was to open diplomatic and commercial relations with Japan, despite that island nation’s strong tradition of cultural isolation. Besides armed vessels to intimidate the Japanese, the U.S. government also loaded supply ships with samples of American products, and enlisted Dr. Morrow to gather samples of Japanese plants for scientific study and for propagation at a new greenhouse on the grounds of the U. S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. To read more on this expedition and the role played by Dr. Morrow, see Oqui Adair: First Chinese Resident of South Carolina, Part 1.

Dr. Morrow wrote the letter to his stepfather and plantation owner, James Baxter Bull (1790-1855), and his mother Sarah Dunn (1794-1857) of Willington, Abbeville District, South Carolina. His father, David Morrow, was an Irish immigrant who came to the US in 1818 from County Down, Ireland.

The doctor’s letter addresses several topics, but particularly emphasizes the prevailing political concerns of the moment, including the apprehension among citizens regarding the Legislature’s consideration of the annexation of the “neck” to the City of Charleston. Additionally, he mentions the criticism directed at the State Bank.

It should be noted that Dr. Morrow’s surname was spelled Morrah in the 1850 Census record and the gravestones of several of his relatives in the Willington Cemetery bear the name “Morrah” as well.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Charleston, South Carolina
December 15th 1849

Dear Pa & Mother,

Your kind & welcome letter of the 11th inst. came safe to hand in good time & I felt truly thankful to hear once more from my dear parents & that they were well. And I feel thankful to be able to tell my kind parents that my health is still very good.

We have had two days of pretty cold weather this week. It is now quite cool & growing colder. The health of the city is as it usually is in winter; some colds and croups among children but very little among grown up people. Even in the hospital & alms house there is very little acute disease. Nearly all of the cases are chronic that may happen any time of the year.

There have been more strangers in the city during the fair and circus than I have seen here before. Now nearly all have left & many planters & their families have gone to their plantations for the winter so that the city is unusually still & quiet & will probably be so for the balance of the winter.

The citizens of the city and neck have been & are still a little anxious about the proposed annexation by the Legislature now in session of the neck to the city. The citizens of the neck are generally opposed to annexation because they fear that their taxes might be increased while the citizens of the city are anxious that the neck should be annexed because the neck citizens have all the advantages of the city without paying anything for them & because they refuse to improve their streets & yet they tax heavily all drays, omnibuses, &c. which draw over them so that a double tax has to be paid by all who keep these conveyances. Many more reasons are given & all good ones we believe, particularly the one with reference to the bad order kept by the patrol in the neck, while the city would introduce the regular police & night watch. It seems strange that the two should ever have been separated & strange that after separation they should not have been reunited long ago.

A certain citizen here and in other parts of the State have been attempting to destroy the State Bank, whether intentionally or not. They got our Senator from Abbeville appointed foreman of the Committee to look into the state of the affairs of the bank. The committee made things out as bad as they could and still they were better than they had been represented to be so that the Legislature concluded to maintain the honor of the state & let the bank remain unaltered. They postponed indefinitely the Bill to destroy it. Do not think I have been discussing & studying politics for I have said nothing about them & belong to no party & intend to belong to none but I have been listening learning all I could when it came in the way.

Cotton is selling more briskly now than when I wrote to Pa last. It sells now from 10 to 10.75 for good cotton & the prospect is rather on the side that it will keep up for a few weeks at least. Maybe Pa knows that this is always uncertain.

Give my love to my dear Mother & tell her that I have had one patient but he did not stay sick long. Please Pa, tell me if Dr. Anderson expects to come soon to Charleston soon. Mrs. Fell has had an application for his operating room for some kind of office—an eye operating office, I think, & is anxious to make some arrangement with him about it. Please write to me often. Adieu, dear Pa & Mother & believe me your affectionate son, — Jas. Morrow

To Mr. John B. Bull

P. S. I sent Pa & Mother’s kind love to Uncle John’s family. I wrote to Cousin Mary.

16th Ohio Infantry (3 Months, 1861)

1861: William Henry Koch to Howard Battin

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The following letter was written by William Henry Koch (1836-1915) of Millersburg, Holmes county, Ohio, while serving in Co. G, 16th Regiment Ohio (3 months, 1861). He served as a corporal in the company from 22 April 1861 to 18 August 1861.

William wrote the letter to Howard Battin (1826-1882), a railroad conductor, who also kept a boarding house in Millersburg, Holmes county, Ohio. William was the son of John E. Koch (1801-1881) and Maria S. Neely (1807-1896).

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Philippi [Virginia]
2nd July 1861

Mr. H. Battin,

Dear Sir, I have thought for some time of writing you but have failed to do it until now and shall try and let you know about how we look and feel. We are, as you will see, still at Philipi. Have been here almost four weeks. We look rather rough for Boys not being used to this kind of life, and fare about the same—not so well as at home. But this we cannot expect in the life we are now leading. Our commissary department being rather badly conducted, we very often fall short of provisions. Then you may see the Boys making for the country on the hunt of something to eat pretty generally returning loaded. If you had seen Chapman Wiggins and myself coming into camp last Saturday with chickens, milk, pies and a little of everthing good to eat, I think you would have smiled.

We are camped with Co. E of Springfield and K of Dresden as guard over the bridge crossing Valley RIver. The balance of the force here, amounting to about six thousand strong, are camped on the hill above the town on the road leading from Grafton to this place and are well fixed for the enemy but we have no fear of the enemy disturbing us until we do them—and then but little, as they have proven themselves to be better trained to fast running than we are—at least do so at the time of the attack here. 1

We were ordered to prepare to march over a eek ago but the order being countermanded did not get to move. The Boys felt as though they were going to have some fun, all thinking we were going to attack a party of secessionists located at or near Laurel Hill about twelve miles from this place.

The balance of our regiment are at Cheat River on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad about 22 miles from Grafton and about 15 from this place. We have been in hopes we would soon be united but have now given up all hopes of seeing the other until we get ready to leave for home which we think will be about four weeks if not sooner.

As this is one of the days we are short provision, I with some others are going to the country to lay in some provision for our mess and expect rather a rough time as we were last night blessed with quite a heavy rain which will leave the road in rather bad condition for walking. I shall have to close with regards to Mrs. Battin. Hoping to hear from you soon, I remain, yours obediently, — W. H. Koch

1 William refers to the battle (skirmish) that took place in and around Philippi, Virginia (now West Virginia) on June 3, 1861, which resulted in a Union victory and marked a significant moment in the early stages of McClellan’s military career. The largely untrained Confederate forces skedaddled from the battlefield with minimal opposition, and the Union forces mockingly dubbed the conflict the “Philippi Races.“

This illustration depicts the Battle of Philippi. Image Source: The Memorial War Book, 1894.

3rd Ohio Infantry

1861: Eliza (Atkinson) Battin to Howard Battin

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This letter was written by Eliza (Atkinson) Battin (1834-1871), the 1st wife of Asa Howard Battin (1829-1896) of Wellsville, Ohio. She wrote the letter to her brother-in-law, Howard Battin (1826-1882), a railroad conductor, who also kept a boarding house in Millersburg, Holmes county, Ohio.

According to an obituary, Eliza’s husband was born on a farm one mile west of Hanover, Columbiana County, Ohio, March 16, 1829. His boyhood and youth were spent upon a farm in the vicinity of his birthplace, and his early education was obtained in the district school. Later he attended a private school under the auspices of the Quaker church, of which both his parents and grandparents were members. He was studious and ambitious, and, at the age of eighteen years, he became employed as a teacher. The next five years he taught in the district schools of Columbiana County, and during that time he took up and pursued the study of law. He was admitted to the bar at New Lisbon in May, 1853, and in April, 1854, he began the practice of his chosen profession at Salem, Columbiana County. In December, 1858, he removed to Wellsville, where he opened an office and practiced law for ten years, with the exception of the time he spent in the army during the Civil War. He enlisted April 19, 1861, shortly after the rebellion began, as Captain of Company K, Third Regiment, Ohio Volunteers. He returned home from the field about May 1, 1862, broken in health. His one year’s service was chiefly performed in West Virginia and Kentucky.

Most of Eliza’s letter was devoted to copying one from her husband who wrote her from Clarksburg, Virginia, in early July 1861 where the 3rd Ohio Volunteers were encamped. She rewrote portions of her husband’s letter because his duties as captain left him little time to write to anyone other than his wife.

See also—1861: Asa Howard Battin to John & Sarah (Howard) Battin.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Wellsville, Ohio
July 7, 1861

Brother Howard,

Your letter received in due time & kindly welcomed. I always enjoy getting letters from my friends very much but I cannot say I like to write letters though since Battin has been away, I write one most every day & this is the third one for today. He does not have time to write to his friends now so I try to do so for him. I do not hear from him often now. They have to send their letters about 28 miles to mail them. I received a letter from him yesterday that I will copy for you. It was written July 2nd and mailed July 4th.

He says, “After leaving the camp at which I last wrote you, we proceeded a distance of five miles upon Sunday last, and encamped in a meadow on a hill where we remained until 10 a.m. this morning when we started for this place. My company was detailed as a rear guard for the baggage wagons, and of course we jogged along as the wagons did—sometimes fast and sometimes slow, but most of the way slow.

We arrived here at six p.m. having traveled a distance of 14 miles, & again encamped in a meadow on a hillside. It is rather a pleasant place & the water is better than we have had for some time. About half the Boys were sick yesterday from eating too much fresh beef, but since this tramp today they seem lively & feel pretty well. I came in for a share of it & could eat no breakfast but after going about 4 miles, Adam went out on a scouting expedition and returned with two tins of buttermilk & a piece of pone which eat better than anything I have had lately. I feel quite well this evening and can stand another day’s tramp tomorrow if called on, and I suppose we will go on toward south.

As I wrote you before, the secessionists have gone on ahead of us. We now hear of them 30 miles from here. There are but few secessionists around where we have been. All along the road we have met with enthusiastic receptions, and the people wish us God speed.

We have no idea where we are going to but our course thus far has been almost southeast. Get a large map of Virginia and find Barbour county & you will find where we are now. Give my love to all my friends and tell them that I have not time to write to them & attend to my Boys here, and they require my attention first. Address me at Clarksburg, Virginia, Co. K, 2rd Regt. Ohio Volunteers.”

I am tired writing & have scratched this down in a hurry. Do not know whether you can read it or not. We are well. Gertie looks better than she did when you saw her last. I think we will go to Hanover next Tuesday and stay a few days. I do not expect to go to Millersburg until winter. I shall be more lonely then & I will wait until then to do my visiting.

My love to Hellen. Tell her not to work herself sick fixing up. If you had lived near, I would have gone and helped her. I know it will be hard work to get everything straightened after being packed away for so long. Write soon. Yours &c. — Eliza

67th New York National Guard, 68th New York National Guard, Lee's 1863 Invasion into Pennsylvania

1863: John H. Miller to Lavina Jennett Miller

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An unidentified Yank (Will Griffing Collection)

The following letters were written by John H. Miller (1827-Aft1900), a 36 year-old farmer/blacksmith from East Hamburg, Erie county, New York, while serving in Co. D, 67th New York National Guard. In 1863, the 67th New York National Guard was a regiment of Union Army infantry that served for 30 days during the summer in response to Lee’s anticipated invasion into Pennsylvania. They served from late June to early August. The 68th New York National Guard, mentioned by John in the second letter, left the State with the 67th NY National Guard on June 24, 1863, en route to Harrisburg, Pa., for a service of thirty days. It served in the 5th Brigade, 1st Division, Department Susquehanna, and was mustered out of the United States service July 29, 1863, at Elmira, N. Y.

John emigrated from Germany in the mid 1850s and his writing skills were somewhat limited. He wrote the letters to his wife, Lavina Jennett Miller (1831-1895).

John’s letter includes a description of medical ailments experienced by himself and others and some treatments that sound barbaric, leaving me baffled as to their actual efficacy.

Letter 1

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
June 26, 1863

Dear Wife,

As we arrived here all safe and sound, I think it is well to let you know about it. We arrived last night about nine o’clock and camped in the car house except a few who were not well. Alber [Oaks], Darius [Munger], Isaac Chandler and others did not feel in the best of spirits. Isaac was so bad off that two men had to assist him to the Hotel. Diarrhea was the complaint. Alber says he feels pretty well this morning. He vomited on the way. The doctor attends to them, myself the same. He stuck in his lance, Charley Smith said, about two inches but I should think about one and a half. It hurt like hell but I feel like a new being ever since yesterday.

We arrived at Elmira in the night, night before last, and left at six in the morning. The country looking first best, nothing in winter and spring crop. Old Genesee is of the old stamp. This side of Elmira I see mountain after mountain, looking like hay stacks from two up to one thousand feet in height covered mostly with white oak and hemlock timer, stone and rocks. The creek from Elmira as big as Nathan’s following down the flats from 6 rods to half mile in width until it forms the Susquehanna river. The poorest looking land you ever saw. I should think it would require one hundred acres for one sheep.

The men that are all able bodied have left their homes from Elmira to Harrisburg. An immense amount of women and children which came out to wave handkerchiefs, hats, rags, hands, or anything that was handy all along the entire line. I thought I see Bob down on the Susquehanna river waving a rag of some kind but it could not have been. When we stopped at Sunbury, the women brought us what I called the best bread and butter together with coffee the city could afford. It’s within 45 miles of Harrisburg.

The war news is all sorts. They say the Rebels fell back 8 miles last night that was within 18 miles of this place. Hooker is in the rear. Our forces are in front. The Rebels [will] never live to see Virginia again if reports are true. The Governor of this State has called out in a Proclamation of this morning 60,000 additional troops to serve for ninety days.

This is a fine country. Genesee no comparison. I hope this will find you well and reconciled. Only think of the condition of families left in this portion of the State compared with our own. I hope the children feel well and mind what you tell them. Johnny, be a good boy and see all is right. Tell mother not to worry herself. All is right. My love to you all. If you wish to send me any answer, please direct to Harrisburg, Pa.

Goodbye until I find things in different shape. — John H. Miller

Letter 2

Addressed to Mrs. John H. Miller, East Hamburgh. Erie county, New York

Camp Curtin [near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania]
July 18, 1863

Dear Wife,

I take this, probably my last opportunity, to write you these few lines while we remain in Pennsylvania. I was taken with the shits—plain speaking—a night before last worse that I ever had them in all my life. I took my old medicine in cold water which probably relieved the pain during the night. In the morning I took two and a half tablespoon full of salt and hot water—as hot as I could drink it. No more of it ever since, all right.

This morning the 68th New York Regiment returned in camp after marching towards the Army of the Potomac. They came with us from Elmira and they think they will be mustered out of the service and start for home in course of the afternoon, but I guess they will stay here until sometime of next week when we probably all will be mustered out. They look as though they had been in the service for the last two years. They drew their rations just now and they declared that they would have enough to last them two weeks if they did not [get] any more than when they marched. They had a barrel of pork, 2 and a half barrel hard tack, a lot of beans, coffee, rice, sugar, candles, soap and fresh beef. They said they had not washed their shirts but once since they left from here. They said they made long marches, small rations, and all the fatigues imaginable. They look as though they went through one corner of hell. They told our boys they might think themselves well off for the fare that they had. They said that they see and passed along where the dead horses and soldiers lay [with] enough stench to knock a man down. They said the men would lay down at night, their heads resting on dead soldiers.

I wrote a letter to George day before yesterday. Alber [Oaks] & George received a letter from Elias Hoag and a paper from William. Elias Hoag wanted them to bring home a contraband for Samuel S. Real. Good for Elias. Benjamin Baker had a consultation with a darkey yesterday morning to take home with him. I wish he would, We would have a time going home. No more at present. My love to you all and remain your soldier, — John H. Miller

23rd Michigan Infantry, Bowling Green Fortifications

1862: John L. Dippy to Henry Vanfleet

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The following letter was written by John L. Dippy (1843-1864) of Co. H, 23rd Michigan Infantry. John enlisted at Antrim, Michigan, on 12 August 1862. He was killed in the fighting near Stone Mountain, Georgia, on 25 September 1864.

John was the son of John and Louisa (Pitts) Dippy of Bennington, Shiawassee, Michigan.

Bowling Green, Kentucky. Adolph Metzner drawings, Library of Congress

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Addressed to Mrs. Henry Vanfleet, Pinckney, Livingston county, Michigan

Bowling Green, Kentucky
December 21, 1862

Friend Henry,

Once more I take my pen in hand to pen a few lines to you. I am not very well today but am on guard. We have to stand guard very often as our company is a good many of them sick and we have a large guard. We are guarding the railroad bridge and expect an attack from Old Morgan. He is said to be close here. We have been digging entrenchments and building breastworks around the bridge for about two weeks.

The news came in yesterday that Richmond was taken. This morning it was confirmed by telegraph. It is hopeful that this is true but I am afraid not.

We got some new guns yesterday. They are Springfield [Model 42] muskets. [They] carry an ounce ball and three buck shot. I think we can slay the Rebels with these if we get a chance. 1

The Model 1842 Springfield smoothbore musket...very effective at short range.

I haven’t heard from you in over three weeks. Neither have we heard from home. Tell Aunt Angeline that I shall have to quit writing if I don’t get any letters but I expect there is a good many letters delayed that we don’t get. We haven’t got our pay yet though we are not suffering for money as we have plenty to eat. We have a sutler so that we can draw tickets and pay him when we get our pay. He charges very high for things. I haven’t run in debt any yet and don’t intend to.

George and me together kept ten dollars of our first pay and lent eight of that and used the rest to get some gloves for winter. This I think is doing very well. It doesn’t do a man any good to spend money in the army as things are very high and the doctors say the cakes and candy do the men more hurt than good.

I hope that I will see you all before long again but maybe not if we have an attack here. I will stand my chance to never see you although my health has been very good since I enlisted.

If McClellan has got Richmond, I think the fighting is about done. If Morgan makes an attack here, we will have lots of news to write for I think we will whip him. When you get these few lines of scribbling, please write me a good long letter. This from your friend, — J. L. Dippy

To H. Vanfleet

1 The regiment initially carried “Austrian” or Prussian Model 1809 muskets which had been converted to percussion firing. Since Dippy claims the new weapons fired a buck and ball, they must have been the Model 1842 smoothbore Springfield musket.

2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery

1863: George Earl Judson to his Sister

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Sgt. George Earl Judson, 2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery

The following letter was written by George Earl Judson (1843-1864) who enlisted on 15 August 1862 in Co. I (“Woodbury Company”) of the 19th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry Regiment. The regiment was organized and mustered at Camp Dutton, outside of Litchfield, departing by train for Washington, DC on September 5th and assigned to the defenses of Alexandria, Virginia after their arrival. They spent the fall of 1862 on picket and patrol duty in the city until January 1863, when the 19th was reassigned to the outer ring of forts and redoubts defending Alexandria. Judson was promoted to corporal on July 16th and in November, the regiment was redesignated as the 2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery. Judson was made acting sergeant in Co. I in January 1864 and was officially promoted to that rank on February 15th. In May, the regiment was called into the field to serve again as infantry in the 6th Army Corps during Grant’s Virginia Campaign. It fought with valor at Cold Harbor, Petersburg, and Winchester and suffered heavy casualties. On 19 October 1864 at Cedar Creek the regiment suffered a loss of 38 killed in 96 wounded; among the latter was Sergeant Judson, who received a gunshot wound in the left hip. He was eventually sent to the General Hospital at Patterson Hill in Baltimore, Maryland, where he died in late October from his wound.

George was the son of Capt. Ransom Judson (1797-1854) and Lucy Tuttle (1801-1885) of Southbury, New Haven county, Connecticut.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Redoubt D near Fort Lyon, Va.
July 12, 1863

Dear Sister,

It is Sunday and another inspection is through with. While I am down here sitting in my cloth house writing to you, I suppose you will be at church sitting up there in the gallery listening to a sermon from Parson Smith, or perhaps singing some of the good old tunes that I used to know, and which I have not forgotten. I should like to sing a few of them with you this evening after tea, but it is so far up there, I fear I should not get bak in time for dress parade so I think it will not be best for me to come. Our chaplain preached to us last Sunday in the bomb proof but today we have had no preaching.

Some of the boys come off guard this morning & are trying to enjoy a little repose but its precious little a fellow can get unless he rolls himself up in the blankets for just as one gets his eyes closed, the flies begin to swarm around his face and alight on his nasal protuberance which is very apt to wake him up.

I celebrated the fourth of July by going to Mount Vernon with three or four comrades. We visited the tomb of Washington and paid a quarter of a dollar each to go into the house & garden. In the house we saw the key of the French Bastille enclosed in a glass case appended to the wall. It was sent to Gen. Washington by Lafayette after the destruction of that fortress in 1789. In the garden were several objects of interest, among which was the Sago Palm which Washington used to take care of, & the Petanary [?] plant. I send some leaves that I picked in the garden. The smooth edged one is a leaf of the Magnolia tree. The other is a fig leaf.

I sent another paper to you this morning. I hope to hear Mother is better next time you write. Do not let her get sick if you can help it. Have you made arrangements with anybody for getting the hay yet? or shall you have to let it stand over? With much love to all. Your affectionate brother, — George E. Judson