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.

7th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Pension Fraud?

1864: Charles A. Marvin to Mrs. Elizabeth Wise

July 17, 2022 Griff Leave a comment

This letter was written by 35 year-old Charles A. Marvin (1829-1898), the son of Tilly Marvin (1793-1864) and Camilla Clemons (1797-1837) of Tioga county, Pennsylvania. Charles was married to Olive Walker (1832-1913) in 1852 and had at least five children by the time this letter was written in 1864 while serving in Co. L, 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry. Prior to his enlistment in February 1864, Charles was a farmer in Cherry Flats in Tioga county. He mustered out of the regiment on 23 August 1865.

Charles wrote the letter at the request of an apparently illiterate comrade in the regiment to his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth (Snyder) Wise (1832-1880) of Hanover, York county, Pennsylvania. I discovered through census records that 18 year-old Elizabeth was living in 1860 with 20 year-old Michael Wise (Weise) in the household of his parents, Frederick and Catherine Wise of Hanover, Pennsylvania, in the 1850 and 1860 census. I also discovered that Michael had enlisted in April 1861 as a private in Co. G, 16th Pennsylvania Volunteers and that he died on 20 August 1861 from an acute attack of gastroenteritis. In filing for a widow’s pension, Elizabeth submitted a certificate of marriage by the justice of the peace dated 6 August 1860 that informs us the couple were finally married after at least a decade of living together when she filed a charge of “Fornication and Bastardy” again Michael claiming he was the father of their yet unborn child. Dragged into court, Michael agreed to marry Elizabeth which resulted in the marriage certificate. Elizabeth gave birth to the child on 3 November 1860, two and a half months after the marriage, and named him Charles James Wise.

For Michael’ service, Elizabeth began receiving a widow’s pension in the amount of $8 per month beginning on 20 August 1861 and an additional $2 per month for her son Charlie until he reached maturity on his birthday in 1877. In October 1864, we learn from pension records that Elizabeth resided in Littlestown, Adams county, Pennsylvania.

So who was the “husband” who “often speaks of you and his children” that Charles Marvin referred to in his letter? Could it be that Elizabeth had taken up living with another man out of wedlock? Under the terms of her pension, she would have had to forfeit her monthly allotment if she remarried and so she may, perhaps, have wanted to avoid marriage and to change her name. It should be noted that Elizabeth was also illiterate as she could only make her mark in pension papers so apparently the mystery soldier “husband” and Mrs. Wise could only carry on their correspondence through the courtesy of others.

Transcription

*Addressed to Mrs. Elizabeth Wise, Hanover, York county, Pennsylvania*

Columbus, Tennessee
April 27, 1864

Mrs. Elizabeth Wise,

I now take the privilege of writing you a few brief lines to let you know that your husband is well and enjoys the blessings of good health. He seems to be a Godly man and often talks of you and his children. He seems to have a hope beyond the grave and he thinks that he will see you again, if not in this life, he will see you in the Kingdom of Immortal Glory.

We have left Nashville and come to Columbus some forty miles. This is a nice country. We are camped among the lazy poplar trees which are very large and nice indeed. The soil is good and a very rich country. He is a cooking for an officer and has enough to eat and does not have to work so hard as he did when he was at home at work at the stone business and seems to enjoy himself, and he is not obliged to go onto battle unless he is a mind to as long as he is cook.

There is a great many negroes down here in this country. They appear to be [a] harmless set of men and women.

We are tented close by the railroad and the cars are very busy carrying supplies to the army. There is a great deal of cursing in the army which seems to affect him a great deal. He does not like to hear it. I am cooking as well as himself and we have some time to talk with each other. He wants you should pray for him that his life may be spared to come home to see his family once more. He wants you to send him some postage stamps for they are hard to get here. You can send him one or two in each letter. He says that he received a letter from Charley Burns and he said that if I would write him, I should receive a speedy answer. I wrote him a letter but he thinks it was not directed right.

We are under marching orders and expect to move again right away. — Charles A. Marvin

Lynchburg, Virginia

1861: W. A. S. to Martha C. Harris

July 16, 2022 Griff Leave a comment

Regrettably I have not been able to determine the identity of the author of this letter whose initials appear to be “W. A. S.” I searched the 1860 US Census for Lynchburg, Virginia, page by page but could not find any person fitting the profile of this person.

In any event, it’s a great letter written from Lynchburg, Virginia, just days after the firing on Fort Sumter and Lincoln’s call for troops. The letter captures the excitement and pathos associated with the scenes just experienced by the author as the first wave of soldiers head to war amidst the cheers of 5,000 residents.

Transcription

Addressed to Miss Martha C. Harris, Lisbon, Bedford County, Virginia

Lynchburg [Virginia]
April 22, 1861

Cousin Mat,

I write to say it will not be safe for cousin to go now. It is supposed a hard battle will soon be fought in Washington. There are many troops concentrating there & in reach & Harper’s Ferry, &c. The railroads are pressed into government service. Bridges will be blown up & tracks destroyed rendering it dangerous to travel & for other considerations I would advise she does not leave.

Our Boys left just now—poor fellows. They were paraded to the depot and put on fright trains crowded & to get air, I saw them bursting off the sides of the cars as they moved off. Old men & young cried as the soldiers would step out of ranks to give their wives & little ones a last embrace in the streets. 5,000 people cheered & praised them as the train moved.

Altogether this was a heartrending day for our city. I wish you had been here.

Pa is better rather. No other news. In haste. Yours truly, — W. A. S.

Is there a school near you. I want to send Ema. She must have music, French, &c.

24th Massachusetts Infantry, Castle Thunder Prison, Gen. Benjamin Butler

1865: Wesley Blanchard to Eldora M. Webster

July 16, 2022 Griff Leave a comment

*I could not find an image of Wesley but here is one of Charles Asbury Fitch who was the same age and also served in the 24th Massachusetts Infantry (Dave Morin Collection)*

This letter was written by 21 year-old Wesley Blanchard (1844-1908) , a grocer from Lewiston, Maine, who enlisted in October 1861 to serve in Co. H, 24th Massachusetts Infantry. He reenlisted in January 1864 and did not muster out of the service until 20 January 1866 at Richmond, Virginia. His military records indicates that he was wounded sometime in 1864 but there are no specifics. The 1900 US Census gives Wesley’s birth date as May 1844 which means he would have only been 17 when he enlisted,

Wesley was the son of Joseph Knapp Blanchard (1820-1885) and Elizabeth Thayer (1824-1884) of Freeman, Franklin county, Maine. Hw wrote the letter to Eldora M. Webster (1846-1913) who became his wife on 5 August 1866. In 1870, the Wesley and Eldora lived in Lewiston where Wesley earned his living as a store clerk. By 1900 he had become an oil merchant.

After the fall of Richmond, the 24th Massachusetts was ordered to the city to preserve order. They set up camp on the corner of Franklin and Nineteenth Streets in Wright’s Tobacco Factory. They were placed as guards at Libby Prison and Castle Thunder where ex-rebels were detained.

*A colored lithograph of Castle Thunder Prison on Cary Street in Richmond where Wesley penned his letter while on guard duty. (Virginia Historical Society)*

To read other letters written by soldiers of the 24th Massachusetts that I have transcribed and published in Spared & Shared, see:

Unidentified Soldier, 24th Massachusetts (1 Letter)
Alexander M. Hayward, Co. C, 24th Massachusetts (1 Letter)
Josiah Alonzo Osgood, Co. C, 24th Massachusetts (20 Letters)
William Hunt Goff, Co. H, 24th Massachusetts (43 Letters)

Transcription

*Addressed to Miss E. M. Webster, Kingfield, Maine*

Castle Thunder
[Richmond, Virginia]
December 6, 1865

My most true friend,

It is a very rainy night. I am lonely sitting here as all of the boys have gone away to spend the evening. As I was telling—thinking—my thoughts roam back to you and those happy hours we passed together one year ago. Little did we think then that the present time I should be so far away (while Thanksgiving was so nigh I had promised myself a pleasant time with you) but luck does not always favor our expectations. So it seems in the present case.

I have not received any letter from you for three weeks. Do you think that you are forgotten by me? It cannot be! for you have heard my true declaration of my trust. I cannot think so but the withdrawal of your letters show that there is a withdrawal or a misunderstanding. Can it be because of my own neglect in writing? If so, it is my own fault. The blame is on myself. For the future I will try and do better. You have heard in my last my prior reasons. It would not be worthwhile to repeat them, but you have no cause to harbor a single thought but that I am true to you and ever shall be till death.

We have not moved yet but shall soon take up our abode at Libby Prison as it is nearly complete for our admittance. We have at present 59 prisoners of all classes. We have had a slight fall of snow which soon left us. Otherwise we are enjoying an Indian summer.

“Military law yet rules in the city. Ben. Butler is expected here to take command of this department. There will be sport then. Many secesh will feel what it is to come down. They have not had a very strict man to control them.”
—Wesley Blanchard, 24th Massachusetts, 6 December 1865

Military law yet rules in the city. Ben. Butler is expected here to take command of this department. There will be sport then. Many secesh will feel what it is to come down. They have not had a very strict man to control them. There is robbing done here every night upon the streets. Nearly every day we see pass by our door men handcuffed and tied to the saddle of the Orderly men who have committed offenses and are committed to the State penitentiary for a number of years. Of all places, that is the worst. they receive hard bread and pork, coffee & sugar. That is all they are allowed. No soap to wash with. That is a hard life—one which I should pray to never to see.

Tomorrow is our day of thanks. All places of business is to be closed. I shall have a chicken pie for my dinner. That is a day which is not much regarded here. I am in good health at present. Please to write oftener for your letters are of great comfort to me—of you only and my thoughts of home/ Do please write. Give m respects to all.

Yours truly, — W. Blanchard

197th Pennsylvania Infantry, Rock Island Prison

1864: John McGill to Mrs. Buckley

July 15, 2022 Griff Leave a comment

This letter was written by John McGill of Co I, 197th Pennsylvania Infantry (100 days, 1864) who entered the service in July 1864 and mustered out on 11 November 1863. The regiment was recruited in Philadelphia, Delaware and Lancaster counties and was sometimes called the 3rd Coal Exchange Regiment, In September and October 1864 they served as prison guards at Rock Island, Illinois.

John was from Media, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, like many others in his company.

Transcription

Rock Island, Illinois
September 4, 1864

Friend Mrs. Buckley,

I now have an opportunity of writing to you to let you know that I am well hoping you [are] the same. I like soldiering very well for what I have seen of it. Capt. [Ralph Buckley] is well at present and [1st Sergt.] Edwin Bowden also.

There is 1478 Rebs buried here this last year ¹ and about 10,000 left in the Bullpen where we guard every day. They give us no trouble in get[ting] out.

My respects to all enquiring friends. Yourself also. No more at present.

Yours respectfully, — J. McGill

¹ During the summer of 1863, prison camps in the North were overflowing with Confederate soldiers captured in battle. As a result, Union troops began construction of a new prison camp on an island in the Mississippi River then known as Rock Island, now called Arsenal Island. The camp opened in December 1863 with the arrival of the first prisoners captured at the Battle of Lookout Mountain. The Rock Island Prison Camp was designed to hold more than 10,000 inmates at any one time, and over the final 18 months of the war, more than 12,000 Confederate prisoners passed through its gates. The deplorable conditions at the camp led some to call it the “Andersonville of the North,” a reference to the infamous prison in Georgia. Disease, including smallpox and pneumonia, ran rampant through the prison claiming many lives, while others died from exposure to the elements and the unsanitary conditions of the camp. During the first four months alone, more than 950 Confederate soldiers died. Initially, the dead were buried in a plot located 400 yards south of the prison, but on advice from the prison surgeon, a new cemetery, one that would become Rock Island Confederate Cemetery, was established in 1864, located 1,000 yards southeast of the prison. In March 1864, the remains of 671 Confederate dead were reinterred in the new burial grounds. In all, approximately 1,950 Confederate prisoners were buried in the cemetery, with the last burial occurring on July 11, 1865. All structures related to the prison were transferred to the Rock Island Arsenal and were subsequently demolished, leaving the Confederate Cemetery as the camp’s only remaining feature. [NPS].

Demopolis, Alabama, Morgan's Raid

1863: William Taylor Humphreys to John Alsop Yarborough Humphreys

July 15, 2022 Griff Leave a comment

*Morgan’s Raiders in Indiana & Ohio, July 1863*

This letter was written by William (“Willie”) Taylor Humphreys (1844-1873), the son of John Alsop Yarborough Humphreys (1802-1873) and Rebecca Delph Carpenter (1820-1848) of Bardstown, Nelson county, Kentucky. Willie’s maternal grandparents were Samuel Carpenter and Margaret Slaughter. Willie’s siblings included Margaret (b. 1842), John S. (b. 1843), Samuel (b. 1846), and Thomas J. (b. 1847), all of whom are mentioned in his letter.

Willie enlisted in September 1862 in Capt. C. C. Corbett’s Company of Light Artillery that was attached to the 2nd Regiment of Kentucky Cavalry. This battery may have broken up before the summer of 1863 but it’s likely the remnants continued to ride with Morgan’s Kentucky Cavalry Squadron on its raid through Indiana and Ohio in July 1863. In the letter, “Willie” described his hairbreadth escape from capture by hiding out on the river bank for two days, swimming across the Ohio at night with the aide of a fence rail, and then outrunning Union pursuers in West Virginia as he walked 200 miles to get back to Confederate lines.

*Willie’s enlistment in Capt. C. C. Corbett’d Company of Artillery*

Willie wrote the letter on 30 September 1863 from Demopolis, Alabama, where he had joined his uncle—James Slaughter Carpenter (1840-1915), who was originally a member of the Orphan Brigade, a native of Bardstown, Kentucky. Carpenter served in the 9th Kentucky Infantry until detached to serve as principal clerk in the commissary subsistence department of Major Thomas K. Jackson under General Albert S. Johnston.

On January 1, 1863, from Ringgold, Georgia, James Slaughter Carpenter wrote to James Seddon, Secretary of War, seeking an appointment to the position of Asst. Commissary of Subsistence. The letter provides a good synopsis of his service up to that date. It reads in part:

“I am a Kentuckian by birth and have been in the service eighteen months, during which period I was ten months principal clerk of Major Thos. K. Jackson, Commissary Subsistence.”

Two months later, Maj. Gen. Simon B. Buckner sent a telegram from Mobile to the Seddon requesting the appointment of Carpenter. It read:

“I desire a commissary subsistence for the post of Demopolis, Ala. I request for the appointment Mr. Jas. S. Carpenter. He is qualified for the post. Respectfully your obedient servant, — S. B. Buckner, Maj. Gen’l”

*Maj. Gen. Simon B. Buckner’s Telegram to Secretary of War Seddon*

[My thanks to Daniel Crone for helping to confirm Willie’s identity and his connection to Morgan’s Raid.]

Transcription

Office of Subsistence
Demopolis, Alabama
September 30, 1863

Dear Pa,

I am here with Jim Carpenter who is commissary of the post at this place. I am having a very nice time. Plenty of everything to eat and a good house to stay in. The people around here are very wealthy and of course have plenty of pretty daughters & if it was not for seeing soldiers, I would not know the war was going on. The Capt. has plenty of good clothes & I supply myself from his wardrobe as I had to leave all my clothes in Ohio.

I wrote to you just after I crossed the Ohio river when I told you I thought I was safe but I was bushwhacked on my road when I got [with]in about fifty miles of our lines. There was some 12 or 15 of them fired on me from the bushes [with]in about 30 yards from me. I was standing still at the time & I cannot imagine how they come to miss me, but I was not hurt at all—only one ball passed through my coat. I was too fast on foot for them after they missed their aim. I was going along not thinking about them as the citizens all told me I was clear out of danger. There was 9 of us when they fired on us. The rest were behind [me] and they caught six of them and killed them. I escaped with the loss of a fine pair of boots which I abandoned in the retreat.

I laid on the banks of the Ohio for two nights & days thinking of the awful task before me—that of swimming the river, which after two days and nights deliberation and starvation, I concluded to risk my chances on a rail & swim the river which I accomplished in about twenty minutes. I would have surrendered had it not been for you, for I know you would have been almost distressed to death to hear that I was in prison. Poor Capt. [James] McClain ¹ was drowned in crossing the river. I wrote to you that he escaped but it was another man.

We have given the Yankees an awful whipping at Chattanooga. Our Kentucky Brigade lost very severe. I have not heard the loss yet. John Wisotzki ² just just left here yesterday. He is clerking in the Adjutant General’s Office of Gen. Joe Johnston’s. He promised to send this letter through for me. Farewell. Yours, — W

Dear Brother John, Sam, Tom & sister Maggie,

I have been through the different departments of the Confederate Army since I saw you all last and thank heaven I am well and in better spirits than ever I was. This place is full of beautiful young ladies & all are as rich as cream & you know Jim’s partiality for the ladies & he has just any quantity of good clothes. I have not been here long enough to have me some made for you know I do not like to go to see the young ladies with my soldier clothes. I have found it a military necessity to appropriate the Captain’s broad & gray cloth and ruffled shorts.

They do not call a man wealthy in this country if he has not got about a thousand negroes & two or three plantations. There is more corn raised in this county than any place I have ever been. Jim and myself have just returned from the country. We have been out to Col. [James Innes] Thornton’s, a relative of Mrs. Slaughter’s. He is very wealthy & has three beautiful daughters. ³

It was my bad luck not to be present to participate in the great victory at Chattanooga. Jim & myself are keeping house. Ed Hayden ⁴ is with us now but expects to leave and join Morgan’s command next week. He looks better than I ever saw him. We eat in the office & have our meals cooked next door and two or three negroes to come & go at our calling. I am afraid if I ever take a notion to go back to the command, I will be perfectly spoilt. Capt. has two or three nice horses & a buggy to ride or drive in the evening after business.

*1885 Gelatin Photograph of Alexander Keith Marshall McDowell (UK Libraries)*

We have been very busy here lately for the Vicksburg prisoners rendezvous at this place but in future do not expect as much as they have been exchanged. There is an old man who is Jim’s chief clerk in the office formally from Bardstown. He left there in 1829. His name is Alexander McDowell, an uncle of Gen. [Irvin] McDowell of Bull Run notoriety. ⁵

I must close with a farewell to all. Love as ever, — W

Love to all.

P. S. I walked across Western Virginia a distance of 200 miles to our lines.

[in a different hand]

I will keep Willie with me all winter if I can. I am doing first rate. Don’t be astonished if you would hear of my marrying some rich planter’s daughter. I am very anxious to hear from you. Write if you can. Love to all. — J. S. Carpenter

¹ Capt. James McClain (1837-1863) served in Forrest’s 3rd Tennessee Cavalry (Co. A) until 1862 when he was promoted and transferred to the 10th Kentucky Partison Rangers as assistant commissary of subsistence. He drowned while trying to cross the Ohio river during the Ohio Raid at Buffington Island.

² John Wisotzki served in Co. B, 1st (Butler’s) Kentucky Cavalry. He enlisted at Chattanooga on 11 November 1862 and was immediately detailed as clerk by Gen. Joseph E. Johnston. John gave his residence as Jefferson county, Kentucky. In 1865 he was described as 5 and a half feet tall with brown hair and hazel eyes.

*Catherine Marshall Thornton (1842-1870)*

³ Col. James Innes Thornton (1800-1877) was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, educated at Washington College, and came to Huntsville, Alabama where he practiced law and served as Alabama’s 3rd Secretary of State. He then purchased his 2600 acre plantation “Thornhill” in Greene county, Alabama, that was worked by 150 slaves. Col. Thornton did not support the was philosophically but gave financially. His youngest daughter, Cathrine Marshall Thornton (1842-1870) was no doubt one of the “young ladies” Willie spoke of.

⁴ Edward Mortimer Hayden (1835-1872) was a native of Bardstown, Kentucky, who enlisted a private in Co. D, 18th Mississippi Volunteers in the summer of 1861. He was taken prisoner at Elizabethtown, Kentucky, in November 1862 and sent to the military prison at Aton, Illinois until paroled and exchanged at City Point, Virginia, on 1 April 1863.

⁵ Judge Alexander Keith Marshall McDowell (1806-1892) purchased a plantation in Demopolis, Alabama, in the late 1830s. After the Civil War—in 1868—he sold out in Alabama and relocated to Cynthiana, Kentucky. Judge McDowell’s daughter, Louise Irvine McDowell (1840-1915) was probably one of the “young ladies” that Willie referred to in his letter. She married in 1869.

6th Indiana Cavalry, Mount Sterling, Kentucky

1863: John T. Pool to Joseph O. Jones

July 15, 2022 Griff Leave a comment

This letter was written by 57 year-old John T. Pool of Terre Haute (1806-Aft1875) who was identified as a “Temperance Lecturer” and enumerated in the 1860 US Census with his much younger wife Nancy D. Castro (b. 1819) and five children.

In November 1862, John enlisted as a nurse in Co. G, 6th Indiana Cavalry. Less than a year later he was hospitalized at Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, suffering from rheumatism and partial deafness which enabled him to be discharged from the regiment and transferred to the 2nd Battalion Veteran Reserve Corps. Later in the war he reenlisted in the 71st Indiana Volunteers but then was transferred to the Reserve Corps again. Several years after the war, John was admitted to a Home for Disabled Soldiers at Dayton, Ohio, in June 1872 and discharged on his request in February 1875.

John wrote the letter to his friend Joseph O. Jones (1814-1899) of Terre Haute. Joseph was married to Persis A. Holmes (1820-1908). He was a merchant, volunteer fireman, town clerk, and post master under four different presidents who stood firm as a temperance Democrat. During the Civil War, Joseph served in the “Silver Grays” — a home guard unit whose members were all in their fifties and sixties.

John’s letter speaks of the 2 December 1863 raid on Mt. Sterling by Capt. Peter M. Everett (1839-1900), a native of Mt. Sterling, who resided in Texas just before the war and led Confederate raids in Kentucky. His father was a former governor of Kentucky.

Mt. Sterling served as base for the Union Army operating in the Eastern Kentucky mountain counties, as well as a supply depot. Between October 1863 and May 1864, the US military forces, consisting of troops belonging to the 21st MA Infantry and troops under Asst. Quartermaster J. M. Mattingly, 37th KY Infantry, took possession of and occupied a two-story brick house, a frame building, log house and shed, all situated on Main Street, the property of John Lindsey & Son, manufacturers of furniture and coffins. The buildings were utilized as an office and depot for QM stores and commissary supplies, and as quarters for the troops. The Ascension Protestant Episcopal Church, a well-constructed and well-finished brick building, as well as the grounds, were also occupied by the military and the church used for “Camping and hospital purposes.” The Montgomery County Courthouse was utilized as headquarters. Mount Sterling served as a point of safety for Union refugees from the mountains of Eastern Kentucky who had been driven from their homes by rebel forces and guerrillas. [Mt. Sterling–An important Military Base During the Civil War]

Everett was able to “skedaddle” from Mt. Sterling and avoid detection by using the Rebel Trace—a trail that he was intimately familiar with and only accessible by foot or horseback. His use of the trail is described in the following article:

In December of 1863, Captain Peter Everett CSA used the trail to escape Yankee pursuers after his raid on Mt. Sterling. The captain left Abingdon, Virginia, with the 1st Battalion Kentucky Cavalry, 10th Kentucky Mounted Rifles, and 7th Confederate Cavalry. The Confederates rode rapidly along the Mt. Sterling-Pound Gap Road, stopping long enough in Salyersville to rout a small Union garrison. Later that night, the Rebel raiders successfully attacked a Union force, much larger than their own, that was garrisoned in Mt. Sterling. The raiders captured a large number of horses and supplies, while destroying a large Union commissary stored in the town. Knowing that the Yankees would be expecting them to return to Virginia by the Mt. Sterling-Pound Gap Road, the young captain allowed some of the men of the 10th Kentucky Mounted Rifles to lead the raiding party back along the Rebel Trace. The majority of the men of this regiment was from the mountains of Eastern Kentucky and knew the trail by heart. Upon arriving in Whitesburg, the captain left the 10th Kentucky there to check on their families and continued with the remainder of the raiding party back through Pound Gap. [The Rebel Trace: The Forgotten Mountain Road by Richard G. Brown, et al.]

See also—1862: John T. Pool to Joseph O. Jones published on Spared & Shared 7 in October 2014.

Transcription

General Hospital
Lexington, Kentucky
December 13, 1863

J. O. Jones, Esq.
Sir,

It is under considerable difficulty that I write you at the present time. I have been in bad health for some time having been left in charge of the sick and wounded of our regiment at Mt. Sterling. The severe labor has broken me down. In addition to that, on the morning of the 2nd inst. at 2 o’clock, the guerrillas made a dash into Mt. Sterling—one hundred and sixty in number—surrounded the hospital, carried off what they wanted, and held us prisoners until daylight. In the meantime they burned the court house, set the jail on fire, and liberated their prisoners confined in it, and “skedaddled.” All this was done when at the same time 450 of the 40th Kentucky [Mounted Infantry Regiment] under Col. [Clinton Jones] True was camped within less than two miles of the town and the Colonel had warning of their approach at seven o’clock the evening before.

*Col. Clinton Jones True, 40th Kentucky Mounted Infantry Regiment* *(UK Libraries)*

As soon as we were released, I applied for a discharge for myself and squad from the hospital and after some delay, got it—Col. True positively refusing to allow us the use of the ambulance (although two stood idle in the yard) to convey my two wounded me to Paris. We took the rough road wagons for it and here we are for the purpose of recuperating.

I am in what we call in Terre Haute, a “bad fix.” Not having drawn a dime of pay for six months, my clothes all gone, my descriptive roll no where [and] it is impossible for me to draw money or clothing for two months to come unless I can get my descriptive roll which is one of the uncertainties. I have 78 dollars monthly pay coming to me the last of this month, besides 43 dollars due me for my last year’s clothing which I have not drawn—all of which makes 121 dollars which I should have in my pocket on New Year’s day, were I in a condition to reach it.

If I have got any friends in Terre Haute, now is the time to show hands. I want to borrow of somebody twenty or twenty-five dollars to buy me a coat, hat, and pants. My boots I succeeded in hiding so that the rebel cut-throats did not find them and now have them on—and a good pair they are. If you will please to act as my agent in this matter and send by express, you may rely on the amount being refunded the moment I draw my pay. It may be that I am asking too much but a man in my “fix” has a pretty hard face and that must be my excuse. — John T. Pool

Direct to General Hospital, Lexington, Ky.

Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks, Racial Equality

1862: Unidentified Author to George D. Anson

July 13, 2022 Griff Leave a comment

Unfortunately the author of this letter is lost to history but the content is worth preserving. The author captures a general sentiment held in the North that the Lincoln Administration was moving away from its original intent to preserve “the Union as it was and the Constitution as it is” to one in which slaves were to be liberated and made equals to the whites which many Federal soldiers and their families back home objected to.

The letter was addressed to George D. Anson who was a private in Co. A, 1st Vermont Cavalry from November 1861 to November 1864.

Transcription

Keeseville P. O. [Vermont]
July 7th 1862

Dear Friend G. D. Anson,

Your last letter was duly received for which favor I cannot begin to express myself when I consider the circumstances under which it was written to me, instead of someone else more worthy and connected to you with natural instincts of love, but do not understand by this that I have no love for you, interest in your welfare, or personal regard. I entertain all of these for you, and trust that my opinion never will become less, but in the contrary, increase astonishingly. You deserve it, not only from me but from the people of the place you left without an exception, & in fact the people of the whole country.

Your letter contained nothing but National principles which are democratic only. About Banks taking Negroes into his wagons and making battle-worn soldiers walk, is the most disgraceful thing that he could do, let one but just meditate & look at the thing as he should, he cannot fail to observe something wrong in him. Certainly you will see his sympathy is not for the poor white soldier but for the contraband and as long as white men are served thus, the Negro thought more of by Generals than his own men, what is the first idea formed of such a General with his men in particular. They all think certainly he would wage the war as an abolitionist for the freeing of the slaves instead of waging it to restore the Union as it was and the Constitution as it is. This is undoubtedly what produces a bad feeling in the whole Union army to make them think that they went down to free Niggers instead of freeing the country of rebels.

Such generals with the present Congress agitating the slavery question are enough to make the Union men of the South rebels and there were a good many there not long since. They are becoming rebels on account of the continual agitation of the Negro question, confiscation of property in the halls of Congress, and I have no doubt the agitation was a strong auxiliar to make the rebels desperate and fight with greater determination in the recent battles befre Richmond which were destructive in a great degree to McClellan’s entire army. Indeed, it was a bad defeat, but I hope we shall be able to reverse the whole scene ere long.

I have not quite as much hope now in regard to the termination of this civil & barbarous war. It may last longer than anyone would naturally suppose because the rebels are becoming more sanguine & they expect foreign intervention even if they have to go under… [rest of letter missing]

81st New York Infantry, Fort Macon

1863-65: Horace Benjamin Ensworth Letters

July 13, 2022 Griff Leave a comment

*I could not find an image of Horace in uniform but here is one of Dorance Ferris who served in Co. K, 81st New York Infantry (Photo Sleuth)*

These four letters were written by Horace B. Ensworth (1842-Aft1870) who enlisted at the age of 21 at Oswego to serve three years in Co. B, 81st New York Infantry in late September 1861. He reenlisted in January 1864 and mustered out as a veteran on 31 August 1865 at Fortress Monroe.

In his enlistment records, Horace was described as standing 5 feet 5 inches tall, with gray eyes, and brown hair. He entered the service as a private and mustered out as a sergeant.

Horace was the son of Backus Ensworth (1812-1882) and his first wife, Hannah, who died in 1856. The Ensworth family were farmers in Mexico, Oswego county, New York.

See also—1862: Horace Benjamin Ensworth to Backus Ensworth published on Spared & Shared 22 on 2 May 2022.

*Fort Macon in Beaufort Harbor, North Carolina, 1863*

Letter 1

Fort Macon
June 11, 1863

Dear Father, Mother and Sister,

I received your kind letter the 8th and was very glad to hear from you once more and to hear that you were all well as you are and am glad that you have had the good luck to get settled down to a married life once more and hope that you may have better luck this time than before.

Well Father, I don’t know as you know that I was to the regiment or not for you directed your letter to the hospital. I returned to the company May 7th. We are detached to heavy artillery in Fort Macon—companies B. D, and G. We may serve our time and leave in all probability for our commander thinks a great deal of our target shooting. The first day we shot we came within two inches of the bulls eye. The target is 1800 rods off from the fort.

Well them furloughs haven’t come as yet and they begin to think it doubtful. I guess Perkins has got home by this time. When you see him, get that likeness. It has a red lush case on it and a steel lock.

I was taken down when I heard of Charley Green’s death. How his folks must feel and his poor old Mother too. Where is Medera now and where does she live at? His mother told him when the 24th went if he went that she never would see him again.

Well, give my best respects to them all and John and all of the Knight boys and Frank Howlette—but I suppose that he has forgot his old acquaintance since he was married—and all of the boys to the quarry, and a share to yourselves. No more at present. Write soon. So I will bring this to a close by bidding you all goodbye for the present.

Direct to the regiment. Yours truly, — B. Ensworth

From H. B. Ensworth, W. C.

You didn’t tell me her name in your letter so I don’t know for certain who it is.

Letter 2

Fort Macon
Beaufort, North Carolina
August 24, 1863

Dear Father

I will address a few lines to you once more and tell you now that I am still alive and have good health at the present time and the rest of the boys are the same to. I haven’t heard from you in some time nor had a letter of any kind.

Well, Father, the news is here that we are a going to be turned into a heavy artillery regiment—the whole of our regiment for the rest of our time in the service. They have sent the papers to Washington to that effect. General Heckman is a doing his best.

Well, Father, I suppose that there is not much of anything on around there at present. I wrote a letter to Edwin Huntington a long time ago and have not heard anything form him yet. I directed the letter to Mexico and several others that I don’t get any answer from them. I suppose that they will be a fair there this next month September.

Well, Father, I am a going to send home money soon and I want you to buy me a thrifty three-year old colt and take care of it for me if you will. If ever I should get home, I want some another to start a living. Have some $130 dollars a lending out now and more payday. I am a going to collect it all and send it off. I think that if I get $200 home, that will be better than nothing. You hadn’t let anyone see this letter around here.

Well I haven’t much more to write at present. Write soon. Direct as before and tell me the news of the day. My respects to all and a share to yourself. I still remain H. B. E.

To mother to write some of these fine days.

Letter 3

Camp 81st Regt. N. Y. State Volunteers
March 4th 1865

Friend F. D. Myers,

As I have a few leisure moments, I will improve them in scribbling a few lines to you once more. I hope that these few lines will reach you in as good health as yours of the 15th of February found me and the rest of the lads from the Quarry & Texas also.

Well, Fraid, there has been a great change in this regiment for the last four months. Almost all of the old veterans are promoted to non-commissioned officers all through the regiment. Marshall Mattison is sergeant in D Company. He was promoted the first of February. Also I was made sergeant in B. Company at the same time but Fraid, we have earned all that we have got since 1861 and allowing me to be the judge, we should of had it before. But still the officers that use to be in the regiment all had friends and of course they would look out for their friends before all of anyone else.

Well, Fraid, what is a going on around there in Mexico and Oswego City? What is the general opinion of the people around there? Where are you now about this war question? Do they think that it will be settled or will we have to fight it out till the very last? Sometimes I think that it will be settled without anymore fighting and then I think that it will be fight till the last. But I hope not.

Well Fraid, I suppose that you remember James Gant, that little sergeant of B Co.? He is here yet and sends his compliments to you.

Well, Fraid, when you see any of my folks, tell them that I am well as usial. Also give my compliments to all of my acquaintances and a share to yourself. From your old friend, — Horace B. Ensworth, Sergt. Company B, 81st N. Y. Vol.

To his friends as usual. Frasier D. Myers, Esq. Please write soon as convenient.

Address to:

Sergt. H. B. Ensworth
Co. B, 81st Regt. N. Y. S. Col.
1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 24th A. C.
Washington D. C.

Letter 4

Headquarters 81st N. Y. Regt.
Williamsburg, Va.
May 30th 1865

Dear Father,

I have a few leisure moments to improve in writing a few lines to you once more. I received a letter from you and Abbie the eve of the 27th and was very happy to hear from you once more in my life time for I had given up all hopes of ever hearing from home again.

Well, Father, my health is very good this summer. I am a getting very lonely down here and all of the rest of the army is on their way home and I have got to stay here until the government gets ready to let me go. It is talked of pretty strong about all veterans having to go off to Texas or Mexico but there is one thing pretty sure, I did not enlist to go to Texas and more than all of that, I think that they never will get me to Mexico.

Well, Father, I am still in the hospital and I have a pretty good time here but still I cannot help a thinking of home. You spoke about James Mc____ getting killed. You spoke about my keeping my money for I will want it when I get home. I intend to be as saving of it as I can. Also, about my keeping all of the old clothing that I could.

Father, if I ever should live to be a free man again, I never want to put on another suit of blue clothes upon my back for I fairly hate the sight of them. If I should get them, I never would wear them and I do not want them to see them around me.

Well Father, those violin strings I would like one.

Please give my respects to all of he enquiring friends, to Abbie, to Mother, also a share to yourself. Tell Mary to be a good girl. If I live you can look for me in about 20 months and not before.

Most respectfully yours. From your son, — Sergt. H. B. Ensworth

To his well remembered Father, Backus Ensworth.

Address at Fortress Monroe, Va.

1st Vermont Cavalry

1864: George D. Anson to Serena (Spear) Anson

July 13, 2022 Griff Leave a comment

*I could not find an image of George but here’s a great ninth-plate tintype of Henry A. Burr of Co. H, 1st Vermont Cavalry (Dan Binder Collection)*

This letter was written by George D. Anson (1839-1902) of Essex county, New York, who enlisted on 17 September 1861 to serve three years in Co. A, 1st Vermont Cavalry. He was take prisoner by Mosby at Broad Run, Virginia, on 1 April 1863 but was paroled a week later. He mustered out of the service in November 1864.

George was the son of Amos Anson (1786-1842) and Serena Spear (1800-1807). After George returned from the war he married first Caroline Margaret Stower (184701877), and second Etta J. Anson (1860-1931). Though he told his mother he thought of studying to be a doctor after the war, I don’t see any evidence that he did. He was a merchant in 1880.

See also—1863: George D. Anson to Serena (Spear) Anson published on Spared & Shared 22 in November 2020.

Transcription

Head Quarters 6th Army Corps
Brandy Station
February 24, 1864

My dear mother,

It is some time since I received a letter but as I had just wrote to Ed Anson, I didn’t think that it was necessary to write so soon and now there is nothing to write. Everything is as still here as can be.

We have very little to do and are enjoying ourselves right well. Don’t know how long it may last though. We may be ordered to the regiment at any time. I understand that no detail is allowed to stay away more than six months and we been here six months today. They like us very well. We will probably be sent back. I hope though that we will remain here until our time is out. It is much easier than being with the regiment.

You must not expect to receive an interesting or long letter from me this time for I am just getting over one of my old fashioned headaches. I caught a dreadful cold and it settled all over me. I am getting over it now though and feeling pretty well tonight. Shall feel perfectly well in a day or two.

I received a letter from Nellie two days ago. She tells me that they have lost their little boy and she seems to mourn its loss very much. I cannot feel as I should if I had ever seen their children and formed attachments for them. Albert is not well. Has been bleeding again. It don’t seem as though that he could stand it long. I pity them all very much. How very unhappy they all must be. Poor Nellie, I think that she is a splendid woman. She has shown herself noble and worthy of praise. I cannot blame her much for her supposed misconduct. If anyone deserves blame, I think that it is Mrs. Meech and next to her it is Albert. I cannot blame Nellie. Mariette was quite unwell when she last wrote me but Nellie told me that she was well again. I wish that none of them had ever gone west.

Has Juliette and Ed got back from Vermont yet? I wrote to them some time since but have received no answer.

One of our soldiers that reenlisted and went home to Vermont has just got back. He tells me that he was Erv Rowley and that he (Erv) told him that he was going somewhere one evening with his wife and saw people from York State and that his horses run onto a wood pile and hurt them all pretty bad—Erv’s wife broke her fingers—and that the other woman broke her leg, and he thought that they called the woman Juliette. I feel anxious about the affair and would like to have some of you write and tell me how it is. I expect that that is the reason that Ed & Kate do not answer my letters. If they have broken their arms and legs, it is a good excuse. I have not heard from [ ] in some time.

I understand that Charlie and Frank have gone home on a furlough. Expect that they are having a great time. Did they come to see you? We are to be paid off tomorrow. I shall draw six dollars.

Reuben is with us. He is well. We had a Corps inspection yesterday and we understand that there is to be an inspection of the army by President Lincoln next week.

There are any quantity of women in the army now. They are supposed to be officer’s wives, but probably that a great many of them are what are called fancy women.

Well, Mother, I did not reenlist. Are you glad or sorry? I am glad. I would not sell myself for 3 years longer for all of their bounties put together. Those who did reenlist have just returned to the regiment. Some of them look as though they had had pretty hard times. They have all spent between two and three hundred dollars. I would like to see the war finished before I go home and hope that it will be ended now before I go home. I suppose that you never hear from P____, only by Ed Anson, do you. What do you think that I have determined to study for when I get home? I will tell you but for I may change my mind. I think now of being a doctor. Doctor Anson. Only think of it. This letter cannot interest you but I can do no better this time. you see there is nothing to write but nevertheless I hope that you will answer soon and believe me very truly your son, — Doctor Anson

41st Ohio Infantry, War relics

War Relics of Charles Edney

July 12, 2022 Griff Leave a comment

*I could not find an image of Charles but here is one of Benjamin Darby of Co. F, 41st Ohio Infantry (Matthew Fleming Collection)*

This war relic belonged to Charles Edney, Jr. (1844-1914), the son of Charles Edney, Sr. (1818-1855( and Mary Ann Beer (1817-1900). Charles’s parents were born in Kent, England, while Charles was born in Rouen, Francem, in 1844. The family came to the United States in 1851 was Charles was 9 years old, and were living in Jackson, Mahoning county, Ohio at the time of the Civil War.

Charles and his younger brother Andrew Edney (1846-1863) enlisted in Co. F, 41st Ohio Infantry. Both brothers enlisted at the same time in October 1861. Andrew was killed at the Battle of Missionary Ridge; Charles survived the war, mustering out of the service in November 1865.

In the fight at Missionary Ridge, the 41st Ohio was brigaded with the 1st and 93rd Ohio, the 5th Kentucky, and the 6th Indiana. This brigade seized Confederate positions at the base of the ridge, the brigade advanced up the hills, driving the Confederates before them. Near the crest, the 41st captured an enemy battery and quickly turned the guns upon the fleeing Southerners.

Transcription

Captured by Charles Edney

Rebel writing paper captured at the Battle of Mission Ridge from a Rebel Battery November 29th 1863

Brother Andrew was killed by a cannon ball.

Rebel postage stamps ¹ traded for at close of war in East Tennessee

Captured by Charles Edney

¹ These 10-cent Confederate stamps were issued in 1863-64. Its engraved design features President Jefferson Davis in profile. Each stamp is worth approximately $30 today (2022).