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.
The following letter was written by acting Union Brigadier General Isaac Fitzgerald Shepard who was serving in the Massachusetts State Legislature when he was commissioned a Major and served as an Adjutant General on the staff of General Nathaniel Lyon in the Missouri Militia. He was wounded at the Battle of Wilson’s Creek and promoted Colonel of the consolidated 3rd Missouri Regiment, succeeding Sigel.
While Colonel of the 3rd Missouri, he led four of the regiment’s companies into the fight at Pea Ridge, and the entire regiment in the expedition to Helena under Gen. Curtis. Later, in May 1863, he was placed in command as Colonel of the 51st USCT and then led the African Brigade (thee regiments of Colored Troops), 17th A. C., Army of the Tennessee during the Siege of Vicksburg. Following that, he was appointed an acting Brigadier General in October, 1863, but apparently the appointment was never confirmed by the US Senate. The reason the appointment was never confirmed may have had something to do with his having been placed under arrest in June 1863 which caused him to be absent at the time of the Battle of Milliken’s Bend. See “Grant and the Forgotten Court of Inquiry” by Michael B. Ballard, May 2013. Curiously, though he makes no mention of the anticipated promotion nor gives a hint of leaving the service, Shepard resigned his commission less than a week later on 4 July 1864 when the Senate failed to confirm his appointment.
For the remainder of the war he was one of the senior officers in charge of Colored Troops in Arkansas and Missouri. After the war, he was a journalist in Missouri and held various political offices.
Isaac wrote this letter in June 1864 to his daughter, Ella Gertrude Shepard (1845-1918) attending school in Boston. She was married in 1870 at St. Louis to William Otis Howland (1838-1914). Much of Shepard’s Civil War correspondence is housed at the UC Santa Barbara Library.
Note: This letter is from the private collection of Steve Prawdzik and was transcribed and published on Spared & Shared by express consent.
Addressed to Ella G. Shepard, Care of Mr. L. Cain, 786 Washington Street, Boston, Mass.
Transcription
[Vicksburg, Mississippi] Monday evening, June 27, 1864
My own dear Ella,
It is a delightfully pleasant morning but will turn out a scorching day without doubt. Your dear letter of the 12th reached me the 23rd with “tin-type”, geranium blossom, and Order of Exercises all safe, for which receive much love. You ask me to preserve the “Order” and I think the best way to do that is to send it back to you. The “Song of Welcome” is very beautiful as well as very appropriate. Do you know the author? How I should like to hear your story of getting in!
The tintype you send shows you are growing mature. I can see it decidedly. I do not know whether the hair suits me or not. It looks odd and changes you as you are in my memory and that I do not fancy. It takes me some time to get used to new style of fixing yourselves up, because they come on me so abruptly. You see I am not with you to have little daily changes steal on imperceptibly and so when I get a view of the change, it seems abrupt and violent. I think I have never seen your hair parted in the middle till now, and then these puffs are odd to me. But I presume I should like it with you, and I am sure I like the face underneath. Colter says, “General, she’s as sweet as a pink [?]!”
The geranium blossom came elegantly—as fresh as when picked. It is a sweet flower and I did not remove it from the paper in which you folded it, but wrote on the fly, “From my darling Ella” and put date of the letter and date of reception on it, and placed it in my Bible for safety and frequent inspection. So I shall be reminded of my sweet blossom and of her sweet flower as well.
I received a letter from Aunt Harriet Foy at the same time with your last adn shall answer it soon. It was a dear, good, affectionate letter, and lots of good sense in it. I am glad you and Elvira had so pleasant a time. Help Jimmy Valentine to be a good, noble man….I shall be delighted to get the slippers in due time but you need not send them yet. Wait and see where I get to.
I am now under orders to be ready at a moment’s warning to take my entire Brigade into the field “by river,” but have not the slightest idea when, where, not what for. The order came Thursday eve, bit nothing further since. Then when I get my “walking ticket,” perhaps I shall not stay here long. That I can’t tell yet.
We had a military execution in the Division Friday [24 June 1864]. A colored soldier murdered his wife and was condemned to be shot in presence of the whole division. He died in a very cold way and with six bullets through him. He scarcely moved a muscle.
Dr. Osborne spent two days with me, leaving yesterday. He sends the enclosed photograph, which is a good likeness of a good man. He said he always intended to answer your letter but he waited so long to get a picture that he was ashamed. I am very well, darling. Have 25 chapters finished and want to see you so much! God bless you. Love to all and a thousand kisses from your own father, — Isaac
The following letters were written by Andrew J. Walton (1834-1862) of Co. E (the “Portland Rifle Guard”), 10th Maine Infantry. He wrote the first letter on 13 March 1862 while on duty as a guard on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Each company of the regiment was stationed at different guard posts along the railroad; Co. E was reported to be at Halltown during the month of March. Andrew datelined his letter from Tunnel No. 1 which was on the north bank of the Potomac river opposite Harper’s Ferry in Maryland.
Andrew did not survive the war. He entered the service on 28 September and was mortally wounded on 25 May 1862 by “a shot from rebel cavalry on the retreat of the regiment from Winchester and died same day of said wound.” This information was provided by 56 year-old Sabina Walton (1813-1882) of East Livermore, Androscoggin county, Maine, who filed a “Claim for Mother’s Pension” on 5 August 1869. Andrew’s father, William Walton died in 1873. His siblings were Mary (b. 1837), Joseph A. C. (b. 1847) and William A. (b. 1840). It was to his sister Mary that Andrew addressed his letters. I believe his mother was unable to read and write.
Lt. Henry Martin Binney of the 10th Maine Infantry, Co. D, sketched this scene of a sentry on duty at Bolivar Heights. (Courtesy of Nick Picerno)
Letter 1
Patriotic letterhead with lithograph of the Battle Monument in Baltimore, Md.
Tunnel No. 1 March 13th [1862] Camp Latham
Dear Sister,
I am well and I hope this will find you the same. I received your letter yesterday morning and was glad to hear from you to know of your good health. The officers think we shall not stay here a great while longer. They expect us to go up to Harper’s Ferry to go into General Banks’ Division. Perhaps we shall go up to headquarters to get the regiment together and then we shall go somewhere but we do not know where as yet. We may go across the Potomac into Virginia to do guard duty.
If you think Jonathan Pike’s note is good, you can let him have what money I have sent home but don’t let Father know anything about it. We expect to be paid off the 5th of March but we have not been paid yet. I don’t think I shall be paid again but once more before I go home to the State of Maine because we have been put off so. I want you to send me a 1 dollar’s worth of letter stamps for I have not got any money nor any way to get any. Be sure and fix them so they will not stick together.
I have not wrote to Elmira Wood. I think you can write to her better than I can. Tell her all about camp life. Tell her where I am and that I like [it] first rate.
The weather has been very warm for a few days. The robins and other birds are singing merrily. Let me know how Father’s hay holds out and how his cows and colt look. Write soon and direct it the same as you always have. My best respects to all inquiring friends. Give my love to all kind friends. Farewell from your affectionate brother, — A. J. Walton
To Miss Mary Walton
Letter 2
Lithographic Image of Monument Square in Baltimore on header of letter
Winchester, Virginia May 14, 1862
Dear Sister,
Your letter came to hand day before yesterday but as I was on Picket Guard, I could not answer it until now. We are all well and enjoying ourselves first rate. We are still in the Meeting House although the people want us to move into the Negro Church so as to keep theirs nice. But the Capt. told them that he did not come out here to fight Negroes and should stay where we was and the less they said about it, the better.
We had the fun of seeing 17 prisoners brought in the other night by some of the Connecticut boys. I have forgotten the regiment they belonged to. We have just received news that Ashby and 50 of his men are taken and expect to see him pass on his way to Fort Warren or some other good place of the same kind. We got news Sunday night of the capture of Norfolk and the burning of the Merrimac. This made the Rebels feel bad but they could not help it.
We were stationed at the Toole House on the Front Royal Turnpike. The folks were good Union people and used us first rate. We slept—part of us—in the house and a part under the piazza with a cartridge box for a pillow. You may think that was hard but I had a good night’s rest.
We are having a rain storm today for a change. It has been dry for some time and the rain will do the ground a great deal of good. We passed through a field of wheat yesterday that was 3 feet high and was beginning to head out.
We expect to get paid off the first of next week as there is 2 months pay due. We saw a man mowing last night it was rowen [?].
We expect to hear of the capture of Richmond soon as Gen. McClellan was within 27 miles of there last Sunday and was still advancing. There is a rumor that he has taken it and perhaps it is true—at least I hope so. I am well and hope you enjoy the same blessing. Write soon. Direct to Harpers Ferry. From your brother, — A. J. Walton
The following partial letter was written by Hannaniah Wilcox Hemingway (1841-1931) who datelined it from Springfield, Illinois, where the 2nd Regiment, Illinois Light Artillery was being organized in the summer of 1861. He contends that the company would be designated Battery A, but in fact it was ultimately designated Battery G. At the time of his enlistement, he was a farmer from Ogle County, Illinois. He served the span of his three year enlistment and was discharged December 3, 1864. For a summary of Battery G’s war experiences, see “A Short History of Battery G” by Sean Tedrick at Battery G, 2nd Light Artillery.
When he enlisted at the age of twenty, Hannaniah was described as standing 5′ 7″ tall, with gray eyes and brown hair. His parents were Josiah Hemingway (1801-1879) and Lydia Bartholomew (1793-1881) of Tompkins county, New York. In 1867, after he returned home from the war, Hannaniah married Jane Crozier Thompson (1839-1915). The couple were living in Chicago in 1880 where Hannaniah was working as a dentist. Jane’s brother George E. Thompson (1841-1912) was a 1st Sergt. in Co. C, 16th Michigan Infantry. The couple eventually settled in Kankakee, Illinois.
See too the letters of Cyrus Marble Cummings who also served in Battery G, 2nd Illinois Light Artillery. They were transcribed and posted on Spared & Shared 22 in March 2021.
Battery G Reenactors in Lombard, Illinois, in 2015.
Transcription
….concluded from fourth page.
Our sleeping apartment consists of a row of bunks along each side of the building forty-eight in number, three high, and eight long, and two rows of such which is capable of holding ninety-six men. I bunk with man from Dement by the name of Asy Rice, as fine a man as ever was. There is some (and most all of them) as good boys as you ever saw. We are Company A of the 2nd Illinois Regiment of Artillery and a better drilled company does not exist in Camp Butler (I should of said Lincoln Barracks, which [is] the name of our barracks). 1
I have seen A. Lincoln’s residence and an odd looking house it is too. 2 But I must close my letter for all the boys are up and they are singing and making so much noise that I scarcely [know] what I am about.
Write soon and write all the news you can think of for it will [be] acceptable. I was a going to write to Malvina instead of you yesterday, and then I thought that I would wait a day or two. Goodbye. Give my love to all and save a part for yourself. With address you will find me H. W. Hemingway, Lincoln Barracks, Springfield, Illinois, in care of Captain F[rederick F.] Sparrestrom, 2nd Regt. Artillery
1 The Lincoln Barracks were constructed at Camp Butler six miles outside of Springfield. The site was idea for its high ground and level parade-drill area. It was named Camp Butler in honor of William Butler who assisted Gen. William T. Sherman in selecting the site.
2 One wonders what Hannaniah meant by odd looking. My hunch is that it looked odd because of the way it had been built in phases. It was originally a one-story cottage and then went through renovations in 1846, in 1849-50, in 1853, and then in 1855 a second story was added. There were yet two more remodels in 1856 and in 1859.
Models of the Lincoln home show the house as it looked at the time left it in 1861. It was not particularly attractive from the rear of the property.
The following letter was penciled by Sgt. Walter F. Jones of Co. L, 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery. According to roster of Battery veterans, Walter was living in Drakes Branch, some 25 miles south of Appomattox, in Charlotte county, Virginia, in 1889. Nothing more conclusive could be learned about him.
Transcription
Walter’s stationery includes a patriotic image of Maryland with State Seal, “To the Rescue!”
I am sitting on my overcoat. I can see nothing but men and horses for as far as I can see. We got into camp last night. It began to rain and lightning and kept it up all night. The boys look pretty tough. They are well—the most of them. The weather is very hot here. The boys lost everything that they had up to the fight. We fired into a Rebel Battery yesterday on the James river. No one was hurt. We can see the rebels on th other side of the stream.
There is 120,000 men in sight of here. This morning Burnside’s fleet lays just down the river, just off Newport News working round on the other side of the Chickahominy. We are within ten miles of Richmond.
We had a first rate time getting here. I stayed in Baltimore one day and Fort Monroe the same. It is time for breakfast now.
P. S. We had beef stake and hard bread. I cannot write any more. Give my best respects to all the friends. From your son. Respectfully yours, — Walter Jones
Harrison’s Landing, Va.
The boys was paid last week so I shall have to wait till next pay day.
The following letter was probably written by Sgt. John A. Buchanan (1826-1885) of Co. A, 100th Indiana Infantry. John was 35 years old and married to Emily (“Em”) Burns when he enlisted with his younger brother George in August 1862. John survived the war, mustering out on 8 June 1865. His brother George was not so lucky. He was wounded severely in November 1864 at the Battle of Griswoldville, Georgia, though he survived and was able to return to farming after the war. They were both listed as being residents of Corunna, a little farming village in DeKalb county—roughly 30 miles north of Fort Wayne, Indiana. I don’t have a picture of either of them but I’ve posted two members of the 100th Indiana wearing their Zouave jacket with the distinctive “100th” badge sewn on their breast, the arabic numeral 100 surrounded by an oval.
Co. A was raised in DeKalb county, Indiana, and after training in Fort Wayne and Indianapolis, they were sent to Carrollton, Kentucky, for a brief time and then were ordered to Memphis by way of Cairo and the Mississippi river in November 1862. They were stationed at Fort Pickering and assigned to a brigade that consisted of the 100th Indiana, 40th Illinois, 46th Ohio, 6th Iowa, and the 13th US Infantry. 1st Battalion. In late November 1862, the Brigade advanced under the command of Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson until they reached the Tallahatchie River where the Confederates under Price and Van Dorn put up some resistance. By December 18th, the command had reached Yocna Patufna Creek. At this point the command was recalled to Holly Springs, Grant’s supply depot, which had been raided and ransacked by Van Dorn on 20 December 1862—essentially foiling Grant’s overland campaign against Vicksburg. The 100th Indiana only remained a few days in Holly Springs before moving on to Grand Junction where they went into winter quarters and were detailed as guards on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad.
Wish you a Happy New Year. It has been a long time since I wrote you but it is not because I have forgotten you or the pleasant hours we have spent together. But today—the commencement of the year—bring back to our memory more clearly those happy hours when our were met” and reminds me of our meeting promise that wherever we may be, we must write. Since that time the call to arms has broken many tender ties and made man’s hearth stones desolate and we all be thankful that we are so situated that we can fulfill our promise and still entertain hope that “scenes of the past shall come again.”
Our New Year here is very dry. Most of the boys are on duty and with the exception of a extra dish of bean soup prepared by “my own hands” and a peach pie which cost a quarter, there is nothing to celebrate. The health of the boys is only middling. There has been a great deal of sickness in our company. Two men—George Beams 1 and Harrison Culver 2 died after we left Memphis. Henry Friedt 3 the regimental post master, is also supposed to be dead. William [H.] Dimmitt 4 from near Lawrence died on the way from our last camp to this place. My own and [brother] George’s health has been exceedingly good.
We left camp Yocknaptufa one week ago last Monday (the 22nd) and marched 19 or 20 miles back on the same road we went. Co. A was detailed as rear guard and by some negligence we got behind a division train about two miles long which we had to pass by marching through fields and woods making a hard days march. The next day we started bright and early and marched about 18 miles without any stopping even long enough to take a drink. We reached our camp north of the Tallhatchie river about 7 o’clock., Co. A having 3 men in ranks. We crossed the river about five miles above where we crossed it before—at the place where Price and Van Dorn were fortified. The bridges have ben rebuilt and the railroad is in running order. We remained here till Sunday.
We spent our Christmas here and a dry one it was. There was little done and little talked but the good times that were past. The day was very warm—so warm that it was very comfortable sitting around without a coat. It looks very strange to see the boys sporting around barefoot on the last of December. We left here Sunday evening and marched about eight miles, camping near a little village by the name of Waterford and in the morning marched on to this place where we arrived about 10 a.m.
The country that we passed over is nothing but one scene of desolation. Everything that can be used by the army has been taken and consumed. The fences are all burned and buildings nearly all destroyed. What this sudden change in the course of the army means, I cannot tell. They tell us that the object of our movement was accomplished but it takes a bigger head than mine to see any gain. We received our mail the day we came here—the first we had had for five weeks. I got letters of all dates from the first of October to the 1st of December, but no letters or papers of a later date. One from [my wife] Em of November 20. The reason why we don’t get any news is the subject of much talk. Some think that the news are unfavorable and for this reason we are not allowed to know them but we have nothing to judge from.
[Remainder of letter written with very faint ink and nearly illegible though I can make out “direct to Company A, 100th Reg. Indiana Volunteers, Holly Springs, in care of Lieut. E. O. Hartman]
1 George Beams of Spencerville, Indiana, died at Memphis, Tennessee, on 24 November 1862.
2 Harrison Culver of Auburn, Indiana, died at Memphis, Tennessee, on 24 December 1862.
3 Henry Friedt of Spencerville, Indiana, was discharged on 30 January 1863.
4 William H. Dimmitt died at Abbyville, Tennessee on 24 December 1862.
I could not find a war time image of Tally but here is one of Alva Townsend who served as a private in Co. H, 51st Indiana Infantry (Photo Sleuth)
The following diary was kept by William “Tally” Wicker (1842-1914), the son of Thomas Tally Wicker (1821-1909) and Nancy A. Zike (1824-1909) of Union township, Shelby county, Indiana.
Tally mustered into Co. F, 51st Indiana Infantry as a 21 year-old recruit on 10 September 1863 and mustered out on 14 June 1865. Not long after he mustered out of the regiment, he was married in Shelby county to Sarah Elizabeth McKay (1842-1917).
The Wicker property was located in Union Township of eastern Shelby county. It was rich farmland between the Big Blue and Little Blue rivers southeast of Morristown, which is roughly 25 miles from downtown Indianapolis.
The Wicker (“Whicker”) farm was located in the red circle of this map of Union Township.
This diary is from the personal collection of Greg Herr and was offered for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent.
Transcription
December 1864
Dec. 13th 1864—The non-vets relieved from duty. The skirmishing the same as usual Paid off the 2nd up to the 30th of August. The skirmishing began at Nashville the 3rd of December.
December 15, 1864—Began moving to the right. A slight fight on the left about noon. Gen. Smith cut their lines and our Corps charged the works in our front. Took them with slight loss. Laid still till near four o’clock though the fighting was in progress on our right. At four o’clock our Division charged their main mine capturing 12 pieces of artillery and several prisoners. Their entire line was drove, capturing near 1200 prisoners & 18 pieces of artillery.
December 16th 1864—Moved out at day on the Franklin Pike. Met with no resistance till near four miles from town when we came to their skirmishers. Drove them in and the 2nd Division charged their works and took the first line. Heavy artillery firing till near 4 o’clock and our division charged their works on the Franklin Pike & were repulsed. The 2nd & first charged on our right and took their works & we again advanced and took near 1,000 prisoners. Followed them two miles & camped. Our loss near 1,000 killed & wounded. Rebs about the same. [See “Snapshots of Hell: A visit to Nashville’s Peach Orchard Hill” by John Banks]
December 17th—Advanced to Fran[klin]. The cavalry had continual skirmishing & took 500 prisoners. Camped at night at Franklin and drew rations during the night. The cavalry took three pieces of artillery five miles from Franklin.
December 18th—Marched from Franklin to three miles beyond Spring Hill. Continual skirmishing. The last three days it has rained almost all the time. I did not get to camp till next morn.
A couple of pages from Tally’s diary to show his handwriting.
December 19th—Moved out early in the morn but did not go over two miles, the enemy being in force across a creek. Camped all night. Cleared off at night and turned cold.
December 20th—Cloudy and cold. Dried our clothes and tents. Moved out to Duck River and camped.
December 21st—On picket. A flag of truce in force. Talked with the Rebs. No firing. Cold with snow.
December 22nd—On picket. Cold. A detail to cross the river. Crossed firing. Began in the morn. Crossed on pontoons. Right smart skirmishing. [Thomas] Al. Morrison and J. Melay wounded. Twelve wounded. Deployed and advanced. Had some fighting. Got in conversation with Rebel surgeons. Pontoons laid, troops crossing at night. Stayed in town all night. Got near a gallon of honey. Plenty of meal.
December 23rd—Moved out two miles and stayed till noon. Marched five miles and camped. Beautiful weather. Ground froze and a skiff of snow.
December 24th—Beautiful morn. Marched beyond Lynnville and camped. Foraged 1 ham & some honey.
December 25th—Marched all day. Passed through Pulaski and five miles beyond. The cavalry had a brisk engagement late in the evening. Raining slightly.
December 26th—Foggy and misting rain. Laid in camp all day.
December 27th—Moved 12 miles through a barren wilderness road. Almost impassable. Camped at night. Got a letter.
December 28th—Fine morning. Moved about 12 miles and camped. Rather cool. Came to some cleared land. The day was clear & the roads impassable or near about. Got to a little town called Lexington & camped.
December 29th—Laid in camp. Some of the boys went a foraging. Rained a little.
December 30th—Laid in camp & went a foraging. Rained & snowed at night.
December 31st—Moved out towards Athens. Marched about 18 miles over a rather rough country. Camped within four miles of Elk river.
January 1865
Huntsville, Alabama, during the Civil War
[January 1-6, 1865 missing; regiment setting up winter quarters in Huntsville, Alabama]
January 7, 1865—Passed out beyond the pickets with ten others looking for forage. Went near 8 miles to the Tennessee river. Got our dinners & got some soap and other necessaries. Marched near 20 miles. Saw one reb.
January 8, 1865—Had a pass beyond the lines to get lumber. Six of us got lumber for a bunk and worked at a chimney in the morning. Finished our chimney. Cloudy. Heard the gunboats firing in the evening.
January 9, 1865—Worked on our tents. Finished covering them & [ ] the house. Rained all day, Rather windy. Drew some clothing. The ground thoroughly soaked & the lake rising. No news of importance.
January 10, 1865—Laid in camp & finished our quarters & washed our clothes & other things of a like kind for our comfort. The weather has been fair today and rather cold at night for comfort.
January 11, 1865—Nothing special to break the monotony of camp life. Fixing our clothes & quarters so as to be comfortable such as mending our clothes for we have not got our commissaries & other things up.
January 12, 1865—Nothing special to break the monotony of camp life. Finishing our [winter] quarters. Cleared off camp and preparing for to live comfortable. Got a letter from home. The weather has been beautiful.
January 13, 1865—Everything quiet & the quarters most finished. Clearing off camp. I was out in country after lumber for headquarters. Went out near five miles, Got two letters. Beautiful weather.
January 14, 1865—Nothing new. Laid in camp. Was on Brigade Guard. Rather cold at night. On guard with a Kansas officer. The weather has been beautiful for the last week. Clear and heavy frosts at night.
January 15, 1865—Beautiful day. Clear. Laid in camp. Nothing unusual. Our duty is fatigue and Brigade Camp Guard & going out foraging & grinding flour. Get good rations of coffee & bread but not enough meat.
January 16, 1865—Nothing unusual to disturb the quiet of camp life. Had regimental inspection and laid quiet the rest of the day. Got orders to send the non vets their descriptive lists. Beautiful weather.
January 17, 1865—All quit. Laid in camp. I and Pete Camper went to Huntsville. I got some meat & saw a part of Gen. [Hylan B.] Lyon’s command that were captured over the river—about 300 in number.
January 18, 1865—All quiet, Nothing to disturb the monotony of camp life. Washed my clothes in the morn. The regiment drew clothing at night. Some of the discharged soldiers of our company came back. Beautiful weather.
January 19, 1865—Laid in camp. Fine weather. Cold at night & pleasant of a day time. Drew clothing & heard of the capture of Fort Fisher by the Army & Navy. All quiet in this department.
January 20, 1865—Nothing unusual to disturb the monotony of camp life. I was on guard—Brigade Camp Guard. Rained at night & cold. No news of importance.
January 21, 1865—Wet and cold. Laid in camp. Misted rain most all day. Our rations have been pretty good with the exception of meat. This is very poor. In fact we get hardly any good meat.
January 22, 1865—Cloudy & misting rain. Had company inspection. This we have every evening at retreat. Making out pay rolls. Nothing unusual occurred to mar the quiet of camp life.
January 23, 1865—Laid in camp. All quiet. In fact, there has not been anything except the usual camp duty for the last week. It has been raining for the last three days and some snow.
January 24, 1865—Cloudy and cold and some snow. The ground slightly frozen. Rather cold for comfort. Wrote a letter. Drill in the evening. Nothing of special note. We commenced building houses on the guard lines.
January 25, 1865—Laid in camp. Got a pass to go to town & went in the country. Had a nice time. Got some meal and corn and milk. Got my dinner. The weather fine. The ground frozen so that it would bear a wagon.
January 26, 1865—Laid in camp. On Brigade Camp Guard. Very cold for this latitude. The ground frozen hard enough to bear up a horse and wagon. No news of special note. Some talk of peace.
January 27, 1865—Clear and cold. Laid in camp. Came off of guard. Had an old [ ] condemned. Ready for inspection. I got two letters and wrote one.
January 28, 1865—Nothing unusual transpired today. I received two letters. Passed the day cleaning our quarters and guns for the inspection on Sunday morning. No particular news. The weather fine, clear and rather cold.
January 29, 1865—All quiet. Had Sunday inspection. Washed our clothes today. Is rather warmer than usual. The ground thawed smartly. I sent home a letter. Everything quiet.
January 30, 1865—Quiet in camp all day. Nothing of special note occurred. The weather beautiful and spring like. The regular routine of camp duty, guard and picket.
January 31, 1865—The day is gine. Laid in camp all day. Got news of our having to leave in the morn. Our regiment and the 89th Illinois had a quarrel. Had to stand in line of battle.
February 1865
February 1, 1865—Struck tents early. The rest of the brigade left before day. Our regiment & the 41st OVI were detailed to guard the train. Started at 8 o’clock. Marched about 15 miles & camped. The weather foggy.
February 2, 1865—Moved out early in the morn. Our regiment in the advance. Some of the companies along the train. Weather cloudy & warm & some rain. Reached Athens at night. Camped. Marched 16 miles.
February 3, 1865—Left Athens early in the morning. Roads very bad. Moved out to Elk River 15 miles. Reached at 4 o’clock in the evening. Laid overnight.
February 4, 1865—Crossed Elk River early in the morn. The river fordable. Roads almost impassible. Moved out 12 miles to a small creek & camped all night. Snowed at morn.
February 5, 1865—Moved out on the back track in the morning. Roads very muddy & almost impassible. Recrossed the Elk River in the evening & camped 1 mile from the river.
February 6, 1865—Moved out early in the morn for Athens. Rather cold. Misting snow. The roads almost impassible. I have been guarding the train. Reached there at sundown. Colder and raining. Camped at the same ground we did as we went up.
February 7, 1865—Started early in the morning. A right smart skiff of snow three inches deep. The roads almost impassable. Had a great deal of trouble with our teams. Moved out 12 miles from Athens towards Huntsville.
February 8, 1865—Had 13 miles to march. Moved out early in the morn. Had very heavy roads and some right hard times with the teams. Our teams stuck. Warm in the morning and turned cold in the evening and snowed some. Got back to camp at night.
February 9, 1865—In our old camp. Found our bunks gone. Had new ones to build. Weather cold. Fixed up our quarters. I got two letters from home. Nothing of special note occurred. Our brigade commanded by Col. Hotchkiss.
February 10, 1865—Laid in camp. The day rather cold for this latitude. The weather clear & rather cold. No news of special note. Engaged in fixing up our quarters.
February 11, 1865—Nothing occurred to disturb the monotony of camp life. The weather fine again. Fixed for living. Drew rations for five days. Heard some talk of peace.
[Entries for February 12-17, 1865 Missing (lost page)]
February 18, 1865—Laid in camp. Everything going on quietly and we are seeing very good times, Nothing to do but go on guard every 8 days. Beautiful weather.
February 19, 1865—All quiet and fine weather. This Corps drawing clothing and preparing for the summer campaign. The weather beautiful indeed. Warm and almost spring like.
Huntsville, Alabama
February 20, 1865—Nothing but the usual routine of camp duty. I and James L. Phares got a pass and went to the 1st Division and saw B. Rice. Went to town and wrote a letter. Received news of the evacuation of Charlestown [Charleston].
February 21, 1865—Laid in camp. Had nothing but our regular policing and inspection and guard duty to do. Weather beautiful and warm The frogs are awake. In fact, the buds are swelling for to open.
February 22, 1865—Windy and raining. Last night was very windy and some rain. No news of import. Nothing unusual to excite our curiosity. Our regiment on Brigade Guard.
February 23, 1865—Rainy and damp. Weather like the breaking up of winter in our country. I wrote a letter. Nothing seemed of note. Some talk of getting discharged. Heard that the House had passed the bill. [Reference to the 13th Amendment]
February 24, 1865—Cloudy and damp but no rain of any account. No news of any note. We have not drew rations enough here of late to do us—especially of meat.
February 25, 1865—I was on picket. Sunny in the morning and very windy. Cleared off at night and now a beautiful night, No mail and no news of importance. All quiet in this department.
February 26, 1865—Beautiful day. Had inspection and preaching in the evening. I washed some clothes. I got a letter from James Tillison. No news of importance. In fact, we did not get the papers.
February 27, 1865—Fine day, almost spring like. Had company drill in the morning. The day beautiful for the season of the year. All quiet here abouts.
February 28, 1865—Nothing of special note transpired. Clear and windy. Had company drill. I got on extra duty for something I did while we were drilling. No news of importance transpired in this department worthy of note.
March 1864
March 1, 1865—Cloudy and misted rain. A sad accident occurred in the 8th Kansas [infantry]. A man killed by a tree falling on the quarters and three others wounded. Will Armstrong discharged and started home. No news of special note.
March 2, 1865—Rained most all day. A very heavy mist at night. No news of special note and nothing new in this department. Some talk of our getting paid off.
March 3, 1865—Cloudy and windy with some rain. A very heavy rainstorm at night. No news of special note. Some talk of us being paid off and some talk of the recruits being discharged.
March 4, 1865—Cloudy and rather cold for comfort. Green[up] Weekly came to the company. Ben Rice came over from the 9th Indiana. Nothing new. No news of special note. I got no mail for three days.
March 5, 1865—Rained and was cloudy all day. Nothing of special note occurred. Heard that there was several bridges washed away on the railroad. There was no mail came in.
March 6, 1865—Beautiful day. Laid in camp. All quiet. Entirely out of rations and heard that we could not draw any till the 9th of the month. Drew some [ ] fot to last the day.
March 7, 1865—I was on guard guarding prisoners at [ ]. The brigade out on drill. Drew rations of bread and some meat. Nothing of special note occurred.
March 8, 1865—Cloudy and misting rain all day. Laid in camp. Received the first copy of the Huntsville Union. No news of special note. The trains not coming through yet, Heard that they would get mail this evening.
March 9, 1865—Rain in the morning, Cloudy all day. Of the mail, I got two letters, No news of special note. Some good news from Gen. Sheridan. Drew rations in the morn. Hill court martialed yesterday. Wrote Suzy a letter.
March 10, 1865—Fine day. Lain in camp. Nothing special occurred. Had company drill as usual. The Tennessee [river] very high. Backed water clear up to our camp. The cars running through.
March 11, 1865—Nothing occurred to disturb the monotony of camp life. The weather fine—almost spring like. No news of special note. The trains running through regularly. No special.
March 12, 1865—Fine day. No news of special note. Talk of our getting out. Colonel [Abel D.] Streight resigned Our regiment under Captain Hamilton, he being the ranking officer. Lieut. Morgan took charge of Co. A.
March 13, 1865—Nothing special occurred with the exception that we received marching orders to go to Knoxville. It sprinkled rain and the weather was warm and comfortable. No mail. Col. Streight made a speech to our regiment. A member of the 41st Ohio paraded before the Brigade with the traitor.
March 14, 1865—Cloudy and windy with some rain. Had company drill. Green[up] Weekly was court martialed for absence without leave. No special news. The boys all well. Al Morrison & James S. Gatewood came to the company. Received marching orders.
March 15, 1865—Drew rations in the morn. Did not strike tents till in the eve. Marched down to town and got aboard the train at sundown. I subscribed for Indiana Roll of Honor. Rained all night.
March 16, 1865—Arrived at Chattanooga in the morning. Laid there till 2 o’clock, started forKnoxville. Arrived at Lenoir during the night. The weather clear and cold. Got some cider.
March 17, 1865—Laid at Lenoir till near 3 o’clock letting train pass from above. Had to carry water for the engine. Moved out for Knoxville. Passed there during the night and arrived at Newmarket in the morn. Beautiful day.
March 18, 1865—Bivouacked at Newmarket & drawing rations. No particular news. Moved out to camp 1 half mile from town. Cleared off camp and pitched our tents. Weather beautiful. Farmers sowing oats.
March 19, 1865—Fine morn on picket. No news of special note. Got mail one letter from Miss C. The country here about is fine, rolling country and is very fertile and from appearances is very healthy. No news of special note. On picket.
March 20, 1865. Relieved from picket. fine day. Had inspection in the evening. Our company being the praise of the Brigade. Inspector General Wood visited our camp. No news of note. Beautiful locality for a camp. All quiet in this department.
March 21, 1865—Raining this morning and looking dreary. Several citizens in camp selling pies and cakes. The farmers sowing oats and breaking up for corn. Heard that Lige was married. I wrote two letters—one to Miss C., and one to Miss Y. Mail came in.
March 22, 1865—Fine day. Laid in camp and drilled. No news of special note. Capt. Delano and Lieut. Gude came into our lines at Mossy Creek. Also one of the Ala. co. captains. They look very bad. Gude and the Alabamian had on rebel clothes and look very bad.
March 23, 1865—Very windy and rather cold for comfort. Laid in camp and drilled. Rations very scarce. In fact, hardly anything. Went to church at night.
March 24, 1865—Not so windy but rather cold yet. Engaged in fixing our quarters. Our company setting cedars in the streets. Also made a wreath and hung the letter of the company in it. Capt. S beastly drunk.
March 25, 1865—Fine day. I was on picket. No news of special interest. The 1st Division moved out for Morristown. Our term not through yet. The nights very cold. Heard that Sheridan had taken Lynchburg. No news of note in this department. Kimball came to the company.
March 26, 1865—Relieved from on picket. Had inspection and the regiment was visited by Maj. Gen. Wood & Col. Hotchkiss. The regiment highly complimented by the General for such fine quarters and neat camp. I learned the distance from Knoxville to Bristol 125 miles from Newmarket to Knoxville 25 miles.
March 27, 1865—Fine morning. Our regiment again on picket. A great many citizens coming in. They are very friendly disposed. The Division wagon train coming up and the Division drawing rations. Washed my clothes. Nothing new.
March 28, 1865—Laid in camp. Got orders to prepare for a campaign. Turned over the wall tents & camp equipage. No special news. The 2nd Division had not come up yet. Ours and the first & some cavalry preparing to move.
March 29, 1865—Got orders to move at 6 o’clock in the morn. Struck tents & moved out for Morristown. Passed Mossy Creek 4 miles from Newmarket, crossed one other creek. Marched 13 miles & camped. Distance from Newmarket to Morristown 10 miles from Newmarket to Knoxville, 25 & to Bristol 110.
March 30, 1865—Struck tents. Rained most all night. Marched, passed through Morristown & to Russellville. From Morristown to Russellville 7 miles. Marched 12 miles and camped at Russellville. Rained till near noon. The country through which we passed is very fine and land. We passed several fine dwellings. Morristown and Russellville are small villages. Some smallpox through the country.
March 31, 1865—Struck tents and moved out early in the morn. Passed through Russellville last eve. Reached the Gap at noon & camped in the Gap. Drew rations. The 1st Division camped 4 miles beyond the Gap. The cavalry moving on. This Gap is a place easily to hold and is naturally very strong.
April 1865
April 1, 1865—Fine morning. Received our mail, I received a letter from Kate. No news od special note. I wrote one letter to Kate. The 2nd Division coming out on the train. The weather is beautiful for the last two days. Everything quiet in this department.
April 2, 1865—Had company inspection. Last night 5 rebs came in to Gen. Woods quarters & the Lieut. was outing the General’s horse and the guard ordered him to halt & struck him with the bayonet. The Lieut. drew a revolver and shot the guard. The Lieut. was shot & his leg had to be amputated.
April 3, 1865—Laid in camp. Had inspection. I was detailed for fatigue. The weather fine and everything looks gay. Got the news of the capture of Petersburg & the probable evacuation [of Richmond]. Received a letter from home & I wrote one. Received orders to be ready to move at 7 in the morning.
April 4, 1865—Cloudy. Tents struck and ready to move. Passed through the Gap & passed the 1st Div. Our Divoision and the 2nd marched to Blue Springs. The 2nd stopped there and we moved on 10 miles to Greenville. Reached there at night. A good stout village. The country rather poor from the Gap to Greenville. Weather fine.
April 5, 1865—Policing quarters. No news of special note. George McCormack dead. Struck tents and prepared to move. Moved to the other side of town, The 3rd Brigade went to Jonesboro. Pitched tents and began building bunks. Received the news that Grant had taken 20,000 prisoners. Rained at night.
April 6, 1865—Raining in the morn. I was detailed to cut cross ties. 300 out of the Brigade. Cut over 1,000 trees. Our regiment moved camp. The 2nd Brigade went to North Carolina. Corps Headquarters moved to this place. Division Headquarters. We also received mail. Rained at night.
April 7, 1865—Very disagreeable morning. Raining and cold, Nothing particular transpired. Heard of Sheridan’s success & the capture of Gen. Ewell & others. Also 14 pieces of artillery. This country is rather poor though I think it is healthy.
April 8, 1865—Beautiful day. Our regiment on picket. Company guards the Signal Corps to a new station. No news of special note. A great many citizens coming in. The 80th Illinois here. Drew some clothing & rations. Bridwell came to the company.
April 9, 1865—Had company inspection. Passed the day in camp. Various rumors about the fighting in Virginia. Rained most all day. I went to church at night. One of Company D took the smallpox.
April 10, 1865—Fine morning. Received the news of the surrender of Lee’s whole army to Gen. Grant on the 9th. The dispatch confirmed. Great enthusiasm. The 2nd Brigade came in. Also the Artillery Brigade. Heard heavy firing at night. Heard it was the 2nd D. on a bust. I was on camp guard. No mail.
April 11, 1865—Cloudy and windy. No news of special note. Had company drill. I washed my clothes. In the evening had company inspection & wrote Father a letter. Everything quiet here abouts. Very strict on us—four roll calls a day.
April 12, 1865—Rained all day. Laid in camp. No news of special note. Some talk of peace. The rebels seem to be very much discouraged & they come into our lines in squads. I went to church at night. The chaplain of the 80th Illinois preached an excellent sermon.
April 13, 1865—Raining till near noon. Then cleared off and was fair. I and Jimet [?] went to the Christian Commission rooms & wrote letters. I wrote one to Pa. The mail came in last eve. I got none. Beautiful evening. The trees leafing out & every thing looks gay. All quiet in the Department.
April 14, 1865—Thanksgiving Day. 100 rounds fired by the Artillery Brigade in honor of the raising of a flag over Fort Sumter. There has been meeting held all the time at this place. A detail from our regiment went to Midway for sanitary goods. Beautiful day & warm.
April 15, 1865—Rained most all day. I wrote Davy a letter. Heard that Jeff Davis asked if he would be allowed to go to Europe. Received the news of the assassination of President Lincoln and Secretary Seward. Drew rations in the eve. Drew some sanitary goods. Cleared off at night. Everything quiet.
April 16, 1865—Had company inspection. The day clear and warm. Received the official news of the death of Abraham Lincoln and the wounding of Sward. Two of the 3rd Ohio officers came to our camp in rebel uniform. Meting at night. Talk of moving back. All quiet in this quarter.
April 17, 1865—Fine morning. All quiet. 14 men came into our lines from North Carolina. Three of them cousins of Wids. and six of them L____. I wrote a short letter and sent it to Father by W. W. Linville. Had company drill. Went to church at night.
April 18, 1865—I was detailed to go a foraging. Went near ten miles down Chuckie river to Alen’s Bridge. Got ferry at the bridge & got to camp at four o’clock. Rained most all day. I wasn’t well. No special news.
April 19, 1865—Beautiful day. Very warm. Had company inspection. Drilled in bayonet exercise. There was 40 rebels came into our lines under a flag of truce & surrendered and went on to Knoxville. They were allowed to keep their horses.
April 20, 1865—Beautiful day. This morning the cars came in for the first time since the Yanks occupied this place. Today General Stoneman arrived from a trip in North Carolina. The mail came in at night. The Brigade officers had a spree. The regiments took their colors from the [ ]. Reported that we are going to Texas.
April 21, 1865—Fine morning. Received the mail. I got a letter from Pa. Also a shirt & pair of socks & an handkerchief. The 3rd Brigade came down from Jonesboro. The whole division received orders to be ready to move in the morn. I sent Pa a letter. [ ] came to the company.
April 22, 1865—Struck tents & prepared to move. Moved out at sunrise & marched to Bull’s Gap. Reached there at three o’clock, having marched 18 miles. The day was cool and the roads in fine order. Turned cold at night. Very cold for this season. Received the mail.
April 23, 1865—Cold & windy. The 2nd Division loading on the cars. Our baggage loading. The wagon train moved out early for Knoxville with orders to turn their teams over, then the wagon train moved out early. The 2nd Division all got off. Te weather moderated in the evening.
April 24, 1865—Fine morning. Still at the Gap. Got the news of the cessation of hostilities & the surrender of Johnston. Near 300 rebs came through on parole from Lee’s Army. Also 1100 rebs taken by Stoneman.
April 25, 1865—Beautiful morning. Went down to the train & saw the piece of artillery that Gen. Stoneman’s force captured. It shot 85 balls at one discharge, breach-loading. Also 11 other pieces captured at the same time. Three of them taken from our forces at Chickamauga. No news of special note.
April 26, 1865—Fine morning. All the troops gone except our Brigade. Three men detailed for picket with orders to come in at reveille. In the morning a brigade of rebels from Lee’s army camped close to us. Got acquainted with a Mr. Harmen. Had orders to move in the morn.
April 27, 1865—This morning got aboard the train early and started for Knoxville. Roads are rough. Arrived at Knoxville at 3 in the evening. Laid by till near 11 o’clock at night. No news of special note. The train loading with wagons.
April 28, 1865—Between Knoxville and& Chat. Fine day. Passed the ambulance train Arrived at Chattanooga near noon. Laid there only a few minutes. Moved on to Stevenson at dark. Laid there till 9 o’clock.
April 29, 1865—On our road from Stevenson to Nashville. Reached Murfreesboro at 9 in the morn. Arrived at Nashville at noon. Moved out four miles from town and camped. I received a letter from Will Phares & one from [ ]. John Berry came to the company. Maj. Denny [?] came to the regiment.
April 30, 1865—Cloudy. Policing quarters and drawing rations/ I wrote a letter to [ ]. Policing quarters and fixing our camp. The evening was fine. No news of special note. Got the news of the surrender of Gen. Johnston. Company inspection.
May 1865
May 1, 1865—The first day of April was a beautiful day. Clear and pleasant. No special news. The duty the same as usual. I washed my clothes. Had General Inspection and was ordered to change full rig. Some talk of being discharged.
May 2, 1865—Fine morning. The weather beautiful. Drew some sanitary grub. The guard duty being strict. Some talk of being discharged. Policing quarters & camp duty. No special news. I received three letters. One from Dave and one from Kate and one from Sarah.
May 3, 1865—Fine morning. Went to the Christian Commission & wrote Kate a letter. Drew rations. Received orders to get ready [ ]. Talk of being mustered out. Heard that [ ] had surrendered.
May 4, 1865—Beautiful day. Drew clothing. I drew one hat. Drew some sanitary goods. I went to the commission rooms & wrote Sarah one letter. Went through the movements of review. So special news. I have not been well for the last four days.
May 5, 1865—Beautiful day. No news of special note. Drew clothing and ordnance preparatory to grand Review. Had regimental drill. I wrote a letter. Various reports about going home. All quiet in this department.
May 6, 1865—Fine day. Detailed to police quarters. Duty here as division guard. No person allowed to go to town without a pass.
May 7, 1865—Beautiful day. Clear and fresh breezes. Had regimental inspection in the morning. Our encampment is near 4 miles from town on the [ ] Pike.
May 8, 1865—Laid in camp. Various reports about mustering out men. Nothing of special note occurred, The weather fine and warm. Our encampment very poor. Wet, swampy ground and poor water. Nothing to do but Brigade Guard.
May 9, 1865—Had Grand Review and entire Corps out. Wagons and artillery reviewed by Gen. Thomas, Stanley & Wood. A great many citizens out to see the review. The day very hot. No news of special note.
May 10, 1865—Cloudy and raining. I was on camp guard. No news of note. Rained very hard at night. Just getting well of a very bad cold. Our company turned over to Lieut. Smith yesterday & today all quiet.
May 11, 1865—Raining most all day and turned very cold for this season of the year and latitude. No news from any quarter of note Some talk of Jeff Davis being captured. Looking to be sent to our respective states.
May 12, 1865—Beautiful day. No news of special note. Our regiment out on drill. The talk the same as usual. Some talk of going to Jonesville to be mustered out. The boys all well. No news from home.
May 13, 1865—Beautiful day. Clear and warm. Laid in camp. Drew wood in the evening. Capt. Joel A. Delano came to the company and brought his wife. No news of note. I wrote to [ ]. The evening beautiful.
May 14, 1865—Beautiful day. Laid in camp. The usual routine of camp duty besides regimental inspection in the morning and company inspection in the evening. Received the news of the capture of Jeff Davis and party by Col. [Benjamin D.] Pritchard of the 4th Michigan Cav.
May 15, 1865—Nothing of special note occurred. I was detailed for police—the regular camp duty. The weather very warm even for this latitude.
May 16, 1865—I and James Phares & Tom Hendrickson & Jager & [Samuel] Phipps got a pass to the [Nashville] battlefield. Stepped the distance from our battery the last day to the rebs. 700 yards. Took minute observations of the works and ours & of the field in general. No news of note.
May 17, 1865—Beautiful morn till near noon. Then a very heavy rainstorm. I was on picket duty. No news of special note. I received two letters—one from B and one from [ ]. The talk of being mustered out the same.
May 18, 1865—Raining most all day. Occupied the time in raising our tent & building a bunk out of poles. The corn here large enough to plow. Mr. Smith came to town. Nothing news transpired.
May 19, 1865—Cloudy. Occupied the time in cleaning quarters. Had company drill in the morning. Had a new Brigade Commander—Brigadier General Doolittle. Wrote Pa a letter. No news of importance. Detailed for picket.
May 20, 1865—On guard. The day clear and pleasant. James Pyle struck Green[up] Weekly with a hatchet and tried to escape. Smith’s father was out at camp. No news of importance. The bridge washed away between here & G____.
May 21, 1865—Relieved from picket early in the morning. Regimental inspection. A very heavy rainstorm in the evening and some hail fell. Drew tenting. Cut down a tree in the [ ]. The Cumberland [river] very high.
May 22, 1865—Beautiful day. Laid in camp. Had company drill. Washed my clothes. Had orders to prepare for Brigade Inspection. Turned over condemned property. No news of note. Was on fatigue duty. [William S.] Woodsworth of Co. H drowned.
May 23, 1865—Fine morning. The regiment inspected by Brig. Gen. Doolittle. The arms and quarters very minutely. The day very warm. No mail for the last three days owing to the high water. James Pyle tried by Maj. Denny. No special news.
May 24, 1865—Beautiful day. Laid in camp all day. Had regimental drill in the evening. Miss Delano went home. Nothing special occurred.
May 25, 1865—Detailed to get poles and hauled a bunch for camp. Rained in the evening. The mail came in. No news of special note. drew rations. Heard that Kirby Smith was killed.
May 26, 1865—Nothing special occurred. There was an order came to the division to muster out the 62 men or to not pay any that their term of service expired previous to the first of October next.
May 27, 1865—I went to Division Headquarters and got two guns repaired. Dress parade in the eve. Heard that Hiram G___ was dead. Nothing new. The weather very good.
May 28, 1865—Beautiful day. Clear and pleasant. Regimental inspection in the morning. Company inspection in the evening and dress parade. Some rumors that Kirby Smith had surrendered. No news with the exception of preparing to muster out.
May 29, 1865—Very fine day. I was on camp guard. The conspirators for the assassination of President Lincoln on trial. General Sheridan on his way to Texas. The archives of the State of Tennessee returned by force.
May 30, 1865—The weather continues good. Fine for growing. There has been considerable sickness in our regiment. Passed the day in laying around. Took a swim in the creek. Corn big enough to plow. Heard that John C____ was dead.
May 31, 1865—Beautiful day. Laid in camp cleaning up for inspection by the Division Inspection. Had regimental inspection. The rolls came back. Signed them. Talk of our getting pay and going to New Orleans. All quiet.
June 1865
June 1, 1865—Very warm. Had inspection of arms and accoutrements and camps by the Division Inspector. I received a letter from mine and wrote one. Joel had his mess & tent taken for a negative for photo. I had a half dozen taken yesterday.
June 2, 1865—The weather for the last 10 days has been very warm with frequent thunder showers. No news of special note. The brigade formed a torchlight procession to welcome Brig. Gen. A[ugust] Willich.
June 3, 1865—Very warm. The wheat beginning to ripen. Corn knee high. Had brigade drill by Gen. [August] Willich in the morning. there was an order came yesterday to discharge all 62 men that came in or that their time expired by the 31st of September.
June 4, 1865—Capt. House went to Division Headquarters & got orders to be ready to be mustered out by friday. Had regimental inspection by the Major. Company inspection in the evening.
June 5, 1865—Very warm. Laid in camp making out the rolls, A detail to make a shade over the Captain’s tent. Regimental drill by Gen. Willich in the evening. The post master came to the brigade.
June 6, 1865—Preparing to pay off. Signing the rolls. Making out our rolls for discharge. Brigade drill and regimental in the evening. No news of special note. Some talk of the Corps going to New Orleans.
June 7, 1865—The weather the same as usual with regimental and parade drill. The wheat ripe enough to cut. Corn looks well. No news from home for the last month. Nothing special in the papers.
June 8, 1865—Laying around in the shade to keep cool. The other brigades in our division paid off. The drill as usual. Rained in the evening. We heard that there will be a meeting to choose a [ ].
June 9, 1865—Fine morning. Cool and balmy. Turned our guns and knapsacks and haversacks and canteen over. Received orders to stay in camp for pay. Paid off at night 8 months pay up to the 1st of May.
June 10, 1865—Preparing to be mustered out. the rolls made out.
June 11, 1865—Laid in camp, Had regimental inspection and the rest of the day spent in lounging about making out new rolls and discharges. Talk of trying to raise a meeting by some of the brigades.
June 12, 1865—Nothing new occurred of any note. Consolidating the various regiments into two brigades, 1st and 3rd under Gen. Willich & Beatty. All the 62 troops mustered out. The Gen. talks of the Corps going to Texas.
June 13, 1865—Passed the time in lounging about camp. Our rolls all ready to be signed in the morning and to be mustered out. The boys on a spree for several days. All the other 62 men mustered out. Capt. House making out our rolls.
June 14, 1865—The mustering officer came over and examined our rolls and mustered us out. Started for Nashville. Got transportation for Louisville. Started at 7. The other companies did not get off.
June 15, 1865— Arrived at Louisville and crossed over to Jeffersonville. Got aboard the train and started for Indianapolis. Some wheat cut. Arrived at Indianapolis at 12. Took our rolls to the pay master. Got aboard the train for Shelbyville. Arrived at home 12 at night.
June 16, 1865—At home and enjoyed myself looking over the farm and greeting my old friends and relations. No news of special note.
June 17, 1865—I and Pa went to town and to mill. Heard that the boys had left for Texas. I bought a coat & a vest & one linen coat & three for $7. and one [ ] for $21.
Tally Wicker sits second from left; his parents Thomas and Nancy Wicker sit at center.
Lieutenants Tourgee, Wallace, & Morgaridge of 105th OVI, July 1863, L. R. Stevens Collection
These letters were written by George W. Phillips (1843-1862), the son of Andrew R. Phillips (1809-1877) and Margaret E. Roberts (1815-1883) of Chagrin Falls, Ohio. George enlisted in Co. E, 105th Ohio Infantry on 5 August 1862. Upon mustering the regiment, officials quickly ordered the 105th to Covington, Kentucky, with the regiment arriving at this location on August 22, 1862. Three days later, the 105th advanced to Lexington, Kentucky, where the organization prepared to defend the city against General Kirby Smith’s Confederate army. On August 30, 1862, the regiment departed Lexington for Richmond, Kentucky but soon returned to the departure city upon learning that Confederate forces were in possession of Richmond. On September 1, 1862, Union forces, including the 105th, in Lexington withdrew to Louisville, Kentucky, arriving at this new destination on September 5, 1862. At Louisville, officials assigned the 105th to the 33rd Brigade, 10th Division of the Army of the Ohio, and were soon to engage in the Battle of Perryville.
It isn’t known if George was with the regiment in the Battle of Perryville on 8 October 1862. Clearly he became ill rather quickly in the service and could not endure the rigors of camp life. In his letter of 21 November 1862, written from General Hospital #10 in Louisville, George tells his parents of his treatment and says his “lungs have been growing worse.” Less than a month later, George died of pneumonia on 18 December 1862. He was buried in Bainbridge, Geauga county, Ohio.
I thought that I would write you a few lines before I leave. The prospect is now that we leave today for we heard cannon firing heavy last night from 8 o’clock till 1 o’clock. And they are most all in now & they are issuing 40 rounds of cartridges apiece & things are all in a stir. But enough about this.
I am well & tough. The Colonel is just going up to headquarters. When we was in Covington, we stayed in front of Gen. Grant’s father’s house. 1 I had a long talk with him.
I think that we shall have something to do before long but I must stop and go and clean my gun. Write soon. From your affectionate son, — G. W. P.
Direct to Lexington, Kentucky, Co. E, Care of Capt. B[yron W.] Canfield, 105th Regt. OVI
1 Jesse Root and Hannah (Simpson) Grant lived in a two-story brick home at the corner of 6th and Greenup Street in Covington from 1859 to 1873.
Jesse Grant Home in Covington, Kentucky
Letter 2
Addressed to Mr. Andrew Phillips, Chagrin Falls, Cuyahoga county, Ohio; postmarked Louisville. Kentucky
November 21st, 1862
Dear father, mother, sister & brothers,
I received your letter of the 13th today and was glad to hear from you once more & to hear that you are getting along so well with the work. I have had to have another fly blister ¹ on my breast. My lungs have been growing worse for some time but I am in hopes that they may get better. I am so deaf that I cannot hardly hear common talk close by. The doctor thinks that those fevers that I had is what causes it but he [said] that he cannot do anything for it. He wanted to draw a fly blister behind each ear to cure it but I told him nix.
Chapman had his discharge some time ago & went home & that boy that had not heard from his folks has got his & gone home. His father came here & got it for him. Since you was here, they have got a woman nurse that attends to what is brought in here for the sick & she told me that the doctors told her than when anyone came here after their boys or brothers or any of their friends, at first they refused them right up & down. But if they stayed here a few days & kept teasing, that they would let them go after awhile. I guess that Porter will get his discharge in a few days for he is nothing but skin and bones and he is very childish about some things & the doctors took his name & he talked to Porter about it. I tell you what — he is the poorest man that I ever saw. There is not any flesh on him at all hardly & his eyes are sunk into his head.
That man that bled so has got quite smart. He sits up with his clothes on most all day. He eats all he can get. He sent out this morning & bought a pound of butter & a dozen of eggs. Eggs is 30 cents a pound. We draw butter about half of the time. I sent out & got 10 cents worth of butter that was sweet nice butter & 5 cents worth of apples. I got 6 pretty good sized apples for it. I have drawed me a pair of blue pants & I can draw a dress coat if I thought that I would need it but I can buy a new one off one of the boys for $5 & if I draw one, it will cost me $6.73. Which had I better do? I have not got me a pair of boots yet & shall not pass some time yet if I stay here in the hospital. I want you should send me my watch if anybody comes down here from that way that you can send it by for it is so much company for me. You need not send it unless you get a good chance to send it by someone that is coming down here.
I will get my letters sooner if you do not write the numbers of the regiment nor the company on the envelope. I am a going to get transferred on to one of the gunboats as soon as I get well enough & I will not have to carry my knapsack there. I can get a transfer if I want, I think. Don’t you think that I had better for I never can stand it to march & carry a knapsack.
Write soon & tell me what you think about it. From your son, — G. W. Phillips
¹ A fly blister was a cantharidal blister caused by the vesicating body fluid of certain beetles. It was occasionally used to treat pneumonia under the notion that it increased the peripheral circulation, thus decreasing the congestion in the lung beneath its site.
I could not find an image of Seymour but here is one of Loren F. Packard who served in Co. E of the 5th New York Cavalry(Photo Sleuth)
The following letter was written by Seymour Orlando Drake (1841-1863) who enlisted at Crown Point, New York, to serve three years in Co. H, 5th New York Cavalry—sometimes referred to as the First Ira Harris Guard. The regiment left the State on November 18, 1861, and served in the Department of Annapolis, Md., from November, 1861 until they were reassigned to the 5th Corps and Department of the Shenandoah in March, 1862.
Capt. James Penfield’s 1863-1864 Diary describes the death of Corp. Drake on 30 May 1863.
Corporal Drake did not survive the war. He was one among the twenty troopers who volunteered to charge on a Rebel battery in Mosby’s command that was attacking a Federal locomotive on the orange & Alexandria Railroad near Greenwich, Virginia, on 30 May 1863. The troopers were within about ten yards of the cannon when it opened on them with grape and canister killing or wounding all but seven. Drake was killed instantly with a grape shot through the head.
Seymour’s parents were Amos Begelow Drake (1812-1891) and Lucinda Chellis (1812-1890). He wrote the letter to his sister, Ann Eliza (“Lide”) Drake (1843-1927). He refers to his older brother Harvey B. Drake (1834-1922) and his sister in law, Martha J. (Crawford) Drake (1835-1876).
Transcription
The patriotic stationery used; “The result of Uncle Sam’s Government—Peace, Plenty, and Prosperity.”
Camp Harris, Annapolis Co. H Saturday afternoon, February 8th 1862
I am in a tent alone. Got to thinking about you. I thought I would write you a few lines. I don’t think I can improve my time any better. I received a letter from you day before yesterday and one the day before that and answered it. I like to get letters from home and like to hear that you are all well. I have been a looking for a letter from Harvey and Martha but it is in vain.
I am enjoying good health at present and I hope that these few lines will find you enjoying the same blessing.
Our company was inspected closer than they have ever been before by a doctor from Washington. Every man was stripped and they was three men throwed out of the company. John Oakley 1 was one of them. Henry Griffin 2 was one—the man that bet Mr. Benedict—and a man by the name of Woodward from Port Henry, so they will come home in a few days.
Sunday, eleven o’clock. Just got in from drill. I call it a drill but the Captain calls it an inspection. Well, this is a nice day here. The ground is as bare as June. It han’t much like Schroon. Still we have a good deal of rough weather here. Rain one day, snow the next, and then good weather a few days.
Well, Lide, I got a letter from Renda this morning and a short line from you. Was glad to get them. I will answer them both today if I can and to Harvey too for John Lamb is going home tomorrow and I can send them by him right home. Well, I will close this letter and try to write another one today. I will try to get my picture taken on my horse and send it to you by John Oakley.
Much love to all. Write soon as you get this. So goodbye for this time. From Seymour O. Drake
To Lide Drake
1 Rejected physically in 1862, John J. Oakley (1839-1864) of Schroon, Essex county, New York, later enlisted in August 1863 to serve in Co. D, 2nd New York Cavalry. He served as a teamster until he died on 4 July 1864 at Morganzia, Louisiana.
2 Probably Henry Griffin (b. 1830) of Ticonderoga, Essex county, New York.
The lack of detail conveyed in this letter will forever make it impossible to know the author’s identity as anything other than “Henry” but we can make a few assumptions. Most likely he was a late war draftee who opted to enlist in the US Navy rather than be taken into the infantry where he would have no control over his assignment or duties. Though life at sea was potentially hazardous, the horrors of the battlefield probably seemed more frightening to this young man. The amount of the money he sent home informs us that he received a bounty for his enlistment. He was also most likely still on a “receiving ship” in Boston, Philadelphia, or New York where he was being drilled in his duties as a “landsman” and was not yet assigned to his permanent ship.
What interested me the most about this letter was the rare ink impression of a sailing ship on the letterhead. I have not seen it before on mass-printed stationery and the crudeness of the stamp and the smudges of ink with discernible fingerprints in the margins leaves me wondering if it was not a user applied stamp—particularly since there is no logo, caption, or printer’s mark combined with the fact that it was printed in only one ink color.
Unusual Letterhead
Transcription
April the 1st 1865
I now take my pen in hand to let you know that I am well and hope that these few lines will find you the same. I drawed my money yesterday and expressed 165 of it today and if you will go to the office and get it and my clothes, I will make it right with you—and I expressed two watches too.
I suppose you will want to know how I like the Navy. Well, I will tell you. As far as work is concerned, I like it, but for choice, I had rather have land forces. But one thing, they can’t force me into battle.
I would like to hear from you but don’t write until I get on my own boat. Give my best respects to all. Yours respectfully. From Henry
John Russell was 33 years old when he volunteered to serve in Co. G, 21st Illinois Infantry. He was the son of Alexander Russell (1794-1863) and Jane Jack (1797-1873) and was still living and working on his father’s farm in Clay county, Illinois, at the time of the 1860 US Census. Living in the household as well was his younger sister C. Sophia Russell (1840-1934), to whom he addressed his letter.
John Russell, ca. 1875
The muster rolls of the 21st Illinois inform us that John mustered into the company on 28 June 1861 and he was discharged for disability on 24 March 1864. The regiment’s first colonel was Ulysses S. Grant. It was ordered to move to Ironton, Missouri, on July 3, but instead operated on the line of the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad until August. Grant was promoted to brigadier general and became commander of the District of Southeast Missouri on 7 August, being replaced by regimental lieutenant colonel John W. S. Alexander. The regiment reached Ironton on 9 August 1861 and saw its first action at the Engagement at Fredericktown in late October. The first major engagement was at Stones River in December 1862 and January 1863. It was shortly after that battle that John wrote a letter to his sister Sophia in which he provided great detail of the regiment’s action. See “Getting Bitten by the Bait: The 21st Illinois at Stones River” by Dan Masters (Civil War Chronicles).
Transcription
Addressed to Miss C. S. Russell, Xenia, Illinois
Ironton, Missouri November [1861]
Dear Sister,
I take my pen to write you a few lines to inform you of my health which is very good, and there is little else to write. I received a letter from Doc some time since and one from Ann on Saturday and was glad to hear from you all. I have had no time to write for the last two or three weeks, having been in camp but little and on duty all the time. As week ago I expected to be at home now and had my furlough made out but an order was issued forbidding the granting of any more furloughs at present and mine was not signed yet. I could not come but I hope to soon.
We are stationed here for the winter and are at work here now a putting up winter quarters. I have had charge of 20 men for the last 4 days a chopping and hauling logs and only get to write now by getting F. M. Finch to take my place this afternoon. We will get them up in 4 or 5 days more. We have had a fine fall, but it is a little cold now. We had a fine little snow on Friday last, and we are in a hurry to get to our new quarters.
I think the government will soon put forth all its energies which it has been so long gathering to put down this rebellion. We know here that when furloughs are denied, a move is on foot and this denial is now universal and we know there is a general movement of importance contemplated and I hope its success will more than compensate me for the disappointment of not getting to go home.
“I am not waging a war for emancipation but I would seize the slaves of every rebel and set them to work at wages or to fight as most convenient and at the close of the war, give them their freedom…”
John Russell, Co. G, 21st Illinois Infantry, November 1861
There was a feeling of general indignation at the removal of Frémont and still more at the order of General Halleck that all fugitive slaves in our camps or that may come to them hereafter must be driven off. But in all there is a determination to sustain the government hoping that it would be compelled to come around right in time. All that is wanting to a speedy success is a man to hold up the thing square and use the means of success that we possess. I am not waging a war for emancipation but I would seize the slaves of every rebel and set them to work at wages or to fight as most convenient and at the close of the war, give them their freedom, placing them wherever Providence opened up a place. Thus we would get rid of slavery and by having them on hand, it is likely that the best disposition would be made of them that could.
I think the war will be over by the first of May unless there are some serious blunders on our part. I think our troops will occupy Memphis and Nashville in four weeks from this time.
But I must close. I hope this may find you all well. I send enclosed to Pap 25 dollars. I still save enough to bring me home if opportunity occurs. We have a good time here—plenty to eat and plenty to wear and not much to do. Write often and I will as often as I can. Yours, &c. — John Russell
Spared & Shared 23 