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.
I could not find an image of Isaac but here is a self portrait of Sgt. John T. Becker who also served in the 105th Illinois Infantry (Co. G).
The following letters were written by Isaac D. Kelley (1834-1871), the son of David Kelley (1806-1876) and Susanna Dixon Jones (1799-1884) of DuPage county, Illinois—formerly of Rutland, Vermont.
Isaac was listed as a 28 year-old single farmer of Naperville, DuPage Co., Illinois when he was mustered in as a Sergeant at Dixon, Illinois, in Co. B, 105th Illinois Infantry. He was described as being 6 feet tall with blue eyes, dark hair and a dark complexion. He mustered out as a sergeant at Washington DC on June 7, 1865. His name does not appear on the veterans monument in the cemetery though it does appear in numerous old lists of Civil War veterans buried in Rutland cemeteries. Isaac was married on 17 April 1864 while still in the service (he mentions getting a leave to go home in late March 1864 to get married). He married Zina Whitney in DuPage Co., Illinois. Isaac survived the war but died tragically in 1871 while on his way to Rutland to buy a train ticket for his mother. On that day, he was robbed and murdered at the old Billings covered bridge. He was 37 years old.
Both of these letters were written to his younger brother, Thomas Benton Kelley (1838-1915) who served in the 8th Illinois Cavalry.
Letter 1
Headquarters 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 20th Army Corps Near Marietta, Georgia July the 10th 1864
Dear Brother Benton,
Absent but not forgotten, I take my pen in hand to let you know that I am still alive and right well. Hope these few lines will find you the same. Dear brother, I hope that you have not forgotten your brother. It seems a long time since I have had any letters from you and it is too.
I left Nashville for home the last of March [and] have not had any letters since. I should of wrote to you before now but I had not got your address. But I have just got a letter from mother and she sent it to me. Dear Brother, I hardly know what to write as I have no news but will try and make up something. We have come to a halt. Have been here three days. Hope that we will stay some time cause the men and horses are all beat and we are within about 10 miles of Atlanta. When we get that, I think we will have a rest—at least I hope so.
We have had a busy, hard campaign. We have been through some of the worst places that you ever saw. I am sure that if they cannot hold the places that they have passed through, they cannot hold any at all. The Reb prisoners that we take all say if we get Richmond & Atlanta, they will not fight anymore. I hope that is so, but the thing is awfully mixed. A man cannot tell. I shall think they are going to [ ] when they lay down their arms.
The Boys are all well. I have just had a letter from home. All well. Bent, when is your time out? Pleas let me know in your next letter. How I wish that my time was out when yours is, but I can wish and that is all the good it will do me. But I must close. Remember me to all that I know. yours in haste, — I. D. Kelley
Letter 2
Camp near Atlanta, Georgia August 4th 1864
Dear Brother,
It is with pleasure that I take my pen in hand to let you know that I am well. Hope that these few lines will find you the same.
Dear brother, I received a letter from you some days ago but have failed to answer it until now for I have been very busy since the 14th of July. Have been on the move almost every day. We have had some awful hard fighting since the 10th of last month and the 20th Corps has had its share of it to do and a little more. Dear brother, it is awful to see how our boys slayed the Rebs the 20th and 22nd and 29th of July. The Rebs just lay in heaps. They came against the 20th Corps 4 and 5 lines deep and ours only one but our boys drove them back six times in succession. They just lay in heaps. We had 150 of their wounded in our hospital. Those that were slightly wounded got away but you better believe that many of them that we got had holes enough to last them a spell. Many of them died while we lay there and many more will.
Hooker has left us and I am afraid that we will miss him. The boys did not want him to leave. He had the confidence of the boys and they had that of him. But it may be that it is all for the best. I hope so, at least. But enough of this.
We are within 1.5 [miles] of Atlanta. General Sherman could take the place [in] 24 hours if he saw fit but he would have to lose a good many men. They Rebs have a good many men. The Rebs have got awful strong works in our front. The best that you ever saw, I guess, but they have got to get out of Atlanta sooner or later. It may take some time but it will be done.
But I must hasten to close. Your time is almost out. Wish that mine was as near. I hope that you will get out all right. Please to remember me to sister Mary and all of the rest of the friends. Goodbye. Write soon and all the news. Yours in haste, — I. D. Kelley
This image from Find-A-Grave is purported to be Gilbert but the uniform doesn’t look correct.
The following letter was written by 17 year-old Gilbert Ogden Olds (1844-1922), the son of Madison Thurston Olds (1811-1880) and Elizabeth Brown (1824-1860). Gilbert was residing at Bloom, Seneca county, Ohio, in December 1861 when he enlisted in Co. G, 55th Ohio Infantry. They were not mustered in until late January 1862. The expedition to Moorefield, Virginia, which Gilbert relates in his letter occurred in mid-February so this letter must have been written in the latter half of February 1862. He remained in the regiment until May 1864 when he was transferred into the Reserve Corps. The 1890 Veterans Schedule indicates he received a gunshot wound to the shoulder.
Gilbert wrote the letter to his Uncle Otia Olds (1807-1888) of Erie county, New York.
Transcription
Addressed to Mr. Otia Olds, Willink P.O., Erie county, New York
Camp Kelley 55th [Ohio] Regiment, Co. G [Latter half of February 1862]
Otia Olds, sir,
I now find myself seated to write you a few lines on this bit of paper. I am not very well at this present time. Herbert is well. I got a letter from home a few days ago. I stated that they were all [well] excepting Francis and Emma who has not been very well for a time past.
We had only one battle since we have been in the field. We carried the stars and stripes through the streets of Moorefield, Virginia, for the first time since this rebellion started. We lost no men. We only had two slightly wounded. On the other side, there was 17 killed, 20 wounded, [ ]2 taken prisoners. We also took 250 head of cattle [and] several head of nice horses.
Uncle Otia, the health of our regiment at the present time is not very well. There has been 12 deaths within the last two weeks, but it is gaining. As for rations, we have plenty beef, pork, potatoes, rice, beans, sugar, coffee, bacon, and bread. We have plenty to eat, drink and wear, and a dry place to sleep and we sleep very comfortable.
We are a going to get new tents today. Well, Uncle, I guess that we will have to quit for I do not know what to write. Please excuse my poor writing and bad spelling. Written in haste. write soon. Goodbye. Give my best respects to all. Yours truly, — Gilbert Olds
To Mr. Otia Olds
Via Grafton, Taylor county, Va. Camp Kelley, 55th Regt. Co. G, OVI
The following letter was written by Alanson Edson Kimball, Jr. (1838-1927), the son of Alanson Kimball (1807-1888) and Josephine Hobby (1810-1882) of Orleans county, New York. Alanson enlisted on 26 August 1862 at Lockport to service in the 17th New York Light Artillery (the “Orleans Battery”). He manned the center 3rd gun. He mustered out of the battery on 12 June 1865.
In his letter, Alanson references his brother Henry (“Hank”) Harrison Kimball (1840-1880) who served in Co. F, 3rd US Regular Infantry.
Alson wrote the letter to his cousin, Alanson Kimball Bacon (1835-1927 of Albion, Orleans county, New York. He was the son of Hosea and Matilda (Kimball) Bacon.
Transcription
Addressed to Alanson Bacon, Albion, Orleans county, New York
I have often thought of writing to you, but have never got at it until now. This morning finds me well and in the best of spirits. The Battery has just gone out for drill. We drill most every day. We go out about eight and drill about an hour and come in and the rest of the day we spend fixing up our camp. I think we have got the prettiest camp I ever saw. It is situated about thirty yards west of the Court House. I think if we could stay here this winter, we could enjoy ourselves, but it is rather uncertain about our staying. We will know in a few days if we go.
We will go into the Army of the Potomac. I would like to go if we could go into the 5th Corps. Hank is in that Corps. I had a letter from him about two weeks ago. He was then at Cedar Run. He was well. When the army fell back here, he came within two hundred yards of our camp. I did not know what Brigade and Division he was in or I should of found him. I wish you could been here when the army was back here. It looked the most like war I ever saw it. The road and fields was filled with troops and wagons for miles. This Government is a big machine or it never could keep the thing a running.
There will be some large battles fought before the first of December. They will not get a chance to concentrate their forces at different points as they have before. It is the intention to give them battle at different points. I would be glad to see this cruel war ended, but not till every traitor lays down his arms and confesses his wrongs. I would like to see them all come out as that Rebel General did in Arkansas. I presume you have read his address.
I received a letter from Ebenezer the other day and he said your Father would like to hire my money. I should be glad to let him have it. I want it where it is safe, so if I should ever return home again, I could have it.
Mr. Brown arrived in camp last Sunday. He is not looking so well as he did when he left here. It was a good opportunity for him to go home. I would like a chance to come home in that way. My respects to all, — Alanson Kimball Jr., 17th N. Y. V. Battery Washington, D. C.
I could not find an image of Lewis but here is one of George J. Gordon who served in Co. C, 77th Illinois Infantry (Lincoln Presidential Library)
The following letter was written by Eliza (Simpson) Russell to her younger brother, Lewis Edward Russell (1846-1924). Eliza was married in 1858 to Willis Russell (18xx-1870). Lewis and Eliza were two of at least 11 children born to Edward Simpson (1799-1887) and Hatta Maria Ward (1810-1899) of Magnolia, Putnam county, Illinois. Lewis had three brothers who died relatively young, leaving him the only surviving son at the time of his enlistment, when only 16 years old, in Co. B, 77th Illinois Infantry on 22 August 1862.
From this letter we learn that Lewis was in the Battle of Arkansas Post on 11 January 1863. The 77th Illinois was in the thick of the fight and later claimed they were the first to scale the fort’s parapets. The 77th suffered six men killed in the battle, with another 39 wounded. Lewis was one of those wounded and was subsequently treated at Lawson Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. He was discharged from the service on 12 August 1863. Lewis lived near Henry, Illinois, until 1916 when he moved to Hollywood, California.
Transcription
Addressed to Mr. Lewis E. Simpson, Lawson Hospital, Ward No. 3, Bed 17, St. Louis, Missouri
February 7, 1863
Dear Brother,
This evening finds us still alive but not all well. Emma has got the sore throat. This is a very cold evening and I am thankful that you are in a warm house and well care for but we would be glad if you was with us. But you don’t know how glad we was to hear that you was not killed nor wounded any worse. I am very sorry that you are wounded but it may have saved your life from some other battle.
Lewis, my dear brother, be of good cheer and try and get able to come home and stay with us. You must excuse me for not answering your letters sooner but it was not because I did not think of you for indeed, after I heard about the battle of Arkansas Post, I dreamt about you every night and thought of you through the day, wondering if you was among the dead or the living, hoping that you was among the living. You don’t know how glad I was to get your letter and to hear that you was well cared for. I bet you was glad to see father come in and I was glad that he went.
He says that he is is going to kill the rest of his hogs next week and then he is going to go down and stay with you until you are able to come home if that is next March. Lewis, you have a father that loves and cares for you and nothing would make him more happy than to have his only boy back with him once more and that to stay. And your dear mother has often wept that you was gone—not only her, but your sisters also. Lewis, our home would almost be a paradise if you was with us. Sarah would gladly go and take care of you but father says that they don’t allow ladies for nurses.
Many weary days and nights have I spent thinking of my absent brother, wondering where he was and if he was well fed while we had plenty at home. Father has said that he would give anything if he could only get you back satisfied to stay at home with him and he has said that he never expects to see you again. But I am glad to say that he has been disappointed in that and I know that he is also. Lewis, would you like to come home and stay and never go to war again?
[My husband,] Willis is glad now that I did not let him go. Lewis, answer that question that I asked you in particular. We will all be so glad to have you come home once more. Don’t get tired reading my letter. Excuse this pencil as I have no good ink. I will write to you often. Write me a few lines if you are able. From your sister that loves you, good night for this time.
The following letter was written by Sgt. Isaiah Cushman (1825-1917) of Co. F, 9th Maine Infantry. He enlisted on 21 September 1861 and mustered out of the service on 27 August 1863.
Isaiah was the son of Levi Cushman (1778-1868) and Betsy Thompson (1787-1851). He was married to Barbara B. Erskine (1837-1922) in 1863 and resided in Abington, Plymouth county, Maine. Isaiah worked in the shoe manufacturing industry in Abington. During the Civil War, Abington was a major boot production center. More than half of the boots issued to Union soldiers during the war were made in Abington.
Letter 1
Hilton Head Port Royal Entrance, S. C. December 2, 1861
Dear Brother,
I received your letter this morning and hasten to write you. What shall I write you—I hardly know what. Mary is dead. Can it be? Shall we not behold that smiling face again on Earth? I can feel to weep with you that weep and to sympathize with you in the loss of a dear friend. What would you do now in your affliction if you did not believe she was with the Savior?
One of our number is taken from the Church of Christ. What is our duty now as professors of the followers of the meek and lowly Jesus. Oh! if I could live faithful and always be found at my post of duty. You have met with a great loss, but you do not mourn as those that lose friends that have no hope. You feel as though in a few short years at the most you will meet her in that world of bliss and glory.
You write let us be waiting to follow. Yes, that is it, dear brother. Live so as to meet our friends in Heaven. Oh what a happy thought. And I feel the need of the presence of my Savior here away from my earthly friends. But I believe that I hold communion with my God. We have some prayer meetings in our tents. We have no chaplain. It is a disgrace to the Pine Tree State. But we can meet our Savior at all times and in all places. The poor as well as the rich can partake of the waters of life freely.
My dear brother, I wish I could write you a good letter but I cannot. I could not if I had a good opportunity. We have to be called so often that I am confused so you will excuse me. Tell Charles W. that I will attempt to answer his kind letter in a few days. Give my love to your Mother Roberts and all of my friends in Abington. I wrote you in my last about some things. You will not feel like getting them now although I should like to have them. But I can do without them. Write often and I will try and do the same.
From your affectionate brother, — Isaiah Cushman
Letter 2
Fernandina, Florida May 25th 1862
Dear Brother,
It is Sunday and I am Sergeant of Police whose duty it is to see that the company quarters are kept clean and I have a few moments to write, but have no news of interest to write you, yet will let you know that I am well and enjoying the blessing of life and hope that I enjoy the presence of my Dear Savior who has died to cleanse me from all sin and pollution. We have much to lead us from the paths of righteousness & peace, but hope that I have not lost all of love that was shed abroad in my heart in that Glorious Revival of Abington when so many young men and when were brought into the folk of Christ. I think of that place oftener than I do my natural birth. The place seems sacred to me. Then there is Charley and Howland, Lucia, Mr. Holt, Mr. Soul, and others that are faithful in their new Master’s service. Willard Brown that is in the service battling for our liberties and G. M. Sewall who has gone to his reward with the Savior in that Glorious place where there is no war nor commotion but all is peace and love.
My courage is good. Have never been homesick enough to deprive me of my happiness. My trust is i nGod who rules in wisdom. He will tread down our enemies. Think that the fighting is about over. We hear that McClellan has taken Richmond & Halleck Corinth, Norfolk and Portsmouth, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Harrisburg. Gen. Hancock at Williamsburg (who by the way is a Massachusetts man) charged on the rebels in fine style and they fled before the northern bayonets. I wonder if they think now that one rebel can lick five Yankees. They may as the contralions [?] have it, that it takes 4 Yankees to catch one Rebel and then the fifth one whips him. Our Navy has accomplished noble deeds of valor in going past the forts and taking New Orleans, and at Island No. 10. Never did men run such risk in battle. Since Commodore Dupont took Hilton, the Rebels think that our gunboats can go anywhere. Think that they will dream of gunboats if he they are fifty miles from any water.
Things remain here about as usual. We are comfortable in our new quarters. Our company is in the [ ]. Stay with a piazza in front. We are not troubled with mosquitoes here but to go on picket guard down in the woods, we cannot sleep any. They have a log house built there. Last Sunday night I stopped there and I could hear the mosquitoes buzz as plain as you could a swarm of bees. There were thousands of them and a plenty of snakes. It will not do to tell the women much about them. The Boys killed one Blake [?] one and a coach whip as they are called. He was 6 feet long. The rattlesnakes are thick. Our captain was Officer of the Day a few days since and as he was going down the railroad to visit the pickets, he heard one rattle and looked down by his side and there was one within 8 inches of his leg and all curled up read to strike. The captain jumped across the track and then got a club and killed him. He was between three and four feet long. It was a small one, but large enough to have struck the captain above the hip. He got off lucky. Sgt. Bonney saw one about 8 feet long. It was a coach whip and very large for us Northern people to see running about.
It is reported that the ironclad steamer Monitor and five or six other ironclad boats and wooden gunboats, about 40 in all, are at Hilton Head bound, all think, for Charleston to raise the Stars & Stripes over Fort Sumter. The will do it if they undertake it. We shall expect to hear in ten days that Charleston is in the Union. Rebellion is about played out we think.
I have sent you $20 at a time in two letters. Wish you would write whether you have received it, and if you please, pay my dies at the Good Templars and also my part of the expenses for I have a good interest in that Order. Should have made arrangements to have my bills paid but forgot it in mu anxiety to put down rebellion. I received a letter from Barbone that last mail and also one the mail before the last. She writes that her health was poor and that she gets almost discouraged at times. She thinks it is living so near the salt water. I received a very good letter from Esq, Wormell the last mail. Porborie sent me the Abington Standard which contained the letter from the Orderly Sergeant of Co, E, 23rd Mass. Regt., at New Orleans to John’s widow and also the resolution passed by the company in regard to the death of brother Sewall. Am happy to get the Standard. Have not received a paper for some time from anyone. Think that Benjamin Brown has sent me some that I have never got. You must write to e often. Keep up good courage and trust in God who will. never leave nor forsake you. Pray for me. Direct to Hilton Head, Co. F, 9th Maine Regt., Hunter’s Division, S. C. Affectionately yours, — Isaiah Cushman
Letter 3
Fernandina, Florida August 18th 1862
Dear Brother,
I received your kind letter of the date of the 10th yesterday and was very glad to hear that you was well. I thank you for those flowers. It reminds me of Dear Mary who we trust has gone to rest. I think of her often. I also think often of Mother and other dear friends that have gone to that bright and happy place. What a blessed thing it is to have a hope in Jesus who has died to redeem us from all of our sins. God made a great sacrifice in the gift of His son, the greatest that He could make, And as you write, we have got to make sacrifices if we will have freedom.
You get your quota of them in Abington very easy. The town pays them well for it. Some have enlisted that I did not think would go to the war, but there is some patriotic blood coursing through the veins when the men of the Old Bay State get fairly aroused. They will all nobly. Some I see by the Standard—which I thank you for—have got married before going to the war. They will leave behind them their young wives to weep as they depart for the war. Many will be slain upon the battlefield, others will die by disease, many will mourn the loss of dear friends during this bloody war, but the future generations will rise up and call us good men for preserving liberty for them and their posterity. God speed the right. If slavery gets its death blow this time, I shall be satisfied. But our government moves slow in regard to that great sin. Halleck is in command. He may not do any better than McClellan. He can hardly do worse, but we may honestly differ about these things.
Benjamin Brown in his letter wrote that Willard Beason had been shot on picket duty, but as I have heard nothing about it since, am in hopes it is not so. There is more of our number sick in hospital now than in the spring and Albert is taking care of him. He is at a private house. He cannot stand the climate [and] will go home soon if able to do so. We buried our Orderly Sergeant M. W. Emery the 5th of this month. Sergt. Bonney is sick in the hospital but is better. Think he will join the company in a few days. My health is good & I praise the Lord for it so that I may help put down this rebellion. I have great reason to love & serve the Lord for what he has done for me. While I was going on in sin, He called me as I hope & trust into His Kingdom.
You write you think you shall send me that box soon. Write to me what the things cost so that I may pay you for them & pay you for your trouble. The boxes have all to be opened at Hilton Head so as to see that the soldiers are not speculating so you see that you could not send me any boots if we were to stay here which is doubtful. Give my love to all. Write often. Pray for me. God be with you and bless you in all your efforts in saving a fallen [ ]. Goodbye, Yours as ever, — Isaiah Cushman
I could not find an image of Ezra but here is Pvt. John Ryan of Co. H, 2nd Rhode Island Infantry (LOC)
The following letter was written by Ezra Greene, the son of Lawton Green (1811-1861) and Sarah Ann Card (1813-1904). Ezra learned the carpenter’s trade from his father and was a 22 year-old house carpenter when he mustered into Co H, 2nd Rhode Island Infantry on 5 June 1861. Company H was known as the Kentish Guards (being from Kent county) and were issued blue coats and grey trousers that no doubt added to the confusion in the fight at Bull Run.
Disenchanted with infantry service and disliking his commanding officers, Ezra shortly after the Battle of Bull Run volunteered for duty in the navy and was soon transferred.
I have written once and must write again to let you know we are all longing for action. The first battery where George belongs left here yesterday not expecting to return and I expect we shall go soon. Where, I know not. Some say to Sewall’s Point but we shan’t know until we get landed. Where the first battery stops, you will know as soon as we.
The unfinished Washington Monument as it appeared during the Civil War. (LOC)
Company H was on guard yesterday and I got a bad cold going after supper in the rain. Peleg [Card] 2 has been sick three or four days but is better now. I went to the City last Wednesday and it will be the last chance, I think. George went with me to show me the big buildings and the way into them. We went into and all over the Capitol which is all a splendid affair. Then to the Smithsonian Institute where we saw all kinds of birds and animals stuffed. Then to the Washington Monument which will be a failure on account of the great weight of stone which is crushing the foundation. 3
If anything is wanted to draw my pay from the town, just let me know. The government pay will be all I shall want which I can get after next Thursday. I have wrote several letters since I arrived and have not received one. Write soon. — Ezra Greene, Camp Sprague, Washington D. C.
Professor [Benoni] Sweet 4 will walk the rope here 4th of July.
¹ Camp Sprague was located near Gales’ woods or G. Keating’s Farm, east of North Capitol Street in Washington D. C.
2 Peleg Card was Ezra’s cousin and served in the same company. Ezra was severely mortally wounded at the Battle of Bull Run some three weeks later. In a letter dated 4 August 1861, Ezra described returning to the battlefield during a lull in the fighting to find Peleg with a wound so severe that he made no attempt to remove him, electing instead to remain by his side until he expired. Remarkably, as he lay by his mortally wounded cousin, Ezra fell asleep from exhaustion only to be awakened by a renewal of the battle an hour later, at which time he retreated from the field and followed the remnants of his regiment as they straggled back toward Washington.
3 Construction on the Washington Monument was begun in 1848 but halted in 1854 when the Monument Society ran out of money. It was apparently widely known at the time of the Civil War that the foundation was suspected to be inadequate to support the weight of the stone and so before construction could resume in 1879, the first task was to strengthen the foundation. Lt. Col. Thomas Lincoln Casey, the engineer in charge, devised a way to underpin and widen the base. Construction was finally completed in 1884.
4 “Benoni Sweet” (b. 1840)of Phenix, Rhode Island, began performing feats of danger as a tight rope walker in 1859. “The year following his debut as a daredevil, Sweet was married on January 19, 1860, to Susan Colwell of Cranston. The newspaper announcement of the marriage referred to him as Professor Benoni Sweet. The title of Professor may have been intended to distinguish him from another Benoni Sweet in Rhode Island. Dr. Benoni Sweet, born in South Kingstown in 1840, came from a family that gained renown over generations for practicing the unique skill of setting broken bones (called bonesetting). Dr. Sweet too reached some acclaim for his ability to set broken bones. In 1861, with the outbreak of the Civil War, Sweet enlisted in the Union army. On July 4, Independence Day, just weeks before the disastrous battle at Bull Run, Rhode Island military units were encamped near Washington, D.C. at Camp Clark. Sergeant Elisha Hunt Rhodes noted in his diary, “Prof. Benoni Sweet, a member of Company H, Second Rhode Island gave an exhibition of tight rope walking.” (See Robert Hunt Rhodes, ed., All for the Union, The Civil War Diary and Letters of Elisha Hunt Rhodes (New York, 1991), page 13). In August 1861, Sweet walked across Pennsylvania Avenue from the National Hotel to the Clarendon Hotel. The walk was witnessed by President Abraham Lincoln and his wife, Mary. Appreciating the welcome distraction from war, Lincoln reportedly presented Sweet with a gold dollar.
The following letter was written by William H. Miller of Co. E, 7th Illinois Infantry. William entered the service on 25 July 1861 at Mound City, Illinois, as a corporal. At the time of his enlistment he was described as a 5′ 10″ tall, brown-haired, gray-eyed single farmer. He gave his residence as Atlanta, Logan county, Illinois. However, he and Martin (“Mart”) Miller are both listed as being from Arminton, Tazewell county, on the roster as was Solomon Roberts (also mentioned in the letter). William mustered out of the service on 16 June 1865 as 1st Sergeant of his company.
In his letter, William describes the departure of the 7th Illinois Infantry from Camp Holt with other regiments on the week-long reconnaissance of the Confederate stronghold at Columbus, Kentucky that took place from January 13th to the 20th, 1862.
Co. E, 7th Illinois Infantry (Kolt Massie Collection)
Transcription
Fort Holt, [near Wickliffe, Ballard county] Kentucky January 16th 1862
Dear Sister,
I have taken my pen to try to answer those which I received from you some time ago. When your letter reached its destination, it found me lying on a bed of affliction unable to peruse your kind letter for several. days. But I have once more regained my health to a considerable degree. I am today engaged in administering medicine to Mart who has been very sick with the intermittent fever. The fever is now broke and he will get along now if he takes no back set.
I was taken sick on New Year’s Eve with the pleurisy while on my post as Sergt. of the Picket Guard.
Well, Mattie, all things in camp are almost as still as the tomb. All the Boys left here on the morning of the 14th inst. bound for Columbus. Mart and Solomon Robinson was left behind on the account of our health. I intend to rejoin my company tomorrow if Mart will continue to mend. The ground is covered with snow. The weather is very cold. You ought to saw the Boys when they left here. There was 46,000 of them left in one body with their guns glittering in the sun like so many stars in the blue etherial and the stars & stripes waved over them. It was a solemn time when our kind old Colonel [John] Cook came out and addressed them with a few words to see the tear roll down the cheek of the brave old soldier when he pointed to the stars and stripes, the sweet emblem of Liberty.
Well, Mattie, those socks you sent me was gladly received. I hardly know how I am to repay you for your kindness. Yet I will try and manage some way. You spoke of so many weddings. You needn’t be surprised if you find my name numbered on the list (to some of those Ky. Negros).
Well I must close by requesting you to write. Gove my love and respects to Mrs. Yeny & Family. So farewell. — Sergt. W. H. Miller
The shattered headstone of Joseph Long—“He was a good man, kind to the poor and respected by his neighbors.”
The following letter was written by 72 year-old Joseph Long (1789-1864) of Newtown Stephensburg, Frederick county, Virginia. Joseph’s parents were Ellis Long, Sr. (1758-1837) and Elizabeth Pendleton (1761-1844). Joseph was married to Elizabeth Wilson (1791-1862) and the couple had several children, one of whom—Robert Henning Long (1832-1909)—is mentioned in the letter.
Joseph’s letter provides a summary of the violations of the South’s constitutional rights that culminated in the dissolution of the Union in 1861. It is evident that Joseph predominantly attributes responsibility to northern abolitionists and their relentless opposition to slavery. The letter was composed shortly after the assault on Fort Sumter and the passage of Virginia’s Ordinance of Secession. The identity of Joseph’s nephew, to whom the letter was addressed, is not revealed in the letter but it’s clear that he lived in the North. It would not be long before mail service between the two sections would be suspended.
[This letter is from the collection of Greg Herr and was offered for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by express consent.]
Transcription
Newtown Stephensburg [Frederick, Va.] April 27th 1861
My dear Nephew,
Yours of the 22nd was duly received. I feel much obliged to you for writing to me for the first time, and I hope it will not be the last as it is always gratifying to me to hear from you all. I seldom hear from you and when I did, it was through my friends—the Steele family. I am sorry you did not mention your brothers & sisters & their families as I should have been much pleased to hear from you all and how you are all getting along in life. Myself and family are in usual health. Your cousin Robert H. Long is now in the Southern army stationed at Harper’s Ferry. He is second in command of a troop of cavalry 1 and has left a wife and three children, all to defend what we consider our constitutional right, as handed down to us by the Revolutionary Fathers.
The South has been imposed upon steadily by the North for the last thirty years and they have been blowing the fuel of Abolitionism until it has kindled a deadly flame which I greatly fear will result in the destruction of our once happy Union for your miserable northern abolition President seems determined to destroy as much of the public property as he possibly can. He commenced by ordering the destruction of Fort Moultrie which caused the South Carolinas to fortify and take Fort Sumter. He next ordered the destruction of Harpers Ferry. His troops succeeded in destroying an immense quantity of arms of every description of the most improved quality which caused the Governor of our State to have the place guarded by a sufficient number of troops, and all the machinery that was not injured by the blowing up and burning of the works, is now removing. to Richmond which will require 10 of our large wagons six months in transporting it. And not content with that, he has caused the destruction of the Navy Yard at Portsmouth, Va., and much valuable property estimated at ten millions dollars, causing to be burnt to the water’s edge six or seven of our most valuable war vessels, and it is thought he will destroy all the forts and public works in the State of Virginia relied on.
Whilst our conventions were endeavoring to bring about a compromise, he was filling the different fortifications with abolition troops who are determined to destroy the country or, as they say, to liberate the slaves. Now we southerners contend that our slaves are in a better and happier condition that they are in the free states. Be that as it may, twelve out of thirteen of the original states were slave states, and when that instrument that I hold next to sacred writ was framed, slavery was engrafted in it, and this Union never would have been formed without. Therefore, we of the South contend that northern fanaticism has no right to meddle with our state institution. We have upward of four hundred millions of dollars at stake in that species of property which the constitution has granted us. If one of our negroes makes his escape and we pursue him to Pennsylvania, they will imprison us three months and cause us to pay a fine of $500. The other free states have different penalties. Massachusetts imposes a fine of $5,000 and five years in the State Prison.
Ten or fourteen of the free states have adopted this method of fine and imprisonment to effect the emancipation of slavery. You no doubt think the South wrong in seceding from the Union. We of the South think differently. We contend that we are the true Union men and there is no other remedy left us of securing our property. We have held out compromises which they have treated with contempt, and as to the Capitol, it stands on southern soil and it is as dear to southerners—and I believe much more so—than to northern abolitionists. The South has only contended for her constitutional rights and wish nothing more.
You talk of much excitement & military movements. Were you here with us, you would see free negroes mounted on their own horse with their own equipage going to defend southern rights and I assure you that you never beheld a finer looking set of men ready to defend their rights, and your Aunt has furnished them with many a piece of bread & meat to cheer them on their way. And to give you an idea of the change of sentiment now prevailing among the people, at our election on the fourth of February last for members to our State Convention, out of the 152 elected, there were only 30 secessionists. Our convention is still in session and after exhausting all efforts to bring about a compromise, they have passed a secession ordinance by nearly a unanimous vote. I assure you, the South are as anxious for the Union as any people could be.
All we want is equal rights and there is no necessity for shedding blood. Let the North do as the South have done—refuse to obey the traitor Lincoln, and let him go home in disguise as he came to the Capitol, for it is beneath the dignity of any people to have a traitor at the head of Government who would disguise himself and leave his wife & family to encounter danger, whist he would forsake her & take a circuitous route, & when inaugurated, the tops of houses were covered with riflemen, beside 7,000 troops under oath to support the Lincoln administration. Did the South ever produce such a chief magistrate? No, never.
Major Steele’s oldest son is in the army. Our country is equally aroused with yours in self defense. I will send you a paper occasionally & would be glad to receive one from you. Your Uncle John & Mr. Steele desire to be remembered to you. Their families are in usual health. Gen. Harney was captured at Harpers Ferry 25th at 2 a.m. on his way to Washington & taken to Richmond. 2 Your affectionate Uncle, — Joseph Long
1 Robert H. Long served in Co. A, 1st Virginia Cavalry. He enlisted 19 April 1861.
2 In April 1861, he was ordered to report to Washington by Lincoln’s new Secretary of War, Simon Cameron. The train on which he was traveling was stopped at Harper’s Ferry, and a young confederate office boarded announcing “General Harney, sir, you are my prisoner!” He was told a Confederate battalion had surrounded the train, sent with orders to intercept him before he reached Washington. In this way, William S. Harney became the first prisoner taken by the South in the Civil War. Later, in Virginia, William received apologies for the manner in which he was brought there, and he was offered a Confederate command under Robert E. Lee. He had previously served with Lee in the U.S. Army in the Mexican War. William refused, and he was allowed to continue on his trip to Washington. [Military Career of William Selby Harney]
The following letter was written by Richard (“Dick”) Perry Elgin (1845-1882), the son of William Frederick Elgin, Sr. (1800-1880) and Minerva Ruffin Clifton (1808-1893) of Huntsville, Alabama. Richard was working at the Exchange Hotel in Montgomery when he enlisted as a private on 1 May 1864 with Shockley’s Independent Escort Company of cavalrymen. Near the end of the war or afterwards he drifted west to Wyoming Territory where he was the bookkeeper and paymaster for the “Goose Egg” Ranch. He and his crew were spending the night at Fort Fetterman after the Fall roundup when one of the cowboys named “Arkansas Red” Capps got drunk and spent all his pay. When Capps demanded more money from Dick and refused, Red shot and killed Dick with a .44-calibre pistol. Richard P. Elgin is listed as being buried at the Fort Fetterman Cemetery.
Dick wrote the letter to Charles Eugene Cabaniss (1846-1907), the son of Huntsville lawyer, Septimus D. Cabaniss (1815-1889) and Virginia A. Shepherd (1824-1907). Charles attended the University of Virginia in 1866-67, then attended Sewanee University where he studied theology. He became a minster and served as a rector in several southern states.
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Addressed to C. E. Cabaniss, Esq., Care of Commissary Department, Selma, Alabama
Montgomery April 24th 1864
C. E. Cabaniss, Esq., Selma, Ala. Esteemed friend,
I received your letter a day or two ago and now proceed to try and answer it.
I agree with you in wishing for our Old Schools days again for I have found out since I have been down here that a boy never knows how to appreciate his school until it is too late. But enough of that for as the Irishman says, “It brings soft water into every eye I have got in my head.”
When did you hear from home? I am very anxious to hear something myself for I have not received a letter from there in about six months. Don’t you think it is about time that letter ought to make its appearance? But I don’t look for letter from that part of the country now as I know it is almost an impossibility to get a letter through. Have you heard anything from Roy Wilson & the rest of the boys who remained behind? I would like very much to know what has become of them. You know Roy used to be nearly dead to go into army as well as myself & we intended to go together but he could not come out when I did and I expect if he clip the pickets he will cross the river & join some of those cavalry companies in North Alabama.
Crip, what do you think of joining now? There is a company of boys here in cavalry from the University of Alabama. They are all boys. I think if I could equip myself, I would join them but that is the trouble. I reckon I will be compelled to wait until a better opportunity offers.
No news at present. Cris Donegan & Sam Robinson left here this evening for your place. If you hear anything from _illie Chadwick, let me kow. I remain as ever, your friend, — Rich’d P. Elgin
The following letter was written by Seth F. Clark (1837-1862) to his parents, George Howe Clark and Maria Louisa Smith of Roxbury, Norfolk county, Massachusetts. Seth enlisted on 22 May 1861 as a sergeant in Co. D, 1st Massachusetts Infantry. He was elevated to 1st Sergeant on 7 May 1862 and was severely wounded in the leg on 14 December 1862 in the Battle of Fredericksburg. His leg was amputated but he died in a Washington D. C. Hospital on 31 December 1862.
Prior to his enlistment, Seth was employed as a piano manufacturer with his father.
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Camp Hooker, 1st Regiment, Co. D Lower Potomac March 5, 1862
Dear Father and Mother,
I have just received your welcome letter of the 2nd and was glad to hear that you was well. I am well and in good spirits and are in hopes to pay the rebels a visit every day and pay them up for that Bull Run fight. We have not crossed the river as yet but may any day so you will see that we are not all prisoners as you wrote, nor ever intend to be as long as we are the 1st Massachusetts [Infantry]. You must [not] believe any story that you hear about our division that you may hear or see in the papers until you hear from me. Before we move, I shall write to you and let you know whether we have crossed the river or gone on some expedition.
That other picture I intended for you to keep until I came home for I want something to remind me in after life of the place I spent the winter of 61 and 62. Sgt. [Charles A.] Brazier has been appointed in Lieut. Warren’s [Walton’s] place. He was appointed the first of the month. There is nothing new in camp except Col. [Robert] Cowden has been presented with a sword, belt, spurs, boots, sash and gloves. There were presented by a Mr. Mason of Boston last night at dress parade. The sword is a splendid thing. Colonel was like a little boy with his first pair of boots. He had to show all his presents to the boys. He told Mason that after the rebels were cleaned out, that we should come home and clean out some of the political sneaks. The boys thought that was rather rough on Gov. Andrew and his friends.
The gun boat shelled out a rebel cavalry regiment last night down the river about twelve miles, Lately the rebels have been receiving a large lot of reinforcements on the other side of this river. The New York 1st Battery came down here two or three nights ago so we have got four batteries. Three of them are encamped next to us and the other other is down the river about six miles. The two Whitworth guns are mounted in front of our camp on the hill so you will see that we have got a plenty of artillery to protect our camp. Some of the boys brought into camp today a shell that weighed one hundred and twenty-five pounds that the rebels had thrown over to our battery. It had not burst and was an ugly-looking thing, I can tell you.
Give my love to all the boys and neighbors. Jim Miller has ben appointed drum major. 25 recruits arrived in camp yesterday for this regiment. Only one out of the lot for this company. From your son, — Seth
Spared & Shared 23 