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 Oscar Fox (1832-1897) who served in Independent Battery H, Pennsylvania Light Artillery (sometimes called John I. Nevin’s Battery). This unit was organized at Pittsburgh and served in the defenses of Washington D. C. from the fall of 1862 to the spring of 1863.
At the time Oscar penned this letter in June 1863, the Battery had recently come under the command of Captain William Barrowe, a seasoned U.S. Army Regular. In the fall of 1864, Barrowe faced court martial for forging documents and submitting false reports; when President Lincoln chose not to dismiss the charges against him, he was removed from his command on March 8, 1865, and dismissed from service on the same day. He was later reinstated as 1st Lieutenant in the Second Artillery in July 1865—a decision for which the Army would come to express deep regret. Four years later, while commanding an artillery unit in Alaska, he made the unjustifiable decision to shell an indigenous village, an act for which the U.S. Government continues to issue apologies (see Army will issue January apology for 1869 bombardment of Wrangell).
Battery H, Pennsylvania Light Artillery never saw any action though seven enlisted men in the battery died of disease during the war.
Transcription
Addressed to Miss Maria Fox, Sheffield, Warren county, Pennsylvania
Fort Ramsey June 24, 1863
Dear Sister,
You will see by this letter that we have moved from Alexandria. We are stationed at this fort [but] will not remain long here. We are under marching orders. This Battery is attached to the Reserve Corps. We are not far from the 10th Regiment. I was over there yesterday. The whole division is under marching orders with three days rations in haversacks & seven with the teams. Where we are going, I cannot say, Some think we are going to Maryland, some [unfinished sentence]
David’s health is very good. I had a very pleasant visit with him. William Stilwell’s health is very good. Promotion makes no difference with David. I am very glad that we are going to remain with the reserves, There is not much news to write. My health is not very good. I am excused from duty by the doctor.
I sent home money to Jane last week to 17 dollars. Have not heard anything from it yet. I saw the letter that James wrote to David yesterday—quite a sad accident occurred there. I guess they will be more careful in future how they ride and go onto the water to play. Olive came very near being drowned. Keep close watch over Willie and Mary. Tell Jane not to let them go to the mill unless someone is with them. Tell Jane to write soon. I have not received any letter from Erastus since I left Cliffburn Barracks. I wrote to him since I received any letter from him.
There was a fight going on in hearing of us last Sunday.
I cannot think of anything more to write. I have just been to the hospital after some medicine. I will write to James & Netty as soon as I can. We have been moving so often that I cannot find time to write. There is [always] something to do when we move. Write soon. Kiss the children and think of me. I have not seen Miss Mary’s brother since I left Washington. I saw him in the city a short time before we left. He was looking very well. Said his health was very good. Give my love to all of enquiring friends [but] reserve a large portion for the folks at home for I have lots on hand. I shall have to close this not very interesting letter for want of something to write. You do not know how much better it makes me feel to get a letter from home.
Goodbye for this time. I should like to be there to help build that new mill. From your brother, — Oscar Fox
Direct your letter to Washington D. C., in care of Battery H Pennsylvania Volunteers, in care of Capt. [William] Borrowe
C. Edward Davis when he was captain of Co. E, 1st Minnesota Infantry
Though this letter was only signed “Edward,” the contents of this letter led me to the 1st Minnesota Infantry and the only officer named Edward who matched the profile. ” This letter can be safely attributed to Lt. Charles “Edward” Davis (1835-1885) of Co. I, 1st Minnesota Infantry. He later rose in rank to Captain of Co. E. There are a number of letters housed in the Minnesota Historical Society by Davis, a St. Paul (Minn.) resident who served in the First Minnesota Infantry in the Civil War. They were written to his father and siblings. In them, he comments on activities and officers of the regiment and the Army of the Potomac, and on attitudes of soldiers and civilians. There are a few letters discussing survey work for the Nebraska and Lake Superior Railroad Co. (1859-1860) and Davis’ participation in the Vermilion (Minn.) gold rush (1866). Though he signed this letter Edward, he was known to many of his friends as “Ned.”
I found a notice in the St. Paul Dispatch on 14 October 1868 in which it was announced that “Capt. C. Edward Davis” had been connected since the war with “Gen. [Gouverneur Kemble] Warren’s River Survey” but that he had been “ordered to Gettysburg to make a survey of the battlefield there. As Ned was in that battle [and was wounded there], he is a proper person to make the survey.”
Transcription
Patriotic stationery used by Edward in this letter home. Bust of Gen. McClellan.
Harpers Ferry, Virginia Thursday Morning, Feb 27, 1862
Dear Home,
For the first time since I last wrote you I find opportunity to scratch you a few lines. As I wrote you, we left camp Tuesday morning and took up line of march for Adamstown. We passed through Poolesville and about sundown we camped on a slope of the Sugar Loaf Mountain. Three regiments moved with us, viz: the N. Y. 2nd, N. Y. 34th, & 15th Mass., all of which belong to our brigade. You remember the description I gave you of the camp of the night of the 20th July. This was full as exciting as that, only not so varied. Our regiment camped in a valley, while on the hill on our right were camped the Mass 15th. Along a gully running up the mountain the NY 2nd were encamped, while the other regiment was in close proximity. To attempt to delineate the grandeur of the scene and the many varied emotions that pass through the mind, they must be given while under their influence and I will only say that it was beautifully grand. Our band struck up “Home, Sweet, Home” and other tunes which sounded grandly among the hills and which was responded to by the band of the Mass 15th.
As we expected to reach Adamstown that night, I directed my servant to go with the teams and take my traps and blankets, in consequence of which I was left without any blanket to shelter me. But the boys looked out for that and I was well taken care of. We had bright camp fires which were kept up all night.
At 4 a.m. the call was sounded to get up & up we got—each one cooking his cup of coffee in his own tin cup as we had no cooking utensils along. At 5 the bugle sounds “to the colors” & we soon marched off, reaching Adamstown about 9 o’clock where we were detained about an hour or more, when we took the cars for Harper’s Ferry and reached Knoxville, Maryland (a little below the ferry) about 12 o’clock. We then got out of the cars and after marching around the streets and standing in the mud about 3 hours, we were ordered to climb a high hill and camp. Up we went and about 5 o’clock we had begun to get ready for the night. It had commenced raining and promised to be anything but pleasant. The boys were all busy getting wood when the order came to march. We was soon into line again & marched down the hill & up the bank of the river where our forces had built a pontoon bridge and were rapidly crossing over, Banks’ Division going over first.
While waiting for our turn, Genl. McClellan rode by us & crossed this side. About dark we entered the pontoon & crossed over and were once more on sacred soil. We found quarters in one of the old arsenal buildings where I am now seated on a knapsack, my back against the wall & the paper on my knee writing to you. I have had time to look around me a little this morning although I dare not go far as I am in command of the company with no help—Capt. [John H.] Pell not yet returned. The place is nearly destroyed by fire and is deserted. None of the enemy are near us & I do not think we shall have a fight until we get to Winchester. Banks’ Division is 5 miles in advance. I think we shall march again today. Will write again soon & with kind love to all and affectionately, — Edward
The following letter was written by Egbert Benson Buzby (1842-1932), the son of John V. Buzby and Elizabeth Bruner.
Egbert enlisted at Norristown on 14 August 1862 and was mustered in the following day as a corporal in Co. A, 138th Pennsylvania Infantry for a three year term. He was wounded on 6 May 1864 in the Battle of the Wilderness but recovered and was appointed sergeant on 1 December 1864 and mustered out on 23 June 1865. At his enlistment, he gave his residence as Montgomery county and his occupation as “printer.” Indeed, in the 1860 US Census, “Egbert Busby” was enumerated in the household of printer, Robert Iredell, as one of the printer apprentices. Iredell was the proprietor of the Norristown Herald and Free Press.
The manor house at Clifton Farm sits on a 411-acre estate at the north end of the Shenandoah Valley. THe house was finished in 1834.
Transcription
Camp Clifton Farm, Virginia Tuesday, September 6th 1864
Dear Father,
I received yours of the 28th ult. last Friday evening and intended answering it right off net morning, but we got orders to move and move we did at daylight. It was quite an interesting letter. Was very sorry you had no more paper so you could have wrote me. I will try and tell you what has occurred to us since I last wrote.
The Sunday after I wrote to you we were startled while holding Sunday morning inspection by what appeared to us skirmishing, but it couldn’t be—it was so near. Aides were seen flying around and tents and camp equipage disappeared as if by magic. We soon got orders and in a few minutes were moving to our position. The 138th guarded the headquarters train to Halltown. We got back to our old position. Just as we had our arms stacked, a shell bursted over the regiment wounding a member of Co. E which was the only casualty in our regiment.
About 12 o’clock that night we fell back to Halltown and the range of hills lying between it and the Potomac—a distance of five miles. We threw up a complete line of rifle pits, I might say from the Potomac river on one side to the Shenandoah on the other. It is a splendid position. All we wanted was the rebs to attack us [but] they kept a good distance off. Our cavalry had several skirmishes. We laid there 6 or 7 days, [Gen. Jubal] Early, wanting to go into Maryland & Pennsylvania, but not liking to leave Sheridan in his rear, and still afraid to attack him (Sheridan). So Early left our front and we moved out to the old position we evacuated (here I wrote a letter home on Aug. 29) a mile or so outside of Charlestown.
The next day our cavalry [led by Merritt] kicked up a fuss at Smithfield, about 6 or 7 miles off, and were driven back to our infantry pickets. Our Division (3d) was ordered out in a hurry. We were soon ready and after traveling couple miles, we were placed in line of battle on the left of the pike, two regiments deployed as skirmishers which relieved the cavalry skirmishers who went on the right of the pike. The skirmish [line] was advanced supported by the remainder of the brigade, the first brigade following us. The skirmish line met no opposition until they were entering Smithfield where they had a slight skirmish. They drove them across the Opequan. The Division was taken back 2 or 3 miles and left there until last Friday afternoon when we were taken back to camp in a nice wood. We got orders to put our tents in regular order which we did. Two hours later we got orders to be ready to move at 4 o’clock in the morning. It was very provoking to us but we couldn’t better it any by grumbling so we kept our mouths shut and went to sleep.
In the morning the boys were sure we were going to leave the Valley and start for City Point but they were wrong. We came here to Clifton estate about four miles from Berryville. I believe the left of our line extends to the town. We are on the extreme right. We arrived here last Saturday afternoon without anything happening at all. The forces on our left had a fight near dark. It heard it very plainly but didn’t see it. You can read a better account of it in the newspapers than Madame Rumor has told me.
Sunday we put up a line of rifle pits or breastworks along the whole line. Nothing but cavalry skirmishing has occurred since Saturday. Yesterday and today has been very quiet. Mosby or somebody else has captured 40 ambulances but were re-captured so the report goes in camp. I don’t know what is going on or what we are going to do. We have to look to papers the same as you for the news in this Department.
We have had very rainy weather these last three days. It is very disagreeable. We are drawing three days rations and losing one day again. I haven’t had a letter from Mother since the 9th of August. The mail is going out right away. Your affectionate son, — Eg. B. Buzby
These letters were written by Adam (“Addy”) Turney Kreps (1842-1919), the son of Jacob Fordney Kreps (1806-1888) and Eliza E. Turney (1809-1887) of Greensburg, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. Adam began his service in the Civil War as a member of the Anderson’s Troop (15th Pennsylvania Cavalry). While with the 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Co. F, and later Co. H, he participated in the Battles of Antietam and Chancellorsville. In 1864 he was commissioned a 1st Lieutenant in the 3rd Missouri Colored Infantry but on 11 March 1864, orders were received renaming it the 67th US Colored Troop (USCT) Infantry.
Letter 1
Downsville, Maryland September 19, [1862]
Dear Father,
Since I last wrote home I have been moved and this morning am within three miles of the battlefield. We started from Chambersburg on last Tuesday. We stayed in Greencastle all night. I went up to cousin William’s and stayed all night. He had heard before that I was in the army. The people have been very much scared there. Cousin William and his partner sent all their goods to Philadelphia. So did Mr. Ziegler. Michael Kreps is in the army. He went for nine months. Gilmer Rowe is a Lieutenant in the same company.
The next morning we started south and came within one mile and a half of the battlefield. That afternoon a part of our men were in it. One was killed. He was from Philadelphia in Co. D. It was the hardest fight of the war. There was one continual roar of musketry & artillery from 5 o’clock in the morning till 6 in the evening. In all the other hard fights, they would fight for a couple of hours and rest for an hour or two, so the men told me that were in it. I think our army has the rebels now as they are above, behind, and below them and the Potomac in their front. I think our army will capture the whole rebel army.
Last night I helped to capture two rebel soldiers. I was out on picket and these fellows came to a farm house about a fourth of a mile from here and a man came and told us and we went and took them. One had nothing on but a shirt, pants, and a red Zouave hat taken from one of our soldiers.
I had not seen Charley for several days but seen him yesterday. He is very well and is carrying dispatches for a colonel on Gen. Reynold’s staff. I will have to close as I have not time to write any more. My love to all the family. I remain your affectionate son, — Adam T. Kreps
I do not know where to tell you to direct your letters hardly but I expect you had better direct them to Chambersburg as our sergeant is stationed there. — A. T. K.
Letter 2
[Editor’s note: This letter was written from Chattanooga in the midst of the Battle of Lookout Mountain which began on November 23rd with the attack on and capture of Orchard Knob. It was followed by the final assault on Missionary Ridge on November 25th.]
Chattanooga, [Tennessee] November 24, 1863
Dear cousin Frank,
I received your very welcome letter five days ago. It has been a longtime since I heard from you and would like you to be a little more punctual in the future.
Times are quite exciting here now and have been for the last few days. Our troops moved out of their works on yesterday and attacked the rebels. There was pretty hard fighting. Our troops succeeded in driving the rebs from their front line of entrenchments and captured about 500 (five hundred) prisoners and now when I am writing, I can hear the crack of the rifles and booming of cannon and I suppose there will be bloody work today. Gen. Sherman’s Corps with Davis’s Division (the 2nd and 14th Army Corps) are lying up the river about 6 (six) miles from here. They intend crossing the river and flanking the rebels. The news this morning is that Burnside’s army has been attacked [at Knoxville]. I hope they will succeed in giving the rebels a good thrashing.
I feel sad this morning for within the last 36 (thirty-six) hours we have lost one of our mess. He was drowned in the river. He was taking a dispatch over. He had to cross on the ferry boat. When it got part ways across, it sank and he jumped and was drowned (the boat did not sink altogether but raised after the load had floated out). His name was James M. Oliver. We all mourn his loss for he was loved by all his comrades.
I should like to be at home a while now as you say you are having such a fine time. I suppose Annie is Mrs. Hafron by this time. May joy go with her. I guess I have passed out of the remembrance of Annie, Mary and Ruth altogether for I have written to all of them months since and never received an answer from them. As I have nothing more to write, I will close. Write soon. I remain your affectionate cousin, — Adam T. Kreps
Letter 3
Chattanooga [Tennessee] December 18th [1863]
Dear Brother,
I received your very welcome letter of the 10th only yesterday. I will try to write a few lines in answer but hardly know what to write. The weather has been quite cool here for a few days back. The 11th & 15th Corps came in yesterday. They were up to Knoxville. The had a very hard time. A great many of them had no shoes and their clothes were very ragged. I suppose the 11th Corps has done some of the greatest marching ever done by our troops. They started from Memphis about the time of the Battle of Chickamauga, came here in time for the battle in front of this place, then from here to Knoxville and back and now it is said they go to Huntsville.
There is a good many of our escort getting sick furloughs. There has three men gone from our company within the last few days. Corporal Crumpton is among the number (you mind he was my mess mate at Murfreesboro). I sent [by him] a couple of relics of the Battle of Chickamauga—one a breastplate which I got from a prisoner on the first day of the fight, and a bullet I picked out of a tree—one day lately that I was out on the battlefield. He is going to leave them in Markle’s Paper Store in Pittsburgh. He said if he was ever through West Newton, he would call and see you.
I have not received the box yet and am not certain when I will get it as the Christian Commission are getting but very few things up as the boat cannot bring full rations for the men here. We get but three large crackers, a few beans, and about a half pound of meal a day. You will please excuse this poor writing as my fingers are numb with cold.
My love to all the folks. I remain your affectionate brother, — Adam T. Kreps
N. B. I believe I understood you to say some time before leaving for home that you had loaned Charley Weller $10 dollars. I think if he has not paid you, you had better send me a dun and I will show it to him and I think I can get it for you. — A. T. Kreps
The following letter was signed by a civilian named C. C. Wright while employed as a guard at the State Prison in Columbus, Ohio, in October 1865. I was not able to identify him further but from the content of the letter it appears that he had spent some time in Sonoma county, California, prior to the war. Perhaps he came back East to enlist as a Union soldier. In any event, he was not in military service when he wrote this letter to his friend William who lived presumably in Sonoma county where the other people mentioned resided.
The second paragraph contains interesting content pertaining to Reconstruction. The author expresses disappointment that President Johnson was too lenient on the South—a widely held belief that caused resentment particularly among Union veterans. “It seems rather poor encouragement for a man that has been out for three or four years and come home with the loss of a leg, or an arm, to see those same rebels that he has been fighting, walk up to the ballot box and vote treason again, just by simply taking the oath when we all know that God Almighty is not capable of getting up an oath that is too sacred for them to break…It does seem as though he had better put them on trial for from 5 to 10 years and then if they would get humble enough to make good citizens, let them vote—but not before. But we have fought them in the field and I expect that we will have them to fight at the ballot box and I will try and not miss a shot!” he wrote his friend.
The Old Ohio State Prison in Columbus, Ohio
Transcription
Columbus Ohio October 1st, 1865
My dear friend William,
I will now answer your letter of July 16th, which I received about 15th of September. I had began to think that I was not agoing to hear from California again, but I find that I yet have friends alive in California. You do not know how much good it did to me to hear from you, but I was sorry to hear the sad news of Mrs. [Lucy] Fike’s 1 & Henry Stephen’s death. I do not know how Mr. Fike can reconcile himself to live without her for Lucy was everything to him. Poor Henry. I was sorry to hear of his death. He did not have very good luck anymore than myself. I was afraid that his friends would be a little too sharp for him from what he had told me about them, but that is the way of the world, some make money and others get it. It is strange that I cannot get a letter from Brooks Beeson 2 for I have written to him three times since I have got an answer from him. But I suppose that he always finds something else to do. I am sorry that they have not got their place paid for yet.
Well, William, this wicked war is over and what do you think of old Andy’s way of reconstruction? It does look to me as though he was a little too soft with them. It may be for the best, but I cannot see it. It seems rather poor encouragement for a man that has been out for three or four years and come home with the loss of a leg, or an arm, to see those same rebels that he has been fighting, walk up to the ballot box and vote treason again, just by simply taking the oath when we all know that God Almighty is not capable of getting up an oath that is too sacred for them to break. They have been tried on all kinds of oaths and we have never found one yet that would hold them. It does seem as though he had better put them on trial for from 5 to 10 years and then if they would get humble enough to make good citizens, let them vote—but not before. But we have fought them in the field and I expect that we will have them to fight at the ballot box and I will try and not miss a shot.
I am at present at work at the Ohio State Prison as guard over the prisoners. The wages is 45 dollars per month & board. It is a very lazy job and for that reason, it does not suit me. I think that I will break for the frontier next spring—perhaps to Fort Leavenworth. I do not have any liking for Northern cities anymore.
Martha wrote that Harry Alexander had bought Gordon’s Mill but did not say where old Gordon had gone to. She also wrote that Hannah Alexander and Miss Fletcher was yet single. Tell Martha to give my love to them and tell them that I know how to pity them, but as long as there is life, there is hope. I do not know of any place that I would rather spend two or three weeks than with you. It would seem like old times to be back there. But I take it from the way you wrote that business was not very good. When you see Brooks Beeson, I want you to tell him that I want him to take time and write to me and tell him how to direct it. Tell him that I want him to let me know how all my old friends and neighbors are. I have no news to write you that will be interesting to you. The Sacramento Union can keep you posted on all that is going on here. Give my love and best wishes to your good wife; also to other inquiring friends, and receive this from your old friend, C. C. Wright
Please direct to C.C. Wright, Columbus Ohio, in care of J. M. Stewart, Lock Box 64
1 Lucy R. Fike (1826-1864) died in near Healdsburg, Sonoma county, California on 19 May 1864. She was the wife of Nathan Fike, who was employed by the Internal Revenue Service in 1870.
2 John Brooks Beeson (1819-1875) of Healdsburg, Sonoma county, California was a member of the California Legislature in 1863. Before going to California, Brooks lived in New Boston, Mercer county, Illinois, where he was the postmaster. He was born in North Carolina.
The following letter was written by a commissioned officer aboard the USS Thomas Freeborn in May 1864. He signed his name “George” and gave us few clues except that his letter suggests he was Baltimore, Maryland, and that he had a brother named “Gus”—probably Augustus. We know he was an officer because he mentions the possibility of tendering his resignation if the war did not end soon.
After reviewing Census and Naval Records, I’m inclined to attribute this letter to George William Yoe who enlisted in May 1861 as a Landsman, but was commissioned an Acting 3rd Assistant Engineer as of 8 August 1863. His naval record suggests he may have served on two or three ships before being assigned to the Thomas Freeborn.
In his letter, George relates an accident that occurred to the Thomas Freeborn while ascending the Rappahannock river toward Fredericksburg on a mission to clear the river of torpedos and infernal machines. While en route, the pressurized cylinder of the steamboat’s engine ruptured with a loud noise and spewed hot steam into the vessel, causing injuries to the crew and disabling her.
I thought I might be able to confirm George’s identity beyond a doubt by finding his brother Gus in the naval records or census records but I could not. The explosion of the USS Gunboat Commodore Jones on which Gus served was so absolute, that the Navy did not have a list of the sailors that survived for weeks as the few survivors were picked up and hauled off on other vessels.
Sighting a gun on board the USS Thomas Freeborn, 1861 (LOC)
Transcription
U. S. Steamer Freeborn Naval Station, Potomac River May 21st 1864
Dear George!
Your kind and welcome letter of the 12th reached me this morning or rather reached the vessel, for I was not aboard at the time it came, having had big stroll over the country all day, visiting all the country taverns in St. Mary’s county engaged in filling ourselves with beer to our heart’s content. I am so damned tired now that I am hardly able to move, for I think that I travelled at least 30 miles during the last 12 hours, and I am not used to walking much anyhow.
We are laying at a place called St. Inigoes, St. Mary’s county, Maryland, in a “smashed” condition, and I will give you the circumstances of the accident. On the morning of the 7th instant, we received orders from Washington to proceed to the St. Inigoes “Navy Yard” (a small concern) and get a torpedo catcher. Well and good so far. We arrived there on the 9th and started on the same day again to the station we came from—that is, the Rappahannock river. We got there safe with the torpedo catcher. The “dirty work” was to commence now.
A sketch by A. Waud depicting a launch from the Thomas Freeborn approaching a cask-floating mine. (LOC)
On the 12th we were to start for the City of Fredericksburg on the Rappahannock and clear the river of torpedos and infernal machines. So about two o’clock in the morning we commemced to steam slowly up the river and after about an hour’s run, suddenly those that were in their hammocks or bunks were woke up by an awful report—something like a 15-inch mortar—and a rush of hot steam into every part of the ship. Those that were on deck were safe enough as they were out of danger, and amongst those that were on the berth deck one of the wildest excitement that I ever saw prevailed for awhile as all tried to get up through the hatches at the same time and consequently made things worse for everyone thought that a torpedo had exploded under us and had blown us up.
When the fright died away a little, we examined our injuries and found that our cylinder had blown to pieces from some unknown cause. The cylinder is 52 inches diameter and 11 feet stroke and you can imagine the thunder it made when it bursted. A few men were slightly scalded and no other damage was done.
Well, this put an end to the expedition and the next day we were towed up to the Potomac by a steam tug. It might have been all for the best for we might have been blown up otherwise if we would have tried to get up the river. We are having a big thing of it now, but lose all sight of the fight that is going on now which we might have otherwise joined in.
Well, George, you asked me my opinion about Grant and the army. Well I think he is the best man in the army and has some chance of taking Richmond but I think he will have a hard job of it. As far as I am individually concerned, I don’t care a damned whether “school keeps or no,” for I am disgusted with the war, and I pray to God that it will end soon. If I don’t see any prospect of it ending this summer, I am going to resign for I think that I have done my share towards it, for a fellow is throwing his life away here. I am got the “blues” half of the time, and I believe a fellow might as well be in Hell as live discontented on board of a vessel. If I would try to get off now, I would most likely be sent to the Charleston fleet which would be like jumping from the frying pan into the fire so I will have to wait until the present campaign is over when I will stand a better chance of having my resignation accepted.
I received a letter from Punch about 15 days ago and he is well. I have not heard from Baltimore during the present month as some of my “correspondents” are getting pretty damned slack about writing, so I don’t hear much more from there than you do. I am very anxious to hear from home anyhow, as the Gunboat Commodore Jones1 on which my brother Gus was, was blown up on the James river by a torpedo and nearly all hands killed, wounded, or drowned, and I have not the least doubt that he is one of the unfortunates.
Well, George, as I have nothing new to write, I will bring this (I hardly know what to call it) to a close. Let me know whether you have not received my other letter yet, for it might have been mislaid on the road, and you may receive it yet. Don’t forget to write soon again. Hoping this may reach you in health as it leaves me. Believe me to be as ever your sincere friend, — George
P. S. Direct your letter as before. If my other letter reaches you, I guess you will have no reason to complain of the shortness of my letters. Well good night, George. I suppose I have said enough, or more than you would like to hear. I think you look first rate in your picture ad I don’t think that it indicates any homesickness. I hardly think it is worth apologizing for bad writing as I might have done better and have no excuse for it. Yours, — George
1 The USS Commodore Jones was a side-wheel ferryboat acquired by the Union Navy, valued for its flat bottom and shallow draft that could navigate up rivers in the South. She performed picket and patrol duty, dragged for torpedoes (mines), skirmished with enemy cavalry, shelled shore installations, and captured contraband goods with her shore parties. She patrolled the James River frequently in the course of her service, and there on 6 May 1864, she was destroyed by an electrically fired, 2,000-pound torpedo. The explosion claimed 40 lives.
The following letter pertains to Edwin Martin Whipple (1842-1904), the youngest son of Herman Whipple (1774-1842) and Phoebe Boa Lafferty (1816-1904) of Erie County, Pennsylvania. Edwin served in two different regiments during the Civil War. He first enlisted in enlisted in Co. C (the “Jackson Guards”) of the 23rd Illinois Infantry—the “Irish Brigade” led by Col. James A. Mulligan of Chicago. He marched with them on their expedition into Missouri and then was mustered out with the regiment in October 1861, after six months service. He then enlisted in late November 1861 to serve three years in Co. C, 111th Pennsylvania. As far as we know, Edwin remained with the regiment and was with them at the Battle of Gettysburg where he shot the hat off a rebel Colonel while skirmishing in the twilight of 2 July 1863. In the book, “Soldiers True; the story of the 111th Regiment Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers” (page 181), Edwin is listed among the wounded at the Battle of Lookout Mountain on 24 November 1863. The company roster indicates he mustered out of the 111th in late November 1864.
The letter was penned by someone named Henry McKenzie who was most likely fulfilling the duties of a hospital warden or nurse. It appears that the content of the letter was dictated to him by Edwin and that he (Henry) was not a member of Edwin’s regiment. He may have been the sergeant in the 5th Ohio Infantry by that name who was transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Veteran Reserve Corps. It’s not possible to confirm his identity. The letter does provide us with more details of Edwin’s history following the Battle of Lookout Mountain, however. Edwin’s letters can be found at The Glorious Dead.
Transcription
Tullahoma, [Tennessee] January 10th 1864
Mrs. Edy,
Madam, at the request of your son [Edwin], I address you to let you know how he is getting along. He received your letter of 30th December day before yesterday and was happy to learn that you were all in good health but thinks that Jim was foolish for enlisting.
I am sorry to inform you that his wound is much worse than it was. He got cold in it and in consequence, his shoulder is very much swollen. The doctor is under the impression that it will require to be lanced. He is unable to leave his bed but we hope that with the return of warm weather that he will speedily regain his strength. He wished you to write frequently to him and not await his replies as he is not personally able to do as yet. He wishes you to tell Jim to stay and see him as he passes. All the trains stop at Tullahoma and he cannot miss seeing the Hospital. It is the largest building here and immediately beside the Depot on the left hand side.
I remain, Madam, yours respectfully, — Henry McKenzie
P. S. He forgot to mention that he seen the Regiment going home but did not see Ben. He saw Capt. Todd and Jim Raymond of Co. H. Raymond would tell Ben the condition he was in when he saw him. — H. McK
This letters were part of a much larger collection at one time but somehow these were separated from the others I transcribed several years ago. They were written by Edwin Martin Whipple (1842-1904), the youngest son of Herman Whipple (1774-1842) and Phoebe Boa Lafferty (1816-1904) of Erie County, Pennsylvania. Edwin served in two different regiments during the Civil War. He first enlisted in enlisted in Co. C (the “Jackson Guards”) of the 23rd Illinois Infantry—the “Irish Brigade” led by Col. James A. Mulligan of Chicago. He marched with them on their expedition into Missouri and then was mustered out with the regiment in October 1861, after six months service. He then enlisted in late November 1861 to serve three years in Co. C, 111th Pennsylvania. As far as we know, Edwin remained with the regiment and was with them at the Battle of Gettysburg where he shot the hat off a rebel Colonel while skirmishing in the twilight of 2 July 1863. In the book, “Soldiers True; the story of the 111th Regiment Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers” (page 181), Edwin is listed among the wounded at the Battle of Lookout Mountain on 24 November 1863. The company roster indicates he mustered out of the 111th in late November 1864.
There are at least 60 of Ed’s letters posted on the website I created to showcase his letters and two other soldiers who wrote to Ed’s mother, Pheobe B. Edy. You can find them on “The Glorious Dead” published in 2019. There is only one letter (see below) that has turned up so far that was written while Ed served in the 23rd Illinois Infantry but my hunch is more of them will eventually turn up.
Letter 1
Stationery letterhead of Ed’s letter featuring “The Irish Brigade” harp and poem.
[Chicago, Illinois] [mid June 1861]
Dear Mother,
I now sit down to inform you of my health and enlistment with the Jackson Guards, Captain Francis McMurray, attached to the Irish Brigade. I have been quite sick but am getting much better. The Brigade is accepted by the U. S. and will be sworn in tomorrow and march for Washington next week.
When I left home, I went to Erie and shipped on the schooner Mutt Root, made a trip to Chicago, and then enlisted, and have been here ever since. I want you to write and tell me all about Smith’s folks—especially Esther and [ ] and all the rest of the folks. Tell Jim to kiss Sena for me.
We are now in barracks—a large five story brick building. We have now got about 800 and room [for] 1200 more. The boys are all in good spirits and the most of them in good health. Take good care of my gun for I shall know how to use it when I get back (if I have the good luck).
Please write as soon as you get this so that I will get it before we start for Washington. I will [write] again before I go and [send] my likeness. I will get it taken with my uniform on.
[Senator] Douglas’s funeral was attended with all the pomp and splendor that the churches, lodges, and military could scratch up.
I can think of no more at present. Please write soon so I shall get your letter before I write again. So goodbye. From your affectionate son, — E. M. Whipple
Body of Stephen Douglas lying in state, Chicago, Illinois, June 4, 1861
Letter 2
Camp near Fairfax, Virginia December 22, 1862
Well, Mother, I will now try to pen a few lines to you to let you know that i am still alive and well. I am away off in the woods—clear away from anywhere or anybody but soldiers. We left Harpers Ferry the 10th instant and marches to Dumfries on our way to Fredericksburg to reinforce General Burnside but was too late in the day so we went to Dumfries and turned back as far as here and camped. Don’t know how long we shall stay here. Don’t think we will be here long but can’t tell for certain.
Well, mother, I talk pretty strong of coming home soon but if I do, it will be on a French pass. But durn the odds, only so that I get home. There is not an officer in the regiment that has not done it and I am as good as they are and I think I shall try it when we are paid which will be ‘ere long.
Well there is nothing to write about that you don’t know already. We are 25 miles down the Potomac from Alexandria and one an a half miles from the river in the pine woods where we can’t see the sun at noon—a splendid winter camp.
I had a letter from Willy the other day. He said he couldn’t get anything out of that box [and] that I must eat and drink some for him, so I did. I wish that liquor wasn’t gone yet. I would take a horn or two today. I got the box Thanksgiving day and a fine time I had of it. But it is all gone now. Well, there is no more to write now so goodbye for this time. From Ed Whipple to his mother, Phoebe B. Edy
Address Ed Whipple, Co. C, 111th Pa. Vol., Washington D. C.
P. S. Don’t expect letters very often when I am on the march. — Ed Whipple
Members of Co. G, 112th Illinois Infantry. The officer in front is William Lee Spaulding who was killed at Utoy Creek. (Al Niemiec collection)
The following letter was written by Lemuel F. Mathews (184o-1889), an 1860 graduate of Knox College in Illinois, who enlisted at Cambridge, Illinois, on 12 August 1862 to serve three years in Co. D, 112th Illinois Infantry. The regiment was organized at Peoria in September 1862 and garrisoned places in Kentucky until Spring 1863. Beginning in April 1863, the regiment served as mounted infantry during the Knoxville campaign, before being dismounted in February 1864. Subsequently, it served in the Atlanta campaign, the Franklin-Nashville campaign, and the Carolinas campaign as part of the XXIII Corps. The regiment was mustered out on June 20, 1865. Lemuel was wounded, however and discharged on 26 August 1864.
In 1860, 19 year-old Lemuel was enumerated on his father’s farm in West Jersey, Stark county, Illinois. His parents were Newton Mathews (1808-1874) and Mary D. Wycoff (1809-1880). Lemuel wrote the letter to his wife, Lucretia Trickly (1843-1910). The couple had been married on 26 August 1862, following Lemuel’s enlistment, but before they had left camp in Illinois.
Transcription
Somerset [Kentucky] June 2nd 1863
Dear wife,
I have just been helping clean up the camp which is a job that has to be done every morn, It is not a very heavy job though when the boys all turn out. I will tell you how this cleaning is done and how the manner every morn. In the first place, reveille is beat about 4:30 o’clock, the band plays about ten minutes in which time we have to get up, dress and out on our cartridge boxes and get in line with guns in hand by [the time] the drums stop playing and sometimes we have to hustle out in a hurry. It was the orders since we came in this camp to drill in the manual of arms ten minutes every morning just after roll call, but we don’t drill much before breakfast now-a-day—not as much as we used to. I guess if Cap[tain] had his boys back to Cambridge now, they wouldn’t drill much before breakfast—at least this child wouldn’t.
Well then the next thing is to feed horses if we have any, all feed ourselves, then each man is to clean up his own quarters. Also the street in front and carry the dirt off. (we have brush brooms to sweep with.) We then have to sweep the ground all over from the private tents to the horses as they are in the rear of the officer’s tents. Then the stable has to be cleaned and swept up good. I think if we had swept and cleaned different ground, we would have swept the whole state over by this time, but we need something for exercise. We generally finish up all this morning work by 7 o’clock. Then those that goes on guard or picket or takes the horses out to pasture takes their leave.
I received a letter from you last eve which was your 49th & was glad to hear from you, and will answer it immediately for we are expected to leave every day. The Cap has just come down the lines and told us to pack up everything in boxes except a change of shirts, socks, and such things. Therefore, I will have to stop and go to work at it.
Well, I have just eaten a pretty good dinner. Our company has packed up four or five boxes and the other company have done the same. My baggage is now cut down to one shirt, 1 pair of socks, blouse (as my dress coat is not worn out yet), towels, camp wife 1 (I wish it was my wife almost), testament, tooth brush, writing materials, a piece of soap, and rubber & woolen blanket and half of a tent. All this will not weigh over 15 lbs. Officers has there baggage cut down to 30 lbs. and a shelter tent, and I suppose the regimental officers will be cut down some too. This clothing that we have boxed will be sent back to the rear—I believe to the Kentucky River—and stored there. I think we will love across the river soon as there has a lot of boats come through here from Covington to make a pontoon bridge across it. They were on small trucks and can be hauled anyplace by six mules, and a bridge is formed of them by floating them in the river a short distance apart, and then by plank from one to the other. The river is fordable now in places but there is no dependence to be put in that for it rains very fast & a bridge is always necessary for the crossing of artillery and provision trains. I can’t say whether we are going to Tennessee or just rout the rebels out of the country south of the river. I know but little nor about it than you do.
A pontoon boat being pulled on a truck by six mules
The rebel pickets are all along the river on the other side. Our pickets do not allow them to come down to the river now anymore and they keep back on the bluffs.
Now I will try and answer your letter. Well, I don’t know whether you did right in letting overcome inclination or not because I don’t know what your inclinations was but I believe you did just the right thing—at least it suits me just to a T. I am glad to hear that you have got your sewing machine home. I don’t agree with you in Angie being the smartest for I think my wife is just a little smarter than anyone else. I don’t hardly agree with you in reference to home, but it is said that it is home wherever the heart is, and of course you know where my heart is for you have got it. Yes, you got it when you was but a small bit of a gall but I don’t feel like giving up the old ship and calling someplace else home. Suppose we don’t call it at all and just let it come of its own accord. But I won’t quarrel about that and I will call both places home and then we both will be satisfied. I guess that will do for that. The reason I never said anything about paying the express on that package was because we all expected to pay Charley Payne here, but I hear that the folks paid for them as they took them away. I want to know just for curiosity what my share was. I see you have not yet received the $5 that I sent you, or at least you did not speak about it.
We are expecting the rest of our horses every day. Our company will need about 20 more now as there is a few which we will turn over and get better ones. The furlough [requests] have not come back yet and I don’t know whether they will come back approved or not, and [even] if they are approved, it may be only for 15 days and won’t pay to go home on such a short one.
The news from Gen. Grant’s army are good. I think he will soon lead his triumphant army into Vicksburg. All the fear I have is from Johnston for it seems that the rebs are making a desperate effort to save the place. But I think we can throw in as many men there as they can. Well, may they exert themselves and strain every nerve to hold their strongest place for when they lose that, they will be rent in two and will give them such a blow that I doubt whether they ever recover from it. Sometimes I feel like starting right down there and help to secure the prize for I fear as though it was the winding up battle of the rebellion, for if we lose that and Grant gets defeated there, we will be good for our three years in the service. And [yet] if we conquer there, I count on being home by this fall to stay. Oh wouldn’t that be joyous news. I hope I won’t have another winter to stay in the army.
There has quite a number of our company officers resigned but not quite all yet of the captains. There is left 7; viz: Co. A, F, D, I, H, and E. I just heard of [John J.] Biggs of Co. C resigning too today. His company is glad of it, I guess, for he was of but little account to them. There has quite a number of Lieutenants resigned. Sometimes I have a notion to resign on the ground of inability [pencil faint and difficult to read]. I long to be with you to live over the times that I have lived with you. I feel that I am further from God than I was, being surrounded by every other influence except a Christian one. It is hard for a weak Christian to keep on the right course, but I am striving to live a Christian and I pray that you are and that I have your prayers, your loving husband, — Lem
1 “Camp Wife” probably refers to what most soldiers called the “Housewife” which was a small, compact sewing kit that soldiers carried with them to mend their uniforms. The kits were often homemade by a soldier’s wife, mother, or girlfriend.
I could not find an image of Daniel but here is Andrew D. Johnson who enlisted in Co. C, 8th Iowa Infantry. (Mike Huston Collection)
This letter was written by Daniel Cox (1840-1862) of Marengo, Iowa, who enlisted when he was 21 years old in Co. G, 8th Iowa Infantry. He died of disease at Sedalia, Missouri, on 19 February 1862—just a few weeks after he wrote this letter.
Daniel was the son of William Cox (1812-1896) and Margaret Elizabeth Wannamougher (1814-Abt1853) who married 18 September 1838. William later married Martha Jane Athey Rockwell (1831-1861) in 1854 and she became Daniel’s step-mother.
The 8th Iowa Infantry was attached to the Department of Missouri until March 1862 and they spent most of the winter at Sedalia, occasionally participating on minor expeditions to chase small squads of guerrillas.
Daniel wrote the letter to Ellen Elizabeth (“Nellie”) Kepner, the daughter of Samuel Kepner and Elizabeth Haslet of Marengo, Iowa. She married Hames Henry Mead in July 1866. Her brother, Daniel S. Kepner was killed in the Battle of Antietam. Another brother, Robert Kepner (mentioned in the letter), served in the 7th Iowa Infantry.
Transcription
Patriotic stationery featuring Scott & McClellan busts on American Flag
Sedalia, Missouri November 29, 1861
Dear friend,
I take the opportunity to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well at present and hope that these few lines may find you enjoying the same. We are still in our old tent yet and I expect that we will stay in them all winter. I received your welcome letter yesterday and was glad to hear from you and the rest of the friends. You said in your letter that you seen Uncle Squire and he said that Holy [ ]. Well, I will make it all right with you girls when I come home.
I would like to be at home a New Years, [but] you needn’t look for me now before the 4th of July. I would like to be there to take a sleigh ride with some of you. We have some snow here but not enough to sleigh ride. But it is pretty cold here sometimes. It is very pleasant today.
We have taken about 1500 secesh since we have been here. The pickets brought in four secesh yesterday. There was 300 of our men 1300 of the secesh. Ellen, I never was caught in a scrape before that I could not get out of before this [but] I can’t get out of this. If I get home again, you better believe that I will stay there. They say that we will go to Kentucky this week but I don’t believe a word of it.
Ellen, we are a going to have a general settlement the first of next month. We have about three months pay behind. We will get between 35 and 40 dollars and then you may look for that likeness.
I got a letter from Robert. He was not very well. He said he had the mumps. There is right smart of sickness here. I believe that I have nothing more of importance to write. So no more at present but remain yours truly, — Daniel Cox
Spared & Shared 23 