All posts by Griff

My passion is studying American history leading up to & including the Civil War. I particularly enjoy reading, transcribing & researching primary sources such as letters and diaries.
2nd Michigan Infantry, Battle of Bull Run

1861: Unidentified 2nd Michigan Infantry Soldier to a Friend

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The following partial letter seems to have been valued more for the patriotic image on the stationery than the content of the letter as only one sheet remains of what must have originally been a two or three sheet letter. The content reveals that the author was a three-month volunteer in the 2nd Michigan Infantry. It came coupled with an envelope with a New York address and a Feb 1862 postal marking which was clearly not linked to the letter. There are too few clues in the sheet that remains thought it’s interesting to read that the author claimed “all the privates of the regiment as well as a good many of the officers” despised “Fighting Dick” Israel Bush Richardson, colonel of the 2nd Michigan and brigade commander during the Battle of First Bull Run. I suspect this was a result of the soldier believing that Richardson had attempted to convert the “three-months” volunteers into two-year volunteers without their approval, as alleged.

The unfinished sentence at the end of the letter leaves us wondering what the author was about to tell us about the Battle of Bull Run but we’ll never know.

Transcription

[Arlington, Virginia]
[late July 1861]

Since I finished my letter to you I have received one from Charlie which I hasten to acknowledge the receipt of. Also one or two other items have appeared since which I will relate.

Our regiment has been quartered at Arlington since our retreat from Bull’s Run where we will at present appearances remain till the 13th of August when we will be mustered out of the service of the United States undoubtedly.

As dress parade tonight we were informed that we would be engaged the remainder of our time in cutting away & blockading roads and building trenches. Two hundred from the regiment will be taken daily till the work is completed & 300 from each of the other regiments in this brigade—or rather the regiments that were in this brigade, this brigade having been broken up & the 1st Massachusetts have gone to Fort Albany, the regiment that were there then having returned home. 1

Lieut. Col. Richardson is despised by all the privates of the regiment as well as a good many of the officers. Orders were given yesterday morning to fall in at 8 o’clock. Nobody knew what for but it has since been learned that we were to be mustered out immediately that morning but for the interference of Col. Richardson, who, as the story goes, tried to manage it so we would be obliged to stay two years. 2

Our position in the battle Sunday was a rather curious one, come to sit down & think it over. We were near as far advanced as were the…[remainder of letter missing]

1 Having participated in Richardson’s Brigade, Tyler’s Division, McDowell’s Army of Northeast Virginia, in the Battle of Bull Run, the 1st Massachusetts Infantry was ordered to garrison Fort Albany (200 yards south of the tollgate on the Columbia Pike) until 15 August 1861.

2 I was unable to find any corroborating evidence as to this accusation that Col. Richardson was despised by his men or fellow officers—at least not for his leadership in the field of battle. Richardson’s performance on Sunday, July 21st, at Bull Run was hindered by the interference of a drunken Col. Dixon S. Miles who outranked him and ordered Richardson’s brigade without passing orders through Richardson. If fact, according to Pvt. Lyman Stowe of Co. F, 2nd Michigan, Col. Miles even had Richardson arrested during the battle and took away his sword when Richardson attempted to take back command of his brigade. [Bull Runnings]

26th Ohio Infantry, General E. P. Scammon

1861: Samuel Elmore Hull to James Frey Wintermute

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I could not find an image of Samuel but here is Hiram Throckmorton who also served in the band of the 26th OVI (L. M. Strayer Collection)

The following letter was written by Samuel Elmore Hull (1842-1917), the son of Samuel Hull (1805-1892) and Cherissa Wilcox (1807-1872) of Waldo, Marion county, Ohio. Eighteen year-old Samuel enlisted on 26 July 1861 as a musician in Co. C, 26th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI). He mustered out of the regiment in October 1865 as the Band Leader but along the way it appears that he was reassigned to duty as a teamster.

Soon after organizing, the 26th traveled to the Upper Kanawha Valley in western Virginia (modern-day West Virginia), where the organization performed scouting duties. In late January 1862, officials transferred the 26th from the Department of West Virginia to the Department of the Ohio in the war’s Western Theater. Upon reaching Louisville, Kentucky authorities brigaded the regiment with the 15th, 17th, and 50th Regiments Indiana Infantry. Serving as part of the Army of the Ohio, the brigade moved to Nashville, Tennessee in March 1862, before traveling to Savannah, Tennessee in early April 1862. On April 6, 1862, the Battle of Shiloh erupted at Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, eleven miles from Savannah. The 26th marched for the battlefield, traveling through thick swampland, but failed to arrive in time to participate in the engagement, which culminated in a Union victory on April 7. The regiment remained at Pittsburg Landing for several weeks, before embarking upon the Union’s advance against Corinth, Mississippi. Beginning on April 29, 1862, the Northerners besieged the city’s Confederate garrison and finally occupied Corinth on May 30, 1862. The 26th was one of the first Union regiments to enter the city.

Samuel wrote the letter to James Frey Wintermute (1823-1896) whom he addressed as “dear friend” though he was twenty years his senior and worked as merchant in Licking, Muskingum county, Ohio. It may be that Samuel had worked for Wintermute prior to the Civil War.

View of Fayetteville, Va., in 1863 showing Fort Scammon (A) and other fortifications. We learn from Samuel’s letter that construction of these forts was underway in December 1861. (West Virginia University)

Transcription

Headquarters, Camp Union
Fayetteville, Va.
December 16, 1861

Dear friend,

Having a little more than usual leisure time today, did not know how to employ it better than to give you a list of the news here supposing that you are at all times anxious to hear of the welfare of your friends in the 26th [Ohio Infantry]. The health of the boys for some time back as a general thing has been very good. I am glad that I can say that I think as a general thing the health of all the soldiers is better. The companies all seem to be larger than they were some time ago. We are now looking every day for our pay and no doubt but that we will get it in a few days. Everyone then will pitch in for a furlough. I am a thinking they will want them a little faster than they will get them.

Yesterday we had a general inspection of arms and knapsacks and cartridge boxes. the whole brigade was all formed in one line which was the 23rd, 26th, and 30th. General Scammons 1 commanding. Just a few minutes ago, I went up street where I saw one of the secesh cavalry that had just been brought in. He was dressed in gray clothes. He seems to be very well satisfied & does not deny being in the secesh army.

We are building up three big forts. I expect it would be quite a sight for you to see it.

December 17th. Yesterday I undertook to write you a few lines but was called out on battalion drill so I will write a few lines more and then close. I received a letter from you while we were up at Camp Sewell and put off answering it until I got to teaming. Then I had no chance to write. I expect the paymaster will commence paying off this afternoon. One thing certain, he is here and last night his wagon came up that had the truck in to do it with. Some of the boys will not have more than enough to take them home and back again after paying the sutler. If nothing turns up more than I know of now, I intend to go home this winter on a furlough.

Hoping these few lines may find you enjoying good health, I will come to a close. Give my respects to all my enquiring friends, only be sure and keep a good share to yourself. Yours truly. From Samuel Elmore Hull

To James F. Wintermute

1 Eliakim Parker Scammon: At the outbreak of the Civil War, he offered his services to the governor of Ohio, who gave him command of the 23rd Ohio, later dubbed the “President’s Regiment,” as among the men of the regiment were future presidents Rutherford B. Hayes and William McKinley. As part of the Kanawha Division, named for its operations in the mountains of Western Virginia, Scammon led the regiment well, finding success at the Battle of Carnifex Ferry. In late 1861, Scammon was assigned to command the 1st brigade in the Kanawha Division, which was incorporated into the IX Corps of the Army of the Potomac in early September 1862. Scammon’s men were engaged heavily at Fox’s Gap on South Mountain, where corps commander Jesse Reno was killed. Jacob Cox, commander of the Kanawha Division, replaced him, leaving Scammon in command of the division. He led the division at Antietam, seeing only minor combat but fighting well. He was appointed to brigadier general in October 1862 and returned with the Kanawha Division to the region of their namesake. On February 3, 1864, Scammon was asleep on a steamboat on the Kanawha River when it was raided by Confederate guerillas. He was held as a prisoner of war for six months, during which time his health deteriorated. To restore his health, he was sent to South Carolina where he commanded the Northern District in the Department of the South. Yet after only two weeks, he was captured again. He was only in captivity for five days before being exchanged, after which he was assigned to command the District of Florida for the rest of the war.

50th New York Engineers

1861: Alfred Henry Snow to Elsie Ann Snow

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A post war image of Alfred and his wife, Rebecca Jane (Dodd) Snow. They were married in 1866.

The following letter was written by Alfred Henry Snow (1838-1915) of Co. G, 50th Regiment, New York Engineers. Alfred began his service as a private but was later made an artificer. The same can be said for Alfred’s younger brother, Harrison Snow (1840-1898) who joined and served with him in the same company. The 50th New York Engineers became famous for their ability to quickly build pontoon bridges, construct field fortifications, and to conduct sapper and mining operations, sometimes under enemy fire.

Alfred was the son of Asa Stearns Snow (1805-1882) and Mary C. Eighmey (1803-1900) of Caroline, Tompkins county, New York. He wrote the letter to his younger sister, Elsie Ann Snow (1844-1939).

A Cabinet Card with image of blockhouse built at Fairmont, West Virginia in 1863 by a detachment of Co. G, 50th New York Engineers.

Transcription

[Hall’s Hill, near Arlington, Virginia]
October 4, [1861]

Dear sister,

I now take my pen in hand to let you know that I am well and hope that you are the same. [Brother] Harrison has been very unwell for about two weeks. He is getting better now. I am in hopes that he will get along now. He begins to get around now.

I suppose that you knew that Harrison and myself is soldiers. We left home the third day of September and I have wrote to them nine times and no answer have I got yet. Now I hope that you have not forgotten me. I know that I have not forgotten you. I should like to see you but I don’t think that I will see you very soon. We left home for Elmira. We thought that [we] would go home before we left there but they would not let us go. We stayed at Elmira two weeks, then we left for New York. We stayed there two days. The we left for Washington. We marched through Baltimore without any trouble. We stayed there two hours and took dinner, then we moved on until we reached Washington. We was so tired that we could hardly rest.

The next day we marched about three miles north of that city and then we moved five miles farther south. We stayed there a few days and then we came here to this place where we are now. We don’t know how long we will stay here—perhaps not long. We are on Hall’s Hill in western Virginia about fifteen miles from Bull Run. The rebels are encamped about five miles from here but there is no one here afraid of them. We have got about two hundred and seventy thousand around Washington. They have got lots of them around in other places and lots of them coming yet. They will have a battle before many days—it can’t be put off many days longer.

Now you must not forget to write to me as soon as you get this. Direct your letters to Camp Lesley, Company G, 50th New York Volunteers, in care of Captain [Walker V.] Personius

My pen in poor,
my ink is pail,
my quill come out of
the gander’s tail.

No don’t forget to write to me and let me know how you and the rest of you are getting along. I have not heard from you in a long time. From your brother, — Alfred H. Snow

to Elsie Ann Snow

You must excuse my bad writing for you know that I am a poor hand to write. So good day.

3rd Ohio Cavalry, Battle of Shiloh

1862: Elmore Yocum Warner to his Wife

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Chaplain Elmore Yocum Warner

The signature on this letter has been shaved off the bottom of the digitized image but enough of it remains and because I have transcribed a couple of his letters before, I can be confident this letter was penned by Elmore Yocum Warner who served as the Chaplain of the 3rd Ohio Cavalry from the time of its formation until August 1862 when he resigned. [See: Letter of 18 July 1862 from Woodville, Alabama] The following letter was written on 31 March 1862, just one week before the Battle of Shiloh.

Warner lived in North Fairfield, Huron county, Ohio. An obituary for Warner published in the Wayne County Democrat on 14 July 1886 said of him: 

“This well-known minister of the North Ohio Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and son of the late Rev. Jesse Warner, was born in Wayne County, July 3, 1833, and died in Norwalk, Oh., July 6, 1886, aged 53 years. Mr. Warner, after a faithful use of the educational advantages furnished by the common schools, entered the Ohio Wesleyan University and while he did not complete the course, he did lay the foundation of a respectable scholarship, which enabled him to pursue so intelligently his future studies in connection with his ministry that, subsequently, the Faculty and Trustee of the University felt justified in conferring upon him the honorary degree of Master of Arts. He was married in 1857 to Maria Lee, of Huron county, who survives, with five children, one of whom is also a minister, and represents the third generation of the same line in succession in the same Conference. During the Civil War, Warner served as chaplain of the 3rd Ohio Cavalry and was on the field of Shiloh; but the exposure in the service being too severe for a constitution not naturally robust, he secured his discharge, but had already laid the foundation of the disease to which, after heroic struggle for years, he had, at last, to yield….”

Transcription

Patriotic stationery used

Camp near Columbia
3rd Ohio Volunteer Cavalry
March 31, 1862

Dearest wife.

Longer time has elapsed since I wrote you than I intended should but with moving & changing I have been unable. We left Nashville last Saturday and have now marched three days on a very dusty pike lime dust which is suffocating almost. But I have stood it well and am able to eat my full rations. We have passed over a beautiful country.

Yesterday we passed through the town of Franklin in which Sidney and Benjamin Hildreth reside. Capt. Frank Hunt stopped at Ben’s house and said that Ben and his wife wished to be remembered to you. I see Frank and Bill Hunt everyday. As I told you, we are attached to the Sixth Division of Gen. Buell’s Army under Gen. Wood so you may know by this when you read of us. Gen. Wood has under him some fourteen thousand. These all march together. Then there are several divisions just before us.

There is perhaps 60,000 troops within two or three miles of this point. Gen. Nelson’s division is just ahead of us perhaps five to ten miles and perhaps not so far. I can’t ascertain where they are—only that they are a short distance before us. Tod is in that. I expect to see him yet but when I know not. That division is in the advance.

We all expect to participate in the great battle soon to come off near Corinth, Mississippi. I suppose it will be a desperate one and one that will decide the contest. I want to be at home but I am so far in the enemy country, if there is to be a battle, I want to see it. For your sake, I will try to keep out of danger but I expect if this conflict commences, I will feel like having a hand in it.

I dropped you a line the other day informing you of Jason going home. There were a number of reasons why I sent him. 1st, he seemed to want to go, yet was willing to stay. 2nd, his clothing was worn out and I could not get him any here. 3rd, I feared he might get sick and I would have to stay with him for I could not leave him in a hospital for he is his mother’s baby and I should feel bound to care for him. 4th, I thought it best for him to work where he would be learning something or else going to school. If you or Mother could find a place where he could do chores for his board and go to school, I think it would be well. Or if you can find a good place for him to work this summer, do so. I gave him twenty-five dollars when he left which would take him home and get him all the clothes he wants, perhaps more. If he has more than he wants, I told him to give it to you or Mother. Watch over him and try to keep him a good boy. I felt somewhat lonesome after he left. Sergt. Major [James Ransom] Hall is my room mate now. Your friend. He now sleeps on the ground while I am writing.

My dear wife, I have only received letters from you once. True, I received three at that time but it has been some time since the reception of them. Please try to write often. We get our mail very irregularly but it generally comes some time so write. I know you love me and will do anything you can to make me happy. Then write sweet letters of love and if I have done or said anything to afflict you, I beg pardon for it all. I have read and reread your letters with great interest. You ask in one if you are any comfort to me? Wife, you make my happiness next to God. you cannot imagine the comfort you are to me—how many thousand times I have been cheered by you. I love you with all my heart and now I miss you, I just realize how much I am dependent upon you for my happiness. I will send as often as I can.

Wife, if anything should happen to you—if you should be very sick or anything of that kind, try telegraphing first. But if you can’t reach me that way, send a messenger to me and I’ll pay the expenses. But I trust in God that nothing will happen to you. Oh God should be our trust constantly. Wife, spend hours in prayer. If the war don’t close in a couple of months, I think I shall resign and come home. But don’t tell anybody this.

I understand we are to march at half past three tomorrow morning in order to pass another division. Tod may be thirty miles ahead of us.

I must close. I never can close until I have filled my sheet when writing to you. Write often and direct to 3rd O. V. I., 6th Division, Gen. Wood, Nashville, Tennessee. Your loving husband, — E. Y. Warner A kiss.

85th New York Infantry, Andersonville Prison

1861: Edgar Walton Irish to his Cousin Lottie

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The following letter was written by Edgar W. Irish (1838-1897), the son of George Irish (1810-1888) and Maria Edgerton Potter (1810-1844) of Little Genesse, Allegany county, New York. Edgar enlisted in Co. C, 85th New York Infantry with his younger brother George Hadwin Irish in September 1861. Edgar was made a corporal upon mustering into the regiment and was promoted to sergeant in April 1862. His beautiful penmanship no doubt earned him the rank of 1st Sergt. in August 1862—his highest rank.

1st Sergt. Edgar Walton Irish of Co. C, 85th New York Infantry

In April 1864, while garrisoning the forts at Plymouth, North Carolina, both Edgar and his brother George were taken prisoner with approximately 500 others when the town was surrendered. He and George were sent to Andersonville Prison, George. A source on Find-A-Grave claims that Edgar’s fine penmanship and bookkeeping skills earned him a job at the prison that enabled him to be kept separately and fed better than his fellow prisoners. All the while, however, he worried about his younger brother and after months of pleading, he was finally allowed to search for George but found that he was too late; George had passed away the day before of starvation and dysentery. Edgar was determined that the truth would be known about Andersonville, and seek revenge for his brother George. He found records and concealed them on himself when he was released from prison. Later this evidence was used at the trial of Capt. Wirz. Along with George 310 Soldiers from the 85th died as prisoners of war, the most men of any unit in the Northern Army. George Hadwin Irish is buried at Andersonville National Cemetary, Sumter County, Georgia, USA Site#4587, Findagrave Memorial#28873296.

There is a cenotaph in Edgar’s name at the West Genessee Cemetery that has the following inscription carved into the base: “He made, preserved and supplied the evidence that made possible the execution of Capt. Henry Wirz. The keeper of Anderson Prison.”

A lantern slide of the Wirz Execution in Washington D. C. (W. Griffing Collection)

Transcription

Camp Shephard
Washington D. C.
December 12th 1861

Dear Cousin Lottie,

It has been a long time since I have had a letter from you and longer since I have written to you. Now if you will forgive me for waiting so long and as I am temporarily located, I’ll set my quill to running. A letter would be quite a rarity to me now for I have not had one since I came from Christendom. Lottie, I have just been reading your last letter and I am sure I cannot write one to match it for interest. I have give almost my whole attention to military matters so long that I find it almost impossible to make a connected composition or even to reason clearly as I could once. All my thoughts by day and dreams by night are in some degree connected with this great rebellion.

Cousin Amy seems to censure our [Chief] Executive in very strong terms. Quite likely the President has made some mistakes but I think he has done as well as he knew how—and that is tolerable well. The case of General Fremont was not managed to suit me, or you of course, but I do not know it all and I am satisfied that there is something about it that which has never been made public. 1

“Uncle Sam” has a splendid army on the Potomac and if ready for defense and probably for offense when the proper moment arrives. Regiments are coming in here every day. One came today from Elmira (the N. Y. 64th State Militia). They pitched their tents next to ours. We are encamped under canvas and are doing as well as could be expected of backwoodsmen.

My health is getting quite good now. I was off duty on account of the measles till we left Elmira, since which I have done my part, I believe. I was very much pleased with your remarks concerning your cousin G. and I hope you may always have so good a counselor near you. I want you to give him my best respects and tell him that if I am spared to return to the North, I wish to gain his acquaintance.

It is quite warm here compared with Allegany Co. I am writing by candlelight in my tent without a fire though my fingers are cold. We arrived here last Thursday and have had but two or three frosty nights since. Some of the boys in the next tent have a copy of the Jubilee and an overhauling some of its familiar tunes which disturb me not a little.

Oh Lottie, I wish you could be here just long enough to see how our soldiers get along, to see and laugh over our cooking arrangements, to hear our martial music (at this moment the band is playing Dixie, and three or four times a day we have “Maggie Dear,” “The Girl I left behind me,” etc.) which makes the heart of every patriotic soldier or citizen thrill with joy, to see the glittering mass of bayonets as the men gaily fall into line. Oh, I am glad I’m in this army. Yes, I’m glad I’m [in] this army,” and we’re bound to win or die.

I’ll try and finish this tomorrow, Good night.

Sabbath morning, and I cannot make it seem like Sabbath at all. I did not get time to finish yesterday and have but a few moments now. I enclosed a card photograph which is a little better than none at all. The drum is sounding and I must close. Please write soon. My love to you all. Your brother cousin, — Edgar W.

1 In August 1861, General John Fremont imposed martial law in the state of Missouri and declared all rebel owned slaves to be free. Lincoln, fearing the loss of a loyal border state, rescinded Fremont’s order and relieved the General of his command.

16th Ohio Infantry, Cumberland Gap

1862: William Buchanan to his Cousin Em

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Sergt. William Buchanan of Co. B, 16th OVI

The following letter was written by Sgt. William Buchanan of Monroe Township, Holmes county, Ohio, who served in Co. B, 16th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Sgt. Buchanan (not to be confused with Capt. William H. Buchanan of Co. F) served until he was discharged for disability on June 19, 1863, having participated in the regiment’s most bloody battles. Buchanan later re-enlisted as a 2nd Lieutenant in Company A of the 166th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving from May 2 until September 9, 1864.

When he enlisted, William took stock of the professions/trades of those who served in his company. He found the following: 66 Farmers, 13 carpenters, 11 school teachers, 2 blacksmiths, 1 shoemaker, 1 miller, 1 minister, 1 student, 1 potter, 1 surveyor, 1 sawyer and engineer, 1 clerk, 1 saddle & harness-maker, 1 teamster.

Transcription

Patriotic Letterhead of William’s stationery, “Strike for the Memory of Washington.”

Cumberland Ford, Kentucky
April the 23rd 1862

Cousin Em,

It has been so long since I wrote to you that no doubt you begin to think that something has happened me or that I have got away down Dixie & have forgotten Cousin Em. I often think of you & would like to see you & talk with you & east sugar & have such times as we had in times past & gone. But all this is very different from soldiering away down here.

Well, the reasons why I did not write sooner. I have so many persons to write to and have much to do as I act Orderly Sergeant. Sometimes we could hardly get writing material in this poor, forsaken country, and the troubles, trials, sickness & deaths at home called my anxieties to one place & the sad conclusion has come & home will never be as it was when I left. I take time to write home once a week for I know they must be very lonesome & as it is impossible for me to go home. I try to cheer & encourage them all that I can. I know they are anxious to hear from me often & I am thankful that I can tell them that my health is unusually good & that I have not been on the sick list since I came to camp. I have endured long, tiresome marches through the mud & rain, lay out all night in the rain, snow, and winter winds, lived on unsifted corn meal & old rusty bacon almost as strong as last year’s butter in Cuba, & sometimes half rations of that. But so long as I enjoy good health, I think I can endure these light afflictions cheerfully for the sake of a country & that a free country.

We have been camped here on the Cumberland river since the 12th of February. We have not pushed into Tennessee for two reasons. First, our provisions have to be hauled from Lexington and the roads were almost impassable during the Winter & Spring & sometimes we could hardly get enough this far to eat, and our force was too small to attack so formidable a place as the [Cumberland] Gap. The Gap is 13 miles from the Ford which is at the bend of the river where it approaches nearest the Gap. We have bee three trips to the Gap. The first & last time to reconnoiter & see the enemy’s works.

On the 21st of March, four regiments & two pieces of artillery were sent to take possession of the Gap as we heard that nearly all the rebels had left it & taking 8 of their cannon & had gone to try to capture a regiment of Union soldiers sent from our Brigade to Big Creek Gap, 35 or 40 miles southwest of Cumberland Gap. But when we got there, we found that the rebel force with their cannon & perhaps a reenforcement had come back and were waiting for us.

On the 22nd we concluded to tease them awhile before coming back to camp anyhow, so we marched up within gunshot & firing on both sides was pretty brisk most of the day. They threw shells, solid shot, & grape at us, but in the whole day they did not kill or wound one of our men—although many had hair breadth escapes. We got an 8-inch shell shot from a 64-pounder Columbiad gun which did not explode. But our Parrot guns (cannon) made them hunt their hiding place in double quick—if not quicker.

On the morning of the 23rd (Sunday), we did not fire a gun but prepared to come to camp. The enemy threw a number of shells at us. We since heard that the enemy were about to leave the Gap when we came away & that if we had stuck to them that day, the Gap would have been ours. It looks almost like an impossibility to take it, if the Rebels will fight. We lay out on the mountains both nights in the snow & it was quite cold. The first night I think I’ll not soon forget. I was so chilled that I shook as though I had the ague. I have grown fat and hearty on privations and toils that I used to think would kill me. I will try to get time to sketch an outline now of the Gap which will give you a better idea that I can give in writing. I have drawn a great many of them & some on a large scale, finished & ornamented.

Map of Cumberland Gap drawn by William Buchanan for John F. McClelland of Co. B, 16th Regt. O. V. (not enclosed with this letter but found on the internet)

I have so much writing to do in the Orderly Book at present that I cannot spend much time at anything else. I wish you could see the real Gap. It would be the greatest sight of scenery that you ever saw. Such sights are scarce in Hoosierdom. But perhaps you would not prefer to enjoy the sight while the shells and shot are whizzing around like hornets. There is to be a reinforcement of men & cannon here soon & then I think we will be in earnest the next time we pay them our compliments.

Please show this to Uncles. Please write to me and direct to Co. B, 16th O. V. via Louisville. In care of Capt. [Joseph] Edgar. Give my love & good wishes to the rest of the family and relations. Yours soldier cousin, — Wm. Buchanan

1st Wisconsin Infantry, Green River, Kentucky

1862: Nathan Crawford to Charlotte (Saunders) Crawford

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The following letter was written by Nathan Crawford (1841-1863), the son of Irish emigrants John Crawford (1810-1900) and his wife, Charlotte Saunders (1812-1888), who took up farming near Dover, Racine county, Wisconsin. Nathan enlisted on 4 September 1861 to serve three years in Co. C, 1st Wisconsin Infantry. He was killed in action at Chickamauga on 19 September 1863—“shot through the head in the first volley the Regiment received.” [Racine Weekly Advocate, 7 October 1863]. Although this letter is only signed “Nathan,” the content leads us to Co. C, 1st Wisconsin Infantry and he was the only one by that name on the roster.

Twenty-two of Nathan’s letters were offered for sale by “West Coast Civil War Collectors” recently which were described:

Ambrotype of Nathan Crawford and his sister Isabel

“During his term of service, Private Crawford corresponded with his sister, Isabella, with whom he appears in this 1/6th plate tintype. Housed in its original case, but missing its front cover, Crawford’s affection for his sister is evident. A grouping of twenty-two letters, mostly from Pvt. Crawford to “Bella,” accompanies the tintype. His descriptions of camp life, marching, and fighting are interspersed with loving advice for his younger sister regarding her affairs at home. Pvt. Crawford saw conflict at Martinsburg, the battles of Falling Waters, Perryville, Stone’s River and finally he was killed during the fighting at Chickamauga on September 19, 1863. 

Over the ensuing months as Isabella mourned her brother’s death; she was outspoken against Confederate sympathizers in her township. Her fervor culminated in a memorable scene in the railway station near her home, when a Copperhead defamed the memory of her soldier/brother and drew her wrath. The incident made the newspapers. For her dedication, Isabella received notes of congratulations and gifts from local citizens and unknown admirers, also included in the group of twenty-two letters.”

This letter is not from that collection.

Transcription

Negley’s Brigade
Green River [Kentucky]
January 31st 1862

Dear Mother,

Patriotic imagery on Nathan’s stationery

I have been sick for two weeks but I am getting better now if I only continue for I tell you, it is a poor place for a sick man. We have no dry weather here scarcely, and it is very muddy all the time, and it is very unhealthy. We have moved into a different kind of tent. We are 17 and 18 in a tent. We have a little stove in it and it makes it quite comfortable. We are not allowed to cook our own victuals. Our Colonel [John C. Starkweather] said that we must have a company cook and that the men should not cook anything in their tents. I do not know whether there will be sickness with so many in a tent or not. Six and seven were the most that slept together in the other little tents. In the little tent, we had things more convenient than we can possibly have in these, for these are round and the others are square, and were not so low in the side. In these large tents we sleep with out feet all toward the center.

We would have fine times if we had dry weather all the time, but it is just the contrary and when anyone goes out he will have to tread mud till he comes in again, and when he does come in, he brings a god share of mud with him so it is almost impossible to keep the tent clean. It is a very unhealthy climate according to my notion.

I am very very much disappointed in my notions of Old Kentucky. My idea is that it is a poor place for either man or beast. My sickness commenced by a cold, and a loss of appetite, and when I would cough, I would puke up large quantities of bile. I would drink water very often and what little I did eat, would pass through me the same, only as thin as water which I drank was the occasion of that. I got some powders from the doctor which stopped my dysentery and also my puking up bile. My cold is better. I do not have a cough. My appetite is poor yet, but it is increasing. I am very weak yet but I am able to walk around. I hope I will soon get strong again and I think if I am very careful that I will.

We uses coffee for our drink at almost every meal and I think that it is not good for me for I think it increases the bile on my stomach very fast. We use the river water which is the best that we have. It is rather rolly sometimes. I do not drink coffee now. We have black tea sometimes and I drink that.

Co. C has lost more of its members. It is Mr. Isaac Grote of the Town of Waterford. 1 He was married and had one child. Before he left camp he wrote for his wife to come to Louisville to take care of him there. He was taken to Louisville the next day and he was then taken with typhoid fever and died in about three days after he left camp. Capt. Hill was with him when he died. He wanted the captain to read the Testament to him and told the captain when he was dying that it was the best medicine that they had given him. He was liked by all the boys in the company and his death was heard of with surprise and sorrow, but few take it as a warning to them to “be ready always for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh.” We ought to bless God for every hour of life that we enjoy instead of taking his name in vain every hour that we live (which is the way that the most of our men do). It is awful to hear what oaths are sworn in camp. It hurts my feelings to hear it. It is a wonder that some are not stricken down instantly.

Dear mother, I send my love to you and father and all my sisters and brothers, I am your living son, — Nathan

1 Isaac Grote (1837-1862) enlisted on 3 September 1861 to serve in Co. C, 1st Wisconsin Infantry. He died of typhoid fever at Louisville on 5 January 1862. He was married to Almira Jane Eastman in 1859 and had a son named Sherman A. Goat (1859-1940). His remains were sent home to Waterford.

1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, Fort Runyon

1861: Edward Calahan to Caroline Post

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I could not find an image of Ed but here is one of Frank Snell of Co. E, 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery (LOC)

Inspired by the patriotic celebrations in his hometown of Danvers, Massachusetts, on the 4th of July 1861, Edward Calahan walked into the local recruiting office the following day and enlisted in Co. I of the 1st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. He enlisted as a private and later rose to corporal. He was with his regiment when they were sent to the Virginia battle front to participate in Grant’s Overland campaign, joining the action just before the Battle of Spottsylvania Court House. He survived the action there, at North Anna River, at Totopotomoy Creek and at Cold Harbor but was wounded on 18 June 1864 in the first assault on Petersburg. He mustered out of the regiment three weeks later at the expiration of his term of service. His surname appears variously as Calahan or Callahan though he used the former spelling in this letter.

A sketch of Fort Runyon as it appeared in August 1861.

Transcription

Addressed to Miss Caroline Post, Wenham, Massachusetts

Fort Runyon 1
October 14th 1861

Dear friend Carrie,

Patriotic letterhead on Ed’s stationery; Gen. George Washington holding sword with raised arm and foot on trail of cannon.

Having a few hours to spare and not finding anything to pass the time, I would write to you thinking perhaps that you would like to hear from an old friend and still I don’t think that I shall be able to write anything of interest to you—but I will try. I received your brother’s letter last night and was very glad to hear that you had not forgotten your old friend and the many happy moments that I have passed in your company. And I hope the day will come from when we shall meet again.

Well, to begin with, I hardly know what to say. About all the fellows in the tent are either playing cards or telling tough yarns. One is playing on what he calls an accordion [but] it seems as though he was trying to murder as many tunes as possible. Another is sawing on a violin. I think if he kills as many rebels as he does tunes, that the war will not last long.

“Another is sawing on a violin. I think if he kills as many rebels as he does tunes, that the war will not last long.”

— Edward Calahan, 1st Mass. H. A., 14 October 1861

The 22d Massachusetts Regiment passed through here today. They have gone to Baileys Cross Roads. I saw one of the Wenham boys in it. I don’t know his name. He used to live with Mr. Plummer. The Wenham boys in this regiment are all well at present. They all send their love.

Yesterday we had some fun getting possession of a couple of pigs. There was several got loose from the slaughter house and I wish you could see about five hundred of our boys take after them. Some of them were bare-headed and some with over coats on. We—our company—catched a good one. We had him killed and cut up before the Colonel knew anything about it. There, I suppose I have written enough on that strain yet. I don’t know what I shall write to interest [you].

There is some prospects of having a fight soon and I am glad of it for I want to have this settled as soon as possible for I am getting tired of laying still. I want you to write. I should like to hold correspondence with you. You and I always got along tip top together and I don’t see why we can’t continue to do so. Give my love to all the girls and fellows of my acquaintance and tell them to write. I must close now so good night and pleasant dreams—and believe me, I am your affectionate friend, — Edward Calahan

P. S. Please write soon as you get this.

1 Fort Runyon was built at the Virginia end of the Long Bridge to prevent access to Washington City by that route. The fort strategically sat astride two major thoroughfares, the Columbia and Washington-Alexandria Turnpikes, and adjacent to a major railroad line.

44th Illinois Infantry, Arkansas Campaign of 1862

1862: Silas L. Parker to his Family

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I could not find an image of Silas but here is a ninth plate tintype of Benjamin F. Rolph who was also a Sergeant in Co. B, 44th Illinois Infantry, a. k. a. “Northwestern Rifles” (Dan Binder Collection)

The following optimistic letter was written just three days before Gen. Curtis launched his Arkansas campaign from Lebanon, Missouri. The campaign ended with the capture of Helena, Arkansas on 12 July 1862.  The army “marched quickly over the rough, frozen roads, and caught the Missouri State Guard, and its commander, Major General Sterling Price, by surprise. Price abandoned Springfield on February 13, and retreated south into Arkansas. The two armies fought a series of skirmishes along the way and on February 17, one week after beginning its campaign, Curtis triumphantly telegraphed Halleck, ‘The flag of our Union again floats in Arkansas.'”

But who was the “Sile” or Silas that wrote this letter? To narrow down the possibilities I searched through the infantry regiments that participated in the Arkansas Campaign of 1862, looking for any soldier named Silas who was a sergeant at the time, was single, and who had living parents. I found five candidates but only three of whom seemed to fit this profile completely. They were Silas B. Merchant of Co. G, 44th Illinois, Silas L. Parker of Co. B, 44th Illinois, and Silas Perry of Co. B, 35th Illinois. I could not learn from his record when Merchant was promoted to sergeant but think it may have been after the date of this letter which would rule him out. My hunch is that of the remaining two, the letter was most likely to have been written by Silas L. Parker as there are other letters of his in archives—one in the Bentley Historical Library at the University of Michigan and one in the Library at the University of Tennessee, though neither archive has made a digitized image of his letter on-line to allow for a handwriting comparison.

Silas L. Parker was from Coldwater, Michigan, and he first enlisted in Co. C, 1st Michigan Infantry as a musician on 24 April 1861. After that short term of enlistment ended, he reentered the service in Co. B, 44th Illinois Infantry as sergeant, August 21, 1861; promoted to second lieutenant, April 7, 1862, and captain of Co. B, August 15, 1862. He died January 19, 1863 of wounds received in action at Stones River, Tennessee. I’m going to attribute the letter to him in my list of transcribed letters with a [?] to indicate that I’m not absolutely certain of him being the author. The ambition he expresses in his letter and the popularity he obviously enjoyed with the officers of the regiment certainly point to him, however.

Transcription

Lebanon, Laclede County, Missouri
February 7, 1862

Dear father, mother, brother & sister,

We reached the above place yesterday after a march of 6 days. It is situated about 70 miles from Rolla due west. You may think this is very little marching, but in the mountainous country in this season of the year when it is either hubs or mud, with a heavy knapsack and rifle, with accouterments complete, it is doing well.

Patriotic letterhead on letter with motto: “Washington. His Spirit Still Guides Us.”

I do not know but should judge from appearances that the army station[ed] here now would reach the number of 20,000 under the command of Gen’s Curtis, Sigel, Asboth, & Osterhaus. It is supposed here—to a certainty—that Price’s army is now at Springfield and determined to make a stand. If this is the case, we will probably soon call on him and I don’t much think he will admire the result of the visit which he is now inviting us to make. The Union machine is working well now. One or two more Somersets from the Ohio 9th, Kentucky 4th and Michigan Battery will make the doomed and damned Rebels devilish dizzy—damn them! I give it as my opinion that we will not have a brush with Price. I think he will either run or surrender. Probably he will do the latter as he would disgrace himself less in the end.

I am well and so far have stood marching well. Soldiering is hard, unpleasant business but in our case it is in a good cause. My reputation could not be better in this company and I look forward to something better than sergeant in the future. My conduct not only meets the approbation of the privates, but the captain and 1st lieutenant are great friends of mine.

I do not know how soon we will leave here but will endeavor to keep you posted as well as I can of our movements. It seems to be of but little use to ask you to write but I hope you may see fit to answer this for however you may doubt it, my anxiety to hear of your welfare is second to none. My respects to all friends. Your son and brother, — Sile

Direct to St. Louis.

7th Indiana Infantry, Battle of Camp Bartow

1861: Jacob J. Burnett to Mary (Purdy) Burnett

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The following letter was written by Jacob J. Burnett (1829-Aft1900) of Co. C, 7th Indiana Infantry. The 7th Indiana was organized at Indianapolis and mustered in on 13 September 1861. It was ordered to Cheat Mountain, West Virginia in September, 1861 and first saw action at Greenbrier on 3-4 October 1861 where Union Gen. Joseph Reynolds advanced from Cheat Mountain with two brigades and attack the Confederate camp at Greenbrier River. After sporadic fighting and an abortive attempt to turn the enemy’s right flank, Reynolds withdrew to Cheat Mountain. In his letter, Burnett describes his company’s efforts to support a Union Battery in that artillery duel. There were less than 100 casualties total in the engagement. The engagement is sometimes referred to as the Battle of Camp Bartow.

According to muster records, Jacob was discharged for disability on 24 March 1863 after one and a half years of service. Jacob wrote the letter to his wife, Mary (Purdy) Burnett (1837-1875).

Four years ago today I transcribed account of the Battle of Camp Bartow by another member of the 7th Indiana Infantry named George Washington Sefton. His account was written in a letter dated 21 October 1861 which reads:

“I suppose you have heard that the 7th Regiment has been in one battle. If you ain’t, I will give you a description of it. The 3rd day of this month we was in a battle at Greenbriar about thirty miles from our camp. We started Wednesday evening. We marched till sundown and stopped for the night and at twelve o’clock we had orders to gather up and march in order to get there in the morning. It rained on us considerable that [night] but we did not care for that. About 9 in the morning we reached their camp. When we was [with]in about three miles of the camp, we double quicked from there to [the] battleground. The firing was kept up for three long hours. Their camp laid in the valley. It extended about 80 rods (~450 yards) in width and about the same in length. Their masked battery was on the side of the mountain. We marched up in the front of them. We undertook to flank them on the left of them under their fire which appeared to me like they might have cut us all to pieces. We was right in front of their cannons. The grapeshot just hailed round. It got so heavy that our old Colonel [Ebenezer Dumont] ordered us to take to the bushes for shelter which we obeyed. We stayed on the side of the side of the mountain for a half an hour. We being not drilled very well, we got scattered right smart but rallied and retreated under the fire without the loss of any man so that is all the particulars at the present.”

Transcription

Camp Reynolds
Saturday, October the 5th [1861]

Dear Mary,

I once more take my pen in hand to inform you that I am well at present, hoping that these few lines may find you all enjoying the same blessing. Think not that I have been forgetful of you but I have been very busy and you have a much better chance to write than I have. I was appointed a corporal at Indianapolis. I have a mess of eleven men—one of the largest in the company. Every mess has to have a sergeant or corporal at the head of it. These are the names of my mess: John Magors, William Hare, John McKnight, Tom Campbell, James Fox, Frederick Schwertzfeger, three Kentucky boys—[Aaron] Eggleston, [Jonas] Tyler Delph and Willis Delph.

We come from Indianapolis to Webster in Virginia on the cars. We have marched on foot over a hundred miles. We marched over Cheat Mountain and attacked the secession forces at Camp Greenbrier commanded by General Anderson and ours by General [Joseph] Reynolds. Our 7th [Indiana] Regiment made double quick for about four miles when we went into battle. Our company and Co. K were detailed to protect two batteries of cannon—Howe’s and Lucas’ [Loomis’]. We lay down about twenty steps in front of and a little to the right of the cannon. We were in the most dangerous place in the battle. A cannon ball went close over my head as I lay on the grass and killed a horse that belonged to the artillery. We all lay on the ground and the balls and cannons whistled over our heads and burst in many pieces but I was no more afraid than when I was plowing. Our boys seemed to take it very cool. We had no one killed in our company and I believe only eleven in the whole command.

You don’t know how bad I want to see you and the children. Tell them that I love them and kiss them for me. Tell mother that I will never dishonor her in battle. I hope that I may see you all soon. Write and tell me what the children says about me and tell me how you are getting along and if you have made any arrangement about getting a house and how you get your wood and how the people treats you.

I believe I have the good will of both officers and men in general so get along very well. Now I will tell you why I did not send you my picture. I bought me a big knife and belt and they begged a great deal of tobacco from me but I saved enough to get it taken but when I was appointed corporal, I had to get two worsted stripes put on both of my roundabout sleeves so I borrowed a half dollar but we had to march so I had not time when we left and there is no chance here.

I want you to write often and tell the rest of them to write for I don’t get much time. We get but little news here from the war, I have made two pipes out of laurel roots and sold them for twenty-five cents apiece—one of them to the Captain. I have been offered a dollar to make one more. I guess I can make my tobacco money.

Write a whole sheet and tell me about all of them and write often. — Jacob J. Barnett

To Mary, my dear wife.

Direct to Beverly, Northwestern Virginia in care of Captain [Solomon] Waterman, 7th [Indiana] Regiment.