I could not find an image of Norman but here is one of Samuel C. Atwater who served in Co. I, 41st OVI.(Ohio Memory)
This letter was written by Norman Chaffin (1839-1926) who was 22 years old when he enlisted in September 1861 to serve three years in Co. C, 41st Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI). He mustered out of the regiment on a surgeon’s disability certificate on 4 October 1864.
Norman was the son of Simon Chaffin (1808-1886) and Catharine Mowrer (1816-1902) of Wayne county, Ohio. He was married in 1866 to Catharine Ann Erwin (1848-1940).
Norman wrote the letter to Mary Jane Stirk (b. 1841), the daughter of Henry Stirk (1816-1904) and Eliza Jane Bodine (1821-1902). Mary Jane (“Jennie”) married Allen Ludwig Mohler (1844-1926) in 1867.
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
October 5, 1863
Friend Jane,
I received your kind and encouraging letter on the 2nd of October and was well pleased with its contents. I am glad to see that you with the rest of the family is getting along well. Your letter found me well and in fine spirits. I see by the your letter that you are having some fine times tending political or in other words Union meetings. I am glad to see that you are so patriotic. I would to God that the people of the North was also. I think times would be different. I should love to attend a good Union meeting once more. I think I could enjoy myself well. I just received a letter from friend Joe McGonagle. He is at Madison, Indiana. He is troubled with the rheumatism. He as not walked a step since the 16th of August. I feel sorry for him. He has a hard time of it.
I see by your letter that the young people of Old Wayne will get married if the war does go on. I presume William is a married man, The last letter I got from him he said he was going to get married on the 29th of September. Peace and plenty go with them. I guess that the East Union ladies willl all be married before I get back. If they are, I will try and find one somewhere else if there is any to be found, and I think there will [be] some left. I got a letter from home a few days ago. They was all well.
Friend, I must tell you something but perhaps you know all about it before this time. Miss Mary Jane Anderson 1 has got a young son so we can call her mother now. She fooled around once too often. I pity her but whose fault is it (her own). She was a girl that would believe anything that a young man would tell her. She did not know when she had a friend that could be trusted so she trusted all. I know how the boys used to lie to her and what few times I kept her company I told her over and over not to be taken in by them. I tried to give her good advice. Where is she now? I wonder if she minds what Norman told her.
I will close. Give my respects to all enquiring friends and keep a large share for yourself. Respectfully yours. From your friend, — N. Chaffin
to Miss Mollie J. Stirk
Direct to Co. C, 41st OVI, Chattanooga, Tenn., 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 21st Army Corps.
If you want to write to Joe McGonagle, direct to the U. S. Hospital, 2nd Section, Ward 7, Madison, Indiana
1 In the 1850 US Census, Mary Jane Anderson (b. 1842) was enumerated in East Union, Wayne county, Ohio, in the household of her mother, 34 year old Jane (Orr) Anderson. In the 1860 US Census, she was enumerated in the household of her grandfather, 68 year-old Samuel Orr with her mother and three siblings, still in East Union. She married Cornelius A. Franks (1843-1919) on 29 October 1863 and moved to Gratiot county, Michigan.
These letters were written by Joseph Alexander McGonagle [or McGonigal] (1842-1893) who enlisted on 19 September 1861 to serve three years in Co. C, 41st Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI). His older brother Thomas McGonagle eventually joined him in the same company. As we learn from the letters, however, Thomas was mortally wounded in the fighting at Stones River on 31 December 1862. He died the next morning, 1 January 1863. and now lies buried in the Stones River National Cemetery (Grave No. 2237).
Joseph mustered out of the 41st OVI in September 1864 but later reenlisted in January 1865 as a corporal in Co. C, 192nd Ohio Volunteers. He left the service for good in September 1865.
The McGonagle brothers were born in Wayne county, Ohio, the sons of Isabella Lisle and Robert McGonagle (he died in 1855). Thomas never married. Joseph’s first wife was Caroline Radabaugh; married in 1867 in Putnam county, Ohio. His second wife was Anna Reece; married in 1878. Joseph died and was buried in Palmer, Merrick county, Nebraska.
Joseph wrote both letters to Mary Jane Stirk (b. 1841), the daughter of Henry Stirk (1816-1904) and Eliza Jane Bodine (1821-1902). Mary Jane (“Jennie”) married Allen Ludwig Mohler (1844-1926) in 1867.
Letter 1
Camp near Readyville [Tennessee] February
Friend Jennie,
It is with pleasure that I take the present opportunity to let you know that I am still in the land of the living and never had better health than I now have. You no doubt have heard of the death of brother Thomas. It was a sad loss to me. We both went into the battle side by side and it was after we had been fighting a long time when he fell, mortally wounded by my side. It was a very hot place & the shot and shell were flying in every direction. But I succeeded in carrying him off the field. He died the next morning after the battle at 9 a.m. 1
I have not heard how the news was received at home yet but I am afraid that Mother can’t stand it for she is very weakly. Well Mary Jane, it is an awful scene to look over the battlefield and see the dead, dying, and wounded all scattered about. We have had another little fight since the fight at Murfreesboro, We went to Woodbury and drove the Rebels out of the town, killing the commander (Col. [John B.] Hutchenson [of 2nd Kentucky Cavalry]) and several privates. We took a number of prisoners including one captain. We ha two or three wounded. We then returned to camp.
Our Brigade is alone 12 miles from Murfreesboro on the Woodbury Pike. We are well fortified & can hold our position against three times our number. There is a few Rebels scouting around us watching our forage train as it goes out for forage. But they don’t attack it with much success for we have too strong a guard with it. Our regiment has been recruited some with drafted men. Reason Brown is in our company.
Well, I don’t know that I have anything of importance to write this time. Norman [Chaffin] has not been very well for while but is better now. This is the second letter I have wrote you lately but got no answer to the other one. I thought I would try it again. I also wrote to Mariah but have not heard from her but I will write anyhow as long as I have stamps. Sometimes I have none & then I can’t write. But I have plenty now so I will write till I get an answer.
Tell your father that I am working at my trade between drill hours. I get $1 for half soling boots. Sole leather is worth 66 cents per lb. Give my love to Mother & Ellen and Mariah & the rest of the folks & reserve a portion for yourself. No more at present but remain yours with respect. — Joseph McGonagle
to Mary Jane Stirk
P. S. Tell Mariah to write to me & you write as soon as you get this and tell me all the news that is going on. Direct to Joe. Mc., Co. C, 41st O. V. in care of Lieut. [Samuel B.] Asdell, Nashville, Tenn.
1 For an excellent summary of the 41st Ohio and their defense of the piece of ground called Hell’s Half Acre in the Battle of Stones River, please see my friend Dam Masters’ excellent article, “Summoning Hell’s Half Acre: The 41st Ohio in the Round Forest” in Civil War Chronicles, 22 April 2020.
Letter 2
Chattanooga [Tennessee] March 23, 1864
Friend Jennie,
After a long absence of correspondence, I resume my pen once more to let you know that I am still in the land of the living. Although I have not written to you in some time, I have not forgotten you. I think it my duty to write to you for I always found your letters cheering and comforting to me when I was down-hearted & therefore ask your pardon for long neglecting my duty. All that I can say for myself is that I have not the chance to write here in camp that I had in the hospital.
I was not able for duty when I left the hospital but I could not get to go home when I was so near there so I thought I would go to the front if I could get there. I got to Chattanooga & there examined and put in the Convalescent Camp where I have been since the first of February and will have to stay here until the doctor thinks I am able for duty.
The weather has been pleasant for some time but at the present writing, there is ten inches of snow on the ground. It commenced about 12 last night and has continued ever since. It is something very rare for the Sunny South. The editor of the Chattanooga Gazette thinks the returning veterans brought it from the North. The peach trees have been in bloom for over a month.
Chattanooga you would infer from the paper to be a great city, but it is not as large as Wooster & there is not a fence to be seen. It is a filthy looking place and to make it still worse (pardon me if I speak plain) there is not an old crib in town that is not filled with prostitutes even from our northern cities and we see the fruits of it very often. A few nights ago there was an officer in a house of ill fame. When two privates came and demanded admittance, the officer refused to admit them whereupon they went to abusing him and he showed his revolver & shot one of the men through the heart. But the officer will be sustained in it as he said the man struck him.
I have not received ant letter from John for some time. His regiment is at Decatur, Alabama.
Well, I have nothing of importance to write at present, but will surely not neglect to write as soon as I hear from this. My love to all of the family & reserve a portion for yourself. Tell your father I will mail him two copies of the Chattanooga paper. I remain yours till death, — J. A. McGonagle
To Miss Jennie Stirk
P. S. Direct to Convalescent Camp, Chattanooga, Tenn.
I could not find an image of Charles but here is one of Benjamin Darby of Co. F, 41st Ohio Infantry (Matthew Fleming Collection)
This war relic belonged to Charles Edney, Jr. (1844-1914), the son of Charles Edney, Sr. (1818-1855( and Mary Ann Beer (1817-1900). Charles’s parents were born in Kent, England, while Charles was born in Rouen, Francem, in 1844. The family came to the United States in 1851 was Charles was 9 years old, and were living in Jackson, Mahoning county, Ohio at the time of the Civil War.
Charles and his younger brother Andrew Edney (1846-1863) enlisted in Co. F, 41st Ohio Infantry. Both brothers enlisted at the same time in October 1861. Andrew was killed at the Battle of Missionary Ridge; Charles survived the war, mustering out of the service in November 1865.
In the fight at Missionary Ridge, the 41st Ohio was brigaded with the 1st and 93rd Ohio, the 5th Kentucky, and the 6th Indiana. This brigade seized Confederate positions at the base of the ridge, the brigade advanced up the hills, driving the Confederates before them. Near the crest, the 41st captured an enemy battery and quickly turned the guns upon the fleeing Southerners.
Transcription
Captured by Charles Edney
Rebel writing paper captured at the Battle of Mission Ridge from a Rebel Battery November 29th 1863
Brother Andrew was killed by a cannon ball.
Rebel postage stamps 1 traded for at close of war in East Tennessee
Captured by Charles Edney
1 These 10-cent Confederate stamps were issued in 1863-64. Its engraved design features President Jefferson Davis in profile. Each stamp is worth approximately $30 today (2022).
I could not find an image of Jacob but here is one of Clarkson Beebe Strickland of Co. B, 41st OVI (Sara Thompson Collection)
This letter was written by Jacob Shanklin (1841-1863) who died in November 1863 of the wounds he received in the Battle of Missionary Ridge while serving in Co. C, 41st Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI). Jacob enlisted as a private on 19 September 1862 and was mustered out of the company two years later on 27 November 1863—two days after the battle, at Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Jacob was the son of Irish emigrant John Shanklin (1804-1899) and Mary Jane Wiseman (b. 1814) of East Union, Wayne county, Ohio.
I can’t be certain of her identity, but I believe that Jacob may have written this letter to Elizabeth Salmon (b. 1842) who was enumerated in the household of Peter Gerald in Wooster, Wayne county, Ohio in the 1860 US Census.
Colonel Hazen, a Regular Army officer, organized the 41st Ohio Regiment at Cleveland in the fall of 1861, and saw its first service at Pittsburgh Landing (Shiloh), losing severely. After the siege of Corinth it rested at Athens, Alabama. Moving with Buell’s army, to Louisville and returning to Murfreesboro, the Regiment lost about 73 of its force. At Chickamauga it again lost heavily, and was complimented by Thomas at Mission Ridge. The Regiment returned from Veteran furlough to perform well its part in the Atlanta campaign, losing more or less heavily in the various encounters. Returning from there it did good service with Thomas at Nashville, and finally rested at Huntsville, Alabama, after the pursuit of Hood. In June, 1865, the Regiment was ordered to Texas, and mustered out at San Antonio in November.
[Transcribed by Jeannette Ann Vannan; edited & researched by Griff]
Transcription
Kentucky December 6, 1861
Miss E. A. Salmons, dear friend,
I take my pen in hand to inform you that I am well at present and hoping these few lines may find you enjoying the same health. Tis been a long time since I have had the time to write, but finding a few leisure moments, I thought I would write to you we are in camp expecting every moment to get marching orders to go to Cumberland gap where there is 60,000 men well fortified. There will be some hard fighting to do but God speed the right in all cases.
Since we left Camp Wood, we have been in Gallipolis, Louisville, Camp Dennison, Camp Jenkins. I can’t tell where we will be next but I hope to be at home next year. You may see me very soon. You ought to [see] us boys in our muslin houses when it snows. We get up in the morning covered with snow, get up Co. C., fall out for roll call, then the boys growl about getting out from their warm blankets. But what gets them the worst is getting marching orders about 12 o’clock at night. Then the boys fall out, sling knapsacks and haversacks with 3 days provisions and have the beef burnt, march all night too. Tis a pleasant thing to fight for one’s country. I hope it is and more to get along. That’s what killed the horse.
I wish that I was in your company to talk of the times we had buggy riding.
It almost seems those those lips of thine Might kiss away the pain To dream of joys that one in had but now can have again.
The black crow was a [ ] song Its plumage it was white If I prove false to you, Lizzie, Bright day will turn to night
I remain yours, — Jacob Shanklin
Write soon as you get this. Direct to Kentucky, 41st Regiment O. V. USA, Co. C., Care of Captain A. Wiley
I could not find an image of John but here is a tintype of Benjamin Darby of Co. F, 41st Ohio Vol. Infantry (Matthew Fleming Collection)
These two letters were written by John Henry Wakefield (1839-1893), the son of John Wakefield (1802-1871) and Susan A. Wakefield (1813-1878) of Bedford, Cuyahoga county, Ohio. John wrote both letters to his older sister, Hellen (Wakefield) Munyan (1837-1903), the wife of Horace Franklin Munyan (1832-1922) of Bay City, Bay county, Michigan.
John enlisted on 27 September 1861 when he was 22 years old to serve three years in Co. D, 41st Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI). He was appointed corporal on 24 November 1861, and made the 1st Sergeant of his company on 27 April 1863. He was wounded in the Battle of Chickamauga on 19 September 1863 and again on 27 May 1864 in the Battle of Picketts Mills, Georgia. His wound in the last named battle resulted in the amputation of his right arm and he was mustered out of the service on 4 November 1864.
The first letter was datelined from Glasgow, Kentucky, on the day before the Battle of Perryville in which the 41st OVI participated, though they saw only light skirmishing. After having helped to drive Bragg’s army out of Kentucky, the 41st returned to Nashville in late October 1862 and remained there until late December when the Army of the Ohio advanced against the Confederate army at Murfreesboro and participated in the Battle of Stones River. On the first day of that battle, the brigade in which the 41st fought stopped a Confederate assault after the Right Wing collapsed, saving the Union army from defeat. They repulsed another attack on the second day and silenced a Rebel battery on the third day. Following this three day battle, the 41st entered camp at Readyville, Tennessee, where the second letter was written.
Letter 1
Camp at Glasgow [Kentucky] October 7, 1862
Dear Sister,
It has been a long time since I have written to you. I have not had any chance as we have been on the move for two months and I expect we shall tomorrow for Gallatin within fifteen miles of Nashville and sixty-five or seventy miles from here. The weather is quite cool and has been for some time. We had a snow about ten days ago. It fell three inches in depth and was very heavy and cold.
I have no news of interest to write—only we got four months pay yesterday. We have two [ ] yet. My health is very good and I hope these few lines will find you and Harold well. I wrote a letter home yesterday. The last letter I received from home was dated the sixth. It arrived in five days. Your letter of the 13th of August arrived some time after. I was very glad to hear that you were all well. I hope Horace has not enlisted yet. [Brother] Martin had not the last letter I got. They have not had their tents since we left Murfreesboro until a few days ago the Captain had one the Colonel gave him and I slept under it. I have not carried my blankets any on the march. We are still at our old business—Headquarters guard.
Our regiment had a skirmish with the enemy. There was no one hurt, one horse shot. There were heavy volleys of musketry and they opened on us with shell from artillery. Our men skirmished with them every day on our march from Louisville. If I were to give you a detailed [report], it would weary your patience so I will close sending my best respects to you and James. So goodbye, — J. H. Wakefield
J. H. Wakefield, Co. D, 41st Regt. OVI, 19th Brigade, 4th Division, Army of Ohio, Louisville, Kentucky, Care of Capt. [Harvey] Proctor
Letter 2
Camp at Readyville, Tennessee February 16, 1863
Dear Sister and Husband,
I received your letter of January 6 and one from home some time ago. I received your letter of February 8th. This evening I was very glad to hear that you were all well but I was surprised to hear that you had not heard from me and that you were so much troubled about me. I wrote a letter to you a few days after the battle & wrote a long letter to Aunt Powers a short time since and requested her to send it to you. I am in good health and enjoying good spirits.
We are encamped at the foot of a hill on a fine slope of ground near a small river. The water is very good. The health of the soldiers is very good. We are in advance on this pike from Murfreesboro to Woodbury. It is ten miles to Murfreesboro and seven to Woodbury. The rebels are quite thick around here but we are getting used to them. We have had several skirmishes with them since we have been here. We went out to Woodbury and had quite a sharp skirmish with them. One man was wounded in our company in the leg quite severely.
The weather has been fine and warm for a week. It rained last night and has rained all day and rains hard tonight.
February 17th. It is not very pleasant today. It has rained nearly all day. We have been graveling our streets today and our walks to keep us out of the mud. It is quite warm.
There is no news of interest in camp today. I shall review the scenes of Murfreesboro Battle. I have written so many long letters about it that it would be a task to me. We were under a heavy fire of solid shot and shells and musket balls from daylight in the morning until darkness closed the same. It seemed as though the night would never come as hour after hour the shot and shell plowed our noble ranks all day. [But] we held our position. Darkness found us where we were in the morning. We were on the left of the army. Our Brigade was the only one that did not give way. Several times the balls came closer to me than I wished to have them. A musket ball hit my canteen and glanced off and a cannon ball took my cap off. 1
I received a letter from Harriet about ten days since. They were all well and enjoying themselves comfortably. I received a letter from Rufus and Aunt Powers. It was a very good, kind, and friendly letter and I answered it in the same style. I forgot to mention in the proper place that [Sergt.] Spencer Sawyer was slightly wounded. I have learned today for the first time his place of residence. He went to the rear to a hospital and was taken prisoner. He is doing well. He is in Maryland. Warren Scott was taken prisoner. He is not wounded. The opinion here is that he went and gave himself up. Joseph Hist was wounded in the wrist. I have heard today that he is dead. He had the consumption and I expect the effect of the wound caused his death. His father lives near Lockwood. I have received the intelligence that David Jones is dead. He belonged to our company. He had just returned home [to Bedford, Ohio] of a discharge furlough.
I received a letter from home this evening dated the eleventh. They are all well and enjoying themselves as far as I can learn. I wish when you write, you would send a postage stamp as they are very scarce and hard to obtain and I have to write a good many letters. I wrote home for some but thy do not send them. I most always have a plenty of paper and envelopes. We are nearly up with the times with news here. We saw Cleveland papers ninth and Louisville the sixteenth. I don’t know how it got here so quick. I would be very glad to spend a day with you but my business is such that I cannot leave at present. I am glad to hear that your little girl is a growing finely. I would be very glad to see her. I trust the time will come when the cloud will rise from the face of our country that now darkens it and we will meet again. I would be very glad to visit with you in your northern home.
The health of the regiment is very good. I have been acting Orderly Sergeant since we left Nashville. I must close fearing I will weary you with my long letters. If there is any mistakes, you must correct them as I have not time. We are having a very good time this winter. It is so warm.
Yours truly. I send my love to all. From your brother, — J. H. Wakefield
Address: Co. D. 41st Regt. OVI, 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Army of the Cumberland. Left Wing Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Spared & Shared 23 