8th Ohio Infantry | Spared & Shared 23

*I could not find an image of Frederick but here is a tintype of Hiram Fellows who served in Co. K, 8th OVI. He was killed in 1864. (Photo Sleuth)*

The following letter was written by Frederick E. Nichols, Jr. (1838-1862), the son of German emigrant Frederick Nichols, Sr. (1792-1854) and Catherine [ ] (1800-1874) of Bucyrus, Crawford county, Ohio. Frederick was mustered into Co. C, 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI) as a drummer on 22 June 1861. The muster rolls indicate that he was later reclassified as a private, turning in his drumsticks for a rifle. Frederick was gravely wounded in the Battle of Antietam on 17 September 1862 and died a week later. The attack by the 8th OVI on the Sunken Road was ultimately successful but it cost the regiment almost half of the men in the ranks—162 men in killed and wounded.

This letter was written to his sister Sarah (1835-1865 who was married to Samuel Couts in 1858. Their son born in 1864 was named after his late uncle.

This letter is housed in the Records of the Pension Bureau in Washington D. C. It was brought to my attention by Kathi Donatucci who discovered it while researching material for a book and suggested posting it on Spared & Shared. The book she says she will never finish draws its title from this letter, which is: “Plenty of Biscuit and Cold Slaw.”

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Camp at Harrison’s Landing
June the 30th 1862

Dear Sister Sade,

I received your letter a few days ago and had many opportunities of answering it but on account of the warm weather and the only reason why I am so lazy I neglected to answer it until today. I am in good health and when these few lines reaches you I hope they may find you in the same enjoyment. I feel relieved since I found that mother had got that money. I was anxious to know what had become of it. We are a going to be paid again some of these days and then I will send her some more money by letter.

I was over to see Henry yesterday. I let him read your letters. He said he would write to you and give you a short history of the different engagements fought on the Peninsula before we arrived here. I suppose you have heard of them ere long before this time, so it is not worth while mentioning them. He said if Jim Stevenson would tell him that nobody but damn fools and cowards would go to war, that he would kick his hinder parts. He has given Jim’s girl a name. He calls her miss (heavily crossed out—looks like Jenny ass maybe). He thinks he ought to get married because he needs a wife very bad. I think so too.

Sade, the corps which Henry is in is under marching orders so I think there is pretty good prospect of leaving just now. Sade, if you will make me a couple of Calico shirts and send them to me, I will pay you for them. The reason why I want calico shirts, they are easier to wash and I have to be my own wash woman. I will send you the money to buy the stuff in my next letter. You can do them up in a small box and send them. Sade, I have no money now but as soon as I get paid which I think will be this week, I will then have my miniature taken if I can find an artist in these diggings.

Well, I will have to close for this time. Please give my respects to every body you see and in particular to Miss Wagner. No more at present.
I am ever your brother, — Fred

Sade, if I should be so fortunate as to get out of this predicament, I want you to prepare plenty of biscuit and cold slaw. Sade, send me a postage stamp or two the next time and as soon as I get payed off, I will send for another dollar’s worth.

*I could not find an image of Corp. James but here is a tintype of a member of the 8th Ohio Infantry with his lady. (Kevin Canberg Collection)*

This letter was written by 28 year-old Corp. John W. James of Co. G, 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, a member of the Gibraltar Brigade of the Army of the Potomac. John enlisted on 7 June 1861 and was mustered out after three years service on 13 July 1864.

“Following President Lincoln’s call for regiments of 3 years’ duration, the 3 month regiment reenlisted on 22 June. It participated in the Shenandoah Valley Campaign against the forces of General “Stonewall” Jackson, and gained distinction at the Battle of Antietam with their fighting at the Sunken Road. They also served at the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. The 8th became well-known after its service at Gettysburg, due to its repulse of Confederate troops during “Pickett’s Charge.”

After Gettysburg, the regiment was sent to quell the New York City draft riots. Following its return to the Army of the Potomac, the 8th participated in Grant’s Overland Campaign from the Wilderness to the siege of Petersburg. At Spotsylvania Court House, they were engaged in the fighting at the “Bloody Angle,” where hand-to-hand combat raged for 22 hours. Just 3 weeks before their enlistment expired, on 1 June 1864, they took part in the ill-fated attacks at the battle of Cold Harbor. This constant, intense fighting throughout the war gained the 8th a dubious honor: more of its men died from hostile action than of disease.

The regiment was officially mustered out of service on 13 July 1864. Veterans who wished to continue the fight, along with new recruits, formed two companies and were attached to the 4th Ohio Infantry Battalion on 25 June 1864. A total of 205 members of the 8th Ohio Regiment died during its term of service, including 8 officers and 124 enlisted men in battle and 1 officer and 72 enlisted men from disease.” [Encyclopedia of Cleveland History]

John wrote the letter to his aunt, Sarah R. Arnow (1811-1892), the wife of William H. Arnow (b. 1808), a carpenter in Westchester, New York.

Transcription

*Addressed to Mrs. Sarah Arnow, Westchester, Westchester county, New York*

Camp of the 8th Regt. O. V. Infantry
Near Stevensburg, Virginia
April 17th, 1864

Dear Aunt,

With haste I embrace the opportunity of addressing you as I learn from a reliable source that after today, no mail will be permitted to leave the army during the spring campaign. I presume the object of this is to prevent any news going North as regards the movements of this army. Therefore, undoubtedly this will be the last letter you will receive from me while in the service of the United States. But if I live, I hope to be enabled to write to you before long as I have but sixty-seven more days to serve in this cruel war. All mail sent to the army will be received as in the future. Therefore, I trust you will write to me often and if I get an opportunity of writing sooner than I expect to, I will improve it. I shall endeavor to write a line to each of my very numerous correspondents today to inform them of the stoppage of the mail.

“The season on inaction is past, and with the opening of Spring comes the beginning of that portentous struggle which as we finally believe will end this unnatural revolt…
—Corp. John James, 8th OVI, 17 April 1864

The season of inaction is past, and with the opening of Spring comes the beginning of that portentous struggle which as we finally believe will end this unnatural revolt that has annoyed the Sons of the South against the government of their fathers. During the past few months, neither side has been idle. The thinned ranks of our veterans has been largely reinforced. Liberal bounties have enlisted many a sturdy recruit and thus far spared the necessity of a draft. The heroes of many a well fought field have renewed their vows of devotion to the country for which they have imperiled life and limb and have reenlisted for 3 years more. Our armies have been reorganized under new, yet tired and faithful leaders who inspire the confidence and kindle the enthusiasm of their followers, and soldiers of the Republic enter on another campaign amply equipped and full of hope. And they only need good leadership to march to battle and to victory. The great captain who eagles have never fled before the enemy is now in chief command. Gen. Grant has made the 4th of July 1863 historic. We fondly hope that he will make the 4th of July 1864 even more renowned as the National Anniversary of a once more united and regenerated Republic.

I wil now close as my time for writing is but limited. Therefore, I must use it to the best advantage. Father, mother, brothers and sister were enjoying good health at last accounts. These lines [leave] me well. May htey find you and family the same. Give my love to all. I will now bid you a kind adieu, hoping to hear from you soon.

I remain as ever your nephew, — John W. James

Address all letters to me as follows: John W. James, Co. G, 8th Regt. O. V. Infantry, Carroll’s Brigade, 2nd Corps, Army of the Potomac