96th Ohio Infantry | Spared & Shared 23

*Martin Pence of Co. I, 96th OVI also died of disease at St. Louis in February 1863.*

This letter was written by James M. Higgins (1835-1863) of Co. H, 96th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He wrote the letter to James Emery (1818-1888) of Bellfontaine, Logan county, Ohio, regarding the death of his son, Cyrus Eagle Emery, who enlisted when he was 19 years old on 8 August 1862 to serve in Co. H, 96th Ohio. We learn from the letter that Cyrus died on a hospital boat on the Arkansas River while en route to Memphis. What is most unusual about this letter is that less than a month later, James was also dead. His military record indicates that he died of chronic diarrhea on 15 February 1863 at the Jefferson Barracks Hospital in St. Louis, leaving a grieving wife and child back home in Bellfontaine, Ohio.

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

January 16, 1863

Mr. James Emery—dear sir,

It is my duty to inform you of the sad news that may strike with dead tears to your heart. I am sorry to inform you of the death of your son Cyrus Emery that was a worthy member of our company. Most two weeks ago he took the measles and caught cold which resulted in bringing on the Typhoid Fever [when] we were on the shore of the Arkansas River at the Post of the Arkansas and fight.

Soon after the fight there was a boat load of sick and wounded soldiers was started North but Cyrus was too bad that [even] with the carefullest attention that I could bestow, he died. I was sent with the boat that brought them to Memphis. I tried to bring his corpse up home but he could not be brought so far.

But do not grief overwhelm you for Cyrus was a very good boy and I hope that the kind God who gave him his existence hath gently taken him to a far more peaceful and richer reward. He is buried about 140 miles from Memphis, Tennessee. We put him as neatly in his grave as the nature of the case would admit of. He had no money—nothing but some clothes and paper. Nothing of value. The few things he had I calculate to give over to Clem Emery.

Frank [J.] Edwards was very sick when we left the regiment at Arkansas Post and [John] Clem Emery was not able to do. duty. There was so many sick that we could not procure boats sufficient. to bring them all up North as far as Memphis or St, Louis. We have been losing a great many of our regiment lately with sickness.

We had one of our company killed [possibly James Stanton?] and one wounded [Henry Harbaugh]. Our loss in the fight out of the regiment was 9 killed and 30 wounded. So nothing more at present but remain your friend, — J. M. Higgins

This letter was written by William Henry Scarbrough (1842-1903), the son of James Scarbrough (1807-1896) and Elizabeth Breckenridge (1816-1904) of Liberty, Knox county, Ohio. The Scarbrough family were farmers and active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

William enlisted on 12 August 1862 to serve in Co. B, 96th OVI. Prior to his promotion to corporal in April 1863, he participated in the battles of Chickasaw Bluffs and Fort Hindman. He was with his regiment in the rear of Vicksburg when he wrote this letter in mid-June 1863 but became ill and was sent to the hospital on 4 July where he remained for a couple of weeks. He returned to his regiment and participated in the battle of Grand Coteau where he was wounded in the left index finger, was promoted to sergeant in December 1863, and and participated in the battles of Sabine Crossroads, Fort Gaines and Morgan, Spanish Fort and Mobile, Alabama.

*William H. Scarbrough of Mt. Vernon, Ohio. Photographer L. K. Oldroyd w. tax stamp. (Paul O’Neill Collection)*

*Advertisement for Oldroyd’s Gallery in the Mt. Vernon Republican, December 1864.*

For a great article on the early war experience of the 9th OVI, see Grapes and Catawba Wine on the Ohio: The 96th Ohio Defends Cincinnati, published in March 2021 in Dan Masters’ Civil War Chronicles.

See also, “An Ohio English Teach Went to Fight in the Civil War and Got his First True Taste of Battle,” by James Jewell on HistoryNet.

Previously published Spared & Shared letters by members of the 96th OVI:
Albert S. Coomer, Co. C, 96th Ohio (3 Letters)
Alfred Alverson Thayer, Co. C, 96th Ohio (3 Letters)
Joseph C. Arnold, Co. E, 96th Ohio (3 Letters)

The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History houses a collection of 51 letters by William H. Scarbrough of Co. B, 96th OVI.

Transcription

*Addressed to Mr. James Scarbrough, Mt. Vernon, Knox County, Ohio*

Rear of Vicksburg, four miles on the Battlefield
June 17, 1863

Dear Parents,

This beautiful morning finds me seated for the purpose of writing you a few lines. However, I do not owe you any letter but if I did not write when I only received letters, I would not write very often. Since last writing you, nothing of interest has occurred more than usual. Last Sabbath morning as Orderly Lore and myself were laying in the beautiful shade with our Testaments in our hands and talking of home and the pleasant times we have had and soon hope to enjoy again, we were called—or rather aroused—by a Rebel shell which soon brought us to our feet and instead of reading our Bibles, had to lay in the rifle pits the balance of the day. Such is the theme of war. You do not know from one minute to another what you will be called on to do. Persons not acquainted or used to the Army would think it a strange place. I do not mind the hardships of war anymore for tis of no use. I thank God for sparing my life through so many dangers and hardships and good health. Since coming here, many of our boys have taken sick with disease, chills, and fever. Consequently the duty we have to perform (which is very heavy) comes harder upon those that are well.

John Law is not very well at this time but is now improving slowly. I wrote a letter stating that I would like if you could send me a couple of good woolen shirts—something of good quality. I am nearly out of anything in the shirt line and do not like the army shorts. If you have any chance, send them, or if you think it safe to Express them.

If you want to see a map of Vicksburg and of the charges [that have] been made and where the Federal Army lays and even [the] 96th [OVI], look in Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper. It is being made and will be sent to him soon. You can see the position of all out forces and 20th, 96th, or any regiment you wish to see. I have nothing more of interest to communicate. I hope to hear from you all soon.

Send me postage stamps. I am out and will have to frank this letter. My love to all friends after reserving a share for yourselves. Yours topographically and fraternally, — William H. Scarbrough, soldier boy.

[to] James and Elizabeth Scarbrough

Direct to camp near Vicksburg, Miss., 96th Regiment OVI, Company B, Care of Capt. Joseph Leonard

I could say many things concerning the army but will be useless for the papers can and will give you a better statement than myself. I hope to hear from you soon.