Capt. William Christy when he was in the 8th Iowa Cavalry (courtesy of Michael Huston)
The following letter was written by William Christy while serving as a sergeant in Co. I, 15th Iowa Infantry. He was born at Warren, Trumbull county, Ohio, February 14, 1841, the oldest son of George L. Christy (1815-1869) and Jane Marshall (1819-1901). In 1854 his father relinquished mercantile pursuits and moving westward, established himself as a farmer in Clarke county, Iowa, where William received a good education.
During the Civil War, William Christy enlisted as a private in Co. I, 15th Iowa Infantry, serving in that regiment one year. William enlisted with his younger brother, Isaac “Marshall” Christy (1844-1905). William was quickly promoted to sergeant; Marshall remained a private. After a year in the infantry, William was transferred to the Eighth Iowa Cavalry, rising to the rank of captain. He was attached to Sherman’s army until Atlanta was reached, when his regiment turned back with Thomas to hold Tennessee. During a skirmish in the rear of Atlanta, Captain Christy was wounded severely and fell into the hands of the enemy. He spent a whole year in Confederate prisions and hospitals, being for a short time successively in Millen and Andersonville. Exchanged in February, 1865, he rejoined his troop a poor advertisement for the fare in southern prisons, weighing less than 100 pounds. Captain Christy was afterward brevetted lieutenant-colonel of his regiment and remained with it till its disbandment in August, 1865, participating in the capture of Macon, Selma and Montgomery. Four wounds, two of them through the body, were retained as mementos of the days of raid and combat.
“Upon his return to Iowa, Colonel Christy attended college for a year and then entered a banking house at Osceola, Iowa. He was elected State Treasurer in 1872, by the modest majority of 62,000, and was reelected two years later. In 1876 he went back to the banking business in Des Moines. Colonel Christy came to Arizona in 1882, for the benefit of an oppressing asthma. He was one of the founders of the Valley Bank of this city, and has added materially to his worldly possessions in lands of the valley and by his interest in a number of profitable enterprises. Five children have been the fruit of a union contracted in 1866, with Miss Carrie E. Bennett, at Aurora, Ill. The family residence is located upon the outskirts of Phoenix and in the development of his fertile acres the financier finds his chief enjoyment.”
William’s letter describes the Battle of Shiloh in which the 15th Iowa Infantry suffered considerable losses in their first engagement. For another great account of the Battle of Shiloh from the perspective of the 15th Iowa Infantry, readers are referred to: The Civil War Diary of Cyrus F. Boyd, published in 1953, which is availsable on-line.
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
[Editor’s Note: This transcript was shared by Marcus Crane on his Facebook site along with images of the original letter itself but they were so badly out of focus that I could not verify the accuracy of the transcription. That being said, I feel that this transcription must be pretty accurate as the statements made seem to be corroborated by other accounts]
I don’t know if this letter goes with this envelope but its from the same collection and my hunch is that the “Cousin” William wrote to was Miss Achsah Ann Marshall (1840-1930) of Bluffton, Allen County, Ohio.Achsah married Charles A. Crane (1834-1928) in 1876. It was Achsah who undoubtedly passed the letters to her descendants.
Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee April 17, 1862
Esteemed cousin,
I received your welcome comliment a few days since. Was glad to [hear] from you and yours. We are well as could be expected for soldiers in Tennessee. The diahhrea has had its effect on most of us. Only a few has escaped its fury. Marshall has had it very bad but is better. The regiment is not half fit for duty. We are encamped on a beautiful knoll in the timber about three miles from the river towards the enemy. Trees are covered with their green robes of summer. Peaches are the size of a cherry. Other fruit in proportion. Grass has just started. It is backward for the climate. The weather is quite warm and wet mud very deep, but drying up rapidly.
I do not like htis country. There is too much timber and clay. The soil is not more than 4 inches deep. I prefer the praities. We left our cheerful quarters in Benton Barracks [on] April 1 and arrived here the morning of the 6th just as the roar of the enemy’s guns were giving their salutations to the morn. We ate a hard cracker for breakfast, shouldered our muskets, and started for the scene of action—a distance of three miles.
Isaac “Marshall” Christy served in the same company with his brother (Iowa Civil War Images)
We were marched to within range of the enemy’s guns and then formed in line, thye firing voley after voley into our ranks which began to thin them by this time. We then fired and layed down. We soon scattered and bushwacked for two hours when we were outflanked and had to retreat. I waited til they got close enough to be sure and then fired and had the pleasure of seeing one of the graybacks fall, you bet. The bullets whistled around me thick. Then I ran my best. I was afraid of being shot in the back but as luck would have it, I came out all right. Our forces were driven back slowly till 4 p.m. Our artillery was put in position and supported the infantry. We opened on them and such anotherroar was never heard on this continent. I was behind a 64-pounder siege gun. When they fired, it kicked back 20 feet. It was deserted when the enemy made a charge but the infantry kept it from being taken with the aid of two gunboats. They were repulsed with great slaughter. Their firing nearly ceased—ours [was] more constant and destructive. Our loss in killed and wounded is from ten to fifteen thousand. Theirs from fifteen to twenty. Our loss on Sunday was as great as theirs, but on Monday their was five to one.
We were reinforced by a regiment of artillery which did fearful work on the enemy. They fought like men but they could not stand against the unerring aim of our guns. They were on the wrong side. We lost out of our regiment 25 killed and 175 wounded, 25 missing. We lost out of our company 3 killed, 15 wounded. Our 2nd Lt. [Robert W. Hamilton was]killed, Captain [James G. Day] and 1st Lieutenant [James M. Reid] wounded.
We are now encamped nearest the enemy. We are the advance of the Army of Tennessee. As soon as the roads get better, we will advance on tyhe enemy now at Corinth. They are strongly fortified. We have artillery enough to shell them out. We have six or eight hundred guns of heavy caliber.
I have been over the battlefield and such a sight I never expect to see. It far surpassed my expectations. I could stand in one place and count 300 dead. One cannon ball went through a tree and killed secesh. They all lay in a heap in one place. The wounded caught on fire and burned to death. Many wounded. It was a fearful sight to behold. I shall have to quit for want of space. Write as often as convenient. Direct to St. Louis. They will follow.
I would give 4 cents to be at Uncle B’s long enough to see you all and help you eat some of that sugar you were making not long since. But it is no go. So be it.
I received a letter from Aunt Mary yesterday. Uncle John was poorly. He had taken a back seat behind mother. Grandmother was quite poorly. The rest of the friends are quite well. It may bother you to read this. My pen is very poor and no place to write. I am sitting on the ground, a board on my lap. You can guess at the convenience of the thing.
You said you were in hopes I would return a Democrat. I think democracy has played out but all other parties, but Universalists—that is the party to which I belong. Give my love to all the friends and cousins. Yours truly, — William Christy
I could not find an image of Koonts but here is a watercolor of Charles W. Sprankle of Co. F, 19th OVI.
Lost his life in the Battle of Chickamauga reads the epitaph on the headstone of Charles E. Koonts (1844-1863) of Co. E, 19th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI). Charles was the son of baker/confectioner Joseph F. Koonts (1819-1891) and his wife, Elizabeth Ann Munch (1822-1904), of Putnam, Muskingum County, Ohio.
Though he claimed to be 18 at the time of his enlistment in October 1861, I believe Charles was only 17. He was promoted from a private to corporal in January 1863 and was killed in action at the Battle of Chickamauga on 19 September 1863.
Charles addressed all of his letters to his younger sister, Clara Koonts. His letters epitomize most of the correspondence written by the untested, raw troops who found themselves in the Battle of Shiloh in April 1862. To their loved ones back home, they no longer wrote about hoping to see a battle; they wrote about hoping to survive the next one. It was a grim jolt of reality that hardened the young men almost overnight.
Over the years I have transcribed a number of letters by members of the 19th OVI but Koonts’ are the first from Co. E. The others include:
I received your letter of the 7th yesterday and as I was on guard, I had not time to answer it. There is a fair here. There goes the gar. 1 “Hurrah for the gar. P. S. the sarl can’t go at all.
I have nothing of any importance to say as I am here in camp and nothing going on. But I expect that we shall leave here pretty soon as the regiment is about full. Before I forget, I would say that you must write me. And give it in care of Jennings Northup as we expect to leave pretty soon. If he should leave before you receive this, don’t write until you receive my next letter.
It is about dinner time. I must bring my letter to a close. I am well and hope you are the same. Please send me a little money to get some washing done. you have no idea how much better I would feel if I had a little money to get some milk now and then. Please excuse bad writing and all other mistakes.
Goodbye. Yours truly, — C. E. Koonts
Later. The Boys say that the provisions are all taken away except three days so I think we will soon leave. At least I hope so.
1 We have come to recognize G. A. R. as the Grand Army of the Republic—an organization of war veterans created in 1866. It is reported however that “gar” referred to the grand army of the republic at an even earlier date.
Letter 2
Alliance [Ohio] October 13, 1861
Dear Sister,
I take my pencil in hand to let you know that we shall stay a little longer than I thought we would yesterday. Some say we will go and some say we won’t. So I shant believe it until we get off. I have nothing to say but I want you to get Pa to send me a little money to pay the postage on my letters. And I need about 15 cents to get my hair cut. I owe four letters—two that I have sent as the tamps you sent are the old ones and they won’t go up here. Goodbye. Yours truly, — C. E. Koonts
Letter 3
Alliance Camp Ford [Ohio] 24 October 1861
Dear Sister,
I received your letter of the 22nd and as I have nothing to do this evening, I hastened to answer it. I am well and hope you are the same. The news is now that we will leave Monday or Tuesday for Louisville, Kentucky, but we have been leaving ever since we have been here. But I hope we will leave soon.
I have nothing to say but to let you know that I have everything I need now. I have a double blanket and have ordered a gum blanket and have a nice oil cloth. The gum blanket that we have ordered are to be paid for when we draw our first pay. The captain says that when he was in Mexico, he had one of these gums and when the rest were all wet, he was dry. And he says the oil cloth will do very well until it gets cold and then it will break. But the gum will make a nice dry bed when we have to lay out.
There is that old drum a beating and I have but a few minutes to write so I must bring my letter to a close.
P. S. Here is it Sunday and I have not finished my letter yet. The talk is now that we will stay a month yet. But there is no telling when we shall have to leave. But if we have to stay here long, I think we shall have to come home or at least go down to Camp Dennison for it is so cold up here that we will freeze.
Before I forget it, I wish you to print my name on some muslin and send up to put on my clothes. Oh, there is no use a talking. I can’t write any more for it is too cold this morning.
Give my respects and compliments to all the Boys and Girls and that’s all. So I will dry up. A fine day this morn. So goodbye. Yours respectfully, — C. E. Koonts
Letter 4
Camp Ford [Alliance, Ohio] Wednesday, November 6, 1861
Dear Sister,
I take my pencil in hand to let you know that I am well and hope you are the same. The rumor is now that we are going away tomorrow morning for Camp Dennison. I must bring my letter to a close as it is time for the mail to leave.
I received the portfolio that you sent me by M. F. and I am very much pleased with it for it is a thing that everybody ought to have a soldiering to carry paper in.
P. S. I must bring my letter to a close. If you could only see the boys a wading in the mud, you would think that we were sick of it. You need not write until I write you again. Goodbye. Yours respectfully, — Charles Koonts
Letter 5
Camp Tod November 22, 1861
Dear Sister,
I am now in Kentucky six miles west of Louisville and as it is raining, I thought I would improve my time in writing to you. I received the money you sent me to Camp Dennison the evening before we got orders to leave. Last Frday evening we all went to bed and about eleven o’clock we got orders to pack up for to leave in the morning at daylight. So we got up and packed everything up and about two o’clock the Boys were all asleep. I sit up by the fire worried about how I could get out to have my picture taken but as good luck would have it, I got on one of the wagons and went down to the railroad depot and had my picture taken and just had time to get on the car. And now I am bad off as ever as I have the picture and hate to send it by mail for fear it will be lost. I might of had it taken by Mr. Benjamin if I could of seen him on the boat at Cincinnati but somehow it happened that I didn’t get to see him. But I am going to try and send it as a soldier’s package as I think it the best way.
You wanted to know how we live and a little about camp life. We have our tents all put up in regular order and the tents are about ten feet long and eight feet wife for eleven men to keep all their gum knapsacks, blankets, overcoats, &c.,so you can judge how much room we have. But in our tent, we have more room than the rest of them as there is three wagoners in our tent and they sleep in their wagon.
Patriotic image on Koonts’ envelope
We have been getting crackers for the last few days and they are good for the kind, I think, and us Boys growl at an awful rate. But we have nice light bread today and the Boys say that the Quartermaster has made arrangements with a baker in Louisville to make bread for the regiment and send it to us until we get to Nashville. But the meat is the worst we have [had] for it is salty that we can hardly eat it. And the coffee is something like that Gen. McClellan seen in Virginia—a little like slop. It is made in a big iron kettle and they ain’t very clean and in the first place, the coffee isn’t of any account. The beans are scorched one half the time and everything else in about the same way.
We have to get up at daylight to roll call and clean out the tents and wash and comb and by that time breakfast is ready. After that we put on our rigging and go to drilling an hour and a half and then sit around until dinner is ready. But standing guard such a day as this is the worst thing we have to do. Stand two hours and not stop is the rule, but some of the Boys do as they please—just so they ain’t seen is all they care for. There is a regiment of Minnesota Boys i camp just next to our lines and a battery of artillery, and one just came in this morning.
P. S. I must quit writing. I am well and hope you are all the same. I will send my likeness and if you [get] the letter, look for the picture. But I will send them both together and I hope that you may get them both. If you write, direct your letter to me in the same way that you have:
C. E. Koonts Company E, 19th [Ohio] Regt. Near Louisville Care of Capt. [Urwin] Bean, Col. [Samuel] Beatty commanding.
Letter 6
Camp Jenkins near Louisville November 28, 1861
Dear Sister,
I take my pencil in hand to let you know that I am well and hope you are the same. The weather is very cold and rainy for the last two or three days past and it is trying to snow or rain now. I wonder if there is going to be any battalion drill. Before I forget it, I must tell you that all the Putnam–Zanesville Boys are here now. I seen cousin Louis. He looks as big and hearty as ever. There is two or three regiments coming in every day. The 51st and 19th came together, and since that the 2nd, 21st, 33rd, 59th, 41st, 3rd, 24th, 6th, and 15th Regulars, all from Ohio, and the 3rd Minnesota with three or four batteries of artillery have come in and encamped in sight of us.
I gave my likeness to the mail boy to put in the office yesterday and if you get this letter first, you must look out for it. I suppose you are and have looked for it if you got my last letter for I told you I would send it and neglected it for two or three days. And if you got the last letter, I expect you have been worried about it. But it is on the road now and I hope it will get to you as it is impossible to get one now unless there should be a car come in camp.
P. S. I just this minute thought of my gun. I want you to keep it and tell Pa to not let it go out of the house as I want to keep it as long as I live to remember grandpa. I must close my letter. Excuse bad writing and mistakes. Yours truly, — Charles E. Koonts
Letter 7
[Camp Boyle] Columbia [Adair county, Kentucky] December 29, 1861
Dear Sister,
I received your letter and was glad to hear from you. I heard some of the Boys say that it was rumored in Zanesville that the 19th Ohio was in a fight and cut to pieces. But we have been in camp and haven’t seen a secessionist yet and the Boys are all a growing [ornery] because they can’t get into a fight. But I hope that we will get among them the next move we make as there has been a little skirmishing about 18 miles from us. We had four farmers take prisoners and five horses and rifles. They kept them three or four days and let them go again. They were taken up on suspicion of killing one of our pickets.
On our last march, we crossed Green river and to my surprise, I seen that the water was as green as some of the ponds in the summer time in our country and several of the branches are green. One of the branches is Russell’s Creek where we go Saturday afternoons to do our washing. It is of a greenish cast but when you get close to the bank, is as clear as a crystal. You can see the bottom and the fish swimming around.
Before I forget it, I will say that this Christmas went off as dry as last Christmas did when I was on the boat tied up in the woods and had no gun caps to go a hunting. And now New Years is at hand and we are in camp and can’t get out and no way to get anything to have a big dinner. But we shall have to do like we did Christmas. We had for dinner coffee, beef stake, hominy, and hard tack—sea bread, as the boys call it. And New Years we will have hominy, beef stake, and coffee.
I must bring my letter to a close as it is about dinner time. You wanted to know the boys in my tent. There is no Putnam Boys to commence with. There is four from New Lisbon and six from Zanesville—all first rate boys. At least I think we have the best tent on the ground. The boys are all well although they grumble about the eatables. I must get ready for my dinner. I am well and hope you are the same. Please excuse bad writing and mistakes. Goodbye. Yours truly, — Charles E.
To Miss Clara Koonts, Putnam, Ohio
Letter 8
Camp Cumberland January 12, 1862
Dear Sister,
I received your letter of the 5th and was glad to hear from you. We left camp Boyle Tuesday the 7th and had a long and weary march through the mud and over the hills. We marched 5 miles Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday we marched all day and at night we had no provisions or tents with us. And the worst of it was it rained for about four or five hours and we all got wet before the tents came to us. We got in camp Thursday evening and had nothing to eat as the roads was so bad that the teams couldn’t keep up with us. I was on guard that night and after the countersign came out, I went out to get some chickens or anything I could find. There was five of us together and we went to a farm house and got seven chickens for our dinner the next day.
Patriotic image on Koonts’ envelope
P. S. I must leave my writing and get ready for reveille. We are encamped on the bank of the Cumberland river about 4 miles from Burkesville. Before I forget it, I must say that the three months men say the roads we came over beats all they ever saw. The last day we marched was along a creek and some of the boys crossed it 19 times and when we wasn’t in the creek, we was in cornfields wading in mud shoe top deep. I won’t say anymore on the subject as it is impossible for me to give you the least idea how it looked or how we felt.
We had inspection and review today which I think is a good sign of pay day. It if ain’t, I think it is about time anyhow as we [are] to be paid every two months. You said when you got my last letter, it was the first for five weeks but it didn’t surprise me any as I hadn’t written any.
P. S. I don’t know whether you can read it or not but I will proceed anyhow. Before I forget it, I will say that I have paper and if I get out, I can get it at the sutlers as cheap as you can send it but the stamps can’t be had. I want you to put a stamp in your letters when I use those you sent me. I must bring my letter to a close and get ready for bed as it is about time for roll call. It just came in my mind—tell Pa that the fruitcake was very nice, I suppose, but that is all the good it done me. I would like to have had the cake if I could of got it but as it is, I am sorry you sent it.
The drum has beat and I must bring my letter to a close. I am well and hope you are the same. The name of the camp is Cumberland in Cumberland county near Burkesville, Kentucky.
Goodbye, — Charles E.
Camp Cumberland, January 13th
The weather is very changeable here. The first day it was very warm but yesterday and today it has been very cold. Last evening it snowed and today the weather has moderated and it is so muddy. There is no drill & it is raining. It is rumored here that we have to go back to Columbia and some think we will and some say we won’t. But the Boys would as leave stay here and live on corn meal as to march back. Goodbye. — C. E. Koonts
Letter 9
Camp Green January 29, 1862
Dear Sister,
I received your letter of the 22nd and was glad to hear from you. We are encamped on a large hill on the Cumberland River about thirty miles above Burkesville where we were when I wrote last. We are blockading the river and it is thought that we will have to stay here for some time. There is a bettery of artillery and a Kentucky regiment and our regiment here now but it is though that there will be several more here before long.
Patriotic letterhead on Koonts’ stationery
The battle you spoke of the 19th wasn’t in at all. We were on the march and couldn’t get there. But the talk is that there was a big fight about ten miles above where we are now encamped. I haven’t had a true report of it yet so I won’t say anything about it as you will get a full account of it in the paper before you receive my [letter]. So you need not trouble yourself about me as we haven’t seen a secessionist yet.
The weather is very warm and a shower every other day don’t surprise us at all. The Boys are all well and growling because the secessionists all leave about the time the 19th [Ohio] comes around. I just came off guard and have some washing to do [so] I will have to make my letter short. You said that you put a few lines in Ben Drake’s letter. I haven’t received it yet. I told Ben that we might save stamps by putting our letters together and hear from you oftener.
There is a storm coming up and the boys are all at work fixing the tent so that I must bring my letter to a close. Tell Mr. Drake about sending the two letters in one envelope as it will not be any more trouble to you or her. I am well and hope you are the same. Give my respects and compliments to all the boys and girls and I will do the best I can on porks and beans a few months longer. As the happy family are all well but one, he has the measles. Excuse bad writing and mistakes. Goodbye, — C. E. Koonts
Letter 10
Camp Green February 19, 1862
Dear Sister,
I received the letter you put in Ben Drake’s letter of the 20th last night and as I had a good opportunity, I thought that I would write a few lines. I received your letter of January 23rd with money and stamps and haven’t received any answer yet. You said that Ben Drake and Mehitable told two or three tales about our camp. The camp is on a hill about four or five hundred feet above the river as near as I could guess. The 6th Ohio Battery commands the river. The 3rd Kentucky Infantry regiment are a few rods west of the battery and we are [ ] north of the Kentuckians. There is a company of cavalry about two miles north of [us]. I expect you think that we are right among the rebels but we haven’t seen one yet and it is doubtful whether we ever will. The Boys are afraid that we will have to go home without ever having a fight or any signs of one. There is about as much danger here as there was up at Camp Ford [in Alliance, Ohio] and hardly that for the officers had a little fight there and haven’t since.
As there is nothing of any importance, I will bring my letter to a close. I am well and hope you are the same. Excuse bad writing and mistakes. Yours truly, — C. E. Koonts
Letter 11
Camp Andrew Jackson March 13, 1862
Dear Sister,
I received your letter dated February 24th and was very glad to hear from you. When I received your letter it was so late that I couldn’t answer it that evening and the next day we removed our camp so that I haven’t had time to write before. We arrived at Nashville Thursday the 6th and camped outside of the town until we got orders to cross the river. The 3rd Ohio Regiment are encamped about a mile from our camp. Luis is in that regiment but I haven’t seen him yet. But some of the boys that have been over say he is well as ever.
We camped out about four miles from Nashville until day before yesterday [when] we marched to the town through the rain as usual for when we march, it always does rain. We marched into the town and crossed the river on a boat and made a fine appearance marching through the city.
I must say something about Nashville and Bowling Green. At Bowling Green the rebels were fortified very strong. They had seven different forts. The strongest one, on the opposite side of the river, mounted nineteen guns, and the one above the town mounted nineteen 32-pound guns. The others were smaller. 1 They burned two bridges and several houses and stores and the railroad depot and round house with four or five locomotives and small arms, camp kettles, &c. They had a great many provisions here as it was one of the main points for stores. Before they left, they set the citizens to work burning pork and beef. Our company being detailed to guard the town while the regiment was there, we got to run over the town for two days.
Our march from there was a more pleasant one that we are use to having. The Boys prefer the pike to mud roads. We got in camp near Nashville Thursday, March the 6th, stayed in camp a few days, and [then] we were ordered across the river. We got orders to get ready to march Sunday morning but as it did not rain, so we didn’t march until Monday morning. We got ready to leave and then it began to rain. We marched to town and crossed the river and marched about two miles out of the town where we are now in camp. The rebels didn’t do as much damage here as they did in Bowling Green as they were pressed so close that they hadn’t time. About all they done was to burn two bridges to stop our men from overtaking them.
We are to be paid off tomorrow, I think, but it is about time as we haven’t had any yet and six months has passed. There was one of the coolest tricks of the season was done by a man by the name of Morgan. He rode into one of the camps and said that he had as good a right to them horses as they had. He took 70 or 80 horses and several men with him but they were all retaken but five or six. There is two or three regiments on guard around and about here now and today there was two or three went out a scouting.
The boys are all well, hearty, and ragged but are expecting some clothing as there [are] but few fit for duty. It is time for dress parade so I must bring my letter to a close. I am well and hope you are the same. The drums is beating so I must bring my letter to a close. So goodbye. Yours truly, — Charles E.
1 Another soldier, Lt. David P. Doughtery of Circleville who served in the 13th Ohio Infantry, described Bowling Green in similar terms in a letter to his wife on 16 February 1862: Before leaving they [the Rebels] set fire to the town, burning a great portion of the best buildings. They have been leaving here for a week, or even since they got news of our advance, which was no doubt as soon as we started, as we are in an enemy’s country, and must expect them to have spies. But Kentucky is now ours once more and I don’t know where they will stand and fight if they won’t here. You would be surprised to see the fortifications that they have made around here. I have been in two of the forts. They are very formidable indeed. There are eleven different fortifications in the vicinity of town, and besides those is miles of breastworks strung along the ridges on this side of the river. It certainly does appear to me that they never do intend to give us a fight. I certainly think that twenty thousand good men in these forts could whip one hundred thousand of the best soldiers in the world that would come against them. All I can say in the matter is, “I am completely beat,” to know that they, after so much labor and preparation, have quit them without a fight. The rebels have retreated from here to Nashville, Tennessee, and it is said that they will make a stand there, and I expect that in a very short space of time we will be moving on again after them. If we are successful in driving them out of there, they will have nothing left to do by to “sue” for “Peace,” for they can go no farther….[Source: The Western Theater in the Civil War, by Darryl Smith, 4 August 2021]
Letter 12
Chicksaw Bluffs 1 April 12, 1862
Dear Sister,
I received your letter dated March 20th and was glad to hear from you. The reason I haven’t written was because we have been marching so much that I haven’t had time and when we have time, we can’t always send our mail.
You have told me that I always know where to direct my letters and ought to write oftener than I do, but I never told you that we were in an enemy’s country and it’s very seldom we can mail our letters. This day one week ago we encamped about eight miles from Savannah [Hardin Co., Tennessee]. Sunday morning when we got up the sun was shining and the orders were to pack up our knapsack as it was but a short march to Savannah. We started and about ten o’clock we heard cannonading off at a distance. Some of the officers said it was thirty miles.
The boys were all in good spirits thinking there would be a chance for a fight. We marched very slow till we got very near in town when we marched into a field and got 40 rounds of cartridges and three days rations of crackers and sugar. We started for town and marched very fast will we got to the [Tennessee] river. We then got on a boat about dark and stayed there about an hour or two and then we started for Pittsburg Landing. We arrived there about midnight and then we marched out a half of a mile I suppose and laid down on our arms. We hadn’t laid there but a few minutes till it began to rain very hard which wasn’t very nice as our guns had to be kept dry.
The next morning we were drawn up in line, loaded our guns and marched out on the field and the firing commenced and was kept up all day very hot. Our captain said it was the heaviest musketry he ever heard. think it was as hot as ever was heard at any battle. I am glad to say that all the Putnam boys got through the fight all right and our company got off very well [compared] to what most of the companies in the regiment did. We only had one man wounded in our company. The regiment had 65 killed, missing, and wounded. 2
There is a mail going out and I must bring my letter to a close. I need not try to give you any account of the battle as you will get a full account of it before this letter reaches you. I am well and hope you are the same. I would write more but as the mail is going out now, I can’t. Excuse bad writing and mistakes. Yours truly, — C. E. Koonts
Please give this to Mrs. E. A. Koonts and oblige. — Charles E.
1 The datelining of Koonts’ letter makes no sense to me whatsoever. The 19th OVI remained in the vicinity of Pittsburg Landing until advancing with the army on Corinth soon after this letter was written. Period newspapers refer to “Chickasaw Bluffs (4 different locations!) in the spring of 1862 but these are all in reference to sites near Memphis on the Mississippi river—not the Tennessee River.
2“The 19th OVI arrived at Pittsburg Landing late in the evening on April 6, 1862, disembarking from the steamer Planet and forming a line behind the 59th Ohio Infantry. On April 7, attached temporarily to General William Nelson’s division within the 11th Brigade under Brigadier General Jeremiah T. Boyle, the 19th advanced under General Thomas L. Crittenden’s orders, shifting front to support Captain Joseph Bartlett’s Battery G on a hill brow [some 250 yards north of the Hornet’s Nest on the Eastern Corinth Road] while deploying skirmishers against Confederate positions in an open field. Facing intense artillery and sharpshooter fire, the regiment delivered volleys, dispatched two companies as skirmishers to aid Nelson’s division, and captured 10 to 12 prisoners while helping repel enemy assaults, demonstrating endurance in its first major combat despite heavy exposure. Losses included 4 killed (among them Major Lyman S. Edwards acting as lieutenant colonel), 44 wounded, and 8 missing, as reported by Colonel Samuel Beatty on April 9.” [Grokipedia]
Letter 13
Camp Childs May 9th 1862
Dear Sister,
I received your letter dated April 21st and was very glad to hear from you. We have been on the march for several days and are now about eight miles off Corinth waiting for to make an attack on Corinth. We have been one month now advancing on Corinth and I suppose that our generals must have everything about ready for to commence operations.
Our boys all dread the coming battle but they think if we can whip them out of their entrenchments and take a lot of prisoners, it will be about our last fight and I wouldn’t be sorry if it was all done now for going into a battle is not what it is cracked up to be—especially for them that have never been in a fight, to march all day and get on a boat and be landed within a mile of the enemy about ten o’clock at night after getting on shore and drawn up in line, [and] ordered to lie down on our arms. After laying down about 15 minutes, it commenced raining or rather pouring down and the officers crying, “Keep your guns dry, boys!” You better believe it is a nice job sitting in the rain and mud till morning, get up and eat a piece of hard tack and a little flick [flitch]—if you got it—and then fall in ranks and load our guns and start for the secessioners.
Marching over the dead was about the first thing attracted our attention with the exception of the big guns that were firing all night to keep the enemy uneasy so they wouldn’t sleep too sound on the strength of their day’s work. They had a very nice victory won Sunday night and their intentions were to get up Monday morning and drive the Yankees into the river which would only be a breakfast job. But as it happened, the biggest part of Beull’s Army crossed [the river] Sunday evening and I suppose it kind of got them when they found that they were driven over the ground they had taken Sunday. Some of the prisoners said they thought that when they drove our men from camp to camp, all they would have to do Monday [would be] to get up and drive our men into the river. It has always been said that the secesh wouldn’t fight but I think you never will hear a man say that they won’t fite that was in the battle of Chiloh [Shiloh] plains. I guess that I have said enuf about the fite so I will dry up.
You said you wrote on the second but I haven’t received it yet. It must be delayed somewhere. Since we landed at Pittsburg, we have been in a wood ever since and every time we move our camp we have about a week’s work to clean out the underbrush and then we cut bushes and brush up the leaves. As we have no drill, I think it is a good idea, for some of the boys would lay around id they wasn’t drove to work or drill. All the Putnam boys that are in the company now are well and hearty.
I saw some of the 78th [Ohio] boys a couple weeks ago and I think they are about as homesick as there is any need to be. I saw Lieut. [Greenbury F.] Wiles and Card. They are both well. Lieut. Wiles is acting captain of Co. C in Capt. [Samuel W.] Spencer’s place. John Weaver, B. Scott, Mr. [William] Roper and [Asuph] Cooper, W. Curtis, [&] Chas. Buncher are all well but tired of soldiering. Jos. Osman wasn’t very well. He had [been] very sick but was better when I saw him.
Dinner is ready [and] I must go for my beans. I am well and hope you are the same. Excuse bad writing and mistakes. Goodbye, — Charles E.
Letter 14
Camp Battle Creek August 8th 1862
Dear Sister,
I received your letter of July 30th and was glad to hear from you. We are still at Camp Battle Creek and no signs of leaving yet but there is no telling how soon we may have to leave. You said that Ben Drake said in his letter that we was still on half rations. I told you so in my letter but I expect Ben told you that we were about starved out. Half rations are about as little as a man can live on and do duty but we get along first rate as we were not out of money. We are getting full rations of eatables and clothing and our band has new instruments and we are getting full rations of music. It would be a great expense to the government to furnish each regiment with a band but we couldn’t get along without ours for we have had a band ever since we started and to be without it would make every day as dry as Sunday.
We drawed hats since we have been here and our band new instruments and a nice uniform and with all this, we can put on the style equal to the 78th [Ohio].
Patriotic image on Koonts’ envelope
You said that Ben Drake talked of going in the regular service and that Howard [ ] and I thought of going. I told him about it and he said Howard and himself did talk of going but he hadn’t said anything about me. If he did, he knew more about it than I did myself for I haven’t thought of such a thing nor he has no reason to think I was going for when the the boys were talking about it, I never said I was going or would go as some did. There is a heap of talk about drafting. The boys are wishing that some of the fellows that got them into it and then stayed at home and talk about what we are doing [would be drafted]. There is some talk today of the President ordering three hundred thousand more. This suits the boys from what I can learn for the more the better for us.
You say I never said anything about Uncle Phil. I never did but I thought that I had told you that I had received your letter telling about him being captured.
I must bring my letter to a close as it is about time for dress parade. Before I close my letter I will say to you to direct your letters to the same as I told you before. Never direct them to any town for there is hospitals in most all the towns and no doubt but that is the way they are mislaid. Directions: Co. E, 19th Ohio Vols., USA, Crittenden’s Division, Buell’s Army [of the Ohio], is all that is required. I must now bring my letter to a close. I am well and hope that these few lines will find you the same. Yours truly, — Charles E.
P. S. Tell cousin Sam to write as soon as he is able.
Letter 15
[Nashville, Tennessee] Saturday, December 3, 1862
Dear Sister,
As I have a good opportunity of writing this afternoon, I thought that I would improve the time. Hen Ellis arrived last Wednesday and had the boots and socks all tight. I thought from the way you spoke of them that Pa had got a pair that would stand some service. They are the very thing for dress parade and Sunday, but they won’t stand much marching. They are as heavy as anybody would want but without nails or pins on the sole, they wouldn’t last long. On the march, after going about ten miles, the next five or six a fellow is apt to drag his feet more or less, kicking every little thing that comes in his way. And if anything attracts a fellow’s attention and he looks up, he is sure to stub his toes.
I have been looking for Sam but George Little came from Louisville today and said that Sam went on a scout with the drafted men from Bowling Green after [John Hunt] Morgan. I am looking for him every day. The reason I haven’t written soon is that I am waiting for Sam to come and Henry thought he would be here the next day.
I must now bring my letter to a close. When Sam comes, I will write again.
P. S. We are still at Nashville and no sign of leaving yet. Yours truly, — Charles E.
A fine day this morn for young ducks.
Letter 16
[Camp near Nashville, Tennessee] Tuesday morning, December 23, 1862
Dear sister,
Itis with the greatest of pleasure I sit myself down to answer your welcome letter of December the 14th. I would of answered it sooner but we had to go non picket Friday and when we came in Saturday, I hadn’t time. Sunday we were all cleaning our guns for inspection and orders came to go out a foraging so we had to put our guns together in double quick time. Monday we were busy cleaning our guns and accoutrements, blacking our boots and shoes, and cleaning the camp until time for inspection so I have been detained from writing.
Yesterday while we were all cleaning ourselves, orders came to go on picket. The Colonel went to the General and told him that he couldn’t stand it to go on picket one day and forage the next. He says it is a scandalous shame to have men on duty every day as we have been doing. This is about the way the thing stands. Our Colonel refused to go on picket. The Colonel of the 9th Kentucky refused to keep camp guard on two days. The Colonel of the 79th Indiana refused to put camp guards on and picket at the same time. The Colonel of the 59th O. V. is acting Brigadier of the 14th Brigade. His regiment has a brass band and he has to have them with him. When they went to get a regiment to put in our brigade, none of them would come so they are all in a fix. But I guess it will all come right again but I hope they will arrange it so that we won’t have so much duty to do.
I will have to leave off writing and get dinner. You said that it is very warm at home now. I don’t know how it comes as we have had very singular weather here and you must be getting south a few degrees if it is so pleasant.
I have forgotten whether I told you that Sam was here or not. Anyhow, I will say that he arrived all right and gave me the shirts and other articles which I am very much pleased with. You said that Miles Goble was at home. He is having a nice time of it. You said you didn’t believe that he was clerk [ ] I guess but he played off longer than I would like to for when he left Columbia, Kentucky, there was 20 or 30 play off left there and Miles and some others never came to the regiment since. When we were at Shiloh, he and George Hampton came there and got on some of the boats with the sick and wounded and ever came back to the regiment. So they run around on boats and then they got in hospitals at Louisville and never left. 1
There was two of our mess that was over to the 97th O. V. They say our regiment is the best regiment in the service. They say that they wouldn’t be such a regiment for anything. [Sgt.] D[aniel] Bevis was saying that he would rather have command of our regiment than 14 such regiments as the 97th. I think that they are a little the dirtiest set I ever seen with one exception. And if anybody asks you anything about it, tell them that they live like a set of hogs is the only reason that have so much sickness.
You wished me a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Years. There is one consolation—that is, I wish you the same and if you don’t have it, it is your own fault. I will do the best I can on beans and a shoulder we are saving. You said that you heard that J[ohn A.] France was promoted to Orderly Sergeant. He isn’t Orderly but he is a Sergeant. You want my likeness. I will try and send it as soon as I have a good opportunity to get it and we get our money.
We are still camped near Nashville and no signs of leaving yet. I must bring my letter to a close as it is getting late. I am well and hope these few lines will find you the same. Yours truly, — Charles E.
1 Miles D. Goble was taken prisoner at the Battle of Chickamauga and died at Andersonville. George W. Hampton survived the war and mustered out in 1865 as a veteran.
Letter 17
[Murfreesboro, Tennessee] Sunday morning, December [January] 11, 1863
It is with pleasure that I seat myself to let you know that I am still alive. I may not try to tell you anything about the fight [at Stones River], but I will say that it was a little warmer than I want to see again. Our division was on the left wing and the rebels broke out on the right and captured a battery and set the infantry to flight. Our brigade were sent for and when we got on the pike, our troops were coming on a full run. Our regiment and the 9th Kentucky were drawn up in line and a whole brigade went through our ranks. When they got out of the way, the rebels were right in sight coming full tilt. We let loose on them like a thousand of brick, as the saying is. We fired a few rounds when we got orders to charge. We checked them and drove them out of [the] woods where they had drove our men so nicely. This is the way we passed the old year off and New Years.
We were lying all day in readiness to go to any point that they might attack us. The next day we went a short distance across a creek and about three o’clock they came on us in large numbers. There was a whole brigade in front of us and when the rebels came on them, they fell back and come down through our ranks double quick. Our regiment and the 9th Kentucky were in line at the foot of the hill [when] someone yelled out, “Charge!” and charge we did. We charged to the top of the hill and held them a few minutes but they were too strong for us. And besides, they outflanked us and we were compelled to fall back. They expected to get a battery of ours that had been wearying them all day but it was ordered back on another hill. But when we finished the work, we were ahead eight pieces of cannon, a large number of prisoners. and five of their men to one of ours on the field. 1
We had four of our company killed, thirteen wounded. Among them was [Jennings] Northup and W[illiam] Zigler wounded very slightly. I have no more time so I will bring my letter to a close.
P. S. I am well and hope these few lines will find you the same. Clara, your Benty [Lewis Benjamin Drake] is the meanest coward in the company. He runs away every time. They have detached him to the hospital. The boys say that they hope he won’t never come back. The boys say he is a deceitful pup—that he is a lier and contemptible thief. I got a hold of his knapsack and looking for some paper to write, I seen a letter from you. I was surprised as I thought you knew Ben too well to write to such a contemptible snake as him. Don’t think me hard-hearted for this is my opinion and I hope you will take my advice. Yours truly, — Charles E.
P. S. We are now at Murfreesboro.
1 Readers interested in more accounts of the advance against the rebels by the 19th Ohio and 9th Kentucky are referred to The 9th Kentucky at Stones River. Another interesting account of the attack is given by Capt. Oscar O. Miller of the 19th OVI which claims that “General Rosecrans came up and asked the name of the regiment; being answered ‘the 19th Ohio’ he said, ‘I can trust you to save us,’ and soon ordered a charge.”See “Soldier gives details of furious Tennessee battle.”
Letter 18
Camp near Murfreesboro [Tennessee] January 31, 1863
Dear Sister,
As I haven’t received a letter from you since we left Nashville and I have not written as often as I should of done, I thought that I would write. The weather has been very bad since the fight [at Stones River] which makes it very disagreeable in camp as there is nothing done but that which cannot be avoided, which makes the camp look very dreary and unpleasant. I suppose you have had full details of the fight which renders it useless for me to say anything about it. But I never want to get into such a place again. [paper cut off]…came out safe as ther ewas. I expect you seen Dan Bevis‘ letter in the paper. One of the boys got a letter and his sister said that if a couple confirmed it, they would believe it. What they doubted would seem almost impossible for anyone to do but it was very early done.
As we charge on them andas they had a larger force than we had, we were compelled to fall back when we were pressed very hotly by the enemy. Some of them followed our men to a creek which our men crossed and formed their line on the other side. By the time our men had formed, there was several of the rebels were to the creek and all of our men that couldn’t get across the creek they took prisoners. The fire was so hot from both sides that the men wouldn’t get out from the bank. There being reinforcements, our men advanced right on them. Dan Bevis was a prisoner and seeing our men advancing, he took off his hat and gave three cheers and took his gun and told the rebels right in number that they were his prisoners. 1
It was a little the warmest fight I ever seen or ever heard of. I have seen one or two little skirmishes but I never want to get so close to them that I can look them in the faces as we did. We were so close to them that there was but few of us but what had a bullet hole in his clothing. The 27th OVI are a little like we were at Shiloh. I seen one or two letters from their regiment stating that they were in the advance all the time from Nashville and all the time [paper cut]
[rest of letter is missing]
1 In his book, “Hell by the Acre,” Dan Masters wrote of this incident (p. 576) regarding Corp. Daniel Bevis of the 19th OVI that he found published in the Zanesville Daily Courier, January 20, 1863: “As soon as our men came in sight, I took my hat and gave three cheers and then took the guns from the Rebels telling them that the tide had changed and they were now my prisoners. I gave the prisoners in charge of some of our men, picked up my gun, and commenced pouring it into them as fast as I could load.”
Letter 19
Camp at Murfreesboro, [Tennessee] February 23, 1863
Dear Sister,
I received your letter dated January the 11th and was very glad to hear from you. I also received your letter dated January 31st and answered it. The weather is very fair today but as a general thing, the weather is very disagreeable.
You say that you have not heard from those two dollars. I think that I have told you that I received it, but so many letters are lost that I can hardly tell what does get to you. You thought if I didn’t have a better Christmas than you did, it was very poor. I haven’t the least idea that our Christmas was as good as yours as we were on picket Christmas and when we came off, we packed out traps and started for Murfreesboro. The day before New Years we were in a fight and the day after New Years we were in another fight. So you can imagine what kind of a Christmas and New Years we had.
You say you would like for me to go on a gunboat. I think the danger isn’t much greater than on land. I think the danger of sickness and all on land is about as great as that on a gunboat. I would be pleased to see a transfer coming here some of these days. Just the change would make my time a great deal shorter. But I never expect to get out of this company until my time is out or else I get unable for duty through some kind of sickness.
We have had our pay rolls made out four or five times. They made them out and we signed our names and there is no sign of the pay master yet. I hope he will be around soon as we need our pay very much.
You think that I am very hard on the new regiment but I think their officers were as lazy as the men. Our officers never let us lay around in dirt. They always made us clean our camp the first thing. We always had a clean camp and the men all tried to keep themselves clean. Some of the boys wrote for shirts. You ought to send them as quick as possible for there is no telling how soon we will have to move. I wrote for a couple as I lost one of mine in battle. I lost several articles but have them all replaced.
I must bring my letter to a close. I am well and hope this will find you the same. Yours truly, — Charles E.
Letter 20
Camp at Murfreesboro [Tenn.] March 1, 1863
Dear Sister,
I just received your letter dated January 25th and was very glad to hear from you. That is a slight joke on me, but I suppose that it was one of my mistakes—December 11th 1863, we ain’t that far out of this world so you must excuse the mistake and say no more about it. I told you all about the two dollars in my last letter, but I will say that I received it in due time while at Nashville. I hope that I didn’t say anything about Ben to offend you, but I just gave you my earnest opinion thinking that you didn’t want to have anything to do with such a wooden man as him.
As I have written several letters lately and received no answer, I will ask you to le me know how the transfer is coming on. I would give my bounty to be on the Brilliant with the Putnam boys. That boat don’t have to go into a regular engagement and the men fare as well as those in the gunboats. Tell Pa if it is in Mr. Potwin’s power, to try and get me a transfer.
We have had the full details of the fight [at Stones River] so I suppose that it would be useless to send papers as they are detained on the road until they get old as the hills, as the old saying is. Everything is so dull here that I have nothing to write about. This is Sunday, 1st of March. It came in like a lamb. The sun is shining very warm. It is the prettiest day we have had for a long time.
As I was writing, it just came in my mind that there was a letter on the road for me so I laid this aside as I had answered some three or four of January, [and] I thought there was no use of writing until I received one from you. I received your letter dated February 22nd which relieved me considerably as I have been getting letters and they were all of January—about a month old. There isn’t much pleasure in receiving old letters, but I answered all I received but this last.
About the shirts, I had the bad luck as to lose all I had in my knapsack. The boys have got out of the notion of getting them from home as we have drew, and have plenty of clothing at present. John France wrote for some fruit and other eatables. If they send a box, don’t you send anything in it that isn’t in cans or it will spoil. You can you your own judgement about it.
In one of your letters I received seven stamps and I received two packages of papers. Pay day is slower coming this time than I ever knew it to be before. The pay rolls have been made out for about a month and no pay yet. The likeness I think will be rather slow coming as there is no daguerreian here. You said if there was anything I wanted, to let you know. There is nothing I want but what I can get here as cheap as you can send it. I must bring my letter to a close. Yours truly, — Charles E.
Dear Father,
I and John France was talking about etting out of this company as we are getting kind of tired of infantry man’s life and we are tired of our captain more than anything else. What we were talking about it that Mr. C. Potwin is a very nice man and we thought that he might get our transfer to a gunboat which i think would be much nicer than marching and sleeping on the ground as they have their bunks and regular meals, rain or shine. John and I thought that if there was any such a thing, that we would like to go on a gunboat for the balance of our time. I ain’t very certain whether it could be done or not, bit would be a thousand times obliged to you if you would ask Mr. Potwin if he could get a transfer for two good soldiers. I am still your obedient son. Charles E. Koonts
Letter 21
Camp at Murfreesboro, Tenn. March 21, 1863
Dear Sister,
I received your letter of March 12th last evening and as I had a good opportunity of writing this afternoon, I thought I would answer without delay. You said in your letter that you had written a letter stating that you had started a box. I received the letter in due time but the box hasn’t arrived yet. But we are looking for it every day. I am glad to hear that the money is safe. Tell Pa if the times are very hard, to use my money to the best advantage as the interest on a few dollars won’t amount to much and the money will be as safe in his pocket as it is in the bank. If not, I won’t charge him for the use of it. Tell Pa that I am very much obliged to him for his trouble running around after the transfer. From all appearances I guess that the gunboats are about played out as you don’t appear to like it and as the weather is getting warm now, I think that I would just as leave stay here as not, and a little rather. The weather has been very warm here for a week or two back. The trees are getting green which makes it look like spring. We are encamped on a beautiful spot, surrounded with woods. The birds are singing, the boys are playing ball and pitching quoits, which makes it look cheerful in camp.
March 26th. Dear Clare—As I was writing, a thought struck me that by waiting a few days we would either receive the box or hear from it at least. Yesterday I went down to the Express Office and looked at all the boxes that was there but couldn’t see anything of one. When I got back to camp, the Lieutenant told me that he received a letter from one of the boys in the hospital at Nashville. He said that there was a box there for us directed to D[ ]. The reason I didn’t write sooner, I did not like to write until I had heard something about the box for I could just about [know] how you would feel if we didn’t get the box. You said in your letter that you would like to [buy] a piece of the 19th on Guard Mounting at Gallatin. There was a [ ] had them for sale in camp when we were paid off but I don’t think that I can get one now. I would of got one of them before but I didn’t any think of them or I would of sent you one of them. There wasn’t any of our company there as we were on post outside of the town the reason the boys didn’t think anything of them.
We are all well and in good spirits. There is some talk of the rebels attacking us here if they are whipped at Vicksburg. We are working on entrenchments every day and I think that if they attack us, that we can give them a very warm reception as there isn’t a fence or house within a mile or two of town and the ground is level and any woods of any account close to the fortifications.
I have told you all the news so I must close. I am well and hope these few lines will find you the same, Yours truly, — C. E. K.
P. S. Clara, please send me a good fine comb as they cannot be had in this part of the world.
Letter 22
Camp near Murfreesboro [Tennessee] April 3, 1863
Dear Sister,
I received your letter of March 24th and neglected answering it on account of the box as I did not like to write until we received the box—or heard from it at least. The box arrived at Murfreesboro yesterday. Dan went down this morning and got it and to my surprise, everything was good but the peaches. They had worked some, but Dan is going to try and make some pies with them. The boys are very much pleased with the box and told me to tell Pa that the cake was thankfully received and I am a thousand times obliged to him for the cigars and tobacco—also the letter. But I expect that Ma thinks here only son is ruined forever. But I hope it won’t be the case.
You said that you heard we had moved but I suppose you know by this time that it was not so. We are still here and no sign of leaving yet. But there is no telling how soon we may dig out. You said that I was mistaken about the Franklin [ink blotch]. I wrote it about the time we had three days rations inour haversacks and the tens packed up and knapsacks on our backs ready to march. I stated that was the rumor in camp at that time, but am glad it ain’t true. But that is a common thing when we get orders to march. Every man has a different tale to tell about where we are going and what for, &c.
You said that Pa wanted to know how many pigeons I have catched. Tell him they are so wild in this part of the country that we can seldom get a shot at them and when we do shoot them, we have to kill them or we can’t get to catch them. We have been traveling after them a good while but it is very seldom we come across them in very large flocks. Last fall we followed them south and came across them [ ] spring. We put in a full days work shooting the last summer while we were at [ ] creek. They roosted across [ink blotch] and we couldn’t get to them. At this fight, they would venture closer to us than they ever did before and we made them suffer for it. They came so close to us the last days hunt that we could see the white of their eyes. They made our division fall back but we held them till reinforcements came up when we drove them back, leaving three or four of heir men to our one. But who has got the praise? Gen. Negley, and I don’t believe his men fired a shot. But Gen. Crittenden is hardly ever mentioned as he hasn’t two or three reporters running after him. But it appears to be the case always—someone [else ] to get the praise that doesn’t deserve it.
The first days fight where our brigade checked four times their number and drove them back, here Colonel [Granville] Moody [of the 74th Ohio Infantry] claims that he drove them. But there is no use of talk [ink blotch] little like our [ ], he said the praise and honor had played out. All I want now is to see the war play out. There is nothing more about that letter. I must cut it off pretty short as I think it was a misunderstanding with me and that you can blame who you please for as it read to me, it didn’t seem much like a joke. But as that is what it was intended for, I can’t do anything more than say that I am very sorry for what I said. I am well and hope this will find you the same. Yours truly, — E. E. K.
A fine day this for young ducks.
Letter 23
Murfreesboro [Tenn.] May 14th 1863
Dear Sister,
Yours of the 5th came duly to hand. I would of answered it sooner but we have been at work fixing our camp. We have turned the large tents in and are now living in the dog tents. They are very small—only two men tents together. I think they are very nice tents for summer use as we can keep ourselves cleaner than we could in a large tent with twelve or fifteen in a mess.
You said that you thought I would be surprised when you told me that Ma was sick. It was about as you said for I had heard of it a week or ten days before I received your letter. I am very glad to hear that Ma had but a slight attack of very alloyed [varioloid] for it must be a dreadful disease. I am sorry to hear of George Munson’s death as I thought more of her than any the rest of the family. I am glad the money arrived safe and the overcoat is a very nice thing for soldier but I expect they will be played out by the time the war is over. But it will do for wet weather I think and dry weather also if we have the good luck to have a chance to use them a scouting in the fall when fruit is plenty. The boys say if they get back all right they will do a little soldiering any fall.
Watercolor enhanced rendering of Koonts’ sketch of the “large bower with the letter of their company.”
We have the nicest camp now that we have had since we have been out. We have the dog tents raised up about two feet off the ground and have a nice bunk in each tent. Then we have a row of pine trees in front of the tents and in front next the parade ground each company has a large bower with the letter of their company. We are more than putting on style. The General gave orders to excuse ten of the cleanest men from guard and give them a pass to go anywhere inside of the pickets. I need not tell you how the boys worked to get their gun and traps clean as can easily imagine.
I will have to bring this to a close as Dan wants me to make some pies. Excuse bad writing and spelling. Give my respects and compliments to all the boys and girls and I will try and get back as soon as possible. Yours truly, — C. E. K.
Letter 24
Murfreesboro, Tennessee May 31st 1863
Dear Sister,
I received yours of the 24th today and not having anything to do, I thought that I would answer it without delay. I am glad to hear that you received the picture and want you to have it. Put in a good frame, let the price be what it will. I shall be good for it. All that gets ahead of me is the picture isn’t lively enough. The boys think it looks more like a dress parade than a fight. I think if the man that got it up had been there the day of the fight, he would have made it a heap different but it can’t be helped now.
We are still in camp but we have orders to be ready to move at a minutes notice. But there is some talk of our divisions staying here but we can’t tell until we leave or else some of the rest leave. I would like it very well if we could have the good luck to stay here all summer and get rid of marching as it is not very nice, I can assure you. We had a slight [taste?] of that last summer and don’t wish any this summer. No thank you. And as our division lost the heaviest in battle, some think we will get to stay on that account.
We have had good news from Vicksburg and hope it is true and nt turn out like the Eastern Army, but we can hardly expect everything better from the Eastern Army as they don’t know anything but General Review. Our boys are getting tired of them although we never had review until we were at Nashville. Before the battle, Gen. Rosecrans reviewed his troops to see if they were ready for a fight. I need not tell you how he found them as the battle speaks for them. But as this army has never been whipped, I think we have a right to boast some little. But I don’t think it’s boasting when I say they never whipped us with even numbers as long as Gen. Rosecrans leads the way. I expect as he has the fortifications about completed he will soon move onward and the rebels will move also, or else the Western Boys will be after telling them their business which the rebels appear to be slightly acquainted with.
George Drake came to the regiment a day or two ago. He looks very well—better than I ever saw him. I was surprised to see how he has grown since we left. He is bigger than Ben. Wil[liam] Israel is well and doing duty now. I think he will be a better soldier than [his brother] Howard. The boys are coming up one by one. I think we will soon have a good size company again. But it is high time for we have had it pretty hard standing guard every other day since the battle.
I guess I have told you all so I will bring this to a close. But before I do, I will [say] again, have that picture put in a nice frame and I will pay for it. Please excuse me for this awful writing but the flies are so bothersome that I can hardly sit still long enough to write a word. Give my respects to all the girls and tell them to keep cool as we only have fifteen months more to serve. Yours truly, — C. E. K.
A fine day this for young ducks.
Letter 25
Manchester, Tennessee July 4th 1863
Dear Sister,
I received yours of the 21st while at Murfreesboro and would of answered but we had orders two or three times and didn’t leave. Sunday we had orders to get ready to march so we laid around for several hours and began to think that we were not going at all, so I sat down and wrote and about the time I had started, the bugle blew for to leave and I couldn’t send it after all. We left Sunday and arrived here Wednesday. We had a rough time of it as it has rained every day more or less ever since our men left Murfreesboro, so I will only say that we were three days and a half on the march—only thirty miles. So you can judge how the roads were.
Our brigade guarded a train [of] 250 or 300 wagons all loaded with ammunition, but what we will do after [this], I can’t say but we are here on Provost Guard now and the army is still moving on. A company of the 13th OVI from Hillsboro says that Gen. Rosecrans has moved his [head] quarters to Winchester.
Thomas Leonidas Crittenden and William Starke Rosecrans. When Gen. Rosy “frowns at the secesh, they know what is to come—at least they get out of his way very sudden when our boys show themselves.”
You spoke of having some photographs of several Generals. As you get them, don’t forget Gen. T. L. Crittenden for he is next to Rosy in my opinion, as he is our General and has been ever since we left Nashville the first time. You think if Gen. Rosy is as good as he looks that it is a no wonder we think a lot of him. I have seen him a few times and I think that he is the pleasantest looking man I ever saw. He reminds me of Mr. Potwin—always has a smile on his countenance and when he frowns at the secesh, they know what is to come—at least they get out of his way very sudden when our boys show themselves.
I expect to hear some cheering news between this and fall. If our forces has good luck, there ought to be something done for I think our forces are getting them hemmed in pretty well. The rebels were pretty stubborn along the road we came but it was favorable ground for them as they are in very good woods and hills and that is the way the ground is all through this country. They gave our boys a nice little fight at Hoover’s Gap but they didn’t know what to think of our boys shooting seven times without loading. Our cavalry and mounted infantry are doing good execution now. They go right in and something has to be done—one side or the other has to leave and I guess our boys generally come out first best.
The boys are all in good spirits and I think will be in Chattanooga in a few days, or at least they will be in that part of the country. I will have to close as it is getting late and I have told you all the news as it is very little and we haven’t had the particulars yet.
You want to know how to direct your letters. Direct them the same as you have been. We are in [Horatio] Van Cleve’s Division and Crittenden’s Corp. It used to be Crittenden’s Division but he is Major General now. I am well and hope this may find you the same. Give Mrs. Worthington my best respects and tell her that Sam and I are well and doing fine. Yours truly, — C. E. K.
Letter 26
McMinnville, Tennessee July 24th 1863
Dear Sister,
I received your ever welcome letter of the 19th yesterday and as this is pay day [and] there will be nothing to do, I will write without delay. We have been here in camp for two or three weeks and there is some talk of staying all summer but I won’t say how that is for there is no telling how soon we may leave. But I hope that we may stay for McMinnville is a very nice little town and is surrounded with fine country. We have had berries all we can eat and the country people are allowed to bring in vegetables and have market on every road leading from town. So when we get paid, we can live for a while as we can get chickens, potatoes, and milk and we can more than live for a while like fighting cocks at least as long as stay here.
We have our pay at last and there is no telling how much I shall send home as there is no way of sending it unless the State Agent comes around again. It is reported that he will be here. I would like very well to send more but there is no use of sending it all home and going without things that is necessary for a person’s health. And if it should happen that one isn’t very well for two or three days, flitch and hard tack is very poor grub and often is the cause of making the boys getting sick and not eating for three or four days and then they have to go to the hospital.
You said you would like to send me the papers if you thought that they would come through. They wouldn’t be of any account for we get Nashville and Louisville papers almost as soon as you can at home. There was a report in camp last night that [John Hunt] Morgan had crossed the Muskingum at Eagleport with one thousand men and three pieces of artillery. I don’t want to hear of him burning bridges and destroying things like he generally does. But Morgan and Lee’s raid is just what pleases the boys for if the men will turn out when they see the enemy in their own state, and then clean the Copperheads out, we can clean the rebels out in the field.
Gen. Ulysses S. Grant—“He is a fighting man and I suppose he will take some of his own men with him and they are like we are—don’t know what it is to be whipped.”
There is a report here that Gen. Grant is going to take command of the Eastern [army]. If he does, you will hear good news from there before he is there long for he is a fighting man and I suppose he will take some of his own men with him and they are like we are—don’t know what it is to be whipped.
This will be a dry letter, I suppose, for cousin Sam will be home before you get this and he can tell you more in five minutes than I can write in a week. I am glad Sam made up his mind to take a discharge for he must of had to weary himself more or less to do his duty with only one arm [?].
I will have to close as it is time to go to market and I want to be in time to get some chickens and butter. I am well and hope this will find you the same. Give my respects to all the girls and tell them I remain as ever, — Charles E.
Letter 27
McMinnville, Tennessee August 8th 1863
Dear Sister,
I received yours of the 2nd this evening and as I have nothing else to do, I will answer without delay. I told you that i wouldn’t send much of my money this time as everything is plenty and I need it as I can make very good use of it as everything is cheap and we have to improve the time in fruit season as it only comes once a year and only lasts while the fruit is on the trees. We expressed our money this time and I expect that you will get it before you receive this. If not, the amount is twenty-five dollars. It will be just enough to get a watch. If any of our boys get to go home after the conscripts—-I think that Lt. L[ewis] R. Fix will get to go—and if he does, I want him to get a good watch for me. They are a very good thing to have here and won’t come amiss at home.
Sunday morning, 8 a.m. I had to lay my writing aside and get ready for inspection. We have company and regimental inspection every morning. They are getting to be very nice. They report the two cleanest men, the two dirtiest, the best ditched tent, and the worst, three best guns and three worst. The Colonel inspects the regiment and reports the two cleanest “com” and two dirtiest, two best officers and two worst. So you can judge how we have to keep our quarters and our guns and accoutrements. The boys are working from morning till night at their guns and tents.
From the news we have had and what you say, it appears that [John Hunt] Morgan has lost his mule. It is just what pleased the boys when they heard of it for he has been more bother to us than their whole army. But I hope that as they [now] have him, they will take good care to keep him as it won’t cost as much as it will to keep a force watching him.
The inspection is partly [over] and I will write a few more lines. But there is no news. It is the same thing over and over so you must not think strange of it as I am a very poor talker and worse writer.
The weather is a little warm. Last Tuesday the regiment went out on a scout. They went about 15 miles and next day came back and I believe there was more talk about the heat and blistered feet, &c., than there would be marching a hundred miles last summer when we were up to marching. But I don’t think we will have much marching to do this summer as we are not with the advance. But we may have to move to different places to guard the railroads and important points in the rear.
The boys are all very well pleased here and ain’t particular how [long] we stay here as it is a very good country around and we are far enough south for this season of the year.
I have told you all so I will bring this to a close. If Lt. Fix or William Cooper goes home, I will send for a watch and tell them the kind I want so you can tell Pa I want one and this will be a good chance. I am well and hope this will find you the same. Yours affectionately, — Charles E.
The following letter/poem was written by Albert Curtis Matthews (1826-1902), the son of Thomas Matthews (1799-1868) and Mercy Cady Curtis (1800-1889) of New Hampshire, later Cataract, Wisconsin. Albert was married in 1849 to Elizabeth (“Libbie”) Ferris (1826-1918). At the time of the Civil War, the couple had three children—Ellen (b. 1849, Curtis Earl (b. 1854), and Herbert Carl (b. 1860).
Albert served in the 18th Wisconsin Infantry, entering as a corporal and leaving as 1st Sergeant of Company D (“the Northwestern Rangers”). On June 5, 1863, he was discharged for promotion to 2nd Lieutenant of Co. H in the 8th Louisiana Colored Troops (47th USCT), joining the regiment at Milliken’s Bend. He resigned that commission in February 1864 after an extended illness.
The 18th Wisconsin wasn’t mustered into the service until 30 March 1862 when they left the state for Pittsburg Landing and reached there April 5, the day before the Battle of Shiloh. There, on Sunday morning, with absolutely no instruction in the manual of arms and but little drill, it was ordered to check the enemy’s advance. In one of his blog posts, author Dan Masters informs us that the men of the 18th Wisconsin “were assigned to Gen. Benjamin Prentiss’s Division who dispatched the Badgers to the right of his line in the woods just north of Spain Field. The men had spent the past week aboard river steamers and diarrhea had afflicted many of the men; meals had been sparse and the men’s digestive systems, used to good home cooked meals, struggled to adjust to the harsh army diet of hardtack and poorly cooked meat.” The regiment fought bravely but lost 24 killed, 82 wounded and 174 taken prisoners. To read more of the 18th Wisconsin at Shiloh, see: “Outright Murder: The 18th Wisconsin at Shiloh.”
[Editor’s Note: The following poem/letter was made available for transcription and publication on Spared & Shared by James Kirchberg who has determined to donate it to the Wisconsin Veteran’s Museum. He sent it to me with the following description: “In 1999, I inherited a 4-page handwritten letter by a 35 year old sergeant named Albert Custis Matthews who served in the 18th Wisconsin during the American Civil War. The letter was dated September 24, 1862. The letter is folded in half to make four separate pages and was written to his wife in Cataract, Wisconsin. The first portion is a 12-stanza poem is about the Battle of Shiloh in which his regiment participated. That portion encompasses the first two and one-half pages. The last portion is about his experiences during the subsequent five months. His unit operated and fought in the area around Corinth and Iuka, Mississippi.” I have sometimes seen cases where soldiers would copy poems printed in newspapers and pass them off as their own. If Albert did this, I could not find the poem, or any portion of it, published in books or newspapers at the time. Albert claims it as original and I have no reason to question it. Unlike most transcriptions I publish, I have left Albert’s spelling intact. ]
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Lines Composed on the Battle Field of Shiloh
1 Twas early morn Aps sixth the sun had scarce arisen Our gallant Colonel forward came and this command was given Come forth brave boys and form in line make haste and don’t delay Those booming cannons now we here would cross our lines today
2 The gallant boys right manfully did this command obey And soon double front did form in bold and stern array The glittering muskets hove in sight the cannon shook the ground The roll of drums though distant yet pealed forth the solem sound.
3 The foe advanced with cautious step from center, right and left And well concealed from evry ege there traterous banner kept Keep cool my boys the General cried and passed along the line We’ll greet them soon with shot and shell or it’s no fault of mine.
4 The words he spoke scarce died away ere the rebels opened fire Which gave us proof that they were foes and blod there hearts desire Twas there kind friends your husbands fell your sons and brothers dear Who left their homes so recently thinking not that death was near.
5 Could we forsake our camp at once, our dear companions too Who fell in scores on every hand—no this would never do No thought like this did we unduly nor long did we forbear With bayonets fixed we met the foe and many perished there.
6 The fearful struggle here commenced in which their Johnson fell And others too a mighty host who fought both long and well More desperate now became the foe, all fear and dread gave way And each resolved to perish there or standing win the day.
7 Missouria boys were in the field, there standard to maintain And at her side Wisconsin boys pored forth the leaden rain Ohio too with jelous care their batteries now defend While deadly missiles rend the trees and fear and terror send.
8 Iowa’s band that numerous host, they nobly made their stand And when their battery was attacked were found to be at hand They drove the rebels from their guns in terror and dismay While briskly in their own defence, did shot and shell convey.
9 As we recount the glories won, our hearts are filled with joy To know that valiant in the field were the sons of Illinois The glories who at Donelson they nobly here maintained And Indiana’s faithful few their previous name sustained.
10 All prase is due to those who fought on Shiloh’s bloody field Until the host of traitors fled compelled at last to yield And raise to them who stood their ground till taken by the foe And held in prisons, gloomy cells all prais on them bestow.
11 The fellow soldiers bear with me in what I here have penned For if I’ve foiled in any point the fall I would amend I’ve amed at justice to you all to each an ample share And trust that I have slighted none nor delt with none unfair.
12 And now I leave my humble verse for them to ponder o’er Whose son or brother nobly fell whose husbands are no more But history mark the illusterous worth no page their deeds will stane They died as heroes only die, bleeding at every vane.
— Albert Curtis Matthews
Camp near Corinth, Mississippi September 24th 1862
Absent but not forgotten wife, I have just written some verses to send to you and as they don’t quite fill the paper, I will write a few lines to you to let you know how I am getting along although thy may not be interesting to you. My health today is not very good as I have a bad pain in my side and the neuralgy in my face and jaws. I have to soak all my victuals before I can eat it. My teeth are so sore and jaws so lame but I think that I shall be all write in a few days. Since I wrote to you last, I have had a very hard time and been exposed [to] the rebel’s bullets although we all escaped unhurt. Not so the rebels. We captured five, killed two, and wonded one. The balance escaped.
And now to tell how it came around. The 14th of this month we received orders to have three days rations cooked and in haversacks and three days more on waggeons and to march at day light in the morning which we did. Upon getting to Corinth we found that we were to go to Iuka to help catch Old Price and his army. Our army was at least 60,000 strong whilst theres was but 50,000 men all told. We intended to [ ] and take the whole of them but did not succeed. The first day we marched 25 miles trough the rain and mud and campt in brush. Rained all night. Got up in the morning and took a different rout and at 4 o’clock came on the main road only one mile from where we took dinner. Yesterday when we marched five miles and campt in the woods.
In these marches we sleep in the open air and or the ground. In the morning we got ready to start at daylight with nothing to eat but hard bread and pork. When we were ready to march, we had 60 more cartridges given us making one hundred to a man when we started. We marched on our back track one mile and then took an old by road and went a mile, then cross lots to an old mill, crost on the dam ad found ourselvs on a larg bottom, muddy and bushy. Here we were ordered to load. Our Colonel was sick and so the Maj[or] had command. He said keep still a few minutes and I will show you what to do with the extry cartridges. We stopt ten or fifteen minutes when we went forward for two miles when we came to a road which we followed five miles and then turned toward the river which we had to wade. The water was waste deep. Then over hills and fields thorough woods and hollers. Only our regiment and the 14th Wisconsin was with us. All at onc our skermishers nabbed a messenger sent from the rebel gen. to his cavalry that was one mile to the left of us telling him that we were coming with 7000 men and to stop us if he could…[rest of letter missing]
I could not find an image of Perry but here is one of John Alexander Penland who served in the 57th Indiana Infantry. He was killed at the Battle of Stones River.
The following letter was written by Perry Runyan (1822-1891), the son of Peter R. Runyan (1787-1871) and Mary Crum (1791-1857). Perry was married to Juliana Sears in 1845 and was living in Hagerstown, Indiana, when he enlisted in Co. I, 57th Indiana Infantry. The regiment was mustered in November, 1861, in Richmond, organized in Indianapolis, and sent to Louisville where it was placed under General Buell’s command and assigned to the 6th Division of the Army of the Ohio.
The 57th was stationed in Bardstown, Lebanon, and Munfordsville, Kentucky, before marching to Nashville, Tennessee in March, 1862. Although the regiment was not engaged in any battles at this time, it suffered a number of casualties from the severe winter of 1861-1862. In April, 1862, the 57th was ordered to Shiloh and saw action near the end of the battle. The regiment also was active in the siege of Corinth and was afterward ordered to northern Alabama where this letter was penned.
Perry’s Headstone in Lakeside Cemetery, Lake Odessa, Ionia county, Michigan. His surname appears as “Runyon” though the name was spelled “Runyan” among his relatives so I believe the latter spelling is correct.
Transcription
Tuscumbia, Franklin county, Alabama June 15, 1862
Dear companion,
I take this time and opportunity to inform you that I am alive and well with the exception of my back but I hope that these few lines will find you all enjoying good health. I received another letter from you last week but I hant had time to write to you since until now. I hant been able to do anything for two weeks on the account of my back and I have done my washing today and my back hurts me very bad now.
We have been on a march for five days but now we are camped at this time in Alabama on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad but expect that we will go on east in a day or two.
It is very hot here now and there is more corn growing here in this state than ever I seen in one state in my life. Their wheat is all cut that they have but it is not worth much. There is plenty of corn here that is higher than my head and some that ain’t more than four inches high. Onions is plenty here but if we get any of them we have to pay about 5 cents apiece for them.
You wanted to know if we have plenty to eat. There was one time that the men were suffering. That was right away after the Battle at Shiloh and then there was plenty at the river but the teams had not got there nor did not get there for 10 days after the battle and in that time they had to carry their grub out from the river on their back. But as a common thing, we have plenty to eat—such as it is. We have plenty of old sow, crackers for bread, and coffee three times a day. And rice and beans and sometimes we draw fresh beef. We very often get a little flour and I can keep myself in cakes by mixing it up for the boys. I have got enough to draw me two or three weeks.
The sun is so hot that I sweat so that I can’t hardly write, but now I have drawed my shirt to it now and I think I can stand it now. I want you to write as soon as you get this letter and I wish that you would send me that gentleman’s name that thinks that I am better off in the army and if I get home, I will remember him. you tell me to keep old Gobaden [?] here but I think it will be hard to keep him where he never has been. I haven’t see him since we left Nashville and I don’t expect to see him now.
I’ll put one dollar in this letter and if you get this, write soon. So no more at present but still remain your affectionate husband until death. Direct your letters to Louisville to be forwarded to the 57th Regiment Indiana Volunteers. — Perry Runyan
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.
This letter was written by Eugene Oscar Fechet (1846-1925), the son of Alfred Edmont Fechét (1817-1869) and Mary de Garmo Buel (1823-1905). At the start of the Civil War, Eugene’s father raised a unit that became Battery B, 1st Michigan Light Artillery. Eugene enlisted as a Corporal in the unit on 10 September 1861; his regiment departed to St. Louis, Missouri on 17 December 1861. Battery B performed duties in the District of West Tennessee till March 1862 until it was attached to General Stephen A. Hurlbut’s 4th Division, Grant’s Army of the Tennessee to April, 1862. The Regiment moved to Pittsburg Landing, Tenn. During the Battle of Shiloh on 6–7 April, the Battery was heavily engaged at the south end of Sarah Bell’s peach orchard and later at Wicker Field where they were surrounded and captured at about 5:30 p.m. by the 1st Mississippi Cavalry. Five of the six cannons were claimed by the Confederates and Eugene was one of the artillerists taken prisoner on April 6, 1862. The prisoners were later exchanged in November 1862.
From this letter we learn that Eugene was promoted to Sergeant prior to the Battle of Shiloh. He reenlisted in a Veteran Volunteer Regiment as a First Sergeant on 23 December 1863 until he was discharged on 10 April 1864 to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point (Class of 1868).
Though Eugene states he was in the “2nd Michigan Battery,” he was actually in Captain William H. Ross’ Battery B (or “Second Battery”), 1st Michigan Light Artillery
Transcription
Pittsburg Landing April 3rd 1862
Friend Marshall,
Your long looked for letter has arrived at last after traveling around about six weeks. I had almost determined not to answer yours which I received last night, but I guess it is best to let you know where I am, and what the prospects are for a fight. In less than a week or twelve days we will meet the enemy and drive them from their much vaunted stronghold at Corinth. You may think that I speak with a good deal of confidence, but every soldier here feels that this will be the turning point of the war. Corinth once gained, we can penetrate right into the very seat of rebellion, and can go by rail to Memphis and attack them in the rear.
Our camp is in as thick a forest as you can find in Michigan. The trees are leaving out, flowers are in bloom, and the birds keep up a continual melody. Oh! how grand it is in these old woods as I walk among these majestic trees and up and down the deep ravines. I almost forget that I am not my own master, and am surrounded by one hundred and fifty thousand fellow soldiers, and that here in this spot so amply endowed by nature with all that is beautiful, that this will soon be transformed into a bloody battlefield.
The next time that you write, if you do not write a longer letter—one containing more news than your last, you need hardly expect an answer. Excuse this writing for I [am] sitting in my tent on my blanket with my paper in my lap. Quite a comfortable position to write in. But I cannot write anymore. Give my best respects to all enquiring friends. Yours, — Eugene Fechet, Sergt. 2nd Michigan Battery
Direct to Sergt. E. O. F., 2nd Michigan Battery, Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, General Grant’s Division. Care of Capt. [William H.] Ross
Elisha Hiatt Newton (1831-1893) of Medora, Jackson Co. , Indiana. Served three years in Co. G, 25th Indiana Infantry
The following partial letter came to me for transcription and although it is unsigned and without an accompanying envelope, I have been able to place him in Co. G, 25th Indiana Infantry. We know that he was married and given the residences of several comrades mentioned by name in the letter, we can surmise that he was likely a resident of Medora, Jackson county, Indiana—a small village in Carr township of the East Fork White River valley. A listing of all of the soldiers in Co. G can be found on the Jackson county website and the author is undoubtedly one of these men, but after several hours of going through the list, my best guess is that it was written by Elisha Hiatt Newton (1831-1893)—a farmer from Medora. Elisha and Amanda Adelia Westfall were married in September 1852. He enlisted in Co. G, 25th Indiana Infantry on 19 August 1861 and mustered out on 18 August 1864.
The 25th Indiana Regiment was organized at Evansville on 17 July 1861 and was mustered into three years service in August. It left the state Aug. 26, and was in camp at St. Louis until Sept. 14, moving from there to Jefferson City and thence to Georgetown. It marched to Springfield with Fremont’s forces and back to Otterville, 240 miles, in 16 days. It remained in the vicinity of Otterville until December, when it moved with Pope’s division south of Warrensburg, forming part of the force that captured 1,300 of the enemy at Blackwater. The 25th guarded the prisoners to St. Louis and went into Benton Barracks until Feb. 2, 1862. It was sent with the expedition against Fort Donelson and joined in the first attack, losing 16 killed and 80 wounded. It was part of the force which stormed and captured the outer works the next day and occupied the fort after its surrender. It left for Pittsburg landing on Mar. 5, reaching there on the 18th, and in the battle of Shiloh, lost 27 killed and 122 wounded. This letter describes the Battle of Shiloh and provides the names and nature of wounds received by members of his own company.
For a good history of the remainder of the regiment’s service, see This Mighty Scourge by Michael Noirot. See also the Biography and Letters of Private Joseph Saverton of Co. C, 25th Indiana Infantry. I’ve included an excerpt of a letter that Ingram wrote in 1862 following the Battle of Shiloh that is housed in the Indiana Historical Society Archives.
“I guess you hav herd before this time that I hav see the monkey dance. I did not enjoy the 6 of April as much as I have enjoyed some Sundays as we had to brake the Sabath by shooting and shooting at men. Becids that wasont all they, they could shoot darn nigh a fast as we could. So that was a too handed game. Well they had more men than we did and took a running dart at us and you know if a small man runs at a big man the big man will sorter give back. We they got a bull dart at us and we hat to give back, well they took that kind of darts at us all Sunday and bout 5 o’clock Sunday evening they could not dart us any more for we had no ground to dart back on if we had went back much further. We would went in Tenn. River but Buels forces was on the opposite side of the River and the gun boats let loose and socks another time of cannonading. Yeu never herd but the darn dare devils had to crawfish and we laid on our arms all night—well we dident lay much for we had to stand up to keep from getting washt off. I never seen it rain harder in my life than it did that night—I thought day light never would come. I was hungry enough to eat a man off his horse. We had nothing to eat cince Sunday morning and got nothing until Monday evening.
We got back and had Roll Call Monday night. On Sunday when the secesh was getting the beter of us they would holer Bull Run. The old 25 [Indiana] had to face the Alibama Souazes but we hav bin drilled in the Souazee drill as much as any other. We let loose one voly and laid 123 low and we lost 23 men but they was but Six Regt deep and we had no support and we was obliged to fall back. Well darn the fight. I will quit writing bout the fight but it aint the thing it is cracked up to be.”
April 6, 1862, Battle of Shiloh
Transcription
In camp off Pittsburg Landing now in the same place we was when we first came April 8th 1862
Dear wife,
Last Friday eve, the long roll commenced beating in all of our camps which is the signal to rally into line of battle immediately. About five minutes we were marching south. Went about one and a half miles, then halted, countermarched, and was back in camp in about three hours. South of here is what is termed our Left Wing, north our Right Wing. What caused the alarm was the enemy attacking our right which did not last long. The object was [to] draw our force in that direction.
The 25th Indiana Infantry monument at Shiloh is sites at the position it took on Sabbath morning April 6th and held it against a fierce assault of the enemy for two hours. Being flanked fell back 100 yards again it fell back 100 yards. Here Regiment was furiously assailed by infantry and artillery, which caused it to fall back slowly to the right of the siege guns, where it rested Sunday night.
Sabbath morning about 3 o’clock our left was taken on surprise by about 100,000 of the rebels who made a grand charge which caused a panic among our men and caused us to have to fight on a retreat all day from early in the morning until dark. Our first round in the morning, we were lying down while our Battery was playing on them; until the Rebels advanced on us with a heavy force, they threw a shell from their Battery & killed one of our artillerymen. Our company were immediately behind the Battery. It fell on some of our men to carry off the dead man. Andrew Hubbard 1 & Hiram [Huntsucker] 2 rose up, ran to carry him off the distance of about 100 yards, then returned to come to the company and came to [1st] Lieut. [Jesse] Patterson who had been shot through the small of the back and carried him to the Boat landing and put him on the boat, remained with him until about 10 o’clock on Monday when he died. Tuesday his body was carried back to our camp where it was put in a box and interred immediately south of our camp. Here all of the 25 that was killed were buried. which number about 25. Number wounded in this regiment, can’t tell as yet but there were a great many. None killed dead in our company. Will just mention some who were badly wounded.
Jno. Critchlow 3 shot through the back under the blade of the left shoulder, ball passed around his ribs and lodged in his left nipple. It is thought he will get well.
Anderson Parris 4 shot with canister which broke his left leg just above the knee and his right leg was struck in the same place by a musket ball which caused a bad flesh would. Poor fellow. He suffered a great deal. We searched for him but could not find him until Tuesday night. Next morning he was put on board the boat D. A. January.
The Hospital Ship, D. A. January
John Hardin Durham (1842-1926), Co. G, 25th Indiana (lost a leg and an eye at Shiloh)
J[acob] L. Hinkle 5 shot in shoulder and hand. Jonas Allsup 6 shot through the hand. J[acob] L. Chambers 7 shot in ankle. Henry Davenport, 8 little finger shot off. Jno. H. Durham 9 shot in the hip. Jno. Finney 10 shot in left arm. Leander Grantham 11 was shot in the knee, I believe. Haven’t seen him since. Several others slightly—don’t remember all.
We had a serious time until Sabbath eve about dark. We had to keep falling back all day through a raking fire of shell, grape, and canister shot. I felt very much discouraged until Buell’s men commenced crossing the river which revived us considerable, notwithstanding my feeble condition. [remainder of letter missing]
1 Andrew Hubbard (1836-1915), was the son of George and Martha Ellen (Farris) Hubbard of Medora, Carry township, Jackson county, Indiana. Andrew enlisted on 19 August 1861 in Co. G, 25th Indiana Infantry and mustered out on 17 July 1865 as a veteran.
2 Hiram Weddle Hunsucker (1832-1909), was the son of John and Rosamond (Weddle) Hunsucker of Medora, Carr township, Jackson county, Indiana. Hiram enlisted on 19 August 1861 in Co. G, 25th Indiana Infantry and mustered out as 1st Sergeant of the regiment on 17 July 1865 as a veteran.
3John W. Critchlow (1840-1862), was the son of Edwin L. and Salina (Tanner) Critchlow of Medora, Jackson county, Indiana. He enlisted in Co. G, 25th Indiana Infantry in August 1861, was wounded on 6 April 1862 in the first day’s fight at Shiloh, and died of his wounds on 15 April 1862.
4 Anderson Parris (1844-1917) was the son of John and Mary (Pounds) Parris of Medora, Jackson county, Indiana. He enlisted in Co. G, 25th Indiana on 19 August 1861, was wounded on 6 April 1862 in the first day’s fight at Shiloh, and was discharged for his wounds on 28 February 1863. He married Arvilla Ursula Blythe in 1874. The 1880 US Census indicates that he was a farmer in Carr Township and notes that he was “wounded in army” but does not state if he was handicapped.
5 Jacob Lawson Hinkle (1838-1924) was the son of William and Susan C. (Day) Hinkle of Mooney, Owen township, Jackson county, Indiana. He was a carpenter prior to his enlistment in Co. G, 25th Indiana Infantry. He later became a lieutenant in Co. G.
6 Jonas Allsup (1843-1862) was the son of Jesse and Salina (Blackwood) Allsup of Sparksville, Jefferson township, Washington county, Indiana. He enlisted on 31 July 1861 to serve in Co. G, 25th Indiana Infantry, and died at home on 14 June 1862 from wounds received in the Battle of Shiloh.
7 Jacob L. Chambers (1842-1939), the son of Charles and Martha (Jacob) Chambers of Carry township, Jackson county, Indiana. Jacob enlisted on 19 August 1861 in Co. G, 25th Indiana Infantry and was wounded in the first day’s fight at Shiloh. He was discharged for his wounds on 27 September 1862.
8 Henry K. Davenport (1844-1865) was the son of Benjamin and Margarite (Abell) Davenport of Jefferson county, Kentucky. He gave his residence as Medora, Jackson county, Indiana, however, when he enlisted on 19 August 1861 in Co. G, 25th Indiana Infantry. He died of disease in Andersonville Prison on 18 March 1865.
9 John Hardin Durham (1842-1926), enlisted on 19 August 1861 to serve in Co. G, 25th Indiana Infantry, giving his residence as Medora, Jackson county, Indiana. He apparently did not muster out with the service until 1865. though his Find-A-Grave biographical sketch states that he lost one leg and one eye in the war.
10 John Finney (1845-1864), was the son of Alexander Finney of Spaksville, Jefferson township, Washington county, Indiana. He enlisted on 19 August 1861 in Co. G, 25th Indiana Infantry and died of disease on 28 May 1864.
11 Leander Grantham (1838-1909) was the son of Garretson and Esther (Wilson) Grantham of Graysville, Sullivan county, Indiana. He enlisted on 19 August 1861 to serve in Co. G, 25th Indiana Infantry giving is residence as Mooney, Indiana. He mustered out of the regiment on 18 August 1864.
Capt. John W. Poole, Co. G, 25th Indiana Infantry2nd Lt. Mahlon E. Williamson, Co. G, 25th Indiana Infantry
A post war cabinet card of Lawrence B. Worth (Ancestry.com)
The following letter was written by Lawrence B. Worth (1834-1891), the son of Alexander Worth (1803-1875) and Adeline B. Vermilya (1811-1842) of Mooresville, Morgan county, Indiana. In 1854, Alexander Worth—an early day merchant in Mooresville, moved with his second wife and family to Indianapolis where he became Secretary of the Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Lafayette Railroad. At the time or shortly after his father moved to Indianapolis, 21 year-old Lawrence struck out on his own and settled in Indianola, Warren county, Iowa. The 1860 Census enumerates him employed as a carpenter in Oskaloosa, Mahaska county, Iowa, with a wife of two years, Zerilda (Kinsey) Worth (1841-1893) and a one year-old son Frederick (1859-1935).
At the age of 26, Lawrence volunteered in July 1861 and was mustered into Co. C, 7th Iowa Infantry as a private. He was promoted to a corporal in January 1862, and mustered out of the regiment as a sergeant in July 1865 after four years service.
In his letter of 11 April 1862, Lawrence gives a detailed account of the 7th Iowa’s experience at the Battle of Shiloh from the time their encampment was overrun on Sunday morning until their retreat over a mile to the very heart of the Hornet’s Nest where they fought valiantly until after dark when the position could no longer be held. Although Gen. Grant had previously praised the 7th Iowa for its gallant service at Belmont and Donelson, Lawrence was less than impressed with Grant’s leadership. “General Grant should be courtmartialed for allowing himself to be surprised. He was notified time after time that the enemy were near his lines in strong force & intended to attack him. He hooted at the idea of them attacking him & for two days suffered things to go on in this way & his army to be surprised. I have always disliked the man & worse now than ever. He is not fit for a military man,” he wrote his father.
Transcription
Addressed to Mr. A. Worth, Indianapolis, Indiana
Pittsburg Landing April 11th 1862
Dear Father,
I take a few moments to write you to let you know that I am still alive. You will receive word of the tremendous battle fought here on last Sunday & Monday and a great many more minute events than I will be able to write you.
The enemy attacked us on Sunday morning at day [break] & they whipped us badly during the day. Their attack was a complete surprise & they over powered us. Our forces were camped on too much ground & the line of battle was too large for our forces to defend. They attacked the two outer divisions first & early in the morning & before the forces could be brought to their assistance from the other 3 divisions, their lines were cut up & broken—the soldiers flying in consternation by our lines which discouraged many of our men who had yet to come up the work. But our men fought valiantly—stood their ground well for several hours & did not retreat till in the evening when they bore down on the weak & wavering portions of our line, causing them to fall back. And then began a flanking movement on the part of the enemy. We were ordered to retreat which was done in good order for some distance, but the enemy bore down on them so strong that soon all became confusion, & then became a general stampede equal to Bull Run, I suppose.
We retreated back, formed a line running along up & down the river near the landing & out for some distance. There was a howitzer (64 pounder), three or four 24-pound siege pieces placed on the hill near the landing [and] with these & one of the gun boats, they rained such torrents of shot & shell into the enemy that they dare not advance. This was kept [up] for one hour or more when Buell’s forces began to come up over the hill from the landing just in time to save us. Had it not been for the reinforcements of Buell, we would have [been] entirely annihilated, killed, or taken prisoners.
During the night the reinforcements were disposed of in the best manner possible for action in the morning. Our guns kept throwing shell all night every half hour into the lines of the enemy till they had to fall back during the night over a mile. How they did it, I do not know, but some that were taken prisoners & wounded say that every shell was thrown during the night [landed] immediately into their lines.
On Monday morning at daylight, the fight commenced again. This day the battle turned the other way. The enemy were routed entirely & driven back. All the guns they took from us were retaken & a number of theirs were also taken. The loss on both sides was great. They took a great many prisoners the first day & we took some of them prisoners the second day. How many, I do not know. I suppose they took 2,000 of our men on Sunday. On Monday we took, I think, near 1,000 of them prisoners.
The enemy is about seven miles from our lines & the supposition is they intend attacking us again soon. Johnston & Bragg were killed & Beauregard is wounded in the arm. The enemy lost some of their best officers & they had the flower of their army here—most of the Manassas troops.
John Wesley Pierson, 7th Iowa Infantry, ca. 1862; Worth described him as a “man of iron will and determination.”
Two of our Belmont prisoners came to us yesterday—one of our company by the name of John W. Pierson. He is a man of iron will & determination. He escaped from them [for] the second time. He left them the first time at Memphis [but] was retaken at Jackson [and] was on the way to Tuscaloosa, Alabama. When they arrived at Corinth Monday evening in company with other prisoners, they had him in a house where they were to remain for the night. He slipped upstairs unnoticed by the guard, made a rope of carpet, fastening it to a bed rail which reached from one house to the other. Letting themselves down (he & his comrade) made their escape through the guard lines, passed on their way the retreating portion of the secesh army, shunned their camp & came into our lines safe. 1
General Grant should be courtmartialed for allowing himself to be surprised. He was notified time after time that the enemy were near his lines in strong force & intended to attack him. He hooted at the idea of them attacking him & for two days suffered things to go on in this way & his army to be surprised. I have always disliked the man & worse now than ever. He is not fit for a military man.
The 7th Iowa Regiment lost 10 Killed & 12 wounded, the 8th, 12th, and 14 Regiments of Iowa Volunteers were taken prisoners. They were cut off, surrounded, saw there was no chance of escape, laid down their arms & surrendered. I was in the fight, tried to do my duty, did not run like some others, but rallied on our colors with others, obeying the commands of my superior officers. Laid in line Sunday night in a drenching rain & am yet alive & safe for which I thank God for I am nearly sick from the exposure of 3 days but feel better this morning.
I remain as ever, your son, — L. B. Worth
The enemy did not destroy any of our camp more than plunder knapsacks & tents for Beauregard told them they would have all themselves.
1 An excellent article by Ron Coddington entitled, “The Great Escape” chronicles the saga of Pierson’s capture at the Battle of Belmont and weeks of captivity until he made good his escape.
I could not find an image of Jabez but here is one of William L. S. Johnson of Co. I, 1st Ohio Vol. Infantry (William Griffing Collection)
The following letter was written by Jabez B. Smith who enlisted at the age of 18 on 7 October 1861 to serve as a private in Co. H, 1st Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI). He was promoted to corporal in 1863 and wounded in action and taken prisoner in the Battle of Chickamauga on 19 September 1863. He was taken to Andersonville Prison where he died of disease on 29 July 1864.
Jabez was the son of Jeremiah Smith (1804-1877) and Hanna A. Haines (1814-1889) of Phillipsburg, Jefferson county, Ohio. He enlisted in the 1st OVI with his older brother, Pvt. Noah H. Smith (1840-1864) who served in the same company. Unlike his brother Jabez, he was not wounded in the Battle of Chickamauga, but he was taken a prisoner there and also transported to Andersonville Prison in Georgia. He died of disease there too, on 2 July 1864, less than a month before his brother.
A descendant claims that Noah and Jabez were first taken to Belle Isle, then to Libby Prison for a few months, then to Danville, and finally to Andersonville.
Jabez wrote the letter to his brother, James G. Smith (1843-1912).
Letter 1
Addressed to Mr. James G. Smith, Phillipsburg, Jefferson county, Ohio
Camp Shiloh, Tennessee April 23, 1862
Dear Brother,
It is with great pleasure that I now sit down to let you know that we are both well at present and hoping that these few lines may find you all enjoying the same blessing. I received your kind letter on the 20th of this month and was glad to hear from you and that you was all well.
The 64th [Ohio] is camped about two miles from our camp. We have both see father. He is well and hearty and sends his love to you all. The 1st Ohio Cavalry is here too. We have seen Jonathan. He is well and send his love to you all. He says that he thinks very hard of you that you do not write to him.
I suppose that you have heard of the great and glorious Battle of Pittsburg Landing. We were both in the fight and came out safe. Seven of our company was wounded, two of them dangerously. The other five are back to the company again. We went out on picket day before yesterday but before we went on post, our brigade made a reconnaissance for our own safety. We went about five or six miles when we came in sight of the rebel’s pickets when they took their old way of doing business—they ran like they always do, I did not get to shoot at this this time but our skirmishers did. the rebel’s cavalry fired on the 15th Regulars but did not hurt any of them. We didn’t follow them very far for it was raining and we turned about and came back to the picket line where we were posted to watch the rebels but they did not come near to bother us.
I must bring my letter to a close by asking you to write as soon as this comes to hand. Nothing more at present but remain your affectionate brother until death, — Jabez B. Smith
to James G. Smith
Direct to Pittsburg Landing, Hardin county, Tennessee in care of Capt. B. F. Prentiss
Do not fail to write as soon as this comes to hand. Goodbye.
The following letter was written by James McCoy (1802-1865) and his wife Margaret Jane McKinney (1806-1873) of Indianapolis, Indiana. The letter was addressed to their son, Theodore Wilberforce McCoy (1839-1896) who enlisted early in the war, serving 3 months in Co. I, 6th Indiana Infantry, and then enlisted again on 29 August 1861 as a 2nd Lieutenant in Co. I, 39th Indiana Regiment (8th Indiana Mounted Infantry). He resigned his commission as a 1st Lieutenant on 1 September 1863 and returned to Indiana where he married Eliza Taggart in 1868 and eventually became a Presbyterian minister.
In this letter, Theodore’s parents beseech their son to write home as soon as possible to let them know of his safely following the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, or Shiloh. The 39th Indiana did indeed participate in the 2nd day’s fight of the battle. A soldier in Co. I names John M. Stites wrote of their involvement in a letter to his father which read:
“Our regiment got in the fight at 11 o’clock on the second day and was in it until it ended which was about 2 o’clock in the afternoon. All of the boys from around there went through it without a scratch. There was no anyone in our company killed and only two wounded. There was 31 in our regiment killed and wounded and 18 killed on the field and died of their wounds but that is nothing to the side of some of the rest as you have learned before this time for there was an awful sight met the eye when you walked over the field on the day after the battle was over. Go where[ever] you might, there was desolation met the eye. And there was one horrible sight and that was this—the enemy all had whiskey with powder in it and as soon as they were killed, they turned as black as negroes and it looked horrible.” [See—1862: John Muchmore Stites to William Muchmore on Spared & Shared 22.]
Transcription
Addressed to Lieut. T. W. McCoy, Company I, 39th Regt. Indiana Volunteers
Indianapolis, Indiana April 11th 1862
My dear Theodore,
Since we heard on Tuesday of the great battle at Pittsburg Landing, and that Gen. Buell’s forces arrived to participate in the battle and victory of Monday, and that there was so terrible a destruction of life on both sides, we have been painfully anxious with reference to your safety. We exercise great patience as well as we can, but it is very trying to have to wait so long—especially to your Mother whose dreams & imaginings in her weak state of health added to what is real are almost more than she can bear.
“Our hopes contemplate you as safe and well, having passed the perils of the fight, and contributed your part to the achievement of the great victory; while our fears see you fallen & dead on the field, or wounded & suffering…”
James McCoy to Lt. Theodore W. McCoy, 11 April 1862
We do not certainly know that your regiment was in the battle but we think it was and I send you this by J. L. Evans, hoping that my dear boy yet lives and is safe; although of course we have many fears. If our hopes instead of our fears are to be realized, let us see at the earliest possible hour a letter from your own hand, bringing your own thoughts. This will relieve the anxiety of fond hearts at home. Our hopes contemplate you as safe and well, having passed the perils of the fight, and contributed your part to the achievement of the great victory; while our fears see you fallen & dead on the field, or wounded & suffering and perhaps long neglected during the pressure of the tedious and terrible day.
We have prayed for you every day and if you are safe, we will thank God for his gracious preservation, and if not, we will submit to the Divine Will as it becomes us, I hope; believing that to Him you have committed your way, and your soul to His keeping, while periling your life in the righteous cause for which it is an honor to live, to suffer, and if need be, to die—a cause which God will surely make triumphant.
I wrote you to Nashville, Camp Andy Johnson, a long, long letter which you did not receive before marching, nor before you wrote me from Columbia, but which I hope you received afterwards. Ma is in bed today and has been in her room most of the time since we knew the battle was pending. I have no word from James since the 6th of March, when he was at Cumberland Ford, 14 miles from the Gap—well, except a bad cold. I will not write of other matters till we hear of your safety. If any casualty has happened to you, let the whole truth be sent us.
Ever your affectionate Father, Mother, & Sister
Per James McCoy
[In a different hand and in pencil]
Dear Theodore, if you have been in the battle, will not this satisfy you my dear child? If you value your own life & mine, do resign and come home. You are buoyed with future hopes and prospect of life & will you risk it any longer? I feel that I can’t live in this state of anxiety. The battles will be [ ].
Spared & Shared 23 