Camp Smith, Paducah, Kentucky | Spared & Shared 23

This letter was written by Sgt. William Jasper Srofe (1842-1912) of Co. K, 48th Ohio Infantry. William enlisted as a sergeant but rose to first sergeant in December 1862, to 2nd Lieutenant in March 1863, and finally to 1st Lieutenant. From June 1863 through the end of the year he was in temporary command of Co. H. He was captured at the Battle of Sabine Crossroads on 8 April 1864 and imprisoned at Camp Ford in Tyler, Texas. He was not released until May 1865. Following his release, Srofe remained with his regiment [transferred to Co. D, 83rd] as quartermaster on garrison duty in Texas until being mustered out in May 1866.

William’s older brother, John V. Srofe (1836-1892) served as a 2d Lieutenant in Co. K, 27th Ohio Infantry from August 1861 to June 1862. He later served in Co. E, 7th Ohio Cavalry.

Several more of Srofe’s letters are published on “I am not whipped.” Two more of William’s letters were transcribed back in 2017 and posted on Spared & Shared 16. See—1862: William Jasper Srofe to Parents

Company K of the 48th Ohio Volunteer Infantry was heavily recruited from southwestern Ohio (including Highland and Brown Counties) and organized at Camp Dennison in late 1861. The regiment saw intense combat across the Western Theater, notably at the Battle of Shiloh, the Siege of Vicksburg, and the Red River Campaign.

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

*Addressed to Mrs. Sarah Myers, New Hope, Brown county, Ohio*

Camp Smith, Kentucky
Februar 22, 1862

Dear Parents,

I seat myself this dismal evening to write you a few lines first stating that I am well at present & I sincerely hope that you are enjoying the same blessing.

Camp Smith is on the western bank of the Tennessee River inside of the corporation line of Paducah, Kentucky & on a lot belonging to a secesh captain. Our hospital is also in a house where a secesh general resided. We arrived here on Thursday morning & pitched our tents. It is very muddy here. Since we arrived here, there has been about fifteen thousand troops landed at the wharf and more are landing.

I visited two hospitals yesterday that were occupied by the wounded soldiers of Ft. Donelson. It was a frightful looking signt but they all appeared to rest easy. Some were shot in the arms, others in the head, back and legs. There’s was a great many of our men killed. A steamer passed here yesterday with Gen. [Simon Bolivar] Buckner on board. Gen. [Bushrod] Johnson escaped from the boat by some means. It is reported here that our gunboats fired on Columbus yesterday and the fire was not returned. They had evacuated the place & our troops were again disappointed for the want of an enemy here. They have deserted the strongest position that they have. For what purpose, I cannot tell. But it appears they are becoming very shy.

There was an old secesh that had attempted to form a rebel regiment here [but] when our troops commenced landing, he got up & got his horse, did not wait to get his breaches on but traveled for some other part of Dixie.

The 70th [Ohio] Regiment arrived here the evening after we did. I met a great many of the New Hope boys. We were glad to see each other. Tom Scott was here a few minutes ago. He looks very well. I have not heard anything certain about the 27th but some say that they are at Fort Donelson. If they are, I expect to see Bogis soon.

We have not drawn our arms yet but I hope & think we will soon. I want you to write to me immediately and tell me certain where John is. As you have all the news, it’s [useless] for me to write any more—only that this rebellion is about played out. So no more, but write soon. — W. J. Srofe

To F & S. Myers.

Direct your letters to W[illiam] J[asper] Srofe, Paducah, Kentucky
In care of Capt. [Samuel G. W.] Peterson, Co. K, 48th Regt. O. V., USA

The following letter was written by Philip W. Royse (1840-1865), the son of Frederick Royse (1817-1849) and “Marcy” Zaring (1822-1905) of Fredericksburg, Washington county, Indiana. Philip enlisted on 27 July 1861 as a corporal in Co. C, 23rd Indiana Infantry but was later reduced to ranks and mustered out on 28 July 1864 after three years service. Though he survived the war, he died at home on 21 October 1865.

Philip wrote the letter to his cousin, Simeon G. Royse (1837-1867), the son of John W. and Mary (Garriott) Royse of Fredericksburg, Indiana.

Transcription

Camp Smith
Paducah, Kentucky
November 26, 1861

Dear Cousin,

Yours [received] bearing date of November 10th. I was very glad to hear from you. We are still in the land of the living & able for our allowances when we can get them.

Well, Sim, you say that Martin Luther has been tearing up Jack and cutting around as he has a many a time before. I say he ought to go to the penitentiary & he never will get his just dues until he does. I heard that he was going to join the army. All I can say is that if he does, he will not get to do as he pleases. But I want you to get him to go if you can. Then that will be a good way to get rid of him.

Sim, I am very sorry that your girls are both taken from you. Jane & Beck both are taken from you—that is too bad, I do declare. Well, Sim, there is as good fish in the sea as ever was caught out.

Trave Andrew arrived here last Saturday morning. We were all very glad to see him and now I want to see you & Baily for the next ones—you lazy stingy shits you. If you don’t come, I will make you wish you never had seen me. George is about well. He has been discharged from the hospital and is now in camp. Well, good old Simeon of old, the next time you go a courting, remember me and give her a smooch for me right in the mouth.

There was a very bad accident happened at the hospital today. They were hoisting a cannon. It fell and wounded six men. A Zouave had both of his legs broken. He belonged to the 11th Indiana. The others belonged to the 40th Illinois. Three of them will be very apt to die.

I must close now. write soon. Yours as ever, — Philip W. Royse

to S. G. Royse