The following letter was written by Henry Blackstone Banning (1836-1881), the son of James Smith Banning (1800-1867) and Eliza A. Blackstone (1804-1878) of Mt. Vernon, Ohio. His Find-A-Grave biographical sketch reads as follows: “Civil War Union Brevet Major General, US Congressman. Born in Bannings Mills, Knox County, Ohio, he attended Kenyon College, studied law, and became a prominent lawyer in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. He was also a supporter and member of the Douglas Democratic Party. When the Civil War began, he volunteered and enlisted in the 4th Ohio Volunteer Infantry as a Private. He soon accepted an officer’s commission as Captain and was later assigned to organize the 87th Ohio Volunteer Infantry in June, 1862 for three months service. On September 15, 1862, nearly the entire regiment was captured by Confederate Major General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson’s forces at Harper’s Ferry and paroled five days later. After the regiment was mustered out of service, Banning re-enlisted, was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, and was assigned to the 125th Ohio Volunteer Infantry on January 1, 1863. Three months later, he was transferred to the 121st Ohio Volunteer Infantry and placed in command of the 2nd Brigade in the 2nd Division of the Army of the Cumberland during the Atlanta Campaign. He also participated at the Battles of Chickamauga and Nashville and was promoted to Colonel in November, 1863. He received two promotions to Brevet Brigadier General and to Brevet Major General of US Volunteers on March 13, 1865 for “gallant and meritorious services during the war.” He accepted an assignment to organize and command the 195th Ohio Volunteer Veteran Infantry for one year service. The regiment was used for garrison duties until December.”

After the war, he became a member of the Ohio Legislature in 1866 and 1867. He then moved to Cincinnati, Ohio to resume his law profession. Elected as a Liberal Republican to represent Ohio’s 2nd Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, he served from 1873 to 1879. While a member of Congress, Banning was the chairman on the Committee of Military Affairs. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1878 and again in 1880. He died at his residence in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1882.

Banning was married in 1868 to Julia Kirby (1846-1917) of Cincinnati, Ohio.

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

Headquarters 121st OVI
In camp at Shelbyville, Tenn.
August 4, 1863

Friend Mart,

Yours of the 26th received. You say you do not know which of us wrote last. I can tell you. You have owed me a letter for a bout two years. And if I thought you would be as long answering this one, I would not be in so much of a hurry about writing. But I hope you will follow this my good example and write me soon.

Nothing of moment has occurred in a military way since we occupied Shelbyville except a Grand Review of this Division on Monday by Gen. Rosecrans. His wife was with him. He is looking very well and in good spirits. Promised our Corps should take the advance on next move.

This is election day in Tennessee. Mr. [Edmund] Cooper of this place is a candidate for Governor. This is the best Union town I was ever in, either North or South. They are all united and have but one object—the restoration of the government.

There were over 1500 refugees from this county who have spent the last ten months with our army and come back to their families when our army came through. Hundreds of others have spent the winter in the woods. you would not believe it was I to write you the trials and hardships some of the patriots have suffered through. And now they are doing anything in their power to make our stay here pleasant. Men, women & children pay attention to nothing but the comfort of the soldiers. Dinner, tea, and breakfast parties are given out. Everything in their houses and on their plantations are free for the ease of the soldier. There are a number of very elegant young ladies here. Horseback riding is the order of the day. I have had some very pleasant rides.

On Thursday evening, our General ([Walter Chiles] Whitaker) gives us a dance. White vests and white gloves are at a premium. We expect a gay time. I am going to take a young lady 13 years old. 14 is a proper age to marry down here and 20 is an old maid. 35 to 40 [is considered] a proper age for a gentleman to marry. There is one delicate and refined custom among the ladies here that does not exactly meet my approval—Dipping—chewing tobacco [and] most of them use it. I often meet a very beautiful lady with a stick in her mouth. She has chewed one end of it until she has made a kind of a swab or brush of it. With this stick she swabs the snuff around among her teeth. They first commence taking it to improve their complexion and afterwards use it to satisfy the appetite. The custom is not so common over here as it was over at Franklin. In that town almost every lady uses it, old and young, and spit like old tobacco chewers. Accomplished ladies of fortune in Franklin came to me and asked me to have our sutler bring them snuff. I am told gentleman are not often very anxious to kiss them. You are mistaken about my being interested in the lady. Major Cooper took to the caves [?]. I lost my interest years ago, I think you are interested in the gentlemen that took the lady that went with Major Cooper.

I am well acquainted with Capt. [ ]. He is much of a gentleman. Rather unkind in you, Mart, to allude to his marriage to Miss Newman. I don’t believe my friends can much [know] how they would my feelings. But I will take your advice and try to bear up under it.

I have tried to do as you advise—fall in love down here. But every time I propose to a girl, she objects because I don’t chew tobacco and says as my social qualities are different from hers, she does not think she can live happy with me.

You say you never got the piece of music I sent you—“My Maryland.” I will send it to you certain & will send it again as soon as I can get it.

The weather is very warm down here now in the day time. A heavy coat is comfortable at night. I like the climate very much. A good cool night refreshed one so much, he is willing to bear with hte heat of the day in anticipation of the night again. I am going home in September next month if I can get a furlough. Capt. [Charles C.] Aleshire of the 18th Ohio Battery is going up with me, and two other friends. I have good hope of getting a leave.

How is Aleck. Does his term of office expire this fall? If it does, tell him I will vote for him and against Vallandigham.

Hoping to hear from you soon, with my kind regards & you people, I am most truly your friend, — Banning