The following letter was written by 19 year-old Jacob Azro Gould (1843-1889), the son of Jacob Townsend Gould (1805-1853) and Sophia E. Samson (1818-1882) of Hopkinton, St. Lawrence county, New York.
How Jacob might have looked. This unidentified clerk is from the editor’s private collection.
When Jacob wrote this letter in August 1862, he had been working as a clerk in a dry goods store, living with and employed by Orren Dorman of Swanton, Vermont. He lived there 16 years before relocating to Rutland and entering into partnership with his brother in law, A. F. Davis.
Gould’s letter speaks of the enlistment of volunteers in Vermont in August 1862 in response to Lincoln’s call for troops under the federal Militia Act of 1862. He speaks of the federal order issued by Secy. of War Edward Stanton temporarily banning all draft-eligible men from leaving the country. Gould claims he’d serve rather than run if drafted but apparently the call never came. I could find no evidence he was drafted.
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Directed to Mr. Silas W. Merrill, Hopkinton, New York
Swanton, Vermont
August 10th 1862
Friend Silas,
Probably you will be glad to hear of my safe arrival at home again. And as I owe you a letter, I will try & pay you now. The folks here are all half frightened to death for fear of being drafted—especially the Frenchmen. They are running to Canada almost in droves. But it is now against the law for anybody leaving the state without a pass. They search the cars & boats everyday. Yesterday they caught seven or eight on their way to Canada in the cars. They were arrested and sent back. I do not know where.
Well, if they wish to draft me, all right. I will not try to run. But I tell you, Silas, this war is an awful thing. We know nothing about it here at the North. But perhaps we may yet before we get through with it. Well we must make the best of it.
Our last company left here yesterday morning for headquarters. They are [en]listing pretty fast all over the state. It may be that they will not have to draft here but probably they will. We shall know by Friday, the 15th, most likely. There has a great many good boys gone from here the last week which of course a great any will never return. Well it is in a good & glorious cause, of course you know. Are not you glad that they cannot draft you? Probably they will have to draft a great many in New York State. Do they talk much of it there? If they take me, I shall hold my tongue & make the best of it.
I wonder how Frank R. gets along. Was it not too bad because I did not make her a call? Well it is too late now so I will not cry. Going home from your house that night, I bothered Chloe considerable about you. I told her I did not have any objections &c. Well if I go to war, I will write to you as I do now of course for if I go, I am not agoing to be killed of course, not although they are pretty careless down that way. They come near killing folks sometimes but, however, all right.
Give my best respects to all, especially that man who caught those trout—I cannot think of his name. No more. Goodbye. — J. A. Gould
This letter was composed by Lockhart Davenport (1818-1875) of Hinsdale, Cheshire county, New Hampshire. According to the 1860 US Census, Davenport was involved in the lumbering business. He was also evidently tasked by his county or the provost marshal office to apprehend draft evaders in Canada or to locate military-age men willing to accept bounties offered by county governments to fulfill their draft quotas. Davenport’s letter discloses that the prevailing rate in New Hampshire for conscript substitutes was $565 and was projected to exceed $600 before the county quota could be fulfilled.
Davenport wrote the letter to Warren Snow Barrows (1824-1888) of Hinsdale, Cheshire county, New Hampshire. He was married in May 1856 to Maria L. Walker of Keene, Cheshire county, New Hampshire.
Transcription
West Lebanon [New Hampshire] December 2, 1863
W. S. Barrows, dear sir,
I sent you a telegram this morn. I have just returned from Canada with no success except getting out safely. Men are selling today for $565 each. Nims of Keene returned home last night. Has put in no men but thought he should be instructed to put in one half or more and run their chances about there being another draft. That would be my opinion in regard to the way for us to pursue. You will please write me tomorrow as I must go home Saturday.
H[enry] O[scar] Coolidge went home this morn without doing anything. I think men will be worth $600 but some think they will be less. Yours in haste, — L. Davenport
P. S. We have about 30 men to enlist this a.m. all taken up last night & are now rushing in to the office and being short of office help I have got yp help. Else I would write more. — L. D.
Telegram
“No men can be had for less than five hundred sixty-five dollars. What shall I do? If put them in, say so today. I have written you this morning.” — L. Davenport
The following incredible and newsy letter was penned in October 1864 by “Carrie O.” whom I later determined to be Caroline Victoria Ozias (1843-1902). Caroline was born in Twin, Preble county, Ohio, the daughter of Peter Leo Ozias (1812-1893) and Rebecca Kesler (1818-1863). It seems she never married. She died of pneumonia when she was 59 years old.
We learn many things from Carrie’s letter but her post script suggests that she was attending school at the time and my hunch is that she was attending the Davenport Female College.
Carrie wrote the letter to her childhood friend, Sarah (“Sallie”) Rachel McQuiston (1843-1926), the daughter of David McQuiston and Margaret Hamilton of Preble county, Ohio.
Transcription
Addressed to Sallie McQuiston, Morning Sun, Preble county, Ohio
Davenport, Iowa October 20, 1864
Dear Ohio Friend,
I can’t say that it was negligence why I did not write sooner but have ben very busy and received a “host” of letters from our old neighborhood and I answer first those which I receive first. Your letter was very interesting as it seemed that I was at home in Ohio while reading it. Don’t think that I am homesick that I write thus—not by any means for I enjoy it here and like it very much. I have been some two or three miles out in the country to parties several times and had real good times.
As to soldiers, they are pretty plenty here, they having two camps near here, besides the guards of the rebel prisoners at Camp Jeff Davis on the island. 1 I have been at both camps, and a good view of Camp Jeff which I think is better than going on the island to see them.
Then there is the Indian camp close to Camp Roberts 2 and it is amusing to see those sons of the forest carrying water, washing, cutting wood, and sweeping the grounds at the other camp. They number nearly three hundred and are a hard looking “set”—some dressed in soldier’s clothes, others in citizen’s dress, and others in Indian stuff. They are prisoners brought here several years ago from Minnesota and the ring leaders are kept very close, not being allowed to go out even with a “guard.” 3 Quite a number were in the woods gathering hazelnuts as we passed, with a dignified looking “guard” with them which reminded me of a former teacher of mine who considered it his duty to prop himself up at some conspicuous place every noon to watch the pupils in their play, which was productive of evil instead of good, as he was very impudent about it.
108th USCT guarding prisoners at the Rock Island Prison in 1864
To my subject again, the rebs are guarded (partly) by colored soldiers 4 and you may be sure that their aristocratic southern blood boiled at the very thought and it was not until they killed about half a dozen that they submitted of the darkies that they forced them to submit. I rejoice in it, but imagine their feelings at being guarded by the race they always were taught to hate. The “sogers” in a large camp are not the same ones that we see when they come home to their friends. There are a number here whom I think their friends would not like to own. Being away from many acquaintances, they care not how they act.
We had a heavy draft in some parts of this county and I learned that my old friend Preble [county, Ohio] had the same. In Poweshiek Co. (west of this near Iowa City), they resisted the draft, killed a provost marshal [John Bashore] and several others. The man who shot the marshal was wounded and taken. A rope was put around his neck and he was forced to name his accomplices, about a dozen of whom are now in jail. General [N. B.] Baker went from here with some soldiers and Governor Stone hastened there. Upon the whole they had quite a time resisting this “abolition tyrant.” Pa was in Grinnell the same night the soldiers came. He said it looked very warlike for so small a place. The soldiers realized what northern traitors are and felt like giving them their just dues. A few of the butternuts hid among the bushes near where the marshal and several others were obliged to pass and shot at them, killing him. Then, not satisfied with that, they beat his head almost into a jelly. It caused quite an excitement for a time. Price was in the southern part of Iowa and it was rumored that he intended making his way through to the island and take the rebel prisoners. I think until he gets this far, he will deserve them. 5
The guerrillas are in Davis County. They entered from Missouri one hundred and fifty strong mostly attired in Federal uniform. Soon after crossing the border they separated into bands and went plundering, murdering, and deceiving by the uniform. 6 The latest news is that four hundred citizens have congregated at Bloomfield and arming themselves to meet five hundred guerrillas reported to be at Memphis, Missouri, preparing for a march on Bloomfield. Further news are awaited anxiously.
I do feel rejoiced and thankful for the success of our arms and also for the victories achieved by the ballot. Don’t talk about the war being over for it is too good to think of. Oh! what a happy time would that be when friends shall meet on earth once more and those long loved return. But are we sure that they will return? That throws a deeper shade over our darkened hopes.
Schenk is elected. Good for that I say. A[ndrew] M. Weller’s Uncle was here a few days before we heard the result and he seemed very anxious to know the opposing candidates, and don’t you think that pa did not know who it was. He was a former resident of Preble [County, Ohio] and now is an active butternut. By the way, A. M. W.’s mother 7 died a few weeks ago. Her brother is the person of whom I have written.
There was a large mass meeting over in Rock Island City last week and some good Union speeches made. Governor Yates of Illinois was there and the soldiers from here went over in true warlike style. After dark there was so much noise that it seemed as if they intended storming the city. We went up in the third story piazza and had a view of all the processions and performances—better than if we had been there as I don’t think that I would fancy being there after night. I can walk quite well but my arms seem weak and I have been helping to wash this afternoon and it has made my hands quite nervous, and if you will excuse my poor letter, you will confer quite a favor.
Please think of me and write soon. Goodnight. — Carrie 0. Your true friend.
I like the school very well indeed. I am quite fascinated with it. There are one hundred in attendance now and you may be sure we have good times. I consider it all right that you write about your letters and such like, for it is interesting to me. I must quit for my hand is becoming painful. Pleasant dreams to my loving friend tonight. My love to you, — Carrie
Write soon please.
1 Though I have not heard of it being called “Camp Jeff Davis” before, it’s clear that Carrie is referring to the Rock Island Prison which was located on a government-owned island between Davenport, Iowa, and Moline, Illinois, in the Mississippi River.
2 Camp Roberts was the headquarters of the 8th and 9th Cavalry. It was established 14 July 1863 on Duck Creek near Oakdale. It was afterward called Camp Kinsman and the buildings were turned over to the orphans of soldiers and became the Davenport Orphan’s Home.
3 These Indians—part of the Minnesota Sioux—were among the nearly 300 that were rounded up after the Sioux Uprising in Minnesota in August 1862. They were brought to Davenport where they were confined in a prison area 200 feet square containing four buildings: two for prisoners to sleep in (no beds were provided), one for a hospital, and one for the guardhouse. It wasn’t until April 1866 that those who had survived were released.
4 It was the 108th USCT assigned the duty of guarding Revel Prisoners at the Rock Island Arsenal.
5 For more details on this Draft Resistance Incident in Poweshiek county, Iowa, readers are referred to a post by David Connon entitled, Draft Dilemma in Poweshiek County: The Murder of Marshals,” Emerging Civil War, March 29, 2018
6 In the book entitled, “The Confederate Invasion of Iowa,” author Russell Corder informs us that the raid took place in mid-October 1864. “Twelve young men, dressed in Federal uniforms, mounted on splendid horses, and armed with from two to seven revolvers each, entered Davis Co. near its southeast corner in the early morning with two prisoners, young men whom they had captured in Clark Co., in the Northeast corner of Missouri.”
7 Sarah (Higgins) Weller (1811-1864) died on 21 September 1864. She was buried in Roselawn Cemetery in Lewisburg, Preble county, Ohio.
