The following letter was written by Levi (“Lee”) Edmund Chenoweth (1840-1923), the son of Thomas Foster Chenoweth (1808-1886) and Christena Thomas (1810-1886). At the time of the 1860 US Census, 19 year-old Lee was enumerated in his parents household where he was employed farming with his father in Washington township, Darke county, Ohio.
I could not find an image of Lee in his uniform but here is one of Abraham Mosier who served in Co. D of the 69th OVI (Paul Loane Collection)
On the 13th of May, 1861, Lee enlisted as a private in Co. K, 11th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI) for three months’ service, and was honorably discharged 17 August 1861. He re-enlisted on 25 October 1861 in Co. E, 69th OVI and was appointed Commissary Sergeant of the regiment on 1 February 1863, at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and soon after appointed Quartermaster Sergeant for the entire regiment. He re-enlisted as veteran on 26 February 1864 at Chattanooga, Tennessee and was discharged from service as Quartermaster 1st Lieutenant of Co. H, 69th OVI and, on same day, was appointed Quartermaster of the regiment. He was then appointed Brigade Quartermaster on the staff of Gen. Buell commanding 2d Brigade, 1st Division, 14th Army Corp, Goldsboro, N.C., March 27, 1865. He mustered out as the Captain of Co. I, 69th OVI. He was present at the following battles: Stone River Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge – Ringgold, Snake Creek Gap, Buzzard’s Roost, Resaca, New Hope Church, Kennesaw Mountain, Marietta, Chattahoochie River, Peach Tree Creek, siege of Atlanta, Jonesboro and Savannah and Goldsboro N.C.
Since the war, has been engaged in the grocery business, miller, engineer, merchant tailoring boot and shoe store, foundry and machine shop and a traveling salesman, handling school furniture and supplies, in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Canada. On the 5th day of December 1875, in the Supreme Court of Ohio, he was duly admitted to practice the law since which time he has been engaged in the business of his profession. He married, on the 3d of July, 1867, Effie A. Arnold, daughter of Noah Arnold, Esq., of Jasville, Darke Co.
Lee wrote the letter to his friend, Joshua Jefferis (1837-1918), the son of Darlington Jefferis (1796-1880) and Mary Potter (1801-1865) of Darke county, Ohio.
Transcription
Addressed to Joshua Jefferis, Esqr., German P. O., Darke county, Ohio
Murfreesboro, Tennessee March 3rd 1863
Friend Joshua, dear sir,
Having a few idle moments this afternoon, I will improve them by writing you a brief letter and to begin I will just state that we are all well & able for our rations. The weather is fine & roads are drying up fast. Vegetation begins to make its appearance, meadows are getting green, and the forest is brightening & everything gives evidence of an early spring. The boys have just been paid off & are very light-hearted & cheerful. We are not half so sick of the war as we were one year ago from this date. We have stood up to the toils, privations and sufferings of the war this long & we are bound to stick to the willows till the last horn is blowed—till the last enemy is killed or subjugated—till the Stars & Stripes wave triumphantly over the last state, county, or district in the Southern Confederacy. It can be done & I would wager my interest in the future world that it will be done.
Rosecrans can soon do his portion of the work if Grant & Hooker will do theirs & it is my candid conviction that ere 12 months more shall have rolled round, peace and tranquility will reign in the United States. We can stand it another year & if needs be, the fall term. I would like to come home & see all my friends as much as any man living, but I have not the remotest idea of so doing until the close of the war. You might as well try to get brains out of a cannon ball or farts out of a dead man as to try to get a furlough for 10 or 15 days.
I presume our stay at this place will be but brief as I am told by a reliable man that General Rosecrans is only waiting for the roads to get in condition.
I have not seen or heard from William Jefferis for some time but think he is yet in hospital at Nashville. Abner Haines died here yesterday morning from erysipelas & was buried today.
Our forage train was attacked about eight miles out yesterday. Our boys went into them vigorously & killed and captured nearly the entire rebel force amounting to near 300 men. The Rebels are deserting and coming to our forces daily. There is seldom a day passes without a squad of from 15 to 30 comes over. 28 came in yesterday morning and some in the evening. I have seen none today.
As there is nothing of any particular importance transpiring just now, I will close hoping that you will respect my missive & reply soon. Give my respects to Milton & Louisa. Also to Mr. Jefferis & family. Yours &c., — Levi E. Chenoweth, Com. Sergeant, 69th Ohio
Address 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 14th Army Corps, Murfreesboro, Tenn.
I could not find an image of John but here is a cdv of William H. McIntosh who served in Co. F, 22nd Wisconsin Infantry (WHS)
The following letter was written by John R. Siperly who was enumerated in his parents household in Delavan, Walworth county, Wisconsin at the time of the 1860 US Census, as a 23 year-old carpenter. John’s parent’s, Peter and Elizabeth (“Betsy”) Siperly, had relocated to Wisconsin prior to 1850 from the area around Rhineback, Dutchess county, New York.
John enlisted in August 1862 to serve as a private in Co. D, 22nd Wisconsin Infantry—sometimes referred to as “the Abolition Regiment.” He served a total of 2 years and 10 months, mustering out in June 1865. Though John wrote his father that he thought there were many signs for a “speedy close of this war” and even of peace negotiations, the heaviest days of fighting for the 22nd Wisconsin lay ahead of them, not behind them.
In 1867, John married Mary C. Church (1848-1906), and resumed in carpentry career in Walmouth county.
[Note: This letter is from the personal collection of Greg Herr and was transcribed and published on Spared & Shared by express consent.]
Transcription
Addressed to Mr. Peter Siperly, Delavan, Wisconsin Postmarked Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Fort Overall February 4, 1864 10 o’clock at night
Mother & Father,
Well, I have been reading newspapers laying abed and killing mice tonight and the latter employment caused my mind to revert to the times I used to have at home sometimes at killing mice when the idea suggested itself to me that I had better scribble a few words for the remaining inmates of that home. Well, now it is darned late so you see I can’t say much—only to say that I am still well in the very best degree. We still have very pleasant weather though for the few last days it has been somewhat cooler and tonight looks like rain.
Important and encouraging [news] is being heard from different departments of the army—of desertions on a large scale in the rebel army; of mutinies, the most important one at Mobile; and grand victories of our forces, all of which betokens a speedy close of the war. It is a fact beyond a doubt that the majority of the men in the rebel army are fast seeing their mistake and would gladly give up if they could as many of them are doing.
A rumor is afloat now that the matter is being discussed at Richmond to the effect that if the president would extend his amnesty proclamation to the officers and leaders alike, they would lay down their arms and return to the Union. I can’t say how true this is but I don’t believe it. Neither do I care much, for rather than to see the hellish leaders of this rebellion receive one iota of pardon, or to have them escape a particle of the punishment they so justly merit, rather than that I would see this war continue five years yet. I feel perfectly willing to see all pardoned that comes within the scope of the President’s Proclamation and no further.
Tis thought some that a war with France is eminent—a thing that is not to be devoutly wished for. But if it must be, let it come. I don’t know that we will ever be better prepared than now.
Yesterday our regiment received orders to go to Nashville but has been countermanded again. Perhaps though we may go yet. I think, however, that we will soon be on the move. Tis hard telling where we will turn up next.
I hear that the weather is not as cold now in the North. I hope that is so. I sent a picture about two weeks ago. Did you get it? I hope there will be no further trouble about that money. Let me know when you get it. Good night. — John R. Siperly
The following letter was written y George Espy Morrow (1840-1900), the son of John Morrow (1800-1887) and Nancy Espy (18xx-1881) of Warren county, Ohio. George was the grandson of Jeremiah Morrow, the 9th Governor of Ohio and a U.S. Senator. George Morrow’s parents were farmers, and he remained home until enlisting in August 1861 as a corporal in Co. C, 2nd Ohio Infantry in 1861. He was wounded at the Battle of Perryville and was briefly a prisoner of war. He was discharged on 15 July 1863 due to disability.
George wrote the letter to Pliny Dudley Cottle (show here) after Pliny was discharged for disability from the 2nd OVI
Following his discharge, he moved to Minnesota. After a few months, he decided to enroll in the University of Michigan Law School. He graduated in 1866 and took a position as editor of the Western Rural, later editing the Western Farmer. In 1876, Morrow accepted a position as professor at the Iowa Agricultural College, and eventually rose to chair the department. In 1877, Morrow accepted an appointment as chair of the University of Illinois College of Agriculture. Morrow implemented the Rothamsted Plan at the university to determine what could improve the quality of Illinois soil. The field became known as the Morrow Plots, today recognized as a National Historic Landmark for its contributions to the history of American agriculture. He later became president of the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College.
Morrow married Sarah M. Gifford in Detroit, Michigan, in 1867. Morrow died on 26 Mar 1900 at his home in Paxton, Illinois and was buried in Mount Hope Cemetery in Urbana, Illinois. [Wikipedia]
George wrote the letter to one of his “best friends,” Pliny Dudley Cottle (1840-1916), the son of Lucius Cottle (1815-1890) and Adeline Dudley (1817-1843) of Maineville, Warren county, Ohio. Pliney enlisted as a sergeant in September 1861 in Co. I, 2nd OVI. He was discharged for disability on 28 February 1862. Later in the war he served as a lieutenant in the 146th Ohio National Guard.
Transcription
Addressed to P. D. Cottle, Maineville, Warren county, Ohio
Headquarters 1st Division, 14th Army Corps Murfreesboro, Tennessee 4th April 1863
P. D. Cottle My dear friend,
Today when I had opened the mail and found in our headquarters package a letter from one of my best friends, I thought that as much as could reasonably be expected. When, a short time after, I was told there was another for me at the company, I had not the least idea whom it was from—was rather agreeably surprised to find it was in your handwriting. It will be better to direct as this is headquarters in future—at least until further orders—as I will receive it sooner.
I regret that you have not fully recovered your health but am glad to see that you have your usual good spirits. I frequently hear from you as regards your health, &c. from my other correspondents, and have often thought of writing. In future, I hope to hear from you more frequently. Tell me of all the little occurrences in the neighborhood. You, as a one time soldier, know that we feel an interest in the most unimportant and trivial affairs connected with homeland.
I see the regiment almost daily. The health of the men is generally good. All your friends are well, I believe. I saw Jessie Hineson yesterday looking very well—ditto John Snook. You have heard that [James E.] Murdoch is now Captain and Sergeant Major Williams of Co. D is 2nd Lieutenant of Co. I. Williams makes a good-looking officer. [Daniel W.] Dewitt, our 2nd Lt., received his resignation papers today—ill health. Do not know his successor.
Our regiment is now the largest in our division—rather remarkable, isn’t it? The division, by the way, is much the largest in the army and with the unique feature of a brigade of regulars, consisting of six battalions of infantry and one battery–[William Rufus] Terrill’s celebrated one. This brigade has been much strengthened by new troops coming up from duty in other places and is a fine thing.
As you may naturally suppose, we are all glad that Gen. Rosecrans is back with us. I have never known an instance of such general admiration for a general as our entire division shows for its commander. It equals the feeling in the 2nd Ohio for Col. [Leonard A.] Harris. Let me say here that the army is in good condition—better than I ever knew it before. It is well supplied and we have large stores of provisions in readiness for the future. When this army is put in motion and has work shown it, it will do that work thoroughly and well. When that time is to be, I do not at all know ad have ceased to speculate.
The fortifications, at which much work is still being done, are very extensive and strong. A considerable force will be left here, of course.
I trust that as warm weather is now not far off, you will with its advance become well and strong again. Do not allow yourself to become a hermit or misanthrope. I would much like to have the opportunity of seeing our friends of whom you spoke as well as many others but until this war is ended or I get sick, or again wounded, my place is in the army.
Lately, I have felt encouraged to hope that the end was now not very far in the future. We have gained much and lost but little comparatively.
For myself, I am pretty well and have as pleasant times as could be expected. Give my respects to all my friends. Hoping to soon hear from you, I am truly your friend, — G. Espy Morrow
P. S. Aaron Morris sends his regards as would a host of your friends were they here to know of the opportunity. The splendid band of the 15th U. S. Infantry has just commenced a serenade intended to honor Rosecrans.
This incredibly detailed letter was written by Milo L. Partridge (1846-1865) who enlisted at age 18 as a private in Co. C, 177th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI) on 17 August 1864. He did not survive the war. He died of disease at Smithville, North Carolina on 22 February 1865 after six months service.
A canteen carried by a member of the 177th OVI during the war. Milo and his comrades filled their canteens with whiskey they stole from a residence in Tennessee and then shared it with their officers. “We felt as though we could take Hood’s whole army by the time we got to camp,” he wrote his parents.
This regiment was organized at Camp Cleveland from Sept. 23 to Oct. 4, 1864, to serve for one year. Immediately after its organization it proceeded to Nashville, Tenn., via Indianapolis and Louisville. The day after its arrival it was ordered to Tullahoma and constituted a part of the garrison at that place under Gen. Milroy. It remained at Tullahoma until Hood’s invasion, when it was ordered to Murfreesboro, where it arrived on Dec. 2. On Dec. 7, Milroy’s command, including the regiment, charged the works and drove the Confederates back, capturing 2 pieces of artillery and over 200 prisoners. A few days after this, while on a foraging expedition, the regiment had an engagement with the enemy, in which it lost several wounded. After Hood had been driven from Tennessee the regiment was ordered to Clifton. About the middle of Jan., 1865, it embarked at Clifton, proceeded down the Tennessee and up the Ohio to Cincinnati, where it took the railroad for Washington, D. C. From there it moved to Annapolis, Md., and embarked on a vessel for North Carolina, arriving at Fort Fisher on Feb. 7. It was engaged in two attacks on the enemy’s works from the Cape Fear river to the coast, and crossed the river and participated in the flank movement which compelled the Confederates to evacuate Fort Anderson. It next engaged the enemy at Town creek, charging in the rear and capturing the entire command. The next morning it arrived opposite Wilmington, where it remained about a week, then joined Gen. Cox at Kinston and proceeded to Goldsboro, where it joined Sherman’s army.
Milo was the son of Richard Partridge (b. 1817) and his wife, Maria (b. 1822) of Colebrook, Ashtabula county, Ohio. His siblings included Amelia, Esther and Harlo.
Transcription
Addressed to Mr. Richard Partridge, Colebrook, Ashtabula county, Ohio
Camp in Fort Rosecrans Mufreesboro, Tennessee December 14, 1864
Kind Parents,
Today finds me seated to answer your most welcome letter that I received the 4th. I was glad to hear from you and to hear that you were all well. Your letter found me in good spirits and enjoying good health.
Well it seems you have got the family pretty well shod up. I am still wearing the government [shoes] that I drawed in Warren. They are getting rather thin on the bottom. It don’t agree with shoes to march over these Cumberland Mountains very well. You wanted to know how I got along for money. I haven’t spent but $7 out of that $10 bill yet so I hant in want of any just now, but if you are a mind to, you may send me a few stamps for they are hard to be got here. I am not quite out yet but I thought I would send in time.
You wrote Addie had been there. I should like to have been there and spent an afternoon with her if I could have talked polite enough to converse with her. I presume her mother will ride out quite often now she has found her harness. I think you have got a new style of burying apples. I should like to do your foddering this winter first rate. It would be quite a sight to me to see a barrel of apples—much more than it would be to see a brigade on the march. Well, mother, I can tell you how we get along with our washing. When we can, we take a camp kettle and heat water and wash right in the kettle and when we can’t do it, we have to wear dirty shirts. We soldiers are all seven day Baptist. We have to take our Sunday as we can catch it. Those folks where I got dinner that day did not ask me to call again. I guess they were not fond of company.
“I had better send my pants up and have them patched. They are getting rather thin on the seat and when they come through, there is the bare ass right there—no drawers between. What do you think of that?”
—Milo L. Partridge, Co. C, 177th OVI, 14 December 1864
It seems by your letter that you and Amelia keep the sewing machine running pretty lively. I don’t know but I had better send my pants up and have them patched. They are getting rather thin on the seat and when they come through, there is the bare ass right there—no drawers between. What do you think of that?
I have not heard from Edgar since we left Nashville. You wrote how much good it done you to get a letter while at home. Think how much good it does the soldier who is far from home and neighbors to get a letter from home. I wish you could see the boys when the orderly hollers fall in for your letters. It makes no odds what they are doing. If they are eating, the will leave it. To get a letter, there is nothing soldiers watch as close as they do the mail. I will write as often as I can and I hope you will do the same which you have already done. You are no doubt looking for a letter before this and I should have wrote before if the communications had been open.
The 24th of November, I was on picket in Tullahoma and when the officer of the day came around, he told us to keep a close lookout and if we were attacked, to deploy and skirmish till they drove us in for they expected to be attacked that night. But we was not troubled. The next day they went to digging rifle pits. The 27th (Sunday), Co. C had orders to start at 5 o’clock for this place to guard a train loaded with stores. All we took was our overcoats that day. We marched about 14 miles on the railroad track to a town called Wartrace and camped for the night. About 10 o’clock they waked us up and sent out more pickets for they could hear firing not a great ways off.
Pretty soon the citizens commenced coming in from Shelbyville off towards where the fighting was. They said Hood was with three miles of there when they left. Pretty soon we had a dispatch from General Milroy to push on as fast as possible so we sent for a guide that lived about 5 miles from there but he did not get there till just about daylight when we started on and marched about 9 miles and then rode the rest of the way. Some of their cavalry was within two miles of us. Once they come in on a crossroad to cut us off but were not quite soon enough. We got there that night a little after dark and went in on our fresh pork that we picked up on the way.
We camped down and stayed a day or two when we heard that out regiment was coming so we did not start back. That Saturday night the regiment and the rest of the troops from Tullahoma came in. We were detached from the regiment to stay with the train, they liked us so well. Sunday we went over to the regiment to see if our baggage had come. I lost one blanket and a canteen. The rest came through all right and was glad to get that much. We were away from the regiment but a short time. We are with them now.
While we were waiting for the regiment to come, they were busy moving things from town into the forts so we are all here inside the fortifications, citizens and all. It seems that Hood was making for Nashville for there has been heavy cannonading by spells ever since that way. Some of his cavalry have been playing around here for a day or two but as soon as they come out of the woods in sight of our big guns, they gave them a few shells and made them scatter right smart.
There was heavy skirmishing for two or three days. We could stand on the fortifications and see both parties perfectly plain. We had a line of battle out once or twice but could not draw them out of the woods. One afternoon, General Milroy went out and captured 169 wagons and pitched in and whipped them and took some 150 or 200 prisoners. Our regiment was out but did not fire any. They were supporting a battery. Our company was not with them then. They were with the train. Their cavalry are lurking around here yet so to keep up foraging. Everyday we send out from 40 to 100 wagons but we have to have a strong guard and have a few pieces of artillery along. The boys were out the other day and got into quite a skirmish with them but I was down looking at an engine that had been fired into the night before while after wood and so was not along. Dave was with them.
We had one in our company wounded very bad and one or two hurt a little by spent balls yesterday. We were out again. Our Colonel was Acting Brigadier and so he had command of the train. He told us to get what we could so we went in. We stopped at one house and got any amount of nice lard, molasses, salt beef, ad pork and hogs, tobacco and clothing, and Frank and I found a keg of whiskey. We emptied it into canteens and filled the keg with molasses and brought to camp. The house was covered with molasses, upstairs and down when we left. I was looking at some boots to find me a pair and found a nice chunk of sausage done up and put in one of the boots. We got pails and cups and everything we could use in camp and fetched in. I think they will have a worse time cleaning the house than Amy and I did their milkroom.
What our company fetched in we divided it among all the company except my sausage. I and Frank and Dave had that for dinner. The company had in all over half a barrel of molasses and it makes our mush go bully too which is our diet now. We don’t have but little [hard] tack for our communications are cut off and we can’ get anymore just now. But we can fight as long as we get plenty of mush and molasses and hogs—that’s whats the matter. The officers—Colonel and all—helped empty our canteens and we felt as though we could take Hood’s whole army by the time we got to camp and if they ain’t double our number, we can lick them every time too—that is what ales Co. C.
“We have had about a week or ten days about as cold weather as I ever saw in Ohio. There was one man froze to death on picket since we have been here. we had to spoon up pretty close to sleep warm in our dog tents too I notice.”
—Milo L. Partridge, Co. C, 177th OVI, 14 December 1864
The weather is wet and muddy now. We have had about a week or ten days about as cold weather as I ever saw in Ohio. There was one man froze to death on picket since we have been here. we had to spoon up pretty close to sleep warm in our dog tents too I notice. We were out foraging one Sunday when it was so cold that it was all we could do to keep warm marching with our overcoats on. There is very sudden changes in the weather down here. We have had two pretty cold snaps this winter but it is warm enough now and muddy enough too.
Friday, December 23, 1864
Well, as the Rebs are drove away from here now and the cars are expected to be running to Nashville in a few days, I will try and finish my letter. Today finds me still enjoying good health. It is rather cold and wet but we get along very well for all that. There hant been any fighting nearer than Nashville since I commenced this letter. I presume ere this you have heard of General Thomas’ victory there. Yesterday we got our mail. It came from Nashville in wagons as the railroad is not quite repaired yet. There was seven wagonloads of mail came for the troops that are here. There was about 10 bushels for our regiment. I got seven letters—one was from you dated the 11th. I see that you are looking anxiously for a letter, This will probably not go out before tomorrow or next day but I will get it ready and send it as soon as possible. I got one from G. Weed and wife, and one from Amelia and Harlo and shall answer them as soon as I can.
We are expecting to leave here today. Where to, we don’t know, but we expect along the railroad somewhere and as soon as we get settled, I will answer them. We have seen some rather snug times during the siege. Mush has been our diet. It was good enough if we could get enough of it but we had to forage for about 13 or 14,000 men besides a great many refugees and what mules and horses it takes for that amount of men and it made rations rather small. But we are going to draw full rations again now and then we are all right.
Howard got to the regiment night before last. He looks quite tough and hearty. Earl has been sick for a day or two. The rest of the boys from Co. C are all right.
Well, as I have given you a kind of a detail of our proceeds since we left Tullahoma, I will close by asking you to write soon if not sooner. Give my respects to all and accept a share yourself from — M. L. Partridge
Spared & Shared 23 