The following document appointing an Executor to his Estate was composed and signed by Capt. Virgil Adam Stewart Parks of Co. D, 17th Georgia Infantry in December 1862. Parks was killed on the second day’s fight at Gettysburg—shot through the head. The following biographical sketch was posted on Civil War Talk:
Born in 1836 and while yet a small boy, Virgil A. S. Parks moved with his family from Georgia to Texas. His mother died soon after reaching Texas. His father remarried, but he also died a short time later. His step-mother took him to Arkansas, but then she departed for the North, leaving Virgil behind. Poor and sickly, with only a few cents in his pocket, he still succeeded in reaching relatives in Georgia. Virgil reportedly had one brother and two sisters, although there is no indication that they were close either physically or emotionally. But something in Virgil’s personality or demeanor must have been engaging, since he made some powerful friends in Georgia, including Judge Linton Stephens, who came to his assistance and helped him get through school and into college.
In 1861, Virgil graduated from Franklin College (now the University of Georgia) with a law degree. A college catalog entry states simply: “Cuthbert, Ga., Editor, Teacher, Andrew Female Coll.” The Andrew Female College (now Andrew College) was chartered in 1854. Affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, it was only the second college in the United States to confer degrees on women. His association with the Andrew Female College is unclear, because in early 1861 Virgil moved to Bainbridge, Georgia and began a practice with law partner William O. Fleming (who afterwards became a field officer in the 50th Georgia and served at Gettysburg as captain of Company F). At this time Virgil also met John M. Potter, who later described him as a “high minded, modest, honorable man, and a consistent Christian.” Virgil had previously received favorable attention from the Hon. A. H. Stephens (afterwards Vice President of the Confederacy), and T. R. R. Cobb (afterwards a Confederate officer and brother of statesman Howell Cobb). Powerful and influential friends indeed.
If Virgil found some measure of happiness and contentment in his new profession, it was tragically all too brief. On August 13, 1861, he enlisted at Bainbridge as the 1st Lieutenant of Company D, 17th Georgia, which became part of Brig. Gen. Henry L. Benning’s brigade. He received a promotion to Captain on January 20, 1863.
Capt. Virgil A. S. Parks had a natural gift for writing, and during his military service he regularly submitted well-received articles to the Savannah Republican newspaper, becoming one of their finest correspondents attached to Gen. Robert E. Lee’s army. See @lelliott19 posts on his experiences: https://civilwartalk.com/threads/17…-usmr-stolen-4-july-1862.149223/#post-1880155, https://civilwartalk.com/threads/50…-foxs-gap-and-sharpsburg.159534/#post-2083409 and https://civilwartalk.com/threads/2nd-and-20th-georgia-at-burnside-bridge.168585/#post-2192710. Parks’ final contribution was written from Chambersburg, Pennsylvania on June 28, 1863, which the paper published on July 20. He described the men being compelled to wade the Potomac without being allowed to strip, but receiving a ration of whiskey upon reaching the Maryland side, which made everyone either jolly or troublesome. While passing through Greencastle, Pennsylvania, the band of the 2nd Georgia played “Dixie,” while quartermasters and commissary officers scoured the countryside for horses, mules and cattle. He called out the 38th Virginia, assigned to provost guard duty in Chambersburg on June 27, for entering the stores and taking everything they wanted, although members of his own brigade completed the looting the next morning. Parks also wrote of a “respectable young man in the 15th Georgia,” who informed him that the streets were “strewn with gloves and fragments of goods.” Parks was evidently appalled and he expected Gen. Lee to punish those responsible.
Map showing location of 17th Georgia near Plum Run in front of the Devil’s Den on 2 July 1863
Following Parks’ death on the second day at Gettysburg, the paper printed three testimonials on August 7 and 11, from Linton Stephens, John M. Potter and Lt. John Henry Martin. Martin succeeded Parks as captain of the company, and related his last hour or so among the living: “Capt. Parks was wounded when we first entered the field [likely by artillery fire], but remained in command until we had charged the battery [Smith’s 4th New York at Devil’s Den] and ran the Yankees off the hill [Houck’s Ridge]. He was then persuaded to go to the rear. He started back, saying that he would shelter himself behind a rock; that was the last that any of the company saw of him until after the firing had almost ceased, when we were informed that he was killed – he was found in the most dangerous and exposed spot on the field. He was shot through the head. I have been told by one who saw him fall that he was instantly killed – having fallen without speaking. His loss to the company is great, and in conjunction with his friends and relatives we mourn his loss. He was truly a Christian soldier, and exerted a beneficial influence in the circle in which he moved.”
Virgil A. S. Parks’ remains were never identified. The attached map depicts the situation at 6:10 p.m. on July 2, a few minutes after Brig. Gen. Ward’s brigade was driven from Houck’s Ridge, when Capt. Parks sought refuge behind one of the many scattered boulders that covered the exposed eastern slope of the ridge.
Great painting by Bradley J. Schmehl of the 17th Georgia fighting in front of the Devil’s Den at Gettysburg on 2 July 1863. Capt. Parks was slain on the battlefield fighting in the “War of Independence and Southern Rights,” as he termed it.
Curiously, this document appears to have been excised from a Decatur county ledger book. There are partial entries on the back side pertaining to the Last Will and Testament of Sarah McGriff, dated April 1863. The court house was located in Bainbridge, Georgia, where Parks practiced law before the war.
Transcription
To all whom it may concern. Whereas in the Providence of God it may please Him to call me hence before the close of this War of Independence and Southern Rights by permitting the enemy to slay me upon the field of battle or allowing the fell diseases of the camp or hospital to end my life, I therefore after committing myself to the mercy and goodness of our God, do hereby appoint John M. Potter of Bainbridge, Ga., my lawful Executor to collect all wages, moneys, or claims due me from any sources whatever to apply said claims to the payment of my debts, and I request my said Executor to settle and pay off all debts and claims against me to the fullest extent of my efforts.
Further, I bequeath, give and grant unto the said John M. Potter all my private papers MSS and all private property, clothing, and accoutrements which may be in my possession at the time of my decease as aforesaid and further I request him to advertise for my trunk marked with my name and lost in Augusta in February last which said trunk contains the above bequeathed property, &c. In witness whereof I have this the thirteenth day of December, eighteen hundred and sixty-two set my hand and seal. Virg. A. S. Parks (Seal)
The following letters were written by a semi-literate English emigrant named Samual Durant (1819-1862) who enlisted at Fulton, Oswego county, New York, on 13 September 1861 as a private in Co. C, 81st New York Infantry. He was transferred to Co. G on 6 February 1862. He died of chronic diarrhea on 20 September 1862 at Philadelphia. He’s buried in the National Cemetery at Philadelphia, Section B, Site 406.
On the 21st of February the regiment was ordered to New York City, and then proceeded on the 5th of March to Washington, D. C. There the men remained in camp twenty days, and on the 28th of March, marched to Alexandria Va., where they embarked for Fortress Monroe, arriving on the 1st of April—just three weeks after the famous battle between the ironclads that captured the imagination of the public. Samuel’s description of the USS Monitor is classic: “She looks like a mud turtle with a barrel on his back. I can’t see nothing but her hump stick up out of the water. She is wicked. They are all afraid of her…”
From their landing at Newport News until May 31st the regiment was on the march or in camp, acting as reserve at the battle of Williamsburg Va., and reaching Seven Pines on the 28th, where they remained until the bloody engagement of the 31st was fought. In this battle the 81st was assigned to the left of Casey’s Division, unsupported in an open field. The regiment here underwent its baptism of fire and stood the ordeal heroically.
To read letters by other members of the 81st New York Infantry that I’ve transcribed and published on Spared & Shared, see: Horace Benjamin Ensworth, Co. B, 81st New York (1 Letter); Horace Benjamin Ensworth, Co. B, 81st New York (4 Letters); Marshall S. Moses, Co. E, 81st New York (1 Letter); Franklin Darius Sizer, Co. I, 81st New York (1 Letter); and Dexter Samson, Co. K, 81st New York (1 Letter).
Letter 1
Headquarters, Camp Dutton 81st Regiment, Company G, NYV. April 14, 1862
Dear daughter,
I take [this] opportunity to write to you. [I] take it from Albany. We march in the night to New York by railway in the morning & daylight. Laid there two days, then went on to Staten Island. Laid there 8 days, then [at] 4 o’clock in the afternoon, took a boat 25 miles and then took railway to the Delaware river, crossed that and a steamer to Philadelphia and a loyal place that was too. [The] saloon was a Cooper’s Shop. It was so large that we had a 11 hundred men all eat at one long table and we had everything the good. All regiments [that] pass through [Philadelphia] is fed by the corporation and all took pleasant good talk to boys.
Away we go for Baltimore and a fine country it was too, houses and other buildings painted white. The grass by the side of the road was on fire more than a 100 times. We come to a place called Mule City by ingen [?] I should think. They said there was 14 hundred mules and such—a sight you never saw, Great homely wagons, 6 mules make a team, one line on the leader and a saddle on the pull mull. The man sits this [ ] and [ ] is all I can make out. I tell you, he looked like a monkey on a hand organ. I wish you uncle James Harmon was here to see them. I tell you, we would have a laugh about it. I saw a team run away across the corn stubble. The wagon went bump, bump, bump. The boys all a laughing.
I have been down to the river and saw the Cumberland lay there sunk by the Merrimack. She is a iron-cladded rebel steamer. We have got the Monitor up there and she looks like a mud turtle with a barrel on his back. I can’t see nothing but her hump stick up out of the water. She is wicked. They are all afraid of her and [ ] battery that go by steam and [ ] chisels. And then we have got the Vanderbilt. If they attack us now they will smell powder. They keep playing round. I saw where they had two cut one [ ] off, killed two men and never touched them—the air knocked them dead. We had 11,000 men in one Division. I tell you, that made a show, and there was five thousand at that camp [which] is called Newport News.
All round us the fences are all burnt. I saw a wheat stubble and stacks of wheat knocked down, corn stubble and stalks and stacks of corn stalks but this is the pleasantest country I ever saw in my life. It is a good country for grain and potatoes. We [ ] cows nor hogs. We have two darkies follow us from [ ]. We keep them along with us. They cut wood, carry water. They are smart. We have tents now. The boys [ ] then about 3 miles and [ ]. I got up at light and take a black brand [?], named it Fort Spencer, Harpers ferry brew. Put on the Orderly….
Please send me particulars about your trade and where you [ ]. Excuse my writing and spelling. I must close my letter. Give my love to all my friends. I remain yours, — Samuel Durant
Letter 2
May 11th 1862
Dear daughter,
I take the pleasure to write to you to let you know I got back to my regiment last Saturday. I was very tired. The fever was leaving Robert on Saturday morning. I left him about 5 o’clock. I got to the regiment at 3 o’clock. The cannons was roaring all night. I didn’t sleep at all. The balloon went up in the night. They han’t got no light in camp so early.
The Sunday morning we started for the forts [at Yorktown], they had all left. As we were going along, I heard a report like a cannon. I thought [maybe] they was not gone, but when I got a little farther, I saw a man laying there badly wounded. There was one killed and 7 badly wounded. They had buried bomb shells in the road and all along where they thought we would go. As soon as you touch one of them, off they go. I say, “G. Van Pattan, what’s the matter?” [He said,” “see them shells buried, mind you [don’t] step on them. We had to be very careful.
Well, we traveled all day through forts and rifle pits until night and then laid down until 3 o’clock and then went back 8 miles in the rain. It rained all day and about all night. I was wet to my skin and my coat was so wet that I could barely carry it. I had to go in the dar, to a tree, chop some wood to be warm. There was firing all day just ahead of us. In the morning we marched round to get on the east side of them but they was just one day too fast. They had to fight like the devil to win. They did fight too, I tell you.
McClellan was up in the balloon. He see the Louisiana tigers come out of the woods put down the balloon. Our army is whipped. When he got there they had [ ] them all to pieces. The officer gave up his sword and said you have whipped the best regiment in the Confederate army. It is a very large field, I should think 1,000 acres. I should think and a 100 acres of wheat and corn. I don’t know but their five forts, ditches round 15 feet deep they got in there. Our boys got on one shoulder and the gun in the other hand and away they run, throwed the rails across the ditch [and] over they went [ ] them out. They took some prisoners but how many I don’t know. I saw 150 wounded rebels in one barn & shed. The doctors cutting off legs and arms, some screaming all night. That was on Wednesday night. I couldn’t sleep.
Next morning I got up and went off to south and west of the field. I come to a [ ] and then I come to a horse shot down, three or four in a mud hole with the harnesses on. They was the muddiest lot of horses and men I ever saw in my life. I saw the Michigan 5th, I think it was, all shot to pieces and bayonet[ed]. They was too fast. Had their knapsacks on all in the rain and mud. They was all muddy. 1
I just now read your letter. I felt glad to hear from you. I heard from Robert just before. He is better. I wish we get our pay so he could have some to get some things. I left all I could spared with Ed and I tell you that we are to march on the road to Richmond. They are not far ahead of us. Our boys are dragging [?] out all the time. We can’t get half enough to eat. The teams can’t get along with it. I would rather have seen wheat. I have seen the last 500 dollars but I have seen hard times. I received a letter from E. Carrier. He has received 35 dollars. From S. Durant
1 “The next major battle that the Fifth Michigan took part in was the battle of Williamsburg. The Union general wanted to attack the center of the Confederate line, which was heavily fortified by Fort Magruder. This proved to be too much for them and they were forced to turn back. This gave the Confederates a clear advantage and they decided to do a countercharge. The Confederates were able to capture a Union battery and fire upon the retreating Union soldiers. This is where the “Fighting Fifth” first earned its nickname. Once the Fifth saw what was happening, they fired upon the Confederates at the Union battery, then charged them. This shocked the rebels, resulting in them fleeing the battery. After which the Fifth started taking fire and many casualties from Confederates. To overcome this, another charge was called for, and the Fifth ended up in the rebel trenches, taking prisoners and displacing the Confederates. If it was not for their valor, the outcome of the battle would have been very different. It is reported that after the second charge they held their position for six or seven waves of attacks, incurring up to fifty percent casualties. This is the reason why the Fighting Fifth is such a notable regiment. Within their first battle, they showed gallantry and guts to overtake the Confederates with not only one, but two charges against the odds. Not only did they prove themselves at Williamsburg, but they did so too during other battles as well.” [See The 5th Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the Civil War.]
I could not find an image of George but here is one of William H. Oury of Co. E, 20th OVI (Ancestry.com)
These letters were written by 23 year-old George W. Modie (1838-1913) of Company A, 20th Ohio Infantry. He wrote the letters to his parents, William Modie (1799-1872) and Margaret Gates (1811-1880) of Chester, Morrow County, Ohio. George married Isabelle (“Belle”) Nye (1848-19xx), the daughter of W. W. Nye and Martha Ball in 1870. He died in 1913 and is buried in the Dayton National Cemetery, Section 1, Row 10, Site 42.
George served with the 20th Ohio from October 1861 until July 1865 — nearly the entire four years of the war. In the second letter, written from Camp King, near Covington, Kentucky, George informs his parents of the inclement weather and the need for another blanket. The regiment remained at Camp King until 11 February 1862 when they participated in the investment and capture of Fort Donelson and then on to Shiloh.
I received a few lines from you yesterday after and was glad to hear that all are well at home. When I wrote last I was quite unwell. I had the rheumatics and a fever for a few days but have got well and enjoy good health again. I slept in a warm place at Cincinnati and when I got here I slept in a tent on the ground and that is what made me sick. If I had not stopped there, I would not have been sick, I do not think.
We are still at Camp King or close by. Co. A was sent out on picket guard today to stay three days. We are divided into squads of 18 men and are stationed on the hills with four 32-pound guns placed as to protect the City from any enemy. The squad I am with is placed on a hill where we have a fair view of Cincinnati, Covington, and Newport. Two of our guns are placed in range with the railroad and two more of a few hundred yards off. Our 18 men have charge of these four guns for three days and then go back to camp and 18 more take our place. Some of us has to stay by the guns at night and two of us has to go off about 1 mile on picket guard and I am one of them tonight and Joel Howe is the other. I must stop writing for I have togo on at 8 o’clock and it almost time to go.
I was sorry that Mr. and Mrs. Demitt was one day too late to see me at Camp Chase for I would like to have seen them. Besides, I would like to have had the cake she brought for me. I wrote to them yesterday. I had a letter partly wrote when I got your letter yesterday and sent it this morning. But I must stop for tonight and finish it in the morning. So I will load my rifle and start.
Tuesday, October 29th
I have just come in from guard and eat my breakfast and thought I would finish my letter and take it to the Office. I can go just where I please and I intend to scout around today.
We have plenty to eat. Have bread and meat and sugar and rice and coffee more than we can use. We make it three times a day. I have some milk this morning given to me by a neighbor. Our neighbors are mostly Dutch and very clever. Once in a while I come across one I take to be a secesh. They do not have much to say. When they had their election here, the Union men were only 14 men ahead in this county. So you see there are some secesh here. But I guess I will stop. Write soon and often and I will do the same. Yours, — G. W. Modie
Letter 2
Patriotic letterhead celebrating Kentucky’s Loyalty to the Union
Camp King, [near Covington] Kentucky Thursday, November 28 [1861]
Father and Mother,
I write you a few lines again to let you know I am well. I received a letter from Sanford last night and was glad to hear you was all well. J. Runyan also arrived last night. He told me he saw you. We have had some very cold weather for a few days back. It snowed last Saturday and Sunday and Monday it froze hard with only about half an inch of snow and Tuesday night we had a hard thunder shower and the next night it froze hard again and this morning it rains again which makes it very disagreeable for us here.
I would like for Mother to send me a blanket if she has one to spare. Sanford spoke of sending me his horse blanket but I fear it would be too heavy to carry in my knapsack so if you can send me a lighter one, it would come very handy. I have been very comfortable so far but we look for colder weather soon. It makes no difference what kind you send. Some old one will do as well as a new one. We expect to leave here soon but do not know where we will go. If you will send it to Sanford, he might find a chance to send it down as some of the boys are home every few days. If you get this in time, you might have a chance to send it when Capt. Hyatt comes down with his recruits. If you send me one, I will bring it back when the war is over. I do not think I shall be home until then if we all keep well.
I have nothing of interest to write today. Nothing of importance has transpired but things move on as usual. I will look for a letter from Martin next week. Tell R. Wilson I received his letter and was glas to hear from him. Yesterday one of the boys in Co. F got shot through the right hand and left arm by accident and the other night one of the sentinels had a finger shot off by a rebel.
Tell Dave Bre__ I look for a letter from him. I heard he has got home.
The mud is about knee deep here and we hope to get out of here soon. General Fremont was at the city yesterday but I did [not] get to see him. We received our regimental flag this morning. If I had room on this paper I would tell you what it looks like. It is a beautiful flag. We have plenty of daily papers to read every day.
Tell Mary I received her letter the next day after it was mailed. I would like to hear from some of you often. No more at this time. Yours, — G. W. Modic
Letter 3
Addressed to Mr. William Modie, Lucerne, Knox county, Ohio
Hospital 17th Army Corps Marietta, Georgia Tuesday evening, August 17, 1864
Friends at home,
I wrote to you only a few days ago but I heard some bad news from Martin 1 today and it may be you have not heard from him so I will let you know all I can from him. I received a few lines from Reed Runyan today stating that Martin was wounded. He had lost both of his thumbs shot off and a flesh wound in the arm above the elbow. It is a bad wound. Still it could have been worse.
The boys of our company whose time is out came in today and are here waiting for transportation home. The rebels have destroyed the railroad between this place and Chattanooga and they may be obliged to stop here a few days but they expect to go tomorrow. Reed Runyon is not with the rest of the boys as his time is not quite out yet. The boys say they seen some of the boys of Martin’s company and said Martin was working on the breastworks when he was wounded. I do not know at which hospital Martin is at but suppose he is still at the field hospital and I expect he will be sent to this place or farther north soon. I will do all I can to get to see him. I am able to get about by carrying my arm in a sling.
Well, I almost forgot to tell you I expect to start for home in a few days on furlough as we are of no account here and they want us to go home out of the way. Only a few of us are going at present. Two of the Fredricktown boys are going with me and one to Mt. Vernon. We will not likely get our papers in time to go with the non veterans but our furloughs are sent to headquarters to be signed and will be back in a few days. You must not look for me until you see me for if Gen. Blair should refuse to sign our furloughs, we will stop where we are a while yet. I thought I had best accept a furlough as times passes very slow with me at the hospital. I hope Martin will get home soon and no doubt he will. I suppose he is done soldiering. You must not feel uneasy about him. His wound is not dangerous and he will be well taken care of and will get along as well as if some of you was with him.
My hand is still very sore but is doing well. Well, it is not necessary for me to write much this time. If I get home as I expect, I can tell you the news. I have not had a letter from any of you since I wrote last. I suppose the reason is the railroad is destroyed and I suppose it must be repaired before you get this. Do not write again until you see me or hear from me again. No more this evening.
Respectfully yours, — George W. Modie
I have not heard from Dave Bruce but suppose he is all right yet as I have no account of him being hurt. Reed Runyon got a light soup spilled in the bargain. It appears that I and Martin have all our bad luck at once after going through so many hard fights, but the fortunes of war are very uncertain. But I am willing to try my luck again soon as I am able.
1 Martin G. Modie (1840-1911) was George’s younger brother. Martin served from August 1862 to April 1865 as a priate in Co. G, 121st Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was discharged for disability.
The following letter was written by a member of the 14th Ohio Infantry who signed his name “Albert” but I am unable to state with certainty his identity. There were few soldiers by that name in the regiment but I cannot place any of them in Lake county, Ohio before the war. We know from the content he was a veteran who has served a full four years in the war. There is an outside possibility it was Capt. Albert Moore of Co. A. I transcribed another letter by him some time ago and there is a similarity in the hand writing.
Albert wrote the letter to Clara Teresa Ensign of Madison, Lake county, Ohio. He addressed her as “cousin” but we learn from the letter that he does not believe they are actually related.
The letter contains a commentary on President Lincoln’s assassination.
Transcription
Camp of the 14th Ohio April 29th 1865
Dear Cousin Clara,
Your kind and truly welcome favor of the 16th inst. has just come to hand and I hasten to write a few lines in reply to it. Your letter found me lying in my tent, some six miles from the city of Raleigh, North Carolina. I am in the best of health and spirits as we are now on our way home. Home sweet home. There is no place like home.
We started yesterday morning on our homeward bound march. We are to lay here until Monday morning (this is Saturday afternoon) and then start for Richmond, Virginia. From there we go to Washington D. C. and from there—home. How long it will take us to reach Washington is more than I can tell. It is something over three hundred miles from here. Quite a walk, isn’t it? What would you think about it if you had to walk that distance? I don’t like the idea of marching clear to Washington but I don’t see how I am to help it. I might perhaps go to the doctor and “play off” but my health has always been too good for that “dodge” to work so I guess I shall have to go by the way of “Fast and Walker’s line.” Not a bad line after all. I have traveled a great many miles by that line since you saw me on the snow drifts. I recollect the day perfectly well. I also recollect of passing two ladies but little did I then think that one of them would ever be a correspondent of mine, or that she was a cousin to me. How do you know but what I did “fall in love” with you that day? What’s what I’d like to know. But if I didn’t, then perhaps I may when I become acquainted with you which I hope will be before snow flies again. And I think it will be for I mean to be at home by the 4th of July. I have spent four 4th of July’s in the service and I am in hopes that the 5th one will be spent at home, or at least where I choose to go. That will be where there’s fun going on, you may bet. Oh! Be sure, I mean, I forget that young ladies don’t bet. So much for being a soldier so long. I have forgotten most all I ever did know. But it isn’t much of a loss for it want much no how.
The death of our beloved President caused universal and heartfelt sorrow through the entire army. The soldiers all think it was a plot laid by the leading men of the rebellion and their threats of vengeance were not loud but deep. If there had been any fighting to do after that, it would have been terrible work, for no prisoners would have [been] taken. They would have made short work with all that came into their power. Vengeance will surely overtake the murderer if years roll around before he is taken.
So you will tell me all about the affairs when I get home, will you? Well, I will take your word for it as I expect soon to be there and then I shall have a talk with the girl and find out all about “Ezeri” and “George” and perhaps something of “Carlton.” Quite a string of names. Clara! I have a favor to ask of you and that is to send me your photo. Will you do it? If you will, I will send you mine if you desire it, just as soon as I can get some taken, which may not be before I get home. But you shall have a copy then if you wish it. I have an album and can keep it first rate. I have just room for it. Some time when you come over to see Allie after I get home, perhaps I will show it to you. It is gay. I am happy to hear that Allie was able to go to school again. I received a letter from her today with one of her compositions enclosed. She does pretty well for a girl. The boys here in the tent have tipped over the inkstand and are raising “Ned” so that I can half write so I will close for this time and I dare say that you are tired of reading my nonsense by this time. Please write as often as you conveniently can and I will answer all your letters promptly. The longer they are and the oftener they come, the better. Ever your sincere friend and “cousin”—Albert
The following six letters were written by Herbert Dwight Ensign (1844-1898), the son of Caleb Wadhams Ensign (b. 1790) and Orpha Deming (b. 1795) of Madison, Lake county, Ohio.
Herbert enlisted on 13 August 1862 to serve as a private in the 14th Ohio Independent Battery—a light artillery unit. He was in the battery for three years, mustering out in August 1865. Serving with him in the same battery as a corporal was his older brother, William Oren Ensign (1841-1918).
To read letters by other members of the 14th Ohio Independent Battery that I’ve transcribed and published on Spared & Shared, see: Jerome B. Burrows, 14th Ohio Independent Battery (13 Letters), and Timothy Dwight Root, 14th Ohio Independent Battery (1 Letter).
The image at left is identified as Herbert D. Ensign; the one at right is not identified but also looks like Herbert, though it might be his brother William Oren Ensign who served in the same Battery (from album with images of 14th Ohio Independent Battery.)
Letter 1
Camp on Lynn Creek Lynnville, Tennessee November 19, 1863
Dear Niece Alta,
Sometime since I wrote a letter to you and the next day I received one from you. so it seems that I have written two for one and now I will answer the last one from you.
I suppose you know all about our march from Corinth here by William who wrote a very long letter to Clara a day or two since. We left Corinth on the second instant and marched to Eastport where we crossed the Tennessee river on the sixth. We arrived at Pulaski on the eve of the 11th. Next morning we took the Nashville Pike and arrived at Lynnville in the afternoon, a distance of 15 miles. We are about 20 miles from Columbia and 64 from Nashville. Lynn Creek is a pretty little stream and is as clear as a crystal. Lynnville is a very pretty little town of about 300 inhabitants, but war has left its footprints here. There are a good many old chimneys left standing. The buildings were burnt by A. D. McCook. His command was fired on while passing through the place from the hills on the east side of the town and his brother Robert was killed on this same road, just across the Alabama line. By the appearance of things now, I guess we will stay on this line of railroad this winter though it is not working any further than Columbia at present.
The country here is very much broken. Some of the hills look like mountains. The soil is very rich and they raise some of the biggest corn that I ever saw and they have some good fruit, but potatoes do not do very well, being small and watery. We have not drawn very good rations since we came here (I mean from the commissary) but the fresh meat that we have had since we came here is heeps. The boys have helped themselves to so many hogs that there is some talk of fining the battery to pay for them. But it is all talk I guess.
November 20th. We have had very pleasant weather until last night when it commenced raining and has rained ever since and it is so damp that I can hardly write legible. I received a letter from Clara a day or two ago in which she said Father and Mother had returned from the West and that Orpha had come with them. I hope she will have a pleasant visit and a good school. I wish it was so I could go to school at the Sem. this winter, but the life of a soldier is a school of itself, and I am no sorry as yet that I enlisted when I did. I only wish I had enlisted when the war first broke out, not that I like the kind of life, but I believe it to be the duty of all who can to oppose the enemies of the country, whether at the ballot box or on the field. As I cannot do it in the former place, I am willing to do it in the latter.
I have not heard from Albany for some time. I have concluded that they have forgotten who we be. Perhaps we have grown out of their remembrance. I hope you will not let Orpha forget me when she is writing to her army correspondences and I hope you will write often for letters from our friends are the only real comfort we have here. They do more good than all the soldiers aid societies.
Last night about half past 8 o’clock, we were all out listening to a noise which sounded like heavy guns in the direction of Columbia but it proved to be some Negroes moving some cotton in an old building in the other side of town/ You see my paper is getting wet and I must stop. Besides that, there is about 10 fellows jabbering and tumbling around under the tarpaulin so please excuse all mistakes and write soon and tell me all about what you are studying this winter and oblige, — H. D. Ensign
Address 14th Battery, O. V. Artillery, 4rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 16th Army Corps, Columbia, Tennessee via Nashville
Letter 2
14th Ohio Battery Lynnville, Tennessee February 10, 1864
My Dear Niece Alta,
Among the four letters that yesterday’s mail brought me was a short one from you, and I will answer it first. I received a letter from Father yesterday, bearing date at Madison, December 24th 1863. On the 8th instant I received a letter from brother Edward, and one from Sopha C. She said she was attending school at Centre, and was also teaching two or three classes this winter. The day she wrote to me she received a letter from Lysander. When he wrote, he was on a hill near the Clinch Mountains some twenty miles northeast of Knoxville. He was well when he wrote. On the 10th I received a short note from Clara and have written to her, I have not received any letter from Orpha yet and am afraid she has got so deeply interested in Charlie T. that she has almost if not quite forgotten that she has any friends in the army except Johnny.
In your short letter you spoke about my feeling lonesome. Well, the truth is I never had better times since I came in to the army than I am having now. There is not half the style put on in camp now that there is when the Battery are all here.
Frank Allen got here about noon on the 11th. He came by way of Vicksburg and back again to Nashville. He has been kept on hard tack (hard bread) and looks a little poor, but feels well and I guess he’ll fat up again soon. He had not heard of Eddie’s death until I told him. He was at Columbus, Ohio, when the Battery passed but did not see them. I hear that the veterans are having high times now and I hope they will have good times while they are at home for they are soon to return to the field of active service. I am in hopes they will detail me into some other Battery, or at any rate send me to the front. I would wish the same for all the boys who are left, but there is one or two who want to do post duty for which the 14th Ohio Battery has been noted in times past and I am afraid will be for time to come. Yet I think that it will be sent to the front early in the spring.
It was rumored some days ago that the 2nd Division was ordered to report to Memphis in thirty days, but I guess it was a hoax. I see by the papers that our army has commenced moving and I hope it will not stop until it has trampled the rebellion under the tread of its thousands of men. I believe the heart of the rebellion has been struck and all that is left its its death struggle, and I hope ere long our army and Navy will crush out its very dying struggles and free our fair country from the scenes of battles forever. But enough of that!
You spoke as if the teachers at the Ridge would not let you go sleigh riding. Likely story that. I’ll bet if you had a chance you would go. It is too bad to lay it to the teachers because you can’t get a beau, but keep up good courage and perhaps while the veterans are at home—if there is enough now—you may be licky enough to get some one to take you out riding. I hope you don’t mean to say that Orrin hain’t took Clara out sleighing and perhaps some of these clear nights you have heard the sleigh bells come jingle jing down the hill. Someone says, who! Soon a light rap on the door. It is opened, but Oh! how disappointed I am when I see Charlie. I thought it was ——. I hardly knew but, alas, even he only says good evening and enquires for Orpha. “Hopes and fears, how vain they are.”
The spring so fair has been very pleasant and we have not had very much to do and plenty to eat, and the guerrillas hain’t gobbled us yet, and I doubt if they attempt it at present. The stockade that they have built near our camp has been made quite a strong one and they are throwing up rifle pits on the left so that they will want artillery if they try to scoop us up unless they catch us before we get into it.
Well, Alta, I have some three letters more to write this morning so I will have to stop my nonsense by asking you to make that girl Orpha write to me and write yourself soon and remember me to all the friends and accept this from, — Herb
Letter 3
Detachment of 14th Ohio Battery Culloeoka, Tennessee April 22, 1864
My dear niece,
Your welcome letter was received just before I left Athens, Alabama, and i will improve my first opportunity to answer it. We left Athens on the 19th about eleven o’clock and landed here about 5 p.m. Perhaps you would like to hear how we came here. It would be a long story but I will try to tell a little about it. Sherman had issued an order to have all the Batteries reduced to four guns and out Battery was ordered to turn over our brass guns and detail 25 men and one lieutenant to report to Culleoka to man a couple of guns and so they detailed the old boys who did not reenlist and made up the number of the recruits who were not well. There is about three hundred men here in all—most of them are recruits of for the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry and greener, dutcher set of men (or rather boys) I never saw.
We have two old 6-pounders. They are not extra good guns. We tried them at a target 850 yards. The ammunition was poor but the solid shot struck it once or twice but the shell (most of them) burst short. I expect we will try it again today and I will have to go on guard soon. My accommodations for writing are poor and my pen and ink are far from being the best so if I can write this so that it can be read, I shall think I am doing well.
April 24. Well, Alta, I guess you think I don’t care much about your letters but that is not the case. They are always looked for with pleasure and welcome when they come. But last Friday when I came off from guard, we went out to practice at target and then there was so much jumping around in the quarters that it was near impossible to write and yesterday I was on detail to go to Columbia after rations so you see I had but very little time to write.
Alta, I did receive your letter containing your photograph and I think it is a good one and I think a great deal of it, and wish I had as good one to return but I can’t get it.
I am glad that there is some good being done in Madison and I hope there will be much more good done. I think it is a great field for doing good. I received the letters from you father all right and it did me a good deal of good and I wrote to Clara some time ago and hope she will not forget to write to me if Orren does come to see her every week.
Orpha would not tell me who took her to Mrs. Warner’s party but I guess it was Orrin—ain’t I right? I wrote to Orpha some days ago and directed to Williams Center.
Example of blockhouse constructed by the Engineers (LOC)
The Engineers are very busy building block houses at every trestle so that a very few men can stand a pretty hard attack. They are built of solid oak nearly two feet thick and earth thrown up to the port holes and covered with twelve inches of oak and three feet of earth. They are the prettiest little forts I ever saw.
One of our Dutch pickets got scared last night and run into camp.
Well, Alta, this is a dry letter but is it just as dry times here. Please write soon to Herbert D. Ensign, Post Battery, Culleoka, Tennessee
[to] Miss A. C. Ensign, Madison, Ohio
Letter 4
Post Battery Decatur, Alabama July 7th 1864
My dear Niece
I received your letter night before last and I do assure you that I was very glad to hear from you. I had hoped to hear that your Father was much better. Still I was thankful to hear that he was no worse. I am glad you and Clara have such good success in milking and in feeding the calves. Hope you will not get any ore of their love pats in your face. Will says he answered your letter if he received it. He received one from Clara day before yesterday and will answer it soon. On the 3rd I received a letter from Hattie Burget and answered it on the 5th. It has been some time since I heard from the Farmer friends. I am looking for a letter from Milo Carnes.
The 171st O. N. G.’s from our country were indeed lucky in not being with the regiment when it was captured. As for Vallandigham, I believe he is like a dead tree that is soon to be used for kindling wood and if there is no place in—-, hotter than another. It will be kept for him (Alta, I had almost forgotten the command judge not lest you be judged) but I will say he has played out, unless he can get the nominee for Vice President at the Chicago Convention. What a pretty ticket they can have. For President—George B. McClellan of Ohio, for Vice President—C. L. Vallandigham of Ohio. Alta, you are right! there are some that would grumble of they had everything to suit themselves, but such people never amount to much, or at least I think so. The only ticket that loyal men can support is Lincoln & Johnson. Fremont may be all right in his place, but when he accepted the nomination of the Cleveland Convention, he strayed far, far out of the place and has politically killed himself forever. I always had thought he was a good man but now I do not. When I first heard that Vallandigham had come back to Ohio, I was in hopes they would hang him, but now I say leave him be, but keep your eye on him and the soldiers will tend to his case when they get him.
For my part, I have no reason for caviling at the movements of Grant and Sherman so far in their campaign. We cannot under any circumstance expect single success to our army and haven’t. I think the news from the front of both of our armies of late is encouraging and the Lincoln administration is not so bad as might be, and the cry of the army is Lincoln & Johnson for President and Vice President. What is going to be worth anything of money is not.
We are under command of Lieutenant J. J. Calkins of Battery C., 1st Michigan Artillery. Lieut. Callender received his resignation papers on the 24th of June. His resignation was accepted and he left us on the 26th for home, and we were left under command of said J. J. Calkins. I do not like him very well. He puts on too much style for me.
We have but very little camp duty to do at present and I am thankful that we do not for it is hot enough in the middle of the day to bake bread outdoors.
There is a slight chance of our being ordered back to the Battery and I wish the order would come today. The boys write about their being under fire for twelve days and not a man hurt. That is what I call a galling fire. For some reason the rebs have left our pickets undisturbed of late. Not a shot has been fired on them for the last two weeks but at what moment they will commence again, we know not.
Friday 8th morning. Alta, I had to stop writing yesterday and go on detail to draw clothes and in the evening I went to prayer meeting so I will try to write a little more and close. This morning the boys are all talking about moving. What new reason they have for doing so, I do not know but expect that have heard something from the Lieutenant which makes them think we are going to leave soon. Alta, I told Frank Allen last evening that I would go over to the hospital this morning so I will close,
Please remember me to all the friends and do, write soon to me. — Herbert D. Ensign
P. S. Enclosed is a photograph which I send you to keep for me. If we move, I cannot take good care of it.
Letter 5
14th Ohio Battery Rome, Georgia October 28, 1864
My dear Niece,
Your letter of October 8th arrived some days ago but I have had no chance to write for a long time. We left East Point on the 4th and since then we have been marching day and night until the evening of the 25th when we came here and encamped near the depot. Our Battery and a section of Battery F, 2nd U. S. left the army at the river near Gaylesville, Alabama, and came here and turned over what horses and mules we had left which was not half of the number we should have. They had died on the road of strarvation. as soon as we can get transportation, we are going to Nashville, Tennessee, to get a new fitting out.
Rome, Georgia, in 1864 (LOC)
Now, to pay for the long delay, I am going to write a long letter [even] if it is not very interesting. I would have written [more] often if I could have done so. Did you ever read about Rome of olden times. How her armies went forth to conquer? if so, you know more about it than I do, but I will tell you about modern Rome whose armies went out of town in a hurry and were badly whipped at Atlanta. Rome is situated at the junction of the Oostanaula with the Etowah River, and they two form the Coosa. It had once been a very beautiful town and its buildings and streets were neat and well lighted with gas. But the gas works have been destroyed and the shade trees, lamp posts, &c. are badly destroyed. The hills at the upper end of town have been dug and throw up into ugly forts and cemetery hill on the south bank of the Etowah has shared the same fate. In this hill have been laid many citizens and rebel soldiers but there is one slope which is whitened with head boards marking the resting places of many a brave defender of this country’s honor.
Wildflowers collected from top of Cemetery Hill at Rome, Georgia, in October 1864. The cemetery was Myrtle Hill Cemetery, established in 1857.
Enclosed you will find a few leaves taken from the top of this hill. The flowers are wild ones which grow on the fill and are the only ones in bloom now. From this hill is to be obtained one of the prettiest scenery I ever saw (I wish you could be here just long enough to see it). It would pay you well for climbing its steep sides.
You spoke about “impressing” me into the “service” of paring apples. If I had been there, one thing is certain, I should have pressed some of the apples in a mill which is used for grounding and pressing a larger variety of [ ], than any of modern pattern.
I should judge from your description that you had kept yourself well posted with the condition of Charlie’s mustache.
I received a letter from Alta and will answer it before long. I also received letters from Milo Enmer, Sphia K., Orpha’s brother Edward, and one last night from Will. All well when they wrote but some of our former friends were ailing.
The citizens have been ordered to leave the place and there has quite a number gone south, but still there are some left. 1 I was lucky enough to get hold of a half loaf of soft bread today. It is the first in a long time. I said the horses died on the road. It was a few days after we left East Point. I guess it will be safe to direct your next to Nashville, Tenn. and omit the Corps & Division. As it is near supper time, I will call this a long letter and close. Please remember me to your Mother and Grandmother and all the rest of the friends and don’t forget to write often to [ ] — H.
1 Sherman burned Rome on November 10-11, 1864, four days before burning Atlanta, just prior to embarking on the March to the Sea.
Letter 6
In Camp Nashville, Tennessee Thanksgiving evening, November 24th 1864
My dear Niece,
It has been some time since I wrote to you or received a letter from you, but I thought I would improve this beautiful evening in writing to you. This is the first evening for a long, long, time that it has been possible to write. In fact, we have had the most disagreeable weather that I ever saw. First it rained steady for three weeks, then it snowed a day or two, and wound up with a hard wind which would nearly cut one in two. And we could only draw our rations of wood which is only one six part of a cord per month to a man and we had no quarters except our tarpaulins which are very poor ones and will leak very bad. It does seem rather hard that we should live thus while staying at the very bas of supplies and in a loyal state too. What do you think?
It is now rumored in camp that our stay here is going to be a short one. The story is that Battery F 2nd U. S., and our battery are going to draw horses for the guns and men and be horse artillery for some thirty days and go out with the cavalry to look after the rebs. For my part, I would like the trip although it may be a rather cold one. If we stay here we are expecting to draw tents soon and then we can kinder half live.
Today is the first time since leaving Decature, Alabama, that I have been to church. Alta, I do wish you could have been there with me. I neber heard a man talk sounder sense (although I did not like his manner of speaking) if the minister that preached there did not. He prayed that the old flag might once more wave over the whole, united states. He compared Jeff Davis and his squad to the Devil and that his prayers were like a murderers, taking his dagger in his hand and then stopping and praying that God would help him yp carry out his wicked plans. There was not a very large turn out of citizens but that were there seemed to day amen to what the minister said.
Last Wednesday night I received letters from brother William and brother Edward. When Will wrote, he was in Cleveland and was well. Edward and family were well and had another little boy. Gideon’s people were well. But it was not so at Center. Sopha was buried on the 8th inst. Frank was very sick and Celia was not much better. I have not heard from Albany for some time. The last I heard all the friends were well.
Alta, I guess I must stop for I hear Tattoo sounding and I must go. I have been to roll call and now I must put out my light. So goodbye and don’t forget to write often to Herbert, 14th Ohio Battery, Nashville, Tenn.
The following letter was written by 30 year-old Charles Walsh (1831-1912) who enlisted a on 14 August 1862 at Wellsville, New York, and mustered in as a corporal in Co. E, 130th New York Infantry in early September 1862. He was appointed a sergeant in June 1863 and then commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant on 9 February 1865.
Many soldiers in the 130th NY Volunteers used pre-printed envelopes
At the time this letter was written in mid-November 1862. the 130th New York Infantry was serving in Foster’s Brigade in Brig. Gen. Corcoran’s Division at Suffolk, Virginia.
Charles was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1831, the son of William Walsh (1810-1890) and Ann James Mooney (1810-1890). In his muster rolls, he was described as standing 5 feet 11 inches tall, with black hair and hazel eyes. His occupation was given as wheelwright and lawyer. He was married in 1856 to Barbara White Proctor (1833-1922).
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Suffolk, Virginia November 13, 1862
Friend Lowell,
I received your letter in good time but have not had time to answer it before. We are kept busy drilling and working on the fortifications wit now and then a tramp after the rebs. About two weeks ago we marched 50 miles in 24 hours but saw nary a reb. I tell you, it is no fun to march that distance with the load we carry—60 rounds of cartridges, three days rations, our blankets and overcoats, and part of the time on double quick. It tries one’s grit. But then you know it’s all for three years or during. You must not think that I am tired of soldiering or want to get away. If I was at home, I would enlist the first chance I got. But I thought it would be well enough to let you know how the machine runs down here.
We have plenty to eat, a little damaged by cooking plenty of damned bad water and nary a drop of “O be joyful” to help wash it down. Plenty of niggers. No white men. They are all in the rebel army. Their women look, feel, and act as if they would like to see the earth open and swallow every one of us. They are the very essence of Secession treason rebellion and every other highfalutin southernism.
The following letter was written by 17 year-old Andrew Crozer Reeves (1844-1868) who served as a corporal in Co. K, 104th Pennsylvania Infantry (a.k.a. the “Ringgold Regiment”). This regiment was organized in Bucks County under Colonel William V. H. Davis. They trained at Camp Lacey, established on the west side of Doylestown, and shipped out for Washington, D.C. that November. They served in the Peninsular Campaign of 1862, spanned the winter and spring of 1862/1863 near the seige of Charlestown, and fought in the crucial Valley Campaigns of 1864. Over the course of the Civil War, out of about 1,000 men, 46 were killed in action, 3 missing in action, 62 taken prisoner, and 104 died in service. Reeves was discharged from the regiment on 12 September 1862 due to wounds received in action.
Andrew was the son of Elisha Boudinot Reeves (1806-1879) and Mary Ann Anderson (1807-1879) of Lower Makefield, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. After he was discharged from the service, Andrew returned home and married Mary Jane Moon (1845-1926) in June 1867—almost one year before he died at age 24. A son was born to the couple on 3 December 1867 named Andrew Crozer Reeves, Jr.
Headquarters Ringgold Regt. Co. K. November 9, 1861
Dear Sir,
We started from Camp Lacey on Tuesday morning at half past six o’clock and marched to the [Doylestown] depot and the cars started at eight o’clock and arrived at town [Philadelphia] about twelve o’clock and marched to the [Volunteer Refreshment Saloon in the vicinity of the old] Navy Yard at half past two and had a fine dinner of sliced potatoes and round, pickled cabbage, roast beef, boiled ham, bread and butter, coffee. We started from Philadelphia at five o’clock, arrived at Baltimore at daylight and marched through to the Baltimore and Washington station. We saw some few flags in Baltimore. We gave each one three cheers and did not see many people in Baltimore but no one said a word. Negroes were plenty. We saw about four negroes to a white. It was about eight o’clock when we started from Baltimore. 1
There were encampments about every two or three miles and then the companies are divided from one to two miles. We arrived in Washington at half past one and the first thing I saw was a government team running away. There is no end to teams here—mostly mules. The horses look very rough—that is, the most of them. Our team is the best looking team that I have seen but they have not got used to Uncle Sam’s stables yet, the large one. We have not got but one yet.
We [do] not expect to stay here. The Colonel is not satisfied as there is not room for artillery to drill. The Colonel has gone to Washington today. I forgot we stopped at the depot. We got up here too soon. We got our dinner at Washington—bread and beef and coffee. We started from Washington at five o’clock and arrived here at half past seven and stacked arms and laid down. Tim Rice and I laid together. We laid one gum blanket down on the ground and put our two government blankets and the other gum blanket over us and the capes on our overcoats we pulled over our heads and in the morning when awakened, everything was white with frost. We had crackers and coffee for breakfast and coffee and crackers for dinner.
We pitched our tents in the forenoon and filled our tents with leaves in the afternoon. Georgetown is about a half mile from here. We can see the Potomac, Alexandria, Georgetown and a flag on Munson’s Hill, and the name of this place, I believe, is Kalorama Heights. There is woods all around us. We can [go] out anywhere around here providing [we] get in at roll calls and must look out for the regulars as they will take us and keep us until our Captain comes after us. The 60th New York is encamped about three hundred yards from us. We slept very sound last [night] on our feather bed made out of leaves. I had fresh bread for my breakfast; so had Captain and the Major. We bought [it] off a black woman. We are all well, happy as a lark. There is a good view here. — Andrew C. Reeves
1 The regimental history of Durell’s Battery which was initially attached to the Ringgold Regiment describes the march through Baltimore: “The regiment had not proceeded far upon the march through the streets of that city before it was noticed that there was a sad lack of enthusiasm for the Union soldier, compared with that exhibited in Philadelphia the day before. The colored people appeared to be almost the only class to cheer the regiment and the Union cause, while crowds of whites stood sullenly at the street corners, and some of the small boys cheered for Jeff Davis. The march to the Washington depot was unmolested, however, and the men were again packed into cars. The skies had cleared and the men were in good spirits.” (page 21)
The following letter was written by Lewis M. Prall (1843-1869), the son of Ellis F. Prall (1810-1880) and Sarah Ann Randolph (1812-1895) of Smyrna, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Lewis was only 17 years old when he penned this letter to his mother while serving in Co. A, 1st Pennsylvania Reserves (30th Infantry). His service record indicates that he enlisted in July 1861 and mustered out in June 1864.
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Annapolis Junction [Maryland] August 18, 1861
Dear Mother,
This being Sunday and I having just come off of guard to go on a 3 o’clock again for we have to be on guard 24 hours. We stand on two hours and off 4 hours. I would rather be on guard than on drill but then I have my share of both. Our Captain is not here now. He went to Washington with two more—one a Lieutenant—and without a pass and they took him to headquarters at Annapolis City to be court martialed. I don’t know what they will do with him yet but wherever he goes, the company will go also for we will stick to him till death.
“Mother, believe me or not, but just the words that you wrote telling me never to give up the Stars & Stripes gave such comfort and peace to my mind that I fear no danger to know that I have such a mother to care for me.”
— Lewis N. Prall, 18 August 1861
Enclosed in this letter you will find an account of wagons, horses, medicines, and two men that we captured on last Friday. I am sitting in one of the wagons now writing this letter. I received your letter in due time. I had begun to think you had forgotten me at home until I got you long looked for letter which contained such comforting words that I never shall forget them. It was a drink of fresh water to the weary traveler. It revived me up both in body and in mind. It lightened my footsteps and put new courage in my heart to think I had such a kind, noble, and heroic mother. I could die for such a mother and think it no pain indeed. Mother, believe me or not, but just the words that you wrote telling me never to give up the Stars & Stripes gave such comfort and peace to my mind that I fear no danger to know that I have such a mother to care for me.
Mother, there is some things that I wish you would send to me. That is tobacco for the tobacco is so dear down here and then it is the worse kind. And 1 pair of stockings, 1 shirt, Marseilles breast, 1 handkerchief, some paper and envelopes, and some pies and cakes, some leather shoestrings, two or three sheets of sandpaper, and a piece of flannel and anything else you think I need. But don’t send more than 1 shirt for I can’t carry them. We don’t want any more things than we can help. You can send them in a box by Adams Express company. It won’t cost much. Stotts sent Joe a box and it only cost 50 cents and it was larger than you need send. Just pay for sending it and get the receipt for it and send it to me in the box for there was a box sent to a fellow here and they paid it at home and he either has to pay it here or send for the receipt. Just get the receipt and open the box and then when it comes I can open the box and show the receipt that it is paid. Please send it soon. Also, write soon. Give my love to Pap and your own dear self, Tell Pap I am much obliged for that dollar. Tell him when we get paid, I will send him some money to pay my bill at Pownell’s. I am very well. I like soldier’s life very well. Goodbye. From you true son, — Lewis M. Prall
Tell Pap I have seen but one cat since I came here and that was last night. Give my love to Hope and Philie and tell then to write soon. I got Lib Gray’s letter and will answer it today. The weather down here is very hot. It has hardly missed a day since we came here but what it has rained. It is raining now. There is some talk of us coming to Pennsylvania to go into differently regiments for our regiment is not near full but I don’t know whether it is so or not. John Mason is down at Annapolis in Captain NH company.
Direct that box to Annapolis Junction, Maryland, care of Capt. [John W.] Nields. George Steinheiser is in a company here. He used to live with us. He was the one that sat on the garret window.
The following letter was written by Silas Martin Freeman (1816-1899), the son of James Freeman (1778-1869) and Lois M. Martin (1782-1866) of Berkshire county, Massachusetts. Silas was married in 1840 to Maryette Dowd (1821-1852) but he was a widower when he penned this letter from Dixon, Illinois, in 1862. He was married a second time in May, 1864 to Mary Hollister Cook, the widow of Orrin C. Cook. Silas began his occupational career as a cooper in the Berkshire mountains of Western, Massachusetts. In the 1850s he relocated to Dixon where he took up farming. By 1870, he had relocated to Rockford and labored as a carpenter. By 1880, he was farming again in Palmyra, Otoe county, Nebraska, where he and his 2nd wife lived out the remainder of their lives.
The first paragraph pertains to a business matter that would be of little interest to most readers but the second paragraph is a vilification of the Buchanan Administration—placing blame squarely on James Buchanan for the “deplorable condition” of the county as depicted in the following political cartoon.
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Dixon [Illinois] April 28, 1862
N. Gibson, Esq.,
Dear sir. I received a line from James Phillips a little over a week ago stating that E. Calkins had selected me to assist him in taking security of said James Phillips to secure a note of Albert Phillips endorsed by Calkins, or rather endorsed by James Phillips. In consequence of the badness of he roads and the lateness of the season for putting in wheat, Phillips sent me his note of nine hundred & forty-four dollars and twenty-six cents (944.26) with a mortgage on two eighties or one hundred and sixty acres as security for the note a few days ago. I have waited to hear from Calkins or you but have received no letter. Before I make any move on this business, I would like to be better informed how matters stand, how much there is due on the notes, or up to what date the interest has been paid so as to spend no more time than is actually necessary. Perhaps if I should see Phillips, I might get all the information that was necessary. But it is some sixteen miles from home to Phillips and I would rather not make but one trip out to do the business. I have a good deal of confidence in James Phillips and think probably his note and mortgage is all right but as his land borders on the Winnebago Swamp and part of his farm is rather low land, it would be better to see the pieces he offers as security before accepting them. Please see Calkins and if he wishes me to do anything for him, let me know immediately.
In your letters of November last, you wrote of the distracted state of our country and the causes which brought the country to its present deplorable condition, but you failed to mention one cause which in my mind stands first in the damnable black catalogue. When the Chief Magistrate of this Nation comes down from the high station of his office to become a dabster in party politics thereby neglecting his duties he had sworn faithfully to perform to gratify a little private revenge, then may we well tremble for our country. Had Buchanan labored one half as hard to sustain and carry out the time honored principles of the Democratic party as he did to break up that party and crush Douglass, the people of the United States would today have been a united and happy people. Sadly did we rue it when we neglected the warnings of our Whig friends when they informed us he had not one drop of Democratic blood in him quoting Buchanan as authority. When we take into consideration in connection with the above the insane and suicidal course the abolition members of Congress are pursuing on the slavery and tariff question, I cannot help but think unless their days be shortened, the “very elect will not be saved”—the country will be utterly destroyed. But for want of room, I must close, All well. Yours respectfully, — Silas M. Freeman
Phillips writes to me, “I have no security from Albert and think that Mr. Calkins is slightly selfish in requiring of me ample security. If he was in no way connected with Albert, it would be quite a different affair” hence I think the business should be done in a way to give as little offense as possible. — S. M. Freeman
The following letter was written by Enoch H. Harker (1839-Bef1900), the son of Rev. Enoch Harker (1804-1867) and Christiana Sheets (1806-1861) of Goshen, Clermont county, Ohio. In the 1860 US Census, Enoch was enumerated in Nottingham, Wells county, Indiana, employed as a laborer on the farm of Jacob Yount. Enoch enlisted on 21 September 1864 and Anderson, Indiana, to serve three years in Co. B, 34th Indiana Infantry. He was promoted from a corporal to a sergeant in April 1862.
This letter was penned from Camp Wickliffe, Kentucky on 4 February 1862 where the regiment was on duty from December 14, 1861 to February 7, 1862.
After three years of service, Enoch returned home to Indiana and married Mary A. Yount, 13 years his junior. He taught school in Indiana for a time and then moved to Iroquis county, Illinois.
Eight unidentified members of the 34th Indiana Infantry (“Morton’s Rifles”) in early-war Zouave uniforms. (LOC)
Transcription
Camp Wickliffe [Kentucky] February 4th 1862
Mr. Shinn, dear sir,
It is with pleasure I improve the present in writing and answer to epistle of the 25th inst. I was glad to hear you was in the enjoyment of good health but permit me to say while many are being consigned to the narrow limits of the tomb, I am still able to masticate my sea biscuit. the health of the army in this division is very poor. Half of this regiment is sick and some others are in a worse condition. There has been from one to ten buryings a day in this division for several weeks. There is only about 40 of our company able for duty.
You stated in your letter about some charges against some of us which I am happy to inform you is untrue. The report about Campbell’s taking boots that were sent to the boys and selling is not so. His company did request him to resign but it did not avail anything. Capt. [James W.] Campbell is under arrest and has been for about a month. Although he cursed the officers, that was not the charge that was brought against him. The charge found against him was for getting up a petition to remove Col. [Asbury] Steele. The petition was effective but our condition is not bettered for a more tyrannical despot never was than the man who is over us now. He is no more than the personage of Old [Townsend] Ryan.
You stated the report was in circulation that I had caught a man in Co. I asleep on his post, took his gun away from him, and that he was to be shot which I am happy to say is not so for I am clear of wanting any of our men shot, much less to be the instigation of it myself.
I would not be instrumental in killing any secesh if it could be settled without and it seems to me the work is about done. I think the day is beginning to dawn. It is an old saying the darkest hours are before day and I think the campaign is about as dark as it can get.
I believe I have nothing more of any importance to write at present. I am under obligation to tender my sincere thanks to the members of the Institute for the resolutions that came to my notice yesterday and promise to contribute something for your paper the first convenient opportunity for the present/ I slall have to close hoping to hear from you soon. No more at present. Yours truly. — Enoch J. Harker
To B. G. Shinn
N. B. Direct as before. We expect to stay here till we get orders to go back to Indiana. Yes, I am so bothered I forgot to write initials of your name on the envelope and &c. — E. H. Harker
Spared & Shared 23 