I could not find an image of Seymour but here is one of Loren F. Packard who served in Co. E of the 5th New York Cavalry(Photo Sleuth)
The following letter was written by Seymour Orlando Drake (1841-1863) who enlisted at Crown Point, New York, to serve three years in Co. H, 5th New York Cavalry—sometimes referred to as the First Ira Harris Guard. The regiment left the State on November 18, 1861, and served in the Department of Annapolis, Md., from November, 1861 until they were reassigned to the 5th Corps and Department of the Shenandoah in March, 1862.
Capt. James Penfield’s 1863-1864 Diary describes the death of Corp. Drake on 30 May 1863.
Corporal Drake did not survive the war. He was one among the twenty troopers who volunteered to charge on a Rebel battery in Mosby’s command that was attacking a Federal locomotive on the orange & Alexandria Railroad near Greenwich, Virginia, on 30 May 1863. The troopers were within about ten yards of the cannon when it opened on them with grape and canister killing or wounding all but seven. Drake was killed instantly with a grape shot through the head.
Seymour’s parents were Amos Begelow Drake (1812-1891) and Lucinda Chellis (1812-1890). He wrote the letter to his sister, Ann Eliza (“Lide”) Drake (1843-1927). He refers to his older brother Harvey B. Drake (1834-1922) and his sister in law, Martha J. (Crawford) Drake (1835-1876).
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The patriotic stationery used; “The result of Uncle Sam’s Government—Peace, Plenty, and Prosperity.”
Camp Harris, Annapolis Co. H Saturday afternoon, February 8th 1862
I am in a tent alone. Got to thinking about you. I thought I would write you a few lines. I don’t think I can improve my time any better. I received a letter from you day before yesterday and one the day before that and answered it. I like to get letters from home and like to hear that you are all well. I have been a looking for a letter from Harvey and Martha but it is in vain.
I am enjoying good health at present and I hope that these few lines will find you enjoying the same blessing.
Our company was inspected closer than they have ever been before by a doctor from Washington. Every man was stripped and they was three men throwed out of the company. John Oakley 1 was one of them. Henry Griffin 2 was one—the man that bet Mr. Benedict—and a man by the name of Woodward from Port Henry, so they will come home in a few days.
Sunday, eleven o’clock. Just got in from drill. I call it a drill but the Captain calls it an inspection. Well, this is a nice day here. The ground is as bare as June. It han’t much like Schroon. Still we have a good deal of rough weather here. Rain one day, snow the next, and then good weather a few days.
Well, Lide, I got a letter from Renda this morning and a short line from you. Was glad to get them. I will answer them both today if I can and to Harvey too for John Lamb is going home tomorrow and I can send them by him right home. Well, I will close this letter and try to write another one today. I will try to get my picture taken on my horse and send it to you by John Oakley.
Much love to all. Write soon as you get this. So goodbye for this time. From Seymour O. Drake
To Lide Drake
1 Rejected physically in 1862, John J. Oakley (1839-1864) of Schroon, Essex county, New York, later enlisted in August 1863 to serve in Co. D, 2nd New York Cavalry. He served as a teamster until he died on 4 July 1864 at Morganzia, Louisiana.
2 Probably Henry Griffin (b. 1830) of Ticonderoga, Essex county, New York.
The lack of detail conveyed in this letter will forever make it impossible to know the author’s identity as anything other than “Henry” but we can make a few assumptions. Most likely he was a late war draftee who opted to enlist in the US Navy rather than be taken into the infantry where he would have no control over his assignment or duties. Though life at sea was potentially hazardous, the horrors of the battlefield probably seemed more frightening to this young man. The amount of the money he sent home informs us that he received a bounty for his enlistment. He was also most likely still on a “receiving ship” in Boston, Philadelphia, or New York where he was being drilled in his duties as a “landsman” and was not yet assigned to his permanent ship.
What interested me the most about this letter was the rare ink impression of a sailing ship on the letterhead. I have not seen it before on mass-printed stationery and the crudeness of the stamp and the smudges of ink with discernible fingerprints in the margins leaves me wondering if it was not a user applied stamp—particularly since there is no logo, caption, or printer’s mark combined with the fact that it was printed in only one ink color.
Unusual Letterhead
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April the 1st 1865
I now take my pen in hand to let you know that I am well and hope that these few lines will find you the same. I drawed my money yesterday and expressed 165 of it today and if you will go to the office and get it and my clothes, I will make it right with you—and I expressed two watches too.
I suppose you will want to know how I like the Navy. Well, I will tell you. As far as work is concerned, I like it, but for choice, I had rather have land forces. But one thing, they can’t force me into battle.
I would like to hear from you but don’t write until I get on my own boat. Give my best respects to all. Yours respectfully. From Henry
John Russell was 33 years old when he volunteered to serve in Co. G, 21st Illinois Infantry. He was the son of Alexander Russell (1794-1863) and Jane Jack (1797-1873) and was still living and working on his father’s farm in Clay county, Illinois, at the time of the 1860 US Census. Living in the household as well was his younger sister C. Sophia Russell (1840-1934), to whom he addressed his letter.
John Russell, ca. 1875
The muster rolls of the 21st Illinois inform us that John mustered into the company on 28 June 1861 and he was discharged for disability on 24 March 1864. The regiment’s first colonel was Ulysses S. Grant. It was ordered to move to Ironton, Missouri, on July 3, but instead operated on the line of the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad until August. Grant was promoted to brigadier general and became commander of the District of Southeast Missouri on 7 August, being replaced by regimental lieutenant colonel John W. S. Alexander. The regiment reached Ironton on 9 August 1861 and saw its first action at the Engagement at Fredericktown in late October. The first major engagement was at Stones River in December 1862 and January 1863. It was shortly after that battle that John wrote a letter to his sister Sophia in which he provided great detail of the regiment’s action. See “Getting Bitten by the Bait: The 21st Illinois at Stones River” by Dan Masters (Civil War Chronicles).
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Addressed to Miss C. S. Russell, Xenia, Illinois
Ironton, Missouri November [1861]
Dear Sister,
I take my pen to write you a few lines to inform you of my health which is very good, and there is little else to write. I received a letter from Doc some time since and one from Ann on Saturday and was glad to hear from you all. I have had no time to write for the last two or three weeks, having been in camp but little and on duty all the time. As week ago I expected to be at home now and had my furlough made out but an order was issued forbidding the granting of any more furloughs at present and mine was not signed yet. I could not come but I hope to soon.
We are stationed here for the winter and are at work here now a putting up winter quarters. I have had charge of 20 men for the last 4 days a chopping and hauling logs and only get to write now by getting F. M. Finch to take my place this afternoon. We will get them up in 4 or 5 days more. We have had a fine fall, but it is a little cold now. We had a fine little snow on Friday last, and we are in a hurry to get to our new quarters.
I think the government will soon put forth all its energies which it has been so long gathering to put down this rebellion. We know here that when furloughs are denied, a move is on foot and this denial is now universal and we know there is a general movement of importance contemplated and I hope its success will more than compensate me for the disappointment of not getting to go home.
“I am not waging a war for emancipation but I would seize the slaves of every rebel and set them to work at wages or to fight as most convenient and at the close of the war, give them their freedom…”
John Russell, Co. G, 21st Illinois Infantry, November 1861
There was a feeling of general indignation at the removal of Frémont and still more at the order of General Halleck that all fugitive slaves in our camps or that may come to them hereafter must be driven off. But in all there is a determination to sustain the government hoping that it would be compelled to come around right in time. All that is wanting to a speedy success is a man to hold up the thing square and use the means of success that we possess. I am not waging a war for emancipation but I would seize the slaves of every rebel and set them to work at wages or to fight as most convenient and at the close of the war, give them their freedom, placing them wherever Providence opened up a place. Thus we would get rid of slavery and by having them on hand, it is likely that the best disposition would be made of them that could.
I think the war will be over by the first of May unless there are some serious blunders on our part. I think our troops will occupy Memphis and Nashville in four weeks from this time.
But I must close. I hope this may find you all well. I send enclosed to Pap 25 dollars. I still save enough to bring me home if opportunity occurs. We have a good time here—plenty to eat and plenty to wear and not much to do. Write often and I will as often as I can. Yours, &c. — John Russell
The following letter was written by Henry H. Joslin (1843-1909) who enlisted at the age of 17 in Co. C, 55th Illinois Infantry. When he enlisted, he was described as a 5′ 11″ blue-eyed, light haired, farmer from Rockford, Winnebago county, Illinois. He reenlisted as a veteran in February 1864 and was discharged for disability on 30 June 1865.
Henry was the son of George Henry Joslin (1819-1881) and Eunice A. Olmstead (1822-1881). The family was enumerated in Harrison township, Winnebago county, Illinois in the 1860 US Census.
Henry wrote his letter from Camp Douglas near Chicago in December 1861 where the regiment was organized and drilled. Most of the members were recruited from Northern Illinois counties such as LaSalle, Fulton, Grundy, Ogle, Winnebago, DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, McDonough, Carroll, and Knox. Some of the early enlistees even helped build Camp Douglas. Because they were ill equipped, they did not participate in the taking of Forts Donelson and Henry. They saw their first action at the Battle of Shiloh.
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Camp Douglas [near Chicago] December 6th 1861
Friend Edgar,
Having a little time to spare and Mr. Anthony was coming to Davis, I thought I would write you a few lines to let you [know] what kind of a time I have here. I have all the fun that I can. We dance every night. When we are not a dancing, we are reading or listening to somebody else. There is a paper bought every night and morning and somebody reading it out loud so that we [are] well supplied with war news.
We have to drill twice a day in the forenoon. We have battalion drill when the whole regiment has to go out. My turn to stand guard comes once in two weeks. The Lead Mine Regiment from Galena 1 came into camp here last Saturday afternoon. They are a fine-looking lot of men. There is about six or seven thousand men here in all; one regiment of cavalry and one of artillery, and the rest is infantry.
I have not heard from home for about two weeks. The family were all well then. I enjoy myself much better than I expected to when I started from home. I have made a bad mistake and wrote on the wrong page. I will have to close now. When I write again, I will try and do better.
We expected to leave here tomorrow but that need make no difference about your writing to me. I do not know your post office address. When you write, please to put in your letter. Give my respects to your father and mother and write as son as you can.
Yours truly, — Henry H. Joslin
Direct to Douglas Brigade, 2nd Regiment, 55th Regiment Illinois Vol., Chicago, Illinois, Box 5815 until you hear from me again. Then we shall be in St. Louis.
1 The “Washburn Lead Mine Regiment” from Galena, Illinois, was the nickname given the 45th Illinois Infantry. In November 1861, the seven companies that had formed were armed with short Enfield Rifles and moved to Camp Douglas, in Chicago, where they were joined by companies from other parts of the state to form a full regiment of ten companies. Jasper A. Maltby a Galena gunsmith, who had served in the Mexican War, was selected as Lt. Colonel to replace the former Lt. Colonel, who had resigned. Melancthon Smith, the postmaster of Rockford, Illinois became the regiment’s major. After the regiment was mustered into U.S. service on December 25, 1861, they were sent to Cairo, Illinois on January 12, 1862.
The following letter was written by Moses Ludwick Hower (1837-1923), the son of Adam Hower (1800-1881) and Rachel Ludwick (1798-1886) of Plain Township, Stark county, Ohio. Moses was 23 years old when he enlisted as a private in Co. A, 19th Ohio Infantry. He remained with the regiment until 20 August 1863 when he was transferred into the Veteran Reserve Corps.
Moses wrote the letter on 11 June 1862 from Henderson, Kentucky, which was lightly garrisoned by soldiers from the Louisville Provost office and Andrew’s Michigan Battery. Moses clearly disliked Henderson, thinking it “as hard a secesh town as I was in yet. No stars and stripes to be seen.” As anxious as he was to leave it, there’s a good chance he was no longer in the town a few days afterward when three Confederates soldiers crept into the town at night on 29 June 1862 and fired on unsuspecting Federals lounging on the porch of the National Hotel before slipping away in the darkness. The only casualty was an unfortunate sow caught in the crossfire.
Artist’s rendering of the 3 Confederate soldiers firing on the Federals in front of the National Hotel in Henderson, Kentucky
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Patriotic letterhead on Moses’ letter, “The Whole Union, Forever”
Henderson, Kentucky June 11th 1862
Dear Brother and friends,
I will try and write a few lines to you. I would a wrote sooner but I dis not expect that I would stay here as long as I have. When they took me away from the regiment, they told me that the boat would take me to Cincinnati and there we could get furloughs to go home, but they did not do that. But they run us off here and this is as hard a secesh town as I was in yet. No stars and stripes to be seen in the breadth here and that is not near all. I could stay here for I am not afraid of the rebels but our fare is so poor. This is the hardest living I ever had. We get corn meal mixed with water and then dried so that when we break it apart, it all crumbs up. And coffee—as they call it—but I cannot call it coffee for it looks more like dishwater. And about once a week a little meat, but the pieces are so small that I cannot taste what it is. But we had something extra for dinner today. We had onion soup with tops and all cut in and some lettuce.
Now I will stop all that and give you a history as near as I can of my sickness. I took sick the twenty-first of April. At first I had the diarrhea and then we got orders to march and I was very weak. But as we did not march far, I got along, but the next day I got the chill fever and then our doctor—or Butcher as we call him—gave me a lot of quinine which took me down so that I cannot get over it as it seems. I was then put in the hospital at Hamburg and from there they took me here. I am now about well al[though] I am weak yet. But if I had the money that the Government owes me, I think I could walk.
I can see Indiana but the Ohio river is between me and Indiana. But I could easy get across if I only had my money. That is about all for this time. I do not know how long I will have to stay here yet and I cannot tell you to write for I will leave the first opportunity I can get. That is all. Your brother truly, — Moses L. Hower
P. S. You can give this to Isaac’s and all other friends to read it. — M. L. Hower
The following letter was written by William E. Boorn of Co. E, 26th New York Infantry. Companies A, B, C, and E were raised in Utica county and accepted into the service by the State on 17 May 1861 for a term of two years. The 26th New York Infantry was sometimes referred to as the 2nd Oneida Regiment. The regiment was present at Cedar mountain and participated in the campaign in Virginia under Gen. Pope, losing in the second battle of Bull Run 169 in killed, wounded and missing. On Sept. 12, it was assigned to the 2nd brigade, 2nd division, 1st corps, Army of the Potomac, and was active at South mountain and Antietam.
At the battle of Fredericksburg, the regiment met with its heaviest loss. Out of 300 members engaged 170 were killed, wounded or missing, of whom 51 were mortally wounded. After the battle winter quarters were established at Belle Plain and occupied, except during the “Mud March,” until the Chancellorsville movement in the spring of 1863, during which the regiment performed advance picket duty. It was mustered out at Utica, May 28, 1863, having lost 108 members by death from wounds and 42 by death from other causes.
It should be noted that William’s name appears as William E. Bowen on the company roster though his signature appears to read Boorn. William was twenty years old when he enlisted. He had subsequent service in Co. C, 14th Artillery.
The 26th New York Infantry at Fort Lyon (Library of Congress)
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Patriotic stationery William used. Following the setback at Fredericksburg, William crossed out the word “Onward” and wrote the word, “Backward.”
Camp near Belle Plain, Virginia January 9th 1863
Dear brother,
I received your letter the seventh and was glad to hear from you. I am glad to hear that all are well. I am sorry to hear that father has hurt himself. I hope it is not very bad.
We have had a big fight at Fredericksburg but I am not hurt. Safe and sound as ever. We are in winter quarters now and I hope that we will stay here until spring. My regiment has only three months and a half more to stay in this service and then we are coming home to see you. When we started from Utica, we had nine hundred men. Now we have only about one hundred men—all killed but them.
It is very fine weather here now but very cold nights. We have not had much snow yet. I seen John and Henry Garrett 1 the other day. They are well as ever and all the rest of Trenton boys. I am writing in an old log house plastered with mud. I cannot think of much more at present.
When you write again, can’t you put in the letter some black thread to sew on some buttons for I cannot get any thread here as we cannot get anything here. So I cannot think of much more at present. So goodbye. I hope this will find you all well as it leaves me. I send my best respects to all that may ask of me. From your brother, –William E. Boorn
Write again and send me the thread.
1 I believe these boys were in Co. E, 97th New York Volunteers.
The following letter was written by 15 year-old Amanda A. Beasley (1848-1931), the daughter of James H. Beasley (1804-1854) and Hannah Cowgill (1811-Aft1880) of Winchester, Scott county, Illinois. She wrote the letter to her sister Nancy “Catherine” (Beasley) Record, the widow of Lawrence M. Record (1829-1862). Lawrence was the son of Rev. John A Record (1802-1858) and Lucy W. McManus (1809-1886) of Winchester, Scott county, Illinois. Lawrence was killed on 6 April 1862 at the Battle of Shiloh while serving in Co. H, 14th Illinois Infantry. Catherine and Lawrence were living in Macoupin county, Illinois, when he enlisted; they had one child named Martha (b. 27 May 1856).
In her letter, Amanda refers to several siblings. She speaks of the severe illness of her brother Benjamin F. Beasley (1846-1918). She mentions her brother Richard Beasley (b. 1844). She speaks of her sister Lucinda Ellen (Beasley) Obermyer (1938-1927) having an opportunity to see her husband Peter Obermeyer (1834-1921) who served in Co. D, 129th Illinois Infantry, home on a 15 -day furlough. She also had two brothers (the “Boys”) who also served in Co. D, 129th Illinois Infantry; they were James Beasley (1840-1903) and George A. Beasley (1843-1924).
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Near Winchester [Scott county, Illinois] July 8th 1863
Dear Sister,
It is a pleasure to me this evening that I have the pleasure to write you a few lines to let you know that we have our health and more and hope that this may find you and Worthy well and hearty. Since I saw you we have all been sick. Benjamin was taken sick soon after you went away. He was taken with a severe pain in the lungs and spit blood for forty-eight hours [ ] and then it went into the typhoid fever and then he lay dangerously bad for eighteen days. The doctor blister[ed] him severely on the stomach and back which is all that saved him from the other world.
Lucinda has had the pleasure of seeing Peter’s face once more. Peter got a furlough for fifteen days and came home and stayed his time and then started back to his regiment on Sunday last [at] half past three o’clock. Richard took him to Jacksonville. He said that the Boys is well. Sister, you might know how it would be with Lucinda. It was joy to meet and sorrow to part with her. She did not take it as hard as I expected she would.
Kate Scorth is a staying with her this week. We was all glad to see him. He looks well and hearty and as fat as he can be. He looks like soldiering agrees with him. The Boys had their likeness taken and sent home. Mother had hers taken and sent to them.
There was great joy in town last night—ringing of bells and firing of cannons all night. The news is that Vicksburg is taken by the Union men. Our men took a lot of prisoners and I don’t know what else. Mother has gone to town today and she will get the news.
Harvest is almost over. It is warm. Everything is dry and we need rain.
Last Saturday, the Fourth of July passed off quite still in town. They had no celebration here but there was one at Exeter and one at Jacksonville and one at Glasgow. At Glasgow there was some fighting done. There was one man killed. His name I don’t know. 1
Well Catherine, I believe that there is a chance for young girls to marry yet for old Jane Martin 2 is to be married this evening at eight o’clock to a man by the name of Nathaniel Wilson from Glasgow. There has been several weddings went off ever since I wrote. Lately it looks like there is some men left behind yet.
The connection is all well as far as I know at present. All that has been sick is a getting better. In fact, is about well. Becky has had the lung fever. Her two youngest have had the worst sore mouth that ever you saw in all your life but they are well now. Lucinda got a letter from you on Sunday when I was there.
Mother has come from town with the good news. The news came from a great many places where they had been fighting and the Union men proved victorious everywhere. The account is true—Vicksburg surrendered and the Union lost no men at all. I believe that the war will soon end now. All the soldiers say it will soon come to a close. Mother didn’t get any letter from the Boys nor from you today but there was a letter came from Washington to you and she says to tell you that she took it upon herself to take it out and it contained the pension and Mr. Berry said that it was she done right and she left it with him to answer. Mrs. [Lucy] Record tried to take it out but they would not let her have it until they seen Mother. Mr. Condit says that it was a business letter and Mother had better take it out. Mr. Berry says for you to grant Mother the privilege if anymore come to take the money and he will tend to it.
I must close. We all send our best respects to you and Martha. Goodbye. From Amanda Beasley
1 I could not find any information regarding this incident in Glasgow, Scott county, Illinois, on the 4th of July 1863. It may have been a conflict arising between a Unionist and a Copperhead (Peace Democrat).
2 Nancy “Jane” Martin (1836-1911) was the daughter of James & Nancy Martin of Scott county, Illinois. Jane was 26 years of age when she married in July 1863 in Scott county to Nathaniel Wilson. This was considered “old” by 19th Century standards. Her obituary claims she grew up in Alsey, Scott county, Illinois. Nathaniel died about 1890.
I could not find an image of Steve but here is Charles H. Haseltine who served as 1st Sergeant of Co. H, 22nd Massachusetts (Photo Sleuth)
The following letter was penciled by Stephen W. Fitts (1835-1903), the son of Daniel French Fitts (1805-1883) and Susan Fellows (1805-1888) of Haverhill, Essex county, Massachusetts. Steve enlisted on 8 October 1861 as a private in Co. H, 22nd Massachusetts Infantry. Also serving in the same company was his younger brother, Henry Thomas Fitts (1842-1919). Steve served with the regiment until 13 December 1862 when he was severely wounded at the Battle of Fredericksburg and was discharged three months later on 24 March 1863.
Steve was married in 1859 to Mary Abbie Chick and was working as a “shoe cutter” in Haverhill just prior to his enlistment. When he died in 1903, the Boston Post published the following notice: “Mr. Fitts, who was a Haverhill boy, and who had enlisted at the age of 27, who served throughout the hardest fighting of the war, taking part at Gettsyburg, Fair Oakes, Gaines Mills, the Wilderness, Antietam, and Frederickton, was wounded and discharged for disability March 1, 1863.” Knowledgeable readers will recognize that Gettysburg and the Wilderness were fought after Steve was discharged from the service.
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Addressed to Daniel Fitts, Esq., Haverhill, Massachusetts
Hall’s Hill, Virginia September 6th 1862
Dear Brother,
We are again on the old place and yesterday I went up and looked at the place where our tent used to stand last winter. It looked same as ever with the exception that grass now grows pretty freely on the place. There were many little pieces of work whch some of the boys done who are now buried on this soil. Poor fellows. It made me feel bad to think of them. Ben Cloutman 1 and George Webster 2 are the ones I speak of.
We received marching orders last night so I think we may leave this place soon. I don’t care much how soon for I seen enough of this place. I am unable to perceive that the prospects look very bright on our side yet. The last retreat from Harrison’s Landing of our forces have given the rebels new pluck and courage and it will be the means of adding many more men to their army. Their aim now is I expect to get into Maryland and this morning I hear they have done so—at least some of them. How do you feel about it at home? How is father? I am well. Write soon. From brother Steve.
1 Corp. Benjamin Cloutman died of disease on 26 July 1862.
2 George Lewis Webster (1842-1862) was killed in the Battle of Gaines’ Mill, Virginia, on 27 June 1862.
The following letter was written by James S. Simmons (1823-1870) who first enlisted in late September 1862 as a private in Co. C, 43rd Massachusetts Infantry. He mustered out of that regiment in late July 1863 and later mustered into the 16th Independent Battery, Massachusetts Light Artillery.
The Battery moved from Washington D. C. to Fairfax Court House, Virginia, on 6 December 1864 and was on duty there and at Vienna till 17 June 1865 when they were ordered to Massachusetts and mustered out 13 July 1865. They never saw any active combat.
James wrote the letter to his brother, George C. Simmons (1824-1889) of Stoughton, Norfolk county, Massachusetts where he worked in a boot manufactory.
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Addressed to Mr. George C. Simmons, Stoughton, Massachusetts
Fairfax Court House, Va. March 25, [1865]
Brother George,
I have just got to camp. I left home last Monday morning. We had to stay in the City of Philadelphia on account of ice in the river. I left all well at home. I am pretty well except a bad cold. The mud is awful out here. I hope you are all well after your hard fatigue in Boston but I shall not forget you nor your wife for your kindness although Elizabeth did not. I come very near getting smashed up. I was only 4 minutes behind time. The wreck was awful. I saw six dead and 40 wounded. The loss was a perfect wreck. I was lucky to escape.
I want you to write me if you hear from my home for if things does not go right, I will instruct you what to do. Give my love to your wife. Tell her I am pretty well. I promised Aunt not to drink another drop of anything and I shall be as good as my word. I will make the same promise to you. I love nothing about the infernal stuff—it is all a habit. So I suppose you will be pleased to hear me state to you this.
I hope God will prosper our arms this spring so we can get out of this army and rejoin our families and kindred once more. We must hope for the best. It is good weather but very muddy here just now. I started from here just now to go down street but was afraid of getting lost in tyhe mud so I backed out.
I arrived back to camp Friday afternoon. I got detained in Philadelphia on account of the large quantity of ice. The cars could not cross the river. They cross on a boat made for the purpose. Tracks are laid on it. Engine and train goes over at the same time. 1
I do not think of any more to write to you at this time. Write and let me know the news. From your affectionate brother, — James S. Simmons
The boys were all glad to see me back. They came and shook hands with me. They had two horses die with Farcy 2 while I was gone. They had no one to doctor them if they had all been sick. I have got to get things straightened up. They can’t get a man to look after everything as I do. The Captain is glad to see me in my old place, I tell you. He is very friendly to me and sociable. I do just as I please. It is alright with him what I do. He asks me about the stable and the horses my opinion. It is all right what I tell him. That’s what no other man can do in the Battery. If you could be i nmy house and see my big fire, you would laugh, it looks bully I tell you. Well, I must stop so goodnight. — J. S. S.
1 Philadelphia relied on ferries, including those operated by companies like the Camden and Atlantic (C&A) Railroad and the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR), to transport train cars and passengers across the Delaware River between Philadelphia and Camden, as no bridge crossed the width of the river until 1926.
2 The horse disease sometimes called “farcy” is actually glanders. Its skin form is known as farcy. It’s a serious, contagious, and often fatal disease caused by the bacterium Burkholderia mallei.
Morgan Hughes, Bugler, Co. E, 8th Illinois Cavalry
Morgan Hughes enlisted in Co. E of the 8th Illinois Cavalry on September 18th, 1861 in Saint Charles, Illinois at Camp Kane. Towards the end of his original three year enlistment, he reenlisted as a veteran. The official records show him mustering out of service on July 17th, 1865 as a bugler in Chicago, Illinois.
Muster rolls show him as being the bugler of Co. E at the time of the battle of Gettysburg. The battle was started by Lt. Marcellus Jones of Co. E, who fired the first shot from Levi Shaffer’s carbine and gave the command to open fire to the rest of the boys of Co. E. As bugler Morgan would have been the company’s main means of communication. One source suggests that Morgan was standing next to or near Lt. Jones when he fired the first shot of the battle.
The Illinois 8th Cavalry was attached to General Buford’s Corps. They were the first union troops to enter Gettysburg, and the first to fire on the Confederate forces early on July 1, 1863. Buford’s Corps held off the Confederate troops until reinforcements arrived on the evening of the 1st.
Morgan’s obituary appeared in the Aurora Beacon News on Wednesday, November 1, 1916:
Death Summons Morgan Hughes—Prominent Civil War Veteran and Grand Army Officer Passes away Late Yesterday
Was for 22 Years Officer of the Day for Post 20 G.A.R. -Funeral Friday Afternoon
Morgan Hughes, aged 73 years, veteran of the civil war, and one of the best known men of Aurora, died yesterday afternoon at 1 o’clock at his home. 438 North Avenue, after a lingering illness of nearly three years.
Mr. Hughes was born at Schuylkill Haven, Pa., July 25, 1843, and came to Illinois in 1856, first settling on a farm near Naperville. Later, at the close of the civil war, in 1866, through which he had served, he moved into this city. He enlisted at the outbreak of the war at age of 19 years and served four years in Company E, Eighth Illinois Cavalry as Bugler. He was past commander of G.A.R. post no. 20, of Aurora and was always active in the social and other activities of that organization from the time it was formed. He was Officer of the Day of the post for 22 years. For many years he had charge of a squad of the old veterans which visited the different schools each Decoration Day. He had been connected with the Western United Gas & Electric Co. for the past 25 years in the capacity of salesman.
Mr. Hughes leaves to mourn his death, his wife Lavinia; three children, Frank A. Hughes, Omaha, Neb., Bert Hughes, Detroit, Mich., and Mrs. George Shields of Aurora; three brothers, Joseph, Bushrod and Martin, all of Naperville; two sisters, Mrs. Sarah Enck and Mrs. Hartzell of Naperville; four grandchildren, Agatha and Virginia Adams, Corp. Russell G. Hughes who is at the border at the present time, and Aldine Hughes of Detroit.
The funeral Services will be held from the Grand Army hall Friday afternoon at 3 o’clock. Full military Grand Army burial services will be held under the charge of Comrade Cronk. The Rev. R.H. Claxon of the First Baptist church will officiate. Short services at the home, 438 North Avenue will precede the services at the G.A.R. hall, and will be strictly private, for family only. Interment will be in Montgomery Cemetery. [Military History Online]
The following letter, written in December 1890, to his comrade Bent Kelley, records some remembrances of their time together in the 8th Illinois Cavalry during the Civil War.
Bugler Morgan Hughe’s bugle and tintype on display in the Gettysburg Cyclorama & Museum(on loan from the Mary Jane Fraley Family)
Transcription
Aurora, Illinois December 28th 1890
T. B. Kelley Dear Comrade
Look out! I am about to take the bugle and give you a blast. Hold your horse well in hand—load, sling, and cap carbine. Now forward, let down the fence—here we go! Bent, it has been a long—yes, a very long time since we have met. Many changes have been wrought since we rode through the valleys and over the mountains on the Sacred Soil of Old Virginia. But thanks to Wise Providence, we have been spared while so many of the old boys have been called to the great Commander above. There is our old, tired and true, brave and courageous Capt. [Elisha S.] Kelley. Bent, I can now see him as we move up the Peninsula and through the swamp of the Chickahominy at Mechanicsville, Ashland Station, all through the Seven Days Battles, at Despatch Station, on the Maryland Campaign at Boonsboro, so distinctly where he received that wound which finally caused his death.
I well remember I called to see him while he was laying in a room at Boonsboro. Capt. [Elon J.] Farnsworth came in and the two strong men wept but Kelley said, “Oh my boy, be careful that you do not meet my fate.” But he is gone and the next year at Gettysburg, Farnsworth gave his life to his country. We hope they are in a better land. Hardy, Deuse, Wayne, Doc, Hard and many others. I often wish I could see the old boys once more as we looked while in Virginia in ’61 in the freshness and vigor of manhood. But it is impossible. We are getting old and our dark brow hairs are sprinkled with gray and not many of them left. Bent, I am a little bald, but fat and look healthy which I am with the exception of inflammatory rheumatism. But I must grin and bear it.
I see Capt. [Marcellus] Jones occasionally. He is getting old fast. George Bartholomew is here in Aurora. He looks well. Is very portly. Our regimental post master Fred Brown and Capt. [John A.] Kinley of K Company also live here, glad to say all doing well. I was to our last reunion. Saw many of the boys. Have met you but once since we were mustered out. How long it seems. Would have like to have come to Boston but could neither spare tie or money. But Bent, I hope to meet you at our next reunion which you know will be held at Gettysburg next year. I was at Prospect Park a short time ago. The Old Kelley House looks as of old. The place though is growing. Last Memorial Day I was at Wheaton and went with E. S. Kelley Post GAR and assisted in decorating the graves of our comrades there and Prospect Park. While there I visited the graves of Charles Slyter of our company who died from wound received at Beverly Ford, Va. June 1863.
What sad recollections came to my mind then, and then you remember our crossing the ford to support the 8th New York—how they were repulsed, fell back with the death of their Col. Davis, and our charging up the road, formed in line on the left of the road, our action in the woods at close quarters where Charles Slyter fell, our driving the Rebs finally through the woods, out in the opening where they drove us back to the woods by heavy artillery, firing in the field where Jud Farr received his death wound. All are now fresh in my mind.
Bent, these are days not soon forgotten. John Stoner is alive and well and so is Riddle, Shaffer, Ditzler. Frank Shurte, Bub Chadwick, Bejamin Hart and Doyle I have not seen since the war. Cooley is in Lacross, Wisconsin. Old Bill Jones I see two years ago. Bill is the same old Bill.
Must give you a little account of myself. Have been married 23 years, have 4 children, oldest a girl, married this summer. One boy 19 in the City of Chicago in wholesale hardware store, one boy 17 in Printing Office here in Aurora, Our baby, a girl, 11 years old. All strong and healthy. A good wife. My own home but not what we might call an abundance of te world’s riches.
I received your poem through the kindness of Mr. Ayles. It is splendid and sounds like Bent of old. I shall always keep it as a remembrance of you. I must close. I hope to jear from you. Enclosed I send you my photo. Hope you will recognize it. It is not the smooth face lad I was 25 years ago but I hope to be strong and able to meet you on our next reuion at Gettysburg. I hope you will send me one of your pictures. I never had one although I distinctly remember you your looks. Write soon. I am as ever, F C & L, — Morgan Hughes, Aurora, Illinois
“Private Morgan Hughes of Jones’ Co. E, 8th Illinois Cavalry, started the debate in an 1891 submission just a week prior to the dedication of the regiment’s Gettysburg monument. After reading a previous article by a member of the 7th Wisconsin Infantry stating that the ‘Iron Brigade’ of the Army of the Potomac opened the Gettysburg battle, Hughes determined to set the record straight. Lest Buford’s cavalry’s role prior to the general infantry fighting on the first day be forgotten, Hughes recounted his regiment’s arrival at Gettysburg on June 30, and his posting at Jones’ reserve headquarters at Herr’s Tavern. Riding forward with Jones to the picket post at Knoxlyn Ridge, Hughes watched as Jones ‘took a carbine from one of the boys’ and fired at the advancing Confederates. ‘The opening of the battle of Gettysburg,’ Hughes concluded, ‘belongs to the 8th Ill. Cav.’”
Spared & Shared 23 