The following letter pertains to Edwin Martin Whipple (1842-1904), the youngest son of Herman Whipple (1774-1842) and Phoebe Boa Lafferty (1816-1904) of Erie County, Pennsylvania. Edwin served in two different regiments during the Civil War. He first enlisted in enlisted in Co. C (the “Jackson Guards”) of the 23rd Illinois Infantry—the “Irish Brigade” led by Col. James A. Mulligan of Chicago. He marched with them on their expedition into Missouri and then was mustered out with the regiment in October 1861, after six months service. He then enlisted in late November 1861 to serve three years in Co. C, 111th Pennsylvania. As far as we know, Edwin remained with the regiment and was with them at the Battle of Gettysburg where he shot the hat off a rebel Colonel while skirmishing in the twilight of 2 July 1863. In the book, “Soldiers True; the story of the 111th Regiment Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers” (page 181), Edwin is listed among the wounded at the Battle of Lookout Mountain on 24 November 1863. The company roster indicates he mustered out of the 111th in late November 1864.
The letter was penned by someone named Henry McKenzie who was most likely fulfilling the duties of a hospital warden or nurse. It appears that the content of the letter was dictated to him by Edwin and that he (Henry) was not a member of Edwin’s regiment. He may have been the sergeant in the 5th Ohio Infantry by that name who was transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Veteran Reserve Corps. It’s not possible to confirm his identity. The letter does provide us with more details of Edwin’s history following the Battle of Lookout Mountain, however. Edwin’s letters can be found at The Glorious Dead.
Transcription
Tullahoma, [Tennessee] January 10th 1864
Mrs. Edy,
Madam, at the request of your son [Edwin], I address you to let you know how he is getting along. He received your letter of 30th December day before yesterday and was happy to learn that you were all in good health but thinks that Jim was foolish for enlisting.
I am sorry to inform you that his wound is much worse than it was. He got cold in it and in consequence, his shoulder is very much swollen. The doctor is under the impression that it will require to be lanced. He is unable to leave his bed but we hope that with the return of warm weather that he will speedily regain his strength. He wished you to write frequently to him and not await his replies as he is not personally able to do as yet. He wishes you to tell Jim to stay and see him as he passes. All the trains stop at Tullahoma and he cannot miss seeing the Hospital. It is the largest building here and immediately beside the Depot on the left hand side.
I remain, Madam, yours respectfully, — Henry McKenzie
P. S. He forgot to mention that he seen the Regiment going home but did not see Ben. He saw Capt. Todd and Jim Raymond of Co. H. Raymond would tell Ben the condition he was in when he saw him. — H. McK
This letters were part of a much larger collection at one time but somehow these were separated from the others I transcribed several years ago. They were written by Edwin Martin Whipple (1842-1904), the youngest son of Herman Whipple (1774-1842) and Phoebe Boa Lafferty (1816-1904) of Erie County, Pennsylvania. Edwin served in two different regiments during the Civil War. He first enlisted in enlisted in Co. C (the “Jackson Guards”) of the 23rd Illinois Infantry—the “Irish Brigade” led by Col. James A. Mulligan of Chicago. He marched with them on their expedition into Missouri and then was mustered out with the regiment in October 1861, after six months service. He then enlisted in late November 1861 to serve three years in Co. C, 111th Pennsylvania. As far as we know, Edwin remained with the regiment and was with them at the Battle of Gettysburg where he shot the hat off a rebel Colonel while skirmishing in the twilight of 2 July 1863. In the book, “Soldiers True; the story of the 111th Regiment Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers” (page 181), Edwin is listed among the wounded at the Battle of Lookout Mountain on 24 November 1863. The company roster indicates he mustered out of the 111th in late November 1864.
There are at least 60 of Ed’s letters posted on the website I created to showcase his letters and two other soldiers who wrote to Ed’s mother, Pheobe B. Edy. You can find them on “The Glorious Dead” published in 2019. There is only one letter (see below) that has turned up so far that was written while Ed served in the 23rd Illinois Infantry but my hunch is more of them will eventually turn up.
Letter 1
Stationery letterhead of Ed’s letter featuring “The Irish Brigade” harp and poem.
[Chicago, Illinois] [mid June 1861]
Dear Mother,
I now sit down to inform you of my health and enlistment with the Jackson Guards, Captain Francis McMurray, attached to the Irish Brigade. I have been quite sick but am getting much better. The Brigade is accepted by the U. S. and will be sworn in tomorrow and march for Washington next week.
When I left home, I went to Erie and shipped on the schooner Mutt Root, made a trip to Chicago, and then enlisted, and have been here ever since. I want you to write and tell me all about Smith’s folks—especially Esther and [ ] and all the rest of the folks. Tell Jim to kiss Sena for me.
We are now in barracks—a large five story brick building. We have now got about 800 and room [for] 1200 more. The boys are all in good spirits and the most of them in good health. Take good care of my gun for I shall know how to use it when I get back (if I have the good luck).
Please write as soon as you get this so that I will get it before we start for Washington. I will [write] again before I go and [send] my likeness. I will get it taken with my uniform on.
[Senator] Douglas’s funeral was attended with all the pomp and splendor that the churches, lodges, and military could scratch up.
I can think of no more at present. Please write soon so I shall get your letter before I write again. So goodbye. From your affectionate son, — E. M. Whipple
Body of Stephen Douglas lying in state, Chicago, Illinois, June 4, 1861
Letter 2
Camp near Fairfax, Virginia December 22, 1862
Well, Mother, I will now try to pen a few lines to you to let you know that i am still alive and well. I am away off in the woods—clear away from anywhere or anybody but soldiers. We left Harpers Ferry the 10th instant and marches to Dumfries on our way to Fredericksburg to reinforce General Burnside but was too late in the day so we went to Dumfries and turned back as far as here and camped. Don’t know how long we shall stay here. Don’t think we will be here long but can’t tell for certain.
Well, mother, I talk pretty strong of coming home soon but if I do, it will be on a French pass. But durn the odds, only so that I get home. There is not an officer in the regiment that has not done it and I am as good as they are and I think I shall try it when we are paid which will be ‘ere long.
Well there is nothing to write about that you don’t know already. We are 25 miles down the Potomac from Alexandria and one an a half miles from the river in the pine woods where we can’t see the sun at noon—a splendid winter camp.
I had a letter from Willy the other day. He said he couldn’t get anything out of that box [and] that I must eat and drink some for him, so I did. I wish that liquor wasn’t gone yet. I would take a horn or two today. I got the box Thanksgiving day and a fine time I had of it. But it is all gone now. Well, there is no more to write now so goodbye for this time. From Ed Whipple to his mother, Phoebe B. Edy
Address Ed Whipple, Co. C, 111th Pa. Vol., Washington D. C.
P. S. Don’t expect letters very often when I am on the march. — Ed Whipple
Members of Co. G, 112th Illinois Infantry. The officer in front is William Lee Spaulding who was killed at Utoy Creek. (Al Niemiec collection)
The following letter was written by Lemuel F. Mathews (184o-1889), an 1860 graduate of Knox College in Illinois, who enlisted at Cambridge, Illinois, on 12 August 1862 to serve three years in Co. D, 112th Illinois Infantry. The regiment was organized at Peoria in September 1862 and garrisoned places in Kentucky until Spring 1863. Beginning in April 1863, the regiment served as mounted infantry during the Knoxville campaign, before being dismounted in February 1864. Subsequently, it served in the Atlanta campaign, the Franklin-Nashville campaign, and the Carolinas campaign as part of the XXIII Corps. The regiment was mustered out on June 20, 1865. Lemuel was wounded, however and discharged on 26 August 1864.
In 1860, 19 year-old Lemuel was enumerated on his father’s farm in West Jersey, Stark county, Illinois. His parents were Newton Mathews (1808-1874) and Mary D. Wycoff (1809-1880). Lemuel wrote the letter to his wife, Lucretia Trickly (1843-1910). The couple had been married on 26 August 1862, following Lemuel’s enlistment, but before they had left camp in Illinois.
Transcription
Somerset [Kentucky] June 2nd 1863
Dear wife,
I have just been helping clean up the camp which is a job that has to be done every morn, It is not a very heavy job though when the boys all turn out. I will tell you how this cleaning is done and how the manner every morn. In the first place, reveille is beat about 4:30 o’clock, the band plays about ten minutes in which time we have to get up, dress and out on our cartridge boxes and get in line with guns in hand by [the time] the drums stop playing and sometimes we have to hustle out in a hurry. It was the orders since we came in this camp to drill in the manual of arms ten minutes every morning just after roll call, but we don’t drill much before breakfast now-a-day—not as much as we used to. I guess if Cap[tain] had his boys back to Cambridge now, they wouldn’t drill much before breakfast—at least this child wouldn’t.
Well then the next thing is to feed horses if we have any, all feed ourselves, then each man is to clean up his own quarters. Also the street in front and carry the dirt off. (we have brush brooms to sweep with.) We then have to sweep the ground all over from the private tents to the horses as they are in the rear of the officer’s tents. Then the stable has to be cleaned and swept up good. I think if we had swept and cleaned different ground, we would have swept the whole state over by this time, but we need something for exercise. We generally finish up all this morning work by 7 o’clock. Then those that goes on guard or picket or takes the horses out to pasture takes their leave.
I received a letter from you last eve which was your 49th & was glad to hear from you, and will answer it immediately for we are expected to leave every day. The Cap has just come down the lines and told us to pack up everything in boxes except a change of shirts, socks, and such things. Therefore, I will have to stop and go to work at it.
Well, I have just eaten a pretty good dinner. Our company has packed up four or five boxes and the other company have done the same. My baggage is now cut down to one shirt, 1 pair of socks, blouse (as my dress coat is not worn out yet), towels, camp wife 1 (I wish it was my wife almost), testament, tooth brush, writing materials, a piece of soap, and rubber & woolen blanket and half of a tent. All this will not weigh over 15 lbs. Officers has there baggage cut down to 30 lbs. and a shelter tent, and I suppose the regimental officers will be cut down some too. This clothing that we have boxed will be sent back to the rear—I believe to the Kentucky River—and stored there. I think we will love across the river soon as there has a lot of boats come through here from Covington to make a pontoon bridge across it. They were on small trucks and can be hauled anyplace by six mules, and a bridge is formed of them by floating them in the river a short distance apart, and then by plank from one to the other. The river is fordable now in places but there is no dependence to be put in that for it rains very fast & a bridge is always necessary for the crossing of artillery and provision trains. I can’t say whether we are going to Tennessee or just rout the rebels out of the country south of the river. I know but little nor about it than you do.
A pontoon boat being pulled on a truck by six mules
The rebel pickets are all along the river on the other side. Our pickets do not allow them to come down to the river now anymore and they keep back on the bluffs.
Now I will try and answer your letter. Well, I don’t know whether you did right in letting overcome inclination or not because I don’t know what your inclinations was but I believe you did just the right thing—at least it suits me just to a T. I am glad to hear that you have got your sewing machine home. I don’t agree with you in Angie being the smartest for I think my wife is just a little smarter than anyone else. I don’t hardly agree with you in reference to home, but it is said that it is home wherever the heart is, and of course you know where my heart is for you have got it. Yes, you got it when you was but a small bit of a gall but I don’t feel like giving up the old ship and calling someplace else home. Suppose we don’t call it at all and just let it come of its own accord. But I won’t quarrel about that and I will call both places home and then we both will be satisfied. I guess that will do for that. The reason I never said anything about paying the express on that package was because we all expected to pay Charley Payne here, but I hear that the folks paid for them as they took them away. I want to know just for curiosity what my share was. I see you have not yet received the $5 that I sent you, or at least you did not speak about it.
We are expecting the rest of our horses every day. Our company will need about 20 more now as there is a few which we will turn over and get better ones. The furlough [requests] have not come back yet and I don’t know whether they will come back approved or not, and [even] if they are approved, it may be only for 15 days and won’t pay to go home on such a short one.
The news from Gen. Grant’s army are good. I think he will soon lead his triumphant army into Vicksburg. All the fear I have is from Johnston for it seems that the rebs are making a desperate effort to save the place. But I think we can throw in as many men there as they can. Well, may they exert themselves and strain every nerve to hold their strongest place for when they lose that, they will be rent in two and will give them such a blow that I doubt whether they ever recover from it. Sometimes I feel like starting right down there and help to secure the prize for I fear as though it was the winding up battle of the rebellion, for if we lose that and Grant gets defeated there, we will be good for our three years in the service. And [yet] if we conquer there, I count on being home by this fall to stay. Oh wouldn’t that be joyous news. I hope I won’t have another winter to stay in the army.
There has quite a number of our company officers resigned but not quite all yet of the captains. There is left 7; viz: Co. A, F, D, I, H, and E. I just heard of [John J.] Biggs of Co. C resigning too today. His company is glad of it, I guess, for he was of but little account to them. There has quite a number of Lieutenants resigned. Sometimes I have a notion to resign on the ground of inability [pencil faint and difficult to read]. I long to be with you to live over the times that I have lived with you. I feel that I am further from God than I was, being surrounded by every other influence except a Christian one. It is hard for a weak Christian to keep on the right course, but I am striving to live a Christian and I pray that you are and that I have your prayers, your loving husband, — Lem
1 “Camp Wife” probably refers to what most soldiers called the “Housewife” which was a small, compact sewing kit that soldiers carried with them to mend their uniforms. The kits were often homemade by a soldier’s wife, mother, or girlfriend.
I could not find an image of Daniel but here is Andrew D. Johnson who enlisted in Co. C, 8th Iowa Infantry. (Mike Huston Collection)
This letter was written by Daniel Cox (1840-1862) of Marengo, Iowa, who enlisted when he was 21 years old in Co. G, 8th Iowa Infantry. He died of disease at Sedalia, Missouri, on 19 February 1862—just a few weeks after he wrote this letter.
Daniel was the son of William Cox (1812-1896) and Margaret Elizabeth Wannamougher (1814-Abt1853) who married 18 September 1838. William later married Martha Jane Athey Rockwell (1831-1861) in 1854 and she became Daniel’s step-mother.
The 8th Iowa Infantry was attached to the Department of Missouri until March 1862 and they spent most of the winter at Sedalia, occasionally participating on minor expeditions to chase small squads of guerrillas.
Daniel wrote the letter to Ellen Elizabeth (“Nellie”) Kepner, the daughter of Samuel Kepner and Elizabeth Haslet of Marengo, Iowa. She married Hames Henry Mead in July 1866. Her brother, Daniel S. Kepner was killed in the Battle of Antietam. Another brother, Robert Kepner (mentioned in the letter), served in the 7th Iowa Infantry.
Transcription
Patriotic stationery featuring Scott & McClellan busts on American Flag
Sedalia, Missouri November 29, 1861
Dear friend,
I take the opportunity to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well at present and hope that these few lines may find you enjoying the same. We are still in our old tent yet and I expect that we will stay in them all winter. I received your welcome letter yesterday and was glad to hear from you and the rest of the friends. You said in your letter that you seen Uncle Squire and he said that Holy [ ]. Well, I will make it all right with you girls when I come home.
I would like to be at home a New Years, [but] you needn’t look for me now before the 4th of July. I would like to be there to take a sleigh ride with some of you. We have some snow here but not enough to sleigh ride. But it is pretty cold here sometimes. It is very pleasant today.
We have taken about 1500 secesh since we have been here. The pickets brought in four secesh yesterday. There was 300 of our men 1300 of the secesh. Ellen, I never was caught in a scrape before that I could not get out of before this [but] I can’t get out of this. If I get home again, you better believe that I will stay there. They say that we will go to Kentucky this week but I don’t believe a word of it.
Ellen, we are a going to have a general settlement the first of next month. We have about three months pay behind. We will get between 35 and 40 dollars and then you may look for that likeness.
I got a letter from Robert. He was not very well. He said he had the mumps. There is right smart of sickness here. I believe that I have nothing more of importance to write. So no more at present but remain yours truly, — Daniel Cox
The following partial letter seems to have been valued more for the patriotic image on the stationery than the content of the letter as only one sheet remains of what must have originally been a two or three sheet letter. The content reveals that the author was a three-month volunteer in the 2nd Michigan Infantry. It came coupled with an envelope with a New York address and a Feb 1862 postal marking which was clearly not linked to the letter. There are too few clues in the sheet that remains thought it’s interesting to read that the author claimed “all the privates of the regiment as well as a good many of the officers” despised “Fighting Dick” Israel Bush Richardson, colonel of the 2nd Michigan and brigade commander during the Battle of First Bull Run. I suspect this was a result of the soldier believing that Richardson had attempted to convert the “three-months” volunteers into two-year volunteers without their approval, as alleged.
The unfinished sentence at the end of the letter leaves us wondering what the author was about to tell us about the Battle of Bull Run but we’ll never know.
Transcription
[Arlington, Virginia] [late July 1861]
Since I finished my letter to you I have received one from Charlie which I hasten to acknowledge the receipt of. Also one or two other items have appeared since which I will relate.
Our regiment has been quartered at Arlington since our retreat from Bull’s Run where we will at present appearances remain till the 13th of August when we will be mustered out of the service of the United States undoubtedly.
As dress parade tonight we were informed that we would be engaged the remainder of our time in cutting away & blockading roads and building trenches. Two hundred from the regiment will be taken daily till the work is completed & 300 from each of the other regiments in this brigade—or rather the regiments that were in this brigade, this brigade having been broken up & the 1st Massachusetts have gone to Fort Albany, the regiment that were there then having returned home. 1
Lieut. Col. Richardson is despised by all the privates of the regiment as well as a good many of the officers. Orders were given yesterday morning to fall in at 8 o’clock. Nobody knew what for but it has since been learned that we were to be mustered out immediately that morning but for the interference of Col. Richardson, who, as the story goes, tried to manage it so we would be obliged to stay two years. 2
Our position in the battle Sunday was a rather curious one, come to sit down & think it over. We were near as far advanced as were the…[remainder of letter missing]
1 Having participated in Richardson’s Brigade, Tyler’s Division, McDowell’s Army of Northeast Virginia, in the Battle of Bull Run, the 1st Massachusetts Infantry was ordered to garrison Fort Albany (200 yards south of the tollgate on the Columbia Pike) until 15 August 1861.
2 I was unable to find any corroborating evidence as to this accusation that Col. Richardson was despised by his men or fellow officers—at least not for his leadership in the field of battle. Richardson’s performance on Sunday, July 21st, at Bull Run was hindered by the interference of a drunken Col. Dixon S. Miles who outranked him and ordered Richardson’s brigade without passing orders through Richardson. If fact, according to Pvt. Lyman Stowe of Co. F, 2nd Michigan, Col. Miles even had Richardson arrested during the battle and took away his sword when Richardson attempted to take back command of his brigade. [Bull Runnings]
I could not find an image of Samuel but here is Hiram Throckmorton who also served in the band of the 26th OVI (L. M. Strayer Collection)
The following letter was written by Samuel Elmore Hull (1842-1917), the son of Samuel Hull (1805-1892) and Cherissa Wilcox (1807-1872) of Waldo, Marion county, Ohio. Eighteen year-old Samuel enlisted on 26 July 1861 as a musician in Co. C, 26th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI). He mustered out of the regiment in October 1865 as the Band Leader but along the way it appears that he was reassigned to duty as a teamster.
Soon after organizing, the 26th traveled to the Upper Kanawha Valley in western Virginia (modern-day West Virginia), where the organization performed scouting duties. In late January 1862, officials transferred the 26th from the Department of West Virginia to the Department of the Ohio in the war’s Western Theater. Upon reaching Louisville, Kentucky authorities brigaded the regiment with the 15th, 17th, and 50th Regiments Indiana Infantry. Serving as part of the Army of the Ohio, the brigade moved to Nashville, Tennessee in March 1862, before traveling to Savannah, Tennessee in early April 1862. On April 6, 1862, the Battle of Shiloh erupted at Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, eleven miles from Savannah. The 26th marched for the battlefield, traveling through thick swampland, but failed to arrive in time to participate in the engagement, which culminated in a Union victory on April 7. The regiment remained at Pittsburg Landing for several weeks, before embarking upon the Union’s advance against Corinth, Mississippi. Beginning on April 29, 1862, the Northerners besieged the city’s Confederate garrison and finally occupied Corinth on May 30, 1862. The 26th was one of the first Union regiments to enter the city.
Samuel wrote the letter to James Frey Wintermute (1823-1896) whom he addressed as “dear friend” though he was twenty years his senior and worked as merchant in Licking, Muskingum county, Ohio. It may be that Samuel had worked for Wintermute prior to the Civil War.
View of Fayetteville, Va., in 1863 showing Fort Scammon (A) and other fortifications. We learn from Samuel’s letter that construction of these forts was underway in December 1861. (West Virginia University)
Transcription
Headquarters, Camp Union Fayetteville, Va. December 16, 1861
Dear friend,
Having a little more than usual leisure time today, did not know how to employ it better than to give you a list of the news here supposing that you are at all times anxious to hear of the welfare of your friends in the 26th [Ohio Infantry]. The health of the boys for some time back as a general thing has been very good. I am glad that I can say that I think as a general thing the health of all the soldiers is better. The companies all seem to be larger than they were some time ago. We are now looking every day for our pay and no doubt but that we will get it in a few days. Everyone then will pitch in for a furlough. I am a thinking they will want them a little faster than they will get them.
Yesterday we had a general inspection of arms and knapsacks and cartridge boxes. the whole brigade was all formed in one line which was the 23rd, 26th, and 30th. General Scammons 1 commanding. Just a few minutes ago, I went up street where I saw one of the secesh cavalry that had just been brought in. He was dressed in gray clothes. He seems to be very well satisfied & does not deny being in the secesh army.
We are building up three big forts. I expect it would be quite a sight for you to see it.
December 17th. Yesterday I undertook to write you a few lines but was called out on battalion drill so I will write a few lines more and then close. I received a letter from you while we were up at Camp Sewell and put off answering it until I got to teaming. Then I had no chance to write. I expect the paymaster will commence paying off this afternoon. One thing certain, he is here and last night his wagon came up that had the truck in to do it with. Some of the boys will not have more than enough to take them home and back again after paying the sutler. If nothing turns up more than I know of now, I intend to go home this winter on a furlough.
Hoping these few lines may find you enjoying good health, I will come to a close. Give my respects to all my enquiring friends, only be sure and keep a good share to yourself. Yours truly. From Samuel Elmore Hull
To James F. Wintermute
1 Eliakim Parker Scammon: At the outbreak of the Civil War, he offered his services to the governor of Ohio, who gave him command of the 23rd Ohio, later dubbed the “President’s Regiment,” as among the men of the regiment were future presidents Rutherford B. Hayes and William McKinley. As part of the Kanawha Division, named for its operations in the mountains of Western Virginia, Scammon led the regiment well, finding success at the Battle of Carnifex Ferry. In late 1861, Scammon was assigned to command the 1st brigade in the Kanawha Division, which was incorporated into the IX Corps of the Army of the Potomac in early September 1862. Scammon’s men were engaged heavily at Fox’s Gap on South Mountain, where corps commander Jesse Reno was killed. Jacob Cox, commander of the Kanawha Division, replaced him, leaving Scammon in command of the division. He led the division at Antietam, seeing only minor combat but fighting well. He was appointed to brigadier general in October 1862 and returned with the Kanawha Division to the region of their namesake. On February 3, 1864, Scammon was asleep on a steamboat on the Kanawha River when it was raided by Confederate guerillas. He was held as a prisoner of war for six months, during which time his health deteriorated. To restore his health, he was sent to South Carolina where he commanded the Northern District in the Department of the South. Yet after only two weeks, he was captured again. He was only in captivity for five days before being exchanged, after which he was assigned to command the District of Florida for the rest of the war.
A post war image of Alfred and his wife, Rebecca Jane (Dodd) Snow. They were married in 1866.
The following letter was written by Alfred Henry Snow (1838-1915) of Co. G, 50th Regiment, New York Engineers. Alfred began his service as a private but was later made an artificer. The same can be said for Alfred’s younger brother, Harrison Snow (1840-1898) who joined and served with him in the same company. The 50th New York Engineers became famous for their ability to quickly build pontoon bridges, construct field fortifications, and to conduct sapper and mining operations, sometimes under enemy fire.
Alfred was the son of Asa Stearns Snow (1805-1882) and Mary C. Eighmey (1803-1900) of Caroline, Tompkins county, New York. He wrote the letter to his younger sister, Elsie Ann Snow (1844-1939).
A Cabinet Card with image of blockhouse built at Fairmont, West Virginia in 1863 by a detachment of Co. G, 50th New York Engineers.
Transcription
[Hall’s Hill, near Arlington, Virginia] October 4, [1861]
Dear sister,
I now take my pen in hand to let you know that I am well and hope that you are the same. [Brother] Harrison has been very unwell for about two weeks. He is getting better now. I am in hopes that he will get along now. He begins to get around now.
I suppose that you knew that Harrison and myself is soldiers. We left home the third day of September and I have wrote to them nine times and no answer have I got yet. Now I hope that you have not forgotten me. I know that I have not forgotten you. I should like to see you but I don’t think that I will see you very soon. We left home for Elmira. We thought that [we] would go home before we left there but they would not let us go. We stayed at Elmira two weeks, then we left for New York. We stayed there two days. The we left for Washington. We marched through Baltimore without any trouble. We stayed there two hours and took dinner, then we moved on until we reached Washington. We was so tired that we could hardly rest.
The next day we marched about three miles north of that city and then we moved five miles farther south. We stayed there a few days and then we came here to this place where we are now. We don’t know how long we will stay here—perhaps not long. We are on Hall’s Hill in western Virginia about fifteen miles from Bull Run. The rebels are encamped about five miles from here but there is no one here afraid of them. We have got about two hundred and seventy thousand around Washington. They have got lots of them around in other places and lots of them coming yet. They will have a battle before many days—it can’t be put off many days longer.
Now you must not forget to write to me as soon as you get this. Direct your letters to Camp Lesley, Company G, 50th New York Volunteers, in care of Captain [Walker V.] Personius
My pen in poor, my ink is pail, my quill come out of the gander’s tail.
No don’t forget to write to me and let me know how you and the rest of you are getting along. I have not heard from you in a long time. From your brother, — Alfred H. Snow
to Elsie Ann Snow
You must excuse my bad writing for you know that I am a poor hand to write. So good day.
The signature on this letter has been shaved off the bottom of the digitized image but enough of it remains and because I have transcribed a couple of his letters before, I can be confident this letter was penned by Elmore Yocum Warner who served as the Chaplain of the 3rd Ohio Cavalry from the time of its formation until August 1862 when he resigned. [See: Letter of 18 July 1862 from Woodville, Alabama] The following letter was written on 31 March 1862, just one week before the Battle of Shiloh.
Warner lived in North Fairfield, Huron county, Ohio. An obituary for Warner published in the Wayne County Democrat on 14 July 1886 said of him:
“This well-known minister of the North Ohio Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and son of the late Rev. Jesse Warner, was born in Wayne County, July 3, 1833, and died in Norwalk, Oh., July 6, 1886, aged 53 years. Mr. Warner, after a faithful use of the educational advantages furnished by the common schools, entered the Ohio Wesleyan University and while he did not complete the course, he did lay the foundation of a respectable scholarship, which enabled him to pursue so intelligently his future studies in connection with his ministry that, subsequently, the Faculty and Trustee of the University felt justified in conferring upon him the honorary degree of Master of Arts. He was married in 1857 to Maria Lee, of Huron county, who survives, with five children, one of whom is also a minister, and represents the third generation of the same line in succession in the same Conference. During the Civil War, Warner served as chaplain of the 3rd Ohio Cavalry and was on the field of Shiloh; but the exposure in the service being too severe for a constitution not naturally robust, he secured his discharge, but had already laid the foundation of the disease to which, after heroic struggle for years, he had, at last, to yield….”
Transcription
Patriotic stationery used
Camp near Columbia 3rd Ohio Volunteer Cavalry March 31, 1862
Dearest wife.
Longer time has elapsed since I wrote you than I intended should but with moving & changing I have been unable. We left Nashville last Saturday and have now marched three days on a very dusty pike lime dust which is suffocating almost. But I have stood it well and am able to eat my full rations. We have passed over a beautiful country.
Yesterday we passed through the town of Franklin in which Sidney and Benjamin Hildreth reside. Capt. Frank Hunt stopped at Ben’s house and said that Ben and his wife wished to be remembered to you. I see Frank and Bill Hunt everyday. As I told you, we are attached to the Sixth Division of Gen. Buell’s Army under Gen. Wood so you may know by this when you read of us. Gen. Wood has under him some fourteen thousand. These all march together. Then there are several divisions just before us.
There is perhaps 60,000 troops within two or three miles of this point. Gen. Nelson’s division is just ahead of us perhaps five to ten miles and perhaps not so far. I can’t ascertain where they are—only that they are a short distance before us. Tod is in that. I expect to see him yet but when I know not. That division is in the advance.
We all expect to participate in the great battle soon to come off near Corinth, Mississippi. I suppose it will be a desperate one and one that will decide the contest. I want to be at home but I am so far in the enemy country, if there is to be a battle, I want to see it. For your sake, I will try to keep out of danger but I expect if this conflict commences, I will feel like having a hand in it.
I dropped you a line the other day informing you of Jason going home. There were a number of reasons why I sent him. 1st, he seemed to want to go, yet was willing to stay. 2nd, his clothing was worn out and I could not get him any here. 3rd, I feared he might get sick and I would have to stay with him for I could not leave him in a hospital for he is his mother’s baby and I should feel bound to care for him. 4th, I thought it best for him to work where he would be learning something or else going to school. If you or Mother could find a place where he could do chores for his board and go to school, I think it would be well. Or if you can find a good place for him to work this summer, do so. I gave him twenty-five dollars when he left which would take him home and get him all the clothes he wants, perhaps more. If he has more than he wants, I told him to give it to you or Mother. Watch over him and try to keep him a good boy. I felt somewhat lonesome after he left. Sergt. Major [James Ransom] Hall is my room mate now. Your friend. He now sleeps on the ground while I am writing.
My dear wife, I have only received letters from you once. True, I received three at that time but it has been some time since the reception of them. Please try to write often. We get our mail very irregularly but it generally comes some time so write. I know you love me and will do anything you can to make me happy. Then write sweet letters of love and if I have done or said anything to afflict you, I beg pardon for it all. I have read and reread your letters with great interest. You ask in one if you are any comfort to me? Wife, you make my happiness next to God. you cannot imagine the comfort you are to me—how many thousand times I have been cheered by you. I love you with all my heart and now I miss you, I just realize how much I am dependent upon you for my happiness. I will send as often as I can.
Wife, if anything should happen to you—if you should be very sick or anything of that kind, try telegraphing first. But if you can’t reach me that way, send a messenger to me and I’ll pay the expenses. But I trust in God that nothing will happen to you. Oh God should be our trust constantly. Wife, spend hours in prayer. If the war don’t close in a couple of months, I think I shall resign and come home. But don’t tell anybody this.
I understand we are to march at half past three tomorrow morning in order to pass another division. Tod may be thirty miles ahead of us.
I must close. I never can close until I have filled my sheet when writing to you. Write often and direct to 3rd O. V. I., 6th Division, Gen. Wood, Nashville, Tennessee. Your loving husband, — E. Y. Warner A kiss.
The following letter was written by Edgar W. Irish (1838-1897), the son of George Irish (1810-1888) and Maria Edgerton Potter (1810-1844) of Little Genesse, Allegany county, New York. Edgar enlisted in Co. C, 85th New York Infantry with his younger brother George Hadwin Irish in September 1861. Edgar was made a corporal upon mustering into the regiment and was promoted to sergeant in April 1862. His beautiful penmanship no doubt earned him the rank of 1st Sergt. in August 1862—his highest rank.
1st Sergt. Edgar Walton Irish of Co. C, 85th New York Infantry
In April 1864, while garrisoning the forts at Plymouth, North Carolina, both Edgar and his brother George were taken prisoner with approximately 500 others when the town was surrendered. He and George were sent to Andersonville Prison, George. A source on Find-A-Grave claims that Edgar’s fine penmanship and bookkeeping skills earned him a job at the prison that enabled him to be kept separately and fed better than his fellow prisoners. All the while, however, he worried about his younger brother and after months of pleading, he was finally allowed to search for George but found that he was too late; George had passed away the day before of starvation and dysentery. Edgar was determined that the truth would be known about Andersonville, and seek revenge for his brother George. He found records and concealed them on himself when he was released from prison. Later this evidence was used at the trial of Capt. Wirz. Along with George 310 Soldiers from the 85th died as prisoners of war, the most men of any unit in the Northern Army. George Hadwin Irish is buried at Andersonville National Cemetary, Sumter County, Georgia, USA Site#4587, Findagrave Memorial#28873296.
There is a cenotaph in Edgar’s name at the West Genessee Cemetery that has the following inscription carved into the base: “He made, preserved and supplied the evidence that made possible the execution of Capt. Henry Wirz. The keeper of Anderson Prison.”
A lantern slide of the Wirz Execution in Washington D. C. (W. Griffing Collection)
Transcription
Camp Shephard Washington D. C. December 12th 1861
Dear Cousin Lottie,
It has been a long time since I have had a letter from you and longer since I have written to you. Now if you will forgive me for waiting so long and as I am temporarily located, I’ll set my quill to running. A letter would be quite a rarity to me now for I have not had one since I came from Christendom. Lottie, I have just been reading your last letter and I am sure I cannot write one to match it for interest. I have give almost my whole attention to military matters so long that I find it almost impossible to make a connected composition or even to reason clearly as I could once. All my thoughts by day and dreams by night are in some degree connected with this great rebellion.
Cousin Amy seems to censure our [Chief] Executive in very strong terms. Quite likely the President has made some mistakes but I think he has done as well as he knew how—and that is tolerable well. The case of General Fremont was not managed to suit me, or you of course, but I do not know it all and I am satisfied that there is something about it that which has never been made public. 1
“Uncle Sam” has a splendid army on the Potomac and if ready for defense and probably for offense when the proper moment arrives. Regiments are coming in here every day. One came today from Elmira (the N. Y. 64th State Militia). They pitched their tents next to ours. We are encamped under canvas and are doing as well as could be expected of backwoodsmen.
My health is getting quite good now. I was off duty on account of the measles till we left Elmira, since which I have done my part, I believe. I was very much pleased with your remarks concerning your cousin G. and I hope you may always have so good a counselor near you. I want you to give him my best respects and tell him that if I am spared to return to the North, I wish to gain his acquaintance.
It is quite warm here compared with Allegany Co. I am writing by candlelight in my tent without a fire though my fingers are cold. We arrived here last Thursday and have had but two or three frosty nights since. Some of the boys in the next tent have a copy of the Jubilee and an overhauling some of its familiar tunes which disturb me not a little.
Oh Lottie, I wish you could be here just long enough to see how our soldiers get along, to see and laugh over our cooking arrangements, to hear our martial music (at this moment the band is playing Dixie, and three or four times a day we have “Maggie Dear,” “The Girl I left behind me,” etc.) which makes the heart of every patriotic soldier or citizen thrill with joy, to see the glittering mass of bayonets as the men gaily fall into line. Oh, I am glad I’m in this army. Yes, I’m glad I’m [in] this army,” and we’re bound to win or die.
I’ll try and finish this tomorrow, Good night.
Sabbath morning, and I cannot make it seem like Sabbath at all. I did not get time to finish yesterday and have but a few moments now. I enclosed a card photograph which is a little better than none at all. The drum is sounding and I must close. Please write soon. My love to you all. Your brother cousin, — Edgar W.
1 In August 1861, General John Fremont imposed martial law in the state of Missouri and declared all rebel owned slaves to be free. Lincoln, fearing the loss of a loyal border state, rescinded Fremont’s order and relieved the General of his command.
The following letter was written by Sgt. William Buchanan of Monroe Township, Holmes county, Ohio, who served in Co. B, 16th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Sgt. Buchanan (not to be confused with Capt. William H. Buchanan of Co. F) served until he was discharged for disability on June 19, 1863, having participated in the regiment’s most bloody battles. Buchanan later re-enlisted as a 2nd Lieutenant in Company A of the 166th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving from May 2 until September 9, 1864.
When he enlisted, William took stock of the professions/trades of those who served in his company. He found the following: 66 Farmers, 13 carpenters, 11 school teachers, 2 blacksmiths, 1 shoemaker, 1 miller, 1 minister, 1 student, 1 potter, 1 surveyor, 1 sawyer and engineer, 1 clerk, 1 saddle & harness-maker, 1 teamster.
Transcription
Patriotic Letterhead of William’s stationery, “Strike for the Memory of Washington.”
Cumberland Ford, Kentucky April the 23rd 1862
Cousin Em,
It has been so long since I wrote to you that no doubt you begin to think that something has happened me or that I have got away down Dixie & have forgotten Cousin Em. I often think of you & would like to see you & talk with you & east sugar & have such times as we had in times past & gone. But all this is very different from soldiering away down here.
Well, the reasons why I did not write sooner. I have so many persons to write to and have much to do as I act Orderly Sergeant. Sometimes we could hardly get writing material in this poor, forsaken country, and the troubles, trials, sickness & deaths at home called my anxieties to one place & the sad conclusion has come & home will never be as it was when I left. I take time to write home once a week for I know they must be very lonesome & as it is impossible for me to go home. I try to cheer & encourage them all that I can. I know they are anxious to hear from me often & I am thankful that I can tell them that my health is unusually good & that I have not been on the sick list since I came to camp. I have endured long, tiresome marches through the mud & rain, lay out all night in the rain, snow, and winter winds, lived on unsifted corn meal & old rusty bacon almost as strong as last year’s butter in Cuba, & sometimes half rations of that. But so long as I enjoy good health, I think I can endure these light afflictions cheerfully for the sake of a country & that a free country.
We have been camped here on the Cumberland river since the 12th of February. We have not pushed into Tennessee for two reasons. First, our provisions have to be hauled from Lexington and the roads were almost impassable during the Winter & Spring & sometimes we could hardly get enough this far to eat, and our force was too small to attack so formidable a place as the [Cumberland] Gap. The Gap is 13 miles from the Ford which is at the bend of the river where it approaches nearest the Gap. We have bee three trips to the Gap. The first & last time to reconnoiter & see the enemy’s works.
On the 21st of March, four regiments & two pieces of artillery were sent to take possession of the Gap as we heard that nearly all the rebels had left it & taking 8 of their cannon & had gone to try to capture a regiment of Union soldiers sent from our Brigade to Big Creek Gap, 35 or 40 miles southwest of Cumberland Gap. But when we got there, we found that the rebel force with their cannon & perhaps a reenforcement had come back and were waiting for us.
On the 22nd we concluded to tease them awhile before coming back to camp anyhow, so we marched up within gunshot & firing on both sides was pretty brisk most of the day. They threw shells, solid shot, & grape at us, but in the whole day they did not kill or wound one of our men—although many had hair breadth escapes. We got an 8-inch shell shot from a 64-pounder Columbiad gun which did not explode. But our Parrot guns (cannon) made them hunt their hiding place in double quick—if not quicker.
On the morning of the 23rd (Sunday), we did not fire a gun but prepared to come to camp. The enemy threw a number of shells at us. We since heard that the enemy were about to leave the Gap when we came away & that if we had stuck to them that day, the Gap would have been ours. It looks almost like an impossibility to take it, if the Rebels will fight. We lay out on the mountains both nights in the snow & it was quite cold. The first night I think I’ll not soon forget. I was so chilled that I shook as though I had the ague. I have grown fat and hearty on privations and toils that I used to think would kill me. I will try to get time to sketch an outline now of the Gap which will give you a better idea that I can give in writing. I have drawn a great many of them & some on a large scale, finished & ornamented.
Map of Cumberland Gap drawn by William Buchanan for John F. McClelland of Co. B, 16th Regt. O. V. (not enclosed with this letter but found on the internet)
I have so much writing to do in the Orderly Book at present that I cannot spend much time at anything else. I wish you could see the real Gap. It would be the greatest sight of scenery that you ever saw. Such sights are scarce in Hoosierdom. But perhaps you would not prefer to enjoy the sight while the shells and shot are whizzing around like hornets. There is to be a reinforcement of men & cannon here soon & then I think we will be in earnest the next time we pay them our compliments.
Please show this to Uncles. Please write to me and direct to Co. B, 16th O. V. via Louisville. In care of Capt. [Joseph] Edgar. Give my love & good wishes to the rest of the family and relations. Yours soldier cousin, — Wm. Buchanan
Spared & Shared 23 