Though unsigned due to its being a partial letter, I can confirm that it was written by Moses Thompson (b. 1835) of Co. E, 35th Ohio Volunteers (OVI). Moses entered the service as a private and mustered out as a sergeant. He was married to Mary Jane Morrison (1839-1865), the sister of Elijah M. Morrison (1836-1863), to whom the letter was addressed. Moses and Mary Jane were married in Preble county, Ohio in 1859.
The 35th Ohio Infantry was nicknamed the Persimmon Regiment. It was organized in Hamilton, Butler county, Ohio, and mustered in for three years on 20 September 1861 under the command of Col. Ferdinand Van Derveer. On September 26, 1861, the 35th departed Hamilton for Covington, Kentucky, arriving the same day. That evening, General O.M. Mitchel ordered the 35th onto a train on the Kentucky Central Railroad, placing detachments from the regiment at railroad bridges along the route in Harrison and Bourbon Counties, with the regiment headquarters being located at Cynthiana, Kentucky. The members of the 35th successfully protected the bridges from Confederate attacks. Upon completing this duty, the regiment moved to Paris, Kentucky, where the 35th remained until early December 1861, when it advanced to Somerset, Kentucky.
Transcription
Addressed to Mr. Elijah M. Morrison, Brinley’s Station. Preble county, Ohio
Paris, Bourbon County, [Kentucky] October 27th 1861 Capt. D[avid] M. Gans 35th [Ohio] Regiment
Respected Brother,
It is with the greatest of pleasure that I have seated myself this beautiful Sunday morning to the purpose of answering your most welcome letter. I am in tolerably good health at present as I have had the chills again but I have got over them again. We had a very good dinner gave by the ladies of Old Bourbon but they cannot come up with the ladies of Old Butler for it did not shine with the good things like the table did at Old Hamilton. It passed off tolerably well. There was one man shot his hand with a pistol and there was one fell down last night while going around on guard and his gun went off and shot another man in the foot. This is the third or fourth accident of this kind has happened. I think that we have some of the most careless people in the regiment that anybody ever seen.
We had one of our companies to go to take the 2nd Ohio Regiment provisions a few days ago and they have not returned yet. They took one prisoner as they passed through town and they took him on with them for to see if he was a good traveler.
This is a much nicer place than we was camped before for there is two Union men to where there was one down there and the country is much nicer and the fairground that we are camped in is one of nicest grounds that I ever seen for they have the nicest buildings that I ever seen. 1 As to where wee will go to from here, I do not know, nor when we will move.
William Morrison and William Mikesell is out in town to see the women. There is some very nice looking girls here that come in to see us. William was, I think, deceived in his Captain or else he don’t know what it takes to make a man, for there is not a half a dozen in the company that thinks a great deal of him. You need not write anything about it back The boys is a playing cards as usual and then they will go to Meeting and come back and sit down and play cards for a change. Just in from dinner, and it would make you laugh to see us go into…. [rest of letter is missing]
1 “Camp Bourbon is located at the Fair Grounds of the county of that name, within the vicinity of Paris, the county seat. It is a beautiful location for a camp, the ground being high and rolling and thickly sodded with blue grass. The buildings in the fair grounds are ample and of the most approved style for the purposes they were erected, far surpassing those of a like kind in our own Ohio.“ [Letter by member of the 35th OVI from Camp Bourbon on 2 November 1861]
The following letter was written by Calvin McGowan (1836-1892), the son of Archibald McGowan (1790-1858) and Hannah Tebay (1799-1870) of Fairview, Jones county, Iowa. According to regimental records, Calvin mustered into Co. B, 9th Iowa Infantry as a private on 27 September 1861 and mustered out three years later on 24 September 1864 when his term expired.
John Willard Niles was a sergeant in Co. B, 9th Iowa Infantry and was promoted to Lieutenant in 1863 and Captain in 1865. (Image from eBay)
“The last company was mustered September 24, 1861, and, two days later, the regiment, with an aggregate strength of 977 officers and enlisted men, was embarked on steamboats at Dubuque and transported to St. Louis, and, upon its arrival there, marched to Benton Barracks, where it received it first supply of arms, clothing and camp equipage. Here it remained until October 11th, receiving such instruction in military drill as could be given in so short a period of time. It was then ordered to proceed to Franklin, Mo., at which Place regimental headquarters were maintained, while companies were detached to different points for the purpose of guarding the railroad from Franklin toward Rolla, Mo. During the three months in which the regiment remained upon this duty, it suffered greatly from exposure to the inclement winter weather, and, like all new regiments, was subjected to much sickness on account of such exposure. On the last day of the year 1861, the official returns showed a death loss of 17, and 7 discharged on account of disability, total 24; but on the same date it had gained 38 by additional enlistment, and 4 by transfers making a net gain of 18, and an aggregate of 995. Of this number however many were on the sick list, and the hardships which the regiment was called upon to endure, during the active winter campaign which followed, still further reduced its fighting strength, and when it first went into battle it numbered but little more than half the aggregate above stated. January 21, 1862 the regiment was again consolidated, the companies on detached duty having been relieved, and was conveyed by rail to Rolla, Mo., and from there begins its first real campaign against the enemy. Marching to Lebanon, Mo., it joined the Army of the Southwest commanded by General Curtis. Colonel Vandever was placed in command of the brigade to which his regiment was attached, leaving Lieut. Col. Frank J. Herron in command of the regiment.
Upon the approach of the Union forces, the rebel General Price evacuated Springfield, which he had occupied during the winter, and began his retreat towards the Ozark Mountains. Then began that remarkable march of general Curtis’ army in pursuit of the enemy. The regiment started from Springfield on the 14th of February and, in less than one month, had marched over difficult roads, and much of the time through storms of alternating rain and snow, a distance of two hundred and fifty miles. Arriving at Cross Hollows, Ark., a detachment of three hundred of the regiment was sent upon an expedition to Huntsville, forty miles distant, with the purpose of surprising and capturing a detachment of the enemy stationed there as a guard for commissary stores; but, upon reaching Huntsville, they found the place abandoned, and learned that the rebel army under General Van Dorn was marching to the attack of General Curtis’ army, which had fallen back from Cross Hollows and taken up a new position at Pea Ridge. Realizing the danger of being cut off and captured by a superior force, the detachment of the Ninth Iowa at once started to rejoin the command and, after a continuous march of sixteen hours, covering a distance of forty-two miles, it reached the regiment at 8 P. M., March 6th. With only a few hours of rest after this exhausting march, these men went into the memorable battle of Pea Ridge at 10 A. M., March 7, 1862.”
Transcription
Camp Scott, Missouri January 14th 1862
Dear Cousin,
Your kind letter of the 4th of this month has come to hand. I was glad to hear from you and sorry too. It was about seven o’clock in the evening when I received your letter. We was all sitting around a good fire and singing some old familiar songs when I read over your letter. I was surprised to hear of so many deaths among my old relations, but we must all die sooner or later. We must all come to that end. I hope us all will be willing to go when that day comes for to meet that solemn hour.
I have not much to write at this time. Price still roams through this county seeking whom he may devour but I think we will soon devour him. Jim Lane has got a job of cleaning Price out. He is going to start in a few days on pursuit of Price. There is two Iowa regiments going with him. We may be one of them and we may not. I hope we will. There is thirty thousand going with him. They have to be picked regiments.
There was a fight a few days ago on Silver Creek not far from this place—a complete victory for the Union men. When our men come up on them, they were in line of battle. Our men was all cavalry men. They rode right up and broke their line and put them all to flight. There was four hundred of our men and eleven hundred rebels. We killed thirty and wounded about forty. We lost three men and thirty wounded. That is a true account of the Battle of Silver Creek [see Battle of Roan’s Tan Yard, 8 January 1862] We took sixty horses and a great many wagons and two wagon loads of powder. The Union men burnt the wagons and kept the powder.
There was ten thousand cavalry started from Rolla a few days ago. They started the course of Springfield. We have not heard from them since they left. Price has possession of Springfield—at least he had a few days ago. Since I have commenced this letter, we have got further news. We leave this place tomorrow morning at seven o’clock. That is the orders now. I can’t tell you where we will go yet. That is not known yet. I did not know this when I commenced this letter. The orders may be countermanded before morning. I hope it will not. Our regiment is well fitted out for service. We have twelve cannons. Some of them is 18-pounders. I hope they will say something before long and do something. I would like to hear them howl and [the] rebels too.
We had news a few days ago that the big fleet had started from St. Louis last week to Columbus, Kentucky. I will say in conclusion that our company has not lost a man yet but our regiment has lost thirty since we left Dubuque, all by disease. We have got the best regiment in the State of Missouri and our company is the best company in the regiment—Co. B. I think we will see fun in a few days. That is the opinion of the officers this night. The sooner the better. We have got the best of guns. They will shoot nine hundred yards.
I must close for this evening. You must excuse this letter for there was 18 men in the same shanty where I was trying to write and it is impossible for any man to write. This leaves me hearty and in good spirits. I hope it will find you all the same. Give my love to all enquiring friends. I hope to see you all someday. Be sure and write as soon as you get this letter. Yours truly, — Calvin McGowan
Address Pacific City, Missouri, 9th Regiment Iowa Infantry, Co. B. in care of Capt. ]Don A.] Carpenter
The following letter was written by Robert A. Dempster (1839-1912), the son of John Wesley Dempster (1817-1904) and Florania Huston (1820-1856) of Allen county, Ohio.
According to the 1890 Veterans Schedule, Robert served in Co. K, 33rd Ohio Infantry. The regiment was organized at Camp Morrow and in late October 1861 they were moved to Maysville, Kentucky where they spent the next two months pursuing Confederate Colonel John S. Williams’s command. Union forces eventually drove these Rebels out of Kentucky and into Virginia. The 33rd then boarded transports at Louisa, Kentucky on the Big Sandy River and traveled to Louisville, Kentucky, arriving here on December 1, 1861. At Louisville, the regiment was brigaded with the 10th Regiment Wisconsin Infantry, 2nd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and the 21st Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry in Don Carlos Buell’s Army of the Ohio. The Army of the Ohio then advanced to Bacon Creek, Kentucky, where the 33rd remained until February 1862. After traveling further south into Tennessee and Alabama, the regiment participated in the Battle of Perryville where they entered the engagement with approximately four hundred men. The regiment had 129 men killed or wounded in the battle, nearly one-third of its total active strength.
The Ohio River Steamer Bostona (nearest shore) tied up at the Portsmouth Landing. It was owned and operated by William McClain and used as a regular mail packet between Portsmouth, Marysville and Cincinnati. Circa 1861. Portsmouth Public Library.
Transcription
[Camp Morrow at Portsmouth, Ohio] October 9th 1861
Friend,
It is with pleasure that I attempt to write you a few [lines] this morning to let you know where I am. I am on the U. S. Packet Bostona on our way to Portsmouth. We are pretty near there.
We left Camp Clark [Springfield, Ohio] yesterday morning at 5 o’clock. We went to Cincinnati. There we took the boat there to Portsmouth. We are going into camp there. I am well at this time & hope these few lines may find [you] enjoying the same blessing of this life. The boys are all well & in fine spirits.
I have been out onto the Kentucky shore. There was a secessioner on last night but he smelt powder & left. It was well for him. He had run off from Kentucky about a week ago. He went back last night. When he got off, he said he would have to take the Oath of Allegiance before 12 today.
We did not get to go home when I wrote that we expected to, but the next evening after I wrote you that letter, Father came to see us. His visit was very unexpected to us for when we left, he did not think of coming to camp. He thought he could live in a place like that. The next morning there was 4 of the boys came down that we were acquainted with. Pap only stayed one night with us. Camp life agrees with me very well. I am cook.
The folks were all well then. Some of them has had the sore throat again. Mother was some better than we are just at past month.
Since I stopped, we have left the boat [and] marched to Camp Morrow. We are in sight of the Kentucky hills. The hills are very large. They look very low this morning. As we sailed along the shore of Kentucky, the men & boys, women & children were gathered on the shore in squads with music and the Stars & Stripes floating over them. As we passed, they would give the volunteers three hearty cheers, three for Lincoln, and then three for Kentucky. You’d better think they opened their mouths then. When we landed at Postsmouth, the people looked as though they had never seen anybody. I often think of home & of my home in Union. I think if ever I get home that I shall come to see you all. Tell the folks that I am well & that I like a soldier’s life.
Last night we slept on a bed for the first since we left home. Our trip from Springfield to Portsmouth will cost Uncle Sam over $300. You must give my respects to all enquiring friends. We don’t know how long we will stay here. Some of the boys here say that we will leave here tomorrow. There is ten companies here now & one to come. It will be split to fill up the other companies. No more at present. — Robert A. Dempster
I could not find an image of Joseph but here is one of Pvt. James. A. G. Mann who served in Co. B, 42nd Massachusetts. (Dover Historical Society)
The following letter was written by 19 year-old Joseph Tucker Whitehouse (1843-1910) who enlisted in October 1862 as a private in Co. H. 42nd Massachusetts Infantry. He mustered out of the regiment on 20 August 1863. The various companies of the 42nd Massachusetts were mustered in between Sept. 13 and Oct. 14, 1862, while the field and staff were not mustered until Nov. 11. Under command of Colonel Isaac S. Burrell, the regiment left Nov. 21st for Camp Banks, Long Island, N. Y., where the “Banks Expedition” for Louisiana was being organized. From here on the 3d of December, it took transports for New Orleans.
Joseph was the son of David Whitehouse (1814-1890) and Mary A. Tucker (1810-1880) of Boston, Massachusetts.
Transcription
Camp Banks Friday, [14] November 1862
Dear Mother,
Having a few moments to spare, I thought I would write these few lines to you hoping that they will find you in as good health as they leave me at present. If you have answered my last letter, there is no need of answering this until you hear from me again as we shall probably leave here very shortly now. I begin to think that I am not going to get any answers to my letters as I have not got any yet. I have wrote one to you, one to Mary Ann, and one to Ezra, and have received no answers yet. But they may get here yet before we leave. I want you to answer every letter that I send to you just as soon as you get it but you need not answer this one on account of our going away.
I have not been very well since I got here but I suppose it was owing to that awful march we had. But I am all well now. But I hate to go into the southern climate because the most that troubles me is dysentery. Them old belts are a regular humbug. They don’t do any good at all.
I don’t suppose that we shall go to war for 1 or 2 months yet but when we leave here, we shall probably go to Staten Island where Banks is himself. It is said now for a sure thing that we are going to attack Richmond in the rear. If it is so, we shall see some hard fighting. You must not expect me to write very often but I shall write to you just as often as I can. I have 6 to write to, 3 out of my own family and Ezra, John, and Charley Ray so every time I write, it costs me 18 cents a time and that will soon run me out of money to write very often. I have only got about 3 dollars left now. We meet such poor food that once in a while I buy a pie. They have pies here just about as big around as a saucer and charge a shilling for them. But a shil is only 12 cents here. But that is awful for a small pie without any insides to it at all.
I expected David’s box out here yesterday but it has not got here yet. Tom Evans got a box and so did two or three others in other companies, but we did not get anything out of them. They told us that New York was a nice place but of all the places you ever get into, this knocks them. The streets they never clean up and the mud smells like this awful duck mud. We tramped 7 miles through that mud and it was all but over shoes and it was like walking through a vault [?] Their camps are about half a mile apart and when you get between 2 of them you might as well be in hell—it is so dark.
I have got to write to John and Charley Ray and my time is so precious, I must now close. So bidding you goodbye till you hear from me again. I remain your dutiful son, — Joseph Tucker Whitehouse
I could not find an image of Edwin but here is a pre-war image of George F. Lint who served in Co. E, 73rd OVI.
These letters were written by Edwin Miller Furry (1833-1862) who enlisted at the age of 28 to serve in Co. G, 73rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI). He was appointed 1st Sergeant on 8 March 1862 and died on 23 September 1862 from wounds received at the Second Battle of Bull Run on 30 August 1862.
Edwin was the son of David Montgomery Furry (1809-1875) and Ruth McVay (1812-1893) of Staunton, Fayette county, Ohio. Edwin’s parents eventually moved to Hamilton county, Indiana. Edwain was married in September 1858 to Margaret Jane Rowe (1839-1912) and they had one son, William (“Willie”) A. Furry (1859-1946) before Edwin went into the service.
The 73rd Ohio was organized in the fall of 1861 and had shipped out to fight from Chillicothe on 24 January 1862. From their initial deployment at Camp Fetterman in Grafton, Virginia (now West Virginia) they began a campaign through the rugged mountains of Virginia where Edwin penned these letters to his wife in March 1862.
Letter 1
Clarksburg, Harrison county, Va. Headquarters 73rd Regiment OV March 2, 1862
Well Margy Jane, one more Sabbath has rolled around and I am seated in my tent to write you a few lines. Yesterday was a very fine day, the 1st of March. The General Inspector was here. We all passed through on inspection of arms & knapsacks. This morning it is raining and sleeting & very disagreeable. We are all housed in our tents while it rains.
We received our pay last Wednesday. We was paid up to the first of January, I had to buy a pair of boots which cost me $5. I will not send any of it home unless you need it. If you do, tell me in your next letter & I will send it to you & how much you want. I have went hungry several days since we left Camp Logan because I have not had the money to spare & I went to town yesterday & to get nicknacks for Sunday. All we could get was some molasses & some eggs. We had eggs, molasses & bread this morning for breakfast. This is something new to us here. It is thought that we would be at home by April or May.
We are receiving joyful news every day. There is no doubt but the rebellion will close in a short time. Margy Jane, I have not received but one letter from you since I have been here. The other boys get two or three letters a week & I have not got but two wince we left Tuterman. Margy Jane, I wish you would write oftener. If you write three times a week it [ ] at least. If you have not time in the day time, the nights are long. Write as often as you can. Margy Jane, it is a great satisfaction to get letters from home.
We are all doing the best we can, living on hard crackers and beef. I thought I would give a quarter for as many good light cakes as I could eat. I want to bring a lot of these crackers home to pave our yard. They will be as good as stone for their purpose.
We have not been received into any brigade yet. We had been in Rosecrans’ Division but from some cause, we are not in now. We are here now to guard this point. The 5th Virginia is here but leaves tomorrow. We will stay here some time probably and may come home from here if the rebels run as they have been for some time past. I have no idea that we will ever see any more fighting. We may be kept out some time to guard these points. There is several hundred horses here and wagons. This is headquarters of Rosecrans’ Division.
We have now been to dinner. We had buckwheat cakes, molasses and bread. One of the boys went out yesterday and got them buckwheat flour. Some of us gave him five cents for three cakes. This made a fine dinner for Sunday.
I will have my picture taken this week. Dwire [?] is going to resign on account of health. S. Fellers will take his place. D. L. Griner his place. You would be glad to know who will get Griner’s place. Well, I will tell you. Captain told me the other day that he was going to confer the favor on me. You may think it strange that I can be promoted in the service of the U. S. It is those that perform thir duty that are favored with promotions. This office will bring me $20 per month.
Give my respects to John S___ & Steep. Tell Steep that I have saw a rebel fall at the fire of our arms. You ought to see them turn up their heels before the Buckeye Boys.
This sheet you must keep to yourself. I write this to let you know the situation of our regiment. We have the measles among us. There is about 200 of our men have them at this time. There is as many that have got over them so as to be about but not so as to be on duty. There is but a small squad of us on dress parade to what there was at Camp Logan. Norman Hire has them. He is not bad at all. Mose and Joe went out and got some roots & made him some tea & the measles are out on him as thick as hail.
The rest of us Staunton boys—for this is the name we go by—are all as fat as a bear. Joe is as fat as Old Willis almost. We are all in good heart but think we would like to be at home a short time at least. Say a month. I think sometimes I would like to be at home making rails or boards, picking brush, or something of that kind. But the time will come after a while. Then we can be proud that we have turned out in defense of our lovely homes. We ought to ever be thankful that the sunny soil of Ohio has never been made a battlefield.
I will try to give you some idea of the way the citizens of Virginia have to live. In parts where there is no army station[ed], the Union men have to leave their homes. Them that do not have to lay out of doors at night to keep the rebels from taking them prisoners. There is no woman nor man can go to town with a little marketing without a pass. Just suppose you wanted to go to Staunton & you had to have a pass signed by the Colonel & you would pass along, say about VanPelt’s, and there there would be a guard. He would halt you & you would have to show your pass. That is the reason why there is so little produce brought to town. There is no rebel army near here but there is now and then are secesh [pass] through the country, ready to burn bridges or tear up the railroads or fire some Union man’s house or barn. This is the reason why there have to be guards all through the country.
A post-war picture of Margaret Jane & Willie Furry
We have been to supper. Had coffee & had crackers. I shall have to have a new set of teeth or the old ones filled up for they are getting very dull. I think I can appreciate cornbread when I get home. It is dark. I must light a candle.
Did you ever get my overcoat & carpet sack that I sent from Camp Logan? You must not be uneasy when [you] see how many of our boys are sick. You know I have had the measles. You know there is no other disease in the regiment. I have understood since I commenced writing that we wil stay here till the first of April at least. If we do, we will in all probability come home from here. I hear the church bell ringing. It sounds very much like Old Staunton.
I hope this may find you all in good health as it leaves me. I must close. Let no one see how many sick there is in the regiment. It will make uneasiness when there need not be. All the Saunton boys are well. May the Lord bless you and Willey & [take] care of you until I get home.
Give my regards to all enquiring friends, if any such there be. Write soon. Write soon, Margy Jane. I still remain your affectionate husband until death.
Letter 2
Camp at Weston Lewis County, Virginia 73rd Regiment Ohio Volunteers March 21, 1862
Well, Marg. Jane, I received your kind letter of the 17th & was glad to hear from you all, but sorry to hear that your Mother had the sore throat. I hope she is well by this time.
It is almost too dark to write. I will have to light a candle soon. I received your letter today at 4 o’clock. It is time for roll call [and] I will have to stop awhile. I have lit a candle & am writing on a little box. It has been raining almost all day.
We Left Clarksburg on Tuesday & got here on Thursday. We started from camp about ten o’clock with knapsacks & blankets on our backs & our guns & cartridge boxes making a load of about 45 lbs. besides our haversacks & canteens. We traveled 10 miles & halted at night in a meadow, tore down two stacks of hay & made beds of it, tore down a fence & built our fires, made some coffee, eat our super, lay down & slept well till morning when we resumed our march. We traveled until three o’clock when we arrived in town. Col. Smith came on & picked our camp ground. As soon as we got on the ground, we net to work, pitched our tents, floored them, had them ready by night to stay in. This is the best town we have been in in Virginia. It is the county seat of Lewis County. It is situated in a small valley on the west fork of the Monongahela River. The town is surrounded by mountains.
The citizens are very clever. This is the first town I have saw in Virginia that there was not vacant houses. There is several fine churches here. There is a few slaves here but not near as many niggers as there is in Washington. There was twenty-five wagons come with us & did not bring all of our things then. Col. [Jacob] Hyer stayed back to have them brought on. We look for them tomorrow. Col. Hyer is one of the best men in the world, I think.
We left 28 of our men at Clarksburg sick & there was about as many left out of other companies as ours. Henry [M.] Marks was going to start home the next day after we left. I did not get to see him the day that we started. He stayed in town on Monday night. I went to town to see him but was in a hurry & could not find him. Captain [Silas] Irion has gone to town to stay all night. He leaves the company in my care as D[avid] L. Griner is at Clarksburg. S. Fellers has gone to Ohio recruiting for the regiment. The Orderly Sergeant’s position is a very honorable position but a very hard one. There is a great deal of work to do.
You said you would look for my picture. I will send it to you as soon as I can have it taken to look like anything. There is no place in this country that they can take pictures. There is some little one horse artists that will charge one three prices. I would have had it taken before this but thought you would not want it unless it looked like something.
More glorious news for us today. The Burnside Expedition has drove the rebels again in North Carolina. They are fleeing before our troops at every point. It is thought by all of the knowing men that the war will all be over by the middle of April. God speed the time that it may be over with. Soldiering is honorable but hard work. But I am thankful that I have had good health so far. The winter is pretty well over & I think I am going to get home well & hearty. I have not slept in a bed since you was in Chillicothe. I have eat four meals at a table—three I paid for & one I got for nothing.
I have taken my shirts & drawers out to a woman to have them washed. I have so much to do know that I have not time to do any washing myself. The Staunton boys are well… it is now time to blow out the lights. I will finish tomorrow. This is Saturday evening & it has been snowing & raining all day. The camp is all mud. I have just received a letter from you that you wrote the 17th. This was the last one that you wrote that day.
Well, Marg Jane, we have marching orders again to start on morning to go to Beverly, 45 miles distance from here. Then we will go to Cheat Mountain. From there to Staunton, Virginia. This is the supposition of us. There is some 30,000 troops ordered all on the same road. It is about 115 miles from here. It will take us about 4 weeks to get there. I will write again from Beverly & let you know all of the particulars of our travels.
You said you wanted me to be a good boy. I intend to do the best that I can, but it is hard for one to do right in the army. You see & hear all kinds of wickedness. Card playing is carried on all the time. I am thankful that I have never played any yet & never will while I live. You wanted to know if there was any disease in the regiment except the measles. There is none but the measles & mumps. I have had good health ever since I Left home. If I can have my health, it is all that I ask. I[saac J.] Sperry & myself stand it about the best of any of our company. Captain [Silas] Irion has gone to town again tonight. I think the captain will before we get to Cheat Mountain. I will get to see Syl. Davis when we get there. Captain Honeson is there. I saw his nigger the day before we left Clay on his way to Washington Ohio.
You wanted me to tell you when I would be at home. This I cannot tell. But the way things look & the way the rebels & are running, the war will be over this spring I think. By the first of May we will be at home. Keep in good heart Margy Jane. I will be at home e’re long & then. thank God, I can say that I left my home to fight for the flag of our country & our lovely homes. I will tell you what I. Sperry & J had for supper. We had eggs & light bread, molasses & beef. We thought it was bully.
This is Sunday morning. I had not time to finish my letter last night. It is now 9 o’clock. I suppose you are doing up the wash about now. Mose & Bill [Rowe] & Joseph Horseman are in the tent talking about our march, I think Bill would rather be at home. Moses [Rowe] is writing a letter home. I suppose Henry Mark is at home by this time. Margy Jane, I guess now had better direct your letter to Clarksburg as they will follow us. Direct them there then. Make some garden, Margaret, so we will have some when I get home. I have wrote all that I can think of now, I believe. Write soon, Give my respects to all.
Have you drawed any more money? Take no trouble about that letter that you wrote to me about my money. I hope ‘ere long I will see you. You will certainly not think I would get made at you for anything if you know how I feel towards you. When I get home, I intend to do my best to live comfortable the balance of our lives if hard work will do it. I know we can live in our little home. Ohio I want to live and die in. We know nothing of hard times there is you could see the way people live in Virginia.
I must close by saying I ever & ever remain your most sincere & affectionate husband until death. Kiss Willy for me. Bless his life. I would be so glad to see him. Take good care of him, Margy Jane. From E. M. Furry
To M. J. Furry, John & Mother. Write soon. Goodbye for this time. Give my respects to Nancy and everybody else & Jessie Rowe, John Levers.
I hear the church bell ringing. It sounds like Old Staunton. But it is not.
I could not find an image of Lewis but here is one of Robert Whittaker who served with him in Co. H, 37th Indiana Infantry
The following letter was written by Lewis Morton Hunter, the son of Lewis M. Hunter (1806-1859) and Maria Martin (1836-1914) of Jackson, Decatur county, Indiana. Lewis wrote the letter to his younger sister, Harriet (Hannah”) Elizabeth Hunter (1845-1920).
Lewis enlisted on 18 October 1861 as a private in Co. H, 37th Indiana Infantry. He survived the war and mustered out three years later on 27 October 1864. In his letter he refers to his brother Sgt. Joseph Hunter (1834-1880) who served in Co. E, 82nd Indiana Infantry.
In his letter, Lewis provides a brief sketch of the Battle of Stones River in which his regiment played a part, being in Negley’s Division of Rosecrans’ Army of the Cumberland. The 37th was up early in line of battle on the frosty morning of December 31st 1862, when “scarcely clear daylight…the awful roar of cannon, and the sharp rattle of thousands of rifles told us plainly that the battle had begun” on its right. In Dan Master’s recently published book, “Hell by the Acre,” (page 361): “Negley’s men spent the first few hours of the battle as spectators to the disaster on the right. As the roar of the battle ‘drew louder and louder, evidently directing itself somewhat at our rear. we began to choke in the throat, to think of home, and wondering if our turn would come soon,; recalled Henry Haynie of the 19th Illinois. ‘The right was not so far off and we could see the enemy doubling up the boys in blue. We could hear the hoarse shriek of the shell, the swift rattle of musketry, the sound of buzzing bullets. the impact of solid shot, the chug when human forms were hit, the yells of pain, cries of agony, the fearful groans and encouraging words and the death gasps of which told of those who had reported to the God of Battles.'”
It wasn’t long before the boys of the 37th saw a “great crowd of demoralized soldiers running to the rear” and they were ordered to pile knapsacks and form a line in a cedar thicket about one mile to the right of the Nashville Pike and ordered “to check, and hold in check the advancing enemy.” But the regiment “had scarcely got into position when the Confederates, flushed with their success on our right, assailed the 37th with all the pride and determination of the Southern soldiers. The conflict was fierce, close, and bloody.” After repulsing the enemy three times, the 37th fell back, “passing over the ground that had been fought over by troops in its rear, unknown to the regiment.” [Source: Regimental History by George H. Puntenney, 1896]
From the jacket cover of Dan Master’s book, “Hell by the Acre” published by Savas Beatie in 2024.
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Camp near Murfreesboro January 25, 1863
Dear Sister,
I take this opportunity this Sabbath morning to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well and I sincerely hope that this will find you in the enjoyment of good health. It is raining today. It rains most of the time this winter. We have had very little snow this winter and very little cold weather.
The 82nd [Indiana Infantry] is camped close to us. I get to see Jos. often. He is well and looks well in soldier clothes. Captain Kendrick died yesterday with the fever. He was a brave and gallant man. I have remailed John’s letters to him and wrote to him but got no answer since the first letter that I got from him. He was then in the Convalescent Camp in Nashville.
January 26th. Joseph and Dan Baker come over and I stopped writing till today. Dan was just come from Nashville. He saw John in town. His health is some better. He has left the Convalescent Camp and I don’t know where he is now. If you write to him, direct to Nashville P. O., Tennessee. But perhaps he has written to you and that you know where he is.
But another subject. I will send my likeness to you as soon as I can get it taken but that may be a long time and military life is very uncertain. I will sed you money sometime for you to send me your likeness. I am glad that you got them rings that I sent to you. I made them. The red one I made in Alabama. I heard from John’s letter that you had gone out to Ripley to Mother’s so I will send this letter to Elrod’s. When you write, write a long letter and tell me how much you learned this winter at school and how you get along and all the news. You don’t know how bad I want to see you, my sister Hattie, but as a soldier, I must be contented with a soldier’s lot to be always at my post in defense of our glorious country.
You have heard of our fighting and of the great Battle of Stones River and how we whipped Braxton Bragg and the rebels and his retreat in the night and of our brave men that fell. The 37th [Indiana Infantry] fought on the last day of the old year and the second of the new. The last day that we fought, we charged on the rebels whipping them and drove them from the field with great slaughter. They was on both sides of the river. The Federals crossed the river on double quick, charged into the woods and captured the rebel battery. The day was ours. We whipped them badly. Our first day’s fight we come near being all captured. We was nearly surrounded. We passed over rebel dead to get out. I was in the hottest of the fight and the air was full of bullets but I did not get a scratch or a mark on me.
Underlining the prevalence of draft resistance, and its echoes in broader American culture, the draftee in this cartoon says, “Doctor I’m weak in the back,” to which the examining surgeon replies, “Yes, I see it – can’t go – too delicate.” Courtesy Library Company of Philadelphia.
The following letter was only signed “Henry” and though he gave his regiment as the 30th Indiana Infantry, the regimental roster does not include any late war draftees in it. The reorganized 30th Infantry, however, does and I was able to find him in Co. C of that reorganized regiment. He was William Henry Lockwood, born 1835, married in 1863, the son of Wesley Lockwood (1808-1881) and Mary Ann Philo (1809-1901) of Quincy, Branch county, Michigan.
It isn’t clear where Henry and his wife were living at the time of the 1864 draft but it’s presumed someplace in Indiana as he was subject to the draft there and he speaks of his wife “coming to Michigan” for a visit. According to the roster of the reorganized 30th Indiana, Henry was mustered into the service on 29 September 1864 and he was mustered out on 13 July 1865.
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Pulaski, Tennessee November 17th 1864
Dear Parents, Brother & Sisters,
It is with pleasure that I improve the present time in penciling a few lines to let you know where I am. I am with the 30th Indiana Regiment which is at Pulaski now. How long we will stay here, I do not know. We are not assigned to any company yet so when you send me any letters, direct to Pulaski, Tennessee, 30th Regiment Indiana Volunteers, care of Captain Boydson, and they will come all right.
I am well at present except a bad cold. I had the diarrhea when I started from Indianapolis and it continued until I got here, but I am better now. The soldier’s life is no life for me. I used to think that I had hard times at home. I longed to be of age so that I could have liberty and do as I pleased, but I did not know what enjoyment was. Now I can see when I spent my happiest days. It was when I was young and had not a care on my mind, when I had kind parents to look at my welfare and take care of me when sick, to guard me from danger and give their advice in regard to my best interest. But how changed is the scene. I am in the army and surrounded by the evil influences that generally prevail in a camp life, and also exposed to the murderous fire of the enemy’s guns. In looking into the future all is dark in respect to things earthly. It is my prayer to God that I may be permitted to survive the dangers that the soldier is exposed [to] and meet with my friends on earth again. I spend a great many hours in thinking of home.
I did come with a willing mind. I hated [to] leave home and friends most dear and take a my life in my hand for the purpose of fighting to sustain this cruel war. [But] I could not get anyone to go in my place so I had to go, and I must make the best of it I can. If I fall in battle or by disease, it is my prayer that I may fall with the armor of Christ, my Redeemer, on. Pray for me.
When I think of my father and mother, brother and sisters and also my dear wife, tears will unbidden start in my eyes and I have to go out by myself and give vent to my feelings. Father, tell Libbeous not to be over anxious to get into the army [for] if once he gets in, he will wish himself out again. He is the best off to stay at home as long as he can. Jennie talked of coming to Michigan on a visit. Make her as contented and happy as you can. She had rather I would have let the last cent and last bed go for a substitute than had me go to the army, but that could not be done as substitutes were from 700 to 1,000 dollars and I could not raise that sum. The best way I could fix it, consequently, [was] I had to go myself. I hope that I will live to get home again.
The rebels are no where near us now. The weather is warm here now. There has not been frost enough to kill the blackberry leaves yet. The crickets are singing as merry as in June in Michigan. There are lots of grasshoppers and spiders running as lively as in summer up there. The country is desolate and dreary. Everything appears to be on a standstill. It is all high hills, deep gullies, and rocks. If what I have seen is an index of the Sunny South, it not worth half the money that has been spent to carry on this war—[to] say nothing about the lives lost and families broken up. I had no idea of the destruction of property until I came here and have not begun to see all yet. The railroad has been burned to the ground, fences used for firewood, and the whole country presents one almost unbroken commons. I will be glad for one when the end comes. When that will be, I do not know.
Direct your letters to Pulaski, Tennessee, 30th Regiment Indiana Volunteers, in care of Capt. Boydson and they will come all right. I want some of you to write as soon as you get this. I want to hear from home. I have [not] heard one word from any of my friends since I left. Do not delay 24 hours. One letter from home will do me a great deal of good. So write immediately. From your son, — Henry
Remember me to the throne of Grace. Best respects to all. Tell Horace to write. I have only one sheet.
I could not find an image of Gilbert but here is one of Aldebert A. Carrier of Co. H, 143rd New York Infantry (Tenn. State Library & Archives)
The following letter was written by Gilbert (“Gib”) Keene (1841-1888), the son of Joseph Keene (1815-1894) and Hannah Gray (1824-1899) of Rockland, Sullivan county, New York. Gilbert’s military records informs us that he enlisted on 15 August 1862 as a private in Co. A, 143rd New York Infantry. He served nearly three years, mustering out on 6 July 1865. Following his discharge he married Emma L. Rose (1844-1922) and the couple had at least five children before his death in 1888.
The 143rd New York served in the Eastern Theater of the Civil War until the fall of 1863 when they were transported to the Western Theater to serve in the Army of the Cumberland. They participated on Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign and the March to the Sea but Gilbert was apparently on detached duty at Moccasin Point, Tennessee, serving on the cracker line in the quartermaster’s office.
Gibert wrote the letter to Sophie Adorah Wheeler (1847-1887), the daughter of Leroy Moore Wheeler (1806-1880) and Martha Reed (1817-1887) of Rockland.
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Addressed to Miss Sophia Wheeler, Rockland P. O., Sullivan County, New York
Moccasin Point [Tennessee] October 9th [1864]
Esteemed Friend,
Finding myself unemployed this morning & thinking that I will have to write again if I ever get a letter from you, I seat myself to write or at least to try the second time. There was a paper came to hand yesterday which I am very much (I am) indebted to you for. It brought me the news of the town with the Union State Ticket, & with all of the rest it said don’t vote for Little Mac which you may be sure I will not (no, not I). Old Abe is the man for me with the Governor of this State [Andy Johnson] to assist him. But by the way, I think I had better let politics go as I have a good mens questing [?] (as the Rev. Mr. Davies says) to ask & to compliment you on minding me so good when you hung out your sign for Lott. Oh, I can hear from you if you won’t write yourself, but Gib is not as well now as he was when he wrote before although he is better than he has been. I am sure he should not grumble much for he does just as he has a mind but coming home, & if he had his Descriptive Roll, you would see him. But perhaps you do not know who Gib is so I will have to tell you. He is my best friend & with all the rest, he has a way of resting the lamb.
Said I to him one day, “Gib, do you think Miss W. intends to send her photograph in return for yours?” Said I, “How should I know. I am sure I should dun her if it was me.” Said He, “I will do it if I live.” But by the by, you will see a Chattanooga paper up there which I think you should like to have—not for the news but for the keepsake that will be in it. And I think there will be some flower seed in it called Prince’s Feather. They are very nice. I do not know as I ever saw any up there though they may be.
People is having fine luck up there getting married I hear but I do not know as they can go ahead of folks here. There is no end to the weddings here. The Tennessee girls is mighty fond of the Yankees (as they say). But I must tell you of the dance I was at the other evening that beat me where an old woman one hundred and eleven years old beat them all. What do you think of that? But Soph, Oh, I meant Miss Wheeler, I think it is time I closed for fear I will not get an answer to this. You will please write as soon as received. Give my regards to Lott & Mrs. Choeran, your Father & Mother my best wishes, & as for Soph, tell her I remain — G. Keene
Direct to Gilbert Keene, Chattanooga, Tenn. In care of Capt. Kirk, A. Q. M.
The following letter was written by Garret Alonzo Empie (1832-1906), the son of John Isaac Empie (1807-1878) and Magdalena Becker (1804-1840) of Schoharie county, New York. Garret was married in 1853 to Emma Pool (1829-1880) and they had at least two children prior to 1860.
According to his military records, Garret enlisted on 27 September 1864 at Albany, New York, to serve one year in Co. E, 175th New York Infantry. He was 32 years old and employed as a laborer at the time of his enlistment. He stood 5 feet 9 inches tall, had grey eyes and brown hair. He gave his birthplace as Sharon, New York. He mustered out of the service with his company at Savannah, Georgia, on 30 June 1865. In the 1872 Schoharie County Gazetteer, he was listed as a farmer in Argusville.
Garret was killed in a street car accident en route to his home near Dayton, Ohio, in 1906.
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Addressed to Emma Empie, Argusville, Schoharie County, New York
Camp Sherman Blairs Landing, South Carolina 1 March 23, 1865
Dear Emma,
How do you and the children do today? I am well and hope that when this reaches you that you are all well. We are at the Camp Distribution yet but I wish that I was to my regiment. I would feel more at home with my own boys. The reason that they call this Camp Sherman is that he camped on this ground two days and two nights with his army a few days before he took Charleston and Fort Sumter—that is 60 miles from here by water. I don’t [know] how far it is by land. We came by Fort Sumter and Charleston when we came here. It is quite a place but it ain’t as nice as Fort Monroe. That is a nice place and so is Hilton Head a nice place, but this place ain’t much. At the landing is the only house that is here. On the plantation, they was a lot of nigger huts but them are all tore down. The man that did own this mansion and this plantation is in the rebel army. He is the General Beauford. He owns four large plantations but now our folks has confiscated it and they will sell it so I think that he won’t make much by it.
Oh Emma, what do you think? I have quit chewing tobacco! I can’t afford it. It cost $2.50 and 3.00 per pound. That is to much for me. But it goes tuff. But I will try to tuff it out.
Now about the weather, it has been very nice and warm since we have been here but yesterday afternoon—then it rained quite hard, but today it is nice and clear—not quite as hot at it was before the rain. I don’t know when we shall leave here but they say we will go in a few days. I want to get there for I want to hear from home. There must be some letters there for me by this time. But I suppose that I will have it harder there than here for here we have nothing to do—only cook, eat, sleep, read. We have no guns so we can’t stand guard nor picket nor drill so we ain’t got to be out nights.
Some say that our brigade has left Savannah and gone to North Carolina to do provost duty at Morehead City. How it is, I don’t know. Some says that they are at Savannah yet. We hear so many camp stories, we don’t know which to believe, but it don’t make no difference about your writing. Direct to Washington to Co. E, 175 New York Vols. Regiment, 19th Army Corps, 2nd Division, 3rd Brigade. From pa pa G. A. Empie
Tell George to eat maple sugar for me.
1 A couple weeks earlier than Empie’s letter, B. Van Raalte of Holland, Michigan wrote that he was at Blair’s Landing. He said that he had arrived there by taking a tugboat up the Broad River about 25 miles to the landing. He said the convalescent camp was called Camp Blair’s Landing because “Blair landed here first with his troops.” At that time there were about six to seven thousand men there—all convalescents for Sherman only.
This letter was written by a member of the 11th Massachusetts Independent Light Artillery who signed his name “William” but left us with few other clues to his identity. He mentions a number of Charlestown, Massachusetts friends and an “Uncle Child” but little else. Some time ago I transcribed a couple of letters by a member of the regiment named William Hazen Flanders (1841-1905) and there is an outside chance that he authored this one as well but the handwriting varies too widely for me to safely conclude it was his. Thinking his correspondent might have been a future wife, I learned that Adeline (“Addie”) Augusta Fifield (1840-1909) was the daughter of Daniel Fifield (1809-1896) and Elizabeth Russell Locke (1816-1902) and that she lived with her parents in Charlestown, Massachusetts, where her father worked in the furniture business and she worked as a seamstress. But she never married and died in 1909.
The battery was reorganized during December 1863 to serve a new term of three years. Reenlisted members of the 11th Massachusetts Battery formed the core of the new iteration. They were joined by new recruits to fill out the ranks. Capt. Edward Jones again served as commanding officer. The members of the battery were mustered in on January 2, 1864, trained at Camp Meigs, and departed Massachusetts on February 5. Reaching Washington, the battery was attached to the Second Division (commanded by Major General Robert B. Potter) of the IX Corps, assigned to the Army of the Potomac. The battery took part in the major battles of the Overland Campaign, though they were not heavily engaged until moved to the front lines on June 19 during the start of the Siege of Petersburg. On August 21 and 22, the battery took part in the Battle of Weldon Railroad while temporarily attached to the II Corps. The battery was in action at various points on the siege line at Petersburg during the fall and winter. On March 25, 1865, the battery played an important role during the Battle of Fort Stedman. As Confederate troops overtook Fort Stedman and temporarily broke through Union siege lines, the 11th Massachusetts Battery, posted in nearby Fort Friend, rendered key service in pushing back the assault. When the Confederates abandoned Petersburg and retreated towards Appomattox Court House, the 11th Massachusetts Battery joined other elements of the Army of the Potomac in pursuit. They were present for the surrender at Appomattox and were detailed with other artillery units to take charge of surrendered Confederate cannons.
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Addressed to Miss Addie A. Fifield, No. 26 Allston Street, Charlestown, Mass.
Fort Howard Near Weldon Railroad September 25, 1864
Augusta,
You long looked for and most welcome letter reached me yesterday morning. I thought it very strange that you did not write. Both your letters, written in April and June were received and answered, the last immediately after its receipt. I directed it as usual and it is strange that it did not reach you. I came to the conclusion that you had lost all interest in the army and those composing it. Indeed, I began to feel grieved at the seeming neglect of all the Charlestown folks to whom I had written, and had almost made up my mind to trouble them no more. I thought if friends were to be judged by their promptness in answering letters, I certainly had not many about Charlestown. I wrote to you, to John, to Sarah Jane, to Eliza Morse, and to Uncle Child, all about the first of July. All have answered at last except Mrs. Sherbourne. Now if I thought I was more sensitive on this point than other soldiers are, I should not make any complaint but I know that I am not. Not a mail arrives but that I hear complains from some of my comrades at not receiving expected letters. You mention receiving the photograph I sent, but do not allude to the one you were to send me, and which I have been anxiously expecting.
I should have answered your letter yesterday but the most of the day was taken up with an inspection of the battery by the Chief of Artillery. It was the first general or mounted inspection we have had since leaving Camp Barry. The whole battery, caissons and all, were reviewed and put through a course of drill. When we are in position of battle, the caissons (which are the carriages carrying the ammunition chests) are kept in park about half a mile in the rear so that the company have been divided all summer nearly and seem almost like two companies. I have been with the guns all the time and intend to continue with them if possible. Nearly every man in our detachment has changed his post except myself. I have a good easy one and am bound to stick to it if possible. It is not the safest post on the gun, however, as it is at the ammunition chest containing fifty rounds of powder and shell. If a spark of fire should happen to light in it or the enemy’s shell burst near it while open, up she’d go and me along with it. One of the batteries in our Corps—the 14th Massachusetts—had a chest exploded by one of the enemy’s shell and three or four men killed and wounded.
I had a very narrow escape just before I received your letter in June an account of which I wrote in the letter that you did not get. A shell struck the top of the breastworks close to my head and bounding up, burst nearly over me, the pieces flying in every direction. You had better believe we were glad enough to get away from our position there which we held forty-five days under a constant fire of pickets, and mortar shelling. But we had wonderful good fortune and lost but two killed and seven wounded. Compare our losses with some of the infantry regiments and see how much cause we have to be thankful for our preservation of life and limb.
The 56th, 56th, 58th, and 59th [Massachusetts] Regiments entered the campaign with us with nearly 1,000 men apiece. They cannot muster 150 men now. The 58th which is in our [Potter’s] division has only 125 for duty. They have many in the hospital sick, however, and so have we. Six of our men have died of disease, one deserted, two enlisted men and one Lieutenant have been discharged for disability, and we have a dozen or fifteen sick in the hospital so that in all we have lost thirty or thirty-five, many of whom will probably come back.
We had divine service this forenoon. We were addressed by the Rev. Mr. Stark, Chaplain of the 58th Regiment. We have had Sunday services but three or four times since we left Camp Barry. I wish I had some news to write but as I have written twice to John within as many weeks, and as you have probably seen both letters, I can think of nothing that will interest you. It is said there is a fight going on up on the right and heavy cannonading has been heard all day & some of the infantry are preparing to march, and in anticipation of orders I must bid you goodbye and close my letter. Please write soon. Your friend as ever, — William
Spared & Shared 23 