Amos Green, Copperheads, Illinois Homefront, Paris, Edgar county, Illinois

1861: Rachel Finley (Bartlett) Griffith to Katherine (Griffith) Lawrence

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Rachel Finley (Bartlett) Griffith of Edgar county, Illinois

This letter was written by a woman who lived in or near Paris, Edgar county, Illinois, in August 1861. It is either unsigned or, more likely, a second sheet is missing which would provide us with her identity. She wrote the letter to Kittie (Griffith) Lawrence (1830-1915) whom she refers to as her sister. Since Kittie did not have a sister, my hunch is that it was written by Kittie’s sister-in-law, Rachel Finley (Bartlett) Griffith (1829-1870), the wife of Orville E. Griffith (1829-1875) of Edgar county, Illinois.

Kittie’s full name was actually Ann Katherine (Griffith) Lawrence. She was married to James Lawrence of Lincoln, Logan county, Illinois. The couple were married in Edgar county in 1849 and had relocated to Topeka, Shawnee county, Kansas by 1860, but then returned to Illinois during the Civil War. Kittie and Rachel’s husband, Orville, were the two oldest children of Joseph Robinson Griffith (1806-1849) and Caroline Guthrie (1806-1850), both deceased ten years prior to the Civil War.

Transcription

Addressed to Mrs. James Lawrence, Lincoln, Logan county, Illinois; postmarked Paris, Illinois, 30 August 1861

At school
August 28, 1861

My dear sister Kittie,

Although some time has elapsed since your kind favor came to hand, and you perhaps may think it has been forgotten or neglected (which I could not wonder if you did) yet it has not been. But if you will credit me, I could not collect money enough to buy paper, stamps and envelopes, and so this morning I went to the dry goods store and got paper and envelopes obviously credit and there is not a stamp or three cent piece in the house to send this when it is finished.

We do not know what the world is coming to unless it is coming to an end. It is needless to say anything about excitement for doubtless you know enough about it. But I doubt very much if we have not (at least) five rebels where you have one. The Union men think that at the recent Secesh rally there were no less than three hundred of them in Paris, and now would you believe it, they are allowed to make public speeches much to the annoyance of the Union ladies. I never saw our community of women so much out of patience with their men as they were for allowing Andy Hunter 1 and that thing—(I don’t know what to call him anything mean enough but Amos Green 2) to make speeches on the occasion. If the ladies had been in power, they would have been deprived of the privilege of belching there—allow me to say—devilish lies. I did not say that to swear but it is all the word that would suit at all.

It is astonishing to see what a state of feeling exists among a religious people—especially the women. They are perfectly wild. Our most quiet and pious people, it takes but a word to rouse them to fighting humor, and it is not to be wondered at when those we love most dearly are unduly torn from us, forced to undergo and endure all the hardships, trials, and privations of the soldier’s life and then be shot down like dogs in an unjust war. Is it any wonder I say that people allow themselves to be carried away with excitement. And then to think that we have to put up with their insults right here in the North where men ought to, and do know better, but who just yield to the promptings of the few selfish office seekers which infest every community.

Kittie, it would startle you (but you may have been startled in the same way) to hear some of our cool, quiet, pious men talk and make threats. The poor fool dregs of the democratic party (I mean this modern democratic party) have appointed an extra session of Court just to get Big Creek annexed to this precinct or township or some political division (I am not as well posted in these things as I ought to be. If you don’t know, James will.) The object is, however, to get that one united to this so it will at the elections go democratic, or secesh rather. Court is in session now and I just tremble until it is through. The excitement concerning it has partially abated.

Edgar [County] has sent four or five companies of infantry and a cavalry company starts tomorrow Friday week. I believe I told you our preacher was captain of the first company. [James F.] Jaquess has gone as chaplain of a cavalry company. 3 Phil Minear 4, Crene, [Edward] Rutledge, 5 and I can’t tell how many of our “big” preachers have gone as captains or chaplains. Excuse this pen. It writes when it pleases only. [unsigned or last of letter is missing]

1 Andrew (“Andy”) Jackson Hunter (1831-1913) moved to Paris, Illinois with his parents in 1832 from Greencastle, Indiana. He eventually became a lawyer and practiced in Paris until 1864 when he was elected to the Illinois Senate as a Democrat.

2 Amos Green was a notorious Peace Democrat (Copperhead) in Edgar county who broadly influenced public opinion a the editor of the Times—the Democratic organ in the county. Michael Kleen published an article called “A Confrontation in Paris” that tells the tale of how and en effort to shut down a newspaper in Edgar countym Illinois, led to one of the Civil War’s most violent home front riots. Green saw the Civil War as unjust and Lincoln as a despot who had to be stopped. He wrote vicious denunciations of the administration in local newspapers. He was arrested for sedition in 1862. After his release in August 1862, he became the grand commander of the secret Order of American Knights in Illinois, which fought restrictions on civil liberties. It was also called the Knights of the Golden Circle and later the Sons of Liberty. Green was funded by the Confederate government to arrange riots at the Democratic National Convention in 1864. Although the riots never materialized, he continued giving antigovernment speeches until he was again arrested in November 1864. After this arrest, he agreed to testify for the government about the activities of the Knights; his testimony implicated others but ignored his own deep involvement in antigovernment plots. In 1864, a clash between Copperheads and Union Soldiers in Charleston, Illinois resulted in nine dead and twelve wounded in what is now called the “Charleston Riot.”

3 James F. Jaquess volunteered as chaplain of the 6th Illinois Cavalry. He later became Colonel of the 73rd Illinois Infantry.

4 Philip N. Minear (b. 1836), a clergyman in Paris, Edgar county, Illinois, volunteered as the chaplain of the 25th Illinois Infantry but resigned on 11 July 1862.

5 Edward Rutledge volunteered as chaplain for the 61st Illinois Infantry. He mustered out in September 1862.

101st New York Infantry, Battle of Seven Pines

1862: Andrew George Buell to his Parents

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The following letter was written by Andrew George Buell (1842-1925), the son of Charles Buell (1792-1863) and Charlotte Carver (1805-1890) of Franklin, Delaware county, New York.

Andrew enlisted on 1 October 1861 to serve as a private in Co. A, 101st New York Infantry. In September 1862, near Chantilly, Va., he became deaf in one ear when a comrade discharged his gun nearby. He was transferred to Co. B, 37th New York Infantry on 24 December 1862 and was taken prisoner at the battle of Chancellorsville on May 3, 1863, the same day his brother Arthur was wounded. He was later wounded at Spotsylvania as well. He was discharged from the service on 2 October 1864.

In his letter, Andrew writes his parents of the dead soldiers yet unburied on the battlefield of Fair Oaks (or Seven Pines) in Henrico county, Virginia, that was fought on May 31st-June 1st, 1862. The battlefield was approximately six miles east of Richmond at the intersection of the Williamsburg and Nine Mile Roads.

Transcription

101st New York Volunteers
[Henrico county] Virginia
June 12th, 1862

Dear father & mother,

I take this opportunity to write a few lines to you to let you know that we are well and hope that these few lines will find you the same. We are now near the enemy. We are in fives miles of the rebel Capitol where we can see the traitors from our camp. We are encamped on the battlefield where the battle was fought last Saturday and Sunday [May 31-June1 1862]. There is woods all around here. The enemy was all in the woods and the woods are strewed [with] dead rebels—some of them with their legs shot off and some of them with their heads off, and some of them are not buried and in some places they are pitched into a hole 25 in a place and a little dirt thrown over them. But our men are buried very good. They expect to attack Richmond every day. They will be a big fight, I think.

I saw lots of boys here yesterday that I know—Bis. Loudon and Hi Flint and Bob Johnson of Delhi [Delaware county, New York]. 1 When we left Fort Lyon we went on board Odyssey a steamer and we did not step on land in five days. I was pretty sea sick before we got on land. Then we had to march twenty miles right through the woods. It is most all woods here. We were encamped right in the woods. There is nothing but pine trees here. We have been a chopping down the trees to keep the enemy from coming through with their cavalry and artillery.

I have been most two weeks a writing this letter. I don’t have time to write or anything else. All of you write as soon as you get this. From Andrew Buell

to Mother

1 Believe these Delhi residents were in the 72nd New York Infantry.

18th Ohio Infantry

1862: Charles Leaverton to Daniel M. Beard

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The following letter was written by a soldier named “Charley” who I believe served in the 18th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. This regiment was formed in September 1861 and was brigaded with the 19th and 24th Illinois and 37th Indiana Regiments in Turchin’s Brigade, Mitchell’s (Third) Division of the Army of the Ohio. The letter was sent to Daniel Beard of Ross county, from which many members of the 18th Ohio enlisted, particularly those in Co. A. Searching the roster for soldiers named “Charles” in the 18th OVI, I was able to find only one who initially served in Co. A, but was later transferred to Co. I (as stated in his letter). His name was Charles Leaverton. According to the 1863 Draft Registration Records, Charles was born in Maryland and he was 24 years old in 1863.

Searching Spared & Shared archives, I discovered that I had transcribed one of Charley’s letters ten years ago. See—1862: Charles Leaverton to Daniel M. Beard.

Charles wrote the letter to his friend, Daniel M. Beard (1838-1907) of Ross County, Ohio. Daniel was the son of William Beard (18xx-1868) and Amanda Rodgers (1806-1887). He married Arvilla Jane Augustus (1844-1926), the daughter of Springer and Lucretia Jane (Jenkins) Augustus in 1863.

Transcription

Addressed to Mr. Daniel Beard, Anderson Station, Ross county, Ohio, Postmarked September 24, 1862 [?]

Friend Daniel,

The above verso Daniel is my heart toward you and your patriotic family. I think I know your zeal. I think I can comprehend yours and your noble Sire’s and mother & sister’s motives. You think they are good. I acknowledge they are. I acknowledge were it not for a deeper consciousness, I could adopt your principles and think myself happy. But Daniel, I must be a Christian. I must learn a more humble, though I better, far better know that I would be better than other people simply to be better. But that I must endeavor to obey God and have a hope understanding for the better world.

The experimental lessons of obedience of first dissolving and suffering is a very deal out to me as anyone else.” But I unfortunately have been subject of such experience all my life. I hope I may yet learn. I hope I may finally conclude and submit. I have now come to the end of another lesson. When I enlisted, you know how I did it. You know how I was conscious I were risking all. I tried to be a soldier as others and made a tolerable soldier until the 1st of last June when I were transferred to Company I. Since then we were dissolved as a Division under Mitchell and brigade under Turchin. Under this dishonorable calamity, and some other things, I were led to review things. We were doomed to guard railroads. I thought with my companion that the game was up with us. I had and I was led on until I began to moralize things. Then I began to be myself again. I became unhappy and gradually lost my ambition to soldiering. Now I am no more a soldier, I do not know what I shall do but I know what is my duty. I must return to where I started. I purposely & willingly took upon me an oath to do an evil. I must now as an imperative duty cast that oath off, even at hte expense of my life perhaps. It will cost all of this. But I am fast making up my mind to do it. You may see me some day for a few hours and you may hear of me being taken up as a deserter and shot.

You know something of the condition of my feelings when I left. Daniel, I loved your family. I loved you. You know I did love my country, my government, and the American people. But I must do what will secure for me a better home—what will make me fit for a better government. Had it not been for one member of your family, I would likely been with you yet or at least out of the service. But David, I despised redeemer in my heart and could not bear to be called on. I know you know yourself from what I have written you in different letters since I am a soldier how I went in persecution against the secessionists. I even showed them as hard I dare not shoot. But now I am done. I must take it all back. You understand my principle. I told you often I am now more htan ever of those same principles. I think I will see you some day a short time and I will tell you more than I can now though I do not think I can live a soldier much longer. Look out for me, humbly [?] good friend, – Charley

11th Connecticut Infantry, Battle of Roanoke Island

1862: Eber L. Robinson to a Friend

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The following letter was written by Eber L. Robinson (1828-1903), the son of Eber Robinson (1792-1863) and Alzade Lee (1807–Bef1860) of East Windsor, Hartford county, Connecticut.

Eber was 31 years old when he enlisted as a private in Co. B, 11th Connecticut Infantry. He was discharged for disability on 22 October 1862 after one year’s service.

Eber’s letter gives a description of the battle and battlefield on Roanoke Island though his regiment was not engaged in the actual fighting. The battle took place on February 7-8, 1862.

Transcription

Headquarters Roanoke Island
11th Regiment, Co.B, Connecticut Vols.
Gen. Burnsides Division
March 6, 1862

Dear Sir,

As I have a little leisure time, I thought I would improve it by writing you a few lines as it is a long time since I have been home or seen anyone or heard from anyone. I have been sick for 18 days but have got better now so as to drill again.

We had rather a hard time of getting here. We got shot into by Fort Hamilton down below New York with a 24-pound ball 3 miles from the fort and the shot struck the steamer just under the walking beam and we went back to New York and staid till about 11 o’clock at night. Gen. Burnside and an engineer ran and pronounced it safe to go to sea and then we set sail again for Annapolis. The ball came just over the wheel house right over my head and broke the thick iron plate under the brasses and broke that and the rod that the bell hung on—an 2½ inch iron—and glanced and went through a waste box down through the deck into the state room and it was saved and weighed 24 Ibs. But it made our hair stick up, I reckon. It did not do any damage of any account. The name of the steamer is New Brunswick and its running trips was Boston to St. Johns, New Brunswick. 1

After the shot, we had a pleasant trip to Annapolis. We were 48 hours going. We landed on Thursday and went ashore Friday and went into camp and staid there 3 weeks on Maryland shores. Annapolis is a hard-looking place—abut 100 years behind the times. We had a little snow Friday before we left about 2 inches deep. The night before we left, some of the soldiers set fire to a house about 300 yards of the camp and burnt up thrashing machines, wagons, carts and the like of that, and burnt 500 bushels of corn, 5 mules and pigs and poultry and [the] loss [was] about 3 thousand dollars.

We left the next morning and went down to Fortress Monroe. We got stuck in the mud and lay all night and the next day till 2 o’clock that night and we left the New York Zouaves fast in the mud and started again for Fortress Monroe and we got in there Saturday about 4 o’clock.

We set sail again at 10 in the evening and put out to sea and sailed all the rest of the night and Sunday morning we were out [of] sight of land at sunrise and we kept sailing all day and a heavy sea and fog came on and the wind blew a gale and we fired cannon several times through the day to get some report from the rest of the fleet but herd nothing. No Sunday in war times at all.

We anchored Sunday about sundown—it was so foggy—and staid till about 2 o’clock in the morning [when] it cleared off and then we started again [although] the wind blew harder and the sea heavier than before and we made Hatteras light house about sunrise. We had a very hard time. We came near getting swamped two or 3 pitches and we came near going under, but we righted up again and sailed down the cape and rounded the point and sailed into the Inlet and anchored just in time for it came on harder than ever. The same afternoon, one steamer was drove onto the breakers and went to pieces before morning with 15 cannon on board, and some vessels sunk in the inlet. Several steamers and schooners sunk in sight of us.

We were on board this Steamer Sentinel [for] 22 days without going ashore. We went ashore and went up 5 miles and camped on the Island and staid there 4 weeks. Hatteras Island is quite a pleasant [place]. The live oaks upon holly berries, ironwood trees and shrubs are all green with blue, red, and black berries and white ones too. We had our camp in a grove of this kind and they planted sweet potatoes middle of February. Figs grow here a plenty. The robins, blackbirds, bluebirds, and the thrush and English robins sing so sweetly and the frogs peep and croak beautifully, and it is most delightful to see the bright dashing billows roll and heave. We had to go to drill on the beach and there were 7 or 8 regiments here on the Island.

Last Thursday, one week ago from this, we went aboard of the Eastern Queen and sailed up the Pamlico Sound for Roanoke Island and we landed ashore again on Sunday about noon and pitched our tents and did not get them up till dark. Then we had to get supper after that, and as I said before, we cannot regard the Sabbath at all for we have to work about as much as any day.

Last Monday I went up to the battle ground where our 10th Connecticut Regiment had a good fight. The rebels had it fixed to shoot down our troops by the hundreds. They had a masked battery with 3 cannon planted [on Supple’s Hill] so as to cut down our troops clean as they came up the road. This battery was built across the road calculated to sweep them clean for it was all mud and water on both sides up to the waist, but our troops with Gen. Burnside had two darkies that went from here down to Hatteras and told him just how it was situated and our troops had the advantage then. They marched about 3 quarters of a mile through the mud, brush, and water up to the waist and they were 2 hours getting through it, and when they did, they give it to them pills and powder to digest them. Our troops flanked them on the right and left in the mud. As I have told before, they throwed their grape shot at our men and it cut down stodles [?] and barked up the trees so it looks like an old wood pile as it were. Our troops, being in the mud on both sides of the road so low that the rebel grape flew over their heads in a great measure. If it had not been for the mud, there must have been more killed.

Titled, “Capture of Roanoke Island” 1899 Historical Print by Jones Bros. Publishing Co., Cincinnati, Ohio

When we made a charge, our troops set up such a yell that it about scared them to death and they throwed their knapsacks and haversacks and canteens, guns, and knives, and did some fancy running. The road and swamp was all strewed with their duds that they throwed away. Our men did not follow them for an hour afterwards. Then they followed them to the fort [Fort Barstow] and the next day they surrendered and after that they took 700 more that came over after the surrender and made a big thing of it. I should like to have you see this fort that was bombarded to to see how they set the rebel barracks on fire with our shells and burned them up. They cut down large trees and the ground is strewed with cannon shot and shells. I have seen the place where the fight was and a good many never will. I should like to have some of you to see it to know how dreadful war is. I cannot describe it at all.

Our regiment—the 11th Connecticut Volunteers—has gone aboard again of the vessel from Roanoke Island and I expect before you get this letter that we shall have a bloody battle somewhere. I cannot tell where. Part of the division has gone out today with gunboats and we, the 11th C. V., expect to take part in it. The Bloody 11th is good stock but have got no colonel at the head. Col. Kingsbury is at Fortress Monroe sick and Lieut. Col. is a pretty good farmer [but] that is all. But we may come out as well as any of them yet. We expect to leave soon. Pleas write and tell me the news, if there is any. I send my respects to all. From Eber L. Robinson—a soldier in the army and please direct to Eber L. Robinson, 11th Regt., Co. B, C. V., General Burnside’s Division, North Carolina, in care of Captain T. D. Johnson.

If you have a chance to see Father or Charles, tell them that I have wrote to you and I send my love to them all.

1 This incident was reported in the New York Times as follows: “STEAMER NEW BRUNSWICK, AT ANCHOR OFF ANNAPOLIS, Friday, Dec. 20, 1861. The Connecticut Eleventh, which arrived in New-York on Tuesday, en route for Annapolis, reembarked on the afternoon of that day on the transports New-York and New-Brunswick–the right wing of the regiment upon the former, the left upon the latter. The fortunes of the left wing are those of your correspondent, and they iuclude a one-sided naval engagement which took place at about 6 o’clock in the evening, near Fort Hamilton, and which ended in the ignominious defeat of our transport, which was obliged to return to her anchorage off the “Battery,” the Captain and engineers supposing her to be disabled.

The facts in the case are simply these: The transport left the pier at about dusk and steamed down the bay. When near Fort Hamilton she was challenged by a Government vessel, in the usual manner — i.e., a shot across her bow. For reasons as yet unknown the transport held her course, regardless of the challenge. Another shot from the vigilant sentinel, and a ball whistles over our devoted heads; still the transport holds her course; a signal rocket from the sentinel vessel and Fort Hamilton opens upon us with a 24-pounder, the shot crashing through the machinery and passing out of a state-room. This had the desired effect, and the transport hove to. It is hardly less than a miracle that not one of the five hundred on board was injured. Had the ball entered the boat in any other direction, or a few feet higher or lower, many lives must have been sacrificed to the criminal carelessness of whoever is responsible for the safe conduct of the troops. How does it happen that there are men employed by Government on transports so stupidly ignorant of their profession? With the exception of those in charge, who were directly responsible, I believe it would be difficult to find a man among us who did not understand the meaning of the first shot. This accident (if such it can properly be called) occasioned a delay of some six hours, and these hours cost the Government at the rate of about seven hundred dollars per day.”

18th Ohio Infantry, Hail Columbia Song Sheet

1862: Royal Samuel Augustus to Arvilla Jane Augustus

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I could not find an image of Samuel but here is Leonidas Allen of Co. F, 18th OVI (Ohio Memory)

The following letter was written by Royal “Samuel” Augustus (1842-1863), the son of Springer Augustus (1804-1851) and Lucretia Jane Jenkins (1805-1878) of Union township, Ross county, Ohio. He wrote the letter to his sister, Arvilla Jane Augustus (1844-1926), who married Daniel M. Beard (1838-1907) in 1863.

Samuel enlisted on 9 August 1861 as a private in Co. A, 18th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (OVI). He was promoted to a corporal in October 1861 and was killed in the Battle of Stones River on 2 January 1863.

Samual wrote this brief letter from Nashville where the regiment was left to guard the city while the remainder of the Army of the Ohio pursued Bragg’s Army of Tennessee in Kentucky. The letter was written on the back of a song sheet with the words to “Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean.”

Transcription

Addressed to Miss A. J. Augustus, Shiloh. From 18th Ohio Regiment, Politeness of Thomas McFarland, Company A, 18th Regt. Ohio Volunteers

Nashville, Tennessee
Tuesday the 23rd [September] 1862

Dear Sister,

I am well and hearty and live fine. Near all of the other boys are well. A good man of us are almost sick to hear from home. We have got no mail for some time. I wrote to you just the other day so will not bother you with writing much now.

I have had my picture taken and sent it with Charley home to you. Mine is intended for you and home but his is intended for mine when I come home. Write when you get this so I will know. I shall be glad to have them at home. Remember me as your brother. Give my love to all. Goodbye. — Samuel Augustus

Battle of Prairie Grove, Kansas Home Front

1863: Granville Griffith to James Lawrence

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This letter was written by Granville Griffith (b. 1835), the son of Joseph Robinson Griffith (1806-1849) and Caroline Guthrie (1806-1850) of Edgar, Illinois. Granville addressed the letter to his sister, Ann Katherine (Griffith) Lawrence (1830-1915) and her husband, James Lawrence (1825-1869) of Lincoln, Logan county, Illinois. James and Ann were married in Edgar County, Illinois, in 1849 and had relocated to Topeka, Shawnee county, Kansas by 1860, but then returned to Illinois during the Civil War.

Mentioned in the letter are Granville’s brother, Columbus Griffith, and Thomas Lawrence (presumably a relative), both of whom served in Co. I, 2nd Kansas Cavalry. Thomas’ enlistment papers inform us he was born in Edgar county, Illinois in 1836. His Find-A-Grave biographical sketch confirms his enlistment in the 2nd Kansas Cavalry on 25 August 1862 but it states that he was “killed in action at the Battle of Prairie Grove” on 7 December 1862 and that he was “buried as an unknown soldier.” This information is inconsistent with the letter, however, that claims he survived the battle but received a severe leg wound that was probably mortal and had been taken to a hospital in Fayetteville. The “John T.” who journeyed to Fayetteville to attend to Thomas was probably John Thomas Lawrence (1830-1876) who was married in Edgar county, Ohio, in 1854 to Margaret M. Matthews and was living in Ottumwa, Kansas in 1863.

See related correspondence—1865: Nelson J. Griffith to James Lawrence and 1862-65: Columbus Griffith to James Lawrence.

Transcription

Addressed to James Lawrence, Lincoln, Logan county, Illinois

Hartford, [Lyon county] Kansas
January 7th 1863

Dear Brother and Sister,

I received your letter a few days ago and should have answered it sooner but have been so busy that I have not had time. We are well and I hope by the time this reaches you that you will be all well again.

I was very sorry to hear of poor little Eddie’s death 1 but one great consolation—he is better off than we are.

I heard last week that Columbus had the small pox but I am in hopes that is not so. He is still at Fort Scott in the hospital. Thomas Lawrence was wounded at Prairie Grove—shot through the knee and I heard that he would have to have his leg taken off. John T. has gone to him. He is at Fayetteville, Arkansas.

I don’t know that I have anything to write that would interest you. The health of the country is good. Our college 2 in Hartford is nearly completed. I want you to write to me as soon as you get this. Tell me how you are getting along, what you think of doing, &c.

Mary joins in sending her love to you all. From your brother and sister, — G. and M. E. Griffith

Tell Joseph when you write to me he must write soon.

1 Edwin Lawrence was born in 1859. He must have died in late 1862.

2 The old Hartford Collegiate Institute was built in 1863 by John Griffith and Richard How. The Hartford Collegiate Institute was a branch of Baker University, and served to prepare students for entrance into the Methodist university in Baldwin City, Kansas (southeast of Lawrence).

The old limestone building that was once the Hartford Collegiate Institute still stands at 315 College Boulevard i nHartford. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

5th Massachusetts Infantry

1861: George Whitefield Dow to Cyrus B. Curries

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I could not find an image of George but here is one of Corp. Benjamin Moore of the 5th Massachusetts Infantry (Kevin Canberg Collection)

The following letter was written by George Whitefield Dow (1831-1882), the son of Joshua Dow and Miriam Watson of Plaistow, Rockingham county, New Hampshire. He was married first, in September 1850, to Maria Ann Sanborn (1834-1852). He then married Olivia A. Smith of Salisbury, Massachusetts, in May 1853, and in the 1860 US Census, he was enumerated in Salem, Essex county, Massachusetts, working as a Railroad Repairman. The couple had a 6 year-old son named George.

It was on 19 April 1861 that George enlisted as a private in Co. H (“Salem City Guards”), 5th Massachusetts Infantry. He was with the regiment at the Battle of Bull Run on 21 July 1861 where he was taken prisoner. He was confined at Richmond on 23 July 1861 and at New Orleans on 24 September 1861. He was paroled at Washington, North Carolina, on 2 June 1862 and mustered out of the regiment at Boston on 24 June 1862.

The Fifth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry charges up a hill in Washington D.C. during training, May 1861, the U.S. Capitol is shown in the background.

Transcription

Addressed to Cyrus B. Curries, Esq., Plaistow, New Hampshire

Washington [D. C.]
May 4th 1861

Cousin Cyrus,

Having a few minutes to spare, I thought that I would write you a few lines—the last perhaps that you will ever hear from me. I am enlisted in the 5th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers to fight for my country. We arrived here a week ago today. We had a hard time in getting here. I shot my first man in Maryland 2½ miles below Annapolis Junction. We had quite a brush with the suckers about daylight, but we have drove them to cover the same as we shall Jeff Davis. You can have no idea of a skirmish in woods at daybreak. I felt as though I should s[hi]t at first, but I soon was as crazy as a Bed Bug & on the whole, I rather like to put consute [?] out of the suckers.

Col. Samuel Crocker Lawrence, 5th Massachusetts Infantry

Last Thursday night, I was on guard on the Bridge that leads across the Potomac River. I saw a sucker sneaking along & hailed him when he rose up & fired at me, but did not hit me. And in about 2 jerks of a sheep’s tail, I put a plum hole chuck through his heart, & Col. [Samuel Crocker] Lawrence—my colonel—said I was a good boy & that I done just right. But cousin, I suppose my time will come soon. I feel just as though & should never see old Plaistow again. But I have got just as good pluck for all of that & when I do fall, I shall fall at my post. I think that I am on the right side & shall fight just as long as I can draw a bead on a Southerner.

I know that I shall have the sympathy of all my friends & all true Yankees. I would [be] willing [to] face the cannon’s mouth but I can’t help thinking of my poor wife & boy. If I should fall, they will be left to the cold world & it makes my heart ache to think of it some times. But I would not come home now if I could. New England Blood has been spilt on southern soil & it shall be avenged a gallon for every drop. I hate the sight & smell of a southerner. I have got 24 rounds of ball cartridges in my box & I don’t mean to throw a single one away. When I draw a bead on a southerner, he is mighty apt to fall.

I want you show this letter to Luke & Mary & any body else that you are a mind to. Tell George Sumner that there is room for him out here. We want all good shots out here for the sneaking murder[er]s have got to fall.

Give my love to all & if you never see me again, remember that I leave a wife & boy that is very dear to me. I cannot write any more now. I sent a kiss enclosed for cousin Margaret & you will please deliver it immediately. Goodbye, perhaps forever, but I hope not. — George W. Dow

To C. B. Curries, Plaistow, N. H.

P.S. I have got a good revolver & know how to use it. It was given to me in Faneuil Hall by the Eastern R.R. boys.

25th Indiana Infantry, Battle of Shiloh

1862: Elisha Hiatt Newton [?] to Amanda (Westfall) Newton

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Elisha Hiatt Newton (1831-1893) of Medora, Jackson Co. , Indiana. Served three years in Co. G, 25th Indiana Infantry

The following partial letter came to me for transcription and although it is unsigned and without an accompanying envelope, I have been able to place him in Co. G, 25th Indiana Infantry. We know that he was married and given the residences of several comrades mentioned by name in the letter, we can surmise that he was likely a resident of Medora, Jackson county, Indiana—a small village in Carr township of the East Fork White River valley. A listing of all of the soldiers in Co. G can be found on the Jackson county website and the author is undoubtedly one of these men, but after several hours of going through the list, my best guess is that it was written by Elisha Hiatt Newton (1831-1893)—a farmer from Medora. Elisha and Amanda Adelia Westfall were married in September 1852. He enlisted in Co. G, 25th Indiana Infantry on 19 August 1861 and mustered out on 18 August 1864.

The 25th Indiana Regiment was organized at Evansville on 17 July 1861 and was mustered into three years service in August. It left the state Aug. 26, and was in camp at St. Louis until Sept. 14, moving from there to Jefferson City and thence to Georgetown. It marched to Springfield with Fremont’s forces and back to Otterville, 240 miles, in 16 days. It remained in the vicinity of Otterville until December, when it moved with Pope’s division south of Warrensburg, forming part of the force that captured 1,300 of the enemy at Blackwater. The 25th guarded the prisoners to St. Louis and went into Benton Barracks until Feb. 2, 1862. It was sent with the expedition against Fort Donelson and joined in the first attack, losing 16 killed and 80 wounded. It was part of the force which stormed and captured the outer works the next day and occupied the fort after its surrender. It left for Pittsburg landing on Mar. 5, reaching there on the 18th, and in the battle of Shiloh, lost 27 killed and 122 wounded. This letter describes the Battle of Shiloh and provides the names and nature of wounds received by members of his own company.

For a good history of the remainder of the regiment’s service, see This Mighty Scourge by Michael Noirot. See also the Biography and Letters of Private Joseph Saverton of Co. C, 25th Indiana Infantry. I’ve included an excerpt of a letter that Ingram wrote in 1862 following the Battle of Shiloh that is housed in the Indiana Historical Society Archives.

“I guess you hav herd before this time that I hav see the monkey dance. I did not enjoy the 6 of April as much as I have enjoyed some Sundays as we had to brake the Sabath by shooting and shooting at men. Becids that wasont all they, they could shoot darn nigh a fast as we could. So that was a too handed game. Well they had more men than we did and took a running dart at us and you know if a small man runs at a big man the big man will sorter give back. We they got a bull dart at us and we hat to give back, well they took that kind of darts at us all Sunday and bout 5 o’clock Sunday evening they could not dart us any more for we had no ground to dart back on if we had went back much further. We would went in Tenn. River but Buels forces was on the opposite side of the River and the gun boats let loose and socks another time of cannonading. Yeu never herd but the darn dare devils had to crawfish and we laid on our arms all night—well we dident lay much for we had to stand up to keep from getting washt off. I never seen it rain harder in my life than it did that night—I thought day light never would come. I was hungry enough to eat a man off his horse. We had nothing to eat cince Sunday morning and got nothing until Monday evening.

We got back and had Roll Call Monday night. On Sunday when the secesh was getting the beter of us they would holer Bull Run. The old 25 [Indiana] had to face the Alibama Souazes but we hav bin drilled in the Souazee drill as much as any other. We let loose one voly and laid 123 low and we lost 23 men but they was but Six Regt deep and we had no support and we was obliged to fall back. Well darn the fight. I will quit writing bout the fight but it aint the thing it is cracked up to be.”

April 6, 1862, Battle of Shiloh

Transcription

In camp off Pittsburg Landing
now in the same place we was when we first came
April 8th 1862

Dear wife,

Last Friday eve, the long roll commenced beating in all of our camps which is the signal to rally into line of battle immediately. About five minutes we were marching south. Went about one and a half miles, then halted, countermarched, and was back in camp in about three hours. South of here is what is termed our Left Wing, north our Right Wing. What caused the alarm was the enemy attacking our right which did not last long. The object was [to] draw our force in that direction.

The 25th Indiana Infantry monument at Shiloh is sites at the position it took on Sabbath morning April 6th and held it against a fierce assault of the enemy for two hours. Being flanked fell back 100 yards again it fell back 100 yards. Here Regiment was furiously assailed by infantry and artillery, which caused it to fall back slowly to the right of the siege guns, where it rested Sunday night. 

Sabbath morning about 3 o’clock our left was taken on surprise by about 100,000 of the rebels who made a grand charge which caused a panic among our men and caused us to have to fight on a retreat all day from early in the morning until dark. Our first round in the morning, we were lying down while our Battery was playing on them; until the Rebels advanced on us with a heavy force, they threw a shell from their Battery & killed one of our artillerymen. Our company were immediately behind the Battery. It fell on some of our men to carry off the dead man. Andrew Hubbard 1 & Hiram [Huntsucker] 2 rose up, ran to carry him off the distance of about 100 yards, then returned to come to the company and came to [1st] Lieut. [Jesse] Patterson who had been shot through the small of the back and carried him to the Boat landing and put him on the boat, remained with him until about 10 o’clock on Monday when he died. Tuesday his body was carried back to our camp where it was put in a box and interred immediately south of our camp. Here all of the 25 that was killed were buried. which number about 25. Number wounded in this regiment, can’t tell as yet but there were a great many. None killed dead in our company. Will just mention some who were badly wounded.

Jno. Critchlow 3 shot through the back under the blade of the left shoulder, ball passed around his ribs and lodged in his left nipple. It is thought he will get well.

Anderson Parris 4 shot with canister which broke his left leg just above the knee and his right leg was struck in the same place by a musket ball which caused a bad flesh would. Poor fellow. He suffered a great deal. We searched for him but could not find him until Tuesday night. Next morning he was put on board the boat D. A. January.

The Hospital Ship, D. A. January
John Hardin Durham (1842-1926), Co. G, 25th Indiana (lost a leg and an eye at Shiloh)

J[acob] L. Hinkle 5 shot in shoulder and hand. Jonas Allsup 6 shot through the hand. J[acob] L. Chambers 7 shot in ankle. Henry Davenport, 8 little finger shot off. Jno. H. Durham 9 shot in the hip. Jno. Finney 10 shot in left arm. Leander Grantham 11 was shot in the knee, I believe. Haven’t seen him since. Several others slightly—don’t remember all.

We had a serious time until Sabbath eve about dark. We had to keep falling back all day through a raking fire of shell, grape, and canister shot. I felt very much discouraged until Buell’s men commenced crossing the river which revived us considerable, notwithstanding my feeble condition. [remainder of letter missing]

1 Andrew Hubbard (1836-1915), was the son of George and Martha Ellen (Farris) Hubbard of Medora, Carry township, Jackson county, Indiana. Andrew enlisted on 19 August 1861 in Co. G, 25th Indiana Infantry and mustered out on 17 July 1865 as a veteran.

2 Hiram Weddle Hunsucker (1832-1909), was the son of John and Rosamond (Weddle) Hunsucker of Medora, Carr township, Jackson county, Indiana. Hiram enlisted on 19 August 1861 in Co. G, 25th Indiana Infantry and mustered out as 1st Sergeant of the regiment on 17 July 1865 as a veteran.

3 John W. Critchlow (1840-1862), was the son of Edwin L. and Salina (Tanner) Critchlow of Medora, Jackson county, Indiana. He enlisted in Co. G, 25th Indiana Infantry in August 1861, was wounded on 6 April 1862 in the first day’s fight at Shiloh, and died of his wounds on 15 April 1862.

4 Anderson Parris (1844-1917) was the son of John and Mary (Pounds) Parris of Medora, Jackson county, Indiana. He enlisted in Co. G, 25th Indiana on 19 August 1861, was wounded on 6 April 1862 in the first day’s fight at Shiloh, and was discharged for his wounds on 28 February 1863. He married Arvilla Ursula Blythe in 1874. The 1880 US Census indicates that he was a farmer in Carr Township and notes that he was “wounded in army” but does not state if he was handicapped.

5 Jacob Lawson Hinkle (1838-1924) was the son of William and Susan C. (Day) Hinkle of Mooney, Owen township, Jackson county, Indiana. He was a carpenter prior to his enlistment in Co. G, 25th Indiana Infantry. He later became a lieutenant in Co. G.

6 Jonas Allsup (1843-1862) was the son of Jesse and Salina (Blackwood) Allsup of Sparksville, Jefferson township, Washington county, Indiana. He enlisted on 31 July 1861 to serve in Co. G, 25th Indiana Infantry, and died at home on 14 June 1862 from wounds received in the Battle of Shiloh.

7 Jacob L. Chambers (1842-1939), the son of Charles and Martha (Jacob) Chambers of Carry township, Jackson county, Indiana. Jacob enlisted on 19 August 1861 in Co. G, 25th Indiana Infantry and was wounded in the first day’s fight at Shiloh. He was discharged for his wounds on 27 September 1862.

8 Henry K. Davenport (1844-1865) was the son of Benjamin and Margarite (Abell) Davenport of Jefferson county, Kentucky. He gave his residence as Medora, Jackson county, Indiana, however, when he enlisted on 19 August 1861 in Co. G, 25th Indiana Infantry. He died of disease in Andersonville Prison on 18 March 1865.

9 John Hardin Durham (1842-1926), enlisted on 19 August 1861 to serve in Co. G, 25th Indiana Infantry, giving his residence as Medora, Jackson county, Indiana. He apparently did not muster out with the service until 1865. though his Find-A-Grave biographical sketch states that he lost one leg and one eye in the war.

10 John Finney (1845-1864), was the son of Alexander Finney of Spaksville, Jefferson township, Washington county, Indiana. He enlisted on 19 August 1861 in Co. G, 25th Indiana Infantry and died of disease on 28 May 1864.

11 Leander Grantham (1838-1909) was the son of Garretson and Esther (Wilson) Grantham of Graysville, Sullivan county, Indiana. He enlisted on 19 August 1861 to serve in Co. G, 25th Indiana Infantry giving is residence as Mooney, Indiana. He mustered out of the regiment on 18 August 1864.

Capt. John W. Poole, Co. G, 25th Indiana Infantry
2nd Lt. Mahlon E. Williamson, Co. G, 25th Indiana Infantry

52nd Virginia Infantry

1863: Lewis F. Burns to Malvina Gay Burns

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I could not find an image of Lewis but here is one of Sergt. Benjamin F. Smith of Co. B, 52nd Virginia (LOC)

The following letter was written by Lewis F. Burns (1834-1895), a private in Co. K, 52nd Virginia Infantry. Lewis enlisted in April 1862. He was sent to a hospital on 1 November 1862 and the muster rolls from the fall of 1863 show him to be “away without proper authority.” The rolls then indicate that he “returned 19 December 1863 from absence without leave since 12 February 1863 and sentenced by Regimental Court Martial to forfeit one month’s pay in addition to the time of his absence. He was absent without leave from the 10th of May 1862 to the 15th of September 1862 as remarked on tolls of 31 October 1862.”

The muster roll of October 1864 shows Lewis to be “absent wounded since October 19, 1864.” His Find-A-Grave biographical sketch confirms that he was wounded in action (gunshot, right hip joint) in the Battle of Cedar Creek. He was taken prisoner at that time.

Lewis was born in Burnsville, Bath county, Virginia. He was the son of John Strauther Burns, Sr. (1802-1893) and Polly Kincaid (1807-1884). He wrote the letter to his sister who must have been Malvina Gay Burns (1849-1907).

Desertion was clearly a problem for the regiment throughout the war.

Transcription

Camp Rhapadann [Rapidan]
Summerville Ford
December 23, 1863

Dear sister,

I take this opportunity of writing you a few lines. My health is very bad. I have a very bad cold and sore throat for ten days. Me and Venable 1 arrived in lynchburg on Wednesday the 2nd. We reported to Maj. Proctor. He said that he would have me detailed. Then me and Venable taken a drove of horses 40 miles west of Lynchburg.

When we came back, Maj. Proctor had gotten orders that all detailed men that was fit for field service must be taken out & put in the field. Then I went before the board [and] the doctors examined me for two or three days & pronounced me fit for field duty at last. Then I started to my command and was arrested on the road and they have me in the guard house. Lieut. Gillett says I will get out in a few days. I had a hard time after I left Lynchburg. I come very near starving. I spent 75 dollars since I left home.

Tell Mother I want her to send me a box of something to eat—some sweet cakes & fruit and a canteen of honey, a chicken or two, some apples. Tell Charley to send me a bottle of bitters. Send some sausage. It will come in a few days. Just direct it like you was directing a letter. It comes free of charge. You may tell Mother to not send that box at this time. Lieut. Boon expects to get home after New Year’s and she ccan send it by him.

There isn’t any news here. I believe the enemy’s pickets are on the opposite side of the river from us. They have got into winter quarters. I haven’t seen any of the 31st yet. They ain’t very close. Tell Till to take good care of Mick and tell him to save me his pistol if he has it yet. I have heard that the Yankees has been all around since I left. Hill’s Corps has gone out to the Valley and Caulsey’s command.

There’s a great dissatisfaction in camp. Some of the men are getting letters from home stating they are suffering—can’t get flour for love or money—and they say that they ain’t going to suffer it any longer. I will close for the present hoping those few lines may find you all enjoying good health. I hear that Mary Waters is dead. I suppose it is so for James Gordon got a letter stating she was nothing more. But [I] remain your brother until death, — L. F. Burns

Co. K, 52nd Virginia, direct to 4th Brigade, Early’s Division, Ewell’s Corps

1 This must have been William George Venable who also served in Co. K, 52nd Virginia Infantry.

38th Virginia Infantry

1861: Samuel Allen Swanson to Mary Henrie Swanson

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I could not find an image of Samuel, but here is one of 2nd Lieutenant James W. Millner of Co. K, 38th Virginia Infantry  who was wounded on July 1, 1862, at Malvern Hill, Virginia, and on April 1, 1865, at Five Forks, Virginia, and imprisoned on April 3, 1865, at Fairgrounds Hospital, Petersburg, Virginia; knife he carries may have been manufactured by Boyle & Gamble or Burger & Burger of Richmond, Virginia. (LOC)

The following letters were written by Samuel Allen Swanson (1838-1862), the son of John Swanson (1802-1882) and Julie B. Cook (1802-1868) of Swansonville, Pittsylvania county, Virginia. Samuel enlisted in Co. D (“Whitmell Guards”) 38th Virginia Infantry, in June 1861 and he was elected 2nd Lieutenant. He was killed in the Battle of Seven Pines near Richmond on 31 May 1862. A comrade in Co. D wrote the following lines in honor of the fallen lieutenant.

“Here in the firm embrace of death
Young Swanson calmly, sweetly sleeps—
The soul its earthly home has left,
Forever flown from mangled heaps.
Farewell! you’re gone, but not forever;
In Heaven Death’s hand cannot us sever—
In that bright home we’ll live together,
Where love nor friendship does.”

Samuel wrote both letters to his younger sister, Mary Henrie Swanson (1843-1904).

Letter 1

Addressed to Miss Molly Henry Swanson, Swansonville P. O., Pittsylvania county, Va.

Camp Edmonds near Centre[ville]
October 5th [1861]

Sweet Sister Mollie,

It is with unfeigned pleasure I assure you that I acknowledged the reception of your highly interest[ing] letter of the 28th ult. which came to hand a few days ago and to which I hasten to reply. I am surprised to hear that you do not get any letters from me as I have written punctually once and often twice a week to some of you, and had commenced grumbling considerably myself because I did not receive any letters from home. But I suppose that it was owing to Capt. Hall’s being here and you heard from me through his letters. You doubtless have received the letters which I sent by him. I also wrote to you and Bettie the 2nd of this month. I have received no answer to the letter I sent Frank by Jim Tarpley. Did he get it or not? And if he did, why does he not answer it?

I did not get the shoes he sent by Jack Day so I cannot tell whether they fitted or not. Jack lost his knapsack on the way. The things I wrote to bro. Cook for had better be sent by Oliver as I do not suppose Col. Edmonds will get them. You can also send me a thick bed quilt, but I reckon you had better [wait] until we get into winter quarters before you send it. Tell Oliver not to forget that book I told him to get in Richmond as he came back—William’s Principles of Medicine. Tell Miss Pat not to wait too long before she sends some papers. My love to her and sister. I received a very nice box from cousin Bet Milliner and cousin Pat last week. How strange does such liberality appear when contrasted with the selfishness of some other relations of ours.

I suppose captain has told you all where are encamped. We have not moved since he left although we are daily looking for orders to leave. There has nothin new occurred since I last wrote down this way.—everything being very quiet down this way. Men generally seem in very fine spirits owing to our recent victories in Missouri and western Virginia. I am in very good health now—better than when the captain left as I had a very bad cold then.

When you write, give me all the news. Love to all and tell them to write. Write soon yourself to your affectionate bro., — Sam

Letter 2

Camp Edmonds, Va.
October 27, 1861

Miss Mollie C. Swanson, fondly loved sister,

Your long looked for and highly interesting letter of the 5th inst. has been received and to which I hasten to respond, impelled alike by the selfish desire of again hearing from you, and in compliance with the promise I made you all just before leaving. All things you sent by Mr. Pritchett came safely to hand. The gloves are very nice indeed but they seem to have been knit for the left hand while both for the right have suited me better. The pants are very nice also but I would of prefered a grey or dark color as a very light color does not suit very well. Why is it that you all have quit writing to me? I do not receive a letter once a fortnight. You all must write oftener. Why does not cousin Sallie answer my letter? She has not concluded to drop me so unceremoniously from her list of correspondents, has she?

You have no doubt ere this received accurate accounts of the brilliant engagement that took place down here a few days ago. It has spoiled our prospects of a general engagement as McClellan will scarcely dare to make an attempt to take Centreville after having met with so disastrous a defeat at the outset of his campaign. Should he come, however, he will meet with a hearty reception as the troops seem anxious for a fight.

I had the pleasure of again seeing Gen. Johnston, Beauregard, Longstreet, and others the other day. I have been on picket since I last wrote. We had a very rough time of it as it was raining about twenty-four hours of the time but I do not think it has made any of us sick.

Tell Oliver he must be sure and get those books I told him about, namely Williams’ Principles of Physics and Hardee’s Tactics. If he cannot get Hardee’s, tell him to get the Volunteers Manual and Drill Book. Tell him to be sure to get them if he can as I am about to die of ennui. Tell Miss Pattie that she must write soon or I will conclude that she is tired of corresponding with an absent friend. Write soon, cery soon, to your affectionate brother, — Sam’l A. Swanson