GrapevineDispatches

"Our brigade lost in the charge...."

2006-08-22T17:49:00.000-07:00

Headquarters
1st Brigade
Near the Weldon Railroad

August 22, 1864

[Written by Ansel L. White to his mother]

Dear Mother,

We recrossed the James [River] night before last and came to this point in rear of the 5th Corps ready to support them if necessary. We have the Weldon Road in our possession and Gen. [Ulysses S.] Grant intends to hold it. The 5th Corps had quite a fight before we reached here. They repulsed the Rebs with great slaughter. I presume our move across the James was only intended to draw the Rebs attention that way while the 5th Corps took the r.[ail] road which was done after a pretty severe fight. Our loss was quite heavy. Our brigade lost in the charge about two hundred & fifty. I presume you have seen accounts of it in the paper. Col. Marcy of the 20th Mass. was in command. Our Corps is under arms ready to follow the 5th as soon as they become engaged. Gen. [G.K.] Warren has just sent word that the enemy had left his front. I think he will find a plenty of them before he proceeds. Maj. Patten of the 20th Mass., a particular friend of mine was shot in the leg and had it amputated. I am afraid he will not live. Our brigade is commanded by Lt. Col. Rugg of the 59 N.Y. He will be relieved in a day or two. I think Col. Hudson will take command. It is fight, fight, fight, the same over & over every day.

Remember me to all,

Ansel

__________________________________________

Ansel L. White, was a 27 year old resident of Belfast, Maine, when he enlisted on Aug. 25, 1862, as a sergeant, and was mustered into Co. D, 19th Maine Infantry. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant, Nov. 10, 1862, and Captain, Oct. 31, 1864. He was mustered out of service on May 31, 1865.

The 19th Maine Infantry was one of the hardest fighting units in the Army of the Potomac. Their battle honors include Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Bristoe Station, Gettysburg, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Deep Bottom, Reams' Station, and Hatcher's Run. At Gettysburg, the regiment went into the battle with 440 officers and men. When the fighting was over they had lost 12 officers and 220 men!

3rd KY Cavalry brothers - Montjoy

2006-08-18T18:30:00.000-07:00

The man on the left is Pvt. John W. Montjoy, and the man on the right is his brother Pvt. Jarret (Jerrett) Montjoy. Both were in Co. B, 3rd Kentucky Cavalry Reg, 2nd Brigade, 4th Division of Wheelers Cavalry Corps, Army of Tennesee. John Montjoy retired in the 1880's as a Colonel in the US Army Cavalry. He was also Sheriff of Montgomery county until the turn of the century.

Tintype of John Joseph Bradshaw, Baltimore, MD., with his troops; 3rd and 6th MD Regt.

2006-08-14T18:39:00.000-07:00

Flag of 1st Virginia Artillery

2006-08-11T18:43:00.000-07:00

The 1st VA fought as part of Kemper’s Brigade for most of the war under Col. M.D. Corse. In Gettysburg they fought under Capt. Archibald Graham. They were part of Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia!! I am told that this flag matches the description of a Charleston Depot flag. The Charleston Depot flags are very rare, so it’s hard to know if this is one for sure. Like the Charleston flags, this flag has boarders that are extensions of the fields. This style is very decorative, but didn’t reinforce the exterior edges of the flag resulting in them wearing out sooner than flags from the Richmond Depot, the maker of most of the Confederate Battle Flags.

33rd MS., surgeon writes about Franklin aftermath

2006-08-03T19:55:00.000-07:00

Surgeon W.B. Wall (C.S.A.)

Army Tenn.,

Dec. 13, 1864

My Dear Wife,

I hope you have recvd. some of the letters I have written lately as in them I gave you all the news from your relatives. They were well. No letter from you yet of later date than Oct. 21st. The time seems very long to me. It snowed here about a week ago. It is still upon the ground. The weather has been quite cold the thermometer standing from 12 to 15 degrees below zero. You would probably like to know how I am situated. Well, Dr. Phillips [

Dr. G.C. Phillips, Surgeon, 22nd Mississippi, Company G] & myself took possession of a negro cabin that was nearly filled with corn. This we had thrown in the loft to the back of the cabin leaving us about half the room. It is well pointed & has an excellent fire place. We have some boxes & broken chairs to sit on so you see we are doing finely. At night we put down hay & spread our blankets on that for sleeping. We get plenty fat beef to eat & have but little to do except make ourselves comfortable. I have had only one man to report to me sick this month & there wasn’t much the matter with him. I don’t know how the men out on the lines stand the cold as they do. They have no extra amount of clothing, but few blankets & scarce of wood they suffer with cold, but endure it without much complaint. The wind is blowing fiercely today. We are in camp four miles from Nashville. You will have probably killed hogs before you get this. Let me know how much you made. Will you have corn enough or have you bought more? Like all of us I know you are anxious to learn what the army is doing & what it will do next. Well all I can tell you is we have dug trenches & are lying in them hoping the enemy will attack us. I have no thought we will attack them at Nashville and as to what we will do next I can give you no intimation for I have not the least knowledge of Gen. Hood’s intentions. Now, when will the war end? This is a hard question & one I am entirely unable to answer. I have no thought it will ever end in our subjugation. It makes me sad to think of being separated from you so much & so long, but I hope before a great while to be where you can at least visit me occasionally. Don’t allow yourself to become despondent but try to keep cheerful looking forward to a better day. Tell Laura and Mannie not to forget Papa. Hug & kiss them for me. Much love to Mrs. Oliver. I feel under deep & lasting obligations to her for her kindness to you & the children. Tell all the servants howdy & tell them to take care of the stock & not let it stray off or starve. I hope next year if the war continues to be where I can come home more frequently. I don’t wish to quit the service if I can remain in it & give home the necessary attention. I wrote you that Frank Robinson [probably was C. Franklin Robertson] was killed on the [Nov.] 30th at Franklin & Lt. Brown had his arm broken.

Your devoted Husband,

W.B. Wall

||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

William B.[Burgeess] Hall enlisted as a surgeon in the 33rd Miss. Infantry, Company I.

According to Wikipedia:

Thomas planned to strike both of Hood’s flanks, with a minor attack on the Confederate right and the major effort on the left. Before daylight on December 15, the division led by Maj. Gen. James Steedman hit the Confederate right and held down one corps there for the rest of the day. The attack on the left, under Schofield, leading two corps and a division, began after noon with a charge up Montgomery Hill and it had a devastating effect on the entire Confederate line. Hood's army was battered, but not routed. Fighting stopped at dark and Hood reformed his men for the second day of battle. He established a main line of resistance along the base of a ridge about two miles south of the former location, throwing up new works and fortifying hills on their flanks. Union troops marched out close to the Confederate’s new line and began constructing fieldworks on the morning of December 16. Once again Thomas planned to attack on both flanks, but the initial attack on the strongly fortified Confederate right was unsuccessful. It was followed by the stronger left flank attack under Schofield, Smith, and Wilson, which succeeded. Their success inspired Thomas J. Wood and James B. Steedman to resume their attack on the right flank, which overran the Confederates. Hood’s army collapsed and fled in a heavy rain in the direction of Franklin.

The 33rd Mississippi lost its flag in the Battle of Franklin.

Influence of newspapers during the Civil War era

2006-08-03T12:08:00.000-07:00

"What is to prevent a daily newspaper from being made the greatest organ of social life? Books have had their day - the theaters have had their day - the temple of religion has had its day. A newspaper can be made to take the lead of all these in the great movements of human thought and of human civilization. A newspaper can send more souls to Heaven, and save more souls from Hell, than all the churches or chapels in New York - besides making money at the same time."

James Gordon Bennett, editor, The New York Herald
Written in 1835

Samuel Bowles, editor-publisher of the Springfield Republican, wrote these words in 1851

The brilliant mission of the newspaper is . . . . to be, the high priest of history, the vitalizer of society, the world's great informer, the earth's high censor, the medium of public thought and opinion, and the circulating life blood of the whole human mind. It is the great enemy of tyrants and the right arm of liberty, and is destined, more than any other agency, to melt and mold the jarring and contending nations of the world into . . . one great brotherhood . . . .

Source: quoted in Blue & Gray in Black & White, p. 3, 4

Libby Prison (Virginia), picture

2006-08-02T13:35:00.000-07:00

Libby Prison was a Confederate Prison at Richmond, Virginia, during the American Civil War. It gained an infamous reputation for the harsh conditions under which prisoners from the Union Army were kept. More at Wikipedia.com

Poems of the War - Her Letter Came too Late

2006-08-01T07:14:00.000-07:00

Colonel W.S. Hawkins of the Confederate Army, and a prisoner of war at Camp Chase in 1864, wrote this poem. A near friend and fellow prisoner was engaged to be married to a young lady in the South, who proved faithless to him, and had written him a letter which arrived soon after his death. The letter was opened and answered by Col. Hawkins in the following lines:

HER LETTER CAME TOO LATE

Your letter, lady, came too late,
For Heaven had claimed its own.
Ah, sudden change! From prison bars
Unto the Great White Throne!
And yet, I think he would have stayed
To live for his disdain,
Could he have read the careless words
Which you have sent in vain.

So full of patience did he wait
Through many a weary hour,
That o'er his simple soldier faith
Not even death had power.
And you -- did others whisper low
Their homage in your ear,
As though among their shadowy throng
His spirit had a peer.

I would that you were by me now,
To draw the sheet aside,
And see how pure the look he wore
The moment when he died.
The sorrow that you gave him
Had left its weary trace,
As 'twere the shadow of the cross
Upon his pallid face.

"Her love," he said, "could change for me
The winter's cold to spring."
Ah, trust of fickle maiden's love,
Thou art a bitter thing!
For when these valleys bright in May
Once more with blossoms wave,
The northern violets shall blow
Above his humble grave.

Your dole of scanty words had been
But one more pang to bear,
For him who kissed unto the last
Your tress of golden hair.
I did not put it where he said,
For when the angels come
I would not have them find the sign
Of falsehood in the tomb.

I've seen your letter and I know
The wiles that you have wrought
To win that noble heart of his,
And gained it -- cruel thought!
What lavish wealth men sometimes give
For what is worthless all:
What manly bosoms beat for them
In folly's falsest thrall.

You shall not pity him, for now
His sorrow has an end,
Yet would that you could stand with me
Beside my fallen friend.
And I forgive you for his sake
As he -- if it be given --
May even be pleading grace for you
Before the court of heaven.

Tonight the cold wind whistles by
As I my vigil keep
Within the prison dead house, where
Few mourners come to weep.
A rude plank coffin holds his form,
Yet death exalts his face
And I would rather see him thus
Than clasped in your embrace.

Tonight your home may shine with lights
And ring with merry song,
And you be smiling as if your soul
Had done no deadly wrong.
Your hand so fair that none would think
It penned these words of pain;
Your skin so white -- would God your heart
Were half as free from stain.

I'd rather be my comrade dead,
Than you in life supreme:
For yours the sinner's waking dread,
And his the martyr's dream.
Whom serve we in this life, we serve
In that which is to come:
He chose his way, you yours; let God
Pronounce the fitting doom.

Thirty-seven (poem) by Miles O'Reilly

2006-07-31T07:25:00.000-07:00

APRIL 20, I864
BY PRIVATE MILES O'REILLY

THREE years ago today
'We raised our hands to heaven,
And on the rolls of muster
Our names were thirty-seven ;

There were just a thousand bayonets,
And the swords were thirty-seven,
As we took the oath of service
With our right hands raised to heaven.

Oh 'twas a gallant day,
In memory still adored.
That day of our sun-bright nuptials
With the musket and the sword':
Shrill rang the fifes, the bugles blared,
And beneath a cloudless heaven
Twinkled a thousand bayonets,
And the swords were thirty-seven.

Of the thousand stalwart bayonets
Two hundred march today;
Hundreds lie in Virginia swamps,
And hundreds in Maryland clay;
And other hundreds, less happy, drag
Their shattered limbs around.

And envy the deep, long, blessed sleep
Of the battle-field's holy ground.
For the swords—one night, a week ago,
The remnant, just eleven,
Gathered around a banqueting board
With seats for thirty-seven;

There were two limped in on crutches,
And two had each but a hand
To pour the wine and raise the cup
As we toasted "Our flag and land!"

And the room' seemed filled with whispers
As we looked at the vacant seats,
And, with choking throats, we pushed aside
The rich but untasted meats;

Then in silence we brimmed our gl*****,
As we rose up—just eleven,
And bowed as we drank to the loved and the dead
Who had made us THIRTY-SEVEN.

Hymns they sang

2006-07-29T07:27:00.000-07:00

I'm a pilgrim, and I'm a stranger.
I can tarry, I can tarry but a night;
Do not detain me, for I am going
To where the fountains are ever flowing.
Cho. - I'm a pilgrim, and I'm a stranger, etc.

Sailor writes about U.S. Navy Yard at Mound City

2006-07-23T17:04:00.000-07:00

Office Mississippi Squadron

Mound City, Ills., July 23d 1864

Dear Jen

My warmest acknowledgements are justly due in return for your kind and truly welcome letter of the 17th inst. I was also very much pleased to hear from your sister Lola. It is a long time since I have heard from her. It is very pleasing for a person so far away from home as I am to receive a letter from one especially from one with who has been so long acquainted as I have with Lola please say to her that I thank her very kindly for not entirely forgetting me. We are now fully installed in our new office and I have one of the prettiest rooms a person could wish for. It is situated on the side of the house fronting the river (Ohio) and oh such beautiful moonlight nights as we have. But during the day it is very warm and continues so until the latter part of September & sometimes October. I have enjoyed the very best of health this summer and I must say that I continue to like the south better & better every day and I think some of making it my future home. But nevertheless I shall at my first opportunity visit you and B---.

Jen: I do most faithfully promise to remain true to you and also to love you forever and never to entertain for a moment an unkind thought towards you. Although, I do not hear from you for months. I know (at least I hope) my letters are kindly received by you and that you answer them punctually, but some of them never reach me. how it is I cannot say, but let "bygones be bygones." Would that I could accompany you and Lola on that trip to Detroit. how I should enjoy the cool lake breeze compared with the warm climate wouldn't we enjoy boat rides, excursions, singing, rolling ten pins - &c anything & everything, the thought fairly causes me to feel homesick. You request me to send you my "Photo" in full uniform. I am not the owner of one now. it burnt up on the wharf boat. And as I was in no need of any in the office, on account of the regulations not being so strict as on board ship I concluded to wear citizens clothes for I detest the sight of blue coats with brass buttons, but I will try and borrow a suit for there are a great many officers here ranking the same as I do with whom I am very well acquainted. I cannot say exactly when I shall visit B--- but I think either in November next or about a year from this time. I have not enlisted and can leave when I choose but would have to talk the matter all over with the Capt. before he would consent to my leaving, he has used me so well that I dislike very much to think of leaving him. I attended a eucher party last evening but did not have a very good time it being the first appearance in company for over a year. I did not have much to say - sat in one corner and played on the guitar. I sayed I did not know how to play eucher. you know better than that, don't you? I suppose now that I have become initiated invitation upon invitation will be given me, but I am afraid that I shall neglect most of them. Heretofore I have been living (as you remarked) a sort of hermit's life always after hours I can be found in my room reading or sleeping or else walking out in the woods. I wish you could be here to take a walk through the Navy Yard. I am sure that it would be quite a curiosity to one that has never seen it. I will try to give you a birds eye view of the U.S. Navy Yard situated at Mound City a distance of seven miles from the renowned City of Cairo. Our office is in a large two story building in the northern end of the yard. about fifteen feet from me are two large guns which- we captured at Fort De Russey La up Red River. I saw them up there. they are sighted for the Ky shore. all around them are huge mountains of large mortar shell. a short distance from them is the magazine surrounded with large guns. near it is the flag staff bearing aloft the glorious stars and stripes, a short distance further on is the large mound from which this place derives its name. it has some history connected with it. I do no what it is. It is a pretty place. there is quite a large grove upon it. cannon are also placed on & around it pointing at the town. It would not take long to demolish Mound City if the Rebs should appear in it. on the western side of the Yard is the ordnance office & building containing powder, shell &c. In the northern part are the Marine Barracks. There are about two hundred Marines stationed here at present about twenty of them are placed on guard every, night and day in and about the Navy Yard, and at every half hour during the night they sing out "all's well" at first it used to keep me awake but now it does not trouble me. But I must draw this letter to a close. I have had your letter in my possession about one hour and now it is answered - beat it if you can. hoping to receive your photo in your next and also Lolas I remain

Yours Truly

Eli

Life as a sailor aboard the Chickasaw

2006-07-14T10:15:00.000-07:00

Letter from B.F. Wright, a sailor aboard the U.S. steamer Chickasaw

Cario, Illinois
July 14, 1864

[Excerpt] I have now been about two years from home and I begin to feel like seeing my friends again that I left behind and the least they can do is drop me a line to cheer me up. When I receive a line I think I can not be altogether forgotten, while battling for the glorious Union. Well this is the morning of the 4th 1864. I have heard no guns as yet I think they are loading for the capture of Richmond Va. I hope our troops will be victorious and that I think will put an end to the war. I am mistaken they have commanded to fire from the whole fleet but we have not let our Bull Dogs (in quotes) loose. Yet I presume we will at Quarters. We can make tremendous noise when we set fire to 20lbs. of powder. I tell you how blind I have been. I was taken with sore eyes about the first of May and I left Chattanooga about the 5th when I got to Cario I was almost blind. I stayed on board the recovering ship a few days in awful pain when I left on the 10th to come here I was quite blind so for a month but now I have recovered my sight again. The cause of my blindness was some wiskers growing in the side of my eye lids. I had the pulled out and then I soon began to receive the use of my lookers. I have one great objection to air before they draw the heat of sun everything becomes hot and below after the sun has benn shinning all day is a perfect bake oven. This vessel is a monitor. Mounting four guns 11 inch bore weighing 15,970 lbs. each. We have two revolving turrets these are turned by steam our anchor is weighed by steam power. This vessel is best described by saying that she looks like a great turtle with his back just out of the water, witha a cheese box on each end and a smoke stack and iron pilot house a midship (or in the center). One charge of grapeshot is 15 six lb. round solid shot one case of cannisters is about 12 quarts of shot wabout the size of black walnuts. One of shale will weigh about 150lbs. The solid shot weighs 180lbs. so you can judge what kind of pocket pistols we have. We have a supply of all kind of small arms pistols rifles and boarding pikes. These pikes are a pitch fork handle about 18 in long and to repel boarders We can trow a sream of scalding water and clear the deck in that way. We have twelve engines in this vessel so you can judge we hae the benefit of all that heat. Still I do not complain as I have only one year longer to serve, all kinds of service has it's hardship. We have no marching to do but we are cooped up like so many chickens 150 men in a small space is disagreeable indeed.

Mississippi soldier, "Most curious life I ever saw."

2006-07-10T07:57:00.001-07:00

2nd Brigade Hospital in rear of Vicksburg, Miss.

July 10th, 1863 Friday P.M.

My Own Dear Wife,

Yesterday for a wonder (as Dr Ross says) I did not write. I got sort of a set back & felt mean and weak so moch so I could not get up spunk to write. But today "Richard is himself again". I feel better & stronger than I have for a long time. Anyway, instead of taking flour gruel for dinner, I put myself outside of a nice blackberry pie. Jim also had some boilded green corn but I was afraid to go that. I have not heard from the Regiment for a few days but by this time they must be near Jackson & a hard time they are having of it. I shall not try now to join the Regiment as it would not probably be safe on account of being gobbled up by stragling Rebel cavalery. So no matter how much I may be spoiling for a fight, I won't probably see one here. Me thinks Mrs Jennie will be some pleased at that.

It is brooded round here in the higher circles that the 9th Arm,y is ordered to report at Cincinnati the 25th of this month. How much truth there is in it I don't know. Everyone seems to believe it but me. It is too good to believe.

This is the most curious life here I ever saw. Everything is so very still. No one round but the sick ones & the nurses to take care of them. We get no news of any sort. Neither papers or letters (by the way, I hear there was a big mail gone to the Regiment) so the days pass away slowly. I have been reading some novels. One, "No Name", I advise you to read. It is so very interesting. It is written by Wilkie Collins. I have one of his novels at home, the "Woman in White". Both of them are very fascinating. Another one I have read called "Verner's Pride" is capital. If you have never read "No Name" or "Verner's Pride", you had better purchase them. You can get them in pamphlet & you & mattie would like them bother much.

I wish old lady you would please let me know if you received the money I sent from Memphis. I suppose though you have & I have not got the letter yet. Dr Ross sent $300.00 at the same time & worries a good deal as he is afraid it has gone wrong. Uncle Sam is in our debt for two months more pay which we are in hopes to get this month which will do me ashes as it will fix me all right with my outside debts. Jen, I reckon I am getting to be a perfect old miser.

What do you think all the chance I have had of making money, I never before I was married saved a cent in my life, no matter how much I made. The more I made, the more in debt I grew while now I have got them sized so I can see my way through pretty clearly. In fact, if I stayed in the Army two months after this I should not owe a mortal man nary a dollar. All my indebtedness will be anyway in a short time owed to you my dear & I shall owe you everything. Happiness, love plenty, a long life& as merry & easy a one as possible which debt or obligation Aunt Jane will be my higher aim to fulfill. My regards Warm to all of our friends if you please & with all my love for your little self. Hopeing & expecting to be with you soon, I am Your Affectionate Husband, Nat.

P.S. When that Mr. Hodgdon pays you the money for the grass at Rollinsford, please let me know the amount so I can judge if he dealt the cards honestly.

Remember me to Father & Mother. I was sorry to hear that Mother was not in gay & festive health. I think you will like Mrs Wm H Low very much. I used to think there never was another such a woman.

(Capt Nat Low Jr.)

Authentic Confederate Wallpaper, Vicksburg

2006-07-04T18:33:00.000-07:00

July 4, 1863, Rare Authentic Confederate “Wallpaper” Newspaper, “The Daily Citizen”, Discusses the Surrender of Vicksburg.

The Daily Citizen was edited and published at Vicksburg, Mississippi, by J. M. Swords; 20” x 11.5”. As the Union siege of the strategic city wore on, his supply of paper ran out, so the publisher resorted to the use of wallpaper, as did several other Southern editors during the rebellion. On July 4, Vicksburg surrendered, the publisher fled, and the Union forces found the type of the Citizen still standing. They replaced two-thirds of the last column with other matter already in type, added the note quoted below, and started to print a new edition. Evidently, after a few copies (how many is unknown) had been run off, it was noticed that the masthead title was misspelled as “CTIIZEN.” The error was corrected, although the other typographical errors were allowed to stand, and the rest of the edition printed.

Last Column reads: “JULY 4, 1863 Two days bring about great changes, The banner of the Union floats over Vicksburg. Gen. Grant has “caught the rabbit;” he has dined in Vicksburg, and he did bring his dinner with him. The “Citizen” lives to see it. For the last time it appears on “Wall-paper.” No more will it eulogize the luxury of mule-meat and fricasseed kitten - urge Southern warriors to such diet nevermore. This is the last wall-paper edition, and is, excepting this note, from the types as we found them. It will be valuable hereafter as a curiosity.”

Series of letters from Capt Nat Low (to wife) - Yazoo River 1863

2006-06-20T10:22:00.000-07:00

June 20th, 1863

Saturday P.M.

My Own Dear Jen,

I wrote a few lines to you this morning just before the mail went out. It was a poor apology for a letter but if I should let the mail leave the Regiment without writing a word to my dear Jennie, I should feel quilty of great neglect & therefore would not feel all right for the balance of the day.

I was awoke this morning very early by the guns. The bombardment was carried on at a furious rate. They fight only in the morning & evening after the sun goes down. It is so hot in the middle of the day, it is hard work to live even while laying still. It looks as if all we should have to do is to lay round look on and see the rest fight. One thing is very evident. Gen Grant does not need us at all & it was perfect Tom foolers sending us out here so far. I was reckoning up the distance to Boston & find it twenty two hundred odd miles. We are out of the world all together, don't get news of any sort.

Well, Jennie, although a long ways from you; there is hardly a moment but that you are in my mind and whenever I am tempted to do anything which is not exactly O.K., I think of you Jen & then the devil himself might as well walh off. It is now abouy three months sine I left you this last time & I expect by another month to be with you & won't we then be happy. Well if we are not, it shall not be my fault. This hot sun has troubled my thick head lately. Some days my brain feels as if it was in a pot of boiling water, all boiling up.

I suppose by this time you have all got well settled in the new house & how do you think you will like it? This horrid hot weather makes me long for the comforts of home more than ever. I took a short snooze this afternoon & when I awoke from it I had some company in my tent. Who do you guess it was? You can't think. I will tell you, a very fine adder ugh about three feet long. You would have laughed to have seen me gone out of the tent for I was not long in coming to the conclusion that Mr. Snake & I would not tent together in peace.

Remember me my dear to Father, Mother & the two sisters & with all my love for your little self, I am your affectionate Husband, Nat

(Capt Nat Low Jr.)

||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

June 24th, 1863

My Own Dear Jen,

We moved our camp yesterday & they did not send out a mail therefore I did not write. I don't know as it does any good writing for it is not certain that the letter will go. We have not received a mail yet. O, Dear Jen, I do want to hear from you very much. Don't get any news at all. We are way out of the world.

Yesterday twenty one regiments went out towards the Big Black to attack Gen. Johnston. We expected to go but I am happy to say we were not called upon. Our men are at work digging rifle pits & falling trees. We get no news at all from Vicksburg. They had a hard fight yesterday I should judge from he don't think the letters go as we don't get any. I tell him I am bound to write go or not. We hear that the Rebs have got the river blockaded between here & Memphis. A steamer came down today with thirty cannon balls through her with any number of rifle balls which killed & wounded a number on board.

I wrote you that I was all out of sorts. Well, I am now getting all right but am very weak still on account of the medicine I have taken. The weather here makes a fellow feel weak & seems to take ones energy all away. I hope Gen Grant will hurry up matters so we can get out of this hot country. I would gladly go into a fight tomorrow & take my chances if we could get away the following day.

Jen, don't think by my letters that I am very sick for I am not. I go round but don't do any duty. Suppose I could but I tell Doctor Ross I am hoarding up my strength for a fight although I don't think this country is worth fighting for. I think Uncle Sam had better let it remain in the hands of its present occupants, lizards & snakes.

How is Doctor Low & lady also his interesting daughter? I reckon my relatives & friends will think I have departed this world as I have not written a letter to any one but my little dear for a long while. John Cilly wishes me to give his love to Mrs Low & tell her to give a small part of it to Mattie.

Remember me Jen to everybody that we care anything about. Tell Frank Vittum that we have now got a Jew Dutchman for Sutler who is one confounded old thief that we are going to clean out - with lots of love, I am your affectionate Husband, Nat

(Capt Nat Low Jr.)

|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

June 29th, 1863
Monday P.M.

My Own Dear Wife,

My boy Jim has just come in with a canteen of water & says, "I tell you Captain, this is a proper warm day." & I agree with him.

Our brigade went out this morning to meet Gen Johnston. Rumor says he is advancing but I don't take much stock in it. I am left behind being so weak. I could not march any distance but if the Regiment goes into battle I shall hear of it & start for them if I have to crawl on my knees. Tell Mother I think she would be much pleased with the looks of her son as my cheeks have sunk in a good deal.

Dr Ross has been in my tent this afternoon telling some funny stories which got me to laughing & has done me more good than all the nasty salts he has given me. (He means the Brandy I gave him does him more good.) By the way, I must tell you the arrangement that the degenerate Doctor is getting up for this evening after the sun goes down, a poor fellow from Exeter slit his wind pipe last night. The Regiment has gone & no one left to put him under the soil. Well, the Doc is going to get up a funeral. The follows will be we played out fellows left behind & who do you suppose is going to read services? The Doctor himself which will be enough to send him or anybody else to a mighty hot place. The idea of such a sinner reading services at a funeral! You know. Jen, I am pretty wicked but Dr Ross beats me all out. The Doctor says he is going to invite the followers into a little sit down of brandy & water after it is over. I shall be there. Read this page to Uncle George Peirie. Tell him it is "a way we have in the Army!!" (to no one else).

I am in hopes to hear from you before the close of another year. It has been just a month today since I have heard. I hear that there is a big mail for us at Memphis & that they have sent for it "so mite it be". I suppose you are having warm weather at home. Well, Jen I expect to get home so we can take a short trip to the beach this summer & a number of jolly drives to the "Dover Point." By the way, Old Lady, where are you going a year from 4th of July? Would like to know cus I will go to. How is Dover Jen? Lively and gay as ever I suppose? Well, wish I was there about this time of the moon. Was looking at the moon last night wondering if Jen was not eyeing the same old fellow. Dropped a stray tear. Jumped up & said to myself this won't do. Capt Low is getting babyish. Don't you think so to? This is an awful rough looking country enough of itself to give anyone the blues.

With all my love my dear for yourself, I am your affectionate Husband, Nat

(Capt Nat Low Jr.)

Up Yazoo River in rear of Vicksburg, Miss.

Expenses a soldier incurs regularly

2006-06-19T17:35:00.000-07:00

Quarter Master's Depot
10th Conn., Volunteers
Bermuda Hundred, VA

June 19, 1864

My Dear Abbie,

We received a mail this morning. I received two letters from you, both mailed on the 16th. One of them contained a pair of straps for me. They are very pretty and very cheap. I paid for a pair of small bullion ones here $3. They are not as good as the metallic ones you sent me. I am glad you have received the money. Am sorry that you were so disappointed in the amount. When you told me a while ago that you had paid Father fifty dollars I supposed it was towards the interest due this spring. Had no idea that you paid it towards the principle. I think you had better do as you suggest, have that turned towards paying the interest. You must keep some money on hand. There is nearly two months more pay due us now. If we are paid in any reasonable time I shall be able to send you a pretty good amount. I sent you the account of my expenses since I had been promoted that you might see that I had not been extravagant, but I should judge you were not pleased with it. I have always endeavored to be saving although I will acknowledge I might have got along without some things that I have had, but I think if you will foot up every article of luxury and extravagance you will find it will not foot up very large.

About the newspapers, I don't suppose I have bought a dozen since I came here. I don't care about subscribing for a paper as a number are taken at Head Quarters. Commissary Parsons also takes one or two. I have several times bought one when anxious to see the news. We can frequently get them several hours before we get our mail. I shall not buy anymore however, nor spend one cent more then is actually necessary. If you have any means of telling I would like to know just how much I have sent home since I have been an officer, and just how much has been paid for me at home. The smallest I can figure my expenses a month is about $35. I don't mean to go over if possible. It cost $5. or more a week for board alone which will be over $20. a month, $8. for servant, $4. for band, not much left I should say. I think I shall have to go into some kind of speculation to make a few dollars to help pay my expenses. How did Mr. Mott get north from Mobile? I have been quite well for some days. As long as I can take things as easy as I am able to in the position I am in, I can stand it well enough, but I am not able to rough it as our men have been doing for some days past. They have been out night and day. I think they will be in camp tonight. We had a man killed yesterday, one of Co. H. Today things have been pretty quiet on our front. I don't think the Rebs are in as strong a force as they were yesterday. I think they are getting things ready to leave if Petersburg falls. We have heard nothing from them today. Not very much firing. Genl. Grant was at the front here today. We have had no service today as the Chaplain has been out to the front on picket.

Ever your loving Benjamin.

[Benjamin Wright to his wife]

What kind of daily notes does a Colonel write about?

2006-06-06T09:29:00.000-07:00

Civil War letter Col John T. Lockman 119th N.Y. Letter was originally addressed to Edward Dewitt.

June 6, 1864

8pm all quiet

Hdqtrs 2nd brigade near ackworth 6 am

Nothing new this am, no marching orders received

11 am Col p.h. Jones having reported for duty and being the senoir officer was assigned command of the brigade--and i assumed charge of my regiment--after an absence of nearly three weeks during which we were in action nine days

9pm bands are playing men are in excellent spirits--two corps passed through ackworth in persuit of the rebels yesterday-- no further news from general grant--having made Gen. Lee sick he will have an easy time--with the other rebel General--The rebel Army here is in very low spirits--they dont understand how it isthat after we are so soundly thrashed they retreat--to get up just where Jo-wants us and then they are heartily opposed to meeting "Hooker's" men-as prisioners and deserters may--we are resting at present and will resume our march in a day or two--

|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

Hdqtrs 119 near Ackworth Ga

June 8, 1864

An order read from Hdqtrs. Will our troops direct a movement to begin at daylight to-morrow. Orders supplies for ten days to be kept in wagons state that Commanding Gen. believes the enemy is across the river (chattahoochee) but desires everything in readiness for battle. My regiment number 1 filed 1 staff and 2 line officers--139 enlisted met

8pm

All in readiness for the move. Our picket line was advanced on the right and a few rebel cavalry found and driven in. Nothing new has transpired today--

|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

June 9, 1864

6 am an order read postponing the movement of our corps until 6 am tomorrow-We are pleasantly situated so we dont object to another days grace-

5 pm There has been a little artillery in action today with our rebellious friends our cavalry driving in their on our extreme right--news is dull no one seems to have any to retail- and all seem to think that we will have to make some before the week closes

|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

June 10 1864

7am 4th corps is now moving out and along the road leading to Marietta--10 miles distant It is presumed there will be some fighting

1 pm the 4th corps has not passed yet and from the picket halts and now and then a dis--charge of artillery we think they have met-- the enemy and are skirmishing. The day is warm but tis cooler now and then thunder showers, one is raging at present and while I write the rain descends upon us and the troops en--route busy themselves with their "Ponchos" and make themselves as comfortable as possible

6 pm the 4th corps has passed at last and now the long trains of ambulances and wagons are slowly following--it has been a lone way and the troops are almost as much fatigued-- as if they had been marching--There has been some Artillery firing at intervals this afternoon--and I think the rebels have gone back-- The rain must have inconveniced our movement some. As the roads soon become bad under the heavy wheels of artillery and army wagons.

9pm All quiet along the lines

|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

June 11, 1864

5am orders read to be ready at 8am--Morning cloudly--heavy mist--no sign of the 14 corps which was to precede us

7am no firing in front 14th corps not up yet they may have taken another road--they have gone in position

6pm we have had a succession of heavy thunder storms. we still occupy our old camp grounds. The movements in front are slow and sure the rain has delayed the movements condiderably to--morrow morning may bring on a gereral engagement or a persuit--we trust the latter-- the rebels have a storng position in our front they occupy a range of hills and have fortified them to get them out we will have to flank them or drive them out the latter preferred to letting them remain any longer-- a few days delay will not make a great difference in the final result--perhaps it has been thought advisable not to force Johnston back too fast as he may give up altanta and join his army with Lee's 60,000 men would makes Lee's army somewhat formidable and as sure as we press Johnson from Atlanta--so sure he to go to Lee unless we prevent it

11 a.m. Our line opened with quite a fire but the enemy does not respond--tis raining fast--and everything seems tame and watery

2pm desultory firing still continued tis probable it is to attract attention to us and to divert it from Mcpherson who is reported has crossed the river and is in the rebel rear--hope its true--raining hard

7pm All quiet no movement of our cop will take place as tistoo late--We get no rumors or reports of what is going on. But all have an idea that Genl. Shermans is about to develope something that will surprise Jo Johnston--

|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

June 12, 1864

6am Rainy morning--no orders to move the prospect of a stormy day may have had something to do with it--Trains and artillery cannot be moved without great trouble over the roads during heavy storms--a short distance would not prevent a move--but to make a march during a continuous storm is out of the question, we have r.r. communication rations plenty and only lack forage.

4pm

Genl. Stanley commanding one of the division of the 4th corps reports that the rebels are massing in his front-- It appears that a portion of the rebel army had crossed the river--and yesterday and today recrossed and now the whole rebel force are in our front-- the picket keep up a fire but as yet there has been no attack on our lines-- which have been strengthened by the addition of a division of two of troops and Hookers occupys the right of Stanley--all have breastworks and if the 4th corps men stand Jo may hurl his whole force against that left flank and see how it stands his assault--Tis rumored that Genl. Blair occupies Marietta No one seems to know where Mcpherson is-- still raining road awlful--our 1st and 3rd division are position ours in reserve

8pm

rumor of the massing of rebels confirm no attack as yet--dont think they will attack--tis not their mode of fighting

|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

June 13 1864

7am No attack last night a desultory fire was indulged in by the picket. storm continues it has rained incessantly since daylight--it must by the eqinox--

121/2 pm orders ow to move and orders countermoved

9pm storm clear off about 5pm heavy skirmishes firing all day. rumors of a general advance tomorrow by the whole army

|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

John Thomas Lockman was 26 years old when he enlisted in May 1861 at New York City as a a 1st Lieut. He was commissioned into Co. H., of the 83rd New York Infantry, discharged September 22, 1862, whereupon he was comissioned into Field and Staff in the New York 199th Infantry on August 8, 1862. He survived the war and mustered out at Bladensburg, MD.

Lockman saw several promotions in his military career. Captain (11/25/61), Lt. Col. (8/13/82), Colonel (5/2/63) and eventually Brig-Gen (3/13/65 by Brevet).

He was born in NY City in 1834 and died there in 1912.

Detailed battle action described by John Reed, 18th Iowa (at Camden, Arkansas)

2006-05-04T09:14:00.000-07:00

Little Rock, Ark

May the 4th (1864)

Dear Father, Mother and Sisters,

I take my pen once more to write you a few lines to inform you that I am still on the land and with the living but I am nearly wore out with hard marching. We have had one of the hardest campaigns that has ever been made since the war began. We left Ft. Smith the 22 of March and marched to Camden on the Washilaw (Ouachita) River. We arrived there the 16th of April. We came up with Gen. (Frederick) Steele's forces on the 9th and on the 10th his far advance began to skirmish with the enemy and on the 11th we drove them from the ir position. They had a line of breastworks 1 1/2 miles in length and on the 12th our Division. I was in the rear and about the time we were ready to start they attacked us in the rear and so I fought them from one o'clock until dark. We drove them back about three miles and then we marched all night. We reached Camden on the 16th and on the 17th our Regiment [18th Iowa] was ordered out to reinforce a forage train of 180 and wagons commanded by Col Williams of the first Kansas Colored Regiment. We came up with the train on the morning of the 18th and when we had about 100 of the wagons loaded, the Rebs attacked us again. They out numbered us about 5 to one. They drove us back, captured the train, 4 pieces of artillery and a number of prisoners. Our Regiment lost 80 killed-wounded-missing. Company B lost four men. One of them came in wounded in the arm. The other three we have not heard from. One of them was wounded close to my side. The first Colored lost about 150 men, mostly killed. The enemy were between us and town but it was in thick timber snd Cypress swamps but we moved by a right flank and got back to Camden a little after dark. It was the hottest place I ever saw and I never want to se another such for we had to march hard and had but little to eat at Camden. We wrote letters and started them with a train to Pine Bluff but on the road about 9 miles from Camden, the Rebs attacked them and captured the train and about 1400 prisoners. Such being the case, it became necessary for us to evacuate the place so on the night of the 25th of April we crossed the Washilaw (Ouachita) River leaving about 70 sick and wounded men and took up our line of march for this place. We came through Princeton and at the crossing of the Saline River about 50 miles from this place the enemy again attacked us in the rear. Our Regiment was in advance of the train and was not in the fight. It was a severe fight. The troops that engaged on our side were the 29th, 33rd and part of the 40th Iowa, the 50th [Indiana] and part of the 43rd Indiana, the 9th and 27th Wisconsin, the 1st and 2nd Arkansas, the 12th Kansas and the 2nd Colored. The 2nd Colored and the 29th Iowa charged the Rebs and took a battery up, three guns that move them back about 1 mile and then crossed the river, destroyed the pontoon bridge leaving one dean and wounded in their hands. Company H, 29th Iowa had one man killed and 7 wounded. The one killed was Balboe. Dan Thorton (sic) - ed., probably Thornton- was wounded and taken prisoner. Henry wick is also a prisoner but not wounded. I saw George Claugh and George Smith after the fight but I shall have to close for I am so tired and my mind is so confused that I cannot write anything satisfactorily but I must tell you that we got here yesterday after a campaign of 43 days. One of if not the hardest of the war and one of the most disasterous. We have lost over 600 wagons, about 5000 mules, 8 pieces of artillery and about 3000 men killed, wounded or prisoners. And now my address is: 1st Brigade, Frsantie's Division, 7th Army Corps, Cairo or Little Rock, either one. I will write again in a few days if I can. I am well all but my feet and they are so sore that I can hardly walk.

Yours as ever,

John Reed.

||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

Of the above-mentioned engagement, the official Army report reads thus:

After some ten days at Camden the regiment engaged in a
severe battle.  With one section of the 2nd Ind. battery,
it was sent to reinforce Col. Williams of the 1st Kan.
Colored regiment, guarding a forage train. The force was
attacked by several thousand troopers, the Kansas regiment
receiving the first shock, and giving way, crowded through
the lines of the 18th and left it to take up the fight alone.  
Seven fierce charges were repelled more than its own numbers
were put out of action, but it was finally surrounded, when,
with fixed bayonets, it cut its way out and reached Camden,
having sustained a loss of 77 in killed, wounded and missing.  
Army Union, Vol. 4

||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

John Reed, a native Ohioan, was from Afton, Iowa when he enlisted at age 26 on July 28, 1862 (exactly 144 years from the date of this blog post). He mustered in 8/5/62 in the 18th Iowa Infantry. He survived the war and mustered out in July 1865.

Army records show that 161 young men enlisted from Afton which probably only had an 1860 population of about 1,000 souls. Of those 161 Afton boys, 38 died due to wounds or disease (one as a POW). ONly one deserted. 88 men managed to muster out by the end of the war.

As part of the 18th Iowa he saw much action during the Red River campaign in Arkansas.

5th N.J. writes of army life aboard steamers

2006-04-14T17:58:00.000-07:00

Camp Fifth N.J.V.

(Hooker’s Division)

Apr. 14, 1862.

My Dear Father,

I am now in quarters, inland from Ship Point, (Poquosin Bay) about one mile. Our camp is on a small stream (South side) that enters and forms a part of the above bay. The last time I wrote you, I was on board the Steamer “Tallaca,” off Liverpool Point. At the moment of closing my letter, I went aboard the Brig “Crawford” (loaded with horses) and on Wednesday evening started down the Potomac in tow of the Steamer “Daniel Webster.” Lying at anchor during Wednesday night, we started on our way early Thursday morning, with splendid weather, and had a fine passage down the bay. Friday morning found us just outside the bar, off “Fortress Monroe.” On Saturday evening were towed to one of the wharves just inside the bar, and on Sunday morning, early, landed our horses and started directly to camp - distant 21 miles - passing through Hampton, (entirely destroyed) Big Bethel, deserted rebel camps, and earth works, reaching this point about 3 p.m. - bringing up the rear guard of the 3^d Brigade. I have, to-day, issued provision for four days - hereafter only three days will be issued at a time - and it is time I was ahead, but thought I would write a line first. This is a more interesting country than that left behind. Deserted homes marked the entire route from the Fortress here. Peach trees were in blossom - only saw one field being cultivated. You will not hear of any decided work under six or eight days. Nevertheless the most rigorous work is being accomplished. The country is marshy, with heavy pine timber - and the enemy’s works are difficult of approach, - nevertheless, this shelter of timber enables us to work right up to their works - and, before they are aware, many heavy guns will open upon them within point blank range. I should not be at all surprised if the larger part of their army is not captured with very little loss to our side. I saw the “Monitor” off fortress “Monroe” and a singular looking thing it is - like a “raft” with a big “camp kettle” in the centre.

Am very well, and hope so to continue. Have comfortable quarters, and plenty to eat. Will write soon. Love to all.

M.S. Austin,

Com. Serg’t Fifth N.J.V.

Colonel writes home about soldier's death

2006-04-07T07:22:00.000-07:00

The following letter was published in Harper's Weekly, November 1, 1862 [page 697]. It was authored by Lt. Col. Heath and written about Pvt. John Elliott:

Friends -

On the evening of Monday, April 7, 1862, about five o'clock, after my regiment had been halted in its pursuit of the fleeing hordes of rebels, I rode slowly around the field, meditating on the result of that bloody action [Shiloh], and observing the effect of the "bolts of war" on the dead bodies which covered the ground. Various were the attitudes and expressions of the fallen heroes; yet as I rode along one smooth-faced lad, whose features were lit up by a smile, so attracted and riveted my attention as to cause me to dismount and examine him. His uniform was as a neat as an old soldier's, his buttons polished, his person clean, his hair well-combed, lying squarely on his back, his face toward the enemy, his wounds in front, from which the last life-drops were slowly ebbing, his hands crossed on his breast, and a peaceful, heavenly smile resting on his marble features. I almost envied his fate as I thought,

"How sleep the brave who sink to rest,
By all their country's wishes blest!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Buy fairy hands their knell is rung,
By forms unseen their dirge is sung;
Lo! Honor comes, a pilgrim gray,
To bless the turf that wraps their clay,
And freedom shall a while repair
To dwell a weeping hermit there!"

I asked the by-standers who that lad was. No one could tell. Hoping to find some mark on his clothing by which I could distinguish him, I unbuttoned his roundabout, and in the breast pocket found a Bible, on the fly-leaf of which was an inscription by his mother to "John Elliott."

In the same pocket was a letter from his mother, and one he had written to his uncle, both dabbed with blood. Pleased getting these data from which to trace his family, I determined to preserve the Bible and letters and send them to you [Heath is writing Elliott's parents]. I have since regretted that I did not examine all his pockets and save whatever may have been in them; but my time was short, and I felt that the Bible he had so faithfully carried would be treasure enough for you, and in the hurry of the moment I did not think to look for anything else. His remains received decent sepulture that night, and he now sleeps in a soldier's grave. And now, my dear friends, I would have written to you weeks ago, but was long sick in camp, was sent to Ohio low with fever, and am just able to begin to sit up.

You have doubtless wept over your dead boy. No human sympathy could assuage your grief. Yet who guides and governs the universe of man and matter, I doubt not, has thrown around you "everlasting arms," and supported your faint, bereft, and bleeding hearts.

After a while, when time shall have healed the wounds that war has inflicted, it will be a heritage of glory for you to reflect that your boy died in the cause of human rights and to save the life of this great nation; and you can with righteous pride boast that he fell in the thickest of the fight, with dead rebels all around him, his face to the foe, and in the very "forefront of battle."

He died a young hero and martyr in the holy cause of freedom, and Elijah riding up the heavens in a chariot of fire had not a prouder entrance to the Celestial City than your boy. Let your hearts rejoice that there is one more waiting to welcome you back to the "shining shore."

Source: Harper's Weekly, November 1, 1862 [page 697]. Used by permission. This issue can be purchased as a re-print.

Copperhead deserters will be arrested

2006-04-01T08:33:00.000-08:00

Sir,

Will you inform me to whom to apply for warrants to arrest deserters - I suppose that after today arrests will commence again and it is to be noted that many Copperhead deserters will be apprehended before election day. If you can give any information or instruction in regard to this matter I should be glad to receive it.

Yours Very Truly,

William R. Lloyd

U.S. Marshall's Office

April 1, 1863

Note: the Conscription Act went into effect April 1, 1863. Northern Copperheads were particularly distraught by this legislation which made madatory military service for men ages 20-45.

Oh sister, the horrors of war . . . . . 25th MI

2006-03-21T18:20:00.000-08:00

Mar 21, 1863
Camp Post Woodchopers
4 miles south of Bowling Green,

Oh, sister, the horors of war, it almost makes my blood run cold at times when I think of it. The destruction of man and beast and property, the suffering that men and beast has to endure. I have been in the service seven months the 13ths of this month. I have seen enough, if I could get out of itbut that is imposible at present, as soon as I get my pay I am going to try to buy my discharge. I don’t know as it can be done but I think it can, at least I am going to try, as the boy said I have seen the elephant but I suppose it is a small one. I have not seen a battle yet but don’t know how soon I shall, but I guess not very soon unless we have an atac here, we or our rgt has just been brigaded the 25^th and 23d Michigan and 111 Ohio has lately been brigaded. Our Col is promoted to Brigadier General for his sake I am glad, but for his Brg I am sory, although we have a very fine man for Lieutenant Col which will be our Colonel, but he is no military man, I am sory he is going to leave us, we shall probably stayhere in this place all summer on picket duty and garding freight trains through to Nashville, two Co has to go to gard trains every day out of the 23^rd and 25^th the rebels burned A train a short time ago about 8 miles from here loaded with mules. Since that all trains have to be garded through by a Co of Soldiers. They have been having a skirmish at Michelsville between here and Nashville, our troops came off conquerer, took a good many prisoners and a good many stand of arms, I would like to get a pop at some of the butternuts, I have not had a chance yet, I have seen but very few, yet I have garded some prisoners. Yeow, Id have shot some of them just quick and done it as cool as tahough it was a squirrel they look so mean. I can’t bear the sight of them. I have been living in the woods for the last 40 days detailed by the postmaster, there was 100 men detailed the 6^th of Feb for 30 days to chop wood. I stayed my 11 days was called in the 11^th of March and detailed again on the 12 back to the same place for 60 days, I enjoy myself much better here than any other place since I have been in the Army……March 28 …..Our regiment has been removed we are now at Lebanon 113 miles from Louisville if you have a map you can find where we are, we have reason to expect an engagement here soon, as the enemy is within ten miles of us now, but we may escape as it is they are reinforcing every hour, you must escape my writing as I am in a great hury, please write soon yours in love

Dear sister, pray for me that if we meet no more on earth we may meet in heaven, this is the pray of your unworthy brother,

Albert L.T. Bush 25 Mich Infanty Co. direct to Louisville

5th N.J. writes of Burnside's Expedition

2006-03-19T18:16:00.000-08:00

Camp Fifth N.J.V.

Lower Potomac

March 19, `62

Dear Mother –

Lately I have contended myself in thinking that one letter about a week, would be as much as I could afford to write – and I have not, perhaps averaged more than that. The clerk in this Department has been sick some three weeks, and his duties have desolved on me – it has keep me busy – nevertheless, I have found time to read – profitably. This division is soon to move and lest I should not have a more favorable opportunity, I avail myself of this to return my thanks for the kindness shown me in sending so much valuable reading matter. It is of an substantial kind which increases in value the more earnestly it is considered. I am more than than thankful for It’s Facts. I shall hope to enjoy the benefits and blessings of “Meditations on Prayer”. I am pleased to know that one I used to meet in Sunday school has not forgotten me now that I am in the army – and I beg to assure Miss P. that it is in this new phase of life that I know and feel the value of a belief in a Saviour – without his aid I should be a victim, doubtless, to all the evils of a soldiers life – with His aid I am kept above and safe from the vices which swallow up so many.

The division had orders to move on Fredericksburg, last night – but transportation for cavalry and artillery was wanting – and the commander of the gun boats was at Washington – hence we are delayed until transportation is provided for the entire division. We shall doubtless move in two or three days. Yesterday some 40,000 men went down the river – there distinction we do not know.

It is now raining quite hard.

Last night the regiment was turned out – were on the battalion parade ground in about 10 minutes after the call – and the ranks very full. To day all sick here sent to Gen. Hospital, near Hooker’s headquarters. Everything is in readiness for a quick movement.

The river has become very lively of late – since the termination of the blockade. We have intelligence of Gen. Burnside’s late battle at Newbern and of the fight at Island No. 10.

If I have time, will write a line in the morning.

Thursday morning –

I have to procure hard bread, this morning, from Rum Point, and can only add, further, to be remembered by all the family, to whom, individually, I send love.

Very Truly

M.S. Austin

Com. Serg’t.

Fifth N.J.V.

Surrounded with dangers seen and unseen . . . .

2006-03-17T09:11:00.000-08:00

March the 17th (1864)

Dear Father, Mother and Sisters,

It is with great pleasure that I take my pen this evening to answer your kind letter of the 22nd of Feb. which came to hand this evening and was read with pleasure for I was glad to hear that you were all well but I was sorry to hear of the Death of Robert Wilson. Send my regards to them. I heard last summer that Cyrus was killed and then I heard it contradicted. I am sorry to hear it but we arew all passing away and we are surrounded with dangers seen and unseen but if a sparrow falls not to the ground unnoticed, how much more shall we be cared for by the hand of that good and great Being that ever has us in his care and keeping. I bless his name that he has kept me thus far. I have been to prayer meeting this evening and I feel encouraged to live for Heaven and immortal life but I shall have to hasten as it is getting late and I want this to go out by the mail that goes out tomorrow so I will inform you that I am well and hope these few lines will find you all enjoying the same great blessing.

We have no news here that would interest you but I will tell you that the health here is good at present but prices are still high. I have not heard from Fred Jasper since I last wrote to you and I am getting anxious to hear from them. And now I want you to give me the Post Office address of Rebecca Graybil and give me all the news and write soon. Give my love to all enquiring friends and believe me ever yours. John Reed to his Father and family.

I suppose you told Miss Rebecca that I was not killed. If I knew where to write, I should certainly tell her myself but I shall have to stop as the man is waiting to take this to the office. Write soon. So good bye and write soon.

||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

As part of the 18th Iowa he saw much action during the Red River campaign in Arkansas.

Cavalry battle description by 1st R.I. Volunteer

2006-03-02T17:44:00.000-08:00

Camp of 1st Rhode Island Cavalry
Near Falmouth, VA

March 2, 1863

{Written by Augustus Smith to his sister Olive]

Sister Olive,

Your letter of Feb. twenty third has just reached me after anxiously looking for it weeks. I write to you now as I have often done before in health and contented as the soldiers are in general, hoping, wishing, fighting and even wallowing in mud and at a depth astonishing to behold, for better, brighter and happier days to highten this country that I love, my home, my birth place. What is to be done next we know not nor where the movements are to be made next. We have quite an army here yet but all is quiet with us except some little trouble our foes give us on our picket lines. I have just come from chasing the enemy back into their own lines across the river. Last Wednesday we were astonished to hear boots and saddles sounded, but we repaired to regimental grounds all mounted and armed for three days. We marched with all possible haste to our picket line. Our speed was somewhat impeded by mud and found them in great commotion. The Rebels charged on our men by a large force of cavalry wounding one or two of our men with the loss of ten or fifteen killed. After several successive charges they fell back into the woods. Their number was probably four times our number. Soon we were on the field in all amounting to two brigades of cavalry, & one flying battery, but owing to the condition of the roads and darkness could not persue them until morning. Most of us being old enough to know our thoughts, thought a few hours sleep would do much to our next day's marching, so kindling a fire to boil our coffee we were soon ready to make up our bed after scraping away four or five inches of snow saturated with rain of the previous day. Lying down, was soon enjoying as quiet and refreshing slumber as ever a king did on his bedstead of gold & down pillows. Not long had we laid there when bang, bang rang out a dozen times clearly except a little dinned by the drizzling rain, some of the new recruits unused to hear the bullets ringing and rambling through the woods, rushed to their horses calling those that remained in a trembling voice, the pickets are fired upon, are you not a going to get out. A little before day light the order stand to horse was given. Every man was there, suffice to say we were soon on our way through mud and had the pure rain of heaven to refresh us through that entire day. We reached Morrisville, a place about half way between Falmouth and Rappahannock. There we remained in line shivering to wait for the skirmish to ascertain there was no trap to catch us, but our fox had crossed the river and we were destined to spend another rainy night as it had set in all ready. After building some good fires I heard the order given, detail three men, M Troop, one corporal, one sergeant, & my luck as usual Corp. Smith was among the rest. Another night picket. Nothing of any importance occurred through the night, morning came at last bringing with it wet backs for each of us. The sun rose in all the glory of the sunny south which soon brought us to our feeling once more, after examining the river it was found too rapid for our jaded horses to ford, so nothing was left for us to do but to retrace our steps to camp where we arrived late in the night at our respective camps, altho much fatigued and horses covered with mud from head to feet. Thus goes the routine of our lives week in & month out. I heard that Mary (Collins) Walker's husband was wounded at Fredericksburg and died at Washington before she could get there.

Yours as ever,

Augustus, Troop M, 1st R.I. Cavalry.

_______________________________________________

Augustus Smith, was a 22 year old resident of New Ipswich, N.H., when he enlisted on Dec. 23, 1861, as a private, and was mustered into Co. M, 1st Rhode Island Cavalry. He was captured on June 18, 1863, at Middleburg, Va., and was killed in action at Columbia Furnace, Va., on Oct. 6, 1864.

This letter came from a larger group of letters written by Augustus Smith, some of which were fully identified, and some which were on 1st R.I. Cavalry imprinted stationary, and Third Battalion N.E. Cavalry imprinted stationary. Also included is a xerox copy of a cover addressed to his sister, Miss Olive K. Smith, the recipient of this letter. The ID is guaranteed to be authentic.

Augustus Smith, was a 22 year old resident of New Ipswich, N.H., when he enlisted on Dec. 23, 1861, as a private, and was mustered into Co. M, 1st Rhode Island Cavalry.

The 1st Regiment Rhode Island Cavalry was originally composed of three battalions, two of which were recruited by the State, and one by New Hampshire. This was under a modification of an order of the War Department, dated September 27th, 1861, for the organizing of a Regiment of Cavalry to be composed of companies or squadrons recruited in the New England States.

On January 5th, 1864, the New Hampshire battalion was permanently detached from the Regiment to form the nucleus of the 1st New Hampshire Cavalry Regiment.

Smith re-enlisted on Jan. 5, 1864, and on Jan. 7, 1864, was transferred into Co. M, 1st New Hampshire Cavalry.

He was captured on June 18, 1863, at Middleburg, Va., while a member of the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry, and was killed in action at Columbia Furnace, Va., on Oct. 6, 1864, while a member of the 1st New Hampshire Cavalry.

Artilleryman, 1st Mass., writes humourous poem to sister

2006-02-10T12:21:00.000-08:00

Henry D. Healy of the1 st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery writes to his sister, Ellen Healy of Dudley Massachusetts.

Henry died (8/15/64) from wounds at the Battle of Petersburg just a few months after this letter.

Healy was from Dudley, MA at the time of his enlistment in 1862. He mustered in to the 1st Mass Heavy Artillery, Company E., on August 8, 1862. 87 total men are listed as being enlisted or commissioned from Dudley. Sixteen died.

|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

Headquarters of Bass _______ at or near Fort Tillinghast, VA Feb 10th, 1864

Now Dear sister Nell, if you will so choose, I will sit myself down and write you some muse. To write any prose I don't feel inclined, So I thought I would try and write it in rhyme.

The first thing to say when I write you a letter, Is that I'm well, never felt better. Thats news of a one that I will mention, The other no dauht will all have your attention.

New of two of which I will speak, Don't happen to mortals every day in the week. For everyday in the Army is alike as can be, but things happen sometimes that's strange as you see.

You know that soldiers out here will have something to love, either on earth, under it, or else up above. A pet in the Army is something quiet common, and dogs are the thickest, as plenty as Mormons.

They got so plenty, numerous, and big, their sizes would vary from a lion to a pig. And their barking and snarling made such a noise, the Colonel got made and came down on the "boys".

I won't write his order, but say what is meant, "One dog to a man - 12 men to a tent. I'll restrict you to that and then I will see, to kill half the dogs, how many there'll be".

So some were knocked down, some shot in the head, and so they were buried, short life they had led. Then peace was declared for a while with the face, But didn't last long as you'll see on a pace.

for the dogs increased till as many or more, Were around in the camp as thick as before. They barked at the Colonel - he cried "Damnation! I'll Carry on a war of extermination!".

He give out an order that every dog should, be killed on the spot except those that were good.So the men _____ out with murderous intent, Till nary a dog cold be found in the camp.

Every dog has it's day and these have had theirs, they have all gone - not leaving no heirs. Poor Fido, Poor Jack, Poor Jenny and Fell, Are all dead and gone - here hangs the tell.

And now my dear Nell, this dogmatic sketch will pass with you for all it will fetch. The soldiers companion they always have been, To bad not to notice them -so this I have penned.

I'll say a word more and then I must stop, For my heads getting thick, or muddled somewhat. I can think of naught else that's worthy to write, This comes from your brother, so Nellie, Goodnight.

Shakespeare

Feb. 12th, 1864

As the Irishman said "if you get my letter come over to this country and if you don't get it, be sure and come". So with this letter if you get it answer it and if you don't get it - be sure and answer it. I thought that you would have got this by this time, but you see it required such a tremendous mental effort to produce the "before" part of this letter that I hadn't enough effort left to get it in the office. So you may imagine If you can't tell, the deplorable low state of mental inactivity your poor brother is left in after the production of this epistle. I have received yours of the 7th with the money enclosed all right. It was very acceptable only I would rather leave had a government bill. If I can't pass this off without discount or exchanging it I shall send it back as Massachusetts money is at a discount of ten c's on the dollar and I shall sacrifice so much as than just to please myself or anyone else. I am glad you have made up your mind what to do next spring as I think myself as there is so few to work in the mill that it would be better to go somewhere else. Where will you move. Although I suppose in the new house across the pong, there is the best place I know of to live, either in Webster or Dudley and that is between the two. David said he was going to write to you , I would like you to answer it as he has been friendly to you. He is a good friend as good as they will average and I do not know of any other place that he likes so well as at our house. At least that is what he says. He though he had got Uncle Abiel folks a little jealous for being down there so much when he was at home. I had a letter from Louise the other day. she said that her Father was sick but I can think of nothing more to write so I will draw up my close. Write soon.

Brother H.D. Healy

Soldier laments long silence of letters from home

2006-02-08T09:03:00.000-08:00

Feb the 8th, 1864

Dear Friends,

I have changed my mind and concluded to write again although I cannot hear from you. I have nothing new worth relating and yet I may tell you something that will interest you.

Colonel (John) Edwards has been assigned to command of a Brigade and our Regiment is in his Brigade and I think we will soon leave here and go into active service in Texas and then I suppose I shall not hear from home at all and it has been nearly two months since I have had a letter from any of you and I cannot imagine the cause of your long silence but I have concluded to write to you regular although it is an up hill business to write all the time and get no answer but I will try and be patient and maybe they will come after a while.

We expect mail this evening and maybe I shall hear from you. I had a letter from Fred the last mail. It was written the first day of Jan. He was well. I also had onr from Cousin Fred in Wappello County but I have not heard from Uncle Ben West. I heard Cousin Frank Reed was taken prisoner and that he was in New Libby prison.

And now I suppose you will be curious to know what General is going to take Command in this part of the country. I am not certain but I think it will be Major Gen. James G. Blunt and if it is, you may expect to hear something being done.

Well, I have laid my pen and waited for the mail and it is night and it has come but still no word from home but I got a letter from Union County which stated the folks were all well and I suppose you are all included for I have heard nothing to the contrary. My health is reasonably good and I hope these few lines will find you all enjoying good health. The health of the company is good. Joseph Milnes is well. He is now asleep. The boys have a dance here tonight. I can hear them dancing whilst I write. They have one here every week but I do not take part in them. I look on once in a while but not often. O, yes, there was one of our boys married about ten days. His name was Stark. He married a girl by the name of Gardenhire.

Give my love to all my sisters and brother and my friends in general and tell them to remember me in all their prayers.

I should like very much to hear from you once more but I suppose it is unnecessary to ask you to write for I do not know whether you get my letters or not and now as it is getting late I shall have to close remaining as ever your affectionate son and brother, John Reed. To his Father, Mother and Sisters. So good bye for the present. (Direct as before)

||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

As part of the 18th Iowa he saw much action during the Red River campaign in Arkansas.

Soldier talks about music and an oyster dinner

2006-01-30T13:01:00.000-08:00

Ft. Tillinglast

Jan 30th 1863

Dear Sister -

I received your letter last night before last and of course was glad to hear from you. I am glad to know that you received those photographs all safe, they are natural as life only Lieut Coldwells is taken the poorest of any as for the "roosters". I think that is about right. You may buy the frame to the other one if you wish to, although my original intention was to send one to Sarah. But I hardly know whether it would interest her or not. You can do as you think best about it as I do not want but one. I am going to have my own photograph taken and have it stuck on to it somewhere. I can get 1/2____for 2.00. I received those papers the day before I got the letters. I told Sarah what I done with it for I have wrote to her and sent the letter off. I told her I had used 1/2 of the paper for B-G fodder - and I cut out the story and sent it on. That was first rate. I read it to the boys and ha quiet a laugh over it. I think that George Prince "played the roots on you" "right smart". I have laughed some over that, I tell you. Ha Ha! About that flute of Edwins, he can do as he things best but if I wanted to play a flute I should want to have one to chord with other instruments and a _____ on a C flute would be the one that I should use. Then the music that is written for a D Flute. Tell Edwin I have a fiddle now, gave 2 dollars for it and is a pretty good case for the king. If you see H. Lindley just remind him he is owing me a letter and I should be very happy to hear from him. We are working on a new fort about 2 miles from here. Have worked on it 3 days a a quarter but are getting along first rate with the work. The boys are well as usual. I am in first rate health as I have work enough to keep up a good appetite for my victuals. We have just got over a north east storm and the snow is about 6 inches deep but I guess it won't last long for it is thawing at the top and bottom. OH, WE HAD AN OYSTER SUPPER NIGHT BEFORE LAST. THE WAY WE GOT WAS THIS ON OF COMPANY K'S BOYS WENT OFF WITHOUT PERMISSION AND WAS GONE 10 DAYS AND CAME BACK WITH ABOUT 150 BUSHELS OF OYSTERS. THE COLONEL TOOK THEM AND DIVIDED THEM TO THE VARIOUS CO'S AND THE MAN WAS PUT IN THE GUARD HOUSE AND IS TO BE COURT MARSHALLED. I AM VERY THANKFUL FOR THE OYSTERS BUT THINK IT RATHER ROUGH ON THE MAN, DON'T YOU? You said that 3 letters were writen to me, haven't got but 2 of them yet, on from you and one from Eliza. I expect one from Edwin nest. I got a letter from John Bates last night. The sheet was about 4 inches square and he wrote about a page and a half. Oh well, small favors thankful received and others solicited. I have wrote a letter to Hattie and I guess she will laugh when she gets it if she don't you will, but I am thinking that she will be glad to get it any way. I shall want some more postage stamps soon. You can send me some or I will get them over to Washington. I guess I had better get them here. I like your way of sending paper and envelopes and you can keep a doing so for it saves a lots of trouble for they get the pay for a single letter and also pay for double. From your affectionate Brother -

Henry D. Healy

|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

Henry D. Healy of the1 st Massachusetts Heavy Artillery writes to his sister, Ellen Healy of Dudley, Massachusetts.

Henry died (8/15/64) from wounds at the Battle of Petersburg just a few months after this letter.

Healy was from Dudley, MA at the time of his enlistment in 1862. He mustered in to the 1st Mass Heavy Artillery, Company E., on August 8, 1862. 87 total men are listed as being enlisted or commissioned from Dudley. Sixteen died.

Soldier talks of building Fort Duncan (Arkansas)

2006-01-29T08:47:00.000-08:00

Fort Duncan, Ark

Jan the 29th, 1864

Dear Parents & Sisters,

It is with pleasure that I take my pen to write to you once more. (It is raining and thundering here this evening like it does there in the summer) It has been so long since I heard from you that I have come to the conclusion that you have all forgotten me or disowned me. I don't know which. At any rate, I want you to write once more and say something. I should not have written this evening but I expect to go to the Fort tomorrow and I have a chance to send this out. We are still at Clay's Mill. We have built a fort and the boys call it Fort Duncan. I am well and hope these lines will find you the same. I have been chopping wood today for the mill. We have very nice weather here for this time of year. The health of the Company is good. Joe got a letter from John La Fever a few days ago and the boys of the 29th were well. They are at Little Rock. It is almost night and I am on guard tonight. I shall have to close. The last letter I got from home was in December and I do not intend to write any more until I get one so if you do not write you will not hear from me for I have written every mail until I am tired waiting but still anxious to hear from home. You said you would send me the rest of those stamps and I have looked for them every mail but they have not come yet.

Hoping soon to hear from you, I remain as ever yours.

John Reed Company B 18th Iowa Vols Inf

Fort Smith, Ark

||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

As part of the 18th Iowa he saw much action during the Red River campaign in Arkansas.

Wisconsin soldier, several letter excerpts (1862-1863)

2006-01-23T09:57:00.000-08:00

Gustavus Kidder was from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. He enlisted in February 1862 as a Private in the 19th WI Infantry. He died in City Point, VA in August 1864.

Here are some excerpts - in cluding mis-spellings - of letters he wrote...............

Yorktown
June 20, 1862

[To his wife] I have just returned from drilling and went and rested under the shade of the same tree that Lord Corn Wallis delivered up his Goard to Washington under and whair a Negro Shot twenty or thirty of Mac L?ellands men before thay cold get a shot at him"

Dover
Sept 18th 1862
[Sister to brother]

My dear brother

I received your very kind letter with pleasure - I am glad to hear you are all well - Mothers health is very poor - I think it is very non-healthy here - There are a greate menny die with consumtion here more than in any other place acording to the number of inhabitance - I think your wife is very patriotic to let her husband and two sons go into the army - I hope the Lord will spare you and your boyes that you may return safely to your family - I should be glad to see you and your family and hope I shall some time - I received a letter from Charles a short time since he wrote me he had been sick but was better now - I also heard on Edwin - He is in the army - He says he supposes I should like to know what they are doing - He says doin nothing yet but gard rebbel property - He says he has had some long and hard marches but has not seen any rebbels except some prisoners - He said the cannon balls and shells flew over there heads all one afternoon but was not called into battle but says he expects to have something to do soon - I hope you and Edwin will meet somewhere - I don't know as you would know each other - If you should you had better write to him - direct your letters to Corinth Miss Company D 4th Reg ???? give my love to your family also a large share to yourself - write just as often as you can for I am so anxious to hear from you - do not neglect it - write to your wife first and then to me - from your affectionate Sister

Sophia S Clark

PS - I want you to be very particular and tell one right how to direct your letters so you will get them

Norfolk Va
January 23th 1863
[to daughter]

Dear Daugther,

I improve the present opportunity to write a few lines to you hoping this may find you all well - I recived a letter from your Mother yesterday and one from Uncle Tom and was vary happy to hear from you all and that you ???? all well Cyrus Just recived a letter from ????hn - he is well and is twenty miles from Washington and is doing Picket Gard - he said he supposes that we are spoiling for a fight but that he has had quite enoph and dos not want to be in any more ingagements that the Bebbels Suts too carlip?? he has been in all those hardist faught Battles of Virginia except the seven days fight at Richmond - the battle of Antideam was a terable affair that of Seader Mountain was scarsely lefs terable and he tels Cy when he has has been chased thirty six miles by the rebbels in one day - that that he thinks he will have quite inoph of the war - I think that John can beat us all when when he returns Home telling his adventurs in Virginia for he must have had some narrow iscapes and some terable hard times that Retret of General Banks through westurn Virginia was one of the gratist feats of the war and must have been terable hard on the Soaldiers for they had to fight and march at the same time-I would write him a letter but the hedding of his letter is wrote so bad that I cannot ???? out what it is and Albert must have ??? interisting time in Prison four Months and ???? chance to keep himself clean for it as much as we can do to keep from being lousy and we have evry other day to wash in if we have a mind to but thair is a lot of lasy Boys in our Company had rather play about Town than to wash thair Shirts and so when we are on Gard we have to lay down any whare we can get a chanc and that is the way we get them but I am not troubled much with them for I change my cloase regular and make Cy so that we keep ourselve tolerable clean - I am vary glad that you scent your likeness to your aunt for she will be vary much pleased with it - I think for you kno she must be vary lonely since She has lost hur only Deauter - you must not think strange because I donot write to you oftener because I write Home I mean it for you all as one-Cy wrote a letter to Unkle Tom to day and where I saw him writing I thought he was writing to you untill I saw him direct it-we hurd they had another Battle up on the ??erhannoc yesterday betwean General Burnside ??? the Rebbels but they keep every thing still in the newspapers so we cannot find out how it went or anything about it-I think if we could gane two or three Victoris good ones the war would soon come to a cloase but the Leord only noes who will gain them and so I do not think anything more to write this time and so geve respects to all inquiring friends and help little namesacke and my little Pett and tel hur hur Pa will come one of those days-this from your much loeving Father Gustavus Kidder PS I wonder how William and Maggy Gets along - Harriet I wish you would scend me your bikenefs-the Postage has been redused so it will only cost three cents Postage-and much oblige-

your humble survant

West Point Va
Sunday June 28th 1863

Dear Wife

I once more sit down to write a fu lines to let you kno that we are both well and trust this this may find you all the same-we arrived hear the day before yesterday-we came on a steamboat and had easy times to what we expected to have because we expected we should have to marche but the order came and we went inside of the Fort got our knapsacks and fetched every thing with us-we are inside of a large Fort-I should think thair is two hundred acres inside of the Brest Works and we have plenty of wood and water and it is vary good water to-we are camped in a nise shady Grove and about one mile from the landing whare thare is a little villiag and vary preaty location for a Town-it is a Point of land formed by the Juntion of the Pemunkey and Mattipony Rivers and is about forty miles above Yorktown. I was up to the White House the other day to get some lumber to bild a doc with-it is a quer looking place and they had a Battle thair yesterday and took five hundred Prisnors and the Rebell General Lees Son among the rest-I do not kno how long we shal stay hear-we may stay all summer and we may not stay a day longer but I rather think we shall remain hear all Summer as this would be a hard hard place to take if the rebs once had possesion of it though I do not think thair is any Rebs vary near hear now-we are nearly the same as Prisnors-General Wistea will not allow us outside of the fortifications-the punishment is to be Buckt and gagd and I tell you that is not vary plesant-I do not kno by experance but some of the boys do-the BlackBerries are ripe and thay are vary temting-I have had two or three great feasts of Cherries at YorkTown and that is all the fruit I have had this Summer-Our Maile came hear to day for the first time but we got no papers and have not hurd what is going on in other forts for nearley a week and I can tel you it is rather lonesom but our maile has commenced running now and will be run regular after this -one Rebbel dezurter came into our camp to day and says thair are no rebs vary near hear at presant-he has been hid ever since May he says-Dick and Crawford is well and Elick MeGee is with us-I suppose we shall have a happy forth of July in prison again-the same as we had last year but nevermind we won't always be under our presant tirants and so I do not think of anything more this time. This from your faithful husband

Gustavus Kidder

He did his duty up to the time he fell . . .

2006-01-14T07:26:00.000-08:00

The Battle of Stone's River

"A fierce battle took place at Stones River between December 31, 1862 and January 2, 1863. General Bragg's Confederates withdrew after the battle, allowing General Rosecrans and the Union army to control middle Tennessee. Although the battle was tactically indecisive, it provided a much-needed boost to the North after the defeat at Fredericksburg. Lincoln later wrote to General Rosecrans, "I can never forget [...] you gave us a hard-earned victory, which had there been a defeat instead, the nation could scarcely have lived over."
Text taken from the National Park Service web site

Authentic letter from soldier killed in action at Stone's River
Letter in possession of National Park Sevice

January 14, 1863

Mrs. Lieutenant Nix,

It becomes my unpleasant duty to inform you of the death of your husband and our much esteemed friend and comrade. He fell on the 31 st of December while repelling an attack of Rebel forces and died like a true soldier doing his duty to his country. He was shot through the body and was taken to our Hospital which was soon after, taken by the enemy, who held it until the evacuation of Murfreesboro. He died on the 5 th or 6 th and was buried by Lieutenant Chase of our company with military honors. I have his effects in my possession and shall forward them to you the first opportunity. I have his revolver, sword and money and other things belonging to him. You have lost your best friend of Earth, and we deeply feel with you in this sad bereavement, for we too have lost an Esteemed Friend and a true soldier. He did his duty up to the time he fell and was loved, and his true Qualities were appreciated by all that knew him. His Name and deeds will always be held in sacred remembers by me and the members under my command.

Yours Respectfully,
Captain A. Philbrook

Can citizens get in camp?

2005-12-27T14:24:00.000-08:00

Camp Neff (Cassville) Virginia
Dec 27 1862

Letter written by Hugh Shaw - 84th Regiment, Indiana Infantry,

[To his brother, Frederick H. Shaw, Muncie, Indiana]

Which reads partly as follows, "glad to hear that you & Thomas are in the Hoosier State. I would be glad if I was at home when you are there, but it is impossible for me to be there at present, but I hope the time is not far distant when I will get home again ... Well, you wanted to know if citizens could get into our camp. Well, I will answer you by saying yest. There is citizens in camp almost all the time that have come to see their friends. I would be very glad to have some of my friends come to see me & hope that Thomas & Morland will come & see me ... We are only 28 miles from the Ohio River, up Big Sandy. You can walk that in a day, very handy, & I would not be surprised if steamboats would be running up Sandy before ten days, for we have had considerable of rain this week & does not look like dry weather, yet steamboats run near 100 miles up Sandy when the waters are up. It costs only 3.00 dollars to come from Cinti [Cincinnati] to the mouth of Sandy & it will not cost over $5.00 to come from Muncie to Cinti. and I believe if you was in my place & I in yours ... I would come to see you & if you do come tell Rebecca to send me my wallet, for I often need it for I am Corporal of the Guard sometimes & if you come & bring it let Kline in Muncie look at it & see if it is in good running order, for he warranted it till next June. It has been lying still so long it may need a little brushing up. I do hope will all three come. It won't cost much. Do come if you will get to see the country & learn something too., I hope ...

Direct letters to me to Catlettsburg, Ky

Hugh Shaw

||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

Hugh Shaw was mustered in just four months from the above written letter, on August 11, 1862. He was listed as being from North Cumberland, Indiana. He served with the 8th Indiana Infantry, Company C. He was killed on October 2, 1862 at lookout Mountain, TN.

John Reed, 18th Iowa letter, great soldier-life detail

2005-12-20T08:06:00.000-08:00

Ft. Smith, Ark

Dec the 20th, 1864

Dear Father, Mother & Sisters,

After a long silence I once more take my pen to write a few lines to you. It has been quite a month if not more since I wrote last to you and in that time I have received two letters from you. One of them was written in July and was marked No. 1. I received it in Nov., the other I received by the last mail. It was dated Nov the 29th, 64. I will now endeavor to tell you why I did not write sooner.

The 22nd of November we got orders to march with six days rations and 40 rounds of ammunition. Our destination was Ft. Gipson in the Cherokee Nation to guard a supply train to this post but when we got there the train had not yet reached that place. We laid there one day when it was reported that the train was in danger of capture by the Rebels and we were ordered on a forced march to reinforce it. We left Lipson at 11 o'clock Sunday night and reached the train Thursday morning about an hour after sunrise having made a forced march of one hundred miles and all we had to eat was corn and beef with a little coffee but we found the train all right and in no danger. And I tell you we had quite a feast on hard tack and sow belly the same day (Thursday) We started back to Gipson with the train and the Tuesday following we reached that place all safe and the next Monday we arrived here but instead of being gone six days we were gone 21. We carried our overcoats, blankets, ammunition and three days rations during the march.

Ft. Gipson is a hard looking place. It is situated on the east bank of the Grand River and about three miles from the Arkansas River and is about 65 miles from here but I saw some beautiful country while on our march up Grand River towards Ft. Scott. We marched 350 miles and did not see an enemy but we saw Cherokee and Creek Indians in abundance but they are loyal. There is three Indian Regiments at Gipson but between here and than place the country is desolated and depopulated. There is but two houses that are inhabited between the two places and one of them is at the Salt Works on the Big Illinois 20 miles this side of Gipson.

And now I must tell you that times are about as hard as ever . Flour is forty dollars per hundred but the Arkansas is booming full and I think times will soon get better. I must also inform you that Capt. Stanaker has resigned and is going home in a few days also Wilson Carson, a sargeant in our company has been discharged and is going with him. He lives in Hapeville. I am sending a linen coat that I bought last summer and two Memorandum Books with him. You can send for them or go and get them if you please and keep them for me until I come.

The Small Pox is pretty bad here. There has been two cases in our company but neither of them has proved fatal. I have been exposed to it but I have been vaccinated and I do not (think) that I will take it. Otherwise the health is good. We have had no very cold weather as yet but we had quite a thunder shower Sunday night. It was one of the most disagreeable nights that I ever saw. I was on picket guard and was out all night.

The war news is not worth writing. In fact, we have none but old news. There is some talk that we will leave here but I do not know how true it is as I think it is only Camp rumor.

I had a letter from Jasper by the last mail. He was well but I have not heard from Fred for two or three months. Jasper said he had a letter from him the morning he wrote which was the 29th of November. And now I wish you would some of you write and give me all the news for I have had no news from Union County for the last three months. Your letter of the 20th of November had nothing in it only an enquiry as to where I was. Well I presume you have heard ere this but if not you will when this reaches you and let me say here if you should not hear from me again. Direct to the Regiment and I will get and I think the mail will be more regular this winter than it has been this summer but I will have to close as the Company has orders to march immediately with three days rations and blankets. So I shall have to say good bye for the present. Remaining your affectionate son and brother, John Reed.

Well Mother, the Company or part of it has gone but I did not go as I was almost barefooted and did not get shoes until after it had started and I have been detailed to cook until they come back and now I will try and tell you how we are fixed. We have comfortable quarters or barracks to sleep and stay in when off of duty. The company is divided into two messes with two cooks to each mess. We have a good cook house and kitchen with a bake oven and a baker. We have two long tables in our kitchen and each mess has a large coffee pot that will hold about 7 gallons each with frying and mess pans, tin plates, tin cups and knives and forks and if you will come overin the morning I will try and have you a good cup of coffee just as you like it without cream or sugar but the ---- and meat I will not promise shall be so good. And now I should like to be with you to join the family circle to offer praise and thanksgiving to the Lord of feasts for surely the Lord is good and I have great cause to praise his name every day of my life for allhis goodness and as I write tonoght I can truly say from my heart blessed is the name of the Lord but I desire that you all remember often at a Throne of Grace for I sometimes get sadly discouraged in the army but I have many things to be thankful for. I have the Harolds and sometimes I get the American Messenger and then I have my Bible, the dear blessed Bible, the book above all others but I would like for the Church to remember me for I have not forgotten the happy hours that I have enjoyed in it and I hope I shall enjoy more happy seasons there but it is getting late and I will close remaining as ever your affectionate son.

May God bless and keep you all is my prayer.

John Reed Company B 18th Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry Ft Smith, Ark

If life and health are spared, I will write again.

114th Ohio Vols., "they are fit for nothing but to eat up rations."

2005-12-14T08:04:00.000-08:00

Headquarters Co. B. 114th Regt. Ohio Vols Inf

Morganza, La

Dec the 14th, 1864

Dear Brother,

I now seat myself to write you a few lines. I am in good health at this time and can but hope these few lines will find you all well. I read your letter a few days ago and was well pleased to hear from you and hope that you will not forget to write often. I have not heard from home for a long time. I do not know what to make of it - even old gal is playing off on me. Our Regiment went up to White River and was consolidated with the 120th O.V. While we were gone the Rebs came in and killed some of the U.S. soldiers of African decent and we were ordered back in quick time to save their black fates. The only pity it is that they did not kill all of them for they are fit for nothing but to eat up rations. We are now under marching orders for Memphis. The Regiment is out on a scout and as quick as it comes in we are to go so it is reported.

I suppose Lincoln is reelected commander of a fraction of the U.S. So we can make up our minds for 4 years more of war and blood shed.

I have nothing new nor strange to write so I will close by asking you to write soon and often.

B. West

Holes in Vicksburg, compliments of Grant

2005-12-06T12:52:00.000-08:00

Fort Cass Dec. 6th 1863

Dear Sister Ellen -

Oh! Ellen ain't you most tickled to death now as most all the boy say you are the prettiest looking by the photographs and they say you are the oldest too. Corp Crane (that one that got struck with the limber pole) says you look just like me especially around the eyes, now thats pretty good for me or you, considering you are the prettiest ain't it? Well I am well as common and I don' know but ____the other boys are in their usual health and spirits. We moved from Whipple on the 1st of the month and I like just as well her as there . Idon't know as it would make much difference where I was I should like on place about as well as another out here. The weather out her is cold and I hope we shall have all our cold weather in the same part of the season. Our stove pipe fell down a little while ago and smoked us all out and caused the briny tears to flow from more than one eye and probably was smoked brine. You want to know how me and Sarah got along, well, you can ask her. She seems to be careful and not act too familiar so it don't cost me or her very large sums for postage but you keep still about this for you see I kinda want to write to someone else sometime. 7th---I got tired so I thought I would finish this tonight. We had a Battalion drill this afternoonand the boys marched first rate and they say we shall have a review tomorrow but I don't know who will review us yet. Today was very pleasant and warm here but as soon as the sun went down it grew cold very fast. Have you had any snow storms there yet? It has been cold here but have not had any snow to amount to anything. I had a letter from Frank a day or two ago. HE IS IN ST. LOUIS YET DOING GUARD DUTY OVER REBEL PRISONERS. HE HAD JUST GOT BACK FROM A TRAMP TO VICKSBURG WHERE HE HAD BEEN WITH SOME DESERTER FOR BURNSIDES ARMY. He wrote a very interesting letter of the place - says it is worth visiting and see the holes that Grants shells made. He visited the placewhere they dug under the fort and blew it up. I had letter from Henry Leavens. He speaks of Ellen's marriage and says she will stay at home for the present and he says that Louise will be there this week to spend a ew days or weeks, I forgot which. Oh, that Crane wants to know how he can get acquainted with you. I told him by going to see you and he wanted to know how much it would be out of his way to get there - he lives in Amesbury. I am going to try to get him to come and see you so, now, look out for "breakers" if he should come that way before July. You will know him by his habit of twisting his mustache everytime he thinks he says something funny or ____ ____. He is a very clever fellow though I have seen a fellow in Company D that looks like Edwin Stone. I should think he was his twin brother. He is a Sargent. Now I want you to write me once a week and not wait for Eliz but send it right along Write me when they send my box as I want to keep a lookout for it. Give my respects to Edwin Stone and all enquiring friends. Tell Frank Bates to answer that letter that he owes me. No more now.

From Brother Henry

--------------------------------------------------

Henry D. Healy enlisted with the 1st Mass Heavy Artillery in August 1862. He was from Dudley, MA. He died of wounds received at Petersburg ion 8/15/64.

"Confederate money is not current at all here."

2005-11-03T08:03:00.000-08:00

LETTER ADDRESSED TO MISS ELLEN L WIER, MEREDIAN, MISS.

Florence, Ala

Nov 3rd, 1864

My Dear Sister,

I am once more at my old landlady's, Mrs. Williams, sitting by a comfortable fire & think it a good chance to write a letter. I have had no opportunity of writing before since leaving Palmetto but I suppose you have heard from me through Tom & Bud. We came to Tuscumbia Monday and the next morning I got a pass & came over here & have been here ever since. Have been having a pleasant time visiting my old friends & all delighted to see the Rebs once more & as I was an old student, have treated me with much kindness.

I stood the march very well, better than a great many others. Captured a nice pair of Yankee pants at Acworth which fits exactly. Our Corps and Cheatham's are still at Tuscumbia but expected to come over here today or tomorrow. Lee's Corps captured Florence Sunday evening & are now camped around town fortifying. The place was occupied by about three hundred Yankees when they attacked it. The college building is still standing & hasn't been injured much. Professor Rice still hangs on & teaches the "Preps" in the old Chapel & gets his pay in greenbacks. Confederate money is not current at all here. The people have suffered a great deal & some of the wealthiest families in the place have been reduced to the necessity of doing all their work. Some girls whom I knew when a student here have to cut their own wood & do their cooking & washing.

It is not known in which direction we will march from here. No one seems to know anything about it. General Hood has succeeded admirably in keeping his plans concealed. I suppose you have had Bud at home some time. Hope he won't return until this campaign is over. I will return to Tuscumbia this evening if the Regiment doesn't come over. My love to all,

Your Brother Affectiately, D. S. Wier

Capt Nat Low, Jr., letter from Cincinnati

2005-10-30T08:08:00.000-08:00

Cincinnati, Ohio

Oct 30th, 1863 Friday Evening

My Own Dear Jen,

I arrived here yesterday morning after a very quick but lonely & tiresome journey. I find any quantity of Officers here that I know. There are five Captains here from our Regiment. Capt. Bacon & Pringree also Major Farr are on Court Martial. Capt. Tilton & Lock start for the Regiment tomorrow. The Regiment is forty miles from Knoxville, Tennessee. Had I known it I believe I never would have left home for it is giving to be a horrid tramp of 280 miles through a horrid rough & unsettled country. It will take about eight days. Only think of it, it will be a good while before I hear a word from you & after I start it will probably be a month before you hear from me. So now old lady, if you don't hear from me for sometime, don't go to boo-hoo-ing & worrying yourself to death. Officers are not allowed to go the front only in Company with large bodies of troops. I shall start until Monday. You may be sure I will put it off to the last moment. I dread it so.

I went today to report to the Medical Director of the Department of the Ohio. He has given me a certificate saying I am not well enough for active field duty. That I know well enough before as I have had & have now an aweful bad feeling in my head. He says I am a proper subject for apoplexy. Well, the Certificate I shall take to General Burnside's Headquarters & ask to be ordered on some light duty. I expect though it will amount to nothing but will be told to join my Regiment & if that is the order, I shall start off like a little man but feeling like a baby. Had I got here a week ago, I would have got on Court Martial here like a ----.

Jen, you little dear, let me just tell you one thing: I miss you horridly . I have such a dreadful lonely feeling, just as if I had lost part of my very self. O dear, I believe I shall be the happiest man living when I settle down with you for good. I don't seem to care to do anything but squat away somewhere by myself. Now tonight all the Officers have gone to the theatre but I would be perfectly miserable to see them laughing & cracking jokes. I have thought a good deal since I left you. If my doing something while at home that made you unhappy - One big old comfort is though Jen I never spoke an unkind word to you, did I dear? And if I done anything that you did not like, it was not that I loved you any less, was it dear?

My regards, Jennie, to you Uncle & Aunt. I hope you will enjoy your trip very much. I will write again to you Sunday to let you know the result of my Certificate. I have no doubt though but that it will be a failure. Also to let you know if I start Monday. Good night with a kiss, my best love. Your Affectionate Husband, Nat

(Capt. Nat Low Jr.)

1st Mass artilleryman writes of Thanksgiving proclamation

2005-10-04T13:05:00.000-07:00

Fort Whipple Va, Oct 4, 63

Dear Sister-

I received your welcome letter a few days ago and so glad was I that I was a good mind to wait as long as you did before I answered it. I am well as usual which is saying a good deal now as there are so many sick about here. There are three of the Dudley boys in the hospital now and some a quiet sick. _____ Marsh, Isreal Langley, and Lucious Waldron. The last named went up there yesterday, the cause, too much going over to the City one day. I am at work or as we call it on fatigue on our Barrack. I have been detailed to do the carpenter work with the others so I don't have to do guard duty now so "Bully For That". We had a hard storm here last Friday. It rained very hard and the wind blew like 62 1/2. I tell you. I am glad you are well at home it is good news to me to hear that an anytime. You speak that you will have a vacation from your work - is your work very hard? If you are so that you can get finished ______ you will do well enough. But if you are at work where ther is much dust, you will need a vacation quiet often. I am glad that you have not forgotten to get your photographs. I had most made up my mind to send you another V and have them sent on. I want you to send them before the 1st of January. THE PRESIDENT HAS ISSUED A PROCLAMATION TO HAVE A FEAST DAY ON THE LAST THURSDAY IN NOVEMBER THAT SHALL BE NATIONAL. It came out in today's paper so if you don't see it before you get this it will be news to you. I am glad that E's got so many good scholars one of her scholars told me that E was giving her lessons. Now you must guess who it is for I shan't tell who. I am sorry Edwin can't make the mill go to suit him. That's the way they do to the soldiers when they don't do well to suit them. Well, it seems that you and Edwin - a-hem- I don't know what to call it - have seen each other often. At least . and Eliza seems to be troubled that way to. Well, if it's troublesome I hope it's pleasant, but I should like to be there and bother you a little. I would get them "fellers" off hunting rabbits when they happened "accidentally" that way, you know? Eliza writes that you go to parties once in awhile. Well, why don't you have one ther if you will do it I will help you or I will through you get one up myself. I will furnish the funds and you get to do the rest. You write and let me know when you will do it. Say about Thanksgiving time - that will give us time to make all the arrangements. What do you say to it? Let me know in your next letter. If you write before that time. Or, now I think of it, I want you to direct your letters to the FIRST MASSACHUSETTS HEAVY ARTILLERY instead of the 14th as it used to be as it has been changed. Be sure and write the words HEAVY ARTILLERY as it may go to the 1st REGT. OF INFANTRY. Thats all the change I know of that we have had lately. I don't expect to change again until we get the Barracks done and fairly into them then I think we shall move as thats the way we have been served ever since we have been in Va. Once in awhile we have a story that we are going to the front, but I am not much afraid of that as we are too good at the pick ax and shovel for that. Last Wednesday we had a review of the three Regiments in this Division that is the 1ST MASS & THE 2ND & 5TH NEW YORK HEAVY ARTILLERY REGTS. We were reviewed by GENERAL HEINTZELMAN & BRIG. GEN. DE RUSSY. So I have had a chance to see some of the Big Boys but the first bugger is bigger than that other bugger. They fired a salute of 13 guns for that bugger that was bigger than the other bugger. Write soon.

H.D. Healy

|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

Thoughts prior to battle . . . George C. Rackett

2005-09-02T07:23:00.000-07:00

George C. Rackett was 21 years old when he enlisted on June 14, 1861 as a Private from Yonkers, New York. He was mustered into "C" Co., NY 40th Infantry. He was discharged for disability on 8/14/1863 at Alexandria, VA Hospital having been wounded at Chantilly, VA on September 1st 1862.

Here is a letter from Rackett to his uncle written on September 2nd, 1861.

Alexandria, VA Sep 2, 1861
Dear Uncle,

I received a box from Cutchogue last Friday and by letter that came in it saw that you helped get the things. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness. I have suffered very much for the want of proper clothing since I have been out here poorly supplied. It is getting better now we have been obliged to lay out on the damp ground for the want of tents. The nights here are very chilly, damp and cold. A great many of us has had the chills. We are expecting a battle now every day. The enemy are within sight of us. They are drawing all their forces from Manassas. A balloonist that went up from Arlington Heights Saturday said he could plainly see regiments from different directions marching towards Alexandria. The next great battle will be fought almost within sight of Washington. We are prepared for them at all points. The victory of General Butler has created much enthusiasm here. Tell Daniel Webster I thank him from the bottom of my heart for his kindness. Tell him he must write to me. Give my love to Aunt Berthia and all. I must close.

I remain your nephew
George C. Rackett

Arkansas soldier writes of Indian attacks

2005-08-25T14:47:00.000-07:00

Ft. Smith, Ark
Aug the 25th, 1864

Dear Father, Mother and Sisters,

I take my pen once more to draft a few lines to you to inform you that I am well and hope these few lines will find you all enjoying the same great blessing. We have benn here some twenty weeks but I cannot tell how long we will remain here for we have been kept pretty busy this summer and I expect that we will still be kept moving but in what direction I am not able to say and I have not heard from you for near a month and the mail is so uncertain that I do not know whether you will get this or not but I hope to hear from you by the next mail - if the Rebs do not get it like they have done here before. The Bushwackers are getting quite troublesome in this country. Yesterday morning the Indians attacked the 11th Colored ten miles up the river on the north side. The 11th was guarding a hurd and making hay. Our losses was was 9 killed and some 16 or 16 wounded. The enemy were repulsed but I have not learned thier losses and about two eeks ago they concluded that they wanted Ft. Smith consequently they came on confident of success but I guess they left with a large sized flea in their ear and I think this place would be pretty hard to take for we are pretty well fortified. There is some talk of our regiment going to Springfield again but I do not put much faith in that much for Col Edwards is Commanding the Brigade and I think he is working hard to get the star of a Brigadier.

I have had no letters since I last wrote to you But I have had had but very little news from the east and times here are getting harder all the time and food and groceries are getting dearer every day. Soda is one dollar and fifty cents per pound in this town and green apples are 25 cenrs per dozen. Butter 75 cents per pound and eggs 50 cents per dozen and other things according. Watermellon from one to two dollars, a piece paper 50 cents per square, envelopes 50 cents a bunch, ink 50 cents per bottle. Take it all together, there is a poor chance for a man to save much and owing to the uncertainty of the mail, I am afraid to send what money I have home. I believe I will wait a while and if we go to Springfield I will send it then and if we go south I will send it from here. I may have a chance to send it with Capt. Chanaker as he is going to resign and go home. The health of the company is good. Joe and C & A Day are well and as I can think of nothing of importance and as I want to go to town and have my image taken, I shall have to close for the present. Hopeing soon to hear from you, I remain as ever your affectionate son, John Reed.

September 1st. The mail has come in but no letters for me. We had quite a scare here this morning. The pickets were fired on and some of them captured. We were called up at three o'clock by the long roll and expected every moment to be attacked but it is now five in the evening and all is quiet. I am on picket and can write no more. So good bye. Write soon to your so and Brother, John Reed.

|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

As part of the 18th Iowa he saw much action during the Red River campaign in Arkansas.