Cowan’s auction
E. & H.T. Anthony War Views, titled on the verso labels: No. 2638 – On the Battlefield in front of Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 16, 1864, the last day of the flight, showing the outer lines of the Federal entrenchments.
05 Tuesday Mar 2019
Cowan’s auction
E. & H.T. Anthony War Views, titled on the verso labels: No. 2638 – On the Battlefield in front of Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 16, 1864, the last day of the flight, showing the outer lines of the Federal entrenchments.
28 Thursday Feb 2019
Three CDVs of Nashville surgeons: two served in Hospital # 8 and the other in Hospital #1. Hospital No 8 was in the Masonic Hall and First Presbyterian Church. Hospital No 1 was the Old Gun Factory.
Source: Cowan’s
18 Monday Feb 2019
Partial Cowan’s description
Private Samuel Willhour remained with his comrades as they fought through the mid south. The collection includes two fine letters describing the Battle of Nashville. Willhour fired off a hasty letter after the fight to say that while he gotten separated from his regiment on the second day, he was not missing in action, as had been reported.
I thought you would see my name in the paper and would be uneasy about me. I thought I had better write to you and let you know where I was. We gave old Hood a good brushing this time. We took a good many prisoners our cavalry took five hundred yesterday. The rebels are still leaving as fast as they can…
Two weeks later, he offered more detail, from being forced to march without a shoe with sore and frozen feet, to having eaten only a cracker and some parched corn for days to the battle itself:
the night of the second days fight we ware ordered to charge bayonets and it was very dark and we went forward till we got over the rebels breast works and then our men scattered out to take the rebels that could not get away and I got into another regiment and did not enquire till we went quite a ways and then I could not get to our regiment till the next night. Our orderly sergeant thought I was killed or wounded and he reported me missing. I saw some awful sights there some men had their heads shot off and some had both legs off. It looked awful I hope it will not be necessary to butcher men up so again…
12 Tuesday Feb 2019
Posted Union soldier
in01 Friday Feb 2019
Click the image above to enlarge
Hospital #2 was also the same as the one in the University Building.
Cowan’s partial description:
Dr. Josiah Reed enlisted as a private on September 24, 1862 and served in the 94th OH Inf. Co. I. After being wounded at the Battle of Stones River, his superiors put him on light duty in the dispensary at Hospital No. 2 near Nashville where he began his career in medicine. He worked in the hospital as needed including as a druggist, Our principas druggist having been taken away by his Colonel, wrote Reed, the principal duties of this department has devolved upon me, and to one not regularly brought up a druggist, it involves no trifling responsibilities My duties here are more constant then they would be in the field, but they are not attended with so many hardships and so much exposure. (Gen Hospital No. 2, Nashville, April 15, 1863). Serving in the hospital did not shield him from death. After the passing of his friend, Lizzie Woodward’s husband George, Reed wrote to Lizzie,
I am glad to hear your patriotic sentiments and know that you are resigned to the sacrifices we are called to make in these momentous times. I believe this nation will be preserved as a unit, but every family within its borders will have to make some sacrifice for its preservation. Oh how many families will be made desolate by the present bloody contest now in progress. News up to the present time shows very decided gains in favor of truth and liberty but the slaughter has been dreadful (Gen Hospt. No. 2 Nashville, May 14, 1863).
He wrote to her again a few days later, revealing more of the horrors of war while trying to maintain some optimism,
I have witnessed some very affecting scenes in the hospital as well as on the battlefield, some of which I will relate to you if we are permitted to meet again…I believe that it is profitable to look at things in their true light occasionally but perhaps it is not best to look too long on the dark side of the picture…I am still in the hospital, I shall probably remain here as long as my services are needed(Hospital No. 2 Nashville, TN, May 27, 1863).
Reed remained at the hospital for two and a half years and committed himself to studying during the odd hours of the day and attending medical lectures at the University of Nashville. He wrote to Lizzie, I am going to be an M.D. because I am attending a few lectures. There is too much to be learned for me to think of such a thing while in the service. I only expect to improve my opportunities to the best advantage (Gen Hospt. No. 2 Nashville, May 14, 1863). Over time, his relationship with Lizzie grew beyond friendship. He teased Lizzie after she did not write for some time,
I did not think you would abandon your old friend and correspondent so abruptly. I knew it was possible that you had fallen in love and perhaps married some dashing fellow whom you may have met with in your travels, but even then I would expect to hear from you and hear all the particulars. Won’t you make me your confidant in such an event? You did once… (Officer’s Hospital, College Hill, Nashville, TN, December 31, 1864).
08 Tuesday Jan 2019
Cowan’s description:
A fascinating and scathing poem written by Union soldier Private Edward D. Roe (1836-1908), of Richfield, Illinois. Roe enlisted on August 20, 1861, mustered into “C” Company 50th Illinois Infantry Regiment on September 12, 1861, and was mustered out on September 27, 1864. The 50th Illinois Volunteers engaged in battles at Ft. Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, and Town Creek among others.
Private Roe was was assigned to the Army of Tennessee from February 1862 through the end of his enlistment, and it was while stationed near Nashville, Tennessee, that he wrote this poem which casts a critical and bitter eye upon the actions of his superiors. Titled “Our Officers,” the poem reflects upon the cowardice and self-serving nature of Union officers who avoid danger leaving enlisted soldiers to do the fighting and claiming the glory for themselves. Written in 20 rhyming stanzas. Measuring 7.5 x 12.5 in. Accompanied by original cover.
The poem begins “I sit me down to talk about/A singular Class of men/Now to portray their talents/T’would take a poets pen…Now by their looks you would suppose/They were gentle and refined/But when the truth is known dear sir/Th’re of a dif’rent kind….” The poem then goes on to recount how a Colonel, a Major, the Adjutant and a Captain all describe their fear over the impending battle arriving at a conclusion, “Then did the Captain’s talk about/The terrors of a fight/And for to fly and save their lives/They all believed was right.” Finally, in the absence of leadership, the enlisted soldiers fight the good fight, “And now the crisis came at last/The officers had all fled/Except the Corporals who were drunk/And lying round us dead/Now then the soldiers saw that they/Had got to fight or die/They went into it on their own hook/And made the Rebels fly.”
Private Roe survived the war, married, had six children, and died in Kansas.
03 Thursday Jan 2019
06 Saturday Oct 2018
The following letter was retrieved online on October 6, 2018 (Cowan’s Auction)
William C. Holliday(1838-1921) was born in Adams County, Ohio. The Minutes of Ohio Annual Conference of Methodist Episcopal Church described him as a “local preacher” as early as 1855. Holliday enlisted on December 21, 1863, as a chaplain and was commissioned into Field & Staff OH 90th Infantry. Holliday mustered out on June 13, 1865 at Camp Harker, TN.
Franklin Tenn Dec 18, 1864
1st Division Hospital 4 AC
Ma
Yesterday morning we moved easily in the AM. Our troops had moved rapidly after the panic stricken and fleeing rebels about four miles. It was night. They slept on the mud and under the rain. It rained all day – but this Army is so flushed with victory that they did splendid marching – though tired and worn from two days incessant fighting and almost sleepless nights. We came about fifteen miles. Rebels are still going. It is the greatest victory of the war….”
And writing to his wife from the Field Hospital ….
Six Miles North Columbia Tenn.”[Dec 19]
Mrs. Holliday,
It is about 7oclock PM. I sent you a very brief letter on the 18 at Franklin. On this same day we marched about 14 miles through the rain. At Franklin I had an opportunity of circling over the battlefield. The rebels suffered terribly. They assaulted our works and were killed by the hundred. I counted on one side the pile over three hundred and fifty graves. There were as many on the other side…”
Source: Cowan’s
01 Tuesday Jan 2013
Dated August 11, 1864 (Images from eBay, January 2020)
source: eBay auction Jan 2020
Transcription:
Source: eBay auction Jan 202
Civil War-Date letter written by John Parsons of the 1st Michigan Regiment Engineers and Mechanics, “Camp near Nashville, Nov. 29, 1862.”
Parsons writes of his recent movements with General Buell’s trains including 1,800 wagons with up to 4,000 cavalrymen acting as guards, passing over the battlefield of Perryville witnessing “the dead of both parties as they lay around and if any thing will make any man sick of war it is such a scene.”
He goes on to talk of burning bridges and hardships endured during the marches. He writes of the soldiers gossip concerning strategy- “we know of no reason why Bragg was allowed to get away from Green River… and why he was not captured at Perryville.”
He also mentions his brother, Charles Parsons, who is in the 17th Michigan Infantry (Stonewall Regiment) and mentions Captain Julius C. Burrows [later U.S. Senator] who were in the battle of Antietam.
He finishes with the observation that “our foraging parties often meet in the same cornfield with the Rebels and yet nothing seems to be doing.”
Source: Cowan’s
Crane, Dr. William (1832-1904). Surgeon of the 71st Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Nashville, TN. December 15, 1864 – December 16, 1864.
Cowan’s description:
These documents were Dr. Crane’s personal register for the killed and wounded at the Battle of Nashville which took place on the 15th and 16th of December in 1864. The register features the soldiers names, rank and whether or not they were injured or killed.
Dr. William Crane grew up learning medicine from his father. At the onset of the Civil War, the governor of Ohio appointed him to be in charge of recruiting and taking care of the soldiers families. He was involved with the creation of the 44th and 71st O.V.I. regiments and became the lead surgeon of the 71st O.V.I. in 1861 where he stayed until 1865.
Original lot appeared on Cowan’s: Private John R. Miller, 123rd Indiana Infantry, Civil War Archive incl. Letters Describing Devastation Brought by Union Soldiers
Cowan’s detail below:
Miller continued to be in the thick of action through the winter. After being on the run from the enemy for several weeks, Miller wrote his family:
We had a pretty hard time for a few days. We were at Columbia about 8 or 10 days. At the time the rebels advanced that place. Our regiment was laying in Duck River guarding the fords. Six companies under Col. McQuiston were at Williamsport and 4 companies “B” ‘C” and G and our company under Col. Walter were at Gordon’s ferry 4 miles farther down the regt…. When our armies fell back to Franklin, we were cut off from it. The army evacuated Columbia in the morning and we did not receive notice of it until 12 o’clock that night, we immediately started. We marched till day light when we halted for breakfast…we marched all day and in the evening found we were cut off from our army and in the rear of Hood’s army.
We marched around the rear of the rebels, passing within two miles of their camp fires and stopped past his flank. All this time they were fighting hard at Franklin, had they not have been we could not possibly have escaped…it was reported and believed that we were captured. I suppose you read at home that we were. That day I had more expectations of being in some southern prison by this time(Nashville, TN, December 4, 1864).
Relieved after learning of his son’s safety at the Battle of Franklin, Hiram wrote to Miller:
[I] was very glad to hear that you was well and that you was neither wounded, killed, or captured…. Son, you can form no idea how anxious I am to learn who was wounded, killed or captured after a battle fought by the army of which you are a member. I look over the list of casualties with fear and troubling, not but what I have an abiding faith that you will never be killed or wounded by a rebel. I believe that God looks with peculiar favour upon the brave soldiers that are fighting to defend and perpetuate the institution of this God favoured country, and that the brave devotion that our soldiers exhibit in defense of our country will cover a multitude of sins, but will not save the soul (Greencastle, IN, December 12, 1864).
The relief was short lived because the danger for Miller was not over. In the same letter to his father Miller wrote:
We are laying in the trenches here expecting an attack any moment. We have got to fight here and fight hard… We have got to fight them sometime and I would just as big to it now as any other time, and rather do it here than any where else…You need not look for me home this winter, as I have not the least idea of being able to get a furlough, as long as the fight continues (Nashville, TN, December 4, 1864).
As Miller continued to fight, he became more confident in his abilities. He wrote to his father:
I have been in 8 or 10 fights and expect to be in some more. I have had many fair shots at the rebels but never hit one that I know of. The first time I ever shot at a man I was so excited at the thought that I trembled like a leaf, but I got used to that kind of business, and I can draw a “bead” on a rebel now as cooly as would on a squirrel and be glad to see him fall. It is curious how careless of life war will render any man. Before I came into the army, it would have shocked me to see a man cut with a knife, or knocked down with a club. Now I can see any number of men killed and never give them a thought or glance (Fort Anderson, NC, February 27, 1865)
Freeman S. Dunkleeof the 36th Illinois Infantry, Co. A
On 3 August 1864, Dunklee recounts an incident of a Negro soldier killing a civilian who wouldn’t obey orders, seguing into Dunklee’s thoughts on slavery, arguing that uneducated Negroes, by virtue of their population size, influence the habits of the white Southerners. Lengthy letter reads in part, “…a Negro soldier on guard ordered a citizen to not cross his beat and was told that a ‘southern gentleman was not to be imposed upon by a ‘nigger’ if he was a soldier’, whereupon the soldier obeyed his instructions and shot the citizen. There was a loud fuss raised of course, and the Negro arrested and taken to Gen. Milroy, who released him, saying he liked to see a soldier do his duty, whether black or white; and if they did not, he would punish them. This is very different to what it was here a few short years ago. One can hardly believe that so great an evolution could take place in so short a time, but it is even so, and I hope it will continue until slavery is entirely wiped out. Most of the interior duty of Nashville is done by the black soldiers, and they make good soldiers and can be brought up to the regulations in discipline. I have seen them in almost every sphere, and that becomes them best. Their ambition will carry them just far enough. I listened to a speech the other evening that just suited me every way. It was proven conclusively that slavery was a damage to the South itself, and many of the large planters with 40 or 50 slaves on their hands will admit it and say if it had not been so popular, they would have broken up the institution years ago. A certain man of this city who was considered wealthy and has been judge of the County Court…has five hundred acres of land and generally had fifty in his family, 40 or 45 of which were slaves working his plantation, has been heard to say that not a year passed without the necessity of his taking from this own salary to make up the deficiency of his family expenses that could not be met by the proceeds of the farms. This is not an isolated case but a sample of the whole South. This is not the only way in which the institution has been sapping the South; for it has ruined its morals, encouraged ignorance, overthrew its politics and in short degraded the whole population in every way. What satisfaction is there for an educated person to encourage familiarity in a family where he is met by a young lady with a snuff swab in her mouth and accosted with some of the many vulgar expressions you so often hear repeated by the returned soldier when rehearsing a ‘southern tale’. These phrases are all vulgar and ungrammatical, many even not to be found in the English language. Where the charm, although she be arrayed like Solomon in his glory, if you are obliged to behold her when she talks, to be assured ‘she ain’t a nigger’? Where is the pleasure in a conversation that displays no more learning than the foolish babbling of a southern belle? Where is the beauty of a dwelling that has been kept for years by those that have no more interest than a slave…A northern farmer would be called a fool to expect a crop after tilling his land with a little cast iron plow propelled by a little mule, that merely rooted not plowed it, yet it is the universal custom here. Many of them [the white people] have been interrogated to know why they talked so much like a Negro who was too lazy to speak a whole word at a time or why they allowed their family to grow up in ignorance & their farms to weeds and failed to keep apace with the improvements of the age. To which they answer that in any place the ‘majority rules’ and in a family where nine tenths are Negroes, their dialect and habits will more or less become the custom; and ignorance was the key wherewith they thought to fasten more securely the chain of bondage, and it was not safe to have more than one or two in a family who could read and write…[I] stand ready to welcome the day when slavery shall be wiped out…”
Private Freeman S. Dunklee, Co. A, 36th Illinois Infantry, to his family at home in Barrington, IL.
Cowan’s details:
A ringing condemnation of slavery, southern agriculture, southern food, the southern dialect and the general short comings of the southern educational system are all expounded on in Private Dunklee’s letter of August 3rd, 1864 from Nashville, TN.
He relates that “a Negro soldier on guard ordered a citizen not to cross his beat.” He was told that a “southern gentleman was not to be imposed upon by a nigger if he was a soldier.” Obeying his orders the soldier shot the citizen. A loud fuss was raised with the soldier arrested and taken to General Millroy. The General released him saying he liked to see a soldier doing his duty whether black or white. Private Dunklee wrote “This is very different to what it was here a few short years ago. One can hardly believe that so great an evolution could take place in so short a time…the institution [slavery] has been sapping the South; for it has ruined its morals, encouraged ignorance, overthrew it politics and in short degraded the whole population in every way.” Dunklee states “he stands ready to welcome the day when slavery shall be wiped out. And to do this we must see that Lincoln is President for the next term.”
Battle writes of the engagement, “15th Thursday – … Heavy fight at Nashville. Cannonading as heavy as I ever heard./16th Friday – Visit the battlefield near Mr. Overton’s in 6 miles of Nashville. Fighting very heavy, surpassed anything I have heard during the war. Our troops behaved with great gallantry – repulsed eight or ten charges made by the enemy until at last by a desperate effort of the enemy to break our center they succeeded and whole of our line gave away in some confusion. I never in my life felt so awful about giving up our good old Tennessee.”
Cowan’s detail about Battle:
Robert Irvine Battle (1842-1921) was born near Nashville, Tennessee, to Col. William Mayo Battle and Sarah Jane Smith Battle. After graduating from the Nashville Medical College in 1860, he enlisted in the Confederate Army on 6/1/1861 as a surgeon in Company B, Tennessee 20th Infantry Regiment. Sometime after the Battle of Shiloh (April 6-7, 1862), Battle was captured and taken prisoner in West Tennessee. Records list him as a POW on 5/1/1862, and indicate he was confined at Johnson’s Island prison camp in Ohio on or around 5/10/1862.
After six months in prison, a prisoner exchange landed the young surgeon in Richmond, VA, where he then joined General John Hunt Morgan’s forces as part of the Tennessee 9th Cavalry. Battle’s 1921 obituary indicates that he was with General Morgan on his famous summer 1863 raid into Ohio, and that he was among the men of Co. C led by Captain J. D. Kirkpatrick who escaped capture at Buffington Island. These men then made their way on foot through West Virginia and back to the Confederate Army. The obituary then states that upon reaching the Confederate Army, Battle was made headquarters scout for General Benjamin J. Hill, assuming the role with a hand-picked group of men of whom he was made captain. In the summer and fall of 1864 and 1865, General Hill served various roles in the CSA, but remained in the Tennessee region. Like Robert Battle, General Hill was a Tennessee native, and no doubt the General selected Battle as a scout in part because of his familiarity with the territory in which they were fighting.
Source: Cowan’sClick below to enlarge
Printed broadside, 5 x 15 in., intended for wide circulation and posting in public places warning both US military forces and the civilian population that certain actions are to be taken as treasonous and prohibiting anti-US activities. With headline, General Orders No. 34/ Headquarters District of Tennessee, Nashville, Tenn. July 15, 1864, issued, By command of Maj. Gen. Milroy: B.H. Polk, Major and Ass’t. General, and secondary issuance at bottom in fancier multi-style print, Headquarters US Forces, Clarksville, Tenn., July 25, 1864. The above order will be strictly enforced within the jurisdiction of the Posts of Clarksville and Fort Donelson, A.A. Smith, Col. 83d Ills. Vol. Inf’t. Commanding.
The broadside commences: To the end that treason with its attendants of Guerillaism [sic], bushwacking and lawless violence of all kinds may be speedily and effectually suppressed and the supremacy of the Government restored in law and order in this district it is ordered. Then follows six separate orders for various actions to be taken by every commanding US officer…will cause immediate pursuit of any…lawless persons as may be seen or heard in his vicinity, the pursuit to be continued to extermination if possible…all persons harboring, aiding or abetting…to be treated in like manner…all houses/ buildings harboring and involuntarily feeding such lawless persons…to be burned…all citizens required to give immediate information to nearest officer of US of such lawless persons…highest duty of every citizen to be loyal and to yield every possible assistance to restoration of law and order…not [merely] by oaths and empty professions of loyalty but, by substantial acts…the day for passive lip-loyalty has gone…to be considered genuine loyalty, citizen must prove himself by works…disloyal and disaffected will be held responsible…and…in each neighborhood [will] remunerate loyal citizens against losses in the hands of guerillas [sic]…
Issued just after the occupation, this was the prelude to the Nashville campaign in mid-December, 1864. Milroy’s earlier suppression of guerrillas in the mountain district was so vigorous that the Confederates had put a price on his head.
This very rare, significant broadside truly embodies the enmities created as well as the dread and terror generated during the Civil War under an occupying force.
Provenance:Property of N. Flayderman & Co.
Partial Cowan’s description
Private Samuel Willhour remained with his comrades as they fought through the mid south. The collection includes two fine letters describing the Battle of Nashville. Willhour fired off a hasty letter after the fight to say that while he gotten separated from his regiment on the second day, he was not missing in action, as had been reported.
I thought you would see my name in the paper and would be uneasy about me. I thought I had better write to you and let you know where I was. We gave old Hood a good brushing this time. We took a good many prisoners our cavalry took five hundred yesterday. The rebels are still leaving as fast as they can…
Two weeks later, he offered more detail, from being forced to march without a shoe with sore and frozen feet, to having eaten only a cracker and some parched corn for days to the battle itself:
the night of the second days fight we ware ordered to charge bayonets and it was very dark and we went forward till we got over the rebels breast works and then our men scattered out to take the rebels that could not get away and I got into another regiment and did not enquire till we went quite a ways and then I could not get to our regiment till the next night. Our orderly sergeant thought I was killed or wounded and he reported me missing. I saw some awful sights there some men had their heads shot off and some had both legs off. It looked awful I hope it will not be necessary to butcher men up so again…
Click the image above to enlarge
Hospital #2 was also the same as the one in the University Building.
Cowan’s partial description:
Dr. Josiah Reed enlisted as a private on September 24, 1862 and served in the 94th OH Inf. Co. I. After being wounded at the Battle of Stones River, his superiors put him on light duty in the dispensary at Hospital No. 2 near Nashville where he began his career in medicine. He worked in the hospital as needed including as a druggist, Our principas druggist having been taken away by his Colonel, wrote Reed, the principal duties of this department has devolved upon me, and to one not regularly brought up a druggist, it involves no trifling responsibilities My duties here are more constant then they would be in the field, but they are not attended with so many hardships and so much exposure. (Gen Hospital No. 2, Nashville, April 15, 1863). Serving in the hospital did not shield him from death. After the passing of his friend, Lizzie Woodward’s husband George, Reed wrote to Lizzie,
I am glad to hear your patriotic sentiments and know that you are resigned to the sacrifices we are called to make in these momentous times. I believe this nation will be preserved as a unit, but every family within its borders will have to make some sacrifice for its preservation. Oh how many families will be made desolate by the present bloody contest now in progress. News up to the present time shows very decided gains in favor of truth and liberty but the slaughter has been dreadful (Gen Hospt. No. 2 Nashville, May 14, 1863).
He wrote to her again a few days later, revealing more of the horrors of war while trying to maintain some optimism,
I have witnessed some very affecting scenes in the hospital as well as on the battlefield, some of which I will relate to you if we are permitted to meet again…I believe that it is profitable to look at things in their true light occasionally but perhaps it is not best to look too long on the dark side of the picture…I am still in the hospital, I shall probably remain here as long as my services are needed(Hospital No. 2 Nashville, TN, May 27, 1863).
Reed remained at the hospital for two and a half years and committed himself to studying during the odd hours of the day and attending medical lectures at the University of Nashville. He wrote to Lizzie, I am going to be an M.D. because I am attending a few lectures. There is too much to be learned for me to think of such a thing while in the service. I only expect to improve my opportunities to the best advantage (Gen Hospt. No. 2 Nashville, May 14, 1863). Over time, his relationship with Lizzie grew beyond friendship. He teased Lizzie after she did not write for some time,
I did not think you would abandon your old friend and correspondent so abruptly. I knew it was possible that you had fallen in love and perhaps married some dashing fellow whom you may have met with in your travels, but even then I would expect to hear from you and hear all the particulars. Won’t you make me your confidant in such an event? You did once… (Officer’s Hospital, College Hill, Nashville, TN, December 31, 1864).
Nashville, Tennessee
April 24, 1865
Dear Wife,
Your kind letter of April 17th is at hand. I am glad to hear you are well and the friends the same. I have almost recovered from my spell of diarrhea although I am yet very weak and poor. If you would see me now you would think I had a long spell of sickness.
I got a letter yesterday from J. W. Keyser dated April 12th. He says he is well and likes soldiering very well but he would rather be at home. He brags mightily with the bounty he received. He says he sent $475 home to his family and then he goes on in as much to say he done well. He don’t want the assistance of no one. I wrote him a letter telling him I wished him well and hoped he would get home again. I think you had not got the money that i sent to you when you wrote or you had of let me know. The letter that I got today was enclosed with one that Abraham wrote. You want to know if I think I can come home before my time is up. I don’t think that I can. If the war was to close today, it would probably be 2 or 3 months before I could come home. I think the best for you would be to wait patiently till my time is up. I may probably be discharged before my time is up; I can’t tell. All I ask is my health and strength and if it is God’s will that I am permitted to return home with sound limbs and body, I know that I can make a living. And if I didn’t get $400 or 500 bounty, you know we have a good piece of land and if it is half cultivated, we can live on it. But it is foolish for me to talk about anything like this now.
Well, with this I will close, hoping you are all well. I have sent to my regiment for my descriptive roll. When it comes, I will make application for a discharge. But I do not know how soon or how long that will be. No more at present. From your husband, — Jacob D. Row
to his wife Hannah
Cumberland Hospital, Ward 27, Nashville, Tenn.
[Editor’s note: Cumberland Hospital was hospital #1. 900 beds and was led by B.Cloak.]
Source: eBay Jan 2019
This Civil War letter was written by Jacob D. Row (1835-1910) to his wife Hannah (Knepp) Row (1838-1899) whom he married on 30 June 1861 in Holmes, Ohio. Jacob was the son of David Row (1811-1858) and Sarah Alleshouse (1814-1881) of Crawford, Coshocton county, Ohio.
At the age of 29, Jacob was drafted at LaPorte, Indiana, in September 1864 into the 15th Indiana Infantry and later transferred into Co. B, 17th Indiana Infantry (which was converted to cavalry late in 1864). Before being drilled or even issued any arms, Jacob was transported with other draftees and substitutes by train, under guard, all the way from Indianapolis to Chattanooga, Tennessee, to join his regiment. They found them bivouacked one mile outside of the “little one horse town” in sight of Lookout Mountain which Jacob—a flatlander from northern Indiana—judged to be about “four miles high.” After his first taste of guard duty and “hard” camp life, Jacob returned to Louisville, Kentucky, with his regiment who were to be converted to cavalry.
After waiting weeks for mounts, Jacob rode his old gray horse—“as old as Methuselah” he claimed—on only one march with his regiment—that being from Louisville to Nashville from 28 December 1864 to January 12, 1865. From that point forward he was hospitalized in either Gallatin or Nashville, Tennessee, from 12 January 1865 until his discharge on 27 July 1865. Most of this time he was “playing off” as he called it. “If they send me to my regiment, I tell you I shall not stay with it long,” wrote Jacob to his wife. “The first chance I get, I will parch a lot of corn in salty grease and eat a good deal of it and that will make me the diarrhea. Then I will get the piles again. Then I will tell the doctor it is altogether from riding so he will send me to the hospital again. I am bound not to do Lincoln much good in regard of freeing the negroes if I can help it.”
Cowan’s description:
A fascinating and scathing poem written by Union soldier Private Edward D. Roe (1836-1908), of Richfield, Illinois. Roe enlisted on August 20, 1861, mustered into “C” Company 50th Illinois Infantry Regiment on September 12, 1861, and was mustered out on September 27, 1864. The 50th Illinois Volunteers engaged in battles at Ft. Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, and Town Creek among others.
Private Roe was was assigned to the Army of Tennessee from February 1862 through the end of his enlistment, and it was while stationed near Nashville, Tennessee, that he wrote this poem which casts a critical and bitter eye upon the actions of his superiors. Titled “Our Officers,” the poem reflects upon the cowardice and self-serving nature of Union officers who avoid danger leaving enlisted soldiers to do the fighting and claiming the glory for themselves. Written in 20 rhyming stanzas. Measuring 7.5 x 12.5 in. Accompanied by original cover.
The poem begins “I sit me down to talk about/A singular Class of men/Now to portray their talents/T’would take a poets pen…Now by their looks you would suppose/They were gentle and refined/But when the truth is known dear sir/Th’re of a dif’rent kind….” The poem then goes on to recount how a Colonel, a Major, the Adjutant and a Captain all describe their fear over the impending battle arriving at a conclusion, “Then did the Captain’s talk about/The terrors of a fight/And for to fly and save their lives/They all believed was right.” Finally, in the absence of leadership, the enlisted soldiers fight the good fight, “And now the crisis came at last/The officers had all fled/Except the Corporals who were drunk/And lying round us dead/Now then the soldiers saw that they/Had got to fight or die/They went into it on their own hook/And made the Rebels fly.”
Private Roe survived the war, married, had six children, and died in Kansas.
2nd Ohio Infantry soldier writes from Nashville in March 1862
Nashville, Tennessee
March 15, 1862
Dear Mother,
I now sit down to answer yours of the 9th which I received day before yesterday. I would have answered it before but them boxes was at Nashville. There was nothing in it for me. There was only one box came here. Someone went to the Express Office and got one of them and kept it. My things was in it. I guess there was a package for John Hardacre but everything was spoiled in it.
I think Mary is coming out, going to weddings &c. I was kind of surprised when I heard or read of Obediah Williams getting married. I would have guessed Hans and West Hobbs and most everybody else before him. The next time you see Obe, give him my best wishes and Mary Carnahan also.
You want me to tell Hardacre to write to you. I am afraid he will not write to you again from this regiment. He has been away for 4 or 5 days. He told me he wasn’t coming back again. He [felt he] was a picked one in the company — if he done anything, it was the guard house or extra duty. There is a lot of the same kind in the company. I consider myself among them. There is some that can do what they please and nothing said about it. Not only the officers are imposing on us but the government is. They are charging us with every stitch of clothing 3 prices. The 3rd Ohio Regiment was charged with 6 months clothing 21 dollars when the regulations said before the wages was raised 21 dollars a month without boarding or clothing or 11 dollars a month with boarding and clothing and they are piling the clothes on to us when we don’t need them. When we wanted clothes in Eastern Kentucky, we couldn’t get them but now [when] there is some prospect of the war being over soon, they are changing suits on us so that them that don’t want clothing and wouldn’t take any have to look like the rest.
I think that the things will be put through now from the way Stanton is doing. I think the hardest fighting is to be done yet and it is to be done about here some place from the way the soldiers are coming in. They are coming from Virginia, I guess. Capt. [John Hunt] Morgan of the Secesh played sharp on Gen. Mitchel day before yesterday. Gen. Mitchel started out with 1200 men to take some little town where there was a lot of provisions but Capt. Morgan got wind of it some way and came in with a flag of truce and met them about 8 miles out and Gen. Mitchel turned his forces around to go back with Morgan instead of sending a squad of men back with him and going ahead so when Morgan went back and had everything took away and left himself.
Well, I don’t know of anything else this time so I will bring this to a close. From your affectionate son, — J. L. Hebron
Don’t say anything about Hardacre
Source: eBay Jan 2019
“John L. Hebron, son of Alexander and Lydia (Giles) Hebron, was born in Steubenville, Ohio, January [or December] 17, 1842, died in the city of his birth, May 25, 1914, and was laid at rest in the family vault in Union Cemetery. He was educated in the public schools of Steubenville, and then became an apprentice to the granite and marble cutting trade. He continued in that line until his enlistment on September 5, 1861, as a bugler in Company G, Second Regiment, Ohio Volunteers. He was engaged with his regiment at the battles of Ivy Mountain, Perryville, Murfreesboro, Stone River, Hoover’s Gap, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and in many engagements and skirmishes. At the battle of Stone River the color bearer of the Thirtieth Regiment, Arkansas Infantry, Confederate, was shot, and the flag of the regiment was captured by Colonel McCook, who gave it to bugler Hebron to take to the rear, which he did in safety. He was honorably discharged from the service in Columbus, Ohio, October 10, 1864, having been in the service something over three years without receiving the slightest visible physical injury.After returning from the war, he resumed work at his trade in Steubenville, and became a skilled marble and granite cutter, specializing in monumental work. He opened a marble yard in Steubenville, in the McEldowney building on Market Street, and there he continued in the monumental business for many years. He met with a fair degree of success in his business, and many of the monuments and gravestones seen in Union Cemetery were erected by Mr. Hebron. Prior to his passing, he erected a Hebron family monument in Union Cemetery. About the year 1900 he retired from business, being a great sufferer from varicose veins, a trouble induced by exposure and fatigue while in the army.Mr. Hebron was a Republican in politics, and served his city as councilman and member of the Board of Education. He was one of the charter members of Webster Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of Steubenville, was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was an attendant of St. Paul Protestant Episcopal Church. He was well known in Steubenville, and was highly esteemed as a man of honor and integrity.On February 19, 1873, Mr. Hebron married, in Wheeling, West Virginia, Martha E. Dalby, born in Steubenville, Ohio, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Huff) Dalby, both families of Washingtin county, Pennsylvania, and early settlers in Steubenville, where they located as early as the year 1803. Mrs. Hebron survives her husband, a resident of Steubenville, Ohio, her home No. 536 South Fourth street. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Four children were born to John L. and Martha E. (Dalby) Hebron: 1. Jessie Edgington, who died in Steubenville, Ohio. 2. Victor, a master plumber of Steubenville, Ohio; married Grace Dean. 3. Solon Chase, engaged in the pottery business; married Catherine Grimm, and they have two children, Claud Dean and Beaulah. 4. Sue, married Ralph L. Jones, secretary of La Belle Iron Works; Mr. and Mrs. Jones are the parents of a daughter, Martha A. Mrs. Jones is secretary of the Republican Woman’s Club of Steubenville, Ohio, and an active worker.” [Source: American Biography: A New Cyclopedia, Volume 11, by William Richard Cutter, page 222]The Repository of Canton, Ohio, of 26 May 1914 carried the following cryptic obituary for John under the heading, “He Prepared to Die” — Steubenville, O., May 26. — When John L. Hebron, a prominent Odd Fellow, died here Monday, his grave was dug, his vault built, and the tombstone ready for the date. He had arranged all these in later years. He was 71 years old.
The following letter was retrieved online on October 6, 2018 (Cowan’s Auction)
William C. Holliday(1838-1921) was born in Adams County, Ohio. The Minutes of Ohio Annual Conference of Methodist Episcopal Church described him as a “local preacher” as early as 1855. Holliday enlisted on December 21, 1863, as a chaplain and was commissioned into Field & Staff OH 90th Infantry. Holliday mustered out on June 13, 1865 at Camp Harker, TN.
Franklin Tenn Dec 18, 1864
1st Division Hospital 4 AC
Ma
Yesterday morning we moved easily in the AM. Our troops had moved rapidly after the panic stricken and fleeing rebels about four miles. It was night. They slept on the mud and under the rain. It rained all day – but this Army is so flushed with victory that they did splendid marching – though tired and worn from two days incessant fighting and almost sleepless nights. We came about fifteen miles. Rebels are still going. It is the greatest victory of the war….”
And writing to his wife from the Field Hospital ….
Six Miles North Columbia Tenn.”[Dec 19]
Mrs. Holliday,
It is about 7 o’clock PM. I sent you a very brief letter on the 18 at Franklin. On this same day we marched about 14 miles through the rain. At Franklin I had an opportunity of circling over the battlefield. The rebels suffered terribly. They assaulted our works and were killed by the hundred. I counted on one side the pile over three hundred and fifty graves. There were as many on the other side…”
Source: Cowan’s
Dr. Abraham Hoch Landis wrote to his children and detailed his day-to-day activities in Hospital #1 (Nashville).
U.S. General No. 1 (Volunteers) – 936 beds, led by B.B. Breed.
December 15, 1862 letter reads, in part:
“All the churches in town and many other buildings are used for hospital purposes. The sick soldiers that I am attending are in three large rooms. Every morning when I get up and get my breakfast I go into a room and find from 10 to 15 sick men. I go from one to another and write on a piece of paper what kind of medicine each one needs, and the paper is taken to the hospital steward and he doses out the medicine. When I get through one room I go to another room until I get done. One house in town is used to keep rebels in. I went to see them one day. They were hard looking cases. It would scare you to see them, there was so much dirt on the floor that I could hardly see it and their shirts looked as if they had not been washed in a month.”
Source below: HA.com
[Union Surgeon]. Dr. Abraham Landis Archive.
A large archive of over 450 letters relating to Union surgeon, Dr. Abraham Landis, with approximately 189 letters from Dr. Landis, dating from April 5, 1862 – April 24, 1865. Many of the letters are accompanied by their original transmittal covers. Landis’ early letters detail about his medical work in Tennessee near Nashville. In 1863, he was captured by the Confederates at Chickamauga and was taken to Libby Prison, and the archive has two letters from his time there and one immediately after his release. About half of the letters then cover his service in the Atlanta Campaign, the Battle of Resaca, movements on and around Dallas, Georgia, and on Kennesaw Mountain. Landis was then seriously wounded at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, and his letters that follow are about his recovery in hospital.
Abraham Hoch Landis (1820-1896) joined the 35th Ohio Infantry in November 1862 at the age of 41. However, before he was mustered into the 35th OH, Landis was already helping the army in a medical capacity.
Nashville Tennessee
Gen’l Hospital No 13
Sept 27th 1863.
Dear Sister Harriet
As I have a few moments leisure this pleasant Sunday evening I will try to improve them by writing you a few lines. although I have nothing of any importance to write. I am here at Hospital 13 on duty as Commissary Serg’t and now as all the Hospitals are filled up with wounded and we have a large Hospital I have a great deal to do. Our Hospital is capable of holding between five and six hundred and I have charge of drawing and issuing all the rations, liquors, fuel so you can judge for yourself whether I am busy or not. but I have got an Asst now So that helps me a great deal but there is one thing that I am quite certain of and that is that I am doing more good here than I could in the field, although if I were ordered to the field I would go withut saying one word for I have always obeyed orders since I have been a Soldier and intend to but there is another very evident fact that is that these sick and wounded Soldiers (or Uncle Sams Children) must be taken care of and anything in my power to help them they will get. I can assure you that the Soldiers that are in Nashville in hopsitals are getting extraordinary good care taken of them(as they deserve) tonite we send alot of boys to Louisville KY those that are slightly wounded in the late battle in Northern GA for the purpose of making room for those that are daily arriving from the front that are worse off than these. I have talked with a number of the boys that have come in from the late field of action, they were all in good spirits and confident of the success of our brave Army of the Cumberland. In my opinion the ? Copperheads and the Southern Traitors will have to wait awhile longer before they have a chance to boast or crow over the success of the Rebels for they have not made anything in this last battle for our Army under “Old Rosy” have held their ground against greatly superior numbers. I saw George day before yesterday, he was with the Mr. Hoss, he was looking very well with the acception of his eyes, they continue to be bad. I rather guess worse than common. I have received two packages of papers from you written a few days for which I am much obliged for they looked so much like former better days. I sent you a Nashville Weekly Union a few days ago, which contained a short piece about me and my Asst perhaps you noticed it. I marked around it, but it did not come out to any particular sum. It was intended as a joke on us but rather fell through itself the cause of it was we had an invitation to call and see the ladies of the other building(one of which is a Mich lady) and because we accepted the invitation and some of the others did not get invited they were jealous and tried to be smart. but instead of accomplishing it, they made more enemies than friends in the operation ? is not going to require me in the least, anyway that is what the Surgeons of this Institution told me. I have been a little unwell for the past two days with a sore throat but am better tonite and do not apprehend any further trouble. I was out to see George last Sunday one week ago today, he has a first rate place with one exception that is he has to sleep in a tent which I should not like, although he has a very nice one, far superior to anything he could have in camp, still it is a tent and is not a house. the weather here has been quite changeable for the past ten or fifteen days, but it is now quite cool, which it makes it favorable for the wounded. I have not heard from Spring Arbor in so long that I begin to think the Follks have forgotten me, for my part I should really like to correspond with some “fair celestial” from that part of our beloved “America”but I do not expect any good luck as that for I have about made up my mind that they all got “Sweet Hearts” in the army or somwhere else for I shall not look for anything of the kind. I guess I have written enough of this nonsense, but no one but Home Folks will ever see it, I shall not care so much. I must write something you know and as I am one of Uncle Sams Gay and Festive Children it may as well be nonsense, as any other sense, or amy other man. Company H 1st Mich. Engers. & Mechs. were all usually well when last heard from. It is now bedtime and I have to be up in the morning I will be under the painful necessity of closing hoping you and all the rest of the folks are well. please give my best wishes to Mary, Mr. Ward and Mrs. Ward and the young ladies, Mrs White, Mrs Haddock and all the rest of the folks. If any of them think enough of me to ask of me. I am looking over this letter I notice considerable bad spelling and some mistakes, but you must make due allowance for me as you know that I am young and “unsophisticated” but as you are pretty well posted, perhaps by a choice? you will be able to make it out, part of it suffice it to say that it all means well anyway, no more tonite, only write when convenient. I remainas ever
Wm Gavette
Gen’l Hospital 13 Nashville Tenn
Engineer Co. H 1st Rgt Of Michigan
eBay auction ended 1/16/13
123rd Indiana soldier writes of fortified Nashville in March 1864
Camp near Nashville, Tennessee
March 28th, 1864
Dear Father,
I wrote to you last while at Louisville, but have never received a letter from home. I wish you would write sometimes, it does a fellow good to receive a letter. I have not received a letter since I left Camp Lindsey from anybody. We left Louisville last Friday evening at six o’clock, and arrived at Nashville last Sunday morning at 3 o’clock. We were just 33 hours running 185 miles. We are using the shelter tent, they are made for two persons, but John Matson and I and John Williams and Bob Williamson and John Goddard and Emit Goddard have spliced our tents and bunk together. I like the place very well, much better than Louisville, but we will hardly remain here very long. We are under command of Gen Hovey and he is not the man to remain inactive very long. In giving the name of the Colonel of our regt., I mistated it, it is Mcquiston instead of Mchiston.
My health is excellent, I was around the outskirts of the city taking a view of the fortifications. The City is very strongly fortified. There are a number of new Indiana regts here, they are encamped around the City, every place wherever the ground is favorable for a camp. Several regts have arrived and encamped near us yesterday and today. We are having a splendid times here, but I want to go to the front as soon as possible. I like soldiering not only as well as I ever thought I would, but much better. It seems to agree with me in every respect. We are a gay set, Father I wish when you write, you would send me some postage stamps, as I am out entirely, and have no money to get any with.
Give my love to all the family, tell Pres I would like for him to write to me.
Please write soon. Your affectionate son,
John R. Miller
(to his father)
address
John R Miller
Company “F”, 123rd Regt. Ind. Vol.
Nashville, Tennessee
Source: web site
Cumberland Hospital 1864
Nashville Tenn..
December 25th
Dear Father And Mother
I thought being as this was cristmas I would write you A fiew lines to let you know that I am well.. I hope this will find you all the same. Their is nothing mutch going on here now once in a while they take a mans leg of or pull a lot of boans out of a mans arm it is nothing to see them cut a man up. we dont think any more of it than we would of killing a hog at home. You have no idy how things is down here it is an awful sight to go through this hospital you can see men shot in every shape you can think of. their has bin 5 or 6 men died in this ward two of them was rebs one of them had his leg taken off. we did git plenty to eat for A while they have cut us down so we hardly git enough.. I havnot herd from the regiment yet I suppose they are down below Columbia some whare Will Stockton [i.e., Pvt. William H. Stockton, Company K, 84th Illinois Infantry] has a very soar fingure he is well every other way.. I would like to know how the boys come out. I fear their is more of them hurt before this their has bin some very hard fighting done this time they say they have to make room for 800.. more they are to come in to day. I would like to be at home to day I think I would git some thing good to eat and drink I think this is the last cristmas I will put in the army for A while when it comes my turn I will come a gin with out being drafted I think they will draft this spring. a great many they did draft was not fit for the servis so the last call wasnot all mad up I see in the paper
if the call is not mad up a gin the 15 of February their will be a draft mad their is lots that will go out of the servis this summer and they will have to make their place good.
Call Harrah [i.e., Pvt. John C. Harrah, Co. K, 84th Illinois Infantry] is in the Ohio floting hospital Newalbany Ind the last I herd from him he couldnot walk he was gitting better I dont believe he will ever be with the Regiment a gin if all of them does as much as Call has done they will do enough for one time.
I suppose their will be a big dance some whare a bout this time I would like to be at it I recon the old banjo hangs up behind the door as it use to with nothing but the base on it. well you will git tired of reding this slang so I will quit write often to your hopeful in the army
H H Maley.
Wm M and
E A Maley
Source: Univ of Notredame
Cumberland Hospital
Nashville Tenn
Dec.21, 1864
Dear Father and Mother I thought I would write a fiew lines to let you know that I am well and I hope this will find you the same.. The first days fight just before dark I got a little tap on the sholdier with a piece of shell it was not a bad hurt but it was bad enough So I had to come to the Hospital the same piece hit All Cowden [i.e., Pvt. Albert Cowden, Co. K, 84th Illinois Infantry] on the leg so he can hardly walk.. Will Stockton [i.e., Pvt. William H. Stockton, Company K, 84th Illinois Infantry] was wounded with his own gun he shot the end off of his four fingurs of his right hand at the first joint. I havnot herd from the regiment yet I suppose they are after Hood yet you will see in the papers how the thing went. I think old Hood is gon up Salt Crick. their was lots of our men hurt they had to charge the rebs works their is some men here nearly shot all a way. Their is some wounded rebs here they are used the same our men is. It has bin very wet here since the fight begun I guess it will turn cold… They got all of our men that was wounded at franklin and all the rebs.. this Hospital is the best fixed thing I ever saw. We have very good grub and git enough of it.. I was in the fight until the first line of works was taken. we took one stand of collers and two guns we was forming when I got hit.. I suppose they will send me to the regiment in a day or so
I have wrote all I can think of so I will bring this to a close Write often to your Hoapeful
H H Maley
Wm M and
E A Maley
Source: Univ of Notredame
” At Nashville, where we outnumbered the Rebels, and they had the advantage of position and defences, we took them squarely out of their works, and completely routed them. ‘Tis true they used but little artillery at Franklin, and we an enormous ammount at Nashville, still it was not in the killed or wounded by cannon shots, or in their moral effects that the difference lay, but in the growing conviction in rebellious minds, that they are now paying for a very dead horse, and that a life as an individual concern is a rather big price to pay. Sixteen general officers and any quanity of smaller fry were killed or wounded at Franklin. It is well known that generals do not expose themselves usually on either side, save in some desperate emergency. General Adams was killed right on our breastwork, and so were some others. Do you not see how difficult it must have been to bring the men to the scratch, when it became necessary to urge them forward by the generals themselves leading them? When we assaulted their works at Nashville, and began to go over them, I never saw more abject terror than among those we captured. It was real, genuine fright. ‘ What would we do with them!’ ‘Would anybody hurt them!’ ‘Do give me a guard,’ &c, &c, they were constantly saying – in fact a badly thrashed set of rascals.”
” The country is now full of deserters. Hood and his army, who were to go to the Ohio river , are completely played out, and quiet reigns in Tennessee. Thus it happens that we go into winter quarters. The men are now busy as bees, cutting and hewing logs for their huts. Soon the men will settle down to daily drills and the consumption of rations, and the officers to the recception of orders to do or leave undone this, that and everything under Heaven that somebody else can think of when having nothing else to do but to devise and issue orders. Reports, returns, tri-weekly, tri-monthly, monthly, weekly, daily and hourly, are called for, and the grand aggregate carefully filed away at Washington, never more to be seen by eye of man. The paper wasted on all these things would each day freight a large ship, and Satan himself would yeild to despair at the task of making head or tail of them. The idea is beginning to force itself upon me that, as it is after eleven o’clock at night, I had better stop writing, and go to bed, ‘To sleep – perchance to dream’ of home, and wife, and chicks, and then to wake homesick beyond expression. Ehen!”
” The war is playing out fast. There can be no doubt of that now. Sherman and Grant will prove to heavy for Lee; and the Rebel plan of arming ‘niggers’ will only give us so many more of that sort of soldiers. ‘Tis folley in them, but so was the Rebellion an insane piece of folly. ‘Deus vult perdere prius dementat’”
“Henry Leaming”
Company D, 4th Regiment, Kentucky Calvary Volunteers
Nashville Tenn.
April 9th, 1862
Dear Wife,
I take my pen in hand to inform you that I am tolerable well at present and hope these few lines may find you are enjoying the same blessing. We have got to this place after a long and tedious march. We got here last Sunday. The country through which we have passed is the worst torn up country I ever saw. The fences are nearly all burnt along the road and lots of the houses deserted and some of these torn all to pieces. We find some Union men down here but they are very scarce in this part of the world. This is a fine country about Nashville. There is some of the finest houses here that I ever saw and plenty of Negroes. We have had two or three insurrections in the regiment. When we fixed to start from Bardstown all the regiment except our company refused to go until they were paid off. But our company took the lead and the rest followed after. Then when we got to Munfordville and got our money they refused to go any further until we got arms and the Colonel went and got some guns that had been refused by several other regiments and told us when we got to Gallatin we should have better arms but we come to this place and this morning the Colonel ordered us to march on to Columbus 45 miles from here and selected our company to take the lead. But they told him plainly they would not go any further without better arms and I have heard that there is no more arms to give out to cavalry. I do not know what will be the result. I have not heard from you since I sent you that money but I hope you have got it. I would like to be at home with you all but I don’t know when I can come. There is no chance to get a furlough now. You must write as often as you can and direct your letters to Nashville, Tenn. until I write again. You must be contented as you can and stay where you are until I can get back again and trust to Providence. So nothing more at present but remaining your affectionate husband until death.
Harrison DeWaters, Company H, 13th Michigan Infantry excerpt from March 13, 1862:
we are in Tennassee about 3 miles from Nashville it is a pretty large place the rebles has tore up the bridg so we hafto cross in a boat it is a pretty place round here but in Kentucky is a pretty hard place the fences is all burnt down and houses some has left thare house and every thing in it and run away but thare is some left yet thare is 4 rigements here in our brigade
THE MAXWELL HOUSE DISASTER IN WAR TIMES.
BY JOHN M. DICKEY (44TH TENN. REGT.), KELSO, TENN.
I was one of the four hundred Confederate soldiers confined in the Maxwell House (Zollicoffer Barracks), Nashville, Tenn., when that terrible disaster of September 29, 1863, occurred. The accident is described in a Banner of recent date, and the writer says the victims fell to the third floor, also that some of the prisoners were at breakfast. That is incorrect. I was standing near the head of the stairway when breakfast was announced, and the hungry men were crowding when they were stopped by the guard. All at once, the floor gave way, and down we went to the first floor. We fell near where the pool tables were. I fell lengthwise between two joists, and a man fell across me. His brains were scattered over my coat, and the spots were on it when I left prison in 1865. I lay pinned down until the rest of the wounded and dead were cared for. When they prized the rubbish off of me, I was carried into the lobby.
There were one hundred and twenty six of us in the fall, forty five killed outright or died in a short time. One man, a Mr. Dodd, went with me to Rock Island, and died there of his wound. I had this statement from the best authority. John P. White, whom I had known all my life, visited me almost daily. He was a merchant in Nashville at the time and long afterwards. He said there were one hundred and twenty six.
I was surprised to see in the Banner that we fell only to the third floor. [That evidently was intended to mean that they fell three floors.]
I was taken to the Central Baptist Church, which was used as a hospital, and it was twenty two days before I could stand up. After sixty five days, I was sent to the penitentiary, and from there to Rock Island Prison, Barrack No.44, from which I was discharged May 4, 1865.
[Colonel Overton built the Maxwell and named it for his wife, who was
Harriet Maxwell.]
[W. C. Jennings, in Tennessean and American.] There were one hundred and four Confederates who fell.
There were four killed in the fall and four died within a few minutes. Fifty were sent to the hospital, several of whom died. Several of my company fell: R. A. McGill, who died in Texas some years ago, Burrell Brown, who died in prison at Chicago the next year, Thomas Lain, who died at Camp Morton, Indianapolis, Ind., the next year, T. H. Woods, who is a conductor on the N., C. & St. L. Railroad, Shelbyville, G. B. Harral, of Beech Grove, and myself of Hillsboro, Tenn., of Company G, 17th Regiment, were captured in the battle of Chickamauga, September 19, 1863. We were on the top floor of the Maxwell House, and every floor fell through to the bottom. A guard standing on the second step with his gun was slightly injured. Realizing the danger, I kept back.
I will never forget how the guards pushed the good women of Nashville with their bayonets (they were bringing bandages and trying to relieve the crippled men), but they were ordered to do so by the officers. I always have loved the women of Nashville, and hope they will be rewarded for their goodness in trying to relieve those poor sufferers. We left there Friday morning for Camp Douglas, Chicago. I was the first volunteer from the third district of Coffee County and the last one to get home after the war was over. I am in my seventieth year and badly crippled. I know of but eight of my company now living, five in this county, one in California, and two in Texas. I have a complete roll of the company. A. S. Marks was colonel of the regiment.
[Original Civil war letter from occupied Confederate Nashville, Tennessee, under the military governor, Andrew Johnson] 4 page letter with original envelope from William Henry Ruse of the 97th Ohio Volunteer Regiment to Maggie Stewart of Adamsville, Ohio. W. H. Ruse worked in a hospital (No.8) in Nashville, Tennessee (possibly as a pastor). Ruse talks of William Gannaway Brownlow’s sermon just 400 yards away (preacher and future Tennessee Governor) and the transfer of Clement Laird Vallandigham to Confederate lines (on direct orders from Lincoln)
———————————————————————–
Pleasant Sunday Eve
Nashville Tenn
May 24th1863
Dear Maggie,
I have just come in from preaching and now I am going to try to write to you a few lines in answer to yours which I received two or three hours ago. Last Sunday evening you was writing to me. It is slow work talking at such a long distance. For my part I would prefer having the distance shortened. But don’t know how to accomplish it… you say you read my letters often. I don’t think you read them as often as I do yours. For that is the way I past my time reading letters and looking at those treasurable pictures… Monday Evening May 25th.
Well as I did not finish yesterday I will now try to write a little more. It is so excessively warm today that I can scarcely write. Parson Brownlow preached in this City yesterday at 12 A.M. the Church in which he preached is not more than four hundred yards from this hospital, but I did not know he was going to preach until it was all over. I tell you I was spited. To think I didn’t get to hear him when he was so close. It was not generally made known that he was to preach till an hour or two previous to the hour for preaching… The Northern Traitor (Vallandigham) arrived in this City on last evening. On his way south of our lines. He was strongly guarded. I don’t think his punishment was half severe enough.”
Last page contains a poem about death, entitled:
“How, where and when”
(This poem has been attributed to Mrs. Abdy, 1842, Church of England Magazine, Vol. 12)
When shall I die?
Shall death’s cold hand arrest my breath?
While loved ones stand in silent watchful love to shed.
Shed tears around my quiet bed?
Or shall I meet my final doom far from my country and my home?
Or shall my fainting frame sustain the tedious languishing of pain?
Good-bye dearest.
Please write soon and often.
W.H. Ruse
Source: eBay auction, March 2011
Hospital No. 12, Nashville, Tenn.
May 7th 1863
Dear Maggie!
Once more with great pleasure I embrace a few moments to write you a short letter. I wrote to you a short time since and shortly after I started mine I received a very kind letter from you. It seems that all our letters pass each other on the road. “speck” they say “How do you do” or make use of some familiar phrase.
Wish the writers could meet as often as their letters do. strange wish, “ain’t” it. and not very strange neither. You know we can’t refrain from wishing, but I wish that our wishes could come to pass. Oh! Maggie! I have written so often to you that I expect you are getting wearied reading my disinterested letters. but let me assure you it is not so with me. Your letters are received by me with the greatest pleasure, and a beating heart always waits a reply. I have written a good many letters to other girls. Letters of friendship, but those I write to you. I want you to receive them for more than mere friendship. For let me say that your memory is ever dear to me and if we never again meet on Earth I shall ever Cherish the fond remembrance of Thee, and think of the pleasant hours passed in your society, but let me indulge the hope that we may again meet ere long.
I cannot yet see much sign of the war Closing but I always try to hope fo the Best.
I suppose You was a thousand times glad to welcome the returns of your soldier Brothers.
I imagine I see Maggie when she first got a peep of Nixon. I want you to give me the particulars of your first meeting. I was glad to hear of Nixon getting his discharge. I received a letter from him when he was about ready to start home. I was somewhat surprised when I received the news of his going but he did his duty in the army. And I know his discharge is an honorable one. I have not yet answered his last letter. And I beleive I will wait till I get a letter from him at home if he has not yet written tell him I want him to write immediately.
A great many left no. 12 day before yesterday for Louisville. I could have gone had I so desired but I thought it not a very desirable place from Nixons description of affairs there. We have a new surgeon in Charge. He is quite a young man + I presume a very fine man + skillful Physician but I must stop. Now dont forget to write often. I will pledge myself to answer Your letters immediately on their reception if you will do the same “Aint” that fair?
Well goodbye Dear Maggie hoping to hear from you soon.
I am every Yours
sincerely
Henry
farewell oh no it cannot be
Direct as before
[Original Civil war letter from occupied Confederate Nashville, Tennessee, under the military governor, Andrew Johnson] 4 page letter with original envelope from William Henry Ruse of the 97th Ohio Volunteer Regiment to Maggie Stewart of Adamsville, Ohio. W. H. Ruse worked in a hospital in Nashville, Tennessee(possibly as a pastor). Ruse talks of William Gannaway Brownlow’s sermon just 400 yards away (preacher and future Tennessee Governor) and the transfer of Clement Laird Vallandigham to Confederate lines (on direct orders from Lincoln)
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Pleasant Sunday Eve
Nashville Tenn
May 24th1863
Dear Maggie,
I have just come in from preaching and now I am going to try to write to you a few lines in answer to yours which I received two or three hours ago. Last Sunday evening you was writing to me. It is slow work talking at such a long distance. For my part I would prefer having the distance shortened. But don’t know how to accomplish it… you say you read my letters often. I don’t think you read them as often as I do yours. For that is the way I past my time reading letters and looking at those treasurable pictures… Monday Evening May 25th.
Well as I did not finish yesterday I will now try to write a little more. It is so excessively warm today that I can scarcely write. Parson Brownlow preached in this City yesterday at 12 A.M. the Church in which he preached is not more than four hundred yards from this hospital, but I did not know he was going to preach until it was all over. I tell you I was spited. To think I didn’t get to hear him when he was so close. It was not generally made known that he was to preach till an hour or two previous to the hour for preaching… The Northern Traitor (Vallandigham) arrived in this City on last evening. On his way south of our lines. He was strongly guarded. I don’t think his punishment was half severe enough.”
Last page contains a poem about death, entitled:
“How, where and when”
(This poem has been attributed to Mrs. Abdy, 1842, Church of England Magazine, Vol. 12)
When shall I die?
Shall death’s cold hand arrest my breath?
While loved ones stand in silent watchful love to shed.
Shed tears around my quiet bed?
Or shall I meet my final doom far from my country and my home?
Or shall my fainting frame sustain the tedious languishing of pain?
Good-bye dearest.
Please write soon and often.
W.H. Ruse
Source: eBay auction, March 2011
Raleigh, North Carolina,
April 20, 1865,
Nov. the 28 we was ordered to Nashville to defend the place agains Rebel Gen. Hood. December 1 we got there and dug trenches 2 days and 1 night. Dec. the 4 & 5 considerable skirmishing. The 6 & 7 considerable firing on picket with a little fight. We lost several….the 15 Thomas went for them and it was a hard fight with a loss to the Rebs of 12 hundred prisoners 18 pieces of cannon 8 battle flags which we got. The 16th the fight gets harder our loss 1000 killed and wounded. Rebs loss 600 hundred killed & wounded. We captured 5000 prisoners 30 canon and several battle flags. The 17th Hood has left our front and skedaddled. Thomas after him. The 19th we was ordered to move we marched to Murfreesboro 2 days….went 9 miles the other side of Huntsville, Alabama the track being torn up. We had to march the rest of the way. The 27th we crossed the Tenn. River on transports and run the rebs out of Decatur . Our cavalry captured 4 canon then we started after Hoods pontoon train but hearing that he had made a crossing below we lay at Cortland a few days…April the 3 we started for Goldsborough where Sherman lay…the 10 we started for Raleigh…the 13 encamped for to make peace for Johnston has promised to surrender the papers has been sent to Washington to be signed…
129th Illinois Infantry, Co. I.
Source: Nate Sanders auction
Among 70th Indiana, William Hobbs greatest concerns at Gallatin and then Nashville, were the stream of rumors about where they would next be sent and the ever-present prospect of taking ill:
Perry the smallpox is verry bad at this place, he wrote from Nashville on Nov. 14, 1863, there is not many in our regiment taken it yet. They has been a great many died with it at this place But I think it will be checked before long. Perry we had a big sham battle to day. I tell you now it was nice to hear the roaring of cannon and musketry and the brass bands playing…
Source: Cowan’s Auction
Letter written by a 117th Illinois Infantry soldier named Thomas A. Whitesides. It is dated Nashville, Tenn., December 6th, 1864. Whitesides wrote this letter to his wife who was living in Belleville, Illinois. This letter was written just six days after the Battle of Franklin (30 November 1864).
Thomas A. Whitesides enlisted August 12, 1862 as a Corporal. On September 19, 1862, he mustered into Company H of the 117th Illinois Infantry at Camp Butler in Springfield, Illinois. He mustered out on August 5th, 1865, having served nearly three years in the service for the Union.
Whitesides would have seen action with the 117th in places like Vicksburg (summer 1863); western Tennessee chasing after Nathan Bedford Forrest’s cavalry (Dec 1863); the Red River expedition and the Battle of Pleasant Hill (Feb 1864); and the Battle of Nashville (Dec 15-16th, 1864).
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Nashville, Tenn
Dec 6th, 1864
Dear wife,
I seat myself to fulfill my promise in my last [letter]. I told you I would write the first opportunity. Thies [sic] few lines leave us well and I hope to find all of you the same. We have moved our position to the left and thrown up breastworks waiting an attack. Skirmishing is kept us all the while night and day by the picket. Shelling is quite common all along the line. I suppose hood [CSA Gen. John Bell Hood] is going to seige us out of here as he don’t advance only at night. They have thrown up [breast] works every night and still getting closer. Their line and ours are one mile of each other. Hood sent a flag of truce [end page one] yesterday wanting to exchange prisoners that were taken in the late battle [Franklin: 30 Nov 1864]. I suppose he is short of supplies and don’t wish to feed men that are not fighting for him.
The prisoners say they don’t get fourth rations and if they don’t take this place before long they will be without any as they are so far from base of supplies and no railroad to ship on. It is rumored round camp that Rosecrans is commencing with reinforcements for us. I don’t credit the report though I would like for some good General to get in the rear of them and close in so they would have to get up and dust. I see in yesterdays paper that Sherman had got through to the coast. I would be pleased to know he had released our prisoners at Antietam [probably means Andersonville]. [end page two]
I hear that Don Morrison has gone to France as he couldn’t stand for the Stars and Stripes to float over him.
Olive, I have been tempted to ask a favor of you for some time past and I fear you will not be so free to grant it. I will make all fair promises imaginable. I wish your photograph. I will pray for a half dozen and I promise to return it if you should call for it. Tell me at once if I can have it.
I must close for present.
I remain as ever your affectionate friend,
Thomas Whiteside
PS
Our Co [Company] is on picket tonight. I guess we may have a good time with the Rebs.
Letter written by John A. Jackson
January 1, 1865,
addressed to General Thomas, reads in part:
“…I feel that the thanks of every Union loving heart, are due to you this bright New Year’s morning, that the ‘Stars & Stripes’ now float over Tennessee, instead of the piratical banner of Secession. I have never felt deeper interest in our cause, nor greater confidence that a triumph more signal, and glorious even than that before Nashville will soon crown the Union arms, and redeem our beloved South from the filthy pool of Secession in which she has been so long plunging – and clad in clean Union garments she will soon forget the stained and dishonored rags which her leaders for a time have compelled her sons to wear! War is a…terrible school in which we all share – all suffer – the innocent and the guilt but with you Gen’l to wield our armies I shall look soon for a peace – a conquered peace….”
Source: Live Auctioneers online
Columbia Tenn
Dec 28th 1864
Dear Sister,
I received a long letter from you today. I reply not because there is anything of importance transpiring just at present, but because when the most happens is the time I am entirely unable to write. Since I was last at Columbia we have had some stirring times. Hood drove us back to Nashville. We had a very severe battle at Franklin during which our Regiment lost in killed wounded & captured some thing over half its men. After that we were in the big fight at Nashville & our company lost its Commanding Officer, a fine man who was shot through the breast & had an arm broken by a musket ball. But the success atoned for all the loss & more. Hood has halted at Columbia again. The rest of the Army has gone down after Hood. How long we shall remain here idle I know not but presume we shall have plenty to do. Sherman has taken Savannah & Hardee has escaped with his 15,000 men & will probably reinforce Hood which will give him a chance to show us considerable fight. But we shall conquer in the end. The right will triumph in the end. Charleston will be taken next and all important Sea ports. Christmas is over & I thought often of the fine times you were having at home. We had rather hard times living on hard tack & sow belly. It is quite cold to night, I have just had an argument on Slavery with the Captain who is for allowing the slaveholders credit for honesty on account of early education and I am not. I would just as — take a horse or hoe from one of these men as not. But I must stop writing. Having passed safely through the Battle of Franklin I expect good times for a while. Let me know if any thing new happening and you hear from Thomas.
Goodbye.
Your Bro. A.M.Weston
(Asa M. Weston enlisted on 8/11/62 as Sergeant in Company K, 50th Ohio Infantry, 3/4/65 promoted to Sgt Major, 4/22/65 promoted to 2nd Lt, 6/26/65 mustered out at Salisbury, NC)
9th Indiana artillery soldier keeps 1864 December diary, much info regarding Nashville
Wed. Nov. 30: Left Smithland at daylight up the Cumberland River for Nashville, Tennessee. Landed a few minutes at Eddyville, Castle Rock, Canton and Tobacco Point and reached Dover, or FT. Donelson, about 8 1/2 oclock and tied up for the night. The sun has shined about all day for the first for a long time. The river is in a nice boating stage now. We got along today without any troubles or difficulties.
Thurs. Dec. 01: I went ashore and went up to the fort this morning. Flood’s Battery and part of the 83rd Illinois Infantry is here yet. We waited for other boats and left Ft. Donelson at 10 1/2 oclock. Run very slow. Passed quite a number of boats today returning from Nashville. We reached Clarksville, Montgomery county, about 8 oclock, landed a few minutes and run all night. Cloudy again.
Fri. Dec. 02: Drizzling rain this morning. Run all night and reached Nashville at 10 oclock and commenced unloading immediately. We got off by 2 oclock and started out to the front and took positions about 4 oclock in the front line of battle on the Nashville Pike about 2 1/2 miles southwest of the statehouse. Our men are throwing up rifle pits in earnest tonight.
Sat. Dec. 03: Rained last night. I went on the top of a high hill nearby where I had a nice view of the city and the troops line of battle and the surrounding country. Saw Maj. Gen. Thomas and Schofield and Brigadier Gen. McArthur and Webster skirmishing all day and about 4 oclock this evening cannonading opened on the left wing but did not last long. A squad of citizens were brought out and throwed us up breastworks. A pleasant day, saw Tom Man. Look some for night attack.
Sun. Dec. 04: The gunboats were heard firing below last night and firing has commenced on the left this morning and kept up all day. Our men are still strengthening their works. The Rebs have throwed up fortifications in front of the 4th Corps. Their works extend to within 1/4 of a mile of ours on the left. The 3rd Indiana Battery throwed several shells into the Rebs line up to 9 oclock tonight, and heavy picket firing was kept up all night. Four prisoners were brought in this morning.
Mon. Dec. 05: Cannonading opened again this morning to our left and was kept up at intervals all day and skirmishing was kept up all along the lines most of the day. A detachment of the 4th Tennessee Cavalry made a charge on the Rebs pickets this evening but found them too strong for them and returned again with two or three wounded after killing six Rebs. Cannonading ceased this evening. On guard today. My time is out today.
Tues. Dec. 06: Cannonading and skirmishing again today. In the evening the 2nd Illinois and 2nd Iowa Batteries opened fire on the right at a Rebel column that was seen moving to the right, and throwed several shells among them. It rained a little last night, has been a pleasant day. The gunboats are firing below here this evening. I went over on the right this evening.
Wed. Dec. 07: Rained a little last night and is warm and cloudy this morning. There has been some skirmishing today but not as much as usual. Our guns were firing all along the lines again today. Our guns throwed several shells into the Rebel lines this evening. It has turned quite cold this evening. Rained a little this evening. Mike Wilkins, David Beeson, Enock Whitted and Jerry Ferman came over this evening.
Thurs. Dec. 08: It was quite cold last night and still continues cold all day. Cannonading again today. We fired a few rounds in the morning. Captain Brown has returned. I took a walk round to the left along our lines this evening. I went about 2 miles. A charge was made on our picket line near the left center, the 31st Indiana was sent out and drove them back into their holes. We unharnessed this evening.
Fri. Dec. 09: Very cold disagreeable this morning. A cold sleeting snow is falling this morning. Ceased snowing about noon and I went down to the city and went into the U.S. Christian Commission and wrote a letter. Quite a crowd of soldiers in the city today. Cannonading and skirmishing has about ceased now as it is rather too cold and disagreeable to fight today.
Sat. Dec. 10: Quiet still this morning. I and R. C. Turner went to the city this morning. Visited the State House which is a splendid building, and after we run round over town till evening, we went back to the camp. There has been a little cannonading today. It is quite slippery getting round now. Everything is very high here in this market, but there is a large amount of business done here.
Sun. Dec. 11: Very cold here in camp. I went down to the city and went to the Baptist Church in the morning. I then took a walk out to the forts in the south part of the city. I went back through town, and Haines and I went to the St. Cloud Commercial and the City Hotel and remained till nearly night and then returned to camp. There has been no skirmishing along the line today.
Mon. Dec. 12: Cold and disagreeable all day. There was some cannonading today on the left. Most of the cavalry has crossed over to this side of the river this evening, and the indications are that a move will be made soon. I went down where the cavalry camped tonight and saw the 12th Mo. Cavalry, also the 11th Indiana and saw Burt Chapman and Capt. Woodard and Col. Mull.
Tues. Dec. 13: Still cold and disagreeable this morning and no move is being made yet for the enemy. I am on guard today and have been writing some letters. It moderated considerable this evening. The snow and sleet has all gone and it is misting rain a little. Skirmishing or picket firing is going on quite brisk up to 11 oclock tonight.
Wed. Dec. 14: Misty and foggy this morning. There was a brisk firing kept up all night on the picket line. It is warm and cloudy and very muddy today. I wrote some letters again today. The cavalry is still in camp near here. There has been no cannonading here today I believe. There is a valley of from 2 to 3 miles width in front of our lines extending all around our lines between us and the enemy.
Thurs. Dec. 15: Still warm and foggy. Left camp at 7 1/2 oclock, formed our lines in the valley in front of our works and begun to advance at 11 oclock. The ball opened pretty heavy about 12 oclock and was kept up till after dark. Our battery and the 2nd Illinois shelled one of their work for 3 or 4 hours, but the infantry charged and took it. 8 guns were captured and turned on the Rebs, also a lot of prisoners. Rained a little today. There was 33 pieces of artillery and 1500 prisoners captured today. We camped tonight where the Rebs camped last night.
Fri. Dec. 16: We were in readiness for action at an early hour and advanced 3/4 of a mile and the ball soon opened. We run our battery right up on the Rebel skirmish line and opened and fired all day from the position. We run out of ammunition for the Napoleons about 3 oclock. The infantry advanced under a galling fire and scaled their walls and took possession of their works. We moved forward about 1 mile and camped for the night.
Sat. Dec. 17: Rained hard last night and continued all day. We captured 22 pieces of artillery and (??) prisoners today, also 3 generals. I went over the battle ground this morning of guns, ammunition, dead horses, wagons stuck in the mud and leaned against trees. It showed there had been a great panic. We hauled off 4 guns and some caisson and left about 4 oclock on the Granny White Pike and then back to the Franklin Pike and into camp about 3 oclock.
Sun. Dec. 18: Left camp at 7 1/2 oclock. Very muddy and disagreeable. Marched along pretty well to within about 2 miles of the town of Franklin and halted about 4 hours. Met several hundred prisoners and 3 pieces of Rebel artillery. Moved up near town a while before night to camp, but got orders to cross the Harpeth River. Crossed over on pontoon, passed through town about a mile and went into camp at 7 1/2 oclock. Marched 8 miles.
Mon. Dec. 19: Rained very hard last night. We have orders to march again today. Heard heavy cannonading this morning in the direction of Columbia. It rained hard all day, a cold disagreeable rain and very muddy. We have a solid pike to travel on today or we could not get on at all. Passed through Spring Hill about a mile and went into camp at 7 oclock. Marched 12 miles, about 10 miles to Columbia.
Tues. Dec. 20: We have a tolerable good camp and there is some talk that we will remain here till morning and then go back. It is still cloudy but it is more pleasant today. We received orders to go to the front yet tonight. We harnessed and went to the ammunition train and filled up our chests about 2 oclock and left about dark and went a few miles, but it rained and was so very disagreeable we went into camp. It is the most disagreeable I ever saw since the war.
Wed. Dec. 21: I never went to bed last night, rained till nearly day and then commenced snowing and continued all day. We can’t cross a creek near here till a pontoon is laid down. The 23rd Army Corps is passing this evening. I am on guard today. This has been one of the most disagreeable times I ever saw in or out of the service. All the little creeks are booming full.
Thurs. Dec. 22: It froze last night and is cold and still snowing this morning. We received orders to move out this morning but the order was countermanded till evening. The 23rd Corps and train is still passing yet. We left camp about 2 oclock and moved toward the front and crossed and went out about 1 1/2 miles and went into camp. The 4th Corps is in camp along here. The road was full of trains and wagons all the way out. Cleared off this evening.
Fri. Dec. 23: Very cold last night and is clear and cold today. The 4th Army Corps commenced moving out last night. The cavalry is crossing Duck River this evening. The 23rd Corps is camped all along the road from Spring Hill to Columbia. There is breastworks thrown up all along here. Gen Girard is commanding our division, and the 2nd, now. It is about 2 miles to Colunbia.
Sat. Dec. 24: Left camp about 3 1/2 oclock and went to the river and found the pontoon out of repair and the 4th Corps train to cross. We had to wait till about 1 oclock before we commenced to cross. The pieces of Rebel artillery was snaked out of the river before we crossed. We got over by 2 oclock and passed through Columbia which has been a very good town. We went out about 8 miles and went into camp about dark. We heard cannonading today.
Sun. Dec. 25: Rained a little this morning and turned off pretty fair day till about 4 oclock and then commenced to rain a little again. The 4th Corps train has been passing all day and our train has come up, also the remainder of our artillery. About 25 Rebel prisoners passed here today on their way to Nashville. The boys are foraging in earnest today. Christmas.
Mon. Dec. 26: Cloudy damp morning, left camp at 12 oclock. The 1st and 3rd Divisions march in front today. The pike is pretty muddy in places. Signs of fighting and skirmishing all along the road. Lt. Caffee started back this morning. We passed through Linwood, small town, partly burnt, marched 10 miles today and went into camp about dark about 1 mile beyond Linwood.
Tues. Dec. 27: Raining a little this morning. We left camp about 11 3/4 oclock. The roads are pretty muddy. Cannoneers all have to walk in this department of the army. Crossed Big Creek and run down it for some ways and turned out and went into camp about 8 oclock. There has been considerable skirmishing along here. A lot of Rebel prisoners passed here this evening on their way to Nashville.
Wed. Dec. 28: Received orders to remain in camp today. The boys are all out foraging near by. I remained in camp till evening and then I and Wilson McCallmont rode over to Pulaski, county seat of Girard county. The town is very much torn up now, but has been a very good town before the war. There are plenty good springs and small streams in this part of the country. 23rd Corps gone down Buck River.
Thurs. Dec. 29: Left camp at 8 1/4 oclock. The roads are frozen so as to bear up this morning. Passed through Pulaski and turned west on the Florence road. Crossed Richlands creek near junction with Weekly’s creek. Marched in a west direction, crossed several small streams, had bad hilly roads most of the way. We went into camp at sundown in about 8 miles of Lawrenceburg and 10 miles of Pulaski. Marched 14 miles. On guard.
Fri. Dec. 30: Left camp at 7 1/4 oclock. On the Lawrenceburg road, had pretty good roads to Lawrenceburg, which we passed about 11 oclock and had very bad roads this evening. Commenced raining before noon and rained a little all this evening. We went into camp about 2 oclock on the Clifton road in about 4 miles west of Lawrenceburg, County seat of Lawrence county. We marched about 12 miles today.
Sat. Dec. 31: Rained very hard and then snowed last night. Clear and cold this morning. Left camp about 11 oclock, had very bad roads all day, not hilly, but very deep, stiff mud. Country thinly settled. We marched in a northwest direction today and went into camp about 4 oclock in about 10 miles of Waynesburg, county seat of Wayne county. Marched 8 miles today.
Notes:
Original web site source
The original diary was given to the Indiana Historical Society, located at 140 North Senate Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46204, phone (317) 232-1879. The society’s resource center is in the Indiana State Library building.
Richard T. Johnson 207 North Howard St. P. O. Box 73 Oxford, IN 47971
Letter from mother to son
[Sent to Nashville]
Newark
November, 13, 1864
[Son is Franklin A. Whitney, 36th Illinois Infantry]
My ever dear son,
As I have an opportunity to send a few lines by Mr. Rable, I thought would embrace it, we are all well as usual and hope your health is improving. Samford and Cornelia and Thinza have gone up to meeting this morning. It was pretty cold so I thought I would stay at home and write to my boy away in Nashville. We do not get any letters from Perrine. What is the matter? We hear he is in Chattanooga with the most of the 36 Reg. Has he written to you since you went North? I suppose you have heard the particulars [end of page one] of D. Cady’s death before this time. I believe he had the typhoid fever. Last week we sent you two letters and a paper. I expected to get a letter from you last night but was disappointed. Are you out of paper? If so and you can’t get any let us know. I saw Canate Johnson last Thursday. He is coming to see us this week. He says, “Frank is a good soldier and the last he saw of him he was pecking away at the Rebs.” I wish I could see him (my boy). I am having a bad time with my pen. The children have all the penholders down to the schoolhouse so I have tied a pen into a quill and am using that. You will excuse the poor handwriting. I was up to Grandpa’s yesterday. They are well. Grandpa gave me a pair of socks for you. I shall run the [end of page two] heels tomorrow and then carry the things to Rable, Grandma is quite worried about P[initial only]. He certainly out to do so. Write I mean. Enclosed in this you will find C’s photograph. We think it pretty good. I should like to send some of the rest of the family and shall as soon as possible. We were going to have Mattie’s taken with a little rabbit, but the rabbit was killed accidentally so we have not had it done yet. Have you drawn any money yet? I suppose you can draw two month’s pay. I hope I have faith to believe you will not fall into any bad habits while inthe Army. I wish my dear boy to come home as good as when he left. I know you will not disappoint me. Your [end of page three] parents and friends follow you in all your wanderings. Please write as often as you can. Tell us everything, you need not think it will be uniteresting. You know by this time Lincoln is re-elected. We all rejoiced at it. By the time you get this letter you will have a paper from me giving an account of a rebel or an attempted rebel raid in Chicago. They rather slipped up on that and some of the Copperheads got into Camp Douglas. Now the Copperheads round here say that is a likely story you know. The children have just come home from the meeting. Miss Hand with them, and Beebe has dropped in . Our friends around here all well. Mrs. Tremain wrote to Victor where you are, and told him to write to you. Has he done it? James is at home, not very well, but between when he comes Mrs Pierce is at her fathers yet. I intend to see her before she goes South and have her see you when she gets to Nashville is possible. I guess I will send you fifty cents. It is not much, perhaps it will do a little good. I shall have to stop for the present. Good bye. If I get time I will write more.
From your mother L.M.W.
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The son in this letter is Franklin A. Whitney, of the 36th Illinois Infantry. He wrote her just a few days after this letter.
Franklin A. Whitney
Post-war photograph of Franklin A. Whitney, 36th Illinois Infantry. He was listed as from Mission, Illinois, when he enlisted as a Private on 2/29/64. He mustered into Company F, 36th Illinois infantry 3/18/64. Mustering out 10/8/65 in Washington, D.C.
01 Wednesday Aug 2012
Posted Period building, Period images, Union soldier
inTags
This sketch of Fort Negley was down by an unknown Union soldier. Notice the troops camped on the slopes of the hill. Construction was performed mostly by freedmen labor.