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Letter from Franklin A. Whitney to mother the day after he enlisted in Company F. 36th Illinois.
He was listed as from Mission, Illinois, [Kendall County] when he enlisted as a Private on 2/29/64. He mustered into Company F, 36th Illinois infantry 3/19/64. Mustering out 10/8/65 in Washington, D.C.
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This transcript is from a copy of the handwritten original. Original letter location is unknown.
Letter reads:
Aurora, [Illinois]
March 19, 1864
Dear mother,
I received your kind letter with a great many good advices. I expect to send this letter home by James. We was mustered in this afternoon and received my bounty. I intend to send home $50 of it that will lack ten dollars of being all the bounty. I will try to pay that up when we receive our next payment. The boys seem to think that #20 was more too much to take with me. Tomorrow morning we leave for Louisville at eight o’clock. The new recruits meet at the hall at five o’clock so to get our clothes. Then I will have a chance to send my clothes home. I was afraid that I would have to carry them to Chicago. Uncle H and Mr S was here this orning and I believe I was glad to see them. I wish that some came from our house had come up with them but still I don’t know but it would be a waste of time. The boys are all very well. [end page one]
I have formed some new friends since I have been in. A[****] it is a Dr. Higgins. I was at his office and after a while he asked me to go home with him. I didn’t like to go at first but he urged pretty hard and said that he had two sisters there that was pretty good company so I went with him and found it as he said. In the evening his father got out the checker board and spent the time very well. I learned him well how to play ‘peremids] (sic). He was so much taken up with the game that he kept me at it all the evening and wanted some to there this eve! He is about 73 years old and has [next six words unreadable] full grown. They want I should kill reb, them and right to them. It is now ten and I must close. How are all the friends at home. Excuse all mistakes and right soon.
From your son,
Franklin A. Whitney
I suppose the money belongs to father if it does go in your letter
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Post-war photograph of Franklin A. Whitney, 36th Illinois Infantry.
Image copyright protected, the Kraig McNutt Civil War Collection.
Other related letters:
17 Nov 64 - to mother
13 Nov 64 - mother to son
HEADQUARTERS WHARTON’S CAVALRY,
Unionville, March 19, 1863–8.30 p.m.
Lieut. Gen. LEONIDAS POLK,
Commanding at Shelbyville:
GENERAL: Yours of 1.30 p.m. of this date has just been received. My scout has just returned. They went within 1 mile of Salem. They learned that the enemy moved out infantry (the number not known) to Salem last night. The officer could learn nothing of the evacuation, save that he was told that they were moving their wounded from Murfreesborough, and that the negroes are running to the Yankees, both of which might indicate a retrograde movement. The enemy are at the same position on this pike. I sent 250 picked men yesterday to attack the enemy near College Grove, and ordered Roddey to support them. They engaged the enemy 1½ miles south of College Grove, drove them before them, and burned the bridge which they have just built over the Harpeth, near College Grove. Please advise General Bragg that I have destroyed this bridge. I learn that the enemy sent thirteen transports, laden with troops, to Carthage last Thursday. It may be General Rosecrans is about to adopt my campaign, via Carthage to Kingston, E. Tenn.
I have sent a lieutenant, with three good men, with Mr. House as a guide, to the enemy’s rear, passing around to the Wilkinson pike. I will hear from them by 12 m. to-morrow. I have four men now near Triune; will report when they return. The fight at College Grove and its results are very creditable. I have a scout now at Lebanon. I will use every exertion to advise you of the movements of the enemy, and will attack them upon every opportunity. Please give me your suggestions from time to time.
I send you Cincinnati Enquirer of the 9th and 14th instant. One contains the recent elections in New York; the other a speech from Hon Mr. [George H.] Pendleton, of Ohio.
Most respectfully, general, your obedient servant,
JNO. A. WHARTON,
Brigadier-General.
[P. S.]–Please return the Cincinnati Enquirer of the 14th, as it does not belong to me.
O.R.– SERIES I–VOLUME XXIII/2 [S# 35]
Correspondence, Orders, And Returns Relating To Operations In Kentucky, Middle And East Tennessee, North Alabama, And Southwest Virginia, From January 21 To August 10, 1863.
CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE. ETC.–#4
Page 710
CHAPEL HILL, March 19, 1863–1.30 p.m.
Lieut. Gen. LEONIDAS POLK, Shelbyville, Tenn.:
Major Johnson has just returned from his scout. He reports finding the Federal pickets, 1 mile this side of College Grove, at daylight. At about sun-up he advanced upon and drove the party from the bridge (the bridge only a skeleton, not complete), and skirmished with him until he burned it. Some time afterward the enemy re-enforced with two regiments of infantry. He fell back, and continued the fight until about 10 or 11 o’clock; then fell back, no one of the enemy pursuing. A Yankee colonel stated to Dr. Webb, yesterday, that their falling back was made to meet a change General Bragg had made, by which move he was likely to get in their rear and cut off their communication with General Grant’s army.
Very respectfully,
P D. RODDEY,
Colonel
