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New York
Aug 27th, 1862
Excerpted
Mr. Varker thinks that there will no drafting done but his thoughts about it did not keep me from coming. It was because it looked too much like a coward and rather than to be called a coward, I would remain even if there was danger of being drafted. It is but for nine months at any rate it is no weak cause, no disgraceful one. I am willing to give myself to my Country, that Country for which my fathers bled and if necessary let my blood be shed. It is for no disgraceful cause but it would be an honorable death to die.
There seems to be but a short distance to the Christian between the battlefield and heaven. Why then should we so dread to go? But it is a solemn subject. It is a serious matter. Many are gone unprepared and many must fall the same. Let us weigh the matter well and be not hasty. I will not lengthen on this subject. I am willing to go, willing to remain and risk the draft but if my parents are opposed I will not go and if it is their wish I will return home. If you wish me to come and if you want anything from the City, some of you had better come and I will return with you.
from William Augustus
Listed on eBay July 2007
NASHVILLE, August 27, 1863–1.25 p.m.
Major-General ROSECRANS:
I have not failed to telegraph you daily. Many messages from your headquarters are six hours old. Mr. Dwyer reports the wires overloaded. On the 23d I telegraphed that Stokes reached Alexandria at 8 a.m. the day previous. On the 24th I advised you of Morgan’s arrival at Columbia, with one brigade, and that he was ordered to commence work on Duck River bridge; that McCook’s brigade was between Franklin and Columbia repairing the railroad. On the same day I received orders to stop work on Duck River bridge and throw Morgan’s brigade forward to Athens. I immediately sent the order, and directed him to report his arrival directly to you. Late last evening I received your order signed by Captain Thoms, and at once sent orders to Stokes to draw ten days’ supplies from Carthage, “and hold himself in realness to move. Ordered McCook’s brigade to cease work upon the bridges and march to Athens, leaving one regiment at Columbia until the arrival of the Thirteenth Wisconsin from Fort Donelson, and Twenty-eighth Kentucky from Clarksville, when the regiment ordered to remain at Columbia would rejoin McCook, leaving the two regiments above named at Columbia. I ordered the latter to clear the country as they moved. They will reach Columbia about the 31st. I sent you by this morning’s mail a report received from Steedman of the whereabouts of his command.
My forces are now disposed as follows: Two regiments of infantry, detachment of cavalry at Alexandria; one regiment of infantry at Carthage; one regiment and detachment of infantry and battery at Gallatin; one regiment of infantry and battery at Clarksville; one regiment of infantry and battery at Fort Donelson; two regiments of infantry, a portion of one of which is mounted, en route from Donelson and Clarksville to garrison Columbia: one regiment of infantry at Franklin; McCook’s brigade at Columbia under orders to march to Athens (will start to-morrow); one reamcut of infantry at Fayetteville; one regiment, one battery, and Galbraith’s cavalry at Shelbyvlle; one brigade of infantry, one battery, two battalions Tenth Ohio Cavalry, under Morgan, en route for Athens; Steedman’s division guarding railroad; Ward’s brigade, except one regiment, and Doolittle’s brigade, except one regiment, with the Tennessee cavalry, and detachments at Nashville.
G. GRANGER,
Major-General
O.R.– SERIES I–VOLUME XXX/3 [S# 52]
CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY, SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA, TENNESSEE, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH ALABAMA, AND NORTH GEORGIA, FROM AUGUST 11, 1863, TO OCTOBER 19, 1863.–UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.(*)–#8
Page 192
New York Tribune newspaper, article about Robert Smalls
August 27, 1862
Near Atlanta Ga.
Aug 25th, 1864
Aug 25th, 1864
Sister Harriet,
When I last wrote, whom I wrote to, and what I wrote, is to me now a matter of doubt. Having been a month right in the midst of an active campaign here at the front, you can probably imagine that I have had no time to keep up correspondence and that in the general disorder I should forget just how matters epistolary stood. Every second of the livelong day & night I am in danger, so are all the soldiers in this army, that is to say I am constantly under fire. A shell or a musket ball, plenty of which are almost constantly on the wing, may come to me at any time. How many have struck just over my head or passed by my side I could hardly tell you since I have been at the front. Every day some one gets hit, but there are a good many of us left yet & we all take our chance. I try to be careful, not to expose myself unnecessarily & at the same not to shrink from duty in a cowardly manner. I dont wish to terrify you by these statements for it always seemed to me that I was to be lucky & I have been able to avoid the balls thus far so that nothing but chance could have hit me. I am in good health and spirits. 
We expect to take Atlanta soon & end the campaign. Then times will be easier. The drafted men of the 500 thousand called for on the 5th of Sept. must be here soon & if these are fully and promptly made up I think we shall be able to conquer the Rebellion. You will doubtless see in the papers what the 2nd Division Genl Haskells of the 23rd corps has done in the late movements on this, the left, flank of Shermans army. Our Brigade is the 3rd Col. Stricklands. Lt Col Elstner Commanding our regiment & the 50th Ohio was killed on the 8th of this month while leading the regimentt into action. He was a splendid brave man. (torn at top of page).. .frighten him. He was cool in an engagement, and his presence of mind & judgement always at hand. We shall never get another as good a Commander. The boys shed tears when he died for though not what I call a good man, he was a brave and good commander & the boys could trust to his judgement & leadership. A Capt. Now commands us & of 900 men we now have about 200 to go into an engagement. The rest are killed, wounded, have died or become disabled by disease. My trust is in God for my own present and future life & for the preservation of my country. Probably I might have got a discharge on acct of my eyes, but while I am otherwise well I shall not attempt it. My glasses make me to see when on the skirmish live & at other times I can get along without them. Remember me kindly to all friends. Say I am hopeful & in good spirits though you & no one not in it has an idea of the severity of the Campaign in which we are engaged. We are just now by special order living on 5 day on 3 day rations though we generally get enough to eat. This 3/5 matter won’t last long I think. The other night I wrung water out of my shirt blouse pants etc, went to bed, slept soundly, & got up wet as ever. We had to keep our clothes on you must know as well as cartridge boxes etc & that is the reason we sleep so wet sometimes. We must be ready to meet an attack at any time in a minutes notice. Received a N.Y. Independent two days ago but no letter lately. Love to all. Have got the family picture Celia sent me yet. Direct “Co “K” 50th O.V.I. 3rd Brig. 2nd Div. 23rd A. C. near Atlanta Ga.”
Your brother Asa. 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)
From CAPT James B. Long, Company “C,” 34th Tennessee Regiment, Tyler’s Brigade, Army of Tennessee, to a close lady friend, Eliza Alexander of Atlanta, Georgia, dated Aug 24 1864.
I am well. I don’t think you are likely to be troubled any more right soon by the visitation of the Yankee’s shells. They seem to have fallen back already, but I don’t know how far they will go. I assure you that nothing would afford me more pleasure than to be at your house and with you today. My heart yearns for an agreeable companion. I feel as it I was shut up in some dark dungeon with not a single ray of hope or spark of day to shine upon me. Now if I was in Atlanta, these dark clouds would be dispelled. The bolt drawn from the door of the prison [is] over my sad heart … I am not there, nor do I know when I can be …
The 34th TN participated in the Atlanta Campaign.
—–
NASHVILLE, August 24, 1863–12.30 p.m.
General ROSECRANS:
Morgan arrived at Columbia yesterday morning with one brigade, via Shelbyville and Farmington, and will at once go to work on Duck River railroad bridge. McCook’s brigade is putting up bridges from Franklin to Duck River. I must have all the pioneers belonging to the Reserve Corps. There is much heavy work on this road.
G. GRANGER,
Major-General.
O.R.– SERIES I–VOLUME XXX/3 [S# 52]
CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY, SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA, TENNESSEE, MISSISSIPPI, NORTH ALABAMA, AND NORTH GEORGIA, FROM AUGUST 11, 1863, TO OCTOBER 19, 1863.–UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.(*)–#7
Page 156
Harper’s Weekly, September 10, 1864
FORREST’S RAID.
ON Monday, August 22, the rebel General FORREST made a daring raid into Memphis, Tennessee, which is illustrated in the accompanying sketches. The expedition was commanded by FORREST in person, and consisted of portions of eight or nine cavalry regiments, mostly from Tennessee, and numbering from 1500 to 2000 strong. Arriving at Beal Street, the rebels divided off in several squads and struck for the Gayoso House, Hospitals, Irving Block, and General WASHBURNE’s head-quarters on Union Street. The latter was first visited by a force of about two hundred, under Lieutenant- Colonel JESSE FORREST, who entered and found it deserted, the General and his staff having but a moment before escaped. JESSE captured the General’s over-coat, and started for the Gayoso House with his valiant horsemen, who rode right into the office of the hotel in search of General HURLBURT, who had also escaped. A portion of the rebel force then proceeded to break open Irving Prison, in order to release the prisoners there confined.—But the guard resisted them, and was assisted by the fortunate arrival at the right moment of the Eighth Iowa regiment. about 6 A.M. the rebels left the town, finding it growing too hot for them, having accomplished the capture of 200 citizens and about 100 horses, and having butchered all the negroes they could find in the streets. There was little plundering; indeed the rebels had orders not to dismount under penalty of being shot. The rebels suffered heavily. Their object appears to have been the capture of Generals WASHBURNE and HURLBURT
FORREST’S RAID INTO MEMPHIS—THE REBELS AT THE GAYOSO HOUSE.—[SKETCHED BY GEORGE H. ELLSBURY.]
FORREST’S RAID INTO MEMPHIS—ESCAPE OF GENERAL WASHBURNE.—[SKETCHED BY GEORGE H. ELLSBURY.]
FORREST’S RAID INTO MEMPHIS—REBEL ATTACK ON THE IRVING PRISON.—[SKETCHED BY GEORGE H. ELLSBURY
In front of Atlanta Ga / August 21 1864,
Cook writes amidst the Siege of Atlanta:
Note: “From July 28 to august 25 the command remained in position before Atlanta, frequently under fire, but sustaining trifling loss.”
- Report, of Lieut. Col. Robert L. Kimberly, Forty First Ohio Infantry commanding regiment and demi brigade. Atlanta, Ga. September 9, 1864.
We are having a different time now than we had last winter we are marching or fighting most all of the time, more amusement than I like. I would rather go to Orrville and see the picture of a Battle field. I heard from Dalton a few days ago. McDowl is more than down on us boys. She does not believe Ed was killed. She says she do not know any thing about it well perhaps she don’t but I know she will never see him again, as I never knew of a dead man coming to life yet. We have been under fire almost every day since the 5 of May now we are in sight of the rebs and are skirmishing with them every few days. there is going to be some hard fighting before they let us go. Today is Sunday, and is middling quiet but cant tell how long it will last as they start up firing all at once some times. We cant tell one minute what shall happen the next, don’t care much either if we have to fight I want to do it and get home again, that is, if they don’t hurt me.
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William C. Cook was 18 when he enlisted as a musician, mustering in to Company C, 41st Ohio Infantry on September 18, 1861 at Camp Chase, Ohio. He was promoted to sgt on 7/9/64 and to 1st Sgt., 1/9/65.
The Siege of Atlanta drew to a close just four days after Cook wrote this letter. During the lengthy Atlanta Campaign, the 41st Ohio lost 150 men on the field of battle. In addition to the Atlanta Campaign, the regiment also saw action at Corinth, Shiloh, Perryville and Stone’s River.
Source: Nate Sanders auction
Andrew Gudgel enlisted 11/12/61 as a Sergeant, into Company A, 58th Indiana. Mustered out 11/11/1864.
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Letter written August 20, 1863
Page one
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Page three
Andrew married Elvira Wallace.
Here is a transcription of the letter. Some minor editing has improved the spelling and grammar somewhat.
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August 20, 1863
Letter to Sgt. Andrew Gudgel
58th Indiana Volunteers
My dear and beloved Andrew,
I take my pen in hand this Thursday morning to finish answering them two kind letters that I received from you last Saturday. Your letters was dated July the 30th and August the 5th. Andrew your letters both stated that you are well and hearty and in tolerable good spirits. Well, Andrew, it did do me so much to get them and to hear that you was well for some how all last week I was very uneasy about you & did not get no letter week before last and them last Saturday when I got them two interesting ones. You had better believe I was proud after I read them I could step around as light as a feather and I do hope this evening while I am trying to write to gain that you are still enjoying good health. Andrew I am truly thankful to the good Lord to tell you that we are all well and hearty and in good spirits about the war, but Andrew, somehow I am very uneasy about you this hoy weather it is very warm weather here now and you so much further south than we are I know it must be warmer there than it is here and if you are on a march I know you will suffer well. I do hope you won’t have to march such hot weather. Well Andrew I got that letter that sent the twenty stamps in and I wrote you a few lines and put in with that letter and two stamps though Ii don’t expect the old letter will interest you much but the last piece I wrote will tell you that we are all well. Andrew I am very anxious to hear from Abe and from all accounts I am afraid we will hear bad news him when we do hear but I hope for the letter nick came from your fathers last Monday and they had got a letter _____ Richard’s and he said he was very bad and wanted father to go and see him. I am in hopes he has got letter. Andrew, I will [end page one]
[start page 2]
finish this letter in the morning. I will have to go and do up the night work. Oh Andrew if you could come home before the sun goes down again. Goodbye night. Well Andrew this is now Friday morning and I have just heard good news. Nick came from your father last night and he heard that Abe is a heap better now. Andrew I am truly glad to hear that I _____ ain’t do hope and pray to the good Lord that you four brothers my be spared to get home your mother and father is so uneasy about all the time. Well Andrew if ever I tried to pray in earnest for anything I am asking the Lord to spare your life so that you can come home and help me to raise the children. I’d not want you to work but we need you here to manage. Well Andrew, Elenora has just now spilt the ink all over on my paper but maybe you can read it. Andrew, Elenora says she would _____ if she could see you. The children all want to see you that I want to see you soon. I know that you know I do and I do hope that day will soon come that we can live together again. Well Andrew, I have no doubt but this very day one year ago was sittgin side and side riding in the buggy. Well I just believe Andrew if we are faithful we will see pleasure yet together on earth and I am determined to live for it ad then if we should never meet again on earth that before we will meet where parting will be no more. Andrew I always tell the class to pray for the beloved companion of mine that has gone out to fight for our liberties. I always attend class when ever I am well and we are getting along as well I reckon as could be expected in your absence, though sometimes I think we are getting along very poorly but the night hours tells us they think we are getting along ______. Well the thrashing machine is at Sa[muel] Williams
[end page two]
[Begin page three]
hardly tell how it passed off. I am in so much trouble about you having to go back. Well Andrew I want you to come home this fall if you can if there is no prospects of you coming to stay? Well Andrew you said that I did not say anything making me any clothes out of the wool. Well I thought I had well I am going to have two good flannel dresses and Elenora two steares [sic]. _______ wife is going wear them and all the balance of the wool that I kept I will ______ you. I don’t _____ my self but I must not get very more costly dresses if you get me the silk dress. Well the children was all very proud of their present you sent them. They are very good about not wanting to spend it. Well Andrew I do feel thankful for the priviledge I have of talking to you by way of letter but oh how much more satisfaction would it be to me to talk with my loving Andrew ____________________ and I love to write it too. Andrew you said for me to not suffer no uneasiness about you enlisting for three years longer. I do not want you to be _____________of them. Oh I do not want you to have _____ the hardships of a camp life long enough and I do hope and pray that you will soon be released. Well Andrew you said you had sent your money to father. That was alright. I will soon get some of it when _____ I _____ share no particular need of many now only to get some chance for the jeans and shirts a coloring stuff. Well Andrew I believe I will have nothing more that is interesting. This letter now bears us all well and hearty and I do hope it will find you enjoying the same. God bless. I do hope I will get a letter tomorrow. Goodbye this week.
Elvira Gudge to Andrew Gudgel
Her loving husband
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Four brothers served with their father Andrew. Andrew enlisted as a Sergeant on 11/12/61 into Company A, 58th Indiana. He mustered out 11/11/64, fifteen months after the above letter was written.
They were:
Abraham Gudgel, mentioned above, mustered into Company A, 58th Indiana; 9/12/1862. He was discharged 10/15/63 for disability, just five days after this letter.
Edward Gudgel mustered in as a private, 11/12/61, into Company A, 58th Indiana. He mustered out 11/11/64, the same day as his father.
Jacob Gudgel enlisted 11/12/61 (with Edward and Andrew) and was mustered in to Company A, 58th Indiana. He re-enlisted 1/24/64 and mustered out 7/25/65 in Louisville. He saw one promotion to 1st Sgt.
Thomas Gudgel enlisted 1/8/64 into Company B, Indiana 10th Cavalry (125th Indiana Infantry). He mustered out 7/13/65.
A fifth brother enlisted late in the war:
William H. Gudgel, enlisting 2/10/65 into Company H., 143 Indiana Infantry. He mustered out 10/17/65 in Nashville.
All of the Gudgels survived the war. Andrew Gudgel, the father, served in the Civil War with five sons altogether. Andrew was married to Elvira Wallace, who was the daughter to John Wallace and Francis Jane Taylor. John and Francis had over 100 grandchildren, with over forty of them serving in the American Civil War.
August 20, 1864
By Private Miles O’Reilly
By Private Miles O’Reilly
THREE years ago today
‘We raised our hands to heaven,
And on the rolls of muster
Our names were thirty-seven ;
There were just a thousand bayonets,
And the swords were thirty-seven,
As we took the oath of service
With our right hands raised to heaven.
Oh ’twas a gallant day,
In memory still adored.
That day of our sun-bright nuptials
With the musket and the sword’:
Shrill rang the fifes, the bugles blared,
And beneath a cloudless heaven
Twinkled a thousand bayonets,
And the swords were thirty-seven.
Of the thousand stalwart bayonets
Two hundred march today;
Hundreds lie in Virginia swamps,
And hundreds in Maryland clay;
And other hundreds, less happy, drag
Their shattered limbs around.
And envy the deep, long, blessed sleep
Of the battle-field’s holy ground.
For the swords—one night, a week ago,
The remnant, just eleven,
Gathered around a banqueting board
With seats for thirty-seven;
There were two limped in on crutches,
And two had each but a hand
To pour the wine and raise the cup
As we toasted “Our flag and land!”
And the room’ seemed filled with whispers
As we looked at the vacant seats,
And, with choking throats, we pushed aside
The rich but untasted meats;
Then in silence we brimmed our gl*****,
As we rose up—just eleven,
And bowed as we drank to the loved and the dead
Who had made us THIRTY-SEVEN.
