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Just days before Stonewall Jackson died, he had this conversation with his aide-de-camp James Power Smith:
“Many would regard them [his injuries] as a great misfortune. I regard them as one of the blessings of my life.”
Smith replied by quoting one of Jackson’s favorite Scriptures, “All things work together for good to them that love God.” “Yes!” Jackson responded. “That’s it! That’s it!”
- As cited in Robertson [1997:744].
Coverage of action at Tullahoma, Tenn., in the March 30, 1863, Boston Evening Gazette.
Artist: John McLenan
Caption
(Scene.–A Democratic Association.)
Great Copperhead Orator (foaming at the Mouth). “To Arms! to Arms! Let us resist the Laws, and crush the Lincoln Despotism!!”
First Citizen. “Bully for you! He’s ‘most as good as Forrest.”
Second Citizen. “But he can’t come up to Booth.”
U.S. article of war forbids Union army officers from returning fugitive slaves to their masters, March 12, 1862.
The Civil War Gazette Civil War Timeline is a linear, chronological look at the important events related to the American Civil War, fought between April 1861 and April 1865. The timeline includes major battles and skirmishes, significant political events impacting the war, deaths of major military figures, as well as details of important battles including casualty numbers.
March 10 – Faced with an estimated 125,000 deserters, Lincoln issues a general amnesty for all who will report back to duty.
The execution of a Civil War Deserter, from Frank Leslie’s The Soldier in Our Civil War , 1893
The Civil War Gazette Civil War Timeline is a linear, chronological look at the important events related to the American Civil War, fought between April 1861 and April 1865. The timeline includes major battles and skirmishes, significant political events impacting the war, deaths of major military figures, as well as details of important battles including casualty numbers.
March 3 - Congress passes the Conscription Act, calling for the enlistment in military service of all able-bodied males between 20 and 45 years of age for terms of three years.
March 6 - white mobs in Detroit riot in the black section of the city, killing several blacks.
March 10 – Faced with an estimated 125,000 deserters, Lincoln issues a general amnesty for all who will report back to duty.
The Civil War Gazette Civil War Timeline is a linear, chronological look at the important events related to the American Civil War, fought between April 1861 and April 1865. The timeline includes major battles and skirmishes, significant political events impacting the war, deaths of major military figures, as well as details of important battles including casualty numbers.
The execution of a Civil War Deserter, from Frank Leslie’s The Soldier in Our Civil War , 1893
Congress passes the Conscription Act March 3, 1863, calling for the enlistment in military service of all able-bodied males between 20 and 45 years of age for terms of three years.
HARPER’S WEEKLY.
SATURDAY, JULY 25, 1863.
THE DRAFT.THE attempt to enforce the draft in the city of New York has led to rioting. Men have been killed and houses burned; worst of all, an orphan asylum—a noble monument of charity for the reception of colored orphans—has been ruthlessly destroyed, and children and nurses have lost every thing they had in the world.
The event should cause no surprise. It should have been anticipated. It was not reasonable to expect that the operatives of this large city—who have never been forced to realize the obligations of citizenship—should at once realize what is thoroughly understood by the people of almost every European town. It will take time to make them understand that every government must, for its own protection, enjoy the power of compelling its citizens to perform military service. And it will take still more time, reflection, and information to satisfy them that the Conscription Act passed at the last session of Congress is in reality fair, liberal, and humane; that it is far more generous to the operative class than the conscription laws of Europe, inasmuch as it tenderly guards orphans, widows, and aged parents from being deprived of their natural support, while it exempts very few indeed of the wealthier class.
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Contrary to popular Northern belief, the average Southerner was not fighting for slavery. Owning slaves, and profiting from their labor, were attributes only of the upper classes who constituted a very small percentage of the South’s population. Most Confederate soldiers were farmers or laborers who took musket in hand to defend their homeland.”
James I. Robertson, Jr. Soldiers in Blue and Gray: p. 9.
Franklin, Tenn.,
Feb. 1, 1863.
Detachment of 3d Division, 3d Army Corps.
The advance of this detachment, two companies of the 1st East Tenn. cavalry under Lieut.-Col. J. P. Brownlow, reached Franklin at 9 p. m., and Brownlow learned that the Confederates had gone in the direction of Harpeth Shoals.
One man of his command was killed by the rear-guard of the enemy.
Source: The Union Army, Vol. 5, p.439
Camp of the 30th Ill.Infty Memphis
Jan 21st / 63
Dear Sisters,
Your very kind and welcome letter of the 11th inst came to hand yesterday evening and I now take my seat to pen a few lines in reply . Since my last to you which was on the 8th of the present month we have again been on the move. Early on the morning of the 9th we recd orders to hold ourselves in readiness to march at a moments warning and about 11 oclock A.M. recd’ orders to move.
Our stay at Davis ‘ Mill was not of as long duration, as most of us supposed it would be when we stopped there. However I guess all were satisfied to leave. We passed through La Grange that day about 2 oclock . From there we took the Memphis & Charleston Railroad toward Memphis. Shortly after leaving La Grange it commenced raining and continued until long after night when we had travelled about five miles along the railroad .
We stopped in an open field as we thought to camp for the night-but which we soon found out was merely to get supper. The Boys as soon as we stopped busied themselves in getting up rails for our fires and in gathering grass to sleep on so that when the order came for us to start very few had had anything to eat . It was now getting near night , the rain was falling fast and we were still full seven miles from where we were ordered to go that night.Happily for us however about dark the weather became so very bad that Col. Leggett Comdg our Brigade thought he would take the responsibility upon himself to stop for the night and march in in the morning.
Accordingly we stopped in a nice piece of timber , built good rail fires , set up our tents and were soon quite comfortable. Was up next morning about half past four oclock and by half past six were on our way to Moscow, a small village on the R.R. which for the present was to be our stopping place.
Arrived at the town about 8 A.M. and after waiting a short time for the officers to select a camp gropund , marched about 1/2 mile west of town and pitched our tents on the ground formerly occupied by the 18th Wisconsin Regt. Lt. David and Sergt. McCreight returned to the company as we were passing through La Grange .
I must confess I feel a heavy weight taken off me since he assumed command of the company.When I was in command of the company I did not have any peace of mind at all.Not that the company was hard to govern or that they did not obey me promptly, but there was so much responsibility resting upon me that I could not but think of it.
The commander of a company occupies the same position toward the company that a teacher does toward his scholers only that he is often placed in much more embarrassing circumstances . Lt. David has been appointed Capt., I 1st Lieut. and Samuel McCreight 2nd Lieut., I am well satisfied with the appointment except 2nd Lt.. I think another man was entitled to the position .However it dont matter to me . I think I have the nicest position in the company or at least the one that suits me best.
Since they have returned I have been taking things decidedly easy as far as any company duty is concerned and I intend to continue in the same way for sometime to come . But enough of this for the present more anon. We remained at Moscow until the Morning of the 12th when we again took up our line of march. That day we marched to LaFayette,a distance of ten miles arriving about 2 oclock P.M.
During our stay at this place we were the recipients of one of the largest snow storms that had been known in that country since March 1843. Nearly 20 years. It rained nearly 24 hours before the snow commenced falling, so that a large amount of it melted as it fell. But it remained to the depth of 8 inches in level places notwithstanding the melting. I happened to be one of the poor unfortunates who was compelled to be out in this storm.
I will not pretend to give you anything near a perfect description of my situation for that would require a much abler pen than mine, however I will give you a few extracts from my diary of that date which may not prove uninteresting to you.
By the way let me ask you first how you like my extracts and whether they prove interesting or not?
Jan.14th 1863 Commenced raining last night about 11 oclk and is raining still this morning , without any cessation whatever . Had breakfast about 8 a,m, and had just finished eating dinner about 3 P.M. when in came a detail for picket with my name on it. This was by no means good news but it had to be did, so I got ready as soon as possible.
Reported at Brigade Hd.Qrts. about 4 p.m. and was started in charge of 40 men to a post abpout a mile off on the R.R. Arrived at the Post at 5 oclk P.M. after crossing numerous streams ,getting our feet and legs wet, as well as the upper man. Found Capt. Martin of our Regt. in charge of the place and a sorry place it was. They were on the R.R. Track and were surrounded on all sides by water differing in depth from six inches to six feet.
After placing the guards I found a small Island that I thought was large enough for us to stay on so we moved our quarters . The guards were placed on like camp guard (ground?) and the men going out to relieve the others had to wade through mud and water knee deep. To add to the pleasure of the place , the rain which I have spoken of before has continued unceaseingly all day and to night there is no prospect of it ceasing. I am standing by a fire taking the rain as best I can an thinking that I have at least one advantage that is I cannot get any wetter.
About nine oclock I lay down under a few rails the boys had lain up for shelter covered with my blankets and tried to sleep , but no sleep would come to my eyes . I spent the night in this place getting up frequently and warming myself. The rain changed into snow about 11 oclock that night . I let it snow on top of my blankets which closed up the crevices and made me quite a warm covering.
Next morning when I lifted my blankets preparatory to getting up ,the first thing I was introduced to was a flake of snow about 6 inches square,and it right in my face .I thought this pretty hard but on making an effort to turn over I found the snow closing in on all sides and I was compelled to get up double quick or be buried in snow. This day passed off very roughly. It snowed all day.
We were relieved about 5 oclock on the evening of the 15th , made our way to camp , found supper waiting on me. After eating a hearty supper and getting right warm I went to bed , and was soon contemplating in dreams the scenes of the past day. We remained at LaFayette until the morning of the 18th when we took up our line of march for the long talked of (by us) Memphis , where we arrived on the evening of the 19th about 2 oclock.
The night of the 18th it raiined and melted off a good deal of snow which made it very muddy.Just the day before we left La Fayette I got a pair of new boots and starting to march before they got set to my feet they hurt them and the march got me down worse than anyone since I have been in the service. I expect a more tired boy never came into Memphis than I was the day we got here. We marched 31 miles in a day and a half.
I have not been down in the city yet but those that have say business of all kinds is very brisk. What I have seen of the place is very nice and the country adjoining it is beautiful. Gen. McArthers Division left here yesterday for down the river. It is reported that the troops that go down are all landing at Napolean.
I have no idea how long we will remain here . I think our course will be down the river . I expect we will be paid off tommorrow or next day for the months of July and August. We have now over six months pay due us but are only going to get two months . I dont care much still . I would like to have it sent home. I am going to keep a good supply for myself this time for fear we dont get anymore for another six months.
You appear to have some fears about us going to Vicksburg and indeed prospects look very favorable for us being there should there be another battle at that place but I dont think Gen.Grant will fight them there. I think he will make some move that will force them to evacuate it or will draw them out some place else to fight. This is merely my opinion. But I am not dreading Vicksburg very much. If they do have a battle there and call on us, all I want is to be able to do our duty as well as we have in times past .
In yours of January 4th which was recd’ a few days since , you wished me to answer an inquiry which you made in a previous letter concerning my relations with a certain person. When I read your letter I never took a second thought about that. I had heard so much on that subject and from so many sources that I had quit paying any attention to it whatever but being as you desire some information on a subject that has attracted the attention of so many and will not be put off without an answer .
I suppose I will have to give you the required information. There are no relations existing between the person you alluded to and myself other than there are between any two common friends. Are you satisfied? We drew soft bread again this evening .This is the first time since we left LaGrange going south nearly two months. In your last you said Mr. Haus wanted a good contraband. You can tell him good contrabands here (for cooking ) are like good girls in Lawrence Co. Skace (scarce?) . I have one I think would suit him but I cannot spare him while I am in the Army.
Things are pretty high in these quarters. I sent one of the boys down to town yesterday to get me some eatables . He had to pay 45 cents a piece for chickens ,30 cents per day for eggs,and other things in accordance . The weather has been quite cool for the last ten days. Well I believe I have written enough for the present.Give my respects to any enquireing friend.
Your brother,David W.Poak
P.S. I noticed by the journal that Lawyer Johnston has been appointed Day Master and Ben Cunningham is assistant. Bully for Ben….
Adjutant and Lt. David W. Poak of the 30th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He was at Forts Henry and Donaldson,Corinth,Vicksburg,Atlanta Campaign ,March to the Sea, and the Carolina Campaign.
William Savage (to his parents in Greenwich, CT)
10th CT Infantry
10th CT Infantry
21-23 January, 1863
Excerpt:
This is a lovely evening, the moon is nearly full and shines brightly. I do not think I ever saw the moon as bright as it is down here. We did have a communion service last Sabbath afternoon. I came forward and made public profession of their faith in Jesus Christ and received of the Sacrement with us. One man who had never before spoken in meeting, by the grace of God he was going to live differently and requested the prayers of Gods people that he might be enabled to live as he ought.
The next evening there was a prayer meeting in St. Augustine, too. Savage went on picket and after returning the next morning, washed and dressed and went down to Church.
We had the Rev. Mr. Taylor to preach for us. He is the president of the Christian Commission for this department. I felt so miserably tired and sleepy that I could not give much attention.
Source: Nate Sanders, July 2007
Letter by John W Pitridge, U.S. Army Co. H. 5th Regiment Vermont Volunteer Infantry.
Camp Near Bell Plain Va
January 18th 1863
Dear parents
Tis with much pleasure that I write to let you no that I am well as common but don’t know how long I shall be though for we are going to move tomorrow with 3 days rations in our sacks to parts unknown to us . But we think we have go to go acrossed the river but hope not for it is Death to a good many who go over there and it may be me and it may not be but God knows and no one else so I trust all to him……
Not edited:
Dear parents Tis with much pleasher that I right to let you no that I am well as common but don’t know how long I shal be tho for we are gointo moave tomorrow with 3 days rations in our sacks to parts unnon to us . But we think we have goto go acrost the river but hope not for it is Death to a good meny hoo go over ther and it may be me and it may not be but God Noes and no on elso so I trust all to him…… (more)… John W pitridge To his father & Mother Brother Sister Be Shure and right often to me for it may be som time bfore I can right very soon to you again. John Naylor is well & James B McGibbon is well to. All the boys are well as common but haito moave for they no the effect. Good By for this time. Right Soon John W Pitridge Good By My for this time.
Source: eBay, June 2007
Notes:
At the time he wrote this letter he had just seen action at Fredericksburg Va. – Dec. 13, 1862.
John W. Pitridge resided in Brandon, Vermont and enlisted in the U.S. Army Co. H. 5th Regiment Vermont Volunteer Infantry on September 4th, 1861. He was mustered into the service for 3 years on September 16th, 1861. On September 18 he and Company H camped on Meridian Hill, then crossed Chain Bridge into Virginia to join other Vermont regiments at Camp Advance. From there he participated in the following battles:
Lee’s Mills Va. – April 16, 1862
Williamsburg Va. – May 5, 1862
Golding’s Farm Va. – June 26, 1862
Savage’s Station Va. – June 29, 1862
Antietam Md. - Sept 17, 1862
Fredericksburg Va. – Dec. 13, 1862
Gettysburg Pa. – July 3, 1863
Funkstown Md. – July 10, 1863
Wilderness Va. – May 5-10, 1864
Spottsylvania Va. – May 10-18, 1864
Cold Harbor, Va. – June 1-12, 1864
Petersburg Va. – June 18, 1864
Opequan, Va. – Sept. 13, 1864
Fisher’s Hill, Va. – Sept 21-22, 1864
Cedar Creek, Va. – Oct. 19, 1864
Petersburg Va. – March 25, 27
April 2, 1865 John Pitridge was wounded near the heart during battle at Savage’s Station on June 29th 1862. He was then captured , shortly thereafter exchanged, and honorably discharged on June 29, 1865.
The Fifth regiment Vermont Volunteer Infantry was composed of companies organized at the following towns, the men composing them being enlisted from these and adjoining towns: Company A, St. Alban; B, Middlebury: C, Swanton: D, Hyde Park; E, Manchester; F, Cornwall; G, Rutland; H, Brandon; I, Detachments from Burlington, Poultney and Tinmouth; and K, Richmond. The regiment was mustered into the U.S. Service for 3 years at St. Albans VT 9/16/1861 and in a few days went to Washington and camped on Meridian Hill then crossed into Virginia and joined other Vermont regiments at Camp Advance, when the Old Vermont Brigade was organized. The regiment spent most of the fall and winter of 1861-1862 at Camp Griffin, near Langley, Va., going to fortress Monroe in the Spring of 1862 and taking part in the Peninsula campaign. At Savage’s Station, June 29, 1862 it suffered the greatest loss, killed and wounded, of any Vermont regiment in any one engagement. In this battle, with not over 400 muskets, it lost 188 officers and men in half and hour. The total killed and wounded the Fifth regiment suffered in battle during the 4 years of service was 685.The deaths from disease and accidents in rebel prisons and from other causes were 1 officer and 124 men. The Fifth was one of the 45 Infantry Regiments, out of all the Regiments of the Union Armies, that lost over 200 men, killed or mortally wounded in battle during the War of the Rebellion. It bore an honorable and active part in the battles of Lee’s Mills, Williamsburg, Golding’s Farm, Savage’s Station, White Oak Swamp, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg Dec. ’62, May ’63 and June 1863. Salem Heights, Gettysburg, Funkstown, Rappahannock Station, The Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Jericho Ford, Cold Harbor, Petersburg June ’64, Fort Stevens, Charlestown, Winchester, Fisher’s Hill, Cedar Creek, Petersburg March 25 and April 2 1865, Sailor’s Creek, and other skirmishes and reconnoissances.
New Haven, Ky
Jan 9th 1863
Weston writes of events leading up to General John Morgan’s raid.
Excerpt:
You will probably read in the newspapers of the way John Morgan was driven out of Kentucky our division started after him on New Years Eve & followed him forty of fifty just on his heels, our artillery firing a few shots just as he was crossing Green River bridge which he burned down thus choking our pursuit. We thought when we heard the cannon firing five or six miles in advance that another battle like that of Perryville was at hand. We started ‘double quick’ and you would be surprised to see how much more life & animation there was in every countenance. Though some might think a soldier would be loath to go into battle, when the time comes the reverse is the case. All are then anxious to be foremost. At any rate so it is with the 50th. We have just received some of the particulars of the great battle at Murphesboro, Tenn. in which Rosecrans gained a great victory. The old Ohio regiments did nobly. I was well acquainted with Col. Fred C Jones & Maj. Russel who were killed. Bloody battles are no uncommon occurrence. Still we have so many regiments in the field that it comes lightly on each one”
Source: Nate Sanders auction
*****************
This regiment was organized at Camp Dennison, in Aug., 1862, to serve for three years, with an aggregate of 964 men.
Asa M. Weston
Residence was not listed; 26 years old.
Enlisted on 8/11/1862 as a Sergeant.
On 8/11/1862 he mustered into “K” Co. OH 50th Infantry
He was Mustered Out on 6/26/1865 at Salisbury, NC
Promotions:
* Sergt Major 3/4/1865
* 2nd Lieut 4/22/1865
Intra Regimental Company Transfers:
* 3/4/1865 from company K to Field & Staff
* 4/22/1865 from Field & Staff to company E
General Bragg having evacuated Kentucky, the Federal troops under command of General Rosecrans had been concentrated about Nashville and Bragg’s army around Murfreesboro. Only about 25 miles lay between the two armies. So about the last of December Rosecrans advanced on Murfreesboro sufficiently near to offer battle. So on the morning of 31st December we accepted the challenge and at them we went. The enemy were posted in line of battle on the opposite side of a plantation from us some 800 yards and we advanced on thm through the open field under heavy artillery fire as well as musketry and our loss was very heavy in going through the field. Four men, Sid Phillips, Gus Pool, Charly Roper and Jack Ezzell of Company “I” were killed out right. Lieutenant Archibald Patterson of Company “H” was also killed and every company of the regiment met a similar fate, in killed and wounded.
Our line, in the face of their concentrated fire, got within fifty yards of their battery when our line gave way and stampeded back through the field and we suffered worse than while advancing.
Among the killed in that unfortunate stampede was Major Costello who had just been promoted from the Captaincy of Company “K”. It looked for a time that all was lost and we had some difficulty in rallying the men and reforming the line of another attack.
I remember just at this critical moment General Frank Cheatham, Major General of Tennessee troops came rushing to our aid. Made such a stiring appeal to the men, that our line was soon formed and in the face of another galling fire we charged on them again and so determined were the men that we rushed upon them and captured their battery and drove back the whole line, but they soon reformed their lines and for the live long day we fought over an area of two or three miles and at night fall we had driven them off the field.
Our regiment was led in this fight by Lt. Colonel George D. Johnston who displayed great courage and leadership and won the high esteem and love of the officers and men of the line. At night fall, when the firing ceased he was the only field officer with the regiment.
Our loss in killed and wounded was very heavy. Lt. Scofield of Company “C” from Columbiana was among the killed. I remember during the fight, of coming across his body just after he had fallen, he having been shot dead and I stopped long enough to take a plain gold ring from his finger and his pocket knife and pocket book and preserved them till after the battle and sent them home to his family.
I think I went in that morning with about 40 guns in Company “I” and when the battle closed that night there was only one man Pvt. Bob Clark and myself with the regiment. Most of the others had been either killed, wounded or captured.
Our loss was so heavy, that we did not renew the fight next morning. Although we had the previous day, driven the enemy from every position he had taken, we held the battlefield for two days and the enemy made but one attack on a part of our line and was repulsed.
So about the third night after the battle General Bragg withdrew his army and we fell back to Shelbyville, Tennessee where we went into winter quarters and remained there till June 1863. During that spring we had the longest rest we had enjoyed since the war began.
HISTORY OF THE 25th ALABAMA INFANTRY REGIMENT
1861 - 1865 A Narrative by
CAPTAIN WILLIAM P. HOWELL
Company I
Compiled and Edited by
Steven L. Driskell
Danville Prizon #4- VA. 1863
Unidentified POW at Danville Prison No. 4 to his mother.
14 December 1863
letter reads in part:
I am still a prisoner but through the blessings of God well and hearty. I am going to ask one more favor of you at home and I hope you will lay all your work aside and attend to it and I will try to pay you someday. Send me a cheese, 5 lbs. of salt 5 of sugar, 1 of spice, some hard soap. 50 cts worth of licorice. 50 cts worth of paper and some envelopes and any other articles you can think of that a prisoner may need. Try and have it sent as soon as you can get the articles together. Now don’t look at expense. I want all I have sent for if it costs me 25 dollars. We are doing pretty well since we came to D-? I am giving the Scriptures a thorough reading in my prison life.
Source: eBay, June 2007
Munfordville, KY
december 9 [1863],
letter reads in part:
dear mother
it is prety lonesome. I have got back to the company agen and feel prety well. I have been having a run of the fever but I think that I shall bee able to do dutys agen in a few days. we are expecting an atact by the guriles to night but if they atact us they will have a good time of it for we are prepared for them they attacted a lot of sitisans last night and murdered some of them and robed the rest and we expect them here to night but I do not think that they will find many cowards here the boys are all in good spirits and the most of them feel prety well. the lieutenant says that we will be mustered out the first of january and enlisted over again. is those that are a mind to enlist over agan and get three hundred and 5 dollars bounty. when they muster me out of this I do not think they will ever muster me into any thing els. I have got anough of hevy artilery they lied to us so before that I would not believe them now if they new it was so but I do not think that we shall bee mustered out of this untill our three years is up unless the war closes before that
**********************************
Turner mustered into Company M on 9 September 1863. He died of disease on 28 February 1864 at Camp Nelson, Kentucky. The 2nd Ohio Heavy Artillery’s companies were scattered across several states throughout the war. Company M saw garrison duty at Fort Willich in Munfordsville, Kentucky until 10 January 1864, and at Fort Taylor, Camp Nelson, until May 1864.
Source: Nate Sanders auction
Letter from Edgar E. Conant written while on discharge for disability.
1 November 1863
Sister Mary
The first part of your letter seems to imply that I have expressed in gratitude for your kind attentions to me while incapable of taking care of myself. I hope that you will remember that I am no longer an impulsive boy and that as I have grown older my disposition has under gone a change. To day I can appreciate your kindness probably as well as if I were still older. If there was any other way than word of exposing my gratitude I would willingly do it. You say ‘Frank may some time want for a home.’ It is my hope that he may not experience the loss of parents for many years, hence but if by the will of God he should, he has my solemn promise that he shall not worry while I have health and power to prevent. I often think of eternity although I have never made a public confession of my faith, yet I realize my position. I am glad to hear of Elisia’s marriage. it is the way of the world. I believe I should be tempted to end my existence if I had a scolding wife.’
Edgar Conent mustered into Company C of the 25th MA Infantry on 21 October 1861 and was discharged for disability on 13 March 1863. He then mustered into Company G of the 42nd MA Infantry on 21 July 1864 and mustered out on 11 November 1864.
Source: eBay, June 2007
Notes:
At the time of this letter Conant was a member of the U.S. Forces, Newport News; 18th Corps, Dept of Virginia and North Carolina
Soldier’s identity:
Residence Northbridge MA; a 21 year-old Shoemaker.
Enlisted on 10/12/1861 as a Private.
On 10/12/1861 he mustered into “C” Co. MA 25th Infantry
He was discharged for disability on 3/13/1863 at New Berne, NC
He also had service in:
“G” Co. MA 42nd Infantry (100 days)
David L. McNees was from Lawrence County, PA when he enlisted on 10/12/61, mustering in to Company H., 78th PA Infantry. He was discharged for disability on 7/11/64. He died August 21, 1864.
He wrote the following letter:
Head Quarters 2nd Div 4th Al
Walker County Georgia
September 12th 1863,
[composed just before the regiment's heavy engagement in the Battle of Chickamauga.]
Excerpt:
We are at the foot of a very large mountain. We came down here on the ninth and on the tenth we advanced five miles and run against the whole rebel army and then retreat from Chattanooga but there was to many for our division but we held our position until yesterday morning when the first Division of our corps came. by that time the rebs tried to flank us and we had to fall back. and skirmished with them and again the tried to flank us but we moved back again and formed a new line and held it all night, and this morning the third Division of our Corps came up but the Rebs is Retreating. we would have destroyed thair whole train of wagons and captured a good portion of them. I expect we will catch the most of them yet.
********
In Jan., 1863, the Army of the Cumberland, under Gen. Rosecrans, was divided into three corps, the 14th, 20th and 21st, and the 78th was assigned to the 3rd brigade (Col. Miller), 2nd division (Gen. Negley), 14th corps (Gen. Thomas). It was engaged in provost duty at Murfreesboro until April, and in June shared in Rosecrans, campaign from Murfreesboro to Tullahoma. It then encamped at Decherd until Aug. 15, when it moved with the army in pursuit of Bragg.
On Sept. 11, a part of the regiment was engaged at Dug gap, Ga., the whole regiment shared in the desperate fighting at Chickamauga and then retired with the army to Chattanooga. While here it was assigned to the 3rd brigade (Gen. Starkweather), 1st division (Gen. R. M. Johnson), 14th corps (Gen. John M. Palmer). In the decisive engagements at Orchard Knob, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge, the 78th was engaged with small loss, and it participated in a reconnoissance to the summit of Lookout Mountain. In company with the 21st Wis., the regiment was assigned to duty on Lookout mountain until May, 1864, when it rejoined its brigade at Graysville and moved with Sherman’s army on the Atlanta campaign.
Source: The Union Army, vol. 1
********
Source: Nate Sanders auction
NASHVILLE, September 1, 1863–11 a.m.
General GARFIELD:
Dispatch of 31st received this morning. The Alexandria force was ready to move at a moment’s notice. I forwarded the order from Murfreesborough. On August 30 instructed Colonel Shelley to report his arrival at department headquarters. Have instructed Colonel Mizner to move his regiment, and keep the country in the vicinity of Franklin clear of guerrillas.
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.(*)–#12
Page 289
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
—–
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
Andrew Gudgel enlisted 11/12/61 as a Sergeant, into Company A, 58th Indiana. Mustered out 11/11/1864.
***************************************
Letter written August 20, 1863
Page one
Page two
Page three
Andrew married Elvira Wallace.
Here is a transcription of the letter. Some minor editing has improved the spelling and grammar somewhat.
****************************************
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
*********************************
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.
[Written in the upper right hand corner is "These are the ones"]
Fredrick City Maryland
July 8th 1863
Lydia
Yours of the 21st ult was Rec’d on the 4 day of July and yesterday Cole Arrived here with the Cavalry forces from the front of Washington. I was down to the City as they went through and saw Cole just a few moments as they passed through he gave me a letter from you and some berries the cake and cheese you sent with him mould on the way. But never mind we are now in a country where we can get all the fixtures we want to eat. Cole wanted me to write to you and have you tell Electa that he arrived here all right and has gone to the front where he will not have a chance to send out a letter for several days in all Probbility Our Prospect are cheering indeed we hope in a few days to annihilate Lees whole army all our movements are successful so far to surround his army. Our men fight more like devils than men the encouragement and kind usage our soldiers receive by the people of Maryland & Penn cheers them on to victory or death - - - - - - -
I found a fellow in one of the new co of our Regt that was at the spree at Suttells, his name is O.G. Lane we had a long talk about matters and things he told me things of which I always had a suspicion - did he ever go with Alma Lake - - - - -
Bully for Ad Darsey he has going to workend [?] on the Rhodes (rodes) its my oppinion that he will have a longer job than he had to bail the Bailey out -
I Rec’d Marias [?] in your letter and was glad to get it. I will try and send her mine if I can get it off hers looks as natural as life I went to see the spy hanging yestarday he had then been strung up about 36 hours and is hanging there yet and will hang untill he stinks its a free show to any one that wants to see him his clothes are all torn off but a piece of his drawers and shirt almost every one that saw him wanted something to Remember him by so took a piece of his clothes as long as he had any. I send you a piece of the Bark of the tree he was hung on (its a locust tree) His name is Wm. Richardson a man of about 40 or 45 years old I have seen him in our camps for the Last 18 months as a paper pedler But he sliped his neck [?] at last
it Rained very hard here all night last night and to day untill 10 oclock, in fact it has Rained here every day since we came out of Va and 5 or 6 days before we left Va. I have not heard a word from Pick since I got him put in an ambulance on the 28 of last month (I think it was) I hear that Major Benj. Stanhope is dead
this is the Richest Country I ever saw and the wheat crop cannot be beat wheat is mostly harvested but I fear it will all spoil unless we have a change of weather soon
This is great Lime country almost every farmer has a limekiln and burns his own lime
Respectively yours
Sixteenstring jack or any other man
*********************
Albinus R. Fell enlisted on 9 December 1861 as a private in the OVC. He was promoted to Corporal in 1862 and then Quartermaster Sergeant in 1863. Known by several self-ascribed names, he primarily signed his letters “Bill” or “William”, although he did, for some unknown reason, occasionally sign off as “Oscar”, “Paul Clifford”, “Sixteenstring Jack”, “Orpheius Kin” or various other obscure names. He does state in one of his letters “…my name I will not write that for various reasons…”, so perhaps it was to purposely conceal his identity. His wife Diana - whom he also referred to as Lydia - had a bit of trouble in her later years claiming his pension due to the discrepancies regarding his name ! A General Affidavit was submitted on Diana’s behalf attesting to the fact that Fell served in the Ohio 6th, that he was the only “Fell” in the company, and while in the service “…Albinus Fell always went by the name of Bill Fell…”. His discharge took place on 12 December 1864 in Petersburgh, VA.
Born in 1840 in Mercer County, PA., Fell - according to his letters - seemed to have had a very difficult time growing up, and in one instance referred to abuse he suffered at the hands of his father. His bitterness regarding his family of origin is palpable and made for a brave, fierce soldier. Fell and Diana married on 14 December 1861 in Trumbull County, Ohio and following his service, went on to have 3 children - Clara, John and Jessie. Fell was employed as a retail druggist and merchant.
eBay auction item - February 2008 - Item #250214306536
William Savage (to his parents in Greenwich, CT)
10th CT Infantry
21-23 January, 1863
Excerpt:
“This is a lovely evening, the moon is nearly full and shines brightly. I do not think I ever saw the moon as bright as it is down here. We did have a communion service last Sabbath afternoon. I came forward and made public profession of their faith in Jesus Christ and received of the Sacrement with us. One man who had never before spoken in meeting, by the grace of God he was going to live differently and requested the prayers of Gods people that he might be enabled to live as he ought.”
The next evening there was a prayer meeting in St. Augustine, too. Savage went on picket and after returning the next morning, “washed and dressed and went down to Church.”
Savage had served on picket during the overnight, and was very tired. “We had the Rev. Mr. Taylor to preach for us,” he wrote. “He is the president of the Christian Commission for this department. I felt so miserably tired and sleepy that I could not give much attention.”
Source: Nate Sanders, July 2007
8th New York Heavy Artillery soldier, stationed at
Fort Federal Hill, Baltimore, Md
12 April 1863, letter reads in part:
“Our Chaplain, De La Matyr is liked down here. If any one says to you that he ain’t much at Baltimore you just tell them for me that it is false, yes I know there are those in this regiment who do not like him, but they are composed of men who do not like any minister. I have not much patience to talk with those who stay at home, aloof from all dangers and trials incident to a soldier’s life, and criticize the actions of those who have left home and friends to serve their country. I received a letter to day from my brother, his regiment is in Va on picket duty. They have had several skirmishes with the Rebs. I heard one man killed one badly wounded. We still remain in this fort, or 8 companies of no. Co. C. We have gone to Fort McHenry two miles from here.”
Occupied by Union forces, Federal Hill contained tunnels created during a 19th century mining operation that some contend were used by Union troops to store beer and ammunition.
“In the latter part of June 1863, this company (Co.I) attacked about two hundred of the enemy on Col. John Overton’s farm, killed two, captured twenty whites and about one hundred wagons and teams. On the same night of the same day, at Franklin, a detachment of the company, under Capt. Perkins, captured a picket post, including the captain commanding, a Sergeant and a Corporal.”
“In trying to get South with a number of the wagons and prisoners which had been taken in the vicinity of Nashville and Franklin, the company was overtaken about the 1st of July at Pulaski, and was forced to abandon the prisoners and wagons, losing seven men captured. It was with difficulty that the company reached the south side of the Tennessee River, being so hard pressed by the enemy.”
Perkins above is Thomas F. Perkins, Jr., member of Company I, 11th TN Cavalry. He was from Williamson County, TN.
Williamson County Historical Society Journal, #28 (1997)pp. 86. The text was written by J.B. Lindsey in Military Annals of Tennessee: Confederate.
[Company I, 11th TN Cavalry)
Image credit: The Williamson County Historical Society.
“In the latter part of June 1863, this company (Co.I) attacked about two hundred of the enemy on Col. John Overton’s farm, killed two, captured twenty whites and about one hundred wagons and teams. On the same night of the same day, at Franklin, a detachment of the company, under Capt. Perkins, captured a picket post, including the captain commanding, a Sergeant and a Corporal.”
Perkins above is Thomas F. Perkins, Jr., member of Company I, 11th TN Cavalry. He was from Williamson County, TN.
Williamson County Historical Society Journal, #28 (1997)pp. 86. The text was written by J.B. Lindsey in Military Annals of Tennessee: Confederate.
[Company I, 11th TN Cavalry)
Image credit: The Williamson County Historical Society.
My Dear Wife,
Thinking a few lines would be acceptable to you although I suppose you know our whereabouts before this time but I suppose you would like to receive a word from me.
I should have written yesterday but I was on guard and John Gooch wrote to his wife and I told him to tell his wife to tell you that I was all right.
The orders for Leesburg was countermanded the night wrote from Chantilly after midnight. It appears that we had been transferred to Gen. Hooker’s command and he did not know that our time was so near expired but on the contrary thought we were 3 years men with the remainder of Ambrecomby’s division but our officers mad the fact known to him and he ordered us here.
I do not know as I am anymore out of harms way here than I was there but I am nearer home and can lay down with out expecting to hear the long roll beat at night.
I think it was very lucky for us that we did not have to go to Leesburg for it would have been a fatiqueing march through the enemy’s land and perhaps other causalities might have been coupled with the march.
I do not know as I can write anything definite about our coming home. It is thought that we shall not start from here before Tuesday and if we start then I cannot tell hown long we shall be on the way but I hope to be at home the 4 of July so we can go strawberrying for I should like some strawberries and cream first rate.
I do not know as I have any thing of interest to write so hoping that kind providence will continue his watchful and protecting care over us I close.
From your true and loving husband, C W Gooch
PS. My health is good and I stood the march first rate. If we should go by Wednesday or before I shall not be likely to write again.
God bless my dear wife. C.
Camp at Chantilly, Virginia
Aldie, June 25 / 63
Lydia,
Once more I have the privelidge to send you a letter from part of Dixie called Aldie which is situated at the East end of the Bull Run mountain. We left Bealton Station and went to Killer Ford done picket duty there five days and fell back by the way of Warrenton Junction & Collett Station to Union mills at which point we camped over night Started nex morning and crossed the Old Bull Run and Yanky Run Battle ground where we saw what would be called a horrible sight to any but soldiers. To give you some idea I will mention that as we ride along the road as side of the road (no fences there) perchance our horses hoof strikes a skull of Yankey or Jonney it goes rolling along the ground a “silent” member of that bloody field. Another place we see a few clods of grey clothes and a pile of bones that mark the resting places of another Chivaly of the Army South. Again you see a hand an arm a leg or foot sticking up for a stem [?]. Human bones, shell Broken muskets Broken cannon are strew thick all over the field. But enough of this. We arrive at Aldie and have a hell of a fight in which we had 3 men killed and 8 or 10 wounded. The fighting has been keep up ever since until yesterday. We drove the “jonneys” through Addie and Middleburg and back to the gap did not think it prudent to go in there so we fell back and are now in camp at Aldie. Lost in killed and wounded in our Reg is about 35. Prisoners 5. Our company has been very fortunate. Not one man has received anything more than a scratch since (one) of our boys had their cap shot off and balls through their clothes but such things don’t hurt anyone. Major Stanhope was shot in the arm below and above the elbow had the bone all taken out of his arm. Rumar says he is dead but it is not credible. Here from the movement of the jonneys lately they act as if they was going to do something. Bully for that make our Generals fight some now. Pennsylvania is doing bully she will defend herself and Josey can hook them in the Rear (Providing he can be found) Report is here that Josey is lost.
The last letter I had a chance to send you was written at Bealton about the 8th I think - I have received no letter from you since that date. I have not heard from Tom since I wrote to him the time I sent him the money. But allright I suppose the people up there are so scart about ther draft that they cannot keep still long enough to write a letter. But if Uncle Sam gets his clutches on them they will get a mighty slight bigger scare I’ll bet. Killpatrick now commands our Brigade it is now known as the Second Brigade or the “Bloody Brigade” of the Second division commanded by Gen Greg. We mis the 1st Rhode Islan Cavalry. They were bully boys. You have read of their fate long before this.
Col L. [Pdi ?] Cesenola of the 4th [?] N.Y. Cavalry was taken prisoner because he could not rally his dam dutch. They have a newspaper report with them Right who is paid for blowin for them that is the reason they had got their name up at home. But here where they are know they are call cowards.
Our 9 months men time is up the 2nd of July. They will hardly celebrate the 4th at home this year. Cherries are ripe here and plenty of them but are bitter with seceshion. Five of our Rg were gobbled up yesterday by bushwackers (our men) were out picking cherries.
Well [?] and have a 4 of July for us fellows down here and believe me yours Dredful bad
Orpheius Kin
*********************
Albinus R. Fell enlisted on 9 December 1861 as a private in the OVC. He was promoted to Corporal in 1862 and then Quartermaster Sergeant in 1863. Known by several self-ascribed names, he primarily signed his letters “Bill” or “William”, although he did, for some unknown reason, occasionally sign off as “Oscar”, “Paul Clifford”, “Sixteenstring Jack”, “Orpheius Kin” or various other obscure names. He does state in one of his letters “…my name I will not write that for various reasons…”, so perhaps it was to purposely conceal his identity. His wife Diana - whom he also referred to as Lydia - had a bit of trouble in her later years claiming his pension due to the discrepancies regarding his name ! A General Affidavit was submitted on Diana’s behalf attesting to the fact that Fell served in the Ohio 6th, that he was the only “Fell” in the company, and while in the service “…Albinus Fell always went by the name of Bill Fell…”. His discharge took place on 12 December 1864 in Petersburgh, VA.
Born in 1840 in Mercer County, PA., Fell - according to his letters - seemed to have had a very difficult time growing up, and in one instance referred to abuse he suffered at the hands of his father. His bitterness regarding his family of origin is palpable and made for a brave, fierce soldier. Fell and Diana married on 14 December 1861 in Trumbull County, Ohio and following his service, went on to have 3 children - Clara, John and Jessie. Fell was employed as a retail druggist and merchant.
eBay auction item - February 2008 - Item #250214007175
My Dear Wife,
I guess you will think wonders will never cease when you receive these lines.
We have just received orders to march for Leesburg without delay distance about twenty five miles. What there is up I cannot tell. One thing certain, we shall not be much father from Washington than we are now and there is a railroad from there to Alexandria so we have time to go there and be in Washington by the 30th. There is a good many in hopes that the order will be countermanded before we start. If it is not, we shall be in line at 6 o’clock tomorrow morning. There is not much spare time for it is about 9 PM now.
I shall carry nothing with me but my overcoat and rubber blanket and one shirt. All my other things I have packed in a box and am going to try and get them to Washington.
I expect this will come very unexpected to you and I wish it was other ways for I think more about your feelings then I do about myself. I do not know as I had ought to write but I thought if I did not write the suspense would be worse to you that it would to know the reality and if I have done wrong you must excuse me for I do not wish to do anything to wound your feelings but I know your nature so well that I think you had rather know the certainty of it and it is not too late yet for us to get orders not to go. We are not so near it yet as we were going with Gen. Banks but you must recollect that we are poor short sighted mortals and cannot tell what is best for us. Perhaps it will be the best thing we can do is to go there tomorrow for it has been one continual string of mercies that has kept us so far and all we can do is to hope that the same merciful hand that has protected us so far will continue his protecting power over us. Still I feel like doing my duty as a man until my term of service expires hopeing that he who notices the sparrows fall will take care of me. And now for my sake do not worry about me for you cannot turn one of you hairs white or black and now I shall have to close my dear for it is past nine now and we shall start at 5 instead of 6 if the order is not countermanded.
So hoping soon to see you I close. From your affectionate and loving husband, C.W.G.
PS. I expect I shall lose my things for the teamster that we engaged to haul them has backed out and I cannot carry them but I do not care much. They are not very valuable. Please excuse all mistakes. (Charles W. Gooch)
SPRING HILL, June 23, 1863–7 a.m.
Major-General WHEELER:
My command present is composed of three regiments; effective strength, 1,100. Shall cooking utensils and ambulances be taken? I am ready to move at a moment’s notice.
J. W. STARNES,
Colonel, Commanding Brigade.
—–
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.–#11
Page 883
My Dear Wife,
Thinking you would expect me to write today I thought I would comply with your request and try and den you a short epistle to let you know that I am well and hope you enjoy the same blessings.
I received a letter from you last Friday. I am sorry you feel so anxious. It will not do any good and only make it worse for you so you must keep up good courage.
The most of the boys are not going to write today. They think we shall be on the move by tomorrow for home. I hope we shall but whether we be or not, I thought it would not be any harm to write a few words.
I cannot write any news about our coming home. The officers especially the Colonel, thinks we shall start tomorrow or next day for certain.
We have had it rainy here for two days passed and it has cooled the ground so it is very good going now on the pike. I should like to start now for home. I think I could make Washington before tomorrow morning if they would give the order.
And now my Dear Wife, I will close by hopeing soon to see you.
C. W. Gooch
Camp at Chantilly, Virginia
Letter from Edgar E. Conant written while on discharge for disability.
1 November 1863
Sister Mary
The first part of your letter seems to imply that I have expressed in gratitude for your kind attentions to me while incapable of taking care of myself. I hope that you will remember that I am no longer an impulsive boy and that as I have grown older my disposition has under gone a change. To day I can appreciate your kindness probably as well as if I were still older. If there was any other way than word of exposing my gratitude I would willingly do it. You say ‘Frank may some time want for a home.’ It is my hope that he may not experience the loss of parents for many years, hence but if by the will of God he should, he has my solemn promise that he shall not worry while I have health and power to prevent. I often think of eternity although I have never made a public confession of my faith, yet I realize my position. I am glad to hear of Elisia’s marriage. it is the way of the world. I believe I should be tempted to end my existence if I had a scolding wife.’
Edgar Conent mustered into Company C of the 25th MA Infantry on 21 October 1861 and was discharged for disability on 13 March 1863. He then mustered into Company G of the 42nd MA Infantry on 21 July 1864 and mustered out on 11 November 1864.
Source: eBay, June 2007
Notes:
At the time of this letter Conant was a member of the U.S. Forces, Newport News; 18th Corps, Dept of Virginia and North Carolina
Soldier’s identity:
Residence Northbridge MA; a 21 year-old Shoemaker.
Enlisted on 10/12/1861 as a Private.
On 10/12/1861 he mustered into “C” Co. MA 25th Infantry
He was discharged for disability on 3/13/1863 at New Berne, NC
He also had service in:
“G” Co. MA 42nd Infantry (100 days)
Nathan Fiske [probably 51st Mass.]
Falls St. Croix, Wis.
April 8 / 63
Reads in part
My Dear Friend Chuck
There is mourning, mourning, mourning North and South on account of this wicked and cruel war. I believe it is as true that in a nation will not go unpunished as in an individual. This war is taking away the strength and in many instances the best blood of our nation. It is evident the God of Nations will not give us peace untill we put slavery away from among us. I am astonished that there is so much treason in the North and that so many honest men are blinded by the traitors. I hope there will be no attempt by our government to make peace until we can have it in a manner that God will approve?I am not married have never had one thought of it since my wife died, have never felt like talking about it.
Nathan Fiske
Source: eBay, June 2007
Soldier is probably……..
Nathan B. Fisk
Residence Sutton MA; a 39 year-old Operative.
Enlisted on 9/28/1862 as a Private.
On 9/30/1862 he mustered into “G” Co. MA 51st Infantry
He was Mustered Out on 7/27/1863 at Worcester, MA
Other Information:
born in 1823
Member of GAR Post # 25 (H. H. Legge) in Uxbridge, MA
died 11/5/1899
Danville Prizon #4- VA. 1863
Unidentified POW at Danville Prison No. 4 to his mother.
14 December 1863
letter reads in part:
”I am still a prisoner but through the blessings of God well and hearty. I am going to ask one more favor of you at home and I hope you will lay all your work aside and attend to it and I will try to pay you someday. Send me a cheese, 5 lbs. of salt 5 of sugar, 1 of spice, some hard soap. 50 cts worth of licorice. 50 cts worth of paper and some envelopes and any other articles you can think of that a prisoner may need. Try and have it sent as soon as you can get the articles together. Now don’t look at expense. I want all I have sent for if it costs me 25 dollars. We are doing pretty well since we came to D-? I am giving the Scriptures a thorough reading in my prison life“.
Source: eBay, June 2007
Letter by John W Pitridge, U.S. Army Co. H. 5th Regiment Vermont Volunteer Infantry.
Camp Near Bell Plain Va
January 18th 1863
Dear parents
Tis with much pleasure that I write to let you no that I am well as common but don’t know how long I shall be though for we are going to move tomorrow with 3 days rations in our sacks to parts unknown to us . But we think we have go to go acrossed the river but hope not for it is Death to a good many who go over there and it may be me and it may not be but God knows and no one else so I trust all to him……
Not edited:
Dear parents Tis with much pleasher that I right to let you no that I am well as common but don’t know how long I shal be tho for we are gointo moave tomorrow with 3 days rations in our sacks to parts unnon to us . But we think we have goto go acrost the river but hope not for it is Death to a good meny hoo go over ther and it may be me and it may not be but God Noes and no on elso so I trust all to him…… (more)… John W pitridge To his father & Mother Brother Sister Be Shure and right often to me for it may be som time bfore I can right very soon to you again. John Naylor is well & James B McGibbon is well to. All the boys are well as common but haito moave for they no the effect. Good By for this time. Right Soon John W Pitridge Good By My for this time.
Source: eBay, June 2007
Notes:
At the time he wrote this letter he had just seen action at Fredericksburg Va. – Dec. 13, 1862.
John W. Pitridge resided in Brandon, Vermont and enlisted in the U.S. Army Co. H. 5th Regiment Vermont Volunteer Infantry on September 4th, 1861. He was mustered into the service for 3 years on September 16th, 1861. On September 18 he and Company H camped on Meridian Hill, then crossed Chain Bridge into Virginia to join other Vermont regiments at Camp Advance. From there he participated in the following battles:
Lee’s Mills Va. – April 16, 1862
Williamsburg Va. – May 5, 1862
Golding’s Farm Va. – June 26, 1862
Savage’s Station Va. – June 29, 1862
Antietam Md. - Sept 17, 1862
Fredericksburg Va. – Dec. 13, 1862
Gettysburg Pa. – July 3, 1863
Funkstown Md. – July 10, 1863
Wilderness Va. – May 5-10, 1864
Spottsylvania Va. – May 10-18, 1864
Cold Harbor, Va. – June 1-12, 1864
Petersburg Va. – June 18, 1864
Opequan, Va. – Sept. 13, 1864
Fisher’s Hill, Va. – Sept 21-22, 1864
Cedar Creek, Va. – Oct. 19, 1864
Petersburg Va. – March 25, 27
April 2, 1865 John Pitridge was wounded near the heart during battle at Savage’s Station on June 29th 1862. He was then captured , shortly thereafter exchanged, and honorably discharged on June 29, 1865.
The Fifth regiment Vermont Volunteer Infantry was composed of companies organized at the following towns, the men composing them being enlisted from these and adjoining towns: Company A, St. Alban; B, Middlebury: C, Swanton: D, Hyde Park; E, Manchester; F, Cornwall; G, Rutland; H, Brandon; I, Detachments from Burlington, Poultney and Tinmouth; and K, Richmond. The regiment was mustered into the U.S. Service for 3 years at St. Albans VT 9/16/1861 and in a few days went to Washington and camped on Meridian Hill then crossed into Virginia and joined other Vermont regiments at Camp Advance, when the Old Vermont Brigade was organized. The regiment spent most of the fall and winter of 1861-1862 at Camp Griffin, near Langley, Va., going to fortress Monroe in the Spring of 1862 and taking part in the Peninsula campaign. At Savage’s Station, June 29, 1862 it suffered the greatest loss, killed and wounded, of any Vermont regiment in any one engagement. In this battle, with not over 400 muskets, it lost 188 officers and men in half and hour. The total killed and wounded the Fifth regiment suffered in battle during the 4 years of service was 685.The deaths from disease and accidents in rebel prisons and from other causes were 1 officer and 124 men. The Fifth was one of the 45 Infantry Regiments, out of all the Regiments of the Union Armies, that lost over 200 men, killed or mortally wounded in battle during the War of the Rebellion. It bore an honorable and active part in the battles of Lee’s Mills, Williamsburg, Golding’s Farm, Savage’s Station, White Oak Swamp, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg Dec. ’62, May ’63 and June 1863. Salem Heights, Gettysburg, Funkstown, Rappahannock Station, The Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Jericho Ford, Cold Harbor, Petersburg June ’64, Fort Stevens, Charlestown, Winchester, Fisher’s Hill, Cedar Creek, Petersburg March 25 and April 2 1865, Sailor’s Creek, and other skirmishes and reconnoissances.
Members of the Christian Commission at their Field Headquarters near Germantown, MD, September 1863
My Dear Wife,
If I had not been in the habit of writing regular every Wednesday and think you expect a letter at the usual time, I do not know as I should undertake to write today for I have not the least word of interesting news to cummunicate with the exception that I am well. I suppose that sounds good to you to hear that I am well. It is good news for me to hear you are well.
I suppose the town is full of rumors about matters near the seat of war if it has got any seat now. I cannot add anything to what you already know. The army is moving up the river to someplace. I think by the movement they are bound to Harpers Ferry. The talk I hear The talk is here that the Rebs are going up the Shenandoah valley. If they keep in the valley, they will not go within 25 miles of us.
I do not think now that we shall leave this week although we may so I should rather you write as usual. I shall write regular as often as I can.
I received a letter from you last evening. I was very glad of reception of the little thing.
The weather is very warm here now and everything is parching up for want of rain. I would not give twenty-five cents for everything there will be raised between here and Centreville this year if the drought continues much longer.
David Ricker is connected with the Commissary Department in one of the brigades and he was at Centreville yesterday. Some of our boys saw him there. He would come over herebut he is sick and cannot go about much. He has got a commission and can leave when he has a mind to.
This letter as you very well know is short and worthless but as you say I have been thinking so much about coming home of late that I cannot collect my thoughts and you lust excuse and i will try and make up for it when I see you. So hopeing soon to see you, I close.
From your loving husband, C.
(Charles W Gooch)
Camp at Chantilly, Virginia
My Dear Wife,
In accordance with my usual custom, I devote a part of this day to communicate a few of my thoughts to my dear wife hopeing these few lines will find you as well as they leave me.
I received a letter from you by last Friday’s evening mail saying you were all well for which I felt very glad. There is one man in this company, Gordon by name, that lost four children about the time we lost ours with the same disease. All died within 20 days and about three weeks ago his wife had twins and he seemed like a new man after he got the news and least his wife was getting along well but last mail brought the the sad intelligence to him that his wife had gone to that Bourne from which no travler ever returns and the poor man has got all he can survive I think. I pitty him very much now. He has two little ones that he never saw and one little one that is about two years old with no one to take care of them and he out here. It is very bad indeed.
You wanted me to write all I know about all I know about our coming home. I do not kknow as I can write anything different from what I wrote in my last whilst was I thought we should be at home by the 30th if nothing happend. I hope we shall nay way, don’t you? You said you had no paper to send me in your last. It does not make any difference if you do not send me any more. There is paper enough on the ground now so it will not be any trouble for me to procure stationary anytime and perhaps in one week or so we shall be on a move towards home where we shall not want much paper as we do now.
There is no news here at present that will interest you I do not think. I was glad you had a rain there for if it is as dry there as it is here, I fear the husbandman would not realise much in harvest.
I understand that Mr. Seldon Wells went home drunk the other night and beat his wife and threatened to kill her and she has took the road for it. If this is so, he had ought to serve a term of five years at the ripraps.
That old negro woman that I wrote you about is dead. She died last week sometime and the soldiers buried her. I am glad she has got through with her suffering for I think it would have been impossible for her to have lived there another winter. She would have frozen to death I think.
Isaac and I went cherrying this forenoon.There is any quantity of them here but they are not quite ripe yet. I did not eat many of them. I did not know but what they might hurt me and I do not want to get hurt out here.
I forgot to tell you in my last that I have sent you $20. I suppose you have got it before this reaches you. If you have not, please make mention of it in your next and in closing I would say that I hope to see my dear wife from her loving husband, C E Gooch.
If we start as the most of the folks think we shall. I do not know as I should get a letter if you wrote one after you receive this but you can write