History project
Lonnie Flippen
Lesson plan
The students will analyze the following primary sources :
Civil war letters from home as well as civil war letters from the front detailing
battles, marches and other events from the daily lives of soldiers from both the
confederacy and the union.
After analyzing the primary sources, the students will research civil war letters
using the various websites that are available.
The students will then write a letter from home to a soldier as well as a letter
home from a soldier. They will include information gathered from their analysis
and their own research
Near Fort Lancaster, Nov 29th 1861
Dear Carrie,
I sent you a note from Fort Hudson Since that time we have been getting along tolerably well. I have
had the back=ake for the last 2 or 3 days very badly. I have been so bad off that it has been with
dificulty that I could ride upon my horse. After getting into camp I took a nap, a short one, and have
waked up with a slight cold & headache. So you see with a back ache, bad cold, & head ache, I am not
the wellest man in the world. We are having the finest weather that ever blessed poor travelers in our
condition. We have cool nights and pleasant days. The weather has not been very disagreeable at any
time. We have had quite a scarcity of water since we left Devil’s River. Il tell you all about this
country when I get back. Suffice it to say, so far, this is the poorest part of His Majesty’s
vineyard, that my ill luck has ever forced me upon.
Well, Gen Sibley came up the day after I wrote to you at Cam Hudson, but did not bring me a letter. It
has been now about 4 weeks since I recvd a letter from you. In that time I have not heard a word from
you, either directly or indirectly. And I presume I will not hear from you until I get to Elpasso, a
month yet? After supper—I have just had a sumptuous feast upon cornbread & molasses. Bob is getting to
be quite a famous cook with Charlie Schroeder to superintend him. I will try a new dish directly I
think. Bob is making some soup out of a smal dog, which I think will be good. I will tell you how it
goes after I try it. I have nothing to write about. I could tell you a great many things if I was with
you, but I can not write them so as to make them interesting. I wish you would write to me as often as
I do to you. Kiss my Boy. Remember me to all. God bless you. John.
Nov 30th
Well, I eat the dog. The soup was fine, the meat very good. But late in the night I had the worst head
ache I nearly ever had. My head does not ache like it did & I hope will get well without medicine. I
was thinking and saying abt one week since that I was the most lucky fellow out, having enjoyed such
good health, but I was hardly done bragging before I had the back ache. Il not brag any more. We are
resting here to day, washing &c. We enjoy a rest very much after traveling one week or tin days
without intermission Our horses are doing very well. We have had no corn for abt 3 weeks. The men get
a plenty to eat. How long it will be so I cant say. The report is that abt 7 thousand Californians are
enroute for Elpasso & that it will be a closte rub with us which will get there first. If we are
beaten we will have a bad time, our provisions will be out & we will have nothing left but to starve,
fight or surrender. I doubt the report, from what I can hear no body else except us would ever be
fools enough to go after it. The country is very poor & very sparsely settled. Good bye. I shall look
ford to Elpasso with a great deal of solicitude. I certainly will get some letters there. Take good
care of my Boy. I would love to be with you both. God bless you. Your affectionate, Shrop
Dear Wife, I now take this present opportunity to write you a few lines in answer to your truly welcome letter
which I received this evening barring date of the 19th and was glad to hear from you and also to hear that you
was all in comfortable circumstances. As for myself, my health is good. I don’t know as I ever enjoyed much
better health than I have this winter. I have a spell of the headache once in a while for that is natural but
other ways my health has been very good. The weather has been very cool and windy here for a few days colder
than it was in last month but it has been a beautiful day today. I am on night duty now. I don’t have to do
anything only give the medicine and wait on the patients. I have a helper to carry water and other necessary
things. We have 45 patients in our ward now. We did have 47 but 2 of them have gone home on furloughs. There is
not but 3 or 4 of them that are very sick. I have got one boy 15 years old here that is very sick and probably
never will be any better. I had to feed him milk-punch every hour. He had the measles and lay at the barracks
until there was no help for him. It makes me feel mad every time I look at them and give their medicine. The
officers that enlisted them and the doctors that passed them ought to be court-marshaled and shot. There are
boys here that are not any bigger than Winny will be when he is 12 years old if nothing happens to him. I can’t
help feel sorry for the little scamps but they ought to known better. I am thankful that we did not send any
such from our town. How do they get along there in regard to the draft? Have they raised their quota or not? It
is now eleven o’clock and I have got to give the little heavy artillery man some milk-punch. Have another on of
the same stamp that has got the rheumatism. There is one of the convalescents sitting up with me by the name of
Peter Naylor. He is a man 40 years old. He has a wife and 2 children. He was sick here when I came here. His
wife’s health is very poor. He is a good looking man. I used to write for him when he was sick before. He got
able to write for himself. He is from Salem, Washington county. I have formed some acquaintances here amongst
the patients that will long be remembered. I began to think that you had forgotten to write your letter. Was
long looked for and came as last. I received a letter from Arbill last night. She did not say anything about
you. I was going to write to her to find out what had become of you. I did not know but you had run away with
another man. We had a big fire here last Thursday night. The new Presbyterian Church was burned. They was
holding the Sanitary Fair in it. It was a very large brick building. It was not finished and it had cost from
70 to 80 thousand dollars. There was a boy burned to death and some more badly burned. Whether there was any
more burned to death or not I have not learned yet. There has been 4 fires here since I came here. You can’t
complain of a short letter this time. You must kiss the boys for me. Give my love to all. Tell Warren that I am
coming home to see him the first of May. So Good night. Yours truly from your affectionate Husband, James B.
Sherman
2nd Lieut.John D. Damron, of the 49th NCT, Co. K was born in Smith County, Virginia and resided in Clevelans County where he was by occupation a farmer
prior to enlisting in Lincoln County at age 30, March 15, 1862. Appointed 2nd Lt. on July 10th, 1862. resigned on December 22, 1862, because "another man
has been made 1st Lt. over me and I have had not had the chance to be promoted by seniority and have not been examined to test my competency".
Resignation accepted on Jan 6 1863. [other records on file indicate that he was a "good officer in every respect except that he will whenever he can get it liquor
to excess". May have served later as a private in company C, 59th NCT(4th Reg't. Cavlry).]
Fredericksburg, Va.
Dec. 17th, 1862
Dear Father,
I had concluded that I could not write to you any more until I had received a letter from
home. But, I came to the conclusion that this course of procedure bid fair to cut off all
communication whatever. As I have given up all idea of receiving a scaratch from your
very reserved pen. You certainly should be appointed Superintendent over some asylum
of mutes, as I verily believe your experience in such matters would be highly beneficial
to such an intitution.
We have had another great Battle at this place resulting in a decisive victory for the
Confederate Army. Fredericksburg was shelled on Thursday 11th Dec. On Friday there
was little done, except a continual fire of artillery. On Saturday the battle oppined (sic)
early in the morning on the right of our lines. Where Old Stone-fence commanded, 15
min. before 11 A.M. the Battle commenced near and around the city. The small arms
made one continual roar without a moment's cessarion from 15 before 11 until dark. Our
position was splendid.
Trenton Oct 4th/[18]65
Camp 8th N. J. Vols near Peterburg Va Jan 7th 1865
Dear Brother
I received your welcome letter a couple of days ago but as I had not received the 2nd
Shirt I thought I would not write untill it came.
I am glad you enjoyed yourself while
on your late visit to Trenton. I never spent such a Christmas and New Years before and
hope that the War will be over by next Christmas Yesterday the Express Boxes came for
the Regiment and the three drummers that first put up with me each received a Box from
home and we have been living high since then. Eating chickens Mince Pie, Cake and
Homemade Bread. We eat so much that last night we could not help it for it is seldom
we get anything but Fat Pork and Hard Tack. We opened al the Boxes and took out
what ever we wanted and you would of laughed to of seen us. We just made up our
minds to have one good meal if we never got another, and we did. I thought that there
was Fifteen Dollars due me in Bank but maybe it has been drawn out. I had $55.00
there. First I drew Five and then Annie Drew $25.00 and I gave Joe a check for $15.00
and that is all I remember of but maybe Eddie has drawn it for something so you need
not mind it and I will not put any more in the Bank."
Charly" I do not beleive I will get Home this Winter as they are not giveing any Furloughs
except to some who gets Dispactches of thier Folks. I am glad to hear that Joe is doing
something. he never writes to me. I do not think that the rebles can stand it much longer
if Sherman and Thomas gaines a few more victorys like the last ones. I hope that the
present year may see the close of it. I think they had better send old Butler back to New
Orleans for he is no good in the Field. The "Mercury" came duly to hand for which you
have my thanks. I set up half the night reading it. give my love to Aunt Ann and Family
and take a large portion for yourself. Hopeing to hear from you soon again I remain Your
Affectionate Brother Geo W. Fox P.S. "Charley" when you send anything again please
put 2nd Corps on. also direct your Letters thus: Geo W. Fox Co E, 8th New Jersey Vols
2 Corps Washington D. C. By putting the Corps on I get it sooner I just found it out
Geo
Dear father & mother brothers & sisters it is throgh the kind providence of god that I
have once more the opportunity of addrefsing you a few lines to let you know that I am
well at present and I do hope these few lines may find you all enjoying the same like
blessing I have nothing very strange to rite I received a letter when Johnithen Hargess
came to the CO that is the only correct nuse I have had from home since I left I rote an
answer and sent it by male I cant tell whether you received it or not I suppose that you
hear of all the hard fights we have without me riteing about them I will just remark that on
the 5th day of this inst we faught one of the hardest Battles that I have ever experinced
the Battle was faught at thomson Station that is betwiet Columbia and nashville on the
rail rode believe we faught from ten o'clock in the morning till three o'clock in the
eavening we whiped them completely there cavalry all run off and left there infantry our
cavalry then run round in the rear of there infantry then we give them shot and shell on
every sid untell the hole of them surrendered I have never heard the report of the kiled
on either side but I no one thing the nomber that surrendered was five redgments
suposed to be 33 hundred men beside the kiled and wounded I was over aportion of the
battle ground my self and there was at least too ded yankeys to one of our men these ar
facks that I seen with my own eyes our brigade under general farrist and general
vandorn command was the men engaged in the fight on our side the evning force was
supposed to be grants army from mississippi come to reinforse rosencrance at
murfeysburough we lost nary man kiled out of our co one wounded tilmon boyd was
wounded in the leg but not dangeoursly the rest of the co or all in tolerble good helth
with the exceptions of some four of five that as wounded they ar geting along as well as
could be expected I received a letter from James Smith in Capt Deakins co he rote that
he heard from home a few days before he rote to me he stated in his letter that you was
The Last Letter, June 2, 1865
Letter addressed to Mrs. Levica Craig, Carrollton, MO. It was written on a letterhead which
June the 1, 1865...1, 1865.....1, 1865
My dear I must write a few lines to you to pass of the time as I have been expecting to
start Northward any day. The time seems so long and the only way I can pass the time
and good amusement is when I have the privilege of writing so I will now proceed as
follows. Dear, my health is good and, dear, I hope and trust that these few lines may find
you enjoying the same blessing for good health is the greatest blessing that ever was
bestowed upon human life. Dear, it has been some time since I have heard from you but
if I could only get to hear from you every week the time wouldn't seem long.
The weather is very warm but thank God our marching is ended. This time last year we
was moving on the enemy through the heat and dust but now when we start on a
campaign it will be homeward and would have started for home today but the President
requested all business to cease for this is Thanksgiving Day. But, dear, we will start for
home soon. I am sure of this fact.
A few days ago I went to see the capital of the United States. I went through the whole
building. I once thought I had seen the whole world but I had never seen the cornerstone
until I visited this building. Would you believe if I would tell you it was made out of marble
stone and it covers 5 acres of land. I also was in the President's mansion. I was also in
the patent office. There I saw George Washington and his army equipment, his sword,
and his messbox, his saddle, and his tents.
Dear, I will tell you all about it when I come home. The doors of those buildings has
never been open until we came here. It has been open for us soldiers and no one is
allowed to visit the Capitol - only soldiers and it is a sight to behold.
Dear, I will send you 5 dollars in this letter as I have borrowed it for that purpose. Maybe
it will do you a little good. Dear, I am so sorry that I can't sent you more but, dear, when I
get it now it will all be in one pile. It will be upwards of four hundred dollars and it is said
that we will draw one hundred and 50 dollars more according to the War Department so
if that should be the case I will be able to go to housekeeping again.
Since the year of 1864 from Larkinsville, Alabama in the month of March I drew the last
of my pay and I have only spent fifteen dollars in that length of time. There is 18 months
pay due to me today. But it is not the pay I am looking for now it is that sweel little
cottage home and loved little family where I was so happy and free but thank God that
day is coming again and is now almost at hand.
Oh, my dear, I often think of the good messes that I will get when I come home. So dear,
I will close for the present hoping this will find you all well.
(Signed) William Craig to my dear beloved companion
Letter from Baxter , Edwin
Soldier: Baxter , Edwin
Allegiance: Union
Unit/Service Branch: 1st Engineers
Home State: Michigan
Date Written: Tuesday, January 6th, 1863
Location: near Nashville
Correspondence Type: Letter
Subjects: Combat Description, Comrades, Enemy, Family, Warfare, Wife/Girlfriend
Dearest Carrie,
I here that this mail is slow running order. Again and I hasten to send you a few line and let you know of my
safety. I have been hearty as usual since I wrote last. We have not been engaged in any of the great fights nor been
further to the front than we are at present.
We moved here last day Dec. and the next morning threw up hasty fortifications ______ one side and the wagons, on
the other of Cedar trees and brush. The night before we came here the rebels burned 104 wagons here. We encamped in
the Cedar grove and plenty of green boughs were ______out letting the “rebs” know we were at home to receive Calls.
At two o’clock P.M. The rebels threw a couple of shells into the train (which had been passing all day from the
front) and immediately charged on the train with a long line of cavalry coming to the road , say half a mile from
here, towards Nashville. They almost immediately after turned and charged at full speed upon our Camp.
Being prepared to receive calls we of course gave them the best we had in the house. Which sent them howling back..
They then turned the battery upon us and after throwing a few shells over our heads Charged again. Again we sent
them howling back. Five several times they charged each _______ first trying the effect of shells and each time with
the same effect. They then sent a flag of truce to Col._____, in fact, sent three times and the last time extended
their lines to our view but we saw nothing alarming in that and our Colonel declared they could not spell the word
“Surrender” right. Finding this did no good they did what the man said he would have done if the team had not turned
out. They turned out themselves and troubled no man. Soon after were receiving by a regiment and a battery or
section of two ___.
The fight was exclusive by our own, though a few of the 4th Mich. Cavalry came in while the White flag was pending.
We lost one man killed and eleven wounded. Of the rebels them have been 19 buried and about the same number wounded
from our soldiers. How many they took away with them is not known.
We lost about thirty horses and mules some killed by cannon and
some by Musket shots. We only mustered two hours ___ and
eighty____. The lowest estimate given by prisoners of whom we
have taken quite a number of the _____________of the rebels is
____ thousands while most of them set the number from five to
seven thousand. Our man and officers generally behaved nobly.
There has been terrible fighting for a week near Murfreesboro but
few _____ can be gathered. You will doubtless see the account of
the fight as soon as I shall. I cannot learn anything definite
from the 21st Mich Regt and have heard absolutely nothing from
_____________.
I only hear that the regt is terribly cut up these stories mostly
come from stranglers who are nearly scared to death. I have not
felt so anxious during the war as I have for the last four days
to hear from my brothers.
In haste Ever your own
Edwin
Capt Coffinberry will carry this and I have ………………………
Corinth, July 4, 1862
Dear Father,
I have put off writing to you for several days in hopes of receiving a letter from some of
the family to answer. I do not understand the reason of your long silence: we have got
nothing from home for 10 days and begin to think something is wrong in that quarter.
However, we hope to get a letter tonight and I will keep this open untill [sic] that time.
We have had a celebration here today that has convinced the citizens at least that we
have not forgotten the Birthday of our Nation. The Batteries of our Division fired a
National Salute of 34 guns at noon amid the cheers of the assembled Infantry. After this,
our piece which had a Hotchkiss shell in it, put in on the evening of the 7th April, was
discharged at a white oak 30 inches through and distant 100 yds. The shell passed into
the heart of the tree and there burst, driving the forward half through and about 50 yds
beyond, and leaving the base in the tree, it was a most splendid shot and showed the
tremendous force and precision of this kind of projectile. The Hotchkiss shell is used
exclusively for rifled [6 footers ?] and weighs 12 pounds being cylindrical for half its
length and conical the other half. A heavy charge of powder fills a tube running the whole
length of its interior and at the upper end this tube is capped with a large percussion
cap. The hole in the upper end of the Shell is stopped by a large screw whose lower end
nearly touches the percussion cap, a small piece of paper only intervening. To prepare
the shell for firing this paper is taken out and the screw screwed tightly down. It will then
explode the moment its motion is checked, by the throwing forward of the tube on the
screw. It is coated with lead to prevent the rifles of the gun from being hurt by contact
with the iron, there is also an arrangement by which the lead is forced into the grooves
at the moment of explosion.
July 5
Your letter to William of the 30th ult. came to hand this evening, and on account of its
excusable brevity we expect another soon. I am glad to hear of the Clover cutting, it
reminds me more vividly and pleasingly of Home than any other thing you could have
mentioned. Do you have as heavy a swath this year as we had last? I don't believe you
have but hope there will be better success in curing it than attended our efforts last
June. There must be a great demand for wool to run it up to such a good price. I expect
that the vast manufactures of woolen goods for the army has something to do with it, “It
is an ill wind that blows nobody good,” you know.
Clayton arrived here this afternoon looking fresh and ruddy as Minnesota winter faces,
the ball has not been extracted from his leg but gives him no trouble. Gov. Ramsey
came down with him to visit the Minnesota troops here. He is in Corinth now and will
come up to see us in the morning. I will give the details of his visit in my next which will
be in answer to the first epistle I get from Clyman. Clayton brings a great deal of news
from our State which are interesting to us I assure you.
The weather here is extremely hot and dry compelling us to keep in the shade, (or take a
Siesta) between the hours of 10 and 4 and to haul our water 2 miles in barrels. The
ground is baked like marble and the roads are 10 inches deep in dust. The sky blazes
through the day like red hot [illegible word] but the nights are beautiful, the moon shines
with a brilliance and softness of lustre which I never saw equaled in the North. I see
nothing of the Southern Cross yet though I expected to find it this far south. I begin now
to think that this Constellation is seen only in the Tropics. I am detailed to take care of
the sick in our Hospital tonight and so must stop writing at present.
July 7
This letter has been delayed by one of those accidents peculiar to this war. We got
orders yesterday morning at daylight to be ready to move out of camp at 6, prepared for
Action. Accordingly each one of us took 1 day's ration in haversack and a blanket, and at
the time appointed were led out to a position 4 miles southwest of camp commanding a
long bridge over the Tuscumbia creek.
We now learned that a body of the enemy's Cavalry had been encountered at Ripley,
about 5 miles out, and they were expected to advance by this road. Our Battery was
masked with bushes and we lay in wait all day but no Butternuts appeared. Towards
night an expedition, consisting of 3 Companies of the Iowa 11th, 3 or 4 Co's of the 11th
Ill's Cav., and the 2 howitzers of our Battery passed out to beat them up. Gen. Todd went
out with it. Our 2 rifled pieces remained in position untill [sic] this morning when we were
relieved by a section of the 5th Ohio and returned to Camp. We have since heard that
the expedition went out 9 miles last night and bivouacked, having seen nothing of the
enemy.
2 of our company deserted a few days ago taking with them 2 horses and saddles and
about 50 dollars that did not belong to them.
Hoping that this will find you in as good health as it leaves us with, I remain, Yours,
T. D. Christie
Goldsboro,
N.C.
April 9th 1865
My Dear Father
I seize this opportunity to write to you, before starting on the last great forward advancement of Sherman's Army. Orders were
read to us on Inspection this morning to be ready to move tomorrow morning, in order to hunt up to destroy Johnston's Army
while [ ? ] annihilates the remnant of the once glorious Rebel Army of Virginia.
Every man is jubilant. I have been over to the Battery twice and am going again this afternoon to bid them all "Good Bye."
I got Dave's letter of March 3rd & your's of 27th is Tom.
I am sorry Tom is not here to take part in this final moment that is to crush the Rebellion & liberate our Brother.
I have mastered the "Manual of Arms" and am now drilling with the Co.
Have had visits from [ ? ], Raymond, George Ehringer and Ed O'Keefe. The latter will be in Clyman as this reaches you and will give
you a call. He will be able to testify to any good health.
Use him well; don't advert to anything unpleasant to him. I am surprised to hear of Henry's enlistment. It speaks well for the
north that our armies are being recruited to the [ ? ] honor of the Rebellion.
Now a word to Dave. I want him to support the separation of the rifle before town, I solely wish I was up home for an hour.
Keep the gun clean & take it perfectly cool, but determined!
I am glad to hear that you make such good shots. The tell us that Tom took a carbine with him for you, Bully!
Now the game will suffer when we all get out on a hunt.
Some think that William will get paroled or exchanged immediately. I do not. May he have strength to stand and courage to meet
all the misfortunes and suffering that may be his lot untill we meet again.
I hope you are not too much troubled about it. Worse might have happened. The Battery men tell me that if any one can stand
Rebel [ ? ], Willie can.
Coming round on the boat almost everything we had was stolen or destroyed. My envelopes were all closed, paper damaged,
even stamps so soled as to be unfit for use. Comrades all the same, so I cannot borrow, Please send a few stamps, Envelopes & a
fine count. George Ehringer gave me a few stamps.
Preferably the last mail starts from here in a few minutes. Give my love to all & have a few for me untill you hear again
Your
Loving
Son
A.S. Christie
I have not anything more that would interest you. Col McAffee is well, & etc. Ellison.
Black was wounded in the head by a ball or piece of shell & is now on his way to
Richmond. His wound is not serious. He may be home before long. I have not received
the clothing mother sent me. The boxes were sent here from Richmond the day we were
ordered to the battlefield & we could not get them. Some were sent back & some are
scattered every where. We will probably never see them. Tell sister Ann I got that letter
she wrote me last week, but my eyes were so bad that I could not make out anything
that was not in it. Tell Sallie to write. She owes me one. All of you write, or you may
consider this my last. I never expect to get home again at all. Furloughs are out of date.
They would sell for 500. Money is worth nothing & nothing is worth everything. My love
to all & little Gill especially.
Your son, affectionally,
Jno D. Dameron
It is said we were attacked by 40,000 Federals at this point. Whilst our force which
opposed them did not amount to one 4th of that number. there were about 30 acres
covered with ------(illegable line due to fold in letter) ------- very small. tis said that we
repulsed them 17 different times, each charge being made with overwhelming numbers.
Their loss is estimated at 20,000 in killed & wounded, whilst ours will not exceed 2500.
500 of which was killed. Most of our killed was on the right where Stone- fence fought
them. The slaughter on the right is said to exceed anything of the war. If it was greater
than around the city, it must have been awful. Near the city we lost Generals Cobb of GA
& Maxwell Gregg of ALA. The Federals loss in killed may be fairly estimated at 6000.
14,000 wounded & about 3000 prisoners. I understand Burnside has reopened the river
to its northern bank, removing their pontoon bridges 5 in number & withdrawing their
troops from view. Only a few remaining in sight. What will be Burnsides next move is not
known. But, supposed that he will try Port Royal on the Rappahonock some 50 miles
from this place down the river. There are various conjectures. He will be closely watched
by Gen. Lee, who has the entire confidence of the Southern Army. Our army is in fine
condition & went into the fight on Saturday with perfect cheerfulness. This was the best
(strgling???) ever known. every man stood to his post & fought bravely. I narrowly
escaped being killed by the explosion of a shell.
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Letter From Private Thomas D. Newton,
8th Louisiana Infantry
Message from the letter's owner:
This letter was written by my Great-Great-Great-Great-Uncle Thomas D. Newton, who was a Private in Co. H., 8th Regiment of Louisiana Infantry. He was Sumter Co.
Alabama, but had been travelling in Louisiana when the war broke out. He enlisted June 8, 1861. He was present from the Battle of Secessionville, through the Mine
Run Campaign. He was wounded at Antietam. He was evidently wounded around the time of the Mine Run Campaign, because he later died while on wounded
furlough. The letter is to his sister Mary, my Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandmother.
Madison County, Va.
May 28th, 1862
Sister Mary,
This evening, the 20th of May, affords me the delightful pleasure of writing to you all at home. Home. Home. How much pleasure there is in that word home? There
is more than tongue can express. How oft have I thought of home. That place that I formerly so little appreciated. And to think of those that are there. The kind Father,
the indulgent Mother to which I have been so disrespectful in days gone by. The fond sisters that I have so oft mistreated. Oh, that I could have my time over again
how different I would live.
One may imagine something as to the ties that home has. Though, it is nothing compared to realizing the true state of things. I will tell you how much I think of
home. That delightful home I have so often thought of the greater portion of my day in quietude enjoying the pleasures and comforts of life, and those that are dear to
me. I think just enough of home to spend the remnant of my days, though they may be long, or short, in difference. There is of home a delightful place where one can
have peace, and just rights with it. But, without those two items death is far preferable. I will stay in the field forever before I will have my country invaded. I will
submit to the toils and hardships of camp. I will be found traversing the snow-clad cliffs of the Thoroughfare and the Blue Ridge Mountains first. I will endure the toil,
forbear the pain produced thereby, before thinking of submitting to such tyrannical vandals as those negro-thieving, undermining, careless, unprincipled band of
demons, which are really beneath the notice of the Devil himself.
I say and speak from my heart that life is sweet, though give me death before submitting to any such. Never has history, even in the days of uncivilization, not even
the heathen when committing their brutal acts regardless of care, or Gospel, had to disgrace her pages with such detestable, disgraceful, disdainful, unprincipled stuff
as the present in stating the whys and wherefores of this war, if it is truly accounted for. If it doesn't prove a disgrace to the Federals in the estimation of all nations, I
can't see why. In short, to this end give me liberty, or give me death.
I have no message of much importance to communicate to you. I have not heard from Gen. Beauregard for several days. The last account from Richmond, they were
sick of fighting, as few expected a general engagement shortly. Gen. Jackson had a skirmish with the Feds the other day. He took 2000 prisoners, saying nothing of
killed and wounded. Our loss was 100 killed and wounded. The enemy totally routed, we captured five car loads of coffee, all of their commissary stores, and also their
artillery. What I have stated as to this fight is true, for the man I am staying with saw them with his own eyes, as they came with them from Richmond. Since that time,
they have captured 4000, including 1000 cavalrymen, horses and all. If this be true, I say glory to God for it. I have great faith in Jackson and Beauregard, but not so
much in Johnson as the others.
I can't think of anything else that will interest you. My health is fairly good at this time. You will right to me immediately to tell all you know of about Joseph and
Isaac. I have not heard much from home in three months. Direct your letters to Oak Park, Oak Park, Madison County, Va. They will be forwarded from there to me.
Write immediately.
Nothing more remains,
your warrior brother, until death,
Thomas D. Newton
•Obituary
•"Life is a span, a fleeting hour,
How soon the vapor flies!
Man is a tender, transient flower,
That even in blooming dies,"
•"That once loved form, now cold and dead,
Each mournful thought employs:
We weep our earthly comforts fled,
And withered all our joys."
• Died at the "Wayside Home," Augusta, Georgia, on the 6th of April, 1864, Thomas D.
Newton, of Co.H., 8th Louisiana Regiment, in the 24th year of his age. He had remained
nearly two months in a hospital at Lynchburg, Va., and it is supposed, having partly
recovered, had obtained a furlough, and was on his way home, when he had a relapse
and died; yes, died away from home and friends, doubtless for want of attention. No
brother near to cheer and comfort him, while enduring the pain that has laid him low; no
mother to administer the cordials that are so necessary and refreshing in the hours of
affliction; no sister to smooth his pillow, and wipe the dews of death from his noble brow,
whilst that Monster was performing his mighty task; and no friend or acquaintance to
follow him to his last resting place--a cold, cold grave. But being a good and devoted
Christian, a member of the Baptist Church from his early youth, he was not alone when;
•"They laid thee in thy quiet grave,
Few mourners 'round thy tomb,
And few the pitying friends that near
Disturbed with faltering sigh or tear
The graveyard's silent gloom."
A letter home (Union)
Camp of the 29th Regiment,
Ohio Vet. Vol. Inft.
Dear father,
Your letter of the 8th came to hand on the 15th and I was very glad to hear from you once more. It had been so long since I had heard from you that it seems as
though good times were coming once more when I receive letters from you. - Mother has written to me quite often since you left home and I am very much
obliged to her for doing so. - Since you have been gone my regiment has been in a good many battles and have lost a good many men.
My regiment has had about 200 men killed and wounded out of 400 and my company has lost about 32 men out of 56. All of my tent mates, James Walsh,
Charlie Gove and William Gilbert, have been wounded on this campaign and I am left alone. - My health has been so very good that I have not missed one mile
of the march and I have been in every battle of the campaign. I have had two muskets shot out of my hands by rebel balls and a short time ago a 6 pound shell
went through my tent within 6 inches of my head but as yet I am all right side up with care.
We are now within a mile and three quarters of the centre of the city of Atlanta. We have got all the railroads cut and we are sending shot and shells into the city
all the time. - Every night there is some part of the city set on fire by our shells and it seems to me as though it must be a very uncomfortable place to live in.
Almost two weeks they have not shot one shell at our brigade. I think they have none to spare and are saving them for the time that we will have to charge them.
This will represent the position of our army.
The numbers are the numbers of the army corp. The length of our line of battle is 13
miles, nearly half of it is held by the fourth and twentyth army corps. All of the fighting
that is going on is where the 23 corps as we are trying to shove the army around to the
right. - Almost every day the rebels try to break our lines somewhere but as yet they
have made nothing, for every time they charge on our lines they lose 4 men to our 1 for
we are in good breast works and they have to come across the open fields to get at us.
Every day a good many deserters come over to our lines from the rebel army. Night
before last 100 of them started to come into the 1st division of our corps, but as they did
not have a white flag, our men fired one volley into them and killed 20 of them. The rest
of them (80) came in and have been sent North. - We have had plenty to eat all along
this march, but just at present we can't eat any pork, as they are using the cars to bring
up big guns so we have no meat but fresh beef every day. However we get along first
rate. They have established a bakery close by the army and we get soft bread one day
in three. We think this a treat as we have not had any soft bread for three months. There is rumor around in the army that Longstreet's corps is coming down here to
reinforce the rebels. If this is the case, we will have our hands full, but I should think that
General Grant could keep the whole rebel army in Virginia busy so that they would not
think of coming down here.
General Grant don't get along so well in the east as he did in the west. The fact of the
matter is, the rebels have got their biggest and best army in Virginia, and their best
generals. I wish we had such an army as the army of the Potomac down here. We would
eat up Hood's army before breakfast. - I see by some Cleveland papers sent me by Miss
Frankland that the hundred day men think they are seeing very hard times. Why the
poor sinners don't know anything about soldering and it makes me laugh every time I
read there woeful complaints. If they were with Grant or Sherman, instead of behind the
forts of Washington then they might grumble. - The weather has been very warm during
the months of July and August.
This month it has been raining almost all the time, but it don't seem to cool the air any.
Sometimes I think that when this summer is over I will be nearly black enough to pass
for a negro. - I was of the opinion that you would not like the Isle of Man very well, for I
know that traveling only makes a man think more of home. I wrote to mother a short time
ago for a gold pen, some writing paper and envelops and some postage stamps. If they
are not sent, please send them as soon as you can for I need them very much. - There
is some talk of us getting paid off pretty soon and I guess that we will soon get some
greenbacks. There is a good many of them now owed me from the government, but I
have no more to write this time, so I will bid you a goodbye. Give my love to mother and
the children and accept the same yourself.
From your loving son,
Caius C. Lord
CO. I. 29th Regt. O.V.V.I.
1st Brig, 2nd Division
Dear Wife,
I take my pen to hand to inform you that I am well at present and hope these few lines may find
you all enjoying the same blessing. I came up here last Saturday after the mail and Sunday
morning the rebels attacked the Federal troops at Murfreesboro and whipped them out and they
have yet got possession of the place. It is on the road from here to Wartrace so I cannot get back
until our men retakes Murfreesboro. The rebels were 4000 strong and all cavalry. I have not
heard from our boys since Saturday as Wartrace is 23 miles the other side from Murfreesboro.
The troops here have been lying on their arms for 2 or 3 nights expecting an attack. The rebels
are attacking our troops at every point since the fight at Richmond. Jo & Hugh Patterson have a
discharge signed by our Doctor, the Col. and the Captain and it only has to be signed by the
Medical Director at this place which I think he will do whenever they are presented to him. They
came very near starting home Saturday as I came up here. They will start as soon as I get back to
camp. I see in the paper this morning that the rebels are playing the wild in Kentucky. I expect we
will have to come back yet and clean them out. I am afraid they will ruin all the Union people if
there is not some troops sent there. There is a report here that McClellan's army has been cut to
pieces. And also that the rebels have retaken Baton Rouge again. I am thinking this war will last
a long time yet and I don't know whether we will whip them at all or not. I have wrote one letter
to you since I got back and I have been looking every day for an answer. You must write as often
as you can. I would like to hear from you every day. These ----- times I would like to see you all
but I don't know when I will get home again. So nothing more at present but remaining your
affectionate husband until death.
A. A. Harrison
Since I closed my letter I have heard that the railroad bridge at Murfreesboro has been
burned so I don't know when I will get back to the regiment. It is too dangerous a road to
travel by myself. All our troops at Murfreesboro were taken prisoners that were not killed.
And some folks here say they were all killed after they surrendered but I don't believe that.
I will write again as soon as I hear from our camp. The boys were all well when I left but Jo
& Patterson. The Doctor says they are not dangerous but he thinks it is best for them to go
home where they can be taken care of. You must get along the best you can and try and be
satisfied and write as often as you can and don't forget to kiss the children for me. Tell
father & mother & the children I would to them all. We have not been paid as yet and I am
afraid the paymaster will not come while the rebels are cutting up. So nothing more at
present but remaining your affectionate husband until death.
A. A. Harrison
Civil War Letter From LeRoy McAfee
LeRoy McAfee, was the Uncle of the author of the letter from Fredricksburg, John Damron. They were in the same unit.
Goldsboro, S.C.
May 14th, 1862
My dear sister;
I have just read your letter sent by Mr. Wray. It was truly encouraging and contains
wholesome truth which I hope will prove of benefit to me. Our parting was painful and
my heart now sadens at the remembrance of it. Never had the circumstances been the
same. Our family circle had by the hand of providence been rendered happy and social,
but the same hand by other causes has caused us to be separated perhaps forever.
This is kept hidden in the future. I had just made up my mind to settle in Shelby to return
to my once loved home to (illegible) and be (illegible), and do every thing in my power to
make my mother happy. For god knows her latter days on earth ought to be blessed with
happiness, for she has seen trouble. But providence has ordered otherwise and we must
submit with all humbleness. My motto has ever been to do the best I could under all
circumstance. My purpose is to do the very best I can and do my duty.
I have been protected before by a higher power when danger was nigh and I have been
thankful for it. Not as much as I should have been. I have at times been led astray and
have wandered from the path of duty. I hope to be humbler, live a better life and love
God more. I pray his protection in the hour of danger and his deliverance from disease
death and the cursing influences of camp life. I pray to live to the good and be of service
to my country. I pray to get back home to comfort my poor mother and make her happy. I
pray to live the life of a Christian and after the war is over and my country free and my
labors on earth completed I pray to die the death of all humble followers of Christ. I have
been unwell but am better now. Tell Annsi to come right on and bring two pillows a
blanket, and comfort. I have lost my camp chest. It was impossible for me to get it on at
Charlotte & I left it in the agents care & he sent it but I have never received it. All items
clothes & bed clothes are in it. I hope I will get it yet. It is marked. I send this to mother
and she can send it out to you. John is well. Write soon and direct to Maj. Leroy M.
McAfee 49th Reg. NCT. Goldsboro, S.C. It will come (illegible).
Yours,
Lee M. McAfee