Soldier's Stories

[thea_447]

Eugenia Bass to William H. Seward, January 7, 1864 (Seeks release of brother and compensation for property seized by the Union Army)

Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress. Transcribed and Annotated by the Lincoln Studies Center, Knox College. Galesburg, Illinois.

From Eugenia Bass to William H. Seward [With Endorsement by Lincoln]1, January 7, 1864


(Note 1 Mrs. Bass had lately taken the oath of allegiance to the Union. Lincoln read this letter from her and inquired about the seizure of her property in Mississippi in letters to Lorenzo Thomas and U. S. Grant. See Collected Works, VII, 131-32 and 149.)

Willard's Hotel, Jany. 7, 1864.

Sir,

I have returned to Washington, to make an effort to obtain the release of my brother, Major Henry C. Bate, of the first confederate cavalry, now a prisoner at Johnson's Island, and I beg that you will add to the kindness you have already manifested towards me, and for which I will ever be grateful, your good offices in this matter.

I am deeply interested in rescuing my brother from all connection with the rebellion, in which he has so unfortunately and as I know, reluctantly, become involved, and in reclaiming the relative on whose support and protection, now more than ever needed by me, I have relied for years past. I believe that he will cheerfully take the oath of allegiance, and if not; I pledge myself as surety for him, that he will return to prison.

My brother is a very young man, and has been a member of my household for some years; and though not conscripted yet he was impelled to enter the confederate army as a private soldier, by circumstances amounting to moral duress. It was much against my wishes as well as his own. Being in that condition, he naturally sought to ameliorate his privations by obtaining promotion, and though he is now an officer, no inference is to be drawn in his case from that fact, that he sought a place in the rebel army. I am now called by the care of my property, and an imperative sense of duty to my family, to undertake the perils of a journey home.

The greatest favor that the government can bestow on me, will be to restore to me my brother, from whom alone, I can claim the escort and protection that I so much need.

I have suffered much, very much, from the Union army, by the loss of my property and I feel that I have a claim to the protection of the government, and its favor, where it can be accorded without injury to the public.

I beg you to present my appeal to the President, and to his sense of justice, and your kind offices, I anxiously, but hopefully, commit the result.

I am Sir,

Very Respectfully,

Your Friend & obt Servt,

Eugenia Bass.

(Endorsed on Envelope by Lincoln

Mrs. Bass.

[thea_447]

From the Diary of Rev. Abraham Essick
June 26, 1863
This was a memorable day in Gettysburg. Pennsylvania is invaded by the army of the Confederate States. They had made their appearance at Greencastle and Chambersburg some ten days ago, and we had many rumors of their advance in this direction. Our merchants sent away most of their goods and the horses had been removed from the town and surrounding country several times under false alarms. But today they came numbering, according to the best estimates, about three thousand, consisting of cavalry and infantry supported by four or five [caissons]. The place was not defended and of course they met with no resistance. A regiment of militia had arrived from Harrisburg the evening before, but these made no stand. About two hundred of them were captured and paroled. A small troop of horsemen (about 25) from Philadelhpia and another collected in the country made their escape from the east end of town as the enemy entered at the west. I witnessed the charge down York street, and it was truly terrific to one unaccustomed to such things. They rode at the top of their speed and yelled like demons, their faces [?] and their hair streaming in the winds. They overtook a number of citizens endavoring to make their escape with their horses, and captured a car of government stores. They gathered up all the horses they could find. They demanded of the twon, among other things, ten barrels of whiskey, sixty barrels of four, one hundred beef cattle and five thousand dollars. The town council refused to give them anything. They then proceeded to help themselves to such things as they wanted. They took a great many things from the stores, for which they paid confederate scrip or left a recept and order upon their government. Their stay was very brief lasting only from about three o`clock PM to the following morning. They burned some eight or ten cars and the railroad bridge over [Rock] Creek. With few exceptions they molested no families. They pushed forward from this to Hanover and York, destroying railroad bridges and ware-houses and capturing horses.

June 29

Yesterday (Sabbath) about two thousand union cavalry entered our town. They are the advance of Gen. Hooker's army which is said to be near Frederick Md. They were ordered back again this morning, for what reason we do not know. All our communications are cut off and we receive no mails from any direction. The rebels are said to be in very heavy force in the Cumberland Valley adn moving upon Harrisburg. They are also said to have done immense damage in York and along the Northern Central Railroad. Our town is completely invested by the two armies, though, at present, not occupied by either. I am alone. My wife has gone upon a visit to her sister, Mrs. [Thodes] at Bellefonte. John is in Franklin Co with his uncle, and the two younger children are with my brother in Columbia. I can hear from none of them. Our citizens are deeply depressed today. All business is suspended and nobody does anything but inquire for the news and anxiously await the decision of the great contest. The farmers are in great distress about their crops. Haymaking and harvest are upon them and no horses to do the work.

June 30

Our town was occupied this morning buy a large force of Federal Cavalry. The confederate pickets were in sight when the advance entered, but they fell back along the Chambersburg road toward the mountain, where they are said to be in heavy forces. News of a fight between Pleasonton's Cavalry and the Confederate Cavalry under Stuart near Littlestown, was brought in this evening. It is impossible to get reliable information, but it seems evident that both armies are in large force in this region and a great battle is imminent any day.


Gettysburg, 1863 - no date
A great battle was fought at Gettysburg on the first, second and third days of July. I remained in our house alone (my family having gone o n a visit to Columbia) during the first day's fight. Shells shrieked over the town for more than three hours and then, on the retreat of our men, they fell around the house in the yard. During the early part of the day, I watched the movements of the armies from the steeple of the church, which stands next (to) the parsonage - saw the wounded and dying constantly brought in. In the afternoon our church was taken for a hospital, but before night the wounded had to removed, because the enemy outnumbering the union forces three to one on this first day's fight, drove our men into the town and through it. Night closed in leaving us within the enemies lines. The streets were strewn with dead men and horses and littered with the debris of the battle. Some of my neighbors were roughly treated during the night - and some of the stragglers of the rebel army threatened to strip us of shoes and other garments. On this account I left with a number of other citizens on the morning of the second day's fight. We proceeded north as far as Petersburg (14 miles) meeting the entire Cavalry of the enemy at various points of the road. I remained at Petersburg with my early friend and college chum, Rev. P. Raby, until Sabbath. During these dreary days we heard the cannonading very distinctly, but could get not news of battle. When at length the welcome news came that the enemy were retreating Bro. Raby and myself went on foot to Gettysburg, taking with us such things as we could carry to assist the wounded soliders. It was nearing night of the Sabbath when we reached the village. On Monday morning we proved to the battled fileld and saw sights which I cannot describe. Dead men and horses already far gone into decay, muskets, knapsacks, broken caissons, and cannon, etc etc. lay everywhere. During these days the entire stock of provision in the whole county for many miles, was exhausted. The railroad was broked up and bridges burned, so that we were cut off from any immediate supply. Immediately upon the cessation of hostilities our friends from a distance came in with provisions to relieve immediate necessities. Otherwise I cannot see how it would have been possible to avoid great suffering. My church was occupied for a hospital and it was several weeks before it could be used for religious services. For many weeks after the battle there was a stench filling the air, which was almost unendurable. This caused a great deal of sickness. I was taken down with fever and was unable to perform ministerial duties for about two months. Two of my children had severe illnesses (obscured). We were fortunate to escape with very little loss of property during the battle. Some of my neighbors had their houses thoroughly plundered. Quite a number of houses and barns in teh county neaer the village were burned. Several members of my church lost nearly all their property and one member, a young lady Miss Jennie Wade, was shot and killed during the battle.

[snows_battery_b]

This letter was from two officers instead of enlisted men but the dateline explains it all.
Antietam, September 22, 1862
Permit us through the columns of your paper to tender our sincere thanks to the citizens of Port Deposit for their kindness in presenting each of us with a handsome sword. The acknowledge would have been made earlier, had it not been that the swords were recieved at Harrison's Landing on the eve of the departure of the artillery since twhich time we have been constantly on the move, first to Alexandria and vicinity and thence through western Maryland, where there was such great necessity for using the sword, that the pen had, for a season, to be laid aside.
We honor and love the cause in which we are engaged, and intend that our future acts shall merit the confidecne as well as the handsome gift of our friends.
Our battery was engaged in teh fight of Wednesday, September 17th inst., until night and in the part of the field so hotly contested by Hooker and Sumner. Our shell were freely and effectively distributed, the men holding their posts like veterans, resolved to bring no discredit on Cecil, having their ardor augmented by the fact that they were fighting on Maryland soil. The hand of Providence shielded us from harm - for we had not a man either killed or wounded. Our loss was only one horse killed.
Have you in Cecil 25 men good and true, who wish to strike a blow for the Union? If so, let them come to Snow's Battery, as we wish to use our six guns, with a full compliment of men to each - now we can fully man only four, because of loss and sickness. Address of the Battery is Snow's Maryland Battery, Smith's Division, Franklin's Corps, Army of the Potomac.
1st Lt. James H. Kidd
2nd Lt. Leonard S. Parker

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From the Book, "A Boy's Service with the 76th Ohio," by Charles A. Willison, Pvt., Co. I, 76th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

On page 60, Willison relates an incident during the siege of Vicksburg.

"When darkness settled down there was a mutual truce in firing and we felt free to sit a-top our works to have a talk with the "Johnnies" across the way. Ordinarily this chaffing was good-natured and harmless. We had a quick-witted, ready-tongued character in our company who was the recognized spokesman for our side, and they had one of the same kind whom we dubbed the "Parson." It got to be a regular entertainment and General Sherman came to our quarters one evening to listen to the dialogue and have a good laugh over it. But on one occasion our man let his wit run away with his discretion by indulging in some insulting remarks neither fitting nor nice. In the darkness we were lolling on top the works taking things easy and listening to the conversation when this insult was passed over to our friends across the way. Suddenly, over there, there was a flash and before we realized a volley of grape and cannister whistled uncomfortably close overhead. The danger was past before we could move, but all the same there was some ungraceful tumbling to get on the safe side of our works. Luckily no one was hit and our speaker learned to be more discreet."

Sort of reminds me just when I think I got the upper hand in a debate with Thea or Tommy, I get a volley of 'grape and cannister' uncomfortably close overheard!

Unionblue

Great letters everyone....some are sad, some inspiring and some funny...but all are intersting...and Neil, I always aim to please...


Lorenzo Dow Hylton enlisted in Company D of the 54th Virginia Infantry on March 24, 1862, in Abingdon, Virginia, as a 1st Lieutenant. He was missing wounded in action at Missionary Ridge, Tennessee, on November 25, 1863, and died in Marietta [Georgia] Hospital on February 13, 1864. He is buried in a Confederate cemetery in Marietta, Georgia.


Here are some exchanges between he and his wife. With one from her cousin.....

Floyd Co Va
April 24th 1862
Dear Husband;
This time affords me the pleasure of witing you a few lines to inform you that I am well as could be expected, and all the rest of the family are well, and hopingthat these few lines may find you enjoying the same blessing. I take my pen in hand to answer your kind letter of 16 April, that I have just read, which gave me great satisfaction to hear that you was well. I can inform you that I have another Daughter, it was born April 17th. Nathan Hylton went for a Doctor, send the name that you choose that it shoould be called. Your Father and Brothers will do all they can to get our corn in: it will be a bad chance to get help from Samuel Weddle, for another of sons died the first of this week, and two more are sick. I want you to come home about harvest if you can. We have had no letter from Mathias and John since they left the Junction, we heard that they are at YorkTown, we heard that they had a fight, but that none of were hurt, and they were expected another battle shortly. I will send you’’re the things that you wrote for, by Henderson when he goes. I would like to know if you have received the coat and socks that I sent to you by Col. Shelor. Eve Elizabeth Hylton is staying with me, and will stay till I get able.
Dear husband thou art kind and true
And every day I think of you
So my dear husband think of me
While many mile apart we be.
Yours truly
Barbara E. Hylton



Marrietta G.A.
Jan the 20th 1864
Dear Wife
I take the pleasure of writing you a few lines in answer of your kind and welcom letter that come to hand this morning which give grate satisfaction to hear from you I will say to you that I am still improving I can turn myself without help and can set up long enough to wash and comb my hair I shall make an application for a furlough before long if I still keep improving You wanted to know whether I get all of theletters that you send me I record I do I am very sorry to of Elvy Phlegars deth I hope he is gone to a better world than this where he will see know more trouble I feel sorry for his father and mother Give them both my best respects So as I have know news to write I will have to close Give my love to A.J. Jones and all inquiring friends So hoping these few lines may reach you and find you in good health and all the rest So I will close Write when you can and give all the news So remains your husband untill deth
L.D. Hylton
To
B.E. Hylton


Camp Near Dalton Ga
February 15th/64
Dear Cousin
This morning This morning I Seat my Self to drop you afew lines. I regret to tell you that David Willis received a letter yesterday stating that your husban Lorenzo D. Hylton died the 13th _____ at Marrietta Ga he stated that he seam to be doing well unell two or 3 days before he died when he was taken worse and got worse untill he died I was so in hopes he would get will but alas he had to pay the debt that we all owe and will hav to pay Some day or other let us be at home or abroad and if we air prepared to to meet our god a great exchange it is I hope he was prepare for death he was always studdy while in camp and bore the hardships of a Soldier patiently____________ man could there ___________ he is at rest and if so he is much better of than we air in these low grounds of Sarrow So we ought not to grieve after him as the will of god must be done but try to prepare our Selves to met our god when he sees fit and proper to call us from time to eternity be ready then to go.
I am well and hope these few lines may find you and your little family well so as I hav no other more to write I will close give my love & best respects to all my near and dear relations round you ______ only remain your cousin Samuel Slusher
To Barbra E Hylton
Dalton Georgia

February the 18 1864
Respected Sister
This morning affordes me the pleasure of droping you a few lines to Inform you that I am well and hope by the kind mercies of heaven that this will come to hand and find you and your children all well and doing well Dear Sister I have wrote to you about the death of Lorenza in my other letters I Received a letter from James Guthrie this morning Containing a lock of his hair which I send to you in this letter by Marion Hylton he started home this evening on a sick furlough for 30 days
he had a good watch and thirty dollars in money when he died and a good overcoat thare is several monthes wages due him for his servises any thing that I can doe for you I will doe it with pleasure I think you had better authorise some person to get his things for you as soon as you can
Please write to me as soon as this comes to hand I Remain you affectionate Brother
Ira S. Hylton



This is a poem written by Barbara Hylton, for Lorenzo Dow Hylton.


First
When I received your likeness
I was overfilled with joy
I looked upon your smiling face
And laid it in the drawer
2nd
I often look upon it
And shed a many tear
And think of you my husband
The one I love so dear
3rd
I show it to the children
And ask them sho is that
They will look a while at it and laugh
And say I know its pap
4th
And then they will say o mother Cant you turn it rong side out
Turn up the pretty little box
And let poor pap come out

I could not help but be so saddened and my heart went out to Mrs Hylton. To have a letter from her husband saying he was on the mend, then to get such sad news.




(Message edited by aphillbilly on June 21, 2003)

[thea_447]

Part 1
This excerpt is from Memoirs of a Southerner (1840-1923) by Edward J. Thomas.
http://docsouth.unc.edu/thomas/thomas.html
This young man had grown up on a Georgia plantation, and his memoir begins with his early childhood, but I have skipped to parts concerning the War years.

The young men of the South were so afraid the war would end before they had a chance that a company was made up in my county and offered to the state, without compensation. I became one of them, although my right arm was yet in a sling. We were accepted by our Governor, and required to do picket duty along the coast, reporting the manoeuvres of the gunboats, always in sight along our ocean front. In 1862, April 1st, I enlisted for the war. Our victories had made us believe a few more months would see the end of it. How little we knew the feeling in the Northern states, and how determined Lincoln was to preserve the Union!
About this time our regiment was ordered to Florida to take part in the battle of Olustee, but General Colquitt, who was on the ground, made such quick work of the Federal attack that we reached there only in time to follow up the retreat of the enemy, and to see thousands of dead negro soldiers, dressed in blue. On this battlefield I found a dollar greenback, and didn't know what it was. I had frequently to pass through this stretch of woods, where the fiercest engagement occurred, and for a mile or more the dead horses were so thick and the stench so bad that, arriving at the place, I would hold my nose, put spur to my horse, and hasten through.



WHEN SHERMAN began his march on Atlanta, we were ordered to General Joseph E. Johnston's army to stop Sherman, and became a part of Joe Wheeler's cavalry, but we did not succeed. However, we all think if Johnston had not been retired at this time by President Davis, Sherman would never have made his hellish march to the sea. But who knows? Just before Sherman took Atlanta, the cavalry under General Joe Wheeler was ordered to the rear. Why, I, of course, don't know, but I expect because General Johnston wanted to cut off Sherman's railroad supplies, and because we had nothing for man or beast to eat. The order assembling us was strange. It commanded that we assemble without a change of clothing, without a blanket, but plenty of ammunition. Being acting Quartermaster of the Regiment, I was not included, but having a good horse, good pistols, and hungry for a fight, and from the nature of the order so poorly equipped for service, we all thought it a short raid, so I arranged to go.

Soon we found ourselves almost in Tennessee, living on what we could forage. At Dalton, Georgia, we captured - or stole, perhaps, is the better word - lots of goodies from the Yankees who had followed Sherman and opened shop. It was the first time I ever saw canned goods. We had been living on green apples and green corn since we left Atlanta, and to see the boys eat crackers and condensed milk was amazing.


The quartermaster had become forage master. With a squad of men to leave at crossroads, I was given the direction the march would take, and when about twenty miles distant, would provide the food, which would consist of a field of corn just maturing, making good food for both man and beast, but without salt or meat. We paid these obligations by giving a certificate of purchase, reading: "Two years after a treaty of peace between the Confederate States and the United States, the Confederate States promise to pay John Jones one hundred dollars for fifty acres of corn," I signing as quartermaster.

When the regiment or brigade reached this place, they would pull the ears of corn for their horses, and make large fires and roast the ears for themselves; then catch an hour or two of sleep on the bare ground, rain or shine, night or day, and, strange to say, the men and horses all kept well. The boys soon learned to put the green corn ears, just as pulled from the stalk, in the fire, and when the husk was burned off the ear was just properly cooked. The sharp line between officers and enlisted men was not severe in the Confederate Army. Although at first a sergeant in the army, the Colonel, a West Point graduate, would offer me his headquarters tent to entertain my sisters. The sharp command of an officer to attend to a duty was not necessary, each man seeming to realize that he was his own captain.

When leaving Dalton, I received orders the night before as to the route to provide the next night's

forage for man and beast. Riding out of the city early in the morning, I heard a train stop just over the hill and out of sight. Soon the hill top was bristling with bayonets and blue coats, and the bullets spattered around me lively, but my good horse soon put the required distance between us. This occurrence cut me off from my command for four or five days, and when I put in an appearance I was warmly welcomed with the shout, "Why, here is Ed Thomas! He wasn't killed at Dalton after all!"

On this raid the horse I rode became lame on account of casting a shoe. At first I tried to put a shoe on; I found an old shoe at an abandoned blacksmith's shop, and having nails I fastened the shoe to the foot. Pretty bad job, and did not help much.

My Confederate "promise to pay" was all the cash the army had, and they were only accepted by these East Tennessee bushwhackers when handed out at the point of sharp sabres; but I had to have a horse. The question to decide was whether the bushwhackers should get me, or I get one of their horses. Being both judge and jury in deciding this matter, it did not take me long to come to a conclusion.

I started out early one morning determined to be sufficiently in advance of the corps to get a good selection. As forage master and quartermaster I had passes to go and come as I pleased. It wasn't long before I came to a farm yard. Just at the roadside I saw two horses in a pole stable. I opened the gate, went in with my lame horse,

intending to force a swap for one more serviceable. The pretty sorrel mare I first examined, but her shoes were much worn, so I selected a gray horse, quite recently shod, and was about putting my bridle and saddle on trim when the owner came rushing from the house, some hundred yards away, swearing at the d--n scoundrel about to steal his horse. As he came he picked up an ugly, heavy stick, and when near me I ordered him to halt, with pistol in hand; but I believe he would have rushed on me requiring me to kill him, for horse I had to have, when he saw the head of our cavalry coming down the hill, and looking at my gray coat, he mounted the little sorrel and scampered for his life.

[thea_447]

Part 11 Memoirs of a Southerner
I remember going into a flour mill in Tennessee and asking for a certain amount of wheat flour, which the miller promptly furnished, and then, of course, wanted his pay. He would only receive my "promise to pay" after it was stuck on my sword and I quietly but determinedly let him feel how sharp it was when pressed against his abundant

stomach. Then after getting the flour, how to prepare it for food? Found a lot of large flat stones, which I had the men heat very hot, and mixing the flour with water in a large barrel, spread it over the stones, and thus we had very large pones of eatable stuff. These, in large hunks, were handed the troopers as they rode by, and all shouting "Hurrah for Captain Thomas."

On these cavalry raids, which were within the confines of the seceding states, where our "promise to pay" was expected to be valid, we lived on what we could get in the immediate surroundings, but when Lee went into Pennsylvania, while he assessed the towns in accordance with military tactics, yet everything he consumed was paid for, and the strictest order maintained - no outrages or pilfering were permitted.

After feeding the boys, I began to scratch, for I was infested with what the boys now call "cooties" but we called "gray-backs." So the idea struck me I would beg a shirt of the good ladies living in this cozy town, stretched out for about half a mile on a pretty stream. I rode up to the first place and told the lady I had a sick friend who needed a shirt. "Certainly," she said, and presently she brought me what the boys call a "biled" shirt, all white and starched stiff. Of course I had to thank her for it, and stuffed it under my saddle blanket; and riding out of sight of this house repeated my lie to another lady, who brought me another "biled" shirt, which, as before, I thanked her for and again stuck under my saddle blanket. These shirts were about


as much use to me as though she had given me a palmetto fan. So riding again further down the stream, in a quiet nook I took a bath, made a big fire, and holding my shirt and coat over the flames, singed those miserable things until I could hear them pop in the fire, and then, after throwing the biled shirts in the woods, dressed myself and caught up with the command.

After searching the country one night, I could only find a pen of sheep - no hogs or cattle and the boys did so dislike this horridly butchered mutton. But this or nothing, so I rode up to the pen where perhaps forty or fifty sheep were corralled in a good pen, and directed my men to get eight or ten of them. None of us knew anything about sheep, so the boys got down from their horses, found heavy sticks and went at the sheep. We knocked their horns off, crippled a few, but killed none. One of my men, coming up a little later, said, "That aint the way to kill them; just catch them and cut their throats." Soon we had all our horses could carry to camp. I have often wondered, when the owner came by daylight to see this destruction, what he thought had happened.

On this raid it was learned that the Yankees meant to destroy our salt works at Abington, Virginia, a small town in the southwest of this state. We were sent to defend the place, and quite a skirmish ensued. The Yankees retreated, and hearing of a mountainous short cut, our command was ordered to take it, hoping by this short cut to head off the enemy. 'Twas the darkest night I ever

saw, and this mountain path as crooked and slippery as could be. In marching over it a large torchlight was carried at the head; each man dismounted, leading his horse and holding to the tail of the horse before him, for if the chain had been broken all might have gone over the precipice. At times the torchlight would be at our backs, so tortuous was the path, and frequently we would find ourselves slipping down a slide - but for God's sake don't let go the tail! By daylight we again reached the public road, just to see the rear guard of the enemy pass by. My comrade, Lawrence, was captured on this raid. The dead negro soldiers dressed in blue were lying so thick on the grass that it was with difficulty I rode without having my horse trample them.

While this raid temporarily destroyed the railroad over which Sherman received most of his supplies, I doubt if it accomplished any good to the Confederate cause. When we got back off the raid General Hood was on his unfortunate campaign northward, and Sherman on his march of devastation through Georgia to Savannah.

The Confederate cavalry furnished their own horses and equipment, and after we got to our line again, an order was issued giving a thirty-day furlough to any trooper without a horse. I had a good horse, but I gave him to a fellow trooper who had lost his horse in exchange for his thirty-day furlough. I made haste to get home, and there found my baby boy had grown out of my and his recollection. He looked upon me as an intruder, and if

his legs had been strong enough would have kicked me out of the house. A few days, though, made him my staunch friend.

At this time Sherman was devastating the state, letting us know what he thought war was. Judging from what he was doing, I feared he would permit ill treatment of the women, so thought best to take my wife and son, two young lady sisters, and a niece who was stopping with us, out of the city. I stacked mother's store room with rice, about all that could be purchased in the city. No vehicles could be hired to leave the city, so I got from my grandmother's plantation near by, a horse and wagon to take the four ladies, my boy, and two negro girls - for the ladies must have their maids - and four or five big trunks, over the Savannah River to Hardeeville, S. C., the nearest railroad station; all other railroads were in Sherman's hands.

How I expected to accomplish the journey, I never knew; was like the darned fool who, knowing a thing could not be done, tried it, and did it. Good luck played in my hands, and at last we were in Hardieville.



WHEN I arrived there I saw a woman waving a handkerchief. Going to her, I found it was my wife, who told me that arriving at this station, the party was rushed on the train, saying that it was the last train to leave as the Yanks had cut off communication; that she began to cry, when General Beauregard, who happened on board, asked "why that lady was crying." Being told, he took from his pocket a small memorandum book and wrote: "Captain Thomas has permission to go to Charleston and return. G. T. Beauregard." But by and by another train did come, on to which we all tumbled, bag and baggage, and thus I had accomplished by luck what seemed at first impossible.

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"While Sherman was in possession of the city, our brigade commander and old colonel, William B. Woods, was assigned the position of provost marshal and our brigade held there for duty. The evening of our entry, fire broke out in the southwest part of the the city, concerning which there has been much controversy, and bitter recrimination against Sherman and his army on the part of southerners. To my mind there is no question but that the Confederate authorities were themselves responsible for its start. In abandoning the city they had set fire to a lot of cotton. The day was clear and a very stiff wind blowing. As we marched into the city this cotton was being blown and scattered in large flakes. This I saw and am satisfied was the first cause of the conflagration that ensued. Started by such means, I have no doubt our exasperated soldiers--some of them--may have had a hand in keeping it going. Liquor was found in plenty, and the bulk of our army were not teetotalers. A Union soldier, filled with South Carolina whiskey, in Columbia, the capital of South Carolina, the hot-bed of secession, would certainly not be expected to exercise much moderation or self-restraint under the circumstances which found us there--no matter what views righteous-minded critics may have of their conduct. As before intimated, our army did not feel bound by the ordinary restraints of humane warfare--while campaigning through this particular state. But be this side of the question as it may, our officers and a large majority of the men worked nobly to stay the conflagration. The rest of our division, which had gone into camp some distance out, was brought into the city and labored heroically with the fire engines and other means at hand to subdue the flames and prevent their spread. All in all, pandemonium reigned that night, and it was indeed a pitiable one for the helpless residents, mostly women and children, driven from comfortable houses and made destitute. My heart went out to them as I saw them huddled on their porches or in front of their homes, fearfully watching the advancing flames, ready to flee. But such is war--the helpless and innocent suffering with the guilty--and surely if any part of the south merited such retributions, it was the self-same city."

Pvt. Charles A. Willison, Co. I, 76th OVI, describing events in Columbia, South Carolina with Sherman's Army.

Unionblue

Letter from Dr. Robert Peel to Alice Maud Matthews, Holly Springs, MS

Field Hospital, Harris’s Brgd
Petersburg , Dec” 20th, 1864

My dear Alice,

Hoping to find an opportunity to send this letter by private conveyance, I write at a venture, not knowing whether all communication is cut-off between us or not. I hope you received my letter and picture by Mr. Shaw, and also a letter of more recent date by Dr. Sharpe, who should bave arrived at home about the first of this month. In the letter, I stated the reasons shy my intended visit ti Miss” was delayed, and also that my procuseing a leave of absence at all this winter, would necessarily depend opon his teturn before hostilities are resumed. I have some fears tha Shermans operations in Georgia may prevent his return in time, and delay my coming indeffinitely. This is really too provoking, and almost gives me the Blues. How I wish now that I had pursuaded you to come with me to Virginia last winter; but then there was “no use talking”, for you had not made up your mind to anything, and you frightened me with the thought that you never would come. But “it matters little now Lorena”; that time has past, and we must accept life as it is and make the best of it. Since we cannot anticipate events, let us look at the brightest side of the picture and hope for a “better day coming”. Oh! This miserable paper! I don’t believe I shall ever be able to make myself understood: Christmas is almost here & with four invitations to dinners and parties, at Charlottesville, Orange C.H, [Morrostown?], and in the Country. I am literally tied to my post, in consequence of the absence of my Asst. Surgeon and the illness of some other Medical Officers of the Brigade. I almost shed tears a few moments ago as wrote a polite note declining a very kiine invitation from an old lady friend in the country, to come and spend the hollidays at, Brook-Hill, her splendid residence near Charlottsville. I don’t know what Surgeons get wounded and sick for no-how. I’m sure they have enough to do , to attend to the afflictions of others apropo! I was on crutches myself when last I wrote you, but I am “all right” now and have abandoned those poor substitutes for legs. We are getting up some fun here, on our own hook, to relieve the monotony of life in camp; a Grand Tournament and Coronation party by the Knights of the 3rd Corps. I’ll send you and Sis Julia a ticket, though I fear yo’ll not find it convenient to attend. However I’ll be delighted to see you both. Lieut. Nelson Adjt” McKie, myself and others of the Brigd” have formed a Thespian Corps, and are now rehearsing the play entitled “The Wife”, How do you think you could personate that character? I am persuaded you would make the sweetest wife in the world. I will let you know how we Mississippians succeed after we make our debut, in public. I do believe I should die in a month if I allowed myself to sit in my tent and brood over the sorrows of the past and the difficulties and dangers of the present. My mind as well as my hands must be employed in order to be content, and I seek work for both. We have enough of real trouble in this world without suffering in anticipation of comeing evil. I have heard nothing from Add since the middle of October. He was then well and had just received some money which I sent him in July. No other remittences had been received up to that date. He writes in a cheerful mood and makes no complaint. My fears have been much relieved about him since our government has provided our prisoners with suitable clothing.

[remainder of letter (second page) is missing]

["Sister" is a nickname Robert used for Alice Maud Matthews. Robert was courting Alice after the death of his first wife, Virginia. Alice was Virginia's sister.]

[thea_447]

From The Hackworth Letters
(a series of letters in an Alabama family)that I found in the OR.
http://www.ehistory.com/uscw/library...worth/0003.cfm

Camped Near Columbia Tenn March the 18th 1863

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 all well except father and that he was sick I want you to rit as soon as you get this and let me no how you ar all geting along throug this lonesom and trubblesom world I heard that the soldiers had taken all the corn in the valley there without respect of persons if you hav anything to live upon rite that if you have not rite that rite the truth let it be good or bad if you have nothing to eat rite and I feel like I would do you justice my contry justice and my god justice to come home and make bred for you altho I feel like it was my duty to fite for my home and every other man I have made one draw of money James Richard is geting a discharge and is coming home I will send one hundred dollars by him if you need the money in the way of something to live on use it if not pay it to Jesse Tickett towards my horse tell him to credit the note you will no how to fix that tell aunt Bobby Hendix that Samuel come to our co some four or 5 weeks ago and was taken sick in a day or to after he come to the co he is in the horsepittle at Columbia he had bin very bad but is geting well col Starns is prmoted to brigadier general general forrest is prmoted from brigadier to mager general I would like very much to see home one time moor but no chance to get a furlow now I will just have to grin and barit thare is but one general that ever can whip the south and that is general starveation and I dont think we need fear him for I think he will allways be on our side so no moor I Still remain your Son until death William Hackworth