Soldier's Stories

[thea_447]

Letter from a Union soldier to the home folks in Indiana:
It is a shocking sight to see how the soldiers sarve the farmers[.] Tha take everything before them[.] I saw them today go into a hous and take everything tha cood lay their hands on and then went for the chickens out adoors and the worst of all it was a poor widow woman with fore little children. I was mity sorry for her.

She begged them not to take her things for her little children would starve . . . . I have saw a heepe such cases as that tell (sic) I am tired out of such doings. . . . if I was at home I cood tell you a heepe such things as I hav seen . . . .

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A MESSAGE
Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward (1844-1911)

Was there ever message sweeter
Than that one from Malvern Hill,
From a grim old fellow,-you remember?
Dying in the dark at Malvern Hill.
With his rough face turned a little,
On, a heap of scarlet sand,
They found him, just within the thicket,
With a picture in his hand,
With a stained and crumpled picture
Of a woman's aged face;
Yet there seemed to leap a wild entreaty,
Young and living-tender-from the face
When they flashed the lantern on it,
Gilding all the purple shade,
And stooped to raise him softly,
That's my mother, sir," he said.

"Tell her"-but he wandered, slipping
Into tangled words and cries,
Something about Mac and Hooker,
Something dropping through the cries
About the kitten by the fire,
And mother's cranberry-pies; and there
The words fell, and an utter
Silence brooded in the air.

just as he was drifting from them,
Out into the dark, alone
(Poor old mother, waiting for your message,
Waiting with the kitten, all alone!),
Through the hush his voice broke, Tell her
Thank you, Doctor-when you can,
Tell her that I kissed her picture,
And wished I'd been a better man."

Ah, I wonder if the red feet
Of departed battle-hours
May not leave for us their searching
Message from those distant hours.
Sisters, daughters, mothers, think you,
Would your heroes now or then,
Dying, kiss your pictured faces,
Wishing they'd been better men?

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21 yr. old Sam Davis letter to his mother the night before his evecution.

November 26, 1863
Pulaski, Tennessee

Dear Mother, Oh how painful it is to write to you. I have got to die
tomorrow morning to be hung by the federals. Mother do not grieve for me. I must bid you goodbye forever more. Mother I do not hate to die. Give my love to all.

Your Dear Son Sam.

P.S. Mother tell the children all to be good, I wish i could see all of you once more, but I never never will no more.

P.S. Mother and Father, do not forget me, think of me when I am dead, but do not grieve for me, it will not do any good.

P.S. Father, you can send after my remains if you want to do so, they will be at Pulaski, Tenn. I will leave some things too with the hotel keeper for you.

P.S. Pulaski is in Giles Co. Tenn. South of Columbia.

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21 yr. old Sam Davis letter to his mother the night before his execution.

November 26, 1863
Pulaski, Tennessee

Dear Mother, Oh how painful it is to write to you. I have got to die
tomorrow morning to be hung by the federals. Mother do not grieve for me. I must bid you goodbye forever more. Mother I do not hate to die. Give my love to all.

Your Dear Son Sam.

P.S. Mother tell the children all to be good, I wish i could see all of you once more, but I never never will no more.

P.S. Mother and Father, do not forget me, think of me when I am dead, but do not grieve for me, it will not do any good.

P.S. Father, you can send after my remains if you want to do so, they will be at Pulaski, Tenn. I will leave some things too with the hotel keeper for you.

P.S. Pulaski is in Giles Co. Tenn. South of Columbia.

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http://www.lostdiaries.com/pictures/pictures.htm

The Lost Diaries of Timothy J. Regan
The 9th Massachusetts Volunteers
This is a new site, just keep clicking the button and you can read the diary in his own hand. Excellent.

[thea_447]

This excerpt is taken from the diary of William Peel of the 11th Mississippi Infantry, occupant of Block 8 at Johnson's Island. He was a Lieutenant captured at Gettysburg.

31st [May 1864]
Grant is reported to be within four hours march of Richmond, but I imagine, as indeed do the papers that make this representations of affairs, that he will scarcely reach the long-sought city in so short a period. He has yet a couple of Hills to climb, + a powerful Longstreet to traverse; + besides obstacles, it has generally proven disastrous to such crafts as that which Grant commands, to drift too far Leeward, which I rather think Gen'l. Grant has already done.
As I was taking my usual evening walk down on "Suttler's lawn", I was attracted by a tremendous yelling up on the street. I suspected the cause, for the boat had just come over, + on approaching the crowd, learned, sure-nough [sic], that some half a dozen prisoners had come in.
The scene here witnessed was somewhat amusing. The men called loudly for the news. One of the new-comers was assisted to mount a barrel--without a head in either end--to answer their request. He was toppling back + forth in imminent danger of falling overboard, to prevent which some two or three men were holding him up. Silence-Silence was the cry from all parties--the very demand for that object rendering it far from attainable. The would-be-speaker was, of course, all this while, in a very uncomfortable position, standing on the edge of the barrel, but notwithstanding this, he was kept so for several minutes, when the crowd were ordered by a sentinel to disperse, not a word of news having yet been obtained.


Lieutenant Peel died at Johnson's Island and is buried in the Confederate Cemetery there.

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James Long (of 1st Virginia Cavalry) to sister,Cynthia Long, September 11, 1864

Camp 1st va Cavalry near corancetown
September the 11. 1864
Dear Sister


I take the pleasure this morning of riting you a fiew lines to in form you that I am tolerable well I hope these fiew lines may find you all well you said you war not so well I recon that new dress did not agree with you you must bee a looking out fur a bow that you are a fixing up so I hird from home yesterday they was all well and pap had gon to stilling they say he is adoing better and making more than eny one else I suppose you would like to here something from the armey that is more than I can do to tel you I have not seen that man here yet that can tel eny thing a bout the move ments in the valley we have had several fights I have bin in four fights sence I came down my self and horse had a slite [unclear: tutck ] nether was hurt we lost too out of ower Company one kiled one captured Samuel Mille was kiled the Sun of Soloman Miller we have bin resting for three days we had plenty of rain a verry hard rain last night we are living verry well plenty of good flour plenty of the best of beaf plenty good appels and sider and a crock of applebuter my little horse is doing fineley at home Adam hastaken him for his riding horse I must bring my letter to a cloas rite when ever you can give my respects to all

yours truly

James F Long

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In February, 1861, after the secession of Texas, Robert E. Lee was ordered to report to General Scott, the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Army. He immediately relinquished the command of his regiment, and departed from Fort Mason, Texas, for Washington. He reached Arlington March 1st. April 17th, Virginia seceded. On the 18th Colonel Lee had a long interview with General Scott. On April 20th he tendered his resignation of his commission in the United States Army. The same day he wrote to General Scott the following letter:

Arlington, Virginia, April 20, 1861.

General: Since my interview with you on the 18th inst. I have felt
that I ought no longer to retain my commission in the Army. I therefore tender my resignation, which I request you will recommend for acceptance. It would have been presented at once but for the struggle it has cost me to separate myself from a service to which I have devoted the best years of my life, and all the ability I possessed.

During the whole of that time--more than a quarter of a century--I
have experienced nothing but kindness from my superiors and a most
cordial friendship from my comrades. To no one, General, have I been as much indebted as to yourself for uniform kindness and consideration, and it has always been my ardent desire to merit your approbation. I shall carry to the grave the most grateful recollections of your kind consideration, and your name and fame shall always be dear to me.

Save in the defense of my native State, I never desire again to draw
my sword.

Be pleased to accept my most earnest wishes for the continuance of
your happiness and prosperity, and believe me most truly yours,

(Signed)

R. E. Lee

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Robert E. Lee to his sister, written April 20, 1861.

Arlington, Virginia, April 20, 1861.

My Dear Sister: I am grieved at my inability to see you.... I have
been waiting for a 'more convenient season,' which has brought to many before me deep and lasting regret. Now we are in a state of war which will yield to nothing. The whole South is in a state of revolution, into which Virginia, after a long struggle, has been drawn; and though I recognise no necessity for this state of things, and would have forborne and pleaded to the end for redress of grievances, real or supposed, yet in my own person I had to meet the question whether I should take part against my native State.

With all my devotion to the Union and the feeling of loyalty and duty of an American citizen, I have not been able to make up my mind to raise my hand against my relatives, my children, my home. I have
therefore resigned my commission in the Army, and save in defense of
my native State, with the sincere hope that my poor services may
never be needed, I hope I may never be called on to draw my sword.

I know you will blame me; but you must think as kindly of me as you can,and believe that I have endeavoured to do what I thought right.

To show you the feeling and struggle it has cost me, I send you a
copy of my letter of resignation. I have no time for more. May God
guard and protect you and yours, and shower upon you everlasting
blessings, is the prayer of your devoted brother,

R. E. Lee.

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James B. and James R. McCutchan were cousins, living with their families in Augusta County, Virginia, before the war. During the war, both McCutchan cousins served in the Confederate military. They enlisted together in Company D of the 5th Virginia Infantry on April 17, 1861, but James R. transferred to the 14th Virginia Cavalry the following year. Both cousins survived the war.

Camp Near Mt. Jackson
March 19/62
Dear Sister

I would have answered yours &amp; Rate's letter some time ago, but have been on the trot for most a month &amp; you know perhaps that marching &amp; baking minnie biscuits, &amp; boiling b--l beef &amp; writing letters don't suit so well together. We had to leave Winchester but we didn't practice the "double quick retrograde movement" that the Yankees did when they left <u>Bull Run</u> -- Old Banks thought to distinguish himself by begging "Old Jack" but he finds an affinity between Gen. Jackson &amp; the Irishman's Flea - "When he goes to put his finger on him he aint thar". &amp; I'll bet my head "agin" a rotten rail that if old Banks comes up the Valley very far he will get into a bag himself.

It looks pretty hard though to leave the finest portion of the Valley to be overun by the Enemy &amp; of course hundreds of good loyal secessionists must be trampled upon &amp; insulted by a cruel and relentless foe.

But there will be a time &amp; I don't think it far distant when the Hessians will be glad to stay on the North side of the Potomac.

They are in large force now in Winchester not less than twenty thousand I suppose I don't know how many Gen. Jackson has &amp; I suppose no one knows but Jackson himself. Though we haven't half as many as the enemy. I heard this evening that there were 15,000 on the march to reenforce us. I don't know where they are, where they are coming from, from Eastern Virginia I suppose. I think we will go to Staunton soon, I hope so for I will be in town then as saucy as a boy with a bucket full of rocks. This is a grand encampment where we are now, as pretty as any we have ever been at yet.

Most all of our company have reenlisted I haven't reenlisted &amp; I don't intend to do it, but I mean to stay &amp; fight for my country &amp; her rights [illeg.] to my friends and to the World that my service can't be bought for fifty dollars. This is the darkest hour the Confederacy has ever seen. Now is the time for every true &amp; patriotic spirit to rally 'round the Bonnie Blue Flag &amp; fight &amp; never cease to fight while there is an enemy South of Mason's &amp; Dixon's line. (my emphasis)

I am well. Write soon. Direct to Mt. Jackson whether we are gone from there or not.

I remain as ever your Affect. Brother
J. R. Mc Cutchan