THE CIVIL WAR LETTERS OF JACOB FITZGERALD GOLTRY
to
HIS WIFE EMALINE FORCE GOLTRY
Transcribed with permission
by
Sheila Kell
INTRODUCTION
I don't remember when I first learned about the letters my
Great-Grandfather Jacob Fitzgerald Goltry wrote to his wife Emeline while he was
a soldier in the Civil War. It seems like I've been interested in my family
history all my life so I was probably very young when I first heard about them.
They had been kept by my Great-Grandmother since they had been written to her
through the years of 1862, 63 and 64. She brought the collection with her when
she moved to Lucas County, Iowa with Jacob and their infant daughter Anna from
Jennings County, Indiana in 1865. Sometime during latter years of her life,
perhaps after Jacob had died in 1914, she began giving some of the letters as
souvenirs to her children. It is impossible to know how many letters left the
collection in this way and where they ended up. And so we should be grateful to
a granddaughter of the couple, Margaret (Goltry) Dillman, whose father, Albert
Raymond Goltry, was the eleventh of the thirteen children of Jacob and Emeline
and the last of that large family to die (in 1962), for keeping together the
remaining letters in her bank lock box. During our nation's observance of the
centennial of the Civil War heritage, chose excerpts from seleced letters and
had them published in Lucas County, Iowa's principle newspaper, The Chariton
Leader.
I could not help but think as I read Jacob's letters that he
spared his young wife details of the horrors of war he saw and experienced.
Rarely does he write anything that might upset his Emeline or cause her to fear
for his safety. He lapsed into particularly graphic language once in a letter he
penned while he was in a hospital camp recovering from a battle wound. He wrote
about the wretched condition of the wounded and dying that arrived by the "car
load" (railroad car), some without limbs. Then suddenly he stopped himself from
dwelling on the suffering all around him after writing "I cannot begin to give
you a description of the dead here" mentioning the tent used as a "dead house"
where perhaps ten or a dozen corpses were "laid out."
The original letter of May 29, 1864 which Jacob wrote to Emeline to
tell her about his battle wound is missing from the collection. We have the text
of that letter only from its publication in the Russell Union-Tribune, a
newspaper in Russell, Iowa for Memorial Day, 1939. It had been submitted for
print by Jacob's daughter, my Grandmother Mollie (Goltry) Wright. I can
only wonder if it was ever returned to my grandmother by the newspaper's editor.
A tin-type photo of Lucas County's first permanent settler, William McDermott,
loaned by my Grandfather Wright from the photo album of his parents to the
newspaper's editor for publication during the time of the State of Iowa's
centenial in 1946, was never returned to its place in the photo album.
Jacob and Emeline Goltry had 51 grandchildren born between 1882 and
1934. At this writing, only two are still living. But there are hundreds of
great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren who can read the letters
written by this ancestor with great pride and appreciation for the hardships,
suffering and depriviation he endured during this epic time in our nations
history. For a man with little formal education, he was frequently poetic in
expressing his patriotism, and poignant in writing of the suffering he saw and
his yearning for home and loved ones, especially the baby daughter Anna who was
born after he went away to war - a daughter who was nearly three years old
before he first saw her. I would be remiss if I didn't thank a great-grandson of
Anna's -- Skip Mihoover of Phoenix, Arizona -- a genealogist extraordinare who
has been the source of answers to my countless questions about the Goltry and
Force families.
I met this cousin (actually a second cousin once removed) for
the first time in April 2009 after nearly a year of corresponding with him.
Together we spent a day tramping through five cemeteries in Lucas County while
he photographed hundreds of gravestones of Goltrys and related clans. I am
grateful to Skip for encouraging this project.
Charles M. Wright
JACOB FITZGERALD GOLTRY
a biography
(The following biographical sketch of Jacob Fitzgerald Goltry comes mainly
from the writing of his granddaughter Beryle (Goltry) Cole and his
great-grandson Hubert W. Brown, now both deceased.)
Jacob Fitzgerald Goltry, eleventh child and fifth son of Nathanial
Goltry and Elizabeth (Fitzgerald) Goltry, was born March 12, 1837 in Stuben
County, New York. He was one year old when his parents and others of the Goltry
clan moved to Jennings County, Indiana by ox team and wagon in 1838. Jacob's
mother went blind and he was "farmed out" to Ethan and Joanna (Day) Wilder. They
were good to him. He worked for Mr. Wilder in exchange for his room and board
and Mr. Wilder taught him carpentry and saw to it that he received an education
in the country schools.
When he was eighteen years old, Jacob walked to Lucas County, Iowa to
visit members of his family who had moved there, including his brothers William
and John and their aged parents, Nathaniel and Elizabeth Goltry. He returned to
Indiana and married Emeline Force, daughter of David S. Force and Eliza (Day)
Force. Emeline was a niece of the Wilders, the couple had earlier taken Jacob
into their home. Jacob and Emeline were married February 16, 1860 at the log
cabin on the bride's father near Hayden in Jennings County, Indiana.
Jacob enlisted for service in the Civil War on September 18, 1861 at
Hardinsburg, Indiana. While Jacob was at war, Emeline lived with her father and
young brother Calvin. It was there that her second child, a daughter named Anna,
was born in 1862. Jacob and Emeline's first child, a son named Charles Edgar,
died in infancy. Jacob saw his daughter for the first time in April, 1864 when
he was home from the war on furlough. He had reinlisted February 29, 1864 in
order to earn his furlough. On November 17 of that year, he was discharged from
service. He had achieved the rank of corporal.
In the spring of 1865 Jacob, Emeline and Anna along with Emeline's
father David S. Force and her brother Calvin left Indiana for Iowa. They went by
train to Eddyville, Iowa and by wagon from there to Cedar Township, Lucas
County, Iowa. It is believed that they first lived in a log house on either
brother John Goltry's or brother William Goltry's property while Jacob worked as
a carpenter and built several houses in the region. He even built homes for his
brothers William and John.
As the CB&Q Railroad was being built through Lucas County, Jacob
bought property along the route in Cedar Township. He sold 14 acres of that land
for the site of the town called Zero. The farmers living in this area formed a
company and opened a coal mine just east of the 14 acres. A shaft was built in
1883. '
Zero grew to include a post office, two-room school, the mine
company, a store, shoe shop, blacksmith shop and probably a saloon. Jacob built
several houses in the vicinity of the town. When the mine closed, the town soon
dissapeared.
In 1886 when Zero was going strong, Jacob moved to the old McGill farm
on Highway 34 across the road south of a country school called Victory or, as it
was known in those days, "fools corner school". This 80 acre farm ran a quarter
mile along the highway and half a mile south. Jacob and Emeline lived there
until about 1904 when they moved into the town of Russell. Their home in Russell
was on the south side of the railroad in the west end of the town.
Jacob died October 15, 1914 and is buried in the Russell Cemetery.
Emeline died November 19, 1934 and is also buried in the Russell Cemetery.
Buried beside them are their daughter Josephine who died of scarlet fever at the
age of nine in 1887, George who died of scarlet fever at the age of three in
1880, and Tommy who choked to death on a gun shell casing that he was playing
with as a whistle. This was in 1893, three months after he became eight years
old. Also buried on the same cemetery lot is Emeline's father. David S. Force
who died in 1880. Russell Cemetery on Find a Grave
![](../../photos/jnegoltry_01.jpg) |
![](../../photos/jnegoltry_02.jpg) |
CIVIL WAR RECORD OF JACOB FITZGERALD GOLTRY
of Company C, 37th Indiana Infantry
Jacob Fitzgerald
Goltry's war record reveals his leaving Indiana and going through Kentucky and
Tennessee to Athens, Alabama, then back to Chattanooga, Tennessee, then to
Stevenson, Alabama on August 27, 1863 and back to Chattanooga where he
reinlisted February 29, 1884. After a thirty-day furlough at home, he went to
Georgia and was wounded May 27, 1864 at Pumpkin Vine Creek (War Department
affidavit dated December 29, 1882). He went on to Peach Creek, Georgia and back
to Atlanta, then to Indianapolis, Indiana on October 28, 1864. His rank was
corporal when he was discharged November 17, 1864.
He wound was in the right knee and he carried the bullet to his grave
for fear any surgery would cut the tendons and create worse problems. It is said
that he also had typhoid fever during the war, prior to being wounded. Railroad
and wagon bridges were destroyed everywhere during the war and this necessitated
Jacob walking back to his home in Indiana. It was said that he was long-haired
and bearded when he arrived home and his clothes were soiled and ragged.
There is no record of how long his journey home took.
![](../../photos/jacobnemelinegoltry 001.jpg)
In his letters to his beloved Emeline during the war, several names
are mentioned again and again. Some of these were comrades who came from the
same region of Jacob's home in Jennings County, Indiana. And some of these
comrades were also relatives of either Jacob or Emeline. Other names in the
letters are those of friends and neighbors of the couple. The following is a
list of the individuals most frequently mentioned and, if related, their
relationship to Jacob or Emeline is defined.
David and Albert (or Bert) Goltry - were sons of Jeheil Weasner Goltry
(1809 - 1850) and Mariah (Smith) Goltry. Jeheil was a brother of Jacob F.
Goltry's father Nathaniel Goltry. Both David and Albert were born in Jennings
County, Indiana; David in 1844 and Albert in 1841. They were first cousins to
Jacob F. Goltry.
Elon (or Elan) Goltry - was a son of the John Goltry (1800 - 1848) who
married Anna Calvert. This John Goltry was a brother of Jacob F. Goltry's father
Nathanial Goltry. After his death, his wife Anna stayed for awhile in Jennings
County with her children and then moved to Fulton County, Indiana. Elon, who was
born in Stuben County, New York in 1833, was a first cousin of Jacob F.
Goltry.
Mitchell Day (also called Mitt, Mit, Mitch, or Michell in Jacob's letters)
was a first cousin to Emeline (Force) Goltry. Emeline's mother, Eliza (Day)
Force was a sister to Mitchell Day's father, David W. Day. Mitchell stayed in
Jennings County, Indiana after the war, died there September 29, 1902 and was
buried in the Six Mile Cemetery in Hayden, Jennings County, in 1902. Mitchell H.
Day was born October 15, 1838 in Seneca County, New York, the son of David W.
Day and Lucinda (Harding) Day. He died September 29, 1902.
The Lucinda Whitcomb mentioned many times in Jacob's letters was the daughter
of Israel Whitcomb and Sarah "Sally" Goltry. Sally was a sister of Nathaniel
Goltry who was Jacob's father. Lucinda Whitcomb and Jacob Fitzgerald Goltry were
first cousins. The Rachel sometimes mentioned with Lucinda in Jacob's letters
was probably Rachel Whitcomb, Lucinda's younger sister. Lucinda was born in
1834; Rachel in 1842. They had a brother Lewis J. Whitcomb (born in 1830) who
died in the war at Nashville, Tennessee on August 1, 1864. This Lewis J.
Whitcomb should not be confused with the Lewis Whitcomb, husband of Mary
(Goltry) Whitcomb (1817 - 1895), who was Jacob F. Goltry's older sister. The
Lyman Whicomb mentioned in Jacob's letters was a son of Lewis and Mary (Goltry)
Whitcomb. The Lucretia (no last name) mentioned in his letters was probably
Lucretia Whitcomb, Lyman's sister. They were both cousins of Jacob F. Goltry.
Lucretia was born in 1840 and Lyman in 1842. Lyman also served in the Civil War.
Lucretia married in Jennings County, Indiana to Joel Jackson.
The "Aunt Sarah" mentioned in Jacob's letters who was living in the same
household with Emeline, Emeline's father David S. Force and her young brother
Calvin Force, was Sarah (Childs) Day, the widow of Lewis Day who had died in
1848. Emeline's mother, Eliza (Day) Force was a sister of Lewis Day who had died
in 1848. Emeline's mother, Eliza (Day) Force was a sister of Lewis Day. Sarah
(Childs) Day was Emeline's aunt and a sister-in-law of Emeline's father, David
S. Force. From Jacob's mention of "Aunt Sarah" in a couple of his letters, it is
apparent that her "seecesh talk" displeased both Emeline and Jacob and they were
happy when she moved out of the house with "her precious darlings." Some
genealogists concluded that the widow Sarah had become the wife of David S.
Force because she was living in his home at the time of the 1860 federal census.
No record has been found of a marriage of David S. Force to Sarah (Childs) Day.
In fact, it appears that Sarah was a widow for 40 years until her death in
Jennings County in 1888. David S. Force was long gone to Iowa before then. If
they were married why didn't he take her with him? It is presumed that Sarah was
living with David S. Force as a housekeeper at the time of the 1860 federal
census. In the 1870 and 1880 federal census reports, she is using the name Day
and living with some of her children.
Philena Gilbert was Jacob's sister. Born April 22, 1840, she was the twelfth
and youngest child of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Fitzgerald) Goltry. She was
brought to Iowa as a young girl with her parents Nathaniel and Elizabeth
(Fitzgerald) Goltry by her brother John Goltry and his wife Barbara (McGill)
Goltry in 1855. Her first husband, Albert Gilbert, died in the Civil War at
Prairie Grove, Arkansas in December of 1862 while serving with Co. H, 1st Iowa
Cavalry, leaving Philena a widow with two children. She later remarried to
William Sellers and they were parents of four children. She died in 1918.
Uncle William Goltry of New York (1803 - 1875) was a younger brother of
Jacob's father Nathaniel Goltry. He had a son named Aaron H. Goltry who early
moved to Iowa, served with Co. G, 34th Iowa Infantry during the Civil War and
died of the measles in service in 1863, leaving a widow and two small sons.
According to Emeline (Force) Goltry's 1934 obituary, her brothers and her
husband were all at the front at one time during the Civil War. These brothers
were: (1) Herman Hallech Force (1828 - 1916); Stephen Arnold Force (1830 -
1902); Benjamin Franklin "Ben" Force (1839 - 1913); Charles Henry "Charley"
Force (1841 - 1926); Nelson King "Net" Force (1845 - 1901) and Calvin Caswell
"Cal" Force (1851 - 1932). Calvin, the youngest of the brothers (also called
Cal, Cally or Callie in Jacob's letters), was too young to enlist in the service
but followed the troops in 1863 or 64. He was never able to claim veteran
status.
Annie (Ann, Anna) Goltry was Anna King Goltry, born January 10, 1862 to Jacob
Fitzgerald Goltry and Emeline (Force) Goltry. She came into this world after her
father had gone away to war and he never saw her until he was able to get a
furlough in 1864. Anna married Andrew Oliver Duckworth (1858 - 1931) in 1880.
Like her mother before her, Anna bore thirteen children. Two of her sons died in
service in World War I. She died July 16, 1925 at North Platte, Nebraska. It is
unfortunate the photographs of Anna as a baby that Jacob carried during the war
could not be found for this book. Jacob rarely failed to mention Anna in the
letters he wrote home to his Emeline.
D. S. Force (David S. Force or Father Force) was the father of Emeline
(Force) Goltry. He was born in 1805 at Ulysses, Tomkins County, New York. At the
time of the Civil War he was the postmaster of the villiage of Six Mile in
Jennings County, Indiana and shared a home with his daughter Emaline, her infant
daughter Anna, his youngest son Calvin Force, and (for a time) his sister-in-law
Sarah Day who was the widow of the brother of David S. Force's wife Eliza (Day)
Force. Eliza had died in 1856. In Later life David S. Force moved to Russell,
Lucas County, Iowa where he married to Sarah (Landon) Goltry, the mother of his
son Calvin Force's second wife. He died January 19, 1880 and is buried at the
Russell cemetery in the same lot with Emeline, Jacob and three of their children
who died young.
Jake Robbins, or Jacob Green Robbins (1827 - 1918) was married to Jane Force
(1836 - 1918), an older sister of Emeline (Force) Goltry.
William Goltry, brother of Jacob F. Goltry was born September 4, 1826 near
Tyrone, Stuben County, New York and moved with others of the Goltry family to
Jennings County, Indiana in 1838. When the United States went to war with
Mexico, he enlisted at Brownstown, Jackson County, Indiana on July 22, 1846. He
served as private in Troop G, Regiment of Mounted Riflemen and was promoted to
corporal before being discharged in 1848. He returned to Indiana where he
married to Cordelia Youtsey in 1851. They traveled by ox team and wagon to Lucas
County, Iowa in 1853 and were the first of the Goltry family to settle in the
county. In October, 1862 William enlisted at the age of 35 for service in the
Civil War and was made 1st lieutenant of Company G, 34th Iowa Infantry. He
resigned in February, 1863 and returned to Lucas County and his family.
John Goltry, brother of Jacob F. Goltry. This John Goltry was born May 19,
1831 near Tyrone, Stuben County, New York and moved with his parents and others
of the Goltry family to Jennings County, Indiana in 1838. He married Barbara
McGill in Jennings County and moved to Lucas County, Iowa in 1855. John and
Barbara (McGill) Goltry were parents of twelve children. He died in Russell,
Iowa on April 4, 1910.
Joseph Powell, whose name appears several times in Jacob's letters, was
Jacob's nephew. He was born in 1841, the son of Margaret "Peggy Ann" (Goltry)
Powell and Joseph Powell Sr. and served with Jacob in Company C of the 37th
Indiana infantry. Jacob wrote to Emeline after the Battle at Pumpkin Vine Creek
on May 17, 1864 "Joseph Powell was shot dead by my side." Some genealogists
concluded that this was the Joseph Powell who was the husband of Margaret "Peggy
Ann: (Goltry) Powell but this is incorrect. The senior Joseph Powell died in
1884. The Joseph Powell of Company C, 37th Indiana Infantry lies buried at
Marietta National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia, grave #7508. Find A Grave - Marietta National Cemetery
ELIZABETH (FITZGERALD) GOLTRY
Elizabeth (Fitzgerald) Goltry, the mother of Jacob Fitzgerald Goltry,
was born October 1, 1798 in Pennsylvania. Family tradition described her as
Scotch-Irish and a Methodist who was orphaned at an early age. No record of her
ancestry has been found. She was married at Pleasant Valley, New York in 1816 to
Nathaniel Goltry, a young veteran of the War of 1812. The couple had twelve
children between 1817 and 1840; five sons and seven daughters. This family and
other Goltry relatives moved by ox team and wagon to Jennings County, Indiana in
1838. In 1853 Elizabeth and Nathaniel moved to Lucas County, Iowa by ox team and
wagon with some of their adult children and other kin. There Elizabeth died on
July 29, 1865. Nathaniel died April 6, 1871. They are buried in the LaGrange
Cemetery in far eastern Lucas County.
It is not known how many years
Elizabeth was blind but family tradition is that because of her blindness, so
Jacob was "farmed out" at an early age to a childless couple, Ethen and Joanna
(Day) Wilder, who cared for him and saw to his education. Mr. Wilder also taught
him carpentry. This is undoubtedly the only photo ever made of Elizabeth and was
probably taken within a few years before her death in 1865. It is obvious in
this photo that her eyes are sightless. This photo is a copy from the original
tin-type owned by Elizabeth's great-granddaughter, the late Evelyn (Goltry)
Friesz.
![](../../photos/goltry eliz fitz small.jpg)
Elizabeth Fitzgerald Goltry
1798-1865
DAVID SKINNER FORCE
David Skinner Force (1805 - 1880), father of
Emeline (Force) Goltry, was born in Ulysses, Thompkins County, New York, the son
of David Force and Jerusha (Updike) Force. He was married in Indiana to Eliza
Day. Emeline, the eighth of their ten children, was not yet thirteen when her
mother died in 1856. In 1860 Emeline married Jacob F. Goltry who had lived with
and worked for Ethan and Joanna (Day) Wilder, Emeline's uncle and aunt.
When later Jacob was away at war, Emeline lived with her father and younger
brother Calvin and helped her father with his duties as postmaster in the
village of Six Mile, Jennings County, Indiana. In 1865 Emeline and Jacob moved
to Lucas County, Iowa where others of Jacob's family had settled a decade
earlier. Emeline's father and her brother Calvin went with them but apparently
David did not remain there long for there is a letter written by him to "Dear
children and my dear little pet Anna" in which he states "glad to hear you have
another healthy, good looking child." It is presumed this new child was Emeline
and Jacob's daughter Jennie who was born August 8, 1865. David returned to live
in Iowa sometime after that for Lucas County records show he married there
December 7, 1867 to the widow Sarah (Landon) Goltry, whose husband Aaron H.
Goltry, a cousin of Jacob F. Goltry, had died in the Civil War in 1863. David
was still in Lucas County at the time of the 1870 federal census but apparently
returned to Indiana soon after that for there are letters written by him there
to his family in Lucan County between 1872 and 1876. He made a final journey to
Iowa to spend the remainder of his life near his daughter Emeline and his son
Calvin between 1876 and January 19, 1880 when he died. He is buried in the
Russell, Iowa Cemetery in a lot with his daughter Emeline, her husband Jacob and
three of the couple's young children. This photo of David S. Force is from the
collection of his great-great-grandson Skip Mihoover.
![](../../photos/goltry force david small.jpg)
ANNA KING (GOLTRY) DUCKWORTH
It is unfortunate that a copy of the photograph of
Anna Goltry as a baby which her father carried with him while he fought in the
Civil War could not be found. She was born after her father Jacob Fitzgerald
Goltry went away to war. In a letter to his wife Emeline shortly after their
daughter's birth he wrote:
"You must kiss our baby all it will bare [sic] for
yourself and me and write soon and tell me it's name." he rarely failed to
mention her in any of the many letters he wrote to his beloved Emeline in the
months that followed. Anna was two years and three months old when Jacob got a
furlough and returned home to see her for the first time.
The earliest photo found of Anna King (Goltry) Duckworth is this photo
taken in 1888 showing her as a young mother, age 26, with her husband Andrew
Oliver Duckworth and the first four of their thirteen children. Anna is holding
baby Carrie and Oliver (as he was called) is holding Flora. Standing in back are
daughter Fannie and son Frederick. This photo is from the collection of Skip
Mihoover a great-grandson of the couple.
![](../../photos/Anna King Goltry small.jpg)
Anna King (Goltry) Duckworth her husband children in 1888
WILLIAM GOLTRY
William Goltry (1826 - 1903) was the sixth child and
second son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Fitzgerald) Goltry and an older brother
of Jacob Fitzgerald Goltry. He was born in Stuben County, New York and moved
with his parents to Jennings County, Indiana in 1838. When the United States
went to war with Mexico he enlisted in July 1846 and served as private in
Captain John Simonson's Troop G Regiment of Mounted Riflemen. He was mustered
out of service in August 1848. He married in Jackson County, Indiana in 1861 to
Cordelia Youtsey (1835 - 1908). William and Cordelia had ten children born
between 1854 and 1877. In October 1862 William enlisted at Chariton, Iowa for
service in the Civil War and was commissioned 1st lieutenant of Company G, 34th
Iowa Regiment. He resigned his commission in February 1863 because of "illness
in the family" and soon returned to Iowa. William and Cordelia are buried in the
Russell Cemetery at Lucas County, Iowa. This photograph of William Goltry in his
Civil War uniform is from the collection of his granddaughter, the late Evelyn
(Goltry) Friesz.
![](../../photos/goltry william f small.jpg)
First Lieutenant William F. Goltry
1828(26) - 1903
JOHN GOLTRY
John Goltry (1831 - 1910 was the eighth child and third
son of Nathaniel and Elizabeth (Fitzgerald) Goltry and an older brother of Jacob
Fitzgerald Goltry. He was born in Steuben County, New York and moved with his
parents to Jennings County, Indiana in 1838. He married in 1855 to Barbara
McGill (1835 - 1916) and they moved to Lucas County, Iowa that year to settle
near his brother William Goltry who had arrived there two years earlier. John
and Barbara were parents of twelve children born between 1857 - 1881. This photo
of John Goltry in his prime is from the collection of his niece, the late Evelyn
(Goltry) Friesz. John and Barbara Goltry are buried in the Russell Cemetery in
Lucas County, Iowa.
![](../../photos/goltryjohnsmall.jpg)
MITCHELL H. DAY (1838 - 1902) was a first-cousin of
Emeline (Force) Goltry. His father, David W. Day, was an older brother of
Emeline's mother Eliza (Day) Force. Mitchell served in Co. B, 37th Indiana
Infantry during the Civil War and was a second lieutenant at the time this
photograph was made. Jacob Goltry refers often to his wife's cousin "Mitch" or
"Mitt" in his wartime correspondence to her. Perhaps this photograph is the one
taken on December 6, 1862 when Jacob wrote this line to Emeline from a camp near
Nashivlle, Tennessee: "Mitt and Edd have just got back from a visit in the city
[where] they both got their pictures taken which look very fine." Mitchell
married in 1866 to Catharine Ewan. He died in Jennings County, Indiana in 1902
and is buried in Six Mile Cemetery there.
GENERAL WILLIAM S. ROSECRANS
A union general during the Civil War, William
S. Rosecrans ("Old Rosy"), was the victor at prominent Western Theater battles
such as Second Corinth, Stones River and the Tullahoma Campaign, but his
military career was effectively ended following the disastrous defeat at the
Battle of Chickamaugua in 1863.
From a letter written by Jacob F.
Goltry at Nashville, Tennessee on November 25, 1862: "....there is a great many
troops here. General Roscrans has command. I think he will do a little more than
Buel did."
And from a letter written August 1, 1863 at Decherd
Tennessee: "....sure enough here he came, the car happened to stop exactly in
front of me and [with]in about thirty feet, so that I got a fair view of him, he
slept out on the platform and then we give him three rousing cheers...he said to
us 'I am glad to see you are so cheerful.'"
THE SIXTY LETTERS IN THIS COLLECTION
1. Fragment of
letter written soon after January 19, 1862
2. Fragment (end)
of letter written after departure from Greenriver
3. "2 miles
tother side of Nashville, Tennessee", February 28, 1862
4.
Nashville, Tennessee, March 4, 1862
5. "camp near
Nashville" March 10, 1862
6. Nashville, Tennessee March 14,
1862
7. Murfeesboro, Tennessee, March 25, 1862
8.
Murfeesboro, Tennessee, March 30, 1862
9. Huntsville
Alabama, April 12, 1862
10. Huntsville, Alabama, April 30, 1862
11. "Hd
Quar. Co. C, 37th Regt." August 10, 1862
12. Nashville, Tennessee, September
21, 1862
13. Nashville, Tennessee, October 28, 1862
14. Nashville,
Tennessee, November 15, 1862
15. (Nashville, Tennessee), December 6,
1862
16. "Camp Near Nashville, Tenn", December 12m
1862
17. Murfeesboro, Tennessee, January 15, 1863
18. "Monday
morning, Feb. 2nd/63"
19. "Sunday, Feb. 15th/63"
20. Murfeesboro,
Tennessee, February 22, 1863
21. Murfeesboro, Tennessee, March
19th, 1863
22. Murfeesboro, Tennessee, March 30, 1863
23.
Murfeesboro, Tennessee, April 16, 1863
24. Murfeesboro,
Tennessee, May 1, 1863
25. "camp in the woods", (six miles east of
"Cowan station"). July 7, 1863
26. Decherd, Tennessee, July 12,
1863
27. Decherd, Tennessee, July 24, 1863
28. Decherd, Tennessee,
August 1, 1863
29. "part 2" Decherd, Tennessee, "same date" (August 1,
1863)
30. Decherd, Tennessee, August 6, 1863
31. Decherd, Tennessee,
August 15, 1863
32. "Crow Creek Valley", August 20, 1863
33. Chattanooga,
Tennessee, September 20, 1863
34. Chattanooga, Tennessee, October 10,
1863
35. Field Hospital, Stevenson, Alabama, October 24, 1863
36.
Convalescent Camp, Stevenson, Alabama, November 14, 1863
37. Convalescent
Camp, Stevenson, Alabama, November 17, 1863
38. Chattanooga, Tennessee,
November 29, 1863
39. Chattanooga, Tennessee, December 14, 1863
40.
Chattanooga, Tennessee, January 8, 1864
41. Chattanooga, Tennessee, January
18, 1864
42. Chattanooga, Tennessee, January 24, 1864
43. Chattanooga,
Tennessee, January 29, 1864
44. Chattanooga, Tennessee, February 13,
1864
45. Chattanooga, Tennessee, February 21, 1864
46. Chattanooga,
Tennessee, February 27, 1864
47. Tyner's Station, Tennessee, March
12, 1864
48. Nashville, Tennessee, April 26, 1864
49. Resaca, Georgia, May
16, 1864 (misdated April 16)
50. "Bivouac five miles south of Kingston,
Georgia:, May 21, 1864
51. Division Hospital, 1st Div. 4th Corps", May 29,
1864
52. General Field Hospital, Chattanooga, Tennessee, June 8,
1864
53. General Field Hospital, Chattanooga, Tennessee, June 17,
1864
54. General Field Hospital, Chattanooga, Tennessee, June 26, 1864
55.
Ward F. Gen'l Field Hospital, Chattanooga, Tennessee, July 2, 1864
56. Ward
F. Gen'l Field Hospital, Chattanooga, Tennessee, July 7, 1864
57. Exchange
Barracks, Chattanooga, Tennessee, August 3, 1864
58. Exchange Camp,
Chattanoogs, Tennessee, August 7, 1864
59. "Camp of 37 Regt. Ind. Vols. Near
Atlanta, Georgia", August 10, 1864
60. Atlanta, Georgia, September 13,
1864
[the end of some letter written soon after he learned of the birth
of daughter Anna, born January 10, 1862. The rest of the letter is
missing.]
You must kiss our baby all it will bare for yourself and me and
write soon and tell me its name and I would give a cent to have its picture but
I must quit for buisuts are about done and I must have a bite.
yours
truly
Jac. F. Goltry
[part of a letter - no date]
To the rebels and then we shall
all get home to our friends and little ones. I was very unwell when we started
from Greenriver but I stood the trip very well but I have not been able for
anything since we got here it being very bad wether the second day with snow
about 6 inches deep and turning very cold in the afternoon.
The boys are
all well except sore feet. John Lawless and Umenseter got here last night safe
and sound. Some of our boys got here from Louisville yesterday. they say David
Goltry, Lyman Whitcomb and Charley Goltry are all getting better. Well I guess I
have written enough for this time unless I say we are encamped in a large brick
house which the rebels have deserted but we have hardly room enough to be
comfortable.
yours,
Jac. F. Goltry
2 miles tother
side
Nashville,
Tennessee
Feb. 28/'62
Well Emeline I supose you would like to hear from me once more as
I have not written much lately on account of not haveing any way to send my
letters since I or we left Greenriver although I wrote one at Bowling Green
which you may have got. I have not got any from you since we left Bacon Creek
and you better think I should like to see one comeing.
When we got to
Greenriver we looked for a fight soon. starting for Bowling Greeen the 13th
inst. arrived there the 14th but did not get into the town untill the 15th on
account of the bridge being burned. we left Bowling Green the 23rd and arrived
here last night after lying a night and half a day waiting for other troops
to cross. But no fight yet although the rebels are said to be somewhere between
here and the gulf of Mexico. there is a good many troops here and still comeing.
I think they will move on soon so the rebels will not have time to fortify
themselves. We have had a good time you better believe since our march commenced
the funniest part not being very funny. I came as near eating nothing for a day
or to as I wanted to but being nearly sick and not haveing much of an appetite I
got along very well to what some of the rest did.
Ben is still hearty and
is writing to his woman. Mitt Day is very unwell and has been for several
days but has kept up with the Regt so far with a little help he will stay here I
think if we leave soon. And I shall stay to if I don't get stouter. I have the
diarhea yet and am as poor as ever but still have an appetitie. Our
wagons were left at Bowling Green because they could not cross the river. they
are still behind but I think they will be here in a day or two We borrowed
tents of another Regt untill last night when had to all lay out these
wagons not being here yet but that is soldier fashion. The pike and railroad
bridges were both burnt here but we had steamboats to cross in as soon as we got
here. We have no news here. we heard that Fort Donalson was taken and
Buckner to with a good many things but we are not sure of it. I suppose you know
all about it so with a kiss to the baby I will sign
J.F.
Goltry
Nashville, Tenn.
March 4, '62
Mrs. Emeline,
I received yours of 25th Feb with your and
baby's picture which pleased me very much. I received one of Feb. 19th day
before yesterday. I also received the same day one from our sister Philena
Gilbert of Iowa one from David Goltry and one from Uncle Wm. Goltry of
N.Y. I got another from David yesterday. he is getting better but
will remain in Louisville sometime yet. he wrote as though he did not know
much about things either here or at home. he did not know anything about Wm
Hammand or any of the boys. Tell Albert he must write to David if he has not.
Direct to Hospital No. 6, Louisville, Ky.
I wrote you a fine since we
came into this camp but I don't know what I wrote for I was about worn out but I
am recruiting [recovering] very fast now we have a fine camp here and
in a healthy [place?] I think. We are on a high ridge running South East and
North West with a fine spring about 50 yards from our cook fire. the
water or something else is curing my diarhea and a good many others. If it keeps
cured it will be a great satisfaction to me. Michell Day has been complaining
for some time but is getting better and I think with a good rest he with the
rest of us will soon be ready for another march. Our Co as well as our Regt. is
getting larger every day. Out Co numbers at present 66 nearly all able for
duty it being the largest Co. in the Regt. We had fine weather to march from
Bowling Green and some fine spring weather since we have been here but
yesterday it blowed very cold and snowed a little but warmer today. Our wagons
has not got over the Cumberland river yet but will be here today I guess so we
have to crowd into two tents which we borrowed from another Regt. we get about
two rations a day now so we get along very well for soldiers. The news this
morning is that Col Hazzard has left the Regt for good. there is great rejoicing
about it and I hope it is so I suppose he has been called to his old position
Capt. of Artillery in the regular army.
One of our boys left Bacon
Creek the 20th of Feb. He says Nelson is getting better and so that he is about
he will be sent to Elizabethtown I think, where a good many of our boys are. L.
[Justice?], Joseph Powell and I.B. Wily was left here and perhaps some of them
will write home so that you will know where to write to Nelson. Lyman Whitcomb
is in the barracks I guess where Charley is. his Father was left at
Greenriver. I think he will be here before long.
We are looking for our
money in a few days and if I send it before I write again you can pay Dr.
Charles and Aunt Sally what we owe them and pay Uncle Israel Whitcomb what you
can spare of the rest and if I can send enough I would like to pay
H.C. Bruner five dollars. You must be as sparing as possable until our
debts are paid but take good care of Ann and I think I shall be home in a few
months so no more but still remain
yours truly
J. F.
Goltry
March 10, '62
Emeline,
We are still in camp near Nashville and don't
know how long we will stay here. this is the third letter I have written since
we have been here the last one I tould you that I expected to send some
money soon. I sent it to Uncle Israel and if it goes through straight you will
get it before you do this letter. I sent $45.00 and told you what to do with it.
I want you to write and let me know how much it takes to pay the others and how
much I owe H.C. Bruner after you pay him $5.00 and also how much there is on
that note of Uncle Israel's and whether you have enough left for yourself. you
see I want to know all about it.
I suppose you would like to know how we
are getting along. for my part I am much better than I have been since I was at
home. My diarhea is leaving from some cause. I hardly know what but I think
it is the water we have here which is good spring water. Mit is getting better
but we are neather of us very stout I asure you. the rest of our boys are
in very good spirits. the Regt. was out on picket day before yesterday and got
in a little muss about two hundred thievish Secesh got inside our pickets and
got hold of 20 or 30 of our wagons set fire to them took the drivers
prisoners and started with them and the horses but our cavelry found it out
and started in hot persuit. they overtook them got the horses and prisoners
back. they also took several secesh prisoners and several horses and captured
several Secesh. I dont know how many. I guess they will not get quite so close
again soon. three of our Regt. boys left their company to get something to eat
and they were taken prisoners one of them getting a slight wound in the
operation but they made their escape and came back bringing a horse with
them. the wagons they set on fire did not burn so our loss was not very great. I
suppose people are looking for a fight in this part of the country but I have
run them so far that I can lay down and sleep at night without thinking about
such a thing but I have written enough as Ben is writeing too. Mit is also
writeing to some one.
J.F. Goltry
Baby is two months old today and
I should like very much to see her but will have to wait a while. it is given up
by all the boys in camp that I have the prettiest picture out.
Kiss Ann
and wirte soon
to yours J. F. Goltry
Nashville,
Tenn.
March 14, '62
Emeline,
You will no doubt look carefully among
this musty lot of soldiers close [clothes] for a line from me although I wrote
you a letter the 10th. We got a new suit of clothes yesterday the same as our
others except our coats. they are the same as Charleys. our overcoats are so
heavy on a march and the weather getting warm we thought it best to send them
home. I send my blouse and gloves, cap and old letter which you can take care of
and read at leseure.
I feel remarkable well at present and was selected
for a company cook and commenced operation yesterday morning. there is two
others helping me. wouldn't you like to see me at work. I wish you could
[remainder of letter missing]
Murfeesboro, Tenn.
March 25, '62
Dear Emeline,
You would no doubt like to hear from
me although I have not much news to write. We have moved 30 miles south since I
wrote last. we had a pretty hard march. The second days march it rained
until about 1 oclock and rather cold at that but we stove it through soldier
fashion and got into camp about 8 oclock at night. I was back with the wagons
the rest of the boys had a big fire made of rails and were laying around
grunting with sore feet and no supper but after a little sleep we all felt
better for breakfast. after dinner we moved to a better camp where we staid two
days and then moved about two miles to a different camp where we are now. We are
two miles in advance and stand picket all the time it takeing 50 men each
day We are liveing fine our bunch got 2 bushels of cornmeal and 1 of
sweet potatoes and some chickens which which go very nice the chickens [we] have
to get as we go along. The boys say that will kill any chicken that tryes to
bite them but we have to pay enough generaly chickens are selling for 25
to 50 cts apeace turkeys 50 cts to $1.00 butter 25 to 50 cts
cornmeal $1.00 per bu. sweet potatoes $1.00 per bu. and that's the way
the money goes and away goes the rebels. but I think there race will be
run soon unless they get more teritory to run on. One thing certain they are
leaveing a fine country here. The Peach trees are in full bloom the grass
is growing fine and with fine weather as we have today everything looks
thriveing but for all the peach blossoms are out it has been as cold as
greenland for the last week and snowed nearly every day. I plucked a blossom the
other day and I will send it to you it may be something worth looking at I got
it about 20 miles this side of Nashville. I also got some cotton with the seed
in it in a field as I came along perhaps you would like to see it
too.
And I will quit by telling you that I have not got any letter
from you that was written since I left Bowling Green but Ben got a letter from
Stephen today so I heard from you I have dreemt of you and baby
nearly every night for a week past.
I fogot to tell you that I had
another sick spell the other day but have got better again. Ben and Mitt
are both writing so I will quit. Lyman Whitcomb sends Lucretia a line. I
have no stamps so you will have to pay the cost.
yours
J.F. Goltry
Murfeesboro, Tenn.
Mar. 30, '62
Dear Em,
I will write you a few lines in answer to
yours of 20 ult and also of yours and Fathers directed to Ben. I
was very glad to receive them. I also got one that you and your Father
wrote when I was at Elizabethtown, Ky. - and one from Philena all on the 28th and
one from Wm. Goltry on the 29th. I read them all with the greatest of pleasure
about twice over and then again. Ben is writeing to Dus he is fat and hearty
while I am to poor to make a shadow unless I put a coat on. but I still
live in hopes of getting my health back if I could have the right kind of
medicine and diet I know I should soon be well. I wrote you a letter a few days
ago and one to Lucinda Whitcomb since that if you like to read letters as well
as I do you will be glad to get them all and more. Well I have been to church
this forenoon the first we have had since we left Bacon Creek on account of our
Chaplain's being under arrest. We listened to a sermon from the Chaplain of the
2nd Ohio Regt and an exelent sermon it was we went out into a
grove and there under the newly budding trees and on the green grass with
now and then a beautyful flower we could not help seeing and feeling the mercies
and goodness of our Heavenly Father and while Prayers was being offered up to
his Majesty on high on behalf of the 37th Regt as well as the rest of our Nation
I felt myself as one among them and as the Chaplain was pleading for
assistance to strengthen us in Prayer I could not help but to respond with
Amen!
I believe as our Preacher remarked in his discourse that without
prayer our half million of muskets would be a failure in bringing our nation
back to a peaceful and Christianlike Republic. I believe that the Prayers of our
people have already been heard and are being answered and may we go on and
Pray on with earnestness a short time longer and the God that rewarded Our
Washington will reward us also. I am sorry to hear that Charley is unwell yet
his Regt. was in a few miles of us when at Nashville I saw Wm. Wheeler he said
he ahd inquired for him but had not seen him yet. I should have
went and seen him if I could have found him but we had to leave about the
time we found where his Regt. was. you must write to him. Direct to Nashville if
you don't know where he is and Poor Net, I heard from him today by one of our
boys who left there two weeks ago today he said he wanted to come to the Regt.
but the Dr. would not let him come. Your Father must write to him amediately as
he is nearer to him than we are he is at Elizabethtown Direct to Nelson K. Force
or Sergeon in Charge - Convalescent Barracks Elizabethtown, Ky. and he will be
sure to get it you had better send him some paper to write back for he has no
money. I must draw my letter to a close so kiss baby once more for her pa,
J.F. Goltry
Huntsville, Ala.
April 12/ '62
Emeline and the rest of our folks,
I will
write you a few lines this morning for I know you will be looking for
an answer from yours of the 3rd inst - I got one from Lucinda Whitcomb the same
time. I wrote you a letter the 8th but we got marching orders and could not send
it and you better believe we have had a great time since of all the
marching that ever was done I recon we done it I can't begin to give you a
correct account of it but you will be apt to see something of it in the papers
we are now about 80 miles from Murfeesboro and in the heart of reble country we
came into this town yesterday morning about 7 o'clock and took the place by
surprise. We also took possession of the Charlestown S. C. and Memphis,
Tenn. R.R. at this point with 18 engines in good running order, 6 passenger
and several freight cars about 500 prisoners and other spoils of
the enemy. We are about 125 miles from Corinth where the great fighting is
expecting to be done we have heard that our troops have already gained one
victory but the rebels are reinforceing and will be aptl to try it again. We are
expecting a scrach here I was just called into ranks and stacked
guns so to be ready at a moments warning.
We are all in tolerable
good health and very good spiritis. Mitchell I am sorry to say had to be left
behind at Murfeesboro he was very sick but I think with care he will get
better soon It is very windy this morning and so cold I can hardly hold my
pen so I guess I will quit for this time. Write as often as you can and I will
do the same. take good care of little Ann and yourself to
no
more
J.F. Goltry
Ben sends your Father a line that he wrote in the
other camp he has not got time to write any more now you will have to put up
with what you can get.
J. F. Goltry
Huntsville, Alabama
Apr. 30th, '62
Dear Wife and friends,
It has now been two weeks
since I have written to anyone on account of being on duty all the time and
haveing no chance to send letters if they had been written. Our Brigade left
here for Tuscumbia on the 15th and got back the 28th haveing what a soldier
calls a big time. Tuscumbia is about 70 miles west of here. We went on the cars
to a burned bridge 20 miles this side of there and walked the rest. We had a
pretty hard time of it sleeping out nearly all the time. as we came
back we destroyed some small bridges between Tuscumbia and Decater and
at Decater we had to destroy the R.R. bridge which looked rather bad it being a
very costly one I think. it was over 1/2 mile long but it had to be done
the Rebels have been giveing us lessons in burning bridges for some time and I
guess they will think we are apt scholars when they get to Decater.
We
hear rumors now that Price's army is marching on to take this place if he does
he will have to fight a little I think I heard this morning that
General Buel was falling back on Nashville I don't believe it I hope it is
not so for it would be a great backset to ouot army as near as I can learn the
rebels are prepareing for another fight at or near Corinth but we can't believe
anything we hear
Well we have a new camp which the boys fixed up
yesterday while I was on guard down in town our Regt has got the town to guard
again which makes it rather hard on us haveing to stand as often as one night in
three but as I am getting pretty stout again I can stand it very well I have
been gaining strength and flesh ever since we left Murfreesboro
Net is
getting stout Ben is harty the rest of our boys are all well and able for duty I
have not heard from Michell Day yet only that he was in the Hospital at
Murfreesboro Lieut Matteson got back last wee. Davy stopt at Louisville and has
not got here yet So that is all I have heard from home since the first of this
month if you get this I want you to answer immediately Direct to
Huntsville, Ala I want you to tell me how our grapevines are getting
if they are beginning to sprout good or not I should like very much to be at
home now to work at our garden and play with our dear baby for I imagine
she is getting big enough to play with
I drempt last night of seeing and
kissing you right in the mouth but you had left the baby somewhere so I did not
get to see it.
I hope the stars and stripes will gain the day soon and
that we may all get home to rest our weried limbs
So no more but remain yours
J.F. Goltry
Hd Quar. Co C. 37th Regt.
Aug. 10, 1862
Dear Emeline
And to whom it may concern,
I have
but little news to write but for all that I must write. I am very sorry to
inform you that Ben is very unwell I wrote you a line last Sunday and Ben also
wrote to Dus he was taken sick on Monday with a slight chill and feaver he had
had a feaver every day since I went to Stevenson with him last fryday
where our hospital is I staid with him untill this morning when I had to return
to the company I think with medacine and a little nurceing he will soon be about
again
Tell Dus she must write to Ben he got a letter from her last
Thursday but he cannot write very well as he is situated there is several of our
boys sick but none from Hardenbergh except Ben I think I ought to have had
a letter from you this week but it is not here yeat, perhaps it will be
along tomorrow, we get mail every day now letters come through in three
days, if they are started tell Lucinda to help you to get one started Our Lieut
got orders yesterday to send two out of our company home to recruit the
boys had quite a dispute this morning who it should be I believe
James Meek rightly deserves to go before others of the the company but we
can't all go The weather is very warm but we manage to keep comfortably
cool in the shade and I guess that is all write often to yours
Jac.
F. Goltry
Stevenson, Ala
Babie is seven months old today
I
wish I could see her tonite
Jacob F. Goltry
Nashville, Tenn.
Sept. 21"/'62
Emeline,
I will write you another letter but know
body knows whether you will get it or not but you will be sure not to get
it if I don't write. I have written you one and Lucinda one since I have been
here but have received none from anyone except those that were in the office
when we came here. I suppose the rebels have possession of the R.R. between here
and Louisville and there will be no no mail through until the cars can run
again which I hope will not be long for I am very anxious to hear from
you.
I should think with the force there is between here and Lousiville
they ought to get possession of the country and keep it.
I think our
troops will soon be ready to make another tour through the south. I hope so
any way. I believe I can walk to Huntsville or any other point easier than I did
before and with stronger will to (beat or defeat?) the enemy.
The rebels
have been prowling about here in small squads just outside of our pickets and
have succeeded in capturing one train of our forage wagons 10 or 12 in number
which were not very well guarded.
I was out with about 150 men last
week. We got that corn and hay we wanted and saw no rebels.
We have been
liveing very scanty evry since we came here. Have had no sugar and no coffee
part of the time our principal liveing being fresh beef and soft bread.
I
will write a little more and then get ready for meeting. I have had a good
health all the time until last Thursday morning. I woke up with ague. I took 20
quinine pills and feel about as well as ever now. Ben and David have also got it
(...?...) and also Joseph Powell. They all three had a pretty hard siege of it.
Louis(...?...) is very poorly. He has a discharge and will go home as soon as he
can. The rest of the boys are well. Dr. Evan has been in camp two or three
times.
But I must quit. You may look for my picture as soon as the mail
is regular. I have had it taken three times and will send one to
Iowa.
No more. Take care of Ann and learn her to talk as soon as you
can.
Yours,
Jacob F. Goltry
Nashville, Tenn.
Oct. 28, 1962
Emeline,
I will write you a few lines and trust
to providence for your getting them. some of the six Regt. boys are going
through tomorrow George F. Allen of North Vernon is one of them. I hardly
know what to write for it has been so long since I have heard from you. one
thing I suppose you will be glad to hear of is that is I am well and pray God
that I may remain so. I weigh 154 pounds with only half rations and look half of
that. David Goltry is not very stout yet but is on duty. Ben is also rather
slim and also Joseph Powell. the rest of the boys are well I believe. I am in
hopes the cars will run through soon so that I can hear from home.
We
have some very fine weather now and some that is not quite so fine it is raining
quite a shower just now but I think it will not last long I have nothing
of importance to write but I suppose you would like a sheet filled with
something let me see -- Oh yes 20 men was called out of our Regt oh know out of
our company I mean yesterday to go scouting Ben was along they wanted two
days rations which I fixed for them and away they went expecting to find a wild
cesesh or something else about 2 oclock this morning I was awakened by the
hungry rascals who came tareing into the kitchen tent for something to eat they
had been out to receive a rebel flag of truse instead of scouting and as their
provisions were in the wagon they got no supper but we are all getting used to
such living the flag of truse was for the exchanging of prisoners. Ben said he
seen old Morgan the Colonel of the Texas Rangers.
Well it is raining
pretty hard and our tent is leaking which makes it bad writing so I
guess I will quit I have not got any letters from you yet written since I
have been here but I look for one today write as soon as you get this if you
have no written Tell Lucinda Whitcomb she must not write to
often.
yours
J. F. Goltry
Tell Albert Goltry I collected $1.15
here for David Goltry and paid James Wheeler $1.00 for him as David wrote for me
to do. Tell bert to write and let me know if it is all right.
So no
more
J. F. Goltry
if you get this write to Iowa and let the folks know
where I am. I hope this will find you and Annie well and also the rest of
the folks. I have just given George two or my pictures to take through. he will
give them to Uncle David's folks. you can give one of them to Lucinda
Whitcomb
With my respects I must close. be of good cheer.
this war won't last forever
Yours
Jacob F. Goltry
Send all
socks you can by Levi Wheeler
Nashville,Tenn
Nov.15th, 1862
Dear Wife Emeline,
I received yours of Nov. 3rd this
morning and was sorry to hear that you was sick, I am in hopes you have got your
chills broke by this for they are a very miserable complaint. I wrote you a
line the other day and told you we were under marching orders but we have not
gone yet and I don't believe we will be very soon, but no one knows when we go
untill we get started
I feel rather unwell this morning haveing a very
sore throat I am in hopes it will be better soon for it is very disagreeable.
Michell Day is writing to his folks, we are setting out in the sunshine on a
car
The morning is rather cool, but the sun is warming things up. We
are quartered in a large Depot. I wish we could stay here during the war but
somebody must go south and I am willing if called for.
I got a letter
from Wm. Goltry this morning he is 1st Lieut. of Co. G, 34th Regt. Iowa Vol
in a camp Lauman Burling[ton] Iown I also got one from John Goltry and
Philena with one of your letters to her inclosed, they were well. I
received one from Lieut Hause the other day he was at fort Pillow Tenn.
I
hardly know what to write I suppose you would like to know what is going on here
but I can't tell you much about it there is a great many troops here General
Rosecrans hs command. I think he will do a little more than Buel did. as near as
I can learn there is a general exchange of officers and I think it will do good,
if some that we have here were sent home it would be a blessing to the
army
There is a great many houses in this City of bad reputation and the
greatest part of the officers and a good many privates married or unmarried make
it a practice to go to these places to visit the poor degraded women that occupy
them and already there is some that have got private disease that will
forever ruin them for civilized life. I saw a complaint published in the
Nashville Daily yesterday about officers takeing provisions belonging to
privates to pay their sporting bills with but enough of this
I suppose
you have heard Bill Phillips is married he married a woman
from Stevenson I guess she is about as big a dunce as he is. I suppose
he will send her north as soon as we move. The health of the Co. is about
as common. Ben is still complaining. Isaac L. Green is also complaining
David Goltry is getting pretty stout again. I think he will make a pretty good
soldier yet I guess I will guit for this time write
often.
yours
Jac. F. Goltry
P.S. You must take good care
of Ann and learn her to talk as soon as you can. I should like to see her
perform some of the tricks you speak of I have no doubt she will learn to walk
and talk before I see her.
mo more at present
J. F.
Goltry
You may send me those pictures of Philena's if they are both
together if not send me hers and keep the other if you get this before Levi
Wheeler starts to the Regt. be sure and send me two pair of socks if you can get
them I am entirely out and there is none to buy or draw here.
Dec. 6th 1862
Emeline,
I looked for a letter from you this
morning, but it did not come, so I will write you one for perhaps you are
looking for an answer to yours of the 25th. I wrote you a few lines in a letter
I sent ot Lucinda which I suppose you have received before this time. I hardly
know what to write but am happy to say we are all in good health and spirits, I
weighed 161 pounds today so you see I am still gaining. Our Regt was paid
three months pay day before yesterday, and went out forgeing yesterday, it
snowed two or three hours while we were on the road and then blowed off cold, we
got back about sundown and some of the boys brought whiskey with them which made
them feel quite funny but contrary to Lute Justice's talk I and several others
did not drink.
Mitt and Edd have just got back from a visit in the city
they both got their pictures taken which look very nice, I wonder if you got the
pictures I sent if you have, let me know, I think I shall have mine taken
again for you some of these days. We will send our money by express in a few
days. I will send you $80.00, I expect it will be directed to Uncle
Israel.
You must use it to the best advantage you can. The Emmert boys
heard from home this morning. they say there box is on the way and I shall
look for something, and I hope will get some boots and socks for I need them
very much but if they don't come I can get them here Well it is rather cold
today but clear, we will have to stand picket tomorrow I suppose as usual, but I
think the weather will moderate, we were on (I mean the Regt) picket last Sunday
night and again Wednesday I stood camp guard Tuesday night and weet forgeing
friday so you see we have something to keep us from haveing the blues but they
can't keep me so busy but what I will think of home I think we will stay here
sometime although it is not certain if we stay here all winter, I shall try and
get home for a few days Chap Blanchard says we are under marching orders but if
we are I think it will be for a short distance. Although we may be in
Chattanooga in two weeks but I must close, take good care of yourself and babie
Ann
Write as often as you can, To
yours Jacob F. Goltry
How do
you like the song I sent to Lucinda, tell her she will find one on the 204th
page in the (shauns?) "Autumn" which is not quite so funny but will last
longer.
J .F. Goltry
Camp near Nashville, Tenn
Dec. 12, 1862
Em,
I received yours of Dec. 7th last evening and will
answer it this morning the boys are getting breakfast frying Slapjacks made
of flour and meal I have to go on guard at 8 oclock so thought would commence
writing early. the boys are all well this mornings. We moved our camp day before
yesterday we are about 6 miles South of town on the Franklin Pike we have a nice
camp in the woods and so far from town that the "ill disposed" can't go
there to have a bust. The Rebels pickets are said to be within 4 miles of us but
I don't think they will stay there long if they hear the 37th is so nigh, the
22nd, Ind. is camped near us, the 1st Regt. is on the Murfeesboro Pike about 8
miles from hear the 82nd has not come up yet I seen Stephen the other
day his is working about 4 miles from hear he belongs to a Battallion of Sappers
and miners 10 oclock A.M. I am on guard, "No. 10 of the third relief" I have to
stay to the guard quarters so brought my writing fixings out and am
stitting on the ground with my back against a stump, this is a fine morning
the sun shines bright, the file and drum sounds great deal better than it did in
town, and the boys all seem in better spirits. we have had some rather cold
weather and two or three snow storms but they are soon over and it turns warm
again, we had our stoves hauled out yesterday and we are fixed up as comfortable
as ever.
Well we received the box with our boots and other trinkets about
two hours before we left our other camp Net's boots and mine are rather tight
but I think we can get along with them the socks are very exceptable. I have
cloths enough now to last me through the winter you had better keep the
Christmas dinner for me for there is no knowing where we will be by that
time Ben got a fine lot of cakes in the boot box. Stephan happened to be
there and took a part in eating them Levi Wheeler has not got along
yet
I sent you $80.00 the other day by express you must pay for the
boots and use the rest to the best advantage you can as for that lot I wouldn't
give a cent more than $25.00 for it.
I don't hardly know what you mean by
calling Annie a little blazed face if she has any pecular mark bout her face I
should like to know where it is and what it looks like you must try and get
something to break your chills and you must not let Aunt Sarah trouble you so
much, if she goes to complaining take Annie and go in the other room and shut
the door and stay there, but I have written enough for this time
do the
best you can I hope I will get home in the spring, if not
sooner
no more but remain yours
J. F. Goltry
P.S. I
received a letter from Lucinda day before yesterday but have not had time to
answer it now. J.F.G.
Tell Sally and Annie I should like to eat popt
corn with them
Here is 25 cts to buy something for Annie
tell her, pa sent
it
[The following letter followed the Battle of Stone
River, Mufreesboro, December 31, January 1 and January 2, 1863.]
Murfreesboro, Tenn
Jan 15/'63
Folks at home,
I suppose you will want to hear
from us again by the time you get this I had thought some of giveing you a
discription of our march from our camp here but it would be to much to write
about so I will say it was a verry had disagreeable trip and stop at that
I have been looking for a letter from home for several days but have not
received any yet I received one yesterday from Wm House he is at Fort
Pillow I have not heard from Iowa for over two months although I
have written twice or three times Em, I wish you would write to Philena
and see what is the matter
I am enjoying good health at present although
the trip here came very near wearing us all down. Ben has been grunting since we
came here and also the rest of the boys but there is none of them down
sick Mitt is getting better of his wound as fast as could be expected Ise
Green is here he had his collarbone broken with a piece of shell he is a paroled
prisoner and will go home soon don't you wish I had been shot a little so I
could come home I should like to get home but I want to go sound and
well One of our wounded James Ferren has died since the battle John
Lawleer was badly wounded I have not heard from him since he was sent to
Nashville and I expect his case will be very doubtful
I got a
letter from David Goltry today he is at Hospital No 6, Nashville, Tenn but
perhaps he has written home beofre his time Our Co numbers 40 men at
present. among them are Ben, Mitt, Ed, Lyman Whitcomb, Stephen Baker, Jacob and
William Emmert, John Tumblty, and James Meek, with myself making eleven in all
from Hardenbergh the rest are behind sick or discharged and I believe that is
about the way with the whole army well it rained hard all night and till noon
today then turned to a hail storm and rather cold at that but tonight is calmed
off and I think it will be fair tomorrow But I must close my head aches a
little tonight I wish I was at home with you and Annie but I must not get
homesick I hope and pray that we may all return home before long but no
more, write soon to yours
J. F. Goltry
Monday morning, Feb 2nd / '63
Dear Em,
I rec'd your long looked for
letter yesterday. You can't imagine how pleased I was to hear from you and
little Annie and to learn that you were well. there is nothing in your
letters that I read with as much interest as that about our babie and I am sure
you are no more anxious for me to see her than I am, it would do me so much good
to see her capers, and take a kiss from her sweet little lips. but I will have
to wait some time yet, I think before I can have that privlidge. although
I am in hopes their will be something done this spring towards peace
makeing We are very comfortable situated at present in our tents with
chimneys built with brick and plenty of good cedar rails to burn. This is
a fine spring morning and everything looks gay although there is no much hear to
attract ones attention the wagons on the pike going out after forage I believe
make the most noise, we have had no verry cold weather this winter, the
coldest day was 28th of last month. I was on picket but got along very well, the
ground was just covered with snow, but snow don't last long in this part of the
country
My knapsack came up all right with everything in it, but several
of the boys lost all they had Mitt Day for one which makes three times he has
lost all I guess the quartermaster will furnish them clothes and blankets free
of charge
Mitt is getting nearly well of his wound Ise Green is
hear yet but will go home as soon as he gets a chance the rest of the boys
are well, I believe, my health is still good and I am very thankfull that I am
able to stand the hardships a soldier has to endure, but I am vexed sometimes to
see the meanness of a great many of our Regt and it is just so in the whole
army, Our company ought to No. 75 men but there is only 40 present, and
when it is called for, bor duty only about 18 or 20 can be found so these
that are in the habit of doing duty has it all to do, a great many of them that
are absent are at home, and the rest are laying idle in convalesent
Barracks
I wish there could be some plan made to put every man
in his place and our army would be much stronger
You said you had bought
that lot, well tell your Father that I will send him what money he paid on
it next pay day, you must let me know how much it is the next time you write I
don't know of anything you can send me by A. W. Brown, I believe I have
everything a soldier needs, for the less they have the better they are
off
I got a letter from Iowa the other day they were all well this
time tell your Father he must try and content himself at home and keep
them Southern sympathisers down or shoot some of them
J. F.
Goltry
Emeline don't neglect to write often I think we will be apt
to stay here sometime but never mind, write any way
Sunday, Feb 15th '63
Emeline,
I will write you a letter this
morning although you owe me one yet I think. I sent you a line last Sunday
in a letter Ben sent to Dus and I thought perhaps I would get one from you
before now but it did not come. I rec'd one from Lucinda mailed the
11th she said you was well. I also got a paper and an almanac, which were
very acceptable. I also rec'd a letter from Lt. Hause last
night.
We were all out forageing yesterday. It rained like
the dickens and we came in just after dark wet as usual, I went to cook
tent after some coffee and on the way back slipt down in the mud and spilled
half of it, but that's a soldiers luck
After drying ourselves we went to
bed, and I had one of the best dreams, I thought I was at home sitting by the
fire, there at you Fathers little Annie was running about the house looking
at me as though she didn't know whether to own me as a Father or not Crish wa
there and you and her were looking at me and laughing and then you came and set
on my knees with you arms around my neck I went to kiss you and it was Crish,
looking up again you was on the other side of the house laughing at my mistake.
this was a little aggravating and what was more so I waked without getting the
kiss. but you looked so natural it seems as though I had really seen you,
and I hope and pray that we may see each other before long it would do me
so much good to see you and Annie and stay with you a few days, but much more to
go home for good The Boys are all well Ben is sitting before the
fire Net has just got through cleaning his gun. Mitt is also
here he sends you his best wishes. Ise Green started for home the
other day
I expect we will leave hear in a week or two although we may
stay here six months I suppose we will be paid off again in a day or two
and then I will send you some money if I can get it through let me
know in your next letter how much you owe your Father for what he paid on the
lot and now Em you must write oftener than you have done I have only rec'd
one letter from you since we left our camp this side of Nashville.
I
suppose you are left alone now as I hear Aunt Sarah has moved away, well you
must do the best you can and you must write and tell me just how you get along
let me know whether Chap Blanchard has been heard of at home we have had
no account of him here since the battle We crossed the battlefield
yesterday and I picked up a cedar twig right where the rebels were lying when I
was shooting at them, I will send it to you but I must close. sending my
best wishes to your Father and all enquiring friends and still
remain
yours, J. F. Goltry
To Emeline
Goltry
write soon
write soon
write soon
Murfreesboro, Tenn
Feb. 22nd '63
Dear Emeline
I rec'd yours of last Sunday, 15th in
due time, was as always, glad to hear from you, am in hopes your colds are
better, and also in hopes that Jane's folks are better I way down to the 82dn
today but as usual Jake Robins was on picket I saw Sam Ewans,
George (Maope?), Biley Whitcomb, James Robinson, Stilly Brown and several
others from Hardenburg they were as well as usual
Bevins Heaton
died Sunday but I suppose his folks have heard by now Well Em, Imagine you
are writeing me a letter today I reckon you have moved in our house last
week and you are now at home, I should like to slip in at the back door and take
you by surprise, but you need not jump, for I am not there and I expect it will
be sometime before I will be there. but I shall trust in God and hope for
the welcome day to speedily come I think your Father done well in selling
his house at the price he did. Tell him he can make such improvements on
our house and lots as he wishes to make himself comfortable and also to help you
and Jane along
We have not rec'd our pay yet but expect to this week for
four months and then I will try and get it to you I suppose your Father is
relieved of a great burden since the departure of Aunt Sarah I think she
had better stay at home with her darlings and teach them Secesh
doctrines
We were just called out and heard an order read from General
Rosecrans (you will be able to see it in the paper) it sounds like a true
soldier and patriot this being the day of the week in which our Lord arose and
broke the bars of death, and the day of the month that Washington was born
He (Rosecrans) has written an order to be read at four oclock to each company in
his department so that the minds of all can at one time be directed to their
Lord and Country You will see by the order that he is also a christian as
well as a Soldier. But the boys are getting supper and I must stop
writeing and eat a bite and then I will tell you what we have to
eat.
Coffee, meat and fried crackers constitutes our meal tonight
We generally have beans or hominy for dinner when we are in camp but for
the last two weeks we have been on picket about half the time but we are all in
good health or the most of us I am the fleshiest now that I have been, but
as there are no scales about camp I have no chance to weigh myself. I
came very near forgetting to tell you I am expecting to go into a battalion of
cavalry I would just as soon stay where I am, but as it is a point of
honor I can't very well refuse Net is also on the roll of honor and
will perhaps go in the cavalry I have written sufficiently for this
time. I guess So I will close, Still remaining yours
J. F.
Goltry
How do you like that dream of mine. The canons are
firing the salute according to orders -- Boom, Boom, Boom they go all
around us It sounds some like Dec 31st only I hear and see no
rebels
O God scatter and confuse the enemies that are seeking to
overthrow this best of goverment
Murfreesboro, Tenn
Mar. 19th '63
Dear Em -
Yours of the 15th inst. came to hand a
few minutes ago, and I read it with usual interest. I am very glad to hear you
well and enjoying your self at home again, you say you think you could enjoy our
home better if I was there, I don't doubt it, and I wish I could be with you, it
would be very nice to go to the table once more and eat like civilized
people or lay down to rest without being called up for guard or some other duty
that a soldier is always liable to I am still unwell although I am getting
better I have been on duty all the time and I think as soon as my bowels
get regulated I shall get fat again Ben has been having ague
again I think he will get over it as soon as summer comes, Net and
the rest of the boys are well. Mitt got a letter from big Mary today, which
he read aloud to us. I have nothing to say concerning her, but if Jake Jolly had
been in reach of me when He (Mit) was through reading it, I would surely have
knocked him down. I could very well see who got the letter up, Mary wrote
that Jake Jolly, Henry Bruner, and Mr. Doty was there the day before, and to
cowardly to write there sentiments with there own name signed to them, they have
used Mary for a tool. but they will get there just dues I have not been so
mad for some time and to relieve myself Ed and I had a sham fight But sham
fights never will relieve me of the hatred I hold against the infernal trators
of the North, who will stick to parties and see the Nation sink
The
letter stated that Fhilalnder had come home and he expected to go to his
Regt I hope he will, for there has been new orders issued concerning
deserters, and I hope old Rosa will bring every man into the ranks that is
able
Em - if you hear any talking about the sad appearance of our Country
and army just tell them they know nothing about it I think if any should
grumble it should be those who have endured the hardships of the last eighteen
months campaign. but among the soldiers there is not a murmer heard, but
they are one mass of Brothers marching shoulder to shoulder
thinking of nothing but Victory and Union. And is a shame that we have to
look back to see the strife that is going on with parties in that part of the
country of the destruction of the South and if they keep up this strife the army
will make its way into their midst, but there is no use of my writing, I still
have confidence in our army and the God of Battles.
I don't
know as I have written anything of interest to you, but it will have to do
for this time. Be of good cheer and trust in God he will bring all things
right
Give my best wishes to your Father and a kiss to Annie and remember
I remain
Yours, J. F. Goltry
Here is 50 cents to treat
Annie with
Murfreesboro, Tenn
March 30th '63
Mrs. Em
I am about half mad today, but guess I
will get along, I have until two weeks ago got a letter from you every
Wednesday but week before last it did not come until Thursday, and last week it
did not come at all. Our Regt. was called on to go to Nashville last
Friday, we went out on the cars and came back afoot to guard a drove of
mules and some waggons, we got into camp about five o'clock last night, the
Orderly brought around letters and I did not like it verry well when I
found there was none for me, the mail came in today but nothing for me. Ben got
a letter from John Wills dated 18th isnt and one yesterday from Charly (Coran?)
of the 26th, if you have written you letters have not come through, and if you
have not I want you to write because I cannot be contented without hearing
from you every week. I answered the last I got from you the same day I got
it, and should have written again if I had not been called away from
camp
I sent 50 cts in my last letter, maybe someone has picked it, but
they will not get much I am not very well yet although still able for
duty, the walk from Nash- here was rather rough laying out one night without
blankets, and the wind blew as cold as Greenland, when we got in we found our
camp moved about one fourth of a mile and on rather wet ground, so there must be
something done to keep us out of the mud. Mit and I went out into a
cornfield and gathered some stalks which mades us quite a comfortable nest,
and with a couple of blankets over us we rested finely
The boys are
all in very good health David Goltry is on duty again, but he looks rather
slim I wonder if Lucinda W- is going to wirte to me anymore tell her I
anwered her last letter I plucked some peach blossoms about two weeks ago
to send you and I will send them now, it snowed some today and the air is
quite chilly, but no doubt it will be warm enough tomorrow to give a man the
spring feaver and so it goes I must rest a while and get some supper, I
wish you would come over, bring little Annie - - -
Supper is over,
we had coffee, crackers, some very good pork, and stewed apples, I mean Mit and
I, we sleep together now and bedfellows all eat together. dried apples are
25 cts per pound, Butter 50" Cheese 50" onions 20" green aples for for 25 cts,
cans of peaches, cherries, raspberries and most all kinds of fruits in quart
cans 1.00 each so you see a private soldier can't endulge much in
luxuries. Butter and dried apples are about the cheapest of any, and we
try to accomodate ourselves with these as much as we can, we sometimes buy a
pie, but they are generally poor things, and from 15 to 25 cts each, about
the best way a man can get along here when he sees anything he wants is to get
what he can eat all he can and then he wants no more
the Suttlers are
making all the money here and the most of the soldiers are just simple enough to
give them all, there is five or six men engaged in this business in our Regt.
but I don't suppose you want to hear any more of this. The boys are setting
around the fire, all talking at once, there is Ben, Net, Dave, Mit,
Ed, Baker and two others strangers to you I guess I will quit for it is
getting Late it is raining some to night I wish I was at home
with you and Annie tonight but will have to content myself on my bed of
corstalks but no more
give my respects to your Father and remember
I still remain
Yours, J. F. Goltry
Murfreesboro, Tenn
April 16th, 1863
My Dear Emeline,
I have just finished reading your
quite lengthy letter of the 13th inst. which arrived yesterday, but I was on
picket I did not get it untill this morning, I am very happy to know that you
and Annie are well, and for an evidence of my health I will state that I have on
picket every other day for six days, going on at eight one morning and off at
about eleven oclock the next, and I believe I have missed only two or three days
for the last six weeks but what I have been on some kind of duty Our Regt
is about half officers now (to speak light of it) and the privates go on duty
about three times to their once. but I am in hopes we shall have better times
after awhile I wish L. E. Wheeler would quit writing everything he knows
when he writes home there has been some talk (and also an order to that effect)
that five per-cent of all the old Regt should be allowed furloughs but I don't
look for anything of that kind untill things have a different appearance here
and if they should be given I don't look for the first for you know I have been
home once and that will make a great difference I get a little homesick
sometimes but I still keep pretty good courage and live in hopes of a better day
coming, I think it would be delightful to us soldiers to get home once
more. I don't think I would ever get tired of our little Annie that you write so
much about there is nothing in your letters that I read with so much interest as
that about her Your dream was all true only I didn't get home, I did shave
my whiskers all off last and the boys say I look as slick as a "pealed onion" I
must shave again today and then wouldn't I like to have a kiss, but to tell you
the truth I don't believe I could muster courage enough to kiss a woman I
haven't done the like in so long - but I think I would risk it anyway. Well I
guess I will stop for a while and clean my gun for it is most miserable dirty on
account of being in the rain while on picket
I forgot to tell you that it
rained pretty hard every night that we were on picket this week but it is clear
and warm today I slept with Dave Goltry and Stephen Baker last night we had a
house made of our oil cloths which we drew lately they are about four feet wide
and six long with brass eyelets for strings and make a very comfortable "dog
nest" (drawing of tent) something like this, laying the third cloth over
one end.
Well I have got my gun so it will pass inspection I guess,
so I will write a little more, we will have dress parade at five oclock I
suppose, and I will have to stop pretty quick and black my boots, I expect you
would be surprised to see the soldiers here when they get fixed up, and also to
see our camp with cedars set all through it and the walks graveled, it looks
very well when we can be in camp to enjoy it but the most of us are away on duty
the most of the time and when we are in we have to be at work at it. So I have
come to the conclusion that blacked boot, graveled walks and cedar bushes will
never put down the rebellion
Tell Lucinda and Rachel I rec'd a letter
from them the other day. I think they are playing smart in the selling
out I get a newspaper every few days, but they are so long comeing through
that it think it hardly necessary to send them. we get papers every day
now We signed the payroll today and will be paid soon, for two months I
will send you a $10.00 note on C. A. Blanchard, I sold him my watch, he has
never been heard from since the fight I suppose he was killed, your Father can
present it to his Father, Amos Blanchard and perhaps he will pay for it, he
lives over on Muskuktuck, perhaps your Father can see him without going over on
purpose but I must stop and slick up and finish this
tonight
Sunset
Well, Em the sun is just going down, some of the boys
are out pitching horseshoes, some are reading and some are playing cards. I
shant tell you who they are. there is a fiddle in tune in the next company
and all seem to be enjoying themselves very well, anyone coming into cmp just
now wouldn't think of the disagreeable night we passed on picket last
nite.
I received your letter with Annie's curl I am not a verry great
hand for curls but I think that one an exception, I have it snugly stored
away among my rubish but I must close, give my very best respects to your
Father, I expect I ought to write some to him but this must suffice
My
Love, Faith, Hopes, and Prayers still resting with you
I
remain
Yours J. F. Goltry
Murfreesboro,Tenn
May 1st'63
Dear Wife
Yours of 27th ult, came to hand in due time, I was
on guard at the Depot at the time I rec'd it, and it relieved me just then
of a few lonesome hours, that was day before yesterday. yesterday we came
off gurad but to late for the morning meeting which I wished to attend, it
being the day set apart by the nation's head for worship, but there being church
again at seven in the evening, I, with several others of our Co. attended and
heard an excellent discourse from our Chaplain J. H. Lozier who is now Post
Chaplain in Murfreesboro
I have no bible of the Old Testament
and as near as I can recollect the text was in the 8th Chapt. of Isaiah,
something concerning a confederacy which certain conspiratoers were
contemplating in that day. his discourse proved satisfactorely that all who
undertake to overthrow the works of God, whether in the form of a government, or
what not, shall fail in their attempt.
We returned from church about nine
oclock, went to bed and slept well till morning expecting to go on guard, but
favorably for me I was not called for it being the first day I have missed for
I don't know when
Ben and Mit are also here, Ben being
Corporal of the color guard is excused from guard duty and Mit is a Sergt and is
only called for every two or three days Net and Dave are on guard
The boys are well but I am nothing to brag of, I weigh 143 pounds
The
army here is in very good condition at present, or at least that is my judgement
of it, and if you hear of a movement soon you may be certain there will be
something done, but for all the strength this army can boast of your prayers
will not be in vain Dinner is ready and I must eat a bite lay away your
work and take a hard cracker with me dinner is over, had a piece of corn
bread and boiled pork, wouldn't wish anymore if ever so good I wish I was
at home this spring To see the trees and shrubery growingin our garden, I
wonder if that grapevine over the window is still thriveing. If I was at home I
would put up a frame for it and make a nice shade for you to do outdoor work in
but I am not there and I don't expect to be for at least a year yet but
it will be a happy time when I do get there for the present I must look to
God and keep my powder dry
And with this I will close still
remaining
yours J. F. Goltry
My respects to all
write
soonwrite soon
camp in the woods
July 7th, 1863
Dear Emeline and Folks at home,
you are no doubt waiting for this letter and anxious to hear
from us. I might have written before but I was not certain whether it
would have gone through. We left Murfreesboro the 24th of last month
I rec'd your letter of 21st when we were about one mile from town, and had a
nice thime reading it in the rain, it has rained nearly every day since we
started on this march, and looks as though it might rain today, but I would
rather march in the rain and mud than in dust and hot sunshine, We run around
the rebs at Tullahoma and they Skedaddled for Chattanooga We have taken
some prisoners but I don't know how many Our Regt. has change of eight who
came in and gave themselves up. they are from Ky and Tenn and say they are
going home. there was considerable rejoicing the fourth. We got the news
of Lee's defeat in Virginia and the fall of Vicksburg that, with our own success
was enough to raise our ambition quite sufficient for the day and our
Brigade being formed in close colums we gave a number of cheers which made the
woods ring
We are now about six miles east of Cowan station which you can
see on the map our next move will be over the mountain to the Tennessee
river the boys are all in good health and fine spirits, Joseph Powell was
taken sick the day we left Murfreesboro and was left at Manchester 80 miles this
side he was quite sick but I think with care he would soon be about
again
We got to see al the boys as we were comeing through, saw Charley,
Stephen, Jake Robins, Bert Goltry and all the boys of the 82nd Bert Goltry
and Stilly Brown were left at Tullahoma sick Em I would like to be at home, I
very often think about being at home with you and Ann, and think of the quiet
hours we could spend together, what a contrast with the way I am now liveing,
but for all that I don't think it worth while to grumble, I hope and pray that
our army will soon be able to overpower the rebels, and then we will all return
home with great honor and rejoicing I wonder how the butternuts feel over the
late disasters on their side of the fence. I have no doubt but they begin
to crow a little and make signs of loyalty, but their tratorous talk and actions
for the last two years will follow them to their graves, but enough about
butternuts
My health is still good and I hope it will remain so, I am
getting hungry and must try and get some dinner
Dinner is over and
what do you think we had, Well, Government furnished us each with 1 1/2
crackers, that with a nice piece of beef liver nicely fried, in some grease
we got of one of the other boys, made quite a mess for Mit, Ben, Ned and
myself and haveing more of the kind than we wanted we traded with the mess next
to us for some soup which has quite satisfied our appetities and I don't
feel now as though I should ever want any more but I expect by suppertime the
one cracker I have left will taste good and perhaps I shall want more but
won't get anything untill morning. T think we will have a new supply of rations
in a day or two and then we will be all right again
I have seen some
scarce times since I have been in the army but don't recollect having gone to
bed hungry yet, and so I trust in providence for certain, the Lord
will provide.
Em I will give you a description of our house and then
close. Our pup tents were sent back and also our blankets, so we have nothing
but our oilcloths we have taken them and by stretching them over poles we
have quite a comfortable tent and for a bed we made a pen of rails which being
filled with brush and leaves we sleep quite nice and warm. It is
commenceing to rain and I must quit writing. Write as often as you can and
remember I remain.
yours Jake
Wednesday, 8th -
All well - the
boys say Vicksburg is not taken but I guess there is something up for the canons
have been fireing salutes all around
Jake
Decherd, Tenn
July 12, 1863
My Dear Wife,
Yours of the 7th inst came to last evening
and I read it with isual interest. I am very sorry to hear you have
the chills yet, I hope you will succeed in breaking them up. I think your
health would have been better this summer if you had weaned your little pet, but
perhaps you know best about that matter You must keep Met with you all
summer and I we can manage someway to pay but she must not charge too much
these war times My health is good. I stood the trip from Murfreesboro finely. We
had a very easy time, although it rained nearly all the time. Our blankets and
everything was sent back from Manchester and since then (which was two weeks
today) we have slept with our oil clothes only. I wrote you a very poor letter
last Monday which you will get perhaps before you do this. We had but
very little to eat then, but we have full rations now we have moved camp
since then, and have a nice camp here on the side hill with a fine mountain
stream running nearby, we are about four miles from the foot of the mountain.
Blackberries are ripe, and very plentiful outside the pickets. I was on picket
the other day and got all I wanted Mit and Ben came out and picked six or eight
quarts and then we stewed blackberries for dinner. I wrote in my other
letters about leaving Joseph Powell at Manchester sick I have not heard from him
since The other boys are well, Ben is writeing to Dus, I will be glad when we
quit this writing and do our talking by word of mouth, won't you wouldn't I have
a good time if I was at home this morning having a play with Annie, and
perhaps she wouldn't play with me, but I think I could soon get her
aquainted.
We got the news of Lee's defeat the fourth and of the
surrender of Vicksburg the eighth, it was just the kind of news we wanted to
hear, and I hope the work will still go on. I don't know what we have done here
only that we scared Old Bragg out of Tennessee and captured a great many of his
men.
I am glad to hear you have the grapes in a good position to thrive.
I should like to know how the wild vine at the window is getting along. If
I was at home I would make a frame about 10 by 15 feet andlet it run over
it. it would make such a nice place to wash and do your outside work in the
summer, and to eat in, too; and then it would keep it off the house, which it
must nearly cover by this time. but I guess we will let it go untill next
spring and then if not providencialy hindered I will have it fixed before the
vine begins to grow, and perhaps theremight be a chance for me to be there to do
the work myself. When Isaac gets through work you must let me know how much it
cost. The next time you write let me know if you have heard from Uncle Israel's
folks, and whether Isaac's children went with them or not. I must write your
Father some on the next page. I carried this paper through in my
pocket.
July 12th, '63
Father Force
I was glad to hear
from you in Emeline's letter, and hear you was well your letter found me
enjoying unusual good health and fine spirits, and also the other boys, Ise
Green is still with us, he is not able for duty on account of his crippled
shoulder and by the means he has a good time. Our courage has been encouraged by
the recent success of our army, and I hope it will go on. I wonder how the
butternuts like it, I tell the boys they are the greatest bawlers for the Union
there is. Or will be as soon as they find our army gaining fround, but such
loyal men as that I shall always despise.
We had not fighting comeing
through. Our first Brigade had a skirmish the first day of July, and we
double quicked for about two miles but the enemy fell back before we came
up. I saw one man that was killed and several wounded but more give out on
account of the heat, the next morning there was another skirmish ahead of us at
the Elk river bridge. the next day, (the third of July) we crossed the river and
found several of the enemy dead. but there was no more fighting near us the next
day. fourth I was on guard untill eight oclock, some of our boys helped to bury
the dead rebels about the fields, and the rest of the day was put in about as
usual. I must close. give my respects to all.
Jake
6 oclock
P.M.
The mail has just come in but nothing for me. I think we will get the
mail regular now for awhile, please write as often as once a week for I like
to hear from home, my paper is rather scarce, but I think the (suttler?)
will be up soon and then I can get a new supply tell Isaac I will write a
line as soon as I get paper. We had quite a shower just before noon today, how
is the weather in Hardensburgh.
I must close, Em you must take good care
of yourself and Annie and remember I remain
Yours
Jacob Firzgerald
Goltry
P.S. That's a big name for a Corpl ain't it but I expect to
wear shoulder straps before I am in the army six years
longer
Dechard, Tenn
July 24" "63
Emeline,
Yours of 20" and 21" came to hand today.
We rec'd an uncealed letter from your Father which said you were writeing
and I looked for yours today, supposing you would see your mistake but I don't
see as you added anything. perhaps you hadn't time
I would be very
glad to hear you were enjoying good health but I expect you will not entirely
get over your chills before winter I wrote you a letter last Monday. I
told you I had a bad cold and not well besides but I am happy to inform you
now that I am entirely well of it and feel better than I have since we left
Murfry- the other boys are well Net is on guard at the R R station, Ben is
writing Dus Mit and I have been fixing our nest today, it was rather warm
to work, but we took our time. we split some old fashion puncheons
and made a floor to our house, maybe you would like to know the size of our
house, well it is just six feet and a half square, the floor is about 18
inches from the ground, and the top about 4 feet above the floor, it afords
shelter for four of us. Our knapsacks have not come up yet and I wouldn't care
if they never did if we could only get our blankets but we are getting along
finely we have a very nice camp since we have got it cleared off we
have it swept over every morning before breakfast, which helps to wake us
up. this morning I got up and fell into ranks as usual to answer to my
name, and then took my brush broom and swept while Ben got breakfast, I
found among the other trash a 25cts postage curency which I had the wonderful
prescence of mind to put in my pocket Well the most of the boys are on
picket and the rest are performing on a pole so I will quit for tonight and see
what I can do on the pole and then go to the creek and take a
wash.
Saturday, 25th
After a series of gimnastics on the pole and a
good wash and a good nights sleep, I will try and finnish this to send out this
morning. I hardly know what to write, Bert Goltry was here yesterday he
was just going to his Regt. from the convalescant barracks at Tullahoma, where
he has been ever since we passed through there. the 82" is camped within a
couple of miles of us but we ahve not seen any of them, the 2" Minn.
is there also
We were paid off last Tuesday. I sent the $70.00
to you the way I told you I should in my last, it will be expressed to your
Father. let me know as soon as you get it. I kept $8.00 for my
use here and after paying what I owed. I have $5.00 left I have plent of
paper and envelopes, but I must close it is quite cloudy this morning. No
more, may the Lord protect you all, and speed the day of peace to our
country
J. F. Goltry
Decherd. Tenn
Aug 1st. '63
My Dear Em
Yours of Sunday and Monday, last, is not
at hand, although I have looked with both eyes every day since Wednesday. Ben
rec'd a letter from Dus Wednesday and another today, and it has made me so
impatient, I hardly know wether to cry, laugh or swere, so I guess I will
do neither. Dus don't write anymore about you than she would if you was one
hundred miles away, but she says "the folks are all well" I can't think you are
sick.
The brigade bugle is blowing the assembly and perhaps we will have
brigade drill, when, how warm it is, and this drilling with a think coat on this
hot weather is enough to make anyone but a soldier mad. I wish we had enough of
them butternuts here to fill our Co., wouldn't we trot them through
Well, it is 3 oclock P.M. very warm and sultry, with prospects of rain, being
quite cloudy and thundering in the distance. we have had inspection today,
the Col. pronounced my gun in good order, which was more than he could say to
all.
The boys are lounging about as usual, some sleeping, some playing
cards, and some at one thing and some at another, but I believe there is no one
drunk, there has been considerable whisky afloat this week and the result is a
number of black eyes, non-commisioned officers reduced to the ranks, and several
recruits in the guardhouse, but I must quit and fall in for drill. I haven't
been drunk for a good long while
Five oclock, P.M.
Our drill
truned out to be inspection by the Brigade Commander, it is now over and supper
is ready but as there is nothing very inviting I shall not eat much.
We have had preaching three time since we came to this camp, once this week
by a clergyman from Pennsylvania, he is a good speaker and I think a Cristian.
Meeting now-a-days does a great amount of good and I hope the seed
sown will take root and bring forth fruit.
It is hard to think, but
never-the-less true, that the chaplains who first came out with us have
filled their pockets with greenbacks, and now have returned home and left us to
wour out our own salvation. The Preachers here now are delegates chosen by the
Christian commission society, to serve for two months each, and then I suppose
there places will be filled with others. How I should like to be at home to go
to church with you. God speed the day when peace again shall reign through our
country, and every slave be free.
Jake
Don't neglect to
write
Write as much as you can about Annie.
part
2 Decherd, Tenn
Same
date
Emeline,
I have written one sheet but I guess I can scribble
a little more and perhaps it will not come amiss. I will commence with "Old
Rosa" (General Rosecrans) A few evenings ago we got orders to fall
in, in double quick, to go to the R.R. station to receive someone. Nobody
knew who, all we had to do was obey orders which we did, and was soon marching
to the top of the drum towards the station when we arrived the whole division
was in line along the railroad, and we fell into line with it. pretty soon
we heard the whistle of an engine, and understood "Old Rosa" was coming and in a
few moments sure enough here he came, the car happened to stop exactly in front
of me and in about thirty fee, so that I got a fair view of him, he stept out on
the platform and then we give him three rousing cheers, which was responded to
all along the line. he said to us "I am glad you are all so cheerful" then
held a short enterview with "General Negly" when the car pushed forward for
Manchester, and we gave him a parting cheer and returned to camp. the most
that pleased me (half way made me mad, too) was the sight of some ladies and a
little girl about the age of Annie. I thought how pleasing it would
be to me and you too, to visit one another after so long an absence, but there
is to many like myself, who are here in the enemy's land, far
away from those they love, and from the ones who love them. We must
meet the foe and drive him from our land, and I Pray, God give us strength to
overcome our enemies, and grant us a safe and speedy return to our homes where
with a humble heart, we may praise and give Glory to a Father in
Heaven.
As it is getting late I will draw my letter to a close, Charley
was here the other day, his division is within three fourths of a mile of us,
but our pickets are stationed between us, and we can't pass without permission
from Negly. He, (Charley) said he saw J. G. Robins and the other boys of
the 82".
But I must close, Still remaining
Yours, J.F.
Goltry
Mrs. Emeline Goltry
Six Mile, Jennings Co. Ind.
write
soon
I am about out of stamps, please send me 25 cts worth, and let me
know if you have rec'd the $70.00 I sent you
Jake to Em
Decherd, Tenn
Aug. 6" 63"
Emeline,
Yours of 3" and 4" just came to
hand, I was glad to find you in a good humor again. I wrote you a
letter last Sunday, and rec'd one from you last Monday. I thought by that
you were in an awful pet, but I expect you was about sick, and couldn't help it,
so I will look over it, but you must not let Cal get the upper hand of your
patience again.
I am glad to hear you are over the chills, and hope you
will be in better health here after. My health is good, I feel stouter than I
have since I have been a soldier
The weather has been very warm here but
it agrees with me better than cold weather. We have had a fine shower today to
cool the air. We have no drill roday it being the day set apart by
the President for National Thanksgiving the boys wouldn't care if it would
last till warm weather was over, for it is warm work drilling these
hot days with a thick coat on, and it would not be millitary to drill with
them off.
Your breakfast would do to talk about, but wouldn't do for
soldiers nowdays. I will tell what we had for breakfast this morning one and a
half pints of coffee as much hard crackers as we wanted and a spoonful of sugar.
it went rather dry, but I helpt it a little about ten oclock, one of the boys
comeing in with some buttermilk I paid 10 cts for a pint which, with some more
crackers made me feel better and then we got some pea soup and more crackers
which will do untill supper, when I think we got some bacon, the first
since yesterday morning. this scarsity of meet was caused by drawing
spoiled meet and the Quartermaster would not take it back and give us good, as
he ought to have done. I hope the time will soon come when we can all be
our own Quartermasters. I should like to be at home to help you tend
the Post Office I should think you hardly capable of attending is as it should
be and then I should rather tend to Annie than all your P. O.s I must rest
awhile and then write some rather tend to Annie than all your P.O.s I must
rest awhile and then write some to Met.
Jake
4 p.m. It is
quite cool after the shower and the boys are all very lively and full of there
fun, talking, laughing and singing. Charley was over to see us the other
day he said the boys in the 82nd were all well, but I believe I wrote you that
in my other letter.
Decherd, Tenn
Aug. 15th, '63
Emeline,
Yours of the 12th & 13th came to hand
today, the cars ran off the track between here and Nashville last Wednesday
and by the meanes the mail on that day was carried by to Winchester
and just came back today, the postage stamps came all right.
I was glad
to hear the money got through safe, and also glad to hear you were in tolerable
good health, I hope you will get stout soon My health is good yet, we have
marching orders for to start tomorrow morning, if we go I think we will go
towards Stevenson, Ala. It is getting dark and I must quit or get a
light, David Goltry arrived here today he looks quite
rugged
No light to be had, but I must write a little more at random,
how I should like to get a hold of that little Annie, I bet I could give
her play enough, but (got a light) we have only a little over one year to serve
yet and then we will get home, won't we have a happy time and know how to enjoy
it. Well boys say there has a detail come for picket, so I guess we
won't march, but as for my part I would just as soon go as not. The boys
are all well but Joseph Powell, he is not well, but is doing duty and I think he
will get better soon. I have nothing to write and not much time to write it,
here is a little picture which shows you and Annie and your Father, Cal and Met
also myself (all but the shoulder straps). But if you want to see the cute
of it, just pull off the peice of postage stamp, and if you don't laugh I'll
treat, show it to your Father and see how he likes it. But I must quit. Sending
my best wishes to your Father and all the folks.
I remain
yours
J. F. Goltry
Sunday 16th
I am detailed for patrol
guard today, so I will not be apt to march farther than the
Depot.
Jake
Crow Creek Valley
Aug. 20, 1863
My Dearest,
Em, yours of the 16th inst. came to hand a few
minutes ago, it does me so much good that I thought I would answer it
immediately. I received two letters of yours last Saturday and sent you an
answer Sunday morning. I told you we had marching orders and also told you
last, that I was detailed for guard. I went on guard and soon got orders
to report to the Regt. to be ready to march, we left camp about noon and about
the time you was writeing I was trudging over the mountain with a knapsack on my
back and my gun on my shoulder. We traveled untill after dark, and then I
had to go on picket, our post was on the side of the mountain and was rather a
disagreeable place for a bed. But as I had slept in worse places I
contented myself with it and rested very well untill morning when we continued
our march over the mountain arriving on the head of Old Crow Creek about the
middle of the afternoon where we staid untill Tuesday morning and then came on
to this place arriveing here after dark Tuesday evening. It was one among
the many hard marches which the soldiers will have to talk about "when the cruel
war is over." the sun shone so hot that it looked almost impossible for us
to endure it with our heavy knapsacks on our backs and there was a great many
gave out and laid down beside the road, comeing up in the night or next
morning. I am happy to say I was able to keep with the Regt. and
stack my gun everytime the rest did, but I find since I came into camp that
there is now and then a sore place the worst of which is in my right side
something like the pluercy but I think a few days rest will set me right
again.
The other boys are well although some of them had hard work to get
through. Dave Goltry got to the Regt. just in time to make the march
with us, he stood it very well. Joseph Powell looks about as stout as
ever, but he is not well yet. We are in camp about three miles from
Stevenson, Ala. We come by the bridges we guarded last summer, and the
Brigade stopt for dinner. Mit and I went to a house where we were
acquainted and got one of the best dinners we have had in the last year,
the folks were glad to see us back again, an old man that left here with us last
fall and joined our company found his wife and family all well and doing
well. they had give up ever seeing him again, and I suppose they
were very much surprised when he came marching home again. You said if I
was an officer I could get a pass for you to come down. Well I'm not an
officer and am not expecting to be. I should like very much to see you
down here but as I am now situated you could take no comfort, but would be
disagreeable, for we have no way to live only all together, and then we never
know how long we will stay in a place.
I have 15 months to serve yet
ut I pray that I may see home sooner, how delightful it we be, to kiss my own
wife and babie (for I never kissed anybody elses). you must learn
Annie to talk and sing and think of her Pa and write as often as convient to
your husband.
Jacob F. Goltry
I got a letter from Lucinda and
Rachel Monday morning dated 12" inst.
Chattanooga, Tenn
Sept. 30, 1963
Emeiline,
After thinking of you for a week without writing I
will now try and write you a few lines, for I know you will be anxious to hear
from me. Ben wrote three or four days ago , but I was so unwell
that I have put it off hopeing that I would be better I am happy to say that I
am, although I am not well yet. I wrote you a line the 12th inst at the
foot of lookout mountain. Since then we have found rather hard times
driveing the rebs around untill Sunday the 20th when we found rather more than
we could drive. I suppose you have as good an account of the battle and no
doubt better than I could give you. Our Regt. was all around the
battlefield where we could see what was going ou but was not engaged.
Our Regt. fell back about 2 oclock P.M. to lead the wounded out and stop
straglers. just after we returned from the fight I received a letter from
you the 18" inst. which done me a lot of good. I also
received one from Lt. Hause and the next morning I received another from
you of the 6" and one from Wm. Goltry which were the last I have
rec'd.
We came to this place Tuesday, 22" and have been diging and
working untill I don't think Bragg will undertake to drive us out, if he does he
will get badly used up. the rebel army is lying in sight of us, they
have pitched their tents and so have we. the pickets change shots
occasionaly, but don't think we will live so quietly close together very
long.
The 82nd was in the fight and lost very heavy. Capt. Spencer
is among the missing. Harry Brocket, Lucius Alison, Martyn Larabee, John
Lefever, and several others that I was not acquainted with were wounded.
John Lefever has since died. William Baty and George Hopple were among the
killed.
I have seen Elan Goltry, Charley Force and all the rest of my
relatives and acquaintences since we have been here. We have had no
rain since we left Crow Creek, but it looks today as though it might rain soon
for it is very cloudy and sprinkling but Mit and I have got our pup tent fixed
so let it come and lay the dust which is deep.
I have been so unwell for
the last week that I got homesick, O how I wished to be at home with you
where I could get something good to eat where I could lay down and rest for a
week but I am getting pretty well rested now and my appetitie is so that I
can eat hard tack very well. I dreamed last night about finding a big
loaft of light bread and after I had eaten it all I learned it was
Sarah Dean's so I give her a quarter's worth of tobacco to pay here
for it but I must close, give my best wishes to all.
Remembering I
still remain
your J. F. Goltry
Take good care of Annie and write
often.
Cattanooga, Tennessee
Oct. 10", 1863
Emeline,
I will try and write you a few lines this
afternoon although I don't feel a bit like writing, but I know you will be
looking for a letter as I have not written any this month and so I will try and
write a little hopeing that I may receive one from you soon. I have not
rec's any from you since yours of the 18" of last month but I heard from you by
the other boys getting letters dated 23" and 24" of last month. I told you
in my last [letter] that I was unwell and I have to tell you this time that
I am no better. I have had the diarhea for a month now and it has got me
Reduced down as poor as a crow. I expect to have it untill I can get
some driend fruit or vegetables which cannot be had at present. Our
rations are rather slim now, but as I am I get throught such as they are, how I
should like to step in and take supper with you tonight. about two weeks
with you now would set me all right again.
The rebels are still in sight
of us but I don't think they intend to attack us for a while yet. they give
us rather more shells the other day than we cared about several of which struck
near our Co. but no one in the Regt. was hurt. The boys are all on picket
today except Ben he is out washing. I was over to see Jake
Robins yesterday he was well but in a bad humor because some theif
had stolen a days ration of bread from him and he had to do without I
saw Charley day before yesterday, he was not very well, but able to
be about.
And now what else should I write. Ise Green had been
writing all the forenonn and is still at it, but I don't see what he
writes, for I can't think of anything. I would write something about Annie
but I don't know what to write more than to say "I would give my bounty to see
here" but I suppose I will have to wait 11 months yet and then my three
years will be up and someone else will have to take my place while I rest,
but I hope by that time we will have the rebels about used up for certainly we
are in a fair way for it now if we can keep them so.
Wm Emmert sent a
roll of something from Cinncinnati to Jacob Bender and as Bender has moved away
he told me to ask you if it was in the office, and if it is, to keep it until he
could hear from Bender. write and let me know, in your next, if it is
there.
I must close sending my best wishes to all
I remain
J.
F. Goltry
Field Hospital
Stevenson, Ala.
Oct. 24" 1863
Dear Emeline
You will be surprised I suppose when
you hear where I am and I expect I should have written but I am out of money and
my paper is all back at Chattanooga. David got me a sheet yesterday and so
I thought I would write you a line.
I came into the hospital last
Wednesday because I was not able to march back to Chattanooga with the Co. which
is here guarding a supply train of wagons. I guess they will start back
today. I am not sick but wore out marching and have had the diahrea which
has mademe very poor, I am getting better now as have a good comfortable place
to stay at I think I shall go back to Nashville in a few days where I
shall stay this winter if I can, for I don't think it is profitable for me
to try to stay with the Regt. and do duty in bad weather. I received your
letter of the 5" the day we left Chatt. which was the 14". We left Ed
Childs and Ben there. Ed was not very well, the rest of the boys were
getting along as usual except John Umenseter he is here with me. Now
Em you must be of good cheer and if I get to Nashville I want you to send me
some dried fruit but there is no use talking about it for a while yet, but
you can write and if I leave here I guess the letters will follow me. Em I
don't know what to write, I have been takeing some pills that makes
me feel rather dumly but I guess they will work of today, but I must I must
close for I hate to write with a pencil. Take good care of Annie and write
as soon as you get this. send a sheet of paper and an envelope if you
please.
Direct in this manner
Jacob F. Goltry
Ward F. Field
Hospital
Stevenson
Alabama
Convalescent Camp
Stevenson, Ala.
Nov. 14". 1963
Emeline,
I have been looking for a letter
from you for two or three days, but there has none come so I thought I
would write you one there is preparation being made today for sending the
men that are able to Chattanooga tomorrow and I shall try and be one of
them I am getting pretty stout but still have the diarhea. John
Umenseter is about well. Lucian Allison is here and will go with us
he being entirely well of his wound. I wrote you a letter last Thursday
the 5" inst requesting you to send me one dollar but if I don't get it in the
morning it will be apt to go up if you have sent it, direct the rest of your
letters to the Regt.
And now what else shall I write Is Annie well,
are you well, have you got a fire in the stove if not raise a fuss and see if
you can't get warm that way. wouldn't you like to see the chimney I built
the other day it is quite comfortable these frosty mornings, but we will
have to leave it in the morning. Well, I should like to take supper with
you tonight but I have ten months and four days to serve yet May God
protect us and grant us a happy meeting. There is a good many troops
passing here today a part of the Vicksburg army I believe, so I guess
the rebs will have to get back from Chattanooga before a great while but I
must close for I can't write worth a cent. Sam Burton was here the other day but
went on to the Regt. he said Myron Eveleth and George Helferedge were dead.
Write and let me know all about the boys of the 26" but no more write
as often as you can to yours
J. F. Goltry
Emeline Goltry,
Six Mile, Ind.
Our Father who art in heaven
To whom all power on
eath is given
Hallowed by thy glorious name
Thy kingdom over all
proclaim
Thy righteous will on earth be done
As tis in world's beyond the
sun
Give us this day our daily bread
And ought besides thou see we
need
From all our sins free pardon give
Such as our foes from us
receive
The tempters voice may we not heed
From evil by thy hand be
freed
For thines the kingdom, thine the power
And thine the glory
evermore
Convalescent Camp
Stevenson, Ala.
Nov. 17, 1963
Dear Em,
Yours of 9" inst. came to hand this
morning. I was glad to get it because I am expecting to go back to
the Regt. soon and I wanted to hear from you and to get the one dollar
which came through all right.
I am glad to hear you are well and am happy
to inform you that I am getting well except for the old complaint, but as I am
in a place where I can rest, I am like an old horse getting fat and begin
to feel like kicking up my heels and going back to the Regt.
I think I
have been providentially smiled upon in the last few days, at least I feel it to
be so. Jones Robinson gave us a call last night, he was on his way
home and will perhaps be there before you get this and can tell you more news
than I can. He gave Lucian Allison $20.00 and Lucian loaned me $5.00 so
you see I am well off in that line. I think I will be back to the Regt. in
time to get my pay if I do I will try and send you some and then I want you to
go to keeping grocery, I think if you have to tend the P. O. you might
keep $20.00 or $10.00 worth of notions to sell and keep a girl to do your
work. Have you got a stove in the office. if not you must get
one. Write and let me know how you are fixed and how much money you have
if any. direct your letters to the Regt. I wrote you a letter last
Saturday so I will not write anymore now. hopeing this will find you
well I will close
Praying God to protect us
I remain yours
J.
F. Goltry
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Nov. 29, 1863
Emeline,
Yours of 23" came to hand night before
last. I was glad to hear from you again and hear you were well. I
was laying in the rifle pits when it came where the Regt. had laid since last
Monday. I suppose you have heard by this time how badly Bragg is getting
whipt. I left Stevenson last Sunday and arrived here Wednesday morning
just as the fight commenced although there had been a considerable of fighting
Monday and Tuesday. Our forces made a show on Monday shelling the rebels
all long the line and driveing in their pickets. Tuesday General
Hooker made a dash on to lookout mountain and took it captureing a good many
prisoners and turning the enemies left. I was just in the rear of
them and saw and heard the fighting plain but had no gun and therefore took no
part -- on Wednesday morning General Sherman attacked the right and turned that
about noon after hard fighting and then the army of the Cumberland pushed out
making a charge for about two and a half miles driveing the enemy from the
breastworks and captureing there artillery. I don't know how many
peices fell into our hands but I expect you will see the official report and
then you will have it correct. Our Brigade was left in the breastworks and
therefore our Regt. escaped the fight again but they were where they could see
it all. The 82" was into it, Co. B had one man wounded, Benjamin
George. Our Regt. was ordered out this morning with four days rations,
they have been out two or three miles but have come back there order being
contermanded. I felt so unwell and had no catridge box that I concluded I
would stay behind. the orders now are to be in readiness to march when
called for but I must quit writeing for Mit and Baker have come in and they are
cold the wind blows as cold as Greenland this morning I found a pair of socks
for me and some peaches the boys had eaten about half of the peaches but
what there is goes well. I wish you could send me a pair of socks by Lt.
Robinson and also a pair of large No. 8 boots if he can bring them I didn't get
here in time to draw my pay but I have borrowed enough to last me untill next
payday I guess I have written enough for this time if the boys go
out again I will go with them no more now
May God protect us is my
Prayer
J. F. Goltry
send me 20 cts in stamps if you please I
just rec'd (?) letter with one dollar. Kiss Ann for me and tell her a story
about her Pa.
J. F. Goltry
Chattanooga, Tenn
Jan 8", 1864
Dear Em,
Yours of Dec. 27" just came to hand. I was
as usual glad to hear from you and hear you were well. I should have
enjoyed myself better with you last Christmas than I did, I expect.
but as usual I had to go on picket Christmas morning and that night it rained
and it has rained about half the time since. for the last three days
it has been very cold and on account of scarcity of wood we have had rather a
disagreeable time of it, but today the weather is moderating and perhaps we will
have no more as cold for some time to come.
My health has been quite good
for the last two weeks, but day before yesterday I eat a little to much beef and
it set me running again, but I think it will were off in a day or two. I
have quit trying for a furlough for I think I will be able to stand it eight and
a half months now, and besides that it is impossible to get one without
bothering and beging and teaseing and that is something I can't do. Wm.
Goltry wrote a letter to my Co. Commander the other day requesting him to do
something for me, but there was nothing said after the letter was read and I
wrote to Wm. that I tho't I should get along. I received a letter from
John the other day. he said his wife had gone to Indiana a
visiting. I hope she will have a good visit. I think when my time is
out we will pay her for her visit. I was over to the 82" this forenoon the
boys are all well. J. G. Robins got a letter from your Father. There
was one to Net also but he is on picket and I don't know wheather Ben will open
it or not. I will go and see, Ben stays in the next bunk from us.
David Goltry is on picket, Lyman Whitcomb, Joseph Powell, Ben and Mit and
myself were lucky enough to get to stay in today. Steve and Charley I
suppose will be home soon on furlough as he has inlisted in the veteran
service. Levi E. Wheeler has got his discharge he will start home on
the next boat for Bridgeport.
I wish I was at home this winter to assist
you with the office and play with mischief, tell her Pa thinks her Christmas
present was very nice.
Well what else shall I write, it is hard work for
me to write nowadays, I have not wrote in Lucinda for Three months, but I
must try and write to her this week certain
You didn't say anything about
my shirts I am afraid you will be so busy you can't get them done but try
and send them if you can
I must quit for I can't write. be sure and
send two or three skains of patent thread but you will get tired of hearing this
so often so I will stop wirteing at once.
take good care of yourself and
Annie
and remember, I remain
Yours J. F. Goltry
Chattanooga, Tenn.
Jan 18" '64
Dear Em,
Yours of 10 "inst" came to hand this morning about
two oclock. I had arrived from Bridgeport at that time where I went with a
drove of convalescent mules. I was pretty tired and your letter done me
good, as they always do. I thought I wrote you a pretty severe letter, but
I see you take it all in a good humored way. well that is right for you
know I get spunky sometimes and say more than I mean but I was and am yet in
earnest about going to bed and getting up, you must remember it and make it
a practice.
I am at Q.M. Head Quarters yet, we are haveing a very good
time, have enough to eat and not very much to do. I started to
Bridgeport last Thursday and got there Friday night, the cold weather and poor
quarters was rather disagreeable but we got along. Saturday morning we drew five
days rations, and then went to the boat landing to return here but the boat had
gone so we had to lay over untill Sunday, 2 oclock, and then we couldn't get
nearer than eight miles of camp the river being to low on the falls to let the
boat up, but the next trip we made we can come back on the cars, they got
through here last Thursday and are beginning to run pretty regular
now.
My health is about as usual but you know I am not very fat when I
tell you that I weigh only 133 pounds but I think there is a chance to get
fat if I can keep on doing as well as I have the last five days. John
Umenseter has just handed me a letter. I must see who it is from for it is
a strange Postmark to me. it's from Lucinda and a long one to.
But
I must close. I have written this in a hurry but the next time I will try
and take time. excuse mistakes this round and write often.
To Jake F.
Goltry
[the lower right hand corner of this letter is missing]
Chattanooga, Tenn.
Jan. 24" '64
My Dear Em,
Yours of the 18" inst. came to hand yesterday. I was all
enjoying good health, and also glad to hear that you have a chance now and then
to enjoy yourself with a sleighride and visit with your neighbors. it
would be a great comfort to me to be at home this winter to sleighride and visit
with you, but instead of that I am "away down south in dixie" where snow is
hardly known and sleighs are never made but I am living with the hope of being
at home with you next winter and I think sleighing will not constitute all our
enjoyments. no I thik I could live contented with you and Annie for one
year at least without going away from home even once. I think by what I
hear from Iowa, Wisconsin, and other parts north, it is an uncommon cold
winter, we have had some disagreeable weather hear, mostly rain and cold winds,
but very little snow, the snow was about an inch deep one morning but it did not
last long. the weather for the last week has been very pleasant, more
like spring than winter, but I expect we will have enboigh winter to make
up for this, by the first of April.
I am sorry my boots can't get through
but I can get along very well as long as I have no marching to do. If you
have not got the cloth for my shirts you may let them go and I will draw or buy
some. I guess it will be about as cheap, if they are not so good, but I want you
to send me by mail as soon as you get this about four scains of patent threat
right side. I need both very much and they can be sent to me much cheaper
than I can get them here. you needn't send anything by Lt. Robinson but the
boots and perhaps I will not want them but if he don't come before the first of
March I can write and let you know. I will send you one dollar and 12 ct.
Postage stamp which I guess is good.
I was lucky enough to
find
both of them with three
if you are in need
of MISSING SECTION OF LETTER
know and I will try and
some. You
must
for anything at the st
possably help it. I must
Chattanooga, Tenn.
Jan 29", 1864
Dear Em -
Yours of
the 26" came to hand this afternoon, I have been rather unwell for two or three
days with my old complaint. after dinner today I laid down to rest awhile
and went to sleep. I guess I slept two or three hours, when I awoke I felt
very stupid at first, but the first thing I thought of was you for I was
expecting a letter, and I heard one of the boys talking in the next bunk who had
started to the Regt -- before I went to sleep. I commenced rubbing my eyes and
looking around to see whether I was awake or not, and behold there was the
letter, it had been throwed in to me, while asleep. So I opened and read.
I was sorry to hear Annie is unwell. I hope she is well by this time,
bless her little life, how I should like to see her. I can't think what you can
buy her with that 50 cts. it must be something that will last. how
would a nice little Bible do. if you think it will do you can buy one and
keep it nice untill she gets old enough to read it. I was reading a paper
this forenoon and found some poetry so suited to us that I thought I would cut
it out and sent it to you. I have read it several times and I know you
will like to read it. I am glad to hear Charley has got home, tell
him for me that he must enjoy himself the best he can for it will be a long time
before he will have the privilege again. Our Regt. is getting up the veteran
Excitement again, one more company has gone into it, makeing two out of the
Regt" but I don't think they will get Co. C. and I know they will not get all of
it. I received the towels, thread and socks last Monday and am very
thankfull for them. I drew a government shirt the other day, but send them
along when you get them made and I will sell one to some officer for enough to
pay for both and send you the money. I sent one dollar the other
day. I will send you 50 cts. we have had nice spring weather for the last
ten days but tonight there is signs of rain and if it does we will have a cold
snap after it. I was down to the 82nd and over to our Regt.
yesterday. the boys are all well, and in fine spirits.
I guess I
have writen enough for this time but I will call your attention to one thing
just to see if you know what I mean, look on a newspaper or some book where you
can find the first letter (J) of my name in capital form and see how it is
made. Now do you know what I mean I wish I was near enough to kiss you right in
the mouth as soon as you see the mistake. But no more this time.
May
God protect us and speed the time of peace
Write often
to J. F.
Goltry
Meetings have commenced in town at last, I shall try and go
as often as I can, good night
Chattanooga, Tenn
Feb "13, 1864
My Dear Em-
I feel very much disapointed by not getting
a letter from you this week, but I don't know as you are to blame, so I will
write to that you may not be disapointed as I am. I feel rather unwell today
although I have felt well all the time since I last wrote to you, and I have
gained some in flesh, too. the boys are all well and you will be surprised
to hear that all hands have gone into the veteran service, not all quite,
eather, I have not, and I shall not, even if the state of Indiana and you to
should insist in my doing so. Mit, Een, Net, Edd, Baker and I believe all
of the Hardenbergh boys, except John Umenester, Jimmy Wheeler and myself, have
reenlisted for three years if not sooner discharged. I suppose they will
be at home in a few Days on a furlough of 30 days, and then have to return and
soldier another three years, but I will try and hold on 7 months longer and then
I will stay at home as long as I wish. What say you, write and let me
know. have you written this week, or did you have so good a time at the
party the you couldn't find ideas enough to form a letter to me, but by what
Charley wrote you couldn't of had a beau without cutting some of the girls
out and that would cause a fuss in the neighborhood. Well I dreamed last
night about a pretty little girl kissing me right in the mouth and I was about
half mad when I awoke and found it wasn't so, but I will stop writeing so or you
will be jealous.
We have sighned the payroll and I suppose we will be
paid in a few days I will draw six months pay this time, which with my clothing
account, I think will amount to $100.00 instead of the $125.00 as I wrote in
last, but I was counting on two months more. I found $25.00 laying in the
road the other day but I expect to find an owner for it, if I don't I guess I
can use it.
I will close for this time Em, hopeing to get a letter from
you tomorrow. Tell Annie her Pa is comeing home to live with her in a few
days.
but no more
Yours, Jacob F. Goltry
Chattanooga, Tenn
Feb. 21st '64
Emeline,
Yours of 14" and 15" came to hand yesterday but
should have been here several days ago, but the mail has been quite irregular
this week. I don't know what the matter is. I am glad to hear you
are still in good health, hope you will continue so, for it is a great
blessing. I hope little Annie will be in better health when she gets
through cutting teeth. My health is about as usual, but I believe I am
gaining flesh and strength rather more than usual.
I wrote you one letter
this week, I believe, although I have forgotten what day it was. I have got no
news to write and I don't know what to fill the sheet with but I suppose I
must think of something. I was over to the Regt - last Friday The boys are
thinking about there furlough but I guess they will not get home before the
middle of March. the Hardensburgh boys have all reenlisted except John
Umenseter, Jim Wheeler and myself. they try hard to get us in but they
can't fix it so I can see it, as the saying is. I was over to Stephen's bunk
last night but he was out and I didn't get to see him. David's Box has not come
yet but we look for it every day. one of the boys in my mess got a box
about a week ago and it was rich, I tell you, he got two long cans of honey and
one of butter, a lot of onions and dried fruit of all kinds. we live fine,
the only trouble is we are to lazy to cook. we drew 10 days rations
yesterday, We drew flour, pickled pork of the best quality, but we don't
eat a bit of it, beans, coffee, tea, pepper, sault, soap, candles, sugar, and
the best pickled beets I ever saw. We sell coffee, meat and other things and buy
butter. it is worth 75 cts. per pound, apples sell for three and four
for a quarter. I should like to have slept in while you and your visitors
were eating apples, I think I would have taken one, but it would have been
a kiss first.
Well this sheet is nearly full and I must begin to think of
closing. do you know where the 52nd is now
We have had rather
cold weather this week but it is moderating and I think we will have a spell of
fine spring weather. I will try and get you some flower seeds but I expect
the chance will be dull there is scarecely a garden in town with a fence around
it. that is the way with all southern towns that our army has possession
of, but I must close
I don't know but I shall try for a position in a
Negro Regt.
but no more now
write soon to
Yours
J. F.
Goltry
Chattanooga, Tenn
Feb. 27th, 1864
Emeline,
After waiting a reasonable length of time to hear
from you and receiving no letters, I will write you for I know you will be
looking for one. The Regt. went out on a scout last Monday, and it is
reported they have been fighting. The Regt. went out on a scout last
Monday, and it is reported they have been fighting. I heard this morning
that there were several wounded in the Regt. -- but could not learn
their names. I do not know whether there has [been] any mail
come for the other boys or not, they are all out with the Regt. -- and I suppose
their mail will be sent to them, but they will not have a chance to write untill
they return, which will not be for several days, I think, as rations and
ammunition have been sent to them. The 82nd has also been engaged in the
fight and it is reported quite a number were wounded and some killed. I
was unable to learn the names of any except their Lieut. Col. (Solcum) and three
privates which I was not acquainted with, I understand they lost their colors
and I jusdge by that, they were hotly pressed. latest reports say our men
were driving the rebels, and were at or near Dalton, Georgia which is about 40
miles from here as near as I can learn David's Box came through all
right I got an order and took it out of the office yesterday. I opened it and
took out my boots, some apples, onions and a little of everything directed to
Ben, Net and I and then nailed the box up again to keep for them. I wish
they had it with them, I think it would do them more good than it will when they
get back to camp, but it can't be sent to them. my boots are one size too
large but I will make them do. I think they will last untill my time is
out, if nothing happens. you have not written whether you are going to
send me another shirt or not. I was thinking this morning that what shirts
I had would last me very well untill my time is out, and I thought it would be a
good plan for you to keep the other, if you have another, untill I come
home. don't it sound queer to talk about comeing home. Well I have
only a little over six months and a half to serve yet and then if it is
God's will I shall come to see you and Ann. I must close for this time
hopeing I may get a letter this afternoon.
Write often to
J. F.
Goltry
I took Lieut. Brown's Pillow and coffee pot to his company this
morning and left in case of George Smith, Lieut. Brown being out with his
Regt.
Jake
Tyner's Station, Tenn.
Mar. 12" / "64
My Dear Em
-
Your of 7" inst. came to hand today. I was very gland to
hear from you and hear you was so much better, hope this will find you
well. I think the letter I rec'd today from you is the best one for
some time. I took a great delight in reading it perhaps it is because I
have not had one in so long. I am happy to inform you that my health is
still very good. I believe I am getting fatter every day. I returned to
the Co. last week and have been on picket guard twice since.
I supose you
have received the letter I sent to your Father, how do you like my reenlisting,
but there is no use in asking questions now. I think we will be at home on
furlough before a great while. Our transportation papers were sent to
H'd. Qr's. a week ago for approveing, as soon as they return we will be
off, unless they should return disaproved, which I hardly think will be the
case. if we get home on furlough I think we will try and have a good
time. do you think you can help us. but it will be rather hard to
leave again when our time is out. I thought of that before I reenlisted
and I thought I would rather come back after a furlough this spring than to stay
untill next fall and then there will be another call for troops in the fall, and
I don't intend to go out among consripts, but no more of this, when I get home
we will talk it all over. The boys are all well except Stephan Baker,
he has been quite unwell for several days, but seems to be much better this
evening. I received a letter fro Lucinda the other day, she said you had quit
writing to her. I suppose it is because you haven't time. I hope she will
come back then this spring for I think she will be much better suited there than
in Wis.
I suppose you have heard that our Reg. came out all right in the
fight. The Lt. Col. of the 82" died from the effects of a wound he
received there, and the Col. of the 24" Ill. died yesterday from the same
cause. he was a german and an excelent officer, he has been with us or
near us ever since we weere at Baker Creek. I guess I have written enough for
the present. I think we will be home in the course of a week or two and
then I can talk to you and kiss Annie. but no more now,
Jake
To Em
-
Peace trees are blossoming out, here is two blossoms
Nine oclock,
p.m.
Order came to report to Indianapolis
Nashville, Tenn.
Apr. 26, 1864
Emeline,
Once more I seat myself to write you a few lines to
inform you of my whereabouts. We met the train at Seymour yesterday which
brought us safe to Louisville for the sum of one dollar, where we arrived about
four oclock. Staid at the soldiers home where we found very
comfortable quarters and left there this morning at seven (7) arriveing here at
five (5) P. M. We got transportation from Louisville here, so there
is so much saved. We found Lieut. Henry at the Depot here waiting for us
Himself and the rest of the Co got here yesterday evening and so Co. C. V. V's
are all right again. You ought to have seen them jump and holler when we
came up. The boys have nearly all gone to the Theatre to see the bear or
somebody else dance. There is Preaching going on in the next room and some
of the boys dancing out at the door, so goes soldiers, same as ever. It is
quite warm tonight. the shade trees in the streets here are leaved
out, almost in full size. But I guess I will close for this time. I
eat my supper tonight of the buscuits you gave me and gave the last one to old
Tom Rossell, he has about worn himself out since he went home.
But no
more now, write as soon as you get this so I can get a letter some
time
Direct to Co. C, 37" Regt. V. V. I.
And always remember, I
remain
Yours, J. F. Goltry
I forgot to tell you, Callie is all
right, and sends respects to your Father. J. F. G.
[This letter is dated April 16, 1864 but the date is a mistake by the
writer. It should have been May 16, 1864 as the Battle of Resaca, referred
to in the letter, was fought on May 15, 1864.]
Resaca, Georgia
April 16, 1864
My Dear Em,
I will write you a few lines to let you
know that I am in the land of the living. I wrote you a line on the
6" inst. and the next morning we started on the march. We met the rebels
soon after we started and have skirmished every day since, last night at dark as
near as I can learn, we had them nearly surrounded and I layed down with the
expectation of riseing this morning to meet them in a terrible, but a victorious
fight. At mightnight they showed signs of a charge on our lines by fireing
their pieces and yelling most hideously, but we found this morning that it
was to give themselves a chance to retreat without our hearing them.
Our army has lost but few for the size of it. Our Regt lost 9 wounded by none in
our Co -- the Sixth Regt -- suffered severely in a charge last Saturday. Co. B
of that Regt -- lost three or four killed, one of them a brother of Capt. Dave
Ennis. I saw A. W. Brown, he was nearly worn out marching, none of his Co
were killed. I met Jake Robins and the other boys Friday night as I was coming
off the skirmish line, and Saturday night at mightnight I came across Charles. I
saw him again today. Well, I didn't tell you the rebels run but of
course they did and we are after them. the cars are running
here already. but I must put this up for they are calling for the
mail.
I rec'd your of the 10" this morning
write often
J.
F. Goltry
[it is presumed the word "mightnight" found twice in this
letter should actually be "midnight."]
Bivouac five miles south of
Kingston, Georgia
May 21, 1864
My Dear Em,
I will write you a few lines this morning,
for I suppose you will be glad to hear from me as often as I have the
opportunity to write, while we are on the march. My health is good, we
have not had very hard marching to do but as the weather is quite warm we begin
to feel rather old. I am in hopes the army will rest here a few days,
but whether it will or not say at present. The R. R. is completed to the
front of our lines and the cars came in last night for the first. As near
as I can learn there is a river not far in our advance which will check us
a little and besides that it is supposed that the rebels will make a stand as
they can gain considerable advantage on the hills and the other guess they are
laying still or else the rebels are far ahead of them, for I have heard nothing
from them this morning, and that is something new for we have heard fireing
everyday since the seventh of this month, but there is time enough for some
fighting yet today. I hear the cars coming in. I hope they will bring me a
letter from you, for it time I had one. I wish you could
manage to write two letters a week, for I do like to get letters
from you. You must write all you can about Annie for I love to hear
from her. I would like to step in this morning and see if she knew me. I
expect she misses Calvin more than anyone else. We left him behind with
the knapsacks, week ago yesterday. the last we heard from him he was at
Resaca. Lewis Whitcomb is with him. I think they will be up in a few
days with our knapsacks, but I don't care about mine untill we are done marching
for it is to heavy to carry. We have to carry three days rations all the
time, which with our cartridge box, gun, oil cloth and pup tent make loan
enough, and the nights are warm so that our tent and oilcloth aare enought
to keep us comfortable. Mit and I sleep together every night unless one of us is
detailed away. We scarecely ever go to bed without wishing ourselves at
home with our little women. I tell him sometimes that he don't know
anything about the women, but he thinks he does. The women are very
scarce here. I have not seen but about half a dozen since we came from
Chattanooga. I wish there was more for I do like to be with them, don't you
think I do. Well, you need not be uneasy about my running away with any of
them here for there is none good looking enough to suit me. And so I will
quit writeing about them. don't you think I had better.
Well, I don't
know [what] to write. I might tell you how the shells bursted around
us at Buzzard Roost and how the minnies whized about us, but you might think I
was boasting, which I don't like to do. We have had no skirmishing to do
since we left Resaca, our Corps being in the rear. Charley was over to see
us last night. We see the 82nd boys every day or two. I saw
Elan Goltry last night, all the boys from our neighborhood as well.
I
wrote you a line last Monday from Resaca, and two letters before that, that I
have had no answer from, one of them was written at Greysville and contained
five dollars for you. the other at Ringold with a ring in it.
The mail carrier has gone after the mail and I will wait untill he returns
before I seal this, hoping to hear from you.
Jake F. Goltry
The mail has not come yet but I will write a
little anyway. We are 85 miles from Chattanooga and 50 miles from Atlanta,
Georgia, on the Chatt. and Atlanta R. R.
We had rather a hard road
to travel untill we passed Resaca, since then we have passed through fine
fertile country. Now and then a large plantation with fine houses, but all
deserted. the soldiers have burned a great many houses, but I think it is wrong
to burn anything only what the rebel army can make use of. it is very warm
today. Mit and I have a tent stretched up on our guns for a shade and Mit has
laid down for a snooze, after writing his Durk or someone a letter.
Well,
I don't believe the mail is coming, so I will take this to the
office.
Now Em, write often and pray much, for the prayers of faith
availeth much. here is a half dollar for you.
Jac. F.
Goltry
Division Hospital, 1st Div. 4th Corps
Sunday morning
May 29, 1864
Emeline,
I have painful news to write you. Our
Regt. was sent on the front line of the extreme left of the army about 4 oclock
Friday, the 27th. We met heavy fire from the enemy who charged
us with heavy force.
Joseph Powell was shot dead by my side, Jacob
Emmert was next shot and killed instantly. the second man on my right was
also killed, the man to my left was wounded and myself and the man to my
right was also wounded and Mitchell Day among them, he was struck by
a musketball in the right shoulder, inflicting a severe but not dangerous
wound. My wound is slight among the rest, but it is quite painful, it is my
right knee, either a buckshot or a piece of musket ball. I will give you
the names of the killed and wounded of the Co. when I last heard from
them.
Killed - Joseph Powell, Jacob Emmert, Frances Chambelain, Peter
Buck.
Wounded - 1st Sargent M. H. Day, Corp. B. F. Pate, Corp. J. F.
Goltry, and Privates - S. Ward, R. H. Edwards, G.W. Vogen, W. F. Johnston, A. G.
Kennett, John Morton, Robert McClain.
James Wheeler's wound is slight, in
the left side, also T.W. Kennett, slight. Our company lost one third of
the losses of the Regt. Nelson Force had a ball through his coat sleeve when I
left, but I guess he is not wounded.
I heard from Ben yesterday, he is
still safe. Your old friend Roy McGeary is going North tomorrow. The fight
is still on, May God help us and give us the victory.
I must close Mit
Day is writeing in spite of his wound.
No more now. God protect you
and help you to pray for your husband.
J. F. Goltry
P.S. Geary is
going today
General Flield Hospital
Cattanooga, Tenn
June 8, 1864
Dear Em,
I will again write you a few lines, for I
know you will be glad to hear from me often. I should like very much to
hear from you once more, the last letter I have rec'd from you was of the
16" of May, but I suppose there is several at the Regt. for me. I wrote
you one the 3" inst. which I hope you will get and answer immediately. I have
heard nothing from Mit and Jimmy since they started north. If you hear from Mit,
you must let me know where he is. Neather have I heard from the company
since the 15" ult. if you hear from them after that date, let me know
There is three of our Co. here besides myself, we are all getting nearly well
again. My knee is nearly healed but the cords around the joint are sore and
bother me some about walking. I think I will be all right in a week or two
longer, if I don't get sick laying in the hospital. I have been threatened
pretty strong with the diarhea, but I am in hopes I will get along without
another term of that. I can't get along without getting a little homesick,
but I choke it off and think of better times comeing. How is Annie, does she ask
about me anymore or has she forgotten me. Tell her pa is comeing home to
see his little girl some of these days. I went up to town the other day to
see Lewis and Calvin, Lewis has been trying to be sick for several days
but is getting better now. Cal is doing very well, he has all he can eat and
nothing to do. he seems to like the place very well, but I guess he could
content himself at home awhile if he could get there.
Well it is raining
and has rained the biggest part of the time for the last four days. it
rains a good shower and then the sun shines out hot enough to roast eggs, but we
have none to roast.
The nurses have gone to dinner and we go as soon as
they are done, if I feel like writing after dinner I will try and scribble a
little more.
Jac. F. Goltry
Dinner is over and you would laught to
have a sight of it, Cod-fish and potatoes well mixed and as one
op[?]
Write when you get this
Direct Jac. F.
Goltry
Tent 5, Ward 2
Gen'l Field Hospital
Chattanooga, Tenn
General Field Hospital
Chatt - Tenn
June 17" "64
My Dear
Yours of last Monday came to hand
yesterday, my name was taken then to leave here, but they sent the rest without
me, I may go tomorrow and I may stay here a month or a year. I have
concluded to stay wherever I am ordered, for it would be foolish to try to do
otherwise. I don't think there is any sent to there Reg. from here, and I
don't feel quite like going there is any sent to there Reg. from here, and
I don't feel quite like going there yet to climb the hills and run through the
brush with my knee, although it is about well, and otherwise I am in good
health. I received a paper from your Father today, read it all over
and then after dinner I took it to look over again, and I saw where he told me
to send it to Cal. So I took it to him for I wanted to see how
he was getting along. I found him alone but contented. I told him to
write some and bring it down and he has just come, he looks rather better than
he did the other day. I am going to try and get him a place here, where he
can have something to do, and have a good place to stay, he can't go to
the Regt. very well while they are on the march. We don't hear very
much from the front. A car load of wound and sick came in this morning and
from what they say, the army is still advancing slowly. the poor fellows
that came in this morning were a hard sight to look at, some had an arm
off and some a leg, and one poor fellow had both legs off above the knees,
the most of them are sick, haveing give out on the severe march which they have
had to undergo. I have no doubt but I should have been sick by this time
if I hadn't been wounded when I was although I stood the march fine as far as I
went. I do hope Mitt got home by this time, I would almost as soon he
would go home as to go myself, but perhaps you wouldn't. Some have the
good luck to get home or get their dear ones, but it don't look very well unless
they can carry the right kind of paper, such as Mitt has on his
shoulder.
Well, I guess supper is about ready and I must attend the
second table, so no more now --
After supper, and I believe I have not
much to write, tell Mitt, if he is there, that two of our Regt. has died of
wounds, that I know of, John Hicks, Co. A, John Douglas, Co.
N.
I ought to write some to your Father but have not time at
present. I heard from the Co. today, but I suppose you hear from them,
they were all well. I will finish on a piece, no more here.
but
remain
Yours, J. F. Goltry
Gen'l Field Hospital
Chattanooga, Tenn
June 26, 1864
My Dear Wife,
After partaking of a hearty Dinner of pork
and beans, I will try and write you a letter, thinking you will be willing to
read as often as I have time and material to write.
We had a
fine shower this forenoon which has cooled the air and made it more
agreeable than it has been for several days. I went to see Cal this
morning, he was washing their dishes and seems to be enjoying himself very
well. I saw a man from the front today, left there yesterday morning, said
our boys were all well when he last heard from them. there has been
several killed and wounded in the Regt. since I left them. they are
still fighting and God grant they may soon gain victory. I know our boys
must be nearly worn out, they have been out now nearly two months which is
enough to ware the strongest consitiution to its utmost. a car load of
sick and wounded came in last night and some were very sick indeed, one came
into the tent where I am, not able to sit alone, he looks very bad, and I
doubt very much if he ever gets out of here alive. there have been a
number of deths this last week. I can't begin to give you a
description of the dead here, they have a tent used as a dead house where
there is sometimes ten or twelve laid out at once. but I will say no more
about the dead.
I believe this is as good a Hospital as there is in the
south, plenty to eat and that well cooked.
I wrote you a letter last
Thursday in answer to yours of the 20". I hope I will get another soon,
looked for one today but it didn't come. I have one more postage stamp
left and 45 cts. in money, but I think I will sell my watch some of these
days.
I want you to send me by mail a pair of suspenders. I want a
pair worth, I think, about 50 cts. they would cost a dollar here if I had
the money to get them and so I think it the cheapest for you to send them to me.
Well, Annie, how do you do, little sweetness. Pa wants a kiss, will you send Pa
another pretty posey.
I must close and go to church, if there is
any. May God be with you is my Prayer.
Jac. F. Goltry
Lewis
Whitcomb is not any better or not any stouter but I am in hopes he will begin to
gain before long. he has had no chill for several days and I think the
most he needs now is a little spunk. I expect I will go to work again in
the morning and maybe I will work here six months and I may go away
tomorrow, I have not enlisted in the engineer Regt. yet, and I don't know
if I can, but I guess this will do.
Ward R, Gen'l Field Hospital
Chattanooga, Tenn.
July 2" "64
Emeline,
Yours of 17" and 18" came to hand today. I
was as usual glad to hear from you, hope Annie is better by this time,
wouldn't I like to be at home with you now, what comfort I could take if I
could get there to stay, but it may be a long time yet before we can take that
comfort together that I am longing for. I thought when I reenlisted that
this war would not last longer than next spring, and I can't believe now but
what it will end by that time. Our Army has had wonderful success since the
first of May, although it has suffered greatly, and has not yet accomplished its
object, if the war is carried on in this way until Nov. and then the Union Party
elects their candidate, Old Abe, for President, I think the war will end, but if
the democrats or disunionists succeed in electing their candidate, the war will
last one year longer at least and it will not be altogether in the south, but I
am puting to many war items here for you. Tell Mitchell I am very glad he
is at home, wish he would write me a line. I went up to the knapsacks the
other day and found his things rather loose, I brought his wirteing paper and
hair brush away, and shall keep the brush and use the paper, this is some of
it. I thank you very kindly (would give you a kiss to boot if I only
could) for the 50 cts. and the postage stamps, although I did not need them very
bad. I traded watches the other day and got $3.00 to boot, and a better
watch. there is talk of our drawing two months pay tomorrow, if I do I
will pay you back with interest.
I wish you wouln't write all your
letters on Sunday and Monday for I am always looking for them Wednesdays and
Thursdays and if I don't get one I am in all sorts of a way. but to wind up, I
will say, write when you please, only please to write once a week certain.
its to dark to write any more.
With a candle, I will try and write a
little more. I have worked evry day this week and feel well over it, we
have such good liveing that I shall not like very well to leave here while it
lasts. Ed was here to see me yesterday. he is camped about six
miles from here with about a hundred others doing guard duty. he says he
has lots of blackberries, apples and the like. I guess he will get fat on
such liveing, but I must close.
I want you to have your picture and Annie
taken as soon as she gets well and send them to me. I want them
taken on a small plate, such as the one you gave Charley. I have that
yet but I don't like it.
No more now,
May God protect you and
J. F.
Goltry
Ward F, Gen'l Field Hospital
Chatt., Tenn.
July 7, 1864
My Dear Wife,
have you forsaken my, or why have I not heard from you since two
weeks ago last Thursday. I seen Stephen last Sunday, he had heard from
home and Mary wrote that you were all well. I have not seen Steve this
week, if he has rec'd a letter this week, I shall begin to think something is
wrong. Lewis Whitcomb is with us yet, he is gaining a little but very
slow. he has had no letter for two week and so I have a little comfort for
"misery always wants company" there was letters come here yesterday
from New Albany and other parts in the north, as as the mail has come every
day I can't imagine what has become of mine for I can't think you have not
written.
Ed Childs came down to see me today, he came back last Monday, is haveing the
chills and staying at the convalescent camp. I have been at work this week
but not very hard, quit at four oclock, and thought I would write you a line
tonight and then I wouldn't have to violate the Sabbath, as I did the two
last, perhaps you think I am becomeing very pious. Well I believe the worst
of sinners have some pious notions.
Calvin was well the last time I saw
him.
I have no news to write and I guess I will close, for my pape
is very poor and it is so dark I can't see the line. I shall write to
you once a week untill I hear from you which I hope will not be long for I never
wanted to hear from you so bad as I do at present. I will have to
send this without a stamp. No more now, only a kiss for Annie and a prayer
for Gods protection to ever be with you.
Yet remaining
Yours, Jac. F.
Goltry
Be sure and Direct
Gen'l Field Hospital
Ward F
Chatt. Tenn
Exchange Barracks
Chatt. Tenn.
Aug. 3, 1864
Em-
You see I have changed my base of
operations. I left the Hospital Monday, the 1st and we are in a very poor
place for comfort just now, but I don't think we will stay here long. the
quarters here would be very comfortable if there was any care taken with them
but men are coming in and going out all the time and what they don't eat or
their rations is left in their bunks or under them, and with the present
appearance nobody not anything would like the place unless it was a hungry
burkshire porker, but to clear myself I will say that I have swept everything up
slick about my bunk.
We had a heavy rain last Sunday and
another Monday evening. today is clear and pleasant, but we may have a
snow before night for the clouds slip around the mountains here and sprinkle us
with a refreshing shower before we hardly know it. but before the
rain their is apt to be a gust of wind which raises a dust which is not
very agreeable. I was in town to see Stephen and Cally, Sunday,
Monday and yesterday. Cal is quite sick but I think he is on the mend. I
gave Steve $10.00 to take to you, he is going home in the course of a week or
two. I thought it would be safer with him than in a letter I am in hopes I shall
here from you today for I am anxious to know how Annie is. I shall go down
to the Hospital today, if I don't go away, and if I get a letter I can let you
know.
I got a letter from Ben and Net last Saturday, they are
laying behind their breast works within two or three miles of
Atlanta. Corp. Morgan was badly wounded the 21st of last month, the rest
of the boys are well but nearly worn out. I expect I shall be with them
before long, this was more hard fighting the last of the month, mostly in
the 15", 16". amd 17" A. C.'s. I bought a Chatt. paper this morning and I
will send it to your Father, it is not much of corse but perhaps you would like
to see the news we have here.
I pretty near wish sometimes I had not
reenlisted, there is Regts. comeing in everyday, going home. I think ours
will be in here this month. I think the whole Regt. will come this far and
perhaps go farther north, the most of the Regts. that have come in,
come about a month before their time is out, and bring their veterans along,
where the whole Regt. have not reenlisted, it would be a very nice thing to
go home now and stay there but perhaps my reenlisting will be all for the
best.
I guess I have written enough for this morning. I don't feel as
well as I wish to but I guess I will get along. I will try and write some
more this afternoon.
Jake F. Goltry
afternoon
I have just
returned from the Hospital, but I found no letter, was what got me the worst. I
suppose you slept too late Monday morning, or else Annie is so bad you couldn't
get time to write. I shall look for one tomorrow sure, if I don't have to leave
before mail time. I may not go for a week and I may go tonight. I shall
try and go to see Steve tonight, and perhaps he has some news from
home. for the present, I will close,
Praying God to protect
you and asking your Prayers in behalf of
Yours,
J. F. Goltry
Exchange Camp
Chatt., Tenn
Aug 7, 1864
My Dear Wife,
Yours of Monday last came to hand
Thursday. I had written you the day before, therefore I concluded to wait
a few days before I answered it. I have changed quarters since I wrote, am
now living in the dog tent, I don't know how long I will remain here, it is not
a very pleasant place, I assure you and especially such weather as we have had
for the last few days. You know I spoke of the showers comeing up so
suddenly here, in my letter of Wednesday. Well that afternoon there was
the worst blow I ever saw. I was uptown after bread for our squad, and
comeing down the street, I met the storm, the street was full of men, mule
teams, and wagons, and such another mixed up mess of mules, soldiers,
niggers and dust, I never saw before, and there was not much of a chance to see
them for my eyes cought my share of the dust. But I made my way to the
barricks and soon after, it commenced raining, it rained nearly all that night
and every day since, yesterday afternoon it rained like fury and it is
still cloudy this morning. I heard last night that the Regt. had been
relieved at the front and was comeing back here, but they have not come
yet. I hope they will come and then I can get with the Co. once
more. I could get along very at such a place as I had at the Hospital, but
such a place as this is worse than any other in the army.
I should like
to hear from you and Annie this morning. I am so afraid you are both sick,
but hope you are better than you was when you wrote and that is all I can
do, but I hope the time sill soon come when I can be with you and spend the
remainder of our lives in peace.
As near as I can learn our army is
battering away at Atlanta, I am certain of its success although it may be some
time yet. I pity the poor fellows who have to endure the hardships there,
and I may have to try my hand again before it is through, but I know what it is
and I hope it will not be necessary.
Today is Sunday and I ought to
go to church, as there is church near here, but I feel so old this morning that
I can't hardly muster ambition to do anything, I shall try and go this
afternoon. the bell is ringing and I will go now.
I have returned from
church, heard a good sermon, there was one lady at church, I guess she was Cal
Stanley's daughter, of the 18th Ohio, she was with him.
My name was taken
for a gun as soon as I returned from church, will draw it tomorrow at 10
oclock and the talk is we will leave for our Regt. at one tomorrow.
The Regt. is somewhere between here and Atlanta. I think I shall be
apt to meet it.
I suppose you will hear from the boys and you can direct
you letter to the Regt. after this.
I must go over and see Steve and
Cally and finish my letter there. What has become of Mit Day, if he don't
write to me I shall want to know the rreason.
At Steves
shu-bang, I find Cally as comfortable as I would expect and Steve as lazy
as ever. I believe no more news to write, therefore I will close.
still
remaining,
Yours
J. F. Goltry
Camp of 37" Regt. Ind. Vols.
Near Atlanta, Georgia
Aug. 10, 1864
My Dear Em,
I arrived at this place yesterday and was very happy to find the boys
all in good health & fine spirits. the Regt. is guarding the wagon
trains from here to Marieta and that brings them out of range of the rebs big
guns which are pounding away all the time and ours are eqully busy. I
suppose I will remain here untill the non-veterans time are out and then I don't
know what they will do with us. I wrote you a letter last Sunday and
finished it at Steves tent. I did not see him after that. Well I am
sleeping with Lt. J. S. Henry and eat with Dave Goltry, James Meek and J. H.
Hodshire, there is plenty to eat here. Jim went out and gathered a quart
of blackberries for dinner, the first I have had this season, but they are about
gone.
Lt. Carver is aid de camp of our Brigade Staff. I have not
seen him yet, he being out to the front.
Net is fat and dirty as a pig,
but as good a soldier as ever he has been writing to someone today.
Ben
looks about as well as ever he is writing home.
I have no news to write
you I should like to hear from you and Annie but it will be over a week I expect
before I get a letter but I will be apt to hear from you in Ben's letter if you
are worse.
I will close for the present still remaining yours and
trusting in your prayers for my protection.
J. F. Goltry
Atlanta, Georgia
Sept. 13" "64
Father Force,
I will write you a line this morning to inform you that we are all
well at present and enjoying ourselves as well as a Soldier can after a long
campaign. We have taken the great city, and are now resting quietly in it,
our grub line has been disturbed somewhere between here and Louisville and the
result is our rations are short, but we don't think it will be so long, and we
are not in starving condition yet, we have soldiered to long to think of
grumbling at short rations.
David Goltry rec'd a letter from you
the other day in which you spoke something of a trade. Bert
Goltry was here and David spoke something to him concerning the trade, but I
don't know what conclusion they came to, I rather think David would trade if
Bert would, perhaps they will write you concerning it. As for myself, I
should like to buy your land in Iowa, if I could raise the money, I
don't like to trade my house while I am in the army, I must keep that to
ensure Emeline a home while I am absent, if I should get out of the army, I
would then trade you the house.
For the present I will buy your land and
pay you for it, takeing a deed for as much as I pay for, if your price suits
me. Send me the price you hold on your land and I will know how
much I can pay for it at once, or wether I can pay your price or not. I
always like to do business square to the mark and it is quite necessary in
times like these. I have $200.00 on interest at home, due April 18" / '65
I now have $200.00 more which I will draw in a few days. I will say no
more about the trade untill I hear from you.
Charley was over to see us
the other night, the boys are all right side up, as far as I
know.
I guess I have written enough for this time.
Sending my love
to Em and Annie,
I remain as ever,
Jac. F. Goltry
Address of Captain Hezekiah Shook at the Second annual reunion of the 37th Regiment
Indiana Volunteer Infantry on September 19, 1878
Comrades, Soldiers and Friends,
Since we of the
37th Indiana were mustered into the service of our country, 17 years have passed
and today a few of that grand old regiment have met to greet each other, to talk
of our trials, the danger and privations to which we were subject during the
long and eventful years of the Rebellion.
The tocsin of war had sounded
and reverberated from every hilltop and every valley throught this broad
land of ours. The flag of our country had been fired upon at fort Sumpter,
by internal foes, and already the disgraceful battle of Bull Run had been fought
and lost to the Union hosts. For five months, our armies had been in the
field, battling for the overthrow of the Rebellion. Contrary to the
expectations of many patriots in the North, the Rebellion grew stronger until it
seriously threatened the overthrow of the Constitution and Government, and the
destruction of the liberties achieved by the heroes of the Revolution, and
handed down by our fathers to us, to be transmitted untarnished to our children.
The Republic seemed to totter upon her foundation. The approaching storm rolled
on. The clouds became darker and thicker until the Tree of Liberty, under which
we had sheltered, began to bend before the dreadful tornado. The clans of
secession throughout the entire South were mustering to destroy the life of the
Nation. The partroits of the North, determined that the nation should
live, were rallying around the stars and stripes, the emblem of liberty, the
hope of the lovers of freedom throughout the world.
Under these
circumstances, the 37th Indiana was mustered into the service of the country at
Lawrenceburgh, on the 18th day of September 1861. George W. Hazard,
Captain in the regular army, was commissioned Colonel.
It cannot be
expected upon this occasion, nor would it be proper at this time to weary your
patience by entering into a minute description of the workings of the regiment
through those three long and weary years of its existance. Its marches,
its battles, its privations, and its difficulties are no doubt fresh, and will
ever remain engraven deep upon the tablets of your memories. We must,
necessarily, pass hurriedly over its history.
On the 21st day of October
1861, the regiment with 980 men, true as steel and equal to the best that
ever drew a weapon in defense of a country, with high hopes, left the city
of Lawrenceburgh, for Salt River in the Land of Dixie. We arrived at our
destination on the 23rd. As we ascended the banks of the Ohio, and planted
our banner upon Kentucky soil, a loud and entusiastic shout from the 37th shook
the hills around. The thought of the smell of powder, the booming of
cannon, the thundering of musketry, and the clashing of bayonets rendered
jubiliant the sons of Indiana. As one by one our gallant boys stepped upon
Kentucky soil, I asked myself: "How many of these braves will be permitted
to return to home and fiends?"
After many drills, mush sickness, and
numerous death, fatigue and camp duty, the many privations of a soldier's life,
long, tiresome, and eventful marches, we pass successively Camp Holman,
Elizabethtown, Camp Nolin, Bacon Creek, with its mud, it sickness, and its many
deaths; Green River and from thence the two days' march of 42 miles through rain
and snow and the coldest day of that winter, over the rocky pathways almost
impassable, crossing Barren River in a small ferry, driving the enemy from the
town, we entered Bowling Green at break of day, February 15, 1862. How
disagreeable, how fatiguing, how chilling, and terrible was that cold, cold
night of the 14th of February. Here we performed the usual duties of the
soldier until the 23rd, when we started on the march southward. Passing
Franklin, we arrived at Nashville on the 27th, the enemy retiring before
us. We went into camp, and in honor of Old Hickory, named it Camp Andrew
Jackson. Here we bid farewell to Colonel Hazzard. He was sent back
to the command of the 4th U. S. Artillery. Afterward, he was wouonded in
the battles before Richmond, from which he died. This perished a brave
man, a well disciplined officer. Colonel Gazalay was our
next commander. March 18th we again stuck tents.
You remember
well, I have no doubt, the fatiguing marches as we passed in
succession, Murfreesbora, Shelbyville, and Fayetteville; wading streams and
plunging through mud holes, we tapped the enemy's communication at Huntsville,
Alabama April 10th, capturing 17 railroad locomotives, many cars, and 200
prisoners.
April 15, we left Huntsville upon the raid along the Tennessee
River to Decatur and Tuscumbia, returning to Huntsville on the 29th.
May 1st we were at the sacking of Athens. May 9th we took in Elkton and
returned to Athens, marching during the day and night 42 miles, the farthest
march the regiment made in one day during its organization. This same day,
May 9th, we had to lament the capture of Company E. Of that gallant company,
four men were killed and 12 wounded ere is surrendered to 680 Confederate
cavalry.
May 26th we are again on the march to Fayetteville, Tennessee,
where we arrived on the 27th. On the 30th we, with Turchin's and Negley's
brigades, commenced that momorable march to Chattanooga and then
Stevenson. It is not necessary for me to mention the long and fatiguing
marches, under the scorching sun of June; the nerve and energy you displayed in
aiding the artillery and heavy weapons over those steep mountain passes.
You remember it all.
From our arrival at Stevenson June 15th until our
return to Nashville September 6th, our time was occupied in guarding the
railroad; perhaps the most pleasant of many duties as soldiers were called upon
to perform. In and around Nashville, with our communications cut off
by Bragg's famous raid into Kentucky we remained until December 26th. Our
time was occupied with heavy guard duty and many foraging
expeditions.
The army during this time was reorganized and placed
under the command of Old Rosey. The Army of the Cumberland was composed of
three corps, commanded by Generals Thomas, McCook and Crittenden. A noble
army was this. A better never trod the earth. From the period
of enlistment up to this date, the time of the regiment was occupied with drill,
guard duty, long and fatiguing marches after a retiring army, with an occasional
skirmish at long range. But now a change. Real soldiering begins.
Gunpowder must be burned. With great anxiety, we started on the morning of
the 26th of December in search of the enemy. Advancing toward
Murfreesboro, we soon begin to hear the artillery and musketry as our troops
were advancing, driving the enemy back. Through the rain and mud we
plodded along through the forest, and camped for the night
Nolensville.
December 27th we are again on the move across the country,
driving the Confederates before us. On the 29th, the 28th being a Sunday,
the forward march was again sounded and we carefully felt our way, driving
Bragg's men slowly but surely towards Murfreesboro. We went into camp
about three miles from the town. It was a dark, rainy night. The camp
fires of McCook on the right, and Crittenden on the left, with Confederates
completely in front, completely illuminated the heavens. December 30th was
passed in selecting our places of battle and in skirmishing with the
enemy. The roaring of artillery could be heard all day long. Our regiment
held position about one mile to the right of Mrufreesboro Pike; Crittenden's
extended from the left of Thomas across the Pike, and on to Stone's River;
whilst McCook's corps extended across the country from our right. The
field to our left and front, the sparse woods oblique to our right, the woods
beyond the field in front, the silent battery of the enemy obliue to our
left.
At the first dawn of morning on the 31st the regiment was astir,
preparing for the conflict that was evidently upon us. Everyone seemed
anxious to measure arms with the enemy. We all felt that a fearful
and bloody battle was at hand. Our thoughts are upon victory, our homes,
our wives and little ones, our friends, and upon generations yet unborn.
Our banner waves in sublimity over our heads; majestically she flaps herself in
the breeze. That flag has been our pride since infancy. That flag
which was honored and respected all over the world. That flag which
had been a shield and protection to every American, in every country. That same
old flag is ours. The stars and stipes are still there. Around here
still cluster the many associations of her past glory; her present power and
future hopes.
It is early morn. The sun is beginning to cast her
light over the world, but ere she began to tip the distant tree tops with golden
hue, our ears greeted with the long hoarse roaring of the artillery, and the
sharp crack of musketry, as they belched forth their deadly contents and speed
them on their way of destruction and carnage. Volley after volley in quick
succession pours forth into our ranks upon our right, and replied to with
promptness by the union troops. A dreadful contest, a mighty struggle we see at
a glance has burst upon us in all its fury and ugliness. The extreme right
of McCook's line is attacked and surprised. From right to left, the bloody
wave rolls on. With overwhelming numbers the enemy bears upon those troops
and press them back. As we cast our eyes to the right, we
can see our boys stuggling, but retiring. The entire force of General
McCook becomes engaged. Volley answers volley. Our cannon play upon
the enemy; but still the advancing column comes. The enemy, several lines
deep, are driving our entire right slowly back. Closer and closer the
Confederates come.
It is 9 o'clock and a few balls from the enemy's
muskets begin to whistle around. Steady and firmly we remain, waiting to
play our part in the great and bloody drama already begun. About 10
o'clock, being formerly throuwn out upon the field in front, we were ordered to
advance up over the eminence to our right, now become advancing, and already
within 80 yard of the position which it was intended for us to occupy.
Gallently did our men advance amidst the leaden shot. Our line wavered,
reeled, but steadied again. The enemy's front line melted away before our
fire, fell back, but rallied once more to the conflict. Terrible was the
content. Hard, indeed, was the struggle. Thick and fast flew the
missles of death. Gallently did the regiment hold the line. Many brave
boys fell wounded, dying, dead. The entire 60 rounds of ammunition being
expended, and no more to be had, the regiment, covered with honor, was ordered
to fall back which we did in good order. As we retired, Colonel Hull,
commanding the regiment, was severely wounded. The enemy slowly followed
but was finally checked. We moved back to the Pike and again took
position, where we remained during the night. Hard, hard, indeed was
the conflict. Many, yea, many of our brave boys fell fighting for
their flag, the unity of the nation, the Constitution of our country, the
perpetuity of the Union, the liberties of the people. Among the killed was
Lt. Abernathy true, patriotic, and brave; also, Lt. Holman of my own
company, who fell close by my side. Known from boyhood up, a former
associate and tried friend, generous and a general favorite, a brave and gallant
soldier, he fell at his post with his face to the foe, battling for his
country. Twenty-three non-commissioned officers and privates of the
regiment offered up their lives that day upon the altar of our
country. Brave boys were they. A noble sacrifice. Some yet rest
where they were buried by their comrades, upon the shores of Stone's
River. One hundred and six of the regiment were wounded on that
day. Some died from those wounds, other remained crippled for
life.
We skirmished and fought with the enemy on the 2nd and 3rd of
January 1863 until finally victory perched herself upon our banners, and we
marched into Murfreesboro as Bragg fell back, "away, away down South in
Dixie." We remained here until June 24th, when we again sturck tents and
southward took our way.
You remember well the campaign against Tullahoma;
the march through mud and rain; or skirmishes with the enemy. Fill the
space and we will pass on to Decherd and remain there until August 16th.
At this date, we moved onward towards Chattanooga, destination unkown to
us. Cowan Station was passed, the Cumberland Mountains ascended, and we
pursued our weary way down Crow Creek Valley. The night of August 17th you
remember well. The camp on the hill side; the night O how dark! The
charge of the cow brigade upon our camp, the stampede of men; their yells and
exclamation, the upsetting of the stacks of guns, the broken toes and general
demoralization of the command; caused by a few old cows becoming frightened
and running pell-mell down the mountainside through the camp. This was the
greatest farce and the most complete failure in repelling an attack of any in
which we were engaged in the war. We passed on down the valley and through
Stevenson September 1st, crossing the Tennessee River on the same day.
Onward we move over the rough country beyond the river; ascending Lookout
Mountain; skirmishing with Confederate cavalry, driving them before us
until the 9th of September when we passed down the mountain into McLemore's
Cove, about 25 miles from Chattanooga. On the 10th, we advanced across the
valley about three miles, had a lively skirmish with the enemy upon both sides
and in the gap in the mountain, remaining here during the night. At the
approach of day, the Confederates appearing in force, we fell back to Lookout,
fighting the enemy to save our train; reaching position after night. Here
we awaited the arrival of more troops. September 17th, our troops coming
up, we moved on toward Chattanooga, feeling our way, and
skirmishing with the enemy.
September 18th was a continuation of the
past day's maneuvers, pressing on toward the city. More skirmishing and
considerable fighting along the line.
The 19th day of September, 1863, 15
years ago today, was a fearful day to us, my comrades. From the
present, and from this lovely spot, look back into the past 15 long years,
look away down into the Chickamauga Valley and gaze upon the scenes of blood and
destruction on that fearful day. Methinks I can see the Queen of Liberty
which hovered over our destiny so long, sitting upon Lookout's most lofty peak,
to witness the terrible conflict between her loyal children and those triving to
banish her from the earth. She had been driven from the Old World long
ago. She had planted a colony, with her sons, in the wilds of
America. She had witnessed the deeds, the noble deeds of her children
during the stormy days of the Revoltion. She had built up this great and
prosperous nation, and was now present to witness this bloody contest; which
perchance might decide her destiny forever. The storm of battle bursts
forth. Through that valley, during the 19th and 20th, the two armies
surged to and fro, contending for victory. Against great odds, we
fought. Disaster at times seemed inevitable. At many places, Union
Confederate, struggling, fell and mingled together their blood and dying
groans. Partly retiring and partly driven, from right to left, the Union
troops moved. At length the enemy struck General Thomas at Rossville, the
very key to our safety. Here after one of the severest conflicts of the
was, the enemy whas checked and our army saved. How brave and heroic was
our grand old commander General Thomas. A general without a mistake,
without a failure. He was the greatest warrior of them all. See him stand
with his brave men at Rossville like an iron wall, against the concentrated
strength of Bragg's army dashed and were broken to pieces. His name would
live forever in the hearts and affections of his countrymen. We retired to
Chattanooga. The waters of the Chicamauga were stained with blood, whilst
the plains were crimsoned with human gore. From Crawfish Springs to the
very outskirts of the city was one vast burial ground, and yet among the moaning
pines and the thickets remained numbers of the dead, bleaching for want of
burial.
Whilst at Chattanooga, you remember the various duties to which
the regiment was assigned; picket duty, and short rations whilst surroundeed by
the enemy and the booming of their artillery from Lookout from day to day are
fresh in our memory. From our camp here we beheld Hooker in his battle
above the clouds; in the struggle around Lookout's ragged top. You will
never forget the storming of Mission Ridge, the many prisoners and artillery
captured there. From February 22nd - 27th, we skirmished with the enemy,
dfiving him from Tunnel Hill toward Dalton, fought him at Buzzard Roost and
Rocky Face; returning we went into camp at Greysville, Georgia. I will not
detain you with the details of this campaign. Suffice it to say, it was
interesting, fatiguing, laughable, and dangerous.
May 7, 1864 the
regiment under General Sherman with his army of 100,000 men started on that
memorable campaign against Atlanta, skirmishing from beginning to end.
Tunnel Hill was captured on that day. We fought the enemy, commanded by
General Joe Josnston at Rocky Face, Dalton, and Resaca, occupying the
last named point May 15th.
May 16th we crossed the Oscanula River,
following and driving the Confederates through Calhoun and Kingston. We
wade the Etowah River on the 23rd and fought the enemy at Dallas on the 27th, or
regiment losing 13 killed and 45 wounded. We contend with him at Big
Shanty, Pine Mountain, and Kennesaw. You remember the looks of the grand
old mountain, around which from top to base played the leaden hail and from
which burst forth the roaring of artillery, which seemed to shake the entire
country for miles around. But conquer we did, and the enemy retreated
through Marietta on toward Atlanta; trom thence to the Chattahoochee River was
one continual skirmish. At the river, you remember the desperate
stand, that terrible struggle. We crossed July 17th.
We left
Ringgold with only 300 effective men. Upon this date we lost 16 killed and
72 wounded. We expended in action 39,000 rounds of cartridges. We
drove the enemy from ten fortified positions. After the crossing of the
river, fighting and skirmishing continued. You remember the fighting on
the 20th of July; also the bloody conflict of the 22nd while closing around
Atlanta in which the gallant McPherson fell. General Hood was now in
command of the enemy. Again he assaulted our right on the 28th. A bitter
struggled. The enemy was repulsed with tremendous losses. Closer and
closer drew our lines around the doomed city. The artillery from day to
day made the plains and hills around shake with their thundering. This
continued with nothing decisive until August 25th, whern we with all
the troops except the 20th Corps, General Slocum's, cut loose and made
one of Sherman's celebrated flank movements to the right. We cut the enemy's
last line of communications. We tore up the railroad. We charged his lines
ast Jonesboro, September 1st, breaking him to pieces and driving him south,
capturing many prisoners andmunitions of war. Returning we arrive at
Atlanta September 8th.
It was four months and one day from the time
our army ememrged from Ringgold until it occupied the Gate City of
Atlanta. During hose long four months there was not a day, scarcely one
hour, but what we could hear the roaring of artillery, the rattling of musketry,
even the whistling of bullets around us. What a terrible, bloody,
fatiguing and disastrous campaign this was comrades! Forget it?
Never!
The non veterans returned to Indianapolis, where we were mustered
out October 27, 1864.
I cannot at this time give any detailed account of
those veterans of our regiment who remained in the service after we were
mustered out. Suffice it to say, they were with Sherman on his celebrated
March to the Sea, through the Carolinas, and on to Washington, back to
Louisville, where they were mustered out July 25, 1865.
The war is
over. Peace has been established. Not a slave darkens our
land. We are all freemen. The Constitution remains
intact. Not a star has been erased from our banner. This is a
nation, not a confederacy. Let us protect and defend that nation. Let us
guide the ship of state carefully as she floats majestically down the
current of time, avoiding the rocks and quicksands upon which foundered and
split to pieces the republics of the Old World. May the wounds inflicted
by the terrible Rebellion though which we have passed all be healed.
May discord and civil war henceforth be a stranger to our government.
May civil and religious liberty ever be the great and fundamental
principles of the American people. May the tree of liberty ever extend her
shades to the downtrodden of all nations, who, fleeing from tyranny and
oppression, seek an asylum in our beloved and happy land. And may our
country, our country's liberties, our country's peace, our country's unity, be
protected from on high, until time on earth shall end, and the nations be
summoned before the bar of God.
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