THE CIVIL WAR LETTERS OF JACOB FITZGERALD GOLTRY
to
HIS WIFE EMALINE FORCE 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
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
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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.
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.
Elizabeth Fitzgerald Goltry
1798-1865
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.
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.
"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.
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.
First Lieutenant William F. Goltry
1828(26) - 1903
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.
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.'"
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
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
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
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]
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
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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