Letters
from William S. MARSHAL
Source: Greencastle Banner 12 Jan 1865 p 2
William S. Marshal, a Greencastle boy who was taken prisoner with Col. Streight in a letter to his father, Hiram Marshal, Esq under date of Prison Camp near Columbia, SC Nov 1st, ’64, says:
“We left Charleson Oct 6th and the next morning were quartered in our present camp. We are about two miles west of Columbia. Have about 4 or 5 acres of ground. No shelter was furnished but we constructed wigwams and shanties of pine boughs and so far have made ourselves comparatively comfortable. There about 1400 of us here. Our town is a curiosity – every man built to suit himself and such a conglomeration never was seen before. Brush houses, log houses, slab houses, mud houses. Wigwams, dog kennels and shelters of every conceivable size, shape and appearance make up our present dwelling place. As for myself, I am snugly located with two others in a log shanty 6’ by 7’ with a blanket roof. My health never was better. Our mess made a raise of some “Confederate Fodder” and are thus enabled to purchase luxuries, such as fresh beef and light bread of the camp-sutler.”
from Col. John OSBORN
Source: Greencastle Banner 22 Jan 1863 p3
“We have been shown a letter from Col. John Osborn, written to his family in this place since the battle of Murfreesboro which possesses considerable interest but the late hour at which it came to our notice prevented us from making any extracts from it this week. We may refer to it again next. The Colonel himself has passed through another hard-fought battle unscathed. May God preserve his life to pass through many more, if necessary to put down this diabolical outrage upon the rights of the people. The loss in Col. Osborn’s regiment was five killed, 45 wounded, most of them but slightly but 40 missing.
from Capt. Wm. F. SPURGIN
Source: Greencastle Banner 19 Jan 1865 p 3
We have been favored by DM Spurgin, Esq with the reading of an interesting letter from his son, Capt. Wm. F. Spurgin, who participated in the recent battles before Nashville, in the course of which the rebel Mr. Hood received a very sound thrashing. With the main particulars of that battle our readers at least most of them are already familiar, but there are yet some matters in this letter of interest to our home readers. In speaking of the 20th Ind Battery many of the members of which belong to Putnam and which bore a conquenous (?) part in this fight, Capt. Spurgin says: “The 20th Ind Battery has a splendid reputation and stands high – Capt. Osborn and lt. Stevenson received great praise for their action in the Nashville battle. I do not know whether John Elder is sick here or whether he was sent to Louisville. He was badly wounded, John make a good soldier. Charley Daggy is Quartermaster Sergeant. I saw Ned McGaughey at Decatur. He has a commission in the Navy.” The Colored Troops – Capt. Spurgin gives his testimony as to the fighting qualities of colored troops as follows” Negro troops settled in these battles the question as to whether they would fight or not. White officers and others that had been opposed to them and hated them gloried in the deeds of valor displayed by the Black Southron. It was common after the battle to see white soldiers carrying away some wounded colored man, who a few hours before would not have rendered them the least assistance. The change was magical, now the whole army recognizes the colored troops as soldiers and accord them their dues!”