The following articles are from The Polk County Press, December 5, 1863. For reference, the 2nd Wisconsin Cavalry included the Saint Croix Rangers (Company D); the Saint Croix Rifles were Company F of the 1st Wisconsin Infantry; the 4th Wisconsin Cavalry included the Hudson City Guards (Company G); and the 10th Battery of Wisconsin Light Artillery was composed of mostly northwest Wisconsin men.
HOW THE 2ND CAVALRY VOTED.—Captain Bently [sic],¹ of La Crosse, writes the particulars of the election in the 2nd cavalry, describing the modus operandi² as follows. They had no ballot box, and he says:
A camp in the woods with the present army allowance of baggage, is a poor place to find boxes suitable for such purposes. In our case one could not be found, but we have long since, in the army, learned to surmount difficulties, and we hit upon the following : A cavalry boot nailed by one of the straps to the table, with a cover attached, was just the thing. The polls were now declared open, and voting commenced. Our next difficulty, and almost a dilemma, was to know how, in closing the polls for dinner to lock our ballot boot and secure the votes cast from intrusion. To place a guard over the box (boot) perhaps would have been military, but was not according to “chapter 11.” We constituted and agreed that the chairman of the board to whom the boot belonged, should “lock the box” by inserting his foot and wearing it until the polls should again be opened! This proved a success. the ballots kept safe; election over; votes cast. The “copperheads,” “waxed we they there them,” by a unanimous Union vote of thirty-three.”
VOTE OF CO. F, 1ST WISCONSIN.—A letter from Co. F. gives the result of the election as far as that company is concerned : The whole number of votes polled for Polk county was nine—all straight Union ticket except on sheriff. KIMBALL received eight votes.
— The boys in the 4th Wisconsin Cavalry, at Baton Rouge, polled thirteen votes for the straight Union ticket, except on District Attorney, Mr. FREELAND receiving one vote.
— The election of some of the County officers will be decided by the returns from the 10th Battery. As the vote stands, as far as heard from, every candidate on the Union ticket is elected.
1. Charles S. Bentley, from La Crosse, Company D’s third captain. He won’t officially become the captain until June 27, 1864.
2. A Latin phrase approximately translated as “method of operation.” We are used to hearing it used in TV crime dramas when the detectives talk about the criminal’s M.O., or modus operandi.
There was so much big news published on July 11, 1863, in The Polk County News and The Prescott Journal that it is surprising how many smaller items there still were. These are from The Polk County Press.
THE FOURTH WISCONSIN.—It is reported that this gallant regiment has been mostly taken prisoners in an assault upon Port Hudson. They constituted a part of a thousand volunteers to storm the works. They would doubtless be at once paroled by the rebels, except the officers.
We have doubts however of the correctness of the report.—Madison Journal.
— The following is a tabular statement showing the quotas assigned, and the number of volunteers furnished by Polk county as furnished us by Adjutant Gen. GAYLORD :
TOWN
QUOTA
VOLUNTEERS
Alden
5
6
Farmington
18
18
Lincoln
2
3
Osceola
25
33
Sterling
3
6
St. Croix Falls
23
30
Burnett County
2
0
78
96
The following extract from Gen. GAYLORD’s letter shows the “situation :”
“It appears that each town in Polk county has raised its quota or an excess of volunteers over its quota ; in the aggregate, eighteen. Burnett county sent its volunteers to the Minnesota Battery and consequently lost credit for them in this state.”
So we are ahead eighteen. Pretty well done for Polk. But this is not all. We have upwards of twenty men in different Minnesota regiments, which we loose credit for, which added to eighteen will bring the number up to about thirty-eight men over and above all calls. Where is the county in the state, containing 1100 inhabitants that can beat this number.
— The Polk Co. Press thinks, in case of a draft, Polk county should be left out. Of course, we can’t see it in that light.—Hudson Star.
Not so. If when the draft is made, our excess does not ballance [sic] our quota, we expect to stand our hand and furnish two militia companies to help enforce the same in other counties, besides.
ATTENTION.—The members of the Polk County Rifles, are hereby notified that there will be a meeting of the company on Saturday afternoon, July 18th, at one o’clock, on the Fair Ground in Osceola, for the purpose of drill.
PER ORDER
— Dr. L. B. SMITH,¹ formerly of Taylor’s Falls, has been appointed Surgeon of the Seventh Minnesota regiment vice J. E. FINCH resigned.
— CAPT. M. M. SAMUEL, Sergeant MOSES T. CATLIN, and private JOHN McDONALD have our thanks for late Nashville papers.
— Gen. HOOKER [Joseph Hooker] has been relieved from the command of the Army of the Potomac at his own request, and Gen. Geo. G. MEADE appointed his successor.
— A RECORD OF ALL DECEASED SOLDIERS.—The Surgeon General has just commenced the work of making out a complete official list of the soldiers who have died during the present war.
The list is intended to embrace every man in the regular and volunteer forces, and to give the name, rank, regiment, company, cause of death, date of death, and place of death.
This work will be of great value to the Pension and Land offices in future adjudications in regard to deceased soldiers, and will save the Government much expense and time in complicated cases which would otherwise arise.
— Florida is now the greatest resource of the rebel army for beef, and since the communications with Texas were partly stopped by our operations on the Mississippi, thousands of head have been weekly gathered and transported to the West and North. If we had held St. John’s river and Jacksonville, we could have prevented this in a great measure.
1. Lucius B. Smith (1824-1864) was the first doctor to practice in Taylors Falls, Minnesota, after he moved there from Ohio. He was killed July 13, 1864, the day preceding the Battle of Tupelo. His division was ambushed. He was buried in Tupelo, but his remains were later removed to Kahbakong Cemetery in Taylors Falls.
For those who don’t know northwestern Wisconsin, Taylors Falls is directly across the Saint Croix River from St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin, and St. Croix Falls is 8 miles north of Osceola Mills (just Osceola these days), where The Polk County Press is being published.
Jerry Flint was in Company G of the 4th Wisconsin Infantry. Company G was “stuck” on artillery duty, so did not participate in the action at Port Hudson that Jerry describes here. The original letter is in the Jerry E. Flint Papers (River Falls Mss BN) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, University Archives and Area Research Center.
Detachment 4th Wis Regt
Camp Parapet La June 23d /863
Dear Brother;
Yours of June 5th was recieved [sic] last night.
I have not written very lately but now you are settled down for the summer I will make my correspondence a little more regular. I was a little surprised when I read Helen’s letter and learned that you had gone into business there in the city instead of going to River Falls. I don’t really understand your exact situation yet. I wish you would write. If you can do well at any business there it is better than farming any way. Confound the life of a farmer. I never felt particularly attached to it and don’t think I ever will.
I did not expect that White¹ was with you. Rossie² wrote me that he was in the 20th Reg. I sat down and wrote to him directing the letter to St. Louis. Probably he will never get it now. Tell him I will write to him soon.
Times are very dull with me just now. The scene of excitement is at Port Hudson, but I have not heard from there for two or three days. A week ago last Sunday another assault was made on the right of the line but was repulsed. The 4th Wis. and 8th N.H. Regts led the charge. The 4th from the loss in previous battles had scarcely any officers but they kept a splendid line and went one on without saying a word until they got right under the enemy works, when the shout ran along the line, “Over the Parapet boys,” “over the parapet and give it to ’em.” And over the parapet they went although their men were falling thick and fast. If the support had come up instead of running like cowards as they were that stronghold would have been ours to-day. These regiments were the 21st Mass. and 133rd N.Y. They were not orderdered [sic] forward until the two first mentioned Reg. were scaling the works and consequently receiving nearly all the rebel fire thus rendering it comparatively safe for the other troops to advance. They however did lay down in a hollow and refused to go forward. At this time Gen. Paine [Halbert E. Paine] rode to the front and not only ordered them forward but fairly entreated them to go. But it was of no use, they broke and ran to the rear, thereby causing the slaughter of hundreds of the brave men who had volunteered to clear the way for them. At this time Paine was severly wounded in the leg. It is not certain yet whether he will recover or not. Out of 230 men of our regiment who went into the charge only 50 came back and part of them were slightly wounded.³
The two regiments that run use nine month men. Their time is so neer [sic] up they think it a pity for them to get killed. Cowardly fools they ought to be set up as targets for the old troops to shoot at, only we it would be a pity to waste power and lead on them. I hate a nine months man worse than the devil. [paragraph break added]
Well my sheet is most full and I have not written much either. I think you will be glad to hear me stop. Give my love to Mother. I wish I could see her although it is useless to wish for the thing is impossible.
Jerry E. Flint
1. Jerry is probably talking about Henry J. White, who had been with Jerry’s company (G) and then in the 4th Wisconsin Infantry’s band, but had mustered out on September 18, 1862.
2. Rossie is Jerry’s cousin Roswell V. Pratt.
3. The following account is from E. B. Quiner’s Military History of Wisconsin (Chicago: 1866), chapter 14, page 505-506 (UWRF Archives E 537 .Q56 1866; available digitally on the Wisconsin Historical Society’s website).
“On the 4th of June, another assault on the enemy’s works at Port Hudson was made. General Paine’s division occupied the centre. The Fourth Wisconsin and 8th New Hampshire were placed in the advance as skirmishers. They were to be followed by three Massachusetts regiments, with hand grenades to throw into the enemy’s works, and bags of cotton to fill the ditch, to enable the infantry to charge up to the enemy’s works. The assault was covered by a heavy artillery fire. The skirmishers dashed up to the rebel works, on the double quick, the enemy all the time pouring in a terrible fire. men were falling at every step, but those unhurt passed gallantly on, until they reached the breastworks, and attempted to scale them, some went over, either dead or prisoners; most fell under the works, killed or wounded. The few that were left, sought protection behind stumps and swells of ground. The supports, seeing the fate of the skirmishers, refused to go forward. While urging on these men to the support of those in advance, General Paine was struck by a rifle bullet, in the leg, just after daylight, and fell among a large number of dead and wounded, about fifteen rods from the enemy’s works. The slight ridges of the field, which had formerly been cultivated, protected him from the fire of the enemy, which broke out with great fury whenever the intolerable heat compelled him to move. Efforts were made to rescue him, but the rebel fire prevented it. A private of the One Hundred and Thirty-third New York, named Patrick Cohen, tossed him a canteen of water, taken from a dead soldier, which General Paine thinks saved his life. At night he was removed, and subsequently was sent to the Hotel Dieu, in New Orleans, where his leg was amputated. … [Here, on page 506, is the lengthy list of killed, wounded, and missing.]
“The regiment went into action with 220 men. Many of the missing were captured inside the fort, having jumped over the works, under the idea that they were to be followed by their supports. Many of those captured succeeded in escaping before the capitulation.”
Jerry Flint letter of June 23, 1863, from the Jerry E. Flint Paper (River Falls Mss BN) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center
Frank D. Harding at this point was still with Company G of the 4th Wisconsin Infantry. The majority of the letter discusses battles related to the Siege of Port Hudson. The original letter is in the Frank D. Harding Papers (River Falls Mss AB), University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center.
Carrolton La June 14th 1863
Dear Father
I received a letter from you last which is the only one I have received for the past two months. I had began to think that you had given up the idea of ever writing to me.
There is but little news stirring that can be got hold of. Every thing about Port Hudson is quiet but in a few days I think that it must fall into our hands. We had one of the hardest fights there of any in this Dept. The Western Regts behaved nobly and had they been supported by the nine month’s men we should have surely taken the place. Our Regiment is horribly cut up, we lost our Col¹ and most of the line Officers. Gen. Sherman² lost his leg and may lose his life. He is better this morning I hear.
Out of eleven hundred and forty men that we left Wisconsin with, hardly four hundred are left and the Regt can not muster two hundred and fifty to go in to a fight. Our loss before Port Hudson in killed and wounded will not fall much short of 5000 men.³ The negros fought like devils’ they made five charges on a battery that there was not the slightest chance of their taking, just (as their Officers said) to show our boys that they could, and would fight. At one time the 4th Wis., 8th N.H., 6th Mich., and 75th & 128th N.Y. Regts were on their works and had their battle flags planted, but having no one to support them they were obliged to fall back. My Co. [G] was not in the fight as they are stationed at Camp Parapet as heavy art [artillery]. One of our Lieuts was on Gen Sherman’s Staff and was killed,4 two of theSergts of my Co. were in the fight and one was promoted on the field for gallantry. I went over the the battle field two days after the fight and the stench was horrible. Our forces have surrounded the place now and are planting heavy guns and in the course of theweek I think the [__?] for battle will come off.
I still board in Carrolton but do my work in the City in the Office of the Chief Commissary. How long I shall stay there it is impossible for me to say.
Tell mother I picked out a dozen of gray hairs out of my head to lend her but I have lost them and have no time to look for more. I mean to have my picture taken in a few days and will lend it to you. I don’t look much like a solider for I haven’t had a uniform on for more than one year.
Give my love to Mother and Diantha. Write me soon.
Yours Truly, Frank D. Harding
1. Sidney A. Bean, from Waukesha, had been the colonel of the 4th Wisconsin Infantry only since March 17, 1863, being promoted from lieutenant colonel of the 4th when Halbert E. Paine was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers. Bean was killed May 29, 1863, at Port Hudson.
A list of the killed and wounded in the 4th Wisconsin Infantry from May 27 to June 2, 1863, can be found in E. B. Quiner’s Military History of Wisconsin (Chicago: 1866), chapter 14, page 504 ((UWRF Archives E 537 .Q56 1866, available digitally on the Wisconsin Historical Society’s website).
2. As we learned yesterday, during the May 27, 1863, attack on Port Hudson, General Thomas W. Sherman was severely wounded, which led to the amputation of his right leg. His injuries were so severe that he was not expected to live. Even the newspaper in his hometown (Newport, Rhode Island) printed an obituary for him.
3. This is a very accurate estimate by Harding. Five thousand Union losses is the number generally given.
4. Edward A. Clapp, from Hudson.
Frank Harding letter of June 14, 1863, from the Frank D. Harding Papers (River Falls Mss AB) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Jerry Flint, with the 4th Wisconsin Infantry in Louisiana, has a lot to say in this letter about past experiences, what’s happening currently around him, and what he expects in the near future. The original letter is in the Jerry E. Flint Papers (River Falls Mss BN) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, University Archives and Area Research Center.
Camp Parapet La
Jan. 18th 1863
My Dear Brother,
I was much gratified at the reception of a letter from you yesterday, and was also very much surprised to learn that you were at Madison. I am glad to know that you have your discharge for I was well satisfied that you could not get well enough this winter to stand a soldier’s duty. From the way you write I should think that some of the men thought they were having hard times. I hope our boys will not get such an idea into their heads, for if they ever leave the State and go into the field they will think they have been living on the top shelf.
When we went into camp in the State many of the boys thought they had dreadful living but our rations then were like thanksgiving supper compared with what we get now. Let them march through the swamps a few days, laying down at night in the rain without shelter and nothing to eat but a chunk of salt beef and hard bread, and ill lest they will think of the old Barracks at Camp Randall with a grunt of satisfaction. [paragraph break added]
Our regiment is pretty much done growling. It was all grumble from the time we left the state through all our travels until we started for Ship Island. Every place we went things kept growing worse. But the voyage from Fortress Monroe to Ship Island capped everything before it so the boys came to the conclusion that they might just as well keep cool and take things as they come.
There has been many times this summer when I would have been glad to have got out of the service, but I could have done so honorably, but I never wish to leave while matters stand as they are now. I can never again feel proud of being called an American citizen if the accursed “Stars and Bars” emblem of treason and rebellion are allowed to float independently over the ruins of our once great Republic.
Things in the department are very quiet although our Generals are not idle since the arrival of Gen. Banks forces [Nathaniel P. Banks], troops are constantly moving about and getting ready to do something. Baton Rouge was occupied as soon as his forces arrived and there is now at that place an army of 30,000 men. They are mostly new troops and to use their own words don’t mean to fight much. They are enlisted for nine months and got a huge bounty.
I say curse such men.
Quite a number of the old regim[ents] are with them at Baton Rouge and I am afraid that when the battle comes they will have to stand the brunt. Our regiment is up there in a brigade commanded by Col. Paine [Halbert E. Paine]. Their position is in the advance. It was said when the regiment left that we should follow them in a week or so as soon as another company could be drilled on the heavy guns. But we are here yet and no more signs of going that first. We shall however probably join them before the column is ready to move.
It is expected that we shall have a severe fight at Port Hudson. The rebels have fortified until it is nearly as strong as Vicksburg. When we came by there the last time in July there was not a gun there. Now thousands of lives must be lost taking it. Why they were allowed to fortify right under the nose of our gunboats is more than I can tell. I think it could have been stopped any way.
Gen. Weitzel¹ has been fighting in the vicinity of Berwick Bay and has scooped the rebels every time. The rebel iron clad gunboat on Bayou Teche was blown up. Lieut. Com. Buchanan² of the gunboat “Calhoun” was killed by sharp shooters on the bank of the Bayou. His funeral was attended in New Orleans. Admiral Farragut [David G. Farragut] and Gen. Banks marched on foot in rear of the procession.
The rebels again have possession of Galveston but it will not long as an expedition is fitting out for that place. I do not know whether you have heard of the capture of the Harriet Lane and the destruction of the Westfield in Galveston Bay or not. They were both aground when New Years eve four light draught boats of the rebels came out and attacked them. The Harriet Lane sunk one of them but being aground she could not maneuver so that the rebels boarded her and after a severe fight captured her. They then made for the Westfield but Com. Renshaw [William B. Renshaw] seeing he could not help himself told his crew that the rebels could never have her and that all who wished could take to the boats for he was going to blaze her up. Part of the crew swore they would never leave their commander and so staid and were all blown up together. The Westfield was a light open boat but carried some good guns. She was up the river with us last summer. When the rebel ram Arkansas run the upper fleet and landed under the guns of Vicksburg this boat run right up under the guns, fired a shot into the ram as a challenge to come out and fight her alone but they dare not do it. This shows what kind of man Renshaw was, and I believe it shows what our whole navy is.³
Gen. Banks visited the camp the other day. We fired the salute from our battery. We used 10½ lb. cartridges. You had better believe they talked some.
Remember me to all the folks in Chicago, our folks of course. Tell Mother I shall write to her next.
I received letters by yesterdays mail from Sarah Hunt, Sophia, Eunice, Rossie and yourself.
Write Soon, Jerry
1. Godfrey, or Gottfried, Weitzel (1835-1884) was born in Bavaria (Germany) and immigrated to Cincinnati, Ohio, with his parents. He graduated from West Point and was a career military officer working primarily as an engineer. In 1861 his company served as the bodyguard during the inauguration of President Abraham Lincoln. Early in the Civil War he constructed defenses in Cincinnati, Washington, D.C., and for the Army of the Potomac. He then became the chief engineer on General Benjamin F. Butler’s staff. At this time he was commanding the advance in General Nathaniel P. Banks’ operations in western Louisiana and he will command a division under Banks at the siege of Port Hudson.
2. “On January 14, 1863, a combined expedition of Union gunboats, infantry, and artillery attacked the [CSS] Cotton near Pattersonville [Louisiana]. Her crew burned her and sank her across Bayou Teche as an obstruction. … Lieutenant Commander Thomas M. Buchanan had command of the Federal vessels. He was shot in the head by one of the Confederate riflemen.” For more details, see page 105 of The Civil War Reminiscences of Major Silas T. Grisamore, C.S.A., edited and with an introduction by Arthur W. Bergeron, Jr. (Louisiana State University Press, 1993), available on Google Books.
Thomas M. Buchanan.
3. See our post of January 14, 1863, Battle of Galveston, for more details on Commander William B. Renshaw, the USS Westfield, and the USS Harriet Lane.
Jerry Flint letter of January 18, 1863, from the Jerry E. Flint Paper (River Falls Mss BN) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center
The original letter is in the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO), in the University Archives and Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
Moscow, Tennessee, Monday
Jan. 12th, 1863
Dear Parents;
We rec’d yours of the 22nd ult on the 9th inst at Holly Springs and were right glad to hear from you once more. You say you have had no letters from us except one dated the 3rd ult. We have written you since that time 4 or 5, but it is probably some of them were destroyed when the rebels cut off our communications; and, possibly, some of yours. [paragraph break added]
You will be glad to know we are back in Tennessee. We left Lumpkins Mills in the afternoon of the 8th in a rain storm and camped at Holly Springs that night. Lay still next day till morning and the day following, till morning, when we went on to the Coldwater, 5 miles distant. The roads were perfectly awful – wagons stuck fast in the mud and some were upset, and we soldiers had as much as we could do to pick our way, — sometimes finding ourselves knee deep in mud, or down into holes or gullies. Staid [sic] one night at Coldwater,—left there yesterday morning at daylight and took the Moscow road, which was in good condition, and at here last at dark, traveling 16 miles. Our Div. only came, the other troops going on to Lagrange [sic]. Today our Regt. is on picket & R. R. guard. I and the other boys of our mess are guarding the R. R. 2½ miles west of town and I am writing to you now—I say town, but there is no town, only a few old shells and depot buildings. It is 39 miles by R. R. to Memphis. Some of the troops that were here are now marching to that place, and our Div. commanded by Lauman,¹ expects to follow ere long. We shall get full rations now, —have had but half gov. rations for 3 weeks—here come the cars loaded with supplies, so I guess we shall not want for them longer, and, by the way, I’ll say the boys have just killed a nice porker.
Holly Springs will be known here after [sic] only in History.—It is in ruins. The rebels burned the extensive depot buildings and foundry, all the public buildings & those containing supplies & our troops destroyed all the splendid mansions and together we made a “clean sweep.” One night there was a provost guard of 4 Regts, but a fire would break out every few minutes. Our own Regt. had a hand in, also we enjoyed the conflagration and consider we had a perfect right so to do. We found almost every thing in the buildings and we laid in a supply. O you should have witnessed what a rush the boys made for the tobacco, in particular. I did not feel disposed to get any of that, but I wish you had the spirits, oils & varnishes I saw in a cellar. It was common to see half cooked vituals [sic] in the houses, pianos, and other furniture, left. I think this is the way to serve these big places.
The country where our army has been is perfectly desolate. I do not see what this campaign has amounted to except carrying off the cotton & the niggers & making the country a wilderness. Some blame Grant and others approve. I approve, but I expected more. The next move , it is thought, will be on Vicksburgh [sic]. Well Rosecrans [William S. Rosecrans] has used up Bragg [Braxton Bragg] and is doing well. I wish we had some other man than Grant [Ulysses S. Grant], but he may be all right, as it is. It is said he did just what has been done, purposely, —went as far as intended, but if that is the way, the right way, so whi_ I should much rather fight. I have and read the paper of the 8th inst. and learned what is going on. There is some talk of Hurlburt’s [sic: Stephen A. Hurlbut] assuming command of the 4th Div. but I am not I am not aware there is any certainty about it. [paragraph break added]
Where is Homer Loomis² & where is Ellsworth Burnett,² & where is Uncle Edwin?
Jan. 15th. I will now try to finish this. We carried a lot of fresh beef into camp yesterday. We had not eaten our dinner when marching orders came & we were soon on our way to Lafayette, 9 miles on the Memphis road. On arriving there we received orders to countermarch. It was near dark & we camped one mile back. It rained very hard that night & all day yesterday & this morning there is 3 inches of snow. I never saw such roads as I saw yesterday. In many places the mud was knee deep & very slippery in other places. The water ran like a torrent through the gullies & hollows, & wagons were frequently upset & broken and mules were up to their backs nearly in water. Our own wagon was tipped over into the water & twice it had to be unloaded. It rained hard all the time. It was the worst day I was ever out. Every thing was soaked with water. You know now what we were doing—drying our clothes. I do not know what we went down there for. Some say Logan’s Div. [John A. Logan] was at that place & received marching orders to Memphis & started & came back again, consequently we went to take their place till further orders. Logan coming back, we had to go back too. There were as many troops at Memphis as could be shipped in ten days & they did not want us there just yet. Another story is somebody felled a free on the telegraph wire & broke it & danger was apprehended. Another is that the telegraphic operator was drunk. We were all day getting back. It will use up a good many I fear. I have no fears for ourselves. If as our name seems to indicate, we have any French blood in us, & as I am inclined to think, we have & as our name indicates, then we are all right for I know we can stand as much as any body most. I don’t mean to brag; nor am I, but there are many who will break down under such usage. We are 1 mile west of Moscow now, & I guess they won’t cat haul us about any more for sometime at least. I hope so. The officers did not like the march any more than the privates, I noticed—all got __wed alike.
Night before last we received two letters, one from our Ill. cousins, & yours of the 22nd having been received as I told you. There is no news except that Rosecrans has whipped out Bragg again. How is the winter. How many cows do you milk & have you plenty of fodder for them. I think we shall have to go to Vickburgh [sic], if so, we shall get all we shall want of fight. We can’t do much here that is certain. It is still snowing very hard & it is very disagreeable. I guess I’ll stop. Excuse this miserably written & miserably composed letter for I am in a hurry & am cold & must get warm. So good by for to day. Write us soon.
Edwin Levings
Co A, 12 R. W. V.
3rd Brig. 4th Div
via Cairo
1. Jacob Gartner Lauman (1813-1867) was a businessman in Burlington, Iowa, before the Civil War. He helped raise several companies and was commissioned as the colonel of the 7th Iowa Infantry. He was severely wounded at the Battle of Belmont (November 7, 1861). He was then appointed to lead the 4th Brigade of the 2nd Division at the attack on Fort Donelson. General Grant promoted him to brigadier general in March 1862 and he subsequently lead a brigade in General Hurlbut’s division. In 1863 Lauman led the 4th Division of the 17th Corps during the Vicksburg campaign, but was relieved of duty by General William T. Sherman shortly after the capture of Jackson, Mississippi. He returned home for the rest of the war without being given a subsequent command.
2. Homer Loomis (from Hustisford) was in Company I of the 7th Wisconsin Infantry and had been taken prisoner on August 8, 1862. Ellsworth Burnett (from River Falls) was in Company A of the new 30th Wisconsin Infantry, still in training in Madison at this time.
Edwin Levings letter of January 12 and 15, 1863, from the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls
The day after Christmas Jerry Flint writes to his brother Phineas in River Falls. As he says at the end, he wrote this “in an ugly shape,” by which he means his handwriting is worse than usual! The original letter is in the Jerry E. Flint Papers (River Falls Mss BN) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, University Archives and Area Research Center.
Camp Parapet, La.
December 26th 1862
Dear Brother;
Re’cd your letter of Nov. 28th yesterday for which I am very thankful. It is the first from you since your sickness. I am glad that you are getting along so well, but don’t deceive yourself and join your company too quick. I suppose that by this time or very soon at least your regiment will be ordered to the seat of war and you will see then that you knew nothing of hard duty yet. Should you be sick in the army you will get no such care as you did this time. If your regiment should be ordered to Vicksburg, as I hear they sure expect to be, it is possible that we may run against one another.
You are well aware by this I suppose that Gen. Banks [Nathaniel P. Banks] landed with his forces at New Orleans and that he has also superseded Gen. Butler [Benjamin F. Butler] in the Command of this Department. He has already sent 20 thousand men to Baton Rouge, and I suppose they are to assist in opening the river. Our regiment has gone with the rest, but we are still here in command of the batterry [sic]. We expect to join the rest soon.
They are bound to have a big fight at Port Hudson 15 miles above Baton Rouge. The rebels have strong fortifications and a large number of troops at that place. I think we shall join them before they march on that place as the Col. will be anxious to have his regiment full. Col. Paine [Eleazer A. Paine] is acting Brig. Gen. but the 4th is in his brigade. Although I should rather like to be with the Reg., I must say that it would not hurt my feelings much to remain where we are all winter. Here our duties are very easy. We can get our pay and mails regularly and yes comparatively good rations. But on the march it is Hard Bread and coffee, thanking the fates if you get that.
We are very sorry that Gen. Butler has left us, not but that Banks may be an able commander but he is not to the old soldiers here what Ole Ben was. We started out with him, was with him on a barren island and came with him to New Orleens [sic]. At no time did he forget his solders but would always see that they got their rights. He was to the soldiers of this Department what McClellan [George B. McClellan] was to the Army of the Potomac. But I suppose it is all right and I have but they will give the old chief as good a position if not better than he had before.
We received news by yesterday mail of the re-crossing of the Rhappahannock [sic] by Burnside [Ambrose E. Burnside]. This indeed makes it look dark. It seems as if our army of the Potomac was bound to be always be whipped. We have always been successful in the West. I believe we shall be this time, but unless Richmond can be taken and that heavy army of rebels defeated, our prospects are bettered but very little. We must take their capital, disperse their congress and never let them assemble, then they cannot work with any success against us. [paragraph break added]
I am glad you find so good a home at Wales’.¹ I always liked him fully. I wonder if he remembers that last load of hay on the bogs or the desperate time we had in trying to massacre a skunk. Or I should say what a time he had. I didn’t have anything to do with it. No sir, I ran.
While you are having the storms and frost of winter we are having weather as pleasant as May. The boys to day are laying around in the shade without any coats and shirt coullars [sic] unbuttened [sic]. We have very little rain and occasionally a frost.
I send Mother a little money occasionally as I have it. Helen writes me that clothing is very high. It will be payday again very soon and I hope we shall get our regular cash.
Tender my respects to Mr Wales and family.
I received a letter yesterday from Rossie and one from Ed. I will write to them to night or to morrow. I have written this in an ugly shape and I do not know as you can get through it. But I don’t feel very well, guess I’ll have to quit. Write Soon, Jerry
[P.S.] The boys are all very well. Henry has the Ague some.
1. Possibly Samuel Wales, a farmer in River Falls Township in 1860.
Jerry Flint letter of December 26, 1862, from the Jerry E. Flint Paper (River Falls Mss BN) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center
Another letter from Jerry, this one to his brother, saying many of the same things as he wrote to his mother. The original letter is in the Jerry E. Flint Papers (River Falls Mss BN) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, University Archives and Area Research Center.
Camp Parapet Nov. 13th 1862
My dear Brother;
I was pleased to hear by Roossie’s¹ last letter that you were getting better, for after his first I had thought of you with a great deal of anxiety.
I am very thankful indeed that your disease came on before you got where you would have been obliged to lay in a hospital. Do you intend to join your company as soon as your health will permit or, will you get your discharge?
I was afraid in the first place that your constitution was not strong enough to stand a soldier’s life and I feel almost certain of it now. If you do go, be sure and not start until you fully regain your strength. You may think you are able, but don’t be deceived. I came very near throwing myself upon the bed the second time last winter by doing duty to[o] quick. It requires a sound body to stand continual night duty, and this a soldier has always to do.
It was worth everything to having such a place as you have had to stay. I cannot feel to[o] grateful to Mrs. Knowles² for her kindness, and you cannot overpay her for her trouble. Don’t hesitate to draw from my fifty if you should need money. We shall be paid again in a few days and I can send some more if you should need it.
As you have been out of business and on expense for some time it may be hard for you to get hold of what you want. I sent Mother a little last payday and I mean to send her a little this.
We all feel sad at the news of the death of Isaac Nichols. Henry feels lonely I assure you.³ We have lost two men from our company within the last three weeks. Wilson McAllister and Peter Dwyer, both the best of soldiers.4 Peter died very suddenly. He was taken with a severe Diarrhea but did not think it was dangerous until he got so he could keep nothing down that he eat, when he became very poor and died in a few days. He is missed by the boys very much. McAllister was sick only a few days. His disease was softening of the brain.
I have been enjoying the best of health all the summer and fall. If I can remain so it is all I ask. Disease is more to be feared in the army than the enemy’s ball.
There is not much news with us at the present. We go through our regular routine of guard duty and drill and wait patiently for news from the grand army. We hear by the last steamer that McClellen [George B. McClellan] has crossed into Virginia. I hope that ere this a decisive battle has been fought.
There has been great activity in the Gulf fleet of late and large acquisitions have been made. The Flag Ship came up to the city yesterday. The general opinion is that there is a hard blow to be struck somewhere very soon, but none but those high in authority know where it is, but when Farrigut [David G. Farragut] strikes we are pretty sure of success. With him to manage the fleet and Butler [Benjamin F. Butler] the land forces the rebels had better get out of the way. The expedition sent from here to Texas has made cleen [sic] work of its march. Our forces first met the rebels at Gesgie Landing and after a short fight dispersed since that there has been nothing but an occasionly [sic] skirmish.
Do you hear from Helen often? She has not written me for a long time. I do not know why as I wrote her last. Write me when you feel able. Tell Elmira that I feel lonesome without. I have a letter from her to look at once in a while. I think I wrote to Eunice last. I do not know because I have many more to write at present.
Hoping that you may be rested and healthy I remain as ever
Your Brother,
Jerry
1. Pratt.
2. No doubt Warren P. Knowles’ mother, Betsy, who lived in River Falls.
3. Sergeant Isaac N. Nichols, from River Falls, was in Company F of the 1st Wisconsin Infantry and was killed in action October 8th, 1862, at the Battle of Perryville. The River Falls GAR Post will be named for him. William Henry Nichols, who was 1st sergeant with Company G of the 4th Wisconsin Infantry, was his brother.
4. Wilson McAllister, from Trimbelle, died October 22, 1862, at Carrollton, Louisiana, and Oliver Peter Dwyer, from Malone, died November 8, 1862, also in Carrollton.
Jerry Flint letter of November 13, 1862, from the Jerry E. Flint Paper (River Falls Mss BN) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center
As you will see from the first line, this is Jerry’s second letter of the day. The original letter is in the Jerry E. Flint Papers (River Falls Mss BN) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, University Archives and Area Research Center.
Camp Parapet Nov. 13/62
My dear Mother;
I have written to Phineas today and will finish the afternoon by writing to you. I received a letter from Rossie¹ yesterday stating that P. [Phineas] was getting better. I suppose of course that you have heard that he was sick. I am afraid he will not be able to stand the hardships of a soldiers life. Mrs. Knowles² has been very kind to him giving him a home and and [sic] doing all in her power to make him comfortable. I tell you it was worth everything to him to have such a nurse take care of him. If he had been in a Military Hospital, I think it would have gone hard with him.
We have been having a very pleasant fall, not having any rain until today for three six weeks. There has been two or three pretty frosty nights, but as yet there has been no cold to complain of.
There is nothing going on except our regular routine of guard duty and drill. Some of the troops have gone out to Texas and are opening the route to Galveston. It is some expected that our regiment may be called away pretty soon, but I do not think we shall at present.
We received news yesterday of the death of Isaac Nichols.³ He was killed in the battle of Perryville in Kentucky. It will be a heavy blow to his Parents. Henry feels very bad.4 I am in hopes that another year will not roll around before this war will be over, but the prospect looks very dark. Unless we whip the rebels by next spring I don’t believe we ever shall. And yet I cannot bear the thought of giving up until every foe of our glorious Union is driven from the field. Rather than bear the disgrace of being ruled by the men who have brought on this war, in which so many of our noble friends have fallen I would fight forever.
I tell you Mother that I think a great deal of home and friends but I would sooner be separated from them forever than to live in disgrace under a despotic government. And this is what it will be. Unless we conquer the South the South will conquer us.
Why does not Helen write to me I wrote her last. I am anxious to hear how things move in your locality. How do you like Chicago? and do you have plenty of spending money. How does Dean prosper in his trade. Tell Helen I shall expect her to write right straight of and let me know all about affairs.
Is your health as good as when as in Wisconsin. You will not have quite so much cold weather to contend with I guess.
Hoping that I may hear from you soon I remain as ever,
Your affectionate son
Jerry
1. Pratt.
2. No doubt Warren P. Knowles’ mother, Betsy, who lived in River Falls.
3. Sergeant Isaac N. Nichols, from River Falls, was in Company F of the 1st Wisconsin Infantry and was killed in action October 8th, 1862, at the Battle of Perryville.
4. This probably refers to William Henry Nichols, who was 1st sergeant with Company G of the 4th Wisconsin Infantry.
Jerry Flint letter of November 13, 1862, from the Jerry E. Flint Paper (River Falls Mss BN) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center
The Civil War and Northwest Wisconsin 