1864 October 1: The Battle of Jonesboro and the 22nd Wisconsin Infantry

The following letter was reprinted in The Prescott Journal of October 1, 1864.  The 22nd Wisconsin Infantry contained many men from northwest Wisconsin, especially in Company C but also scattered in other companies.

The Battle of Jonesborough, or Jonesboro, was fought August 31-September 1, 1864, as part of General William T. Sherman’s Atlanta Campaign.  Sherman maneuvered to draw Confederate General John Bell Hood’s Army of Tennessee away from their defenses at Atlanta, Georgia, so that it could be destroyed.  Although Hood’s army was not destroyed, he abandoned Atlanta and it was then occupied by Union troops for the rest of the war.

The War in Georgia.

What Our Army is Doing in Atlanta.

Sherman’s Movement and Victory.

What Wisconsin Artillery Did.

History of a Wisconsin Battery.

A Soldier’s Views of Politics.
__________________

From the Twenty-Second Wisconsin.

Affairs at Atlanta—The Depopulation Order—
Preparing for a Fall Campaign—The Army
in Splendid Condition—It is gaining Strength
Daily—Hood in a Bad Way—Soldiers all for
Lincoln—Recent Losses of the 22nd.

ATLANTA, Sept. 12th, 1864.

MESSERS. EDITORS :—What did I tell you ?  That Gen. Sherman would put the thing through to the full extent.  He succeeded in driving the boasting rebel army beyond Jonesboro, captured Atlanta, whipped the “cusses” badly, and now, to cap the climax, he has issued an order that all citizens who are not actually employed by the United States in a military capacity, must leave the city limits, giving them their choice, “Go North,” or “Go South,” as it is intended to make Atlanta a strictly Military Post.  We know Sherman well enough to appreciate fully just what he means, i. e. :  just what he has said.  This order produces quite a commotion.  To-day, the 12th is appointed for the exodus of the southward-bound outcasts.  Poor people ;  turned out of homes into a wilderness.  The husbands are in the rebel army, and the families destitute ;  squalid poverty stares them in the face.  Great God ! is this humane ?  But what if they stay ?  Are the people of the North willing to feed these families while the able-bodied men are killing their men, my comrades ?  Verily, it may be a necessary evil to do what Gen. S. proposes, but it seems cruel.  They can go North ;  many will.  The wicked bring sorrow to the innocent.¹

Exodus of Confederates from Atlanta, from “Harper’s Pictorial History of the Civil War”¹

Many mechanics and railroad men are already employed by the Government authorities.  The dilapidated works are being repaired, and the “State Works,” etc., are being put in condition to do good work on short notice.  Already the city begins to look like a Military Post, and the Quartermasters and Commissaries generally are in full blast.

Gen. Sherman has ordered that this army be put in condition for a Winter campaign.  The recruiting of the army, settling of accounts, bringing up baggage and supplies, and the thorough inspections of a month or so, are before us.  So we do not rest much, it is only “not fighting.”

Our army is on a line running east and west, from Decatur to the Chattahoochie, the 20th corps in front of Atlanta, all handy to our base.  The trains come up regular, and the “hard tack” and “sow belly.”  The ruins of locomotives and cars can be used by repairing here, so as to increase our rolling stock considerably.

Thousands of convalescent soldiers arrived during last week, and our army gains in strength daily.  The camps are being arranged for comfort and convenience, health and a short respite.  To our success in the campaign we owe this, for I firmly believe if Sherman had not been successful, we should have worked all through our term of service ere he would have given up his object.

Rebel deserters continue to come into our lines, and they report Hood in a bad fix.–Mutiny and Insubordination are Generals of his army, not himself.

The weather is beautiful, and the water in the city is excellent.

We hear that our forces have brought Mr. Weeler [sic: Joseph Wheeler] to a place where his destruction is inevitable.  This dare devil rebel General has had the audacity to tap our communications, but cutting the railroad, but his time is come.  The next thing the cuss knows he will be a second edition of “Johnny Morgan, Esq.,” [John Hunt Morgan] and like him be eulogized by Parson Brownlow [William G. Brownlow].  Bully for Brownlow.

The general health of the army is good, yet there no doubt will be considerable sickness, resulting from the rest and plenty that the army proposes to have, after the “four months” campaign.

The coming elections are engrossing the minds of the soldiers now, and if some few Copperheads could come down here, there could be quite a discussion ;  as it is there are no disputants.  The soldiers are like the handle of a jug–all on one side.  You’ll see for yourself.

The following is a complete list of casualties in the 22d Wisconsin Volunteers since July 20th, 1864, up to September 1st, 1864 :

KILLED.

Parlin E. Watt, G, skirmish line, Aug. 4.

WOUNDED.

Clement L. Northway, A, head, skirmish line, July 26, died Aug. 2 ;  Henry Grieve, A, July 28, hand, accidental, severe ;  Fred. Tessin, A, Aug. 9, shoulder, skirmish line, severe, died Aug. 12 ;  Albert W. Bullock, B, Aug. 15, head, skirmish line, severe ;  John S. Dayton, C, Aug. 13, abdomen and arm, skirmish line, died Aug. 13 ;  Sergt. A. O. Warner,  E, through abdomen, behind works, died Aug. 20 ;  Chas. Lapp, F, July 21, thigh, skirmish line, severe ;  Evan O. Owens, F, Aug. 16, arm, skirmish line, flesh wound slight ;  Geo. Nelson, H, Aug. 16, head and shoulder, skirmish line, severe.

More anon,                    FAIR PLAY.

1.  “Exodus of Confederates from Atlanta,” from Harper’s Pictorial History of the Civil War, by Alfred H. Guernsey and Henry M. Alden (Chicago: McDonnell, 1866-68):619; available in the UWRF Archives (E 468.7 .G87 1866).

 

1864, October 1: The Battle of Jonesboro and the 12th Wisconsin Infantry

The following reprinted letter appeared in the October 1, 1864, issue of The Prescott Journal.  Company A of the 12th Wisconsin Infantry was the Lyon Light Guards from Prescott.

The War in Georgia.

What Our Army is Doing in Atlanta.

Sherman’s Movement and Victory.

What Wisconsin Artillery Did.

History of a Wisconsin Battery.

A Soldier’s Views of Politics.
_____________

From the Twelfth Regiment.

Sherman’s Flank Movement—The Battles Near Jonesboro—
How the Rebels were Hoodwinked and beaten—The condition of Atlanta—
Present situation of the Army—Recent Losses of the Twelfth

Correspondence of the State Journal :

CAMP SOUTH OF ATLANTA, Sept. 10, ’64.

As you will have heard long before this reaches you, of the fall of Atlanta, the battles of Jonesboro, the defeat and demoralization of the rebel army, and the brilliant strategy by which Hood was coaxed out of his strong defenses, his army dismembered and beaten in detail, and this protracted and severe campaign brought to a successful and glorious close, I shall not attempt to describe these things.  Abler pens than mine have preceded, and so saved me the trouble.  But, as the old 12th has “gone the rounds,” and done its share toward bringing about the present pleasant state of things, I shall very briefly sketch the adventures of said regiment, since last letter.

In it I told the engagement of July 28, and of our taking up a position on the line, extending on the east side of the doomed city.  That position we held for one month, making three lines of work, each nearer to the enemy than its predecessor, driving the enemy back finally into his main defenses, and sending our shot and shell over his head into the city behind, doing great damage to it.

During the night of the 26th of August, the whole army began to move.  The 20th corps remained with its centre on the railroad north of the city, the rest moving rapidly and quietly right, abandoning their works and pressing southward down and near the river at Sandtown during the 27th, turning to the left, and striking the Montgomery Railroad about 16 miles south of Atlanta on the 28th.  The three corps, composing the Army of the Tennessee,¹ marched in three columns, wheeling into line at the railroad, throwing up breastworks and destroying about six miles of the railroad pretty effectually, taking all night, and next day to it, burning ties, bending and breaking rails, and filling up deep cuts with trees and dirt so that it will be found almost impossible to restore and clear them out again.

The enemy had hitherto failed to discover our locality and intentions, but the 20th corps having fallen back to the river, concluded that we had been compelled to fall back across the river, and were about to abandon the siege (?) [italics and question mark are the newspapers’] and fall back upon our base of supplies.  With this idea, Hood issued congratulatory orders to his army, and prepared to have a big pow wow over the event, but was cut short in his jollification by the astounding intelligence that the Federals were in his rear and rapidly approaching the Macon Railroad, his last and only source of supplies.  The Confederate Army was at once rushed out, taking position on and about the railroad, a little north of Jonesboro.

By a masterly movement, the 23d with the 4th and 14th corps,² pierced the rebel’s rapidly advancing column, completely severing it.  The 23d was halted across the railroad, as well as the 14th, only facing in opposite directions, while the 4th corps was thrown beyond, and attacked in front, the 14th attacking on the right flank of the rebels, the 4th in their rear.  Under these circumstances were fought the battles of August 31st and Sept. 1st, resulting in the capture of, at least, 18 guns and 2,500 prisoners and complete rout of the enemy, who escaped, by a failure in the 4th corps to swing round past the rebel left to join ours, and surround it completely.  During the battle of Sept. 1st our corps was changed from the left to the right of the Army of Tennessee, and did its full share toward obtaining and securing the victory of the day.

Our regiment was under fire most of the time, repulsing several attempts of the enemy to demonstrate on the right, without, however, losing very heavily itself, thanks to its skill in maneuvering and rapidly getting under the cover of good breastworks and barricades.

Our army drove the enemy through Jonesboro, and about four miles beyond, into a very strong position, heavily fortified some time ago, capturing some six hundred severely wounded rebels in the town.

During the night of the 1st September the rebels destroyed four engines and eighty-one cars loaded with ammunition, just outside of the city, and they abandoned it to us.  Gen. Slocum, with the 20th corps, advancing from the river, occupied it on the 2d inst.

Three times the rebel soldiers, smarting from defeat, and on the point of abandoning, have sacked the town, each time being suppressed with great difficulty, and only after several had been shot.  Shot and shell have left their marks upon almost every building, while several large storehouses and many dwellings have been reduced to ashes by our steady and accurate cross-fire.

In the city were captured 500 prisouers [sic], all of whom, with hundreds of others, are herded in the “bull-pen” built and used for the confinement of “Yankee hordes” and “Lincoln hirelings,” and where the rebel guards used to amuse themselves by cursing and spitting upon their unfortunate prisoners.

And now, Messers. Editors, Gen. Sherman and his gallant army having given the lie to all the rebel and copperhead boasts that the city of Atlanta could not be taken by us, and disabled near 40,000 of the rascals since crossing the Chattahoochee river, we propose to rest on our laurels for a brief period, get rested and reorganized, and prepare to go on conquering and to conquer “until the last armed foe expires.”  Our army has fallen back a little and is to have say 30 days rest, be paid off and thoroughly refitted and refurnished.

The army of the Tennessee is encamped and fortified on the railroad between Atlanta and East Point, the Army of the Ohio on the Augusta Railroad near Decatur, while the Army of the Cumberland locates in and about the city.

The following is a list of our casualties since the action of the 28th July :

COMPANY A.

Killed—Benj. J. Humphrey, Aug. 11.
Wounded—Alonso Miller, slight, in face, Aug. 31 ;  A. S. Beardsley, scalp, slight, Sept. 5 ;  G. S. Miles, in right arm, Sept. 5.

COMPANY B.

Wounded—Albert Seldon, in leg, Aug. 20 ;  Lt. C. G. Higbee, contusion of foot by bullet, Aug. 20 ;  M. B. Long, in knee, Aug. 31 ;  J. Hornbeck, bruise from fragment of shell on shoulder, Aug. 31.

COMPANY C.

Wounded—Thomas Wilson, slight in abdomen, Aug. 11 ;  H. Jones, in neck, Aug 17.

COMPANY D.

Wounded—Byron Fairbanks, in hip, August 26.

COMPANY E.

Wounded—Lt. J. H. Thayer, severe in throat, Aug. 14 ;  Anson Wright, in face, September 8.

COMPANY F.

Wounded—J. Alberg, across wrist, Aug. 4 ;  W. E. Hurst, in leg, Aug. 22 ;  H. Bartels, in head, Sept. 8, since died ;  E. R. Wilson, in back and down to thigh, Sept. 2 ;  J. Bundy, in elbow, Sept. 3 ;  Octave Pleasure, in thigh, amputated.

COMPANY G.

Killed—Joseph Robarg, Aug. 12.
Wounded—R. Streeter, shoulder, excised, Aug. 31 ;  N. P. Philips, left nates, Sept. 3.

COMPANY H.

Killed—C. Shadacker, shot through heart, Sept. 4.
Wounded—C. Peterson, bruise from bullet on shoulder, Aug. 12 ;  W. Clark, bruise on penis from bullet, Aug. 12 ;  Serg’t M. T. Brown bruise on cheek from bullet, Aug. 17 ;  J. Roe, in thigh, scrotum and nates, Aug. 31 ;  J. Gun, through right breast, Sept. 2 ;  M. Hagersty, bruise on knee, Sept. 4 ;  R. M. Wright, in thigh, Sept. 5.

COMPANY I.

Killed—Benj. Foster, shot through head, Aug. 17.
Wounded—S. Mallett, bruise on shoulder from bullet, Aug. 16 ;  Israel Munger, bruise on abdomen, Aug. 18 ;  H. Strong, in elbow, amputated, Aug. 31 ;  G. Churchill, across the axilar, Sept. [_] ;  S. P. Bon, in thigh, Sept. 2.

COMPANY K.

Wounded—H. Schofield, bruise on left shoulder from gullet, Aug. 16 ;  J. Racks, scalp, slight, Aug. 22 ;  O. T. Nash, in leg, Aug. 23 ;  G. H. Marston, thigh, Sept. 2.

Respectfully yours,               W.

1.  The Military Division of Mississippi, which is what General Sherman’s army was called, consisted of the Army of the Cumberland and the Army of the Tennessee. The later had three army corps—the XV (General John A. Logan), the XVI Corps (General Thomas E. G. Ransom), and the XVII Corps (General Francis P. Blair). Blair’s XVII Corps had two divisions—the Third Division (Charles R. Woods) and the Fourth Divisioin (Giles A. Smith). Each division had three infantry brigades and an artillery.  The 1st Brigade of the Third Division of the XVII Corps contained the 12th and 16th Wisconsin infantries (plus four Illinois infantries), under the command of Colonel George E. Bryant.
2.  The Army of the Cumberland consisted of the IV Corps (General David S. Stanley), the XIV Corps (General Jefferson C. Davis), and the Cavalry Corps (General Washington Elliott).

1864 September 15: “Madame Rumor says Sherman is ordered to push out after Hood as soon as possible”

The original letter is in the Edwin D. Papers (River Falls Mss BO), in the University Archives and Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Camp of the 12th Wis Vols.
Near Atlanta Ga  Sept 15th / ’64

My Dear Parents ;

                                  Yours of the 1st inst. was rec’d day before yesterday ;  also, that of Cousin Lottie.  As I have not yet mail’d my last letter to you I will write another to send off with it, so here it is — as follows.

We are all enjoying ourselves firstrate.  Our camp, which is beautifully located on the East side of the R. R. and equidistant from Atlanta and Eastport, is in the shade of small pine, hickory, and oak trees and near a little creek, along which are numerous springs of most excellent water.  Everything about camp has the air of neatness and order.  The breastworks in front are finished, and we have more rations than we know what to do with ; and we are quietly awaiting the issue of new clothes and the arrival of some of Uncle Sam’s pay agents.  A large bakery is building and soon we shall have soft bread.

It may interest you to know the difference between campaign rations and camp rations.  The former consists of hard bread, beef, bacon, beans, dessicated potatoes, sugar, coffee, salt, pepper, with occasional tastes of vinegar, whiskey & so on.  The latter of the same, with rice, Irish potatoes occasionally, and fish, krout [sic: sauerkraut], soft bread or flour, or both, and molassess [sic].

Madame Rumor says Sherman [William T. Sherman] is ordered to push out after Hood [John Bell Hood] as soon as possible, and that our stay here is likely to be shortend [sic].  It may be so.  Possibly it is feared the general may take advantage of our resting spell and send off troops to Richmond or Mobile.  He dare not risk an open engagement with this army, for he well knows what would be the result ; and he is equally aware that that [sic] he can do nothing with it even when stronly [sic] entrenched.  Despairing of assistance and of successful operations, it seems more probable he will disperse his army to be of use where it can be given.  You do not know, I guess, how nice a trap Sherman had set for him on the first inst.  Had the 23rd Corps been up to time, Hood and his army would have all been gobbled.  The position of the contending armies on that day I will sketch for you.  Our head generals were feeling finely over their prospective success and I think old Hood’s hair stood up straight when he saw the danger.

Map from page 4 of Edwin Levings’ September 15, 1864, letter, from the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls

This was the plan.  While the 4th and 23rd corps were swinging around in the rear of the rebels, and the 17th corps was moving to a position on the right of the 16th, represented by the dotted line A. B., the 14th Corps was to move forward its right & make a connection with the 15th Corps.  When the 23rd had occupied the line represented by C. D. it was to announce the fact by opening the ball and immediately the 14th Corps was to charge down the R. R. and then a general pressing in was to follow.  It was 3 o’clock P. M. and the 23rd Corps being 2 hours behind time & observing the rebels getting away did not get the position intended & attempted to head them off on the line E. D.  The 17th Corps was on hand.  You know the result of the movement.  The 14th charged & did good work, as it was.

Politics are discussed by us with great interest.  At present all eyes are directed to the doings of the Chicago Convention.  Many fear McClellan [George B. McClellan] will be elected, some think he will run about as Douglas [Stephen A. Douglas] did.  They await the election in great suspense, believing everything hinges on this issue.  It makes us feel bad to see so many Union men faltering just at the time when energies are most needed, at a time when they can be most valuable.  Their sacrifices are not equal to ours and, if I may use the expression, “Can they not watch with us one hour” ?  I have hope that the country will be saved.  If God has not given us over to our own ways we shall come out as redeemed people.  The are a most perverse people and unwilling to do God’s will, and the evils and calamities of war are meant to bring us to our alligiance [sic] to Him.  We can not tell what is ahead, but I apprehend there are to may be privations and sufferings more sever than we have yet had ere we come out of the struggle.

The Capt. and some other officers, I understand, have sent in their resignations.  The boys will not mourn his departure at all.  1st Lt. Charles Reynolds is a much better officer and far better liked.  Lt. Kelsey is also well liked.¹

You ask, Mother, if we lost our medicine, and if you shall send us some.  We lost the homeopathy medicine during the battle of the 22nd July.  We both think it best you do not send any at present, at least, if at all.  Not that it has grown into disfavor with us.  I have my doubts about wanting to use it any more in Dixie.

Col. Bryant [George E. Bryant] who commands the Brigade will soon leave us.  It will be difficult to find a Col. in whom there is a firmer confidence — all think highly of him & hate to have him go home.

We both have good health, I am more fleshy than at the opening of the campaign.  Homer says you may send him by letter a little pulverized alum² which he wishes to have on hand in case he would have the ague [fever].

Yours &c,          Edwin D. Levings

1.  The captain at this time was Orrin T. Maxson, from Prescott; he resigned as of September 18, 1864. Charles Reynolds, from Madison, currently the 1st lieutenant, became the captain as of October 7, 1864. Wallace Kelsey, officially listed as being from Owatonna (Minn.) was currently the 2nd lieutenant and would become the 1st lieutenant as of October 7, 1864, and be replaced as 2nd lieutenant by Alva McKee, officially from Rockford (Minn.).
2.  Pulverized alum was used to stop bleeding, for diphtheria, for croup, and for offensive foot sweat!
.

Edwin Levings letter of September 15, 1864, from the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls

1864 September 10: “Atlanta is ours fairly won”: Sherman’s Official Report

The following article is from the September 10, 1864, issue of The Polk County Press.

 

OFFICIAL REPORT OF GEN. SHERMAN.

WAR DEPARTMENT, }
Washington, Sept. 5. }

To Major Gen. Dix [John A. Dix].

Gen. Sherman’s [William T. Sherman] official report of the capture of Atlanta has just been received, dated twenty-six miles south of Atlanta, at six o’clock yesterday morning.  They had been detained by the breaking of the telegraph lines already reported :

Our army withdrew from about Atlanta, and on the 30th made a break on the East Point road, and reached a good position from which to strike the Macon road.

Slocum [Henry W. Slocum] was on the right, near Jonesboro’ ; Scofield on the left.—Howard found the enemy near Jonesboro’, and entrenched his troops within half a mile of the railroad.

The enemy attacked him at 3 P. M. and was easily repulsed, leaving his dead and wounded.  Making a strong opposition on the road, I advanced the left and centre rapidly to the railroad and made a good lodgment and broke it all the way from Rough-and-Ready down to Howard, near Jonesboro’.

I threw my whole army between Atlanta and that part of the enemy entrenched in and around Jonesboro.

We made a general attack on the enemy at Jonesboro’, the 14th Corps (Gen. Jeff C. Davis [Jefferson C. Davis]) carrying the works with 10 guns and about 1,000 prisoners.

The enemy retreated south, and we followed him to his hastily constructed lines near Lovejoys’s Station.

Hood [John B. Hood] finding we were on the only road he could retreat by and between a considerable part of his army blew up the magazine in Atlanta and left in the night.

The 20th Crops (Gen. Slocum,) took possession of the city.

So Atlanta is ours fairly won.

Since the 5th of May we have been in one constant battle or skirmish and we need rest.

Our losses will not exceed 1,200, and we have 300 dead, 250 wounded and over 1,500 prisoners.

(Signed)                    .W. T. Sherman.

A later dispatch from Gen. Slocum dated night of the 3d Sept., Atlanta, says the enemy destroyed seven locomotives and eighty-one cares [sic] loaded with ammunition, small arms and stores, and left fourteen artillery, mostly uninjured, and a large number of small arms.

Deserters are constantly coming in our lines.

FROM SHERMAN’S ARMY.

NASHVILLE, Sept., 5.—Gen. Rosseau [sic] [Lovell H. Rousseau) telegraphs from Spring Hall late on Saturday that Wheeler’s [Joseph Wheeler] force was across Duck River, and had joined Roddy [sic],¹ and was retreating towards Florence.  Rosseau [sic] pronounces the raid a compete failure.

Wheeler is reported mortally wounded, and died at Florence yesterday morning.

Gen. Haskell,² was reported killed in a skirmish.  Considerable damage has been done to the railroad.  A large force is employed there who will soon have it running again.

The damage done by the rebels to the Chattanooga railroad, had been repaired, one bridge only was destroyed and, that was by Stewart.

Col. Spaulding was not captured as reported.  He is safe with his command.  Capt. Prior of the 10th Tennessee, was killed on Friday.

News from Sherman’s army was received today.  Enemy’s loss is reported to be 3,000 killed and wounded.  We have captured 2,000 prisoners, among them are Brig. General — name not given.  A large amount of property was captured.  The army is in full posession [sic] of Atlanta river.

1.  Phillip Dale Roddey (ca. 1826-1897) received little formal education before becoming a tailor in Moulton, Alabama, and then sheriff of Lawrence County, Alabama. He then purchased a steamboat, which he ran on the Tennessee River. Roddey had not supported secession and attempted to stay out of the Civil War, but after the fall of Fort Henry, Tennessee, in February 1862, rather than allow his steamboat to be seized and used by the enemy, Roddey burned the boat and raised a Confederate cavalry company. He led the company at the Battle of Shiloh in April 1862. Impressing General Braxton Bragg, by October 1862 Roddey became colonel of the 4th Alabama Cavalry, serving primarily in Tennessee and Alabama. By April 1864 he was appointed a brigadier general and Roddey was called the “Defender of North Alabama.”
2.  Milo Smith Hascall (1829-1904) was not killed during the Civil War, but lived to 1904. He graduated from West Point in 1852 and served several years in the U.S. Army before resigning his commission. He then returned to Indiana where he became a lawyer and politician, including district attorney and clerk of the county court. When the Civil War started, he enlisted as a private, but was soon promoted to captain and served as aide-de-camp to General Thomas A. Morris, assisting in organizing six volunteer regiments. In June 1861, he was made colonel of the 17th Indiana Infantry. His troops served in General McClellan’s West Virginia campaign, arrived a day late for the Battle of Shiloh, and took part in the Siege of Corinth. In April 1862 he was promoted to brigadier general of Volunteers, serving in Kentucky and Tennessee. In late 1863 Hascall took part in the defense of Knoxville, and in 1864 in the Atlanta Campaign. He resigned on October 27, 1864, and returned to Ohio where he engaged in banking. Later he moved to  Chicago and entered the real-estate business.

2014 September 2: Atlanta Falls to Union Forces 150 Years Ago

Normally we wait until events appear in a letter or one of our local newspapers, but some events are too important not to take notice when they happen.  The fall of Atlanta is one of them.  Following is a re-posting of “The Fall of Atlanta” post from the U.S. National Archives’ “Today’s Document” blog on Tumblr.

The Fall of Atlanta:

The city of Atlanta, Georgia fell to Union forces under Major General William T. Sherman on September 2, 1864, following a six week siege after the Battle of Atlanta on July 22, 1864.

Photos from the series: Selected Views from “Photographic Views of Sherman’s Campaign” by George N. Barnard, Photographer, 1862 – 1865

The impact of the fall of Atlanta was instrumental in the eventual victory for the Federal forces.  It boosted morale in the North and insured the reelection of President Abraham Lincoln which meant that the war would continue to the South’s capitulation.  Until then, with no major Confederate Army left to contest Sherman and his men, he would order them to move east, towards Savannah, and from there, north into the Carolinas.  Unopposed, Sherman’s Army brought the war to the heart of the South and to its civilian population.

These photos are from a series by George Barnard.  Once an employee of Matthew Brady Studios, Barnard worked for the Topographical Branch of the Army Engineers after December 1863.  Assigned to Sherman’s Army, he captured many of the images of the Atlanta Campaign on early photographic equipment.

via The Atlanta Campaign of 1864: The Camera at War

(Be sure to follow atlantahistorycenter‘s series of Civil War Letters for more!)

Source: research.archives.gov

Top to bottom:

 Destruction of General Hood’s Ordnance Train, National Archives Identifier: 533417

Confederate Works in Front of Atlanta, Georgia, National Archives Identifier: 533412

The Potter House, Atlanta, Georgia, National Archives Identifier: 533411

Atlanta, Georgia, National Archives Identifier: 533419

1864 August 20: Organizing the 43rd Wisconsin, Letter from John F. Newton, the Situation of Atlanta

Following are a few unrelated articles—except they are all too large for our usual “small items” post.  All are from The Prescott Journal of August 20, 1864.

Another New Regiment—Organization of the Forty-Third.

The Governor has organized the 43d Wisconsin infantry.  The following officers have been appointed :

Colonel—AMASA COBB, of Mineral Point.
Lieut. Colonel—BYRON PAINE, of Madison.
Major—SAMUEL B. BRIGHTMAN, of Milwaukee.
Adjutant—JOHN J. BUCK, of Waupan.
Quartermaster—JNO. B. EUGENE, of Green Bay.
1st Assistant Surgeon—CHARLES C. HAYES, of Madison.

The following 2d Lieutenants are appointed
Co. A—Chas. M. Day, of D, 24th Reg.
..”   B—L. V. Nanscawen, of I, 29th Reg.
..”   C—John Brandon.  [from the 5th Iowa Cavalry]
..”   D—Francis A. Smith, of E, 29th Reg.
..”   E—George Witter.
..”   F—Henry Harris, of H, 12th Reg.
..”   G—Henry A. Reed.
..”   H—Thos. O. Russell, Q. M. Serg’t, 13th Reg.
..”   I—Orrin L. Turgman [sic: Ingman], of D, 23d Reg.
..”   K—Chas. Lemke, of 2d Battery.

Col. COBB is the present Member of Congress from the 3d District.  He was formerly Colonel of the 5th Wisconsin, and had command of the regiment when it distinguished itself by its brilliant conduct at the battle of Williamsburgh [sic].  The Lt. Colonel, BYRON PAINE, at present one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of the State, while he has seen no service, possesses qualifications which will render him, we have no doubt, one of the most efficient as well as most popular officers.  He resigns one of the most important and honorable offices in the State to take a subordinate position in the army.  His example will inspire others, and his name attract many to the ranks of the 43d.

Letter from Louisville.

We have received an interesting letter from JOHN F. NEWTON, now at Louisville, but can only find room for the following extracts :

Politics you hear but little of here, but there is no doubt but there will be some hot work here in November, at the Presidential election.  All parties are waiting anxiously to see the result of the Chicago Convention, and I presume when we hear from it we shall hear more politics.

People, especially those who are interested in copper-mines, are very careful how and what sentiments they utter, for they know not but what the next minute may bring them where the[y] can study the style of architecture of certain rooms with iron doors, bars at the windows, and a man to wait on them.

The police courts seem to have their share of business, for hardly a day or night passes but that some one is ventilated with either knife or ball.

The military authorities have been very busy for the past few days in “gobbling up” quite a number of the citizens of Louisville, being members of a society known as the “Sons of Freedom,” and the said arrests have caused no little excitement here.

Large numbers of rebel prisoners pass through the city almost daily, on their way to Northern prisons.  I have seen as many as twelve hundred within three days.  They are generally a villainously dirty looking set, but a gentleman informed me that it was the color of their clothes that made them appear so, but I guess I know dirt from colored cloth.—There are many fine looking men among them, and they go through the city quietly, and looking well pleased with the prospect of good quarters and plenty to eat, when they arrive at their destination.  It is to be hoped that many more of the “butternut gentry” will soon partake of the hospitality of our government.

The Situation of Atlanta.

A correspondent of the New York Times, writing from Sherman’s front [William T. Sherman], on August 1st, thus describes the “situations” there:

To tell the truth, we are somewhat puzzled at the stubborn front presented by the enemy.  Hood [John Bell Hood] has been dreadfully worried since our encroachments, and has experienced three disastrous defeats.  To which, according to the rebel newspapers, he has sustained a loss of at least 26,000 men.  Yet he keeps up a bold front and audaciously stands his ground, to the great dissatisfaction of  of our skirmish line, which made three unsuccessful attempts to advance yesterday.

We cannot, with the least chance of success, attempt to carry the enemy’s fortifications by assault.  There are yet two ways to effect this dislodgment.  If our right swings round on the Macon road, he must, it is believed, come out of his works and fight as on an open field, or make his escape to the north and east as best he can.  If, however, in that case, the enemy persists in declining to fight or evacuate, then Gen. Sherman must provide his army with twenty days rations and go clean around as he did at Buzzard Road and Allatoona.  The “pot-hook” is bound to win.

1864 August 17: “Books, papers & letters just suit me and my mind starves without them. How well I should like to be at home to-night!”

A homesick Edwin Levings, with the 12th Wisconsin Infantry in Georgia, writes to his Cousin Hattie Levings.  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.

Near Atlanta Ga Aug. 17^th / ’64

Dear Cousin Hattie,

                                     Your much wished for letter, dated 31st July was received by us several days ago, and I read it with all the expected pleasure, and thank you for it.

I presume you have read what I wrote to you in a letter to Lottie.  You did not think I was censuring you I hope.  I was confident your time was fully occupied and perhaps better occupied than it would have been in writing letters to me.

But now that your school term is nearly out and you will be more at leasure [sic], you can attend to your teasing cousins.

It  is now 3 o’clock P.M. and as we are to draw rations early tomorrow morning and expect to make another movement, I thought I would not delay writing longer.

Since the great battles around Atlanta, the accounts of which you have doubtless read, the Army of the Tenn. has held the center and we have had much easier times.  I think we shall soon be on the flank position again, and if so, may have some more fighting to do; but it is difficult to tell what movement is intended.  No serious fighting had taken place this week ∼ all seems very quiet except on the skirmish line where there is considerable picket firing, doing no particular hurt.  The rebels seem quiet, but as they now see we are not going to test their breastworks.  I doubt not they are trying some game of strategy, for no sooner do we begin to settle down in our operations,—when we are not doing much, than they they [sic] show more vigor; and if we are not very vigilant we must take consequences.  A force of rebels estimated from 300 to 20,000  mad a dash at our communications near Dalton, but what damage they did no one seems to know.  That was the other day.  Our rations were immediately cut down to 3/5 and all unnecessary picket firing ordered to cease; but the impression is that the damage, if any, was slight, and we are told we are to draw rations as usual & write at pleasure.

I am glad you like Mr. Weld¹ as a teacher.  If you did not, you would feel very unpleasant.  If I ever get home, I will plunge into books or I greatly mistake.  I know not what to do many times for the lack of reading matter.  Books, papers & letters just suit me and my mind starves without them.  How well I should like to be at home to-night !   Wouldn’t it be fine?—but I must not dwell on that subject.  There comes up the idea of comfort & so on,—the nice fixings & a thousand more things that please, you see.  What kind of soldier would I be if I let my thoughts and desires run after such things?  Why I felt half provoked at a fellow yesterday for mentioning such things as warm brisket[?], turkey dumplings &c, but then we do have funny times talking over Mother’s good things.  We get together in groups and talk and laugh, and I don’t see but we relish in imagination there things as much as if we actually had them.   We have good fare, but not very good accommodations for cooking.  Supper is about ready.  Homer and Dale,² our comrade, is getting it.  We shall have some solidified bread, an admixture of coffee & sugar, and a compound of dessicated potatoes & beef.  You may laugh but Homer says this supper is not to be sneezed at.  In all truth, Hattie, we do enjoy ourselves, spite of all the disadvantages & privations incidents to our life.

1.  Allen Hayden Weld (1809-1882).
2.  Edwin’s brother Homer, and their friend Wilber P. Dale.

Edwin Levings letter of August 17, 1864, from the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls

1864 August 13: Fifth Wisconsin Battery — “the very word soldier is synonymous with peril, hardship and privation”

Reports from various Wisconsin regiments appeared in the August 13, 1864, issue of The Prescott Journal.  We made each report its own post because of their length.  This post is a letter from the 5th Wisconsin Battery.

Further from Sherman’s Army.

The  Battle  of  Peach  Tree [sic]  Creek.

Honor Won by Wisconsin.

A Letter from a Kentucky Hospital.

⇒ DOINGS OF A WISCONSIN BATTERY WITH SHERMAN.

AFFAIRS BEFORE PETERSBURG.

From the Capital of Arkansas.

Slanders on the 35th Refuted.

From the Fifth Battery.

How Wisconsin Men Handle Cannon—Rebel
Gunners and Rival Union Batteries Sur-
passed—What one Company has Done in the
Georgia Campaign.

Correspondence of the State Journal.

CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER, GA., July 20, ’64.

MESSRS. EDITORS :  The Journal seems to be the mouth-piece by which the soldier from the Badger State talks of the noble deeds, heroic suffering, and brilliant achievements, that constitute the records of his years in rebeldom—accomplished, suffered and achieved by himself and comrades ;  and I suppose to those of your readers who have friends in the army (and who have not) the mention of each regiment or battery, touches in some heart the “mystic chord of memory,” which stretches away southward to the camp, the hospital, or the field, to some one who wears the loyal blue.

Amidst this great mass which has come out from every loyal State, to declare loyalty to the government, and to seal with blood the declaration, identity, it might be supposed, would almost lose itself, but I am quite sure that there is no such danger in the State, in the town, or village, but that every organization lies a sure identity, and every number its signification.

Perhaps I should do well to imitate the example of others and record the number “5 Wisconsin Battery,” a number which I have seldom seen in any State paper, but which has, nevertheless, recorded itself in fire and blood, on many of the battle-fields of the southwest, and never, I believe, without honor to itself and to the State from which it came.

It would be superfluous to recite what we have endured, what we have suffered, for the very word soldier is synonymous with peril, hardship and privation.

You who send us forth to do this work, know to what you send us—realize that it is to danger, perhaps to death.  That we do our duty faithfully and well is, and should be, the matters of solicitude and concern.  I shall undertake to say of the 5th Battery that none have done their duty with more zeal, and more effectually, than it has, and none can produce a record more honorable.

The great campaign which began on the 1st of May and still continues, which has already given us that part of the State of Georgia lying north of the Chattahoochee river, and which promises still more valuable results, has furnished scores of opportunities for the development of the soldierly qualities and efficiency of almost every organization in the army, and I venture the assertion that none have given better satisfaction to commanding generals than the 5th Battery, and none have been more highly complimented, and if I may be allowed my opinion, none have more justly deserved it.

We have sent our compliments to Jo Johnston [Joseph E. Johnston] something over three thousand times in the shape of shot, shell, case and cannister [sic], and from the report that prisoners bring to us, I am disposed to believe that he appreciates our efforts to be civil and courteous.  With a single section of our battery protected behind frail and hastily constructed works, we have sometimes kept a whole battery of the enemy’s silent for hours, even though protected by the strongest and most elaborate works.  The embrasures of the enemy’s works, though only of sufficient width to admit the muzzles of their guns, were so insecure that though they had six guns to our two, they could not work any of them.  I do not write this to boast, but I record it as a fact, to which a “cloud of witnesses” can be found to testify.

At the battle near Resacca [sic] the enemy suffered most severely from our fire.  I rode over the field after they were gone, and on that part of it which was under our fire were the ruins of a battery which tried to reply to us, and many dead horses.  Our conduct on that day won for us the compliments of Generals Sherman [William T. Sherman] and Palmer [John M. Palmer], and a name outside of our immediate commands.  Words of praise came from the lips of all who witnessed our practice that day.

Kenesaw [sic] Mountain witnessed the best artillery practice, I think, that has ever been seen in the Southwest.  Trained upon it, and directed against it, were some fifteen batteries, many of them rifled guns.  It was a rare opportunity for testing the efficiency of our artillery, and the practice was witnessed by all who belong to that branch of the service, with much interest.  It was also an excellent time for batteries between which the spirit of rivalry had sprung up, to test them selves, and settle “old scores.”  It was here, where so impartial a trial of skill could be made, that the 5th Battery competed so successfully with all, and bore off the palm from one of its old and worthy rivals.

When so much that is complimentary may be said of a military organization, it is hardly worth while to particularize by mentioning names.  The character of a battery or regiment is a mirror in which may be seen the commanding officer and his subordinate officers, and all that is said of the command is said of its officers also.  I predict a glorious career for our battery, one that will reflect honor upon all its members, and cause the Badger State to venerate the No. 5.

There has been no time since we came into the service when the men were in better spirits than at the present.  The home mania, which was really a malady, and from which many died, has ceased to afflict the soldier, and though “home” is still the centre of prospective hapiness [sic], he remembers it now only as a blessing to be enjoyed when his soldierly pride shall be gratified in a redeemed country, and “Father Abraham,” [Abraham Lincoln] shall sound the universal recall from our time honored Capitol, the triumphant notes of which, rolling down the “Father of Waters”¹ to the Gulf, and caught up by every mountain and river in all this “sunny land” shall be alike the death-knell of traitors and treason, and the assurance of the rejuvenescence of Columbia’s fair land.

T.

1.  The Mississippi River.

1864 August 13: The 22nd Wisconsin Infantry at Peachtree Creek — “the engagement was for a time doubtful”

Reports from various Wisconsin regiments appeared in the August 13, 1864, issue of The Prescott Journal.  We made each report its own post because of their length.  This post is a letter from the 22nd Wisconsin Infantry.  The Battle of Peachtree Creek was fought on July 20, 1864, near Atlanta, Georgia.  The following Wisconsin regiments were in the Army of the Cumberland: 1st, 3rd, 10th, 15th, 21st, 22nd, 24th, 26th, 31st infantry regiments, and the 5th Light Battery.

Company C of the 22nd included many men from northwest Wisconsin, especially Hudson and Spring Valley, and other northwestern Wisconsin men were scattered in other companies of the regiment.  The 22nd Wisconsin was in the 2nd Brigade (Colonel John Coburn), 3rd Division (General William T. Ward), XX Corps (General Joseph Hooker).  John W. Geary and Alpheus S. Williams led the two other divisions in this corps.

⇒ Further from Sherman’s Army.

⇒  The  Battle  of  Peach  Tree [sic]  Creek.

⇒ Honor Won by Wisconsin.

A Letter from a Kentucky Hospital.

DOINGS OF A WISCONSIN BATTERY WITH SHERMAN.

AFFAIRS BEFORE PETERSBURG.

From the Capital of Arkansas.

Slanders on the 35th Refuted.

From the Twenty-second Regiment.

Its Part in the Battle Before Atlanta—How it
Won Honor at the Front—Praises of Officers
High in Command—Mention of Other Wisconsin Regiments.

HEADQ’RS 2D BRIG. 3D DIV., 20 A. C. }
THREE MILES FROM ATLANTA, July 21. }

EDITORS STATE JOURNAL :  Yesterday there was a general advance of the whole army.  The 3d Division, 20th Corps, crossed Peach Tree [sic] Creek—a deep, narrow and muddy branch running nearly east and west—at 9 o’clock, Gens. Geary’s and Williams[‘] divisions having crossed the day before.  The 3d Brigade formed on the left and joined the 4th Corps, the 26th Wisconsin being next to and on our left.  [John W. Geary and Alpheus S. Williams]

The 22d Wisconsin was ordered on skirmish and advanced across an open field which was divided by a deep ravine forming two parts of hills with the ground sloping toward the ravine gradually.  The rebels gave signs of uneasiness and soon advanced to the edge of the wood that bordered the field, and half a mile distant.  Our line of battle was yet behind the high ground where it had first formed, when the word came that the rebels were advancing.  The 22d Wisconsin held its line, skirmishing with the advancing foe.

A critical moment had arrived.  Our flank was in danger, and could the rebels have broken our line here, our whole force would have suffered awfully, as an impassible creek was behind us and no woods to shelter our retreat.  The 22d was now pressed so hard that they could hold out but a short time.  The left of their line was already flanked.  The order came to advance.  Quickly and silently the division moved forward, onward and upward until the crest of the first hill was reached by the 2d Brigade in the advance of the 1st and 3d.  The 22d fell back and formed in the line.  The rebs came on en masse.  Our batteries on the right and left opened and followed by the roar of musketry told the beholder that heavy work was being done.

The engagement was for a time doubtful.  Geary was pressed back.  The 1st Division of the 4th Corps was driven behind its third line.  In our front it was raging.  Now our men fell back to the ravine, having advanced once beyond, driving the rebels, who were reinforced by another line, and came up on double quick.  Once in the ravine, our center was protected from their fury, while the battery on our right and also the one on our left mowed them down.  On they came down the slope, when our men received them as soldiers do.  Like grain before the reaper they fell, filling the road and covering the hillside.  They waver, then rally and fire.  Our line then advances and drives them back nearly half a mile and holds them there.  Ammunition was brought up, as our second line had now but fifteen rounds to the man.  The guns were so hot that I saw many with their hands blistered by handling them.  Had the rebels reinforced come upon us, they could have driven us back.  But so severely had we punished them that they gave it up.  Our line advanced and capture their wounded.

Three hundred of their killed lay upon our ground and from 70 to 100 wounded,, all severely, were brought in and laid beneath some shade trees to wait their turn for transportation to our filled hospitals.  Our men were cared for first.  The 2d Brigade captured 200 prisoners, and I am told that a great many were captured by the other brigades of this and other divisions.

Just at dusk, when the fighting was still heavy, Gen. Sherman sent word that Schofield and McPherson’s armies had got to within two miles of Atlanta in the rebel rear.  When the news was announced, a shout arose that was distinctly heard above the din of battle.  [William T. Sherman, John M. Schofield, James B. McPherson]

At 9 o’clock the firing ceased and the wounded heroes were cared for.

Gen. Hooker compliments Gen. Ward for the conduct of his division, and Col. Coburn is complimented for the conduct of his brigade.  Gen. Hooker, after learning what the 22d Wisconsin had done, praised its conduct and said that no regiment over did better, and that Col. Bloodgood was deserving of great credit for his persistency in holding his line so long.  And he deserved it in behalf of the brave regiment he commands.  [Edward Bloodgood]

Our regiment is quite small now, only about 250 men for duty.

The rebels lost several field officers, and the report is current that Gen. Hood was killed.  Our men have been busy all day burying the rebel dead.  Their loss is estimated at 25,000 killed and wounded in the engagement.  [John Bell Hood]

Our 2d brigade lost 201 men killed and wounded.

The 26th Wisconsin lost severely and fought well.

The 3d Wisconsin was not engaged.

The 31st Wisconsin arrived here this morning in good health, and is assigned to the 3d brigade, 1st division.

There is some skirmishing on the lines today, but no heavy firing.  The 14th corps on our right was not engaged much yesterday, but there is an indication of a fight there as I write.

Our wounded are all well cared for.

Our lines are strengthened and we propose to whip out Mr. Johanies.

Yours in haste,               FAIRPLAY.

1864 August 10: “We frequently work all night with the ax, pick & spade and are able to protect ourselves”

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.

Near Atlanta Ga., Aug 10th, 1864.

Ever Dear Parents,

                                   We were gladdened last night by the arrival of your letter of the 31st July, it having been but nine days on the way ~ pretty quick time.

Well, I am thankful I have no bad news for you.  We are both safe and able to do our regular duty.  If you have received our letters, you know all about those battles.  Yet, we have certainly seen the “elephant.”  We see more or less of him daily.

You say you heard the 12th was on the extreme right.  Not so.  Our Div. was on the right of the Corps, and our Brig. the centre Brig. & the 12th on the right of it.  Only the left wing companies were much exposed and they had a hand in repelling the charge of the enemy.  Co. B lost heavily.  The charge we made the day before was the most severe on us.  If you have seen the Wis. State Journal you have read a full account of those battles.  Our Chaplain Walker, of our Co. is correspondent.¹

We are shortening our lines as rapidly as possible, closing up on them.  Yesterday I was on the skirmish line again and the line advanced about 70 rods.  The rebels fell back, but before night we received their leaden compliments and returned them.  We were in a rather uncomfortable position for we could hear the rebels erecting a batteries to shell us out.  This morning they have opened from them on our advance & third line of works which are in an open field exposed to an enfilading fire, but I tell you the spade is being used here.  We frequently work all night with the ax, pick & spade and are able to protect ourselves.  Close to our Co. is one of our batteries of 8 guns.  Yesterday, all day long, our batteries, from our position around to the extreme left, were shelling the city.  We can not see it here but we are only 2 miles from it.  By climbing trees we can see it.  We are sanguine of taking Atlanta, but not for some time yet.  The rebels are defending their city bravely, and we may not be able to take it for weeks yet.  We have built 3 strong lines here.  The 12th [Wis.] & 31st Ills. have been in front for some time, but they are now in the 2nd line, and the other 2 Regiments of the Brig., 16th Wis. & 30 Ills., are out in the the front line.  The rebels are now shelling us now lively.  I have quit writing several times and I don’t know but I shall have to quit altogether.  I guess I’ll stop a while ~ till they cease firing, anyway.   Homer² is cooking beans, or was, says they are under fire now & they may cook without watching for a while.  They won’t stop firing, & I’ll commence writing again.

Dale³ arrived this morning looking and feeling firstrate.  He had a good chance to serve out the remainder of his time in Louisville in the Provost Marshall’s [sic] office as clerk, but would not accept it, for he wanted, he said, to see the front and participate in the struggle for Atlanta.  A noble spirit that.  Not like many men we have who are too anxious to get to the rear, & if sick & once there, manage to figure for a safe positions as clerks or something else, that cheating the country out of active service.  I despise such men, I can not help it.  Our Co. has men of that stamp back at Nashville, Chattanooga & other places who should be here; and I’ll venture there are thousands of men, well & able, doing some unimportant duty in the rear.  I hope no more 1 years men will be accepted.  They are too anxious to have their time out and are not good for much.

The story Balcomb tells about the Capt. is a down right lie.⁴  The Capt. has his faults but I can exhonerate [sic] him from that charge.  He led the men, loped right off like a man and did his duty.  It was not a charge however as you supposed.  We ran across the open field to the woods then crept up on the flank of the rebel skirmishers.  I want you should understand that Balcom is a grumbler, a fault-finder.  He is a Fremont man.  You would say a Copperhead, and I will say talks like one, if not, in fact, one.  I have heard him say that after he gets out of service he would not turn his finger over to save the country.  He is one of these discontented, faultfinding grumbling characters, & when you see him you may know he can tell yarns.

I hope you will not try to do too much on that bottom land.  You can easily overdo, and you must not do it.  We wish we could help you, & hope we may yet be able.  Let those 500,000 men come down here & you will have the pleasure of seeing this trouble ended in a short time.  Not before they come, I fear & am sure.  Had we 500,000 men reinforcements we could drive or annihilate this rebel army in our front.  Atlanta is hard to capture, but it is not Atlanta we want, altogether, we must destroy the rebel army.  Give us the men and it shall be done.  I have been dodging shell for some time and my letter looks rather hard, but you must pardon that.  Only some horses were hit, just back of us.  The rebels have got some big guns, 84 pars, & the pieces make a noise like ducks when flying.

The weather for a few days has been very rainy — quite unpleasant, hot to warm here as with you.  I have drawn a new suit of clothes & don’t look quite so hard as I did.  Write as usual & believe me your loving boy,

Edwin.

P.S. — Thomson & David McCleary are in the Alton prison for smuggling in Memphis for the rebels.  “The way of transgressors is hard.”  Send some Tribunes or Sentinels.     Edwin

1.  Henry J. Walker, from Delona, was in Company A before becoming the 12th Regiment’s chaplain on July 2, 1864.
2.  Edwin’s brother, Homer, also in Company A of the 12th.
3.  Wilber P. Dale, from River Falls.  Dale had sickness problems from the very beginning, even being left behind in Wisconsin when the 12th first left the state.
4.  James Balcom, from Kinnickinnick. He was transferred to Company I on May 1, 1864, perhaps because of his charges against Captain Orrin T. Maxson, who will resign September 18, 1864.

Edwin Levings letter of August 10, 1864, from the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls