The Battle of Natural Bridge was fought on March 6, 1865, near Tallahassee, Florida. A small band of Confederate troops and volunteers, mostly composed of teenagers from the nearby Florida Military and Collegiate Institute (would become Florida State University), and the elderly, prevented Union forces from crossing the Natural Bridge on the St. Marks River. The Confederate forces, protected by breastworks, guarded all of the approaches and the bridge itself. The action at Natural Bridge lasted most of the day, but, unable to take the bridge in three separate charges, the Union troops retreated to the protection of the fleet. The Union troops consisted of African-American soldiers of the United States Colored Troops, including Frank Harding’s company. The battle prevented the Union from capturing the Florida capital and made Tallahassee the only Confederate capital east of the Mississippi River not to be captured by Union forces during the war.
The original letter is in the Frank D. Harding Papers (River Falls Mss AB), University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives and Area Research Center.
On board Str. [Steamer] Magnolia Off Cedar Keys
Fla. — March 9th 1865
Dear Father,
Once more safe, but somewhat demoralised. We have had two days hard fighting, at first we were victorious but finaly [sic] repulsed. Our whole force amounted to 893 muskets, all negroes but about 134 which were men from Florida, and were not engaged in the fight.
Our men fought first rate against the heaviest odds. Not one of them flinched although charged on more than twenty times. I lost my first Lieut. and nine men, but came out first [best?]. We captured one twelve pd. riffled [sic] piece which the enemy tried to re-capture but were not successful.
I will write to you the particulars next time.
Yours, . .Frank
Frank Harding letter of March 9, 1865, from the Frank D. Harding Papers (River Falls Mss AB) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls
The Battle of Olustee (February 20, 1864) was the only major Civil War battle in Florida. Throughout the rest of 1864 and into the spring of 1865, the 2nd Florida Cavalry repeatedly thwarted Union attempts to take any of the Confederate-held northern and central portions of the state. About all the Union forces could do is blockade the state, and Union troops occupied major ports such as Key West. Captain Frank Harding’s letter may be referring to what will become known as the Battle of Natural Bridge on March 6 on the St. Marks River. Perhaps his next letter will tell us.
The original letter is in the Frank D. Harding Papers (River Falls Mss AB), University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives and Area Research Center.
On board Str. [Steamer] Magnolia
Off the harbor of St. Marks Fla.
March 2d 1865
Dear Father
As this may be my last chance for writing, I will drop you a few lines.
We left Key West Feb. 22d and arrived off this place three days ago. We have been prevented from landing on account of dense Fog (it is thick enough to cut). As soon as it clears up we shall land, and try and take the place. They have a nice little fort here which I suppose that they will try and keep but we shall do our best and if we get wiped out so be it. The Union has just come along and says that he will take our letters home, so I must stop. Give my love to Mother & Diantha. If I come out right side up I will write you again. Should any thing happen that I should not be able to write, some one will do it for me.
Yours, Frank
/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /
Frank Harding letter of March 2, 1865, from the Frank D. Harding Papers (River Falls Mss AB) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls
The original letter is in the Frank D. Harding Papers (River Falls Mss AB), located at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center.
Key West, Fa., Jan 28th 1865
Dear Father,
I arrived at this place last night on the Empire City, had a fine voyage out and am in good health. My Regt. has been ordered to Tortugas¹ and I am on my way to rejoin it. I could not be relieved from Morganza² where the Regt. was. So I have to travel alone, which is not very pleasant.
I shall stay here three of four days and then rejoin my Rgt. I have seen but little of the place as yet but am very much pleased with what I have seen. When I get to the Island³ I will write you again, till then good by. Give my love to mother & Diantha. Direct to 99th U.S. Col. Infty., Key West, Fa. [Fla.].
Yours in haste, . .Frank D. Harding
1. Tortuga is the Spanish word for turtle or tortoise. In this case, Harding is referring to a place—the Dry Torgugas, which is a group of islands in the Florida Keys, about 70 miles west of Key West, Florida. Fort Jefferson is located there.
2. Morganza, Louisiana, is where Harding had been stationed until recently.
3. The island on which Fort Jefferson is located is Garden Key. Fort Jefferson is a massive coastal fortress, the largest masonry structure in the Americas. The fort remained in Union hands throughout the Civil War.
Frank Harding letter of January 28, 1865, from the Frank D. Harding Papers (River Falls Mss AB) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls
The original letter is in the Frank D. Harding Papers (River Falls Mss AB), University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center.
Morganza La. Dec 26th 1864
Dear Father,
I have neglected to write to you for some time thinking that something might turn up that might interest you, but every thing goes on in the same old style, nothing new whatever. I am in good health & spirits, and passed Christmas very pleasantly. I should have liked to have been in old Conn. but “our great Uncle” [Abraham Lincoln] seemed to want “every able bodied man in the field” just now and I will have to excersise [sic] a little more patience. I haven’t given up the idea of coming home this winter but don’t know but what I shall have to. [paragraph break added]
We were attacked last night at at [sic] this post but easily drove the rebbs [sic] back to the swamp. I suppose that they wished to come in and just say Merry Christmas or something of that kind.
I intend going to the city next week and if I do will write to you from there. Did Diantha get a letter from me? I wrot [sic] to her nearly one month ago. I haven’t heard from the Thorks [?] for a long while, don’t know where they are. I have writen [sic] them but have received no answer. [paragraph break added]
Give my love to mother & Diantha. Write me and believe me
Yours truly, . .Frank
Frank Harding letter of December 26, 1864, from the Frank D. Harding Papers (River Falls Mss AB) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls
The original letter is in the Frank D. Harding Papers (River Falls Mss AB), University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center.
New Orleans, La. Aug. 6th 1864
Dear Father,
I received a letter from you nearly two weeks ago and should have answered ere this, but though[t] I would be with you. I have endeavored for some time past to get out of this army but as yet met with little or no success. Gen. Banks [Nathaniel P. Banks] seems disposed to keep us all here until the war shall be ended.
I have been in this City for the past week on a leave of absence. My regiment is at Morganzia [sic] about 150 miles up the river. I expect that they will be here to day.
We have just heard from Mobile. Farragut [David G. Farragut] is doing the right thing, in less than one week I think Mobile will be in our possession. By a recent order from Washington the No. of our regiment has been changed. It is now called the 99th US Col. Infantry. I shall try to get home this summer but don’t know as it will be possible to do.
So, we have been engaged for the past two months building a very large Fort a[t] Morganzia [sic] and if “Mr Johny Red” wants to come in at that place he will find some “Mokes”¹ ready and willing to receive him. [paragraph break added]
For the city so far has been quite healthy but I hear this morning of some few cases of Yellow Fever, but that is so every year. I don’t know how you manage to live in Conn, here prices are so that it is allmost [sic] impossible to save any thing. On my last payment I saved six hundred dollars but by the Captain of the [___] Shark lost it. I have some hopes of getting it as it was in a U. S. ten-forty bond² and registered in my name.
Give my love to Mother and Diantha. I will write you again in a few days.
Yours Truly, . .Frank Harding
1. Moke is considered derogatory slang used when referring to a black person. It was derived from the black color of Mocha coffee which was first used 5 years previous to the Civil War.
2. Ten-forty bonds were issued in 1864 by the United States government to raise $75 million to help defray war expenses. The bonds had a 6 percent interest rate, and a maturation date of from 10 to 40 years.
Frank Harding letter of August 6, 1864, from the Frank D. Harding Papers (River Falls Mss AB) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Since August 29, 1863, Frank Harding had been the captain of Company C of the 5th (or 15th) Corps de Afrique Engineers. On April 4, 1864, the 5th Corps de Afrique Engineers became the 99th Infantry Regiment of U.S. Colored Troops, which was attached to the Engineer Brigade in the Department of the Gulf. Union troops serving under General Nathaniel P. Banks in the Red River Campaign—including the 99th—arrived in Morganza, Louisiana, on May 22, 1864. The 99th then served fatigue duty at Morganza till June 20. Morganza is village near the Mississippi River in Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana.
The original letter is in the Frank D. Harding Papers (River Falls Mss AB), University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center.
Morganza May 28th 1864
My Dear Father
I have neglected to write for some time thinking that in a short time we should be somewhere, but as I see no immediate prospect of moving from here I will give some idea of where we are and what we are doing. What we have done you have doubtless ere this learned thru the newspapers. We are at present nearly 200 two hundred miles from New Orleans on the bank of the Miss. We have been here one week. How much longer we shall stay I don’t know. At present we are engaged in fortifying this place. [paragraph break added]
The 19th Army Corps are reorganising [sic] and are to be turned into a marine corps to patrol the river on found transports. The 13th Corps have gone to New Orleans. We some expect to go to Arkansas to join Steel’s [sic: Franklin Steele] Expidition [sic]. If we should go you will here [sic] from me. Scince [sic] I last wrote you I have seen some of the toughest fighting that I ever saw, but as luck would have it came out all right. We lost our Major and Adjt. and some few men. The Major and Ajt. were taken prisoners and shot after being taken. Yesterday our boys took twelve guerrella’s [sic]. They acknowledged that they belonged to no regular organisation [sic]. The upshot of the matter was four was [sic] shot, four hung and four brought into camp [in?] heavy irons. [paragraph break added]
Our Army in this Dept. have made some of the longest marches on record. They march in twelve consecutive days, three hundred and fifty miles, and have made almost as good time throughout the march. Our Engineer Regt. were [sic] in front and rear constantly. The officers however had the advantage of being mounted which made some difference.
But I will stop. Hoping that my next letter may be dated at New Orleans. Give my love to Mother and Diantha. With love,
Yours Truly
Frank
Frank Harding letter of May 28, 1864, from the Frank D. Harding Papers (River Falls Mss AB) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls
The original letter is in the Frank D. Harding Papers (River Falls Mss AB), University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center.
Hudson Wis. Feb. 10th 1864
My Dear Father,
Your letter I received last week all right. I have just returned from a visit to Aunt Diantha’s at Eau Claire, Wis. I found them all right with the exception of Uncle Thorpe, he has been sick for a long while and can’t live much longer.¹ Aunt is looking first rate – forher and was quite disapointed [sic] in not having Mother come with me. She said that when she heard that I had returned to Hudson that she was sure that Mother had come with me. Mary is the only un-married one that is living at home. Frank is with Julia at DeValls Bluff, Arkansas.² Bertha married a Mr. Allen, a widower,³ and is very comfortably situated. Aunt, Uncle & Mary are living with her. Mariah’s husband (Mr. Simms) I didn’t see as he is away to work. He has every thing very comfortable about his house and seems to be doing first rate. They are all in much better circumstances than what they were when I was there before. Aunt worries a great deal about Andrew. He wrote them about one year ago from N. York and they have not heard from him since. They are affraid [sic] that he is dead.4 I have written to Julia and when I hear from her will let you know. [paragraph break added]
There is not much doing here this winter. Money is scarce & business pretty dull but we look for better times in the spring. We have had but very little snow this winter. None until Jan. and not over six or seven inches since. The weather has been quite warm and we manage to have a very fair time. I suppose that Mother will be rejoiced to hear that I am a strong temperance man, belong to any quantity of temperance societies and haven’t drank any whiskey this year, any way. I have also stopped smoking and don’t know but what I shall stop breathing soon.
I believe that I can think of nothing else to write you that would interest you. Give my love to Mother and Diantha. Write me soon.
1. Andrew and Diantha Thorp were 71 and 60, respectively, in the 1860 federal census. Their children living at home in 1860 were Bircy[e] (24), Mary (22), Julia (20), Frances (18), and Andrew (13).
2. DeValls Bluff is located on the White River in east-central Prairie County, Arkansas. Except for Helena, no other town in eastern Arkansas held such strategic importance to the Union Army during the Civil War as did DeValls Bluff. When water was low on the Arkansas River, many boats could not reach the capital city (Little Rock), but they could navigate up to DeValls Bluff. Men and materiel would be transferred to the Memphis and Little Rock Railroad’s trains to be transported to Little Rock. For that reason, DeValls Bluff’s port area was heavily fortified for the remainder of the War and was home to many soldiers and refugees. For more information, see the DeValls Bluff article in the online Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture.
3. Hardie Allen.
4. Andrew Gabriel Thorp enlisted December 3, 1863, in Company I of the 30th Wisconsin Infantry and he survived the War, mustering out September 20, 1865.
Frank Harding letter of February 10, 1864, from the Frank D. Harding Papers (River Falls Mss AB) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls
In November 1863, General Nathaniel P. Banks led between 6,000 and 7,000 soldiers to the mouth of the Rio Grande in Texas to cut off the important smuggling trade between Texas and Mexico. The Battle of Brownsville took place on November 2-6, 1863.
The original letter is in the Frank D. Harding Papers (River Falls Mss AB), University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center.
New Orleans La Nov 15th 1863
My Dear Father
I have just received your kind letter and you may be assured that I was glad to hear from you once more. I had began to think that you had forgotten me as I hadn’t received a letter from you for the past two weeks.
I have been for the past week in New Orleans attending a Provost Court but shall return to my Regiment tomorrow. Everything in this Dept looks “first rate.” Gen. Banks doesn’t tell what he is about to do, but I think ere you receive this you will find what he has done. You wanted to know what were my officers’ names. I will in a few days send you a complete list of them.
I would like very much to see my Charley’s picture, tell Dinah that I have got a very nice album and I will keep the picture safe. Send it along. I don’t know of any news to write. Troops are moving all the time but Gen. Banks only knows where they are going. Col. [___] in Brownsville recruited 800 men in one day. They are all Texasans [sic] ready to fight for their homes.
I will have no time to write more. Give my love to Mother and Diantha. When I get to Brashear City¹ I will write again.
Yours Truly . . . . . . .Frank Harding
1. In Louisiana, now called Morgan City. Star Fort or Fort Brashear was the larger of two works erected by the Union Army occupying the city to defend a Federal military depot and the town.
Frank Harding letter of November 15, 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
The original letter is in the Frank D. Harding Papers (River Falls Mss AB), University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center.
New Orleans August 4th 1863
Dear Father
I have but a very few moments to spare but will write you a line or two.
I have just recovered from a very severe sickness and had you seen me before it I hardly think that you would know me now, in four days I lost 40 pounds of good solid flesh, but am now getting quite stout again. I had what they call here “Congestive Chills”¹ for two days the Surgeon gave me up, but by having an excellent constitution and first rate care, I came out first rate. I am very weak yet but hope in the course of a week to be up all straight. [paragraph break added]
I have been stationed at Donaldsonville (in this state) for the past month but was obliged to come to the city to recuperate. If I continue to get better I shall go back next week and will write you from that post.
Give my love to mother and Diantha. Write me often.
Yours Truly
Frank
1. Malarial disease-like symptoms; intermittent fever with the addition of diarrhea.
Frank Harding letter of August 4, 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
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
The Civil War and Northwest Wisconsin 