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.
Memphis Tenn. March 22nd/’63
Dear Parents,
Your letter of the 8th inst containing the medicine we rec’d several days ago. I have no very special news to write, but will put down something for you to while away the time.
You say you have had a letter from the Capt. [Orrin T. Maxson], which, from what you say, I infer was a business letter. Out of pure curiosity, I would like to know what his business with you was, to which, I suppose, you can have no objection. He is such a scheming chap and so full of covert designs, that he must be, it seems to me, pulling the wires, or he would not have written you. One can not readily tell what he is up to and I am inquisitive to know what he had to say, and, partly, from some of his interrogatories a while ago. He does well as a Capt., but I would not vote for him for an office out of the army. As an officer, in the military sense, he may be classed-good. 1st Lieut Lusk¹ may be put down as decidedly better. I am glad to inform you Lusk’s health is so much improved that he has decided to try the army once more, & will soon be with us. He did not get his discharge papers made out correctly and the consequent delay has given him time to recruit his health. He is no fainthearted fellow—not he.—He would rather remain in the army than go home; besides, it is readily conceded he is a complete officer and whole souled man. None can fail to note his manly qualities and esteem them. Always pleasant & cheerful,—when not on duty, one of us;—when on duty, prompt, & efficient, requiring strict attention and well-doing.
We saw the other day Newton Hamar² of the 11th Regt., with whom we became acquainted at Camp Randall; and from him learned where Homer Loomis³ is. He said he had a letter from him three weeks ago. He is a Hospital cook in Philadelphia. His address is Co I. 7th R. W. V., U. S. Hospital, Ward K, Broad and Cherry Street, Phil. The 11th has gone down the river. [paragraph break added]
Went sent home again yesterday our overcoats, rather than throw them away. We cut out pieces from them to patch our old pants—we have new now—Homer’s with some piecing from mine will make Father a good overcoat & mine will make him a good chore jacket for winter if he desires. We shall never send for them again we can draw again next Fall. The mittens also we sent for the reason we want as little luggage in the summer as possible & we can send for them in the Fall. You can get them at Prescott of Mr. Carlos McCray the deputy Postmaster to whom they were sent. The freightage as far as St. Louis is paid,—5 cts each. The other boys send their coats also. Have you rec’d that money $50, we expressed you the other day. Gen. Lauman [Jacob G. Lauman] has inspected all the troops of the Div lately,—our duties are light at present. Rec’d the Rural of the of the 7th yesterday.
March 24 — It rained yesterday and to-day. It is believed the 4th Div. will remain here this summer. So you can know where we are to be—probably. I see Pierce Co. has a copperhead organization in full blast—officers for each town—Beardsley [Joseph W. Beardsley] as its head; also that the copperheads are trying to persuade the soldiers at Madison to desert, offering them clothes &c; that that the arms & military stores have been removed from the city to the camp lest they may be siezed [sic]. Things are getting worse up North, & our wish is we were up there. There would be some kicking or I mistake greatly. I apprehend there will be an armed resistance to the administration & serious trouble in enforcing the conscript law.
Now Father! the thought of war in your midst is terrible but it may come to this. “Dark lowers the tempest overhead,”4 and there seems no escape from it. It is the duty of every loyal man to prepare for it beforehand. We must not give up our country—we must stand, stand by the Government and its administration, or all is lost. We must make greater efforts. I wish you would get you a good rifle, if possible, that you may be ready in the event of trouble. “In time of peace prepare for war.”5 I send you an article from the Chicago Times that you may not have seen, also the Tribune Almanac for 1863. I must stop. Homer, I think will write some also. Our health is first rate. Hope Grandmother, you will not get worse—write us if you can and tell all the new &c. Write soon.
Yours affectionately,
Edwin Levings
Co. A. 12 R.W.V.
3rd Brig. 4th Div.
Memphis
Tenn
1. First Lieutenant James W. Lusk, from Reedsburg, will resign April 7, 1863.
2. Newton W. Hamar, of Princeton, was a sergeant in Company I of the 11th Wisconsin Infantry.
3. Homer Loomis (from Hustisford) was in Company I of the 7th Wisconsin Infantry and had been taken prisoner on August 8, 1862.
4. A line from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s 1841 poem “Excelsior.”
5. This quotation is from Roman writer Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus, commonly known as Vegetius. His writings primarily focused on military organization and war.
The Civil War and Northwest Wisconsin 