1862 November 13: “Disease is more to be feared in the army than the enemy’s ball”

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. 13^th 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

1862 November 13: “I am in hopes that another year will not roll around before this war will be over, but the prospect looks very dark”

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

1862 October 29: P. V. Wise Adds Details to the List of Local Casualties at Battle of Perryville

Following is a corrected list of those in the Saint Croix Rifles (Company F, 1st Wisconsin) who were killed or wounded at the Battle of Perryville.  It was provided by Pembroke V. Wise, who also supplied details you will not find in the official records.  It was printed in the October 29, 1862, issue of The Prescott Journal.

Lt. P. V. WISE, who has for a long time been acting Captain of Co. F, 1st Wis. and participated with great honor in the battle of Perrysville [sic], where he was wounded, returned home on Monday.  His wound is quite severe, but he will doubtless recover in a few weeks.  He is proud of the “Bloody First,” and it is proud of him.

For the Journal.

Corrected List of Killed and Wounded at the Battle of Perrysville [sic], Ky.

PRESCOTT, Oct. 28, 1862.

ED. JOURNAL:—In your paper of the 22nd inst., there were several mistakes in the list of killed and wounded in Co. F, St. Croix Rifles.  You will do me a favor by publishing the following list.

	KILLED.
	Ord. Sergeant I. N. Nichols,	shot in the face.
	Sergeant S. H. Cowles¹                  ”          neck.
	”         Richard Lovell	”          head.
	Corporal G W Wing	”          breast.
	”         Albert Pollard	”          head.
	Private Richard Malone²	”          face.
	”         Miles L Davis³	”          forehead.
	”         Joseph B. Peabody	”          breast.
	”         Henry Kaylor	”          breast.
	”         John Ellis	”          stomach.

WOUNDED.

Private Shannon Swesy,shot in the stomach, since died.  Newton Webster, shot in the small of the back, cross fire, since died.—N. Anderson, transferred to Co. G, shot in left arm, amputated, since died.⁴

Co’p’l John Dolin, in right arm, badly.

Serg’t S Lillis, in left groin and hip, severely.  Private M J Beeler, wrist, and right thumb shot off.

L Wilbur, in the face, with shell.

F A Peabody, in the left thigh.

Elias Hoover, in both arms, severely.

J F Lenfest, in both thighs, severely.

Hugh McCarry [sic: McCurry], in right arm and elbow, dangerously.

J O Fowler, in face, ball coming out at the back of the head, dangerously.

E Moore, in left arm, badly.

John Lapham, by spent cannon ball, on the right thigh, slightly.

E Warrendorph, lower right breast, buck shot, passing through the body.

First Lieut P V Wise, through the calf, just below the knew, and running diagonally and coming out near the ankle.

Ten killed on the ground ;  fifteen wounded three since died.

T B Pickett was taken prisoner and paroled.  I left him at Louisville.

I went into the fight with 41 men, so you see I lost more than half in killed and wounded.  Napoleon’s bloodiest battles only averaged 33 1/3 per cent. loss in killed and wounded.  I made Richard Lovell 5th Serg’t after we were placed in position to support the battery and after the traitors had commenced the charge upon it.  He was a good and as brave a soldier as ever lived.

My orderly “Old Nick,” was always on hand, ever ready to obey and execute orders, never asked why an order was given, never grumbled or whined, and held, as I do, that dead traitors break no paroles.

The men of my company that were present, fought bravely, as well as men ever fought, or could fight, save one exception.  Davis was the first man killed, whereupon Peter O’Connor fell to the rear and was not seen for two days.⁵

Joseph Herbert, jr., was not in the fight, having taken three or four canteens to get water just before the position of the battery was charged and the boys who left as guard back at Bowling Green told me that they saw him at Maconsville, 7 miles in rear of the battle-ground, and he told them that a caisson wagon had run over him and wounded him.  It does not seem that he was badly hurt or he could not have traveled seven miles after 6 P. M.⁶  I have Serg’t Lovell’s coat, musket, book and some small articles, and R. Malone’s watch.  I wish the relatives would call and get them.  The Boys are doing well.  Yours truly

P. V. WISE.

1.  Hale Cowles, from Hudson.
2.  Richard Mallowny, from Erin Prairie.
e.  Milo Davis, from Hammond.
4.  Shannon Sweesey, from Farmington.  Nelson Anderson, from Hudson, transferred to Company G on October 25, 1861.
5.  O’Connor is not listed in the official record as a deserter.
6.  Hebert will, however, be discharged with a disability in three months, January 10, 1863.

1862 October 22: Members of the Saint Croix Rifles Killed and Wounded in the Battle of Perryville

The following is a list of men in the Saint Croix Rifles—Company F of the 1st Wisconsin Infantry—who were killed or wounded at the Battle of Perryville, also known as the Battle of Chaplin Hills.  It appeared in the October 22, 1862, issue of The Prescott Journal.

 — The following is a list of killed and wounded in Co. F, 1st Wis. Reg., at the battle of Perrysville [sic], Ky., Oct. 8th :

Killed—Serg. Hale Coles [sic: Cowles], Serg. Isaac N. Nichols, Corp. Richard Lovell, G. W. Wing, Albert Pollard, Privates Milo L. Davis, Henry Kaylor, Richard Malona [sic: Mallowny], John Ellis, James [sic: Joseph] Peabody.¹

Wounded—Lieut. P. V. Wise, badly ;  Serg. Simon Lillis, dangerously ;  Corp. John Dolin, slightly³ ;  privates Shannon Sweasy [sic], mortally² ;  F. A. Peabody, slightly ;  Ebenezer Moore, slightly ;  John Lapham, slightly ;  Leonard Wilbur, slightly ;  Newton Webster, dangerously⁴ ;  Hugh McCunry [sic: McCurry], slightly ;  Elias Hoover, slightly ;  John Lenfear [sic: Lenfest], slightly;  N. J. Boler [sic: Madison J. Beeler], slightly ;  Edward Warrendorph, slightly ;  James Fowler, dangerously.⁵

Prisoner—Thomas Picket [sic: Pickett].
Missing—James Herbert [sic: Joseph Hebert].⁶

NOTE.—Capt. Samuels [Maurice M. Samuels] and Second Lieut. Starkweather were not in the fight, and have not been with the company since the first of April last.

P. V. WISE [Pembroke V. Wise]

A STATE JOURNAL CORRESPONDENT WOUNDED.—Among the wounded in the recent battles in Kentucky, we observe the name of Lieut. P. V. Wise, of the 1st Wisconsin, who has kept our readers advised from time to time of the movements of BUELL’S army.

We hope his wound is not dangerous, though it is evidently one that will remove him from active service for some time.—He is reported shot through the leg.—[Madison, Wis.] State Journal.

1.  Following is a more detailed list of those killed:

• Hale Cowles, from Hudson, killed in action October 8, 1862.
• Isaac N. Nichols, from River Falls, killed in action October 8, 1862.
• Richard Lovell, from River Falls, killed in action October 8, 1862.
• George W. Wing, from Prescott, killed in action October 8, 1862.
• Albert Pollard, from Richmond, killed in action October 8, 1862.
• Milo L. Davis, from Hammond, killed in action October 8, 1862.
• Henry Kaylor, from Saint Croix Falls, killed in action October 8, 1862.
• Richard Mallowny, from Erin Prairie, killed in action October 8, 1862.
• John Ellis, from Saint Croix Falls, killed in action October 8, 1862.
• Joseph B. Peabody, from Richmond, killed in action October 8, 1862.

2.  Shannon Sweesey, from Farmington, died October 24, 1862, from wounds received at Chaplin Hills.
3.  John Dolin, from New Richmond, was wounded badly enough that he will be discharged because of his wounds on January 14, 1863.
4.  Newton Webster, from Vernon, died October 16, 1862, from wounds received at Chaplin Hills.
5.  Joseph O. Fowler, from Milwaukee, will be discharged because of his wounds on December 20, 1862.
6.  Joseph Hebert Jr., from Prescott, will be discharged January 10, 1863, for a disability.