The original of this 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.
I think it is about time that I should write a few lines to you, although I can find but little of interest to note. The greater portion of the Regiment is out on a scout and will not be in until the first of October. I was left in camp as I had just had another visitation from my old friend “Chills and Fever.” The hot weather is now nearly over and I am hoping that with the cool days my usual good health will return.
My main trouble arises from exposure to the hot sun. We have one of the finest camps I ever saw. It is situated in a pleasant grove with a fine stream of clear sparkling water running close by. The good water we have here is one great advantage over Louisiana. There our best water is the muddy Mississippi, while here there are plenty of fine springs where the water gushes out from beneath ledges of solid rock.
Well tomorrow we are ordered to leave this delightful camp and locate ourselves on the top of a bluff near by. There being only three or four men in a company present, it gives us a more work than a few lazy soldiers can appreciate. Therefore we have remonstrated with the Genl and he has fairly promised us that we may stay in our present location until the return of the boys. If he fully consents all right, if he don’t I hope the vilest torments of His Majesty down below will haunt him through endless years.
There are still stories about that this command is to be mustered out of service, but I can tell you nothing reliable about it now. I think we shall know in a few weeks whether we are to remain through the winter or not. Unless we can go home very soon, I believe I would prefer to remain here until spring. I would like to hear from home very much, but our facilities for mail are so very poor now that I presume that is the reason I do not get any letters.
I have not heard from Helen¹ for six months. Tell Phineas¹ to let me know where she is next time he writes. What can I do for living if I get out of the service pretty soon. Is there any work to do? Wont [sic] it be hard though to come right down to the manual labor? It is really dreadful to think of, and then only sixteen or eighteen dollars a month after getting a hundred and fifty. Oh it is awful, awful. I enclose five dollars to get you a pair of fur lined shoes for winter. If it is not enough tell Phin¹ to pay the balance and send the bill to me. If I remember right you are troubled to keep your feet warm in the winter.
Remember me to Grandmother and all other friends. Hoping this may find you well and in the enjoyment of all the blessings of life. I remain as ever
Your Boy, . .Jerry
1 . Jerry’s sister, Helen, and his brother, Phineas, or Phin for short.
Jerry Flint letter of September 27, 1865, from the Jerry E. Flint Papers (River Falls Mss BN) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center
Jerry Flint, with the 4th Wisconsin Cavalry, complains that he hasn’t had any letters since June, but we have not had a letter from him since then, either. The original of this 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.
New Orleans La
August 27th 1865
Dear Brother;
I dropped you a few lines the other day in reference to the money I expressed to you, but was in to [sic] big a hurry to write more at that time. I shall start for Indianolia [sic: Indianola, Mississippi] tomorrow provided I can get a Steamer that suits me. I might have gone last night but accidentally got left because I did not like the Boat.
After I got to the above mentioned point I shall have 160 miles to go by stage to get to San Antonio where the Regt. is now located. As near as I can learn there is not much prospect of the Regt. being Discharged this fall. I have not had a letter from the north for so long I have almost forgotten where to direct a letter to find my friends. I have not had a letter from that country since June. That is the honest truth.
My health so very fine now and as we will soon commence having cooler weather I am in hopes to be bunkum again. I might have got a furlough while in Hospital but was afraid that you would laugh at me for coming home so often. How are all the folks and what do they find to do this awful hot weather ?
Do you hear anything from Helen. Let me know where she is now, and what Dean is doing.¹
Tell all my good friends that if they want to see me to GotoTexas.
Business is quite lively here since the close of the war. Jeff. Thompson the Rebel Gen. has a store only three doors from where I am writing. I see him every day. The famous Semmes [Raphael Semmes] of the Alabama is also here.
If that money does not arrive by the twentieth of Sept., write and let me know. Have the money so disposed of that I can get it at any time.
Write Soon Direct to San Antonio,
From Your Brother, . .J. E. Flint
1. Jerry’s sister, Helen Flint Dean, and her husband, Royal L. Dean.
Jerry Flint letter of August 27, 1865, from the Jerry E. Flint Papers (River Falls Mss BN) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center
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 4th,Wis Cav’y
Vicksburg Miss June 14 1865
Dear Brother
I have not written to you for so long that I have no doubt that you think I am playing off. But not so. I have been so thoroughly disgusted for the last few days that to write to any one or speak pleasantly has been a task. You are probably aware also that since leaving the vicinity of Mobile where I last wrote you I have travelled [sic] all over the Southern Confederacy. Have been at Vicksburg only about a week and am fully up for a campaign. This is what disgusts me. I enlisted for the war, and now that it is over I am desirous of leaving the service. Men who have laid back and came in at the eleventh hour are being discharged while those who have served from the beginning must be used for garrison duty, or make triumphal marches over a played out Confederacy. I suppose we are going for Texas now, at any rate such is the general expectation. Excuse me for expressing myself disgusted. I believe it is the first time. Service in war is well enough, I can stand that, but peace soldiering ruins body and soul.
The Regiment is going to be consolidated and the surplus officers mustered out but I do not place much confidence in that as being a means of my getting out, for the Col. [Joseph Bailey] is bound to have me stay. I am still in command of the company. Warren [Warren P. Knowles] is in the city (NO [New Orleans]) and whether he intends to join the Regt or not I cannot say. Am in hopes to [hear?] something from him in a few days. I rather wish to go to Mexico but if I must stay where I am now, why that knocks all these plans in the head.
The boys are all well and in as good spirits as you could expect them to be soldiering in a time of peace. Rossie [Roswell V. Pratt] is perhaps an exception to the general good health, although he is still on duty. His lungs trouble him some. Northern atmosphere would help him.
Tell the folks I am all right, with the exception of being a little cross. But by no means to expect me to write to them for I have sworn off entirely. Meantime I hope they will all fulfill their duty to a fellow mortal by writing to me once a week.
My Best respects to all and remember me as ever
Your Brother
J E Flint
Excuse this envelope. I have no small ones nor money to buy any with.
.
Jerry Flint letter of June 14, 1865, from the Jerry E. Flint Papers (River Falls Mss BN) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center
The Battle of Fort Blakely took place from April 2-9, 1865, in Alabama, as part of the Mobile Campaign. Spanish Fort finally fell on April 8 and Fort Blakely on April 9. For a more detailed account than what is given here, see the May 6, 1865, post on “The 11th Wisconsin at the Battle of Fort Blakely.”
Jerry Flint’s 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 4th Wis Cav’y
Starks Landing Ala.
April 8th 1865
Dear Brother
I did say that I would not write another letter while in the army but some how or other I think I feel a little like scribbling to night.
I believe when I have the poorest facilities for writing I always want to write the most. I will give you first a little idea of what our situation [is] just now. We are in sight of Mobile, on the opposite side of the Bay. There is only one channel by which our fleet can get to the city and this one is guarded by Forts Spanish and Blakely. Our boats cannot run by them for the water is filled with torpedoes. The above mentioned works are occupying the attention of our army at present, and night and day it is almost one incessant Boom.
The army is composed of mostly veteran troops, and commanded by able Generals. Gen. Canby [Edward Canby] is in command of the whole force, A.J. Smith of the 16th Corps, Gen. Granger [Gordon Granger] of the 13th Corps, and Gen. Steele [Frederick Steele], he came through from Pensacola with a sort of independent command. Everything bids fair for success. I think the army numbers not less than ninety thousand men. The rebels have filled the ground with torpedoes, and not scarcely a day passes but what some poor scout gets blowed [sic] up. The most of them are an eight or ten inch shell, with a percuss[ion]¹ cap, buried in the ground so that when a horse or men step on one up he goes. The are usually placed all along the road or along a stream where the army will be apt to go for water. A man was killed close to our camp by one of those machines yesterday. Smith’s Guerrillas, as J. Smith’s men are called, swear that if they ever get into the fort they will bayonet twenty rebels for every one of our men killed by a torpedoe [sic]. And they are the men to keep their word. We are camping about two miles from the rebel works. The Cavalry has not all arrived yet consequently we are not yet regularly organized and are doing but little.
There has been nothing but more then heavy skirmishing yet although our men have rifle pits within 50 yards of the reb. works. We have lost about one thousand in killed and wounded. Everybody is confident of success. The wind is trying to blow out my light and I have nothing but a shelter tent to protect it. Guess I’ll go to bed.
Love to all — Flint
Boys all right. . .J
1. The paper is torn where the end of word should be.
Jerry Flint letter of April 8, 1865, from the Jerry E. Flint Papers (River Falls Mss BN) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center
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.
Port [___], La. Mar. 13, 1865.
My dear Cousin,
About a week ago my soul was made glad by the arrival of an epistle from yourself. I believe it was the first received from you for many weeks, and though I had been trying to make myself that I cared but little whether anyone wrote me or not. When it came, it breathed so much of real friendships that I thought to my self that such missives were a blessing.
We have just returned from an expedition into the country. The only object of the move was to attract the enemy’s attention toward us while other campaigns were in progress. We had only two quite sharp skirmishes. At one time, my company was out with two others and making our way cautiously towards Clinton. The rebs bushwhacked a little too much to suit us so we concluded to go through them. Accordingly we charged and did go through, but paid rather dear as several good men were lost. None of your acquaintance were injured. Lyman Carlton’s¹ horse was shot but no great injury was done to himself. The good Lord was again on the side of your humble servant and he escaped without a scratch. Shall I always be as fortunate?
It is raining now with more than seven furies and in fact, for the most of the last month it has been one incessant storm. The country is in danger of being wholly inundated. There is but little of interest transpiring here at present. Nearly all the troops on the Mississippi have been going towards Mobile and today, rumor has that our regiment is to follow. I care but little whether it be so or not.
Charlie² is well and moves along in the same style as of old and writes letters enough to make a man poor just to pay the postage. Rossie [Roswell V. Pratt] is quite and orderly as usual a noble soldier and he has a soul is big as though he weighed two hundred pounds. He harasses me every time I see him about the use of my favorite beverage, but for all that, I love him as a brother.
Please give my love to cousin Sarah Pratt Parker. Tell her I love to think of her as she was but thought it too gloomy to think of her as she is. ‘Tis too bad she changed to such a sober sturdy woman. I wish that winter at the Falls could be stricken from the rolls of time. How does Uncle Tilson and Aunt Sarah get along ? I hope they are well. Has grandmother stood the winter as well as usual? Is mother’s health good? And how are your folks flourishing?
It is getting quite late and my duty as officer of the day calls upon me to visit the picket lines before I lay down. Wishing I may hear again from you soon and that this may find you in good health and spirits, I remain your Friend and Cousin,
Jerry E. Flint
1. Lyman H. Carlton was recruited by Jerry Flint on December 24, 1863.
2. Charles P. Nichols was recruited by Jerry Flint on October 23, 1863.
Jerry Flint—again spelling it “Jerrie“—writes this letter to his mother in River Falls. 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.
Highland Stockade,¹ La
January 9th, 1865
My Dear Mother,
No doubt it seems strange to you that I should not write oftener to a Mother, and perhaps there should be no excuse.
I write but very little now, to any one as nearly all my time is necessarily occupied with business arrising [sic] from being alone in command of a Company of Cavalry. Warren is away, which leaves the duties of three officers devolving upon me. [Warren P. Knowles]
How long it will be so I cannot say, but at present there is no prospect of a change.
Our station is seven miles from Baton Rouge in a small stockade fort built principally for the protection of the Telegraph running to New Orleans.
We are now however building a work which when finished will be a pretty strong fort.
I only hope that when it is finished we may remain inside of it long enough to learn which way is North and South. I am about tired of so much moving camp, short distances as we have had the past fall and winter. We have built Barracks three times this winter.
For a week past it has rained almost incessantly and the mud can only be compared to Illinois. Unless a man is very careful when he goes out his hat will be the only relic that marks the fatal spot where he sank into the bosom of earth.
But just now I am very comfortably situated for quarters and keep a Colored Individual to bring me wood, water, and rations, therefore I can be in defiance to the elements.
I have not heard from Helen² for a long time. The last letter I did receive, she talked to me just as she used to do when I wanted to shoot some chickens off the wheat stacks Sunday, and censured me most severely for not writing oftener. I believe I have not written since, so what may I not expect in her next.
I suppose the draft is engrossing the most of the attention of the people up there just now. It may be selfishness but I do love to have these drafts take place. I hope they will all keep up their spirits for the “Call” and one or two more will probably give us men enough, and then I think the Good time so long coming, will have come.
It is now a little over a year since I left River Falls at the end of my Recruiting tour and never did time seem to pass off so swiftly. It seems hardly a month. What shall I do when this war is over? Hoeing corn and digging potatoes every hour will seem an age. I almost shudder to think of it.
“Our Boys” are in good health and spirits and I believe we have as few sick men in the Company now as at any time previous. The recruits are becoming acclimated and the veterans can stand everything.
I will enclose a few Photographs which I wish you would carefully preserve with those I have previously sent. One you have whose name is Harris.³ He was one of my best friends and was discharged last summer at the expiration of his term of service. Since then he has been in the employ of the Government as “Secret Scout.” I have just heard to night that he is dead. You can judge how much I shall prize his picture.¹
Give my love to Grandmother and all my friends and tell my enemies that I hate them worse then ever. Tell Phineas² not to wait for me to write but that a few lines from him will be acceptable any time. Good night and may God bless you.
~ Jerrie E. Flint
1. The Highland Stockade was built by the 4th Wisconsin Cavalry to protect the southern entrance into Baton Rouge. Their job then consisted of “guarding the river and preventing the rebels from running salt and beef from western La and Texas across the river into the confederacy.” The Highland Stockade is today on the National Register of Historic Places.
The following comes from material of the 4th Wisconsin’s Guy C. Pierce and confirms what Jerry says here, and even includes a story about Jerry. The original material this was drawn from belongs to Debra Pierce Cohig and the full item can be found transcribed on the 4th Wisconsin Volunteers website. This material is now old enough to be in the public domain.
“Nov. 7th, Capt. Pierce with his Company [D] went with Major Craigue [Nelson Francis Craigue, 1835-1897] six miles below Baton Rouge and occupied the Highland Stockade which Major Craigue had built the year before. Our work was mostly guarding the river and preventing the rebels from running salt and beef from western La. and Texas across the river into the confederacy. We were very successful in capturing large quantities of rebel stores and supplies, quite often engaging in hot skirmishes with squads of cotton burners and guerrillas. Capt. Pierce’s life was probably saved by Obe Driskall, now of Richland City, Wisconsin, who got the drop on a rebel just as he was drawing a bead on the Capt. from behind a tree while we were having a fight in the open woods with a party of guerrillas.
“Nov. 14th, 1864, the detachment under Major Craigue and Capt. Pierce stationed at Highland Stockade joined an expedition under General A. L. Lee making first Clinton, La., then on to Liberty, Miss. . . . sixty miles from Baton Rouge, charging in and surrounding the Head quarters of rebel General Hodge capturing his A. A. General and a portion of his body guard. The old General escaping through a window the back way jumping a high picket fence in a dense bramble thicket in his shirt-tail “after this, he was always known as shirt-tail Hodge.” Before reaching Liberty, a large portion of the 4th Wisconsin with Lt. Jerry Flint in advance charged into Camp Beauregard. Lt. Flint capturing the rebel, picked without alarming the camp, also taking fifty prisoners, most of their arms and equipment, and twenty horses.”
2. Jerry’s sister (Helen) and brother (Phineas).
3. Probably Edward A. Harris, from Platteville, who enlisted in Company G of the 4th Wisconsin on May 6, 1861, and was discharged, when his term expired, on July 2, 1864. The official Wisconsin roster, of course, says nothing about his activities after his discharge.
Jerry Flint letter of January 9, 1865, from the Jerry E. Flint Papers (River Falls Mss BN) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center
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 4th Wisc Cavalry
Baton Rouge, La Oct 24th 1864
Dear Brother;
I will just scribble a little and then go to bed, and tomorrow morning if I can beg, borrow or steal a postage stamp I will send the scribblings to you. [paragraph break added]
We have not been paid yet and there is no prospect of getting any money, that I can see. By George! it is hard to live always without money. It seems as though poverty was destined to tramel [sic: trammel] my whole life. Since my first rembrance [sic] it has pointed its lean finger at me night and day. The Gov[ernment] owes me five hundred dollars and I can’t get a [cent]¹. Isn’t it villainous. Now don’t think from this that I want you to send me any money, for I don’t. I learned to live without it before I was very big. Still it is none the less disagreeable for that.
The boys are busy trying to fix something that will be comfortable to live in, for winter. The nights are getting quite cold, and chilly rains are quite frequent. I have to go on picket about once in three days. A member of the officers are sick and several are absent on furlough, so the rest of us have more to do. In a few days I shall have to make out the Muster & Pay role for the months of Sept. & Oct. That is an unmerciful job and I dread it. Then at the end of the month, there are innumerable returns to make and it is very hard to work for me to get keep good natured over all of them. Tomorrow I am going to get some brick, and Charly Knowles is going to build me a fire place. It will make my tent more comfortable. It is easy enough to fix up anything, but the trouble is you may have to move and leave it the next day. [paragraph break added]
I suppose you are having hot times over the coming election. The boys say but little, but watch the papers closely. McClellan [George B. McClellan] will get some boys in this regiment. There is a Dutch company that will go for him nearly every man. There will be one or two votes in this company. I think I shall vote for Abraham. [Abraham Lincoln] If I can’t vote for the man of my choice then I will go for the next best man. [paragraph break added]
Charly is in Regt. Hospit[al] but not dangerously ill. Henry is on scout, has been gone two days. Expect them in to night. Whitefield is not very well. Troubled some with Fever & Ague. That institution prevails quite extensively just now. [paragraph break added]
I see by the papers that Charly Randall is married. Why didn’t the confounded fool wait until the war was over. Seems to me times are to [sic] hard to support females. They are too expensive an article for me. Don’t let this discourage you in any way. I only refer to the military men. I expect to marry when the war is over if my woman don’t throw off on me, and I guess she will.
Rossie has first set his Bugle to sounding. I suppose he thinks I’ll go to bed but I won’t. I will however stop this document and let you rest, so break ranks.
Yours &c, . .Flint
1. The actual word is very difficult to make out. It may or may not be “cent,” but cent makes sense in the context of the sentence.
Jerry Flint letter of October 24, 1864, from the Jerry E. Flint Papers (River Falls Mss BN) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center
Jerry Flint, lieutenant of Company G of the 4th Wisconsin Cavalry, writes of a small cavalry raid he was involved in. Of this raid, the official history of the 4th Cavalry says only, “Two other expeditions to Clinton were undertaken in the months of October and November, which were both highly successful”¹
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, 4th Wis Cavalry
Baton Rouge La. Oct. 11th 1864
.My Dear Mother,
I have an evening to myself to night, and it is the first one for some time when I have not been so tired that writing seemed almost out of the question. We have [been] “raiding” considerable of late, and during such times a person gets but little opportunity for sleep or rest.
Day before yesterday we came in from a four days ride and yesterday had to move camp so that last night is the first chance for sleep I have had for a week. Two of the nights out I rode all night, and the other two had only a part of the time to rest. It is a pleasure, however, to get out into the country, mounted on a good horse, and go dashing along at a glorious gallop. I will give a brief outline of my part in the raid.
We left camp about sundown on the 6th. The column consisted of four regiments of cavalry, and one battery of artillery, all under the command of Genl Lee. [Albert L. Lee]
We went towards Clinton, only in a round about way, and arrived in the vicinity of that place at sunrise the next morning having made a march of forty miles. Here a party sent ahead for the purpose discovered that the place was evacuated. The column remained where it was, through the day. About the middle of the afternoon a party of seventy men taken from three different regiments under Maj. Montgomery of the 6th Mo Cavalry were detailed for a scout. I was in command of the men from this regiment. We started out about 5 o[‘]clock and at midnight dashed into Greensburgh [sic] 25 miles from where the we left the main column. Finding no considerable force of the enemy, we stopped an hour, fed our horses, searched the town breaking up all the arms we could find and started forward and a little after sunrise reached Ossyka [sic] a small town on the New Orleans & Jackson railroad.
We found a few rebs, but the most of them skedaddled. As the citizens were just getting breakfast we very politily [sic] took off our hats and seated ourselves around the tables in the several houses, and thus secured a warm breakfast, which we could do very good justice to, after a night ride of 50 miles. We were now 75 miles from Baton Rouge by the most direct route. We destroyed quite a quantity of muskets, captured some valuable dispatches at the telegraph office, and destroyed everything that could be of service to the enemy.
After resting our horses sufficient we started out again towards home by another route having about 30 prisoners. The Maj. gave me the advance. We captured some rebs on the way but only staglers [sic]. At night found ourselves again at Greensburgh [sic], where the whole column had arrived. Stayed at this place over night and in the morning started again for Baton Rouge. Marched slowly all day and camped at night in the vicinity of Greenville Springs, and the next day went into camp. We brought in about 200 prisoners in all, besides getting a large number of horses and mules. It was rather a pleasant trip though pretty hard on both horses and men.
I have given only a brief outline of the expedition but you can form some idea from it of what we are doing. The weather is getting to delicious — warm sunny days, and cool refreshing nights. Charly² is quite unwell, and I have got him sleeping in my tent to night because I am fortunate enough to have a mattress to sleep on. He is a splendid fellow, and one of the best of soldiers. Whitefield is well and. Was out on the raid with us and was happy when he could encounter some old rebels’ hive of honey. He is great for plunder — beats me all to nothing. Rossie [Roswell V. Pratt] was in here to night; and seems as good a boy as ever. I suppose Lt. Knowles is up there before this. I hope he will have a good time for he well deserves it. [Warren P. Knowles]
I am quite encouraged at the prospects of the the war coming to an end. If the people at home will do their duty as well at the coming election as the armies of Grant and Sherman have done, and will do in the field, the war need not last six months longer. The fire in the rear is all that has kept the confederacy together until now. All the rebels we capture, say that their only hope is in the election of McClellan. But I suppose you do not care to hear politics discussed so I will cease. [Ulysses S. Grant, William T. Sherman, George B. McClellan]
My health is very good, and I am getting along first rate. It is lonesome without Warren but if he is enjoying himself I certainly should not complain. Give my love to Grandmother, Aunt Lydia, Uncle Joseph and all the good folks generally. Tell Sarah to write. I have forgotten whether I have answered her last letter or not, but tell her to write any way. I don’t have so much time to write as I would if Warren was here. I will enclose two or three photographs which I wish you to keep for me. I shall spoil them if I carry them with me. Well it is bedtime, and there is a general inspection at 8 o[‘]clock to morrow so I will bid you good night. Make Phin [Phineas C. Flint] write for you.
Your boy, .Jerry
1. Military History of Wisconsin, by E. B. Quiner (Chicago, 1866), chapter 53, page 926.
2. Could be either Charles G. Knowles or Charles P. Nichols.
Jerry Flint letter of October 11, 1864, from the Jerry E. Flint Papers (River Falls Mss BN) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center
A letter from Jerry Flint with the 4th Wisconsin Cavalry in Louisiana, to his brother Phin (Phineas) in River Falls, Wisconsin. 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.
Be warned that the “N” word was used by Jerry in his letter. The University of Wisconsin-River Falls does not condone the use of this language but includes it as an accurate reflection of society during the Civil War.
Camp 4th Wis Cavalry
Baton Rouge La Sept 26th 1864
Dear Brother
I received a letter from you several days ago but being unwell at the time I was obliged to postpone answering it immediately. Lt. Knowles [Warren P. Knowles] is to start for River Falls in a few days, and I will improve the opportunity to send a letter by him.
All the company property is turned over to me and I am now Commanding Company. It is rather more responsibility than I like to have, but shall have to stand it. Our sick men in the Hospital are to receive furloughs and I suppose you will soon see them up there. Some of them are rather to [sic] healthy looking, in my opinion, to be used that way when better men have to do their duty for them. But I am not “boss” of these things. It is now approaching the termination of the sickly season, and I think that men who stand it through this month will come out all right. Such has been my experience in this Country at any rate.
Charley¹ is quite unwell but I am in hopes he will not be seriously ill. I cannot forbear to again express my high appreciation of him as a soldier. He is no shirk, but always ready and willing. In fact, he will do duty many times when he is unable rather than be reported sick. He stands very high with the veterans, and that is saying considerable in favor of a recruit. Whitefield is in very good health and has been most of the time. I have but little opportunity to see much of his actions, as I do not tent near him and the rest of the boys would not say anything before me. But at any rate he is not quite as noisey [sic] as formerly. Rossie [Roswell V. Pratt] is the same good boy as ever, and if possible I am going to have him tent with me while Warren is gone. I think him one of the treasures of earth. Henry has been “shaking” some but I think it will not last him long.
The cavalry at this post is ordered to prepare for the field immediately but its destination is of course a secret known only to our Leaders. If we start as soon as expected I shall probably to not get an opportunity to write again very soon. Times are very busy just previous to starting on an expidition [sic] ! Our sabres are all to be ground sharp and all equipment put in perfect order.
The boys talk politics considerable now the “Chicago Platform” being distributed freely through the camp. McClellan [George B. McClellan] stock does not run into very high figures, but still it has some “bidders.” His letter of acceptance is sound enough but the platform upon which he stands I do not think can bear him up through the canvass. He is a very good man but has fell into bad company. I believe him a much sounder man than Freemont [sic: John C. Frémont]. I think I shall vote for Abraham [Abraham Lincoln] although I did want to cast a big vote for Benjamin.²
We have not been paid yet and the boys are begginning to get wrathy of over the matter. It is useless though to growl and we will try and console ourselves that there will be the move coming by and by.
A friend from Natchez lent me ten dollars to day which will enable me to procure postage and I have paper enough for present purposes which I drew of the Quartermaster.
I received a letter from Helen³ last night. She was staying at Uncle Arial’s while they were visiting with “you all” (Niggertalk). Give my love to Grandmother & Aunt Lydia and in fact all the family. Tell Mother I have not forgotten her if I have not written as much as I should have done. I will do better as soon as I can. My love to Elmira and Little Lucy. Tell Lucy to write to me.
It is Sunday evening and I imagine the folks having a sing at Uncl [sic] Joseph’s. How a person’s memory will go back sometimes and dwell on old scenes and associations. But it will not do to reflect, for when the man becomes unmaned [sic]4 he will make but a poor soldier. Thoughts of peace and the happy days of old hardly correspond with my present surroundings, and should not be indulged in too much.
The chaplain5 had preaching to-night in front of his tent, but I did not go over for he is a bigger fool than I am, and that is certainly useless foolishness.
Well tattoo6 sounded some time ago and I am beginning to yawn. So hoping this may find you well and enjoying a reasonable proportion of God’s choisest [sic] blessings I remain as ever
Your affectionate Brother ..Jerry
1. Charles G. Knowles was the “Charley” who was a recent recruit. Charles P. Nichols has also been referred to by Jerry in letters as “Charley,” but he was a veteran.
2. General Benjamin Butler, a prominent Radical Republican who was considered as a possible opponent of Lincoln. Butler was an ally of Lincoln and early in 1864 Lincoln had asked Butler to run as his Vice President.
3. Jerry’s and Phin’s sister.
4. Today we generally think of unmanned space craft, or something similar. But unmanned can also mean a person deprived of qualities traditionally associated with men, such as self-control or courage, which are important attributes in war.
5. George W. Honey, from Sheboygan Falls.
6. A tattoo is a drum version of taps–which is the bugle version—and lets the soldiers know that it is “lights out” time, or time to go into quaters.
Jerry Flint letter of September 26, 1864, from the Jerry E. Flint Papers (River Falls Mss BN) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center
The official history of the 4th Wisconsin Cavalry in E. B. Quiner’s Military History of Wisconsin (Chicago, 1866), chapter 53, pages 925-6, has this to say about the expedition described by Jerry Flint in the letter below.
On the 25th of August [1864], the regiment accompanied an expedition to Clinton. On reaching the Comite River at Olive Branch, they found the rebels had destroyed the bridge, and were drawn up on the opposite side with three pieces of artillery. Three hundred men of the Fourth, were dismounted in order to cross the river to fight them on foot. They moved down the river a few rods and crossed on a log which had broken in two in the middle, forming an angle, which compelled the men to get astride the tree and slide down to the water, climbing up on the other side by the branches, and arriving on the opposite shore in safety. The enemy found himself flanked and withdrew his forces and artillery. Major Craigue swam the river with 100 men and started in pursuit, the rest of the regiment following as soon as possible. Major Craigue ran the rebel force into Clinton with his advance guard, and gave them no time to recover, pressing right on without waiting for support. On reaching Clinton his ammunition being expended, he remained on the outskirts of the town to wait for reinforcements. While they were coming up, the rebels improved their time in running. The balance of the force cam up about noon and took possession of the town. The Fourth returned to Baton Rouge by the way of Green Hill Springs.
Two other expeditions to Clinton were undertaken in the months of October and November, which were both highly successful.
Following is Jerry Flint’s description of the August expedition to Clinton. Jerry was the 2nd lieutenant in Company G of the 4th Wisconsin Cavalry. 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 4th Wis Cavalry
Magnolia Grove¹ Aug. 30, 1864
Dear Mother
One evening a week since, I had seated myself to write to you, when suddenly an order came to prepare ourselves with rations and ammunition for an expedition to start early the next morning. Accordingly I throwed [sic] my writing material [to] one side and have had no opportunity to resume my writing until now.
No doubt you have ere this heard of the brisk little fight we had at Clinton [Louisiana]. After marching all night we attacked them in their position across the Comite River² and drove them away.
Our force consisted of 3 Regts. of Cavalry and four pieces of Artillery. The Rebs had about the same number of men, but much more Artillery. The 4th Regt. had 12 wounded but none killed. The wounded, were all from three companies. Co. “G” had none shot, but one man was seseverly [sic: severely] bruised but he has been taken to the Hospital. His name is Patrick Oniel,³ one of my recruits.
He was one of the advance and while they were making a charge he became seperated [sic] from our boys, and surrounded by a dozen Rebs. He couldn’t very well manage them all and finally one struck him with the butt of his gun on the head which knocked him off his horse, insensible. After this he was run over by several horses. He is doing well now and says he run one of them through. His Sabre showed that he told the truth.
The Rebs finally fled and we went into the town, stayed two days and returned to Baton Rouge.
Weather was so hot that several horses fell dead by the heat.
David Lovell has just returned bringing a letter from Phin,4 also a Paper of tea.
Rest assurred [sic] I was thankful, for Knowles and myself were just out and unfortunately without money to buy more, having had no money pay since my return from Wisconsin.
My health is splendid, near better, and as long as I am blessed with that I am good for anything else. A man once sick in the army will ever after appreciate good health.
Whitefield is exceedingly well. He got into a pretty hot place in the fight the other day but bore his part well.
He can beat me all to smash forageing [sic], chickens and honey stand no show5 when he is after them.
Strange he will be an oddity with other men.
He often speaks of you and expresses a great desire to see you. Tender my respects to Grandmother. Also to Uncle J and Aunt L.
Tell Phin that I will answer his letter soon.
I suppose you will think this a poor specimen of a letter, at least I do.
Your Boy Jerry
1. Possibly Jerry means Magnolia Mound plantation, which was near Baton Rouge. Today it is on the National Register of Historic Places. Or he might mean they were camped in a Magnolia grove.
There is a Magnolia Grove plantation, but it is near Greensboro, Alabama.
2. The Comite River is a tributary of the Amite River, with a confluence near the city of Denham Springs, Louisiana, east of Baton Rouge.
3. Patrick O’Neil, from Hudson, enlisted December 16, 1863, and lived to muster out on July 8, 1865.
4. Phin is Jerry’s brother, Phineas C. Flint.
5. Today we would say: “stand no chance.” .
Jerry Flint letter of August 30, 1864, from the Jerry E. Flint Papers (River Falls Mss BN) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center
The Civil War and Northwest Wisconsin 