1863 June 10: Jerry Flint’s Brother George Dies in the War

Phineas was not Jerry’s only brother, he had an older brother, George W.  George W. Flint, also from River Falls, was in Company A of the 20th Wisconsin Infantry.  Unknown to Jerry, George had just died from disease on May 10, 1863, in Springfield, Missouri.

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 La
June 10^th 1863

Dear Brother,

I have just learned of your wherabouts [sic] through Rossie [Roswell V. Pratt] and have determined to write to you.  I wrote to you about a year ago but as I never received any answer I did not write again.  I have wished to hear from you a great many times but never have.  Our company is detached from the regiment and serving as Heavy Artillery on a battery about 10 miles above New Orleans.  The regiment has been through all the battles of the Teche¹  under Gen. Banks [Nathaniel P. Banks] and is now before Port Hudson where they have already seen some pretty hard fighting.

The place is still in possession of the rebels but is thoroughly invested and must come clean.

Our first Lieut E A Clapp was was [sic] killed while acting aide-de-camp on Gen. Sherman staff [Thomas W. Sherman].

I had a letter from Helen a few days ago.  Mother and Phineas are with them. Dean has bought out his brothers tin shop and Phin is going to help him.  I do not know as Mother will stay there.  She thinks some of living with Uncle J’s folks.  Helen lost another of her children last winter.²

I have heard of Thomas Randall’s death.  His son we buried [sic] last summer at Baton Rouge.  Poor George he was a good fellow and a fine soldier.³

My health is very good and has been the most of the time since we have been in this God forsaken country.  I am troubled some with the Fever and Ague.

The weather is so hot that it is almost impossible to stand it.  As Uncle Healy⁴ says “I can’t enjoy religion” a bit it is so hot.

I will not write much now for this may never reach you but if I receive an answer to this I will write longer next time.

Write soon if it is not more than a dozen words and give me a history of your military career.

Hoping this may find you well I remain as ever

Your Brother
Jerry

Direct to
Co. G. 4^th Reg. Wis Vol
New Orleans La.

1.  Jerry is referring to the Bayou Teche Campaign, a brief military campaign in April and May 1863 in Louisiana. Union forces were trying to trap Confederate units between the Bayou Teche and the Atchafalaya River.
2.  Helen is Jerry’s sister. Dean is Royal L. Dean, her husband, who becomes a tinner by trade. Phin is Jerry’s brother Phineas Flint. Jerry, Phin, and Helen’s mother was Jerusha Pratt Flint.
3.  Thomas Randall, from River Falls, was in George Flint’s company (Company A of the 20th Wisconsin Infantry); he died March 30, 1863, in St. Louis, Missouri, at age 45.   George T. Randall, from River Falls, was in Jerry’s company (Company G or the 4th Wisconsin Infantry); he died August 7, 1862, in Baton Rouge, at age 24.
4.  Possibly Manly Healy, from River Falls, who does not seem to have been an actual relative.

Jerry Flint letter of June 10, 1863, from the Jerry E. Flint Paper (River Falls Mss BN) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center

1863 June 1: Phineas Flint Receives a Letter from River Falls

On the back of a letter Jerry Flint wrote on April 29, 1863, to his brother Phineas is an additional letter to Phineas from someone in River Falls named Samuel. We don’t know who Samuel was, but it is interesting to note that it took Jerry’s letter over a month to arrive in River Falls.  Jerry had mailed his letter to Phineas in River Falls, but he was not in River Falls.  Whoever Samuel was, he took advantage of a blank page at the end of Jerry’s letter to add a note of his own before forwarding the letter to Phineas.  We have added a lot of punctuation.

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.

River Falls

June 1^st       I received yours mailed May 28 today and as this came here for you, with one blank page, thought I would remail it after writing this page.  I have not re[a]d it, not that I sup[p]osed ther[e] was any thing secret in it but because I thot [sic] it did not concern me.  Short was in the office when your letter came in, he thought perhapse [sic] you could have the money of Whitefield and it might be better than to have him fool it away, it is best for you to do as you think best.  I have sold your ry[e], that is engaged it to Pratt and Dary at the marcket [sic] price.  I have not learned what that is yet.  Theodore and Ezery are at home on furlough for a few dayes [sic].  Mrs. Nicholes [sic] is quite sick now, I suppose it is not certain how it will turn with her yet.  It is the general opinion here that wheat is about as high as it will get to be.  I think I shal[l] sell mine, that is, what I have left.  I don’t think of any thing more that will interest you now.  I have made so many blunders in what I have writ[t]en I will stope [sic].

Yours, Samuel

1.  Theodore W. Nichols and, probably, Ezra Healey. They were both from River Falls and both in the same company that Phineas had been in, Company A of the 30th Wisconsin Infantry.

Letter from “Samuel” to Phineas Flint, June 1, 1863, from the Jerry E. Flint Paper (River Falls Mss BN) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center

1863 January 16: “Providence never intended you for a soldier”

A letter from Benjamin Wilcox in River Falls to Phineas Flint, who at this time was in Madison in training with Company A of the 30th Wisconsin Infantry.

Phineas had asked Wilcox what he thought of the idea of going to a Commercial College.  Flint’s brother Jerry also gave the idea two thumbs up in his letter to Phineas of January 26, 1863.

The original letter is in the Phineas C. Flint Papers (River Falls SC 42) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, University Archives and Area Research Center.

River Falls, Pierce Co  Wis.  Jan 16/63

My Dear Friend Flint,

                                              Yours of the 3^d duly came to hand last eve, & I take my earliest leisure to reply.  I heartily congratulate you on your discharge from the army; I was always sorry you enlisted & so I was that F. Lord¹ did, for I felt that neither of you would find anything congenial to your taste there, & that there were others who could go with less sacrifice, & more success. — I am not disappointed in your estimate of John Dale. — His colleagues in this county are of the same stripe, & yet they control our politics & get all our lucrative offices.  Your journey was tedious, but I am glad you are now so comfortably moored & that your health is so promising.

You inquire my opinion as to availing yourself of a course at the Commercial College in Chicago.  Were I in your place I would not fail of it for anything.  It will fit you for lucrative business & I have no doubt will, give you success will proper exertion on your part.  It is a rare chance.  I hope you will spend there a pleasant & profitable winter. — Certainly, it will differ materially from the influences & experience of camp life. — Providence never intended you for a soldier. — How  I tremble for the terrible influence of camp life over some of our River Falls boys. — Without God’s interference they are surly lost!

All has been quiet Since you left here. — No Snow — no sledding, & but little business of any kind.  Weather very mild till within the last 48 hours, now cold enough. — Mr Gill our new minister is quite unwell, not able to preach just now. —Mr Whitney the Methodist minister is very busy in trying to arouse the people, & so far as the excitement is healthy.  I hope he may be blessed.  They are quite sanguine of a revival. — I hope we may all have one. — Mr S. Wale’s family are still afflicted with sickness. — Sherlock is very slow in recovering; & Mr. Wales is now unable to leave his bed, & Mrs. W. is ailing also. — It is generally healthy however.  There is no news of importance. — Edward is getting along well, & Mr. Sanford assures me that he is very much devoted to his school, & is liked both in school & out. — The Sabbath school Festival on New Years was a decided success. — I am told that Sam’l Cox has started a dancing school to polish the manners of our young men, & give grace to our young ladies!!  How much we need a genuine revival here, to stay the downward course of our young people. — I saw a letter in the [Prescott] Journal to night from Mr. Winchester, who speaks of the boys down there having a jolly time — & as being all well. — How our war drags on every day it seems more disheartening & it is fast showing us that in God alone is our help.

I should be glad to hear from you occasionally, in your leisure moments, for I feel a friendly interest in your welfare.  My letters will by dry for I cannot interest you by any local news. — I might occasionally send you one a number of our new Village paper just started here called the “Citizens Reporter.”  Two Nos. have been issued, & it is quite interesting. — But I have written long enough for once & will stop by assuring you of my friendly regards —

As Ever, Truly Yrs.

Benj’. Wilcox

1.  Freeman H. Lord, also from River Falls, enlisted August 13, 1862, and served in Company F of the 30th Wisconsin Infantry. He became a sergeant and mustered out in August of 1865.

Benjamin Wilcox letter of January 16, 1863, from the Phineas C. Flint Papers (River Falls SC 42) 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 20: Edwin Levings Writes to Phineas Flint

This is Edwin Levings’ second letter for today.  He is here writing to Jerry Flint’s brother, Phineas, who joined up in the Saint Croix Guards, or Dill Guards (will become Company A of the 30th Wisconsin Infantry).  They had just left Hudson on October 12, 1862, along with the Salomon Tigers, headed for training in Madison.  From Jerry’s letters we know that Phineas’ health has never been good, and in fact he will not last long, being discharged on December 22, 1862. 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.

Bolivar Tenn. Oct 20^th, 1862

Friend Phineas

                               You are perhaps looking for a letter from me and I guess I will have a brief chat with this morning.  Your last was received some time since and I will not delay longer.  Dickinson states in a letter to Jack you had been sick in Hudson and did not learn whether you went to Madison with the Co. or not.  I hope you are well now.  You will have to take the best care of your health and your knowledge of Physiology and best Judgement will be necessary.  A great many break themselves down by their own indiscretion and carelessness and are of no use to the army nor Country. —

Perhaps you are solicitous to know how or for what purpose we came here.  Well we were ordered here on the evening of the 4th inst. to go and reinforce Gen’l Hurlburt’s [Stephen A. Hurlbut] Division which, on the 5th fought Price’s [Sterling Price] Army 18000 strong and whipped them completely.  It was expected Price would attack in the morning and we started for the battle ground 25 miles south east on the Hatchie River on the evening of the 5th, marching nearly all night, but we arrived too late to participate in the struggle.¹  The victory to our arms was complete—11 pieces of artillery & 800 prisoners captured and a large number of rebels killed & wounded captured our troops driving the enemy from their positions & holding them.  I went over a portion of the battle field & the destruction & confusion presented showed how completely the rebels were flogged.  Our loss was about 260 in all.  We are now here in the great army of the West and have been assigned to the 1^st Brigade, Col. Pugh [Isaac C. Pugh] of the 41^st Ill., of the 4th Division Gen’l McPherson [James B. McPherson].  Our Regt. is in splendid condition now and excellent health.  We have nearly a 1,000 men well disciplined  and ready for any thing that means fight.  That we shall soon have.  An advance is likely to be made soon,—now is the time to wipe out Price and invade Miss[issippi] to the Gulf, which we can do if our Gen’ls will just say the word.  But I fear the Tories at home—they are bent on the dismemberment  of the Union and trying to defeat the prosecution of the War to put down rebellion.  But I think their hopes are destined to be frustrated.  [paragraph break added]

Winter is coming on and the miserably clad and half starved rebels are giving a doleful cry.  They admit that their prospects are dark & hopeless and so, I say, let us crowd them to the last extremity, now, now is the time.  I am glad the troops of Wis., Minn. & Iowa are going to vote.  I have not seen the Wis. papers lately to know how the feelings of the people are nor who are up for Candidacy.  I hear Hanchett² is representative for the 3rd District as Congressman that is all.  But when the time comes my vote will accord with what I have all along expressed about the war, & policy of the government.  I heard from Frank Snow the other day he is still on his farm, he went to Cincinnatti [sic] to help defend the City,—is living in Windham, Portage Co. Ohio.

I must close now.  Write soon and often.  Direct to Bolivar Tenn.  Remember us to the boys of the Co.    Yours &c Edwin

Let me know how you like Madison & what drill &c you are doing, your progress in.  Excuse the brevity of this epistle for I am hurried.  Will do better next time.

1.  We haven’t really seen anything about the Battle of Hatchie’s Bridge in the Prescott Journal. The battle took place on October 5, 1862, the final engagement of the Iuka-Corinth Campaign. Corinth and Iuka are in northern Mississippi and the Memphis & Charleston Railroad’s bridge over the Hatchie River is just north of the Tennessee-Mississppi border, with Bolivar, Tennessee, being north of that. Confederate General Earl Van Dorn’s Army of Tennessee was defeated at the Battle of Corinth on October 4, but the Union army did not pursue Van Dorn’s retreating troops until the morning of October 5. General Hurlbut’s 4th Division participated, but the 1st Brigade was then led by General James C. Veatch, who was wounded at Hatchie’s Bridge.
2.  Luther Hanchett (1825-1862), Union Party nominee for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 1862 election. In 1848 he moved to Wisconsin, settling at Plover where he practiced law, engaged in lumbering and mining enterprises, and served for several years as district attorney of Portage County. A Republican, he was a state senator from 1857-1860. In 1860 he was elected to Congress and served from March, 1861, until his death. (From the Luther Hanchett entry in the Dictionary of Wisconsin History.

Edwin Levings letter of October 20, 1862, from the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls

1862 September 30: “The camp takes its name (Parapet) from the fortifications”

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 [La.]    Sept 30^th 1862

Dear Mother,

I wrote you a letter about a week ago but have since received a letter from Phin¹ saying that you had gone Chicago so I suppose you will not get that for some time.

We moved our camp yesterday from Carrollton to this place, being about 10 miles above New Orleans, and the advanced column of this division.

It is a very pleasant place to camp in dry weather, but when it is raining, a greet [sic] deal we have had lately, it is always muddy.  The camp takes its name (Parapet) from the fortifications.  There is a ditch about 15 feet wide running from the river to the lake with a high parapet behind covered with heavy guns.  It was built by the rebels to prevent our forces from coming into New Orleans that way.  It is a splendid work and answers our purpose for the defense of the city very well.  [paragraph break added]

Our hottest season is now over and we get occasionally a fresh breeze.  This makes it much more comfortable for us and the health of the [regiment]² is gradually improving.

The last steamer brought us a little better news from Maryland and we begin to hope again, this war will sometime end.  I feel as though I would like to get north once more where I can see once in a while a friend, and be among a people who do not consider you as an enemy.  There are a great many Union people here but the majority vary with the news.  If it is a Union victory they are good loyal people, but if Secesh and they think there is a prospect of their success they are profuse in uttering secessionist sentiments.

I had a letter from Phineas by the last mail.  They have not started for the war nor did they know when they should.  The money I expressed arrived safe.  The amount was $50.00.  He and Theodore³ had got furloughs to go over and help Uncle Joseph stack his grain.

How is your health since you left home, and what kind of a trip did you have going to Chicago?  I don’t know where I shall land when I get back.  I think though that I shall march straight for the old house and put up and live in seclusion.  I guess I will take my musket hom with me and mount it in one of the old sh[__]⁴ windows, when being so well fortifyed [sic] I can bid defiance to the whole neighborhood.  [paragraph break added]

I tell you what it is Mother I have longed to get at our old spring this summer.  I don’t believe there is any such water in the world.  The best water we get is out of the river and the most part we have to drink swamp water.

Enclosed you win find $2.00 for spending money.  I wish I had more to send but have not at present.  Tell Helen to write often, and I will do the same.  While lying in camp as we are now I can find plenty of time to write but when on the march it is very hard.  Does Helen live in the same place as when I was last there?

I forgot whether I wrote you of George Randall’s death.⁵  He died very suddenly of Typhoid Fever while at Baton Rouge.

My Health is good, weigh 150 pounds.

No more at present,
Jerry

1.  Jerry’s brother Phineas, who enlisted in the 30th Wisconsin Infantry and will be in Company A.
2.  Jerry forgot the word “regiment,” or possibly “company” when he turned the page.
3.  Theodore W. Nichols, also from River Falls, in Company A of the 30th with Phineas.
4.  “Shuttered” would make sense, but the letters just don’t add up to that.
5.  Yes, Jerry mentioned the death of George T. Randall in his August 11, 1862, letter.

Jerry Flint letter of September 30, 1862, from the Jerry E. Flint Paper (River Falls Mss BN) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center

1862 September 24: “It is certainly time that every man who is able to load and fire a gun was in the field”

Jerry Flint writes to his brother, Phineas, who has just joined up.  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.

Carrollton La.  Sept 24^th 1862

Dear Brother;

                              I received yours of the 3^rd last night and was rather surprised to hear that you were still at Hudson.

I should have written you before but have been waiting to hear from you from some other point and then I would know better where to direct.  I am glad the that the money arrived safe.  I was well aware that the first package made up by me at the express office was sunk on the Whitney and I didn’t know whether the company was honorable enough to make it up or not, although I paid the insurance.

I did not care about you putting it at interest.  I expected you to have the use of it if you needed it, and I hope now that if you have any use for money, you will not hesitate to use it.

When I wrote you from Baton Rouge in regard to enlisting we had been having such rough times all the spring and summer I felt just as though I did not want my brother to “fall in”. Still if you had asked me that same day if I was willing to go home and have things as they were just because I had a hard time I should have told you no and I would not take a discharge to day if I could get it.  If your health is good enough to stand it, and now that you have arranged things so well at home, I am glad you are going, for it is certainly time that every man who is able to load and fire a gun was in the field, but let me tell you, don’t do duty when you are not well.  You will see times  when the company will be half sick and you will think that you don’t mean to give up.  It was nothing else that laid me in the Hospital last fall but doing duty when we I ought to have been excused.

I am sorry for Mother and yet I believe that it is best that she should go and live with Helen.  She is too old to have the charge of a family and she would soon have been obliged to give it up even though you had staid at home.  I shall write to her often and occasionally send her a little money until.  Until now I have spent my money foolishly, and as general thing without benefit to myself.  In fact it sometimes has been a damage to me.  If I can save any in future I shall do it.  [paragraph break added]

I have not heard anything from White.  I wish you would write more particulars how long he was in the service the first time and if he had a regular discharge.  Give him my best respects and tell him I would like to have him write.  I suppose however that he hates me too bad for that.

We are staying at Carrollton now six miles from New Orleans.  The evacuation of Baton Rouge took place shortly after the battle.  It was not because we could not hold it, because with means of defence we had, 25000 men could not have taken it.  But the gunboats could hold the place and the troops at the same time be concentrated at New Orleans.  [paragraph break added]

We had a fight with a regiment of Texas Rangers about two weeks ago over the other side of the river.  We made them Skedaddle capturing about 50 prisoners, nearly all their horses and baggage.  They had 6 men killed.  We none.

Our boys are all well.  I am fat as as a hog and getting worse every day.

Give my respects to all the boys, tell them to drop a line occasionally.

I don’t know if I ever wrote you that some of the Eden men were her[e] in the 7^th Vt.  Phineas Hinds and Walter Reynow are here, also Mary Hind’s husband.

Write soon and direct to New Orleans.

As soon as you join your regiment let me know the letter of your company.

I signed a receipt you sent in Elmira’s letter and returned it in a letter to her.

Jerry

1.  Phineas D. Hinds (1829-1904) was in Company E and John Hinds/Hines (1832-1894) was in Company C of the 7th Vermont Infantry. Was not able to identify a Walter Reynow, however there was a Joseph Reyno in the 7th Vermont, according to the National Park Service’s Soldiers and Sailors Database.

Jerry Flint letter of September 24, 1862, from the Jerry E. Flint Paper (River Falls Mss BN) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center

1862 August 3: Jerry Flint Tells His Brother Not to Enlist

In his first few paragraphs, Jerry describes the same fight with the gunboat Tyler that Charlie Allyn did in his letter of July 3.

The original of Jerry’s letter is in the Jerry E. Flint Papers (River Falls Mss BN)

Baton Rouge, Aug. 3rd 1862

Dear Brother:

                              I suppose that in this you begin to accuse me of negligence again but you must excuse me for until within of a five days I have bag had neither paper or envelopes, nor any way of getting any.

Immediately after writing you last, from this place we started on an expedition up the river to Vicksburg and have but just returned.  The regiment is nearly half in the Hospital and the rest in a fair way to go there.  Co. G cannot turn out even 25 men for duty.  We burried [sic] one man last night.¹  He was none of your acquaintence [sic] having enlisted in our company at Racine.  We had one man killed while acting as sharpshooter on the gunboat Tyler by the bursting of a shell thrown from the rebel ram Arkansas.  His name was A. P. Palmer of St. Croix Falls.²

You have probably heard through the papers of the feat performed by this ram.  I stood right on the bank of the river and saw the whole performance.  The fleet, all except the Tyler was laying at anchor or they would easily have stopped it.  It will probably do no more harm for if it ventures over from under the guns of Vicksburg it will be captured.

We have daily rumors of a large force approaching this place but as yet we have not been molested.

I suppose that by this time you are right in the midst of harvesting.  I would like to be with you for I think I have not forgotten how to tie up bundles yet.  There was a time when I thought perhaps I might be home by the time grain was ripe but since our defeat at Richmond the prospect is not quite so bright and the war bids fair to last another year.

If I am doomed to stay another year in this sultry climate there is but one thing I desire, and that is good health.  With my health as good as it has been, or is now I am good for heat or anything else but with sickness there is but little show for a man.

I have not heard from you since I last wrote, but am looking for a letter every mail.  I received a letter from Eunice a few days ago, and shall answer it soon.  I shall go to the express office tomorrow and forward to your address fifty dollars ($50).  I wish you to give Mother 5 dollars and take the rest in charge for you and I to have a spree on when I come home.  Of course I expect you will use it now but just keep track of it, that’s all.

I wish if convenient you would send me fifty cents worth of stamps.  I can’t get them here.  Give me love to Mother and Helen if she is still with you.  I think of you all often and that is all I can do for to be with you is impossible.

Since the President’s call for more men I have been thinking that perhaps you would try to arrange things so you could enlist.  I don’t know how this is because I don’t hear from you often enough to know.  If you do think of it, please accept a little advice from me.  Unless your health is better than it was the last year before I came away, a soldier’s life would use you up in three months.  I know you could not stand it, although you may feel first-rate while around home.  Besides as long as White and I are both in the service I think the family is pretty fully represented being only three of us any way.  Now I don’t want you to enlist and if I ever see you I will give you more reasons yet.³

Tell me when you write if you hear anything from White.  He has never written to me.

No more at present.

Jerry

Direct to Baton Rouge.

1.  Edward C. Silverthorn died August 2, 1862, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was from Oakland, in Jefferson County, which is fairly close to Racine County.
2.  Albion P. Palmer was killed July 15, 1862, on the Yazoo River in Mississippi. The official roster says he was from Somerset, not Saint Croix Falls.
3.  On August 5, 1862, before he received Jerry’s letter, Phineas C. Flint enlisted in the 30th Wisconsin Infantry.  Jerry was right about Phineas’ health; he was discharged on December 22, 1862.

Jerry Flint letter of August 3, 1862, from the Jerry E. Flint Paper (River Falls Mss BN) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center

1862 January 7: “Private D” Revealed

A letter from Edwin Levings, in which he confirms our earlier suspicion that “Private D” is Wilber Dale. Levings seems to share Dale’s dislike of Captain McLeod and some of the non-commissioned officers. 

 

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

Camp Randall, Madison, Jan 8^th7^th, 1862.

Dear Parents;

                           It is Tuesday evening. I have just written to Phineas Flint and I have concluded to write you twice between now and Saturday; and particularly for this reason. Word has just been received from the Colonel that we must be all already at 9 A.M. the coming Saturday to take the Cars to leave. We shall go without doubt to Fort Leavenworth. We are about to exchange the quiet of Camp Randall for the stern and trying realities of War. But I do not apprehend any actual service yet. We have yet a great deal to learn, a great deal to do, ere we shall be what are called disiplined [sic] soldiers. There are ten wagon loads of cartridges in Camp for us, yet we have not fired one of them.                       

Have you received the money, $ 40.00 we sent you by Express, on the 4^th, to the Prescott City Bank? We have our revolvers, they are 5 shooters, and $12.00 each. We received 2 Rurals and 1 Independent the other day; also a traches letter and the Dictionary this morning. Dale is no better satisfied with the Capt. His pay was withheld from him for this reason. No company can draw pay for more than 101 men; and as our company was larger it became necessary for 14 appointed by the Capt, including Dale, to sign the pay roll of some company not containg [sic] 101 men. Dale acting under the impression that it was a pretense for transferring them¹ persistently refused to sign it. We had some ground for his apprehension, but I am unable to say how correct he was in it. Capt unavailingly tried to make him yield, consequently he got no pay & will not get any till next pay-day, 2 months from now. Our Lieuts suit well. There is reason to believe and  they do not entertain the best feelings toward the Capt and furthermore the Lieuts take no pains to conceal it, though they are not open in their disapproval. Corporals Crippen, Copp, Meacham, 2^nd Seargent [sic] Allen, & the Capt I can not say that I like.

The 12^th & 16^th were present at the Inauguration of State officers yesterday at the Capitol building and made a splendid appearance. The officers were first sworn into office, afterwards the new Gov Louis P. Harvey, addressed us and the dense throng of citizens for a brief time, as to the circumstances under which he assumed the duties of the Executive office. It was an unusual sight. —— 2000 soldiers, 2000 bayonets bristling, cannon firing. It was not by bayonets, not by force, said he, that he was inducted into office, a scene not uncommon in foreign countries. As he had no particular hospitalities to extend to us, we escorted him and the other officers to the Camp to dinner.

If you are ever in Madison by all means visit the Capitol building.² It is only a quarter finished when it is completed it will be a magnificent structure. I am keeping a diary of incidents & events and an account of my expenses for the year. At home future time we will give you an inventory of all our effects &tc.

Our rations are said to be at the depot ready to be cooked for us. We are comfortable & well provided for as we can be, so do not ha have any fears in that direction. Pray for us that we may be true to our consciences & to God that we may become both true to the right and free from the influence of Evil. I want to live a life more devoted to God, less taken up with worldly pleasures & things. We have reading of the Bible & prayer every evening in our tent in which McKee, Holman³ & myself engage. There is preaching or prayer meeting every evening in a building for the purpose. Mother will you ask Mrs. Knowles for Warren’s address? I have not written him yet. I will write again Friday. My respects to the Shepherds folks and all inquiring. Write us often and Mother let us hear from you.

Affectionately Yours—Edwin

1.  A number of the privates do get transferred, to Company I, effective December 31, 1861. No doubt the date of the transfers was back-dated because of the payroll problem.
2.  For images of the Wisconsin state capitols, see Wisconsin Historical Images on the Wisconsin Historical Society’s website.
3.  There were two men with the surname Holman in Company A—Hollis N. Holman and James H. Holman, both from Prescott.

Edwin Levings letter of January 7, 1862, from the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls