1864 December 22: “We entered the city [Savannah] yesterday; and the 12th was the first regiment in”

This blue “captured letter paper” was picked up by Edwin Levings of the 12th Wisconsin Infantry as they marched into Savannah, Georgia, on December 21, 1864.  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.

Savannah Ga. Dec 22^nd, 1864.

My Dear Parents;

                                 I do not know what you will think of me for not mailing you a letter sooner.  I did not mean to be so long about it, knowing that your anxiety increases with every day’s delay, but hope you will not charge me with neglect.  I was on picket day before yesterday, and since then have had no opportunity to send off letters.

Savannah has fallen, — another triumph of our army.  Who says this war is a failure?  How is gold to-day?  Eh?  How is the thermometer of your feelings over that announcement?  Well, before this reaches you, you will have received the news, I will try and give you the particulars.

We entered the city yesterday; and the 12th was the first regiment in.  There was no fighting.  The rebels evacuated the night of the 20th and retreated toward Charleston, leaving their heavy guns and magazines in good condition.  They were pretty badly scared.  We tried to behave ourselves, but the poultry, flour, molasses &c, that lay in our way caused us to take considerable, and we went marching through the city the objects of laughter by citizens, especially the darkies.  I suppose they thought it was Christmas, and that Santa Claus had been around.

The stores were all closed.  At the landing and depot we found considerable corn, flour and sugar.  There were also many bbls of rice and molasses.  It seems the rebels did not intend to hold the place, and for some weeks had been moving off their stores.

Savannah is a fine looking city, very compact, and is located on fine ground.  There are several objects of interest, one of which is a beautiful park in the south part of the city, hansomely [sic] adorned with various kinds of trees and shrubs, with walks, and enclosed by an elegant iron fence.  The houses are mostly brick, many of them hansome [sic].

I noted the countenances of the people as I plodded along with no small interest.  The fair ones came to the windows and doors to look at the Yankees, perhaps, though, at the guns we carried, for you remember the guns once saved Rome !  but they did not save Savannah.  One old fellow of portly dimensions and of more brass than brains perambulated the street with upturned head, not appearing to notice us, and appearing to say “I am a gentleman.”  I looked to see his hat fall off, but it would’nt [sic].  One man, a merchant, I judged by his manner, wearing a pleasant, hopeful look was walking along, seemingly thinking that better days were coming.  A woman, laughingly pointing to our plunder, exclaimed “You have more to eat than we.”—You would have thought so had you seen the market buildings, if they revealed any thing.  There were a lot of cows heads dressed, and displayed in a pathetic array, beseeching the patronage of the passer-by.  Multitudes of colored people collected at the street corners, showing us their ivories, and making all sorts of gestures and remarks, intermingled hearty laughter.

We are camped in suburbs of the city, or south-side of it.  It is very uncomfortably cold.  I do not think we shall remain here long — not more than a fortnight at most.  Our next destination will probably be Charleston, and before this gets to you, we may be on the way.

Saw Lieut. Higby [sic: Chester G. Higbee] at noon to-day.  He leaves to-day for the North, — says he may go directly [to] R. F.

Dale [Wilber P. Dale] has not gone yet — will propably [sic] start in a few days.  I must close my letter for my fingers are numb with the cold.  This is captured letter paper.  Write to us soon.

Yours affectionately E. D. Levings

Edwin Levings letter of December 22, 1864, from the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls – page 1

1864 December 19: “We had a verry pleasant time, living mostly on the country”

Now it is Edwin Levings’ brother Homer’s turn to write to their parents.  As usual, Homer’s spelling leaves a lot to be desired.  The original letter is in the Edwin D. Papers (River Falls Mss BO), in the University Archives and Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Near Sevanna [sic] Ga.
Dec. 19^th 1864.

Dear Parents

                        It was with the greatest pleasure that I perused your letters the other day while on picket.  I supose [sic] you have heard by this time where Sherman [William T. Sherman] with his army have turned up, but I supose [sic] you are waiting to hear the particulars from us.  I have not kept any journal on this march, I will leave Ed to give you an account of it.  We had a verry [sic] pleasant time, living mostly on the country.  We had no enemy in our front except Wheeler[‘]s cavalry [Joseph Wheeler] but they did not hinder us much.  The Infantry did not have much of any fighting to do.  We were not ordered to the front til we got within four miles [of] Sevanna [sic].  Our company being on picket that day we skirmished throug[h] a swamp where the troops could not march in line of battle on account of its being so wet.  [D]id not meet with any enemy except one rebel who was wounded and was trying [to] get away but the boys stoped [sic] him and made him wade across the canal where our line was formed.  The next day we were releived [sic] by the 14th Corps and we moved to the right to our present position.  We are 8 miles from Sevanna [sic], our camp is on a large rice plantation.  There is a lake betwen [sic] us and the rebs so there can be no attack made at this part of the line.  We live principally on rice as we have not drawn any rations yet except ½ ration hard-tack and coffee that we drew this morning.

We expe[c]t to draw more, thoug[h] this evening.  Dale¹ is stopping with us most of the time he intends going north in a few days to by [sic] goods to bring here and sell.  Ft. McCallister [sic] was taken several days ago this was all the fort the rebs had on the Ogechee [sic] river it is about 6 miles from here.  Our supplies come that way.  I do not know how large a force they have got in Sevanna [sic] probably about 15000.  There are a good many citizens from the country rushed in there to keep out of our way.  They will be made to help defend the city.  Some of our prisoners have escaped from them, clad in the butternut suit, they say that the rebels gave them a chance to enlist in their ranks or remain in prison, many of them chose to go into their ranks and watch their oportunity [sic] to get away, rather than lay in prison.

Lieut. Higbee² expects to start for home in a few days.  I think it would be a good way to invest money, that land of Frak [Frank?] Hart’s.  We have about $350 in cupon [sic] bonds which we shall send home the first oportunity [sic].  They are much better to keep than other money because they draw 7 percent int. and are not taxable.

[December] 20^th   Capt. Price³ of our regt. was shot last night.  He was picket officer for our briggade [sic].  He was shot by one of our own men by mistake, while reconnoitering.

As I [have] more letters to write I shall be obliged to stop.  With much love for all I reman [sic] your

Obedient Son
.                         .Homer.

P.S. —
Lieut. Higby [sic] starts home in a few days.  Shall try and send that money by him, or let Dale have it & he will give you an order on Mr. Searle of Hudson for it.  He has money belonging to Dale which is ready for him but he wants the money now.
Will you mail me a blank book, size 3 x 5 inches ¼ inch in thickness, for Journal purposes.

1.  Wilber P. Dale, from River Falls, newly mustered out of Company A of the 12th Wisconsin when his term expired.
2.  Chester G. Higbee, from River Falls, newly promoted to lieutenant in Company A of the 12th Wisconsin.
3.  John M. Price, from Barton, was captain of Company D of the 12th Wisconsin. He was wounded at Atlanta, and was promoted to major on November 21, 1864.

Homer Levings letter of December 19, 1864, from the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls – page 1

 

1864 December 18: “We have made something of a march,—300 miles—and made a big hole in the Confederacy”

Edwin Levings, with Company A of the 12th Wisconsin Infantry, describes Sherman’s March to the Sea.  The campaign was designed by Union Generals Ulysses S. Grant and William T. Sherman to be similar to Grant’s innovative and successful Vicksburg Campaign and Sherman’s Meridian Campaign.  Sherman’s armies reduced their need for traditional supply lines by “living off the land” after consuming the rations they brought with them.  Foragers provided food seized from local farms for the Army while they destroyed the railroads and the manufacturing and agricultural infrastructure of Georgia.

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

Before Savannah, Ga. —
Dec 18th 1864.

Ever Dear Parents;

                                    At last I can write to you, and as usual, of our continued welfare; and this is the best news I have for you.  Thanks to the Kind Providence that has guarded our steps.

Now my snow-white sheet, companion in my toils for many a weary mile, be the bearer of glad tidings to far-off friends, and may your Journey be as prosperous, and your welcome as merry, as fortune and friendship can make them.

Yes !  to tell you of our health & safety is a pleasure for your anxiety to hear from us must be great, and your pleasure will be enhanced when I come to relate where we have been, and what we have seen and done.

But before proceeding to my narration I will acknowledge the receipt by yesterday’s mail — the first since our arrival here — of 4 letters from you postmarked respectively Nov. 1, 7, 11, 21^st and I need not tell you we were most happy to peruse them.

As you are aware, we have made something of a march,—300 miles—and made a big hole in the Confederacy.  Will not the North rejoice when it realizes the effect of this great movement ?  It can not do it now, for no more terrible blow has been dealt the South than that what has just been given it in Ga.

I have not time to make any thing but a simple statement or outline of the trip, but will ere long give you a minute sketch of what I saw, and of what was done.

Now get a good war map if you can and follow me. — We left the Gate City in flames on the 15 ult. & arrived before Savannah on the 10th inst. all right.  The army, — 4 Corps, 14th, 18th, 17th & 20th — marched in two columns.  The 17th struck the R. R. at Gordon, between Macon & Milledgeville, & 170 miles from Savannah.  The towns we passed through after leaving Atlanta are McDonough, Jackson, Monticello, Hillsboro, Gordon, McIntyre, Toomsboro, Oconee, Tenille [sic], Burton, Herndon, in fact nearly all the stations on the R.R. between Gordon & Savannah.  The 17th Corp[s] had the R.R. all the way & did most of the work of destruction on it.  We burned nearly all the stations & tore up & burned the track all the way to Savannah.  The road can never be rebuilt during the war.  The destruction was immense.

I have said nothing of what the other Corps did.  The 15th, on our right made a feint on Macon.  The 14th & 20 went to Milledgeville.  Kilpatrick [Judson Kilpatrick] & his Cav. made a feint movement on Augusta whipping old Wheeter [Joseph Wheeler] hansomely [sic].  We lived off the country almost entirely.  We had only 12 days rations hardtack issued to us while on the way & full rations.  We took every thing we could lay our hands upon, & I will say never since I have been a soldier did we fare better, lived like princes in the eating line, flour meal, rice, fresh port, chickens, grese [sic], turkeys, honey, fresh beef, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, turnips, sugar & molasses being plenty.  But we took all & there is not enough left along the line of our march to save the people from starvation.  They must go elsewhere or suffer with hunger.  [paragraph break added]

We crossed the Ocmulgee River on pontoons, the Oconee River 6 miles below the R.R. bridge, & the Ogeechee River at Burton.  Marched from 5 to 20 miles a day — lay over one day.  The country all fine, though of poor soil, is one of the most fertile in the South, & many a wealthy old rebel have we ruined, taking every thing !  [T]housands of negroes came with us & are now being turned to valuable account. We came up before Savannah, took a position, but owing to the almost impassible swamps moved around near the Gulf R.R. leading South.  We are there now, about 7 miles from Savannah, & 6 from the R.R. bridge on the Ogeechee River.  When we came here no communications were open.  Fort McAllister, on the Ogeechee & 9 miles below the bridge had to be taken.  It was taken by a portion of the 4 Div. 17 Corps & some of the 15th Corps in less than 20 minutes.  Gunboats attracted attention & there the Infy. charged capturing the entire garrison & armaments.  Our cracker line is now open.

No rations drawn yet, but will be in a day or two.  We have eaten up every thing around here.  Our food now is Rice, of which there are thousands bushels in the country, & coffee & beef, nothing else, save now and then a potato or little meat.  [paragraph break added]

Dale¹ came through with Kilpatrick’s Cavalry.  He came down to Atlanta just before we left with 4 or 500 dollars worth gold pens — sold them all in one day, got cut off & had to come through with.  He is with us now — a wild trick of his, you see.  [paragraph break added]

We are on the South side of the city 7 miles distant, rebels are opposite entrenched on the other side of a big rice field covered with 4 or 5 ft. water.  No fighting, nothing but picket firing & artillery duels.  Are waiting the arrival of supplies of all kinds for a siege.  Best authority places the rebels at 15,000.  Many citizens with all their goods are inside & can not get out.  They are completely hemmed in on all sides.  Pardon such a letter, I have no business to send such a letter but the mail goes out soon & I know you would be glad to get even a scratch of my pen.  Are both well.  Will both write fully next time.  So Good by[e].  Yours affectionately, Edwin D. Levings.  Write via N. Y. Army of the Georgia.

Were paid off at Atlanta, & have got $360 to send you, which we will do as soon as an express office opens.

1.  Wilber P. Dale, from River Falls. He had mustered out of the 12th Wisconsin on October 28, 1864, when his term expired.

Edwin Levings letter of December 18, 1864, from the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls

 

1864 September 15: “Madame Rumor says Sherman is ordered to push out after Hood as soon as possible”

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

Camp of the 12th Wis Vols.
Near Atlanta Ga  Sept 15th / ’64

My Dear Parents ;

                                  Yours of the 1st inst. was rec’d day before yesterday ;  also, that of Cousin Lottie.  As I have not yet mail’d my last letter to you I will write another to send off with it, so here it is — as follows.

We are all enjoying ourselves firstrate.  Our camp, which is beautifully located on the East side of the R. R. and equidistant from Atlanta and Eastport, is in the shade of small pine, hickory, and oak trees and near a little creek, along which are numerous springs of most excellent water.  Everything about camp has the air of neatness and order.  The breastworks in front are finished, and we have more rations than we know what to do with ; and we are quietly awaiting the issue of new clothes and the arrival of some of Uncle Sam’s pay agents.  A large bakery is building and soon we shall have soft bread.

It may interest you to know the difference between campaign rations and camp rations.  The former consists of hard bread, beef, bacon, beans, dessicated potatoes, sugar, coffee, salt, pepper, with occasional tastes of vinegar, whiskey & so on.  The latter of the same, with rice, Irish potatoes occasionally, and fish, krout [sic: sauerkraut], soft bread or flour, or both, and molassess [sic].

Madame Rumor says Sherman [William T. Sherman] is ordered to push out after Hood [John Bell Hood] as soon as possible, and that our stay here is likely to be shortend [sic].  It may be so.  Possibly it is feared the general may take advantage of our resting spell and send off troops to Richmond or Mobile.  He dare not risk an open engagement with this army, for he well knows what would be the result ; and he is equally aware that that [sic] he can do nothing with it even when stronly [sic] entrenched.  Despairing of assistance and of successful operations, it seems more probable he will disperse his army to be of use where it can be given.  You do not know, I guess, how nice a trap Sherman had set for him on the first inst.  Had the 23rd Corps been up to time, Hood and his army would have all been gobbled.  The position of the contending armies on that day I will sketch for you.  Our head generals were feeling finely over their prospective success and I think old Hood’s hair stood up straight when he saw the danger.

Map from page 4 of Edwin Levings’ September 15, 1864, letter, from the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls

This was the plan.  While the 4th and 23rd corps were swinging around in the rear of the rebels, and the 17th corps was moving to a position on the right of the 16th, represented by the dotted line A. B., the 14th Corps was to move forward its right & make a connection with the 15th Corps.  When the 23rd had occupied the line represented by C. D. it was to announce the fact by opening the ball and immediately the 14th Corps was to charge down the R. R. and then a general pressing in was to follow.  It was 3 o’clock P. M. and the 23rd Corps being 2 hours behind time & observing the rebels getting away did not get the position intended & attempted to head them off on the line E. D.  The 17th Corps was on hand.  You know the result of the movement.  The 14th charged & did good work, as it was.

Politics are discussed by us with great interest.  At present all eyes are directed to the doings of the Chicago Convention.  Many fear McClellan [George B. McClellan] will be elected, some think he will run about as Douglas [Stephen A. Douglas] did.  They await the election in great suspense, believing everything hinges on this issue.  It makes us feel bad to see so many Union men faltering just at the time when energies are most needed, at a time when they can be most valuable.  Their sacrifices are not equal to ours and, if I may use the expression, “Can they not watch with us one hour” ?  I have hope that the country will be saved.  If God has not given us over to our own ways we shall come out as redeemed people.  The are a most perverse people and unwilling to do God’s will, and the evils and calamities of war are meant to bring us to our alligiance [sic] to Him.  We can not tell what is ahead, but I apprehend there are to may be privations and sufferings more sever than we have yet had ere we come out of the struggle.

The Capt. and some other officers, I understand, have sent in their resignations.  The boys will not mourn his departure at all.  1st Lt. Charles Reynolds is a much better officer and far better liked.  Lt. Kelsey is also well liked.¹

You ask, Mother, if we lost our medicine, and if you shall send us some.  We lost the homeopathy medicine during the battle of the 22nd July.  We both think it best you do not send any at present, at least, if at all.  Not that it has grown into disfavor with us.  I have my doubts about wanting to use it any more in Dixie.

Col. Bryant [George E. Bryant] who commands the Brigade will soon leave us.  It will be difficult to find a Col. in whom there is a firmer confidence — all think highly of him & hate to have him go home.

We both have good health, I am more fleshy than at the opening of the campaign.  Homer says you may send him by letter a little pulverized alum² which he wishes to have on hand in case he would have the ague [fever].

Yours &c,          Edwin D. Levings

1.  The captain at this time was Orrin T. Maxson, from Prescott; he resigned as of September 18, 1864. Charles Reynolds, from Madison, currently the 1st lieutenant, became the captain as of October 7, 1864. Wallace Kelsey, officially listed as being from Owatonna (Minn.) was currently the 2nd lieutenant and would become the 1st lieutenant as of October 7, 1864, and be replaced as 2nd lieutenant by Alva McKee, officially from Rockford (Minn.).
2.  Pulverized alum was used to stop bleeding, for diphtheria, for croup, and for offensive foot sweat!
.

Edwin Levings letter of September 15, 1864, from the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls

1864 August 17: “Books, papers & letters just suit me and my mind starves without them. How well I should like to be at home to-night!”

A homesick Edwin Levings, with the 12th Wisconsin Infantry in Georgia, writes to his Cousin Hattie Levings.  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.

Near Atlanta Ga Aug. 17^th / ’64

Dear Cousin Hattie,

                                     Your much wished for letter, dated 31st July was received by us several days ago, and I read it with all the expected pleasure, and thank you for it.

I presume you have read what I wrote to you in a letter to Lottie.  You did not think I was censuring you I hope.  I was confident your time was fully occupied and perhaps better occupied than it would have been in writing letters to me.

But now that your school term is nearly out and you will be more at leasure [sic], you can attend to your teasing cousins.

It  is now 3 o’clock P.M. and as we are to draw rations early tomorrow morning and expect to make another movement, I thought I would not delay writing longer.

Since the great battles around Atlanta, the accounts of which you have doubtless read, the Army of the Tenn. has held the center and we have had much easier times.  I think we shall soon be on the flank position again, and if so, may have some more fighting to do; but it is difficult to tell what movement is intended.  No serious fighting had taken place this week ∼ all seems very quiet except on the skirmish line where there is considerable picket firing, doing no particular hurt.  The rebels seem quiet, but as they now see we are not going to test their breastworks.  I doubt not they are trying some game of strategy, for no sooner do we begin to settle down in our operations,—when we are not doing much, than they they [sic] show more vigor; and if we are not very vigilant we must take consequences.  A force of rebels estimated from 300 to 20,000  mad a dash at our communications near Dalton, but what damage they did no one seems to know.  That was the other day.  Our rations were immediately cut down to 3/5 and all unnecessary picket firing ordered to cease; but the impression is that the damage, if any, was slight, and we are told we are to draw rations as usual & write at pleasure.

I am glad you like Mr. Weld¹ as a teacher.  If you did not, you would feel very unpleasant.  If I ever get home, I will plunge into books or I greatly mistake.  I know not what to do many times for the lack of reading matter.  Books, papers & letters just suit me and my mind starves without them.  How well I should like to be at home to-night !   Wouldn’t it be fine?—but I must not dwell on that subject.  There comes up the idea of comfort & so on,—the nice fixings & a thousand more things that please, you see.  What kind of soldier would I be if I let my thoughts and desires run after such things?  Why I felt half provoked at a fellow yesterday for mentioning such things as warm brisket[?], turkey dumplings &c, but then we do have funny times talking over Mother’s good things.  We get together in groups and talk and laugh, and I don’t see but we relish in imagination there things as much as if we actually had them.   We have good fare, but not very good accommodations for cooking.  Supper is about ready.  Homer and Dale,² our comrade, is getting it.  We shall have some solidified bread, an admixture of coffee & sugar, and a compound of dessicated potatoes & beef.  You may laugh but Homer says this supper is not to be sneezed at.  In all truth, Hattie, we do enjoy ourselves, spite of all the disadvantages & privations incidents to our life.

1.  Allen Hayden Weld (1809-1882).
2.  Edwin’s brother Homer, and their friend Wilber P. Dale.

Edwin Levings letter of August 17, 1864, from the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls

1864 July 29: “We have the honor of saving the day”–The 12th Wisconsin in the Battle of Ezra Church

Edwin Levings—with the 12th Wisconsin Infantry in the Atlanta Campaign—is probably describing in this letter the Battle of Ezra Church, which was fought on July 28, 1864, six days after the Battle of Atlanta.  Following the death of General James B. McPherson at the Battle of Atlanta, General William T. Sherman promoted General Oliver O. Howard, who had been leading the IV Corps, to head the Army of the Tennessee, which included the XV, XVI, and  XVII Corps (the 12th Wisconsin being in the XVII Corps).  Moving out on July 27, the Army of the Tennessee began their march west of Atlanta hoping to cut the railroad from Macon.  Howard halted on July 28 and his men quickly erected makeshift breastworks using logs, fence rails, and other available material.  Howard lost 562 killed and wounded in the battle while the Confederates suffered around 3,000 casualties.  Although it was a tactical defeat for the Confederates, the battle prevented Howard from reaching the railroad.

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.

Near Atlanta, Ga.   July 29^th, 1864.

Ever Dear Parents,

                                  In my last I promised to write you as usual in spite of the scarcity of paper, and here it goes.  We are both well and safe.  I intimated in my last that we were about to move.  Unexpectedly to me we moved around to the west side of the city abandoning our strong works.  The entire Tenn. Army, 3 Corps, 15th, 16th & 17th, swung around to the west side.  We marched all day the 27th to do it.  At night a skirmish line was thrown out and we advanced ¾ of a mile.  Yesterday morning the whole line advanced and after some sharp skirmishing a high commanding ridge was secured and the line established.  The 2nd Div., 15th Corps charged and were repulsed with heavy loss, the rebels coming out of their works and chasing up on the ridge . Fighting of the most desperate character then began and raged from noon till dark.  The rebels were the same we fought on the other side of the city.  They had marched all night to get here and had orders to drive us back if they lost every man.  Time after time the rebels threw themselves on our boys, but were repulsed every time with awful slaughter.  The fighting was heaviest in front of the 15th Corps.  At one time they nearly broke through and would, had not the 3 regiments from our Corps, including the 12th Wis., double quicked a mile to the relief of our boys.  The 12th gave a tremendous yell as they came up & poured volley after volley into the rebel ranks that were coming through a cornfield and the Johnnies had to beat a precipitate retreat.  We have the honor of saving the day.  The 12th is winning a proud name in the battles around Atlanta.  The 15th Corps lost considerably.  The 17th Corps’ loss was small.  The 12th lost, perhaps, 25 killed & wounded.  Co. A had 3 or 4 wounded; one only severely.  John Hunter in shoulder; Edward Tubman, left fore finger; Francis Van Warner, arm; Ira A. Williams of River Falls, received a slight wound in the thigh.¹  He is with the Co. this morning ready for duty again.  I was not in the fighting yesterday, — my leg was so bad that they left me behind.  I could not run or hurry at all if necessary, so had to stay.  I hated to do it and at night went up to the Co.  My boil is much better and I think I can do duty in the ranks again.  Reinforcements from the 14th Corps came up last evening, & this morning our Regiment was relieved, & had just come back to its first position.  Gen. Hood [John Bell Hood] Com’d’g the rebels is a great fighter.  Prisoners state they don’t like him because he gets so many men killed.  We are perfectly willing they should waste themselves away in such fighting.  Their care is desperate, or they would not do it.  [Paragraph break added]

We received that tea and dried fruit on the 26th, and you may be assured we were pleased enough to get it.  Came pretty quick.  The boys using tobacco are in great need of that article.  Jack wishes you to see Lyman Powell and tell him he wants him to send him 1 lb. of chewing tobacco by earliest mail; that if Lyman can not, or does not attend to it, he would like you to do it & look to him for the pay.  We would like him to send a ½ lb. tea, also, “the stuff that cheers, but not inebriates.”  Our boys are busy this fore noon fortifying, Madam Rumor says rebels are about receiving help from Virginia.  I doubt it.  All the Atlanta R. Roads are cut.  We shall look for letters from you to-day.  Cousin Emma wrote us the other day a good long letter enclosing a fine “photo.”  Homer is washing, & I am writing.  I expect we had better change places.  If you should see me now you would ask is that Edwin?  Pretty hard life we have now, but we are all full of confidence & are determined to win & will.  John Rice’s regiment was transferred to some other part of the army when ours was & left, I believe, back in the R. R. near Marietta.  Father, what need is there of your working at painting?  You are well enough off.  You can buy some land & work it, which will be far better for your health & more satisfactory.  We want you to use that money for yourselves.  If we get killed we don’t want it.  If wounded or not, we can take care of ourselves & never will be any the worse off for your using it.  Now why don’t you do it & be content.  You are too old now do to much business & since there is not need of your working yourself so hard it would certainly more accord with our feelings that you take it more easy.  Never mind taxes.  That will be all right.  It is noon & I must stop.  Write soon & often to you affectionate boy.

  Edwin

Near Atlanta Ga.   July 29^th, 1864.

Dear Parents,

                         It is with great pleasure that I now seat myself to write you a few lines to inform you of our safety, though I have not long to write for the mail will go out in an hour.  I have just been washing my clothes and return just as Ed had got dinner cooked.  Our bill of fare this noon was coffee, hard tack, and fried pork.  We calculate when we can get enough of that, we are lucky, though we have enough most of the time.  We had to get up last night after laying down to sleep, and draw rations which we were verry [sic] willing to do, although much we needed our sleep, for we have been broke of rest more or less for 8 nights.  Our C^o was on the skirmish line night before last.  I never see a time when when [sic] it was so hard for men to keep awake as it was then, they did not dare to lay sit down for fear they would go to sleep.  Had I not had my gun to lean upon I should have fell down.  For I felt my self [sic] ready to drop a sleep [sic] several times during two hours.  Our regt. is throwing up earth works to protect themselves against shells.  Our regt. is in the rear of the briggade [sic] there is two lines of works in front of us.  As the mail is about to close I shall have to stop.  Give [__] to all and write soon to

Homer

 1.  Ed lists the following casualties in Company A of the 12th Wisconsin Infantry:

• John Hunter, from Diamond Bluff, enlisted December 18, 1863; wounded at Atlanta; discharged for a disability May 26, 1865.
• Edward Tubman, from Hammondtown, was a veteran who originally enlisted October 30, 1861; wounded at Atlanta and mustered out with the company July 16, 1865.
• Francis Van Warner, from New Centerville, was also a veteran who originally enlisted October 30, 1861; wounded at Atlanta and mustered out with the company July 16, 1865.
• Ira A. Williams, from River Falls, enlisted September 18, 1861, and mustered out when his term expired on October 30, 1864. His wound was so minor that it is not recorded in the official record.

July 29, 1864, letters of Edwin D. Levings (left) and Homer Levings (right), from the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls

1864 July 4: “I suppose the people of the North are to-day celebrating their independence with an enthusiasm such as never marked the 4th before”

The Battle of Marietta was a series of military operations from June 9 through July 3, 1864, in Cobb County, Georgia.  Several engagements were fought during this four-week period, including the battles of Pine Mountain (June 14), Gilgal Church (June 15), Kolb’s Farm (June 22), and Kennesaw Mountain (June 27).  The Union forces were not fully victorious until July 3, hence Ed’s paragraph about the recent news of victory over the rebels.

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.

Camp of the 12th Wis. Vet. Vols.
Ga.   July 4th 1864  — .

Ever Dear Parents,

                                   As there is a chance to write and mail letters, I hasten to improve it.  Your last letter, I think, has been answered.

I suppose the people of the North are to-day celebrating their independence with an enthusiasm such as never marked the 4th before.  To add to the joyousness of the day, perhaps, has come the news of victory over the rebels.  I hope you have such news, ~ may the day not pass away without a national rejoicing over our military achievements in the cause of right.

Well, now, where do you guess I am, to-day.  In camp, of course, I might say in the wilderness, but that would be too indefinite, so I will define our position more clearly.  Day before yesterday, the 2nd, the 17th Corps¹ received orders to load the wagons and move them westward, and the men to be ready to follow at 8 P. M.  The other corps had the same orders.  We at once concluded we were going to swing around to the right and cross the Chattahoochie [sic] River.  Accordingly we moved, marching the greater part of the night and all day yesterday; and now we are 3 miles north of the river, farther from Atlanta than when in front of Kenesaw [sic] Mountain but in more probability of getting there.

There was a report yesterday purporting to be official from Sherman [William T. Sherman] that he had taken 7000 prisoners.  I do not credit it yet as to number.  He did capture a lot of them, cutting them off from their main force, and in our front on another road and further down the river is another lot said to be cut off.  I do not think it large.  Some of the 15th Corps skirmished with them in the afternoon of yesterday and drove them a mile & a half, when our Div. relieved them.  We are lying still this forenoon, but after dinner I think we will get orders to press the chaps, & try and gobble them.  This is all the news I have for you.  We left the rebels in possession of the Kenesaw [sic] Mountain, but we knew they had nearly all gone and came this way, there being less obstructions to crossing.  It is believed Johnson [sic: Joseph E. Johnston] will fall back to Cedar Bluffs 9 miles south of Atlanta, where the rebels say the Yanks can not come.

The weather is pretty warm and we find marching rather uncomfortable.  We are both well and in firstrate spirits.  It will soon be so warm, that we thought to have you send us a few things that we shall then need, more than at any other time.  You can send them by mail, then we shall be likely to get them.  We would like you to send us ½ lb. of tea, & 1 or 2 lbs. of dried currants.  I would not send for them if we were near any Commissary Post, or if there was any probability of getting such things within a few weeks.  If the postage would be more than than [sic] the things are worth, you need not send them.  We would like the tea soon.  In warm weather we need such things, not the hearty Govt. rations altogether, I want something acid, so I mention currants — I do not think of anything more.

Remember to send some stamps I mentioned in my last, & some Rurals, or other [news]papers.

I hope to hear from you soon.  We want to hear from Cousins Hattie & Lottie, also.

Yours affectionately,
.                      .E. D. Levings

1.  At this time, the 12th Wisconsin Infantry was in Francis P. Blair’s XVII Corps, Walter Q. Gresham’s 4th Division, Colonel William L. Sanderson’s 1st Brigade.

[Edwin Levings letter of July 4, 1864, from the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center]

1864 June 26: Ed Levings in Georgia—“We are in more danger here than we were at Vicksburg”

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.

Camp Of The 12th Wis. Vol. Infy.
Kenesaw [sic] Mountain Ga.  June 26^th, 1864.

My Dear Parents,

                                  I was waked up from my slumbers this morning by the glad cry mail! mail!  When I jumped up to see what there might be for us, and your letter of the 12th inst was put into my hands.  We are very glad to hear from you again.  You can not write too often.  You do not write often enough.  I often think home letters have a charm in them that others have not.  “There’s no place like home“; so, too, there seen to be no letters like those hailing from home; and if we could hear from you more frequently, why, all the better.

I have not much news for you.  The positions of the two armies have not materially changed.  We are at a halt.  The rebs seem to have settled into the belief we can come no further, and have renewed the defiant manner so well expressed by the Scriptural words, “Thus far shalt thou come, and no further.”¹  There is the rattle of musketry on the skirmish line, sometimes fierce and rapid, but generally feeble & slow, and nobody thinks much about it.  Fierce artillery duels now and then occur and cheers by either side go up when a good shot is made.  We say at such times all is quiet, or comparatively quiet, as you see it in the papers.  No severe or decisive fighting is going on.  You would say, perhaps, “One is afraid and the other durs’nt [sic]².”  Really, we are besieging the rebels and have them in about the same fix that Grant [Ulysses S. Grant] has Lee [Robert E. Lee].  It is said the wings of our army are not more than 4 miles apart, our line being the arc of a circle.  You see then it is a hazardous thing for old Johnson [sic: Joseph E. Johnston] to tray and get away.  If he attempts it, the wings can fall upon him.  Should he try to break our center, he will rush on certain destruction.  [paragraph break added]

I think Sherman [William T. Sherman] is waiting for a full supply of stores and, perhaps, re[-]enforcements.  The R. R. is pressed to its utmost to bring supplies and can hardly do it.  There were but two days rations at Big Shanty Depot yesterday.  You will understand, then, how it happens we have gone so long without soap.  We drew a little yesterday (soft soap) a donation of the Sanitary Commission.  God bless the Sanitary Commission.  The boys are generally in first rate health and full of confidence.  The “Blue packets” are all right.  [paragraph break added]

Sherman is reported to have said the other day the rebels had staid here one day too many.  If our army is located as said to be, the rebels will have to “go up the spout.”  We are in more danger here than we were at Vicksburg.  The rebels can shell us to our discomfort, but they do not molest our camp much.  The boys run about in plain view — as unconcernedly as though no enemy were near.

We are glad of that butter, tea, berries &c.  We do not draw any thing but hard tack, pork, beef, salt, coffee and sugar, and these delicasies [sic] come in the nick of time & answer for variety, or desert, if you like it better.  When the transportation facilities are so limited we can not get any more than what is absolutely essential.  We will have a better chance when we get to Atlanta.  Wheat is ready to harvest, but there is nobody to harvest it but Uncle Sam’s mules & horses, and they need it all & more.  Our battery horses were in fine condition when we left Cairo, but are now pretty poor.  They get but half rations of corn.  [paragraph break added]

If you can get a colt to match Homer’s, I would like it and whatever the expense of keeping it may be, you may charge to me.  I hope you will not work yourself down again, and I certainly hope you will not move out to Hudson, for then I know you will work too hard.  Are you not to have any rain up there?  I do not see what you will do, but probably there will be something raised ~ more than you expect, so you will not hunger.  I need some stamps and I wish you would send 50 cts. worth or more by next letter.  I will not send the money for them as I can not get the bill I have broken.  The weather is much warmer now ~ not much rain.  We are both well.  I shall have to close as my sheet is full.  Write soon, Yours as ever, Edwin.

1.  In the book of Job, chapter 38, verse 11, the King James version of the Bible—which is what Ed probably would have been using—reads “Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further.”
2.  Dursn’t means dare not, or doesn’t dare to.

Edwin Levings letter of June 26, 1864, from the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO) at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls University Archives & Area Research Center

1864 June 9: “We do not have enough to eat, … I would rather they would keep their extra pay & give me full rations”

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.  The final page seems to be missing, so there is no signature, but this is definitely Ed Levings’ handwriting.

Acworth Ga.  June 9^th 1864

My Dear Parents :

                                 I wrote last from Rome, but did not write much for the want of time.  I now hasten to improve the first opportunity, and to give you an account of our march over the mountains, for I know there rests on your minds a feverish anxiety to learn how I stood the tramp.

The 3rd and 4th Divisions, 17th Corps, left Decatur, Ala. on the 27th ult. and arrived here yesterday, having marched a distance of 335 miles, with but a single day’s rest during the time.  The 12th never did as hard marching before, ~ its Meridian march is no comparison.  No other march ever tested the patience and endurance of the men so severely, and I have not a doubt but that it has produced effects that will lead to many a broken-down constitution.  The whole command suffered a great deal from the fatigue of this march and the universal statement is that it was the hardest time it ever experienced.  We carried our knapsacks lightened of all that could be spared, lived on 2/3 rations which consisted of hard bread, pork and beef, coffee, sugar, salt and pepper.  The mountainous districts afforded but little to eat, the people were poor and needed all they possessed, consequently we did not try to forage much upon them.  Aside from onions, a little meat and corn meal, we did not have much to vary our fare.  The worst feature of the march was we were compelled to travel too far in a day.  We did not march more than 15 or 18 miles daily, but that distance under the circumstances was too much.  We were climbing steep mountains and hills, fording streams where the water was sometimes up to the waist, were footsore and needed sleep & rest, and carried knapsacks and were discouraged.  [paragraph break added]

Old Blair [Francis P. Blair] was to blame and when our Div. Gen. (Gen. Grisham [sic: Walter Q. Gresham]) complained to him and requested a rest, he was inexorable, and there seemed no way but for each man to abide his fate.  We made no allowances for bad weather, bad roads or anything else, but sitting on his fine horse and looking like a peacock, without a word or a smile for anybody, measured off his regular 15 or 18 miles, making his headquarters as some nice house, obliging us to march oftentimes till midnight to come up with him, ~ once till 8 in the morning and in this instance our brigade went to bed without any supper, prefering [sic] a little sleep rather than food ; and then were hurried off before they could get breakfast.  There was no necessity for marching us so as we could learn.  Blair was reported under arrest when we arrived at Kingston because he should have been here sooner.  He lay at Cairo longer than necessary and it is thought he meant to make us make up the time.  I have heard many a man say he would shoot him if he ever has a chance, and I know he is generally very unpopular.  Officers up to Div. Generals do not hesitate to express  their dislike of him.  President Lincoln [Abraham Lincoln] will lose a large vote in this Corp because of Blair.  The opinion is he has given him command simply to appease the Copperhead sentiment at home.  I do not think the boys will fight with much confidence while he leads them, but enough of this.  I will simply say I stood the march as well as the best of the boys and am in excellent health.  [paragraph break added]

I don’t think much of this reduced, “improved, ration system.”  We do not have enough to eat, of somethings; for instance, sugar & meat of which we get but ½ rations.  I would rather they would keep their extra pay & give me full rations.  I presume the calculations are to live largely off the country, and I assure you I shall so endeavor.  There will be an abundance of fruit this year, & considerable wheat & corn, which will be good in quality.  Wheat will be ready to cut in 2 weeks, but there will be no one to cut it.

[Edwin D. Levings]

Edwin Levings letter of June 9, 1864, from the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls

1864 June 6: “We have marched 300 miles since we left Clifton”

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.

Rome Ga. Monday morning
June 6th 1864

Dear Brother Homer,

                                       Yours of May 23rd came to hand last night as I was getting supper.  I was truly glad to hear from you once more, and I hurriedly write a short answer to let you know how I am &c.  At last we have reached Rome, but we can not see the Pope ; — we have to march to Kingston, 20 miles east ; then we are to guard a supply train through to Sherman [William T. Sherman] variously estimated to number 15 to 1800 wagons.  I stood the march over the mountains much better than I expected, far better than I did that from Clifton to Huntsville.  We have marched 300 miles since we left Clifton.  I have not time to write any account of our march whatever, but I will give you a full story about it as soon as I have a chance.  [paragraph break added]

Both Divisions perfectly hate old Blair [Francis P. Blair].  He marched us too far in a day, shoved us right through without letting us have hardly any rest at all.  I suppose it is necessary for us to go to Sherman with supplies and I would rather do it now than have him fail.

Leonard Stiles¹ is here.  He looks better than any man in the Company.  There was but little forage in among the mountains.  We shall have a plenty to eat in the foraging line now.  The country is full of fruit and vegetables.  Black berries will be ripe in 2 or 3 weeks.  It had rained hard the last 3 days.  You don’t say how you are, but I suppose you are improving.  Don’t come down here till we get down near Atlanta, or till we get settled somewhere in camp.

We march at 7 o’ck. this morning.  Write soon & direct via Chattanooga.  My love and best wishes to you all.

From your brother Edwin.

Address Co A. 12th W. Vols.
1st Brig. 4th Div.
17th Corps

1.  Leonard C. Styles in the Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers. He was from River Falls.

Edwin Levings letter of June 6, 1864, from the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls