1865 July 22: How Fast Should Soldiers Expect to Be Paid

This week we have only articles from The Polk County Press because there is no issue for July 22, 1865, on the microfilm of The Prescott Journal.

The Press here reprints an editorial from the New York Tribune.  General Joseph Hooker’s XX Corps in the Union Army of the Cumberland was a consolidation of the XI and XII Corps.  The corps fought throughout the Atlanta Campaign and its troops were the first to enter Atlanta after it surrendered.  The XX Corps also participated in Sherman’s March to the Sea and the Carolinas Campaign.  It took part in the Grand Review at Washington, D.C., and was disbanded in June 1865.

Non-payment of Soldiers.

“A Friend of Soldiers” asks us to “say a few words in behalf” of those members of the Twentieth Corps who recently broke out into riot at Washington because they were not paid.  We cannot do it.  Without the least desire to flatter the present rule of the War Department, we must say that the labor of preparing and perfecting all the returns for paying off and mustering out so vast an army as ours is gigantic, and not to be compressed into a few days.  Returns often have to be sent back for correction—there must be duplicates and lots of signatures—and the clamor against “red tape” amounts in essence to this—“Let every one run his arm into the Treasury and take out whatever he chooses to deem his share.”  We can not join in it.

The Government is paying out money.  Millions per week to soldiers—is paying as fast as it safely can.  It has the money and is disbursing it faithfully.  But every one cannot be paid first nor at once ;  there must be some later and one last of all.  Naturally, those who are honorably discharged are paid before those who are retained.  But no one can even invent a reason for willful delay, and there is no such delay.  The paymasters are hard at work ;  they have ample funds ;  and all the trouble arises from forgetfulness of Dogberry’s¹ axiom that “When two ride a horse, one must ride behind.”  Let us do nothing to excite or palliate mutiny, but do everything to avert it.

—NEW YORK TRIBUNE.

1.  Dogberry is a character from William Shakespeare’s play Much Ado About Nothing. This quotation comes from Act III, Scene 5.

1865 May 27: Edwin Levings on the End of the War—“The work is done, and is it not well done?”

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 original letter is rather faint, so the copy below has been darkened so that it is readable.

Crystal Springs D. C. May 27^th 1865.

My Dear Parents ;

                                We had the pleasure of reading your letter of the 20^th inst last evening ; and it really seems clever to be in receipt of news from home in a single week’s time. —  I have taken my pen to answer, as you doubtless expect to be kept posted as to our prospects for coming home, &c.  As yet there is but one order from the War Department mustering out and discharging troops, and that applies to those only whose terms of service expire prior to Oct 7^th, 1865.  Our impatience to know the purpose of the War Dept concerning us has been great, and is yet, but we are becoming contented to wait till it shall be their pleasure to inform us.  Among so many classes of troop[s] to be discharged there are many minute matters to be looked after, requiring much time.  But if they will simply pay and discharge us, I will abide their time, be it weeks or months.  I presume we shall be served in the order of our enlistments. — There is an order this morning stopping the muster-out of any more troops in the District, and it is said we shall proceed as organizations to our respective States there to complete the work.  There are good reasons for it.  The boys, many of them, behave rather badly, and there is no doubt that if paid off here and let loose, many would lose all their money, and many never get home.  [paragraph break added]

By the way, the Western boys do not hitch very well with the Potomac chaps.  Washington is in more danger to-day than when defended by the [?] troops.  I do not mean to say our soldiers are deficient in good morals generally, but simply to say that in the presence of so many troops of all characters the elements of evil are strongr [sic], and that society is much disturbed.

I have not been down town yet.  I mean to do so as soon as possible.  As it is I am on duty two hours in every eighteen ; and we are camped 4 miles North of the town.  Ellsworth¹ was over here to see us yesterday.  He looks well.  His Div. moves camp to-day over to Alexandria.  We mean to go and see him ; also Dwight and wife who live there.  The Sanitary Commission is here bestowing its donations to the troops.  We have received some good clothing and some eatables from it.

Well, Kirby Smith has at last come to terms, so I guess we will not go to Texas nor Mexico.  The work is done, and is it not well done?  I hope that no many days will elapse ere we can meet you at home.  Write to us often, and do not look for us till you hear of our arrival in Madison.

Yours affectionately —
Edwin D. Levings

[On the back is a short letter from Homer]

Dear Father & Mother

                                          It has been some time since I have written any and I have nothing to write now, but I will try and say a few words to let you know that I have not lost all regard for you.  I went over to see Jut and Elsworth¹ [sic] the other day, they have both been to see us.  You wanted to know what we thought about selling the mare and colt.  I think you could sell them if you have not already, and the money would do you more good than they would.  There is an order not to muster out any more men.  The troops are to be sent to their States and all moustered [sic] to-gether.  I hope they will pay us off before sending us home, if they do not the soldiers will be apt to forage a little, for they can not live without eating.  Our living has been verry [sic] poor since we came to Washington.  But I must bring this to a close.

Yours Truly, Homer.

1.  Edwin’s and Homer’s cousin, Ellsworth Burnett, captain of Company F, 37th Wisconsin Infantry.

Edwin Levings letter of May 27, 1865, from the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls

1865 February 11: The Army of the James “is ‘watching and waiting’ just outside the gates of the rebel Capital”

The following letter comes from the February 11, 1865, issue of The Prescott Journal.

ARMY CORRESPONDENCE.

The Campaign in Virginia.
The Armies of the Potomac and the James. 

SHERMAN’S NEW CAMPAIGN.

The Army of the James—From the Nineteenth Regiment.

Changes of Commanders—New Rules and Sys-
tems—Delay of paying the Troops—Desertions—
The Substitute System—Condition of the Regiment. 

ARMY OF THE JAMES, }
In Front of Richmond, Jan. 18, 1865. }

This army is “watching and waiting” just outside the gates of the rebel Capital, with little to disturb its quiet, or interrupt the monotony of camp life.  It had been anticipated by many, and especially by the projectors, that when the bulk-head of the Dutch Gap Canal was blown out, we would be furnished with plenty of work, and that lively times would be inaugurated hereabouts.  But that which was to have opened the James to our fleet as far at least as Fort Darling, and have enabled us to flank that stronghold, has ended in the “blowing up” of sanguine expectations, and left the door to Richmond still tightly closed in that direction.

MAJOR GENERAL GIBBON.

At one time in command of the “Iron Brigade,” and more recently commander of a division in the Army of the Potomac, has just assumed command of the 24th corps of this army—Major General Ord [Edward O. C. Ord] taking the place made vacant by the removal of General Butler [Benjamin F. Butler].  With new lords come new laws, and many thorough and radical changes are already taking place and being ordered. This morning the corps was reviewed in front of our works by Gen. Gibbon [John Gibbon], and there is a general “brushing up,” evidently preparatory to the early opening of a new campaign, and the “negotiations for peace.”

THE REMOVAL OF MAJOR GENERAL BUTLER

has produced a profound sensation throughout this army, although it might have been anticipated, and really ought not to be a matter of surprise.  The failure at Wilmington and the fiasco of the Dutch Gap, has sealed his fate as a field commander.  With great administrative ability—keen, shrewd, sagacious, quick to discern and prompt to execute, he yet had little fitness for the command of armies, and with abundant means at his disposal could not win victories.  Besides, he was unfortunate in another respect, that he transferred the iron and despotic rule which crushed out the mob at New Orleans to the camps of his soldiers, and thought to secure efficiency in discipline, and the most perfect subordination by stern and arbitrary measures and terrible punishments.  Still, Gen. Butler is not dead, nor extinguished, and those who are rejoicing over his downfall and military demise, will assuredly find that his is a power in the land, and that the sun of his renown is only in partial eclipse, not set forever in darkness.  He has won for himself a great name, and that name will be imperishable upon the brightest pages of our country’s history.

SUFFERING FOR WANT OF PAY.

The failure of the Government to meet its engagements with the army in the matter of pay, is not only subjecting officers and men to great inconvenience, but is a source of suffering to themselves and families.  A large portion of this army has been without pay for five or six months, and hundreds of soldiers have not seen the face of a Paymaster for more than eight months.  This delinquency works mischief—it discourages and demoralizes—and Government has only to persevere in it for a few months longer to break down the spirit and efficiency of the men who fight its battles.  It may be good for sutlers, but it is terribly hard on those who are obliged to go upon his books for daily food.

DESERTIONS.

These are becoming alarmingly frequent in our midst.  It has been said, and I have no doubt truly, that if an examination of the records of our armies in Virginia were to be made, our losses by desertion within the last six months would be reckoned not by thousands, but by tens of thousands.  We inflict the death penalty upon deserters, and yet the crime is common.  A regiment stationed not more than a hundred yards from where I write has been largely depleted by desertion, and none of its members can now be trusted on the picket line.  The evil has its root in our system of recruiting.  By it we gather up the scum and refuse and rascality, not only of our own country, but of other countries, and empty the whole villainous mass into our armies.  A draft is ordered, and to save ourselves the necessity of entering the ranks and fighting in person against the rebellion, we employ substitute brokers who shall buy up convicts, rowdies, men rotten with disease, and all forms of wretched and depraved humanity, with whom to fill our places in the thinned ranks of veteran heroes.  The whole thing is damnable and most ruinous.  Men thus obtained desert the very first opportunity.  They cannot be trusted anywhere.  They indeed count in the filling up of quotas, but they add nothing to the strength of our armies in the field.  It is to be hoped that our people will beware of substitute brokers in the coming draft, and that no one will be enlisted or mustered as a soldier who is not worthy and well qualified.

THE NINETEENTH.

This regiment, since the disastrous fight at Fair Oaks, has been gradually getting itself into shape again, and may now be regarded in excellent condition.  Its present effective strength is about 400.

Major Vaughn¹ is winning an enviable name as an able and efficient commander, and is well supported by staff and line officers.—The surgical department is in charge of Dr. Dodge,² of Janesville, than whom there is not a more faithful and skilled surgeon in the army.  Dr. Diefendorf [sic],³ our major surgeon, is on duty at Chesapeake Hospital.  We are comfortably hutted for the winter, and are enjoying a good degree of quiet.  Picket firing is entirely dispensed with along our lines, and only an occasional report of a gun is heard in the vicinity of Dutch Gap.  The boys, or the non-veteran portion of them, are anxiously looking forward to the time—the 19th of April next—when they shall doff the uniform of Uncle Sam and return to civil life.  And may we not all anticipate a day not far distant, when our sacrifices and sorrows on the behalf of our torn and bleeding country shall be at an end—when peace shall have been restored to our stricken land—when our national sins shall have been purged away, and every inch of American soil have been consecrated to freedom.  Then, all of disaster and suffering—all of loss and trial—all of mourning and sorrow—shall be submerged in the swelling tide of joy.

CONSTANTINE.

1.  Samuel K. Vaughan (d. 1872), from Portage City, is currently the regiment’s major, but will become lieutenant colonel in April 1865. He was originally captain of Company D, then major, was named colonel in August of 1865 but never mustered, instead was brevetted colonel and then brigadier general of U.S. Volunteers.
2.  Edward F. Dodge, 1st Assistant Surgeon from January 7, 1864.
3.  Daniel B. Devendorf (1820-), from Delavan, had been with the 19th since March 18, 1862. Before that he was 2nd Assistant Surgeon with the 1st Wisconsin Infantry. “Owing to impaired health he left the East in December 1855, and settled at Delavan, Wisconsin, in the mercantile business. Finding this ill suited to his tastes, he closed it at the end of two years and resumed his profession, continuing in it till 1861, when he was commissioned assistant surgeon of the 1st Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers. After the battle of Stone River, he was commissioned surgeon of the 19th Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers, then stationed at Norfolk, Virginia. With this regiment he lay before Petersburgh four months, and there was made medical inspector of the 18th Army Corps, and ordered to the office headquarters at Fortress Monroe, where he remained till 1864. He was also medical purveyor of the 18th and 19th Army Corps, stationed at Deep Bottom, Virginia. On the morning of the taking of Richmond, his regiment was on picket duty, and was one of the first to enter the city, and witnessed the great conflagration. At the close of the war he returned to his home in Delavan, and resumed his practice, and has continued it up to the present time (1876) with marked success.” From History of Walworth County Wisconsin, by Albert Clayton Beckwith, 1912.

1865 January 29: From South Carolina — “We expect to start on a campaign soon, perhaps to morrow; we have not got any orders yet but preparations are being made for something”

Pocotaligo, South Carolina, was the closest depot to Port Royal Island and was a sought-after target for Union troops to disrupt railroad service.  It fell to Union General William T. Sherman in early 1865 shortly after his army’s capture of Savannah in Christmas 1864. Very little of the community remains today.

This letter by Homer Levings includes a postscript written by his brother, Edwin, continued from Ed’s letter of the same day.  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.

Pocotaligo S. C.
Jan. 29^th 1865.

Dear Parents,

                           Yours of the 8^th inst. was read last night.  It was the first that we have had from you while at this place.  The mails are so irregular that it takes along [sic] time to get an answer to a letter as the mail only comes from N.Y. once in eight days.  Mother you must not worry so much about us when you do not hear from us, for if anything happens to us you would hear of it all the sooner.  There are often circumstances arrising [sic] so as to prevent us from writing, as we cannot expect to have communication with the rest of the world, when we are makeing [sic] raids through the Confederacy.  [paragraph break added]

About the money we have sent home, you wished to know the amount we had sent as it is a matter of little  consequence, I never trouble my mind about it, and am unable to say as to the amount, though perhaps Ed will remember.  I think that Gov. Bonds are the safest way to invest money at the present time, or while the war lasts.  I think it is poor business for Soldiers or any one that is exempted from service, by military law, paying taxes, to induce cowards to enlist.  I am perfectly willing you should sell the land if you think best, and invest the money in any that seems best to you, you need not wait to consult us on the subject.  If you see a chance it is not best to let it slip, we will be satisfied any way, and if you want the money to use for your own comfort, I shall not be satisfied unless you use it.  [paragraph break added]

How does the colt get along, does he bid fare to make a good horse or is he like his owner of little promise, but as Grandmother used to tell me that there was “no telling the lack of a lousy calf,” we may both take a turn yet.  It is rumored that there will be no more mail sent from here, that the last mail has gone, but I think there will yet be an opportunity before we leave here.  [paragraph break added]

We expect to start on a campaign soon, perhaps to morrow; we have not got any orders yet but preparations are being made for something.  We have mad[e] there reconnoisances [sic] while here to get across the river, the Sancachee [Salkehatchie], but did not accomplish anything on account of the river being so high.  As it is dinner time noon I must stop and help get dinner.  We drew codfish, salt pork, hard tack &c, yesterday.  We draw three days more rations this afternoon.  The report is that the rebels have fell back eight miles from their works.  [paragraph break added]

Now if you do not hear from us do not look on the dark side but hope for the best.  We are well clothed now and have got new tenets.  With much love to all I will close,

From Your Affectionate Son,
Homer.

Well, I sold $166.50 worth of gold pens for Dale [Wilber P. Dale] & yesterday expressed by E.O. Cleveland our Div. Postmaster $155.00 to N.Y. for him.

We have all the money we can use.  Messrs. Fowler & Wells sent me a lot of journals telling me I might remit $1 & order as many more as I could sell.  I sent $4 for more & received 30.  I sell them at 30 cts.  We will send you 3 numbers by next mail.  Let us know how you like them &c.  I may have a chance to add more to this before mailing & for the present will close.

Yours affectionately—Edwin

Homer Levings letter of January 29, 1865, from the Edwin D. Levings Papers (River Falls Mss BO) in the University Archives & Area Research Center at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls

1865 January 29: “So, Mother, we are not prisoners, nor do we intend to be”

A letter from Ed Levings with the 12th Wisconsin Infantry in South Carolina.  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 12^th Wis. Vols. —
Pocotaligo S.C. Jan 29^th/65

Dear Father,

                         After a long impatient waiting for a letter from you we were last night gladdened by one from you with date of the 8th inst; and how great our pleasure to hear from home again.  It is the third received from you this month, but not one have we had in answer to any we have written since leaving Atlanta.  It is strange you had not received a letter from us since we left there.  We have written a half doz. times, and it seems you should have heard from us once, at least.  Most of our boys have received no answers yet to letters written since coming to Savannah, so we are not alone in waiting.  The New York mails reach us but once per week, and this fact may account for having to wait so long.  We will endeavor to write you a little oftener, so you need not be obliged to wait as long as you have.

So, Mother, we are not prisoners, nor do we intend to be.  You must not allow your mind to be agitated by such a fear.  The character of an event is not changed by worrying about it, nor is happiness increased or life prolonged, but quite the reverse.  Do you think of it?  The same kind Providence that watches over you watches over your boys, and whatever fortune is marked out for them is all right.  Can you not trust him to take care of us?

And you have not received that money?  Well I am not surprised, but guess you soon will.  We mentioned in our letters what we did with it, but lest you may not get them [the letters], I will repeat it in this.  We took $350.00 of our pay in the new 7 ³/10 Gov. Notes and signed them over to you.  $150.00 we gave Dale to express you [Wilber P. Dale].  You can get it at the Express Office in Prescott.  $200.00 we gave Dale with the promise from him that he would remit you a receipt, and an order on Mr. Searle of Hudson for $200.00 in like notes, plus the first six months interest.  So that we send you $360.00.  He said Mr. Searle had the money ready.

You ask how much we have sent home.  We have sent $1080.00 viz. $480.00 before coming home, $240.00 we left you when at home & $360.00 we have sent since.  You say you have no account of it & say that you will make it good &c.  Well, now, we gave you that money calculating you should use of it for yourselves and not as a loan.  You refuse to see it in that light and think you must hold yourselves to a rigid account for it.  I must laugh at you for once, No, we can never repay the debt of kindness and love we owe you as parents and shame be upon us if we ever ask or wish such a thing at your hands.  Won’t you just release your mind of that purpose.  I do not understand your meaning when you say — “I shall never have any peace as long as there is a cent of your property in my hands.”  If you do not have peace, I guess it is your own fault.  If you wish to dispose of any of that land & invest in Gov. bonds, I think it would be a good plan, but I would not undersell, nor deprive myself of the use of money for the sake such an investment.  You can use those Town orders to pay town taxes & whether your tax is $100 or $200, you can fork over & laugh at hard times.

See last page of Homer’s letter.

Edwin Levings letter of January 29, 1865, 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 December 20: Edwin Levings Gets His Finances in Order and Is “detailed as a sharp shooter”

The Levings brothers have finalized how they are going to send most of their pay home to their parents. This letter explains the arrangements to their father. 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.

 

Before Savannah Ga.—
Dec. 20th 1864.

Dear Father ;

                         Having just arranged our money matters I will tell you what we did.  We gave Dale¹ $160. in Coupon Notes to express to you.  You can get it at the Express Office at Prescott.  There are 3 notes & they are signed to you.  The following is the description — Coupon Note — Denomination $50. — Series B. — Number 202,446. / Coupon Note Denomination $50. — Series A. — Number 204,585, Coupon Note — Denomination $50. — Series A. — Number 204,633 & also 1 $10 Compound interest note.  We let him have $200. in Coupons.  He will write you & give you an order on Mr. Searle of Hudson for that amount, in Coupon Notes, the Coupons all attached.  I think it safe enough & that Searle will honor the order.  If not, let him Dale know and he will send you the amt.  Dale is perfectly honorable & good for 10 times the amt.  I have collected the first 6 months interest on the $200. of Dale, which is $7.30.

Lt. Higby [sic]² told me it was is uncertain whether he will go home at present, —thinks of stopping somewhere east.

You may expect to hear soon of a real struggle for Savannah.  All is about ready now, and I expect we shall go for the Johnnies shortly.  I am detailed as a sharp shooter.  God be with you all, & prepare each of us for whatever is before us.  With love to you all I bid you good night.

Edwin D. Levings
.    .Co. A. 12h Wis. Vols.
.       .via N. [7?]

1.  Wilber P. Dale, of River Falls, formerly of Company A.
2.  Chester G. Higbee, of River Falls, currently lieutenant of Company A.

Edwin Levings letter of December 20, 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 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 October 24: “If I can’t vote for the man of my choice then I will go for the next best man”

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 4^th Wis^c Cavalry
Baton Rouge, La   Oct  24^th 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

1864 September 26: Jerry Flint — “The cavalry at this post is ordered to prepare for the field immediately but its destination is of course a secret”

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 4^th Wis Cavalry
Baton Rouge La Sept 26^th 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