Private William O. Gulick to His Parents, October 18, 1861

Camp Benton,²³ Mo. Oct. 18th/61

Co. M. 1st Ia. Cavalry        

Dear Father & Mother

I have just set down to write you a letter. I have a great deal to write and but little time to write in. I have been very busy for the two days I have been here. It was very rainy the day we came in and cleaning up and geting settled is quite a chore. I wrote a very short letter the day we left Burlington stateing that we was about to leave We had a very pleasant trip down to this place We were from Monday noon untill Wednesday morning but we lay up; one night above the Keokuk rappids I was very glad as it gave me a chance to pass Canton and many other towns in the day time, we did not pass any town but what the Glorious old Stripes and Stars were seen floating from some part although some were said to be quite rank secessionists The finest looking City I see was Quincy, we stoped there about two hours. The Iowa third Infantry was encamped there, I believe to recrute awhile. and to my surprise I came across Charlie James from Camanche Township.²⁴ He said he expected to go home on a furlough soon, if he dose you will see him and an hours chat would be interesting as he was in the Battle of Blue mills²⁵ & severel skirmishes. I set up all night on the boat to see the Bluffs and cave above Alton I could not distinguish the cave but the rocks I could see planely, I also see the mouths of the Ills. and Mo. rivers We arrived in St. Louis about 7 oclock in the morning It shows to good advantage to the river, It was a long time before we could land as the levee for two miles was crowded with steam boats I tell you, St. Louis is a large city and things look warlike. There is a great many Gun boats building and the streets are lined with soldiers canons are seen drawn through the streets with other arms and shiped to the different camps. The St. Louis streets are very narrow. Our camp is just out of the City and five miles from the river I thought we would never find the M. Barracks,²⁶ although we were tired the march from the boat was more interesting than I thought it could be, as we were cheered from evry side and the seens of a city to a country greenhorn were all new, When we arrived at Benton Barracks I found the best Quarters I ever seen I will send a View of the Barracks in a newspaper I believe there is about 7,000 thousand soldiers encamped here and in the Fare Grounds adjoining. On this sheet there is a view of the fare grounds on review day There is soldiers from Iowa, Ill, Wis, and many other states they are comeing and leaving evry day. By the way I said Isaac and his company were all here when we arrived, Well they had marching orders yesterday they saddled and packed their things but did not get off untill today three oclock they have a part of their arms and expect to go by Jefferson Barracks and get the rest of their arms. Jef. Barks, is about five miles below St. Louis. I do not know how many soldiers are encamped their I do not know where Isaac is going but he will undoubtedly see a fight before he gets back I was sorry to see him leave, but still I was very anxious to go with him, but I know I shall have a chance before long to smell Rebble Powder, When I look around me and see so much that Government has done and has to do, I do not wonder at its slow movements as we used to call them Evrything here is on the strict order I was on guard today and it is night now, soon will be tattoo when all lights have to be extinguished I have only received your two letters that you sent to Burlington since I left home Except one from H. H. Judson and Aaron I should like to get some letters from any body (only so I get some) I came across some of Mr. Lafayette Tallmans Relations the day before we left Burlington some of their boys came to camp and when they found who we were and where from, nothing would do but that we should go out in the country about 2 miles where they lived and see them We did so and had a good dinner and an excellent visit, They wanted I should write so Tallman would know it, They said tell Tallman that Old Aunt Elen of Henry county was dead. This Tallmans name is Thomas _____     The Iowa eighth Rej. left here two or three days before we came in I was sorry for I should like to have seen some of the Eden boys. Isaac said that John Dam was left here in the Hospital. Was not able to go with the Rej. I have not had time to go and see him yet but think I shall go tomorrow If I can get a pass. I expect when I leave here that I will not be allowed to carry any thing except what I can carry in my saddle so I will have to send my carpet sack home or give it away as soon as I get my arms I intend having my likeness taken again and send home I only wish I could get all of yours I believe you might send them all in one case that is taken on single plates Again I wish you all might be here to see the encampment and see the soldiers drill &c one day if no more The talk is that we will get our pay soon. I do not know but hope we will for many of the Boys are out of money I have plenty as yet however I do not know how long we may stay here yet but I guess the best way is to send your letters here as they are all forwarded on after evry company You must all write to me evry one of my folkes and direct to, Benton Barracks, St. Louis Mo. Company M 1st Ia. Cavalry

P. S. Give my love to all my friends and receive this from your affectionate son.

W. O. Gulick

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²³ Benton Barracks, also called Camp Benton, was just outside St. Louis. It was the chief point of assembly for the Union armies in Missouri late in 1861 and early in 1862.

²⁴ Camanche Township in which the town of Camanche, Iowa, is located, lies along the Mississippi River a few miles southwest of Clinton.

²⁵ This refers to the action at Blue Mills Landing (about five miles from Liberty, Clay County, Missouri), on September 17, 1861. About 4400 Confederates attacked 900 Union men and the latter were forced to retire. Union losses were about 130 killed and wounded, the Confederate about 160. The Third Iowa Infantry, as Gulick reports, was engaged. —Official Records: War of the Rebellion, Series I, Vol. III, pp. 193-195. This series was published by the Government Printing Office at Washington, 1880-1898.

²⁶ That part of Benton Barracks occupied by Company M of Gulick's regiment.

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Shambaugh, The Iowa Journal of History and Politics, vol. 28 (1930), pp. 210-3.

Private William O. Gulick to His Sisters, October 27, 1861

Camp Benton, St. Louis, Mo.        

Co. M. 1st Ia Cav. Oct. 27/61

Dear Sisters

I received your long looked for letter last night and I set my self about answering it as soon as I had read it, but had hardly commenced when the word came (to arms) or rather to go and get our new Sabers. I had to go. I have a very good one indeed. There was so much nois and clamor that I could not think of writing more last night. This Sunday morning we had to pack up evrything that is caried on horse back and appear on grand review or inspection after forming in line of Battle we marched around Brig. Gen. Curtis'²⁷ quarters, He (with his Body Guard close by) was to inspect our Battalion as we marched by. I had a fine opportunity of seeing him he is a fine looking old man, and quite gray hair, all the soldiers had to salute him with the Saber. It was dinner time when I came in quarters, and as soon as I could take care of my horse and put away my things it was two oclock, and now as I want to write this letter (not knowing when I may have another opportunity) I will have to give up going to meeting, which is at four oclock We have orders to leave here between this and Wednesday. I know not where, but unless the order is countermanded we will go. I expect we will have to be put through drilling while we stay here, we drill mostly on a trot and a gallop, and when chargeing, on a dead run. I am geting used to riding, I beleive I shall make a good horseman a number of the boys have been thrown from their horses and some been run away with I believe that not any of them have been hurt. I am proud of my horse he is such a steady good one, When I get my accouterments all on and drilling I tell you I feel animated and like fighting. I beleive I shall do good exicution when I get a chance at those Missouri Ruffians. I think my chance is good for one stroke at least soon too, Day before yesterday our Lt. Crissy²⁸ came back from Lyons with recruits among them were Blacksmith-Clark J. Kilmer, Thoms. Else,²⁹ Although they are nearly strangers to me, they seem like old friends. It came my turn to stand on stable guard that night from twelve untill six in the morning. I had so many long stories to exchange with the Camanche boys that I did not go to bed to get any sleep that night. Aaron Reccord & Lucian Beely³⁰ also came down at the same time in pesuit of their Regt. I suppose you knew that they had been in the Hospital at Camp McClellan, and home on a furlough They are here yet and as Aaron is quite lame (from the affects of over walking when too week) I think he will stay here untill he is better, while Beely will start tomorrow morning, to over take his Co. that I think is near Warsaw.³¹ I got a pass to go to the Hospital but they would not admit me I enquired for John Dam and was told that he was not There, I suppose that he went with his Co, The last I heard of Isaac and Co R. they were at Jeferson City. Tell Aunt Rebecca³² Isaacs letters will be forwarded from Head Quarters and I will not see them You said you was glad to hear of any delay of our Co. for my personal safety I do not want you to feel so, I came to fight, and the sooner we get at it the sooner it it [sic] will be ended I can not give you any information concerning the war I do not get the news regular and there is so many rumors in camp that a person can not beleive any of them, and a soldier never knows where he is going or what he is going to do I beleive our Regt is as good as any them is, or at least Col. says so, & Brig. Gen. Cortis [Curtis] says it has cost as much as any two Regt. organized.

We have another suit of evry day clothes in the Col.['s] charge so we shall not get out this winter Besides we have a dress suit for a fancy rig but the Col. will not give it us yet I do not want it to mus now since I wrote you last we have received fatigue caps and partly enough overalls, expect the rest soon they are a good institution If I have time before I go from this place I will send you my likeness with my arms I shall expect to receive yours soon (I mean all the folks) Emma wondered if I was standing on guard the night she wrote I beleive I was or the night before I am not positive which You told me about Parkes how hard he had to work I am sorry he has to work so hard I believe it is easier to soldier, but since we have been at Benton Barracks my whole time has been occupied though it is not hard work, We have so much cleaning to do by the way I will tell you something I have to do We have to keep our Buttons Bright (we use chalk and a brush) all our clothes brushed clean, our Boots Blacked There is a great deal of Brass about our saddles, spurs Bridles and all have to be kept Bright and clean We have Brass shoulder Plates or Appauletts our Arms &c all have to be kept Bright. We also have to keep our Quarters clean and take care of horse. We Drill five hours evry day and have Dress Parade at five oclock it takes about half or three fourth hours I have to cook every ten days and stand on guard once in from three to six days, we all have to get up at six oclock or Reveille, (The sound of the Bugle) and cannot go to bed untill after Roll call or Tattoo (sound of the Bugle) which is at nine oclock P. M. If we do not answer at Roll Call we get a black mark, and about three markes makes extra guard duty (I never got a black mark yet) I was sorry to learn that Father and mother did not go to Wis. I think they would have enjoyed the visit by the way there is some boys here from McGregor, Iowa. Some are acquainted in Grant Co, Wis. they say they are acquainted with some Kaslers but not our friends relatives as I can learn. There is some here from Adair Co. Mo. They Have been at Shibleys Point³³ but not acquainted there I have not written to Uncle Jacobs yet. I will the first spare time I have, for I know they would be glad to hear from me, But I want to write a good & a long letter when I write. I hope I may have an opportunity to visit them, though I think the prospects of geting a furlough is rather dubious, several have applied but to no effect I almost forgot to tell you of my visit to the Arsinal Yesterday I got a pass to go down town I went on horse back and rode nearly all day through the city The Arsinal is about three miles below the city and on the river Bank It is surounded by a high stone wall and includes about ten acres There is many large stone and Brick buildings where all kinds of arms are manufactured I see 1.25 large cannon about half were six and eight inch bore and Riffled Cannon the rest were light and ten inch and one did weigh 12,051 lbs I see a number of morters and Bom shells a number of Brass cannon In one building they were makeing cartridges and five hundred boys would make two hundred Thousand a day it would seam enough to shoot all the rebbles in existence It was interesting to see the process of cartriges makeing and others makeing impliments of war, I have no time for explanations.

I also went to the City Reservoir, I see many interesting senes, but I beleive they are not worth your attention and my time. I forgot to say that I see the Clinton Herald and a list of the Premiums awarded at the Fair. I was glad to find you had taken the premium on carpet Doc Ankeny Capt['s] Brother³⁴ is down here he says he see father in Clinton a day or two before he started with Lt. Crissy for St. Louis, and told him he was going, from him I learned that folks were all well How is fathers arm I thought he must be lame, or had more work than he could do for Clark said he done some work for Schuyler just before he came down. Clark has enlisted as teamster he says he has had Blacksmithing enough at home. Our B. Smiths have to work very hard shoeing our horses. I have heard the hammer ringing on the Arsenal to day (Sunday) I have not seen Mrs. Lee I might stay here six months and not see her. There is many Hospitals, I was sorry to hear of Riches falling, but that goes to show that that [sic] people are exposed to danger at home, and in time of peace. Is there much carpenter work, and is times changeing for the better or for worse have all the folks Riches Peters Henries Uncle Abes³⁵ and all the rest write to me for I like to get letters and I dont get any I understand that I cannot take my carppet sack with me any more so I will send it home I was just thinking that I would like to get my pay so that I could send you all a present with the money I have I could not send a present worth while I see I will have to close or get another sheet I might write more but I will leave it for some other time tell Woody and Parkes I want them to write and let me know all that is going on at home Tell Mary to write me in answer to my letter. You must give my love to all the folks let me know how the Lodge is doing I have some other things to write but will wait untill next time You must excuse all errors I see the necesity of having a dictionary Direct as before I will write as soon as I get to any place from here Write soon from your Affectionate Bro.

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²⁷ Samuel R. Curtis was at this time a brigadier general; shortly afterwards he was promoted to major general, and in March, 1862, was in chief command of the Union army at the decisive victory of Pea Ridge, which gave an opening wedge for later Union invasions of Arkansas. On September 24, 1862, he was assigned to command of the Department of Missouri and Kansas. He kept the Confederates in this field on a defensive and guerrilla basis of warfare throughout his period of command; but his policy of maintaining as many troops as possible in Missouri to dragoon southern sympathizers into submission instead of furnishing contingents to other fields when asked for them set him at odds with the authorities at Washington. On March 10, 1863, President Lincoln ordered Gen. E. V. Sumner to relieve him. Sumner died on the way to St. Louis, so the President on May 13th ordered General Schofield to relieve Curtis. Curtis afterwards commanded the Department of Kansas and Indian Territory. - Battles and Leaders of the Civil War (New York. The Century Co., 1888), Vol. III, pp. 446, 454, Vol. IV, pp. 376, 377.

²⁸ James Crissy, 1st lieutenant in Company M.

²⁹ "Blacksmith-Clark" was James Clark; "J. Kilmer", Jeremiah Kilmer; "Thoms. Else", Thomas C. Elce. All three were evidently from Lyons and all enlisted after muster. They re-enlisted in 1864 and apparently served out the war.—Lothrop's A History of the First Regiment Iowa Cavalry Veteran Volunteers, pp. 396, 403.

³⁰ Reccord and Beely were evidently friends and neighbors at home. Nothing further is known about them.

³¹ Warsaw is the county seat of Benton County, Missouri; it lies about 60 miles southwest of Jefferson City.

³² William's Aunt Rebecca Gulick, wife of Abraham Gulick, a brother of William's father.

³³ Shibley's Point is a small inland town about 15 miles northwest of Kirksville, in Adair County, Missouri.

³⁴ Dr. Ankeny was a brother of Captain William H. Ankeny who was in command of Company M at this time.

³⁵ "Uncle Abe" was Abraham Gulick, William's father's brother.

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Shambaugh, The Iowa Journal of History and Politics, vol. 28 (1930), pp. 213-20.

Diary of 2nd Sergeant Richard R. Hancock, Saturday, July 12, 1862

After a short march of about six miles we encamped at Bay Springs, where the regiment remained for several days.*

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* It had been ordered that the man whose arms were in the best condition should have a furlough for eight days. On inspection day (July 13th) the inspector decided in my favor, so I was furloughed for eight days. J. W. Kennedy and I went partly on a pleasure trip and partly after clothing and horses—to Franklin County, Alabama; and after spending about five days very pleasantly with our relatives and friends near Russellville, we returned to camps at Bay Springs, July 21st.

SOURCE: Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 202

Diary of Elvira J. Powers, Saturday, May 7, 1864

Have been to Hospital, No. 1, at the request of a mother whose young son had died there. She is in great anxiety to learn something of his last words, and whether he died a Christian. I have just written her the facts, that there was no outward evidence of the same, but that she must trust the Good Father that it was "well with him."

All the patients whom I have mentioned in my journal, are better. Even the one with ulcers is improving. As for William he has applied for a furlough, and expects soon to go home.

Day before yesterday a girl came to school who had just the look and complexion of a snuff-dipping refugee. She, also, like them, wore a dress of the same color, derived from some kind of bark. Her manner was as listless and her expression as vacant. Wishing much to know whether she could claim our superior race as her own, or whether a few drops of the black blood in her veins had procured perhaps from her father and master the fiat— "only a niggar!" I made known my curiosity to one of the teachers, with my perplexity as to how I should obtain the coveted information, without wounding her feelings.

"Oh! you need not fear that," was the reply, "they're used to it, and expect to be asked whether they're niggars or not." I could not do it, however, without considerable circumlocution; and commenced by asking if she could buy herself a book, whom she lived with, &c. After some time the questions eliminated the fact that though she didn't know whether she was free, or a “refugee," her own second name, or the age, she did know that she had lived most of her life in Texas, where she had always worked out of doors, had hoed corn, and ploughed that she lived with the same people now—that her father she had never heard anything of—that her mother was black, "though not real black," and finally that she herself was a "niggar," which nobody else could have told by her features or complexion.

A lady who stopped over night, on her way home from Bridgeport, where she has been stationed with her husband in charge of sanitary stores, relates the following:

She said that sitting a few days since in the rooms where were the stores of the Christian Commission, she saw a woman, when half a mile distant, who had a long stick in her hand. She supposed that being weary perhaps, with a long walk, she had picked it up to serve the office of a cane. But after entering, and engaging for some time in jovial conversation and laughter with some neighbors, she found there, she made known her errand. She wanted to beg a shirt, pair of stockings and a coffin for her husband, and the stick was the measure of his body. My informant asked the age of the deceased husband, and she replied:

"Well, now, I never rightly axed him how old he was. but I reckon he mought be nigh on to thirty or forty!"

SOURCE: Elvira J. Powers, Hospital Pencillings: Being a Diary While in Jefferson General Hospital, Jeffersonville, Ind., and Others at Nashville, Tennessee, as Matron and Visitor, pp. 72-4

Diary of Dr. Alfred L. Castleman, January 19, 1862

I confess to myself to-night, that deeply as I am interested in the cause for which we fight the question of government against anarchy—what I have witnessed today has cooled much of the enthusiasm with which I entered the service of this government, which I find so tardy in doing justice to those who are fighting for its preservation: This is a stormy day in mid-winter. Whilst going my rounds of camp to see what was needed for the health and comfort of the men, I passed the guard house of the regiment, and stepped in to see the condition of things. I there found soldiers—formerly my neighbors—sons of my friends, imprisoned in a pen where pigs could not have lived a fortnight without scalding the hair off them, (this is not figurative language) and in which these men had been kept for three months, awaiting the decision of a court martial which had tried them for some trivial offence, the extremest penalty of which would have amounted to some three to six days' confinement! at all events, under the extremest limit of the law, its punishment could not have exceeded in severity a sentence of three days' imprisonment in this vile hole of filth and water! Yes, they had been tried, and for three months had been kept, not only in this vile hole, but under indignity and disgrace, awaiting the convenience of gentlemanly officers, to send them word whether they were honorably acquitted, or that they must be imprisoned for two or three days. When these men, who, perhaps, have never been guilty of offence besides being suspected of it, are released from this disgraceful punishment, will they not feel indignant at hearing the justice of their government questioned, and be ready to rush to arms again to defend it? If scenes like this are necessary to the preservation of a government for my protection, then in God's name let me be untrammelled by conventional forms, and left dependent on my own powers for my protection. I assumed a prerogative; I pronounced most of these men sick, and ordered them sent to my hospital. They will hardly be pronounced well before the gentlemanly members of the court get ready to inform them of their sentence.

From this last scene I passed on to look up a party of our Regiment, who had been detailed to guard the General's Headquarters. I found them; and, my God! what a sight! Around the house occupied by the General was a large ditch, some five feet deep, and some ten or twelve feet wide, dug as the commencement of a fort. In this ditch, over which a few evergreen boughs had been thrown as a covering, stood a well dressed Lieutenant, (from my own county) with a squad of soldiers guarding the General's house—the Lieutenant trying to infuse into the men a little warmth of patriotic feeling, whilst the winter torrents poured through the evergreen branches, and their whole frames shook with cold in this sentry house, charitably built for them by orders of the General, who at that moment was being joyful over his wine, and with his friends!! And is this the REPUBLIC, the government of equality for which I am fighting? If we were men, this would be pitiable, but we are only soldiers, volunteer soldiers at that; and what right have we to be cold, when our services are wanted for the comfort of a General? But these are only thoughts; should I write or speak them, it would amount to shameful insubordination, and I should be disgracefully dismissed from the service of the country which tolerates it. I am too honorable a man to permit myself to be disgraced, even for the privilege of uttering a truth. I therefore decline to say, or even to write, what I have seen.

This afternoon I received an order to be ready to move at a moment's notice, and to give no more certificates for furloughs, as the applications would not be entertained. I have lost faith in the idea that the authorities have the slightest intention to move. They have seen our impatience to do something, and this order is a mere dumb-watch thrown us children to amuse us with the old promised hope that "when it gets a little older it will keep time."

SOURCE: Alfred L. Castleman, The Army of the Potomac. Behind the Scenes. A Diary of Unwritten History; From the Organization of the Army, by General George B. McClellan, to the close of the Campaign in Virginia about the First Day January, 1863, pp. 76-9

Diary of Private Lewis C. Paxson, Friday, March 13, 1863

Messenger arrived. Furloughs for Corporal Jos. E. Faverow and Corporal Benj. F. Rawalt.

SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 14

Diary of Elvira J. Powers, Saturday, April 16, 1864

I find many very interesting cases here, some of which shall wait to see the finale before making note of them.

What seems to me a strange feature, as I become more familiar with death-bed scenes, is the fact that so few know they are dying or are even dangerous, but persist with the last breath, or until the last struggle, that they are "getting better."

One poor young boy from Georgia, by the name of Ashman, who must die, although he eats nothing except a few canned peaches and milk, which I carry to him, will tell me sometimes when I go into the tent, that he is expecting a can of peaches every minute from home, and at another that he has just heard that his mother is in town, and that if he really knew she was, he would'nt lie there a great while before he'd be hunting her up. At another, he asked my name and State, and whether I took him to be a man or only a little boy. He is a slight little fellow of about 18, but in answer to the question I told him that of course I considered one really a man who could be a soldier and fight for our country, and who could be so good and patient while sick. To-day he called me to him, as soon as I entered the tent, and asked if I "could'nt discharge him to-day—that the doctor had told him to ask me about it, and that whatever I said he might do."

I told him that I would discharge him just as soon as that limb of his got well, and reminded him that he would want to be able to walk to the cars before starting home. He has a bad abscess on his limb, from which the doctor says the flesh is sloughing, and he does not expect him to live through tonight. And yet the boy wants me to "write to his mother in Atlanta, Georgia, and tell her to write to his aunt Shady, in Butler," that he "has been sick, but is getting better."

One man—G. W. Crane, of 3d Missouri Infantry, and who is called Major, was given up the day before yesterday by Dr. R.

He complained greatly of his throat, and I have since kept wet bandages on it, greatly to his relief. I asked permission of the doctor to do this, and advice as to telling him of his danger. He thought it would be well to do so, as he might wish to make some business arrangements. It was a most unwelcome task, but I believed it best; and first, asked him if he would like a letter written to his people.

"Oh no," was the reply, I shall be able to write myself in a few days."

"Perhaps you may," I said, "but we are all in more or less danger when sick." Adding as gently as possible, "How would you feel about it, if you thought you were not going to get well?"

The queries seemed cruel, but I knew he had loaned a gold watch and money to a man, and thought he might wish to at tend to that and other matters. But he said decidedly "I do not think anything about it, as I have no doubt I shall soon be up again. And Madam," he added politely, "it would afford me great pleasure to talk with you, if I were feeling well and in good spirits you know, but my throat is so bad it hurts me to talk”

After this rebuff, and being really undecided as to duty in the matter, I left him. Yesterday I found him living, but evidently near his end, and I felt that I ought to let him know his condition. First, I asked as before about writing letters, when he said with great difficulty that he did'nt wish to talk with me as it distressed him to speak. I then said I would only ask him one or two questions and then leave him, and I said:

If the doctor and all thought you could not live, would you wish to know it?"

He said "No," decidedly.

"Well then," I said "I will not trouble you any more, but if at any time you wish letters written, you can send me word by the nurse.”

I left him and he died in about an hour. He called for water, but as the nurse raised him to give it, he exclaimed "I am dying," and then gave some incoherent charge, in which the nurse distinguished the words; "the lady" and "a letter."

His request has been complied with.

Mrs. F. was relating a similar incident to me the other evening. Dr. F. was at the depot in Nashville, when an old acquaintance was found there, who had been ill, had received a sick furlough, and was to take the cars for home. He was so feeble, he was persuaded to go to a hospital to remain over night, and take the train next day. In the course of the evening there was a change, and the physician knew he could live but a short time. He knew also that were he aware of the truth he would wish to send some message to his family. The man was speaking of his home and laying plans for the future, when the physician asked if he should'nt write a letter for him to his wife.

"Why no," he replied, "what need of that when I'm to start home tomorrow?"

"You may not go then," said the doctor.

"Oh, yes," I must start tomorrow," was the reply.

The surgeon did not answer immediately, but was sadly thinking how to do so, and regarding the countenance of his friend, when the patient, who was about talking more of his plans, suddenly paused upon observing the expression of the surgeon's face, and earnestly asked:

"Doctor—you do not think me very sick, do you?"

"I do," was the sad reply.

"But doctor you don't think me dangerous?"

"I think you a very sick man."

He lay silent for a few moments while thought was busy, and then asked:

"Am I about to cross the lines, doctor?"

Tears, and the simple "I think you are," was the answer.

Then was business arranged, messages given, and they were alone again. Then he said:

"Why, doctor is this all that death is? It's nothing at all to die."

And thus he "crossed the lines."

SOURCE: Elvira J. Powers, Hospital Pencillings: Being a Diary While in Jefferson General Hospital, Jeffersonville, Ind., and Others at Nashville, Tennessee, as Matron and Visitor, pp. 43-7

Diary of Musician David Lane, October 7, 1863

Colonel Luce is going home again, on furlough, to recruit. He takes with him three officers of the line and ten Sergeants—one from each company. They are to be gone sixty days. If enlisting is "played out," as many claim, sending men from active service for the purpose of soliciting enlistments is the height of folly. Perhaps there is so little for us to do just now, we may as well be in Michigan as Tennessee. If that is so, why not send all of us home?

SOURCE: David Lane, A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer, 1862-1865, p. 102

Diary of Corporal John Worrell Northrop, Saturday, August 8, 1864

No sick call; the poor fellows are disappointed. Well dressed officers ride out the street and back. Passing near us they inquire of a fellow who is whittling a bone: "What State you from, young man?"

"Massachusetts."

"Do you rather live here than in Massachusetts?"

"No, sir."

"Well, you'll be apt to live out your days here, for there'll be no exchange till the war closes and that won't be in ten years if Lincoln is your next President."

"There'll not be a corporal's guard left of this crowd before that time, Colonel," remarked the other.

Before they reached the gate they halted to buy a watch, and a few of us followed up and I asked:

"Colonel, will you come back into the Union if Lincoln is not elected?"

"Ho, ho! You Yankees are not fighting for the Union; that's your mistake. It's the nigger you want."

"If McClellan is elected will the South come into the Union?" I repeated.

"Ah, the Union! The Union's gone up!"

By this time the Major had got the watch by paying $100 in "Confed" and they spurred up. We are often taunted by the slur that we are no better than niggers. They say:

"You fight with niggers; you think it's all right to fight us with niggers."

We retort by saying that it is no worse for a nigger to fight with us than to work for them, and that they would put a gun in his hands if they dared. It is not so bad for them to be hunted by niggers as it is for us to be hunted helpless and half starved, by blood hounds.

A little after noon a man shot and killed. I hastened and learned that he was dipping water from the brook. The sentinel had been observed to be closely watching. The ball passed through the forehead, tearing out his brains. The guard was immediately relieved by the officer of the day as they all are when they make a sure fire. It is a story never denied that for every Yankee killed a furlough is granted. In a few minutes a stretcher smeared with blood and brains bore another Yankee to the dead house.

SOURCE: John Worrell Northrop, Chronicles from the Diary of a War Prisoner in Andersonville and Other Military Prisons of the South in 1864, p. 102

Diary of Private Lewis C. Paxson, Monday, February 9, 1863

Snowy and warm. Singing school. Baldwin did not get permission to go home after all, as Sibley grants no more furloughs.

SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 12

Diary of Lieutenant-Colonel John Beatty, December 1, 1861

Sunday has just slipped away. Parson Strong attempted to get an audience; but a corporal's guard, for numbers, were all who desired to be ministered to in spiritual things.

The Colonel spends much of his time in Louisville. He complains bitterly because the company officers do not remain in camp, and yet fails to set them a good example in this regard. We have succeeded poorly in holding our men. Quite a number dodged off while the boat was lying at the landing in Cincinnati, and still more managed to get through the guard lines and have gone to Louisville. The invincible Corporal Casey has not yet put in an appearance.

The boys of the Sixth Ohio are exceedingly jubilant; the entire regiment has been allowed a furlough for six days. This was done to satisfy the men, who had become mutinous because they were not permitted to stop at Cincinnati on their way hither.

SOURCE: John Beatty, The Citizen-soldier: Or, Memoirs of a Volunteer, p. 85

Diary of Private Lewis C. Paxson, Thursday, January 1, 1863

I gave Lowe stamp. I sent a Sioux skull home to father, Lambertville, N. J., by express from St. Cloud. Oysters, 25c. Three rat skins, 75c. Captain Atkinson gone home on furlough.

SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 10

Cadet William T. Sherman to John Sherman, September 15, 1838

WEST POINT, N.Y., Sept. 15, 1838.

Dear Brother:

I did go to the salt works, as I proposed when you were at home, and was there three or four days. While there I made arrangements to go with the Misses Clark to a relative of theirs (Mr. Walker), from thence to Beverly; but unfortunately it rained, and we got several duckings before we got to Mr. W.'s (twelve miles), and when there was told it was thirty miles farther. Consequently I was obliged, much against my wish, to relinquish my design of visiting you. After a few days' stay at the salt works, we returned to Lancaster. When I had been home a few days grandma and Taylor1 came down from Mansfield on the way to Dayton. Mother, Lamp,2 and I accompanied them, and had a very fine trip. Lamp and I went to Oxford College to see Phil,3 from there to Cincinnati, where I stayed a couple of days, then returned to Dayton, where I found them all ready to return home. We travelled together until we got to Columbus, where we found Mr. Ewing. Mother and the rest went on home. Phil and I remained until the next day, and then went home in the carriage. My furlough had nearly expired, and I could only stay home two days more, at the end of which time James,4 grandma, and I went to Mansfield, where we found them all well except Mr. Parker, who was not very well. We stopped at Mary's and Uncle John's a few minutes on our way up. From Mansfield I went with Taylor in his buggy to Sandusky on the lake. We stopped all night at Uncle Daniel's, whom I saw for the first time. He is a very fine old man, but I do not think he resembles father (if you recollect him). From Sandusky I went to Buffalo by water, then to Niagara Falls, thence to New York City, where I spent two days with our relatives, then to West Point, where I have been a little more than two weeks studying very hard indeed.

Your affectionate brother,

W. T. SHERMAN.

_______________

¹ His eldest brother, afterwards called Charles.

² A younger brother, Lampson.

³ Philemon Ewing, eldest son of Hon. Thomas Ewing.

⁴ Still another brother.

SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The Sherman Letters: Correspondence Between General and Senator Sherman from 1837 to 1891, pp. 4-5

Governor Rutherford B. Hayes to D. W. C. Wilson, December 29, 1869

COLUMBUS, December 29, 1869.

DEAR SIR:—I thank you for your kind favor of the 17th inst. I will now give you a few of the facts which I have ascertained bearing upon the merits of Leroy's claim.

I. N. J. Leroy re-enlisted as a veteran January 1, 1864, and was at Cleveland and at home on a veteran furlough in Febuary, 1864, and at the end of his furlough borrowed money of a comrade to enable him to return to his regiment.

2. After his return to his regiment he was paid only once prior to his death, and the amount paid was $169.75.

3. The rest of his pay and bounty due from the Government was paid to his "legal representatives" after his death, amounting to $365.

4. His local bounty due from the town of Youngstown was paid after his death to his mother, amounting to ——.

These facts I have from three sources, viz., the first from his comrades in Cleveland; the second, third, and fourth from certificates of the proper officers of which I enclose you copies.

I think you will now agree with me that the only remaining question in this matter is, whether your townsman, James Leroy, has been himself deceived, or whether he is guilty of an attempt to defraud?

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

HONORABLE D. W. C. WILSON,
        Sparta, Wisconsin.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, pp. 79-80

Diary of 4th Corporal Bartlett Yancey Malone, January 15, 1863

And the 15 day was warm but very winday and R. H. Wells started home this morning on a furlogh

SOURCE: Bartlett Yancey Malone, The Diary of Bartlett Yancey Malone, p. 28

Diary of Dr. Alfred L. Castleman, November 5, 1861

I have for some time had as mess-mates Surgeon J—— V—— and his two sons. I find him a most estimable Quaker gentleman, and he is by his courteous and affable manner, doing very much to smooth down the asperities of the rough road over which I am now traveling. Since the removal of camp, the sickness is abating rapidly. The list, which two weeks ago numbered over two hundred, is now less than sixty, and every day diminishing. I have much trouble in getting my assistant to perform his duties, which, with the constant interference of military officers, greatly embarrasses me in my course. We have to pass some trying scenes. Last week a private in our regiment, a lawyer from ———, heard of the sickness of his daughter. He asked a furlough of thirty days to visit her. The officers here granted it, but when it reached General McClellan he cut it down to fifteen days, which would but give him time to go and return. He declined to go on it, and yesterday intelligence of his daughter's death reached him. Oh, how much I thought of this, and thought if it were my case! 'Tis very sad to think of.

SOURCE: Alfred L. Castleman, The Army of the Potomac. Behind the Scenes. A Diary of Unwritten History; From the Organization of the Army, by General George B. McClellan, to the close of the Campaign in Virginia about the First Day January, 1863, pp. 49-50

Diary of Dr. Alfred L. Castleman, November 14, 1861

This morning our Brigade Surgeon ordered me to leave the hospital for a few days, on account of my fatigue and prostration. He said that a regard for my health demanded it, and I must go where I pleased. I rode to Arlington, the headquarters of General King. The Arlington house, I believe, is (unless confiscated) the property of Gen. Lee. It is a magnificent mansion, overlooking Georgetown, Washington, Alexandria, and miles of the beautiful Potomac. In a room of this house, said to have been a favorite room of General Washington, I found my old friend Surgeon ———,badly broken by the fatigue and excitement of the campaign. I called on him, in company with Doctor A——, and after talking of his illness for half an hour, Doctor A. proposed to him to have my advice, to which he replied "Yes! if he will not medicate me too much." I said, "Doctor, I will prescribe for you, and with a single dose will medicate every fibre of your body, and by a healthy shock, restore you to health at once." With a look as if he thought me a hyena, he asked: "What do you mean to do with me?" "To take you out of this place and put you for thirty days under the care of your wife and family." The poor suffering man grasped my hand, burst into tears and sobbed aloud, "My Colonel won't consent to it." For a moment, forgetting his religion, and not having the fear of military commanders before my eyes, "Your Colonel may go to the d-vil, and you shall have a furlough." I rode immediately to medical headquarters in Washington, procured him the promise of a furlough as soon as his papers could be sent in, returned, informed him of it, and had the pleasure on my long night ride back to camp, of feeling that I had contributed something to the happines, and, perhaps, had saved the life of a good and worthy man. How easy for any man, however humble his position, to find opportunities of doing good, if he will only wear the "spectacles of benevolence."

After the vandalism I have witnessed in the destruction of property, in and about the houses of rebels and elsewhere, it was a pleasurable relief to find here, that General King, in the goodness of his always good heart, had enforced respect for the property and furniture. The garden, with its fences, is preserved, and the walls of almost every room in this immense old building, are covered with the rich paintings and old family pictures, left hanging when this favorite of rebeldom left his home. The garden is fine, but I think does not compare with that of Kalorama. The antique bureaus and [s]ide-boards calling up impressions of generations long passed away, are still tenants of the building; and the halls recall Scott's fine description of the Halls of the Douglass, where the arms of the hunters, and the trophies of the hunt, mingled with the trappings of the warrior, constituted the attractive features of the chieftain's forest home. Over the halls, and at every angle in the stairs, were the antlers of the elk and the red-deer fastened to the walls and nearly interlocking their branches over my head as I walked through. They were hung, too, with the arms of the hunter and the warrior. So perfectly does this position command Washington, that had the rebels there secretly collected a dozen mortars, they might have fired the city before a gun could have been brought to bear on them. Everybody is talking of a prospect of a move within three days, but the origin of the reports I know not; perhaps in the impatience of the army to be led forward.

SOURCE: Alfred L. Castleman, The Army of the Potomac. Behind the Scenes. A Diary of Unwritten History; From the Organization of the Army, by General George B. McClellan, to the close of the Campaign in Virginia about the First Day January, 1863, pp. 53-5

Diary of Musician David Lane, August 27, 1863

Nicholasville, Ky. We are again enjoying the quiet of camp life. Our miniature tents are pitched in regular order, streets are policed and brigade guards posted to keep our unruly boys within bounds.

Colonel Luce, five line officers and twenty privates have gone home on furlough—others to Cincinnati on leave of absence. Everything indicates a period of rest. Our boys are trying to make up for their privations "down below." Nearly every tent presents the appearance of a market for the sale of fruit or vegetables.

Potatoes, peaches, apples, cabbages, onions, watermelons and green corn are piled in heaps or lie around loose throughout the camp. Then we have artists, too. Two Daguerian cars are running full blast, where the boys get indifferent pictures at one dollar each. I saw a great curiosity today—a relic of bygone ages. About a mile from camp there is a shop where the old-fashioned spinning wheel is manufactured on quite an extensive scale, and they find a ready sale. This is a fair index to the progress of the people. Their manners, forms of speech and customs all point to past ages. They are very loyal and very friendly when sober, but when filled with corn whiskey, hypocrisy and self-interest take a back seat, and they speak their real sentiments with a frankness and fluency that is not at all flattering to us "Yanks." From what I have seen, I conclude all Kentuckians drink whiskey. There are distilleries in every little town, where the "genuine article" is turned out. I called at a farm house one day for a drink of water. The good woman was catechising her son—a lad of ten or twelve years about ten cents she had given him with which to buy some little notion at the store. She gave me a drink of water, then, turning to the young hopeful, angrily inquired, "But where's that ten cents I gave you?" "I guv five cents to Bill." "Where's the other five?" "Bought my dram with it." The explanation appeared satisfactory.

SOURCE: David Lane, A Soldier's Diary: The Story of a Volunteer, 1862-1865, pp. 78-9

Diary of Private Lewis C. Paxson: Monday, December 1, 1862

Lieut. Col. Peteler, Second regiment, U. S. Sharpshooters, left this morning on furlough.

SOURCE: Lewis C. Paxson, Diary of Lewis C. Paxson: Stockton, N.J., 1862-1865, p. 9

Diary of Corporal John W. Dennett, Wednesday, March 4, 1863

Capt. Martin's and Lieut. Walcott's wives came from Boston. Corp. Bowman received his furlough papers, and John Churchill his discharge papers. Sergt. L. V. Osgood received his commission as junior second lieutenant. Lieut. Osgood went home on a ten days' furlough. Corp. Bowman was promoted sergeant of the second detachment, Private Prescott was promoted corporal of the fifth detachment, and Private Kelly to corporal of the first detachment. Charlie Donahoe returned from his furlough.

SOURCE: John Lord Parker, Henry Wilson's Regiment: History of the Twenty-second Massachusetts Infantry, the Second Company Sharpshooters and the Third Light Battery, in the War of the Rebellion, p. 272