22nd Wisconsin Infantry

Item LTR-10133

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 8 pages, written in period ink.


Franklin, Tennessee
July 1st 1863

Dear Friend Hattie,

After so long a time, your welcome letter has come to hand. And now I will devote a few moments to answering it. Hoping this will be as welcome as was yours to me. You must have more dry weather there at present than we are having here. For it has rained nearly all the time for the past week. But the weather today is clear and very warm. And I hope it may continue so for a few days at least. Yes, I see you are very independent. But you do not say who is going to the picnic with you besides Louise and Libbie. Maybe you three are going alone. But it isn’t natural is it. No matter, I hope you will have a good time. No doubt they will have a grand time in Geneva on the fourth. Almost wish I could be there to see the grand flourish. I am sorry if were disappointed about that picture. But fear you will be disappointed again. Although I have a picture here (the best I could get in Nashville) which I will send you and will send a better one as soon as I can get it. I think that you will agree with me and saying that the picture does not even do the original justice. You say you would like to take a peep into our camp. But if you could see us here, sometimes when we are expecting the foe and are ready to meet them. I think you would soon tire of camp life. But no more of this now.

Well, I have got done going to the theater now and have plenty to do without their aid. (I am very industrious nowadays on picket or guard half the time). You want a long letter in return. Now I can write a long letter if I try. But will not promise that it will be very interesting. Do you want to know what we have done? What we are doing? And what we are going to do? Now those are hard questions for a soldier to answer. But I will do my best and then you will find no fault with me, will you.

First, what have we done? Why I can see but little that we have done that would not have been as well, had we been home. But what matter as it is, is all in the three years. I do not propose, however, to give you a detailed account of what we have done. But more particularly of what we are doing and what we intend to do. I will not be tiresome by telling you what transpires each day. But as one day is almost an exact counter part of another. I will give you one day’s proceedings and from that you can form some ideas of what a soldier’s life is and such a place as this. Let us take for example, Monday, June 29, 1863. Quite warm and nearly clear in the morning. During the forenoon, nothing transpired out of place, except the accidental discharge of a gun by which two men of the 83rd Indiana regiment were wounded, not mortally, however. About noon, heavy, black clouds came rolling up from the south and west. The thunder roared. The lightning flashed along the sky and the elements seem to be contending for the mastery.

Soon the big drops began to fall, about this time firing could be heard over what is known here as Ropers Knob. And in a moment, all was consumed, and in less time, than it has taken me to tell it. Each man was equipped and with rifle in hand. Stood bracing against the storm ready. But not anxious for the fray. The rain came down with great power and our frail habitations were nearly town away by the wind, which was blowing a heavy gale, the rain, so dark in the air, that we could scarcely see the length of all our company streets, and yet many an anxious eye was peering anxiously through the driving rain, trying to catch the first glimpse of the approaching enemy.

(In imagination) Some saw them drawn up in battle line. While others saw squads of horseman dashing about from place to place, many of the weaker ones sought the protection of the fort. And none for a moment doubted, but we would soon be attacked. By this time, we were getting pretty thoroughly soaked. But what cause we for wind or rain when a more deadly foe was so close at hand. And we were each moment expecting to see the enemy coming down upon us. And to hear the great guns in the fort belch forth their death dealing thunder.

But all things must have an end and so with our fears, for the brigade officer of the day, (Captain May), who had been going the rounds of the picket lines came riding into camp. He told us that the fighting was done by our own men and that there was no occasion for the alarm. At these words, smiles by one could be seen on almost every face. Claiming to have won the day. Yes, a splendid bloodless victory. The rain soon ceased and we were unable to dry our coats and laugh at our fears. But this is not the end of our day’s adventure. No, mightier things were in store for us.

Towards dark, the weather cleared off, and the moon shown clear and beautiful. Soon after roll call, I lay down to get what rest I could. Just as my heavy eyelids were closed and I was reveling amid sweet scenes of home. Bang bang go some dozen or more guns across the river on our outer lines. Sleep has departed, dreams of home where are they, and in a moment with equipment on and rifle in hand, each man is out and ready. The rifle shots ring out clear and loud on the still night air. These are our exciting moments. We listen closely. The firing has ceased and all is still. An ambulance is sent out for the wounded, should there be any. And we await its return anxious to hear. In about an hour, it comes back, bringing with it one poor sufferer from the 85th Indiana regiment. He was seriously wounded, but with such care as he deserves, time will make him whole once more.

And now we learn the cause of the disturbance. Some 25 of the Rebel Land Pirates or Guerrillas, have made a dash on our picket lines, but they found the guards ready and doing their duty. And after firing one round, they fled to the woods like cowardly villains as they are.

When we were satisfied that all was right, I once more sought, not my pillow, but my knapsack and was soon wrapped in slumber. But did not dare to dream of home again that night. At three in the morning, we were again called out to be ready should an attack be made. But is not this enough for one day? One thinks I hear you answer yes, so I will change the subject.

It is almost dark and I fear if it takes you as long to read this, as it has taken me to write it, you will tire before you get to the end. Yesterday’s paper reports the capture of the fourth and sixth Wisconsin regiments at Fort Hudson. Hope it may prove incorrect.

Today we hear that the Army of the Potomac has changed commanders. If so, I hope it will result in good. I do not know what to think of our future. How and when this war will end are questions of time and not to be answered now.

Now for this time, you must excuse me as it is late. Please write soon. Give my love to all and I remain as your ever true friend,

E. W. Button
Direct via Nashville, Tennessee
To Follow the Regiment