16th Illinois Infantry

Item LTR-10429

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 6 pages, written in period ink.


Camp 16th Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry
Kingston, Georgia

November 7th 1864

Friend Russell,

Your will probably think I am a humbug in the correspondence line for not answering your letter received last September. But the truth is that a nearly finished letter has been lying in my portfolio for a month, which I never completed for the reasons I will give you.

Before the letter was ready for the mail, the regiment received marching orders. As I had been knocked about considerably for three months and everybody said the division would be back in a few days, I concluded to remain behind at Atlanta. The troops “sailed” and I was left in the stupidest town in America for four weeks. During which I did not receive a letter or have a reasonable chance to send one.

The Division went on to Stevenson and then to Huntsville. The rail road was ripped up near the latter place and the men had to build it. This was in the night and was a heavy old job. Old Morgan was cursed with a truly soldierly heartiness. Skirmishers were thrown out ahead of the train and so the muddy 2nd Division went into Huntsville.

Since Old Commodore Noah’s time, there has been no rain like that which was emptied from the skies on the marc from Athens to Florence. Our men waded Elk River with their clothes on, the water being about breast deep. Of course, they didn’t catch Forrest.

They returned to Chattanooga and from thence to Galesville, Alabama, where after four weeks of worse than Babylonish captivity, I heard of them. I ran the gauntlet of Provost Marshal and other things and got up to Rome. Here I heard the Corps was coming in. Accordingly, the regiment joined me at 4 o’clock that evening. Of course, I was glad to see everybody and had a big hand-shaking all around.

Rome looked pretty natural. The same troops garrisoned the place that came in when we left there. We remained there a day or two and then marched to this place which I need not describe.

I suppose that some changes are about to take place in the regiment. I understand that Lieutenant Colonel [James B.] Cahill has resigned and the officers have chosen Captain [James A.] Chapman of Company B to reign in his stead. Under a recent order, it is understood that Captains [Abram] Rowe, [George D.] Stewart, “Peg Leg” [Smith] Johnson, [Isaac] Davis and others are desirous of leaving the service. Lieutenant Patterson of “I” better known as “Old Putty” left the regiment some time ago, having for some reason known only to infinite wisdom been appointed Captain and Assistant Quartermaster. Jack Merriman is a lieutenant in “I”, Ben H. Russell in “G” and Dan Glasner in “I.”

We got a letter from Henry Oliver to the effect that he would be back to the company soon. Last night we heard that Bill Nesbit would also return. I heard from “Gafus” last at Nashville. Some of the boys say he is not at Chattanooga.

At Division headquarters, everything is ok. Jed Hughes was at Atlanta when I left there. So was [Martin Van Buren] Ashby and all the rest of the clerks.

We hear from the North that Jack Hamilton is still lying sick in the hospital at Quincy. Jack Welch got a letter from Anderson dated at Lawrence, Kansas. Perhaps you will see Al Gordon. I hear he is north on furlough.

In the company everything is quiet. Jack Welch, [Thomas C.] Kimball and that mess are sound. Bill McLellan and [William S.] Wilbur are at Brigade Headquarters. [Isaac] Ike Hill is a teamster and is at Atlanta. So is Josh Armstrong. Of my men, Jack Lawson is absent sick. Welch and Geddes are “all serene.” “Aminadah” has gone from our gaze like a beautiful dream. I haven’t heard of him since he went north.

We are all very anxious about tomorrow. Disfranchised ourselves, we yet hope there are true men enough in brave Illinois to save the State. We yet hope that a soldier like [Richard J.] Oglesby will be Governor instead of [James Carroll] Robinson, and that no thing like [Norman B.] Judd who is now proven to have been one of the H. H. Dodd gang, can be Lieutenant Governor. In our district I suppose we have no chance and the obese humbug Harris will still misrepresent the loyal people in Congress.

In the Union at large, we hope that no laggard soldier and stupid politician with a double dyed traitor for his right bower will be elected President and bring back to the army (if there is an army) all the Buells and Porters who for two years wasted the blood and treasure of a brave but long-suffering people.

The 16th, thank Heaven, is all right. Our vote stood 379 for Lincoln to 13 for McClellan. No other regiment in this brigade can show so good a record. The “60th” gave about 60 majority for Lincoln. I understand that Colonel Anderson after having distinguished himself on the campaign has written a foolish letter to some Egyptian newspaper. I don’t know how true the report is.

As for you, mine ancient comrade. I hope you will indeed I know you will, do the complete thing. You will now be a “household” and in due time, one of the solid men of Greene [county]. You will no doubt take some part in politics and I hope you will let me know what part that is. Let me hear from you and do not imitate my dilatoriness but write soon.

My health is excellent and as it is rumored that we are soon to start on another campaign, I am particularly glad it is so. My regards to Mrs. Russell and best wishers for yourself.

Yours Truly,


Noble L. Prentiss