127th Illinois Infantry - Wounded at Vicksburg

Item LTR-10699

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 4 pages, written in period ink.


Headquarters, 127th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry
Post of the Chickasaw, Mississippi

June 6th 1865

Mrs. John S. Riddle

Dear Madam,

I have been requested by your husband, Captain John S. Riddle, to write you a letter, giving you the particulars of his wound and the circumstances that led to it. Although I am deeply pained at the necessity which compels him to require the aid of an amanuensis, I am only too happy to be of some service to one who has so long been my friend. And of late, my comrade in arms. You will probably recollect that I was, for some time previous to the breaking out of the war, a law student in Captain Riddle’s office and therefore, I feel more than a common interest in his welfare.

Let me say, also, that Captain Riddle by his strict attention to the duties of his office, by is bravery, and attention to the wants of his company, has not only endeared himself to his men, but has also won the respect and esteem of his superior officers. And that Colonel Ehlindge especially regrets the loss of so useful and efficient an officer, and sympathizes with his misfortune.

Captain Riddle informs me that the last letter he wrote you was from Richmond, Louisiana, about the 6th of May. He says that in it he told you that we expected to remain several weeks at that post, and that consequently our Regiment would not participate in the battles near Vicksburg. We did expect to remain there, at that time, but in the army nothing is certain. The very next day after he wrote to you, the Post at Richmond was abandoned, a new route for supplies having been discovered and we were ordered to join our army corps on the other side of the Mississippi. We had a long and fatiguing march to Grand Gulf, where we crossed the River and continued our march to Raymond, where we joined the rest of our Corps. The next day, May 16th, we were in the battle of “Champion Hills”, but our division was held in reserve and was not engaged. After whipping the enemy at this point, we followed him across Black River, and on the 18th arrived at his fortifications, three miles in rear of the city. My company was detached immediately as “skirmishers” and I did not see anything more of Captain R. till the next afternoon, when we were ordered to join our Regiment preparatory to charging the enemy’s works with the intention of carrying them by assault.

We advanced in line of battle about half past two o’clock p.m. and from that time, till night, the firing was incessant. The ground over which we advanced was very rough and broken and covered with fallen timber. The Rebels poured a most murderous fire into our ranks, killing and wounding a great many. And it seems a wonder that any of us escaped. We found the works too strong for us and at night we were obliged to fall back. Captain Riddle was wounded about half past three p.m. and lay on the field till dark. At that time, he was removed to the hospital where he now is, a couple of miles in rear of the battle field. On the 22nd, our Division made another charge, but with no better success than before.

It was thought necessary to amputate Captain R’s arm in order to save his life, and accordingly it was done on the 20th. Though suffering somewhat, he is getting along full as well as could be expected, and the surgeons say that in three or four weeks his arm will be completely healed. He would have written himself, but he still feels somewhat weak and nervous and so desired me to write this time for him. He desired me to say to you that he is improving fast, that he is receiving good care and attention, and that in a very few days he expects to go north. Just as soon as he recovers sufficiently he says he will come to New York. This will undoubtedly be before many weeks. In the meantime, he desired you to remain quietly where you are, giving yourself no uneasiness on his account. For he says he is still “able to take care of himself.”

Although I deeply regret the necessity that compelled the surgeons to amputate Captain R’s arm, still I am convinced that is was necessary and I also rejoice that it is not worse than it is. We have to mourn the death of many brave men who fell in the actions on the 19th and 22nd.

Fully sympathizing with my friend, the Captain, and with you,

I have the honor to be

Very Respectfully
Your Obedient Servant,

Adelison A. Keyes [Signed]
1st Lieutenant and Adjutant
127th Illinois Volunteers

P.S. you are probably aware that the arm which Captain Riddle lost is his left arm, and that consequently it will not interfere, materially, in his business. Captain R. was at the “head of his company” when he fell, acting the part of a brave and gallant officer.

[Signed] A. A. K.