10th Iowa Infantry - NEW

Item LTR-12134

Description

Original Civil War letter. 4 pages written in period ink.


Vinton, Iowa
August 8^th 1864
 
Colonel N. B. Baker
 
Dear Sir,
 
Being a member of Company C, 10th Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, and being not able to report at Davenport when the regiment did on account of being confined in the Vinton Prison for an act committed by mere acknowledgment, I now apply to you for advice, or, if you think it proper, for any assistance you can give me.
 
I will now state the details of the case, and then you can judge for yourself. 
 
On the ninth day of July, the larger part of our company was collected at the Toledo Fence Company Iowa for the purpose of employing ourselves and the prevalence of so many friends that we had not seen for three years, and each one treating. It was not many hours onto the model of was tight tidal. And when the trains came along in the evening, a friend and myself to trek to the faire for Blairstown, Benton County, which place we got off the cars. I started to the hotel, some 20 yd from the depot. Supposing my friend was coming too, but finding after a short time that he was not, I went back to the depot and met him on the platform. During my absence at on the hotel, he went round to the warehouse where there were some men loading a car and invited some of them to go and drink with him, but D.W. Waters, in charge of said men, told him if he would not leave, he would kick him, which my friend told him to try, and he did. And it was after this had taken place that I met my friend in front of the depot house. He told me that there was a man that had abused him, and he wanted my revolver to shoot him.
 
I told him he could not have it, for I knew he was drunk and did not know better than to use the revolver if I gave it to him. And furthermore, I thought it was someone that I might have been acquainted with, for I know several in town. I then asked him who the man was. He told me to come round the warehouse, and he would point him out. I then started round, having no doubt, but it was someone that I was acquainted with. I did not start round with any intention of chastising the man, but to try and settle the trouble. But in going round, my friend had tried several times to get my revolver out of my jacket And I finally had to take it out myself in order to keep him from getting it. I had the revolver in my right hand and had no thought of using it. But as soon as D.W. Waters, the man that had kicked my friend, saw me with the revolver in my hand, I suppose he thought I was going to use it, and he sprang for me without saying a word and got hold of the revolver. I saw by this time that he was a stronger man to me, and I did not know, but if I gave up the revolver, he would use it on me. And in the scuffle for the revolver, it exploded and wounded D.W. Waters. He still held to the revolver and tried to get it from me to shoot me. By this time, there were three or four men helping him to get it from me, but I held my hand over the cock to keep it from going off again, and tried hard to keep possession of it, for I was almost sure if he had it, he would use it.
 
But after some struggling, he got it. I then held one of the men between me and him onto the left for the house. 
 
I was then held in confinement, and almost all of the men there said that I shot him on purpose, and wanted to mob me and my friend. That leads that to the soldiers coming before on purpose to shoot said gentleman. But I can say today before you and man, that I do not remember of pulling the trigger. Nor did I have anything against Waters. At the present time, the said D.W. Waters is well and about his business.
 
And I am held in prison on to such time as I give $2,000 bail, which no one will give, for they are afraid that the military authority will take me and involve the bondsmen. 
 
Colonel, if you will not assign me to my regiment, I wish you would give me a furlough until my trial comes. That will be the 26th of September next. By your giving me a furlough, it will enable me to be bailed out of prison, so that I can at least have my liberty for a couple of months.
 
Colonel, I write you this humble letter, hoping that you will give it a place in your thoughts and be kind enough to do something for a man that has tried to serve his country faithfully for three years and is willing to endure the hardships of a soldier's life for three more.
 
You are aware of what I and our regiment have gone through on the different companies commencing at Bird's Point, Missouri, up to the time we came home on a veteran furlough. And you may think me foolish when I say that I would rather serve three years in the army than stay two months in this prison. But nevertheless, it is so.
 
Colonel, you will excuse me for daring to consult one as much my superior as yourself, but under the circumstances, I think it my duty to report my present position. For I know that if you will not find me to the army, you will at least grant me a leave of absence.
 
If, after you read this wearisome letter, you think it proper, you will please drop a line to me at Benton County, Iowa. 
 
I remain your obedient servant, 
 
Thomas S. Brannan
Company C
10th Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry