1863 CIVIL WAR SOLDIER LETTER - NASHVILLE TN GREAT CONTENT CHICKAMAUGA - GRANT
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:130485 |
Civil War soldier's letter, 2-1/2 pgs. (final half pg cross-written on first pg.), approx. 8" x 10", datelined "Office of Provost Marshal, Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 23, 1863, from "Hervey", 18th Regt. Michigan Infantry, to his brother Jacob.His mention of another soldier in his Regiment, Stimpson G. Harvey, who was in the 18th Regt. Michigan Vol. Infantry, identifies the Regiment to which the writer of this letter belonged.A well-written letter with great content, writing of the rec...ent Battle of Chickamauga, fought the month before, and despite the loss, he considered the campaign a success, as they still hold Chattanooga, and questions the decision to remove "the Noble Hero Genl. Rosecrans, noting that "Maj. Gen. Grant has been assigned to the Department of the Ohio, the Cumberland and the Tennessee" and that "he arrived here yesterday", characterizing him as "the famous hero of Vicksburg". More good content. The letter reads: "Dear Brother Jacob and Family, Your kind letter bearing the sad intelligence of the death of your only boy and the sudden departure of our dear grandmother and also Bargilly Harvey, was duly received. There is nothing that I have experienced since I have been in the Army that makes one feel so lonely and down hearted, and long to be with his friends at home, as the sad, sad tidings that some near and dear relative has in our absence gone to their long home. It does not seem right that any but soldiers should be called 'to that bourne from whence no traveler returns'. But still we must be patient, 'for there is a just providence that doeth all things well'. I have become almost afraid to open a letter from home lately, fearing that some sorrowful news awaits me. Since I wrote you last, I have changed my base of operations, and am officiating as clerk in the office of our Lieut. Colonel, Provost Marshal of this City. The office is in the Capitol building, and as Stimpson G. Harvey, who is also a clerk in this office, and myself have one of the rooms off the Representative Hall, for a sleeping apartment, I think I am well located, and should not mind staying here until spring. The health of our Regt. is first rate and the boys are feeling fine. You have doubtless read all the particulars of the hard fought battle of Chickamauga. The numbers of wounded that arrived here speaks loudly for the valor of our troops and the fury of the contest. We were repulsed, but still the campaign has been a brilliant one, as we hold Chattanooga, the stronghold of the Southwest, beyond redemption. Yet in the face of all this great success, the Government has thought proper to remove the Noble Hero Genl. Rosecrans. Maj. Gen. Grant has bee assigned to the Department of the Ohio, the Cumberland and the Tennessee. He arrived here yesterday. Genl. 'Rosie' has been ordered to Cincinnati. He takes with him the love and esteem of every soldier in the Army of the Cumberland and it is with sad feelings that we see him go. Yet in his stead, we get the famous hero of Vicksburg, who we trust will be as successful in his new undertaking as in the old. But cross writing makes cross reading, and as I have a very sore eye, being unfortunate enough to get some cinders in it. I think it will be well in a day or two. Hoping this will find you well and with Kind regards to all, I remain, Very Truly Your Brother, HerveyP.S. Direct as usual and write soon."A couple small partial fold splits, neatly repaired with archival document tape. Fine.COMBINED SHIPPING FOR MULTIPLE ITEMS.[DD# 2-9]
