1863 CIVIL WAS SOLDIER LETTER MURFREESBORO TN - MAJOR G. W. CHANDLER - 88th ILL
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:24991203 | Theme: Militaria |
| Conflict: Civil War (1861-65) | Original/Reproduction: Original |
Civil War soldier's letter, 4 pgs., approx. 7-7/8" x 10", datelined "Camp Schaefer, Tenn.", May 29, 1863, from G.W. Chandler to his brother Harlow in Quebec, Canada.
Camp Schaefer, near Murfreesboro, Tennessee, was named for Col. Frederick Schaefer, who was mortally wounded on the first day of the Battle of Stones River, Dec. 31, 1862.
The writer of this letter, GEORGE W. CHANDLER, (1832-1864), was born in Quebec, Canada; Living in Chicago when the war began, an...d was a 30 year old bookkeeper when he was commissioned as Major in the 88th Illinois Infantry (the Board of Trade Regiment) in Sept., 1862; Wounded at the battle of Stones River (2nd battle of Murfreesboro); Promoted to Lt. Colonel on Oct. 14, 1863; Commanded the regiment in the assault on Missionary Ridge; Killed at Kennesaw Mountain, Ga. on June 27, 1864, shot in the chest while leading the Regiment in the assault.
A well-written letter, with superb content, writing of being in the Battles of Perryville, and Stones River, where he had two horses shot from under him and was shot through the ear; He writes of Grant's army at Vicksburg; of the Rebels holding out longer than was expected when the war began, which he attributes to their receiving aid from England, and of the Union government making mistakes and Generals being deficient, and how now the word Abolitionist is no longer a "bugbear", and of his wish to command a Regiment of black soldiers, and taking the risk that they will run at the first smell of powder, believing that they will make good soldiers. More good conetnt.
The letter reads:
"Brother Harlow,
Yours of 13th April was duly rec'd and the length of time that I had not heard from you increased my anxiety to hear, and consequently proportionately increased was the interest in your letter to me.
You of course have been to visit our parents, brothers and Sisters since my embarkation in military, and there learned of my doings so far as it would interest you, so that I will not need to detail them. I was in the battle of Chaplin Hills (Perryville) on the 8th of Oct., and in the battle of Stones River (Murfreesboro) on the 30th & 31st Dec. & the 1st, 2nd, 3d & 4th Jan'y. In the latter, I had two horses shot under me and got a shot through one ear. We are still in the immediate vicinity of Murfreesboro, with no certain prospects that we shall go from here soon, tho we are now under marching orders and may go forward at any time. The movements in Grant's Army in the rear of Vicksburg control us in a measure. The news we are getting from Vicksburg is encouraging and it would seem that Grant would destroy that army completely. God grant that he may, for it will be a severe blow to the rebels.
When the rebellion first broke out by the firing on Fort Sumter, we little thought the rebels could maintain themselves more than for a short time, but in this we were mistaken. Indeed, they could not have maintained themselves this long, only for the aid England has given them. Our Govt. has made great errors too in their efforts to terminate the rebellion without calling out the strength of the Country. Our Generals have many of them been woefully deficient and it has been a matter of experiment with us almost from the beginning of the war. The term 'Abolitionist' was a bugbear to a majority of our people. Now all Republicans almost are Abolitionists and very many of the Democrats are too. One year ago, a man was insulted that even mentioned the idea of arming the negroes. Now the feeling is the other way. I have had some great times on this question and have expressed myself willing to take command of a regiment of Contrabands and take my chances in their running at the smell of powder. They will make good soldiers without a doubt, and many Regts. are being organized - not in this department, however.
I ventured the opinion some months ago that by the 1st of July of this year, this war would be virtually ended. Hooker's defeat has caused me to waver somewhat in that belief. Everything looks like determination on the part of both the administration and the army. The draft is soon to be made, rebel sympathizers are being sent South where their affinities are; victories are being won, the enemy are being injured by our Cavalry raids, &c., &c.
I shall be exceedingly glad when I can leave the service and return to civil life again, which I shall not do, if I retain all my faculties, until the end of the war. I like the life much, and for many reasons. I shall regret to leave it, but since I have not embraced military as the business of my life, I do not care to remain in it longer than my services are needed.
I was gratified to hear of your prosperity and good health. If I live to get back again, I shall have to commence business life over again, but as I have no one to look after but myself. I am not at all troubled, but that I can earn my bread. You speak of business not wearing the brightest of prospects in Canada. No so in the Northern States. I learn from Chicago that business never was better and that everybody is making money.
I hear from home frequently.
I enclose a card that your children may see how their Uncle looks. I wish you would have like pictures of yourself, Abby and the children taken and send me copies. Please do this for me.
My health is good.
Give my love to Abby & children, also regards to the Warners & Ogilvies.
Let me hear from you again soon.
Your Brother, G.W. Chandler
P.S. Ask Abby to write to me."
There are a couple small partial fold splits, neatly repaired with archival document tape; normal folds.
COMBINED SHIPPING FOR MULTIPLE ITEMS.
[151]
NO SHIPPING OUTSIDE OF THE U.S.
Camp Schaefer, near Murfreesboro, Tennessee, was named for Col. Frederick Schaefer, who was mortally wounded on the first day of the Battle of Stones River, Dec. 31, 1862.
The writer of this letter, GEORGE W. CHANDLER, (1832-1864), was born in Quebec, Canada; Living in Chicago when the war began, an...d was a 30 year old bookkeeper when he was commissioned as Major in the 88th Illinois Infantry (the Board of Trade Regiment) in Sept., 1862; Wounded at the battle of Stones River (2nd battle of Murfreesboro); Promoted to Lt. Colonel on Oct. 14, 1863; Commanded the regiment in the assault on Missionary Ridge; Killed at Kennesaw Mountain, Ga. on June 27, 1864, shot in the chest while leading the Regiment in the assault.
A well-written letter, with superb content, writing of being in the Battles of Perryville, and Stones River, where he had two horses shot from under him and was shot through the ear; He writes of Grant's army at Vicksburg; of the Rebels holding out longer than was expected when the war began, which he attributes to their receiving aid from England, and of the Union government making mistakes and Generals being deficient, and how now the word Abolitionist is no longer a "bugbear", and of his wish to command a Regiment of black soldiers, and taking the risk that they will run at the first smell of powder, believing that they will make good soldiers. More good conetnt.
The letter reads:
"Brother Harlow,
Yours of 13th April was duly rec'd and the length of time that I had not heard from you increased my anxiety to hear, and consequently proportionately increased was the interest in your letter to me.
You of course have been to visit our parents, brothers and Sisters since my embarkation in military, and there learned of my doings so far as it would interest you, so that I will not need to detail them. I was in the battle of Chaplin Hills (Perryville) on the 8th of Oct., and in the battle of Stones River (Murfreesboro) on the 30th & 31st Dec. & the 1st, 2nd, 3d & 4th Jan'y. In the latter, I had two horses shot under me and got a shot through one ear. We are still in the immediate vicinity of Murfreesboro, with no certain prospects that we shall go from here soon, tho we are now under marching orders and may go forward at any time. The movements in Grant's Army in the rear of Vicksburg control us in a measure. The news we are getting from Vicksburg is encouraging and it would seem that Grant would destroy that army completely. God grant that he may, for it will be a severe blow to the rebels.
When the rebellion first broke out by the firing on Fort Sumter, we little thought the rebels could maintain themselves more than for a short time, but in this we were mistaken. Indeed, they could not have maintained themselves this long, only for the aid England has given them. Our Govt. has made great errors too in their efforts to terminate the rebellion without calling out the strength of the Country. Our Generals have many of them been woefully deficient and it has been a matter of experiment with us almost from the beginning of the war. The term 'Abolitionist' was a bugbear to a majority of our people. Now all Republicans almost are Abolitionists and very many of the Democrats are too. One year ago, a man was insulted that even mentioned the idea of arming the negroes. Now the feeling is the other way. I have had some great times on this question and have expressed myself willing to take command of a regiment of Contrabands and take my chances in their running at the smell of powder. They will make good soldiers without a doubt, and many Regts. are being organized - not in this department, however.
I ventured the opinion some months ago that by the 1st of July of this year, this war would be virtually ended. Hooker's defeat has caused me to waver somewhat in that belief. Everything looks like determination on the part of both the administration and the army. The draft is soon to be made, rebel sympathizers are being sent South where their affinities are; victories are being won, the enemy are being injured by our Cavalry raids, &c., &c.
I shall be exceedingly glad when I can leave the service and return to civil life again, which I shall not do, if I retain all my faculties, until the end of the war. I like the life much, and for many reasons. I shall regret to leave it, but since I have not embraced military as the business of my life, I do not care to remain in it longer than my services are needed.
I was gratified to hear of your prosperity and good health. If I live to get back again, I shall have to commence business life over again, but as I have no one to look after but myself. I am not at all troubled, but that I can earn my bread. You speak of business not wearing the brightest of prospects in Canada. No so in the Northern States. I learn from Chicago that business never was better and that everybody is making money.
I hear from home frequently.
I enclose a card that your children may see how their Uncle looks. I wish you would have like pictures of yourself, Abby and the children taken and send me copies. Please do this for me.
My health is good.
Give my love to Abby & children, also regards to the Warners & Ogilvies.
Let me hear from you again soon.
Your Brother, G.W. Chandler
P.S. Ask Abby to write to me."
There are a couple small partial fold splits, neatly repaired with archival document tape; normal folds.
COMBINED SHIPPING FOR MULTIPLE ITEMS.
[151]
NO SHIPPING OUTSIDE OF THE U.S.
