Aug 63

Undated: G – Move from University Place for Tracy City, fifteen miles distant, at which place the regiment is now encamped.

1: FS – Left Big Springs. Marched eleven miles to University Heights, Tennessee. A – Broke camp at Big Springs, Tennessee and marched to University Place on the summit of the mountain.

B – Marched from Big Springs to University Place. C – Moved on the mountain to University Place; distance marched twelve miles. Camped there in a beautiful grove sixteen days. D – Marched twelve miles to University Place. E – Marched twelve miles to University Place. F – Left Camp Big Springs, where last mustered. Marched to University Place, distance about eighteen miles. G – The regiment left Big Springs and arrived at University Place, twelve miles distant. H – Marched to University Place. K – We moved again and encamped at University Place.

2: B – Moved twelve miles on Jasper Road and camped. F – Went into camp.

3: A – Went on a foraging expedition to Sweeden’s Cove. B – The company went thirteen miles with a forage train to Sweeden’s Cove. F – Went with a foraging train to Sweeden’s Cove, distance about twelve miles.

4: A – Returned. B – Returned and remained in camp near University Place. F – Returned to camp.

17: FS – Left University Heights and marched to Tracy City, Tennessee, distance fifteen miles. A – Broke camp at University Place and marched to Tracy City. Company A was detached from the regiment and sent about one and one-half miles from the city to a trestle bridge on the railroad across Gizzard Creek to guard it. We have been encamped at that place ever since. B – We marched to Tracy City and camped, distance thirteen miles. C – Moved to Tracy City, Tennessee; distance marched twelve miles. E – Left University Place for Tracy City; distance marched twelve miles. The regiment is now camped at Tracy City. F – Left University Place. Marched to Tracy City, Tennessee, distance thirteen miles. H – Marched from University Place, a distance of fifteen miles, to Tracy City, Tennessee. K – We moved to this place, Tracy City, Tennessee.

18: Went to Tracy City, ten miles distant.

31: FS – We were mustered at Tracy City. B – We were mustered for pay at Tracy City. E – Company E was last mustered for pay at Tracy City. F - Went into camp. Mustered for two months’ pay.

1st Sergt I. Arthur to his Aunt from University Heights

University Heights, Tenn. August 4th 1863

Dear Cynth:

I received your letters a few minutes since, and having nothing to do will try and write you a line or two. I have not been with the regiment for three or four days - having been left back at the old camp to take care of company goods that were left behind. When I got to the regiment I found three letters waiting for me. You had better believe I was glad to get your letter for I have not heard from home for a good while. At present we are encamped on a ridge of the Cumberland mountains. From where we are camped to the bottom of the mountain is about three miles. Our camp is very pleasantly situated, being in a very dense woods. Several large and never failing springs are near us, so I spose we will not suffer for the want of water. While marching from "Big Springs" to this camp, our men suffered very much for water. The men were so dry that they drank the water that they found in horse tracks along the road. Cynth, I didn't suppose you would think I had the least idea of going into the regular army. When I wrote to you I put it in merely to fill up. I have seen, and I know enough about soldiering to know that a man is very foolish indeed to go into the regular service. When this war is over - and should I get through safely - I intend to go home and educate myself. Although, before I get my education I may be getting up in years, yet I know the advantage of one, and I am going to have one. I am still trying to be a good religious boy. Although I have done a great many things in the army that I would not have done had I been at home, yet I do not feel that my heart has lost all its love for my Maker, neither do I feel that I am on the downward road. I read my Testament and try to obey its precepts, and I think and pray that when this war closes I will go home as good if not a better person than when I left. The regiment has been out on a foraging expedition during the last two days. Suppose it will be in to night. I was very sorry to hear of Grandma's sickness. Hope she will soon recover. I expect this war to close some of these days, then I believe I can enjoy some of Grandma's good biscuits. I very seldom sit down to a meal of victuals, but what I think of Grandma's biscuit and your "custard pies". Just "fix up" one and send it to me in your next letter! I'll pay the postage! Way up here on the top of these mountains, we soldiers pay twenty five cents a piece for pies - alias - things. Twenty five cents per dozen for green apples. 'Spect if I were to go into a Grocery in Hillsboro, and ask the price of cheese and they were to tell me twenty five cts. per pound, I would take a few pounds because it was cheap. Forty cents is the price we pay for cheese here. Sutlers make fortunes. While we were at Carthage, our Sutler - Copes - "took in" over nine hundred dollars in one day. Out of the nine hundred I suppose he cleared, at least, six hundred dollars. Its not one day in every month or so that he does this, but it is almost every day. Don't wonder at Bradley wanting to be Sutler of the "bloody" 60th. I suppose Belle and Carlisle are having a good time generally speaking. Give them my best respects. Jennies case is not worthy a comment. I wrote Jack a letter or two after he had started west. If you have not received them, inquire for Jacks letters and get them out. Lallies Photograph was in one of them. If you get it let me know. I have Ma's Photograph and have no way to carry it, so I will send it to you. I think she is the very image of Mrs. Bernard. Don't you? I hope Jack's visit West will cure him. When you write to him give him my best love, and tell him to write to me.

Have you drawn my money yet? I believe I have sent home one hundred and seventy five dollars since I left. It was one year the twenty-ninth of last month since I volunteered. I don't think the war can last another year. Do you? I want your opinion on this war question - for I am interested. Don't suppose our armies will do much this month on account of the heat. Have not seen Allen since we left Murfreesboro. If Homer ever intends to marry Jennie Rogers I think it's about time. I suppose, though, he wants to wait and see whether he is conscripted or not. If he is, he will have to put off the marriage another year, because it will take a nice little sum to hire a substitute, and he wont have money enough to go to housekeeping. "Bully for Homer" Give him my best respects when you write to him, and tell him I would like to hear from him. I cant think of anything more just now to write so I will have to close. I am well. My love to all. Write soon and give me all the "Local" news you can think about. Get a piece of paper and take down all the news you hear through the week - revise it Sunday and send it to me on Monday. What say you? Too tedious or not?

Your nephew,

I. C. Arthur

5 Aug 63

Private A. Bartley to his Parents from Nashville

Nashville Tennisse

General Hospial No 3

Aug the 3 1863

Dear father & mother

I received yours of the 3d of Augs and I was happy to here of your health being good. mother i also received the money you sent to me and I am very thankful to you for it as I needed it very bad. Dear father & mother I wish this thing was only played out for I would like to come home to you once more but I am under the impresion that it wont last long and more for I think the rebels is pretty nere played out. well father my health is still improveing very fast. I think I will be able to return to duty pretty soon. I have not recived any letters from Brother since I have been here but as soon as I find out where my regiment is I intend to write to him. I am still in the Hospial yet but I dont know how long I Shal remain here. it may be a long time yet and it may not. well father and mother I must close for the present. im hoping this will find you well and hoping to se you soon. So good By Dear father & mother. write soon and give me al the newes at home. dont forget to write soon as I always long to here from you.

Direct your letter to the General Hospial No 3 Nashville Tennis

nothing more but remain your affecton Son

Colonel Caleb Carlton Letter from University

Camp near University, Tenn

August 5th 1863

My Dear Little Wife

Your letter of July 21st arrived yesterday. I am sorry you do not fully enjoy your trip, still you have a variety and your mind is more occupied than it would be at home. So doubtless it will be better in the end than if you had remained in Cleveland. I remember the Island very well and have enjoyed my visits there very much. If you go to the Saut it will be but little further for you to go to Marquette and visit the Hewitts. In fact why not make the round trip of the Lake, even if the mines donot interest you the air and trout would do you good. There is no "mail boat" here but there is a mail man who disappoints me very often and he has the benefit of some very emphatic language often, in fact he does not mind it much, as it has been repeated so often that he is pretty well hardened to it now.

That little shirt would give me a great deal of pleasure if I could see it, but I would rather see one small woman than any number of shirts. Dont work yourself to death on that diminutive individuals wardrobe.

You know little woman I will send for you the moment that I am so placed that you could come without impropriety and would be comfortably situated. Until such a thing is certain you must not suffer the discomfort of a trip to Tennessee.

The fashions here on the mountains are rather primitive in style. Children up to sixteen wear a flowing robe (with sleeves) extending from neck to heels, no head covering or shoes. The ladies wear bonnets, but no shoes, a dress fitting closely around the bust and waist, no hoops and I should judge no under clothing. A Colonels pay would support several children with wardrobe of that style.

In your letter I do not understand the sentence, "I did wrong a little though I had no reason to I suppose." Are you much dissatisfied little one, dont feel any delicacy in telling me Sadie even if I cannot assist in obviating it.

Jones received a letter from Capt Martin today. Poor Watson lost a leg at Gettysburg, Bush was wounded, a number of the Regular officers were wounded. One Brigade of Regulars lost four hundred and fifty seven men out of eight hundred and odd, over one half. Martins Company numbers fourteen men no Non Commissioned officers, his regiment numbers sixty seven. Capt Merritt is now a Brigadier General. I am glad of it.

At the rate West Pointers are going if this war continues two years longer all of them will be killed out. With the twelve regiments of Regular Infantry in the Potomac army, only five officers in the two Brigades. In this army only two Graduates with the regular Brigade. Gentry is in the field with this regiment, so is Upham.

General Sheridan refused his forty until I wished to pay him and offered to let me have an amount more if I wished it. I refused but had to borrow of Crook to purchase my horses. I get discouraged sometimes about money matters. You must excuse this paper little woman for it is the only sheet I have.

I love you Sadie and would give anything to see you. Your husband

Carlton

It is said that our letters are opened and read, but I can hardly believe that Uncle Sam is reduced so low as that. Cale

Private D. J. Steward to his Father from University Place

August the 7th 1863

Dear father

it is with the greatest of pleasure that I seat my self to drop you a few lines in answer to yours of the first wich came to hand last evening. I was very glad to hear from home. I was sorry to hear that the girls are not well. I hope they are again. at this time I am not quite as well as [unreadable]. I have had the diarea for some time. it is stoped now. I think I will be all right in a day or tow. when I first took it we had to march about 12 miles and up a mountain and that was not very easy. then when we get to the top of the mountain we had to go over the mountain to get rosting ears and taters and such likes. we got some and I went along like a fool. the Boys did not want me to go. they said that I could not stand it and the Lieut wanted me to stay in camp then. I dont know as it hur me much if it was to do over I would stay in camp. that is sure the greatest mountain that I ever saw. well some of you seem to think that Vallangingham will be gov. of ohio. we dont think so. down here we know he wont if the soldiers gets a vote, that is certain. there is very few val. men in the army I think. well you said that you would send me a longer letter next week. I wish you would. I like to get long letters. white and Hayward are Back. such soldiering as that dont suit me, that looks like cowards to me. you said that the receipt hand come to hand. I want you to get the money and do as you please with it. well I wont write any more at present. I want you to write as soon as you get this.

Direct as before in care of Lieu Harrison Com of Co. C. 89 reg. ovi

I send my best respects to all the folks.

Write soon.

Private R. D. Noftsgar to his Brother from University Heights

Camp University Hights Ten

Augt 7 1863

Dear Brother J Noftsgar

I recd your letter last week. We left Big Springs the first + haint had time to rite till now. I am well + doing well + trust all of you are well + had very [good?] time.

We are clost to Alabamber line + 14 miles from any settlement. You can judge for your self the situation. All thoug[h] I seen a woman the other day + she was a live. Two us fellowes raised one of the dearnest yells that ever can our of humans mouth. It put me in mind of the California women.

I feel bully. Some think this war about over but I don’t. We’ll stay our time out. Now Jake you keep things straight till I come home + will pay you for your trouble. It all right about Jim. Tell him I cant rite much news, haint the time now. For 6 days we have been marching + scouting + I was out last night on guard + I feel more like sleeping than riting now.

Our sargeant is going to Camp Denison after drafted men to fill up the ranks. There is some I’ll like to see coming. Drafted men see no chance a tall here.

Is raining now so will have to close or get wet. I will rite you good letter in few days. Rite soon. I rite to Maria soon. Tell Maria I would send her five dollars iff I thought it would go, but you give her five dollars of that money if you haint put it out. If old folks need any thing let me know. I am saveing my money now. Will send home more the first good chance. Tell me iff you could read this.

R D Noftsgar

Colonel Caleb Carlton Letter from University

Camp near University, Tenn

August 10th 1863

My Dear Little Wife

I have just returned from Winchester and find two letters from you awaiting me. One dated July 23d the other August 4th. You mention your intention of leaving for Harrisburg Friday or Saturday so you are probably at home by this time. However I will send this letter to Cleveland to be certain.

Jones and I rode to Cowan Saturday afternoon, spent several hours with the Regulars and then passed on to Winchester, and found the Staff living in their usual comfortable style, using the fashionable female Seminary of the South for offices, a piano in each room, all of them "roughing it" in a very commendable style. Sorry to hear that Porter had gone home quite ill, had quite a good meal with Stansberry in a private house a young lady officiating. On Sunday I called and took a glass of whisky and water with Genl Rosecrans. He gave us some ice water which as it was the first we had seen for a month, we regarded as a great luxury. Jones of McCooks Staff gave us an elegant dinner, with cherry bounce for desert. We left the town with regret in the evening and passed the night at Genl Crook’s, rose at four o’clock this morning and completed our fourteen miles over the mountains about an hour ago.

We learned very little as to our future movements. Some think we are going to Chattanooga, others to Atlanta. The report was that Rosecrans received an order to move on Saturday. He wished to know if a delay of a few days would be regarded as a disobedience of orders, if so he wished his resignation to be accepted. His staff say that he is opposed to any move here and advocates a move in North Carolina from the sea, these reports are generally believed around head quarters. Mrs. Rosecrans, Mrs. McCook and Mrs. Stanley are with the army but go north this week.

Plummer is at Nashville Inspector on Granger’s Staff. I think that perhaps our Division will remain here. Our Division Commander although a West Point graduate is not regarded as a first class officer and our Brigade Commander is regarded as incompetent but political pressure is too heavy to get rid of him, so the chances are that only by mere accident will we be placed in an important position. Sheridan is at Bridgeport and we passed the Regulars this morning moving towards Stephenson. We have orders to be in readiness to move. I predict a failure if we move as we are now, we have not enough mules to haul our wagons and our men do not receive their full rations. What will it be when we get further from Nashville. And with undisciplined like these foraging is cutting our own throats. One months drill does not restore the demoralizing of one days foraging.

Sadie your letters come quite often but not regularly. If you wrote as often and as much as I should like to have you, you would never finish your little shirts. Could you not write every day without materially interfering with the shirts. There is so little here to please or amuse that if a letter arrived every hour it would be read with pleasure. I carry your letters with me and read them over and over again. On a march they occupy my time during the rests. I used to make a great deal of fun of Bates last year in Virginia for the same thing.

I have not proposed Ned to any General yet as I wished to hear your opinion first. As to wildness that wears off by age usually, but if a man is disposed to keep it up all his life, he will be wild wherever he is placed.

I hear and hope that it is true that all regular officers who have been for three months on sick leave are to be brought before a retiring board, quite a number of the old fellows have been retired. Woll Harney and a number of others. It is reported that Genl Porter has been ordered before the board.

I am sorry that you did not meet Clara Mix I wanted your opinion of her. Our fare is pretty hard but my health has never been better. We breakfast at seven dine at twelve and tea at six. You see there is a radical change in my habits. Give my love to your family Sadie. Dont forget me or my love little wife.

Your loving husband

Cale

Private J. Dunseth to his Mother from University City

Camp Near Universils Cites Tenn

Aug 12th 1863

Oh Dear Mother

I received your kinde letter last knight. it was wrote the 8 of this month. Oh how glad I was to hear from you dear mother that you and the family is all well. And I said befor that if you dont quit your hard work out of dors I will quit writing to you for I send you a nuf of money to keep you and the family till I come home. Oh how glad I am that you got that check that I sent home to you and know you can go and draw the money when you want it. And I want you to be sure and get some one to put in the old meadow and the field next to rosses in wheat this fall. be sure and get it put in and maby I will be home by next spring to care of it. And know pleas dont work so hard out of dores.

I am sorow to hear of uncles being no better but I hope that he will get his discharge befor long. There is 1 capt one lietenent 4 sargents and 4 corporial and several privets a coming to camp denison to get drafted men to fill up our regiment. Oh what a nice butiful morning this is. Oh dear mother I never had my helth better in my life. I think if the war goes on like it has for the last few months it will be over befor long. the boys helth is good in the camp. I suppose that James is well and still living at frank moyers. Oh we are on the foot of the cumberlin mountain. We are with in fifteen mils of the allebamia lines. Tell all of my frinds that I am well and harty and would like to see them all. And if I get to come home by this and next spring I am a going to by me a team and go to farming. dont keep to meny cattle this winter.

I got a letter from cousin Tina the 9. they was all well then and father was well to. And lib was up there 2 ore 3 weeks ago and she is living in fulton with a doctor.

Abner Fagin out of our camp is a going to go to camp denison for to get recruits. Expect that it seams like a greate while to you cince I was at home last but the time seams short to me. I have not hardly mised it. I dont want you to fret your self about me for I am a doing all right. I am glad that you got my check that I sent to you for to draw my money. you can draw it and use it as you want to get eny thing. I hope that this draft will fetch out some of them Coperheads and butternuts.

I will close by sending you a sweet kiss so good by.

Writen By Mr. John W. Dunseth

to Miss [unreadable] Dunseth

Direct your letters to Mr. John W. Dunseth

Co. F. 89 regt O.V.I.

Turcheons Brigade Via Murfreesboro Tenn

Colonel Caleb Carlton Letter from University Place

Camp near University Place

August 12th 1863

My Dear Little Wife

No mail today, so no increase in the size of my pocket. Your last letter was dated the 6th August the day before you started for Harrisburg. I shall be anxious until I hear how you reached home, and the adventures you had on the route. By this time you must be fully settled at home and fully posted in the changes of the town. Let me know if your friends think you have not improved by marriage. You acted with your usual good sense in the trunk arrangement.

The book you mention has not arrived, how did you send it.

I did not imagine from Fathers letter that he and Mrs. Hayward had a serious quarrel, but supposed it one of the usual spats, that would make them polite for a short time preparatory to another row with the same result.

I do not agree with you in your opinion about the necessity of corsets, but it is difficult to argue the point by letter, particularly as both of us are too obstinate to give up.

Charles says that his connection with the Army of the Cumberland will cease on the 24th September just three months from the day we left Washington. He is even more disgusted with the familiarity between the officers and men than I am even. I could hardly do justice to the subject myself today. On my return from dining with Jones, I found my Lt Colonel in the mess tent eating, and the cook in his shirt sleeves opposite eating and talking and having a cosy time generally, Charles looking on intensely disgusted at the performance.

By the By, how are the diminutive shirts. You donot mention them in your last letter. Neither do you mention your health, as you are in a delicate condition I should be better satisfied if you would mention your health in every letter.

Nothing new here. We expect orders to move but have received none yet. I am horribly worried here the senior in the brigade does not know his business neither do the juniors. So between the two, Jones and I have a sweet time. I sometimes feel as though it would be better to take things easy and let them all go to the devil, as they all seem anxious to go that way.

Well Sadie how do you find you friends at home and is it as pleasant a place as you imagined. Where is Mary and the baby now.

Give my love to the family. Respects to Capt Brayton and Mrs. B. It is late, so good night Sadie. Write often little woman.

Your loving husband

Cale

Colonel Caleb Carlton Letter from University Place

Camp near University Place

August 13th 1863

My Dear Little Wife

Your favor of July 17th 1863 arrived today, it is the first I have heard of your being sea sick during your lake trip, there must have been an interesting family of you.

The official communication you mention, please forward to me immediately.

Neds letter is interesting but I am unable to comply with his request in regard to Washington matters. It is strange we never received his letters, how did you receive this one. He does not seem to be discontented. About the staff affair I have not met a respectable General since I received your letter so the matter has not been broached yet. Crook is my man for the affair and Ned would see good service under him and would be in the best training school for a young soldier.

Enclosed is a photograph of Jones he is a Lt in the 8th or 10th Inft. I have not seen a register for so long that I dont know which and hardly like to ask. Put it in the "Albion" as old Maloney calls it.

We are still in this camp. It is not as dusty as usual (having rained all day).

The chivalry must have been hard pushed in order to come here to spend the warm seasons. The "pure" mountain air is unable to circulate until the underbrush is cleared out.

The ladies here in this State are interesting creatures. They have a winning way of pulling a plug of tobacco out of their work bags and taking a chew in the most approved style. A paper of very ordinary smoking tobacco they regard as a great luxury.

Rhoda writes that they miss you very much. Nothing new in Cleveland. Write to me sweetness. My love to the family. Why do you think 24th of Nov is the time?

I am still finding plenty to do in my regiment. It is wonderful what an amount of A, B, C business there is to attend to in a new regiment. Good night Little Woman.

Your loving Husband

Cale

Private M. Boots to his Parents from University Place

University Place Tenn

August 13th 1863

Dear Father and mother

I am hapy to inform you that I am well + I trust that when you get these few lines they may find you and all the family enjoying the same Blessing for it is a great Blessing to be healthy.

Dear parents I often think of you + the many hapy Seasons we have spent together + of my dear brothers + sisters. I Should love to see them + spend some more hapy hours together but I hope it wont be verry long untill I can enjoy that pleasant privilige.

I think from the prospect that is now before us we will be at home this fall or winter. the people down here is giting tired of secesion [secession] principles. they are holding union meetings and forming union leagues. And I think it will do a great deal of good by that means + there is a good many deserters comes in + gives there army is giting weaker every day + we have the same news from North Carolina. the people there wants to come back to the union. I dont think it will be long untill we can humble the rebels in the dust + make them glad to come back to the union again. if they dont want to we will whip them + make them com.

Well father we are encamped on the camberland [Cumberland] mountain in a very nice place where they intended to build a city. they had commenced to build a large university in a beieutiful place but when the war broke out they stoped work + we now hold the place. I think the rebs is cleaned out of Tenn never to come back again.

Well I can not tell you how long we will stay here. I dont think we will stay very long + when we move I think we will move on to Chatannooga [Chattanooga] then. news is that there is not many Rebs there + I think we will make them Skedadle out in a hurry but I dont think there is many Rebels down there. we are getting along prety well now for Rations but we have had some prety hard times Since we have been in Tenn but I think we wont se much more.

well I gues I have rote all the news that would be interesting to you + so I gues I Shal Close. in your next leter I want you to give all the news you can gather.

I Shall Send Rosanna a Picture. tell her to Keep that and remember her Brother + I shall Send James a little Gun. Tell him to take good care of it. So good by for the present.

Rite Soon

Martin Boots

Daniel Boots

Colonel Caleb Carlton Letter from University Place

Camp near University Place, Tenn

August 14th 1863

My Dear Little Wife

Your favor dated August 9th arrived this evening. I am glad you reached home without any more trouble than was due to the weather. And am delighted (particularly with the ring affair on account of the opinion the giver expressed) that by it your visit in Cleveland was pleasing to all parties concerned. The ring was your great want and as that is satisfied I need not hurry to be a Major General. So Father thinks your trunk is a bore, it is certainly a goodly sized specimen of its kind.

Look out for your cold little woman, those things are very small or very great affairs. Why dont you tell me something about yourself how you feel etc and answer the questions I ask. I received a letter from Bush this evening, he gave me an account of the Gettysburg affair. His regiment the 10th had thirty four men for duty in it, large regiment is it not. My regiment is progressing. I can see a visible improvement in it.

I was ordered to detail three officers to go to Ohio to receive drafted and was horribly tempted to detail myself as one of the number. Some of these mustang colonels detailed themselves, but it was rather too small a method of getting away from the army.

Neds affair I will attend to as soon as possible. I did think of sending a letter to Crook but you know (I talk well you are aware if words and endurance count) so much more can be accomplished by a personal interview than by letter, that I will wait a few days in hopes of meeting him. Would you not like to be back in Washington. What has become of Zack has he learned to bathe yet. Nothing new from Cleveland. My letter to you last night "yallar" paper it was purchased in the evening so the color was not noticed. What a pity "This Cruel War" is not over. A Captaincy in your vicinity and I would be satisfied. Good night little wife and pleasant dreams to you. I love you Sadie. Your loving husband.

Cale

This is the only kind of envelopes I have.

Cale

Aug 15th 1863 Tennessi in mountains

Dear Sister

You will see by this that I am still able for my crackers + coffee. I hope you all are well.

I rec’d you of 4 + see in it Eliza has lost one of her children. I know you’ll miss her but better off now than either of us here.

This is the first chance I have had to rite for a long time. As our Co is geting smaller we have more guard duty to do. Though sevel [several] had come back the last week, our offers [officers] some of them has gone home after recruits + conscripts. Our Sargeant has went to Georgetown, Robt Glaze, you can see him likely he can tell you about your humble servant. All of us boys is well + don’t care whether the war breaks or not. So far as I can see every thing looks faveable. Deserters is comeing in every day. They say that these folks is about played out.

Tell Muncey I never hear from her in your letters. I dreamed last night I was at home laying in the trundle bed but was mistaken when I a woke up. Lots of times we are glad even to get to lay on couple of rails. We have every thing fise [fixed] up nice here, shrubs, bushes over our tents. But you would like to know what can [kind] of houses we have here. They go by the name of Dog Tents, are layed of just like a town, enough of this.

I have just ate my supper + set the cheers [chairs] back. I can’t say whether we’ll stay here a week longer or not. Talk of us going in to alabama. Rebels are fortifing [fortifying] there at some town but forget the name of it.

We go scouting here ever two or three weeks + bring in there oats. Then Lewis gives Valandeham [Vallandigham] thunder. Valandeham wont get 3 vots [votes] in this regt + none but traitors will vote for him.

Will close soon by saying all rite when ever you can + I’ll do the same. Tell Mr Phelps when you see him. I’d like to hear him talk. I’ll try + send somthing in the next letter. I rote in my other letter for you to get some clothes out of my money. Tell me in your next whether you got this or not. No more for now.

From. R D Noftsgar

To. Maria Kipp

P.S. It now one year sence I responded to the call for more men + can say that I am glad I went. Still I’d like to see my old home. 2 more long years + iff they havnt [?] then will go for 14 more. RDN

Aunt Beck Peaches. Don’t send me any more money. I’ll send more home the first chance I get. RDN

Colonel Caleb Carlton Letter from University Place

August 16th

Dear Sadie

Leave tomorrow for Tracy City. Have a separate and complimentary command. Lots of work to do watching + c., not much chance of danger. Everybody on the alert. Expect lively times soon. Write often and direct as usual. Love to the family, in haste.

Your loving husband

Cale

OR, I, Series 52, Vol 30/3, pp. 50-51. Extract. 14 AC Order to garrison Tracy City

FROM: GEO. E. FLYNT, Assistant Adjutant-General and Chief of Staff. Headquarters Fourteenth Army Corps, Decherd, August 16, 1863.

TO: Major-General REYNOLDS, Commanding Fourth Division:

GENERAL:

I have the honor to inclose you a copy of orders for the movement of the troops of the department. The general commanding desires you to read them carefully, so as to know what your division and Brannan's are to do. The Third Division (Brannan's) has been ordered to report and receive marching orders from you.

Establish communication by couriers between your headquarters and the corps headquarters, in the neighborhood of Stevenson, selecting a sufficient number of mounted infantry from Wilder's brigade for couriers, say two companies. Select a regiment, commanded by a reliable officer, to garrison Tracy City, as that depot is of great importance; instruct the commanding officer to be vigilant. There are rations at the depot in Decherd, I understand, sufficient to supply your command with three days' rations, should you require them. Colonel Mackay reports forage on hand in your division for four days' full or eight days' half forage, rounded on report of your quartermaster late last evening.

Captain Gaw, chief of topographical engineers, will report to you and accompany you to the Sequatchie Valley, where he will join these headquarters.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant

OR, I, Series 52, Vol 30/3, pp. 50-51. Extract. 4th Div Acknowledgement of Tracy City Order to 14 AC

FROM: JOHN LEVERING, Major and Assistant Adjutant-General. Hdqrs. Fourth Division, Fourteenth Army Corps. August 16, 1863--4.30 AM.

TO: GEO. E. FLYNT, Assistant Adjutant-General and Chief of Staff. Headquarters Fourteenth Army Corps

Yours of 2 a.m. received. General Reynolds instructs me to answer. One regiment of the First Brigade moves early this morning to Tracy City, upon instructions received early last evening from department headquarters. The other regiments will be ready as ordered. Instructions will be sent the brigades at and near University (when received at 8 a.m.), if necessary. We are out of forage.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant.

OR, I, Series 52, Vol 30/3, pp. 50-51. 4th Div Detailed Response to 14 AC on Tracy City Detachment

FROM: J. J. REYNOLDS, Major-General. Hdqrs. Fourth Division, Fourteenth Army Corps, University Place, August 16, 1863--7 P.M.

TO: Lieutenant-Colonel FLYNT:

COLONEL: Troops are here. Train has difficulty in getting up the mountain on account of to-day's heavy rain; will not all probably get up to-night. Have ordered Eighty-ninth Ohio, Colonel Carlton, to proceed to Tracy City to-morrow and remain there. Third Brigade (Turchin's) moves at 6 in the morning for Sweeden's Cove. Second Brigade (King's) and division headquarters will follow as early as possible, depending upon our success in getting forward the train to-night.

Wilder's brigade will move from here to Tracy City to-morrow, that being considered the best route for him. He will have eight days rations, and will be governed by the general instructions from department headquarters, of which I have furnished him a copy, unless he receives others.

Please direct General Brannan to start early, and make this point to-morrow. Sweeden's Cove is about 10 miles from here, and I expect my advance brigade to be near there to-morrow night.

Colonel Caleb Carlton Letter from Tracy City

Tracy City Tenn

Thursday August 20th 1863

My Dear Little Wife

I have not heard from you for several days and I am afraid it will be some days still before any of your letters reach here. The whole army is on the move and, in addition, we have been detached. Genl Reynolds promised to forward my letters by a courier as soon as they reached him.

We arrived here Monday evening. It is not a very pretty place, a mere hold in the mountains. The town is a speculation of a New York man named Tracy. As there is a fine coal mine here he purchased the land here and had the Railroad built to this point. In addition to the coal works, there is about twenty scattering houses. The Railroad and property is owned by men from the North. Tracy was making money when the war broke out. City lots selling at one dollar a foot.

It is an important Point to us on account of the Railroad, but the slowness of the Railroad operations at present indicate that it is going to injure the move of the army. Part of two Corps are to draw supplies from here but not a single ration here yet, besides my own rations will be out tonight. How we can live and send back twenty one miles over a difficult mountain road and wagon up supplies is hard to tell. We cannot subsist on the country, the farmers are poor and three or four miles apart and my men alone won’t leave an ear of corn or an ounce of beef in the country, if we have to go a couple of days without rations. Of course there would not be a bite for a Corps.

Last night I imagined I heard the whistle of the Locomotive half of the night.

The Telegraph is also guilty of negligence and operator should have been here as soon as we arrived but none has arrived, so I have to send a courier twenty one miles to Cowan to Telegraph to Genl Rosecrans instead of telegraphing dispatches to him from here. Altogether it is a worrying affair, however I have nothing to do with getting the supplies up here, and think that the rebels will hardly come in here, at least with any thing but a small cavalry force. The left will probably have some skirmishing today and after that the rebels will be kept to busy to think of this little post.

Direct to me at Tracy City without mentioning the Corps, Division or Brigade, and write often, for if your letters do not come direct, I will get them sometime.

Have not heard from Cleveland for some days. The females in this part of the world don’t wear hoops, in fact I have not seen a woman wearing crioline for six weeks.

Several deserters came in yesterday from Chattanooga, they think if Bragg falls back that half of the army will desert. Of course but little reliance can be placed in the stories of such men.

The longer we are separated the more (if possible), I wish to see you, and would hardly object to a slight wound in order to get a leave of absence. Still I hope the persons betting that war will end in three months will win their bets, for I am tired of it.

Genl Wood and Col Harker (H. is a classmate of mine) called on me here Tuesday night. They were to move twenty miles to the left yesterday and make a demonstration on Chattanooga today. So I expect to hear some noise in their direction today.

I hope we will be permanently detached from Turchin’s Brigade. My only regret in leaving that Brigade is parting from Jones and leaving him alone amongst the Volunteers.

Give my love to the family. Think of me often little woman. Your little face is a great consolation to me, when responsibility worries me.

I am healthy as possible, as big whiskered and brown faced as a person can well get. My complexion is ruined for this season. The sun has given me a pair of bloodshot eyes, several degrees worse than those you complained of in Washington. No news of a late date from that part of the world.

Enclosed is an X, if I had any more I should be afraid to send it for every courier I send runs the risk of being bushwacked.

Love to you and the small individual.

Your loving husband

Cale

The Highland News, Lt’s Vickers and Foreacre Home

Lt James Vickers of Co. I, 89th Ohio and Lieut. Ben Foreacre of Co. A, same regiment, arrived at home last Saturday evening. They are both well but report a great deal of sickness in the regiment, about half the men being reported unfit for duty. Capt. Barrett of Co. I, had been down with fever, but was thought to be mending.

Lieuts. Vickers and Foreaker are detailed from the regiment to take charge of the drafted men to fill up the ranks.

Colonel Caleb Carlton Letter from Tracy City

Tracy City

August 22d 1863

My Dear Little Wife

No mail for a week (it seems an age). I shall send twenty five miles for it tomorrow if it does not arrive. Perhaps you had better direct as usual and I will make some arrangement to send for it hereafter. I have been very busy for the last few days, many other duties in addition to my regimental duties requiring my attention. But will not be quite so busy in future as affairs are commencing to work regularly.

I hope the mail will reach here tomorrow for I am anxious to hear from you.

No news from anywhere received here except from our left. Some little fighting there and a few Rebels captured. All other news is about military movements that it would be improper to tell, and would not interest you if you hear them.

We are living very well at present. We have peaches and cream daily. Women and children bring in sacks of fruit and vegetables on the backs of oxen to trade to us. I have a lively time commanding a regiment and post, questioning country people and deserters, sending off couriers and telegraphs, making maps + c; and no one to help me. It seems probable that we will remain here for some days.

The whole army has made an advance, but it is thought will not move further for several days.

Love to the family. It is late and I am tired. Good night little woman.

Love me Sadie.

Your loving husband

Cale

Colonel Caleb Carlton Letter from Tracy City

Tracy City

August 24th 1863

Dear Little Wife

No mail yet. I am getting disgusted with the slow lines here, and shall send another special detachment of mounted men after the mail if it does not make its appearance tomorrow.

Twenty five weeks tomorrow since we were married, and nearly two months since we were seperated. Do you think of me often Little Woman.

This is a busy place for me. I have made myself a little of everything, and perhaps cursed for impertinence but the carelessness and indifference to the proper working of Uncle Sam’s affairs shown by persons who are paid to attend to it, has kept me in a frenzy nearly all the time I have been here.

It is strange that when mens lives and perhaps the fate of the army is at stake, these fellows pay more attention to their personal comfort that to their duty. But I am getting used to it now. I awake easily now, and am called up on an average five times a night. And I hardly have time to make it up in the daytime. My men have pretty severe duty. I have completed one stoccade today and expect to complete another tomorrow, which will lighten picket duty somewhat. I hope while we are detached to get transferred to some other Brigade and Division, for I have but little respect for Reynolds and none for the "Gallant General Mauraider Turchin." Though both have treated me with great consideration. I should like to get into Woods Division, Crittendens Corps at least I think so now on a short acquaintance.

Nothing specially new. Dispatches pass through my hands at all times of the day, very little stirring. Average one in cypher daily which I suppose contains the most important news.

The Union feeling here is I think the strongest I ever saw. Men here who have not slept in their houses for nearly a year until we got here. The people are very bitter against each other, both parties are radical on their own sides. Several old fellows have had a weeping spell in my tent. These Union people have suffered severely. Few of us Northern people would have stuck to our sentiments through the pressure that has been brought to bear against them.

Love to the family. It is late so good night Sadie. Write often.

Your loving husband

Cale

Colonel Caleb Carlton Letter from Tracy City

Tracy City

Aug 25th 1863

Dear Little Wife

Three welcome letters from you arrived today. Four men rode fifty miles for them but I intended to break down the courier line if they did not get me something from you. I cannot conceive why you do not receive my letters. Until the past week I sent you a letter regularly every other night, and it is strange that the Cleveland Postmaster should keep my letters for my name is in the City Directory as residing with Father. Give my respects to the General and Mrs. Ketchum when you write. It is well for we poor people that the mails transmit money safely, so we can now feel easily about the Casey affair. It would be well for Mrs. K to see about the pew affair. We left so hurriedly that I do not think that the Treasurer was informed that we had given the pew up.

I am glad you acquaintances (friends) appreciate you, it is pleasant to be treated well, but we are all selfish and when interests clash, we are (I think) apt to find that only Father Mother husband and wife and (if few) brothers and sisters are our only real friends. And dont you think, little one, that husband and wife, then Mother are the ones to love, rely and depend upon always. I perhaps have as many of what the world calls friends and like and appreciate them, but when our interests clash I notice in them and (am ashamed to say) feel it in myself that each looks out for No. 1 (except in the case of the persons above mentioned). I am getting old you know and blasé. All men get cold with age and keep the warm places in their hearts for their wife and children.

It is a pity we cannot strike a medium in temperature between Harrisburg and Tracy City. It is a regular fall day here. Camp fires going for the past three hours. I am now sitting with very cold fingers and a pair of painfully cold feet.

Remember me to Capt & Mrs. Brayton & Capt & Mrs. Sergeant.

About Capt Reno, I used to be quite intimate with him (that is for a 1st Class man and a Plebe). And whether he told me or I heard or imagined it or not I dont know, but think he has no near relatives or friends, and according to the story books "was left an orphan at an early age" and was brought up by a guardian who kept the property (if any) left by his parents. He personally I like although he is "a man of the World." He is not popular however with men.

I never get tired of being loved or of being told of it, in fact I like to hear it, the oftener the better, and sincerely hope the day will never come when you will fail to feel and express it as much, if not more than now. If I had the choice between a Major Generals Commission and your presence here for an hour, you could come as fast as the cars would bring you. If we go into winter quarters (and the weather makes us think of it) here and the army swings around to the river as it will have to do, and brings this place away from the front line, you could come here and live in a hewed log house.

Is not Col Bomford a regular officer, there is a person of that name in the service. It is certain about poor Watson’s wound.

Capt Weed carried Miss Cameron’s picture and his friends generally though that they were engaged.

Mr. Shunk’s deafness will certainly exempt him from draft.

I have been detached and have not had an opportunity to attend to Ned’s affair. As you know it is a somewhat delicate affair to ask a General to take a person into him military family, so I preferred to attend to the matter personally, but as there does not seem to be a reasonable chance of doing so immediately, I will write to Crook & Harker tomorrow. Yes Sadie I love you as much and if possible more than when we parted. All my anxiety and ambition is for your sake.

Dont worry little woman over the Chist Expander. Use it when you can. I can hardly believe that our letters are opened, yet those who should know say so. Not all the letters of course but those that by their address or appearance show that they are from or to officers in order to ascertain the sentiments and opinions of officers whose position gives them control of troops.

About money affairs, if I could get ahead once it would be all right. I have hardly any expenses now except Mess Bill and servant’s hire. Dont deny yourself Sadie. I think we will make it all right the muster after next and dont work yourself to death over little crimson’s clothes. My fancy horse takes Zacks place now days, and like all horses I have ridden twice I have taken an affection to him. He is pretty but rough. I took him over several low fences today and had his mane not been convenient would have had a couple of tumbles.

I am not harsh with my regiment but am strict and am gradually getting stricter, an as they learn, require more of them. A soldier is not made out of even a smart man in a day. I am always polite and dignified with them, but strict and make them obey orders. I don't think they dislike me, they fear me and think I am strict, but think they are treated justly and impartially and after the loose experience they have had, they rather like it.

A letter from Rhoda arrived this evening. Minnie is a little unwell and is going to Grandmothers for her health.

Corsets are all habit as your experience shows. Now dont you really think so.

Dont allow musically disposed Dutchmen to worry you and remember the effect of a "placid smile."

Are you not a little unjust Sadie when you intimate that I should be disgusted with you on account of your personal appearance (and from a cause of that kind). Would you not feel a little hurt if I thought that your affection for me would be diminished by my having my arm or face shot to pieces. Your new situation and its effect on uninterested persons has biased you good sense little woman. Personal appearance of course has a great deal to do with producing love but after it is established it is retained by goodness of heart and head as expressed by conduct and language, but mere accident or injury to personal appearance, people regret but instead of diminishing rather increases the affection. So dont worry your little head about the affair. If you do I shall worry about getting stout myself. I am growing every body says.

I keep account of my expenses but unlike you the difference is usually on the wrong side. Your opinion of the ring has been duly reported. I could have vouched for your opinion no matter what the shape was provided it was only a Diamond.

I will kiss you as many times as you please. But cant promise to kiss little crimson more than once a day until he gets to be a white boy. My exquisite foot can be crowded into a number six heavy shoe, but in a thick shoe it is more comfortable in six and a half.

You are a little wretch if you are not satisfied with the length of this letter, its gracefully worded sentences and sage advice, not more than a third of the letters and words left out. A fine exercise for your imagination to fill up the blank spaces.

"Love to the Family." Write me often, think of me often and love me always. Really Sadie I never wished for anything so earnestly as I now wish to see you. I love you little wife, and you must not allow your imagination to worry you into the belief that absence or change of personal appearance will affect my love for you.

Your loving husband

Cale

Colonel Caleb Carlton Letter from Tracy City

Tracy City

August 27th 1863

My Dear Little Wife

No mail for two days, but I am certain of one tomorrow unless the bushwackers catch the courier. We hear that Sumter is taken. Nothing else new from the East. We are still as cold as winter here.

I will have three stoccades completed tomorrow and hope to have all of the internal improvements, bridges, Roads + c finished by Saturday night. I insituted the oath system this morning, and would not allow any one inside my lines today unless they would take the oath. My Lt. Colonel has been engaged cussing the citizens in all day.

A rather romantic affair in camp today, a person came in dressed in soldiers clothes and claimed to be a private in Woods Division, and wished to go on to join a company on our left. But upon being questioned sharply confessed that she was a woman named Mary Corbin and that she wished to be a soldier, that her Father had driven her from home because she kept company with Union soldiers. I hardly know what to do with her as there is nothing but her word to show she is not a spy, but think I will send her to General Rosecrans tomorrow.

No prospect of another move at present. Ordered up to include the 10^th of September.

You would freeze here tonight little woman. My fingers are like sticks and two dispatches to write tonight. So good night sweetness.

Love to the family. Write often little one.

Your loving husband

Cale

Out of postage stamp and no way to get them in this part of the world.

Your Husband

Private M. Boots to his Parents from Tracy City

Camp at tracy City tenn

August the 27 1863

Dear father and mother

I again take my pen in hand to Let you no that I am well at this time and I do hope that when these few Lines Comes to hand that they will find you well.

I Receind your kind Leter the 25 of this month and was truley glad to here from you and to here that you was all well.

we are here a garding Rale Road and Comisery goods. this is a hensom Looking place. our Regment is the onley Regment here. the health of our Regment is good. we are in 35 Miles of Chattinooga and our men is their a Shelling the place.

tell James Sollers to Send them Stamps as he thinks Best.

our war Newes is very good at this. we think that this war Cant Last Much Longer. we have Sent to ohio fer new Recruts and Expect them on in a Short time. the Soldiers here is all in good hart and very Lively. the Rebles are Coming in to our Lines Every day and they Say that they are diserting by hundreds.

So no more at this time. But Still Remain your Dear Sun untill Death.

Martin Boots to his Dear father and mother

Rite Soon and Direct your Leters to me in Care of Capt Nelson Compt D 89 Reg O V I Muffreesboro tenn.

Private T. Bartley to his Parents from Tracy City

Tracy City Aug 30 1863

East Tennessee

Dear Father and Mother

i receav your king and welcom letter and was glad to heare that you was all well. i am well and all the rest of the boys. was glad to heare you receav my money. we are in camp in a little town cald tracy city. it is a beautiful place. we are stationed heare to guard a Rail Road for this is a important place. thare is not no other troops here but the 89 Regiment. the rest of our Brigade is out a bout Chatanoiga a pitching in to the Rebs. the Boys hated to leave the Brigade but is the nicest camp that we was ever in. the Sitizens Bring in plenty of fruit and Vetitables of every kind. this mountain is full peach oychards and apple orychards. fruit is a bundant of all kindes the Camp is Supplied and it Sels vary Cheap. the Boys is vary mutch pleased of this fore it is the only camp we was ever at that we could gint sich viarity of things. the rebels is a coming in every day from Chatanooga and giving them Selves up and taking the oath. tha [They] Sa [say] that the Southern Confedracy is gon up. tha Sa all the grub the Rebels git at Chatinooga fore a days Rashions is one pint of corn meal and 3 quarters of a pound of meat and that is all tha git for a days Rashions. it dose [does] me good to See them eat fore tha eat like a pack of Starv houns. you Better Believe that tha goin on the coffee fore it is Something that tha cant finn in the [unreadable] of having. tha Sa old Brag will not do mutch fighting for his men dont like him well enougf to figh fore him.

Send my love to all my friends. Rite soone from

Constintine Bartley

to his Father and Mother

Private M. Boots to his Parents from Tracy City

Camp at tracy City

August the 30 1863

Dear father and mother

I here with in close to you a few to Let you no that I am well at this time and I do hope that when these few Lines Comes to hand that they will find you well.

I Receivd kind Leter yesterday and was truley glad to here from you and to here that you was well.

I got them 3 Stamps that you Sent and was glad of them. we are Still here a garding Rale Road and Comiseries But dont no how Long that we will Stay here. we hav a very Nice Camp.

you Said you wanted to no what the Soldiers thot [thought] of Velandingham [Valandigham]. they would hang him as quick as they Could git hands on him and all who Suport him. we take them to Be our Enemys and them taht Suport Velandingham are traters to our government and Cowards. We as Soldiers dont want any Such me to speak to us. Velandinghames are not Dimocrats. they Cesesh [are Secesh] and dam Cowerds.

So no more.

Martin Boots to his Dear father and mother

Rite Soon and Direct to me in Care of Capt I Nelson compt D 89 Regt O V I Murfreesboro tenn

Colonel Caleb Carlton Letter from Tracy City

Tracy City 31 Aug

Monday 1863

My Dear Little Wife

Three letters from you yesterday, one dated the 18th, two the 23d August. Keep it up little woman, I would like to get the same number every mail. It has been a long seven (or rather nine now) weeks to me. I have not been as homesick and discontented since I was a youngster as I have been since we have been seperated. I hope and trust some change will take place in a few weeks. I for one would not be sorry if this "Cruel War" was over even without a star in my shoulder strap. You must not allow yourself to be nervous and despondent. Sadie you know the health of the little boy as well as your own health and perhaps life depends upon your care of yourself. Avoid the Valerian as long as possible. Chest expander is the best of the two.

So you have been cross have you and worked yourself into a nervous fit. Do you remember a certain young lady being tied to a chair. Think of that and remember that it is a very good way to keep a person still.

How many slips do you intend to make for little Crimson. Will not the youngsters wardrobe fill your large trunk now without anything else. I would like to review his wearing apparel.

Mr. Du Barry must be careful of making complimentary remarks as I shall be jealous of him even if he is near sighted.

What slang did I use in my last letter. Of course field life will roughin me and you will have enough to do to polish me when we meet. It is impossible to say what is to become of you this winter but think in a few weeks as winter approaches, we can decide before it will be impossible for you to travel. Why do you think it will be as soon as November. If you are to come here of course bring some one. Martha if you prefer. She will find it dull however but it will be best for you. The official documents you forwarded arrived yesterday. It is hard to make out but think you say you paid postage on it. I did not notice. If you did you were a little goose for they were free documents. Sunday is a heavy day for me also. I am busy all day at Muster all day and command drills and recitations tomorrow.

Movements are not so interesting now, for at first all dispatches to Genl Rosecrans from the left and centre passed through my hands + I had the news before anyone else. It was interesting although I could not have the pleasure of telling it. Now they have a more direct line of couriers so it is only occasionally that I get hold of a dispatch that is not in cypher.

I am as unreasonable as you are Sadie and feel disposed to blame officers who are not in the field. The book arrived + has been read. It is not a superior work by any means. If you are getting so good looking why can’t you send me a photograph.

Plenty of fruit and vegetables here. No hoops women come eight and nine miles to sell to us, bring sacks of peaches on the back of oxen. No water melons but a few musk melons. I have made one advance for Ed, but it is not time to hear the result yet.

I am nearly frozen. Good night Sadie dear.

Your loving husband

Cale