Chapter 16
“O Such Destruction”
The 17th Illinois had served under Grant almost from its inception. He was elevated to command of the Military Division of the Mississippi in September 1863, and just six months later, in March of 1864, Grant was promoted to lieutenant general (the first person to hold that rank since George Washington) and given command of all the Northern armies. Lincoln was disappointed in George Meade’s failure to destroy Lee’s Virginia army after Gettysburg, and knew Henry Halleck was simply out of his depth in the field and behind a desk trying to run the giant war effort. The president watched the rise of Grant in the West and believed he was the man who could oversee not only the defeat of Lee, but the coordinated destruction of the entire Confederacy and bring an end to the war. William T. Sherman moved up into Grant’s former spot as the head of the Military Division of the Mississippi, and James McPherson took the reins of the Army of the Tennessee.1
William Tecumseh Sherman was an 1840 graduate of the United States Military Academy. Stationed in California during the Mexican War, he had missed the fighting and afterward left the army to go into business. He became the superintendent of a military academy in Louisiana in 1859 (subsequently Louisiana State University), but resigned when the sectional troubles reared their head. For a time he was in limbo, but he rejoined the army as a colonel in May 1861 and fought as a brigade commander at Bull Run that July before being transferred to the Western Theater, where he acquired a reputation for emotional instability. It was not until he linked up with General Grant that Sherman enjoyed real success in the field. He and Grant understood one another, and Sherman quickly became one of Grant’s most loyal supporters, and visa versa.2
After the rather uneventful six months following the capitulation of Vicksburg, Sherman was concerned about the condition of the men garrisoning the city. He cited a “general relaxation of effort,” along with a surfeit of soldiers taking leaves, furloughs, and discharges. In many ways, this lull was typical of the war. Battles were vicious and deadly, but active campaigning was also relatively infrequent. Campaigning usually ended in the late fall when cold weather set in, and did not resume until the following spring when the snow melted and the ground dried out. Men looked for various diversions during this interlude, and during the intervals between marching and fighting. Some read, some enjoyed chess and other board games, and others played music. Many soldiers turned to gambling to pass time. “I declared to keep from playing cards while acting of a Solider I hope and pray to God to assist me in my intentions and be my guide through this terrible for sure war,” recorded Robert Duncan in his company log. Many men recalled and wrote about the cards and other gambling materials they had tossed or spotted along the side of the road on the march to battle. Few wanted to have those materials found on their bodies if they were killed in a fight.3
Josiah witnessed the same signs of relaxation in the men of the 17th Illinois noted by Sherman. Josiah returned to the regiment on Christmas Day to find “the old 17th … basking in the sunlight of their own grandeur and greatness as they gently mused on the prospects of being soon filled up by recruits.” He returned just in time to experience Christmas in Vicksburg. Lieutenant Colonel Smith, the regiment’s commander, recalled that the Union garrison enjoyed the holiday, and the 17th regiment had “the fewest men drunk” because the command was deployed on picket duty. It was, recorded Smith, “a perfect hell downtown that day, everybody was drunk officers, soldiers, citizens, civilians, negroes, and women.”4
Josiah continued corresponding with Jennie from Vicksburg. Sadly, none of her letters from 1864 have survived. We know she continued to write to Josiah because he referred to her letters in those he penned to her in return. Perhaps he destroyed them in case he was captured because he didn’t want them to fall into enemy hands. Or, they may have been lost on the way home, or destroyed in another manner. Unfortunately, we will likely never know.5
Josiah to Jennie
Miss J. E Lindsay
Peoria Ills
Vicksburg, Miss.
Jan. 9th 18646
My beloved friend,
Another happy opportunity affords the dear privilege of [illegible] my “weekly”—“dear privilege” indeed as it seems the only and best substitute for the more desirable – but my dear Jennie, something seems to be wanting, not only is the loved one absent, but, for many long and weary days, no word of happy cheer has come to greet our lonely “soldier boy”—no dear message has yet come to cheer the lonely hours—Well I presume I must “learn to labor and to wait”—our Southron mail has been very irregular, but perhaps not more, than that going North. tho I believe this is my fourth since leaving the City I shall expect to hear from thee dearest Jennie pretty soon however, and then more often—now Jennie please don’t forget—else these four months will seem very long—very true, you may say, for they have a long subject. Ah, yes, but nature deals in opposites.
Andie was to see me yesterday. he still seems to enjoy his good health. I also saw him again, at the “festival” of our “Union Literary Asociation”7 on last evening, where we had a very pleasant time i.e. considering the barbaric surroundings, we had quite a good supper—our guests consisted of society members & invited friends (soldiers) a few Southron females and Northern ladies a few of whom were old acquaintances, of course it is very cheering to see “white—folks” so far South—there are now quite a number of young ladies, from the North, here employed as teachers of contrabands, they seem very well pleased with their work and say they succeed far beyond expectations, one of the young ladies teaches the soldiers of the Regt.
The weather has been quite cool for some time, tho no snow—I presume there is glorious sleighing up North—We have not all “gone in” as Veterans yet, tho some Regts have been caught pretty severely—the old 17th is not so rash.
My health still improves a little, but O how much better could I but hear “good news” from my dearest Jennie yet hoping soon to enjoy this dear favor, I bid her now a kind good night—with best wishes for many joyous days.
I am as ever yours … a kiss.
J. Moore
Josiah Moore and others in the field? This remarkable image, which seems to show one man reading or preaching to five others, appeared in Military Images magazine (Vol. XXV, No. 3, November/December 2003), and is from an album of images of the 7th Indiana Cavalry. The subjects are identified, left to right, as follows: “W. Watts, C. P. Phelps, General McConnell, R. H. Harvig, W. L. Ashe, and Captain Moore.” “McConnell” is brevet Brig. Gen. John McConnell of the 5th Illinois Cavalry. No other identified individual with the surname “Moore” attached to these units resemble the “Moore” in this photo. The “Moore” depicted here is also quite tall, and Josiah was 6’4”. In addition, the facial resemblance to Josiah, and his postwar career as a preacher, makes it highly likely that this is Josiah reading scripture around the time of the Meridian campaign. John Sickles
Josiah to Jennie
Miss J. E Lindsay
Peoria Ills
Vicksburg, Miss.
Jan. 16th 1864
My dear Jennie,
Tho no kind message has yet arrived from the loved one I have resolved to try again, and while seated by my desk tho [illegible] rather [illegible] I feel as tho a “kindred spirit” sympathizes.
About two hours after writing my last we rec,d “marching orders”—Our Brgd went aboard of boats early sabbath morning (sabbath you know is the day) to go in pursuit of rebels who had blockaded the river 150 miles above. We started but like all sabbath day work, the expedition proved a bore. The weather was quite cold, the boats were crowded the men were much exposed, there was much ice running in the river and it took us about 4 days to go about 120 miles. So as you may easily imagine, when we arrived the bird had taken the wings of the morning and flown far hence and we found “all quiet on the Potomac.”
The “rebs” had succeeded in crossing 2500 stand of arms to the Ark shore and got them safely away West into the interior before our arrival. we caught a couple of their pickets—returned covered all over with glory and honor and mud, and reached the city of the hills about noon yesterday—so [illegible] it be.8
In my last I spoke of having no orders to move so I may say now but we may get here before sabbath yet—as with the soldier so with the christian it behooves him to be always ready.
Now my dearest friend just imagine how disappointed somebody was on his return on yesterday and still no joyous salutation from thee—almost a month since the sad adieu was given and yet all is still as the mid—night hour. It is now about 9 P.M., a cool balmy air floats gently round, gay Luna marches proudly through a starry world and casts a gentle smile on loved nature’s calm repose—one remains unchained and awaits the smiles of a brighter light. now dearest Jennie don’t forget that your soldier boy is away from home. goodnight sweet sleep and happy dreams with the best wishes of your devoted friend as ever.
J. Moore
Josiah to Jennie
Vicksburg Miss.
Jan 30th 1864
My beloved friend,
Your evening’s chat is welcomed—yes, thrice welcome! and tho a substitute may now obtrude I would not promise the dear reader an equal amount of pleasure—Oh my dear Jennie why did you wait so long? over one month—yes and a half to that, from we parted till I first heard from you—You may believe I had numerous visitants—by way of conjectures as to what had happened—sometimes I thought you might be sick, then again that you were delaying for mischief, or worse still, quit altogether—so you see I had plenty to think about, and not a very pleasant time either. But your dear message of the 16th inst dispelled all clouds and fears, tho I had so set myself to the hard task of learning to wait, that I scarcely realized, for a time, that the spell was broken.
I was glad to hear that you were well, tho a little surprised at your promotion—indeed I can almost pardon your silence, since you had something more useful to do, perhaps you think kitchen girls have the best chance of getting married. how is that Jennie? I wish I could help you i.e. about the time meals are ready—O dear I think I could stay in the kitchen all the time—I could try—O I must tell you my dream—On the eve of receiving your letter I drempt of being in your house and in quite a hurry to see someone. I left the parlor and near the back door of the hall I met Mrs. Lindsay, just spoke, and was about to pass on, when she spoke and said she supposed I wanted to see Jennie who was just then in the dining room, I thot I took about one step and would see you in an instant—when I—waked—O how disappointed I felt—such a sudden transition I could hardly credit it—But you will notice, Jennie, that I was going towards the kitchen—perfectly, willing to share its honors—when you get tired, only about half do the work and then they will release you—I know I should not dictate anything bad, but you need not remember it. I wish you much success, only take good care of your dear self, aint it too bad jennie that kitchen girls get married and leave people to work for themselves—aint they foolish? I think so.
Well my dear Jennie you must spare some time this evening and leave the old kitchen of this world for the more spacious halls of joyous friendship, where the memories of the past cluster round in sweet delight, and where friends were wont to meet as they would meet again, to enjoy the happy association of happy friends, tho here I only stay, I dont live here, I mostly live over those dear times when two selfish little individuals used to arrogate the idea that the population of this world was in the aggregate, two, but as you say another month has past and the brighter moment draws nearer. so it does—our 4th month is now on the wane but even this seems long, poor little creature how lonesome you must now be, after George and Maggie have gone. I am real sorry you did not get to go along but of course you could not feel right to leave the dear folks at home. You can tell Maggie I am glad she got caught in a snow drift, because she called me naughty. O you asked if I took my medicine—Well I took it but it was not as good as what Jennie gave—it lacked the charm of the giver. Now my dearest Jennie you must not wait so long again, please dont? Cant you let me hear from you once a week—if you do I will not forget “Saturday” so with the best wishes of yours as ever I gently steal away with my goodnight kiss.
J.
Please write me a very long letter and please your—goodnight J.
I almost forget to tell you—I did not write last Saturday, the mail came late in the evening I waited to hear from it expecting a letter surely but dear me it came not—so I did not feel very well and went to bed—I was not well but I believe a letter would have cured me, so you aint done giving medicine yet—goodnight my dearest Jennie sweet—J.M.
I saw Andie a few days since he still keeps very well, I have been very busy since my return and now there is an expedition afoot, a large one.9 I do not know however whether or not I’ll go I dont like to risk my health now, tho I’d like to be along. J.
The large expedition Josiah mentioned in closing referred to a plan being drawn up by Sherman. He was concerned about Rebel forces left in Mississippi and Louisiana that threatened shipping on the river, and also wanted to eliminate the rail transportation center at Meridian, Mississippi, about 135 miles east of Vicksburg. “When men take up arms to resist a Rightful Authority we are compelled to use a like force, because all reason and argument cease when arms are resorted to,” reasoned Sherman. “When the provisions, forage, horses, mules, wagons, etc are used by our enemy it is clearly our duty & Right to take them also; because otherwise they might be used against us. In like manner all houses left vacant by an inimical people are clearly our Right, and such as are needed as Storehouses, Hospitals, & Quarters.”10
Sherman also issued instructions for his men to leave women, children, and other non-combatants alone unless any of them “comes out into the public streets & creates disorder.” In that case, they should be “punished, restrained, or banished.” Sherman also directed that anyone communicating with “parties in hostility” were to be treated as “spies & can be punished according to Law with death or minor punishment.” His directive foretold anguish and destruction for a wide swath of people in that part of Mississippi.11
Sherman moved out of Vicksburg on February 3 with about 20,000 men in two infantry corps screened by a force of cavalry. Because he wanted to travel quickly with sufficient supplies for the expedition, he reserved the wagons for food and ammunition and instructed his men, including officers, to leave behind all their tents and baggage. That caused a lot of complaining. “There is a considerable swearing going on among the officers to think they can not take any tents or baggage” admitted the 17th’s commander Smith. The cold and blustery conditions were not ideal for camping in the open. Sergeant Duncan, the 17th’s company clerk, reported that at one point during the campaign the men had to deal with “a half inch of ice.”12
The 17th Illinois was now part of Jasper Maltby’s brigade and, along with the 8th and 30th Illinois and 7th Missouri, formed part of the right wing (XVII Corps) of Sherman’s advance. Steven Hurlbut’s XVI Corps formed the left wing. Josiah was supposed to remain behind because of his health, but he talked his way into participating.13
James McPherson’s men moved through the capital at Jackson, where “plantation houses and homes were burned and nearly one-half of” the town destroyed, and then on through Brandon, Morton, Hillsborough, and Decatur before reaching Meridian. The people of Jackson, observed Duncan, were “getting their so-called southern rights I suppose.” Sherman ordered the destruction of the arsenal, storehouses, and any other structure that might serve to assist the Confederate army. Some civilian structures, such as houses and retail establishments, were also torched. “Sherman’s army left fire and famine in its track,” wrote one Yankee soldier. “The country was one lurid blaze of fire; burning cotton gins and deserted buildings were seen on every hand. I regret to say it but oft times habitations were burned down over the heads of occupants, but not by order.”14
The 17th, along with many other units of the force, destroyed rail lines including the Southern Railroad of Mississippi and the Mobile and Ohio by removing the rails, placing them over a fire hot enough to soften the metal, and wrapping them around a tree or pole. The soldiers called the result “Sherman’s neckties.”15
A woman from Meridian offered the civilian perspective in a letter to her mother that somehow found its way into the pages of the New York Times in March 1864: “Our store was burned to the ground and so was another of our new houses,” she wrote. “My two milch cows were killed, and every one in the town; and for eight or ten miles around all cattle and horses…. The railroad is torn up, both up and down for miles and all the ties burned and the iron bent and destroyed. O such destruction! I do not believe you or anyone else would know the place. There’s not a fence in Meridian. I have not one rail left.”16
When the expedition ended, Sherman reported, “Meridian, with its depots, store—houses, arsenal, hospitals, offices, hotels, and cantonments no longer exists.” We drove the enemy “out of Mississippi,” exclaimed Sherman, “destroyed the only remaining railroads in the state, the only roads by which he could maintain any army in Mississippi threatening to our forces on the main river. We subsisted our army and animals chiefly on his stores, brought away about 400 prisoners and full 5,000 Negroes, about 1,000 white refugees, about 3,000 animals (horses, mules, oxen) and any quantity of wagons and vehicles.” One of the participants also reported that “pork seemed plenty as the woods were full of razor back hogs.”17
Brigadier General Jasper A. Maltby, a former officer in the 45th Illinois Infantry, was badly wounded at both Fort Donelson and again at Vicksburg, and later promoted to brigadier general in August of 1863. Maltby led the brigade in which Josiah and the 17th Illinois served during the Meridian Campaign. After the war, he was appointed military mayor of Vicksburg, but he never fully recovered from his wounds and died there on December 12, 1867. Author
Thousands of former slaves—“negro men, women, and children of all ages and with all their belongings that could carry with them lined the flanks of our army front to rear … all having the inspiration they were now a free people”—followed the army column back to Vicksburg. One historian described the Meridian Campaign as “military emancipation at high tide.” It has been estimated that some 5,000 slaves emancipated by Sherman’s men trailed their liberators to freedom—a number that would double later that year when Sherman marched from Atlanta to Savannah. During the Meridian campaign, a Union soldier had called out to one young former slave, “Where you going to, youngster?” “I’m gui-in to glory, master,” came the reply. However, given the desolate nature of the ground over which both Sherman’s men and the newly freed slaves moved, it was hunger and starvation, and not glory, that permeated all ranks.18
The men returned to Vicksburg on March 3. After 30 days spent living outdoors, their uniforms were in rags and “one man in every five or six was barefoot.” Maltby’s and the two other brigades of the division covered 27 miles on the final day and “double-quicked” the final eight miles into Vicksburg.19
Confederate authorities assessed the severe damage to the Southern Railroad, the line destroyed by the 17th Illinois and the other units of Maltby’s brigade. The report read: “Between Jackson and Meridian—4 bridges entirely destroyed, aggregate length 950 feet; 47 bridges entirely destroyed aggregate length 3,248 feet; 4 miles of track torn up, iron badly burned and bent, and most of the cross ties burned. Five thousand cross ties will be required, 300 bars of iron, and 500,000 feet of bridge timbers to complete the work.” Other rail lines to and from Meridian suffered as much, or worse.20
In his official report, McPherson wrote that his men had marched 360 miles and destroyed 55 miles of railroad, along with 53 railroad bridges and culverts and more than 6,000 feet of trestle work. In addition, the expedition destroyed 19 locomotives and 28 rail cars. Mortimer D. Leggett’s division, which included Maltby’s brigade and the 17th Illinois, claimed credit for 24 of those 55 miles of track, 52 of the 53 bridges, and 4,000 feet of the trestle work.21
The XVII Corps lost 13 men killed, one officer and 36 enlisted men wounded, and one officer and 103 men captured or missing. According to George Smith, seven members of the 17th Illinois were captured while on a foraging expedition. Silas Warren of Company F and Lt. Edmund Ryan of Company A were reported among the missing.22
While the Meridian expedition does not rank as one of the war’s (or Sherman’s) greatest achievements, it did provide the Union with a dress rehearsal of sorts for the more notable (or notorious) effort by Sherman later in 1864 when he cut the heart out of Georgia on his March to the Sea from Atlanta to Savannah on the Atlantic coast. The Meridian expedition taught Sherman lessons he would use on his later march. The Meridian experiment demonstrated that the central portions of Southern states lacked a strong military presence, and that his foot soldiers could live off the land by raiding field and taking what was needed from citizens. That knowledge became pivotal for the success of the March to the Sea.
* * *
Josiah to Jennie
Vicksburg Miss
March 5th, 1864
My Beloved Friend,
The long expected and happy opportunity again affords the lonely “soldier boy” sweet converse with his dear dear Jennie—Thrice joyous eve.
Our famous raid was concluded on yesterday when by a forced march of 26 miles we reached our City of the hills.
When at Canton 60 miles distant I wrote a hasty scrible by firelight and sent by a messenger coming in on special business, if you rec’d it, all right Jennie, but if not it is not much loss for it was realy too rough to be seen in civilization. I addressed it the same as this, having rec’d yours of Jan, 25 just before starting, in which you spoke of soon visiting Chicago—On my arrival yesterday I found to my great joy two of those dear missives that “cheer the heart”—you cannot imagine how I longed to realize the happy event—each lingering day seemed like an age—but “hope deferred” was “pleasure obtained”, tho to have met the author would have been “joy beyond measure”, but such a “happy day” would be too much in this barbarous clime—enough, to hope that the day is not far distant when such a happy event may be realized beyond the frowns of “grim visaged war.”
Our raid was quite prosperous tho we lost several men, but we drove the rebels at every point—our principle work consisted in destroying R. Roads of which we disabled about 500 miles, thus destroying all rebel communications within 150 miles of this place. My health tho rather slim on starting improved so that it was never better than now, I believe even a “slow sleigh—ride” would not hurt me, i.e. my dear Jennie being along. O dear, there I wouldn’t care how slowly, providing a termination would be likely to separate.
I was glad dear Jennie to hear of your prospective Chicago visit and hope that you have ere this arrived in safety, to find George & Maggie well and to enjoy yourself as ardently as he who loves—What will you now.23
My best regards to George & Maggie, I can almost envy the happy trinity. O I forget three is no company—Well my dear dear Jennie I hope necessity may not soon again cause such a blank in our communications. With best wishes of your loving friend I bid thee dear Jennie a kind goodnight. J. Moore—a kiss goodnight.
Please write often and I can assure you dear Jennie that if “sweet Saturday eve” is not improved it shall be no fault of this humble subscriber. yours. J.M.
Unfortunately, Josiah did not write about the destruction and confiscation of civilian property he certainly witnessed on the Meridian raid, so his thoughts on that activity will forever remain unknown. Large numbers of former slaves accompanied the Union troops back to Vicksburg, something else he did not include in his letter home to Jennie.
Josiah to Jennie
Vicksburg Miss,
March 12, 1864 “Saturday”
My Dearly Beloved,
Another joyous evening returns with all its joyous memories and not less pleasant duties.
Your dearest of the dear little messenger of the 20ult came duly to hand and my dear, dear Jennie I need not tell you how it was read and reread, for should I make the attempt this pen, would fail, its love “lingers with me still”—O my dear Jennie I can scarcely feel myself worthy of such pure and holy regard, to merit such seems too much for such as I, yet it is no dream—I feel as tho I have already realized the truth and reality of such affection and tho poor the return, yet could you but read this heart, dearest Jennie, you could see how supremely it loves thee—no rival can there be found—If I be “king”, there can be but one queen, and that, my own dearest Jennie. Yet, O dear, Jennie is not here, dear loved one, how sad and lonely seems the darkening world—“happiness” can never be found so far from thee. Yet soon will the day break be dawning, there, O there! the pleasures of you will blossom once more and we’ll all meet again in the morning.
I was so sorry to hear of your illness—yet pleased to learn of its short duration—Indeed I think that your idea of taking sick just to test the good qualities of Maggie’s nursing is rather amusing. I think I shall tell Maggie sometime of your mischief—and then, O dear, you propose that if I was there you would have me take your medicine—Why Jennie aint you ashamed? Why if I were there, I would not let either George or Maggie nurse you, how would that suit you? O well, my dearest, I think I should be there about that time.
I was very glad indeed to hear of your safe arrival and that you found all well, you seem very much amused with Maggie’s skating, tho I presume, not more than myself. O Jennie why did you not tell me that dream of Maggies, some of her jokes I presume—I guess she saw your letter. Well dearest I will promise to pardon that “poor scribling” as you insist on naming it, only let me have at least one dear letter from my dearest Jennie once a week, and if remembering “Saturdays” will prevent dear Jennie being sick—then dear Jennie shall not be sick any more—now aint that fair?
Well I fear my darling is being wearied so I will not detain longer. Only tell Maggie that she must let you be when you are writing.
Hoping that this may find my dearest love in good health enjoying the love and association of good and dear friends, I again bid thee a kind goodnight—as short while. As ever,
J. Moore
P.S. How long do you intend remaining in Chicago, Jennie? If you remain some time could I not, improve the address. I have only guessed at it but hope you may get my letters all right. As above J.M. My goodnight kiss, Sweet dreams.
Josiah to Jennie
Vicksburg Miss. Mar. 19 1864
Sat. eve.
My dear Jennie,
In the absence of my “weekly visitor” I must speak with the dear original, whom tho cruel space may separate, yet imagination pictures the more pleasing reality—two months is not too much to anticipate, Jennie dearest, is it? I know that even this seems an age, yet what of it, if “hope defferred is pleasure obtained.”
Well dearest, I have not been doing very much this week, unless, as you say, and you know dear Jennie’s words cannot be forgotten, I have been “living a sort of dream life.” I have been writing most of the time, making out our Muster & Pay Rolls, and tho you may say, why what has that to do with our evening chat? Well you see that name, exquisite because of asociations, “Peoria Ills,” occurs on the rolls very often. and never without the recalling of some joyous moment of the past.
Perhaps you may chide me for allowing my mind to wander so from my business. yes, but, dearest, might there not be allowed some difference of opinion on what is “my business”? This granted, my business continues good, I shall continue to think of thee amid the sweetest memories of the day and not less will be my joy to know that one does miss me at home, yes beloved friend I believe I can appreciate full well your meaning, where you contrast your “own quiet home life” with the more stirring scenes of the Queen City—the glitter and show of the outer world, afford but little enchantment, when there is nothing among them that we can call ours—O but I didn’t intend to tease you my dear by telling my experience—Please excuse, or, give me a kiss—now I am going, goodbye—
Dear Jennie, how do you do? none better I hope, I have not had a letter from you this week. Well dearest when these two months are over, then, then if you dont write, I’ll go where writing will be. O dear, I dont know—a humbug I guess, the only bug word I can remember—I have not reenlisted yet.24 Dont much like the idea of going into such large crowd, would prefer a more select company, think I know where there is one. Oyes, I see I have tired you out my dear, aint you pleased to see this sheet so nearly full? well when next Sat. comes there again comes another sweet opportunity—in the mean time I bid thee, beloved Jennie, a kind good night.
Yours ever
J. Moore
Jane Elizabeth good night sweet dreams & sweet kiss goodbye, only a short time tho. J.M.
Andie was to see me this week he looks very well indeed, it seems like home to see him, enough to know he is Jennie’s friend—good bye. J.M.
Josiah to Jennie
Vicksburg Miss. March 26, 1864
“Sat eve”
Beloved friend,
Another weary week has gone with all its joys & sorrows, yet the dear absent one is silent. All is hushed and still, yet she is unheard from. I have been looking very anxiously all week, dear Jennie, for the dear little message of love, that which Jennie alone can send.
Well my dear Jennie, I hope all is well, but you cannot imagine how anxious I feel when over three weeks pass without bringing any remembrance from my dearest Jennie.—my letters may not reach you and hence you may justly think me very indifferent, or you may be unwell and cannot write—or again you may be unwell and do not wish to write and create anxiety—But I hope my dearest that nothing of this is so. O I would not, I could not be so cruel as to give thee my dearest darling, one moments pain by seeming indifference—no indeed, my dear, no pangs shall ever thus pierce my dear Jennie’s loving heart, a love too sacred, too pure, to be coldly treated, a love more desirable to be possessed than all earthly treasures, yes, my dear you are my “happiness”, and with thee alone it can be enjoyed—separation from thee is only endurable, in hope of the brighter day, and that day is slowly approaching, yet O how tardily it seems to linger by the way. But it has pleased a kind Providence to preserve thus far and to him still I look for the happy end, less than two months of our time now to serve—and then Jennie I’m coming for a kiss—well I guess so. I aint going to travel 1000 miles for nothing, you’ll see if I do, I’ve not forgotten, tho I may be out of practice. I can soon learn however, dont you think so?
Well my dearest, I’ve teased you long enough, so if you will pardon me, I will give you a good night kiss, but I forgot, now my dear Jennie unless you write soon. I must have more than one kiss on my return—so now you know the consequence of your failure, no backing out—Well now dearest I must bid you another goodnight, as oft before, hoping soon to realize thy gentle “goodnight kiss” in reality I remain as ever yours.
J. Moore
Josiah to Jennie
Vicksburg Miss. April 2, 1864
My Beloved Friend:
Your dear letter of the 18ult. has been for several days the welcome companion of your humble servant—its joys and sorrows are mine—days of anxious care and watching tell but too plainly what was the matter, but as the brighter day has its cloud and shade, so I hope that ere this my dear Jennie may have fully recovered. In my last I expressed fears that your ill health was keeping back those thrice welcome little visitants—yes, too true. Yet had you tried me I think I could have pardoned all their “little failings”—even tho they had been “blue” letters. Indeed I think you must have been very lonely during that “four weeks” of silence, for tho well, I had my dark experience quite to hearts content, and you are not alone in tribulation. I think, myself, dear Jennie that I was a little “naughty” but for your sake I try and be good now. I only wish I were with you till I would get that scolding—just think of me being so abused—well I’m coming for my share pretty soon, so you must be prepared.
Well dearest you wished me not to say anything about me—just think what a trouble you are to me and now I must think of you, for I must think of somebody. I cannot must not think of me. Well dearest friend I believe I can spend my time very joyfully thinking of you. I want no better subject. I believe I can imagine how “selfish” you’ve been thinking of your “soldier boy”—Yes my dear Jennie I fear you do think too much, for tho it gives great pleasure to know that I am missed by the dear one at home, and tho I would not have her forget me, yet I must say that little self would forego the pleasure of a kind remembrance if such a relief will only restore the loved one to health and vigor. I know that you do indulge in too much anxiety, and now especialy when unwell I know it cant be good—and in about two months from now if your Mother dont know you just tell me, wont you please.
It troubles me to know that you have been so unwell since your arrival in C—I fear that close city life is not as congenial as our quiet country home, tho I would have expected different—as I think Maggie could keep you always stirring or in some exercise, not to say mischief, O no—but I hope that all may yet be well.
My health still continues quite good. I have plenty to eat and plenty to do and I believe could feel happy did I know that you were also happy—I saw Andie a few days since he is now with another man and I think has a chance to stay some time here. he is very well. Troops are moving from here North every day. We have been expecting to go along but no orders as yet there is some idea now that as our time is so nearly out we may remain here till discharged.25
Hoping to hear from you often and that this may find you fully recovered I bid you my dear darling a kind good night.
Yours, J. Moore
Josiah to Jennie
Vicksburg Miss
Apr 9/64 “Sat. eve”
Beloved Friend,
Sweet indeed is the evening that, in its weekly course, returns with joyous memories of the past—a seeming foretaste of better things to come—when this dull medium shall only remain as the relic of the weary waiting hours of the anxious past. But Time with noiseless step is speeding quickly away—another week nearer. I hope, the meeting of dear friends, when it shall again be my happy privilege of meeting one long loved and esteemed as the dearest of the dear—I hope she is well this evening—enjoying good health and the sweet society of near and dear friends, nor yet forgetting that a distant one claims a kind remembrance from his dearly beloved Jennie.
It is 9 P.M. and I’ve just been viewing the fairy form of the delicate Luna sinking quietly down to rest, seemingly far, far away in the distant North—perhaps to watch with gentle care the sweet slumber of my dear darling Jane Elizabeth, or by a passing smile recall the brighter day when evening shades grew brighter as they gathered round—I dont intend that such fine mellow moonlight evenings shall very long tease me in my loneliness—how long? well—a month & half—O aint that a long time! I think some days long enough now to cut up for a year. I can only write you six letters more. Now what do you think my dearest? Will that be enough—perhaps too many?
But I have been tormenting you all evening and perhaps my dear is not well tho I hope better. I would not be so cruel as to cause thee dearest one moments sorrow, but to know that thou art happy is happiness enough for me. My health continues excellent, for which I hope I am truly thankful to Him from whom all our blessings flow. Andie was to see me this week. He is quite well. He spoke of coming out tomorrow. I presume you are aware that our present prospects are to stay here our time out. Mostly all other troops are gone. So now dearest darling I shall expect to hear from thee often. Beloved good night, a kiss.
Yours, J. Moore
The substance of this letter and the others sent during this period of the war (the Vicksburg occupation) reflect a more subdued lifestyle in anticipation of returning home. Josiah’s last letter especially paints a relaxed and almost bucolic portrait of camp life. His mention of “Luna” surely conjured up for Jennie a mental image of the moon hanging over the encampment, smoke rising from campfires, and the men talking, laughing, reading, or writing letters home. Earlier in the war, Josiah’s letters usually brimmed with military matters, often in anticipation of great martial deeds to come, or they described the fate of he and his comrades after a major battle. He fully realized that after the Meridian Campaign, there was little fighting left to do in the region, and he was preoccupied with the prospect of returning home.26
Josiah to Jennie
Vicksburg Miss. Apr. 16 1864
9 Sat. Eve
You will perhaps think this rather a late hour, and that I’ve encroached a little too much on sweet sat. eve—the more than sacred time of my own dear loving Jennie, this may be so, yet Ive still reserved the sweet stilly hour for thee—did I say reserved? Well my love, that is hardly correct either. I had better said stole a few hours to fix up my business for the week—yes “stole a few hours” from thee dearest—i.e. I tried to do some work and think of thee also—I mostly prefer to leave the work out—Children you know like to have the sweetest first—You need not fear. My indulging in that “practice”, however that you mention—the subjects in this vicinity don’t exactly suit my taste—rather different from that to which I’ve been used. And Jennie I believe I would rather not change now. I know many seem to think that if they live in Rome, they must do as Rome does—very nice Philosophy—yet I would prefer the love of one, a love that has no measuring value here below—a love than which all other earthly joys fade in the distance—the love of my own dearly beloved Jennie is enough for me—I only hope I may be made worthy of it.
Well dearest I have now two of those dear messages of love. I cannot find words to express the joy they brought but as the “span of separation” seems to narrow, each dear message seems more like the beloved author. O dear I envy them so much—that of the 8 inst came today—only a week since it left my love—but I hope soon to meet thee dearest—not to receive the parting kiss—no, no, I could not again leave my love, she has become too near and dear to me.
I congratulate you on your happy visit and wish you much joy on your return to our own dear home.
As yet I do not know when we may go up the river, but please write often I shall get word in time to let you know of our leaving.
As ever thine, beloved good night J. Moore
A good night kiss to my dearest, I would send thee many, but I trust to bring them, shortly myself. Till then I shall “practice” none—what few I have, I keep for one—Dearest goodnight J.M.
Josiah’s comments regarding the apperance of other women may well be in response to an inquiry from Jennie about whether he was attracted to any of the female inhabitants in the area. Her inquiry may have been prompted by the writings of people like Robert Bunting, a Texas chaplain who spread lies about widespread marriages between white troops and slave women. Bunting claimed the weddings took place in the homes of the brides’ former masters, and that afterward, the homes were ransacked. While there was certainly some socialization, and even marriages, between Southern women and occupying Yankee troops, there is no evidence of widespread fraternization between soldiers and slaves. However, such stories motivated the men in the Rebel armies to keep fighting and preserve their Southern social structure.27
Josiah to Jennie
Vicksburg Miss.
April 23, 1864
My dearly beloved,
Another week “nearer to thee”, yet not without its “hopes and fears”—need I recount them? or shall I tease my darling with them?—Well I believe she loves romance, but this is reality—at least quite enough for your humble subscriber.
When I last wrote you dearest I little dreampt, that ere I should again enjoy the happy privilege of holding sweet converse with thee, I should again run the gauntlet for Libby28—yes I did—just so—enough for me at least—Our Regt. started to Yazoo City, 60 miles N.E. of here, on the 18 inst in Company with 2 Colored Regts & some Cavalry—when we had gone about 40 miles we were brought to a very sudden halt by a heavy artillery fire in front. we prepared to fall back but found the enemy in our rear also, and from all account either party too many for us—well we must get out—the country quite rough and covered with timber with few roads, but we at last discovered our track leading to the Yazoo River (10 miles distant) as yet unoccupied by the enemy so after some skirmishing we gained this road and reached the river with but small loss—here we were to meet the gun boats but they did not come for nearly a day. During this time the enemy kept a short distance off being rather afraid to attack while we were in a temporary fortification but we dare not go out. Two gun boats came and some provisions, this was very joyful news indeed. the boats tried to run to the city (Yazoo) 18 miles but failed. The rebels had erected such heavy batteries. One boat ran past but could not return. The rebs were geting reinforced so we had to send for help also, we could not advance—but during this time the rebs at 3 P.M. yesterday made a combined attack on the boat that run above, and was alone, and captured her—so there we were in a fix—we must get back or surrender, the latter we could not do, so we loaded our baggage on transports, that came up, during last night and left before day this morning. I presume the rebs did not discover our leaving so we got away pretty quietly after all—but we consider our escape as rather narrow—We arrived at 5 P.M. this evening after spending 5 days of about as exciting a time as we have ever as yet spent in the service—I dont want it more so however, tho I feel as tho we have great reason to thank Heaven’s King for our safe return.29
At 12 O clock last night I took my Co, out to watch the rebs while the boats were being loaded. I got a little lonesome—so I took from my pocket book a letter and read it by moonlight—How sweetly sounded those dear words “my own dear love”? May I say they are from my dearly beloved Jennie—may I be worthy of them—they are a treasure—O dear I wish I could lay aside this pen and greet thee darling in a happy meeting, but I must wait a few more days long days, but I scribbled a long letter and I fear not very interesting to my dearest but I know her sweet disposition to overlook little faults on such occasions—so hoping to hear from thee my beloved Jennie, very soon—I bid thee a short adieu, Yours truly.
J. Moore
P.S. Much love and many kisses to thee dearest. J.M.
Josiah to Jennie
Vicksburg Miss
April 30 1864 Sat Eve
With mingled joy and sorrow I improve the ever joyous opportunity of spending the evening with thee dearest—joy, that time makes some progress and thus advances the “brighter day,” Joy to have the sweet privilege of again perusing one of those dear messages, such as none but my dearly beloved can write—thrice welcome! nothing dearer, only my beloved darling—yet it was not without a thrill of sadness that I learned of my being unhappy or unwell, I had hoped that a return to “sweet home” and friends most dear, would be a truly happy event for my darling—yet she complains of being so lonely—well I think there is one that can fully sympathize with thee dearest, one whose joys and sorrows would be thine—one who loves thee too dearly to learn with indifference that a single pang of sorrow should ever disturb thy kind and loving heart or cause that sweet genial spirit a moments sadness—yet my beloved amid cloud and storm there is still a bright sunlight beyond, so for thee my brightest hopes still linger near—yes you must be “well” when I “come home”—or will you dearest claim that it is your turn now since I had my turn last winter—well recollect you made me take medicine last winter—Oh dear I think I could take medicine again, out of such a kind hand—But I hope that there may be no necessity for anything like this. I hope to be well, and see thee as I have seen thee before, when life seemed a pleasure—when that sweet genial spirit made thee a friend most dear. one whose very remembrance is happiness itself—what then must thy presence be?
Well I have only to write four letters more, at least I hope so, aint I kind? Would that all could be laid aside even now for the more joyous meeting, but as the Poet says I presume we must “learn to labor and to wait.” As yet I have no definite idea of when we may be relieved, tho not till about the 24 of May after which we have to go to Springfield to be mustered out and settle our accounts—My Brother wrote me a few days since that he had got home from college and he wanted me to come home directly—he wanted to see me before he returned—what does my Jennie think? Pretty strong claims—I do not know, but I think he can wait a little while—they will think more of me if I linger a little by the way—aint that a pretty good notion? I think so—Oh dear it seems as tho I would rather spend one minute with thee my beloved darling than a month any where else, even tho home is dear also.—yet there is one dearer than all besides—and that is the house of the heart. I may wander far or near yet the heart returns in sweet delight to the one it loves—and I hope to come with it soon. till then dearest may heaven’s sweetest blessings make thee happy.
My health is quite good since my return from the late March—I think we have made our last trip—and as the time of our Return home draws near, I cannot but regret to leave the work unfinished, tho by the blessing of God I still hope to see it prosper till crowned with a glorious peace.
Your dearest letter the 18 inst came yesterday. I am sorry that you did not get my letter before leaving Chicago. I dont know how it failed to reach you as did the others, as I most invariably mail all my letters on Monday—but I hope that such disappointments may soon cease—My darling Jennie goodnight sweet dreams a kiss to thee
J. Moore—
Dearest please write soon. write a long letter, I never tire reading your letters please try me good bye soon to meet again, a Kiss. J. M.
Josiah to Jennie
Vicksburg Miss
May 7 1864 Sat. Eve
My Darling Jennie,
I hope I may ever prove myself worthy of the “trust” so kindly committed to my care, dear darling one, you need not fear my forgetting this evening—that would be forgetting happiness itself—and you know I am a little too selfish for that—no indeed I could not so forget thee—tho I must acknowledge that I have been forgetting thee, for some time, tho I believe the kind heart of my beloved darling will pardon the mistake—if such—I hope I may ever be worthy of the love of one whose very principle seems to be love itself—a love that has grown brighter and purer as clouds and sadness gathered round—a love without which life itself would be a burden—a love only possessed by my beloved darling Jennie, my “happiness.”
Well dearest I need not tell you that your sweetest message of the 27 ult came yesterday—its every word seemed to breath the spirit of their beloved author—indeed I’ve not done much but read over its “sweet words” since, and not “sleepy” yet, tho I had a sweet dream over them last night—I believe it would almost pay to stay here just for the sake of getting such sweet letters—no I guess not, just for variety—I believe I should prefer a “sweet kiss” once and awhile—will I say all the time? Yes—but only such as darling Jennie can give—in this I would not prefer variety—Well sweetest, I was much rejoiced to hear you speak of being so well, if my writing serves to cheer that dear loving heart, in the least, rest asured no effort of your beloved shall be wanting, nor would I forget the evening “kiss” tho darling I hope soon to be able to present such in person—yes indeed my dear when that “three years of weary waiting is ended” our meeting I think will be “joy beyond measure”—a full realization that “hope deferred is pleasure obtained”—tho I must say that to me the “deferred” part has presented but little to fascinate.
Well as it is becoming late I had better not detain thee darling friend much longer—only 2 more to write, so I hope—then I shall see if Thomas has any trouble with Willie—He must not tease you too much then, else I shall come in for a share, that I may be ever worthy of thy love giving as I do my heart to thee, my beloved darling Jennie with highest hopes I kiss thee another goodnight, sweet dreams.
Yours as ever
J. Moore
P.S. We have moved camp lately a little farther from town since which time I’ve not seen Andie, but he was well when I last saw him—I am glad he escaped the perils of the Red River Expedition.30 Several of the 77th have fallen, and among the rest Lt. Col. Webb who I suppose will be much lamented in Peoria—such is war—But I bid thee goodnight and a kiss to make thee better. J.M.
Josiah to Jennie
Vicksburg Miss May 14 1864
“Sat. eve” 8. P.M.
A few more days and I hope to lay aside this tardy, but long cherished medium, I have many things to write but I would not use paper or ink, as I trust to come to you shortly, that we may speak as in days of “Auld lang signe”—I feel very well indeed this evening and I have many reasons, any one of which I think should arouse even the most despondent.
1st It is ever a pleasure to hold sweet converse, even by pen & ink with, my beloved Jennie.
2nd My health continues very good, a blessing for which, I trust I am truly thankful to Him who is a present help in every time of need.
3rd The anticipation of very soon being able to realize the joy of that oft repeted verse “Hope deferred is pleasure obtained” sends home a thrill of sweeetest Joy only to be excelled by the more “happy day.”
4th Nor can I forget the bright prospects that a kind Providence is now presenting to our dear country in the triumph of the cause that is Just.—our news up to the present represents the movements of Grant’s army as successful beyond all expectation—we hope the best—I had felt a little “blue” for some time over the course of events, but if reports are correct—Grant—by the blessing of God is about to retrieve all losses31—What do you think, Jennie, I proposed to “go in” again for 90 days providing I could get a Regt. but I guess I can’t, so I won’t go—you aint angry are you my dearest?—if so I must have a kiss.32
As yet we have no intimation of when we may go up the river, mostly all the troops have gone out from here to engage the attention of the enemy, have, while Grant & Sherman operate elsewhere, so we cannot leave till these troops return, tho we expect them every day now, and, think that we will leave here by the middle of next week at the farthest, So, as it requires over 6 days for a letter to reach me, it will be uncertain sending a letter after the 16 inst—with kindest wishes and brightest hopes, I again bid thee my own dearly beloved darling Jennie, “goodnight,” a kiss.
Your loving friend as ever,
J. Moore
P.S. My paper gives out too soon. I shall not use it much longer for its naughtiness aint that a good plan dearest?—O I forgot to tell you that I saw Andie yesterday. he had a letter from Mr. Lindsay. he is not very well he has the chills and fever slightly—i.e. he keeps around but looks rather thin—I wish he could go home with us, but I presume he cant get away again. “good night” my love J.M.
Despite the horrors of war Josiah had witnessed, his faith in God remained unchanged. Like many men of his age, he credited the Lord for the success of Grant and Sherman had thus far achieved. For people like Josiah, “religious conviction has produced a providential narrative of the war,” noted one historian who also said that faith gave “the bloodshed some higher and presumably nobler purpose.” As it was with Josiah, religious faith among large numbers of Americans remained strong and allowed Northerners to continue on despite the continued carnage at places like the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, and other fights that would spill the blood of sons, husbands, and fathers until the spring of 1865. People “imagined death as redemptive, holding out the possibility of eternal bliss, and aestheticizing battlefield deaths.” Many like Josiah continued to believe in a loving God that controlled their destiny and that of the country. By May 1864, Josiah felt he had a pretty clear view of his destiny.33
1 McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom, 718-719; Woodworth, Nothing But Victory, 460, 490-491.
2 Boatner, Civil War Dictionary, 750-751.
3 Sherman, Personal Memoirs of Gen. W.T. Sherman, 362; Woodworth, Nothing But Victory, 460; Bell Irvin Wiley and Horst D. Milhollen, They Who Fought Here (New York, NY, 1959), 144-154. Blog, Mississippians in the Confederate Army.
4 Letter from Josiah Moore to Frank Peats January 3, 1864. Peats Collection; Letter from Lt. Col. Smith to Frank Peats December 29, 1863. Peats Collection.
5 Hess, “Tell Me What the Sensations Are,” 123.
6 Josiah misdated this letter 1864.
7 Josiah makes no specific mention of any kind of religious fervor sweeping the camps, but the Union Literary Association could have been some type of religious endeavor, or some kind of intellectual convocation. Unfortunately, I could not find anything further about it.
8 The foray Josiah described was the January 10-16, 1864, expedition to Sunnyside Landing, Arkansas, to counter Confederate guerillas harassing shipping on the Mississippi River. The 17th Illinois was part of a force that included the 81st and 124th Illinois, the 7th Missouri, and the 8th Ohio Artillery. The force left on the January 10, found little or nothing, and returned to Vicksburg on the 16th after suffering no casualties. Dyer, Compendium, Vol II, 784.
9 Sherman’s forthcoming Meridian Campaign, February 3-28, 1864, in which the 17th Illinois would participate.
10 Woodworth, Nothing But Victory, 479; Marszalek, Sherman, A Soldier’s Passion for Order, 238.
11 Simpson, The Civil War: The Third Year, 687-688.
12 Letter from Lt. Col Smith to Frank Peats February 2, 1864; Marszalek, Sherman, A Soldier’s Passion for Order, 253; Letter from Lt. Col Smith to Frank Peats, February 2, 1864.
13 Jasper A. Maltby, an Ohio native, businessman, and gunsmith, enlisted in the 45th Illinois and became its lieutenant colonel. He was a good officer with the unlucky attribute of attracting enemy metal. He was first wounded in the Mexican War, again by two musket balls through his thighs and above his elbow at Fort Donelson, and struck in the head and side by flying timber from the explosion of a mine at Vicksburg that crushed his ribs and caused severe internal injuries from which he never fully recovered. Maltby, whose brother was a Confederate captain, would later serve as Vicksburg’s military mayor. He died there on December 12, 1867. Welsh, Military Histories of Union Generals, 219.
14 Sherman’s Forgotten Campaign, 190.
15 William Lorimer paper, Vicksburg NMP; Duncan, Company log; Margie Riddle Bearss, Sherman’s Forgotten Campaign: The Meridian Expedition (Baltimore, MD, 1987), 174-190. Woodworth, Nothing But Victory, 484.
16 Ibid., 305.
17 OR 32, pt. 1, 176; Lorimer paper; Bearss, Sherman’s Forgotten Campaign, 192.
18 James Oakes, October 23, 2013 lecture at Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA; Lorimer paper; Woodworth, Nothing But Victory, 486-487; Oakes, Freedom National, 374.
19 Woodworth, Nothing But Victory, 487.
20 Bearss, Sherman’s Forgotten Campaign, 242.
21 OR 32, pt. 1, 213 and 225.
22 Letter from John Griffin to Frank Peats, April 20, 1865.
23 Approximately three lines of text were deliberately cut from the letter at this point.
24 Josiah and the original men of the 17th Illinois were sworn into Federal service in May 1861 for a three-year term, so their original enlistments were approaching an end. It appears as though Josiah had not yet decided to reenlist, or perhaps he was teasing Jennie by hinting he might sign up again.
25 Based on this, it appears Josiah decided not to reenlist. Jennie’s ill health could have been the reason why he made that decision.
26 Unlike the letters Josiah wrote during active campaigns, the letters penned from and around Vicksburg are remarkably consistent, even down to their physical attributes. Each was written on the same type of lined paper, and almost every one begins on the same line of the first page.
27 Mitchell, Vacant Chair, 130-131; Manning, What This Cruel War Was Over, 109-111.
28 Josiah’s reference to running the “gauntlet for Libby” is a reference to the notorious Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia, a common destination for captured Union officers.
29 While the Official Records mention the actions that Josiah described, no mention is made that any portion of the 17th Illinois was engaged. However, Janet Hewitt, ed., The Supplement to the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, 100 vols. (Wendell, 1994-2001), vol. 9, 256-257, describes the action much as Josiah did. The captured gunboat was probably the USS Petrel. Rebel cavalry captured it when it was tied up along the river bank. OR 32, pt. 1, 674-675.
30 The Red River Campaign (March 10 to Mary 22, 1864) was a combined-arms Union effort under Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Banks to capture Alabama and parts of Louisiana. The series of battles and skirmishes that ensued along the Red River in Louisiana failed miserably, and nearly cost the North the entire fleet of Union gunboats when most of them were temporarily trapped when the water level fell. For more information, see Gary Joiner, One Damn Blunder from Beginning to End: The Red River Campaign of 1864 (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2003).
31 Grant made his headquarters in the field instead of in DC, and accompanied General Meade and the Army of the Potomac against Lee’s army. Grant’s grinding Overland Campaign began in early May 1864 in the Wilderness, and moved around Lee’s flank, By the middle of May (at the time of Josiah’s letter), both armies were locked in a bloody duel around Spotsylvania Court House. Sherman, meanwhile, was leading a combined force of three armies against Joseph E. Johnston’s Rebel Army of Tennessee .in North Georgia. By this time Sherman had flanked Johnston off Rocky Face Ridge and was fighting the Rebels around Resaca. Katcher, The Civil War Day by Day, 128-130.
32 Earlier letters indicated that Senator Lindsay was attempting to get Josiah a promotion. Josiah’s reference to “go in again” may relate to yet another attempt by the senator to help Josiah, but there was no regiment for him to command (or serve in) for such a brief period, or the transfer would required a much longer enlistment requirement.
33 Rable, God’s Almost Chosen Peoples, 9; Clarke, War Stories, 4-5.