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Letter written by J. Edward James, 96th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Nickojack Cove, Georgia, on November 9, 1863, to his sister Lizzie James, Galena, Illinois.
Transcription:
[page 1] [first 4 lines at top of the page are inverted] “Direct
2d Brigade 3d Division 4 A.C.
Bridgeport
Tenn.
No.41.
Nickojack Cove Georgia Monday November 9th 1863.
My Dear Sister:
I wrote two sheets yesterday and with a lead pencil, but having a chance to use a pen and ink this morning (but they are vey poor) I have concluded to copy it off on this sheet. I dont like to send way letters written with a lead pencil.
You will no doubt wonder what is up that I have delayed writing so long. I have no long apology to make for circumstances have been such that I have not had a chance of writing before, but a streak of luck has at last favored me with the opportunity and I will improve it.
You will see by the heading that we have again cha[n]ged quarters. When I last wrote you I said that every thing was on the stand still but the [sic] soon took a change for Hooker with two Corps of his Potomac boys were slowly making their way up the valley and driving the rebs on top of Lookout Mountain and inside of their breastworks only a small piece of ground was then left to be cleared but it was a strong position, but it must be cleared in order to have full possession of the road on that side of the river (south side) as well as [page 2] having communication between his (hooker) and the forces on this side of the river so it was planed [sic] that they should make an attack on the rebel works at night and at the same time a sufficient number of pontoons should be floated down past Lookout and a bridge stretched across the river, every thing ready the work was commenced and proved an entire success, and before the rebs knew what was up we had full possession of all. Hooker had a hard fight and lost many men but carried the point. Next day our Brigade was ordered to reinforce Hooker and was sent to the extreme right where the rebs were trying to flank our forces, but were checked. The enemy then opened out from the top of Lookout with heavy guns and rained in shot and shell thick and fast, but only five in the brigade were hurst, two of the 96[th] were wounded, by three P.M. things quieted down and our Brigade was ordered back to camp for as the road was once again ours and nothing left to do but hold it they were not needed. While the Brigade were out I was to the regiment with rations and passing through all the forces I had a good look at the Potomac “Boys”, they look well and are much better dressed than our western troops, they thought it very hard to live on hard Bread and salt pork, and missed the cheese and butter (furnished by their state) which they said they had had twice a week, in fact they have only been playing soldier as we did in Camp Washurne [Washburn], they will now find it a little different. I also saw Genls Hooker & Carl Shurtze [Schurz] [page 3] have not yet seen Grant or Rawlins.
About two weeks ago we were transferred into another corps, in fact I think all the old reserve corps is done away with. Gen Gordon Granger has been assigned the command of the fourth army corps four Regiments of our old Brigade and four of some other were consolidated into one Brigade under command of Brigadier Gen Whitaker and attached to Gen Palmer Division, so we are now the 2d Brigade 3d Division 4th Army Corps, our Brigade contains 8 regiments viz 40th Ohio 84th Indiana 115 & 96th Ill. (the old Brig) the 51st Ohio 35th Ind. 99th Ills and 8th Kentucky. But the number of men is not greater than when we were at Franklin.
A week ago yesterday our Brigade packed up and left for this place where we arrived on Monday afternoon it is on the main road between Chattanooga and Bridgeport 7 miles from the latter place, the point we hold is comonly [sic] known as “Shell Mound” but the 96th Ill and 40 Ohio are detached and we are two miles off in a deep revine [sic] or rather a pass through the mountains. The place goes by the name of “Nickojack Cove” we are and no mistake in the wilderness, wheather [sic] we will remain here long I cannot tell some think we will go back to our old posts and other that we will go to Chattanooga when Sherman comes up.
But I must answer some of the questions you ask in your last letters. I have recd all your letters sake [sic] and good and last night No 39 came. Sergt Major Quinn has so far recovered that he joined the regt a few days before we left he then went to the Brigade Hospital, he looks well and is doing well. Company C. & H. are still prisoners. A [page 4] short note was recd from Capt Rowan Dated at “Libby Prison” Richmond hes [sic] says several of the 96 are there Lieut Earl of Co. C. is there and all well, you may be sure we were glad to hear this as we thought he was killed – You ask if Laura Hill writes me I have recd two letters from her so far and another is due this long time. I think there must be some reason for you asking, is there not please tell me in your next. That piece of Poetry is very fine, you ask for it, I will make a copy of it if you say so, but would prefer keeping the original. My health is very good and I can out weigh you by a pound and a half (bully for me). I have found out for a certainty that my knapsack was burnt and all in it Beans was with it. George Jeffers (the Q.M. son) takes Beans place Louis Pringle Scheaffers as orderly J.C. Smith will be Lieut Col and Capt Hicks Major Now for 39, its contents are more striking than any one before. As you suppose I am very much surprised. Oh Lizzie can it be true, must I give you up to the care and protection of other hands? it is hard but I trust for the best. if the Mr. L. [D.H. Lamberson] mentioned is the one I think (and I can trace it to no other recourse) I must confess I have a few scruples, and might submit a few questions for your consideration, but will for bare, and if you feel that in him you can place all reliance, that he will ever hold the relationship sacred and that as a life companion he will ever be to you true, in short he will be the one to make your future easy and agreeable, affording a respectability you deserve, and above all is worthy of your best affection hand and heart, so trusting that you fully realize what you are about to do, and given subject a clear searching and hoping all will be well, I give you as you ask my hearty approval, and may God bless you. Oh Sister me feeling almost over possessive where I with you I could tell you my heart but I cannot do it on paper. I will not deny Sister that I have long expected such a change and would be for the best as you have seen enough of the hardships of this life and alone too. But I did not deem it prudent to interfere by one word as I well know your good judgement and I hope I have not said too much this time, and as you have my views I leave it entirely with you, and you have a brothers best wishes.
What ever of my funds on hand you may want you are most welcome to use, and please find a enclosed and hand to Mr Huntington an order to that effect, now dont stint yourself. About obtaining a furlough I hardly think that can be brought about, so you can act your pleasure about bringing the matters to a close. As I had your photograph burnt, I should like one more if you have it on hand while you are my Lizzie please forward.
If you are not too bussy [sic] I should like to have you do a small job for me. If Lieut Vincent has not left for the regt and there is time and he will do me the favor, I should like to have a few articles sent down. 1st. get Gilston to make me a pair of boots same size as the last, only a little taller in the leg, and stiff around the ancle [sic] so they will stand and send an extra pair of soles so I can have them put on when needed. Then ask Mrs Huntington if I have a hat at their house if so send it also, two pair of socks and a necktie there is a small satchel they can be put in and tell the Lieut he may use what room there is left for himself. Mrs Huntington will give you my satchel it will do for a knapsack, if there is no hat at H. house you may get one of Mr Embelen, black and stout size 6¼ and get also from him a pair of buckskin gloves lined you may settle for all and collect of Huntington if you cannot do this please let me know immediately.
Now write soon and tell me all give my regards to Mr L and all who may inquire for me and wishing you god spede [sic] I will bid you good by as ever your Brother Edward
Identifier
sc.0069.001_002.016
Date
1863 November 9
Keywords
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Correspondents
Recommended Citation
"1863 November 9, J. Edward James to Lizzie James" (2023). Documents. 5.
https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/speccoll-mss-jamesje1/5
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