The following letters were written during the
Civil War to
and from Isaiah B.
West.
They include names of friends and family in
Dade and
He had apparently been taking care of a lot
of friends' farms when
they went off before him to serve their
country. And, one includes a letter from
a brother who went South to serve the
Confederates. Finally, Isaiah
could stay at home no longer. On
with the 2nd Regiment of
at
This information transcribed by Eileen
Cummings and reprinted here with her permission.
Index
to Names in the letters to and from Isaiah B. West
Abe
(Lincoln)
Ables,
Robert
Bridges,
Loss
Bridges,
Losson & Amy
Brooks,
Amy Mariah
Brooks,
Mary Ann
Colbern,
Drusilla
Colbern,
Levi
Conaway
at
Coners
Prary
Crafts
Family
Crisp,
John
Duncan,
William F.
Duncan,
Darnell,
Colonel
Frazier
Grant,
General
Guffy,
Erick
Heys
Family
Holmes,
William
Holmes,
Bill
Loveall
McCain,
J.S.
McLelon,
General
McPhearson
Family
Metskr,
George
Montgomery,
Lut
Montgomery,
Mr.
Montgomery,
Mrs.
Montgomery,
Captain
Mury, John
Newen,
General
Pope, Mr.
at
Pyle,
William
Robb,
Major
Seybert
Stephens,
Lt. Col. J. W.
Thompson,
Tolivar,
John
Underwood,
George
Underwood,
Jim
West,
Charles
West,
Charley
West,
Elizabeth
West,
Isaiah B.
West,
James
West,
Josiah
West,
Josiah K.
West,
Lisy (Mary Elizabeth)
West,
Nancy Jane White
West,
Wallas W.
West,
Zachariah
White,
Benjamin
White,
Caroline
White,
Ebre
White,
Elizabeth
White,
James
Williams,
Capt. Charles
Williams,
Mrs.
Wood,
Colonel
Josiree
& John
Uncle
Phillip
Aunt Leit
Aunt
Martha
Aunt
Rosanah
Uncle Sam
Uncle
Zach
Mr.
Isaiah B. West and wife,
Dear
Friends and Relation, I seat myself this morning to write you a few lines to
inform you I am well at this time. Hoping you all enjoy the same divine
blessing. Your brother has turned Secesh and gone to
Benjamin
White to
Isaiah
West and Nancy Jane White West
P.S. Tell
Mother I heard from Uncle Ben White and Robert Ables and they were all well
then. I saw Frank White and talked with him. He was taken prisner at Pea Ridge.
They took him to Rolla. He said when he was released he was coming to see them.
Him and Uncle Bob belonged to McCulloch's Division.
Camp Gambel
St. Louis, Mo
Sept. 20, 1864
Dear
Sister
After a
long time I am permitted to drop you a few lines in anser to your most cind
affectionate letter which came to hand a few days ago wich I was truly glad to
see an to here from you. I can inform you that I am in tolerable health at
presant cincerly hoping that these few lines may reach you in diew time and
find you injoying all the pleasure of life. We air here yet but thare is som
talk of us leaving in fiew days but where we will go I can't tell. The troops
is coming up the River every day and stopping here. Thare is more soldiers here
now than thare has been in som time an what they air coming here for I have no
idez. The drafts started here yesterday and it is going on very rapidly and I
think we will soon wind this thing to a close. I would like to see you all very
well but it is very hard to get a furlow and I don't expect I will get a chance
to com til my time is out. I wold like to see that Namesake. I expect he is a
nice chap and in fact if he favers his Uncle I know he is pretty. I would like
to see som of the pretty girles you spoke about altho I have found one of the
prettyest ones you ever saw in your life. She is smart as a cricket an as nice
as a Pink. I want you to write as soon as you get this an fail not. Yours with
respects.
Thomas B.
White
A few
lines to Sariah as she rote but little I will write but little in return. I can
inform you that William Homes is ded. He fell from the top of a 2 story
building while he was on gard killing him instently. I received a letter from
Mother the other day stating that the bushwackers had robed Ben. I want you to
try an do better the next time an I will ask the same.
Thomas B.
White
When this
you see remember me.
Warren Thompson to
Isaiah West
Washington, D.C.
February 11, 1863
Dear
Friends, I read your letter of Jan 28th 1863 yesterday and was very
glad to here from you not withstanding the bad luck that you have had with my
stalk. I am quite well except a sore throat of which I have had a few days. I
am glad that you and your family are as well as you are. I would like to know
which one of the two heard of cattle that have dide and would to know what did
ale them and what ailed the sorrel filly that she dide. Please let me know what
two of the cattle have dide and whether you have settled with Seybert before he
dide and with Frazier before dide or not and if you settled with Mr. Pope at
Stockton and if Mr. John Crisp has said anything about that sault that I
borrode of him, I would like to know if McPhearson family and Heys family and
Crafts family home all gone with them or not. I do not see why they let Crisp
stay there as he fase unless he taken the Oath of Allegiance to the Government.
Please let me know witch one ofe the crop fences between me and Loveall you
have made the one running north or the one running east and I believe that
Loveall said that he would build the one that run East and West if I would
build the one that runs North and South but I have almost forgotten wither I
told you which part to build but I think it was the North and South one. I
would like to have broken up any more new ground or not. Please let me know you
may think that I want to know a grate many thing well if you do you will think
right for I am anxious to now how my affairs stand there. You say my things in
the house are just as I left them. Please tell Mrs. West to see for me that the
Moths do not get in to them old clothes in the chest and the carpt. I think a
good deal of the carpet. Oh I am sorry that the colts are ded but it mite be
worse. I would like to know how the sheep get along and how meanny thare are
and what you have don with that Steare that I left on the place. You may sell
him and get the worth of him in two heiffers or swap him for two two year old
heiffers if you have a chance to do so. I would like to know eft HH Louse lives
out on the Prairie or not. I gueys that I have write enough for this time. If
you answer all of the questions that you will have enough to do. But I should
like to have you answer all of them if you ples. Give respects to your Mother
White and Family and all of my friends there. I shall be out there again if I
should live to see this ware ended. Ples let me know---
All my
respects to you and yours. Direct to
Washington,
D.C. 123 Regiment
N.Y.
State Hometiers Co.
This is the 17th of March 1863
Benton Barracks
W. F.
Duncan to Isaiah B. West
Dear Friend:
I take the present opportunity of dropping you a few lines to inform you that I
am well and hearty and weigh 180 pounds. I have not had any sickness since I
have been in the army you se the above picture which is a correct view of
Benton Barracks that large building with the flag on it is headquarters. The
Barracks is about one mile long about one half mile wide. Between the Barracks
is a beautiful drill ground you can se when drilling infantry and on horseback
you can see most anything you want here may be seen the pedlers women with pees
and cackes an other things too delicate to mention for sale. Many here may be
found every thing to get the soldiers.
Our
forces had a fight on the Yazo River N. Carolina and captured 1,000 rebels and
26 transports. This is late news. Our gun boats also had a fight with the Rebel
Boat Nashville after fighting some time the Rebel boat caut fire and the
magazine blew up destroying most of the Rebel crew. If I can se rite the South
has nearly played out. I think that we will send them up Salt river this
summer. Let us all do our duty as soldiers and stand by the flag of our country
as patrols. I tell you I have seen a nough of the conduct of rebels to turn the
Devil against them. I hate them worse than any person living. I would like to
be there with you to clean out and kill secesh in Dade County. I am a spider in
their dumpling as long as I live and will give them hale whare every I can find
them. I am a soldier in the Union Army as long as there is fighting to do for the
Union or tel I am killed. I would like to be there and have along talk with
you. I could tel you a great many things of interest that I have neither time
nor space to write. Our troops here is all in good spirits and think that we
will do the work up brown this summer. We hear that the Rebel Gen. Price is in
Arkansas. How true this is I do not know. But we will make him root hog or die.
We guess
he is getting tiered of the Yankey boys. I will tell you the reason why the
Yankey Boys made him get Root you Hog or die. Tel Elizabeth Duncan to keep in
good spirits that I have the promise of a furlough this spring. Give my best
respects to Aunt Elizabeth White and family. I want you to write me how
Benjamin White and James White is getting along. Write all the news. I am
quarter mastr sergant 11 Mo. Calvary U.S. Volunteers. There is part of our
regiment in St. Joe Missouri. Thare is men in nearly every part of the State
Recruiting. Our Redgment is nearly full and will soon be ready for the field.
Col. Wood is our colonel. J. W. Stephens, Lieutenant Colonel.
Isah B.
West, I want to get you to help my wife set some provision. I will pay you well
as soon as I get my pay from Uncle Sam. So be careful and direct your letters
to me at
Benton
Barracks
St.
Louis, Missouri
11
Missouri Calvry
Co. A
Volunteers
P.F.
Clark's Company
So no
more at present but
Remain
yours respectfull
W. F.
Duncan to
Isaiah B.
West
May 2, 1863
Camp Gamble
11 Mo Cav. U.S. Vol. Co. A
Captain
Charles Williams Company
Dear
Friend, I just this minutes received a leter from you which I welcome. Though
sorrow to hear of your wife being sick an sorrow to hear that the rebels was
bushwacking there. I only wish I could be thare to kill Rebels. I am glad to
hear the Resolutions you have come too to put an end to secesh. Whare ever you
find them that is just the conclusions I have come to. I feel that to be my
duty to my god an country I feel confident of suckcess. As certain as we are in
camp to night younder is the flag of my country, Beautiful Star Spangled Banner
Emblem of my country long may she wave over the land our fathers give to us.
Let every loyal heart come forth an not rest until we strike the last blow.
Never shrink back until victory is ours. Then return in peace to our famlys an little
ones. You wanted me to write the prices of things here. As I have nothing to
sell or buy I have not inquired the prices of anything but toebaco. I find that
high. I think things is farly high. Our forces had a fight at Cape Feride with
the Rebel Marmiduke. The rebels had 8,000 men. Our forces not half so many but
the Union boys fought bravely an whiped the Rebels and drove them back killing
an capturing about one half of Marmiduke Counts. When last heard from, General
Mackneel was in close pursuit of them an I hope he had the good luck to capture
the balance of the Rebels under Marmidukes Command. A fight at Fayetville,
Arkansas, Defeat of the Rebels. The 1 Arkansas Cav. U.S. Vol. And the 1
Arkansas infantry fought the rebels thare and whipet them back. Several small
fights in Tennessee all of which the Union Boys was victims. The main Rebel
Army is about broken up. They only can fight in small squads. I think this
sumer will finish them. I am at present Ar. Ma. Sergant and have been since of
Company A. But have been doing the duty of Redgmental Q.M. Sergant. The captain
give me my choice to take a Sergant place in Company A or take Redgmental Qr.
Master Sergants Place as I have had sum experience in that line. I believe I
will take the latter offer. You backed your letter to PF Clarkes Co. he is our
first lieutenant and for a long time had a command of the company. Charles
Williams is our captain an is Lerner Captain of the Redgment an is a first rule
man. We have moved from the Barracks to Camp Grounds or known as Camp Jackson
where frostmen was taken in about two years ago. We have a Battery with us. We
have got the wedge Tents. Our company is doing camp duty with muskets as we
have not drawed our Calvery Arms yet but have sent to Washington for them an will
move as soon as we get them. We mustered for pay on the 30 of April an I think
we will be payed in a few days. Tell Elisabeth an the children to keep in good
spirits for I will have the opportunity one of thes times to come home. But
remember my country needs my assistance. When victory is ours I will return if
should I live to see that time but if I fall I will fall at my last. The last
taps of the drums am sounding tonight the bugle was blown for retreat an I must
close. Direct your leters to
11 Mo Calvary
Volunteers
Capt.
Charles Williams Co.
To Follow
the Redg.
St.
Louis, Mo.
W.F.
Duncan to I.B. West
Give my
respects to Loss Bridges
Tell him
to be a good boy til Dad comes back.
May the 8th 1863
Olney, Ill Richland Co.
Dear Nephew,
It is
with pleasure that I seat myself to wright you a few lines to let you know that
we are well except your Aunt Mary Ann. She is not well. I received your kind
letter the second day of this month. It give us great satisfaction to hear from
you an to hear that you was well. You wanted to know about your brother
Charles. He come here the 12th day of November 1861 and stayed til
the next July the 28 then he volunteered in the servis. He went on a gunboat.
He went down the Mississippi five hundred miles and there he took sick and died
the third day of September 1862. He died with the inflamation of the bran. He
was sick four days. He was at the mouth of the Osage River on the Arkansas
Side. He was burried soldier style. There was a board put up at his head and
his name put on it. Your grandfather is dead. He was sick about three months
and died August 15, 1861. He received a letter from your brother Wallis West
this week. He is prisoner of war. He was taken at the Arkansas Post. We have
had three letters from him. He has been sick but is well now. It has been over
3 years since we received a letter from you. George Metskr an his wife is in
the country. He is bad cripple. He was struck with the dad polsy. He is about
15 miles of here at the doctors. Wallis said y our sister Ann an the three
little boys was living with Zachariah when he left there last March a year ago.
And he has not heared from them since. Your Aunt Martha is well. Your Aunt
Rosanah is well. She lives at Samuel Colberns. Your Uncle Zach an Sam left here
a year ago last March and we haven't heard of them since. Drusilla Colbern is
dead and Levi is married again and that was sent much trouble for him. You know
you wanted to know what I thought of the times. Times is vary here a man can't
speak above his breath. Abolishonists is thick as hale. If a man owns that he
is democrat he is called a cesh right off. There is so much of that kind of
stuf I am afraed it will make trouble here yet. Wright as soon as you get this.
Direct your letters to Richland Co. Boot Post Office let me know where your
Jane is an the name of hur Post Office. Nothing more at present but remain your
affectionate Uncle and Aunt Leonard and Mary Ann Brooks.
To Isaiah
B. West an Connections
Camp Douglas
Chicago, Illinois
May 11, 1863
Dear Brother,
After my
best respects to you all I will inform you that I am well an I hope that thes
few lines may find you all well. I am at this time a prisner of war an was
captured at the Arkansas Post on the 11th of January last an came to
this place the 29 of the same month an have ben her ever since the prisners was
all sent off to be exhcnaged but those that was sick. I was one of that
unfortnet crowd. I have a desire to be in the fields of dixies with my friends
fighting an defending the case an writg of the southern confederacy. I does not
admire thes thing caled war but as it has becom a comen thing I have no desire
to be away from my command. I belong to the 18 Texas. Coverlald Darnell of the
town of Dallas is our colonel. I should love to se you an Jane an the children
mity well. Zach an the rest of the family was well the last time that I heard
from them. Zach was doing well when I left Texas. An he wrote me that he has
rased a good crop last year. I get leters from Unke Leonard and Unke John Mury
often which is a grate satisfacton to me. There is some talk of us leaving here
soon an I hope that it may be true for I am giting tired of Camp Douglas all
thoe we are treated very well for prisners of war. I have bin in the serves
sixteen months an have not bin home in the time. Write to me soon so the leter
will get here before we leave. If we don't see one another before the war ends
we will when the indepence of the confederacy is ignoledged by the united
statz. I will add no mor.
Your
affectioned brother,
W.W. West
May 28, 1863
11 Mo Calvry
Camp Gamble
Near St. Louis, Mo.
Isaiah B.
West
Dear
Friend
I take
the present opportunity of dropping you this note to inform you that I am well
at present an hope you are too. I hear bad news from that country. I hear that
the Rebels is stealing all the horses in that country. I wish I was thare to
help clean them out. The plan is to kill them whare ever you can find them. And
for every union man the rebels kill, kill 10 scesh or if you cant not find them
kill 10 friends to the damd confederacy.
I am not
in favor of protecting these Rebel Sympathizers and letting them bushwack us
all the time. No mos has any beter rison to hate seceshing that I have. I don't
sympathese with Rebels nor rebel sympathizers. I don't recognize it in ne form.
I only live to hate to kill Rebels. I don't ask any quarters of them and shal
grant nun to Rebels. I do hope we will soon get out in the SW Missouri before
long. Co. A will get in a day or two 4 pieces of flying artillery. They have
got all the balance of the Equip and our horses are all fresh shod ready to
travel but I do not know where we will go to. We may go to Heleny or to
Tennessee. I cannot predict no more than you can. Tell my wife and child God
Bless them. I may never see them any more but remember that if I fall I fall
with sword drawn in defense of our noble country. Let us all live for the Union
and if necessary lay down our lives for our country. Union forever.
W. F.
Duncan
Q.M.
Serg.
June 2, 1863
Camp Gamble
Saint Louis, Mo.
Dear
Friend,
I seat my
self to drop you a few lines to let you know that I am well and doing very
well. News from Vicksberg is favorable. Grant is reinforced and will soon be in
posession of Vicksberg. I received a leter from William Holmes Sunday, he was
at Pilot Nob Camp herron an was well. He did not write about any of the balance
of the boys. Company A has drawn their outfit sabra pistols and sharps rifles.
Our redgment is doing good duty in the city. I do not know how long we will
stay here nor whare we will go to. Thare is some talk amongst our hiest
officers of going across the plains about the 15 of July. But then I don't
think we will. I have written a leter nearly every day to my wife for two weeks
most all of them contained money about 25 dollars in all that I have sent. I
want you to write how much she has received in all since I have been in Camp
Gamble. I do not know when I will have a chance to come home as I have a worse
chance than when I was in the company. My business is an every day one. May
kind providance bless you and your family. Bid you safe thru out this war. When
the battles are fought and the victory ours than let us retire to our homes in
peace. Union forever. Write about my family an how they are getting along. Give
my respects to Aunt Bets an family.
So no
more.
W.F.
Duncan
To Isaiah
B. West
Olney, Ill.
Richland Co.
August 1, 1863
Dear
Nephew,
We are
all well at this time and hope these few line may arrive safe and fine you
well. I received your letter today and was very glad to hear from you. I
received a letter from Wallis today. He is a prisoner now at Louisville,
Kentucky. He is going to take the oath and come back to Illinois again. I have
but little time and must come to a close. Wright as soon as you receive thes so
nothing more but remain your Unkle and Aunt Mary Ann and Leonard Brooks to
Isaiah B.
West
11th
Dear
Friend,
I take
the present opportunity of informing you that I have just recovered from a
severe spel of flu and fever. I have not heard from there in a long time. Hope
that you have not forgot me yet. Hope you will receive my congratulations. I
still feel interested in hearing from you all. I can inform you that my wife
come to see me and spent several days with me and then returned to
Write
immediately give all the news.
Yours respectfully
referred to
W.F.
Duncan, RQM Sergt.
Isaiah
B.West 1st Sgt. E.M. Malitia
End of letters dated 1863
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Katy Hestand,
information submitted by Eileen Cummings, ecummins @hit.net