ON OCTOBER 4, 1864 THE REGIMENT WENT INTO WINTER QUARTERS AT DE VALL'S BLUFF, ARKANSAS. ON JAN. 4, 1865, THE REGIMENT RECEIVED MARCHING ORDERS AND PROCEEDED TO NEW ORLEANS. THEN ON TO BARRANCAS, FLORIDA AND MARCHED ON INTO PENSACOLA ON THE 11TH. THE REGIMENT WAS AT THIS TIME THE FIRST BRIGADE, SECOND DIVISION, THIRTEENTH ARMY CORPS, GENERAL STEELE COMMANDING.
MARCH 20TH THE REGIMENT MARCHED ACROSS PERDIDO RIVER ANDASLUMBIA RIVER TO POLLARD, HAVING SEVERAL SKIRMISHES ALONG THE WAY.
APRIL 2ND THEY PARTICIPATED IN THE SIEGE AND STORMING OF FORT BLAKELY, ALABAMA ON THE 9TH. (THE FORT BLAKELY BATTLE WAS THE LAST BATTLE THAT T.R. BROWN ENGAGED IN FOR THE WAR.) THEY CAPTURED 1200 PRISONERS AND MUCH PROPERTY. APRIL 14TH ENTERED MOBILE AND WENT INTO CAMP. APRIL 20TH EMBARKED ON STEAMERS AND PROCEEDED UP THE ALABAMA RIVER TO CAHABA, ALA.
NEAR SELMA, A GANG OF BUSHWHACKING REBELS FIRED INTO THE REGIMENT'S BOAT KILLING ONE MAN OF COMPANY A. ON APRIL 29TH REACHED MONTGOMERY & RETURNED TO SELMA, MAY 1st, - MOBILE, MAY 15TH. JUNE 12TH RECEIVED ORDERS TO MARCH WITH SIXTY ROUNDS. REMAINED IN SUSPENSE UNTIL JUNE 28TH WHEN THE REGIMENT EMBARKED ON A STEAMER AND FOR THE FIFTH TIME PLOUGHED THE MISSISSIPPI AND THE GULF. ARRIVED GALVESTON, TEXAS JULY 1ST. REACHED SABINE PASS, JULY 5TH AND CAMPED AT BEAUMONT. JULY 17TH WENT TO HOUSTON WHERE THE REGIMENT HEADQUARTERED. VARIOUS COMPANIES WERE STRETCHED OUT ALONG THE RAILROADS LEADING OUT OF HOUSTON. COMPANY "K" AT HEMPSTEAD.
White River Landing, Arkansas
October 4th, 1864
My Dear Mother,
Yesterday evening I received your good, long, kind, and welcome letter dated at home September 25th, 1864. And truly glad was I to hear from home. The letter you spoke of as having written on the 18th of September I have never received.
I am well and in fine spirits. Expect to be mustered out by Spring and see peace once more restored to the country that we love so much.
Fremont is off of the track and I am glad of it as it will give Lincoln a better chance of being elected.
Mother, when I spoke in such strong terms for McClellan I didn't hardly mean all that I said. McClellan is a great, good, and just man and the very man at any other time than war times that I should try to send to the White House. Understand me, Mother, in upholding Geo. B. McClellan I don't uphold Volandinghan, Voorhees, Davis, Jim Mires or any such men. McClellan is the only man in the party that I do love, and I believe him to be the greatest man now living in America. But no more of this. You don't like to talk politics, neither do I. So don't let's talk any more about it.
I can think of nothing more to write. The boys are all well. Love to all.
Yours Affectionately,
Thos. R. Brown
P.S. Mother, I have just heard of the death of Fred Reisser. He died in hospital at New Orleans. I don't know what day.
Danville, Ills., Oct. 11th, 1864
Friend Tom,
Your letter of 30th ult. came duly to hand, and I will try and answer. But I tell you, news is about as scarce as hen teethe.
In your letter you say I made some assertions I did not believe myself. Now, Tom, I can truly say if I ever believed anything, I do believe what I wrote you. Well, Tom, I am sorry you have taken such a turn, but if you say so, this is the last time I will mention politics in my letters for I know we can never again agree on any point.
Old Danville is just alive with Soldier Boys. More blue coats than you can shake a stick at. All the Non-Vet. of 37th, the 25th, 35th and the 100 day men are all at home. So you see our crowd has about two boys to one girl.
I suppose you have heard before this of the death of George Mcibben by the hand of Doctor Faris and the soldiers shooting him (Faris) all to pieces. It has frightened Doctor Larson & Jim Myers so bad they have sold out and are going to Covington. The Union men are to have a grange Rally here the 20th and 29th of this month. Gen. Palmer is to be here 20th and Dick Oglesby the 29th. The Democrats have one the 19th.
I rec'd a letter from Ralph this morning. Tell him I will answer it soon.
The draft went off here last week. It went off as quiet as could be expected. In fact, there was no fuss at all, but still there was lots of the drafted men that did not report. From one township in Edgar Co. there was 26 short.
The Col. is still here. I do not know when he will leave. He has been to Chicago two or three times. I suppose he is after drafted men.
Well, Tom, I'll swear I cannot think of a thing to write so I must close. Your letter was pretty short last time. Do better next & I will do the same. Write soon.
Your Friend,
B.E. Bandy
De Valls Bluffs, Ark.
Oct. 22nd, 1864
Dear Mother,
Yesterday I wrote a few lines to Father which I sent by Dock Bandy. I don't know whether he has got off yet or not. If he hasn't, he will be the bearer of this also. We are putting up winter quarters. Ralph McCormack, Alec Chesley, Will Reed and my self are building quarters together. We make but very slow progress as we are all very poor chopers. I think that we will finally succeed though in erecting one of the finest mansions in the company. I hope so at least.
The 24th day of this month, one month ago, is the last time that I have received a scratch of a pen from home. I don't see why it is. I am confident that you write, although letters that I had written five days after writing to you were answered and I received the answers several days ago. Please write very often, a great deal oftener than you do.
Mother, won't you please send me a real good silk handkerchief. When we were paid off I bought me a good one which I lost. I paid a good price for it. Two dollars was all. I haven't money enough left to buy another one.
I sent part of my old letters home to you. Won't you please take good care of them for I want to read them all when I get back.
I am well as are all of the other Danville boys. There is very little sickness in camp at all.
Bob Price or rather Robert M. Price, Attorney at Law, paid me a visit yesterday. He belongs to the 61st Illinois but has been in hospital here for some time. The weather is quite pleasant here. Cool nights and very pleasant through the days. I can't think of any thing more to write about. So good night. Love to all.
Your Affectionate son,
Thos. R. Brown
De Valls Bluff, Arkansas
October 26th, 1864
My Dear Mother,
Yours of the 5th inst. came to hand yesterday,. making a month to a day since I had heard from home before.
I am real glad that Father received all of my money, as I was beginning to think that it hadn't reached home.
Mother, I wish that as soon as possible you would get some woman to knit me a pair of yarn gloves and send them to me by mail. Have the cuffs good and long. I shall look for my overcoat by Col. Black, and if you didn't send it by him, will you please send it by the first opportunity.
The boys are all well. We are progressing finely with our houses. We have taken two more into our house. They are Ed Hessey and Will Morgan, making six in all.
Did Sallie ever receive my letter, and has Miss Prince got back yet? If she has I will answer her letter. Dinner is about ready and I will have to stop. Let me see what we will have. We'll have coffee, sugar, butter (at $1.00 per pound), light bread, and beef stake. Pretty good, isn't it? We think so at least. Write soon.
Your very Affectionately,
Thos. R. Brown
Danville, Ill.
October 30, 1864
My Dear, Dear Boy,
Yours of 13th inst. first came to hand this morning. It has surely been a long time on the way. But I was glad to get it. You say the letter I had written you on the 5th, you had just received, one which had completely disheartened you. I am indeed very sorry; but could not recall what I wrote, further than I was feeling very anxious about you and felt that a word of warning in regard to the use of your money and a caution against falling into any of the vices which I hear prevail in camp life, might not be amiss.
I believe, Tommie, that you are engaged in a cause which is right & I feel that I ought to be proud that I have a son with manfulness enough to engage in the right against the wrong. I feel, too, that I have a right to expect blessing of Divine Providence upon you in the proper discharge of your duties. But you are young and need counsel and warning, and how should I take you daily to a throne of grace, and give you access into the hands of Him who hath taught us to say "Our Father Who Art in Heaven," "Your Heavenly Father Knoweth" etc., unless I also faithfully warn you and instruct you. If I said in that letter any thing I ought not to have said in the sight of God, I pray that it may be forgiven.
I am glad that you wrote to me just how you felt in regard to what I wrote, there is nothing to forgive, for you have not offended. I do not forget that instead of being the little boy you were when you went out you are now a man; though it is hard to realize.
I know you are one to whom God has given capacities for filling a high station in life. He has committed to your care more than one talent & left you to occupy till He comes. This is not only my own conviction, but one of your highest officers said in the Spring that you "were a smart boy, a boy of talent." He told it to them that had no interest in you, not to your mother or father. But what avails talent unless we use application. Tommie, I do not want to flatter you; for flattery often does a great deal of harm; but I want you to rightly appreciate your self, and see what your accountability will be, not only to your Fine & Heavenly Father; who is also a just judge; and a jealous God; but to your fellow man. You are not only accountable for actions, but for your influence. Can you not take a bold stance for the right in morals, in manhood, in everything?
I think that one thing that made me feel so bad about the time I wrote was hearing that whiskey was issued out to you as rations and being told that it was absolutely necessary; and the conviction that Webster does sometimes imbibe too much. It makes such a difference in his looks. But him I cannot speak to as you. It is not, my dear child, so much the filling a high place, as the worthiness to fill it.
Another cause of uneasiness with me is the knowledge that your officers, from what I hear, do not always exert a proper moral influence over their men. I want you to remember that even if you stay your time out in the army, it will not be long, and then with correct habits and a manly deportment you may have a proper career before you. If adversities are your lot, you will be able to bear them bravely. "A man's a man for that."
Well, Yesterday Webster left home for Urbana to take George's family to Racine, Wisconsin, where he had already gone to open shop. Lue is still with us, and I expect will have to make her home here all the time. Ella has been very sick; not well yet. Sallie had another very severe spell, seems now to be recovering. She has not been able to read any of your letters for a good while. She often wonders if you received her long letter sent to you and directed to Morganza. She loves to feel that her brothers think a good deal of her, and likes them to write to her.
I have had a great deal of company of late, more than I ought to have to wait on if quite well; which I have been far from being. Yesterday your Father & I were both unwell & in bed all day, am still unwell. What I have just stated is my excuse for not writing to you this long time. I hope you will accept it.
Tommie, I like for you to write your thoughts & feelings. 'Twould exercise your mind & strengthen it, and give pleasure to your friends. Do you know that I am keeping sacredly all your letters for your own future inspection. What a journal they will make. When you are advanced in life what view they will give you of your youth!, a retrospective view. 'Tis good for you to write your thoughts and to exercise your mind. I have often thought I would be glad to know what were your sober views in regard to future life. I wish you would reflect & write me something of your inner life. I am your mother; if I wounded you, its said of God that He wounds to heal. May not the wound I have made be also healed?
Death has been walking through our midst! He has been nipping here a bud, and there a bud. Here he has plucked a flower & there one. But He has taken also the more mature, the ripe grain has been mown. The infant, the youth, the manhood's prime, and the aged have fallen. Most, if not all of them, you have probably heard of. Mrs. James Palmer was last Sunday laid away in her last narrow resting place. Her husband & youngest child had been buried the week before. None left now but Belle & Will T., Mrs. Probst is lying very ill, also Anna Probst at Springfield. Nettie Prince will soon return to Danville. You have heard doubtless of the death of poor Ed Kingsbury who was wounded & his arm amputated and brought home to die. Poor young man! but died honorably.
And I remain your loving mother.
E.T.B.
De Valls Bluff, Arkansas
November 1st, 1864
My Dear Mother,
Yours of the 12th ultimo I received by Col. Black some two or three days ago. But I have been so very busy on our new house and with company papers that I could not answer sooner. I also received by the hand of Col. Black, two towels (good ones too), a silk handkerchief (for which I am in particular very thankful for), a piece of soap (a very useful article), a fine and coarse comb (which I needed very much), some reading matter and, best of all, my overcoat. I believe that is all. O yes, a fine nice and comfortable pair of socks.
You asked me if I wanted my shirt, the one that you made for me in the Winter of 1862. Indeed I do, but please don't send it by Sam Bandy, send it some other way if you can. For if he starts with it I shall never expect to see it. If you will send it along with the gloves I spoke of in a little box by express, I will pay the charges when I get some more money. The handkerchief I spoke of I won't need now.
Ed Hessey got a couple of shirts from home and I thought they were such good ones, if you can, Mother, won't you please get me one or maybe two of them like his? Keep an account of what you send me. I will promise to remit the sum with good interest as soon as I get pay again.
We can get nothing at all here for love or money. And a good hat, too, Mother, if you please. Size 7 1/8. Please get a good one, white, if you can. And if not, any color, and send them by express and I will see that it is all right. Direct the box to Co. K, 37th Regt., Illinois Vet. Vols. No, just send it to the Company and Regt. De Valls Bluff, Ark. and I will bear the chances of getting it. But be sure and send it as soon as possible.
No news today. Has been a wet dreary day. I wish that I was up home to help Father this winter. Do you hear from Johnnie often? He doesn't answer my letters. Write soon and oftener
Your Affectionate Son
Thos. R. Brown
Go to page 14