Introduction

This website was created as a means of preserving and making available a Civil War-era collection of thirty-four letters from my Great-Great Grandfather Edward Griffin Stevens to his mother Emma Stevens (with the exception of one letter addressed to his sister Lydia). These letters chronicle historic events including the Siege of Vicksburg, the Battle of Franklin, the Battle of Nashville, the Election of 1864, and the Lincoln assassination, among other significant events. The letters are ordered chronologically, and all but the first two and final two are from his time as a soldier in the Union Army.

Edward was born in 1842 in Bideford, England. Shortly after his birth, in 1842 or 1843, his family moved to Prince Edward's Island, Canada and lived there for several years. They then moved through Nova Scotia, Canada in the late 1840s and settled in Machias, Maine in either 1849 or 1850. From there they moved to Flushing, New York around 1852, finally settling in Aurora, Illinois in either 1855 or 1856. In Edward's pension papers (and in one other family source), he claims that the family lost many of their possessions in a Great Lakes shipwreck somewhere between Buffalo, New York and Chicago, Illinois at some point during the the mid-1850s. Edward's parents, Robert Sr. and Emma, had at least ten children before the father died in 1859.

Edward worked in a drug store in Aurora in the late 1850s - and at some point around 1860, he moved to Galesburg, Illinois - where his sister Kate M. Stevens Dyer also lived with her husband and younger sister Grace Stevens.

In August 1862 - Edward enlisted as a Corporal in the 72nd Illinois Infantry Regiment, Company K (his daughter Leila recounted that he lied about his age at the time) and served as a soldier, druggist and clerk until the end of the war. It was during this time that the letters on this site were written. Edward had an older brother named Robert who served in the war with the 124th Illinois Infantry, Company E, and whose death on February 17 or 18, 1863 of typhoid pneumonia is described in three of the letters. (Some records pertaining to Robert incorrectly list him as dying in 1862 at LaGrange, Tennessee).

Edward also had a younger brother named William who served with the 52nd Illinois Infantry, Company H, but served less than a year, and was discharged in August 1862 due to serious health problems from which he subsequently suffered until his death in 1885.

Edward also mentions other siblings Lydia, Kate, Grace, Clint, Emma and the children of Emma - niece Sabra and nephew Eddie Tewksbury.

After the war he returned to Illinois and married a Margaret Burns in 1869. The marriage did not last, and he moved to Wilton, Iowa in the mid-1870s, where he married his second wife, Josephine Neavitt in 1876. He worked as a skilled painter for most of his life and passed away in 1917. He is buried in Wilton, Iowa.

(Edward Griffin Stevens - probably after the war)

Emma Griffin Stevens (around 1880)

Edward's sister Lydia Levo Stevens (married an Ayers)

Robert Bartlett Stevens - Edward's older brother who died from illness during the war

If you wish to quote or otherwise reference these letters, please provide a clear citation with a link back to this site. If you have any questions - feel free to contact me at ray.a.drake(~at~)gmail.com

Above: Envelope postmarked May 2, 1861 from Galesburg, Illinois

May 11, 1861

Notes: The William Roe mentioned in this letter is from the firm Buck and Roe - which was Edward's employer and is described as "Buck & Roe, druggists and stationers, Broadway bet Fox and Main" in this 1859 directory from Aurora, Illinois.

---

Galesburg May 11, 1861

Dear Mother,

Your letter of the 3d came to hand yesterday. I do not like to speak to Johnston about my leaving him untill I know whether William Roe wants me for a certainty or not. But just as soon as he lets me know I will give him an answer immediately, " yes or no." Kate goes to Knoxville today. We are all well. Write soon and let me know what Roe intends doing.

Your affectionate
Son
Ed

January 5, 1862

Galesburg, January 5th, 1862

Dear Mother,

Your letter of the 27th was not received untill the 1st of this month. I'm glad to hear that William is still improving. What has been the matter with him. You did not say in your last. I have quite recovered and have been to work for ten or twelve days. I still retain the room I occupied whilst I was sick, as the folks would not concent to my going down to the store to sleep again, and for which I'm not sorry for whenever I come home at night there is always a good fire in the room, and every thing comfortable. I do not get to the store quite as early in the mornings though, as I would like for we do not have breakfast untill 8 o'clock, but I suppose it is early enough for this time of the year. I generally sweep the store and cover the fire up so that it will keep all night before I go home evenings, so there is not much to do in the morning. I suppose that Robert will retain his situation when he returns home. I suppose you do not know when that will be. As it is getting very near church time I must stop. We have had quite a heavy fall of snow today. The last time l heard from Kate they was all well. Kiss all of the children for me and write soon.

From Your Affectionate

Son Edward.

You have not heard anything from _______ Sherwood yet have you.

E

Recruitment Poster

This is replica of a recruitment poster from Galesburg, Illinois that may have prompted Edward to sign up for military service...

Circa Fall 1862 (Probably September to November 1862 - Part of Letter with Date Missing)

Beginning of this letter not available - date estimate based on the fact that brother Robert is still alive and unit records that indicate that the 72nd was at Columbus, Kentucky from September to November 1862. His desire to obtain heavy boots also hints at Fall as the time of year.

---

...as I want to get a heavy pair of boots. They will cost from 8 to 10 dollars. Have you seen anything about the money I left for you to draw in Chicago. If you have not I wish you would. I believe I told you that I saw Dyer at Cairo. Well I must hurry Give my love to all. Kiss Clint, Bell and Grace for me. Rob tell me he told you I let Lydia have all the money she wanted to finish her schooling. You can take part of mine when you get it for the rest. Regards to the Fowler girls.

Your Affect Son
Edward

P.S. Direct to Columbus, Kentucky Care of Dr. E. Powell, Surgeon
72nd Regiment Ill. Vols

February 18 or 19, 1863

The Mr. Howland referenced in this letter may have been Hiram J. Howland of Robert's 124th Infantry, Company E. The date appears to be an 18 with the 8 possibly crossed through and an attempt to write a 19. Elmwood Cemetery records indicate that Robert was buried on the 19th - so it is unclear whether he died on the 17th - as many records indicate - or on the 18th.

---

Head Quarters 72nd Regt. Ill. Vol.
Memphis Tenn. Feb. 18th '63

Dear Mother,

I must send you sorry, sorry news. Robert is dead. He died yesterday morning at the Adams Hospital. It makes me feel worse to think that I was not thare at the time of his death. The last time I saw him was some twelve days ago. He was then much better. We then was removed some four miles from town, and as I was not well enough to go and see him for some days, I did not see him, but heard from him almost every day. And when I did feel well enough to go to town, our Regt. was ordered to go on an expedition and I had to go. We got home this noon and as soon as I got home I was told of his death. I started right off to his Regt. and found that he had been buried. I will find out the place tomorrow and if it is your wish I will try and send him home. His Captain said he intended doing so, but he was going away the next day and could not attend to it. Mr. Howland was with him at the time of his death. He spoke of you all. His (illegible) will be sent to you in a day or so. All he had goes to you. You had better put the amount of pay due him from the U.S. in some persons hands for collection. It may be that the Captain will promise to do it but you cannot depend on them, as they have so many such cases to attend to that they are liable to forget it. I cannot tell exactly when I will get my pay. We are going to Vicksburg soon, perhaps next week. As it is time to go to bed I must close. Give my love to all.

Your Affectionate Son

Edward

February 28, 1863

Notes: Robert was initially buried in Elmwood Cemetery as noted below. After the war, Union soldiers were moved to the Memphis National Cemetery. Robert is buried there - but does not have a marked grave. The "Dr. Beers" mentioned in this letter may have been Edwin A. Beers, who is listed as a 2nd Assistant Surgeon for the 72nd Illinois.

---

Memphis, Tenn. February 28th, 1863

Dear Mother,

We are to leave Memphis tomorrow. We go off on rather short notice. It is now 10 o'clock P.M. and we just received the marching orders to be on the board the transport by 7 o'clock in the morning, so we will have rather a bussy night of it, striking tents, packing boxes etc. But as it is a beautiful night moonlight and quite warm it will not go very hard with us. The worst thing I hate going for just now is I have a dreadful sore throat, but I guess it will be well in a few days. I expect we go down the river towards Vicksburg, but hardly think we will go all the way thare just yet. I think we will only go as far as Lake Providence, and then we will go up the Red River, as that is my surmise. I suppose that you have received the money I sent you before this. I sent it to Chicago by Dr. Beers and he was to have sent it to you by express; twenty $20 dollars. That allotment made at Chicago by me did not work. It did by some, but I believe that they had to sign another paper at Cairo. I was out to the cemetary today and visited Roberts grave. He is in the Elmwood Cemetary, which is a beautiful place. It is full of evergreens and there are some splendid vaults and monuments in it. I think surpasses anything I ever saw. Well I suppose I must stop and go to work. Give my love to all. Kiss the little ones for me. You cannot complain of my not writing often lately. I have written every week, and have not heard from you for some time.

Your Affectionate

Son Edward

P.S. Direct your letters to
Cairo, Ill. To follow Regiment
Quimby's Division 1st Brigade

March 13, 1863

You must excuse the lead pencil writing as we are all in a muss and cannot get at the ink

Camp on the Mississippi River

Near Helena, Arkansas

March 13, 1863

Dear Mother,

Your letter of the 5th is at hand. We left Memphis on the 1st of this month with the intention of going to Vicksburg via Lake Providence and then crossing the country to that point. But when we got thare we found the country flooded, and impossible to go by that route or in fact hardly a dry spot could be found to land us on, so we had to return to this place and take a new route to gain our point. We are now going down the Yasoo pass to the Yasoo River which will bring us very near to Vicksburg and save us considerable marching, which the most of us like. You cannot have received my two last letters. I wrote one about the 20th of last month, and another when I sent you the money. You say nothing about that. I sent the money by Dr. Beers to Chicago and he was to express it from there to you. But you must have received it before this. You cannot imagine how I felt when I read your letter. It is true, I have done wrong and it makes me feel sad to think of it. But Mother you shall never be disgraced by having a drunken son by Edward. He will benefit by the lessons of the past, if not for his own sake for the sake of those he loves, - so we will say no more about it, for I know it makes me feel bad and I know it must you.

Robert came to Memphis with his Regt. and was taken sick thare with Billious fever and was sent to General Hospital. Whilst I was in Memphis I went to see him almost every day and took him soups and such things as he could eat. In about ten days we went five miles from Memphis. Robert was then much better. After we got out thare I was not well enough to go into town, I only went into town once after that and then I did not get a chance to go and see him. I heard from him almost every day, and it was always that he was better and so that he was up and about the room. The day after I was in town our Regt. was ordered out on an expedition of some days and I had to go with them, not thinking but Robert was doing as well as ever. But when I returned (which was at 3 o'clock the day after his death) I heard the sad news. I then started for his Regt. (which was some 3 miles, tired as I was, and found that he had been buried. You can imagine my feelings. He had been up and around only a few days before, and told some of his company that he would join them again in a few days, but he took a severe cold and it settled into Typhoid Pneumonia and he died in a short time. Mr. Howland was with him when he died. I thought then of having him taken up and sent home, but I found out that it would cost something like one hundred dollars, and then thought I would wait and hear from you and see what you thought about it. I visited his grave several times before leaving Memphis. Well as I have but little time I must close. Give my love to all.

Your Affect. Son

Edward

P.S. Direct your letters care of Dr. Powell, Surgeon 72nd Reg. Ill. Vol.
1st Brigade Army of the Tenn. via Cairo
E
Tell Emma & Lydia to write (written vertically left margin)

May 3, 1863

Head Quarters 6th Division

Hospital Near Vicksburg,
Miss. May 3rd 1863

Dear Mother,

Your letter came to hand a day or so ago. I wrote you something like a week ago telling you where we was. I tell you we have busy times of it here since then, but we are beginning to have easier times of it now as we have sent most of the wounded off. I wish you could only see our hospital and grounds. They are kept in such good order, and if you could only see what a table we have set with the finest of china, which must be worth at least one thousand dollars. We got them on the grounds. They was sent from Vicksburg for safe keeping, they not thinking we could even get here. I think they will be kept safe, so safe that the owners will never get them again and it is nothíng more than fair, for if they will wound our men I think they should furnish dishes for them.
I do not know when we will have the pleasure of going into Vicksburg. I'm afraid it will be some time yet, as they seem determined to hold that point. Our men are fighting with them every day to some extent. The artillery is at work all the time. Last night we had the most terrific firing I ever heard. Thunder was no comparison to it. It fairly made the earth shake. They kept it up for something like three hours. It seems lonesome now if they cease firing for a short time. I think we are killing more of their men than they are of ours. Oh, I forgot to tell you that Dr. Powell was division Surgeon now and that gives me conciderable more work. As Julius Yaker is going home I thought it would be a good chance to write. He will be down to see you when he comes to Aurora, and I will send you some money by him, $10 dollars (ten doll) and I want yours, Emmas and Lydias pictures when he returns. I would send you more money but it is not very safe to send much by one person. As is very frequently the case, they are gobbled up as we call it, by the Rebbs. I have been waiting for some time for a chance to send some. Yaker can tell you better how I get along than I can write it. You will know it when you see him. Give my love to all. Good night. (I'm tired out.)
Your Affectionate Son
Edward
Oh, I received Lydias letter and will ans. soon
Now, you must be sure and send me those pictures.
E
Direct the same as usual.
E

June 29, 1863

The "Free Campbell" referred to by Edward in this letter is almost certainly Freeman Campbell of the 124th Illinois Regiment, also from Aurora, Illinois and in the same Regiment as Edward's brother Robert had been and also serving at Vicksburg at the time this letter was written. The Samuel A. Campbell listed next to Freeman is his older brother - both are sons of George W. Campbell, a friend of the Stevens family who signed as a witness on the naturalization document of Edward's father Robert Sr. in 1856 - and also lived in Machias, Maine in 1850 at the same time the Stevens did.

---

Head Quarters 6th

Division Hospital

Walnut Hill near Vicksburg, Miss

June 29th 1863

Dear Mother,

Your letter came to hand a few days since. And I was glad to hear from you and as I have a few spare moments I will improve them by writìng you a few lines. I'm quite well, and stand the hot climate very well. We are still kept out of Vicksburg, but we live in hopes of getting in thare some day. We give them fight every few days, but we are not gaining ground very fast. We have lost a great many men already and no knowing how many more we will lose before obtaining our point. But I think Rebel loss has been fully as much as ours if not more. Thare is continual cannonading from our side, both from land and water, which must do concíderable damage. They fire their cannons but very little. It may be that they are short of ammunition, but cannot tell. The sharp shooters on both sides keep up a continual firing. I was out to see the Regiment the other day, and it was one continual buss all the time, that is from the Balls, and occasionally a shell would pass by which sounded like the buss of a mill. It may seem rather strange to you, but it is so. A person does not have the fear which I used to suppose they would have. As for my part I did not feel the least alarmed.
I saw Free Campbell yesterday. He looks well. He says has not heard from home for a long time. Young Denny is not hurt. I'm sorry to hear of the death of Emmas husband, but tell her she not take it to heart too much. I will write to her soon. I tell you they keep me quite bussy now what with puting up the medicines and keeping reports and registers of the sick and wounded, not only for our own Regt. but it is for the Division. Dr. Powell has charge of it.
I suppose you have seen Baker by this time. I sent you twenty dollars ($20) (the day before I received your letter) by our Chaplain who was going home. He was to express it from Chicago. Well I must stop. Give my love to all the children. Tell Lydia I will write to her soon as I get time.
Your Affectionate Son
Edward

P.S. Direct your letters E. G. Stevens
Care of E. Powell Surg. 72d Regt.
2nd Brigade 6th Division
17th Army Corps
Rear of Vicksburg
Via Cairo

July 24, 1863

Head Quarters 6th Division

Hospital 17th Army Corps

Vicksburg July 24, 1863

Dear Mother,

I saw Wes Baker the other day and received the pictures. They are very nice, and am much obliged for them. I should liked to have had Emmas with them. I tell you they made me think of home and wish that I was thare. Mother some time ago I sent you twenty dollars by our Chaplain and he was to have expressed it to you from Chicago. I have written to you twice since then and have not heard anything about it. Have you received it yet. I have not been very well for the past few days, but feel much better today. We intend moving our Hospital to the City in a few days. l think it will be much better than it is now as we have to draw every thing so far now. I saw the young Rumble the other day, he is looking well. He says his brother has bought the lot next to yours. Does he intend building on it. I received a letter from Lydia the other day. Will answer it by the next mail as I will not have time for this one. Give my love to all. Tell Emma she must answer my last letter. Kiss Clinty, Bell and Eddie and Charlie for me.

Your Affect Son

Edward

(Direct as usual)

January 29, 1864

McPherson Hospital

Vicksburg Miss January 29, 1864

Dear Mother,

lt has been a long time since I have received a letter from you, but suppose you have written to me. You I suppose have received my last letter long before this. I received a letter from Lydia the other day, but have not answered it yet, but will soon. We are having very warm weather at present, so that is quite uncomfortable. Am in hopes that it will soon get colder. It looks very much like rain this evening and hope it may, for the streets are quite dusty. There is quite a large force leaves here tomorrow for Jackson Miss. I expect they will have quite a fight before they reach that point, and most likely one when they get thare. Our forces will number from fifteen to twenty thousand. I do not know the number of the enemy, but probably about the same as ours. I should like to go on the expedition very much, and if thare was another druggíst here I would try hard to go, perhaps I may as it is. Dr. Powell intends going, and he may take me with him. Thare was a grand prize drill (of the 3rd Division) for a splendid banner presented by Genl McPherson and was carried off the field by the 124th Regt. Ill. V. It was quite a time of rejoicing for them, and so it might be, for they took it from some of the old Regts. who ought to drill better than a new one. They are now in camp on Black River. They are going on this expedition.
Mother I send you ten dollars would send more but thare is no certainty of you getting it, as our mails are so intercepted that it is very risky sending much at a time. Well as it is getting late I will close. Give my love to all. Kiss the little ones for me.

Your Affect Son

Edward Stevens

P.S. Direct as usual

October 23, 1864

Vicksburg Miss. Oct 23, 1864

Dear Mother,

You must be wondering why I do not write. I thought I would not write until we received pay, which we should have had nearly two months ago (we now have six months pay due) and have had the promise of being paid the next week or two but the next week has not arrived yet. The money is here and do not see why they do not settle with us. I know you must stand very much in want of it. If we had been paid at the proper time I should have been home before this, as I had a very good chance then. I may now if they pay us within a week or so, come home and spend part of the winter but cannot tell certain, but shall if thare is any possible chance. I should like to be thare in time to vote for McClellan for our next President. Its true I do not like the Chicago platform (but what does the platform amount to if the man is only right) and some of his supporters such as Vallandigham and his crew, but they do not compose the whole party, nor are they the rulers of it. I think if Mc was elected the war would soon find its grave, and the Union once more be restored to its former place. I think it a shame the way some of our northern papers scandalize McClellan, one who has been fighting for us ever since the war began, and for them to now call him a traitor yes, and worse even than that if anything can be. Our Generals here have stopped the sale of all papers that uphold him, just as though a soldier was not as much of a man as he ever was and as capable of judging for himself now as he was before he became one. If' a man is to be influenced by the mearly reading of a paper that is opposite to his views I would not give much for him. He would be a disgrace to either party. It makes me so mad when I think how things are conducted I almost wish I never had any thing to do with the Army.

Thare is some talk of our Regiment leaving here, and going to Georgia. I would like to go very well but would rather stay the winter out here as we have a very comfortable place. But I am afraid we will have to go as our Corps is thare, and General Ransom is trying hard to get us thare if we go we will have to go to the front which is not a very desirable place just now, although it is considered an honor to be thare. We are having quite cool nights here now but the days are quite warm. Last night we had a heavy frost but from the weather today you would not think of frost. I have been in my short sleeves ever since morning. Give my love to all. Kiss the little ones for me. I may be home before I write again but do not say for a certainty.

Your Affectionate
Son Edward

October 30, 1864

Vicksburg, Miss. October 30th, 1864

Dear Mother,

Our Regiment starts this morning. Our destination we suppose will be Atlanta, Ga. We go North as far as Cairo, Ill. from thare. I expect we will go up the Ohio River as far as Louisville Ky. from thare we will go by R.R. as far as we can, and then march the remainder of our journey. From Cairo, I will send you my Carpet Bag per express filled with such articles as I will not need. Perhaps you can find use for some of them. Those little pieces of wood I hope you will save. They are from the tree under which Genl. Pemberton surrendered Vicksburg to Genl. Grant. We have not rec our pay yet. I have one dollar which I send you to pay express chgs. I wrote you a few days since which I suppose you have rec. We have rather a bad morning to start. It is quite muddy and raining. I will try and write from Cairo.

Your Affectionate Son

Edward

Direct to "K" Co. 72nd Regt Ill Inft.

To follow Regt. will get it sooner



November 13, 1864

Camp in Field

Nashville, Tenn. Nov 13, 1864

Dear Mother,

We arrived at this point this afternoon. We have had a pleasant trip of it from Cairo. The Cumberland is a beautiful river, much prettier than I expected. We passed Fort Donelson in the night so I could not tell what sort of place it was, but from what I could see by moonlight I should say it was rather a lonesome place. I was in hopes we would pass it by daylight. We march from this place tomorrow for the front. We all expect a hard campaign before us, much harder than we have yet experienced, but then I think we are all able for it. 

I hope you have received the money and carpet bag I sent from Cairo. Give my love to all. You must not expect long letters now as we have to do things in a hurry now but I will write often and let you know whare we are if nothing more. 

Your Affectionate

Son Edward

P.S. I write this on my knapsack. Direct your letters to Via Cairo, Ill. 

November 23, 1864

Edward Stevens began this letter on November 23, 1864 and completed it on December 2. It details his participation in the Battle of Franklin on November 30, 1864 - and the skirmishes in the days prior to Franklin at Columbia, Tennesee. Although the Battle of Franklin resulted in a significant victory for the Union, Edward's 72nd Illinois was in the midst of intense fighting at the battle's start, and took heavy casualties. A unit history for the 72nd Illinois describes this period as follows:

"October 30, 1864, they were ordered to report to Major General Howard, command Army and Department of the Tennessee, then with Sherman's Army; and, in pursuance of this order, arrived at Nashville, Tenn, on November 18. They there found themselves too late to join Sherman in his great "march to the sea," and were ordered to Columbia. Tenn., to join Major General Schofield's command, which they did, on November 21, when Hood crossed the Tennessee River, and seemed coming down, "like a wolf on the fold." Schofield's Army found it convenient to retire towards Nashville. On November 29, they evacuated Columbia, and the Seventy-second was in a severe skirmish with the enemy at Spring Hill, on the road between Columbia and Franklin. On the succeeding day they arrived at Franklin, and hastily threw up some light earthworks. About 4 o'clock that afternoon Hood attacked them, and the battle raged from that hour until midnight, with terrific fury. In that fight the Seventy-second lost 9 officers out of 16 engaged, and 152 men, who were either killed or severely wounded. That night they left their works and retreated towards Nashville, which they reached on December 1; and here the Seventy-second was thrown on the extreme right of the Federal lines enclosing Nashville.

Edward's report that his regiment lost its battle flag is also corroborated on page 239 of the book "The Battle of Franklin, Tennessee, November 30, 1864: a monograph By Jacob Dolson Cox", which provides greater detail on the 72nd's role in the battle:

"General Ruger’s report states that at the onset of the enemy, the left of the line, held by the 50th Ohio Volunteers and the 72d Illinois Volunteers, fell back some fifty yards from the breastworks, at which position they were rallied and maintained a firm stand, holding this new position, which was hastily entrenched during the intervals of the fighting.” Beginning at the right of Strickland’s brigade, the official report of the 72d Illinois, made by Captain Sexton, describes the disorderly retreat of the outpost brigades with the enemy upon their heels. At the same time," it adds, “the support on our left gave way, and the flank of our regiment being turned, the four left companies fell back, and as our right flank also became exposed to the enemy the remaining companies were also ordered to retire to the second line of works, which was done.”

All the officers being wounded, Captain Sexton took command. He ordered an effort to regain the first line, which was unsuccessful, the whole color guard being shot down in the charge across a space of some twenty yards."

A detailed description of the battle was also written by Captain James Sexton of the 72nd, who essentially took charge when two superior officers were wounded. In terms of their position on the battlefield, A newspaper correspondent wrote:

"The 72d was placed at the center of the lines surrounding the city, and upon a gentle splope, at the bottom of which and outside of the line was a small grove of young trees. On our right was a depression an eight of a mile wide, on our left the ground was higher than that occupied by our regiment."

---

Camp the Field

Columbia, Tenn. Nov. 23, 1864

Dear Mother,

We are now stationed at this point. We have been here some five or six days doing provost or picket duty. We are now expecting an attack from Hood or Forrest, we are not certain which, or may be both combined. They are but a short distance from here. Our cavalry has been fighting with them, but they cannot stand their ground, and are falling back to this point. The advance of their army will probably reach us this evening or tomorrow morning. And if we are not reinforced by that time, we will stand a good chance to see the inside of some southern prison, as thare is only three Regiments here, and small ones at that, so it will not take a very large force to take the place and us with it, but we hope such will not be the case. We are having quite cold weather just now. A few days ago we had quite a little snow storm. It lasted most all day, but we have plenty of wood and so we manage to keep comfortable at least part of the time. I think I like this country "if it is colder" much better than the one we just left. It looks more like civilization, the country is settled much more, and much better houses than thare is in Miss. It puts me in mind of N.Y. state than any other I have been through. As it is growing dark I must say good night.

24th We received heavy reinforcements lastnight and this morning. What troops they are I have not learnt. The day opens with heavy skirmishing about a mile from us a little to our left. I expect it is with the advance guard of the enemys forces. I do not think the full force has arrived yet. Our regiment is getting ready to fall into line of battle so I must stop for the present. Noon: We have been in line of battle all the morning. Have done nothing yet. Skirmishing has entirely ceased so we are allowed a few moments for dinner. Cannot tell what the afternoon may bring forth.

Night. All quiet. We are in Camp but have to sleep on our arms with one eye open as the saying is.

25th afternoon: Thare has been some very brisk cannonading this afternoon. Our Regiment has not been called on yet. We are building fortifications as fast as possible. What damage has been done this afternoon I cannot tell. The firing has almost ceased. I expect we will have a general engagement tomorrow.

Morning 26th We have retreated back some five miles, forces are too much for us.

Dec. 2nd We have fell back as far as Nashville with the enemy close upon us. We had a desperate fight at Franklin, eighteen miles from here. Our Regt. loss is heavy. The most I regret is we lost our Battle Flag, but honorably, as we was the only Regt that stood our ground. We are expecting attack every moment so I must stop. I'm all safe as yet. Will give you a more minute description of the battle when I write again.

Love to all.

Your Affect. Son

Edward

December 10, 1864

Edward lists his regiment's loss from the Battle of Franklin as 158 killed and wounded - which is quite close to to the number given by this unit history, which states the unit lost 152 enlisted men and 9 officers.

---

Nashville, Tenn.

Dec. 10th 1864

Dear Mother,

I have not received a letter from you since I left Vicksburg, Miss. I have written several to you since leaving thare. I would like to know if you received that traveling bag and the fifty dollars I sent you per express from Cairo, Ill. We have seen very hard times of it for the past six weeks. The weather here is very cold. It is as much as we can do to keep ourselves from freezing. We have nothing to cover us but little shelter tents and they are open at both ends, but then thare is no use of grumbling. We will have to take it as it comes this winter. Our Regiment is in the Advance so we have not the chance to make ourselves as comfortable as though we was in the rear. The enemy's works are only about a mile from ours. We can see them quite plain from our picket posts. They appear in considerable force in our front. What they intend doing is hard to determine. One day they act as though they intended making an attack and the next they do not show themselves. I think it is the intention as soon as it grows warmer for us to attack them, but I hope not. The Battle of Franklin was almost enough to suit me. Our Regiments loss is one hundred and fifty-eight killed and wounded. I would like to give you the particulars of the fight, but it is too cold. It is as much as I can do to hold my pencil my fingers are so cold. Thare is some cannonading on our left this morning. Well I must stop. Love to all

Your Affectionate

Son Edward

P.S. Do write soon as you receive this.

E

December 20, 1864

This letter gives an account of the Battle of Nashville.

---

Camp Near Columbia, Tenn.
Dec. 20th 1864

Dear Mother,

Your letter of the 8th has been received. The others have not been received yet. We attacked Hood's army on the 15th and have driven him something like forty miles. We have had some very hard fighting. The loss is heavy on both sides. We have captured forty eight artillery and about six thousand prisoners. I expect Hood will give us battle again today at Columbia which is four miles from here. If he does it will be a hard one as we have to cross Duck River before we can get at him. The weather since we left Nashville has been dreadful. It has rained all the time and the mud almost knee deep. This morning is the first time I've been dry since the 16th. It looks very much as though we are going to have fine weather now but cannot tell as it is so changeable. Our Army nevertheless is in good spirits and we think in a short time Hoods followers will be numbered with the thing that was. I wish you would send me a Chicago Tribune with an Account of the Battle of Franklin in it. I think it was in the issue of the 10th, and I wish when you write you would send me a small fine tooth comb. Send a small but strong one. I expect we will start soon so I must stop and pack up. Love to all.

Your Affectionate Son Edward

December 23, 1864

Columbia Tenn. Dec. 23rd 1864

Dear Mother,

We are still on the advance. I wrote you a few lines from our last camp whare we remained one day and two nights. The last night we were thare, about 7 o'clock we were ordered to break camp and start, which we did. It was raining very hard (it did not look much like rain in the morning. I believe I said I hoped or thought we were going to have fine weather, but we were disappointed.)

We had not gone more than three miles when we were ordered to about face and return to our old camping ground which made us feel rather out of sorts. We were out just long enough to get wet through and covered in mud and then we had to put our tents on muddy ground, which if we had remained there, the ground would have been dry. Our fires had gone out and by the time we had pitched our tents and rekindled our fires we were more like drowned men than anything else and worse than all we had to sleep in our wet clothes, so you can judge how comfortable we passed the night. Towards morning it began snowing and freezing quite hard. When I got up in the morning my overcoat was one mass of ice. The day turned out to be fine but cold and towards noon we all got dry and appeared to have forgotten all about the hardships of the night previous, and started off in the afternoon and reached this place about supper time. We had a very severe cold night, but we kept up good camp fires and managed to keep something like warm. We remain here tonight but how much longer I cannot say, but probably only till morning.

Hood is still on the skiddadle. I should like to know how much farther we will follow him. I hope they will give us winter quarters soon. We are now in Genl Smiths command, which used to be the sixteenth corp, but it is now composed of detachments from different ones. Ours is the first Brigade, Third Division detachment of the 17th A. Corps, but it generally all called the sixteenth corps. There is one thing l like about this command. They are all old troops. I never want to get into a fight with new troops again as thare is more danger from them than from the enemy. We had a fair trial of that at Franklin. We were then with the 23rd corp in which is a number of conscripts and raw recruits. Well as it is time to get supper and I'm cook tonight I must close.

Give my love to all. Emmas or your letters have not been received yet.

Your Affectionate Son

Edward

Direct to Nashvílle, Tenn.

January 17, 1865

Eastport Miss Jany 17th, 1865

Dear Mother,

I wrote to you yesterday stating we would remain here for sometime, but today we received orders to be ready to start tomorrow on a three day's march or rather have three days rations with us. We may return to this camp again or we may not, but am in hopes we will, as I hate to think of giving up our houses we have worked so hard at to make ourselves comfortable. But such is the fate of a soldiers life. I'm quite tired tonight. I've been writing on Pay and Clothing Rolls all day, and that is rather hard for a person who has written no more than I have for the last three or four months. Love to all.
Good night.

Your Affectionate Son

Edward Stevens

P.S. I drew new hat shoes and pants today and feel quite proud of them.

January 22, 1865

Edward's family originally moved from England to Canada in the 1840s. They moved through Prince Edward's Island and Nova Scotia before heading to the United States. His mention of "Machias" is in reference to Machias, Maine, where his family is known to have lived as recorded in the 1850 Census. The subsequently moved to New York state, where Edward attended school at Flushing - before settling in Aurora, Illinois. Edward's father Robert naturalized in 1856 and passed away in 1859, leaving his mother a widow with several small children. Before entering military service, Edward moved to Galesburg, Illinois, where he found work - and where two sisters also resided. As can be read in the letters - financial issues were of constant concern.

---

Eastport, Miss. Jany 22nd, 1865

Dear Mother,

We are once more in our old camp. We returned last night. Our expedition went to Iuka and Corinth. We had no fighting as we expected we would before we started. At Iuka thare was only a few guerillas who left as soon as we made our appearance and returned as soon as we was out of sight. Iuka has been quite a pretty summer resort, which it was before the war. The Iuka Springs Hotel is still standing which is a splendid building and quite a number of large houses which I think was for the purpose of boarding those spending summers at the springs with the exception of some few small houses this is all of the town that is left. All the water around the place has a very fine taste. I did not go up to see the mineral springs as we only remained thare a short time. Iuka is ten miles from this place - from thare we marched to Corinth. At this place thare was a brigade of cavalry belonging I suppose to Forrests command, who evacuated the place at our advance, for which we all thanked them, for they could have given us a pretty fight before we could have gone into the place for all we had a division of cavalry and one of infantry and a battery of artillery. Corinth is very strongly fortified, I think stronger than any place I have seen yet. I tell you it looked rough to look out from the forts and see what ground we would have had to charge over to reach them had they given us battle. Corinth is mostly burnt. The Rebels burnt the Tishmingo Hotel before leaving, which was said to have been a splendid building. We remained thare two hours. Some of our own men burnt a number of houses before we left. They said they did it just for fun - I think it is rather poor fun for the owners.

We had a very hard time of it, much harder than _________ twenty two miles and the second twenty six. The other two days we didn't march quite as much. The last day it rained and was quite muddy, but I do not feel very sorry that we went now for I can have the satisfaction of saying I have seen the two oldest battle grounds. Thare is some talk of our corps going to Shermans Army. How much truth thare is in the rumor, I cannot say. I should like the trip very well. We would go by the way of N. York. I think thare would be a lot of sick soldiers then. It will be sport for one who is used to the ocean to see the others in their deplorable condition such as nothing but sea sickness can give. I do not know whether I would have it again or not. I hope not, for I have never forgotten how I felt coming from Machias and I think once in my life enough to satisfy me. I suppose you have received the two letters I wrote before starting on the expedition.

I have not been paid yet. I would like to hear from you before we are if you think you will need it I will draw and run the risk of your getting it. Love to all.

Your Affectionate Son
Edward Stevens