Letter – Noah Hill, 26 June 1864

2015.002.161

Hi-resolution scans of the full document can be made available for a fee. Please see our Image Request page for details.

Letter written by Private Noah G. Hill of Company K, 123rd NY Volunteer Infantry, to his father. Hill writes about the fight at Kolb’s Farm, GA, on June 22nd. Hill’s regiment was put on the skirmish line. At one time when the Confederate forces drove forward, Hill writes that they were “so close. . . we could hear them talk.” After several attempts at charging the Union troops, the Confederates “gave it up as a bad job.” Hill writes that he and his friends are doing well. He is unsure of when he will be able to write again, as paper is scarce. He hopes that the campaign will soon be over. He describes hearing heavy cannonading, and remarks on the casualties suffered by his regiment. Hill concludes by writing that he is in Hooker’s 20th Corps, Williams’ Division, and Knipe’s Brigade, and mentioning the arrival of Hiram Young.

---

-Page 1-

Campt In the Brest Works June 26 1864

Dear, Father I thought I would write a few lines to you this morning it is the first chance that I have had well I geuss I will tell you about our fight our Regt was put on the skirmish line & we drove the rebbles aboute 3 miles & then we runn into their line of battle & they charged on us & drove us back & then wee drove them back wee held our ground for 1 [h]our & then they formed again & came on us with such a force that wee had to fall back wee was clost to them wee could here them talk they was in the busheys & wee was in front of them aboute 6 rods when they give the order to forward

wee all jumped up & fired & then wee fell back wee layed some of them cold you can bet they charged on our Batery & got driven back with great slaughter they tryed it 3 or 4 times & then they give it up as a bad job well I geuss I told you all aboute that so I geuss I will tell you that I am well & so is bub & W.R.H. is well bub is writeing & so is William R the Granville boys is all well I have not had any letter from in a long time I dont knowwhen I will write to you again for this is the last scrap of paper any of us has but I am in hopes that this campaign will bee over before long it has been a hard one well I have just had my hair cut Ed Rasey cut it Ed &

-Page 2-

the rest of the boys has gon to meeting it is sunday & a lonesome sunday two I have thinking of home to day I would like to know why John dont write I should think he could write more if he wanted to very bad well I dont know of much news to write to day they is heavy cannonading in hereing to day our Regt Lost in killed & wounded (27) & 17 missing Lieut Martin Co 4 was taken prisoner & wee suppose the rest was taken they come so near getting me they want no funn in it you may bet well I geuss I will stop for this time so give my best respects to all so good bye

Noah G. Hill

-Page 2, Upside Down-

wee are in Hookers 20th Corps & Williams Division & Nipes Brigade

Hiram Youngs has just arrived to the Regt for duty he is in good helgth so you can tell the folks that he is here safe & sound

this is all

Letter – James Harrison, 26 June 1864

2015.002.160

Hi-resolution scans of the full document can be made available for a fee. Please see our Image Request page for details.

Letter written by Confederate Private James A. Harrison of the 4th Regiment, 2nd Brigade, GA Militia, from Sanders Town, GA. Harrison is writing to “Miss R,” and begins by updating her on the state of her brother Thomas [possibly Thomas W. Cochran, Franklin County, GA, Company F, 37th, GA Infantry]. Harrison also mentions D.C. Cochran’s wounding, as well as Captain William T. Cochran’s current safety. Harrison comments on recent heavy skirmishing, and reports how many men have died or been wounded during the Atlanta fighting. He mentions that General Nathan Bedford Forrest is receiving reinforcements from North Alabama, and how Johnston’s forces are still falling back. Harrison is fatigued, but hopeful that there will be good news in a few days if Forrest can get a sufficient force.

---

-Page 1-

Sanders Town Ga June 26th 1864

Miss R

Thinking you would like to hear from Your Bro, Thomas I have concluded to drop You a line I saw him last friday morning & found him doing well much better than I anticipated when I last saw him previous I think he will be able to with care to go home in two or three weeks I advised Him not to go until He would be perfectly safe in doing so I learn since I left home that DC Cochran is wounded on the head slight I have not seen him nor can I find out where he is Capt W J Cochran was safe up to Thursday last I haven’t heard from him since. Heavy skirmishing is going on daily and a great many of our men are being killed & wounded I can hear the din roar of cannon distinctly at this time. We lost one thousand men last Wednesday in killed & wounded in attempting to storm the works of the enemy, our Command is at this Place having marched fifteen miles Yesterday without the assistance of single wagon We had to pack everything

-Page 2-

that we had on our backs and and toddle the weather being so oppressive and the Country so very hilly it came near wearing me out I feel very much fatigued indeed I have no idea how long we will remain at this place as we are not permitted to remain at a place long I have no idea when or where or how this contest will end or when I shall returen I think the fight will take place between the present time & the 4th of July. I learned this morning that Genl Forrest is in the rear of the enemy & receiving reinforcements from North Alabama which I am certain is reliable If this be the case and he can get a sufficient force You may expect to hear good news in a few days Johnsons force are still falling back both on the right & left wings We were ordered here for the purpose of strengthening his left if necessity required it If you will do me the honor to reply to this scrawl you will direct Your letter thus

Private James A Harrison

4th Regmt 2nd Brigade G.M,

Atlanta Ga

You will please give my respects to all enquiring friends & receive my best wishes for Your pleasant & future happiness

Jim

Letter – Jacob Dickason, 22 May 1864

2015.002.112

Hi-resolution scans of the full document can be made available for a fee. Please see our Image Request page for details.

Letter written by Private Jacob Dickason of Company B, 25th WI Infantry, to his brother, William H. Dickason, and sister, from a camp near Kingston, GA. The letter recounts events from the Atlanta Campaign. He mentions the Battle of Resaca, writing that the 25th WI, 63rd OH, 66th OH, and 27th MO marched in front. On the last day, his regiment dropped to the ground and fought for over two hours through heavy firing. The four regiments threw up breastworks to cover them from fire. He mentions that after the battle, the Confederates left their dead strewn over the ground unburied. He then describes another fight at Calhoun’s Ferry. The Confederates burned a railroad bridge, but were driven away before the fire did any major damage. Dickason hopes that the war will end soon.

---

-Page 1-

Gorgia May 22end AD 1866

Der Brother and sister it is wih pleasure that I take this present opportunity of riting a few lines to you to let you know how I am and what we have Bin doing since I last rote I have had my health first rate trusting that when this reeches you that it may find you all well for which we should Be thankfull we are in camp near Kingston But are under marching orders By the 23 since we left decatre [Decatur] we have had some prity hot work we had a three days fite at Resaca on the 12-13-14 on the evening of the 14 the 25 wis 633-66 Oh 27 missoura marcht out in front and they opend in on us and they Bullets flew as tick as hail and we dropt flat on the ground and we fot for 2 1/2 hours as fast as we could lode and fire

-Page 2-

when the firing ceast in whicht we lost in our Camp 2 killed and 4 wounded they threw some shell directed at our Camp But we watcht the flash of their cannon and we pord in a few vollyes But we soon silanst them we all 4 Regt threw out a detail and went to throwing up Brest works and By day Brake we had an in trenchment threw up sufficiant to hold the 4 regiments so we was under cover so their fire did not affect us we fot all day Sunday and in the evning we was relievd and that nite the rebs evacuated the town and on monday morning some of our Bois went over in town and where the rebs were formd around on the other hill the dead lay thick of which they had left unburied they left their dead all over the ground monday morning we took up our march

-Page 3-

to Calhouns Ferry where we had another fite But our forces had got them on the run Before we got there But the firing was prity sharp finly [finally] we was haulted for the nite But Before we al had supper over we was calld up in Battle aray a dispatch stating that the rebs was driving our forces we was marcht out 3/4 of amile and drawd up in line of Battle to welcome them in But they did not come we wated about 3 hours we lay down on our arms and lay there al nite and the next day untill nearly nite when we took up our line of march and marcht about 6 miles of which time we was haulted for the nite the next morning we marcht to the plaice where we now are our advance was fiting their rear guard all the way we did not give them time to fortify at Kingston they left for

-Page 4-

Atlanta which plaice the rebs caluculates to reinforce when they left Resaca they set the railroad Bridge on fire But our Batery opend on them that they did now great damage our carpenters went to work imediately and By the time we marcht here the cars came whistling after us the news is incourageing I feel in hopes the war will come to aclose By fall I just recd aetter from home up to the 15 stating that they were all well and that they planted corn on the 12 But I must Bring my letter to aclose Direct Co B 25 regt 4th Divis 16 Army Corpse via Nashville From

Jacob to Wm H Dickason

---

Jacob Dickason, from Bloom, WI, enlisted on August 11, 1862 as a private in Company B, 25^th WI Infantry. Little more than three months after writing this letter, he died from disease during the Atlanta Campaign, on August 31, 1864 at Marietta, GA.

Letter – Robert McClure, 23 August 1864

2015.002.065

Hi-resolution scans of the full document can be made available for a fee. Please see our Image Request page for details.

Letter written by Captain Robert B. McClure, Assistant Adjutant General, Staff of Major General William B. Bate, dated August 23rd, 1864. McClure is writing to Lieutenant Colonel Fletcher H. Archer of the 3rd VA Infantry. McClure received the letter Archer sent him from Petersburg, VA. McClure writes that he is determined to see the end of the Atlanta Campaign as long as his health allows. He mentions that General Bate was wounded by a Minnie ball in his knee, and that John C. Brown now commands the division. McClure requests that Archer send him his boots as well as socks, soap, and a comb. He wants Archer to come visit the camp, and sends his love to friends and family. McClure also describes recent actions of Wheeler’s Cavalry, including rumors that they blew up a tunnel between Dalton and Chattanooga.

---

-PAge 1-

Hd Qrs Bates Div August 23rd August 1864

Dear Col

Your letter written at Petersburg was only received by me, about [ten?] day ago, I was indeed glad to hear from you, I did not know what in the world had become of you, for I had written several letters to Macon & Griffin but could hear nothing of you, and did not know until I got your letter where you were, Since that time I have learned through Charlie Pucco that you were in Augusta and also his mother and the children I wish very much I could be with you, but I am determined to [paper torn] this Campaign as long as my health [paper torn] good but I still hold up and do my duty and a great deal of it too, Genl Bate was wounded about two weeks since by a minnie ball just above the knee, the same leg he was before wounded in at Shiloh The wound is not a dangerous one, but a severe one and will keep him from the field six or eight weeks yet, John C. Brown is now commanding the Div, he is a splendid officer, and an elegant gentleman. I like him very much indeed he has been made Maj Genl temporarily Col I would be glad for you to see Ed Obrien who lives with Maj Cunningham, and if my boots are done get them and send them immediately, as I am d— near bare footed, if they are not finished have them right away for me I would be glad for you to send me two pairs of socks and two collars and a nice piece of soap

-Page 2-

and a comb, Tell Ed Obrien to send my calico shirt you get it and all th things to me Direct them to the Care of Lt Col Gus A Henry; Genl Hoods Staff and I will be certain to get them Col, come up yourself, if you can, if its any [???] the change will do you good, We have plenty of room and would like to see you, Henry & [Clive?] are all right and speak of you often, if you do come bring some of the [???] will you for the poor sick soldiers I sent my kindest regards to Mrs Pucco and all the little girls, my love to my little sweetheart and tell her I dont to hear of her flirting with any of those Augustans if she does it will make me very jealous, Our Army is in fine spirits and [paper torn] …of the rail road between here and Dalton and blown up the tunnel between Dalton and Chattanooga, these are rumors, but I think them true, Write soon, if you come up bring me some novels to read

Your true friend

Bob McClure

My kindest regards to Capt Bryann when you see him also Ed Obrien and other friends

---

Fletcher Harris Archer was born in Petersburg, VA. enlisted April 4, 1861 as a Captain with Company K of the 12th VA Infantry. He was then commissioned into the Field Staff of the 3rd VA Infantry and promoted to Lt. Colonel on May 5, 1861. He was wounded at Petersburg June 14, 1864 then at Sailor’s Creek on April 6, 1865. He died August 21, 1902 and is buried in Blandford Church Cemetery.