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Letter written by Captain David Woodman Norton of Company E, 42nd Illinois Volunteer Infantry, to his father Joshua Norton, Jr., dated August 22nd, 1861, from Camp Douglas near Chicago, Illinois. Norton has recently been promoted to captain, and was presented with a sword, belt, sash, and an undress uniform. Norton has immense support from the men in his company, which he says makes all of his hard work worthwhile. He writes that he has spent most of his time in camp, usually drilling squads. He concludes the letter by writing that he must “fall in” with his company for the regimental drill.
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Camp Douglas
Near Chicago Ill Aug 22nd /61
Dear Father
Your last was gladly received. I feel in better spirits than when I last wrote you for since then I have had a sword – belt – sash & an undress uniform presented to me. Mr. Haskell and some other friends of mine subscribed and paid for the above articles for me. I have had good luck in another respect too – I am a Captain of one of the Companies of this Regiment. The Company is not quite full but is fast filling up and the men all tell me that they shall elect me as captain. One of the privates told me that if I could take every man in the camp who wanted me for Capt. that I should have a company of at least 500 men. That make me
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feel as though all the hard work I have done for this Regiment had not been wasted. The Col. appointed me over the company I now command and told me that he would rather see me a captain in his Rep. than any other man in the Camp. Wasn’t that a compliment from my Col.? I guess I begin to feel a little proud. I have hardly been out of the camp for 3 weeks and am always at work drilling squads.
I saw Haskell’s family last week they were all well.
We cant tell when we shall leave camp for the field. I must not write any more now as I must “fall in” my comp’y for the regimental drill. I will write again as soon as I have any thing new to tell you.
Give my love to mother & the rest and write as often as you can.
Your Affect Son
Capt. D. Woodman Norton
Douglas Brigade Chicago Ill.
Major David Woodman Norton was born 31 January 1838 in Chelsea, MA. He had two other brothers (Joshua and John) who also enlisted and served in the Union Army. He enlisted with the 1st Zouave Regiment of Chicago and was then promoted to 2nd Lieutenant of the 42nd IL Infantry then Captain on July 22, 1861. He eventually joins Major General John M. Palmer’s staff as acting Assistant Inspector General. He was killed in action near New Hope Church, GA on June 2, 1864 during the Atlanta Campaign.
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Letter from 1st Lieutenant David Woodman Norton of Company E, 42nd IL Volunteer Infantry, to his father Joshua Norton, Jr., from Chicago, IL. Norton writes that his regiment received marching orders for Washington, D.C., though it may take a few weeks for them to fully prepare. He mentions that he is 1st Lieutenant of his company, and may have a chance to be captain. There are many men on the muster roll, but Norton worries that some may have gotten tired of waiting and gone out with other companies. They are attempting to get Major Slemmer to be their colonel. Norton is glad that one of his brothers has returned home, as having two sons in the service is enough for one family. Norton mentions needing money to outfit himself and organize the company, but cautions his father not to let his mother worry that he will go without anything.
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Chicago. July 25th /61
Dear Father
Your letter dated the 21st inst was received this morning. I was glad to hear from you of course.
My Regiment received orders to muster and march for Washington with all possible dispatch. The orders arrived on monday. We are mustering our men as fast as possible and hope to have the Reg. full in ten days or two weeks. We have been waiting so long that it is hard work to get our men to-gether. It may take us three weeks to get ready to march, but I hope not so long.
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I am 1st Lieut. of my Compy. with some little prospect of being captain. How I shall come out in the end I don’t know. We have more men on our muster-roll than we should want if they all would come up – but some have got out of patience waiting so long and have gone with other companies. However I have little fear of not being able to get my comp’y to gether as soon as any of the others.
We are trying to get Major Slemmer (Pickens) who is now here to be our Col. and there is a fair prospect of success. He would make a Col. under whom one might be sure of winning honors.
I am glad that John is coming home unharmed &
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I think he had better stay at home now as he has done his duty and as our family is to furnish two soldiers without him – that is enough for one family. I shall go for the War and I suppose Joshua is also. That is as much as one fmaily can be expected to do. try and keep him at home for Mother and you will have anxiety enough about Joshua and myself.
I hope you may be able to send that money to Tobey very soon for there is now no hope that I shall be able to pay it for I can’t see how I am going to raise money enough to pay my necessary expenses in organizing my comp’y. to say nothing about fitting my
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self out. Don’t say anything to mother that will make her think that I shall not have every thing that is necessary for a Soldier for I may be able to get more than I know of yet. I will write you more of the particulars when we get better organized and I know more of our condition.
Write me as soon and as often as you can, and remember me as
Your Affect. Son
D. Woodman Norton
Major David Woodman Major David Woodman Norton was born 31 January 1838 in Chelsea, MA. He had two other brothers (Joshua and John) who also enlisted and served in the Union Army. He enlisted with the 1st Zouave Regiment of Chicago and was then promoted to 2nd Lieutenant of the 42nd IL Infantry then Captain on July 22, 1861. He eventually joins Major General John M. Palmer’s staff as acting Assistant Inspector General. He was killed in action near New Hope Church, GA on June 2, 1864 during the Atlanta Campaign.
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Letter written by Sergeant David Woodman Norton of the “1st Zouave Regiment of Chicago,” to his father Joshua Norton, Jr., from Chicago, IL. Norton comments on his brothers’ recent decisions to enlist. Norton is a 2nd Sergeant of Company E, but feels that he should have a higher rank. His colonel however, shows favoritism to the older members of the Zouave Company. They have orders to go to Cairo, IL, which Norton describes as “the most important post to be held west of Washington.” Norton inquires after his mother, saying that she should not be worried about her sons, as they will all return safely and with honor. Norton mentions a package of letters he would like returned to their sender, Miss Mary T. Dodge, if he dies in the war. He also asks his father to get him a commission if he can, as Norton feels he would do well in any position.
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Chicago April 29th/61
Dear Father
I received your letter some days since and was not at all surprised to hear that Joshua and John had enlisted in the glorious cause of our country.
I am 2nd Sergeant of Comp. E. Zuave Regiment of Chicago. I should have had a higher rank but for the favoritism shown by our Colonel to the older members of the Zuave Company. As it is I have a great deal of the work of drilling the men thrown upon my hands. We have got them into pretty good marching drill and have begun teaching the manuel
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of Arms. Our uniforms are not done yet, thought we expect to get them in two or three days.
We are under order to leave for Cairo or to go into camp to night or to-morrow. I hope we may go to Cairo, as that is the most important post to be held west of Washington, and we may expect some hard service there for the south must come there to get food or starve. Three Companies of our Reg. are there now.
I am glad that John was with the 1st Reg. that saw service Was he hurt at all? Has Joshua gone yet? What are the numbers of their Regiments? Mine is the 1st Reg. of Zouaves.
Mother must not feel badly to part with her sons in such
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a cause as ours, even if she should be called upon to part with any of them for this life. She will meet us all again where there are no wars! But she must not expect to lose any of us. We shall all be come home safe and with honor. If we have any good fighting I mean to have a rank higher than at presant, if there is one to be had by doing one’s duty.
I have left my trunk in care of Mr. Haskell. If I don’t return I should like to have a package of letters you will find in it returned to the writer. – Miss. Mary T. Dodge Dodgeville Wisconsin
When you write to me send the letters for the presant, to care of Box 2555 and address to Sergeant DW Norton Comp. E. Zouaves Reg. Chicago, I will write again as soon as I get time and a chance. I am
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not quite a novice, in military matters. Don’t forget if you can get a chance to get me a commission, that I feel sure that I can fill any office I should be likely to get, if perseverance and application are of any a/c [account].
Write Soon and tell the others to do so too. Give my love to all and write soon to
Your Affect. Son
D. Woodman Norton
Major David Woodman Norton was born 31 January 1838 in Chelsea, MA. He had two other brothers (Joshua and John) who also enlisted and served in the Union Army. He enlisted with the 1st Zouave Regiment of Chicago and was then promoted to 2nd Lieutenant of the 42nd IL Infantry then Captain on July 22, 1861. He eventually joins Major General John M. Palmer’s staff as acting Assistant Inspector General. He was killed in action near New Hope Church, GA on June 2, 1864 during the Atlanta Campaign.
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Letter written by Private Sereno Bridge, Gilbert’s Company of Illinois Independent Cavalry [later Company H, 12th IL Cavalry], to his wife, from Benton Barracks in St. Louis, MO. The miserable weather has given him time to write a letter. Bridge describes the conditions of the camp. He also writes that the army chaplains are overpaid and not focused on the spiritual well-being of the men, while the officers are “unprincipled, profane” and “have no regard for God.” Bridge believes that if the war ends, it will be because of the prayers of citizens in spite of the “sin and iniquity” of the army. He worries that his regiment may be disbanded.
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Benton, Barracks Jan 19
Dear Wife I received your letter of the 11 of Jan on Thursday last and to day being Sunday and a damp foggy day and (not) so much is going on as usual I thought I would write you afew lines to let you k[n]ow we are getting along well in the first plase as you are a good deale worr[i]ed on a count of my health I will try and releive your anxiety on that acount for the preasant for to day I feel as well as at any time since I have been here, although as I have written to you before I have not been entirely free from a cough since I came here some days quite bad and others about well I have not lost a meal on the acount of sickness since I enlisted one of the men that came back
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from the hospital said he thought I had grown fleshy while he had been gone but I do not know how that is as I have not been weighed since I left Geneva you wanted to know how we lived here our living is about the same as in Geneva with the exception that the dirt is more plenty and I do not think quite as good as it was there you wish to know where the Chaplains in the army are now every Reg has a Chaplain and government pays them some $130, per month they weare a fine uniform have a horse and waiter if they like and rank next to the field officers in the army now that some of them are good God fearing men I have
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no doubt and are doing much good. but with a greate many of them it is somthing as it is with myself now being a private I can take care of the sick and do some little good but if I had gone home with straps on my sholders which Grandfather Bruce discovered that I did not have on, I should have proberly got above my buissiness and not done as much good as now I think if our Chaplains was paid about the saim as the common soldier and had to wear plain cloths we should have those in the army that would labour faithfully for the temporal and spearitual good of the men but it is a hard matter for a Chaplain to exert much influence in the army for the officers from the hiest [highest] to the loust [lowest] with
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a few exceptions are unprincipled profane men they have no regard for god nor some of them for man if this reb[e]llion is ever put down and our country saved it will be bcause there is riches praying peopple out side of the army and government enough to save it in spite of all the sin anickety [iniquity] that is committed in high places there is some prospect that our com[pany] ma[y] be disbanded but I harldy think it will at preasant if it should I do not think i should come home I think if our country ever has needed my servises it needs them yet I think now I should go to Kansas and join Jim Lanes expedition proberly you have seen an acount of it in the papers there was a Reg of Caval[r]y from Ohio just come in to the Camp that are going to join Lane’s forces I here that our Reg is on the road backe here again kiss the boys for me good by
S. Bridge
Sereno Bridge, from Elgin, IL, enlisted as a private in Gilbert’s Company of Illinois Independent Cavalry on September 6, 1861. He was transferred out on February 17, 1862 to Company H, 12th IL Cavalry, then on December 25, 1862 to Company G, 15th IL Cavalry. He was mustered out of service on October 31, 1864.
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Letter written by Private George R. Buck of Company K, 17th Illinois Infantry, to his mother, from Fort Holt, KY. Buck writes that he has not seen a Confederate camp since he has been in the service. He describes the various illnesses suffered by his comrades and his own recent health problems. He has heard that they will get paid soon, although he is skeptical. Buck mentions that he has plenty to eat and access to coffee. He describes the four large post guns at the camp. Buck writes that Colonel Leonard Ross is often not in camp, and the men think they will need a new colonel if he does not appear soon. Many of the men think that General Fremont “ought to have his ass kicked for letting Mulligan be so long without reinforcing him.” Buck thinks they will get whipped if the troops continue to be so scattered.
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Fort Holt Ky
Sept 25th 1861
Dear Mother
4 months ago today we were sworn into the U.S. service & I have not seen a secesh camp yet, or had a shot at them. Esq Hole & Jud Foster came over here today. George F. & H. F Hole came over here with them. G. Foster is quite better has got the fever broken. Hole looks very bad indeed but is conciterable better. I am about the same, got medacine this morning for the Diarea it has put a stup to my running so much.
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I was very sick last night with a pain in my stomach. Do not know when I will get well, but hope it will be soon. You must not fret on my account. It will do me no good & you the harm. I have gathered a lot of dry leaves from the brush piles for a bed – it does fine. I wrote a long letter to Ann yesterday, but suppose you will get this first. Morris has come back again he is quite well. It is said we will be payed off soon, some time this week, I dont hardly believe it. We get plenty to eat, & I traded off some coffe for sweet
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potatoes, which went fine with the boys. I tasted one & it was fine. Bill Boggs is writing home. They have 4 large fort guns planted at this place which look quite savage down the river. 3, 32 pounders & 1, 24, They have a large magazine here, it is under the ground but covered over with logs & sand 5, or 6 feet. We had 1000 men when at Alton & now can make but 550 fit for duty. Col Ross has some thing he likes better than this Regt., or he would stay with us more.
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He has not been with us but very little since we left Camp Pope. & for the last month about 4 days. He is gone now, & the boys think if he does not stay with us closer we had better get a new Col., I think so to. Bruner has the Billious fever & is at Cairo hospital. I will send thsi with Jud. Lots of the boys think Gen Fremont ought to have his A– kicked for letting Mulligan be so long without reinforcing him. Our troop are scattered about so we have [???] in a place, & so long as this is the case we will get whipped. Fremont will get his eyes opened after while I hope if he dont soon & they’ll send Co. K we’ll plug him, G.R. Buck.
George R. Buck was a resident of Havana, IL. He enlisted on May 5, 1861 as a private at the age of 21. He served with Company K of the 17th Illinois Infantry. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on October 22, 1862. He mustered out June 15, 1864. After the war he returned to farming. He died in 1906.
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Letter written by Corporal Amos Kibbee of the 1st Battalion, 4th IL Cavalry, to his cousin Hattie, from Pittsburgh Landing, Tennessee. Kibbee describes his transfer from the 29th IL Regiment to the 4th IL Cavalry after the battle of Shiloh. He describes what it is like for a soldier in battle, and the overwhelming feeling to completely destroy the enemy that comes as a means of self-preservation. Kibbee writes that Nashville, New Orleans, Richmond, and Memphis are all in Union possession, and does not see how the Confederates could at this point hope for success. He is anxious for the war to end as he feels he is not suited to a soldier’s life – his main goal is for the war to end rather than to be promoted in the military. He requests that his cousin be available when he visits home so that they may spend time together, and that he will likely move back to Illinois.
Pittsburgh Landing, Tenn. May 11th, 62
Dear Cousin Hattie
Yours of April 20 came to hand yesterday and I avail myself of the time given me today on account of being on guard all night to answer it, although perhaps I should do it better if I were not so sleepy and tired. I think I forgot to tell you in my last that we have been transferred from the 29th Reg. of Infantry to the first battalion of the 4th Cavalry, commanded by Col. Dickey. We have been attached to this since directly after the battle of the 6th and 7th of April. The division to which I belong (the first, Gen. McClernand’s) was very badly cut up in the fight and they have many sick, and I think this may be the reason why we are held in reserve, and it is very probable we shall not participate in the coming struggle which is hourly expected, and which, indeed, is now already being fought, but more the fashion of a siege than an assault. We have heard cannonading in the direction of Corinth this morning, which implies that “somebody is being hurt.” I have shared the fortunes of this division of the army ever since its organization at Cairo. I was with it at Forts Henry and Donelson, and at Shiloh. It is unnecessary to tell you that the army met with little opposition at Fort Henry, but we had several cavalry skirmishes with their mounted scouts, shotgun cavalry.
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So I have been in two regular pitched battles. Although I have seen blood enough spilt, yet I can hardly content myself to be a noncombatant in the present impending battle. Yet I think you will hardly demonstrate this “bloodthirstiness,” but a desire for a speedy peace, which can only be accomplished through their utter and complete overthrow, and to endure this I am willing, yes, anxious to “brave the leaden storm” once more. There is much to plead in extenuation for the soldier who is so often accused of forgetting the feelings of this better nature. There is a wide difference between experiencing the wild and terrible excitement on the battlefield, and contemplating it from afar. It is utterly useless for anyone to attempt to describe such feelings in language, but this much I can say. It is an utter forgetfulness of everything but a desire to destroy your enemy in the quickest way possible. I think perhaps it is self preservation more than anything else that prompts this feeling. But in all my experience I have never seen a soldier offer the least indignity to a dead or wounded enemy. No truly brave man would do this. Only cowards are capable of it, and I think, Hattie, you would find more than one here to dispute the word of anyone who would call me a coward, or accuse me of inhumanity to a suffering friend or foe. Well, the battle of Yorktown, or rather the siege, has been brought
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to a successful issue, and the Rebels are in full retreat towards Richmond, and I hope it may have the influence upon the destiny of this war that all have presaged for it. With Nashville, New Orleans, and Richmond, and Memphis in our possession, their armies defeated on every field and side, what can induce them to hope for ultimate success? It is nothing but reckless foolhardiness to protract the struggle longer. But if they will carry it on to the bitter end, the consequences must rest upon their own heads, and nothing but destruction, almost annihilation, awaits them with its horrors enhanced a hundred fold if we adopt Gen. Hunter’s last resort, which ere long will be done. I am anxious that this war should close for many reasons. First, a soldier’s life does not suit me very well, and next, you must know that it is time nearly thrown away from a pecuniary point of view. You know of course that the wages are small, and it is very little we can lay up out of it, and I wish to be doing something for myself. For it is useless to deny it. I am growing old fast. The misfortunes and hardships of a few years have done the work of many. God heed the day of peace. Well, I am going to write something now which perhaps I never should. If I had not seen that little “my” in parenthesis in connection with Lieutenant Leek. I protest against your doing so again will tell you why. Since we have entered
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upon the scenes that have tried mens’ souls we have had many trying times of danger, where officers especially have been watched by jealous eyes, and I regret to say it, but he has greatly fallen from the estimation in which he was held at first by the men under his command who think the feather in his heart a little whiter than the big black one in his hat. They think he is troubled with a disease popularly demonstrated “the bighead.” But this is too common a failing among army officers. You wished to know what kind of a looking man our captain is. He is a man about my height, not so heavy built, will weigh about 150 pounds, light complexion, sandy hair, tolerably good looking, is about 38 years old, has a wife and several children at home. As his temperament would indicate, he is passionate and impulsive, and if he is lacking in anything it is in cool discrimination in times of peril. He is liked by some, and disliked by some, but he is a very good officer. My ambition consists more in wishing to bring this war to a successful termination than for official promotion, and I would rather hear of peace today than be assured of a brigadier generalship in six months more of war. I cannot see the necessity for your keeping to the school room so steadily. Surely you might consult your own wishes and feelings for this season, anyhow, or at least a part of it, for I am going to stay perhaps a month when I come, and shall want you at liberty then while I stay, or I shall be lonesome. I expect to go back to Illinois to live after visiting all my relatives there. Yours truly,
Ame to Hatt
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Tell your mother that I thank her very much for her good wishes, and should be as glad to see her as she would me, I’ll warrant. And “Sister Lizzie” the same. I can imagine the pretty things she said; “tell” me. Tell Madison I am coming to see him and stay a whole week. And if I should conclude to take my horse with me, perhaps we won’t have some madcap races. My black [horse] is not in as good condition as he was. He has had awful hard usage and poor feed. The roads are too bad to haul forage, but he will improve as soon as we get plenty again. You may look for me about the first of August; a year from [my] time of entry [in the army].
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We are encamped about half way between Pittsburg and Corinth. [We] shall move up a little closer tomorrow. A.K. to H.
Amos Kibbee, from Metropolis, IL, enlisted on August 7, 1861 as a corporal in an independent company of Illinois cavalry, designed to be attached to an infantry regiment as an adjunct unit. His company was assigned to the 29th IL Infantry during the battle of Shiloh, but was transferred to the 1st Battalion, 4th IL Cavalry immediately thereafter. In the spring of 1863 various independent companies were re-organized to form the 15th IL Cavalry, and Kibbee was assigned to Company B. He was promoted to sergeant (no date recorded). Kibbee was mustered out of the army on August 25, 1864, at the expiration of his three years’ enlistment.
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