Letter – Elizabeth Todd, 10 December 1867

2015.002.113

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 Elizabeth L. “Betsey” Humphreys Todd (step-mother of Mary Todd Lincoln), to her cousin William, from Madison, IN. Betsey is updating her cousin on the current state of her children, in-laws, and grandchildren, but does not mention Mary Todd Lincoln. She does mention her deceased son-in-law, Brigadier General Hardin Helm. Helm was a graduate of West Point, and served in the Confederate army. Betsey enjoys living in Madison, and says that several Kentucky families have followed suit, despite some locals who “try to convert us, being well acquainted with our… disloyal sentiments.”

---

-Page 1-

Madison Dec

10th 1867

Dear Cousin William

Many things have prevented my writing sooner and thanky you for the history of the family of which I was ignorant soon After the death of my Brother I left Ky and have not sen any of them since. You knew Lucy was dead and soon after her three children with that dreadful scourge Diptheria – Sam left two sons his widow moved to Springfield Ill. her oldest son David at College [is a] fine young man. Tommy [is] delicate Joseph mar[ri]ed a relation Sarah Gibson – died in N[ew] York leaving three daughters IS ok – his widow Resides on the farm near Versailles Ky Belle died just before her father and Annie since having Lucy, Sally & Joe Mary H has never married and lives with her Mother at the home place – I had a visit from Mrs Dawson (Elodie Todd) Col Dawson lives in Selma and by the

-Page 2-

kindness

of one of our distant Preston Cousins (during the sacking & burning of the town) he knew Dede [Elodie] and placed a guard on her lot as well as a camp but they saved her house Col D. was at Manassas & was in the fight when “Wilson” entered the city but escaped with my other son in law Capt White did not get home for some weeks – David H Todd Capt Art. commanded at Vicksburg has parolled with the Army married a daughter of Judge Turner of Huntsville has one daughter Elise Kitty Todd my youngest daughter married since the war Capt Herr & lives near Louisville has one child H Helen Herr – Margaret my eldest child married Mr Kellogg merchant at that time in N.O. [New Orleans?] has considerable property and resides in Covington Ky. he went South under a misapprehenson After the death [of] A.S. Johnson he was carried to Richmond as prisoner – he is right has always been a Democrat

-Page 3-

you may have heard my great bereavement My oldest Samuel Todd fell at Shilo a brave man went with the NO [New Orleans] “Crescents” saw much privation as he went as a private left a wife of four children in N Orleans – My youngest son Capt Alex Todd fell at Baton rouge “young brave & good he was a favorite with his company and much loved by all that knew him B. General Hardin Helm my son in law fell at Chickamauga – My daughter Emilie was in Atlanta with her three children. she had gone out with him and had passed thro’ many trying scenes before the last affliction which deprived her of a most excellent Husband her children of an affectionate father & me of a devoted son & friend – he was a graduate of West Point, but had left the Army and was was a practising lawyer at the opening of the war – the three lie in

-Page 4-

[the] South I never could get Samuel but Alex and Gen Helm were quietly and decently intered. their Graves are marked. The Genl at Atlanta. his Father Gov Helm died one week after his Inaugeration It may be that the bodies may be brought to Ky – I am now indifferent about it. I have left the state, but hope the resurrection may find us all in the [???] prepared for those who love the Lord – Emily is very young to have the care of her family – she purchased the house we live in. All my child being married I remain with her and am rather pleased with this place ’tis quiet and several Ky families have followed our example and we have society sufficient tho’ the Lads seem to convert us being well acquainted with our to “them disloyal sentiments-” I hope you iwll write again and inform me respecting yourself & others of the family or better still come to see us –

-Page 2 & 3, Upside-down Across Top-

I direct to Mr. Gilkinson as I am not sure of your address

-Page 1, Crosswritten-

I enclose my [???] knitting {???] socks and will try to send one of each of my family – write to Mrs Humphrys for theirs – May evry good my dear cousin attend you [???] E.L.T.

---

Elizabeth L. “Betsey” Humphreys married Robert Smith Todd of Lexington, KY in November 1826, following the death of his first wife in July 1825. She was stepmother to six children, including Mary Todd Lincoln (then age 8), and soon had nine children of her own, before her husband’s death of cholera in 1849. Three of her sons served in the Confederate army, two of which died (Samuel – at Shiloh; Alexander – at Baton Rouge). Her favorite son-in-law, Brigadier General Benjamin Hardin Helm (married to Betsey’s oldest daughter Emilie) was killed at Chickamagua. She was about 65 years of age in 1867, while living with Emilie, her only unmarried child, when this letter was written.

Letter – John Downes, 22 April 1863

2015.002.109

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

Letter of Private John Downes of Company E, 35th IA Infantry, to his friend John W. Walton, from a camp at Milliken’s Bend, LA. Downes reports that Governor Yates is reviewing troops in the department. He has heard rumors that Vicksburg is being evacuated, and that there is a possibility of peace. All soldiers were recently ordered to send their personal fire arms home, or else they will be confiscated. Downes is not in favor of this order. Neither is he in favor of the current officers; noting that they are disgraceful and at risk of being shot by their own men. Downes writes that there is talk of Ulysses S. Grant moving the infantry down to Vicksburg, though he fears it will fail. He has also heard that they have thousands of prisoners quartered on the island below Vicksburg. At the finish, Downes has received marching orders for the next morning.

---

-Page 1-

Camp at Miligens Bend April the 22 1862

kind friend I send this for information

Governor Yates is here to day from Illinois he is Reviewing the troops in this Department the Report is that Vicksburg is being evacuated we hear a report from northern letters that there is a prospect of peace but I dont credit the Report I notice that most of the troops have sent there money home some fools have went in to Gambling and have lost all there money and they go about trying to borow of there fellow solders but i have no sempathy for such fools I notice the Oficers can get Whiskey and a large share are drunk the Order has come for all soldiers to send there side arms home or else they will be seized by the government oficials now i think that damned hard the boys has paid for there Revolvers and they aught to be alowed to keep them the Codfish bas done this mean trick i should not wonder if the soldiers would kill a few thousand codfish oficers the shoulder straps had beter not put on to many airs or by god some of them will get shot they have been playing the fool long enough i am geting tierd of those little ticy ass codfish oficers they are a disgrace to the army

April the 23th heavy firing was heard all the later part of the night in the Vicinity of Vicksburgh and there is an odd shot this morning once in a while

-Page 2-

My kind friend I must mention one thing yesterday I was to the Cattle Corell [corral] and took a peep at the beef Cattle they was all so poor they could not shit for bones Such beef as that is as a disgrace to the American Army I shal play my hand out on a stranger and go into some other Regiment On thing is certain this codfish plan of taking the side arms from the soldiers will have a bad tendency It gives the Rebels a decided advantage over us in the field of battle because they go armed to the teeth and we will have nothing but our muskets to fight with god damn the codfish they will Ruen us what the caus of all this cod fish style i cant see there must be traitors at the head of the army somewhere when we made a flank movement on the Talahatchie last fall that would have been the time to have taken Vicksburgh but that would have ended the war to soon for the government leeches some people let it be who it will must sufer in hell for these cursed doings in the army one half of the oficers in service are no more loyal than Jeff davis and a great deal the largest half to[o] there is lying at the bank the Steamer Uncle Sam She is turned into a man of war she caries 10 guns on lower decks and two long mines on the bow and one small field peice on the haricane Roof with on Rifled gun mounted that caries 2 ounces of lead what that little one is for i cant tell there is 5 of those boats and they cary the Marine Brigade the whole concern is wooden

-Page 3-

I notice there is a good deal of style put on those marine boats I have an idea there is some codfish on them what good they will do I cant tell time alone will decide

April the 24th

it is now talked in military circles that Grant will make a flank movement with Infantry down the Arkansas side and cross the River and by so doing he will get in the Rear of Vicksburgh but I fear that it will prove a failure like the yazoo Expedition it is said that we have 5000 prioners safely quartered on the island below Vicksburgh but that is only a camp Report it needs Confirmation the Report in camp is that 2 of our transports was sunk while Running the Blocad [Blockade] but that needs to be confirmed also the boats sufered some of course they cant get through without some geting hit the other night I counted 315 shots in about 2 hours and then turned over and went to sleeep so you can give some Idea of the engagement it is said that Grant will knock down a couple of high church steples they answer for a good observatory for the Rebs to watch our movements if i had comand i would knock hell out of em in a minute 12 o clock

Orders has come for 3 days Rations to be cooked and to March to morow the 25th at 10 o clock it will be dificult for me to get any leters from this time until we stop I think the battle will not be delayed long I have Received some 4 or 5 leters from Ann

-Page 4-

the other day I sent Father 75 dollars by Express i wish you would tell him to see to it and if you please write to me when he gets it

I am well at this time and hope this leter may find you and yours enjoying the same previledges of this life I cary the Enfield Rifle and it shoots well it is made to cary 900 yards with Raising sights

I must close my letter with due Respect to John W Walton

from your friend John Downes

PS this is the last stamp I have got and i cant get any more

Yours J.D

---

John Downes was born c. 1824 in Ireland, moving to Allamakee, IA at some point. In the 1860 census he is listed as a farmer and had three young children; Mary, James, and John with his wife Mary. At the age of 38 he enlisted as a private on August 12, 1862 with Company E of the 35th IA Infantry. He mustered out on August 10, 1865 in Davenport, IA.

Letter – Anonymous, 1866?

2015.002.092

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

Letter fragment written by an unidentified Southern citizen, possibly written in early 1866, from near New Orleans, LA. The writer mentions friends who died in the war, though he has never been in the army himself as he has no military aspirations. Though previously a captain in a militia, he chose instead to stay home with his wife while others volunteered. He writes that the Union troops took hold of the Parish before the conscripts were ordered out. He writes that the war ruined him, as he is now in debt due to a loss of his crop from a flood the previous year. He sees no good in focusing on the past, and instead chooses to look to the future. He begins to write favorably of his wife when the letter ends.

---

-Page 1-

[Missing top segment]

school friends in the war that I [???] to hear from you. Ell & Clint Lewis were both killed in the army. I received a very sad letter from Ell’s widow a few days ago, telling of their death. El died in Georgia & Clint in Virginia.

I have never been in the army. I had no taste for camp life and no aspirations for military fame. and I had a young wife consequently I stayed at home while the volunteering was going on, and before the conscripts were ordered out in this Parish, the Yankees took possession of us and have held us ever since. I had one month’s experience in the tented field as Captain of Militia and I assure you I am completely satisfied especially with the Militia.

The war has completely ruined me, I still own a fine tract of land, but unfortunately I own more that it is worth. You will probably be astonished that I haven’t made money as I have been inside of the Yankee

-Page 2-

[Missing top segment]

and the water came three feet deep on my highest land so I lost that crop, and 66- found me without money.

I was in New Orleans yesterday & made an arrangement with a man to work my place this year, he furnishes the money, I furnish land and mules& we divide the crop

I have great fears of another overflow this year, but I risk nothing by this arrangement and if we are not over flowed I will make something.

I do not repine over what I have lost. I can see no good in grieving, “Let the dead past bury its dead” I look into the future and feel confident that I can support my family I feel that I have a great deal to be thankful for, and so long as God spares me my wife and children I can be happy in their affections My wife is not an extraordinary woman but she is a kind affectionate & loving wife we have been married four years and I believe I can truly say that we love each other

---

Letter – Erastus Gregory, 13 June 1863

2015.002.066

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

WARNING: This letter contains racist slurs. We neither support nor condone the use of such language and have therefor decided to censor the words out of consideration for our readers.

Letter written by Private Erastus Gregory of Company C, 114th NY Infantry, to his brother, from Port Hudson, LA. Gregory gives a day-to-day account of the battle fought at Port Hudson. Gregory’s regiment worked on building breastworks while being shelled by the Confederates. Despite being under continuous fire, Union forces suffered few losses. He mentions Major General Franklin Gardner going to Major General Nathaniel P. Banks to settle the fight with a trade of men and artillery for the fort, but Banks refused. Gregory writes that the ideas one may have about what it is like in battle fall short of the reality, and praises the bravery of the soldiers going into the field. He calls those who cry for peace cowards. He disputes that the Union is fighting for the rights of enslaved peoples, but rather is fighting to crush the rebellion, though he goes on to say that he hopes when, “resurrection morning shall dawn upon us I may be accounted worthy to sit down near the throne of God with as black a man as ever trod the soil of old africa.” This was written the day before he was killed in action.

---

-Page 1-

Port Hudson on the Mississippi 204 miles above New Orleans

                          June 13^th 1863

    Dear Brother and all I will begin a letter for you today but cannot send it out until this battle is decided for they do not allow any mail to leave here until then we started from the old railroad on friday the 29^th of may and went to New Orleans by railroad we took a steamer from there and came up the river and arrived five miles below here on Saturday we stayed all night and on Sunday the 31^st we marched onto the Battle ground we were brought up for reinforcements & so we were sent right to work they had been fighting 7 days when we got here, and I am going to keep an account of every day until the battle is decided last night Sunday night our men were sent out to put up some breastworks and worked till 12 o clock & then slept what we could the rest the time until morning the rebs shelling us by spells through the night Monday june 1^st this day opens upon us very pleasant the men are fighting with a will on both sides the rebs have been throwing up new works during the night and our men have been shelling them all the forenoon and have finally succeeded in knocking them down the rebs had a big gun behind it (the works) and our men have just dismounted it with one of our big guns so they have only 2 more big guns left that they can use against us the

-Page 2-

infantry fighting continues brisk all day) Tuesday june 2^nd the rebs shelled us by spells all night last night the infantry fighting was also kept up most all night and they are fighting like tigers today the reb shells have done us no hurt yet except to scare us pretty bad and one man (in Co. K) probably being a little more scart than some of the rest started to run to get out of the way when his foot slipped he fell some way so his gun went off the ball passed through his foot in such a manner that it had to be cut off but during surgical operations he sudenly passed into eternity and that with the exception of killing a few mules is all the hurt they have done yet that is to our regiment but they have killed about (1000) men here since the fight began and probably wounded 3 times as many more) Wednesday June 3d is a pleasant day we are fighting with a will with cannons as well as muskets The old rebel reneral [Maj. Gen. Franklin Gardner] has been out today to see gen Banks [Maj. Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks] for the purpose of settling the fight he told Gen. Banks if he (Banks) would let him have the men and 50 pieces artillery and his own life and be permitted to go he would surrender the fort to us but good old gen B told him (No) he wanted him, his men, artillery, & the fort besides) this old rebel general is the man that used to be United States paymaster and ran away with a pile of money that he was sent to pay troops and joined the rebs & being a smart man, they made a general of him but if we get him he will never be general any more for any buddy) thursday June 4^th fighting commenced at daylight fight all day) friday June 5^th fighting again today like tigers the rebs began to shell us again last night as usual but our men had been fixing for them and when they opened on us our men opened on them and ere the morning light they had dismounted the rebels two last guns and according to the statement of a negro that got away from them and came to us we killed a

-Page 3-

good many men the negro said that we slaughtered them terribly) Saturday June 6^th we are fighting today as eager as if it were the first day of the battle our men shelled the rebs through the night and they did not answer to our fire poor fellows had nothing to answer with) an Irishman has come over from them today and gave himself up he says we have almost give them enough he says two regiments of them have laid down their arms and took an oath that they will fight no more against their country) Sunday June 7^th this is a lovely day full as pleasant as it is holy I am not fighting today but some of our regiment are the rebs opened upon us this morning with a gun that they had got mounted they made out to shoot once before our men got one of our old long toms in range and that is the last I have heard from the old gun today) this was an awful stronghold but we must soon have it I think) the fort or port is 7 miles around it and we have four lines of soldiers clear around) we have 30 miles of soldiers here, when they stand four abreast Monday June 8^th fighting continues all day there was cannonading by spells all night by our men the rebs not answering to it but two or three times) I suppose you have an idea of what takes place in a fight like this but your ideas fall short of the reality) when I get home I will try and tell you so you will know something about it but I have not time to write it. But I tell you it is nothing that anyone would crave after) to see a regiment of brave boys go proudly into the field where shot and shell fly thickly around them perhaps before the first round is fired a piece of shell or musket ball hits a man on the head and he is carried from the field in an expiring condition another perhaps has his leg or arm shot off by a canon ball or grape shot while another is shot in the breast in such a manner that you can see right inside of him) and I tell you it is not very often that one word of complaint is heard from these brave men so eager are they to save their country from ruin) yet strange to

-Page 4-

say we have men in the north that do us a great deal of harm by their cowardly cries of peace peace when there is no peace it dampens the faith of many an unthinking soldier and at the same time gives great courage to the traitors or rebels but I would say to such men as they are go on say all and do all you can we have taken the job to put down this unholy rebellion and with the help of almighty God we will see that it is done and done handsomely too if it takes ten long years to do it but for my part I dare not come home and tell my neighbor that I gave in my voice (to have peace on any terms) after the rebels had killed over two hundred thousand of the brave boys) I dare not come home and take my old gray headed father & mother by the hand & tell them their gray hairs must go down in sorrow to the grave because I had given in my voice to have peace on any terms, and therefore give the rebels all they demanded in the first place) I dare not come home where my wife and children are and take them by the hand and pat the little children on the head and tell them that I had brought a curse upon them and their children for generation and generations to come by giving in my voice towards having a peace which would be more ruinous than defeat itself) I dare come home and look my brothers & sisters in the face and take them by the hand and tell them I had signed away their peace the remainder of their lives by giving in my cowardly voice for peace) and back out at this critical juncture after more than two hundred and fifty thousand of our brave and noble young men had been buried beneath the Southern sod) I dare not do it I say) No I had rather brave the storm of iron and lead a spell longer) but enough of that) you will begin to think I am getting to be a union man if I do not stop) Albert D. is here he makes a good soldier and one that is pretty well calculated to pick a reb at pretty near every shot) we have cowards but they did not come from Mt Upton [NY] you see) tuesday June 9^th infantry fighting continues brisk all day the cannons also keep up a tremendous roar all day Wednesday June 10^th the rebs threw 5 shells at us last night but they were soon hushed up by our guns for our men shelled them all night infantry fighting all day today

-Page 5-

thursday June 11^th this is a rainy wet morning) our regiment were sent out last night for the purpose of removing some trees and rubbish that were in our way between our guns and accouterments ½ mile back and went to work like tigers to get our job done before daylight and we were progressing finely) when we had got within a few rods of their breastworks they probably knowing that we had not got our guns a large party of them sprang up from behind some brush and fired into our men of course we dropped everything and run and run we did it up & run in any manner for it but I should say we took a faster gait than a run) But strange to say there was only 3 or 4 wounded in the whole regt and only one in our company and he received his wound by falling down on his axe and cutting himself) not very bad) heavy cannonading by our men all night) the rebs not answering our fire except with musketry) we are having a terrible fight here to get this port but nothing daunted we press forward with a will not forgeting however to ask the blessings of almighty god to rest uppon us and the aid of his strong arm to guide and direct us and then we do not fear anything that can be devised by southern rebels or northern traitors) there is only one thing that I regret and that is I am sorry they are not all here together so we could fight them all at the same time not that I have any hatred toward them in any other way than to hate their actions (all I want is to bring them to terms that is bring them to an unconditional surrender and then with as much joy as the father experienced at the return of the prodigal I will receive them back and call them brothers again) those northern traitors get up the miserable story that we are fighting for the (****** as they term it) I suppose they think that if they get up that miserable yarn that we will not fight so hard but I will tell them now for all that we have come down here to whip these rebels and crush out their wicked rebellion and negro or not negro) (******

-Page 6-

or not ******) we are bound to subdue them the cost be what it will) And then after the rebs are completely whipped then I say we shall have time enough to talk about the negro and then if I see anything in them or about them worthy of fighting for I will enlist and fight on the rite side) But until then I shall not bother my brains much concerning the negro some seem to think that because the negro has a black skin he ought to be a servant or slave and be bought and sold and whipped and kicked and abused in any way that a cruel master or overseer might see fit punish them) some even go so far as to say the negro has no soul but I believe when God created the negro He put as a baby [illegible due to fold] his man and I hope when the resurrection morning shall dawn upon us I may be accounted worthy to sit down near the throne of God with as black a man as ever trod the soil of old africa) If my sentence is no worse than that would be I shall be satisfied) one word more about Northern traitors and I will close this subject) tell them for me that I say, they had better come down here and help their rebel brothers for we are getting them in a tight place and they need their help very much but if they cannot or dare not come tell them to keep on and do all the hurt they can where they are) and tell them to hurry up for we shall be home some day and then it will be very strange if they do not [illegible due to fold]  days they have all day sit about as if the rebels fight as well as they did the first day I am sitting here behind a tree in the edge of the woods writing this letter the balls fly around me like hail but I hardly notice it I have got so used to it) the cannons keep up a tremendous roar on our side but the rebs do not answer only with muskets) I thought I would not send out any letters until this battle was decided but I can and I think I shall send this tomorrow (Saturday) I received a couple of letters from you yesterday and was more than glad to hear that you were all well I am hearty and stout as a bear I think you did not enjoy your ride from Sanford very much the letters that I received were dated

-Page 5, Upside down-

April 25^th and May 10^th give my respects to all tell Amelia and the children I have not forgotten them and I shall be glad when the war is over and then I can come home and see them all I will close for the present.        

                                     Erastus Gregory

---

Erastus Gregory enlisted at the age of 28 in Guilford, NY on August 9 of 1862. He served as a private in Company C of the114th NY Infantry. He was killed in action June 14, 1863 at Port Hudson, LA. According to family lore, Gregory was killed when a bullet passed through the bible he carried in his pocket.

General Orders – No. 18, 31 July 1865

2015.002.051a

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

General Orders No. 18, issued from the Union Headquarters in New Orleans, allowing soldiers to retain their arms after the war’s end if they pay for them.

---

Soldiers allowed to retain their arms

GENERAL ORDERS, HEADQUARTERS,

No. 18. DEPARTMENT OF LOUISIANA AND TEXAS

New Orleans, La., July 31, 1865

I. In accordance with instructions from the War Department, all soldiers honorably mustered out of the service, who desire to take advantage of General Orders, No. 101, War Department, Adjutant General’s Office, current series, authorizing them to retain their arms and accouterments on paying therefor their value, must signify their intention before leaving the filed, that it may be entered and charged on their muster-out rolls. The prices fixed by the Ordnance Department are as follows:

Muskets (all kinds, with or without accouterments) Six Dollars.

Spencer Carbines, (with or without accouterments) Ten Dollars.

All other Carbines and Revolvers, (with or without accouterments,) Eight Dollars.

Sabres and Swords, (with or without belts,) Three Dollars.

II. In order that no delay may be occasioned in the payment of mustered out troops, when they arrive at their respective places of enlistment, proper remarks will be made on the muster-out rolls of balance of clothing account, and traveling distance from the State rendezvous where they were mustered out, to place of enlistment.

Company officers, Commissaries and Assistant Commissaries of Musters will be held responsible that the proper remarks are made on the muster-out rolls as directed in the above order.

BY ORDER OF MAJOR-GENERAL E. R. S. Canby:

WICKHAM HOFFMAN,

Major, Assistant Adjutant General

Official: