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[Collection of James H. Kellogg, I company, 21st regiment, Michigan, infantry] [Decimalized .001- .113]

Letters to his wife and family, written as a member of the 21st Michigan Infantry, Army of the Cumberland. The letters begin with his recruitment camp (Camp Siegel) in September 1862, and end with the election, just after the fall of Atlanta at...

GLC02415

to Mary

They will be leaving in the morning. He went to town today and had his picture taken for her. He says for her to keep the deed safe in case Chapman calls for it. If he doesn't she should burn it.

GLC02415.002

to Mary

They rode the train cars through Ohio and Michigan. The Rebels tried to brake their picket but they were pushed back. A few regiments were taken across the river. A lot of the boys are anxious to fight.

GLC02415.003

to Mary

They are camped in a very nice area near Louisville. There is a large plantation with lots of sweet potatoes. He asks if Taylor has decided to take the farm yet and if not she will have to let it. He asks if she heard from Wes. Was written near...

GLC02415.004

to Mary

There is nothing going on at the moment. They left him at camp for the last five days because he has not been feeling well. He wants to know all about the animals on their farm. He tells her not ask Father for help in the farm because he is old and...

GLC02415.015

to Mary

He thinks his regiment has seen harder times than most, since they have been in two battles already. He responds to her request for details of William Sears' death.

GLC02415.016

to dear wife and beloved children

He is glad she is trying to sell the farm but the price she has set on it is the lowest it could possibly go for. He is not that anxious to sell but if the money is there take it. He says to pay Uncle Cheleb what he owes him.

GLC02415.020

to Mary

He talks about the differences in climate in the North vs. the South. This leads to the next topic of Southern diseases.

GLC02415.023

to Mary

He figures it is time to send her some money. They will stay where they are five more days. There are four sick men in the company.

GLC02415.024

to Mary

He is anxious to hear from the boys in the potomac. He goes on to talk about the sacred principles of defending one's country as his grandfather and father did. David is not very well

GLC02415.026

to Mary

He talks about Bragg and Gen. Rosecrans. He says Bragg is a coward and a traitor and is afraid of Rosecrans. Then he goes on to speculate whether Father ought to save his wheat for the Spring market or Fall.

GLC02415.044

to Mary

He still doesn't know where they will send him, either to the regiment or the Convalescent Camp, but ultimately feels he will go back with his regiment. He hopes it is true that H. Pratt was discharged.

GLC02415.045

to Mary

He has been detailed in the hospital dining room. He has to set the table and do the dishes. He apologizes for not having sent her money yet, but he should be able to do so this week.

GLC02415.047

to Mary

He asks her to let him know right away if she does not receive the money he sent. She mentioned that a Mr. Shear has written to him but he has not received any of the letters.

GLC02415.050

to Mary

Money goes very fast these days he says. Even after receiving two months pay some of the boys have no money left. But he is very careful about how he spends his money. Other soldiers waste their money on drinking and gambling.

GLC02415.055

to Mary

He wants to know how living in Mr. Sterans house is for her. Apparently their corn crop did not do well this year. He asks what Mr. Graw wants to do with their farm.

GLC02415.057

to Mary

He received a letter from his father who is well. His father told him that William H. Pratt is in the hospital. James assures Mary that he is safer now than if he had stayed in the brigade.

GLC02415.059

to Mary

He has no wish to rejoin his regiment and march around in the cold. He would like to have a taste of her mince pies. He says to tell Mr. Roland he can work on the improved land.

GLC02415.060

to Mary

He writes again how education is so important for their children. If she does not have money for the taxes, he insists she let him know and he will send her some money.Their pay is late.

GLC02415.063

to Mary

He talks about the music they practice playing in camp to keep busy during down times. Some of the boys play cards, while he prefers to read.

GLC02415.067

to Mary

He has never been healthier. There is some talk of going to Cincinnati but he thinks they will most likely go to Georgia or Alabama.

GLC02415.069

to Mary

He responds to the news from his wife. She has said William and Jane Nickerson might move back to Calhoun. Mary has not decided if she will go to Dester this summer.

GLC02415.070

to Mary

He would like William to work the farm so that he could live there with Mary and the children and then she wouldn't have to worry about the milling.

GLC02415.071

to Mary

He talks about the current prices of different articles of clothing. He says he is getting lazy and doesn't know how long he will remain in Chattanooga. He still owes his uncle money.

GLC02415.077

to Mary

He talks about the inevitability of death and the many vices of the army. It takes a very stable mind to reject all the vices of the army. He mentions a friend who wants to enlist because his wife died, but he thinks it would be better if he stayed...

GLC02415.079

to Mary

He asks what Fletcher is doing on their farm. He doesn't have anything very positive to say about him. They will leave Tennessee tomorrow and go to Georgia. They are going to a healthier place. Written in camp opposite Chattanooga

GLC02415.089

to Mary

Small pox has been going around.They have been picketing in Georgia. One night he was ordered to dine with the Captain and the Lieutenant. They had a big meal. Written at camp on Lookout Mountain.

GLC02415.091

to Mary

He thought the people of the South "were the most humain in the world" when he saw their barns. For he thought they ahd no houses, but they in fact had no barns. Their barns did not hold stock, only negroes and mules. Written at camp on Lookout...

GLC02415.093

to Mary

Every time the Rebels make a raid, they are helping the Union. Lee was "badly whipped," and driven back. He mentions Grant, who had a position, but realized it wouldn't work. He predicts the Rebels will soon have to abandon Petersburg and Richmond...

GLC02415.094

to Mary

He tells her not to worry about the farm as long as it is worked by men who care more the produce it yields than the government that protects them. Perhaps she will think him a different man when he returns. Written at camp on Lookout Mountain

GLC02415.095

to Mary

He has become very cynical, for he's been a soldier too long to think that anyone would get discharged before the end of the war. They've been having pickets on one side of the mountain but there has been no fight. Some of the boys say the new...

GLC02415.096

to Mary

They wanted to have their pictures taken by Lookout Mountain but there were too many people ahead of them. He describes the scenery of Chattanooga and concludes with a poem. Written at camp on Lookout Mountain

GLC02415.100

to Mary

He says he is not an abolitionist, nor did he enlist under an abolitionist administration Then talks of whether the constitution should be reinstated or reconstruction should take place altogether. Written at camp on Lookout Mountain

GLC02415.105

to Mary

He writes that some men shouldn't go to war and are better off in the kitchen. If they can't stand the sight of blood, then the army is not for them. He praises his wife's competence in running the farm.Written at camp on Lookout Mountain

GLC02415.107

to Mary

They have been on the move since he last wrote. They left Stephenson on Sept. 28th, then camped in Tullahoma and went on picket. They are now in Nashville.

GLC02415.108

to Mary

Unexpectedly they left camp and were put on cars going to Georgia. Father is still visiting the family.

GLC02415.112

to Mary

He goes over the particulars of the mortgage with her. At present he says they are having a great time.

GLC02415.001

to Mary

They left Lousiville on the first and started in pursuit of the Rebels. The Rebels outsmarted them and put lumber in the roads to slow them down. The Rebels are now within about a half mile of them

GLC02415.005

to Mary

He is anxious to hear about the farming affairs. He inquires after family members and friends. He thinks they will be stuck at their present location three or four weeks.

GLC02415.007

to Mary

He thinks they will go to a town called Lebanon about 19 miles away. His only real satisfaction these days is knowing he will get mail. He is sorry to hear that she is sick. He is healthy.

GLC02415.008

to Mary

He explains why he has not written as often as he could have. He then describes how amazing the army can look in battle and how splendid they can look as they take their position.Written in a camp near Nashville, Tennessee

GLC02415.010

to Mary

There has been terrible fighting. They lost 160 men in the first round. He fears that W.J Scare has died. He was shot int he knee and he does not know what happened afterward. He tells her to kiss the children for him.

GLC02415.011

to Mary

.There has been a lot of sickness in the camp. He remarks that Southern homes have a chimney on the end instead of the side and this looks strange to Northerners. He describes the way plantations are built.Later he notes that William and Jane will...

GLC02415.017

to Mary

After marching a good deal they arrived in camp where they had a feast. The weather is getting warmer and he can go without socks. He will send her five dollars.Written at a camp near Stony River

GLC02415.019

to Mary

He is glad she finalized agreements with Mr. Shaw to let the farm. He talks about the possibility of crops in the orchard.

GLC02415.022

to Mary

He is concerned because she doesn't have any money to get the children shoes. He doesn't want them to catch cold so he will spare some money, though he sent her some previously. He warns her he may have to do the best she can without.

GLC02415.025

to Mary

He heard of the death of a fellow soldier, whom he hoped had lived. They are under marching orders and have to be ready to leave at any time. He talks about the hand of providence.

GLC02415.027

to Mary

He has been sick on his back, but is improving. The medicine could only do so much. He is too weak to write many letters so he tells his wife to tell everyone he will write as soon as he is able.

GLC02415.031

to Mary

He is in Nashville now but he doesn't think he will stay there long. He is in the hospital and he is eating well. His appetite is good.

GLC02415.033

to Mary

He is now in Lousiville. He thinks he may go farther north as they have been sending all the men that are unfit for duty to their own state hospitals.

GLC02415.034