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[Collection of John A. Parrot, B company, 34th regiment, Illinois, infantry] [decimalized]

This is a collection of the Civil War letters of John A. Parrott to his family at home. 34th Illinois. Father is C Parrot Esqr. Emma? Wife Sarah. William?
Most of John's letters are addressed to one of his sisters, though it is often unclear...

GLC03858.01

to sister

He left home last Friday and Henry accompanied him to the train. He leaves for Louisville tonight.

GLC03858.01.01

to sister

sister [Sophia Parrott] They are camped near Mumfordsville, on the north side of Green River. John believes they will stay there until 1 March but complains that he "enlisted for something els[e] than lying in camp and doing nothing." He is quite...

GLC03858.01.02

to father

father [ C. Parrott] He is very upset to hear that Sophia is seriously ill and will try to get a leave of absence so he may visit her. He encloses money and will send more later.Written at Camp Wood.

GLC03858.01.03

to father

father [ C. Parrott] "Is Sophia better? Answer today. Unable to get home." John is unable to return home and anxiously inquires if his sister is improving.

GLC03858.01.04

to sister

sister [Sophia Parrott] He is camped near the junction of the Nashville, Chattanooga, Memphis, and Charleston Rail Road. "[T]he Army is being divided up and distributed over the country to guard the Points already in our possession" because "there...

GLC03858.01.05

to sister

sister [Margaret Parrott] His health has been improving since he returned to the regiment. He thinks "the war will be closed up within the next six months and then I will be home to stay awhile." He does not "think there will be any more fighting...

GLC03858.01.06

to sister

He wishes to know who has enlisted since he left.

GLC03858.01.07

to sister

sister [ Margaret Parrott] John would like to stay in camp through the winter but resolves to accept any marching orders they receive. He is glad that she is going to school and will be a teacher for an education "is the best thing you can have to...

GLC03858.01.09

to sister

He was unable to use his hand for a time but has been well since he was hurt last spring. The regiment's next move may be to Alabama

GLC03858.01.10

to sister

He is happy to hear that she is feeling better. The "rebels have a large force at Murfreesboro" and his regiment will likely move there. He was nearly killed supporting a battery of artillery in a fight that lasted over four hours.

GLC03858.01.11

to sister

John describes the Battle of Murfreesboro, reassuring his sister that he and Henry were unhurt. "[T]he battle lasted 4 ½ days…my company were on picket when the fight commenced and 16 of them were taken prisoners…."

GLC03858.01.12

to sister

He "lost nearly all my company in the fight…I have been engaged in looking up their friends and let[t]ing them know what has become of them." He is not well but will stay with the army as long as he can for he thinks "it is going to take every man...

GLC03858.01.13

to sister

sister [Sophia Parrott] He is glad that she is improving. Eight to ten thousand men are building five forts and when they are finished "this place will be the strongest Fortified p[l]ace in Tenn[essee]." There are skirmishes nearly every day. A...

GLC03858.01.14

to sister

His health is improving and he hopes to be able to rejoin his regiment soon. He does not think it wise to go home if there is a small pox outbreak there. He would like to know if Dunham has been dismissed.

GLC03858.01.15

to sister

sister [Margaret Parrott] John is proud of his sister and he reminds her to be respectable and honorable, for he wants her to feel equally "as good as those who are we[a]lthy…And if you conduct yourself properly you will soon be a great deal more...

GLC03858.01.16

to sister

John is sorry to hear that their sister is so sick and he hopes to be able to visit her in the nest few days. A verse follows in another hand and Sophia's name appears below it.

GLC03858.01.17

to father

father [C. Parrott] He is going to join the regiment next Monday. He is married and gives news that his wife is going to New York to stay with family. He may resign if his health does not improve but stands "on the top of the pile here now and I...

GLC03858.01.18

to father

father [C. Parrott] John has been back "in Dixey" for about a week. They are guarding a pontoon bridge and he explains what one is to his father. "Boats are anchored in the River and stringers placed from one boat to another and covered with plank...

GLC03858.01.19

to sister

He was almost killed by Bushwhackers on his way back from visiting Henry with the 75th and "had to run the gauntlet" for four miles and "just before I got through I was compel[l]ed to leave my horse & take to the mountains" and walk over 15 miles....

GLC03858.01.20

to father

father [C. Parrott] John's health is not good. Henry is now camped at Jasper, Tennessee. John's regiment is guarding a pass in the mountains and will remain there until the river is opened. He was nearly captured returning from Chattanooga; "the...

GLC03858.01.21

to sister

sister [Sophia Parrott] He is glad that she is feeling better. He is anxious for his sister to meet his wife. He believes he will be able "to stand the service till the balance of the Regt is muster out" on 1 September, a "day of rejoicing."...

GLC03858.01.22

to brother

His brother has sold his farm and will settle in Minnesota. Their father has also sold his farm. John instructs his brother regarding money, telling him if their father does not need it, to send it to him care of N. Thompson so that John may use it...

GLC03858.01.23

to sister

sister [Margaret Parrott] Things have been quiet since the Battle of the 23rd, 24th, and 25th as the soldiers are preparing winter quarters. He hopes she will continue school this winter. He is glad he joined the Army when he did as he has only a...

GLC03858.01.24

[Collection of the Civil War letters of John A. Parrott to his family at home] [decimalized]

Collection of the Civil War letters of John A. Parrott to his family at home. 34th Illinois.

GLC05344