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to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill explains that he is sick with "disinterry," as are most of the soldiers in his camp, and twice asks his mother to do what she can to bring him home. He divulges that "the boys don't find it as they expected," and that rations are only...

GLC03859.01

to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill learned in his mother's last letter that his brother is missing, and now offers encouragement that he will be found alive. He reveals that "disease is making sad havoc with us at present….[i]n fact I am more afraid of disease than I am of...

GLC03859.02

to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill is well at present, and expects "a little brush" with the Confederate Army soon. He describes the seventy mile march from Mississippi to Tennessee, and briefly mentions that the soldiers were recently paid.

GLC03859.03

to: Drazilla Churchill.

Two men, Jonathan Snook and O.B. Boughton have been sent to Michigan to recruit soldiers for the company. Churchill is well and "as fat as a stuffed chicken." The Cavalry took 26 "cotton burners or guerillas," all of whom will presumably be...

GLC03859.04

to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill anticipates the arrival of new troops, and hopes that the reinforcements and coming cold weather will hasten the end of the war. Newton, a fellow soldier, will be home soon as he has been discharged.

GLC03859.05

to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill describes a false alarm the previous evening, when a picket reported around 2:00 A.M. that "the Rebels were coming in force." All of the soldiers turned out equipped to fight, and remained ready until 6:00 A.M., when it became apparent...

GLC03859.06

to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill reports that "one of the men in Co. F accidentally shot his mess mate yesterday through the body," and that accidents such as this are frequent. As he writes, two pickets are approaching with a pair of "secesh." He again expresses...

GLC03859.07

to Drazilla Churchill

Reassures his mother of his safety by confirming that his division has been successful in the area of Corinth, Mississippi. Discussing Confederate General Sterling Price, writes "Wee have give Genrel Prise Hell in Mississippi and tenn He was...

GLC03859.08

to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill reports that Captain Waterman has been discharged and will be coming home with money for Mrs. Churchill. The letter instructs Mrs. Churchill to purchase stamps with this money, which she should send to him at Corinth.

GLC03859.09

to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill learns that Snook and Boughton are still at home awaiting orders to return to camp. His mother must have written of their unsuccessful efforts locate new recruits, and Churchill laments the cowardliness of those who continue to remain at...

GLC03859.10

to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill complains of the sheer number of African Americans in the South, and shows reservations about allowing them to become free: "[I]f the nigers are free…then you will see how them Black Devils will flock for the north and I am sure we don't...

GLC03859.11

to: Drazilla Churchill.

There is news of an upcoming draft, which Churchill hopes will draw largely on Democrats and Abolitionists. Churchill also reacts to the arming of African American in South Carolina: "…I wished it was the Negroes that was slain instid of our white...

GLC03859.12

to: Drazilla Churchill.

A train with 900 prisoners passed through Grand Junction, and another 1500 are waiting to be transported from Holey [Holly] Springs. The 900 passengers cheered Jefferson Davis and the Southern Confederacy upon pulling out of the station. Churchill...

GLC03859.13

to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill's brother William has been missing for some time, and his mother's attempts to find him have been unsuccessful. Churchill will not be granted a discharge as his health is too good, and no furloughs are being granted at this time. The...

GLC03859.14

to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill's regiment got into a brawl with soldiers and officers of the 46th Ohio Regiment after some of them had been drinking. No shots were fired, however, and Churchill expresses relief at this: "[I]t would have be a affle [awful] thing if we...

GLC03859.15

to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill wishes to see everyone at home, but knows that this is impossible at the moment. He observes of Grand Junction: "We are in a very good Plase hare [here] how long, we shall stay here I cannot tell…" All are in good health, with Churchill's...

GLC03859.16

to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill received his pay, but has no money left to send to his mother after paying his clothing bill. He believes he may get furlough sometime over the summer. If he does, he would like his mother "to arrange things so to kepe me thair for I am...

GLC03859.17

to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill's regiment is now stationed at Snyder's Bluff, where "the hole armey is bysly [busily] in Gaiged [engaged] in diging intrenchments and Bilding foarts…" From their vantage point above Vicksburg, they are "bombarding the sity With our Hevy...

GLC03859.18

to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill's foot was run over by a wagon on the march to Bridgeport, so he is now driving the ambulance with the doctor. He observes a great rush to the front, but is not certain whether his regiment will be advancing there as well. Churchill notes...

GLC03859.19

to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill's regiment is moving towards Atlanta, driving the Confederates before them. Recent fighting has resulted in no casualties in Churchill's regiment, although he reports 16 wounded.

GLC03859.20

to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill reports the evacuation of the enemy from their works the night before last, and men are now engaged in "reversing the rebel works." All is quiet as of this morning. Churchill tells how he spent the Fourth of July marching 16 miles or more...

GLC03859.21

to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill reports that he was involved in heavy fighting on both the 22nd and 28th, but fortunately escaped unhurt. The surgeon believes that there were 33 men wounded, one killed, and one who died of his wounds. There appears to be some sort of...

GLC03859.22

to: Drazilla Churchill.

Brief note enclosing his certificate of reenlistment.

GLC03859.23

to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill reports little action, with the exception of the artillery exchanging shots now and then. Camp was moved this morning and all are now engaged in erecting shelter against the sun, heat, and rain. Churchill was on the skirmish line all the...

GLC03859.24

to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill reports very little going on: "[We] don't have ena thing [anything] to do onlee to eat and sleap." This respite apparently comes after a busy period of building works. Churchill received a letter from Olive in Illinois, who reports that...

GLC03859.25