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to Maria Damuth

Writes that the men are waiting to fight. A battle is going to take place at Pleasant Hill, thirty-five miles from their campsite. Tells a story about some men out on picket the day before who were captured by a plantation owner who "mad his negros...

GLC03523.14.52

to Maria Damuth

Writes his sister that the "29 have been in a fight and nearly all killed wounded and taken prisoners 5 companys were engaged and out of 180 men we lost 64." Lists the fates of various family friends. After the fight, the men meet new recruits at...

GLC03523.14.53

to Maria Damuth

Writes his sister to describe the battles of the previous few days in more detail, with particular attention to the amount of marching his company engaged in and the specific places where friends died. Writes about the moment of realizing "our Co...

GLC03523.14.54

to Maria Damuth

Describes being put on emergency picket outside town two days before. Damuth enjoys standing guard and complains only of the lack of blankets during the night. Tells of his fears during the night, wondering "which one of us had got to fall this...

GLC03523.14.55

to Maria Damuth

Writes that the men are camping beside the Mississippi River again. They are waiting to take a boat down river. Mail arrives for the first time in a month.

GLC03523.14.56

to Maria Damuth

Has been helping to write out papers, although it is not his job as an orderly. The men have been assigned garrison duty along the river, and Damuth suspects they will end up near New Orleans. Speculates about visiting home. Mentions a friend who...

GLC03523.14.57

to Ida

Writes that the whole camp is on picket, except for himself (the orderly) and the cooks. One of Damuth's friends has adopted birds, and it is Damuth's job to care for them. He dislikes them, but his friend "thinks every thing of them and will talk...

GLC03523.14.58

to Maria Damuth

The men have nothing to do and are relaxing in camp. The regiment has heard "good news from Grant to day" but doesn't know if it is true; they hope Grant "whips Lee at Richmond." Damuth's brother John has enlisted for a period of a hundred days....

GLC03523.14.59

to Maria Damuth

Has recently arrived at a new camp on the Mississippi River, twelve miles from [Carrollton]. Damuth does not know why the men are there: "I cant see anything to guard except fences houses and hog pens." Says that it is too hot for the men to march...

GLC03523.14.60

to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister about how busy life is at camp. Damuth is in charge of pay roll and "mad out four Muster & pay Rolls this week besides making out other papers." One of the captains in Company C has been promoted to major, much to the chagrin...

GLC03523.14.61

to Maria Damuth

The men are going to march for Algiers in the morning. Damuth has heard "there is Ocien Steamers waiting for troops at Algiers." Comments on family affairs, his father has sold their oxen, but Damuth reminds him not to sell his colt. Damuth is...

GLC03523.14.62

to Maria Damuth

Reports the deaths of more members of Company D at a fight against the Confederate Army on the Atchafalaya River. Mourns a friend and writes, "I cant think otherwise than that cotton and whiskey was the cause of Jeromes death… I do know that a great...

GLC03523.14.63

to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister with little war news, there has not been recent action, and Damuth says, "I sleep most of my time." There have been rumors that the men will be moved to the Potomac. The men have received information about "the great fight that...

GLC03523.14.64

to Maria Damuth

Writes about the soldiers who died in the skirmish on the Atchafalaya. A few days earlier, a "big scare down to Baton Rouge" caused the officers to load all the men into boats; the men fell asleep and woke up the next morning still in port, and...

GLC03523.14.65

to Maria Damuth

The men are happy at their camp. A fort is being built "and some force will have to stay here and hold it." The 24th Indiana and the 35th Wisconsin have joined Damuth's regiment; all of the 35th Wisconsin is ill. Damuth says his company is well...

GLC03523.14.66

to Maria Damuth

Writes that the men have marching orders, possibly to go to Grand Gulph. Damuth may have the opportunity to become a lieutenant. Writes about Lincoln's reelection and the "copperheads and disappointed politicians" who are against him. Damuth...

GLC03523.14.67

to Maria Damuth

The men are on guard against the Confederates in a camp on the bank of the White River. The Cavalry has captured some Confederate soldiers. Damuth is working as Provost Marshal. He reminisces about coming to Arkansas before with his friend Jessie...

GLC03523.14.68

to Maria Damuth

Is busy drawing rations for the men. "We drew 70 lbs of good whitefish for our co but we have no potatoes to cook them with." The men are bored in camp and lazy; Damuth says they do not get enough exercise, but have plenty to eat and drink. Of his...

GLC03523.14.69

to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister that he has been taking quinine to keep away "the ague." Thinks that the change of water has made the regiment sick, "when we were here a year a go last winter the water made a great many of the boys sick." The men are building...

GLC03523.14.70

to unknown

Writes about an election held by the 21st Iowa Regiment. The votes are overwhelmingly in favor of Lincoln, and they are "for fun, or to show the Peace Sneaks, and Copperheads how men of sense vote." The 47th Indiana Regiment has also held a mock...

GLC03523.14.71

to Mr. Curtis

Writes to Curtis. Damuth is reading the paper, which is full of good news for the Union forces. Reminds Curtis to vote. Knows the soldiers will vote for Lincoln, because "you cant Stuff Copperheadism down the Soldiers." Writes about the...

GLC03523.14.72

to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister. Two regiments from Damuth's brigade are moving to Devil's Bluff. Discusses the camp they will set up, like the one they built while staying in St. Charles. Does not anticipate much fighting, and thinks the regiment will only...

GLC03523.14.73

to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister. The men have arrived at Devil's Bluff and will soon move to Little Rock. The colonel is hunting deer, but "evry one cant get out of the picket line." The mail has brought a death announcement about one of Damuth's close...

GLC03523.14.74

to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister. Describes the early morning arrival at Little Rock. The day before, "one hundred men went out to cut timber to build us good houses and to day four teems have been drawing it up." Damuth thinks the regiment will be there all...

GLC03523.14.75

to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister "[o]n board Steamer Fannie Ogden bound for Memphis." The men end up leaving Little Rock on the 24th of November and move to "the Bluffs," where they have boarded a boat for Memphis. On board, they meet up with a soldier from...

GLC03523.14.76