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to [Maria Damuth]

Thanks his family for a coat they have sent him and gives details about camp life. Talks about sharing a bed with other soldiers, food at camp and various forms of entertainment - "we hav fun all the time." Describes his colonel, Charles Gill, as a...

GLC03523.14.01

to John Damuth

Writes to let his family know that he arrived safely in Helena, Arkansas, and that the army has crossed the Mississippi River. Gives detailed description of setting up camp, pitching tents and preparing for guard duty along the river. Damuth is in...

GLC03523.14.02

to John Damuth

Encloses his letter of 7 November, which he thought lost, and gives an account of the boat ride across the Mississippi River mentioned in the earlier letter. Tells stories of being on guard duty along the river. The men are nervous and there are...

GLC03523.14.03

to Maria Damuth

Tells about being on picket duty beside the Mississippi River and his job as a sergeant, keeping watch over the line. Sergeants and officers of the guard "stand twenty four hours at a time in pleasant weather," conditions which prompt the camp...

GLC03523.14.04

to Maria Damuth

Reports on the health of his regiment. A number of soldiers are in the hospital and three have died, but none from Damuth's company. Describes two men who have been labeled not fit for duty, "one shot his fingers off while drawing the charge from...

GLC03523.14.05

to Maria Damuth

Mentions that he has not received many letters from his family but adds that most letters that come to camp are from soldiers' sweethearts and "some of the boys had rather write to the girls than to thear own folks but it is not so with me." Reports...

GLC03523.14.06

to John Damuth

Writes to his family on Christmas evening. Letter is a lengthy description of the events of the past few days. Damuth's camp has crossed the river at Helena after burning their old camping ground. Describes the lengthy process of crossing the...

GLC03523.14.07

to Maria Damuth

Gives an account of his health. Despite recent illness, Damuth weighs 144 lbs, "more than I ever weighed in my life." He is in charge of rations for the company and encloses a slip of paper with a list of five days rations. The camp has a black...

GLC03523.14.08

to Maria Damuth

Damuth's company is moving to Helena, Arkansas aboard a Union steamer called the Moderator. The 29th Wisconsin meets up with the 28th, and Damuth sends news of friends. Sitting on deck, he sees over thirty steam boats and two ironclads sailing for...

GLC03523.14.09

to Maria Damuth

Camped about 25 miles below Helena, Arkansas. Writes that St. Charles has been set on fire. Has arrived in Helena and repeats the prediction that his regiment will head towards Vicksburg.

GLC03523.14.10

to Maria Damuth

Receives a package, containing socks and a photograph, from Maria. Describes the effectiveness of an officer and friend who is well-liked for his attentiveness towards his men, especially sick soldiers. Mentions that Colonel Gill has promised all...

GLC03523.14.11

to Maria Damuth

Worried that his sister is sick with diphtheria. Many of the men in camp are sick, and the first man in Damuth's company has died. Damuth's friend Jesse has been vaccinated for small pox and complains of feeling unwell. Comments on a black servant...

GLC03523.14.12

to Maria Damuth

Damuth and another soldier have been caring for Jesse, who is ill. Many of the men in the regiment are in the hospital. Many soldiers are eager to get discharges and complain about their lack of importance in the war. Discusses hierarchy of...

GLC03523.14.13

to Maria and John Damuth

Three reports of Jesse Smith's death of typhoid fever and measles, all written out by Damuth. One is for the town newspaper, the other two for Damuth's siblings.

GLC03523.14.14

to Maria Damuth

Writes that the regiment is still in Helena, although General Benjamin Prentiss has encouraged the men to be ready to march at any time. The Lieutenant Colonel of the 29th, whom Damuth accuses of thinking "more of the Rebels than he did of his own...

GLC03523.14.15

to John Damuth

Writes to his brother with little war news. Asks John if he is a member of the Democratic Club and warns him that "I would shoot my own brother as soon as I would a snake if I should see him in the ranks of such a Good forsaken set of trators."...

GLC03523.14.16

to Maria Damuth

Reports that more of their friends from home have died. Complains that men are enlisted with "no respect to persons they will kill the strong as well as the weak." Describes some officers in the camp.

GLC03523.14.17

to Maria Damuth

Describes springtime in Arkansas. The Wisconsin soldiers are nervous about the summer weather. Writes that Helena has been attacked "but it is all news to us we dident know any thing about it." Prisoners have been brought into the camp. Tells his...

GLC03523.14.18

to Maria Damuth

Discusses the hurt feelings of a friend and Democrat from back home. Mentions that there is not "much drunkenness down here" since "Gen Prentiss is a temperance man." Asks for packages with items like dried fruit, silk handkerchiefs and cayenne...

GLC03523.14.19

to Maria Damuth

Writes that the 29th Wisconsin plans to leave Helena tomorrow. Writes again on the 10 April as the 29th Wisconsin and 2nd Ohio Battery start out. Damuth is still uncertain of their destination. Mentions that his four months pay should be coming...

GLC03523.14.20

to Maria Damuth

Written on board the steamer Charles Bowen. The regiment is heading toward Youngs Point, "oposit Vicksburgh." It is Damuth's birthday, he is twenty-four years old. Has been recommended by his colonel and General McGinnis for possible organizer of...

GLC03523.14.21

to [John Damuth]

Writes that the soldiers have camped in an old plantation. Describes Louisiana as "the most beautiful place I ever saw such fruit trees all kinds." Plans to send a rose "that grew away down South in Dixie." Of the coming fighting, Damuth writes...

GLC03523.14.22

to John and Joan Damuth

Writes that the 29th Wisconsin left its plantation campground, and has been on the march since. In the woods, they find evidence of rebel building projects and bridges. Damuth and a group of men go out to fix up the roads ahead. Describes their...

GLC03523.14.23

to Maria Damuth

The 29th are still on the march. Curtis has taken a party of men to Grand Gulph to guard a train if provisions. There is little food among the marching men, who have been reduced to killing stolen animals and eating dried corn - "when a felow gets...

GLC03523.14.24

to Parents Brothers & Sisters

Writes quickly to tell his family that he has survived "another hard fought Battle." Lists the many soldiers from his company who have been killed. His division has lost a total of 1,300 men. The battle was fought on 16 May and the men have stayed...

GLC03523.14.25