23 May 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

26 May 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 is at Vicksburg as "a detective…he wearse good clothes and has an easy time." Writes that "we are waiting anxiously to see if Grant is going to whip out the rebel Lee," and that if this doesn't happen, "old Abe will have to call for more men."

GLC03523.14.57

2 June 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 baby talk to them all the time." Mentions that he is glad "they are raising so many 100 day men," but mentions that serving for a hundred days is not long enough to really experience the soldier's life. Speculates on the end of the war and writes "I want to get home and enjoy domestic bliss for the rest of my days."

GLC03523.14.58

6 June 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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. Adds a postscript on 7 June about a friend who is guarding a nearby house "to keep the boys from stealing every thing and to protected [sic] the women folks."

GLC03523.14.59

23 June 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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. A man wounded in at [Sabine Cross Roads] in April has turned up at a nearby hospital. Damuth writes that the man and another soldier "lay on the Battle field that night and the next day Ferdinan died what a lonesome night that must have been." Describes the sense of brotherhood he feels in his company and hopes to send home photographs of his…

GLC03523.14.60

2 July 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 of many of his fellow soldiers. In response to news from home, writes that "I hope Pa wont fret him Self to death" over worries about provisions. Wishes he could be home to celebrate the 4th of July with his family. Says that in camp they will march and "hear a little talking they wont have the one thing needful to make such a day pass off…

GLC03523.14.61

8 July 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 preoccupied by the idea of taking a furlough to visit his family.

GLC03523.14.62

30 July 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 many of the Officers were beastly drunk." The men marched thirty-four miles in the heat after the battle, and "after the funeral I went into my tent and laid there till this morning." The Confederate soldiers have fortifications across the river, and Damuth writes that the Union soldiers will not attempt to fight again soon.

GLC03523.14.63

3 August 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 Sherman had…The Death of Gen McPherson is a great loss to the country he is the best Gen we have lost in this war and I think we have but one better Gen left and that is Grant." Describes seeing McPherson, Logan and Grant during the Siege of Vicksburg. Damuth hopes Lincoln will not settle with the Confederates, but will make them "lay down…

GLC03523.14.64

6 August 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 since then "have heard nothing of Rebs." Agrees with his sister on her judgment of young men who have avoided the draft, "I had rather a sister of mine would marry a soldiers old shirt." Writes about the draft that he hopes it will be the least, although "things look rather dark and discouraging but my faith in the wisdom and Patriotism of our…

GLC03523.14.65

17 August 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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, since "we can eat evry thing we draw." One of the "little boys of our Company" may be sent home on a sick furlough.

GLC03523.14.66

1 September 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 writes that although he complains about men in his company, he "should hate to part with them."

GLC03523.14.67

13 September 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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, "we had never seen many fortifications then."

GLC03523.14.68

25 September 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 own position in camp, Damuth writes, "I dont have any hard work to do it is my busness to see that some one els does it." The mail is sent to New Orleans and then up to the men in Arkansas, so that Damuth is impatient with the long wait.

GLC03523.14.69

1 October 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 quarters for the winter. In response to a question about McClellan, writes, "I like him will enough but the party that nominated him and the platform that he stands on I despise." Does not want an armistice and believes that it would "give the rebs all we have gained in the last three years." Thinks the war will only end if Lincoln is re-…

GLC03523.14.70

8 October 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 election with Lincoln as the winner. Damuth is convinced that if the war does not end with complete defeat of the South, "no soldier could go north and hold up his head."

GLC03523.14.71

1861-1865

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 punishments he gives to men in favor of McClellan. Writes about more mock elections held in the "Guardhouse."

GLC03523.14.72

11 November 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 "run into a few bushwackers." The election has passed with Lincoln as the winner, but McClellan received eighty-eight votes. Of this, Damuth writes, "I didn't think Mc would get as many as he did but the Damm Irish all went for him a few of the dutch and Americans that always voted the Democratic ticket." Adds that, "if I had voted fer…

GLC03523.14.73

16 November 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 friends who was sent home on sick leave. Writes about military gossip: Sherman "has made a brake for Charleston with the most of his army." Things are looking up for the men following Lincoln's reelection and everyone is in good spirits.

GLC03523.14.74

20 November 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 winter. Compares Little Rock to Madison, Wisconsin. Has run into other Wisconsin men, since seven companies are camped nearby. Finds part of a letter he wrote to his friend Emma published in The Chief, but without his name on it, "she did not expose my ignorance by giving my name."

GLC03523.14.75

27 November 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 Company D who was on leave. He has returned with many letters and packages. Damuth does not know what will be happening in Memphis and says, "the prospect is as good for us to go to the East to reinforce Sheriden as any." Repeats his belief that the war will end soon, but mentions that his father thinks it will last another four years "because…

GLC03523.14.76

3 December 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister. The men are busy preparing for an inspection, because "they say that the Regt that passes the best inspection will do Provost Guard duty in the city this winter." Damuth has received a pair of suspenders from his family by mail and is glad, reporting that clothing goods are expensive if purchased in camp. Damuth is now receiving twenty-four dollars a month. The night before, Damuth went to the theater to see "the Webb sisters…young but perfect beauties." Going to the theater is a good pastime for soldiers, he argues, because "we see again a little civile life."…

GLC03523.14.77

13 December 1864

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister. Damuth has visited a friend from home stationed nearby. The friend is married to a girl who cooks for the army. Of the visit, Damuth writes, "that day was the first time I had sat down to a table with a woman since I ate dinner at home the day I left fer the last time I hardly knew how to act or handle my knife and fork." Writes that he has news of Southerners fighting amongst themselves about states rights. Though Southerners are now trying to arm enslaved people, Damuth considers this a problem "when Slavery was declared to be the chief corner Stone of the…

GLC03523.14.78

8 January 1865

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister from a camp outside of New Orleans. The soldiers often go into the city. Damuth is going to get photographs taken. Some of the men taken prisoner the year before at Red River are now in the city. Of one of them, Damuth writes, "he has suffered more than to die." Many of the men in prison died of starvation and exposure to the elements, but some men "found relation in the Rebel army" and were protected by family members.

GLC03523.14.79

January 1865

Damuth, Dolphus, fl. 1839-1913

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Damuth

Writes to his sister. The morning paper has brought news of "a peace movement…you cant think how the word peace sounds to us we at once begin to build castles in the air." Writes that Jefferson Davis probably "sees no hopes of ever getting his independance [sic]." It is warm in Louisiana and Damuth writes that he can watch "lots of negro men and women at work on the land…fitting it fer a sugar or cotton crop." Many peddler women come to the army camp with liquor hidden under their clothes and attempt to sell it to the soldiers. Damuth suggests that his family subscribe to the Chicago…

GLC03523.14.80