1862-1865

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Header Record

Title: [Collection of Byron E. Churchill, A company, 15th regiment, Michigan, infantry] [decimalized]

Sometimes signs as "Biron." Churchill's mother was Drazilla of St. Joseph Co., Burr Oak, Mich. His regiment served at Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg and in the Atlanta campaign. His last letter in the field is dated Atlanta 8/24/1864 (#25); he was captured sometime after. In letter #26 of 4/11/1865 dated from General Hospital, David's Island, NY, a nurse writes that Byron was imprisoned "in that awful southern prison" at Florence SC for the winter, was exchanged 3/1/1865, spent a month in Hospital at Wilmington and was sent to NY. (No letters were written from prison.) Letters #26-32 were…

GLC03859

April 28, 1862

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 about half of what is necessary.

GLC03859.01

26 July 1862

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 rebil bulits." He explains that only ten men in the company are fit for duty.

GLC03859.02

11 August 1862

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

14 August 1862

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 released on parole of honor, "as General Ross, the Commander of this Post, has a peculiar way of returning fugitive slaves." Churchill speculates that some generals have sympathy for the "poor slave holder and nigger driver." David McCord and David Tyler are to be discharged and sent home.

GLC03859.04

27 August 1862

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

01 September 1862

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 they were not in danger. Churchill reports that "the boys are burning the town" [Chawalla?], with "ten buildings already burned to the ground, and others burning." Only the depot is to be left standing. He expresses contempt for the men of Burr Oak who have remained at home, and observes that Boughton and Snook (see #4) "had better turn their…

GLC03859.06

08 September 1862

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 contempt for men at home who have not enlisted. As he ends the letter, a report has just arrived, placing "the guerillas…within five or six miles."

GLC03859.07

21 September 1862

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 advancing on Corinth with 40,000 strong and Genrel Grant send out troops to Repulse him we drove them into a corner whare thare lay Now with a large swamp on too sides of them and our Forses ar belting the led." Reports that his brigade is guarding a railroad, thus have not yet taken part in combat. States that his captain is very ill in a Corinth…

GLC03859.08

25 September 1862

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

13 November 1862

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 home: "O I wish that all such cowards would be drafted and had to serve there life time in the army if they would all come out as brave men aught come I believe this rebellion could soon be put to an end .…" Churchill reports "heavy cannonading" in the direction of Hollow [Holly] Springs, though he has not been involved in any fighting. Written…

GLC03859.10

24 November 1862

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 want them round us in the north….I believe the Union would be far better off if they would kill off every niger there is in the south."

GLC03859.11

27 November 1862

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 Population….I never liked the black rase but since I am in the South where they are plenty I think less of them." He reports that they are doing Provost duty in Grand Junction.

GLC03859.12

15 December 1862

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 hears news that "the rebels is About Destitute of Close [clothes] And not much to Eat."

GLC03859.13

19 February 1863

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 Confederates are in the vicinity and managed to steal several mules recently.

GLC03859.14

01 March 1863

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 should of fired for we should have killed a greait [great] menny [many] of them and they of us."

GLC03859.15

12 April 1863

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 being especially good at present.

GLC03859.16

18 April 1863

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 taird of soldiering."

GLC03859.17

17 June 1863

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 Seage guns," though the Confederates only occasionally return fire. Churchill reports that the Confederates have tried to break through their lines on several occasions, only to be driven back each time. Churchill also reports good spirits among the soldiers, despite the fact that his company has no tents.

GLC03859.18

21 November 1863

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 that there is little to eat, as many troops have been passing through the countryside taking everything they can.

GLC03859.19

07 June 1864

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

11 July 1864

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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, suffering terribly in the heat and the dust.

GLC03859.21

30 July 1864

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 dispute involving money developing between Churchill and some people in his hometown: "…I will be at home after while my self then I will settle with some of them my self."

GLC03859.22

03 August 1864

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Brief note enclosing his certificate of reenlistment.

GLC03859.23

09 August 1864

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 previous day in a torrential downpour and the rain continues today. Little attention is being paid to occasional rebel shells, as they are doing negligible damage.

GLC03859.24