February 16, 1863

Ekings, Thomas, fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes from camp near "White Oak Chapel." Thanks Ogden for the sword and belt she sent him. Writes, "Father sent a letter when the Sword started but it has not reached me yet-probably it contained the list of names." Informs Ogden the men have been doing drills and parades, weather permitting. The rain is causing the road conditions to worsen. As a result, his company probably will not see action for many weeks. Says the men are in good spirits because they have received two months' pay. States he likes his new General better than his predecessor, [General Ambrose] Burnside. Concludes…

GLC06559.023

28 December circa 1862

Ekings, Thomas, fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his friend

Writes from camp near "White Oak Chapel" that he wishes he had been sent to Philadelphia for the wound he received at Manassas. However, if he had, he would not have been able to fight at the Battles of Crampton Pass and Antietam. Says he has fought in every one of his regiment's engagements and survived. Writes, "It seems wonderfull that I am still in the Land of the living after going through what I have. I have seen instances of New Recruits going into their first fight and manny [sic] of them were killed. Says, "the reverse at Fredericksburgh [sic] was a heavey blow to us. It has…

GLC06559.021

January 14, 1863

Ekings, Thomas, fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his friend

Writes from camp near "White Oak Chapel." Says he is still in his old camp, where the men occupy their time doing drills. States despite Ogden's advice, he cannot help feeling disheartened by the defeat at Fredericksburg, Virginia, for he believes the battle was unnecessary. Notes all of the mistakes that the commanders of the army have made thus far. In particular, he feels that General Ambrose Burnside should never have been given command of the Army of the Potomac. However, Burnside himself cannot be blamed for current problems; instead, those in Washington who gave him the command must…

GLC06559.022

25 October 1862

Ekings, Thomas, fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Thanks Ogden for her kindness. Says he wished to write sooner, but found it impossible because of his regiment's movements. Reports seeing many battles, stating that Gaines Mills, Manassas, Cramptons Gap, and Antietam were "the hardest fought." Writes his regiment has been thinning lately due to their frequent engagements, but two more regiments have recently joined them. He reports that the men have received their winter clothing, and concludes by informing Ogden that he has been promoted to acting sergeant major. Includes an embossed seal in the upper left hand corner.

GLC06559.020

11 June 1863

Ekings, Thomas, fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes from camp close to Franklin's Crossing which is near Fredericksburg, Virginia. Apologizes for not seeing Ogden while in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania but informs her that she and her husband were not home when he called on them. Describes rejoining his regiment and reaching his current position. Informs Ogden that few have been wounded or killed. Describes the layout of his present location, noting where the fighting is taking place. Writes, "It is thought that we are here for the purpose of attracting the attention of the Enimey [sic] and preventing Gen. Lee from sending his forces…

GLC06559.024

20 August cicra 1863

Ekings, Thomas, fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes from camp near Warrenton, Virginia. Thanks Ogden for her letter and expresses his happiness that her husband, who is also in the militia, escaped the shelling of Carlisle unharmed. Says his company has "seen as hard service as any troops in the Army," and the men are glad they have only nine months left to serve. Reflects on the many lost lives of "noble fellows" and thanks God for sparing him during the Battle of Gettysburg. Describes his regiment's actions before and during the battle, in which several of the men were wounded or killed. Says, "I know it is wrong to cherish…

GLC06559.025

12 Novermber 1863

Ekings, Thomas, fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes he has been sick, but has continued his duty, despite this. Says his illness was brought on by exposure and neglect, but by the time his regiment moves, he should be better. Believes he already sent Ogden a photograph, but says he will send another as soon as he can. Notes when his regiment moved out of Warrington, Virginia, the Rebel citizens of the town "expressed regret." After leaving Warrington, their division got into an engagement at the Rappahannock in which he judged the Rebels to be overconfident. His regiment did not fight in this engagement. Mentions that the Rebels are "…

GLC06559.026

28 August 1864

Ekings, Thomas, fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes he was wounded and taken prisoner on 8 May at Spotsylvania, Virginia. Says he was shot in the left knee, but the bone was not hit. He was sent to Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia, and escaped on the first of July, but was soon recaptured and sent to Macon, Georgia. He was then transported to a jail in Charleston, South Carolina, where he was offered parole and removed to the Roper Hospital. He is in good health, and states, "no bad effects resulted from my wound."

GLC06559.028

February 28, 1864

Ekings, Thomas, fl. 1862-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah Ogden

Writes from camp near Perrine. Says upon arriving at Trenton, he received orders to proceed to Washington, D.C. with a detachment of deserters and "stragglers." Describes his activities at camp and the various people he met during the course of his duties. Also describes an industrious escape attempt by a group of Rebel prisoners, which he and his men thwarted. Informs Ogden that a detachment of recruits will be sent to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Expresses his anger over the way Mr. Patterson treats Ogden and says, "he used language to me which to a soldier was an insult," and calls Mr.…

GLC06559.027