50th Illinois Infantry & 44th United States Colored Troops

Item LTR-11183

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 4 pages, written in period ink.


Chattanooga, Tennessee
 October 19^th 1864
 
Dear Father,
 
I cannot remember when I received a letter from home last.  But it has been more than a month ago, during which time I have written several times. Ever since I have been in the 44^th, I have received but little mail. I was perfectly ignorant of what was going on at home until I saw Walter.  He was on his way down to the 50^th. I was very much surprised when he called in. I learned he had gone for a soldier. He stopped on the evening of the 12^th. On the 13^th was taken prisoner with the garrison at Dalton. The particulars are these:
 
General Hood with a large portion of his army, made his appearance before Dalton much to the surprise of all concerned  (not dreaming of such a thing) and a formal demand of a surrender of the garrison was made twice and both times refused by Lieutenant Colonel Johnson, as he believed it all sham about Hood being there with his army. There was one company of cavalry at the post that kept skirmishing with their advance  until their line of battle was in full view of the fort on thew west and south sides of town. Finally, Col. Johnson sent out an officer with a proposal to Hood to evacuate the place if he could satisfy himself they had more than ten thousand and one battery. During the consultation Col. Johnson was sent for; when he went out, in the meantime cannonading was heard above us, and smoke arising from the railroad where it was being destroyed could plainly be seen.
 
Col. Johnson seen Gen. Hood but as the defense would be useless against such odds (which was  thirty to one, while they also had twenty or thirty pieces of cannon in position bearing directly on the fort) he surrendered, with the assurance that private property would be respected and that officers could retain their side arms. Although our men done no fighting, only on the picket line, I am satisfied they will fight and that desperately too, for after the surrender it was all that we could do to keep them from firing on the Rebs as they were marching up to take possession. They crowded around their officers some swearing, some sheading tears, while others made their escape by scaling the works and escaping to the mountains.
 
 
While in the enemies hands we were treated well by some & ill-treated by others. The guards who had us in charge showed great respect for our feelings by entering into friendly conversation with us and keeping us supplied with water, but on the other hand our men were ill-treated and abused. One poor fellow gave out the first nights march and was dispatched by one of their guards, as I am informed by Chaplain Collins of the 57^th Illinois who was taken with us. Another died the second night and when we left them others were almost ready to give up the ghost, being famished and exhausted by hunger, cold and ill treatment.
I lost my valise and  a few articles of clothing, together with my whole library with the exception of one volume “Plutarch Lives” which I secured to read in Libby or some other southern prison but we were paroled after being in their hands forty eight hours only, during which time they issued rations to us to the amount of 3/4 lb of corn meal, 1/2 lb of fresh beef and as nothing was furnished to cook in, we were obliged to cook the meal on a board before the fire and meat on the coals. A dirty nasty mess it was but it was eaten with much relish. Remember the above was two days allowance and when it was drawn it had been 24 hours since we had eaten anything except apples. One of the guards was kind enough to sell me a dozen apples for which I gave him 20 cents “Greenbacks.” 
 
One incident I must relate which was this. While we were standing in line as the guards were being arranged for the night, two or three Rebs came up to me and commenced talking to me by asking who we were and where were we taken etc.  I told them and one of them drawing himself up says he, “By God you had not better let my division see you, for if you do every damn one of you will be shot in spite of all hell!” I told them we had no fears of his division. Says he, “I should hate to be in your shoes.” But his threats did not disconcert me. I appeared not to notice their remarks. Finally one of them wanted to buy my jack-knife. I told him I had one but not for sale as I needed it myself. They were anxious to know how our elections were going. We told them, there was no doubts but that Lincoln would be elected. They seemed to think McClellan would make the best man for the peace, for says they “He is a man that knows something of war and if you are going to whip us, he is the man for you.” They told us they were going to take Chattanooga, Nashville and would not stop this side of Cincinnati. But when they this far we will all know it.
 
Their soldiers It took particular pains to notice, were very poorly clad. But few, very few were clothed comfortably for the winter and if they do not succeed in raising the wind somewhere 
they will suffer very much this winter. This I suppose is the reason why they have opened the campaign again. I found it difficult to distinguish their officers from their soldiers as they are all dressed alike.
 
While in their hands I took notes and learned a great deal with regard to their feelings. There is no animosity existing between our soldiers and theirs. After being paroled the guards who had guarded us through the whole trip left us and as they started off they manifested much good will by bidding us “good bye” telling us to take care of ourselves etc.
 
I am now stopping at present at the Central House with others who were paroled. It is impossible to tell what will be done. It is a little doubtful whether the parole will stand good or not. Walter is stopping at the Soldiers Home, while we were in the rebel camp I showed him his enemies and told him he now had an opportunity of seeing what was to be done. It is quite a laughable affair to be taken so soon, I was glad we were together for Walter posted me up on what was going on at home. I suppose you have heard that the 50th have been in a fight in which three were killed and 15 wounded. Thad escaped unhurt. Both of the Harthorn boys were slightly wounded. I have not time to write any more. Direct letters written to Thad instead of Walter, it is uncertain where he will be. Direct to me as before. Walter writes with me in sending his love to the family.
Your obedient son, Thaddeus
 
My address is to the 44^th United States Colored Infantry – Chattanooga, TN. Remebre to attach the rank to the name.
Thad