Name/Title
Civil War Letter from James G. Young to Parents in St. Joseph, MO, April 14, 1862Entry/Object ID
AM2013.14.1Scope and Content
Civil War Letter from James G. Young to Parents in St. Joseph, MO, April 14, 1862, from Oceola, Arkansas. Young is a Union soldier serving with the 16th Illinois Volunteers. The letter is written while in camp waiting for the next battle.
Father & Mother
Dear Father and Mother
I received your letter of thee 6th last Saturday we havn't jest (sp) got everything on the boat when the mail came I was glad to hear that things was prospering in St. Jo and the secesh were getting (sp) hail Columbia on all sides and to hear that all was well and what pleased me better than all was to see the stamps as I was out we are now landed near Oceola and 10 miles above fort Pilow we have a very nice camping place in a large meadow (sp) you said the springs was very backward it is so here the river is very high and the country is overflowed the people have to leave there (s;) homes on account (sp) of the water I have nothing of importance to write I rote (sp) a letter to Bob Leisher (?) tow days before we started and told all a bout a little scrape we had in Tennessee It was the hardest days work I ever done we marched in line of battle nearly all evening making a march of 18 miles over logs and rough swamps I suspose (sp) you have got all the particulars before this time we go by the name of Col Morgan's gray hounds now we come up on the rebels once and was ordered to fixed bayonets when the secesh broke and run some of the prisners (sp) told us that when we fixed bayonets that the were in line ready forces when there general tol them that the could never stand a charge from the Lincolnite bayonets so the broke and it was every man fore himself Joseph Steal (?) got cut of from us and captured five rebels and brought them into camp he took there guns and his one on this shoulder (sp) and maid (sp) them walk in a row one after another There was some of the collest work don (sp) that day I ever saw the rebels appeared (sp) to be completely demoralised you said you susposed the girls kept me posted in little items well the do but your little items is so good try and write a few more you didn't tell me how they soote (sp) came of between McAlaster and Rotterhouse so let me know in your next and let me know whether Lizzie showed you the letter I rote to her or not she rote to me and told me she ? to show it to you The gunboats have just fired two shots so I must close I am well at present I will send you $20 in this letter (letter is ragged at this point and not legible).
I have another one and a good blanket which cost me $1.00 send me more stamps also some for Jo Steel my love to all
Your son James G. Young
PS Since writing the above the masterboat hwas opened on Fort Pillow and I think the are doing good work Joseph Steel sends his respects to all the family Joseph Steele rote to you and the girles when I rote to Bob
Back of folded letter: "Mr. Thomas Young, St. Jo
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James G. Young