-
‘‘We Can Endure’’: May 1862–April 1863
- Fordham University Press
- Chapter
- Additional Information
‘‘We Can Endure’’ May 1862–April 1863 sam to andrew Tennessee / May 1, 1862 Dear Father, As I have come to write you a few lines I thought I would do so. I have not heard from home for a long time. We started on march toward Corinth last Tuesday morning. We only marched about 5 miles the first day and camped. Thought we would get to stay a few days. But soon next morning we received orders to march. We took up our tents and traveled some 5 or 6 miles more and camped again. We cannot tell how long we will be camped here. Our Company only brought 3 tents; we have 3 days rations with us. The roads are so bad (in places) that it takes about two days to make a trip to the landing.1 Officers have tightened the reins on privates till they are pretty [tight]. We are called out of line of battle at 4 O’clock A.M. and have [to] stand till sun rise. Every night we sleep on arms and must be on hands at every call to assembly. I suppose Secesh are near here, but I have seen none but prisoners. Some pass us every day. All kinds of reports are afloat in camp about the Enemy at Corinth. It is reported here that Corinth is evacuated. We know not as to the truth. I am of opinion that it is not so. They will not ’til they have to, for they have a large force as well as we and they can fight for I have seen them. . . . But I do not think they shoot as well as we did. Some time since the battle the Col. had formed a company of ‘‘sharp shooters’’ by taking 5 men from each Co. I was taken first. The object of the Co. will be to pick Officers and Commanders when the line of battle formed. The sharp shooters are to advance by creeping in small squads near enough to make sure work. When not in battle we are to stay in our company [as] usual. Several of our men are left at our old camp. The talk of Corinth is very bad on health ‘‘in some cases.’’ James Galbraith was slightly wounded in the ball of the foot, while out on picket last Monday evening. John B. Campbell is still here waiting to know the result at Corinth. may 1862 – april 1863 { 21 } We have not received our money. The payrolls are made to the first of this month and the Paymaster is here.2 Well I will close as the mail will start soon. I will write as often as I have all the time. All the boys are well with whom you are acquainted but Hut Griff and Sam, but they are not dangerous. Write soon and give me all the news and tell all the rest of the folks to write whenever they feel like it. We love to hear from home. We write pretty often but they will not go for a long time. Give my love and respects to all my relatives and friends and particular to them at home. Tell mother that I am all right. Your son as ever, Sam Evans 1. This is probably Pittsburg Landing on the Tennessee River, the site where Union forces were re-supplied and also the site of the Battle of Shiloh. Corinth, Mississippi, is just a few miles across the Tennessee–Mississippi border, southeast of Pittsburg Landing (see map). 2. Every other month soldiers were mustered for pay, but they did not actually receive the money at the time of the muster; it was simply a time to record information on which payments would be based. Pay was often tardy, sometimes more than six months, and was very meager ranging from thirteen to sixteen dollars a month for privates over the course of the war. Bell Irvin Wiley, The Life of Billy Yank, The Common Soldier of the Union (1978; repr., Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University, 1991), 48–49. amos to sam Aberdeen, Ohio / May 4, 1862 Dear Brother, Yours of the 12th of Apr came to hand the 22nd. It is the only one I rec’d from you since you left. We are all well at present. The past week I was severely salinated so much so that it ulcerated my bowels & gave me scissors so I could hardly walk though lost...