In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

112 “a punishment on the nation” C h a p t e r 5 The Meridian and Red River Expeditions January–May, 1864 After returning to Memphis,1864emergedasapivotalyearforPvt.Haven as he saw more military action and awaited the presidential election. However, despite the excitement of both endeavors, Pvt. Haven remained plagued by disease , boredom with picket duty, and a constant longing to return to his family. The Meridian expedition in February 1864 forced Haven to march several miles a day, and he held up well during the march. During the Red River campaign in March and April 1864, Haven participated in battle and left a wealth of details about his experience in the following letters. The spring also ushered in more optimism for the conclusion of the Civil War as Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, now in command of all Union forces, launched an ambitious Overland campaign to eliminate multiple Confederate armies across the landscape. Memphis, January 6, 1864 Dear Jane, Just as I got this letter started, the mail came in and brought me a good long letter from you, which I read with much pleasure. We have been having some pretty cold weather here. The last day of December, it rained till most night and then snowed and sleeted till most morning, and New Year’s day it was pretty cold all day. I was on picket and had as much as I could do to keep warm as the smoke would get in my eyes and made them ache. I have not been on picket since as I caught cold, and my eyes and throat bothered me some, and the weather was so bad that I thought I had better stay in camp and [see the] doctor. I expect to be on [picket] tomorrow. It rained just enough three days ago to turn our snow into ice so that the ground is covered with ice and it is rather slippery traveling; quite a number in town got their limbs broke by falling down. One broke his back, so the papers say. I was in town today after 112 the meridian and red river expeditions 113 hay for the regiment and I saw one nice lady set down on the ice. The river is filled with anchor ice and looks quite cold, but as cold as our weather is, I don’t expect it can match yours up there. There is quite a number of our company out on detached service so that we come on guard, some oftener. Some have got furlough from Cairo, I hear.1 One (Dan Dean) you may possibly see.2 I don’t hear anything said about pay yet, but I think that we shall get it soon as some of the other regiment are signing their pay rolls. I have only got a dollar left now. I suppose you would like to know what I had to eat Christmas and New Year’s. Well, I had bread, coffee and meat. New Year’s I took my meals out on the picket post. I think that I will make up lost time when I get home. I have not slept inside of a dwelling house since I left Dubuque. When we were at Moscow, we had a church for guard house. I stayed in that two or three times, so you see I have had some experience of [a] soldier’s life. I hope it is most over; by the way that the rebs are placed now, it looks as if the Confederacy would collapse soon. I suppose that before this gets there, that the scare about the draft will be over. I was some in hopes that some few would get drafted there. I wrote to Fred a short time ago, but have not heard from him yet, but I must close for it is getting late and my bunk man is rather unwell. With love and kisses to you all, I remain your affectionate husband, Silas W. Haven. In January, Col. James Gilbert investigated a complaint filed by Mrs. Julia Baker. She claimed men of the brigade took items from her residence in Memphis . Gilbert appointed an investigative board and wrote, “They will ascertain as near as possible the kind, quantity, and quality of the goods taken, with their value, by whom taken and how disposed of, identifying, if possible, the men. If not able to identify the men, ascertain the company or companies. If the companies cannot be ascertained, ascertain...

Share