CIVIL WAR LETTERS WRITTEN BY WILLIAM DRENNAN Contributed By Dan Edwards ============================================================= USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing Free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. ============================================================= CIVIL WAR LETTERS WRITTEN BY WILLIAM DRENNAN Near Nashville, Tenn. Dec. 8th 1864 My dear Father, I wrote last near Florence, Ala. and since that time we have been on the march until we arrived in force of this place. We will probably remain for some time. On the 30th of Nov., we came on the Enemy strongly fortified at Franklin, Tenn. and one of the hardest fought battles ensued that has occurred during the War, resulting in a loss to us of (5000 ) five thousand men and among them many of our best officers. Before this you have no doubt heard the list of general officers - and in your circle of acquaintances, Col. Farrell badly wounded in both legs, Jack Williams mortally wounded, Bob Donaldson's head shot off and several others from Holmes County killed or wounded that you do not know.. Thank God I escaped unhurt though struck on the stirrup and heel, I thought more than once that my horse was hot though fortunately he was not- yet it is a miracle how any man on horse back was missed. The General had a very fine horse shot twice and three of our couriers has theirs killed and the wonder is how any escaped. It will always be cause of gratitude for me that I was so fortunate on that dreadful evening. I think we will remain here for some time -- getting up mules and supplies of all kinds and then where we will go is uncertain -- it must be determined by future events. We will have a winter campaign and the high latitude with the men as poorly supplied as they are -- is going to make it a peculiarly hard one. I cannot get home without some accident -- and for that reason you and Dyson will have to do for me the best you can. Get the Negroes good homes and at current prices -- payable in anything rather than in money -- and when any business may come before you -- do the best with it you can -- and that is all that can be done. My advice in regard to things in general is to have an abundance to eat and to endeavor to make as much as possible. This country has more to eat than any part of the world I have ever seen -- and the reason is they make everything themselves -- our county must do the same and then it will not be dependent on everywhere else. Unless Miss. learns to do without her supplies from other sources , she will be an inferior state and nothing can redeem her. The people have every luxury that they wish and our coming has very seriously disturbed them. The women are all dresses in the latest style --- and the men in the best that can be had -- while everything except their Negroes has remained undisturbed. The Negroes have all been taken -- though many have hired them and all the land here is cultivated either by them or white labor. Our Poor country -- it is thoroughly ruined and we in our life time will never see it -- what it has been. Those who escape the effects of the War will be nothing but mere tenants for the government afterwards, and a rich man and a poor one will be equal -- because each one can make nothing more than a support -- for taxes will absorb all the rich man makes. Give Georgia all the advice you may think she needs and you and Mother must go up as often as you can -- t is encouraging and she likes to have you come. My love to all at home particularly to Mother and for yourself receive the love of your affectionate Son. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Partial Letter fom Lt. J. M. Stigler – Kentucky - late 1861 or early 1862 . . . Buckner, Hardee, Hindmann, and breckinridge brigades are here (escept Hindman and Breckinridge who are about 12 or 15 miles north of this place and constitue the advance guard. Hardee commands this part and Gen. Johnson the whole force. Adam’s cavalry regiment is the only one cavalry here. The others some four or five aare north between this and the Green river. The Texas rangers have gone back six or eight miles to recruit their horses. They are a terror to the Yankees every where. Bob McLellan and Morgan Fitch belong to them. The yankees would hardly wait for Johnson to concentrate such a force or fortify before advancing, I do not think Buell would advance sooner than McLellan. They do not like the idea of fighting and army that is fortified. If they are coming I hope it will be soon and release us of suspense. We are all confident of the result. I learn from Mr. Nabor (who was here) that the 60 day Militia at Camp Beauregard heard the Yankees were advancing on them and that they made a most disgraceful and cowardly retreat to Union City (where for the credit and honor of the State they had better remain.) Mr. N was at Camp Beauregard after their retreat and says there was not and had not been an enemy within thirty miles. The weather is very cold. It has been snowing today. Our regiment is now called the 25th Miss. because there is a majority of Miss. companies in it and the President whishes Miss. to have credit for all the troops she has in service. It is done by order of the Sec’y of war. Write soon we have regular mails here. My love to Georgia Yours truly, M. Stigler Send me 20 postage stamps. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- On Board the Steamboat "Golden Age", Sunflower River in Issaquena Co. Sunday, March 29, 1863. My Dear Wife: I last wrote you from camp four miles above Vicksburg. I think on the 18th __________ and sent ____________ _____________ _______________ and since that time I have been on the "____" not having slept in the same place two nights in succession. I have rode from twelve to thirty miles _________ day --- and what I am most thankful for -- have been in good health all the while and been preserved from danger seen and unseen, for I have been in full view of the Enemy, both _____ their boats and on land. The enemy had when we arrived _________ four gunboats up Deer Creek and a supporting infantry forces and in ____________ ____________ after we landed they commenced to shell us fiercely and between the eight pieces of artillery on our side and one thirty of theirs, the bombardment was terrific. I was in danger all the while and had the dirt blown on me from the bursting of a shell --- though suffered no________ and although the cannonading was kept up for over three days until they were driven entirely away, we lost but three men killed and seven or eight wounded. I was entrusted in a detail of a hundred men to blockade the stream by felling timber and after they had gone was occuppied in _____ _______ __________ and until yesterday when we received orders to return to Synder's Bluff. I have been busy. On the whole the trip has been a hard one -- on soldiers particularly --- as they had no protection from the weather-- and it rained for several days and the commissaries were irregularly furnished and they had to do very irregular and hard marching. For my part, I fared well -- being in a house all but two nights -- and getting my meals regularly all but one day when I had to do without anything until three o'clock. I have formed several pleasent acquaintances and cultivated others -- have learned a good deal of things that I was before ignorant of and so far as this trip is concerned -- I put it down in the credit sice of my account with the world at large. I have traveled on three steamboats -- a dugout -- Yankee yawl -- mules and horses-- have been placed in several responsibile positions, and by being a staff officer, have been treated on all sides with more consideration than I otherwise wound have been. I regretted to leave Jimmie and the Batt. but thought they would join the Expedition in a day or two after we left though they went up Deer Creek from it's mouth with Gen'l Lee and from a messenger from Gen'l Lee to Gen'l Featherston on yesterday -- I think they will be at Snyder's Bluff as soon as we get there. I hop so for I really want to see them. I received your dear letter of the 8th on the day I left and ________ that I could hear from you -- for my dear wife you do not know what exquiste pleasure your letters give me. I want to hear from Gertie -- how she is. Bless her little soul. I thought of her so often on her birthday and that day we had an exciting time -- for Gen'l Sherman came up with reinforcements for his boats and that allowed them to get over. Oh I would give a great deal to see you and her -- and be with you for a day or two, but when it will be -- I cannot tell. I wanted to write you but it would not have reached you any sooner than it has done as we were away up in the swamp and the boats go no farther than Synder's Bluff. I anticipate great pleasure when I receive your letters as I shall fell disappointed if I do not receive three or four when I get back. I write you every opportunity tat presents itself and write you freely and my dear wife you must write me twice a week and directely to where I last wrote from and I will get it sometime. I could write you pages of what occurred and what I have seen on this trip and it will afford topics for long talks hereafter, but my dear -- we will never want for something to talk about. One thing I am more satisfied of than ever and that is to remain at home should an enemy ever invade the country. We have been but a few hours behing the Enemy, never longer than a day -- and some places that the owners abandoned were bitterely destroyed. When a man leaves his place -- they at once take everything on it -- anddestroy home and furniture, enclosures and all, and our men feel at liberty -- to do the same, but on dozens of places where the owners or oversdeers remained -- they did not do a great deal of damage. They stole all the chickens and took able bodied Negroes -- but did not want women and children -- they destroyed a great many hogs and cattle and some corn -- but that was mostly on places whose owners had an abundance there. They were unexpectedly driven back from this expedetion, and where they will go now is difficult to tell -- or where we will go is equally as hard to guess. Even in this plentiful country, the most abundant country I ever saw -- the means of living are very high -- lard being worth $1.25 to $1.50 per pound. Has Dyson bought your supplys -- if not -- tell him to do it at once and anything else you may need. Write me how you are off for everything and that which you are scarest of -- be the most saving. I would like my clothes, and I wrote for a pair of shoes at Ambrose Tauzard that I will soon need. When I last wrote, I told you what I wanted so there is no need repeating. If Jimmie is at Snyder's when we get there I amm going to send ________ up and I will not close this letter until I have and oportunity of seeing by whom I can send it and will write you more on our arrival. The West cloth allow to remain. I do not think. Mrs. Dodd will ever have any made -- if she should I can easily dispose of the cloth for $30 per yard. So do not have it made up. Have my tea-colored pants cleaned by Northcutt and make me asI wrote you the collars. I want those last linen shirts without collars but if you haave them made do not alter them. I'll write more when I get to Snyder's Bluff. Post Scripts written across the above letter in ink. I wish I could send you a bundle of Frank Leslie that I picked up that the Yankees dropped. The boys got numbers of blankets and I ate Yankee cheese and crackers -- the first cheese in some time. Should I attempt to send the papers they would be stolen. So I'll save them and send to you by hand. Make Watt take care of the horse, feed him and curry him and Dyson must get more fodder if he has not done so yet. I wish I could see your garden -- and still more wish I could enjoy its products. Do not fatigue yourself too much and take your bath regularly and make Hopi do the _______ and you will keep well. Tell Dyson read (t)his letter and I will write him in a day or two -- we get on the ______ _______ _______ a few minutes for up the Yazoo. God Bless and good bye. Dyson write me Northcutt has made my coats. I hope he has not trimmed it -- that is put a black collar and cuffs, althugh I so ordered it at _______. Have it changed if he has -- I'll need both, though I did not want the West cloth made up as yet. Knit me two of the undershirts you wrote me about -- I know they will do. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Vicksburg , Tuesday, May 19th [1863] My dear Wife, I wrote you a note yesterday by Mrs. Wofford - merely telling you that I was well and I have another opportunity this morning to write and I embrace it to tell you that I am still in good health and better spirits than yesterday. Our division according to the best accounts was last heard of on its way to Crystal Springs below Jackson where they could join Johnston - and by that means come up in the rear of the enemy, and my only regret is that I am not with them – though I am here according to orders, and have the consolation of knowing that I did my duty and save the ordinance train of the Division - as had I attempted to have followed it – I would have been captured. This morning I am going to turn over to the arsenal all I have on hand, and then I am for anything that will do for the good of the cause. If I can get a company of stragglers from the Brigade, I am going to the trenches with them - otherwise I will act as circumstances may dictate. I do not like the idea of having command of such a set of men - as they might disgrace themselves and include me with them. I say on Saturday enough of what was pure cowardice to disgust me - and God knows, I never want to see another such exhibition. Although not in the active part of the engagement - yet we were under fire more or less all day - and when the Brigade was ordered to the support of Stephen Lee and Bowen, I rode over part of what was the field of contest in the morning and a sickening sight it was. But I have no time to tell you of anything at this time- will recind it for another tiem. I met Mrs. Wofford yesterday morning and she seemed so perplexed and troubled and in addition to that looked so badly and baby was sick that I told her she had better go to Holmes County and stay with you. She agreed readily to it - as certainly this is not a safe place - as in a day or two we will have the most terrible bombardment that the world has ever seen ……… as the enemy have the guns on both sides of us to do it. She went and I hope will reach you - and now the next thing is to make provision to feed you all. Her Negroes of course cannot stay anymore than just barel y enough to wait on her - as you cannot feed them and your aunt may have to come home and then you will have them to feed. Endeavor to get Dyson to……..your corn for bread - and Mrs. Ws mules must be fed somewhere else as corn is not allowed for food for stock at this time. Take care of the pigs as they will be your main stake. The enemy may make a raid in Holmes but it will be merely a raid and will not remain long. So I would rather yor remain than run the risk of going anywhere else. Act with coolness and calmness as much as you can - and do not allow yourself to be uneasy about me - as I can always take care of myself.. Look to Gertie’s health - and your own and spare no pains to preserve and ….. .. both ….. if we can get through this war with health and strength I will be satisfied. Go down to Fathers whenever you can - and take his and Mother’s advice - as it will be for the best. Should Bill turn up at home after the fall of Jackson, Send him down to me - he will try and come - Direct him that I am in Fatherstone’s Brigade and the Batt. Of Sharpshooters and he will find me, and you can write to him. I can make some use of him and I do not want him at home should the Yankees get there. Mrs. W must do something with her Negro men, particularily Jim andJno. Tackett - as they might inform on you- and more than that - they must not stay there. You have nothing to feed them on. Put your meat in the store room and be careful of fire - work your garden and plant every row of the potato patch and set out sloips and water them. Keep your garden going and plant late vegetables in the swamp. God Bless you and protect you and Gertie - Farewell, kiss Gertie and the same for yourself. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Shortly after the Battle of Acworth Near Cedar Town, Ga. 18 miles from Rome My dear Wife, Since I last wrote you, We have been on the move all the time. Starting at 4 o’clock in the morning and getting into camp frequently after night. So you may know how we are doing. Beef and bread is all we have to eat and breakfast before day makes supper relished at 9 o’clock at night. Notwithstanding, I am and have been in fine health and am doing well. We had a considerable skirmish at Big Shanty where our Brigade led the charge, and lost fifteen men. It was a foolish enterprise as we charged up on the place and gave now warning whatever and several good men fell - next day took Acworth six miles above Big Shanty and tore the R Railroad for ten miles. Gen. French was repulsed at Altoona and lost Dave Sanders told me over one thousand men - more than counterbalancing our captures at Big Shanty and Acworth. The Missourians lost the heaviest and suffered the most. Out boys got an abundance of clothes, blankets, etc. and I got nothing - as I remained at my post and kept men from plundering. I rought a very fine sword that was captured and we had coffee that was picked up. We are now under orders for a raid somewhere of fifteen days.- three days rations cooked and we are to start in the morning - no one knows where - but you will hear from this raid yet. Take your map and trace our march up to Ackworth and out to Vanwert and then here - Yu can them form an idea how things are and what distances we have gone - When we will be back is more than I can tell or where we are going. I will write you as often as I have an oportunity and shoul you not hear from me for some time do not be uneasy as I will be where I cannot write and what is of more consequence to me- I cannot hear from yu. We are going on the R Road to tear it up. We tor it up enough to take them sometime to get it repaired. We are making a bold move - I hope it may be all well. I wrote you by the Poindexter’s boy that went home a week ago - and hope you may have rec’d it. God bless you - take care of yourself and I will do the same. Continue my dear Wife to pray for me as I feel that your prayers do me good – Kiss our dear babe for me and receive for yourself the love and warm embraces of Your devoted Husband