The Idealism and Horror of Civil War Battle
Your assignment this week in history is to look into some of the stories of the soldiers that fought in the Civil War. Here are some letters and diary entries, so that we are all on the same page. The questions will replace the academic paragraph, and also, help guide our discussion next week. I have not corrected any of their grammar or spelling, so you will read these primary sources as they were written.
Directions: Read the following letters and diaries from soldiers of the Civil War and answer the questions below.
Idealism: Sullivan Ballou's Letter to his Wife (1861)
Major Sullivan Ballou of Rhode Island wrote the following letter a week before he was killed in battle during the first battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861. The battle, which the South called Manassas (after the nearby railroad junction), was the first major battle of the war and was a disastrous defeat for the Union. Ballou had been hit by a confederate cannon ball in the leg, which was subsequently amputated, and he was left behind in the battlefield by panicked Union soldiers during the Union retreat. Ballou died a week later from his wounds.
Ballou's letter was never mailed, but retrieved by the Rhode Island governor after the war and given to his wife Sarah after Ballou had died. The letter expresses the idealism and willingness to sacrifice which was common in the letters of soldiers on both sides of the conflict, especially before the the bloodshed began.
July 14, 1861
Camp Clark, Washington
My very dear Sarah:
The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days—perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write again, I feel impelled to write a few lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more....
I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American Civilization now leans on the triumph of the Government and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and sufferings of the Revolution. And I am willing—perfectly willing—to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt....
Sarah my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me unresistibly on with all these chains to the battle field.
The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most gratified to God and to you that I have enjoyed them for so long. And hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when, God willing, we might still have lived and loved together, and seen our sons grown up to honorable manhood, around us. I have, I know, but few and small claims upon Divine Providence, but something whispers to me—perhaps it is the wafted prayer of my little Edgar, that I shall return to my loved ones unharmed. If I do not my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battle field, it will whisper your name. Forgive my many faults and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless and foolish I have often times been! How gladly would I wash out with my tears every little spot upon your happiness....
But, O Sarah! If the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you; in the gladdest days and in the darkest nights . . . always, always, and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath, as the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by. Sarah do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again....
The Horror of Gettysburg: Capt. Jacob Haas' Diary (1863)
Captain Jacob Haas of the Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry kept a diary that documented the maneuvering and bloodshed of the Gettysburg campaign, the high point of the South's penetration into Union territory. But he was best remembered for something other than battlefield diaries: At the end of the war, he was repeatedly arrested in a case of mistaken identity – because he looked a lot like John Wilkes Booth, Lincoln's assassin.
July 1, Wednesday
Cloudy day. We mustered the men for pay. Had an inspection and equalized ammunition. All kinds of rumors prevailing. Heavy cannonading toward Gettysburg. We drew two days extra rations. I wrote my wife and brother Fred. We marched at 9. p.m. and got on the wrong road. We halted at 12 midnight and rested until the Third Division passed. I suffered from sore feet very much.
July 2, Thursday
A cloudy day, marched all night. We took the pike to Littlestown and Gettysburg. Rumor that a big battle took place at Gettysburg, and that General Reynolds had been killed. We saw a captured rebel train, and also prisoners. We came into Pennsylvania at 8:05 a.m. I am very tired and foot sore. We passed through Littlestown a very nice place, the ladies were cheering and waving their kerchiefs. This county is splendid, large crops of grain etc. in the fields. Dr. Bland gave me a pass to get in an ambulance to rest in. I did and rode to near Gettysburg. I arrived here at 4 ½ p.m. we marched a total distance of 32 miles today. The cannonading is very heavy, a great many wounded men came past us. We went into action at 6 p.m., we charged forward several times and at dark, rested behind a stone wall for the night. We had one man in the regiment wounded. We crossed a creek and all got wet feet. I passed a horrid night, the groans of the wounded filled the night air, where they laid very thick.
July 3, Friday
A cloudy day, we were aroused by the firing of the skirmishers at 3:45 a.m. The shelling was very heavy at our line all day. One man was wounded by a piece of shell in our regiment. The 95th P.V.I. had two men shot. In the evening, the Third Division made a charge and advanced our line, also the Pennsylvania Reserves charged. They took the 15th Georgia Prisoners. All in all, our success was very brilliant. I made up a detail to gather up arms lying in the field. There are immense numbers of wounded coming in. I caught a bad cold. It has been raining at intervals all day long. In the evening, a shower fell. Six of the enemy batteries shelled the heights around us awfully during the day Douden, Glass, Rumberger, Feree still absent.
July 4, Saturday
Rainy in the morning but cleared off early. I roused up the men at 2 a.m. and distributed rations. Drew 9 pairs of shoes and gave them to the men. All very quiet this morning, the carnage of the field beyond is horrible. The regulars must have suffered considerably. I took a walk over the battle field. Our loss was heavier than theirs. I wrote to my wife and had it mailed at Littlestown. Huber paid me $1.37, I paid Fessig $3.30 for my mess acct. to date. I felt unwell, seems I caught a cold. At 10 ½ a.m. we advanced to the wheat field and supported a reconnaissance made by the Second Brigade of Sykes regulars. We found the enemy in force about 1 mile in the rear of the old position. They opened up with shells on our advance. No one was hurt in our regiment. Our men gathered great quantities of arms all day from the advance picket line. We returned to our old position at the stone fence at 12. And laid there all afternoon. At 1 ½ p.m. the Regulars relieved the Pennsylvania reserves and are now in our front lines, we are in the second line. It rained heavy all afternoon. The Rebs burned down the house across the wheat field. It rained heavy all evening and night, We drew rations after dark. I slept badly I coughed very much during the night. J.C. Bear said he was sick and was sent to the rear.
July 5, Sunday
Rainy and cloudy day again, rose at 4 a.m. and moved to the rear about a half mile and halted along a road until 9 a.m. when we moved to the front. The whole Corps seemed to move and halted in the Wheat Field until 1 p.m. when we moved forward. I think the rebs have gone. The stench is horrible from the dead carcasses lying around. We moved forward by columns and in line of battle at times, skirmishing along. Major Lessig and Company A took 2 of the 47th Alabama. Found that the rebs left all their hospitals and wounded to fall into our hands. At 6 p.m. we caught up with their rear guard near Blue Ridge Gap. They opened with shell. Our batteries played on them. Saw their train winding along the Gap. We formed in line of Battle and took the extreme right of the line. We moved forward until dark, when we laid down in line of battle and slept. We were wet, tired and hungry. My cough troubled me.
The Horror of Petersburg: Diary of John Kennedy Coleman 1864-65
South Carolina's Sixth Regiment Infantryman John Kennedy Coleman's unit was sent from Richmond to Petersburg during the final defense of the Confederate capital by Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. His diary, written in irregular and colonial-style spelling which marks the plain language of a farmer, documents the progressive destruction and gradual deprivation of Lee's army through its surrender at Appomattox Court House.
15th [Nov. 1864]
Are still in the same place Have little or nothng to do, very litle drilling. We work occasionally on our lines, We have splended winter quarters. and are fixed up just as comfortably as solder could expect or want to be. Plenty of rations, and of the very best quality The health of the Regt is first rate.
25th [Nov. 1864]
Every thing remains quiet, if it was not for the report of a heavy gun down at Howlet’s no one would think for a moment, that the war was still goin on. We ar getting on splendidly, just work enough to kepp us all in good health and spirits. It has been raining considerably for some time past The roads ar pretty bad.
December 1st [1864]
We are still camped on the Williamsburg road about eight miles distant from Richmond, I and some others belonging to the Regt frequently go to the city. for the purpose of getting a sight of some of the fair sex, and to visit the Theater. We generally leave camp about half hour before sun down, walk eight miles, flank the guard at the [inner] line, get to town in time for The Theatre Keep out of the way of the Provost guard, return to camp and are up, bryte and early for roll call at day light. Having walked about twenty miles in all, --
12th [Dec. 1864]
All has been quiet here for some time past No indications at present of an attack, We have splendid winter quarters, and if the enemy will only let us alone we will get through the cold weather without any sufferings. We have had delightfull weather, until Friday last, about day the sleet and snow commenced to fall and continued pretty much all night about 9 ‘Oclock Friday night considerable excitement was caused by an order to be in readiness to march at day light, with three days rations in haversacks. Various were the surmises but it was the general belief that we would go to Petersburg, as we had previously heard that Grant was moving troops in the direction of Weldon. at day light next morng all being in readiness we started for Peterbrg as we expected but instead of going to that place we march through our lines, down the Charles City Road in the direction of the Yankee work of we all knew or thought that a fight was ahead, but after tramping through the sleet, snow, and mud all day, we returnd to our old camp, beng compleatly exhausted from the severe March, It turned out to be as the Yanks call it, “a reconnoisence in force” We found the enemy farther away that we thought for which I suppose was the object of the move, We lost in our Regt, one man Killed, and some six or seven wounded, and two or three prisons We have all recoverd from the fatigue this morning and are as lively as ever, We hear that General Lee has compleatly whipped the Rading party below Petersbg.
There is no futher news of importance all is quiet along the lines.
December 25th [1864]
Christmas Day, and very very cold. Have been moving about some of late, but are again in our old quarters, We have had very unpleasant weather for several weeks, The rain had almost washed us away. The whole country around about here appears to be under water it is almost impossible to get about at all. All military movements will have to stop until the roads improve, It is said that Ladies of Richmond intend giving us a New Years dinner hope it may prove true would like right will to get something good to eat. The health of the Regt continues good. There is no news of any importance.
January 1st [1865]
The long talked of Christmas dinner has come at last. Three turkeys, two ducks, one chicken and about ninety loves, for three hundred and fifty soldiers. Not a mouth full apiece where has it all gone too, where [did] it go The commisser or quarter masters no doubt got. May the Lord have mercy on the poor soldiers.
January 15th [1865]
We have moved back about three hundred yards in rear of our lines, to a much better camping place. We didn’t take much at first to pull down our pleasent winter quarter, after so much toil and trouble. but we must obey our superiors right or wrong. We are fixed up all right again, and are better satisfied The weather has been quite cold plenty of Ice and snow,
January 28th [1865]
All is quiet, and little to do, Rumors of peace are current but without foundation. Bur started a furloug this morning if it comes back approved he will leave for home in a day or two. We heard some time since that there was a box containing our winter clothing. provisions, and [other] articles. Would like to get it.
February 15th [1865]
Since Bur left us we have been moving about from one part of the line to the other We now occupy that part of the line near the Darbytown Road which was lately felled by [Hotses] division. Our pickets are within a few yards of the Yanks, Can hear them talking very distinctly. They try by every means in their power to induce our men to desert. Some few have already left from our Brigade We suffer considerably on accont of the Scarcity of fire wood We are compelled to go nearly a mile for it in rear of the camp, and bring it on our backs.
25th [Feb. 1865]
Bur has not returned from home yet, have heard from him several times. He will be back in a few days, then we will hear all of the news from home.
March 14th [1865]
All is quiet here except a move of the Yankee Cavalry a few days since, threatening a dash into Richmond Both parties being [mind] bound - nothing of importance is looked for. A move by either is out of the question for the present. We have had two or three days of beautiful weather but it is so changeable I am afraid it won’t last long The atmosphere is[ heavy] this evening and indicates rain
Bur has returned from home. he says the people were very much excited in Chester, while Sherman was passing through the State The enemy are said to have behaved very badly in their March through our district, Scarcely [more] so though than the bands of theives and robbers in the garb of Confederate Soldiers, and prowling about through the country, stealing every thing [they] can lay hold on. It is outrageous [conduct] I think if a few of the scoundrels were caught and hung it might have some effect and restrain the others.
We hear that that Killpatrick has been whipped by Hampton, dont [know] where the fight took place. Bur says the people at home think that war is a terrible thing, but they have not the slightest Idea of what war really is. If they could only see some of the farms in [Virginia] where every particle of fencing has been destroyed, The houses plundered, and in many instances burned to the [ground] with nothing standing but the Naked [chimneys] Then they could see what war really is I think they have [gotten] off remarkably well, and [sincerely] hope they may not be called on to suffer more from Sherman’s raid than they [already] Our army is in fine condition [and] good spirits.
Although we have had some deserting of late None though have left but trifling men, who never did us any good. We are glad to get rid of them. One or more Yanks come over to us every morning. They report their troops in a very [dissatisfied] condition, and but for the very strong Picket which [renders] it almost an impossibility to desert a great many more would come over I am not [? inclined] much to rely on what the rascals say. A man who will desert his country is not to be trusted
April 1st [1865]
Received orders to prepare for a move about eight Oclock tonight. don’t know where our destination is. Think we will go to Petersburg In Richmond at twelve.
April 2d [1865]
Part of the Regt, the left wing left for Petersburg last night. We will follow as soon as possible. While coming to the city last night we could see the flashing of the guns and hear the continued roar of the heavy guns down the lines. Expect to have pretty [? lines] down at Petersburg
3d [Apr. 1865]
Our lines were abandoned last [night] We are now retreating before the enemy. When we entered the city on yesterday the town [appeared] to be wrapped in flames. a large portion has been destroyed by the enemys shells. Our divisions found them in heavy fource in the rear of our lines. On the Model Farm, We held them in check all day. about 10 Oclock at night we moved off. Our loss was quite heavy in Killed and wounded. The enemy loss was awfull. The ground was covered with [their] dead boudies.
4th [Apr. 1865]
The retreat continues. we are moving in the direction of Berksville Junction on the Richmond Rail Road. It is reported that Hampton is there with his Cavalry.
4th [Apr. 1865]
Passing through [Amelia] Courthouse today had a skirmish with the Yankee advance [guard] held them in check. Our wagon train [gives] us a great deal of trouble Have already lost a few We all suffer [for the] want of rations. We have not eat anything, or slept an hour since the retreat commenced. The army is in pretty [? poor or sad] condition
5th [Apr. 1865]
We have daily skirmishes with the enemy resulting favourably to us. Have captured a large number of Prisoners
7th [Apr. 1865]
Passed through the town of Farmville [Prince Edward County, Va.], on the Lynchburg Railroad Here we had a heavy fight with the Yankee infantry. They attacked us in heavy fource, but were repulsed, We lost a large number of ammunition and baggage wagons burned also a number of [prisoners]
April 9th [1865]
Appomattox C H After untold trials and sufferings, we [surrendered] to the enemy at nine Oclock this morning We were advancing in the direction of the town, when we were suddenly halted. Here we remained for some time, [About] 1 hour after General Custer road through under flags of truce. We began then to think that some thing was up. We were then ordered to a piece of woods on the left of the road, where we stacked arms and went into camp. We all knew then that the Southern Confederacy was no more. All of our hard fighting, after passing through so much danger. after loosing so many good men, and gaining so many glorious victories, all was lost. some of the men, cursed others wept, and mourned [over] our misfortunes, but I consoled myself with the thought that we had all tried to do our duty. A [soldier] should, and since we had lost, that perhaps it was all for the best.
Reflection
1. Why does Sullivan Ballou say the sacrifice of the war will be worth it? What does he hope to gain/preserve by the war?
2. What “debt” does Sullivan Ballou say he must pay?
3. Why does Jacob Haas describe July 2 as a horrid night?
4. What does Haas smell on July 5?
5. How does Coleman describe how his regiment is supplied in November 1864? How does he describe its status by April 4, 1865? What news does Bur bring that explains the difference?
6. What does Coleman think of Union defectors? Why does he think that?
7. When does Coleman get Christmas dinner? What does he get for that dinner?
8. Why does Bur report terrible conditions at home in South Carolina but then say they don't know how bad war really is?
9. How does Coleman report that other soldiers took the Confederate surrender? How does he take it?
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