Camp Geo. Spaulding
Nashville Tenn. Nov. 5 (1863)
Dearest Parents:
Mr. Moore (relative to William C. Moore, Medina. Enlisted in company K, First Infantry, April 18, 1861, at Adrian, for 3 months, age 19. Mustered May 2, 1861. Taken prisoner at Bull Run, Va., July 21, 1861. Exchanged. Mustered out May 20, 1862. Re-entered service in company I, Eighteenth Infantry, as First Lieutenant, at organization. Commissioned July 27, 1862. Mustered Aug. 26, 1862. Honorably discharged to accept promotion Nov. 23, 1862. Commissioned Captain Nov. 24, 1862. Mustered Nov. 24, 1862. Mustered out and honorably discharged at Nashville, Tenn., June 26, 1865.) arrived last night with the rest of the Medina-ites, and there was rejoicing in the camp, though I was disappointed, for I thought by your not writing that Pa was surely coming. But I try to be content with Mr. Johnson’s word = “that he could not leave his duties at present.” Of course duty comes first and pleasure afterward. I had no thought of seeing Mr. Johnson here, but he brought a nice lot of things for Jay (probably George J. Johnson, Medina. Enlisted in company A, Eighteenth Infantry, Aug. 4, 1862, at Hudson, for 3 years, age 22. Mustered Aug. 26, 1862. Taken prisoner at Athens, Ala., Sept. 24, 1864. Exchanged April 22, 1865. Discharged at Detroit, Michigan, June 17, 1865.) and I. The butter is splendid and the cheese cannot be beaten – at least not by Mrs. Uptons (there were three soldiers in the Eighteenth Infantry with the last name of Upton and all from the same area, probably brothers: Harvey W. Upton. Enlisted in company I, Jan. 2, 1864, at Medina, for 3 years, age 25. Mustered Jan. 12, 1864. Joined regiment at Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 25, 1864. Missing in action at Athens, Ala., Sept. 24, 1864. Returned to regiment at Athens, Ala., Oct. 1864. Transferred to company G, Ninth Infantry, June 25, 1865. Mustered out at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 15, 1865. Orrin S. Upton, Lenawee County. Enlisted in company I, Eighteenth Infantry, Dec. 31, 1863, at Medina, for 3 years, age 25. Mustered Jan. 12, 1864. Joined regiment at Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 25, 1864. Died of disease at Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 2, 1864. Buried in National Cemetery at Nashville, Tenn. Warren S. Upton. Enlisted in company I, Eighteenth Infantry, Jan. 4, 1864, at Medina, for 3 years, age 18. Mustered Jan. 12, 1864. Joined regiment at Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 25, 1864. Missing in action at Athens, Ala., Sept. 24, 1864. Killed in explosion of steamer “Sultana” near Memphis, Tenn., April 27, 1865.) that she sent to the boys. An now that I am speaking of it – I fell in with brother’s suggestion as to keeping that Ellen sent in our squad and letting the other boys have all the other. I intended to have given Jimmy a part of it, though but the boys carried it off to the house where we board, and I thought I would let it go, and when Pa comes down perhaps he will bring us some more. The butter we have had taken out of the cans and put in a crock, and with what the other boys got, it makes a lot of it, I tell you. Henry got some sorghum molasses, and hope some honey, besides pickles, and cakes and dried fruit. We have enough to last us two months, I should think, of butter and fruit. The ‘tick’ to, is just the thing exactly. Tomorrow, Henry will be off duty and we will fill it. I should have written this morning – (it is evening) but the trunk had not been unpacked and I did not know what to write, and then came an order to me to report all the clothing and Camp Equipage in the Co. which, since I had to see each man and they are widely scattered, took me till after the mail went out. This will not leave Nashville now till Saturday, -- today being Thursday. I do not have any of the socks as they were marked to others, and it was presumed I have enough, which is the case, though they (I mean the society that knit and directed them) (here Jewell is referring to the many soldiers’ aides societies that were formed in the North, run by and administered by women, that sent boxes of foodstuffs) saw fit to sent Lt. Savage, who is but just returned from home where he could get a supply – a pair. But nothing could be sent, which the boys need so much. All other clothing nearly that we draw is substantial but the socks I cannot wear more than two weeks to each pair, and I believe I am not very severe, on socks. If you have anything to do with societies for the relief of soldiers just bear in mind that socks are always needed, by those who have not but ones from home. The jacket is better than I expected. I shall have the wrist bands remodeled some and it will do first rate. I think I shall look as well in it as in a blouse, and it will be much warmer. Willie still thinks we shall soon leave here and that you will not have an opportunity to come down, but I think the prospect as good for a stay of months as ever in the world. Mr. Moore and Willie have been to see Col. ____ and have learned that there is a vacancy in his regiment – in Co. M (?) and I hope Ed Farnsworth will be assigned to the place for he has had a rough time of it, and went out with the right motive partly at least, and I think he will make a god Lt. It is a fine place, too. The wages are higher than ours in the infantry – the danger less, and the hardships also less. I hope he will not resign to get out of it and I do not believe he will. He will have to come here to join his regiment & if he don’t call on us he will ___ a ____.
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